Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Patricia and Tony Tefel

June 22, 2015November 21, 2018Claude Hamilton 12 Comments

Hey everyone!

Here is part four of the “Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders” series.

This week, Bethany talked to Tony and Patricia Tefel.

Since Tony and Pat joined the LIFE business, I’ve been watching their progress from afar and have been continuously amazed by their enthusiasm.

Chris Brady introduced me to the Tefels about eighteen months ago, and since then we’ve become best friends.

They’re great people and have added so much value to my whole family’s life. They’ve been married forty-seven years and are an excellent illustration of what marriage should be. On top of that, they’ve been in the industry for over forty years!

They’re a great example of American entrepreneurship and family values. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have!

Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Patricia and Tony Tefel as written by Bethany Sampson.

Tefel 5x4 8x10 crop edited 6 15 15-8431.JPG-8431

PATRICIA AND TONY TEFEL

According to Tony Tefel, there’s good and there’s great. The Tefels, high school sweethearts who’re now just a few years shy of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, weren’t satisfied with a good life. They aimed for greatness.

Today, they’re planning a fiftieth Mediterranean anniversary cruise on a private yacht with their whole family, and it becomes abundantly clear: they have achieved this greatness.

The Tefels have been in business for almost as long as they’ve been married. As a young couple, their hearts were full of dreams, but they knew with their current jobs—Pat was a social worker and Tony an engineer—they wouldn’t be able to accomplish them.

As they began to look around their community for new opportunities, they discovered something: those who had the lifestyle they desired were business owners.

Pat’s next-door neighbor growing up played a particular influencing role in Pat and Tony’s life. The neighbor was an illustrator and both he and his wife worked from home on his business. They had lunch together, and in the evenings they were able to sit out on the porch and relax. Pat and Tony spent an abundance of time with the successful couple, and as a result, their own dreams morphed to match the couple’s lifestyle.

Unfortunately, the bank wouldn’t approve a loan for Tony and Pat’s traditional business plan, so they were forced to look elsewhere.

Eventually, a friend of Pat’s parents introduced the couple to the entrepreneur industry.

PAT, TONY, & FAMILY

The Tefels were hard workers, but what they quickly realized was that they preferred to work on their own time, to be their own bosses. When Pat became pregnant with their first child, it served as more of a motivation to work hard in business so that she could be a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, Pat could retire from his job and become a stay-at-home dad as well.

This stay-at-home lifestyle allowed the couple to teach their children the same principles that were learning as a part of their business. They had four children within six years, and their fifth and final child—a son—was born eight years later. Their children are now all grown and work in a diverse array of fields. One daughter is a missionary. One son has his own contracting business. No matter what their choice of work, Pat and Tony believe that their five children’s successes, and their propensity to follow their heart, can be related back to the LIFE Leadership concept and the way they were able to raise them.

Though the couple’s schedule today is more relaxed, they remember the days of babysitters, time management, and attempting to build a business with young ones running around. They are both empathetic and encouraging to those in business with children. They were there. They faced these challenges—albeit many years ago—and made it through.

For Pat and Tony, the business was a blessing because it provided them with what they describe as “vital information. In addition, it put them in direct contact with mentors who had been down this road before. Today, five kids and forty-seven years of marriage later, Pat and Tony are those mentors, those role models, those people looking to guide new couples on their way.

Not only did being in business help their familial values, it also helped shape their marriage. Working together, having common dreams and goals, helped unify the couple. Prior to the business, they were going in different directions: Tony and Pat headed out to different jobs in the morning, and though they were together in the evening, they couldn’t afford any hobbies or extracurriculars.

TONY & PAT LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE

“I tell couples today, even though the business will be adding something else to your plate or your calendar, it’s something that you get to do together,” says Pat. “It’s time that you can grow closer, and achieve goals and dreams that you probably would not have a chance to achieve otherwise.”

That said, everything wasn’t all roses for Pat and Tony. The couple struggled with debt when they were younger, and once again when they were older. This unpretty financial experience allows them to appreciate today’s debt-free life more than ever.

“It’s the freedom and the peace of mind that brings,” says Pat, “Not having to worry about where the money’s coming from and living month to month or week to week.”

Tony echoes this sentiment, focusing on the flexibility being in business has allotted them. When Pat left her job to work as a stay-at-home mom, the couple didn’t have to stress about losing half their income. Being in business meant they didn’t have to sacrifice their security in order to spend time with their children. This flexibility eventually allowed Tony to leave his engineering job, which in turn meant the couple was able to spend more time with their children and focus on the family they’d always wanted.

