Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

Besides 1 Million and a Google you just can’t beat the number One Hundred. Did I forget about Ten.  Ten is alright but it doesn’t have any where near the number of nicknames as 100.

AKA a Hondo, a Benjamin, Century, 10 Squared and C for my Roman subscribers.  However you say it 100 is cool.  In fact 100 is so cool people are intimidated by it.  Just shy of 100, 99 over the years has given 100 a run for its money but I must say 100 always comes out on top.  If you dare to argue.  Its simple math.

Some famous 100 Brands:

• Billboard Top 100 Hits
• Fortune 100
• Audi 100
• 100% (110% gives 100 a run for its money)

I am not sure why 100 is so special, all I know is it’s a universal starting point.

I started my blog in late may.  My goal was to post 3 to 4 times a week.  For the most part I have been on target for this goal.  Now that I have 51 posts under my belt, I feel pretty confident I am sticking with this blogging thing.  I now have a goal of reaching 100 blog posts by 2009.

On my way to 100 here is what I have learned:

• Blogging is not easy
• I could have easily quit at 10 and nobody would have known the difference (except me)
• What I find interesting does not always translate into an interesting post as a novice writer
• People are really freaked out by Grammar mistakes (Can I get an editor?)
• Patience is a virtue.  Write multiple posts and save one for a rainy day.
• A budding blogging habit does not mix well with well with a day job.
• A pregnant wife needs more attention than an email subscription to my blog feed
• When I get to 100 I will be 99 posts better than when I started.

100 is a great number,  before I get to my goal of being a best selling author, a keynote speaker to thousands and  surpass 3000 blog subscribers I can find great joy smelling the roses at the Special number 100.

Momentum Monday Assignment.

Create a 100 Goal.  Everybody is doing it!

My favorite desert is Pumpkin Pie.  After a very challenging week, I was happy to see Frisch’s Big Boy a Cincinnati, OH restaurant chain was again offering their seasonal award winning desert.

As I indulged in this Cincinnati delicacy I was thinking maybe it was time to reward you for your hard work.

I have been publishing Momentum Monday’s for nearly 3 months and it’s time for you to stop and smell the pumpkins.

This week is about celebrating.  Reward yourself with a favorite desert.  You deserve it.

Last week Mark Hayward over at My Tropical Escape posed the question “What are your goals for the week?”

I listed 3 goals:

1. Create a Fitness Plan
2. Work on a Birthing Plan with my Pregnant Wife
3. Clean the basement

A simple but powerful exercise.  I publically posted my goals on his website.  What was interesting is over the last week I noticed I was naturally drawn to action on these goals.  In fact on Thursday I ran on the treadmill in the basement and proceeded dripping in sweat to clean the basement.

I have been studying personal development for nearly 20 years and this simple blog post might incorporate two of the most powerful factors for success.

The first is writing down your goals.  I did not write these goals on paper but yes I created a concrete list.  By having a list of goals you now actually have a tool to prioritize your activities for the week.  Should I attend join the Cincy Tweetup or clean the basement.  Should I take a nap or should I lace up my running shoes.

The second is accountability or peer pressure.  I love to publicly proclaim my goals.  Sometimes it comes off cocky but somebody generally asks me about my progress.  I now have an option.  I can be a person who keeps my word or I can be a person who becomes known as all talk or (blog).

I must admit, occasionally I don’t deliver on all my proclamations but more often than not I follow through with my goals.

Your Momentum Monday Assignment:

What are 3 things you need to accomplish this week?

Who are you going to announce it too?

My 3 Goals for the Week!

1. Get company internal blog online and operational.
2. Run 12 Miles.
3. Finish painting the baby’s room.

Blog it, write it, tell a friend.  Success is waiting.

Labor Day ironically is a day of rest for most of us in the United States.  If you are fortunate enough to have the day off today besides the rest take some time to be grateful.

Momentum Monday Assignment:

List the fruits of your labor.

Here is my list.

2) Almost new cars

1) lovely house on a quiet street near a beautiful park

1) Basement & Garage full of junk which at some point I was excited to purchase.

1) Lifetime of food & entertainment

Many dates & vacations with my loving wife Megan

Health insurance and doctors visits which will lead to the healthy birth of my first baby.

