I read this article about successful people. See if you like it –
One of the first things successful people realize is the old adage, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” That is, for you, the fact that your success and your course is up to you. This doesn’t mean that you do it all alone. It simply means that you take responsibility for your life and your career.
Too many people today look at opportunity and figure it is up to someone else to make sure they get it. They look at financial security and hope that the government will make sure they live safely in retirement or in case of disability. They wait and wait, figuring that it is up to someone else. And then the wait is over, and it is too late to do anything. Their life is over and they are filled with regret.
This isn’t true for you however. You know that you must take responsibility for your life. It is up to you.
The fact is that nobody else is going to do it for you—you must do it yourself.
Now, some people may say, “that’s a lot of responsibility.” Friends, that is the best news you can ever hear. You get to choose your life. Hundreds of millions of people all around this world would give anything to live in the situation you do—just for the chance to have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. “It is up to you” is a great blessing!
Here’s why:
1. You get to chart your own destiny. Maybe you want to start a small business and stay there. That’s great because you can choose that. Maybe you want to create a small chain of stores. Maybe you want to have a net worth of $100 million. That’s okay too. The idea is that you get to choose. You can do whatever you like. Different people have different dreams and they should live them accordingly.
2. You reap what you sow. Sleep in and go to work late and reap the return. Or get up early and outwork the others and earn a greater return. Place your capital at risk and earn a return—or place it at greater risk and perhaps reap a greater return. You decide what you will sow and thus what you will reap.
3. No one else can stop you from getting your dream. Yes, there will always be things that come up and people who may not like what you are doing, but you can just move on and chart your own course. There is great freedom in that.
4. You experience the joy of self-determination. There is no greater pride than knowing you set your mind on something and accomplished it. Those who live with a victim mentality never get to experience the joy of accomplishment because they are always waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. Those who take responsibility get to live the joy of seeing a job well done.
Let me ask you a question: Where will you be in five years? Ten years? Or 25 years? Do you know? Do you have an idea? Have you ever dreamed about it or set a goal for it? Are you willing to take responsibility and recognize that, “It is up to you?”
You will be wherever you decide to be in those timeframes. You decide. It is up to you.
And that is very exciting!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Successful Entrepreneurs
I read this article, see if you like it too...
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Brain Colors
I read this article and liked it…see what you think
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
3D Way to Explode Your Productivity
The 3D Way to Explode Your Productivity
By Noah St. John, Ph.D.
"Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out."
— Ronald Reagan
There are three things you can do with the Activities that come across your desk every day: you can DO them, DELETE them or DELEGATE them.
Those are the three D’s — Do, Delete, or Delegate — that we can do with anything that comes into our lives.
When you ask, "What Activities can I DO from my 'want to do LESS' pile (just get them over with)?”, these are what you want to do less of, but that HAVE to be done.
This might include bookkeeping, accounting, your newsletter or any number of other tedious-to-you Activities.
Like swallowing your medicine or going to the dentist, sometimes we just have to DO them and get them over with.
Then: "What Activities can I DELETE my 'want to do LESS' pile (just get rid of them)?" These may be things you've been telling yourself you "have to do". But upon closer inspection, maybe you don't. These are the things you can Delete.
Then: "What Activities can I DELEGATE from my 'want to do LESS' pile - and to whom?"
If you want to truly, dramatically explode your productivity - and your profits - the most important D is to Delegate.
Why? Because it's where you start to multiply your effectiveness and gain LEVERAGE in your life.
This is what happy, rich people do. Happy, rich people gain great leverage by delegating.
Do you think Donald Trump goes around building all those big buildings? Uh, no.
He goes around telling people, "Do this, this, and this," in that weird New York accent. I'm not saying we should act like Donald Trump; maybe for you, you need to delegate the laundry.
Another great question to install your Activities System is: "Who will I be ACCOUNTABLE to for reporting how I use my time, money and energy?"
You may be accountable to your whole group, or just to one other person.
