I believe in caring and sharing, rather than comparing. ~ Denis Waitley

In sales there are going to be times when you can’t make everyone happy. Don’t expect to and you won’t be disappointed. Just do your best for each client in each situation as it arises. Then, learn from each situation how to do it better the next time. ~ Tom Hopkins

I believe that good health means more than wealth. ~ Denis Waitley

If you want to amend your errors, you must begin by amending your philosophy. ~ Jim Rohn

Now, if you want to get rich, you have only to produce a product or service that will give people greater use value than the price you charge for it. How rich you get will be determined by the number of people to whom you can sell the product or service. ~ Earl Nightingale

I believe in this and the next generation, and believe we'll build a better nation. ~ Denis Waitley

Women have an incredible ability to pick up on emotional signals. For example, there are some wolves that are so clever they have learned to dress up like sheep. Man says, “Looks like a sheep. Talks like a sheep.” Woman says, “Ain’t no sheep! ~ Jim Rohn

Life is a series of sales situations, and the answer is NO if you don’t ask. ~ Patricia Fripp

To succeed in sales, simply talk to lots of people every day. And here’s what’s exciting—there are lots of people! ~Jim Rohn

I believe that although I may not be the best looking in the group, I'll always be looking my best in every group! ~ Denis Waitley

Measure your emotions. You don’t need an atomic explosion for a minor point. ~ Jim Rohn

Demonstrate to your customer the difference between price and cost. The price is what it takes to purchase the item. The cost is the amount the customer eventually pays. They are not the same. ~ Brian Tracy

I believe that I am a good as anyone in the world. Although I may never be on the cover of Time or People magazine, I still have time to be one of the people who make a really positive difference in the world. ~ Denis Waitley

Civilization is the intelligent management of human emotions. ~ Jim Rohn

Home Depot knows ‘the more they help, the more they sell.’ Oh by the way, for the ‘bottom liners’ who disagree, it’s also vice versa.” ~ Jeffrey Gitomer

I believe that all people have the equal right to become all they are willing and able to become. ~ Denis Waitley

Our emotions need to be as educated as our intellect. It is important to know how to feel, how to respond, and how to let life in so that it can touch you. ~ Jim Rohn

Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity. ~ Louis Pasteur

I believe in myself. ~ Denis Waitley

Evaluating Your Associations, Part 2 by Jim Rohn

Last week we took a look at the power of influence in our lives and how it is possible to be nudged off course a little at a time until, finally, we find ourselves asking, “How did I get here?”

We then asked three key questions:

“Who am I around?” You've got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.

“What are these associations doing to me?” That's a major question to ask. What have they got me doing, listening to, reading, thinking and feeling? You've got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.

“Is that okay?” Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I'm suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.

This week, let's discuss three ways to handle associations or relationships that are holding you back.

1) Disassociate. This is not an easy decision, nor something you should take lightly, but in some cases it may be essential. You may just have to make the hard choice not to let certain negative influences affect you anymore. It could be a choice that preserves the quality of your life.

2) Limited association. Spend major time with major influences and minor time with minor influences. It is easy to do just the opposite, but don't fall into that trap. Take a look at your priorities and your values. We have so little time at our disposal. Wouldn't it make sense to invest it wisely?

3) Expanding your associations. This is the one I suggest you focus on the most. Find other successful people who you can spend more time with. Invite them to lunch (pick up the tab) and ask them how they have achieved so much or what makes them successful. Now, this is not just about financial success; it can be someone who you want to learn from about having a better marriage, being a better parent, having better health or a stronger spiritual life.

It is called association on purpose—getting around the right people by expanding your circle of influence. And when you do that, you will naturally limit the relationships that are holding you back. Give it a try and see for yourself.

Emotions will either serve or master, depending on who is in charge. ~ Jim Rohn

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Suess

Often the best way to create change is not to try to convince others to change, but to change ourselves.~ Daily Om

Chinese Proverb: Be slow to promise but quick to perform.

A man who dares waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. ~ Charles Darwin

Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others. ~ Brian Tracy

Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple—yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend. ~ Bits and Pieces

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. ~ Bill Cosby

If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Persistence-The act of holding firmly & steadfastly to a purpose, state, goal, or undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks. ~ B Bennett

Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Life's too short to be anything... but happy. ~ Anonymous

‎Teamwork... is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. ~ Andrew Carnegie

The most difficult thing is your decision to act…the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers… You can do anything you decide to do ~ You can act to change and control your life ~ Your course of action is your own reward. ~ Amelia Earhart

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. ~ Albert Schweitzer

An idiot is someone who keeps doing the same thing expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein