The Strangest Secret

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday January 30 2009

Good day there all and welcome to the weeks end.

It's been a great week here at The Wealthy Attitude. Right on plan, we've launched The Wealthy Attitude Conference 2010 to be held in Vancouver, Canada, and we've launched The Wealthy Attitude Speakers Bureau that will be promoting some of the world's greatest personal development communicator's. We've also launched The Wealthy Attitude Affiliates, where you'll find an incredible offering of the products and services you'll need to continue your personal and professional development. Go visit the pages to get caught up on what's happening, and bookmark the pages as lots of new stuff will be forthcoming.

These launches are harmonized with our commitment to bring to our team, our clients, and our subscribers the very best tools we can find to compliment their plans for becoming successful and contributing members on this wonderful entrepreneurial community.

Also, this week we've had a huge number of conversations about the famous Earl Nightingale's "The Strangest Secret". As always it never ceases to amaze us how many people have absolutely no idea about The Strangest Secret, or the incredible impact it has had on some of the most successful people on the planet. So, we're going to fix that today for you.

You are absolutely going to love:

The Strangest Secret

Have a great weekend and we'll see you all on Monday.

Take care,

~peter~

50 Life Booster Questions

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday January 29 2009

Hello there everyone and welcome to Thursday.

Heads up folks, the wonderful Jan Janzen is coming through for us big time. As I mentioned on Monday, Jan was working on the subject of "procrastination" for you, and next week we're going to really focus on it. So, here's the scoop, if "procrastination" has had any effect in your life, you're going to want to be here all next week.

A little over a year ago, right here on this blog, we introduced a new friend from Australia who had gotten our attention with some of the amazing work she does with her clients. Thea Westra has been our guest here quite a number of time since we first met, and the feedback from many subscribers has been awesome.

Thea's first outing with us was an amazing gift of her 50 Life Booster Questions and they impacted many in a very powerful way. As a celebration of Thea's work, and as a gift to our many new subscribers, we are once again presenting Thea's original gift. And, for you old time subscribers, it'll do you good to re-visit this list for yourself.

Also folks, Thea warmly invites you to go to her site at the end of the list and you'll find an on-line version where you'll get to record your answers at absolutely NO cost. Now that appeals to my little Scottish heart.

You're going to enjoy this experience. And Thea, thank you for all your amazing presence.

50 Life Booster Questions

Developed by Thea Westra,

Senior Thought Leader

http://www.forwardsteps.com.au

1. What would you love to do or accomplish, before you die?

2. If you were to begin to achieve that/these, what is the first change you would start to make?

3. What would you need to include MORE of in your life?

4. What would you need to have LESS of in your life?

5. Rewrite your goal(s) so it is ‘moving towards’ something, rather than ‘moving away’ from something?

6. What is YOUR personal definition of success?

7. If you had to guess your life purpose, what would it be?

8. What daily habits could you replace with a better daily habit? List these.

9. What would a massive action ‘look like’ for you?

10. What action would you take, if you knew you could not possibly fail?

11. What has worked for you when accomplishing past personal goals?

12. What can you see about any past setbacks, which may actually benefit you?

13. What are you tolerating/putting up with?

14. What will you do, to completely erase petty things that are bothering you?

15. For what will you take 100% responsibility, from now?

16. If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?

17. Who and what are you listening to, most of the time?How will you change that, if it needs changing?

18. What do you keep saying to yourself that usually thwarts your progress?

19. What could you now keep saying to yourself, to empower you?

20. What could you get done this week that you know needs doing?

21. For that task, what is the first step and the next step?

22. What could you put in your environment to remind you of your promises to yourself?

23. What could you include in each day to create and hold your vision for your future?

24. What have you 100%, decided to achieve?

25. What ways do you benefit by NOT deliberately moving toward what you want?

26. What activities and new habits will you deposit into your future, this month?

27. On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited to you feel about taking these actions?

28. What could increase that score?

29. What are your highest aspirations for this year?

30. What are the greatest lessons you have learned in life?

31. What is life asking you to do differently?

32. What are you now willing to do that you’ve been unwilling to step into?

33. What non-negotiable decision are you willing to make for your life, and stick to?

34. What in your life needs immediate attention?

35. What strategies could you use to better manage your daily priorities?

36. What is perfect about where you are in your life right now?

37. Describe in detail, your feelings once all your goals are achieved?

38. Which books could you read, people could you call and websites could you visit, to support your goals?

39. In what way are you a better person this year than last year?What will be your answer, next year?

40. Where will you fine-tune your use of time in the next 24-hours?

41. Is there anything you are ignoring, to which you should be paying attention? Be honest!

42. What are you most excited about now? What are you looking forward to?

43. What ways will you will get more energy into your life?

44. What newly created, personal standard(s) will you abide by; hail, rain or shine?

45. What are your greatest strengths and how will you leverage those?

46. What would you most like to be acknowledged for, so far in your life?

47. What do you need to give to yourself so that you can give more to others?

48. What new belief could you take on to speed up your personal decision-making processes?

49. What do you already know for certain? Is that the truth?

50. List all the benefits that you got from completing this exercise, and what are your next Forward Steps?

The Online Version can be found at: http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/50-Power-Questions.htm

You'll be happy you did this work. I promise. ~peter~

Ten Rules For Being Human

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday January 28 2009

Hello there folks and welcome to the midweek point.

Yes, I agree, the "wonder" of living in North America still makes it the most desirable place on the planet to reside, to do business, to plan an amazing future, to make all of your dreams and intentions become manifest.

You and I, and every other person here, must eventually grow in the awareness that this is a pretty spectacular place to live. That's my shameless plug for this little piece of paradise.

Our friend Cherie has something to share today that you should print off and keep where you can see it for at least the next thirty days. You'll see why!

Ten Rules For Being Human
by Cherie Carter-Scott

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life".

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately"work".

4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're "alive", that means there are still lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no better a place than "here". When your "there"has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here".

7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

10. You will forget all this.

The Secret to Letting Go of Every Fear

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday January 27 2009

Hello there all and welcome to this fine Tuesday.

Let's get right to it.

What on earth do you have to be afraid of? That's the question I had to ask someone yesterday who came at me with some sob story about why their life is a train wreck. They had conjured up a story in their mind that the whole world was out to get them. What a farce that was.

Yes I know, just like you do, they were making it all up. This otherwise delightful individual had gotten into a mindset where they had filled their life with images of pain and disaster, and actually caused themselves to believe that it was true.

I shared with them what you are about to read today. You'll like what Guy has to share.

The Secret to Letting Go of Every Fear

by Guy Finley

Are you afraid of some condition in your life? Here's a life-transforming secret: that seemingly scary condition, whatever it may be, is not the problem. It is your reaction that is fearful. This is why if you will become conscious of your condition instead of afraid of it, you will change forever your relationship with fear.

It is only within this special kind of inner-relationship that there is real safety, because now you are interacting with fear in an entirely new way. You are no longer letting it dictate to you how to act or what to do. Instead, you are aware of the fear. You are learning to quietly observe and study it. And, each day, as you discover something new about the strange and shaky nature of your own fearful reactions, they begin to lose their power over you.

Why? Because you are at last seeing them for what they have always been: unintelligent mechanical forces. You are slowly becoming stronger than they are because by seeing them as they are -- not as they would have you see them -- you have helped yourself to climb above and outside of their influence. This self-insight is the difference between trembling through your life and being in command of it.

To be consciously afraid means that you know you are frightened, but at the same time you know that these very fears, as real as they may seem, are not you. And no wrong reaction can keep you captive once you begin to see it for what it is.

Fear is, and has always been, nothing but a self-limiting reaction that we cling to in the darkness of our present life-level, having mistaken it for a shield of self-protection. But, just as the faintest of early morning sunlight can dispel the night-long darkness, so does the smallest of insights into a persistent fear lead to letting it go.

You can prove this powerful principle to yourself anytime you want. Just dare to proceed even while being afraid. But remember, your new aim isn't to be courageous or to try and act strong in the face of fear. No. We've seen that this won't work. You simply want to be more curious about your frightened thoughts and feelings than you want to believe in them.

If you will follow this simple but higher instruction, not only will you start to see these habitual reactions that have been keeping you scared and running, you'll actually start seeing through them. This is where the real miracle occurs.

Each new insight into the actual nature of these negative reactions removes some of their power over you. And their loss is your gain. You are stronger now and you know it. You also know this new strength will never fail you because it isn't just the temporary appearance of a bold opposite. This new strength of yours is the absence of an old weakness.

Let's look at just one of the ways in which this principle of putting self-illumination before psychological self-protection can turn fear into fearlessness.

Do you know someone who you would rather run from than run into? Most of us do! Nevertheless, starting right now, resolve never again to avoid any person that scares you.

In fact, go ahead and walk right up to that critical man or aggressive woman and say or do exactly what you want instead of letting the fear tell you to do what it wants. Have no ideas at all about the way things should or shouldn't go. You are there to watch and learn about yourself, not to win an ego victory. Let that person see you shake if that is what starts to happen. What do you care? Besides, it is only temporary. That unpleasant person before you can't know it, but you are shaking yourself awake.

For the first time, you are letting your reactions roll by instead of letting them carry you away. As you stand there, momentarily apart from your usual self and working hard to remain as inwardly watchful as you know how, you can see that this flood of previously unconscious reactions has its own life story -- a shaky sort of story that up until now you had embraced as your own. But now you are beginning to see the whole story. The fears do not belong to you. Here is the explanation:

You have never been afraid of another person. The only thing you have ever been frightened by is your own thoughts about that person. Yes, you did feel fear, but it wasn't yours and it wasn't toward someone stronger than you. The fear you felt was in what you thought he or she was thinking about you.

Amazing, isn't it? You have been afraid of your own thoughts! And seeing this ends this. Now you can let this thought-self go, because no one holds onto terror.

Excerpted from "The Secret of Letting Go," Rev. Edition, Llewellyn, 2007

Guy Finley is the acclaimed author of more than 35 books and audio programs on the subject of self-realization, several of which have become international best sellers. His popular works, published in 17 languages, are widely endorsed by doctors, professionals, and religious leaders of all denominations. Among many others, his popular titles include "The Secret of Letting Go," "Design Your Destiny," "The Lost Secrets of Prayer," "Apprentice of the Heart," and "Let Go and Live in the Now."

Finley is the founder and director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for self-study located in Southern Oregon where he gives talks four times each week. Visit http://www.guyfinley.org for a wealth of free helpful information, free audio and video downloads, and to request your free Self-Improvement Starter Kit.

The Right Mindset for Success in Business

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday January 26 2009

Hello there everyone and welcome to another shiny new week.

My thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts after you "read" the text of President Obama's inaugural address.

Good news all, our friend and major contributor Jan Janzen is developing a very timely series that we're aiming to get to you starting next week. I'll let you know more as this week progresses.

We start this week off with another of our favorite contributors, and for those of us who own our own businesses, you're going to like what Thea has to share.

The Right Mindset for Success in Business

by Thea Westra

The first step is belief and trust in yourself, and know yourself as someone who provides value to others by way of the services or products you provide. The best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others. That is the only way you will be 100% committed to what you are creating - 95% commitment or less can become very difficult over time, however 100% commitment puts you in "the zone". With 100% commitment you will continue your work, no matter what may block the path.

Clarity, being clear, is essential. Have a crystal clear mental image of what you want to create and feel a genuine passion for that. Simplification of, and a singular focus on, my goals is my personal theme for 2007. If you're not thrilled by what you're doing, you need to create a bigger goal that encompasses your personal legacy.

Something that I discovered long ago, with other projects, is that you don't have to get it right; you just have to get it going. You honestly will find what you need, along the journey.

Whenever I see some of my earlier monthly newsletters, I cringe a little. However, I needed to go through the process to get to where I am with the production of my e-zine materials today. In future, I'm certain that they might have me cringing too. If not, then I'm not growing. That is the upside of experimentation - I grow as a person within the process. This in turn gives me experience that I can share with others which adds another valuable commodity to my business services.

I have also have come to know that lasting business success is not overnight, and of course it is possible, though it is not the usual. It is important for me to maintain consistency with my actions, to focus on a few powerful marketing strategies and stick closely to those. This has taken me a while and I am getting much better at staying focused with the stronger marketing strategies that I know to be effective and high leverage.

This brings me again to the necessity of being clear about my intended end result. For every action, be clear about why you're taking that action and how that activity will move you toward fulfilling the desired end result. You may not always succeed and even if you don't, you'll still be certain of where you want to go so that you can continue to adjust and fit your actions toward achieving that end goal.

The right mindset for business success is a mindset of ‘business success'. Know what a successful business is, for you. Know that you have a business and not a hobby, treat all your relationships with that in mind. Have a set of standards by which you abide, in the context of business activities. Respond to all communications as though your business is already at the level of success that you envisage for its future. Begin the way that you mean to finish.

Personally create your weeks, months and days. Know what you will accomplish at the end of each, set targets and determine the actions you must take to accomplish those targets.
Continually work on yourself and stay close to people who have similar aspirations to yours. Hang out with positive and empowered people. Listen to many audios and read many books related to personal growth. As you grow and evolve, so will your business and vice versa.

© Thea Westra is the senior thought leader, at her Forward Steps site. She resides in Perth, Australia with her ultra-supportive partner Greg. Thea publishes a monthly ezine (among many other publications and products) at http://www.forwardsteps.com.au Enjoy her life success blogs at http://www.timeformylife.com/blogs.htm and get personally connected here, http://www.ask-thea-about.com

What a Week!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday January 23 2009

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile...it's the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82)- American writer, philosopher, poet, essayist.

Hello there folks and welcome to the weeks end, and what a week it has been.

The United States of America ushered in a new President. Barack Obama has defied all the odds, silenced every naysayer, inspired an entire nation, called many to task, re lit the candle of hope, and still had time to dance with Michelle. Now isn't that just too delicious.

Yes, I know, I can hear folks saying, "the task is just too big", but how soon many forget the incredible accomplishments achieved by a few who had vision, tenacity, fearlessness, compassion, generosity, and love that changed our world in amazing ways.

The President's Inaugural Speech was impactful, courageous, practical, and visionary, and will be held in the annals of great oratory for many generations. We here at The Wealthy Attitude believe it fits our philosophy, and as such present it to you in its entirety. We have also attached the text of the entire address in pdf format for your records. You'll enjoy this again, watch and listen carefully.

President Obama's Inaugural Address

Have an outstanding weekend, you really do deserve it.

See you on Monday.

Take care,

~peter~

One Person

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday January 22 2009

Good day to you all and welcome to Thursday.

What a week it's shaping up to be. A new President installed for our American friends, who is bringing a whole new level of optimism and forthrightness to a series of conditions could have driven a powerful nation into the doldrums. We send them our best wishes.

We can also smell that the Spring really isn't that very far away. We got just a touch of warmer weather here on the frozen prairie tudra and could just feel (and see) that folks were just lighter in day-to-day dealings. Nice to feel that.

And, it became clear to me for about the gazillionth time in my life that I (me), you, and every single able bodied, and able minded person is unequivocally 100% responsible for their entire life experience.

Let me put it this way, and especially if you live in this magnificent North America, where you are is where you want to be. Get it. If you wanted to be someplace else, and doesn't matter whether it's geographically, spiritually, financially, emotionally, physically, relationship wise, or in any other siuation you would be. If we feel trapped, it is because we, yes you and I, have created the circumstances that trap us. We're responsible, period, and the chains that bind us are located between our own ears.

Here's the six words that freed me over thirty years ago: "Change Your Mind, Change Your Life". Try them on for yourself.

Today's offering has been presented here before, and grows stronger with each outing.

One Person!

Author Unknown

The following is adapted from a story that is reported to be true, as told by Leah Curtin R.N., in "Nursing Management Magazine."

One Person... {can make a difference.}

Dr. Frank Mayfield was touring Tewksbury Institute when, on his way out, he accidentally collided with an elderly floor maid. To cover the awkward moment Dr. Mayfield started asking questions,"How long have you worked here?"

"I've worked here almost since the place opened," the maid replied.

"What can you tell me about the history of this place?" he asked.

"I don't think I can tell you anything, but I could show you something."

With that, she took his hand and led him down to the basement under the oldest section of the building. She pointed to one of what looked like small prison cells, their iron bars rusted with age, and said, "That's the cage where they used to keep Annie."

"Who's Annie?" the doctor asked.

"Annie was a young girl who was brought in here because she was incorrigible-which means nobody could do anything with her. She'd bite and scream and throw her food at people. The doctors and nurses couldn't even examine her or anything. I'd see them trying with her spitting and scratching at them. I was only a few years younger than her myself and I used to think, 'I sure would hate to be locked up in a cage like that.' I wanted to help her, but I didn't have any idea what I could do. I mean, if the doctors and nurses couldn't help her, what could someone like me do?

"I didn't know what else to do, so I just baked her some brownies one night after work. The next day I brought them in. I walked carefully to her cage and said, 'Annie I baked these brownies just for you. I'll put them right here on the floor and you can come and get them if you want.' Then I got out of there just as fast as I could because I was afraid she might throw them at me. But she didn't. She actually took the brownies and ate them."

After that, she was just a little bit nicer to me when I was around. And sometimes I'd talk to her. Once, I even got her laughing. One of the nurses noticed this and she told the doctor.They asked me if I'd help them with Annie. I said I would if Icould. So that's how it came about that every time they wanted to see Annie or examine her, I went into the cage first and explained and calmed her down and held her hand. Which is how they discovered that Annie was almost blind."

After they'd been working with her for about a year-and it was tough sledding with Annie-the Perkins institute for the Blind opened its doors. They were able to help her and she went on to study and became a teacher herself.

Annie came back to the Tewksbury Institute to visit, and to see what she could do to help out. At first, the Director didn't say anything and then he thought about a letter he'd just received.

A man had written to him about his daughter. She was absolutely unruly-almost like an animal.
He'd been told she was blind and deaf as well as 'deranged' He was at his wit's end, but he didn't want to put her in an asylum. So he wrote here to ask if we knew of anyone-any teacher-who would come to his house and work with his daughter.

And that is how Annie Sullivan became the lifelong companion of Helen Keller.

When Helen Keller received the Nobel Prize, she was asked who had the greatest impact on her life and she said, "Annie Sullivan." But Annie said, "No Helen. The woman who had the greatest influence on both our lives was a floor maid at the TewksburyInstitute."

So, who are you impacting today?

GREAT RECIPE

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday January 21 2009

Hello everyone and welcome to this midweek point.

What can I say. Like millions of others worldwide I was glued to what the new President of The United States had to say in his inaugural address to the world. It was an outstanding speech. He raised the bar to a whole new level, and now we have to see what this new spirit of optimism can do to raise a nation. Interesting times ahead folks. I wish him well.

When I opened my mail yesterday my friend Melissa Knecht had sent me a a piece that absolutely should be in you hands today. You'll see why.

GREAT RECIPE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.
And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Talk to God about what is going on in your life.
Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
'My purpose is to __________ today.
I am thankful for______________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water.
Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king or queen, lunch like a prince or princess and
dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask and believe .

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are in need.
Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You'll be smiling before you know it.

26. Send this to everyone you care about. I care about you..
that is why you are getting this from me!

Responsibility - What It Is and What It's Not

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday January 20 2009

Hello there everyone and welcome to this very fine Tuesday.

I'm still being blessed with tons of responses to Friday's video with young Nick Vujicic. You'd be totally amazed with how this delightful fellow is causing people to totally evaluate their life proposition. Folks are uncovering new levels of courage, faith, determination, and more importantly, love, as a consequence of exeriencing the clarity with which Nick lives. Now that's impact!

Today we feature another new contributor, and I think you'll find that what Valery has to share fits right in line with what Nick propositioned on Friday. You're gouing to like this.

Responsibility - What It Is and What It's Not

by Valery Satterwhite

A client of mine, let's call her Susan, called last week and was very excited! She was absolutely jubilant! I asked her what happened that she was so thrilled about. Her response was surprising at first. But, the Universe does work in miraculous ways. You'll see how as you read this story.

What was her response to what she was so happy about!?!

"My husband forgot my birthday!"

And, yes, she was very happy about this event.

I was taken aback for a moment for this was not the response I was expecting. I asked her to explain how his 'forgetting her birthday' made her so happy.

She responded that very soon after the initial realization, and 'upset', that her husband forgot her birthday, she thought about our many conversations about 'responsibility'. So, instead of empowering and listening to her Inner Critic, playing into the drama of the upset, she simply asked herself, "What did I do, consciously or unconsciously, to cause this event to happen?" She decided to empower and check in with her Inner Wizard. Yay!

And the answer to that question became crystal clear to her.

She knew that her husband, while wonderful in many ways, was terrible at remembering dates. He'd forget his own birthday if you didn't remind him. So, instead of reminding him ahead of time, Susan simply said nothing to see if he would remember her birthday -- knowing that there was a good chance he'd forget the date.

She set herself up for this upset to happen. What was her motivation? After some consideration, Susan realized that his forgetting her birthday would validate and empower her Inner Critic.

The Inner Critic, after all, loves to be right. Susan's Inner Critic always minimized her worthiness and ability to be loved. Her husband forgetting her birthday would prove to herself that she was right to think the way she did about herself -- that she was not worthy and no man could ever truly love her.

Do you see a Victim in this story?

Yes, the empowered Inner Critic holds you hostage as a Victim to the drama it serves up to 'be right'.

However, by taking ownership of her responsibility to the forgotten birthday, Susan had an epiphany that blew the limiting belief out of her age-old 'story' about herself that ran her life. Once she realized the role she played in the forgotten birthday event, Susan also knew, with certainty, that she [and she alone] manifested the events in her life. If she changed how she thought, her life would change -- in dramatic and miraculous ways.

No more Victim!

This realization empowered her and gave her serenity. She felt a major shift within her that gave her the knowing-ness that she was, indeed, worthy and loved. Worthiness and loveable-ness comes from self, first and foremost. Once you value your own worth and love yourself, you no longer set yourself up to be invalidated.

(That 'shift', by the way, is the reconnection with and empowerment of the Inner Wizard.)

Of course, Susan's husband felt terrible about forgetting her birthday, and they had a long conversation -- one of the best they've had in years. It was open and honest, with both revealing thoughts they've had over the years. They learned more about each other in that conversation than in any other conversation they had during their marriage. It brought them much closer together.

And there will no longer be any forgotten birthdays! The date is clearly marked in the calendar for many years to come.

And so, Susan was very delighted over this 'upsetting' experience. Letting go of the power her Inner Critic held over her was the greatest birthday gift she could have given herself.

So, whenever something 'upsetting' occurs in your life, ask yourself the same question: "What did I do, consciously or unconsciously, to cause this event to happen?" Then empower and listen to your Inner Wizard for guidance. You might be amazed at the answer.

Below is the definition of responsibility that I gave to Susan and live my life by. I know it will serve you well. It's not an easy lesson. But once learned, it is powerful and liberating at the same time. You become the Deliberate Creator of your life and circumstance.

You experience life consciously through your Inner Wizard -- the alchemist who can turn your dreams into reality!

Definition of Responsibility
Responsibility starts with the willingness to experience your self as cause. It starts with the willingness to have the experience of your self as cause in the matter.

Each individual has substantial or total responsibility for the events and circumstances that befall them in their life. Responsibility starts with the willingness to acknowledge that you are cause in the matter.

It starts with the willingness to deal with a situation from and with the point of view that you are the source of what you are, what you do, and what you have. This point of view extends to include even what is done to you and ultimately what another does to another.

"Responsibility is not fault, praise, blame, shame or guilt. All these include judgments and evaluations of good and bad, right and wrong, or better and worse. They are not responsibility as they are all beyond a simple acknowledgement that you are cause in your own experience". - W. Erhard

About the Author:
As founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards, Valery Satterwhite is able to empower, enlighten, and inspire the members to express their Inner Wizard and to turn their dreams into reality as she has. The Members are also encouraged to influence others to do the same. Imagine a world where everyone is empowered to achieve his or her fullest potential! Collectively, and as individuals, we can be the change we seek in this world. http://www.innerwizard.com

Moving From the "S" Quadrant to the "B" Quadrant

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday January 19 2009

Good day everyone and welcome to Monday.

Firstly, my sincere thanks to all who shared with me how Friday's video's featuring Nick Vujicic touched you. Your reflections served to re-affirm me that there is greatness among you all, compassion lives within you, and there exists a commitment to leadership deeply in the community that lives The Wealthy Attitude. Again, my deep thanks for all the perspectives you reflected.

Now, as The Wealthy Attitude unconditionally supports the home-based business community, it's become blindingly clear that the network marketing profession is getting a whole new look from people who are adversely affected by the current economic conditions. People who had previously dismissed this vital and vibrant industry are now looking at it as the mechanism that could save their financial futures. Wow, who would have thought that?

The industry of network marketing, for over sixty years, has generated more millionaires than any other profession. It does today sustain more families, gives more people opportunities, training, like-minded community than any other business. Now that's worth talking about.

Today we have an offering from one of our very favorite contributors. Jan Janzen is not only a reknowed writer and professional speaker, she is also a specialist and uncompromising advocate for serious network marketers. You'll enjoy what she has to share today.

Moving From the "S" Quadrant to the "B" Quadrant

by Jan Janzen

Most people know Robert Kiyosaki as the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. This multi-millionaire, author, educator and business guru has made a massive impact on millions of people around the world. Although I first read Rich Dad, Poor Dad many years ago, I feel like some of Robert´s teaching are just beginning to impact me today.

One of Kiyosaki´s basic teachings is that there are four quadrants: the E quadrant (Employee), the S quadrant (Self-Employed), the B quadrant (Business) and I quadrant (Investor). Probably most of you fall into the S quadrant because you are self-employed. It´s the quadrant where I have been for most of my entrepreneurial life and it´s not where I want to be anymore. It´s very likely not where you want to be either once you understand the significance of the B quadrant. So what is the difference?

As you may be only too aware on many days, being an entrepreneur isn´t much different than having a job. You´re tied down. There are lots of obligations. You can´t just pick up and go like you want. And oftentimes the money isn´t what you expected. I´ve had many days, weeks, and months over almost 3 decades of being an entrepreneur where earning minimum wage at a job would have surpassed my entrepreneurial income! The S quadrant is usually about trading time for dollars such as in the case of a coach, consultant or workshop facilitator.

The B quadrant is the arena of big business. Forbes magazine defined a B quadrant business owner, as a person who controls a business with more than 500 employees. You are leveraging your time and energy so you have much more freedom financially and time-wise. Companies with employees and/or freelance consultants are in the B quadrant. So how can you get there without having several million dollars to invest. It´s actually very easy.

I recently listened to an interview with Robert on the B quadrant qualities of network marketing. It was a real eye-opener. Who would have thought that MLM is a B-quadrant business? Well, according to Robert, it is. Why? Here is his criteria for a B quadrant business.

Leverage:
Can I train other people to work for me?

Control:
Do I have a protected system that belongs to me?

