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However, as I was listening to him, I realized that the conversations he was having seemed rich. These people were interested in talking to my brother-in-law, even though none of them had ever met him before. The reason why was pretty simple: my brother-in-law wasn’t just talking to people, he was talking about them. He took the time to ask them questions, to listen to their answers, to really understand who they were.
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The greatest human need is to be understood.

We all crave connection, and thrive when others reach out to us. Therefore, these small conversations he was having weren’t just small talk. They were actually making these people feel good. He made their day.

I can only imagine how that good feeling could translate to others. Their good mood can impact other people, and the positive energy can be carried far beyond the simple conversations my brother-in-law was having.

Just imagine what this world would be like if we all focused on how to connect with people. Changing someone’s day only takes a few minutes. Making a difference is as easy as a few kind words and listening ear. It’s a lesson we should all take to heart. I know I have.

It’s a lesson that single moms already know. The day to day demands of raising children without anyone else to fall back on are exhausting. I did it for three weeks; -single moms make a lifestyle of it.

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These moms learn how to focus their energy on the right things. They put their efforts into the things that need to be done both in their business lives and their personal experiences. They prioritize in order to make sure that their jobs get done while also saving enough time for their children.

I have a new found respect for Single Parent.

Over the last three weeks, I had a crash course in delegation. Since I had limited time with Zal and Natasha, I wanted to make sure that I gave them as much attention as I could. To do that, I had to reevaluate my business habits. I had to look carefully at my business tasks and only do the ones that were specifically catered to my skill set.

I did these necessary tasks myself and then turned the remainder of the business over to others.

I’ve always thought that I was good at delegating, but I never realized just how important it was until I put it into practice on this level. By prioritizing my attention on Zal and Natasha, I was forced to limit my work life. As a result, I was pleasantly surprised to find not only that others could get these tasks done, but that my personal life and my business life were better off for this new found balance.

It’s a valuable lesson for everyone–single moms, family men, and business people. We need to focus on our skill sets, do the tasks geared to us, and then delegate the rest. This allows you to play to your strengths, and by focusing your energy, you can be sure that your best work is being done.

It may cost a little more to delegate things out, but by focusing on your strengths the ROI will be well worth the price.

I would love to hear back from from parents how and what they do to create that balance in their lives.

Keep Sharing!

The Main reason this triathlon was so special was that it was the first time I participated with my niece and nephew. Both Zal and Natasha took part in the (KOS) Kids of Steel race, and sharing this experience with them made it all the more special. It is so important to involve our kids in all aspects of our lives. We grew so much closer together, and I know its an experience we’ll all remember fondly.  Our children will always remember the experiences we share together.

While Zal and Natasha made this race extra memorable, the Pusher Mitchel Apple Triathlon is a special event in and of itself. In fact, when I was setting up my bike before the race, I struck up a friendly conversation with another participant. It was her first time in this triathlon, so she asked my opinion of it. I replied honestly that it was the best event I’d ever been to. Just looking around, it was obvious what set this race apart.

The volunteers were well informed, productive, but more importantly they cared about the racers, were passionate to be there and had a lot of fun.

I realized that such positive energy was a direct result of the leadership behind the event.

The President of the triathlon is Richard Montgomery. For those who aren’t familiar with Richard, he is a genuine man who not only has outstanding organizational skills but the passion to make others excited to follow his vision as well.

This quality leadership was evident in every volunteer and participant. Even my nine-year-old nephew felt the difference. After it was over, he commented that it was the best race we’d ever been at. People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can sense good leadership, even if they can’t identify it. The business world would be a better place if there were more leaders like Richard Montgomery.

When I was biking up Knox mountain, I noticed another racer struggling. It was clear that she wasn’t exhausted, but that she was using the incorrect gear. Without a thought, I slowed down to help her, explaining to her how to use the gears properly. She thanked me and I continued on my way. I hadn’t gotten very far when another racer rode up next to me. He didn’t linger long, but as he passed, he said, “Her lack of preparation should not be your concern.”

He was a stronger rider, so it took some effort to catch up. When I pulled up beside him again, I told him simply, “Winning at the price of consciously being blind to the right thing is not worth winning at all.”

It’s hard to say if he took anything away from our conversation, but I know the woman had a better experience. When the race was over, I asked my nephew what he would have done if he’d crossed someone in need of help. Zal didn’t hesitate. “I would have to help them.”

Curious by his word choice, I asked him why he’d have to help.

Zal shrugged. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

His plaintive response was better than anything else I experienced that day.

Overall, competing in this triathlon was challenging and satisfying. I’m glad I made time to participate and even more pleased that I had the opportunity to share this time with Zal and Natasha. It’s remarkable how much you can learn from something so simple.

Lesson One: Cherish moments with your children. Spending time with them is more valuable than anything else, and those are the moments that will last a lifetime.

Lesson Two: Real leadership makes a difference. Anyone can figure out want needs to be done in order to create success, but very few can make others want to be part of that journey. The only way to do that is to be an authentic leader.

Lesson Three: Always take the time to do the right thing. Winning is important, but being compassionate to others is even more valuable.

Fred Sarkari

We woke up in Banff at 6:00 AM ready to start the trip.

During breakfast, we mapped out   our trip together, named the flags that hung from the ceiling, and just caught up with life. Afterward, we stopped at the hot springs. While we played in the water, Zal and Natasha told me about their summer and asked me about mine. It was remarkable how we hadn’t done anything substantial yet, but we were already having the time of our lives. We focus so much on goals and results sometimes that we miss out on the most valuable things of all–the small, precious moments we share with our loved ones.

Our first real stop was Lake Louise. The plan was canoeing, but when we got there, Zal was nervous. He knew the water would be cold, since it was a glacial lake. It took some cajoling, but when he saw everyone else having fun, his focus turned from fear to total excitement.

As it turned out, we all had a great time–especially Zal. In the end, he told me he was so grateful that he hadn’t allowed his fears to take away this experience we shared together. His comment stopped my thoughts cold, reminding me to never walk away from life experiences due to my fears.

We went to Moraine Lake next. The water there is so blue–you have to see it to believe it!

The kids were blown away, but when I tried to show them the rocks we could climb for a better view, they went silent with uncertainty.

I told them I would take them one step at a time and that it was okay to be scared. They grabbed my hands and were ready to face the adventure again.

The view from the top put the bottom to shame. It is so important to go the extra mile. It is amazing how much we miss out on by not taking that extra step. No matter where you want to end up, you can only take the journey one step at a time.

By the time we finished, we were so tired. We thought about turning in, but decided to make one more stop at the Ghost Town. At first, I was worried the kids would be bored, and actually suggested we drive right by. Natasha screamed, “If we don’t try, how will we know what we missed out on?” Well, needless to say, my only answer was the sound of brakes screeching. I truly recommend taking the time to go see the Ghost Town. Seeing this history come to life was a reminder that so much of who we are and what we’ve accomplished is connected to the past.

It was 10:30 at night when we finally rolled into my driveway in Kelowna, exhausted but happy. Looking back on the day, it’s so clear to me that children can teach us all we need to know in life. You just need to take the time to connect with your children, and you’d be surprised what you can learn. Spending this day with Natasha and Zal has taught me the following lessons. I can hardly wait for what tomorrow will bring.

Lessons from Natasha and Zal

1. While chasing your long term goals, do not lose sight of the day to day interactions with your loved ones. That is where life is truly lived.

2. Never let fear take away all that life has to offer.

3. No matter how big and scary the destination may seem, just focus on the next step. By taking it one step at a time, you’ll be enjoying the destination in no time.

4. All the answers you are looking for can be found in the past. That is why archeologists search the past–to find the answers to the future.

My recent trip to the physiotherapist was no different. I had made an appointment with Greg Smith from Kelowna Physiotherapist Associates As he was working on me, I asked Greg a question regarding an issue with my other leg.

He frowned thoughtfully, giving my leg a quick look. “Well, Fred,” he said with a slow nod. “I actually don’t know.”

For a moment, all I could do was stare. He didn’t know? How could my physiotherapist not know? I trusted him to know, I paid him to know.

