Recently some of my peers and myself have been having conversations about privacy or the lack of it when to posting on FaceBook, (even in a group).
We have come to a simple conclusion, one that was addressed in a recent New York Times article: Privacy is Dead!
Bottom line, whether we like it or not we are all out there, (just Google your name)

I have thought long and hard about this, (I was anti social media at first too).
My conclusion is this: We live in a society that is polar in many ways. On one side we have the Jerry Springer kind of trailer trash self exposure, and on the other there is the shut down, repressed, fake a smile and pretend everything is “fine” group. In truth we are still free to choose to NOT live at either end of that spectrum.

What I have come to love about social media is that if we use it well and with discernment it can call us to actually stand in our truth.

To say the things that we believe, and not hide our real feelings. Bottom line is that if you are ashamed of people knowing something that you feel…You are carrying that shame into everything you think, do and say. And maybe its time to come out of the closet and give up that shame.

 Do you really want to operate in your life feeling like you need to edit everything for the approval rating of others? EG: Your ex, your mother-in-law, an old school friend or for that matter anyone else.

All that being said, I do realize some folks will be upset at reading this, and I have got to tell you that, that’s okay. Not because I don’t care, actually its because I do care, that is, about those people who are committed to their growth and authentic transparency is part of that.

As I see it telling your truth is a great filter to find out who your real friends are and maybe, just maybe it is NOT the tons of names accumulated in your friends list on a social media group.

“One of the great parasites of your life is your need for approval.” ~Dõv Baron

With sincerity and gratitude, Dov…

http://cycedge.com

Please feel free to leave your comments and feedback and to share this with your “friends”

Come to the edge, let’s fly!

Claim Your Competitive Edge

Stay Curious my friend, stay curious and live with courage,

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to comment, like and share it with your friends.

Over the last little while, I’ve been sharing with you a personal and professional leadership series, I trust that you have found these lessons stimulating and valuable.

Okay, lets dive right into it… There’s a good chance at one point or another you have had the misfortune of  having to deal with a leader who was to put it NOT so delicately deficient, ( at least in leadership skills).

However, I wonder if you have ever worked with a boss who had “deficiencies” and used those “deficiencies” to become a great leader?  Sound ridiculous?…read on!

Whether you like these leaders or not there are certain common character traits that show up in leaders as varied as Gandhi, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, and the newest whiz kid Mark Zuckerberg, and every leaders in these world has these traits.

As I spoke about in the articles like:  “Developing Leadership Mindset”,  “You, The Leader” And particularly in the articles; “Masterful Leadership”& “The Third “I” of Masterful Leadership” , leadership traits are many and varied Just three of those traits are their Perseverance, Commitment and their willingness to take risk. In a true leader all of these are in the name of inspiring others and by whatever means, make the world a better place.

How do we know about leaders such as the ones I just mentioned? Well the easy answer is they have achieved some things and as a result got some level of notoriety. But the question worth considering is, where they leaders before they had notoriety?

I would suggest to you the answer is a resounding YES!

Do you get that, do you understand that Perseverance, Commitment and Risk Taking are what you need to become a leader of notoriety. These traits are they very essence of what you will need when you fall down, or get knocked down. Believe me, you will stumble, trip and even fall on your way to the success you dream of… Or, on occasion, and this can be a huge trap, you might even have the thought that you’re not worth it, because there’s some obvious or hidden deficiencies about you.

In truth, this happens to every single one of us and we have to, HAVE TO, keep going and value the best qualities we have.

Consider these deficient weirdos as examples: Mark Zuckerberg, is color blind. He built the fastest growing social network on the planet. But here’s what you likely don’t know; Facebook also has one of the best accessibility feature for blind or color blind people.

Steve Jobs (Apple) and Richard Branson (Virgin) are both dyslexic and yet they built multi-billion dollar businesses. Apple employs an estimated 75,000 people world wide and that does not include all the subsidiary companies and Virgin employs more than 50,000 people in 30 different countries.

It is important to really get this, YOU ARE GOING TO stumble, trip and fall on your way to success… So what! Now let yourself imagine what you would achieve if you keep going. Think about how you can change and inspire the world if you get up and keep going knowing that you will make a difference not only to your life but to the many lives that you will touch either directly or indirectly.

