Success...One Day At A Time

Don't Forget The WHY In Your Future!

It doesn't always help if you are an 'ideas person' like I am! lol

As long as I can remember...I always seem to find new things to come up with...even though I've still got some perfectly good (and 'doable') things lined up already!

How about you?

It's not easy to hold yourself back from getting really excited about something that's so brand-spanking-new-that-you-absolutely-must-have-it!

But...it's something that you NEED to do.

There is an old saying that goes "if it ain't broke - don't try to fix it".

That's never more true when you are looking at making a more successful future for yourself.

You see...you probably have a LOT more going for you than you think!

(Yes...you DO!)

If our aim here to have a more rewarding, fulfiliing...and ultimately wonderful life...then I know that we both have a lot of what we already need in our lives!

We just need to change our view of what we HAVE got...and appreciate it all for what it already is.

I know from experience what it is like to lose someone precious to me...and from that day I've vowed to ensure that whatever I do and wherever I go, in life...that I will make the most of the time that I DO have with those people who I LOVE to spend time with...whether family or otherwise.

So...next time you think that there is a new way to go because 'x' has said so...just remember that it's pointless going towards it if it compromises what (and who) you are trying to build a future for!

Are They Controlling You...Or Are You Feeling YOUR Way?

It's time to ask you some serious questions.

Questions like...

- What are you HERE for?
- What inspires you above everything else?
- What makes you REALLY laugh?
- Who are in your fondest memories?
- What would you do if you could guarantee that you wouldn't fail?
- How does it feel when something just goes RIGHT?

They make you think, don't they? (That's the idea! lol).

Right...I've one more question...

"What's stopping you from having those FEELINGS right NOW?"

Well?

Life is about challenging the perceptions of other people that we have been conditioned by ever since we first opened our eyes.

(That's a mouthful...but please read it again so it 'sinks in')

Ultimately...you will fly only as high as you CHOOSE to do so.

Unfortunately...you might not be aware that what you are choosing is based upon the 'faulty logic' of your parents, friends, or work colleagues!

So...move AWAY from what you THINK you believe about what you want from life...and look deep INSIDE yourself to find out what you REALLY want to FEEL from EXPERIENCING your life.

I know from experience that there is a big difference!

What do YOU think?

A Wave From David Blaine...

Today Lesley and I did something that we have probably done only a couple of times in ten years.

(No not THAT!).

No...we travelled all of ten miles...and took Katie to London!

Isn't it strange that you NEVER seem to appreciate what's on your doorstep?

We did the tourist thing and spent over two hours on a boat on the River Thames looking at how many apartments were being built in place of the old industrial wharves.

Plus...

At Katie's request we hopped over Tower Bridge to see David Blaine hanging in his perspex box. And...we even seemed to get a wave from him.

There were hundreds of us (very cynical) Brits watching him as he yawned!

When I asked Katie what she would say at school tomorrow about what she had done over the weekend she said "I went to see David Blaine!"

(Forget about the other things we sailed past - Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, St.Paul's Cathedral etc!)

So...what's the moral of this little family-day-out story?

1) Don't ignore what you've already got...it's always better than you ever imagined.
2) Remember that the latest 'big thing' is always more attractive than what you've already got...but in the end...it's always just an illusion!

Go On...Give Me Just 1%!

It doesn't take much to change your life.

Honest!

You see...whatever you are doing wherever you are doing it...just a 1% improvement every day can make a huge difference!

Whether it's doing something that little bit better at work...or just making a cup of coffee for your spouse when you don't usually...little things DO make a difference.

Look at what you do tomorrow from this viewpoint.

What one SINGLE thing can you do just SLIGHTLY better than you usually do?

It's not that hard to make it happen...you just need to focus on the fact that for the little extra effort...you WILL benefit in the long-term.

Just think...if you took a different task every day for the next two weeks...and looked at how you could improve it by just 1%...

Guess what will happen?

Well...what will happen is that you'll realize that even though you've 'raised your game' by only 1% a day...you'll KNOW how easy it would be to raise it by another 5%...and then another...and another.

All you need to do is just start with that 1%...and then your own momentum will automatically move your forward.

I guarantee that it will work!

Why? Well..because that's ALL that I do!

It's Time For You To Commit 10 Seconds To Your Future!

Do you know what you REALLY want from your life?

No...apart from being a millionaire! lol

If you were to close your eyes for 10 seconds...and picture your ideal LIFESTYLE...what would it be?

Would your family be there?

Would your children be happy?

Would you feel inspired and challenged...but in a good way?

Would you have time to do whatever you want?

What else?

Close your eyes for those 10 seconds now...and then add a comment at the bottom of this message and tell me what you see!

This is a little test for you...to see how serious you are about having a more successful life.

I can categorically say that unless you visualize this...you won't have much chance of 'making it'.

So...if you DON'T comment...then I can only assume that you don't KNOW what you want from your life.

So...are you going to invest only 10 seconds in your future...and tell me about it?

Or are you just going to read this...not think about your future...and wander off into the virtual world?

I can only judge if you are serious or not by whether you post your comment or not.

It's up to YOU...after all, it's only YOUR future at stake, isn't it?

They're Classics For A Very Good Reason

It's amazing what value you can get thanks to the Internet.

I can't remember the last time that I bought a book or CD offline!

In the personal development field, for example, you can get some excellent stuff...a lot of which you can't get in the same format offline.

But, because there is so much 'out there'...it's easy to ignore some fantastic (and life-changing if you actually USE it) stuff that's out there.

Just a couple of examples will show you what I mean.

Firstly...take the ebook version of Napoleon Hill's Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons.

It took me months to digitize and re-format all sixteen lessons...and that meant that I read and re-read it about fifteen times as I was converting it!

And...I can tell you...although 75 years old...it is perhaps MORE relevant than it has ever been.

After working 'with' it for so long...it now has gone above "Think & Grow Rich" as my favorite personal development book of all time.

But...it's not just that.

Because I also sourced almost ALL of the 'reference' material that Napoleon Hill recommends...the ebook version is the closest that you will ever get to having a true 'course' in book form...and one recommended by Napoleon Hill at that!

Now...I'm not going on about how amazing this book is because I publish it.

Nope...if a book lasts 75 years and STILL can teach us all something about ourselves...then in my opinion, anyway, it is well worth reading. (Especially when practically ALL of the millionaires I have talked to over the last year have read it...and prefer it over Think & Grow Rich")

Secondly...and more recently...

Dr. Robert Anthony sold millions of his books back in the seventies and eighties.

I'd never heard of him, either!

But...when I started to read some of his stuff that was available in ebook format for the first time...I knew why millions hadn't been wrong. (Just click here to see what I mean)

It's amazing to me how 'ahead of the times' he was back then.

I've been spending a lot of time reading books like Conversations With God...and other 'spiritual' stuff that, to me, made a lot of sense.

Yet, it shocked me when I was reading some of Dr. Anthony's stuff last week how it seemed almost to echo what these much more recent books where saying.

It further reinforced my beliefs about how to lead a happy, successful...and rewarding life...but without all that hassle.

