Do YOU Know A Little About A Lot - Re-read A GOOD Book (part 3)

Following on with this week's theme - So YOU Wanna Make Money - Re-Read A GOOD Book - today I got through a re-read the final lesson of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad:

Lesson 6. Work To Learn - Don't Work For Money - where he writes:

‘The world is filled with talented poor people. All too often, they’re poor or struggle financially or earn less than they are capable of, not because of what they know but because of what they do not know. They focus their skills at building a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger. Maybe McDonald’s does not make the best hamburger, but they are the best at selling and delivering a basic average burger.’

He identifies three key management skills needed for success.

1. The management of cash flow.
2. The management of systems.
3. The management of people.

‘The most important specialised skills are sales and understanding marketing. It is the ability to sell - therefore to communicate to another human being, be it a customer, employee, boss, spouse or child - that is the base skill of personal success. It is communication skills such as writing, speaking and negotiating that are crucial to a life of success. It is a skill that I work on constantly, attending courses or buying educational tapes to expand my knowledge.’

‘Rich Dad encouraged us to know a little about a lot. He encouraged us to work with people smarter than we were and to bring smart people together to work as a team.’

I discovered a review comment that I made about this book well over a decade ago and it holds true today: 'Aaaah… what a book! This is another one of those fantastic best sellers that can never be adequately reviewed. There are just too many incredible pearls of wisdom that have not been conveyed in this review. I know that I will discover more on a fifth and sixth reading of this great book.'

Quite right - it should be a compulsory line by line study in group format for at least ten solid days! That's if YOU want to get wealthy, that is... ;-)


Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the seventh of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Anthony Robbins - Self-Help Author, Motivational Speaker, Transformation Coach

1. quote: A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided.
2. quote: The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment
   
3. quote: The path to success is to take massive, determined action.
   

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Get Stimulated - Re-read a GOOD Book (part2)

Following on from yesterday's post - So YOU Wanna Make Money - Re-Read A GOOD Book - I was stimulated first thing this morning to see what Robert Kiyosaki is saying lately.

Here are two recent comments from Robert that YOU should follow through on, study why he says them, and put them into action for your next 10, 20, 30 productive second life years - starting now:

'Like it or not, we're all in the real estate business. Losers are losing money... but not everyone. Smart investors are making more money than ever. You may not be making money from real estate but someone always is. Cash is always flowing from one person to another. So where is your cash flowing to?' - source

'This financial crisis is a big one. It is said that this is the biggest disaster since the last depression... so don't waste it. The last time an opportunity this big came along was 1929, eighty years ago. If you want to get ahead, become more financially secure, maybe even rich or richer, now is the time... but be smart, be careful.' - source

And, following through on my re-reading of Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Lesson 3. Mind Your Own Business - I was again struck by the wisdom of the advice, which is still very relevant today:

‘Start minding your own business. Keep your daytime job, but start buying real assets, not liabilities or personal effects that have no real value once you get them home.’

‘For adults, keep your expenses low, reduce your liabilities and diligently build a base of solid assets.’

In his definition of a 'real asset' he offers this pertinent advice (very different to what franchisors or your bankers tell you - they want you to be the owner/manager):

‘Businesses that do not require my presence. I own them, but they are managed or run by other people. If I have to work there, it’s not a business. It becomes my job.’

And a warning from his Rich Dad who said:

‘If you don’t love it, you won’t take care of it.’

Lesson 4. the History Of Taxes and The Power of Corporations - a good chapter for identifying the 4 key knowledge areas that make up Financial IQ... and for understanding the fundamental money-attitude difference applied by the rich versus the poor.

And again... I was delayed in my re-reading of Rich Dad, Poor Dad to completion... because I was entranced by the magic of Lesson 5. The Rich Invent Money - almost every sentence of this chapter needs to be dissected for the current lessons and examples that can be applied in our economy right now. Such as:

‘The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth in what seems to be an instant.’

So I apologise, my one day re-read of a good book will take me into a third day... but now I worry about all that I have missed in the other great books that I have read. I'm making a point of getting back into them with a new mind... looking for new opportunities that come from them. I hope that YOU do too.

Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the sixth of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Edward de Bono - Creative Thinking

1. quote: An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.
2. quote: Opportunity ideas do not lie around waiting to be discovered. Such ideas need to be produced.
3. quote: Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.
   

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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So YOU Wanna Make Money - Re-Read A GOOD Book

A few days ago - If YOU Knew Then... What Can YOU Do Now To Make Good Money - I wrote that if YOU are looking to make good money now, then YOU need to get back to re-reading some basics about understanding money in the first place.

Today I decided to put my own words to the test and began re-reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad - that's 10 years after I first read it.

I got half-way through - yes, I too have a busy day... ;-)

Here's what I discovered... the words changed!

They had completely new meaning to what I remembered them saying 10 years ago.

I wonder how Robert Kiyosaki does that...???... ;-)

In Lesson 1. The Rich Don't Work For Money - I was intrigued to re-discover how Robert's Rich Dad put Robert and his friend through the emotional wringer by paying them zero for their work so that they would use their imaginations and learn to look for the opportunity staring at them right under their noses.

They were angry (inflamed passion) and determined to find a way to make money.

And, I was even more intrigued to re-read about the comic-book library that they established as a result.

The comic book library story has lessons that we can apply right now to some concepts we're working on (note to self - shopping mall idea).

Lesson 2. Why Teach Financial Literacy? - is a critical must-read section for everyone... over and over and over again.

Kyosaki has his own definition for wealth (sourced from Buckminster Fuller):

'Wealth is a person’s ability to survive so many number of days forward… or if I stopped working today, how long could I survive?’

Can't wait to finish the rest tomorrow.

Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the fifth of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Robert Schuller - Pastor/Author/Speaker: Inspiration - Crystal Cathedral

1. quote: 'Winning starts with beginning. High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.'
2. quote: 'Most people who succeed in the face of seemingly impossible conditions are people who simply don't know how to quit.'
3. quote: 'Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking, but rather ideas, If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed.'

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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If YOU Knew Then... Wealth Can Be Created From Almost Anything, Anywhere

Continuing this week's theme - If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now.. - then YOU and I should be well aware that wealth can be created by new technologies (new thinking) that change the way we use and do things.

Over the last 30 years, I've seen people make fortunes from introducing new technologies like the PC, the fax machine, the cell phone, the internet, CD's, DVD's, HDTV's, iPods, Google, YouTube, facebook... you name it, someone (many, many people) is/are going to get mega-wealthy in the next 10, 20, 30 years just by creating new ideas seemingly almost out of nowhere.

Someone is going to do it... why not YOU?

What's YOUR idea?

How will it change society... or make people's lives easier?


Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the fourth of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Paul Zane Pilzer - Economist, Author, Entrepreneur

See also: www.paulzanepilzer.com/bio.htm

1. "Wealth is unlimited because it comes from our minds".
2. "Imagine a need and create it".
3. "Wealth is a product of our attitude and our creativity".
   

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If YOU Knew Then... What Can YOU Do Now To Make Good Money

Phew... this week's theme - If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now.. - has taken a serious turn into the realm of providing solutions for those who require to make some money... NOW!

As said yesterday, 'desperation' is not the best foundation for making money... but, let's face it, it sure provides the motivation.

So, ask a good question and let's see what we can come up with.

What Can YOU Do Now To Make Good Money?

Now, that's a good question that requires some focus, introspection and perhaps a little research.

The challenge is whether YOU are prepared well-enough to know how to make good money... NOW!

So (note to self), today I know that if YOU don't have money around, perhaps YOU need to first learn something (or re-learn) about YOUR thoughts on money and why it might be so scarce in YOUR life.

I'd recommend that YOU do nothing more than sit back and relax... and READ (or re-read) the following books... each in one day (I'm talking about intense focus and commitment here) - don't put the books down until YOU have finished them for that day (YOU can do it) - take notes:

Day One: Rich Dad, Poor Dad - by Robert Kiyosaki
Day Two: Cash Flow Quadrant - by Robert Kiyosaki
Day Three: Think & Grow Rich - by Napoleon Hill

Then on Days Four & Five YOU can focus on answering the question - What Can YOU Do Now To Make Good Money? - with a better, more informed and prepared, frame of mind.

(P.S. Read my update change of opinion to above: Take A Good Book & MASTER It - Re-read A Good Book (part 5) )

Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the fourth (someone who I have brought forward in my list to suit this post) of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Robert Kiyosaki - Author/Speaker - Financial Education, Self-Help, Motivation - Investor

1. ‘The LACK of money is the root of all evil.’
2. ‘Study to be rich, understand how money works and learn how to have money work for you.’
3. ‘..true learning takes energy, passion, a burning desire. Anger is a big part of that formula, for passion is anger and love combined. When it comes to money, most people want to play it safe and feel secure. So passion does not direct them. Fear does.’

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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If YOU Knew Then... It's All About Cash Flow, Margin & PROFIT

Continuing the theme of If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now.. , I am today struck by the number of people I meet every day who need to make money URGENTLY... almost in desperation.

This is the toughest way to make money, because generally, it takes some time to lay a foundation of credibility and trust for people to part with their money to you. Desperation forces one to stand in line for a low-paying job (if you can get it) behind a pizza-counter.

Nothing wrong with this if it keeps the wolf from the door - in fact, it takes great moral courage and fibre for most to do this. Doff your hat to these people when you next get served by them - many have real challenges and they're dealing with them in the best way they can.

Using what YOU know now (note to self)... identify where the current flow of money is greatest... where the opportunity is greatest (although this may take time to reveal the flow of money, that's why others are not there making money from this opportunity yet)... position yourself to grab a slice of this action (estimate the time that this will take and the potential challenges/delays)... assess what revenue YOU can bring in... and minimise YOUR costs... to increase YOUR profit margin... ASAP.

So where is the money flowing today?

1. People eat every day.
2. Look at the cars on the road.
3. People need jobs, money, opportunity.
4. ...think, think, think!

This is all about initiative... which we delve into much deeper in WISDOMS Course 2. Initiative - dip.initiative

Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the third of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:


Og Mandino - Author/Speaker: Inspiration & Self-help

- from The Greatest Salesman in the World

1. Scroll IX - I will act now, I will act now, I will act now.
2. Scroll I - Today I begin a new life.
3. Scroll III - I will persist until I succeed.

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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If YOU Knew Then... Count YOUR Blessings & Apply Them

Staying on the theme of If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now.. , imagine having then the blessings, talent, resources, experience, maturity, insights that you have today.

So, count YOUR blessings... take stock of what YOU have going for YOU... knowing even that your failures are a great learning curve for what not to do in the future... apply what YOU know today... what a foundation... what a way to get started in a new business/opportunity/venture/journey in YOUR second productive life!

So let's get real (note to self), here's what YOU really know today:

1. YOU cannot make good money without having something to sell... a concept... an idea... a product/service... to people who want or need it. Develop the concept/idea/product/service now!
2. YOU cannot be sure that people want or need it without testing it... that is, selling the concept/idea/product/service to see who buys it. Sell it now!
3. YOU cannot do any of this if you do not get started... take action. Get started now!


Let's close today's thought with an 'interview' comment or 3 from the second of our potential virtual Board of Advisers:

Zig Ziglar - Author/Speaker: Motivation & Sales

1. quote: 'Money isn't the most important thing in life, but it's reasonably close to oxygen on the "gotta have it" scale.'
2. quote: 'If you wait until all the lights are "green" before you leave home, you'll never get started on your trip to the top.'
3. quote: ' When you set goals, something inside of you starts saying, "Let's go, let's go," and ceilings start to move up.'

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Creating A Business/Opportunity - What I Didn't Know 30 Years Ago That I know Today

I know today that YOU can set up a virtual Board of Advisers (some, the finest business advisers/achievers/analysts/writers the world has known) - for YOUR business... almost overnight!

How much simpler it would have been then, 30-years ago, to begin in business from Day 1 to follow the simple, astute advice of super-successful multi-millionaires and billionaires... than to take the lonely, hard-road of learning from tough personal experience.

People like: Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar, Og Mandino, Robert Schuller, Edward de Bono, Anthony Robbins, Paul Pilzer, Stephen Covey, Tom Peters, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Richard Branson, Peter Daniels, Howard Schulz, Jim Collins, Wendy Evans, Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Bob Davis, Simon Cowell, Robert Kiyosaki, Lance Armstrong, Seth Godin.

Imagine getting just a whisper from these individuals of their top 3 insights into your ear on a daily basis to point you in the right direction?

Would you be motivated, inspired, be consistent, unwavering on your course?

You betcha!

30-Years ago the only place that one could find quality business advice was in books and magazines, usually in a library... today these experts (there are literally 1000's of them) and their advice is as close as your computer/mobile screen... thanks to Google and such-like technologies.

So let's set up interviewing for a 10-person virtual Board of Advisers for YOUR business/opportunity and follow some simple, yet profound, pointers from them (I'll share some in the order that I discovered them or that they impressed me, and identify what their particular talent is - for brevity of post, one per day)... let's begin the interview process of some of these top achievers (we'll add to the list as the thought grows- you can add your own):

Let's ask, what 3 pointers will you give me today to inspire me for my new business/opportunity start-up?

First up:

Tom Hopkins - Professional Speaker: Sales Trainer

1. quote: You begin by always expecting good things to happen.
2. quote: Today, you have 100% of your life left.
3. quote: I never see failure as failure, but only as the game I must play and win.

If I could suggest my 3 cents worth after 30 years, it would be:

1. Get a great idea and develop it - keep it simple - ASAP
   
2. Get enthusiastic about it - test it - ASAP
   
3. Get started - sell it - ASAP

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Start YOUR Real Second Life Now - Step 1.

Let's say YOU are at age 50, 55 (as I am), 60, 65, 70... whatever... and that YOU're keen to explore the concept discussed in our previous post - If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now.. - then let's start thinking about this real second life.

I'm going to assume that YOU have had a reasonably successful first +-30 years of YOUR productive life... and that YOU have at least a roof over YOUR head, mortgage/bond paid off or almost fully paid off... and that YOU have no serious family/relationship issues that are making you desperately unhappy.

And if not... I'm going to assume that some of the problem might just be money... or more accurately a lack of it.

Step 1. Make Money - for better, for worse, I now know that this material world revolves around money (wealth). YOU either have it or YOU don't. And, it is much easier to live, survive, compete and prosper in this world with money than without it.

So YOU (note to self) must start YOUR second life on this planet with the objective of making good money - generating revenue. There are really only two ways to do this:

i. Get a JOB - doing something that YOU love, with people that inspire YOU, giving the very best service that YOU can give to your employer and customer (internal or external)... and being totally happy with YOUR remuneration.

ii. Create YOUR Own Business/Opportunity - in a world where quality jobs can be few and far between, most will probably have to begin designing a product or service (identified from their past experience gained) that people will happily pay good money for... or identifying a great opportunity that others will pay YOU handsomely for.

The trick in YOUR second productive life is to make more money than YOU fork out.. so that YOU can invest it into more wealth-producing assets - equity/stocks, property, businesses, et al - so that YOU can do the things YOU want to do, when YOU want to do them.

This site - Help Me To Retire - seems to understand what everyone needs to be doing with a healthy portion of the money that they make to prepare for their very senior years.

So, Step 1. needs some urgent research, planning, and a decision to get started in YOUR chosen course of action.

My personal choice is to focus on creating a business/opportunity... and to apply to it what I know today that I didn't know 30 years ago.

To be continued in tomorrow's post.


Today's thought is brought to you by:
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If YOU Knew Then What YOU Know Now..

This thought is written by a 55-year-old.

How often have we - in the 50/60/70 age bracket - heard, or thought, the lament - '..if only I knew then what I know now'.

30 Years ago, I was 25 and just entering my productive 10, 20, 30 years that have just passed - I was a slow-starter.

It's interesting to note that Bill Gates started his productive years some 10 years of age earlier than that.

So here's the thought of a 55-year-old (and further stimulated by recent feedback to the same question asked of colleagues approaching 50, 60 and 70) - at what age are YOU planning to kick the bucket?

Not anytime soon, I'll bet.

I'll also bet that YOU're planning another active 10, 20, 30 + years living YOUR life to the best YOU can.

So (the thought goes to self)... YOU are back at the same point you were some 30 years ago with another planned productive 10, 20, 30 years ahead of YOU - with one difference!

YOU do know now what YOU didn't know then!

So (thought to self) why not apply what YOU now know to creating a 2nd life - a second vibrant, productive life - of YOUR dreams?

Slip back into that 25-year-old frame of mind where the world was YOUR oyster and download everything YOU now know about success and failure.

How will YOU now go about being productive - achieving YOUR 2nd life dreams - over the next 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 years?

That will be the theme for applied daily thought this week.

In the meantime, I had a giggle at this insight from someone who has thought through this question from their perspective:

Things I wish I’d known when I was younger

Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Take YOUR Time To Dream

Peter J. Daniels wrote in ‘Miss Phillips, You Were Wrong':

With limited vision you will never see the full picture. It is not lack of education that stops people from getting ahead. It’s not lack of opportunity either that prevents growth. It’s not family influence or the lack of it that sets you on the pathway of life. It is rather lack of vision.

If I were to name the most important ingredient in achievement and success, it would have to be vision. The Bible goes even further, saying, ‘Without vision, the people perish.’ Do not allow anyone to destroy your dreams. But, remember that dreams don’t work unless you do.

The Mr and Miss Phillips’ of this world will always be wrong because the human spirit, with each heart beat, pushes against the odds. They will always be wrong psychologically, humanly and spiritually because they cannot tap into or measure your unlimited and undiscovered potential.

Some Peter J. Daniels out-takes from a chapter in his book - How to reach your LIFE Goals - Ch. 5 - Take Time To Dream:

1. In dreaming YOU are creating something out of nothing.
2. Do not be too busy to dream, rather be busy dreaming.
3. Dreaming does not waste time, it saves time.

The distance we can travel intellectually is directly related to the size of our dreams and belief we have in them. - Peter J. Daniels

And..

1. Your capacity is immeasurable.
2. Do not waste time on little dreams.
3. Dreaming expands capacity.
4. Clarify your purpose.
5. Never force a purpose into a dream.
6. Make your purpose big enough for others.
   

Thanks Peter... a neat way to wrap up this week's DREAM theme.


Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Dream In HIGH Definition

This thought is stimulated by a previous post and comment input.

Why not take YOUR dream into the realm of High Definition?

Take a look at this pic:



The brighter the picture the sharper the desire... would YOU not say..?

Read the accompanying story on Maxing Out.


Today's thought is brought to you by:
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Do YOU Dare To Dream?

Dare to dream!

I seem to remember these words in Somewhere Over The Rainbow - 'the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true'.

The statement almost implies that some (maybe most) are too scared to dream... perhaps because they have to get off their behinds and take responsibility for making something happen in their lives.. ;-)

'Dare' implies going where others fear to tread.. taking risks (perhaps of failure, criticism and rejection).

The business world, for instance, regularly sees the 'few' who dare rising to the top and confounding their critics.

This neat piece: Dare To Dream - create an "impossible" goal - and discover the possibilities - in Entrepreneur.com raised 4 key points that can be applied to both business and YOUR life dreams:

1. Choose your "mission impossible.

2. Define your project's outcome by what you want to learn, not by financial results.

3. Make true progress on a regular basis.

4. Track what you learn and don't look back.

I particularly like this quote from point 4:

You won't achieve your impossible goal in one giant leap. In fact, you may find yourself taking two steps forward and one step back. Rather than fearing what may happen, embrace any setbacks you encounter and consider them learning opportunities. Use your imagination to find ways to turn each new development into a growth strategy for your business.

Today's thought is brought to you by:
WISDOMS - Powerful PEAK Performance Program

DREAM Acronym & Anagram

Thursday thought is a little late due to life pressures.. ;-)

Was thinking of an acronym for DREAM that we can perhaps develop:

D - is for Definition - make it high definition like the latest and greatest TV picture of your dream.

R - is for Reality - start to convert your dream into reality - live it, feel it, see it, touch it, experience it.

E - make it Enduring - make it an ambitious enough dream that keeps you excited and motivated to stick-at-it.

A - is for Attention - make certain that YOU work at YOUR dream regularly... daily is best.

M - is for Momentum - start today to begin the ball rolling... the faster it rolls the easier to maintain momentum. Make it happen.

Perhaps another:

Dare to dream..
Reach beyond YOUR norm..
Enable it - muster all available resources
Activate it - stir into action
Massive momentum

And.. what about a little anagram for working towards YOUR dream:

Dedicate Regular Energy Attention Momentum

Desire Relentlessly Every Awakening Moment

Direct Resources, Energise, Act Massively

Dedication, Responsibility, Energy, Attitude, Motivation

Dare, Risk, Enter, Aim, Move

See if YOU can add to or improve upon these thoughts.


Today's thought is brought to you by:
WISDOMS - Powerful PEAK Performance Program

YOUR Dream - A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?

Be careful what YOU dream... YOU just might experience it happening to YOU!

Was contemplating on the thought that perhaps a dream is nothing more than YOUR self-expectation in moving colour... when the thought moved on to the concept of this self-expectation perhaps having the power of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Wikipedia: Self-fulfilling prophecy has this interesting opening line:

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior.

This blends with an interesting few points by Denis Waitley written in - 2. The Champion Within Article - The Power of Positive Self-Expectancy: The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley :

Winners understand that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. And they know that you usually get what you expect in the long run.

Mental obsessions DO have physical manifestations. You do become that which you fear. You get what you suspect. You are that which you expect to be. This power of the self-fulfilling prophecy is one of the most amazing phenomena of human nature. What do you expect for yourself? You should expect the best. The winners in life, believing in the self-fulfilling prophecy, keep their momentum moving upward by expecting better jobs, more money, good health, better family relationships, financial security, warm friendships, and success.

..get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire. You can smell it, taste it, and see it a mile away. Everybody loves a winner. But nobody crowds around a loser's locker room. Don't run around with the doomsayers who look up and shout that the sky is always falling.

Get excited about YOUR dream... and then go for it!


Today's thought is brought to you by:
WISDOMS - Powerful PEAK Performance Program

Can YOU Define YOUR Dream?

I found this fascinating article in Success Magazine - What is Your Dream? - Excerpt from Put Your Dream to the Test - by John C. Maxwell - in which he provides an interesting definition of a dream (a life dream ,that is).

A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.

A dream worth pursuing is a picture and blueprint of a person’s purpose and potential.

Or as my friend Sharon Hull says, “A dream is the seed of possibility planted in the soul of a human being, which calls him to pursue a unique path to the realization of his purpose.”

In this article Maxwell provides 10 questions to help YOU put YOUR dreams to the test:

1. The Ownership Question: Is my dream really my dream?
2. The Clarity Question: Do I clearly see my dream?
3. The Reality Question: Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
4. The Passion Question: Does my dream compel me to follow it?
5. The Pathway Question: Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
6. The People Question: Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
7. The Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
8. The Tenacity Question: Am I moving closer to my dream?
9. The Fulfillment Question: Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
10. The Significance Question: Does my dream benefit others?

And... he provides 6 things to do to help YOU prepare for or define your dreams:

1. Mental preparation. Read and study in areas of your greatest interest.
2. Experiential preparation. Engage in activities in areas related to your interests.
3. Visual preparation. Put up pictures of people and things that inspire you.
4. Hero preparation. Read about and try to meet people you admire and who inspire you.
5. Physical preparation. Get your body in optimal shape to pursue your dream.
6. Spiritual preparation. Seek God’s help for a bigger-than-self dream.

Maxwell wraps up with a lovely quote from his agent, Matt Yates:

“A dream is what you desire if anything and everything is possible.”

Today's thought is brought to you by:
WISDOMS - Powerful PEAK Performance Program

What Is YOUR Dream?

Do YOU want a dream life... a dream lifestyle... a dream partner... a dream career?

So what is YOUR dream?

A dream... it has a visual connotation.

It's a picture... or series of pictures... that you 'see' in YOUR mind.

So can YOU show me YOUR pictures of YOUR dream (or something closely resembling what YOU see in YOUR mind)?

Can you SEE it, FEEL it, TOUCH it?

Here's a tip, create a noticeboard with pictures that closely align with the picture that YOU have in YOUR mind of YOUR dream.

Here's a pic/plan from our 'dream noticeboard' of a very simple 'retirement' cottage that my wife and I both envisage building for our mature years on this planet.



This same noticeboard has taken our family to Miami and Disneyworld, Orlando Florida, USA, and to a number of winter skiing trips and/or trips through most of Europe - with Paris being our family favourite city on every visit... all dreams visualised on this board.



So what does YOUR dream look like?

Pin it up.


Today's thought is brought to you by:
WISDOMS - Powerful PEAK Performance Program

Discover YOUR Life Purpose.. Or Let It Discover YOU?

After a week of contemplating simple thoughts on discovering our life's purpose, I'm wondering if we shouldn't sweat it (if we haven't got it yet) and just by taking action to enjoy each day on this planet with a cheery, optimistic outlook maybe our Life Purpose will find us..?

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. — Mark Twain

Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know - that man is here for the sake of other men. — Albert Einstein

The Dilemma

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk rejection.
To place your dreams before a crowd is to risk ridicule.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrows, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow, or love.
Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave - he has forfeited his freedom.
Only a person who takes risks is FREE

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The PURPOSE Of Life Is To...

It is often interesting to catch a glimpse of what others believe the purpose of life to be:

The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.— William Arthur Ward

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. -Eleanor Roosevelt -US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone. ~ Reba McEntire

Give us Lord, a bit o' sun,
A bit o' work and a bit o' fun;
Give us all in the struggle and sputter
Our daily bread and a bit o' butter.
~ From an inn in Lancaster, England

Does the experience of others ring true for you?

Wikipedia has a fascinating philosophical insight into different scientific and religious views as to 'The Meaning of Life'


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A Business Cue For Developing YOUR Life Purpose

Most people spend more time developing a PURPOSE for their many business initiatives than they do on their own life purpose.

So let's take a cue from the simple generic process of developing a purpose for YOUR business.

1. VISION - a 'visual' interpretation/description of the long-term future impact that YOU expect YOUR business will have on the world... so why not create a vision/visual for YOUR Life's Purpose too.

2. AIM or MISSION Statement - a prominent explanation statement to all concerning what the customer can expect when dealing with YOUR business... so why not let people know what they can expect from YOU - a personal mission statement - as YOU deal with others in living to YOUR Life's Purpose.

3. OBJECTIVES - a description of the medium-term achievements that YOU'd like to to see YOUR business reaching... so what medium-term achievements do YOU set as objectives for YOUR personal life? Take a look at S.M.A.R.T Objectives for more of a clue as to how you can get smart about achieving YOUR business/life objectives.

A Business Purpose needs to be crisp, concise and crystal-clear so that everyone in the organisation can work towards achieving the long-term vision for the business.

Imagine YOUR Life Purpose being written in crisp, concise and crystal-clear format for others to recognise how they can help YOU to achieve your long-term vision for YOUR life.


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7 Steps For Creating YOUR Life Purpose

What if we can develop a little 7-step acronym to help us create a template for our own Life's Purpose?

This will be a work in progress (please add YOUR input) on this post until complete... so let's begin with some first ideas:

P- make it Personal - YOUR Life Purpose should give meaning to YOUR life... should make YOU feel good about what YOU do in life... should help YOU to enjoy YOUR life. So make it personal to YOU.

U - make it Uplifting - ask yourself whether YOUR life is to be lived by making a positive impact to the world, by making a difference to others, by adding something of value to society... or whether YOUR life is to be lived by taking away from society, negatively impacting others, by bringing grief to the world. Will YOU add value to or take away from the world in your lifetime?

R - take personal Responsibility - acknowledge that YOU and YOU alone will be responsible for living to YOUR life's purpose. YOU and YOU alone will take the decisions to respond positively to the big crises that will affect YOUR life. YOU and YOU alone will have to ensure that the many problems that will impact YOUR journey - YOUR Life Purpose - do not deflect YOU from YOUR chosen course. Whether YOU believe your appearance on this planet to be a random act of nature, or whether YOU believe that a 'Supreme Creator' has given YOU the freedom to choose YOUR destiny - then you must accept YOUR personal responsibility to take the decisions that YOU alone will stand by.

P - live YOUR life (purpose) with Passion - openly experience and enjoy YOUR life journey - explore, discover, laugh, love, cry, grieve - and show others YOUR strong , deep feelings, YOUR eager desire and commitment, to living up to YOUR Life Purpose. Wear YOUR heart on YOUR sleeve.

O - live YOUR life (purpose) with an Optimistic outlook - let's be real... life is tough, it will present YOU with problems, it will trip YOU up at times... to paraphrase William Arthur Ward - quote:

The real optimist is aware of problems, but recognises solutions;
knows about the difficulties but accentuates the positives;
is exposed to the worst, but expects the best;
has reason to complain, but prefers to smile.

S - be Sincere - understand that YOUR Life Purpose will conflict with the value systems of others who have their own purposes in life - good or bad. Be true to YOURself and YOUR Life Purpose and be sincere (see sincere - dictionary definition) to others - genuine; real; without deceit, pretense or hypocrisy; truthful; honest; straightforward - so that they may know why you react or respond to them as you do. Know that this will cause conflict with some. If they cannot respect YOUR values in living towards YOUR Life Purpose as you respect theirs, and YOU cannot bring yourself to compromise your values to move closer to theirs (or vice versa)... move on by... to continue YOUR journey.

E- live YOUR life (purpose) with Enthusiasm - most believe that this is the only life YOU can be sure of on this planet. YOU can live it with zest, gusto, an energy that demonstrates how enthusiastic YOU really are in living up to YOUR Life's Purpose.

Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas. - Henry Ford

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Are YOU Living To YOUR Life's Purpose?

Another GREAT question to contemplate.

How do YOU know if YOU are living to YOUR life's purpose?

Let's think about this.

Are YOU happy?

Are YOU happy with YOUR life?

Are YOU happy with YOUR progress in life?

Can YOU describe (in writing) YOUR life's purpose?

If YES... YOU must be very close to living to YOUR life's purpose... if not right on track!

If NO... YOU may well have some more exploring to do.

Don't stop now... explore!

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Is This YOUR Purpose On This Planet?

Now here's an interesting question.

Is our purpose in life to ensure that little creatures get their fair turn at having a GREAT life?

Is our purpose in life to ensure that these little ones can achieve their PURPOSE in life?



Perhaps this is just part of our overall purpose in life.
What would YOU like YOUR life PURPOSE to be?
Are YOU living to YOUR life's purpose?

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What Is YOUR Purpose In Life?

Here's a new question for the week for YOU to consider.

Do YOU have a purpose for YOUR life?

Do WE all have a purpose in life?

Are we born into this world to just bounce about through life like a pinball - flipped rudely in all directions by an unknown 'flipper'... to bounce from sidewalls to spring-loaded buzzers until we disappear down a hole?

Do WE have more control over the paths OUR lives take?

Do YOU have control over the direction that YOUR life takes?

Do YOU have a clear purpose in life?

That's something for US all to contemplate.

What is YOUR purpose in life?


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YOU Can Do It Now... By Believing In YOU

YOU Can... Do It... Now!

YOU Can - is about belief... YOUR self-belief... belief in YOURSELF. YOU have got to believe YOU can.

DO it - is about Action & Commitment. Believing YOU can only converts into something positive when YOU take action... when YOU make a commitment to start... to try something.

Now - is about timing... immediacy... not waiting. Beginning right now... to begin achieving that which YOU can.

Take the first step right NOW.

Then the next step... and the next... and the next... and soon YOU will be miles further down the road towards your target achievement.

Believing in You
By Catherine Pulsifer, © 1997

Never stop believing in yourself.
When others doubt, don't you.
Do what you love to do,
No one knows better than you.

Life is too short to live others' dreams
Follow your own dream
Push yourself to reach your goals
And live the life you once dreamed.

Trust your instincts.
Be true to yourself.
You know what is right for you.
Never give up or give in.

Forget the words "I don't know how".
You can learn,
You can research,
You can do.

Your mind is powerful.
When you believe you can.
You will find a way
You won't waste a day.

Persist and persevere
Do not fear
Because if you believe in you
You will find dreams can come true.

May all your dreams turn into goals,
Believe in yourself.
And remember, all of life is a choice.
The decision is up to you.

Believe in Yourself, Dare To Be Whatever You Want To Be!

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The 3rd MOST Powerful Statement For YOU

The 1st most powerful personal statement YOU can ever apply to YOUR life is... YOU Can!

The 2nd most powerful personal statement YOU can ever apply to YOUR life is... Do it!

The 3rd most powerful personal statement YOU can ever apply to YOUR life is... Now!

YOU Can... Do It... Now!


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When They Tell YOU It's Impossible...

It's the mid-70's... YOU're paddling down the Dusi/Umgeni rivers in record floods during the official 50-Miler.
YOU're approaching the notorious Devil's Island Rapid (a full level 5 rapid - most difficult at normal levels)... and no-one else is in the water (they're all portaging over Burma Road) because they say - 'it's IMPOSSIBLE'!
Can YOU do the 'impossible'?
What do YOU do?



YOU give it a go... YOU try... YOU do it... YOU end up in a rare 'raging river' photo that captures the imagination of other canoeists for years.

Did they really do it?

Yes.

YOU Can... Do It!


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Do It ANYWAY!

The biggest challenge holding back most from just getting started - taking that first step - on the road to their dreams is... their fear for the comments and criticism of others.

Guess what... whether YOU do it... or YOU don't... YOU will get criticised anyway.

So DO It ANYWAY!

ANYWAYsourced from - Readers Digest Dec. 1982

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down
by the smallest people with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.

Fight for some underdogs anyway.

What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

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The 2nd MOST Powerful Statement For YOU

Do it!

The single most common reason why most people don't succeed is... they don't try!

Once YOU have decided that - YOU Can! - the next most powerful step that YOU can take is... that first step!

Take action!

Know YOUR passion, know what YOU want to achieve, know YOUR goal... then get started.

Take that first step.

Do it!

YOU Can Do it!

Begin to move towards YOUR objective... take some small steps to get YOU there.

The further YOU get down the road, the more YOU learn about how to do things better.

The higher YOU climb... the further YOU can see where YOU need to be going.

Of course, it takes some research... it takes some planning... strategy... having an idea where YOU want to go.

Get started!


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Powerful Reinforcement For YOU

You Can If You Think You Can!


If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But soon or late the man who wins,
Is the man who thinks he can.

~ C. W. Longenecker ~

source: http://www.cybernation.com/victory/youcandoit/youcan.php

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