If your mind is set, you will be unable to change your mindset. For example Christopher Columbus . . .

He was born in 1451 in Genoa, son of a wool merchant and weaver. Do you recall what conventional thinking or "Mindset" was about shape of globe at that time? It was believed to be flat. Not too many sailors sailed too far from shore fearing worst. Columbus' mind was set. It was set for taking risks and exploring new worlds.

Columbus discovered New World on October 12, 1492 at 2:00 a.m. He changed his Mindset and we're still celebrating his courage, boldness, and discoveries.

How you think is everything. For example - where are obvious places to look for new prospects for products and services you sell? Make a list and go ask one of your competitors to do same thing. Now compare lists. Hello - exactly same. Surprise - surprise!

Now make another list and don't tell your competition about this one. Make a list of all un-obvious places you can go to find qualified prospects. Remember this is an un-obvious list and it requires a new and different mindset. It ain't easy but it is good. It isn't quick but it can be profitable for you. But first, you gotta remove shackles on your conventional thinking.

You'll get what you expect - so always expect best to happen to you. Always be positive and expect best. Only one person has keys to your thoughts - you. Put a lid on all negative thinking. If it's negative it's usually related to a past experience.

There are three houses you can choose to live in past, present, and future. You can toss away keys to past and future houses. You can't live there so there's no reason for you to spend any time thinking about them.

Put all your energy in house called "Present or Today." When you wake up in morning and don't see your name in obituary column, consider yourself lucky and do everything to make today a "Masterpiece."

Expect best in these situations:

If they already use your product or service and are totally satisfied, then there's also a good chance that they'll recommend you to others.

However, that won't always happen - people won't necessarily go around singing your praises to other people, unless someone asks them about you.

You can, however, take various actions to improve your chances of getting referrals:

*Ask people - Ask your existing customers if there's anyone else they know who could use your product or service.

*Ask if it's okay to contact them - and if it's okay to use their name

*Ask them - if they'd be kind enough to refer you to other person

*Ask if it's okay to check back - and find out what other person said. (This encourages person you're speaking to - to refer you)

*Offer incentives - Offer free product, a discount or a prize to an existing customer who refers you to a new customer. e.g. If I bring a new member to my health club, my name is entered into a draw for a new car

*Offer a "finders fee" - to anyone who finds you new business or donate money to their charities