Archive for March, 2009
Quick Update
I have had a few people (numerous people , actually) asking me about work from home jobs, and wondering if I had any information on jobs. I found a site that lists a number of work from home jobs. Take a look at this site if you want to learn about some of these opportunities!
http://www.theworkfromhomemother.com/
I don’t know the person that runs this site, I am just listing it here to provide more value to my readers.
Secrets To Success Part 9
Friends, I have yet another secret to help you be fulfilled and successful, whether it be in business or life in general.
Before we get there, though, I am introducing yet something else to be of value in your journey to success. I have had a large number of people ask me for other resources they can use in various different areas of their lives for success. I have some links on the left for some selections at Amazon, which will certainly help. In addition, I now have distribution rights to a huge collection of ebooks, which I am authorized to sell or give away, my choice. As a result, I will be happy to give them away for FREE to all of you, my faithful readers! I will post one per day. Today’s free ebook is entitled “Internet Marketing On A Shoestring Budget”. Download it if you would like! If you own a website, this could be very valuable to your marketing efforts. I have ebooks on a variety of topics, such as business, marketing, sales, goals, etc, so check back daily.
The 9th secret to success is:
Risk
Risk/Reward Calculations
I find it rather humorous, in some ways, that many people will stash away a huge chunk of cash and take it to a casino to fritter away, yet when it comes to taking a risk that has a better chance of paying off, they are scared to do so. How can that be?
Hopefully, everyone reading this realizes that casinos stack the odds in the favor of the house – let’s face it, if the odds were in the player’s favor, the casino couldn’t stay in business very long. I am not saying that casinos are good or bad, I am simply stating that this is a risk that many people willingly take all over the world, without much thought. So why is it that so many people are willing to take a risk that is stacked against them, yet in other areas of their lives they are risk averse?
I think this could be due to self-confidence issues, which has been discussed previously. It could also be because they have not done the risk/reward calculations yet.
We all need to take a look at the risks in life, and the associated rewards, and carefully analyze them to understand if the risk is worth the payoff. This may sound elementary, but I assure you many people that are not successful in life forget about this.
You cannot expect to earn anything worth having without taking some risk. I seriously doubt anyone reading this would take their entire life savings out of the bank and invest it all in a stock chosen randomly. That would be a very poor risk. However, by that same token, you cannot expect one cent of profit if you do not invest that money somewhere. The smart investor would do research, seek advice from those who understand investing, and take a calculated risk based on data and facts. The point here is simple – if you want the reward, you must take a risk.
Successful people have figured out how to assess a risk, decide if it is worthy or not, compare the risk with the reward, and determine if the reward is worth it or not. If you were asked to invest $1,000 in an investment, with a 50% chance of losing all your money, would you invest in it if the potential reward was 10%? A 50% chance of losing all your money is not worth a $100 return on investment. However, what if that same investment had 50% potential to lose all your money, however the payout was $2000? In this case, you have a 50% chance of losing it all, and a 50% chance of doubling your money.This is a far better risk/reward scenario.
I realize not all risk is that straightforward, but the point still remains. If you see a potential area in your life where you are faced with a risk/reward scenario, be sure to analyze it thoroughly before proceeding. Also, be sure to remember that if you do not ever take a risk, your chance for reward is the same as your chance for loss – zero.
Consider these three points while you are learning how to take proper risks in life.
1. Do your Homework
Take a class, read some books, talk to others more knowledgeable than yourself in the area you are considering taking a risk. No one ever started a small business without taking a risk. I recently heard a story about a businessman who, in 1971, took a big risk to start a business no one would have thought would ever succeed. Today, you probably know that business by the name Starbucks. I would say whatever his risk was, it was worth it.
2. Take Smaller Risks First
You don’t need to start out by starting a small business and getting into debt. Start out by getting your feet wet, then proceed. To use the example from earlier, you would not invest your entire life savings in a stock and go for broke. Start out by taking out a few hundred dollars, after following step 1 above, and investing to get yourself accustomed to the idea. You can then expand on that later, as you get more familiar with things.
3. Grow At Your Own Pace
Once you have mastered the idea of taking a risk, and have done the analysis, step out a bit further, and take a slightly larger risk. Just be sure to keep a level head, and keep things in check. This doesn’t mean you should ever do something that could be harmful to you or anyone else, just that you can grow into the idea of taking calculated risks.
I hope this gives you a better idea of how to deal with risk. No risk – no reward is certainly true, however risk without analysis can be just as bad – if not worse. Try taking a few risks, when the reward is there, and always remember to learn from your mistakes.
Secrets To Success Part 8
Part 8 of our ongoing series on Success is finally here! This post is something that I imagine almost everyone is guilty of at some point or other, yet rarely, if ever, really take the time to think about it. This tip can help you in good times, and bad.
Take The Opportunity
The 8th secret to success is:
Be Prepared
I know, that sounds like the motto of the Boy Scouts Of America, and sounds pretty general, but allow me to explain. You might have noticed that we are all experiencing a rather nasty global recession. You may have also noticed that the wealthy are getting wealthier due to the recession. How can that be? Simple – they are prepared. They have set aside funds to use to invest in stocks that are dirt cheap, houses that have been foreclosed on, and vehicles that are for sale at rock bottom prices. The point is – they were prepared. Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have that type of wealth to begin with”. That is fine – the point is, you must ALWAYS be ready and poised to pounce on opportunities. You know the old saying – opportunity only knocks once.
If you are always ready and able to go, you will be poised to take advantage of any opportunity thrown your way, at any time. This can help in virtually any goal you are looking to accomplish. Have you ever been out and about on a nice weekend day, and driven by a park that you had not noticed before, and thought ” Wow, I am trying to lose weight. That would be a great place to go for a walk”? If you were prepared, and had a pair of walking shoes in the trunk of the car, you could take a quick 20 minute walk and burn some calories. This is the point of always being prepared. You never know when an opportunity will present itself, nor do you know the form in which it will present itself. Perhaps you run a small business, and want to ensure productivity remains at a peak. A recession is a perfect time to buy big ticket items, as you can get a huge discount when times are tough. However, if you don’t have a cash reserve for those types of items, you will miss out on that chance.
So many people “miss the boat” in life, not because they were unable to see the opportunity, but rather due to the fact that they were not prepared. If your ship comes in , yet you didn’t pack a suitcase, your ship will sail without you. This often separates successful people from those that aren’t.
Secrets To Success – Part 7
This is the 7th part of the ongoing series “Secrets To Success”.
The next secret to success is very, very simple.
Adhere To A Code of Ethics/Morals
Do everything you do with honesty, courtesy, and follow a sincere set of morals and ethics in achieving your goals, or the other steps really won’t matter. If you get there, yet you stepped on, abused, mistreated, and otherwise wronged a number of people along the way, it wasn’t worth it. Period. There is no reason to feel you must do this to succeed. I feel that if you reach the end goal, and have lost friends, severed family relationships, perhaps lost a spouse, or otherwise lost the respect and love of those around you, you will have no one with which to celebrate. Don’t forget to truly think about what you consider important in that regard. I am not here to tell you what is or isn’t correct in ethics and morals, but I think deep down in our hearts we all know what is and isn’t correct. If you make a promise, keep it. If you make a commitment, keep it. If you owe something, pay it. Those are the types of things I am referring to. Using and abusing others around you won’t make for a very happy life, and the purpose in achieving these goals is to make our lives better, not bring in stress. Ethics and morals in business, relationships, or other projects is essential to true success – both measurable and immeasurable.
Remember, the true measure of success is not have while you are here, but what you leave behind after you are gone.
Part 8 will be here tomorrow – promise .
Secrets To Success – Part 6
This is the 6th part of the ongoing series “Secrets To Success”.
The next secret to success is easy to overlook.
Enjoy The Journey
You have to remember that your journey to success and goals is never-ending. There will always be another goal to achieve, another point on the horizon for which to aim. However, there will never be another today. There will never be another chance to do things in your life that are enjoyable. If you get a chance to go on vacation, do it. If you have a chance to go see a movie with friends, take the time to go. It is very important that you work diligently to achieve your goals, but it is equally important to take time to smell the roses along the way. If you arrive at your goal, and realize that your entire life is behind you, what have you really accomplished? Keeping your head down the whole time won’t make for a very interesting life. I have been stressing the importance of being focused on your goals up to this point. While that is very important, please don’t forget to take a break, enjoy your smaller successes, and live your life. You will be glad you did, when you reach your goals and have memories of your life other than fighting to reach a goal.
Part 7 tomorrow.
Exciting News!
I will post more on my series “Secrets To Success” shortly. In the meantime, I wanted to make an announcement. I had an article published on Ezine Articles, and wanted to share it with all of you.
Have a look, if you like!
Your article, “Overcome Shyness to Succeed in Life” – has been accepted and published on EzineArticles.com:
http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2101794
Secrets To Success Part 5
In Part 5 of the series “Secrets To Success” I want to discuss yet another topic that can help you achieve the things you wish to achieve in life. Today’s portion of the series is something that may not obvious.
Today’s Lesson Is:
Time Management
Using your time wisely and effectively is absolutely essential to success. Every human on Earth is given the same amount of time in a day:
60 seconds in a minute
60 minutes in an hour
24 hours in a day
168 hours in a week.
Time, unlike money, cannot be saved up to be used at a later time. We must use it effectively, or lose it forever. The secret that successful people have learned is how best to utilize those minutes, and still live a full life – all while retaining their sanity .
So, that being said, how does one go about time management? I have found the following 4 steps can help tremendously in better managing your time – and managing yourself.
#1. Be Realistic
Setting out to acc0mplish 50 hours worth of work in an 8 hour period is not realistic, and will only lead to frustration, despair, and failure. Evaluate your situation honestly, and decide what can be rescheduled for a later time.
#2. Make A Plan
Use a calendar or daily planner to map out your plan of attack. Make sure you have recorded all necessary steps to complete, in the correct order, and mark things off as you complete them. If you don’t get to something, be sure to move it to another day.
#3. Manage Stress
Stress can lead to illness, chronic pain, and any number of problems. Scheduling time to exercise and eat right can help, as can scheduling time to play and enjoy life. Be sure to plan in time for fun, or you will suffer, as will your goal. Getting plenty of rest will also help this – don’t deny yourself sleep in order to meet a goal..no one is at their peak when they haven’t slept enough.
#4. Take Time To Learn
Working towards goals also needs to include time for self-improvement, and learning skills needed to better hone your skills and talents. Don’t forget to add in time to do this, or you will begin to stagnate. Keep the fires burning by adding new fuel. Taking Online Courses is a great way to learn at your own pace. Part 6 will be tomorrow – I hope you take the time to read it!
Time management is an important aspect of working to achieve goals. With a little practice, you will see that time management will help you feel more focused, and you will be more easily able to attack your goals with vigor.
Secrets To Success Part 4
Welcome to Part 4 of my ongoing series on the Secrets to Success . So far, we have discussed 3 secrets to success that you need to know :
To recap:
1. Set Some Goals
Part 2. Persistence
Part 3. You must be ready to pay the price
Part 4 is something that very few people tend to think about.
Flexibility.
If there is one thing in life that is consistent, it is change. You must learn to be flexible, if you want to be successful. We have discussed in several other posts the importance of being able to overcome adversity. Being ready to overcome challenges is certainly important, but that also means being able to change directions mid-stream. I think this is a place where many people fail.
Let’s face it – change can be scary. This is the place where many people give up on reaching their goals. As the economic climate and other factors change, we must be ready to adjust and move on with a new approach. I tend to find successful people approach change differently. Successful people don’t see a proverbial fork in the road as a chance to choose a path, with only one being correct and the other being incorrect. Successful people view this fork in the road as two possible opportunities. Perhaps one path will be more lucrative, or easier, but both offer opportunities to learn and grow. The knowledge obtained from either choice will be valuable, and will help you grow as a person. As such, don’t be afraid to make a choice.
Sometimes, if you want to be a winner in life, you will be forced to make some hard decisions. Don’t let this stop you from reaching your goals. Remember the posts regarding fear and doubt, and perhaps read them again if you need a refresher. Look at change as a chance to learn, grow, and continue forward in life. Even if you don’t make the right choice at first, your experiences and the learning that comes with it will be useful in your life.
If making a decision and changing scares you, remember this – even if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. The consequences of doing nothing could be graver than either route you could have taken before. Don’t be afraid of change – embrace it, and view it as a chance to learn and grow as a person.
Part 5 tomorrow…
Secrets To Success Part 3
In Part 3 of my ongoing series, I want to share with you yet another tip on how to be successful. I hope you have thus far enjoyed parts 1 and 2.
The next secret to success is:
You must be willing to pay the price for success.
I think if you ask practically anyone if they would like to have 10 million dollars, chances are they would all respond with an emphatic “Yes!”. If that is true, why doesn’t every have tons of money? Is it because they are incapable of getting it?
The simple answer is: most people aren’t willing to do what it takes to get there. The fact of the matter is, there is no shortcut to riches or success in life. Being willing to pay the price is one of the things that separates the successful from the unsuccessful. Successful people think long and hard about what it will take to reach their goals, and weigh out the cost versus the benefits carefully. If you do this upfront, you will have a better understanding of what to expect going in. You wouldn’t want to work hard all day, day in and day out, only to find that the payout is not worth the time. To use an example we discussed before, if weight loss is your goal, you will know going in that you won’t be able to go out to eat every night at your favorite pasta restaurant. That means you will be making some sacrifices. You will also have to buy healthier food, and not fast food. No matter what your goal in life, you will need to make sacrifices in order to achieve it.
I think many people lose sight of this when setting their mind on their goals, with visions of grandeur dancing in their heads. They may have pictured the house of their dreams, and even chosen the furnishings, yet they have not thought about what they will need to do to get it. Have you ever started a project, then found it was much larger than you anticipated, which discouraged you? I know a couple that bought a nice, 80 year old house. They expected that with some paint and wallpaper, the house would be perfect. What they didn’t expect was that it would also need foundation work, electrical work, new counter tops, and new flooring. After assessing the need, they became discouraged over the huge ordeal necessary to get the house to their liking. This would not have happened, had they expected this going in. Had this couple done a thorough evaluation up front, they would have discovered all the hidden expenses, and perhaps chosen a different house. My point is simple – do a thorough assessment of your goal before you plunge in, and make sure you are willing to pay the price before you start. If not, you will most likely end up discouraged, disappointed, and not succeed in that goal.
I am not, by any means, saying not to aim to achieve lofty goals. I encourage everyone to shoot for the stars in life. I just want to make sure you have calculated the price of achieving your goals, as there will be sacrifices to get there. Whether that sacrifice is time, money, effort, or all three, you will have to give in order to get. Don’t forget to calculate the cost before setting a goal, so you will be prepared to pay the cost. Keep that cost in mind while you are trying to achieve that goal, and most of all, remember why you set the goal in the first place.
The bottom line: you can achieve practically anything, if you are willing to pay the cost to get it. I hope this helps you on your journey to success.
Stay tuned for Part 4 tomorrow.
Secrets To Success Part 2
Today, in part 2 of our series on success, I wanted to talk about something else successful people all seem to have. Today’s topic is:
Persistence.
I believe it was Albert Einstein who once said the meaning of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results each time. People often ask me if there is something particular skill they can work on to be more successful. I believe persistence is one of those skills. It is very important to have a goal, as discussed in secrets to success part 1 and continue to strive to reach that goal. If you are persistent, you can make up for a lack of other skills and talents that may make meeting that same goal easier for someone else. Often times, you will meet people who made it big, and yet they don’t seem to possess any special skills that should afford them the success they have. It is not just due to pure luck. Granted, they may have had a lucky break, but that is only because they kept pushing for it. They did not give up when times got tough. I often find that people do not meet their goals, yet they possess everything needed to do so. You are using the most powerful tool in your possession right this minute – the Internet. Use this tool to help in achieving your g0als. As the old saying goes, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. It is the reason I continue to work on my old Corvette – if I keep at it, it will be a cool car one day. If I had given up the first time I had a problem, I would have quit ages ago.
The next question on your mind, I would guess, is how to start? The easiest way is once you have your goals set, and on paper, you need to start working at them now. Make your goals into an absolute necessity, and treat them as such. Also remember that if you are trying to reach your goals, and not seeing progress, don’t give up – make a change. Find a way to change your approach. Perhaps you need to start from scratch, and use a totally unique approach to meeting the goal. Perhaps it just needs some minor tweaking. Don’t be afraid to experiment to see what works and what doesn’t. The most successful people are those that can identify if something is working or not, and change if it isn’t. They are persistent, however they realize that doing the same thing over and over again expecting it to magically work doesn’t make sense. What happened when you learned other skills in your life, such as riding a bicycle or swimming? You went out there, over and over again, trying this and that until you finally figured out what worked. Now you can replicate that over and over again, being successful every time at using that skill. Why should your other life goals be any different? Try different approaches, tweak your technique, and keep at it until you make it happen. You will be there in no time, if you are persistent.
The trick to persistence is to just start at the beginning. Don’t let self-doubt rear it’s ugly head. Be sure to set a small goal, and start on it right away. If you wait too long, or don’t work on it often enough, you will start to lose faith that you can do it, and you will indeed fail. Don’t let that happen. Start small though – everyone has to start somewhere. You cannot expect to be the fastest marathon runner on Earth if you have never run more than 100 yards in your life. They, too, had to train to run the first mile, before they could run 26.2. Treat your goals as if they are a part of your life – not a sideline. Think of your goal just like you would things such as doing your chores, paying your bills, or washing your car. If you think of it as something that must be done, and you give it the time and energy, you will be able to more easily achieve the goal. The bottom line is – DON’T GIVE UP! Winners never quit, and quitters never win, as the old saying goes. If you make 100 excuses why you cannot succeed, you never will. If you find a way around those 100 things, on the 101st time you will knock it out of the ballpark.
If you make goals important enough in your life, and persist in getting them accomplished, nothing will stop you. Nothing!’
Tomorrow – part 3 in this series.
