Success...One Day At A Time

If You Want It...You've Gotta Believe

Whatever you want to aim for in life...it pays to maintain an open mind.

For years I disreagrded the spiritual side of success...and, it wasn't until I began experiencing it firsthand (when Connor was around) that I started to consider the impact that THINKING has on your future.

Much more than the ACTION side...that's for sure.

Why?

Well...we're constantly listening to that little voice inside our heads that has been conditioned to unfavorably compare you to everyone else...and therefore just goes on about what you CAN'T do - instead of what you CAN.

Once I realized that my limits were determined by ME and that little voice...I began to start questioning them!

Of course...because we've had years of negative programming...it takes time to get past the hurdle of you only being able to go so high 'because...'!

Also...meeting up with some of the most successful people online over the years...I've come to the decision that I, too, can emulate them...but on MY terms!

In other words...if THEY can do it...I KNOW that I can, too!

(And so can you if you are willing to be a 'perpetual student' of both your passion and marketing).

Sure...it may take months or years instead of days and weeks...but as I can see how well other people do after say, seven years online compared to my 22 months...then there is no reason why I can't be where they are within the same timeframe.

The problem is...this is too long for most people.

Not only that...they don't BELIEVE that they WILL (unlike me).

So...what's holding YOU back (if you REALLY want it)?

Video Killed The Audio Star

Finally...after almost a year of 'playing around'...I have completed my first online 'video'!

The technology has been around for a while...but in terms of functionality has improved considerably in the last few months.

So...I finally sat down and created something in less than 7 minutes (in one take'' - and it shows!).

Not much effort, really...but the results are a phenomenal 'return' for a few minutes work.

It still needs some fine-tuning...both in MY presentation...and the presentation that you see onscreen...but what I have in mind to do with this stuff will be both fun and a challenge!

Plus...I've finally 'nailed' another demon of mine...that I can't produce a video without notes...in a conversational format.

So...here it is...

http://www.oursuccesspartnership.com/video/101.html

I know that it still needs some work...but I'd be interested to know what you think!

Many thanks in advance!

Hocus Focus...Let's Get Excited!

One of the most important things that I have learned over the last couple of years is how important it is to have some focus in your life.

I know what I want from where I am going in my life...so I need to make sure that I focus on which ideas should contribute to me getting there!

As time has gone on...I have evolved a fairly rigid 'selection process' through which I put my ideas through.

But...on the odd occasion...one may slip through that I begin...and gets left behind as I get back to concentrating on the other more 'focused' ideas.

You...see, it got to the point where I was literally sitting at my PC...having so many ideas in various stages of development, that I was literally paralysed because I couldn't choose which ONE to do.

So now I make it a little easier on myself.

Wherever possible I try to only work on one or two different things each day.

That way...I don't get bored at having to do the same thing...and it means that, over time, very few projects get left behind.

Also...by being flexible in this way...it enables me to run with the really BIG ideas that come along once in a while - I just allocate a couple of days to work on them when I'm really EXCITED about them.

Excitement is one of my main motoivators where my work is concerned.

I know now that, the quicker I follow through completely on an idea...the more chance I have of finishing it!

So...that's why I need to make sure that I concentrate my energies on a few FOCUSED projects at a time.

It helps me...but was it useful for YOU?

It's Snow Simple, Really

It's snowing here for the first time in a year or so...and soon-to-be-eight-years-old Katie is in her element.

Even though her hands are literally frostbitten, her cheeks are red and burning...and snow is falling inside her coat and down her back...she is loving every minute of it!

Why can't we be like that?

Why can't we just enjoy the moment...and forget about the fact that in reality, if we stopped to think about it, we might feel a little uncomfortable.

Shame that we focus on what we DON'T like about what we do...instead of concentrating on what we DO like.

Whatever your circumstances...there MUST be something that you like about what you do.

No?

Well...I'll put it this way...you would soon find ANY way possible out of where you currently are if you absolutely 'backs-against-the-wall' had to.

I know...I've been there...and did exactly that!

Because it got to the point where there was NOTHING keeping me at my job that was more important than quitting.

And...that's why you might still be doing what you are doing...even if you get that regular Monday morning feeling.

We always aim for the comfort zone in whatever we do. Change means stepping out of that...so, even without realizing it...we probably get a lot more out of what we don't think that we like than we realize.

It's only when you KNOW that change is THAT important to your well-being or peace of mind that you actually DO something about it!

So...all that you've got to do know is begin something that is SO exciting...that you can't wait to want to do more of it.

That's why almost every single successful person you could mention LOVE what they do...even if they say that they don't!

So...in the short-term...if you don't have a burning desire to work on something...find what challenges you where you currently are...and build from that.

It's the ONLY way.

If It's Open...It's Done!

It's scary...but I've just spent the last 6 hours catching up on my emails from the last 2 weeks!

Where did that time go?

Ever put things off like that...only to have to 'bite the bullet' and spend a huge chunk of time 'catching up'?

I've done it...certainly more than I would like to, that's for sure.

Of course...there is a way around this.

Answer the damn emails as they come in!

So...that's what I am going to do. Just to prove to myself that I can.

Want to join me?

Now...I don't mean that I am going to let email INTERRUPT what I am doing - oh no!

What I mean is that, once I open it...then I'm going to DO SOMETHING with it!

It's a bit like all those personal development books you read. You're too busy thinking about the next one to buy when you finish one...that any good intentions go out of the window.

Follow through is crucial...IMMEDIATE ACTION is even more so!

So...next time you think about putting something off because you can't really be bothered to so it now...remember that, when it comes around to doing it eventually...you sure don't want to have a LOT of stuff to do that you can't really be bothered with at the SAME TIME!

It's my new rule...if it's open...it's DONE!

It's Specifically In Your Future

Someone, somewhere...knows exactly what you need to know in order to get whatever you want out of your live.

The catch is...you have to find them!

(Instead of trying to work out how to do it yourself...like I always used to!)

But where do you find these people?

Well...perhaps that's the wrong starting point.

You see...you may have an IDEA of what you want to achieve...but that's not usually enough to enable you to KNOW what you want.

The secret here is knowing SPECIFICALLY want you want.

I'm not talking about the BIG things that you want to aim for...just the stuff that will take you to the next level.

I only begin to make BIG changes in my life once I realized that I needed to progress more quickly on the LITTLE things...instead of getting hung-up on not knowing EVERYTHING.

And...I'm sure you'll agree that this is not always an easy realization to come to!

So, think about what the NEXT step that you need to take is.

You may be able to get what you need from a book...or from surfing the 'net...or by contacting someone via email or on the 'phone.

The key is that you USE whatever knowledge that you find...and make sure that you put it into ACTION as SOON as possible.

Otherwise...it will just get left...and you will suddenly find that other things begin to take more importance that what you really NEED to be doing.

And...there's no better time than now to start finding out what you REALLY want...is there?

Are You Stealing Or Investing?

The biggest asset that we have is time.

It's such a shame that so many billions of people waste it!

Thanks to inventions like the TV, Playstation, and the Internet...we will soon be people who spend most of their waking lives either doing something that they don't really enjoy (work) or doing stuff that doesn't help us improve our lives much at all!

Do YOU really want to be one of those people?

If the average child watches four hours of TV a day...how much time does the average teenager spend on the 'net or on the Playstation?

The Internet will be the worst...that I have no doubt.

Why?

Well...where the 'net is concerned YOU can easily 'disguise' your aimless surfing as something constructive.

I know...it's a challenge I myself constantly face as I am online all day long!

Next thing you know...you're 2 years down the line...and NOTHING has really changed.

Do YOU want that to happen to YOU?

(I sincerely hope not!)

So...look more carefully at where you are WASTING your time...time that you could otherwise INVEST in creating the future that you REALLY want instead of re-inforcing forever what you currently have.

It doesn't take a lot of physical effort to actually DO something...but, where most people are concerned...it usually takes a huge MENTAL effort to actually ACT on what they already know.

So...what's it to be...

Are you STEALING FROM your future...or are you INVESTING IN it?

Only YOU can decide.

It's Been Emotional

I've got some advice for you...

"Assume that the worst is going to happen!"

What? Is Gary going all negative on you?

Well...no, actually.

You see, I only gave you part of the sentence. What it should read is...

"Assume that the worst is going to happen...so that you will always be prepared for it!"

I'm not for a moment saying that you should be PLANNING for something NOT to work.

What I mean is that...when things do go wrong (which, let's face it...sometimes it seems quite often!) then, if you are prepared to accept that on the odd ocassion they will...then your emotions won't get in the way.