Look my friend, we all have some “deficiencies”, but you know what, that doesn’t make us less “valuable” than the person beside us. You have what it takes to become a great leader!  Instead of using your “deficiencies” as an excuse to quit, use them as a reason to make a difference.

“Great Leaders refuse to be hindered by the setbacks that others use as excuses. Such a leader uses their deficiencies as a launch pad for making a bigger difference.” ~ Dov Baron…

This weekend, March 18th – 20th, I’m going to be joined by leaders and future leaders who are committed in taking their levels of Perseverance, Commitment and Risk Taking for a quantum leap.
I highly suggest you to join us and shine like the diamond you truly are!

Be a leader who has the courage to NOT do what seems okay, but rather, step into excellence?

Come to the edge, let’s fly!

Claim Your Competitive Edge

Live with courage,

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to comment, like and share it with your friends.

P.P.S. If you really want to fly, step into your leadership and take a look here http://CYCEdge.com/ Claim Your Competitive Edge is going to take place this weekend, March 18th – 20th, and we have very few seats available at subscriber’s special offer, this is where you will get the opportunity to stand dynamically in your magnificent self and shine like the diamond you truly are!

P.P.S. While posting this I am told that THERE ARE ONLY 7 SEATS LEFT! As a reward for getting ready to get onto the next level, I’ve got another couple of surprises for you, just go to this link now!
http://cycedge.com/fearbuster

While those who personally know him say that he’s actually a charming, present, quick witted kind of guy.

Mark Zuckerberg Person of the year Time Magazines Cover

As I’m sure you’ve already heard, Mark Zuckerberg is Time’s 2010 person of the year.  This outstanding young man is the founder of Facebook and he’s the second youngest individual ever to be named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. And on top of that, he’s a 27 year old multi-billionaire.

Mark Zuckerberg has shown himself to be a visionary leader, and it is that vision and the willingness to face whatever was put in front of him that has made Facebook the fastest growing social network website on the planet.

You may be thinking:
“Yeah Yeah… I’ve heard stories about him and bla bla… Who gives a $%&t, What does it have got to do with me Dov”

Well my friend, Just stop for a moment and think about this; whether you are a Facebook fan or not, consider the level of impact Zuckerberg has been able to have because he was willing to be a pioneer, because he was willing to take on what it means to step up and be a leader.

Have you embraced the leadership within you?

Have you considered the level of impact you could have if you did?

Claim Your Competitive Edge

You see, Dov, I believe that every person on this planet in their own way has the ability to become a great and inspiring leader.

Not necessarily as a title, but rather as a commitment to make a difference. However, so often those who secretly yearn to step into their greatness find themselves hiding behind fears…  fears that are often not even their own.

There’s the fear of success,  fear of failing,  fear of being seen as weird or different, and of course a myriad of others you could pick from.  As a result so many get “comfortable” living their lives as is, while continually complaining, wanting something better without actually doing anything about it!

If you are already a regular reader of my articles I’m sure by now, you know, that I’m the kind of person who doesn’t support complacency, and by being one of my readers, you have at some level at least given me the permission to start the fire on you butt to get you to the goal you’ve always wanted.

I believe that we must authentically lead ourselves before we can truly lead another.

And to do this, we must face and break our fears, whatever those fears seem to be.

Here’s  something to feel through: I wonder what your Facebook is?  By that I mean; what’s your big dream that is just waiting for you to step up and claim it?

Who or what is it that is waiting for you to have massive positive impact?

Look my friend, if you really, truly care about making a difference in your life and the lives you want to touch… If you truly care about your personal and professional leadership development, I suggest it is time for you to do something different.  Do Something that those folks who are living the life YOU WOULD NOT WANT, WOULD NEVER DO!…

Claim Your Competitive Edge

For all we know, we only get one chance to live up to our potential on this beautiful planet earth. Isn’t NOW the time to live your life to the fullest?

Right now, do yourself a favor.

Stop and Imagine you’re listening to your own eulogy.

How would it feel to be remembered as someone who could have… but never did?

Someone who let fear keep a strangle hold on their life, and that soon after your funeral you will be forgotten?

There is an alternative:

• Consider what it is that you want to hear?
• Do you want to be known as a person who fully lived his/her life to the last moment, someone who brought joy?
• Do you want to be known as a person who made a difference in this world, someone who made a contribution that will out live your life span?

Isn’t NOW the time to crush your fears?

You are the creator of your own destiny!

Claim Your Competitive Edge

With gratitude,

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to comment, like and share it with your friends.

P.P.S. If you really want to crush your fear and step into your leadership take a look here http://CYCEdge.com/

The Real Cost of Doing Business

Both Business Leaders and Small Business Owners alike are asking that same question.

I’ve been in business a long time, maybe longer than some of my readers have been on the planet.

In that time, as you can probably imagine, I’ve been asked many times about the cost of doing business. It seems that people want to know because they want to know if they can afford it.

It’s a good question: What does it cost to be in business?

Obviously there is the cost of the property you operate out of, (although many folks do business from home these days).  There’s the obvious cost of staffing, although with remote workers many of those costs can be reduced. Then there are fixed costs such as electricity, phone line, internet connection and rent, (even if you operate out of home).

But those aren’t the real costs. Bear with me, because I’m going to share with you the real cost of doing business in this new economy in a moment.

“Those who go into business to make money, rarely get anything else” ~ Dov Baron…

In a few weeks I will be with a great group of teachers sharing our knowledge, insights and strategies so that you can create Quantum Wealthy Mastery in your life. I’m not going to go into details about the event here; there’s no sales job in this article. (In fact it may even put some people off the idea of going into business.)

You can simply Click Here if you want more info. What I will tell you is that an hour after I went to bed for my night’s sleep, I was awakened with inspiration to write this article.

As you would imagine, many of the people attending this event with either be in business or looking to start some kind of business. As I step on the stage to speak (maybe to you!), I want to make sure that I am in full integrity about what it takes to create success, in this case, financial success.

That being said, let’s assume you do want to be in business and you’ve got enough money to start. Let’s also assume you are even willing to put in the hours, which will, without doubt, far exceed the hours you ever put in working a job. So let’s get into the real meat and spuds of it.

There is another cost that you will want to consider seriously before going into business. It’s a cost that will become more and more evident in the new economy.

Let me warn you: It’s a cost you must seriously weigh before you make a commitment.

As you can no doubt tell, there are still signs of the old-guard cut-throat, massively competitive business model around. It may even have legs for a little while longer, nonetheless, those legs are getting more and more wobbly by the moment.

The great news is, there is a new model for doing business that is emerging. It is a model that I believe will challenge the hell out of the old guard.

The new model is one rooted in The Three Cs of the new economy:

Cooperation, Collaboration, and Contribution.

And at the center of this new model is a theme that today’s generation will come to expect, the central and very necessary cog for doing business in the new economy, another very important C–Caring!

This isn’t the old corporate rhetoric of saying “We care.” No, what I’m talking about here is actually giving a shit about the people you do business with.

Social media, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the hundreds of other social media sites have changed the distance between people. They have allowed people who were vague icons off in the distance to become people you can reach out to in as little as 140 characters and surprisingly they will, and most often do reach back.

Today’s rock, pop, and movie stars are made through the relationships they build on-line. Tomorrow’s business will be built in just the same way. (It’s already happening!)

So when you ask me: “What is the cost of doing business?” I’ll tell you…

“It’s 1:43a.m. right now, on a work day, and I’m writing this to YOU, yes YOU! Why? Because I genuinely give a shit!

The real cost of doing business today is that you must genuinely give a shit about your customers, you must treat them with the respect of being people rather than ‘buying units.’”

Bottom Line:

“If you don’t want to be relational, then you, my friend, no matter how much money you have, cannot afford the cost of doing business today!”

Does this make sense to you?

Here’s an example.  “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” is an eBook I wrote. People have found great value in it.  One of  those foundations for being truly successful is that you must be genuinely relational. If you think it’s a marketing phase, think again…

Keep this in mind.

You have to be willing to do what it takes to show someone you genuinely care, even if there is nothing in it for you.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s an example…Click on this link:  “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” and read the book for free. Yes, I’m giving it to you for FREE, (it sells on Amazon for $47). It’s a great example of what I’m talking about. Look, even if you have previously bought it and you’ve already read it, let me suggest that you read it again. Everything has changed in the new economy and I think you’ll discover that what that book says is even more relevant than when I wrote it some years ago.

