Denny Smith Leadership Blog

The Five biggest obstacles to taking ACTION....

 

Action, or better yet, “Taking Action,” is critical for a successful life. We know that sometimes we just need to get off our butts.

Dr. Phil on his TV show says that “LIFE REWARDS ACTION.” That’s actually one of his life rules.

Tony Robbins frequently says that we should “TAKE MASSIVE ACTION.”

One of my favorite quotes comes from Will Rogers, who used to say, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”. 

** THE BIG CHALLENGE and a small BUT **

BUT, there’s a big challenge with “Taking Action,” and probably with all of the steps to success. Everybody knows you have to take action to get things done. That’s no secret. So we all know it, but most of us don’t do it.

We all know that we have to excersise  regularly to stay in shape, but most of us don’t do it.

I want to share with you an unbelievable number. Federal statistics say about 60 percent of American adults are not regularly active, and about 25 percent are totally inactive. They don’t do anything at all. 

Think about it. We all know that if we read more, we’ll learn more, but we don’t do it. We know that we need to take action, but we’re not doing it. Why not? There are a few reasons. Think about which ones are stopping you.

 

** THE FIVE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO TAKING ACTION **

1. The first is fear: fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of success. 

2. Another reason is plain laziness. Sometimes, it’s easier to sit and turn on the TV.

3. One more reason is complacency. If you think that life is good enough and adequate, why change and risk it getting worse?

4. Another reason is bad habits. If we are in the habit of doing nothing, we’ll keep doing nothing.

5. A final reason is despair. Many people are of the mindset that they’ve already tried to take action before and it didn’t work. Why should I do it now?

So, we all know that we need to take action.  What’s stopping you?

Fear, laziness, complacency, bad habits or despair ?

Now, I am going to ask you to take a minute to write down what’s stopping you from taking action. You can write it down on a piece of paper or comment at the bottom of this article.

Take a moment to write them down and read them.
(***HINT: That's where the magic power comes from. If you write it and read it, you can begin to overcome your obstacle. Awareness is the first step.)

** HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS **

Fear seems like a very legitimate reason to stop action. Many people have all sorts of fears, and many times these fears stop us in out tracks.

Almost all of us have fears, and some are rational fears, such as going into a high crime rate neighborhood late at night by yourself. That’s a fairly rational fear. You should be afraid to do that.

And some aren’t quite as rational. We know which ones these are.

There is a simple process that you can follow that often helps dealing with fear. 

When fear is stopping your action, take a cognitive approach.

** START BY ASKING YOURSELF QUESTIONS **

QUESTION # 1: What is the worst possible outcome of your action, in this situation? What do you really fear?

Maybe you’ll lose your job, or lose the woman or man of your dreams.  

Maybe the presentation won’t go well, or maybe you’re afraid that you will just look bad. Take a hard look at your fear. Is it justified? It is rational? Can you live with the outcome? 

QUESTION # 2: Ask yourself what you can achieve by taking this action. What are the benefits? What is the best possible outcome?

QUESTION # 3: Now, the final step. Ask yourself the following question:

Does the benefit outweigh the risk? If the answer is an overwhelming no, then don’t do it. If the answer is yes, take the action. Move ahead.

Now, give yourself a few minutes to think about this process as it applies to your own fears. What do you fear? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What’s the best thing? Does the benefit outweigh the risk? Think about for a minute. 

Now write down the answers to these questions and read them.
(***HINT: That's where the magic power comes from. If you write it and read it, you can begin to get past them.)

WHAT NEXT? 

As a follow-up, I am asking you to think about one specific action that you are going to take after reading this to improve your life, and then take it. If you do nothing else, at least do this. Write it down or post your comments below.

Now, in the immortal words of Nike sneakers,   “Just Do It.”

 

Keep Charging,

D

Evaluating Financial Literacy Statistics

 

Looking at the financial education statistics, it is obvious to me that a lot of people are suffering due to financial illiteracy. The financial literacy stats clearly show a lack of even the most basic knowledge. Many people wonder why so many are suffering from money problems.

The financial literacy statistics are a crystal ball into the future...

Seeing that the majority of college students don’t understand the importance of paying bills on time is a financial literacy stat that says to me, a lot of those students will have credit problems. Seeing the financial education statistic that states that most do not have a set savings plan shows me that there will probably be a lot of people not able to retire.

I think it’s obvious, that, unless we change these negative financial literacy stats into positive, that many people will still continue to suffer from money problems.

Although not an expert, if money issues are causing people this much trouble – shouldn’t they teach this somewhere? The vast majority of all the financial literacy statistics point to the lack of a financial education as the primary cause of many of the problems.

The financial education statistics and trends all lead us to one conclusion...

That a practical financial education will take those financial literacy stats and turn them into something we can all be proud of.  How much would it help if we took the 50% of people who have less than $50k saved for retirement, and we could reduce that to 25%?

That change alone would improve the strength of this country and the world.

As I watched an economist on CNBC discuss leading indicators, I thought how financial literacy can be a leading indicator to the future economic strength of individuals, communities, organizations and even the country and world.

First let me address the individuals. The statistics from the American Dream Project that shows only 40% of people that will never gain a net worth in excess of $10,000 has some real consequences for that person. With the elimination of social security and pensions this means to the 40% that they will either work their entire life, be supported by family or live off public assistance. In any case, they will struggle with their finances.

That financial literacy statistic will affect the community and company they are with. As money is a leading cause of stress and unhealthy coping behaviors, the company they are working with will likely have a less productive workforce.

If the company had a workplace financial education program, some of the issues may be mitigated; however, if not that company will likely lose productivity from employees.

Looking at the community, the likelihood of this person needing public assistance greatly increases. If that person needs public assistance where does that money come from?

Taking this financial literacy out further, you can see how it impacts the country and world as a whole. The US is a consumption based economy and if people cannot afford to purchase those items they use,  you can see this financial literacy statistic will reduce the country’s GDP.

It is critical that we all begin working to improve the financial literacy statistics and empower people with a financial education. Making members of our community financially knowledgeable will improve the world as a whole.