By not gettting all worried, stressed, angry, or whatever...you will be more easily able to take a deep breath...and step back for a moment to rationally see how you can deal with it.

I suppose that I am fortunate (thanks, mum)...that I very rarely let anything 'get to me'...and am able to calmly make decisions under pressure...but I know that you may not be like that.

So...by accepting that, every now and again there will be a 'spanner in the works'...you will be able to deal with SOLVING the problem rather than REACTING to it.

Most problems can be solved by some steady, focused thinking followed by action...which unfortunately stressed people never seem to be able to do if they are screaming and shouting about how 'nothing goes right' for them.

So...take a deep breath...relax...

Wishing And Laziness...

Do you find that some of your sentences begin with...

"I wish I could....."

Well...shouldn't they really begin with...

"I don't think I could....."

Or perhaps...

"I'd like to...but I'll never get around to....."

In my life...wishes play no part.

And neither should they in YOUR life, either!

I'm fast coming to the realization that if I stop believing that I CAN do what a lot of people whom I aspire to be like do...then I know that I will be defeated before I start!

In reality...most wishing comes down to laziness.

You either can't really be bothered that much...or you aren't willing to put in five solid years of effort (both mentally and physically) into turning your wishes into achievements.

For example...there are one or two things that, even a year or so ago, I used to wish that I could do.

Now...I just focus on what I KNOW that I CAN do that is just outside my comfort zone...and DO that!

Once you begin to push yourself...you'll realize that most of those people whom you don't believe that you will ever be on a par with...don't really SEEM that far away as they once were.

But...it's all about balance.

I'm more than happy to only reach SO high...but once it begins to encroach upon my LIFESTYLE on a day-to-day basis...then that will do for me!

But...as with all things success-related...if what you are doing doesn't really seem much like work...then sometimes it's good to see how far you can REALLY go now and again.

Wouldn't you agree?

Help...It's Too Big!

"Think Big"...I'm sure that you've heard that phrase before.

Except...isn't it scary to do so?

I used to get altitude sickness if I saw my bank's CEO walk into the office...but just last Friday...I got drunk with a couple of Internet millionaires.

The only scary thing about that was the massive hangover I had at the seminar the next day (If you've ever drunk Long Island Iced Tea cocktails - you'd understand!).

Yet...I am still little 'ole me with the same physical and mental capabilities that I had before.

But...I've realized that practically ALL of my limits in what I could achieve were self-imposed.

And...even though you may not think so...I bet that your limits are, too.

Just in the last couple of hours...I had proof of how challenging it is to think even BIGGER than the big thinking I've been practicing for some time now.

It's funny...but I bet that you've had the same feelings as me before...

I've been playing around with some new ideas recently...and I just found out that somebody else in a different country...but with a similar model...has done VERY nicely out of it.

In fact..so nicely...that when I worked out the return from his efforts...that's when the "IT'S TOO BIG!" thoughts start to creep in.

Isn't it always so easy to find the things WRONG with something when they look too far 'out there' for you?

But...you know what...THIS time...things are different.

You see...I don't personally agree with the complete philosophy behind this model...a bit too much 'hypey' for me...

But...even if I do things more 'my way'...I have just had proof from a different continent (well - it's two now, actually) that my general concept works.

You'd better 'watch this space' over the next 12 months or so to see how I CAN take on those "that's-TOO-big-type-thoughts"...and PROVE that, if I really want to...I can achieve whatever I want to.

And...you'll be along for the ride!

How The Hell Did Their Views Change Me?

They say that you cannot please all of the people all of the time.

Where my online business is concerned...sonetimes it's a challenge to please SOME of the people SOME of the time!

But...I've learned that some of the negative or downright rude emails that I get say more about the sort of person writing them than they do about me.

It's easy for me to let comments from one or two people 'get to me'...but I've learned to tell myself...

"Who cares?"

I am in the sort of position where I share a LOT about the 'real' me...in terms of my hopes, dreams, challenges, and desires.

So...when I get a bolt from the blue that tells me that I am this-or-that...or that I am trying to rip people off...it can hurt...but ONLY if I choose to let it.

You see...I KNOW that my reality is defined by the quality of my thoughts.

The 'real' world doesn't have to change one little bit...but, if our thoughts make us believe that something has changed...then, all of a sudden, we feel threatened.

When...NOTHING has changed! The ONLY thing that has changed is ONE piece of new information has changed EVERYTHING that went before it!

Scary really, when you think about it!

So...the next time you get a reaction or some feedback from ANYONE...think about what has REALLY changed.

Most of the time...I bet that it is YOUR VIEW that has been changed by THEIR OPINION...so please...just recognize that perhaps NOTHING has really changed in a real sense.

Believe me...I know that it's not always that easy to do...but it is the ONLY way to ensure that you stay on the path that is right for YOU!

Are You Up For The Challenge?

Let's face it...isn't it easier for somebody else to do all of the work...so that you can 'take it easy'?

Well...it MAY be easier...but, whether you agree with me or not...the novelty of not having ANY challenges in life will soon 'wear off'.

I regularly read stories about people who retire from a long career...only to unfortunately practically whither and die...because they haven't really got anything to keep them going anymore.

Believe it or not...there are many, many, multi-millionaires who retire early...then, after a couple of years, get bored of just doing nothing...and dive back into business where they belong.

In my opinion...retirement is something that was made up by corporations so that they would have an 'excuse' to bring in young blood at a lower salary!

Where my business is concerned...I KNOW that I will never 'officially' retire. Ever.

Sure...I may cut down a lot on what I do when I get to the usual retirement age or before...but I NEED some form of mental stimulation to keep me going...whatever my age is!

Us humans thrive on challenges...whether you enjoy them or not.

So...you might as well create your OWN ones.

Just like I do...by challenging myself to write this sort of stuff every day, and by pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone regularly

Aim to regularly do one thing that little bit faster or a little better...and you'll gradually see how, by moving forward on YOUR terms...you will still leave at least 99% of your competitors and peers behind.

Just by doing that LITTLE bit more...you can grow one helluva LOT more by proving to yourself that you CAN.

But only if you REALLY want to.

So...I'm On A Plane...What Could I Possibly Do?

So...by going to yet another Internet marketing seminar (my fourth in 19 months)...did I get a return on my 18 hours of flying, $1,200+ commitment, and four days away from Katie and Lesley?

What do YOU think?

Despite only having one-and-a-half hours sleep in the last 48 hours...I'm as fired up as I ever have been!

Why?

Well...you will undoubtedly find out over the next few months...that's for sure.

Even without the networking with some great guys (and girls!) that I've met before...and those that I have now met in the 'flesh'...I KNOW that I WILL be getting a return on my investment.

Here's a clue about what happened on the plane on the way out BEFORE the seminar...

Have YOU ever gone through an almost-10-hour flight...and not even open your headset 'package' for the seat-back films...or the radio?

Nor did I have my laptop with me.

So...what COULD I have done that I KNOW will literally revolutionize my business over the next year and beyond.

As I'm jet-lagged...I'll give you a little clue...

My youngest brother, Mark...went to the seminar with me.

So...read again what I DIDN'T do...and tell me what YOU think I DID DO during that flight that has convinced me beyond any reasonable doubt that I WILL double my business within a year...

Have a go...and I'll let you know in a few days' time...

So What's Changed Here?

Everything that you say and do has an impact...whether you realize it or not.

One throw-away comment can easily upset somebody else...and one bout of feeling sorry for yourself can stop your motivation dead in its tracks.

Of course...it's not easy to keep yourself in control at all times.

But...you'll find that generally, the most successful people do exactly that.

I've learned the hard that it's easy to change my reality just by changing my view of something.

What do I mean by this?

Well...someone might send you an email complaining about something that might be entirely unjustified.

Yet...you question yourself as to what you are doing because of it.

Nothing 'real' has changed...all that has happened is that you were exposed to ONE other person's opinions...and it made you change your whole perspective!

It's so easy to do...that it becomes so hard to actually 'get over it'.

Now...I personally just try to let it wash over me...and stop and ask myself "OK...so what's changed?"

In every case...NOTHING has changed...the only thing that has is my view on what I am doing...which really is somebody else's view, not mine!

Unfortunately...most of the time...it's not easy to see how easily we are influenced on a regular basis.

All you need to do is to take a little step back and give yourself room to ask yourself...

"So What's Changed Here?"

It's You That You Should Be Concerned About!

Ever wondered why other people seem more 'lucky' than you?

I always felt that my "face didn't fit" in one of my old jobs. I knew that, whatever I did...it would never be quite good enough.

