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April 2007

Entrepreneurial Education

I thought this young person on Answerbag asked a very good question:


How important is getting a formal business education to someone who wants to be a career entrepreneur? By peterpatch Asked  Feb 20 2007 10:53AM

Here was my my attempt to answer it:

Education is ALWAYS important. I have a formal education. I value it for it has taught me the skills to become a life-long learner. It has helped me in my primary profession. However, as an entrepreneur, it is not formal education that is as important as educating yourself constantly and over a lifetime. Here is what I suggest:

  • Get a coach or a mentor and follow their suggestions.
  • Work with an established system and learn the principles of that business through practice, failures, and successes.
  • Work on your attitude every day.
  • Read a book a week in a variety of fields including entrepreneurship, personal development, sales, technology, human behavior, and leadership.
  • Read magazines and journals related to your field.
  • Meet people every day and learn the art of networking.
  • Attend conferences related to business, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
  • Interview successful entrepreneurs as a regular practice.
  • Surround yourself with positive people.
  • Listen to at least one teaching CD or tape a day in your car or wherever you can.

Stay in touch and let me know how I can be an encouragement to you. GO FOR IT!


"The Invitation" - Narrated by Rick Warren

Music video + extras! This is a full-length video with narrator, Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life", and pastor of Saddleback Christian Fellowship in California. He explains the reason for believing in Christ and gives a salvation message, and leads people to pray to receive Jesus into their heart. As you watch and listen to this video, I hope that you will feel the call of God, and will accept Jesus into your heart. The audio portion came from a CD called "The Invitation", and I added all the video. If you want more information on "The Invitation" CD or have questions about Jesus, or you have accepted Jesus into your heart (or maybe you didn't, but still have questions), please go to www.TheInvitation.TV. Thanks for watching! ><}}}*<

The Ragman

This is one the most compelling presentations of the gospel I have ever seen or read - It is a dramatization of Walter Wangerin's timeless story. It is not the entire story. This is a new link. The old one was not available.To finish, pick up a copy of Wangerin's collection.


Les Brown - Live Full, DieEmpty - Motivational DVD Training Video



As a renowned professional speaker, author and television personality, Les Brown has risen to national prominence by delivering a high energy message which tells people how to shake off mediocrity and live up to their greatness. It is a message Les Brown has learned from his own life and one he is helping others apply to their lives.

Born a twin in low-income Liberty City in Miami, Florida, Les and his twin brother, Wes, were adopted when they were six weeks old by Mrs. Mamie Brown. Mrs. Brown was a single woman who had very little education or financial means, but a very big heart. As a child Les’ inattention to school work, his restless energy, and the failure of his teachers to recognize his true potential resulted in him being mislabeled as a slow learner. The label and the stigma stayed with him, damaging self-esteem to such an extent that it took several years to overcome.

Les has had no formal education beyond high school, but with persistence and determination he has initiated and continued a process of unending self-education which has distinguished him as an authority on harnessing human potential. Les Brown's passion to learn and his hunger to realize greatness in himself and others helped him to achieve greatness. He rose from a hip-talkin morning DJ to broadcast manager; from community activist to community leader; from political commentator to three-term legislator; and from a banquet and nightclub emcee to premier keynote speaker.

Today, as one of the world’s most sought-after motivational speakers, Les Brown presents to Fortune 500 companies and organizations all over the world. His “heart-felt” style and tremendous passion for speaking leaves his audiences with a larger vision for their lives and the motivation to take the next step.

This program shares the importance of living our dreams now, and not waiting for “some day”. From powerful principles to captivating stories, Les’ energy will inspire you to leap towards your next level. This is likely Les Brown’s greatest speech ever!

80 minute full length version now available at:
www.seminarsondvd.com


Zipper Down on the Highway to WELATH

 

Welath and happyness
Have you ever discovered that your zipper is down and wondered how long you had been parading around in this condition and why no one informed you?

They may have been too embarrassed.

The solution is to let you be embarrassed.

How do you navigate these sensitive situations? I once published a blog with a severely misspelled title for at least a week. I spelled "wealth" as "welath." No one said anything - or noticed - OR did they? I was embarrassed - but not much.

I misspell all the time, but usually not in a title.

Should someone have said something or would that have been nit picky?

Did you ever see the film,  "The Pursuit of Happiness?"  Of course not. That is not the name of the movie!

It was spelled HAPPYness - just like a recurring scene from the movie where Chris Gardner is repeatedly annoyed at the misspelling on a wall in his neighborhood.

It is funny how little things keep us from focusing on the pursuit of the BIG things.

Ultimately, they did not stop Chris Gardner. See the movie and read the book if you are discouraged, thinking of giving up, or devastated by a zipper down after being in public for hours. Few people have had to overcome the challenges he faced on the road to success, but everyone has their own.

You can read Chris Gardner's book to learn more about his extraordinary life. You can also visit his official site.

The conditions were never just right for Chris Gardner to pursue his goals and they will never be just right for you - so get started now! There is no better time.

While we are at it, let's embrace a new philosophy of
 
WELATH.

Welcome life with all its imperfections, embarrassing moments, and hardships because there will be m ore joys that sorrows if you will pursue them and embrace them.

Elevate others along the way and build them up rather than tearing them down.

L
Live, Laugh, Love with expectancy, wonder, and authenticity.

A
Accept Abundance as the true measure of wealth. Abundance means that there is more than absolutely necessary for mere survival. Abundance is accepting grace as a lifestyle and as n endless supply from a generous God to children He loves. It also means that we appreciate what we receive and receive it with giddy joy.

T
Take the steps necessary to move incrementally toward your goals of wealth or welath. Just like it doesn't ultimately matter if you mess up the letter order, there may be some play ion the order in which you take these steps, but take them and do not expect to arrive quickly. "Get rich quick" almost always implies gimmickry. You could also call it TIME. Take Time!

H
Hope and keep hoping. Never surrender your possibility view of things to come. That which is not can be. Persevere with hope!

Keep on kneeping on! <wink>
 
Three of my favorite scenes:
 

Motives

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and  his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."             – Matthew 6:25-33

I enjoy that small dimension of my life where I play the role of a motivational speaker. A motivator is like a spark plug. It will help a combustion engine get going, but unless there is a viable engine and fuel in the tank, the sparks will soon die out.

Yet, try to get an engine going without that initial "motivation." It simply will not "mote."

What motivates you? What ignites your imagination and activates your soul? Are you paralyzed or energized by the fear that you will not be able to provide the necessities of life for yourself and your family? Are you enslaved by the need to move forward economically or to build earthly security or is that just one of many factors that gets you up and gets you going toward a higher calling?

God cares for His own, for birds and lilies, and people who seek Him. His kingdom and His righteousness are of such great value that nothing else compares with them. 

Our task is to check in with what motivates us as we make important decisions and view the realities of life. We are to live with eternity in view at all times. By keeping first things first, we can eliminate the need to juggle multiple priorities or to fret over things that ultimately perish.


Proverbs 13 for Work, Wealth and Business

Ideally, we would post these on the day  pf the month that corresponds to the number of the chapter, but that is ideal and just isn't going to happen. Here are some of the verses from chapter 13. While it is not entirely possible le to separate out those pertaining to wealth and work, these deal most specifically with those issues.

2 - A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

The difference between two business entrepreneurs may transcend mere technique and product and go to the character issue which drives business strategy. there are bullies in business who seek to win by intimidation. Then there are those who speak well and whose words are gracious and compelling. One group has an appetite for sweet words and the other for violence. Temporal success may come to the latter, but it is bitter and tasteless, and even disastrous as evidenced in the next verse:

3 - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

It is not mere desire that achieves our goals. certainly desire is a component of motivation, but motivation ends in movement and with steady, diligent movement, there will be no long term results. Lazy people simple are not achievers.

  7 - There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

"Maketh himself'" can be translated, "presents oneself as" or "pretends to be." Sam Walton drove his truck between his stores. It was not out of pretence; it was who he was. He had no need to pretend. Some desire the status of wealth. Others want the real thing. Stop pretending and "putting on airs."

Humility is good business.

8 - The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

There are good reasons and bad reasons for accumulating wealth. the less noble reasons revolve around status, self-indulgence, and lust for power. the noble reasons include the opportunity to be generous, to exert positive influence, to provide for one's family, and this: to be prepared for the dangers and contingencies of life. Some people who are poor are oblivious to threats and assume that there will always be a safety net below them. These are not necessarily those who are circumstantially poor, but those who suffer poverty of the soul and spirit - who possess no dream or motivation to be more than they are. when the time of crisis comes, they will be surprised while the rich will be prepared.

11 - Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

There are many ways to get rich and dishonesty is one of them. Those riches, however, have a short shelf life and  will whither away - especially in eternity. However, those who build their wealth honestly and conscientiously over time will continue to grow. Thus we read in the next verse that long-term goals lead to sweet fruition:

12 - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

18 - Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Successful people are always learning, always seeking counsel, andare willing to accept correction. Pride leads to poverty and shame.

And again, the fruit of working for a goal is accentuated in the following verse:

19 - The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

22 - A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

It is a good thing to build an estate. A good rule of thumb is that articulated by Warren Buffet - "enough to do something with, but not enough to do nothing." What we want to leave our grandchildren is an opportunity and an inheritance can often do that. As you build your wealth, consider the generations to come. Perhaps we should apply that as a society to our stewardship of the earth.

23 - Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

25 - The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

There are two ways to squander a fortune: (1) bad judgment and (2) wickedness. we have all seen it and we must all reject these stumbling blocks. Real wealth is as much about how long as it is about how much.

 

 


Hi! A. Tuss

I have a dear friend who keeps me fresh, disciplined, and paced. His name is A. Tuss. I greet him whenever he shows up - sometimes unannounced. He stopped by last week and I decided to spend time with him, showing him around my current and recent thinking and  catching up on other things.

Of course, when he comes to town, other things sometimes take a back seat. That is why we say, Hi! A. Tuss! (or, in case you are a little slow or I am a little obscure in my presentation, "hiatus."

At any rate, I am back.


Virgnina Tech in the News and In Our Prayers

I had a lot to write - and i still might write it. However, I was a bit preoccupied today getting information on the shootings at Virginia Tech. My cousin's son, David is an engineering student there. My friend's son teaches there, and Andrea and i were Tech students back in the early 70s.

In fact, Andrea lived in Ambler-Johnston for the first two years she was there. She, her father, my uncle, her uncle, 3 of my cousins, and a host of others are all Tech graduates. It brings things close to home.

It takes one person with a demented sense of what it takes to settle a score or some other form of perverted thinking to ruin so many lives and create a ripple of horror that will haunt hundreds and perhaps, thousand of people for decades. It is a level of damage that simply cannot be repaired.

Good can come, but we must recognize the event as something evil. What makes it so ironic is that it was evil through the auspices, if what is typical rules, of someone who most likely has no criminal record and has given no indication that he would ever do such a thing.

And in an act of utter cowardice, he turned the gun on himself before he could answer for his deeds.

I take no pleasure in the image of anyone standing before God to give such and answer. Nor does God.

We are the one who need answers. We are the ones who require accountability - here and now. We are the ones who must somehow understand that which cannot be understood. We are the ones who must learn whatever we can in hopes of preventing such a future travesty.

But there will be no satisfactory answers - only speculation and clues. There will be finger pointing an d assignment of blame as the second guessing moves on. There will be lawsuits and accusations. Most of all, there will be tears and heartache.

How can such a thing happen?

We live in a world where unimaginable evil is possible and there is some sense of relief that it is restrained as much as it is. This is close to home. It shakes us.

It is happening every day in Iraq and we don't understand that either - but it is easier to dismiss. it is "over there" and it is "them." Somehow, the fact that it is a war zone makes it more tolerable to us.

It is never tolerable.

Remember the families of the dead and all of those who are severely injured in prayer.

Here is a link to the campus paper, The Collegiate Times for a unique perspective.


The Debate Continues

What seems obvious to me as a man of faith may not be so clear to others. BeliefNet.com has brought together a group of scholars from the left and the right to debate the issue of the historical Jesus. They include some notables who affirm His divinity and some who argue for a Jesus who is so human as to scoff at any possibility of the miraculous.

Sign Up Now!

Among those who have entered the debate is Bishop John Shelby Spong, who recently said:

"Religion in America today embarrasses me," said Spong, 75, who will speak in Rochester next week. "If that's what Christianity is all about, then I'm not really interested in that."

My news to Bishop Spong is that turnoabout is fair play. i have often been embrarrassed by him. For more of the interview where he made his red-facxed declaration, click here.

There is actually a rather heated discussion of the matter on the Religion Forum .

as others have noted, the faith that Spong sees as obsolete is thriving around the world and transforming lives. It a new global world, it makes one wonder who is out-moded in his thinking.

Christianity has survived attacks in every generation because it is real. The question is always this, "Are we real?"


Proverbs 12 for Work, Wealth, and Business

To continue with the Proverbs project that I started on the 11th, here is the next offering:

9  -Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
       than pretend to be somebody and have no food.  (NIV)

You have to settle on what you are after in business- prestige or real, honest to goodness money. Do you want people to think you are loaded with cash, honor you, and be in awe of you while you are wondering where you are going to get your next meal or do you want to be doing well enough to have people working for you? Are you willing to sacrifice the accoutrements of self-importance and labor in obscurity for that which brings security to your family or do you insist on pretension and recognition? There are many fancy cars on the highway being driven by people who cannot afford them. They cannot be considered wealthy. They are broke at a higher level of debt.

    11 - He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
         But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. (NASB)

The NIV calls this pursuit, “chasing fantasies.” There is a big difference in a dream and a fantasy. The kinds of dreams that come true have goals and action plans attached to them and are possessed by people who are willing to work for and toward them. Tilling the soil of success is the key to sorting our worthless pursuits from grand possibilities.

    12 - The wicked man desires the booty of evil men,
         But the root of the righteous yields fruit. (NASB)

If your heart is not right in this area of your life, you will be attracted to unscrupulous schemes and cutthroat maneuvers. However, if you are grounded in right thinking, living, and relationship to your Center (God), you will enjoy real fruit.  The results of doing business the right way (right = righteous) is sweet tasting, juicy success from the tree of life.

14 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
   well-done work has its own reward. (The Message)

Engage in work that is rewarding in and of itself.

24 -  Diligent hands will rule,
       but laziness ends in slave labor.  (NIV)

You have to work if you want to get ahead. Laziness will not only fail to set you free, but it will get you deeper and deeper in the hole of debt and servitude. Plan your work and work your plan. Do what it takes and see yourself emerge as a leader.

27 The lazy man does not roast  his game,
       but the diligent man prizes his possessions. (NIV)

There is some dispute about translations here, but the bottom line is that lazy people waste whatever they acquire. Imagine ordering 1000 brochures for your business and never giving any of them away. Does that sound outlandish? Of course it does. However, we have all either done it or have known those who have. Take care of business – whatever it is.


More Proverbs on Money and Wealth

The book of Proverbs has much to say about wealth, work, prosperity, and stewardship. How we acquire wealth, how we spend it, and how we share it are all important issues along with our attitudes toward money and prosperity. This is not the prosperity gospel, but the gospel (good news) about prosperity is that if it is correctly defined in an unrestricted manner that includes spiritual intangibles , sought as something peripheral to more important values, rooted in enduring biblical principles, and built in increments by hard-working dreamers, it is possible.

That was a long sentence with quite a few qualifiers.

1  -The LORD abhors dishonest scales,
       but accurate weights are his delight.

The first thing we need to know from today's proverbs is that God cares how you get your wealth. You may accumulate riches through dishonest business practices, but if you do, do not confuse your positive bank balance with the favor of God. He detests dishonesty and cheating. When faced with a moral dilemma about how things "measure up," choose to postpone your profit and do the right thing.

One possible benefit is that you will get "caught" being scrupulously honest and fair and the resulting reputation will eventually bring customers, loyal ones, to your door.

4 - Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Wealth can be a very good thing. It can buy us time freedom. It can afford us my comforts. Just living in wealthy

America

means that we enjoy the luxuries of street lights, public libraries, schools, and police protection. But we need to understand the limits of wealth.  It is absolutely powerless to afford eternal benefits and protections. If you have to choose between righteousness and wealth, choose righteousness. Stay rightly related to God and stay on the right path.

10 -  When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
       when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Righteous people have a cheering section on their quest for prosperity. Rank and file citizen love your success story if ypou are the kind of person they can admire and emmulate. Otherwise, they just shake their heads in disgust and cry out "poetic justice: when your plans are foiled.

15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
       but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.

God has something to say about smart business practices also. Co-signing is not equiilant to generosity. Generosity is encouraged; putting your name on someone else's business deal is risking your reputation and stability unnecessarily and unwisely. You also risk your friendship with the person for whom you co-sign because that issue will dominate your thoughts toward her untill the obligation is completed. It will complicate your relationship and poison your interactions. Be smart with your money. Be even smarter with your credit and good name.

16 - A kindhearted woman gains respect,
       but ruthless men gain only wealth.

"Only wealth" is how the teacher describes the benefits that come to ruthless people. is it true that ruthless business practices can result in profit? Of course, but ONLY profit. Can hard-hearted, hard-nosed negotiating that walks over the opponent bring final rewards? Yes, but ONLY financial rewards. What is lost is respect. The business person who is respected in the community for kindness and fairness will enjoy a different sort of prosperity that is likely to include financial success - and it will be long-term.

17  - A kind man benefits himself,
       but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

Kindness comes back to the kind person in so many ways: freedom from trouble, avoidance of lawsuits, good will, peace of mind, and even fair profit. Cruel people will be in constant conflict and turmoil. Don't be short-sighted in business.

18 - The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
       but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

So, what is so bad about deceptive wages?  For one thing , they are not sure and for another, they're not rewarding. Those qualities of wealth are reserved for the righteous. Stay in close  relationship with God and keep your moral compass pointed due north (spiritually). You can make money otherwise, but remember that it is ONLY money.

24 - One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
       another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Yes. It is a mystery! Yes. It is counterintuitive. How can giving produce gain? There are many "real world" illustrations that can show the connection, but the primary rule is that which exists in the invisible spiritual world that governs the ultimate affairs of humankind. God set it up that way.

25 - A generous man will prosper;
       he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Prosperity, whether it is material, relational, spiritual, or emotional, flows from a deep spring of generosity. In your business, put others first. Concentrate on delivering more than you are paid for and God will bless your business. Use your business as a means for giving to people and to Kingdom purposes, and He will give to you.

26  - People curse the man who hoards grain,
       but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

Selling is an honorable profession, especially as a counterpoint to hoarding. Believe it or not, some people fall so in love with their products that they refuse to display them. However, this principle goes beyond that rarity. What you offer has value and people need it. Don't keep it to yourself. Folks don't know what they don't know. Tell, them, show them, and let them buy from you. Be willing to sell.

27 He who seeks good finds goodwill,
       but evil comes to him who searches for it.

Seeking good is seeking God. Always seek God and seek His good in others. If you like people and see the imange of God in them, they will be your best friends and people like to do business with friends. Build goodwill.

28 - Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
       but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Finally (for today), don't trust your riches. Trust God. Your "stuff" will not last forever. God will and whatever you give to God will take on eternal qualities. Trust God.

Scriptures quoted from the New International Version - Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


Wealth Words from Proverbs 10

These Proverbs were in my reading for today and spoke to me as I have been considering my own financial goals. They come from Proverbs 10:

 

4 Lazy hands make a man poor,
       but diligent hands bring wealth.

The Work-Attitude-Wealth connection in the scriptures, especially in Proverbs is blatant. WAW (Isn't that Hebrew?) reminds us that our attitudes about work and our follow-through on those beliefs have everything to do with our prosperity. While it is important to work "smart," it is also important to work hard enough to overcome lethargy. Sitting around doing nothing will produce nothing. 

 

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
       but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

While the scriptures teach us not to love money or trust in riches, they also give us a realistic picture of what real wealth does for us: It gives us security and freedom from unexpected attacks. Most of us come to financial ruin through poor planning and inattention to the details of sound financial planning and implementation of good business principles. 

 

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life,
       but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

To balance this teaching, one must be reminded that wealth in the wrong hands, wages specifically, can be a cause of pain and punishment. For instance, Paul reminds us in  Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death, but that eternal life comes a s a gift from God. On the other hand, financial remuneration for wealth well-done by righteous people can enhance life and provide wonderful options. 

 

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
       but fools die for lack of judgment.

I left out a some verses on money and added this one on a different subject. however, it spoke to me this morning and relates to where I am in my business and ministry. what God has given to me specifically with which to bless others and earn a living is my ability to communicate with words. God grant that I may be a righteous man, rightly related to god and traveling in the right direction so that my words may nourish many. This is especially urgent since so many are falling by the wayside for lack of judgment. 

 

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
       and he adds no trouble to it.

Whatever God considers wealth in my life is what I desire to receive from Him and in cooperation with His purposes. That wealth will be a blessing with which I can bless others. Anything else will just be trouble.





Should You Consider Network Marketing?

No one system of commerce has received as much enthusiasm on one sign and criticism on the other. I am a big supporter of the concept of network marketing for reasons I state below. However, it is important to factor in some questions when choosing to affiliate with one of the many fine network marketing companies available: 

1. Is this a company YOU want to be associated with? Do they have the track record, integrity, management, and stability necessary to meet YOUR needs?

2. What organization and team will you be joining within the company? What is its training system like? Do you like and can you relate to the leaders? Are they supportive and helpful? Can they lead you to success?

3. Is the product needed, compelling, credible, and something you can be passionate about?

4. Are you willing to invest the time, effort, and money in my training and in the promotion of my business that it will take to succeed? Am you willing to take ownership of the responsibility for your own success?

5. Are you willing to grow, change, and be challenged? Can you take direction, criticism, and help?

6. Is the compensation system sound and is it something that rewards success and organizational growth?

7. Do you like people or are you willing to learn to like people?

8. Are you willing to put in one full year of effort before assessing success or failure?

If you can answer most of those questions affirmatively, here are some reasons I believe you should give it a shot:

 * Network marketing is based upon the Golden Rule - It is about helping other people. The mentor does not benefit from the person being mentored unless he or she helps that person become successful. He does not give advice that is not to the mutual benefit of both.

* Network marketing is based upon a multiplication of influence model. A person becomes effective by leveraging time and influence and developing leaders.

* Network marketing is a way of helping people develop their fullest potential, to do what others say can't be done.* Network marketing helps people develop character. Unless there is character development, success is unlikely.

* Network marketing thrives is an atmosphere of integrity, honesty, and excellence. Since it utilizes word of mouth as its primary means of advertising, it is absolutely necessary to maintain a high regard for truth and quality.

* Network marketing rewards effort. It thrives on the law of sowing and reaping.

* Network marketing promotes personal growth, reading, education, and acquisition of new skills.

* Network marketing is an arena where people are valued and people skills are taught. Relationships are nurtured and cherished.

* Network marketing provides an opportunity for developing new relationships which are essential in any model of success.

* Network marketing promotes principles of good stewardship, generosity, and delayed gratification.

* Network marketing helps people get out of debt and promotes a healthy view of credit and debt.

* Network marketing teaches punctuality, reliability, and leadership, as well as other skills that are transferable to other areas of life.

* Network marketing provides a platform for successful people to reach vast audiences with their message.

* Network marketing teaches people to dream great dreams, to build faith, and to have hope.

* Network marketing helps people become financially free to support worthwhile causes.

* Network marketing helps people reach the place where they will not become financially dependent upon their children and society in their old age.

* Network marketing teaches respect, good etiquette, and consideration of others.

* Network marketing gives people back their times so that they can do the things with their lives that they were born to do, whether that is more time with family, service, or community work.

Many wonderful products and services are offered today through multi-level networks (Really, all businesses are multi-level). Find the team and product that is right for you and give it your all.


Something

"Write something," I said to myself.

I must practice what I preach to others.

There are two problems that cripple me in this area of life and work. On one hand, I may be going through a dry spell and have nothing much to say. Some would call this an absence of inspiration. Others might consider it a mental block. Whatever it is, it places a giant roadblock lock in  the path of production.

You'd think a preacher would have plenty to say during Holy Week. I do, but I am saving a lot of it for tommorow.

Some logic would suggest that in a desert, one might just sit and wait. The problem is there is no shade in the desert.

The second problem is having too much to say and not enough time and mental energy to distill it into a manageable project. That is often my state of being.

Both must be overcome by bloggers who expect to be read regularly. The key to being read is posting.  I teach that; I nearly preach it. I must practice it.

And that is what i am doing at this very moment. I am writing something to drive home the point that we must keep writing.

I have much more to say, but the phone is ringing off the hook.


Learning Curves Are for Exercise

With nothing but respect for the Curves exercise business, it is abundantly clear that another sort of curve poses potential for exercise of a different sort - learning curves.

If you are contemplating a new venture, you'd better be also reserving time for reading, interviews, note-taking, brainstorming,contemplating, and testing yourself. The preparation time may seem daunting and the  process of gaining, assimilating, and applying information may seem tedious, but there is no substitute for readying your most important business asset: YOU.

The one quantity that will make you outshine your competition is the quality of your knowledge and understanding of your product, the environment in which you market it, and the customer you seek to serve. You owe it to that customer, to yourself, and to your business to be as prepared as possible.

When you think you have rad enough, read some more.

When you think you have asked enough questions, ask some more.

When you think you've devoted enough time to thinking through your business plan, revisit it and do some more thinking.

Get past your panic, slow down, study hard, and get ready for success.


A wise man  will hear     and increase in learning, and a man of     understanding will acquire wise counsel.   (Proverbs 1:5)

Instruct a wise man and     he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. (Proverbs :9)

The mind of the prudent       acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. (Proverbs 20:18)

This is REAL exercise.

                                    

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