WHY ALL OF US SHOULD WANT TO ACQUIRE WEALTH!!!

Many people have brought to my attention their thoughts on how they feel about the acquisition of greater wealth, including: 

You don't need more wealth or money, you have everything that is important!  

We Should be happy with what we have!  
I'm comfortable where I am!

It is too difficult to raise kids when you have a lot of money!

YES, all of these statements CAN BE TRUE.  I definitely believe that I have everything that is important in my life right now.  I have a wonderful wife, beautiful and healthy children, a roof over my head, and a great job.  I need to be happy with where I am and what I have in my life, which I wrote about in an article on Being Content, but not Complacent.  Raising kids is going to be difficult no matter what you do, so having more wealth doesn't necessarily make it more difficult, but adds another component that you have to be careful and educated about.  

However, I wanted to address these thoughts with the thoughts of others and from what I have learned through reading and my own personal experiences.  

First of all I want it to be very clear that no one NEEDS WEALTH, but having an abundance of temporal goods provides us with so many opportunities to help others and progress.  As said before,
With Great Opportunity Comes Great Responsibility!!!

Here are a few reasons why we should all want and work to acquire some degree of wealth:

Get Rid of the Worry!
There is hardly anything more stressful than worrying about money!  It is one of the primary reasons for divorce and depression.  To have wealth and not worry about bills, debt, or providing the necessities of life is one of my top reasons for acquiring wealth.  There is so much good and opportunity in this world that we will miss if we don't have the time or resources to acquire it.  Most of our lives are run by money, so why not take back our lives and get rid of the worry and stress.

Education opportunities for ourselves and children.  
I have been trying to buy books and go to seminars where I can learn from great people.  It takes a fair amount of money to actively participate in such activities.  Every cent put towards self investment is well worth it.  We grow in value as we increase our knowledge base, and that knowledge base sometimes takes some financial and time investment.  Again, it is not necessary to have money to gain knowledge, but there are so many great opportunities that require a financial investment in order to participate.
Often we think of higher education, aka college, when we think of needing money for our children's education.  This is one area that yes, we need money for, but what about when our children are younger.  Money can provide tutors, classes, and for me I will be traveling to parts of the world for cultural and hands on education.  Again, not necessary but the more we can give them now the further ahead and the greater opportunities they will have later.

Opportunities to serve. 
With all that is demanded of our time it is often difficult to "give back" to the communities and world we live in.  Although it is crucial we serve others, it is often set to the back burner after work and family has gobbled up our time.  As more wealth is gained and we learn to have money work for us, instead of us work for money, it allows us the opportunity to walk away from work and serve others.  I could be a scout leader and go camping for a week, travel the world in missionary service, work for Habitat for Humanity building a home or providing Physical Therapy to suffering people in under privileged worlds.  How would I ever be able to walk away from a job, for any extended period of time, if I lived paycheck to paycheck or I hadn't positioned my financial well being to allow time away from the office.

More time to do good.
We have all seen the movie where the workaholic dad or mom misses their kids recital or game because they were too busy making money.  Their values were out of wack and they had to go through some hard knock lesson to change.  Well what if you have to work and miss your kids events because you just don't have enough money and you have to be at work.  As we accumulate wealth and smarter ways of getting money to work for us we can do more good, not only for our family, but for our community through volunteer work, politics, coaching, and other service opportunities!

More resources to "Feed the Hungry and Clothe the Naked".

There is so much need to help those who are without food or clothes not only in the communities we live, but throughout the world.  Here are some interesting facts from FeedingAmerica.org, taken from the U.S. Census Bureau:

• Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. ...\
• More than 80 percent of the world's population lives in countries where income differentials are widening. ...
• The poorest 40 percent of the world's population accounts for 5 percent of global income.
• In the U.S. 46.7 million people (14.8 percent) were in poverty.
• In the U.S. 15.5 million (21.1 percent) children under the age of 18 were in poverty.
• In the U.S. 4.6 million (10 percent) seniors 65 and older were in poverty.
• In the U.S. the overall poverty rate according to the Supplemental Poverty Measure is 15.3 percent, as compared with the official poverty rate of 14.8 percent.[ii]
• 6 percent of households (6.9 million households) experienced very low food security.
• Food insecurity exists in every county in America, ranging from a low of 4 percent in Slope County, ND to a high of 33 percent in Humphreys County, MS.[vi]

No matter where you live there is a need and a responsibility reach out to those lacking.  Having the financial resources to buy and donate food and clothing as well as teaching financial skills to others is an opportunity for those that can afford it.  Hopefully you are seeing the trend that I am trying to point out that having greater wealth means more opportunities to help our family, friends, and the community.

More Responsibility but a better You.

The more we have of anything, the more responsibility that we have towards others.  In order to get to a point where we have greater wealth we have to change our poor thinking, poor habits, lack of knowledge, and switch it for something better.  We have to push ourselves to become a better person and a more valuable person to our families, friends, and the world.  As we gain knowledge, wealth, talents, or anything else, if we don't use it to help our family and then others, what good is it.  Anyone can fall in Love with money, which is the root of all evil, but if we remember to be grateful and stay close to God then that temporal prosperity could change lives and the world for the good. while preserving our spiritual well being even with riches.

 “When this people are prepared to properly use the riches of this world for the building up of the Kingdom of God, He is ready and willing to bestow them upon us. I like to see men get rich by their industry, prudence, management and economy, and then devote it to the building up of the Kingdom of God upon the earth.” (JD, vol. 2, pp. 114–15.)   -Brigham Young-

Andrew Carnegie, one of this country’s great philanthropists, stated his attitude toward wealth as follows: “This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: First, to set an example of modesty, ostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community—the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves.” (The Gospel of Wealth.)

Here is a great article that lists the warnings and responsibilities of having wealth. Scriptures on the pursuit of wealth 

THE LAW OF ABUNDANCE

SO HOW DO I BECOME WEALTHY???

This is one of the primary reasons for this blog, to figure out how to become wealthy and achieve my goals.  As I figure out how to do it I hope I can clearly communicate my process and help you achieve the same thing.  

So far I know I have to accomplish these things to become wealthy:

1. Create residual income: You have to get your money to work for you, meaning in order to open up my time and gain more currency with the 24 hours myself and everyone else has in a day, I have to find ways to earn money without having to be present.  

2.  Multiplying affect:  Because we only have 24 hours in a day and there is only one me, if I try and use my skills to earn money I will only be able to so much before I cap out on how much I can do and achieve in a day.  Learning to multiply myself is crucial in removing the cap and opening up endless windows of opportunity.  This is why the internet has created more millionaires than there ever has been because one person can create a website that can reach the world.  Authors and movie makers have done this for years where they write one book or make one movie that can then be distributed to millions of people.  A business owner can train his employees to provide the skill set that he has, thus multiplying his abilities through the training of others.  Being able to multiply you and your skills to reach a mass audience is key to being successful.  

3. Invest in yourself:  Take the time to constantly learn and grow as an individual.  As you increase your knowledge base and skill set you will become more valuable, and in turn people will want to exchange currency for your abilities.  

4.  Invest:  I don't know a lot about investments and how to do this, but I found, what seems to be a decent article, on this very topic found here

5.  Convince yourself that you are worthy of success:  so often we are hindered by self limiting beliefs.  Through affirmation statements, positive thinking, and gratitude we can convince our subconscious and conscious mind that we are worthy of achieving anything that we desire.  

TAKE IT FROM THE EXPERTS

Need a pick me up?  
Below are some great thoughts and videos



DON'T WISH IT WAS EASIER, JUST WISH YOU WERE BETTER

-Jim Rohn



"Either you have created the outcomes in your life by what you've done or you've caused them by what you haven't done.  And even if something has happened to you, you are still responsible for how you respond to what's done to you." -Darren Hardy




Darren Daily Video "It mirrors you"


BECOME A SUPER ACHIEVER...NOT AN OVERACHIEVER

ZIG ZIGLAR

JIM ROHN

Follow Up on "JUST TRY IT" Day

So I did it, I just tried it.  I girded up my loins and I made the calls that I needed to make.  I took the first step into darkness, the step that everything in my body screamed out not to do...you aren't smart enough, you will say something dumb, you won't make the right impression...all words that my subconscious screamed at me!  But I did it any way!!!

It worked out wonderfully
The contact I had to get a hold of a mentor I have been trying to reach was finally available.  I talked to him for quite some time and the conversation went well and he is going to talk with my potential mentor and see what he can do for me!  It was a great experience and not near as scary as I had expected.
I started reading again.  I felt like I didn't have time to fit reading one more thing, but as I looked at my schedule I figured out what I could eliminate and where I could fit it in.
I am progressing with the lawyer that I had drug my feet to contact.  Now the ball is rolling toward business ownership and opportunity.

It was hard to make myself do it, but anything worthwhile is going to take effort.  Because I wasn't afraid to try good things will come from this or something else down the road.  Plus, it really builds confidence to do things that are difficult, no matter the end result!

"JUST TRY IT" DAY!!!

Today is Just Try It day!
Yes this has never been celebrated, but I am starting this wonderful day when all the ventures, calls, and opportunities that I am afraid to take I take today!  This is the day when I am no longer going to let fear keep me from trying or procrastinating what I want to do.  In the next 24 hours I will do the things that I have been putting off, for whatever reason!  I invite any who read this, no matter what day, to commit yourself to the same challenge and to JUST TRY IT!  99% of the time the step that we feared was easier than we thought once we tried to accomplish it!
I have been progressing in many avenues to better myself, but in a couple business ventures (some of which cannot be disclosed at this time) I have drug my feet a little.  Mostly because I am often not sure what to do and there is a part of me that worries about not succeeding.
However, if there is one thing I have learned that no attempt, whether I fail or succeed, is in actuality a failure if I learn!  There is no possible way to achieve dreams without failure...aka learning opportunities.  I believe this so much so that I have began teaching it to my kids.  I have been congratulating them when they do things wrong.  Jerika will spell a word wrong and I congratulate and give her a big high five for trying on her own!  Then we go over how to spell it right and I can show her that she learned because she tried.
Today I am going to...

1.  Make a phone call to a man I have been trying to get mentorship from
2.  Set up a meeting with lawyers to progress in a business venture I am pursuing
3.  Start reading "One Simple Idea" to make my attempt at licensing and reaching my goal of having a residual income source

I invite everyone to join me on this JUST TRY IT day!  I hope you can make the seemingly scary step toward a big goal you are trying to achieve!

LOVE FAILURE AND GROW FROM IT

"I AM CAPABLE AND WORTHY OF ACHIEVING ANYTHING I DESIRE"

This phrase "I am capable and worthy of achieving anything I desire" is what I wrote on my affirmation statement specific to passing my exam.  I liked it so much I put it everywhere.  On my vision board, above my desk at work, on my daily affirmation statement!

This is such a powerful statement.  We have to have ardent confidence in ourselves and our abilities in order to obtain success.  There are times when very few, or even no one, will believe in what you are trying to accomplish.  This is when we must believe and have confidence in ourselves that we can do and become anything!   For me this confidence has strengthened as I have studied and come to understand that I am a Child of God with infinite potential!  If I am Daily talking to God and studying His word, how can I not have confidence and know I can achieve anything.  Using the affirmation statement and above phrase convinces my subconscious of what God wants us to believe about ourselves!

It mustn't be forgotten that you still have to be wise in what you pursue, and always consider what others suggest and say. But if you have researched it out, humbly asked God, and you know it is a good decision, then go forward with confidence that you, yes you, are capable of achieving anything.  

I will say "I am capable and worthy of achieving anything I desire" every day for the rest of my life!  Combine that with my daily affirmation statement, and my subconscious will have to believe it, and in turn become me!

Here is a Darren Daily on the same topic:

http://www.darrendaily.com/the-success-factor/

Creating Value
Revisiting the principle!
(see my previous post on this topic)

When I first started this blog I was frustrated, angry, and feeling like a failure.  As I begin my 3rd month I find myself much happier with my current state and realizing I have so much more than I ever realized.
It is so easy to become focused on what we don't have, so much so it can become all consuming!  I still find myself struggling to battle this limiting mind set.  As I have began studying for my exam AGAIN, I have found myself completely drug down and thrown back into the battle against depression and negative self talk.  Starting my test studies has brought back all of my previous stress that I had work to decrease.
Whenever this type of feeling comes along I start thinking that if only I can make a lot of money it will help me to feel important, successful, and show that this test is not important.  As these thoughts have trickled through my mind I have again been reminded of really all I want to do in this life...CREATE VALUE!!!
Yes I would like money, a nice house, and to be successful in a career, but ultimately I only want to be able to create something that helps build others and bring them closer to greater truth.
If I want to be successful in life I need to find ways to create value.  Create value at my work, at my home, and in whatever occupation I choose to do.  If I create something or provide a service to others that assists and uplifts them, then anything else I want or need in this life will be provided.
I need to daily focus on how can I create greater value in the people and profession that details my life...then as I do so I will be successful in all things that are important to me!

To reflect my understanding of this principle I reviewed and updated my goals to indicate the pursuit of Value Creation to fulfill my affirmation statement and reach my goals

For more information and insights into the topic listen to Darren Hardy on the link below

http://www.darrendaily.com/need-more-money/

For a more comical but genius view on what is value, check out this TED Talk

http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_life_lessons_from_an_ad_man?language=en#t-978632

Wisdom to keep me going!

So I feel a little weird using purple, but I haven't used it yet and so I am trying something new today!  I am that guy...the one that refuses to don myself with effeminate colors such as pink and purple!  I just can't do it.

So here we are, another Friday!  I was sick all week, which ended up being allergies I think.  It's such a bugger because I have never had allergies before.  I have been sleeping and slacking on reading and my daily routine, so I needed a pick me up this Friday to get me fired up for the weekend and the upcoming week.  I hope it helps you as well!

LIFE IS WORTHWHILE, STAY MOTIVATED

Videos that remind me why I must keep trying, what MY success is, and how to be HAPPY!

Napolean Hill Quotes 

From

Think and Grow Rich

I was reviewing some "Think and Grow Rich" material and was again blown away by some of the awesome material that is found within its covers.  These are some of the inspirational thoughts! 

“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” 

“Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them.” 

“Set your mind on a definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands aside to let you pass.” 

“The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.” 

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” 

“Opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon anyone who will accept them. If you are influenced by "opinions" when you reach DECISIONS, you will not succeed in any undertaking.” 

“One who has loved truly, can never lose entirely. Love is whimsical and temperamental. Its nature is ephemeral, and transitory. It comes when it pleases,and goes away without warning. Accept and enjoy it while it remains, but spend no time worrying about its departure. Worry will never bring it back.” 

“Helen Keller became deaf, dumb, and blind shortly after birth. Despite her greatest misfortune, she has written her name indelibly in the pages of the history of the great. Her entire life has served as evidence that no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality.”

How to get more money!!!

I have heard this concept before and read about it multiple times, but for some reason it really stuck to me like a velcro strip with glue on it!

I received my daily mentor text from Darren Daily today and as you can see below, it is the idea that money is not real!  It's just a piece of paper, but how we view money is what makes it what it is to us.  To each person money is a different thing.  To some it's a burden, others a bonus, a sign of wealth, happiness, sadness, despair, and the list can go on and on.  To most of us we see it as Money, the lifeline to what we want.  That is why I love the following, because it clearly defines how we need to change our thinking about money and really gain value, wealth and success!

http://www.darrendaily.com/

With tax day upon us, I'd like you to alter your mindset about this all-important force in our lives, now formerly known as money.

Take this five letter word: M-O-N-E-Y & cross it out.
Now replace each letter with these five: V-A-L-U-E.

Stop thinking about money as money & start understanding it as value.
That is all money is--paper that denotes value.

How do you get more money?
Create more value. Period.
That’s it.

Action for today:
Instead of asking… How can we increase our revenue?
Ask, How can we create and deliver more value?

Instead of asking, How can we expand our business?
Ask, how can we expand our value?

Rather than asking, how can I become wealthier?

Ask instead, how can I become more valuable?

Therein lies the secret to money.
Money is just a tool to exchange value.
The only way to obtain tons of money is to create tons of value.

Your Daily Mentor,
-Darren