The mistake I couldn't afford

Almost 4 years ago...

I'm sitting at the airport.  I just missed my flight to Denver, Colorado. I am supposed to go there to learn about a new health challenge that could help eliminate obesity. I used to have a great job in high tech, but I got laid off. I decided to start working with a handful of small businesses to take care of their technology needs. I am not even making enough money to cover my expenses yet, but the business is growing and I am hopeful. Either way, I used all my points (totaling $800) on this flight and the ticket desk is telling me that it will cost another $900 to get to Denver today.

I can’t afford to spend the money...

Wait… did I just say that?

I first learned about the challenge about a month ago… and it sounds amazing. Everyone around me is overweight and I can’t think of one person who is getting healthier. If this challenge is able to turn the trend, then I could make millions. Still, I haven’t spent one second sharing it with anyone. I’m so busy trying to get my computer business off the ground.

I can’t afford to spend the time...

Oh no… I just said it again!

What is wrong with me? I have no extra money. I have no extra time. I’m sitting in an airport with a chance to go learn about something that could make me millions and give me my time back and I can’t afford it?

What if my car broke down?  What if I had a health scare that wasn't covered by insurance? I would find the money.  I have spent thousands last year on eating out, pubs, TV, movies, sporting events, computer equipment and gadgets that I didn't even need… I found the money for that.

What I’m really saying is that I can’t afford to waste time and money. If I’m going to spend my time and my money I want to make it worth it. I feel that the car, food and fun will be worth it, so I find the money. I know what to expect.

This ‘health challenge’ is an unknown. Is it going to work? Are people going to try it? 

Back to the airport... I think to myself.  In 5 years from now... if I still have no extra time and no extra money… How do I want to look back on today?  Do I want to talk about how I wasted a couple grand trying to change the world and it didn't work?  Do I want to regret not spending the couple grand for a chance at changing the world and my life?

I can live with my mistakes. I've made plenty and I've spent thousands on weekends that I barely remember… I do not want to live with regrets. I can’t afford to miss a chance to get myself out of debt.  I can't afford to miss a chance to free my time so that I don’t have to work like a slave until I’m 65 and miss my son’s life.

I spent the $900.  That $2000 dollar trip has earned me close to a quarter million in almost 4 years.

Albert Einstein once said; "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

If you have no time and no money then can you afford to be in the same position next year?  If not, then it is time to start spending your time and money differently.

The catch to Network Marketing

I was lucky… Ok, fine, I don’t believe in luck so I’ll use the word “fortunate”. When I started in Network Marketing close to a decade ago, I already knew I was crazy so I wasn't surprised when my friends told me it wouldn't work. Luckily… er… fortunately, I'm a student. I like to learn. I like to try new things and take risks, so I think that’s why I wasn't discouraged by the “haters”.

Unfortunately, most of the people that I brought into my Network Marketing business had a harder time ignoring those who didn't support them. It took me a very long time to figure out what was happening… what was different about me. When I first learned about Network Marketing, I did my research. I found that a very small percentage of people in the industry succeed… Most fail and many are very angry about failing. However, I feel that if one person can succeed so can I... I believed.

I heard a training last night from one of my mentors. He revealed the catch to Network Marketing. Here it is:

You must be willing to accept a temporary loss of social self esteem from ignorant people - Eric Worre

Wow… I totally get it. I remember the ridicule, the jokes, the laughing, the anger. I realize now that the people that care for me didn't mean to crush my spirit. They just didn't understand what I was trying to do. They actually believed that I was wasting my time. Everyone reacts differently. Some people showed genuine concern that I had been ripped off and joined a “pyramid scam”... Some people made fun of me for being stupid. Some people actually became angry… very angry. I think they believed that I was dumb enough to get sucked in by a scam and that I was trying to get them into one too.

So there it is… the catch… Everything comes at a price. Network Marketing is a vehicle that can help you reach all your dreams. You can earn unlimited income. You can have time freedom. You can travel the world. You can leave a legacy for your family. The catch is that most people do not believe this is possible for them. Some of them will refuse to believe that it is possible for you too. Remember though… There are some, like you and like me, who DO believe. Your success depends on your ability to find them. You must also understand that you cannot change other people. You cannot make them believe by talking… You must make them believe through action.

We have to recognize that this is a numbers game. We are looking for people who already believe. The more people who are willing to do the work to succeed, the more believers we can create.

Well… what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work on your dreams and let’s inspire the world to follow in our footsteps.

Define "Greedy" : Is it true that the rich take from the poor?

I was talking to a good friend of mine and the conversation went to money and wealth.  His father happens to be wealthy and he used the word “greedy” to describe rich people.

I stopped him right there since I wanted to understand more about how he was thinking.  I asked him to define greedy…  Interestingly enough, he couldn't give me an answer other than “a person who has a lot of money”.  Clearly that is not the definition.

I looked it up.  Here is the “full definition” according to Websters.

 a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed

This brought up so many questions.

 How much money does one need?  I suppose it would depend on their lifestyle.  What does a person have to do in order to get this money?  Do they need to do something they don’t like and get paid just enough to cover their basic expenses?  Does this mean that a person can earn a passive income that covers basic expenses but no more?

 I think, when it comes to money, the word “need” is extremely subjective.  The word "selfish" and the word "excessive" are just as subjective.

 Here’s how I see it…  If there are 2 people and 4 pieces of pie.  If one were to grab 3 before the other person gets a chance, then I think we can all say that this is greedy.  However, what if there were 10 pieces of pie and I grabbed 3.  Would I still be greedy?  Same number… but what has changed is the number of pieces to start with.  I think someone is “greedy” if they take more than their share.

 Here’s the thing about money.  There is no limit.  They keep printing more.  A lot of people look at the gap between the rich and the poor and think that rich people take money from poor people and therefore they have “more than their share”.  However, it doesn't work that way.  Rich people do different things to attract the money they have.  Anyone (especially in north america) has the same opportunity.  Many of us simply leave the money on the table since we are scared to take a risk and someone else comes and picks it up.

 Opportunity is all around us, but for whatever reason most people don’t seize it.  It is usually those same people that end up complaining about the gap between the rich and the poor.

 Money is a powerful tool and if you can attract enough to pay your bills and enjoy life experiences, then you can use the surplus to start changing the world.  Set up charities… Donate time and money to a cause.  If you give more than you use for yourself you are definitely not greedy.