What surprised me was that he is now selling a wonderful manifestation audio along with EIGHT of these former bestseller of his for only $39.95. (You can find them here if you are interested)

Just last week he was selling them for a more realistic $79.95 (in my opinion).

But...don't let this new low price put you off...this stuff is phenomenal value...and in terms of sheer knowledge is one of the best value packages online.

So...to sum up...you don't really need to spend hundreds of dollars on new 'cutting edge' stuff in order to have a more successful life.

The principles that I now live by are based on who successful people have lived for thousands of years.

There is NOTHING new where learning about success is concerned.

Sure...like everything, there are always better, or different, ways to do things...but essentially the logic that you need to apply is the same whatever you want in life.

And beginning with these sort of books that have lasted for decades will give you a clue about how simple, yet powerful, these concepts are.

Serious People Actually DO Something

Serious people actually DO something; other people just talk about doing something or plan to do something one day.

If you want to be wealthy, you must take action.

Action really is the key. You can have the best ideas in the world or be the most talented person on the planet, yet still if you do not take action you will remain poor. Anyone who actually does something will beat an inactive genius - every time!

You need to take action, but most people cannot master this one - it is far too hard for them.

We live in a physical world which has a tendency to decay. Food, clothing, shelter, - all require energy to make them exist. Without energy, all is dust and decay.

Thinking is not enough. To complete the equation, you must also act. You must DO something.

Here is the startling two-step secret of success:

A. THINK

B. ACT

Most people do neither – well, in a meaningful way...

Some act without thinking – not good enough!

Some think and never act – not good enough!

The winners, the rich, the successful all think first and then they put their ideas into a solid program of action.

This is what you MUST do if you wish to join them.

Please, do yourself and everyone else a favour and stop talking and thinking about 'one day' becoming wealthy.

The price is thought followed by action, so if you want to become wealthy, then start now today. You have probably written your goals, now ask yourself what actual steps you can do, right now, today, to move you closer towards your dream.

Would you like to know two ways of getting rich apart from luck or crime? Anyone can make a living, getting rich is far harder.

FIRST WAY…
To become wealthy, you need to come up with an original, creative idea for a product or service which you believe is in demand and people will pay for it because it adds value.

Then you must put in the hours to research and test this idea. If it looks no good, you must create another idea until you find a winner.

SECOND WAY…
Locate a hot, fresh idea which is working somewhere right now (maybe in another country) and then recreate the idea closer to home - without plagiarizing somebody else's work. In other words, you wait for someone else to find a winner, then jump in quickly.

When you have found a winner, then you must pursue your idea and dream with passion and exuberance. This is called 'paying the price’. The price is action and sometimes a little money. If you are broke, then you must choose an idea which doesn't take a lot of money. Don’t worry there are opportunities EVERYWHERE!

Yours in abundance!

The Richest Man
The Richest Man

It's Up To YOU...What's It To Be?

Hello...are you there?

Are you reading this and taking it in...or are you just too busy to apply what I'm trying to tell you?

It's difficult using this sort of format...as it is almost impossible to work out whether you (or anybody else for that matter) are actually reading this!

Only by the level (or otherwise) of comments can I judge if my 'messages' are getting through.

You see...I'm a little concerned.

Not for my own 'success welfare'...but yours!

Over the last year or so I have tried to explain to you in as much detail as possible why the lessons from my own journey to success will help yours.

But...I have a problem.

I can't really tell if I am helping you at all!

Now...this isn't a call for comments and emails telling me how good my work is etc etc.

Nope. I want to make sure that what I am writing here is actually being APPLIED by you...rather than just read.

And this is certainly not easy to gauge...especially if we only get a very brief 'discussion' (if at all) going after each post.

So...with this in mind...I am looking to find some positive RESULTS from what I write.

Of course...I am living proof of them in my OWN life...but that's not good enough for me...I want YOU to be living proof, too!

But...how can I achieve my aim?

Well...I have a few ideas floating around in my head at the moment which I'll be looking at giving birth to over the next few weeks.

But...the ENTIRE point of Our Success Partnership is the emphasis on the 'OUR'!

So...what would YOU like to see happening...with this blog, the ezine, product/service...or 'other' wise.

After all...when all is said and done...MY success will only be defined by YOURS...so it's your call...and you have free reign to begin to design what help you would like to enable US to get to YOUR ideal future TOGETHER.

So...what's it to be?

That's ALL You Need To Do

I've noticed something about how my thinking has changed over the last year or so.

I've become solution-focused instead of problem-challenged.

Whoa? Is ole Gary settling back into consultant speak? lol

Well...no...but I can't think of a better way of putting it!

What I mean (in plain English) is that my thinking is now focused towards how I can make NEW things happen instead of looking at how many problems I have to solve.

I expect that the 'problems' are still there...but because I am looking towards how I can turn them into my favor...they don't seem like problems at all!

What about YOU...do YOU think that way?

Do you look upon life as a series of hurdles that you have to jump...

Or do you look at life as something that you are creating yourself as you go along?

It's important that you get your focus right...as you'll be amazed at how many so-called 'lucky' things happen to you when you are focusing on a MAKING a positive outcome instead of FIGHTING against a negative one.

I certainly don't call myself lucky after what has happened to me and my family over the last five years (and there's some things that happened that I'm saving for my 'memoirs' which certainly make me look unlucky! lol).

But...because I am now making positive 'split-second' DECISIONS to force myself out of my comfort zone...things just seem to open up in front of me.

I'm not special...and I'm not especially talented.

In fact...I'm a helluva lot like YOU.

I spent 15 years going through the motions of commuting for up to 5 hours a day counting the years until I could retire.

I always WISHED that I could do more with my life...now, thanks to little Connor and his 'message'...I just DO them instead.

That's all. And...that's ALL you need to do, too.

If You Can't Get By These Three...Then Don't Bother Asking!

I have a very simplistic view of what I want out of life.

Everything decision that I make in my life now passes through three main criteria...

1) Does it compromise either my time our my relationship with Lesley and Katie?

Simple, really.

For example...I'll spend a week in the States going to (or speaking at) a seminar...but no more.

I've worked away for weeks on end before...just coming home for weekends...and the strain it put on my relationship with the people that matter is too much.

So...everything that I aim to do in life musn't compromise this very important one!

2) Does it excite me so much that I can see myself doing it for as long as I want to?

I know for a fact that I could be earning more money than I currently if I leveraged my talent in areas other than personal development.

I KNOW that for a fact.

But...because it doesn't 'float my boat' like this stuff does...I just do it occasionally...and use it as a process to push myself out of my comfort zone (and to get out more! lol).

There's no point for me to spend most of time on stuff that I'm not totally, 100%, need-to-finish-this-chapter-before-I-go-to-sleep passionate about!

I LOVE writing to YOU about THIS stuff...so THIS is what I'm ALWAYS going to do more of than anything else. Period.

And finally...

3) Does it allow me to choose when and how I want to work?

As I've mentioned before...I won't be doing my Truth About Success Mentor Program in its original format EVER again!

Why?

Well...doing it forced me to sit in front of my computer for around 20 hours a week for five weeks - that's why!

People are surprised when I tell them that, despite not earning a bad 'return' for just over 100 hours of effort (plus the time it took to write the thing!)...I refuse to put myself into that sort of time 'strait-jacket' ever again.

I'll be honest with you...I could earn a reasonable living by delivering my Program every week of every year...(and help people have amazing results in their lives, by the way)...but, what's the point of not looking forward to being EXCITED about choosing to do what I want to do WHEN I want to do it?

---

So...if an idea or a project gets through these three THEN (and only then) do I look to see if I will get paid (either monetarily or through growth) enough to justify my time.

Remember...as Jim Rohn says:

"Time is more valuable than money.
You can always get more money, but you can never get more time."

I value mine so much these days...that I am fully prepared to make what may seem to others as absurd monetary decisions in order to make sure that I get the most from what time I have available to EXPERIENCE what life is really like.

So...what about YOU...what criteria do YOU use before you take ANY new 'project' or job on?

(If you don't have any aside from a monetary one...then I suggest that you start thinking more creatively!)

What Will You Do When Success Arrives?

If you have ever organized a function for a large gathering,
let's say a wedding or a family reunion where several
hundred people will be attending from every nook and cranny
of the world... then you will fully understand and
appreciate what I am about to tell you.

And if you have never been blessed with this magnificent
experience, there is sure to be someone close to you who has
already done so or is now in the process of putting together
a major event. Get involved with the next big shindig
that's coming up so you will be ready for the day success
descends upon you.

The past week and a half, I've been getting several "Where's
Russ" emails. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the
earth... thanks for your concern. It's just that SUCCESS
finally showed up on my doorstep and as much as I've dreamed
of this day, seemingly for the past few decades; as much as
I thought I was ready for it, I learned with great delight
that it was even better than I could have ever planned or
hoped for.

I have to admit that years ago I would not have recognized
Success. This time around, things started off looking much
as they did in the past. Business in one area of my life
started slowing down dramatically. I'm talking about my
MAIN source of income here. If I didn't know any better, I
would have gone directly into panic mode fearing this sure
and imminent 'disaster'.

The old saying, "When one door closes another one opens"
doesn't exactly apply in my present case. Unless you tell
me the open door is more like a FLOODGATE, because that's
exactly what has happened.

Leads and sign-ups for my new online ventures are literally
pouring in daily.

I'm getting invitations to submit my articles to various
newsletters. People are now asking ME to write for them.

More people are telling me I should be writing a book.
(Well, it's coming early in 2004!)

I just got into speaking and already I've got a couple of
assignments lined up.

All of a sudden I'm in increasing demand for mentoring and
social engagements.

It's all pretty heady stuff. With a few tweaks and
adjustments here and there I must say that I am looking
forward to this new and exciting lifestyle. I AM living my
dream and you are all such a major part of it.

The secret is to STAY CONNECTED... I'm learning from all of
you while at the same time I'm able to share everything I've
learned. To those mentors who have graciously offered your
guidance and advice, I am truly grateful. And for those of
you who have told me that I somehow made a difference in
your life, your support and encouragement is the fuel that
keeps me going. It's GIVE AND TAKE at it's finest.

You see, the arrival of success really is much like
organizing that big party. You'll need help getting it off
the ground and you'll also needs guests to share the joy.
Remember, even the biggest plans always start in the mind of
ONE person. Can one person make a difference? You'd better
believe it!

So, what will YOU do when YOUR success arrives. Do you have
your mentors lined up, ready to take you to the next level?
Are you ready to share with your legions of followers?

I'm putting a lot out there, but I have to tell you, it's
NOTHING compared to what I'm getting back! I can honestly
tell you that when you start giving of yourself you had
better be ready for success, because HERE IT COMES!

You May Not Realize It...But You've Just Been Coached!

As you know...I'm passionate about success.

I'm passionate about my OWN success...which, of course, will only happen if I help YOU become more passionate about YOUR success!

I'm a simple sort of guy...and the coaching seminar over the last couple of days proved it! lol

Coaching as a 'profession' is a strange thing.

Coaches spend so much time trying to explain the 'concept' of coaching...that they forget that all you are interested in is how they can HELP you.

I know from my own experience that coaching IS a powerful thing...but it's pointless me trying to 'sell' it to you because it's not something that you can directly see the value of.

So...I cheat a little!

As you are reading this...I am COACHING you!

Yep...without you even realizing it!

Why?

Well...coaching is all about asking questions. You see...the best coaches know that YOU are the 'expert' where YOUR life is concerned...and that their role is to help you work out for YOURSELF how to do 'x' or solve 'y'.

Which, in effect...is what I do practically every day here.

Do you notice that I often put questions to you in my writing?

Do you notice how I encourage you to make your OWN decisions...instead of just believing what I tell you because I'm a so-called 'expert'.

That's coaching!

(But...don't let a coach hear me say that to you! lol)

It's easy to get hung up on what coaching might be...and, of course, most coaches will argue that I do nothing of the sort because you are not talking to me on the 'phone.

But WE know different, don't we?

It's just a shame that more people aren't more aware of how truly POWERFUL coaching as a concept really is.

It really is an 'inside-track' to success when you align yourself with someone who is a little further along the path than you...who, just by offering advice and asking questions...can help you avoid the big obstacles along the way.

THAT'S what coaching is all about.

Whatever You Believe In...You Become

After spending a totlal of six days out of ten both speaking, sitting (and my new talent - mic running! lol)...I'm all 'seminared' out!

It never ceases to amaze me at these events how different people who supposedly share a common goal are!

Some people are so consumed with what they do that they can't help but talk about themselves...and others just seem at that almost perpetual 'I'm just starting out' phase.

But...there seemed to be so very few people who 'get it'.

I was talking to a lady who was literally stunned when I told her that I wouldn't be doing my "Truth About Success" Program ever again because, although I made money from it...it took up almost twenty hours of my week to run it!

She couldn't understand that I didn't want to create a new JOB for myself...even though I could make a 'living' out of it!

And...when I told her that I would be financially secure for life within five years...her jaw literally dropped open!

She couldn't understand that, because I wasn't 'chasing' money...how could I actually say (and BELIEVE it when I say it) that I would be in that position within that time?

She didn't get it.

I hope that by now...YOU do!

I've realized that most self-employed people are so obsessed with how much INCOME they have...that they forget that there is more to life than just being measured by money.

Most 'solo-entrepreneurs' especially seem to focus on working themselves into the ground to take up projects because there's 'money in it'...when in fact they should ALL be looking at how they can leverage their KNOWLEDGE instead to FREE up more time for themselves.

What also struck me was that I met a few people from the first Coachville conference that I went to back in March.

During the intervening six months...most seemed to have almost stopped still...whilst I have, in that time, released an ebook, an ecourse, a mentor Program, recorded an audio CD...and pushed myself into becoming a speaker, teleclass leader, published author...and internet marketing 'expert' for Coachville.

I'm not saying this to show you how 'great' I am...I'm telling you this because...I KNOW that whatever you BELIEVE in...you BECOME.

I'm constantly proving to myself on a weekly basis that I KNOW that it's possible!

And...I'm therefore proof that YOU can do it, too...if you really push yourself out of your comfort zone.

So...What's So Wrong NOW?

Today...I had another 'strange' experience...

I had a conversation with someone who aspired to have my lifestyle!

I tell you...it's a weird feeling...especially when they know that my lifestyle isn't based around having a huge income.

It seems that the more people I tell about why I don't feel any 'pressure' in my life...the more I seem to value what I've got.

The funny thing is....both monetarily and materialistically...I'm not that much better off than I was when I worked in my 9-5...but instead I THINK differently about who and what I am...and who and what I value.

So really...my world hasn't changed...my VIEW of it has!

It's a great feeling to know that I can honestly say that I don't have any REAL problems in my life (this isn't meant to be 'smart'...I mean that I don't PERCEIVE certain situations as 'problems' anymore.)

It's taken me some time...but I've realized that what I used to take for granted (my own happiness and my relationship with my family)...I now appreciate so much than I ever have done.

It's almost as if I have taken a 'step up' spiritually...and I've come to really understand that your life is as good as your thoughts about it.

And...there's no reason whatsoever why you can't FEEL the same way, too.

Just begin by looking at who (and what) you should REALLY value...and then ignore money as a motivator and measurement of how good life can be.

Remember...the sum total of who you are isn't a balance on a bank account...it's what you FEEL RIGHT NOW.

Help...I'm Discombobulated!

dis·com·bob·u·late
verb : cause to be confused emotionally

I'll own up and admit that when I heard this word today...I wasn't entirely sure what it meant! lol

Would you have done?

The funny thing was...it was actually on a powerpoint slide presentation at the Coachville Advanced Coaching Proficiencies Training that I went to today!

As you know...I do stuff for Coachville myself...but I can safely say that I would NEVER use this word!

Coachville's founder...the late Thomas Leonard was by all accounts...a genius.

But...unfortunately...much of what he wrote, although of genius quality...has too many 'isms', 'ations', 'ilities', 'otions' and words with more than 12 letters in to make a lot of sense to 'normal' people.

As you may know...I am passionate about making sure that my 'message' gets across...so therefore I write for a reading age of twelve.

I could easily write with longer words...and quite often I have to edit down what I want to say so that it passes my twelve-year-old test.

Why?

Well...I haven't the faintest clue about how educated YOU are...nor whether you will understand some of the 'NLP-type' jargon that many coaches use to make an easy subject sound difficult.

So...I write like this so that...if you're a genius (congratulations!) you'll understand me...and, if you're not then you still will!

It's something that YOU should be aware of in your OWN communications.

I'm ashamed to say that Lesley sometimes says to me "Don't talk to me like a child!" (A habit I'm fast getting out of as I value my life! lol).

But...talking ABOVE someone has an even bigger effect....straight away they feel inadequate if they aren't sure that they understand completely what you are saying.

You don't like it when you feel like that...so why should they?

It's no good putting them through all of that discombobulation just to make a point (and look clever) is it?

$150 or A Couple Of Hours? You Decide!

Today I made a decision that cost me over $150...and I'm proud of it!

I was booking my flights out to Miami in order to get out there for the Affiliate Masters Cruise at the end of October (at which I'm on the panel of experts).

Because of the length of the journey...I always try to fly direct wherever possible.

I learned my lesson from my trip to Vegas last years after some 'fun and games' with connections...which meant that it took me almost an entire day to get there!

Usually...the prices to the States from here in the UK are quite reasonable...although some journeys that you think might be cheaper aren't!

And...Miami is one of them! lol

However...since I last looked a couple of weeks ago...a couple of indirect flights appeared on the list which worked out at over $150 cheaper than the direct flights.

And...the flights were direct going there...but there was a connection on the way back that meant that the journey would be two-and-a-half hours longer.

So...would YOU pay $150 more for less flying time (and less chance of stress if connections go wrong?)

Well...I'll be honest with you...I almost talked myself out of it...but then my prosperity consciousness 'kicked in'...and I realized how bad I would feel sitting on a plane knowing that I still had over two hours to go...when I could have landed already!

So...lifestyle won AGAIN over money.

This may not seem like a big thing to you...but I KNOW for a fact that perhaps only a few months ago...I would have gladly extended my already-nine-hour journey by another two-and-a-half...just to save myself $150!

What would YOU have done?

Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now!

I've spent three-and-a-half hours today listening to tapes of three very successful people sharing their 'secrets'.

They were interviewed by Joe Polish...the millionaire marketing carpeting cleaning 'guru' that I met over the weekend.

Now...Joe is one clever guy (don't you find that all self-made millionaires are?)...and, although he may be rich...he is still one nice guy.

I witnessed him going out of his way over the weekend to help anyone who would ask...even during the coffee breaks.

I can categorically say that this man does 'business' in the way that I like to do business...so, if you do ever come across him...I guarantee that he will overdeliver.

Now...back to the tapes...

I'm not an audio learner generally...as I am too busy writing to concentrate on anything other than music.

But...today I've had one of those non-creative days where I KNOW that it's pointless for me to try and come up with something constructive for my business.

Every once in a while I get like that...usually when I have 'worked' consistently for a couple of weeks without a real 'brain break'.

So...instead of beating myself up about it...I just made sure that I used this time to listen to some interviews instead.

One of the interviews was with fellow Brit - Stuart Goldsmith.

Now...here's a man that has made a fortune in direct mail here in the UK...a direction I want to go. So...do you think that I got my $5 worth (the amount it cost me to buy the tape on special offer at the seminar last weekend)?

You betcha!

Aside from crystallizing my ideas about how I want to move forward in that area...which I have already acted on with someone I met at the seminar (remember - quick, decisive ACTION is the mark of successful people!)...Stuart came up with this quote....

"You could make more money...but you could choose not to."

Now...THAT'S the lifestyle that I can totally relate to!

So...once again...if HE can be successful...and do it on terms that mirror my own...don't you think that I could be able to?

And don't you think that YOU could, too?

Keep your 'eyes peeled'...it's only a matter of time!

Is That Give Out...Or Take Away?

Today I've spent the best part of three hours on coaching calls.

It made me realize that, despite whatever I MAY think of myself...I CAN (and do) make a positive contribution to other people's lives.

And...if you think about...so do YOU, too!

You see...EVERYONE that you meet tomorrow will be influenced by you in some way.

In every exchange...do you think that you ADD something to the other person's life?

Perhaps not?

You might turn your nose down at that foreign student who serves you in McDonalds.

You might be rude to the secretary of the boss you're trying to reach, well, because she's 'only a secretary'.

You might even ignore your kids at the breakfast table when they ask you a question and you're trying to read the newspaper.

Do you add VALUE to other people's lives?

Remember...what you give away comes back to you...so what do you think you'll get back from those sort of relationships with other people?

We are all part of the same worldwide 'family' whether we realize it or not.

And...who's to say the impact that ANYBODY you meet tomorrow could have on your future success?

You may not believe me...but who knows who you might need to rely on at a crucial moment in your future?

