In Print: Fast Company “Get to Work by Meeting Procrastination Head-On”

April 11, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

Get To Work By Meeting Procrastination Head-On

BY KEVIN PURDY | 04-06-2012 | 9:37 PM

Being smart, energetic, and creative won’t save you from procrastination, but knowing the whys and hows of it can be a big help. Here are four things you might not know about your worst habit.

There’s a huge distance between the physical energy it takes to run on a treadmill–the muscles, calories, and breath–and the often larger emotional energy it takes to head to the gym after a stressful day. Just ask a guy who gained 40 pounds during graduate school.

Rory Vaden is now much more trim, and quite focused on evangelizing the power of self-discipline in books like Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. But back in graduate school, it wasn’t really laziness that kept Vaden him from the gym, but self-criticism…

Click here to read the full article.

Filed Under: Take the Stairs in the Media Tagged With: fast company, Procrastination, Rory Vaden, Self-Discipline, Take The Stairs

In Print: American Express Open Forum “Just Say No: 5 Ways to Turn More Down to Get More Done”

April 5, 2012 By takethestairs 2 Comments

Just Say No: 5 Ways to Turn More Down to Get More Done

Rory Vaden

Next generation time management is more about deciding what not to do than what to do. Whether we like it or not that means we are going to have to develop the skill of saying “No.”

For many, no is something we are scared of. We don’t want to upset anyone, and so we routinely say yes and find ourselves stressed, stretched and strenuously working to try to keep up.

Make no mistake about it, though, there are invisible payoffs to taking on too much. Although always saying yes creates an incredible amount of anxiety for us it also:

Gratifies our rich desire to feel important by showcasing how much we’re involved in…

Click to read the full article here.

Filed Under: Take the Stairs in the Media Tagged With: american express, entrepreneur, motivation, open forum, productivity, Rory Vaden, sales consulting, Self-Discipline, small business solutions, Take The Stairs

Eric Chester’s Entitlement Creed

April 4, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

It’s wild to see how many views this video has gotten in just a few short weeks. I think it captures the essence of how a lot of managers today feel about the work ethic of young employees. If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s worth a look. Also there is a corresponding “Entitlement Creed” available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cPuH8jg5nQ

Filed Under: Other Fun Stuff, Video Lessons Tagged With: employee motivation, entitlement, entitlement creed, Eric Chester, management, Rory Vaden, Self-Discipline, Take The Stairs

In Print: Chicago Tribune “The Secret to Self-Discipline”

April 3, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

The secret to self-discipline

By Robert Pagliarini

Easy short-term choices lead to difficult long-term consequences. Inversely, difficult short-term choices lead to easy long-term consequences. Self-discipline strategist Rory Vaden describes this concept as The Paradox Principle of Sacrifice. It’s simple enough to understand: Focus on doing the difficult things now for more freedom, more money, more happiness and an easier life in the future. Understanding how The Paradox Principle of Sacrifice relates to your everyday life is the first step toward motivating yourself to take action for your future.

In a recent conversation with Rory Vaden, he discussed his new book, “Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success.” As a self-discipline strategist, Rory is an expert in the psychology of making decisions. He has taught audiences worldwide his “Take the Stairs” methodology.

Click here to read the full article.

Filed Under: Take the Stairs in the Media Tagged With: chicago tribune, motivation, Rory Vaden, sales consulting, self-dicipline, Southwestern Consulting, Take The Stairs

In Print: CNN “To Reach the Top, Do What Others Won’t”

April 2, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

Check out this piece from CNN’s Route to the Top coverage!

To reach the top, do what others won’t
By Rory Vaden – Special to CNN

Getting ahead in your career is not just about being successful; it’s about being noticed.

So how do you stand out to be hired by potential employers? How do you stand out for a promotion to a superior? How do you stand out as loyal to the people you are leading? It’s simple: do the things that others aren’t willing to do.

Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or a candidate, success comes from having the discipline to do the things that you know you should be doing, even when you don’t feel like doing them. When you practice this kind of self discipline regularly, you’ll naturally stand out from the pack — because most people avoid the hard stuff. It’s just easier to put it off…

Click here to read the full article!

Filed Under: Take the Stairs in the Media Tagged With: cnn, motivation, reach the top, Rory Vaden, sales coaching, sales consulting, Self-Discipline, Take The Stairs

In Print: The New York Times “Driven to Worry, and to Procrastinate”

April 1, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

Driven to Worry, and to Procrastinate

From The New York Times

Since time began, it seems, people have been putting off till tomorrow what they could have done today — berating themselves and inconveniencing others in the process.

It wouldn’t be a problem except that time eventually runs out. “You may delay, but time will not,” said Benjamin Franklin…

In the world of work, procrastination has “expensive and visible costs,” said Rory Vaden, a corporate trainer, who points to research showing that the average employee admits to wasting two hours a day on nonwork tasks.

Click here to read the full article!

Filed Under: Take the Stairs in the Media Tagged With: bestseller, Procrastination, Rory Vaden, Self-Discipline, Take The Stairs, the new york times

Take the Stairs Treasure Hunt!

February 8, 2012 By takethestairs 1 Comment

Attention all New Yorkers! This afternoon we’ll be visiting several bookstores in NYC signing copies of the newly released #TakeTheStairs! Between 3 – 7pm we’ll be going to stores all over the city so be on the lookout and be the first into the store to get a signed copy!

Here is where we will be:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
82nd & Broadway
2289 Broadway
New York, NY 10024

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
86th & Lexington
150 East 86th Street
New York, NY 10028

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Citigroup Center
160 E 54th Street
New York, NY 10022

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Fifth Ave
555 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Union Square
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Tribeca
97 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Court Street
106 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Park Slope
267 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215

See you in the “stairwell”,
Rory Vaden

Filed Under: Other Fun Stuff, Take The Stairs Official Tour Stops

YOU Were Born to Win – Find Out How

January 31, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

My mentor and “America’s Motivator” bestselling author Zig Ziglar has written what is sure to become a beloved classic, Born to Win.

Zig takes his 40+ years of teaching about success and how to get it and puts it all in one easy-to-understand book.

The Born to Win philosophy is both “profoundly simple” and “simply profound.” Zig says, “You were born to win, but to be the winner you were born to be you must plan to win and prepare to win. Then and only then can you legitimately expect to win.” In this book, Zig shows you how you can prepare yourself for success and change your world!

In Born to Win you will discover how:

You can begin to win right away
Two driving forces fuel action
Practice prepares you for victory
To get the advice you need
To stop worrying about results
To always expect the best
Being born to win can drive your business to new levels of success

To celebrate the release of this groundbreaking book, Zig’s friends and colleagues have put together an amazing offer. If you purchase the book today, you’ll get instant access to tons of bonus gifts, including my Take the Stairs 60 Minute Signature Keynote on Audio and eMinibuk of Quotes – a $30 value! Check out the details here.

The entire bonus package is worth more than $2,184 including gifts from leading industry experts such as Bob Burg, Dianna Booher, Tom Hopkins, Dr. Tony Alessandra, me, and many, many others.

“Born to Win is Zig Ziglar’s legacy for all of us. Don’t miss it! If you think he’s already impacted your life, as he has mine, then hold on—your life will get even better after reading Born to Win. It’s the best of the best of Zig Ziglar.” — Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

If you’re serious about winning in life, learn how with Born To Win. Begin your journey today!

See you in the “stairwell”,
Rory

P.S. If you purchase today, you’ll receive over 32 bonuses! Order now!

P.P.S. If you’ve never read Zig Ziglar, find out why Seth Godin says, “Zig Ziglar is the real deal! He’s an authentic voice, a light, and a life changing mentor and model for millions.” Click here to find out more.

Filed Under: Other Fun Stuff Tagged With: born to win, motivation, Zig Ziglar

ANNOUNCEMENT: Take the Stairs nationwide bus tour – Free events across the country to raise thousands of dollars for local schools!

