2009 Is The Season of Victory

"Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins."

-Jim Rohn

Commonly called, "The mentor to mentors," Jim Rohn's teachings have had a profound impact on my life. Among many other valuable life-lessons, Mr. Rohn teaches us that in life (just as in farming), you have different stages of growth and development. First, you have to plant a seed. Then, time passes and cultivating occurs. Then, there's a harvest. What's critical is understanding not only the process, but exactly what our role is in the process.
To quote Mr. Rohn, "A major challenge faced by us all is that we must learn to experience the changing of life's cycles without being changed by them; to make a constant and conscious effort to improve ourselves in the face of changing circumstances."
2009 is the season of victory. Everything that you have experienced... all the people you have met... all of your setbacks... all of your accomplishments and blessings... This has all been the planting and cultivating of various seeds in your life, before your harvest. The cultivating process, the step between planting the seed and the harvest, will be the most difficult. It's where most people will give up on their goals or convince themselves it's acceptable to settle for less than what they really want. These goals may be related to one's career, an exercise or diet program, or maybe even looking for that special someone. There isn't a single area of your life where this concept doesn't apply. In the ever-changing seasons of your life, it will take a lot of inner strength, determination, and patience, for you to continue to press on during those cold "winters." But for those individuals who do press on, reminding themselves that winter always turns into spring, a bountiful harvest of wealth and abundance in every area of life is possible and should be expected... as long as the necessary cultivating efforts are made.
One common law of life that we are all governed by (regardless of your spiritual or religious beliefs), which can be applied to every single area of our lives is: What we put into this world, we get back from it.
Regardless of the results, take full responsibility for your "fields." Your crop is your crop. Once you have accepted full responsibility for your life, you can now begin to live and function at your highest potential. One thing we must understand is that you should reap all you deserve, without justification, if you have done well. And, without remonstration if you have not. All the while, holding steady to what you want to accomplish.

***
2009 is the season of victory... even if your 2008 more closely resembled the Detroit Lions' (0-16) most recent campaign. And as the NFL playoffs commence this weekend, excitement is building as football fans await the crowning of a new champion. Likewise, 2009 could be your championship season. Winning in the Super Bowl of life is what will define 2009 as the season of victory for yourself.
What exactly does a championship consist of? You will have to decide. We all have our own definition of a championship season in life. When I ask myself that question, I immediately think of having wealth and abundance... but not just in the way you are probably thinking. While living in a state of financial abundance is important, true wealth, as taught to me by one of my mentors, means living in abundance in every aspect... physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and financially.
You could compare your success in previous years/areas of your life to winning a division title; or maybe "getting into the playoffs..." You were close to winning it all... but maybe all of the "pieces" had not yet come together. For example, maybe you met and fell in love with your soulmate... but you were experiencing health issues because you hadn't been taking proper care of yourself. Maybe you have a flourishing career and want to be in a fulfilling relationship, only to be disappointed with who you attract, time after time. Bottom line is, you've had good years before. Very good years. But maybe not a championship year. The New England Patriots won their first 18 games last year (regular season and playoffs combined). They had an outstanding year. But, they weren't champions, when the season came to a close.** (for those of you who have already earned championship rings, congratulations!! Go for a repeat... Create a dynasty!! Or better yet, use your blessings to be a blessing to others, and help them reach this same level of success.)
If using my mentor's definition of wealth (which is wealth in every single area of your life), you can take pleasure in recognizing that you have already undergone all of the "sowing" you need, in every single one of those areas. Think about it for a second... you know exactly what you want, don't you? All that's left is to finish the cultivating part... to bring about the harvest.
Join organizations and surround yourself with people that encourage (if not require/force) you to continually grow and improve in every area of your life. The number one thing you can improve on at any given time, after all, is yourself.
As Mr. Rohn explains, "Work harder on yourself, then you do on your job. If you work hard on your job, you can make a living, which is fine. But if you work hard on yourself, you'll earn a fortune... which is superfine."

