That IS in my job description.

"Never, in the history of the world, has there been such abundant opportunity as there is now for the person who is willing to serve before trying to collect." Napoleon Hill, Law of Success

If you realize the importance of this statement and begin applying it, everything else will fall into place shortly thereafter. This might mean going to work and doing more work than your paid for. Yes, it's time to remove "That's not in my job description, I'm not doing that." from your vocabulary and mindset. If that is the way you think, your advancement will always be limited to a level far below your ability. Do you think that anybody who is truly a success in all areas of life is concerned with making sure they get paid that half an hour of over-time? I will tell you the answer to that is definitely NO. They know, without a doubt, if they consistantly do more than what is required, they will get noticed. Take this example, I have an employee who was originally brought on to do very basic tasks and only for a few days which included taking away the trash, opening boxes and things like that. After only a couple of days, his work ethic and willingness to do everything I needed him to do, I kept him on. He put in long hours, which of course he was paid extra for, he paid attention to what was going on and never once said "that's not what I was hired for.". Instead of letting him go at the end of those few days, I put him into a position where his skills could be used continually, where he could excel and make more for himself. Even more will be coming his way, I am sure of it.

Maybe, when you apply this to your life, you'll get a promotion where you work. It might even be from another company, or a company you can start on your own. In any case, you have got to make this a way of life for you. It is worth it.

Where in your life can you do more than what is asked? Is it at work, at home, at church? Decide to do more, decide that doing more than what your paid for IS part of your mindset. What do you have to lose? The worst that'll probably happen is you will survive the currently trendy "downsizing and streamlining". Sounds like it's worth it to me.

A unique investment opportunity

Investing in general is not something that most people apply any action too. They think that it's too risky, it's not for them or they'll get to it later. I believe that there are a couple of forces at work here. One is FEAR. They fear that if they step out and invest in something they will lose it all. Two is lack of knowledge. They simply don't know, so they don't invest. Let's look at what investing really is. It is defined as: the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value. There are many ways to invest so the investment world seems overwhelming. I want to focus attention on only one, that is you. What does it mean to invest in yourself? It means that you begin to understand yourself and how you work. You then can identify areas in which you excel and areas you can improve. If you invest in your personal growth, your knowledge base will grow and you will grow the world around you. Take the direct sales industry for example. For little cash investment, you are in business. The big investment comes in pouring life into it so that it will grow and flourish. The best way is to be committed to the process, to know that the business is designed for you to build it at any rate you like. This means that you have to "own it". Just like you would own any other business, it's success is defined by your success. If you started a lemonade stand it would be wise for you to research everything there is to know about operating a lemonade stand. The next step should be obvious, put it into action! Do not deviate from the plan to grow that lemonade stand. It is an extension of you, it is yours, you own it. Just do not give up on it. Continue doing the basics that bring in the cash and you will gain success. Could you imagine buying a McDonald's and after a slow month your sales are down. Do you just throw in the towel and say "Well, I figured it would turn out this way. People just aren't buying Big Mac's anymore."? NO, NO, NO, NO! Realize that the problem might just be something that you are doing or not doing. What you should do is look at successful McDonald's and do what they are doing. Copy them, there is no reason to start off being a pioneer if you have a successful example you can emulate. Get over yourself and move into success. Invest in yourself, learn about one area of investment today. Just look up something that interests you, it could be stocks, real estate, narcotics. Whatever, just study it until you can at least understand the language that is used. Start today.

Who cares?

This one is so simple and basic it should be one of the first decisions you make today. The act is simple and the results could change the lives of many people. Today, I want you to do something nice for somebody that could not possibly pay you back. See, it sounds so simple you're probably saying to yourself "Self, that can't be it. It must be something more than that. I know, he's saying I need to give away my car or something ridiculous like that.". No, I'm not saying that at all, unless that's what you are called to do. Just make it a point to do something nice for somebody today. This will set your mind in a positive mode because you begin to put others first. Maybe you hold the door for a senile elderly woman on a rascal-scooter at the grocery store who, in passing by you screams at you "That sign right in front of your face says exit, you can't come in this way!". Yes, this has happened, and you know what? I still laugh my #$@ off when I think about it. See, it probably did nothing for her but it sure taught me a funny lesson, one that I'll carry with me for a long time. Anyway, just look for someone to do something for. It could be a warm smile (some of you will have to try really hard at this one- fake it till you make it!), buy someone a Spark and Thermoplus, say something nice about them. For those of us who have a tendency to be somewhat "detached", I would suggest that you sincerely ask somebody "How are you today?" and listen intently for their answer, it is a return gift to you. People will share their whole lives with a kind ear. Who cares if you do all these things? You never know what the person on the receiving end of your giving is going through, it could change their life. So, who cares? We do, go care about somebody today.

What are you looking for?

"What we see depends mainly on what we look for." John Lubbock

I love this statement, it really makes you think about what it is that you're seeing. Just like you can easily look at a tree and tell what kind it is by it's fruit, you can tell what a person's mindset is by the fruit of their lives. I'm sure that you have some kind of fruit in your life, we all do. Is it good fruit, like a nice big and juicy pear? Or, is it like that of a Vietnamese durian fruit? Do you know that the durian fruit smells like stinky socks and is banned in public places like subways and malls? The flavor is supposed to be fantastic but, I will not be bringing that kind of fruit into my life. Okay, I got a little off track there. Anyways, take a moment, look around you. What kind of things do you see? Do you like those things? If you do, great! If not, make a decision to look for something different. If you see friends that are awful people, look for friends that are great people. If you see that you have a crappy job, maybe you ought to look for a great job. You WILL get that which you look for. Here is an example of exactly what I mean. At the beginning of last year I projected an exact dollar amount that I figured I'd earn that year in my business. I ended up being only $196 off. Not bad, especially considering that I did not once look at how I was coming along throughout the year. It just ended up right where I had projected it. It was an experiment that took a full year to complete and the results spoke for themselves. You can bet that I am looking for much bigger results for this year. What are you looking for . . . . really?

Wait upon The Lord? How long should I wait?

Isaiah 40:31 (The Message)

27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.

What does your mind immediately tell you about the red words in this scripture? What is the first thought that pops into your mind when you read "wait upon God"? Is that thought actually keeping you in one spot, physically waiting for God to do something? What if you looked at the meaning and context of the word "wait" in this particular case. That word could easily be substituted here with "serve". Now, read it like this "But those who serve God get fresh strength.". Why would God give you fresh strength, have you spread your wings and soar like eagles, run and not get tired, walk and not lag behind? Probably because you are not just standing there "waiting" for God to do something. God is always on the move, He is always moving forward. Clearly He has a vision of where He wants to go. To get there, He needs you to be in action, to be on the move, to serve Him. Depending on your calling, that could mean any number of things. I am called to help in the financing of God's kingdom, to be spread to all the nations of the world. I cannot do that unless I try to keep up with God. That requires tons of action, neverending growth, learning of new processes, knowledge of how money is made, and yes, constant renewal from God. Ever notice that He is always ahead of you? If you keep on trying to keep up with God, you will never have to "wait" for Him to do anything, ever. He will make sure you have something to do. So, step-out! Put one foot in front of the other and then pretty soon you'll be walking with God. Soon enough, that walk will turn into a jog. Before you know it you'll be running your race! That might sound exhausting but remember, God will give you fresh strength.