Walking On Fire

Last week I attended the Anthony Robbins seminar in Los Angeles.  One of the activities of the seminar was to overcome the impossible and walk on red hot coals. The experience was unlike any other, and I feel that the symbolism of the act was enormous.  If you can walk on fire what can't you do next!  Let me ask you, and share with you my experience ... 


For nearly three hours the Anthony Robbins Company was burning wood to generate red hot coals.  Later, these newly formed coals would be beneath my feet and I would be celebrating with comrades.  The heat of these coals was compared to a burning hot stove, such as the one that you have burned your finger on once before.  The fear and excitement were intermingled as I approached the burning walk way, but the excitement ultimately overcame the fear, and perhaps the fear fueled the excitement.  I walked across and the message was clear, what fears hold us back from accomplishing the impossible?  We have so much to lose that we focus on the fear of losing it all instead of channeling the fear into excitement and energy to achieve our wildest dreams.


Have you ever walked on fire?  What were your thoughts?  


Scott

Graham Hill: Less stuff, more happiness | Video on TED.com

Graham Hill: Less stuff, more happiness | Video on TED.com

Graham Hill has some great ideas, and I feel that more people should follow his idea of Less if More. We are entering a new day and age, and going forward, new ideas, and new habits must be formed. There are many companies and individuals that are making a difference, but that population is small in comparison to the population at-large. Lets make the small efforts everyday to make a big impact.

One last point is that I think that Graham's stackable and compact furniture is perfect for small spaces to come.

Scott

http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness.html

Realty Times - Controlling Your Income

Realty Times - Controlling Your Income

"Your business checking account is merely a holding tank. Don't keep large amounts of money in there. When a commission check is received, put it all in the business checking account. Set up a business savings account and deposit 10% of your gross commission in there. That is your rainy day fund, dividend fund, and source for the future. You can build up a lot of funds through this method. At the same time, set up a tax savings account. Deposit 20% of every check to the tax savings account. This method guarantees you have the funds available when quarterlies are due.

Create one last account for your investments savings account and deposit 10% in that account. This account can be built up to fund your retirement accounts, 401K, simple IRA, whatever vehicle you use."

Those of us with uncertain incomes really need to budget our incomes that much more than our steady incomed counterparts. Try to follow the above rule of thumb, and see if it works for you.

Scott

A Little Motivation: Your Own Success

Every once in a while we can lose our motivation, and every once in a while we need that kick in the butt to push forward.  I came across this posting and found it uplifting and motivating.  We stand in our own way to success, and until we move and get ourselves out of the way, we will continue to do ourselves a disservice.  Kaiser Permanente says it well too:  http://youtu.be/ZER0LUymzsA .  We must look in the mirror.

Enjoy the article and have a great Monday.

Scott

Start right now

Don’t wait until you’re ready. Start now.

The circumstances will not be perfect and you won’t get it perfect. Start now, however, and you will get it done.

You’re not going to have everyone’s assistance or approval. You can, however, get the jump on your success and get started right now.

Do you want to waste your time and energy on elaborate excuses or would you rather invest yourself in achievement? Get started now and get the achievement well underway.

You’ve already delayed long enough and there’s no good reason to wait one moment more. The time for action is the time at hand.

You’re standing squarely in the middle of your life’s great and valuable opportunity. Start right now and make all that value yours.

— Ralph Marston

Read more: http://greatday.com/#ixzz1ZjPqFetH

1031 Exchange A Foreclosure

In the midst of the economic turmoil, there was an interesting light that was recently shown to me.  Did you know that a person can 1031 exchange in a foreclosure?  I didn't!  According to information gathered from Asset Preservation, Inc. (apiexchange.com), a person may 1031 exchange when the mortgage debt encumbering property is greater than the taxpayer's adjusted basis for income taxes.  Keep in mind that the exchange MUST take place BEFORE the foreclosure.

"Ex:  Investor acquires an interest valued at $200 for $70 with a $170 non-recourse mortgage.  Later the interest is valued at $160, and the lender elects to foreclose.  If the investor does nothing, then they will recognize a gain of $100 ($170-$70).  The gains tax due will be $28.

The investor will then reach our to Asset Preservation Inc., to conduct a 1031 exchange, with the foreclosed property acting as the relinquished property.  The investor will then have the standard 48 days to identify a property valued equal to or greater than $170.  The property will be acquired by using the $28 as a down payment, and the obtaining a new loan for the balance of the $170 purchase price."

Asset Preservation, Inc., (866) 394 - 1031
Ask for Steven G. Rosansky, Esq.

I hope that you learned something new, and that all of your investment endeavors be profitable.


Scott

GlobeSt.com - S&P Downgrades US Credit Rating - Daily News Article

GlobeSt.com - S&P Downgrades US Credit Rating - Daily News Article

If you follow the link above, it will highlight the uncertainty that is US policy making. What Moody's and S&P have done is hold congress and the government accountable. If you ask most citizens what they think about congress at the moment, it is mostly negative. Why should they not get a negative outlook? Further, the practices that currently go on at capital hill are completely opposite from what goes on throughout our great country. Who holds capital hill accountable? The American people? The American people do not have the time to oppose what our government is doing...the last time that "The People" truly got together to protest and support a decision against the government was in the late 60's. In today's times of working 2 jobs, raising a family, and other excuses, people find it easier to bicker and moan to their friends rather than take action. How many people come out and vote, is a good illustration of people and how they think of government. The government "dog" has been without a leash for too long, and as much as it hurts to see the downgrade, it is a necessary act to correct the animal which we as a population have created.

Keep us honest Moody's and S&P.

Scott

Sales: Name of the Game

By: Dan Jourdan

Your sales job is your business, and you are the boss. Remember, that's why you got into this world in the first place. This way, you can make your own hours and call your own shots. Sure you may have a quota to reach and some required meeting to go to, but as long as you are producing money for your company, they probably wouldn't care if you showed up. They need revenue, they need more customers, and so do you.

I know a sales manager in a stock brokerage firm that once said, "Other than owning your own business, sales was the quickest way to get wealthy." He had it half right; selling is a business and if you treat it that way, it will fill your pockets with gobs of loot.

Most of you, however, don't treat it that way. You go through the motions during working hours and forget about your day at closing time. You blame the customer for making the wrong decisions, and complain about your commission structure and the fact that "there is not enough time in the day".

That last one really kills me. Here's the answer; you have the same time as everyone else. The difference simply is that you can choose to spend that time or invest that time throughout your day.

A business owner invests his time and uses it to his advantage by learning, writing, reading, practicing, blogging, and networking. In a word, a person with a business is always prospecting. Remember, as a sales person, you are a business owner - and it's time for you to act like one:

1. Wake up early. The whole "early bird gets the worm" thing really works. You have time to plan your day, to think, and to beat whatever traffic is out there. An owner knows that being early gives you a distinct advantage over your competition and will make you more money.

2. Be creative. An owner knows that everyone has competition and nobody wins with a price war. Therefore, the new battlefield is uniqueness. The only place left without competition is your own mind and what you can think up and create. No one can compete with your thoughts. An owner comes up with ideas to get some buzz and does it...immediately!

3. Know who your boss is. I know I said that you are your own boss, but that may be a bit of a lie. You don't have a boss, you have many bosses - they are just called customers and they feed you and your family. They provide for every luxury that you have or will have, and they can fire you too. An owner will treat them with the reverence they deserve.

4. Be comfortable with change. Constant reading, learning, trying, and failing are all part of the job. I have a friend with a very successful snack and soda vending company that services several states. Twenty years ago, his biggest seller was Coke in the 7oz bottles. Today it is earphones out of a vending machine.

The salesman of yesterday is dead...but treating your sales job as a business will ensure that you will live to win in life.

Dan Jourdan is a Gitomer-Certified Speaker who delivers customized and personalized seminars on sales, customer loyalty, and personal development. To book Dan for your next event, visitwww.GitomerCertified.com or contact the friendly folks at Buy Gitomer via email or by calling 704-333-1112.