REGRET

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That's a pretty gloomy picture up there, isn't it? For many people REGRET looms over them like a big storm threatening the potential of great damage. For many, the "cloud of regret" hovers over them and follows them wherever they go. Doom. Danger. Destruction. Disaster. Defeat.

We all have regrets, don't we? I feel that, because of my experience as a parent, I can say that ALL parents have regrets. Can't all of us - as parents - look back and wish we had done some things differently? Spent more time doing things with our kids. Focused more on helping them develop certain characteristics that one is not born with but can only be taught and learned.

Everyone that is married has regrets. Everyone that is not married has regrets.

Get the picture? EVERYONE has regrets.

I picked out a few quotes on REGRET that I wanted to share with you. Take a look at them and let them soak in...

I'd rather regret the things I have done than the things that I haven't. - Lucille Ball

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.     -John Barrymore

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.     -Alexander Graham Bell

Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.     -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I'm not sure if Lucille Ball got her quote from Mr. Brown, but they are both very similar in what they say. They both cause us to really look closely at our regrets. Do they not?

I can't help but ask the question that almost cries out from John Barrymore's quote... Have your dreams been replaced by regrets? Really examine this one closely!

I love the way that Mr. Bell brought out such a wise observation to the popular saying about one door closing and another one opening. This may be true but read again this observation and ask yourself if you are constantly standing and looking at all of the doors in your life that are closed.

REGRET - we all have it so it is important for us to consider what we DO with the regret in our own life!

Well?

Here's the deal and, if you've read much of my stuff at all you won't be surprised at what I'm about to say: IT'S YOUR CHOICE! Just like anything else in life and especially when it comes to how things impact our lives - it is a CHOICE that we make.

Think about it...we ALL have regrets but many live their lives differently when it comes to those regrets. Some live their lives FULL of regret to the point that they can never move on because of their focus ON those regrets (see again the quote by Alexander Graham Bell). Hey listen, for some, the regret is LARGE and the impact is far reaching but, nevertheless, all regrets are seen through our rear-view mirror, are they not? And, that being the case we MUST understand that we CAN learn from the cause of the regrets but we CANNOT go back and undo them and we CANNOT allow ourselves to focus on those past causes.

Seriously, what can be gained by doing this? NOTHING except bringing more regret to your life when you realize how much time you have wasted focused on this regret.

On the other hand, as has been said, you can LEARN from the past mistakes that brought on that regret and you can do everything within your power to not repeat those same mistakes thus avoiding even stronger regret due to your repetitive nature.

Huh?

DON'T DO IT AGAIN.

But we often do, don't we? That's how we are. But, hopefully, over time, we begin to break that pattern and we start repeating those same mistakes less and less to the point that we DO finally move on in a positive way.

Remember this: YOU ARE HUMAN!

Don't use that as an excuse (as many people do - "Oh well. You know, I'm only human!") but let it help you understand how we - as humans - tend to behave and how hard it is to make significant change in our lives as well as how long this significant change may take.

As was stated differently in two of the above quotes, the worst thing any of us wants to do is come to the point that we regret the fact that we did NOTHING...that we failed to LIVE.

I hope this helps. I'd love to hear from you at any time. Feel free to drop me an email - mike@futureyouuniversity.com as well as leave comments here or at the Future You University FAN PAGE on Facebook (preferred method for comments).

Until next time, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

  



Tell Me WHY Again?

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O.k. I'm not REALLY going to "go Hulk" because of this stuff I'm discussing but, I thought I'd have some fun and, at the same time, emphasize how disgusted I am with how some people "do business" - especially when it comes to "on-line opportunities".

If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read my last blog since it serves as a background to what I'm talking about today. But, let me give a shortened version for a review in case you don't have time to read the last one at the moment...

Basically I ask WHY people that promote "opportunities" can't just be honest and upfront about what the cost of being involved in the program will actually be.  WHY can't they go ahead and give you the information that you really need - for the cost advertised - so that you can actually DO what they SAY you can do with their opportunity?

The two main problems that I've seen are as follows:

     1. You are sold a "watered-down version" of the program and, if you REALLY want to use this program to it's full potential (their hype applied here) then you REALLY NEED to "upgrade" to a different program OR to their "one-on-one coaching program". (Have you noticed how they all seem to have their own coaching program now?).

     2. You pay the advertised price only to be hit with page after page (or video after video) trying to "up sell" you to other parts of the program that you really need in order to get the most out of this program. HINT: When you pay and you are not immediately taken to the check out page - GET READY FOR UP SELL ATTEMPTS!

Today I will address another "frustration" that I have experienced over time and that I saw exhibited again just this past week as well as give you some hints/pointers as to what to watch out for with many of these programs.

First of all, a HINT and SUGGESTION for those of you that may take a look at some of these opportunities. GO FOR THE BEST PRICE! Here's what I mean - the price advertised is rarely the price that you CAN pay if you just make a few extra clicks. I'm sure you've noticed a box popping up on your screen asking you to not leave but to stay on the page "for a special offer", haven't you? IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED in this product/opportunity then, by all means, STAY ON THE PAGE! You CAN and WILL get the offer for a lot less than was originally advertised if you want to follow through with the transaction.

Example: the current program that I am testing out was originally advertised for something like $49 and then $39 and, finally for $19 - which is what I paid for the program. (Of course, then came the constant "up sells" trying to get me to pay more which I declined).

I'm determined to figure this out WITHOUT having to "buy in" to the other "up sells" and I think that I will be able to make it work to some extent. THE POSITIVE: I am learning a lot that I didn't know before getting into this program and KNOWLEDGE is ALWAYS valuable!

Now on to my most recent event that has me bewildered at both the person/people promoting this business as well as the many others that are "gung-ho" about this opportunity. Stay with me here...

As part of my "package" that I paid for (for a lot less than originally advertised, remember?) I am able to be a part of 12 special webinars that are supposedly designed to help me get the most out of this program. The first one was rather uneventful and set up the basics which I had already done through the already-provided on-site videos. It was the second, and most recent, webinar that, once again cased me to ask the question, "WHY DO THAT?".

It did not take me long to figure out that this second webinar was nothing but a sales pitch for another program. By listening to the name of a "tool" the speaker kept talking about I figured that this "tool" was soon to be the topic of another thing "I must have". Was I correct? YES! (HINT: Pay attention to things like this. LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION to what is being said in advance of what is going to be said - make sense?)

So, what did I do? Well, while the presenter was talking away about this "program" I did an online search and found this program listed as a program offered by a relative of the presenter. That's right, the exact same program with lots and lots of links showing up after my search. HERE'S THE KICKER: The presenter was promoting this "program" as something that HE had come up with (true, he may have and helped his relative get it going) and that it was BRAND NEW and NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN and something that he just felt he HAD to share with his students. Why? Because that's just the kind of guy he is! (I kid you not, he didn't use those exact words, but that is pretty much what was said).

Anyone that was listening in on that call could have done exactly what I did. Perhaps some did - I sure hope so! However, apparently many DID NOT and literally JUMPED AT THE CHANCE to get this extra program. Oh, it was also being promoted by the fact that the first 40 or 50 (I can't remember exactly)that signed up that night would get an extra webinar with the presenter in the future). Get this...all for the low, low price of only $997!

Yeah, you read that right - $997. Hey folks, that just $3 short of $1,000!!! (And, honestly, it may have been the first 100 to sign up that night - I had pretty much "checked out" at that point).

And, guess what? He sold out right then and there. As a matter of fact, the last 20 minutes of this webinar was a continuous push for anyone/everyone to get in on it NOW while there were spots still open. Now then, friend, DO THE MATH and see how much $$ this guy made on this call. Why? "Because that's the kind of guy I am".

Now do you share my frustration (and yes, even outrage)?

FINAL HINT: Do NOT become so enamoured/gung-ho about an opportunity that you don't THINK and keep your eyes open! All anyone on that call had to do was just THINK and do some quick research to find out that, quite honestly, this was a LIE that they bought in to at a very steep price! THINK - THINK - THINK!

So, I can hear you now: "Mike, why are you STILL doing business with this guy?" Well, I'm really not doing business with him anymore. I got in for only $19 and I am learning a LOT of things by my own follow through. Honestly, I'm determined to make some $$ in SPITE of this guys deceit and deception - yes, I said that very clearly.

Again, once I make some decent or consistent money with this, I will let you know EXACTLY what I did for FREE. Believe me, what I've learned is NOTHING proprietary and nothing that ANYONE couldn't do. Fair enough?

Bottom line: This, once again, has strengthened my resolve to FIND A WAY to make some money online in order to help fund some of my other goals.

ATTENTION: Be watching VERY SOON for a new video podcast/recorded podcast as well as a CHALLENGE TO/FOR YOU MY FRIEND to join me in during these last 4 months of 2012. Simply put, I'm TIRED of this kind of crap (excuse my language)that I just discussed and am more determined than ever to PUSH FORWARD TOWARD SUCCESS - aren't you?

Until then, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Why Do That?

Now, I'm not quite as worked up about this as the cat in the picture above (silly people, cats can't talk!) but, at the same time, this is something I've wondered about for a very long time.

Maybe you are the same way and want to know, "WHY?" on this topic.

Now, let me just say up front that this is not one of my usual blog posts in which I share thoughts that will encourage you to keep a positive attitude. But, then again, in a round-about-way maybe it is.

Here's what I want to know. WHY do those that promote ideas of how to make money always seem to be "less than honest" in their dealings with us? Let me explain...

I continue to look for opportunities to make some extra money to help fund my plans to launch my own seminars. Yes, I'm still working on that BUT the key thing is -  I HAVE NOT (AND WILL NOT) GIVEN UP! And, here's what I always seem to notice...

The price associated with this "opportunity" is never the "real" cost! How many of you understand what I mean and have maybe even encountered the same thing?

"This is what you need to finally make that extra money you have been looking for and have never found! I'll show you EXACTLY what you need to do and all for only $___(you fill it in)".

And, yet, I have noticed one of two things taking place AFTER you have decided to give this "opportunity" a try and put your money out there with hopes that this will FINALLY be the chance you have been trying to find for so long.

1. You get the information sent to you and immediately find out by reading the attached information that, in reality, if you REALLY want to be successful then you need to sign up for an expensive "coaching" program - expensive meaning several thousands of dollars.

2. As soon as you put in your payment information you are directed to one video (or other information page) after another trying to get you to "upgrade" your purchase for  more money. Why? Because, again, if you REALLY want to do this the right way then you need to buy this extra stuff!

WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST BE UPFRONT AND HONEST?

Why can't people quit all of this "upsell" stuff (and I'm choosing my words carefully here so that I remain civil) and just say up front how much $$ someone needs to spend?

I think I know the answer to my "why" with some of these people...it's because THIS is actually how they earn the majority of their money and NOT with their so called "wonder program" that they are selling.

Now, not all of them. I have found one that I am trying out that, did indeed, do the "before we complete your order, you need to upgrade" video thing over and over again. However, I stuck to my original plan and did not spend the extra money. I have seen evidence that this program does have the potential and I am willing to do some of the extra work myself to make it work. I'll keep you posted on this and IF it does turn out to do what it promises I will let you know and will let you know EXACTLY what I did to make it work (and at what price).

So, how many of you have experienced the same thing?

Here's the deal (and I hope you have the same commitment): whenever I get my seminars going and when I do finally get my book published and start making my podcasts and other audio programs available for sell, I will NEVER be less than upfront and honest with you or anyone about the cost or what it will/won't do for you!

THAT'S A PROMISE FROM ME TO YOU!

Again, if this program I'm looking out turns out to do what it's promised to do, I'll let you know and I'll let you know EXACTLY what it cost me to do it.

Shouldn't this be how we are all of the time? Even if it's not in selling or trying to buy some product - shouldn't we ALWAYS be upfront and honest with those around us? Shouldn't we ALWAYS present who we are and what we represent - upfront and honestly?

OF COURSE WE SHOULD!

Am I? Are you? Are we?

I guess THAT is the challenge that DOES fit into my typical blog/podcast message. Let me know if you accept the challenge, would you? I especially appreciate it if you would do it on the Facebook fan page.

Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you...I feel better now. ;)

Until next time, whatever you do, wherever you go, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike