ACTION ITEM: (it helps if you sing this) “I get by with a little help from my friends,” wrote John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney. I’m guilty of not asking for help in times of need. I know others feel the same way. So I thought, If I can’t fix my own stubbornness, I can make the effort to help someone else. Ask often, and ask with integrity to help.
ACTION ITEM: There are very successful people out there who have no problem creating momentum for themselves. They may be reading this post (I hope they are). This is a lonely race to run and a challenge I’ve struggled with. The real success I was searching for, came in magnitudes much greater when I started working for everyone else. Challenge, teach, encourage and build with high standards.
ACTION ITEM: When you see the word “invest” think money. Yes, I do think it is possible to get better without spending a dime, but it also lacks commitment. Books, audiobooks, online courses, exercise classes, seminars,…do something! Get invested in yourself or be prepared to live in the mediocre middle.
ACTION ITEM: This just feels weird reading, doesn’t it? Uncomfortable…I’d rather settle into this couch. The US Navy SEALS train in the uncomfortable every day. If you don’t know what “wet and sandy” is, I recommend Googling it. The more uncomfortable the scenario, the more they are prepared for anything anyone can throw at them. I’m certainly no SEAL, but I love the mindset. Hooyah!!
ACTION ITEM: In order to grow stronger and build muscle, a person must lift heavier weights. Is the person lifting afraid of the weights? I highly doubt it. So, why then should you be afraid of a challenge standing right in front of you? The only way to grow is to accept the challenge and punch fear in the face!
ACTION ITEM: If you’ve ever said to yourself (and I know you have), I wonder what <insert name> is up to? Then you need to take this challenge and call them. There’s a pretty good chance they’re feeling the same way (except they didn’t read this post!). Unless of course you’re one of those SUPER AWESOME people who help share my content.
Incase you missed it yesterday, or you’re wondering what the heck you’re looking at, I launched a 31 day series in the month of March titled “31 Days of Challenging Questions” – follow the link to get up to speed. Enjoy and I’ll see you tomorrow!
ACTION ITEM: I don’t think anyone can be accused of being overly thankful. Take a moment out of your day and thank a person or two who wouldn’t see it coming. It will make their day better and your gratitude will not be forgotten.
While on a flight back from New York about a month ago, I was doing some thinking. I wanted to do something truly BIG on my blog for the month of March. The answer I settled on was 31 days of posts focused on the challenging questions I learned during the last year.
After 31 days of challenging questions and learning more about yourself, it will be terrific to look back at where you were when you started! As my good friend Juan Teran always says, with tremendous enthusiasm (in tribute to his friend Zig Ziglar), “See you at the top!”
ACTION ITEM: Why not you? Why can’t you start that new opportunity, get that raise, run that marathon? Take desire and turn it into action.
Money can be a taboo topic for many. I get it. It’s highly personal and no one can really evaluate the choices of others because we don’t have a great understanding of their: upbringing, family, debts, income, etc.
But none of these factors should stop you from getting educated on the topic of money. After all, it’s the #1 cause of stress in households in 2015 (by a landslide) says CNBC.
To begin, I’ll confirm to all of my readers that I’ve read each of these books. Each more than one time. Secondly, I’m recommending these books specifically because they offer contradictory recommendations (what did you think I’d just tell you what to do?).
I want you to be able to use your brain and figure out your own financial path. It was already expressed that we’re all in different situations financially, so why offer one cookie cutter answer? Get intelligent, and use this intelligence the rest of your life to evaluate opportunities. When you complete these five books, you will understand there are guiding principles to create your unique financial foundation.
The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Dave offers a very no nonsense approach to money through his book and nationally syndicated radio show. The foundation revolves around elimination of debt (all debt). I encourage you to learn Dave’s Seven Baby Steps. A person has to understand they can’t get ahead by battling a mountain of debt. Dave also outlines simple strategies to live by a budget and save for retirement. To put this in my own words, “Stop buying shit you can’t afford!” I don’t care what the neighbors are driving or wearing.
Ramit is a Stanford grad educated in personal behavior and his book is great for those starting out. There is a ton of actionable info in this book. His six-week action plan will lay a solid strategy for anyone getting started in the money game. He talks debt reduction, credit cards, 401K/Roth IRAs, asset allocation, and living a truly “rich life”. Here’s a hint – rich isn’t just a number, it’s a lifestyle choice. You can also follow Ramit’s blog at I Will Teach You To Be Rich.com. I get emails from Ramit daily.
Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing: What the Rich Invest in, That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!
This book will help you think about money in a very non-traditional “go to work and get paid” linear way. Earlier, I told you I’d provide contradicting advice in this post to get that noodle of yours working. Check out what Ramit thought of Rich Dad Poor Dad here on his blog No book is perfect, but I do love the angles Rich Dad Poor Dad presented to me when I first read it. It made me think about money differently. It makes you take a step back and ask yourself, “What am I really doing to improve my financial picture?”
MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
This book was just released in the latter part of 2014. I got it for Christmas and it took a while to devour its 600+ pages of material. You may be thinking, “Tony Robbins? Isn’t he the life-coach/self-help author?” Yup! He tapped some of the most unreal relationships anyone could ever imagine to strip down the topic of money. He takes some of the strategies of the ultra-rich and makes them available to you and I. If you’re putting this in order, I think this is more of a master’s level book. Not only is it 600+ pages, it offers many contradicting investment strategies from the world’s most accomplished investors and investment strategists (once again there isn’t only one right answer here folks). If you’re into audio, I love listening to Tony’s interview with Tim Ferriss on his Four Hour Workweek podcast regarding the release of the book.
Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller – Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
This book was written nearly 80 years ago. How could it possibly be relevant today? Hill’s book helps to answer the question, “What makes a winner?” The reason I’d like you to read this book is because it creates a spark. There are hundreds of stories of people retiring rich who didn’t have large incomes to begin with. I think that’s wonderful. I also think a little bit of motivation and focus goes a long way to achieving one’s goals and this will help you get started. I’ve probably picked this book up 20+ times and read it cover to cover three times.
Okay, so I left out a few books. If you’re hungry for more, there are a few you can dive into:
The Richest Man in Babylon
The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
ACTION ITEM: The worst choice you can make is to do nothing. And yes, it is a choice. Don’t try to eat the whole elephant either. Choose to pick up one book and start learning. Pick up another and challenge what you’ve just learned. Tell me where you are a year from now.
~Here’s to a rich life
I’m driving, I’m paying attention (so I think), and I make a move to change lanes. Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of the car I thought I’d checked for, right in my blind spot. I nearly hit them.
My heart races. My mouth gets dry like I just ate 100 crackers. Adrenaline spikes. I immediately check all mirrors and veer back into my lane. Somehow I’m trying to figure out if I apologize with a kind smile or wave to my victim. I didn’t mean it, you were in my blind spot…
I have a couple blind spots. Everyone does. It’s human nature. I’m going to tell you about mine and how I check my mirrors (when reflecting) to make sure I’m not running anyone over.
My first blind spot is the slippery slope of my confidence level. Not sure where it came from, but I’ve always been a fairly confident person. I wouldn’t fault myself or anyone else for this. I believe a person needs an edge to win, and if I can’t believe in myself, who will right?!?
In the past, I’ve let my confidence pass the line from being confident and humble to cocky. Let me tell you something quick. No one likes the word cocky or the definition of the person it’s labeling. I have written proof of this.
I have unbelievable friends. Friends so committed to looking after me, they will tell me the truth. The BRUTAL truth. These are my truths from a time in my life I’m not proud of, but I can’t change. The following thoughts came from a great friend of mine via email nearly seven years ago and it addresses one of my blind spots.
I must first preface this email by saying this: I care about you a lot, you are one of my best friends, and this is why I feel comfortable enough to say the things that you are about to read below.
My friend goes on to describe behaviors of mine that could easily be labeled as arrogant and careless in regard to other people. You may wonder why I keep such a message? I keep it because the feelings were real and it generates real emotion. Every time I read it I get angry at myself. But I, nor you, can change the past. I am, however, comfortable with knowing I have the opportunity not to be this person ever again based on my daily actions and behaviors. Back to the message.
The reason I am telling you all of this: Because I am your friend and I want to continue to have you as my friend. I also care about Beth (my wife) and I believe that she deserves the Zac that you used to be. I also know that you can handle this critique because if you couldn’t, I would not send you this email. I also hope that if I ever need a little check on myself, that you will be one of the first ones to call me out.
My immediate response is overwhelming. Thank you! Thank you! If my friend is reading this (and I really hope they are), they will know how things turned out for the better, maybe even the BEST! I think it is safe to say this letter may have reset my life into a better direction. A direction I’m proud to say I’m on today.
The second blind spot I’m aware of is my tendency to over-focus on achievement. I’m a very driven person. I will laser focus on achieving the next thing, the next win, the next big advance (personally and professionally). As you can imagine, at times, this hyper focus will cause me to lose sight of what really matters. Precious time with family, friends, and simply just enjoying life is what really matters.
Good news, I’m getting better. Much better. The birth of my son added a perspective I thought I was ready for, but greatly under appreciated until it actually happened. I believe I’m much better now at focusing on the essential and leaving the trivial to pass. I’ll always be driven, but now I feel I’m more dangerous because I have the power to pursue and let go equally.
If you’re tracking on my analogies, blind spots are there for all of us. We just have to take an extra second to see what’s actually going on around us and be willing to see it for what it really is. In my case, I have a wonderful group of very close friends and a wife who sometimes seems to be more interested in taking care of me than I am. They help me see what is out of focus in my life.
ACTION ITEM: Followers know I write from time to time about reflection. I can’t say enough about how valuable it is in seeing the bigger picture at hand. I challenge you to reflect and write down two of your blind spots. It DOES NOT make you a bad person. On the contrary, I believe it adds much needed awareness to your life.
