Friday, April 20, 2007

Real Winners

Got this in my email from Bob Proctor that I thought I would share:

Real Winners

Nobody loves motivational quotes more than I do. But be very careful because every once in a while you'll find a quote that might sound good but isn't true. And if you believe that quote, it might actually do some harm.

Let me tell you a story...

It was the most important Little League game of Eric's life. He was 11 years old and his team, the Pirates, were playing the Giants in the championship game.

It was the bottom of the sixth inning and the Pirates were ahead 2-1. But the Giants had the bases loaded with two outs and their best hitter was at bat.

He hit an easy fly ball to Bobby, the Pirate's right fielder. Bobby circled under the ball as everyone held their breath. The ball fell into his glove and then bounced out. Bobby scrambled for the ball, but by the time he decided where to throw it, two Giants had scored.

Final score:
Giants 3
Pirates 2

It would be "wait until next year" for the Pirates.

As the Pirates moped off the field, something totally unexpected happened. Their manager started yelling and screaming at Bobby. "You lost the game for us. You cost us the championship!"

Crying, Bobby ran off the field and vanished into the woods.

After the game, Eric went to meet his parents in the parking lot, but his dad wasn't there. His mom said he had something to do. On the drive home, a dejected Eric saw something that startled him.

Way in the distance, Eric saw his dad walking Bobby home. His dad had his arm around the kid who probably felt like he didn't have a friend in the world.

Eric never forgot the kindness his dad showed that evening.

As the years passed, whenever Bobby saw Eric's dad, he always greeted him warmly and enthusiastically because he never forgot, either.

So whenever I hear stories like this one, I think of this quote:

"Winning is not the only thing, it's everything."

This quote makes my blood boil because the manager in the story actually believed it. He believed that winning a Little League game was "everything" and that the feelings of a fragile 11 year old boy were "nothing."

The truth of the matter is that winning is not the only thing. Winning is not everything.

Real winners don't necessarily hit home runs or make spectacular catches. Real winners know how to be kind. Eric's dad was a winner.

Here's a quote that is true and will make you a winner if you believe it:

"Winning is not the only thing, but kindness is everything."

Rob Gilbert
From Bits & Pieces



Brad Pollina
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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Promote Yourself

Do you resent promoting yourself?

Let's see what T. Harv Eker says about self promotion:

Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion. Resenting promotion is one of the greatest obstacles to success.

- From T. Harv Eker's Secrets of the Millionaire Mind cards

Brad Pollina
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Focus on Contribution

Are you living life as if it is all about you? Well, sooner or later that will catch up with you. Let's see what T. Harv Eker has to say about how you live your life:

Your life isn't just about you.
If you want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, you must contribute to other people's lives.

- From T. Harv Eker's Secrets of the Millionaire Mind cards


Brad Pollina
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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Six Habits of Financially Responsible People

I saw this in my inbox and just had to post it in it's entirety:

From http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/EC/EC_041807/EC_041807.htm :

Funny thing about habits. Bad ones just happen while good ones are usually the result of considerable effort.

Habits are what personal character is made of, and basically they come in just two varieties: good and bad.

Some people act as if their habits were as predetermined as their blood type and are about as likely to ever change. But there are a select few who live by the truth: It is possible to learn good habits and unlearn bad ones, no matter how ingrained they are. It's all a matter of choice.

The secret of learning good habits or breaking bad ones is in choosing to repeat—or refrain from doing—something over and over and over again until it becomes a natural response, a habit.

Want to become more financially responsible? Here are the habits of those who are. Consciously focus on these actions, then repeat them over and over until they become natural responses.

Habit 1: Financially responsible people regularly balance their checkbooks. They calculate a current balance after every transaction and always know the exact state of their money.

Habit 2: Financially responsible people think first and spend later. Thinking means weighing needs and acknowledging wants. It means exercising discipline and delaying gratification—saving the money first and then buying the item.

Habit 3: Financially responsible people save money consistently. They never spend all they have because they are habitual savers. They see saving as a long-term process and make the sacrifices necessary to reach their goals. They are patient, steady, consistent and find saving money to be a necessity.

Habit 4: Financially responsible people fund their own emergencies. They don't buy into the notion that the purpose of credit cards is to pay for unexpected emergencies. Financially responsible people realize that life happens, and so they maintain significant emergency funds. Just in case.

Habit 5: Financially responsible people know their financial condition precisely. These folks usually know within a few bucks the current balance on their mortgage or other secured loans. They regularly update their net worth, which is the difference between the value of their assets and their liabilities. They make each financial move in light of the effect it will have on their net worth.

Habit 6: Financially responsible people refuse to live under the fantasy of entitlement. While others feel entitled to run up huge credit-card debt simply because they have an approved limit and uncontrollable desires, financially responsible people don't approach life with this feeling of entitlement. They are not driven to keep up with their neighbors at any cost. They are content to live within the limitations of their income.

Becoming financially responsible is a process. I sabotaged myself for many years, convinced that I could never change. But I was wrong. I have changed and continue to make new progress every single day.

It all starts with a single step: A decision to become financially responsible. And then it's just one step at a time—again and again. One good habit after another. EC

- Mary Hunt

Brad Pollina
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See Everu Dpllar As Seed

How do you view your money?

Rich People see every dollar as a "seed" that can be planted and invested to earn a hundred more dollars, which can then be replanted to earn a thousand more dollars.

- From T. Harv Eker's Secrets of the Millionaire Mind cards

Brad Pollina
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Think BIG & Act Big

Are you a BIG or small thinker? Do your ACTIONS follow it?

Let's see what T. Harv Eker has in store for us today:

Small thinking and small actions lead to being both broke and unfulfilled. Big thinking and big actions lead to having both money and meaning. The choice is yours!

- from T. Harv Eker's Secrets of the Millionaire Mind cards

Brad Pollina
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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Believe you can be Rich!

Do you believe you can be rich?

Let's hear what our friend T. Harv Ekert has to say on the subject:

Put your attention on the traits, strengths and virtues that allow you to believe you can--and deserve to be--rich.

- T. Harv Eker's Secrets of the Millionaire Mind cards



Brad Pollina
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Your Good News Merchant
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When fever strikes!

Wow, what a weekend!

My daughter Marissa gave us a quite a scare Saturday night. We were in bed watching the Chronicles of Narnia and she complained that she was cold. Then hot. Then cold. She shivered even though she didn't feel cold at all. We took her temperature and found it to be 105 degrees in BOTH ears, so we hi-tailed it for the E/R. She mentioned that she had a sore spot on her toe, so they looked at that as well and had to lance what looked like a blister. They gave her high-dose antibiotics and admitted her 0vernight, transferring her to Children's hospital in downtown Saint Louis.

She did very well today and we were finally able to take her home around dinner time today. Needless to say I have not slept a wink since Saturday! But at least she is doing well.

If you're the praying type, we'd appreciate your prayers.

Brad Pollina
http://BradPollina.com
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