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Do You Dare To Be Prosperous?

Moderator — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:45:24 +0000

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 09:06 PM PST

By Helene Rothschild

Are you having a problem with money? Do you feel as though you never have enough no matter how hard you try?

If you want to experience abundance instead of scarcity, you may need to overcome unconscious fears of prosperity. In the course of counseling many people, I have discovered 20 reasons why we struggle with money.

To help people overcome their money issues so that they can allow prosperity into their lives. I have developed a unique process I call HART: Holistic And Rapid Transformation. For example, Joan, a fifty-year-old real estate agent, had earned a large sum of money and managed to lose it all.

I have a favorite saying, “Close your eyes and see clearly.” So I said, “Joan, close your eyes and say, “Money, you mean to me ___” and finish the sentence. She repeated, “Money, you mean evil to me.” I continued, “Joan, go back to the time you decided that.” Joan recalled a scene when she was seven years old. She was sitting in church with her family and the priest was vehemently saying, “Money is evil! Rich people are evil!”

Joan was very surprised to hear what was buried in her unconscious. She realized that she had made a decision from that childhood experience never to be rich. Joan didn’t want to be evil. She began to understand why she had lost all her money.

In order to help her let go of that fear, I asked Joan if she was willing to create a new positive scene so that she could make a new positive decision about money. Joan said she was. So she visualized her priest saying, “Money is a wonderful tool. It is another way you can give and receive love and caring. You can be rich and be a very good person. Prosperity is your birthright.” At that point, Joan spontaneously took a deep breath of relief as she released her negative association with money.

Another example of negative beliefs that cause us to struggle with money, I will explain with the story of Bill, a young, depressed computer salesman. He was afraid that he was going to be fired from his job. In the same therapeutic process, he said, “Money means to me responsibility.”

Bill didn’t like responsibility; in fact, he admitted that he was afraid of it. When I asked Bill to go back to the time he had made that negative association with money, he visualized his dad. As Bill was growing up, he noticed that his dad was always worrying about what he was going to do with his abundance. From the time he was a young boy, Bill often heard the words, “Son, you have to be very responsible with your money. Money doesn’t grow on trees. You have to work very hard to earn a buck!”

Recalling his experiences with his dad, Bill realized that he had made the negative decisions: “Money is scarce; Money isn’t supposed to be enjoyed; Money is a big responsibility; and Life is a struggle.” These unconscious fears made Bill depressed. He now understood why he was enjoying his work for the first two years but then his childhood decisions began to haunt him and he was miserable.

To help Bill overcome his money issues, I guided him to visualize his dad in front of him and to say, “Dad, I love you, and I accept that the way you dealt with your money was your choice. Now I am an adult, and I have the freedom to do it my way. I choose to believe in the abundance of money and to enjoy it. When I feel it is becoming too much of a responsibility for me to handle, I will hire a professional to help me.”

Then I encouraged Bill to visualize himself at the office filled with energy and excitement, and receiving a high salary. He imagined himself enjoying his abundance and working with a financial planner.

I have found that what you visualize is what you allow to happen in your life. Once Bill released his fears of prosperity, and visualized his future, he was able to overcome his depression and succeed in his career.

If you are ready to resolve your financial issues, then turn inward and explore your blocks to money so that you can dare to be prosperous. One effective exercise is to write, “I can’t (and also won’t) be prosperous because ___ (fill in your negative thought).” You have all the answers inside of you. Then change all the negative thoughts to positive ones. Throw away the sheet with the fear based thoughts and focus on your positive ones. You have the power to have what you desire, and you deserve it all. Go for it!

© Helene Rothschild, MS, MA, MFT, is a Marriage, Family Therapist, intuitive counselor and author. The article is excerpts from her latest book, “ALL YOU NEED IS HART! Create Love, Joy, and Abundance-NOW!” A Unique Guide to Holistic And Rapid Transformation. She offers international phone sessions, teleclasses, workshops, independent studies, books, e-books, MP3 audios, posters, articles, and a free newsletter. www.lovetopeace.com , 1-888-639-6390.

Moving from Success to Significance

Moderator — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:35:08 +0000

Deepak Chopra: A Life of Fulfillment

Mike Zimmerman November 2, 2009On his 14th birthday, Deepak Chopra’s father made a small, yet purposeful, gesture: He gave his son some novels by Sinclair Lewis and W. Somerset Maugham as a birthday gift.

Chopra’s father was a doctor in their native India, and he wanted his son to become a doctor, too. Chopra, however, dreamed of becoming a writer. He ignored biology and chemistry in school. “The people I most admired were journalists and other writers who were friends of the family,” he tells SUCCESS. “I had no interest in being a physician. But my father knew two things: that I had a fertile imagination and that those books were all about doctors and healers. At the age of 14, you’re very pliable, so after reading them, I went to my father and said I wanted to be a physician.”

Imagine the knowing smile on dad’s face. Chopra went on to America to become a respected endocrinologist, a medical school professor and, eventually, one of the foremost proponents of mind-body medicine, or the combination of Western medical knowledge with ancient Eastern philosophies. He is also the author of more than 50 books, including Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul, in bookstores now. And today, when you consider that our cultureâ??s standard definition of success is money, fame and influence, Deepak Chopra indeed has collected them all.

