by Mark on September 2, 2010
Once upon a time, there was a mouse named Peter. The little mouse wanted to be famous.
But he was just an ordinary mouse no different than any other mouse. That was his problem. He couldn’t think of anything that would make him famous. So he decided to ask the most respected mouse that he knew to help him become famous.
Aunt Sophie was a grand old mouse. She had lived long and had many friends and everybody in the mouse community knew who she was. So Peter asked her, “What will it take for me to be famous?” Sophie responded with her age-old wisdom, “Be who you were created to be. Treat all creatures kindly and do the next right thing.”
Peter went to sleep that night with Aunt Sophie’s words ringing in his ears. “Be who you are created to be. Treat all creatures kindly and do the next right thing.” Peter began to dream. He dreamt that he was a great eagle [click to continue…]
by Mark on August 31, 2010
John and Mary were so excited. They had saved up for years for a large down payment on a house.
They had scrimped and saved and made many painful sacrifices so they could feel comfortable with a large down payment. They drove up to the first house and were met by the salesman who rushed them in the front door and showed them the house in less than 20 minutes. They could barely ask a question because the real estate agent was focused on his agenda and schedule. How do you think John and Mary felt after that first experience with the real estate agent? If you take into consideration their history of scrimping, saving and sacrificing, I cannot even imagine the disappointment, frustration and confusion they were feeling.
If the agent had taken time to listen to their dreams, wants, and desires, he would’ve taken the time to do the research to find the house that would meet those dreams, wants, and desires. The art of listening is not something that’s developed with the flip of a switch or going to a weekend seminar but it is a lifelong journey. Listening is the key that can unlock almost any door in any relationship from marriage, to dating, to business, to parenting or sharing your passion with others.
Seven benefits of a great listener. [click to continue…]
But he was just an ordinary mouse no different than any other mouse. That was his problem. He couldn’t think of anything that would make him famous. So he decided to ask the most respected mouse that he knew to help him become famous.
