tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41933803565366282562024-02-20T03:37:24.639-05:00The Millionaire JourneyIt's a Journey and a DestinationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-75618589940980054312011-09-05T08:33:00.003-04:002011-09-05T08:49:58.043-04:00Finding the Right Place<div align="left"><em>Authored by Rickey Combs </em></div>
<br />
<br />I’ve been using my<a href="http://www.satellitestarinternet.com/hughes-net/south-dakota/"> satellite star internet </a>to hunt for properties the last two years and I finally found the place I think I’m going to call home. It needs a lot of work but I think I can do it since I worked in construction in college and I’ve got a lot of experience with things like<a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-tile-a-shower/index.html"> tiling </a>and painting and stuff like that. Any of the more challenging stuff I’m going to have to farm out but I don’t mind since I’m really looking at this place like an investment. It’s on the market for an incredible price and all that’s left to do is have a home inspection so I guess I’ll find out next Tuesday if there really is a reason it’s so cheap. I’m crossing my fingers because I’ve heard this is where most purchases fall through and that’s the last thing I want to happen now that I’ve found the house of my dreams. Hopefully in a few months I’ll be moving into my brand new house on Main Street!
<br />
<br /><em></em>
<br /><em></em>
<br /><em></em>
<br /><em></em>
<br />
<br /><em></em>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-24462906186381859472011-08-16T02:09:00.002-04:002011-08-16T02:09:30.606-04:00Divorce Your Fears and Marry Your Dreams<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsRxTcQ8c-TxIN3xqMa-3nLjwROfKD06vkha9p3jPJcOBXOm1oBqjX2hlUQ2gTmN_L_hF2ts6Q4MMomUuzSC_5WN-AxZhiiOo-V29rZcpkRWSaadboWh2Xsz4ePcL3ZdmzSvTPsscE4ki/s1600/Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsRxTcQ8c-TxIN3xqMa-3nLjwROfKD06vkha9p3jPJcOBXOm1oBqjX2hlUQ2gTmN_L_hF2ts6Q4MMomUuzSC_5WN-AxZhiiOo-V29rZcpkRWSaadboWh2Xsz4ePcL3ZdmzSvTPsscE4ki/s320/Winner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">“Some people were never meant to walk with you into destiny, but to the door of destiny. Be okay with people who can't "go on through."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was listening to a friend today tell me that she hadn’t achieved the level of success she wanted because she was trying to get all her friends and family to come along with her.<span> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>She remarked and I quote:<span> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>“I don’t want to be rich by myself!” Seriously, are you kidding me?<span> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Believe me, if it’s one thing I know it’s that if you’re rich you won’t be by yourself.<span> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>You will find a litany of friends, family and others who will come out of the wood work to “befriend” you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But all joking aside, it got me to thinking how many of us are putting destiny on hold waiting on others to get motivated?<span> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>This is an issue for a lot of folks especially if they are the first in their circle of friends and family to obtain success. They fear their success will ruin friendships or beget them envy. They also believe they owe it to others to help them be successful so they dim their light to help others shine. But honestly, what I think when I hear others say that is fear talking. It’s not the fear of leaving others behind but the fear of moving ahead or on so they don’t want to take the journey by themselves because they don’t know what to expect.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Whenever I have fear or doubt, I remember these wise words from one of my favorite movies, The Notebook: “if you’re ever going to be successful, you have to cheat on your fears, break up with your doubts, get engage to your faith and marry your dreams.” After all, marrying your dreams is the ultimate end game and if you’re ever going to walk through the door of destiny to marry your dreams, it may mean you have to be ok walking through the door alone and being ok with those who choose not to</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ever have this fear of walking alone? What have you done to push yourself through the door of destiny?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Kim Crouch is one of the founders of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>The Millionaire Journey<i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and author of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i><a href="http://mothertoson.blogspot.com/">Mother to Son</a><i>.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-84486099320209061542011-08-08T04:37:00.004-04:002011-08-08T07:22:18.979-04:00Are You Thinking Big Enough to be Rich?<blockquote><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCKqBijRRQLhS0CPIpUdAGnP1zCSNs7Aj1vr4AXADe6tHyCKBZkE-fRu7xF09lFh-IVMiQdsEPH8ZyjVBkkmSgIFeYxqYZadwa_K_xr-jxAgUdbJPGJHWQisaXg34gL-taa2aq8uhM0q9/s320/Wealth+Consciousness.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638431062067486818" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></blockquote><div>"You will not achieve wealth without a wealth consciousness."</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Good morning future milliona</span>ires.<span> </span>Today, ask yourself are you living a wealth conscious life? <span> </span>Before you answer “yes” too quickly, I want you to read this post, keep an open mind and then ask yourself are you really living a wealth conscious life.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Over the last several years, we’ve heard a lot about the Law of Attraction. In fact, the Law of Attraction has become widely accepted <span> </span>and really is not doubted.<span> </span>However, at the core of the Law of Attraction is whether or not you are wealth conscious. What’s wealth consciousness? It means having a mindset that allows you to attract rather than repel wealth.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">So many of us think we’re attracting wealth when in fact we’re repealing wealth because we don’t know our true thoughts about wealth. Many of those thoughts stem from childhood or from what we’ve seen.<span> </span>Without becoming too much of a psychologist, it’s important to understand what you really are thinking about wealth. For example, do you always live in fear of money? Do you think no matter how much money you have you’re still poor or do you have negative thoughts about wealth? If so, you have a poverty conscious.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">People who have a wealth conscious feel good about money and seldom worry about it because they have the confidence in their ability to attract money to them. Understanding your mind set and whether you have a positive wealth conscious is a good way to start to make sure that your consciousness and your desires are in alignment otherwise your thoughts could be sabotaging you. <span> </span><u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Here are some good ways to make sure you stay wealth conscious:<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"></div><ol><li style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Affirmations.<span> </span>Affirmations are a good way to train your mind and preempt any negative thoughts about money.<span> </span>I use affirmations throughout the day to help me as negative thoughts crept in.<span> </span>I have the all over my house and in my car. They are everywhere.</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Generating Ideas. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Every day I try to generate at least 20 income earning or money making ideas. They don’t have to be million dollar ideas. They are merely ideas to train my mind so that it looks at new ways of making money. Each day I try to get more creative with my ideas. This has been one of the best wealth consciousness exercises. The first few days are the hardest but after a few days you will be amazed with the ways you’ve trained your mind to see wealth in places and ideas that you hadn’t seen before.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Vision Board. I love Vision Boards. I have them for everything: what I want my life to look like, my relationships, my family life, my house and my business. Vision Boards are great visual reminders of what you’re working for and they allow you to remain passionate about your goals.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Accountability Partner. Not everyone likes the concept of an accountability partner but if you get the right one, he or she can do a lot to help you stay on track. They are great to bounce ideas off on, to brainstorm with and someone who is also like minded. A critical part of any success is surrounding yourself with the right people and person number one outside your life mate is the accountability partner and your circle of friends.</span></li></ol><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">So do you think you’re living a wealth conscious life? What do you do to make sure you’re staying the course toward your goals?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><i>Kim Crouch is one of the founders of </i>The Millionaire Journey<i> and author of </i>Mother to Son<i>. </i></div>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-22344008066979480642011-01-14T01:30:00.010-05:002011-01-14T02:23:12.630-05:00How to Write and Produce a Screenplay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgCjmM-uFUUvx0Y2poDf8mFCo7XG8GgiF2VAz8bJTd465FfZh0-o6Dyf_V44FjVuSrBYien-fcmA07d34YBWf2mfQe5-f4MqWbIJei_nRlHsfgibtfKZSwt5j2hq2B-rgNm8R_zggmzWs/s1600/Tyeastia+Green.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgCjmM-uFUUvx0Y2poDf8mFCo7XG8GgiF2VAz8bJTd465FfZh0-o6Dyf_V44FjVuSrBYien-fcmA07d34YBWf2mfQe5-f4MqWbIJei_nRlHsfgibtfKZSwt5j2hq2B-rgNm8R_zggmzWs/s320/Tyeastia+Green.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561933205894761938" /></a>Do you consider yourself the next Steven Spielberg or Tyler Perry? Do you have a great idea for a movie, but need help putting it on paper? <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millionairejourney/2011/01/17/how-to-write-and-produce-a-screenplay">The Millionaire Journey Radio Show</a> is kicking off the new year with screenwriter and executive producer Tyeastia "Tye" Green. She is a dynamic artist whose talents as a writer have taken her from private journal writer to a self-published producer of three spoken word CDs, author of two award winning screenplays, creator of TH3M! and executive producer/writer of PreDestined. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tye will walk us step-by-step through the screenwriting process. So be sure to tune in to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millionairejourney/2011/01/17/how-to-write-and-produce-a-screenplay">The Millionaire Journey Radio Show</a> this Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 7pm EST/4pm CST, to get your questions answered. You can join us live in the chat room: <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millionairejourney/2011/01/17/how-to-write-and-produce-a-screenplay">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millionairejourney/2011/01/17/how-to-write-and-produce-a-screenplay</a>, or listen live on the phone by dialing 646-595-2996 (press "1" on your keypad if you'd like to ask a question). </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span">Lisa Maria Carroll is a social media maven who teaches wealth strategies through the Millionaire Journey, tweets motivational tips on Twitter, quips about the latest relationship dramedy on The Relationship Buzz BTR show, and mentors single moms through her blogs. To learn more about Millionaire Journey, go to <a href="http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com/</a> or join us on Facebook at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yhdwa78" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">http://tinyurl.com/yhdwa78</a></span></em></span></div>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-5641095419996632322010-12-26T01:33:00.025-05:002010-12-28T00:00:18.757-05:00OPERATION MOTIVATION: Position Yourself to Receive by Giving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lDNv4fgXMvMlYwEpyOR274TGiLvW8M3igmZHL1TjaEMPTuVROe6t9TbBRdbQ7h2T5zarHy9C81i5p11TK78e3j31UvATo7Si5j6lXlGJnOWKZQovSdTpr1w7BjPgPEEghdkjTQ6k851G/s1600/Give+and+Receive.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 285px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555529909064974322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lDNv4fgXMvMlYwEpyOR274TGiLvW8M3igmZHL1TjaEMPTuVROe6t9TbBRdbQ7h2T5zarHy9C81i5p11TK78e3j31UvATo7Si5j6lXlGJnOWKZQovSdTpr1w7BjPgPEEghdkjTQ6k851G/s320/Give+and+Receive.jpg" /></a><br /><div>'Twas the week after Christmas, and the complaints were rolling in. While some people were complaining about what they got, others were griping about what they didn't: <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>I can't believe that's all they got me </em><span style="color:#000000;">or</span> <em>I can't believe they didn't get me anything (whoever "they" are).</em> </span><span style="color:#000000;">And the end result is that we're deleting them from our social networking sites, writing them out of our will, and vowing to never attend another family reunion, right? </span></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><br />Does any of this sound familiar? Is it you?</strong> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Although Christmas is supposed to be a time for giving, it can bring about hurt feelings and resentment when someone doesn't live up to another person's expectations in the giving department. Secretaries resent executives when they don't get the $1,000 bonus and Employee of the Month parking space they were expecting this year. Grown children stop speaking to parents (until next Christmas) when they don't receive everything they asked Santa to bring. And extended family vow to never come to another family holiday party until Aunt Suzie learns how to coordinate a gift drive to cover the things they don't get from all the social services agencies they signed up with. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />These scenarios may sound extreme, but familiar at the same time. And far too often, the people who complain the most about what they don't receive are the ones who give the least. The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. So even if you're a giver who finds yourself wanting to receive more, take a minute to check your giving. Maybe you're not giving enough of what you want to receive. If you want love, give it. If you want better friendships, be a better friend. If you want others to support your business, support theirs. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br />As you continue to accumulate wealth to grow and live your millionaire lifestyles, position yourself to receive by giving. Stay motivated for the task at hand. It may not be returned from the person or in the same way that you expect it to, but it does come back. </div>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-77903585745296195252010-12-23T13:25:00.004-05:002010-12-23T14:23:56.668-05:00Happy Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuDZc2q_4Sxuk7KLJih82PoS0RtdURDHaGEeeDHWZMMy7ujUCxEx2NH18KAEIlMx_KOkqKLddN8YSSL5ixaAP3XqBMhtaUpP6D6CMCiRhgbFVz2FIfzFo7cmwbc3YzveU85H8uJGqdv8O/s1600/Happy+Holidays.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuDZc2q_4Sxuk7KLJih82PoS0RtdURDHaGEeeDHWZMMy7ujUCxEx2NH18KAEIlMx_KOkqKLddN8YSSL5ixaAP3XqBMhtaUpP6D6CMCiRhgbFVz2FIfzFo7cmwbc3YzveU85H8uJGqdv8O/s320/Happy+Holidays.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553948005470501138" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">On behalf of the Millionaire Journey, we would like to wish you a holiday season filled with peace and love. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Enjoy the season, and thank you for being our partners in success. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >Kim and Lisa</span>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-80129930026794457442010-11-23T04:53:00.001-05:002010-11-23T04:53:41.933-05:00The Warren Buffets Next Door<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0470573783" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><br /><br />The holiday season is upon us! As always, I believe the best gifts you can give is the gift of wisdom, education and financial knowledge. Consistent with that, I will soon start letting you know about great deals as well as posting about what I think are great gifts. As a prelude to that, here's a great book (The Warren Buffets Next Door) is a recently released book that I've come across that would be good for anyone interested in becoming more financially savvy. <br /> <br />While many of us have heard of great investors like Warren Buffett, George Soros, etc., this book reveals how 10 ordinary people consistently achieve extraordinary returns on their investments (and how you can, too). The book takes you inside their investment strategies. However, one thing I would caution about this book is that even though this book highlights 10 ordinary people who've done it, one shouldn't assume that it's a easy as pie to do the same. After all, good investing and success come with spending time, learning the craft but this book is a good start and it's a good book for anyone who may be interested in investing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-29975362102802305882010-11-18T22:11:00.003-05:002010-11-18T22:28:30.604-05:00What Would You Do With a Cash Windfall?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD030VttuHX8UPB9zDCJKXK0TH30hf8dOvjAayVH4qPqlTZgdwi_152tNZAAN-ifVv6kJ8qnDUMmLIMm9eirDW6YzpUHnlpB8lYdr8Qn21HBdFa25jPpiVu0cdN7wpUw3na6Rw3UQf5dTk/s1600/It%2527s+Raining+Money.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD030VttuHX8UPB9zDCJKXK0TH30hf8dOvjAayVH4qPqlTZgdwi_152tNZAAN-ifVv6kJ8qnDUMmLIMm9eirDW6YzpUHnlpB8lYdr8Qn21HBdFa25jPpiVu0cdN7wpUw3na6Rw3UQf5dTk/s320/It%2527s+Raining+Money.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541073942797089682" border="0" /></a>It's raining money. Well, not exactly. But it might feel that way when you come into money that you weren't expecting to get: Lottery winnings, an inheritance, a Christmas bonus, a tax refund. So what would you do if you got money that you weren't expecting to get?<br /><br />I know many of us will say that we'd save it for a rainy day, invest it, or payoff debt. But, have you done that with any unexpected cash in the past? And if not, what makes you so sure that you'll do it this time?<br /><br />I recently gave someone a savings bond that I had been holding on to for 20 years. It was a $50 bond, which means the giver paid $25 for it. He took it to the bank the same day and cashed it for $69. And within an hour, that $69 was gone. That got me to thinking. One, it would probably take him about two hours to spend the other bonds that I have for him. (I haven't given them to him to find out.) Two, how much would that $69 have been worth in 20 years if he had added $31 to it, and treated it the same way that I'd treated the bond for the same length of time? What if he had bought two $100 bonds and not touched them for 20 years?<br /><br />With the government bond rates being .30%, he certainly wouldn't double his money. And the same can be said if he had invested the money in a Certificate of Deposit (CD). There's not much of a return on investment there either.<br /><br />Here's the deal. When you're broke, and someone puts $69 in your hand, it looks like a lot of money. But when you look at it in terms of a long-term investment, and you see that you won't get much on your return, you think why bother? Well, here's why you should bother, you have to start somewhere. You have to see starting small as the beginning of something big, because you then start the habit of saving. And as you continue to invest small amounts regularly, you'll start to see them yield bigger results.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feedback Friday Question: Imagine getting a cash windfall of $1,000, $10,000 or $100,000. What would you do with the money?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Is any part of it worth investing? </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4JAGTYPlypvjBS_J23_37HPE-ywGb4T_QWfJTYuCwVyU77f3dFhV6WOx63WNm4_L8ojz_hjA3WMQ93KzW_8pmzljck7KKCB_rfg-o6kVr0bZqEihtqy0w_4y1GWXAIMWE4tMS0qsTIBD/s1600/Money+stacks.jpg"><br /></a>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-49377257541751880762010-11-18T14:15:00.015-05:002010-11-18T20:05:10.500-05:00Shake Those Haters Off!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyVfkPI44885-OXOyGzHL5TlHK6zrCOzQnq-oX-AxFIhg1CFq7E7XdWOSDAw6gUPd_cVsRuxuqSkotp_Zhwj9Fr31QXW3tSKutA-DAkfsKQfVVDg75iLuzyHojlpDKeQiVLeNh2TVgAfD/s1600/Women+Gossip.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyVfkPI44885-OXOyGzHL5TlHK6zrCOzQnq-oX-AxFIhg1CFq7E7XdWOSDAw6gUPd_cVsRuxuqSkotp_Zhwj9Fr31QXW3tSKutA-DAkfsKQfVVDg75iLuzyHojlpDKeQiVLeNh2TVgAfD/s320/Women+Gossip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540982817398648850" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Hater: A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person. Hating, the result of being a hater, is not exactly jealousy. The hater doesn't really want to be the person he or she hates, rather the hater wants to knock someone else down a notch. (Source: <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hater">Urban Dictionary</a>)</span><br /><br />By show of (virtual) hands, how many of you are sitting on what you believe to be a million-dollar idea, because your critics have silenced you? Come on now, be honest. They said one bad thing about you or your idea, and you took it to heart.<br /><br />While doing research online for a project today, I came across a book review that inspired this post. The reviewer gave the book two stars out of five, and then proceeded to cut the author down at the knees because he used the people he knew to make his book a bestseller, and then used the book as a springboard to create a multimillion dollar internet business. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ummm, what's wrong with that?</span><br /><br />It was clear that the review had more to do with someone hating on the author than it did the book's content. The reviewer also has a a print book and several ebooks, but the author of the book he was reviewing has used his as an in to his profession, making millions of dollars training people to change. And when I visited the reviewer's website (of course I went there), I saw that he has a program that is very similar to the author's. So that got me to thinking. Did he give this book a poor rating because his hasn't experienced the same level of success? I can't say for sure, but it's possible.<br /><br />At the same time that I was doing my research, I was listening to a discussion about Tyler Perry's latest Hollywood project, <span style="font-style: italic;">For Colored Girls</span>. And then it came to me like an epiphany. While we're sitting here chatting it up about all the reasons we do or don't like Tyler Perry's body of work, he has already shaken his haters off, and is somewhere working on his next multimillion dollar project. And I was like, <span style="font-style: italic;">dang girl, get a clue. Let these people have this discussion, and get back to work securing another contract for yourself. It's not like this is Siskel and Ebert, where anyone in this discussion is getting paid to give this movie a thumbs up or down.</span><br /><br />As I sit here writing this, I can hear Venus Williams on the TV behind me promoting her new EA SPORTS game. Imagine where she would be if she had allowed the people who criticized her because of her hair and her braces to cause her to not become the tennis phenom that she is today. She certainly wouldn't be promoting a video game.<br /><br />So, go ahead and shake those haters off. Otherwise, you may never develop that million-dollar idea.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-21136804775771491362010-10-22T02:26:00.013-04:002010-10-22T04:13:55.620-04:00Feedback Friday: Why Parents Should NOT Pay for College<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Re7ebJ-1IKvaVbw60DTpMrc9sTefhplJ93DUEOo0m9RYi75INRTSq92d7BqBPDgcyFskE3txLlDAYjeYESPgzN2xWDpT9t9WwlsC5oe22cYI6wVaYm-qHGz3QN64pAt6V9BGvF3c-Azd/s1600/College.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Re7ebJ-1IKvaVbw60DTpMrc9sTefhplJ93DUEOo0m9RYi75INRTSq92d7BqBPDgcyFskE3txLlDAYjeYESPgzN2xWDpT9t9WwlsC5oe22cYI6wVaYm-qHGz3QN64pAt6V9BGvF3c-Azd/s320/College.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530756746455452034" border="0" /></a>Are you a parent who struggles to give your child the best of everything, including a house that's not a home because you're losing sleep at night worrying about how you're going to keep it, vacations charged to credit cards that will take you the next 20 years to pay off, and a college education that you can't afford to pay for? If this is you, then I beg of thee to stop it...NOW.<br /><br />I just watched CNN's Black in America: Almighty Debt, and I was greatly disturbed by the parents who were facing foreclosure, because they're 26 months behind on their mortgage, yet they're concerning themselves with how they're going to pay for their daughter's college tuition to Yale, Harvard or Princeton, while this young lady incurs $400 monthly cell phone bills. At first I was miffed at the daughter because of her misplaced values. But after some thought, I realized the WHOLE family's values are in the wrong place.<br /><br />Where is it written that parents MUST pay for their child's higher learning? I told my children early (probably daycare) that they needed to get good grades so they could go to college.; I never led them to believe that Mama would be paying for anything. Now, don't get me wrong, I would have contributed in any way that I could, but as a single mother raising four children, establishing college funds for each of them on my salary was not realistic. Nor is it realistic for a couple sitting on the front steps of foreclosure to think they can pay for an Ivy League education.<br /><br />The couple on Almighty Debt said that it's important for their daughter to be able to go to the college of her choice. Well, if her college of choice is Yale, Harvard or Princeton, then her grades should reflect such. And if not, then she's already made her choice to enroll at the community college around the corner, where she can get enough through financial aid, including work study, to pay her own tuition.<strong><br /><br />Feedback Friday Question: Should parents pay for their child(ren)'s college education?<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></strong><em>Lisa Maria Carroll is a wealth strategist and along with Kim Crouch, is co-creator of the Millionaire Journey. To learn more about Millionaire Journey, go to http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com or join us on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/yhdwa78</em>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-25677072061036144002010-10-17T18:27:00.004-04:002010-10-17T18:45:50.884-04:00Are You The Biggest Obstacle To Your Success?How much do we limit ourselves? I was thinking about this today as I spent time with my sons showing them how to prepare dinner. Normally, preparing Sunday dinner is a ritual in my house because it’s an opportunity to wind down from the hustle and bustle of our busy week, which includes school, work, sports and a host of extracurricular activities. It’s a time to laugh, share, having fun and just bond around Sunday dinner.<br /><br />Now, on Sundays, I also give them a pop quiz on current events. It is nothing formal but more general conversations about what’s taking shape in our ever expanding global world. But today, I decided to quiz them on how to make macaroni and cheese. It was one of the items we had prepared for dinner. <br /><br />Almost instantly, my older son began telling my younger son to quit copying off his paper. When asked why he was copying, my younger son said because no one said he couldn’t. After listening to my son, I realized he was technically right. I hadn’t said no copying, no cheating, not etc. According to him, he was following the rules as given to him, and it wasn’t his fault that we assumed that the word quiz implied no copying, sharing or discussing the answers with someone else. He hadn’t taken quiz to assume any of that especially since I hadn’t said it.<br /><br />As a good friend of mine said when I informed her of this: “Your son is going to be a good businessman. In school, it’s called cheating. In the real world, it’s called don’t reinvent the wheel.”<br /><br />And while funny, it was also a revelation of how we often place self imposed limitations on ourselves. How often do we imply things or limitations that don’t really exist? What my son reminded me of today is how easily it is too become so socialized that you sometimes forget the obvious or to think outside the box. He also showed me how we impose limitations on ourselves even in situations where they haven’t been imposed on us because we assume every situation is the same. After all, there are closed book quizzes and open book quizzes. My son’s point was why should he make things harder for himself if he doesn’t have too?<br /><br />After listening to him, I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes: “someone else can hold you down temporarily. Only you can hold you down permanently.” Today, I ask how many of you are the biggest obstacle to your success and/or are holding yourself down permanently because you’re imposing limitations on yourself that don't exist?<br /><br /><br />Kim Crouch is a wealth strategist and along with Lisa Maria Carroll, is co-creator of the Millionaire Journey. To learn more about Millionaire Journey, go to http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com or join us on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/yhdwa78.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-74763204580792578122010-08-08T22:13:00.005-04:002010-08-08T22:30:32.633-04:00How To Create Financial Legacies for Your ChildrenI once heard it said that in Japan, when a child is born, an account is started for that child’s grandchild. This is a stark contrast to what we do in America. Our national savings rate is only 6.4 percent and many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, buying on credit and robbing Peter to pay Paul. <br /><br />Last night as part of the Millionaire Journey show, Lisa Maria Carroll and myself discussed how parents can create and leave financial legacies for their children. As many parents prepare to send their children back to school in the next few weeks, this is a great time to begin to talk to your kids about finances or to begin to prepare them for financial literacy. You don’t have to be a genius to teach your children about finances nor do your children need to be teens in order to understand money. You can begin teaching your kids about money as early as preschool. This includes everything from teaching them the value of different currencies, to taking them to the grocery store with you to compare.<br /><br />The truth is by the time your child leaves your home at 18, many experts believe they should know the following money skills:<br /><br />Here are some things you can do to begin to teach your kids about finances:<br /><br />• Learn how to budget<br />• Make and deal with spending decisions<br />• Understand rewards of work<br />• Delay gratification<br /><br /><br /><strong>1. Start early.</strong> You can begin teaching your kids about money as early as preschool. This includes everything from teaching them the value of different currencies to helping them understand people have jobs that pay them money. <br /><br /><strong>2. Budgeting. </strong>Include kids in on your budgeting decision. Everything is a teachable moment about budgeting. With school starting back this is a great opportunity to help them create a budget for back to school clothes or extracurricular activities. Include field trips in the cost of your budget as well. It’s also a great opportunity to help them understand their money (or at least yours) will go farther if they take their lunch. <br /><br /><strong>3. Teach them to shop.</strong> Most parents spend their time teaching their children how to save money. But ask yourself, have you taught yourself to shop? If you have the time, take your children to different stores such as Neimans, Macy’s and even a second hand store to give them an understanding of how to stretch their dollars while getting a good quality product. <br /><br /><strong>4. Everyday moments.</strong> Recognize that everyday brings opportunities to teach your kids about finances. Whether it’s taking them along to with you to the bank, the grocery store so they can learn comparison shopping to tipping at restaurants or explaining why you chose one gas station over the other (if price related even if they sit opposite each other. Also consider playing board games with them such as Monopoly that starts them thinking about finance and property ownership. <br /><br />To Hear the entire show, click <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/millionairejourney/2010/08/08/leaving-a-financial-legacy">HERE</a><br /><br />Here are two good books I recommend parents read on raising financially savvy children. <br /><br />1. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0446677485" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />2. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0963571222" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-55261149324922825792010-08-06T04:55:00.006-04:002010-08-06T05:07:51.088-04:00Leaving a Financial Legacy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLY7GDwrUj2OHoLOg3Df_gaZSQE_jJE5R5zYOh5IkYzn_SsvodGzD968aIPemy-rVAdW_J7SxDueuLe1BI1Eyk6-sBtnGx505bJPq0OvQyixjO_vkW6y_wNP0ZY0XBxfxsWZd_XA1QmRp/s1600/parents-giving-money.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLY7GDwrUj2OHoLOg3Df_gaZSQE_jJE5R5zYOh5IkYzn_SsvodGzD968aIPemy-rVAdW_J7SxDueuLe1BI1Eyk6-sBtnGx505bJPq0OvQyixjO_vkW6y_wNP0ZY0XBxfxsWZd_XA1QmRp/s320/parents-giving-money.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502220782201768498" border="0" /></a><br />What are your saving and investing habits teaching your children about money?<br /><br />In Japan when a child is born, an account is started for that child's grandchild. In America when a child is born, we buy a few bibs, some Pampers and throw a party: all things that are disposable and, unlike a financial legacy, are momentary and fleeting.<br /><br />Our children are returning to the classroom this month, and this is the perfect time to teach them financial literacy no matter how young or old they are. In order to create a financial legacy of wealth, not debt, we must teach our children how to make, save and spend money. We must encourage them to be entrepreneurs and business owners, because we want our financial legacy to be that of faith and values that determine how they handle finances for themselves and future generations.<br /><br />What do you want your financial legacy to be?<br /><br />Join us this Sunday, August 8th, on our <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/1yearmillionaires/2010/08/08/leaving-a-financial-legacy">Blog Talk Radio</a> show (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/1yearmillionaires/2010/08/08/leaving-a-financial-legacy), as we give you strategic steps on creating a financial legacy for your children. <p></p>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-39793648911881197432010-08-02T20:52:00.003-04:002010-08-02T20:56:01.852-04:00Find the Luggage: Time To Send Fear Packing Again!Every now and then, we all suffer from FEAR! According to Wikipedia, Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. As we get older, our fear increases because we believe we have more to lose. The truth is far too many of us allow fear to control our lives.