Pat and Tony are grandparents now, and family still remains their number one priority. They enthusiastically tell me about their many trips to Disney, including, most recently, a trip that included all five children and their spouses, as well as their many grandchildren. In total, twenty Tefels ventured to Orlando, Florida for sunshine and Snow White, magic and Mickey Mouse.

THE TEFEL FAMILY

With fun like this, it’s no wonder why the couple is already anxiously planning their fiftieth anniversary cruise. They both credit the idea to Claude, who, up until eighteen months ago, they’d never formally met.

Now when I ask Tony to describe his relationship with Claude, he jokingly—though with an edge of seriousness—asks if I want him to cry.

It was at a major in Ottawa when Tony first felt connected to Claude. After a talk Claude gave about his kids, Lana, and his relationship with his father, Tony was set back, telling members of his own team, “I think I just fell in love with Claude Hamilton.”

Since then, Claude has become a coach, a leader, and most importantly, a best friend, with Claude’s son Wyatt even calling Tony Grandpa.

When Pat and Tony first started, over forty-years ago, the industry was brand new. As a result, they’ve been able to watch and learn as the industry has changed, grown, and adopted over time. What they’ve noticed is the closeness between today’s leaders and teams.

PAT & TONY NOW LIVE THE LIFE THEY’D ALWAYS DREAMED OF

“We always wanted to have the close knit team they had,” Pat says of Team Kaizen, “and now we’re a part of it!”

Within four months of their switch to Claude’s team, they’d gone from Leader to Senior Coordinator.

“They’re just amazing people, both of them,” says Pat of Claude and Lana. “Their desire to help people is refreshing. They’ve truly invested their life and their time into other people.”

It is these ideals and generosity that has kept Pat and Tony motivated in this business after all these years.

As a social worker, Pat was looking to help people better their lives. As an engineer, Tony wanted to build things.

As business owners, they are able to bring to fruition these dreams. Today, they get to see other people’s lives dynamically change for the better.

“I changed from building buildings to building myself and people,” says Tony. “We’re building a better future through people and with people.”

Despite their successes today, Pat and Tony are still only looking to help other people grow.

“We ultimately want to build our lives to edify our Lord and to learn better and better how to do that and how to help other people,” says Pat, who encourages all newcomers to think long-term. “Anything worth having in life is worth working for, and LIFE Leadership is so worth your time.”

“If you have cable TV, you have both the time and the money to build a business.”

Looking at the couple today, their gratitude for the decision they made many decades ago is evident. They were just a young couple with a growing family who decided to dream. Today, there are no regrets.

“God has big plans for his people and Kaizen is a part of that dream,” Tony says, and with a smile, Pat echoes this: “We’re not done yet.”

No, they’re certainly not.

If you know Pat and Tony and have more to add, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!!

Reader’s Legacy Awards

June 17, 2015June 5, 2017Claude Hamilton 13 Comments

Hey everyone!

TOUGHEN UP – CLAUDE HAMILTON

I was so humbled and excited to hear this past week that my book Toughen Up! won a Reader’s Legacy Award!

Writing a book was not something I’d ever planned to do, and I can’t even say I really enjoyed the writing process. That said, once Toughen Up was finished, I was able to recognize just how worth it this journey had been. It was so awesome to see the final product, and I’m so glad I stuck with it!

The book, I realize now, was like most long-term projects: hard in the middle, but ultimately you never regret undertaking them, because in the end you have something you can be really proud of. In this case, the hard work redeemed itself with an ultimately gratifying experience.

Just to get this book published was such a great feeling, but to then be nominated for a Reader’s Legacy Award alongside Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady who are New York Times bestselling authors. They aren’t little guys who wrote a book and published it themselves—these are bestselling authors!

To be nominated alongside Orrin and Chris was spectacular and humbling.

To actually win the Reader’s Legacy Choice Gold Best-Seller Award is the cherry on top! What a phenomenal surprise!

Reader’s Legacy Founder Ken Dunn is such a great guy. He thinks like a winner and he set a goal to put together the Reader’s Legacy Awards and he pulled it off amazingly.

If you have a chance, I encourage you all to visit Reader’s Legacy site and create a profile. It’s been really neat to see what other people are reading. I’ve also had a lot of fun adding books and authors to my virtual library.

The founders of LIFE have written so many outstanding books. Tim Marks is one of my favorite authors. His two books, Voyage of a Viking and Confidence of a Champion are awesome. Dan Hawkins and George Guzzardo also have books being released in the coming months, and I cannot wait to dive into those next! I’m sure I’m going to love those, too.

Most importantly, I can’t wait to read the book that you write someday.

