“MILLIONAIRE MIND” — notes from

I recently did a synopsis of Thomas Stanley’s  book, “The Millionaire Mind.” Stanley studied the common themes in those who end up very, very wealthy. There are not the connections to academic degrees and credentials that we have traditionally thought. The only real common theme in these deca-millionaires is that they were doing something they truly loved doing. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us there will be 50 Million new jobs in the next 5 years – they can’t tell us what 50% of those jobs will be. The Futurist magazine recently predicted that 70% of all new jobs in the next 10 years will not require a college degree. Here are just a couple of the conclusions that Stanley, a college professor, relates about these deca-millionaires:
– Their undergraduate grade point average (GPA) was 2.92 on a 4.00-point scale. Sometimes a 4.0 simply means a person can regurgitate information. A lower GPA may force someone to be more creative in his or her choices. (Know any frustrated dentists, doctors, or attorneys who went on to graduate school just because they had the ABILITY to do so?)
– Most have been told by some authority figure or by the results of standardized test scores that they were NOT:
• Intellectually gifted
• Of law-school caliber
• Medical-school material
• Qualified to pursue an MBA degree
• Smart enough to succeed

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

Copyright 2001-2004 Life Coaching Resource.com 

Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep, but your mind keeps spinning with all the things you need to do? Your thoughts just keep ticking?

We wind ourselves up like a motor when we pile on more things than can possibly get done in the time frame have. When we rush to appointments, speed in the car, load up on coffee, smoke on our breaks and make it to places “just in time”, it’s no wonder some of us can have a hard settling in for the night. Or settling in for the day!

So how can we keep our mind from spinning?

Life and Death?

Most of what is keeping our minds whirling isn’t as serious as we make it out to be. Besides keeping yourself physically safe, nothing has to happen. Getting something for the kids or trying to make it to the hairdresser appointment is not life or death. Most of the time if things don’t get done when we think they should get done, life stills goes on. When you are out sick, the world doesn’t stop revolving. We forget this because we like to stay busy and experience the adrenaline rush.

Take Time Out For Yourself

I know I say this often, but it is so important to have a time when nothing is planned and you aren’t bothered by the kids. Maybe you can get some pampering done, like a massage. Yoga is wonderful because it allows you to be physical, and can act like a busy person’s meditation.

Drop Some “To Do’s”

It’s likely you have a LOT going on. Is there anything you can drop from your to do list? Do you have a committee you are on that you don’t like and is just taking up time? Do you dislike housecleaning or gardening? Find a housekeeper or gardener! Get rid of to do’s that take up time, but don’t add to the quality of your life.

Have a Quiet Evening

Usually the times I have trouble sleeping are when I have worked too late or have been watching an action packed movie right before bed. The computer screen and the quick-paced movie are too stimulating late at night. Try turning off the computer or TV at least an hour before bed. Relax with some soft music or a book instead.

Leave Work at Work

I heard a story of a man who felt extremely guilty when he was at work because he wasn’t spending time with his family. Then, when he went home he felt guilty that he wasn’t working. He was miserable most of the time….until one day he had a flash of insight. He decided he would enjoy work when he was at work and enjoy his family when he was at home. Living in the moment helped him be happier.

Can you experiment with focusing on where you are?

* * *

As you can see, just a few simple changes can bring you closer to a calmer and more peaceful mind.

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David Wood is a Professional Life Coach, and author of the powerful Free Download: ‘50 Life Coaching Questions to Take Control of Your Life and Help Your Clients‘. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebook: “10 Super Coaches Share Their Secrets” and his audio ebook: “Getting Your First 50 Clients“.”David Wood is a personal and business coach, and an original founder of the International Coach Academy – a global coach training school”

Copyright 2001-2004 Life Coaching Resource.com

Wow,  it feels like I have jammed about a week and a half into this one week.  The blog and comments this week have been great.  I see there is a lot of interest out there about our work and what the jobs we have are actually doing to us.

