Patience, Persistence, & Self-Belief

By: Joseph Norman

Last week I had the humbling and exciting opportunity of delivering a keynote address at the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony at my alma mater, Windsor Central High School.

As I was preparing my message for the speech over the last month, I struggled with getting clarity on what I was going to say. I knew I wanted it to be original and authentic...coming from where I am today; a young entrepreneur working on a dream.

So, courtesy of a recent VIP, John Engels, I told the audience I wasn’t fit to give them any advice about how they should live their lives. (Click here for John's profile) Instead, I shared with them the three most real things in my life right now.

I said, “Whatever you want to do with your life, whoever you desire to become, whatever career or personal endeavor you long to succeed in, I want you to know this. You can get there - I really believe that - but you will be tested in at least these three ways; Your capacity to be patient, your courage to persist, and,arguably the most important, your belief in yourself.”

You’ve got to be patient. Real fulfilling success doesn’t come instantly. It takes time to make big things happen and I’ve learned that it’s important to recognize that in the beginning as you’ll be more apt to set realistic expectations.

As for my message in regards to you, I’m making an assumption that in some form or another, you do have goals for yourself - whether you write them on paper or just have them in your head. First, I challenge you to write them down and second it’s important to remember that accomplishing those goals and finding your own success takes time.

In some cases it can come about very fast, but more often than not, it’s going to test your patience.

You’ve got to be persistent. People aren’t going to call you back. You’re going to get beaten down. You’re going to want to give up. You’re going to want to walk away. But, if what you want to accomplish really means something to you...then you can’t.

Since I graduated from college I’ve faced some trials. I’ve been humbled by the realization that you don’t know what you don’t know. I’ve dealt with the emotional stress of not being able to pay my monthly bills at a few different times. And, I’ve struggled with the absolute mental mess associated with knowing I could get a day job and stop that pain but I choose not too because of a belief in something bigger for myself.

This lifestyle I lead is not for the faint of heart. But the truth is we can all help ourselves by being persistent. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” It’s as simple as that...just keep going.

You’ve got to believe in yourself. When you’re out there striving for some of your own big, meaty goals, people you’ve trusted and admired your entire life are going to doubt you. Tonight, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to listen to them. How could they possibly know what’s best for you? Only you know what is best for you.

If you want to be a great engineer, you can be. If you want to be a respected mechanic or craftsman, you can be. And, if you want to be a fantastic teacher or business person, you absolutely can be.

But, first you’ve got to empower yourself and believe you can.

So, remember to be patient. It’s going to take time to accomplish your goals. Recognize that and don’t give up. Be persistent. Even people you trust and admire will try to hold you back and bring you down, but at the end of the day, you control your own destiny. So, believe in it. Believe in yourself. If you believe it, you can achieve it. You hold the power to create your own wildly successful life. Use it.

Your Mood

By: Joseph Norman

Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine at the gym I work out at in Rochester and he mentioned a family trip he just went on to Florida. I responded with a similar story about my business trip there a week or so ago. Inevitably, we talked about the sun and the weather.

If you live in Western New York you know that right now it is a little gloomy out there. Although it's getting warmer, many of the days are grey and dull. Warm days it might rain while the occasional cold spell still bites us with chilly winds and a March or April flurry.

Now, my friend is a successful businessman with an attitude and positive energy that is simply unstoppable. But, we reflected on the fact that sometimes it's tough to keep a great mood up in the final days of winter with the grey skies looming. And, this got me thinking...

There is definitely a difference between your attitude and your mood. You can meet a predominantly positive person that could still be moody just as some people with poor attitudes sometimes have great days.

So, what's the difference between your attitude and your mood?

Your attitude is like your foundation. It's what makes you who you are and what carries you through the day, no matter the circumstances. Meanwhile, your mood is your reaction to the moment. It seems like a minor thing but it's actually a big difference.

Everyday we hear the Dr. Phil's of the world talk about attitude, but how often do we consider our own control over our mood?

The truth is we can change our moods instantly. Are you in a bad mood? All you have to do to change it is make a decision to be happy and make your bad mood a good one. Because your mood is more or less a surface reaction to what's happening in the "right now" of your life, you can change your mood quickly. That's a powerful thing to think about.

When was the last time you said or heard the phrase, "Oh, I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" You've probably heard it at least once in the last week. Have you ever thought about what that phrase even means? It's completely ridiculous.

What is the wrong side of the bed anyway? Left side or right side? Does it really matter? Nope.

No matter which "side of the bed" you woke up on, you decide your mood. Here are a few strategies to immediately change your state if you find the "wrong side of the bed" syndrome creeping into your day.

Make peace with whatever is bothering you. Accept it and move on. Or, take a few moments to devise a plan to tackle the problem, than put that plan into action.

Compartmentalize when you can. The truth is you can't always control what is happening around you. This holds particularly true if you are listening to someone else venting about their issues or if you're down because of the weather. If you want to, be there for them and empathize with them, but don't let it ruin your mood after the conversation is over. In addition, you'll never be able to manage Mother Nature. Simply box it up and pack it away because you can only solve problems you have control over.

Think about a song you really like. Music has a tremendous power over us. A good piece of music can lift us right up. Use that to your advantage!

Smile. It's amazing what forcing yourself to smile can do. Your body associates good feelings with smiling, so use a little trickery to boost your mood. When I was running competitively in high school and college, I would pick spots on the course before a race where I would plan to smile. No matter how much pain I was in when I reached those points I would always get a little boost from making myself smile. I still use this strategy in competition.

Use props. Carry something small with you at all times which you associate with good feelings. It could be a piece of jewelry with spiritual significance to you or even a pebble from a beach you went to on vacation. Whatever it is, use it! When you're feeling down, just grab your "prop" for a moment and remind yourself that ultimately life is good and you are in control.

If every one of us took a little time to think about how to effectively change our inevitable bad moods into good ones, our homes, workplaces, and communities would be a much more positive place. Give yourself the gift of a good mood today!

Unconventional Wisdom

By: Joseph Norman

“Above all else, be daring, be bold, be unconventional.” - Kevin Rampe

What’s the best way to get out of a rut or simply spice up your personal or professional life? Make it a point to do something a little unconventional. Why? It takes you out of your comfort zone and opens you up to new possibilities.

There’s a lot of doom and gloom going around in the world right now. In fact, the evening news is becoming one of our psyche’s worst enemies. Admittedly, I barely even watch it anymore. I mostly just pay attention to the local happenings, some political updates, and specific articles relative to my business pursuits. I aim to be informed enough to stay well equipped for conversation, but sheltered enough to stay positive.

It’s easy to get caught up in the routines of the day to day so my recommendation is to try something unconventional. For me and my business partner, it was taking our efforts to a new state and trying out our first mini road show to drum up new business. Phone time with potential real estate investors is great, but we decided that face time is even better. So, we dropped our Rochester specific obligations and bought a couple tickets to Florida.

Just the act itself helped us discover new avenues in which we can improve our real estate business. We work with many out of town investors, so we thought to ourselves, “Why not head out of town and meet some?” So, we did and it’s been a very productive trip.

Furthermore, in the spirit of unconventional wisdom, the website Half.com used a unique approach to marketing. They got a small town in Oregon to rename itself “Half.com.” Before that point they pushed thousands upon thousands of dollars into advertising. With just this act, they got more press then they ever got before and for minimal cost; all because they did something a little unconventional.

What can you bring back to your life in Western New York? Despite all the culture, art, and music, there is plenty of opportunity to do something a little bit outside of the box. So, this week’s challenge is to do just that. Break out of the norm and start thinking with some unconventional wisdom.

If we all take a little time to think outside the box, than we can make a more dramatic impact on our community. We live in an ever-changing world which requires unconventional wisdom to make things better. As Mahatma Gandhi would say, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Let’s start trying a few new things in our lives here in Western New York and start shaking up the routine!

Valentine's Day Secrets

By: Joseph Norman

“But I shall let it remain a secret for ever, since it should not be written of: the most delightful and choicest pleasure is that which is hinted at, but never told.” - Chretien de Troyes

Valentine’s Day is a special day for lovers and a scary day for singles. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that millions of women are freaking out right now because Valentine’s Day is a very big deal to them. Even for men, it’s an easy day to feel loved or lonely.

This life we live is about feelings, emotions, and experiences and words don’t always do them justice. But, I’m going to try for you today because I think there are some important things we can take from the legendary experience of a Valentine’s Day lived well.

My thoughts today stem from the fact that everybody deserves and desires to feel appreciated. We all want to be loved and feel loved. It’s human nature to want that. The beauty of this fact is that recognition, a form of appreciation, is a harmless strain of vanity. It’s a gift we can freely give to lift people up and raise them to new heights.

There are three keys to making someone really feel special this Valentine’s Day; be creative, be mysterious, and be authentic.

Be creative. Do something different. Break the routine. Play a song that reminds you of them on their voice mail. Make a card instead of buying one. Don’t go out for a romantic dinner at some fancy restaurant; instead try creating your own atmosphere in your own place with music and food you both like. Make a short, funny movie together which expresses your appreciation for a mutual friend. The possibilities are endless, so be original with your creation!

Be mysterious. What is it about the “secret admirer” situation that drives us completely mad? The beauty is in the mystery. Who could it be? What is it about you that inspired their sudden attention? Try flattering someone with a random act of kindness. Anonymously send them a note with an honest compliment. Then a few days later, if you want to, let them in on the secret of who sent it. Instill a hint of mystery in your interactions of appreciation with the people in your life.

Be authentic. Whatever you say or do this week to make someone feel special, make sure it comes from a place of honesty. Hollow words are the easiest to see through. Be genuine with your actions and words as that will enable you to make the greatest impact. And, that’s what the spirit of this day is all about, making an impact on someone you value having in your life.

But, why do we have to wait until Valentine’s Day to let the people in our life know we appreciate them? We don’t and that’s our challenge to you now that you’re armed with some knowledge about how to make a deep impact on the people around you. Spread it around all year. Even if it is just a genuine smile and a silent blessing of good will, make it a goal to brighten one person’s day, everyday.

The secret of living is giving. Imagine what our community in Western New York would be like if everyone took just a few minutes everyday to make someone feel appreciated. That’s a place I’d be proud to call home.

Holiday Honey Do List

By: Joseph Norman

Trouble figuring out what to do with yourself this holiday season? Does free time from your day job leave you in front of the television, puzzled about what to do next? Well, here's your Holiday Honey Do List to end your year right!

Forget working out, play Wii Fit. Who needs to fulfill that New Year's Resolution with an actual membership to the gym? The average person pays about $100 per month for a gym membership and only goes once every two weeks! Buy yourself a Nintendo Wii and save yourself the guilt.

Join Facebook. College students waste all kinds of time on social networking sites like Facebook. Why can't everyday working professionals as well?

Park your car in a snow bank. I tried this one about a week and a half ago. It gave me at least 36 hours of pure enjoyment. Please note, this may result in unexpected nature hikes back to your apartment, inability to use some of your extremities for a short period of time (i.e. your hands), and the opportunity to use heavy construction equipment to dig your automobile out.

Return unwanted gifts. You know you want to. Just chalk it up, be honest, and ask for the receipt. The money will probably be more useful to you anyway. Worst case, re-gift it or sell it on Craig's List!

Movie marathons. Rocky, Rambo, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy are personal favorites. Take a few days, forget showering, and watch movies until your eyes go bloodshot or you can't stand your own stink anymore. It's as fantastic as it sounds. Don't take my word for it, try it yourself!

Travel to a foreign country. Ben just left for Chile for a week and a half. Ever thought about leaving America behind and taking the next plane to Japan? Some advise planning an excursion like this, I recommend spontaneity. Japan too scary? How about Mexico or Canada?

Organize a Nude Resolution 5k. Why are so many people against streaking? Is it a legal thing? Even more of a reason to organize an all nude 5k! Mix it up and give the people a little something different to get excited about. Feeling philanthropic? Donate the proceeds!

Build a snow fort. Upon completing your movie marathon, you may want to try to build a replica of a structure in the Battle of Helms Deep from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers or an Afghan village from Rambo 3.

Put on your Sunday best, than go to McDonalds. Enjoy some sophisticated banter with the staff about the seasonal Egg Nog shake, savor the flavor of an Oreo McFlurry, or pick something up off the value menu.

Don't take yourself too seriously. Sprinkling in an occasional slice of ridiculousness into your life is just as important as closing that next deal. Smile big, laugh hard, and enjoy yourself!

May you and yours have a fantastic start to the New Year!

Embracing Fear

By: Joseph Norman

Fear. It’s everywhere. We see it on the television when we come home from work. We hear it from media pundits in regards to our nation’s political and economic environment. For some, it leaves their guts in disarray when they contemplate how they are going to pay the bills this month. One way or another, fear pervades our lives. But, what I’m here to say today is that it doesn’t have to control you.

Fear, like the rest of your emotions, can be mastered. By that I do not mean avoided, simply harnessed for the good it has within it. You see all of the emotions we feel, good or bad, have an intention. It might be easy to assume that good feelings have positive intentions while bad feelings are meant to leave us distressed or discomforted. However, I would argue that all emotions ultimately have a positive intention.

You see, through our own fears we develop the will power to succeed. We get thrown against the wall and pressed harder and harder until we either break or start pushing back. A truth about the human spirit though, is that we never have to break. We can always, and I truly mean always, rise to the occasion.

So, I must ask, “What are you afraid of?” Write a list of five things that currently weigh on your mind and in your gut. I’m not talking about societal insecurities, but rather the highly personal fears that are ruling your daily activities. Mastering them will be a powerful stepping stone for you.

Now, how does one master their fears?

Acknowledge its presence. Often we deny the fear. The problem with denial is that it never leads to a solution. In fact, it only perpetuates the feeling in your life. As Carl Jung knowingly said, “What you resist persists.”

Embrace it. Breathe it deep into your body and really feel that it is there. Calmly, like a tranquil lake, become fully aware of the depth of the fear’s existence within you. The objective here is to clear the fog in your mind that envelopes the fear and causes your resistance.

Thank it for being there. As corny as this may sound, literally say, “Thank you,” to it. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way when it comes to understanding our own fears and insecurities.

Examine it. Ask it what its intention is for you. What does it want you to do? What is it stopping you from doing? Why might it be wrong? Why might it be right? Is why it might be right a reasonable answer or a complete farce?

Visualize beyond it. Imagine a day without that fear. If there were a miracle tonight while you sleep and dream, such that when you wake up in the morning everything about this part of your life is resolved, how would you feel? What would you see? Experience? How would you know that this miracle had taken place?

Brainstorm solutions. Now that you’ve seen, felt, and experienced a day beyond this particular fear, you have opened your mind to new possibilities. Explore them!

Rinse and repeat. Take the time to repeat this process until you feel complete control over the fear you worked on. Then, try it with the others.

Take control of your life. Become conscious of the emotions pervading your mind and body. Accept them and heed their advice!

Clarity

By: Joseph Norman

Do you have a place where you think? And, I mean really think. A place where you can ask yourself the tough questions like, “What are you doing with your life? Why are you doing it? Who are you serving?”

We all need to answer these questions consistently in our lives to give us clarity in our direction. Your spot could be a particular chair in your office, a vacation home you or your family has, or even a bench at your favorite park. If you don’t have one, find one! For me, it is the chaise lounge in my bedroom and I’m usually accompanied by candle light. Mood lighting may help you as well!

Why is this important?

The truth is not enough people really think about what they’re doing. We are all guilty off it more often then not. We run a path with reckless abandon because we think that’s what we want. When, in fact, over time we change and desire new things and fresh direction for our life.

Think about this natural phenomenon. A hiker is walking through the woods without a compass. He gets lost and cannot find his way. Everything looks the same so he just keeps walking, waiting for something to strike his memory and provide him with clarity for how he can get home. But, a funny thing happens as this man keeps walking. The earth’s rotation, as slight as it is, causes the man to travel in circles without him even knowing it!

Without stopping to think or use some tools, this hiker could be walking in circles for days. In our own lives we may do this for months or even years without stopping to really think! But, we keep walking…feeling lost and unfulfilled.

Once you have found your place to really think, you now need some ammunition to take advantage the greatest tool we as humans have, our minds! Here are some questions you may find helpful to prevent you from walking in circles your whole life. I’ve picked them up from mentors, business associates and from my personal studies of NLP (Neuro-Linguistics Programming).

If money were no option, what would I be doing? Who would I be helping? How would I be helping them?

What is it I really want in my life? (Some categories: Health, Money, Business, Relationships, Material Things, Living Environment). How will you know when you’ve got it? What will you see? Hear? Feel? Believe? Experience?

What would you want if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would you want if you knew it was ok to fail?

What would you want if it didn’t have to mean anything about you? (Reputation, etc.) What would you want if you knew nothing bad would happen as a result of getting it?

Are you in line with your goals and desires? How can you get back on track?

My challenge to you this week is to give yourself an opportunity to answer some of these questions. Don’t burden yourself with a time limit; just let your mind run free with a pen and pad of paper in hand. Keep yourself from filtering your answers as well! Don’t let your subconscious foil your own unique ability to dream up the life you’ve always wanted.

Know that it is okay to want what you want. It is an authentic expression of who you are so embrace and celebrate it! Get clarity on the person you want to become and don't let complacency get in your way!

The Four Agreements

By: Joseph Norman

This week's challenge is courtesy of Don Miguel Ruiz's simple, but profound book, "The Four Agreements." Taken from ancient Toltec traditions, the code of conduct discussed "reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering."

In our daily lives it is easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle, over promise and under deliver, ride the emotional roller coaster of human interaction, and limit ourselves from being the best person we can be. Miguel Ruiz’s insights provide a fantastic frame for our daily activities which can help keep us true to ourselves and others. By acknowledging and living our deep authenticity, we allow ourselves to have better relationships and more fulfilling lives.

Without further adieu, Don Miguel Ruiz’s “Four Agreements” as described in his book!

Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

Don’t make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Take these words to heart throughout your week. You may want to start with the one agreement that resonates with you the most. Focus on it each day and examine the results. Are you feeling more fulfilled? Are your interactions more honest and effective? Are you creating a mindset and environment which helps you be your best? If you can answer, "Yes," to any of these questions, then you are developing a lifestyle which facilitates personal freedom!

Integrity

By: Joseph Norman

Recently, I’ve been reading Dr. Henry Cloud’s book Integrity. It’s a topic of particular interest to me because I believe it is the quintessential element of an individual’s success. Today, I would like to share a few points from the text which I find particularly valuable.

First, let’s take a look at the three key things which attribute to a person’s success:

Mastery of a skill or set of competencies. Often people that achieve success are experts in their particular field. They have dedicated time, effort, and passion to developing this skill set and it is now reaping them great rewards.

Have a unique ability for building strategic alliances. This can be misconceived as “networking,” but in reality it is much deeper than that. Strategic alliances are characterized by a mutual relationship based on creating leverage to take what each party does to another level. In other words, one plus one equals three.

And the final and most crucial factor:

Have the character to not screw it up. People often think of character as a safe guard against bad things happening, when in fact it is actually the ultimate determining factor for the opportunity to achieve something. Who a person is will determine if their brains, talents, competencies, energy, effort, deal-making abilities, and opportunities will succeed.

So, how does one measure a person’s integrity? Dr. Cloud has an approach he calls the “wake test.” This is founded on the idea that in everybody’s “wake,” they leave a trail of data which determines their success or failure. A wake doesn’t lie and it doesn’t care about excuses.

One’s wake consists of two categories, tasks and relationships;

Tasks. These are the performance objectives. Is it a wake of goals being reached? Profits being made? Growth of the business or the deal that person was working on? The mission being accomplished? Things getting completed? New ways of doing things being introduced and perfected? A stronger brand? A stronger reputation for the work and company? Or, were the results negative? Misfires? Unreached goals? Disorganization and chaos? Resources or money lost?

Relationships. Would a person say that their lives are better off after their experience with you, or worse off? Did they consider it a blessing that they were associated with you, or a curse? Have people grown as a result of being associated with you? Did your relationship cause them to produce more? Or, have you left people wounded? Less trusting? Feeling put down, cheated, or manipulated? Disappointed, let down, or lied to? And the most important question: “Would they want to do it again?”

My challenge to you this week is to think about the wake you are making in your life. Ask yourself these questions and take a keen eye to the integrity you are bringing to your everyday life. The results may be frightening, but they will be a true testament to what you are really bringing to the table. You must appreciate where you are, in order to understand what you’re doing!

Again, the majority of this information is from the book Integrity by Henry Cloud. For more on the topic, check out the book!

Hope

By: Joseph Norman

"People can live 30 days without food, but no human can live more than thirty seconds without hope." - Sean Swarner

Swarner is a man who beat cancer twice; Stage 4 Hodgkin's at age 13 and Askin's Sarcoma at age 17. This was virtually a medical miracle. He has since gone on to climb the highest mountain on every continent in the world, including the fabled 29,035 ft tall Mt. Everest. This made him the first cancer survivor in history to achieve such a feat. (www.seanswarner.com)

His is a story of persistence, vitality, passion, and most importantly, hope. He has now turned his adventures into opportunities to raise awareness for cancer through his organization; Cancer Climber Association. At the peak of Mt. Everest, he left a flag of countless names of people affected by cancer. Now he is planning a trip to the North Pole and the South Pole, raising money for cancer awareness with his flags, to complete what is known by climbers as the Adventure Grand Slam.

What can we learn from a story like Sean's?

We do not know how long we have on this wonderful place called Earth. Everything can be taken from us in an instant, so we must make certain that our pursuits are powered by 100% commitment from the heart. If you do what you love, then you will make your mark on this world because it will be done in a way that makes an impression.

I got a chance to spend a day with Sean recently and I sensed this spirit in him. He's doing what he loves to do for a cause that he believes in because of how it personally changed his life. That is a beautiful gift to give to the world.

Sean confessed his foundational philosophy, "I'm committed to shouting from the roof tops that there is hope for the hopeless, and miracles up and down the sides of whatever mountains people are climbing in their life."

When faced by challenges in our lives it is hope that keeps us going. Hope for better days. Hope that our efforts bare the fruit we intend them to. Hope that miracles exist and we can achieve our dreams.

Your dreams are not only a possibility. They are an opportunity created by your mind to achieve something beyond yourself. Do not forfeit them with a lack of faith but embrace them with hope!

My challenge to you this week is to examine those dreams that toil your mind day and night. Are your daily actions moving you closer to achieving them? Or, have you lost faith in your ability to accomplish them? Give yourself permission to light the fire inside of you again! Life is too short to pursue things without your whole heart!

Protect Your Financial Castle

By: Joseph W. Norman

Today is as important a time as ever to take control of your finances. Managing your finances well today gives you options tomorrow.

“The average American is busy buying things he doesn’t want with money he doesn’t have to impress people he doesn’t like.” O. Donald Olson

According to John Maxwell, there are three simple truths when it comes to your money:

1) Money won’t make you happy, 2) Debt will make you unhappy, and, 3) Having a financial margin gives you options.
There are plenty of strategies out there to maintain and excel when it comes to your money. The key is that it does not have to be complex. It can be as simple as dedicating 80% of your income to expenses, 10% to investments, and the other 10% as you desire. Some use the other 10% as a charitable giving.

How can you start managing your finances well today? Use a program like Mint.com (www.mint.com) to get an idea of where your money is going. Your transactional data is downloaded on a daily basis into the program and it gives you trends, simple budget tools, savings opportunities, and more! I use it personally and after my introduction, my financial advisor uses it now as well!

Once you know where the money goes, you can isolate what David Bach calls “your latte factor.” That is the one item you might buy everyday which is costing you hundreds of thousands in the long run. It could just be a $4 coffee at Starbucks everyday. But, multiply that $4 by 5 work days and 52 weeks. Then take that number and give it a 10% return over the duration left until your retirement. Do the math. The number will be astounding!

Another crucial item is to firm up your credit score! Are you incurring too much consumer debt on frivolous things? Change your automatic payments to a debit from your checking account and lock those cards up! Then, put yourself on an automatic payment plan to absolve your debt.

KEY HINT: Don’t focus on the debt because that won’t help. Just stop the bleeding and set up an automatic plan to resolve it!

Dealing with your money is stressful but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Make a commitment to yourself today. Remember, properly managing your finances daily gives you options.

Get Over It & Get At It

Get Over It! Get At It!
By: Joseph Norman

"Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, you can start now, and make a brand new end." - John C. Maxwell, Today Matters

What you did yesterday is not nearly as important as what you do today. We fail and we do it often. It's a necessity of life because failure breeds true success. My challenge to you this week is two fold. Get over it and get at it!

You have something on your mind which is holding you back. You're not proud of the way you reacted to something or someone in the past. You didn't close the deal. You didn't exercise. You ate too much fatty foods last week. You think you're overweight. You are struggling to pay your bills. You got stood up. You broke up with your significant other. You pissed somebody off. You didn't think before you opened your mouth and spoke.

GET OVER IT! Move on. Forgive yourself for your stupidity or inaction and file the experience away. It's over and you can't take it back, so learn from it and leave it.

Now that you have made the choice to evict the insecurities caused by your past, make your new day one focused on living the life you need and want to live.

GET AT IT! Today is your opportunity. It is your open canvas. You are the paintbrush and your life is the paint. What are you going to create? Who are you going to influence? What message are you going to deliver? What story are you going to write on the hearts of the people admiring your life's canvas?

Let them experience that narrative by making it a priority to live it today.

Pareto's Principle

Pareto Principle

By: Joseph W. Norman

Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto discovered a principle in his research which states that for many events, 80% of the effects come from 20% of causes. Over time, this “rule,” has been adapted to business under the premise that 80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients. This creates an interesting phenomenon for our life about the critical few versus the trivial many.

In terms of practicality, it has become broadly accepted that this principle applies to most aspects of our life. For example, 20% of the things in your life are causing 80% of the stress or 20% of your daily activities are producing 80% of the results. Thus, my challenge to you this week is to break down your life with this concept.

By analyzing your stressors or daily activities you can move yourself closer to discovering what is really getting results for you and what is just taking up time. From a business perspective, if you can outsource the more mundane activities limiting your productivity, then you can release a bottle neck that could potentially be limiting your company. Utilize your strengths and outsource your weaknesses to people whose strengths are your weaknesses.

Please note that this is not a small task! But, the benefits could far outweigh the burden of the necessary time investment. Think about a few scenarios:

Right now you may spend 3 hours a week developing your list and shopping for your groceries based on the current diet you have in your family. If you hired that service out for $10 per hour, could you make more than $30 in those three hours with your work or would you be willing to sacrifice that cost for 3 more hours to spend with your family?

Personally, my business partner Shaun and I are using a team of 25 data experts in India to build a spreadsheet of the contact information for all of the Real Estate Investment Associations in the United States. We assessed this to be a 50 hour project and the reputable team offered their services for $1.50 per hour. Is 50 hours of our time more valuable then the $60-75 we will pay our virtual assistants? Absolutely!

It is all about managing your life in the most effective way. Create a list of the things in your life which you have to do but really stress you out. Be ruthless about it! Then, think of creative solutions for getting them accomplished for you at minimal cost. Once you know the cost, you can make a better assessment about how you want to proceed in the future.