Gimme That!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesday October 8 2008

And welcome to the midweek point.

Heads up everyone, here in North America we get to celebrate TWO thanksgivings. Here in Canada it’s going to be this coming weekend, and for our southern friends, it’s in November.

What a hoot it really is when you think about it. Here we are in what is still (regardless of what every newspaper and political wonk says) the absolutely richest continent on the planet, so rich in fact that we need TWO thanksgiving holidays just to make sure we have time to squeeze all the gratitude in. Now that’s living!!

Yes, many folks will be giving thanks for their “Stuff”, but I certainly know that many more will be deeply in gratitude just for the opportunity to be here. Here, on this spinning orb, to love, play, eat ice cream, speak freely, roll marbles, work at something of our own choosing, read what we like, listen to weird music, burp, make snow angels, tell stories, avoid brussels sprouts, pray to whomever we choose, laugh at daft jokes, ignore the phone ringing, cry openly, color outside the lines, oh you know where I’m going. We are indeed very blessed.

Our good friend Karen presents us an offering today that I believe is suitably timely.

GimmeThat!
By Karen Wright

It seized us when we were pre-verbal, this addiction to stuff. Getting, acquiring, having, owning, possessing. Mine! It was one of the first words we uttered and mine is still the most common measurement of success. Those with the most stuff are lauded, envied, influential. Having lots of stuff seems to indicate that they know more than the rest of us. And those with the very most of all are elevated to the status of royalty.

I'm not among them. You? For most of us, we're somewhere in the "I don't yet have all I'd like to have" stage. Which is a pretty overpopulated place. And should we come close to having all the treasures we aspire to, well that's where the advertising machine kicks in with some new stuff we'd never heard of, but desperately now want. After all, if you don't have the latest and greatest you're a nobody, right?

So, why do we want all that stuff? It's not what you might think. And because our motivation is so unconscious we fall each and every time for the Next Big Thing. Listen up because we're about to break through the fog we've been living in and see this obsession of gimme that with fresh, clear eyes. The old game is about to end.

Before I dispel the myth, why do you want what you want? Do you hope to impress someone? Are you feeding your sense of worth? Do you seek ease or comfort? Are you looking for a good time? Do you want to know more than others? Do you crave others' approval or respect?

No matter how you respond to the question of why you want what you want, the truthful answer is always the same: you want to feel good. It's the basic motivation for everything we do - and don't do. We want to feel happy, fulfilled, satisfied, worthy, peaceful. Choose your own word, but it all boils down to our quest for that most cherished, and often illusive, state of all - to feel good. That deep sense of "all is well."

Now here's the ultimate question - does all that stuff make you feel good? Does the new car, house, spouse, job, or hottest techno-gadget truly have a deep and lasting affect on your sense of well-being? Yeah, maybe in the first moment or day or week. But, like any other addiction, the fix soon looses its power to deliver the goods. So, we get, set aside, and move on to the next promise of glory. It's why we have garages so full of stuff that our cars sleep under the stars each night.

If what we really want is that inner connection to a more profound meaning of self - to feel good - then my friends, stuff won't get us there. Never has, never will. Put your money back in your pocket, seal your garage door, and close your department store accounts. Nothing out there will EVER bring you that kind of serenity. Peace, meaning, connection - these are inside jobs.

If you want to feel good, all you need to accomplish that goal is to decide to feel good. You don't need a crutch or excuse or reason. Just choose to feel good regardless of what's out there. You're already very good at this since it's been you all along who has generated that feeling of satisfaction - however temporary it was. You received praise - you let yourself feel good. You accomplished a really tough task - you let yourself feel good. It wasn't the praise or accomplishment; it was YOU. Plenty of people receive praise and don't let it in. It doesn't make them feel good; it makes them feel anxious.

YOU and only you decide how you are going to feel in every moment of your life. We've been blind to that power because early on, when we first experienced feeling good, we didn't really know the difference between us and not us. Infants don't acquire a sense of a separate self for a few years. So, we learned, erroneously, (and it was supported by everyone who had influence with us) that stuff out there made us feel good or bad or fearful. Not so. It's all us.

A true sign of emotional maturity is the ability to choose our own state of mind. To not be victimized by the external world and toyed with like a puppet. Regardless of what happens out there, what happens in you is your decision. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." And they can't make you feel angry, resentful, joyous, or fearful either. They do whatever they do - but, YOU decide how to respond. YOU decide how to feel.

This is liberation my friends. The knowledge that feeling good is a choice that is ours by default. It cannot be stolen, destroyed, or usurped. It's yours 'til death do you part. No matter what the world does, you are in charge of your thoughts, feelings, and choices. Think of it...that's incredible power! You have choice, no matter what.

So, how do you feel? We aren't infants anymore. We are wise enough to recognize truth when we hear it. And the truth is, happiness is a choice. Feel good now. Why not? Imagine the money you'll save on stuff! Oh, and the car... it's got dibs on the garage.

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.

The Mechanics of Wealth

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday October 7 2008

Welcome to this very fine Tuesday.

As a young school lad in Scotland, we were indeed subjected to many learning’s that will forever be debated as to their true “learning” use or purpose. It often seemed that organized schools in Scotland were simply training grounds for legions of laborers and soldiers, both honorable professions, but both left men at the end of their careers with much to be desired.

That being said, we were however caused to read the works of many Scottish writers that were having an impact in the much larger world. On of these folks was philosopher Adam Smith. The reason I take time for all of this now is that our contributor of today’s reader mentions him in his piece. Smith’s works, although somewhat rare and difficult to find, are certainly worth adding to your library if you can hunt them down.

Enjoy what Dr. Keith has to share with us today. It’ll hit some points.

The Mechanics of Wealth
by Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby

A lot has been published about the motivation of success but very little about understanding the mechanics of wealth. The big secret is hidden in a famous little 18th-century classic book by oaty Scots philosopher Adam Smith. It is called "An Inquiry Into The Nature And Causes Of The Wealth Of Nations," nowadays just shortened to "The Wealth of Nations."

Smith published it in 1776, the year of American Independence, which is interesting, because if anything started the American Dream it was this book. It is a text that is as valid today as when it was written. In fact this book is in the economics curriculum of just about every university on the world.

Smith uses one critical word in his powerful book which is the key that unlocks the door to personal prosperity, self-esteem and happiness at work. The word we are looking for which leads to all wealth is... Exchange.

You have to give something in order to get. You cannot get rich by dreaming or thinking positive thoughts. You can only succeed if you have something to give - in return you will naturally receive all the wealth you can handle. You can't get more out of the system than you actually put in. It's as simple as that.

Businessmen (and women) in any society in the world, talk obsessively about "making money". Leaving aside counterfeiters, only governments make money. The treasury prints the stuff and then declares it valuable (Someone, I think it was another Adam Smith, the 20th Century US "funny money" philosopher, actually George J W Goodman, who joked about money from the treasury, saying that a government is the only institution that can take a valuable commodity like paper and, by adding ink, make it into something worthless).

Nobody "makes money." You trade for it. You earn it.

To understand the economics of success further, Adam Smith introduced the idea of Exchangeable Products. In earning a living, dealing with others and sharing relationships, we are all responsible for doing or making something which we can call a "product."

The product need not be a thing. We can carry out a service. But there is still a SOMETHING at the end of it. A gardener may serve with knowledge and skill of horticulture (plants and crops); what he does we can call "gardening." But his product would be stated slightly differently. His product might be flourishing healthy plants in an attractive fertile garden setting. You get the difference.

Society has become too complex for us to do everything we need to do for ourselves. So we each specialize and do what we are good at. In The Wealth of Nations Adam Smith called this the "division of labor". By working together on a project, we can achieve many times the success of a single individual working alone.

Cooperation is the key to success. What we each produce is our contribution to making all this work, by which we earn our place in society.

Now here's the thing: if you want to get rich you just have to work out a way to leverage it, so you move product faster. For real wealth you need a good product, that people consider valuable, and you need to figure out how to move lots of that product into the hands of customers.

But did you ever hear this mentioned at wealth-building seminars? You'd think the magic of getting rich was just drawing it in. "Attraction". Just hold out your hand. It's baloney. You can't "attract" wealth. You have to give something.

Only by serving the needs of others and listening to their wants, can you create true success and real wealth. "Serving" doesn't mean you go and work for free (necessarily). It does mean you work on other peoples' needs, not just your own.

The 4-D's to Make 2009 a Great Year!

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday October 6 2008

Welcome again to another brand spanking new Fall week.

The North American financial chaos is undoubtedly going to give the forces of control a whole bunch of language in which they’ll be using to keep the populace fearful. Yes folks I know, it is serious, however, I’m totally buoyed by the reality that history proves that many entrepreneurial types are going to make veritable fortunes during this time.

So, how are you going to position yourself in the times? Are you going to come out like a rhino? I hope so!

This week we’re going to reflect on the behaviors of those intrepid folks who see these situations as “challenges”, not right or wrong, good or bad, just “challenges”. Just “challenges” that need to met with consideration, clarity, passion, and a huge dollop of humor. Folks, the message that I’m working to impart this week is: “You’ll Be Just Fine In 2009”.

In fact, we go to our good friend Philip to give you a leg up on the whole issue.

The 4-D's to Make 2009 a Great Year!
by Philip Humbert

It's that time of year again, time to review 2008's successes and "lessons learned" and make plans for 2009. I know, most people wait until the holidays and make their New Year's Resolutions on December 31st. But not you!

I've always thought year-end review and new-year planning during the holidays is a really dumb idea! The holidays are a time for festivals and parties and travel! The holidays are for celebration and fun. In contrast, goal-setting is probably the most sober, serious and vital work we do all year. It hardly fits with the distractions of the holidays.

Reviewing our achievements and making choices about how we'll invest our time and energy in the coming year is the most important thing we do. The care with which we review the past year and the precision with which we plan the new year ultimately determine the quality of our lives. The "Good Life" is no accident! Achievement and balance, satisfaction and fulfillment don't "just happen" and they are not reserved for the "lucky few."

A great life is the result of accurately assessing what's working, and making precise, thoughtful and detailed plans for the future. Sure, our plans may not work out in every case, but a plan gives us a chance! Without a good plan we're just wandering through life. Don't let that be you!

Here is the "4D" planning tool that Mary and I use, and I know Peter does also, and that I recommend to my personal coaching clients. I think you'll find it helpful.

1. Dream. Some people call this a "vision" or something else, but whatever term you prefer, as Stephen Covey says, you must "start with the end in mind." If you can't dream it, you'll never achieve it. What do you want? Where would you like to go? How much do you want to make? Who will be with you? Dare to dream BIG!

2. Decide. Some dreams will always remain dreams, wishes or fantasies. I think day-dreams are healthy and that's fine. But some dreams deserve the chance to come true! At some point successful people make a clear decision to "go for it." They commit to a result, with no turning back and no excuses. Some dreams are just dreams, but other dreams deserve your best efforts and it's up to you to DECIDE.

3. Desire. When things are tough only a burning passion and an insatiable desire will keep you going. Passion is what makes life worth living! Passion, desire and faith get us up early and keep us working all day long. When the financial markets collapse or friends laugh at our ideas or customers won't buy, DESIRE keeps us going. Desire is the "north star" that guides successful people. Fuel your desire and it will power your dreams.

4. Daily Action. Daily discipline, daily effort, daily action to make your dreams come true is the key to all success. We've all heard that "a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." That's true, but we forget that a journey of a thousand miles also requires many additional steps! Each one is easy and simple, but it must be taken. Most dreams are like that. Individually, each step is reasonable and easy, but each one must be done at the right time and in the right way. There is no alternative but daily action.

I am always surprised at the number of people who remain confused or ambivalent about the quality of their life. We have the chance to be or become whatever we choose. We can have or do just about anything we can imagine.

Set your sights high! Be clear about your Decisions, your Desire and your Daily Actions.

You can have the life you truly want!

The Strangest Secret

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Friday October 3 2008

Welcome to the end of this amazing week. We got the Andy Andrew’s extravaganza wrapped up an a very high note. I got to have a day off (now that’s a hoot), and were going to wind up the week with some video’s from a true founder of the personal development movement.

Earl Nightingale has unquestionably served the world on some incredible ways. Anyone who has ever been touched by his most famous statement “We become what we think about” clearly knows the power of this mans words. His now very famous, “The Strangest Secret” still has only ever been heard by less that five percent of the entire population.

Now it’s your time to reflect on what this great contributor has to say to you as you hear “The Strangest Secret”.You'll see the video's here: The Strangest Secret

Have an outstanding weekend, and I’ll look forward to connecting with again on Monday.

~peter~

Become a Swiss Army Knife

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday October 2 2008

Say aloha to this shining new Thursday.

I owe you all a sincere apology. I had meant to mention that I would be taking a day off after the Andy Andrew’s extravaganza so that I could just bask in the essence of his lessons myself. I thought (clearly didn’t check) that I had written it into one of my notes to you. So, please accept my apologies.

We’re back at the desk now, so let’s get right to today’s offering.

Become a Swiss Army Knife
By Karla Brandau, CSP

On our last trip to Zurich, Switzerland, my son wanted my husband and me to bring him back an authentic Swiss Army knife. Steve and I shopped until we found the ultimate knife and brought it home to Mark.

It was well made, had solid craftsmanship, and was true to its core selling point: it was a knife! But it was not just a knife - it was anything from a cork screw to a fingernail file. If you ever owned or examined one of these knives, you may have marveled at its versatility as I did. When I held the knife in my hand and personally opened each implement, I realized the knife was scary!

Thomas Friedman, author of the popular book, The World is Flat, says that 21st Century employees need to be as versatile as a Swiss Army knife - the worldwide icon for function, durability, and ingenuity. Freidman recommends that individuals be well founded in their core identity and well rounded in their ability to respond to many different types of job requirements.

From my experience, individuals tend to be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none or an absolute powerhouse with tunnel vision. Which one rings true to your personality?

The mantra for the past several years has been 'do more with less' so it should come as no surprise that the global marketplace demands us to be true to our core characteristics as the powerhouse of performance yet destroy tunnel vision and master more skills - or resemble a Swiss Army knife.

In a Swiss Army knife, the tunnel vision or core tools are a large blade and a small blade. Then you start with options and can chose paraphernalia from can openers and tweezers to toothpicks and a Phillips screwdriver. Don't forget the pliers with a wire cutter and wire crimper.

Think about your core strengths. Are they in sales and marketing, technology, business management, human resources, research and design, etc.?

Now from the wish list below, put a check by the characteristics that if developed, would make you more functional and add value to your resume. Even a jack-of-all-trades should find something on this list he/she could improve.

Start each sentence with "I am":

__ Committed to providing total quality work
__ Punctual, trustworthy and dependable
__ Competent at managing responsibilities in a high-pressure environment
__ Cooperative with a wide range of personalities
__ Accomplished at gaining trust and winning a customer's confidence
__ A good communicator in both verbal and written communication skills
__ Effective in completing assignments despite changing priorities
__ Good at identifying, analyzing, and solving problems
__ A team player and consistently contribute to team production
__ Resourceful in solving problems and maximizing resources
__ Enthusiastic and optimistic
__ Skilled in handling the public with diplomacy and professionalism
__ Good at adapting to new equipment and technology
__ Capable of organizing workflow, ideas, materials, people
__ Skilled at working with people with diverse backgrounds
__ Excellent as a leader

This list is to get you started thinking about the different skill sets you could develop that would make you more valuable to your organization, as valuable as a Swiss Army knife is to the outdoorsman. When you develop skills in addition to your core strengths, you will find the versatility puts you in a unique echelon of achievers.

Karla Brandau, Certified Speaking Professional, is a workplace consultant and an expert in leadership and professional development. She works with organizations who want to be competitive in the 21st century global marketplace. Sign up for her monthly newsletter, From the Desk of Karla Brandau by going to Karla Brandau.com.

The Seven Decisions - Number 7

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday September 30 2008

Welcome to this fine Tuesday, and the last day of our Andy Andrew’s 7 Decisions extravaganza. What fun it has all been, and what a great way to wrap up September. We get to kick off the last quarter of the year on an outstanding high note.

I want to thank everyone who wrote to me over the past seven days with note recognizing the tremendous impact Andy’s messages have been having on you. You folks are certainly on an amazing track for sustained personal growth.

A very special thanks goes to Andy Andrew’s. Andy, your works continue to inspire everyone who is touched by them. Your love for your audience shines in absolutely everything you author. My life sparkles as a consequence of embracing your edicts, my soul sings with the music of their message, and I operate as better man for the lessons they impart. Thank you.

Many of you have asked where to get Andy's books and programs. You should also get on his mailing list as his newsletter is outstanding. Follow this link: Andy Andrews

Now, let’s get on to the seventh and final Decision.

SEVEN DECISIONS THAT DETERMINE PERSONAL GROWTH.
Andy Andrews
7. I Will Persist Without Exception - I am a person of great faith.

Today I insert the final piece of the puzzle. I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind, the power of Choice!

Today I choose to Persist without Exception! No longer will I live in a dimension of distraction, for I know the outcome I desire. I hold fast to my dreams. I will persist without exception. I will continue despite exhaustion! I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion set in. I am not "most people". I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, that is why they are average. I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome, my success, is assured.

To achieve the results I desire, it is not necessary that I enjoy the process. It is only important that I continue the process with my eyes on the outcome. I will persist without Exception! I am a person of great faith!

God declares, 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. From this day forward, I will claim a faith in the certainty of my future. Too much of my life has been spent doubting my beliefs and believing my doubts. No More! I have faith in my future. I look forward. I can only persist! For me, faith will always be a sounder guide than reason because reason can only go so far-faith has no limits! I will expect miracles in my life because faith produces them every day. I will believe in the future I do not see. That Is Faith!!

I Will Continue Despite Exhaustion!
I Focus On Results!
I Am A Person Of Great Faith!

I Will Persist Without Exception!

The Seven Decisions - Number 6

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Monday September 29 2008

Bid hello to another brand spanking new week.

The Andy Andrew’s event seems to be hitting it all right on the mark. It doesn’t matter what is going on in life, Andy has an amazing way of bringing us all back to a nice centered place.

Let’s get right to it on this very sparkling Monday with Decision number 6.

Also, check out what our friends over at Daily Insight are doing to get their week up and running!

SEVEN DECISIONS THAT DETERMINE PERSONAL GROWTH.
Andy Andrews
6. I Will Greet This Day With A Forgiving Spirit - I will forgive myself

The forgiveness that I hoarded has sprouted inside my heart like a crippled seed yielding bitter fruit. No more! At this moment, my life has taken on new hope and assurance. Of all the world population, I am one of the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when given away. By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a new beginning.

I will greet this day with a forgiving heart! I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confrontation with people who said negative or harmful things about me. I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness and am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.

Know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave, I am not a slave! I know the difference between right and wrong. Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision. I realize today that it is impossible to fight an enemy living in my head. By forgiving myself, I erase the doubts, fears, and frustrations that have kept my past in the present. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun!

I Will Forgive Even Those Who Do Not Ask For Forgiveness!
I Will Forgive Those Who Criticize Me Unjustly!
I Will Forgive Myself!

I Will Greet This Day With A Forgiving Spirit!