“Keeping It Real” — The Ultimate Success Story

Sep
29

“Keeping It Real” — The Ultimate Success Story

In: Mike Klingler — Tags: Mike Klingler —

Comments (19)

Have you ever questioned yourself–or doubted yourself–about certain business decisions you’ve made along the way?

I know I have.

This is how we figure stuff out.

It’s how we discover who we ‘really’ are in business–

It’s How You Discover Your Brand.

Your brand is what you’re selling (it’s you).

It’s the most valuable piece.

Once you have it business gets easy. And fun.

And profitable.

But doubt–in and of itself–isn’t enough to discover YOU in business.

It’s just a part of it.

In fact, doubt is destructive without TRUST.

And yet, “doubting” will serve you as long as you’ve included trust in the mix.

So…

Doubt + Trust = Personal Discovery and Greater Levels of Ultimate Success

This is when your power gets turned on.

Here I’m precisely describing how you end up:

- Loving what you do

- While the good money flows inward

- And the value you offer flows out

It’s the ULTIMATE success story.

It’s the only success story.

I’d like you to consider something:

Can any of this be accomplished by just following a formula?

Is there such thing as a marketing formula, or a proven system?

Here’s my take:

Yes, there’s a time and place for formulas and systems, but they are way overrated.

Because they don’t have a soul.

Without soul you got nothin’.

Are you focused on formulas and a system, or are you focused on acquiring EACH of the soulful skills needed to succeed (click if you missed the ‘essential list’)?

Back to how I discovered my brand (to assist you in your journey of finding YOURS)…

“Doubt + Trust = Personal Discovery and Greater Levels of Ultimate Success”

–A Recent Bout With Doubt–

I did a leap recently in my own journey while thinking about how to introduce Coaching Cognition.

My gut told me to avoid the time trap of doing a ‘big launch.’

That would be a huge distraction for our team.

And frankly, it’s not a passion of mine to create a thorough launch sequence (though that has its place).

My passion, at least for now, is building out the infrastructure for our growing community of entrepreneurs–landmark projects like Coaching Cognition.

As I thought about ‘launch’, I leaned toward keeping it simple–so simple it wouldn’t even be noticed as a launch at all. It would be more like an introduction. I’d allow the ‘marketing’ to unfold on its own spontaneously.

Of course we’d educate on why “coaching skills” are vital to one’s success.

For example, Barbara Silva, our coach of coaches, led two webinars this summer discussing the power of coaching skills; what it is and what its not; and how many new students will find their own way into business success for the first time as a paid coach with us.

In my last email I talked about the ‘essential list’ everyone in business should be tackling head on — that its the only shortcut that really exists. That email highlights the value of coaching.

But emails like that weren’t planned. They were spontaneous.

The email I’m writing now wasn’t planned.

And yet, in a sense, this is all part of the launch, or at least the introduction, of Coaching Cognition.

It kind of just goes like this…

Because Coaching Cognition is our main focus right now… its naturally what occupies my mind… so it’s naturally mentioned and referenced when I share teaching points (like in the last email) and connect with you in emails like today.

–Trusting Your Way–

I trusted that if we share some main points, the right people who are ready would join us without the need for fanfare, and once again a large group would make a transformational advancement in their businesses together.

But until very recently, I also had doubt in myself on this very thing I trusted…

“Maybe we do need a full blown launch plan for Coaching Cognition?”

–Doubting–

We’ve done very well with our business. And yet, we’ve never really focused a lot on the marketing.

Could we do even better if we did?

Are there people we haven’t reached, who we could have helped, if we marketed more heavily?

I’ve often reflected about my ‘way’ of marketing, thinking it was my weakest point.

Most marketers teach to use ‘launch formulas’ or a full blown ‘launch sequence’ to REALLY get people’s attention.

These are calculated.

A launch formula or sequence is a highly orchestrated sequence of well crafted emails, and/or reports and/or other planned steps to prepare your audience to buy something from you.

When implemented correctly they’re extremely effective (at generating up front sales).

But I didn’t want to do that.

