Some people are addicted to talking.

A mere interjection, comment, the slightest question will catapult such a person into a talking fit.

I have a neighbor who can't stop talking. Intelligent. Well-meaning. We could be friends. But her endless chatter destroys the connection. She's a veritable time-thief.

Internet marketing gurus are increasingly like my neighbor: Clever, decent, but addicted to talking at me through email and web-speak.

Don't get me wrong. Marketing gurus have crucial information to impart. Gurus are not spammers. We voluntarily opt into their list. Entrepreneurs and small business owners, in particular, can gain enormously from guru products and services.

But endless "guru-speak" also robs our time.

Guru-fiction is the worst time thief of all. A renown guru sent an email this week bolding stating that he built his first website only a few months ago.

Excuse me? The very same email links the reader to a website describing years of phenomenal success. I've purchased several of his products and receive his emails on a regular basis. I ADMIRE this fellow. So why does he steal my time with such fiction?

Because he's addicted to guru-speak.

Guru "sad-speak" is the worst offense. The marketing guru claims he was once so poor (and sick) that he was living at the bottom of the proverbial barrel.

A famous guru sent an email claiming that there was a time when he couldn't afford to eat.

So I phoned his office to verify this claim. Was this guru EVER poor? I asked. An honest staff person hemmed and hawed..."No, not really."

The guru never experienced a day of poverty in his life. Yet, he robs my time with this hogwash.

I wish he would simply tell me more about his products.

But he can't stop. He's on a high... from my time.

Here are steps YOU can take to stop the blarney and start getting the services you really need from the top gurus:

1) Before you open guru email, quickly ask yourself: Is MY time worth the possible benefit of reading THIS particular email message?

2) Scan, do not read. Gurus often repeat the same key paragraphs several times in a typical sales letter. You probably read most of it before.

3) Go directly to the last paragraph to find out what the guru wants you to buy.

4) Plan the precise number of hours you're willing to devote daily to guru-speak.

5) Reduce guru-speak by at least 30 minutes a day. Use time saved to develop your own business.

Or...simply delete the email! Your guru will be speaking to you again--sooner than you think.

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Copyright by Dr. Joyce Starr