MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

March 2024 Newsletter Think and grow rich

Think and grow rich
 

In today’s world, it’s easy    to find reasons to feel discouraged or down. This usually happens when you start focusing on things you can’t change. The good news is that there will always be one area where you have total control, and that is your outlook on life.

 

If you need a mood lifter right now, I highly recommend reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It was first published in 1937 and is still the best-selling self-help book ever written. It will teach you how to attain wealth and success through positive thinking, persistence,…

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February 2024 Newsletter Show us your greatness

Show us your greatness!
 

If you’ve been reading my newsletters for a while, you know that I end each of them by asking, “If not now, then when? And if not you, then who?” My reason for asking you these questions is to create a sense of urgency to accomplish things that are important to you. No matter how small or how big your goal might be, there’s no better time to start working on it than right now!

 

“Greatness comes by doing a few small and smart things each and every day. Comes from taking little steps, consistently. Comes from…

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January 2024 newsletter Tips on building a sustainable business

Tips on building a sustainable business
 

Did you know that 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses are considered small businesses by the federal government? Currently there are about 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S. Even though 80 percent of small businesses consist of only one person, small businesses employ 61.7 million workers – almost half of all U.S. employees.

 

If you didn’t know these things, you’re not alone. It’s probably because the nation’s largest corporations get most of the attention.

 

I started my first business in 1993. After being involved in real estate for ten years, I figured I was seasoned…

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December 2023 Newsletter Become someone’s miracle

Become someone’s miracle
In December, most of us are making goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. In addition to doing this, why not also make plans that will benefit others?

 

What would it feel like to become someone’s miracle in 2024? The definition of a miracle will vary for each of us. For me, being someone’s miracle means making a HUGE difference in their life by being intentional and laser-focused on making things happen.

 

“I know from personal experience how fear and low self-worth can cripple one’s ability to succeed in life. But with a little support, caring, and inspiration, miracles…

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November 2023 Newsletter The Capability Gap

The capability gap
 

Nick Sabin, head coach of the University of Alabama’s seven-time national champion football team Crimson Tide, talks about the difference between what we are capable of doing and what we are actually doing. He calls this the capability gap.

 

When I heard him talk about this topic recently, he asked questions such as “What are we capable of?” and “What are we doing about it?” I am constantly preaching that we all need to use every ounce of our God-given talent while we are still here on this earth.

 

So let me ask you, what are you doing with…

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October 2023 Newsletter Ambition is the foundation for success

October 2023 Newsletter

Ambition is the foundation for success
 

If you have a burning desire to achieve something, you are ambitious. What is ambition, anyway? It has been defined as “a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.” That definition fits me perfectly, since I am always working hard to get better at everything I do.

 

What do ambitious people have in common?

 

People with ambition are a diverse group. They do not necessarily have a lot of education, work in a fancy office, drive a brand-new sports car, or live in an expensive house. However,…

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September 2023 newsletter Choose to be BOLD !

                                                    Choose to be BOLD!

 

 

When you think about it, most of what happens in life involves choices or decisions. When you wake up in the morning, you have an opportunity to decide whether to be the best possible version of yourself or to be average and just make it through the day. You can also choose to inspire someone through your actions or not to do this. Either way, the choice is up to…

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August 2023 Newsletter Follow your intuition

Follow Your Intuition
 

 

How many times have you said to yourself, “I wish I had followed my intuition” or “I should have trusted my gut”? This has happened to me so many times that I’ve lost count, and 99 percent of those times I would have made the right decision if I had trusted my intuition.

 

When you are thinking about doing something and you have a gut feeling about whether you should back off or move ahead, pay attention. Some people may call it intuition, and if something happens the way you wanted it to, they may say it’s just…

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July 2023 Newsletter Root for the underdog

Root for the underdog
 

I am the guy who roots for the underdog. No matter whether I’m watching an NCAA basketball tournament, a college football game between a high-ranking team and a lower-division team, or a professional football game, I love it when the underdog pulls out a win. When a highly favored team wins, that’s just a normal day at the office. However, when an underdog wins, I know that it could be a life-changing event for everyone involved… not just for the institution, the organization, or the school, but most of all for the individual players.

 

 

Never underestimate the…

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June 2023 Newsletter Mastering the fundamentals will bring success

Mastering the fundamentals will bring success
 

If you asked me to name just one reason I have been successful during my 40-year career, I would tell you it was because I mastered the fundamentals. (By the way, that is a never-ending journey.) I didn’t do anything fancy or rely on special software or technology. I just focused on the old-fashioned basics and fundamentals.

 

 

“Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.”

– Jim Rohn

 

 

When I started Deeb Realty (now Nebraska Realty) out of my 250-sq-ft basement, I focused on the core necessities of…

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What People in the Audience are Saying…

With Van's passion, humor and experience you can be assured of one thing- your audience is going to get fired-up, built-up, and fully charged –up. As an entrepreneur at the top of his game Van is in the unique position of being able to "talk the talk" because he has "walked the walk". Over the years he has been a great inspiration to me and my staff. Van is a speaker with charisma, humility and impact and he's a difference maker in the lives of the people he touches…"

—George Akers // President, First Mortgage Corp.

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking with our company today. I thought your presentation was awesome! I was really motivated and inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I will use this motivation to grow my business and my personal life.”

—Justin Pauls // Realtor, Tampa, Florida

We are delighted you will be accepting the award for Omaha’s Top 25 fastest growing companies. Congratulations on your outstanding growth and we wish you continued success.”

—Tracey Fortina // Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for running such a class act company. It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with someone such as yourself. I know you are probably one of the most respected businessmen in the region.”

—Dustin Talacko // Realtor, Omaha, Nebraska

Congratulations on writing “Selling from the heart” and thank you for sharing a copy with me. Your class has been one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. Your enthusiasm and passion for your work are awesome. But the most refreshing part of the class was your delightful sense of humor. Thank you again for being a fantastic teacher.”

—Linda Reismeiler // Student at Randall School of Real Estate, Omaha, Nebraska

Kudos to you, Van, for reaching a major goal. But more than that...For successfully building one of Omaha’s best companies from scratch and making it thrive even in less than ideal market conditions. You have realized the American Dream...And brought it home to many, many others. My best to you!”

—Todd Andrews, Anchor and Producer, KETV Omaha

Having you here again was such a blessing to so many! As I looked at the pictures, I could see just how interested each and every person was in what you had to say!

This has been such a gift to our agents when they need it the most. The fact that you come, you are so genuine and caring, you are so honest, you are not trying to sell anything and your passion to help each and every person believe in themselves and become the best they can be is HUGE! The timing is perfect for us all helping and caring about each other, so, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving of yourself to help all of us!”

—Carolyn Summerton // First Mortgage Company of Idaho

I enjoyed your seminar and its focus. I was on the fence whether or not to attend and decided why not? I could have sat through an all day session if there was one, usually I end up at the seminars that start with a focus and quickly go astray. I found with yours time flew by too fast and it was already time to go but I wasn’t ready to go.”

—Scott Asbill, CDPE // Associate Broker, Realtor