Are the Best Things in Life REALLY Free? (Part 2)

If you have yet to do so, go back and read Part 1 of this current series so you can be "up to speed" on the emphasis and focus of this series.

 

Bottom line: As wonderful as the things listed in the graphic above really are - they are NOT free!

 

Each and every one of them require an INVESTMENT from you. It may involve an investment of time or an investment of emotion or risk or any number of things. And, quite often, it requires an investment of several - if not all - of the things that we could list. 

 

Yes, this applies even to something as what we may call "simple" like kisses. That's right, KISSES.

 

Let's start with adults and work our way back. If you are on a date and you try to give or get a kiss too soon, what will happen? Perhaps a slap across the face or, for sure, some sort of rejection. Why? THE INVESTMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE! And, no, I'm not suggesting, "Hey baby, I bought you supper, you owe me a kiss!". I'm talking about an investment in interest and respect, for example.

 

If you are in a relationship (whether dating or married) then, for those kisses to actually MEAN something, there MUST be an investment as well. Too many lose that "spark" with those kisses over time because they have also ceased to make continued investment. Think about it...it's true.

 

Kisses don't always have to be a form of foreplay for some sexual adventure, right? Sometimes a kiss - a kiss with investment - can be as simple as a little kiss on the forehead that says, "Hang in there, it's going to be alright".

 

And oh, then there are those kisses that we give to those babies...our own kids OR grandbabies (or nieces and nephews). Even though that little baby may not know about it, there has been investment made on YOUR part in all of it (especially if it is your child or grandbaby).  If you don't agree, try kissing some baby that you've never seen before and see what the reaction of the parent(s) is(are).

 

FAMILY - I'm sure you have no problem at all agreeing that FAMILY requires investment. Family is not always easy and, to be honest, it's not always pleasant. Sometimes family hurts and causes pain. However, family is forever. I know, you may feel anything about family BUT that you want it to be "forever". I get that, I really do. Maybe I should rephrase what I said and change it to, "Family SHOULD BE forever." If that is to be so, it definitely requires an investment of your time, patience, love and understanding.

 

As far as your own family (your spouse and your children), here's some advice: INVEST EARLY AND OFTEN! You'll be glad you did.

 

SLEEP - Sleep? What? How does one invest in sleep? There are several ways for this to be done but, for one, when you live each day to the best of your ability, you should be able to lay your head on your pillow at night and sleep well with that knowledge. Yes, even when things don't turn out just right or the way that you wish...if you've done your best, let it go and sleep easy, friend.

 

If you are a believer, trust your God, turn your worries over to Him and sleep easy. Invest in that relationship as well!

 

And yes, you can even invest by the way that you treat your body. There's two ways to look at this part of the equation: 1. A good night's sleep will help keep you healthy and, 2. Being healthy will help you get a good night's sleep. Take care of yourself, try to improve your health and sleep better. In turn, you will feel better and actually BE better.

 

I'm purposely not going into more detail on these items so that YOU may "dig" into these things for yourself and for your own situation. My hope is that just bringing these things up might create a "spark" in and for your life in one (or all) of these areas.

 

They are all part of the investment that you make in the world in which you live.

 

Invest, get involved, be involved and experience the true return from your investment...a joyous life.

 

Until next time, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

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Are the Best Things in Life REALLY Free?

 

There is an episode from the old "Andy Griffith Show" in which Barney Fife takes his girl, Thelma Lou, out on a date. However, for the date, he didn't actually take her "out" anywhere. Instead, he picked her up and took her down by the lake for some "smooching" time. As they were sitting in the car, Thelma Lou made some comment about wishing they had gone to a movie or done something different, to which Barney replied, "Well Thelma Lou, don't you know that the best things in life are free?".  Apparently this "free" date didn't qualify as one of the "best" things in life for Thelma Lou.

You've heard that phrase yourself, right? 

Look at the graphic above and you'll see it again. And, you'll also see little images to demonstrate what types of things fit into this "free" category. But, are they really "free"?

 

Don't get me wrong...I understand the thought behind the phrase and I agree that, too many times we feel that MONEY has to be involved in order to bring happiness. That is usually NOT the case.

 

But, again, I want to focus on asking the question about these particular things: "Are they REALLY free?"

 

As we go through this series this week, understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch! In other words, NOTHING is actually FREE, friend. And, yes, that includes hugs, smiles and friends.

 

All of the things that you see on the first graphic (and that we will be discussing this week) require an INVESTMENT from you in one way or another. That's right - it ain't free, buddy!

 

Think about it...do you really want a complete stranger coming up to you and giving you a hug out on the street? You might, but NOT ME! There has to be some sort of "connection" or relationship in order for me to give or receive a hug. Sure, it may be a joyous celebration at a sporting event that might cause such a thing to happen but, even at that, the excitement over that sporting event would be the "connecting" value.

 

You must INVEST YOURSELF in some sort of way in order for a hug to MEAN something and for it to be welcomed (on either side) for encouragement, solace or appreciation. Otherwise, they are just plain AWKWARD. You've experienced some of those, haven't you?

 

SMILES are a little different but, friend, they still require an investment from you. Sharing a smile is one of the easiest things that a person can do but, have you looked at the faces around you lately? There doesn't seem to be too many of them with a smile on their face!

 

You have to make an investment - a commitment - that you are going to share your positive attitude REGARDLESS of how many people ignore it because you just never know when you will come across someone that really NEEDS that smile on that day. Believe me (and I think you already know this), it DOES make a difference! Add to that smile a friendly (and genuine) greeting - especially at your workplace - and see what happens. I love doing that with the ladies in the office at my work. I love to smile and greet them with a genuine, "Good morning, ladies! How are you doing today?" and then watch their faces light up with smiles of their own as they respond in a very similar way.

 

And finally, FRIENDS. It doesn't take a genius to realize that having friends DEFINITELY takes an investment from all involved. Am I right?

 

Too many people whine and complain about not having any friends when they are not willing to invest in such a relationship. They want friends but don't care enough about others to reach outside of their own little world to allow others in. Or, many times, they just are too selfish to reach out and care about others.

 

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

 

Sure, some friends are closer than others. That's normal. That's expected. Those are likely the ones with which you have far more invested. Cherish those relationships!

 

So, you see, in reality, these things might be considered "free" but they ALL require an investment from YOU. But hey, that's what life is all about...each of us sharing our lives with those around us.

 

Aren't you glad?

 

Invest and fill your life with those hugs, smiles and friends and, until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

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What is YOUR Income Strategy?

O.k., so here we are a week into the New Year! If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read the last blog and listen to the last podcast entitled, "What IS a Resolution?" to help you as you set out to better yourself and accomplish positive moves in your life during this year.

 

And, as you do so, take into consideration these thoughts as I continue my discussion on Bob Proctor's, "The Science of Getting Rich".  Again, I have highlighted the thoughts from my notes that come from Mr. Proctor and then I have added my own thoughts as well.

 

Mr. Proctor says (and I have heard this from many others who understand and have wealth) that there are 3 Income Earning Strategies as listed below: 

   1: used by 96% of people (trading time for money = a J.O.B.) - you will NEVER get ahead of the game doing this!  

  2: used by 3% of people (use/invest money for money)

  3: only used by 1% (they multiply their time/effort by setting up MULTIPLE SOURCES OF INCOME!) *IF YOU CAN EARN $10,000 you can earn $100,000. If you can earn $100,000 then you can earn $1 million! It all follows a basic principle!

 

Let's take a quick, but closer, look at these 3 strategies and see what that means for you now and in the future.

 

1. Trading Time for Money. Obviously if it is the method being used by 96% of the people, then it is likely the method or strategy that you are using as well. There is nothing wrong with having a job so please, do not take what is being said here the wrong way. The problem comes when you cannot - for whatever reason - give of your time in order to get the money. Sickness, injury - it doesn't matter because, simply put, if you don't work, you don't get paid. Times have changed greatly over the years and there are NO indicators, as was true in the past, that can give the security of you having that job for as long as you want as long as you do the job and do it right. Those days are gone!

 

2. Invest Money for Money. I can hear some of you now - "But, Mike, I invest in the stock market!" For one, you likely dabble in the stock market. Regardless, how has the stock market treated you over the past 5 - 10 years? True investing takes knowledge and knowledge comes from education and that education comes from a desire to learn more. Sure, all investment has SOME risks but those that do their "due diligence" remove as much of the risk as possible. ONLY 3% OF PEOPLE DO THIS! Now, who do you think these 3% are? How financially set do you think these in this 3% are?

 

3. Multiple Sources/Streams of Income. Only 1%. Yet, as you think about the beauty of this strategy it is amazing that only 1% use this strategy. Again, I can hear some of you say, "Oh, but Mike, I have two jobs, my wife babysits on the side and we also sell old stuff on-line!" Sure, you have income coming in from different sources (that is good and it is ambitious) BUT....yeah, you knew that was coming, right? - what happens with ANY one of these if you (or your wife) gets sick, hurt or just gets tired? In all of these, if you don't work, you don't get the money! Those who set up multiple streams of income are much like the 3% that learn how to truly invest their money. THEY HAVE SPENT THE TIME (due diligence) to LEARN how to find sources of income that will produce money whether they are able to work or not! It's a simple way of saying that they have chosen not to put "all of their eggs in one basket".  Even if one source suffers for any reason, they have OTHER sources to help take up the slack!

 

I'm not going to say much more about this - just take a look at it and see what you can begin doing TODAY - RIGHT NOW - to start switching over from category 1 (with the rest of the 96%) to one of the other 2 categories.

 

What's the problem? We want it and we want it to happen for us NOW!

 

We are not a patient people and, most of us, are not willing to do what it takes to make this transition in our lives.

 

That, my friend, is why only 4% of the people practice strategies 2 and 3!

 

I don't want to be like everyone else. I've heard this many times from many different people in the area of fiance and wealth: "If you want to have success, you must do what everyone else is NOT doing!"

 

In other words...STEP OUT FROM THE CROWD!

 

Can you? Yes, you absolutely can.

 

Will you? That's totally up to you.

 

 

Until next time, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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