“I Know Exactly What I Want… Kind of”

I’m going to share a quote but don’t freak out, you’ve not missed church, and I haven’t suddenly become a preacher. Nonetheless, I’d like to share with you a powerful Biblical quote that’s a great illustration of what I’m about to talk about.

“For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” (Matthew 13:11–12)

How’s that for a bum deal? Or is it?

Well when we refer back to the fact that most people have a pretty hard time actually deciding what they want, it actually begins to make sense.

Bottom line:

We cannot manifest specifics with a general request.

Stay with me here because the great news is this, once you have specifically outlined what it is that you want, then you can begin designing a plan to achieve it. In the words of one of my songs from the album Resonations (available on iTunes and CD Baby): “Get Clear.”

Please pay attention here because I have a warning for you. The ego-mind may have some challenges with you actually achieving that outcome and it may try to sabotage you by whispering stuff in your ear that will take you off target. So to make sure you stay on target I implore you to keep a success journal and monitor your progress.

DO NOT change what it is you are going for until you achieve it. That way you can acknowledge your success. I can’t over stress the importance of this. If you keep changing your desired outcome, how will you ever know when you achieve it?

Make senses?

In the next article I will share with you the importance of developing a hunger around what you want.

This article is an except from my Bestselling book: Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money! available on Amazon.com

Come to the edge, let’s fly!

Claim Your Competitive Edge

Stay Curious my friend, stay curious and live with courage,

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to comment, like and share it with your friends.

A tsunami of fear came crushing down on the global economy and jobs disappeared under the surge. Homes were foreclosed. Banks went under and long established old money companies went bankrupt or needed the government to bail them out.

Was it all over? Would business recover? Was this some kind of an apocalyptic warning that the end was near? These were questions spoken about on the news, late night talk shows and in living rooms around the world.

A New Beginning

It’s  just a few short years now since it was made official that we were in a global recession. Although bankruptcies were up by an unprecedented 34.6 percent over the first quarter of 2009, and even though many today are still buried under the debt and devastation brought on by over lending, over borrowing and over spending, and the general infestation of greed, there is a subtle but growing sense of hope that is beginning to return.

This hope is not for things to return to the way they were, although there are many who would want it that way…

No, this blossoming hope seems to be of growing a new and “healthy economy,” based more on collaboration than direct and adversarial completion.

The world and its economics have changed and I don’t believe it can ever be the same.

“Those who go into business to make money serve a cruel master, and rarely get anything else. Those who go into business to be of service feed not only their bodies but also their souls.” ~ Dõv Baron

The belief in a stable job has buckled at the knees. The corporate ladder has been pushed over. The result is that many people are less willing to be dependent on some outside force for their financial certainty, and I believe that ultimately this is and will be seen as a good thing.

In many ways, it is that quiet rumbling within the middle class mind that has and will continue to catalyze the “the new economy” becoming a reality.

Yes, the economy has changed. However, the opportunity to live the life of your dreams did not die with the announcement of a recession.

There have been many recessions, in fact 14 since the “Great Depression” of 1929 and although people thought some of them were going to be financially fatal, in the long run that was never an actuality.

In this new economy we will have to do things differently, we will have to tap into resources that we have ignored and or taken for granted. These are not just the resources of the world but the resources of the self.  Everything we do at Baron Master is dedicated to you discovering how you can not only survive but flourish by tapping into what you have that no one else has—even if you don’t know what that is—yet.

Think back to Boxing day 2004: It has taken time for the people of Indonesia to recover from the tsunami that devastated part of that country. It will take the people of Japan some time to recover from the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

And it will take some time for the world to recover from the financial tsunami that came crashing down in 2009. However, what I know about human beings is that in times of trouble we find a way to come together. We find away to be there for each other. And we find a way to not only come back but to come back better and stronger than we were before.

So my call out to you is: Let’s use these seeming endings as new beginnings through our creating a tsunami of hope.

Be a leader have the courage to NOT do what others make okay, but rather, step into excellence?

Come to the edge, let’s fly!

Claim Your Competitive Edge

Live with courage,

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to comment, like and share it with your friends. It is an excerpt  from my Bestselling book: “Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money”

P.P.S. If you really want to fly, step into your leadership and take a look here http://CYCEdge.com/ Claim Your Competitive Edge is going to take place this weekend, March 18th – 20th, and we have very few seats available at subscriber’s special offer, this is where you will get the opportunity to stand dynamically in your magnificent self and shine like the diamond you truly are!

be a leader in the New Economy…

In a recent article posted here, I said that the central and very necessary cog for doing business in the new economy, is CARING.

In fact I will go so far as to say that there is a big wave coming…Some will be financially overwhelmed by it, and others who get ahead of the wave of relationship based business will be surfing the new economy to affluence.

In that article I went on to say: If you really want to make it in business in this new economy, you need to show people that they are more than just sales figures; they need to know that you are in relationship with them.

After writing that article, I’ve gotten emails from people asking how to do that.  How do you let people know that you care about more than their money?  Some of you went on to say that in my business, it’s easy to be relational because we deal with personal growth and development, which is all about relationships.  You wanted to know how to be more relational if you are in a different kind of business, one that is sales based.  More specifically, you wanted to know how to be more relational if someone comes in and buys two “doomah-hikies” and is in and out of the store in a couple of minutes, how can that be relational?

Let me make something crystal clear: Every time you have an interaction with a person, no matter how short, you are having a relationship with them.

And in that relationship, you have a chance to make the other person feel as if you genuinely care…or not.  Let me share a secret with you:

Every interaction is an opportunity to inspire

Alright get out your pen and paper, write this down, because I’m going to give you five gems that you can use to be more relational in business—any business.

1.  Look at the person when you are dealing with them.  Pay attention to them, not your cell phone or someone standing beside you. For those few minutes, be fully focused on that person and what you are doing with them. (You know for yourself  how frustrating it is to have someone distracted with someone or something else when they should be focused on you.)

2.  Be sincere. When I first moved to North America I was in awe as every time I was in a store people said, “Have a nice day”.  Pretty quick the awe wore off and here’s why: It doesn’t matter who you are, people smell fake quicker than dog poop on their shoe, and we all know when the person saying; “have a nice day”,  couldn’t care less what kind of day we are having. If you can’t say anything else, just say “Thank you” at the end. But most importantly: Mean it!

3.  Make sure the person is as satisfied as they can be. Maybe you or your company don’t have the product or service they need… Are you willing to go the extra mile, to take the extra step and help them find another place to get what they want?  Because that my friend is one piece of what’s needed to do business in the new economy.

4.  Keep your ultimate goal in mind. As much as we all love the “ch-ching” of our own cash register. In the new economy it’s not about just selling another “doomah-hikie”. It’s about making sure the person in front of you thinks of you every time he needs a “doomah-hikie”.  Stated simply; that means making sure that you, as a person, are fully involved with them, as a person.  Keep in mind; it’s not just a business deal, it never was… it’s a relationship.

5.  Do what you have to do, even if there is no immediate pay off for you. I know many people are are going the other way on this because they are in fear of loss and what I can tell you is if you are giving less, you can be pretty sure your fear will become reality. For that reason, I’m telling you in no uncertain terms: Give people more than they expect. Great service in any business is all in the little things. If all you think you are doing is ringing up a sale, you are wrong!  The way you handle the transition, the way you pack the merchandise, even the way you return the receipt can become added value to your customer. You have to be willing to do what it takes to show someone you genuinely care, even if there is nothing in it for you.

Why do these five point matter so very much? Because as I said in the article: “The Real Cost of Doing Business” What I’m talking about here is actually giving a shit about the people you do business with.

I’ve said it before, but I will say it again.

“If you don’t want to be relational, then you my friend, no matter how much money you have, cannot afford the cost of doing business today!”

Because I am fully committed to practicing what I preach, I want to be sure that you leave this interaction knowing that I genuine care about you. “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” is an eBook I wrote, it sells on Amazon for $47, and people have found great value in it. I’m giving it to you for FREE;  it’s a great example of what I’m talking about. Click on the link “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” and accept it as my gift to you.

My question to you, dear reader, and everyone you know who has in some way interacted with us is this: Do you get it that I (Dov Baron) and my company Baron Mastery Institute genuinely care about you… that we genuinely give a shit?

I’d love to hear your feedback about whether you see this as a genuine factor in the new economy. And I would love to hear from you with regards to the question I asked you about me and my company.

I look forward to your feedback and comments

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

Embracing The Freak for Fun and Profit!

It wasn’t until my thirties that I realized that being called a “freak”, “weirdo”, or “strange” were compliments. These were in fact clear messages that I was not like the people around me… (and thank heavens for that)

Richard Bandler said; “Nothing has any meaning but the meaning we give it.”

There was a time when I had given these labels a meaning that I was different and by virtue of that, not lovable. I finally realized I needed a new meaning. Being different meant that I had to look at who I was separate from the crowd. I began to see my unique gifts. I began to see my differences as blessings I had been gifted. Instead of seeing those labels as negative they became positive. These labels were in fact statements that I was and am unique.

Therefore I was not average as…

“Average; the best of the worst and worst of the best” -Dov Baron.

I finally got that not fitting in didn’t make me less than average, it made me aspire to be so much more. In so doing, I had to acknowledge my gifts and that I am compelled to share those gifts.

Hey, stop skimming for a moment... Because I have a  gift Id like to share with you here is this; rather than reading this as if it was about me, (Dov Baron) read it as if it is about you. How have you let the labels from others become the screaming voice of the insane that keeps you hidden in the mediocrity that prevents you from being who you are and sharing your gifts?

“If you hide your gift from yourself and the world, you rob the world of a light that would shine into the shadows, giving direction to those who are lost under the weight of their adopted labels” -Dov Baron

Let me challenge you to put aside the labels of yesterday and begin the empowering journey of discovering your Unique Value Set.

Your Unique Value Set. is a set of skills, knowledge or talent you all ready have but likely don’t fully recognize yet. However, when all the parts of that Unique Value Set come together what results is your own personal brand of genius. The challenge has been that you have likely either ignored or take this Unique Value Set for granted and as a result you have created your own Genius Blind Spot!

My questions to you are; are you willing to see that discovering your Unique Value Set, your Genius Blind Spot, could have a profound impact on not only your income but also the quality of your entire life?

What would discovering that make available to you that had previously believed to be impossible?

And if you expanded that out over the next 2-5-10-40 years what might be the impact you’d have on your own life and the lives of those you love?

My last two questions are here to assist you in finding out whether what you want is a fantasy or reality:
The question is: Do you want what you said it would make available?
and:

How badly do you want it?

Listen my friend, put your bias aside because:

Freaks become leaders when they embrace their Unique Value Set.

Here’s some examples:

Albert Einstein, Salvador Dali, Copernicus, Gandhi, John lennon, Richard Bach,  Renuka Baron, Dame Edna,  Groucho Marx, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Henry ford, Testla, Frank Herbert, Robert Bly, and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few.

“Shine a light into the shadows of your own soul and in so doing you will light the way for others.” -Dov Baron

You really have to be honest with yourself…. Are you living the life your at the level of abundance you desire and deserve?

If not, maybe now is your time to tap into the freak within and discover the goldmine that you have negatively labeled!

If you’re like many people right now, you may feel that the media and nay-sayers have got their grubby little fingers in the soft part of your mind.  All this negative hype is being used in an attempt to direct your life and possibility of success, versus you having the ability to now grab back control of your own success path from the jaws of defeat.

It’s time for you to take back control of your financial destiny, to take back control what you think, what you feel, what you experience and of most importantly what you make happen in your life and the lives of those your care for.

Maybe, you’ve already taken back control of your financial destiny and you are just hungry for more— you know that there is a higher peak and you want to stand on it, if not for yourself, then as a legacy.

It’s time for you to experience a real breakthrough in your financial situation…  It’s time for you to discover how your own freakishness maybe the very fastest way to financial freedom!

It’s time to come to a place where you now decide that the media and the nay-sayers will not be the determining factor that defines who you are, what you experience, or how you live. You know that now is the time where you decide to lead, rather than follow.

There is a place within you, a place where no matter where you are in your finances or business, you now know you must decide that you will conquer the obstacles and you will be the victor of your circumstances!

If there’s something inside of you that knows and screams:

“Now is the time,—I will no longer be an economy victim!”

… then 4 of the most financially empowering days await you.

You can take a look by clicking on this: QWM
Imagine: Four days of working live with 5 Quantum Wealth Mastery Mentors… Four days of getting to the core of your Unique Vale Set and discovering what is hidden within you that can change everything in your financial experience in a flash. Four days that will create a real and lasting breakthrough in your thinking, feeling  and finances. It’s your turn…

This is your breakthrough… take it!

Come discover for yourself, create a strategy and a plan that will get you from where you are financially to where you want to be. Come be with people, just like you, from all over the world who share one common belief: They know that they have something magnificent to offer even if they don’t know what it is yet and they demand to live from that place!

Time is running out…

On October 15th-18th 2010 you’re going to be somewhere. The question is… will that somewhere be the place where your finances change forever?

Quantum Wealth Mastery only happens once a year. Now it’s time for you to be one of the few who do, rather than the many who are gonna and do nothing!

Call our office 604 436 2063 now to reserve your space and ensure you get our best available seating.

“It is in our moments of seeing beyond circumstance that we become what we have only dared to imagine.” Are you willing to see a brighter future, or not? Choose wisely!

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

P.P. S. Click here to register for your F.R.E.E bonus tele-training taking place NOW.

P.P.P.S. The Event Will Take Place In Vancouver, Canada (Just across the Boarder from Seattle) Take a look at this stunning city

Are you where you want to be?

Q: At the End of Next Summer Where Will You Be?

