America - Greatness In The Making

A young woman, age 18, shares her story to a group of people touring the facilities of the Goodwill of Central Texas. Not a dry eye can be seen among this group of about twenty people.

The young woman is a new employee at Goodwill. She briefly shares her past, that she has a two year old son, and how blessed she is to have brought herself to Goodwill to put her life on a new track. And, how grateful she is for the people who have coached and mentored her to be where she is and for the hope she has of continuing her education to become a paralegal. Goodwill serves and encourages thousands of people like this young woman, every day.

Why Is America The Greatest Country?

The next day, a friend shared a video that challenges a question from another young woman to a panel of people for an answer to the question "Can you say why America is the greatest country in the world?" While all the answers carry some truth with them (and they are actors), the final response gets to the heart of the matter and grabs one's soul with a clear message that the time is now for the People of America to reclaim its greatness. To set aside our fears and embrace what it truly takes for America to once again become that leader in all aspects of humanity, family and community.

Where Do You Stand In Your Community?

I have a unique opportunity to witness this greatness in the making. From the young woman at Goodwill to various other community and church organizations offering a hand up versus a hand out. And, I am blessed to know many successful men and women who have the means and the time to also offer themselves as servants to encourage, coach, mentor, lead and work along side others like the young woman at Goodwill.

In spite of all the negative media, scare tactics of politicians and misguided pundits - there are people in all walks of life, no matter their race, beliefs, points of view or status, who are living and working together in ways that was only a dream a few decades ago. 

While the media pundits parrot meaningless, divisive declarations and politicians rant, rave and blame others - We The People have been pursuing dreams and visions that have created the cornerstone for America to truly become the greatest nation on earth, once again. And, this is not about becoming the greatest. It's more about America being the model for servant leadership to the world.

This is happening deep within our communities. This cannot come from some new or revived government program. Government has its place, but it is not to be the caretaker for all people. Caretakers are for those who cannot care for themselves and those who are dying. Just the word "caretaker" clearly says that one is taking care of another or from this perspective "taking care away" from another. For America to become great again, people must feel and know the dignity of work and making things happen for themselves and others.

When the People thrive, families, schools, places of worship, the workplace and communities thrive. I clearly see and hear how young and old are coming together, setting aside tired, old rhetoric and prejudices in order to participate and work together to make a difference. 

It is happening. Young men and women are listening and hearing the passionate words from the video referenced above. Such impassioned words and the acts of servant leadership they personally witness - give them the hope to believe it is truly possible for them to participate and realize what has been an impossible dream. How are you assisting others to dream and believe in themselves?

I see America's greatness growing by leaps and bounds each day. It is happening through the lives of thousands and thousands of individuals who each day choose to be a better person and pursue a better life for themselves, their families and communities.

Where Are You? Where Do You Want To Be?

Which community do you find yourself and what is your level of collaborative participation?

More about this infographic - Framing Common Sense. (download pdf)

Keep up the great works you are doing,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Author of The Faithful Majority: Common Sense Re-Revisited

What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?

You can easily estimate how much money you will make over your lifetime. Have you ever pondered on your potential to create value for others over your lifetime?

Through my work with ZFactor Group, I get to see people make this simple shift in their mindset. Imagine the possibilities when you focus on creating value for others. My experience is when people do this, their lifetime earnings potential increases substantially.

This is why ZFactor publications focus on Revealing And Releasing Your Untapped Potential. When people choose to think, act and communicate differently, it's like they have finally found that essential key to success.

ZFactor books helps others find their key for success by providing a:

1. Simple map to plot where you are; 
2. Compass to determine the direction you want to go; and, 
3. Guide of defining characteristics to help you know what to do to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Through our various engagements with others - comments from readers, presentations, coaching sessions or workshops - we are continually amazed at how quickly people shift the way they think about their current situation as they recognize where they are and have a simple map. As people embrace thinking differently, they immediately find themselves in the midst of a personal transformation that propels them from me-focus to others-focus. 

There is no complicated formula or long drawn out training or session-after-session with a guru to figure out the meaning of life. It begins with stop focusing on yourself and focus on others. Sometimes, it can even be as simple as a good friend, Peter Strople, describes how one question can create Instant Change. 

It is in this transformation when people immediately become what we refer to as Value Creators. Instantly, their expertise, knowledge, talents and skills can be focused on moving their life forward and/or a new idea, concept, project, team or organization. The result - other people benefit as you increase their financial value and your lifetime financial value potential increases, as well. And, being others focused doesn't have to be about financial value.

