It saddens me to see so many people struggle with their lives – especially their finances.  Each of us has a purpose in life but there’s a problem: Most people can’t live out their dreams because they’re too busy “making a living.”

Well it doesn’t have to be that way.  It’s my vision to help as many people as possible create personal success…and that includes financial success.

Money won’t make you happy,
but the lack of it can make you very unhappy

Now I know that money can’t buy happiness.  However, by having money, you can be more of who you really are. It will allow you to provide for your family, enjoy life, and see this beautiful world God has created.  It will allow you to serve others and fulfill your purpose in life.

Just think of all you could do if you didn’t have to spend so much time working.

Contrary to what many will tell you, it’s O.K. to make a lot of money.  Just do good things with it.  Money should not be your motivator; it’s what you’ll do with it that should motivate you.

Money won’t solve all your problems
– just 98% of them.

I’ve written a special report that follows.  By reading it, you’ll get to know me a little more about me and what I’m all about.

Enjoy…

To Your Success – 23 Truths, Tips and Advice for a Successful Future

#1 - Take Responsibility for Your Life

To live the life you dream about, recognize that you’ve got to take responsibility for your future.  It’s not your boss’s job to make you rich.  Neither is it the government’s place to take care of you.  And by all means, you don’t want to be a burden to your family, do you?  Of course not.  In today’s world, it’s your responsibility to create wealth . . . and you can do it.

Analyze your situation.  Ask yourself tough questions.  Then if you realize that the road you’re on won’t carry you to where you want to go, what are you going to do about it.  I’m not willing to leave my future in the hands of someone else - are you?

“There are two primary choices in life:  to accept conditions as they exist, or accept responsibility for changing them.”  Denis Waitley

 #2 - Keep On Keeping On

Have you ever failed at anything?  I know I have.  At the time, you feel devastated, like there’s no tomorrow, ready to just give up.  However, I’ve learned over the years that it’s at such times as these that doors actually start to open.

Failing is not bad . . . if you learn from it.  Actually success is a poor teacher, we learn more about ourselves when we fail. . . . so don’t be afraid of failing.  Failing is part of learning.  You cannot have success without failure.  I’ve always learned more after failing than before.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  You’ll never grow by always playing it safe.  People are often so afraid of failing that they never do anything worthwhile – they play it safe.  Actually, the greatest risk you can take is to play it safe.

So go out and try something new.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

“Since the way we learn is by making mistakes, the greatest risk of all is to wait too long to begin making those mistakes.”  Robert Kiyosaki

#3 - Invest In Yourself

The main element to your success is you.  In order to earn more, you must learn more, and learning is a never-ending process.  We often think we’re stuck with who we are.  “If I was only a little better at “so-and-so”, then I’d be successful.”  You can get better at “so-and-so” if you put your mind to it and improve your skills.  Those who are able to improve themselves the most will win.

Spend at least 30 minutes a day reading.  Prepare for success.  A formal education will not determine how much money you make.  How well you can influence others will determine that.  A good education will get you in the door but it will not determine which floor you’ll end up on.  Interpersonal skills are a must.

Find your weaknesses, find your strengths.  Work on improving your weaknesses.   Stop Whining.  Instead of complaining about that you did not get the promotion, or that you did not make the sale, figure out why and do something about it.

“Invest the first hour of the day, the ‘Golden Hour,’ in yourself.” - Brian Tracey

“Income seldom exceeds personal development.”  - Jim Rohn

#4 - Your WHY Must Make You CRY

Why do you do what you do?  The answer to this question in any endeavor is your WHY.  This is what drives you.  This is what motivates you.

Everyone has their own unique WHY or set of WHY’s.  To be successful in any endeavor, your WHY must be strong enough to keep you going when you feel like quitting.  Believe you me, you will reach a point where you’ll feel like quitting.  How do I know that?  Anything really worthy of accomplishing is hard to do.  You will encounter bumps in the road and you will need reach a point where you will have a “gut-check”.  Either quit or dig deep inside for that internal drive and motivation.  It is at that moment where your WHY must be strong enough to carry you through.

Ask these two questions about you WHY.

1. If (insert your WHY) does happen, I would be so full of joy and happiness that I would cry.
2. If (insert your WHY) doesn’t happen, I would be so full of grief and sadness that I would cry.

If both of these questions are not true, your WHY is not strong enough.

Develop a WHY worthy of your efforts.

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” - Napoleon Hill 

#5  - Little Things Mean a Lot

There is an old expression that says, “If you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.” It’s another way of saying that every job is composed of many small details, any one of which, if overlooked, can create big problems later.

Don’t overlook small details.

If you have trouble dealing with details-paperwork, expense accounts, and other annoying details - set aside a time during your work cycle (daily, weekly, or monthly) to deal with such unpleasant tasks. Prepare yourself mentally to deal with those tasks, and you may find that you dispense with them quickly and efficiently. You may even find that the job wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as you expected it to be. .at has the greatest likelihood of success.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”  Robert J. Collie

 #6 - Don’t Fall Victim to the American Trap

What is the “American Trap”?  By working faithfully 8 hours a day you may one day be the boss where you will work 12 hours a day.

Has the American Dream turned into the American Nightmare? No matter what you do for a living - whether you’re a doctor, a lawyer, a housewife, a salesperson, a secretary or a car mechanic - do you find yourself thinking, “there must be a better way, a less complicated way, a smoother road…?

Everyday, millions of people are forced from their homes by a disaster called work.  Why?  Because they have to.  You see, people do what they have to.  People do not do what they should do.  They do what they have to.

Why do we do it?  It’s in everybody’s blood to be financially independent. That’s the American Dream.  However, for all too many workers, the American Dream of our forefathers has become a nightmare.  Is this you…..Do you feel the frustration…?

Now ask yourself a few questions (be honest with your answers.) 

• Do you control the quality of your life or does your employer?

• When would you like to retire? What’s your plan to achieve this goal?

• How much money do you need coming in every month to enable you to retire comfortably? What ’s your plan to receive this monthly income?

What’s the best thing to do when you’re having a bad dream . . . WAKE UP.  It’s time for some things to change.  Keep Your Dreams Alive

“You’ve got to create a dream. You’ve got to uphold the dream. If you can’t, go back to the factory or go back to the desk.”  Eric Burdon

#7 - Be a Decision Maker

Successful people are decisive people. When opportunities come their way, they evaluate them carefully, make a decision, and take appropriate action. They know that indecision wastes time that could be spent on more productive tasks. They also avoid unnecessary risks by implementing their decisions gradually. They don’t attempt to make every decision at the beginning. Each action is contingent upon the success of the one that preceded it.

Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s wisest men, is said to have used a simple method to make difficult decisions. He drew a line down the center of a sheet of paper, and on one side he listed the “pros” of the decision; on the other, he listed the “cons.” In addition to simplifying the decision-making process, the list also served as a graphic illustration of the advantages and disadvantages of any decision, regardless of its complexity. The impact of the decision could then be quickly and easily assessed.

“When I’ve heard all I need to make a decision, I don’t take a vote. I make a decision.”   Ronald Reagan

#8 - Recognize That Work Isn’t Everything

Stop looking to be fulfilled at work.  We’re taught to follow our passions, and the money will come, but fulfillment should come from your personal life, not your job.  A job should be seen as something that supplies income and security and hopefully is something you do well-not as a substitute foe experiencing life.

Put yourself in charge of your working life.  Everyone is replaceable, so you should be cultivating skills and looking for the next job or looking for a way to break away from the JOB and start a business that gives you more control over your life.

Learn to live a balanced life.  Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

“It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted.”   Mary O’Connor

#9 - Realize That You’re Special

Have you ever wondered why you’re here on this earth?  Many people think that their life is really not all that important in the total scheme of things.  As a result - these people struggle with a lack of self-esteem.  To overcome these feelings, you need to realize that you are special and unique and have so much to strive for in this life.

Understand why you’re here.  Consider this - no one in the past, in the present or in the future will walk the same path as you.  Who else can impact the people who are put in your path?  Only you can.

Who can…

• shine a light into all the dark corners you now illuminate?

• comfort, guide, and inspire all those you now reach?

• smile to those who need yours the most?

How well are you doing?

Now go out and be special.

“You have been put on this earth to do something wonderful with your life.” - Brian Tracy

#10 - Develop a Good Attitude

While having a good attitude will not always let you do everything but it will let you do everything better than with a bad attitude.  Don’t you think your odds are better to get positive results with a positive attitude?  No one controls our attitude unless we voluntary surrender it.  Others may do something to influence it but…we control it.

Ask your self this question.  “If I had a friend who talked to me like I sometimes talk to myself, would I continue to hang around with that person?”

Make a decision.  Decide if you’re going to get bitter or better.  Either focus on the good and deal with the bad, or vice versa.

Do yourself a favor, be an optimist.  Believe you me, life will me more enjoyable.

“Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working 24 hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.” - Tom Blandi

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill

#11 - Respect Financial Laws

We face many decisions about our lives – particularly about our financial lives. While I believe that all of us are different and unique - with special God given talents and skills – we all are subject to certain laws and truths that govern our financial lives.

Obey these laws, and you’ll succeed.  Ignore them, and you’re doomed to a life filled with money problems.

I want to help you understand these laws and apply steps to – instead of falling victim to them – instead, capitalize on them to change your life.

Follow these basic financial laws and truths and you will achieve financial success.

• Spend less than your earn

• Invest the difference

• Use compound growth to achieve financial independence

• Develop more than one source of income Save 10%

People wonder why they have money problems.  Guess what?  THEY HAVEN’T FOLLOWED THE RULES.

Now ponder on this a minute?  Why do you think it will be different for you? I promise – it won’t be.  Nobody will change the rules just for you.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be rich. You don’t need a college education, a high-paying job, or any money at all to start. All you have to do is know what you want, have a plan, and stick to it.”  Robert Kiyosaki

#12 - You Must Have a Plan B

When your first plan fails, you better have something to fall back on.  We often call that our “Plan B”

Follow me here…

You’ve followed the rules.  Studied hard, got good grades, went to college and got a degree.  You were fortunate enough to get a good job - where you’ve also followed the rules.  You worked hard.  You sacrificed personal time for the sake of your career.  You got the maximum house your lender said you could get - 2.5 times your income.  You got two cars payments. You’ve gone for the gusto.  You got the big screen TV, your kids wear only the best.  Why put them through the ridicule of the other children.  Guess what else you also have.  Debt, no college or inadequate college fund, same with retirement.

This may not be your life’s exact scenario, but you get the picture.

Now what are you going to do.

Start implementing your Plan B.  Don’t have a Plan B?  Then find a Plan B…NOW!  Accept the fact that what you’re currently doing is not cutting it - financially.  You must seek out and find another way to bring cash and wealth into your life.

Don’t stop until you find your Plan B.

Need Help?

“If my hands are fully occupied in holding on to something, I can neither give nor receive.”  Dorothee Soelle (1929-2003) Theologian and writer

#13 - Have a Purpose for Your Life

If you don’t have a purpose for your life, you’ll drift toward a certain failure.  Not having a major purpose for your life is like trying to drive without a roadmap. You may eventually get somewhere you like, or you may drive aimlessly, always hoping-but never finding-the place where you would like to be.

Make a roadmap for your life.  Choose a destination.  As you grow as a person, so will your major purpose. It is the natural order of things that, when you reach the top of one mountain, you will look around for higher peaks to climb. In life, either you are moving forward or you are going backward. When you plan your course carefully and thoughtfully, you can ensure that you are going in the right direction.

“You should have more dreams than memories.  If you don’t you’re in trouble.”  Wayne Calloway CEO, PepsiCo

#14 - Learn From the Mistakes of Others

Want to be rich?  Watch what poor people do… and then don’t do that!!!

What do they do?

• Buy lottery tickets

• Spend more than they make

• Forgo long term for instant gratifications

Avoid doing things that will sabotage your future.  Look around at people.  Those who you want to be like – copy what they do.  Those who you don’t want to be like – don’t copy what they do.

A bright person learns from their own mistakes - a brilliant person learns from OTHER people’s mistakes.

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”  Andrew Carnegie 

#15 - Choose Your Rut Carefully

Choose your rut carefully because you’ll be in it for a long time.

Want to know what your life will look like 5 years from now?  Just look around.  Odds are you’re currently living it.  You may be a few pounds heaver then and have a few more gray hairs but all in all, this is it.  Unless you make a few changes now – welcome to your future.

You’ve got to start thinking differently.  The thinking that got you where you currently are is not the same thinking you need to carry you to where you want to go.  Be open to new ideas.  Ask yourself this question - Have your old ideas worked so well?  I’m sure many of them have but just think about what’s missing in your life.

At the beginning of the day, it’s all about possibilities.  At the end of the day it’s all about results.  What did you accomplish today?  What will you accomplish tomorrow?

“Stop going with the flow in our life. Start your own river instead.”  Dr. Phil McGraw

#16 - Choose Your Group Carefully

There are many ways to divide people into groups.  By profession, gender, race, religion, nationality, and on and on.  One way in which I find very interesting is to group people by their motivation.  Here are two groups.

Group A => 95% of people are motivated by:

•  Pleasure – Instant gratification.  Got to have it now.

•  Pride (ego) – Status.  How we “look” to others.

•  Protection – Society will take care of me.

•  Profit – Hope there’s something left after 1 and 2 above.

Interesting group.  Spends money as fast as they get it.  Has to “Keep up with the Joneses”  Get a raise and immediately buys a new car or home.  Always stressful and usually blames others fo rtheir problems.

Group B => 5% are motivated by the opposite:

• Profit – Focus on creating cash flow and wealth.

• Protection – Have adequate insurance to protect wealth.

• Pride – Lesser importance.

• Pleasure – Doing 1, 2, and 3 well takes care of this in a big way.

 Understands how wealth is created.  Is in control of their financial situation.  Less stress.  Able to enjoy life and help others.  Usually generous.

 As you can see, the first group is huge.  The latter group is smaller. 

Ask yourself this question - Which group am I in?  Am I happy in this group?

Instead of spending that next raise, figure out how to use it for your future.  Don’t just live in the now – prepare for your future.

It’s never too late to change…

“Nothing is more tragic than to see people who have sold themselves short on what is possible for their lives.”  Robert Kiyosaki

#17 - Make Good Use of Your Spare Time

What are doing with your spare time? I remember someone saying that it’s what you do in your spare time determines your future.  Are you…

• Watching TV or reading?

• Napping or developing a skill?

• Talking to your friends or studying marketing?

We all have 24 hours in a day — how wealthy you become depends on how you spend those 24 hours.

Make good use of your time. It all comes down to the choices we make every single day.  In fact, you shouldn’t let one day go by without making sure you are taking at least one proactive step towards reaching your dream.  It’s so easy to just do what you “feel” like doing. The next time you are looking for something to “kill time”, ask yourself, “is this helping me more forward or is it just causing me to run in place.”

Just because the thought of you doing what you want when you want may seem so far away - don’t let that stop you from taking those baby steps each and every day.

Turn your spare time into money time.  Most people live off out their primary income source.  It’s what you do in your spare time that will mainly determine how you spend your retirement.  It’s ok to goof off when you were a kid.  What are you doing now?

“One of the best places to start to turn your life around is by doing whatever appears on your mental “I should” list.” Jim Rohn

#18 - Don’t Accept Just Being Average

People who do average things get average results.  If you want better that average results, you need to be Non-Average.  Have you ever wondered why there are no books in the bookstores on HOW TO FAIL?  Because it’s too easy.  If you do what’s easy, you’ll fail.  Average people do what’s easy

Learn to do what’s uncomfortable – 95% of people do what’s naturally comfortable.  Those are the ones who don’t make the money.  What’s uncomfortable at first becomes natural over time. 

Also, do what you need to do when it needs to be done.  Most people do what they want when they want – and they ultimately fail.  That’s average.

Don’t expect extraordinary results from ordinary efforts.  Mediocrity is not an option.

“The average person puts only 25 percent of his energy and ability into his

work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50 percent of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100 percent.” ? Andrew Carnegie

#19 - March To Your Own Drumbeat

Don’t worry so much about what others think .In other words, don’t follow the crowd! Now realize that doing this takes a lot of courage. But also realize that it will create a lot more freedom, success and excitement in your life.

Learn to celebrate your uniqueness.  Instead of getting lost in the crowd, dare to stand out! Get creative. Do something extraordinary. Be unusual.  Be different. When someone “Zigs”, maybe you need to “Zag”.

This also applies to money.   Remember, the masses are broke. Therefore, to be rich you must not follow the crowd. You must think differently and act differently.

This month, let go of worrying about what other people think of you. Find your own pulse, your own rhythm, and your own beat and begin marching to that. Guaranteed - you will not only feel a renewed sense of spirit and energy but will also dramatically increase your income and wealth.

“You do not need to be different form who you are.  You only need to be more of the person you already are.”   Brian Tracy

#20 - Learn To Take Action

You cannot just “not decide”.  By not taking action, you’ve decided.   For example, by not funding that IRA, you’ve decided that retirement is not that important.  You’ve got plenty of time . . . yeah, right? 

 Why postpone a better future when so much awaits your command?   Of course there are risks when you take action.  But they are far less than the risks associated with inaction.

Learn to discipline yourself, motivate yourself, and direct yourself into actions that move you to your goals.  Only action can cause reaction, and positive action causes positive reaction.

Why should you try? Why NOT?

“Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, If you are not willing to move your feet.”  Author Unknown

#21 - Know Where You’re Heading

Past decisions have brought you to your present situation. Common sense tells us that current decisions will determine your life 5 – 10 years from now.

Now think for a minute, where are you heading?  When opportunity knocks, make sure you’re not down at the store buying a lottery ticket.

In order to truly achieve all the success that you desire you must take complete responsibility for every result you get.

Do something.  Make a difference.  Know where you want to go.   Accept responsibility for your future.  Destiny is a choice, not a chance.  Do not follow the human herd that leads to financial disaster.  Your Future Is Your Business.  These 5 words are so POWERFUL.  They will change your life . . . if you truly understand and act on their meaning.   

Most importantly, believe in yourself and move forward.

“If you don’t take charge of shaping your own destiny, others will apply their agenda to you.”   Eric Allenbaugh

#22 - Work As If No One’s Watching

It’s easy to work hard when someone you’re trying to impress is watching.  Usually that’s your boss. But what about when you’re alone?  Do you give 100%?

If not, who are you fooling by goofing off?  Yourself?  Actually I have some news for you, that’s who you should be trying to impress.

Your highest standard of performance should be those you set for yourself, not those set by others for you.

Set high performance for yourself.  You will never reach great levels of success if you only perform at high levels when others are watching. If your expectations for yourself are higher than your boss’s expectations for you, the promotions will take care of themselves.

Get real good at it, and maybe you can break away and do something on your own.  That’s when life can really get exciting.

“There is nothing so fatal to character as half finished tasks.”   David Lloyd George

#23 - Get Others To Help You Make Money

The number one reason people do not achieve their financial goals success is that they not grasping the meaning of the Time/Productivity connection.  People often say, “I’m too busy, or I don’t have enough time.” When people say, “It’s just easier to do it myself than to get others to do it,” they are shooting themselves in the foot and sabotaging their financial well being. 

The reason people are so busy and don’t have enough time is that they lack an understanding of how powerful an investment it is to train others so you get more done. People fail here because normally it’s not rewarding to train others your expertise because they’ll take it and profit from it without you. 

Wealth is hidden from those who must do it all themselves, wealth exposes itself to those patent enough to train others. 

Place a value on your time.

Use others to do things when the cost is lower than your time value.  But I can’t afford it – no because you insist on doing everything yourself.

To Your Success…

Wayne Kirby, MBA
www.waynekirby.com

 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 12:49 am and is filed under Personal Development, making money, online marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.