Success...One Day At A Time

The Secret of "Anti-Time Management"

It's mad rush time again...and this diary is usually the first thing that suffers!

As I mentioned before...once you get out of a routine...it's very difficult to get back into one!

The more ideas that I have...the more avenues open up to me...and the busier I become!

That's why time management is important...except, since last Saturday when I got back from a week's vacation...I've been practicing...

"Anti-time management!"

What's that? Well...I have purposely NOT focused on exactly what I need to do before I fly to Vancouver tomorrow.

Instead...I have made sure that I have spent as much time as I can with Katie...because, after all...I won't be seeing her for another week from tomorrow.

I've realized that there are the important things...and there are the VERY important things where my life is concerned!

It all comes down to which are the most important things for where you are at this precise moment...and, at this moment...spending time with my daughter is more important than any deadline (self-imposed or otherwise) that I have in my business.

Sure...whilst I am away...I won't be able to answer emails or work on my business...but, I will have two 9 hour-plus flights during which I can spend time working on ME and my knowledge.

The more challenges I face, the more I have realized that I need to focus on working smarter...and necessarily harder.

What about YOU?

It's mad rush time again...and

It's mad rush time again...and this diary is usually the first thing that suffers!

As I mentioned before...once you get out of a routine...it's very difficult to get back into one!

The more ideas that I have...the more avenues open up to me...and the busier I become!

That's why time management is important...except, since last Saturday when I got back from a week's vacation...I've been practicing...

"Anti-time management!"

What's that? Well...I have purposely NOT focused on exactly what I need to do before I fly to Vancouver tomorrow.

Instead...I have made sure that I have spent as much time as I can with Katie...because, after all...I won't be seeing her for another week from tomorrow.

I've realized that there are the important things...and there are the VERY important things where my life is concerned!

It all comes down to which are the most important things for where you are at this precise moment...and, at this moment...spending time with my daughter is more important than any deadline (self-imposed or otherwise) that I have in my business.

Sure...whilst I am away...I won't be able to answer emails or work on my business...but, I will have two 9 hour-plus flights during which I can spend time working on ME and my knowledge.

The more challenges I face, the more I have realized that I need to focus on working smarter...and necessarily harder.

What about YOU?

Why You Should Never Neglect What's Important

Whew...

Back from a week's vacation on the lovely windy Mediterranean island of Cyprus...which we only booked 36 hours before we actually went!

Why?

Well...after recent events, both Lesley and myself have felt that we were becoming further apart.

Why?

Well...when you spend almost five years under extreme stress like we have...your relationship tends to go one of two ways.

You either split up because of the pressure...or it forces you together as you both deal with it.

Our experiences with Connor made us closer than we ever probably would have been.

But...

Now that he's gone...we no longer have that sort of stress around to push us together any more.

So...short-notice holiday to do some serious talking without interruptions about what we want, both from our lives, and each other.

True, it cost money to go away...but I am a firm believer in investing (or re-investing) for the future where my business is concerned...and my relationship with my wife and family shouldn't be any different.

It's (unfortunately) a fact that we often neglect the very things and people that make us happy because we take them for granted...but...this is not a mistake I intend to make after all we have been through together as a family.

It's the least I could do after everything my son did for me.

Whew... Back from a week's

Whew...

Back from a week's vacation on the lovely windy Mediterranean island of Cyprus...which we only booked 36 hours before we actually went!

Why?

Well...after recent events, both Lesley and myself have felt that we were becoming further apart.

Why?

Well...when you spend almost five years under extreme stress like we have...your relationship tends to go one of two ways.

You either split up because of the pressure...or it forces you together as you both deal with it.

Our experiences with Connor made us closer than we ever probably would have been.

But...

Now that he's gone...we no longer have that sort of stress around to push us together any more.

So...short-notice holiday to do some serious talking without interruptions about what we want, both from our lives, and each other.

True, it cost money to go away...but I am a firm believer in investing (or re-investing) for the future where my business is concerned...and my relationship with my wife and family shouldn't be any different.

It's (unfortunately) a fact that we often neglect the very things and people that make us happy because we take them for granted...but...this is not a mistake I intend to make after all we have been through together as a family.

It's the least I could do after everything my son did for me.

Do You Realize How Wonderful You Really Are?

Do you realize how wonderful you really are?

Now...this isn't meant to be 'twee' or sarcastic...but, do you really think about how special you are compared to everyone else?

You have a unique talent that I guarantee someone, somewhere, would be glad to pay you for!

You might not think that you do...but, if you really think about it...I'm sure you'll find out that you are good at something!

Take me, for example...

What I have done for the last year or so online bears absolutely no resemblance whatsoever to my previous fifteen years of working!

And...I've discovered that I have a talent for communicating with people via the written word that I didn't know that I had!

It all comes down to how much you really want to succeed in your life...

You could be stuck in an admin job - just because it is the 'norm'...but deep down your 'true love' is scriptwriting (funnily enough I used to know someone who was in that exact same position!).

You might have been a fantastic cartoonist in your youth...yet you are now a 'lifer' insurance man (exactly like one of my brothers).

Listen to what 'calls' you.

If it fascinates you...then you almost certainly have a talent for it. And...you can almost certainly use it in your life to be someone different.

This isn't just talk. Many people make a living for doing seemingly 'stupid' things...yet, because they are so original, or so good at it...they become famous for it (and wealthy in the process!)

Remember...it's not what you are that defines how successful you can become...it's how you use what you already know that makes the difference (and YOU different!)

Do you realize how wonderful

Do you realize how wonderful you really are?

Now...this isn't meant to be 'twee' or sarcastic...but, do you really think about how special you are compared to everyone else?

You have a unique talent that I guarantee someone, somewhere, would be glad to pay you for!

You might not think that you do...but, if you really think about it...I'm sure you'll find out that you are good at something!

Take me, for example...

What I have done for the last year or so online bears absolutely no resemblance whatsoever to my previous fifteen years of working!

And...I've discovered that I have a talent for communicating with people via the written word that I didn't know that I had!

It all comes down to how much you really want to succeed in your life...

You could be stuck in an admin job - just because it is the 'norm'...but deep down your 'true love' is scriptwriting (funnily enough I used to know someone who was in that exact same position!).

You might have been a fantastic cartoonist in your youth...yet you are now a 'lifer' insurance man (exactly like one of my brothers).

Listen to what 'calls' you.

If it fascinates you...then you almost certainly have a talent for it. And...you can almost certainly use it in your life to be someone different.

This isn't just talk. Many people make a living for doing seemingly 'stupid' things...yet, because they are so original, or so good at it...they become famous for it (and wealthy in the process!)

Remember...it's not what you are that defines how successful you can become...it's how you use what you already know that makes the difference (and YOU different!)

The Focus Secret Of Training Your Brain

A very strange, yet strangely productive day today...

First, I was asked to speak at the Coachville "Future of Coaching" Conference - my first 'gig'! (Just goes to show how events can just 'happen'...and all on the back of me deciding to put my website forward at the conference a couple of weeks ago)

Secondly...I spent quite a few hours writing a salesletter for a new JV resale rights product that I'm working on.

Then...I wrote my Tuesday recommended resource edition of my ezine.

And...inbetween all that I picked Katie and her friend up from school and cooked them dinner!

Ah...a man of many hats! lol

But...boy, did I achieve so many different things today!

At the start of the day...I wasn't even sure what I was going to do...yet, once I had decided that I was only going to focus only on ONE project at a time...everything fell into place.

Every time my mind would wander off to thinking about food or a cup of tea...or to the 'ping' of my incoming email...I told myself that I must FOCUS and finish what I was working on first.

And...guess what...it worked a treat! lol

So...take it from me...the next time that you know that you need to get a project done, yet you begin to feel distracted - just tell yourself to focus and concentrate for another few minutes or so or until it's finished.

You'll be surprised at how well you can 'train your brain' if you do it often enough!

A very strange, yet strangely

A very strange, yet strangely productive day today...

First, I was asked to speak at the Coachville "Future of Coaching" Conference - my first 'gig'! (Just goes to show how events can just 'happen'...and all on the back of me deciding to put my website forward at the conference a couple of weeks ago)

Secondly...I spent quite a few hours writing a salesletter for a new JV resale rights product that I'm working on.

Then...I wrote my Tuesday recommended resource edition of my ezine.

And...inbetween all that I picked Katie and her friend up from school and cooked them dinner!

Ah...a man of many hats! lol

But...boy, did I achieve so many different things today!

At the start of the day...I wasn't even sure what I was going to do...yet, once I had decided that I was only going to focus only on ONE project at a time...everything fell into place.

Every time my mind would wander off to thinking about food or a cup of tea...or to the 'ping' of my incoming email...I told myself that I must FOCUS and finish what I was working on first.

And...guess what...it worked a treat! lol

So...take it from me...the next time that you know that you need to get a project done, yet you begin to feel distracted - just tell yourself to focus and concentrate for another few minutes or so or until it's finished.

You'll be surprised at how well you can 'train your brain' if you do it often enough!

How BIG Thinking Will Help Your Survival

My parents got back last week from a cruise across the Atlantic.

The last time they went on a similar trip about five years ago...it was 'plain sailing' - the weather was fantastic, and the sea was calm all the way.

Not this time!

They were unable to stop at the Azores in the mid-Atlantic because the captain couldn't be sure that the strong winds wouldn't blow the ship too hard against the harbor!

And...whilst they were at sea...they had 18-foot high waves to contend with!

Now...with a cruise liner, waves this high don't really prove that much of a problem...it just means that you are thrown around a lot more on board (and probably end up feeling a lot more seasick because of it).

Now...I wouldn't want to come across waves that high, would you?

But...it made me think...

Waves the size of a house don't cause many problems to a massive ocean liner...but I bet if you were single-handedly rowing across the Atlantic on your own...it would be an absolute nightmare!

It's the same way where your thoughts are concerned.

If your thoughts are focused on the BIG things that you want to achieve...you will stand a much better chance of surviving the odd change in the weather that invariably happens when you are 'all at sea'.

But...if your thoughts focus on lack and poverty...you can be sure that a huge wave will stand a fair chance to engulf you!

So...it's your choice...do you want to be buffetted...or nearly drowned?

My parents got back last

My parents got back last week from a cruise across the Atlantic.

The last time they went on a similar trip about five years ago...it was 'plain sailing' - the weather was fantastic, and the sea was calm all the way.

Not this time!

They were unable to stop at the Azores in the mid-Atlantic because the captain couldn't be sure that the strong winds wouldn't blow the ship too hard against the harbor!

And...whilst they were at sea...they had 18-foot high waves to contend with!

Now...with a cruise liner, waves this high don't really prove that much of a problem...it just means that you are thrown around a lot more on board (and probably end up feeling a lot more seasick because of it).

Now...I wouldn't want to come across waves that high, would you?

But...it made me think...

Waves the size of a house don't cause many problems to a massive ocean liner...but I bet if you were single-handedly rowing across the Atlantic on your own...it would be an absolute nightmare!

It's the same way where your thoughts are concerned.

If your thoughts are focused on the BIG things that you want to achieve...you will stand a much better chance of surviving the odd change in the weather that invariably happens when you are 'all at sea'.

But...if your thoughts focus on lack and poverty...you can be sure that a huge wave will stand a fair chance to engulf you!

So...it's your choice...do you want to be buffetted...or nearly drowned?

How One Single Action Can Have A Ripple Effect On Your Future

I had an interesting experience today with a salesman...

We were buying a new dishwasher (how domesticated! lol) for around $300...and he was pushing a five-year warranty for an extra $130 or so!

What was interesting was not the fact that he was offering it...it was the way he was!

He was literally arguing with me as I was saying "No"!

Me, being me...wanted to give him some reasons why we didn't want it (apart from it being a rip-off! lol)...but, instead of just accepting that I didn't want it, he insisted on challenging every reason that I gave him.

It felt that I was having a debate with him...and not just being offered insurance that I didn't want!

I can tell you that I walked out of the store thoroughly disgusted with his attitude.

Now...do you think that his actions have tainted the entire store in my eyes?

Do you think that I am more likely to go back there in future or not?

Do you think that if the general topic of buying anything cropped up in conversation with our friends...that I would relate this story (and, at the same time let them know what store it was?)

Now...can you see how one single action can have a 'ripple effect' on the future?

What if you were rude to a colleague? Or gossiped behind their back?

Or...how about you turned up for work late every now and again? Or had too many long lunches?

Don't you think that this could cause some 'ripples'?

All it takes is one single action...and you can set a chain of events in play, the impact of which you could never believe.

And...you'll never, ever, know whether it will have a seriously negative effect on YOUR future aspirations and dreams.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

I had an interesting experience

I had an interesting experience today with a salesman...

We were buying a new dishwasher (how domesticated! lol) for around $300...and he was pushing a five-year warranty for an extra $130 or so!

What was interesting was not the fact that he was offering it...it was the way he was!

He was literally arguing with me as I was saying "No"!

Me, being me...wanted to give him some reasons why we didn't want it (apart from it being a rip-off! lol)...but, instead of just accepting that I didn't want it, he insisted on challenging every reason that I gave him.

It felt that I was having a debate with him...and not just being offered insurance that I didn't want!

I can tell you that I walked out of the store thoroughly disgusted with his attitude.

Now...do you think that his actions have tainted the entire store in my eyes?

Do you think that I am more likely to go back there in future or not?

Do you think that if the general topic of buying anything cropped up in conversation with our friends...that I would relate this story (and, at the same time let them know what store it was?)

Now...can you see how one single action can have a 'ripple effect' on the future?

What if you were rude to a colleague? Or gossiped behind their backs?

Or...how about you turned up for work late every now and again? Or had too many long lunches?

Don't you think that this could cause some 'ripples'?

All it takes is one single action...and you can set a chain of events in play, the impact of which you could never believe.

And...you'll never, ever, know whether it will have a seriously negative effect on YOUR future aspirations and dreams.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

These Two Things Are Going To Be The Key Hallmarks Of Successful People

It's a jungle out there...

Climbing to the top of the tree in any profession (career-wise or self-employed)...is both as difficult...yet, as easy as it ever has been!

Hold on...what do I mean by this? How can it be both difficult and easy?

Well...here's why.

Difficult
=====

- You have more competitors
- Your competitors (and peers) are willing to do anything to beat you.
- The cost of living is higher than it ever has been.
- You have less free time to do what you really want to do.
- Job security isn't what it used to be.

Well..pretty depressing, eh?

OK. Let's look at the 'easy' side...

Easy
====

- It's cheaper to make money than ever before (thanks to the Internet)
- Because you have so many competitors...being someone (or doing something) different makes you more noticeable.
- You have at your disposal so much free knowledge online that you could be an expert at a subject in six months without leaving your PC.
- Your reputation can spread through the entire world because of email.
- It's never been easier to contact those people who earn millions.

But...'easy' comes at a price.

You must be fully committed to making a difference in peoples' lives BEFORE you focus on what financial gain you can get out of it!

Now...this goes against a lot of standard business and career thinking, but, unless you distinguish yourself by being someone that is looking out for your customers' (or your boss's) interest...then you will get left behind when the 'real' world catches up.

What do I mean by that?

Well...the world is changing...day by day.

Gradually, honesty and integrity are going to be the key hallmarks of successful people. People have come to realize that life is too short to suffer those people and companies that only look out for themselves and their bottom-line.

You're ahead of the curve. It may take a bit longer...but the payoff in the end will be huge!

Remember...you read it here first!

It's a jungle out there...

It's a jungle out there...

Climbing to the top of the tree in any profession (career-wise or self-employed)...is both as difficult...yet, as easy as it ever has been!

Hold on...what do I mean by this? How can it be both difficult and easy?

Well...here's why.

Difficult
=====

- You have more competitors
- Your competitors (and peers) are willing to do anything to beat you.
- The cost of living is higher than it ever has been.
- You have less free time to do what you really want to do.
- Job security isn't what it used to be.

Well..pretty depressing, eh?

OK. Let's look at the 'easy' side...

Easy
====

- It's cheaper to make money than ever before (thanks to the Internet)
- Because you have so many competitors...being someone (or doing something) different makes you more noticeable.
- You have at your disposal so much free knowledge online that you could be an expert at a subject in six months without leaving your PC.
- Your reputation can spread through the entire world because of email.
- It's never been easier to contact those people who earn millions.

But...'easy' comes at a price.

You must be fully committed to making a difference in peoples' lives BEFORE you focus on what financial gain you can get out of it!

Now...this goes against a lot of standard business and career thinking, but, unless you distinguish yourself by being someone that is looking out for your customers' (or your boss's) interest...then you will get left behind when the 'real' world catches up.

What do I mean by that?

Well...the world is changing...day by day.

Gradually, honesty and integrity are going to be the key hallmarks of successful people. People have come to realize that life is too short to suffer those people and companies that only look out for themselves and their bottom-line.

You're ahead of the curve. It may take a bit longer...but the payoff in the end will be huge!

Remember...you read it here first!

What Have YOU Chosen To Do With Your Life?

It's not the type of problems that you face that establishes your success or failure...it's the 'frame' that you put them in.

Take me, for example.

I am in total control of my destiny. Whether I succeed or not depends entirely on what I do (or don't do).

Now...I have a family to provide for...and a fluctuating income that doesn't always live up to the 'image' of a successful Internet business. But...that comes with the territory!

It's my choice to throw away the 'security' of a well-paid full-time job to earn a living this way.

And...if you know me well enough by now...you'll know that I could be described as 'unlucky' or 'unfortunate' by some people.

But...I choose not to look at it that way.

I choose to look at all the bad things that have happened in my life as something to spur me on to make more of myself.

I was on anti-depressents a couple of years ago...but in a split-second I CHOSE to come off of them...but only after I had made the DECISION to give up 'security'...and see if I could make a go of realizing my dream of working for myself.

What about you...what have you CHOSEN to do with YOUR life?

How have you CHOSEN to deal with the problems in your life (I know - we wouldn't be human if we didn't have them!)

Once you make the DECISION to take whatever life throws at you on the chin...and CHOOSE to get up and start fighting again...your life will never be the same again, I promise you!

If you don't believe me...then see how long I last! lol

It's not the type of

It's not the type of problems that you face that establishes your success or failure...it's the 'frame' that you put them in.

Take me, for example.

I am in total control of my destiny. Whether I succeed or not depends entirely on what I do (or don't do).

Now...I have a family to provide for...and a fluctuating income that doesn't always live up to the 'image' of a successful Internet business. But...that comes with the territory!

It's my choice to throw away the 'security' of a well-paid full-time job to earn a living this way.

And...if you know me well enough by now...you'll know that I could be described as 'unlucky' or 'unfortunate' by some people.

But...I choose not to look at it that way.

I choose to look at all the bad things that have happened in my life as something to spur me on to make more of myself.

I was on anti-depressents a couple of years ago...but in a split-second I CHOSE to come off of them...but only after I had made the DECISION to give up 'security'...and see if I could make a go of realizing my dream of working for myself.

What about you...what have you CHOSEN to do with YOUR life?

How have you CHOSEN to deal with the problems in your life (I know - we wouldn't be human if we didn't have them!)

Once you make the DECISION to take whatever life throws at you on the chin...and CHOOSE to get up and start fighting again...your life will never be the same again, I promise you!

If you don't believe me...then see how long I last! lol