So, what's your choice? Will you maintain a me-focus or will you ponder the question - "What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?" If you are ready for Instant Change in your life, you will choose to ponder the question, engage into thinking, acting and communicating differently and develop a deep understanding for making a difference and creating value for others. 

If you choose to ponder the question, I guarantee your life will change and you will experience all you have ever imagined possible and most likely experience the impossible, as well.

Happy pondering...

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

The genesis of this blog is based upon a current engagement by ZFactor Author, Cindy Goldsberry, who is in collaboration with Zilliant, who provides companies with data-driven guidance, enabling smarter pricing and sales decisions to help businesses increase profitable sales. Read Cindy's blog for more information. Learn how Zilliant is definitely a Value Creator for their clients. In fact, they can measure how much more financial financial they provide to their clients.

Other Important Links:

Instant Change (Friends of Peter)

Lifetime Earnings Calculator

What Do Your Choice Of Words Reveal About Your Leadership?

How much do you pay attention to the words you think, speak and write? Highly capable leaders will be aware of the words they use as they craft the various messages they have to deliver throughout their day.

How much do you pay attention to the little words? For example, I-words, we-words and you-words. Interestingly, these little words can reveal your psychological state and how you view your leadership status in a group of other leaders. 

The little words referred to as 'function words' by James W. Pennebaker, PhD of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin,* may ultimately reveal your genuine thoughts, feelings, motivations and to what degree you connect with your audience. Dr. Pennebaker makes this observation from his research:

"High-status people use we-words and you-words at high rates and use I-words at low rates. In fact, this same pattern emerges when people are chatting with each other on the Internet."**

If you catch yourself in a room of leaders and notice you or someone is saying, "I did this... or I've done this... or this is who I am, etc.." this individual may be nervous about being the room of other leaders and trying to prove something.

The research has also proven this holds true through internet communications, as well. Look back over some of your communications by email or online conversations. If you consider someone to be of higher status than yourself, you might notice you have used more I-words. Likewise, if you are communicating with an employee you most likely have used more we-words and you-words. For fun, look at your LinkedIn invitations you receive and send. Which ones have more I-words?

This just touches on the extent of this interesting research into how language reveals more about us than we know. I tend to think of it as the body-language of language. The little words can reveal more about us than all the nouns, verbs, names, adverbs, etc... we put our primary focus.

This knowledge can help leaders to more quickly understand themselves and the people they work with. And, most importantly, be another tool in your coaching-mentoring development toolkit.

I highly encourage you to learn more from the website and book [links below].

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

* The Secret Life of Pronouns [website]
** Pennebaker, James W. (2011-08-23). The Secret Life of Pronouns (p. 182). Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. [book link]

Your Blog Can Predict Your Success Or Failure

How you write and the words you use can make a difference and predict your success or failure in achieving your goals. Do you really want to make a change in your life to achieve greater success? How about lose weight, make more money or check an item off your bucket list?

Blog about your personal goals. Not just listing your goals, but write and talk about how you feel whether or not you are achieving your goals.

Cindy K. Chung*, Dept of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, researched bloggers writing styles in reference to losing weight. The research found that bloggers who wrote about their attitudes, feelings and emotions were more successful at losing weight than bloggers who wrote about their food intake.

I know this sounds very counter intuitive, but consider this. Think about the success people have when they fully engage in a mastermind group, roundtable of like minded professionals or Plus Your Life, Google community.

Participants will initially set their goals and then begin discussing their practices, disciplines and emotions relative to the process of achieving those goals. Apparently, the research shows that people who do this in their blogs are more successful in achieving their goals.

If you are really serious about achieving your goals, stop making daily lists of what you are doing and start writing about your feelings and emotions about it. Better yet, write about it and talk about it with your friends. And, the more frequent you do it, the faster you achieve your desired results.

Funny story: My wife used to weigh herself every morning. The scale was next to the breakfast table where our youngest son, then age 5 (now 19), had observed his Mother doing this. One morning, he asks, "Mom, why do you weigh your feet every day?" After that, it became less important to weigh herself everyday and she moved the scale back to our bathroom.


* Cindy's research is based upon the research by James W. Pennebaker, PhD of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Cindy Chung research overview [pdf]
• James W. Pennebaker, The Secret Life of Pronouns [website] [book]

Keep on blogging what you really think about achieving your goals, 

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Entrepreneurial Leaders Do What Matters

"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." ~ John Wesley

These are times of rapid change, uncertainty and opportunity that call forth leaders with a deep desire to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy in business, community, church and government. People want to be part of something that matters. Yet, the challenges of getting others willing to confront the issues at hand and execute workable solutions require leaders who have the adaptive capacity to get others on the same page and moving in the same direction, at the same time. Leaders must have a deep understanding of what it takes to be highly effective and influential leaders. 

Leadership is no longer about declaring the vision or direction and then looking to see who is following and then focus on those who follow. This is a time for leaders to embrace the heart of a servant and spirit of the warrior. Authentic servant leaders observe all that exists around them and apply what they learn to develop a deep understanding of the art and science of leadership. Each must put forth the required time and effort to make themselves authentic servant leaders with a clear focus on others and set the course for things to come. Great leaders throughout history maintain a sense of providence as to who they are, where they are and what they are called to do. The opportunity, like no other time in history, is the possibility to create a world great leaders throughout history have desired to make reality.

Those who choose to pursue this leadership opportunity quickly realize the process to become an authentic servant leader involves reconciling immense personal and professional challenges. Change becomes a way of life. Leadership is a self-development process that requires daily attention as society requires leaders to have a servant-focus, be of solid character and maintain high standards in leadership practices and principles. Leaders are expected to continually learn and with a trusted mentor become a highly capable leader who knows themselves, cares about people and has a deep understanding of the business or organization they steward. 

For those leaders who answer this call into servant leadership, the Servant Leader Framework serves as a highly effective methodology for thinking and processing through all the situations, possibilities, challenges, changes and complexities of leadership.

This xy graph or ZMap becomes a ‘one page book’ for those who desire to know and understand who they are as an entrepreneur and servant leader. This simple xy graph provides clarity and focus on what to do to get to where you want to be. The challenge for entrepreneurs is reconciling their desires for success with doing good to make a difference. For those entrepreneurs who can stay focused on both success and doing good at the same time will know what it means to go from success to significance. It is possible to have it all. Just look at all the entrepreneurial leaders who have proven this is true. This is one of the ZMaps in my upcoming book The Servant Leader Framework.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Jimmy V - A Coaching Legacy Seeking Cancer Cures

What challenges, issues, concerns and problems did you wake up with today? Most of us woke up with normal stuff. The important question, no matter your issues, what sort of attitude did you have and do you have? 

In July 1992, Jimmy Valvano woke up knowing he was dying of cancer. In spite of this challenge, Jimmy V believed and modeled "be enthusiastic everyday and don't every give up." And, he lived that way long before he knew he had cancer.

This is one of the fundamental truths I write about on a regular basis. Who you are everyday determines who you will become. When Jimmy V woke up that fateful morning, he was able to treat it like another day because he had rock solid habits and disciplines of the way he had lived every other day of his life. 

I was once again reminded of Jimmy V, as I watched the University of Texas and Georgetown play in the 2012 Jimmy V Classic in the Madison Square Gardens. As the game progressed and highlights of Jimmy V were shown, I knew Jimmy V would be the subject of my next blog on legacy.

Throughout his coaching career, Jimmy V encouraged others to do three things everyday:

1. Laugh
2. Think - spend time in thought.
3. Have your emotions move you to tears.

At ZFactor Group, we definitely laugh. Listen to a Blogtalk Radio Show "Two Old Sales Guys and Sales Diva." The premise of our books is "successful people think and act differently." And, when you get to know us, we are passionate about caring about one another, everyone we know and every one of our clients. 

You can listen to Jimmy's 1993 ESPY Speech, where he exclaims while reviewing the three things to do everyday, "that's a heck of a day! Do it seven days a week and you'll have something special." Jimmy V's something special has become an enduring legacy through the Jimmy V Cancer Research Foundation. Wikipedia Jimmy V. 

"You have to know where you started, 

where you are and where you want to be." 

This quote from Jimmy's speech, sums up much of what we believe and seek to deliver in ZFactor Books and Coaching. This quote is the foundation of the ZFactor methodology. ZFactor books help you know who you are, where you are and how to get you to where you want to be. 

As Jimmy V says, "you have to have an enthusiasm for life, a dream, goal and be willing to work for it."

If you are ready to accelerate getting to where you want to be, please take a moment to check out the ZFactor series of books on Amazon and get more info at the ZFactor Group website.

Don't every give up,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

What You Think Determines Your Legacy. Where Are You?

You are here. Welcome. Not to be flippant with you, but you are here, right now. Thank you for being here and taking some of your valuable time. I promise to create some value for you.

What are you thinking and saying to yourself, right now? What will you be thinking, saying and doing when you finish reading this? Will you stop reading here and go on about your day or will you take another few moments that will make a difference for you and your legacy?

60,000 Thoughts a Day

You have 60,000 thoughts a day. What percentage are positive and what percentage negative? How many of those thoughts are focused on where you are and who you are being now? 

How will you spend your day? What will be your dominant thoughts and actions throughout the day? At any moment, you can take a breath and check in on your thoughts and what you are saying to others. And, you can choose to make appropriate changes that work for you and others around you.

You are what you think. What you think influences what you do and what you do determines where you are. On a scale of 1 to 10 how does where you are now represent where you want to be and ultimately your legacy? 10 being you are definitely in your sweet spot.

Thinking is a Skill - Needs to be Developed

This is not rocket science, nor is it some new age mumbo jumbo. Thinking is a skill to be learned and developed. How would you rate your ability to think about what you want to think about? How often does someone's statement or some comment on TV make you react with a statement that just flies out of your mouth like someone pushed the Play button on a video? 

3 - 3 - 3

Before you speak think 333.

1. Count to three (3).
2. Have you said what you are going to say three (3) times or more?
3. Will what you say make a difference three (3) minutes from now, three weeks, three months, three hundred years...?

Take the next few moments and notice how many of your thoughts are influenced by some external stimulus. If the majority of your thoughts and what you say are stimulated by external sources, you have not developed your most valuable asset - your thinking skills.

Think of a time when you intentionally shifted your thinking from negative to positive. Learning to shift your thinking from inside is not only a good skill to develop, it is the most essential skill necessary for achieving your goals and ultimately leaving a legacy that makes a difference.

Thought + Action = Result

If you want to know your past thoughts and actions, simply assess where you are now, your results. If you want to change your future results, change the way you think and the actions you take. What thoughts and actions will give you the results you want? 

It really is this simple and it takes real intention and work to make it happen.

What you think will determine your legacy.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Authentic Legacy - Zig Ziglar

A few of my favorite +Zig Ziglar quotes in celebration of his life, legend and legacy.

• "Your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude."
• "Every choice you make has an end result."
• "If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you'll never end up with a nag."
• "If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society He would have given us Ten Suggestions and not Ten Commandments."
• "It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference."

Prayers and blessings to the Ziglar family and to all Zig Fans. I am a better man, husband, father, businessman, salesman and leader because of Zig Ziglar and a few other book mentors I discovered early in life and at the beginning of my business career. Zig has joined Og Mandino, Dale Carnegie, W. Clement Stone, Napoleon Hill and Earl Nightengale for a major God Special Universe Tour.

Thank you, Mr. Ziglar (Zig) for the legacy you have created that will make a difference for generations to come. Thank you for showing us all the way.

"...it's what you use that makes a difference."

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Glowing Embers Refreshed

Updating this blog post for folks in APE: Authors, Publishers, Entrepreneurs Community. I highly recommend you check it out if you have not joined the community and you are an aspiring or accomplished author.

I have noted several postings in the community about having a book in me or I know I want to write a book, someday. Maybe this will give you a little perspective and inspiration to get 'er done.

A Glowing Ember defines people who have genuinely lived with "fire in the belly" and have sustainable success to prove it. Their stories of success inspire others yet the challenges they have overcome astound and leave you in a sense of awe and wonder for how they did it. They have lived through those times when their "fire in the belly" consumed all of them - body, mind, heart, and soul. Many have endured a crucible life event, some medical, others physical and mental. In the midst of this time of "personal quest" or "crucible" they expanded their capacity and capabilities for doing good while pursuing their dreams and passions. And now, many of these once "fire in the bellies" driven to accomplish big goals have become glowing embers covered by a fine dust of ash. Whether by their choosing or a society slowly learning to honor and respect this vast wisdom, knowledge and expertise available for achieving greatness, only imagined. Herein lays a vast untapped human and spiritual potential never seen before and ready to become a roaring fire again.

A light breeze blowing across these glowing embers can ignite forest fires of possibilities for doing good, contributing to and serving others. The release of this potential has been longed for by all of humanity and imagined as possible throughout all history. It is no longer the dreams of prophets and writings of the philosophers. These possibilities for doing good for others have become the reality within every neighborhood, workplace, place of worship,  and school across the entire planet. Many of these Glowing Embers are fully engaged in this fast paced techno-mobile world and glowing ever brighter - attracting the attention of authentic leaders. Others may need an authentic leader to recognize them and be that light breeze of encouragement to bring forth their untapped potential.