Creativity:
Will the business allow me to be creative and develop my own personal style and talents?

Expandability:
Can my business grow indefinitely?

Predictability:
Is my income predictable if I do what is expected of me? If I am successful, and keep expanding my business, will my income increase with my success and hard work?

In network marketing, people have the ability to build what is known in the industry as downlines. A downline are people who leverage your time and energy. They duplicate your efforts and for that, you get rewarded monetarily. So no longer are you trading time for dollars. You may invest in a person, train them, help them get established and they can continue to earn you money for years to come.

I know many network marketers who have built powerful teams and basically "retire", possibly building other B quadrant businesses or going on to live the life of their dreams. What is impossible in the S quadrant becomes very doable in the B quadrant as you are no longer trading time for dollars with no leverage.

It´s true that entrepreneurs learn to get more money for their services than an employee. For example, as a coach, I can earn substantially more money per hour than a woman who works at a grocery store for $10 per hour. That´s a good thing. You probably do the same in your business. However, even better would be to leverage your income by creating products, promoting other people´s products, becoming an affiliate of a service that pays you for referrals and/or duplicating yourself through MLM - all systems which allow you to take yourself out of the picture.

That´s the power of network marketing according to Robert Kiyosaki. With a small investment of less than $300 in most cases, you can buy the opportunity and the system to build yourself a B quadrant business. I know people in the network marketing company I am currently working with that are earning seven figures in their second year. I don´t know many jobs that allow you to do that and I know few entrepreneurs who reach those levels of financial goals. As a matter of fact, I recently heard on a teleclass with a millionaire that, according to her findings, less than 6% of Americans earn a six-figure income, and less than 1% make more than $365,000 a year.

Yet I have seen consistently in network marketing that people with no degree or formal education, people with severe health issues, single parents and people with obvious language handicaps, who have excelled in network marketing. It´s like they have finally realized that this is an arena where they can just go for the gold - literally! There are no glass ceilings and no time constraints.

Let me tell you, I would never have thought that network marketing would qualify as a B quadrant business. My mind would have gone to the Dells and Microsofts of the world, the Virgin enterprise or even the local grocery store chain. However, when I considered that the most important element of a B quadrant business is that I own a SYSTEM to create income, then I began to seriously look at how I can continue to grow my B quadrant business. I am also looking even more carefully at more ways to systemize my S quadrant business, thereby moving it into a B quadrant business. This is the focus of my business plan for 2009.

I highly recommend that you take time to look at your business this month and see how you can move from the S quadrant to the B quadrant.

To Your Outrageous Success,

Jan

You can check out what Jan is doing at: www.janjanzen.com

Are You Going To Finish Strong?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday January 16 2009

Good day folks and welcome to the end of the typical work week.

In a recent note I had pointed out the vast number of people that have already given up on the new year resolutions, goals, and intentions. I lamented somewhat on the price we pay internally for giving up easily, and not "holding the space" for living a life magnificent.

Well, for some subscribers, I went too far. They wrote to me reflecting their discomfort with my position, and proceeded to proclaim that I was disconnected from the "reality" of the new economy. They proferred that I didn't understand the "reality" of company layoffs, and the related impacts thay have on the employees and their families.

That's enough of that.

I could have gone into long diatribes about my own life experiences, and what preceeded in my world that led me to live with The Wealthy Attitude. But I didn't. I asked them all to be patient until today, where I promised I would share with them something that I believed would set a context for a whole new conversation.

Now it's time. When you have finished watching today's video offerings the question I will have for you is: "Are you going to finish strong?" Let me know your response.

Are You Going To Finish Strong?

See you on Monday.

Have an awesome weekend.

Peter
peter@thewealthyattitude.com

Service IS the NEW Game!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday January 15 2009

Hello again good folks and welcome to this fine Thursday.

Our readers this week have been inspiring some terrific conversations with subscribers who are seriously looking to build better businesses this year. I've been chatting with folks who are definitely keen to do whatever is necessary to ensure their success in these new economic times.

I expect that if you are reading this note, you are also looking for things that will help you be a more successful entrepreneur. Our contributor today has a very special message to share with you. You're going to like what Mitch has to share.

Service IS the NEW Game!

by Mitch Axelrod

From Chapter 7 of, The NEW Game of Business™(NEW Game Publishing):

Chant a NEW mantra: "Serve - Deliver - Serve Some More"

"In the new game, your service-ability determines your value. Serving is more than something you do. Serving is a way of being. You don't need a course IN service to be OF service."

The old linear model of marketing, sales and service is on life support.

The NEW Game model is: SERVE -> DELIVER -> SERVE SOME MORE.

You serve from first contact. You serve first, last, always.

Serving demonstrates leadership.

Serving builds high value relationships.

Serving wins the NEW Game of business.

Serving is a fundamental human motivation.

Serving is the driving force that propels business and commerce.

Serving is the why behind the what and how of work.

If you want to make an impact on people, serve them. If you want to demonstrate your value, serve them.

You want people to beat a path to your door? Scratch their ITCH for:
Information - provide the exact piece they need
Transportation - take them where they want to go
Communication - send messages that resonate with value
Help - others get what they want

I originally wrote "Scratch their ITCH" in 1990.

Today, I would amend it to "Scratch their WITCH":
If you want to stimulate activity, generate movementand attract qualified buyers...

Start by serving up your WISDOM.

You need new prospects for your product or service:
Serve every customer.

You want new business?
Serve every prospect.

Want to reduce your marketing expense and increase your market presence?
Serve every person in your target market.

You want a new job?
Serve every person who can hire you or recommend you.

When times are tough the tough....
Serve, deliver, and serve some more.

The telephone is still the most cost effective, personal communication medium.
Pick up the phone and...
SERVE SOMEBODY TODAY!

Deliver value to somebody who will value it. Then ask her to send you to someone else to serve.
Marketing can help you reach and sort the buyers from the browsers.

SERVING DEMONSTRATES YOU CAN DELIVER VALUE. DELIVERING VALUE IS THE GAME.

The NEW NEW Game Mantra
Love -> Serve -> Deliver

Why isn't service-ability taught at every level of our education system? Serving is the bedrock of work in every form, and the foundation of every commercial transaction.

Yet, you'd be hard-pressed to find a course on how to be of service in high school or college. Even in the business community, there is woefully little training in how to BE OF SERVICE.

You don't need a course IN service to be OF service. The new game is a game of servant leadership.

Real game changers go beyond serve and deliver. They:
LOVE, SERVE and DELIVER.

Love is compassion, an appreciation of the intrinsic value of a human being. When you treat people as beings, you connect with them at the highest level of human value.

You can serve without love. It's more rewarding to you and the person you serve to serve with love. How often are you served? How often are you served with love?

"How you do anything is how you do everything."(Cheri Huber)

Whatever you need or want right now, somebody else has it or can lead you to it.
How can you get it?
Serve, deliver and serve some more.

There is no shortage of people who want and need to be served.

You want to navigate smoothly through the NEW game?
You want to position yourself as the person of choice?
You want to give yourself the best chance to succeed?
Serve, deliver and serve some more.

Better yet, be a game changer.
LOVE. SERVE. DELIVER.

Start today.

You're a player. You CAN change the game.

I'll meet you on the field.

Mitch - CEO, Chief Encouragement Officer™
LOVE. SERVE. DELIVER.

Set Yourself On Fire!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday January 14 2009

Good day there folks and welcome to yet another chilly Thursday. For you folks in warmer climates, it dropped to -37 celsius here last night and has inspired amazingly warm thoughts in your truly.

So, you'll see that today's offering fits exactly into my current mindset. You're going to like this.

Set Yourself On Fire!

by Steve Errey

Have you heard of a guy called Fred Shero?

No? Until recently, me neither. Fred was a hugely successful Canadian NHL player and coach with a string of many hundreds of wins, numerous awards and accolades to his name.

Pretty good going, but it's not his sports record that I admire.

What I love Fred for is something that he once said:

"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire."

Reading that sent lightning bolts through my spine, as there have been many times in my life when I've been sitting back, subconsciously waiting for the world to bring me the success I thought I wanted. To be completely honest with you, even now I sometimes find myself expecting someone else to 'set fire' to me, waiting for spontaneous combustion rather setting myself on fire and finding my own success.

I have to catch myself when I slip into that way of thinking before it sets in, because Fred's
absolutely right.

People all too often wait for success to happen to them.

"If only it would fall into place..."

"Surely someone will discover who I am and what I can do soon..."

or

"Just a little while longer and it'll all come good..."

These are some examples of the things we say while we're waiting for success to come along.

Of course, the big thing I've come to learn is that it doesn't work that way. Finding success - real success - isn't a passive thing. It's not something that happens to you like watching a movie or getting your hair cut. Finding success is something that happens in you.

Here are 4 things for you to think about:

1. What does success look like to you?
What comprises success? How much of it is material? How much of it is emotional? How much of it is spiritual? Get specific about what success does and doesn't mean to you.

2. Imagine yourself towards the end of your life
Picture yourself towards the end of your life as happy and content as you can be. What is it about that future you that tells you as clear as day that they're happy and content?
Picture yourself walking up to them and asking them what it is that allowed them to reach that point. What single piece of advice can they give you?

3. How focused are you on working on your success?
What are you willing to do to get the kind of success you want? What are you waiting for the world to deliver to you so that you can have that success?

4. Are you driving your success?
How would it be if you were driving that success rather than waiting for it? What changes do you notice in how you do things and how you feel about things?

I'm not suggesting for one minute that you can't ask others, the world, the universe or whatever higher power you happen to believe in for help. I'm not even suggesting that you become wholly focused on working towards your success. That's missing the point.

The point is that we humans tend to be focused on working towards happiness and success and assume that until it comes along we have to spend time being unhappy, suffering or struggling.
You don't have to struggle...The truth is that things happen much easier and more readily if we don't struggle, suffer or assume unhappiness. The assumption that you need to struggle or fight for your success is a false one. Real success comes much easier and becomes more consistent when you operate straight from that place of success instead of assuming it's out there in the world somewhere.

Go after what's important to you and get going on all those shiny things you'd love to have, do and be in life, but recognise how much more pleasurable it's going to be when you're feeling happy and successful rather than unhappy and unsuccessful.

Fred got it right. Don't wait for spontaneous combustion or for someone to set light to you. Dive into your own happiness and success, engage with those things and operate from a place where they're real and present.

Don't wait: set yourself on fire!

Steve Errey is a leading confidence coach with a reputation for talking sense & getting results. Read more at The Confidence Guy

Check out how our friends over at Daily Insight are handling their part of winter.

Your Inner Being As Your Greatest Resource!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday January 13 2009

Good day there everyone and welcome to this very fine (but very chilly) Tuesday.

We're approaching the middle of the first month of the year and it begs the question, "Are you still committed to your 2009 goals and intentions?"

Believe it or not, statistics tell us that almost sixty percent (60%) of all those who make goals going into the new year have dropped them by the middle of the month. So, what does it take for you to stay focused on your desires. It's remembering what is really inside of you.

Our friend Owen nailes it down with today's offering.

Your Inner Being As Your Greatest Resource!

by Owen Waters

Your inner being - your soul or higher self - is not something that you have. It is what you are. Your complete consciousness is your inner being. All of the so-called parts of your mind - the conscious, the subconscious and the superconscious parts - are all facets of your one, complete consciousness, your inner being.

Your conscious mind is the result of your inner being focusing attention upon the outer world through your physical brain and senses. When, instead, you turn your attention from the outer world towards the inner world, you access the resources of your inner being.

Your inner being possesses all of the wisdom, understanding and strength that you will ever need. It is your ultimate, personal resource. Your inner being is also your link with the universe and with the consciousness behind all life, Infinite Being.

If you think of yourself as living your life like a performer on stage, then your inner being is like the backstage technician who makes sure that your performance has all the support that it needs to make everything happen on cue.

The amount of knowledge and wisdom available within you is unlimited. In order to access it, you only have to make an intention to go within and find it.

Your subconscious mind runs all of your biological systems without conscious effort on your part. In fact, if you think about it, the subconscious mind of an ant knows more about biology and chemistry than today's leading scientists.

Your inner being knows even more; in fact, everything about anything you want to know anything about. The trick is to ask the question and then silence your conscious mind enough to hear the answer.

When you become consciously aware of the true nature of your inner being and its resources of wisdom, understanding and strength, you begin to dissolve many of the former limitations to your growth.

The key to expressing your human potential is to know that all potential lies within you and you only have to open an external channel in order to allow that unlimited potential to flow out into the world. The power is within. To become empowered, you don't have to become something new. You only have to realize that you already have that power within, then allow that infinite inner potential to flow into your life.

Owen Waters is editor and cofounder of Infinite Being LLC. He promotes a philosophy of spiritual empowerment through inner connection to the source of your ultimate potential. For more Spiritual Words of Empowerment subscribe to his free weekly newsletter. For the full picture, read Owen's books, The Shift: The Revolution in Human Consciousness and Freedom of the Spirit: Four Powerful Steps to Spiritual Freedom.

Change You Really Can Believe In!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday January 12 2009

Hello there all and welcome to a brand spanking shiny new week.

Let's get right to it and get the week off on a high note.

Our dear friend and senior contributor, Philip Humbert, in his clear, honest, and unique way, makes something that affects us all, clearer than most. You're going to apprecaite what we has to share.

Also, check in and see how our friends at Daily Insight are kicking off their week. It's bound to be special.

Change You Really Can Believe In!

by Philip Humbert

Just a few days from now we will inaugurate a new President. Barak Obama ran on the campaign slogan, Change We Can Believe In, and I've been pondering that.

For as long as I can remember, change has been the constant in life. Sometimes we long for it and sometimes we resist it. Sometimes we work to create change in our lives, other times it's imposed on us. Sometimes change is an exciting adventure--we start a new job, buy a new home, or achieve some other goal that makes everything "new." Other times, a changing economy or changes in technology or relationships are frightening and unwelcome.

Ready or not, change comes.

The good news is that positive change is the key that unlocks our potential. As a child, learning to walk, or talk or read or play sports or go on a date are positive changes that unlock a world of new possibilities for us. Refusing to change is a losing battle, but more importantly we are refusing to expand our universe. Change opens doors. Change creates wealth and adventure.

Only by embracing change can we become fully human.

Most people have heard the old joke that insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. Only by letting go of what has worked in the past can we create a new and better world for ourselves.

There's a famous quote from Albert Einstein that problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them. I suspect he was right, but I prefer a more homespun version: I can't learn to swim while holding firmly to the edge of the pool. At some point, swimming requires letting go of the safe and the familiar and going into the deep water.

Change almost always involves some level of fear or at the very least, a sense of clumsiness as we learn new skills or the rules of a new environment. So it's easy to understand why some of us resist change. Actually, I suspect all of us resist change at least some of the time, and that makes absolute sense.

The key is to be smart about when we resist and when dare.

Change without preparation, planning and support is bound to carry a high level of risk. Our current economic turmoil imposes change on all of us, but it's far worse for those who are unprepared, or have no plan or support for dealing with it. In contrast, those with savings or who somehow saw it coming, or have a "survival plan" may be able to handle the downturn more easily.

All of this leads to the question, What changes are you planning and preparing for yourself in 2009? What behaviors, situations, skills or activities will you change this year to make your life and our world a better place?

Change happens.

Winners in life anticipate changes that will be imposed by forces beyond their control, but they go even further. They pro-actively anticipate and create the changes they want in their lives. Losers tend to hide from change. Like the proverbial ostrich, they stick their heads in the sand. They try to hide or resist, and change over whelms them.

As the world watches President-elect Obama's inauguration next week, enjoy the spectacle. Delight in the peaceful transition of power and our celebration of democracy. Whether you voted for him or someone else, our tradition of peaceful change is a good thing!

But also take time to affirm the changes you want in your own life. Start small if you wish, but list the changes you want and will achieve in your life. Someone spent a fortune on the banners, signs and celebrations you'll see on television. As you watch, remember all that hoopla is for you!

Pretend all of Washington is affirming the change you desire and the change you believe in for yourself.

By the end of 2009, we'll see you at the top!

Does Happiness Have a Price Tag?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday January 9 2009

Good day there all and welcome to the end of the first full week of the New Year.

Here at The Wealthy Attitude we are richly blessed with being able to read awesome stories from our contributors, talk to folks who are making the world a much better place in which to enjoy our life journey, and expereince technology's that broaden the human experience is amazing ways.

Yes, "rich" can come and go, but an attitude of "wealth" can endure a lifetime and enrich absolutely everything that touches our lives. The question for the weekend: "Is your attitude of wealth enriching everything and everyone you touch?" Now, give that some thought.

Here's a fun video to add yet another perspective to your own "wealthy attitude.

Does Happiness Have a Price Tag?

Have a terrific weekend.

See you on Monday.

~peter~

Laser Focus

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday January 8 2009

Hello folks and welcome to Thursday.

My thanks to all who wrote to me about the impact of yesterday's message had on you. I appreciate you all.

Now, here we are heading to what is really the first weekend of the 2009 business year. So the question is "Are you on track?". Don't worry, you have 356 days left to get in all in order. And to help you, we go to our friend Thea Westra in Australia to gift you with an amazing tool.

Following is a message from Thea's latest work: "Time Abundance: How You Can Enjoy More Time Do The Things That You Want", and at the end of the message you can get this great work for free. Now that's like another holiday gift. You'll enjoy what Thea has to share with you.

Laser Focus
By Thea Westra

One of my favourite quotes about time is…
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the
same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein"
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr. -

So how is it that these individuals accomplished such great things in their lives with the same amount of time that you have available to you?

They had focus. Their focus was a grand vision of what they wanted to create. They did not always know, nor were always clear, on the specifics of their journey to the end result. Sometimes they simply had an idea without any clue as to how they might accomplish that outcome. They began working on their dream and shared about their dream with others and then remained focused on that dream by taking action(s) every day.

Do you have a larger vision of the gift you want to provide the world with your life? It won't come at you in a flash of a lightning bolt. Such a grand vision needs to be declared by you and then you need to commit and continue taking daily action toward its accomplishment. You are the one responsible for generating the passion for your project and this is accomplished by sharing it with others at every opportunity and by visualizing the desired end result on a daily basis, getting it more clear over time.

When you set aside time every day toward the accomplishment of your vision and take deliberate actions toward its end, you will find that surprising things begin to manifest.

This leads me to another favorite quote, and you may want to read this one several times till it truly sinks in…

"Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffective. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills
countless ideas and endless plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it. Begin it now"
– Goethe -

Time Abundance is an online and free ebook where you can find your most sought after information about having more time in your life so that you can attain your personal goals faster and more easily!

The other great thing about sharing and hanging onto the link for this page, is that whenever we update the book, you'll immediately have the latest copy. I highly recommend using the link to this web page that you're on, as the link for sharing the book with friends.

Click here to download the book for free, today!

A Violinist in the Metro!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday January 7 2009

Hello there all and welcome to the midweek point.

Here we are in the first full week of the new year and I've already chatted with some folks who have quit on their resolutions. Yes, I know the economy is in turmoil, yes in know the middle east conflict has an impact on us, and yes I also know that it doesn't really mean anything to us, unless we allow it. Leaders don't allow anything to take them from their resolve.

That's my message for the day.

Now, onto another significant note from our friend Alastair G in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He forwarded me this note and it struck a chord for me as I'm always listening for the great music of my life. I hope you are also. You'll like this.

A Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents,without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Think about that today.

Be Who You Really Are!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday January 6 2009

Hello there again folks and welcome to this darned freezing Tuesday here in the midwest. One of the things that this level of chilliness brings up in me, is the feeling of aliveness I have when I'm thumping myself to get circulation going. It's a heck of a sight to be sure. :-)

Here we are on this fine day continuing some reflections on what we must have in our posture if we are to see our dreams and intentions manifest in 2009. Our contributor today shared some outstanding offerings with us last year, and his first one with of the new year certainly continues a great tradition. You'll like what he has to share.

Be Who You Really Are!

by Brad Swift

Like it or not we live in a world filled with other people, approximately 6,068,210,060 at latest count. And to a large degree the room we have to be ourselves depends on how the people around us relate to us. Not infrequently our perception of ourselves may not match with their perception. When the mismatch is significant, it can lead to discord and disharmony.

For example, if our perception of ourselves is that we are a loving, caring and compassionate person but if those around us perceive us to be a ruthless, heartless snob, then the room we have to be loving and caring is diminished. In other words we can't be who we really are -- who we're committed to being.

So to begin the process of expanding the room we have to be ourselves, it's very useful to find out how we occur for the people around us. Of course this isn't easy because many times people are reluctant to tell us the truth even when we ask for it. They may be afraid of hurting our feelings, or concerned about the repercussions. Or perhaps they learned from childhood, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." (This is what we Southerners refer to as "Southern nice.")

Here are some guiding principles in initiating conversations to find out how you occur to others.

1. What's the point? It's helpful to start by getting clear on the purpose or intention of the conversation you are about to have. You're not trying to discover who you really are but instead how your occur for others. This is an important distinction to keep in mind. In other words, you are not looking for the capital "T" type of truth, but the person's truth, with a small "t."

2. Contextualize the conversation. As you start the conversation, be sure to give the person a clear idea of what you are doing and why. You might give them a little background as to what led up to your wanting to ask them their true perception of you.

3. Create trust and assure the person. Since you want the person to have the freedom to tell you their truth, you want to create the room for them to be able to do so. You can do this by ensuring them that you won't take offense by anything they say, nor will you use it against them in the future.

The conversation might go something like this: "I really want you to have the room to tell me the truth as you perceive it. I promise that whatever you say won't offend me, nor will I allow it to hurt me. You can also count on me to not use it against you in the future or let it interfere with our relationship. It's really important that you tell me the way it is for you."

4. Request a balanced response. It will be easier for the person to tell you their truth if you ask for a balanced response. Ask them to tell you what they think works about you; what they feel are your strong suits. Then ask them to share what doesn't work about you, your weak suits.

5. Listen openly and with a commitment to hear what the person says. One of the ways to listen openly is to listen as though they're not really talking about you, but simply talking about somebody else that's like you. In a very real sense, they are. They're talking about how you occur for them, not necessarily who you really are. Staying unattached in this way will make it easier for you to hear what they say; to contribute to your quest to be who you really are.

6. Use curiosity to explore deeper. If the person shares something that resonates with you or reveals something about you that you didn't know about yourself, you can use curiosity to dig deeper. Say something like this: "That's interesting. I'm curious about what you just said. Tell me more."

7. Authentically acknowledge the person. At the end of the conversation, thank the person for their forthrightness and honesty. If you feel they're in anyway nervous that they may have been too straight with you, reassure them once more.

8. Don't get stuck with anything. Try on everything that the person said to see what fits for you and what is useful. Once you begin trying it on, if parts don't fit, let them go. If you hear similar input from more than one source, pay attention to it, even if it didn't seem to fit the first time.The insights that can be gleaned from conversations of this kind are nuggets of gold that you can apply in your life to help you grow and develop yourself.

Remember this equation: Insight + Action = Growth and Development

Dr. W. Bradford Swift is Founder of the Life On Purpose Institute, and author of Life On Purpose: 6 Passages to an Inspired Life. The Institute's vision is: a world on purpose, with people living lives of purposeful, passionate and playful service, of mindful abundance balanced with simplicity, and spiritual serenity.

You Deserve 365 Great Days in 2009!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday January 5 2009

Well hello there everyone and let me bid you welcome to 2009.

It is my expectation that you've all had an awesome holiday season, and now looking forward to what is bound to be an incredible year. We've been having a great time here at this desk as we determine what we are going to have manifest for us in the coming seasons.

If you are like us, you are planning on taking full advantage of every single tool that comes you way to assist you in navigating a world where all of the typical rules are changing. On that note, we are re-launching our website www.thewealthyattitude.com as a resource center for all home-based business entrepreneurs.

We'll be adding tools and techniques that will assist you regardless of your business. You can be a networker, a lawyer, an accountant, a day-care nursery, or any of the myriad of amazing home-based enterprises, and you'll find information that will help you in your endeavors.

So to get us off on a grand note for 2009, we turn to one of our most requested contributors as he sets a tone that you'll enjoy.

You Deserve 365 Great Days in 2009!

by Philip Humbert

The first Daily Reader of a new year is always special, like the first footprints on the new snow we got this week. I want it to set the tone for everything to follow, the way the first hour of the morning sets the tone for the entire day.

As long-time subscribers know, I write TIPS because I'm convinced each of us has the ability--and deserves!--to live an extraordinary life. Each of us is unique and colorful, with our own sense of hope, vision, and possibility, and we are the most intelligent beings on earth. We can go to the moon, make music, invent stuff, and love one another.

And yet, too often our days are filled with stress and fatigue. We are so busy we forget to watch the dawn, we fail to smile, we don't laugh enough. Too often, we ignore our need for hugs, and for kindness. I am troubled by Henry Thoreau's observation that "most men live lives of quiet desperation." For myself, I am determined to prove that he was seriously mistaken!

As we begin another year, I am re-committing to living a great life. My highest and best goals for this year are to have more fun, to get more hugs, to give more joy, to do what I can to make a positive difference on this small planet.

Mary and I have our annual list of specific goals. We have nine categories this year, ranging from family finances to travel and work, but the over-all theme for the year is joy.

Your goals and your system for attaining them may be different, but here is the most important thing I can share with you at the start of a new year.

If you're ready, here it is: Have a great day!

Annie Dillard noted that, "How we live our days is how we live our lives." To make 2009 a great year, you'll want to collect approximately 365 great days, and most days begin in the morning. So it follows that to have a great year, start with a good breakfast!

In all seriousness, how you begin the morning sets the tone for the day, which is the time of your life. This is important stuff! Choose the first hour of your day!

For some people, a great day begins with reading or prayer. Others begin at the gym, while others start by getting the kids dressed and off to school. Some make oatmeal, fruit and coffee; I usually walk the dog and write for a few minutes. Henry Thoreau recommended getting up early to greet the dawn. I think success requires that you start the day in the way that is right for you.

This is your life! You can't wait for "someday" to enjoy it! You can't wait for a big break, for a better economy, warmer weather or until you "feel like it." As someone wisely said, "don't wait for your ship come in, swim out to meet it!"

Decide carefully and precisely exactly how you want to start your day each morning. Think carefully about what gets you going, what seems "right" and special. What empowers you, gives you confidence and energy for the day? Be intentional about the morning! Negotiate your schedule, explain to the kids, do whatever it takes, but make it happen. Your life begins fresh and new each morning.

Specifically, I suggest you start your morning before going to bed the night before. Set the breakfast table, arrange your wardrobe, do what you need to do. Set the alarm clock, get a good night's sleep, wake up with a plan and activate it immediately.

To make 2009 your best year ever, arrange to have lots of extremely good days! Work hard, play often. Sing and dance, read more, hug and laugh more. Be more daring, take more naps, invent something, take a trip, have brunch with your best friend. Arrange for 365 great days and I promise, the year will take care of itself!