Voluntary Poverty Can Liberate You

"Become fearless. “Sounds awesome. But how can it be done?”

Simple—here are your instructions:

*Pack your bag.

*Fly to South East Asia.

*Stay there until you run out of money.

*Run out of money.

*Get a job or find a way to make a tiny amount of money.

* Live on the bare minimum—eat only rice, live in a shitty house.

*Realise you can fend for yourself and that you don’t actually need a lot to survive in this world.

All of this is about experiencing your worst case scenario.

Doing this will give you the freedom and the confidence to try anything—because you know you’ll be okay.

Whatever happens, even if you lose everything, you know you can fend for yourself and survive.

This is what Elon Musk did in his early days.

He wanted to move to America but was scared about not getting a job—yes, Elon Musk was scared about not getting a job.

So, he decided to live on $1 a day.

He ate nothing but oranges, hotdogs and pasta.

He figured it’s pretty easy to find $30 a month so he’d probably be okay.

 That gave him the confidence to move. He practiced poverty.

Voluntary poverty can liberate you.

You can pursue anything you want to do in life without fear—because you’ve already experienced your worst case scenario.

Go and become fearless!"

The Secrets Of Money Not Known By Many

5 Secrets Most People Don't Know About Money

Most people don't know enough about money.

A recent Ph.D told me his story: "Daniel, I'm 30 and I've been going to school for 25 years total. I never learned about money until I had to pay my debt. With my combined college and credit card debts, I'm paying a little over $2,000 per month. I thought my college degree would get me out of the rat race. Sure, I have a $100,000 per year job, but how can I ever have financial freedom?"

Imagine that: A Ph.D cannot enjoy his money until he pays his debts off by age 35!  Most of the times, we never really learn any practical tips about money from society. Our parents, teachers, and bosses have failed to teach us these basic precepts that we need to live a successful life. We end up getting stuck with our money, guessing our way through our financial debacles. 

On television, the pundits show the stock markets. They float around unfamiliar terms that the majority of people would never bother understanding. Other times, we hear about retirement plans, which means nothing to the average millennial. Becoming rich seems to be an impossibility because there are no practical teachings in our educational systems. 

What must we do is understand how our personal finances really work, but we cannot do it by evading the entire topic. Obviously, there's a deep need for educational reform in this area. If you're looking to learn more about personal finances, here are the 5 secrets most people don't know about money:

1. Parents Teach Money Values

Most of our financial behaviors start with our parents. Several months ago, I was shopping for a laptop. My father's voice came into my head: "Son, don't get the warranty. It's a waste of money since you won't need it. They're just trying to up-sell you." Of course, I didn't get the warranty because I believed my dad's voice.

Almost every material possession that you buy tends to go through the "parent's approval" process. Most people do not purchase certain goods and services simply because they know their parents would never approve of it. However, this way of thinking can often become detrimental if it stops you from learning the truth about money.

Most of our parent's have taught us to "play it safe." They tell us to go to school and get a job. First-generation children have an extremely hard time with their parents because of this. I personally receive many letters from young adults who claim that their parents would throw a dysfunctional fit if they didn't receive their college degree. All of this results in a false obligation to please their parents.

2. College Isn't the Answer

The average college student graduates at 22, but works to pay off college loan at nearly $300 per month for approximately 20 years. As they approach their debt-free days, usually in their 40's, their desires for the "good life" has become so strong that they usually squander the extra money they have by indulging on extra expenditures for themselves and their families.

By the time they reach their mid-40's, they fall into a mid-life crisis. At this point, they've realized that all they've worked for is money. Yes, while some people attend school to gain knowledge and credentials, some simply go because of the "love of money." Because of this, some of them fall into a nervous breakdown, which may either lead to constructive or destructive behaviors.

I have never let schooling get in the way of my education. - Mark Twain

Either way, college isn't the answer to financial freedom. It usually leaves you poor. Most people end up learning irrelevant information and unusable skills. You're better off reading dozens of books, attending conferences, and hiring a life or business coach, which would cost you a fraction of the amount of school. Plus, you'll learn far more about money by owning your education.

3. Get Rid of the 'Someday Mentality'

Many people have the "Someday Mentality." This is when they see a nice home and they say, "Someday, I'll be able to afford that home." With this mindset, you've separated yourself emotionally from owning that home, which means that you have assumed that your self-esteem is not there yet.

Instead, you should say, "That home is mine right now and I'll do whatever it takes to get it." This attitude reflects your belief that the house (or one like it) is yours for the taking. Once affirmed in your mind, all of your actions will lead you obtaining your desire, if wished upon strongly enough. 

Moreover, many people wait for external circumstances to occur before they take action: tax checks, children's graduations, end of car payments, etc. This habit of waiting for "someday" limits you substantially and keeps you from the ultimate good that has your name written all over it. Assume that you have all things now and you'll have it sooner than you think!

4. Wealth Is a Choice

It's your choice to be wealthy. No one can make that choice for you. However, most people have never made this decision -- simply because they don't know that they can. The easiest way to decide is to accept that you want a certain lifestyle. Once you do that, you must develop goals, which should also outline a plan-of-action for its attainment.

Often, people cannot make a choice about wealth because they are caught up in their addictive behaviors. They end up wasting time and money by excessively pursuing unworthy endeavors: drugs, sex, gambling, oversleeping, entertainment, and other deleterious behaviors. These addictions cloud your mind and prohibit clear thinking.

The choice of wealth cannot be avoided. Those who do not make the choice will be confused for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, most people have taken the vow of poverty (unknowingly), but they've still made the choice. By making a choice of wealth, you'll only pursue wealthy and profitable activities, thereby reducing and eliminating unprofitable ones. 

5. Avoid Erroneous Thinkers

Many people have erroneous beliefs about money. There are many false teachers who have taught that having money is not good, leaving many people to feel guilty about becoming wealthy. These instigators jump to conclusions and assume that nearly ALL rich people are bad.

When they see people with money, they say that something must be "lacking" in their lives, since having so much money seems too good to be true. However, you should never be discouraged by having money. Money is good and anyone telling you that you shouldn't have it probably doesn't have it themselves.

Many times, you can end up doing more good for society by having it, also making more friends in the process. Money allows you to become more of who you are, fulfilling your life's purpose. Instead of conforming to the habits, behaviors, and philosophies of other people, seek a new direction by befriending those who understands what wealth is all about. 

As you pursue a prosperous life, learn about your attitudes and behaviors regarding money. Oftentimes, you'll be able to catch yourself and make the necessary adjustments. Eventually, you'll become wealthier because you've studied and applied the truths to enhance your relationship with money. When you do, send me a note. I'd love to hear your story. 

Original Article:     5 Secrets Most People Don't Know About Money

5 Ways to Dramatically Explode Your Income

Why do people settle for an extra few thousand dollars each year?

Mike gets excited when his boss gives him a raise from $70,000 per year to $75,000 per year. He immediately plans his 10-day vacation with his wife overseas. Total cost: $5,000. He's excited and delighted at this opportunity. After all, his wife has been begging him to go on a European tour for years--and this is the perfect time to please her since the kids just left for college.

However, the $5,000 promotion is not enough for Tom, who is looking to dramatically explode his income for him and his family. He'll take the extra $5,000, but will invest it in a project more worthwhile than self-indulgence. He knows he can become a millionaire if he works his side business on evenings and weekends, which will prepare him for a full-time launch within a matter of months.

Both men are given the same opportunity, yet they react differently. Mike goes on vacation with his wife, but worries the entire time about why and how his money has rapidly dissipated. Tom, on the other hand, continually grinds on his business, even using his vacation time to work on his business full-time.

Question: Who do you think will get further in the next 5-10 years? 

This kind of situation happens all the time: One man settling, while another man is pedalling. Abraham Lincoln once said, "It's not the years in the life that count, but the life in the years." While many people are relaxing and waiting for success to happen to them, others are pushing hard to create success in their life. 

Soon enough, the "relaxer" will start making excuses and go around preaching his blame list about why he couldn't succeed. Usually, this happens at the same time that the successful person speeds past them. Truthfully, if the "relaxer" could have committed himself to his dream early on, he would have realized that the world was already his. 

The old saying is true: Life doesn't happen TO you, it happens FOR you. 

How are you doing in the "success" department? Are you feeling inspired? Could you use a little boost of confidence? What about your income? Do you like where you stand financially? Money is the greatest way to measure your success. Therefore, let's discuss five ways to dramatically increase your income:

1. Give Voluntarily

Since the universe is always giving to us, it readily demands that we give. Those who do not give voluntarily will be forced to give involuntarily, whether they like it or not. By not giving of your time, money, and efforts, you're robbing other people, causing you much grief and despair in the process. 

For instance, Monica tells herself, "I can't give since I barely have anything." Because of this thought, the universe forces her to give her time, money, and energy to causes she didn't approve, such as working a job she doesn't like. However, the best time to give is when you don't feel like you can do it. When you constantly give, you constantly receive. 

2. Act Your Wage

I'm sure you'll agree with me that the majority of people wouldn't mind becoming millionaires. However, the problem is that they have a $100,000 work ethic. If your mindset is not allowing you to make your dream come to fruition, you need to act your wage, showing the world what kind of value you are ready to deliver.

This means that you're showing up every day willing and able to work at least 12 hours per day. However, that isn't enough. You need to take on tasks that give you the biggest profit. For example, it wouldn't make much sense to give up a $1,000,000 opportunity to fixate on a $100 idea. It might seem obvious, but people are constantly majoring on minors, failing to act their wage.

3. Visualize Your Success

All that you have envisioned will be given to you. Everything you've imagined for yourself can come alive once you visualize the result of what you want. The key to doing this is by writing out in clear details the exact picture you have in your mind. We think in pictures and your mind is the kingdom of your accomplishment. It conforms to what you want. 

However, many people focus on what they don't want. They think about losing their jobs, crashing their cars, or offending their friends. When they do this, they repel the success that they want, instead of attracting it. What kind of future do you see for yourself? Do you see poverty or do you see prosperity? You'll get whichever one you see in your mind.

Here is the secret to realizing all of your visions: When you see disharmony, see love. Where there is deficiency, see abundance. Where there is ill health, see wholeness. Where there is confusion, see peace. 

4. Receive Your Blessing

Many people have the habit of downplaying their blessings. They act modestly to appease the minds of their critics. However, this isn't the most abundant way to live. The truth is that your wealth is constantly awaiting you, seeking your recognition and appropriation. The main reason why people don't receive their wealth is because they don't even know it exists! 

Many people cannot receive their blessings because they're too busy condemning and belittling themselves. Self-condemnation causes more failure, poverty, and ill-health than anything else. You cheat yourself when you believe that you are worth less than you are. While most people believe it's an act of humility, it's actually an act of stupidity! In short, realize your blessings if you want to receive more of them.

5. Stop Settling

It's time to stop settling for your current position in life. To do this, you must solemnly declare that you want to change (and mean it!). Many times, you must change your old habits in order to supplant new ones. You need to also get rid of old people, places, and things if you want new and better ones.

Complacency is the biggest killer for those seeking to dramatically increase their income. Some people think they can quit when they have a little money in their pockets at the end of the month. This stops them from pursuing more success since they are "enjoying" themselves. While one person is at the movies for the night, another is reading an entire book! Never be complacent.

Dramatically increasing your income isn't hard at all. Just look at what the masses are doing and do the opposite. It will almost always guarantee your success. If you're willing to do the work and stay committed to your purpose, you can do anything you can imagine for yourself. When you pay the price of success, you'll have a lot more fun in the end!

You Want To Be A Millionaire? Acquire These Skills

6 Skills of Self-Made Millionaires That You Should Be Using, Too

Heed the advice of those who have reaped success. Here are six skills used by self-made millionaires that you should be using and building upon each day.

1. Be able to identify fruitful opportunities.

Carlos Slim Helu, Mexican business magnate and philanthropist, said, “When there is a crisis, that’s when some are interested in getting out, and that’s when we are interested in getting in.”

Learn to identify open doors when they appear, then consider the risks and weigh them against potential benefits. An opportunity can be a great one regardless of whether no one or everyone is rushing to grab it -- if no one is, that’s your cue to move forward; if everyone is, that’s your chance to prove you’re better than the rest.

2. Focus on actions over words.

“Actions speak louder than words,” supposedly, and the late Andrew Carnegie agreed. As his career grew, he said, “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”

Understand that a shining business plan or investment presentation means little when you don’t demonstrate the ability to carry out your ideas well. Customers and clients want to see flawless application of your company’s core values and mission statement. Keep this formula in mind when seeking out employees, as well. A perfect resume doesn’t necessarily constitute a perfect employee, if that person can’t properly act on his qualifications and intentions.

3. Maintain a clear vision of success.

“Vision is perhaps our greatest strength... it has kept us alive to the power and continuity of thought through the centuries, it makes us peer into the future and lends shape to the unknown.”

Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka-Shing, the richest person in all of Asia, believes in vision as a motivational tool for success. What does success look like to you? If your answer is just “a lot of money,” this may not be the article for you.

Many people envision success as finally seeing their product on store shelves, making up for initial overhead costs, gaining a certain following or changing the community in which they live. In order to stay on track toward fulfilling your goals, it’s important to maintain a clear vision of what that goal is -- and what things will look like once it’s achieved.

4. Never stop learning.

Entrepreneurs who don’t acknowledge the need to constantly learn new things are denying themselves and their businesses the chance to grow. Even once you achieve some degree of success, understand that those around you (even those who are less successful) know something you don’t.

Listen to what others have to say about their experiences. Learn from their achievements and their mistakes. If you don’t want to base your development on other people, try taking a step back and exploring the areas of entrepreneurship you can still improve upon. Elon Musk, founder of PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors, says “that’s the single best piece of advice -- constantly think about how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself.”

5. Get the job done.

This one sounds simple, but you’re likely procrastinating without even knowing it. Those who spend an immense amount of time marketing a business before there’s even a business to advertise are putting off actually building a brand. The same goes for those who spend time attempting to perform Web or graphic design themselves, obsessively organize finances and legal paperwork, and so on.

Even as an entrepreneur, you can’t wear every hat, and it’s often smart to assign tasks that aren’t immediately related to building your business to someone else. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a small team of employees or some remote freelancers if it means you’ll be able to turn your company into everything you dreamed.

“Getting the job done has been the basis for the success my company has achieved,” said Michael Bloomberg, entrepreneur, investor and former mayor of New York City.

6. Only hire rock stars.

You can’t exemplify greatness if the people who make up your company aren’t great, too. My brother Matthew and I have always made a point of carefully selecting those we hire on to our teams, even if it takes a little extra time. We like people with a heavy determination to GSD (Get Stuff Done).

As we have such grand expectations for our employees, we always make sure to treat them as more than just that. Matthew and I strive to take care of them as we would with family. Matthew and I also allow our employees the flexibility to work from anywhere and provide bonuses from time to time to thank them for their trustworthiness and flexible capability. The extra appreciation certainly goes a long way in enhancing work ethic and promoting remote teamwork.

Original Article:     6 Millionaire Skills Worth Acquiring

5 Things Millionaires Do That Most People Don't

1. Millionaires work hard.

A lot of people think that winning the lottery is their ticket to success, but I’ve got bad news for you. Nearly 90 percent of lottery winners go through their winnings in five years or less, leaving them back in the same situation they were in before they won.

Millionaires know that there are no shortcuts to success. There’s only hard work executed relentlessly in pursuit of a goal.

I know that, in my case, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t been willing to work hard. I didn’t have a mentor when I started trading stocks in high school. It was up to me to put in the hours needed to become successful. There were plenty of times I would have rather gone out with friends or played video games -- anything but sit in front of the computer and study stock charts for another hour.

But I did it. I put in the work upfront because I knew the results would be worth it, they’ve paid off. I’m living my dream lifestyle because I wasn’t afraid to work hard.

2. Millionaires are focused.

That said, it isn’t just about working hard. You have to be working hard on the right thing.

Have you ever known somebody who’s constantly jumping from one “million dollar idea” to another? We all want to be rich, but the people who can’t choose one path to focus on simply aren’t going to achieve it. It’s the people who dedicate themselves to a single pursuit that come out on top, whether that one path is penny stock trading, company building or something else.

3. Millionaires are careful about risk.

I happen to think that penny stock trading represents one of the best opportunities to build generational wealth. The barriers to entry are low and, if you follow the rules I’ve learned, your risk is relatively low.

But whatever wealth-building approach you take, you’ve got to keep your risk in check. It’s not that you shouldn’t take risks, but the risks you take should be calculated. One of the tools we use in trading is the “risk-reward ratio” -- basically, how much risk you’re willing to take on for how much potential reward.

You can apply this line of thinking to just about anything in your life. If there’s more risk than there is reward, stay away. But if there’s more potential for reward than there is risk of loss, you may be looking at a great opportunity you should take.

4. Millionaires are generous.

Take a lesson from generous billionaires Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Carl Icahn and Ken Langore. Giving money can feel just as good (if not better) than earning it.

I’ve recently started my own charitable foundation in order to give back $2 million to my community, and I have to tell you, it feels amazing. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get started, but I’m looking forward to making up for lost time.

5. Millionaires never stop learning.

This is such a big one. Millionaires love to learn because they’re always looking for ways to expand their skill sets and get ahead in their fields. They read books, watch documentaries, study educational materials and talk to others who can give them more information. Millionaires know that knowledge is power, and they stop at nothing to get it.

No matter what your net worth is right now, you can put this tip into practice today. If you’re learning to trade penny stocks, you can watch videos, read SEC statements, study stock charts or learn from others in industry chat rooms. You can do all of these things for free, but the value of what you learn will be worth so much more in the long run.

Which of these habits could you add to your life? Commit today to making at least one change that puts you on the path to becoming a millionaire.

Original Article:     4 Things Millionaires Do That Most People Don't

How To Make People Think You Are Successful Within Five Seconds Of Meeting Them

“You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover” — we’ve all heard it, we all do it. We shouldn’t, but it’s practically instinctual.

Of course, life and business are simpler when you boil it down to statistics — most people will make a ton of assumptions about you within the first five seconds of meeting you in regard to your attractiveness, potential for success, personality, etc.

When you bring business into the mix, first impressions of new colleagues and connections can be crucial.

So within those first five seconds of meeting someone, how do you give off an aura of success?

The answer is simple — look the part. Of course, that all stops as soon as you open your mouth to speak, so you’ll at least have to sound smart as well.

It might sound obvious, but a 2011 Canadian study involving 87 university students found that professionally dressed men came off as more successful and were expected to make more money.

The sloppily dressed men were expected to be made fun of at work.

A more recent 2013 Turkish study closed in on what exactly a man should wear to come off as more successful, and the answer is not surprising.

“The man was rated more positively on all attributes apart from trustworthiness when pictured in the bespoke suit … On the evidence of this study it appears men may be advised to purchase clothing that is well‐tailored, as it can positively enhance the image they communicate to others.”

So in a manner of speaking, success, or at least the look of success, can be bought at your local tailor.

Additionally, a 1990 study found that women who dress more masculine, even though some might consider it sexist, and wear outfits and suits with straight silhouettes, angular lines and darker colors, are more hireable.

So the lesson here is if you want to come off as successful in those first five seconds of meeting someone, whether you are a man or woman, wear a suit. Look nice.

Comb your hair, trim your nails and shave if you have to.

That Zuckerberg jeans-and-hoodie look only works after you are a billionaire.

Don’t try to look hot or sexy either, as that actually lowers other people’s perception of your power and success.

Holding a glass of Scotch while wearing a suit will either give you a ton more swagger and/or make you look like an alcoholic — the gamble is yours to make.

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