A: I’m Sorry to tell you: Unless You Take Some Very Different Action…You’ll Be Pretty Much Where You Are! (Or worse)

The media are telling us: “Home sales slowed further following an initial drop after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit at the end of June, prompting a slowdown in construction activity.”

An official US unemployment rate that hit 10% last year, and seems set to stay there or thereabouts for months yet, already makes grim reading.

Yet there’s growing concern that even that large and unpleasant number doesn’t do justice to the size and severity of America’s problem with jobs, or the lack thereof.

The manufacturing sector also saw growth slowing in several districts across the US, the Fed said. And if the US sneezes, Canada gets the flu…

Okay, we all know the bubble has burst and what clear once again is: When they told you to get a good job and everything would be great…They Lied!

So what does all this really mean?

In my opinion:

‘Do Not Go Looking For Another Job!

The days of believing that there is such a thing as a steady job are gone…

Instead: Believe it or not, you can now build a life doing the exciting, mind-expanding, joy-creating activities you were born to do. I know because I have a lot of my clients, students and friends who have just that!

“When we take on the generalities of others we often do so at the cost of the specifics that come from knowing who we are. It is only in the specifics of who we are, that we gain the inner certainty that gives us freedom from external manipulation.” ~Dov Baron

Believe me, Ill bet there’s a good chance that you didn’t grow up in a ghetto. And for those of you who did… when you got out, did you fall 10+ stories onto your face? Nah,  Didn’t think so.

Both of those things were as you can imagine massively repressive and I only recommend going through them if you need as big a wake-up call,  as I did…

These are all reasons I love Quantum Wealth Mastery… It is an opportunity for me and some close friends to open minds in ways that they may never have experienced before. In a way that I needed back in the ghetto and certainly after I feel.

The line up for this year’s Quantum Wealth Mastery has become more excited than ever.

Stephan Stavrakis say that we’ve got to get out of this dag eat dog mentality into a  No More Competition, one! Stephan and Scott Paton are returning, Scott is going to give us the latest insights into the next big wave of money making technology that anyone can tap into. He calls it the Un-Web.

While James Malinchak - The Big Money Speaker, will be showing you how to access the speaking world so as to share your message. Peggy McColl will show you how to create Viral Explosions! so that you and your business burst onto the scene, and Diane Conklin is going to show you how you can mast the social media world in 27 minutes a day.

And of course me Dov Baron Ill be sharing with you how to tap into what I call Your Genius Blind Spot, discover what you already have that other people would willing pay you big fat checks to share.

Ive been chatting with all these wealth masters and they are all excited to share their expertise with you.

Learn more about our exciting group go take a look at http://QuantumWealthMastery.com

“The idea that we need mentors in order to succeed easier is as ridiculous an idea as the one that we need oxygen to breath easier” ~ Dov Baron…

Like I said at the start: Summer is over. Are you where you want to be?

Q: At the End of Next Summer Where Will You Be?

Once again: I’m Sorry to tell you: Unless You Take Some Very Different Action…You’ll Be Pretty Much Where You Are! (Or worse)…

As someone who strives for excellence you know that no matter how successful you are there is always another peak to climb and another obstacle to overcome.  Are you ready to launch your life to that next level? If so, it’s time to make a bold move and take immediate action.

It’s time to step into a leadership role in your own life!

I highly suggest that you register now for the entire Quantum Wealth Mastery event taking place the evening of October 15th – and all day 16, 17, & 18th, and walk away with a massive shift in your wealth resonance, the map, and everything you need to achieve massive wealth now.

Register now at http://www.QuantumWealthMastery.com
or contact our student services at 1.604.436.2063.

I look forward to your feedback and comments

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

P.P. S. Click here to register for your F.R.E.E bonus tele-training taking place NOW.

The Real Cost of Doing Business

Both Business Leaders and Small Business Owners alike are asking that same question.

I’ve been in business a long time, maybe longer than some of my readers have been on the planet.

In that time, as you can probably imagine, I’ve been asked many times about the cost of doing business. It seems that people want to know because they want to know if they can afford it.

It’s a good question: What does it cost to be in business?

Obviously there is the cost of the property you operate out of, (although many folks do business from home these days).  There’s the obvious cost of staffing, although with remote workers many of those costs can be reduced. Then there are fixed costs such as electricity, phone line, internet connection and rent, (even if you operate out of home).

But those aren’t the real costs. Bear with me, because I’m going to share with you the real cost of doing business in this new economy in a moment.

“Those who go into business to make money, rarely get anything else” ~ Dov Baron…

In a few weeks I will be with a great group of teachers sharing our knowledge, insights and strategies so that you can create Quantum Wealthy Mastery in your life. I’m not going to go into details about the event here; there’s no sales job in this article. (In fact it may even put some people off the idea of going into business.)