Throughout all history, Glowing Embers are the mark of an aging and maturing population. The distinction today is the vast numbers of Glowing Embers who are healthy and highly capable with the wisdom and capacity to imagine the possibilities and take the necessary actions to make it happen. They envision and embody a sense of servant-hood, mentoring, and servant-leadership. All the traits, behaviors and characteristics truly recognized as essential for creating value. They expect to continue to be actively using knowledge, skills, and expertise they have acquired over a lifetime and they are continually learning. It is who they are, where they are, what they do and have always been.

This xy graph (ZMap) presents how a Glowing Ember is positioned for mastery to mentor others and be builders of other leaders and communities as they refine their skills to now apply their highly developed capabilities and match that with an expansive capacity for managing change and dealing with the uncertainties of life and organization.


Glowing Embers have achieved success, most often unnoticed and without acknowledgement as to the impact and results they produced for their organizations. They do what they do, not driven by the need for fame and fortune, but because it is who they are. They are Value Creators. They have developed and refined essential skills and behaviors with intensity and focus on excellence. Most of all they care deeply about making a difference in every situation they find themselves. They embody the core values of the organization without compromise to their personal values and consistently exceed expectations.

Glowing Embers desire to be part of making big things happen that make a difference for others, their neighborhoods, communities, and the planet. Take a moment to consider who the Glowing Embers are near you. You may be one yourself.

This topic will be explored more deeply in upcoming blog posts and XY Glowing Embers will be recognized and acknowledged in order to more clearly distinguish who they are and what they are doing today to make a difference. If you have any suggestions or want to share your Glowing Ember story, please feel welcome to provide your comments.

Are you a Glowing Ember? Interested in discussing a collaboration with ZFactor Group Publishing to publish a book related to your area of business expertise? Click here for more info on the ZFactor Group website.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Are You a Glowing Ember?

A Glowing Ember defines people who have genuinely lived with "fire in the belly" and have sustainable success to prove it. Their stories of success inspire others yet the challenges they have overcome astound and leave you in a sense of awe and wonder for how they did it. They have lived through those times when this "fire in the belly" has consumed all of them - body, mind, heart, and soul. Many have endured a crucible life event, some medical, others physical and mental. And now, many of these once "fire in the bellies" driven to accomplish big goals have become glowing embers covered by a fine dust of ash. Herein lays a vast untapped human and spiritual potential never seen before and ready to become a roaring fire again.

A light breeze blowing across these glowing embers can ignite forest fires of possibilities for doing good, contributing to and serving others. The release of this potential has been longed for by all of humanity and imagined as possible throughout all history. It is no longer the dreams of prophets and writings of the philosophers. These possibilities for doing good for others have become the reality within every neighborhood, workplace, church, and school across the entire planet. These Glowing Embers reside in every neighborhood, school, place of work, place of worship, and throughout the various community activities. Most of these Glowing Embers only need an authentic leader to recognize them and be that light breeze of encouragement to bring forth their untapped potential.

Throughout all history, Glowing Embers are the mark of an aging and maturing population. The distinction today is the vast numbers of Glowing Embers who are healthy and highly capable with the wisdom and capacity to imagine the possibilities and take the necessary actions to make it happen. They envision and embody a sense of servant-hood, mentoring, and leadership. All the traits, behaviors and characteristics truly recognized as essential for creating value. They expect to continue to be actively using knowledge, skills, and expertise they have acquired over a lifetime and they are continually learning.

This xy graph (ZMap) presents how a Glowing Ember is positioned for mastery to mentor others and be builders of other leaders and communities as they refine their skills to now apply their highly developed capabilities and match that with an expansive capacity for managing change and dealing with the uncertainties of life and organization.


Glowing Embers have achieved success, most often unnoticed and without acknowledgement as to the impact and results they produced for their organizations. They do what they do, not driven by the need for fame and fortune, but because it is who they are. They are Value Creators. They have developed and refined essential skills and behaviors with intensity and focus on excellence. Most of all they care deeply about making a difference in every situation they find themselves. They embody the core values of the organization without compromise to their personal values and consistently exceed expectations.

Glowing Embers desire to be part of making big things happen that make a difference for others, their neighborhoods, communities, and the planet. Take a moment to consider who the Glowing Embers are near you. You may be one yourself.

This topic will be explored more deeply in upcoming blog posts and XY Glowing Embers will be recognized and acknowledged in order to more clearly distinguish who they are and what they are doing today to make a difference. If you have any suggestions or want to share your Glowing Ember story, please feel welcome to provide your comments.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing