Successful vs Unsuccessful People

Your habits and mindset has a great influence on your success, success with finances and life. The above infographic has been circulating after MaryEllen Tribby posted it on WorkingMomsOnly.com. It goes through some great tips and habits that you should institute if you want to be successful and some that you should drop to avoid not reaching success (notice I didn't say failure). There are definitely some key elements that should be highlighted.

 

1) Continuously gather knowledge and learn things that will help you move forward. When trying to accomplish a goal, learn all that you can about the subject. Learn about the tools and resources available to you to assist with accomplishing your goal. Unsuccessful people don't actively gather information and don't act on the knowledge that they do have. There's a vast amount of information available to help you master your finances and reach financial success. Actively seek it out and apply the knowledge when you acquire it.

2) Giving to others is necessary. Don't horde what you know and don't try to step on others to reach your goals. Many people have a fear of letting others know what they know, of giving to much away. You want others to help and promote you without doing the same for others? It doesn't work that way. Share information and tools and others will be more likely to do the same with you. If you come across a great resource for saving money, cutting costs, etc share the wealth and let others know. 

3) Accept responsibility for your failure. The fact that this is listed on the successful people side of the graphic says a lot. You cannot reach success without some failures. Don't give up in the face of failure. Learn the lesson and use that failure as a stepping stone to do even better. Say you wanted to pay off your debt and made a plan to do so but along came an emergency and you had to incur more debt. Establish an emergency fund so you'll be better prepared next time and move forward.

About the Author: Dr. Maria James
Maria James has a compassion for people that makes her involvement in Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation a sure fit. She is a biomedical scientist who is public health conscience and has always worked for the betterment of others. While an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University she co-founded an organization called STOP, which taught basic self-defense to women and children. Her has a passion for diverse communities led her to live in Costa Rica for three weeks to learn more about the culture and community. Maria also continues to pursue her other interests which include, Spanish and finance. Maria also founded the business Pocket of Money, LLC which provides tools and tips to help you take control of your money and live your best life.

Stay Encouraged- Follow Your Dreams

Stay Encouraged- Follow Your Dreams

For all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: "It might have been!" - John Greenleaf Whittier

Changes in the season typically make me harsher on myself. That raise, promotion, or business deal did not materialize. Do not fret. If you are in a rut or struggling to find a way out of a bad situation, stay encouraged. This time last year, I was not excited. I was too focused on what did not happen the previous year and how little I seemingly accomplished.

Learn from my past mistake. Stop worrying. If you have done all you know to do, continue to be diligent. Do not be afraid of patience. Patience is one of those overlooked virtues that is essential to building a business, dream-chasing, and achieving goals. Good things come to those who wait. Without patience you may jump the gun to a false start and penalize all the hard work you have invested. What comes quick and easy, will be gone just as quickly as it arrived. You want your dream and business to have staying power. 

Dream-chasing is like baking. You cannot force a cake, bread, or pie to cook fast. It is one of those things that needs the right temperature and ingredients. This Easter was my first time making homemade yeast rolls. It was trial and error. First, my yeast would not bubble. I called my mom. Instead of lukewarm water, I added hot water effectively killing the yeast. Second, it matters that the eggs and butter are at room temperature and you do simple things like sifting the flour. Even after the yeast turned into dough, it had to sit in the refrigerator for a couple hours. Afterwards, I had to knead it and let it rise for another two hours before I could finally bake it. Baking is not for the faint of heart. I cooked lamb chops, roasted broccoli with tomato and feta, corn succotash, mashed sweet potatoes, and a carrot cake with a rum cream cheese frosting. My Easter meal was delicious. However, by far the best dish was the oatmeal molasses rolls. It took a lot of work, but they were the star. 

Likewise, in dream-chasing, attention to detail and knowing when to walk away to let things rest is part of the recipe for success. Sometimes you might be ready, but other people that need to cross your path are not ready. Every closed door is not a missed opportunity. Maybe, it is a bad deal you dodged. Ever listen to accident survivors? "If I left a minute earlier that would have been me"? Sometimes although it seems like doors are slamming, it is actually a blessing in disguise.

I know this does not sound good when you are struggling after years of investing emotionally, mentally, and financially in a dream that is seemingly about to flat line. However, hold on. "Let patience have her perfect work." In the middle of frustration, do not faint. This is a marathon not a sprint. You have come too far to give up now!

Trust me. I have been in the pit of despair, wondering why I risked it all to pay triple in housing for a third of the space and see rats and trash in the street. I know what it is like to feel that there is nothing left in your tank. I am not where I want to be, but I have moved closer to the goal. Now, I am not as easily frustrated. Sometimes you stand alone. Other times, you have secret angels in the form of friends, family, and kind strangers pulling for you.

Don't Quit - by John Greenleaf Whittier
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

 This originally appeared on Ronda's blog, Ronda-isms: Good Bad & Ugly. Follow Ronda Lee on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Rondaisms

Are you set up for success in 2015?

You made it! 2014 is coming to a close in just 28 days! Some months went quickly and others, well they couldn't have ended fast enough. As I reflect I want to share with you how we can make 2015 ROCK! Setting clear goals for the next 90 days is great way to start.

Let’s plan to push hard in the final days of 2014 because it isn't over yet and having a remarkable 2015 starts right now.

Set Clear Goals….

Often we declare a desire to get fit, get out of debt, get more organized or finally start that business. Have you ever come up against real challenges in the process of bringing your desires into reality? Are there desires that you have which have remained an elusive dream? It's time to elevate every dream into a goal. What's the difference? The difference between a goal and a dream is a set lifeline. (Example: I will finish my business plan by Feb. 1, 2014.) It's clear, either you did or you didn't. As you set goals to help you reach your dreams, every action is bringing you closer to the reality you truly desire. Therefore, you are breathing life into creating your brilliant reality. In order to achieve your dreams you must set goals that breathe life into your very existence, which all connects back to your unique purpose in the world. So instead of a deadline set Lifelines as you move toward your dreams.

Have you ever said, “There isn’t enough time in the day”?  In reality we have the same about of time as billionaires, world class athletes or your favorite 5 year old. Life isn’t about time-management. Can you really manage time? Rather, focus on managing what you do in the time that you have. Instead of setting large vague goals by the end of the year, start with goals you can accomplish within each quarter. There are 4 quarters in a year, comprised of 3 months each, which is roughly 90 days a quarter. Setting goals per quarter is not as intimidating as a whole year and allows you to push yourself. What's up for you in your next 90 days?

For every goal you set, make sure you’ve noted milestones along the path. A milestone reminds you that you’re on task to reaching the big goal. Sometimes we think we’re not hitting the mark because it doesn’t look the way we think it should. However, you won’t know unless you’ve created markers or milestones along the way. Think of it this way, this is not a sprint rather it’s more of a marathon. In every marathon, there are markers along the path. Those signs are a reminder that you may not have reached the finish line yet but you’re one more mile toward accomplishing your dream. At each mile, there is a crowd to cheer you on and each mile feels like a win. Too often we come closer and closer to our dream yet we don’t even know it because we haven’t taken the time to celebrate our small wins along the way. Celebrate your wins!

Start now!!! I’ve said this a few times already but it’s worth repeating. We all have dreams, yet you may have some negative chatter in your head saying you can’t do it. Or it’s too big and we sometimes give into that voice and say we’ll do it later. “I’ll start in January” is a favorite stall tactic. WHY?

Start now. You’ll never be less busy. There is no guarantee you’ll have enough money later. The only guarantee we have is NOW. Give yourself the gift of your dreams and start in the present. It may not be easy but you are worth it. Remember, success and failure are both products of your thoughts.  What are you thinking? What are you focused on? Remember set clear lifelines for your goals. Identify milestones in the beginning of the process and most importantly start now.

About the Author:

Sister Mothyna James-Brightful is a self proclaimed “Self Love Revolutionary”. She has spent the last decade empowering women and girls to live authentic lives. Sister Mothyna is the Visionary Director and Co-founder of Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation. Sister Mothyna is co-author of Because I am a Queen...100 Affirmations for Daily Living. Stay connected www.hwhn.org: Twitter @mothyna

3 Habits of Millionaires You Should Adopt

We’ve all seen the lists that come out every year naming the wealthiest people in the world and the country. The billionaires and millionaires, individuals whose net worth are in the millions and billions not the people who simply make millions (yes there is a big difference). People who build wealth tend to be focused. They keep their eyes on the prize and most think big and outside the box. These traits combined with some other key habits are exhibited by millionaires and are the reasons they have and keep their millions.  Here are some concrete habits you should adopt.

Habit #1: Millionaires are frugal.

When people think of the word frugal most go straight to the concept of being miserly, instead of careful with money or not wasteful.  Usually a frugal person is considered to be a cheap person who tries to skimp on everything. However, let’s turn that on its head. Millionaires are some of the most frugal people. You may immediately think, yeah sure they are…that $500,000 car and multi-million dollar home is really frugal. But it’s true, millionaires are frugal. For example, I watched an interview where Warren Buffet, the second wealthiest person in America at a net worth of $58.5 billion, said he’s had the same wallet for twenty years! Twenty years! If anyone can afford a new wallet then Warren Buffet can right. However, it’s not just about the fact that he could afford it. He spends on what he truly enjoys and is frugal about everything else. That’s the true luxury in frugal living (the motto you see blasted on this site). Spend as extravagantly as you want on the things that you love and be frugal with the things that are not as important to you. Sure, millionaires have very expensive items and toys but they made sure to have the income or assets to pay for those toys before they purchased them. No credit used. No debt incurred.

Habit #2: Millionaires keep it slow and steady.

You don’t see millionaires trying “get rich quick schemes.” There are proven methods to build wealth and increase your net worth and they aren’t quick or overnight, with the exclusion of inheritance or winning the lottery. The term is “build wealth” for a reason, you must build it. You will need to use long-term money solutions such as a 401(k) and investments outside of retirement accounts to build wealth. Continuously contribute to retirement accounts to reach your nest egg goal; yes you should know how much you will need, the exact dollar amount. You have to know what the prize is to keep your eyes on it. Investing takes time to see steady gains. The average return on investment in today’s market hovers between 9-10%. I would need to write several articles to explain details about investing, but basically you need to leave the money in the market for years to see such returns. 

Habit #3: Millionaires buy assets not liabilities.

When you get your paycheck and you make a list of the things that you’re going to buy, what is on that list? Is every item a liability, something that you will spend money on that doesn’t make you any money? If yes, then you’re falling into the cycle that many of us do. We use all of our income to purchase liabilities and don’t spend any money on purchasing assets. Assets are things that bring in money without you putting additional money, time and energy. Millionaires work on continually acquiring assets or investments that can bring in money. Create a plan on how and when you’ll purchase more income generating assets.

Pair your determination, focus, and knowledge with these habits so you too can start building wealth and raising your net worth. You can do it. 

About the author: Maria James has a compassion for people that makes her involvement in Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation a sure fit. She is a biomedical scientist who is public health conscience and has always worked for the betterment of others. Maria is the founder of Pocket of Money, LLC which provides tools and tips to help you take control of your money and live your best life.

How to Stay the Course

How can you storm past the obstacles in your path to success? 

Imagine you're running a race on an obstacle course. If you keep your head down and merely jogged you won't have the momentum you need to jump the hurdles (knocking them down won't make you lose points in this race) or scale the walls.

To achieve your ultimate success without being knocked off-course, you'll need two tools:

·        Endurance

·        Destination  

Fuel for the Journey

The best athletes know that rest is as important as practice. In order to knock obstacles out of the way, achieve your goals, and stay the course, take time daily to refuel and recharge. How you feed your mind is just as important as fueling your body. Consider who you're around, what you read and what you listen to as you refuel. We don't want to run our race on empty. Let's build our endurance muscles for those obstacles by feeding our mind and body with the best ingredients and let's educate ourselves on how to best meet our goals.  

Maintain Your Momentum

Although some love moving fast! It's not best to go from 0- 80, however once we build our momentum and get our energy flowing we're able to regulate the ebb and flow. Some hurdles call for a high leap and others a strategic climb, however, all require momentum. Whether the goal is to lose weight, start a business or save money, you have to be consistent. Hurdles will come, like gaining 2 pounds this week or those super cute pair of shoes on sale however working diligently with the finish line in mind (even if it's not in view) will help keep you on track.  

Destination= Vision

We know the finish line is there however, we can't always see it. You already know where you’re going so on the other side of a mountain of debt, is financial freedom. On the other side of that paperwork is a non-profit status so you can serve in a greater way.  You know exactly where you're aiming to be, so let's view the markers along the race letting you know where you are. Writing your goals and having an accountability community is so important. Share your vision, it doesn't mean everyone will agree with you however you can find that partner to help you stay accountable to your ultimate goal. You may have heard, "get an accountability partner" before, however its particular impactful when you're faced with obstacles or stumbling blocks on your path towards success. Make the time, ideally a few minutes each day, visualizing your success. Imagine it! Feel the joy! Truly building out the experience in your mind will help to make it a reality. 

Building your endurance for the journey and keeping the vision of your ultimate success will ensure that you turn mountains into molehills.

How will you build your endurance to overcome your current obstacles? Let us know in the comments below. 

About the author: Sister Mothyna James-Brightful is a self proclaimed “Self Love Revolutionary”. She has spent the last decade empowering women and girls to live authentic lives. Sister Mothyna is the Visionary Director and Co-founder of Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation. Sister Mothyna is co-author of Because I am a Queen...100 Affirmations for Daily Living and is currently working on her forth coming book Engage.Inspire. Prevent. Educating Teens on Sexual Violence. Stay connected www.hwhn.org: Twitter @mothyna

Successful vs Unsuccessful People

Your habits and mindset has a great influence on your success, success with finances and life. The above infographic has been circulating after MaryEllen Tribby posted it on WorkingMomsOnly.com. It goes through some great tips and habits that you should institute if you want to be successful and some that you should drop to avoid not reaching success (notice I didn't say failure). There are definitely some key elements that should be highlighted.

 

1) Continuously gather knowledge and learn things that will help you move forward. When trying to accomplish a goal, learn all that you can about the subject. Learn about the tools and resources available to you to assist with accomplishing your goal. Unsuccessful people don't actively gather information and don't act on the knowledge that they do have. There's a vast amount of information available to help you master your finances and reach financial success. Actively seek it out and apply the knowledge when you acquire it.

2) Giving to others is necessary. Don't horde what you know and don't try to step on others to reach your goals. Many people have a fear of letting others know what they know, of giving to much away. You want others to help and promote you without doing the same for others? It doesn't work that way. Share information and tools and others will be more likely to do the same with you. If you come across a great resource for saving money, cutting costs, etc share the wealth and let others know. 


3) Accept responsibility for your failure. The fact that this is listed on the successful people side of the graphic says a lot. You cannot reach success without some failures. Don't give up in the face of failure. Learn the lesson and use that failure as a stepping stone to do even better. Say you wanted to pay off your debt and made a plan to do so but along came an emergency and you had to incur more debt. Establish an emergency fund so you'll be better prepared next time and move forward.

About the Author: Dr. Maria James
Maria James has a compassion for people that makes her involvement in Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation a sure fit. She is a biomedical scientist who is public health conscience and has always worked for the betterment of others. While an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University she co-founded an organization called STOP, which taught basic self-defense to women and children. Her has a passion for diverse communities led her to live in Costa Rica for three weeks to learn more about the culture and community. Maria also continues to pursue her other interests which include, Spanish and finance. Maria also founded the business Pocket of Money, LLC which provides tools and tips to help you take control of your money and live your best life.

Why New Year's Resolutions are Dangerous to your Money

Many people look at new year's resolutions as a good thing. They make vows to get healthy, save more money, spend less money, give up vices or bad habits and more. Do these all sound great to you? Most people would say yes. However, all of the above are bad resolutions. Why do you ask? Because they are all too vague! What exactly is meant by get healthy? Are you resolved to eat healthier? How? What exactly is meant by save more money? How are you going to do it? How much is more? You have to create a specific plan if you want to achieve these goals. Making vague resolutions is setting yourself up for failure. Do these three steps to make concrete financial resolutions or goals.

1) Write a plan.
Write out what your resolution is. That's the what. Then get very specific as to how you are going to achieve it. What the steps necessary to achieve this goal. For example, say your resolution is to start saving for retirement. Look up what that entails. What is the first step? You need to know about different types of retirement accounts such as 401(k), 403(b) traditional IRA vs Roth IRA, SEP IRA for those who are self-employed. Learn the advantages and disadvantages, money going into the account pre-tax vs contributing after paying taxes on your income. I would go into the differences but that's is an entire blog article itself. Then write out how to start the steps to start these accounts. How much you're allowed to put in etc. You see where I'm going get very specific, write out a detailed plan.

2) Set a date.
For each step in your plan, write a deadline. When are you going to accomplish each task? Writing it out without saying when it should be done is a good way to ensure that it never gets done. Giving each step a deadline will also allow you to avoid getting overwhelmed by the steps and tasks. You'll be able to complete them in an orderly fashion with less stress. Staying with the example from above, if your first step is to learn the differences between retirement accounts, by what date are going to have that accomplished? Put the deadlines on your calendar as a visual reminder so you ensure they get done. Remember each task accomplished takes you closer to your financial goal.

3) Set a dollar amount.
Every financial resolution should have a specific amount attached to it. You have to have a number that you're working towards. At what number can you claim success. If you're resolved to save more money. How much money do you need to save per month, per year? Make it specific. For example, I will save $1,000 this year. Now you have a number. Now you have a concrete endpoint for when you have accomplished the goal. If we stay with the retirement example, a goal with a dollar amount would be: I will contribute 20% of my income. You know how much you make and how much should then be contributed. 

About Your Author: Maria James has a compassion for people that makes her involvement in Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation a sure fit. She is a biomedical scientist who is public health conscience and has always worked for the betterment of others. While an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University she co-founded an organization called STOP, which taught basic self-defense to women and children. Her has a passion for diverse communities led her to live in Costa Rica for three weeks to learn more about the culture and community. Maria also continues to pursue her other interests which include, Spanish and finance. Maria also founded the business Pocket of Money, LLC which provides tools and tips to help you take control of your money and live your best life. Meet Dr. James at our 2014 Unlimited You Conference April 11- 13, 2014 www.hwhn.org.

8 Steps to Achieving Your Goals

A new year is here and if you've set goals or resolutions we'd love to see you accomplish them and much more.  Read on for eight steps to achieving your goals. And I look forward to seeing you hit it soon.

Take small steps and be patient. Think about the speedometer on a car. Unless you're racing the Indy, you don't want to go from 0 to 120. Instead you might want to move a needlepoint at a time. Small steps are alright... just keep moving.

Once you start, you're already finishing. Understand that it's hard to start new things, but it's easier to keep things rolling once they're started. Just don't stop until you're finished, and if you do it's OK to reset.

Not now doesn't mean not ever. Be sure to prioritize. You don't have to do it all at the same time. Choose the tasks with the most immediate timeline or the greatest payoff to start.

Get up early! There is a truth to the early bird gets the worm. Use your time wisely and get your day started early. This also applies to the task, don't wait until the absolute last minute, get started early when you can.

Do things that excite you! This means enjoy the work! Yes, it may be a task you don't love but if it needs to be done...find something to enjoy about the process. It maybe that you enjoy knowing that it's something important or just getting it finished. 

Multitask. Also, don't multitask. This may seem funny but it's true. In some areas you may be able to multitask well, in others it's overrated so check in with yourself. Are you getting more done or less? Running a load of laundry while, vacuuming... GREAT! Reading text messages while driving...BAD.

Get UNBOXED! Often, there has to be no box. Experiment with crazy stuff to see if it works for you! Talk to yourself (just make sure you record it so you can listen to your brilliant ideas later). Buy a personal dry erase board. Write on your walls! Just get crazy!  

Begin with the End in Mind. What will it look like and feel like when you accomplish your goal? Get clear about what you're really after! Then begin to work your plan.

Author: Monokia Nance, Executive Director of HWHN, Inc. learn more on About Us page www.hwhn.org.

Success Isn't for the Weak

Whether you have owned a business for years, just starting one, or a leader in some way, we all have strengths and weaknesses.  As I described in my book, Max Out I Want It All, strengths are the traits that help you excel in your talents and weaknesses are the traits that hinder your progress with your talents. One way in planning for success in the gifted area you lead is getting to know you. Until you are real with yourself, you are unable to help and lead others. When you can identify your weaknesses you will no longer be blind to the things that hinder you from your business goals. The reason these traits are so important with identifying yourself as a person and a leader is because are key elements in the outlook of your success.

Two ways you can minimize your weaknesses are:

1. Act on your Gift - How do you act on your talent? Acting on your gifts with your strengths is what will bring you the desired success. Operating through your weaknesses is a door opener for a weight to hold you back. Weaknesses build obstacles that keep you from your potential! Acting with your strengths will make the process to a maxed out life less tedious.

2. Set Goals - Setting goals is so important because that is a great way to act on your gift! Doing this, you are able to see the areas where you are weak. What is that is keeping you from maxing out your life? Are you great at what you do, but find yourself having trouble getting customers because you are advertising? Everyone specializes in something! This will help you identify what you are spending so much time in that it is actually keeping you from reaching your goals.

Your time is so precious. People are waiting for YOU to change their lives! You will not be heard if you are letting your weaknesses waste your time. Focusing on your strengths will keep you positive and confident. Your weaknesses are signs of struggle that open a gate for fear. So, use your strengths as stepping stones to MaxOUT your life! This is your season to go BIG! I would love to help you Maxout your life and business!

Author: Zenovia is a highly sought after Speaker, Author, Business Development Strategist and TV/Radio Personality.  She is the Founder and CEO of Max Out, Inc., a successful company committed to empowering, and revitalize women to discover their purpose and walk in their divine destiny in Life while radically “Maxing Out” their unparalleled potential regardless of the obstacles or challenges in their way. Zenovia will be joining us as a presenter for the 2014 Unlimited U Conference, April 12, 2014.