Recently I was given a book that has made a significant impact on my view of giving and charity. Actually, it turned my entire concept of giving, charity and philanthropy upside down. The book was written by best-selling author and self-development guru Joe Vitale.

The premise of this book is that people who give freely without expectation of return will experience prosperity from unrelated sources. Things will show up out of the blue, people will help you in ways you never imagined, etc. By starting the cycle of giving freely it will come full circle by benefitting you. If you give only to receive you have defeated the purpose and you will most likely see nothing in return.

Many of us grew up going to church and putting money in the offering tray. It felt like an obligation, you would be ashamed if you didn’t contribute. We really didn’t know what we were contributing to. We just knew that it was what you had to do to be a good person. The money was given as an obligation and not given freely with joy. In fact, if the offering was done in secret, I’m guessing a majority of the people wouldn’t contribute because it didn’t make them joyful.

I’m not condemning contributing to churches. I know how beneficial houses of worship are to society. I’m just suggesting churches would be much more successful if the parishioners were more connected to how the money was used and didn’t feel as if they “had” to contribute, but instead “wanted” to contribute. When people know how they are helping, and when they give with a warm and joyful heart, they feel joy and happiness themselves. This is a critical aspect of Joe Vitale’s book.

As I grew up I realized how critical it was to contribute to charities because in many cases these charities were providing help to people who had no other resources. Giving to them felt good. I knew where the money was going and how people were being helped. And when I gave to charities with a good feeling in my heart, I usually experienced something good happening to me. This was also the case when I helped out people who were in a tight spot. In both cases I expected nothing in return, yet I always seemed to be the recipient of something good from a completely unrelated source.

It wasn’t until I read Joe Vitale’s book that I put two and two together. That is when I finally realized that my giving freely, with an open heart and with no expectation of return was causing those good things to happen to me. Wow, that was quite a realization.

Vitale provides real stories from real people of how they freely gave without expecting anything in return and how they benefited in unexpected ways. He also talks about some of the great philanthropists of history and how their giving increased their net worth substantially.

As an example, John D. Rockefeller began giving money away as a child. As his income grew the amount of money he gave away grew. By the time of his death he had given away $550 million. PT Barnum was another example. He coined the term “profitable philanthropy.” He knew that giving would lead to him receiving, and he become one of the world’s richest men.

At first when I was reading, I felt a little uncomfortable because it seemed these people were focusing on how they were benefitting. It seemed a little selfish. Then I started thinking about it; they were able to continue to give and to increase their giving because they were receiving. I realized there is nothing wrong with receiving as long as you do it with gratitude and continue to give and help others.

I strongly recommend anyone questioning giving and charity read this book. It will not only change your life but the lives of countless others in need. Additionally, by living by this example you will inspire others to do the same. You will be expanding the circle of prosperity to people throughout the world.

By the way, the name of the book is “The Greatest Money Making Secret in History.”

I feel so strongly about the power of giving and receiving I am giving this book away to anyone interested. Go to www.powerimage.com/giving to request your copy.

Finding the right business for you. Some of you may know exactly what kind of business you want to start, or you may have already started it. Others may have an intense desire to start a business, but they don’t know what type of business. Deciding what your business will be is a critical step in your journey to business and financial success.

To begin, take a piece of paper, a pen or pencil, or open a word processing document and start listing all or your skills and talents. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What skills have you learned throughout your life? And most importantly, what are your passions?

It is important to be objective because often we don’t give ourselves credit for the skills and talents we have. We just assume that if we can do it everyone can. That is definitely not the case. If you are having problems doing this ask family members, coworkers or friends to tell you what your skills and talents are. We are seen much differently by others than we see ourselves.

Once you have determined what your strengths are, it is important to truthfully identify your weaknesses. We all hate to admit we are not good at something, but when it comes to running a business, it is critical for everyone to know what they are good at and where they need some help. No one can be good at everything, so admitting a weakness has no relevance to whether you will be successful or not. In fact, by admitting and accepting your weaknesses you can proactively find alternative solutions to handle that area and you can focus on your strengths.

Something else to consider is your risk tolerance? Are you pretty cautious with your money and are looking for a lower rate of return for your business but a higher chance of success? Or, are you ready to take more risk for a higher rate of return? That is a personal decision and neither is right or wrong, it just depends on you.

It is important at this point to honestly determine how you are going to finance your new business. Are you going to finance your business from savings or from your current salary, or do you plan on borrowing money from a bank, friends or family members? Or maybe you are taking on a partner, giving them a percentage of the company in exchange for start-up capital.

How much money do you have to invest? I guarantee what you estimate you will need to start your business will be at least 25% short if not more. So, when determining how much money you need be sure to overestimate. If you are borrowing money from friends or family it is a good idea to have the agreement in writing in case there are any discrepancies in the future. It is much better to lay out the agreement in the beginning than to try to piece it together after there has been a misunderstanding and feelings are hurt.

