Start the New Year Right!

I was just reading some of my notes and quotes that I’ve complied over the years and thought I’d share some of them with you. Most were obtained from various speakers, teachers, and writers of motivational tapes, books, and seminars etc. Hope they have the same positive impact on you, as they did for me.

1. If you’re not getting what you want in life, take a good look at the reasons (I call them excuses) that are preventing it.

2. There comes a point when you have to stop making excuses and start taking action that will get the results you want.

3. We hold on to bad habits because we’re not really committed.

4. Make a commitment that will force you to take action.

5. Doing nothing is a decision to stay where you are.

6. Know what you want, and be willing to give up something to get it.

7. Take control of your life, or someone else will.

8. Financial struggle is often the result of people working all their life for someone else.

9. You must be able to recognize the difference between a goal and a fantasy.

10. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, that’s how you learn your best lessons.

11. Don’t let other people do your thinking for you, think for yourself.

12. People who don’t understand how money works, will always work for people who do.

13. Most people are in debt from the time they leave school until they die.

14. If your only source of income is a paycheck, your livelihood is entirely dependent on your employer.

15. Only 2% earn over $100,000 yearly.

16. Where are you now? If you lost your job tomorrow, how long could you support your family on your present assets?

17. If you do the same thing this year, as you did last year, where will you be next year?

18. Minimum effort equals minimum wages.

19. The type of people you spend your time with determines your future.

20. Social Security checks are the major source of income for 66% of retired people. Average Social Security retiree gets $710 monthly.

21. Our lives are a reflection of our habits and what we study. What are you studying?

22. If you spend tomorrow’s earnings for today’s toys & pleasure, you’ll always be broke.

23. Your thoughts will make you rich or keep you poor.

24. What we know is so small, compared to what we don’t know.

25. It’s not the things you do that you regret the most, but the things you didn’t do.

26. When you stop learning, you start dying.

27. Some people make things happen, some people let things happen, some people watch things happen, and some people don’t even know what’s happening.

28. Hang around people who are smarter than you.

29. Your financial future will be determined by the choices you make today.

30. The best way to conquer fear is to meet it head-on.

31. What you know is your greatest wealth. What you don’t know is your greatest liability.

Make a Commitment That Will Force You to Take Action

My daughter Janet, asked me how I would like a unique and unusual birthday present–jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet, with her and her husband Tommy. And as if that’s not enough–free fall to 5,000 feet before popping (hopefully) the chute. (It will be a tandem jump, so I figure that instructor has a vested interest in the jump).

My first reaction when I heard her offer was the same reaction many folks take when they’re offered the chance to do something they’ve never done before. I said “No, I’ll watch you.” But after some thought, I changed my mind and told her to sign me up.

You see, I’ve always been one that would rather try something and be disappointed, than not do it and always wonder what I missed. So I’ve made the commitment that will force me to take action. I’ve told all my family and friends, and now I’m putting it on the Internet. So how I can I possibly chicken out now?

And besides, it requires no exercising and no training. And after the first step, it will be a breeze. My kind of program.

I’ve already learned one jump technique from Roger Dawson. Roger’s instructor told him when he stepped out of the plane that he was to put his right arm up at the elbow, and his left arm down at the elbow. When Roger asked why, his instructor said it would be much easier to unscrew him out of the ground in case his chute didn’t open.

But, seriously, Roger was afraid of heights, so he had a choice of living with his fear or doing something about it. So he chose to take action and defeat his fear by jumping out of a plane.

Now for the Commercial…

How many of you keep wishing and wanting to make a move that will ensure your financial future, but just won’t make a firm commitment and do anything different? Well, I can tell you how many: 95% of you do. That’s how many folks will spend a lifetime working for wages.

And when they reach retirement age, they will need a part time job or will have to depend on financial help from someone in order to live a decent life. Know anyone like that? So that leaves only 5% of you who will make a commitment and take action to improve your financial future.

All of you will have the opportunity to learn how to create your own financial security and stop depending on a “job” or an employer for a pay check at the next CRE Online Convention. Aside from the speakers, you will have the chance to rub elbows and talk with folks that are already successful doing what you want to do.

I survived my “jump,” so you can count on me being there. And like my jump instructor, Terry Vaughan, Ray Alcorn, Ed Garcia, and I will be sharing our many years of experience and know-how to keep you from falling on your face without a parachute. (Man, ain’t I getting witty?)

Or, you can settle for a “do it yourself” program and hope for the best. But jumping without a parachute can’t be much fun. I can assure you the cost of the Convention will be much less than a costly mistake.

So, it’s decision time. You can choose to be in the 5% bracket and learn how to enjoy financial freedom and security. Or, you can do like most folks do and settle for whatever your employer is willing to pay you. (Providing you don’t get “down-sized.”) I hope I see you in Atlanta.