Shame really.

Shame that I was so narrow-minded, that is!

You see...it's easy to look at other people and complain about why they do this...or get that literally fall into their laps.

When you compare yourself against ANYBODY...guess who's going to come out second-best?

Yep. You are. Every time. It's human nature!

In my old job...I forgot about the reasons WHY I didn't fit in as well as I should have...and instead focused on being jealous of the other people who did!

How negative is that?

And...because I was constantly focusing on the negative...instead of working on ME...guess what I attracted?

More of the same!

One of the hardest things I have had to face up to as I have grown as a person is to be able to accept 100% RESPONSIBILITY for what happens to me.

It's easy to blame people who won't spend money...or to blame mailing list providers when subscribers get sent two copies of an ezine.

Believe me...I always used to!

Now...I just accept that I don't have control over what I don't have control over...and just get on with doing what I DO have control over to the best of my ability.

- There will ALWAYS be people who have more 'luck' than you.
- There will ALWAYS be people who earn more money than you.
- There will ALWAYS be people who can 'get away with it' when you can't.
- There will ALWAYS be people who find things 'easy' when you don't.

Get over it.

It's YOU that you should be concerned about...not THEM!

Planes. The Journey. And Your Destination

I once read somewhere that an aeroplane flies on the basis of 'error correction'.

Basically...what this means is that, although the autopilot knows the EXACT destination, it is constantly having to make sure that it stays on course because it is constantly being pushed in all directions by the wind.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong...but nevertheless, when I heard this, it struck me that this could be an excellent way to live YOUR life.

The trouble with this concept is that, for most people, it has two major problems...

1) They don't have a final 'destination' to aim for.
2) They look upon being pushed 'off course' as final...and ulitmately turn back the way that they came.

Are YOU like that?

Perhaps you are...and, believe me, there's nothing be ashamed about if you are.

The crucial thing now is...do you want to CONTINUE to be like that?

Personally...I DO have a 'destination' in mind...although, the more I think about it...the more I know that I should continue to add more detail to it so that I KNOW 100% where I want to end up.

And...I am a lot more 'philosophical' about things not necessarily going according to plan...as I know that, as long I continue working hard at what I love...then things WILL eventually 'fall into place'.

But...this realization didn't happen overnight, I can assure you.

The very first important step is that you fix your destination (for the moment...as it will undoubtedly change as you progress, that's for sure!).

So...where are YOU going?

Blimey...Is This A Rant?

Never let it be said that nothing surprises me anymore!

I just received an email from someone saying that I should be doing my "Kickstart YOUR 2004" teleclasses for free because I should want to help people!

The email went on to say that, if I REALLY wanted to help people...I should help them for free.

I wonder whether my free 183-Lesson Ecourse - "To Our Success", or this very weblog (over 400 entries plus) count?

I can't think of many other people who give as much away as I do.

So...why should I charge $67 for Kickstart?

Well...I personally feel that sometimes...you need to make some form of commitment (time, financial, or otherwise) in order to REALLY make the effort to really make changes in your life.

Secondly...I KNOW that what I will be delivering will be worth far more than $67 to anyone who actually USES what they learn.

I also value MY time...and therefore, if I am taking two hours out of my Thursday evening...and two out of my 'family' Saturday afternoon...then I am doing myself (and my family) a disservice if I am not compensated in some way for that.

Plus...I have spent a not-too-insconsiderable amount of time in making sure that I DELIVER more than I promise.

And finally...I KNOW that I WANT to WORK with those sort of people who are willing to INVEST $67 (risk-free, by the way) in trying to sort out their futures.

Sure...YOU may be one of those people who can't afford $67, and that's more than fine, but there are SOME people who EXPECT 'something for nothing'.

And those people, to be honest...usually end up getting 'nothing for nothing' because, as they didn't have to make some form of sacrifice...they don't actually work on getting a PAYBACK on their investment.

Unfortunately...I know that there are probably 97% plus people who read this expect EVERYTHING for free.

I just know that the sort of people who DO finally make inroads towards what they want out of life are prepared to WORK a little at it.

I'm sorry if I have come across as greedy...hopefully you know me well enough to know that I'm certainly the opposite.

In this weblog...I have probably GIVEN you EVERYTHING that I could possibly know over the last 18 months or so...but for some people, a little sacrifice is necessary in order for them to actually put it into ACTION.

And...for a lot of those people...the fact that they need to get a 'return' on their monetary investment is something that finally PUSHES them into ACTION.

Those people are the ones that will benefit from "Kickstart"...not the people who will forever want something for nothing...who usually still end up with nothing.

The Art Of Creating Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is one of those phrases that scares the hell out of people!

We all want it...but so very few of us actually believe that we HAVE it.

The main reason is rooted deep in our pasts...

Over many years...how many times have you heard things like...

"Shouldn't you do this...?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't do that. Why don't you take the easy option?"
"You're only an 'x'...you won't be allowed to do it"
"Yeah...of course you can! That's what they all say!"
"But you don't know how."

If our minds have been filled for so many years with this 'helpful' advice...isn't it no wonder that we struggle to be confident when we are pushed that little bit out of our comfort zone?

It took me years to realize that I wasn't my position at work...I was as capable as the CEO when it came to being able to make important decisions.

We are 'pigeon-holed' into our respective careers that we end up BECOMING the stereotype of whatever role or position we assume.

Scary, really.

Now...because I am my own boss...I KNOW that YOU and I ARE more than capable of doing whatever we want in OUR lives.

As long as we BOTH go that little bit further than we feel comfortable.

Whatever YOU do...someone, somewhere will take great pride in criticising you.

But...then again...most of the time...that will be more than outweighed by those who respect you for doing what you do.

And...the biggest benefit of all is that you literally CREATE self-confidence by actually DOING what you thought that you couldn't do.

I KNOW...over the last year or so...I've probably surprised myself in regard to what I have done that I didn't think that I could do.

Plus...I've got less excuse NOT to continue now, haven't I?

And, neither have YOU, too!

It's Only A Muscle...What's In It For Me?

Lesley told me today about something really interesting that she saw on TV yesterday on a chat show.

She went into great detail about how this guy was able to push the hosts' outstretched arms down...just because they were focusing on someone or something negative.

The thing is...I told Lesley about the principle behind this very same process (muscle-testing or kinesiology) only last week as I explained a little about the book I was reading.

Shame that it went 'in one ear and out of the other'!

After I told her, Lesley said that she vaguely remembered me telling her about something similar...but couldn't say exactly what it was.

Just goes to show that it's not what you SAY or DO...it is HOW you say it and HOW you do it that are more important.

It's a similar principle where success coaches are concerned (or any coaches for that matter).

So many of them get so hung up explaining the PROCESS of what they are doing...when a simple coaching session will soon answer the question that their prospect is asking - "What's in it for me?"

Just because I don't speak to you personally on the phone doesn't mean that I am not coaching YOU...even as you are reading this.

I am. (cue outrage amongst 'proper' coaches)

You see...if I can get YOU to make decisions and ask yourself questions based on what YOU ALREADY KNOW...then that is EXACTLY what the process of coaching stems from.

Sure...there may be other things that work better on a one-to-one basis...but whether I am 'coaching' you in the 'normal' way or not...aren't you STILL getting something out of this?

That's the key.

Everyone asks "Yeah...but what's in it for me?"...and therefore the easier you can make it obvious what THAT is...then you are on the way to make people take notice of YOU.

Whatever you may want to do in your life.

Isn't That What Life Should Be About?

To be perfectly honest...I don't really care anymore.

Well...I'll be a little more honest...I'm fast learning the importance of not caring!

What do I mean?

I (as I expect you have, too) spent practically all of my adult life trying to 'please' other people...or do things FOR other people.

And...generally forgot about what I wanted in the process!

Exzcept now...I'm changing.

You see...I'm toughening up...especially where my analysis of my 'self' is concerned.

In this day and age of money and making a living...it's so easy to forget that we get the most out of life by rising to the mental, physical, and emotional challenges.

(Well...less of the physical at the moment...but the exercise program is next on the agenda!)

I forgot how much I actually GET from the PROCESS of doing what I do.

Most people are so focused on the RESULT (usually money-related)...that, if it doesn't go their way...they literally 'write-off' that feeling of accomplishment of actually DOING something in the first place!

It's something that I am working on in my life...to detach myself from the outcome of what I do.

Of course...it's not always easy in my sort of business if what you have spent ages creating is a 'failure'...but as far as I am now concerned...I want to focus more on the achievement of DOING instead of worrying about other people 'caring'.