The Truth...And Why It Can Change Lives

This weekend I had one of the most amazing feelings.

Late Friday afternoon...I did a speech about goal achievement at a marketing seminar for carpet cleaners here in the UK.

I debated for some time as to whether I would give a little bit of background about why I do what I do...instead of just going straight into talking about goals.

Now...what happened in my life with my son, Connor...is something that I NEVER want to use to 'brag' about how unlucky I am, blah blah blah

BUT...Connor (and what happened during his life) is the SOLE reason why I'm not still wasting away in a bank like I had done for fifteen years previously...so I feel that it is IMPORTANT to let people KNOW where I come from.

I can tell you...when I was up there on the platform on Friday...I nearly 'lost it' as I was talking about what happened.

BUT...

Because I did...I've changed FOREVER at least two families' lives.

How?

Well...because my 'story' made two men in the audience realize that there were more important things than chasing money in their lives.

I'm not going to go into detail about their situations...but, I know for a fact, that because of my experiences with my son...their lives will now be a lot more balanced (and less stressful) in the future.

My eyes were welling up as I told my wife how proud I was that I could have such a dramatic POSITIVE effect on other peoples' lives.

No money could ever, ever replace that feeling when you help improve someone else's future...even if you don't know them.

I'm PROUD to be here NOW writing this to YOU...and I hope that, in some small way, I am helping shape a much more balanced and HAPPY future lifestyle for YOU.

That means more to me than any figures on a bank account, believe me.

I'm Never Getting In That Jam Again!

I've spent most of today trying to collate hard copy versions of most of my digital stuff.

Now I know why I don't physically ship products for a living!

My color printer took too long to print...and then ran out of black ink.

Then my laser printer jammed (because I was trying to force feed it inkjet paper - I didn't know that there was a difference until today!)

So...I've learned that I won't be doing too much printing in a hurry.

Once I eventually get the Home Study version of my Truth About Success Mentor Program completed...I think that I'll let a copy shop do most of the work...even if it costs a fair bit more money.

My time is too precious to me to be wasted trying to stay calm whilst printers jam.

I know that, all-in-all, my talents lie elsewhere...and my days of printing and copying should be long gone!

Isn't it funny that, when we think that we are saving time or money by doing it ourselves...it usually ends up as neither!

So...I'm staying focused on my priorities...and I will therefore use my time more wisely in the future, that's for sure!

NB. I will be away until Sunday at my first 'proper' speaking gig...so I will resume when I get back.

It's no pressure...I'm sharing the bill with Joe Polish amongst other people (if you're not from the US you might not have heard of him.)

Talk about in at the deep end! lol

the debate continues...

Ever been stuck in a discussion with your partner about your desire to move your family's wealth forward?

Then these typical questions will inevitably arise…

Do we utilize the equity in our home to invest?
Do we continue to save to pay off our mortgage?
Do we wait before investing?
Do we continue to pay the standard mortgage installments and begin purchasing new investments immediately?
Should we sell our home, rent and focus all our efforts on investing?

These are good questions, and the list goes on…

Between the two of you, one will be prepared to take a risk; the other will be more risk averse.

One will have a deeper desire for abundance than the other.

Opinions will differ on this subject and we can’t consider all the possible scenarios right now.

What I will say is this.

The fact that you are coming from two different places due to your core values and beliefs will make getting to an agreed position difficult at best.

Some compromise will be required from both parties.

I can only assume that by reading this that your pursuit of abundance may be stronger than your partner. You will be successful at edging your way to your goals WITH your partner if you do it gradually and with a great deal of communication. Having some small wins in your investing activities along the way will help to re-inforce the value of your desire for abundance to your family.

That still leaves the issue of your family home.

In most countries, buying or owning your own home is a given fact.

Why would you do it any other way?

Let me pose a few questions…

Will you be wealthy one day if you earn a wage, pay tax and then spend, including your mortgage? Unlikely.
Will you become wealthy and gain freedom for your family if you wait and pay off your home before you start investing? Unlikely.
If you buy your family home and then a vacation shack, will you be wealthy sometime soon? Unlikely.

In time, good things come to those that use their God-given talents and brain power – create a plan and have joy in achieving it together.

The wealthy have a few basic tenets that make them who they are – free, sovereign individuals.

They structure their lives so that they pay themselves first, spend on primarily tax deductible debts, pay a little tax and invest the balance.

Simple right. Well infact, it is simple when you know the rules and live them.

So when it comes to the family home, what do the wealthy do?

They purchase an economical home – nothing too impressive – they buy something really special when they can afford to splash out.
They re-finance every year or two and keep mortgage payments to a similar % of their income but use the equity in their home to purchase investments – real estate, stocks, mutual funds, etc..
The wealthy will attempt to structure in such a way that their mortgage repayments are tax deductible as well.

They will budget so that they always have savings that they are investing to create wealth and residual income. As they invest they keep their money earning more money – using the power of compounding to amass a fortune. (See the compounding graphs with lesson 5 on http://www.the-richest-man-in-babylon.com/lesson5.htm) Not until they have significant wealth will the wealthy buy vacation shacks, or expensive cars or the like.

Don't sit on your capital and leave it in your home. Make it work for you and claim tax deductions on using the equity to invest.

Yours in abundance!

The Richest Man
The Richest Man

I Can't Do THAT! Oh Yes I CAN!

I love a challenge.

And...I love challenge my OWN views of what I can achieve!

I've already chased away a couple of demons this year...and after yesterday and today...I've finally knocked out my hour's worth of audio...just to shut up that little nagging voice in my head!

There's plenty more due soon as well.

I've realized that even though I THINK that I have limits...I KNOW that's that what they are...just THOUGHTS!

Even in the last six months I have accomplished a couple of things that I would have laughed at the beginning of the year!

And ALL because I KNOW that, unless I force myself out of my comfort zone...then I'm just not going to get to where I REALLY want to go.

Sure...I can 'play' in the amateur leagues...or I can learn from the professionals who are already in the BIG league.

I don't even need to speak to them. All I need to do is to see what those people to whom I aspire are doing...and literally drag myself up to that level by pushing my boundaries.

So...if they're doing teleclasses - so am I!

If they're recording audios - so am I!

If they're speaking - so am I!

If they're running a Program - so am I!

And...if they're releasing a book...then so WILL I!

This doesn't just work for me, you know.

YOU should be looking at those people who you want to emulate...and see what they are doing that you are not.

Then...ask yourself - "Why not?"

If you look deep enough...you won't find a decent enough reason not be able to do what they are...if you really WANT to.

If I can do it - then so can YOU! :-)

Everybody Wants To Be Special To Someone

You know the type; you can't do anything for them because
they won't let you. A little praise for their outfit is
rejected with, "Oh, this old thing? It's headed for the
rag pile as soon as I get home." An offer to help with some
chores when you know they could really use it gets turned
down with, "No, no, it's too much trouble for you. We can
manage quite well, thank you!"

Or they grudgingly take your gift, whether it be a simple
compliment or something more substantial. However, soon
afterward they 'return the favor', much like a receipt. More
often than not, the return outshines what was first offered
leaving the original giver feeling insignificant, if not
indebted.

