The Mirror of Life

I had a couple of jobs that I hated, just hated.  It was bad. 

I hated waking up in the morning, it was that bad. 

Whenever I thought of work the day before going to work, I would feel sick.  It was THAT bad!

It wasn't that the work was hard, difficult or un-fulfilling -- it was the environment. Actually, to tell the truth, it was the bosses.  I hated them!  Which was not like me at all because I like people.

My family laughs at me because I like people so much, I rarely see their faults.  I always have an excuse for them or I'm really sympathetic of their circumstances. I find myself explaining to my family why that person does what they do, or way they are the way they are.  And I'm afraid that I obnoxiously point that out at every turn.

But these two bosses were different, I could not stand them.  Everything they did irritated me. 

I found them irrational, emotional, always picking at at little things and letting big things fall apart.  The things they should have been concerned about they would just brush off.  They where demanding in ridiculous ways, wanting the impossible not from themselves, but from everyone around them. But what was most frustrating, was their obvious fear of their "power."  Basically, they were unsure of their power and tried to hide behind others. 

This fear manifested into forcing their "stuff" (insecurity, worry, paranoia, trust issues) onto their employees (mainly me) to manage.  While at the same time, of course, their employee's life, problems or emotions couldn't and shouldn't interfere with work.  To top it all off, they would threaten your job and would get really upset if an employee threatened to voluntarily leave.

They played this perverse game of not communicating their expectations but never apologizing when the outcomes of their actions showed evidence of this fault.  Inconsiderate of people's time, appointments and meetings schedules, especially when they clearly don't like the person.  Promise things to people and then drop the duty of fulfilling the promise onto an employee (usually me) to complete it.

All these things were really getting to me, making me hate my life.

Eventually, I had enough of this abusive life and quit.  These types of bosses seem to never actually fire anyone.  I guess the "threat" of termination is where the power is.  

In any case, it took me years after these incidents to understand that I went through this "trial by fire" to show me what I don't want.  Let me explain.

Today, I am lead over a marketing and communication department of a small organization in my community as well as CEO of my own communications company.  At this point in life, I am considering and actually hiring people to work for me and now I'm conscious of what type of boss I will am.

In helping people gain wealth, open businesses and employee people, I realize that the most successful of them have a clear idea of several things and can easily answer these questions:

1.  What type of boss do I want my people to consider me to be? 

Do I want people to think of me as fair?  Do I want my employees to "like" me?  Do I want my employees to think I have their best interest at heart?  Do I want them to respect me?  Do I want them to fear me?  Do I want them to be loyal to me?  Do I want them to think I'm intelligent? Hard-working? Professional?

 
2.  What type of atmosphere do I want for my office, my organization?

Do I want a "fun" office atmosphere where everyone is always smiling and being creative?
Do I want a "quiet" office atmosphere where everyone is focused?  Do I want a laid-back environment or a conservative environment?  Will the office be noisy?  Busy?  Somber? Will it be colorful or tastefully conservative?  Will there be plants all around?  Will it be open concept or will people have offices?   


3.  In my ideal dreams, what would my organization "look like" or "be like"?

Will it be big or small? Will it be structured traditionally with me at the top with a corner office and everyone subordinate to me?  Will it be team-driven where titles mean nothing and projects are the prime focus?  Will it be diverse?  Will it represent the community it is in?  


These questions really matter.  It not only matters toward your success, because seriously, if you can envision it, then you can DO it!  It matters toward your LIFE and the LIFE of the people that will be around you.  Let's face it, the bosses I hated were not getting "the best" out of their employees and truly dampened their potential.  This was all because these bosses could not look inward and deal with their issues, so their issues leaked out in their work.  Working with them was simply a waste of energy and a waste of time.  And frankly, it just opened the door for other organizations to swoop up good employees (yes, I'm a GREAT employee, if I do say so myself) and help skyrocket these other company's success, gains and efforts by doing so.

I am truly grateful for my "bad boss" experiences.  It puts me in check for my next grand moves in hiring, supervising and succeeding with my employees.  But the key to my success will be . . . the work I did BEFORE the employees came on board.  Answering the three questions above and looking in that mirror of life asking myself "What kind of boss will I be?"

Look in the mirror.  What kind of boss will you be?

Take this Quiz:  What Kind of Boss Are You?





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IF YOU WIN THE LOTTERY: A simple way to keep your riches

There are so many stories of how people lose their winnings when they have a windfall, such as winning the lottery.  Here is a simple way to keep your windfall working FOR you for years!

It's really simple.  Ready?