Below is a great blog post from the LIFE Leadership blog with more information about the Reader’s Legacy Awards. It’s another awesome blog from LIFE and I hope you all go read it and leave comments. It’s a great way to stay in the heartbeat of what LIFE is doing out in the world. Enjoy the post! (And have fun setting up those Reader’s Legacy profiles!)

Claude

Life Leadership Founders Won Reader’s Legacy Choice Awards

Originally published on Life Leadership’s blog
By Kristen Seidl

Anyone who has read an Obstaclés Press published book have recognized that the authors are not amateurs. Executive Publisher, Chris Brady and Chairman of the Board, Orrin Woodward sought to start a publishing company within Life Leadershipthat would ‘expose the truth, no matter what the barriers.’ Since its inception, the company has printed nearly 40 books–with many titles earning multiple awards, including NY Times & Wall-Street Journal Best-Seller, Lauching a Leadership Revolution–and this is just the start. On average, Obstaclés Press releases one to three books per quarter and the pace of printing will only continue to increase as the company grows.

Recently, three books from the Obstaclés Press library received recognition at the Reader’s Legacy Choice Awards in Las Vegas:

“With over one million books being published every year in North America alone, the competition for best-selling status has become fierce. In addition to the sheer volume of new books, self-reporting book launch gurus are now teaching writers how to work the system and fake best-selling status on websites like Amazon and B&N. The Reader’s Legacy Writers Conference brings together real best-selling authors from the NY Times, LA Times and Amazon in an intimate setting, and gives them a forum to share real experiences of writing and marketing a best-selling book. The faculty are world-renowned authors, speakers and experts who have been hand selected for their successes and their abilities to share valuable information with attendees whose dreams include becoming a best-selling author.” ~ Reader’s Legacy

The number of authors who actually receive accolades for their content is very small. For a book to be voted on, it must attract the attention of thousands of readers. Needless to say, in order to win a Reader’s Legacy Choice Award, the work must be extraordinary. Not suprisingly, Life Leadership is proud to have had three of its founders be among the 18 winners for an award at this unique function. The titles include:

And Justice For All – by Orrin Woodward

PAiLS – by Chris Brady

Toughen Up – by Claude Hamilton.

In addition, Orrin was chosen among the other brilliant panel of speakers to talk on a subject he is passionate about– specifically his recent publication, The Financial Matrix–to the aspiring writers at the Writer’s Conference:

“I loved the fact that Orrin showed how history is repeating itself. For me knowing that the financial matrix is a vicious circle gives me the strength to know that I have to break it.” Ken Dunn (Founder/CEO of Reader’s Legacy, Inc)

Orrin Woodward‘s arsenal of best-seller’s continue to make him a sought-after speaker around the globe. He knows how to deliever truth in his writing and in his speaking and I’m sure those in attendance were captured by his wisdom. Life Leadership is proud to have some of the best thinkers in the industry–including co-founders of the company Chris Brady and Claude Hamilton–who were also recognized for their work. The fact that these authors and leaders are able to produce content that is recognized by credible platforms such as Reader’s Legacy is a testament to the authenticity of the company.

We would love to hear your feedback in the comments section:

What do you enjoy most about Orrin Woodward’s writing?

What is your favorite book in the Obstaclés Press book collection and why?

Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Joce and Cynthia Dionne

June 12, 2015November 21, 2018Claude Hamilton 20 Comments

Hey everyone!

Today on the blog, we have part three of the “Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders” series.

This week Bethany interviewed Joce and Cynthia Dionne.

I first met Joce and Cynthia when they had just started dating. Since then, Lana and I have watched them get engaged, married, move into their first home, and most recently, have two children. It was especially awesome to see them both retire from their jobs!

Joce is one of the best people I know. He is a great, quality man. He and Cynthia are some of the funnest people in our life. Over the years, they’ve really become like family, and I’m excited for you all to be able to read about them.

Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Joce and Cynthia Dionne, as written by Bethany Sampson.

JOCE AND CYNTHIA, FIVE YEARS INTO BUSINESS

Steadfast. It isn’t just a word to Joce and Cynthia Dionne. It’s a lifestyle, a team name, a commitment they have to each other, their children, and team members.

Cynthia was doing an internship in her mid-twenties when she was introduced to Claude and Lana. After attending an Open, she immediately called up her then-boyfriend (and now-husband) Joce to tell him of the opportunity that had just been presented to her. Joce, however, was not as enthusiastic. Initially, he was skeptical of the business, thinking it sounded too good to be true.

In the next year, Cynthia worked on building the business, while Joce developed a relationship with Claude and began to look further into the industry. Once he started to understand it, he started to believe it.

