Formula for Success

FORMULA for SUCCESS 

You could say that this is "A" formula for success but, friend, I'd go so far as to say that this is THE formula for success.

I don't claim full responsibility for the statement you see in the graphic above. Yes, it is from my "power board" (see the last blog article) and it is in my handwriting and I did put those thoughts together. However, it is a combination of thoughts that I have read over the years from several different people...I just put it together in my own words.

This goes along closely with the blog article from yesterday in which this thought from Jim Rohn was shared: "The major key to your better future is you!"  

Again, it has to start with the understanding that it is totally up to and dependent upon YOU and your decisions (and actions). Now then, here we go - THIS is how you get "there"!

As asked yesterday, "Do you want a better future?" And, I'll ask this closely related question today: "Do you want to change your life?"

If either of these are a "YES!" (and we pretty much saw that the answer to the first question is always "YES"!) then understand that THIS process is how you get there. However, you should also understand that, as you look at this formula, there are still a lot of "how-to's" that you won't find here. That is where YOU come in. That is where YOUR ability to think and apply comes into place.

Let's break this down and look at it a little closer. Ready?

1. Change Your Beliefs and you Change Your Behaviors 

      So much of you having a "better future" and of "changing your life" begins with changing your beliefs. Actually, EVERY BIT OF THIS PROCESS begins with changing your beliefs. It's all about changing the way that you think!

     No, that doesn't mean that you have to change your core belief system about things such as God but, at the same time, it may mean that you DO change the way that you view things about what is and isn't pleasing to God.  Let me clarify. Many people have a deeply instilled belief that God does not want them to be wealthy or "rich". This deeply rooted belief hinders their mindset when that person decides that they want a better future. For one, please note that the Bible does NOT say that money is the root of all evil. Nope. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It goes on to say that this type of attitude towards money leads to greediness!

     I won't go into all that I could go into, but, again, this is just an example of some THINKING that may have to be changed and adapted. Bottom line on this part is that GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOU! Think about this: the more you have the more you can do and the more people you can help.

     But, the need to change your belief goes beyond this. For whatever reason, most people tend to believe that they don't DESERVE something better for their lives. That is another thought pattern that MUST be changed in order to move forward toward your better, changed life. 

     KNOW THIS: On all of these steps but, especially, on this first KEY step - it's not easy! This process takes a long time but you can still make progress as you CONTINUE to work on changing your beliefs. Remember, "change your beliefs and you change your behaviors" or, put another way: "Change the way you THINK and you begin to change the way you ACT!"

2. Change Your Behaviors and you Change Your Results

     Here's a very simple example that you can use to help see that this is true and applicable. It doesn't matter if it is someone playing golf, basketball, baseball, football, hockey or ANY sport - if they find themselves in a "slump" in some area of their game, they will examine what they ARE doing and likely find that they have slipped into some bad habit which has led to their poor results. They will then CHANGE THIS HABIT (change their behavior) and, eventually, this will lead to changed and better results.

     When you begin to change the way you THINK you begin to change the way you ACT. When you begin to change the way you ACT, you begin to change the RESULTS that you are getting!

     Apply that to ANY area of your life and you will find it to be true. Just improving your outlook and attitude will change the way you act and, as a result, change the way most people react toward you. And, as a direct result, this will usually lead to different (and better) results in our relationships and all things related to those improved relationships. 

     Make sense? Yes, again, this is something that takes effort and time, but you can begin that process TODAY, right where you are. I think it was Zig Ziglar that said, "You don't have to be great to start but you have to START in order to be great!"

3. Change Your Results and you Change Your Life

     This is really a "common sense" formula, isn't it? When you begin to change the way that you THINK, you begin to change the way that you ACT. When you begin to change the way that you ACT, you then begin to change your RESULTS. And, friend, when you change your RESULTS you absolutely begin to CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Please don't become discouraged when I tell you that this is a life-long process. It never ends and you never get to the point that you have "arrived" and can stop this process.  

Instead of becoming discouraged just simply understand that when you stop growing, YOU DIE! Life is a journey, right? Every day is a new day with new challenges and new experiences And, just when you think you have things "figured out" life can through you a "curve ball" and challenge everything you thought you had "figured out"!

But that's what makes living a JOY! Experiencing these things in your life let's you know that you are ALIVE and that you are a PART of this journey! I can't stress that enough. The ups and downs in life are a PART of  life but, you can change your mindset and thoughts to the point that you begin to handle your RESPONSE to these ups and downs in a better way.

Jack Canfield shares this formula along this line: E + R = O, which stands for EVENT + RESPONSE = OUTCOME. We all have "events" in our lives. These are the UPS and these are the DOWNS that we all experience. But, according to Mr. Canfield (and according to life's experiences) do you want to know what determines the OUTCOME of those "events" that we all experience? That's right, OUR response! How YOU respond to those events will determine your outcome.

All of these things work together but, friend, notice the word "work". It takes EFFORT and it takes a DECISION on your part.  

So, yeah...here we are again. It all comes down to YOU. 

You are the only one that can decide to start making the changes in this formula that can change and improve your life and the life of those that you love. No one else can do it for you and sitting around and complaining and whining will never accomplish anything. EVER.

I'll encourage you any way that I can, friend...so let's take this journey TOGETHER!

And, as you do so, whatever you do, always be sure to... 

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

Mike

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New Year's Tip #2: Check Your Trash

 

One day, a couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were out on a walk down the road that runs in front of our house. As is often the case (and sadly so), there was trash strewn along the side of the road of cups, beer cans, etc. as we walked. And then we came upon a big pile of trash that someone had thrown out of their passing vehicle.

 

I told my wife that, on our way back, we would pick it up and get rid of it since it was such a large pile of trash. And, upon our return trip, we did pick it up so that we could dispose of it once we arrived home. The following is a description of what made up this pile of trash...

     First of all, it was a bag from a fast food restaurant with the accompanying cup, lid and straw thrown out beside it. Inside the bag, along with the wrappers and small box from the french fries, was also an empty cigarette box, several scratched off lottery tickets, one beer can and another beer bottle.

 

As I noticed these items that had been tossed out of a passing vehicle, I was, first and foremost, disgusted that a person had no more respect for the beauty of nature than to do such a thing. I simply do not understand that type of mentality.

 

Then it hit me. As I put that original thought together with the contents of the trash pile, it dawned on me that this was all evidence of a "poor man's mentality".

 

I have no idea what the financial situation is for the person that did this act, but I think I can probably give you a pretty good idea based on the trash and the type of mentality displayed by the trash and the action as well.

 

A poor man's mentality is a mentality that has no respect for anyone else or for nature and helping keep it clean of such trash. They often have the attitude of, "Someone else will pick it up" instead of taking it to their own home and finding a place for disposal.

 

A poor man's mentality is also displayed by one who, if they even have a job, will struggle to make ends meet and yet will spend the unnecessary money on the following:

     - Fast food: Instead of taking a lunch from home to work, they will stop off and spend between $5 - $10 on a lunch and do this several times a week. Even if they are not working on a particular day they may run through the drive through of a fast food restaurant and do the same...and throw the trash out of the window on the way home.

     - Beer or alcohol: Again, often, the person with this type of mentality struggles to make ends meet but, at the same time, will have the purchase of alcohol as a main part of their expenditures. Many times this person will be the person that will drink to the point of being drunk and passed out weekend after weekend. And, if drinking in their vehicle (illegally) will toss the can and/or bottle out the window as they drive down the highway.

     - Cigarettes: Do you want to come up with a better example of literally lighting up money with a match and watching it burn? Many times those with this "poor man's mentality" will struggle to keep their lights turned on yet, at the same time, will burn through dollar after dollar through the smoking of cigarettes. And, you guessed it, when done, if in their vehicle, they will toss it out of the window as litter.

     - Lottery tickets: Several years ago I worked at a convenience store that sold lottery tickets. I quickly learned that, come payday, there would be a steady stream of customers that would come in with their "fresh cash" from payday and spend money on lottery tickets, hoping to "hit it big". With amazement I would see men burn through $20-$30 of tickets and then get excited when, after scratching off all of the numbers on all of the tickets, would end up with "winnings" of $5.00. There would be days that I would see a man spend half of his newly earned paycheck on lottery tickets by the time he left the store. I often wondered what his family went without due to this habit.

