"You can always count on him or her, when the CHIPS are down".
If you made the statement, it was because you knew that the person would get the job done, no matter what the odds, challenge or the obstacles involved.
Today it is a rarity when you can find people that you can truly count on. Far, far too many people are distracted, lack focus and discipline to even be prompt - let alone have the common courtesy to let you know when they won't be there for you...ahead of time!
A case in point, I once worked with a man I will call "Ted", who was consistently late for EVERYTHING - work, personal and professional meetings, deadlines for marketing and sales presentations and of course, making decisions even on the smallest things. I even kidding him about the fact that he would be tardy for his own funeral. And here is the ironic part - "Ted" set his watch 15 minutes ahead to make sure that he was on time, and he WAS STILL CONSISTENTLY LATE!
In order to be successful at any endeavor, you must begin to build a solid foundation in these key areas.
And with that in mind, here's my time-tested, "secret recipe" with the ingredients to help you compile your very own, limitless supply of C.H.I.P.S. These "chips" will help you become the kind of person who can be counted on time and time again - by your boss, friends, spouse, family and others.
Ingredient #1 - Concentration
Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Edwin Moses said, "My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some ... are better than others." By supreme effort of your concentration and determination you CAN change your whole life and accomplish miracles. You CAN be that person that everyone counts on. You alone CAN decide when the "tipping point" in your life will come. When you develop a concentrated "will to do" you will always find a way or make one.
Ingredient #2 - Humility
Being successful has nothing to do with drawing attention to your achievements or abilities. In fact, some of the most successful people in the world, such as a Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa or Warren Buffett are neither boastful nor ostentatious. Let the "self" go, and do what needs to be done ONLY because it is the right thing to do, and for no other reason. Period.
Ingredient #3 - Integrity
You will begin to develop the "power" leading to habits of success within you when you gravitate to a higher and calmer consciousness based on a foundation of ethical and moral standards and principles. This is integrity.
Ingredient #4 - Perseverance
No matter how long the journey on your success quest. No matter how many potholes, detours, and other obstacles are in your way. Those who have the will to do and perseverance to stay the course will win the game. It is said that Edison tried over 900 different components unsuccessfully before coming up with his working version of the light bulb. Edison also established the first "invention factory", which burned to the ground due to a chemical accident. When Edison was asked what he would do, he calmly said "We will rebuild". Stay the course. Be tenacious. Persevere.
And the final Ingredient #5 - Self Discipline
Those who have the ability to do what is required without needing to be poked, prodded or ordered to by someone else will win every time. Gain control of your mind, body and emotions. Develop your self mastery skills. Paraphrasing Yoda from the Star Wars films, "Do, or do not, there is no try". Motivation from within, trumps external motivation EVERYTIME!
Build your skill by diligent focus on these areas and you will notice an improvement in your ability to succeed. As you move forward, you may make wrong decisions from time to time. However, look at these situations as gaining the benefit of knowing what does not work. Your skills of concentration, perseverance and self discipline will help you to make the necessary changes when you know you are off course.
Copyright (c) 2008 Mind Body Spirit Central, LLC
If making a million bucks were easy, we'd all be millionaires. Right? According to the statistics shared by Mike Peterson, co-founder of The American Credit Foundation and author of "Reality Millionaire: Proven Tips to Retire Rich," most Americans are losing the money-making game. Take 100 people at age 20 and fast forward them to retirement. Only five percent of them will be financially okay. That's not even 'great' or 'independent'. Just okay.
In fact, most people lose in rounds one and two. "There are different levels to financial freedom," says Peterson. "The first level of financial freedom is when you decide to take control of your finances. Let's take another step, at the point that you manage your finances and income so you're no longer in the red, but actually have a little money left over at the end of every month. Eventually we get to what I call ultimate financial freedom. I define that as, where you have enough money put away in investments that are spinning off enough of an income for you that you no longer have to go to work."
The real key to getting started according to Peterson is that people need to make a decision to be responsible for their own finances. There are certainly many related causes for our society-wide tendency toward money blunders. Lack of financial education in schools is certainly a factor but Peterson thinks the real problem is closer to home. As an adult, there is no reason someone can't go to a local library and tap into the wealth of information available and teach himself.
Once you commit to getting started, begin with rounds one and two below:
1. Round one is all about looking - really looking at your finances.
How much money will you need during your lifetime? Consider vacations, a child's wedding, a house, cars and then add a million because you'd love to have a million someday and you will need something to retire on. Now consider how much you'll earn. If you continue earning the same amount you currently do, how much will you earn over your working lifetime?
There's a discrepancy there for most people and it's easy to see why people who don't pay attention are loosing the money game big time. Without conscientiously managing your money, the discrepancy will get worse, not better. Since most people don't just buy a house with cash, they'll actually be paying a lot more than the asking price. That goes for anything purchased with credit.
The great thing about money is that there are lots of ways to make it. Of course, there are at least as many ways to spend it. Riches, cautions Peterson, is not about how much you earn, it's about how much you're saving and how well that money is working for you.
2. Round two is about finding your own pot of gold with the 10-15% of your spending that doesn't buy you very much and putting it where you need it most.
"I've been teaching classes in financial management for years, and I have never met anyone that couldn't find this extra money in their current budget," says Peterson. Start by writing down all of your monthly expenses. Most Americans can't account for 10-15%.
To get more exact numbers, you need to actually track your spending for at least 7 days but preferably a month. Write everything, even the loose change vending machine purchases, down. Don't change your spending habits just because you're tracking it this time around. That will come next as you fund an emergency savings account.
The first two steps really do keep most people from winning. Once you've committed to controlling your financial future and you've found a little extra money in your budget, you'll have the energy and excitement to move on to building an emergency fund, planning your debt repayments and starting to invest. If numbers aren't your thing, there are online calculators and other free resources on Reality Millionaire's book website that can help set realistic goals.
Ultimately, how far you go, and what you do are up to the attitude you start off with. In real life, unexpected costs are common and it is easy to lose confidence, but through persistence, patience, and above all, education and practice, you can achieve your dreams of being debt free and have a million dollars in your bank accounts and investments.
Both Keith Shaw & Randy Gilbert are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Randy Gilbert has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marriage, Health and self improvement and motivation. 'Dr. Proactive' Randy Gilbert enjoyed learning from Mike Peterson (RealityMillionaire.com) when Peterson was interviewed on "Inside Wealth Success" by Jay Aaron. Get the podcast or transcript of the interview for free:. Randy Gilbert's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.