But that last sentence cheapens his accomplishments. He didn’t just become successful. He fulfilled his own definition of success. That’s a far richer accomplishment. The fact that he fulfilled the fame/fortune/ power success trifecta along the way (what he calls the “restricted” definition of success) is almost a byproduct. “I define success as the following,” Chopra says. “

No. 1, the progressive realization of worthy goals.

No. 2, the ability to love and have compassion.

No. 3, to be in touch with the creative source inside you. And

No. 4, to ultimately move from success to significance.”

That last part is crucial. It’s what creates people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett— people whose material success becomes great enough that they can concentrate on more humanistic and satisfying endeavors, or “significance,” as Chopra says. Through that work, they become greater than their success, and ultimately, when they’re alone, out of the spotlight, that’s what drives them. “Material success by itself without significance to the common good ultimately is not fulfilling,” says Chopra, and he speaks from experience.

In short, folks like Gates, Buffett and Deepak Chopra are not the type who think about making enough money to “retire by 40,” or some other target age. They don’t think about retiring at any age. They’re at war with dissatisfaction, which keeps them fine-tuning their A-game and their long-term goals. Money is simply the byproduct of that process.

Now, Chopra warns, that’s not to say that material success isn’t exciting. “Oh, in the beginning it’s very exciting,” he says with a chuckle. “Though, over many years of soul-searching and observing people, I have discovered to my own amazement, actually, that being extremely wealthy is meaningless.”

He cites a close friend of his, a multimillionaire, as proof. “This man’s level of happiness or misery depends every evening on an e-mail that informs him what his net worth is, based on what the stock market did that day. What kind of life is that? He’s a classic example of millions of dollars not making a person happy.”

“Material success by itself without significance to the common good ultimately is not fulfilling.”

So the secret is to forget all about money? Not at all. “Financial security is very important,” says Chopra, for the freedom it allows. However, the secret to real success goes deeper. Don’t pursue happiness, he says. Especially don’t pursue excitement, like the kind provided by making and spending big numbers. Pursue excellence. Pursue fulfillment. And Chopra has done that by fulfilling not society’s definition of success, but his own. It’s real. It’s meaningful. And the best part: It’s all his.

“True wealth comes from creativity,” he says. “Somehow, in modern society, wealth and money have become equated. Money is not wealth. Wealth in its true sense is success,” as Chopra defines it for himself.

How does creativity impact success? Creativity is all about its root word: Create something of value that wasn’t there before. Creativity is also freedom of thought directed toward your goals. Very few people embrace this, Chopra says. Oh, they talk a terrific game about life goals and potential business models and cool new ideas to increase income streams. But true creativity requires an open mind and curiosity, two phenomena that have become rare these days.

Why? Today, people don’t have open minds. Many of us are closed off to even the slightest deviation in mindset, even though most people would probably consider themselves “creative” and “curious.” They’re liars, says Chopra, and two factors—the financial crisis and Sept. 11—prove it.

“Curiosity and open-mindedness mean being aware of what’s going on in your world,” he says. “What has happened in the last few years with our economic disaster is the result of not having full awareness of what’s really happening around us. We were forced to do that after 9/11. Now we know more about the rest of the world, and we also see the context in which violence arises, in which power arises, in which ecological disasters occur.”

You might ask, What does that have to do with fulfilling my potential? Well, being locked up in your own mindset means being locked out of the world around you. “Creativity, imagination, insight, intuition, conscious choice-making, love, compassion, understanding— these are the qualities of a core consciousness that we come with into the world as children,” Chopra says. “But then we get programmed into the hypnosis of social conditioning, which says instant gratification is the way to be happy. That’s sold to us every single day.”

Chopra suggests several ways to break open more creativity and curiosity:

Adopt a growth mindset. Chopra says research over the past five years has shown that when adversity strikes, happier people tend to see creative opportunities, while unhappier people see, well, adversity. “It’s programmed through childhood through a phenomenon called mirror neurons,” he says. “If you saw people complaining all the time when you were a kid, that’s what you do. Your neurons mirror the behavior.” To change your mindset, step back and ask yourself, How can I turn this into an opportunity?

Engage the “unfriendlies.” This is not the same as “sleeping with the enemy.” It simply means make an effort to connect with those you have the least in common with, or even flat-out disagree with, and dissect their point of view until you understand its inherent value (it’s there, alright). This, Chopra says, is the hallmark of the creative, curious, open mind. “There has been a lot of literature on emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and how they’re all linked. We have a person who is now president who, on some level, knew all this. He bonded with America in a way that was amazing, despite the fact that his middle name is Hussein, and he transcends in many ways the definition of identity: Is he black? Is he white? And yet, he beat all the odds and became president.”

Read. Such a simple concept, but a hallmark of learning that’s, again, ignored by many (even with pride by some). But reading is what allowed Chopra to fulfill two life dreams. The boy who wanted to be a writer instead became a doctor… who has written more than 50 books. Indeed, you can fulfill multiple destinies. Chopra could not have done that without reading and more reading. To facilitate his addiction, he recently bought a Kindle. “I’m now traveling with the equivalent of 100 books, and I read them all simultaneously,” he says. “Books have always influenced my life. I get a strange sense of joy boarding a plane knowing I’m carrying 100 books.”

Secured Finance - Are Secured Loans a Good Idea?

financialbuzz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:07:42 +0000

No one likes to borrow money. We don’t like borrowing money because we have to pay back interest which is simply money in the lender’s pocket. However, if you need money for a large purchase then consider very carefully what your options are and be aware of what kind of borrowing there is available. Secured loans are one option but as we shall see, come with added risk which could be catastrophic.

