Evolution Magazine November 2014 by Darnell Davis

Issue 14 | November 2014

volution Business, Tech and More

Bill Walsh On Path On Purpose On Fire

Jerome

Ro Brooks

Navigating through life and the entertainment business

The

Self-Help Lie

Brand For

RENT?

volution Business, Tech and More

Evolution Magazine November 014

Published By Evolve Media Group Inc. Evolve Media Group Inc. DARNELL G. DAVIS - CEO Editor In Chief DONNIE BRYANT Photography EVOLUTION MAGAZINE Staff Editors DONNIE BRYANT TAREA WADLINGTON Graphic Design EVOLVE MEDIA GROUP INC. Evolution Contributors DONNIE BRYANT KATRINA STARZHYNSKAYA KEVIN WILSON SLYVIA BROWDER KAREN JETT MARK EDWARD BROWN CAMRI ELLIS

Evolution Magazine is a trademark of the Evolve Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited. Evolution Magazine is a monthly digital publication with limited print copies available in designated markets. Evolution Magazine welcomes all contributions. Evolution Magazine assumes no responsibility for content or advertisement. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is produced subject to errors and omissions.

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featured articles

From Extra to actor Jerome Brooks

18 21 22 The Self help lie

Brand for Rent

#WorldClass Interviews: Bill Walsh www.evomag.co

from the publisher

So it is the end of another networking event and you begin to take an accounting of your evening. New Bowtie - $45.00 Entry fee $15.00 Realizing that what promised to provide leads for new business was a time-wasting event that resulted in little more than a pocketful of business cards you don't want: Priceless! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest here, you have been bombarded with networking meetings that meet weekly, and some that meet monthly, and it is getting old. You stop work to attend and find yourself in a room with either the sad pitch man or woman, the angry guest that was dragged along with the crowd. Speaking at the top of the hour is the organizer that seem to be cheerleaders for their brand and enforce rules that keep the group's momentum going but they are often so stringent the business owner must attend or have the threat of being canceled. It just gets OLD! However, every now and again you run into a group that has massive energy and momentum that you are seeking. It is seems as if these groups bring out the best in everyone that attends and everyone is truly interested in assisting everyone in reaching their success goals. They are more than willing to share value and not just push to receive it.

4 Evolution Magazine November 2014

Wasting Time With Networking? In this world of social media, referrals and review, everyone could benefit from a little networking. The problem is that most never truly understand how to make the most of EVERY event they attend and allow their network create value and maintain it. To be honest networking is not just about getting to the event and talking with a few people in hopes of closing your next deal, rather, it should be a little bit more strategic and purposeful. Networking will never be a waste of time AGAIN if you follow the following keys to unlocking your networking success. 4 Keys for Successful Value Based Networking Determine your goals: What do you want to get out of networking? New business, new connections, new directions? Be quantitative as well as qualitative. Are you looking for a mentor? Sales leads? Or becoming known for being an expert in your field? Time commitment: How much time do you have or are realistically willing to commit? Daily, weekly, monthly? If you have a lot of time, you might be interested in the in-person, weekly meetings that are held by organizations such as BNI or CEO Space. I am a firm believer in you can build mutually benifitial value driven relationships by joining online networking groups on LinkedIN or Google+. So if your time is tight and it's difficult to commit scheduled time, consider joining networking groups on one of the many social sites. Many of the Linked In groups are national. The networking is done through conversation threads and introductions.

Deliver value FIRST:The reality is that most participants' motives are to 'get something' through networking. Makes sense, right? You might be job seeking, looking to increase your sales pipeline, there are more people out there who are looking to 'get' more than 'give'. A value based networker is armed to do both. Before you get involved, think about what kind of value you can bring to the group. What does your company or expertise bring to the party? Effort equals results:No quick fix here. Effective value based networking will take effort. As with anything in life, the level of effort you put in generally equals the outcome. This doesn't mean that a huge time commitment equals success. It does suggest that for every hour of time used in this way, make it concentrated and powerful. Maximize your time spent and make sure you are doing more than gathering business cards and staying on the surface level of the tool.

Get in there and make it work!

www.evomag.co

editorial "I am what I am, and that's all that I am." - Popeye the Sailorman Knowing and embracing your identity is a major aspect of achieving real success. As a matter of fact, understanding who you are, as a human being or as a business, may be the most important step you can take to make sure that you experience success on your own terms. (If being a millionaire is not one of your goals, people may look at you as successful when you hit the 7-figure mark, but that's someone else's definition) If knowing who you are is essential to getting what you want in life, then the other side of the coin is acknowledging and accepting who you aren't. You may not think about it very frequently, but it is something you need to consider. With that in mind, let's consider this idea from three angles: 1) Recognizing who you are not, 2) what your business is not, and 3) who your customers are not. Taking all these into consideration, you then begin to act accordingly. Who I'm Not "It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world. The great man or woman is the one who never steps outside his or her specialty or foolishly dissipates his or her individuality.” – Og Mandino You've probably heard one piece of advice more than any other over the course of your life; "be yourself." Your parents, teachers, and good friends have probably said it on numerous occasions to keep you on the right track. It never gets less true or becomes less valuable. In the context of this discussion, we can rephrase the statement, “don't be anyone other than yourself.” Know your goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to chase after them or pay high prices to attain them. Dreams are never too expensive.

Donnie Bryant Editor-In- Chief 6 Evolution Magazine November 2014

Know your values and morals. Adhere to them no matter what and be bold in standing up for what you believe. Yes, it will cost you, but integrity is worth it every time. Don't bow down to pressure to conform to anything that violates your conscience. Remember that being a copycat is usually a bad idea. Modeling exemplary people is fine, but never surrender your individuality. You are one of a kind.

What My Business Is Not "When a man's undivided attention is centered on one object, his mind will constantly be suggesting improvements of value, which would escape him if his brain was occupied by a dozen different subjects at once." "Many a fortune has slipped through a man's fingers because he was engaged in too many occupations at a time." These are the words of legendary showman P.T. Barnum (from his booklet The Art of Money-Getting). Smart guy. Think about this: Ferrari doesn't make family cars. They're not trying to either. They just make the world's most iconic sports cars. Apple is not Microsoft. Neither is Google. Each company likes it that way. Whether it is explicit (like Whole Foods-- no un-wholesome food) or implied, what your business is not is what matters. What you don't do makes a difference. This is true for a few reasons. 1. Taking a strong stand for something you're against will put you on the same "team" as other people with the same opinion. They will more readily relate with you, like you, and buy from you. 2. Deciding what you don't or won't do will make you a specialist. Being great at one thing or in one area is almost always better (and more profitable) than being decent at several things. Like the brain surgeon. General practitioners are well-paid and highly skilled, but the neurosurgeon can become world-renowned, in-demand, and can earn far more than his less specializing peers. Specialists are in a class of their ownAll because they don't do everything. The key word here is focus. 3. Choosing what you don't do protects you from wasting time. There are things that you don't want to do, or don't do well. Why waste time talking about them with prospective clients? Do you really want to spend your time and energy working something where your results will be less than your best work? This is very true for me. I am not an artist, graphic designer or HTML expert. It's good that I'm aware of that reality. I can either learn these skills, or avoid situations where they are part of the deal. It's also good for potential clients to know, so they don't get the wrong impression. They can save time knowing that

our business will see amazing benefits by knowing and making known what you are not and what you abstain from doing. Who My Customers Are Not Knowing who you customers are not is huge when it comes to providing them with products and services that they want and need. It will help keep you from creating products that flop. You hear that the foundation of marketing is knowing your customers. Understanding who they are not has great advantages. It seems counter-intuitive, but sometimes the most profitable thing you can do is weed out the customers you don't want (especially if you're a solopreneur or if you charge value-based fees). Lifetime is "Television for Women." They know the majority of viewers are not men. They don't try to speak to men. The shows, movies, and whatever the heck else they provide is designed for adult women. Similarly, the commercials that run on that channel are designed for female buyers. The people who make the commercials and buy the advertising time slots know who's watching, too. When your business is what it is, and isn't what it isn't, that fact alone will go a long way in determining who your customers are not. You'll still have to look deeper to find out more. The better you understand your market, the better you'll be able to serve them. The better you serve them, the greater success you'll have. You can think about your target customer in terms of gender (like Lifetime) , age (do they still sell Seventeen magazine?), economic status (Rolex and Walmart), and a great number of other distinctives. Getting to know what your customers are not is part of getting to know them. How well do you know the people you want to sell to? Succeeding in business is difficult when you're shooting in the dark. Flip on the light switch by getting in touch with your audience.

I am not the best choice for every job. I know where I'm gifted, and I'm aware of my limitations. www.evomag.co

Interview Photos Provided by Jerome Ro Brooks

8 Evolution Magazine November 2014

Jerome “RO” Brooks

From Extra To

ACTOR Kevin Wilson - Evolution Magazine Contributor

Shopping at the Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, California with his wife and daughter, on a Sunday evening, Jerome Ro Brooks, took a seat and exclusively shared an unforgettable story. He’s living proof that one can defeat the odds.Growing up, Ro, as he prefers to be called, mindset was to be successful. Nothing less. He would draw all the time. He won countless art competitions and he danced extremely well.The youngest child of Jerome Curtis Brooks Sr and Phyllis Ugenia Brooks, Ro also had three sisters. Ro's relationship with his father was great. “ He was my hero.” Ro uttered. When his parents separated, he was asked, where do you want to live? “With my dad,” he replied. Needless to say, Ro remained with his mother. In spite of, all of the children spent quality time with their father.Ro acquired an enormous amount of knowledge from his father. “ Always keep money in your pocket,” he remembered him saying. And, his mother always preached on, how to treat a woman. Residing in one of the most violent neighborhood in west Baltimore on Edmondson Avenue, Ro associated with the older guys, who taught him the ways of the streets and how to protect himself. Still today,he can’t explain it. His buddies were drug dealers, thugs, consumers of alcohol and pot smokers. Ironically, Ro never indulged in any of it. For him, it was easy to walk in his shoes. The drug scene wasn’t a challenge. Making it perfectly clear, his hood was far worse than the hit show, “The Wire.” In the 7th grade, Ro was one of three members in a rap group called, ‘’Universal Rappers.” In the 11th grade, he joined a rap/dance group called, “ Twice As Nice,” where two guys rapped and the other two danced. Arnita Mac Arthur was their manager. They performed at the acclaimed "Showtime at the Apollo" in New York City and

