This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how a house could be transformed by experts. They were allowed to use only ?500 (or $1100 dollars) and they had to complete the work in two days.
The owner wanted to sell his house but had had no offers so far although about 8 people had visited the house.
The reasons were fairly obvious. The house was large with great potential and the gardens were beautiful. However, inside the house, the carpets were shabby and needed removing or steam cleaning. The colours were drab; you would probably need counselling after living in the house for too long. The windows were dirty and obscured by net curtains which looked liked discarded bloomers.
The experts juggled the furniture around the sitting room until they found the best arrangement. They compared it to solving a jigsaw puzzle. Keep moving the chairs and sofa around until the pieces fit. They made the conservatory look 'unbelievable' according to the owner.
They used colour combinations which were similar to the most attractive colour combinations of food. Strawberries and cream, for example, not only taste good; they look good.
They used simple things like candles, tapestries and blocks of paint to create a magical effect in the rooms.
The owner was stunned but delighted by the changes and he learned fast. He had to show the first prospective buyer (who arrived after the changes) round the house. He pointed out the benefits of the changes like a professional. The buyer was impressed.
It was obvious that, with a little training, the house owner could himself become an expert at making over houses for sale. It has been said that if you train for an hour a day for six months in anything you can become an expert.
Of course, this would not apply to those who wish to be heart surgeons or astronauts but it would apply to many areas of expertise.
I was recently delighted by the work of a copy writing expert who lives in Italy. I asked him to write the sales page for my recent book. He started by suggesting a much improved title for the book.
I had called the book 'Awesome Acronyms About Achieving Your Aims'. He thought this was boring and changed the title to '36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" I think he was right!
He brought some stories into the sales copy and used powerful and exciting words which showed off the best points of the book. He made me impressed with the book I had written and he was also able to say things about me which I would have been too modest to say about myself.
His changes were often small but made a big difference to the copy.
Where I wrote: "Lose Weight But Avoid Losing Money", he used a more positive phrase like : "Lose Weight But Keep Your Money!"
He empowered readers by using imaginative metaphors or pictures. For example, where I wrote "Three Words That Can Achieve All Your Goals", he wrote 'Three Words To Help You Take Flight And Achieve All Your Goals."
His version is much more imaginative. You can visualise yourself flying through the air like an eagle rather than plodding along like a donkey.
His expertise transformed the sales copy but it also made me realise that I could do the same myself if I really worked at it. I have since joined Trevor 'Toe-Cracker' Crook's copywriting website and plan on becoming an expert myself. Trevor, incidentally lives in Australia.
Copywriting is something you can do from any location in the world. So is golf.
You can improve your golf swing greatly by having just one session with a golf pro. They can teach you all sorts of ways to improve your swing. You can attach a light to your golf club, for example, and use the beam to make sure you swing the club along the correct arc.
You can improve your putting by hitting a wooden tee placed upside down. The size of a hole on the green is about 30 times the size the top of a wooden tee. The experts will provide you with all kinds of tips but if you learn these tips yourself, you could become an expert as well.
I encourage all my martial arts students to aim to become instructors. They will continue to learn themselves by teaching others. I spend most of my own time teaching others the things I need or want to learn myself.
So then, bring in the experts or become an expert yourself or do both. Some kind of success is likely to follow. Sometimes the success will astonish you.
About the author
John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.
The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"
The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com
The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.
You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.
Alto Pass chicago limos ..I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More
Sometimes it is better to just get on with doing... Read More
Just how powerful is the Subconscious Mind and how can... Read More
I once heard a speaker use the statement, "I have... Read More
Have a therapeutic meltdown It's crunch time: you're two days... Read More
Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More
Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More
The Great Library of Alexandria once held the wisdom of... Read More
Have you ever noticed when playing a video game, or... Read More
Business knowledge and skills are not the only keys to... Read More
"I am the greatest warrior. I have fought with gods... Read More
Create a truth and step into it There is a... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
Challenges posed by recent economic and market shifts, though predicted... Read More
The power went out. Again!I looked out my second story... Read More
In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More
Wealth is more than money. It's abundance, or as the... Read More
When you are working over time but yet you do... Read More
Many of us have lost sight of what we really... Read More
Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More
Most sports are full of lessons for the discerning. Tennis... Read More
Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
The present model of business and career motivation, the one... Read More
Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that... Read More
Alto Pass cool limo ..In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More
Success, in the dictionary, is defined as, "The achievement of... Read More
Let's say you're moving forward in your efforts to achieve... Read More
Fourteen thousand civilised people died when the tsunami hit Andaman... Read More
Have you ever heard of the "secrets of success"? Many... Read More
Conditions differ from circumstances. Circumstances are changeable conditions which merely... Read More
Have you ever thought about what makes a superstar? What... Read More
In the Greek tale of creation, a Titan (Greek god)... Read More
"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More
What is an ANT? An ANT is an acronym for... Read More
If we hope to achieve any worthwhile goal it will... Read More
What does a sharp saw have to do with lifelong... Read More
Successful people set ambitious goals. But the high standards and... Read More
Why is it that most people still equate being successful... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
Whenever I'm feeling stuck in a rut, I go out... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More
Does your life feel less than fulfilling? Are you waiting... Read More
I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More
Create an environment that is so inspiring and nurturing that... Read More
In my audio program Book Yourself Solid, The 7 Keys... Read More
Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More
I was at a dinner party the other night when... Read More
Well I'll tell you what it's not. Even thought many... Read More
Success |