If you really can avoid taking out a secured loan – then do so. There is far more risk and more to lose and they are also known as ’second-charge mortgages’. Basically, you borrow money which is secured on a large asset that is in your name which is typically your house.

The major concern is just like with your main home mortgage, if you do not keep up with the monthly payment your home can be claimed back the lender. Your mortgage lender will be paid off first, followed by the second-charge lender.

Because secured loans are typically available for up to 25 years compared with an unsecured loan of around 10 years, the repayments will naturally be lower making them appear like an attractive option. It may seem like a great idea to consolidate your debts or to fund a large purchase such as a car or a big vacation, but ask yourself, is it really worth the risk? You could lose your home and all that you have work so hard to achieve if you cannot make the payments. In contrast, with an unsecured loan the worse that can happen if you default on payments is that you damage your credit rating.

Andy has been writing articles for several years. Check out his latest website on coat rack stands which gives people help and advice to find the best deals for coat rack trees.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_J_Jones

taking irons out

kameronlombard — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:32:02 +0000

we’ve all heard the phrase: “i’ve got a lot of iron’s in the fire.” in my last blog it talked about focus being a central point of attraction, attention, and activity as one part of the definition of the word defines it. i think i must be fascinated by this word so much as i’ve witnessed it’s power and lack of power in my own life.

recently i began to take a little more stock in all of the iron’s i had in the fire, and realized that there have been so many in such a way that none of them could come to thrive. most of the time around this point in the year i begin to think about all of the things i want to accomplish in the next. this of course is a good thought as it is what sets our priorities out for the given time period. but usually for me it means more irons in the fire.

however, as i began to examine this it was as if what i noticed was not that i needed to plan to do more. rather, i needed to recognize that many things need not be done, so that a few could burn very bright. or at least have a chance too. often times being the free-spirit that i am i can get very excited about something and then become un-excited about it in a short time and want to go a different direction. part of this is in personality and part is simply a lack of discipline. yep, i said it. discipline!!!

when we know there is a goal that needs to be met be it in an area of fulfillment, family, finances, friendships, or whatever we know we are meant to be working towards in our lives, it becomes very important to examine other factors that stand in the way of our focus in these areas. no matter what challenges we may be facing there are always choices we must make in the midst of them to remain focused on those areas of importance in each season that we pass through.

even when it may not be fun, discipline to do something and stick with it often is the fuel that brings out the intensity of the fire to keep the irons that we’ve chosen hot. one area of focus may not be very fun, like a particular job we may be doing at the time. but when we see the bigger picture, that it is a means of fulfillment of part of our purpose to provide for our families, then discipline can be applied to it in greater measure.

not everything will be a blast at certain times. yet it is in these times that discipline must be applied to keep focus in an area we know deep down we are meant to, so that we achieve that which we ultimately are created to.

Kameron

Venturing out of our Patch

swalton81 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:13:05 +0000

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes”
– Winnie the Pooh –

Is everyone born with the ability to ‘go get em’? Or do some people get a slightly larer helping when the fall from the Tree of Life? Either way, its a little bit if a conundrum… the propulsion* to head steadily towards formulated plans, without hesitation or diversion, that some people seem pretty good at (say the Richard Branson’s of the world) compared to those that are much more easily swayed from course. What makes them so different from Average Joe who finds it that little bit harder to keep plodding on in the face of adversity?

Me, I wonder if sometimes a slightly larger fuel injection wouldn’t go amiss? Or perhaps a pair of blinkers that might just aid my on my way. Funnily enough, I recently read that as well as the popular association with blinkers in the horse world, they are also ’small bright intensity enhancements’. How apt really - just as by focusing on our intended goal it will also become brighter, more intense until hopefully one day we’re smack bang on top of it and we’re blinded by it.

I think A.A. Mile got it pretty right when he commentated on the fact that we first need to venture out of our patch, following the way of love as we do, laying claim to what we should make of our lives. By expunging those doubts that lay within us about our abilities to achieve, we are able to take the steps towards where we want to be. Afterall….

It is Never too late to be what we could have been.

Amen to that.

So what next for you? Will you start something new? A new hobby? Or will you do that thing you have always done, but just better? Find your passion, singing, walking, travelling whatever it might be…then do it more often (although obviously I’d like to direct you towards wholesome and legal passions please!). Make sure you’re doing it just for you though.

Isn’t it funny to think what we might be ablt to achieve if we didn’t think we would fail? Take George Dantzig, google him if you’ve time, who entering a lecture late at university copied down two maths problems from the board he incorrectly believed to be homework which he then went on to solve and submit. In fact, they were formerly unproved maths theorems being used simply to illustrate a point. The power of knowing no limits – imagine where we could end up with just a little more belief in ourselves. Have you written down 2 things you want to get done by the end of the month, however inconsequential they might be, or even by the end of the year? Start small though and make them achievable. Pin them up on the fridge,on the bedside cabinet or somewhere you’ll look at them (mines in my diary). (And if you can’t think of anything, ask youself whats missing from your life, if anything, are you ok? Are you happy? Would it be nice to have more time alone, or meeting new people? More funtime, time to relax or time to sleep? ).

