Success from Scratch – The Challenge 

How much will you need to maintain your current lifestyle once you retire and stop working? 

Charles Schwab suggests that for every $1,000 in monthly income you’ll want during retirement, you’ll need to have $230,000 invested when you stop working.

If you have $1 million invested with a 6% yield - that will give you a taxable income of about $4,300 a month. 

Whether that’s enough will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• Is your house is paid for?
• How many people you’ll be supporting?
• How much you will be receiving from Social security?
• What level of lifestyle you expect to live?
• What will your medical needs be?

At, any rate, today $4,300 a month may not be enough to support the extravagant lifestyle you may be envisioning for yourself. If you are hoping to travel and have an active life, it may not even be adequate. With inflation, it may be less than adequate. 

Know YOUR retirement income.

Next….Become Conscious About Your Money!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge

When creating wealth in your life, remember that there is the life you want to live now and the life you want to live in the future. 

The life you are currently living is the result of the thoughts you have thought and the actions you have taken in the past. The life you live in the future will be the result of today’s thoughts and actions. 

Where you are today- shows what you were thinking two years ago and where you will be in two years- shows what you are thinking today… think about it!!!

To get the kind of life you want 1 to 2 years from now, as well as the kind of lifestyle you want when you “retire”, decide exactly how much money you’ll need to live the lifestyle of your dreams. If you don’t know, research how much it would cost you to do and buy everything you want over the course of the next year.

This could include:

• Mortgage
• Rent
• Food
• Clothes
• Medical care
• Automobiles
• Utilities
• Hobbies
• Education
• Vacations
• Recreation
• Insurance
• Savings
• Investments
• And philanthropy

For each category, visualize those items or activities in your life, then write down what you would need to spend to get them.

Imagine: 

• Eating in fine restaurants
• Driving your dream car
• Going on your dream vacation
• Refurbishing your home
• Buying a new home
• Supporting family
• Taking piano lessons
• Getting your hair and nails done weekly 

Don’t let your mind tell you that these things are impossible or crazy! 

For the moment just do the research and find out exactly what it will cost to fund your dream life…whatever that is. 

NEXT…Get Real About Your Retirement!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge 

YOU GET WHAT YOU FOCUS ON! 

“If you don’t put a value on money and seek wealth, you most probably won’t receive it. You must seek wealth for it to seek you. If no burning desire for wealth arises within you, no wealth will arise around you. Having definiteness of purpose for acquiring wealth is essential for its acquisition.”

(-Dr. John Demartini – Self-made multi-millionaire and consultant on financial and life mastery.)

It has been said that in life – what you focus on…expands! This rule applies to getting a new job, building a business, winning an award – but most especially to acquiring money, wealth, and a rich lifestyle. 

YOU MUST DECIDE TO BE WEALTHY

One of the first requirements of becoming wealthy is to make a conscious decision to do so. 

Wealthy can mean many different things: 

• Financial security
• To have options in your life
• Not having to work
• Retire early
• Ability to travel
• Resources to accomplish goals and hobbies
• Do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to, for however long! 

If you want wealth too, you must decide now from the deepest place in your heart to have wealth in your life – without worrying yet if it’s possible or not.

 NEXT, DECIDE WHAT WEALTHY MEANS TO YOU 

Do you know how much wealth you want?

• Maybe just to retire comfortably
• Retire as a millionaire
• A multi-millionaire
• Mega-rich and philanthropist 

There is no right goal to have. But, you do have to decide what you want! 

Write down your goals – 

I will have a net worth of $______by the year________.

I will earn at least $_______next year.

I will save and invest $_______every month.

A new financial habit I will develop starting now is_________.

To become debt free, I will_________.

 Next…Find out what it costs to finance your dream life…now and later!

Success from Scratch –The Challenge

 Creating the Millionaire Mindset

Whenever you are doing any type of affirmations – it is very common to become aware of competing thoughts (objections) such as: 

• Who are you kidding?
• You are never going to be a millionaire?
•  I’m too old to become a millionaire
• You have to have money to make money 

1. When this happens, write down the objective
2. Close your eyes and release the thought and emotions that accompany it 

Our tendency is to resist or ignore these thoughts and feelings, but that just keeps them around even longer. All you have to do is let yourself fully experience the accompanying feeling and then release it. Though you can do this with your eyes open or closed, most people find that closing their eyes helps them to focus more clearly on their feelings. Let ting be and letting go is a choice. It is much easier than you think. 

REMOVING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Just take yourself through his process whenever a negative or limiting belief of feeling about money comes up. 

What am I feeling right now? 

• Focus on whatever feeling arises as you experience your negative limiting belief. 

Could I welcome and allow it?

• Just welcome the feeling and let it be as best as you can.

 Could I let it go? 

• Ask yourself the question, Could I let this go? 
• Yes and No are both acceptable answers 

Would I let this go? 

• Ask yourself, AM I willing to let this go?
• If the answer is no, or you are not sure, ask yourself, Would I rather have this feeling, or would I rather be free? Even if you would rather have the feeling, go o to the next question

When? 

• Ask yourself, when?
• This is an invitation to let it go now. Remember that letting go is a decision you can make anytime you choose. 
• Just keep repeating until you feel free of that particular feeling. 

VISUALIZE WHAT YOU WANT AS IF YOU ALREADY HAVE IT

• See you financial goals as already accomplished.
• See visuals of your desired goal; paychecks, dividend checks, cash etc.
• See images of things you would like to buy, that house, car
• Remember the feeling of gratitude and appreciation
• The attitude of abundance is what will attract more of what you want.

Next...What you focus on expands!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge – Day 706

3 STEPS TO TURN-AROUND YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS ABOUT MONEY 

You can change this early programming using a simple yet powerful three-step technique that replaces your limiting beliefs with more positive and empowering ones. While this exercise can be done on your own, it’s usually more powerful – and more fun – to do it with a group of people. 

1. Write down your belief.    Ex. Money is the root of all evil

2.Challenge, make fun of, and argue with the limiting belief 

You can do this by brainstorming a list of new beliefs that challenge the old ones. The more outrageous and fun you make of them, the more powerful the resulting shift in your consciousness will be.

• Money is the root of all philanthropy
• Money is the root of great vacations!
• Money is the root of evil, for someone who is evil, but I am generous, loving and kind. 

You can even write out your new money beliefs and make them your affirmations. This type of discipline will go a long way toward helping you manifest success in the arena of money.

Create a positive turnaround statement.

3. The last step is to create a new statement that is the opposite of the original belief. You want this “turnaround statement” to be one that sends shivers of delight through your body when you say it.

Remember, ideas about financial success never form by themselves! You have to keep thinking the thoughts that build the “thought form,” of prosperity. You have to take time each day and focus on thoughts of prosperity and images of financial success. When you intentionally focus on these thoughts and images, they eventually crowd out the limiting thoughts and images and begin to dominate your thinking. If you want to  accelerate reaching your financial goals, you need to practice saying positive affirmations everyday.

 Examples:

• God is my infinite supply, and large sums of money come to me quickly and easily for the highest good of all concerned.
• I now have more money than I need to do everything I want. 
• Money comes to me in many unforeseen ways
• I am making positive choices about what I do with my money
• Every day, my income increases whether I am working, playing, or sleeping 
• All investments are profitable
• People love to pay me money for what I enjoy doing

Next…Accelerating your millionaire mind!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge – Day 659

“There is a secret psychology to money. Most people don’t know about it. That’s why most people never become financially successful. A lack of money is not the problem; it is merely a symptom of what’s going on inside you. -T. Harv Eker – Multimillionaire and president of Peak Potential Training

In Jack Canfield’s ‘The Success Principles’ he says that financial issues start in the mind.

You have to first decide what you want:

• Then you have to believe it’s possible and that you deserve it
• Focus and visualize as if it was already yours
• Finally, be willing to pay the price to get it – with a disciplined effort and perseverance over time.

But, most people never get to even the first stages of accumulating wealth. Too often they are limited by their own beliefs about money and by the question of whether or not they deserve it.

IDENTIFY YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS ABOUT MONEY

To become wealthy, you’ll need to surface, identify, root-out, and replace any negative or limiting beliefs you may have about money. Though it may seem odd that anyone would have a negative predisposition toward wealth, often we hold these beliefs in our subconscious from childhood. Perhaps when you were young, you heard:

• Money doesn’t grow on trees
• There’s not enough money to go around
• You have to have money to make money
• Money is the root of evil
• People with money are evil, bad, and unethical
• People with a lot of money are selfish and self-centered
• Everyone can’t be a millionaire
• You can’t buy happiness
• Rich people only care about money
• If you are rich, you can’t be spiritual

These messages from early childhood can actually sabotage and dilute your later financial success, because they subconsciously emit a vibration that’s contrary to your conscious intentions. 

What did your parents, grandparents, teachers, religious leaders, friends, and co-workers teach you about money as you were growing up and as a young adult?

There are so many limiting decisions you can make about money that can keep you from making or enjoying the amount of money you deserve or want. 

Examples: 

• It’s ok to make more money than my father
• Becoming rich would violate the family code
• If I become wealthy, I will be a burden

“You must begin to understand, therefore, that the present state of your bank account, your sales, your health, your social life, your position at work, etc., is nothing more than the physical manifestation of your previous thinking. If you sincerely wish to change or improve your results in the physical world, you must change your thoughts, and you must change them IMMEDIATELY!” - Bob Proctor – Author of the ‘The Power to Have It All’

 Next…Steps to turn around your limiting beliefs about money!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge – Day 650

How to become known as a class act!

When people mention the great former UCLA - basketball coach John Wooden, they agree that he’s a class act. John Wooden became known as a class act because…he acted like one.

• He took time to acknowledge others
• He conducted himself with an eye towards improving and expanding the world
• He made people feel as though they were special and counted

One of the hardest parts of any coach’s job is making the final cut – deciding who makes the team and who doesn’t. Most coaches just put a list of who made the team on a bulletin board in the gym. You either made it or you didn’t. 

Manifesting his deep respect and love for all people, John Wooden did it differently. 

Instead of simply posting a list of names on the wall, Coach Wooden sat down with each player, one at a time, and told them what other sports at UCLA he felt they could be successful at. He shared what he saw as their strengths, discussed their weaknesses, and – on the basis of their strengths – identified what they could do to improve their athletic careers. He took the time to acknowledge their strengths and boost their self-esteem, leaving prospective athletes motivated and encouraged rather than feeling emotionally distressed.

HIGHER SET OF STANDARDS 

• Choose to live by a higher set of standards, and watch people respond enthusiastically toward you. Soon, you’ll notice the effect that it evokes. 

WHY BEING A CLASS ACT HELPS YOU SUCCEED 

• One of the major benefits of being a class act: People want to do business with you or become involved in your sphere of influence. They perceive you as successful and someone who can expand their possibilities. They trust you act with responsibility, integrity, and aplomb.
• Perhaps that’s why the easiest way to spot class acts is by looking at the people class acts attract. Look at the people they do business with, the people they socialize with. Class acts tend to attract people who are the top of the game.

Have you taken a look at your friends, your colleagues, your partners, clients, and contacts? 

Are they class acts? 

• If not, consider that disparity as a mirror reflecting your status back to you. Make the  decision now to re-create yourself as a class act, and see what kind of people you start attracting. Do fewer things, but do them better. Raise the quality of your attitude and change your behaviors for the better.

CLASS ACTS TEACH OTHERS TO TREAT THEM WITH ESTEEM 

One of the first people you should treat with respect and esteem is yourself! 

• If you are sloppy, always late, and don’t care how you conduct yourself, you’re going to be met with people who treat you in a sloppy, always-late, don’t-care manner. 
• If a head-of-state, the pope, or the Dalai Lama were coming to visit your home, wouldn’t you have the houseclean? Buy the best food? 

Why not do that for yourself? You are just THAT important! 

Certain people command a certain level of respect not only because of how they treat others, but, more importantly, because of how they treat themselves. When you establish a higher level for personal standards, not only do you get better treatment from those around you but suddenly you also begin attracting others with the same elevated standards. You get invited to places where those standards exist. You get to enjoy the activities that people in the upper echelons enjoy. All by becoming a class act.

 NEXT…Success and Money!!!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge – Day 635

BE A CLASS ACT!

In every society, there are “human benchmarks” – certain individuals whose behavior becomes a model for everyone else – shining examples that others admire and emulate. We call these individuals “class act.”

-Dan Sullivan – Cofounder and president of The Strategic Coach, Inc,

• Being a class act is an important discipline we all should master.  Strive to become the kind of person who acts with class, who becomes known as a class act, and who attracts other people with class to his or her sphere of influence.

The sad truth in society today is that there don’t seem to be as many class acts as there used to be.

How do you differentiate yourself as a class act in the world where most people are unconscious and “un-special”?

• The answer is that you have to consciously work to become free from the many fears, worries, and anxiety that diminish the imaginations and ambitions of the vast majority of people and operate outside the world of conventionality in a world of expanding awareness, creativity, and accomplishment. But to do this, you need a model of class act behavior to guide your own thinking and behavior.

The following are some characteristics of a class act to serve as a guide (per Dan Sullivan)

LIVE BY YOUR OWN HIGHEST STANDARDS

• Class acts liberate themselves by establishing personal standards of thinking and behavior that are more demanding and exacting than those of conventional society. They are constantly chosen, established, and applied. 

MAINTAIN DIGNITY & GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

There are three aspects to this characteristic.

• The first is imperturbability in the face of chaos. Because you are used to leading yourself by living by your own highest standards, you are able to lead others as well.
• The second is a calmness that gives courage. Your calmness gives others hope that things will turn out all right.
• The third quality of certainty - The greatest twentieth-century example of this characteristic of a class act was Winston Churchill, who in World War II almost single-handedly saved Western civilization from defeat at the hands of Nazi Germany, by his ability to stay calm and provide confident and courageous leadership that focused the resolve of both the British and the Americans. 

FOCUS &IMPROVE THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS

• Because a class act individual is a good role model, other people around them begin thinking and acting at a level that surprises both themselves and others. Someone who best exemplifies this third characteristic of a class act is Larry Bird, the great all-star; Hall of Fame basketball played who played on three championship teams for the Boston Celtics. To a person, the other players on his teams have said they were able to play at such a high level only because of Larry Bird’s example and leadership.

OPERATE FROM A LARGER, INCLUSIVE PERSPECTIVE

• Because class acts are in touch with their own humanity, they have a deeper understanding and compassion for the humanity of others. They feel inextricably linked to others, are compassionate about human failures, and are courteous in the midst of conflict.

INCREASE THE QUALITY OF EVERY EXPERIENCE

• Class act individuals have the ability to transform seemingly insignificant situations into something enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable because their conscious thinking and actions. They are creators rather than merely consumers, and they constantly enrich the lives of others by introducing greater beauty, significance, uniqueness, and stimulation into every experience. How you are treated at the Four Seasons Hotel is an example of this characteristic.

COUNTERACT MEANESS, PETTINESS, & VULGARITY

• The hallmarks of this characteristic are courtesy, respect, appreciation, gratitude, and generosity of spirit.
• An example of this characteristic of a class act is Pat Riley former coach of Lakers, Knicks and currently with the Miami Heat. What makes him a class act is his grace is the face of a loss off the court. When Pat was coaching the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs against the NY Knicks, he invited the entire opposing team and their coach to his house for a barbeque and personally talked to each player congratulating them on a great season and wishing them well. Though Pat could’ve acted competitive and aggressive, he acted instead in a way that elevated and acknowledged others.

TAKE RESPONSIBILTIY FOR ACTIONS & RESULTS

• Class act individuals are accountable when others hide; they tell the truth about their failures; and they transform defeats into progress.

STREGTHEN THE INTEGRITY OF ALL SITUATIONS

• Class act individuals are always establishing and achieving larger goals that require them to constantly grow and develop as well as increasing value to the world.

EXPAND THE MEANING OF BEING HUMAN

• Class act individuals approach everyone, including themselves, uniquely, and as a result constantly find new ways to make life better for themselves and others. In pushing boundaries for themselves, they do the same for others by giving them new freedom to express their uniqueness in the world.

INCREASE THE CONFIDENCE & CAPABILITIES OF OTHERS

• Class acts are energy creators rather than energy drainers. Class acts build confidence in themselves by consciously choosing their governing ideas and ideals and creating structures that support the fulfillment of their aspirations and capabilities. These new structures also support others in their full expression by creating environments that encourage greater creativity, cooperation, progress, and growth.

Next… How to become know as a class act the benefits of being recognized as a class act by others!

Success from Scratch – The Challenge – Day 620

THE RULES OF THE GAME!

In Jack Canfield’s ‘Success Principles’ he talks about one of the most powerful trainings he ever took was called ‘Money and You” created by Marshall Thurber in the late 1970’s. Canfield said it radically changed how he related to money, business, and relationships. 

Everything that you want to accomplish requires relationships – with your friends, family, staff, vendors, coaches, bosses, board of directors, clients, customers, partners, associates, students, teachers, audience, fans, and others. For those relationships to work, you need to set up the “rules of engagement” what Marshall Thurber and others at Excellerated Business Schools call the “rules of the game.” 

• How are we going to play together?
• What are the ground rules and guidelines for the relationship going to be? 

Marshall taught the following guidelines (If you and all the people you interacted with were to agree to the following rules, your level of success would soar). 

1. Be willing to support our purpose, values, rules, and goals.
2. Speak with good purpose. If it doesn’t serve, don’t say it. No making people wrong, justifying, or defending.
3. If you disagree or do not understand, ask clarifying questions. Don’t make the other person wrong.
4. Make only agreements that you are willing and intend to keep.
5. If you can’t keep an agreement, communicate as soon as practical to the appropriate person. Clear up any broken agreement at the first appropriate opportunity.
6. When something is not working, first look to the system for corrections and then propose a system-based solution to the person who can do something about it.
7. Be responsible. No blaming, no defending, no justifying, and no shaming.

 UPPING THE ANTE

If you want to really take it o the max in terms of keeping your commitments to yourself, you can use this technique. 

Set up consequences (such as writing a large check to a person or an organization that you don’t like or shaving off all your hair) that are greater than the payoffs (such as the comfort and the safety of not having to take a risk.) you get for not keeping your word. 

The cost of having to deliver on the consequences is too expensive not to follow through on the commitment. 

It’s a great way to motivate yourself. 

What is so important in your life that you don’t want to give yourself an out? Make a public declaration of a consequence that you would find painful to pay, and you’ll use the power of motivating yourself it take action that you say you want to take but that you have been procrastinating.

 NEXT…Be a Class Act!!!