Saturday, August 14, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
START WHERE YOU STAND
I just stumbled across this poem and had to share it. I love it!
A Motivational Poem
START WHERE YOU STAND
By Berton Braley
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history,
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned;
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
A Motivational Poem
START WHERE YOU STAND
By Berton Braley
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history,
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned;
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
There's Dependence, Independence, and then there's Inter-dependence!
I'm currently reading Stephen R. Covey's book "The 7 habit's of Highly Effective People" and am fascinated by this concept of Dependence, Independence and Interdependence. I get the process of growth from a child being dependent on it's parents, and then as it grows it breaks free from them, becomes liberated. And then as that child grow's into an adult and has friends, relationships and possibly get's married, then learns interdependence - that still being an independent individual, but in the 'pooling' of skills/resources can achieve much more in a 'team' or committed relationship.
Well, that is the basics of this concept. But I like how he goes on to elaborate on independence and interdependence. Here is a little excerpt from the book to explain what really got me thinking today:
Dependent people need others to get what they want.
Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts.
Interdependent people combine their efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success.
Physically dependent - someone paralyzed, disabled or limited in some way - I would need you to help me.
Emotionally dependent - My sense of worth and security would come from your opinion of me.
Intellectually dependent - I would count on you to do my thinking for me, to think through issues and problems of my life.
Physically Independent - I could pretty well make it on my own.
Mentally Independent - I could think my own thoughts, I could think creatively and analytically and organize and express my thoughts in understandable ways.
Emotionally Independent - I would be validated from within. I would be Inner directed. My sense of worth would not be a function of being liked or treated well.
Interdependence is a far more mature, more advanced concept.
Physically Interdependent - I am self-reliant and capable, but I also realize that you and I working together can accomplish far more than, even at my best, i could accomplish alone.
Emotionally Interdependent - I derive a great sense of worth within myself; but i also recognize the need for love, for giving, and for receiving love from others.
Intellectually Interdependent - I realize that I need the best thinking of other people to join with my own."
This really got me thinking today of where I personally ranked in this scheme of things. I like to think that I'm a pretty independent person. I have spent many years on my own learning who I am and how I operate, and that I am a worthy person. And yet, reading this made me realise that there still is a part of me that screams out for validation from others. Could it be that I am not as Independent as I thought - maybe that is something that I can work on....my emotional independence?
And I truly believe that Interdependence is an ongoing learning process as we grow we can always improve in this.
I love reading books like this that expand my thinking, introduce new ideas and concepts to me and give me something that I can work on to improve myself and become the best version of me that I can be.
Well, that is the basics of this concept. But I like how he goes on to elaborate on independence and interdependence. Here is a little excerpt from the book to explain what really got me thinking today:
Dependent people need others to get what they want.
Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts.
Interdependent people combine their efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success.
Physically dependent - someone paralyzed, disabled or limited in some way - I would need you to help me.
Emotionally dependent - My sense of worth and security would come from your opinion of me.
Intellectually dependent - I would count on you to do my thinking for me, to think through issues and problems of my life.
Physically Independent - I could pretty well make it on my own.
Mentally Independent - I could think my own thoughts, I could think creatively and analytically and organize and express my thoughts in understandable ways.
Emotionally Independent - I would be validated from within. I would be Inner directed. My sense of worth would not be a function of being liked or treated well.
Interdependence is a far more mature, more advanced concept.
Physically Interdependent - I am self-reliant and capable, but I also realize that you and I working together can accomplish far more than, even at my best, i could accomplish alone.
Emotionally Interdependent - I derive a great sense of worth within myself; but i also recognize the need for love, for giving, and for receiving love from others.
Intellectually Interdependent - I realize that I need the best thinking of other people to join with my own."
This really got me thinking today of where I personally ranked in this scheme of things. I like to think that I'm a pretty independent person. I have spent many years on my own learning who I am and how I operate, and that I am a worthy person. And yet, reading this made me realise that there still is a part of me that screams out for validation from others. Could it be that I am not as Independent as I thought - maybe that is something that I can work on....my emotional independence?
And I truly believe that Interdependence is an ongoing learning process as we grow we can always improve in this.
I love reading books like this that expand my thinking, introduce new ideas and concepts to me and give me something that I can work on to improve myself and become the best version of me that I can be.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Our Success Stories – Watch this Latest Video
Success is a personal thing. Each of us have goals and aspirations, things that if we could create, we would know that we are successful. These things range from very big things to very simple things, but even the most simple goal, once accomplished can bring about a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment. Success is measured differently for each person. Many people find themselves looking at our business when they are ready to take vast strides forward in their own success.
These are stories from real people who have had big wins.
These are stories from real people who have had big wins.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Goal Setting & Getting Clear on What You Want!
I'm not a newbie when it comes to the concept of goal setting. I was brought up in a family with strong beliefs and along with that come the idea of bettering yourself as a human being, setting little goals and achieving them.
But even with knowing the basic process of setting and achieving goals I have been learning a lot recently about how to set goals, and getting crystal clear about what I want in life. I have to say that up until now I have been a bit all over the place with my goals, and although I had a vague idea what I wanted, it wasn't until I sat down to write these out in detail that I realised I was very unclear and didn't really know what I wanted!
I found when it came to answering the question 'What do I want to have?' It was easy to name 'things' I'd like to buy or have. 'Where do I want to go?' was just as easy for there are so many places around the world I'd like to see. But the question that stumped me the most, and which really suprised me was 'What do I want to BE?'
I don't know why it was so hard to answer for me, but all I could come up with were about 2 or 3 answers. I realised this was a blockage for me and I needed to shift what seemed like a huge wall! I decided to do a little exercise to help me. I took a piece of paper and drew a line right down the middle. On the left hand side I started writing things that I know I am right now - things I do, things I don't like about myself, things I do like about myself, my attitude and emotions, something about me I already know I want to change. I think you get the idea! And on the right hand side of the page I wrote the opposite of what was on the left, or wrote what I want to change. For example: I wrote my current weight on the left, and on the right I wrote my goal weight. On the left I wrote that I'm always running late, and on the right I wrote that my goal is to be always prompt and on time.
So I now have a long list of 'What I want to Be' which is just the beginning of setting and achieving my goals and becoming the person I really want to be.
I found sitting down and truly examining myself and what I want a little confronting, but also very enlightening and inspiring. We are all on a journey and there is always something to learn, some way to grow, a way to be a better version of ourselves. I think doing this exercise for me was like reading the road sign on that journey & working out which way I want to go next!
I'm going to share this very valuable exercise here. Why not try it out yourself!
This exercise involves writing down a list of 50 things I want in the next 1 to 10 years. Break these down into groups of: 1/What do I want to DO? 2/What do I want to BE? 3/What to I want to HAVE? 4/Where do I want to GO? 5/What do I want to SHARE?
Next step is to decide how long each of these goals would take you to achieve - 1year / 3 years / 5 years / 10 years. Then check my goals are balanced over the 1-10 years - don't have them all to be 1 year goals with no long term goals.
Choose 4 goals from each time category & write a detailed description & a paragraph on WHY you want this goal.
If it's a big goal - create sub-goals or steps along the way to help you achieve it.
Read over your top 16 goals EVERY DAY! This helps you to focus on where you are going.
Do you like the idea of setting goals and working towards achieving what you really want in life? Exercises like this are just the tip of the iceberg of our Personal Development curriculum. If you would like to know more please contact me.
To your success!
Susan
But even with knowing the basic process of setting and achieving goals I have been learning a lot recently about how to set goals, and getting crystal clear about what I want in life. I have to say that up until now I have been a bit all over the place with my goals, and although I had a vague idea what I wanted, it wasn't until I sat down to write these out in detail that I realised I was very unclear and didn't really know what I wanted!
I found when it came to answering the question 'What do I want to have?' It was easy to name 'things' I'd like to buy or have. 'Where do I want to go?' was just as easy for there are so many places around the world I'd like to see. But the question that stumped me the most, and which really suprised me was 'What do I want to BE?'
I don't know why it was so hard to answer for me, but all I could come up with were about 2 or 3 answers. I realised this was a blockage for me and I needed to shift what seemed like a huge wall! I decided to do a little exercise to help me. I took a piece of paper and drew a line right down the middle. On the left hand side I started writing things that I know I am right now - things I do, things I don't like about myself, things I do like about myself, my attitude and emotions, something about me I already know I want to change. I think you get the idea! And on the right hand side of the page I wrote the opposite of what was on the left, or wrote what I want to change. For example: I wrote my current weight on the left, and on the right I wrote my goal weight. On the left I wrote that I'm always running late, and on the right I wrote that my goal is to be always prompt and on time.
So I now have a long list of 'What I want to Be' which is just the beginning of setting and achieving my goals and becoming the person I really want to be.
I found sitting down and truly examining myself and what I want a little confronting, but also very enlightening and inspiring. We are all on a journey and there is always something to learn, some way to grow, a way to be a better version of ourselves. I think doing this exercise for me was like reading the road sign on that journey & working out which way I want to go next!
I'm going to share this very valuable exercise here. Why not try it out yourself!
This exercise involves writing down a list of 50 things I want in the next 1 to 10 years. Break these down into groups of: 1/What do I want to DO? 2/What do I want to BE? 3/What to I want to HAVE? 4/Where do I want to GO? 5/What do I want to SHARE?
Next step is to decide how long each of these goals would take you to achieve - 1year / 3 years / 5 years / 10 years. Then check my goals are balanced over the 1-10 years - don't have them all to be 1 year goals with no long term goals.
Choose 4 goals from each time category & write a detailed description & a paragraph on WHY you want this goal.
If it's a big goal - create sub-goals or steps along the way to help you achieve it.
Read over your top 16 goals EVERY DAY! This helps you to focus on where you are going.
Do you like the idea of setting goals and working towards achieving what you really want in life? Exercises like this are just the tip of the iceberg of our Personal Development curriculum. If you would like to know more please contact me.
To your success!
Susan
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Power of the Mind
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person's will-
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man
But soon or late the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
- from "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
Our mind is truly powerful, and when we recognise this fact and just what we are capable of, then there can be no stopping us.
Inside each one of us, lies sleeping the seed of achievement. It may lie dormant for years, but if awakened and put into action, can carry us to heights such as we may never have hoped to attain!
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Maybe it's time to start watering those seeds....and a great way to start is through our 90 day International Award winning Personal Development course. Want to know more - Contact me to find out how this could help you achieve what you truly want in life.
If you think you dare not, you don't
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person's will-
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man
But soon or late the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
- from "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
Our mind is truly powerful, and when we recognise this fact and just what we are capable of, then there can be no stopping us.
Inside each one of us, lies sleeping the seed of achievement. It may lie dormant for years, but if awakened and put into action, can carry us to heights such as we may never have hoped to attain!
.jpg)
Maybe it's time to start watering those seeds....and a great way to start is through our 90 day International Award winning Personal Development course. Want to know more - Contact me to find out how this could help you achieve what you truly want in life.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Evidence of Successful People
I would like to share something with you that I wrote down at a workshop about a year ago, that I like to refer back to on a regular basis:
Success requires Action
Action requires Motivation
Motivation requires Belief
Belief requires Evidence
By the laws of reversibility, this is true the other way around: Evidence...creates Belief, which creates Motivation, which creates Action....and Action leads to Success!
With this in mind, if you are seeking to have success in some area in your life, then one important thing to address is Evidence!
So, say you are an entrepreneur, just starting out and you have not sold anything yet, had no success as yet and really have no evidence of success in your own life...as yet. There is a term in the industry - do you just "Fake it until you Make it"? Well, I would suggest a big resounding NO! That does not hold to being truthful, ethical, being genuine, or having integrity, and certainly does not sit well with me. And believe me, your customers or prospects will pick up on the sense that you are not being completely honest with them too.
If you are not at this time the creator of your own evidence, then where do you go to find the evidence that will create the belief in yourself and your company/products that will motivate you to take the necessary action that will inevitably lead to your success?
The easy answer to that question is...the people around you who are having success!
For entrepreneurs this can be by live or recorded calls, read great books, go to live conferences and events, call your advisor, or find someone to mentor you.
If you are an athlete wanting to succeed, then you surround yourself with other successful athlete's. If you are a musician wanting to do well in the industry, you seek out successful musicians and find out what they did to succeed. If you are an entrepreneur wanting to succeed in business, you find other successful entrepreneurs to mix with and brainstorm with and find out what they are doing to succeed.
They are your evidence of what is possible! You mix with them, learn their mindset, see the discipline they have, see the kind of action they take and the consistent way they do things. In associating with like-minded successful people, you also get to see that they are just regular people like you and I. And there is power in that for you - you truly are not very different to them! If they can do it...you can do it! And there is your evidence. You can do it...because you have seen it already done by someone just like you! You KNOW for a certainty that it is achievable...if you follow the same steps - mindset, action, discipline, consistency!
And after you follow these steps...and have your own success, then let that spur you on further - you become your own evidence, and you can go on to be that successful person who creates evidence to others around you of what truly is possible!
A leader is a person who provides vision for others. You become a part of the solution, not just in your own life, but in the lives of many!
So, what are you waiting for? Go out & be the Leader I know you can be!
Much Success to You!
Action requires Motivation
Motivation requires Belief
Belief requires Evidence
By the laws of reversibility, this is true the other way around: Evidence...creates Belief, which creates Motivation, which creates Action....and Action leads to Success!
With this in mind, if you are seeking to have success in some area in your life, then one important thing to address is Evidence!
So, say you are an entrepreneur, just starting out and you have not sold anything yet, had no success as yet and really have no evidence of success in your own life...as yet. There is a term in the industry - do you just "Fake it until you Make it"? Well, I would suggest a big resounding NO! That does not hold to being truthful, ethical, being genuine, or having integrity, and certainly does not sit well with me. And believe me, your customers or prospects will pick up on the sense that you are not being completely honest with them too.
If you are not at this time the creator of your own evidence, then where do you go to find the evidence that will create the belief in yourself and your company/products that will motivate you to take the necessary action that will inevitably lead to your success?
The easy answer to that question is...the people around you who are having success!
For entrepreneurs this can be by live or recorded calls, read great books, go to live conferences and events, call your advisor, or find someone to mentor you.
If you are an athlete wanting to succeed, then you surround yourself with other successful athlete's. If you are a musician wanting to do well in the industry, you seek out successful musicians and find out what they did to succeed. If you are an entrepreneur wanting to succeed in business, you find other successful entrepreneurs to mix with and brainstorm with and find out what they are doing to succeed.
They are your evidence of what is possible! You mix with them, learn their mindset, see the discipline they have, see the kind of action they take and the consistent way they do things. In associating with like-minded successful people, you also get to see that they are just regular people like you and I. And there is power in that for you - you truly are not very different to them! If they can do it...you can do it! And there is your evidence. You can do it...because you have seen it already done by someone just like you! You KNOW for a certainty that it is achievable...if you follow the same steps - mindset, action, discipline, consistency!
And after you follow these steps...and have your own success, then let that spur you on further - you become your own evidence, and you can go on to be that successful person who creates evidence to others around you of what truly is possible!
A leader is a person who provides vision for others. You become a part of the solution, not just in your own life, but in the lives of many!
So, what are you waiting for? Go out & be the Leader I know you can be!
Much Success to You!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Doco "Unbeaten" being taken up by Netflix!
VERY Exciting BREAKING NEWS!!! Our companies Documentary "Unbeaten" has been picked up by Netflix, the Largest Online DVD Rental Company in North America!
Here's a sneak peak preview of "Unbeaten":
This Award Winning Documentary, UNBEATEN, is featured in MOVES, a Magazine "About Professional Athletes & For Professional Athletes".
“UNBEATEN” is one in a series of high-profile documentary partnerships with award-winning documentarians that explore many facets of human spirit.
Trailer for the incredible documentary "Unbeaten", hosted by Dan Aykroyd and featuring "A Better Life" by Clint Black.
Want to know what this is all about? Get in touch with me and grab a copy for yourself. An Inspiring Doco on creating success from adversity.
Here's a sneak peak preview of "Unbeaten":
This Award Winning Documentary, UNBEATEN, is featured in MOVES, a Magazine "About Professional Athletes & For Professional Athletes".
“UNBEATEN” is one in a series of high-profile documentary partnerships with award-winning documentarians that explore many facets of human spirit.
Trailer for the incredible documentary "Unbeaten", hosted by Dan Aykroyd and featuring "A Better Life" by Clint Black.
Want to know what this is all about? Get in touch with me and grab a copy for yourself. An Inspiring Doco on creating success from adversity.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Is Your Cup Full?
No, I'm not talking about seeing the glass as half full or half empty!
There is a chinese proberb that talks about emptying your cup. I'd like to share it here with you now:
A young man after becoming quite successful decided to visit his teacher to boast about his success. On arrival, the young man told the teacher he visited to learn more from him and then began to boast of his own achievements. He then told the teacher that he wanted to learn more and before the teacher said anything, he continued to boast of his own achievements and this went on and on.
When tea was served, the teacher poured tea into the young man cup. When the cup was full, the teacher continued to pour until it overflowed. When the tea overflowed, the young man told the teacher but the teacher continued pouring until the tea overflowed to the floor. The young man told the teacher again that the tea had overflowed.
The teacher then said, “Young man, I cannot teach you anything today because your cup is already full. Go home and empty your cup and then come and see me again if you want to learn more.”
So...is your cup full or empty?
Do you have an open mind - one receptive to new thoughts, new ideas, new teachings?
Do you seek to learn and are humble and teachable?
There is a world of things out there that we know we don't know....but a universe of things we don't even know that we don't know.
If you have a thirst for knowledge....empty your cup!
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Personal Development
What is Personal Develoment? Some people get a bit confused when this term is mentioned. They think it's just using a Personal Trainer to work out, others think it's doing Yoga and Meditations, and some may think it's just repeating mantra's or affirmations in the hope something good will come their way! "Isn't it all just a bit too airy fairy?" - well No, it's not.
In an effort to shed light on this subject here is the definition of Personal Development given on Wikipedia:
Personal development
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The field of personal development includes individual self-development and the development of others. By extension, personal development may involve programs, tools and methods. At the level of the individual, personal development includes goals, plans or actions oriented towards one or more of the following aims:
* improving self-awareness
* improving self-knowledge
* building or renewing identity
* developing strengths or talents
* identifying or improving potential
* building employability or human capital
* enhancing lifestyle or the quality of life
* realizing dreams
* fulfilling aspirations
* defining and executing personal development plans
The concept covers a wider field than self-development or self-help: personal development also includes developing others. This may take place through roles such as those of a teacher or mentor, through a personal competency (such as the skill of certain managers in developing the potential of employees), or through a professional service (such as providing training, assessment or coaching).
Beyond improving oneself and developing others, personal development is a field of practice and research. As a field of practice it includes personal development methods, learning programs, assessment systems, tools and techniques. The following sections on education and management discuss areas of practice. As a field of research, personal development topics increasingly appear in scientific journals, higher education reviews, management journals and business books.
Any sort of development — whether economic, political, biological, organizational or personal — requires a framework if one wishes to know whether change has actually occurred. In the case of personal development, an individual often functions as the primary judge of improvement, but validation of objective improvement requires assessment using standard criteria. Personal development frameworks may include goals or benchmarks that define the end-points, strategies or plans for reaching goals, measurement and assessment of progress, levels or stages that define milestones along a development path, and a feedback-system to provide information on changes.
We have a fantastic 90 day program that is available to people around the globe in over 140 countries. This program is unlike anything else on the market right now and is taking the world by storm! Along with the program that can be used on a daily basis to create amazing personal results in your life, we have 3 main Conferences every year with outstanding speakers and held in exotic locations. Some of the past conferences have been held in Sydney Australia, Puerto Rico, Macau China, Hawaii USA, Bahamas, and upcoming events are planned for Sydney Australia, Whistler Canada, and Fiji.
If you would like to find out more about our products or conferences please email your details to me at info@liberty2live.com.au including a phone number, including area code and time zone, for a brief interview and to give you further information about how this could truly change your life.
In an effort to shed light on this subject here is the definition of Personal Development given on Wikipedia:
Personal development
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The field of personal development includes individual self-development and the development of others. By extension, personal development may involve programs, tools and methods. At the level of the individual, personal development includes goals, plans or actions oriented towards one or more of the following aims:
* improving self-awareness
* improving self-knowledge
* building or renewing identity
* developing strengths or talents
* identifying or improving potential
* building employability or human capital
* enhancing lifestyle or the quality of life
* realizing dreams
* fulfilling aspirations
* defining and executing personal development plans
The concept covers a wider field than self-development or self-help: personal development also includes developing others. This may take place through roles such as those of a teacher or mentor, through a personal competency (such as the skill of certain managers in developing the potential of employees), or through a professional service (such as providing training, assessment or coaching).
Beyond improving oneself and developing others, personal development is a field of practice and research. As a field of practice it includes personal development methods, learning programs, assessment systems, tools and techniques. The following sections on education and management discuss areas of practice. As a field of research, personal development topics increasingly appear in scientific journals, higher education reviews, management journals and business books.
Any sort of development — whether economic, political, biological, organizational or personal — requires a framework if one wishes to know whether change has actually occurred. In the case of personal development, an individual often functions as the primary judge of improvement, but validation of objective improvement requires assessment using standard criteria. Personal development frameworks may include goals or benchmarks that define the end-points, strategies or plans for reaching goals, measurement and assessment of progress, levels or stages that define milestones along a development path, and a feedback-system to provide information on changes.
We have a fantastic 90 day program that is available to people around the globe in over 140 countries. This program is unlike anything else on the market right now and is taking the world by storm! Along with the program that can be used on a daily basis to create amazing personal results in your life, we have 3 main Conferences every year with outstanding speakers and held in exotic locations. Some of the past conferences have been held in Sydney Australia, Puerto Rico, Macau China, Hawaii USA, Bahamas, and upcoming events are planned for Sydney Australia, Whistler Canada, and Fiji.
If you would like to find out more about our products or conferences please email your details to me at info@liberty2live.com.au including a phone number, including area code and time zone, for a brief interview and to give you further information about how this could truly change your life.
Planning not to Fail.....and 'The Instant Gratification Trap'
Planning not to Fail
I read this list today of ten reasons a small business will fail. I really wanted to share it with you as I think this is rather important information if you are considering starting a home business, or if you are already running one, but wondering just how much longer you can keep it going:
10 Reasons That Small Businesses Fail:
1. Overexpansion. Misjudging market – growth before ready.
2. Poor capital structure. Take on too much debt without sufficient reserve funds.
3. Overspending. No tracking of spending, especially at startup and at expansion. Not enough research done into how much would be required.
4. Lack of Reserve Funds. Failure to plan for volatile markets, loss of key
clients, cost increases etc. Create 6-month financial reserve.
5. Poor internal controls. Must have & follow plan, be consistent in marketing
Strive for impeccable Customer Service. Track sales. Know who your best clients are. Be across it all!
6. Inadequate business planning. Essential to have a Business Plan – without it you are lost, with no direction.
7. Failure to change with the times. Make sure you spend enough
time working on your business, not in it. Develop new areas of interest and
streams of income in your business.
8. Ineffective marketing and self-promotion. You can be the best in the world at what you do, and if no one knows about you, then you'll be the poorest person in the world doing what you do. Get good at marketing and sales, or you might as well shut up shop right now.
9. Underestimating the competition. Customer loyalty, repeat business
and reputation can make or break your business, and if you are not
serving your customers well, someone else will.
10. Exhaustion and disillusionment. You can only give everything for so
long. Entrepreneurs have so much heart; they try so hard. But there's only
so long that you can keep going and believing in something that's not
paying off. Get your systems in place so that your hard effort pays off and
you can start to enjoy the results!
Ok…that seems pretty straight forward, sound business practices and having a plan to work too.
Well, I have something I want to add to that list – it has become very clear to me that another big reason why so many entrepreneurs will fail in their chosen business and that is the ‘Instant Gratification Trap!’
The Instant Gratification Trap
Do you have a friend…or family member, let’s call him Bob - you know the one – one day Bob calls you, so excited that he’s found a home business he’s just got started in. Yeah, he loves the products and he’s gonna make a ton of money! For example, it may be selling Amway (and I am in no way putting down Amway or any other company here – don’t get me wrong! There are a lot of fantastic companies and products out there). Bob says he will drop a catalogue off for you and when he does, he get’s out the charts and explains just how fantastic the compensation plan is. He’s so focused and excited. You just know he’s gonna succeed right?
Well, it seemed obvious that he would – Bob is such a people person, a really good salesman, and he really seemed passionate about the products. He has already made sales from the first catalogue. Surely he would be the next big Amway rep getting a car and a badge and maybe an overseas holiday! You would have put money down that Bob would succeed in this business.
But then 6 months later you hear from Bob again….but instead of bringing an Amway catalogue with him, he tells you he’s really found something this time that he can believe in and get passionate about – Herbalife!
Whaaat?? - you say. Heyyyyy Bob – I thought you were passionate about the other thing. What happened???
Wellllll, the Amway thing…yeah really great products, but I had to keep all this stock at my house, and I wasn’t really making that much of a profit, and with the Global Financial Crisis no-one was buying anything much. I really didn’t think it was working out for me, so I was looking around and that’s when I found Herbalife – did I tell you how great it is and how passionate I am about the products?
Hmmm, you shake your head and think oh well, the other must just not have been the right fit for Bob. But then another 6 months go by, and you catch up with Bob for a coffee and ask him how the Herbalife business is going. He says: Wellllll I’m not doing Herbalife any more – I just joined another company that sells their product online – I really think that’s the way to go now, keeping up with technology. AND – they have a really great compensation plan – I KNOW I’m gonna get rich from this one!!!
And there you have it! Bob has fallen for the ‘Instant Gratification Trap!’. He found something he was passionate about, told everyone he was going to make it big…and then, after such a short time he just gave up on it – it wasn’t ‘instantly’ paying off, so he moved on to the next one to see if that did it for him. It’s the trap of wanting it now. But is that really how it works?
Let me put it simply here people: There is No Such Thing as a Get Rich Quick Scheme!!! Building a truly successful business requires dedication, effort, consistency and …..time! In the word’s of Robert T Kiyosaki: ‘There are only two things you can invest: TIME and MONEY. Since most people do not invest much time, they lose their money’.
Many times you see people give up far too quickly when they fail to see quick results. They want to be rich & they want it now! I’ve seen so many people lose focus and jump from one opportunity to another, just like Bob, only to fail, or have minimal success and then quit because ‘it wasn’t working out for them’.
How many times do you see people quit…just before they would have succeeded? What happened to putting in the hard yards? If only they had kept at it - just that little bit longer, built up that momentum – been consistent, then they would have seen reward for their efforts.
You have a passion for a goal, you go after it and if it’s something you truly want – you don’t stop – ever - until you get it.
Bob just didn’t get the concept of putting in the time and effort to really build momentum. If Bob had kept going in any of these businesses he likely would have been a great success.
Now, sometimes there is an exception, when a business is not truly a right fit for someone – it doesn’t really gel with them. It can be virtually impossible to ‘sell’ a business or product you really have no passion for. This is where you really need to do your ‘due diligence’ – your research about the company, the products, the compensation plan, the company’s ethics, etc right at the start. These are all really important things to consider – you need to feel comfortable with what the company is all about. If this is done correctly and thoroughly before you get started, then there really should be no reason to ‘jump ships’ to other opportunities. When you have found the right fit - put the blinkers on! Don’t let yourself lose focus by looking around at other businesses, or what other people are doing, even if you think you are only doing that ‘out of interest’. Keep focused on your passion, keep being consistent, keep being open to learning different ways of approaching your business, keep reading, researching, improving yourself…and just ‘keep on’. Persistance is the way out of the Instant Gratification Trap!
I will leave you with some wisdom from a very successful millionaire I heard speak on one of our training calls recently. She said her point of view is that she will do something ‘until’. What does that mean – Until? She went on to explain that she may have a goal and it may have a time frame of say…5 years (for a big goal). She is so focused on that goal - she really wants it and is actively working towards it. So what happens if the 5 yrs comes and she hasn’t fully achieved that particular goal? Does she then just give up on that goal? Well, no! She really wants that goal, so she keeps going…..Until! She keeps going until she achieves that goal! She may just achieve that goal in 5 years and 1 day! But I can tell you something….with an attitude like that – she WILL achieve it…no matter what!
I read this list today of ten reasons a small business will fail. I really wanted to share it with you as I think this is rather important information if you are considering starting a home business, or if you are already running one, but wondering just how much longer you can keep it going:
10 Reasons That Small Businesses Fail:
1. Overexpansion. Misjudging market – growth before ready.
2. Poor capital structure. Take on too much debt without sufficient reserve funds.
3. Overspending. No tracking of spending, especially at startup and at expansion. Not enough research done into how much would be required.
4. Lack of Reserve Funds. Failure to plan for volatile markets, loss of key
clients, cost increases etc. Create 6-month financial reserve.
5. Poor internal controls. Must have & follow plan, be consistent in marketing
Strive for impeccable Customer Service. Track sales. Know who your best clients are. Be across it all!
6. Inadequate business planning. Essential to have a Business Plan – without it you are lost, with no direction.
7. Failure to change with the times. Make sure you spend enough
time working on your business, not in it. Develop new areas of interest and
streams of income in your business.
8. Ineffective marketing and self-promotion. You can be the best in the world at what you do, and if no one knows about you, then you'll be the poorest person in the world doing what you do. Get good at marketing and sales, or you might as well shut up shop right now.
9. Underestimating the competition. Customer loyalty, repeat business
and reputation can make or break your business, and if you are not
serving your customers well, someone else will.
10. Exhaustion and disillusionment. You can only give everything for so
long. Entrepreneurs have so much heart; they try so hard. But there's only
so long that you can keep going and believing in something that's not
paying off. Get your systems in place so that your hard effort pays off and
you can start to enjoy the results!
Ok…that seems pretty straight forward, sound business practices and having a plan to work too.
Well, I have something I want to add to that list – it has become very clear to me that another big reason why so many entrepreneurs will fail in their chosen business and that is the ‘Instant Gratification Trap!’
The Instant Gratification Trap
Do you have a friend…or family member, let’s call him Bob - you know the one – one day Bob calls you, so excited that he’s found a home business he’s just got started in. Yeah, he loves the products and he’s gonna make a ton of money! For example, it may be selling Amway (and I am in no way putting down Amway or any other company here – don’t get me wrong! There are a lot of fantastic companies and products out there). Bob says he will drop a catalogue off for you and when he does, he get’s out the charts and explains just how fantastic the compensation plan is. He’s so focused and excited. You just know he’s gonna succeed right?
Well, it seemed obvious that he would – Bob is such a people person, a really good salesman, and he really seemed passionate about the products. He has already made sales from the first catalogue. Surely he would be the next big Amway rep getting a car and a badge and maybe an overseas holiday! You would have put money down that Bob would succeed in this business.
But then 6 months later you hear from Bob again….but instead of bringing an Amway catalogue with him, he tells you he’s really found something this time that he can believe in and get passionate about – Herbalife!
Whaaat?? - you say. Heyyyyy Bob – I thought you were passionate about the other thing. What happened???
Wellllll, the Amway thing…yeah really great products, but I had to keep all this stock at my house, and I wasn’t really making that much of a profit, and with the Global Financial Crisis no-one was buying anything much. I really didn’t think it was working out for me, so I was looking around and that’s when I found Herbalife – did I tell you how great it is and how passionate I am about the products?
Hmmm, you shake your head and think oh well, the other must just not have been the right fit for Bob. But then another 6 months go by, and you catch up with Bob for a coffee and ask him how the Herbalife business is going. He says: Wellllll I’m not doing Herbalife any more – I just joined another company that sells their product online – I really think that’s the way to go now, keeping up with technology. AND – they have a really great compensation plan – I KNOW I’m gonna get rich from this one!!!
And there you have it! Bob has fallen for the ‘Instant Gratification Trap!’. He found something he was passionate about, told everyone he was going to make it big…and then, after such a short time he just gave up on it – it wasn’t ‘instantly’ paying off, so he moved on to the next one to see if that did it for him. It’s the trap of wanting it now. But is that really how it works?
Let me put it simply here people: There is No Such Thing as a Get Rich Quick Scheme!!! Building a truly successful business requires dedication, effort, consistency and …..time! In the word’s of Robert T Kiyosaki: ‘There are only two things you can invest: TIME and MONEY. Since most people do not invest much time, they lose their money’.
Many times you see people give up far too quickly when they fail to see quick results. They want to be rich & they want it now! I’ve seen so many people lose focus and jump from one opportunity to another, just like Bob, only to fail, or have minimal success and then quit because ‘it wasn’t working out for them’.
How many times do you see people quit…just before they would have succeeded? What happened to putting in the hard yards? If only they had kept at it - just that little bit longer, built up that momentum – been consistent, then they would have seen reward for their efforts.
You have a passion for a goal, you go after it and if it’s something you truly want – you don’t stop – ever - until you get it.
Bob just didn’t get the concept of putting in the time and effort to really build momentum. If Bob had kept going in any of these businesses he likely would have been a great success.
Now, sometimes there is an exception, when a business is not truly a right fit for someone – it doesn’t really gel with them. It can be virtually impossible to ‘sell’ a business or product you really have no passion for. This is where you really need to do your ‘due diligence’ – your research about the company, the products, the compensation plan, the company’s ethics, etc right at the start. These are all really important things to consider – you need to feel comfortable with what the company is all about. If this is done correctly and thoroughly before you get started, then there really should be no reason to ‘jump ships’ to other opportunities. When you have found the right fit - put the blinkers on! Don’t let yourself lose focus by looking around at other businesses, or what other people are doing, even if you think you are only doing that ‘out of interest’. Keep focused on your passion, keep being consistent, keep being open to learning different ways of approaching your business, keep reading, researching, improving yourself…and just ‘keep on’. Persistance is the way out of the Instant Gratification Trap!
I will leave you with some wisdom from a very successful millionaire I heard speak on one of our training calls recently. She said her point of view is that she will do something ‘until’. What does that mean – Until? She went on to explain that she may have a goal and it may have a time frame of say…5 years (for a big goal). She is so focused on that goal - she really wants it and is actively working towards it. So what happens if the 5 yrs comes and she hasn’t fully achieved that particular goal? Does she then just give up on that goal? Well, no! She really wants that goal, so she keeps going…..Until! She keeps going until she achieves that goal! She may just achieve that goal in 5 years and 1 day! But I can tell you something….with an attitude like that – she WILL achieve it…no matter what!
Fight in your Zorro Circle!
How Big is your Zorro Circle??? Trying to do too much at once? Managing massive stress, wanting to attack that 'messy office', or desiring to make some massive changes in your life? Do you find yourself overwhelmed as the task seems so great?
Well, draw a line in the sand around yourself - your zorro circle! Learn to master fighting in that circle first, and then gradually widen the circle bigger and bigger.
The messy desk seem too big a job - start in one corner - do that little spot, then widen out. It might take you a day...a week...a month - but every step towards it is a step closer to achieving your goal - to have a tidy desk or office.
Stressed out - do one little thing each day to reduce it - go for a walk or try deep breathing for 5 minutes. It might not seem much, but when you have mastered that one thing...then add another thing to it.
Something bigger...Life changing? Start with one thing every day towards achieving it.....before you know it...you'll be achieving big things....just like Zorro!
Well, draw a line in the sand around yourself - your zorro circle! Learn to master fighting in that circle first, and then gradually widen the circle bigger and bigger.
The messy desk seem too big a job - start in one corner - do that little spot, then widen out. It might take you a day...a week...a month - but every step towards it is a step closer to achieving your goal - to have a tidy desk or office.
Stressed out - do one little thing each day to reduce it - go for a walk or try deep breathing for 5 minutes. It might not seem much, but when you have mastered that one thing...then add another thing to it.
Something bigger...Life changing? Start with one thing every day towards achieving it.....before you know it...you'll be achieving big things....just like Zorro!
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