And in the words of Winnie the Pooh, don’t expect it to come to you, you may be disappointed, sometimes you do have to chase after what you want.

* ( Propulsion, from the Latin: pro meaning before or forwards and pellere meaning to drive)

www.samaritans.org - there to listen

Business Visionaries

Asif Mir — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:18:06 +0000

The days of doing business as we have been doing in the past are gone. We can no longer afford to continue using traditional approaches in managing our companies. Executives or organizations that insist on clinging to outmoded ways of thinking will find themselves standing on the sidelines as new traditions are being established by forward thinking business visionaries. The business leaders of the future are awakening, sensitive to the personal responsibility the public now demands from the business community.

All of us share certain values and beliefs. We value the human spirit and believe that modern society must change in a deep and fundamental way the way it thinks, if we are to have a sustainable future. We also believe that the most effective leverage in achieving such a global transformation is through the business community.

It is doubtful that the business community would take this leadership role out of altruism. However, we believe that if business leaders recognize a need to operate responsibly, and feel that their personal values are in accord with organizational values, they will begin doing business in a new way—establishing new traditions in business communities around the world.

My Consultancy–Asif J. Mir - Management Consultant–transforms organizations where people have the freedom to be creative, a place that brings out the best in everybody–an open, fair place where people have a sense that what they do matters. For details please visit www.asifjmir.com, and my Lectures.

Results are what count, right?

hostedappsandtools — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:09:38 +0000

Results – goals, objectives, outcomes, targets and a plethora of other terms are used to specify what we and others want to achieve.

If you have an ambition to increase your income, to start a business, (either full-time or part-time), to manage your finances, to grow and manage your wealth, to increase your understanding and skills in online marketing, then you’ve come to the right place.

This programme helps you think through and structure your goals and objectives, helps you make an emotional connection with these goals (so important in order to stick with them) and then make a plan to achieve them.

Beyond that, we provide you with ongoing support and resources to hold your hand through the journey until you reach the destination.

Each journey starts with a single step. Take your first step and click here to enter your contact details, so we can guide you through the next steps to your success.

Mark.

Shoppers Going Green Despite Struggling Economy

Moderator — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:02:59 +0000

Date: 23-Nov-09
Country: US
Author: Basil Katz

A sign marks the gardens of the urban farm run by the non-profit group the Massachusetts Avenue Project in Buffalo, New York November 19, 2009.
Photo: Brian Snyder

NEW YORK – Despite the worst U.S. recession in decades, sales of organic and sustainable products have continued to grow, experts say, with shoppers willing to spend a few more dollars in a bid to become more green.

U.S. supermarket sales of environmentally sustainable or “ethical” products — from energy-efficient light bulbs to organic produce — will rise about 8.7 percent in 2009 to nearly $38 billion, according to a recent study by Packaged Facts, a market research provider.

President Barack Obama’s commitment to tackle climate change, a string of scandals over tainted food and effective marketing of sustainable products have helped convince more Americans, whose environmental credentials lag behind Europeans, to buy green.

“I’ve been reading about carbon footprints,” said Lindsey Hoffman, 24, as she selected organic lettuce at a Whole Foods Market in Manhattan, “and though I’d prefer to go to a farmer’s market, this is better than anything else.”

“When I walked in I saw gorgeous asparagus, but as it’s $4 a bunch and flown in from Peru, I stayed away,” she said.

While sustainable and organic goods have traditionally occupied the premium shelves of supermarkets, an increasing number of retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Safeway Inc have expanded their offerings and some prices now rival conventional products.

Some experts say the global economic crisis and the battle against global warming have prompted consumers to think more about purchases — both financially and environmentally.

“The financial crisis reminded people of the unintended consequences of collective behavior,” said Scott Bearse of Deloitte Consulting, who added that once people go green, they generally stay green.

Shelly Balanko at the Hartman Group, a marketing consulting firm that specializes in sustainable goods, said shoppers were realizing that green products offered better quality, along with causing less harm to the environment.

She said buyers now thought, “‘If I buy this, it will be less wasteful and I’m going to get good value for my dollar.’”

Some companies are appealing to these lifestyle changes, such as Kimberly Clark, one of the largest manufacturers of paper towels and diapers, which launched Scott Naturals, a paper products line using recycled fibers.

“There is much more of an interest in this in the last couple of years,” said Kimberly Clark spokeswoman Kay Jackson.

Americans spent a total of $511.9 billion on groceries at drugstores, supermarkets and mass retailers in 2008. So far this year shoppers have spent 1.9 percent more than the same period a year ago.

Sales of goods specifically labeled organic rose 17 percent to $24.6 billion in 2008, according to the Organic Trade Association.

“The more I read and hear about it, the more I’d like to go completely organic, 100 percent,” said Richard Drew, 35, a television producer, as he shopped at a natural body care shop in Manhattan.

(Editing by Michelle Nichols and Vicki Allen)

H1N1 Briefing for Bloggers and Their Readers

Moderator — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:56:50 +0000

November 23^rd 3:30 PM EST

Join the live Webcast to learn detailed information about influenza prevention and treatment, warning signs for parents, anti-viral medications, and vaccinations. A question and answer session will provide the opportunity to engage directly with leading communication and public health experts, including:

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, HHS
Anne Schuchat, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC

Now Playing <- click for latest video

Watch the video archive* of the November 20^th CDC briefing on H1N1 flu and vaccine distribution.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Supply Status
(Totals updated daily)

Quick Question No.5

tattooedmadman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:39:14 +0000

When you plan for success, do you really plan for success or do you think about all the things that could go wrong, all the stupid mistakes you could make and the negativity that could crop up, and try to work out ways to avoid them?

self help

Where is technology today and tomorrow?

Moderator — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:36:09 +0000

Are you capable of comprehending what has and will occur?

How To Cut Hair Short - Short Haircuts - How To Achieve Gorgeous Styles With Bangs

caksub — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:55:01 +0000

how to cut hair clippers

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Shedding Light on Quality Awareness

Asif Mir — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:19:04 +0000

An organization will not begin the transformation until it is aware that the quality of the product or service must be improved. Awareness comes about when an organization loses market share or realizes that quality and productivity go hand in hand. It also occurs if TQM is mandated by the customer or if management realizes that TQM is a better way to run business and compete in domestic and world markets.

Automation or other productivity enhancements might not help a corporation if it is unable to market its product or service because the quality is poor. The Japanese learned this fact from practical experience. They could sell their products only at ridiculously low prices, and even then it was difficult to secure repeat sales. Until recently, corporations have not recognized the importance of quality. However, a new attitude has emerged—quality first among the equals of cost and service—the customer wants value.

Quality and productivity are not mutually exclusive. Improvements in quality can lead directly to increased productivity and other benefits. The improved quality results in improvement in productivity, capacity, and profit. Many quality improvement projects are achieved with the same workforce, same overhead, and no investment in new equipment.

More and more corporations are recognizing the importance and necessity of quality improvement if they are to survive domestic and world-wide competition. Quality improvement is not limited to the conformance of the product or service to specifications; it also involves the inherent quality in the design of the system. The prevention of the product, service, and process problems is a more desirable objective than taking corrective action after the product is manufactured or a service rendered.

TQM does not occur overnight; there are no quick remedies. It takes a long time to build the appropriate emphasis and techniques into the culture. Over-emphasis on short term results and profits must be set aside so long-term planning and constancy of purpose will prevail.

Man's / Women's Best Friend

Moderator — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:21:42 +0000

Our pets often become our best friend. That was easy when Teddy gave up the front seat of the truck for me over 8 years ago. Only gratitude and appreciation for sharing his amazing life with me.

RIP Teddy <2/14/88 – 11/20/09>

Never enough post tags

doctern — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:39:24 +0000

Apparently I have enough time to update my post tag list, nothing new in the land of N yet, trying to figure out how I’m going to interlink all of my story’s into movuies and stuff.

Ignorance Can Make You Wealthy!

Moderator — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:23 +0000

Ignorance is bliss.

This week’s installment of effective coaching toward a successful business. Michael’s message continues to offer the weekly value we have come to expect. Digest the following the be closer to your greatness… CSea Perkins

_______

I was at our local market place savoring a nice apple pie a la mode when I struck a conversation with some people there.

We got around to talking about selling and one of them, I discovered, used to work for the local and very large telephone company.

She told me she became the top sales person in the first month she joined. And then after that her ranking plummeted.

I asked her why that was, and her reply was something that all of us might pay attention to…

She said, “In the first month no one told me I was in the sales department. All they told me during my training was that people would call looking for a phone service and that I was to help them find what they needed and help them buy it.”

“So in the first month you didn’t think of yourself as a sales person?” I asked.

“No, I didn’t! And when I found out I was, by looking at the board where the month’s sales reports is posted, and seeing my name under salespeople, something happened to me… and the number of customers I serviced after that went down.”

“So how did you go about serving your customers in the first month” I probed.

“Well I would ask questions and give them the correct features depending on their requirements.”

“So why did it all change?”

“Because before I never saw myself as a salesperson, and then I saw that I was!”

“And what’s a… ’salesperson’… in your minds eye?”

“You know, someone who is trying to sell something… trying to persuade them to buy our service… I just couldn’t do that…”

“But you could do what you were doing in the first month – yes?”

“Yes!”

“So let me ask you… what if in reality selling is really what you were doing in your first month… and not what you saw on the board… would that have made a difference?”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is… What if the true essence of selling is really what you were doing in the first month… serving and helping people get what they need and giving it to them if you have the right solution… and not all that other stuff you thought it was? Would that have made a difference?”

“Yes. So, you’re saying that’s what selling is really all about?”

“From my perspective, absolutely, yes! It’s also the dictionary’s perspective as well, if you look back a few hundred years for its original definition. The original definition is that selling is to serve, to help and also to exchange… not to manipulate or persuade. So how does that make you feel?”

She laughed and said, “I guess that was what I was doing. Serving.”

“And if you hadn’t read that notice board with the word ’salespeople’ do you think your time at the phone company would have been more fun and profitable?”

“Absolutely, yes… I’ll bear that in mind for the future.”

This particular story has a number of points that will help you with your Network Marketing business.

Firstly, it illustrates very clearly the power of the first principle of Natural Selling. That is, the purpose of your business is to help other people solve their problems. When the lady I was talking with focused on this, her job was easy, fun, profitable and fulfilling.

However, when she started to focus on her “agenda” as I call it (that is, when she started to think that she had to ’sell’ her company’s service) things started to go wrong. She didn’t enjoy what she was doing and her results were not as good.

