TrevorNelDailyOnline

To my way of thinking this question has a simple answer:

Lack of Information and Knowledge..!

Coming from a country that gave the world Nelson Mandela... I grew up in the midst of repression, censorship, no T.V., and total restriction of free speech. The only aim and effect of this was to dumb down the vast majority of people in order to maintain control over them.

Ten years into the miracle of political change... broadened access to Information and Knowledge has changed the lives of millions.

Today, we live in a special time in the history of the world where EVERYONE (who can read, or who can listen to someone who can read) has the ability to gain access to ALL the information they need to become a KNOWLEDGABLE 'expert' in almost any subject matter of their choice... in as little as 30 days.

Yes... look around you... wherever you look, in libraries, bookstores, on your own bookshelves... in books, audio tapes, video cassettes... on T.V., satellite channels, documentaries and on the Internet... everyone can access and share in the success 'secrets' of the most successful people that have ever lived.

But there is one caveat for those who have access to Information and Knowledge... and who still remain poor and helpless.

You have got to take ACTION.

If you want GOOD things to happen in your life... MAKE THEM HAPPEN..!

Nothing GOOD... nothing GREAT... ever 'just happened' out of nowhere. It never 'just happens' out of inactivity.

If you want to make Big Money... Travel The World... Live on Your Own 'Dream Island'... have Financial Freedom to do whatever you want to do in life... you have to Make Things Happen..!

It is my view that no one in this world HAS to remain poor and helpless... if they don't want to..!

I know... because my family came from there... we know what it is like to STRUGGLE... with no money... with feelings of hopelessness all around you. It doesn't have to stay that way... just take positive ACTION to change your life.

What an interesting day yesterday!

Against a back-drop of New Hampshire politicking... the Hutton Report berating the BBC and exonerating Tony Blair from telling 'lies'... the trial of South Africa's disgraced 'investment guru' - Jack Milne (expected to get 5 to 10 years for ripping people off of their investments)... and Robert Mugabe's supposed secret sojurn into Johannesburg over the weekend... I was interested to hear a discussion on radio over which was the best social system for any country.

As usual, the participants were fairly vocal on the pros and cons of capitalism, socialism, communism, et al.

To me, there is NO 'perfect' social system, because we are all engineered to be unique individuals.

We all see things from different points of view.

No two people ever see everything the same way... so how do you expect to keep millions of people happy under one view of the way that life should be lived... let alone 6 billion people.

IMPOSSIBLE..!

But... because we are social animals, the tendency is for groups of people to want to organise themselves under a universally acceptable societal structure.

The question then arises... which do YOU plump for..?

Which system offers the 'lesser of all evils'. The anti-capitalists point to the hordes of poor and the very few rich in capitalist systems. The anti-socialists and anti-communists point to the lack of opportunity and squalor inherent in such systems.

The fact of the matter for me is, no matter what the social system, it seems that money, wealth, assets seem to always flow to the 'few' at the top of the societal hierarchy.

It is what these few at the top of the hierarchy do with the 'wealth' that adds value to society or takes away from it. After all, they are just mere mortals, mere human beings, with their own mix of good and bad... and their own perceptions of how life should be lived.

Look around you in any social system where there are masses of poor people... there are always people at the 'top' who seem to have unlimited 'wealth' in abundance. Look at the Vatican, the Kremlin, communist leaders in China, the White House, business leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, and political despots like Robert Mugabe and Charles Taylor.

I don't care what the system... the world revolves around money... wealth... whether you are a 'have'... or 'have not'.

And... because we are all so different and unique, with different VALUE systems... the society we would like to see will depend on whether we believe that we can add value to the world... or whether we believe that the world owes us a living. It is the difference between being achievers or non-achievers... givers or takers... winners or losers... those with access to education, information and knowledge or those without.

Taking all into consideration I have a stated value system which nails my flag to the mast on which system I am happy to work within as long as it allows me to express my individual aims and desires, and gives me the opportunity to achieve a nice big slice of God's unlimited abundance in this universe .

Here's how it reads (as the sixth of my hierarchy of 6 core values):

6. I believe in the Capitalist system… Democracy… and the right of Free Enterprise backed by morally sound and just social laws

Oh boy... I am breathless... I got so hyped up watching the stress etched on the faces of the last three couples - neck and neck contenders - in last night's final episode of The Amazing Race.

True to form (see last week's article - You Wanna Win... Don't Go With 'Flo') Zach's partner - Flo - dragged her negative baggage around with her and was on the point of giving up on almost every little turn of the way.

Even as they were leading the race just kilometres way from collecting their $1 Million first prize, Flo almost scuppered their chances by convincing herself that they were in second position... resulting in a comparatively sedate taxi ride to the finish.

Meanwhile their contenders were flying at full-throttle, shooting red robots, doing everything they could to get to the finish in first position. The tension was almost too much for me to bear.

My whole family jumped up as one... CLAPPING... when Zach and Flo rounded the corner to complete the final run in.

Even then, when told by the show host that they had come in first, Flo floored everyone with her final show of her destructive, negative mindset.

Her response to the show host was: 'Are you sure..!'