January 27, 2012 By takethestairs Leave a Comment

Could you use more self-discipline? Or do you know a teenager in your life that could use more self-discipline? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions then you’ll be excited to know that from February 20 – March 20 I will be teaching FREE live Take the Stairs events all across the country!

As part of our book launch for Take the Stairs (Penguin publishing) we will be taking a tour bus across the country and have partnered with local schools to provide free programming in a community near you and to raise money for local schools and youth character education non-profits!

Our tour bus will be visiting 20 different states and we’ll be hosting events where we teach all 7 strategies of the Take the Stairs methodology to help you and your teens to:

- Understand the psychology of overcoming procrastination

- Simplify the process of making self-disciplined choices

- Be able to start doing the things you know you should be doing when you don’t feel like doing them.

These events are for anyone who wants to:

- Make more money

- Be more productive

- Be in better physical shape

- Have less stress

- Enjoy more fulfilling relationships

and just have more peace, satisfaction, and fulfillment in every area of life!

Most of the events will be in the evening from 6-830 pm and you can find a full list of events and register at:

www.takethestairstour.com

Events are free to register and come to but seating is limited so you must register online in advance at www.takethestairstour.com. The event is recommended for anyone 8th grade and up!

A suggested donation of $10 per person will be collected at the door and 100% of the money will be given back to that local school district or local youth character education non profit!

You can help by:

- Going to www.takethestairstour.com and registering yourself/family members/ and friends to come to a live event

- Spreading the word about these free events all across the country by blogging about it, sharing it on your Facebook page, or sending messages on Twitter. Go to our Facebook fan page (www.roryonfacebook.com) to find shareable links

- Introducing us to any media contacts you might have who might be interested in covering the story of the Take the Stairs Tour to help get the word out to more people!

Our goal is to have 1000 people at each event and to raise $10,000 for each school/charity with a total of $250,000 for local schools during our 30 day tour!

Help us provide this important education for young people and to raise money for America’s schools! Join the Take the Stairs tour now at:

www.takethestairstour.com

See you in the stairwell,

Rory

Filed Under: Take The Stairs Official Tour Stops, Uncategorized Tagged With: Rory Vaden, Self-Discipline, Take The Stairs, take the stairs book, take the stairs bus tour, take the stairs tour, youth character education

How to “Own” Your Dream

January 20, 2012 By takethestairs 1 Comment

It is a peculiar truth of life that we often do not appropriately value the things we don’t directly pay for. One of the problems with credit is that it enables us to have something that we “want” now even though we might not really need it. And had we been forced to earn the money for it first then we might have decided later that it’s not worth the money because it’s not worth the work we had to put in to get it.

Unfortunately many of us approach our dreams with the same buying-on-credit philosophy that we use to buy our stuff. We want to find a way to get them without having to pay for them upfront. In other words we want the accolades, the raises, the notoriety, the freedom and the status but we’d rather not have to put the work in for it up front in order to get it. But even though we think that is what we want, it ultimately doesn’t satisfy.

A dream that is handed to you wouldn’t be worth as much as one you had to pay to own. It wouldn’t have the same significance, the same meaning, and it wouldn’t represent the same success. Even though we may not realize it, the satisfaction of reaching the dream comes from having paid the price in order to get it.

So if you have a dream – any dream – you don’t want it on “credit”. That is, you don’t want it “given” to you and you don’t need it to “come easy”. You want to work for it, you want to earn it, you want to pay the price for it. You want to own it! My friend and author, Randy Gage, often says “you should be the number one investor into your own dream.”

There are 3 currencies you can use to invest in owning your dream: time, money, and energy. If you have a dream that you want then you can own it by investing any one of those 3 things into it at any moment.

And as the “Buy-In Principle” of the Take the Stairs methodology reminds us, “the more we have invested into something the less likely we are to let it fail.” So don’t wait for your dream to be given to you. Don’t expect an easier way for it to show up. Don’t think it’d be better if it just happened. Instead, start investing! Start paying the price and you’ll be amazed at the power you have once you truly “own” your own dream.

See you in the “stairwell”,
Rory Vaden