I talk more about this principle, and the other three principles of Natural Selling, in chapter 3 of my book “How To Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety Or Losing Your Friends!“

Secondly, it demonstrates what selling is really about and how anyone can do it when they see it as it really is, (helping other people to get what they want… and not what they think it is!)

Unfortunately, many people (and Distributor’s) are not exposed to this. As a result have a negative view of selling.

But if you can let them see that selling isn’t what they think it is, then you’ve removed a block that might have prevented them from joining your business. I talk about this more in role plays number one and number five of my audio program “Introducing Your Business And Products“.

So, focus on your purpose and remember what selling is really about. You’ll find that not only will you help other people, but you’ll also get what you want without stress and quicker than you thought possible.

Have a peaceful and prosperous week…

If you’d like to leave a comment about this article please click here

Best Selling Author of “How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends!“ – Selling from the Soul. Ancient Wisdoms. Modern Practice.

How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?

tattooedmadman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:11:06 +0000

Often when I post something on Full Contact Living or one of the awesome lovely special sites I visit, I will get a reply along the lines of “I like what you say and I’m trying it. But it’s so hard to apply to everyday life and I find myself failing…”

Is there anyone who doesn’t relate to this? I’m not raising my hand to this one and I suspect you’re not too. I know only too well the frustration of reading something inspirational in an Antony Robbins book one week, and nothing having changed the following week. Something to remember here is a point I touched on recently regarding successful people. Let me remind/clarify. I can strip down the key qualities to success to just TWO ELEMENTS.

Successful people know where they want to go.

Successful people are willing and prepared to do whatever it takes to get them there.

That’s it. Personal Development was never so easy!

Once a successful person is on course, they will put in the effort – and most importantly the time – to get them to their goal. A musician will practice for hours. An athlete will run laps, lift weights, watch their diet. An academic will study, and study… and study. To the point where most people have got bored and walked away YEARS previously. In short – Successful people will spend far longer rehearsing than they will actually performing. I know from personal experience – I’ve probably spent more hours in a single day of rehearsal than I have in a studio during my entire music career. How many months – or years – did Usain Bolt have to train in order to run that 100m? Years of prep for a task over in less than 10 seconds. I’ve known close up magicians who will practice for hours a day on just one tiny trick – that you won’t even see happen!

HOW COME?

Successful people put more focus on the joy of success than on the discomfort of failure. As a musician, I would practice a riff for HOURS. I’d get it right maybe 1 time out of 20, if I was lucky. But it felt sooooo good when I got it right, I just kept on going until I was nailing it 2 times… 5 times… 10 times… eventually every time (Pretty much!). If I got it wrong, I’d just laugh and start it again. It’s no biggie if I drop a note, I just keep on forging through those 19 bum notes for the euphoria of playing that tune perfectly on the 20th attempt. I’ll apologise to the neighbours tomorrow.

The person who will write a response such as the one at the opening of this issue will have a different thought process. See if you recognise this (I know I do!)

I set a goal or decide on a course of action. I get a picture in my mind of exactly what will happen when I’m successful. I know exactly what I should do, how it should feel. It doesn’t turn out just like expected so I get frustrated and despondent.

Being positive, being “up beat”, changing lifelong conditioning and disempowering beliefs takes time. Most importantly. It takes PRACTICE. It takes ACTION. More accurately, it takes CONSISTENT ACTION. Whining doesn’t figure in this process, and nobody ever said it was easy or will happen in a week.

Believe me, if whining could take the place of action I’d have made it as the most successful person in the world in 2005!

Moving on…

self help

be kind, gentle, curious and encouraging

Moderator — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:31:48 +0000

FBI Suspects Terrorists Are Exploring Cyber Attacks

Moderator — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:53:56 +0000

By SIOBHAN GORMAN for Wall Street Journal

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking at people with suspected links to al Qaeda who have shown an interest in mounting an attack on computer systems that control critical U.S. infrastructure, a senior official told Congress Tuesday.

While there is no evidence that terrorist groups have developed sophisticated cyber-attack capabilities, a lack of security protections in U.S. computer software increases the likelihood that terrorists could execute attacks in the future, the official warned.

Getty ImagesFormer Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, shown here in Washington in September, says al Qaeda has some cyber-attack capability.

If terrorists were to amass such capabilities, they would be wielded with “destructive and deadly intent,” Steven Chabinsky, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

“The FBI is aware of and investigating individuals who are affiliated with or sympathetic to al Qaeda who have recognized and discussed the vulnerabilities of the U.S. infrastructure to cyber-attack,” Mr. Chabinsky told the committee, without providing details.

Such infrastructure could include power grids and transportation systems.

The control systems of U.S. infrastructure as well as money transfers are now connected directly or indirectly to the Internet. Hackers have been able to penetrate computer systems running components of the U.S. electric grid as well as divert bank transfers.

In an interview Tuesday, former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said al Qaeda already has some cyber-attack capability. “I don’t think they’re the most capable in the world, but they have some capability,” he said.

Mr. Chertoff said he expects al Qaeda to develop more cyber-attack skills that would allow them to attack infrastructure that is less well protected, perhaps in the transportation and energy sectors. “It’s only a matter of time,” he said. “They’re getting the capability to do some damage.”

These descriptions reinforced concerns that former Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell raised publicly last month about the potential for a terrorist attack on the computer systems and data underpinning the U.S. financial sector.