The next step is to do some research. Take a look at the types of businesses that match your skills or talents. Take some time to research the market for these products or services. Is the market young or mature? Is it under or over developed? Are there changes that can be made to existing businesses to improve the market or service? Don’t be afraid to be creative, but do market tests before committing to something entirely new.

You can also look at prepackaged business or franchises. For example if you want to invest at least $1 or $2+ million, you could open a fast food restaurant and everything would be laid out for you. Of course you would have to find a location, have the building either built or fit out, hire employees, learn how to run the business per the franchise rules, etc.

If you decide to open a shop or restaurant on your own you will have the same issues as above, plus you will be completely on your own in regards to purchasing merchandise, marketing, policies and procedures, hiring employees, etc. This can be a very rewarding experience, but make sure you have the capital, a great idea, stamina, and business acumen to be successful.

If you are looking for something smaller, there are many opportunities in direct sales and multi-level marketing (also known as MLM or network marketing) that can generate a good income if you devote the time necessary. These are generally a small, home based business which you can run out of a bedroom or den in your house. Additionally, many of these opportunities are now internet based business opportunities so there are no meetings to go to or inventory to manage. This is nice because it cuts down drastically on your overhead costs and gives you flexibility on how you spend your time.

Unfortunately, these businesses have gotten a bad rap lately, not due to the businesses themselves, but because too many people were promising great income generation without having to lift a finger. Well, we all know that work is required to be successful in business. If you are dedicated and committed to building these opportunities then you will prosper.

Finally, be sure to consult with your attorney and accountant as you set up your new business. They will be able to make sure everything is set up correctly and you are off to a great start!

“I worked for a menial’s hire,

Only to learn, dismayed,

That any wage I had asked of Life,

Life would have willingly paid.”

Anonymous

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, it is no longer a secret or surprise that your current life was created by none other than YOU through your thoughts. This fact has been studied and scientifically proven by some of the greatest minds that ever lived and are living. What a gift it is for us today that this information is freely shared through our vast forms of communication.

When the famous football coach, Lou Holtz, was twenty-eight years old, he lost his job, had no money, his wife was eight months pregnant with their third child, he felt totally defeated and had lost all his motivation. What he did then was the most life-changing thing he had ever done. He read a book that said to write down everything he wanted to achieve before he died. He wrote down 107 goals on that list and has so far achieved 81 of them. Many of them seemed absolutely impossible to him at the time, but he achieved them anyway.

What advice could this book have possibly given him? It gave him permission to dream! And, it told him what to do with his dreams.

The same thing can happen for you. Here are the first steps to take to begin your exciting journey.

1. Write down all of your wishes and goals ? all of them. And, like Lou Holtz, they don’t have to all make sense or seem achievable. They just need to be something you really want and are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to put what you may think is “ridiculous” on your list. After all, these are your dreams and goals, and you don’t have to share them with anyone right now.What is important is that you WRITE them down. They then become real “things” and are no longer just thoughts and wishes. ?You’re hanging up your sign that says “I’m open for business.” This alerts the Universe and your brain to pay attention. By the way, our mind is a miraculous thing.
2. Next you must watch for all the signs and signals that the Universe is sending to help you ? and they will be there as surely as the sun rises in the morning and sets at night. Sometimes they will be subtle; sometimes they will be very strong and persistent. You must take action, whatever feels appropriate. Nothing will happen if you don’t take action. Then fill your heart with gratitude and give thanks for the assistance you have received. The more gratitude you give, the more you will get to be grateful for.
3. Be in the receiving mode for these signs and signals, you must get rid of all the feelings you have about your fabricated deficiencies. Those feelings and thoughts belong to only you, and you can do whatever you want with them. You can give them the power they would have if they were real (the misdirected power you have been giving them all these years), or you can replace them with positive thoughts that are real and will actually move you towards your goals and dreams. It’s your choice!At first we think that would be impossible. After all, we can’t control every thought we think. No, we can’t, and you would drive yourself crazy if you tried. Your limiting thoughts will fall away one by one, and they will never be missed! I don’t think you’ll want them back, and you’re the only one who knew (thought) they existed in the first place, so good riddance!
4. You can accelerate the process of achieving your goals and dreams by reading your list of goals every day (remember, they now are “things”) and imagine how you would feel if you had already achieved them. Begin by taking one goal at a time and concentrating on it (baby steps). I know, you’re thinking this whole process is not easy. Actually it is; and with practice and devotion to a successful outcome, it will happen quickly. You’ll become a pro before you know it – and then watch the things fly into your life!

It all boils down to one thing; you create your own reality. So, if you want things to change, you must change the way you think; bring in the positive and throw out the negative thoughts. It’s that basic! It’s such a simple fact, but most people either miss it completely or they think they will never be able to control their thoughts. ?The real truth is that we all can. Why? Because this is how we were created.? It is only the erroneous information that has been passed on for generations upon generations that has made us forget who we truly are.