Let's say you've won the lottery.  Let's imagine the smallest win in California which is $7 million.

If you take the cash value of that win, you can say goodbye to 50% of the winnings.  So, you actually get a lump sum of $3.5 million.  Oh but wait, you have to pay your taxes!  If you consider Federal and State Taxes subtract 40%.

So, take your $3.5 million x .40 = $1,400,000.  Now $3,500,000 - $1,400,000 = $2,100,000


So, ultimately you will receive a check for $2,100,000 (they actually wire it to your account, but I digress).  Now let's create simple steps to make your life better for the rest of your life.


Step 1.  Hire a tax advisor, financial advisor and attorney.  It's very important that you do this first because these guys can help you avoid taxes & fees and keep people who will try to take your money (troublemakers) away from your winnings.  This should cost you no more than $25,000 initially (warning: if they want more than that, find another advisor)
($25,000)

Step 2. Get rid of debt.  Most U.S. Citizens have no more than $100,000 in debt.  Let's just say for this exercise you have $100,000 in debt.
($100,000)

Step 3.  Charity brings good karma and is a great tax deduction, so take 10% of your winnings and give to charity.
($210,000)

Step 4.  Play time!  What good is winning anything if you don't take some of that money and play with it.  You have permission to spend (some) of your winnings on frivolous things you've always wanted.  Take 10% and play, play, play
($210,000)

Step 5.  Now take the rest of your winnings and put it in a safe investment yielding at least 6% per annum. Your financial advisor will be able to tell you were you can find investments that will yield 6-10% in interest SAFELY.  For this exercise we'll calculate with a conservative 6%, your financial advisor may be able to help you gain a higher yield.

You have $2,100,000 (cash winnings) - $545,000 (Steps 1-4) = $1,555,000

So,  $1,555,000 x .06% = $93,300 per year.

If you keep this cash winnings in this investment, never touch that $1,555,000 million and leave it in that account you will receive at minimum $93,300 per year.  This is your yearly salary, without working a 9-5 job, automatically.  With no debt, could you live on $93,300 a year?

I don't know about you, but I sure can!

And as long as you take out $93,000 a year from your account or LESS, you will always be a millionaire.  If you decide to take LESS than $93,000 a year  . . . say $75,000 a year, you will grow your million into multi-millions within a few years!

And THAT is how you win the lottery, live well and still have millions YEARS later.

Now that you have a concrete plan if you win the lottery.  Go buy a ticket!  And good luck.

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Never Give Up on Your Dream!

What can I say?  Time passes.  Are you still fighting for your dream or have you given up on it? My dream has always been the same - (1) to be a successful business woman making six-figure income from my own business and having the freedom to enjoy my family and loved ones.  (2) To write for a living and do all the things that I love to do so that work feels like FUN.  (3) To help people gain their dreams so that I can have powerful and influential friends.  I hope you have joined me in my adventure.  

Happy 2015 everyone!

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Do people recognize as soon as they meet you?

I'm not sure if you all know the story about my climb to gain powerful and influential friends.  If not, listen up, it's important because it demonstrates the power of THE MIND.  It also solidifies the notion that YOU are the controller of your life and your life experience.  Seriously, if you want to have something, be something or do something . . . you have to CONVINCE yourself that you have it already.  That's it.  That's the secret.


I know about this secret because it happened in MY LIFE.  Yes, I lived it!  So, I can tell you with confidence that this simple truth really works.  In my case, one day I was getting a guest list together for a big event.  My husband and I were going to get all our friends together for an elegant celebration.    I was looking through the list to note if we had some prominent people in it, so I could entice some of the reluctant friends to come to the event (I have a set of friends that just want to sit around the house and watch sports and stuff.  It is often a task to get them to unstick their butts from their couches.) As I was compiling the list and, taking the hint from Santa, checking it twice . . . I realized that my husband and I were the most powerful and influential of all of our friends.  


What a sad statement, because my husband and I  (at the time) were broke nobodies.  


I looked at the list and realized, that all these people came to US for advice.  All these people came to US for a loan of money when things got tight.  All these people did the same things (usually not much of anything) day in and day out.  All these people never did anything daring or exciting or different.  Basically, if my husband and I were in a pinch financially, legally, employment-wise, spiritually . . . we were basically on our own.  Wow.  


Kind of distraught, I went to my husband and said, "Look at this!  We are the most power and influential of our friends.  This is crazy -- this is wrong.  Shouldn't we have people we can go to for advice?  Shouldn't we have people we consider mentors?  Shouldn't we be around people that we at least aspire to be like?"


My husband calmly looked at the list and said:  "Yes.  But here's the thing, if you want powerful and influential friends you have to seek out powerful and influential people.  Those types of people are busy doing cool stuff.  They don't just fall in your lap.  You have to seek them out.  You have to make an effort to be all the things powerful and influential people like.  You have to be interesting, knowledgeable, fun, adventurous, different, approachable, understanding and positive.  You have to be all those things FIRST to attract them.  You have to want powerful and influential friends CONSCIOUSLY."


So, I started conditioning myself.  I started telling myself that I'm interesting.  That I'm unique.  That my life is fun and I do fun stuff and interesting people would LOVE to be around me.  I started looking around for new friends that were doing daring things that I've always wanted to do.  I kept prepping my MIND, saying to myself:  "My life is interesting and fun.  I'm going to meet interesting people and I'm gonna do interesting things that I've always wanted to do and some new things that I haven't thought of yet."


Suddenly, I started recognizing all types of opportunities that came my way.  Invitations to parties and events.  Opportunities to travel.  Opportunities to meet people outside my current circles.  Opportunities to learn new stuff.  I said YES to the majority of them (didn't have enough time to say YES to all of them).  


About a year later, I realized I had added a whole new circle of people into my life.  And because of those people, I was doing a lot of things I hadn't before.  I was doing fun things. My life was richer, better and much more interesting!  I was looking forward to weekends.  I was telling old friends that they had give me much more notification of events they planned because I was BOOKED for the next two to three weekends with really cool stuff to do! And really cool people to do it with!


Do you want an more interesting life, with interesting people, doing interesting stuff? Then YOU have to believe that your life is interesting, full of interesting people doing interesting things.  YOU have to believe it before anyone else does!


Don't believe me?  Here is Dave Chappelle describing his first encounter with Kanye West before Kanye was known by anyone.  Dave Chappelle says, when he met Kanye, he "knew" he was a star.  












Do people recognize your potential as soon as they meet you like Dave Chappelle did Kanye West?  Maybe it's because you are not convinced yet what type of life you want to lead.  I want a life full of powerful, influential and interesting people -- and I'm in the process of getting that.  Kanye wanted to be a star -- and he got that.  What is your life supposed to look like?


All I know is . . . right now, mostly because of you guys, my life is dope!









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The "I QUIT" Fund

What is the first thing you should start today, if you already haven't?  Your "I Quit" Fund. Really, it's your freedom fund.  It gives you a sense of confidence and freedom.  When a person has an "I Quit" fund, they interview for a job differently.  With an "I Quit" fund, they walk around the job differently.  They seem fearless, crazy confident and amazingly attractive.

Hard to believe, huh?

I tell all my friends that they should create an "I quit" fund.  You should too! 

What's an "I Quit Fund"? It's simply what financial advisers call an emergency fund.  It's a stash of money that takes care of up to 3-6 months of household expenses, in case you lose your job.  Or in case you simply decide you can't stand your job, not one more day . . . not one more moment.

There are so many horror stories about bad bosses, crazy co-workers and dysfunctional working environments it's unreal.  We, as employees, take all kinds of abuse because we need the "security" of a paycheck.  But really, should we take that stress and abuse?  We work hard, shouldn't we assure ourselves of a LIFE as trade off for the hours spent with people that we don't voluntarily choose to hang around?

Begin your "I quit" fund.  Start today.  Stash away $10 or $20 or more.  That's what I did.  I stashed away a few dollars every week and I do it to this very day.  Back then, whenever I got some extra money: a tip, a bonus, a raise, I put the money aside.  Whenever I worked a side gig, I stashed away half of whatever I earned.  Soon, I had over $500 in my little secret fund.  I decided that I wanted my money to grow faster than I could save it or earn it, so I put the money where it would grow.  Within a few months, I had a paycheck worth of savings.  Slowly, but surely I was starting to realize my freedom.

Amassing my "I quit" fund got down-right addictive.  I would save up a paycheck worth of "I quit" funds before I would deposit it into my little mutual fund (that was the way I grew my money).  I did this simply because I liked to count my money after a particularly hard day at work.  I would sit there going with stacks of hundred- and twenty-dollar bills, literally touching my freedom.  It felt damned good knowing that I had enough money to scream out "I quit" and at least be able to survive for 30 days before going hungry.  It was a heady feeling . . . a feeling of true freedom.  

Indeed, that money came in very handy.  Eventually, an ethical dilemma came up on my job.  I had a discussion with my boss about the unethical practice we were embarking in. I told him that I did not feel comfortable doing the task that the company wanted me to do.  He demanded that I continue with the process or endanger my employment.  I quit.  

Everyone was flabbergasted!  How could I quit?  Didn't I need my job?  What would I do next?  All types of questions flew around me. No one understood, how I was brave enough, free enough, to actually quit . . . not my boss, not the other employees, not anyone.  I walked out the door, very satisfied with myself.  Feeling a total control over my life that few people ever feel.

Since that day, I have been hooked on saving.  Even if I save $1 a day, that's one dollar closer to my FREEDOM.   It feels good not being a slave to a job, or a career, or the dictates of superiors in an organization.  

How do you create a little bit of freedom in your life?

If you like this article, you should read:

• 14 Reasons You Know It Is Time to Quit
• Why I Won't Apply for Your Job
• Money & Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Money is Everywhere!
• If SHE Can Save . . . 
• Your Six Figure Income

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14 Reasons You Know It Is Time To Quit Your Job

1.  When a four day weekend is not enough.

2.  When your kids have a week long school break and suddenly, you wish you were in middle school again.

3.  When you get that sinking feeling every Sunday night at 11:05PM without looking at a clock.

4. If your boss's favorite band is Venom. (Their hit song is: Welcome to Hell)

5.  When you say in your head (referring to your boss) "If she says that one more time . . ."

6.  If you walk into the office 20 minutes early and you're still sweating.

7.  If lunch time is the height of your day.

8.  If your  bathroom breaks start being longer than 20 minutes.

9.  Three executives turn in their resignations on the same day and scream out "See you later sucka's!" as they burn rubber out of the parking lot.

10. Every time you see a 4 x 8.5 inch piece of pink paper you jump out of your skin.

11.  You overhear the word "bankruptcy" in hushed tones at the monthly Executive Team Meeting.

12.   You saw your boss naked by the recycled packing peanuts - you didn't stay long enough to find out why.

13.  You did a stripper pole dance at the company's holiday party, have no recollection of event, but discovered footage on YouTube (you got 15,499 views though!).

14.  You have this unyielding yearning and urge to follow your dream and time is running out.

All of these are really good reasons to quit your job.  But number 14 is the best reason.  

Don't be a chump.  You would most likely have your resume in circulation for any of the reasons numbered 1-13.  Don't disregard 14.  

You are worthy of following and fulfilling your dreams.  And okay, maybe you can't see your life without a job that pays the bills.  Maybe you don't actually believe that your dream could sustain you and your family.  That's fine, believe that for now.  Then at every waking moment of your life, outside of your job and immediate obligations . . . work toward your dream.  Every minute you can, even if it's only 30 minutes a day.  A little progress is . . . guess what? . . .progress! 

So today, promise me.  Even it's imaginary.  Even if it's in your head.  Quit your job.  And grab onto your dream.


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Don't Wait to HAVE it to LIVE it

"Brand yourself for the career you want, not the job you have." ~ Dan Schawbel, author of Promote Yourself and Managing Partner of Millenial Branding

We are so backwards!  We just seem to not understand how life's process works.  If no one has dared explained it to you yet, here it is: To have something you really want, you must do that thing before gaining any reward.  

There, I said it.  The old adage: "I'll believe it when I see it." Actually is false and contrary to how the world actually works.  

Let me give you an example, to be the greatest painter in the world, you must paint.  You must paint, and paint and paint until you create a masterpiece.  You can create a masterpiece, but then you have to share it.  If you share it with the masses and they deem it valuable THEN you may get money for your work.  

Notice that in this scenario while you were working on your paintings you were not given a dime.  Most artists do not gain anything for all their hard work and toil.  But they create anyway. It makes them happy.  It allows them to feel fulfilled in their lives.  It is their calling and they are passionate about their work -- so passionate that they will do it even without any monetary gain.

The same concept applies to everything in life.  You have to do (whatever it is you do) first before anyone will recognize it.  That's where the concept of not waiting to live comes from.  

Seriously, I want you to do a small experiment.  Think of something you've always wanted to do, or the person you've always wanted to be.  Now, imagine how that person would act day by day.  What their environment would look like.  Now imagine playing that role.

Let's say, you would like to be a CEO of a company you created.  Imagine how a CEO is treated, what her office would look like.  What types of people would she meet or hang out with?  What are the things the CEO would do on a daily basis?  Got the full picture in mind?  Good.  Now for seven (7) days, ACT like a CEO of your company.  Dress like a CEO, talk like a CEO, meet and greet people like a CEO.  Be the CEO for seven days . . . and see what comes to you.

In essence, I'm saying to acquire your goal, you have to live your goal as if you've already attained it.  

Les Brown, a famous motivational speaker said in one of his talks.  That you have to do what you were called to do.  If you love to sing - sing!  Sing to anyone who will listen to you, even if it's just singing to yourself.  If you love to write - write!  Even if no one wants to publish what you write, write it anyway.  Doing what you've always wanted to do, will attract the people and resources you need that will make this activity profitable for you.  

Don't believe me? Then take the challenge, don't wait to "have" your dream come true.  Live your dream right now.  Live it for seven (7) days.  For seven days do your heart's passion (whenever you can) with as much enthusiasm as you can muster.  

On that 7th day, I bet you will find a resource to help you gain your dream, a person that recognizes your dream or a chance to live your dream.  

Come on!  Take the challenge.  It can do nothing but make you more powerful and successful.  And that's what I want for you . . . because after all, I've always wanted powerful and influential friends!

Let me know what happens to you after 7 days of doing your heart's passion!  Don't forget.


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Having a bad day? Put this on repeat . . .

Had a day when I was full of doubt.  I put this video on repeat and REALLY listened to it.  It's important to put motivational thoughts in your brain - constantly!  Constantly!  If you are having a bad day, watch or listen to this.


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Luxury Living: Rent a Mansion

OK, castles are for the old world countries.  They are big, and clunky, cold and damp, and ghosts actually live in them.  You are a modern type of guy or gal and would much rather enjoy luxuries that are slightly more cosmopolitan and modern, right?

You would rather live in a mansion.  Am I right?  You want to experience the high-life.  You want to have a maid, a chef, concierge services, a fleet of luxury vehicles (on water and land), limo service with a chauffeur and perhaps a butler.

There are many places the provide mansion rentals that offer first class services at reasonable prices. If you want to experience living in a mansion, you can do it a number of ways:

(1) Vacation in a mansion by renting out a room in a mansion.  There are many places that will rent out rooms in mansions for comparable or BETTER prices than a hotel!  The cool part of this is, you can enjoy all the amenities of a luxury mansion for a price of an over-night stay.  For example, the Mexico Mansion in Acapulco have very great room rates, because the location is in Mexico your dollars are stretched further (less than a luxury hotel stay), and you have a butler serving your drinks and good 24/7.  No closed kitchens! Cool huh?

(2) Renting a mansion with friends or in a group.  If you can get a group of people together to share costs, you can have the mansion all to yourself.  Let's just say you have a group of family and/or friends and you'd like to enjoy a long vacation with them -- say one month or maybe a whole summer.  You can rent a mansion (with full concierge services) that sleeps 30 people for $15,000 a month. Let me break it down for you, that's $500 per person per month!  And you are living like kings.

Here are the resources that will let you do that:

Luxury Rentals

Trip Advisor Vacation Rentals

HomeAway.com

International Property Listings

Mansion Minders

IHA

(3) Home tending or what I like to call MANSION SITTING, where a renter occupies a luxury home while it's on the market, keeping the property in excellent condition to show to buyers and helping make sure of the security of the home. It allows you to live in a mansion for the cost of a small apartment. It's a pretty good deal. Check out these resources:

Mansion Sitters

Luxury House Sitting

Trusted House Sitters

Contemporary Home Sitters

My Home Tender

(4)  Instead of applying to become employed by a home tending service, you can learn all there is to know about home tending (by doing some research on the internet on the topic) and set yourself up, in a small business type of way, as a Mansion Sitter Consultant or or an "Executive Home Manager."  Provide management services that keep the mansion looking pristine . . . set up your website and market yourself to Real Estate Agents.  You also may want to look in Craigslist in your area for "home tender" "home care taker" and "home sitter".

Okay, people now that I've told you how to do it, I'm ready for you to take on this adventure and tell me all about it!  I've always wanted to have powerful and influential friends that live in mansions.



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Luxury Living: Live In a Castle

Did you read fairy tales as a young child? Did you always dream of going into Cinderalla's castle at Disney World? Are you enthralled with "Game of Thrones" just because they get to live in castles? Do you watch the Wealth Channel? Do you remember Robin Leech's Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous?  Want to live like the "glamorous people" live, even for one day, a weekend or maybe a week and live in a castle or mansion?  You can do that, you know.

Don't believe me?  There are people who are just like you living the lifestyle of the "rich and famous" everyday.  You just have to expand your thinking a little.  That's what this website is for, to give you an idea of how to expand your thinking so you can live a different, adventurous and fulfilling life.

Today, you will learn how to live in a castle or mansion.  Yes, you may only get to live in a castle or mansion for a day but at least you can tell everyone that you lived in one, right?  So here's a few ways to make your dreams come true.

Rent a room in a castle:
If you have about $2,000US to spend, you can rent a really nice room for the weekend at several European castles and some really nice castles in the United States too! The cool thing about renting a room in a castle is the estate usually has EVERYTHING . . . servants, pool, gardens, golfing, etc.

Celtic Castles
Home Away (US and European Castles)
Castles in Tuscany
MacKenzie Castle in North Carolina


Follow your dreams in a group:
Okay, maybe you don't have $2,000US to spend on ONE weekend and you would like to find a more economic way to live in a castle . . . there is strength in numbers my friend.  Can't afford a castle on your own, then get your friends together.  Renting a castle is not that bad if you split the cost 7-20 ways.  You can end up paying only $80 - $200US per night using this method -- that's better than a hotel! And the cool part is you and your friends get the whole dang castle! Gather your friends together and decide to live in luxury by splitting the bill.  Many castles come with chef and food service and with staff.

Paradizo
Simply Chateau
Article on the best European Rentals
Holiday Castle Rentals


Babysit the castle or mansion:

You can actually live in a castle if you take care of it.  The job is to report damage, vandalism and social misbehavior.  Looking after someone else's property may allow you to live almost rent free. Lots of people do it.

Workaway.info

WorkingCouples.com

Domestic Placement Network (dpnonline.com)

Make them "give" you the privilege

Give them a reason to give you a freebie! Do you travel alot?  Do you have a following of a few hundred people that love to hear about your escapades?  Create a following for yourself and you may find that people are willing to "give" you a few nights in their luxurious establishments. Here's how to do this!

How to Live a Luxurious Life for Less (article) from Expert Enough.

And if that's not enough, here is a website listing "official" castles by official caretakers of the castle.  Just so you kind find the right castle in the area of your choosing Great Castles Website.

See?  Stick with me kid and I'll have you living in castles!  Like royalty and such.  That's even better than being a millionaire, and you better send me pictures . . . after all, I've always wanted powerful and influential friends.


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What you focus on grows . . .

Do you want to grow your problems? 

Apparently, I used to love growing my problems. Seriously, I used to look at my financial situation (which was pretty bad) and focus on what I was lacking.  I did this constantly, worrying about when and where the next dollar was going to come from. I would see bills and freak out.  An unexpected expense would put me in a tizzy.  All day long I was trying to figure out, how I was going to pay this or that. I would get really angry because everywhere around me people were driving better cars, whipping out their platinum or red credit cards, shopping for frivolous stuff for crying out loud and I couldn't even pay for essential things, like food, heat, gas!

I would clip coupons, skip lunch, plan what I could sell on e-bay next, try to hunt down a side-job I could do on weekends, because I needed, needed, needed more money and I just didn't have enough.  I never had enough.   I just couldn't make ends meet in my head.  And it didn't help that bill collectors started calling.  Urgh!  Reminding me every day that I just didn't have enough money.

I obsessed over it (this lack of money), not realizing that I was growing my problem.  What you obsess over, you grow.  Repeat that 10 times.

Do you want to know what made me break out of obsessing on my lack of money and made me realize that if I just changed my thinking just a little bit, that things would change?  When I began writing the series "Money is Everywhere: 50 Ways to Make Quick Extra Income".  

I'm still not done writing that series of articles, because guess what . . . when I began concentrating on simple ways to make money -- it began to happen. I began to make more money.  I was able to pay some of my bills.  And I told myself, well I can do more of this and take care of more of problems.  And I realized that truly money was everywhere and all I had to do was access it. Then a crazy thing happened, more money began to come my way.  

My eyes were opened, I began to see all the little ways I could make more money.  Then I took ACTION.  I began making more money and got so wrapped up in making more money that I lost track of the series and now I have to play catch-up because . . . guess what?  I found even more ways to make extra money!

We are all amazing people, and truly we are the children of God.  Whatever our minds focus on, we can make happen.  We can make anything grow, even our negative, doubtful things! As you sow, so shall you reap.

What did I do to change my circumstances?  I refocused my mind and showed myself that money (or the potential to make money) was all around me, plentiful and there to do it's job . . . help me to pay my bills.  The more I focused positively on the abundance  and plentifulness of money around me, the more it comes to me.  This will work on anything that you focus on.  Try it.

Do you want love in your life?  Then love on people.  Go out, get to know people and love them.  Gather love around you.  Tell yourself everyday that love is out there waiting for you, waiting to rain down on you and all you have to do is meet enough people and you will find it -- everywhere.

Do you want a better career, a career that you love and wouldn't mind waking each day to do?  Then tell yourself that your dream job is out there.  Listen to audio and video of people doing their dream job.  And then do the thing you want to do . . . for FREE, whenever you can.  The opportunity will come that will let you do that thing you like doing (your dream job) for a living.

It's all about how and what you focus on. Listen, not just what you focus on but how you focus on it.

So tell me people, what good thing do YOU want in your life?  How are you going to think, concentrate, focus on it from now on? Do you want to grow your good things in life? Share with me please!

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Dancing in the Rain

Those who dance are considered insane by those
who can not hear the music. 

~ George Carlin 

My grandmother would often say: 

If you find yourself having a wonderful time running with the herd - enjoy it now, because soon you'll be falling over the cliff.

She's from Texas, can you tell?

I guess this was her way of saying what all parents say to their kids at one time or another, "Who are they?  Just because "they" jumped off the bridge would you jump too?" In both these cases, with both these saying my grandmother and your parents were right.  Doing what everyone else does will never be the successful path to your dreams.  It's when you venture out of the norm and do the thing that most folks think is "crazy" that you get something . . . if not your dream . .  if not success, then at least a unique experience!

I think this is what I like about old men with amazing stories.  Have you ever sat down and really talked to an older man or woman, say around 80 or 90?  They always have these amazing, crazy but utterly entertaining stories that are sometimes impossible to believe.  And whether you believe the stories or not, the best ones always start out with the main person, "the hero" doing something out of the ordinary, unique, crazy, foolish, incomprehensible.  Yet, at the end of the story, that person has experienced a grand, unforgettable journey.

I think that was the charm of the movie Forrest Gump.  He saw the world differently from everyone else and reacted to things differently, so it put him in situations that allowed him to experience grand adventures and do things that people could only dream about.  Believe it or not, there are Forrest Gumps in this world -- people who take what we would call "normal situations" and build them into grand journeys that helps them grow in unimaginable ways, that teaches them things we rarely get to learn, and allow them to be the most interesting of people.

Don't you want to be an interesting person?  Well, to do become interesting people, we have to change our minds or perspective.  In everything we do, we have to find some love, some creativity, some drive . . . to focus and progress toward our dream.

For example: A dead end job doesn't have to be a dead end,  if you have a dream that you are ready put energy into.  A dead end job could help you find contacts and networking opportunities that will help you fulfill your dream.  Look around you, what can your job do right now to help you get closer to your goals and dreams?  What can the people around you do to help you gain your dreams and goals?  What can you do, right now, that can help you get a tiny bit closer to your dreams and goals.

Do something today that will be the beginning of your grand adventure!

Doing what everyone else does, thinking the way everyone else does will never give you grand and unforgettable stories to tell your friends and family.  The storms . . . the obstacles . . . the challenges will always be there vying for your attention, trying with all its might to take you away from your dreams and goals.  Don't let that storm win! Because, life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Like this article? Then you will probably like these articles too:

 

2 Simple Steps to Making Yourself Happy

Everyone is Amazing

 

What People Think of You Is None of Your Business!

 

Slow Progress and Instantaneous Results

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The Game of Limitation

Life is just a big fat video game.  

It should be called "The Game of Limitations" or "World of Warcraft Limitations" or something like that.  Don't believe me?  Check this out.

If you haven't noticed yet, everything we do has limitations set on it, in it, or around it.  Seriously.  Name some things you'd like to do:


Exciting Possibility: I want to write a series of novels

Limitation:  But you must to work a day-job (8 hours a day with an hour commute) to house and feed your kids. When you get home you are cleaning, cooking, dealing with children.  You don't have the time!

Exciting Possibility: I would find true joy in traveling the world and seeing all the "mysterious sites" like the Sphinx in Egypt, Stonehenge in England, or pyramids of Peru.

Limitation:  You don't have the money to quit your job and buy a plane ticket to even one of these locations.

Exciting Possibility: I love entertaining, I love parties, I should open a night club or a party venue.

Limitation: You have no restaurant or event training and opening a party venue costs a lot of money -- which you don't have and have no idea how to get that much money.

Exciting Possibility: I love singing and I would love to perform for large crowds of people

Limitation:  You know getting into the music business and becoming a star is an impossible task, and most importantly, you don't have any contacts with people in the music business.

