Little steps, long journeys

Often times people look at a goal that seems so far out of reach and give up too early. It's important to remember that a little bit over time adds up to a great deal. I remember someone that wanted to loose 128 pounds in eight months. He broke it down to just half a pound per day and he accomplished his goal without a problem. Find a way to make something big, manageable and there is no telling what you can do.

Recently, I decided to run in the Chicago Marathon. I was in pretty good shape, but I had a couple hurdles.

• I had never run in an organized race before.
• I had never run more than 5 miles at a time, in my life.
• I didn't have any sort of plan to train for, yet accomplish, this feat.

However, with most dreams and goals, you have to set the goal first and then come up with the plan. Many people from my church were running and decided that if we could run as a group, on the weekend when we did our longer runs, it would be easier and maybe even fun.

We were running with Team World-Vision, raising money with about 1000 others that would show up at the starting line and since they had done this in the past, they had a training program in place, that would take all of us through the summer and prepare us for race day. During the week most of us ran on our own, but on the weekend, a group of about 40-60 runners would show up at a nearby bike path and we would do our long runs together. Several others from our church gathered along the lake shore in Chicago and at other paths depending on where they lived

When I started, I could barely run 3 miles without having to take a walk break at some time, but over a four month period, we all worked our way up to a 14, 16, 18 and a 20 mile run. Everyone got stronger, though there were a couple injuries and it was actually fun running for two and three hours on Saturday mornings in the rain, the cold or the heat, whatever came our way. The relationships that were formed and the stories shared along the trails were what brought most people back every weekend.

Most of us ran three times during the week as well and it was those small steps along the way that prepared us for the longest journey we were about to go on. If any of us would have thought about running a marathon a week beforehand and just gone out and tried to see if we could do it, there would have been a great many defeats, but since we trained and prepared our bodies and minds for that day, almost all of the 1200 people on our team crossed the finish line.

If I never put the goal out there, I would never have known the feeling of crossing that finish line and being part of something that big. The runners from my church raised over $180,000.00 to date, and the entire team raised over a million dollars to fight poverty, starvation and disease in Africa. Each of us did a small part to accomplish something greater than we could ever do alone. How? We set the goal, created a plan and worked together for something beyond ourselves.

I was injured going into the race and wasn't sure that I'd be able to complete it. I'll never forget the race or the people involved in helping me cross that finish line. Some of them I knew and some I'll never get to thank because they were just random spectators cheering me and 40,000 others along the way. I've set goals to run in several more races and will do my best to create more awareness that making a difference in global poverty is possible.

Living Beyond Yourself In Business and Life

In the past couple of years I have seen some real growth in myself and in many of my dear friends and business associates. The more I surround myself with selfless individuals, I see a whole aspect of life that I was not aware of for a long time.

I've been involved on some level or another in network marketing, mlm, direct sales and franchising for most of my adult life and felt that a good sales transaction was when both parties were better off at the end of a transaction than before. In business, I know that when I help someone get what they want, my business will eventually be rewarded usually five or ten times over by future purchases, referrals and long term business deals. In networking and mlm, it's about helping others first so your rewards will be seen down the road.

It's goes without saying that if you are only interested in yourself, your business will be short lived and true success will never come. You may have the portfolio, but you don't have the honor and respect of those people in your field or maybe not even your family and close friends.

What I find myself doing now more than ever as I make decisions in all areas of my life, is asking what impact is this going to have when I'm done. It just doesn't seem worth it to doing things strictly for profit or short term gain, whether in business or relationally. If I spend an extra ten minutes on the phone with a collegue and listen to them beyond the business at hand, I usually discover a need for a open ear, sometimes to vent or share a trouble in their life or sometimes even to celebrate something great going on at home or in their personal life. I want every interaction with people to end with that person feeling better about themselves, then before we connected.

I'm sorry to say, it doesn't always happen. I've left many in the dust, feeling the same or worse after an interaction because old habits of self preservation and pride. The best part is that I am aware of it and as I pick up on it more often, the more attuned I am to what my goal is, prior to the interaction.

Lately, I have found myself looking for more opportunities to give of my time and money to causes that used to seem non-existant, but are now blatently right in front of me and I can't ignore. Though I struggle sometimes in my personal financial planning, I'll give without worry that everything will be fine for me as it always is. God provides not only for my daily needs, but for so much more and I look at some that are looking for just a little dignity and a helping hand to get them through tough times.

Many of my friend are succesful financially, but still get caught up in the next best thing they can buy that will be gathering dust in 6 months or traded in for the newest model. Time and time again, they end up throwing money after money, for what, I don't know.

I have come to the understanding over the past couple years, that I can't take anything with me when I die, but I can leave behind me something better than an inheritance of cash and stuff, by providing life to a starving child, a new home for someone that had theirs destroyed by nature or maybe just enlightening others and having a huge impact on the world.

When all is said and done and I look back, I need to know that I did more than partied more than anyone else, had the biggest house or the fullest garage of toys. Maybe today, this will touch your heart in someway and my life will have impacted you and in turn will change the lives of others that I would never have come in contact with. I hope so. Pay it forward.

Success In Network Marketing

So you are wondering if success in network marketing on the internet is really possible.

First off, yes.

Is it easy? No.

Is it simple? yes

The first thing people need to realize is that in order to have success in network marketing on the internet, is that it isn't get rich quick. Anyone selling you on the idea that for a fifty dollar start up cost and a great website already set up for you is all you need and 60 days from now you will be rolling in the dough with a paycheck, is probably making money for sponsoring you, which falls into some illegal pyramid laws that we won't get into here.

Network marketing is a relationship business opportunity. It is not a sales business, although product certainly has to move through your business, you don't need to focus on selling your products door to door or put on presentations, having a "party plan" style get together. The big hitters out there will tell their downline that you that you need to jot down a hundred of your closest friends. Go through your cell phone or address book and write down everyone you know. Give them a call and without telling them anything, see if you can get them to the next Opportunity meeting and some hotel where a slick talker will put on a presentation, get them all pumped up and will help you build your business for you. The only problem is that your friends and family will probably start to disown you because they feel like your trying to make money off of them and they in turn will have to go out and make money off of their friends.

Rather than alienate your friends and family, it's best to learn a bit about your company, the income opportunity, your products and the compensation plan. Find someone successful in your organization that can help you determine who the best prospects for your business plan are and slowly introduce them into what your doing, not by dragging them to some meeting, but maybe giving them access to some information online via video or an e-book. Ask for their opinion, not if they want to "Sign Up". Tell them you are checking something out and you wanted their feedback because you trust their opinion. If they like what they see, they will tell you and ask for more info. This isn't for everyone and if you convince them to get in your business you will have to keep convincing them month after month to order products or stay involved with conference calls, etc. That's a waste of your time and theirs.

People are looking for businesses they can run from home and make money in their spare time. They have heard about success in network marketing and are looking for the right company and opportunity to align themselves with. Seek those people out. They are everywhere. Would you rather run an ad for a carpenter to build your house or run an ad for a teacher that you could show how to build a house and hope for good results? It's a no-brainer! On one you spend hours teaching them how to do what you want, but with the other, they have the basic knowledge and skill and will look forward to educating themselves further if they need it.

Find a reputable company, with a product that people want and buy in some form already, with an easy to understand compensation plan and preferably an online presentation that does the work for you. When the person you send the information sees that you didn't need to learn a bunch of facts and figures and be some great presentation guru who has no fear of getting up in front of a hundred or more people and talking for an hour, they will be much more open to your idea, because they realize that anyone can do what you did. You sent them to a website, followed up to see if they had any questions that weren't answered there and introduce them to some other members of your team if they are interested. If they are, great and if not, no big deal. How much time did it take you to send them a link to your site and do a follow up call? On the other hand, driving to a meeting, hoping the person will show up, leaving your spouse and kids at home, spending money to get in the meeting cause they have to pay for the meeting room somehow and getting all dressed up is insane.

There are many ways to get people to your website and learning about them can be done, sometimes for free through videos online, blogs and articles. There are many people willing to share their success tips.

How would you like to be mentored for free no matter what organization you join?

What's On Your Mind?

My mind is a sponge and whatever comes near it, will be absorbed. It is my choice what I put into my mind and the impact that it will have on my life will be determined by me and only me. I have strong faith in my Creator and in myself. I believe that I have been endowed with seeds of greatness and I need only to water them in order to reap the harvest.

For too many years I've neglected to nurture my mind and weed out the bad infestations that I have allowed to corrupt my thinking. In all that time I have reaped many small rewards in my business deals, relationships and spiritual growth, but now I have decided to not only plant, but to water, fertilize and put up a fence to keep the intruders out that seek only to destroy that which i am seeking to have flourish.

I will have my reward in return for my efforts. I not only see my harvest, but I can also see how I will be able to bless so many with what comes my way. I will not store up my rewards, but give freely to those in need. My gifts in turn will encourage others to do likewise and the recipients will know that Love has no boundaries.

Recession Proof Your Life

What do I mean when when I talk about making your life recession proof? First off, Zig Ziglar says, "Choose Not To Participate". That sound simple enough, but does it make sense and is it really that easy? Certainly, we all feel the effects of what's going on in the economy around us and one way or another it will touch our lives, either directly or indirectly. How we let it effect us however, is completely up to us.In this day in age, if you are relying on a single source of income or even on a second if your married and your spouse works, you're not in a good position. If you haven't developed enough investment income that can sustain you in times of need, then you are vulnerable to small and large storms alike. As we can see in this current time that having investments in real estate or the stock market doesn't always mean security either.

If you listen to people like Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki or even Warren Buffet, they all agree that to position yourself above the curve, Network Marketing is the way to go for those that don't have the cash to buy an existing business that is already profitable or to buy a franchise that can cost from 10's to 100's of thousands of dollars, only to require much of your time managing it for the first few years. Certainly not something that you could do part time to create a secondary source of income. Network Marketing has been a proven success for over 100 years in this country. Avon started in 1886, more of a direct sales company, but still had the concept of recruiting other like minded individuals and paying bonuses for all dollars going through the group. 122 years later, Avon is the number one direct sales multi level type marketing company out there and many people earn substantial income part time and full time.

If you look at what it takes to participate in legitimate MLM or Network Marketing Company, you realize that the rewards far outweigh any of the risk. For between thirty and one hundred and fifty dollars, you can start your own business that has the potential to out perform most well played stock portfolios and real estate empires that are loaded with risk and headaches from tenants and down markets. With the right company and support you can create the freedom to walk away from the traditional 7-5 work day and take back some of your life.

There are many companies to choose from and there are also many scams out there. When researching, do yourself the favor of making sure there is a real company behind the product. There has to be a product of some sort. Make sure it's a company that you can go visit and walk through the lobby, meet the staff and see the production and shipping areas. Companies like Amway, Xango, Herbal Life or Avon to name a few, have huge offices, and distribution centers that are available to visit and learn about. They continue to grow in countries around the world and have stayed afloat during all kinds of economic down turns. In fact most network marketing, direct sales, companies have extreme growth when the economy is bad.

So if you can start a business from your home for about one hundred dollars, what's stopping you? The tax write-offs alone are worth having a business. You may be able to deduct part of your home, your utilities, your new computer, your automobile expenses and even travel if your business reaches beyond your own state and you go to visit one of your partners. I personally know couples that travel about one week per month, year round, visiting with partners in their businesses around the world. Below is a video of a trip to Hawaii that we went on with a dozen close friends in our business along with a couple hundred others that we met there from around the states.

The key to having success in network marketing is friendships. We all know people that know people that we don't know. If we have something that can benefit us, it would make sense that it could benefit others. As we share the idea and product with people that we know, that trust us, they will in turn share with others that know and trust them.

Most people can easily generate an extra five hundred to a thousand dollars per month in a very short time and when they do that, they want to show others how to do the same, which will reap them even more rewards. In as little as a year, many people are earning residual incomes over two thousand dollars per month which is the equivalent of having five hundred thousand dollars in the bank earning 5% interest.

So you tell me, how fast are you going to get that extra 500K saved up? Do you think it might be easier to start a small business for a hundred bucks, dedicate some time to tell a few friends about it, invest in some information on how to utilize the internet to drive traffic to your business opportunity and create some new friendships with people around the globe.

Not everyone will be a million dollar earner in MLM, it does take the right individual with the right leadership and the right system in place that can be duplicated by others. How much you earn will be reflected by how much effort you are willing to put in, just like everything else, but when the business grows beyond your reach through geometric progression, that's when the real money comes.

Don't quit to early. If you double a penny every day for 30 days you would have over 5 million dollars, however on day fifteen you would have only about 163.00 that's the power of duplication.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE

ARE YOU WHO YOU WANT TO BE

If You Want It, Let It Go

While running the other day I heard a song on my Ipod by a band called Day of Fire. The song was Detainer. It had a chorus, that said over and over "If You Want It, If You Want It, If You Want It, Let It Go". I can't remember most of the other lyrics, but the chorus tempo was good for a 7 mph run. Hearing it over and over again got me to thinking about relinquishing things that are out of my control over to God.

Looking back at different periods of my life, I realize that when I "thought" I was in control, those were the most destructive and stagnant times in my life. Don't get me wrong, some of them were fun and free, but I didn't really move forward in my relationships, my career or my marriage. But when I realize that most parts of life really aren't in my control and let them unfold naturally, I see rewards overflow.

Take work for example; I'm a salesman and l can honestly say that I am pretty good at it. When I start gearing up for a goal and start looking at everyone as the next sale and start thinking about what I'm going to do with the money i'll make on the deal before they even agree, usually those deals don't go the way I expected. I move on to the next one and do the same thing with more force because I know if I don't sell the next customer, I might miss the goal and so on. But when I let it go by taking a step back and just expose my business or product to more and more people, as more of a tour guide and don't focus on "Closing" them, calls start coming in to me to do business. Those new exposures turn around much quicker and ones that have been on the table awhile seem to fall into place.

It's easy to see in your marriage or in your relationships with your kids. If you want them to change or do something different from the norm, and you tell them over and over what they are doing wrong and that you want them to change a particular behavior, it never fails that your relationship grows apart and disdain for each other starts to show its ugly face. However, if you express your opinion once and don't press the issue, but turn it over to God, pray about it and let it go, you either come to the realization that maybe you were making a bigger deal about it in the first place or sometimes, miraculously, your children or spouse come around to your way of thinking on their own.

I have found that when business wasn't going well and bills were tight and I focused so hard on how I was going to fix it, I got depressed and started to believe that it was useless to try and felt like giving up. On the other hand, when I let it go and just kept doing what I knew needed to be done and didn't focus on it, things turned around. Opportunities would present themselves, bill collectors would call and settle for less than I owed, insurance that I didn't think would cover something took care of the largest portion.

Control is an illusion that we, with our grandiose ideas, have bought into. We have so called gurus telling us that we have the power within us to control our own destiny in order to sell their books. We buy into it and when it doesn't work, we buy the next book or audio cd that will have the right answer, only to find we are still failures. It's an endless circle that makes many people millions of dollars each year. 

Trying to control your life is like fighting through a storm in a boat, at some time you realize it's better to let go of the rudder for your own safety and that of your passengers. Don't let your ego get in the way of your life.

I don't believe we should just float around like feathers in the movie Forest Gump and just see what happens in all areas of life, but I know that when we focus so hard on getting something right and fear failure, we usually let ourselves down.

Ask yourself, Am I an encourager?

I mean, what kind of an effect do I have on people that I know and meet? Is the room brighter after I leave because the impact I had, or is it darker? We've all met people that can suck the life out of others.

As a leader, part of my job is to encourage and lift up those around me. You can think about it like everyone having a bucket that starts empty each day. As they get positive input, their bucket gets filled up. When their bucket is full it overflows and they too, become encouragers. On the other hand, when they receive negative comments and feedback or sarcasm, their bucket gets emptier.  So, what about you? Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dipper?

Maybe a simple comment on a piece of clothing or jewelry. Maybe just showing a slight interest in the person. People are hurting and are under a lot of stress these days. When we stand in line at the grocery store, are we so focused on ourselves and getting out of there and making frustrating sounds when the line isn't moving fast enough, or do we take a moment to look around us, at the people in line or maybe the cashier and get an idea of how their day might be going.

Telling the checker that you could never do her job and stay so calm when the lines get so long and people start to get irritated, might give them a brief moment of connection. Maybe the women in front of you looks like they took a little extra time to throw their look together and, if your a guy, you can comment by saying something about how your wife or girlfriend would love whatever it is you find stylish. If your a women, it's easy enough to just offer the compliment without it seeming like flirting.

When you introduce someone to another, do you just say this is my friend so and so? How about the next time you introduce two people, tell them each something positive about each other. It may seem strange, but If I were to say "This is my friend John, we've known each other for over 10 years. If you ever need work done around your house, this is the guy to call. I've seen him create awesome decks, basements, kitchens, you name it. If it requires a tool belt, this is your guy. I mean, I like to build stuff, but he really knows how to make it look good."

How do you think your friend John would feel? What would the person you introduced him to feel like?  John's bucket would be getting filled and the other person would see the respect you have for him and maybe learn something about him that might not come up in basic conversation. 

I know that i'm not the best at this and definitely fall into the selfish, what about me attitude sometimes, but when I make a conscious effort to lift someone up, I see the positive effect that it has on them in the moment, and possibly the rest of the day. It also has a "pay-it-forward" effect on others they interact with throughout the day. I also know how it makes me feel.

So give it a try. As you go about your day, look up around you and notice people. You will find that as you become a bucket filler, people around you will begin to fill your bucket as well.

What does it mean to be a real man?

At a very early age, boys are exposed to things that set them up for some tough times and even failure throughout their lives. Things that will affect them to the core of their being and have a deep impact in their relationships, careers and marriages.

Most guys can remember when they were young and at some point those words "Man Up!" or "Be a Man!" were said to them. What's important is when they were said. It was most likely during a moment of weakness or vulnerability and either their father, older brother, coach or someone else in a position of influence, made them feel as though getting emotional or having feelings wasn't okay. Saying things like; Why are you crying?, Men don't cry., It doesn't hurt, walk it off., Quit your whining!, or you'll never be good enough if you don't man up and fight your way through it.

From the first day on the playground boys see that the more athletic you are, or how strong you are is what defines you as a man. Weaker boys are made fun of and belittled in front of others. This sets the framework in the lives of those that they make fun of. They go through life wondering if God screwed up and didn't do something right when he made them. They wonder why are they good at things like Drama, Debate, Science or Art. Why aren't they strong and fast and have great hand-eye coordination. They struggle for years getting picked last in sports and feelings of inadequacy are implanted forever.

As boys get older and begin to think about girls, their lack of emotion make them believe that women are for pleasure, eye candy and trophies to show off. The more women, the better. With words like Pimps and Ho's and others I won't put in this blog, they're made to believe that it's okay to disrespect women.  The tough guys they see, walk away when it doesn't suit them any more, when it's not all about them or convenient. They talk about not getting respect and not having to put up with it.

In business it's about dominating others and getting where you need to, without worrying about who you destroy in your path. We separate are hearts, emotions and morals from our decision making process. Many of our "so called" role models in sports and hollywood are so caught up in their own greatness, that they don't see the people they destroy in their wake or worse yet, the people that they don't even know, who are looking up to them.

A "Real Man" is strong in his convictions, not his bench press. He doesn't belittle or make fun of the weak, he stands up for them against those who do. He spends time encouraging them and building into them the belief that they too can accomplish great things with the gifts that God has endowed them with. He's a mentor and leader who trains others to be great at whatever it is that drives them.

A "Real Man" takes responsibility, he doesn't walk away from his wife or girlfriend when things get tough. He would never leave his children fatherless, because his wife got on his nerves and made him feel weak. He knows when he's wrong and asks for forgiveness. 

A "Real Man" looks outside his own world, to those in need. He doesn't need to get something in return for the good he does. He certainly doesn't need a trophy or plaque to remind him how great he is or to hang on his wall for others to see. He's rewarded inside by knowing that he made a difference and thats all that matters.

I must say, that I was definitely not the right kind of man most of my life. I fell into the idea that it was all about me. Where I was weak, I found someone weaker to put down in order to make myself feel better. 

In the past 15 years, I met men that were different, not only in public but in private as well. I studied their success in relationships with other men, their businesses and their marriages. I wanted what they had and realized I had a long way to go. Having a 2 year old daughter made me realize that, what she saw growing up, would be similar to the man she would one day marry and she deserved the best.

See It, Believe It, Achieve It

In order to be successful, we of course have to have dreams and goals. Without them, there is no ambition or desire to be more then what we are. Thinking about something we want to have or achieve, however, isn't enough.

Many have heard of the story of the Harvard graduating class. They asked who had goals and how many of them had written them down. Only 3% had written them down and when they checked in on those 3% twenty years later, they were earning ten times as much as the other grads combined. First of all, the study didn't really exist other than in goal setting seminars and books, but in reality, since that story has been told for decades, other studies have been done that do show astonishing results.

So lets look at the reality of it all. If we do write down our goals or put pictures of things we desire or a lifestyle we hope to achieve one day on our refrigerator, it is no doubt going to keep us focused on them. We can go so far as to put ourselves in the goal by taking pictures of ourselves in that car we want or in front of the home we desire. We can have fun with it and put ourselves in any picture we want these days with computer software.

When we see ourselves in the picture often enough, it seems normal. Just like any other photo in our album. When you get nostalgic and look through your old photo albums, don't you start to relive the moments to the point where you actually feel younger or can remember how your were feeling at the time the photo was taken? 

So if seeing something often enough, helps our mind to believe that it is possible, why don't we all have dream boards around our homes and goal sheets in our pockets. I've personally seen such dream boards in the homes of millionaire associates of mine and seen folded up index cards in their wallets that have thirty or sixty day personal goals for health, business and other things they want. Each time they look in their wallet, they see the card. Sometimes they take it out, unfold it and read what it says usually to discover that they can cross something off as accomplished.

In order to achieve our goals we need to see them, either in writing or in picture form. When we see them often enough, we believe and it is only a matter of time till we accomplish them. It never fails to amaze me the stories I've heard from hundreds of people over the years and witnessed in my own life.

If you have a personal story, share it as a comment.

Forgiveness, Hope, Compassion and Gratitude

I find that the best way to live for me is to look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down with compassion and up with gratitude. 

Forgive

Yesterday is gone and mistakes have been made and today may not look like you thought it would, but it's okay. If someone wronged you or stole your joy in the past, you need to forgive them and move on. You also have to forgive yourself for things you may have said or done or not done that have lead you to where you are. As important as our past is, because it defines who we are at this moment, it doesn't define who we will be tomorrow or next week or next year.

Be Hopeful

Tomorrow is a brand new day, we get to start all over again. We can plan better and focus more on the things we truly want to do so that we can achieve our dreams. Each day brings with it, opportunity. Opportunity to be more adventurous, more compassionate, more friendly, more understanding, more helpful and certainly more wealthy.

Show Compassion

Those around you that are less fortunate are people too. They have dreams and stories, families and desires for greatness. They are struggling under life's pressures and most likely just need a helping hand, an ear to listen and some guidance and assurance through a tough time. Be sure to treat them with dignity because you may find yourself in a similar place one day only to wonder why people are so mean and hateful.

Be Grateful

Our Creator wants the best for us. We were designed for greatness and it hurts Him so much, when we struggle. Especially when we don't look to Him for help. We can't do life alone, without the one who knows us best, the one who loved us first, the one that puts us above all other things and beings that were created. Look at your life everyday and acknowledge God's greatness in your life.

I believe in my heart that this is the only way to live and be joyful. There is no fear of the future when you know where you stand. When you put others first and focus on making the world around you a better place, you will be be blessed 100 times over.

Learning and educating yourself is a forever process.

At 44 years of age, I find myself with the desire to learn more than I ever have and with the technology we have today, there is no excuse for lack of knowledge.

It seems as though most people view learning as a period of life from say birth to college and then they are done. Statistically, less then 25% of people ever read a complete book after they graduate from school. I can't believe those figures especially when you research the truly successful people out there, and you realize 95% of them are constantly reading new books, attending workshops or seminars and researching ways to increase their business, better their relationships and increase the impact they have on the world around. Books on dealing with people help in sales, management, leadership or mentoring and running billion dollar companies. Even everyday, run of the mill employees working a mundane job can benefit from books like that. 

If we think we know it all or don't need to further our education constantly, I hate to say it, but we are wrong. We know that wisdom comes from life experience, but we can't possibly experience everything in life that there is in order to gain that wisdom? Doesn't it make more sense to gain wisdom through other peoples experiences. Now I don't mean living vicariously through others and never leaving home. When taking on a new business venture, we could just wing it and figure that if it fails, it's okay because we will have gained the wisdom from doing it wrong?  A great deal of time could be wasted learning the same lessons that those before could have warned us about. We don't have to get burned by a fire or a hot stove to know it is painful. 

As I said before, there is so much opportunity to learn just about anything we desire in so many ways. There are books to read and books on CD for people that have trouble finding time to read, but travel in their car a lot. The average car owner spends between 500 and 1000 hours in their car each year, which is the equivalent of a couple full time semesters in a university. Think about it, can we afford not to be listening to educational programs? The internet is an endless resource for FREE learning. There are endless informational sites, podcasts, webinars, teaching videos, you name it. Even television has some good things. I find myself learning from the history channel, Discovery, DIY (Do it yourself network)

Learning is not something that happens during a time period in your life, it should be your life. The more we learn, the more we grow as people. As we grow we truly experience life. We have better relationships with the people we love and those we may not yet know so well. Our eyes are opened to some of the real needs in our world and we become more compassionate. We quit making excuses for why we can't do more for others, and start strategizing ways to leverage our own efforts and resources and enjoy the experience of changing peoples lives.

If learning more will help you develop additional income by leveraging your time and energy, then you will have the additional time and energy you desire to pursue what really drives you, whatever it is. 

That's what living is really about.

To make a resolution or not!

I personally don't like the idea of New Years resolutions. I mean the idea of a day on the calendar changing your life seems a bit silly. Although a year is a good amount of time to track some larger long term goals and achieve success in some smaller ones.

The key to setting any kind of goals that stick, wether they be to achieve financial success, strengthen personal relationships or commitments to ones faith can be easiest to achieve if they are SMART goals.

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Time -bound

Goals should be as specific as possible. I want to lose weight or earn more money isn't specific. How much weight? how much money? 

They should be measurable in a way that you can track your progress, on a chart or in a spreadsheet and broken down into manageable amounts. If you want to earn an extra $50,000 this year then you need to add an additional $962.00 per week to your income. How many sales will that take? how many people will you need to talk too?

You goal needs to be achievable and realistic. If you have never even earned $50,000 per year, the odds that you will increase your income by that much are against you. If you want to run a marathon, start out with a 5k first.

It needs to be relevant. How is this goal going to better your life or have an impact on others? Does it really matter to you? What if you don't hit it, how will you be affected? Are you prepared to pursue things that may seem a little out of the ordinary to achieve it?

It must be Time-Bound with a clearly defined date for achievement. This gives you a sense of urgency and helps keep you focused

Too many of us never hit our goals, not because we are failures, but because we routinely go through our days without a plan. If you have ever wondered about whether you are stuck where you are or if you will remain in the same rut your in till you die, your not alone, but you do have a choice. These tips will be a starting point.  The next thing to do is share your goals with someone close to you that can hold you accountable.

Be Courageous

No one ever enters a battlefield expecting to escape without and wounds. Even if only mental wounds, we are affected. It's impossible to go through life without experiencing some pain or misfortune. We need trials and battles to prepare ourselves for future ones that will be harder. 

The older we get, the more we are affected by what we see around us. As we become more attuned with life and the value of people, we find that things we never really noticed before are very prominent now in the everyday fabric of our existence. How is it possible that these things went unnoticed in our very recent past. Were we that blind to the plight of others? Were we really that selfish and only focused on our own gain and pleasure? The answer is probably yes, which is okay. Don't beat yourself up over it. The more important thing now is that you do notice those things around you that need attention, those people around you that need a helping hand or maybe just a word of encouragement.

Don't think that you have to make up for all the time that was lost. Don't put that pressure on yourself to try to overcome previous short comings. Just begin each day by asking yourself; what can I do today that will have a lasting impact on others? How can I make someone elses day better? This takes courage, because as we look for opportunities to help, we are affected deeply by the ones that need it. The scars of battle are worth it. Anytime you make a difference in someone's life, you will remember it for life.

Blessed In Many Ways

Sitting here in a Northwest suburb of Chicago today after a night of snow and a week of single digit temperatures, I was reflecting on how blessed I am. 

I wake up every day(a blessing in itself) in a warm home surround by people that love me, appreciate me and look to me for encouragement, guidance and friendship. Outside are elements that some less fortunate than I, have to weather on the street or in a car or maybe lucky enough to find a shelter. I open my my pantry that is always with food and my refrigerator that, although sometimes seems empty, has more than enough to get me through several days. I spend time in God's word virtually every morning so that my day starts right. I have transportation and a job and opportunities that flood my way daily to increase my wealth or maybe just increase my knowledge. The computer I'm typing on is one of three in the house and the 6th laptop I've owned. It's about the 15th computer I've owned in the past 12 years and sometimes wonder how I survived before it. (Wow, did I just type that)

I have a Church that my family and I attend without worry of government interfering with. We have the ability to get involved in hundreds of ministries and offer our time to help others where it fits in with our busy lives. We have resources to give to the Church as God asks and it never feels like a sacrifice, though it used to, before I came to the realization that everything I have is on loan to me from God and I'm just a steward of it while I am here. I try to honor Him with my choices.

People and relationships are the best blessing of all. We grow from each other. Where we are weak, others are strong and when they are weak, we are strong. Going it alone is no way to live. My aunt told me recently that she doesn't socialize much, but she believes that people that socialize a lot don't like themselves, so they need to be around others. She likes herself and enjoys to just hang out, reading, doing crossword, watching t.v., etc. I find it hard to believe that she is fulfilled like she could be with friends around to share experiences with, whether joyful or sad. 

I just thought I write about how I know I'm blessed in this time of uncertainty and maybe it might remind someone else that although they may be struggling in a tough time, they too are blessed in many areas.

You become like those you associate with

Often times I look at people and see so much potential. I see the people they surround them selves with and look at what they do with their spare time and am saddened by the reality of the potential waiting to burst out, but yet will never come.

Who we are now is based on past experiences and decisions that we have made and the influence we have received from others, but we can't dwell on the past if we want to accomplish great things. Sometimes we need to make tough choices and make some changes in the friendships we have. At least we have to rethink who we are getting advice from.

Most people wouldn't go to a person that has been divorced 3 or 4 times and ask for marital advice. But time after time, when we are thinking about going in a new direction, whether in life or business, we look to those people around us that have stayed in the same pattern they are in for years. I never understood this but I have seen it in so many individuals. 

If we are going to make a change in our life, it requires effort and surrounding ourselves with new people of influence. Find someone that has changed for the positive in any area and they will tell you that someone helped them through it all, that without that person they would have failed miserably. Look around at the people you associate with. Are they constantly learning and researching new ideas, expanding their minds and keeping up with new technology. Are they looking to have a positive impact on the people around them or are they filled with unending sarcasm and belittling of anyone that tries to change or make a difference.

I remember a story of an old man and a young boy walking down the beach early in the morning. the tide had receded and there were many young starfish left on the beach, that would die once the sun rose high enough and got hot enough to dry them out. The young boy, was throwing the little starfish back into the ocean as they walked down the beach and at one point the old man said, "I know you're trying to help, but look ahead down the beach, there are hundreds maybe thousands that are washed up on the shore. What your doing isn't making a bit of difference." The boy looked at him as he threw another one back in the ocean and said " i made a difference to that one" and he smiled and continued.

Are you hanging around with people that think change is to hard and things will never get better, or our you surrounding yourself with people that have eyes of a child and think anything is possible. 

 Jesus said; "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it"

It takes faith to believe in what we can not see. Have faith and seek out people that are looking to make a difference and you will be amazed at how you too, will accomplish what you want.

Fighting Recessions with Success In Network Marketing

Success in network marketing often times gets a bad rap. Usually by those who signed up for something expecting a get rich quick plan. They never invested the time needed or purchased the tools necessary to succeed. This is usually the fault of the person that got them started, because they themselves, either didn't know what they were doing, or they just didn't duplicate the system well.

Success in network marketing has been around for over 50 years in companies like Amway, Avon, Herbalife and Nutrilite. They have paved the way for hundreds and thousands of newcomers. Many have gone by the wayside by failing to meet FTC regulations and being shut down for running illegal pyramids. This is why a lot of people won't even talk to you when you mention networking marketing. But there are many companies that are above board and have created many millionaires. If you look, you can find them.

During recessions, people are looking for additional sources of income and are looking to not invest the thousands or tens of thousands needed to buy a traditional franchise or start up something from scratch. You can get started and have success in network marketing companies for a minimal registration fee and usually only a few hundred dollars will get you off to a fast start.

If done right, your start up costs should be recouped in the first month or two. Then you are already earning actual profits. Try that with a traditional business with overhead from rent, product procurement, advertising and staffing your establishment with reliable help. (Not gonna happen)

Network marketing is truly recession proof. You can work from home, learn and train others on the internet with webinars and conference calls, you don't have to drive around looking for customers and your advertising comes from word of mouth. If you have a viable product, a good compensation plan and can follow the system through duplication, you will have success. The key is to do a few things each day and teach a few people to do the same. In a short time you have many people doing and teaching others to do the same.

If it gets too complicated or there is too much to teach and you can't be there for everyone, your business will be doomed.

Keep it simple!

What does it take to succeed today?

Things aren't much different today than in the past when it comes to success. 

First off, you need a dream, something beyond your normal everyday desires, something that feels out of reach, but still within reach if you put forth the effort. 

People today don't dream as much as in the past. We are so used to getting everything we want and many feel entitled to the same things that those who worked hard for have. Without dreams, there is just hopelessness, a feeling that we are just trying to get through the day without having to work to hard or have anyone depend on us for anything.  That is not a life.

Second, we need to understand that if we don't change what we are doing, we can't expect to see a difference. The definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". How often do you hear people say, I've tried making changes but it's too hard to stick to it. Of course it is. Ask anyone that's ever tried to lose weight. Andy Stanley once talked about change and said "Change is hard, it's supposed to be". Where did we ever get the idea that to improve ourselves or our lifestyle, wasn't going to require effort and a lot of it. It requires daily self-talk and accountability to others that care about you, to help you along. Look at addicts, they need a support group and daily reminders of why they are making the change. Pictures of loved ones that have been hurt are a reminder of why they need to stop living the way they have.

We need to have pictures to remind us of what we are shooting for and who is going to benefit by this dream of ours. I'll tell you a secret, if you are the only benefactor, find a new dream. Life isn't about you all by yourself. Paint others in your dreams and they will come about quicker than if you are just dreaming of the next THING you can buy for yourself. Nothing is wrong with nice stuff, but if that's all you can think of, you need to broaden your mind.

Third, once you have your dream and know what you need to do, you need to do it. A little effort consistently is better then a lot of effort in chunks. Do something everyday.

Fourth, find someone that has accomplished what you desire and find out what they did to get there and follow the leader. Someone, somewhere has done something similar to what you are hoping to do. Find out as much as you can and duplicate their pattern for success. No says it's all up to you, learn from others that have failed and persevered.

Fifth, everyday read from a good book, listen to a positive audio CD, or better yet hang out with positive successful people. Nothing beats a personal mentor that you can work with to share your dreams and come up with a game plan and hold yourself accountable to.