Success...One Day At A Time

Time Is The New Money

You may wonder what this has to do with success...but stick with it for a few paragraphs...

You may have heard about the British Airways check-in staff's unofficial strike that happened last week.

It was about the introduction of 'swipe cards' that would be used by the staff to 'clock in' and off.

They walked out because they felt that BA were using these cards to eventually change their working practices...which BA has always denied.

The weekend walkout cost BA £30m ($50m)!

Yesterday, in meetings with the unions...both sides came out smiling after agreeing on exactly what would happen with these cards.

The most telling thing that arose from all of this were the comments made by one of the union leaders in the dispute - Kevin Curran of the GMB union.

Most of the 2,500 staff involved were women with families, he said, and BA had guaranteed that the information collected under the new system would not change their working patterns.

Now...THIS is the thing that you would NEVER have heard just a few short years ago...

"It was a 21st century dispute where low-paid, mainly women, workers stood up and demanded dignity, respect, and consultation from their employer," Mr Curran said. "I believe that THIS DISPUTE PROVES THAT TIME IS THE NEW MONEY, and work-life balance and the quality of people's lives will become a major part of the collective bargaining agenda."

Wow! My ears literally pricked up when I heard that!

I couldn't agree more!

So...if this is now the case...are you SPENDING your 'new' money wisely?

You're Worth More Than That!

Do you VALUE what you do?

I do.

Do you measure your contribution to the world by how much you are paid?

No, not really.

You see...over the last two years my view of how much value I can give has changed.

My life used to be measured by how much I earned (around $50,000 a year at the time)...and by my position at work.

Now...I KNOW that I make a contribution that far outweighs any form of income.

Why?

Because over 4,000 people are subscribed to my free 183 Lesson "To Our Success" E-course, that's why!

So...I KNOW that I am helping quite a few people make even tiny improvements in their lives at absolutely no charge whatsoever. I know because I get emails almost every day telling me so!

But...on the other side of the coin...I no longer de-value my actual WORTH.

Where I might have been glad to be paid in the region $25 an hour when I was working...I won't even take a look at something unless I am paid $200 an hour for it.

Now...I'm not saying that to appear smug or to gloat!

I'm saying this to show you that I believe that I can ADD more tha $200 worth of VALUE to whomever pays me.

I stand by that so strongly that I even offer a 100% gurantee on my coaching AFTER it has finished...which is almost unheard of.

I KNOW that I am undervaluing both myself and my contribution if I charge too low.

Do YOU stand by what you get paid?

If you are working and you think that you are worth more than your salary - how are going out of your way to PROVE it?

If you are self-employed...are you focusing on how much you charge...as opposed to how much VALUE that you add by providing your service? And...woudl you happily give somebody a refund...even if it meant that you 'lost out'?

YOU are unique in what you offer the world...but only as long as you actually give more than you expect in return.

If you want to prosper at the same time as believing in yourself and your abilities...then you need to raise your 'sights' a little!

What are YOU going to DO, TODAY?

Here in the UK...another series of 'Big Brother' has finished on TV after 64 days.

I can safely say that a few million people spent the equivalent of a working week tuning into it for 30 minutes every night!

Yet...the vast majority of them would never contemplate spending this time doing something that would move them away from the life they've got...but don't want!

I always wonder why this is the case...but then I remember that I was THERE for the best part of fifteen years.

How about you? Are you...

- Worried about your job security
- Concerned that you should be earning more
- Struggling to pay debts at the same time as creating new ones
- Wondering why you don't seem better off than five years ago

If you are...you're not alone.

But...if you think about it...all these things are PERCEPTIONS that your CONDITIONING has presented you with.

Don't believe me?

Well...let's take a closer look...

1. Worried about job security

What IS job 'security'? There is NO such thing! Both my boss and I thought that I was indispensable until I couldn't come in for two months!

What are the chances of the company you work for even being AROUND in, say, twenty years time? Not much if history is anything to go by.

2. Concerned that you should be earning more

Do you DESERVE to earn more? Are you putting in the sort of extra effort that JUSTIFIES a rise in salary?

If you are...why the hell are you staying at a company that doesn't reward you for it? Go and join a company that does!

3. Struggling to pay debts at the same time as creating new ones

If you're creating new debt...then you can't really be that concerned about paying the old ones off, can you?

This may seem harsh...but, really, what have you got to show for your debt...aside from some material possessions that you will throw away in a few years' time or have done so already.

Credit is good if you use it wisely to invest in yourself, your career, or your business...so that what you learn you can use to pay it back.

4. Wondering why you don't seem better off than five years ago

Are you actually doing anything DIFFERENT to what you were five years ago?

- Are you still living above your means?
- Has your mortgage grown as your salary has?
- Do you have very little to show for five years of effort?
- Do you still watch three hours of TV a night...then complain about how 'unlucky' you are?
- Do you only do enough to 'get by' because you hate it so much?

Unless you change something...you are going to be in EXACTLY the same position in another five years (probably worse!)

So...

Can you see how your perceptions are affecting your entire life?

It's time to WAKE UP...and spend some time looking at WHY your life, career, and relationships are as good as you would like them.

Now...I'm not preaching to you...

I'm just telling you from experience that life DOESN'T have to be that way...if you are prepared to challenge your conditioning and make some serious EFFORT in applying what you read here...and in those hundreds of other self-help books that you have undoubtedly read.

The very fact that YOU are reading this means that you are AWARE that something MUST change.

You are therefore ahead of the majority of the population who don't even REALIZE that they are sitting on a literal time-bomb of failure and unhappiness.

So...it's up to YOU.

What are YOU going to DO, TODAY?

Are You Standing Still To Go Backwards?

One of the most important things that I have found out so far on my own success 'journey' is this...

"Unless you are regularly moving forwards...you're really going backwards."

What this means is that you may think that you are standing still where your finances or your development is concerned...but you're wrong!

Unless you are actively improving and working towards what you really want to achieve in your life...then the only direction that you are going is backwards.

Why is this?

Well...every day...someone somewhere, is working on him(her)self.

Every day...there are people who are writing notes from the books that they read.

Every day...there are people who are making that little bit of extra effort in improving their career or their own business.

Every day...there are people who are spending time on improving their relationships with the people that they love.

Every day...there are people who are teaching themselves new skills so that what they know doesn't become obsolete within the next couple of years.

Every day...there are people who are pushing their comfort zones in order to make an impression on the world.

Are you one of those people?

No?

Well...because if YOU are not...then you are getting left behind by THEM!

If you can't commit to making even small changes on a daily and weekly basis...then how can you get out of debt...or get that promotion...or get that 'lucky break'?

You're fooling yourself if you think otherwise!

This success 'game' is all about LEARNING.

It's about learning about yourself and your chosen path...and then actually APPLYING what you've learned.

Now...this isn't rocket science...it's a FACT.

So...unless you want to be worse off than you are now in five years' time...then you'd better get STARTED!

A Kite...But No Wind. So THAT'S Why It Doesn't Fly!

I spent the best part of 45 minutes trying to get Katie's homemade kite to fly without much success.

I would manage to get it to about 7 feet...and then it would shoot down towards me...spinning as it went.

No matter what I tried...running around like an idiot...or twisting the string it was attached to...it just wouldn't work.

It took Lesley to make me come to my senses.

"It's because it's not windy enough, stupid!"

I admit (to you anyway! lol)...that she had a point.

It WAS windy for 10 seconds at a time...but it was neither strong enough or gusted for long enough to get that damned kite up in the air!

Even if it was the most aero-dynamic kite in the world...it STILL wouldn't have got up there because of the lack of a strong wind.

Life's the same.

You can struggle...you can huff and puff...you can change direction...yet STILL you can't 'take off'!

Why?

Because you haven't got the right sort of wind behind you to propel you forward, that's why!

If you are doing what you are doing for completely the wrong reasons...then you will NEVER get off of the ground!

Unless you approach your life from a TOTAL perspective...where your work fits into your family fits in what makes you fulfilled fits back into your work...then, well, you are going to struggle to reach the heights that you REALLY want to.

So before you reach for the stars...as well as having a kite...make sure that you are able to support it on its way up!

I'll Join You At The Top...But Only On MY Terms!

I often wonder why I don't earn more money than I do...or aren't as 'well known' as I would like.

Of course, I KNOW that there are certain ways that I can take advantage of people like you just to make a 'fast buck'...but I'm not like that. (You'd be surprised at how many of even some well-known online 'gurus' do exactly that!).

So...those are ruled out.

I also know that, compared to most successful people I know online...I don't really do that much different to them.

So...why aren't I in that 'bracket'?

Well...for a start...I don't compromise what is important to me with what I do.

Because I know that my family is THE most important thing to me...I can't work all of the hours I would 'like' to.

At the moment...I probably work around 40 hours a week tops...when, if I was on my own...I would almost certainly work closer to 100!

But...as a general rule...I start at 9am....have two hours off around 3pm to pick Katie up from school...at then through to 7pm.

Why only 7pm? Well...that's the time that I have agreed with Lesley that I will finish around every day...so that we can spend some 'quality' time together.

And...I now also only work about 30 minutes each day over the weekend...mainly just to answer emails...and this!

So you see...as I am in complete control of my own destiny...I CHOOSE to make what is the MOST important thing to me (my family) the priority in my life.

It would be pointless for me to be worth millions and not have a family to show for it...that's for sure.

So...it is a challenge for me to fit 100 hours of work into those 40 hours.

Which also means that I need to focus on working smarter...though not necessarily harder.

I'm now focusing my efforts on quality output instead of quantity (not that it wasn't quality anyway! lol).

And...every moment of 'free' time that I have where I don't have family commitments (i.e. just before bedtime)...I make sure that I learn something useful that I can apply to myself and my business.

With all this is mind...I now KNOW that perhaps I don't NEED to be 'up there'...as I already love what I do 'here'...and it enables me to appreciate the value of spending time with those people I love...and at 'working' at what I love.

There is NO other way.

And...funnily enough...I WILL be up there one day...because doing things the 'right' way has a habit of making things (eventually) fall into place!

Don't believe me...well then...watch this space!

The Daddy Day Care Challenge

Doing the fatherly thing in the school holidays...I took katie to see "Daddy Day Care" at the cinema this afternoom.

Although not one of the best movies I've seen...it's certainly great fun if you have kids are can associate with a few of the situations.

But...what I REALLY got from this movie was the message.

Without telling you the story...in the film advertising exec. Eddie Murphy is asked a question about some market research..."What is the important VALUE that we have from this..."

Seeing a picture drawn by his 4-year-old son...he hesitates...then says "My Son. He's the most important value to me."

I couldn't have said it better myself!

It's at that precise moment in time he realizes that it isn't money or a career that really makes him happy. Get the hint? :-)

Because this film is rather 'cheesy'...this fantastic bit of advice will go over 99.99% of viewers' heads...which, well, says a lot about why most people spend a life unfulfiiled.

And...up until about five years ago...it would have gone straight over MY head!

So...you're really ahead of the game!

What are YOU going to do about it?

No gain without....?

Seeing Gary's post about not letting Katie have everything she wants, when she wants it, reminds me of a story I heard about a little boy who found a butterfly cocoon.

A small boy was fascinated by butterflies; their colours, designs and habits. Whilst walking in the woods one day the boy found a cocoon at the side of the path. Somehow the twig had been knocked from the tree and the cocoon had survived undamaged, still woven to the branch. He gently protected it by wrapping it in his handkerchief and carried it home, where it found a temporary home in a wide-top jam jar with holes in the lid.

As the boy watched the silky envelope intensely, the cocoon moved. He watched more closely and soon the cocoon was trembling with activity. Nothing else happened. The cocoon remained tightly glued to the twig and there was no sign of wings. Finally the shaking became so intense, the boy thought the butterfly would die from the struggle. He removed the lid on the jar, took a sharp knife from the drawer, and carefully made a tiny slit in the side of the cocoon. Almost immediately, one wing appeared and then outstretched the other. The butterfly was free!

It seemed to enjoy its freedom and walked along the edge of the jar and along the edge of the table. But it didn't fly. At first the boy thought the wings needed time to dry, but time passed and still the butterfly did not take off.

The boy was frustrated and asked his father why the butterfly wasn’t flying. When the boy described how he had carefully made a small slit in the cocoon, his father stopped him. "Son, that is the reason. You see, the struggle is what gives the butterfly the strength to fly."

And so it is with us. Sometimes it's the struggles in life that strengthen us the most.

No...I'm Not Trying To Trip Her Up!

"Dad. Daaad. Can you play badminton with me?"

There she goes again. Seven years old...and already she knows that with one sentence she can make me feel both annoyed and guilty at the same time!

My daughter Katie is an expert at getting what she wants...WHEN she wants.

It's now 6:48pm...and she knows that I am supposed to finish work at 7pm.

So...I'm annoyed with myself for the sake of ten minutes (because I have to do this)...and I feel guilty that I shouldn't really have ANY excuse NOT to play with her!

But...giving Katie EVERYTHING she wants (which is easy to do since she lost her little brother who was the light of her life)...doesn't do her ANY favors whatsoever.

The only way that I (now) KNOW that she will develop into the sort of woman that Lesley and I hope...is by finding out for herself how to rise to the challenges that are presented to her.

If I put her into a little 'protective cocoon' by not letting her fail...and by giving her whatever she wants...she will soon grow up unprepared for 'LIFE'.

The ONLY way we can find out what is good...is by knowing what is 'bad'.

If Katie never has the 'opportunity' to fail (and, if you think about it every 'failure' IS an opportunity to learn)...then when she is out in the big wide world herself...she will be ill-equipped for what life is REALLY like.

I know I know...we ALL want what's best for our children...but by preparing them to cope with the challenges of perceived failure...we are doing them more good than we could ever possibly imagine.

I Must Make This A Habit. I Must Make...

I'm a huge habit 'fan'.

That's why I'm writing this now!

You see...I haven't got the faintest idea what I'm going to write...but, as I make it a habit to write this just before I finish up for the day...I HAVE to come with something useful!

So...you see...this HABIT thing DOES work!

It works because, if I this 'exercise' wasn't a habit for me...then you wouldn't be reading this now and I would be reaching over to turn off my PC instead!

I KNOW that I won't stick to much if I don't train my brain to get in the 'groove' of regularly doing something.

This success business comes more down to a lifestyle change instead of a short-term change.

And...if you are serious about having the life you truly desire (as I am)...then you need to make sure that you DO read that book every day, or do your affirmations every morning, or listen to that tape on the commute to work.

The big changes only occur when the little changes get big enough.

I've written over 240 of these entries since August last year to prove it! lol

Hey...Don't Bring Me Down!

Ever been there? I bet you have...

This evening I had a conversation with a business partner...

At the end of the conversation I put the phone down and I could tell that my mood had changed.

How constructive was that?

Relationships all come down to dynamics.

If you come away from a conversation with a negative feeling for whatever reason...then it can have a serious effect on your self-confidence if you let it.

Now...because I am aware of these feelings and the impact that they can have on me...after a couple of minutes...I CHOOSE not to let it get to me!

And............I think that I'm over it now! lol

All joking aside...it's easy to see why taking the 'lead' in any discussion can end up with a lopsided 'result'.

Your view of what you deem success might well be completely different to the person that you are talking to.

If that happens...then it's almost as if someone puts a pin into your balloon.

All of a sudden...it's almost as if your achievements are a crumpled heap on the floor instead of being wonderful, free-floating, and carefree.
That's why I try never to impose my views on other people.

Why?

Because...even with the best of intentions...you NEVER know whether you are thinking off of the same scale!

Relationships are key to both business and personal success...and, if you finish a conversation standing taller than the other person...then eventually they are going to want to knee-cap you!

Yes! I've Scored Without Even Realizing It!

I have a bent and dog-eared index card wedged in with the pens on my desk.

It contains twelve statements that were my goals when I wrote them around two years ago.

I'll be honest...I probably haven't looked at this card for about 18 months until today.

Out of the twelve...I have achieved three of them, and I'm only a few months away from a fourth! (Unfortunately...one of the ones left is related to Connor, so I can never fulfil that one.)

So...it's not bad having a 25% success ratio in only two years!

Who knows what I might have achieved if I constantly referred to it every day?

It just goes to show the subconscious power of writing down your goals...you never know how things could turn out.

Of course...writing them down is useless if you don't actually DO anything about moving forward (but...you know that by now, right?).

But...it's always an important first step to actually think about what you REALLY want from your life...and just get them out of your head and onto paper.

You'll never know what might happen!

You're Just Too Busy Chasing 'It' To Notice!

Are you fascinated by life?

Are you passionate about what you do?

Are you excited by what you can achieve?

No?

Well WHY NOT?

You have in your possession a brain more powerful than any supercomputer.

A conscious so developed that you can choose EXACTLY what you want to do...when you want it.

A body that deals amazingly with all of the stuff that you throw into it every day.

And...a future that YOU can decide!

But...you know all of these things...yet you may still be 'searching'....searching for whatever 'it' is!

Well...I have something to tell you!

IT is already here!

It's not in the future...it is right here, right now.

YOU are only limited by your own imagination. YOU have the power to choose to be whoever you want to be.

Every day...one little bit at a time...strive to do something that moves you closer to whatever the 'it' is in your life.

Believe me...once you start small...you'll find it easier to become bigger...and it will help you realize that 'it' was there all along.

You were just too busy chasing it to notice!

Come On. I KNOW That You're Special!

In Dr. Russel Conwell's excellent (and timeless) book and lecture "Acres of Diamonds", the Dr. relates a story of how a farmer spent his entire life searching for diamonds...when in fact they were on his farm already...to be discovered by the new owner!

Now...let me ask YOU a question.

"What are YOU searching for?"

I only have one restriction on your answer...it can't be related to money!

Are you one of those people that have a talent for something...yet ignore it and just become another nine-to-five drone?

You might not think that you have a talent...but I guarantee that there is something, somewhere that you have a talent for!

You might only find it by trying something different...or by expanding your horizons.

How do I know?

Well...up until 18 months ago I had never written a SINGLE word since school...about personal development or anything else, for that matter!

Since I started to write...I literally haven't stopped.

Unless I am on vacation...there isn't a day that goes by without me writing something!

It's a talent (and an enjoyable one at that) that I didn't even know that I had until I made that decision to make more of my life...and to push my boundaries out a little bit.

So...what about YOU? What's YOUR talent?

And...how are YOU going to USE it?

Are Your Dreams Aligned With Your Passions?

Are Your Dreams Aligned With Your Passions?
By Josh Hinds
(c) 2003

Making sure our goals are properly aligned with our passions only makes sense. If you have the wish to move up the corporate ladder, start your own business, or just about any other worthy goal you're going to make things a lot easier on yourself if you're working on things that get you personally excited and make you feel alive when you're working on them (i.e. following your passions).

We hear this a lot I know... But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why this is?

Hopefully this will help...

A simple rule of thumb is to do the things that you'd do if you weren't getting paid for them. The simple reality is most any level of lasting achievement takes effort. Often it means going above and beyond the call of duty. Foregoing something in return for the results your sure you'll reap later on.

Even if others might not see you as exerting quite as much effort as they are (I get this all the time since I "just sit at a computer all day and work from home"... Have you ever heard something similar?). Even so, you're putting forth effort.

I can tell you I can't imagine how much I'd dread getting up each and everyday if what I was doing wasn't aligned with something I also had a strong passion for. Believe me, it's a feeling worth exploring and implementing into your own life.

In summary, I believe that following our passion allows us to sit in a more natural path with regards to achieving our personal success. Why is that? Because instead of counting the hours till we get off and can work on other projects, we'll be more excited about the task at hand.

Which I believe is a lot more likely to equate to your having a feeling of leading a a more productive life. Wouldn't you agree? Not to mention, we're destined to have a whole lot more fun day to day (and I believe, in turn derive more lasting meaning in our lives)... Your friend in success, Josh Hinds :-)

Are They Going Over Your Head?

Today something very strange happened.

I had an hour-long phone call with somebody whom I've been trying to contact about 'business' for over a year.

And...they emailed...and then phoned...ME!

The last time that I had emailed them was about four months ago...and I had completely given up hope of doing something with them.

It reminded my of how important it is to keep looking up towards the sun instead of down towards the shade!

What do I mean by that?

Well...who can explain why they finally decided to conact me?

All I know is that...by constantly moving (OK...literally forcing) myself forward whenever I can...these unexplained 'paybacks' will eventually come.

So...make sure that YOU are looking forwards and upwards, and not backwards and downwards.

Otherwise...

You'll find that all those 'coincidences' will just 'go above your head'!

That's Why It's One Day At A Time!

This weblog is called "Success...One Day At A Time" for a very good reason.

I gave it that name because I truly believe that you will only lead a truly successful life once you master those little things...and make improvements and adjustments to them practically EVERY day!

Now...

Because of this...I only tend to have daily goals that I aim for (aside, of course, from my 'big' goal).

This goes against a lot of 'conventional wisdom'...but I truly believe that unless you really keep on top of things on a daily basis...you will never achieve what you really want out of your life.

This works especially well when you have a lot of things that you need to do.

I could choose to be overwhelmed by the amount of work I need to do...and the stuff that I know that I should be doing.

But...I'm not, because I make sure that I just focus on what I need to do TODAY...and then think about what I need to do tomorrow...well, tomorrow!

That way...I don't start playing mind games on myself by letting the doubts and the 'pressure' of wondering if I'll get everything done creep in.

And...a natural (positive) by-product of this is that I can go to sleep every night knowing that I have moved that little bit closer to where I want to go.

A Forgotten Pearl Of Wisdom

I wonder if this happens to you.

You learn something important.

You commit to yourself never to forget it.

Gradually, it moves to your sub-conscious mind.

Then someday you are reminded of it.

This process occurs a few times before it begins to stick.

If it’s so important, why don’t you act on it immediately?

Do you associate pain with it?

OK, I have been meandering, I’ll get to my point.

I don’t know how many times I have heard it lately.

There’s one thing that will bring money to anyone who does it
but at the same time most people fear doing it.

Most people dismiss it.

It’s one practice that is common to wealthy people across
our planet.

This is something that, if practiced even before you become
wealthy, it will expedite your state of financial abundance …

Have you guessed what this age old practice is?

Now don’t make the mistake of many and reject this principle.

I am referring to …

… the power of giving.

Give money away!

That's right. Give it away.

Give it to people without expecting them to return it. Give it
knowing that it will come back to you ten fold.

Your mindset will become one of abundance now, even
before you have achieved that physical state.

You will think and act as a Millionaire, knowing that people
depend on your success.

This is a universal law, believe it.

Give money to people who need it to survive, to be healed,
to serve others.

Take 10% of your gross earnings and give it away to a worthy
cause.

A church, a charity, a community service. You choose.

Yep, 10% and do it regularly – weekly, monthly. Be consistent.

Do it regularly so that you can experience the multiplying
blessings that will bounce right back at you. It WILL happen.

So remember the rules of the rich …

Earn, give 10%, save 10%, (pay 20% off your debts if you have
any), spend and then pay tax last.

Yours in abundance!

The Richest Man
Richest Man

Weather You Accept It Or Not...

Today the weather finally broke here in London after a week of heatwave proportions (for the UK anyway!)

Despite temperatures still being in the 90's...we have had some light relief with some storms today.

Boy...were people complaining!

They were moaning about it not being sunny...when yesterday they were moaning about how sunnt it was!

And...at the same time they were complaining about how hot and humid it has been!

Yet...when we have our usual overcast days...they complain that they never see the sun!

Some people are NEVER satisfied...whatever the conditions!

Are YOU one of them?

Do you look for clouds in your life when all is going well?

Do you forget that you might be a lot better off than most people when you are complaining about your 'lot'?

It's good to be never satisfied with what you've got if you are taking action to actually DO something about changing WHY you haven't got what you want.

Read that statement again...it DOES make sense, believe me!

I'm not satisfied that I am 100% 'on-focus' with what I am doing...so I am constantly evaluating where I can make improvements in my life.

But...I'm NOT complaining about how unlucky I am...or why certain things might not be working as well as they should etc.

Are YOU?

Do You Remember What You've Learned?

Never let it be said that I don't learn anything!

Thanks to my Cable provider...I accidentally lost my Internet connection for about four hours.

To compound this fact I managed to reset my new wireless network...and generally muck most of my system up!

But...instead of panicking...after some trial and error...I decided to go back to basics and start from scratch from before I had my wireless network set up last Friday.

It took me about an hour...but, it worked!

Now...how would you think that I would have reacted had I not LEARNED from what I had done before?

It's just a shame that in 'real' life...we easily forget what we have learned...and just make the same mistakes over and over again.

What would have been the point in you learning in the first place if you don't actually KEEP and USE this knowledge in the future?

It's not always easy to stop yourself from repeatedly making the same mistakes...but the more you 'catch yourself' doing it...the more easier it will be in the future to stop it happening.

Remember...you learn from EVERY single experience that you have...make sure that you never forget it!

Baby...I Bet You've Grown!

It's easy to forget sometimes how far you may have come from where you once were.

Too often we over-dramatize our failures...and undervalue our achievements.

If you're reading this...then I expect that you are at least a little bit serious about improving yourself.

For that very same reason...I would expect that you have picked up at least some tools and techniques to apply to improve your life along the way.

If you really think about it...I bet that you have!

Sometimes...because you can't see massive change in your life...it doesn't mean that you haven't grown!

Take a baby, for example.

When they are your own...you see them every day...and, every day they do a little bit more...grow a little taller...have more of their own personality.

So...three months down the line...you don't realize how MUCH they have grown.

That is...until your friend turns up whom you haven't seen for a few months and comments on how much your baby has changed!

Get the picture?

If you're working towards a better future...even little by little...don't put yourself down because you haven't 'made it'.

I bet that you'd be really surprised at how far you HAVE come!

What Not To Do

Picked this up in a Sydney paper today, quoting from The Guardian (as if there were not enough stupid/crazy things happening in Sydney!)

According to The Guardian, a man recently went into a police station to report his mobile stolen, only to have it ring.
Here's a tip: attempted phone insurance fraud has a better chance of success if you remember to turn off your phone.

The White Dress

The White Dress

The bride is absolutely beautiful in her white dress, complete with white veil, white shoes and white gloves and long, flowing white train.

However, a tiny red spot of something - spaghetti sauce or red wine - small, but definitely noticeable, spoils the otherwise pristine vision of purity and perfection.

The point here is, the better you get at something, the more those 'red spots' stick out.

Unfortunately, MOST PEOPLE will ignore the 99.9% good and recoil in horror as they zoom in on that tiny little red spot.

And isn't that what is happening in our world today? With all that is good in the world to see and experience, most people will choose to focus on the negative. How often do conversations start with, "Hey, did you read what Russ wrote last night in Gary Vurnum's Success Forum?"

I rest my case! :)

Seriously, most people have given up control of their own focus to the media, which then directs attention to the 'tiny red spots' of life. In fact, the media often zooms in so close as to make the red spot seem like the ONLY thing in the picture.

I'm here to tell you that there is more good to focus on than bad... ALWAYS! Due to conditioning, it may take a little practice to "see" it, but it is always there nonetheless.

Trade the narrow view of media (TV, newspapers, most popular magazines) for the wide angle view of the many new thinkers and contributors to society such as Gary Vurnum, Charles Burke, Stuart Lichtman, Mike & Andy Dooley, Rick Beneteau, etc.

These people were unknown to me just a year ago, but they have quickly become my heroes. And I'm adding new people to this list each and every week. Will YOU be on my list of heroes a year from now?

Practice seeing the beautiful bride in the white dress for what she is... a beautiful bride in a white dress! And forgive and forget the red spot!

It Took Nearly Five Years...But Now I've Done It!

At last!

As I am now into my third consecutive weekend of finally getting those annoying things done that I have left for too long...I've had a breakthrough.

Finally...just 10 days short of five years after moving in...we painted the front of our house!

It's been one of those mind-draining "must-do's" for at least the last three years every time that I have walked through my front gate.

The seven hours it took will be paid back hundreds of times over because I will be able to fill up that mental space with something much more productive!

Believe...this 'clearing the clutter' stuff REALLY works!

Now...I'm a naturally positive guy...but I am finding new inspiration from the achivements I have made over these last three weekends.

Within the next few weeks...there will be nothing that 'needs doing'.

Instead Lesley and I can start looking at what we would like DONE.

Plus...it means that I get moaned at less often! lol

So...what about YOU...have you started any of those jobs yet?

You've known about my 'weekend de-cluttering' policy for three weeks now...so, come on, what HAVE you done yet?

Group A or Group B - Your Choice

If you’re reading this, then you are probably at a major crossroads in your life, looking for ways to improve your future. The decisions you’ve made over the past years (and I believe a Higher Power) have brought you here. I’ve put together some thoughts below that I respectfully submit to clarify some of the fundamental issues of life that will require your earnest attention if you truly desire greater success. Please try to keep an open mind as we move ahead.