Even when she wins a race with a $1 Million first prize she's not prepared to accept the good news.

For me... I still believe that the FULL $1 Million should be awarded to Zach for dragging an 'anchor' of titanic proportions around the world and still bringing 'it' in to win this race.

'Flo' did everything to humiliate, belittle, and drag Zach down psychologically throughout the race, and still Zach maintained an incredible composure... unlike anyone I have ever seen.

This 'Amazing Race'... and Zach's and Flo's amazing win, to me, is a perfect snapshot of the vagaries of life. It shows how a super- POSITIVE person like Zach, who is truly deserving of the success he achieves, can even drag a NEGATIVE person like Flo to success. Flo is truly just lucky to have found a guy like Zach to take her to a share of the prize.

Life is great..! It allows everybody to have their shot at achieving something. Sometimes it has to do with attitude and skill... sometimes it has to do with luck.

The lesson I learn is... how do I want to go through life... like Zach... or like Flo..?

Seeing as I would have booted Flo up the butt a long time ago... Zach is my role model who sets an almost impossible example of FOCUS and DETERMINATION under the most despairing of negative influences around him.

Enjoy your money Zach... :-)

Flo... get a video copy of the program... and learn some lessons from your embarrassing behaviour. Ask yourself, would Flo have won this race with 'Flo' as your partner..?

Thank you both for daring... and winning..!

As I am watching our eldest daughter prepare for her first university year... over 1000 kilometres away from home... I asked her: 'And so... how do you feel?'

Her answer: 'I'm excited and little bit scared at the same time.'

Phew, I'm happy! She's got her head screwed on right... she KNOWS that life offers each of us a two-sided coin. There are pros and cons in everything we will do in life. I KNOW that she is going to do all right.

Here's what I know about life... having been born and raised through primary school years in the middle of Africa (Zambian by birth, on the Congo border)... becoming a Durban beach-boy from age 12... marrying a Durban girl... taking on the world of commerce in Johannesburg... and raising two 'Joburg' girls (one of them about to be 'loaned' to Cape Town for a few years... ;-) :

Life is exhilarating... especially when you are filled with EXCITEMENT and AWE as you are about to undertake a new journey... especially one that takes you away from home (as with our daughter), from your comfort zone, and pits YOU against the vagaries of the world in a new environment.

Life is full of unknowns... which is why the mature mind must approach such journey with a measure of TREPIDATION and an acceptance of the RISKS inherent in any such move. If your heart is not pounding a little, and your nerves slightly on edge, mentally sharpening your wits to 'survive' against the unknown, it is unlikely that you will enjoy the EXHILARATION of undertaking such a journey.

Everything we do in life presents with these two sides of the same coin... Excitement, Awe... Trepidation, Risk. The 'winner' in life is the one who spends the coin and does not hide it under a pillow... unused.

I was very proud of our daughter when she concluded with the comment: 'I know that it is going to help me to GROW up very quickly... I'm looking forward to it!'

That's OUR Girl... she's a WINNER..!

Those in the know tell me that when the true world-class beauty of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula has been experienced by your kids at 'varsity' there for a number of years... you can kiss them goodbye. They say that they are lost to the Cape forever. Well, that's our RISK in encouraging our little 'chick' to SOAR from the nest. It's tough being a parent..!

Strange... as parents, we are EXCITED for her... in AWE of her courage and work ethic... full of TREPIDATION... and aware of the RISKS... but we too are spending our coin with her... :-)

When someone meets you for the first time... in the first 30 seconds... how do they get the message that YOU have that SOMETHING special..?

As I am very busy meeting new people daily... I find myself asking: 'What's SPECIAL about this person..?'

If I'm asking it... then everyone else is asking it of me, when they meet with me... or of anyone else when they meet with them.

So, that's got me thinking again, and it is some very personal thinking that I am doing... what is it that makes ME know that I have that SOMETHING special..?

Well, I don't know about you, but I KNOW that I am very good at what I DO... I KNOW that I work extremely hard at what I DO... I KNOW that I can pit myself against almost anyone that calls themselves an 'expert' in whatever they do and that I am able to access enough information to allow me to match them head-to-head when I want to DO anything.

I KNOW that I can DO almost anything if I am prepared to put the effort into it. I may not be great to begin with... but I learn quickly by DOING.

I KNOW that I KNOW that I KNOW... I suppose that indicates that I have a healthy measure of SELF-CONFIDENCE in my abilities... and I am sure that others get to KNOW that I KNOW when they see what I DO... and what I HAVE DONE... whether they appreciate it or not. Believe it or not, many people do not want to see you being successful and they may well despise your achievements... stay miles clear of them... they will just drag you down with them.

Where does that self-confidence come from..? Well, as I look back on my life, I believe it comes from my past EXPERIENCES of trying anything that looks interesting and takes my fancy... and taking a few spills to experience the thrills. It has been about exposing my self to RISK... and not fearing humiliation - being the butt of jokes as you make a fool of yourself to begin with.

So, as I review my unfolding thoughts above, and how I look at evaluating others, it is clear that I look for individuals who have taken their KNOWLEDGE and have DONE something with it in their lives. I look for people who KNOW that they have the capability to DO... and to deliver on their PROMISE.

I suppose that I am personally impressed by individuals who present with a TRACK RECORD of personal achievement... who tackle projects with their heart on their sleeve... and a willingness to get their hands dirty to show what they can DO in record time.

Now, how do you 'convey' this in just 30-seconds..?

Hmmm... I need to give more thought to this question... maybe you only have your AIR of self-confidence... KNOWING that YOU KNOW... maybe you have to seed the person, that you are meeting, with your background before you meet with them.

I know that I meet most folks in my own Home Office which tells a story in itself with the books and business projects staring down at the visitor. I also have a presenter on my businesses which I carry around with me if I want to lay something of a TRACK-RECORD background for someone I am meeting for the first-time.

How do YOU convey that YOU have that SOMETHING special..?

One of the root causes of dissension between people throughout the world is the lack of understanding of the other person's value system.

An even bigger problem though, is that most people don't even know their own value systems for living their lives.

Even worse, is that the vast majority of people do not understand that EACH value in their value system has an order of priority which determines the way they respond to people in almost all situations.

During the course of a fantastic week I had occasion to think back on a discussion I had with an individual looking to take up a position in one of my business projects. My comment to this individual was: ' I haven't seen you do ANYTHING yet... I look at you and my gut says "lethargic"... we are not looking for employees, we are looking for business-builders... people who will bring the business in.'

Well, that is the summarised version..;-)

To his credit he bounced back and said: 'I'll just have to show you what I can do then, won't I.'

But, in his eye's I could almost see the indignation and unvoiced: 'How dare you..!'

Clearly, I am not impressed by talk... being impressed only by someone that delivers on their talk... someone who 'walks their talk'.

But, I got to thinking about his non-verbal question... how dare I..?

Isn't it pretty arrogant..? Well, to some it may be... but for me... NO.

Why..? Because many years ago I WROTE down and prioritised my own hierachy of values that I have chosen to live by.

Here are the values in the order of prority that I believe drives my life:

1. I believe in God – The Father, The Son (Jesus Christ)… and The Holy Ghost
2. I believe in placing my family’s and my own high-integrity interest before all others on this planet
3. I believe that everyone is born EQUAL on this planet and that no human has the right to command or demand respect from others… this has to be earned
4. I believe in dealing with others openly and honestly, with truth and integrity, without being afraid of hurting their personal feelings
5. I believe that life is too short to waste precious moments on negative, cynical people and their energy-sapping influences
6. I believe in the Capitalist system… Democracy… and the right of Free Enterprise backed by morally sound and just social laws

Take note that in No. 4 above how I have chosen to place openess, honesty, truth and integrity BEFORE the feelings of others.

For anyone whose higher value is to not to 'hurt' the feelings of others... they will prefer to 'hide' the truth from others... and they will be uncomfortable with the way that I communicate with people and share my honest feelings without any hidden agenda.

Living to your values is tough... it can cost you many potential relationships and many can think that you are 'heartless' when the contrary is true... but it also uncovers quality people who respect you for your values and your consistency of purpose.

Can you show me your hierarchy of values... written down..?

PASSION and PURPOSE... two of the most important attributes anyone can develop for their personal success.

When you analyse what YOU believe to be YOUR Life's Purpose... and what you believe to be YOUR True PASSION in life... you can begin to start re-structuring your life to begin living to YOUR dreams... your PASSION.

Nothing, but nothing, becomes more compelling than a person who is on a mission... enjoying their lives to the full..!

And, YOU can begin living this lifestyle right now... every DECISION you take right now can move you one step closer to achieving your dream. You can know that each step you now take can be the most PASSIONATE step you can possibly take because it is ON PURPOSE.

When I sat down to identify my true PASSION and PURPOSE in lfe for myself, a good few years ago, this is what I wrote... and how I identified what I wanted to do to live my life with increased PASSION (some will say that I've never really been short of this attitude to life.. :-)

- I LOVE my lifestyle... working from home... being my own boss... totally debt-free

- I am PASSIONATE about learning of new ways to GENERATE QUALITY INCOME and for testing and building new businesses

- I am REALLY PASSIONATE about discovering new ways to generate BIG INCOME from global markets via the Internet

- I LOVE to TRAVEL around the world WITH MY FAMILY - that is my idea of FUN

And... yes, that's how I live my life, right now, doing what I want to do, when I want to do it... it's great..!

What would you do if you were just days away from winning a MILLION DOLLARS... and you were in the lead..?

You'd be upbeat, wouldn't you..? You'd be up to the challenge, right..?

Oh no... not 'Flo'.!

I just love to watch the TV program: 'The Amazing Race'. What excites me is the global travel, the thrills and spills in the challenges (some of them heartstopping), and watching the approach and attitude of the different teams of two.

I would love to enter this challenge with my wife... Shellwyn.

Here, in South Africa, we are watching the final episodes of this program with three teams involved in the final run-in... and one team consists of an attractive young lady - 'Flo'... and a laid-back young man - 'Zach'.

Now 'Flo' has got to be the biggest whinging, whining embarrassment to the female gender ever seen on TV... and she is for real, she's not play-acting.

I have watched her whining her way, like a spoilt little rich kid, through almost every little challenge in this program... she is consistently threatening to give up on her friend almost every step of the way.

Her poor friend Zach has been the most incredible, patient, outwardly relaxed young man I have ever seen. His attitude alone has kept this team in the race. Inwardly, I am sure, he must want to kick her right up the butt..!

Well... I would anyway. His laid-back response to her is a humbling lesson indeed.

Last night's episode saw 'Flo' throwing her toys out of the cot almost the entire day... even though they were in the lead. It got so bad that she refused to pick up her pace to more than a stroll... and then threatened to give up on Zach when faced with a 24-hour train ride on a Vietnamese train. I ask you... 24 hours of sleeping on a train was too 'hard' for her to contemplate.

What would you do for a MILLION DOLLARS..?

The funniest thing happened near the end of a deeply trying day for Zach (their team now in third position), when 'Flo' was sitting in front of a Sampan... she smiled sweetly at Zach and said: 'I feel so motivated.'

Well... I nearly fell of my chair. This is one silly little cookie..!

It got me thinking about how she epitomised the many people in life that want to be molly-coddled through their lows by others who have to drag them along to get things achieved... and then they have this bizarre perception that they are really giving of their best. Talk about self-sabotage... and fooling oneself..!

Oh boy, watching these two is a lesson in learning how not to duplicate the WORST of a person like 'Flo'... and to learn from the BEST of a person like Zach.

Yes, you can learn from the WORST in people (just avoid what they do)... and from the BEST in people (duplicate what they do).

Whatever the outcome... they should award a MILLION DOLLAR bonus to Zach for the amazing attitude he has displayed in accepting 'Flo's nonsense and focusing on his goal to complete the race.

I was chatting to one of my equity partners yesterday, who made this comment: 'I despise not delivering on my commitments and therefore get incredibly frustrated when my deliverables are negatively influenced by lack of planning or delivery on the part of others.'

This comment arose from a frank and open discussion I chaired between a group of exciting young equity partners as we busy for a 'refreshed' business concept launch.

It transpired that one individual's lack of delivery on a PROMISE for a particular day... ended up knocking the project back four weeks.

I am of the opinion that super-charged entrepreneurs deliver on their PROMISE... and they do it WHEN they say they are going to do it.

We live in such a fast-paced world, where entrepreneurs are by their very nature multi-tasking on projects... and when one project sticks due to critical non-delivery by a supplier, entrepreneurs swing their attention to their next task or project where people ARE delivering.

Entrepreneurs don't wait around to fail on the project that you don't deliver on (the one that you have a financial interest in, whether as an investor, stakeholder, employee or supplier)... they move on to another project to make THOSE stakeholders wealthy..!

I am influenced markedly by Bob Davis, who sold out Lycos... in his book - Speed Is Life - he writes: ''Speed saves lives in all fields, of course, but in business today it is the great differentiator, an essential survival tool. We live in a world where a company is measured by its ability to accelerate everything from manufacturing to marketing, from hiring to distributing. If we can produce or process something faster, we can often do it for less money, serve our customers better, and get a jump on our competitors. For almost any business these days, speed is indeed life.'

Writes Davis: 'Why do people freeze up? Often, it is because they start analysing what they're doing instead of just doing it. Life is too fleeting to waste precious moments avoiding, dithering, fearing, hesitating, or regretting. To act is to live. To act fast is to live fully. Speed is liberating because those with quick minds and quick steps accept no limits.'

Davis captures, precisely, the essence of my thoughts on the root cause of delays in business... and the slow progress of most individuals in their personal growth. Davis' book is the finest business book I have read for our current era.

Sheesh... I've just come back from a 5:30 a.m. visit to the gym... and I was privy to the OPEN discussion of two 40+ females alongside me. I'm sure that the whole gym heard the discussion.

In essence, they were discussing their seperation from their husbands... and one was even dispensing advice to her daughter who was also having marital problems of her own..! Talk about the blind leading the blind.. ;-)

Thanks to them I worked up a mean sweat... as I tried to push harder and harder to try and drown out their incessant negativity.

One of my gym-mates alongside said later: 'Phew, it makes you feel good about your life when you hear stories like that..!'

I wonder if that's why so many people like hearing other people's hard luck stories... so that they can feel a little bit better about their's. That's pretty sad!

Here's my view: Don't drag me down me with YOUR problems... everyone has problems... UPLIFT me with the solutions you are finding and acting upon to overcome your challenges in life. That's what motivates me.

It seems, as in nature, there are two phenomena in wind thermodynamics that we all emulate in life... the Updraft - that can take you SOARING above the clouds... and the Downdraft - that can take you crashing into the mountain sides.

Too many people seem to create downdrafts by dragging others into their problems.

Don't get me wrong, I am not intending to be heartless here... I believe that there is plenty of room to take DECISIVE measures to deal with any problem yourself... to let God help you deal with the problem... to locate quality information to help you deal with the problem... or to take your problem to a professional.

But, in my view, DON'T burden others with your problems... what good does it do them..? Unless, perhaps... if you know that they have a 'professional' or 'experiential' answer to your challenge.

I think it all depends on whether you determine to be an Updraft in life and lead by example... or a Downdraft that drags other people down with you..!

Hmmm... that's a concept to think about some more.

Yesterday was an awe-inspiring day... I watched satellite TV out of the corner of my eye as NASA engineers celebrated the regaining of control over the Mars Rover from millions of miles away... and as Ernie Els played head to head with a 14-year-old 'young lady' golfer - Michelle Wie - who is set to take on the men on the international pro circuit at the Hawaiian Open (she has just shot a two over par... with three birdies... averaging 275 yards for her drives in the first round... 14 years old... incredible).

I had just put to bed the finishing touches behind a multi-million rand income-generating business to be launched in the coming weeks when a visitor popped into see the progress on my 2004 business plans for my other businesses.

While there I had two calls (I asked my visitor's permission to take them)... one a close contact wanting to set up a PC Training College to support his Software Support business (I just happen to have the Software resources for him) and who is bringing a database of over 1 million contacts for us to analyse and farm... and the second caller, to cement the investigation into growing a major travel-business growth plan.

As I put the phone down my visitor just shook his head and smiled. His defining comment, which got me thinking, was: 'You have the energy of molten lava exploding out of a pent-up volcano.'

I then went to meet another long-time friend whom I regard as the nicest, most perfect 'gentleman' I have ever known in business over the 20 odd years that we have worked together on various projects. He has been a first choice equity-holder in my business in the past where integity in an astute, conservative, extra over-seeing eye have been required. A person that I TRUST and VALUE implicitely.

In a great 2 hours of intense brainstorming and sharing of ideas and opportunities for 2004 he made a statement that confirmed my experience - paraphrase: 'Over 98% of the people I meet and train never do anything to fulfil their potential. I have people who have paid me R30000 to R50000 to secure our distribution franchise, people who presented with the most fantastic CV's, who have taken away all our products after a week of training, and then don't even bother to return my calls. They've done nothing. It's amazing!'

His comment was also enlightening, I paraphrase: 'You, on the other hand, never stop... there is always something exciting happening around you... always the opening of possibilities... you are always networking for opportunities... you just seem to have this internal driver that keeps you pumping.'

All very complimentary, but to my thinking it must make GOD cry... because I know that I am working well within my own comfort zone, hardly scratching the surface of my own potential... and that I tend to have a huge streak of laziness in me. I also know that one of my biggest frustrations in life is witnessing people unable to deliver on their promise with any urgency. Most people, in my experience, just seem to be so slow to react... to do anything... to get themselves fired up. It often seems to me as though these people are stuck in the mud compared to the pace needed to succeed in today's world. So I am highly sensitive to the WASTE and DELAY when people don't deliver to their potential.

I have been searching through the Bible to find a quote that matches closely the direction of my thought... maybe this is it: Matthew 19:26 - Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)

I just wonder if God grieves over the waste of human potential overall in a society which, the Bible tells us, was granted dominion over this abundant world. I have a picture of a slimy old serpent that distracted our attention with a juicy, rosy red apple and made it look so easy to get what we wanted in one quick bite. Aren't we the fools... we've been distracted ever since..!

I am excited, though, that some people do seem to demonstrate the true human potential we have. I look at the kid's around us... many of my daughter's acquaintances seem to be filled with the confidence that has them ready to tackle the world and do whatever they want to do with EXCELLENCE. Young Michelle Wie, at 14, is going to be the forerunner of more talented kids who are going to show moribund adults the way.

A Californian friend of mine once said: 'We've hit the ground running... if you are in our team and just hit the ground walking... you are going to get left behind.'

Maybe maximising our human potential is just about picking up one's pace, attempting to do a little more, pushing the envelope, getting out of the rut, doing something absolutely crazy, not being afraid to fail... putting some ideas into ACTION.

God Bless... and I'll chat to you all again on Monday... :-)

I had a visitor yesterday who paid me one of the nicest compliments one can get.

To paraphrase, he shared: 'I first met you in this very office in 1995. I had a boring humdrum life and was uninspired at work.'

'It was an It's So Simple! presentation... and something you said connected with me... both spiritually and intellectually. For the first time in my life I drove home on a high with a feeling of total JOY... I will never forget it... I was actually singing in the car. I had never done that before.'

'I have followed your information for years since... I was inspired at work... I developed a PASSION and PURPOSE in my life which is paying off today. I am about to do what I want to do in my own business.'

'Your example as been one of consistent passion and purpose... you have never wavered... you have always walked your talk with integrity... and I want to thank you for that.'

'As I've got closer to getting into my own business and asked you pertinent questions... you have got tougher and tougher... you don't beat around the bush (I recognise that is because you are so busy yourself)... and you have forced me to THINK deeper and deeper... you have made me realise just HOW DILIGENT and knowledgeable you are when it comes to business... which has strengthened my conviction to do it RIGHT.'

'I have seen people crumble at this most critical process that you adopt... I have learnt that you are TESTING their resolve because you know something about how difficult business can really be if you are not prepared. I have chosen to take each comment you make and treat it as a lesson... and to bounce back when I feel I have understood the lesson. I learnt that your door is always open to someone who does this. You NEVER shut the door. This has made me stronger and ready to face the future in my own business. I am ready.'

Well... how about that... it really makes me feel good.

I am amazed at how many people have surfaced this year, already, to say how much my work has MADE A DIFFERENCE in their lives. I think that it is one of the finest compliments one can get.... a 'thank you' for helping to make a difference in someone else's life.

I know one thing... a genuine 'thank you' is one of the most humbling things anyone can give... especially in person. All manner of feelings from personal pride, embarrassment, ego and plain ol' bloody-mindedness have to be overcome and subordinated. So it is a GIFT that I REALLY APPRECIATE for it's true worth.

I also like to believe that God is working through these people to confirm my work and the exciting plans I have to EXPAND the reach of this information worldwide. We'll see... :-)

Aaaaah... had a GREAT lifetime friend for supper last night. Funny that I should have written about our MAD team of 'Big Water Boys'... and one of them arrives on my doorstep a day later.

We swopped notes on our kids and their university choices... his son being at the institution that my daughter has chosen to go to. I was mightily impressed with the financial disciplines he has instilled into his son while away from home at varsity. His son has to submit a monthly spreadsheet showing how well he sticks to his expenditure budget. What a fantastic discipline to take into your adulthood.

This man for me is one of the FINEST Business Administrators I know. As a Director of a tightly-held local Listed-Company, I have watched this man administer this Billion Rand turnover company through a number of serious economic slumps to success.

His key to success has been to drive for NEW markets worldwide where others are missing the opportunities... while keeping a daily CRITICAL eye on costs. His horror stories of perpetual fraud and graft by both outsiders and insiders is enough to put anyone off business.

'You just have to deal with it... and keep your eye on everything... every day. It is part of the territory today. If you don't keep your eyes open, your business will walk out of the gate in a wink.'

His biggest problem today is to find people who are prepared to work any length of time for a reasonable reward. 'It seems that everyone today has a 60-90 day objective... and then they give up... they've got no chance with that lack of commitment. To keep people focused on their objectives and getting them to deliver is my biggest challenge. Those few who do are making a fortune'.

A man who travels the world widely every month to secure new deals, he has one comment: 'South Africa still offers one of the best standards of living in the world'.

As we discussed the overlay of the almost exact correlation of drought chart patterns, the preponderance of jelly-fish off the over-heated waters of Durban (only we know what this means), with local interest rate movements... and what it means to our business and investment cycles... it struck me that the greatest insight provided by this man is his DARING to take CALCULATED RISKS while being a very CONSERVATIVE, Diligent, Disciplined and Target-oriented businessman.

I am not going to go into all we have done in our social and sporting fun days (you won't believe it anyway... ;-) save to say that life's cupboard is filled with only a few RARE quality gems... this lifelong friend is one of those... a true FRIEND..!

I may introduce him to you one day.. ;-)

I believe that there are 3 primary character traits necessary to succeed in life and business... this is how I incorporate them into my communications to people in my global network of contacts:

A is for ATTITUDE... if you come to us with a Winning Attitude ...a Can Do Attitude... a No Nonsense Attitude... a Caring Attitude... a Common-sense Attitude... an Open-Minded Attitude... an Understanding Attitude... a Patient Attitude... a Willing Attitude... YOU will make it BIG with us..!

B is to BE... to Be YOU... Be TRUE... Be a LEADER... Be a Difference-Maker... Be Meaningful to others... Be Teachable... Be Duplicatable... and most of all, Be Proactive in gathering everything you need to BELIEVE... in You... your Company... your Product... your Team... your Dreams... otherwise why would you waste your time and ours..?

C is for Commitment... you can have all the A's and B's in bucket loads but if you don't mix them with a commitment to achieving a specific target you're just a highly motivated jack-rabbit. Commit to a target... start with bite-size chunks... small targets... commit to getting your first few sales... commit to helping them get theirs (if they also become distributors)... commit to supporting your growing team... commit to doing support presentations from your home... commit to growing your income to $1000 p.m... commit to earning $2000 p.m... $5000 p.m... $10 000 p.m... $50 000 p.m. commit to becoming the biggest earner in your business. YOU must COMMIT.

Life is tough..!

I am amazed at how the waters seem to be RAGING on in so many people's lives right now.

My old canoeing partner gave me a call to tell of how his life-savings (earned through years of hard sweat and toil) have been substantially eroded off-shore due to poor financial advice and how he has just lost his dream retirement home after a rogue attorney absconded with R1.8 Million of my friend's money held in her trust account.

Now that's enough to make anyone feel sick..! But let's think about the tens of thousands of people who perished under the rubble of Bam in Iran... what about the Iraqi citizens and US soldiers dying every day in and around Baghdad..?

What about the poor M.D. of Starlight Cruises who woke up optimistically last week to having a positive new year and finds the Greek cruise ship he hires impounded by the Durban Sheriff... with 423 anxious passengers stranded on the quayside... and another 11000 passengers already pre-sold for the 2004 season. He has to cancel all bookings and refund the money..! What a disastrous start to the new year.

How do you think the waters are RAGING for these people and their families..?

Yes... life is TOUGH... and the older we all get, the wilder the raging waters of life seem to become.

Back in our 'delinquent' days, my old canoeing partner and I were known as 'the BIG Water Boys'... and our discussion turned positively to the the lesson's we learnt when taking raging rivers on at full flood. Here's what we learnt:

1. Go WITH the flow - if you try to fight the river when it is in full flood it will spit you out in pieces.

2. Keep paddling - the secret to our staying upright was to always keep paddling a little FASTER than the river was flowing... at breakneck speed.

3. Follow your nose - the main raging current always takes you around the rocks and obstacles at incredible pace... without you hitting them (well, most of the time.. ;-)

4. Enjoy the thrill - many people drown in raging rivers because they panic and tire themselves out in fear... in our many spills we learnt how to be thrown around like a limp, floppy doll until being washed up miles downstream.

5. It'll soon be over. You get to your end destination quicker than you think - our front-page-news canoeing-story claim to fame is that we once finished an Umgeni 50-Miler in FLOOD a full hour ahead of the famous paddling sensation Graeme Pope-Ellis, and his partner, because we shot every major rapid (including the world-renowned, highest-grade difficulty - Devil's Island rapid) when everyone else chose to run around them. That same year, I'm told, some canoeists missed the take-out point at Blue Lagoon and were washed out to sea. We were already at home in a hot bath... :-)

Aaaah... the River Of Life (I feel another book coming on) is raging for many people... it is a huge learning curve for many. My advice is to look for a way to enjoy the ride... respect it... but don't fear it. It will spit you out, sooner rather than later. Just KEEP paddling..!

I'm really enjoying writing to this weblog and tweaking it every day... I'm learning something new, it creates another discipline, and it forces me to stop and clarify my thinking.

This morning on my daily jog I was contemplating a little message about some simple rules for living our lives, when it occurred to me (maybe God was talking to me) that the rules have already been written.

Everyone has heard of these simple rules, they're called the Ten Commandments.

Now I am very much a 'kindergarten' Christian... I feel something like the naughty little kid in the back corner of the class that gives God grey hairs... the runt of the litter... the black sheep of the flock.

It strikes me that as I get older and supposedly 'wiser' it seems that the more I get to know, the simpler things seem to become... but the LESS I seem to really know.

So I had to go and research the actual commandments to make certain that I got them right. I found them on this site - www.bible.com/answers/acommintro.html - and their simplicity just blows me away.

Number 1: Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Beside Me
Number 2: Thou Shalt Not Worship Any Graven Images
Number 3: Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord Thy God in Vain
Number 4: Remember the Sabbath Day to Rest and Keep it Holy
Number 5: Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother
Number 6: Thou Shalt Not Kill
Number 7: Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
Number 8: Thou Shalt Not Steal
Number 9: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
Number 10: Thou Shalt Not Covet Anything That is Thy Neighbor's

Wow... I don't care what religion you practice, or not... when you get to think about it, if the world operated to these simple rules our jails would not be so full of criminals and a tons of unhappiness in many families lives would be avoided in this world.

Now, not for one moment do I moralise on any one of these commandments, I just find it interesting that I have subordinated my secular thoughts today to sharing this message... so maybe I am being GIVEN the message that I have got some homework to do on understanding one or two of them (okay, maybe more... ;-) .

What strikes me is that the first four commandments deal with our relationship with God... and the remaining six deal with our relationship with our fellow man... and the order in which they are laid out. That's something I have to THINK about.

Back on Monday... :-)

Almost everybody puts a price or value to their time... but only a few (the Wealthy) realise that they are doing it!

Most people have no idea that every hour that slips past does so at a price that they have set for themselves.

Think about it... how do you value YOUR Time..?

What value did you put to the last hour that just slipped past..?

Here's a simple little exercise... write down the income you plan to generate this year (we won't include tax, deductions, costs etc - that's for when you get serious about this process) .

It can be 100000 in your currency... or 300000... or 500000... or even 1000000 and more.

Now, divide your target Income Projection by the number of hours in one year : (365/24) = 8760
e.g.
100000 annual income = 11.42 per hour
300000 annual income = 34.25 per hour
1000000 annual income = 114.15 per hour

Bear in mind that the above Income per hour is what you will need to generate EVERY hour of the day... while you are sleeping and away on your travels. i.e a PASSIVE INCOME business model that produces income while you sleep.

In truth, most people work or produce income in only +- 25% of the available hours in any one year.

This changes the picture significantly as we get a little closer to your ACTUAL hourly working rate that you need to generate in the available working hours you have: (8760 X 25%) = 2112
e.g.
100000 annual income = 47.35 per hour
300000 annual income = 142.05 per hour
1000000 annual income = 475.50 per hour

To my way of thinking, these figures are deeply understating YOUR challenge. I am comfortably of the opinion that you can multiply these by a factor of two, and even three times, to take into account costs of production and to get you closer to the actual value of your time.

Yes, I am suggesting that an individual wanting to generate 300000 a year needs to be pricing his/her actual available working time at +- 248 to 426 per hour. To generate 1000000 requires +-950 to +-1425 per hour.

And then... we haven't taken tax into account!

Now you can see how quality business folk can easily value their hourly time at 2000... 3000... 5000... 10000 per hour and more.

So, what VALUE do you put on YOUR time..?

What price would you pay to generate an extra 100000 in your currency... or 300000... or 500000... or even 1000000 this year?

It is a question I am contemplating for myself... and I already know what I would pay. It will certainly be a price that leaves me with a reasonable profit.

What price would YOU pay?

You see, in my opinion, EVERYONE pays a price for everything they want in life... whether they achieve it or not..!

The irony is that the Successful pay LESS than the Unsuccessful..! The Wealthy pay LESS than the Poor..! The Achievers pay LESS than the Non-achievers..!

Here's why... the moment you choose to target, say, 300000... that target has already infiltrated into your subconscious... your subconscious already owns that 300000. Your subconscious is not interested in any excuses, it expects you to bring that 300000 in.

So let's say you decided to pay the price of 50000 in costs, training and investment to generate that 300000... would you be happy with your profit of 250000..? I'll bet you would be :-)

But now, let's consider the individual who desperately wants to generate 300000 but is not willing to 'pay the price' as you have done.

What is the TRUE price that this individual pays for not being willing to 'pay the price'? I put it to you that the 'true' price being paid by this individual is 300000... the 300000 they are never going to have to satisfy their subconcious.... to their subconscious this is already a LOSS.

Hmmm... perhaps that's why such people frustratingly talk of feeling like 'losers' or never being 'lucky enough' to make it BIG.

Hmmm... interesting thought... here seems to be my postulate... people who don't want to 'pay the price' for success ACTUALLY pay a far bigger price for being too 'shy' to invest in their dreams.

This year - 2004 - I am going to look for folks who have taken the RISK to try to achieve some BIG dreams... and failed spectacularly!

I get the feeling that we are a society that reveres those who appear 'successful'... no matter what their low moral values or lack of integrity may be. However, we tend to dismiss those who try to achieve... and fail... no matter that they have the highest moral values and unimpeachable integrity.

I am not talking about those 'failures' who deliberately rip-off society and get caught with their fingers in the cookie-jar.

This year I am going to explore the concept that there is HONOUR IN FAILURE... particularly where failure occurs despite the highest moral values and integrity of the individual undertaking the RISK.

It is time that we revered the individual who RISKS all to achieve a dream... and who, upon failure, bounces back to start again... whether in the same project or in a new project.

'Take some RISKs'... 'try, try, and try again'... 'never stop trying'... 'never say never'... 'there is no such word as can't'... these are the exhortations of every parent and business leader who understands that calculated RISK is imperative to success in life.

So... if those who RISK end up failing... let's encourage them to pick themselves up and start to DREAM again... let's HONOUR FAILURE... and encourage them in their next project.

2004... a new year... a fantastic opportunity to do something new... to change one's life.

This weblog, intended to share my daily personal thoughts... however random... is one of those new personal challenges I have set for myself in 2004. I pray that it offers INSPIRATION to those who visit... :-)

2003 is GONE... it's in the past. There ain't no use in crying over spilt milk or lost opportunity... get over it and move on.

Having just returned from a glorious 3 week family break in the bush and on the beach... two directly contrasting emotional events over this period left an enormous IMPACT:

One: My wife's family lost a direct family member to Motor Neuron Disease on Christmas Eve. He died within a year of exhibiting a first symptom of the disease. Makes one think... you never know when your time is up. Would he have lived his life differently in the years prior to this event? You bet he would have. It's too late for him now... but not for us..!

Two: Four days later we learnt that my daughter Maxine had passed her Matric Final exams with 7 straight A Distinctions... with her picture in the press proclaiming all the Top Achievers.

Talk about contrasting emotions for the family. Deeply affected and despondent family members saddened by the death of a loved one were swung to the heights of ecstacy at Maxine's results. The tears flowed.

But, here's my take on the reality of the two events.

Who really cares..?

Who really cares apart from perhaps the closest family members of the two people involved above?

Well, if the truth be faced, no one else in the world really cares a jot. Most people in the world don't even know that these two events took place... and to those that know the family, it's really just some passing news of interest that will fade all too quickly as they go about living their lives. The world goes on.

So who, on this planet, REALLY cares the most about what happens to YOU?

Well, I can tell you that my wife's dying relative REALLY cared about what was happening to him... and my daughter really cares about the fantastic results she has earned - her performance and the kudos she has received will remain with her for the rest of her life.

The point I make is that the ONE person who most cares about your life is YOU... the person who is most concerned about your life is YOU... the person who has most to gain or lose in your life is YOU.

So, if you are the only one who really cares what happens to you, what are YOU doing about YOUR life?

That's a question I pose for 2004.

Here are 3 simple things that you can consider... that you can implement... it's what I am putting in to action:

1. Raise Your Standards - what can you improve upon this year
2. Raise Your Level of Awareness - what's going on around you
3. Raise a Sweat - work to put your dreams, ideals and plans into action