And so it goes. What starts off innocently enough as a
sincere show of gratitude soon turns into a battle to see
who will outdo the other.

Admittedly, very few people I know have the attitude of, "I
will NOT be outdone." It only takes a couple of exchanges
to realize what's going on. I'm more than happy to swallow
my giver's pride and let them have the 'last word'.

However, I find with the majority of people it is usually a
feeling of unworthiness that makes them uncomfortable with
receiving. They will often say things like, "What did I do
to deserve this?" If they could only realize that just
being who they are makes them worthy enough to warrant
someone else's gratitude!

Then there are those people who were brought up with the
belief that, "It is better to give than receive". For all
of you in this category, here's a new wrinkle that you might
want to consider:

Sometimes the best thing you can give another person is the
opportunity to give!

You know, there's nothing like unconditional giving, without
expectation of return. If you have ever given a sizeable
donation anonymously, you know what I'm talking about.
What's even better though is to give to someone you truly
love without a second thought. For that one moment, all time
stops and you find yourself in the euphoria of eternity!

Now, for those of you on the receiving end who feel that you
absolutely must give something back, how about giving a
sincere thank you. This tells the benefactor that not only
was the gift received, but it was ACCEPTED!

You see, one of the main reasons that we give is because
everybody wants to feel special to someone. And nothing
makes a person feel more special than total, unconditional
acceptance.

Gifts from Toronto,
Russ

Hello? Can You Hear Me?

I've spent most of today pushing myself to do something that I know that I SHOULD do...but have always managed to talk myself out of!

I recorded some audios!

Don't you just LOVE the sound of your own voice? lol

For me...it has always been a nagging thought in my mind that I should actually get around to thinking about those people who might prefer to HEAR what I have to say...instead of just reading about it.

So...I got my mic...ran my software...and have so recorded twelve two to three minute audios of some of the articles that I have written.

Sure...I don't think that they are up to much...but then again...we're always our own worst critic aren't we? lol

And...just as I was getting into the 'swing of it' (and was aiming for getting twenty or so 'tracks' down)...my software program decided to 'play up'.

Perhaps that was a sign that I shouldn't record any more! lol

Anyway...

In the spirit of not asking you to do what I wouldn't...I'm going to put myself 'out there'...and give you a chance to hear my 'dulcet' tones from one of the tracks.

It's only 2mins 22secs long...so it won't take you long to listen to it.

I'll tell you now. The OLD me would never face up to what I am doing because of the old confidence issues...so this is an excellent way to face up and conquer one of those 'demons' that I've had for a while!

I'd be interested to hear what you think...and whether you'd be interested to hear more.

To hear it just click on its title - "The Perspective's Guide To Being An Idiot"

It will stream automatically...and, if you haven't got the RealPlayer program that you need to listen to it...you can get a free version from here.

Believe It Or Not

I received some interesting email on yesterday's post.
Today's message will be an attempt to respond to the
following haunting questions, "What if I don't believe in
anything, even God? And what if this lack of belief creates
more problems and anger to the point where I feel doomed?"

WOW! Have you ever been there? I know I have.

Having beliefs is inescapable. Realize that whether you
believe in something or not, that IS your belief!

Yesterday I watched the movie, "A Walk To Remember" with
Shane West and Mandy Moore. Mandy says something like,
"Suffering builds compassion." Shane replies, "Yeah, well
tell that to the suffering."

If you're going through some stuff right now, there's very
little I can tell you that will comfort you. You gotta get
through it first and that's the tough part.

But sure as the sun is coming up again tomorrow, you WILL
get through your current situation. And sure as it will be
dark again, there will be other experiences that dwarf
today's challenges.

And sure as Mandy Moore is beautiful, you WILL have more
compassion in the end! Ultimately, everything is for a good
reason. You'll only know this when you've gone through
enough things. For myself, not only have I gained more
compassion, my BELIEF has grown exponentially.

Now for something that may shake your tree a bit, here's a
quote from my latest read, 'Spiritual Economics' by Eric
Butterworth:

"The sincere student of Truth will look in a mirror and say,
"It is high time that you stopped being a part of the
problem and became part of the solution.""

There will come a time when you'll have gleaned as much from
your current experiences as you wish to learn. At that point
you will either pass the 'course' and move on, or you will
'cut class' only to have to relearn the lesson again
somewhere down the road of life.

Henry Ford was quoted, "Think you can; think you can't;
either way you're right!"

A simple matter of choice. Right now you are choosing NOT to
believe - and that is your belief!

To end with a quote from my good friend Mike Dooley,
"Thoughts are things; choose the good ones."

All the best from Toronto,
Russ

What Do You Do When Opportunity Runs You Down?

The trouble with being so open to new and exciting ways of improving myself is that I never seem to 'rest' until I fall asleep at night!

Now...I'm not saying this because it's a bad thing (it's not)...it's just that even when I'm doing nothing much in particular (like eating breakfast) - my mind is constantly 'whirring' away in the background.

I can't help myself! lol

I wonder how I managed to squander so much time for so long during the first fifteen years of my adulthood!

It's almost as if my mind has been 'switched on' to thinking 'outside of the box' (to use a nice management term!).

What about YOU? Are you 'tuned in' to looking for opportunities?

Now...I'm not talking about business opportunities...I'm referring to opportunities to move yourself forward in life.

Believe me...they're flying past you in the 'ether' even as you read this.

It's not a case of you finding opportunity...you have the literally just step out in FRONT of it!

You may think that I am exaggerating...but, by listening to my intuition, and watching for coincidences...and by keeping an open mind...opportunities and ideas have literally landed in my lap this past year.

Now...you may just put this down to 'luck'...but I KNOW otherwise.

You see...I know the 'secret!'

Want to know what it is?

OK.

It's all very well well getting yourself in front of opportunities...but the KEY thing here is that you need to make a DECISION to ACT on those that come your way.

That's all.

Unless you make that first step...your not on your journey towards a more successful and rewarding life..

You Gotta Believe

If you are in a relationship with someone who doesn't
believe in you, you should get out before you stop believing
in yourself.

I count myself among the fortunate people having a spouse
who totally believes in me unconditionally. In the 20 years
we've been married, I have enjoyed the freedom to try many
things. Whenever a new idea comes up my wife will always ask,
"Does it look good to you?" This is always be followed with,
"Go for it!"

Hindsight being 20/20, many of those things were rather
hair-brained and resulted in a 'learning experience', which
is the politically correct way of saying it BOMBED! Never
once did my wife come back with, "I told you so. You are
such a loser. You can't succeed at anything!" Quite the
opposite. She always makes me FEEL like a winner just for
trying. And that gives me the courage to 'go for it' again
and again.

OK, so your family, friends and associates don't come right
out and blatantly rip you apart either. Still, with every
'learning experience' you feel their faith in you slipping
ever so gradually until the years finally take their toll.

Here's how to tell when your partner has total faith in you:

1) Shows Sincere Interest - My wife will ask me questions
like, "When were you thinking of starting this project?"
She always comes along with me to check things out and get
started.

She was there when I joined bowling leagues, Tae Kwon Do
classes, Toastmasters and writing courses. She helped pick
out tools and computer equipment (two things of which she
knows nothing about). She sat through numerous business
meetings that I knew held very little interest for her. But
none of this mattered to her. She was there for ME!

2) Talks About You - Another great clue is how your partner
talks about you to others, especially other family members
and close friends. The way my wife talks about me, you
might think I just came up with the ultimate solution for
world peace. What a tremendous confidence booster this is.

3) Supports You Directly - A few of my projects involved an
investment. Whatever the cost my wife would ask, "Do we
have it?" And if we did, she would simply say, "Go for it."
If the funds were tight she would ask, "How soon do you
think we'll be able to get started?" There was never a
question of 'If'; just 'When'.

More often she supports me with gifts of time. She either
picks up my normal routine chores or lets them slide for a
week or so without a word while I immerse myself in my latest
scheme.

4) Other Signs - You don't have to be a genius to figure
out these other signs. Rolling eyeballs, heavy sighs,
crossed arms, tone of voice and other negative signals are
easy enough to pick up. They show lack of belief and are
killers in every sense of the word. Remember how it feels
when someone uses these tactics on you and vow to avoid
these in all of your meaningful relationships.

At this point a lot of you may be thinking, "Either this guy
is making this stuff up or he is one helluva lucky guy!"

Actually, both are incorrect. However, if you must insist
on one, the latter would be closest to the truth.

Here's the real secret to this whole deal.

My wife totally believes in me because I totally believe in
her. But sometimes this can be very hard to do.

And that's what makes this all the more incredible. Let's
face it, as human beings we tend to be mostly interested in
ourselves and our own agendas. It's a challenge to be there
for someone else when you've got your own game going, and
it's the fourth quarter with the clock ticking down against
you.

But my experience tells me that it's exactly these critical
times when you need to show your belief in your partner.
Otherwise your own accomplishments will be meaningless and
unfulfilling because there won't be anyone around to believe
in you!

Now lest you think my wife is some kind of slouch with
nothing better to do than to cater to my every whim, note
that we are business partners and she is also in the process
of writing her first book. Trust me, there are days when
she barely has enough time for herself, let alone me. But
she still makes me FEEL like a priority!

What goes around, comes around. Review the 4 pointers
listed above and apply them daily until they become a
natural part of who you are. People will believe in you
only to the degree that you believe in them. You gotta
believe!

Having said that, if you have done everything you can to
earn belief and your partner still doesn't believe in you,
then you should get out of that relationship as quickly as
you can before you lose faith in yourself.

Blessings from Toronto,
Russ

It's All Down To Perception

It'a amazing how often the course of my day changes because of an email I receive.

Today I spent a couple of hours getting excited about a little project.

I came across some ebooks that I thought were VERY interesting (no surprise there then! lol).

But, the trouble was...even though I KNEW that they were 'top-notch' with a reputation to match...I also knew that, well, the website stank!

As I like to recommend ebooks and stuff that I like...I knew that, if I sent you to the website...then it wouldn't do a particularly good job of showing you how good these ebooks really are.

So...I took action.

I copied the site...and redesigned it to be a lot more 'up-to-date'...which will showcase the QUALITY of the ebooks much better than the rather dodgy-looking original.

Thanks to a little bit of techy stuff...I can also keep the correct links in place to the payment screens...only, of course, if you were interested enough to invest in them! lol

So...what do you think?

Click on this link for the original website.

And...

Click on this link for my version.

What do you think? Do you think that it shows the ebooks in a much better light?

As with most things in life...how you are perceived by other people makes a HUGE difference!

Want To Know How To Be Happy?

On average, about 90% of what happens to people from day to
day is good. Only 10% is considered bad. In order to be
happy, just focus on the 90%.

Does life get any simpler than this?

First of all, note that we are talking 'average'. Sure,
some days are more challenging than others, just as there
may be periods of time lasting weeks and sometimes even
months where things seem set on full resistance.

Even if you are stuck in a losing streak, you can still use
the 90%/10% rule in your favor. Allow yourself 10% of the
day (10% of 24 hours = 2 hours and 24 minutes) to rant and
rave - and I mean really let it all out for the full 2 hours
and 24 minutes, non-stop!

Too much?

Let's say you only rant and rave 10% of your 16 waking
hours; that's still a healthy 1 hour and 36 minutes to
scream, cry, punch walls or whatever else it is you do when
you blow off steam.

WHAT? You say it's not THAT bad?

How about trying this approach the next time you feel like
losing it. Make a list of 9 things for which you can truly
feel happy and grateful to counter-act that one bad moment
(90%-10%). Here is my list:

1. I'm breathing and I still have a pulse.

2. My stomach isn't growling.

3. I've wearing decent clothes and shoes.

4. I had a shower today. (at least my wife is happy!)

5. I've got a place to sleep tonight... (and it's NOT the couch).

6. I can phone at least 5 people right now who would
welcome the sound of my voice.

7. My cat purrs when she sees me... (and not just when the
can opener is running).

8. I'm still in control here.

9. I'm smart enough to figure this out; and if I can't do
it myself, I have a smart brother-in-law... so THERE!

You see, I have some choices. If my problem is a real
stinker, I've got at least an hour and 36 minutes to blow
up.

If the challenge is trivial, then I can break out my 'list'.

And if you really want to feel happy, expand your list to 99
items. By the time you finish reading that list, I
guarantee you'll have totally forgotten whatever it was that
was bothering you. Then you can go on with being happy
nearly 100% of the time!

Cheers from Toronto,
Russ

I AM A Control 'Freak'...And I'm Proud Of It!

It's a strange thing...

I SHOULD be under more pressure from a work perspective as I now work for myself, and therefore don't have the 'security' of a regular income.

But...I'm probably more 'laid back' about the whole thing than I have probably been at eny time in my working life.

Why?

Well...it's because I no longer have one eye on the future instead of both eyes on the NOW, that's why!

What I mean is that I no longer give a second thought to the "what if.." monster.

-It doesn't bother me what other peoples' reactions MIGHT be.

-It doesn't bother me that I don't have a 'secure' (whatever that is) income.

-It doesn't bother me that I don't have much of a pension in place (I'm too busy re-investing in MYSELF instead)

- It doesn't bother me that I don't try to ASSUME what COULD happen if I did or didn't do 'x'.

I wish I had this mindset when I DID work in my 9-5. It would have saved me a lot of stress in the process...that's for sure.

It's taken me a while...but I've come to terms with the fact that it is me ALONE who is in control of where I will be in five years' time - NOBODY else!

And...if you look hard enough...I think that you'll see that you NEED to be in SOLE control of your future, too.

One Door Closes

There was a time in the not too distant past when I would
have stressed - even despaired - when a door closed in my
life.

Perhaps my perceptions have changed. In my younger days
(I'm saying that a lot as I approach the big Five-Oh!) I saw
doors not only closing but:

* SLAMMING
* TRIPLE BOLTED
* with 'GO AWAY & DON'T COME BACK' emblazoned across in
angry, black graffitti-style letters.

