This is my definition of success!

In two years I have ten folded the size of my business!

In the past two weeks I have appointed three new persons to the company.

A friend and colleague of mine (Niel) says that I made it even though I started out in the most difficult time in the mining industry that he can remember - and he has been around for a while already!

How did I do this? Here is a short commentary of what I have done:

1. I took massive action when I started, and I still do. Massive action in a number of areas - time spent procuring work, time spent doing work, growing my communications database from about two thousand to thirty seven thousand LinkedIn followers. That's half a massive sports stadium full of people. One and a half million bulk e-mails a month - yes, you read that right - 1.5million - at a cost of less than R3k per month. Three and a half thousand personal e-mails a week - thanks to my wife who is my communicator. And spending a lot of time with my family too.
2. I only ever spread good and helpful news. I help others. Many people have come to me for help. I have unconditionally given them help and guidance. I give up my work time free of charge with no expectation of any exchange. I continue to do this on an almost daily basis. Many have replied and said that since they saw me life has got a lot better for them. Individuals, families, companies. I only ask two things from this - that they do the necessary actions and that they let me know how they get along. Their success is enough reward for me.
3. By doing 1 and 2 above, among other actions, I become "widely known and well thought of". That is the essence of successful marketing. And it pays.
4. I am a professional. This means that everything I do is precise, exact, in-manners, accurate, on-time, and therefore well thought of. I dress neatly when I see people, my hair is neat. I am clean. My reports are accurate with perfect grammar and perfect spelling. The list is long but it is actually quite easy to do when you decide to be a professional. One aspect about being a professional is about treating people. I don't harbour any grudges against anyone. I don't talk bad about anyone.
5. I donate a lot of what I earn to my church. It is in fact a massive chunk of what I make. This is totally voluntary. It is also one of the prime reasons that I am doing what I am doing.
6. I am organised. I have developed an organising board based on LRH Admin Technology. On the basis that only an organised business can expand and grow.
7. I associate with successful people a lot of the time. People across a range of similar and other industries.
8. I am not a victim. Times have been really tough at times. I have made it this far only through constant enthusiasm, courage and positive thoughts. This comes from surrounding myself with positive people and disassociating with negative people. There is a constant alertness in this area.
9. I study and learn a lot. I am nearing 60 and there is still a hell of a lot for me to learn.
10. I did this without needing any cash reserves. It takes courage, not money, to make it! Money comes at the end of the day anyway.
11. The list is long. Other areas include commitment, certainty, manners, usefulness, pride, etc.

I have given you the above as my route to my success. In my view, there is no other route to success. None of the things are do can be dropped out.

I share this and other news on daily e-mails. You can sign up to these at www.geotheta.co.za.

My wish for everyone this coming Workers Day weekend is that you all Flourish and Prosper! You can and must do it.

Love

Ian