How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear

HOW TO OUTWIT THE SIX GHOSTS OF FEAR

      Indecision, doubt and fear are the three enemies Napoleon Hill uses to describe the primary obstacles to our achieving what we desire.
      These are powerful adversaries. In the competitive world of commerce we find an acronym, FUD, or, Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. Major technological companies have even embraced these to wield, like swords against their competition. If enough FUD is put out there, it makes it all the more difficult to chop through the weeds and find the real, substantiated facts. The less black and white the information, the more FUD there is.
      For me, my biggest challenges, have not been the jump from the airplane, my survival is at risk kind of fears. But, the insidious uncertainty that mentally seems to be around the next corner that causes me to not make a decision, and fail to act.
      Instead of boldly moving forward, I find I succumb to the temptation of choosing to just do something else. Often this is something well traveled, in the past, and is well known and understood. I rationalize that these other things, although not really important right now, still need to get done. And, I will feel some sense of accomplishment, having marked these off my list.
      I return, however, to the important task at hand, and again feel the impact of these enemies as they chip away at my self-esteem. I find myself asking how did this not get done, again? I begin to question my motivation. If this was so important to me, why didn't it get done?
      ... to read the rest of this post, please visit our public forum, where you will also find our mastermind lessons on this subject.
with gratitude and in service,
Tony Koker
Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Outstanding Commentary on Money ... and Real Estate

A great perspective on money by Seth Godin.

Other useful perspectives on Real Estate and investing here.

with gratitude and in service,
Tony Koker

MLM Rescue for Part Time Employees!

      I get updates from the MLM Watchdog. I have found that this is a great one of a few ways to stay up with news and information in this and related industries. I can learn about ponzi schemes, who's still getting away with it, and who isn't. What constitutes successful compensation plans, policies and ownership mindset. And, consider many other aspects of the pro's. and con's. of what can be a very emotional experience. It is refreshing that when the opportunities are presented for a focus on the positive aspects, over the negative, that I really like this source of information. The editor really likes the industry, is a champion for it, and, is an advocate for the model when it is done right.

      Here's a excerpt from a recent article that is a great call to arms for us:

"One of the MLM Watchdog’s loves of the MLM-NETWORK MARKETING INDUSTRY Is helping people and after the recession workers have taken a beating in, more bad news for hard working Americans. The Affordable Health Care Act demands starting in 2014 that anyone working over 30 hours a week be provided a qualified health plan or pay a 2000 fine. In testimony before Congress. The National Federation of Independent Business testified that this is a new low.

Every employer will be forced to define part-time employment under 30 hours a week, and most will use between 20-27.5 hours. This cut part timers income and leave a hole in employment. The University of Berkely Center for Labor research has estimated that 2.3 million workers or nearly 2% are at great risk of having hours cut below 30 hours a week. ...

What can you and your company do to help these people! ... "

Here is a link to the site and the entire article

      Long term, successful MLM companies usually conform to all of the Five Pillars, but some don't:

• Pillar 1 — Company Management Experience with Integrity?
• Pillar 2 — Timing in the Company and Timing in the Industry.
• Pillar 3 — Remarkable Product.
• Pillar 4 — Compensation Plans.
• Pillar 5 — Proven duplicatable system.

Here's a link to some audios and PDF transcripts: Audios and PDFs. How does your company stack up? Be vocal with your upline and company management to make it so.

      While not mentioned here in the bullets, it is discussed in Pillar 4 - Compensation Plans. One of the key elements has to be the ability of a part-time partner to be able to work the business and get a return on their "time" investment. $1,000 or even $100 a month can really take the edge off initially, and, over time, this will only grow with care and nurturing, even if only part time. That is the promise and goal of network marketing for all of us, is it not?

     

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

How Do YOU Define Success?

How Do YOU Define Success?

      Do you find it noisy? Life seems to be an endless challenge by nature, the elements, our senses and our ability or lack thereof to keep going. I find I've developed a blinders-on mindset, when things get too noisy. Keeping focused on the most important one or two things, and letting everything else take care of itself. We are bombarded, but our ability to cope has to do with many different cycles. Did we get proper nutrition, yesterday? Did we have a good night's sleep? If not, do I need to make some changes today to fix that? We certainly have to deal with survival issues, first, right? Or, can we skimp here and borrow from another reserve? Maybe I can keep this streak going, just one more day, even though it is not optimum?

      I don't think that we can operate in any other way, than a blinders-on, heads-down way. Although our powerful brain is always processing hundreds, if not thousands or millions of stimuli and commanding responses, consciously we only get a glimpse of all of that. Bits and pieces we perceive as ideas or emotions - a combination of various senses constantly flow within our minds. However, the more focused, or single-minded we choose to become, all of that quiets down. It never goes silent. It just becomes the white-noise background.

      What do we choose to focus on? To be successful, I think we have to focus on those things that move us towards success. But do we recognize this, and, have we taken this control by developing the habit of commanding our mind to serve us? It all starts with what we desire to achieve out of life, I believe. Success has to be defined by us, individually. Too many of us identify with what we do for a living. Our job is our fixed routine where we focus all of our efforts. Everything else is done with what is left over. Were we born with the skills we use for this job? No way. We may have some talent, but in order to use that, we had to develop and hone our talents. We had to add skills, some which have nothing to do with the talents we have. To be successful, to me, means leaving a legacy which I've worked to establish by developing my talents and learning skills to accomplish the goals of my heart-felt desires. Once we ask ourselves to reflect and identify these desires, the rest is a one-day-at-a-time journey, where a slight edge is used to break free and own our life and legacy.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. If you are like me, and want to join with our group, where we work on our skills together, every week, then reach out to me and I'll plug you in.

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Teamwork and Mastermind Sessions

Teamwork and Mastermind Sessions

      What if you started building an M-L-M business, and then your company went belly-up? Don't laugh - it has happened to many, many people in this business. What would you do? Would you have to start over from scratch?

      Well - NOT if you have strong trusting relationships with your people! If you have taken the time and made the effort to build that steel-ribbed "know, like, & trust," then your people will stick with you. They will follow you to your next company. They will trust in your judgment.

      If you haven't built those relationships, your future is very much in doubt. Why take that chance? As you build your team, work hard at getting close to every person in your group. That strategy will pay off for you big-time, whether your current company is around forever or not.

      We can help you learn and apply this principle. If you would like to plug into our ongoing, live training sessions, let us know and we will hook you up.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Can't We All Just Help Each Other?

Can't We All Just Help Each Other?

      So many people are out there with agenda's. Under the guise of providing some level of product or service, they quickly turn and pounce with the usual head-on sales push.

      Instead, I keep separate my efforts, my income strategies, from my sharing of skill training and other resources.

      Maybe, when others are turning and attacking, they are doing it out of fear? Maybe they're afraid that their now captive audience will turn and run, before they get a chance to give their pitch? I think this was me, not too long ago. I think this fear was a fear of lack. A lack in some measure of self-confidence and assuredness is likely.

      Today I execute habits that keep my mind and actions focused on maintaining a state of abundance. When my cup is overflowing, there is no effort in the sharing with others, without an agenda, aside from simply helping them out. In fact, it is very pleasurable and fun!

      One of the groups I belong to is a mastermind group, where we share this mutual mindset. I sincerely cherish my relationships formed in this group.

      Today, I am in need of some help, myself. I am having a hard time finding a name for a web site. One that invokes curiosity, and, one that would be easy to remember. I've put together a quick 5 minute survey, and would be grateful if you would take it. It is entirely anonymous. Here is the link.

Thank you.

 

with gratitude and in service,

 

Tony Koker

Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Multiple Gmail Accounts - Why? Too Much Trouble! Easier way.

Multiple Gmail accounts - Why? Too much trouble! There's an easier way.

      I've heard it mentioned by several people, just this past week, that they have and maintain several gmail accounts. This practice can get complicated and time consuming in a hurry. They don't exactly make it easy or straightforward, either; there are some people that are actually offering, as a service, to setup multiple accounts for you, for a small price.

      Rather than creating another gmail account: Gmail doesn't offer traditional aliases, but you can receive messages sent to your.username+any.alias@gmail.com. For example, messages sent to jane.doe+notes@gmail.com are delivered to jane.doe@gmail.com.

      You can set up filters to automatically direct these messages to Trash, apply a label or star, skip the inbox, or forward to another email account.

      This certainly seems like a much better alternative, and keeps things simple, and in one place, saving time as well.

with gratitude and in service,
Tony Koker
A Mentor with a Servant's Heart

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What are your goals for next month?

Next Month's Goals?

      Someone recently asked me this question, and this is the response I gave. Hopefully it will give you an insight that works for you.

      I stay focused on my 2 or 3 heart-felt desires and manage daily decisions, rather than focus on specific goals in the future, or challenges of the past. I have goals for every day, every week and every month, as well as long term, as measures to throttle my intensity. But my passion is the fuel. Staying focused as much as possible, and taking action is the practice that either takes me beyond my goals, or, life happens, and this also keeps me running and stepping on the gas again. Ultimately my goal is to have a fulfilling life, enriching all and everything within my reach as much and for as long as possible. The result always seems to exceed any goal I've set, and I've come to take that for granted, a little, I think. I'm having fun attracting and sponsoring Black Diamonds into my business, easily and consistently, through education and teamwork. It's always about how you make other people feel.

with gratitute and in service,
Tony Koker
A Mentor with a Servant's Heart

Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Self Talk - Awesome Guest Author

So, what comes first - FAITH or BELIEF?

A BELIEF is a physical thing - a string of neurons or cells in Your Brain which was built when You ACCEPTED repeated SUGGESTION.

FAITH is how You FEEL about the Belief. It is an ATTITUDE, a State of Mind.

So, which came first - the Belief or the Faith?

Like the chicken and the egg, it’s the wrong question...

Because what comes first is...

DESIRE.

Desire is an intense FEELING that generates Faith and Belief.

So, Desire comes first?

No! In Chapter 1 Hill talks about a Chief Aim, a Definite Purpose, a Dominant THOUGHT.

The first 3 chapters of TGR reveal the 3 Elements necessary to make the LAW OF ATTRACTION work for You.

A DOMINANT THOUGHT, BURNING DESIRE, and FAITH (unshakable Belief beyond all Doubt).

A Dominant Thought is something You think about MOST OF THE TIME. But THOUGHT, by itself is just a trickle of ENERGY.

White Hot BURNING DESIRE is the wave of ENERGY which carries Your Thoughts to and from the ETHER (that medium beyond the limits of space and time).

FAITH is the FORCE which destroys the barrier of DOUBT that blocks the flow of this Energy.

In Chapter 4 Hill shows us how Auto-Suggestion INDUCES all 3 Elements.

SELF-TALK is a statement of Your Dominant Thought, object of Your Desire, spoken in the present tense, and colored with POWERFUL TRIGGER words. The statement also includes, IN GENERAL, the method by which You are achieving it.

Repeating it over and over again all day long, and late at night, makes the Thought DOMINANT, and builds up the FEELINGS, or ATTITUDE, of Desire and Faith!

I AM Whole, Perfect, Strong, Powerful, Loving, Harmonious and Happy Attracting and Sponsoring Black Diamonds on My Team, Easily and Consistently through Education and Teamwork.

Your Friend and Servant,

Ken Klemm - Florida, USA

P.S. Keep Your method very GENERAL, because the Universe is smarter than You!

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Faith - Belief in the Result without Evidence?

Faith - Belief in the Result without Evidence?

      I don't think our belief has to be completely without any evidence. We can see some of the stairs on the staircase, we just cannot see the whole flight.

      I've had so many examples of this in my life lately, that I couldn't get focused on one upon which to write. So please forgive me if I bounce around a little. Hopefully, the common theme will still find it's way out.

      My wife has a desire to acquire 10 rental properties to ease our retirement. We have already completed our purchase and full rental of 1, and are close to completing another. We already know that this will happen, that we're already looking for number 3.

      I am forging the keys to release me from my employment confinement and servitude. I am having fun attracting and sponsoring Black Diamonds into my business, easily and consistently, through education and teamwork. The evidence is building, one customer, one representative at a time. But the goal is real to me. The Black Diamonds are already in my business, if only in my belief right now. I know I am not only speaking this into existence, but demanding it through continuous slight edges every minute of every day.

      We desire to achieve these things in voluntary service. Our rental properties provide others with great places to live. The products of my business. both the actual materials for customers, as well as the hand up for representatives are the focus and provide value. Our desire is to serve. The big difference, especially for me, is that this is MY choice. I own the result. We have no long-lasting doubt because we know the universe will accommodate a path. Our desires have manifest goals which are concrete destinations. Having accomplished this before, we even know that the hills we march over today pale in comparison to the mountain we are actually ascending. The total will always be greater than the simple sum of the parts.

      There is plenty of evidence that we are making progress, little by slow, day by day. But this evidence is insufficient. There are challenges to our belief many times, every day. We both took the day off from everything, yesterday. Turned off our phones and unplugged. We took time to refocus and re-embrace our faith that the fruit from the trees we're tending will be prosperous. By repeating our self-talk every day we perform the same focus - harmonically vibrating the existence of our goals into reality with the universe.

      I don't think our belief has to be completely without any evidence. We can see some of the stairs on the staircase, we just cannot see the whole flight, yet, but we know it's there.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

The Foundation

Desire - The foundation of your "WHY"

      If you were like me, and completely focused on the short-term non-pleasure (discomfort, high-stress or pain) avoidance technique of looking short-term, past the current obstacle, like 8 hours of work, for your employer. And then had planned things that certainly wouldn't have enough time to be completed or fully enjoyed, after subtracting commuting, eating, attending to personal hygiene and of course sleeping. That wasn't living in the "now". But, was living in "a little later", or "next time". And, never feeling fullfilled or satisfied. Always running hard, to get through the current event, trying to grab onto that ever elusive carrot, just out of reach ahead.

      I was lost. I was on a perpetual gerbil treadmill, going fast, but going nowhere. I could see the blur of the spokes in front of me, but failed to notice, that off to either side, nothing moved or changed. Almost like having blinders on, I was always focused on the short-term easing of non-pleasure.

      I still find myself, from time to time, caught in this mental rut. The grooves from the past run very deep, and take time to be filled back in or maneuvered around.

      The difference today, is my desire. I also have to say that I rely heavily on my belief, or faith, in being able to fully achieve, if not completely exceed my expectations. But, that is a discussion for a subsequent week. My desire is my measuring post. I am still not able to devote my full time to working towards achieving the goals of my desires. Who really is able to do this? We all need rest, refreshment, and other necessities of living. Certainly, we CAN combine efforts, so some can be achieved simultaneously. So, my progress has to be measured during those times I am actively working to achieve those goals. It CAN be THOUGHT OF all of the time, even when we are sleeping. I've established this pattern through my self talk, or autosuggestion, which is another subject for another day.

      My desire is motivating. It oozes from my pores. I'm broadcasting it to those around me into all of their senses. The universe receives and responds to my influence like a big splash into a body of water, sending waves out in every direction and back and out again. This is all symbolic, however. I still don't want to be disruptive, but want to be subtle. The created waves can lift others along side me like a gentle embrace, without the brutality or shock of a tidal wave. I still make the big splash, I just make sure not to land on someone.

      As I progress forward, even failing forward, I tally the slight edge achieved with every advance. This tally reinforces by belief. The heat from the fire of my desire burns hotter. Each and every time I progress forward, I accelerate.

      My desire is what I want to experience in life. It focuses on the people and everything I value. It is MY values, but I've also learned that working in a mastermind group helps me to use the strength and focus found in increased numbers. Together we work on our common desires.

      There is not one single principle that is the secret, but the combination of knowing them and doing them all. Desire is the fire in the belly that fuels the getting up from the mat, when we're down. It fuels us to continue onward when we feel fatigue. It drives us through monotony and even heart-pounding fear. The ripples created by the action, belief in the goals of desire, cannot be stopped, and echo long after the action.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. Check out this and other insights at our public forum.

P.P.S. Also see my other Foundation page here.

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I'm Not Afraid - I'm Fearless

I'm Not Afraid - I'm Fearless

      Yeah, I'm fearless, all right. Is that someone staring into a window at night as I pass by it? My heart begins to really race. I pause for a second to gather the courage to take a step back and look again. But, no. It's just my reflection in the glass. Heart pounding fear. Okay. No. I'm not experiencing that all the time. But why haven't I decided and taken action yet?
      Sometimes life seems like we're either on the platform, observing, or in the fast moving train blurring by. Are you driving, or being driven by fear, anxiety or even a sense of warning or other cause for delay. Those butterflies in my stomach always seem to go away when I just simply change my thoughts to something else. Hey, there's a shiny object over there!
      Having dreams and goals is the first step. These are what I need to repeatedly remind myself for continual focus through self-talk.
      Taking action is step two. The decision has already been made. Take a quick look both ways, and just cross the street already.
      Dreams and goals, without action, are only wishes.
with gratitude and in service,
Tony Koker
Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Decision

      Whenever I read one of these chapters, I take notes of ideas and concepts I takeaway as pertinent of the ideas presented. The following is my list from this chapter:

• Lack of decision causes failure.
• Procrastination is the opposite of decision.
• Reach decisions promptly and change them slowly.
• Harmony with your desires (which are derived from your values - I added this last part, myself).
• Listen rather than talk.
• Show the world, don't tell it. Act.
• Being all in. "Freedom or death on a decision".
• Mastermind. "I tell you further, that if two of you agree upon the earth concerning anything for which you ask, it will come to you from My Father, who is in Heaven.”
• Courage.

      That last one always reminds me of the Serenity Prayer:

      Lord, Grant me the Serenity to Accept the Things I Cannot Change,
      Grant me the Courage to Change the Things I Can, and
      Grant me the Wisdom to Know the Difference.