Make no mistake, I’ve had 25+ years in business, and I’ve seen a lot of changes. Some of those changes have been in my inner world. For instance, in 1990 I fell off a mountain and got smashed to pieces. Then about five years ago, something else changed that was indefinable to me. However, I knew both myself and my industry had changed forever.

Hang on, I’ll explain… At that time I was working with a consultant who was always trying to get me to be distant from my students, clients and customers. I would regularly piss him off because I am all about relationships and so I would make myself available.

Needless to say, that chap and I parted ways. It was then when I re-emerged with a clean commitment:

Show people we care; always give them more than they expect while providing them with tons of value. Simply put–we will always let our customers, clients and students experience that we genuinely give a shit about them.

And that’s what it’s all about. In the new economy, the real cost of doing business is that you must be willing to be in relationship with your customers. You must be willing to genuinely give a shit.

My question to you, dear reader, and everyone you know who has in some way interacted with us is this:  Do you get it that I (Dov Baron) and  my company Baron Mastery Institute genuinely care about you… that we genuinely give a shit?

I’d love to hear your feedback about whether you see this as a genuine factor in the new economy. And I would love to hear from you with regards to the question I asked you about me and my company.

I look forward to your feedback and comments

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

I posted a status on FaceBook that got some very interesting responses.

If you are on Facebook I’m sure you’ll agree that Facebook in its self is a rather fascinating ‘place’ or phenomena.

Originally, when certain people tried to get me on FB, I was resistant and now I have many thousands of  ‘friends’. However, the question I have is do our FB ‘friends’ really know us? Do they even care about who we are, what matters to us, or even what we do?

When I posed the original question on FB so many of my  FB ‘friends’ shared wonderful kind words that touched my heart. I am so grateful to those who replied to my FB status question… I feel enormously honoured to be seen by you all and I deeply value our relationship. What was fascinating was that there were many people who I feel I know well who did not write anything, (of course they may never have seen my question). Just as surprising were all the wonderful comments I got from people I did not even know.

Many years ago I gave a presentation on: “Friends, when to hold them, when to fold them.” I like to share with you a portion of that presentation and you can let me know what you think and feel.

We have all heard people speak of ‘fair weather friends’. These are the people who are your friend in good times…

It is said that when you hit hard times ‘fair weather friends’ will move out faster than bugs from a burning mattress. Clearly it makes sense that if a friend is only there for the good times this isn’t much of a friend.

What I want to share with you are some other kinds of friends you may want to pay attention to, in particular ‘bad weather friends’. I know you’ve been told that real friends will stick with you in times of trouble, and although that is true there is a certain type of friend who is only really there for you in your bad times.

You can probably remember a time when you were in a crappy relationship and this particular friend was right there for you. They told you that s/he is a fool to let you go.  Or maybe you can remember a time when you were in serious financial ‘doo-doo’, and that certain friend was once again, right there for you, telling you that ‘they’ just don’t see your talents and skills. 

In fact the worse things get the closer this kind of friend is. I can almost hear you say; “well what’s wrong with that?”

It’s not that there is something wrong with it, in fact I would agree that a ‘real friend’ would be there for you in such times.  As much as I highly suggest that you be in full gratitude for those who are genuinely there for you in such times of challenge. That being said; we may want to examine this kind of relationship with at least the same level of inquiry as that of a ‘fair weather friend’.

In the case of a ‘fair weather friend’ it’s pretty easy to see why the person is your friend, but have you ever considered why a ‘bad weather friend’ might be hanging out? Just as you might notice a ‘fair weather friend’ fade into the distance during tough times, a ‘bad weather friend’ will disappear during the good times, (particularly if the good times last).

At this point you may be wondering why a ‘bad weather friend’ would go away in good times, well the answer may surprise you. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying:

Misery Loves Company!

There will always be these type of people in your life because at either a conscious or unconscious level they find that you being in the crapper allows them to feel better about themselves.

