tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91427490395607577532024-02-07T03:16:01.414-08:00DENNIS HARTINGStop Dreaming About Success and Start Making It HappenDennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.comBlogger391125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-24932125685834839392015-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:002015-01-12T14:29:08.171-08:00All Things Are Possible<div style="text-align: center;">
"Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve it."</div>
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We all heard this saying a thousand times. Yet how many of us took the time to actually consider what it means? In other words, did you ever think about the validity of this statement. I did and the conclusion I reached is that it is most certainly true. Whatever the mind can think up can materialize in the physical world. In fact, everything around you originated first as a thought. This is one of the grand "secrets" to the universe: thoughts are things and have power.</div>
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Many suffer from esteem issues. This is a conclusion based upon years of misguided teachings. People believe that what they achieve or do determines who they are. This simply is not the case. Deep within each of us is a power that can accomplish anything as long as it is natural for us. Consider this statement for a few moments. Whatever is natural for you, you can achieve. There is nothing stopping you. It is this idea that opens up the world to one.</div>
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Have you ever heard of the stories of people who had near death experiences or situations where they almost "didn't make it"? Isn't it amazing how these people often radically change their lives after suffering something of this magnitude. All of a sudden, living a life of safety and security, which are illusions, is not so important. A person leaves a job that does not fulfill to become an artist or something else that touches him or her deeper at the core. The limitations, which were self imposed, suddenly are removed. Sadly, it took a near death experience to create the forum for change.</div>
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Therefore, I want you to institute change within yourself without going through the horror of almost dying. It starts with the simply belief that all things are possible. The universe operates according to perfect principles. One only needs to look around to see this is so. The waves of the ocean come in and out just as they have for hundreds of years. An acorn will sprout into a tree without fail; never does animal emerge from it. The Earth circles the sun while rotating perfectly on its axis. Nothing we do in life alters this reality. Nature is infinite wisdom, without beginning nor end. What is fascinating is the human race is also a part of nature. Hence, we are apt to operate under the same laws. The sad thing is most fight it and go in the opposite direction.</div>
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Mankind is the only animal with an "advanced" intelligence. However, for being so advanced, we are the dumbest part of the Animal Kingdom. One does not have to convince a cat that it is a cat. A cat does whatever a cat does without fear of "looking bad". Failure does not exist in the feline world (why does it in yours). Have you ever seen a cat go after something (prey) only to miss it? Does the cat sit and pout? Does it question its ability as a cat? The answer is no. In fact, if you walk up to the cat, he will come to you like he just caught the biggest bird in the world. He could care less about what just happened.</div>
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Imagine what you could do if you had this same outlook. How often are you help back from taking action because you are afraid of "looking bad"? Is failure something that you allow to enter your mindset when making a decision? Are you one who is run based upon fear? If so, you reflect most of the human race. fear is an epidemic that is paralyzing us. Fortunately, you are able to break free of it. Again, it all starts with the idea that all things are possible.</div>
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Start to think about what you truly want. Imagine your life without limitations. What would you do if you knew you could not fail is one of Tony Robbins' favorite lines. Answer this question: what would you do if you knew you could not fail? What would you try? How would you life look? What things would you be involved in? I can assure you, if you are like most, you would not be involved in the day to day stuff you do. Most do what they do because they settled. It is this settling which was derived out of fear. Have some courage by realizing that you cannot fail and that if you can think it, you can do it. The only caveat is whether it is natural for you. If it is, there is nothing that can stop you.</div>
Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-63964496099897213362013-07-13T07:09:00.001-07:002013-07-13T07:09:58.660-07:00Changing Your Life One Goal At A TimeMany people question how to change their life. The sad fact is the majority of people have no earthly idea how to go about this. Instead, they look for quick fixes which have a short-term impact before ultimately falling back into their old behavior. Few people realize how simple it is to make lasting changes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goals</b></span></div>
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Goals are one of the most important things in life. Without a direction, it is impossible to arrive at a destination. Most individuals are living an empty existence because of the fact they have no goals in life. There is nothing to look forward to. Everyday is a replica of the day before. This leads to months that repeat each other and, ultimately, into years. That is why it is not uncommon to find someone who suddenly "woke up" after 20 years only to realize that he hates his life. A life without direction only leads to emptiness.<br />
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Before going any further, I need to clarify what I mean by goals. Certainly, everyone is aware of the personal development idea of goal setting. This is a process whereby one uncovers his or her "life calling". While I admit this is a wonderful path to follow if you are able to determine this, the truth is most people get lost at this point. What is my life purpose? That is a question that is too difficult to conclude in one weekend. <br />
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Therefore, we need to look at goals in another manner. If you are one of those who understands your life calling, then follow that to the ultimate end. Congratulations. You are one of the few. If, however, you fall into the category of having no idea why you are here, then pay attention to what I am going to say. The words that follow will be of tremendous help to you.<br />
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A goal is nothing more than something that you want to accomplish. That is it. People make it out to be this magical thing like "Living a romantic life on the Nile". While that is also a goal, most do not need to focus at this level to be effective. Therefore, from now on, it is best if you consider a goal nothing more than something to do.<br />
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As you can see, since goals are nothing more than a glorified "to do" list, then the process for accomplishment is easy. Here again, I want to caution you not to get caught up in the "magnitude" of the goal. It is usually best to start with something small and work your way up. For example, cleaning the bathroom is a goal. While I admit it isnt glamorous, having a clean bathroom is a worthwhile endeavor. Of course, to complete this, the goal needs to be broken down into smaller steps such as wash sink, scrub bathtub, and clean toilet. The process, when divided into smaller activities, is rather simple to accomplish.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Changing Your Life</b></span></div>
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How does one change his or her life with goals? The answer to that is contained in the title of this article. We change our lives one goal at a time. <br />
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Instead of focusing upon the grandness of our actions, it is best to focus upon what is in front of us. Therefore, we need to set out a series of actions which moves us towards our desired destination. If we desire riches, as an example, there are a series of actions we need to take to start the process. To start, perhaps we need to open up an investment or savings account. Then we need to commit to funding it on a regular basis. At the same time, we will need to study investment and wealth creation materials. All these steps aid in the process of enhancing our wealth. If one simply will follow that along, ultimately the goal will be achieved.<br />
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Another factor involved in all this is repetitive versus single time activities. One of the truths about life is there are just things we all need to do. It is unavoidable. The bathroom requires cleaning and, unless you pay someone else to do it, that task falls to you. So does doing the laundry and other assorted chores. Many find work to be the same way. We end up spending our time repeating the same actions over and over.<br />
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To serious change your life, you need to implement those actions which are not repetitive in nature yet carry an ongoing benefit. Writing this article is a prime example of that. While I can repeat the behavior of writing, once I submit this online, it is out there forever. My action was done once yet the benefit of what is written is ongoing. The same can apply to reading. Read a piece of non-fiction about a subject you are interested in and you will find the benefits ongoing. The activity was done once yet the payoff is ongoing.<br />
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The key is to sprinkle in as many of these "goals" as possible. Going out and taking pictures of things that are of interest is another idea. Using your talents to rebuild a car or design a home entertainment center is another. Whatever your interest, be sure to engage upon it regularly. The best way to do this is to break down the goal into smaller tasks while tending to those activities on a daily basis.<br />
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One of my key goals in life is continual improvement. I look at everything through the lens of whether it will improve my life or not. Naturally, like mentioned, I also have the repetitive actions that require my attention. Therefore, I look at them in the light of what I am getting out of them. Perhaps it is the benefit (such a pride) of a clean kitchen. Or, I often look at tasks as a method of enhancing my self-discipline. One of my favorites is to use the classic to do list and scratch the item off as completed. Either way, I know there is some benefit to my life by engaging in this behavior.<br />
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Goals are powerful tools to move your life forward. The key is to simply the process so that success is yours. It is acceptable if you are one who cannot determine your "life calling". Start the process described here and get moving in a direction. The benefit of this approach is that you will uncover some things along the way. As you move down the path of life, the ability to change direction will be yours. Over time, by implementing this strategy, you will find you accomplish a great deal more than you ever imagined. <br />
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So start today by pulling out a piece of paper and writing down 5 goals you want to accomplish. I do not care how minor or major they are. Even if it is nothing more than a list of 5 things you want to accomplish today, write them down. And then, go do them.<br />
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Here's to your success.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-55472248444252693582013-06-23T05:41:00.002-07:002013-06-23T05:41:37.500-07:00Total ImmersionMany people like to dabble. This appears to be a common trait that is within all of us naturally. My conclusion is this stems from the inherent curiosity that we exhibit when young. Have you ever noticed how very young children are interested in everything? No matter what it is, it captures their attention. For example, a small child can be entertained for hours simply by watching a bug. Contrast that with an adult who simply takes off a shoe and introduces the insect to its' creator. Nevertheless, the child is completely engrossed by this being.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Obsessive Compulsive</b></span></div>
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There is a psychological disorder called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD for short. This is a mental state where one obsesses about certain things past the point of normal, entering the zone of abnormality. We can see this exhibited in yard care. Taking care of one's lawn while wanting things to look nice is normal. However, being out there with tweezers to ensure every blade of grass near the edge is plucked is a bit obsessive. The general idea is that a natural concern moves to the point of perfection.<br />
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My point here is that it is helpful for a person to get obsessive when trying to learn something new. Many people suggest the best way to learn a new language is to totally immerse oneself in that language. In other words, begin to think throughout the day in the other language. Surround oneself with people who are speaking it. Perhaps move to the country where it is spoken thus forcing oneself to learn it. Through these steps one cannot help by to completely focus upon the endeavor at hand; in this instance learning a new language. <br />
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This method is 100% successful. Have you ever noticed that when you go to a foreign country, let us say Spain, that everyone speaks Spanish? Why is that? The reason is because those individuals were immersed in the language from a young age. They had no choice but to learn it.<br />
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Do you think this same idea will hold true for you? Let me offer up a question to get you thinking? What are the chances that you would learn a great deal about baseball if you spent all your non-working hours studying this game? I would hypothesize that the odds are great that you would see tremendous improvement. Since you focus is almost exclusively in that area, great advancement is the only possible outcome. Of course, the caveat to all this would be the willingness to dedicate the time to it. If you were obsessive about it, increased knowledge would result.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10,000 Hours</b></span></div>
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Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve greatness in any particular area. The main idea with this theory is that if one dedicates this amount of time to any one endeavor, superstar skills are attained. A prime example of this is athletes. Look at any professional and you can easily see how many hours were spent hitting golf balls or shooting baskets to achieve the level of skill the individual has. Moving into the business realm, think about the number of hours Warren Buffett spent studying business and the stock market. People of this nature spent years honing their craft.<br />
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So what does this mean for you? What if you are not a person in your 20s who has decades to study a particular area so as to attain expertise? Fortunately, there is another way of looking at this entire matter. While 10,000 hours is given as the amount of time necessary, there are many instances which one can do it in less time. One way to do this, especially in the area of knowledge, is to learn from others. People often write about their successes, and pitfalls. It is through understanding what caused the pitfalls where you can save yourself considerable time. Using the experience of others can save you a great deal of time.<br />
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Another point that I would like to mention is for you to understand what your goal is. While expertise is a really good thing, perhaps that is a level that is not required for success. When it comes to money management, one does not need 10,000 hours of study to improve his or her situation. I found that dedicating a year of study (about 500 hours) will set one ahead of most other people. Since most fail to study money, budgeting, and sound financial decisions, the person who immerses him or herself in this arena, even for a hour or two a day, will find tremendous success. <br />
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Therefore, I suggest you begin to immerse yourself in the study of money. Wealth is something that anyone can attain if he or she is willing to learn the steps to achieving it. Consider yourself like a person landing in a foreign country to learn a new language. Put all your focus upon this single area and watch how quickly your life changes. As with anything, when you immerse yourself in something, success will result.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-21531397751603277412013-04-27T05:07:00.002-07:002013-04-27T05:07:58.902-07:00Knowledge Is EverywhereWe live in the age of information. The Internet enabled us access to more knowledge than is present in the Library of Congress. There are sites out there on everything. No matter what the topic, it only requires typing a few words into a search engine and you will be given a list that will take you hours to go through. <br />
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You would think with all this information readily available to us, that we would be smarter as in general. Sadly, this does not seem to be the case. Most people, relatively speaking are falling further behind. When we look at their financial situation, they are overloaded with debt. Regarding health, they are in terrible shape (literally). Their relationships are total train wrecks with people not even speaking to each other. Overall, the quality of life tends to diminish as we are "dumbed down".<br />
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The truth is that it does not have to be this way. People have the opportunity to gain whatever knowledge is needed for success. The only requirement is the desire to attain that knowledge.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>W<span style="font-size: large;">illingness</span></b></span> </div>
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Everything starts with willingness. Are you willing to do the things that will lead to success? This is a major question. Few are willing to put in the time and effort required to move their life to an extraordinary level. The desire is not there. Instead, they live on a hope rather than a concentrated intent. <br />
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Financial success is not a great mystery. The path to riches is well known. There are a number of options a person has which will ultimately lead to that outcome. However, it is not something that is inherent within us at birth. It is a learned science. The ability to generate a massive amount of money is a result of acquiring knowledge followed up by the application. It really is that simple.<br />
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Investing is a huge part of the wealth creation process. A foundational piece to all financial success is that money needs to go to work. It is wonderful to excel and increase one's income. However, true abundance is rarely achieved unless money is earned of existing capital. Failure to do this means one will be a high income earner but not see their net worth excel. This is the condition many athletes find themselves in. The eventual outcome is they go broke because their expenses far exceed their income once the enormous contract runs out. <br />
