Best Investment!

ROI!

The Best Investment you can make!

.42

yes 42 cents

One first class US stamp!

Write a hand written Thank You note and mail it in regular ol' US mail!

The results are amazing...Question: When was the last time you sent a handwritten thank you note using US mail? I already know...it's sad. But make a change...start today! You will love the results.

Compass Program

Why?

With your time and with your task list ask yourself:

• Why am I doing this? (most important...simple but yet hugely important)
• Why is this important?
• What will happen if I don't do it?
• What priority is this?

Simple ask yourself...just sit silently in your chair and say: Self, why am I doing this?

My promise:

1. You will be amazed at how much stuff you will stop doing that mean nothing
2. You will be amazed at how your priorities in life start to actually get done
3. You will be amazed at how much time you will free up to work on the real important stuff
4. You will be amazed at how much your relationships improve
5. You will be amazed at how much more money you can make
6. You will be amazed at how better you feel

Time management is a key concept you will learn at the Compass Program! Sign up today!

Ask yourself: Why would I not sign up for this course and improve my career and life?

Compass Program

At Compass you will learn:

Open mind. Having an open mind is so critical for development, growth, and joy in life. But it seems like the older we get, the more close minded we become. And that is a total shame. Why do we not have an open mind in this life? Some reasons or more like excuses:

• Because everyone else is closed minded
• Because I want to fit in...society norms...I don't want to stand out too much by being open minded
• Never thought about it...I just live and don't really think about those things
• Too much risk to be open minded...I actually may have to change my ways and I don't like change!

In a word to the above: WEAK!

In Compass, you will learn about having an open mind and real life tools to make that happen. You, I promise, will also be SO JACKED UP and energized by this new way of thinking; this new way of looking at things; this new way of living life.

I can't wait. In fact, I am jumping out of my seat as I type...that is how excited I get thinking about the Compass Program.

So sign up today! 512.291.7771 or kelly@christapken.com

Compass Program

When: May 27th
Where: Lakeway Hotel and Resort (absolutely motivating place view stunning views)
Cost: $250 per month including all world class training materials and one on one support

You asked for it...

We have been asked so many times to give a class that many people can benefit from (and is affordable). Well, here it is. We are launching the Compass Program which is a first rate program that will improve both business acumen and personal development.

The course is a once per month, half day class, where 12 key principles are introduced (one per month). The modules we will move mountains on:

• Diversity
• WOW Experience...World Class Customer Service
• Time Management...How to execute every single day to make your life well lived actually happen
• Effective Leadership Skills
• Change Management...Those that don't change, don't last
• Conflict Management
• Principles of High Performance...from a Focus to a Ferrari
• The Integrity Model...How to live the life you want to live
• The Role of Trust...both in our life and the marketplace
• The Seven Powers of Persuasion
• High Payoff People
• Positive Impact...How to rock and roll in your life!

Seating is limited so register today. Call Kelly to sign up at 512.291.7771 or kelly@christapken.com

Let's start the path to living your life as you dream about it and making orgainzations in Austin BIP (Best In Planet)

Hurry and sign up...See you soon.

Chances...Take advantage of them

Chances

2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th...

Life is about more getting more chances. But why do so many of us not take advantage of that? One of the reasons I think we neglect more chances is that we view failure the wrong way. When most of us fail we feel:

• Embarrassment
• Shame
• Guilt
• Pity
• Sorry

But really we should not feel any of those when we fail?

I have failed big time. In fact you can see the dent of the failure in the Midwest. Big time failure in the public and most people's eyes. I see if differently. I did not fail. I learned. But for that, I would not be where I am today or more importantly the person I am today. So really did I fail? To me, heck no.

Given that, I have more chances to get things "right" and get where I want to be in life: spiritually, business, personally, relationally, mentally, and physically. I am going to jump on these chances and improve! How about you?

No more saying...

You can't say: Can't

In my mind, my son Teddy and I had an important discussion early this morning. Although it only lasted about 120 seconds, it was still very critical. I think we can all learn from this.

Teddy was getting into the shower and I was brushing my teeth. I mumbled to him to open the door to get into the shower and he said; "I can't..." Oh, no. I hate that word. I knelt down to his level and very seriously told him that he should never say he can't do something.