Isn't that what life SHOULD be about?

It's Royalty...But Not As We Know It!

People who know me will tell you how 'lazy' I am!

Well...I'm not exactly lazy...I just like to make sure that I use my time as productively as I can.

That's why I always try to stick to a rule of getting a return on my efforts more than once.

It may be that I get paid twice for the same amount of work...for example by leading a teleclass..and then selling the recording.

But...quite often...I might not even get paid to do something in the first place...like when I have spoken recently or when I am interviewed.

What I do in those cases is make sure that I have a way that I can re-use that content in the future.

So...I might offer a digital recording of an interview as a bonus to a product...or use it as an inducement to sign up for my ezine or ecourse, for example.

So far...I have a digital copy of EVERYTHING that I have ever done...be it ebooks, special reports, ecourses, teleclasses, programs, speeches or interviews.

Every single one will be used in some shape or form in the future.

People laugh at my when I say that I don't want to do 'x'...because I have no way of being able to either save it or re-sell it in the future.

Ultimately...I KNOW that my time is the most important commodity I have...and, if I am able to DUPLICATE my time spent...then I am able to get MORE from the effort I put in.

Which means that, in the end...I won't have to work as MUCH as other 'paid-by-the-hour' or 'paid-only-once' people that I know.

Please bear this in mind if you are looking for different ways to make the best use of your time.

It's not always easy to make it happen...but it is EXACTLY how authors, songwriters, and other royalty-based performers earn their living...often for many years after their initial efforts.

If they can do it...then I'm certainly going to try my best to see that I can, too!

And so should YOU!

The Importance Of Doing Nothing

There I was the other day...telling people how just starting cures procrastination...

Guess what happens?

I've just started!

Except that this entry won't be about curing procrastination (that would be cheating!).

Nope...this entry is about nothing much, really.

Well...it's more about the IMPORTANCE of DOING nothing much every now and again.

It's something that I am rather proud of, in a way!

Why?

Well...part of the way I work is based around the fact that I don't want to HAVE to work ALL of the time.

You see...I did that for 15 years...usually at the expense of the people who mattered most to me.

Not only that...I now KNOW how important it is to just STOP occasionally...and just let your mind do what it is made to do...

Think for itself.

We constantly throw in so much information into our heads that it's little wonder that we easily get overwhelmed.

And...I've noticed that, if I actually give myself time to THINK...as opposed to 'DO'...then I tap into the vast storehouse of knowledge and experience that I have consumed over the years...and am able to come up with new ideas almost at will.

Of course...it's not 'accepted' in today's society to actually VALUE time spent 'wasted' (as other people on the treadmill of life call it).

But...I can tell you from personal experience that deciding to devote time to doing NOTHING is probably one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

Except that, of course, I still have to 'struggle' with that little voice inside my head telling me that I should be working (like everyone else).

Good job that I'm getting used to ignoring him now!

And so should YOU!

Just That Little Extra Effort Can Make A Huge Difference

I missed writing an entry yesterday because I was 'on the road' from 5:30a.m. until 11p.m.

My brother Mark and I had the pleasure of a total of seven hours driving to get to meet some fellow Brit 'net people at the first 'UK Meet' put on by Peter Twist.

As you may know...I try to make it to a few seminars 'across the pond' every year...as I firmly believe that, aside from the speakers...there is SO much value in just 'showing your face'.

There are millions of people woprldwide doing what I'm doing...yet comparatively few in percentage terms actually turn up physically to meet and network with other marketers.

That's one reason why I am off to Orlando next Thursday for another seminar...fly 10 hours Thursday, seminar Friday and Saturday, fly over 9 hours back on Sunday.

It's a 'fun' schedule (like yesterday)...but, I KNOW that, if I want to make the MAXIMUM USE of my time and knowledge running a business online...I NEED to make sure that I KNOW what the 'big guys' and the up-and-comers are doing.

That's why I went to the UK Meet yesterday (apart from doing a 45-minute 'presentation' - which is excellent practice).

I now KNOW in person a few people in the UK that I SHOULD know if I want to make the most of position as a full-time 'Interneter' in the UK.

To be honest...it would have been easier for me not to have to get up at 5.a.m on a Sunday morning despite going to bed at 1a.m.

BUT...