      One of the things us greens (self-contained, indirect, primary personality) are good at, is learning ideas and concepts and embracing them from the perspective presented. I can read every word, collect and organize, then summarize and deduce. But, at least for me, I fail to then take the ideas and concepts from my mind and get it into my heart. When I do this, I don't need my outline or list, anymore. My heart is where my desires reside. It has the faith that the steps I take today are part of the staircase up, even if I cannot see the whole staircase. My heart has the belief that sees past temporary obstacles.

      I decide to win. I decide that the best way for me to obtain my desire of helping other people, of being of service to my fellow humans, of breathing when the pressure and oxygen is lost, is to put my mask on first.

      I decide to take back ownership of my life. Slowly, over time, pieces have been given away. They weren't forcibly taken. They were subtly, and perhaps deceptively coerced away, and I let it happen. It didn't seem threatening at the time. It was only a small chip from the large block. But many, many of these have occurred. I cannot simply stand up and declare that they are again mine. I have to bargain and work to maneuver to take them back, one piece at a time. They weren't given away all at once, but over time, and I know they will have to be won back the same way.

      I decide that the past is history. Aside from lessons learned, it does not restrain me. The future starts now. I decide to be fully engaged in the experience of today, right now.

      I decide that the future is molded by me. Only my hand is on the rudder of my boat. I decide to face the waves and the wind, to find the path forward.

      I decide to periodically review my values. My values build my desires. My desires provide harmony for my decisions. Today, I decide to continue to ACT upon these desire-based decisions. I have embraced today - listened with my ears and other senses and capabilities of mind - and now demonstrate this by taking focused actions, avoiding distraction along the way.

      I decide to listen to my heart. My heart provides the drive to silence the fears. My heart provides the energy and enthusiasm to continue on, even in the presence of un-silenced fear, discomfort, or even pain. My heart has the faith that knows the reward is worth it.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Knowledge, Music and Action

Specialized Knowledge

      I think this is sometimes called inside information. The tips, tricks, short cuts, details and secrets that people know, but may not share because of the power of the knowledge. The not sharing part is part of human nature, but is based in fear. You may have to tag or label your fear to embrace what it is for you, if this is still a big challenge for you, but for me it was fear of lack. I was afraid that if I shared the knowledge, I was somehow giving away something. That somehow my power or control was being lost. But I've come to understand that sharing information doesn't make us weaker, it helps us build strong trusting teams, who work together to raise the tide. When the tide rises, all ships rise together.

      I am confident in the knowledge that my knowledge is abundant. I have more than I need. The store house is bursting at the seams, and the doors need to remain swung fully wide open.

      I am also still needy. I am hungry and thirsty for more. I certainly don't know everything, and, even those things I think I get, often I find other perspectives or more clarity only over time and interaction.

      Reading books like The Slight Edge, Think and Grow Rich, and How to Win Friends and Influence People are certainly paths, when studied, that lead to deeper understanding and needed specialized knowledge. But, nothing compares to collaboration and mastermind. And, even with all of these resources at our disposal, none of it will matter without a crucial final ingredient.

      Action. At some point, based upon our desires, we have to set goals and start moving. We have to have the faith to proceed even when we do not have all of the evidence. Knowing what the music is, what it sounds like, how it is composed, and even how it is performed is all useless, unless it is actually performed. Do not let the show conclude and find you didn't play your masterpiece.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

Image Credit: CanStockPhoto.com

Burning Hot Poetic Desire

      When I am lucid, fully awake, thoughtful, energized with positive emotion, I still cannot grasp my desire - it is out in front of me pulling me forward. I don't want, I need. I have to obtain or die trying. No other temporary or less valuable rest area along the way can be allowed to tempt me. My values are in order as my map.

      I am challenged. Everyday there are many forces vying to block me. Diversions continually ring the door bell, send me messages and offer pleasant diversion. I am looking for and receptive to that which will further my progress, but venture forward exposed to the elements as in a storm. My craft must remain intact through the largest wave of wind, water, heat or cold, even if it looks to be a harmless threat at first.

      I have my values as my map. Decision is easy. The higher value always wins. Every value has but a single place. My desire is at the top. In my values, in my auto-suggestion, in my mind and my sole. My whole being sweats, exhales and broadcasts the vibration of its essence to everything. My arrival is forecast. Others easily sense my approach.

      Some will get out of the way. Others offer a hand up for notice, but only serve to divert or distract. Others climb aboard.

      My values are my map. My desire is at the top.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. Earn More. Strengthen Your Best Asset-Your MIND. Deposit the Inner Mental Seeds for Unprecedented Growth in New Year: here.

P.P.S. "If at first you dont Succeed, find out what works and try that instead." ~Emmanuel Padilla This works!

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Business Model versus 8 Pillars

      What foundation does your business have? Is it built upon a firm base? What about Business Model. Have you given any thought to the details of the deal you've gotten yourself involved in with all kinds of excitement and hoopla, or you drank the cool aid and have to stick to that decision. It doesn't take much time or effort to explore common sense ideas of what are desirable characteristics upon which a business should be founded, and a framework for the business model whereby it operates.

      I don't need thousands of followers. I'm not trying to get small amounts from many, many transactions, depending on volume. I do need to build it big. I do need to build it only once. And, I do need it to pay my children's children. But, I only need 4 or 5 close relationships, over the course of a lifetime, and work with those people, pointing them to organized and thoughtful training to help them to build 4 or 5 close relationships over their lifetime. A proven system that can be duplicated is necessary to accomplish this. An important aspect of all of this too is the Business Model.

      Business Model is not the same as 5 Pillars. Whether a company is valuable, or if it is desired to rank one company against another, then a 5 Pillars analysis is useful. It is also a great model for a business foundation. In a nutshell, here are the 5 Pillars:

1. Does the company management have personal experience building their own networking organization? Have they done it with Integrity?
2. Has the company passed the "early failure" Time Line? Are the company's Products timed with the beginning of a massive trend of consumer demand?
3. Does the company have a Remarkable product at a reasonable price?
4. Does the Compensation Plan Pay Part-Timers?
5. Does your Mentor offer a System for Success that will work for You?

We've also expanded the list to include 3 more items, to look into whether a company is a Distributor Oriented Company, so we now have 8 Pillars:

6. Does the company keep Distributors and Partners first, and the company second?
7. Does the company have a business plan? Do they have 5, 10, 25 or 100 year plans? Do they have a vision?
8. Does the company have morals? What are their core values? Are these even discussed or presented?

We talk about the Pillars at least once a month, every month, since it is so fundamental to all company analysis, yet, as always, we never discuss specific companies or products, just the framework or Pillars to support them.

      A Business Model can be buying habits. For example, when the United States government negotiates free-trade agreements with other countries it is thereby encouraging those countries to sell their products in our country. If these countries compete with companies in the Unites States, then it becomes possible for job loss in the United States. Unless the consumer chooses to be knowledgable of where products are made, and chooses to buy from domestic companies. This is a case where a Business Model can drive behavior.

      Compensation Plans also contribute to a Business Model. The structure and commission structure play a fundamental role in how the business is built, and whether there is short-term or long-term incentives, as well as whether customers are emphasized over getting more partners. Does the company's compensation plan break-away distributors from their sponsor's by reducing the percentage that flows upward once a distributor reaches a certain level? Is there reasonable percentages to a reasonable number of levels, or do you have to build a decent sized organization before any good sized percentage is received? Do you get an increase in promoting those to whom you've partnered, or, do actually lose when they build as big or bigger than you?

      Business Model is the structure that forms the basis of operation or behavior in the field by both customers as well as partners. The 8 Pillars are the supporting structure that lays the foundation upon which the business is built. Both are necessary to be known and understood to even begin to expect success and then know how to accomplish it.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. Joyful All Ye Faithful. Stay True to Your Song. Resolve to Weed Your Mental Garden. Clean and Grow Your MIND for the New Year: here

P.P.S. If you want to learn more about Business Models, we have a live call on Saturday, December 15, 2013 at 9:00 p.m. EST. No need to speak up, just listen. 712-432-5225 conference ID 300300# I'll be there, too.

P.P.P.S. Sometimes Think YOU'RE Nuts? Heck ! This Guy Joined 100 network marketing Companies! - Here's What He Learned: Free eBook video

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It Is Who You Know

      We only have true control over 1, 2 or maybe 3 things individually. As a group our influence is multiplied. This influence is beneficial to the aims and objectives of the group, but are not aligned, or even may be considered opposite to what others or other groups may consider beneficial.

      At what point does the group become threatening to others? Can this threat be minimized or avoided through Golden Rule or Win-Win practices? Does following the strategies to minimize the threat cause other side-effects? Certainly. In engineering we have coined the phrase: "Good, Fast, Cheap - Pick 2". In today's society we have all been duped, or have acquiesced or abrogated the Good for the Fast and the Cheap. If we desire to not only meet the needs and desires of our group, but also of the other groups around us, we have to achieve Good. If we want to do this Fast, it is going to cost us (not Cheap). If we want it Cheap, it is not going to happen Fast.