KALEB, 3

Flash forward eleven years, and the couple’s business is continuously growing. Additionally, they now have two children: Kaleb is almost four and Ellia recently turned two.

Today, Joce considers the decision to join LIFE a “no-brainer,” comparing the traditional career plan—which involves working until you’re 60-70—with his and Cynthia’s more relaxed lifestyle that allows them both to be stay-at-home parents.

ELLIA, 2

Joce’s life today is drastically different than his life growing up. He was raised in a typical Canadian household, and he says he never looked outside the boundaries. Now, as an entrepreneur, he’s able to look outside the box and scope out opportunities as they come.

That said, their journey into success was not one without trials or hard work.

“A lot of people get started and they expect quick results,” says Joce, “but that’s impossible.” LIFE, like any other industry, requires time. Joce reinforces that you must think in terms of years, as opposed to just weeks or months. There is no get rich quick plan; instead, there’s hard work and a time-proven business plan they chose to focus on.

While working to build a business, both Joce and Cynthia point out how important it is to surround yourself by positive people.

“You hang around people who are average, you’ll be average,” says Joce. “You hang around people who are successful, you’ll eventually become successful.”

Cynthia and Joce are hanging around Claude and Lana, and successful they are becoming.

When the couple finds themselves lacking motivation or if they’ve just set a goal, they spend time with Claude and Lana who, they say, have the life they want. That said, the Hamilton’s don’t just dream for themselves, but also for the Dionne’s.

“They speak a vision to us of where we can be before we even see it,” says Cynthia. “They believe in us before we believe in ourselves.”

THE DIONNE FAMILY

Joce and Cynthia generously credit today’s success to the support provided by Claude and Lana. Cynthia says she and Joce stood on the shoulders of giants and that has made all the difference.

In addition to this business relationship, the two couples have also developed a personal relationship over the years.

Joce describes Claude as a best friend, business partner, mentor, and coach. He also points out how easy it is to trust someone when you know they care about you and have your best interest at heart.

That heart, by the way, both Joce and Cynthia describe as massive: generous, caring, supportive.

Cynthia is quick to chime in about her relationship with Lana, saying Lana helped her to learn and grow, and as a result, Cynthia has become a confident woman.

“She’s everything to me,” says Cynthia. “She just has a heart of gold.”

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Lana’s heart described this way. In fact, I’ve heard this from each of the three couples I’ve spoken with thus far, prompting me to believe it’s true what they say: a fact is confirmed by three witnesses.

With the support of Claude and Lana, as well as other team members, the couple was able to focus on their goal to grow their business and drown out any naysayers.

When starting out, they struggled with the opinions of people who didn’t understand their decision to go against the status quo.

“I think if you’re going to chase a vision—something that nobody can see yet—and you’re telling people that you’re going somewhere, and they can’t see it, then you’re standing out,” says Cynthia.

Success can bring criticism, Joce says, but it’s important to turn your cheek and keep going, to keep chasing your dreams and the life you want.

KALEB

ELLIA

This life now includes two children and a much busier household than when they first started out. The couple says they’re continuously working on their time management as they learn to balance their main priorities: children, business, and, of course, each other.

Taking has actually helped Joce and Cynthia’s parenting. They’re cognizant of the influence they have on their children, and because of this they make conscious decisions to parent on purpose.

“Everything we learn,” says Cynthia, “even if it’s just a principle that builds your business, you realize that you can apply it in all areas of your life, including parenting.”

Joce echoes this idea, saying he and Cynthia hope to teach their children the importance of having a positive attitude and how attitude has the power to influence a situation.

“Just like be an entrepreneur, everything in life is about your attitude,” he says. “Attitude is everything.”

JOCE AND KALEB

And Joce and Cynthia’s attitude towards life is only positive.

With the freedom to control their time, they’re able to stay at home with their kids, prioritize their days, and do, as Cynthia says, what matters the most.

With all this success, it’s no wonder why this couple is swift to encourage others to get into business.

CYNTHIA AND ELLIA

“It’s something anybody can do because of our system,” says Cynthia. “As long as you’re hungry to learn and you’re willing to listen, then you can have success.”

Joce is also quick to say this isn’t a business solely focused on making money. It’s about learning,having fun, making friends and a difference.

“I hope that if I leave this earth tomorrow that I’ve added significance, that I’ve made a difference somewhere,” says Cynthia. “I hope that I’ve changed someone’s life in some sort of way, whether it’s with my kids, my friends, or somebody in the business.”

It’s clear, however, that together they already have.

THE DIONNE FAMILY IS ALL SMILES

To find out more about Joce and Cynthia, you can visit their website or find them on Twitter.

If you know Joce and Cynthia, and have more to add, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!!

LIFE Leadership Blog

June 10, 2015June 5, 2017Claude Hamilton 3 Comments

Hey everyone,

LIFE Leadership recently started a new blog and I wanted to share it with all of you.

It’s a great online destination that can help you to stay up-to-date with all things LIFE. More importantly, it contains awesome posts on how to live the life you’ve always wanted. It’s loaded with information and we’re all super excited about! Share it with your team members and friends, and leave some feedback in the comments!

Yours in victory,

Claude

Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Phil and Catherine Wall

May 28, 2015November 21, 2018Claude Hamilton 18 Comments

Hey everyone!

Today on the blog, we have part two of the “Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders” series. If you don’t remember, or are new to the blog, every two weeks or so, I’m posting a profile showcasing some of the awesome Kaizen leaders I have the privilege to work with.

My social media coordinator, Bethany, has been interviewing these terrific people via Skype, so you can read about them from her perspective, and get to know them for yourself!

This week, Bethany interviewed Phil and Catherine Wall.

I’ve known Catherine and Phil for over a decade now. Catherine’s always been super likable and Phil grew on me with time ;) All joking aside, they’re great people and I love working with them.

Before they started the business, they were already on the path to success in the financial area, but now they’re on the path to success in every area. They were going to win at whatever they wanted to do, and they chose to win at the LIFE business.

After all these years together, they’re now a big part of our family.

Now you can get to know them, too!

Getting to Know Kaizen Leaders: Phil and Catherine Wall, as written by Bethany Sampson.

PHIL & CATHERINE

To grow, by definition, is to become better or improved, to have an increased influence, to develop—spiritually, mentally, and physically. To grow is to advance your sense of self. A positive term with a plethora of describing adjectives, it’s exactly what Phil and Catherine Wall are striving for.

The couple’s story begins in an unconventional way. In May of 1993 they met for the first time. Twenty-year-old Phil was a member of the New Zealand Navy and was on a world tour. Halifax was the ship’s second port of call. Covered in paint and partaking in the Haka, a traditional Maori war dance, Phil met Catherine for the first time.

Three years later, Phil left the New Zealand Navy to return to Canada with the hopes of starting a relationship with Catherine. By 1999, the two were married.

Their relationship’s untraditional beginning was balanced by their participation in the traditional business world. Catherine owned her own public relations firm and Phil was self-employed, working in the offshore industry. Together, the two owned several rental properties and were actively investing in other companies. Financially, they had no problems. Maritally, they did. Phil’s job pulled him away from home eight months of the year. The rental properties and PR firm filled Catherine’s time at home.

Their lives were chaotically busy, and the couple laments on how rarely they saw each other.

By 2002, they’d had enough of this lifestyle.

There’s got to be a better way to do this, they thought.

There was.

Through some friends, they met Claude and Lana, and it was then that they realized The Better Way. Immediately, they got started in business.

Phil and Catherine were so used to working apart that the initial task of working together was daunting. The obstacle, says Catherine, was “learning how to effectively work with [her] husband as an equal in the business.” Apart, the two were successful. Now, they had to learn how to merge those successes in one business.

URIJAH & MANAIA

Once they had children (Manaia is now five and Urijah is one and one-half), the couple’s business once again changed, as they learned to balance additional schedules and better manage their time. Learning to balance parenthood with work is something Catherine says she still works on daily.

Phil’s background as a self-employed worker also posed a challenge as he switched from “self-employed thinking” to “system thinking.” No longer did Phil have to be the system; instead, he had to learn to rely on a system that’s been tested and tried by countless people. Phil, in essence, had to learn to trust this system. A system, he quips, his best friend helped design.

The best part about the system? Getting to help others.

“We have to help other people in order to achieve the goals we want for ourselves,” says Catherine. “Most businesses it’s all about you.”

In order to help others grow personally, you have to grow personally.

In order to grow your business, you have to help others grow their business.

Phil and Catherine already are reaping the benefits of this system while helping others to as well.

THE WALL FAMILY

Phil urges those looking to get into business to trust him and to trust the system. “Suspend your disbelief,” Phil says, quoting Claude. “Just hold on and trust me long enough to prove myself and to prove that the business actually works,” Phil continues.

This foundation of trust has resulted in a decade long friendship between Phil and Catherine and Claude and Lana that only continues to grow.

“We’re friends first,” says Phil about Claude and Lana. “We’re friends who happen to be in business together.”

Emphasizing the importance of this friendship, Phil posed me with the following question: “What would you do if someone offered you fifty million dollars?”

The catch: you have to spend that money alone and on your own.

Phil used the analogy to prove the importance of friendship, and also to emphasize his gratitude to have a best friend who he just so happens to be in business with.

“He’s like a brother,” Phil says. “He’s like a dad. He’s what a man should be.”

Catherine echoed these feelings about Lana.

“She is an amazing woman,” Catherine says. “She’s got a heart like I’ve not seen in other people.”

BEING BUSINESS OWNERS HAS HELPED MAKE CATHERINE AND PHIL BETTER PARENTS

Catherine sees Lana as a friend and a mentor with whom she can approach with questions about business, her relationship with Phil, her family, her sisters, or her children.

“They provide such a value to our lives that you can’t even separate the business from everything else,” Catherine says. “They’re just part of our lives.”

It is this support that keeps the two motivated during what Catherine describes as “dry spells,” borrowing from Chris Brady’s “desert experience.”

What’s important, Catherine reminded me, is keeping up both your momentum and your attitude. The goal-oriented couple stays focused on what’s ahead until a breakthrough arrives.

“Success is closer than you think,” she says, “even when you’re going through a period that makes it feel like it’s impossible to get there.”

Catherine is also sure to share any goals she has—whether personal, familial, or business-related—with her husband, children or people she works with so that she feels accountable in achieving them. Breaking promises, especially with her children, is simply not who she is, so sharing these goals helps keep her focused and motivated.

THE FAMILY CELEBRATES TOGETHER

Though being parents has affected their business, being business owners has had an equally large effect on their parenting, teaching the couple to do what they call “parenting on purpose.”

Not only have they been exposed to other parents through the business, but the couple also seeks out books and audios to help better their parenting style.

The couple hopes to eliminate any “unconscious incompetence” by replacing it with “conscious competence.”

“None of us are born knowing how to be a good parent,” says Catherine. “The love for your child is innate, but how to raise your child is not innate, and how to do it properly is not something we necessarily know in our gut.”

The same proves true for owning your own business.

In parenthood, in business, in life, the couple is ready to learn, ready to grow.

As five-year-old Manaia comes into the screen, climbing onto Phil’s lap, one thing becomes clear: they’re helping her grow, too.

“Never quit. Never give in,” says Phil. “If it’s right, you’ve got to fight for it. Our marriage is right, I fight for it. I fight for raising my kids correctly. I fight for our business. I’ll fight for other people in our business who are just getting started.”

And their life? It’s worth fighting for.

711104168 To find out more about Phil and Catherine, you can visit their website
or find them on Twitter and Facebook.

If you know Phil and Catherine, and have more to add, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!!

Making a Difference With LIFE Leadership

May 22, 2015May 27, 2017Claude Hamilton 1 Comment

Hey everyone! I recently read an awesome blog by LIFE founder Dan Hawkins and I want to share it with you all. Dan does a great job explaining the breakdown of LIFE, and also how it impacted his own life. Whether financially, emotionally, or physically, we all have room to grow. LIFE Leadership doesn’t just provide material and resources, but also the support you need to grow as a person, and in turn become the best leader you can be!

“Have fun, make money, and make a difference.”

Awesome job, Dan! See you in Ottawa for the June Leadership Convention.

Claude Hamilton

LIFE Leadership Making a Difference

LIFE Leadership has now been in business almost 4 years. In that time period we have experienced so many great things that fall into our motto of Have Fun, Make Money and Make a Difference. Tens of thousands of people receive subscriptions every month of LIFE changing information they can use to improve their lives. The stories come in daily of people applying the information to get promoted at work, improve their relationships, get out of debt and on and on. Just yesterday I received a letter from a grown daughter to her father who has been using the LIFE Leadership programs to improve his life. I was brought to tears by the letter applauding her father for becoming a better man and leading his family. Things like this make me want to work harder to reach more people because of the impact this information can have. So many will lay their head on a pillow tonight praying for answers to problems they are having or dreams they want to fulfill.

LIFE Leadership Products Retail Sales

Not only do we receive constant messages about the products making such an impact in peoples personal lives, but also the stories of people succeeding to incredible levels retailing our products to the world. Some members who join LIFE Leadership decide to learn how to make an income marketing our products and building a team to help. The LIFE Leadership Corporate Program launched a couple of years ago and continues to skyrocket. Individual members from LIFE are going out armed with great marketing tools from LIFE Leadership and introducing the programs. The stories rolling in range from getting a small business owner started to getting entire corporate management teams started! The feed back has been overwhelmingly positive and because of the response we have launch 3 – 6 month programs with a facilitators packs to lead the courses.

However, our number 1 selling product is the Financial Fitness Program (FFP). Members across the world are introducing the FFP to individuals, church groups, schools, accountants and business leaders just to name a few. The stories of people getting control of their finances and removing the stress that money can have on relationships is inspiring. One of the key elements of the FFP is not only the great information and tools offered to help with finances, but the incredible support of a community images of people working together to help everyone succeed. Best selling author Orrin Woodward has been able to clarify the financial struggles so many people feel in his ground breaking book The Financial Matrix. In his book, Orrin describes the reason so many are upset but can not explain why, why over a million people a few years back marched on DC to protest agains Wall-street. In this short video about the Financial Matrix, Orrin Woodward summarizes his new book to help people understand how to get free of the matrix. Social media is lighting up with people taking this to heart and thousands of people are reporting their success in eliminating debt. People understand there is a force at work, working against the masses daily, but this can be undone. By learning the right principles you can get free of this matrix. Yesterday, I received a social medial video of one couple sending in a $10,000+ check to payoff their vehicle, and another sending in a check to pay off their last bit of credit card debt. The FFP is making such a difference, it is creating a revolution of financial independence that will change the way we view money and debt.

LIFE Leadership Business Model

I get asked the question a lot, the LIFE Leadership materials are great, but to be honest the principles we use have been around forever, why do your materials actually create change? The secret is in the community! The LIFE Leadership community is such a special group of people, a group of entrepreneurs working daily to improve their lives and the lives of others. The LIFE Leadership materials are created by the most successful of the members, people who have worked at applying the principles first in their own lives and after they have succeeded, they are asked to share how the did it. In short, the life changing products are created by people who have changed their own lives first and now feel called to help others do the same. The world really does not need another book calling for change, but a group of people being the example of change, that is what LIFE Leadership is about.

When the founders where deciding how to best create the environment for this change to happen, the network marketing model was the only model we could find that creates the platform to truly make a difference. All of the LIFE founders gained their experience in this field. Working hard to improve ourselves to get more success in business, we realized that real success came by working on self and adding value to others. This industry, is in my option, is the best way to reach out and serve people. As an auto mechanic struggling in so many areas I was not reaching out for help, however in this industry, someone reached out to me, met me where I was at and lead me down a path of seeking truth. I was suddenly surrounded by people encouraging me to be my best and giving me the tools to do so. I remember bringing my first book to work, The Five Love Languages. Now this is not the book to bring into an auto shop, purple with flowers on it, but I knew, through mentorship, that I needed to work on my marriage. I was the laughing stock of the place, I am surprised I was not threatened to be beaten with a wrench. People there felt threatened by someone trying to improve. At the LIFE Leadership events was a different story, they probably would have threatened me if I did not read the book!

All joking aside, the people you surround yourself with matters, they will either encourage you to grow or criticize you to stay the same and keep them comfortable. LIFE leadership is about moving forward, getting better and helping communities do the same. We hope you decide to join us in this revolution of setting people free!

I have attached a short video from one of the LIFE Members explaining the business model we use to Have Fun, Make Money and Make a Difference.

God bless,

Dan Hawkins

Originally posted on danhawkinsleadership.com

Changing Your Perspective

May 14, 2015June 5, 2017Claude Hamilton 19 Comments

ADVERSITY IS OFTEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GROW

It’s easy to get discouraged when the going gets tough. But I want you to try something. The next time you reach the point where you can’t even imagine what more could go wrong, and you just want to hide under the covers and admit defeat—try changing your perspective and celebrating instead.

Like I mentioned before, unless you’ve met adversity, you don’t know how strong your character is. You don’t know what you’re fighting against, and you don’t have anything to push you forward. After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Maybe instead of throwing our hands in the air, we should be welcoming the opportunity to grow.

I wrote in my book, Toughen Up!, that people only become great when they have to struggle, adapt, and overcome. And I stand by that. Think about the last time you achieved something great. It wasn’t easy, was it? If you’ve been facing difficulties while trying to achieve your life’s purpose, congratulations! You’re probably on the right track.

Remember when I was first starting out and I experienced those unexpected rejections? Before that happened, things had been going relatively smoothly, all things considered. Of course, there are always bumps in the road when you’re starting a new business, but I was very optimistic and had plenty of energy. So when I was rejected a couple of times in a row, without even getting a chance to present my business, it was devastating. It was hard to push through and keep going. But I did—and I learned from it. I focused on keeping my character strong and, instead of dwelling on the fact that I was rejected, I looked at ways that I could achieve a different outcome the next time. I changed my perspective! I toughened up and kept going.

