Being prepared is one of the best feelings in the world. I can recall all the frustration I suffered taking test that I never prepared for. I t was not until I took time to prepare that I felt comfortable taking those test. It was indeed a great feeling. That being said my question to you today is, are you prepared for the upcoming holidays? Are you prepared for your family’s next vacation? These may be questions you don’t feel like answering today but the reality of the situations will surface very soon.

Many people procrastinate on this subject. They pray and look for miracles, hoping that it will eventually work itself out. When it doesn’t frustration sets in and they feel like they have failed. This no longer has to be the case because there is a better way. Before I give you my secret weapon, let me first say that a person has to be willing to accept their reality before a solution can be achieved. Now is the time to see that reality.

Soon the kids will be back in school and many people will have some much needed free time on their hands. This is not the time to marinate. This is a time to motivate. This is a time to build up and leave the negative behind. This is a time to find that much needed solution to an ongoing problem called lack. Just as you assumed, there is a solution. The big question of the day is to ask yourself are you willing to engage in the solution?

Failure is easy! Anyone can fail all a person has to do to fail is quit. Are you a quitter? I didn’t think so. Now is the time to cash in! If you are ready to move into a better way of life I have the solution and it’s easier than you think. Let’s talk.

I recently had a discussion with someone who was very comfortable in their living arrangement. He was educated, had a great job earning six-figures and had plans to build a future based on his earned wages. According to him, he was on track to one day become rich. Based on statistics he would be correct but statistics can be misleading. To some this would seem like a very noble position to be in but to those of us who know the “real deal” this is nothing more than a complacency trap.

Here’s why, many people find security in good paying jobs and refuse to look any further because they believe that they have reach the pentacle of prosperity. This young man made that mistake. It only took some very basic math for him to realize that his six-figure income was severely reduced after he pays his taxes and adds inflation to the mix. Just as the title suggest, he was wrong to believe he was rich.

I explained to him that there was a better way and I did it through third party gratification and conversation. Why did I use third party? Because he knows me, he knows were I came from and he would be unable to see were I am going because in his eyes, we are one in the same. Even though he would have been way off base, I refuse to bust his bubble using my own story. I wanted him to know that there are everyday people walking about who are experiencing wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Needless to say, he was indeed curious as to how he could tap into this wealth-building phenomenon.

I introduced him to the world of direct sales and multi level marketing. He was floored once he learned that this industry alone was responsible for producing a large number of self-made millionaires. I continued to explain to him that the door was open to anyone with passion and desire. No high level of education is required, the startup cost is usually low but the rewards are unlimited.

He saw the light and his ah-ha moment had arrived. He couldn’t believe that there were everyday people earning seven figure incomes and living the life that he is waiting to achieve in 30 plus years on the job. Yes, he was wrong to think the way he did about wealth but not anymore. Today he is on the right track.

Funny thing happened to me while taking a survey. Looking at my final results, I was shocked to say the least. I knew that an error had occurred. My final score indicated that I scored extremely low in the  “Dress and Grooming” arena. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that dressing and grooming is not a problem that I have. However, this confusion made me remember one important rule, when it comes down to business, how I present myself is how others will perceives my value.  

First impressions can say a lot about a person. These impressions have a lasting effect, they can breed acceptance or create instant failure. What is even more shocking when it comes to first impressions is the fact that a person may never know they made a first impression. Whether you realize it or not somebody is always watching you. They want to see how you operate, function and communicate. These impressions will help them make a quick assessment as to whether or not you are worthy of their attention. You have to seize everyday because you never know when your big break will come. 

Just because you see someone on a daily basis does not mean that they see you. If you are not being the best that you can be, maintaining an enthusiastic spirit, no one will ever know you exist.  It’s not important whom you see; it’s important who sees you. People make judgment based on what they see. They notice what you wear; they consider where you live, the type of car you drive, even the type of watch wear. These things may seem trivial but they are character builders that people consider important.

There comes a time in life when reinvention is the only solution to moving beyond what could be considered as a stagnant lifestyle. People reinvent themselves for various reasons (Layoffs, divorce, or maybe a death of a loved one). No matter what the reason, understand that reinvention is part of the circle of life. Unfortunately, with reinvention comes jealousy. Yes, jealousy!

People whom the tenacity to move outside the box and search out new directions are considered to be rare birds. Very few are able to make the transition from one aspect of life to another. Those who are able to make transition will face persecution from those who refuse to move. These individuals should not be part of your circle of influence.

Those who refuse to look beyond the edge of their nose will always try to bring trendsetters down.

God has given us all the ability to have witty inventions and to be able to multi task our way through life. This should always be our first priority. Moving in new directions can open new doors and increase the ability to get more out of life. Never let anyone tell say that you can’t because you can. Let the naysayer talk let the negative vibes roll off your back. Success comes in the form of reinvention. Destiny awaits and it is your job to follow in the direction of your own dream.

In my personal opinion companies have lulled people into a false sense of prosperity by giving them a job with benefits. Don’t get me wrong a good job with benefits is a wonderful thing but with a good job comes complacency. Having a good job is like being imprisoned. If you are the type of person who is willing to stretch further and reach higher. Far too often people plan their future based on the time it will take them to retire. I hear it all the time. People tell me if they could only get to their 30-year anniversary date then they finally are able to leave the company.

To my knowledge there has never been a legitimate employer that has forced an employee stay. However, companies can make your stay very enticing by sweetening the pot every once and a while. They offer raises additional weeks of vacation. In my personal opinion, this is nothing more than prison with benefits. Why would I make such a profound statement? Maybe it is because I know that there is so much more out there. I know that living out one’s life sitting behind a cubicle or showing up everyday doing the same job is a slow road to nowhere.

But why would I call a job a prison with benefits? Look at it this way. People in prison earn a small wage they receive good time credits and if they are model prisoners they get to spend time in a halfway house. Which is still prison but with liberties. The whole time all the prisoner wants to do is bide his or her time so they can finally leave prison. The sole purpose of being imprisoned is to take away your freedom. Being lock into a 30-year job has the same effect.

Once again I am not saying that having a good job is a bad thing. I am just saying that true freedom is being able to make your own decisions. It is being able to earn a wage based on what you are worth, not based on what your company thinks you are worth. Live life, be free and learn to explore try to explore new possibilities or you can wait until your 30 years are over so you can finally be free. The choice is yours.

I love the sound of music but what does a true music lover do, once the music stops? They hit replay and let the music play again, and again and again. This compulsive behavior may be annoying to some but for the true music lover it satisfies the need. The true music lover never wants the music to stop.

What does playing music over and over have to do with anything? Nothing really but the analogy has something to do with everything. It has to do with continuation, it has to do with momentum, and it has to do with duplication.

I have seen this all too often, people have the slight bit of success and in less than 90 days they stop. They indicate that trying to repeat what they have done in the past is too difficult. They find every excuse in the book to quit. Even worst then those who want to quit are those who gloat in their past successes. I had a good friend who could run like a jackrabbit in high school. He won all types of events and received tons of recognitions. Decades later he is still basking in his past success. If he had gone on to become a great Olympic runner or maybe even pursued advancement in this area his basking would have merit. But he didn’t he let the music die.

Learn to hit the replay button again and again and again. This is the only way to build on your past successes. Consistency is the key. Never let the music stop because when you do, know that there will be nothing left but silence.

One of my wisdom teachers explained to me that it is important to seek advice of those with grey hair. I was told that the grey hairs of wisdom are based on experience and the wisdom given by those with grey hair should be cherished. I understood the position he was taking and also the advice that he was attempting to give. But in my flair for the extra I asked him several questions that would get him to further explain his position. I asked the following questions:
What about those like myself that have no hair, Should I ignore their wisdom?
Does grey haired wisdom diminish just because a person does not have hair?
How do I know the person with grey hair actually has any wisdom? (I have heard of many old fools)
He obviously knew that I was joking with the question I had asked but I wanted to make a point in explaining that general or blanket statements have no real meaning.
When trying to cover a topic, give helpful advice or when explaining one’s point of view, it is important to use your own words to express what dwells inside your mind. Learning to express your opinion based on your own words helps to not only expand your vocabulary but it also sets you apart. Everyone has something to say and it is important to say it in our own way. There are hundreds of mentors, coaches and motivational speakers that are in high demand because they have learned to use their own words to express their opinions.
Just about everything you will ever learn has been said at one time or another. What makes those words stand out above the crowd is how they are said. My wisdom teacher actually gave me a pat on the back for enlightening the conversation. He looked at me and said, “I guess you can teach an old dog a new trick.” I looked at him and said, “Here we go again!”

Reality says that we live world of uncertainty. On the flip side of the coin uncertainty is the unknown. This being the case it is plan to see that one’s reality has nothing to do with uncertainty. To further explain, let’s take a closer look at the two.
According to the official dictionary explanation reality is the actual being or existence, as opposed to an imaginary, idealized, or false nature. Based on this explanation it becomes obvious that reality is pretty concrete. In other words “It is what it is.”
Reality can take away hope and steal your dreams because reality says this is were you belong, this is your present moment. Many people are stuck in their reality, they have no idea what lies ahead. This by far is one of the biggest setbacks that plague many.
Reality says, were you are, were you are suppose to be but uncertainty trumps reality every time. Uncertainty is something that nobody can predict or guarantee. In other words your reality does not have to be the end. Try living an uncertain life and you will find that life is what you make it. It doesn’t have to be what it is. If you are living in the reality of your situation know that uncertainty says you still have a future and that future is undetermined. Accept the present but make plans for the future because in reality you have an uncertain future.

I recently published an article that challenges church leader’s to help pave the way to a healthy church. It is of no surprise that the response to that article has been limited at best. Many people spend their entire life unable to enjoy the benefits that were put in place by the Father. Good health is an important aspect of an abundant life. Throughout Scripture there are constant warnings that says to never please the flesh, yet many people not only please the flesh but they abuse it.

I always hear leaders say that they want to have the church that takes on the nation. This is proving to be a difficult task because many of them are losing their members to premature death associated with obesity. I talk about this in my article in complete detail. You can view that article by clicking here.

The bottom line is that a change has to come. Christians are supposed to be the salt of the earth. We are supposed to lead by example showing the world the wonderful blessing of abundance that comes from above. Are you the leader that is paving the way or are you a statistic waiting to happen?

I ask that everyone who really wants to make a difference and for those who are sincere about what they preach, teach and learn to stand against an unhealthy kingdom. Too many are dying an un warranted death. It’s time to make a difference.