Can't is such a defeatist word. It is so weak. It is so lame. It is so not creative. It is so limiting. I hate it.

But start listening to all the people in this world that not only use the word, but rather thrive on it. Real life, this is how people talk:

• I can't, I am too old
• I can't, I don't have enough money
• I can't, I will never meet the right person
• I can't, I am not smart enough
• I can't, I will never make it
• I can't, I don't have what it takes
• I can't, I will go broke
• I can't, I am not the right person for that

From today on, remove the word can't from your vocabulary and then tell me how you feel! Sorry for being so simple, but most of the time, it's the simple things that make all the difference. This is one of them. Don't say or think can't and I guarantee you, life will be improved!

Tonight and Tomorrow

Today is almost history but you know what? I can't wait until tomorrow!

Why tomorrow is going to be great:

1. It is grace...undeserved favor...from God to me. I did not do anything to deserve tomorrow; that's for sure. That means it is a gift. With gifts come huge responsibility to be a good steward of that gift ...this is a gift of time! (I love that word stewardship!)
2. I can make a difference in a person(s)
3. Austin TX! What else can I say? Paradise (Life is short so you better live somewhere you love...living somewhere you don't like makes NO Sense)
4. Either gains or losses tomorrow...but its still another day I get!
5. Greenlight Solutions! I love my company! I love what I can do for others...
6. Journal...I am going to write in my journal tomorrow. It is a great way for me to get my thoughts straight, my focus sharp, and feelings out on paper. It simply helps me be better.
7. Friday...Although truthfully, everyday is about the same for me. Why? Because my company is not like going to work. I love what I do so much that it's not like working! Are you there?
8. Because I want it to be great! Program your Super-Computer mind for what you want...and it just happens!

Until tomorrow!

Chris

Over-packing...

Recently, a couple of the airlines have started to charge $25 or so, when you check a second bag. Many people are throwing a fit at this. But to me, I don't mind it. Why? It prevents over-packing. How many of you are over-packers? You know...the type of person that fills the car for a simple weekend overnight. The type that brings so much stuff, it makes the trip uncomfortable for others. The type that brings stuff knowing they will never use it...but nevertheless bring it anyway.

I really don't like over-packing. It makes things hard to find. It makes time unproductive. It causes confusion, lack of focus, and messes up priorities.

Same is true with your life and time. Don't over-pack. Don't over-pack so much "stuff" into your schedule that you lose focus on the really important things. You lose focus on hitting your Master Targets (priorities) in life! In today's world, it is so easy to over-pack. It is so easy to fill up your life that you just exist and go through the motions because there is no way you can properly prioritize. Don't do that.

Leave some space in your life. Leave some room. Leave some time. This will allow you to make sure you are on spot hitting those Master Targets in your life. The old saying is so true and applicable here: Do 5 things at 100% rather than 50 things at 10%!

Don't over-pack your life!

Ponder On...Wonder On...

Tuesday night:

• I run out of fuel about 9pm or so...working on a plan to keep my energy up until about 11pm or so. I would love to have those two extra hours of enthusiastic production. I do like a good night of restful sleep but just not too much.
• Starting a business is tough. If you don't believe, try to start one by yourself. Then add in no capital or loans. It's a road not traveled on that is for sure.
• But I love my company and I am really in love with it's potential! I see us helping so many people improve their lives, careers and businesses. Do you love what you do? No...I mean really love what you do? 95% of you would have to answer "no". Then the question I have is why are you still doing that? 95% of you would have to answer "money".
• When is the last time you wrote a hand written letter and sent it first class US mail? You should do this asap...the results are positive impacts.
• My wife said no house payment should be over $2500...ever. If you have cash, then buy what you want but if you finance; be careful...even if you are making huge money. Pretty wise.
• Comfortably Uncomfortable. That is the motto of the Tapken house. We want to keep pushing your family and individuals to go to the next level and always out of our comfort zones.
• Today in business: The rules are there are no rules.
• Eat healthy. Why is this so hard to understand? Obesity is an epidemic that nobody is talking about. Eat better and move around more. It's just that simple.

Which Road?

My favorite road:

My favorite road to take in life is: The road less traveled! or even better The Road Not Taken!

To me; there is nothing worse than being ordinary. How about you? Do you just want to fit in and do the same as your peers and neighbors? Do you just want to exist and conform? Or... Do you want to be a trailblazer? A pioneer?

