Seeing With NEW Eyes - The TRANSFORMATION (Part 6)

 

We are nearing the end of this series - I promise! The next article will actually be the conclusion to this series and I hope that you have benefited from the blog articles as well as the podcasts that I have published on the same topics. 

So, as always, if you've not read (and/or listened) to the previous 5 articles/podcasts in this series, please be sure and do that BEFORE you move forward. This whole series has been about me sharing events that have taken place - chronologically - over the past several months. That being true, it's important to read/listen to these events in order. 

I talk about this on the podcasts that I do but, for whatever reason, I have failed to do so with these articles. What am I talking about? The fact that you are reading this FOR A REASON, my friend! I don't know who you are, where you are from are even WHEN it is that you may be reading this blog article. I'm typing these words on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 but, who knows, you may be reading this 25 years after I put this article together. Either way, the fact remains the same...I believe that this is NOT a "coincidence" that you are reading this article. I also believe that God has brought you to this article and that there is something in this article that you NEED to read. Hey, that's really what this whole series has been about...the fact that I do not believe that anything happens by coincidence, including you reading this article. 

Alright, let's move forward with our discussion on this topic. Again, go back and read the previous articles because I now pick up where I left off in the last article I shared with you.

I mentioned my introduction to a man by the name of Paul Bocco back in December of 2020. His program was in the real estate niche but, the main attraction for me was that it was formed and guided by spiritual principles. Now listen, I've come across many so-called "Christian business entrepreneurs" before that turned out to be nothing but a gimmick to try to attract Christians and take their money. NOT SO WITH PAUL BOCCO! I came to the conclusion very quickly that he was, indeed, "the real deal" when it came to him actually believing what he said and "taught" in his materials.

What a blessing he was to me at that time! I credit him - along with God's timing - for helping me really get focused on truly surrendering to God and following God with the idea of removing myself more from the "headship" of this relationship. Along with the spiritual emphasis, I also greatly benefited from the organizational instructions in his program. HUGE plus for me! I finally began to take control of my days instead of my days taking control of me...BIG difference and  BIG advantage in every area of my life. 

However, after 7 months in the program I did not feel that the "business side" of the program was really working out for me in the way that I needed and I had to make a difficult decision about the program. To be honest, I was already into this program by several thousands of dollars and I did not easily walk away from such an investment. Yet, I was at complete peace because I felt that the spiritual guidance that I received was exactly what I needed in order to move forward toward success in all areas of my life.

 In discussing this struggle with my wife, I mentioned to her that if I only had a way to PINPOINT people that were in TOUGH SITUATIONS with their homes (as we had once been in our past) that it would make the process a lot easier by being able to actually find such people. A couple of days after that, on a Saturday night (8.14.21) - and by late, I mean almost into Sunday morning, so around 12:45 p.m. or so - I came across a webinar on my computer that talked about being involved in the real estate market so I began to watch it. Little did I know that this sucker was going to last for an hour and forty-five minutes!

But, guess what? From what I could tell, this program did EXACTLY what I said I needed, "if I could only find". COINCIDENCE? As I took a couple of days to "debate" (there really wasn't much of a debate but it was more due to my "head spinning" by this happening) I had to ask myself the following question:  "WOULD I NOT BE FOOLISH TO IGNORE THIS SPECIFIC ANSWER TO MY SEARCH?" Again, COINCIDENCE? As Bill Engvall says: "Here's your sign!"

Now then, get this...I'm not done with this particular event and it was not done with me! Two days after watching that webinar and "debating" about whether or not I should sign up for this program, I opened up an email and had more information from this company and it's creator, Ross Hamilton,  and it had free downloads to some material that was available. With interest I downloaded one that was labeled "Create your custom 12 month plan to 10X your income while improving your health and overall happiness." I grinned as I saw that (P141, Oola and Travis Peters all had a 12 month plan) and when I opened it up - hang on to your seats - I was "blown away" when I saw the areas they "focus" on for this "plan". Look at the comparison below and see how closely all four of these programs are connected (Connected Investors is the name of the company that had the webinar that I mentioned):

I literally - I really did - laughed OUT LOUD - when I read this. "Oh my goodness, God...thank you for showing me this!"  Again, "HERE'S YOUR SIGN!" What decision do you think I made about this program after these things? You got it...I signed up!

Listen, I share even more on the podcast (part 5) that goes along with this article. GO LISTEN! I could write and write and write about these things because they keep coming on a DAILY basis - I kid you not!