It’s odd for most online marketers when they hear things like this from me but, “I don’t think about selling all that much.”

Instead, I focus on CONNECTING with people who really need what we offer but just don’t know it yet, and then on effectively COMMUNICATING what we offer so they totally ‘get’ it.

Before they even buy they’re already light years ahead of where they were. I shift their context by ‘keeping it real’. Rarely do I feel an urge for fanfare.

Some may say I’m still selling–and yes, that’s happening.

But the difference is this:

I didn’t produce these sales by focusing on a formula. A system has never really been THE SOLUTION, no matter how hard I’ve tried to make that fly over the years.

Instead, as I discussed recently in the only real short cut that exists, I’ve focused on developing the skills needed (the essential list most avoid) that I believe everyone must hit head on if they want to end the struggle and move onto their own brand of ultimate success.

Once and for all.

But this is all stuff I figured out recently.

Actually, I knew some of it all along and I trusted it. But I also doubted myself throughout the process over the years… even up til now until a new level of clarity has hit.

It’s now reached me at a higher level of clarity than ever… and thus my brand solidifies, business becomes even easier yet, and the sensation of Ultimate Success is heightened once more.

The doubt along the way was healthy because it caused me to reflect.

But it served me ONLY because I trusted myself at the same time… and found my own way to steer another direction (away form formulas, systems and promises) and toward “the essential list” and authenticity.

I notice that every successful person I’ve met, regardless of what they ‘think’ have done the same thing. They’d be successful regardless of the system or formula they use, because they’ll always choose the right one for THEM. And they’ll do more than that. They’ve developed themselves through the essential list… either directly and quickly or by default through painstaking trial and error. It has to happen one way or another.

“If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now…”

I’ve been through the “ringer” in business–and maybe that’s why I continue to work hard to get the message across that Learning Coaching Skills IS the Fastest Shortcut to Success.

If you missed my recent article, “Finding The Only Shortcut in Business and Taking It” I encourage you to read it now.

I’d also like to introduce you to meet someone today who has grown significantly in developing her essential list with Barbara Silva’s Coaching Cognition.

Meet Claire Covington as she shares what Barbara Silva and Coaching Cognition has done for her.

Listen carefully to what Claire shares because you’ll notice something.

She’s authentic.

And that’s the key!

Please listen carefully to Curt Johnson as well, knowing he’s been a successful coach and businessman for years. Curt was Ann Sieg’s coach not so long ago before she discovered her own voice and brand. He’s also her upline!

Watch Curt Johnson on Coaching Cognition.

We’ll begin registration for Coaching Cognition in early October.

I’ll be sharing more details with you as I get them.

Partners in success,

Mike Klingler

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Comments (19)

19 Comments »

Mike,

Doubt is an interesting word and it’s important that you have used your doubt to reflect. Doubt might often be confused with ‘fear’ and they are far different.

As you said, you used your doubt as a trigger to reflect further and what you discovered was a deeper trust in yourself. This is so important as many of us don’t trust ourselves enough.

Your authenticity comes through and its because of this that so many people have come to know, trust and believe in you.

Like attracts like. So when you give us examples of people like Claire and Curt…how could they be anything but authentic?

Coaching Cognition will be an excellent platform for those people who have ‘kept their light under a barrel’. They will shine ever so brightly and help so many others along the way.

Comment by Deborah Marsden — September 30, 2009 @ 12:45 am
Hi Mike,

I love what you said about ‘being authentic’ and ‘loving what you do’. There is definitely a struggle in process of finding your authentic self as well as your own unique brand in business.

However like you have put is so nicely the ultimate success is being able to be your authentic self, love what you do, give value to others as well as receiving value from others.

The coaching cognition program will be a place to experience all of those things and more. I have had the privilege of being coached by one of the coaching cognition coaches Eric Walker. It was a great experience.

I know if people are willing and ready to take their business to the next step working with a coach will help them become empowered personally and in their business building efforts.

I am also interested in becoming a coach with Coaching Cognition and am very excited about the program. Hearing the testimonials from others and their experience of taking the course is extremely encouraging.