I think we are all designed to be original creative masterworks. But overtime we harden and get into routines and ruts. We lose our creative genius. That is not the way its suppose to be.

Get out of your comfort pool; Get out of your nice life box.

Stretch! Reach! Strive!

Simple to say; hard to do. In fact, so hard most all of you reading this won't do it!

Saturday!

Saturday Random Thought Starters:

• Are you inspired? Do you have a fire in your guts? Are you on a mission in life? If not, simply I ask: Why not?
• For me: I am fired up and a glowing fire for Greenlight Solutions, my company, and helping companies and individuals reach dreams and become better! I really want to take my company to entirely huge level that reaches and impacts thousands.
• For me: I am inspired on raising these two miracle boys of mine; Teddy and Tate. I am on a quest to become the best parent I can be. After all, I have been trusted with two of the most special things on the planet called God's Children. This is so huge is scares the daylights out of me. Seriously, I get nervous when I think about how important of a job this is to be a Parent. If being a Parent doesn't feel a bit overwhelming, then you are not doing it right.
• For me: I am inspired to take our family to the next level!
• For me: I am inspired to keep finding more, better, deeper inspiration. (My Faith is the center part of this and never-ending quest!)
• Reading 3 books right now and need to finish them. You really want to learn and improve, just pick up a book.
• Love the Masters Golf Tournament. Tiger is a once in a lifetime figure. You should learn about this man as there are so many lessons we can take from him. Example: How to set goals and achieve them. How many of us had our lifetime goal and mission set before we were in high school?
• Mom, thanks for the new coffee pot. I love it. Is there anything better than coffee in the morning?
• Find the extraordinary in the ordinary. I am really intrigued by this. For example, let's take that morning cup of coffee...pretty ordinary for many people. But what if I can take the ordinary cup of coffee and connect with someone relationally and make a difference in their day? Now I have just taken something very ordinary and made it extraordinary. I am looking at these daily.
• The harder I work; I more lucky I become!
• Working on something I call the Funnel of Hope! More to come on this but it tackles the issue of adversity and breaks it down both in written word and picture format. The cliff notes on the funnel of hope: Bad events start off and seem much worse than what actually they are...but there is a series of steps we need to understand to handle adversity in a positive manner.
• Negative or Bad Events are not like wine. They don't get better with age! Handle issues as them come up; even as unpleasant as handling heat is...

Dirty Laundry

No More Taking on Other People's Dirty Laundry!

Why do we feel like we have to take on the dirty laundry of other people (especially one's that take us for granted)? It makes no sense because there is no positive outcomes from it. The Dirty laundry from others only possible outcome is Losing! So, don't do it! No longer accept dirty laundry from others people.

If you are like me, I create enough of my own messes without taking on any other person's messes. I do just fine on my own in that arena.

So the next time people try to drop off their negative Dirty Laundry....simply say NO! It doesn't mean you don't care or even love them...But it does mean you are in control of your life and messing up your life with others dirty laundry is not acceptable.

Learn this word: NO! It is so powerful and needed...

#16

Number 16 on my list...Go to the Masters with Teddy and Tate!

Do you have a list of all the things you want to accomplish in your life? If not, why? One of the missing parts of purposeful living I see most is the lack dreams. Somehow, over time, we have lost our dreams. We just don't dream anymore.

One of the best and most fun exercises you can do is write down the list of things you want to do in your life. A couple rules:

• Don't listen to your head


• Dream (go back and act like when you were a kid and wanted fly to the moon)


• Follow your heart

Your head will tell you things like: "You are too old for that....You can't do that...People will think you're crazy with that..on and on. Don't listen to your head. Dream. Wish. Wonder. Pray

Come up with a list of things you want to do in your life. Write them down and keep them. Then once you start purposeful living, you will start doing them and get to check them off! NOW THAT IS REALLY FUN! In a moment of transparency, I got to check off #4 of my list which was "Own a company speaking, consulting, and training employees. Inspire, Motivate, and Change people and companies for a living!"

This week reminds me of #16 which is still on the list and that is to go to the Masters Golf Tournament with Teddy and Tate (Kelly is invited but not her cup of tea). Someday, the three of us will be there! I promise #16 will happen.

Make your Dream List today!

Think about this...

You really want to improve your life and have those deep soul level life lessons?

Go through some adversity! The rocky roads teach us far more than the smooth pavements...Remember this the next time you come across tough times.

To: Kelly my Wife and Mickey my Mom

My sister sent this to me and it is so good I wanted to share with all of you:

(by the way, I don't know who wrote it to credit them for it...but its marvelous!)

Question: Is there any more important job than a Mom? NO!

I'm Invisible It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer. 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. Great Job, MOMS!

Sunday Night Test

Question?

How do you feel on Sunday night? This is a great test to see if you are in your dream job. If you dread Sunday night and have this pit in your stomach, then you are in the Wrong job. If you get down and depressed as the sun sets Sunday, then you are in the wrong job. If you can't taste your food Sunday evening, then you are in the wrong job. If you toss and turn Sunday night in bed staring at the ceiling wishing you could press rewind for a couple days, you are in the wrong job.

I know. I have been there. I worked at a company so bad, I just hated Sunday nights. Why? Because I had to go serve a jail sentence on Monday morning for the next five days! I would have rather been stung by a bee's nest than go to work on Monday at this dreadful company. (It paid the bills and helped me financially and for that I am thankful....and even more so, it gave me the courage to start another company again...you see I have to be thankful it was so bad; because if it was just "kind of " bad, I would not have been so steadfast as to start another company now called Greenlight Solutions....so for all of that I am thankful. But it was still horrible.)

Simply ask yourself, how do I feel on Sunday night about the next week. If you feel negative, you are in the wrong job and make a move. If you are excited, good news...you are in the right job! You all know how I feel about being in the wrong job....words alone cannot stress enough about the urgency to make a move today to get out of the wrong job and into the right job. Very clearly and in plain talk, life is just too short to be in the wrong job (for more reasons than I can write).

Re-focus for me this weekend!

Focus!

I am taking this weekend to re-focus on my business. This is a good lesson to learn from. There are times when you need to call a Time Out and re-focus. For me, it's now. Why? Because without proper focus I am going to get lost.

The real producers in this life are laser focused. They are on a mission and have a detailed plan. Not that the plan always works out because most of the time adjustments need to be made. But nevertheless, they have a plan and a focus.

For me, I have got a bit out of sorts. I am trying to accomplish too much, too fast and need to dial into my focus much more. I will take out the pen and paper and re-write the priorities and tasks of my business. By the end of the weekend, I will come out of it with a renewed energy and attention to plan that will results in positive impacts.

When is the last time you called a Time Out and got re-focused? For most, the answer is never. For some, the answer is it's been a long time. For a very few, the answer is recently. Try it. I helps so much! It's simple but so effective. Like most simple things, it is so simple we never do it!

Chris

Must rent movie: Into the Wild

You all know one of my favorite sayings is "Drive your Life Bus!" You must be in control and behind the wheel of the vehicle called: Your Life.

That means:

• You are the author of Your Life
• You must accept responsibility...no more blaming our pointing fingers. It's Your Life and you own it (along with the results)
• You are now accountable
• Some wins; Some losses; So what...At least now you are in control
• You are playing on the Life Field and no longer a spectator watching your Life being played and controlled by others
• It takes Courage to Live the Life you want to Live

Must rent movie: Into the Wild

Tremendous movie about a young guy Driving his Life Bus! A very moving story (true story) that we all can learn from. Hit me up with your comments after seeing!

Chris

Women Rule....Women Power!

WOMEN RULE!

Below is an awesome article written by a world class author and business leader Mr. Harvey Mackay. It is so good I had to share with all of you.

March is National Women's History month. That seems particularly relevant this year when women are making history in remarkable ways.

For the first time, we have a viable female presidential candidate, a female Secretary of State, and a female Speaker of the House, all three formerly exclusive domains of their male counterparts. There are more than 200,000 women on active duty in the military. All of these would have been impossible less than a generation ago.

The wonderful world of business has also made progress, albeit slower than many would like to see. Women still earn, on average, 77 cents to each dollar that men make. On the upside, revenue for businesses owned by women exceeds $950 billion, and there are about 117,000 women-owned businesses with sales of $1 million or more. Nearly one-third of women-owned businesses operate in health care and social assistance.

I'd like to introduce you to another woman who is also changing history. Marilyn Carlson Nelson and her husband, Dr. Glen Nelson, are close friends of the Mackay family. Marilyn is chairman and just stepped down as CEO of Carlson, a group of companies founded by her late father, Curt Carlson, 70 years ago in Minneapolis. For the record, Carlson is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, and had the distinction of being the largest with a female CEO. System-wide sales in 2007 were nearly $40 billion, almost double what they were when Marilyn took over as CEO a decade earlier.

Lest you think this job just landed in Marilyn's lap, you should know that Curt Carlson was a tough and demanding entrepreneur. With $55, Curt started the Gold Bond Stamp Company, and grew it into a global group of companies that provide travel, hotel, cruise, restaurant and marketing services, including Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the world's leading business travel management company. Carlson brands and services system-wide employ about 190,000 people in more than 150 countries.

Marilyn had to work hard to prove herself. Her dad wasn't sure she was up to the task, and she admits that she wasn't sure she would succeed him as CEO until the day he announced it—after she had been courted to run for governor of the state of Minnesota.

She continued to work hard after her appointment. Change was clearly in the air when she made her grand entrance at a large Carlson divisional meeting on rollerblades! She promised to transform the corporate culture, and now 40 percent of Carlson's executives are women. Part of the transformation included a company-wide initiative that provides much greater flexibility for employees: on-site daycare, adoption benefits for employees, and more opportunities for employees to work from home. She insists that her policies benefit all employees, not just women.

At Carlson's 70th anniversary in Las Vegas in late February, with 4,000 people in attendance, Marilyn turned over the CEO reigns and retained the title of Chairman. She also released a book she had written, entitled "How We Lead Matters." She describes it as "a collection of remembrances of people and times in my life from which I've learned lessons that may provide some insight or guidance to others."

These little stories cover topics ranging from the summer her children brought home classroom gerbils to entertaining the KGB agents who accompanied Mikhail Gorbachev on a Minnesota visit. She writes about heading up the committee that brought the Super Bowl to Minnesota in 1992. I was on that committee with Marilyn. She was masterful. (Have you ever visited Minnesota in January? Would you bring the world press here to show off our "best" season? That had to be one of the most magnificent sales jobs of all time!)

Besides being humorous, which is trademark Marilyn, these stories inspire on many levels. Her creativity and ingenuity shine through, as does her ability to bring out the best in others.

Perhaps her philosophy is best summed up in a chapter about promoting women: "I am convinced that organizations and nations with the greatest advantage will be those which worry less about gender and more about talent. No one will be arbitrarily excluded from developing and contributing at Carlson—that includes husbands too."

Marilyn lives by the credo she has tirelessly promoted at Carlson:

Whatever you do, do it with Integrity

Wherever you go, go as a Leader

Whomever you serve, serve with Caring

Whenever you dream, dream with your All

And never, ever give up.

Learning from juniors in High School

Energy!

This past Saturday night I spoke to one hundred or so top juniors from Central Texas that are interested in business. They apply, get interviewed, and then selected by the downtown Rotary club to participate in a weekend retreat learning about business. The end competition is a proposed business plan where the winning team is awarded scholarship money. How cool is that? Off the charts. I told my wife, I wish I had something like that when I was a junior in high school.

Thanks for the downtown Rotary club for the opportunity and the students for being an awesome audience! I had a ball. But what struck me most about this group of young over achievers, is the energy.

Naturally, juniors in high school will have high energy but this was a bit different. This was not running around kids being kids. This was a group that had Controlled High Energy and was channeling it towards a goal. (The goal being to win the competition) I also noted the energy was positive. The group was there to spur one another on to learn and become better.

In my speeches, I keep saying I learn more than I could ever teach. This is another example. Summary:

• You must have energy to get stuff done in your life.
• With energy, keep it positive. You will get more done and more effective with positive energy.
• Channel energy towards your goals.
• Keep energy focused. It is a waste of energy if you just run around being busy. I really don't like people who are busy being busy without getting anything done. This is a total waste of that energy.
• I would love to be a junior in high school
• AWESOME AUDIENCE! Thank you for the great reception to the WOW Experience!
• Kids are just flat out smart! The world is going to be just fine with a group like a talked to on Saturday. They have so much potential, but now its up to them to maximize it and Rock this World!