Wanted

There are many great "Network Marketing Movies" - among them, "The Matrix," "Boiler Room," "300," "Facing The Giants," and of course, "The Secret."
But none of them have combined the guilty pleasures of your typical summer blockbuster movie: large-scale catastrophes (the best use of a traditional train I have ever seen in a modern movie), adrenaline-pumping chase scenes, sarcastic humor, plot twists, and Angelina Jolie with a flat-out, call to action for the moviegoer... a "What the #%@* have you done lately?" DANG! (That's a technical term, btw)
I just saw "Wanted." You should go see it, too. Now. It's really that good. You will love this movie, especially if you're a network marketer. Or, if you hate your job. Or, if you just like to see thought-provoking cinema (i.e., cars blowing up). And, for Angelina Jolie.
"It is a choice... that each of us must face... to remain ordinary, pathetic, beat down... Coasting through a miserable existence, like sheep herded by fate."
When I heard Sloan (Morgan Freeman's character) share the above quote during the trailer to "Wanted," I thought of two things: 1. "The Matrix" and 2. my very first network marketing opportunity meeting. Since I loved "The Matrix," I had no problems with the similarities. And believe me, there are many similarities between these two movies (And I'm sure the "Wanted" producers are banking on and hoping for even a fraction of the success that the Wachowski brothers enjoyed with the Matrix franchise...)
At one point, Sloan (Freeman) asks Wesley, "If no one ever told you that bullets fly straight, what would you do?"
(Can't you just picture Morpheus with Neo in the 'construct?')
However, there was one major difference... which brings me back to how network marketers will love and hopefully be inspired to ACT!
Neo was somewhat 'ignorant' as Mr. Anderson. He didn't know... what he didn't know. Remember the part in "The Matrix" where he says his eyes are hurting, and Morpheus enlightens him to the fact that he has "never used them before?" Pretty deep stuff, huh?
Well, in "Wanted," Wesley knows his life sucks... and it's in a real-world environment... people watching this movie won't have to decipher anything... they will see themselves in this movie... most people are just like Wesley, with their eyes open to the crappy life they put up with, but with an unwillingness to do anything to change it... (a lot like our prospects, who spend 40 hours or more every week at jobs they don't like, and another 40 hours complaining about the jobs they don't like.)
And then, they are exposed to a network marketing opportunity... and are faced with a question similar to the one Sloan poses to Wesley...
"You can take control of your own destiny and join us, releasing the caged wolf you have inside. This is the decision that lies before you now... the sheep? Or the wolf? The choice is yours."
Choosing between being a sheep or a wolf is about as much of a no-brainer as choosing between 40 years of hard labor or 4 years of paid self-development.
That is, if you're ready to take action...

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY!!

The Definition of Leverage

Do you know that there are people who earn more than 1 million dollars/year in income (who are not athletes or entertainers)? Do you also know that there are people who make less than 25k/year after taxes, yet they work more than 40 hours/week?
What is the difference between these two types of people. Is the millionaire a better person? Does he/she work harder? Is he/she smarter/more talented/more charming/more driven/more dedicated/etc.?
The answer is no. The fact is, it's none of these things. The fundamental difference, is that individuals who earn millions of dollars understand the power of leverage. The millionaire earns income not only from what he/she does, but also from the efforts of other people.
I invite you to view this video by Robert Kiyosaki, best-selling author. He describes, in detail, why a network marketing business is the most sensible vehicle someone can use to create more leverage for themselves.

Dream Stealers

*****
This blog post was originally on my Myspace page, but since I decided to create this blogpage and devote it completely to Network Marketing, I have posted "Dream Stealers" here, as well. The core philosophy behind this article is, without question, the number one reason I have stayed in this business... While many others around me have quit, hopped from company to company, and conceded to the lack-minded people around them, I have been able to keep going... all for the sake of my dreams.
*****
Dream stealers may be the number one reason people quit their network marketing businesses. They appear in direct proportion to the number of people you talk to about the business, and they're generally people you care about and whose opinion you hold in high esteem - family members and close friends. They will tell you it won't work, you're crazy for trying it, their broke buddy Bob tried "one of those things" and he didn't make any money, you're in a pyramid, and "ah, you got into one of those scams?!?!"
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the real scam going to work for 40 years at jobs you really don't like, existing paycheck to paycheck, being stressed out about paying your bills and your kids' education, struggling to make ends meet, and maxing out your credit cards, all while waiting to retire and live off less than half of what you were earning in the first place! Let's not forget our dear friend inflation, which will undoubtedly raise the cost of living, so in your golden years of retirement, instead of vacationing in the Bahamas, you get to hold the sampler plate at Chik-Fil-A! That's the "scam!"
There are two kinds of people who will try and steal your dreams. The first group is non-dreamers who love you, but they don't have a clue. They actually believe they are helping you... by not letting you get your hopes up. They haven't been exposed to the same information you have, so don't listen to them. Thank them for their concern and move on!
The second group is non-dreamers who are jealous of you. They don't want you to become successful because, subconsciously, they would rather see you suffer with them instead of making something of yourself and achieving everything you want! Guess what... people making 30k/month do not spend their free time the same way as people who make 30k/year. You may have to develop new friendships and start surrounding yourself with positive people who share your goals and who will support you when you encounter obstacles.
Start behaving your way to your dreams and everything else will just fall in line.