One of the most comprehensive and least expensive educational products I have seen in the market place is the 

Financial Fitness Program  which teaches the Defense , the Offense and also the playing field of personal finance.

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance .....

Way more expensive !

 

Keep Charging...

D

 

 

Leadership & Choices - DENNY SMITH

 

Hindsight is a funny thing..

Look forward, and the path seems uncertain, the future unpredictable.

Look back and all the dots seem to connect... except the dots that mark the choices we didn't make, and the risks we didn't take.

 

Here are choices you will someday regret having made:

 

1. Choosing not to be brave.

Being brave doesn't mean you aren't afraid -- in fact, the opposite is true. Courage without thought or meaning is simply recklessness.

Brave people aren't fearless; they just learn to act in spite of fear...

Say you're scared to start a business. Find a reason that means more: creating a better future for your family, wanting to make a real difference, or hoping for a more rewarding and fulfilling life.

Once you find a greater meaning, you also find courage. See fear not as something to run from, but as something to overcome -- because that's all it is.

 

2. Choosing the pain of regret over the pain of discipline.

The worst words you can say are, "If I had only..."

Think of all the things you've wanted to do but never have. What did you do instead?

If you're like me, you can't remember. All you know is that time is gone and whatever you did instead wasn't even worth remembering.

Think about one thing you dreamed of doing five or 10 years ago but didn't work to do... and think about how good you'd be today at that one thing if you had. Think about all the time you wasted and can never get back.

Then, starting today, push yourself to do what you should do, so five or 10 years from now you won't look back with regret. Sure it will be hard...  Sure it will be painful...

But it will be a lot less painful than how it will someday feel when you look back on what could have been... but isn't.

 

3. Choosing not to say, "I will."

My mentor Greg Johnson once gave me what I thought was an impossible task. I said, "OK. I'll try."

He asked me to pick up a pencil he dropped on the floor and after attempting to pick it up, he said :NO

just TRY and pick it up. Don't pick it up...

The moral of the story is either you Do something or you Don't do something.

Often we say, "I'll try," because that gives us an out. Our egos aren’t on the line. Our identities aren’t on the line.  After all, we're just "trying."

Once you say, "I WILL," your perspective changes. What previously seemed insurmountable is no longer a matter of luck or chance, but of time, effort and persistence.

When what you want to do really matters, don't say, "I'll try." Say, "I WILL," and then do everything possible to keep that promise to yourself.

 

4. Choosing not to take plenty of shots.

You may never create the perfect business plan, may never find the perfect partners or the perfect market or the perfect location, but you can find the perfect time to start -- because that time is now.

Talent, experience, and connections are important, but put your all into it and swing the bat enough times and you will get some hits.

After you take enough shots, over time you'll grow more skilled, more experienced, and more connected. And that will mean an even greater percentage of your efforts will succeed. Take enough shots, and learn from each experience, and in time you'll have all the skills, knowledge, and connections you need.

Ultimately, success is a numbers game; it's all about taking a shot, over and over and over again. The more shots you take, the more times you will succeed. So get the power of numbers on your side and take as many shots as you can in life.

There is no guarantee of success, but when you don't take any shots at all, you're guaranteed to always fail. Wayne Gretzky the great hockey star said you miss 100% of the shots you don't take...

 

5. Choosing not to move.

Familiarity creates comfort. But comfort is often the enemy of improvement.

If you have a great opportunity and the only thing holding you back is the thought of moving, move...

If you want to be closer to family or friends and the only thing holding you back is the thought of moving, move...

If you want to be closer to people who think and feel and act like you, move...

When the fear of moving is the only thing holding you back, move. 

 

6. Choosing not to let go.

Bitterness, resentment, and jealousy are like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. You are the only one who loses...

Life is too short to resent all the people who may have hurt you. Let hard feelings go.

Then spend the energy you save cherishing the people you love and who love you....

 

7. Choosing not to say you're sorry.

We all make mistakes, so we all have things we need to apologize for: words, actions, omissions, failing to step up, step in, to be there when we're needed...

Swallow your fear -- or pride -- and say your sorry...

Then you'll help the other person let go of their resentment or bitterness.

You both get to make the freshest of fresh starts, sooner instead of later -- or instead of never.

 

8. Choosing not to throw out your backup plans.

Backup plans can help you sleep easier at night. But backup plans can also create an easy out when times get tough.

You will work or fight a lot harder and a longer if your primary plan has to work because there is no other option. Total commitment -- without a safety net -- .

Just as George Washington burned the boats after crossing the river.  Failure or retreat is not an option. ONLY victory.

 

9. Choosing to be too proud.

Don't be too proud to admit you made a mistake. Don’t be too proud to have big dreams, or to poke fun at yourself, or to ask other people for help.

Don't be afraid to fall on your face … and then to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go again.

Instead, take pride in the fact that no matter what might happen, you will always get up and go again.

That way, you never truly lose -- and your dreams can never, ever die.

 

10. Choosing not to care.

Rejection hurts. Sadness hurts. Failure hurts; sometimes a lot.    So what do you do??

You avoid getting hurt by deciding you no longer care.

. But then you never get to experience the joy of connection, the joy of happiness, and the joy of success.

 

Choose a life of excellence....

Choose a life of passion....

Choose to live....

 

 

 

Keep Charging,

D

 

 

Financial Fitness Quiz...

How well are you doing with your personal finances ?

Take this short quiz to see how you have been doing up until now... 

 

 

  YES / NO

 

1. Do you have a bank account?

 

2. Do you have enough money every month to pay bills?

 

3. Do you have enough money to contribute to an emergency fund?

 

4. Have you written down your future financial goals?

 

5. Do you have a consistent budget each month?

 

6. Have you organized all your financial papers (bills, tax returns, statements, etc.)?

 

7. Do you put money into a savings account regularly?

 

8. Do you increase your savings when you receive a salary increase?

 

9. Do you have a retirement account?

 

10. Do you pay credit cards in full to avoid interest charges?

 

11. Do you comparison shop for major purchases by at least 3 sources?

 

12. Do you avoid impulse purchases?

 

13. Do you avoid shopping as a form of recreation?

 

If you have answered no to any of these questions, I would highly recommend doing the Financial Fitness 47 Program 

 

 

 

A must read is Orrin Woodward's newly released  The Financial Matrix ....

 

Here is a short video explaining the highlights of the book:

 

 

Keep Charging towards better financial health !

D

 

 

The 100 Man Story ...

The 100 Man Story:

What Will Be Your Story?

 

Take any group of 100 people at the start of their working career and follow them for 40 years until they reach retirement age and here`s what you`ll find according to the Social Security Administration:

• Only 1 will be wealthy.
• 4 will be financially secure.
• 5 will continue working, not because they want to, but because they have to.
• 36 will be dead.
• 54 will be dead broke – dependent on the meager Social Security Checks, relatives, friends and even charity for a minimum standard of living.

That’s 5% successful, 95% unsuccessful.

Let’s look at how the 5% got there.

There are:
• Millionaires with college degrees, and millionaires with little education.
• Millionaires who were born rich, and millionaires who went from homelessness to wealthy.
• Millionaires in developed countries, and millionaires in poor nations.

As you can see, there is no single quality that stands out among the wealthy -- except ONE. Wealthy and financially secure people understand what’s really going on with their money and how to create wealth.

In other words, they’re the same as us but they have a better and deeper understanding of the principles of financial success. They understand that abundance is there for the taking. It is not a win-lose situation – there is enough for everyone. We can all be well off.

But first you must learn to harness the correct financial thought process. 

The 59% still working in retirement or broke, especially need to KNOW what the financially secure know.

The System. The Formula. The Solution. The Method. Call it what you want. The principles used by wealthy people can be yours – with the Financial Fitness Program produced by Life, you will understand the playing field of money including the defense and offense of personal finances.

www.financialfitness47.com

Learn to get out of the financial matrix that enslaves most people.

Better information creates better results !!!

 

Keep Charging

D

 

"Aviate-Navigate-Communicate" by Denny Smith

While serving as a non commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, was the first time I heard the term "Aviate-Navigate-Communicate". At the time, I never gave it much thought, and did not fully understand the principal.

#1 Aviate

Fly the airplane. This is of the utmost importance! Keeping the aircraft flying under control. There is really no need to worry about which direction you are going (Navigate), nor talking to the air traffic controller, other pilots, or somebody on the ground (Communicate) unless the aircraft is flying under control. We now can evaluate circumstances and gather information to decide if we need to take any corrective actions, such as emergency landing, etc.

#2 Navigate

After #1 is carried out, and only then, can we proceed to determine where we are first, and then, where do we desire to go. At this point, we can decide on what navigational aids we have available to us at the present time and use them to the best of our abilities, in order to get us back in the right direction based on our desired destination, or to deviate the plan to go to a new destination or direction.

#3 Communicate

After the aircraft is back flying under pilots control, towards the determined destination of his preference, it is the time when the pilot can now communicate with appropriate people such as air traffic controller, flight service, other pilots, emergency crew on the ground, etc.

My flight instructor would do things to me, such as turn off switches and buttons, secretly change radios, gauges, etc, while talking and even screaming at me (I thought I was back in the Marines) in order to distract me and make me lose my focus. He was very rough, however in debriefings he would assure me that someday when the chips are down, I would draw back and remember this fat guy yelling, and would possibly save my life.

A few years later, after accidentally flying into a horrific thunderstorm, which was like entering a black hole, getting pounded with 1" hail, going up and down thousands of feet/second, due to down drafts and up drafts, getting turned sideways, with the thought, "I'd rather be anywhere else on earth right now!"

It was then that I pressed play on my memory recall, back to my mentors advice to maintain focus on AVIATE. Fly and control the aircraft. Implement the training I had received on unusual attitudes, airspeed control, spin awareness, and keeping a calm state of mind. After enduring the longest 15 minutes of my life and maintaining 100% focus on Aviating, I broke out of the black nightmare to find a rainbow. What a blessing it was!

At that point was when I determined where I was at, and how to get back on the desired flight plan. Navigate.

Finally, I was able to Communicate with the air traffic controller to make them aware that, #1 we were okay, #2 why we deviated off of our flight plan, #3 what our location was and what our plan was to get back on track. #4 provide awareness to other pilots of the thunderstorm.

I believe that principal Aviate-Navigate-Communicate, serves us when dealing with any of life's crisis. However, crisis comes in all shapes and sizes. If something is unexpected and overwhelming, it's a crisis. But crisis is also surmountable if you remain calm and think through each step toward resolution.

Take a deep breath. Keep your cool. Developing solutions to a crisis is easier when you are calm, vs allowing yourself to become emotional and distressed. When your in a crisis, don't panic and freeze. If your in over your head and don't know how to handle the crisis, seek counsel from someone with experience who can help you deal with the situation at hand.

Summary

Crisis comes in all shapes and sizes. They can occur in all sorts of situations, often at the worst possible moment, and typically when your least expecting it. Crisis can often bring productive work to a halt, and test the skills of the most accomplished leader.

Aviate - Keep doing what you're doing while you assess the extent of the crisis. Gather information, but don't drop the ball.

Navigate - Analyze the information you have on the crisis to determine possible courses of action. Develop a strategy, an action plan to deal with the situation.

Communicate - Let others know what's going on as you work to develop your solution. Also, ask for help if you need it.

 

 

 

Six Reasons We Like Humble People

The world is full of self-important, self-absorbed, and self-promoting people.  I prefer humble people.  They are truly a breath of fresh air when I meet them.

Humility seems to be a virtue that is losing ground in today’s world.  Humble people do not make for good TV.  The media prefers to make the bold and the brash the lead story.  These are the people who make the headlines.

What’s Not To Like?

Six Reasons We Like Humble People

1.  The Humble Are Rare

It is ironic that people today spend so much time declaring they are unique.  They want to stand out in a crowd and be noticed.  Unfortunately that is becoming a majority.  Humility is truly unique. It is the humble who stand out.  When I find a humble person, I know I have found someone special.

2.  The Humble Are Selfless

Self-important, self-absorbed, and self-promoting.  When you put your self first, this is what you become.  The humble put others before themselves.  Being selfless doesn’t mean you think less of yourself.  It just means you think of yourself less.

3.  The Humble Are Confident

You can be humble and confident simultaneously.  But, arrogance and humility are always in opposition.  While an arrogant person is often preoccupied with promoting his capabilities, a confident person does not need other people to know they are capable.

4.  The Humble Admit Mistakes

It takes humility to admit when you blew it.  The humble do not see the need to be perfect, because they already know perfection is impossible.  They see themselves realistically. Therefore, admitting mistakes does not damage their ego.

5.  The Humble Show Maturity

Some people are naturally humble. Some people gain humility through experience.  Either way, humility is a sign of maturity.  How mature is a petulant child who needs everyone’s attention?  Now compare the humility of aging sport stars versus the people they were during their playing days.  Lack of humility is a sign of immaturity.

6.  The Humble Are Good Listeners

The humble are very comfortable learning about others and demonstrating the lost art of listening. They do not always dominate the conversation with stories about their own accomplishments or their children’s accomplishments.  The humble always tend to make others feel important instead of making themselves feel that way.  They do that by listening.

 

The Bottom Line:

I think the world believes humility is a sign of weakness.  The strongest people I know exude humility.  I like being around them because they are not concerned about their position.  They are not concerned about getting the spot light.  They are concerned about what is important.

Humility is a character trait we should all aspire to.

Think about it.  If I told you I wanted you to meet a unique person who was selfless, confident, able to admit mistakes, mature and a good listener, doesn’t that sound like someone we would all want to spend time with?

 

Question:

Have you ever been around a truly humble person you didn’t appreciate?  Have you ever been around an arrogant person you didn’t appreciate?

 

 

Keep Charging 

D

CPE Think gives Credits for continuing education with Financial Fitness Program

The nationally accreditted CPEthink.com has recently taken on Life Leaderships- Financial Fitness Program as an accreditted course for Coninuing Professional Education for CPA's. CPAs will recieve 22 credits upon competion with a 70% score and above.

www.FinancialFitness47.com

 

Course Details - Go to Course Contents

New ! ! !   QAS   Registry      Title :  Financial Fitness  Author :  Chris Brady, Author, Speaker, Humorist, and Businessman Status :  Production CPE Credits :  22.0 IRS Credits :  0 Price :  $124.95 Passing Score :  70% Primary Subject-Field Of Study :  Finance - Management Description :    In our society, so many people have not seen the principles of financial fitness modeled. This makes it difficult to understand or apply them. People tend to do what they know based on their experience. In this course, you will learn our view of the principles of financial success that brought us true financial fitness. This course combines all three approaches: 1) Offense - Making Money; 2) Defense - Budgeting and Discipline; and 3) The Playing Field - Rules and Philosophy of Money. This is done by outlining the key principles for financial success that we believe are necessary for a person or family to become financially fit.  Please Note: This course 1) Is excluded from our all-inclusive subscriptions. 2) Contains a text book, audio CDs and a workbook that will be shipped to you at no charge within 5 business days (usually a little sooner). Usage Rank :  0 Release :  2014 Version :  1.0 Prerequisites :  None. Experience Level :  Overview Additional Contents :  Course Content is Shipped, Review and Final Exam Questions Online Advance Preparation :  None Delivery Method :  Self-Study Intended Participants :  Anyone needing Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Approved Audience :  NASBA QAS - NASBA Registry -  -  Revision Date :  12/06/2014 NASBA Course Declaration :  Participants must complete the final examination within one year of purchase and with a minimum passing grade of 70% or better to receive CPE credit unless otherwise noted on the Course History page (i.e. California Ethics must score 90% or better). After logging in click on the Course History links on your My Courses page for the Begin date and Expire date for the Final Exam. Comments :  TBD Learning Objectives :    Course Objectives 1. Identify and apply the most basic principles of financial fitness and integrate them into personal financial planning and management. 2. Distinguish between the most important and less important reasons for focusing on finances. 3. Develop a list of financial management priorities, including effectively using te investment hierarchy. 4. Carry out the first step toward financial fitness by investing in oneself first. 5. Comprehend and apply the techniques of financial discipline and giving. 6. Differentiate between the ten different money views and distinguish which are healthy and unhealthy outlooks on managing money. 7. Apply the techniques of investing in yourself through reading and through gaining entrepreneurial experience. 8. Develop a program of financial fitness by putting money in the service of your principles and applying the key values of financial offense. 9. Using financial multipliers as a form of financial offense to build wealth and make wise purchases when you need to make them. 10. Developing good spending habits and effectively using passive income to build wealth. 11. Integrating a purpose-driven life into a plan to build wealth and practice sound financial management. 12. Using good mentors and distinguishing between the relative advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business or building a business. 13. Differentiating between restraining non-productive spending and maximizing productive investing in developing a financial management plan and building a business. 14. Distinguishing between the myths about debt and when to use and not use debt as part of a financial management plan and applying effective techniques and strategies for getting out of debt. 15. Integrating the practices that help you avoid the pitfalls of excessive spending and materialism, such as status-driven purchases, to enable you to save and spend wisely. 16. Naming the ten financial danger zones and applying the practice of delayed gratification through saving and investing and debt-free living and spending. 17. Outlining the five great economic questions, comprehending the basic economic principles of free market economies, and developing a plan for navigating the national and global economic landscape and preparing for economic upturns and downturns. Part I - Financial Fitness Talks Learning Objectives   Talk 1 1. Identify the myths surrounding wealth and develop an effective financial plan applying the techniques and values of financial offense and a strong financial defensive scheme to protect your finances.  Talk 2 1. Identify the ten money views and differentiate between healthy and unhealthy outlooks on managing money represented by these money views.  Talk 3 1. Develop financial habits and apply techniques that allow you to master your finances rather than allowing them to master you such as getting out of and avoiding debt, saving and investing, and making wise purchases.  Talk 4 1. Carry out the basic principles of money management by creating a budget, limiting spending, and decreasing the percentage of your income you spend and increasing the amount you save and invest.  Talk 5 1. Integrate the practices of delayed gratification and apply the practices to more effectively manage your spending.  Talk 6 1. Outline the steps that allow you to live within your means and apply them to your overall financial management plan for creating wealth.  Talk 7 1. Outline the history of currency, comprehend the causes of inflation, and identify the current myths about managing finances in order to integrate sound alternative financial management and investment practices into your life.  Talk 8 1. Outline the history of gold and its role in the history of money and carry out sound principles for investing in gold and silver.  Part II - Financial Fitness Textbook Learning Objectives   Chapter 1  1. Comprehend the most basic principles of financial fitness and integrate them into personal financial planning and management.  Chapter 2 1. Distinguish between the most important and less important reasons for focusing on finances and comprehend how money is a tool for financial planning.  Chapter 3 1. Develop a list of financial management priorities.  Chapter 4 1. Identify and apply the basic principles of financial fitness. 2. Carry out the steps toward financial fitness by investing in oneself first, selecting good financial advisors, and creating a financial fitness hierarchy  Chapter 5 1. Comprehend and apply the techniques of financial discipline such as avoiding spontaneous spending, giving, getting out of debt, and rewarding yourself for meeting financial goals  Chapter 6 1. Differentiate between the mere possession of money and happiness and 2. Use money in ways that increase your happiness and meaning in life  Chapter 7 1. Differentiate between the ten different money views and distinguish which are healthy and unhealthy outlooks on managing money.  Chapter 8 1. Define the real power behind financial fitness. 2. Develop your financial fitness skills through thinking like an entrepreneur and gaining entrepreneurial experience.  Chapter 9 1. Develop a program of financial fitness by putting money in the service of your principles. 2. Identify and apply the key values of financial offense.  Chapter 10 1. Using financial multipliers as a form of financial offense to build wealth. 2. Distinguish between unnecessary and wise purchases and when you need to make them.  Chapter 11 1. Develop good spending habits for all parties within a household. 2. Using passive income effectively to build wealth.  Chapter 12 1. Integrate a purpose-driven life into a plan to build wealth and practice sound financial management. 2. Identify and apply the keys to wealth into your financial plan  Chapter 13 1. Use good mentors to start a business. 2. Distinguish between the relative advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business or building a business.  Chapter 14 1. Differentiate between non-productive spending and productive investing in develop a financial management plan and building a business.  Chapter 15 1. Use the investment hierarchy to make good investments and prepare for emergencies  Chapter 16 1. Distinguish between the myths about debt and when to use and not use debt as part of a financial management plan.  Chapter 17 1. Assess and apply effective techniques and strategies for getting out of debt.  Chapter 18 1. Integrate the practices that help you avoid the pitfalls of excessive spending and materialism, such as status-driven purchases, to enable you to save and spend wisely.  Chapter 19 1. Name the ten financial danger zones and identify what form they may take in your financial management practices.  Chapter 20 1. Apply the practice of delayed gratification through saving and investing and debt-free living and spending.  Chapter 21 1. Identify the three great economic questions regarding the necessities of life, economic systems, and government power in order to better comprehend the economic conditions under which you manage your finances.  Chapter 22  1. Comprehend the function of currency, what is used as currency, and the causes of inflation in order to be astute in alternative ways to invest to your benefit.  Chapter 23 1. Outline the history of gold and its role in establishing currencies. 2. Comprehend how to use sound investment practices when investing in gold.  Chapter 24  1. Select your enterprise and demonstrate the characteristics of an enterprising individual.  Chapter 25 1. State the principles of the Austrian school of economic thought and how the apply to a free-market economic system. 2. Illustrate how the analogy of the camel demonstrates government intervention in the economy.  Chapter 26  1. Develop a plan for navigating the national and global economic landscape and preparing for economic upturns and downturns. Part III - Financial Fitness Workbook Learning Objectives   1. Identify your goals and purpose and apply the basic principles and practices of financial fitness into personal financial planning and management by using the exercises in this workbook.

Course Contents - Go to Details

Part I - Financial Fitness Talks Financial Fitness 1 - The Offense and Defense of Personal Finances Financial Fitness 2 - Money View Financial Fitness 3 - Money as a Slave Financial Fitness 4 - Principles of Financial Management Financial Fitness 5 - Delay Your Gratification Financial Fitness 6 - Live Within Your Means Financial Fitness 7 - Camel in the Tent Financial Fitness 8 - Good as Gold   Part II - Financial Fitness Textbook   Part III - Financial Fitness Workbook

"Child-Like Dreams" - by Denny Smith

Can you remember when you were a child and the child-like dream you had and the journeys you’d embark upon in your imagination? Maybe you had dreams of being like your heroes or others you looked up to. Then somewhere along the way life came along and those dreams took a back seat. I still believe in the power of dreaming and setting high goals and, no, I won’t tell you that all dreams come true, but I will share with you the power of holding onto them.

When working as a life coach with my clients, they often share with me their dreams and aspirations of becoming financially fit. I’ve come across others who seem too afraid to dream or set goals. Sometimes this is because past attempts have failed. The message I want to share with you is that the reward lies not in the destination, but rather in the journey and the person you become by diligently striving to reach your dreams.

Imagine a really long ladder like the ones the firefighters use for tall buildings and imagine your dream has been placed at the top of this ladder. Now, you just need to climb the ladder to reach your dream, but as you begin to climb you’re hit with a barrage of negative self-talk and adversity. For instance, your footing is shaky. You feel scared that you might make a mistake, and you feel as if you’re not skilled enough to accomplish this after all. Nonetheless you push a little bit further and a little bit higher toward your goal maybe because someone is helping you along or you’ve made the decision that you’re going to reach your goal this time for certain. Each time you begin to slip, you keep on pushing.

You’ve been so scared this whole time you could hardly open your eyes, but you feel as if now would be a good time to do so. When you finally look around you notice that you’ve reached the treetops and that everything looks beautiful up here. With this realization you decide to keep on climbing.

Eventually you’ve reached the top, your dream. When you look around again things are even more beautiful than before. You can see the birds flying, the kids playing in the playground below and the air is so refreshing here at the top. You’re having such a good time from your new viewpoint that the goal that was waiting for you may actually become secondary to the journey itself. Actually, you’re not even sure how important it is to you anymore because this journey has been so amazing. In fact, it might just be time to climb a new ladder, to set out on a new journey. As C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

See friends, you would’ve never experienced the challenges and successes of this endeavor if you had stayed at the bottom staring fearfully up the ladder. You won’t know the power of the journey until you step up each rung of the ladder toward what you want. Then, even if you get to the top and find this dream is no longer desirable, you will be viewing life from a higher vantage point and you will have grown in you’re ability to chase your dreams.

With a view from the top you might be able to see things and imagine things that were impossible to see if you had never taken a step at all.

Keep Charging,

- D

Leadership Development pays big dividends....

Leadership development appears to be one of those luxury items, something that the company can live without. And it is, or is it?  What happens when you have leaders that need to develop good skills and the resources are just not invested?

Employees these days are not willing to work in poor work conditions. Despite the current economy and unemployment rates, employees are still willing to give up a good job when they feel they are not treated well by managers and leaders. The cost to the company can be huge.

Recently, I talked with a company where this is exactly what happened. They decided to not invest in leadership development. The work environment continued to deteriorate for employees and turnover has occurred. The result: an open position on the team, lowering the ability of the team to complete jobs and meet deadlines; the need for leaders to invest time in hiring and retraining; and ultimately more loss for the company and the delay in having a fully functioning team.

Had the investment in leadership skill development been made what could the outcome have been? Higher performance of the entire team, improved work environment and culture, and reduced turnover. A stronger company and stronger bottom line result.

For many leaders or business owners, leadership skill development is viewed as a perk, a non-essential investment, but the impact of failing to make this investment can be devastating to work teams, especially when an unskilled leader or manager is involved. Some leaders have pretty natural skills, while others have never been in leadership before and have had poor role models. These folks need skill development. They need to understand their role and the impact that they have on the workforce.

When organizations do invest in leadership development, positive outcomes are achieved for both the company and the individual. Leadership skill development can occur in house or via training and executive coaching. Executive coaching helps to solidify skills once they are learned. The coach can provide feedback and additional opportunities for learning during skill acquisition and retention.

A leadership budget should take both parts of the puzzle into account. Leadership skill development and monthly executive coaching. Costs can vary from a few thousand per year (4000) per staff person to 25,000 or more depending upon the level of training and coaching. When evaluating the investment consider the impact of the loss of just one staff person. Using the 150% of salary  just one employee leaving the organization that is a $35,000 per year employee can cost the company $52,500 in replacement and retraining costs, as well as time lost from leaders and other employees due to the shortage. The savings that could occur by investing upfront in leadership development using these numbers could be $25,000 to 48,000.

Business owners that fail to see the value of investing in leadership development for their managers and growing leaders kick themselves later when costs come back to the company.

Creating a strong leadership development program within your company is a wise investment and in the long run saves money and increases income with increased team performance and productivity.

Life Leadership Company offers an alternative Corporate home study Leadership Development course, for a riduculouly low investment of only $300 or $50 / month for 6 months.

The course encompasses many best selling leadership authors and experts.

This is an amazing ROI for any employer and would encourage any business owner to review this short power point overview  .   Corporate Leadership Development Program

As leadership expert John Maxwell has quoted -"Everthing Rises & FALLS on Leadership".

I hope you choose to RISE above .....

Email for more info - [email protected]

 

Keep Charging...

D

 

 

 

How to create a socialist state.... ?

 

Saul Alinsky died about 43 years ago, but his writings influenced those in political control of our nation today.......

 

 

 

Died: June 12, 1972, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Ca

Education: University of Chicago

Spouse: Irene Alinsky

 

Books:

 

Rules for Radicals, Reveille for Radicals

 

Anyone out there think that this stuff isn't happening today in the U.S. ?

 

All eight rules are currently in play

 

 

How to create a social state by Saul Alinsky:

 

There are eight levels of control that must be obtained before you are able to create a social state. The first is the most important.

 

1) Healthcare– Control healthcare and you control the people

 

2) Poverty – Increase the Poverty level as high as possible, poor people are easier to control and will not fight back if you are providing everything for them to live.

 

3) Debt – Increase the debt to an unsustainable level. That way you are able to increase taxes, and this will produce more poverty.

 

4) Gun Control– Remove the ability to defend themselves from the Government. That way you are able to create a police state.

 

5) Welfare – Take control of every aspect of their lives (Food, Housing, and Income)

 

6) Education – Take control of what people read and listen to – take control of what children learn in school.

 

7) Religion – Remove the belief in the God from the Government and schools

 

8) Class Warfare – Divide the people into the wealthy and the poor. This will cause more discontent and it will be easier to take (Tax) the wealthy with the support of the poor.

 

 

Does any of this sound like what is happening to the United States ?

 

Alinsky merely simplified Vladimir Lenin's original scheme for world conquest by communism, under Russian rule. Stalin described his converts as "Useful Idiots." 

 

The Useful Idiots have destroyed every nation in which they have seized power and control.

 

It is presently happening at an alarming rate in the U.S.

 

 

 

  Time for a  LEADERSHIFT    AMERICA....!

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Charging...

D

 

 

 

 

Bottom Line Thinking

How do you figure out the bottom line for your organization, business, department, team, or group?

In many businesses, the bottom line is literally the bottom line. Profit determines whether you are succeeding. But dollars should not always be the primary measure of success. Would you measure the ultimate success of your family by how much money you had at the end of the month or year? And if you run a non-profit or volunteer organization, how would you know whether you were performing at your highest potential? How do you think bottom line in that situation?

 A Non-Profit’s Bottom Line Frances Hesselbein had to ask herself exactly that question in 1976, when she became the national executive director of the Girl Scouts of America. When she first got involved with the Girl Scouts, running the organization was the last thing she expected. She and her husband, John, were partners in Hesselbein Studios, a small family business that filmed television commercials and promotional films. She wrote the scripts and he made the films.

In the early 1950s, she was recruited as a volunteer troop leader at the Second Presbyterian Church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Even that was unusual, since she had a son and no daughters. But she agreed to do it on a temporary basis. She must have loved it, because she led the troop for nine years!

In time, she became council president and a member of the national board. Then she served as executive director of the Talus Rock Girl Scout Council, a full-time paid position. By the time she took the job as CEO of the national organization, the Girl Scouts was in trouble. The organization lacked direction, teenage girls were losing interest in scouting, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit adult volunteers, especially with greater numbers of women entering the workforce.

Meanwhile, the Boy Scouts was considering opening itself to girls. Hesselbein desperately needed to bring the organization back to the bottom line. “We kept asking ourselves very simple questions,” she says. “What is our business? Who is our customer? And what does the customer consider value?

If you’re the Girl Scouts, IBM, or AT&T, you have to manage for a mission.”

Hesselbein’s focus on mission enabled her to identify the Girl Scouts’ bottom line. “We really are here for one reason: to help a girl reach her highest potential.

More than any one thing, that made the difference. Because when you are clear about your mission, corporate goals and operating objectives flow from it.” Once she figured out her bottom line, she was able to create a strategy to try to achieve it. She started by reorganizing the national staff. Then she created a planning system to be used by each of the 350 regional councils. And she introduced management training to the organization.

Hesselbein didn’t restrict herself to changes in leadership and organization. In the 1960s and ’70s, the country had changed and so had its girls—but the Girl Scouts hadn’t. Hesselbein tackled that issue, too. The organization made its activities more relevant to the current culture, giving greater opportunities for use of computers, for example, rather than hosting a party. She also sought out minority participation, created bilingual materials, and reached out to low income households.

If helping girls reach their highest potential was the group’s bottom line, then why not be more aggressive helping girls who traditionally have fewer opportunities? The strategy worked beautifully. Minority participation in the Girl Scouts tripled. In 1990, Hesselbein left the Girl Scouts after making it a first-class organization. In 1998, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Clinton said of Hesselbein during the ceremony at the White House, “She has shared her remarkable recipe for inclusion and excellence with countless organizations whose bottom line is measured not in dollars, but in changed lives.” He couldn’t have said it better!

 Why You Should Enjoy the Return of Bottom-Line Thinking If you’re accustomed to thinking of the bottom line only as it relates to financial matters, then you may be missing some things crucial to you and your organization.

Instead, think of the bottom line as the end, the take away, the desired result. Every activity has its own unique bottom line. If you have a job, your work has a bottom line. If you serve in your church, your activity has a bottom line. So does your effort as a parent, or spouse, if you are one.

As you explore the concept of bottom-line thinking, recognize that it can help you in many ways: 

1. Bottom-Line Thinking Provides Great Clarity What’s the difference between bowling and work? When bowling, it takes only three seconds to know how you’ve done! That’s one reason people love sports so much. There’s no waiting and no guessing about the outcome. Bottom-line thinking makes it possible for you to measure outcomes more quickly and easily. It gives you a benchmark by which to measure activity. It can be used as a focused way of ensuring that all your little activities are purposeful and line up to achieve a larger goal.

 2. Bottom-Line Thinking Helps You Assess Every Situation When you know your bottom line, it becomes much easier to know how you’re doing in any given area. When Frances Hesselbein began running the Girl Scouts, for example, she mea­sured everything against the organization’s goal of helping a girl reach her highest potential—from the organization’s management structure (which she changed from a hierarchy to a hub) down to what badges the girls could earn. There’s no better measurement tool than the bottom line. 

3. Bottom-Line Thinking Helps You Make the Best Decisions Decisions become much easier when you know your bottom line. When the Girl Scouts were struggling in the 1970s, outside organizations tried to convince its members to become women’s rights activists or door-to-door canvassers. But under Hesselbein, it became easy for the Girl Scouts to say no. It knew its bottom line, and it wanted to pursue its goals with focus and fervency. 

4. Bottom-Line Thinking Generates High Morale When you know the bottom line and you go after it, you greatly increase your odds of winning. And nothing generates high morale like winning. How do you describe sports teams that win the championship, or company divisions that achieve their goals, or volunteers who achieve their mission?  They’re excited. Hitting the target feels exhilarating. And you can hit it only if you know what it is.

 5. Bottom-Line Thinking Ensures Your Future If you want to be successful tomorrow, you need to think bottom line today. That’s what Frances Hesselbein did, and she turned the Girl Scouts around.

Look at any successful, lasting company, and you’ll find leaders who know their bottom line. They make their decisions, allocate their resources, hire their people, and structure their organization to achieve that bottom line.

Life Leaderships bottom line is to develop 1 million + leaders through education, mentorship, and coaching in order to have a positive influence on Americas future.

 

Keep Charging !

D

 

 

SOLD His Dog....! - Denny Smith

This is one of the most inspiring stories ever told in Hollywood. His name is Sylvestar Stallone. One of the BIGGEST and Most famous American Movie superstars. Back in the day, Stallone was a struggling actor in every definition. At some point, he got so broke that he stole his wife's jewelry and sold it. Things got so bad that he even ended up homeless. Yes, he slept at the New York bus station for 3 days. Unable to pay rent or afford food. His lowest point came when he had to sell his dog at the liquor store to any stranger. He didnt have money to feed the dog anymore. He sold it for $25. He says he walked away crying.

Two weeks later, he saw a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner, and that match gave him the inspiration to write the script for the famous movie, ROCKY. He wrote the
script for 20 hours! He tried to sell it and got an offer for $125,000 for the script. But he had just ONE REQUEST. He wanted to STAR in the movie. He wanted to be the MAIN ACTOR. Rocky himself. But the studio said NO. They wanted a REAL STAR.

They said he "Looked funny and talked funny". He left with his script. A few weeks later, the studio offered him $250,000 for the script. He refused. They even offered $350,000. He still refused. They wanted his movie. But NOT him. He said NO. He had to be IN THAT MOVIE.

After a while, the studio agreed, gave him $35,000 for the script and let him star in it! The rest is history! The movie won Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Film Editing at the prestigious Oscar Awards. He was even nominated for BEST ACTOR! The Movie ROCKY was even inducted into the American National Film Registry as one of the greatest movies ever!

And do You know the first thing he bought with the $35,000? THE DOG HE SOLD. Yes, Stallone LOVED HIS DOG SO MUCH that he stood at the liquor store for 3 days waiting for the man he sold
his dog to. On the 3rd day, he saw the man coming with the dog. Stallone explained why he sold the dog and begged for the dog back. The man refused. Stallone offered him $100. The man refused. He offered him $500. And the guy refused. Yes, he refused even $1000. And, Believe it or Not, Stallone had to pay $15,000 for the same dog he sold at $25!  And he finally got his dog back!

And today, the same Stallone who slept in the streets and sold his dog JUST BECAUSE he couldnt even feed it anymore, is one of the GREATEST Movie Stars who ever walked the Earth!

Being broke is BAD. Really BAD. Have You ever had a dream? A wonderful dream? But You were too broke to implement it? Too tiny to do it? Too small to accomplish it?I've been there too many times!

Life is tough. Opportunities will pass you by, just because you are a NOBODY. People will want your products but NOT YOU. Its a tough world. If you aint already famous ,or rich or "connected", you will find it rough. Doors will be shut on you. People will steal your glory and crash your hopes. You will push and push. And yet NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.

And then your hopes will be crushed. You will be broke. BROKE BROKE....    You will do odd jobs for survival. You will be unable to feed yourself. And Yes, you may end up sleeping in the streets.

It happens. Yes, it does.

BUT NEVER LET THEM CRUSH THAT DREAM....  Whatever happens to you, Keep Dreaming. Even when they crush your hopes, Keep Dreaming. Even when they turn you away, Keep Dreaming.
Even when they shut you down, Keep Dreaming.

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EXCEPT YOURSELF !  People will judge you by HOW you look. And by WHAT you have. But please, Fight on!

Fight for your place in history. Fight for your glory. NEVER EVER,EVER,EVER GIVE UP!

Even if it means selling all your clothes and sleeping with the dogs, ITS OKAY! 

AS LONG AS YOU ARE STILL ALIVE, Your STORY IS NOT OVER......

Keep up the Fight... Keep your dreams alive.....

Keep Charging !!!

D

 

"Becoming a Fearless Leader" by Denny Smith

To be a leader means you should be brave and fearless, this however is easier said than done. After all, everyone has their own set of fears and leaders are no different. Despite your existing fears however, there are ways of becoming a fearless leader and a good one at that.

The very first thing that you can do to become a fearless leader is to acknowledge your fears. It is a good idea to keep a journal of your fears and be honest in recording the fears that you think may affect your leadership abilities. The fears may even include those of your personal life especially if they hinder you from becoming an effective leader.

Getting rid of fears

After you are able to acknowledge your fears, you are actually on your way to getting rid of them. This is so because the first step always deals with acceptance. If you are in denial of your fears then there is no way that you can become a fearless leader. It takes humility to be honest about these things, and getting rid of them becomes secondary.

Now, to work on the said fears you must devise a plan to be brave enough to conquer them. You ask yourself at this point on how you are to eliminate the said fears in your life as a leader, and you do this by being conscious of the instances where these fears overrule your emotions and judgment as a leader.

Every time you catch yourself acting out an impulse related to a fear of yours, you then try to counteract it with the possible solutions listed in your plan of action. Be patient with yourself if you find yourself unable to conquer your fears right away. Remember that these things take time, and you will soon find out that there are fears that may be solved easier than others. Thus, it sometimes becomes a trial and error and perseverance is a good trait that you are learning as you deal with the fears.

Rewarding yourself

In dealing with your fears, you are gaining strength and wisdom as a leader. It is important however that you also recognize your triumphs over your fears. For you to keep on doing a good job, you must also take time to reward yourself for being a better leader. You do this by treating yourself or allowing yourself to indulge in certain things that make you happy. This way, you can actually look forward to eliminating the fears and it becomes a more rewarding experience.

The "Foolish" Secret to Success

Did you know the star comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, froze with stage fright the first time he got in front of an audience?
The audience chased him off the stage with derisive laughter and boos. He had to fight through the shame and fear from this early experience to gain the poise that has made him a great performer.

Nobody likes to look like a fool.

But the truth is – as Seinfeld’s story illustrates - more often than not accomplishing big things means you have to risk looking foolish. And then get over it.

Michael Jordan, the best basketball player of all time, was cut from his high school basketball team. He says, “I missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Fred Astaire was told in one of his first auditions that he can’t act or sing. All the director saw was a slightly balding man who “can dance a little”. He did not see star quality.

Being A Fool May Help You Achieve Success

Nonetheless, these so-called “fools” forged ahead despite everyone shaking their head and saying they’d never do it. And as a result, not only did they prove everyone wrong, they transformed their fields with their skills.

Their stories are not unique. Literally thousands of stories like theirs litter the pages of history and every Who’s Who book. In fact, these kinds of stories are so common when it comes to successful people, I would even go so far as to suggest failing is a necessity for success!

Why would I say such a thing?

Because when it comes down to it, the real breakthrough moments in life don’t come from your comfort zone. They come when you’re flat on your face. Breakthrough comes when you have to tap into your last ounce of will to figure out how to move forward. And breakthroughs come from learning from your mistakes.

There is no easy way to gain the wisdom and experience you need to achieve in life. Don’t try to be a fool. But if you aim to do great things, prepare yourself to stumble and fall. Be ready to simply pick yourself up again, wipe the dirt off your face and move forward towards success.

Keep Charging!

D