IS THERE A WAY OUT OF THIS MESS?

A lot of people today are very concerned about their finances. Will they have enough to make ends meet, will they lose their jobs, will they have enough money to retire, etc.

Maybe you made bad financial decisions in the past. Maybe you incurred needless debt. Maybe you didn’t save enough. My advice: give yourself a break-everyone makes mistakes and we all learn from them.

The fastest way to get rid of regrets is to acknowledge them and “burn them up”. It’s not about the money, it’s about living the life YOU want to live.

Most often we compare ourselves to other people and they are comparing themselves to us. What a waste! We are all different, we all have different goals, and we should not be put into a cookie cutter mold.

Maybe you can live well on very little depending on your needs. Maybe you want millions so you can share with the less fortunate. Success is not measured in how many toys we have but in relationships and if our life is making a difference in society.

What money can do is buy you freedom to focus on what is important in your life. It’s never too late to get started!

Forget your past mistakes. Don’t focus on how other folks are doing compared to you. Find out what is really important to you and you will find yourself moving in the right direction with motivation, hope and faith.

Get started NOW!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

INTEGRITY-VITAL TO BUSINESS SUCCESS AND LIFE SUCCESS!

Integrity means saying what you mean and doing it. Do you say one thing and do another? If you are, you are basically lying to yourself. You will never achieve the level of success that you are hoping for.

Have you heard this: “you’re only as good as your word”. Very true. I have delt with people in business and in life for a long time and I can tell you from experience that if people do not do what they tell they will do-you can forget them as long term partners in any business venture.

If our words are not good, we are not good. If you don’t keep your small agreements-you won’t keep your big agreements.

By not being true to our words, we are not being true to ourselves and this will felt by others as well. Are you on time for your appointments? If not, it shows a lack of integrity.

Do we lie under pressure? Tough one huh! We all make little white lies but they are still lies.

Be sure your words and actions are one!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

ARE YOU READY TO GET OUT OF THE RAT RACE?

Most people have no difficulty in spending 4 years in college and spending between $50,000 to $100,000 to get a college degree. Most leave with a lot of debt that will take decades to pay off.

How much would you spend to attend a one day business seminar: 100$, $1,000, $5,000? What if the information you would get could make you into a millionaire?

Very few people would pay even up to $20 for a one day seminar. They’ll spend that much to go to a movie and get popcorn.

Information is a major key to business success. What you don’t know can cost you millions. A good seminar can provide vital information that would take you years to learn on your own.

Why aren’t more people taking advantage of this? They are looking at the short term cost and not taking a long term view. They are willing to pay big bucks to get a college degree and go work for someone else.

Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. Success does not happen overnight. The usual overnight success has been at it for years and years!

We all have a learning curve to follow and good business seminars are a major KEY.
Plan to attend one soon!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

HOW YOU SEE THE FUTURE WILL DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS!

If you are pessimistic about the future you can be sure you will have limited success. Even with all the problems going on in the world today, it is still the best it has ever been.

The poor of today would be rich if compared to the lifestyle and standard of living of years gone by. It’s all about perspective. The future is bright and you do need sunglasses.

There is more opportunity today than ever before. We need to be looking in the right places with an air of expectancy! Sight is what you see with your eyes, vision is what you see with your mind!

It’s not your boss’s job to make you rich, it’s your job. You will not get rich at a job. You need a business. If you look around the world today, what do YOU see?

What opportunities are available for becoming rich? Healthcare and an aging population, Internet businesses, energy needs, financial literacy, etc.

There are possible business niches all over the place. Start listening to mentors on CD’s. The Nightingale-Conant Corporation has thousands of audio series from masters of success like: Zig Ziglar, Dennis Waitely, Brian Tracey, Harvey Mckay and countless others.

We can become experts in a wide variety of areas just by listening to audio information while we are driving or walking.

Get with the program!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

JOB SECURITY VERSUS BEING YOUR OWN BOSS!

All of us have been told to get a good education, which will get you a good job, which will provide you with security.

This might have worked 50 years ago but not today. Actually there is no such thing as security. You are only as secure as to what you can produce economically. You can work at a fast food chain for the rest of your life, they are always hiring!

90% of people are focused on having a job and they live like 90% of the people: pay check to pay check. It takes courage to strike out on your own. The best way to start your own business is on a part time basis while you are holding down a job.