In closing for this article, I again ask you the question, "If you have been asking for guidance and direction, have you allowed that guidance and direction to pass right in front of you unnoticed?" Have you allowed "opportunity" to walk by right in front of your house because you were waiting to have it knock on your door? After all, "opportunity knocks", right? NOT ALWAYS!

You don't have to agree with me about God's part in all of this. That's fine but it does not change what I believe and it does not change my dedication to sharing my belief that God is moving in a MIGHTY and POWERFUL way in the life of my wife and I. As the old saying goes, "Try it, you might like it!"

I'll share a few more final thoughts on these things in the next article and, again, it will be the conclusion of this series. It is exciting for me to know that this is not done! I honestly have no idea where God is taking me or leading me but I DO know that I am willingly following Him wherever that may be and I thank you for coming along this journey with me. 

So, friend, until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube    Project141  Oola Program

Seeing With NEW Eyes - The TRANSFORMATION (Part 5)

As always, if you haven't read the articles before this one in this series - DO THAT FIRST, BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER IN THIS ONE.

Go ahead. I'll wait. 

Now then, let's continue!

I do not believe in coincidences. I used to, but not any more. When you ask for guidance, do you ignore or simply "miss" that guidance when it comes your way? Do you "miss it" because you are busy focusing on something else OR, perhaps, do you discount where that guidance is coming from? (Wow, there's a whole article in that last question all by itself!).

If you've been following along (or if you just got caught up) you have read several things that I've been sharing that, for others, they may label as "coincidence" but, like I said, not me. Here's another example from the past that I've shared before but, if you are "new" to Future You University, then this will bring the point home even more.

About 10 years ago I was out on an afternoon ride on my motorcycle and covered somewhere around 80 miles or so over a couple to three house time span. During that time I passed by 3 different signs in front of churches that were of 3 different "denominations" which, to me, indicated that this was not a connected effort among a certain group to have the same message on their signs on the same day. These 3 different signs all did have the same message on them: "Trust in Yourself". Coincidence? I don't think so and, as a matter of fact, after seeing it on the 2nd sign I began to feel that this was something I needed to see that day and the 3rd time confirmed that belief!

When we dismiss such things I believe we also dismiss something that may be coming from God Himself and, I don't know about you, but I sure don't to be dismissive of God! Again, you can choose to agree with me or not - that's totally up to you but I am sharing with you my thoughts and beliefs, right?

So, even though the past few months have been SLAMMED FULL of such things, I've had them in my life before. However, as my wife and I have discussed, it is like we have stepped into a new "room" or "realm" in our walk with God and He is keeping our mind "spinning" with these things. 

Again, go back and read (and listen to the podcasts) to what has come before this article/podcast so that you can follow the time line that I discuss. In this article (and on the podcast).  

I now jump ahead to August of 2021.

During this time we started hearing and seeing a "focus" on FEAR and the power that we have IN CHRIST to overcome and DEFEAT any and all FEAR! (Now listen, I give all glory to God in all of this and if that is something that would cause you to step away then, I'm sorry you feel that way but I am going to be bolder in proclaiming what I believe what He is doing in and through my life).

Around this time we (my wife and I) knew that it was finally time - once and for all - to totally leave behind our own selfish desires and allow God to take us and use us for HIS GLORY however He wanted to lead us and use us.  For us, part of what that means at least in OUR minds is for us to be used by Him in helping others financially in MIGHTY ways like never before. Beyond our wildest dreams and/or imagination.

EVERYTHING is pointing to GOOD and the TRANSFORMATION is getting stronger and stronger and I am feeling more at peace that I think I have in my whole life (all of this while I am not working and have $0 income, though I had some in savings). I add that simply to show the power of what we are seeing and hearing about FEAR and what was still coming with that message in "coincidental ways".

On Sunday, Aug. 8th, during a sermon, I wrote down something that the preacher pointed out that is found in Psalm 34:4 - "I prayed to the Lord and He freed me from all my fears..."  One night during the following week I came across Travis Peters through a social media ad. You know how these social media platforms work, right? If you click on an ad for something then, all of a sudden, your newsfeed is flooded with similar ads, right? I had clicked on someone suggesting that they were a "Christian entrepreneur" and then my page was flooded with such ads. I came across one and thought, "O.k...let's see what THIS guy is peddling! I wasn't expecting much and then, WOW! During one of his videos he talked about the absolute NECESSITY for us to overcome...guess what...FEAR! ("Here's your sign!")

Keep following me here...Because I had signed up for some information from Travis Peters, I receive an email (auto generated) from him. Again, this was not something he specifically sent to me...it was something that he has had in place for a while that was scheduled to "go out" at a certain time after filling out that information on his page. Now, look at the TIMING of this!

In that e-mail, it listed several things that he covered in another "next-level" course that he offers and, guess what? IT ALMOST EXACTLY LINED UP WITH P141 and OOLA (I've shown these 3 programs side by side so that you can see what I'm talking about). I showed that to my wife and said to her: "It would be absolutely FOOLISH to ignore this!"  (Here's your sign!)

 

The day after this, I noticed a lady in my Oola group post something that indicated she had a podcast. I touched base with her, got the link and listened to her first podcast that was about....guess what?...FEAR!

Let me ask you this question again: If you ASK or you SEEK guidance and wisdom from God...what are you looking for? ARE YOU EVEN LOOKING or do you have your head down to where you are missing opportunity day after day after day?

Along those lines, here is something else that I don't believe was just a "coincidence" or just something that I happened to come up with...

 

But notice, friend...first and foremost, you have to LOOK UP before anything else. Think about that and keep your eyes open!

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube    Project141  Oola Program

Project 141 Expanded: WEALTH

 

Project 141 Expanded: WEALTH

(Do 1 thing a day 4-1 full year to Improve Your Financial Future)

 

( Listen to the podcast on this topic HERE)

 

 Right off the start, let me say this: If you are looking for some "super-dooper" financial formula to get you "fast cash" then friend, you might want to just move on.

Here's the thing...unless you first learn how to do the LITTLE things to start controlling your finances, you will NEVER obtain "wealth" (whatever that means for you).

I highlighted those words in the above paragraph on purpose. YOU must learn to CONTROL your finances and STOP allowing your finances (or lack thereof) to control you!

 

Another disclaimer right off the start: There are a LOT of things that I could discuss with this topic that I won't simply due to the fact that I don't want to make this article that long. For example, I could discuss (and maybe should - but I won't) the fact that you MUST eliminate your DEBT as quickly as possible and you must STOP adding to that debt (credit cards for example!).  

What I AM going to discuss in this article are a couple of things that ANYONE can do to start improving their personal financial health. Yes, anyone and everyone...including you!

I want to approach the Project 141 "Expansion Concept" to this area by discussing two approaches and/or "mindsets". That of DEFENSE and OFFENSE.

DEFENSE

Whether you know it or not, most truly wealthy people will tell you that it is NOT about "how much do you make" as much as it is "how much do you KEEP". 

Yes, it's important to "make more" but, at the same time, if you continue to "spend more" to the point that you fail to "keep more" you will never gain any ground with your financial future. 

I'm sure you've seen "the pretenders" out there that walk among us. They drive a nice, fancy car, go out to eat at expensive restaurants and do all of the things that make them "look like" they are successful. But, truth be told, they are broke. They have more debt than they have income but they continue to do these things so that they can keep up an "image of success".  

I've literally seen new, fancy, high priced cars in front of what I would call a shack. 

This, my friend, is foolishness!

So, I want to encourage you to take the "DEFENSE" approach and think about how you can PROTECT the money that you have and not just let it slip out of your fingers.

In other words, like you see in the picture above, you MUST "plug up" that leaky bucket.  This takes discipline, my friend!

Step 1: Get out a piece of paper and list everything you spend money on over the course of a week. Yes, I DO mean to actually have that piece of paper with you as you go through your week and write down EVERY little thing that you spend money on. THIS IS KEY! Why is this important? Most people have no idea how much money they actually spend on a daily and weekly basis. 

Write down EVERY - LITTLE - THING. Don't just write down the amount but also write down what it was for so that you know. Do you pay to park while at work? Write it down. Do you stop in for a coffee on your way into work? Write it down.  Did you contribute to an office collection for someone's birthday present? Write it down. Did you make a trip down to the vending machine and get a cola and/or a snack? Write it down. Eat your lunch at a restaurant? Write it down. 

Get the idea?

Don't cheat on this. C'mon, just do it and, at the end of the week, add up your figures. I suggest that you even do this at the end of each day. (By the way, this also includes anything you spend money on via online sources. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that you spent money on during the week.)

Once you have shocked yourself at how much money goes through your hands during the course of a week, not it's time to go on to the next step.

Step 2: Decide what you can cut out to reduce the "outflow". No, obviously, I'm not telling you to get rid of all of that all at once. Chances are there are some things that you listed that you cannot eliminate and that's o.k. BUT, what things CAN you eliminate?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Defense Wins Games"? Again, it doesn't matter how much you make if you spend more than you make. So, WE MUST GET STINGY ON DEFENSE with your finances.

Maybe you can drop one thing on Monday, something different on Tuesday and so on during the rest of the week. For example, maybe you DON'T stop for that coffee on Monday and, maybe on Tuesday, you bring something from home for lunch. 

Try to pick out at least one thing for each day and, if possible, even choose two!

Look at the list from the week that you wrote down all of these expenses and just base the amount that you didn't spend on that. In other words, if you wrote down that you spent $8.00 for lunch that week, go ahead and assume that would be what you SAVED by NOT doing that one day this week. 

Then, we move on to...

Step 3: Put it in the jar! O.k. yes, you can just see that "on paper" and know that you saved money but I want to encourage you to take it one step further and PHYSICALLY take that amount of money and put it in a jar of some sort. Yes, go to your ATM if necessary and withdraw that amount of money and put it in the jar.

The visual for this is very powerful! Watch your jar fill up during this week and then, at the end of the week, count out how much money that you saved by taking just a little action and "playing some defense" to help "plug the leaky bucket".

 Now it's time to "play offense" with your money!

 

OFFENSE

 ADD IT UP... Depending on how much you typically spend during the week, chances are that you will have AT LEAST $20 - $30 in your jar just from changing up your routine a little bit. DO NOT think, "Oh great! Now I can go buy...." NO! NO! NO!

 

The idea here is to SAVE and not continue to SPEND. Once you add that money up from your jar then I suggest that you actually open a NEW account at your bank for these funds and I would suggest that you do this with a savings account so that you get a little interest paid to you. If that $20-$30 isn't enough to open a new account then hang on to it and add to it each week until you have the needed amount. Are you disciplined enough to do that? I hope so because this discipline is what you will need to begin to make gains with your fiances. 

BE CONSISTENT... Don't just do this for a week or two and then quit. Remember, this whole Project 141 approach is about committing yourself to doing these actions for one full year. But, take it a little at a time and, at least for now, make sure that you dedicate yourself to doing this for at least a month and see how much money you saved. 

 

TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION... Now what? It's time to plan some "offensive strategy" to move "the ball" on down the field closer to the "goal line". 

 

Yeah, I know. A lot of football analogies there but it works. You now have this "extra" money and it's time to DO SOMETHING positive with it. Already, I've suggested that you put it in a savings account and watch it grow a little at a time. Think about this: if you are able to put $100 per month in that account (very do-able) then you will have $1,200 (plus interest) at the end of that year! 

 

Here's a few "options" (different plays) that you might consider:

     1. Use some of this money to pay extra on any credit cards or car payments (any debt) that you have and get that debt paid off quicker.

     2. Use some of this money for someone else ("Random Act of Kindness")

 

If you've not done so, go back and read this article where I discuss the idea of taking something like $20 and blessing someone else with it. They may can use it for gas or food or school supplies for their kids. It doesn't matter what they may use it for. What matters is that you took your eyes off of yourself and looked for an opportunity to serve someone else.

 

Want to REALLY have some fun? If this excites you at all, share this concept with a friend or two or five and see if they, too, "catch the vision" of doing something like this. IF they have committed to this approach of setting some money back and IF they have also "caught the vision" of doing something for someone else then consider all of you in that group joining together in this effort! 

 

In other words, let's say there are five of you that have "caught the vision" on this and each of you have agreed to "donate" $20 per week or month for a "Random Act of Kindness". WOW...friend, you're starting to truly "live life" now (trust me on this). If that $20 for someone would make a difference for them then consider what $100 would do!

 

Yes, I would still suggest that you use the rest of the money that you have saved toward paying off some of your debt and saving some in the bank to grow with interest but, at the same time, use a portion of that money saved to bless others. Want to know how to have a blessed day yourself? BE A BLESSING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S DAY. 

 

 One final "offensive move" that I would suggest. As great as it is to "redirect your funds" from spending it on things that you can skip or do without to your savings or debt pay down or the random act of kindness, it is still a great idea to actually figure out a way to ADD TO your current income.

 

That is what is usually referred to as a "side gig" in today's world. Is there something that you can do "on the side" that will not interrupt your current work schedule that will allow you to grow/gain additional funds for all of the things that we have discussed in today's article?

 

UPDATE 10.20.21... I will have to go back through everything that referred to the original "vehicle" that I was promoting for this "side gig". I no longer support or promote that particular program simply because their "customer support" was non-existent! I will not connect my name or the name of "Future You University" with any program that won't even support their own members. STAY TUNED! I am currently working on something that I believe will have the potential to take you FAR BEYOND what the original program could ever do.

 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  Project141