won. The humbled honor roll student said, “school was fun from the 10th-12th grade", as he became more mature. The 1988 graduate of Walbrook High enjoyed Math, Art, English and Gym. He played sports in the hood, but not for his school. Ro described himself in two words: “Leader and Trendsetter.” He ran businesses with no more than two to three employees. A beauty supply store, three record stores and owning several real estate properties have played a huge part of his life. In 1994, at Westside Shopping Center, he and his cousin improvised and became the first record store/record label owners in Baltimore with Rome Records. He left Rome Records in 1995, to build his own empire. The visionary opened Sounds -N- Da Hood , another record store in 1997; the day before the Notorious Big, “ Life After Death” album dropped because he was able to get new releases a day early. SNDH was an instant success for nine years. All of the celebrities visited his store, from GUnit, Dip-Set, Red Man, Method Man, DMX, David Banner, Luke Skywalker and many more. Ro did pre order sales on G-Unit's CD. A city helicopter monitored his store, along with the city’s police department overseeing the crowd control. “ They showed me a lot of love” said the successful business owner. The momentum and creativity for Ro continued. Within his store, Sounds-N- Da Hood, he published an entertainment magazine/music catalog in 2000 called, “ The Hook Up” where the staff writers interviewed rappers, celebrities, R&B artists and even Ro. Its title originated from a meal that inmates prepare in the penitentiary. This publications also included inspirational vitamins and access to have pen pals. His successful concept unfortunately shut down in 2005, www.evomag.co

as a Crip gang member, he earned $50 for eight hours and free meals. The industry door opened wider. He humbly worked with Luther Van Dross, Bill Cosby, Naughty By Nature, Patti Labelle, among others. Grinding and keeping his eyes on the prize, Ro experienced a huge amount of background work in Baltimore, on shows such as, The Corner and America's Most Wanted. His music video credits consist of 50 Cent’s ”Wanksta”, Jill Scott’s ”A Long Walk”, T.I.’s and Justin Timberlake’s “Dead and Gone”, Selena Johnson’s “ I Am Your Woman and Guess What", Lil Mo’s “ Gangster” where he played a double role as Mo's brother and boyfriend and Baltimore’s Own, Ruff Endz ”Where Does Love Go From Here.” Ro worked off and on as a background artist to assist with living expenses while simultaneously working as a principal actor. In spite of owning businesses, He did not attend acting school. "Experience is its best teacher", "I'm a human spong" said Ro, so he made sure to spend all of his time on set even if it was extra work.He relocated to Los Angeles in 2001, but maintained a residence on the east coast until 2008.

due to the lack of assistance. Ro closed SNDH in 2006 and relocated to Lithonia, Georgia, outside of the Stonecrest Mall, where he sold CD’s, DVD’s, cassette tapes, portable radios, walkmans, cell phones, video games and music accessories, before closing in 2008. What motivated this innovator into Acting were his childhood television shows like, “Diff'rent Strokes”, "What's Happening", "Mork and Mindy", "The Brady Bunch", "Good Times", "A Different World", "Eight is Enough" and the "Laverne and Shirley" Show. Initially, "acting scared me" said Ro. He was intimidated by the unknown process of learning lines and feared he would be unsuccessful, until he researched the craft and learned otherwise. Ro never looked back. Filmmaker Robert Townsend came to Baltimore and directed and starred in the movie, “Meteor Man”. Ro heard about the opportunity to be an extra in the film on the radio for open casting calls. He wisely expedited a polaroid headshot and his telephone number to the address provided. After a few days of anxiously waiting, Ro was hired to make his debut

10 Evolution Magazine November 2014

His book, “How To Go From Extra to Actor” only took him three months to finalize because he wrote from his own experiences. Ro wanted to share his acting experiences and help aspiring actors to dodge the pittfalls along the way to becoming an actor.. Defining the role of an Extra, Ro articulated the job description in a simple, comprehending way. “Extras are normally used to fill in the background of a scene by either walking pass, pantomiming in conversations, gather in crowds around fight, crime scenes or to fill audiences. Lodging and traveling expenses are not pay for extras. Ro went a step further when explaining the non union and union artist. “When you’re non union you can work union and non union jobs but union background can only work union jobs. Every television show and feature film must incorporate a certain amount of non-union and union artists. Non-union artists work more but If you plan on being an actor, don't get caught up in doing extra work; you'll end up being career extra. Get what you need and move on. “It’s a tricky business,” he pointed out. His illustrious acting resume since the 90’s speak volumes. With 40 acting credits to his name, not including commercials, Ro worked on HBO’s "The Wire" as a drug dealer in 2002. That’s where he established a genuine relationship with Baltimorean actor, Darnell Dupree. “ He and I have come a long way from the Wire, I have met good people from him, and we have fed off of each other like brothers for 15 years, with no arguments. This is monumental for me to talk about our friendship in depth,” says Dupree, who starred in the 2006 award winning, independent film, Charm City along side Ro.Ro, who’s appreciative of the in depth interview,

elaborated on the audition process and how he landed a gig with Tyler Perry. “One must have an agent or manager to get the ball rolling, to obtain auditions,” he stated. One morning around 10:30 am Ro's manager called to tell him that he had an audition for The Haves and the Have Nots. Normally, auditions occur the next day. Surprisingly, this audition occurred on the same day. at 11:30 am.,” Ro explained. With only a couple hours of rest from his night job, Ro rushed to the audition with no sides to study and no idea of what to expect. When an actor books a job or gets a call back, you'll usually know in a day or two. Perry liked the audition so much he flew Ro to Atlanta on a red eye plane in 2013. The character known as “Michael” had arrived. “ There are a lot of similarities between Michael and I. I’m a good guy and I genuinely care about people, but don’t cross me or mess with my family,” he said straightforwardly. Many say, "The Have’s and the Have Nots" Show is better than "Scandal". Ro sums it up, “Both are hit shows" and he admires the creator of Scandal.” He considers Tyler Perry be an actors director and a great boss who knows his craft. An avid viewer of Perry’s show, Linda Grier, a Marylander dubbed Michael as a typical grandfather concerned about his granddaughter. “The show is super good, it makes you can’t wait to see it again, so fresh, different, the twists and turns add to the show, it’s a humdinger and my friends, girlfriends and children can’t for Tuesday’s.”His powerful stage name,” Ro” is an abbreviation from “Rome”, when establishing himself as a leading man in the hood. Staying busy on the television set and film, in 2013, Ro secured roles on FOX- Brooklyn Nine- Nine, FXSons of Anarchy, Showtime- Shameless, El Rey- Matador, Pastor Shirley, Squatters, and The Congregation.In the world of acting, Ro has worked with acclaimed directors, such as, Quentin Tarantino, Michael Mann, Michael Bay and Simon West. He’s prepared for rejections and approvals. He knows the industry rules. “You’ll get 99 NO's before that 1 YES. They have to say, yes, soon or later. There are so many factors that may prevent you from getting the job. "No awards, yet, but they’re coming", the self groomer forewarns. Los Angeles is the place to be to build an acting career, and for Ro, he’s right around the corner from ABC, CBS, 15 min from Warner Bros. and Universal Studios is on his block. There’s always a next level for an actor. The eloquent speaker, built like a running back is producing now, and his directorial debut is currently being shopped. Revising the title and cover to his current book, “ How To Go From Extra To Actor,” has a ring to it and could potentially be a follow up book title. Baltimore is a great atmosphere and everybody wants to be an entertainer of some sort. The notable and successful Baltimoreans in the industry Ro have met are Actress Jada Pinkett Smith, comedian/ actress Monique and former Def Jam president Kevin Lyles. Cohesively, Ro believes, that acting, social events and book

signing all work together. Every opportunity is a chance to build your brand. He faithfully provides the wife, Jennell Brooks, happily married of four years, the time she needs and considers Sunday’s as family day. Ironically, Jennell lived four blocks from where Ro grew up in Baltimore. The duo, with four girls, met in Los Angeles, where Jennell is a real estate agent and also who manages their 15 year old daughter, Israel Powell, an actress. Representing Baltimore well, Ro admits with gratitude, there’s a lot more work that has to be accomplished knowing that he’s on the right path. Believing in self, having faith in God, confidence and taking no prisoners is his philosophical approach. He returns to Baltimore twice a year. A God fearing man, he feeds, clothes, provides hygiene and blankets for the homeless in Atlanta with Blankets of Love, a Non- Profit Organization. Every chance presented, his voice of sincerity, will speak at schools, especially where he comes from, letting the youngsters know, that it’s possible to do whatever you believe, followed by a question and answer session. “ There is no glass ceiling,” he shared. As a volunteer, the community activist also belongs to belongs to "MOCITI" Men Of Color In The Industry, a Non-Profit Organization, based in Los Angeles, that consist of filmmakers, producers, actors and writers, entertainment lawyers etc.. This unique group of men, previously mentored young men at the Martin Luther King Elementary, and presently mentors them at the Barack Obama Preparatory School after school every Friday, to teach black history, how to treat women, etiquette skills and aid single moms.Exhibiting a Godly spirit, Ro, coordinated his inaugural event titled, “ Indulge with Me For A Night Dinner” that featured dancing and chocolate on September www.evomag.co

13, 2014 in Atlanta. This soon to be appreciation night is catered to his fans at the Sheraton Perimeter.

Interview Photos Provided by Jerome Ro Brooks

Presently, the shooting is in progress for next season of The Haves and the Have Nots, airing on January 6, 2015. As he continues to build his brand, Ro is engaged in commercials and several feature film slated for a 2015 release . He’s a qualifying host for parties and grand opening events. Featured in the Trendsetter to Trendsetter Magazine, the Rolling Out Newspaper and Baltimore City Paper, to name a few, Ro, stays close to his family and siblings. His youngest sister, Kathy is deceased. The two were inseparable. Jeron, the middle sister bullied Jerome when he was a kid and Phyllis, the oldest, five years apart, he looked up to. Every year when Jerome got promoted academically, he’d always ask Phyllis, what the next grade was like? Doing time in the United States Army, Phyllis would send her brother $50 per month. She willingly chauffeured him to his prom, and bless him with a $100 graduation gift. “ Watching the show, “The Haves and Have Nots, she’d tell her friends,” that’s my baby brother.” “ All of the women love him,” said Phyllis, a retired US Army Sgt. First Class. Following the first season of Tyler Perry’s hit show, their father died. Jerome Curtis Brooks, Sr. passed on October 30, 2013, right before he could see the show. “Jerome is a split image of our father, those chocolate eyes, the only son, and now dad is watching from above” she explained. When able, Jerome would visit Phyllis when stationed at the Pentagon and in Augusta, Georgia. The biggest compliment that stimulates Jerome, a modest fellow, is to hear people say, he looks identical to his father. During the homegoing, Jerome had more supporters than his siblings. All of his nephews and nieces look up

12 Evolution Magazine November 2014

to him. “ I am proud of Jerome, to see him persevere and never fall prey to drugs and alcohol,” Phyllis added. Her son, Phillip, now 29, emulates his uncle. In 1996, Jerome helped Phillip with his Art, which is now on display in the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art in Augusta, Georgia. The project was designed to encourage kids to stay in school. Gina Daniels, another relative, could easily see how entertaining became Ro's passion. “Considering where we came from, he made me believe in him with the fire burning in his veins, dancing and rapping,” said the Electric Solder worker.Jerome loves watching boxing, basketball and going to the movies. He gives God the glory, and listening to God is his recipe for success. “ There are not too many success stories in Baltimore”, he says. However, knowing from day one that he wanted to be successful made the difference. I do it for my hood, Bmore Stand Up! Website: www.robrooks.com Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Ro-Brooks-IsTodays-Leading-Man-Fan-Page IG:_RoBrooks Twitter: @jeromerobrooks Order Jerome Ro Brooks new book for aspiring actors called "How To Go From Extra To ACTOR " (Digital Download Edition) WWW.FromExtraToActor.com2) (The Kindle Edtion) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XWJI1I3) (Barnes & NobleNook Book) @ http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How To Go From Extra To Actor/Ro-Brooks/e/2940012520630

December 2014 | www.FromExtraToActor.com www.evomag.co

A conversation and a cup of coffee can do amazing things

14 Evolution Magazine November 2014

www.evomag.co

To keep 5YouSecrets and Your

Business Healthy Through the Holiday Season Sam Rafoss

Sam Rafoss, RHN is a speaker, author and Marketing Strategist for Nutrition and Holistic Practices. She has made it her mission to share her unique combination of spiritual & holistic marketing expertise to help the healers of the world attract their ideal clients and make money doing what they love to do. Sam is a member of CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) Calgary, and is the co-author of two bestselling books.

16 Evolution Magazine November 2014

Many business owners both love and dread the holiday season. It is fun to celebrate the season and attend parties, yet on the other hand, there’s the rich foods, alcohol, lack of sleep, and often a dip in business being done and money being made. This causes a lot of stress for many business owners.

really want to have it. Include a handful of vegetables for their vitamins and minerals and to help keep you full. If you choose to drink a glass of wine or eggnog, decide how much first. Alcohol is full of sugar and empty calories. Five pounds can be gained in one week from two extra daily drinks.

# 3 Sleep: Combine party foods and alcohol with As a seasoned entrepreneur and networker, I’ve a lack of sleep and it is one of the fastest ways to been to my fair share of holiday parties and I’ve get run down, stressed, and sick. Make sure you learned a few critical secrets that help keep me get enough sleep throughout the holidays. This healthy and in the office during the holiday season. will help keep your immune system strong and ward off any of the cold and flu bugs going around. As with all success, it starts with a plan. That’s why it is the first of five secrets: #4 Exercise: It can be hard to keep up to your regular routine during the holidays. Do something #1 Plan: Review your schedule and decide how active daily. Take a 10 minute walk and breathe many events or parties you are going to attend deeply to energize yourself. Take the stairs, park and add them to your calendar. Next, plan ahead at the end of parking lots. Get outside in the fresh for each event. Eat a snack with protein before air, breathe deeply, and do a few stretches. Whatyou go to help prevent overeating and overindulg- ever you can do to add activity into your day, do it. ing. Know the time you want to arrive and leave and do your best to stick to it. Remind yourself it’s #5 Follow Up: If you meet someone that could about “work,” not just a party, and you schedule be a potential client or referral, kindly request your work. their card and ask if you can follow up via email or phone at a specific date and time and then do it. # 2 Balance Your Food & Beverage Choices: Re- Often people do not expect to be contacted, esview your food and beverage choices before you pecially during the holiday season. This is a good start eating and drinking. You can better choose way for you to develop new business. a good balance of nutrient-dense foods to high calorie foods with little nutrition. Aim for two or By having a plan, staying healthy, and following three healthy choices and one indulgence if you through; you can still eat, drink, and be merry, and do business throughout the holiday season.

www.samrafoss.com www.evomag.co

The Self Help

Lie

This is going to be a power packed, premium piece of prose filled with thought provoking information to challenge what you thought you knew about "self-help"... If it was possible for everyone to help themselves, the self-help/motivation industry would not be thriving the way it is right now. Is it truly possible for someone to "help" themselves? I think the answer is yes, however, one will need the assistance of a teacher, coach, and/or mentor. Notice I did not mention a doctor; doctors diagnose and treat problems and ailments most of the time with a prescription for a medication (drug). This simply alters, deludes, masks, tranquilizes, etc... all of which would not serve the person who wanted help in the first place. This really is a good news article so hang in there with me; I'm setting the stage for what comes next, which is how to identify what you really should be helping yourself to do. Better yet, instead of "what" you need to know, wouldn't you also like to know "how" to legitimately help yourself? I'd like to share a quote with you to help bring this all into perspective: "Self-delusion gets worse as competence declines. When people are incompetent, their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it!" This is known as the Dunning窶適ruger effect, which was proven by two Cornell University students in 1999.

Mark Edward Brown ww.MarkEdwardBrown.com

18 Evolution Magazine November 2014

Most people know that it takes at least 21 days to create a habit, just one habit, and that is not a guarantee, as you have heard results may vary on an individual basis. A good question to ask yourself is, "which one characteristic, goal, trait, or habit should I start with?"

Next, ask, "how do I get started?" Don't stop reading yet because I have the answer for you and it's supported by work and research that has already been done and proven by scientific facts. The self-development industry has been influenced heavily by several people's personal influence and I'm sure you can name any number of authors, speakers, or even famous motivators. When it comes right down to it, "developing" and "development" have the connotation about them that relates to or correlates more with work than by a gradual changing of a person's being. For all of the reasons previously mentioned, I present to you that the first place to begin to lead oneself is in the department of happiness. Don't worry, I'm not about to get all touchy feely and airy fairy with you - in fact there is a scientifically researched area of academia known as "Positive Psychology" and "The Happiness Movement", which is available for your own research and study.

When it comes down to it, according to Jeff Olson, author of The Slight Edge, "within the general population, only about ten percent of people (ten percent at most) are genuinely open to working on personal development." Is this fascinating or what? Jeff goes on to explain that, "comparing happiness, which virtually everyone wants; and personal development, which only one out of ten at best are really interested in; at the heart of it are really talking about the same thing."

once again, I recommend teaming up with a coach or mentor who will hold you accountable for making changes in your life.

After having written, spoken, and coached people on real life success strategies, my best recommendation is that you start with your own inner happiness. Next, identify how you can change your outer environment to support your inner change.

Make the time and start now, most importantly, stop living the self-help lie!

When you become a self-leader, focus on your inner happiness and make your life into what you truly want it to resemble in your imagination; you will feel tremendous. I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible and I know you can do it; you just have to make the decision and follow through with it.

If you are like most people you are already confused and paralyzed by over analysis due to the amount of readily available information on self-help/ personal development. For that reason, www.evomag.co

Investor’s Almanac Camari Ellis

Autumn is upon us. The leaves are turning colors and beginning to fall. Change is in the air. (Well, at least in my part of the world.) Many are digging out their coats and blankets to get ready for the cold season. When I look at this, I think about the varying seasons for an investment. Almost like the almanacs that farmers of yesteryear have used to plan out their farming activities. Planting, watering, de-weeding, and harvesting are all laid out in these almanacs according to the seasons. Every kind of investing – stock, bond, currency, or commodity; it doesn't matter – tends to have seasons as well. Below we have laid out the investment activity that corresponds with the appropriate season, just like an oldfashioned almanac. SPRING As an investor, you get an idea to begin investing into a new venture. You have done your research. Plenty of research. You think it’s a good opportunity and you take the leap. The money is in the account and you put the order in to buy. Now you begin to watch for growth, very much like a farmer who just cleared his plot of land and planted the first seeds. You watch the investment, looking up all the news and new developments, hoping to see the first signs of growth. Then, the breakthrough happens; the first shoots of life come forth and a little bit of money is made. (Sometimes you lose money in the beginning, just like you lose a seed when you plant it in the earth.)

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SUMMER Now it’s getting warmer. The smell of fresh air surrounds you. Bees are buzzing and the days are longer. Your investment is starting to become a bit more noticeable. It gets the attention of some media coverage and more investors become interested in this opportunity. The fruits of your labor are clearly visible. AUTUMN Things are a bit cooler. The days are shorter. The air is crisp. You can see the growth in your investments slow down a bit. Just like the farmer when they know the crop is ready for harvesting. It’s time for you to harvest your profits. If you wait too long, the harvest begins to spoil and turn bad. Pulling down the harvest is not a neat little science. Sometime you cut down some of your investments a little too early, but that’s okay. It’s like pulling down fruit that is not totally ripe; it appeared to be ripe, but you could have waited a few more days. However, it is better to harvest your investment a little early, then to let them spoil and go into decline. WINTER A blanket of white powdery snow covers the ground. It’s cold as the Dickens. The days are short and nobody is interested in investing. People are concerned with staying warm and eating the recent harvest, but a good farmer knows this is the time to plan for the next crop. Equipment repair, seed evaluation, etc. The soil is getting rejuvenated so it will be ready to accept new seeds when the Spring comes. Now is the time when investors are on the prowl for new investment opportunities. Each opportunity is studied to see if they are good candidates for a good harvest/profit. This is the life cycle of investing. Everything has a beginning and an end. Everything has a season. The more skilled you are at identifying what season you are in, the more equipped you will be to make money, even when you’re having a bad season.

Brand For Rent Karen Jett When I first started my business, I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how to create a brand. Unfortunately, when speakers and trainers talked about branding and having a brand, they would reference well-known brands like Coca~Cola and Nike. No one ever spoke about how to build a brand from scratch. What I learned over time is that your brand is made up of everything you do. It’s in: • How you answer the phone • The color you paint your office • Your logo design • How you dress to meet with customers • The types of flyers that you distribute And this is just a sample. I could create a list 20 times longer and still not encompass every aspect of your brand. The trick to creating a strong brand is to make sure that every element of your brand is consistent with the image that you desire, and the image you desire is consistent with how your company actually operates. These two concepts are important, because while you can and should consciously create your brand, ultimately your brand is only a perception made by others. What does this mean to you? It means that you do not really own your brand, you simply rent it; and just like a rental property that has a rental payment due each month, your brand will only continue to grow if you continue to monitor and strengthen it on an ongoing basis.

In other words: • Are the colors being used in your new website design consistent with your brand? • Is how the new receptionist answers the phone and responds to inquiries consistent with your brand? • Are the services that you are thinking of adding consistent with your brand? It also means that it is important to check in with people outside your company and see how you are actually being perceived by your ideal customers. What you intend is not always how others see you. For example, • Is the long and detailed greeting people receive when they call perceived as professional or pompous? • Is the cool new logo you are considering seen as fun or frivolous? • Is your weekly newsletter welcomed in people’s email boxes or relegated to the spam folder? At its core, your actual brand is best expressed in the sentence or paragraph that your customers use when they talk about you and your company to other people. It’s not about whether they say you are great. Instead, listen to what they say you do and how you do it. If it’s congruent with the brand you have been working to create, you have been successful. If not, it may be time to get to work and fix your brand.

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#Worldclass interviews with Katrina starzhynskaya Inspiring interviews with #WorldClass individuals as they share the life lessons and insight on how to make your life world class

#WORLDCLASS INTERVIEWS: BILL WALSH You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about alarm clocks, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about what time you have to get up, you wake up every day be on time, on purpose, on fire. Totally inspired about where you are going, you have a vision that is bigger than you. Bill Walsh

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#WorldClass interviews readers love to hear inspirational stories from successful people like like our guest this month, Mr. Bill Walsh. Bill Walsh is the CEO/Founder of Business Coaching/Venture Capital firm Powerteam International. Bill hosts events all over the world presenting with Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Les Brown, T. Harv Eker and several other well-respected authors, speakers and business coaches. He delivers a message of transformation and practical applications through life stories that empower people to understand specifically what it takes to build successful companies. I believe that most people can break through middle class living and become world-class – once they make decision about what they are going to do. So, how did it start for you? What made you decide to commit to reaching world-class success? Bill: I grew up very different. I grew up in a middle class or lower middle class family. We didn’t have a lot, but I was surrounded by people who had done very well. I got a chance to go in a private jet as a kid. I got to be around people that got every weekend off, so they could really enjoy time with their kids. I asked my friend’s father where this stuff comes from. That’s where it started. I was around 14 years old He said there are two things you have to learn to be successful and have these benefits. “Number one,” he said, “you have to become an entrepreneur. You have to actually own a business. Number two, which is ten times more powerful than number one, you better have passion for whatever you do in life or you will never really live.” I didn’t understand it, I asked where the jet came from; I didn’t get that stuff. But I did realize that most of the people in my family were always trading time for money, whereas this individual was consistently trading money for time. And I have learnt that wealthy people have always traded money for time. I became an entrepreneur at a young age. I went from (stock) trading to real estate to start ups. I spent nearly two decades launching, growing, building companies. I just love the idea that somebody has something great, and even when they can’t see it themselves, I can see the vision. I help them with the plans, the team, the funding, finance, marketing and global expansion. Take that idea to the global audience and that takes us to where I am today. Now I get to travel the world and speak and help people grow their businesses. Katrina: Did you have a role model. Bill: I think my dad was always a good role model for me. His

idea was don’t quit till you win; don’t quit, just give it everything you have until there is no time left on the clock. I think many of our kids are dying at 18 and they are buried at 65; they are going through life asleep at the wheel. I believe we should go into the grave with nothing left. You give it everything you have. You use your last ounce of energy to make your life amazing and serve people well. You will achieve greatness in your life, but also create a legacy that serves other people. Katrina: Now you are very successful, but I am sure you had many setbacks. Bill: If you were to ask what the true key to success is, most people will tell you “persistence.” But nobody will tell ever tell you the second part of the formula, and that’s “plus failure.” So persistence plus failure equal success; but if you ever going to build something or create something, or have massive success in name or brand then you are going through lots of challenges, lots of failures. I have been broke and I have been wealthy. I can promise you, broke sucks. But you learn from that. You realize as you get older, you stop listening to what people say and watch what they do. Rockefeller said this thing so perfectly, and that is “The greatest learning comes from experience.” Katrina: You don’t have to work, yet every morning you get up with such drive. You have accomplished so much more than the average person, why did you do that? Bill: I believe motivation is overrated, I believe that if you motivate idiots then you will have a bunch of motivated idiots. But I also believe that your true source of passion comes through your www.evomag.co

vision. You’re looking for how to step into a vision that pulls you to where you want to go. So you don’t worry about alarm clocks, don’t worry about what time you have to get up. You wake up every day be on time, on purpose, on fire. Totally inspired about where you are going. You have a vision that is bigger than you. That’s where the fun starts. It’s not about “You have to wake up…” I don’t even use alarm clocks. I sleep 4 or 5 hours a night, and I sleep extremely well. But I believe when you’re doing what you are suppose to be doing and when you’re in alignment with where you are going, sleep is overrated. Katrina: What would you recommend for people who have a fear of rejection, of hearing “no” a hundred of times. How can they overcome that? Bill: So much of that is a preconditioned notion, because as kids we are told “no” hundreds of times; you’re told “You’re stupid,” or “You’re an idiot” a hundred times. That’s why I believe if you want to make more money, then turn off the TV. Turn off all the garbage on television and get rid of all the negative people in your life. If you know negative people, and I am sure you do, you have some negative people who come in a room and the lights go dim. Sometimes you live with that person. What you do is invite them to lunch and order their food to go. Because if you are trying to carry those negative people around, then you are going to fail.

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Jim Rohn said you can help a thousand people but you can’t help three. And so often we try to lift people and carry them. You will find people that you like to run with that are going to challenge you to play bigger. When you find all that success you are right on the edge of your comfort zone. That’s where all the fun starts. That’s why you see all these crazy people who are so successful. You got to be a little crazy. It comes with the territory Katrina: How can we step out of our comfort zones to get what we want? Bill: It’s not about stepping out, it’s about what pulls you. It really tough to push a rope. But if you’re behind the boat, then that rope can pull you. And so imagine when you wake up and you have a vision that pulls you. You wonder how you make money off that. Well, the vision is to solve big problems. You will find that the people that solve the biggest problems earn the most money. So ask yourself in the business that you have today: are you really solving problems? Are you really helping people? You hear all these success stories, but most of those 15-minute success stories are 15 years in the making. You don’t hear about the 15 years, you hear all this magical stuff right now. Look at the time they took to get there; that’s the real measure of success.

You’ve got to commit to something. Make sure you commit to the busines. Make sure you’re helping people. When you love what you’re doing, before you know it, it’s not work anymore – its play and you’re getting paid to do it. Katrina: What do you think about formal education? Bill: I have mixed feelings about it, but it think college is great place for our kids to grow up. I believe our universities are the best in the world. I believe our grade schools and high schools have a lot to do. We really because when one out of two kids don’t graduate high school in Chicago, that’s a problem in the system. You can blame the kids all you want, but it starts with what transpires when they come to school. The universities are still the best in the world. People from all over the world come to our colleges. The best colleges, like MIT and Harvard are still attracting students from all over the world. I believe that American middle schools and high schools need a lot of work.

I can tell you one great thing about continuing education at the higher level: it allows our kids to grow up. I have two kids in college and I love it. I think it’s a great place for them. But I also think that kids at 10 years old should be trained to become entrepreneurs. Teach them how to balance a checkbook, teach them how to sell something on Amazon, how to want something in life. Teach them the value of a dollar. Teach them it’s ok to be successful. It’s ok to connect with millionaires. What a training that would be! Katrina: In one sentence, can you tell us how to break through and become successful? Bill: The first step, start inside yourself. It doesn’t come from outside. Everyone says that they want someone to help them. There is no magic dust. The magic is inside you and at some point, you will step in a place and play the entire role. When we launch our Remake program, we launch a two-anda-half day business course, a curriculum that is going to cause people to become great leaders, have great systems and be totally infallible. People have to understand that it’s not going to come from a book or tape. You only get something like this from living it.

Katrina: Some people say that a lot of entrepreneurs go to college. They believe that formal education will put you ahead. When they go from doing what they think they should be doing to doing what they love – that helps people. But the big change Bill: It depends on what your area of expertise is. For every one starts with you. or two stories you hear, there are tens of thousands of MBAs and PhDs that make this world great, but it’s not like you hear about the one or two that drop out and became successful. But what about the thousand that doesn’t. So, the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t easy. Everyone thinks it’s easy, but they have to go try. You always hear about these stellar stories, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

#Worldclass www.evomag.co

Happy Healthy Holidays:

Planning is

Everything! Once you get past the flurry of the first day of school, you know what's coming next. The snow has not even arrived but the Halloween costumes and Christmas decorations will start popping up in shopping aisles. If you are one of those people who just rolls your eyes and thinks, "good grief, not yet! I have lots of time!", well, think again. There are only a few weeks remaining before we are all plunging into the holiday season; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays too. We all expect the holidays to be filled with meaningful times of family fun, big dinners, and traditions; but holidays, we know, can also add up to unhealthy practices and a lot of stress. Richelle Wiseman is a communications and marketing consultant in Calgary, Alberta, who loves entertaining family and friends during the holidays. She knows from experience how the holidays can be stressful instead of delightful, and she has also learned a few tips for keeping them delightful.

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And every year we promise to get our act together earlier to avoid the stress. So how can you get through your holiday season without succumbing to stress?

The secret is planning ahead. For most of us, the holidays have a way of "sneaking up on us", and so do the pounds and the stress. When we haven't planned well and everything comes down to a last minute rush, we are bound to feel more stressed than we should. Here are a few tips to stay ahead of the holidays and make it all run more smoothly. 1. Become a SCHEDULE WIZARD. Count down from your holiday backwards to include when you need to shop for gifts, shop for groceries for major meals, do holiday baking, send invitations to holiday parties, send holiday greeting cards, mail gifts to family in other countries, in your own country. Mark these significant deadlines on your calendar NOW so that you can see over the coming weeks where you need to dedicate blocks of time to meet this deadlines. Stick to your schedule and make sure you plan realistically how long these activities will take. Buying gifts online? Buy early so you aren't panicking the week before the holiday. Christmas shopping for ten people? Chances are you are going to take more than one Saturday afternoon to get all of those gifts. If you follow your schedule, you will be amazed at how much more prepared you will feel for the holidays, and how much stress you have avoided. 2. Become a HEALTHY FOOD SPECIALIST. To prevent packing on the pounds over the holidays, research the foods you like and find healthy alternatives. There are many sugar free options for holiday treats which are just as tasty but not as risky for your hips and thighs.

mind, and you will have an alternative to those irresistible Nanaimo Bars! Start now to look for new recipes and experiment with healthy food choices. Instead of gravy on potatoes, try new recipes with roasted potatoes or roasted vegetables instead of ones swimming in cheese sauce. Trimming the fat, the dairy, and the sugars is no longer impossible. There are so many recipes and approaches to big traditional holiday meals which are gourmet quality, healthy, and most importantly, winners with your guests. 3. Become a SMART SHOPPER. Statistics show that last minute shopping is guaranteed to inflate your VISA bill. When you are desperate, you will buy things which are not the best choices or the best deals, just so you can check that person off your list. Shopping ahead of the rush and panic means you have a much better chance of sticking to a budget. Aim for more personal and thoughtful gifts. After all, a $15 gift which has personal meaning and thoughtfulness will mean much more to your loved one than the $50 one that required no thought and which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t demonstrate that you know your friend or loved one well. Planning ahead on the scheduling front, the food and meal preparation front, and on the shopping front, can save you money, unwanted pounds, and stress. So go make a tea, and then sit down with your calendar and get moving on your planning. Slay the stress dragons with some thoughtful planningâ&#x20AC;Ś now.

When the holidays arrive and you are well prepared, you will be able to fully enjoy your friends, your If you are invited to bring goodies to a party, family and your guests. make your sugar free options so that you can at least enjoy your own treats while you are there. Even if you aren't asked to bring something to a holiday dinner, bring your sugar free dessert treats anyways. Chances are your hostess won't

Happy holidays!

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