He nodded again, collecting a breath before offering me a smile. “I’ll have to give it some thought while we take a closer look at your leg.”

It wasn’t the quick diagnosis I had been looking for, but as Greg conducted the rest of his examination, I realized it was the most reassuring answer he could give me. Sure, I didn’t know right away what was wrong with my leg, but I did know that I could trust my physiotherapist to be honest.

After all, Greg could have lied and could have made up anything. He could have planned five unnecessary tests to get more money out of me.

Instead, my physiotherapist kept his integrity and told me the truth. This honesty showed that he had my best interest at heart and that the answers he gave me were legitimate. When he did find the answer, I had no doubt that I could trust that as much as I could trust his initial uncertainty.

This lesson holds true in all businesses. No matter what you do, it is essential to be honest. Being a leader in the industry doesn’t mean you have all the answers. We’re all human, and as much as clients want to know everything at that moment in time, they also want us to be honest with our answers.

It’s a question we’re all likely to face in our business: what to do when you are unsure of the answer. Fortunately, we don’t have to know the answer. We just have to be honest, and that integrity will offer more to clients than false promises ever could.

Our clients do not expect us to know everything, but they do expect us to have integrity and be willing to take the time to source out the answers to their questions.

Fred Sakrari

There I stood with over a 1000 competitors, nervous, overwhelmed but excited.  Excited to walk into a situation where I know the only way I will finish is to dig deep within and challenge my mind and my heart.

That sounded all fancy and inspirational, in short I have no idea what possessed me to sign up for this race.

Click on my video to listen to my experience and the 4 unexpected lessons I learned about business along the way.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAaiCohMIuE

Here I am trying to figure out how to get into my new wetsuit that I will be using for the first time.

4 Lessons I learned during my half-Ironman in Oliver

LESSON 1: Run Your Own Race

Do not worry about others around you.  What ever you do do it for yourself, build your business for yourself not for the sake of building a bigger business than the one next door.

LESSON 2: Be Authentic

How you play the game is a reflection of how you life your life.  That lady I talk about in the above video is a great example of this.  She was genuine in her kindness and that was one of the most refreshing things to experience.

LESSON 3: Create Your Ideal Culture

The culture you create in your office is a direct reflection of the level of success you will experience.  Support and celebrate with your employees and clients.  Not only when they have accomplished something but more so along the way.

LESSON 4: Cherish The Moment

It is important to chase your goals, but never at the expense of losing sight of your achievements and experiencing the moment.

We are capable of so much more than we give our self credit for.  What ever your journey is never forget to smile through it all as it is a gift.

I look forward to hearing your experiences as well.

Fred Sarkari

That is what my 2010 has felt like, a tornado that came around the corner to ignite my senses and remind me that I am alive.  This year will be full of adventures to learn and grow from.   Let me rephrase that, this year HAS been full of adventures already.

Here I sit on my deck looking out at the water.  Staring at the water has just reminded me not to get caught up with one of the most critical errors we humans seem to fall for.

While we chase this thing called life, we lose sight of the beauty that is right in front of us.  The little things that make us take a genuine deep breath and make our hearts smile from the inside out.

I feel alive more so for the insight, that I am fortunate to posses the purest of gifts in life. The people that cross my path, family, my precious niece and nephew, true genuine friends that I can rely on, clients that go out of their way to help me grow my business and support and trust my overall vision in life, the new people in my life, in the Okanagan, that I have been fortunate to grow to love.

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I am rich with simple treasures in my life.

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What I have come to realize is that we all have our own simple treasures.  It is up to us if we have the courage to look beyond the clutter of life and honor this gift that revolves around us, the gift of simple treasures.

I ask you this – Do share – what are your simple treasures?

Fred Sarkari

Valentines should be what you and your loved ones like it to be.  That is all that matters.  If it is important to her than it should be important to you.

Valentine’s Day is about celebrating our love by connecting to the ones that are special to us.   It is not meant for us to treat our loved ones with more respect and understanding than any other day.  It is a reminder of how we should be treating our loved ones on a daily basis.

We all want to love and be loved.  We may fear it, ignore it and fight the thought of it – but that still does not change our intrinsic need to love and be loved.

There is no greater achievement and a sign of a persons strength of character when they risk loving and letting others love them.

I was asked this morning: If love is so critical to us, how do some survive without love in their life?

One can survive without love.  Life is not about surviving, anyone can survive – Life is about living and in order to truly live there needs to be love, authentic love.

When you sing, sing with love – when you hug someone, hug them with love – when you smile, smile with love – do acts of kindness with genuine love – live with love revolved around you.

Let valentines day be a reminder for all of us to truly connect with our loved ones and those that cross our path in life.

Being the Olympics right now, take the opportunity to give out some golden hearts and do what you need to do to win the hearts of your loved ones.

Fred Sarkari

When it comes to our products or services, we are more attached to the value of them then our own clients are.  That being said there are times that there is greater value within our products than what our clients have perceived.

The question you need to ask yourself is:

What Perceived Value Do My Clients See

In My Products and Services?

Not What “I” see in them?

It’s like what we have seen in the real estate market in the last few years. How many times have we heard people talk about what they believe their house is worth – their perceived value of it as an owner, as the one that put all the time into renovating, decorating, the experiences within their house etc..

All these things have no value to our potential clients. Yet we expect them to see and feel the intrinsic value of our attached emotions within our products and services.

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I recently put together a Facebook group to help with my new book launch – “Your Naked Chicken.” I was so excited when I posted it that I thought I would have 300-350 people in my group within a few days.

I figured I would be guaranteed a 30% conversion rate. Keep in mind that I am also aware of the fact that the average conversion rate for such a launch is approximately 8%.

Even knowing that, the true value of my product was blinded by my emotional connection to my product.

I based the value of my product on elements

that have no value to my potential clients.

In order to see the true value in what you are offering from your clients point of view, you need to be able to disconnect yourself emotionally.  Ask yourself, “What value do THEY see in it?” irrelevant of the time, money and effort you have put into it.

Lesson reminder:

When forecasting your results, numbers, sales etc. be realistic. Always take the worst case scenario so your strategy results can be more predictable. Once you’ve achieved your initial numbers everything else will be gravy.

All that being said, if you want to support MY perceived value for MY new book, as it is all about US and OUR products. he he

COMING SOON! “YOUR NAKED CHICKEN”

Fred Sarkari

It was obvious that this man had gained the respect and love of those around him.  Walking through the offices for the first time, it was even more true that the same care, compassion and respect that categorized Ron Russell as the man he was, lived within the people in his office.

It is true that one’s respect can also be felt in the presence of others.

As I walked into his office, I was greeted by a man that instantly put a smile in my heart, It had nothing to do with what he said or did but more so that his presence had an aura of truth.

Ron shook my hand like we were old friends, we looked each other in the eye and at that point in time it was evident that I was never going to get anything less than the truth from this man.

He reminded me of how precious it is to wear your true heart on your sleeve.

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To not only say what you believe in but to live it. To not only share your success but also your struggles, as those are lessons that others can grow from.
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I truly enjoyed our frequent coffees we had as I would sit back and listen to his life journey.  He never shared his journey to gloat about his success and struggles. He always took the time to share with the main purpose to teach us to be better than we are today, to grow and to believe that every struggle we face at this moment will pass and will make us into stronger and empathetic people.

Ron Russell took the time to take care of not only his close friends, but also the community he lived in that became part of his family.
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He asked me the first time we met, “Fred what do you find as one of your struggles just moving into the Okanagan.” I replied, “I miss my niece and nephew as they are further away from me.  It felt like I was distanced from my family.” – That is when he looked me straight in the eye and said, “welcome to your new extended family – you will always have a home here.”

I truly will miss those frequent coffee conversations I had the pleasure of experiencing and growing from.

All those that had the pleasure of knowing Ron Russell know exactly what I mean when I say; there are only a handful of people who come into your world, and touch your life in a dramatic fashion the instant you shake hands for the first time.

Ron, you will be missed but never forgotten.