Exciting Possibility: I'd like to open my own business

Limitation:  You think you don't have any special talents or any product that customers would want to buy. You don't have any business training at all -- what are you thinking!

It all seems very depressing doesn't it?  

The world is at your feet and there are so many great things to experience,  but life and practical things get in the way and you don't have the time, resources or opportunity to explore life and the world fully. You come to realize quickly -- that sadly -- this world is about limitation.  Limits are forever placed around the possibilities and the opportunities you experience as a human being.

When you think about it, that doesn't make sense does it?  Why would this LIFE, this WORLD have all these possible experiences ready for you to explore and enjoy but intentionally put obstacles in the way so you can't explore or enjoy them?

What's up with that?



It all makes more sense when you realize that this world and the life you are leading is just a game.  A game called limitations and you elected be a player of this game.

The key to winning this game is not to dwell on all the limitations that could possibly stop you from succeeding in your goal. Which we have a notorious habit of doing . . . (see the Exciting Possibilities list above).

Here's the situation, no matter what you wish to do in life . . . there will always be a good reason not to do it.  That's the Game of Limitations.  But to play the Game of Limitations and win -- the player must  recognize, combat and break out from the limitations, and go for it anyway. 

That's the whole premise of the Game of Limitations.  You -- the player -- are suppose to go for what brings you the most joy, you are suppose to live your dreams despite the limitations and obstacles placed in the way of your true joy!  

Believe it or not, this is the game you elected to play -- it's a game that is supposed to strengthen your spirit and your soul.  It's to make you stronger, smarter, faster . . . wiser.  And you are in it to win it.  Guess what? You have all the tools to succeed.  Yes.  You do!

Life is like a video game.  Have you ever played one of those?  The point of the game -- the fun of the game  -- is to go up the levels of difficulty to gain the thing that you want (the reward).  What is the reward?  The reward is the joy that a purpose-filled life, doing the things you have always dreamed of doing, can give you.  

What produces that joy?  Well, it's different for every person.  

For me - writing -- is that joy. So in this game of life I am suppose to write, no matter what the obstacles laid before me that pushes me to not write.  And while I'm happily writing and sharing the thing that gives me the most joy in life . . . the game is going to put obstacles in my way.  What are these obstacles and challenges?  The usual stuff: an 8-hour job to pay the bills, housework, children needing to be cared for, problems from friends and family, a yard that needs attending, hygiene routines and sleep.  All the things that will deter me from doing the thing that I love doing most.  So, in the game I must meander through all these obstacles and still find a way to have my joy (my writing) in my life daily.

And here is where the game gets interesting --  the more successful I am at making sure that I write everyday . . . the more obstacles and challenges and "limitations" that will be placed in my way. 

Many people stop playing the game after they encounter the limitations.  They feel that there are too many limitations, that the obstacles are insurmountable which means they shouldn't do the very thing that brings them joy, the very thing that makes their life wonderful and full.  

When in fact all those obstacles and limitations mean that the player is simply graduating to a higher level.  You know what happens at the higher levels of video games, right?  At the higher level of the games, the obstacles get bigger, move faster, get harder to beat.  A good gamer expects this and carries on.  

What a good gamer also knows is that the tools -- the keys -- you need to defeat the limitations and obstacles are somewhere in the game, waiting for you to discover them so you can use them and get to the next level which has more reward, but even crazier limitations and obstacles.  But that's the fun part of the game, dude!  

I'm sure you've heard gamers talk about the "levels" that they have achieved and how crazy the limitations and obstacles are on that level.  But notice, they don't talk about it with dread -- they talk about it with excitement and the gamers at that are lower levels can't wait to get to the higher levels so they can experience the fun.  That's how we should be looking at the obstacles that we discover while we are participating in our highest joy, fighting to realize our greatest dream.  We need to realize it's simply a game and that this is the exciting part of our game -- and then help others by telling them where the keys and tools are when they get to that very exciting but challenging level of the game.

Don't let lack of money, lack of resources, lack of praise, lack of support, lack of time, lack of anything stop you from doing something that you love and gives you a positive joyful feeling about yourself and the world.  Don't let the Game of Limitation beat you!  You can do this and have fun doing it.  

Just look at it as a big old game. The better you get at the game the more limitations come at you. But the stronger and more successful you are as a gamer. Be excited about this!  All those obstacles, challenges and limitations simply mean you have reached new levels of reward! 

Seriously, life is all just a big video game!  And you my dears are my powerful and influential gamers ready to help me reach and conquer the next level.  

And just for fun . . .

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