As this week comes to a close.  I want you to continue thinking about what we have discussed here.  We have talked about the current work model that has been forced upon society as a whole.  It is outdated and needs a serious overhaul.  We have looked at major companies that have made the change for more flexibility and the retention rate has gone through the roof.  Not only are these companies saving money but they are saving families. 

I believe that this topic of time control has taken us to a place where we should look at our current situation.  Can you sit there and say that you’re passionate about what you’re doing?  Does the day just fly by, and you pour yourself into working for wherever your’re currently working?

Here is a great video from MSN that shows exactly what I’m talking about: http://video.msn.com/v/us/Money.htm?g=EAF1A79D-D387-4400-A50A-7629A97C5872&t=&f=15/648WorkPerksYouWishYouHad&p=&fg=

With all that’s been said this week.  Remember this; Don’t spend your time doing what you hate, invest it in doing what you love.

If you would like to begin a journey on that discovery,  just e-mail me.

Plan – Build – Live

Freedom Coach

** Hope you like my new look.  I have added pages above that will give you more information about me and my Life Coaching services.  Thanks for stopping by.** 

I want to bring this topic to a close.  Feel free to continue to leave comments and based upon those, I may pick the issue back up.  I realize that I have hit a nerve here and this is a topic on the hearts and minds of millions of others as well.  Here is where I want to go today.

What would it feel like to be able to do your job from anywhere you were able to.  Of course, this wouldnt apply to an assembly line or manufacturing type of position, but there are millions working in offices and cubicles all around the world that if given the freedom, could do their work from anywhere and be more productive.

Let me tell you about a work model, that if it were used more today, would revolutionize the attitudes of employees everywhere.  Less turnover and higher productivity means a big fat bottom line, and employees that are happy and families that are stronger. 

Employers, you really need to look at changing your model.  If you don’t you will lose in the end.  You will lose good people, you will lose credibility, you will lose integrity and character because the work model that you force upon your people is ruining families.  Inflexibility is killing your people.  Open your eyes.  God have mercy on you.

In this article, Business Week features the electronic retail giant Best Buy.  This shows how a very large, and I mean very large company, can make the changes to influence and promote what is really important in their business, their people and their families. 

Enjoy, http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_50/b4013001.htm?chan=rss_topStories_ssi_5

 Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

“When the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was passed in 1938, it was heralded as a giant step in protecting the rights of American workers—guaranteeing financial compensation for time worked in excess of 40 hours a week. The “40-hour work week” was born, and the term “9-to-5” became synonymous with working “full time.”

Six decades later, the 40 hour work week has become a benchmark for corporations to build a platform for their work enviornment.  What is the deal with working a set number of hours equating to full time work? 

There is such a mentality in our culture today that anything less than 40 hours and your lazy and unproductive.  Like my post yesterday, this keeps creative thinking and productivity in a box.

Living in an age where knowledge is increase faster than ever, our society still uses a platform 60 years old.  How productive would you be if your time wasnt controlled?  How much time is wasted with your commute and having to sit in an office just for the purpose of being seen?  Unfortunately, in our culture, being seen by the boss is first and productivity is second.

What about working too much and not being compensated for it.  More than likely what you lose will be alot more that what you gain.  Kudos from the boss, but time missed with family and children.  Is it really worth it? 

Lee Ann Sandweiss from Indiana University says this, “An Expedia.com survey said that 63 percent of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, with some 40 percent exceeding the 50-hour a week mark. More than $21 billion dollars in vacation time goes unused annually (and back to employers!), as we spend 2.5 more weeks—and three months more—at work than do our Japanese and western European counterparts, respectively. “

Don’t be controlled.  Be free.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

Hello All,

Thanks for viewing and commenting.  In the weeks and months ahead, I want us to look at principal keys and concepts for successful living.  I am a life coach and I look forward to our time together.  Whatever you want to talk about, be it career, health, finances or spiritual well-being, let’s talk about it.  We may even include a little politics from time to time.  I’ll be back soon.