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To be a successful investor, one must learn the basics of investing. There are fundamental principles to follow which will create a nice bank account. One of them is the advantage of time. Too many opt for the get rich quick scenarios. This is catastrophic financially. Most of these "investments" are losers from the start. Yet millions follow this idea. If they were willing to do a little reading and study how many of the most successful investors built their wealth, they would realize that sound financial principles were followed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10,000 Hours</b></span></div>
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There is a concept that applies to success which I tend to agree with. It is the belief that to achieve excellence in something, a person needs to devote 10,000 hours to it. This is a lot of time, obviously, yet it is required to attain the highest level of success. Consider the hours spent by an Olympic athlete training and honing his or her craft. Bill Gates spent thousands of hours playing around with software. Warren Buffet invested tens of thousands of hours to learning and reading about businesses. People like these have the drive to excel and put in the time.<br />
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Contrast this with the average person. How many hours do you dedicate to your investments, as an example? Jim Cramer talks about that an individual needs to be willing to dedicated 1 hour per week to each stock he or she owns. If that person is not willing to do that, investing in mutual funds is the way to go. It is incredible that he is asking for a little more than 50 hours per year to study a stock thoroughly. Compare this to the amount of time spent watching television. I read studies that stated the average American watches 5-6 hours of television a day. This amounts to 1,500-2,000 hours yearly. Yet someone is not willing to invest 50 hours towards creating successful financial returns.<br />
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It is time to begin the process of working towards your 10,000 hours. Obviously, most will never get to this level. However, if you can invest 500 hours into your financial future, I will hypothesize that you will be far ahead of the average person. Most people spend more time planning a vacation than they do on their financial plan. Is it any surprise that most suffer financial difficulties especially as they get older? Those who have the willingness to garner the knowledge will become financially successful. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 Areas of <span style="font-size: large;">Knowledge</span></b></span></div>
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There are 3 ways you can acquire knowledge. It is best to start accessing all three to accelerate your learning curve.<br />
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1. Personal experience: <br />
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You have a wealth of knowledge simply from the actions you have or have not taken over the years. Often, these are the best lessons. Look back upon your life and the decisions you made. See where you were mistaken to learn what the correct action should have been. Life is an excellent teacher if we will embrace the lessons. Sadly, few are willing to do this. Instead they blame other people and circumstances for their shortcomings. There is a wealth of knowledge in your own life story if you will simply look at it. Sit down with a piece of paper to analyze what took place. Be honest about what the decisions you make. Do not beat yourself up over it so much as learn from it. View it the same way as you do a movie. Through this one exercise you will see an assortment of financial "rules" emerge. This is the beginning stages of wealth creation.<br />
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2. Experience of others:<br />
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There is no need to beat you head against the wall to realize it hurts. Look around to see there are many who do that for you. Notice the results they get. When they do this, their head hurts. Therefore, you can bet the ranch the same will occur if you do it. This is learning from others.<br />
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Financial calamities are everywhere. Thousands of people end up in bankruptcy court daily because of decisions they make. It is easy to learn how people enslave themselves financially with their decisions. Learn from their pain while avoiding it yourself. This only requires the ability to suppress your ego and proclaim that you do not have all the answers. Most habitually do the opposite which deters them from learning from others. There is an abundance of financial knowledge in the success and failures of others.<br />
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3. Writings:<br />
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As mentioned, the Internet gives us access to more information than was humanly possible before. Financial success is everywhere online. It requires a bit of effort to sift through it but you will uncover "secrets" that few know. Again, you must have the willingness.<br />
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The writings of others enables you to garner knowledge from their experience. Also, there are thousands upon thousands of studies done which you can apply. For example, there are studies about the idea "sell in May and go away". By simply looking into this concept, one might alter his or her investing style based upon the conclusions drawn.<br />
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Naturally, you must be mindful of who you follow or the suggestions made. Simply because someone puts it in writing does not make it true. You need to continually search and cross reference new ideas. Delve into the person who is making the statement to see what success that person attained. While a college professor might offer some insight into the stock market, I would take the words of a Warren Buffet to mean a lot more. His track record (and net worth) far exceeds that of any of the professors at our colleges. <br />
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The point is knowledge is everywhere. Desire it. Commit to starting on your 10,000 hour path by spending an hour or so a day to learning about success especially in the area of finance. Those who live in a state of poverty do so because they lack the knowledge to live any other way. I would guess that most people, even if not in poverty, fall into this category. Become one who is different. Spend some of your free time learning about this subject. It is a central way to change your life.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-69396640319895298382013-04-25T14:46:00.002-07:002013-04-25T15:04:05.739-07:00Financing Yourself To 100Do you want to live to 100? If not, why not? What is your reason for not wanting to be on this planet for as long as you possibly can? The answer to these questions lies in the fact that most people do not live lives that are worth a great deal. Thoreau stated that most men live lives of "quiet desperation". Certainly things have changed since his time to the point where now people are not quiet about their desperation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make Your <span style="font-size: large;">Life Incredible</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Few <span style="font-size: small;">people take the time to plan their life. This </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">is a ce<span style="font-size: small;">ntral tenet to the Western lifestyle. We <span style="font-size: small;">work in careers that we honestly hav<span style="font-size: small;">e no idea how we chose. Most people <span style="font-size: small;">are reactive accepting a <span style="font-size: small;">position out of need as opposed to want or desire. They follow the dogma that their particular culture espou<span style="font-size: small;">ses as "normal" and leading to happiness only to find th<span style="font-size: small;">at it was not true. Nevertheless, they continue on the path because "it is the respons<span style="font-size: small;">ible thing".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You <span style="font-size: small;">only need to look at the average person to realize he or she is miserable. Most operate in the state that Thoreau was referring to. This has not changed in the past 100 years. In fact, pressures on people have become greater. Over time, we have accepted the "distractions" of life as <span style="font-size: small;">nor<span style="font-size: small;">mal. <span style="font-size: small;">Tele<span style="font-size: small;">vision wat<span style="font-size: small;">ching i<span style="font-size: small;">s at an all time hi<span style="font-size: small;">gh</span>. People overeat while getting too little exer<span style="font-size: small;">cise. Fina<span style="font-size: small;">ncially, more money is needed to make ends meet because we operate in a consumer d<span style="font-size: small;">riven society where having stuff shows the worth of a person. All the while people are dying inside w<span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">ile becom<span style="font-size: small;">ing more enslave<span style="font-size: small;">d.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the first things that you must do is to decide to make your life incredible. There is no reason why you have to <span style="font-size: small;">follow the path of mill<span style="font-size: small;">ions who simply abide by what everyone is telling them to do. It is up to you to determine <span style="font-size: small;">how you want to live your life. What is it that you <span style="font-size: small;">truly desire? How do you want things to be? These are questions that few ever honestly answer. The fact is that most a<span style="font-size: small;">nything can be ac<span style="font-size: small;">hieved if<span style="font-size: small;"> one is will<span style="font-size: small;">ing to make it a goal. Again, the <span style="font-size: small;">number of people who actually take t<span style="font-size: small;">he time to plan how they are going to make their lives inc<span style="font-size: small;">redible is mini<span style="font-size: small;">mal. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is where you can alter things. Spend time getting in<span style="font-size: small;"> tou<span style="font-size: small;">ch <span style="font-size: small;">with those things you want to make a reality in your life. Nothing should ever stand in your <span style="font-size: small;">way. However, before you can have the tenacity to achieve that end, you first need to establish i<span style="font-size: small;">t as <span style="font-size: small;">an outcome. Therefore, your goal is to make your life tr<span style="font-size: small;">uly incredible.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Massive Fi<span style="font-size: large;">nances</span></b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once you are on the road to making your life truly incredible<span style="font-size: small;">, you quickly lea<span style="font-size: small;">rn that you do not want it to end. This is the piece that most people are missing. Because of their misery, deep down, they are not seeking to prolong things. Sure, they want to live to a ripe old age because of <span style="font-size: small;">fear of death. However, the truth i<span style="font-size: small;">s so many are simply existing that death is a blessing. This is es<span style="font-size: small;">pecially true as people get older.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since you are entering the minority who desires to live a long time, it is crucial that you finance this endeavor. Money is <span style="font-size: small;">a subject t<span style="font-size: small;">hat most <span style="font-size: small;">avoid. Rich people have a negative connotation within our s<span style="font-size: small;">ociety. However, that is only true a<span style="font-size: small;">mong people who are not rich. The wealthy do not believe that about themselves. It is a terrible misconception <span style="font-size: small;">meted out by <span style="font-size: small;">irresponsible politicians and media outl<span style="font-size: small;">ets who opt to engage in class warfare. <span style="font-size: small;">Some of the <span style="font-size: small;">most giving people in the world are extremely wealthy (and who came about it ethicall<span style="font-size: small;">y).<span style="font-size: small;"> Therefore, do not hold prejudice against someone for their financial status. In fact, it is best to use that as a motivator to push <span style="font-size: small;">yourself forward.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, you need to get on the path of financi<span style="font-size: small;">ng yourself to 100. Many financial planners <span style="font-size: small;">offer to <span style="font-size: small;">assist on<span style="font-size: small;">e in the process of preparing for retirement. <span style="font-size: small;">Sadly, most find that they are woefully under capitalized when the day ar<span style="font-size: small;">rives to <span style="font-size: small;">enter their golden years. <span style="font-size: small;">This is a simple situation to avoid yet few are willing to take th<span style="font-size: small;">e action to arrive at this <span style="font-size: small;">outcome.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spending is to wealth what sugar is to health. People are killing themselves by the food they eat. At the same time, they are destroying their financial lives by spending without thinking. As I mentioned, we li<span style="font-size: small;">ve in a <span style="font-size: small;">society <span style="font-size: small;">that promotes <span style="font-size: small;">consumerism. <span style="font-size: small;">It is a central part of our economy. T<span style="font-size: small;">he Western cu<span style="font-size: small;">ltures need <span style="font-size: small;">people to spent at a gr<span style="font-size: small;">owing rate to <span style="font-size: small;">sustain growth<span style="font-size: small;">. We see this i<span style="font-size: small;">dea <span style="font-size: small;">espoused by the media on a regular basis. The problem with this mindset is that it goes counter to what is best for the individual and his or her family.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I<span style="font-size: small;">f you want to <span style="font-size: small;">have massive financ<span style="font-size: small;">es (as opposed to massive debt), you need to stop spending. T<span style="font-size: small;">his is a fundamental tenet to <span style="font-size: small;">financial abundance. You need to spend less than you <span style="font-size: small;">earn and save the difference. <span style="font-size: small;">Without this ability, you<span style="font-size: small;"> are bound to be a lifelong slave to society. No matter how much you make, the lack of di<span style="font-size: small;">scipline means that you will spend 100% (or more with credit) of what you earn. Nothing will be left over. Ultimately, this path will lead to financial dependence later on in life. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore, picture yourself livi<span style="font-size: small;">ng to 100. How do you want your life to <span style="font-size: small;">be? <span style="font-size: small;">Do you see yourself dependent upon others<span style="font-size: small;">? If this is the case, begin now to alter the behaviors you presently engage <span style="font-size: small;">upon. Financial prudence is one of the greatest attributes someone can a<span style="font-size: small;">cquire.<span style="font-size: small;"> It is vital that you understand the basic<span style="font-size: small;">s of f<span style="font-size: small;">inancial accumulation and <span style="font-size: small;">begin to put money to work for you. Over the next few de<span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">ades, you can <span style="font-size: small;">learn the skills to ensure you ha<span style="font-size: small;">ve massive abundance in later year<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">. Also<span style="font-size: small;">, you will be able to do those things which ma<span style="font-size: small;">ke you want to live to 100<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-1949664951300056112013-04-20T09:06:00.005-07:002013-04-20T09:06:56.635-07:00GreatnessWhat is it that separates the highly successful from the rest of the population. In a word it is "greatness". While it is something that is difficult to categorize, people know greatness when they see it. And those who attain this level, set out to create it in their lives. Compare this with the approach that most people take which is merely to survive.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Conscious Decision</b></span></div>
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To be great, one must consciously decide to be that way. It is something that cannot be achieved unless one sets it out as a goal. Yet few are willing to make this commitment. Instead, they hedge what they want in an effort to avoid failure. Greatness sets the bar extremely high. Most of the population cannot handle the idea of putting so much pressure upon themselves. Instead, they leave themselves "an out". Failure becomes acceptable.<br />
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One thing that is common to hear is "I need to lose some weight" or "I need to get into shape". Notice the hedge that is already in place. Did the individual making these proclamations establish a high bar? The answer is no. Nowhere in the person's mind is the idea of having a great body. The reason for this is the level of commitment to achieve this is much greater than simply making some progress. The truth is that this person most likely will do nothing.<br />
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Finances are the exact same way. People too often approach investing, as an example, with the mindset of not losing. They do not set out to achieve big fortunes. Fear is running the show and simply progressing is acceptable. Certainly one wants his or her investment accounts to grow. However, accepting a measly return because one is unwilling to commit to something greater is absurd.<br />
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It is crucial that you make the conscious choice to build fantastic wealth. This is at the core of our existence in this society. Obviously, I am not advocating you take the gambler mentality to the market because that is not a winning proposition either. My point is that you must be willing to do your homework and hone your skills in the area of finance/investing. You are looking to achieve greatness. Maintain some humility because, if you do not, the markets have a way of humbling you. And this gets to be an expensive approach. Make this decision and follow up with actions that mirror it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A H<span style="font-size: large;">igher Level</span></b></span></div>
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Whenever a person implements the idea of greatness into his or her life, suddenly this person is operating at a higher level then everyone else. As I stated earlier, most simply seek to survive. Nowhere in there being is the idea of strive for more. Sure, they mentally state they would like something different yet few actually make the commitment to move towards that end. It is much easier to make things a wish, hope, or dream.<br />
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Does this mean you will achieve greatness in all you do? Of course not. Failure is a part of life. There are things we attempt that do not work out. Naturally, the ultimate failure is to give up. Oftentimes, a misstep is not failure as much as a signal to do things differently. This is one of life's ways of teaching us valuable lessons. Experience is a terrific teacher if we will pay attention.<br />
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When deciding to focus upon greatness in any area, we cease to accept substandard results. People often complain about having little motivation when if greatness was the ultimate end, motivation would be present. It is easy to see the path when one sets a high outcome. Work is required and lots of it. However, as one advances up the scale, the rewards get greater.<br />
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We see this when one sets out to eliminate debt from his or her life. At first, it is overwhelming when one looks at all the balances. Yet, over time, as more payments are submitted, balances dwindle. At the same time, the interest accrued starts decreasing in proportion. Hence, more of each payment, if constant, is going towards principle, accelerating the elimination process. Paying off one debt is a breakthrough for many people and the time where they realize progress is being made. Nobody can have a great financial life with excessive amounts of personal unsecured debt.<br />
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Each of us has a standard of conduct that is acceptable. If one is only striving for mediocre, obviously the level of conduct is low. This is a person who will only do enough to get by. A higher aspiration is not in the cards. However, once this person adopts the idea of being great in any area, instantly the behaviors which were present before are no longer acceptable. Instead of watching television, perhaps the person starts to read financial books. Time is utilized in a different way in an effort to attain a greater end. Mild attempts are unsatisfactory. <br />
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Sports provides a terrific analogy. Take someone like Michael Jordan who was the best basketball player of his time. He operated at a level higher than even the other professional players around him. Did he have a natural talent? Certainly. However, he also worked extremely hard at his craft always desiring to get better. He also matched it up with the inner strength to take the pressure shots which many would shy away from. His mental skills were as strong as his physical. This is what separated him from the other players, many of whom were the best in the world. He sought greatness where others were content to just give their best. <br />
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I want you to implement greatness in all you do. Take one area of your life and decide to make it great. Do not settle for substandard results anymore. Commit to being the best at whatever the endeavor is. And then be willing to take whatever action is necessary to achieve that end.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-82638122855989383152013-04-14T05:28:00.004-07:002013-04-14T05:28:59.431-07:00Take Advantage What Is PresentedMany are seeking out opportunities while ignoring what is under their nose. This is a basic problem with the human condition; we are always looking "over there". People simply do not put to use what is under their control.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wanting Something Big</b></span></div>
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Individuals like to focus upon the big. They want to make radical life changes while not accepting the fact that life is made up of a series of smaller actions. To completely alter one's life, in most instances, people need to make lots of little changes that add up to a large difference. Yet we are conditioned to want to find something bigger.<br />
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I will relate an example that illustrate this point. I once studied under a guy who was a multi-millionaire. He was one to go around picking up coins off the ground when he saw them. People might think this strange unless you understand his mindset. He is a person who believes that he has no right to tell the universe no when it blesses him with money. He emphatically states "who am I do dictate the denomination of the money given to me". This is so true. Because he is open to a penny or a nickel, he also receives money in the form of thousands. He is satisfied no matter what is given.<br />
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Contrast this with the outlook that most people have. People, at least in the western cultures, have a denomination where money becomes valuable. Obviously, to the average person, a penny or nickel is too small. To many, so is a dollar or even 5 dollars. Some will think about $10. Others $20. Still others $100. The point is there is a threshold where one will think hard before spending. Below that level, the amount is considered inconsequential.<br />
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The sad thing is this is how people view most things in their lives.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Disease of M<span style="font-size: large;">ore</span></b></span></div>
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People want more. It is what we are conditioned to believe. No matter what one has, there is always someone to look to who is doing better. If that person is not around, Madison Avenue ensures this occurs by presenting advertisements of what success is. Everyday is a quest to add to the mountain of stuff already accumulated in an effort to feel worthy. This is a national illness which creates much pain, especially financial.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with accumulating "the finer things in life" if you are able to attain them in a sensible way. The problem is people feel entitled as opposed to being willing to work for them. It is here where the disconnect between opportunities and success occurs. Most are always looking at the end while ignoring what takes place in the middle.<br />
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For example, the $100,000 a year job is desirable to most everyone. However, few take the time to prepare themselves so they can handle a job like this. If someone is paying that amount of money, he or she will require a return for it. Just showing up and occupying space is not enough. Sadly, many believe this.<br />
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What is overlooked is that one can create a better opportunity in his or her present employment. There are opportunities in all positions. While I acknowledge that not every job can be turned into $100,000 annually, there are things that can be attained which will propel you forward. This is a key point to success. Every job offers opportunities for something. It is just being aware of what can be garnered from that position. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sta<span style="font-size: large;">rting W<span style="font-size: large;">here You Are</span></span></b></span></div>
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It is crucial that no matter what you are desiring, you are willing to start exactly where you are. This might seem like common sense yet most fail to do this. Instead, they dream of better things all the while overlooking what is presently in front of them. Now I admit that present circumstances might be terrible for many people. The advantage to that is the changes necessary ought to be highly obvious. Regardless of how the situation is, dealing with reality is always your starting point.<br />
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The truth is that in the western countries, there are opportunities oozing from every segment of society. Unless one travels around to third world nations, we do not realize how good things are. Sure there are problems. But, for the most part, we have the freedom to excel. This is not the case in many parts of the world. Necessities like food and clean water are at a premium. People in these situations seek only to survive. We have the opportunity for so much more.<br />
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So your present geographic location is the starting point. Ignore things such as the economy and wage scale. Look to what is presently in your life that you can utilize for advancement. What skills or opportunities are there which you have been ignoring. I will tell you something that 40% of the workforce completely overlooks: the 401K program. Studies show only 60% participate. Here is an example of how people fail to take advantage of something that will benefit them. Is it any wonder that people have such horrific financial lives?<br />
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Your challenge now is to look around you and find the opportunities that presently exist within your life. Understand that since the Internet is available to all of us, the possibilities are almost endless. Information is available with the touch of a few keystrokes. You can learn whatever you desire. Begin to see what is in front of you. The solution is never "over there" but, rather, right here.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-26993766829617133962013-04-11T14:46:00.001-07:002013-04-11T14:46:16.974-07:00Stop Digging<div style="text-align: center;">
What is the first thing you do when you find yourself in a hole?</div>
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Most answer this question by saying "climb out". The correct answer is to stop digging. Before one can work his or her way out of anything, one must first cease getting further behind. This idea applies to any aspect of life. However, the relevance to the financial arena is incredible.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Debt</b></span></div>
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People love debt. The entire world is addicted to it. From our average credit card balances to car payments to the trillions run up by the governments of the world, we see how debt is an addiction. People simply cannot live without it. If the U.S. government had to eliminate debt in the next 12 months, it would cease to operate. Sadly, many individuals find themselves in this same situation.<br />
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Debt is a master which enslaves one for life. People do not think about the consequences when making the purchase. Instead, they are trained to look at the monthly payment only while appeasing the need for instant gratification. The total amount spent means little to people. This is what the financial institutions of the world depend upon. To them, this is "money in the bank". Anyone who has lived under serious debt for a long period of time knows what this is like. It is hell on earth. Yet so many succumb to the temptation.<br />
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What is sad is this is nothing more than a habit. Did you know that 50 years ago few people were in debt. Other than a mortgage, little was financed. If a new car was to be purchased, a family saved up for it. The same was true for appliances. When the refrigerator broke, a new one was purchased with cash. Making payments was something that most avoided.<br />
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We saw the same behavior with vacations. There was a time when traveler's checks were popular. These financial items were used in lieu of cash because of the fact that if stolen or lost, they could be replaced. Credit cards were not a thought. Today, with the exception of some overseas travel, people do not purchase traveler's checks. Instead, they simply charge the entire trip to the credit card.<br />
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While I admit convenience is a benefit, the truth is that most spend more than they can afford when choosing this route. Charges will be accepted as long as there is room on the credit card. What is available in the bank account to pay the balance in 30 days is not of consequence. This causes people to overspend.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Change I<span style="font-size: large;">n Behavior</span></b></span></div>
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Since debt is basically a national epidemic, a change in behavior is needed. Of course, this starts with the individual i.e. you. So, how does one begin to change?<br />
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Like the title says, the first thing that one must do in any situation that is creating negative consequences is to stop. Cease what you are doing. It is understood that a reversal in behavior is needed. However, before that can take place one must first stop going down the present path.<br />
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This idea is akin to a car traveling the wrong way down a street. Obviously, the solution is for the automobile to be traveling the other direction. Before that can occur, one must first stop the car from going the wrong way and then he or she can turn it around. The same holds true here.<br />
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Therefore, when looking at the financial arena, it is crucial you stop digging a deeper hole. This means, in most instances, cease spending. People get in trouble because they spend all or more than they earn. The first order of business is to not buy anything unless it is an absolute necessity (food). Do this immediately and carry it out for 30 days. This will help you to develop the habit of not spending. Then, and only then, can you start to reverse course. Nothing will occur until you stop digging a deeper hole.<br />
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Habits are learned and they can be unlearned. Behavior modification is difficult. Nevertheless, when you live under the horrors of debt, it is a necessity if you are going to enjoy any freedom in life at all. We live in a capitalistic society were money is a central unit in our lives. Non responsible behavior is a pathway to sure failure. Stopping the senseless spending is one way to start the process of embracing responsibility.<br />
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Always remember the first rule of wealth creation:<br />
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Spend less than you earn and save/invest the rest.<br />
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<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-13209366867565708432013-04-09T15:07:00.001-07:002013-04-09T15:07:08.641-07:00Consistency: The Key to AchievementHave you ever wondered what it takes to be extremely successful? There are a great number of theories out there but one thing that is always present among the successful is the element of consistency. They are consistent in the way they behave. It is almost as if they are completely predictable even when unpredictable.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Action Required</b></span></div>
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All fields require action. It matters none what one chooses to focus upon. The people who excel are the ones who take proper action. There is a caveat to this idea: the ones who succeed take consistent action which leads to success. Anyone can do something once in a while. The ones who truly advance are those who repeat the actions over and over on the path to success.<br />
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Let us focus on the field of sales. Most organizations love the superstar sales person. This is a person who puts up large numbers on a <i>consistent basis</i>. He or she is not one to have a big month followed by two poor months. This is not a superstar salesperson. Inconsistency is something that an organization cannot build around. Therefore, businesses look for salespeople who can consistently produce.<br />
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The same is true in the field of wealth building. Because of the time element, action takes on a regular basis over the long term nets fantastic results. However, many believe that putting money away "once in a while" is sufficient. It is not. Anyone who has succeeded in accumulating larges amounts of money through investing did so by putting money to work on a consistent basis. This is why it is best for many to automate their savings. Under this program, people have a certain percentage taken out of their check and invested before it gets into their hands. This eliminates the temptation to spend the money. Savings (and investing) because not only automatic but occurs on a regular basis.<br />
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Automating action is a wonderful way to achieve success. Look at the world class weight lifter. Here is a person who is in the gym on a daily basis. Obviously, judging by the physiques, these people do not work out once in a while. They dedicate a great deal of time and energy to this endeavor. To truly achieve this state, going to the gym needs to be an automatic activity. In other words, the person does not have to think about the action taken. It is so consistent that it becomes a part of the daily routine. Whereas most subconsciously conclude to sit on the couch, these individuals mentally default to going to the gym. Their action is also automatic in addition to consistent.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Emotionally</b></span></div>
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Another area where consistency is paramount is in the area of emotions. Nobody likes dealing with a "hothead". For those who are somehow unfamiliar with this term, this is a person who cannot control his or her temper. To add fuel to the fire and make matters worse, this individuals also tends to lose it over the smallest instances. Emotional control is out of his or her reach. Instead, one is happy one moment only to blow up the next. <br />
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The reason why one needs to be consistent emotionally is because much of our success is dependent upon other people. Anyone in business understands how important having top performing people is. If one is continually yelling and screaming, people of this sort will depart. Yet we see so many business owners and managers still behaving in a similar manner in spite of the results. A lack of emotional control is the cause of their failure.<br />
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Successful investing requires the same thing. People tend to think what they see in the movies is accurate. Hollywood portrays stock traders as people who are high strung while operating in frenzied states. This is inaccurate. The best traders in the world are those who are cool under fire. The market is an entity all to its own. Nobody is going to be right all the time. Even the best misread what is taking place and suffer loses. However, like the poker player, you will not be able to tell how a successful trader is doing at that moment by his or her face. The reason is the emotion has been removed (as much as possible). A person of this sort strives for emotional consistency. The ups and downs of the market are not reflected in his or her demeanor. Level is how one can describe it. It is a field where nothing is personal; just business. Loss is an inevitable part of the game. Nevertheless, the emotional antics are optional.<br />
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Success is something that takes place over the course of time. Qualities such as discipline and character are necessary. The reason for this is because consistency is central to any large scale success. Each day action is taken to move towards a desired outcome. In the area of retirement as an example, the outcome can be decades later. If one is able to maintain consistency over a long period of time, good results occur. It is when one starts to operate in haphazard ways that things go wrong. <br />
