Brad Seitz @ Topaz

The power of reaching the bottom and fight back

Exactly 78 days ago I reached the bottom.  I needed to reach that bottom before I could climb back up.  I needed to feel like I did (like crap) and commit to myself and no one else before I could make it better.  I knew what I needed to do but was not sure how I could.  I knew myself - that I needed variety, and change.  And now for 78 days, everyday, I have done what I needed to do.  I did my best - and while I have improved over those days and weeks, I have a lot more to do.

any ideas what I did?

I am trying to get in shape.  78 days ago I pressed play on the DVD player and started P90X.  Everyday I did my best - some good - some awful!  But I kept coming back and pressing play.  I now  am proud of what I have accomplished but my goals have changed.  I reached that first goal to weigh in at less than 200 lbs.  I have not done that for years!  That accomplishment was met.  Now I am shooting for less than 190 lbs.  I am sure after that there will be a new goal - and it might be something as simple as one more pull up, or one more push up.  Just getting better and feeling  better.

And in the end that is all it really is about - feeling better.  So when you think you are ready, you are at the bottom, do not stop and do not give up.  Make a committment to yourself to fight back and regain you, your good feelings and who you should be.  I did it - and if I can do it, anyone can do it!

Ahhh, the danger of emailing

Today I witnessed a interesting email mistake - and it continues to unfold right before my eyes.  You see, it was a few months ago that I responded to a blind email to me from a company in the United States.  This firm talked about creating a video for me that would help describe my services to potential clients.  Their example was simple - yet enticing - and very professional.  And they said they would do the same for me for only $1,000.  I thought I would respond and maybe learn some more.

What happened was I was sold up to something more - a lot more.  They wanted me to buy the full service product which would only cost me $3,000 per month.  Hmmmmm, now my expenditure just went from $1,000 to at least $36,000.  Quite the jump.  Nothing about I could still get that $1,000 video - just the old bait and switch - and I felt like I was baited.  No thanks guys.

But they kept emailing me.

And we all know of those emails we keep getting but either forget to unsubscribe or we keep getting them because we want to.  We also know those emails that we did not sign up for but someone thought it in their best interest.  Here I just did not have the time.  I did not really read them or care anymore.  But I needed to really stop the madness.

Then today I received an email from them and in the "to" field were the names (and email addresses) of about 50 contacts.  OMG.  My email address (and everyone else as well) just was broadcast out to strangers.

and the emails started flying - thankfully because people thought reply all would be a good thing.  "Unsubscribe me"  they started writing.  "Get me off this list", one wrote.  "I have asked multiple times to have my name removed, please!" another said.

And all of these were to the founder and principle of the firm.  And as of right now, there has been NO response - NO apology - NO nothing.  Sad.  How to do business and how not to do business.  We all make mistakes - how we correct them will differentiate yourself from all others.  Now that you have read this, I would suggest you not do business with this company and if you care to know who they are, just send me an email.  I would be glad to help you out.