Do you know what the biggest obstacle, most destructive reason and greatest sabotage weapon is for making the goals we set fail? Would you believe Self-limiting Beliefs? That’s it! It’s not sloppy planning, a non-workable plan, not dotting all your “I”s and crossing all your “T”s, not setting up a “time line,” etc. The culprit is simply self-limiting thoughts and beliefs.

When we set strict limits on what we think we can do, we are underestimating ourselves. We don’t believe in ourselves. We believe we are inadequate or inferior in areas such as intelligence, ability, talent, personality, creativity, etc. We’ve gotten so used to thinking and talking negatively to ourselves that we’ve convinced our subconscious mind that we are all of the above, and maybe some more. These are your “limiting beliefs.” You are condemning yourself to a life far below what you are capable of accomplishing! Remember the statement, “We use, at the most, only 10 percent of our mind’s capacity.”

So, let’s begin to have fun. Imagine for a moment that there are absolutely no limits on anything. You have all the talents and abilities to accomplish anything in life that you want ? all the friends, contacts, opportunities, relationships, money ? everything.

Wow! That’s really exciting! You mean I can write down anything I want?? Absolutely! That is the first step in getting rid of the shackles you have placed on yourself.

Pay close attention to what pops up in your head. Sometimes we have limited ourselves so much we don’t even allow ourselves to think about what would make us really happy. So let yourself go and write it all down ? doesn’t have to be in any particular order (you can do that later), and it doesn’t have to be “sensible.” And, if there are things that come up later, by all means, add them to the list. You will be amazed how long your list becomes.

Now, picture your life five years from now ? still without a ceiling or limits. Create a picture in your mind of your “perfect life” and what you have accomplished in that time span to make it happen. Now you have the basis upon which to build your goals.

Don’t ever compromise your dream. Continue to visualize your dreams and visions and don’t settle for half successes.

Peter Drucker once said, “We greatly overestimate what we can accomplish in one year. But we greatly underestimate what we can accomplish in five years.” Don’t let this happen to you. Imagine that everything is possible. The most powerful question of all is “How?” Unsuccessful people wonder whether a big goal is possible. Successful people ask the question “How?” and then look for ways to turn their visions and goals into realities.

What additional knowledge and skills do you need to develop in the next five years? What are you excellent at now? What do you need to do to become a top performer in your field? Get the additional knowledge and skills you will need, and you will be the WINNER! With an exciting future vision, you will continue to be motivated and stimulated.

Take the necessary actions to make your ideal vision a reality. And don’t allow those limiting beliefs to jeopardize that potential reality ? throw them all out and don’t allow them any room in your mind. When they try to sneak back in (and they will) just say “cancel” and turn that thought into a positive one.

Here’s to that great future. You now know the simple secret of being, doing or having anything you want. You know who the enemy is ? a bunch of misspoken words and thoughts. You’re in charge ? get rid of ‘em!

Communication is an integral part of everyone’s daily activities. Whether you are talking with co-workers, your family members, or by phone or e-mail, effective communication benefits everyone. The problem is, we are usually in such a hurry we don’t think about how what we are saying is being interpreted by the recipient. In fact, there may be times when what we intend is not what the person receiving the message hears. This is even more prevalent with e-mail.

Here are some areas to consider as you evaluate your communication style.

1. Be respectful to everyone: The best way to stop the communication flow is to be disrespectful to the person you are talking to. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, whether it is your boss, your kids, co-workers, the cleaning crew, etc. No one is better than anyone else – treat everyone as you would like to be treated. There is a side benefit here as well; you never know when you might need help, and you will be much more likely to receive it from people you were nice to in the past.
2. Listen: You have something you want to say and you know you are right. That may be, but you will destroy any chance you have for the other party to accept your viewpoint if you are rude and talk over them. You will gain much more cooperation from people if you listen to them and let them participate during your conversation.
3. Don’t be condescending: You may have a larger vocabulary than the person you are talking to or you may be an expert in a field, but you will gain no ground by talking over the person you are communicating with to make yourself feel more important. Again, the goal of communicating is to successfully convey your thoughts and ideas, that is pretty tough if the person you are talking to has no idea what you are talking about. It’s even worse if you are doing it just to make them feel stupid.
4. Make sure everyone is clear: At the end of the conversion do a quick recap to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding what was decided. If this is a work environment, you may want to summarize the conversation in a memo or e-mail afterwards and send it to all participants. That way no one can argue later that they didn’t understand. Be sure to keep all e-mails or memos you send out for your own records.
5. Be approachable: You may be the boss or the parent, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unapproachable. There may be times when one of your employees or children needs to initiate a conversation. Don’t make it a scary or stressful situation because they will be less likely to be forthcoming with information you need to know.

Remember, we are all trying to work together to come to understandings, which means our communication skills are very important. Take the time to assess your current communication skills and their affects on the people you interact with. It may be time for a little tweaking!