MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

May 2018 Newsletter: Controlling Your Stress in Business

At Westside Church in Omaha, Nebraska, recently, Pastor Curt Dodd talked about stress. I thought this was a great topic for a sermon because all of us humans need to deal with stress throughout our lives. The business world in particular is filled with stressful situations. If you intend to succeed in your career, you will need to develop good strategies for dealing with stress.

“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.”
– Robert Eliot

I learned some important lessons about stress years ago from author Brian Tracy while attending an authors’…

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April 2018 Newsletter: Asking for Referrals

“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” – Walt Disney
 

From the time I started working in the real estate industry until today, referrals have always been my number one source of new customers… Period! In my experience, getting referrals from satisfied customers is the best way to build a business. It makes new customers feel secure to know that they are using someone that someone else used and was happy with. In my real estate and speaking career I depend mainly on referrals to increase my customer base.

No matter…

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March 2018 Newsletter: Should You Dress to Impress?

                                               Should you dress to impress?

We have all heard that we should “dress for success,” but what does that really mean?

In a business setting, your appearance matters. When people look at you, they make assumptions about what you do for a living, how much money you make, and how successful you are. These assumptions are based solely on your appearance.

Successful people maintain an impeccable image because they know that their image is part of their brand. One…

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February 2018 Newsletter Your DREAM is possible

 

 

Do you dream of achieving big things? I believe that a dream is a prelude to reality. I know this is true because it has happened to me over and over throughout my career. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, said the same thing using different words: “If you can conceive it and believe it, then you can achieve it.” That quote has been in my head since high school.

I didn’t grow up with a mentor, and nobody ever gave me a blueprint to succeed in business. In high school I was a class clown, always trying…

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January 2018 Newsletter You can choose to be confident

Are you confident that you can reach your goals? If not, then you’re getting in your own way. Being confident is a choice that only you can make. When you choose to become more confident, you are opening the door to a more successful career and a more fulfilling life.

Being confident goes much deeper than just saying you are confident. You must believe in yourself and be passionate about it. You have to OWN it and LIVE it. Self-confidence is one of the most attractive qualities you can have, and it inspires people to believe in you. If you…

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December 2017 newsletter: You WILL accomplish your goals in 2018!

“What are your plans?” This question comes up in many different situations. At this time of year you probably find yourself asking people what their plans are for the holidays, and you might even ask them what their goals are for next year. Making plans and setting goals are top priorities for success-minded people. As Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

 

We are all guilty at times of just going through the motions of everyday life instead of thinking about the path we’re on. However, just imagine how much better your life could…

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November 2017 newsletter Disrupters have more fun

Are you a disrupter? Would you like to be one? Maybe the word disrupter sounds like an insult. Well, in the business world it’s quite the opposite, and in my world it’s a compliment.

Disruptive innovation is a term used in the field of business administration. It refers to an innovation that creates a new market and value network and eventually disrupts an existing market and value network, displacing established market-leading firms, products, and alliances.

My personal definition of a disrupter is someone who changes things for the better— someone who blazes a new trail instead of doing things the same…

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October 2017 newsletter “The Man in the Mirror”: Make that change

October 2017 newsletter

 

“The Man in the Mirror”: Make that change

 

“You can’t change your outside behavior until you change your inside behavior.” I agree completely with that comment, which was made by a good friend of mine, pastor Curt Dodd. I believe change is good; trying to become better is good. I don’t know how you can accomplish great success in life without being willing to change when necessary. I feel myself changing all the time. It’s liberating, it’s healthy, and best of all, it’s exciting!

I am a big fan of Motown music. Great artists, great music, great lyrics. As…

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September 2017 How to ask your way to success

How to ask your way to success

You are inspired to succeed, you are motivated to accomplish your goals, you are driven and determined to live a lifestyle that you dream about. Well, believe it or not, you are already halfway there! Having a positive attitude will get you the results you want at some point in your life. However, you can GET THERE QUICKER and accomplish your goals sooner by learning how to ASK for what you want. This statement is based on my own experience. Not only have I learned how to ask, but during my storied career I…

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August 2017 Newsletter Prioritize for success

What are your priorities? Actually, what is a priority? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a priority is “something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first,” and priorities are “the things that someone cares about and thinks are important. “How often do you say to yourself, “I need to make this a priority”? If you are success-driven like the majority of my readers, then you say it often.

“Our life is the sum total of all the decisions we make every day, and those decisions are determined by our priorities.” – Myles…

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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