REJECTION CAN BE A DEVASTATING EXPERIENCE

It’s been years since that disappointing day, and I still get rejected. But now, I try to learn from it so that the next meeting might go differently. And sometimes those rejections are for the best. Maybe that person just wouldn’t have been a good fit for my business.

One of the toughest challenges is learning to deal with attacks on your business and your personal goals. Writer Henry James addressed this when he said, “I don’t want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did.” Now, that doesn’t mean we have to go out looking for enemies, but I think it’s important to remember that if we’re doing truly important work, we’ll naturally provoke those people. And when that happens, instead of doubting ourselves, we should celebrate the opportunity to strengthen our character.

There’s an old saying that hits the nail on the head: “If you haven’t been misquoted, you probably haven’t said anything that matters. And if you haven’t been attacked, you probably aren’t doing much that will really make a difference.”

Has disappointment or rejection helped make you stronger? Share your experience in the comments!

When the Odds Are Against You

April 22, 2015June 5, 2017Claude Hamilton 17 Comments

It’s true that no one knows you better than you know yourself. But how well do you really know your true nature? That probably depends on how much you’ve lived through. If life’s been relatively easy, you may have no idea what you’re made of.

Think about it. It’s easy to be kind, patient, and generous when everything is going well. But what if you lose your job or suffer a debilitating accident? Will you still be generous? Will you be kind to those who try to help you, or resentful because they aren’t going through the challenges you’re facing?

Helen Keller wrote in her journal, “Character cannot be revealed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

These are insightful words. I think it’s particularly important to note that she says that adversity inspires ambition. After all, if you never face adversity, what’s going to drive you to achieve your dream or fight for your cause? Chances are good you’ll leave the tough jobs for someone else to do, as you drift easily through your comfortable (and probably boring!) life.

If you have experienced challenges though, you’ve had a chance to test your limits. Adversity is what inspires you to find new ways to do things, to reevaluate why you’re doing them, and push through until you succeed. Plus, you develop a better understanding of who you really are.

Paul Newman also said something important about character: “A man with no enemies is a man with no character.” In other words, we shouldn’t just form our opinions of others based on who their friends are. We should also look at who and what they stand against.

For example, a few years ago, my friend started a small charity. He managed to set up a meeting with a fairly wealthy donor and flew to Edmonton to meet him. When they met, my friend sat down with the potential donor and explained his charity, what they were working towards, and what they stood for. The meeting was going great; the donor seemed excited and engaged.

But then he looked at my friend thoughtfully and asked, “In what ways have you and your organization been attacked and opposed?” My friend was happy to report that he had received nothing but support.

But the donor looked disappointed. He said, “Well, that’s too bad. If your charity really amounts to something, you’ll get your share of opposition. When that happens, come back, and I’ll be happy to donate to your cause.” With that, the meeting ended.

My friend flew home, a little confused. But the longer he thought about it, the more he understood the donor’s decision. Seasoned leaders understand that until we’ve met strong opposition, our character’s never truly been tested.

When was the last time you met adversity in your life? When it happened, what did you learn about yourself?

The Toughest Players

April 15, 2015Claude Hamilton 33 Comments

Recently, I’ve had a lot of conversations with friends about sports, debating our favorite teams, athletes, and games. And as the end of another great NHL season approaches, I figured what better time to comment on my favorite sport, and also the toughest sport out there: hockey.

Just imagine, for a second, football being played like hockey.

Put boards around the field, so instead of being tackled out of bounds safely on the soft ground, players would be falling into an unmovable reinforced wall. Instead of skidding off the field in a controlled manner, they’d be hitting solid boards.

Next, add in the speed. On skates, hockey players are moving three times faster than your average football player.

Instead of playing with an air-filled ball, a hard rubber puck—that has a maximum velocity of 170 km/h—will be used instead.

: photo courtesy of canada.com

Lastly, give everyone a weapon. A hockey stick.

Football players wouldn’t seem so tough then, would they?

Now, let’s factor in playing time:

There are only 16 games in the NFL’s season, which is a stark comparison to the 82 games played in the NHL’s regular season.

Football games may be longer than hockey, but the playing time for an individual is lessened due to the alternating of offense and defense lines. In hockey, a starting forward typically plays one third of the fast-paced sixty-minute game. And in just one shift, a hockey player could endure two to three checks.

Though football games are filled with tackles and high-speed collisions and NFL football is my close second favorite sport, there’s no question that hockey players are still the toughest athletes out there, playing the toughest—and greatest—game out there.

As for baseball and soccer—well, these videos can speak for themselves: