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For those who we hold in high esteem that protect our country, this exclusive military-only online community called MilTribe is a unique group where you will find many exciting servies and opportunities. 

It’s totally free and only Military members and their families can join. This includes currently serving, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans, Retirees and DoD civilians.

On July 1st, they are launching the first phase of the MilTribe marketplace – M2M Listings.  M2M LISTINGS is a safer, more convenient and 100% secure way for Military families on the move to list their stuff for sell, shop for what they need and buy goods from each other across installations.

The flyer has all the details!

“Not following up with your prospects is the same as filling up your bathtub without first putting the stopper in the drain.”

~~ Michelle Moore, Selling Simplified

This month ends three years of writing my blog. I’ve repeated the same powers of connection each year, so you have received three directions for each power. Here is the calendar I’ve followed since starting my blogging journey:

• August 2013 – 2015 Power of Social Media
• September 2013 – 2015 Power of Relationships
• October 2013 – 2015 Power of First Impressions
• November 2013 – 2015 Power of Connecting vs. Networking
• December 2013 – 2015 Power of Giving
• January 2014 – 2016 Power of Goal Setting
• February 2014 – 2016 Power of Positioning
• March 2014 – 2016 Power of Integrity
• April 2014 – 2016 Power of Attitude
• May 2014 – 2016 Power of NO!
• June 2014 – 2016 Power of Listening
• July 2014 – 2016 Power of Follow-Up

(All of the blogs, supporting interviews and more can be found at www.elliottconnection.com.)

This will be the last of my power communiques. My plan is to take a hiatus in August and September and begin […]

“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

~~ Jimi Hendrix

I don’t know about you, but I’m both befuddled and frustrated by what we are witnessing in our presidential primaries. One would have to be living under a rock if my statement is falling on deaf ears. It is impossible to turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper without being inundated with a deluge of diatribe reflecting on the contentious rivalry taking place.

What I feel is missing in all of this crazy chaos is the ability to listen to gain the wisdom required. Are the candidates really listening to us, the voters, and are they listening to each other? Are we, the voters, really listening to the candidates to truly understand what each can do to be our worthy leader? This is not meant to be a political opinion, but rather to give you cause to ponder and to relate this very public display of rhetoric to your personal life.

Great leaders are great listeners. They recognize knowledge and wisdom are not gained by talking, but rather by listening. ALL great leaders are adept at reading between the lines. They […]

“Wielded wisely, NO is an instrument of integrity and a shield against exploitation. It often takes courage to say. It is hard to receive. But setting limits sets us free.”

~~ Judith Sills, Ph.D.

I really don’t like the word “NO” but the reality is if we don’t use the word whenever practical, we’ll end up negatively impacting our lives and the lives of others. I think back on the many years of my life and wonder where I would be today if I had only said NO instead of acquiescing by agreeing to do things that really were not in my best interest.

Think about it. All of us can say about certain life situations, “If only I hadn’t said yes…” Why do we say yes? Because it pleases others, and it’s easier to say. Saying NO takes fortitude and the risk of disappointing others.

As I was trying to formulate my thoughts for this month’s blog, I received Jan Tilley’s weekly newsletter which I always read. Coincidentally, it was all about the power of saying NO in order to live a healthier life. I loved it and asked […]

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

~~ Winston Churchill

One of the best books every written is, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.  Positive thinking and attitude create happiness and success. Here are seven ways you can totally change your life:

1. Expect good things to happen!
2. Disregard and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
3. Stop hanging out with negative people.
4. Before starting on any new project or activity, visualize the positive outcome you want to come from what you are doing.
5. Do things that make you happy!
6. No more saying I can’t, only I can.
7. Walk and sit with a straight spine and shoulders back.

When I read last year’s Power of Attitude blog in preparation for writing this year’s blog, I saw that I dedicated it to someone I could not mention by name. I never did share who it was, and now I’m prepared to do so. The reason for keeping the secret is because at the time I wrote the blog, her mother was unaware of what was going on in her life.  With the power of social media, chances were good that her mother […]

Do you know anybody who is the epitome of perfection?  I don’t! We all have flaws and weaknesses. I’m not talking about appearances or innate abilities that make us essentially who we are as others define us. I’m referring to debilitating habits and addictions that can self-destroy. These habits and addictions may not be apparent to others, but they will ultimately change the way the world sees you if they are not addressed.

I did a little research to learn more about the difference between a bad habit and an addiction.  Basically, an addiction is a behavior that gets reinforced and ultimately leads to adverse consequences. Most of us have, what might be considered, bad habits. If we let them control us rather than us controlling them, they can affect our health. Does that mean we have a behavioral addiction? I suspect so!

Some of the common bad habits that can turn into addictions are:

• Alcohol/drug consumption
• Tobacco use
• Poor diet and physical inactivity
• Sex
• Gambling
• Internet
• Shopping

I ran across a list of the top 50 addictive habits according to the Brits which I found both interesting and quite amusing:

“Kindness doesn’t cost you anything, but will bring you riches beyond your wildest dreams.”

In December, 2013, I wrote about giving of your time and talent, and in December, 2014, I wrote about giving of your money in creative ways.  This December I will discuss how you can give of yourself in ways that can change lives.  Alluding to the quote above, the simple act of kindness can be powerful both for yourself and for the fortunate recipient who receives your kindness.

I heard a lovely children’s story at church this morning.  A mother took her young son with her to visit a homeless shelter.  Once there, she was skeptical as to whether or not this was a good idea.  The place was dreary and sad.  Did her son really need to see this seedier side of life?  A few of the young children living there were in awe of her son.  They just wanted to touch him.  He was radiant in their eyes.  Later, her son said of that day, “Mom, I feel so lucky.”  She assumed he was talking about all of the toys and games he […]

I recently read a weekly column by Jeffery Gitomer, a renowned author about the art of being successful in sales. It is titled “The Secret and the Power of Connecting.” I doubt anyone can dispute these factual statements he makes:

Everyone wants to know how to connect.

Everyone wants to know how to make appointments.

Everyone wants to know how to meet the right people.

Everyone wants to connect more to sell more.

Everyone wants to connect more to succeed more.

The secret is to become known FIRST – making it easier to make connections. Make people want to meet you. It’s all about becoming known as a person of value, both in your community and in your industry.

He and I think the same when it comes to comparing networking to connecting. When you go to networking events, you must go with your objective being to meet the people you would like to meet. You want to make friends and help them get business. He calls it “netweaving” which is basically finding business for others rather than trolling for leads for yourself. I like that!!

Since my entire life is about connecting people, I find […]