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Strive for consistency in all you do. And most of all, strive to be consistent emotionally. If you can do this, you will find the people around you will respond differently. Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-28895465298048373402013-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:002013-04-05T11:08:02.030-07:00Money Equals FreedomMany people are going to take exception to this post but the truth is that money equals freedom. Or specifically, can equal freedom. Freedom is a subjective term which requires being put into context. I will explain that part in a bit. The main point of this post is that having money, actually more specifically, massive amounts of money, puts one in position to move his or her life to another level. This is something that those without the means do not enjoy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Desire More</b></span></div>
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A couple days ago I wrote about having wealth as a goal. The reason why most people do not attain massive amounts of financial wealth is they never make it a goal. Instead, they ignore the situation all together while pursuing whatever the passing fancy is in the moment. This is evidenced by the actions of people. Those who have wealth as a goal do not go and buy McMansions. Nor do they lease or finance expensive European automobiles which only decrease in value as time goes by. Instead, they focus upon prudent spending while amassing their fortune one financial transaction at a time.<br />
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It is a proven fact that before people will change, desire needs to exist. One will not lose weight unless he or she desires it. The same is true for breaking an addiction. Excelling at a sport. Success in business. And, not surprisingly, financial wealth is not achieved unless one desires it.<br />
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This brings up the question why should one desire wealth. We live in a society where "more" is an illness. Everyone desires more. It is a national epidemic. Nobody is satisfied with what they have. We all know that money does not buy happiness. So why should one desire wealth when it is an unproven path to fulfillment?<br />
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The answers lies in what is desired. More "stuff" is not the answer. Those who desire wealth so they can have a larger home or nicer cars ends up in a state called dissatisfaction. The truth is that a bigger house usually means there is more to clean and the taxes are higher. Rarely does it provide greater happiness in and of itself. The same holds true for most material things. Items provide a law of diminishing returns. The greatest desire for the item is when it is sitting on the shelf in the store. Once it is purchased, the satisfaction and enjoyment head downwards. If you question this idea go look at something in your closet that you "just had to have". Notice how you feel about it now compared to then. The desire is diminished.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Inta<span style="font-size: large;">ng<span style="font-size: large;">i</span>ble Qualit<span style="font-size: large;">ies in L<span style="font-size: large;">ife</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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Happiness comes from those things in life we cannot buy or touch. So why do I make the point that one should desire wealth? As the title suggests, the reason is because money equals freedom. Those with massive amounts of money can do things others cannot. This is where the life experienced is enhanced.<br />
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The most important aspect of this idea is the concept of time. This is the one thing in life that none of us can control. We all have 24 hours in a day and a certain number of days on this planet. There is nothing anyone can do to alter that. Sure one can shorten the lifespan by engaging in activities which are detrimental to one's health. However, as of yet, nobody really figured out a way to expand the number of days an individual has on this planet. Therefore, time is an element we must focus upon.<br />
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Having a massive amount of money allows one to have time freedom. This is the most important factor I can relate to you. Most people spend at least 1/3 of their week engaged in work. While this is a part of life, most are involved in activities which are unrewarding. Thus, an individual is spending 2/3 his or her life working and sleeping. Couple in commuting, running of errands, and preparing for work and you can see how one is left with little time. We notice a similar routine on the weekends when one spends his or her time running around handling things which were overlooked during the week or trying to recover from the stress of the workweek. To me, none of this signifies freedom.<br />
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Freedom is the state where one is able to spend his or her time as he or she sees fit. Obviously, there are times in life where we must do something (heading to grandmas for Christmas dinner as an example). However, when one sacrifices 1/3 of life for a paycheck, that person is not free. Therefore, one needs to develop wealth so as to be able to engage in activities when he or she sees fit. <br />
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Another aspect of this comes in the form of creativity. When one is not working for a paycheck, then that person if free to create. People have an assortment of interests which they never have time for. For many, once wealth is achieved, these interests are suddenly available. Whether it is a hobby such as playing an instrument or something that can earn one money like writing or painting, a person is now free to follow that path. It is not possible when one is spending a vast amount of time slaving away for a check at the end of two weeks.<br />
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Desiring more simply means that you are going to take your life to another level in terms of your experience on this planet. It does not imply that one is going to accumulate a large amount of material possessions. These are not what provides the satisfaction. Instead of following that path, a person who is wise will seek to expand the experiences that are had. This is where one reaches fulfillment. Again, it can be in the form of travel, learning something of interest, or spending time with family which otherwise would not be possible. When one is wealthy, he or she has the freedom to do any of these things.<br />
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There is one final thought I must bring up. Not all wealthy people are free. There are some who are so consumed with the path to the top that the accumulation of wealth becomes an addiction. At the same time, many are filled with the fear of losing money that they too are enslaved by it. We always need to keep money in its proper perspective. It is a vehicle. Do not worship it nor fear it. Use it as a path to freedom and you will realize how life can be truly magical.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-90840143395671208472013-03-30T08:25:00.000-07:002013-03-30T08:25:05.633-07:00Get Rich QuickInfomercial for the last two decades have espoused the idea of getting rich quick. There are advertisements for programs where you can make millions in real estate, the stock market, or owning your own business. I am here to tell you that all of these things are true. Millions can be made in each of these areas. However, it is not guaranteed and rarely does it happen overnight.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Building Wealth</b></span> </div>
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There are no shortcuts to building wealth. In most instances, wealth is created by the accumulation of assets which appreciate over time. The time element is critical because yearly returns compound. Over time, as the assets go up in value, the same percentage return nets greater dollars. This is one of the reasons why the "rich get richer". If I have $10,000 and you have a million dollars, who comes out further ahead if we each get a 10% return. In this example, I make $1,000 while you earn $100,000. <br />
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Take this example out over the course of 10 or 20 years and you can see how the two accounts will be substantially different. Nevertheless, if one is consistent with the investing, even the $10,000 account will grow fabulously over that time frame. The time element is crucial in building wealth. Too many omit this factor without realizing how fundamental it is.<br />
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To exemplify it, I will note a couple of examples that most are familiar with. Debt is something that most of the Western world holds in larges amount. Between mortgages, car payments, and credit cards, the masses are swirling downward because of there debt load. The reason this is so has to do with the compounding (time element on money) effect.<br />
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Did you ever sign a mortgage at closing and come across what is called a Truth in Lending Statement. This is a piece of paper stuck in the mortgage which spells out how much you will pay for the house over time. For example, it is not uncommon to see a $150,000 house costing over $350,000 on a 30 year mortgage. Consider if you pay $1,000 a month for 360 months, that is $360,000 for a house that you are buying for $150,000. That is a lot of compounding.<br />
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We see the same thing with credit cards. Now, these companies are required to state how long it will take to pay off a balance if just the monthly minimum is paid. It is not uncommon to see balances take 7 years to pay off and cost 2 or 3 times the original amount. This is again a factor of compounding.<br />
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Therefore, we must be truly aware of the effect of time on wealth development. Shortcuts often do not work. While it is possible to hit on a fabulous return quickly, your attention should be to putting time to work for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Discipline</b></span></div>
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In life, to succeed, discipline is required. This is common sense. If you want to lose weight, you need the discipline to go work out and eat properly. Work success is the result of having the discipline to learn your craft while taking the action that others are not willing to take. Any success in any field requires the quality of discipline. Wealth building is no different.<br />
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One needs to the discipline to set aside money on a regular basis if he or she is going to accumulate wealth. I recently read an article by a financial writer who was retiring. He put together an article explaining how he went about creating a situation where he was financial secure at retirement. The first thing he mentioned is that he was disciplined enough to consistently save no matter how much money he made. This is key. Regardless of what was going on in his life financially, he took a portion of the money earned and put it into savings. This habit provided him the foundation to build wealth over the course of his working career. He was not dependent upon astronomical stock market returns for success. The fact that he was disciplined enough to always put money away secured his future. Modest returns over time amount to the money he needed to safely "sail off into the sunset".<br />
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How come so few ever get to this point? Statistics are showing that only about 3% of the population is financial secure at retirement. Most are subject to having to continue to work simply because they do not have enough money to live on. And what was the cause of this? There are many reasons but at the top of the list was not setting money aside from each check. The old adage is "pay yourself first". However, most opt to pay themselves last. Everything they earn is spent. This lack of financial discipline leads to one being broke in later years.<br />
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Discipline is also required to avoid the 'Get Rick Quick" schemes that are promoted in different places. People lose untold fortunes because of their greed and desire for quick riches. This is most often a losing strategy. Often the best answer is "no" yet few can resist the temptation to go for it all. Greed usually is the emotion that will win out. Discipline is the trait that will help one avoid this fiasco. It is best to develop it.<br />
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The time to start building wealth is today. It is best for you to start putting time to work for you. Consider what I wrote about the credit card debt and how that affects you. Apply this same idea to savings to see how things can change in your favor. This is a crucial mental shift that needs to occur. The number one financial problem in people's lives is that they find themselves on the wrong side of compound interest. It is best to get on the right side. If you can do that, then everyday you will wake up a little richer than the day before. Do this long enough and you will have massive wealth.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-10892241495747242732013-03-28T15:51:00.001-07:002013-03-28T15:51:26.406-07:00Personal FinancePeople are financial uneducated. This is one of the greatest tragedies of the last 50 years or so. The fact that people understand so little about money has led to a nation of debt and corruption. Few have the knowledge to understand what is going on meaning that the "powers that be" are free to operate as they see fit.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Broke <span style="font-size: large;">Nation</span></b></span></div>
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I will focus my thoughts on the United States but the same rules apply to most Western countries. The United States is broke. I am not just referring to the Federal Government and the insane debt it accumulated. Instead, I am talking about the average person on the street. This person has no net worth whatsoever. Due to factors which were present the past few decades, this person accumulated a negative asset base. What that means is they owe more than they have. <br />
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There is a difference between rich people and everyone else. The rich discuss net worth. Lists of the richest people in the world are determined using this criteria as the basis. Contrast this with the average person who, if money is discussed, mention income. To this individual, how much you make is critical; to the wealthy, how much you have. This is a big difference.<br />
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Since the housing collapse in 5 years ago, the average American has zero. Actually, because of debt, they have less than zero. They live in houses that are worth 30%-40% of what they are indebted for. At the same time, these people are most likely carrying a credit card balance somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000. Couple this with the fact that most people have some type of car payment and you see that debt is the common ailment.<br />
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I once read a study that really spelled out the situation. The surveyor asked people if they were able to put their hands on $2,000 within the next 30 days. I forget exactly what the percentage was but it is unbelievably low. That is insane. How can one not be able to put his or her hands on $2,000 in a month? The reason is because most of America is broke.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Consu<span style="font-size: large;">merism</span></b></span></div>
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There is a national epidemic which is occurring that outside the health field. That disease is killing people across the country. It is called consumerism. This single idea is what is obligating people to a life of financial slavery.<br />
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Madison Avenue runs our lives. People are told exactly what to do. Our perception of success is defined based upon what car we drive, clothes we wear, and perfume we scent ourselves with. Anything less than that and one does not have the right to feel successful. This message is delivered to us over time to the point where it is driven home. "Keeping up with the Jones" is a national pastime. People feel entitled to the "finest things in life" regardless of current income status. Again, the non-weathly concentrate on income as the basis for everything including whether something is affordable.<br />
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Another factor that enters into this is the idea of easy financing. Today, to be part of the consumerism extravaganza, one does not even need to be able to pay for the stuff. Easy credit is here to help. One only needs to sign his or her name and take the item home. Almost every industry offers credit in some form. And, of course, if it does not, the credit card companies are happy to step in. Trillions of dollars worth of stuff has been sold in this manner, much of it ill advised.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Personal Finance is the Cure</b></span></div>
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The cure for this plague is the educating of the masses in the area of personal finance. Our educational system is so archaic that it teaches children nothing about the subject of money. This is one area where the school system has left it to the parents and they failed miserably. Naturally, if we look at the habits of the parents, we realize they are financially uneducated also. It is no wonder this problem is multiplying.<br />
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People need to learn that it is time to take responsibility for their actions. Educating oneself about the basics in finance is crucial. However, it is not enough to learn about checks, credit cards, and the stock market. It is equally as vital that everyone understand why they do certain things. People shop for a variety of reasons; often to try and make up for something lacking within themselves. This is a problem that goes deeper than ill-advised spending. At the same time, people often make financial decisions without giving any thought as to what they are doing. This creates another situations where the subconscious becomes programmed to spend. Again, the problem seems to multiply.<br />
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Most thing that the subject of money and finance is boring. It is something that does not excite them so the decision is often made to overlook it. I will admit that it might not be as riveting as the latest reality show on television. However, there is probably no area more important in your life than the area of money. The honest truth is we live in a capitalistic society (read money) and it is something that people cannot get away from. Those who opt to go through life financially unaware are going to be at the mercy of the people who do understand what is going on. This is a simple fact in life. The unaware are slaves for those who are aware. <br />
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The rich do get richer. This is an axiom which is true throughout the ages. There are a few reasons for this. To start, as mentioned, they are always focused upon net worth and growing that. Thus, they acquire assets which become more valuable in time. The average person acquires items which they have to pay for over time. In short, the average person finances a car; the wealthy finance a car dealership; one increases wealth while the other decreases it.<br />
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Another reason why this is true is for the simple fact the wealthy understand the arena they are operating within: the one of money. Ironically, everyone is in this game but few take the time to learn the rules. Most leave their success to chance which often results in failure. How could one successfully drive if he or she did not understand the rules of the road? The answer is one would not be able to since his or her license would be revoked. Yet in the financial arena no such regulations exist. Nevertheless, there are rules to operate under that only few take the time to learn.<br />
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From this point forward, I urge you to begin to concentrate your efforts upon learning what it takes to accumulate wealth. Begin to read and study this subject. While it will not be the most exciting reading you ever do, it is monumentally critical to your lifelong success. We live in a world that revolves around money and that is something you cannot avoid.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-77693301368778356712013-03-23T08:58:00.000-07:002013-03-23T08:58:16.356-07:00Building WealthToday I am going to cover something that really gets people charged up. We are going to cover the topic of wealth. This is something that hits home with most everyone. It is impossible to live in a capitalistic society without encountering the subject of money on a daily basis. However, even though it is crucial to our existence, few are willing to discuss it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wealth</b></span></div>
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Money is a problem for most people. And it is a situation that is only getting worse. The protests by thousands of people in major cities in the past few years in the U.S. shows how frustration is growing among people. The divide between the haves and the have nots is getting wider. These are facts which are not subject to dispute since the data affirms this. However, I will take exception with the direction where the frustration is placed. <br />
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To start, wealth often means money to most people. In this post, I am going to agree and will focus upon the financial aspect of things. Nevertheless, wealth encompasses a great deal more than just dollars and cents. People enjoy wealth in a variety of ways. It is said the United States is the richest country on the planet. That is true. While not everyone in America is financially well off, the fact remains they are better than most of the world. Are you aware the average income around the world is $2 a day? Consider this the next time you feel you are underpaid and remember what others are dealing with.<br />
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The point is that people have access to things in the U.S which puts them far ahead of the rest of the world. Ponder for a second what the average book costs. You can walk into a bookstore and spend, let's say, $15 on a book. If you want 5 of them, it will run you roughly $75. For many, $75 for a luxury like books might be out of the question, especially on a regular basis.<br />
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Now, consider the fact that the same person can go to any public library and check out 5 books at any given time (most likely those same 5 books) for FREE. The person has the ability to read and enjoy the books without paying a penny for them. This amounts to a $75 benefit just because he or she resides in the United States.<br />
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We can see this same idea transferred to many other things which are readily available to us. Therefore, if one spent some time thinking about it, he or she could feel wealthy at any moment. The feeling of wealth is achieved by focusing upon what one has as opposed to what one does not have. Sadly, most concentrate their attention to what is missing or, worse, compare themselves with people who have more. A better course of action is to compare oneself to a person who has less and realize how lucky he or she truly is.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Make It A <span style="font-size: large;">Goal</span></b></span></div>
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Now that we showed that the feeling of wealth can be achieved no matter what your present circumstances, let us turn our attention to the area of finances or riches. From this point forward, when I refer to wealth, I am going to be concentrating on money. I know this might sound shallow to some yet it is a crucial factor in our lives, hence something we need to concentrate upon.<br />
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The big question is why do so few ever achieve the state of wealth while most miss out on it? This is a simple question to answer. No matter who it is or the circumstances they are in, there is only one reason why a person lacks wealth. It is because he or she has not truly decided to be wealthy. That is it. Anyone who has wealth, aside from those who inherited it, made a decision to become wealthy. They made it a focus in their lives. Everything was done in an effort to achieve that end. Those who are lacking in material resources have not made the same decision.<br />
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It is a proven fact that no matter what one decides to achieve, if he or she puts 100% time and effort into achieving that end, it will materialize. We see this with professional athletes, musicians, artists, and business people. Those who are successful decide to excel in a single area and persist at that endeavor until success is reached. Wealth is no different.<br />
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As I stated in the beginning, money is a funny subject. It is something that affects everyone yet so few are willing to talk about it. Rarely is one taught proper principles growing up at home regarding this lifelong topic. Instead, it is ignored which leads to lifelong failure in most instances. Did you realize that at 65, 95% of the people are either dead or dead broke. Only about 5% of the people achieve financial freedom. This is sad. People work all their lives to end up with nothing. Why? Because they never decided to make wealth building an overriding goal.<br />
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And why is that? The reasons are too long to list but basically it is conditioning. Basically, people are taught to think of scarcity. Growing up we hear phrases such as "money does not grow on trees". Also, we are trained to detest those who have more. Did you ever hear something to the effect "rich people are mean"? Phrases such as this teach us to view those with wealth as dishonest and cruel people. This is the same mindset we saw from the demonstrations a year ago. They aimed their frustration at people who were successful based upon their naive conditioning.<br />
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Again, the reason why those people are not wealthy is because they did not make wealth building a goal. They chose to make other things more important. The truth is that anyone can become wealthy. The tools for accumulating financial success are everywhere. However, it is only the small percentage who choose to pick them up. I do not know how accurate this is, but I once heard that only 10% of the people eligible for a 401K program take advantage of it. That is pathetic. Here is a basic wealth building goal over time because of the fact that it is tax deferred and usually accompanied by some type of company match. Therefore, one is receiving an instant ROI (usually between 50%-100%) and given a free loan from the government to allow the tax dollars, which would normally be paid, to earn interest over time. Yet, most skip this vital step.<br />
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We will cover this subject in much greater detail in ensuing posts. However, the thought that I want you to take today is that for you to achieve financial success, it must be an overriding goal. You must desire to be wealthy. Hoping and wishing do nothing. You need to DECIDE to make it a central part of your thought process and dedicate the time and effort necessary to build wealth. The strategies are out there. You must be willing to learn them. If you do this, I can guarantee, as long as you persist, that success will be had. It is impossible for anything else to result.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-58310734370571457622013-03-18T02:49:00.000-07:002013-03-18T02:49:04.259-07:00Feel GoodIn the last few posts, I asked you what you wanted in life. This is a theme which will be recurring throughout all future posts. The fundamental fact is that in life, you cannot attain anything unless you know what it is that you want. Sadly, most people allow live to dictate to them what that is as opposed to consciously deciding for themselves. It is time to alter that.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goals</b></span> </div>
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People are taught the importance of goal setting. I agree with this practice. However, I want to clarify it somewhat. Most will tell you to sit down and figure out your goals. Of course, we all heard they need to be in writing, stated in the positive, and come with a deadline. This is another well known concept which few people fail to implement. Again, this means that life steps in to create our outcomes for us. <br />
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The problem with establishing a large number of goals is most people have no idea why they want what is put down on paper. For example, a common goal is a luxurious house. While this can be a fantastic goal, it does not come without its own set of problems. Have you ever considered the taxes and insurance on a multi-million dollar estate? How about the upkeep and maintenance? And forget about the "at home" feel; that isnt possible in 7,000 square feet. Therefore, while the house is nice, is it something that you really want when you consider all that goes along with it?<br />
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What I just described is why so many people achieve their goals yet feel unfulfilled. I often caution people to be mindful of the goal they are chasing and make sure they are chasing the right one. Too often people are going after the wrong prize; something realized only after it is achieved. The "is this all there is" syndrome enters the picture at this point.<br />
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Therefore, we need to pay special attention to each and every goal we establish. In addition, it is also prudent to look at all the activities in our lives because there is a good chance that most of what we do ties into an unnamed goal that live gave us. Remember, in absence of us consciously choosing a desired outcome, life will create outcomes for us by default.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Feel Goo<span style="font-size: large;">d</span></b></span></div>
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The bigger question that arises is "what do people really want". Consider the house for a moment. Did the person really want a piece of real estate that was constructed out of concrete and wood? Not likely. What is desired if the feeling the house will provide. That is what is behind each and every goal. It is the feelings we attribute to the item which makes it desirable. That is why middle aged men go out and by European sportscars. It is the feeling of recapturing their youth (and vitality) that makes it attractive.<br />
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Basically, when you break it all down, we simply want to feel good. This sounds simplistic but it is a fundamental part of our makeup. Everything we seek is done as a means to making ourselves feel good. While I will grant people often take action to avoid certain feelings, like pain, the outcome is they hope to feel better. Therefore, when looking at goals, it is crucial to understand it is not the items but the feelings behind them we seek. Thus, we should pay close attention to how that outcome will fit into our lives or we risk attaining the item while missing the feeling.<br />
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Another piece to this puzzle is that, realistically, the goal is not required to feeling the emotion we seek. Regardless of your present circumstances, it is possible to feel any emotion you desire. It is simply a matter of putting yourself in that state. And that is a key insight into success in life. Take control of your emotional state as opposed to allowing it to control you. If you need something outside of yourself to feel fulfilled, you will most likely lead an empty life. There is never enough "out there" to fill what is lacking within you.<br />
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Thus, I would say simply work on feeling good. Concentrate your efforts on achieving this state throughout the day as often as you possible can. One way to attain this end is through music. What the reason, music has a way of instantly altering our emotional state. Who does not feel a shift (and empowerment) when listening to Chariots of Fire? This song reaches into the soul and lifts it up instantly. Many other songs do the same thing. Utilize this resource as a means of taking over your emotional state.<br />
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One final thought about the idea of feeling good. It is best to focus upon reaching this state as much as possible because it is when you feel good you will attract the same into your life. It is common sense to understand that happy people do not want to hang out with unhappy people. Ironically, but not surprisingly, the reverse is also true. Miserable people do not want to interact with those who have smiles on their face. Remember the old adage: misery loves company. I found this to be true. Therefore, it is best to feel good as much as possible so you will attract into your life those who feel the same. If you find you are surrounded by a bunch of miserable people, perhaps it is time to look at yourself.<br />
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<br />In closing, have fun today and feel good as much as you can.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-35379955367815004262013-03-16T08:22:00.001-07:002013-03-16T08:45:41.582-07:00Rising Above ObstaclesThe other day I touched upon the subject of obstacles and how people allow them to stop them before even starting upon their journey to success. What few realize is that obstacles are always present no matter what the endeavor. Those who allow them to stop them are guaranteed to fail. It is only those who move forward in spite of the obstacles present that will enjoy success.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ra<span style="font-size: large;">ise Your Level Of T<span style="font-size: large;">hinking</span></span></b></span></div>
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People who overcome obstacles are able to raise their level of thinking above the present situations. There is a saying: you cannot solve the problem at the same level that created the problem. What this means is that mentally one must lift his or her thinking to another level. This is what is meant by taking a step back to see the bigger picture. Too often we focus upon what is right in front of us without considering the larger situation.<br />
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This process starts with the understanding that anything is possible. Again, we see the vast percentage of the population (95%) who operate with limited thinking. They refuse to open up their minds to all the possibilities. That is why we hold people who are creative in such high regard. Men like Edison, the Wright Brothers, musicians, and other artists create things out of thin air. They have a picture in their mind which, with action, they manifest in the physical realm. Certainly, there are instances when it takes a long time to develop as in Edison and the light bulb. Yet, this shows how one who is operating at a higher level mentally can overcome whatever obstacles are present.<br />
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The question is do you fall into this category. Statistically speaking I am going to guess not. As mentioned, 95% of the general population are inhibited by limited thinking. Their belief system is such that they accept their present lot in life as the only way to live. Sure, others can achieve great success but not them. Their mindset is conditioned to settle and justify that decision.<br />
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Therefore, the very first order of business is to open our minds up to the wonderful power of unlimited thinking. Remember, what was once gadgets on a sci-fi television program is now part of our everyday lives. The thoughts were there long before the physical objects appeared.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Real or Imagined</b></span></div>
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We all know the mind is a powerful mechanism. It can create things that no computer can even come close to. The problem with this is there is a part of the mind that takes everything it is imprinted with as fact. The subconscious reads all as literal. This is a basis for success if we know how to program it. Yet, for most, it is a source of continued failure.<br />
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The mind sees in pictures. It matters none what it is impressed with, it believes it and operates as if it is factual. Therefore, if one allows fear to operate within him or herself, this is taken as gospel by the subconscious. Hence, whatever the mind conjures up is believed.<br />
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What does this have to do with obstacles? Well, the simply fact is that obstacles are a future event. When one is looking at any situation, the obstacles envisions are not present in that exact moment. They exist in the future which is not real. This is where the problem arises. How do you know whether the obstacles you envision are real or imaginary? Remember, the subconscious takes each as real so it matters none which they are. Imaginary obstacles will stop one the same as real ones.<br />
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As you can guess, as one proceeds along in quest of a particular goal, some of those obstacles will appear. The mind was not conjuring them up. They came to fruition and one simply has to deal with them. At the same time, one will also understand that many of the perceived obstacles do not exist. The imagination was running away from him or her. Of course, if one is allowing obstacles to stop progress, the imagined have the same effect.<br />
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Anyone who wants to have success needs to rise above this level mentally while understanding that one can only deal with real obstacles. While they will arise, there is no need to allow the imaginary to enter into the mindset. As was shown, this will only aid one in ceasing forward progress because that person cannot truly tell the difference between reality or not. And this is something that we all suffer from if we engage in this exercise.<br />
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Therefore, your solution is to focus upon what you truly want. Yes, it is important to weight the pros and cons of any venture before starting. However, do not allow the initial perception to alter one's path. Obstacles will be erected in due time and know you will deal with them in due time. Success is nothing more than rising above obstacles while persisting on towards pre-determined outcome. This is the method that the most successful people use. Begin to implement it in your life today.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-86084413743081867062013-03-13T15:54:00.001-07:002013-03-13T15:54:06.805-07:00Focus On What You WantThis is a basic idea of success and the main reason why most people never attain any great level of success in their life. To get what you want, you need to focus upon what you want. Simple idea, right? Well, if that is the case why do most people focus upon what they do NOT want? Answer this in your life and you will instantly find the pathway to success.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Know What You Want</b></span></div>
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T. Harv Eker likes to say that "most people do not get what they want because they do not know what they want". I found this statement to be very true. Ask the average person on the street what they desire and you will uncover answers such as:<br />
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Peace of Mind</div>
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Happiness</div>
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A New Car</div>
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Healthy Children</div>
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Serenity</div>
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To get married</div>
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While these are all good things, they are not very practical in answering what someone wants. Vagueness is a disease of the mind which kills lives. Here you can see how this happens. For example, what does peace of mind mean? Is it attainable on a continual basis? How do you know if you achieved it? Couldnt you do a mental exercise to implement that in your life today? Is peace of mind dependent upon external factors? Monks around the world would say no. So what is it that the person really wants?</div>
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As you can see, the fact that nothing is quantified means that nothing is measurable. It is a proven fact that when things are measured, progress is made. I found when dealing with weight loss, the best method is to measure different parts of the body periodically to track progress. The fact that one is measuring gives him or her an idea of progress. Of course, the way clothes fit tends to drive the same idea home. Nevertheless, there is a desired end which can be measured i.e. I want to fit into a size 6 or have a 32" waist. This is clarity.</div>
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So, for most people, the first step is to sit down and decide what he or she truly wants. Make this specific, use lots of adjectives, and assign numerical meanings wherever possible.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Focus On Obstacles</b></span></div>
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I am going to follow this section up with a post of its own but for now I will delve into it briefly. Even when people decide what they want, they tend to focus upon the obstacles that are in the way. This is where immediate self sabotage enters the picture. People use built in excuses to absolve themselves of responsibility even before starting. This is a method to protect themselves from disappointment.<br />
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To illustrate this, I will use money as an example. Who does not desire more money? Almost everyone will answer yes if you ask them "would you like more money". However, this is where the progress ceases in this quest. Few ever more past the point of wanting to making it a quantified goal. Even if one does embark on the process of establishing a goal of this sort, the immediate reaction is usually something like "I am not smart enough" or "rich people are mean" or "it takes too much effort". Of course, these are mostly knee-jerk excuses and not obstacles at all. Some are able to circumvent this yet get stopped when obstacles are pondered.<br />
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Consider:<br />
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I do not have time</div>
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I lack knowledge</div>
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I do not understand finance</div>
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The stock market (investing) scares me</div>
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A lack capital to get started</div>
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Notice how these phrases are nothing more than obstacles which are in the way of financial progress. Are they real? Certainly. It takes time to get wealthy and specialized knowledge is needed (which takes time to acquire). Understanding of financial principles is needed. Investing has the element of fear in it. And capital is required to operate in an arena based upon capital. However, none of these hindrances is insurmountable. Everyone who has achieved any type of financial success has overcome them. Why not you?</div>
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The reason is because sabotage occurs before the goal is even attempted. To truly succeed in life, it is necessary to raise your vision past the obstacles to what you truly desire. This is what the successful do. There is a secret that I am going to reveal to you which should help: no matter what the pursuit, no matter who the individual, there are always obstacles in the way. Accept this as a fact of life. </div>
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Those who focus on the obstacles are stopped while those who overlook them and concentrate their efforts upon what is desired will reach their goals more often than not. This is the key to all success. Keep this in mind.</div>
Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-77502069537913405182013-03-10T12:09:00.001-07:002013-03-10T12:09:20.335-07:00It Is Not Too LateAre you one who uses age as an excuse for not doing something? Do you believe that your best years are behind you? If so, you are one of the people who needs to understand what I am about to write. Excuse making never leads to success and believing that the passing of a certain number of birthdays means anything is fool's play.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Running Aft<span style="font-size: large;">er Most Are Dead</span></b></span></div>
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Do you know who Fauja Singh is? If not, this is a person who you should acclimate yourself with. He is a source of inspiration for anyone who reads his story while eliminating the build in excuse of age.<br />
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Recently, Singh ran his last marathon. It was a 10K run in Hong Kong which he did in about 1 hr 30 minutes. Since I am not a runner, I have no idea how this time compares to what others can perform. Nevertheless, my intuition tells me this is not a very good time. So why do I bring this guy up? Simply because he completed his racing of marathons at the ripe young age of 101. Yes you read that correctly. He is 101 years old and still running marathons. Contrast this with your inability to even get up and get yourself a drink from the refrigerator.<br />
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As astonishing as this is, it is not the most unbelievable aspect of the story. What is striking is that Singh did not take up running until he was 89. Can you imagine waking up one day at 89 years old and deciding "I am going to take up running"? Listen to most people this age and you will hear the defeated attitude from them. Statistically speaking, he started running at an age when most people are already dead.<br />
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Another caveat to this tale is the reason why Singh took up this particular exercise pattern when it did. It seems that he was suffering from depression after the death of his wife and the tragic killing of his son (beheaded in front of his eyes). Running was a way that Singh chose to deal with the pain from these personal situations. Again, compare this with what most would have chosen to do. <br />
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Fauja Singh is an inspiration to us all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It Is Never Too Late</b></span></div>
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He is also an example of the idea that it is never too late in life to try anything. I can cite hundreds of people who went against this idea. One of the most famous is a man named Harlan Sanders. He was an individual who retired and started collecting Social Security. Upon receiving his first check, he realized he needed to find a way to make more money so he started to travel around trying to sell a recipe that he created. In the end, he did well but few realize that Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame did not get started until he was 65 years old. <br />
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So, what is your excuse? Why are you allowing to days pass believing that you are too old for anything. The wonderful thing about age is that it is just a number. Another great aspect of life is that nobody is certain how long they will live. There are people in this world who are 35 years old who will not make it to next week. At the same time, there are people who are in their 80s who will be on this planet another 20 years or more. How awful that many of these people have the mindset that their best years are behind them and they are awaiting their passing from this existence. <br />
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There is a saying "life as if you are going to die tomorrow but plan as if you are going to live forever". Take a few minutes to ponder that idea. Since you have no idea how long you are going to live, why do you jump to the view that it is too late? Do you realize how much can be accomplished in 20 years? What if you have another 20, 30 or 40 years on this planet? It would be a shame to keep the wonderful idea that is within you from the world simply because you feel you are "too old".<br />
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Using age as an excuse is just another one of the roadblocks that we choose to erect as to why we cannot accomplish something. Successful people operate from a completely different premise. They simply take the approach whatever they want is possible no matter where they are starting from. If Fauja Singh could take up running at 89 years old, I figure most of us can do a heck of a lot more with our lives if we are only willing to get past the excuses. Our alibis are worthless. The proof is in your life. If you are operating at less than what you are truly capable of, it is time to kick things up. You do not have to wait until you are 89 to get things going.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-30085762811162723492013-03-01T11:12:00.003-08:002013-03-01T11:12:46.630-08:003 Steps To Accomplishing AnythingDo you realize the age we live in?<br />
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The Internet has changed the amount of information that we have access to. This single medium allows anyone, from the comforts of their own home, to view more information than is contained in the entire Library of Congress. No matter what the topic is, we are now able to tap into all that is known about that subject. This is a remarkable breakthrough which few take advantage of.<br />
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It is amazing that people, in general, are so inept. In this day and age, you would think that people were able to excel beyond anything ever imagined. Knowledge is potential power which can be turned into amazing accomplishments. However, not many are even willing to take this step.<br />
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Nevertheless, for those who are, there is hope. Are you aware that you can succeed at anything if you are willing to do a bit of research and apply some action? I do not care what the subject matter is or the area of life you would like to focus upon, the information is readily available. To succeed, one only need to follow a simple formula.<br />
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1. Research<br />
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Enter into any search engine "ways to _______________" and put in the topic of your choice. For example ways to lose weight, ways to gain financial freedom, ways to make money in the futures market, ways to be a better leader, etc... If you so desire, on topics that are broad like life improvement, you could put in 100 ways to improve your life.<br />
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What happens is you will get thousands of pages of web results. Many of these pages will be for sites selling something but a lot of them will be general information. These are the sites you want to focus upon. Information sites like blogs and free online courses provide a wealth of knowledge about the particular subject you are interested in. It is helpful to pay special attention to those sites which contain lists such as 20, 50, or 100 ways to _________. These will help you to complete step 2.<br />
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2. Create a List<br />
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Now it is time to create a list of basics actions we can take on a regular basis to reach our desired destination. At this time, go through the different sites and make notes about the suggestions they offer. Write down the actions they suggest so that you begin to form an action plan. A lot of this might be already done for you if you focus upon the sites with the lists already completed. Take the pertinent information out of those lists and add them to whatever other actions you find.<br />
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Once you have all this together, compile them into a master list. The goal here is to get 50 or 100 actions which you, personally, will take. Hopefully you will uncover many simple actions that when coupled together create fantastic results. The more items you list, the better since they are additional actions you can take. Also, the simpler the actions the greater the chance of success. So, for weight loss, you will not want to put down "run a marathon". Instead something such as "Park as far away from the store as possible" is better. <br />
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3. Take Action<br />
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This is key. Nothing is ever completed without action. Action is the bridge that spans the invisible world to the visible. Many have ideas in their head, acquire the knowledge, but fail to take the action. Without action, one only has thoughts.<br />
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Another aspect I must mention is the idea of consistent action. Learning a new language, for example, requires studying vocabulary on a daily basis. Just doing it one time will not suffice. Same with success in exercise, writing, sales, or chemical engineering. Whatever the subject, you will have a list of tasks to do on a regular basis. That is why you want many of them to be simple but effective. Again, when you have an assortment of simple actions that have big impact, coupling a few of them together will often create large results.<br />
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And there you have it. Take these three steps and you can accomplish anything. Remember, the information is readily out there. As Tony Robbins like to say, "success leaves clues". Take your subject matter, search for the information, compile a list of actions you can take to arrive at your destination, and take the action. <br />
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Life does not have to be complicated. Why make it that way?Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-80525730725759685492013-02-28T07:13:00.001-08:002013-02-28T07:13:19.461-08:00Creating The Life You WantThere is a fundamental part of creating the life that you want. Most fail to miss this basic component which ensures that they are destined to lead a life that is less than what they truly crave. Instead, they find themselves mired in a state of mediocrity. <br />
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What is this basic building block? In one word: believe.<br />
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To create the life that you want, you first must believe it is possible. This is a difficult task for most especially when mired in the daily grind that is their present reality. Most individuals do not have the ability to "see" what is ahead of them. Their focus remains solely on the negativity which exists in the present moment.<br />
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Visualization is a technique that many taught over the ages. Many will scoff at this notion because the do not believe it works. It is ironic since all evidence points to the contrary. To start, when one visualizes, he or she gains clarity over what is desired. We all are aware that with clarity comes power. It is much easier to hit a target that is clearly seen than one that is fuzzy or moving.<br />
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At the same time, visualization also allows us to focus our attention upon that which is desired. Some will contest the merits of attaching to you vibrationally what you want. However, one cannot debate the power of focus and what happens when one concentrates the mind on a single end. The book "Think and Grow Rich" contained this idea as the central tenet throughout the entire book.<br />
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Believing takes a "leap of faith". The reason why it is believing and not knowing is because it has not materialized in the physical world. Failure is something that most have experienced. We know this concept well. However, life success is another story for most. Their conditioning leads one to move away from this at every turn. Over the years we are taught things such as "get your head out of the clouds", "keep your feet on the ground", or "get a safe job to provide security for your family". These are all concepts which imprison one mentally.<br />
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The truth is that your life is exactly that: yours. You can do with it as you see fit. If you want to end it today, that is your choice. Nobody can stop you if this is seriously your intention. At the same time, if you desire to make it the most wonderful thing in the world, there isnt an individual on this planet who can prohibit that...except you. Your life is what you perceive it to be. <br />
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Therefore, if you want more out of life, you need to first believe that a) more exists and b) you are capable of achieving it. The fact that you presently are in a condition that is distasteful to you should not hinder you in any way. Many noted success stories started from places much worse than you presently are at. These individuals did not allow their present circumstances get in the way of the creation of the life they wanted. Instead of deterring them, the situations often inspired them. Whatever is your excuse for stopping you, use that are a reason to overcome. This simple shift is available to anyone who chooses it.<br />
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So, begin your journey to success by believing that anything is possible in your life. Remember, things we often take for granted today, like air travel, were pipe dreams 150 years ago. Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-39574757124510267962013-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-26T07:00:13.061-08:00Small TasksWhen look at personal development, people tend to focus upon the major things in life. However, few really take the time to realize that often the most effective event in altering one's life is rather small in nature. Many people can comprehend this but they miss a basic component necessary to achieve a higher level.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Consistency</b></span></div>
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Success in life comes from being successful. I will use sports because it will provide a visual analogy that is easy to see. In baseball, the highest paid players (everyday) are those who hit the best. While some are what are termed "streaky" hitters, most teams prefer a player who will hit consistently throughout the season. The ones who go through prolonged hot stretches only to be followed up by long cold spells create a scenario where one cannot be counted upon. However, the player who regularly goes out and gets 3 hits in 10 at bats will be paid a very high salary. The consistency when mapped over the course of a season nets a team tremendous production.<br />
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Life is the same way. Too many people try to get results by doing something once (or once in a while). We see this every New Year when people make the resolution to get into shape. What happens? They go to the gym everyday for a week or two then stop. The desire is quickly removed. Instead of being consistent with it, they expect a one-shot result. It does not happen.<br />
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Success is the result of following a program on a daily basis that leads to the desired outcome. Few people ever follow a plan. Instead, they determine and outcome while just "winging it". Action will naturally tend to be spotty. This is where a plan of action offsets the natural tendencies to slack off.<br />
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Consistent action that is moving us towards a particular goal will ultimately net that result. No matter what the desired outcome, as long as the action is consistently undertaken, success will result.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Time</b></span></div>
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Time is the element that few seem to have a grasp of. As I just stated, action repeated which moves one towards a desired end will get that person there. However, the factor that is central to this idea is that of time. No matter what the action it will get one where he or she wants to go. However, it might not be the most effective or quickest way to that outcome.<br />
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Using the idea of weight loss, simply stopping to drink sugary sodas could have a major impact on one's effort to drop weight. This single action, if one is a regular drinker of these beverages, will help one to shed pounds over time. The amount of time required will depend upon a number of factors including how many sodas a day are drank. Nevertheless, this single, small task, will ultimately move a person towards weight loss.<br />
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Moving to the next stage, what if a person wants to lose weight a bit quicker? Obviously, this is where compounding activities can have a massive impact upon the time something takes. For example, in addition to giving up high calorie sugary drinks, perhaps this individual begins to walk for 20 minutes each day. This added exercise will burn calories thus compounding the eliminated calories as a result of the drinks being removed. <br />
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Manipulating time is something that everyone can do. Time moves in linear fashion but we can increase our results by consistently compounding our actions. The aforementioned idea works in any situation, not only weight loss.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Small Tasks</b></span></div>
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Life is nothing more than a series of small tasks. Few people seem to realize this. The personal development field is renowned for telling people to focus upon the larger activities first; this is where your greatest impact is. But is it? What is a big task really? When you ponder it for a while, most big actions are nothing more than a series of minor tasks strung together for a large outcome.<br />
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This is an area where the personal development field puts itself at odds...with itself. While it tells people to handle the larger activities, it also tells them to break those tasks down into smaller size "bites". My feeling is why don't we just focus upon the smaller size tasks to begin with and eliminate one step in the process.<br />
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Again, going back to weight loss, if one is overweight there is a simple reason: that person takes in too many calories while burning too few. That is the only reason why one puts on weight. This is true for people who do not eat a lot (ie few calories). Many think that not eating is the way to lose weight when, in fact, the opposite results. Metabolism will slow down when the body is starved. Hence we have the situation where, even with reduce caloric intake, this individual still takes in more than is burnt. Therefore, adding in a small, daily task like walking increases the likelihood of weight loss. As long as it is done daily (or a few times a week), success will be achieved.<br />
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Today, begin to focus upon those smaller activities that will have a net effect down the road. Remember that all success is achieved through a series of smaller steps all designed to move you in one direction. Shift your mindset from the "big rock" idea and concentrate on the smaller tasks. This is how habits are formed. And this is where one achieves success while on autopilot. If one does not have to think about working out but, instead, does it out of habit, what do you think the chances are of physical fitness? Most will agree this person stands a terrific chance.<br />
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Implement this idea into your life beginning today and see where it takes you. Within a week, you will notice a difference.<br />
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<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-68479049917235738582013-02-16T13:05:00.001-08:002013-02-16T13:05:37.698-08:00OutstandingThis is a word that I want you to consider and think about how it applies to your life. Is "outstanding" a part of anything you do? Do you experience a part of your day that is "outstanding"? Can you ever answer "outstanding" when asked a question like how was your exercise class? If you are like many, I am going to guess the answer is no.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Medi<span style="font-size: large;">ocre</span></b></span></div>
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We are conditioned to accept the mediocre. This is something that we are taught from the time we leave school. It is ironic because the educational system rewards outstanding performance. All merits are based upon getting the highest grades attainable. Of course, if you can do this, then you are privileged to attend the best schools. This, we are told, will enhance you chances of getting a better job upon graduation.<br />
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However, this is where the confusion arises. Once we enter the workforce, we are told "not to rock the boat". Organization such as unions exist to collectively negotiate for all its members regardless of merit. Middle management is often the goal because upper management appears to be a caste system. <br />
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We see the same thing occur in people's personal lives. They remain in marriages/relationships which are mediocre. Weekends are spent tending to insignificant tasks which really amounts to the wasting of time until the next workweek starts. Few have passion in anything they do but, instead, opt to trudge through life as something to be tolerated. <br />
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The end result is that mediocre is acceptable. In fact, it is something that many strive for.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>O<span style="font-size: large;">utsta<span style="font-size: large;">nd<span style="font-size: large;">ing Is A Mindset</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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It is a wonderful fact that to be outstanding, one need only to decide to be that. Few realize the power of the mind and the ability of it to alter one's reality. Whereas mediocrity is a state of mind, so too is the concept of "outstanding". And, I feel it is time that everyone adopted this viewpoint.<br />
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The starting point is to decide that you are going to experience "outstanding" in all you do. This is now the goal of every action you take. Nothing is done with the intent of only being mediocre. Of course, we must remember that few every utilize the word "mediocre". Instead, they use descriptive terms such as enough, average, comfortable, and passable. People strive to just complete the task as opposed to determining the quality with which it is undertaken. While I will admit there are many situations where one seeks to just "get the job done", too often this is people's approach to everything. In fact, it is their pattern for life in general.<br />
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Outstanding is the highest state of achievement. It is one step higher on the scale from excellence. Excellence can be the state of extreme talent. However, outstanding is the state of separating oneself from everyone else. Many have excellence in their lives yet few are truly outstanding. Even the word itself depicts what occurs: one literally stands out. Going back to our original questions, is there any part of your life that stands out?<br />
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Here is an example using my favorite topic: the physical body. Many people realize they are not doing so well in this department so they decide to make a change. Most of the time, they establish a goal of "getting in shape". Perhaps they even quantify it a bit more by putting a number such as losing 50 pounds or getting down to 135 pounds. Regardless of the method chosen, compare these ideas with the goal of having an outstanding body. Which one denotes greater passion and excitement. Would you rather be in shape or have an outstanding body? The answer should be self-evident. Of course, to read the later end requires a great deal more effort. And that is why most usually settle for mediocre: it is a lot easier.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rewards</b></span> </div>
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There needs to be a payoff for undertaking the extra action necessary to achieve outstanding. Fortunately, all rewards are forthcoming to a person of this ilk. In fact, it the outstanding who reap most of the rewards.<br />
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Consider the idea of the workplace. If you are mediocre, what do you get? People at this level find they get very few of the rewards offered in the workplace. In fact, it is commonplace that they share in nothing. Outsourced, downsized, or laid off is a typical outcome for these people.<br />
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The same is true for those who are excellent. While they tend to last longer than the average, they too do not share in a great portion of the rewards. People are this level are very good at what they do but things are still a struggle. Many can duplicate what they do albeit with some searching. Their rewards can be good but rarely will set them apart.<br />
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It is only those who set themselves apart from everyone else that receive truly outstanding rewards. Outstanding people take home the lion's share of the prize. This is true in all situations. These are the people who get noticed by others. Therefore, they profit where others are overlooked.<br />
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Getting back to the physical body scenario mentioned above. Who do you think will attract more of the opposite sex, the person in shape or the one with the outstanding body? Anyone who ever visited a beach knows the answer to this one. The person with the outstanding body is going to turn all heads. He or she is the one who garners the attention of the opposite sex. The person in shape might have success but the one who achieved outstanding will get to choose from the lion's share. And this is the difference. Entering the elite allows one to enjoy a disproportionate amount of the rewards.<br />
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In conclusion, I suggest you lift your standards up to the level of outstanding. This is the quickest and easiest way to move from a life of mediocrity. Choose one facet today and approach that area with the mindset of being outstanding. Do this, and notice how quickly your actions change as do the results you get.<br />
<br />Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-63222264912032609292013-02-06T07:39:00.001-08:002013-02-06T07:39:49.386-08:0010,000 ChangesLast week I wrote used the analogy that life is like filling up a glass jar with rocks and sand. The best way to do this is to put the largest rocks in the jar and then fill in around them with the smaller ones and, ultimately, the sand. This allows for the smaller items to fill in the crevices created by the larger ones. Of course, if the opposite approach is taken, one would find difficulty fitting in the larger rocks after the jar is partially filled with the smaller items. This simply would not work.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Going Contrar<span style="font-size: large;">ian</span></b></span></div>
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Those who follow the investing world are familiar with the contrarian investor. This is an individual who goes against the prevailing wisdom. For example, everyone might be touting how the stock market is going to continue to go up while the contrarian is betting that it goes the opposite direction. It is a challenge, emotionally, to stray from the masses. Man does not do well when he is an island unto himself. We are social beings requiring validation from others. That is why most people will follow others off a cliff simply because they lack the fortitude to do something different.<br />
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Today, I am going to suggest doing something different. Many people write about finding your purpose and making a grand plan of the most important items in your life. This is the "big rock" approach which is perfectly valid. However, many get caught up by the fact that they do not have any idea what their purpose is. This fact frustrates many and is the main reason for failure. After a short while, the individual simply throws up his or her hands and says "forget it". <br />
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We are going to adopt radically different tactic then what is was just prescribed. People get into ruts because everything is the same. Life takes on a repetitive nature which can make things mundane. Get up, go to work, come home, go to sleep and do it all over again the next day. Even on a weekly basis, we see the same pattern. In short, there is no passion or drive. Of course, if this person had an overriding purpose, things would be different. Nevertheless, we need an approach for someone who cannot figure that out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10,000 Changes</b></span></div>
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It is time to change things up. This is the method that I am going to suggest today. Instead of focusing on larger scale of life, we are going to advocate focusing on the micro. Contrary to popular belief, a person can radically alter his or her life by doing many things differently. Even if the "big rocks" are the same, job, family, house, this technique, over time, will help one out of the rut.<br />
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10,000 changes seems like a lot. However, when you consider all the actions you take on a daily basis, it really is not. Each day, we do thousands of things, most of it unnoticed. This causes a problem in the fact that we tend to go through life on "auto-pilot". Little is really notices about the world we live in or how we interact with it. The mundane aspect of things results when these conditions actions become so ingrained in us that we do little to deviate from it. <br />
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Utilizing this approach forces us to look at the unnoticed actions which we are taking on a daily basis. Even awareness is helpful at creating change. However, the biggest benefit comes when we make a conscious decision to alter some behavior. Now an individual needs to be careful not to expect too much from a single change. This is the reverse of the "big rock" approach. Sure, if you quit your job, that is going to have a radical impact upon your life. I doubt very highly you will experience the same magnitude by changing how you hang the roll of toilet paper in your bathroom. Yet, the bottom line is both are changes.<br />
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I am a strong advocate of making tons of minor changes as a means of altering your life. Anyone who has tried this method realizes that one is quickly conditioned to seek out change. This is direct contrast to the average person who does his or her best to avoid change. Most people run from change for as long as they can. Here, we are moving into the realm of adopting a lifestyle which is based upon change. It is ironic that this move puts us in accordance with nature since that is system which is ever changing. In life, there is no standing still. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Start With <span style="font-size: large;">10 Actions</span></b></span></div>
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The best way to begin this process is to take out a piece of paper and write down 10 changes that you can make rather easily. Again, we are not necessarily looking for the big rocks although they can be noted. Here we are most likely focusing upon the sand or, at worse, smaller rocks. Choosing 10 gives one a good basis for establishing a track record for change. Plus, if these are minor in scope, they all can be completed in short order. Getting started is the key.<br />
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To help you get started, let us look at a few basic activities. Which do you wash first when showering, your hair or body? Do you shave before brushing your teeth or after? Are veggies a part of every meal? What route do you travel to work? Do you allow things to pile up before tending to them? Are you one to reach for a donut or candy when you are upset? Do you open your email as soon as you get to work?<br />
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Notice how these questions make us focus upon the basics of our day. Few of these answers are ever considered by most people. However, delving into all that we do, especially at the subconscious level allows us to make impact changes over time. Life is literally made up of a series of minor actions all strung together. Altering even a few of those behaviors has the ability to send us off on a completely different path down the road. <br />
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I want you to repeat this process each day for the next week. Everyday, select 10 actions/things you can change. After a week, you will have made at least 70 changes. If you can carry this out for a month, you will be conditioned to look for and embrace change. Take this a step further, if done for a year, you will be astounded at the radical improvement in your life. Ruts will be a thing of the past. Seek to change 10,000 things in your life. Just the process alone will net you a tremendous windfall. <br />
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<br />By the way, while doing this, do not be surprised that if somewhere along the line you do discover some big rocks to tend to. Many have found their life purpose by pursuing this method.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-81290181876698698202013-01-28T13:09:00.002-08:002013-01-28T13:09:32.056-08:00The Power of CompoundingContrary to what many of you believe, this post is not going to be about finances. Many are aware of the word "compound" as it relates to the phrase compound interest. For those who are unaware, this is the idea where money is earned through interest by which replicates itself for long term growth. In short, money earns money. Sadly, most know this idea on the debt side when looking at the credit card statement. You ever wonder why it takes so long to pay off a debt. It is because the amount owed compounds over time. <br />
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Nevertheless, I am going to apply this idea to a variety of areas.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Only One Avenue</b></span></div>
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Have you ever noticed that people only focus their efforts on one thing. What I mean is that most individuals take an all or none approach to life. No matter what the area, there is a preferred method to follow and that is it. Using finances, how do most people make their money? Obviously, it is from their jobs. One source of income. The same is true for exercise. The majority of people pursue one activity which is their favorite. For example, some lift weights. Others dance. Still others walk or jog. Either way, there is a preferred model which is followed.<br />
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The problem with this approach is one needs to be 100% accurate (correct) to realize any major benefits. In the area of health, lifting weights is definitely a pathway which will yield outcomes that are favorable. Adding muscle through weight training helps the body to burn new calories entering the body and eat away at fat (stored calories). However, just lifting weights will not increase overall health if everything else is ignored. Diet is proven to be a major component to one's health and the effects of weight training can be negated if one is surviving on candy and donuts. One avenue will not achieve the optimum end.<br />
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The idea of compounding is to combine as many beneficial acts together so that they can start to duplicate themselves. In the health example, while weight lifting adds a certain benefit, this can be multiplied by one eating a high protein diet (if one is seeking weight). At the same time, if one is seeking to lose weight, this coupled with a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats will work better than just a dietary drink along. The added muscle will help to burn more calories thus speeding up the process.<br />
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Most areas of life can be improved if one will only apply this idea. No matter where one is starting from, there are a number of different activities which will have a positive approach. You job is to determine which of these actions will have the greatest impact and do as many as possible. In fact, this is the best way to get out of a rut. Make a list of all that can be done and do as much as possible. Each action will build upon the previous.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Little Things Do Make A Difference</b></span></div>
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I am a big believer in the effectiveness of changing one's life by making thousands of small changes. Everyone is continually seeking out the major change and, at times, these are necessary. However, often people will achieve the same results by making a series of smaller changes which, over time, amount to a great deal. This is the premise of compounding.<br />
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Again, we will go back to health. There are hundreds of things I could list as ways to improve your health. Let us suppose you are overweight and in terrible shape. What are some of the things you can immediately do which will alter your path over the next two years?<br />
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Here is a brief list:<br />
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-Eliminate donuts, candy, soda, creamers, salty snacks, and breads from your diet<br />
-Walk each night for 20 minutes<br />
-Stretch daily<br />
-Quit smoking and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages<br />
-Park your car at the far end of the parking lot to walk extra steps<br />
-Do 20-30 air squats a couple times a day<br />
-Drink 8 glasses of water throughout the day<br />
-Eliminate coffee and other caffeine laden beverages<br />
-Eat a salad with every meal<br />
-Have vegetables with each meal<br />
-Eat breakfast in the morning<br />
-Jump rope<br />
-Implement weight training a couple of times a week<br />
-Buy a push lawnmower and mow you own lawn<br />
-Eat fish 2-3 times per week<br />
-Eliminate sugary cereals<br />
-Skip fast food places forever<br />
-Walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator<br />
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Notice how many items are already on the list. Some of these require great effort. However, much of this list is rather simple to implement. Parking far away from the building adds extra steps without creating much work. Sure it is difficult in the rain and cold but when it comes to health, can you afford to risk it. The point is the more of this list that you implement, the greater the chance of success. And this is true in all walks of life.<br />
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Compounding says that the results are greater than the totality of the parts. Because of the power of compounding, one will received an increased benefit as compared to doing a single action. For example, losing 20 pounds will make one feel great. At the same time, stretching and increasing one's flexibility feels the same. But, imagine how good one feels after losing 20 pounds and gaining increased flexibility through stretching. The net result is greater when both are combined as opposed to each activity on its own.<br />
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Therefore, I challenge you to take an area of your life that is less than stellar at this moment. Once you have that, sit down and list all the actions which will have a positive effect in that area. Consider both the addition of some actions which are beneficial along with the elimination/reduction of actions which are negative. Make this list as long as possible overlooking nothing. Put even the most minor of activities on there. The reason being is that the more you do in this particular area, the better the results will be. And let us not forget, what seems minor on its own could have a terrific effect long term. Remember, small actions taken over a long period of time will have great effect. <br />
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If your life is progressing well and you are uncertain of an area to focus here is an idea for you: list all the things you can to do live to be 100 years old.<br />
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What better way to improve your life than by extending it a decade or two?Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-68157631207712957742013-01-26T07:55:00.000-08:002013-01-26T07:55:13.064-08:00Low Hanging FruitToday I am going to cover a concept that hopefully will uplift the spirits of people, especially those in worse shape. It is a simple fact that few people are completely happy with their lives nor do they not have anything that can be improved upon. There has yet to be one who has attained the state of perfection. That being the case, we all have some things we can adjust to make our lives better. For some of us, this is a rather long list.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A <span style="font-size: large;">Comp<span style="font-size: large;">le<span style="font-size: large;">te Mess</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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Everyone has a different starting point. Some of you out there basically have lives that are a total mess. No matter what area you focus your attention upon, it is a train wreck. The idea of improvement is absolutely daunting because of the magnitude of the garbage piles in your life. Financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally rank in negative numbers on a scale of 1-10. Just getting back to zero would be a major accomplishment and that is the idea behind this article.<br />
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The advantage to being a complete mess is that improvement is rather easy to attain. For those who have put forth major effort over a long period of time, a noticeable difference is harder to attain. But for the ones who dwell in the garbage dump, success can be had with a few basic changes. It is this point that I want you to grasp onto and hold dear.<br />
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As is my custom, I will use analogies to emphasize the lesson. Here we will use weight loss, my favorite topic since the results are physical and visual in nature. Let us compare two women; one 250 pounds and the other 130 pounds (we will leave out height in this example). With these women, we are going to presume they both can lose some pounds and, hence, embark on a weight loss program. Now, here is the question, who do you think will have an easier time losing weight?<br />
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If you answered the 250 pound person you are correct. When someone has such poor habits that she is able to maintain that excessive weight, any change in her diet or exercise will net huge results. For example, simply cutting out sugary drinks while going for a 30 minute walk each night might help this person drop 20 pounds. For someone at 130 pounds, it is going to require a great deal more effort to get the same results because it is presumable that her eating and exercise habits are much better.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Low Hanging Fruit</b></span></div>
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The key to change, especially if you have not exerted much effort in a particular area, is to go after the low hanging fruit to start. In the weight loss example, the idea is to eliminate those foods which have the greatest impact first. Thus, sugary drinks, donuts, cakes, potato chips, and candies are removed. Someone who is obese can realize a rapid difference by doing this. For someone in shape, like Michael Phelps, he would have to swim an additional 8 miles a day to notice any improvement. His fruit is at the top of the tree.<br />
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One point I need to emphasize is that people too often look to see a difference. Again, going based upon our example, which person will notice more of a difference by losing 20 pounds? Naturally, the one who is 130 pounds. If she lost 20 pound, reducing herself to 110, most would notice the huge loss as a percentage of her body weight. Someone who is 250 going to 230 will not see that much of a difference visually. And this is where the mistake is often made. Do not focus upon the comparison but what it takes to get results. Sure the 250 pound person needs to go a lot further than the 130 pound person to be fit. Nevertheless, when starting out, the advantage lies with the heavier woman. If some area of your life is like this, use this to your advantage.<br />
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I will give you another example. In my front yard there is a bed of seashells that line the front walk. As you can guess, over time the weeds will grow through the shells creating a mess. Recently, I looked at that bed of shells and noticed how the weeds took control. So what was my solution? One morning I spent about 10 minutes pulling the BIGGEST clumps of weeds out. I did not worry about the small ones at that time. Obviously, over time, they will grow to be a bigger problem. Nevertheless, my goal was to make a noticeable difference in the look of the bed. Hence I went after the low hanging fruit which netted me the greatest difference in the least amount of time. Now, if I spend a bit of time each week pulling weeds, my level of fruit will be higher up on the tree.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Results Are Visual</b></span></div>
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We live in a physical world where things are judged visually. People need to see results not just hear about them. This is something everyone knows. Our boss does not want to hear about our plans for the report, he or she wants to see the report completed. Therefore, when seeking to completely turn around an area of life that presently is in chaos, we need to concentrate on the largest items first.<br />
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There is another mental analogy that is widely used in the personal development area. Picture an empty jar that you are going to fill completely. What is the best way to start? The lesson goes is that to best fill the jar, put the largest rocks in first. Once those are in the jar, one proceeds to put the next largest and so on until all the rocks are in the jar. Of course, after the rocks are placed in there, then the sand can but dumped in. The reason for this methodology is that the small items will fit into the pockets created by the larger items. However, if we concentrate on the smaller items first, we will have difficulty with the larger ones later one. It is the same thing in life. Focus on the largest items first.<br />
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Have you ever seen someone who had a car that was a complete mess? Here is a person that seems to never throw anything out. Naturally, the rugs in the car need a thorough vacuuming but that is an assumption since you cannot see them with all the fast food bags and soda bottles thrown about. Therefore, the starting point is to take a garbage bag and fill it with all the excess trash. This simple act will make a huge visual difference even if the vacuuming is not done. Again, if we are going to compare, the person who keeps his or her car spotless is going to have to take the step of paying for a professional detail job to make a noticeable difference. The cost (effort) is much greater for this person.<br />
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In closing, realize the worse things are for you the easier it is for you to change direction and create momentum in the other direction. Forget about where you are as compared to where you want to go. A mindset like that will overwhelm you eliminating all desire to move forward. Instead, keep the visual of a fruit tree imprinted upon your mind and ask yourself what is the low hanging fruit that I can tend to which will make a major difference. The above analogies should give you a good idea of how to do this. Look for the habits/actions which either cause the most problem (eliminate them) or the ones which will net the greatest results (implement them). There are plenty of areas in life where you are the 250 pound woman. Seek out to drop that first 20 pounds; that is the first big stone to go into the jar.Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9142749039560757753.post-26759922081085559922013-01-22T06:42:00.000-08:002013-01-22T06:50:15.740-08:00Singleness of FocusThink and Grow Rich is one of the most successful self improvement books of all time. This book, written in the early part of the 20th century, is the result of years of study of the most successful and powerful men in the United States at that time. The author, who later went on to head up Success Magazine, spent two decades researching what made these men different from everyone else. And, the result has become the secret which is contain in every page of that book.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Focus</b></span></div>
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We live in a multi-tasking world. Everyone tries to do multiple things at one time. Throughout our day, while we are working, we are continually interrupted by instant messages and emails. People also appear in person in our offices/work space creating more disruption. Ultimately, productivity is lost because of the fact we are continually starting and stopping.<br />
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The solution to this, we are told, is to focus upon one thing at a time. Our minds are created in such a way that it can consciously focus only upon one area. While it moves at a speed that is measured in nanoseconds, even the slightest move away from the present task is an interruption. The problem with this is that a "restart" is required where one determines where he or she left off and what the next step is. In many cases, this is instant but, if the interruption is lengthy, it can take a bit longer.<br />
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What I just revealed to you is not great secret. Most of you have heard that same mantra repeatedly. However, Think and Grow Rich dealt with focus on another level. The scenario I just described takes a micro view of activity. Stone, the author, took a more macro approach. It was his conclusion that the men he studied could attribute their success to a single-minded focus in their field. They did not diversify or hedge to prevent loss. Instead, they were 100% committed to their beliefs and the industry they were operating in. Carnegie was a steel man. Rockefeller oil. In later years, we see the same thing with some of the national business giants. Sam Walton was a retailer. Bill Gates sold operating systems. In fact, many entities encountered trouble when they got away from their chosen field (think HP moving into computers instead of focusing exclusively on printers).<br />
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The bottom line is that history's greatest leaders often had the single-minded focus to concentrate all their efforts in one area. They were not "jack-of-all-trades" but, rather, experts in their chosen professions. It was their expertise which enabled them to make decisions and move their companies in directions most never would have considered.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>True Resolve</b></span></div>
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Along with a single-minded focus, the other aspect that separated these men from the general population is their resolve to make their vision materialize. The ability to focus upon one area helped to increase their knowledge and general abilities to navigate troubles that periodically arose. However, nothing great is ever accomplished without the unending resolve to be successful. In other words, failure was not an option. While things went wrong from time-to-time, these were nothing more than temporary setbacks. No matter what happened, their resolve was to continue forward.<br />
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The basic formula looks something like this:<br />
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A focus on a major vision + unending resolve to make that come true = success</div>
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Notice there is no waffling or indecision. These men were dedicated to the path they chose. They cut off all other possibility of than the outcome they desired and were willing to work as hard and long as necessary to make it come true. Contrast this with what most people do which is to quit at the first sign of difficulty. The general population mostly lacks the general vision which stops then immediately. However, even those who do have some insight into what they want will usually succumb when difficulties arise. And this is the basic reason why some succeed while most other fail. Setbacks are temporary but giving up is permanent.</div>
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Hence, we are at the point where you have a decision to make. What is it that you want? What is your overriding vision? Consider your values and what is important to you and develop a plan of where you want to be? This is the first part of the process. After that, once it is clear in your mind, commit 1000% to making that outcome a reality. Success requires both parts. It is impossible to attain anything above mediocre any other way. Shortcuts do not work. Unless you are 1000% committed to a clear, concise vision, then you are going to encounter difficulty. Eliminate future setbacks by following the path of success which has stood the test of time. Certainly if this equation was good enough for Andrew Carnegie, then it is good enough for you.</div>
Dennis Hartinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07600547149404465673noreply@blogger.com0