Consider this question for a moment. Some people could sell you cheap costume jewelry, get an enormous price for it, and leave you a happy customer. Other people couldn’t sell you the Hope Diamond for the price of a cubic zirconium, let alone leave you feeling good about it. Let’s call the first group of people who sell the costume jewelry “Group A”, and let’s call the second group who can’t sell the Hope Diamond “Group B”. I think we would all agree that the truly successful people in life, no matter what their occupation, belong to Group A. So what are the differences in those two groups of people? Here they are:

1. Group A has a true passion and belief in the beauty and value of themselves and what they’re selling, and Group B does not;
2. Group A has a true passion and belief that they can, and will, benefit others through their efforts, while Group B does not;
3. Because of their unfailing passion and belief, Group A persists in their efforts, and Group B does not; and
4. Group A has learned the communication skills to share those passions and beliefs effectively, and Group B has not.

Now what do both groups have in common? (Let’s assume that both groups have normal emotional and intellectual capacities.)

1. They are both born with the ability to have true passion and belief in beauty and value;
2. They are both born with the ability to have true passion and belief that they can, and will, benefit others through their efforts;
3. They are both born with the ability to persist in pursuing their true passion and belief; and
4. They are both born with the ability to learn effective communication skills.

Why then, is there a Group A and Group B in the first place, since they both have the same capabilities from birth? And if we all agree that Group A is happier, more productive, and wealthier, then why doesn’t Group B simply join Group A?

There are two basic reasons:

1. Group B has self imposed limitations in their thinking that prevent them from believing the simple truth that they can join Group A if they really want to. Now, if you’re a Group B person, you will attribute Group A’s success to: luck; natural ability; a “gift”' finding “the right” opportunity; knowing the right people; being born in the right neighborhood; getting all “the breaks”; or some other excuse. That is why people stay in Group B. They don’t take responsibility for developing the passion, belief and skills to join Group A. Instead, they make excuses, and defend their self imposed limitations as if they were truth; and
2. While this truth is simple, making the move from Group B to Group A isn’t necessarily easy. It requires a dedication that begins with overcoming those self imposed limitations. We’re prone to become discouraged and slide back into Group B, to become complacent, and ultimately to start rationalizing our retreat to mediocrity. Those disappointments become like rubber bands pulling us back from our potential.

Now, I admit that I’ve oversimplified things a bit. We certainly don’t want to stereotype people as Group A or Group B. Groups A and B are really two conflicting sets of values, beliefs and actions that exist in us all. It’s actually more a question of whether Group A or Group B is dominant. How do you know if Group B is dominating in your life? There are two basic areas to consider:

1. The most obvious and measurable test is your checkbook – are you happy with your finances?; and
2. How happy are you with your life in general – your social/family life, your spiritual/emotional life, your intellectual life, your physical condition?

If you're not content in either or both of these areas, then you definitely are at a crossroads RIGHT NOW. First, admit that the reasons for your discontent are primarily the result of your thinking up until now. YOU MUST recognize and take FULL responsibility for that Group B part of you.

Next, find and develop a goal, a purpose, a passion and belief that is bigger than you are, and stronger than any disappointments, fears or doubts. Make that rubber band pull you in the Group A direction. Having a Higher Power is essential here, even if it's just finding more successful associates of like mind for support and encouragement. Prayer and/or meditation daily will empower you as well.

Also, don't "hide your light under a bushel". Search out ways to actualize - to live - your new passion and belief. Make it your daily mission, and journal your progress in this one area until you start seeing victories that you can glory in! At the same time, give yourself a break (not an excuse) when you slip. After all, you're human, and you're seeking progress rather than perfection.

And finally, realize that true contentment comes from achieving that progress, not from reaching some "point" in life. Like a mountain climber, learn the exhiliration of reaching a "peak", but then go look for the next one. Sure, this means you'll have your "highs and lows", you'll take your risks, but would you trade in your "highs" in order to escape the "lows"? Of COURSE NOT! That is the essence of living. Cut off the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, and all you have left in the middle is the "quiet desperation" of a near lifeless existence in Group B.

Blessings to All,

Craig Lunde
clunde@adelphia.net
http://www.smashthemold.com

Are You Too Damn Close To The Landscape To See The Entire View?

I've spent the best part of the day installing my new wireless network at home.

The idea behind it is that I can work and surf the 'net out in the back garden if I fancy it...and Katie can learn stuff whenever (and wherever) she wants to without getting in my way!

But...guess what?

Instead of taking the expected 15 minutes ot so...it took about four hours!

Isn't it always the way when you follow instructions to install ANYTHING on a computer...they always forget to tell you do something?

I only found out what the 'missing' link when I visited the company's support web site...and trawled through answers to questions that I didn't understand!

Now...I'm certainly no techie-virgin...and it was one huge struggle for me to finally get it to work...so imagine what it would have been like for a 'normal' consumer!

It can be so frustrating sometimes!

It got me thinking that we are ALL like that instruction booklet...

We assume that we if we just follow instructions...magic will happen...and big changes will happen in our lives!

It's just a shame that out little human instruction book forgets to mention that there will ALWAYS be something that you need to do...when you don't realize that you need to do it.

It may be obvious to people on the outside looking in...but usually you are just too damn close to your landscape that you can't see the entire view.

With that in mind...try and connect with people who will help you reveal that big picture.

And...don't assume that YOU know it all!

And Let That Be A Lesson To You!

Today was a 'fun' day...

I managed to leave our spare key in the lock on the inside of the house...so we were unable to get it for a few hours!

It's amazing how a seemingly unconnected series of events led up to that very moment when I realized that I had locked us out!

- If it wasn't for Katie leaving the key in the lock on the outside the day before.
- If it wasn't for Lesley finding the key and putting it in a different place.
- If it wasn't for Lesley already unlocking the door to put the rubbish out at 7:30 this morning.
- If it wasn't for the door bell ringing at 8 a.m. with some mail I had to sign for.
- If it wasn't for me not finding the key that I had to use the spare.
- If it wasn't for me realizing that the door was unlocked as I turned the key...that I left it in there!
- If it wasn't for me deciding that I would go with Lesley to take Katie to school.
- If it wasn't for Lesley and I have a minor argument that made me rush out of the front door without checking.

And...

- If it wasn't for the fact that last time it happened we decided to keep a back-door key on our key-chain just in case.
- If it wasn't for the fact that we always leave the key in the back-door every day anyway! (so we couldn't get in that way!)

Yet...as Lesley said (repeatedly!) it was all my fault!

But...

- If it wasn't for the kind old man who lives opposite lending us his ladder.
- If it wasn't for this man to suggest that we put our hands through the small window to open the big window.

That we got back in!

All-in-all...things could have been a lot worse...and I could have been a locksmith's fees worse off!

But I wasn't.

So...we now are making sure that we take a key from our patio door...that we don't always leave a key in!

Who said that you can't (eventually) learn from things that happen to you...even if it does take TWO attempts to remind you!

And...if we ever get locked out and can't easily get back in again...then it IS my fault!

Rated In The Top 1% In This Lifetime

We all want to be in the top 1% of the wealthy right?

Well, I wouldn't be where I am today unless I sought the guidance of, and was blessed by the profound influence of entrepreneurial minds, wonderful selfless, successful people. My Multi-Millionaire mentors have been an awesome strength to me. They have been insightful about what to say or do, careful not to do too much for me. I have experienced constant growth while being stretched - happily uncomfortable!

"No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind." -- Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill.

If you want to know how to become wealthy, ask around, do some research, don't waste your time, only develop relationships with those who have strived and won the right to abundance. Your mentor relationships may be one-on-one, group or virtual/distant figures.

Find a mentor! Mix within their network of associates, study what they study, start thinking like them. Pick a few big names you would like to emulate. Research their public information. Get together often with like-minded people.

Create a regular study program – morning and evening are the best times to fill you mind with the right thoughts. The subconscious mind takes in more than you think and can aid us greatly. Listen to CDs and cassettes of your favorite people while you are in the car and doing routine chores. Whether you are listening intently or not, keep feeding your subconscious mind using audio.

You should also attend seminars regularly.

"Let us go to Arkad [The Richest Man In Babylon] this very day." -- The Richest Man In Babylon, George S. Clason.

Go on ... get yourself a mentor and catapult yourself into success in this life time!

Why don't you start by checking out Gary's mentor program. Click here

Yours in abundance!

The Richest Man
Richest Man

What...Another Mountain?

The more your progress in your life...the bigger the problems you will get.

It's great!

Whaaaat?

Well...the way I look at it is that if my problems (OK..I much prefer challenges) are bigger...then that means that I must have progressed further than when I used to have smaller problems!

And...as you know...the bigger the challenge...the bigger the lesson you can learn from it!

All in all...the more you grow...the more you challenged to grow even faster and further.

As you climb one previously-seen-as-impossible mountain...a new one suddenly appears in its place.

Which is great...because, as long as you climb...you are only moving forwards...and never backwards.

Yet...most people give up when they see the new mountain.

They forget that they have done the hard part by actually conquering the first one!

Which is a terrible shame.

Remember...as the saying goes..."The longest journey begins with a single step."

What step are YOU going to make today?

Just Believe In The Process

Things are really moving on my "21 Truths About Success" Mentor Program.

Sometimes...it can be difficult to commit yourself to something when you haven't held it in your hands...or seen what 'it' looks like.

And...that's the problem where success is concerned.

Most people are so bothered by the fact that what they really need to learn isn't 'there' that they completely ignore it!

I've learned to my cost on a few occasions over the last 18 months or so how important the quality of your relationships are.

Now...I don't necessarily mean family relationships (although, of course, these are vitally important).

No...I mean those relationships with people who are where you want to be.

Some of my best investments in the time that I have been online have been the money I have spent to go to seminars and meet successful people...or money I have invested in order to have a consultation with someone.

It's not until you experience for yourself that you realize how truly powerful a one-on-one conversation with someone can be.

It's frightening how your learning curve can be literally destroyed by having a focused conversation with someone who knows what you don't!

I've found it myself with the people I coach...and I found it when I had short five-minute conversations with Internet marketers.

Someone, somewhere...knows what you need to know or do...and they can probably tell you how to achieve it in minutes.

You just have to BELIEVE in the process!

Money Can't Buy You Love

This is my first entry for two days.

Why?

Well...I have been spending a lot of time recently focusing on what matters in my life.

Remember...as the old Beatles song goes 'Money can't buy me love'!

So...I spent the weekend focusing on doing husbandly, fatherly...and man-about-the-house-ly things instead of working.

In fact...I was so tired from doing some hard physical (instead of mental) labor...that the last thing I wanted to do was 'work'.

Do YOU take a complete break now and again?

Don't get the chance?

Well...it may seem like it...but if you really site down and think about what you should be spending time on...then I am sure that somehow you will be able to make time for doing...well...not much really.

Just because everyone else is running around at one hundred miles an hour doesn't mean that it is the best thing for YOU to do.

Life's too short to run through it without stopping occasionally to really take a look at it.

So...why don't you try it next weekend?

I know that I will.

Are You Too Busy Fighting With Your Weaknesses To Notice?

Day by day...life goes on.

Little by little...your life is either improving...or going backwards.

Which way are YOU going?

If you are having a struggle to stay afloat...then you'd better become a stronger swimmer...

- Learn to do what you already do well better!
- Learn what aren't good at and do less of it!
- Learn what you need to find out to be able to get to where you want to go...and begin doing it!

In short...

Unless you play to your strengths...then you will soon find that you are too busy trying to fight with your weaknesses to notice them!

YOU have a God-given talent for something that NOBODY else on this planet is capable of in the way that YOU are.

What are you doing with it?

Perhaps...more importantly...do you even KNOW what it is?

If the answer is no...then I strongly suggest that you stop looking for a 'magic bullet' that will solve all of your problems...and instead look for ways you can use the talents that you already have more effectively.

You may not yet know what your talent is...but unless you start to get out of your 'comfort zone' by trying new things and stretching yourself...then you will NEVER know!

So...what's stopping you?

Before You Earn Your Million...You Have To Give The Equivalent In Value Away

Do you realize how much effort it takes to write something constructive almost every, single day?

Would YOU do it...for absolutely nothing?

How about giving away for free some of your absolute best work over an entire year so that your readers can have something really useful and helpful?

Well..I do with my "To Our Success" E-course.

Well...would you?

Perhaps not. So...why do I do it?

Well...I believe what we achieve is mirrored by what we do.

So...if I unselfishly give you something positive to think about for free...then I will get something back in return.

Not directly from you...of course (although that would be nice, thank you! lol), but from life in general.

I know that the only way that I will 'receive' is by giving as much as I can in the first place.

Now...I'm not a charity...I have a family to provide for.

But...I firmly believe that all of my efforts will be rewarded in some other way in the future.

And...the same rule applies to you.

So...are YOU?

A Prophet Hath No Honor...

Have you ever tried to teach your wife to drive?

How about passing on some of those priceless nuggets of wisdom accumulated from your decades of experience to your teenager. Which one of these is more likely:

"Gosh, Dad, that was great! What else do you have for me today!"

OR

A heavy sigh, rolling eyes and a glazed stare out the window.

Since I've been posting in this forum I've noticed the feedback has been something like, "Wow, Russ. You really have your stuff together. Thanks for sharing!"

When I tell the exact same things to my own students, family and close friends, it's like, "WHATEVER!"

So I guess the ancient wisdom is true, "A prophet hath no honor in his own country". (John 4:44)

Is this necessarily a bad thing? Before you get yourself bent out of shape, think about WHY this is so.

It's not that the people who know you are REJECTING you, or are not listening to you. I know for a fact that a lot of what I tell my students is taken close to heart, whether or not they show it.

The truth is that those closest to you ACCEPT YOU AS ONE OF THEM! While others outside of your immediate circle may 'OOOHH' and 'AAAAHH' at your perceived wisdom (translate: bring you honor), I think your loved ones actually bring you more honor by accepting you just as you are as one of their own.

And to me, this is a good thing.

Won For All...And All For Won

Lesley and I went to the film "Bruce Almighty" which stars Jim Carrey.

Although not a classic film by any means...I still strongly suggest that you go see it because of what you can learn from it.

Jim Carrey is entrusted with God's powers after he claims that God doesn't care anymore.

Now...you would think that all of his problems would be solved...but, having the answers to all of his prayers results in him ending up more depressed than when he started!

Now..of course, there is a schmaltzy happy ending...but, along the way I found that there were a few excellent lessons that we both could learn from the film.

Things like...

- YOU have a unique set of talents...so USE them!
- Happiness doesn't come from having all of your prayers answered.
- Be careful what you wish for...because it may not be what you really want.

And...there's many more.

It's good to find a positive film with a 'success' message behind it!

So...go and 'waste' a couple of hours watching it...and look for the 'signs'!

Now...This Is THE Important Thing!

Did you know that there is a very important part of being a success that doesn't involve reading from books, or listening to tapes.

It all comes down to relationships...and the quality of them in your life.

Take me, for example.

I have made huge jumps in a number of ways (especially over the last few months)...because I have realized that I can learn so much more...so much quickly...from actually talking with other people.
Now...

These people aren't the millionaires of this world (although some are).

I learned a lot of things from people who are nowhere near that! I've learned from emails and phone calls that I receive that I can be my own worst enemy where my own success is concerned.

I have learned that whatever limits I place (whether consciously or otherwise)...I know that that's where I will end up.

It's all about pushing yourself that little bit harder than you think that you really can.

And...you need other people and outside influences to make that happen.

Believe me...once you are literally pushed out of your comfort zone...you will never easily fit back into it again!

You CAN Have Instant Success

Remember waiting in line at the bank? Or at the grocery store? How about at the tollbooth?

Technology is certainly making those things distant memories. I can recall standing in line for 20 minutes and more just waiting to get to the bank teller. Then it was another ten minutes or so watching the clerk do a 'paper-and-ink-pad' juggling show just to process a simple transaction. Today I cuss when the ATM doesn't spit out my money in 1 minute or less.

Just yesterday, I scanned my own groceries for the first time. I'll need a little practice to get that one up to speed but hey, it's a start.

Here in southern Ontario, Canada we also have an electronic toll road. Cameras take a picture of the license plate as you enter and exit the highway. No more waiting at tollbooths and fussing with change. The only time I cuss now is when I get the bill at the end of the month!

BUT I DIGRESS... :)

The point is we have come to expect everything to be instant, as in NOW! Anything less than that is impatiently rejected... as in IMMEDIATELY!

The good news is you CAN have instant success in whatever you do. The secret is all in the measuring. If you can answer yes to either of the following two questions, then you can consider yourself an instant success:

Am I CLOSER to my goal today than I was yesterday?

Am I BETTER today than I was yesterday?

Let's add three more tools to help measure your progress.

1) FREQUENCY - If you are trying to break a bad habit, are you bothered by it as frequently today as you were, say a week ago?

Conversely, if you are trying to establish a new and empowering habit, are you finding yourself doing the desired action more frequently and less consciously today than you were a week ago?

2) INTENSITY - How are those cravings? Are they as strong as they were a week ago?

If you are aiming for a positive goal, do an intensity check on your desire. Are you more determined to get what you want today than you were last week?

3) DURATION - In my younger days I could work myself into a foul mood that would last for several days. Today, 'stewing sessions' last no longer than a minute or two... ok, 15 minutes if it's a real stinker.

Back then, when it came to stretching and growing towards something positive, I could change my plans at the speed of thought. Today I am able to control my focus long enough to actually see my most important projects through to completion!

When you measure yourself this way, using CLOSER and/or BETTER than yesterday as a guide along with FREQUENCY, INTENSITY and DURATION, it's possible to always feel successful. And since the main reason people want success is because of the way it makes them feel, you are ALREADY THERE!

Remember, success is not a destination - it's a journey. Enjoy the trip!