A ‘bad weather friend’ is incredibly supportive when you are down however, when you are up, you are seen as a threat. They may even use the kind of language that will tell you what kind of friend they really are.  If they say:  “when you become successful, find a lover, get promoted, (or any other kind of status change) you won’t want to be around me anymore.” This is the language of a ‘bad weather friend’.

Good friends, real friends, are there for you in both the good and the bad times. When things are tough they will hold you and tell you what’s great about you. However, when you are wallowing they will kick your ass to get you going if that’s what it takes. This same good friend will be overjoyed for your success in any given area. They want the best for you even if it means that for you to be truly happy and fulfilled they could lose out.

Real friends want you to become all that you are at that soulful level of fulfilling your potential.

A real friend would rather walk away than support you playing small.

A real friend will lift you up so that you can describe the view ahead and in turn inspire them to go to the next level.

I said earlier that Misery Loves Company, well so does Joy! So…

Get yourself around those who are playing big in all areas, especially joy!

I am a blessed man in more ways than I can say here. However, one way I know this for certain is I am surrounded by “Real Friends”. Some I have known for years, some I have known for moments. Some are blood family, some are spiritual family. Some I have hugged and kissed with deep affection, some I know only via the electronic world of this blog, our members site at ResonanceCity.com, and some even through FaceBook , Twitter and YouTube.

However, we know each other, I thank you for being more than a ‘fair weather friend’ or a ‘bad weather friend’.

I am deeply grateful for each of you who lift me up upon your shoulders to shine a light out into the world.

Thank you for celebrating my success, and telling everyone you know about what I teach.

I look forward to your feedback

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

P.S. I deep enjoyed the FaceBook responses, so I  have copied my question and some of the responses below as I thought you’d enjoy the wise and sometime funny insights:

My Question: Are we friends? If you do consider me a friend, please tell me why that is.

• Alexander Kozupytsya
  I heard a lot of good things about you plus you like Tom Jones! They say you’re the new Anthony Robbins….the self help buffs!

• Danielle-Nicole Lareau
  Because..you are me..and I like who you are..pure love and compassion my friend…ciao for now Dani

• Andrea Lachner.  Facebook (and My Space and Twitter LOL) has opened a whole new world to us – we can become ‘friends’ with people we’ve never met (and possibly never will meet) in person. Not to mention people in completely different time zones. Why do I become ‘friends’ with someone like you? Because you are inspiring!!! And I am always keen to read what you have for us to read & think about.
  I have learnt along the way that there are many different type of friends in our lives. There’s the ones that will always be in your life no matter where in the world we each end up. There are the ones that are friends to you only when they need you or when you yourself need them. Which is a paradox to the saying that some people are your friends only in the good times – yup, I know of people that are only your friend in bad times – weird huh? But nevertheless, every person we meet (in person or these days in cyberspace) has something to offer to our lives in some way or another.
  The word ‘friend’ has many more meanings and levels to it than just one or 2 words
  My 2 cents worth this early in the morning (for me) LOL…
  Love and light XX… Read More

• Krystal Pine
  I love you Dov because you are kind and considerate, but also, you have a backbone and stand up for the truth, you are gentle and honest.

• Rosally Saltsman
  Yes. A friend is someone you trust, who possesses qualities you admire, who shares things in common with you and with whom you feel an emotional or spiritual chemistry. A friend is someone whom you feel you can grow through or with and help them to grow as well. It isn’t unusual in today’s technology or higher spiritual awareness to have friends you’ve never met. It’s just hard to have friends you never see.

• Kim Dushinski… Yes, I consider you a friend because you have gone dog walking with me more times than you know. (Via my MP3 player, of course).

• Natalie Gibson
  Because you are who you are and you’re not afraid to show it, because you’re continually pushing your own growth at an exponential rate, because you are profoundly integral with yourself and with others, because you don’t bullshit me with social nice disease and because we laugh and have fun together. simple, really.

• Naseem Rahman
  We are born into our families and we are related to them by blood. Yet, there are some people who enter our lives for a reason and they become a part of our family, leaving a lasting impression on our lives. You are one such person in my life, Dov. You are my friend, my mentor,my guide and the voice of reason for me when the chips are down & I … feel cornered in a dark place. You are God’s gift to this universe, making it a better place to live. May the light of your enlightenment spread to places afar …You are simply the BEST….with Love Naseem