If you want to 'stand out' as somebody who makes the effort...then a sacrifice of a lot of sleep for one night is a small price to pay.

YOU need to regularly look at ways that you can literally PUSH yourself towards where you want to go.

I sacrifice time and money (and no little effort in pushing myself to talk to people) by going to seminars.

What do YOU do to mark yourself out in whatever 'business community' you are in as somebody who is making an extra effort?

Sometimes your efforts may not involve that big of a sacrifice (unlike mine!)...but nevertheless a lot of the time...just doing that little bit extra will get YOU noticed in a BIG way.

Debts, Habit, And Time

New Year always used to hit home how much money I didn't have...and how much debt that I did have!

In my old 9-5...we always used to get paid a week early in December...which meant that it was always an almighty struggle to get through to January payday.

It's funny...but I probably had a pay rise to the equivalent of about 100% over a period of five years...yet every New Year...I still had the same problem!

My mind always followed my means!

In other words...when I earned more money...I spent more money!

Sound familiar?

It wasn't until I began to save a percentage of every pay rise every year that I realized that I COULD save money if I really wanted to.

And...because I mentally only got 75% of my pay rise each year (the rest was paid into investments as soon as I got paid)...I didn't MISS what I didn't have.

Just over two years worth of saving like that enabled me to take six months off of work just after Connor was born.

Money well spent.

As I've mentioned many times before...we are the product of our habits.

So...if you make sure that SOME money (even if it is only 1%) is taken out of your bank account (whether for savings or to pay off debts)...then you will find that it is MUCH easier to increase this to 2%, 3%, even 10% once you see the effect that it has.

It IS possible to become debt-free...but it takes HABIT and TIME.

Unfortunately...most people have no patience for either...but at least now YOU KNOW that YOU should.

It just comes down to how 'bad' you want to make changes in your life.

You, Me, And The Negatives!

I have a confession to make.

I'm just like YOU.

I have good days, bad days, rows with my wife, times when I struggle to stay motivated, and the odd worry about providing for my family!

But...unlike you...I have to find something POSITIVE to write about every day!

I'll be honest with...nobody has a consistently idyllic life 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week...they wouldn't be human if they didn't!

But...it's how you THINK about the down times that defines who you really are.

It would be easy for me (even now) to focus on the negatives in my life (yes...there are some)...yet I CHOOSE not to.

Instead I focus on how I can make the most of being ME.

As YOU should be focusing on how YOU can make the most of BEING YOU.

It seems like it is in our genes to hunt down the negative in ANY situation that we find ourselves in...but, it's amazing how empowering leveraging your TALENTS can be instead!

So...stop worrying about what doesn't work...or why you can't (or won't) do this or that.

Start TODAY on thinking about what YOU have in your FAVOR.

Of course, it's so much easier to worry...but, take it from me...the challenge I get from trying to get the BEST out of what I have already is what REALLY gives me a buzz.

You'll only find that your limitations are self-imposed once you begin to pull away from where you previously thought you could go.

If you're already in the air - flying towards your goal - don't you think that it will be easier to climb a further ten feet higher?

It's certainly much easier to achieve than the first ten feet, that's for sure.

YOU are in control. YOU have the ability.

If I can do this stuff...then there is NO reason why YOU can't make something of YOUR life, too!

It's In The Deadline, Stupid!

I read an ezine from one of the top Internet Marketers today.

He is about to finish the training of his protégés...who paid him $14,497 each for the privilege!

Now...I don't know about you...but that is a fair amount of money!

Do you think that this sort of money commitment would guarantee that you DELIVER?

Apparently not.

You see...a lot of these proteges were constantly struggling to find the time to work on their new ideas.

Life constantly got in the way. (Doesn't it always?)

Well...it turns out that, even though they had spent all of this money...they STILL couldn't bring themselves to REALLY do what needed to be done...despite the best intentions of all concerned.

Until...they were presented with a conrete DEADLINE!

They DELIVERED!

I've written before about my views on how how important accountability is. (See my entry from October 24th 2003 called "I Hold You Accountable To Succeed" )

Now it seems that there is indeed a fundamental BENEFIT to giving people deadlines and holding them accountable!

It certainly works for me...for the participants on my Mentor Program...and for the participants of that Protégé Program.

I can make it work for my 'students' as a 'teacher'...but the next step is how to make it work for YOU in 'real life'.

Any ideas?