A rubber band is of no use unless it is stretched. A parachute can’t work unless it is open. From time to time all of us avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable and that can be a problem. It might be what’s holding you back from achieving the success you desire and dream of. So, this week, try something new. Do something you normally don’t do. Get out of your comfort zone.

Here are several suggestions:

• Call a prospect you’ve been wanting to work with and ask if you could meet them for coffee or lunch. Tell them you just want to introduce yourself and will only take 15 minutes of their time.
• Go to a networking event all alone and introduce yourself to at least 10 people; you might think this will kill you, but it won’t; it’s actually fun if you get comfortable with it.
• Go to the gym and get a good workout in; don’t worry about how you look or what you know and don’t know to do; just go there and work up a sweat. Talk to people while you are there.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper and point out all the good things you see about your community. Don’t worry about what people think; just do it.

Look, as a professional speaker, I learned a long time ago I have to step out of my comfort zone to be successful. I am nowhere near as successful as most of the audiences I address, but I do know I have something to offer, I do have confidence in myself and I know I have something to offer. I also know you have something to offer, you just might not realize it yet. And….you will never realize it until you step out of your comfort zone!

Greetings….many of you may know my “little sister” Kathryn works at the National Holocaust Museum. Two weeks ago, Stephen Johns, a security guard there, was shot and killed by a very sick man. I appreciate all the calls and e-mails to ask if she was okay. She’s fine, thank God.

Please read the e-mail my sister received at work. I am asking you to consider sending the family a check. It doesn’t have to be much, $10, $20, or whatever you can send. I know it will help and I’m thinking in a small (or maybe big) way his family will see an outpouring of support that makes them smile. For every person that makes a donation, please write on a sticky note that “Marty Grunder, Kathryn’s brother, told us to send in a check.” Let me know you did this and I will send you a FREE copy of my book. That’s a great deal and we’ll make someone’s day!

Here’s the e-mail:

Dear Council Members,

There are no words to express our heartache and shock over this week’s tragic events, which took the life of Officer Stephen Johns, who died heroically in the line of duty. Officer Johns was an outstanding professional and a dedicated member of our Museum family, serving as a security officer for six years. Known for his outgoing personality and warmth, he was opening the door for an elderly individual who turned out be a hate-filled killer.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Officer Johns’ entire family, and we will be recognizing Officer Johns in several ways. The Museum has established a special fund for the benefit of Officer Johns’ family. To make an online contribution to the USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund click here. Or checks payable to USHMM Officer Johns Family Fund may be mailed to USHMM, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington DC 20024. You may also contribute by calling toll free 877-91USHMM (877-918-7466).

The loss of Officer Johns has devastated our Museum community, but we are very proud of our two security officers who responded so quickly and effectively to this incident, just as they have been trained to do, saving many lives that day. As you know, the safety of our visitors and staff has always been our highest priority.

We are also grateful for the overwhelming support and expressions of condolence we have received from you and our Museum community as well as President Obama, Congress, members of the diplomatic corps, concerned citizens and organizations across the country and around the world.

The Museum was closed on Thursday in honor of Officer Johns. But I am pleased to report that our visitors returned on Friday in full force. We had 8573 visitors—schoolchildren, families, adults, even Girl Scouts—which is far more than our average daily June visitation of 7320. Some were quoted in the media as saying they came as an act of defiance.

It is unconscionable that such an act of violence, fueled by hatred, would occur at a sacred place of memory. This incident underscores the vital importance of our Museum. The Holocaust did not begin with mass murder. It began with hate. The Holocaust reminds us of the dangers of indifference and unchecked hate—and that each of us has a responsibility to confront it. Nothing teaches that lesson more powerfully than the Museum.

Despite our grief and outrage, our staff has returned to work with an even greater commitment to the urgency of our mission.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support, which mean so much to us, especially in this darkest hour. Sara

Many of you who receive this weekly great idea are landscapers; the rest of you, at some point, will hopefully need landscaping. A very successful landscaper in New Jersey I am proud to know is Mark Borst. (Visit his incredible dream at http://www.borstlandscape.com) His company was featured in a recent article and the article makes a lot of good points for all who read this. I see so many people who hire landscapers that don’t know how to plan properly. Landscaping, if done right, will last almost a lifetime and will grow in beauty and value, which is more than can be said about a lot of other investments!

Read the article!

Hello, folks, Marty Grunder here again. Some businesses “get it,” others don’t. One of my best clients is Daryl Schauss. He runs a successful landscaping company outside of Washington, D.C. Recently he sent me an incredible video shot aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. It will make you laugh and it should inspire you to make your work fun and your service even better. I have spoken at length here about “zigging” when everyone else is “zagging.” This is an excellent example of that. Get ready to laugh.

View the video

Daryl, thanks, buddy….this is fantastic!

Have you ever had Dippin’ Dots? I have and I have to admit, I love them. And so do my kids. I met the founder of Dippin’ Dots, Curt Jones, a while back while judging some small business awards. He’s a fascinating individual, to say the least. This week, I want you to read the story about Curt from USA Today and see what you can learn from it. I think you will see that you can never stop thinking and never stop trying to get better. I see a lot of people who are quitting right now. Curt has many reasons to quit and he chooses to keep on trying and it is people like that that will find success.

Read the story here.

Have a great week.