<br /><br />Whatever the cause of your fears, I thought this would be a great time to share with you again the recording of the telerally that Lisa Maria Carroll and I hosted earlier this year in which we discussed the 5 ways to Send Fear Packing. <br /><br />Just remember in listening to this recording that FEAR is False Evidence Appeared Real, and your goal is to not let some perceived state prevent you from accomplishing real things.<br /><br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/1yearmillionaires/2010/01/11/millionaire-lessons-learned">HERE </a>to listen to the audio tape. <br /><br />Kim Crouch is a wealth strategist and along with Lisa Maria Carroll, co-creator of the Millionaire Journey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-88379404353152671212010-08-02T03:50:00.001-04:002010-08-02T03:50:00.147-04:00If You Really Want Wealth, Read! Read! And Read Again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRE5sgAo-39vc3oHXvNZl6_Ot9l7uzHHtYoKpwYCGfLdTkGmYkNHfU6CcWHk-AVqMoAVYd_N_DeF0skj01ZUSqwlzbwOH3baPUxqUp5B7o902VFFnQ6Nf8ct4VVM_mjiFhI2GdhNto9rM/s1600/treeofweatlth.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRE5sgAo-39vc3oHXvNZl6_Ot9l7uzHHtYoKpwYCGfLdTkGmYkNHfU6CcWHk-AVqMoAVYd_N_DeF0skj01ZUSqwlzbwOH3baPUxqUp5B7o902VFFnQ6Nf8ct4VVM_mjiFhI2GdhNto9rM/s200/treeofweatlth.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500161463592880450" /></a><br /><br /><br />I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me or Lisa but we’ve been busy pushing toward day 365 of the Millionaire Journey! I once read a quote that said if you want to be rich, READ! And this is exactly what I’ve been doing these last few months. Reading every thing I could get my hands on. I know that my wealth has expanded ten fold because I've taken the time to make sure I acquire additional knowledge about investing, wealth creation and a multitude of other things. <br /><br />There are some great books out that will help you increase your mindset around wealth accumulation, power of associations and just simply motivate you. They vary from the inexpensive to the expensive but I thought I would share them with you.<br /><br />1. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0595367232" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>. Ok this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. This is a nuts and bolts books from the 6 key profiles of the rich, to how to enter society, this book is a must read! I loved it. <br /><br />2. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0966446127" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> This book is the definitive work concerning Warren Buffet and his investment philosophy. I liked this book because it explained in plain English basic principles of sound business practice. <br /><br />3. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=193391405X" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>. This is a great book by two mega millionaires Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump and I found it a great read. This book is less about the nuts and bolts of being rich and more about the philosophy behind attaining wealth. Great read from two of the best who know their stuff. Also available on Audio. <br /><br />4. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0814400485" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />5. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0814400485" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>. I heard about this book for a while and finally decided to read it. Found it a really practical book about the four pillars of personal finance— banking, saving, budgeting, and investing—and the wealth-building ideas of personal entrepreneurship. Geared for the younger crowd, the lessons are simple, easy and work. <br /><br />6. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0385512058" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> I found this to be one of the best books on interpersonal skills, networking and development of relationships that I’ve seen in a long time.<br /><br />7. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kimcro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0979059488" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>. Really good book from Randall Pinkett, the first African-American to ever receive a Rhodes scholarship from Rutgers University. This brother brings the knowledge in this book. <br /><br />Kim Crouch is a wealth strategist and along with Lisa Maria Carroll, co-creator of the Millionaire Journey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-17051083054267336172010-07-07T06:05:00.003-04:002010-07-07T06:23:56.870-04:00Today is the Start of a Journey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vqKtCrK4xhzyUu44DnXZ0X_PCkyzp7Hfp9NvcdpzeGhnNRj6dFfSGaDizT5tP-Jtps_wqOaAie9X0tVoMtw28ZahbUW9gU3ySjj89qfy_hzS8k7RcgRHQ5j99bMO5cW10XERPWpGpIG/s1600/success2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0vqKtCrK4xhzyUu44DnXZ0X_PCkyzp7Hfp9NvcdpzeGhnNRj6dFfSGaDizT5tP-Jtps_wqOaAie9X0tVoMtw28ZahbUW9gU3ySjj89qfy_hzS8k7RcgRHQ5j99bMO5cW10XERPWpGpIG/s200/success2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491105538697835474" /></a><br /><br /><br />On Sunday, our country celebrated its Independence Day. Today, I’m asking everyone who reads this post, what are you going to do to obtain your independence? Your independence could be financially related, it could be the courage to leave a job or garnering the will to up your game. Whatever it is, you have to decide to have ownership over and of your life.<br /><br />The truth is greatness exist in all of us. It’s just some of us chose to tap it and others don’t. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and wondering why some people do and others don’t and while I don’t know the answer to this question definitely I do believe you just have to decide what it is you’re going to be and how you’re going to do it. Once you do, the universe will get out of your way. I’ve seen this time and time again whether it was making the decision to be the first in my family to go to college, the decision to go to law school, the decision to write a book, to start a publishing company or even now, the road to the Millionaire Journey.<br /><br />As I see it, many of us never really decide. Our thoughts are fraught with doubts, so called notion of “reality” and fear of failure. We never get to the decision point because there is too much other noise in our head clouding what are just simple concepts: <br /><br />Just Do IT.<br />Just Go For It. <br />Don’t Look Back. <br />Take Action<br />Never Have A Plan B. It Gets In The Way of Plan A<br />Believe.<br /><br />It doesn’t mean the road we travel will be easy. In fact, success and triumph are never easy. But as we all know the journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step. If you simply focus on placing one step in front of the other instead of thinking about the thousand steps it will take you to get there, one day you will look up and realize that you’ve arrived at your destination. I’m encouraging each of you, if you haven't already, to take a single step today and never look back.<br /><br />Your Journey begins today!<br /><br />See you on the success side.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-5550961339375848772010-06-13T21:12:00.002-04:002010-06-13T21:17:44.981-04:00You Can't Be Surprised and SuccessfulWow! It’s hard to believe it’s day 240 on the march toward the Millionaire Journey. I know it’s been a while since we’ve posted so I would check in and let you know how we’re proceeding on the journey. . We’re almost two-thirds the way to D-Day and let me tell you it’s been no joke! I admit that it’s been hard, filled with challenges, but so rewarding. There is nothing like going no holds barred with the world to make your dreams happen. And believe me, the world is rough, strong and takes no prisoners. But, I’ve learned as long as I stay in the ring (even if I’m up against the ropes) I will win and be successful in the pursuit of my goal.<br /><br />I heard a quote recently from a friend, author Jo Lena Johnson who I interviewed for my Passion4Parenting Show. As part of that show, she stated that it’s hard to be successful and surprised. While simplistic in its obviousness, it’s actually quite profound because the truth is none of us can work hard everyday toward goal achievement and be surprised when it happens. Surprise and success really can’t co-exist if you think about it because success is the result of the actions you take every day that move you toward alignment with the world’s purpose for you. Although you may be surprised at the magnitude of your success, it’s really hard to be surprised that you’ve achieved success when you do what it takes and you work hard to make your dreams a reality.<br /><br />Ask yourself, are you doing what it takes?<br /><br /><strong>1. Attainment of Knowledge.</strong> My experiences have taught me that most people aren’t successful for one of two reasons: either they don’t know what they want or they don’t know how to get what they want. These last 240 days I’ve encountered both! There have been times where I’ve had to really have a heart to heart talk with myself to really try to ascertain what it is I’ve wanted from this journey. Part of the problem is that I have many talents and enjoy doing many things and it was extremely difficult to determine There have also been times when I was clear about what I wanted but struggled about how to get that. The key is to make sure you move toward the attainment of knowledge. Are you trying to discover answers for what you don’t know? Are you trying to improve upon any skill deficiencies?<br /><br /><strong>2. Maintaining the Momentum</strong>. I realize that the key to success for anyone lies in maintaining momentum. You can achieve what you set out to but it takes time and it’s easy to get sidetracked, steer off course and a number of things that will break your momentum. It’s also easy to take a break from pursuing your dream because it’s hard work and while you may think it’s only a day or two the truth is all successful people know that they’ve managed to Your goal is to make sure you keep the momentum so everyday you need to do something that pushes you toward goal achievement. Ideally, it’s something big but if not make it small. Just do something. I’ve learned that the difference between those who are good and those who are great are those who are great keep the momentum going and keep pushing when those who are good have said this is enough. I’m happy with this.<br /><br /><strong>3. Power of Association.</strong> I’’ve blogged a lot about making sure that you surround yourself with people who have your best interest at heart. But it’s also important that you associate with the right type of people who you’re your best interest at heart. Mom may love you but the question is whether mom can help propel you forward. Does mom have the knowledge base you need to move on to the next level? Make sure you are surrounding yourself with individuals whose knowledge and experience can benefit you.<br /><br />In the end, remember success is less about luck and more about work. Believe me, if you work hard every day, your success won’t be a surprise.<br />Onward toward success. Keep up the good work. Day 365 is right around the corner.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/passion4parenting/2010/06/09/be-extraordinary">HERE</a> to hear my interview with Jo Lena Johnson (interview begins around minute 2 of the recording)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-34771731571105528352010-04-20T03:00:00.000-04:002010-04-20T03:00:05.982-04:00Take Action Tuesday: Start An Accountability Journal<em>The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.<br />Walt Disney</em><br /><br /><br />Journals are amazing things. When done right and honestly, they give us great insight into how we really feel, think and believe. They really teach us a lot about our self and they often serve as a vehicle of growth. <br /><br />Today, I’m encouraging you to begin keeping an accountability journal not only to record your achievements but also to measure your progress. The truth is over the years, I have come to realize that the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is one thing: action. Many people say they really want success, but one of the reasons many people aren’t successful is because a gap exists between their actions and what they say they really want. <br /><br />Accountability is always the process that determines whether your words, thoughts and actions are in alignment. One way to know if you’re in alignment is to keep an accountability journal. This is a journal where you write down each day what actions you took in furtherance of your stated dreams or goals. If your journal is blank for a few days then you have got a problem because the truth is you should be doing at a minimum 1-3 actions each day that move you in the direction of goal achievement. <br /><br />This is why the journal is such a great tool because it’s an objective measure. If you’re honest with what you accomplish each day, you will be able to really see if you’re moving forward or standing still. And one thing I can assure you is nothing is ever accomplished by standing still so take action today to find out in which direction you’re headed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-1938728815885012482010-04-19T03:00:00.000-04:002010-04-19T03:00:02.511-04:00The Seven Laws of SuccessI recently came across Mike Murdoch of Inspiration Ministries “Seven Laws” for success in life thanks to another Facebook Friend. I’m recapping them here because I think they are great lessons for contemplation and reflection and provide a template for what some may consider the 7 laws you need to ponder, harness and/or live by to have true success in life. They are: <br /><br /><strong>Law # 1 The Law of difference</strong><br />This is having the wisdom to be able to discern difference. What makes you different from everyone else. What problem can you solve?<br /><strong><br />Law#2 The Law of the Mind</strong>Knowing how to focus the mind, to rule the mind, to make the mind work for you, not let the mind control you. To learn, to be focused, to concentrate, to have a picture in your mind of what you want and go for it, like visualization. See it. Have pictures up on the wall.<br /><br /><strong>Law# 3 The Law of Recognition</strong><br />The thing you need is there; it’s just a matter of recognizing it. If there’s something missing in your life, there’s more than likely something you’re not seeing. Most of the time it’s right in front of your face but you are so conditioned and so distracted that you don’t see it. I like this one a lot. Tai chi helps with this, and taking the time for contemplation and meditation. What are you not seeing?<br /><br /><strong>Law #4 The Law of 2</strong><br />Mike Murdoch speaks of the power of covenant, and that the difference in seasons is a person. One person can change your life in 24 hours. All you need is one person to recognize what is special about you, to take you on as a mentor to you, to enter into a covenant with you. Who is that person?<br /><strong><br />Law #5 The Law of Place</strong><br />Where you are is as important as what you are. Mike Murdoch speaks of Jesus, who had to leave his hometwown and preach elsewhere to be recognized. When you are where you belong, your genius emerges. So it behooves us to consider whether we are where we need to be, and if not, where is that place.<br /><br /><strong>Law #6 The Law of Honor</strong><br />Your future is determined by who you have chosen to honor. You must have a code of honor. Honor is a seed that will outlast a lifetime.<br /><br /><strong>Law #7 The Law of the Seed</strong><br />Our offerings to God are seeds that produce a harvest. There are many types of seeds in our life. Honor is the seed for access, kindness is a seed, time is a seed, love is a seed, teaching is a seed, giving is a seed. This law is to work in the financial arena as well<br /><br /><br />Which of these laws is most important to you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-21184036461168387292010-04-04T20:02:00.004-04:002010-04-04T20:09:08.071-04:005 Financial Books You Must Read in 2010Forget everything that you’ve heard about getting rich quick. The truth is there is no such thing as getting rich quick. The truth is if you want true financial knowledge, it is something that you acquire over time through experience and studying. <br /><br />As such, I decided to put together a list of the top 5 books that I think you should read this year. While books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad, The Millionaire Next Door or the Automatic Millionaire are great books that you normally see on the list of the top personal finance books, I wanted to stretch your mind by making you aware of some other great financial books full of financial knowledge. <br /><br />The top 5 books to read this year are:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761147489?ie=UTF8&tag=kimcro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761147489">I Will Teach You To Be Rich</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kimcro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0761147489" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Author Ramit Sethi – This is a must read book by Author Ramit Sethi . It offers in plaing English with great simplicity how to create financial security. It explains saving, investing, budgeting and banking in a hip, trendy way. It’s geared toward the 20-35 age group. <br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0156029634?ie=UTF8&tag=kimcro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0156029634">The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kimcro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0156029634" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Andrew Tobias. Want sound investment advice? Want to learn how to navigate and understand the world of treasury bills, mutual funds, Roth IRA, municipal bonds and other financial vehicles? If so, this is a MUST read. This book is a pretty entertaining but informative read. <br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609809016?ie=UTF8&tag=kimcro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0609809016">Living Simply with Children: A Voluntary Simplicity Guide for Moms, Dads, and Kids Who Want to Reclaim the Bliss of Childhood and the Joy of Parenting</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kimcro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0609809016" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Marie Sherlock<br /> – If you have your finances in order and you want to help your kids avoid the debt and rat race trap, this is a great book on how to raise kids who aren’t materialistic.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470393777?ie=UTF8&tag=kimcro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0470393777">The Ultimate Depression Survival Guide: Protect Your Savings, Boost Your Income, and Grow Wealthy Even in the Worst of Times</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kimcro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0470393777" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Martin Weiss This books shows you how to create a financial roadmap that proves successful even in the worst economic climate. <br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159555078X?ie=UTF8&tag=kimcro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=159555078X">The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kimcro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=159555078X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />by Dave Ramsey – If you want to get started on the path to financial freedom, this book is a must have for you. This book is very practical and shows you how to do everything including how to get out of debt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-11445598097320902822010-03-07T12:30:00.001-05:002010-03-07T12:39:56.892-05:00The Luck Factor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr3HvkPKvoV8s9xESXIuA09jbbnIslbPRqZxzlqM1aH-zRB3rP9z847ZJXG8s4dna8V-jR9JgytjTGtr8L8q662Rom8hqdhIUTMKfzZ2SipRlf6wYlcCks-6ulmcCYzhlFiU0FsD_UQks/s1600-h/luckfactor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr3HvkPKvoV8s9xESXIuA09jbbnIslbPRqZxzlqM1aH-zRB3rP9z847ZJXG8s4dna8V-jR9JgytjTGtr8L8q662Rom8hqdhIUTMKfzZ2SipRlf6wYlcCks-6ulmcCYzhlFiU0FsD_UQks/s200/luckfactor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445945746347039922" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />“Some people dream of a great life, while others wake up and start working hard at it.” Kevin Lawrence<br /><br />The other day a friend said to me you’re lucky. You have a wonderful job, a great family and a good life. Over the years, lots of people have said the same thing to me. Now, I’m not complaining because by most standards, my life is good. I have a job I like, a successful business, a terrific husband and 3 beautiful children. But from my perspective, luck has little, if anything to do with it. <br /><br />The world is full of limitless possibilities and anyone can have much of what they want. Life, however, requires you to work for it. Your success in life boils down to the type of person you are: whether you are a thinker or a doer. <br /><br />The difference between the two is obvious and so are the results. The people who are most successful in their life are those that think and plan 10% of the time, and spend 90% of their time implementing the ideas and creating results. In the time that someone would have analyzed ten different options and looked at the pros and cons of each option, a doer would have implemented those ten ideas and would know for sure that works and would have the results (often in terms of profits) to show for their work. Meanwhile, the “thinker” is still pondering those ideas getting more stuck by the hour.<br /><br />Ask yourself: (1) Where in my life do I think too much? (2) If I started to “do” in those areas, how would my life change?<br /><br />Now start taking action. You will begin to notice a change in your life. The laws of the universe are all action oriented. Simply put: the more action you take the more successful you become so go for it if you are feeling lucky (smile).<br /><br />Kim Crouch, is a Wealth Strategist, who along with Lisa Maria Carroll is one of the two creators of the Millionaire Journey. You can follow them on the Journey by joining the Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Millionaire-Journey/165487378056?ref=ts or the Millionaire Journey blog at http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-79016226308018046442010-02-26T03:00:00.001-05:002010-02-26T06:43:36.303-05:00Feedback Friday: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5thXqCcp0FhjoVhFP7ZCUuUqjJh2IsOPMVI54-3DoHcsREocNSPfEBuXwzRDi6aXBkijMh9PYM9psFbeoMOl8v5d07gXRuZqTImMqI96uhApd_4erJsJYwihD0v4GqFiUJIx7qUtEFiUv/s1600-h/whowantstobeamillionaire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5thXqCcp0FhjoVhFP7ZCUuUqjJh2IsOPMVI54-3DoHcsREocNSPfEBuXwzRDi6aXBkijMh9PYM9psFbeoMOl8v5d07gXRuZqTImMqI96uhApd_4erJsJYwihD0v4GqFiUJIx7qUtEFiUv/s200/whowantstobeamillionaire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442312686234719378" /></a><br /><br /><br />This week was Fight For Your Dreams Week on the Millionaire Journey. We discussed ways you could keep your dreams alive because the truth is achieving your dream really is about the fight. It’s hard, tough, tiring and many days you absolutely just want to give up. But if you really want it, you can’t and you have to fight for it with your heart, soul and everything you have in you. It means despite fatigue, extreme overload and obstacles that appear you have to keep moving, which brings me to the question for today: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?<br /><br />Most people who aspire to be millionaires are serious about becoming one. They are hungry and will do whatever it takes to succeed. They will work 24 hours if they must, they will forego sleep, and they will hustle like heck to make the impossible possible.<br />You have to ask yourself are you really willing to do what it takes because success requires sacrifice and the road to success is often replete with failure designed to test your endurance and desire to triumph. <br /><br />I raise this question as part of Feedback Friday because I wonder if many of us who want to be millionaires are ready to play on that stage. This isn’t intended to offend anyone specifically but to offer some realism because the truth is the world is full of people who will be dishonest and not tell you where you can improve. On the Millionaire Journey, as your accountability partners we are committed to honest talk with you and so this is a bit of the tough love today even though it may not apply to some of you. <br /><br />It is easy to point outward and believe others are holding us back. But we also must look internally and ascertain where we are preventing our own success. We sometimes don't work as hard as we should, we project our self doubts about our ability to succeed into the universe or we fail to simply do what it takes to make it happen. This week I saw people have difficulty complying with instructions, responding in a timely manner to responses to their own request for assistance and a few other things that I think would make it difficult to achieve success on a higher scale. <br /><br />The truth is to be successful you always have to be prepared. After all, success is when opportunity meets preparation. You have to think game on. So this week, I ask that you take a hard look at your strategy, determine what you really want, put an action plan in place and STEP UP your game. Most importantly, ask yourself do you want to be a millionaire and are you willing to do what it takes to get there? Let me hear your thoughts.<br /><br />Kim Crouch, is one of the 2 Wealth Strategist of the Millionaire Journey. You can follow us on the Journey by joining the Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Millionaire-Journey/165487378056?ref=ts or the Millionaire Journey blog at http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-35755489506103718952010-02-25T08:52:00.003-05:002010-02-25T08:56:16.279-05:00Giveaway Winners Announced<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71ZZHLkwg1TZB1yY6nFBh-o4tQ6V6JKs8vAkQ1CO5mNG2OQCouLrv5MV30eDflGxoVI0aZk4vMOAawhuBkqR1Cii4nPzF3t66szP6JWNBAiMu8QoItOumIP2LKkYlyD0tumpjv2oE0MdF/s1600-h/boxinggloves.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 118px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442179568387408994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71ZZHLkwg1TZB1yY6nFBh-o4tQ6V6JKs8vAkQ1CO5mNG2OQCouLrv5MV30eDflGxoVI0aZk4vMOAawhuBkqR1Cii4nPzF3t66szP6JWNBAiMu8QoItOumIP2LKkYlyD0tumpjv2oE0MdF/s200/boxinggloves.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's Fight For Your Dreams Week and the Millionaire Journey is trying to help you move toward dream accomplishment. This week we sponsored a Free One Hour Strategy Session to help you stay fighting for your dreams.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The winners for the giveaway are: Jeffrey J. Davis and Adrianna Rivera. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks to all those who participated and continue to keep fighting for your dreams.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-59085483566379413492010-02-23T03:00:00.004-05:002010-02-23T07:59:32.734-05:00DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHAMPION?<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF2Z2KyH5iVOXdDQZAoEysLOM5YVyEVP9VPOO3fRvkLMnxIDB2GWD7EKesHDhdXUx6IF6hLEGo7I7h35fkzV7ZKVCL_xDl7zXZllq2RioQiCZOa55uJDi-wO_ORzRcXN59N4RVs3mF5g6/s1600-h/mikephelps.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 80px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439660030755072242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF2Z2KyH5iVOXdDQZAoEysLOM5YVyEVP9VPOO3fRvkLMnxIDB2GWD7EKesHDhdXUx6IF6hLEGo7I7h35fkzV7ZKVCL_xDl7zXZllq2RioQiCZOa55uJDi-wO_ORzRcXN59N4RVs3mF5g6/s200/mikephelps.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAMS WEEK</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Olympics are still taking place this week in Canada. Even though I didn’t like how the Olympic Committee treated Chicago, I must admit that the Winter sports have been incredible and exciting to watch.<br /><br />More so than the death defying stunts I’m seeing, or, the opening ceremonies, which is always great, I love the Olympics because they are inspiring and epitomize human beings at their best. They serve as a great example of the lessons in fortitude that are required to make our dreams a reality and the payoffs that happen when we invest and believe in ourselves. While many of us won’t be Olympic athletes, the truth is many of us can be champions in many other areas of life if we simply learn and internalize the lessons exhibited by many Olympic athletes:<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #1 –Self Discipline.</strong><br />Say what you like about Olympic athletes, but you can’t dispute they are the most disciplined group of people we may ever know. They practice for hours and they play despite injury, sickness, and fatigue. They never stop and they never give up. They learned a long time ago that winners never quit and quitters never win. With anything you want to achieve, self discipline is key because you will encounter bad days, sick days and days when you’re just exhausted but you have to be disciplined enough to keep moving.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson#2- Persistence</strong><br />Olympic athletes learned something a long time ago that must of us have a hard time dealing with: failure. They recognize that failure is part of the learning curve and that they will fail and they will lose. But they never allow it to break their spirits, their hopes or their dreams. No, they keep learning and growing and keep pushing until they succeed.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #3-Sacrifice & Hard Work</strong><br />Who doubts that Olympians make enormous sacrifices? While the rest of us are sleeping, going out to dinner with friends and family, traveling and living a normal life, they are doing anything but that. They practice from dawn to dusk and they spend the majority of their day training. It’s more than most of us could handle or deal with and while I’m not advocating spending every waking moment pursuing your dreams the truth is sacrifice and hard work are required to achieve any dream. I remember watching an interview by actor Will Smith where he talked about his success. In that interview he said that he may not be the smartest person, but he was the hardest worker. He stated that if he and another person were on a treadmill that one thing he knew for sure and that was the other person was stopping first.<br />It is a powerful statement about sacrifice and work ethic and it is probably the greatest reason for why Olympic athletes are Olympians. Ask yourself what are you willing to sacrifice to pursue your dreams and how hard are you working for it. Do you spend an hour a day on goal attainment when you could be spending 3 or 4. This week is the week to get honest with your self.<br /><br />Why is it that so many Olympic athletes return and compete in Olympics after Olympics still at the top of their game? It is because they don’t rest on their laurels or their accomplishments. They continue to improve understanding that they are always competing against themselves to improve their time, to beat their last medal count, i.e., to simply do more and be better than the last time. Think about this. How many of us have continuous improvement baked into our success strategy? Not many. Most people, and corporations for that matter, rely on our success. Once we’ve “made” it, we stop innovating and pushing forward. Ask yourself today, are you doing that? Are their areas where you can improve?<br /><br />So now that you know what it takes to be a champion, what do you plan to do about it?<br /><br />If you're having trouble getting started or staying on course, consider our Partners In Success Program. Click <a href="http://1yearmillionaires.blogspot.com/2010/02/millionaire-journey-launches-partner-in.html">HERE</a> to learn more.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193380356536628256.post-11818979342766937062010-02-23T03:00:00.002-05:002010-02-23T03:00:00.313-05:00Crush Your Competition<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3wRadd3E__PJfR-g_G_lErwHjkpzWxTsLj5ShxLBOCJ8_EODMPcC5g1l2kZM_MKx744eUSGKNjlHlb5I72lb2SpYArsxsqatQH77q1762UYB4aDAP643XdFEqv1az5RTCnNNEOY_408-/s1600-h/Shani+Davis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 175px; float: left; height: 220px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440831259803184818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3wRadd3E__PJfR-g_G_lErwHjkpzWxTsLj5ShxLBOCJ8_EODMPcC5g1l2kZM_MKx744eUSGKNjlHlb5I72lb2SpYArsxsqatQH77q1762UYB4aDAP643XdFEqv1az5RTCnNNEOY_408-/s320/Shani+Davis.jpg" border="0" /></a>"You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy."<br />~Arthur Ashe<br /><br /><div></div>Are you ready to grow your business like an Olympian? Over the past week, Shani Davis has done for speed skating what Arthur Ashe did for tennis--won gold medals in a sport not traditionally performed by blacks. Apolo Anton Ohno has done for the winter Olympics what Michael Phelps did for the summer games--won record Olympic medals. And Team USA beat Team Canada for the first time in 25 years.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>Champions don't just happen. These people endure hours of grueling training every day to ensure peak performance during competition. They push past injuries, surgeries, illnesses. When they fall down, they don't stay there. They get back up, and then they get back in the game. </div><br /><div>Here are a few ways you can incorporate Olympic-style training in your business: </div><div> </div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;">Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Self-limiting beliefs are those things you believe about yourself and your business: My business is too small. I'll never make a profit. People won't buy from me because I'm a minority.<br /><br />Your business is limited only by your beliefs. A change in your thinking can turn the tides in your favor. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;">Train Hard. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Have you read any good business books lately? How about attending a business class? Olympic competitors train for hours every day. You should do the same for your business. Attend seminars, webinars, and teleseminars regularly. Read books to stay motivated and informed. Take classes to stay sharp and up on the latest trends in your business.</span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spy on your competitors.</span> No matter how good a team is, they don't sleep on their competition. And neither should you. You have to study your competitors, so that you'll know how to position yourself. Championship sports teams watch videos of their competitors. Before you run out and hire a private investigator to tape the goings-on of the business next door, there is a site that allows you to LEGALLY tap into your competitors online marketing strategy. <a href="http://www.compete.com">Compete.com</a> allows you to see traffic and engagement metrics for any website and analyze competitors keywords for search word strategies.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hire a coach. </span>Everyone has areas that they can improve upon. A coach can help you see your blind spots. They can provide objective feedback, and keep you accountable by providing progress reports.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Are you ready to crush your competition? </div></div>1-Year Millionaireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945094546248183872noreply@blogger.com0