End of the Year 2009

Preparing to end the year at a friends home to play games in a few hours. I've made teri-yaki meatballs and salsa and chips. Rather international, but at least my family will eat. Hubby is paying bills, and the printer ran out of ink, and refused to print out our last years taxes that we were trying to rush to the bookkeeper. Add in quick trip the office supply store today. I know tonight will be a welcome relief!

Last night the family saw Julie and Julia on dvd. I learned blogs are for writers. And that I wish I could cook. OOHHHHH, there are those words again. "I wish I could __".

I believe you can do anything you put your mind to. So why do I still say "I wish I could". When I began homeschooling, that was the mantra of non-homeschooling families, "I wish I could" or more often it was "I could never do that". Why is that terrible critic allowed to even speak! Shut up already and let's start talking truth. You could do this or that if you wanted to. Just face it, most people don't want to. What they really mean is they wish they could effortlessly just have their dreams whether it is to homeschool, write, cook, tithe, save, etc., etc. For Julie it was tremendous effort and determination. She absolutely met the "impossible" challenge. So what I mean to say is I wish I could cook already....

How an Ooops Can Make You a Better Investor

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki opened my eyes to the world of investing and business ownership. But after being introduced to a concept, how do you translate it into something that you can do? This is where mistakes can be your teacher.
Whenever you start a new skill, be it scrapbooking, diving, gardening, or investing, you are a novice. It seem ridiculous to even mention that new = novice, beginner, learning, etc. Yet beginners have to start from where they are before a new skill is mastered. As Jim Carlson said, "Everyone who got where he is had to begin from where he was." So guess what, mistakes will happen. It does not mean defeat, it means mistakes will happen. Are you encouraged yet?
Take this example: my daughter wanted a certain type of crocheted hat. She found one and brought it home. She studied it and then proceeded to copy it. Whenever there was a difference between the two, she had to take out her stitches and try again. And again, and again, until the hat she was making matched the original. That was all it took. She was able to recognize what she didn't want, and create what she did want BECAUSE of her mistakes. After that, she improved and started designing her own beautiful creations.
Maybe crocheting seems a simplified version of learning and mastering a skill compared to buying investment properties or buying precious metals. Yes, and no. It is simplified in that it took her probably 4 hours to copy her first hat. It took my husband and I a full year to buy our first cash flowing investment property. Consider where would we be if we didn't take that year in education, making offers, and tying up the property. We would be a year older and not have the property too.
Don't fear making mistakes - instead learn from them and improve yourself and your abilities.

Today's Proverb

Reading from my "new" book today Proverbs to Live By, Truths That Live in Words
a 1968 Hallmark book. Not only Proverbs from the Bible, but around the world and from famous people too. Today's quote is "Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society ~ Thackeray.
I recently had a birthday and was flooded with all kinds of well wishes on my facebook wall. Writing each one back with my own well wishes took considerable time (I believe there is a quote for that; cover page says: "A burden which one chooses is not felt" Italian proverb). So considerable time or not, I did take the opportunity to thank each and every person who wrote to me. I then pondered on manners and etiquette for FB and then decided a lesson regarding doing the right thing was in order. It was cloaked under the business address "Attraction Marketing", however it really was a reminder of having good humor - dressing well - "being" attractive.
So remember: "Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles." George Eliot

I speak a lot about motivation and positive attitude. But I recently ran across an article that discusses why motivation is not enough in accomplishing your goals. Andre Vatke of Leaders Club address what else you need when the motivation starts to lag: www.leadersclub.com/html/motivation_network_marketing.asp

I'd like to hear what you think.

Personally, I think he makes several valid points.

However, I also see that any changes you want to make in your life, any dreams you want to pursue, any desire you want fulfilled, requires constant motivation. I say that from experience. If you have a life time of "bad" habits and now you desire a change, you need to break the "bad" habits of your thoughts first. That is the reason for me preaching, as it were, positive thinking and finding motivational quotes. It re-trains the mind. It focuses on the new you. It creates new pathways, habits, and character traits that will sustain you in your progress towards change.

What your habits say about you

I read an incredible piece from a sales training site, of all places, regarding habits.

Leaders Club had this to say: Everything Duplicates! In a 1999 study by Brandeis University, psychologists observed that bad habits can spread through an office like a contagious disease. Employees tend to mirror the bad behaviors of their co-workers; ie. low morale, poor work habits, and even theft from the employer. The phenomena of "habit spread" plays out with lightning speed. Everywhere around you are average people. They entice you into being more like them by offering their acceptance and by leading you to believe that everyone else is already more like them than like you.

YIKES! But what is even funnier are the stories my teen girls tell me about working with 2-4 year olds. Same story! Habit spread is happening at that stage too! No wonder starting a new habit is like going against the grain. Leaders Club added this last line to their article: Don't sacrifice your goals and unique ideas for the sake of being average. If you want to be better than average, you must do what average people are not willing to do.

Lately, Ive been searching out inspiring quotes. Now, I am seeing them all over the place. Other people are posting them too. Is this a positive habit taken over with habit spread? I hope so. I don't want to be average, and I don't want to sacrifice any of my goals to be average. The fight against average is worth the tension and struggle.

I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's. ~ William Blake

Yesterday I did my financial statement. You know, that system where you take all your assets and accounts and compare it to all you spend. It's something I've been doing for over a year. It really is freeing to see the numbers on a page and know I'm in control. I have choices. I know what I have and where I need to improve.

It was torture to start this habit. I was scared for months and confused as to what items I was to exactly account. Then I did it. It took hours if I remember correctly. We do have lots of accounts and all the log-in info to find and then to create a form to record it all in one place. But I did it. Every stock, precious metal, money market, savings, credit union, and every credit card, bill, and payment went on my form. And when I finished I remember thinking, "Is that all there is?" All my emotions were worked up over this one piece of paper. Silly, really. A little bit of me gets anxious to start, but when the numbers are updated, it is a relief. I feel a sense of comfort. I don't "feel" rich and derive my comfort from the numbers. I think the feeling of relief comes from accepting control. William Blake's quote above is about making your own way or be enslaved by another man. When I do my financials on my own form, I am not enslaved. My banker isn't in control of my money and accounts. I own my system and accept that the numbers on the financial statement are reflections of my choices. Don't let emotions keep you from making your own system. Accept where you are financially and make your financial statement your beginning.

Finished with 3 Real Estate Classes with Allied Schools! One of our goals as a business is to get my broker's license and do property management. Robert Kiyosaki has inspired me beyond most books I have read. My heart breaks to see my business partner leave most mornings by 5am to start his 80 mile commute on a motorcycle. His dedication to doing whatever it takes to provide for his family is also my inspiration in educating myself in the world of sales and real estate. I see success and know it will be ours. Success to me is choosing when and where to work; choosing how much to make; and is choosing how to spend the profits. CA is upping our taxes again. Americans will be taking home less and less of their paychecks. However, opportunity is all around and believing in your dreams is the cornerstone to making them come true.

Amazing People

It's been a crazy week. My 93 year old grandmother fell, broke her hip, had surgery, didn't recover, and is now being rehabilitated in swallowing and walking again. Truly, this is courage and strength seldom seen today. I know she lives on the power of positive thinking, but it is also something more. It is her belief in herself and living life to the fullest. So much depends on the health of our minds, from healing ourselves, rejecting illness, finding and using resources to overcome a poor education or poverty itself. Believing and faith are powerful uses of the mind. Seeing your success so clearly separates you from so many others that lack that one ability of the mind. Think of Edison and how he could see his light bulb working and serving others even after 10,000 attempts. That is not a typo. 10K tries to achieve what he knew was possible. Zig Ziglar said, "If you want to reach your goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal". A question was asked if entrepreneurship was for everyone. I think anything is possible. A better question would be why are there so few successful people? Why aren't people achieving their dreams, desires, and goals? It has to do with belief. As Napoleon Hill has said, "What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve". Dreaming is half the story. Believing it to be real and available to reach is the other half to achieving.

Found two great quotes today

Every man with an idea has at least two or three followers ~ Brooks Atkinson
Great ideas originate in the muscles ~ Thomas Edison

I dont know Atkinson but I like that idea. And Im not sure what Edison meant about the muscles but I image my brain as an active muscle that I can condition, exercise, and make stronger. I can keep it clean, pure, active, and focused. Although I have heard that walks can clear the mind and help with creativity. So I guess its a profound statement either way.

I knew what my job was; it was to go out and meet the people and love them.
- Diana, Princess of Wales This quote really means alot to me. Ive been working on
my thoughts lately (as in Think and Grow Rich and Power of Positive Thinking) and
decided that quotes and sayings and scripture and lines are powerful. Rehersing,
memorizing, meditating, and practising lines over and over start to re-wire my brain
into what I want it to become. Today, this quote speaks to my desire to come out
of my shell and start living in community. Its almost silly how the internet has connected
me to more like minded people than Ive ever met "on the street". Im so thankful for
technology as the prompting it has caused in me to actually meet more people and as
Lady Diana says "and love them". My verse for yesterday was 1John4:12 "but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." Its been a great week, and its

only Wednesday!

Nothing's far when one wants to get there.- Queen Marie of Rumania
So true, isn't it? Ive had some family in the hospital lately and its funny in
as sad way when this happens: you are dying of pain, but the nurse comes in and you have
a normal conversation, then go back to dying of pain. Kinda tells you there is alot you
can do - but so many times we just dont.

