Blog Post

Rockin.com was founded in 1993 by Keith Cason. The intention of this blog is to help people achieve the satisfaction of achievement by motivating them to go make a living even without a job. 

The Wall Street Journal

  • By Kit Cason
  • 05 Jan, 2016

"What's News -" Thursday, May 8, 1980

In The Darkest Dark Of the 'Lilly Pond' Floats Our Reporter

His Sensations Are Strange, But He Finds Relaxation; Can Tank Be a Hot Item?

by Roy J Hanris, Jr.
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal.

     BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -
It is called a sensory isolation tank, a relaxation tank or a "Lilly pond," after its inventor, John Lilly.  But as I face the forbidding-looking black plastic box for the first time, the nickname "coffin" seems most appropriate.

     I'm visiting Samadhi Spa, awaiting my $15, one-hour turn in the pitch-dark, dead-quiet confines of the eight-by-four-by-four foot chamber, where, I'm told, my body will feel weightless as it floats like a cork in a shallow 20% saltwater solution.  Thus deprived of stimuli, I'm supposed to experience-- not boredom or claustrophobia-- but the ability to "relax more completely than ever before," according to the tank's promoters.

   I'm about to discover, to my surprise, that at least on this day, they aren't so very wrong.

 As I'm briefed in the waiting room, not unlike a dentist's except for the big demonstration tank, it is explained that samadhi is an ancient Sanskrit word for "a high state of consciousness."  Right now I'm at the state of consciousness called panic, wishing I'd been assigned to cover a less threatening story--like a prison riot.

Taunts Brushed Off
     Samadhi and other tank maker, Denver-based Float to Relax, Inc., assert that their products will grow hotter than the hot tub as a home-improvement item and could one day become available in street-corner parlors. They brush off taunts that the tanks are narcissistic "me-machines" that will be obsolete when the so-called me generation fades. 
    

     "We're out to become the McDonald's of Relaxation," says Keith Cason, Western distributor of Float to Relax. He maintains that "this isn't a fad; there are 20,000 Valiums consumed in Denver every day, and we're stress-management consultants offering a better way." And Robert Tyhurst, 37-year­ old former financial executive for Exxon and Itel Corp. and now Samadhi's managing partner, envisions his tanks eventually "in every skyscraper," allowing workers "the opportunity for complete privacy."

 It is hard to imagine any such success for a device that has been around for 25 years without catching on. (Dr. Lilly, noted now more for his unusual work with dolphins, used early tanks for various mental-research projects.) Only a few more than 1,000 tanks have been sold, mostly to private solitude-seekers in the last couple of years. And the price of $1,195 to $2,750, including air pump, water filter and heating unit, hardly seems likely to cause a flood of buy­ers.

 Lately the two companies have been competing for the health-club market, a first step out of the narrow category of "meditational aid," where most current users seem to place the tanks. Nautilus-plus, a fitness chain in Southern California, has ordered 12 units from Float to Relax, which recently opened the 13th center of its own, in Philadelphia.

Skepticism  Voiced

 In New York, targeted by Mr. Tyhurst as one of six planned Samadhi regional centers, the only two public Samadhi tanks are at a place called the East-West Center for Holistic Health. (Many orthodox health professionals are likely to be tank skeptics. MIT Prof. Richard Held. who labels Dr. Lilly a "fringe" scientist, says conventional research in the sensory-isolation area was dropped years ago. But Prof. Held, who once did such research, adds that a couple of hours in a tank "shouldn't be a problem" for most people.)

 Meanwhile, back in Beverly Hills, an intense young Samadhi assistant, Ramon Repp, senses from my many nervous questions that I'm more interested in talking about sensory isolation than in trying it.

 Will somebody be around to help if I have trouble? "No," he says curtly. (I'm relieved, though , to try the demonstration tank door and find it opens at a feather's touch, and there's no latch at all.) How will I know when my hour is up? "You'll hear soft music," Ramon answers. and points me toward my private tank room.

 On my way, I reflect how different this experience seems from my several memorable adventures in hot tubs. I'm taking this dip alone.  Really alone.