You might say to your spouse or someone on your team: "Starting now, I'm going to Do, Delete and Delegate at higher levels. If you catch me NOT doing this, I want you to call me on it."
Give your Loving Mirrors PERMISSION to hold you accountable for your actions.
This is positive peer pressure: telling everybody that you're going to do something positive. If you fall short, everyone will see that, and you'll be embarrassed.
Since no one wants to be embarrassed (that's one of the world's biggest Why-Not-To), you will FORCE YOURSELF to take action.
By Noah St. John, Ph.D.
"Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out."
— Ronald Reagan
There are three things you can do with the Activities that come across your desk every day: you can DO them, DELETE them or DELEGATE them.
Those are the three D’s — Do, Delete, or Delegate — that we can do with anything that comes into our lives.
When you ask, "What Activities can I DO from my 'want to do LESS' pile (just get them over with)?”, these are what you want to do less of, but that HAVE to be done.
This might include bookkeeping, accounting, your newsletter or any number of other tedious-to-you Activities.
Like swallowing your medicine or going to the dentist, sometimes we just have to DO them and get them over with.
Then: "What Activities can I DELETE my 'want to do LESS' pile (just get rid of them)?" These may be things you've been telling yourself you "have to do". But upon closer inspection, maybe you don't. These are the things you can Delete.
Then: "What Activities can I DELEGATE from my 'want to do LESS' pile - and to whom?"
If you want to truly, dramatically explode your productivity - and your profits - the most important D is to Delegate.
Why? Because it's where you start to multiply your effectiveness and gain LEVERAGE in your life.
This is what happy, rich people do. Happy, rich people gain great leverage by delegating.
Do you think Donald Trump goes around building all those big buildings? Uh, no.
He goes around telling people, "Do this, this, and this," in that weird New York accent. I'm not saying we should act like Donald Trump; maybe for you, you need to delegate the laundry.
Another great question to install your Activities System is: "Who will I be ACCOUNTABLE to for reporting how I use my time, money and energy?"
You may be accountable to your whole group, or just to one other person.
You might say to your spouse or someone on your team: "Starting now, I'm going to Do, Delete and Delegate at higher levels. If you catch me NOT doing this, I want you to call me on it."
Give your Loving Mirrors PERMISSION to hold you accountable for your actions.
This is positive peer pressure: telling everybody that you're going to do something positive. If you fall short, everyone will see that, and you'll be embarrassed.
Since no one wants to be embarrassed (that's one of the world's biggest Why-Not-To), you will FORCE YOURSELF to take action.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Leadership
I read this and it made sense to me :)
You’re NOwhere ready for leadership if…
1. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you can't stand the heat.
2. You're nowhere ready for leadership if at the first sign of controversy you play the victim.
3. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you don't have a core passion for some important, world-changing mission that you're willing to sacrifice your comfort and even your well-being for.
4. You're nowhere ready for leadership if your primary motivator is money. Yeah, it is true that by and large leaders get paid more than followers. But I don't know one significant leader who does it for the money. What I've found is, when you find something you're passionate about that matters and do it with excellence, the money always seems to follow.
5. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you're not a reader.
I heard someone say many years ago that leaders are readers. I've heard men and women proudly proclaim, "I haven't read a book in years." The sad truth is, they didn't have to say it. Everyone around them knew it.
So before you lust after a head-coaching job, a CEO's position, or anything that will require personal responsibility and accountability, ask yourself, "Am I ready for leadership?"
You’re NOwhere ready for leadership if…
1. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you can't stand the heat.
2. You're nowhere ready for leadership if at the first sign of controversy you play the victim.
3. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you don't have a core passion for some important, world-changing mission that you're willing to sacrifice your comfort and even your well-being for.
4. You're nowhere ready for leadership if your primary motivator is money. Yeah, it is true that by and large leaders get paid more than followers. But I don't know one significant leader who does it for the money. What I've found is, when you find something you're passionate about that matters and do it with excellence, the money always seems to follow.
5. You're nowhere ready for leadership if you're not a reader.
I heard someone say many years ago that leaders are readers. I've heard men and women proudly proclaim, "I haven't read a book in years." The sad truth is, they didn't have to say it. Everyone around them knew it.
So before you lust after a head-coaching job, a CEO's position, or anything that will require personal responsibility and accountability, ask yourself, "Am I ready for leadership?"
Monday, January 17, 2011
Leaving a Legacy
The Importance of Leaving a Legacy by Jim Rohn
There are four areas concerning Leaving a Legacy that I consider to be fundamental: a Life Well-Lived, Principles to Live By, The Importance of a Spiritual Legacy and an Impact Legacy and a Financial Legacy. Today, I would like to share on a Life Well-Lived.
You know, I have had an amazing life. I have traveled the world. I have shared my heart with so many wonderful people. I have been fortunate enough to make a great living and enjoy the fruit of my work. I have met thousands of people who are dedicated to personal development and self-growth. I have made it my life's pursuit to teach others the philosophies and actions that would help them achieve greatness and personal fulfillment in their own lives. Forty years ago, it felt like it would never end. Today, I still imagine I have many years left, but I also am more aware than ever that there is much less time left than before.
Leaving a legacy for others to follow is part of what drives me. I followed others who had gone before me. They left a legacy for me. Now I am making sure that those who come after me will have a trail to follow as well. You see, leaving a legacy is important.
Think about those who left a legacy for us to follow and for you specifically:
Your parents
Your grandparents
Your aunts and uncles
Your schoolteachers
Your coaches
Your neighbors where you grew up
The Founding Fathers of the United States, who had a dream of a place of self-determination
Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves
FDR, who saw us through the Great Depression
The many men and women who defended our liberties through the wars of the 20th century so we could live in freedom
JFK, who called us to space exploration and set us on course to have a man walk on the moon
Martin Luther King Jr., who left us a legacy to pursue the dream of racial equality
There are literally thousands of men and women who lived in ways that affect our lives today.
Why is leaving a legacy important? Here are a few reasons:
The legacy we leave is part of the ongoing foundations of life. Those who came before leave us the world we live in. Those who will come after will have only what we leave them. We are stewards of this world, and we have a calling to leave it better than how we found it, even if it seems like such a small part.
Legacies have raw power for good and for bad. There are people who have changed the world for good, people who have opened up new worlds for millions of others, people who have spurred others on to new heights. And there are people who have caused massive destruction for countless millions, people who left a wake of pain behind them wherever they went.
There are parents who have blessed their children with greatness and other parents who have ruined their children's fragile minds and hearts. What we do affects others. Our lives have the power to create good or to purvey evil. It is important that we choose to do good.
It is an act of responsibility to leave a legacy. Because of the power of our lives and the legacies we leave, it is a great responsibility to choose to leave a positive legacy. All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine. I truly believe that part of what makes us good and honorable people is to have a foundational part of our lives based on the goal of leaving a legacy.
Purposefully leaving a legacy for others breaks the downward pull of selfishness that can be inherent in us. When we strive to leave a legacy, we are acting with a selflessness that can only be good for us. Yes, I suppose someone could work hard to earn money so that when he or she dies, a building is named after them, but that is not the kind of legacy we are talking about. We are talking about legacies that make life better for those who come after us, not about our own fame or recognition, but about helping others. After all, we won't be around to watch our legacy. To build that which will last beyond us is selfless, and living with that in mind breaks the power of selfishness that tries so desperately to engrain itself in our lives.
It also keeps us focused on the big picture. Legacy building is "big picture." It keeps us focused on the long term and gives us values by which we can judge our actions. When we act based on selfishness, personal expediency and the like, we are "small picture"—whatever is pragmatic right now. When we build a life that will give for many years, we are "big picture." Ask yourself: How does this action affect my overall goals? How will this affect people in the years to come?
Yes, your legacy is very important. Reflect today on how you are going to build a life that leaves a tremendous legacy!
There are four areas concerning Leaving a Legacy that I consider to be fundamental: a Life Well-Lived, Principles to Live By, The Importance of a Spiritual Legacy and an Impact Legacy and a Financial Legacy. Today, I would like to share on a Life Well-Lived.
You know, I have had an amazing life. I have traveled the world. I have shared my heart with so many wonderful people. I have been fortunate enough to make a great living and enjoy the fruit of my work. I have met thousands of people who are dedicated to personal development and self-growth. I have made it my life's pursuit to teach others the philosophies and actions that would help them achieve greatness and personal fulfillment in their own lives. Forty years ago, it felt like it would never end. Today, I still imagine I have many years left, but I also am more aware than ever that there is much less time left than before.
Leaving a legacy for others to follow is part of what drives me. I followed others who had gone before me. They left a legacy for me. Now I am making sure that those who come after me will have a trail to follow as well. You see, leaving a legacy is important.
Think about those who left a legacy for us to follow and for you specifically:
Your parents
Your grandparents
Your aunts and uncles
Your schoolteachers
Your coaches
Your neighbors where you grew up
The Founding Fathers of the United States, who had a dream of a place of self-determination
Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves
FDR, who saw us through the Great Depression
The many men and women who defended our liberties through the wars of the 20th century so we could live in freedom
JFK, who called us to space exploration and set us on course to have a man walk on the moon
Martin Luther King Jr., who left us a legacy to pursue the dream of racial equality
There are literally thousands of men and women who lived in ways that affect our lives today.
Why is leaving a legacy important? Here are a few reasons:
The legacy we leave is part of the ongoing foundations of life. Those who came before leave us the world we live in. Those who will come after will have only what we leave them. We are stewards of this world, and we have a calling to leave it better than how we found it, even if it seems like such a small part.
Legacies have raw power for good and for bad. There are people who have changed the world for good, people who have opened up new worlds for millions of others, people who have spurred others on to new heights. And there are people who have caused massive destruction for countless millions, people who left a wake of pain behind them wherever they went.
There are parents who have blessed their children with greatness and other parents who have ruined their children's fragile minds and hearts. What we do affects others. Our lives have the power to create good or to purvey evil. It is important that we choose to do good.
It is an act of responsibility to leave a legacy. Because of the power of our lives and the legacies we leave, it is a great responsibility to choose to leave a positive legacy. All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine. I truly believe that part of what makes us good and honorable people is to have a foundational part of our lives based on the goal of leaving a legacy.
Purposefully leaving a legacy for others breaks the downward pull of selfishness that can be inherent in us. When we strive to leave a legacy, we are acting with a selflessness that can only be good for us. Yes, I suppose someone could work hard to earn money so that when he or she dies, a building is named after them, but that is not the kind of legacy we are talking about. We are talking about legacies that make life better for those who come after us, not about our own fame or recognition, but about helping others. After all, we won't be around to watch our legacy. To build that which will last beyond us is selfless, and living with that in mind breaks the power of selfishness that tries so desperately to engrain itself in our lives.
It also keeps us focused on the big picture. Legacy building is "big picture." It keeps us focused on the long term and gives us values by which we can judge our actions. When we act based on selfishness, personal expediency and the like, we are "small picture"—whatever is pragmatic right now. When we build a life that will give for many years, we are "big picture." Ask yourself: How does this action affect my overall goals? How will this affect people in the years to come?
Yes, your legacy is very important. Reflect today on how you are going to build a life that leaves a tremendous legacy!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Earning More Money
I read this article from Success Magazine publisher Darren Hardy.
Money, Money, Money… We want more of it; we love it and all that it affords. Yet it can be the root of some of life’s most devastating experiences—divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure and destitution.
However, money isn’t the problem.
Just like guns don’t kill people, people with guns kill people, the same misplaced blame is applied to money. Money isn’t your problem; your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.
