Yesterday I watched T.D. Jakes deliver his message. And of course T.D. doesn't just speak his message - he delivers it. He was talking about the need to celebrate small victories. He encouraged people with sicknesses to acknowledge “I'm not well, but I'm better.” I think often we are waiting for our ultimate success to show up all at once. I encourage you to celebrate the small steps that take you toward your goals. So you may not have the income, health, or relationships you want - but if you are better than yesterday, celebrate the fact that you are better.
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Be sure to check out the Need an extra $15,000 note in the highlights below. If this is your opportunity, jump on it. If not, make sure you have the expectation that there are opportunities for you.
********************************** "Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There's no telling what will happen when you act upon them." --Jim Rohn
In the first few moments of the movie Collateral, the taxi driver, played by Jamie Foxx, tells Tom Cruise's character: “I'm not in this for the long haul. This is just filling in—I'm putting some things together—I'm going to open my own limo service.” Cruise asks him, “How long you been doing this?” To which the taxi driver replies, “Twelve years.”
This is a classic example of how life happens. I once saw a client who had taken a temporary job at a bank. He knew that wasn't where he wanted to be; it was just a fill-in job while he did his real job search. That was fourteen years ago. Life just happened; he got used to where he was and didn't take enough initiative to move on to a higher level of success.
Here is a step-by-step process for change (with example clarifications):
1. Clarify your current situation.
I have been in the same job for twelve years with no change in sight.
I detest the monotony of my job.
2. Seek the advice and opinions of other people.
I will ask four or five trusted friends or professionals what they would do if they were in my situation.
I will ask the members of my Sunday School class what they would advise.
3. Identify the alternatives.
I could go back to school and get a degree in education.
I could create a clear focus and do a job search with a company with some advancement potential.
I could start my own chauffeuring service.
I could request a manager's position with my current company.
4. Choose the best alternative.
I will start my own chauffeuring service.
5. Act.
I will create my business plan in the next thirty days, give my two weeks' notice fifteen days after that, aggressively plan to purchase my own vehicle by that time, and be open for business sixty days from now.
Whether it's choosing a new school, a new place to live, a new car, or a retirement center for a parent, you must keep a clear deadline in view. Otherwise, procrastination will lead to indecision.
The point is this: Don't wait on perfect conditions for success to happen; just go ahead and do something.
P.S. Okay, the Ferrari limo in the picture. That may be just my dream, but anything's possible.
Want your children to understand business? The lemonade stand is the American classic for that first business experience. If your child is between 5 and 12 years old you can help them enter this annual contest. Entries must be in by August 24th. Just start here -- Lemonade Stand. And be sure to watch the twin boys who won last years contest. These little guys have a punch card program for regular customers and allow prospects to shoot baskets for discounts and prizes.
When I was 10 years old I would get up very early in the morning, pick the remaining sweet corn beyond what my Mom wanted for family use, and load a little trailer that I could pull behind our farm's Ford tractor. After driving two miles into town I would proudly set up and sell that corn for $.30 a dozen. And I have never been the same again -- never content to get a "paycheck" I have always seen more possibilities.
When my oldest son Kevin was 14 we sent him to a window tinting training in Atlanta. He then launched a very profitable business that funded his bicycle racing travel and expenses. When younger son Jared was 14 and looking for a summer income generator we made up fliers announcing his bicycle repair services. He provided free pick-up and delivery to our 438 house neighborhood as his unique selling proposition (USP) for a very profitable summer that did not require Mom or Dad driving him to his “job.” Both sons now head up their own businesses. When Ashley was in high school she was known for her apple pies and sold them for $20 each to parents of her fellow students.
Are you teaching your children business principles? How to provide a product or service that people want? The experience of accepting responsibility, controlling costs and making a profit may be more valuable than sitting passively in one more class. It may also give them insulation from being fired, laid off, or downsized.
Each week I read through the questions submitted to select a few to respond to in this recorded podcast.
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com. The internet's leading provider of spoken word entertainment. Get a FREE Audiobook download of your choice when you sign up today. Logon to audiblepodcast.com/work today for details. 15 minutes into this broadcast I tell how you can get a free audio book from audible.com. Now a sampling of the questions this week:
For someone with limited finances, how do you go about finding a mentor to help you with a business?
I've always been a top rated "employee" ... I always deliver what's needed and more. My skills are well recognized. Many people have told me I should start my own business. But I suck at self-marketing. How can I be successful as an entrepreneur?
In the past 9 years I have been laid off three different times. Currently I am having a very difficult time finding a new job. I cannot seem to hold a job for any respectable amount of time. I have never been fired from my past jobs, but I seem to get "laid-off" because of various reasons. I feel really lost.
I'm interested in learning what it takes to become a Life Coach. Can you point me in a direction to find information? Does it take years of training? I have no ideas where to start and you seem to be one of the best.
Hi Dan, I have just completed writing a book about my experience advocating for my son who was diagnosed with dyslexia many years ago. Can you tell me what to do with it now?................
My real passion is to start a work at home business (most that I have found are scams that want your Money) where I can be flexible with my schedule to continue my work with church and community. Question is how do I find that good work at home business or business that I love to get me started.
********************************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
And you can click the link below to listen to this week's broadcast immediately - no downloading - no wait.
Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? This is a common issue with the physicians, dentists, attorneys and pastors who let us know they're looking for more. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages: Coaching with Dan
********************************** 48Days.net
At 48Days.net you'll see over 3400 other excited people who have ideas - and they're willing to share those with you to help your business grow and profit. If you want your life to be different this year, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost - just lots of helpful people and resources.
********************************** Need an extra $15,000?
I have a proposition for you. Recently I purchased 5000 copies of the Spanish edition of 48 Days to the Work You Love from my publisher. While sales of 48 Days to the Work You Love in English continue to rock I didn't really have any plan for these Spanish versions and as of right now they are just sitting in our warehouse. So before I initiate my own plan to sell these out I'm offering you an opportunity to exercise your creativity and innovation. Many of you are looking for new opportunities. New opportunities come easiest with new ways of thinking, so here's your chance. Check out the details here: Need an extra $15,000?
********************************** Is now your time?
Do you know how you are "wired?"?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. What's the best environment for you to live out your "calling?" You can find out here.
“If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you would not be able to sit down for six months.” - Unknown
"We cannot discover new oceans until we have the courage to lose sight of the shore." -- Muriel Chen
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -- Helen Keller
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -- Thomas H. Huxley
“There is the risk you cannot afford to take, and there is the risk you cannot afford not to take.” -- Peter Drucker
"The great tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside of us while we live." -- Norman Cousins
Do you know how you are "wired?"?
