MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

January 2020 Newsletter Having courage can change your life

Having courage can change your life!

What does having courage mean to you? If you are a salesperson, it might mean being able to make cold calls. If you’re in a leadership role, it might mean finding the strength to confront an employee about their job performance or to let someone go or to deal with a challenging customer. What about having the courage to do the right thing? How often are you confronted with this challenge? Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, yet I believe it is mandatory in business. And if you have a goal that you intend to accomplish, courage allows you to take a chance instead of worrying about what the outcome could be.

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

— Vincent Van Gogh

When I think of how courage relates to my own life, I remember what it felt like to start out in business at age 23 and realize that I would be living on straight commission, which meant that if I didn’t sell anything then I wouldn’t eat. I had to dig deep in my heart to find the courage to take that step.

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”

— Maya Angelou

Those of us who are in sales, service, or any type of leadership role know that staying at the top of our game means finding the courage to do what needs to be done every day, not just once in a while. We can’t wake up one morning and say, “Today I am going to pass on having the courage to be the best I can be.” NO! We have to wake up every day and find the courage to be the absolute best we can be, which will inspire, empower, and motivate others to do the same. Having courage is contagious!

Having courage means believing in your abilities and knowing that you can make your own way. It means having the attitude that nothing, absolutely nothing, will keep you from accomplishing your mission.

When I started operating my business from my 200-square-foot basement, critics and competitors told me, “There is no room for another real estate company in Omaha, Nebraska.” I needed to make a choice. I could either listen to them or have the courage to silence them by proving them wrong. I chose to have courage! Years later, those same critics and competitors were offering me seven figures to buy my company, which had become one of the largest independent real estate companies in the Midwest with over 350 associates. I am not describing my achievements to impress you; instead, I want to impress upon you that having courage will allow you to conquer anything that stands in the way of getting what you want in life, just as it did and still does for me.

“It is not the critic who counts…. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly … who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

Do you have the courage to change your life, to make it better not just for you but also for your family, your significant other, your children, your parents, and your coworkers? You are the only person who can decide to do what you have always wanted to do, to be the person you have always wanted to be, to love people like you never have before, to create a work ethic that is unstoppable, and to change your attitude so you can be the best possible version of yourself. You have the God-given ability to do all of these things. Have the courage right now to make a plan and make it happen!

If not now, then when? And if not you, then who?

Van Deeb is recognized as an authority in sales, customer service, and leadership. His proven methods and techniques helped Van build one of the largest real estate companies in the country, growing his business from just himself to an agency with 350 associates. Invite Van to present a workshop, keynote, or event at your company. Contact Van at his direct line: 402-680-8448, through email: van@vandeeb.com, or on the Web at www.vandeeb.com

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