Category: Success

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The $100 Startup

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau. “Reinvent the way you make a living, do what you love, and create a new future.”

While Timothy Ferriss’ The Four Hour Workweek is mostly filled with ways to launch a large-looking internet business, Chris Guillebeau’s The $100 Startup is a bit more personal.

The $100 Startup is largely a compilation of stories that Chris has collected from two types of entrepreneurs: Accidental and Timid.

Accidental Entrepreneurs were people that found a personal need, filled that need, and then realized they could make money from it by helping others to fill that same need. Examples include a woman who organized a small networking event for artists, graphic designers who made their own maps for a road trip, and an I.T. employee who created a much-needed instruction manual for a (very niche) software program.

Timid Entrepreneurs were people who made excuses for not launching their near-complete business because they lacked in confidence. Examples include, a wedding photographer and a website consultant who only needed to display on their websites that they were ready for business.

The book helps to simplify the process of starting a business by offering handy checklists and worksheets such as: “The One-Page Business Plan”, “Thirty-Nine Step Product Launch Checklist”, and “Seven Steps to Instant Market Testing”. He also helps you to create a solid “Frequently Asked Questions” website page and talks about the importance of an outstanding “Guarantee”.

One of my favorite chapters focuses on the importance of giving people things that can improve their lives (free-time, money, peace-of-mind) and taking away things that don’t (stress, confusion, frustration). Because, after all, that is what people really want.

The businesses highlighted in this book don’t seem to appear bigger than they actually are. They are simply individuals offering other individuals their products or services. But even if your plans are greater than this down the road, this seems to be a much less overwhelming approach to beginning of your financial independence.


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As in Flying, Business Can Be a Bumpy Ride

I know you’ve heard me talking non-stop about my amazing intensive business training I’m heading to with my mentor, Suzanne Evans. Well, the time has come and I am now flying to Arizona to catch my connecting flight to Charlotte, NC.

While the captain announced a short delay due to mechanical difficulties, I took the opportunity to read through the airline magazine. An article called “Embark” really caught my attention. It addressed the topic of turbulence, defined as, “the irregular, seemingly arbitrary movement of the air that a plane flies trough, caused by a variety of elements – wind blowing across hills, mountains or canyons: the boundaries between the relatively still air and the rapidly moving jet stream at high altitudes: and the updrafts and downdrafts that occur in ad near storms.

Pilots and flight dispatchers go to great lengths both before and during the flight to avoid turbulence. They are provided with some of the most modern tools to avoid areas of unstable air. While these prediction systems continue to advance every day, turbulence can occur on any flight.”

I thought this is a perfect analogy to illustrate the experiences we encounter on our road to success. We all hope for a smoothly ride but the truth of the matter is, that as in flying, no one can prevent turbulence even if we set our intention to avoid the areas of rough air. When you hit a rough patch (and you will,) you need to adapt and adjust “on the fly” so to speak.

Captain Bob Skinner also explained in the article, “In flight atmospheric disturbances can cause wings to move slightly. However, the wings are designed to move like this to increase longevity of the airplane.” So, increase your tolerance to the blow of the wind  and don’t let yourself to take too hard the bumps in life and business.

So, the next time you find yourself being pushed through turbulence, I want you to consider the possibility of slowing down and altering your course of action (being flexible and go with the flow) as necessary, instead of creating more resistance trying to follow blindly the route you set yourself to pursue in the first place.

If you have a chance today I’d like you to look back for a minute and reflect on those rough patches that you have already managed to overcome successfully and identify a time when your outcome over exceeded your expectations due to your ability “to bend your wings through the storms.”

Well, it’s time to board again but I want to suggest some tips to help you smooth the way to your success.

  1. Learn from one of many who’s done the walk before you. Working with a successful coach is a smart way to avoid unnecessary bumps and turns. They have already gone through the stages of trial and error and can provide you with effective and proven tools to ease out your ride. You can find all types of coaches according to your needs or area you are looking to develop, life, business, spiritual, career, health, etc.
  2. Team up. Do you remember that proverb that says that “two heads are better than one?” Join or create a local or online community or mastermind group that offers the opportunity to share ideas, thoughts, information, feedback and resources. You’ll be exposed to different perspectives and approaches to keep moving forward to your destination.
  3. Listen to your gut. You are a unique person, walking a unique path, creating a unique business. You may walk in the footsteps of others but you are called to make your own imprint in the world. Use the information you get from the sources above to create your own route.  Trust your intuition, your internal guidance system to determine your speed, your destination and the stops in between; to self correct your course and to allow your wings to bend with the wind.

“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”  Bruce Lee

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I Quit!

Just a couple of months ago I made one of the most important decisions in my life and quit my imaginary business to become a true business owner.

You know, moving from hobby owner to business owner hasn’t been the easiest road but the most valuable experience I’ve had lately.

I never imagined how my life would be affected once I made the decision to follow my passion. Yes, that was all it took to turn my life and business around, a decision!

It was not lack of money what was holding me back. It was not lack of time either, or skills or support. You see, if these all were necessary I wouldn’t be talking about my new business now because I would have plenty of reasons to not even think about building a business. In fact, I could say that my circumstances now have been the least favorable for a business transition. Just to mention a couple, during the last year, my personal income was reduced by at least an 80% due first to complications with my pregnancy and then the premature delivery of my youngest son. In January, an awful accident reduced my income again for a few weeks.

Before, just a single one of these circumstances, had been a good excuse for me to quit, keep playing safe and small, or to avoid investing in training or at least to justify my failures but instead, I chose to stick to my plan of doing all what it took to succeed. I chose to do all that I’ve never done, to have what I’ve never had, to  invest a considerable amount of money to hire a business coach. I chose to see abundance instead of lack and the money kept flowing from unexpected sources until I could finally double my income just a month after I started working with my coach.

It has been hard to recreate my business but has it been worth it? Sure, it has!

I am having the time of my life, loving what I do and making every minute worth living. For the first time I don’t feel that I am a victim of my circumstances but instead the co-creator of my opportunities. By pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I’ve gotten to discover my unlimited potential and reached new heights in my career.

I want to invite you now to do the same, to let go of the self-imposed limitations that are holding you back and take new risks in your business and in your life. Make a decision today. Decide to do all you’ve never done, to have all you’ve never had and live life to the fullest!

I can help you overcome your money blocks, fear and overwhelm that are sabotaging your progress. Follow this link now to book your complimentary Discovery Session to help you Magnify Your Purpose and Your Profit Now!

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Living Fearlessly

I’ve been reminded again that life is too short to play it small, to dream shyly, and while I meditate on this, I’ve come to realize how many times I’ve been thrown to revisit and relearn this lesson. So,I’ve decided that I’m no longer waiting for the perfect conditions to act on my dreams.  If I’m to die I want to die trying.
There is always a chance to err, to fail but if I don’t try I’ve already failed. I give myself the chance to thrive today because this moment is my only reality. Tomorrow may come, or not. Today is The day, the day in which to live, laugh and be fulfilled. I only have this life, this time and space to live and I’m determined to live it BIG and I invite YOU, wherever you are and whatever your circumstances to do the same.
There is always more in life to celebrate than to regret, I live, I love, I’m loved, I breathe, I see, I hear, I believe! (How much more can you add?)
You have the power to change your life, to overcome your circumstances, to re-create your reality and start loving life and living fearless.
ALLOW yourself to Dream, Live, laugh, Forgive, Love and Thrive but do it NOW and do it BIG, because this may be the only moment you and I have to do so.

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From “The Sky is the Limit” to “Wishes Fulfilled”

“Health, wealth, beauty, and genius are not created; they are only manifested by the arrangement of your mind—that is, by your concept of yourself, and your concept of yourself is all that you accept and consent to as true.”
—NEVILLE

I have been always an avid fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer. I was a teenager when I read “The Sky is the Limit,” and since then it’s been my desire to read it again.  I still remember the feelings of joy, excitement, fascination, and happiness I had while I devoured those pages; and the unlimited possibilities ahead of me that seemed so alluring.
“The Sky is the Limit” became my motto, my mantra. A few years down the road, life happened to me, and I found myself heading in the opposite direction, sinking in a sea of despair, distress, and fear.

It took me over 15 years to go back to that place of believing in myself as a limitless, divine being. I wait now with excited anticipation the release of his latest inspirational masterpiece titled, “Wishes Fulfilled.” I am in love with the synchronicity. For a few years now, I have set my mind and heart into deciphering the mysteries of the manifesting process, and I suspect this book will reveal some of them.

One of the biggest breakthroughs in psychology in the  20th century addressed in this book states that there is a direct correlation between your self-image and the results you are creating.

In other words, if you consider yourself to be a failure, your chances of attaining success in your life are diminished considerably. So, if you are wondering why your long journey of affirmations, visualizations, the law of attraction programs, and everything in between hasn’t borne any fruits yet, your self-image is the culprit.

Can you transform a two-story building into a skyscraper without altering its foundation? The answer is no.

The same concept applies to your life. You can’t transform your life from scarcity to abundance, from despair to happiness, from failure to success, from emptiness to fulfillment without working on changing your self-image. You can’t outgrow your self-image since your feelings, actions, and behavior, are consistent with the mental picture you hold of yourself.

The good news is, there are several ways to transform your life. You can do it from the bottom up or the inside out. You are the creator of your destiny.

Inspired by the analogy of the building, I researched on the Malaysian construction project of the Petronas Twin Towers, certified as the world’s tallest buildings in 1996. To my amazement, the first resource I looked into was an article called, “Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest building in the world. From vision to reality.” I can only say, what a synchronicity! Going from vision to reality in your life is the process I want to illustrate. So, here we go!

 

Preparing the foundation for the Petronas Twin Tower was a challenge. Once the process began, they encountered problems with the soil. It was not suitable for the project, and it was necessary to make some adjustments including a five-story excavation. Once we start the journey, we will find the need to make some adjustments before we can proceed.

Surely, we’ll have to dig deep into our mind and soul to weed out or remove what no longer serves our purpose, to lay a solid and stable foundation (self-image.) It may not be a very pleasant task. It may be even painful and to some extent, debilitating, but it will determine how far and how high you’ll be able to go in your life. Very helpful since we are shooting at least for the sky. Aren’t we?