Experience and Knowledge

Of course my blog/website hosting service BlueHost

If you want to make a great movie “Show Me The Money” is a good mantra, but if you are looking to start a business Guy Kawasaki, famed venture capitalist and former Apple Brand Evangelist will demand that you “Show Me (him) the Meaning.”

I was watching a Google Video of Guy Kawasaki over the weekend where he presented his Top Ten list for budding entrepreneurs.  Number one on his list was “What is the Meaning.”  Not how much money can I make or how will I make money, but the meaning, the benefits or how you will change the world.

While I was watching this video I realized, I don’t believe I have ever mentioned making money on my blog.

I just want to clarify a few things.  My belief is follow your heart, provide something of value and the money MIGHT follow.  Many people will tell you otherwise.  In fact Marsha Sinetar has a book titled “Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow.”

I think the books title is a slippery slope.  We all have the ability to have subconscious agendas and by tagging on to the end of affirmation such as “Do What You Love” you subconsciously are looking for a payout.

I say “Do What You Love” because you love it.

I believe that has Meaning!

Momentum Monday Assignment:

Make a Top Ten List of what you love.

Extra Credit: Be sure you have all ten items on your calendar in the next 30 days.

STOP Right Now and write down one thing that is nagging you!

Have you written it down yet?  I am not going to move forward until you write it down.

OK, now write down one thing that is nagging you that can be fixed within the next 24 hours.   This could be dirty dishes, paying bills, a phone call to Mom.  You get the picture.  The key is you must be able to complete it in the next 24 hours.

I am going to let you continue reading only if you promise you will complete this item within the next twenty four  hours.  Otherwise, come back when you are ready.

In 2001, I when I was training to become a Personal Life Coach, I was introduced to this simple but effective assessment called the “Clean Sweep Program.”  It’s 100 items broken up into 4 categories including physical environment, health/emotional balance, money and relationships.  The goal of the program is to clean up loose ends and lighten your life increasing energy and balance.

In starting my blog Expert in the Rough, I have found when I have lots of loose ends it is hard to write.  I think anytime you are trying to make a transition in your life the negative loose ends are like the parachute on a drag racer, it slows you down.  Your goal is to eliminate that drag.

Your Momentum Monday Exercise is two fold:

Take take the Clean Sweep Assessment.  You can download a pdf copy by clicking here.

Second to complete your 24 hour assignment.  Feel free to use the assessment to come up with other items.

Note: Not all items are going to be applicable to all people. If you feel something is unrelated cross it out and add your own.  It’s the spirit of the assessment not the items listed.

Use this tool anytime you feel stuck.  I think it’s good to take the assessment quarterly and check your progress.  I will be sharing some more advanced assessments in the future but have at this one.  It can be a very powerful tool to create momentum in your life.

If you are “blogged” down with too much content, RSS, is your answer.

You have surely seen the letters “RSS” or the “Feed Icon” around he internet.

RSS Feed Button

If you’re a “Web 2.0 Expert” you can go ahead and skip this post but for those of you who are still getting your feet wet; this is they key to filtering the muck without blowing up your spam filter.

I have had various explanations of what RSS stands for but the most common reference is Really Simple Syndication.

Basically speaking an “RSS Feed” is a broadcast or reference which allows a “RSS Feed Reader” to know when a blog or website is updated.

This is beneficial to both the publisher and subscriber.  The updates are automatic and come in various formats.

My favorite part of subscribing to a RSS Feed is it allows me to keep track of my favorite blogs without actually having to visit each and every website to check for updates.  It’s a huge time saver. You might be tempted to say, “I could just bookmark my favorite sites” but remember your bookmarks will not tell you if there is new content. (Some browsers may be able to provide this information)

My favorite feed reader is Bloglines. It allows me to create folders and publish a public list of my feeds.  I like the public feed so you can see the blogs I read.  I think it’s a great way to share where my opinions are influenced.  You can see the feeds I subscribe to to the right listed as “The Blogs I Read.”

I also recommend Google Reader.  Its easy to use and allows for sharing of your feeds with other Gmail users.

