I love this picture to the left...

I have an office (outside of my home) in mid town Miami that I show up at once in awhile. Usually when I want to be distracted by people who get nothing done and like to gossip all day. Fun to watch once in awhile. Actually, I use it mainly for my private mastermind groups.

Anyways, this picture is on one of the walls. In case you can't read it, it says: "No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness." - Aristotle

It really is true when you think about. In fact, if you analyze and study any great business mind, entrepreneur, or super-achiever, you'll see some madness, for sure. Steve Jobs is one example that comes to mind. Madness in a good way, by the way. Check the definition. One of it's meanings is: "Intense excitement or enthusiasm."

My point... there's madness happening in our little business world these days. Not the good kind. The other kind. As in one if it's other meanings: "insanity."

So today, a bit of rant. Let's just say, I'm at the boiling point. Read on and you'll see what I'm talking about (a BIG lesson within).

This will be a brief (but instructive) rant...

I have growing disdain for the amount of coaches, mentors, consultants, advisors, etc. popping up like tulips in the spring. Have you noticed the surge of these guys and gals as of late? I feel like it's everywhere I turn...

The success coach with no success... the money coach with no money... the sales trainer who never made sales... the online business coach with no online business revenue. And my favorite... the life coach with no life.

Gotta love this country.

Drives me nuts.

I have three words for it: Out Of Integrity.

Whatever happened to good old fashion "results first" ??

Back in the day (pre-Internet) we wouldn't even hear of this madness. But today, it's rampant. My point in all of this for you is two-fold:

1. Take note. Keep score. Be mindful of who you let advise YOU or coach YOU. Look for track records, long-term track records, before you hand over your hard earned money. As in "years" doing it, not "months." Qualify them. Offend them if you must. And if they're offended, they're simply not qualified to advise you (good test by the way).

2. Be even more mindful of who YOU aspire to be in your business or who you might be being right now. Because whether you realize it or not, you will never, ever have the results you're looking for if you're masquerading around as a teacher of something you've never successfully performed at. Never. Don't even try and kid yourself. Subconsciously, you'll never allow yourself to succeed because deep down, you know you're faking it...

Any wonder why our school system in the US is broken, and why Washington DC is broken (and broke)?

Professors teaching business who have never been in business. Politicians running the "business of America" who have never run a business. Ever.

Gotta love this country.

My solution, always the same, and almost always met with disappointment...

Go out and produce "sales results" first. Yes, sales results. Imagine that. No other kind of results even matter because if something isn't sold, there is no business. Move products and services in large numbers into the hands of those who need them. THIS IS HOW BUSINESS WORKS. Always has, always will. Anyone who tells you different, well, probably the Professor from above.

As in, become the top sales guy or gal in your company first. "Zip the lip and produce", I like to say. Then, and only then, do you get to go out and teach it. Doesn't work the other way around.

Jeez, is it really this hard?

Ok my rant has ended.   ;)

Think about all this...

I hope to see many of you next week in Las Vegas at No Excuses 3 Summit where I speak on Sunday morning April 22nd. Come say hello. I'd love to meet you in person If I haven't already....

(Hey, next time you sit down with a Financial Advisor, flip the switch on him and ask him for his net worth statement instead. I'll bet he looks at you like a dear in headlights. If he produces it, there's your guy! If not, there's your answer. Why would you want someone handling your money if they don't have more of it than you?)

- Andrew