Thanks to you and Barbara Silva for providing this wonderful opportunity.

kind regards,

Ness,

Comment by Neseret Bemient — September 30, 2009 @ 4:15 am
Hi Mike,

I really loved this article and related to it on a number of levels. At the moment it seems people are fairly jaded by big launches but I doubt that people will ever get jaded by excellent service and the feeling that they are genuinely cared for.

Perhaps your way is not the way to get quick results but I’m sure they’ll be long lasting.

I built my acupuncture clinic one relationship at a time. I never advertised, never did any sort of marketing, and never even did any follow up… I just CONNECTED with each person as they came in and soon enough I had a busy clinic.

I’m certain if my focus was to implement a formula for building a clinic rather than the relationships being first and foremost my clinic would not have grown the way that it did.

Interestingly, I recently went through a period that was emotionally taxing and that meant that I was not connecting with my patients as I normally would and I noticed the difference in my business. As I started to feel better I immediately started to CONNECT with people and referrals started flooding back in… immediately.

I feel that the kind of business that comes from referrals due to happy clients brings with it good karma that can not be achieved through marketing, from my experience these are the best people to work with.

I love marketing and appreciate it’s power and importance in business but I also believe unless a business is built on the bedrock of CARING for the people that actually make being business possible (customers and clients) than marketing isn’t worth much at all.

Your insights and genuineness are always a breath of fresh air.

Steve Anderson

Comment by Steve Anderson — September 30, 2009 @ 4:26 am
I’m deeply touched by what you have written in this post Mike. So much so that I am very close to tears.

I read your ‘Finding the only shortcut…’ post and the Essential List, which I now have printed out and reflect upon daily. In that post your story conveyed so powerfully how The List emerged out of your own struggles and experiences.

When I read your latest email a few moments ago I could hardly believe that you were writing about a process that I have been going through for a while now. I have been in that space of ‘self-doubt’, searching for my ‘voice’, the Brand of Me. It’s a lonely space to be in and having someone else suddenly reach out and say “I’ve been there too” – well, it nearly done me in! The tears whelmed up because I knew you ‘understood’ what it was like to be in that space.

My self-doubt emerged as I was creating my website. Finally, against the advice ‘don’t keep tinkering…move on’ I took down all the pages I’d written & took two-thirds off my homepage. I knew it was the right thing to do. And then, once I’d cleared the decks, my ‘look and feel’ began to emerge and then ‘my voice’. As you say ‘doubt and trust’. I had to trust that I would recognize ‘my voice’ when I finally heard it – that I would know my ‘look and feel’ when I finally saw it.

Being a member of Renegade Breakthrough and Renegade Pro has been such an amazing, joyful experience for me. It is an experience in which I am constantly touched by the honesty and ‘giving’ that is conveyed by everyone involved with Renegade. I recently read DiDi’s post on Better Networker where she shares her experiences after reading The List. Her beauty, both inside and out, shines forth and warms us all.

My deepest thanks to you all for being who you are and sharing that with us all.

Kisane

Comment by kisane — September 30, 2009 @ 6:12 am
It’s a shame that internet marketing beginners fall for systems that seduce by promising “easy, fast and simple”. I was no different.

But a system can only take you so far. There is a point when you need to actually talk to your prospect.

A lot of people are afraid to do this and they hide behind the system. What they don’t really understand is that fear can be overcome just by learning the skill one needs to talk with confidence and posture.

That’s why I’m really looking forward to the Coaching Cognition course, so I can learn the skills I need to be more effective in my interactions with people and especially those that seek help from me.

I really appreciate your honesty and “realness” Mike as this helps me to realize that “yes” I can also do it. Mike did and still does!

Comment by Marie Leonard — September 30, 2009 @ 6:19 am
Doubt vs. Trust – This is actually a topic I want to develop in our coaching training.

Often, we place negative or positive values on something and leave it at that. At first glance, doubt would be a negative and trust the positive.

But as you pointed out here, doubt can serve it’s purpose. It made you stop, reflect, and get clear on what you were doing before plunging in.

As coaches, we help our clients to examine both the positives and the negatives. If we are experiencing an emotion, like doubt, it’s good to find out exactly why it is there. Doubt, in this case, didn’t mean you were on the wrong track. But it caused you to focus on what it was you really wanted to do and why you wanted to do it. That’s powerful.

I shudder to think of the loss to us all if you had not taken the time to understand this. Some people experience doubt and use it as a reason to quit. Thank goodness, you didn’t.

Trust is a good thing…so long as it has been authentically earned. We’ve all trusted someone or something and found the trust had been misplaced.

You build trust – for me that is your brand – precisely because of what you have done in this article. You don’t just go out and “sell.” You share your process, your thinking and your goals.

Coaching Cognition has grown out of the trust that developed between you and I. You inspire me every day!

Comment by Barbara Silva — September 30, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Mike,

Gosh, I’ve a true awakening this week, though I don’t know why it has taken me 6 months to “get it”. As a result of your previous post, I’ve been revamping my blog to reflect a place where marketers can get good information, rather than focusing on telling them all about my products and business opportunity. This post was right-on with the timing for me. Thank you so much for your insight, wisdom and honesty!

~Nancy Landa

Comment by Nancy Landa — September 30, 2009 @ 8:51 am
Thank you Mike!

You clearly speak from within – who you really are. That means more to me than any marketing strategy or tactic out there. I have a tendency to question myself (doubt), and also the intent of others.

Every time I read your emails or hear you speak on videos and tutorials I know that it is you I’m listening to – the real you – the person who clearly likes helping others. For me, that creates trust. So I can feel, now more than ever, the importance of coaching – coaching with heart. Even from the printed word it creates a connection that is truly exciting.

And it is also clear that you attract people who are of the same heart like Barbara Silva and the Marketing Merge Team. Being a member of Renegade Professionals has brought me to a place of knowing I can build a business that fits me.

I’m sure I would seriously benefit from the Coaching Cognition program. Even though I’m still progressing through the action guide, is this program something to consider now?

Comment by Julie Rose — September 30, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Mike,
Having read your article I feel that it is your authenticity, thought, and speculation that has made both you and Ann a success. The so called “formulas” are just that: formulas, with no heart or soul. Personally I shut down when I receive them, and rarely read them through. I may not be a “successful” business woman as yet, but it has been through my soul searching that your system resonates with me. I have received numerous emails and marketing program sales pitches but there has to be the authenticity and personal emotion behind the words. Don’t lose the feelings you have, they are there for a reason. Success comes in its time to those who remain true to themselves.

Comment by Wendy MacKay — September 30, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Tony is very keep on neurocognition.He’s a medical
worker and his site is a focus for a number of disciplines.I keep my blog there..and ontological
coaching has been big with tony squeze in thru his
tiny peephole,see what other links might brink with yours.I “coach” music-but I am really working with
development and skills completely transferable to other venues.the music young folk seem to do very well
in the rest of their assessment at school-and they replicate excellence by modelling. Older adults reflect where they are.And that may send them to
the door,never to return-or a dream just between themselves to play from nothing a certain song is a
personal accomplishment which models autonomy and
reaching further. So check us out! And enjoy!

Comment by wilton — September 30, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Mike,
It’s so “you” the way you describe the conflicting formula of doubt and trust.
I really never thought about how they work together to help us make our best decisions. Again, it’s this type of insight that helps us move forward and trust our own instincts and find what works for us, not someone else.

I’ll just add, as one of Coaching Cognition’s new coaches, it’s that little bit of helpful doubt that makes me strive to be a better coach and not just rely on what I already know, even though I totally trust my decision and the path I’ve chosen.

Comment by Becky Joubert — September 30, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
Doubt + Trust = Personal Discovery and Greater Levels of Ultimate Success

Well, Mike, you’ve hit the nail on the head again. You are definitely in your power as a mentor and business coach/trainer.

You well know the ebbs and flow of self doubt I have journeyed through. I am finding a centre of strength and absolutely looking forward to working with Barbara and Coaching Cognition to build that out.

Long ago, I learned to trust you. When the systems failed, you didn’t. The kind of authenticity you demonstrate here is a common thread through the years. I think you are spot on listening to your gut in regards to the marketing process that will work best for you.

Comment by Pat Campbell — September 30, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Julie – developing coaching skills will help with your marketing and customer relationships even if you are not yet ready to actually become a coach at this point.

For me, I knew coaching was what I wanted to do because of my lifelong love of helping people in this particular way. Follow both your heart and your “gut.” They will tell you what is the best timing for you!

Comment by Barbara Silva — October 1, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Barbara,

Thanks, that answers my question. Helping and interacting with people is an important and exciting part of the business I want to create. I know listening is important, but I also know it’s much more than that and I don’t have much experience from a business standpoint.

You are right. For the last two years I have been learning to listen more closely to my heart and gut – that inner knowing – and it has served me well. Things just seem to fall into place and I am now learning skills I never thought I would be learning. When I saw your webinars on coaching I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It feels both exciting and a little scary. It is obvious to me that it is of great value.

Thank you

Comment by Julie Rose — October 2, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Several Responses in Reading this…

“- Loving what you do”
- While the good money flows inward
- And the value you offer flows out”

Yes, and I think I would add: “loving what you do and why
you do it.” And you’ve reflected here and elsewhere you
desire to help others as a major motivating factor.

In other words, a true heart-felt “why” can motivate us in
so many areas. Like, for example, from your “why” for
sharing the emails and moving forward with Coaching
Cognition.

“I’d allow the ‘marketing’ to unfold on its own
spontaneously.”

I took that as flowing from your “why” and, frankly, loved
reading it.

“Instead, I focus on CONNECTING with people who really need
what we offer but just don’t know it yet, and then on
effectively COMMUNICATING what we offer so they totally
‘get’ it.”

Yes, in fact I appreciated listening to Dean Caporella
yesterday relative to having the perspective of the other
person in mind while writing articles. Again, viewing things
from the needs, wants and desires of the other person –
along with my heart’s desire to truly meet those needs –
and then communicating my heart whether in a written format
like an article or a series of emails. Neat blend!

On another point…

You mentioned Claire’s “authenticity” in her talk. Yes,
actually I took that in last evening and thought the same
thing. Simple, straight forward communication from one
person to another sharing how Barbara has helped her.

Now there’s a “talking point” for anyone:

1. Simple.
2. Straight forward.
3. Sincere.

(I feel an article coming on, lol!)

In fact, I went from listening there to Claire to one of her
training videos in Renegade Pro.

And, of course, Barbara has already been a real
encouragement and help to me as I travel along this
“attraction marketing path.” A definite “Go-Giver.”

Thanks for sharing these, Mike. I’ve already made a file
for this one and “the essential list” one in recent days. I
plan to review them again.

I hope you all are able to assist many in reaching their dreams,

Lee

Comment by Lee Wise — October 2, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
Dear Mike,
What you have writen is from the deep part of your heart and what is been said is the voice within of your thoughts you are a gifted person and you used it by giving a good energy around you so it was who you become.thank you Mike of who you are and thank for the gift you give to us to become who we are and gonna be in future mind, body,heart and soul are connected.

Comment by Violeta Edge — October 2, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Mike,
You have always been open with your Renegade students, but this time you out did yourself.
We all have been there “If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now…”

Comment by Rallie Rallis — October 3, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Mike,

As always, I’m super inspired by your words and I can absolutely vouch for the Coaching Cognition platform. Talk about empowerment. This course empowers us to take leaders to the next level. My confidence in helping others find their biggest challenges in business is growing by leaps and bounds.

Thank you Mike and Barbara for CC.

Terri
PS If you are thinking about NOT taking this course, click on my name to see what I have to say about that

Comment by Terri Stallcop — October 8, 2009 @ 2:57 am
Hi Mike! Thanks for the info about using the social networking sites in your recent note to us. It is really great to know the value you are giving our community and helping to keep us on the cutting edge of service to our markets.

Comment by Gilbert James — March 1, 2010 @ 4:30 pm