All About RSS, BlogOhBlog (Great Overview of RSS!)

RSS Wikipedia Entry

Ed Dale YouTube Video On Bloglines

Your Momentum Monday Assignment:

Set up a feed reader account.  If you don’t want to use Google Reader or Bloglines there are a number of other options.  Do a Google Search and pick the one that fits you best.

Now that you have your feed reader set up.  Subscribe to the Expert in the Rough Feed on the top right.

Extra Credit:

Send me your public list of feeds in your reader via the comments section below.

SquiDoo, take me seriously on this one!

Squidoo is a serious website with a silly name.  Quite simply Squidoo is a website that allows you to host free one page websites on any topic of your desire.  Squidoo calls these web pages “Lenses.”  A “Lens” is basically your take or “view” about your chosen topic.  The idea is your lens will help others focus on what is important about your topic.

Besides the opportunity to share some knowledge, Squidoo is focused on creating value for you the user.

The entire focus of the website is creating an environment that everybody can win.  Of course as with any open forum people will try to take advantage of the system but Squidoo’s team has been vigilant about keeping it a credible and authentic place.

Here are my ten reason’s why you should create your first lens:

1. It’s Free
2. Part of the profits go back to charity (you can donate as well)
3. You can express yourself
4. Google loves it (most of the time) and will help your website if you have one
5. You can use it as a website if you do not have one
6. Great training on internet and website development
7. Squidoo is a dedicated community who will share the love
8. It’s a great place to learn about a variety of topics
9. I forgot you can make money too (don’t quit your day job)
10. It’s addictive once you get started

This is your Momentum Monday assignment;

Learn more about Squidoo.  Sign Up and create your first lens.  If you already have a Squidoo Lens you can create a new one or update and old one.  Whatever you do, please share your creation via the comments section.

Here are some links for my Squidoo Pages:

Brian Monahan’s Profile

Marathon Training Schedule (My best ranking)

White Elephant Gift Exchange (my best montly performer ever)

Brian Monahan’s Book List

After you get an opportunity to get aquainted with Squidoo, I will be sharing more detailed strategies to create traffic for your website or blog.

However, in the mean time think of it this way.  Advertising and creating content for your website alone, limits your exposure.  Squidoo is like having your own personal billboard.  I have one caveat before you proceed and this applies to Squidoo and anything you create.  Content is King and unless you create something of value the opportunity for benefit is nullified.

Go ahead and Create Something Awesome!

I am heading out for a little vacation today, here is some info to keep you busy until next week.

Your Momentum Monday assignment.  Get some perspective.

My favorite blog and newsletter are below:

Jeffery Gitomer, Sales Caffeine, sign up via his home page.  Well worth your time and its free.

Seth’s Blog, Seth Godin awesome, he is the best blogger on the net.  Click on his bald head to get to his blog.

These are the best on the net.

Alec Baldwin said it best with his famous line from the film Glengarry, Glen Ross, “Coffee is for Closers.”

MySpace & Facebook are for the kids, Linkedin is for Professionals, “The Closers.”  Before you do anything else online you must take a look at your LinkedIn profile.  Oh you don’t have a LinkedIn profile.  Then you’re fired.

LinkedIn now has over 24 million registered users.  These are professional users.  Not a bunch 20 something kids living at home extending their youth with a subsidized broadband connection.  24 Million professional users who can make or break your career.

Recently LinkedIn was valued at 1 Billion Dollars and you don’t even have a profile or have taken no steps to optimize it.

Well you are in luck.  Just like the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, the company has provided leads.  If you are a “Closer” you can have the leads, if not then you will just have to stick with MySpace.

Here is your lead: Linkedin Strategies for Closers

If you feel up to it add me as a contact:

Here is a link to the Closer Clip if you feel up to it.  There is plenty of cussing, but closers can handle it.

By the way your assigment for this weeks Momentum Monday is:

Set up your LinkedIn Profile:

If you already have a profile be sure to use one of the power features such as Public Profile, Answers or LinkedIn Groups.

Extra Credit:

Add me as a connection, reference my blog Expert in the Rough with the “What I am Doing Now” feature or make a recommendation.

Be sure to comment with your successes.