 

Am I saying that every person that participates in any of these activities has a "poor man's mentality"?

 

No, of course not.

 

I will say this: If you are one that throws trash out of your window, you are a person that has no respect for others and, likely, not much for yourself. You can determine what type of mentality you would like to call that, but I feel very strongly about anyone that particpates in that activity.

 

However, I would challenge any of you on the use - and amount of use - with any of the other items listed above. I understand the draw of "eating out" but question the mentality of anyone that struggles in any way that makes this a regular part of their activity. Have you added up how much money you spend on fast food/eating out over a month's time? Maybe you should even just break it down to a weekly amount and then go from there. It's something to think about.

 

The same is true for alcohol, friend. Have you taken the time to add up your expense on this? It's definitely something to think about and, for sure, if you are getting behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking you, again, are not considering (respecting) anyone else as you do so. You might want to also ask yourself what the reason is for your drinking. Hey, get honest with yourself on this. Is it just habit? Is it to relax? Is it even to, perhaps, "escape" from life?  It's all worth taking a look at, friend.

 

Yes, there are people that win big money by playing the lottery. LOOK AT THE ODDS listed on YOUR chance to do so. You are literally "throwing your money away" when you play the lottery and, especially, when you play it in such a way that has you thinking that you are going to "hit it big" one day as long as you keep on playing and throwing your money away.

 

So, the tip is simply this: WHAT'S YOUR MENTALITY? Does it need to be changed? If you're not sure what your "mentality" may be, perhaps you should spend a little time going through your trash. Seriously.

 

As well as going through the trash, you probably need to go through your checkbook to figure out how much money is being spent on things such as this.

 

Think about it, this could be an adjustment that could greatly improve the your physical AND financial health as well.

 

And, one final thought...if you find that you are angry after reading this article, ask yourself, "WHY?" And then take the time to be honest with yourself as you uncover the answer.

 

I'll share one more tip with you for the New Year in the next article but, until then, whatever you do...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Your FEET Will Follow...

That is some kind of UGLY picture there, isn't it? :)

Sorry. I apologize for that. Once you catch your breath, just use  your hand to cover the picture and continue reading.

I was watching a video clip of Dani Johnson (DaniJohnson.com) the other day and she mentioned a phrase that she had heard some time in the past. "Your feet will follow your mouth" was the phrase and it has stuck with her for years.

And, it's TRUE!

You speak the direction of your life and your daily actions. You may or may not quite understand that, friend, but just know that your words ARE that powerful.

WHAT you speak and HOW you speak determines your direction. Are you kind? Considerate? Encouraging? Affirming?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Put your money where your mouth is."?

There is more truth behind that phrase than you may realize!

What - and how - you speak may very well bring extra MONEY into your life and, just as easily, it may actually take money AWAY from your life!

I'm not talking about being a "suck-up" or "brown-noser".

I'm talking about being genuine (you can't fake that stuff for long!) and actually caring about people. The REAL you cannot help but come out for others to witness...good OR bad.

Your words - and use of them - may lead you to promotions and/or new job opportunities. They may also keep you from these things and cost you money that you didn't even know about.

Isn't there enough strife in the world? Isn't there enough strife just around YOU and YOUR world? The same is true about stress, unkind words, and all other kinds of negativity.

Don't make this a seasonal thing, make it a way of life...YOUR life.

Because, after all, your feet will follow your mouth!

Until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

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FINANCES: It's Up to Me

Your ability to work well with others as well as encourage and uplift them will have a direct impact on your financial future.

 

Read that again and let it sink in.

 

Yes, I know that there are some rare instances where someone does something, someway, somehow to where they have no real connection with anyone else at all. Again, notice the word, "rare".

 

For the most of us, we must deal with people on a daily basis and it's not always an easy thing to do, is it? But it's something that the wise figure out and use to their advantage and those that don't, will likely come up a little short.

 

If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read the previous three blog articles that led up to this one. They all "stacked" upon each other and built on each other, leading us to this final thought of this series.

 

The bottom line (and main thought) is this: In ALL of these areas it is important to realize, "If it's to be, it's up to me."

 

Hey listen, if you want to be like everyone else and plod along through life - miserable - like most others seem to be then, friend, just cruise along and make no real effort to improve yourself and you will achieve exactly that.

 

But YOU - yes, YOU - desire more than that for your life! Just the fact that you are reading this blog sets you apart from the majority of others. That's true! Most people that you know will not take the time to read an article like this, much less on a regular basis.

 

Because you desire more for your life and because you understand that, this, by itself, will set you apart from the majority of those around you, YOU will make the effort to actually take the time to pay attention to, and to care about and for those that you spend time with each day.

 

This begins at home with your family and spills over with your close friends and into the workplace among your coworkers. And, yes, this even applies to those that you come into contact with while out and about at the grocery store or a local restaurant.

 

How you treat people MATTERS and YOU are one that knows this, understands this and does what is necessary to IMPROVE this in your daily activities.

 

And, YES, this DOES have a direct impact upon your paycheck and your opportunities. I strongly say to you that THIS IS A FACT!

 

Do you want to become indispensable in your workplace? Then do these things that I have shared with you in the past few articles and your job will be SAFE. Not only will it be safe but you will likely find more and more opportunity offered to you in that company because of these important qualities.

 

I'd love to get your thoughts and feedback on this series or on anything that I share with you. Have you seen this to be true in your own life or have you noticed this in others? Let me know, I'd love to hear about it and look forward to your input.

Until next time, friend, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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Growing Opportunities - Part 2

Financial Opportunity - Part 2

 

 

You know what the "snowball effect" is, right?

 

The idea that a snowball, rolling downhill, gets more and more snow attached to it so that, when it reaches the bottom of the hill, it has increased in size dramatically.

We'll apply that to jobs and careers in the next article but, for today, we're going to apply the SNOWBALL EFFECT to opportunities with MONEY.

We ended the last article talking about people complaining that they don't have enough money or that they have no way to pay off debt or save any money for the future.

In RARE instances, that may be true. But I'm talking RARE.

More than likely you do not fit into that category and you DO have ways to pay off debt AND save money for the future.

The #1 thing you must do with this is to TAKE AN HONEST ACCOUNT of what is going on with your money. Notice that I said, "honest". Hey, listen, you can lie to yourself if you want but, friend, it's not going to help you and it's not going to change your situation. As a matter of fact, your situation will likely worsen due to your lack of honesty in this area.

*Ouch!*

Hey, it's time to get real here! You MUST be honest when looking at your money and where it is going. "Disappearing" is probably more like what seems to be happening, right?

Again, first and foremost you MUST stop paying money to everyone else (along with the high interest rates) through credit card payments, car payments, furniture rental, etc. No, I don't mean just stop paying. Get this debt paid off as quickly as possible so that you don't HAVE to pay!

"But Mike, how do I do that? I'm broke!"

Sure, you can go get another job but, friend, that's not really going to change anything because you will spend or waste that money as well. THAT'S A FACT! Yes, I do understand that there are SOME exceptions and that SOME people would actually apply that extra money the way that needs to be done. But, honestly, that likely is not you!

What can you do - TODAY - to save money that will not require you to work extra time or at an extra job?

1. STOP SMOKING! The average price of a pack (1 pack!) of cigarettes in the United States is $5.51 per pack. In a week, at ONLY 1 pack/day (I emphasize only because most smoke MORE than 1 pack per day) that comes up to $38.75 and, in a month, it comes up to a little over $150.  Oh, and in a year, just by smoking 1 pack of cigarettes a day, you have watched a little over $2,000 go up in smoke!

2. STOP EATING OUT SO MUCH! Oh, I know, I know...you're rushed and you HAVE to do that. No, you don't! I'm not saying that you have to stop eating out completely but, c'mon, how serious are you about this whole money thing? OPPORTUNITY is right in front of your face when you consider how much $$ you spend eating out over the course of a week. YOU do the math!

3. JUNK FOOD! Add it up yourself and see how much of your overall grocery bill is junk (chips, cookies and other sweets, soda, etc). Do you have to cut them out completely? No, but, I can almost promise you that you can cut out at least 90% of it right now.

I could go on and on on things that you could cut out of your budget. I haven't even started on your entertainment costs and how much you're paying just to watch television. But, hey, you might want to take a look at that as well.

All of those "small" things SNOWBALL into BIG EXPENSE for your wallet and, a lot of those listed also create a BIG EXPENSE on your health!

If you would do even those 3 things listed (or, if you don't smoke....find something else to replace it, like alcohol or the entertainment I mentioned), you will see how much extra money you will have to start applying toward some of your debt! And, all without having to get another job.

Small opportunities GROWING (the "snowball effect") into BIGGER opportunities!

What if you could do something and bring in just an extra $10 per week. Believe it or not, most people won't even consider something like that because "it's ONLY $10 per week".  But, listen, that extra $10 per week (without any kind of interest added to it) turns into an extra $40 per month, $520 per year and, after 5 years, it will bring you an extra $2,600!!

 

Small things that, done consistently, can and WILL become BIG things due to the "snowball effect" with your finances.

 

As always, this is up to YOU to make happen. It's not easy but, friend, if you are always short of money and have a lot of debt, consider it a NECESSITY.

 

Next, we apply this "snowball effect" to job opportunities.

 

Until then, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

(Note: if at any time, ANY of the links below do not work, be sure to contact me at mike@futureyouuniversity.com )

 

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SUCCESS: Do I Deserve It?

 

Before I get to today's article, let me just mention that today is also my 700th podcast for Future You University. You can listen to it either on iTunes or the RSS feed. Be sure to listen to the podcast as well as reading the blog and then share with as many people as possible.

 THANK YOU for your continued support!

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If you have encountered very many setbacks and/or roadblocks along the way to your goals and dreams, you may find yourself asking the question found in the graphic above: "Should I even expect or desire this for my own life?"

 

You may even ask yourself if you should just give up and you may even begin to think that the pursuit of "success" is nothing but a dream. You may even begin to feel that you are unworthy of such and that you don't deserve anything better than what you have in your life right now.

 

Let me answer all of that with a very loud and resounding, "YOU DO DESERVE BETTER!"

 

Listen, the "negative forces" (take that however you want) want to discourage you to the point of giving up on your goals and dreams. They also want you to even begin to doubt if you even deserve such a thing in and for your life.

 

I do understand the feelings and the thoughts. I've been there and done that and STILL "go there" from time to time.

 

But, friend, here is the key: DO NOT STAY THERE!

 

Kick that thought and mindset to the curb and listen to me: "The world NEEDS YOU to be successful!"

 

Success can mean many different things, so take it however you want and apply it however you want.

 

At the base level, the world NEEDS YOU to be the BEST that you can be! And, taking it to a different level, the world NEEDS YOU to be the BEST that you can be financially!

 

But, "money is the root of all evil"!

 

Nope. The Bible actually says, that "the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil". You can check it out for yourself by going to 1 Timothy 6:10 in the Bible.

 

The simple fact is this: the more you have the more you can do. The more that you have, the more people you can help. The more that you have, the wider your reach.

 

Sure, do the "money game" that we talked about in yesterday's article and podcast and do it NOW on a small level if necessary. But, imagine this: WHAT IF you could bless the lives of others - MULTIPLE people - on a much larger scale?

 

Regardless, do what you can do it now - TODAY - while you have the chance.

 

Improve yourself each and every day and, from time to time, stop and take a look at your progress. It's easy to lose sight of your progress when you get knocked back a few steps.

 

Know this: improving YOUR life can and will improve the lives of those around you.

 

Pretty cool, right?

 

Friend, here's to your success and your continued advancement toward your goals and dreams.

 

Don't ever give up!

 

And, again, thanks for your continued support. Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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The Greatest Cost...

"The greatest cost would be a missed opportunity"- Jackie O'Guinn

 

I'm not sure if Mr. O'Guinn is the one that originally came up with that quote or not, but he is the one I heard say it last night when I was on a call with my company.

 

If you've been following along for the past few weeks you will remember that I said that it will likely take you longer to reach your goals and dreams than you first thought and it will likely COST YOU MORE than you first thought.

 

Many give up because of the cost. Cost simply meaning the amount of money that is being put into the pursuit of this goal.

 

Yes, I agree, you cannot and should not just blindly pour money into something without any return. But, here's one thing to seriously think about - if you think that you are going to "make it" by just pouring money into something then, friend, you are badly mistaken.

 

If that is what you are doing and expecting then you are likely being taken for a ride. That's the lazy man's way out and it usually DOES cost him big time.

 

However, many times we also think that pursing this goal and dream shouldn't cost us much of anything! We expect results quicker than is likely realistic and we expect to have to put in far less money than is realistic.

 

Sometimes we determine "cost" in a way that will cause us to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

 

I heard it put this way on a call I was listening to today: If you were GUARANTEED to make $200,000 this year and it would cost you $20,000 to get in on this guarantee, what would you do? Would you just give up and walk away because you didn't have the $20,000 available to you at the moment or would you FIND a way or MAKE a way to get that $20,000?

 

It honestly depends on how you evaluate "cost".

 

Now, there are few guarantees in life, especially when it comes to money and potential earnings. But, as Mr. O'Guinn said, "The greatest cost would be a missed opportunity".

 

What does all of this mean for you?

 

It is simply encouraging you to learn to look at things differently if you are SERIOUS about making needed changes in your life.

 

It does take time and it is uncomfortable, especially at first, because there is risk involved (remember, guarantees are few and far between).

 

Here is a guarantee: You will miss 100% of the shots that you don't take.

 

I don't know friend. I just felt the need to share this information with you today. Maybe it doesn't hit you or connect with you today. But maybe, just maybe, this is exactly what you needed to hear.

 

Opportunity doesn't always knock and, most of the time, once that opportunity passes by your door it is gone, never to return.

 

Make the most of your time - make the most of your day - make the most of your life!

 

And, as you do so, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Where Will YOU Be When...

 

I remember an old song and seeing some posters back in the late 70's that asked the question, "Where will you be when you get where you're going?"

 

Pretty good question, wouldn't you agree?

 

But, perhaps, what we need to ask first is this: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

 

We've been talking about the planning and preparation that goes into a trip and how that level of planning and preparation really depends on what kind of trip or journey it is that we are taking. We've used the analogy of looking at a map and planning a trip in connection with working toward achieving our goals and dreams.

 

Sure, as we have already talked about, you have to know where you ARE before you can plan on how to get THERE, where ever "there" is...make sense?

 

But, I often wonder this: How many of you don't even know where it is that you want to go? How many of you are approaching your goals and dreams as if you are just hopping in your car and just going with no idea of where you are going?

 

Now, sometimes it is fun to just get in a car or hop on a motorcycle with NO idea of where you are going and just let the road take you where you want to go!

 

But, friend, if you are planning a trip from Arizona to Florida, how will that work out for you?

 

Easy answer: IT WON'T!

 

There's a big difference in doing something for fun and doing something with purpose and ON purpose!

 

Don't you think you should approach something that is this important with PURPOSE? (But then again, how serious and how important is this to you anyway?)

 

"If you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you get there? How will you know IF you get there?"

 

Hmmmmm....something to think about, wouldn't you say?

 

As you're thinking,  be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

 

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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

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What IS a "Resolution"?

Here we go again. Many (you are likely one of them) will be composing a list - even if it's just mental - of "New Year's Resolutions" that they plan to keep for the whole year of 2014. This list of "resolutions" usually consists of changes that require MAJOR discipline to make those changes which, also, are MAJOR.

 

Most of us also know that there are MAJOR problems in keeping these "resolutions". Many even joke about the fact that those "changes" (how can they be changes when nothing has changed?) won't last longer than a month or maybe even two, into the new year.

 

Gyms (work out facilities) will be swamped with new clients. One of my brothers started work for a company that had their own gym for their employees and he started right around the start of the year. He could hardly find machines available for his workout due to the crowded conditions. While talking to one of the workers at the gym the worker told him, "Don't worry. Give it about a month and you'll have access to any machine you want." And, he was right.

 

WHY?

 

Why do we do this? Why do we go through this yearly process only to fall extremely short each year?

 

Why do so many do nothing more than make a mental list of these changes that they say that they want to make?

 

Bottom line: we're not that serious about the whole thing! Oh, I can hear some of you almost yelling at me through the computer that you ARE serious and that there are just things that "get in the way" every year that prevents you from seeing your "resolution" through.

 

I also think that many are not serious because most do not understand what a "resolution" really is. We attempt these "resolutions" half-heartily (yes, I can still hear you) fully expecting that we won't stick to them for very long.

 

So, what IS a resolution?

 

Here is the definition of the word, resolve, from dictionary.com... "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full."

 

"Resolve" is the root-word for "resolution". Go ahead and look up the definition for the word "resolution" and you will find a similar definition somewhere in that list given.

 

So, with all of that being said, let me give a few suggestions on making these resolutions which should also help you actually have a little more success at the changes that you wish to make:

 

1. Come to a DEFINITE or EARNEST decision about whatever it is that you desire to change. This would suggest a "whatever it takes" mentality! Too many give up too early and never see success. HINT: Make sure that this goal is something that, even though it may "push" you, will be something that is actually reachable.

 

2. Make a list of only ONE or maybe TWO "resolutions" on your list.

Too often we make too big of a list and do not dedicate ourselves to any of them fully. For example, if you have a list of 10 New Year's Resolutions, how can you be "definite" and "earnest" in all 10 of these? Honestly, you can't! SHORTEN YOUR LIST! Decide what really IS most important to you. Decide what you HAVE arrived at a "whatever it takes" attitude towards and then attack it full force.

 

3. BE SPECIFIC!

"I want to lose weight" or "I want to make more money" is not specific enough. In order for you to determine IF  this goal is something that you CAN have the correct "whatever it takes" attitude about, you must get as specific as possible. One way to do that is to start with your end goal and work backwards. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds over the next 12 months then break that down to how many pounds per month that would be (4.2 lbs. per month) and then even go further than that and break it down per week by either dividing the 50 lbs. by 52 weeks OR by taking your pounds per month and dividing that by 4 to get an idea. Watch this: if you divide it by the 52 weeks then it comes out to only .9 lbs per week and if you divide your monthly figure by 4 it only comes out to 1.05 lbs. per week. Doesn't that help you see this goal in a whole new, REACHABLE light?

Do the same thing with money. Again, if you want to increase your income by $20,000 over the next 12 months you will find that this comes out to $1,666 per month or (divided by 52 weeks) $384 per week more. If you are DEFINITE in your resolve you WILL find a way to make this happen!

 

4. Stay away from ALL negativity!

Do not share your resolutions with ANYONE that will not support your decision. Do NOT share your goals with anyone that will say to you with a grin on their face, "Biting off a bit more than you can chew, aren't you?" You may be surprised at who may actually say that to you so, if you get surprised this way, STAY AWAY from that person if at all possible.

Search on the web or the library for books, recordings, articles about how to successfully achieve what it is that you are trying to achieve. BE CAREFUL IN YOUR SEARCH! Yes, there are a lot of people that prey, specifically, on New Year's resolutions.

 

5. DO NOT GIVE UP!

If you have followed the first 4 steps listed, then you should have the mentality in place and the DEFINITE mindset to achieve what it is that you wish to achieve. Will it be easy? Change is NEVER easy but, I do believe that by following these steps it will be "easier" than it has been for you in the past.

 

KNOW THIS: You DO have what it takes to achieve great things in your life!

 

I'd love to hear your response to this article by either leaving comments below or on the Facebook fan page or even directly at mike@futureyouuniversity.com .

 

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

 

How To Make Things Happen

Before we get started, if you HAVE NOT at LEAST read and/or listened to yesterday's article - DO THAT BEFORE YOU READ THIS!

 

The information in yesterday's post is not just a one-day thing! Make it an on-going process that you involve yourself in and allow your mind to expand DAILY as you do so!

 

Now, let me also say this - today's blog article CAN be read and applied individually and can be applied to any and every area of your life. Make sense?

 

However, as part of this series that began last week, I really want to stress how important it is for you to be fully involved in this whole set and ESPECIALLY by connecting yesterday's information to what I share with you today from Bob Proctor.

 

Now, as I have been doing for the past couple of posts, I've highlighted in color the part of this post that comes directly from the notes I took from the presentation by Mr. Proctor so that you can differentiate between my thoughts and his. You won't find much "colored" words in this post (as you can already see for yourself) because, again, what I'm sharing with you from him is very simple and powerful and to the point.

 

So, in specific relation to the discussion from the last post about sharing one way to make the things discussed there become a reality, I share Mr. Proctor's response:

 

Things Don't Happen Unless YOU DECIDE That They Will Happen!

 

In other words, if you want that to become a reality in your life then you must first DECIDE to make it happen! MAKE A DECISION!

 

Listen to me! This "decision" cannot be a "half-hearted" response such as, "uh, o.k....uh, sure."

 

THAT IS NOT A DECISION!

 

It's much like what I discussed about so many people's "New Year's Resolution" that is done and gone within a month. That is NOT a resolution. There was no RESOLVE (root word) in the first place to carry that through.

 

So it is with a DECISION!

 

I'm talking an "I will not stop until this is done!" kind of decision. This, my friend, is a real RESOLUTION! "I will do whatever it takes!"

 

Do you have that ability? SURE YOU DO!

 

Is your desire that strong? Only you can answer that one. It IS within you, but only YOU can make that choice, that DECISION.

 

Look closely at what I shared from Mr. Proctor - "Things don't happen..."  This relates to EVERYTHING and EVERY AREA in and of your life!

 

If you've followed me for very long at all, you will know that I, many times, end my discussions with, "It's up to you! It's YOUR choice!"

 

As is often said, your "WHY" must be strong enough to bring about such a decision in your life Again, specifically in regards to the last blog article, you must be willing to answer the questions presented there..."How would your life change if..."

 

For things to change, YOU must change.

 

The only way YOU can change (and/or change the things in your life that you want/need to change) is to make a DECISION to do so.

 

So, you up for it?

 

Only YOU can decide.

 

Just know, whatever you do or don't do, a decision has been made.

 

Until next time...

 

"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

Two Great Questions

It seems as if the last few articles hasn't really "stretched" our mindset like some of the ones from last week had done, but that's about to change!

 

I am assuming that if you are still reading this that you are OPEN to expanding your mindset, especially in the area of MONEY since that is what we have been talking about all last week and this week. SO STAY WITH ME!

 

I mentioned on the podcast for this topic that I likely will do one on the meaning of the word "resolution" and the root word, "resolve" since so many seem to take their "New Year Resolutions" so lightly. Seriously, it's pretty much a joke and most people KNOW they really don't plan to do much - to RESOLVE - to make the changes that they say that they do.

 

Here's what I'm suggesting to you today - as we get close to the start of another year, why not set some BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS GOALS fr the year to come? Why not push yourself like you've never pushed yourself before?

 

What do I mean? Well, let's look at these "Two Great Questions" that Bob Proctor shares in "The Science of Getting Rich":

 

     1. How would your life change if your MONTHLY income suddenly became your WEEKLY income?

    2. How would your life change if your ANNUAL income suddenly became your MONTHLY income?

 

Hey, you've come this far, so, again, STAY WITH ME! Go ahead and get out a piece of paper and write these figures down. Obviously go with #1 first and write down what your MONTHLY income actually is (take-home pay). Go ahead and do the math to see what it would actually come out to financially if that amount became your weekly income. Multiply that amount (your current monthly income) X 52 weeks to see what that would mean for your new annual income!

 

WOW! Now notice the part that says, "how would your life change if...", and be sure to do that part. What would that mean for you and your family? What would change in your life? Get specific! (This is a great project to do together as a couple and, depending on the ages of your kids, possibly involve them in it as well.

 

So, yeah, now allow yourself to really stretch yourself and go big with #2! Don't worry if that seems to be impossible but WHAT IF? What IF your annual income could become your monthly income? Write down the amounts and, again, be sure to answer the "how would your life change IF..." part of the questions.

 

Allow yourself to add to this, rethink, adjust and expand on this over the course of several days.

 

For now, don't worry about the HOW, just all yourself to look at those figures and KNOW that, indeed, it CAN happen in your life!

 

Allow yourself to dream and to get excited! Remember one of the quotes from Mr. Proctor from an earlier post where he said, "There is no limit on what you can earn."?

 

In our next article we will look at one way to make this happen that Mr. Proctor shares. Until then, become blown away when you see the difference in what IS and what CAN be!

 

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