Here's a class I did for SOS University on the pitfalls of letting your cell phone run your life. Also includes a couple tips on how to cut that umbilical cord.

Ever had one of those days? You know, a day where you're struggling to maintain your sanity and happiness? I can't really help with your sanity, but I can help you with your happiness.

Starting today, I'll be presenting a new series:
"28 Days to a Happier, More Productive You"

I know what you're thinking, "You can't fix me in 28 days!"
Don't be so sure :)

Besides, it's not me who'll be fixing you. You'll be fixing you.

Each "Day" will be a new exercise. A practical look into your life and how you're living it. I recommend you print each blog post and do the exercise with a pen or pencil. Then compile your notes as you move on to the following exercises.

We'll start by assessing where you're at. Let's figure out where you're lacking and where you're excelling. It might be that your personal life rocks and your professional life stinks. It could be the other way around. It could be that your life is gravy. You won't know until you start digging.

So who is this series for? Everyone! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete newbie. You could be a top sales professional or a small business owner. It doesn't matter where you're from or who you know. The lessons we'll be talking about will apply to you.

Now I have to warn you. You may find out things about yourself that you don't like. That's OK! Let's work on fixing those things. On the flip-side, I'll bet you'll find exceptional qualities you never knew you had.

I'm excited for you! Are you ready?

Without further ado, here's Day 1 of "28 Days to Happier, More Productive You"

DAY 1: Self Assessment
So the first thing you need to do is figure out whether you need to improve. In order to get a baseline, rank the following statements on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 that you don't agree, 10 that you strongly agree). Feel free to print this post and keep it on file.

1. I need more time for myself    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
2. I need more time with my family/friends    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
3. I need to spend less time at work    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
4. I am not productive with my time    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
5. I want to improve my quality of life    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
6. I want to make more money    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
7. I am concerned about my health    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
8. I am stressed out    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10
9. I am not happy professionally     1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

10. I want to make a change    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

Now add up all your scores and write the total here: _______
Compare your total score to the following grading system

• (1 - 25) Your life is pretty great. Congrats! Did you recognize areas you could improve in? No one is perfect, but let's push for perfection.
  
• (26 - 50) There are definitely areas you need to work on. Are you getting a better ideas where? You're in the middle of the pack. Are you ready to be at the top?
  
• (51 - 75) You're only a couple steps away from losing control. Work may be taking over your personal life. Family issues may be affecting your work. Let's start working now.
• (76 - 100) You are in need of some major change. You've probably lost complete control of your time and you might find your energy and motivation are lagging. Are you ready to make some big changes?

Now that you have a better idea of where you stand, start thinking of ways you can change. In the coming days and weeks we'll be talking about specific things you can implement that will improve your quality of life.

But don't wait! Start thinking of ideas on your own. Show your spouse or one of your trusted friends how you scored yourself. Ask them for help. The journey's only just begun.

Stay tuned for DAY 2 coming soon.

Here's to your success!

Get more information on my Individual Coaching Plan

Well, it's 2012. Holy cow! What happened to 2011? I don't know about you but last year flew by. I learned a lot, grew a lot, and explored a lot. Did you?

So I'm always talking about following your passion. I finally took my own advice. Next month I'm publishing my first novel (check it out HERE) ! Take a look at the book cover on the left. I think it's pretty sweet.

So in my journey to follow my passion of becoming an author I learned some things. I thought I'd share them with you so you can start off the New Year in the right way. So here we go:

Push past the fear: I started writing my novel on a trip to DisneyWorld. Why? I don't know. The inspiration just hit me. Maybe it was ambiance of Disney Magic or the giant turkey leg I ate while riding Pirates of the Caribbean. I was well on my way when all of a sudden...fear set in. Fear of the unknown (how was I going to finish?). Fear of failure (how the heck was I going to get it published). Fear of rejection (would anyone like my book?). Those fears threatened to derail my quest. So what did I do? In true Marine fashion I pushed through. Whenever fear started creeping in, I pushed it back. You need to do the same. Kick that fear and doubt out of your head. It will only hold you back. Toughen yourself mentally for the hurdles ahead and always maintain sight of the end goal.

Figure it out: I'd had a little exposure into the publishing world but not much. So one of the doubts that began to creep in on me was "how the heck am I going to get published?" As I tend to do, I took to the internet. You can find fantastic resources for pretty much anything. In no time I was back on track with a solid plan for getting my book published; all because I took a little time to just figure it out and ask a couple questions. So if you're scared about how to fulfill your passion, jump on your computer and type in any question in one of the many search engines. Try "how do I start a baking company" or "how do I get published." You'll get a lot of hits. Dig through and see what you can find. Oh, and don't forget to take notes and bookmark your favorites.

Ignore the naysayers: I don't know if you've heard about it, but there's this underground battle going on between traditional publishers (think the guys in expensive NYC office towers) and the new publishing platforms like Amazon. Well, the old breed wants to maintain as much control as they can while Amazon wants to take care of everyone including the independents (that's me). After reading a lot of blogs and comments I found a common thread among the supposed "real literati." You know, the people that think John Grisham stinks and that only high-brow literature like Jane Austen (nothing against Jane. Pride and Prejudice is one of my faves) should ever be considered for publishing. Well guess what? Those people don't represent the vast majority of readers around the world and yet we look to them to tell us what we should and should not publish. I actually felt myself being pulled in by their condescension and had to do a quick about face and run for the hills once I realized they were trying to crush my dream. You'll run into the same thing. Family that say going into business for yourself is crazy. Professionals of any industry that say you'll never carve out a niche in their business. Don't listen to them!!! As long as you've done the prep needed and really done soul-searching about whether you have the ability to take your passion to the next level...
IGNORE THE NAYSAYERS!

So in a nutshell, let 2012 be the year of Your Passion. Do your homework and start down that path. Put on blinders when you need to but surround yourself with people that will give you constructive feedback but always push you in the right direction. Now get out there and take some action!

Here's a great example of a guy who's been in the midst of one of the hardest hit industries (residential lending) in the latest American recession and has not only survived...he's thrived!  How does he do it? He takes care of his clients and prospects! Holy Cow! Is that possible? Yep. So without further ado may I present a very good friend to both Tito & Budacheli: Shawn Kaplan of Kaplan Mortgage Partners. Enjoy and listen to everything this amazing guy has to say!

Love,
Tito & Budacheli

Guess what? I'll bet your English teacher lied to you. "What?! Not Mrs. Anderson! She was amazing and made the best cupcakes at Christmas. How could you say that about her, Carlos?!" I'm not talking about how nice she was. But, did she teach you how to be a better communicator?

We've probably all had similar experiences in grade school and beyond. You know, the lessons on proper grammar, how to write a letter, etc...

I think a lot of that instruction comes back to bite us in the ass a bit. Why? Because we've essentially been taught how to communicate like a robot (see picture on left).

Is that how you talk to your friends? Is that how you interact with business acquaintances at a networking event? Probably not. If you do talk like a robot, you may need professional medical attention (no offense to all you real robots out there).

So how do we blend the two worlds of personal and professional?  How do we sound more personable over email? Try these seven steps and be a better communicator in your business dealings.

1) Find your voice: I am not suggesting you learn how to sing. I'm saying that you need to figure out who you are. How do you interact with friends? How do you interact in a professional setting? Is it possible to blend the two? You need to find your voice. Who are you? What do you stand for? Do you sound like a robot? You are absolutely unique. Don't try to sound like someone else. Most people can sense "the fake" a mile away. You know, the guy or gal with the cheesy smile and unnaturally high voice? Is that really you?

2) Analyze your style: Go back through some recent emails. Read your writing. Is it personable or robotic. Does it sound like a line from Jane Austen or like a line from an Eminem album? Are you properly blending your personality with your professional responsibilities? Are you showing others that you ARE approachable? Be honest and don't cheat on this one.

3) Ask others: Ask some of your business friends to analyze your email conversations. Tell them you want a truly honest opinion. No sugar-coating people! You may be surprised what they tell you: "Dude, you sound like my boss when you email me about business." "Girl, you need to lay off the caffeine."

4) Read what others write: Go back to your email account again. Read some of past correspondence with other business contacts. Who sounds real? Who sounds like a robot? Who can you try to emulate and improve your own communications? Who is a true example of how to be a better communicator?

5) Practice: Ok. Now it's time to try out your new gift for gab. Respond to a couple emails. Try to sound professional yet personal. Instead of "It was a distinct honor and privilege to have met your acquaintance upon yon window sill," try saying, "It was great chatting yesterday. Can't wait to see you at the next water cooler gossip session." It's in no way over the top. It's just personable enough. Practice. Practice. Practice.

6) Re-Analyze your style: After a few day of perfecting your craft, go back through your sent emails and do an honest assessment of where you stand. Are you making progress? Would YOU want YOU to email YOU? Does it sound like you're trying to make a friend or close a deal? (Hint: it's always good to try to make more friends even in business) Do you still feel like you can be a better communicator?

7) Do it over and over again: This stuff takes practice. Exorcising the robot demons isn't always easy. We all fall into the trap of "Well, it's just an email to a client. I'll just stick with the facts and forget the personal touch." I know it's easy to do. Just try NOT to do it. Have a conversation over email. I'll say that again: "Have a CONVERSATION over email."

You ever wonder how some of those uber-successful people are capitalizing on their mastermind group? This post will show you how. It all starts with attitude.

Attitude: What do I mean by attitude? Am I saying you need to walk around with a chip on your shoulder, shunning the little people. NO WAY! If I were in a mastermind group with someone like that, they'd be out quick. By attitude I mean that you need to have a giving personality. You should see your time at the meeting (and away from your meetings) as a chance to help others. Take the focus off yourself and re-focus on the other members. I actually find that when I'm more focused on the other people in my group, I not only get to help them, I also learn more! So have the attitude that you will give BEFORE you receive.

Courage: The lion is the king of the jungle, right? How many lions do you know that DON'T have courage? Uhhhh... I've only had the privilege of knowing a couple lions in my lifetime but I would never call any one of them cowards. So how can you use courage to reap the rewards of mastermind stardom? Have the courage to be open with your fellow members. You won't get a thing out of your mastermind group if you don't open up. Worried about divulging too much? That's what non-disclosures are for. A mastermind group is supposed to be a safe place to share all kinds of information. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a conversation about business shift into a focus group on personal development and family. They're all intertwined. If you don't have the courage to share, other won't either and your group will not be effective. Step up and be the leader by sharing your personal experiences (both good and bad) and showing that it's ok to be open.

Look the Part: A king is always decked out like a royal. It's easy to spot a king in a crowd. So how do you look the part and stand-out in your mastermind group? Hold on because this one is really important. I mean seriously, make sure you write this down like ten times. Are you ready? Here's the secret to looking the part of the king of your mastermind group: LISTEN. That's right. I'm not asking you to dress up in medieval garb or even a suit. People see you as a valuable part of the group when you just sit there and listen. Don't be the guy that sits there playing with his cell phone. Don't be the gal that can't take her eyes of her iPad. Instead, listen intently. Make eye contact with whoever is talking. Show them that you are truly interested in what they're saying. Make THEM feel important. I know it sounds funny but when your fellow members see you take an active interest in the others, they'll follow your lead. Oh, and don't be scared to tell your friends that maybe they need to listen a little more too. Nobody's perfect and we all need a reminder sometimes.

So are you ready to be King of your Mastermind Group? Remember that's it's not all about you. If you put the time and effort into being a "royal asset" instead of a "royal pain" you'll soon have mounds and mounds of golden nuggets you can spend on your kingdom.

We recently had the fantastic opportunity to have a good friend of mine, Shawn Kaplan, on "Mind Your Business." Shawn gave us some great insight into how small business owners can leverage social media and fostered relationships to increase their business. Shawn is the head honcho at Kaplan Mortgage Partners and is a multi-year RUTHIE award winner in Murfreesboro. This guy is doing all the right things in an industry that has seen a lot of upheaval and turnover in the last couple years. Thank you, Shawn, for a great interview. Can't wait to have you on again. Stay tuned for the full interview coming soon.

If you would like more information about Shawn Kaplan and Kaplan Mortgage Partners please visit him HERE.

I get this question a lot, "How do I start a Mastermind Group?"

It really all starts with you. If you think the power of a focused team can help you either personally or professionally, start doing some legwork. Get out there and talk to your network of contacts. Who else would be interested? Do you have potential members in mind?
In addition to those questions, here are three things that will set you on the right path:

What's the theme?: Figure out what you want your Mastermind Group to be about. Will it help small business owners grow their businesses? Will it help divorced women find the strength to re-enter the workforce? Basically, what will your group's mission be?

Find Like-Minded Members: I like having Mastermind Group members with varied talents. It helps the flavor of the group and keeps it from going stale. What you must have are members that want to contribute and have a vested interest in seeing fellow members succeed. Nothing can kill a Mastermind Group like a selfish member who thinks the group is only for their sole benefit. Weed out those chumps with a vigorous application and interview process.

Meet Regularly: My own personal Mastermind Group meets every week for two hours. We've only missed three meetings in the last ten months. Why? Because we all want to be there. There's always a new lesson to learn no matter who's in the hotseat. You don't have to meet every week (weekly works well for us), but make it a scheduled event. Whether it's every week or once a month, put it on you calenders and don't miss it.

In upcoming updates we'll talk more about forming a Mastermind Group and how to facilitate it and keep meeting lively.

If you'd like help getting your Mastermind Group going contact me HERE

Ok, I know the title sounds a bit melodramatic...but it's true. I've always been an entrepreneur but I always felt like there was something lacking. What was it? I had no idea.

Then came my own personal Mastermind Group. I'd wanted to start one for a couple years and could either never find the time or the right people to help me launch it.

Well, a couple years ago I finally jumped into networking. I was super reluctant but I went in anyway, kicking and screaming (on the inside). I knew it was important...at the time I didn't know how pivotal it would truly be.

So I joined a small networking group here in town under the BNI umbrella and started to learn. The relationships I made there helped propel me towards my goal of starting a mastermind group.

I remember sitting down for coffee with my good friend Alec and discussing how it should start. Long story short, we launched with three members and quickly capped membership at five (we like small, odd numbers).

I am not exaggerating when I say that a Mastermind Group changed my life...and here's how:

Focus: In a mastermind group the weekly focus (depends on your group) moves from member to member, that way each person gets their time in the hotseat. The ability to have a small, yet focused, group work on your idea, problem or goal for two hours is powerful. I quickly learned that my own focus needed to change. That led to shifting my professional pursuits away from real estate and into the small business arena. Through the help of my Mastermind Group I'm now focused on teaching others how to harness the power of a laser-focused Mastermind Group to help others AND themselves.

Collaboration: I've always loved being part of a team. Whether it was playing soccer as a kid, flag football in college or even a work group in a class, I always enjoyed the feeling of the group working as one. Camaraderie is a great motivator. With a Mastermind Group I found that feeling magnified tenfold. I honestly feel that there is no problem too big that we can't tackle. The power of effective collaboration is amazing and has changed my entire outlook as an entrepreneur.

Passion: Probably the most important thing I learned in my Mastermind Group was about identifying and following your passion. I'd always felt like that was lacking in my life. Not that I wasn't living a fulfilling existence; there was just something in my business life that needed a spark. In that little room, amidst my Mastermind brethren, I found that spark. I figured out that I am madly passionate about helping others. I found out that I'm part entrepreneur, part counselor, part coach, part leader, part consultant and part friend and brother. I never could've found that in a normal networking group. While Chamber events are great, it's hard to get into the "personal" side of business in a large group. It takes a core group of understanding members whose only purpose in coming together is to help fellow mastermind members. I feel that THAT is the real power of the Mastermind Group.

So now you know my experience. I'd love to hear yours. If you have any questions about forming a Mastermind Group please leave a comment or contact me HERE.

Checkout our latest "Mind Your Business" interview with Glen Carrico of SpeedPro Imaging Brentwood. Glen gave us some insight how he decided to buy a franchise and what other prospective franchise owners need to look for. Thanks again, Glen!
- Tito & Budacheli