Your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.
Last month I showed you how you can take something that scares you and fear it no more by simply changing your perspective about it. Just in case you don’t recall, the subject was selling, and I had you take the four letter word S-E-L-L, cross it out and replace it with H-E-L-P. Focusing on helping rather than selling not only makes the entire experience far more comfortable and enjoyable, but it’s actually the key to being successful at it.
This month, I want to alter your mindset about this all-important force in our lives, now formerly known as M-O-N-E-Y. Take this five letter word money and cross it out. Now replace it with V-A-L-U-E. Stop thinking about money as money, and start understanding it as value.
That’s all money is: paper that denotes value. How do you get more money? Create more value. Period. That’s it.
If you are employed, why does the company you work for pay you money? Mistakenly, most people say, “for my time.” That’s incorrect. If that were true, you could just come in and sleep. No, they pay you for the value you deliver during the time you are working. If you deliver lots more value than is expected during that time, they will want to pay you even more money—in bonuses, raises and promotions—to keep you and the value you bring. If you deliver less value during the time you are working for them, they will stop paying you money. Or as our friend Donald Trump likes to say, “You’re fired!”
This is not simply a semantics issue; this is a completely different philosophy, mindset and way of operating in the world in relationship to money.
Instead of asking… How can we increase our revenue? Ask, How can we create and deliver more value? Instead of asking, How can we expand our business? Ask, How can we expand our value? Rather than asking, How can I become wealthier? Ask instead, How can I become more valuable?
Therein lies the secret to money. Money is just a tool to exchange value. The only way to obtain tons of money is to create tons of value.
And tons of value is what we have in store for you in this issue of SUCCESS Magazine. While the cover price might read $5.95, the information and advice you will discover to further increase your value (thus, your wealth) is, well, priceless.
Money, Money, Money… We want more of it; we love it and all that it affords. Yet it can be the root of some of life’s most devastating experiences—divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure and destitution.
However, money isn’t the problem.
Just like guns don’t kill people, people with guns kill people, the same misplaced blame is applied to money. Money isn’t your problem; your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.
Your relationship with money and what you do (or don’t do) with it is the problem.
Last month I showed you how you can take something that scares you and fear it no more by simply changing your perspective about it. Just in case you don’t recall, the subject was selling, and I had you take the four letter word S-E-L-L, cross it out and replace it with H-E-L-P. Focusing on helping rather than selling not only makes the entire experience far more comfortable and enjoyable, but it’s actually the key to being successful at it.
This month, I want to alter your mindset about this all-important force in our lives, now formerly known as M-O-N-E-Y. Take this five letter word money and cross it out. Now replace it with V-A-L-U-E. Stop thinking about money as money, and start understanding it as value.
That’s all money is: paper that denotes value. How do you get more money? Create more value. Period. That’s it.
If you are employed, why does the company you work for pay you money? Mistakenly, most people say, “for my time.” That’s incorrect. If that were true, you could just come in and sleep. No, they pay you for the value you deliver during the time you are working. If you deliver lots more value than is expected during that time, they will want to pay you even more money—in bonuses, raises and promotions—to keep you and the value you bring. If you deliver less value during the time you are working for them, they will stop paying you money. Or as our friend Donald Trump likes to say, “You’re fired!”
This is not simply a semantics issue; this is a completely different philosophy, mindset and way of operating in the world in relationship to money.
Instead of asking… How can we increase our revenue? Ask, How can we create and deliver more value? Instead of asking, How can we expand our business? Ask, How can we expand our value? Rather than asking, How can I become wealthier? Ask instead, How can I become more valuable?
Therein lies the secret to money. Money is just a tool to exchange value. The only way to obtain tons of money is to create tons of value.
And tons of value is what we have in store for you in this issue of SUCCESS Magazine. While the cover price might read $5.95, the information and advice you will discover to further increase your value (thus, your wealth) is, well, priceless.
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