Found this quote today when looking up commitment: The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.
- Cecil B. DeMille The word committment isnt even in the quote, but I loved the words unswervingly, steady, dedication. All powerful words that show strength and fortitude. Stay committed to your goals. And ~ give it time. Both time and commitment are necessary for success.

Wow, a week since my last post. Mom has been admitted and then released from the hospital in that time. School has sprung up on us in our new co-op. We had to cram for a book club meeting and actually it was a bit exciting to feel the pressure of finishing. Reminded me that setting goals is good, but meeting them drives you to complete them. And the accountablilty of our co-op helped us accomplish our goal. Until that inner drive is a habit with me and the unwavering desire to accomplish my own goals is a habit too, I so grateful for my coaches and friends that want to see me succeed.

Social Media

Did I mention I enjoy learning? Self education became important to me, it didn't start out inate in me. Maybe chosing to be a homeschool mom 13 years ago started me on the road, but lately, educating myself has definitely been a huge part of my time. Thanks to facebookers Kristen Darkenwald and Cassie Strom and now Diane Hochman, I am learning alot about social media. They have so much to share and Im greatful for it all. Its a fascinating subject and each day is a delight as they share more of themselves with me.

Backups and Emergency Preparedness

Bit windy here today in the High Desert of So Cal. Another fire pushing through our mountains. Earthquakes happening locally and around the world. Our action? My husband has been backing up my computer. Buying batteries and water. Surviving the 1994 Northridge reminds me of the need to be prepared. Ok, maybe the computer backup isnt exactly linked to survival - but it is a good plan in life and business having your files, banking, and pictures all stored safely. Remind yourself that you are responsible for planning and preparing. Dont wait.

Fall has come to the high desert. The air is cooler and I like pulling on my long sleeve Ts. I've been working on our business and homeschooling and all the papers and books that take over when both are in full swing. Our Jane Austen/Charles Dickens school year is going great and recenly we saw the first disk of Regency House. Not for everybody, but we have learned a lot more than just what Miss Jane wrote in her books.

Business challenges are stretching me. My "Plan E" has asked more of me than I thought it would have originally. But Im meeting the challenges head on! Im finding I have more fight in me and more courage too. Any new venture has opportunities for growth: personally and financially. Im embracing the challenge!

This came from Robert Kiyosaki's FB today:
Every day I am seeing increasing turbulence in the markets. "Playing it safe" by trusting others with your financial future is probably the riskiest thing you can do. People who used to dream of getting rich are now just hoping not to lose ...their home. Without financial education, you're at the mercy of the market.

Are your dreams fizzling? Mine are just starting to grow.

Add your email to my newsletter list and I'll share my Golden 5 Book suggestions.

Join me on Facebook too!

Wrote an article for BetterNetworker.com yesterday about two roads. My emphasis was on how as a beginning networker you may think that with some slick tools and the right gadget your business will grow and be easy. But serious business owners understand there is work involved in growing a business. Reading is my number one self education tool. I would like to send you my Golden 5 list of recommended books. Just add your email on my side bar and Ill send it right out.

And my verse for today (and many days!) God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous. 2 Cor 9 verses 8 and 11

You were created to be successful. Believe it!

Our church is studying what it is to live a generous life. Today I spent over 3 hours combing through my closet and drawers with the ultimate purpose of making more room available and to create a corner "office" in our bedroom. But the trip to the donation center made it all worthwhile. While we could have had a garage sale and made a few dollars, the tax write off, I feel, is larger and my family is supporting a local nonprofit with our donations. My husband "re-made" over an old computer for a family member without one - another act of generosity. Doing the right thing may take effort - and I felt hot and grungy after working my room over - but the rewards can continue if those who have been helped feel blessed and in turn help others. Take time today to be generous. Someone today needs what only you can give.

Created a video yesterday with a challenge. What would you do with three hours a day of your own? "Time marches on" with or without you making a difference in your world, your home, or your life. As Norman Vincent Peale said "Change your thoughts, and you change your life". If you havent thought about your dreams in a while ~ make today the day!

Yesterday was fabulous. Jane Austen actually came and spoke to us about her life, her loves, and her writings. Loved it! Took lots of great photos at the Huntington and my girls were asked to pose in costume.

David is golfing, Im getting ready for a big day tomorrow at Huntington Library - San Marino.
The girls are writing articles and working on their journals. Its a great day!

Feeling the joy of fall and the start of school. Busy working on our Journals of Discovery and preparing for our Jane Austen/Charles Dickens Literary Society year.

First entry of the Tammy Prara Blog

Livin the dream! Love my husband, two kids, two dogs, and my church family. I have great friends and get to stay home, homeschool, study, and run many businesses too.