Is entrepreneurship something you are born with?

Last night I was talking with Ryan and reminiscing about some points in my childhood. They, at the time seemed insignificant, however, it now has wondering : is entrepreneurship teachable or do we just have it from a young age?

Two quick examples:
. My very first way of earning money was in the fifth grade. I couldn't get a specific type of sneakers from my mom so I decided to go out and get them myself. At the time I didn't have enough money, but I did have some money. My solution? I sketched out a jewelry line of necklaces, bracelets,and earrings. Next, I spent all of the money I had. I spent it on beads, clasps, fishing line and other jewelry accessories. For the remainder of the week I built all of the jewelry, careful to follow the plan and pattern I laid out in the first place. Once built, I came up with a price structure that considered materials, time spent and profit. Some of the pieces were more expensive to make, more complicated etc.

Finally I went door to door in my neighborhood with the drawing I had made. I kept the pieces in my backpack so that I could fulfill orders on the spot. At one door, the lady asked me 'if you have all of the pieces, why not just walk around with those on display?'. My response, 'i can show you what's left, but I already have orders for pieces that have been sold out. Plus nobody likes to look at the almost empty inventory, so just imagine that it's all available for you to see and it will be delivered to you in a few days.'.

You see, if at the ripe old age of 10, this was my thought process - without any real information, classes, schooling etc, then it has to be in your blood. Geez, I even unconsciously took the 'emotions of a buyer' into consideration so that I would not only sell out but take future orders!

. Senior year I was arguing with an old boyfriend about time spent working. No time left for self, just all work. He kept saying, that's life. You're always going to have to work more and harder than you play. It's just how it is. I can honestly say with 100% certainty, that I mew at that moment that I had been lied to. We were not put on this earth to work it away. The working was just a way to earn money, the important stuff happened as a result of your work and outside of work. It's about what you create, what you leave behind. It was incredible to me that this person could not see that it is absolutely possible to make money without working your life away. All you had to do was be the innovator, the thinker and the money maker.


All I'm saying is that I believer there are different types of folks. There are rule followers and rule makers. There are innovators and there are people who are hired to make the innovation a reality. There are entrepreneurs and there are worker bees. There are those who will dump all of their money into things that they 'just have to have now' and there are those who will dump their money into a place where it will keep coming back at them, long after they've gotten that 'thing they have to have now'. There's no right way to be. The best entrepreneurs are so because of their innovative thinking, their dreaming, their naughtiness AND because of their ability to work well with their team. You cant succeed without the right team in place. That would be like eating soup with a fork - it's right there, you can taste it but you can't quite get it in your mouth. Leverage baby.

Love and Peace ,
SR

Paid to Shop with the Stacks

A few tips for the holiday shopping season: Our web portal is LARGER than Amazon.com and WE PAY YOU TO SHOP! Why shop anywhere else online this season when you can still access all of the stores, products and services you want AND GET PAID TO SHOP?

Ever hear the Coca Cola analogy? $0.80 out of your dollar gets spent on advertising? Doesn't it annoy you that only $0.20 of your dollar is spent on the quality of product that your getting while the majority of that same dollar is spent trying to get you to buy their product?

We have introduced a new way to shop that is the most ETHICAL and coolest way to shop ever. Our web portal does the following:

1. Allows you to get a preferred customer membership for FREE> (unlike BJs, Barnes and Noble etc.)

2. Pays you 2-35% cash back for all purchases made through the web portal!

3. Gives you access to over 4,000 stores you are already shopping at! So you do not have to even change where you shop or what you are shopping for! No replacing products for an alternate one - you simply go through the portal first!

4. Provides "hot deals" - to save you time for shopping for coupon codes, we automatically feed them into "hot deals" tab so that you find the best one the quickest!

5. Comparison Shopping right on the portal! If you search for "Macbook Air" our site generates a list of all of our partner stores that carry it. You will also see how much each store charges, any additional offers such as free shipping as well as who offers the most cash back!

6. Customer Service and Shopping Consulting! Can't find a customer service number at Amazon.com? That is because there isn't one! WE HAVE PEOPLE POWER!

Here is the site:
www.cashbackma.com

Have questions or want help getting started? Email or call me!
Enjoy getting your shopping done along with some of that cash right back in your pockets this holiday season!

Do you need a Social Detox?

When you think about when you're at your happiest, you probably picture yourself in a place you've desired to be and surrounded by people you love to be around. Generally, it is not your vision to work your whole life in order to achieve a certain goal just to finally arrive there and be around people that you don't like or love. So much of achieving success is in the journey. It's not that the journey isn't tough at times but its how you handle it.

How do the people you hang around make you feel? Physically, how do you react? Your body will know what feels good and what doesn't. Are the people in your life contributing something positive to your every day life or are they sucking the energy out of you? Every relationship will be different, some people you can talk business with, some more emotional, some, you just adore their spirit and love being around them. Sure, we will all have our not so great days and our real friends will be there for us. However, if you are surrounded by someone that you constantly are reacting badly toward, than here's the secret: remove yourself from the situation. It's not that difficult to walk away from something or someone that makes you uncomfortable. Not all friends are created equal and that's ok.


Why choose to socially detox? You really are the sum of your network. Who are you hanging with? Are they like or dislike who you are and who you strive to be? Are the positive contributors or takers? Are they people you love but just can't be around right now? Are their intentions good or bad? All of these things are possible. The point is that by being aware and by listening to how you body reacts to certain situation is a great way to achieve happiness. If you are working to achieve happiness in the future - the fastest way to bet there is to make choices that make you happy now.

Love and Peace ,
Sarah Rose

Did you lock yourself up?

After meeting many people from all walks of life, you begin to wonder who is really responsible for each person's circumstances...

Regardless of if I'm talking about the free and beautiful Kim Kardashian, Loren and JR Ridinger or people in less desirable situations there is only one thing that is certain: each of them and each of us is a direct reflection of our thinking. the mind is such a powerful thing, it can hold you down or set you free. What ever you focus on, you become. Will you lock yourself up in a prison today or leave freely on your own terms? The key is in your ability to train your thoughts to be focused on where you want to be.

A great leader this past weekend said 'Medicore people focus on what they're going through. Champions focus on where they're going to.'

Love and Peace

'You're lucky'

I have people tell me all of the time 'you're so lucky!'. While I understand that when people say it, they mean it with love. However, I believe it is not luck. I believe it is much more than that.

I believe that the real determining factor of happiness and receiving what you want is actually 'what you give or put out there'. The universe is in constant motion of giving and receiving. To me this motion is a circular motion that needs to follow the path to keep it going. When you give, you are then open to receive. If you only take, then you close yourself off and the cycle will leave you out eventually.

The best way to assess your current state of happiness in your relationship, finances etc is to assess the giving and receiving cycle. I do it all of the time and I use this as a constant resource to find balance in them. If a relationship with people or an organization becomes one sided where one is giving more than the other than it can not thrive forever. It might be able to be forced for a while, but it isn't happy and it eventually becomes burnt out.

So if you want to be 'lucky', the secret is to to be a giver. Give with the best of intentions and you will become open to receive. <3

Love and peace,
SR

Limited to Limitless.

T Harv Ecker says not to "drink from only one river". In other words, regardless of what you do for a living, everyone should be involved in creating multiple streams of income.

Only 20 ago, if a person wanted to earn a second stream of income they would have had some very limiting possibilities.

1. They could get another job. But let's be real - another job usually pays less than your first AND you have LESS hours to sell for money. Your income is still controlled by how many hours you personally have available to sell for a wage. Another big downer - you have very little time left for yourself or the people you love.

2. They could start a business. Pre-internet, that meant investing a few thousand dollars into starting a business. This possibility was available to the top 5% who had the resources available to take this path. And, once again, you certainly have very little time left for yourself and the people you love.

3. The could invest in the market. A top financial adviser told me this year, if you don't have to invest in the market (stocks especially), than don't. You never know what is going to happen - invest your money in places where you know it will come back to you and multiply / not places where you "hope" it will do that. He showed me examples of two portfolios: both were sound choices of investing according to industry standards yet one at the age of retirement had less money available than was originally invested. So much for retirement after 45 years of working... If you're a big risk taker than play the lottery. Also, never take investing advise from someone with out examining their investing choices.

Those were the limiting choices for creating multiple streams of income. Now, the internet makes it so easy to have a second source of income. The playing field has been leveled and people are allowed to compete more for the market. It's not even hard to do anymore. Your options to create more income have changed from limited to limitless.

A good exercise to examine your situation is to think about the following situation: If something happened to me or my job, how long would I be able to sustain my current lifestyle? Is my house bigger than my wallet? Would I need to borrow money? Would I depend on government money / government benefits? If you are at the mercy to your answer, than you need a SOLID PLAN B or multiple streams of income.

Some people are rich and others work to "pay their bills". Some people "get it" and others are pawns in their plan for success. Which person will you be? You no longer have to play into the system that holds some people up and keeps others down. You decide which direction to move.

Love and Peace,
SR

Maps show icons but you see what is real.

We all create a map for our future. Some of ours have more details than others, some are based of other people's success and some make them as they go. I was thinking a lot about this today because yesterday was such a great day that got totally derailed. I didn't fall apart - I don't ever agree to do that - but I did stop what I was doing to add a .... pitstop and give attention where it was needed. I guess the point is, that the map is the plan and we all see the icons but what we really need to pay attention to is the stuff that isn't universal. The stuff that happens everyday and how you deal with it and how you move forward.

I believe the only way to stay on track is to be clear about your destination. If your vision is clear enough than you will get there regardless of everything else. Planning and strategy should derive from a healthy balance of dreams, logic and acquired knowledge. If your planning your future without a combination of all of these, then you most likely won't get to where you really want to be.

Dreams. If you can't visualize it than it can not be. It's that simple. Don't allow other people to limit your dreams - if they want to limit themselves then let that be their problem.

Logic. What steps to you logically need to take to achieve your dreams. What does the breakdown look like? What will your days look like? Is your plan proven or are you creating a new one? What are your chances of success and what can you do to stay on the right track? What tools have you acquired to manifest your dream? What sacrifices are you willing to make? What are you not willing to sacrifice?

Acquired Knowledge. Don't underestimate what you already know. Also don't forget that you don't know what you don't know. The biggest lesson and acquired knowledge for me is: Looking back, did I really do everything I was supposed to do? Did I take the time to live in each moment and enjoy the ride to the top? Did I remember to bring my family and friends on the ride (new and old)? You learn so much from yourself and the people around you, so make sure that you take it all in. Be present. Don't be so distracted by everything around you. Take and give time where it is needed.

The big plan is the road map and you driving through it. When you plan your roadtrip, you don't know what traffic will come up in 6 hours or what kid is going to need to pull over for a 30th potty break nor will you know when. All you can do is take it all in and pull over when you need to and then get back on the road when your done. Your loved ones will stay the course with you because they believe in you. They will support you because you support them. They will have faith in you because you have faith in your plan, so just remember to make it a good one. Just remember to live each day in the moment. Your plan is good enough that you know your going to get there, so don't be afraid to enjoy the stuff today.

I hope your ignorant of the impossible to do it.

"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have waited centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." - John Andrew Holmes

Today, I ran across this quote and I thought to myself "Wow, how true is this! It always boils down to your own self-belief. I fully believe that fear is 100 % self created. Without you, it doesn't exist and thus, you can do anything.

It reminded me of an indoor show that Ryan and I wrote two years ago (FEAR, Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real). We explored some of the things that people were afraid of: love, limitations, failure, success and self. In the end, the audience realizes that no two people have the same list or level of fears - they are all self manufactured. I always said knowing is half the battle. Don't limit yourself with fear. Choose ignorance. I hope you are always ignorant to all that holds you back.

Love and peace,
SR

Celebrating other people's success.

I have been thinking about a friend of mine who hit a big goal this past week all weekend! I am so completely happy for her.

I've noticed that for some people, celebrating other people's success is really a challenge. As I was sharing this awesome news with some people, I was surprised at the plethora of reactions.

There were ones that almost afraid to be happy because they had this worry that all of the good stuff was gone and there wasn't going to be enough left over for them. There were people who were clearly jealous. There were people who were annoyed.... but mostly annoyed because maybe they were thinking of their own shortcomings.

And then there were people who were happy for this friend of mine. They actually took it all in and I could see them actually feel happy.

So, as I was thinking about this, I realized that the people with happy reactions to other people's success were all successful themselves. They generally were happy in their own lives and did not feel threatened by other's success.

There will always be enough to be happy about or grateful for. Don't worry about wasting your happiness or celebration on someone else. You have to be open to receiving happiness - even if it is not a direct thing that you have personally received - because if you are open to receiving it than it is yours to keep.
You are what you put out there. What are you contributing? <3

How will "doing for others" affect you?

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" - MLK

Intentions - what fuels your actions - are so important to outcome. While good intentions don't always yield the desired results, having them will bring your peace in your everyday choices.

What are doing for other people? What do you give to this world? What are you contributing? To give is to receive. There is no better feeling than to watch someone else do better, grow or achieve something - especially if it is partly because of your own contributions.

Regarding Work:
When I sell / develop a website for a client, I take great pride in contributing to their business's exposure. It feels good to know that the website I built for a roofer brought him 20 extra jobs for the year. It makes me feel valued and appreciated.

When Ryan builds a business with someone else that secures their future as well as our own, it just feels good. It's crazy to watch people go through a commission pay cycle in one week partly because of your help and efforts. Aside from the emotional success, it is financially a smart thing to do.

When we teach dance or music - it feels good to put good energy out there. It feeds the soul to do something liberating and then teach others how to do the same. Watching Iris at Umass, or Wes in drum corps, or Meg teaching music or Steph directing a play is a very relaxing and proud feeling to have.

The fact is: The more you do for others, the more successful you become and the richer you will feel. The energy and happiness you receive as a result is not something you can manufacture. Nobody ever became successful alone or by beating some else down. Build each other up. Help someone out. Build a life you want to live everyday by choosing to give to others.

The difference between making the cut and not.

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

 Never have truer words been said.  At some point in our lives, we have all had dreams, goals, aspirations and visions for the way we want to live our lives.  Hopefully, you haven't forgotten this important part of the process, because to dream is certainly the first step.

So, what makes us different?  Why do some people seem so lucky?  Why do some people become blessed with the fortune of realizing their dreams while others aren't so "lucky" or even worse, forget how to dream?

 It's been said so many different ways, but the truth is:  Successful people did what others failed to do.  It's the courage to keep going that will take you directly to your goal.  Never stop.  Never give up. Never let obstacles throw you off track permanently.  We're all going to have better days than others.  What we have to remember is that the prize is always sweeter when you've earned it.  You either have the courage to keep going or you don't.  You either get to where you're going or you choose a stopping point along the way.  Successful people understood the steps necessary and the commitment necessary to get to where they were going. (As per JR Ridinger) They ran into the same problems that everyone does, the major difference is: they ran into a whole lot more and kept plowing through!

It's always easier to settle into a routine than to create something new.  It's easier to send an email than to reach out and talk to someone.  It's easier to avoid tackling a problem with a situation or person than it is to face it.  It's easier to talk about people behind their backs than it is to focus on your own life.  It's easier to be on the sidelines instead of in the game.  You certainly are less vulnerable to failure.  It's always easier to participate in these unproductive activities because it is a safe haven from the things you should be doing.

The point is:  the courage to endure the harder things in life determines the speed you take on your path.  Don't allow unproductive activity, toxic relationships or negativity to influence how you make your decisions.  If your dreams mean that much to you, you have to do something different. 

So I guess it all depends on your game plan.  Are you in this game as a spectator or are you in it to win it?  

Pictured:  Dennis Franks (VP of Market America, Former Philadelphia Eagles Player, Mentor) giving us a permanent visual of him telling us to "keep going and never give up".  

What's your filing DNA?

I can bet that we have all researched tons of ideas and listened to people on how to have a successful filing system.  I'd like to invite you to throw away the idea that one day someone else's filing system will work for your business.  

People are creatures of habit.  We like things done a certain way.  We crave structure and organization...but of course we crave our own particular flavor of all of that.  We want to be part of a routine, however, we like the idea of creating that routine.  (Especially if you are a business owner)

The best way to keep yourself organized is to develop your own system.  One person's step by step system will not necessarily work for you.  Instead of wasting another year attempting to implement someone else's organizational structure into your life, why not spend a week pulling the best ideas from many to create your own?  A week of deciding what will work for you will save you months or even years of insanity.  I'm not suggesting that other people's filing systems are bad.  I'm simply suggesting that for you - creature of habit -  setting yourself up for the best possible result means choosing a system that you can actually file and thrive with. 

Remember, leading the pack usually means creating your own way.  It starts from how you will approach your life/business to how you implement it. Once you have your direction, then you're already one step ahead and on your way to the top!

Cheers!

How do you like your coffee?

How do you like your coffee?  It's a question we all know the answer to.  Whether you're like I am and like "Soy vanilla latte, extra hot with no foam" or your answer is "I don't drink coffee", the answer is usually a solid one. 

Today and this week, I will allow myself to understand the things that I really love and identify the things that I could use less of.  The answers to more difficult questions such as these may not come so quickly, however, in order to keep growing and being happy, I feel that these answers should be solid.  By solid, I mean that they should be clearly understood and acknowledged.  They may change from year to year, but I will strive to be aware of them. 

What are some of the things that you love to do, be a part of or be around?  What are some of those exact things that you could shave off so that you are not allowing yourself to be pulled in a direction that is unproductive or creates feelings of unhappiness?  How do you like your coffee?

Destined for greatness

For those of you who know me, it's been a tough few weeks for several reasons which are not worthy of rehashing.  I will say that regardless of every speed bump along the way, I am still moving full speed ahead with blinders on.

I wrote an email to the CEO of a billion dollar company that I am blessed to own a small part of. (Market America)  This guy, from day one, has inspired me to be the very best I can be. Through his example, training and opportunities given, I am able to offer my family possibilities that many people would not have thought were possible.  What is even more mind boggling, is that I don't have to be selfish about it - I can offer the same opportunities to other people who are willing to go to work for their in future and for their own dreams.  Well, JR wrote back to me within a few hours and left me with such great hope that I thought I would share with you one of the most powerful statements I have heard in a long time. 

The question I had for JR was "Have you ever doubted yourself?  How do you get through the really tough times when you're not sure if you're going about things the right way?" 

Embedded in response were some statements that reaffirmed some things I already knew but needed to be told by someone else. :) "Never never never give up" being one of those affirmations.  But at the very end he said:
 
"You must logically understand how you will reach a goal in order to believe it and become it." 

There it is.  The words of a dreamer.  Dreamers are the most logical thinkers of all.  We don't do what we are told.  We don't follow the rules.  We invent them. Through careful calculation, our dreams become true because we understand no other outcome.

Feeling blessed to have such an amazing life, surrounded by the best people on earth and able to make choices that I otherwise wouldn't be able to make.

Love and Peace, SR

Hot cocoa on rainy Sundays

Every day has it's moments when something or someone brings you wicked down.  It's so easy to focus on it and be angry.  Next thing you know, your day is shot and your going to bed angry only to be backed up tomorrow. 

When shit hits the fan or things aren't going perfectly, you have to remember the close your eyes and "Feel" something better.  Don't just speak something that you love or are grateful for.  Feel it, so that your body can remember that positive energy and envoke it again.  For me it's hot cocoa on rainy Sundays.  What is it for you?

Visualization is the most powerful tool that I have.  It can bring me up in seconds.  It brings the things in my life that I want right to me.  Try it!

When you are spending time with people you love for various reasons, it can be such a great contribution to your mood, productivity and happiness.   The same can be said for spending time with folks that drain you, constantly complain or have lots of negativity in their lives.  What you talk about directly impacts the way you feel, so talk about things that bring you up instead of down.  Hang out with people that do the same and you will find your heart feeling lighter and your spirits lifted.

Everybody has bad days or times when they need a friend to talk to.  As long as you don't turn every conversation into "how terrible things are" or frivolous gossip,  then I'd say you're in a good place. 

You are who you hang out with.

SR

Mayer Hawthorne: Love is alright.

Gosh. After a really tough month that felt dry from creativity in everything: writing, music and choreography,  last night's concert was absolute magic.  I know as a trained musician and dancer, I should have more specific things to say about why I love this guy and his incredible band so much, however, the number one reason is so simple.  There is true heart in his music and it's an open book for us all to read.  Get the album.  Your days will improve. <3


What a night.  Great friends. Great Music.  Renewed Light.  Thank you MH.

Love & Peace,
SR

Dreaming at Camp Richotte

So last night a few of us got together to hang out ,child-less, with good food, drink and company.  Friends and getting together is always fun but this morning I am feeling especially grateful for the people that were put in our path.

Starting with the gals and guys from last night: at one point of the night, someone said "When will you know you've made it?  What will be the defining moment that you know all of your work has paid off?"  And then one by one, everybody answered, and everybody listened.  It was so refreshing to be with friends who were talking about the future - talking about where they were going and how they were going to get there - believing in each other and in the promise of the future. 

In all, I'd say that I'm feeling good about the people in my life.  As I take a mental roll, each one of them are pretty special in their own way.  It's nice to be surrounded by like-minded, creative, dreamer, loving people and I think I'll thank the universe for them today.  <3

Love and Peace,
SR

Focus on building yourself up... Not someone else down.

As you get closer to the top, there will always be someone there to try and stop you.  There's always someone there that tries to burn out your light so they can deflect from the fact that their own light is dim and flickering.  (As Success Magazine puts it:  If you're getting kicked in the rear it means you're out in front.)

Why is this?  Because it is EASIER to focus on bringing someone down than it is to FOCUS on your own insecurities and short-comings. 

This seems really appropriate, given all of the events going on in our community right now (as well as in my own personal life).  But please take note:  bullying others, focusing on ripping them to shreds and talking non-sense (even to yourself) does absolutely nothing for your own self image / self worth.  It temporarily makes you feel better about the stuff that you aren't getting done.  In fact, all of your constant insults are a reflection of yourself looking in the mirror.  It takes a lot of energy to focus so hard on other people - it's energy you can not afford.  If you spent half of that energy on acknowledging your own insecurities, then you would automatically feel better.  Because let's face it...  tearing me down only gets your blood boiling, it doesn't actually fix anything.

Parents, friends and families - let's work hard at building up our own self worth.  Let's teach our kids to focus on feeling good about themselves so they don't feel the need to bash others in order to feel powerful.   Let's agree that with true self-confidence, our kids can grow up with a clear head, fair approaches, lik-ability and happy.

You are what you wear.

Would you agree that your daily style is coordinated to the way you are feeling (up or down) or the way that you WANT to feel?

My Aunt Karen gave me this huge piece of advise 5 years ago when Jordan was still a little baby: "Get dressed everyday."  She was referring to the utter exhaustion I was complaining to her about.  "Just by putting on some clothes that you feel beautiful in and a little make-up - that will make you feel better."  There could not have been truer words said.

Now that you know this little secret, go ahead and set up your day by choosing the right outfit! May I suggest Jersey Sexy?

Brainwashing : Success like Apple:Pie

Yesterday someone said to me "You're brainwashed, nobody is always that happy."

I said: "You know what, you're damn right.  I am brainwashed to be happy.  I'm brainwashed to be successful and in love."

Ever hear the comment "Whether you think you can or think can not, you're right." ?  I believe so whole-heartedly in this statement and I'm careful to think I "can" every day.

Nature:
Ever wonder why the children of rich people usually end up being rich themselves?  A lot of people would love to "blame that" on inheritance or daddy and mommy giving them everything they want.  I believe that from the day we are born we are brainwashed to be like the people who we are around.  Children of business owners learn on a first hand-basis how to be "The Boss".  Children of parents who are never there and party all the time learn how to be reckless and careless.  Children of  financially responsible parents make financially sound decisions.  And so on....

Nurture:
Some people grow up and re-wire their brains.  They see something that they really want (love, money, career or whatever), and they literally have to rewire themselves in order to get what they want!  It is possible.  I'm a prime example : I'm totally brainwashed for happiness. I can confidently say that my "brainwashing" was more a factor in my ability to succeed than any degree I've gotten or could get, money I had or didn't have or situation I was in or wasn't in.  Brainwashing is the key ingredient to having your pie and eating it to.  




QUESTIONS FOR THE DAY:


What are you Brainwashed for?  What consumes your daily thoughts?  Are those thoughts in line with your real goals and desires?  What are willing to do/change in order to be where you REALLY want to be?


Love & Peace,
SR

Dreaming. Why did you ever wake up?

Remember when we were kids and we didn't just dream of becoming rockstars?  Remember not just thinking about it but actually feeling it and visualizing yourself already there?

Did you ever:
- Sing at the top of your lungs with the door shut and imagine that the object of your affection was secretly watching you? 
----- Yes.  Still do on a pretty regular basis.

- Have full out conversations / run a speech  etc. out loud as  if you were really in the moment?
----- Oh yes.  Everything from actual speeches, how I would approach a new client to how I would deal with a difficult person and more.

- Go through an entire day with a friend as the two of you pretended to from some totally different place?  
-----  Thom Boyer.  We went to see HMS Pinafore in NY.  We were from England all day long.

- Play house?  Play Lawyer? Play dress Up?
-----  Life is a game.   I believe a friend of mine put it best. "We're not really grown up.  We just play house and dance studio."


- Draw out your life alone or with a friend? 
-----  Many times and with different people.  The first time I did it was alone.  I was going to be like Mariah Carey but not as tall.  The second was with Meg Donhauser.  We were going to live in an awesomely crummy little apartment in NYC during the day and perform on Broadway at night.  We also planned on decorating the walls with random paint brush art that we created on Mr.K's computer during periods we should have been in class.  Another was with a different friend.  This time we were going to live in Pleasantville with white picket fences and a local YMCA.  And now, I plan with my 3 main boys (Ry, Jor and E) and we are planning for 3 pads: One here, an apt in NY and one in Miami.

-Imagine yourself at the top of your field?  As a new teacher or business partner?
------  Yes.  I've always imagined myself at the top of my game.  Now I imagine myself creating the game. 


- Falling in love in far away places?
------  I have and I do again and again every single day.

________________________________________________________________________________

To stop dreaming would be to stop living. 

I'm not suggesting that one can not ever be happy with where they are at.  What I am suggesting is that dreaming is what makes us feel most alive.  Even if it is an oxymoron,  I do believe we can be happy while dreaming of more and of the next thing.  In my line of business, we often get to share in other people's dreams.  It's quite special to hear about what is important to other people, where they want to go and how they feel about their current situation.  Sometimes, it's a little sad because I've actually met people that have to re-learn how to dream.  Some part of the monotony of every day life drained away their own ability to dream.

My advice for the day:  Day Dream.  Dream While Your Awake.  Visualize Yourself In The Exact Place You Want To Be and Never Settle. 

Your Dreams and your Thoughts are more powerful than any thing else you have in your toolbox - so start there.  

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

Love and Peace,

SR

Charge it.

I want to be first to admit that I once fell into the rut of charging things that I reallllllly wanted but could not pay cash for.  Over the past two years, we have exercised extreme restraint and have ultimately become a lot happier.

Too many people are living a false lifestyle because of a credit limit on their cards.  There is this need to have flashy things to project an appearance that everything is going well in your lala land.  I know, I've done it, I've been there.  Eventually it all catches up to you and you are drowning in endless debt and stressing out over.....things that you thought you needed.  Buying can be a very emotionally charged and dangerous event.  If you are feeling unsatisfied in other areas, you can try to make up for it by changing your "outward appearance."

- Someone messaged us the other day and said "I don't have crazy money like you guys.  It's harder for me to invest in my future...." 

- The secret: it is not and never was about what you don't have.  It's about what you choose to do with what you do have.  This past spring when our refrigerator broke, we could've purchased a $2,000 fridge with an ice box but we chose not to.  We could have charged it or paid cash.  Instead, we purchased something that would fit our needs and keep more money in our account.  Why?  Because there are better uses for our money than a fancy refrigerator.  Your current and future financial position directly correlates with your spending choices.  It will have a lot LESS to do with the amount of money that you make.
  I guarantee it - you will never fix money problems with money.  You fix it by changing habits.
 
We need to wake up and stop charging our lives away.  Eventually you have to pay for all that stupid stuff you didn't really need.  Can you go an entire month without charging something?  If not, try it.  Try to find joy in what you have.  If what you want is a more elaborate lifestyle - that's great - build one.  But at least build it right so that you don't choke on your bills at the end of every month.


My gift to you,
SR

I hate money...

I have always hated money.  It's stupid and people obsess over it.  Money determines what you eat, where you live, what you wear, what your drive, where you go, who you can go with, who can talk to at certain hours of the day and for how long, who you spend time with, when you spend time with people and pretty much everything you and I ever do.

As a person who hates money and never wants to think about it, I have learned one thing:  If you don't want to care about money then you have to have a lot of it.

Think about it:  how crazy is it that a boss can deny you time off because your child is sick and you need to be with him/her?  Is it fair that some companies actually require a death certificate to prove that the deceased person's funeral you attended was a "first relative"?  Who ever came up with what your hours were worth?  What are your hours worth to you or the people you care about? 

Even further:  WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE to work for some random company for more hours out of their lives than they choose to spend with their spouses, friends or family? 

When your working, if it feels like work than you are in the wrong field.  I also truly believe that if people were given the chance to choose to work in any field - regardless of the compensation plan - than we would have a happier society and people that were devoted and passionate.  Seriously, if you knew that your finances were totally set for life, would you not feel less "held down" by your job?  Would you not choose to work somewhere that you felt happy to be part of the team?


THE TRUTH.  If you want to be happy in life, you have to choose to do things that make you happy. You have to believe that what you do every day has a purpose that fits into the purpose you determine for yourself.

THE BIG QUESTION:  This is your last five minutes, what do you wish you did more of?  Is it work more hours at your job?  Is it make more money?  Probably not.  Your answer probably evolves more around a specific person you wanted more time with, a project you had dove into or a place you wish you had seen. While both options seem to be opposites they are directly related.  In order to pursue the latter, you must conquer the first.  

While there is no "right answer" for everyone, I do believe that this question merits serious thought and consideration.  Now that you are directly aware of what stand in your way, what do you plan to do to get to the place where you belong, to the grand place you are meant to be?

Be the Star of your own Life.

It seems that many people - myself included - have gotten so caught up in the plethora of reality shows that are on today. How can a person really be happy watching the "drama' and events of someone else's life day in and day out? What about our own lives? When did it become ok to be an "extra" in our own movie?

You have to believe that you are great. You have to believe that you have purpose. You have to believe that purpose is subject to change. You have to star in your own show and remember that you get to write the script.

What will this week's episode be about?