“I am worried about some terrorist group [with] the capability to destroy the U.S. money supply,” Mr. McConnell said. The impact of such an attack would be “an order of magnitude greater” than the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said.

At the Senate hearing, officials from the Homeland Security and Justice departments also told the panel that the country isn’t fully prepared for a cyber-attack and current laws don’t provide an adequate framework for the government to fend off such attacks.

“We do need to step up our defensive game,” said Philip Reitinger, a Homeland Security deputy undersecretary in charge of cybersecurity. He said U.S. systems are attacked every day by criminals and other adversaries who steal money to fund terrorist or criminal activities, as well as valuable information.

Among the chief areas of concern, Mr. Reitinger said, are vulnerabilities introduced when components of technology systems aren’t properly vetted for security gaps before they are assembled into larger systems.

Officials also hinted at an internal battle brewing over whether laws that govern technology and surveillance need to be changed to better fend off cyber-attacks.

Associate Attorney General James Baker said the laws are not adequate, when pressed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat.

“We are definitely debating these kinds of issues inside the administration,” Mr. Baker added.

Separately, the computer antivirus company McAfee Inc. issued a report by Paul Kurtz, who led the cyber-security review for the Obama transition team. He concluded that some cyber-attacks in 2007, including Israeli cyber-attacks on Syria and U.S. cyber-weapons employed in Iraq, constitute cyber-warfare.

The report is the first attempt to spell out characteristics of cyber-warfare and analyze how different attacks measure up.

An Award to be Proud Of

Marco — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:42:08 +0000

Well, I recently won an award, which I am extremely proud of.

Yes, I am going to rant on for about two and half minutes of your time about me! I know, I know, people don’t want to hear about others-unless there is something in it for them!

There Might be Something in this Post for You!

Of course this award that I won, may give something to you! You may choose to use my services, buy my number 1 best selling book or engage me at your next speaking event- in which case, you will want to know that I am qualified to have such an honour and opportunity to do so. Your belief in my capabilities will ultimately help you!

Anyway, on to the award! here is what was said of me;

He was recently awarded the prestigious Business Mentorship award at the 3^rd annual Independent Entrepreneur Summit held at the PWTC on Sunday the 25th of October, 2009.

This was in recognition of an independent study and their findings; namely the positive impact he has had on the Malaysian economy since moving there in 1997.

Here are their findings in brief of the positive impact Marco has had; (Source: Raggatz Study)

Created over 100,000 jobs for Malaysians

Created directly and indirectly over 20,000 new businesses and individual entrepreneurs

Created foreign investment totalling just over RM 15 Billion

Directly and indirectly increased the per capita income for salespeople by 8.9%

Created the vacation incentive industry in Malaysia of which now there is a growing industry in Malaysia and across the region

Directly responsible for sending over 1 million Malaysians on vacations they could not previously afford

Thousands and thousands of people and many, many companies have benefitted significantly from employing Marco’s expertise and his unique ability to revolutionise their performance boosting strategies. These companies include, Tanco Resorts Bhd, Citibank, ING, Royal Resorts Asia, to name but a few.

Marco continues to develop products and companies within the region, including high reward incentive programme. http://revelationrewards.com

So there you have it!!! I am humbled and proud to have won this outstanding award. And my message to you? Dare to dream big, take the action toward achieving your dreams and keep believing you can do it.

Dreams really do come true!

One Amazing Secret to Success!

scottepp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:46:55 +0000

In life we draw many conclusions when we talk about success and failure. We look at our peers and others around us and we judge these people by the results we see or the results we don’t see. Just think about a celebrity that we admire or someone in your community that you look up too. Perhaps there is someone in your life that has overcome circumstances and still achieved greatness.

Now spin the wheel. There are people who we know that have habits or perhaps we have habits. Life has a way of knocking us down sometimes and it is really hard to get back up. Maybe these habits have ripple effects like damaged relationships or financial shortfalls. Some of us have seen people in hardship and wondered how that person got there. Others are sitting in our chair reading this and wondering why we’re at that place. All in all life has it’s ups and downs and sometimes we think it’s more down than up. So, what can we do so spring up from our chair? What can we do to stop sitting down in our problems and start walking through them? Where can we turn when life’s paths are hindering us?

I can relate to these feelings and emotions. I confess that at times I get pushed back and feel like just complaining about life’s wrong turns and upsets. I’ve sad in my misery at times and I’ve wallowed about my upsets. I have also been discouraged at the actions of others. A little story from my life may be very relatable to you. I have for nearly 10 years been a landlord. I’ve owned many properties and have rented to hundreds of different tenants. Through this time I’ve experienced the heights of disrespect as people have left my houses in huge repair and damage. I’ve had tenants take pellet guns and shoot holes in the walls, Tear up carpets, smash down doors, break windows and stain carpets beyond cleaning. this week a tenant failed to pay rent and left my house with a broken window. When this happens you do feel taken advantage of. Later in this column I will use these set backs as an example of how to apply one amazing secret to success.

In these same ways you may have some situation in your life that’s left you deflated, disrespected or taken advantage of. Identify with these feelings and emotions and taken a few moments to be real about them. And now! Practise a “ONE VERY POWERFUL TOOL FOR SUCCESS!”

IT’S A VERY SIMPLE PRINCIPLE, YET VERY PROFOUND. SO MUCH SO THAT IF YOU HARNESSED IT YOU WOULD BE LIVING WITH MORE ABUNDANCE AND SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE. HERE IT IS, ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

ONE AMAZING SECRET TO SUCCESS IS WHEN YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, GET BACK UP AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

In life we’re all going to be knocked to the ground. We’re all going to get beat up by life sometimes. We’re all going to get knocked down. We’re all going to feel the hurt of other people’s choices as they come crashing down on us. Some of these bombs will be dropped on us unexpectedly and knock us to the ground in an instant. Marriage can be hard, career choices can be hard, knowing which way to turn can be hard, friendships can be hard, losing loved ones is hard, longing o be with someone and have it not happen is hard, getting out from under a desolate cloud of despair and defeat is hard, recovering from addictions is hard, finding out how to make ends meet is hard… The ache of life may be more than you’re able. Hold on, don’t give up. Don’t close your eyes. The light will break through the clouds. When we step out from under defeat and bounce back from life’s hard blows we come back stronger than before. Stronger than ever. I petition you to hold on, don’t give up. Get back up when you get knocked down. Keep moving forward. Move forward and steady yourself for your next hit because it will come. The next hit may not knock you to the ground because you’ll have a stronger fortitude from hits you’ve already taken. Now if you get knocked down the next time. Don’t despair. Get back up, life is always worth fighting for. There is always hope and there is always light. After all our reward is not really here on earth.

In a previous job I was required to make a lot of cold calls to businesses. At times it was difficult to pick the phone back up and make another call after a series of hang ups or calls with little result. A friend at this job (and Rocky when you read this you know who you are) and I would quote Rocky Balboa when we got knocked down. We’d quote Rocky VI ”The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” Click the following link to view the expanded version of this inspirational speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5OookwOoY

Relating this amazing secret to success with my disappointments with tenants I derive these new perspectives. First I have accepted that the prize of having rental properties being paid off and the reward of income out weighs the negatives that do come from some tenants disrespect. Second I like to think of these types of situations as riding a roller coaster. I bought a ticket for a roller coaster ride when I purchased my first rental property. I may be afraid of the spins and turns on that ride at times but I remind myself that I bought the ticket for the ride and I’ve got to ride it. There’s no getting off half way. I might as well enjoy the ride. Thirdly, I can always learn from the challenges that knocked me down to minimize the change of another set back. Fourthly I Will Get back up and move forward. The faster I get back up and move forward the stronger I’ll be and the better I’ll feel about my situation. Additionally I’ve learnt through all types of set backs that it’s best to get back up as fast as you can and move forward. The people who have become the most successful at things in life have suffered many set backs. Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Mozart and Mother Theresa all took hits but they never gave up. The got back up and kept on moving forward. The faster you get back up when you take a hit the more you’ll be able to take the next time and the more you move forward and learn from your past hits the more you’ll avoid future hits. “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

This weeks Reflect and Apply

Reflect on the hits that life is giving you. Now think of what it would be like if you stayed down for a minute longer… an hour longer… a day longer… a month longer… What would you life be like if you stayed down that long?

Now Reflect on the hits that life is giving you again. Now think of what it would be like if you got up from your current hit. Then you got hit again, and again and again but each time you got stronger and you keeped on getting up and moving forward. Then you relatized one day that that it didn’t really matter how many times life hit you, it only mattered that you got back up and kept moving forward.

Direct Sales and Network Marketing by former President Bill Clinton

Moderator — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:46:05 +0000

Gratitude and the Mint

The Mint — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:01:18 +0000

11/16/09 – 7,919 steps

Food Journal – No

Good morning Mintdom,

I am going to love my new office – that is for sure! It is easier to get my step count up there. ha ha – it is all about the steps! In addition, the gym in my office opened this week – yes, there is a gym there – free! A friend of mine and I are thinking about getting together at that gym after work one day a week, and inviting others to join us. lol I know, I am always thinking of new ways to get in shape – no matter who I have to drag along with me. LOL!! I am a little obsessed with this health thing!

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” -Brian Tracy

Sometimes I focus too much on achieving and attaining, that I forget to just BE, and enjoy what I have around me right now. That is why that little tea I went to this weekend was so important; it slowed me down a little, at least enough to look around and appreciate my life as it is right now. Therefore, I want to say this, I am grateful for my life and the ability to enjoy it. I am grateful for all of you. Thank you for all that you do, for the examples that you are, and for all the love and support that you give. I appreciate each one of you.

AffirMINTion: I grateful for who I am and what I have right now

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

Life is good!

PS Someone started this on Facebook, but I think I will start it here. Each day I will post one thing that I am grateful for. Feel free to post what you are grateful for on www.Mintdom.com.

Today, I am grateful for my new office.

Servants Maintain a Low Profile

Moderator — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:57:03 +0000

by Rick Warren

And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (TEV)

Real servants maintain a low profile. Servants don’t promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they “put on the apron of humility, to serve one another” (1 Peter 5:5 TEV).If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don’t allow notoriety to distract them from their work. Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it “eyeservice,” serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are (Ephesians 6:6 KJV; Colossians 3:22 KJV).

This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Jesus hated this attitude and warned, “When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1 CEV).

Self-promotion and servanthood don’t mix. Real servants don’t serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NIV).

You won’t find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it whenever possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Joseph is a great example. He didn’t draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh’s baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant’s heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.

You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He has every hair on your head numbered, and he knows your address.