It's NOT the economy, stupid!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday April 1 2009

Good day everyone and welcome to the first day of spanking brand new month.

As we enter the second quarter of 2009, are you steadily on track with your goals and intentions for the year? With nine months left, you still have ample time time to make any necessary adjustments to your course to ensure you end the year at exactly the place you chose.

If perchance you are not on track, doing exactly the same things you did yesterday will not get you where you want to be. The old adage, "if you want to get what you've never had, you have to do what you've never done", holds more true today that when it was penned.

Like the Real Estate collapse of the early nineties, this current economic correction is the ideal time for the strong and focused to rise above the screaming herd of mediocrity that typically functions around the fringes of the house-based business world.

Oh I can hear folks flapping at me right now, indignantly proclaiming that I'm being elitist. Folks, the home-based business industry is going to blossom again during these times. However, I'm very clear that not everyone is qualified to be a part of it. Evidenced by their behaviors and opinionated stance, some folks just need to have a j.o.b. Our offering today reflects this.

For all you dedicated entrepreneurs, make sure you're representing yourself well.

It's NOT the economy, stupid!

by Robert Middleton

Last week I went to a networking event through Biznik and had a great time meeting new people. I'm always on the lookout for services that I need at events like this.

I met a young man that was selling health insurance. And since I'm not very happy with my coverage, we talked and I asked him many questions. What he said sounded good to me.

So I handed him my card and asked him to call to tell me more.And then he gave me his card and said something like: "OK, I'll call you or you can call me, whatever."

Guess what? A week later I still haven't heard from him!

I think that it's important to point out that this is more often the rule than the exception. Even when making a connection with a real potential client who has a real need and who has real money to spend, so many Independent Professionals fail to follow-up.

It's not the economy that's hurting your business. It's you!

The magic of successfully attracting more clients has very little to do with the economy or brilliant marketing messages or exposure on every single social media site. It has a lot more to do with setting up opportunities to connect with more qualified prospects and actually following up with them.

So why doesn't everybody do this?

Three main reasons:

1. People don't have a system and they are not prepared. They literally have no plan, no intention, no purpose or goals to build their business. They don't have a written strategy or plan. They haven't thought much about the tools and resources they need.

And if you don't have that, nothing much will happen. Not even if the economy picks up. By the time it does, your business may be dead and gone. Without a plan and preparation and some serious thinking about what you're doing and what you're trying to accomplish, your business will not grow.

2. People are disorganized and unfocused. Even if they have a basic plan, they are scattered. They get home after a networking event, put the cards they collected on their desks, and then they get busy and the cards collect dust. Two weeks later, they look at the pile of cards and go, "Oh, s###! I forgot to follow up with anyone at that event!"

If this is your modus operandi for growing your business, you're in deep trouble. Like my young insurance agent, without some systems and organization, you'll be left with a pile of cards but no appointments with potential clients.

3. People Are Afraid of Rejection. If all of the above wasn't bad enough, we fail to follow up or take any kind of proactive action because we think things like this: "I don't want to be pushy. If they're interested in me, they'll call me. I'm just not the sales type. I don't have time for follow-up."

All of this is a disguise for deeper fears such as: "I'll be ostracized if I market myself too aggressively. I'll be rejected and then won't be able to show my face at that group again. I really have nothing of real value to offer. Why am I doing this anyway?"

How to Stand Out and Attract Lots of Clients

Those who are attracting as many clients as they can handle are doing the exact opposite of the above:

1. They have a plan and they know what they are doing. They are focused, prepared and ready to play the game of marketing.

2. They are organized with real systems in place which they follow without fail. Follow-up is not a burden but on opportunity.

3. They are fearless. They understand the value of their service and don't worry about being rejected. They make it happen.

Now if this is you, you are attracting a lot of business and you probably wonder what all the fuss is about! You realize that marketing yourself is part of your business and you simply work at getting good at it until it's never a big issue again.

For everyone else, please read this carefully:

If you are not attracting as much business as you could because you have no plan, are poorly organized, and are afraid of rejection, what are you going to do to get beyond these three things?

Here are your options:

1. Do nothing and hope the economy changes. Recommendation: Get a job and stop driving yourself crazy.

2. Try half heartedly but continue to complain about howmarketing is so hard. Recommendation: Same as above.

3. Make a real commitment to change. Realize that if you don't have a plan, get organized and become fearless you might as well get that job instead of being miserably self-employed.

Onwards.

Effortless Action

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday March 31 2009

Good day there folks and welcome to the last day of the first quarter of this very interesting year.

So, are you on track with your goals and intentions for the year? I expect that if you've spent any time here that you are in complete control. You already know very clearly that if you are to achieve your desires, it is going to be done with relaxed confidence. You know very well that "force" doesn't work.

Our friend Owen Waters has a perspective that will undoubtedly ring for all who take the time to relax with it. All of your dreams, desires, and intentions come with....

Effortless Action

by Owen Waters

The Chinese philosopher, Lao Tse ("Lay-OTE-say") gave teachings which were designed to confuse the conscious mind. The idea was that, when the conscious mind tires and gets out of the way, the seeker could discover the deeper truths within.

Lao Tse is credited with the 2500 year-old work, the Tao Te Ching, which is full of apparent contradictions or paradoxes. He refers to the Tao (the "Dow") as that which is everything and yet nothing. What he means is that the Tao - the Absolute, the Isness, or Infinite Being - is the transcendent consciousness which is behind all manifestation. It is not the active manifestation of the created universe, but the original consciousness behind it. It is that which, in silence and unchanging perfection, always was and always will be. And yet, so the paradox goes, all of manifestation came from it and therefore is it.

Similarly, he uses paradox to promote the philosophy of Wu Wei ("Woo Way") as the way of "action without action." Sounds impossible? That's the point. He wanted people to give up making logical sense of the idea and, instead, go within to find the truth behind the paradox.

The principle of Wu Wei really means effortless action. The secret to achieving effortless action is to realize that there is a natural flow of influences at work in all parts of the universe. You sense the natural flow of the moment and act within that flow. If the moment is not right for a certain type of action, then the attuned person delays the task. When they sense that the right moment has arrived, then they act and easily accomplish the task.

It can also mean not forcing a situation to be what it isn't. If a situation comes about which is beyond your control, then making the best of it is often the elegant solution.

The saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," is attributed to the 14th Century Scottish king, Robert the Bruce. According to legend, he once took refuge in a cave, where he watched a spider trying to spin a web. It failed several times to make a connection from one area of the cave's roof to another, but each time it started all over again until it finally succeeded. People, today, take that saying to mean that if something doesn't work, you need to be obstinate and keep trying harder until you overcome all obstacles and eventually make it happen by sheer force of will.

The Wu Wei approach to life is quite the opposite. It suggests that, if at first you don't succeed, there is a reason for it. It means that you are not acting with the natural flow of energy within that place and time and it may also mean that you need to discover a more suitable solution.

First, take a deep breath, relax and step back from the situation. After that, you'll be able to judge it objectively and in a state of balance. Then:

A) Decide if you're trying to force something into existence that shouldn't be, or

B) Look for a better solution to achieve your objective, and/or

C) Wait for your innate sense of timing to feel right.

One of the benefits of the spiritual consciousness which is emerging in the New Reality is the ability to sense the natural flow of universal influences and know when the time is right for certain types of action.

Owen Waters is the author of the e-book, "Discover Your Purpose In Life," a paradigm-shifting revelation of unadulterated spiritual truth. Some books delve just so far into the truth. This one goes all the way!

Three Essentials to Achieve Your Goals This Year

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday March 30 2009

Good there all and welcome to another brand new week.

This week sees us all reach the end of the first quarter of 2009. I was chatting to our good friend Philip and he is presenting to you an offering that is as important as it is timely.

You'll be happy to know the.....

Three Essentials to Achieve Your Goals This Year

by Philip Humbert

It's hard to believe we've reached the end of the first quarter already! But it's true and the obvious question is, Are you 25% of the way to achieving your goals for the year? If you are, congratulations! If not, of course the next question is, Why not?

I've often written that I am ambivalent about "goal setting." Of course it's absolutely essential that we have clear, measurable goals. I'm not sure humans can really function any other way.
Whether we like it or not, we all have big and small goals and we achieve many of them every day.

The problem is with the "big" goals. We have big goals like career, family, retirement, health and wealth. We tend to make a "big deal" of them. We write them down. We take workshops or read books about how to design and achieve them. But much of the time we fail to achieve these big goals despite all the fuss we put into them.