You can simply Click Here if you want more info. What I will tell you is that an hour after I went to bed for my night’s sleep, I was awakened with inspiration to write this article.

As you would imagine, many of the people attending this event with either be in business or looking to start some kind of business. As I step on the stage to speak (maybe to you!), I want to make sure that I am in full integrity about what it takes to create success, in this case, financial success.

That being said, let’s assume you do want to be in business and you’ve got enough money to start. Let’s also assume you are even willing to put in the hours, which will, without doubt, far exceed the hours you ever put in working a job. So let’s get into the real meat and spuds of it.

There is another cost that you will want to consider seriously before going into business. It’s a cost that will become more and more evident in the new economy.

Let me warn you: It’s a cost you must seriously weigh before you make a commitment.

As you can no doubt tell, there are still signs of the old-guard cut-throat, massively competitive business model around. It may even have legs for a little while longer, nonetheless, those legs are getting more and more wobbly by the moment.

The great news is, there is a new model for doing business that is emerging. It is a model that I believe will challenge the hell out of the old guard.

The new model is one rooted in The Three Cs of the new economy:

Cooperation, Collaboration, and Contribution.

And at the center of this new model is a theme that today’s generation will come to expect, the central and very necessary cog for doing business in the new economy, another very important C–Caring!

This isn’t the old corporate rhetoric of saying “We care.” No, what I’m talking about here is actually giving a shit about the people you do business with.

Social media, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the hundreds of other social media sites have changed the distance between people. They have allowed people who were vague icons off in the distance to become people you can reach out to in as little as 140 characters and surprisingly they will, and most often do reach back.

Today’s rock, pop, and movie stars are made through the relationships they build on-line. Tomorrow’s business will be built in just the same way. (It’s already happening!)

So when you ask me: “What is the cost of doing business?” I’ll tell you…

“It’s 1:43a.m. right now, on a work day, and I’m writing this to YOU, yes YOU! Why? Because I genuinely give a shit!

The real cost of doing business today is that you must genuinely give a shit about your customers, you must treat them with the respect of being people rather than ‘buying units.’”

Bottom Line:

“If you don’t want to be relational, then you, my friend, no matter how much money you have, cannot afford the cost of doing business today!”

Does this make sense to you?

Here’s an example.  “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” is an eBook I wrote. People have found great value in it.  One of  those foundations for being truly successful is that you must be genuinely relational. If you think it’s a marketing phase, think again…

Keep this in mind.

You have to be willing to do what it takes to show someone you genuinely care, even if there is nothing in it for you.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s an example…Click on this link:  “The 5 Foundations of Building Wealth From The Inside Out” and read the book for free. Yes, I’m giving it to you for FREE, (it sells on Amazon for $47). It’s a great example of what I’m talking about. Look, even if you have previously bought it and you’ve already read it, let me suggest that you read it again. Everything has changed in the new economy and I think you’ll discover that what that book says is even more relevant than when I wrote it some years ago.

Make no mistake, I’ve had 25+ years in business, and I’ve seen a lot of changes. Some of those changes have been in my inner world. For instance, in 1990 I fell off a mountain and got smashed to pieces. Then about five years ago, something else changed that was indefinable to me. However, I knew both myself and my industry had changed forever.

Hang on, I’ll explain… At that time I was working with a consultant who was always trying to get me to be distant from my students, clients and customers. I would regularly piss him off because I am all about relationships and so I would make myself available.

Needless to say, that chap and I parted ways. It was then when I re-emerged with a clean commitment:

Show people we care; always give them more than they expect while providing them with tons of value. Simply put–we will always let our customers, clients and students experience that we genuinely give a shit about them.

And that’s what it’s all about. In the new economy, the real cost of doing business is that you must be willing to be in relationship with your customers. You must be willing to genuinely give a shit.

My question to you, dear reader, and everyone you know who has in some way interacted with us is this:  Do you get it that I (Dov Baron) and  my company Baron Mastery Institute genuinely care about you… that we genuinely give a shit?

I’d love to hear your feedback about whether you see this as a genuine factor in the new economy. And I would love to hear from you with regards to the question I asked you about me and my company.

I look forward to your feedback and comments

With gratitude,

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

"Don't Read This...Unless You Want More Money"

How can you get in that flow of affluence you so desperately desire?

Something I’d like to make clear is this:

“In life you don’t get what you deserve;

you get what you believe you deserve.”

~Dõv Baron

What that means is the idea or belief you have about your worth will end up determining your bank account.

This is why bad things happen to good people and real “douche bags” seem to have good fortune.

This part may be a bit of a stretch for you, but I promise that I’ll back it all up with science later. For now I would like for you to consider that all the situations and circumstances we find ourselves in come from something I call Unconscious Deserving.

Our Unconscious Deserving is held in place by a set of beliefs that you have accepted without question up until now. This set of beliefs tells us our worth and, as such, what we deserve.

Now before you jump to any conclusions, you should know, for the most part, this is all going on unconsciously and all too often doesn’t make any sense to the conscious mind. Nonetheless, whatever it is that we unconsciously believe we deserve is what is being fed directly out into the quantum field. (We’ll take a good look at this later in the book.)

Now, what’s great is that when you begin questioning even your conscious beliefs, you are inadvertently questioning your level of unconscious deserving. As a result, you begin changing or at least shaking the foundations of what has been your unconscious deserving. By doing that, what starts showing up in your life is very different from what has been your usual fare.

So Where Are We?

As you might have guessed, what all this means is your wealth is based on your self-worth, which is why so few people ever achieve financial independence. They either devalue or just don’t recognize their worth.

Feel free to share this article with your friends and leave you comments and feedback.

With gratitude,

This article is an except from my upcoming book: Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money!” subconscious tactics of the truly affluent. You can find out more about the book here:
http://tinyurl.com/monibook

P.S. Have you heard “The Accidental Guru” Radio Show yet? I’m your host every Friday Morning from 11AM-12 noon (PST) Details are at: http://radiodov.com

Freedom or Slavery, which would you choose?

You’re probably thinking that I’m an idiot for even asking. Maybe for you the answer, at least superficially, is obvious….Well maybe the answer is not as obvious as you would think.

I would put it to you that in order to be truly happy we must be truly free. However, what is freedom?

Here we are in the twenty first century and it is evident ( at least to me), how many people living in first world, democratic nations are living as slaves.

No, I’m not taking about slavery in the way we envision it in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds. Nor am I addressing a conspiracy theories of dark overlords pulling political strings and subversively running a big-brother system. It would be easy to see it that way because a person could say it’s something they have no control over.

What I’m talking about is far more consensual and submissive…

Slavery is not necessarily got anything to do with chains around the ankles. Slavery is mostly about the chains of the mind.

It’s easy to assume that no one wants to be a slave. But is that really true?

When you think about it; many would say that there certain advantages to being a slave.

As a Slave:

• You are ruled by some version of “fear of loss”, so you never let yourself have anything you could lose

• As a slave: You don’t have to concern yourself with what to do, because as a slave you know that is someone else’s job, and not yours.

• Therefore you do only what is required of by your master.

• As a slave: You don’t have to push yourself to succeed because you already know there’s no place to go

• As a result; your basic survival needs are taken care of.

• As a slave: You don’t have to let down your guard and trust others because slaves live in “fear of loss”

• As a slave: You get to blame others for your problems

• As a slave: You get to whine about your situation while while claiming that you are impotent to change it.

• As a slave: You get to hold resentment, which supports you not trusting

• As a slave: You get to stay in victim mode, which justifies you not having or following your dreams.

As you can see: Slavery has its own set of advantages.

Like I said to be truly happy we need to be free. However, being free requires a considerable amount of mental, emotional, and even spiritually work and responsibility.

To become free we must dig a tunnel under the foundations of our own beliefs.

This takes a lot more consistent effort than staying in a comfortable mental jail, especially if there’s a nice car in the drive way.

Let me show you what I mean: Did you ever see the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption“? In the movie there is an old guy who has been running the library in the prison for many years. This guy has been in jail almost all his life. While he is inside, he and his fellow prisoner speak often and fondly about the day when they will be on the other side of those gates, the day when they will be free.

The years go by and finally the day comes and the old guy is released.  He steps onto the other side of the gate, he smells the fresh air. He gets a little job in a grocery store and he even has his own little apartment.  He’s finally free, he can eat meals of his own choosing, whenever he decides he wants to eat them. He can turn the lights on and off whenever he decides. He can walk outside anytime he wants to.  He is free!  Just  a few weeks go by and the news finds its way back to the prison; the old guy has hung himself, he couldn’t handle it out there!

Freedom is a foreign land to anyone who has always lived in slavery….  Therefore, a slave has to be prepared to learn how to live in freedom.

As a kid one of the first movies I saw in a cinema was with Charlton Heston as Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” In later life as I studied the bible I became particularly fascinated with the piece of that story that said: After Moses takes the Israelite’s out of Egypt they spent forty years wandering in the desert. I don’t think that they were wondering around for all those years because they had a lousy sense of direction, so there must have been a more important reason.

What’s fascinating is that during that time they constantly complaining and saying how they miss the food and other things they had while they were slaves in Egypt. They begged Moses to take care of them, and they even had several rebellions against him.

Let’s remember Moses is the fella who has climbed a mountain and been chatting with “The Big Guy”.  On many occasions he’s put his own life on the line in order to get these people out of slavery and now all they are doing is moaning, complaining and missing slavery.

It seems to me that they had to wonder the desert for forty years so that all the people who had only know slavery could die out and with it their slave mentality. That way those who would enter “the promised land” would never have lived in slavery and could actually appreciate their freedom.

Even today in a “first world”, “democratically free” country so many live as slaves.

The slaves of today are dress considerably better. Some of them even drive fancy cars and live in big houses… Yet so few people are really free!

When I look around I see people imprisoned in their jobs, their mortgages, their relationships and false obligations.

As I speak about in my upcoming book; “Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money” (Release date May 4th 2010) Freedom is possibly the most driving of all human desires.  Just stop for a moment and consider this because in one form or another I think you’ll agree; we are all in our own way, looking for higher and higher levels of freedom. That’s a good thing because it is our nature to be free.

There again, I ask you: What is freedom? And how would you know if you actually got it?

“That’s easy,” you say. “More money!” But is that it? Is more money really what freedom is? I doubt it.

Over the years, I have met and worked with people from all kinds of financial backgrounds. Some of the individuals who have hired me to take them from success to fulfillment and on to creating a legacy have more spending money a month than the average person has to keep a small family going for a year.

In my travels, I’ve met people who are so financially poor that the poverty line would be a giant step up on the income ladder. In both extremes, I have met people who were free and those who were far from free.

Money, I find, is rarely a guaranteed path to freedom.

I want to challenge you to look at how you would know if you were free, and how you may be in some form of servitude.

“Money will not solve all your problems, make you more spiritual or bring you eternal happiness, but there again, neither will financial struggle.” ~Dov Baron…

I look forward to hearing your comments and feedback.

With gratitude,

The recession has had so many people in a sweat on a daily basis. With layoffs and jobs being downsized, it’s only natural to feel the stress of these very uncertain times.
Now, I want to say something that will sound a bit radical, but if you’ve been following my work for a while you’ve probably come to expect that. So here goes: In many ways, what’s happening now with the economy is a very good thing.

“Wait a second, Dõv!” you might want to scream at me.

“These times certainly don’t feel very good. In fact, it feels downright crappy. My job is being threatened, and I’m in danger of losing my home. What’s good about it?”

I repeat:

These times ARE  a very good thing.

Stay with me, it will make sense in a moment.  In fact, I wrote a new book about dealing with money, the recession and becoming wealthy that’s due out in May, 2010 called:
Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money.

Sorry, but it’s at the publisher’s right now, or I’d send you a copy — asap.  Until then, I’ll take this blog space each week to give you some of the highlights of one of the most important books I’ve ever written because it will change your life and the circumstances for your family.

Now, let’s get back to all your worries – or should I say the collective worries – about cash these days.

Stop for a second and realize that this change in our economy is not fatal, and you do not have to become a slave of the economy.

Yes, many jobs have disappeared and no one can deny that fact. However, in their despair, many people have forgotten to notice that many new jobs are arriving.

In fact, 20 percent of the jobs that are here today didn’t exist six years ago.

Jobs constantly disappear while new ones are created on a daily basis. That’s a fact of our modern economies.
Worry comes from uncertainty… Therefore, one of the best ways to stop worrying about money and jobs is to replace your fear with concrete facts and knowledge. Yes, you might have been in a job that was the equivalent of a sinking ship, but remember that the new jobs are coming quickly.

Think of it as if you’re really on that ship that’s taking in water. You know your ship is going to sink in two hours. Isn’t it less painful when you also are informed (and see with your own eyes) that beautiful rescue ship that arrives in half an hour? Why, you didn’t get much more than your toes wet on that one!

The economy is changing and so is everything else. We also have to change, including the way we think about how life is supposed to be. Many toil away at what I call “slavery jobs” that they hate and that pay very little. Often times bosses aren’t mentors, but tormenters. The treatment is terrible and the end result is devastating to yourself-worth. Yet, so many people go to these jobs year after year because they think, “It has to be this way because I have to pay for my condo and my car. The kids need new shoes. Hell, the kids always need something.”
Look, I know it sounds radical but:

If that’s the way you’re thinking, you should know…

That’s slave thinking!

If you’re thinking like that then you are a slave to this life you’ve created. And your real fear is you must stay in your horrible situation because the next one might be worse.

What if you stopped for a moment and refocuse your way of thinking?

How about trying on a mentality of freedom?

One where you have several rays of hope that laser through the darkness and open several new life possibilities. Isn’t that worth taking a chance on…especially these days when change is often thrust upon us anyway?

As for all the economic upheaval around us, it actually makes me smile and remember a favorite quote:

A man falls to his knees because the foundation of his reality has been shaken. While down there he decides to pray to God – only to discover that God is doing the shaking.

The bottom line is simple. Everything in the universe is evolving and expanding and you are part of this universe, which means you must expand and grow. It has always been this way – always will that way.  Of course, you will probably resist any change including losing that job you hate. The ego-mind wants to keep things the same because then you will feel safe. However, too much safety numbs your life and is, again, slavery. It sucks the marrow from the soul of your being.

Okay, so now that you have this inkling that you must embrace change, I want to give you a few tips that will get you back to sleep at night. This is exactly how I want you to stop worrying about money right now:

• Change your focus. I’m not going to say, “Stop worrying.” That never helps because you’re going to have these anxious feelings. What you can choose to do is change your focus and ask yourself one question:

“What are you able to do today that seemed impossible five or ten years ago.”

Actually, take out a sheet of paper or write the answer in your journal. When you’re done realize that what is possible tomorrow seems impossible today. For example, ten years ago, I wanted to reach people all over the globe. It was impossible, unless I got on ten trillion planes. Now, it’s very possible to do this on a daily basis via the Internet.

• Ask yourself this question: “What skill do I possess or value that has gone unrecognized?”  In my upcoming book, I talk about “genius blind spots.” This is the part of you where real genius lurks, but either you ignore it, don’t recognize it, or take it for granted. This exact skill can result in amazing new cash flow. Don’t take your brilliance for granted. I’ll give you more details in upcoming blogs and of course in my new book.

• Another way to stop worrying about money is by asking: “How you can be of service?” You’re not doing this for the money, but for the sheer joy of giving. By the way, giving is a natural way to stop worrying and shift your focus.

Here’s a great example:

Let’s say you’re fretting about paying the mortgage while sitting on your front porch. You’re deep in worry land when you see an old lady walk into the street. Tires screech and…oh my God…she has been hit by a car! You rush to her side, call for emergency services and comfort her until the pros arrive. Quick question: During that time, how much of your energy did you devote to your own personal problems like your impending electric bill?  I’m guessing zero.

Service to others is the best way to re-direct.
Those are only a few ways to get you back on track. In upcoming blogs, I’ll discuss how making what seems like a completely insane life change often pays off in the biggest way possible. How do I know? I did it myself.

I look forward to your feedback and comments.

With gratitude,

I would like to share a story of how Gratitude and Guidance play into our lives…

It was almost a decade ago but I can still remember it because it was a wake-up call for me.

On that particular day, my beloved wife was feeling a bit down and out of sorts. So while I was out at the store I saw the November copy of Oprah Magazine and I bought it for her thinking it might cheer her up a bit…

Little did I know, as usual something way smarter than me was guiding my actions.

For three days in a row, I too had been facing massive challenges. These challenges came in a wide variety, ranging from character attacks, professional attacks, to a personal journey back to my emotional childhood in which I questioned the very value of the love I offer. To say the least, it was a tough week! At one point I was in deep pain and although I knew it was emotional, my physical heart hurt. I gave my wife the magazine and went about my day.

A little later that morning, I entered my office and saw that my beloved wife had taken a page out of the Oprah Magazine I had bought her and clipped it up on my computer. I would like to share with you what it said about gratitude.

“Gratitude comes easily when our lives are in order-when the bills are paid, the children are behaving, our health is good. But our challenges are what bring the chance for transformation. And it is for our deepest pain that we can be most grateful, because we know our hardship will deliver a lesson that refines our character. As you practice gratitude this month, give thanks not only for what you have but also for what you have escaped. When difficulties arise, ask yourself, “What is the lesson for me in this?” And when you can give thanks in the midst of your trial, know that are becoming your finest.”

~OPRAH MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2000

As I sat at my desk, tears of gratitude poured down my face. I became instantly aware of all the things in my life that I had to be grateful for including the amazing woman I am blessed to call my wife.

On the surface, it’s easy for people to judge me as a tough guy. I lost my boyish looks during a rock-climbing incident in 1990 and my muscular body is evidence of my sport of bodybuilding. However, below the obvious, I am a deep thinker, a spiritually centered being, someone who likes a good laugh and despite the exterior, I am a big softy.

It is in these moments of awakening to everything I have to be grateful for that I know my reason and purpose in life.

This article is an except from my upcoming book “Don’t Read This…Unless You Want More Money” due for release in early May 2010.

I look forward to your feedback and comments.

With gratitude,