     My mind is racing as I take the recommended hot shower and shampoo--to keep the tank water clean--before lying naked in the box, I tell myself that I may be able to turn off the light and the sound in my world for an hour, but I'm sure I'll have a tougher time extinguishing the worries I bring in from the outside.

 For one thing, I've been having a spat with my girlfriend. I'm also nervous about another article I'm writing, and I  wonder how the saltwater will affect a recent scratch I suffered on the top of my head.

 I lift the tank lid and climb into the tepid 93.5-degree water. As I lie down. my scalp ' does sting a bit, but right now I'm more concerned about how things will look when I pull the door closed over my head.

 They don't "look'' at all. It is the darkest dark I've ever felt, and it actually seems to lighten when I close my eyes. Breathing is difficult in the stuffy chamber. Also, there's a lot of noise at first; but it's really just my thumping heart and the "narration" I'm getting from my mind, which, after all, is my only companion on this trip. It first recalls the enjoyment I used to get taking baths as a child instead of the showers that now are my morning routine, and then it criticizes itself for the "small" caliber of such thoughts.

 But at least, I notice, the stinging is gone. So are the little waves of water against my skin, and those "outside" wor­ries. Now there IS nothing.

Heartbeat  Returns

 My heartbeat is back. But of course it was never gone; my mind was just on other things. I fret briefly about "freaking out" like some buried Edgar Allan Poe character. Then I remember how easily that door opens, wherever it is.

 When, with practice,  I get really good at floating still, my mind finds itself almost wishing for the stinging to return or even for my toe to touch the tank wall. Anything. It seems my mind won't let me completely relax.

 But as soon as I think that, I begin to feel a strange sensation in my limbs. It is as if there is no difference between my skin and the water, and I begin to fantasize about being part of the water, disappearing into it and no longer being a separate human body. Opening my eyes, I see nothing to dispute the fantasy. My usually argumentative mind now begins to play along with the feeling, and I picture myself lying on a grassy hillside with a warm breeze blowing ever so lightly over me. And now I am the grassy hillside.

 Every now and then I have little "mind attacks," and my body starts as if waking from a sound sleep. But I'm awake, and it's easy, I find, to resume my disappearing act.

On the Beach

 Now I'm running on the beach in a dense fog, and almost vanishing into it. I run effortlessly, and watch an occasional runner glide toward me and vanish into the same fog. In the cloud, now, there is nothing but mind, and heartbeat, and . . . something else. Something like . . . lilting electronic music.

 I guess my time is up, and I guess I can push the door open. In a minute. I feel euphoric, and I sit up slowly, push and step out. I shower and dress, give Ramon  my MasterCard and sign the slip. Someone says "thank you" and I leave.

 Outside, the sunny, warm afternoon seems somehow quieter.  The flowers I pass  as I walk to my car are unquestionably a brighter purple than they were before. Driving home, I notice that I don't want to turn on my radio.

 The air hits me and I come down a bit, thinking that daydreaming on that grassy hillside would be a cheaper form of relaxation.  And for about the same amount I could have had an invigorating massage.  But I'm satisfied with my hour in the tank.

 I stop and buy a bunch of daisies for my girlfriend. And I buy a rose for myself.


Keith Cason (Just make it happen.)

By Kit Cason 04 Feb, 2016

How do you keep your attitude in tip-top shape, no matter what's going on? Maintain your passion, increase your satisfaction and meditate on your purpose. Here are some questions to ask yourself to keep things moving in the right direction: onward and upward!

 

 

1.         MAINTAIN YOUR PASSION

a.       Do you basically love what you do?

b.       Do you do it for your own reasons?

c.       Have you become immersed in your job and your industry?

d.       Do you constantly find ways to upgrade your skills?

e.       Do you have fun?

2.         INCREASE YOUR SATISFACTION

a.       Do you seek to expand your personal experiences and horizons?

b.       Do you work at finding mentors and thus learn from them?

c.         Do you listen to yourself?

d.       Do you read motivating, stimulating subjects?

e.       Do you explore new areas and willingly accept new challenges?

3.         RETHINK YOUR PURPOSE

a.       How much time do you take for self-management?

b.       Have you clarified your primary purpose (both personal and career)?

c.         Is your life reflecting your values and priorities?

d.       Do you have a personal mission statement?

e.       Do you celebrate your uniqueness?

By Kit Cason 04 Feb, 2016

1.   Sell the Salespeople

Give them what they want which is:

2. Verify salespeople have their room arrangements, traveling cash, and first day's per diem, in their hands before departure.

a) Crew Leader handles all issues on the trip. No worries

b) Load product.

c) Supply and help with paperwork.

d) Handle any problems salespeople may have.

The crew leaders ’ sole purpose is to keep the Salespeople working every production hour.

3. Have a definite departure time and date.

4. Stated "Rules of Conduct" while on the trip.
  To be explained to and accepted by all Salespeople.

Reveille:                                             6:30AM

Production hours:               7AM to 5PM. Training Consulting:                         5PM to 7PM Salespeople Free hours:       7PM to 10PM

Lights Out:                             10PM

From 7AM to 7PM the salespeople are under full authority of crew leaders, except in obvious Headquarters matters. From 7PM to 10PM the salespeople are on their own free time.

Daily logs will be maintained by salespeople and seriously reviewed and analyzed by crew leaders. Salespeople will turn in daily logs at end of work. Salespeople who do not make a sale will pitch the crew leaders. Crew leaders will pair Salespeople with Closers.

Salespeople must behave professionally during production hours and on Hotel property. Infractions will be penalized.

5. Crew leaders will be available to Headquarters 24 Hours. Crew leaders will follow all orders, rules, systems, methods, etc. of Headquarters. Crew leaders will make "Field Decisions" only.

 

By Kit Cason 04 Feb, 2016
1. Identify an opportunity to help someone expand on his or her skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Coaching is a chance to help someone enhance his or her performance and add value to the organization. Sometimes, people may ask you for coaching, but don't wait for that to happen. Learn to identify coaching opportunities and act on them at any time.
2. Confirm that the person is ready for coaching.
Before coaching, make sure the person is open to it. If the person seems hesitant, you might try explaining the benefits, but don't insist on coaching someone who simply isn't receptive.
3. Ask questions and offer information to clarify the situation.
Much of coaching involves helping people clarify situations in their own minds. Often, the best way to do this is by asking questions that encourage them to think through the situation aloud.
4. Help the person identify possible actions.
The best coaching enables people to think and act on their own. As you help someone identify immediate actions, you're also preparing the person to work through similar issues without your help.
5. Gain agreement on a course of action.
In coaching, you help someone plan how to handle a situation. To be certain that the session results in positive action, help the person develop an action plan for how to proceed.
6. Offer your support
The ultimate goal of coaching is to enable a person to act independently. Most people need reassurance and support before they can reach that goal. As a coach, you need to let the person know you're available to give further assistance—or further coaching—when it's needed.
By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016

Nevertheless, there are 10 basic qualities that all good sales managers possess. Most can be learned. Here they are; check those you possess.

1. You like people. We hope you already have this quality! (If you don't, you may as well stop here.)

2. You are well organized. Organization is the foundation of everything that you do successfully in life.

3. You have a sense of commitment. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, doubt and always ineffectiveness.

4. You have a strong desire for responsibility. Since you will be judged on results, you know you are responsible for the results of your sales team. And you wouldn't have it any other way.

5. You are persistent in the pursuit of your goals. Recognize the value of persistence. Former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

6. You bring out the best in people. The German philosopher Goethe explained this succinctly when he said, "If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that."

7. You have tolerance. You understand the art of being human includes allowing people to grow by learning through "mistakes." In reality, you realize there are no "mistakes"—only steps to mastery.

 8. You are flexible. New situations call for different actions over time. You need to know when to direct and control and when to follow and discover.

 9. You engage in self-analysis. In a survey, one-third of sales people interviewed were dissatisfied with their manager. Have the guts to accept feedback, and be willing to listen. Along this line, ponder the words of Sigmund Freud: "Work is man's strongest tie to reality.”


10. You have enthusiasm. All the studies done by the Dale Carnegie organization indicate
By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016

Today organizations are working with smaller budgets and fewer people. At the same time, customer expectations are increasing. In this environment making the best use of all employees' skills, knowledge, and abilities is more critical than ever before.

To meet this challenge, many organizations are redefining and expanding the role coaching plays in helping to meet organizational goals. Coaching is no longer a ritual that only managers carry out during scheduled performance reviews and appraisals. Instead, it’s seen as a way for everyone in the workplace to work with, motivate, and support one another—both within and across functional lines.

The goal of coaching is not to provide direction, but for employees to work together to help one another find direction. To accomplish this goal, employees must take on greater personal responsibility in the workplace— not only for their own performance, but also for the performance of others. Instead of saying, “That's not my job," employees must find opportunities to help others:

•         Gain confidence in their own abilities

•         Analyze problems and find solutions

•         Set goals

•         Think of a better approach to their work

•         Find new ways to apply their skills

•         Sort through their fears and concerns

•         Find ways to overcome obstacles

After all, the security of your job may ride on how well others do their jobs. Each employee's success depends on the organization's success—and for the organization to thrive, everybody has to be a coach.

By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016
I need       sales to make my weekly goal.
I need a weekly dollar sales volume of $      
I need a monthly dollar sales volume of $     .
My closing average is       % (be conservative).
I need to see       prospects a week to reach my goal.
I need       new leads a week from my company.
I need       new leads a week from my activities.
I must spend     hours a week generating new leads.
I must make     mail outs per day (to new contacts).
I need       solid appointments per day.
I must make     follow-ups per day.
I need       total prospects in my pipeline (backlog).
I must draft     proposal/contract per day.
I must make     sale(s) per day.
I must get     * reorders.
I need to attend     networking events per month.
Become an active member of     associations/clubs.
I must spend     minutes a day on my attitude.
I must spend     minutes a day educating myself.
I must spend     minutes a day on one major goal.
I must be prepared to do business at all times.
By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016

Is it more important for a manager to be…

  LIKED

TRUSTED

FEARED (The fear of letting a good man down)

RESPECTED

ADMIRED

By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016
If you are reading this blog post sitting on your couch at 10:30 in the morning just go back to sleep. No wonder your girl friend is pissed at you. You are probably the kind of idiot that has to text your girl friend or wife all day long while you should be working. If this is you don't waste your time reading this blog. Go back to thinking about your game score.
A real hustler is up with the sun five days a week. It gives time to be thankful for the opportunities this fine day has to offer. Take some deep breathes, streach out a little then have some breakfast before you go out the door.
By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016
Perhaps more than any other line manager, sales managers are concerned with a range of management activities
By Kit Cason 03 Feb, 2016
How do you keep your attitude in tip-top shape, no matter what's going on? Maintain your passion, increase your satisfaction and meditate on your purpose. Here are some questions to ask yourself to keep things moving in the right direction: onward and upward!


1.       MAINTAIN YOUR PASSION
  a.       Do you basically love what you do?
  b.       Do you do it for your own reasons?
  c.       Have you become immersed in your job and your industry?
  d.       Do you constantly find ways to upgrade your skills?
  e.       Do you have fun?
2.       INCREASE YOUR SATISFACTION
  a.       Do you seek to expand your personal experiences and horizons?
  b.       Do you work at finding mentors and thus learn from them?
  c.       Do you listen to yourself?
  d.       Do you read motivating, stimulating subjects?
  e.       Do you explore new areas and willingly accept new challenges?
3.       RETHINK YOUR PURPOSE
  a.       How much time do you take for self-management?
  b.       Have you clarified your primary purpose (both personal and career)?
  c.       Is your life reflecting your values and priorities?
  d.       Do you have a personal mission statement?
  e.       Do you celebrate your uniqueness?
More Posts

  • Michelle Moriarity

    Michelle Moriarity

    Button
  • Slide Title

    Write your caption here

    Button
  • Rich Froning 4x Reebok CrossFit Games Champ


    Rich Froning
    4x Reebok CrossFit Games Champ

    Button

Advocare 24 Day Challenge









Share by: