May 2021 Newsletter A GOAL you can achieve starting TODAY

A goal you can achieve starting today

The past year has been pretty tough for most of us. Depression, sadness, and mental illness are at all-time highs. When we’re feeling down, it is not unusual to think more than ever about our flaws and to focus on what is missing from our lives. If you have been feeling unworthy or useless lately, then keep reading.

I believe we all need to have goals to work toward. Goals help us stay on track, they keep life exciting, and at the very least they hold us accountable for our actions. Unfortunately, achieving most of our goals will take time and persistence. However, I have GOOD news for you… there is a goal you can start achieving TODAY. You can LOVE yourself more… that’s right, you can set a goal to love yourself more. Why is this important? When we’re happy, we can accomplish more and our happiness will spread to the people around us.

Loving yourself is not the same as being selfish. How can you show love to others if you don’t love yourself first? When you care about yourself, everyone wins.

God does not make failures. When he made you, he fully intended for you to be happy and to love who you are. If we mess up in life, it’s usually our doing and no one else’s, but sometimes unfortunate things happen to us that we cannot control. However, I believe we can correct anything if we set our minds to it so we can become the person we want to be. Will this happen overnight? Probably not, but you can keep making a little progress every day in feeling better about yourself.

You don’t have to be great to get started; you just have to get started to be great.

One of the things that can make us feel awesome is being accepted by our peers. However, if we learn to accept and value ourselves, acceptance from our peers will soon follow. I have always been a person who wants more, who keeps pushing myself to utilize all of my God-given talents so I can find out how much I can accomplish. I would not be truthful if I said I didn’t want to impress others and especially those in my industry. Is that wrong? I don’t think so. I believe that trying to do my best is part of loving myself, which in turn benefits everyone around me.

If you are searching for the one person who can change your life, then take a look in the mirror.

You can contribute more to society and benefit others if you discover how to love who you are.

If I have convinced you that loving yourself more can make you a better person, then grab a sheet of paper and start writing down things you can do to accomplish your goal. Your list might look something like this:

Ways to be kinder to myself

Have more faith in my abilities.
Pray to God about my intention to become a better person.
Get more exercise so I can become physically fit.
Eat better because putting better fuel in my body will help me feel great.
Stop doing things that eventually make me unhappy, like drinking too much alcohol or doing drugs.
Spend my time with like-minded people who want the most out of life.
Be a bright spot to everyone I see today.
Be a better coworker and say positive things to those around me.
Understand that loving myself will allow me to genuinely love others more.
Remember that I deserve the best life has to offer.

If you put loving yourself at the top of your “to do” list EVERY SINGLE DAY, you will start to experience the benefits it will bring to you as well as your significant other, your children, your coworkers, and everyone you spend time with. You can start changing your life today by setting a goal to start loving yourself more.

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

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