Friday, February 27, 2009

Suggest A Book


This post is here to compile a list of books that you have found to be helpfull in any category of life. I will create a list on this blog from your suggestions. This will be a source for everyone to utilize that comes here for information.
Post your suggestions in the comments section of this post. Suggest as many and as often as you desire. helpful hint, include title, author and category such as "selfhelp", "leadership", "Family", "Marriage", "Finance", "Technology" etc..
Thanks,
John

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Creating Multiple Sources Of Income


I recently recieved a copy of Success Magazine and an article inside got my attention right away; Securing Your Financial Future......Creating multiple sources of income is the key to surviving and thriving.

Here are some guidelines of risk involved from high to low in my opinion:
  • Highest risk - Do Nothing.
  • High risk - Work to generate income from a source someone else owns and controls.
    Some of this can be beneficial financially but it has little or no long term security. Remember someone else owns the basket and can crush your fragile little financial eggs at any time.
  • Moderate risk - Work to generate income from a source you do not own but have control of your efforts to produce income.
    This needs to be crystal clear on income per results or it will be high risk.


Some questions to ask:

  1. When I get X amount of results, How much income will I receive? ( a stated range is acceptable)

  2. Is there a written legal compensation plan clearly stating this from the owner?

  3. Is the compensation plan directly tied to my results?, or can it be manipulated based on the owners discretion? In other words, do I really have consistent control of the income? (High risk if not)
  4. Is there a proven track record of the compensation plan? Has it been factual and consistent?
  • Less risk - Work to generate income from sources you own and control.
    In this case you are in full control of profit and loss. It`s your basket and your eggs. Note: This could move to high risk if you do not protect your basket!
    More of this can create long term financial security. This is where the entrepreneur thrives and survives. The more baskets of eggs that you own and control will equate to more financial security.

  • No risk - This does not exist!
    Not recommended. Income will not fall from the sky into your bank account while you do nothing.


For the longest time I was trained/mentored to put all my eggs in one basket and protect that basket. Now this may work if you own the basket! but if you don`t, a financial train wreck may be in your future. Now you may be thinking, why would you take such advice? and I will tell you it begins with trust and, it ends with trust or the lack of.


I, like many others believed there was security in the one basket focus because it gave us hope along with some money but did`nt deliver when it came to security. We have all seen this over and over in the media/news with companies/CEO`s/Owners who control the financial baskets who when the financial pressure hits, they do just about anything to keep more of their basket while leaving others with false hope heading for a financial train wreck. High Risk


Keep in mind that even if you own the basket and it is the only basket you have, the train wreck can still occur. The point here is create multiple sources of income, some you own and others may be owned by someone else.


I personally have made a conscious decision not only survive but thrive in creating multiple sources of income as the article suggests. One Goose, One Golden Egg. I don`t think so!..... Many Geese, Many Golden Eggs! :)


The very last thing I will do or suggest anyone do is take on a victim role or a poor me attitude. Instead I believe that the plans for the future need be addressed now with new advice and information that is readily available if we choose to pursue it. This is exactly why this article grabbed me!


This post is not intended to be financial advice. Creating multiple sources of income just makes sense, as does getting multiple sources of information. As for my thoughts on the one basket train wreck, you can take it or leave it but remember to use the old IBM slogan..... THINK.

John



Thursday, February 5, 2009

Super Bowl


Not the Super Bowl you`re thinking, but a story of people showing love to others who don`t always get it. People who are leaders that show love and compassion for others. We all have a choice when it comes to loving others, we can do things that hurt or do things that heal.


I cannot understand why someone would deliberately go about hurting others. Maybe it comes from low self esteem and by hurting someone else it gives them some sick sense of power? Or it might come from a need for recognition, "tear down all the buildings around you so that you can have the tallest building"! Or it could be greed, somehow by you losing they can gain financially. Maybe it is just plain self- centeredness, they just can`t have anyone appearing as good as them. In any case, I just don`t get it.


It is so much easier to lift up others and in doing so, love spreads even to those who may not otherwise get the love we all desire. Imagine a world where no one loved. I can`t imagine it either! Instead, what if we all spread love out to even those who no one else shows love to. What if, every time we felt like filling our own selfish needs, we instead found someone in need and served them first? This is leadership!


A leader who is willing to hurt or discard even one person in order to satisfy his/her selfish motives is not a leader! Leaders serve others even when there may be no self gain. They give love and show compassion to all, not just those who they have something to gain from.

My point is that serving others brings such joy to everyone and sets an example for others to serve and lead. Here is a short video of serving others and winning the Super Bowl of Love. Please watch... A football game gives hope
John