In today’s world we are faced with dramatic change on a daily basis whether we like it or not. Everyone is being forced out of their comfort zones. You can moan and complain but that will not change anything.

You MUST change and embrace change if you want to survive in the new world. Some people are still not using the Internet or cell phones and exclaim that they can function without it. They are getting further and further behind and will not be able to compete in the future.

Everyone should be self employed and operate their own businesses. Don’t let fear hold you back. Don’t get frozen in time hoping that the good old days will come back. Don’t forget that the good old days had their share of challenges and obstacles.

You haven’t missed the boat and it’s not too late!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS?

If you are like me, I have looked into and been involved in a wide variety of businesses over the years. What is a motivating factor for people who want their own business?

Consider the following:

1. Being rich versus being poor.
2. Being free versus being bound to a job.
3. Buying what you want versus what you can afford.
4. Buying expensive things versus shopping at flea markets. ( Discretion urged here!)
5. Having other people do those things you hate doing versus doing things you don’t want to do.

Have you heard this: money doesn’t buy happiness! Partly true but money is a tool that you can use to help people and yourself.

Where are you on this chart:

1. Poor: $25,000 or less per year
2. Middle class: $25,000 to $100,000 per year.
3. Affluent: $100,000 to $ 1 million per year.
4. Rich: $ 1 million or more per year.
5. Ultra rich: $1 million or more per month!

Wherever you are, what can you do to get to the next level? Not by trying to get a better job but by starting a business or growing you present business.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY!

We all want to live a successful life and if you are a business person, you ultimately want a super successful business.

If you are like most people you probably have gone through these stages:
1. It’s too late for me!
2. I don’t have any money!
3. I don’t live in the right area!
4. I can’t do that!
5. What will people say!
6. I need more time!
7. You don’t understand by situation!

Do any of these sound familiar? We all have doubts, fears, and uncertainties in our lives. Successful people make a decision to move on and they stop listening to these annoying thoughts.

We all need to reflect on our lives on a regular basis:
1. What is really important in my life?
2. Time is too precious, don’t waste it!
3. Sometimes stopping for a moment is harder than staying busy!

What must we do?
1. Increase our business skills.
2. Increase our money management skills.
3. Increase our investment skills.

With the Internet, we have access to unlimited resources to assist us in all aspects of our lives. There are numerous seminars on various topics being offered all over the country and abroad.

We have no excuse for not getting the information that we need to assist us on our success journey.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN BUSINESS!

How can you know if you are successful? Really, how can you know? Do you compare yourself to someone else and if you do, who do you compare yourself to?

If you are making $50,000/yr and your friends are making $30,000/yr, is this success? You can never equate success with the amount of money you are making, as there is always a new billionaire around the corner.

If your friend is a multi-millionaire and has gone through several divorces and his children are not part of his life, is he successful?

Success is multi-dimensional. Success in business, job, family, marriage, health, relationships, etc.

If you look to society to determine if you are successful you will never be satisfied. How to determine if you are successful? Ask yourself what is important to you!

You can be successful in one area of your life and not so successful in another. The key is attempting to live a balanced life and not getting under condemnation if we are struggling in certain areas.

We must all develop a personal definition of what success means to us and therefore we will not be disappointed by the opinions of others.

Success to me means: having a wonderful marriage to the best woman a man could have, good-solid relationships with both my children and grandchildren, a relationship with Jesus Christ that undergirds all the other aspects of my life, being able to give money to people and causes that I believe in.

What does success mean to you?

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

WORRY-THE ENEMY OF SUCCESS!

Have you ever lost sleep due to worrying about something? Could be your health, job, marriage, family, etc. Did worrying change anything? Probably not.

40% of things that people worry about never happen. Worry is a negative emotion that saps us of peace of mind, strength, and hope for the future.

As a Christian, I have an eternal hope that God is in control and nothing takes him by surprise. You might say to yourself that if God is in control he is not doing a good job. Wrong , wrong, wrong! God has given people freedom of choice and the decisions that people make worldwide affects all of humanity in one way or another. We must all live with the consequences of our decisions.

God is able to make everything work out for our good! Worry can rob you of success in business, family, work, and in all aspects of your life. Worry has no place in your life.

Focus on what is right in your life. Focus on the good that is coming your way. Believe that the best is yet to come!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

MAKING MONEY VIA THE INTERNET!

Who wouldn’t like to make money sitting at home? It is the dream of a lot of people to be able to work at home and make money on the Internet. Is it a realistic goal or pie in the sky?

It is a good goal but it will require a steep learning curve if this is new to you. Having spent several years looking at business opportunities on the Internet and spending thousands and thousands of dollars, I can say that this is not an easy business to get into. Simple but not easy.

Some reflections:
1. A lot of scams on the Internet.
2. A lot of low end programs that lead you on and on and on, etc.
3. It’s not as easy as they make it sound.
4. There is no such thing as something for nothing.
5. There is no such thing as a completely automated program.
6. You will need to spend money to get a business going. $1,000 minimum.
7. If you come from a business background like I did, you realize that you cannot get a business started for a few hundred dollars and expect to become a millionaire.
8. Give yourself time to learn.
9. Learn from your mistakes.
10. Repeat 9 & 10 often.

We all need to start with realistic goals:
1. Learn the basics.
2. Practice the basics.
3. Goal 1: make $1 on the Internet.
4. Increase the above gradually.

More to come on Internet businesses.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

ALTERNATIVE BUSINESSES!

After having attempted a traditional business I was reluctant to try this type of endeavor again, however, I still had a dream of having my own business.

I was introduced to network marketing and this I did for several years. Although I never made a significant amount of money, it was the best business learning tool that I ever found. Talk about learning how to be persistent and consistent.

I learned key business skills that are serving me well today. I would highly recommend that everyone try a network marketing business for the experience and what you will learn in the process.

Key elements to look for: no major investment in products or tools, a good support system, a company that has a proven track record, one on one support from someone who is already successful and will help and guide you initially, and the potential to earn a significant income.

This will require blood, sweat, and tears and is not for the faint of heart! I built my network marketing company without the help of the Internet (there was no Internet then) and today the Internet offers a tool to accelerate success in network marketing.

Be prepared to develop people skills that you never knew about. Maybe you will be super successful but if not you will be in a good position to move on to other business opportunities like being a consultant or having an Internet bases company.

Stay tuned for more!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

TAX PAYING TIME!

April 15 is just around the corner and everyone should have their tax forms filled out or be close to it. Taxes are a way of life and we do get good services for our taxes. Protection, good roads, and education are but a few of the services that the government provides.

There are also services provided that I do not agree with such as subsidized abortions but that is why we have elections to vote for those people who would support our views.

If you are a W-2 employee, you will normally pay a lot more taxes than someone who operates a business. The tax system in the United States is geared towards helping businesses as they are taking risks and providing needed employment.

As a business person, you get to deduct expenses related to the operation of that business. These deductions would include the following: auto and travel related expenses, office expenses, phone-cell phone-Internet services, a portion of business related meals, to name a few. This is not a comprehensive list by all means but provides insight into why having your own business is the way to go.

By having a business you have the potential to build wealth, provide employment, and contribute to the welfare of society in general. You also have more control of your long term success instead of being dependent on your boss or job.

Over the next days, I will be going over the need for everyone to have some type of business, even if they are presently working full time for someone else.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS?

Most of us have been advised to do well in school and find a good job. That was good advice maybe 50 years ago but not for today. When you have a job you are at the mercy of your employer.

Starting a business has a lot of risk attached to it as well. Statistics indicate that 90% of businesses will fail within the first 5 years. Factors that contribute to this include: lack of capital, lack of experience, no business skills, etc.

Let me share some of my experience. My Dad had worked in a clothing store for several years and when the owner retired he had the opportunity to buy it. At that time we lived in a small town which had two other clothing stores and everyone did quite well.

Then something strange happened. Strip malls and regular malls started to open up and that changed the dynamics of our little business. Slowly business started to slow down and eventually my Dad closed the business.

One of the disadvantages of having a traditional retail store is the amount of hours you have to put in. At the time that my Dad has his store, the hours where 8 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday to Thursday and 8 A.M. to 9 P.M. Friday and Saturday. I worked with my Dad several years and found this to be a challenge to family time.

Traditional businesses also require a hefty financial investment, which can be a challenge if you have to borrow to start the business. You should rarely consider buying a business that you have no experience in or which will necessitate having a lot of employees in the initial start up phase.

Cash flow will be crucial to initial success in any business and you will need to keep your overhead as lean as possible.

Starting a traditional brick and mortar business is something I do not recommend!
What to do if you really want a business?

Stay tuned.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

PREPARING FOR EASTER!

As we head towards the end of Holy week, we need to ponder the significance of this holiday and event. Many people do not celebrate this day or even consider it at all-except for maybe Easter eggs.

For the Christian, the whole crux of our beliefs are based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the only One who separates B.C. & A.D. He is the only One by which we tabulate time. Why is this so if he was only a man?

Everyone of us will have to make the choice of whether or not we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God incarnate. This decision has eternal consequences.

If you have seen the picture the Passion of the Christ, it provides a vivid illustration of the crucifixion and what Christ went through. I believe this displays only a small aspect of the suffering that Christ endured for all of us.

Take the time to ponder the immense sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to ensure that all those who acknowledge him as the Risen Lord can spend eternity with him.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

A YEAR OF TRANSITION!

One fourth of the year has passed so quickly that it seems like yesterday that we were celebrating the New Year. The beginning of this year has been filled with challenges. Health issues with my wife and one of my sister in laws. Praise the Lord that everything is fine at this time.

When you have your health, you have a lot to be grateful for! When challenges come your way, it has a way of getting you to re-evaluate the priorities in your life and to really look into what is really important.

Health and family are the top two for me at this time. I am learning to live life one day at a time and to cherish each moment of each day. The world is such a small place these days that it is easy to get bogged down with all of the garbage in the news and the challenges facing people worldwide.

Make sure you take time to take care of your health and to spend time with your family.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

BUSINESS LESSONS FROM THE CRUISE: PART II

As part of our cruise we had a one day stop in Cozumel, Mexico. We had taken a package to a resort beach that included transportation, meals, liquid refreshments, and unlimited use of beach amenities-like kayaks, floats, and such.

The day before we arrived in Cozumel the seas had been rougher than expected and the beach areas in Cozumel where not as pristine as they usually are and where somewhat muddied and unclear.

The tour company gave us a 20% discount due to this. I was amazed, as it was not their fault, and I do not think that any of the other people on this excursion where expecting any discount either. It was a kind gesture that was appreciated by all.

The buffet that was served was excellent and the service superb. The hosts went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of.

Mexico is a poor country and the people working at these resorts where appreciative and it showed.

We have so much to be thankful for in the United States and we fail at times to truly be grateful for all of our blessings.

Let’s make a decision to express our gratitude to those that come our way!

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

BUSINESS LESSONS FROM THE CRUISE!

During my 5 day Caribbean Cruise, I noticed several things that the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was doing that demonstrated good business techniques and good business acumen.

1. They continued to provide live bands where other cruise lines have switched to recorded music to save money.
2. They provided live entertainment every night-Vegas style and quality.
3. They provided superior service.
4. Meals where professional and of very high quality.
5. The service staff was well trained and extremely attentive and supportive.

What Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines did was to provide 100% value in a tough economic climate and they are assuring continued business from their customers who will respond by booking with them again in the future.

These are all factors that all businesses should consider. Keep providing the best product and services at all times and do not cut back on quality or service. Your customers deserve the best at all times.

With companies cutting and cutting, sometimes in the wrong areas, it is good business to have a long term perspective and to realize that this too will pass and the economy will rebound and be as strong as ever.

Don’t cut back unnecessarily. You might be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE CRUISE!

Our cruise started with a welcoming speech from the cruise director and his wife. They where responsible for all of the entertainment on the ship.

You saw them early in the morning and late at night. They even did the Sunday morning worship service. They had great attitudes and were focused on the needs of others.

They never seemed in a hurry, talked to everyone as they went by, and always made themselves available. I watched them on a daily basis and I am sure that they had a lot to take care of and worry about.

They always smiled, they where thoughtful, and seemed relaxed with their busy schedules.

They were working, but it did not seem that way. They enjoyed what they did. They where living their life with purpose; you could sense it.

It started me thinking about my life and work and how I go about my daily activities. Do I take the time to look, listen, and be available for people that I meet on a daily basis. Am I too much engrossed in my own life?

What I learned:

1. Be thankful for every moment and savor it.
2. Be attentive to the needs of others at all times, you might not get another opportunity.
3. Smile.
4. Don’t be in a hurry.
5. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Jacques
CreatingWealthThatLasts