      It is not just a matter of who we know and who we have in our mastermind group, but also that our ethical and philosophical ideas align. But that is too deep for this. The simple premise, that seems to be elusive of most people, is building a mastermind group in the first place. Anyone who has read Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich should know this concept well. ALL of the 500 people that Hill interviewed, who were successful in achieving ownership of their own life, and not only obtained what their heart desired, but moved well beyond their initial ambitions and achieved even greater heights had a focused and well-rounded mastermind group.

      Included in the group needs to be councilors who can assist in personal challenges, as well as the obvious people whose skill-sets can contribute to the goals of the group as a unit. Hill even found that historical figures, known for their mindset, can also be consulted mentally when pondering issues that we don't seem equiped to deal with ourselves. What steps can you take to build your mastermind group?

      So, in the end, is it exclusively who we know that helps or hinders our success? It's not exclusive, but one of many factors. And how successful these relationships are in achieving mutually desired goals, as well as working in concert or in chaos with other groups, is up to each and every individual member of the groups.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. Find Your Heartfelt Mental Music Again. Resolve to Quiet the Worldly Chatter. Mastermind with Us

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You Never Know What You're Going To Get

      Like that now famous line from the movie Forest Gump, the title of this piece talks about the randomness in life and a box of chocolates, and, yet, how there are universal waves, rhythms and harmonies that get amplified and strengthened by those who recognize the positive and useful nature of these and pick them up and use them. The key belongs to those who are open to sensing them. Two seemingly disconnected activities which I am about to present, illustrate this principle. How you connect the dots is up to you.

      The book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, was written after interviewing 500 highly successful people and compiling the results over 20 years. A lifetime mission, funded by a close friend and personal mentor to Napoleon, Andrew Carnegie. The book documents a singular secret masked among 13 principles of success. On a journey through various stories illustrating each of the 13 principles, Hill holds out the hope that the readers will discover the secret, and put it to use and be rich. Written at a similar time as we are in now, it was inescapable to separate money from being rich, but Hill illustrates being rich in the fullest and most positive ways. Once discovered, the secret is simply understood and known to be known.

      I cannot profess to know a lot about the following, but, for the time being have to rely upon a special feature I experienced on a public television broadcast recently, where Tai Chi was discussed. The concepts I find in my notes include Effortless Effort, Balance, Being Powerful versus be Forceful, and an emphasis on Conservation of Energy versus the Consumption of Energy. The following was presented as a brief summation:

• Be In The Moment
• Freedom
• Power
• Flow

      And, finally, (paraphrased) "Be content with what you have, lacking nothing. The world belongs to you."

      Having just recently been exposed to the description of Tai Chi, but having spent a lot of time working with coaching and mentoring people using Hill's book, I had another epiphany that the centuries old practice also was an expression of clues to the very same secret of Hill's work.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony Koker

P.S. Find Your Heartfelt Mental Music Again. Resolve to Quiet the Worldly Chatter. Mastermind with Us: 30 day Cleanse

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Dare To Retake Control Of Your Mind

Thoughts are Things

      I KNOW I understand this concept, most times, and I THINK I understand this concept, sometimes. I am a Computer Engineer trained in electronics. I am also a Computer Programmer trained in computer programming languages. That training was simply learning the things that were thought up by someone else - the building blocks, like bricks. I don't recreate the brick, usually, I just assemble groups of them in different ways. Maybe I chop away pieces of the blocks, but I rarely consider changing the material the brick is made of, nor using something other than mortar to glue it together. Everyone is trained to conform to the system, at least in the corporate and business world. Even me. I say that I can draw out a plan and then build what was designed, but even using the words "can draw" instead of "am drawing" is holding me back.

      Just the difference in the thoughts of actually doing it, and now; instead of might, could, or possibly, etc. - is the only difference between calling upon the universe to assemble the resources necessary to fulfill the goal, or not.

      In Mentoring for Free the system begins by teaching about people and their personalities. Before we can begin to understand other people, we first have to understand ourselves.

      Our minds are the most complicated and sophisticated computer there is. But even calling it a computer doesn't do it justice. Aside from the five senses it has, it also has an electrochemical system and body with emotional and spiritual components.

      A mind designed the computer. A mind created programming languages and still continues to evolve both. Someday a mastermind group will evolve a computer to be mature enough to be able to really serve us as an intuitive tool requiring little or no training, instead of the complicated instruments they are today. Free thinking programmers who understand and know how to use and guide their own minds are needed, however, to drive us to the highest level of thought to even conceive the design, instead of formulating everything for the lowest common denominator. We are not even close to being all the same. We are all unique.

      Together, I know that what is possible will totally overwhelm and astound. Masterminding our collective thoughts invokes and manifests unbounded results.

with gratitude and in service,

Tony, Lisa, Michael and Amanda Koker

 

P.S. Give More. Enthusiastically Rejoice in Abundance for Sharing. Become a Hope and Inspiration for the New Year and New Beginnings: 30dayCleanse.com

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Guest Author - How to Outwit the 6 Ghosts of Fear

How to Outwit the 6 Ghosts of Fear

Fear is false evidence appearing real.

In the last chapter we read on the sixth sense, I wrote:

Ultimately, mastering all these principles and allowing the sixth sense to lead us to our utmost desire in life is a spiritual journey as a life being led in this manner is sure to succeed (The Sixth Sense).

And isn't it interesting that the very last chapter Hill focuses on is the ghosts in our mind - the fears we have that are not real.

We perceive them as real though, don't we?

We have come full circle in this book now to the idea that thoughts are things, the next chapter we will be studying.

So these fears are thoughts which we should not focus on.

If we focus on our fears, then we are paralyzed by them.

I am reminded by my friend that we are spiritual beings going through a human experience, just as God came down as man to experience the human existence in life.

Last week I went to visit my mom's only sister, a nun, who is 87 years strong. She's been serving God ever since I can remember meeting her for the first time when I was 6 years old.

She is of the Schools Sisters of Notre Dame order and so my mom, brother and I went to Wilton Connecticut and stayed overnight in the retirement home for these nuns.

During a conversation we were having I was amazed to hear my Aunt Leonie say "well it's all in your mind."

I looked at her saying, “You know Aunt Leonie, and you’re so right with this because all our thoughts are things.”

In kidding with her I asked her if she read Think and Grow Rich to which she answered no. "But," she said, "There’s a wisdom that comes with prayer that certainly opens your mind." "Look around you, the world is full of tell tale signs that creation is full of abundance, full of God's grace. God's work is everywhere. We are the arms and legs of Him who created us and we continue His works. It started with His thought in His Universe. And His thought carries on through us.

As we walked down the corridors, the walls had paintings full of inspiration about creation, the saints, signs and paintings, etc reminding us of the Creator in our midst.

As we followed our aunt, we stopped to meet her sister friends along the way. Some were painting, some were playing music, some were reading, some were writing stories and poetry, some were using the computer, some were having meetings, some were praying, some were visiting with others, some were at the movies..., you get the picture here. All God's work continues to manifest itself all the time.

So as we were strolling through this majestic home full of retired nuns, I realized just how grand God is. My aunt introduced us to a nun who was 107 years strong!

My aunt led the conversation next to speak about what keeps these ladies going strong. We have no fears she said. We trust in His Word. You must live life fearlessly and intentionally if it's going to be full.

I felt like a reporter asking questions, but I could see she was pleased to share her wisdom.

"Ok Auntie Leonie", I questioned, "so how do you get over fears?"

"Simple”, she said, always seek the will of God and you'll find the strength within you." "Again", she replied, “it's all in your mind and get's to your heart and soul, where it penetrates and you can find the answers to your questions for even the most difficult of times."

Now she doesn't explain quite like Hill but I do know what she means.

So daily, the actions we take and do in persisting will take us to the top of that mountain before we know it. We'll reach the top to see clearly everything. Even the fears we have, we will realize that they are small compared to who we are as spiritual beings.

And that ogre called FEAR will appear so tiny that we can kick him off that mountain top and say goodbye to him at last.

Your fears are only as big as you allow them to become. The antidote for overcoming many of the fears we have is in taking actions. Just do it and as you keep doing it, you find that it was never real, just an ogre in your imagination. Learning this helps you to kill fears along the way.

I know for me in any situation that I may feel nervous, I had learned to laugh at my mistakes, to learn from my mistakes and overall, to find a way to make something happen for me through creative imagination.

It really is in doing and being in the now that I find my greatest strength to overcome my fears.

After all the human experience isn't supposed to be perfect, it's supposed to be spiritual and divine and the divine is in our thoughts and heart, right where we find strength to overcome the impossible.

No matter the challenges in life, no matter what our circumstances, no matter what our fears, we work with them as we move up that mountain top.

And we'll look back in reflection one day, smiling to ourselves and realizing how very small our fears had become because we learned to control our own thoughts.

Much Love and appreciation,

Marsha Sortino

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