Insightful Articles from Dan Miller

WHAT DO YOU ASPIRE TO BE?
By: Dan Miller

Victor Seribriakoff was a "dunce." His teachers believed he had no chance of ever finishing school, much less of finding meaningful employment. So Victor succumbed to the destiny others had prescribed for him. He worked odd jobs here and there, living on the streets with no goal beyond day-to-day survival. At 32 years old, some circumstances led to an evaluation of Victor that revealed he had an IQ of 161. He was a genius! Victor wondered how that could be, yet he believed the written results. He immediately began writing, inventing, and developing successful business ventures, eventually being elected as chairman of the Mensa Society, a group that requires an IQ of 140 or more.

We are told that by the time we reach the age of two, 50 percent of what we ever believe about ourselves has been formed; by six, 60 percent of our self-belief has been established, and by eight, almost 80 percent. By the time we reach the age of fourteen, over 99 percent of us have a well-developed sense of who and what we believed ourselves to be.

But then there's the bumblebee. Brilliant biologists have determined that scientifically speaking the bumblebee cannot fly. There is too much body mass for the wing span they have. Fortunately, the bumblebee doesn't believe a word of it! Who do you see in the mirror? A "dunce" or someone who rises above circumstances and other's expectations? Bring out the genius in yourself by believing in what God has made you to be!

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GIVE ME PURPOSE OR GIVE ME DEATH
By: Dan Miller

Last October, Kirk Jones jumped into the currents above Niagara Falls and flew feet first over the brink, plunging 170 feet into the water below. The fall should have killed him; the bodies of most of the others who have tried this have not been found for days. Kirk swam to the Canadian shore and stood up before the police arrived.

As Jones relates, he was rapidly approaching middle age, without a job, a wife, or a home to call his own. He says, "I was a 40-year-old-man with no purpose." It was a life or death test in which he tempted fate: If he died, his unhappiness would be over; if he lived, his life was bound to be charged with new meaning.

While Jones was confined to a local psychiatric hospital, Diane Sawyer found out he was an Ozzy Osbourne fan, sent him a sweatshirt and invited him to be on Good Morning America. He accepted her offer, after spending three more days in jail and being charged with fines of $3600. He then spent a couple days sightseeing in New York, compliments of GMA.

Fortunately, finding one's purpose in life does not normally come from confronting God with a test of the take me or tell me clearly variety. Rather, it comes from looking clearly at what God has already told us. We need to look at:

1. Skills & Abilities
2. Personality Traits
3. Goals, Dreams & Passions

And unfortunately for Kirk Jones, his quest for a meaningful life is still in question. It appears the greatest benefits were an Ozzy sweatshirt and a free trip to the local mental hospital. Today he has a vague role as a "performer" in the Florida-based Toby Tyler Circus. He's in a booth right next to the Wolf Family, the Mexican brothers covered from head to toe with hair. Not exactly what I would call fulfilling, meaningful work.

While there may be some merit in tempting death to find your purpose, I really do believe there is a better way.

"That every man find pleasure in his work -- this is a gift from God." Ecc. 3:13

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GOALS THAT BYPASS SUCCESS
By: Dan Miller

Lance Armstrong rode into history Sunday by winning the Tour de France for a record sixth time, an achievement that confirmed the cancer survivor as one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. President Bush called Lance Armstrong on Sunday to congratulate him on a sixth straight Tour de France title. "You're awesome," Bush told Armstrong. President Bush "congratulated him on behalf of the nation, and told him his country was proud of him and that he was an outstanding athlete." We all wish for this kind of spectacular success - or do we?

In the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the lead character is Colonel Nicholson, a prisoner of war. Nicholson was directed by his Japanese captors to build a bridge. Being an officer dedicated to excellence and well trained to complete any mission he set his mind to, Nicholson led his men in building a beautiful bridge. But by the end of the movie he finds himself in the painful position of defending the bridge from destruction by fellow officers who want to destroy it to prevent Japanese trains from using it. He was so focused on the goal - even under enemy control - that he lost sight of the larger mission of helping his country win the war.

I love having goals and see what it can do to transform results in people's lives. But a goal obsession can blur our view of a larger mission. As Lance Armstrong held his trophy high over his head Sunday, he said, "This is more important than anything." That appears obvious. His former wife Kristin still lives in Texas and did not respond to interview requests from The Associated Press. Probably busy taking care of Lance's three children, Luke, aged 3 and the twins, Isabelle Rose and Grace Elisabeth, not yet 1. My own son was a professional bicycle racer - we know what winning requires. But if Kevin had raised the trophy yesterday in Paris and along the way opted out of being "daddy" to my six grandkids - I'd grab the trophy and melt it down as a paperweight.

I continually stress that "success" involves more than just career and finances. The next promotion, the next financial home-run, the next athletic victory, cannot be justified if other areas in your life get trashed. Don't let any one goal deter you from ultimate "life success".

Goal-Setting Worksheet

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DO YOU SEE OPPORTUNITY?
By: Dan Miller

No, I know it's not Christmas but that line leads into making a point. Last weekend Joanne and I spent a couple of days at Whitestone Inn, in Paint Rock, TN, celebrating our anniversary. While there we had the pleasure of watching several majestic bald eagles soaring leisurely over the resort where they make their home.

I watched as one of the eagles glided out over the lake, searching for possible food below. I was reminded again of the eagle's seemingly supernatural vision. Its eyesight is 4-8 times sharper than a human's and their ability to see detail at a distance is extraordinary.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Prov. 29:18

While we may not be able to increase our physical eyesight, we can increase our ability to "see" things in new and different ways.

Many times, even academic and career success fosters tunnel vision rather than broad vision. But we can learn to "think outside the box," and to see methods, solutions, and opportunities that are uncommon. Asked to explain the difference between himself and an average person, Albert Einstein explained that, when faced with the problem of finding a needle in a haystack, the average person would stop when he or she found a needle. But Einstein would tear through the entire haystack looking for all possible needles.

Today's changing workplace demands that you see things in new ways. When unexpected change comes, do you "see" oppression or opportunity? What could you "see" right around you that others may not see? Check out the stories below for some examples.

The real act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes. -- Marcel Proust

While registering his car in Miami, Louie Di Raimondo spotted a hot dog vendor and bought a dog. Then he saw a "For Sale" sign hanging on the cart. On impulse, he bought it for $1500 and set up his own business. But in his hurry to get up and running, Di Raimondo forgot to remove the "For Sale" sign. The first day, he sold more than 100 hot dogs, but what intrigued him the most was the number of people asking if they could buy his cart.

Today, Di Raimondo sells more than 4,000 carts a year out of a Miami showroom. He now has flower carts, pretzel carts, and coffee carts in addition to the original hot dog stands and generates more than $30 million annually in company sales.

Sometimes the opportunity is right in front of us -- if we have our "eyes" open.

Click on the book image and start reading "No More Mondays"

Dan Miller's "No More Mondays" Blog
"Opportunity out of a hot dog stand"

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I WANT TO BE A COACH, TOO!
By: Dan Miller

212 CONNECTION

The 212 Connection is a monthly membership organization for people who want more from their work life - period. How do these statements make you feel:

• "Workin' for the man"
• "Just puttin' in my time"
• "Punchin' the clock"

The 212 Connection offers three levels of monthly membership:

1. FREEDOM CORP. - Don't know what you want to do...but ready to join the "No More Mondays" ranks?! This is for those who know they want to do something work wise that is "Non-Traditional" aka...self-employment. "Traditional"...is being an employee. Dependant on 'upper management.' This level will give you real-world hope and application, and get your feet wet while you figure out what might be your 'passion into profits' opportunity. The benefits listed on the right-side of this page are for the membership levels listed below. To see the Benefits of "Freedom Corp" membership, visit our JOIN page

2. PRO - This level of membership is for those who want to make it happen. You receive every benefit listed over on the right. A website with us, live calls with Dan and the 212 Staff, every resource...an unprecedented amount of value for less than you probably spend on your cell phone...

3. PREMIUM - You are not only ready to make it happen, but you want to fast-track it, and you may already be pursuing something. In each Benefit button on the right, you'll see the added benefits you receive with this level (which is where 80% of our members are)

On the Join page where you can sign up, you'll see a full comparison chart to help you decide what is the best fit for you.

The Benefits of being a member of the 212 Connection...are all to do with guiding you to a successful business.

If you talk to our long-standing members and ask them what the primary benefits are. Much of what you hear will not be anything we list here. They will be what we in the marketing world would call...intangibles. Things like encouragement, confidence, practical and real world know-how, hard answers to hard questions, community and honesty.

However, as marketing minded individuals, we know we have to showcase the tangible benefits. You'll be impressed and excited, but know there is much, much more.

There are enough benefits, that we've listed them all out with headlines in the buttons over there on the right-side column. Click on any or all, and the full description in text and audio will show up here in this window!

These links are bound to be helpful:
212 Connection
Personality Profile
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Mission Plan
Business Planning Guide

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I HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS-HELP!
By: Dan Miller

212 CONNECTION

The 212 Connection is a monthly membership organization for people who want more from their work life - period. How do these statements make you feel:

• "Workin' for the man"
• "Just puttin' in my time"
• "Punchin' the clock"

The 212 Connection offers three levels of monthly membership:

1. FREEDOM CORP. - Don't know what you want to do...but ready to join the "No More Mondays" ranks?! This is for those who know they want to do something work wise that is "Non-Traditional" aka...self-employment. "Traditional"...is being an employee. Dependant on 'upper management.' This level will give you real-world hope and application, and get your feet wet while you figure out what might be your 'passion into profits' opportunity. The benefits listed on the right-side of this page are for the membership levels listed below. To see the Benefits of "Freedom Corp" membership, visit our JOIN page

2. PRO - This level of membership is for those who want to make it happen. You receive every benefit listed over on the right. A website with us, live calls with Dan and the 212 Staff, every resource...an unprecedented amount of value for less than you probably spend on your cell phone...

3. PREMIUM - You are not only ready to make it happen, but you want to fast-track it, and you may already be pursuing something. In each Benefit button on the right, you'll see the added benefits you receive with this level (which is where 80% of our members are)

On the Join page where you can sign up, you'll see a full comparison chart to help you decide what is the best fit for you.

The Benefits of being a member of the 212 Connection...are all to do with guiding you to a successful business.

If you talk to our long-standing members and ask them what the primary benefits are. Much of what you hear will not be anything we list here. They will be what we in the marketing world would call...intangibles. Things like encouragement, confidence, practical and real world know-how, hard answers to hard questions, community and honesty.

However, as marketing minded individuals, we know we have to showcase the tangible benefits. You'll be impressed and excited, but know there is much, much more.

There are enough benefits, that we've listed them all out with headlines in the buttons over there on the right-side column. Click on any or all, and the full description in text and audio will show up here in this window!

These links are bound to be helpful:
212 Connection
Personality Profile
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Mission Plan
Business Planning Guide



E-Commerce Gold
Turning Passions into Profits
No More Mondays
No More Mondays Blog

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CAN I TEACH 48 DAYS?
By: Dan Miller

For many years Dan received requests from Coaches, Schools and Churches to provide a curriculum to teach the 48 Days Principles. The demand for "Career" coaching and guidance is as rampant in our popular culture as the desire for weight loss and financial help. This will mark the first turnkey system for teaching the principles that have made Dan Miller and 48 Days a household name.

This "Seminar Curriculum Package" is a 6 or 12 week workshop on finding "work you love". What does the Bible have to say about work? How has our society led us astray? In this detailed walk-through of the 48 Days materials, leaders, coaches and facilitators are equipped with a workbook "Leader's Guide" and DVDs where Dan literally hosts a workshop. Help change people's lives, giving them purpose, fulfillment and release to love their work!

Lead a 48 Days class:

• In your church to help people seeking God's purpose in their lives, and people who are out of work
• At a school to help youth and young adults start off fulfilling their vocational purpose
• For groups who will gladly pay for this leadership
• To personal clients who want individual coaching

• Lesson plans complete with discussion-promoting questions and topics
• Handouts and registration information for setting up classes
• Supplemental 48 Days Tips and personal stories from Dan
• Testimonials DVD - Perfect for promoting and introducing the class (featured below)
• Introduction DVD to start each of the 12 lessons (featured below)
• Full-length 6-series workshop DVDs taught by Dan to basically lead the class for you!

All you need is a time, a place and a DVD player and you can bring Dan in front of your group to help them find the 'Work They Love.' If you have someone who wants to lead and is familiar with the principles, there is a full DVD of 12 Intros from Dan that introduces each segment and then allows for a facilitator to take people through the workbook.

COACHES, CONSULTANTS AND TEACHERS

For those professionals who want to do a majority of the teaching themselves, again, the 12-Lesson Introduction DVD is a great tool to start each class. You can utilize this program to take clients through the same material and guidance that Dan does with his personal clients. Solidify your business by joining the 212 Connection to access Dan's Inner Circle mentoring group, a personal Website and an endorsement by 48 Days!

This program is already in use in universities and Churches, and a by handful of individual coaches who are using it to build lucrative coaching businesses. People are clambering for personal coaching, and with this Leader's Guide and DVD package, you can have a ready-made class and business in a box.

The bigger your group, the more advantages you get! Read more here, and see how you can have Dan come speak to your class!

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DOES MY WORK HAVE ANY MEANING?
By: Dan Miller

Frequently, I have someone ask me, "Does my work have anything to do with my being a Christian", or, "Should I really expect to enjoy my work?" These questions seem to imply, Is it just selfish to expect to enjoy my work? Isn't it just part of life to have to work and probably not to enjoy it? Many of us grew up with a strong American work ethic -- we were expected to work on farms, factories, or other labor-intensive businesses without questioning whether it was something we enjoyed. It was our duty -- we just had to do it. But look at what has happened by adopting that frame of reference. We began to take less pride in the work we were doing, looking forward only to getting off. -- We hear frequently, Thank God It's Friday -- and people seem to live for the weekend. Just recently I overheard a conversation in the grocery store: "How you doing?" "Oh, I'll be great in about 45 minutes." You know the message. I'll be fine as soon as I get away from this stinking job.

This attitude about work has undermined our American society. We do the work because we have to -- thus we are satisfied with shoddy work, treat customers like impositions, and look for excuses to stay home. Consequently, even as Christians, we have developed a dualistic lifestyle -- We tend to compartmentalize our lives -- We are Christians on Sunday, concerned about integrity, character, kindness, and goodness, but then the rest of the week, well, that's just work.

This compartmentalization won't fly Biblically.

The Bible makes no separation of the different areas of our lives -- everything is spiritual.

Ps. 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times.
I Thes. 18:17 In everything give thanks.

Look at how our Jewish forefathers viewed work. There is a Hebrew word -- AVODAH -- that means physical work, service of God and Worship of God. The same word is the basis for work and worship. The Jews saw no distinction between their work and their worship. What they were doing on Thursday morning or Tuesday afternoon was just as much an expression of worship as being in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

The Bible reinforces this idea. The Bible gives dignity to any work. There are no non-sacred occupations. In Exodus 36, Moses is talking about building the

Tabernacle.
In Verse 31, it says, "And Moses told them, Jehovah has specifically appointed Bezalel as general superintendent of the project. He will be able to create beautiful workmanship from gold, silver, and bronze; he can cut and set stones like a jeweler, and can do beautiful carving; in fact, he has every needed skill. And God has made him and Oholiab gifted teachers of their skills to others. God has filled them both with unusual skills as jewelers, carpenters, embroidery designers in blue, purple, and scarlet on linen backgrounds, and as weavers -- they excel in all the crafts we will be needing in the work."

Do you know that any skill God has given you can be used for ministry?
Jesus -- stone mason, carpenter
Paul -- leather goods
Disciples - fishing

If you are a truck driver, God can use that. If you are an artist, your art should be an expression of your ministry. If you are a farmer, do it with excellence.

I once counseled a young man who worked in a manufacturing facility making refrigerators. He hated his work. And yet he stated that he wanted to be a Christian witness "where it mattered". When I questioned him about his witness at work, he was immediately defensive. "Everyone knows these aren't Rhodes scholars I'm working with. Why should I care what they think of me?" With that attitude, how much of a Christian witness do you think he was anywhere else?

Never separate your work from your worship. See what you do during the week as a form of ministry. If you are not able to see it this way, then you need to consider changing your work. Use the gifts God has given you as a form of ministry just as completely as if you were on the mission field in Africa.

I once heard it said that the true measure of a person is not what he does on Sunday, but rather who he is Monday through Saturday. Plan to start the week with a Thank God it's Monday attitude. Remember, if you're not in full time service for Jesus, for whom are you working? Need a Coach? Check out 212 Connection Coaching Members apply for one-on-one coaching.

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"BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE A DOCTOR"
By: Dan Miller

The bureau of Labor Statistics has projected which occupations will grow, which will have the greatest need for workers, and what employers will be looking for. Unfortunately, a new survey of teenagers (students age 13-18) reveals that their career objectives are not consistent with the needs of the future employment market.

A Job Shadow/Harris Interactive poll reports that more than half (51%) of teens have no interest in pursuing the top five fastest growing career fields, determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to have critical workforce needs in this decade and beyond.

A new Junior Achievement poll reports that nearly twice the number selected "business person" as their ideal job as those who selected "doctor" (6.5%) and "computer field" (4.9%).

These kids want to own restaurants, landscape companies, delivery services and trendy clothing stores. "Entertainer" made the top 5. Over 70% want to own their own business sometime during their lives. They're optimistic, expecting to reach their life goals.

These kids have seen parents laid off, downsized and "uninstalled." They are determined not to be vulnerable to corporate politics and bureaucracy.

What do you think? Are they on the right path or are they looking at pipe dreams? What would you advise your own teenager to do?

What can help you or your kids make the decision on what to be when you grow up...

Personality Profile





Click on the picture to receive a great deal on the Fresh Start package

Goal-Setting Worksheet
Mission Plan

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