• Just in time for the New Year! Break the cycle of bad habits with this new release by John J. Murphy and Mac Anderson!
• Each chapter ends with worksheets that will help you clearly identify your negative and positive habits and reinforce the lesson in each chapter.

If you have bad habits that are preventing you from attaining your goals – this is the book for you

“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
John Dryden

Habits begin and manifest deep in the mind and they can be friends or foes. Good habits can make our lives easier, helping us to do the more mundane things of life without thinking about them, like automatically depositing your paycheck.
But, as all of us know all too well, habits can also be destructive…to our health, to our finances, to our relationships. It’s why we struggle with losing weight, paying off our credit cards or quitting smoking…to name a few “bad habits.”
Whether they are a positive force in our lives or obstacles to the goals we want to achieve, habits become ingrained through repeated actions.

As creatures of habit, many people struggle with breaking habits. In Habits Die Hard, it is our intention to help you through this very common, very challenging life experience by giving you 10 keys to replacing destructive habits. Each chapter contains a worksheet to help you identify your specific problem areas and how to improve them.
If you have habits you intend to change, you will not be disappointed in this book.

Food for Thought…

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.
I am at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me.
For I can do them quickly, correctly and profitably.
I am easily managed; just be firm with me.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a
machine and the intelligence of a person.
You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.
Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.
Lead me. Reward me.
And I will then…do it automatically.
I am your servant.
Who am I?
I am a habit

Simple Truths philosophy: There is one thing in life that took me a long time to learn, and that’s… less is almost always more. This “simple truth” is the foundation on which our company was built. I wanted to create beautiful gift books that anyone can read in less than thirty minutes.

To make each book special, we focused on three things: Great content, Great graphics, Great packaging to create a “wow effect”

We also chose not to offer our books in any bookstores or any retail outlets, to make it even more special as a gift.

Satisfied customers are our #1 priority, so I encourage you to give us feedback on how we’re doing. If we ever disappoint you, I hope you’ll let us know, and we will do everything we can to make it right.

Hardcover Gift Book 112 pages 170 mm square

In the years that followed, I leaned on my commitment to Finish Strong and was blessed with success in many areas of my life. This was such a breakthrough for me that I believed others could benefit from being exposed to and ultimately adopting a “Finish Strong attitude.”

So in 1996 I filed for and received a trademark on the words “Finish Strong” with the vision of creating a global brand that would inspire millions of people to higher levels of performance.
My life has never been the same since. For 15 years, Finish Strong has been a driving force in my life – professionally, personally and spiritually.

I started a business in an attempt to create products and services around Finish Strong – with nominal success.  However, the real “game changer” for Finish Strong came in 2004, when through a twist of fate, I met Mac Anderson. I was a huge fan of Mac’s company, Successories, and he became a mentor to me in helping to make some critical decisions about the Finish Strong product line.

Then, in the fall of 2005 Mac launched Simple Truths and shortly thereafter gave me the opportunity to join him as a partner and manager of sales and marketing. He also believed that a Finish Strong gift book would be a great addition to the Simple Truths line. I was excited and couldn’t imagine a better platform to launch the Finish Strong message. Also, at that time, the Finish Strong apparel company had hit a crossroad. We had invested heavily in developing and manufacturing our own sports apparel line, and it became evident that without substantial funding, we would not be able to expand.

I like to say that God’s timing is never early and never late. So, as I wound down the apparel business, I got involved with Simple Truths. My first year with Simple Truths was extremely busy, building the infrastructure for the company and as a result, I didn’t have much time to write the book. But in 2007, Mac and I finalized the concept for the book, and I began writing it. Finish Strong: Amazing Stories of Courage and Inspiration was published in May of 2008, and I am humbled to say that it has been one of our top selling titles since. The book has been used by corporations, individuals, schools and professional sports teams to inspire peak performance

Click here to see some examples »

Well, I don’t know where you’re living, but my world is far from perfect. I occasionally have doubts, fears and disappointments in my life. During those times, I need “shots of inspiration” to reinforce, to encourage, and to motivate.

That’s what my new book Charging the Human Battery is all about…50 ways to motivate yourself! I think that one of the great challenges in life is to get inside our own heads, and truly understand what makes us tick. It’s not easy, but this little book was written with that in mind.

Just remember…people are like sticks of dynamite; the power’s on the inside but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit.

It is my hope that as you read there will be many “a-ha moments” to light your fuse, and keep it lit, through good times and bad.

But here’s the key…keep it close and read it often. Because as my friend Zig Ziglar said, “People often tell me that motivation doesn’t last, and I tell them bathing doesn’t either, that’s why I recommend it daily!”

As I mentioned, there are 50 short chapters, and each one shares an idea that has the potential to turn your switch from “off” to “on”. I’d like to share chapter two titled: You are Only One Choice Away from Changing Your Life:

One choice, just one, can change your life forever. Simply put, your life today is what your choices have made it, but with new choices, you can change directions this very moment. For me, that idea alone is highly motivational because it offers tremendous hope, regardless of circumstances, for a better tomorrow.

Your life-changing choice may be to switch careers, to leave an abusive relationship, to go back to school, to stop drinking, to adopt a child, to start a business, to lose weight, to start a charity…to name a few. If you have the courage to do so, you could make any one of those choices, or others, today. And you would change your life.

Sometimes it’s a different kind of choice. It can be to not quit, to not give up in the face of adversity. We’ve all been there.

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen received 77 rejections for their idea Chicken Soup for the Soul. They had to make a decision each time…should they throw in the towel and say enough is enough, or should they keep trying to pursue their dreams? You know the rest of the story. The 78th publisher said “Yes” and they went on to sell over 100 million books.

So never forget that you are only one choice away from changing your life. Do you have the courage to make it?

Click here to get this book now!

• 1. A great gift to thank your best customers

Thanking customers not only rewards past profits that you have gained from them, but also helps cement continued ties, as well as initiating new forms of business by keeping communication open, relationships strong, and mutual respect flowing.

• 2. Send a different book each quarter to “stay connected” to your best customers, your distributors or your sales team in the field

• 3. Reinforce your meeting theme with a takeaway that will keep the message alive

Make sure you your message is never lost as soon as people leave the board/conference room. Suppliment your efforts while in their presence with a takeaway that will continue to work for you well after they are out of sight.

• 4. A surprise gift to welcome each new employee

A welcoming environment run by employers eager to motivate their staff, no matter how new they are, always increases productivity, as well as boosting the confidence needed for effective transparencies between employee and employer.

This need for employer gratification and support within the workplace, means one should be constantly looking for excuses to hand over Simple Truths books to staff members:

• 5. Thank individuals for making a difference or for going the extra mile

• 6. Celebrate an employee’s birthday or company anniversary by sending a book to their home

• 7. Reinforce your training programs by giving a small gift upon completion

• 8. Invest in the personal development of your people with our gift books which in many instances open the door to a better way of thinking

• 9. Celebrate a company milestone

• 10. A great gift for your friends and family

Don’t forget the people who essentially define who you are. Friends and family are the most important investments one can make outside of the office. There is no better way to protect this investment, than by helping it grow and realise its potential through appreciation, inspiration, and effective self-fulfilment strategies.

• 11. Treat yourself to the amazing insight, inspiration and motivation found within our books

Never forget about number 1. You are the piston that drives your life and the many relationships spoken of above. So make sure to check your own oil regularly.

In any given workplace, a team of people who are motivated, positive and enthusiastic about their daily tasks makes a tremendous difference to the atmosphere as well as to the quality of work and level of productivity. If staff dread the thought of coming into the office, feel undervalued and unimportant – the environment soon deteriorates. Unfortunately, there are managers who don’t feel that any extra recognition is needed, after all, employees are paid to do their job. The sad result is that many employees cite “lack of recognition” as a major cause for dissatisfaction.

In the current economic climate, global fears and anxieties have had an impact on companies both abroad and in South Africa. Many companies have had to consider drastic steps such as retrenchment in order to weather the financial stormy waters. The impact this has on staff morale can be severe, and there is no better time to reconsider what your company is doing to make sure that your employees feel inspired and motivated.

The good news is that addressing this is simple – and does not have to be an expensive endeavour. According to author Leslie Yerkes, “Recognition is one of the most underutilised tools. It’s so easy to do.” Although there is often debate as to what is the best way to show recognition, it is the first step to reenergising and inspiring your team.

It is crucial to recognise your staff at formal quarterly or yearly awards functions. However, acknowledging people every day in small, but thoughtful ways, goes a long way to boost the morale of that individual, team or group. So called “informal recognition,” which could be as simple as writing an email or a card, can make a dramatic difference to the office culture.

According to SARA, The South African Reward Association, “Managers who prioritise employee recognition understand the power of recognition. They know that employee recognition is not just a nice thing to do for people. It is a communication tool that reinforces and rewards the most important outcomes people create for your business.” They conducted an employee survey which found that “fifty-five percent of the respondents said that praise and attention from their supervisor would make them feel as if the company cared about them and their well-being. As you might also expect, money, benefits, and events such as company lunches ranked high, too. But recognition from the supervisor ranked above all other choices.”

So, recognition is important, but how does one begin? Here are a few key recognition tips for everyday use:

• Make it visible

It doesn’t matter whether the accomplishment is small or big; make a fuss around the office. Set up a notice board, send out emails or make a public announcement. It is a celebration and should be treated as such. Consider taking the time out to write one or two cards a week praising those who have performed. You may be surprised at the results.

• Be spontaneous

Saying “well done” or writing a short note does not take planning, and does not cost money. Make sure that when someone does go the extra mile, you recognise it immediately. Consider an “instant award” such as a gift card, certificate or medal which you can hand out on the spot.

• Be genuine

Your sincerity will shine through. Explain why your staff member has earned their award, whatever it may be, and thank them sincerely for their contribution.

In addition to recognising people for a task well done, it is equally important to cultivate a sense of motivation and commitment. Once again, simple steps can be taken that do not cost exorbitant amounts of money, yet can have significant effects. According to a BBC business study, “Staff who are well motivated are more likely to stay with the company. They grow in experience and become even more valuable to their employer.” In addition, “Motivated workers are more productive and higher productivity usually means higher profits.”

Here are some easy ways to kick-start a culture of positivity:

• Keep in touch

Make a regular meeting with your team a priority. In order to get your energising goal off the ground, start with a meeting where you share these goals. Share your excitement, your appreciation for all the individuals on your team and the company you work for.

• Open your ears

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you know what is best. You can never talk to your staff enough. Ask them what they think, organise discussions and find out what is important to your team, and what would make them happier in the workplace.

• Make it last

Start off with small fun breaks that bring everyone together. Share some snacks, engage in a team activity and slowly your team will begin to relax and enjoy the fellowship between them. Remember, it starts with you – the only way to keep the motivation going is to be positive, motivated and committed yourself.

• Positive environment

Surround your team with upbeat positive messages such as motivational diaries, calendars and posters. Be sure to recognise positive behaviour from your team.

• Take it slow

Sometimes it can take a long time for your team and office to embrace a culture of positivity – an entrenched atmosphere and attitude will not change overnight. However, through constantly reiterating your commitment to the company and your people, believing passionately in what you are doing and having the determination to persevere, eventually change will come about.

These are only a few suggestions to encourage the creation of a culture that celebrates good work, encourages people to achieve their best and stimulates an environment of commitment and dedication to a common goal. These small and simple steps (easily undertaken by any individual) can have extraordinary results. In a business environment that is particularly challenging, it is crucial that managers engage with all members of their team, encouraging them to perform at their peak, for the benefit of both the individuals and the business.

For more information or advice on Employee Recognition you can reach Liz Maughan on 011 886 7845, or email liz@successories.co.za.