I recall the time SHE dumped me... (and there were many she's)

OR

Those business ventures where I had to excitedly contact my
'list' of friends, relatives and acquaintances. How quickly
they scattered every time they saw me coming with a new
'opportunity'!

Then there were the truly tough times when a beloved pet or
family member passed away.

And the time the doctor told me, "You have Leukemia."

And yet another time when my wife and I lost our house and
eventually filed for bankruptcy.

Don't think for one minute that I am bitter, crying or
complaining although I'll admit that I've done my fair share
of that. But not anymore. In fact, the harder the door
closes, the MORE I look forward to what's behind Door #2!

So, what am I now... a self-masochist?

NO WAY!

Think about it for a second. After all I've been through,
I'M STILL HERE! I'm ALIVE & WELL and able to tell you all
about how I not only survived, but PROSPERED MORE for my
experiences!

I'm here to tell you that when one door closes, another
always opens. And what's behind Door #2 has been far better
than anything I thought I had behind Door #1. ALWAYS!

I'm not saying it will be easy. But I DO PROMISE things will be BETTER.

Blessings from Toronto,
Russ

There's NO Way Back. Are You With Me?

It's always a challenge to come up with something worthwhile (and not too boring) to tell you when I've spent all day long staring at a computer screen.

But...I live by my habits so here I am! lol

On the whole in retrospect...I wonder how many times I have repeated myself?

But...funnily enough...this isn't really a BAD thing because that means that I am just finding different ways to get across the points that I think are valuable to you.

One thing, though.

The more I write and learn about this thing called personal development...the more spiritual I have become.

What do I mean by this?

Well...I'm now more aware of the more important role my habitual THINKING plays in my success...even more so than my habitual ACTIONS.

I'm not the meditative sort...nor do I read affirmations out loud.

In fact, in 'new age' terms...I'm probably a little 'square'! lol

But...over the coming weeks and months my aim is to find ways that suit ME that will allow me to give more REAL time for thinking and reading about my thoughts (if you get what I mean).

As time goes on...I am beginning to see a number of threads emerge in regards to living a full and rewarding life.

From Napoleon Hill to the Kabballah to Wayne Dyer to Stuart Goldsmith to Neale Donald Walsch to Stuart Lichtmann and back again...the clues ARE there if you look for them...and look at how you can APPLY them in your life.

We are always too busy occupying ourselves with DOING that we've 'unlearned' the rules for just LIVING and having fun!

I'm sure that YOU already have ways that work for you that don't involve building up as much money as possible at the expense of leading a life that you can enjoy.

I'd love to hear about them.

I'm on a path now in my life from which there is NO way back to the 'old' me.

I'd love for you to stumble along with me...both of us learning as we go along.

Watch this space...the second stage of our development is beginning to fall into place!

The Tales of Two Hot Properties

1. House move update...

We have accepted an offer for our house that is about $1,700 less than the 'bogus' offer we had last week.

This means that we will probably end up a similar amount 'out of pocket' after all of our moving expenses...but I would gladly pay that much to have a nicer house and a better quality of life.

And...I also realized today that, as Lesley will be leaving the part-time job that she does for my brother...she won't be bringing home the $1,000 a month that she used to earn.

In the past this would have been a HUGE problem...but I know that I could get her to help me with some admin work instead...which will free up more of my time to do this sort of stuff.

So...all-in-all...this move so far has been a lesson to us that has made us focus on what's really important to us...instead of getting hung up over chasing money.

2. How to lose $150,000 by ignoring your intuition...

I caught the end of a TV programme last night. In it a young couple are given a choice of three houses to choose from...and then, if they guess within £500 either side of its value...they get it for free! (It's called 'Hot Property' and it's on Channel 5 if you are in the UK).

Aside from having an interest in looking at the properties...my main 'thing' is watching as these couples go through the ups and downs of trying to decide on a price that they think the house is worth.

What was interesting last night was that as soon as the couple got into the car to go to the property and started to debate the price...straight away the guy said "I've been dreaming about £89,950 for some reason."

His girlfriend then said "Yeah - that's the figure I've got in my head as well!"

They then spent the rest of the journey talking up the figure to £91,950...as they thought that the house would be more expensive than the figure they first thought of etc etc.

Even still...the guy mentioned that he had this figure in his head...but the house was worth more than that...and 'wouldn't it be funny' if that's what the price of the house really was!

They got to the house. Got out of the car. The cheesy and annoying presenter (if you're in the UK - you'll know! lol)...writes down £91,950 on the board...and slowly reveals the price of the property that, if they get within £500 of...is theirs - free.

Guess what price it was? EXACTLY £89,950!

And, no...the guy wasn't laughing!

Now you may call that unlucky...I call it not listening to your intuition.

And Look At What The Universe Sends Me...

It's easy to let things get to you when you have no control of them.

Yet...that is PRECISELY why you SHOULDN'T let things get to you!

Today has been a dance of phone calls between our estate agent and prospective buyers of our house.

A few years ago I would have got seriously stressed about the whole situation...but not any more.

You see...I am in control of the situation.

We've had an offer that is about $3,500 less than the previous (failed) offer...and would result in us being out of pocket by a similar amount once our moving costs were taken into account.

Now...in the past...I would have got 'hung-up' on the fact that this offer was undervaluing our property...blah blah blah.

But...what it boils down to is this...

Do we want to lose my wife's 'dream house' for the sake of a few grand?

In the big scheme of things called 'quality of life'...does it really MATTER that I will have to find the money in the future?

Of course I would rather that I didn't...but I KNOW that the house we are buying is part of the quality of our future life...whereas an extra couple of grand on a credit card is just a bigger figure on a computer somewhere.

I KNOW that in the past...I would have been so attached to the MONETARY outcome...that I probably would have compromised what's REALLY important.

So...I am in control...and, with a couple more viewings lined up...who knows if the monetary side won't sort itself out eventually?

See...I go on about why you should focus on what's really important instead of money...and look at what the Universe sends me as a reminder that I should always 'walk my talk'! lol

I DO Believe! (There You Go - I've Said It!)

I always say that whatever other people may tell you...life is NEVER just 'plain sailing'.

It's almost as if we NEED to take one step back every time that we take two forward...almost as a reminder that we should always consolidate where we are first before we move on.

And...that's exactly what happened to me today.

Our house move was going smoothly...and we even managed to deal with a possible glitch whilst we were on our vacation.

And then we found out that our buyer (and it seems...even his mortgage broker) lied about the position they were in!

We were told that he was renting his house out...and would be able to move in as quickly as we wanted to. Now...it turns out, he's putting his house on the market tomorrow!

So...we are practically back to 'square one' except that we are two weeks and almost $1,500 into the purchase of the house that we want.

So...the fun starts here...and it looks like we may be 'courting' buyers once again!

Just when we thought that we wouldn't have to keep our house that tidy again!

Of course, Lesley is seriously worried about the chance that she could lose her 'dream' home...although, naturally, I'm a little more philosophical (which of course annoys the hell out of her!)

I believe in the 'process'...so we'll just watch and see what will happen, won't we :-)