We just completed the first 48 Days Seminar facilitator certification here at the Sanctuary. As Ashley and I were addressing the sold-out crowd on Friday morning I was humbled by the enthusiasm of those of you who want to help bring hope and encouragement to the many who are frightened in the current workplace. We can "see" opportunities where others see obstacles; new growth where some see death and decay; and financial abundance where many assume poverty and lack.
I trust you have "eyes" to see what others may not see. I often use characteristics of the eagle as worthy examples for us. The eagle has Supernatural Vision- an ability to see detail at extraordinary distances. Eagle eyesight is 4-8 times sharper than a human's. 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 career or financial success fosters tunnel vision rather than broad vision. We can learn to see methods, solutions, and opportunities that are uncommon.
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If It Isn't Your Job To Do It, Perhaps It Is Your Opportunity
When I was 13 years old I painted a horse head with a paint by numbers layout. I thought it was pretty good, but now that I've seen some real masterpieces I realize it was pretty amateurish. The paint was clumpy where I tried to stay inside the identified lines. It didn't look real; it just looked like I did a good job of painting. My wife Joanne, on the other hand, has drawn some amazing pieces - always starting with a blank canvas and then allowing her imagination to direct her brush or pencil.
I realize now that life's opportunities are presented to us in much the same way. If we paint by the numbers (take the first job, put money in CDs, buy a Ford car, purchase shirts at J.C. Penney, and have two weeks vacation every year) we will see predictable results. You know what it's going to be - and it might be good, but it will never be amazing to you or anyone else. The only way to get a masterpiece is to start with a blank canvas. Of course, with a blank canvas you could also end up with a disaster that you decide to throw away. But the very next one may be the masterpiece that will make the world remember you.
While you may think this is about willingness to take "risk" or that it's a reflection of "personality style" I think it's more about dreaming, imagining and taking action. And this is not just a business or career decision - it's more a question of the kind of life we want to live. Think of Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Bono, Oprah, Rick Warren, Howard Schultz or Billy Graham. Their personality styles cover the entire range of possibilities and no one would consider Billy Graham a risk-taker. But all of them had big dreams, started with a blank canvas and then took action to create their own unique masterpieces.
Here's what experts are telling us we will have for the remainder of 2009: uncertainty, chaos, turbulence, turmoil, confusion and insecurity. Sounds like a paint by the number life is going to be hard to find anyway.
So you get to choose what you are creating today - a horse head or the Mona Lisa?
********************************************** "Success is never an accident. It typically starts as imagination, becomes a dream, stimulates a goal, grows into a plan of action - which then inevitably meets with opportunity. Don't get stuck along the way." Dan Miller
Sometimes real life events or quotations convey a life principle better than I could do in writing:
I once heard of a CEO who spoke at his retirement dinner to a group of young executives. He said, "I know you want my job, and I'll tell you how to get it. Last week my daughter was married, and as she walked down the aisle, I realized I did not know the name of her best friend, or the last book she read, or her favorite color. That's the price I paid for this job. If you want to pay that price, you can have it." ("How Do You Find God?" Reader's Digest, April 2002, pg 98)
********************************************* "You can use most any measure when you're speaking of success. You can measure it in a fancy home, expensive car or dress. But the measure of real success is one you cannot spend - It's the way your child describes you when talking to a friend." Martin Baxbaum
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The Chinese pictograph for "busy" is composed of two characters: "heart" and "killing."
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From The Dilbert Future
"In the future, most people's jobs will involve scrambling around like frightened chipmunks trying to find the next paycheck in an endless string of unrelated short-term jobs. But since "Frightened Chipmunk" doesn't look very impressive on a business card, people will call themselves entrepreneurs, consultants, and independent contractors."
Each week I create a new online radio podcast — that you can hear in iTunes or at the 48 Days Online Radio Show link below.
In this week's podcast I spend a significant amount of time explaining how to sell books (or any products) at increasing profit margins - something I have enjoyed doing over the years.
I am a teacher in a public elementary school. I love what I do, but I am struggling with the low income and high-expense requirements of maintaining my teaching license. We're barely making ends meet. What can I do to increase my income?
I have 30 tax clients currently and am looking for an inexpensive yet effective way to grow my individual and business client base more quickly.
I was wondering about putting affiliate links to some seed companies and other general gardening e-books at the end of an e-book I am working on about growing and using herbs.
I stopped dreaming so long ago that I can't even remember what I loved to do. I just remember loving baseball more than anything else. Maybe I should get a glove and a ball and find a wall and play catch with myself for a dozen hours, and my dreams might start to come back.
I remember that you mentioned in your "48 Days" book that anyone could ask to be a distributor for a book. How would I go about doing this?
I want to give away clothes...and I do. I rented a storage unit and filled it up with donated clothes that I give away for free on Saturdays. How can I make a business of this? I love it, but the people I serve are pretty poor, hence the free clothes.
******************************************* 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.
Living, Loving & Working—with Dan & Joanne
This is a once a year event here at the Sanctuary (Sept 17-18th). In this two-day hands-on conference, Joanne and I will share our personal journey of living, loving and working together. By the end of the Friday night dinner excursion, you will have learned how to apply the same principles to enhance your own business and family success.
Here's just a taste of what you'll experience:
How to create a "haven of peace" in your home—regardless of circumstances
How to find - or create - the work you love
How to survive the hard times while maintaining family strength and vitality
How to fully enjoy the "seasons of life"
How to live with an entrepreneurial spouse when times get tough
We'd love to have you come think, share, eat and learn with us. Scroll down here for the details: Living, Loving & Working
********************************************* I Quit!
Being April 1st, getting spring fever, seeing friends who have gone on to better things - these can all give you the urge to just turn in your resignation letter. Well, here's help. This site makes it very easy to play out that fantasy. You can identify all the unique characteristics of your job, pinpoint your feelings about your boss, list your next career (aroma therapist) and in general, vent your job frustration. Then hit "Write it" and you will see your instant customized Resignation Letter. Just make sure your current boss isn't looking over your shoulder: I Quit!
********************************************* My Salary Stinks
$14,000 an Hour - that's hourly pay for Rush Limbaugh based on his salary for this year. Here's a site to drive you crazy. You can put in your own salary, and then choose a celebrity. Hit start and you will see a real-time calculation of pay that is accumulating. Sorry, I don't provide the Kleenex. Salary Timer
********************************************* Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Are you feeling stuck? Are you struggling to get interviews or a job offer? Do you have a business idea but are not sure how to move forward? Maybe I can help you see some new ways of moving forward. See the details here: Coaching with Dan
********************************************* 48Days.net
By now most of you know about 48Days.net. This is different than 48Days.com. At 48Days.net you'll see lots of 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.
********************************************** Know Your Personality
What work should you be doing?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!
What work should you be doing?
