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

Skip the EZ Button!

(be sure to check out the podcast on iTunes or on the RSS feed)

"Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it."  - Jim Rohn

We live in  a "make it as easy as possible" world! Hey, I have to admit that I get impatient with the microwave! We have some marvelous appliances and other gadgets in our homes that, indeed, make life easier. And,  no, I'm not "bashing" the fact that we have these things in our lives.

However, in a world where you can call anyone in the world and get information from all over the world in the palm of your hand, we have become to expect this type of ease in all areas of our lives. Wouldn't you agree?

We have "instant" EVERYTHING and, that being so, why not have "instant success"? Isn't this what we see advertised with so many "opportunities" out there? "Retire in 6 months with only 1 hour a day!" - EASY!  "Learn to make MILLIONS while you sleep!" - EASY!

We'll talk more about these types of ideas of "EASY" in the next day or so, but for now, let's turn to this same idea that we find when it comes to reading, listening or absorbing quality material.

Again, I know this doesn't apply to ALL young people today but, from my continued experience working with teens, it applies to a LOT of young people...they don't want to be challenged in any way at all. When was the last time that you tried to get a teen to actually READ or LISTEN to something that wasn't animated or part of some video game OR some lame television show?



When was the last time YOU spent time reading or listening to something that actually had value? If you were not following along a couple of weeks ago when I did the series on TIME then be sure to go back and discover how much time you waste each day and how much of that time can be "re-purposed" for something more productive!

There's nothing wrong with some mindless entertainment from time to time but, just like eating a few sweets from time to time, you CANNOT make your diet contain large quantities of either of these examples. Garbage in, garbage out, remember?

As Mr. Rohn emphasized, some things are entertaining but they do NOTHING to help us grow. When was the last time that YOU were challenged and, as a result, you grew?

Have you ever worked out? Have you ever started a routine that involved running, walking, weights or all of the above? When you first begin it is DIFFICULT because your body is being CHALLENGED to do something that is not as EASY as what you have been doing = NOTHING! However, with time and consistency, your body begins to adapt to the challenge and you begin to accomplish more and more as you do so. Your muscles begin to "grow" due to the RESISTANCE (not the easy way out, right?) that they have faced.

NO RESISTANCE = NO GROWTH!

Now, let's go back to the diving board scenario I talked about yesterday. Perhaps you still find yourself standing on the edge of that diving board looking down at the water...waiting...thinking...talking about what you WILL do but still standing and waiting. Perhaps you have seen someone else do it and it LOOKED easy or someone else TOLD you that it was easy. Oh, by the way, I'm talking about the HIGH DIVE, not the low one that pretty much anyone will jump from.

When you get to the edge of the HIGH diving board it suddenly looks different than it did watching someone that knew what they were doing, doesn't it? Maybe now you realize that the reason it looked so easy was because they put HOURS and HOURS of work into their skill. They didn't quit the first time they stood where you are now.

Sure, you can jump now. You may get lucky and not even hurt yourself but, at the same time, you just may do a "belly-buster" or, worse yet, a FACE-buster! And, if you do, you have a choice to make...quit or learn how to improve and then WORK at getting better.

Skip the "EZ BUTTON" and go for the growth! You'll be glad you did.

Be sure to join me tomorrow for another great quote from Jim Rohn and, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike