Be sure to check out the new survey on the 48Days.com home page. Ashley has a cool new feature there where you can vote and instantly see the results for everyone. Today’s survey: “What do you feel is the most important factor for success?” You may be surprised.
Yes, these are challenging times, but that doesn’t mean that all is doom and gloom. In fact, I am seeing more and more people rising up with innovative ideas and methods of creating extraordinary income. Check out the real people in the 212ºConnection who are doing just that.
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If you “wanna be really rich” we’ve got The Ultimate Fresh Start Package – that includes 48 Days to the Work You Love and other materials that will help you move into work that matters -- for only $48. The Ultimate Fresh Start Package
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“If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy” — Unknown author
The name Nasrudin is used as the mythical character in a tradition of Sufi tales. Here’s one:
Nasrudin used to stand in the street on market days, to be pointed out as an idiot. No matter how often people offered him a large or a small coin, he always chose the smaller piece.
One day a kindly man said to him, “Mulla, you should take the bigger coin. Then you will have money and people will no longer be able to make a laughingstock of you.”
“That might be true,” said Nasrudin, “but if I always take the larger coin, people will stop offering me money to prove that I am more idiotic than they are. Then I would have no money at all.”
Sometimes the most obvious solution really isn’t the best one. You might assume that the best way to grow your business is to get more customers – it may in fact be more profitable to reduce your number of customers and charge them more. Here in Nashville a doctor just reduced his 3,000 person client list to 300 “invited guests,” each of which he charges $2000 annually to be his patient. He is their “concierge doctor” – and he locks in a $600,000 annual income with minimal office expense.
We all “know” that “winners never quit, and quitters never win.” But is that really true? How does that work with smokers? Or with people who have taken a wrong turn on the freeway? What if you have been in business for a year and still haven’t made any money? What if your retirement funds have suddenly been shown to be worthless?
20 years ago this month I suffered through a devastating business crash. I scrambled to find solutions for both the emotional pain and embarrassment as well as the financial disaster I had experienced. My logical mind raced to find ideas where I could make money quickly to address the screaming creditors and the ongoing needs of my family.
Yet one of the “solutions” defied all normal approaches. In reading the book of Proverbs each day – the chapter that correlated to the day of the month (31 chapters) – I began to see timeless principles that I had repeatedly violated in my previous attempts at financial success and I also discovered some counterintuitive keys for increasing my bank account once again.
I learned that wisdom is more valuable than gold or silver. But that seeking wisdom will ultimately bring gold and silver on the back side anyway. Here’s what it says in Proverbs 3: 13-17
“God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense. Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her. In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along.”(CEV)
The dictionary defines “wisdom” as The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight. How are you doing with “wisdom” in these days when stocks, real estate, and mortgages may turn out to be worthless? Are you increasing your “wisdom portfolio” and assuring that you will be wealthy in the coming years?
One of the evidences of “wisdom” is finding that authentic fit for how God wired us. Many years ago I met Dave Anderson, the founder of Famous Dave’s restaurants. He told me that as a young American Indian kid he had wanted to be rich, but in chasing money it always seemed to be just out of reach. When he finally gave up on getting money and just resigned himself to doing what he loved to do, (making great barbeque) the money showed up in lots of unexpected ways. Among other things Dave founded The Life Center for Leadership with a $1.4 million gift.
Maybe you’re chasing the wrong thing. Give up on getting rich -- try getting “wisdom” and see where it leads you.
We have a brand new book to help you in your salary negotiations. This is the revised 6th edition of Jack Chapman’s Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute.
Here’s one radical shift in thinking. The recommendation has always been to let the interviewer come up with a salary suggestion first. The thinking behind this was that you minimize the risk of botching the negotiation by coming in too high or too low. An added reassurance is that if you wait for the employer to go first, you really do have an offer. And we’ve always told you to side-step the question if you are asked how much you’re looking for.
New studies show that the final negotiated figure tends to end up being closer to the person who goes first. Obviously, to do that well, you need to know what the responsibilities of the position are and know the salary range for those responsibilities – in your industry and your part of the country. So be prepared, but then be ready to state your figure. This book shows you how to be prepared.
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.
It’s no surprise that I’m getting lots of questions regarding the economy these days. Are there really opportunities that still exist or do we all need to just hunker down and expect the worst? Well, you know my response to that – and this week’s questions and comments will confirm my belief that new opportunities are all around us.
Here are some of the issues covered:
Should I buy a “business opportunity” or is it a scam?
I’m moving from “employee” to “independent contractor.” How do I become incorporated and get a tax ID?
My wife is a 52-yr-old nurse and is convinced she’s too old to learn anything else. How can I help her see other opportunities?
I’d like to be a millionaire in eight years. Can I use real estate as my vehicle for wealth?
I’m 32 and have had two “dull and unexciting” jobs in my life. I don’t feel like I have any skills that an employer would want. How can I move forward?
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If you have a question, just click on the 48 Days Online Radio link below and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
That’s the same place you can listen to this week’s broadcast immediately – no downloading – no wait.
212ºConnection
If you’d like to be a group where you can get inspiration for taking your ideas to a whole new level – check out our 212ºConnection. Every day new people are becoming part of the exciting group – sharing ideas and gaining momentum. You can read all about it here – and see the growing number who are turning their ideas into time freedom and income. 212ºConnection
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Help Fight Pediatric Cancer
48 Days reader Sean Monahan is heading up an effort to fight pediatric cancer. The money raised in this 24-hour gaming marathon will provide free games for the kids at the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. If you’re a gamer or just care about these kids who are struggling with cancer, check out the ways you can make a difference. You can “play games” and “heal kids” with this Extra Life challenge.
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On October 25th and November 1st I’ll be speaking at the FishNet Live concerts along with Mandisa, Chantel Hobbs, Jeff Allen, Mary Mary and the David Crowder Band. I’d be delighted to have you join us for those events in Woodbridge and Hampton, VA. Just check the link here -- FishNet Live
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Personal coaching
Many of you are asking about my personal coaching. Yes, I still work with 2-3 people a month. And yes, we get a lot of requests. I screen each request and either contact you myself – or refer you to a matching coach in our network. I take seriously the confidence shown by the requests and make sure each one is given personal attention. If you want to review the options and give me some basic information I’ll be honored to evaluate it and give you some feedback. Just go to Personal Coaching and get started.
********************************************** Chuck Bowen Coaching - Financial, Career & Business "Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Chuck serves as President of our 212 Connection and oversees the business side of that part of our business. Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching now!
Need help getting past Mondays?
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!
Okay -- changing times require new ideas. How's this for innovation in panhandling? Have you come up with any ingenious ideas for improving your job or business lately?
"Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Chuck serves as President of our 212 Connection and oversees the business side of that part of our business. 
Need help getting past Mondays?