On the other hand, we routinely set (and achieve!) dozens of much smaller goals. We want dinner reservations for Friday night, or we want tickets to the big game or to take a vacation next year. These little goals are typically achieved without much thought, effort, or turmoil. What's the difference?

Why can't achieving our "big" goals be as clear and routine as achieving the small things--the "ordinary" goals--in life? That seems to be a great mystery.

In almost 30 years of coaching people to set and achieve their BIG goals in life, I've got three suggestions that might help;

1. Clearly and precisely define your big goals. Perhaps big goals frighten us, or they seem too far away or too complex, but for whatever reason many people never distinguish between dreams and goals. We all have big dreams. That's where the yachts and mansions and private jets come in. They're important, but they are not goals. Goals must be specific, measurable, have a plan for achieving them, and a deadline.

When it comes to little, safe goals we can be very specific, clear and strategic. I want a new television, so I save a few hundred dollars, shop the stores, and, presto! I've got a new television. But when it comes to big goals, like starting a business or owning a home in France, we hold back. We get vague or refuse to set a deadline. And we wonder why we never achieved our goal. Define (and write down!) your big goals!

2. Your goals must match your values. This is a huge problem! Our "little" goals nearly always match our true values. We want a new television, we have the money, and we deserve it. So we make the decision, and achieve the goal. Big goals, however, often sound "nice" but fail the values test. Starting a business may conflict with your desire to be home each evening. Or, working less and living simply may conflict with the belief that we "ought" to maximize our income. Goals must reflect your true values!

In the contest between nice-sounding goals and your true values, values win every time. In setting goals, start by reviewing your personal values, then choose goals that reflect who you "truly" are. I think you'll like the results.

3. Slow and easy beats drama every time. We are an impatient people! We want our goals now! At the very least, we want impressive giant steps toward our goals. We want to impress our friends and hit the jackpot this year. But life doesn't work that way. Big goals are...well, BIG! They take time. They may require dozens or hundreds of baby steps along the way. They may require hours of "grunt work" or multiple false starts, mistakes and frustrations along the way.

Here are two familiar strategies that can help. The first is the old saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Take the first step, and then the next, and one more after that. Build momentum and keep walking! The second strategy is the concept of "baby steps." Small, safe, easy, and familiar beats big, risky and "tomorrow" every time. Take baby steps if you must, but start walking in the direction you want to go!

You can reach your big goals! Millions of others have done it, and so can you. In fact, you've already achieved dozens of big goals in your own life. You learned to walk and talk. You learned to drive. You learned to date, perhaps got married, finished school, bought a house, and achieved any number of other goals.

Whatever your next big goal, define it, align it with your values, and take steady, persistent steps to achieve it.

You can do this, and we'll see you at the top!

Lost Generation

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday March 27 2009

Good day there good folks and welcome to the weeks end.

I can only say that we've had one heck of a ton of fun here this week as we as we set aside the issues around "the economy", and focused on some of what impacts "your economy". This is going to be touched on frequently here is this space over the next while.

To that end, and to give you some of the relevant language around the subject, I'm inviting you again to acquire a Special Report we have created to reinforce where your power truly lies. Just drop me a note to peter@thewealthyattitude.com and just put "Special Report" in the subject line and I'll send it right back to you. It will certainly assist in putting the current economic issues in perspective.

We end the week as we usually do with a short video. This piece, in it's very simple way, delivers a message that you should absolutely want to share, especially to every young person in your circle. You'll see that they are certainly not a.....

Lost Generation!

Have an awesome weekend wherever you are.

Take care,

~peter~

They Don't Erect Statues To Critics

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday March 26 2009

Hello there good folks and welcome to Thursday.

We've been blasted with a sneaky late winter spanking here and it looks like we're going to be spending time in what will be the continents largest inland sea for a fair chuck of the spring. As the photos of the floods come in I'll share some neat ones with you.

So far this week we've been having some great chats with some fine people who are taking very seriously the impact they are having on their "personal economy". They have brushed aside "the economy" and are putting all of their attention on what what they need to do to ensure that their "personal economy" is thriving, instead of just surviving.

Here at this desk we have been unashamedly saying that it is your "Wealthy Attitude" that will see you prosper in these times of opportunity. Unfortunately many people get "taken out" by allowing influences around them dictate their behaviors.

Our contributor today has a very powerful message indeed. Ron has long since proven that he is worth paying close attention to.

They Don't Erect Statues To Critics

by Ron LeGrand

The other day, Tish (my Executive Assistant) was showing me some stuff on the internet, and we came across a website operated by a guy who makes it his life's mission to criticize every real estate trainer on earth; except himself, of course.

I guess there are a lot of blogs and websites from people who somehow feel tearing down others makes them look better in the eyes of the reader. This crap is all over the internet, and yes, there's even some negative stuff about me I'm told. Of course, there always has been since Gore invented the internet. That's how long I've been around.

By the way, there are also some idiots saying nasty things about Billy Graham and even the Pope. I'm sure Jesus Christ is getting blasted somewhere on the World Wide Web.

I've been asked numerous times how I can handle criticism and where the strength comes from to keep it from affecting me, and actually, that's a good question because...

The Fear Of Criticism Is The Number One Reason Some People Choose Never To Get Started.

What a shame, too. Turning their back on a chance to grab the brass ring and actually do one important thing in their entire life that will be remembered after they're gone. All because they fear criticism.

It's so easy to confine yourself to a life of mediocrity, just getting by every day, passing through life as if it will never end and tomorrow will always be there. Never doing much to experience the thrill of the chase, the joy of victory and yes, even the agony of defeat.

It's easy to run from confrontation and live in a cocoon, feeling safe from predators because you have nothing or have done nothing that could cause a loss or any emotional stress.

It's ten times easier to be a weak, mushy pile of fat and muscle taking orders and remaining obedient to whomever shouts the loudest, with no mission or purpose except to survive...than it is to create an iron man mentality that can withstand the abuse and criticism constantly heaped on achievers by weak, jealous critics who need to get a life.

A strong mindset cannot be built on top of a foundation of low self-esteem. And that, my friends, is what I believe makes good folks worry more about criticism than lack of achievement...poor self-esteem.

If You Don't Think Much Of Yourself, The Easiest Thing To Do Is Let Others Think For You.

And that's exactly what you're doing if you care what the critics have to say. You're allowing your opinions to be controlled by someone who's got a bigger mouth and not afraid to use it. The supply of these folks is endless, so unfortunately, we can't stamp them out; we can only put up with them like we do roaches, rats, politicians, and other pests.

Here's the reality surrounding critics. You will likely never do business with them, give money to them, buy from them or sell to them, marry or procreate with them, take advice from or give advice to them or establish any kind or a meaningful relationship of any kind with them so...

Why Do You Give A Rat's Ass What They Have To Say?

If you take a look behind the scenes of any negative thinker or frequent critic, you will always discover one universal fact...

Their Life Sucks And They Want You To Join Them.

Positive people on an upwardly mobile track learn along the way that criticizing others serves no useful purpose except to diminish the complainer. If your life is full of movement and your days are occupied with taking action to achieve worthwhile goals in bite-size pieces, you won't have much time to be a critic. You'll be too busy with your own activities and the need will disappear for whatever self-serving benefits critics get from bad mouthing others.

I'm constantly being criticized by someone for something. I have been ever since I quit being a...Sheeple...and started working on leading instead of following.

Someone's always telling me how I should run my business differently or how to write or speak better or pick out better ties. One lady recently took the time to correct every single mistake she could find in a 16 page sales letter I wrote and proceeded to give me an English lesson on proper grammar.

I didn't have the heart to tell her the letter she critiqued had already produced sales in the seven figures before she got ahold of it. (I bet ahold was improperly used here.)

If she'd spend that same time getting yellow letters of her own out, she'd actually stand a good chance of getting paid, 'cause I sure didn't send her any money for her critique. On the other hand, I doubt she'd ever send the yellow letter because it's hand written and very unprofessional looking...which is exactly why it works.

Don't assume I don't welcome constructive criticism. I do. In fact, I ask for it frequently, and I am open to all of it. Then I take what I think is usable and discard the rest. But here's the point...I asked for it.

The worst thing you can do to bring attention to yourself is to start criticizing others. Oh, I guess you'll get attention alright, but not the kind you want.

Criticism Should Be Offered Only When Solicited.

A loud mouth won't win the day. One of the hardest things for some to learn is to shut their mouth and open their ears. Try this phrase before you become an unwanted critic.

I Have A Few Thoughts That Might Help If You're Interested.

Now, here's even a harder thing to master...

If They're Not Interested, Shut The Hell Up.

That one will take some serious practice on your part, but will work miracles if your goal is to carry on a conversation you look back on with pride for the way you conducted yourself.

Here's a little game you can play over the next 30 days. Carry a notepad with you, and every time you get in a conversation with someone, keep score as to whether they were a self-appointed critic or not. At the end of the 30 days, look back and see if the majority of the people you talk with were negative. If they were, maybe you should avoid as much contact as possible with them and spend more time with the people who don't have something bad to say with every other breath.

How can we trust critics? They're negative, nasty and boring. Who wants to be near them?

Look at me, I'm criticizing critics. Just goes to show you, even gurus aren't perfect. At least that's what my critics never let me forget.

Peace,
Ron

Ron LeGrand is a great contributor and you can get to know him and his work at: www.RonLeGrand.com

They're All Out of Step but Our John

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday March 25 2009

Hello there all and welcome to the midweek point.

We're going to get right to continuing our focus of the week.

You're going to like what Wallace has to share today.

They're All Out of Step but Our John

by Wallace Huey

My grandmother used to tell me the story of a proud mother who stood beside her at the passing out parade of soldiers who had completed their training in the First World War. "Look," this mother exclaimed, "They're all out of step but our John!"

Often while treading the spiritual path, the path of personal integrity, I feel like John - and my mother, looking on, sees me out of step with the "regiment" of which I am a part. I am delighted! Rather than being a conditioned soldier I feel I have more in common with my stone aged ancestors. Like them I don't strain to obey authority or move in step with the masses, rather I am free, flexible, cunning (in a good way) and inventive.

The recession is now in full swing and people are complaining everywhere. They want someone they can blame and they want someone, somewhere to do something about it. They look to clever politicians or their granny's inheritance to rescue them from the mess they are in. They will consider any option short of becoming self reliant by drawing on their God given talents and guidance. Their nice little controlled world, the world of aspirations, expectations and plans, is falling apart. The battle is descending into chaos. They can't find their commander and they are at a loss to act on inner guidance - or even to know that such resources for personal empowerment exist.

The enlightened live in this world too - they are not sheltered from its effects. However their affinity is closer to the stone-age hunter gatherer than a regimental soldier. The enlightened do not need a "commander" to tell them what to do or how to behave now that the battle has started. Like their stone age cousins, the enlightened listen only to the "commands" that well up from deep within and it is these subtle inner prompting to which they give their complete allegiance, and to which they have surrendered their life. This "inner commander" springs into action and brings them insights and understandings to deal with any situation.

Nor are the enlightened troubled by misfortune. They know that 98% of suffering is self generated in the mind. So even if they are threatened with losing their job and their home they still sleep soundly at night and remember to have fun.

The enlightened have learnt to love uncertainty and not to take life too seriously. Like Buddha they realize that it is their attachments to their plans, partners and possessions that cause mental suffering, like Christ they take no thought for tomorrow because they know that tomorrow will take thought for the things of itself, and like Sai Baba they know that there is some good in every situation. They see the flip side of every adversity.

The regimental masses have little inner discipline, or awareness, because they have their minds focused on the world. It is this persistent and insidious outward focus that causes their confidence to shrink as the world falls apart.

Because of this many people are disturbed by this recession and identify with a distraught Shakespearean character when he says, "Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Many people today, surrounded by "sound and fury," find their life increasingly meaningless. With their focus on the recession babble of the media and their thoughts on anxieties, generated by tortuous future imaginings, the regimental masses are all marching in step.

I invite you to surprise your mother, and even win her admiration, by marching to the beat of a different drum. By focusing on your "inner commander" be out of step, like "our John!"

Wallace Huey is director of the Trans4mind Network and is also the Heart to Heart Coach on Cultivate Life!

Broken or Broken Open?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday March 24 2009

Good day all and welcome to this fine Tuesday.

This week we're focusing on "your economy" and the habits and practices that impact it.

One of our favorite contributors has something to share that will undoubtedly ring with many of our entrepreneurial subscribers.

Broken or Broken Open?

by Karen Wright

"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful." --Barbara Bloom

What's a seven-letter word for setting a goal, trying through thick and thin to make it happen and realizing you're just not going to make it?

F-a-i-l-u-r-e? That's what most people might call it. Heck, that's even what I've been calling it until recently. The dream I had invested my money, time, and heart into achieving is no closer today than it was eight years ago when I began. Failure.

But, here at the turning point...at the moment of acceptance, I do not see this as failure. This time, I see it as h-o-n-e-s-t-y.

Author Robert Holden, director of the Happiness Project, calls this single-minded focus upon the achievement of our goals "destination addiction." Those who can only see the end target, fail to appreciate the journey. To them, the journey is merely a means to an end. It's only the "end" that's valued.

Of course, anyone who has achieved a goal knows that the euphoria is short-lived. The moment the end is reached, a new goal takes its place and celebration fades in a mad rush toward the next end.

Eight years ago I began a new life; not fully formed in thought or reality. Like most, I was focused upon what I needed to DO in the world. I wanted to be of significant service to others. I wanted to free people of their fear shackles and provoke them into realizing how truly magnificent they really were. Sure, I also wanted to be well-known and respected for my own magnificence. My ego gets the better of me sometimes and I wanted to be the one on the top of the best seller list. I wanted to be the one Oprah called to be on her show. I wanted to be the one carting cash to the bank every day.

And none of that happened. For a long time I looked at this discrepancy as a puzzle to figure out. All I needed was the right combination of focus, opportunity, hard work, and luck and it would happen. I just needed to stick with it longer. Work harder. Network more. Market more. Be more visible. Get a mentor. Create more product.

Friends would scratch their heads and wonder in confounded voices why I hadn't been discovered. "It's just a matter of time, don't give up," they'd advise. And I'd hang on longer and buoy my lagging emotions back up and put on a happy face.

I had "destination addiction." In my mind, unless I made the dream happen, nothing else mattered. I'd lost myself to the target. All this... the stuff my days were made of... none of it mattered. It was just a means to an end. Until I realized that the end was just an end - one I had envisioned as my nirvana. One my ego had chosen as its proof that I was worthy. One that no one, but me, cared much about.

How many billions of people have been born, traveled through life and died? That's how many times we've tried to figure out why we're here. After eons of best efforts, the way seems no clearer. We still reinvent the wheel with every new-born's cry.

Here at the later stages of my life, I'm throwing out the rule book. It's not worked for me so far. It feels like I've been playing poker with a deck of tarot cards. It just doesn't work. Instead, I'm not going to try to control every last element. I'm not going to work myself into a stupor. I'm not going to become addicted to the destination.

This time I'll paying as much attention to the means as to the end. I'll be present and look at the value of this day, not just tomorrow. I'll honor my inner growth, not just an external accomplishment. I'm learning to pay attention, not control. If my self-chosen end isn't my God-chosen end, then so be it.

My life is here to be used to serve. The avenue through which that happens is almost inconsequential. If I pay attention, I'll be guided on this path to the fulfillment of my every hope. I'm learning, slowly, to listen with new ears and see with new eyes. Not to force, but to allow. Words I've heard, and even espoused, for a while... I'm finally learning the meaning of them. It's a new path for me and so far, I'm enjoying it.

Karen is author of The Sequoia Seed: Remembering the Truth of Who You Are, a great read for anyone who is seeking understanding or guidance, inspiration or clarity in his or her life. Waking Up, the free bi-monthly ezine, was created to help you activate your natural motivation to move beyond mere existence and to really LIVE your dreams. Contact by tel: 509-475-1060 or email.

The Most Important Key To Prosperity

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday March 23 2009

Hello there good folks and welcome to brand spanking shiny new week.

This week we're going to have a ton of fun. I've been rising in my awareness that, for us, you and I, there is no such thing as "the economy". there is only "your economy" and "my economy". It is really a personal thing.

From this point on in all of our communications we'll be acknowledging that we are all dealing with a "personal economy"

In support of this new position we've created a Special Report on how to develop a winning strategy to boost yourself to a whole new "economy". Just drop us an e-mail to peter@thewealthyattitude.com and we'll send you your own copy of this timely report.

To get us kicked off on a neat tone for the week, we go to yet another new contributor to share with us.....

The Most Important Key To Prosperity

by Alan Tutt

There is a single key to prosperity, that will give you everything you ever wanted in life. This one key to prosperity will give you riches beyond your imagination, love without end, and perfect health well past the average age of mankind.

This key is not a secret, as just about every motivational speaker and business coach has presented the concept over and over again to a deaf audience. In fact, you yourself have probably been given this key many times in your life.

But have you listened? Have you taken the information to heart and made it an ongoing part of your life? Have you improved your skill to the point where 'excellence' is an apt description?

For that is the key secret to which all great people owe their greatness. To be excellent in something, whatever it is, is to be the one that is most sought after in that area.

Artists are a dime a dozen, but a great artist can command a premium for his/her artwork. A single work of great art can be sold for millions whereas a work of 'average' art is lucky to fetch $100.

In my field of photography, this is also the case. An average photographer who sells wedding photography can earn about $500 from an average wedding. A great photographer doing the same job can earn over $10,000, doing almost no additional work.

Musicians are the same in this regard. An average musician is lucky to be able to earn a living from live performances. Great musicians can earn $100,000 a night performing to sell-out crowds.

In business, the same key applies. An average accountant will earn $30,000 per year whereas a great accountant can earn over $300,000.

An average website may earn only $1000 per month, but a great website can earn over $10,000 per month.

An average car sells for about $15,000, but a great car sells for over $250,000.

The lesson here is that the better you are at what you do, the more you can sell it for. But this key works in other areas besides financial.

A person who have 'average' relationship skills will obtain a certain amount of happiness in a relationship. Someone with 'excellent' relationship skills will obtain much more happiness from the same relationship.

An average cook will enjoy the results of their efforts a certain amount. A great cook will obtain much more enjoyment from the foods they prepare.

Someone who has average skills in obtaining peace of mind will find that peace eluding them often. With skills that could be considered 'excellent', peace of mind would be a much more common experience.

Becoming excellent in what you do will reward you far beyond money, but will also reward you with love, happiness, peace of mind, and anything else you can imagine.

How to become excellent? That is the inevitable question that comes up next. That too is no secret, but is something that very few people want to acknowledge.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

But before you can practice, you have to know what excellence is. You have to know what you are practicing to obtain. To know the goal is the first step in reaching it.

For this, you usually want to seek out those who are considered excellent in the area that you wish to develop your own excellence.

A writer will want to consult with excellent writers.

A musician will want to rehearse with excellent musicians.

A teacher will want to learn from excellent teachers.

A salesperson will want to learn from excellent salespeople.

Someone wanting a cleaner house will want to learn from someone who is an excellent housekeeper.

Someone wanting more peace of mind will want to learn from someone who has an abundance of it.

Someone wanting a better relationship will want to learn from others who have great relationships.

And once you find an example to learn from, try to do what they do. In the process, you will learn what leads to excellence and eventually you will learn how to be excellent yourself, even in situations where your examples were never studied.

Becoming excellent takes time. It takes work. But the rewards are so out of proportion to the effort involved that you'd think that you found the gold mine.

Alan Tutt is the founder and owner of Power Keys Publishing, which specializes in producing books and audio programs focused on helping you empower yourself to create the lifestyle you desire.

Moving from Fear to Forgiveness

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday March 20 2009

Good day there all and welcome to the end of the week.

This week we've had some extraordinary reflections on our selected themes. Notes from subscribers have touched every part of the emotional spectrum. My thanks to all who wrote.

For as long as we have been offering this service we have never budged from our position that we live in one of the most outstanding places on the planet. We, you and I, are richly blessed with all of the opportunities we have before us. For anyone who desires to live a life by their own design, there are many ways to manifest it on this continent.

To wrap up this week, we present to you a video offering that we believe in less than five minutes, will have you giving great thanks for the abundance of riches and opportunities you have.

Moving from Fear to Forgiveness

Have a thoughtful weekend.

See you on Monday,

~peter~

Closing the Gap

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday March 19 2009

Hello there folks and welcome to Thursday.

Well, this week we've dealt with what The Wealthy Attitude is, the powerful person you are, and how to deal with some of those negative rascals in your life. You could say with accuracy that we're on roll.

That is how we're going to continue today as another new contributor presents us an offering that certainly reminds of something really important in that we have to spend a good part of every day.....

Closing the Gap

by Martin Perry

At The Confidence Booster Workout, in Dublin one Saturday, an attendee - let's call him Gary - brought up a pertinent issue. He is a self-employed decorator, plying his trade for thirty years. But he was going to tender for new contracts, in the current economic climate, lacking in self-confidence... Expecting not to get the deal. Having to discount his work, in a way that made him feel devalued. A yawning gap had opened up between his self-view and his well-established skills. And, in this gap, self-doubt had taken a powerful grip, like kudzu. Note: Kudzu is an invasive alien species to the USA, that invades forests, kills off plants, damages power lines and overwhelms homes.

Sometimes, within a group of people, you will find those of similar talent and capability. But the individuals self-view, will determine how big a gap there is between how they think about themselves and their talent. The bigger the gap, the less use is made of that talent. The narrower the gap, the more success the person will have. Confidence is the key to closing this gap.

So, back to the workshop. Gary had forgotten about the good things from the last thirty years.

The thousands of jobs that he had done.
The pile of word of mouth referrals.
The glowing testimonials from his clients.
The skill and capability, that he had built up in the thirty years.
The excellence of his work.

All of it had been forgotten in the urge to discount. In the unseemly scrummage to offer the best deal. However, when we discount our work, we tend to discount ourselves and our strengths and qualities.

This approach is perhaps understandable. The current economic climate, creates pressure and anxiety. Anxiety which can cause us to feel unsure, about who we are and what we do. We can easily forget just how good we really are. Doubts prevail,= and it weakens our confidence. It impacts upon our decision making, as we lose the sense of value we have about our work. We become the same as everyone else.

Of course, potential clients are seeking economic value. But that doesn't mean that we have to devalue ourselves in the process. Joining in the race to discount, and undermining our own confidence.

Confidence comes from being able to look at the past, and draw the best from it. The successes, the things that we are proud of, the testimonials and referrals, the good work done.

If you sat down and highlighted all the good things that you have done or achieved in your life so far, you would glow like a thousand-watt light bulb. These moments form a strong foundation of confidence, that can withstand the doubts and uncertainty.

When you draw from the success of the past, you can sit in front of a potential client with a quiet look of confidence in your eye. Your confidence in you, makes them feel confident in you. In the presence of such confidence, there is no need to discount your price.

In times of uncertainty, we don't need more uncertainty. Those who thrive are the ones who radiate a quiet confidence in who they are and what they do. A mindset based on fact, not ego. This can hold true for you, in whatever you do, whether in business or sport.

For example, a sports professional can easily forget how good they are after a series of failures, defeats or misses. Those moments prey on their mind, inviting doubts and uncertainty. That's why its important to remember the good times and treasured memories. They will act as a buffer against uncertainty. Get out the trophies, and polish them up. They will evoke the sense of pride that comes with past accomplishments.

Gary left the workshop on Saturday with his confidence restored. He had remembered the good times, the jobs well done, and the many referrals freely given. And a spring came back to his step, and a sparkle to his eye.

Remember... You are much better than you think you are!

Martin Perry is the author of The Confidence Booster Workout, the best selling book that gives simple, practical, easy to apply tips and strategies to rebuild lost confidence. The insights upon which the book is based come from directly helping hundreds of people around the world. His coaching is designed to liberate natural confidence and defeat doubt. Learn more at The Confidence Coach

5 Ways to Deal with the Negative People in your Life

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday March 18 2009

Good day all and welcome to this fine midweek point.

I'm a tad late getting today's offering out, and not being one that tends to offer explanations, I relent here as you may just appreciate the reason. Yesterday as you know was St. Patrick's Day and we shut things down early to take time to enjoy some local celebrations. The city police pipe band showed up with some stirring renditions of famous Irish folk songs, the local university kids were just a hoot to behold, and I got myself into arm wrestling on the bar with some little fellows called Guinness, and needless to say getting through the chuckles back home was not the best time to attempt focusing on the computer screen. So, there you have it, and now, slept off, refreshed, filled with some fun memories, I'm back on task.

Yesterday's note by our friend Philip inspired some interesting responses from some subscribers that are working their best to rise to their power, but have to deal with some others who take their intellectual input from network television. A contributor who is fairly recent with us certainly has an offering that addresses those folks, and is very timely today.

5 Ways to Deal with the Negative People in your Life

by Lori Radun

"It is easier to avoid the effects of others' negativity when we question if an action or attitude is appropriately directed at us. If it isn't, we can choose to sidestep it and let it pass."

--Sue Patton Theole

Have you ever been faced with trying to stay positive when others around you are negative? Negative people can be a challenge to be around. They will bring you down and drain your energy. A negative person can throw your best laid plans to be positive right out the window. Whether your child or spouse has an occasional negative day or you deal with a family member, friend or co-worker that is chronically negative, there are things you can do to remain positive in the face of negativity.

Let the Negativity Pass
Whatever you do, do not argue with a negative person. Arguing only adds fuel to the fire. A negative person will feed off any negativity that will strengthen his mood or attitude. I have noticed when my children are in a crabby mood, it is best to avoid trying to convince them to analyze and adjust their attitude. As soon as I take the approach of being in opposition with them, they seize the opportunity to prove to me that life stinks. Their negativity intensifies and the situation gets worse before it gets better. Sometimes the best approach is to remain silent and let the negativity pass.

Negative People Need Love
You know how difficult it can be to give love and positive attention to negative people. Unfortunately, that is often exactly what they need. Deep inside that mean and critical person is a person that is usually afraid he or she is unlovable. It is our challenge to rise above the negative attitude and love the injured person inside. How do you show love when someone is negative? You must listen to what she is trying to tell you. Acknowledge the feelings she has by saying something like, "You sound very angry right now". Even if you don't quite understand the person's feelings, know that your reality is different than someone else's. Ask how you might help the negative person. This shows legitimate interest in her happiness. Offer a hug even if you get rejected. Remember not to take a rejection of your love personally. A negative person often has difficulty receiving love from others.

If you've ever lived with a teenager, you know it can be an emotional roller coaster. My teenager is no different. One day he is a loving and happy young man; the next day he acts mean and grumpy. On these days, his self esteem and confidence is waning. As he searches to feel good about himself, he takes his struggles out on his family. In these moments, my son needs to know he is lovable. When I acknowledge his pain, he is more apt to open up to me and share what's truly on his heart. The negative feelings inside him are released because I am able to listen and love.

Set a Time Limit with Negative
PeopleYou have two minutes to complain and then time is up. Negative people need boundaries and giving them a time limit lets them know you will only tolerate a small amount of negativity. Check your watch and allow them to vent for two minutes. At the end of two minutes, tell the person it is time to focus on solutions or stop complaining. Play a game with your negative friend. Take turns coming up with solutions to her problem. Brainstorm together until you have at least 10 solutions. If your friend doesn't like this idea, simply excuse yourself from the conversation

Stay Away from Negative People
If you have negative people in your life that are critically affecting your mental and physical health, you need to evaluate whether or not you want these people in your life. Some people are so chronically negative that you have no other choice but to remove them from your life. It's possible to do that with friends. You can find another job if your boss or other co-workers are bringing you down. Other people, such as children and spouses, are more difficult to remove from your life. In this instance, professional counseling may be the answer. To protect your well being, you need to enforce very strong boundaries with negative people.

Keep Your Own Negative Thoughts and Behaviors in Check
If you do nothing else but focus on managing your own negative thoughts and behavior, you will come a long way towards remaining positive. A negative attitude is contagious, but a positive attitude is infectious as well. Hang out with positive people that encourage you to be your best self. Use positive affirmations to overcome negative self-talk. Express your gratitude for all the positive things in your life. Take the time everyday to watch all the beautiful things going on around you. Read inspirational material and listen to joyful music. Take care of yourself spiritually.

Do whatever you have to do to remain positive and happy despite the negativity you face. The world will be a better place because of you and your attitude. And you never know; you just might help a negative person make a change to a better way of living.

Lori Radun, CEC is a certified life coach for moms. To receive her newsletter, other coaching products, and the special report, "155 Things Moms Can do To Raise Great Children," go to True2You Life Coaching.

The Most Powerful Person in the World

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday March 17 2009

Hello folks and welcome to this very fine, and warmer, Tuesday.

My thanks to all who responded to my note yesterday. It warms me that so many folks are committed to taking full advantage of all of the opportunities that the "new economy" is unfolding.

Today we continue to support the proposition in yesterday's note by turning to an offering by our friend Philip Humbert. You'll clearly see that you certainly can be....

The Most Powerful Person in the World

by Philip Humbert

Most of the world's truly great people will remain forever unknown. You and I will not hear of them and no one will write their biographies.

Sure, I love reading about Oprah Winfrey and being inspired by her life story. It's fun to follow Donald Trump's financial ups and downs, or marvel at the movies of a Steven Spielberg. But most of us will never be famous, and that has little to do with greatness.

I prefer the greatness Thomas Stanley and William Danko described in The Millionaire Next Door. I love the fact that even after the financial storms of recent months, there are millions of millionaires in world! Even better, I love that most of them started with nothing and created wealth with their own hands. Perhaps even more than that, I admire the great parents, teachers, artists, farmers and builders who have inspired me. The fascinating thing is that it's not hard to live a great life!

Recently, we watched Walk the Line, the biography of Johnny Cash, and how close he came to wasting his talent. It made me think of Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Howard Hughes and the thousands of others who made small decisions that led them tragically astray. What's the difference between the sadness of Marilyn Monroe and the greatness of Mother Theresa?

We all have greatness within us. Every one of us is born to make a difference, to play our part, and transform our corner of the world. We may not become famous, but we can live with joy and gusto and greatness. Why do so many of us settle for small problems, and small lives?

I think too many of us fail to seize and use our personal power.

Because we are not "powerful" on the world stage, we forget that we have tremendous power in our choices. We may not be rich or famous, but we have the power to smile, and to persist. We have the power to live with dignity and integrity and ambition. We have the power to be loving, to be kind, to be generous. We have the power to create and live our own lives.

My sense is that it helps to have a big dream. My father always told us that if we were going to dream, we might as well dream BIG dreams. I am convinced that what we expect in life really does matter. I think it helps to expect the best and focus our thoughts, our attention and our intention on big dreams.

But I also think it's vital that we not be distracted or get lost in our own dreams. It's nice to aim high, so long as we realize that even the biggest dreams happen one step at a time. Donald Trump's fancy skyscrapers are build one rivet at a time. Oprah built her empire one meeting, one interview, one decision at a time. "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."

Use your power! Hug someone, or call a friend. Spend an hour reading a good book or getting some exercise with your kids. Do it today, not tomorrow or "someday." Take action and use your power to skip desert or to make one more sales call. Take some action to move your life in the direction you want to go, and do it today.

Both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson have been credited with the insight that our greatest fear is not that we are powerless, but that (in fact!) we are powerful beyond measure. Whoever said it first, I think it's true.

You are powerful beyond measure! You have the power to change your world any time you wish. Use your power! Give a smile to someone who needs one. Get up a bit earlier, or work a bit longer.

Put legs under your dreams and make them happen.

Begin today, one step at a time.

What is "The Wealthy Attitude"?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday March 16 2009

Good day everyone and welcome to another shiny new week. And yes, Spring is lurking around the corner.

Good news folks, we're ready to start The Wealthy Attitude Interviews with some incredible business and thought leaders who are deeply involved in the workable responses to the "new economy".

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to chat with some of the upcoming interviewees and one of them caused me to respond to the question: "What is The Wealthy Attitude"? I was about to respond when they asked asked me to write my answer.

To all who have ever wondered what The Wealthy Attitude is, here was my response.

What is "The Wealthy Attitude"?

by Peter M. Comrie

The Wealthy Attitude is a philosophy!

The Wealthy Attitude is the solution for a world that is crumbling around us. It is packed with ideas and plans by personal development heroes, self starters, bootstrap entrepreneurs, geeks, flakes, house-based business champions and sharp business operators from around the world. It’s called prophet-sharing.

Their success stories give us the inside scoop on the best kept secrets of single operator business building, personal development strategies, networking, bartering, direct sales, living large, avoiding un-informed human dinosaurs, and living in full integrity by our own design.

We steer clear of those with a Paleolithic mindset on their full speed, head long, out-of-control race to the bottom. We watch those intrepid home and community-based adventurers that work with open minds, compact technologies, and smart-minded systems that tap into the “new economy” and give back much more than they ever need, or expect to take.

They practice living with an attitude we call The Wealthy Attitude. It’s a can-do, up yours, no time for doom and gloom, no time for the analysis-to-paralysis of the chattering classes with the “if you can’t join them, beat them” attitude.

A variant of The Wealthy Attitude is the pre-condition for success at the cutting edge, where the needs of this “new economy” are pushing up against societies and business’s failing old guard.

The entrepreneurs of the “new economy” are a willful bunch because they believe where there’s a will, there’s a way. They’ll give new ideas a try before rejecting them out of hand.

With The Wealthy Attitude it’s possible to identify the complex skills, styles and stances that make effective new entrepreneurs tick as this new economy gathers force and they rise to the occasion of new opportunities.

Yes, it is a “new” world and the question is: “Will you be one to rise to the occasion”?

The Wealthy Attitude is for the adventurers of the “new economy”, where they make great money, and dance around the dinosaurs.

The businesses we support have lots of room for growth, in fact, more that we can measure. They keep us hustling; help us turn dreams into business plans, and put marketing fire in the belly of some great people who normally don’t like sales. Our businesses also let us practice what we preach about living out loud, by our own design, and putting it on the line in what will be forever a “new economy”.

We are too small to rate as a small company, too independent to fit with any one organization, but we’re big enough and inter-dependent enough to be a virtual corporation. We make a point of establishing win-win relationships with many other fine folks who are trying out the “new economy”

Another question is: “Are you ready to try it on”?

Living with “the Wealthy Attitude” is certainly not for the faint-of-heart. Like the “new economy”, it is a whine-free, take charge zone, where the new entrepreneurs don’t back a way from a fight, but feel, like the old suffragist slogan had it, “I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” They just aren’t prepared to give the right of decision to someone else.

People with The Wealthy Attitude are happy warriors. Cheer leaders, they know that laughter is the best medicine, and that “good on you” goes much further than “good for you”, and they clearly know that the business of “change” is about giving people a positive experience.

In this very obvious time of “change” new entrepreneurs are absolutely clear that when one door closes, another opens. And they certainly do not get trapped in what Alexander Graham Bell propositioned when he said “That we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

They know that this is the new beginning, not the end, that is upon us, and the next step is to take the next step.

Yet another question is: “Are you ready to take the next step”?

Here at The Wealthy Attitude it is our position to support all house-based business operators, and we have long advocated that everyone must be operating their own business. In this “new economy” it is even more relevant to be operating a house-based business. In fact, given the new conditions on the continent it is quite a sign of arrogance and fiscal irresponsibility not to be operating a house-based business.

The governments are not going to fix anything, and that’s not their job. It’s our job to ensure our life conditions. So, it’s an ideal time to step up to the plate for your own life circumstance. It’s the perfect way of giving the middle finger to the “business-as-usual” crowd, with their pat refrains that this is the way of the world, there’s not much anyone can do about it, that’s not what they taught us at Harvard, it was tried before and didn’t work, and my daddy doesn’t agree either.

People with The Wealthy Attitude don’t ask what the government can do for them, but what they can do without government. They know that their future will be dependent on them taking 100% responsibility for their entire life experience, living in integrity, by their own personal design, and with a community of like-minded adventurers.

And the last question for now is: “Are you ready to be one”?

If you are, drop me a note and we’ll set up some time to have a live chat. Write me at: peter@thewealthyattitude.com

You - Mankind - Pay Attention!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday March 13 2009

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

We've focused on the theme of "Why" all week and as you are undoubtedly aware, we haven't even scratched the surface of the issue. We could spend months on this subject alone, and we sincerely hope that this small part we've played this week will propel you further to discover your own unique "Why".

As you know on Friday's we end the week with a video, and today is no different. On the theme of "Why" we reviewed a whole whack of offerings that touched on the issue, in fact, we could run a "Why" video every week and still not dent the number available.

We did however get up to 35,000 feet in our view and have selected one that we strongly feel touches every aspect of what we do, who we are, and "why" we are here. I think you'll enjoy what Michael Laitman has to say as he pronounces....

You - Mankind - Pay Attention!

Have an outstanding weekend, and consider deeply today's message. You'll be glad you did!

See you on Monday.

Take care,

~peter~
www.thewealthyattitude.com

The Power of Why: Your Psychological Ally To Marketing Success!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday March 12 2009

Hello there folks and welcome to this fine Thursday.

My thanks to all who shared some very considered thoughts on yesterday's offering. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.

We've been having a whole bunch of fun with this week's theme of "Why". Today we're taking clear aim at those of you who have to deal with clients and customers in your day-to-day business. You'll see why as you use.....

The Power of Why: Your Psychological Ally To Marketing Success!

by Sean D'Souza

Here's why ‘WHY’ is such a profit-making marketing trigger.

“Stop taking two and three plates of food,” my mother said to me angrily.

I was at a wedding and seven years old. Back then, at a lot of the weddings we used to go to, the food would be pre-served on a plate. I could never get enough of those calorie-ridden platters. Waylaying different waiters, (so I would not be recognised), I’d polish 3-4 plates without blinking an eye.

Mum wasn’t impressed, and told me to stop and desist.

“Why?” I’d ask. Her stock reply was always, “It’s bad manners to do that.” This Dustbin Hoffman (yes, I do mean Dustbin and not Dustin) act obviously got her goat, but it left me unfazed. It must have bugged her more than I expected though, because in a short while Dad was peering down at my food-stuffed face.

My question remained unchanged. “WHY?”

“If you invite a hundred people to a wedding, how many would you cater for?” he asked. “A hundred,” I answered, proud of my analytical genius. “If you ate four plates,” he continued, “how many would remain?” He prompted quickly, “Ninety-six right?” I nodded vigorously. “That means some people don’t eat. If you’re so hungry, we can go out after the wedding and get something to eat, but don’t deprive others.”

Dad Made Sense. Do You?

Dad understood psychology. He had to sell my brain an idea that my rumbling stomach didn’t want to understand. And he did it by answering the question, 'WHY?' How many of us ignore this powerful trigger in our marketing because it seems too obvious, almost too simple?

Why 'Why?' Puts Elvis’ Shaking and Moving to Shame

Let’s examine the six honest men. What, How, When, Where, Who and Why. Which one of these is the most powerful psychological movers of them all? This would be better answered with an example.

Let’s assume you needed to go to the supermarket. All the other triggers (how, when, where, who and what) would make absolutely no difference if you didn’t know ‘WHY’ you were headed there. Everything else would be totally irrelevant. Once you know WHY you’re doing something, everything else is just a matter of logistics.

Why Does 90% of Advertising and Marketing Communication Go Down the Drain?

Simple. Look for the WHY in advertising and scarcity pops up instantly. All the fancy layouts and the smart headlines can’t quite compensate for the niggling question that goes unanswered. All your customers want to know is, Why should I choose you? Why should I take this decision? Why should I spend this money? Why should I look at your website? Why should I read your brochure?’ Why should I listen to your speech? ‘Why? Why? Why?’

Dump the cotton woolly fluff. Get your customer’s brain to go scrambling like an over-enthusiastic pup after a Frisbee. Once you have enough WHY factor built into what you’re selling, everything else is just clip, clop, fall in place stuff.

Be an Accountant, Do an Audit

Look at your communication. Like reeeeeeeaaaaally look at it! What about your website? Does it answer the question WHY straight up? And does it do it on the first page? How about your brochure? Does its headline make it a cinch for dustbin land? What about your speech? Do you have enough beds to compensate for your lack of WHY?

I could go on, but I suspect you get the message.

Be merciless. If the WHYs don’t stack up, dump the communication. Or chop and change it till it does.

Finding the Right Level of Why Power

If you noticed, Mum actually answered my WHY question. She just didn’t answer it to my satisfaction like Dad did. Herein lies a subtle, yet formidable difference.

It’s not enough to simply have the WHY question answered. It’s got to be the most ‘Rambo in your face’ answer, or it will bounce higher than a defaulting cheque. Let your WHYs loose on each other, and let only the one with the most testosterone come out shining.

Aristotle -- Man, Was he Smart or What?

All communication must lead to change.

That’s what the old wise man said over 2300 years ago. Not some or most communication.
All.

Yet we are dealing with customers that inherently detest change. WHY is the only motivator that allows them to make that shift. Change is still a scary word, but at least the justification sits nicely in their cranium.

In fact, if you look closely, even a WHAT question like, What’s in it for me?, is really a "WHY" issue. All it is saying is ‘Why should I pay attention?’ Give your customers the WHY factor and their buying sprees will reflect nicely in your growing bank account.

This is simple, down to earth advice. Yet it represents one of the most powerful psychological triggers why people buy. WHY on earth would you ignore it?

2001-2009 Psychotactics Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Article written by Sean D'Souza.
Wouldn't you love to stumble upon a secret library of small business ideas? Find simple, yet electrifying ideas, on copywriting, public speaking, marketing strategies, sales conversion, psychological tactics and branding. Head down to http://www.psychotactics.com today and judge for yourself.

The Awesome Power of Why!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday March 11 2009

Good day there folks and welcome to the midweek point.

I am personally having a ton of fun with our theme for the week. The entire issue of "Why" is so vibrant and alive I'm blissed out with all of the feedback.

Today were going to do things just a tad differently. The note I've prepared on the subject just seemed to be way too long for the blog. So, what I've done is made a page on the main website for it, and I've attached a pdf version at the bottom.

I do believe you're going to enjoy...

The Awesome Power of Why!

Take care,

~peter~

Why a Plan B?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday March 10 2009

Hello there good folks and welcome to Tuesday.

One of the very intersting things that is coming out of some of the lessons being learned with this new economic condition is that "everyone" should have a Plan B. Why you ask?

Simple really, as the only mammal on the planet that functions from choice and not instinct, the only way we can really survive is to have a numer of alternatives from which to choose. Unfortuately, most folks don't even have a solid Plan A.

Perhaps our friend Daniel can cast some significant light on the issue for you. You'll appreciate what he has to say.

Why a Plan B?

by Daniel Midson-Short

What do you do when things don’t go to plan??

In life you’ll often find that your best laid plans don’t work out exactly as you intend. After all, planning is basically our attempt to somehow control and direct the future. And even though we might have a clear vision of what we want, the future is always changing and evolving, sometimes not in the way we had hoped.

So what can you do when your best laid plans don’t work out? What happens when the company you committed yourself to for 5 years suddenly downsizes, or the relationship you thought was forever disintegrates?

Well, the only thing you can do is go to Plan B.

Yet often the hardest thing to do when you’ve just been through a tough setback is to try to plan out what to do next. You’re hurting emotionally, and you’re probably completely de-motivated. Still, if you’re serious about achieving what you want, then you must eventually start over. And here are some tips to help you along the way:

- Accept that your initial plans didn’t work out. For whatever the reason, the things you hoped would happen haven’t worked out. So, the best thing you can do is to accept it and move on. This is easier said than done, but the more you keep telling yourself you must accept it, the more chance you have of moving onto a bigger and better success.

- Realise that you still have YOU. Despite being setback financially,or time wise, you still have your most important asset: yourself. You still have within you all the same potential you’ve always had, and more importantly you have the knowledge that comes from having been through a tough experience.

- Look for the lesson, and find the gold. It seems a funny thing in life that we often repeatedly come up against a particular type of challenge until we learn from it. Generally the lesson we need to learn is something about ourselves, and it’s a tough one. So when you look back at your foiled plans, what is the lesson within? What can you adjust about yourself for next time? Remember that in order to find the gold, you have to dig deep into the mine. Somewhere inside the setback is the lesson you need to move to the next level.

-Give yourself recovery time. Each of us needs some time after a setback to get back to normal. We can’t perform at optimum if we have just been bruised emotionally or financially. In the game of poker there is a term known as going On Tilt. This means that after losing a big hand, it takes the player some time to re-adjust their mind to accept they have just lost an amount of money. Usually their adrenaline is higher, and their mind is not clear. Often this can cause them to start playing more aggressively or haphazardly to recover their loss. Top poker players know that after a tough beat,they need to lay low for a few hands and let themselves recover.

After a setback in your life, you’ll need to do the same. Don’t justjump into the next best thing you find to try to recover your loss.Take the time to think things through and take a wise next step.

-Go back to the fundamentals. In every business, and indeed in any type of endeavour, there are basic fundamentals that you need to know.Often, as we start to gain success in something we can forget the fundamentals that got us started and created our initial success. In times when you have a setback, it can be a good idea to revisit the fundamentals that gained you early success. Often refocussing your efforts on the simple important tasks can gain you more success than a bag full of elaborate tricks.

-Help someone else get back on track. You may be surprised by this final tip, as it’s a counterintuitive way to make yourself feel re-inspired. However, if you are feeling beaten by life, then try helping someone else to succeed in their life for a while, and I guarantee it will revive your spirit.

Life after all, isn’t a solo effort, it’s an ensemble. The old adageis true: if you help enough other people get what they want, you can’t help but get what you want. Remember that no matter how tough things seem right now, there is always someone else doing it tougher.

So be resilient and get back on track to your goals!

Your Most Important (& Profitable!) Investment

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday March 9 2009

Good day all and welcome to another brand spanking new (nearly Spring) week with which to play.

This week we're going to delve into another topic that is very important in your success strategy. The theme for the week is "Why", and we'll be looking at "why" you should be the very best success you can be, "why" are you doing what you are doing, "why" do you want to feel the power that resides within you?

It's going to be week where we get into the trenches to bring offerings that cause you to get really clear on your own personal "Why". And our reasoning is: "All the "how's" in the world won't make the slightest difference, if you don't have a clear, strong, and compelling "Why"!

Selfish you say? Well, let our good friend and senior contributor, Philip Humbert address this one.

Your Most Important (& Profitable!) Investment

by Philip Humbert

Here's a vital question: What is your most important investment? What's the most important thing in your life? Or to put it another way, what is the one thing you absolutely, positively must achieve during your brief time on this small planet?

This is not a trick question! But it does have a "tricky" answer.

Most people answer with things like their spirituality, their children or family, their career or health. If those are your answers, you may want to think again.

All of those things are important! But I'm indebted to one of my mentors, Thomas Leonard, for helping me dig deeper on this one. Thomas argued that the most important thing in life is "self-ishness."

Ordinarily, we associate selfishness with spoiled kids fighting over toys in a sandbox, and it's not a pretty picture. Fortunately, that's not at all what Thomas had in mind.

He pointed out that our first obligation is to figure out who we are, what we want, and where we're going in life. Until we discover our "Self," we are in a sense living someone else's life!

And, here's a critical point. Figuring out who we are and what we'll do with our life doesn't happen by accident! Carl Jung said that most people don't figure this out until after age forty. It takes a long time to grow up and take care of life's essentials. As young adults most of us are busy with school and work, starting and raising a family, launching a career, and a thousand other things.

Fortunately, as adults we can pause, step back and ask the big questions. I find it incredibly sad that so many people never face this essential responsibility. It's no good living by someone else's rules or following someone else's dream. Life is a gift, but to make the most of it we must accept that "some assembly is required" and make the effort to find our own way in this world.

Thomas was right about the importance of being "self-ish." But he was wrong about how we do it.

Thomas developed a theory he called "personal evolution" and speculated that we could create a process of "automatically" evolving into the person we want to become. Frankly, as much as I admired him (he passed away several years ago), I think he was wrong about this.

I think some of us virtually "paint by the numbers" or "go through the motions" of living our lives! Existence is (relatively) easy, but growth requires hard work, and a plan.

I think the term "personal development" is a more accurate description of how we earn the right to a "life of one's own." I think responsible adults take control of their own lives because life expects us to learn and stretch. It expects us to make choices, set a course, develop skills and work hard. Life asks us to try things, make mistakes, and commit to a path of growth and maturity. Anyone can get old, but growth only comes with effort and commitment.

So here's the challenge: Who are you striving to become? Do you have a plan? Are you making the daily investment?

I don't think this has to be "hard" or expensive. In many ways, it's very easy! Think about this--would you rather live a life of distractions, obeying other people's rules, and following someone else's script, or a life focused on your own most important priorities? I think in many ways, living a GREAT life is much easier than living an ordinary life. Sure, it requires a few basic disciplines. It requires hard choices and the integrity to stick with them. But in many ways, a GREAT life is actually much easier and infinitely more satisfying!

Here are four simple--not always easy, but simple--steps:

1. Get clear about who you are, what you value and where you're going in life. Be very "self-ish" about this!

2. Develop a plan. What do you need to change? What do you need to learn? Who will you be five years from now, and how will you make that happen? Take notes and write this stuff down.

3. Take action every day. It doesn't have to be dramatic action, but every day, stick with it. Read. Talk with smart people. Eliminate one or two distractions. Spend time on things that make you proud, that stretch and strengthen you.

4. Invest time (and a few dollars) in your self! Get away for perspective. Get away to learn. Get away to THINK! Get away to organize, plan and grow. Get away so you can return home clear-headed, focused and energized.

The Real Crisis? We Stopped Being Wise!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday March 6 2009

Good day all and say hello to the end of the typical week.

We've had a ton of fun here at The Wealthy Attitude this week as we have been acknowledging once again that for thousands upon thousands of people around the world are going to discover that operating a home-based business with passion and integrity is their answer to these new economic times.

I have personally advocated for decades that everyone, and I mean everyone, should own a home-based enterprise. Never mind all of the tax and financial advantages you get from your local and federal governments for owning a business. You also get countless other advantages that include extra business training, learning opportunities, great community's of like-minded people, travel opportunities, and a sense that you are relatively unaffected by the vagaries of the normal economy. There are numerous other advantages, and when you evaluate them, everyone should be pounding on the doors of the companies that have developed and perfected some incredible home-based enterprise opportunities.

Here at The Wealthy Attitude we are continuing our development as a community that supports ALL home-based and small business operators. In January 2010 we'll be re-launching the website with outstandingly supportive offerings and services for the dedicated entrepreneurs that will lead the home-based business world into the next decade of the 21st Century.

You can get a leg up advantage on the new service, and get access to some extraordinary personal growth materials, and, get a FREE lifetime membership to The Wealthy Attitude community by following the simple instructions that this link leads you to: The Wealthy Attitude 2010 Pre-Offer You'll also be getting an entire array of materials before the official re-launch in January that you're absolutely going to love.

Now, on to today's video offering.

It has long been the "subtitle" here at The Wealthy Attitude to "Rise Above Mediocrity In The 21st Century". With this video offering, a great voice of reason spells out clearly one of the ways we can all rise way above the mediocre.

Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for "practical wisdom" as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.

You're going to like what he has to share as he certainly understands......

The real crisis? We stopped being wise!

Have an awesome weekend.

See you on Monday.

~peter~

P.S. I'm working at home all weekend, so you can drop me a note if you wish and let me know what you'd like to see on our website, and what's going in your corner of paradise. peter@thewealthyattitude.com

Achieving Power Through People

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday March 5 2009

Good day there everyone and welcome to this fine Thursday.

And yes, Spring is still on its steady march towards us. I so can't wait to get into shorts and shed the weight of winter's clothing. Bring it on!

I was chatting with a reader yesterday who is enjoying the theme of the week. She is one of the intrepid small percentage of the population who truly does embody the spirit of taking 100% responsibility for her entire life experience. I was lifted even higher for the time I spent of the phone with her. She is truly a people person, and she inspired me to share today's offering with you.

Achieving Power Through People

Do you know someone who is naturally friendly? When you put him inside a room of strangers, he'll be a friend to almost everyone in no time!

We call such person as a people-person. This person is unbelievably nice and charismatic that he or she can charm anyone into doing anything.

A socially empowered person achieves so much greatness because of the people that catapult him to success. He earns the trust and support of the people. He can do anything with the plethora of people behind him. All because he knows how to maximize his social potential!

Here are some tips that can help you become a people person:

1) Be genuine.
Hypocrisy can drag you down. Be genuinely nice and interested in people. Once people perceive you as Mr. Hypocrite with selfish intentions, you might as well say goodbye to self-empowerment.

2) Be a great listener!
To earn the love and trust of people, listen to their problems and sympathize with them. Do not just hear them out, listen to them with your heart. Make eye contact when the person talks to you. Listen as if every word matters. You earn brownie points when they consider you their confidante.

3) Laugh aloud.
This means finding humor in things and not being too darn serious. A person oozing with an awesome sense of humor attracts crowds and eventually attracts success.

4) Don't forget yourself.
In the process of fluttering around like a social butterfly, you might forget yourself and allow everyone to push you around. Remember to love and value yourself before anyone else. If you deem yourself respectable and worthy of affection, people will flock to you and not trample on you.

5) Do random acts of kindness.
You don't have to do exactly John Rockefeller did and blow your savings to charity. Little acts of kindness matters most. This can be a simple act of giving someone a surprise card or helping an elderly cross the street.

6) Contact your old friends.
Before, contact with friends was limited but thanks to technology, you can do something about it. Relive the good old days by flipping your yearbook and look for great people whom you want to communicate with again. Adding these old friends to your roster of support peers will surely make you feel good all over.

7) Develop your personality.
Are you grouchy, grumpy, and generally morose? You can't go through life like that! Get rid of bad traits and habits that perpetually hamper your growth. Really, who wants a grouchy friend anyway?

8) Be confident.
Be able to stride to the other corner of the room and introduce yourself to people with that winning smile of yours. Just remember: be confident, not arrogant.

9) Practice control.
When angry, don't snap at anyone. Never throw a tantrum. Stay calm and collected. Take control of the situation and transform your anger into something more productive.

10) Nurture your relationships.
Your relationship with your family, friends, and significant others are too precious to neglect. Go out and have fun with them. Do things with them. Happiness will never leave your side as long as the people who matter most are close to you.

Self-empowerment can help you become a better and more lovable person. People know that they can turn on you anytime and trust that you can count on their support.

It's a win-win situation!

Could A Home Based Business Be Right For You?

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday March 4 2009

Good day there folks and welcome to the midweek point.

I had a great experience last night as our good friend Randy Gage held an open conference call for networkers and home-based business operators. The call was about the etiquette of working with social networking sites.

His views were relevant, timely, and considerate as he went on to honor the entire networking industry. He agrees, as we certainly do, that these years will be looked back upon as the "golden" years for our industry. The change in the world's economic circumstance is going to create so many opportunites for enterprising people that the industry will be vaulted to a whole new level of appreciation.

Today we're going to continue our theme for the week as our contributor Eileen asks.....

Could A Home Based Business Be Right For You?

by Eileen Daly

For those who have longed for Saturday, because they get to wake up when they want instead of setting the alarm. To be followed by dressing in comfy clothes, instead of a rushed shower and donning of business attire. Not to mention the absence of commuting in a car, bus or train and all the wonderful experiences that evokes. The thought of working from home with their own home based business is a pleasant daydream. Some people have made it a reality by starting out part-time to see if they can make money online, and others have found themselves without a job and needing to replace the income they lost in order to support their families. You have to think about the pluses and minuses to see if a home based business is right for you. Here are a few things to consider.

Discipline and Time Management

When you work at home, you essentially become your own boss. For some that is not a problem, but it does require a tremendous amount of discipline. You have to be very focused and not easily distracted by friends and family, TV, pets, gardening, cleaning, shopping, etc. You have to explain to the ones you love that, even though you are home, you are busy building your business. It is also easy to get distracted online with email, forums, reviewing products, studying the amazing amount of information available online on how to build your business, which can use up valuable time you need to make your business happen. You have to set goals for each day or week of what you need to accomplish, and make sure you get to the projects that will meet your goals and build your business.

Budget

When you first start your business, assuming you do not have unlimited resources, you have to set a budget and stick to it. You will be amazed at the array of products you can choose from online. Most of them promise you will be making millions overnight, if you follow their amazing system! You have to be very careful. Research products before you buy or sign up for any service that can supposedly help you build your business. Reputable products will have reviews online for you to research and forums are a great place to get honest advice on which services actually perform. It pays to do your research.

Other costs can include setting up a website, and the monthly costs for the company that hosts your website. If you sign up to be an affiliate with an online company, and there is a recurring income opportunity with that company, you will likely be paying monthly costs to maintain your membership status. The biggest expense can be advertising, with Pay Per Click ads being the primary expense for many online marketers. You do not want to start throwing money at Pay Per Click ads until you know what you are doing. Many online entrepreneurs have lost a lot of money doing just that! All these expenses add up, and it could be months before you see any revenue from your efforts.

Organization

When you first start working online, you will find yourself accumulating a variety of information that you have to keep organized. If you decide to market digital products you will probably join ClickBank.com or Commission Junction. You will join forums, Warrior Forum being one of the best for online marketers, and social sites like Twitter, My Space or Facebook. You may be setting yourself up to be an affiliate of one or more programs, creating a blog, and in all of these situations you will have different identification names and passwords, or affiliate identification numbers or a personalized link to the merchant’s website. All this information needs to kept in a way that is easy to access.

The best thing to do from the start, to make sure you keep everything organized, is to set up folders in your email account, and keep every confirmation email you receive with all your account information, and set up a directory on your computer where you can cut and paste all of your affiliate links. That way you can easily find whatever you need, without having to go through the frustration of searching through pages of emails. Trust me, this will save you lots of time. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a register of all this information off line in case you have a problem with your computer. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

Expectations

When you first get started, you think you will be seeing fat checks before you know it. The reality is that starting a home based business requires a tremendous amount of initial startup time to get your business up and running. In fact, it usually takes months of working full time before most people see any money at all. It is like any business you could start, you have to work hard and trust that all your efforts will eventually pay off. If you are looking for instant gratification, you will be disappointed. There are a lot of people making a very good living online, but they put a lot of effort in usually for a long time to get to that point.

If you think you have the drive and the patience to invest the time and money to build your business, then you have the makings of a successful home based business entrepreneur. Once you build your business, and have learned and accomplished what it takes to be successful, you too could benefit from all your hard work for years to come.