FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
I don’t even know where to begin. I don’t even have the words to describe the week I’ve had. All I can say is that ANYONE that takes issue with what I teach about the Law of Attraction and it’s role in our Lives has an argument on their hands with me. Wow, I mean everything from my Businesses growth to my Personal and Spiritual Life to the safe return of Harley, thanks to the Law of Attraction and the fine people at the Bowling Green City Police Dept. YOU GO GUYS AND GALS !!! As always, a hearty welcome back to my loyal readers and a huge welcome aboard to all my new readers. If you have missed an edition or maybe you are new and want to read previous editions, just go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
*** My website is experiencing temporary technical difficulties so use the blog for now ***
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Have you ever noticed that when most people promote their business it’s always just MONEY, MONEY, MONEY !!!??? Well, I’m proud to say that I’m a part of a Very Special organization that is about SO MUCH MORE than money !!! I am a part of a wonderful company that has become not only an excellent source of income for me but has allowed me to grow in ways that a few years ago I would not have believed was possible. But, more than that, the awesome people that make up Success University have become like family to me and many of them I have come to know as my FRIEND. People, you can’t put a price on that. You really can’t. Money is great but there are SO many things in Life that make it pale in comparison. Are you WORKING WITH a company or are you A PART OF a company ??? Think about that and then go see what wonderful things I have discovered for my Life….
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
I was listening to a CD by Success University’s VP of Sales and Marketing yesterday on the Distinctions of Leadership. I am constantly working toward being the best leader that I can be but none of us will ever reach the point that there is no room for improvement. For that reason, we must always envision ourselves at a point that is COMPLETELY outside our grasp !!! I know what you’re thinking so let me explain.
I have learned through the teachings of all the greats that I study that many people confuse Goals with Visions. A goal is something that has particular details, an expected result and a pre-determined time of completion. A vision is HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF or how you see a particular set of circumstances in the future. Do you see the difference? Therefore, if you are constantly setting and achieving goals as to your leadership abilities you are going to be constantly Starting and Stopping. You don’t want that. You want a constant, even flow toward that Ultimate level of Leadership.
The other thing is that you want to make sure that a Leader is really what you are becoming. What I mean is that you need to make sure that you are becoming a Leader and NOT a Dictator !!! Let’s look at the difference by seeing what Webster has to say about the two…
LEADERSHIP:
Lead- :to guide on a way especially by going in advance :to direct on a course or in a direction :to serve as a channel for
DICTATOR:
Dictator- :one holding complete or autocratic control :one ruling absolutely and often oppressively
Dictate- :a command by one in authority
Now, sit back and think about the way you run your business. Hey, we’re all human and susceptible to veering off course without even realizing it. Sometimes your own enthusiasm can overtake you. You get this “I know what’s best for them and they need to go do it” mentality. When, in fact, you need to be out in front doing it too or at least be willing to. LEAD BY EXAMPLE !!!!!
When I was in basic training in the Army there was one rule that the Drill Sergeants had about training us. They would NEVER, EVER ask any of us to do ANYTHING that they Couldn’t or Wouldn’t do themselves. Most of the time they would demo what they expected out of us and other times you were just told to but you had the option of saying, “Hey, if it’s so easy let me see YOU do it!!!“ Now, you had to be careful if you called them on it because if you did and they followed through then you had to do it TWICE !!! But, the point is that while they seemed harsh in their ways they were, in fact, TRUE LEADERS and I’ve always had the utmost respect for them for that very reason.
People, Great Leaders CREATE Great Leaders !!! If you want to have a successful business and be a business owner and not a babysitter then you have to get in there and show them what to do. You can’t just sit back and bark orders. If they see you that way they will never respect you and will usually prefer to do things their way. BUT if you show them that, not only do you know what to do, but you are also willing AND able to do it YOURSELF then, in all likelihood, they will look at you and say, “If he/she can do it SO CAN I !!!
************************************************************
“Leadership is a word and a concept that has been more argued than almost any other I know. I am not one of the desk-pounding types that likes to stick out his jaw and look like he is bossing the show. I would far rather get behind and, recognizing the frailties and the requirements of human nature, would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
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I have to tell you something everyone. Sometimes Life brings about changes in you that you didn’t ask for but rather that you needed. Sometimes, in all your INFINITE WISDOM, you think you are on track and really you are blinded by your own self confidence. But, the Universe is a loving and caring parent. It will ALWAYS pick you up, turn you in the right direction and gently set you down again. It will always make sure that whatever gift you’ve been given to help others is used properly and efficiently. It plays this role in my Life everyday to help me along. Be open to those changes. They are all a part of a Greater Good that your Life is headed toward.
I love helping people and try to be the best that I can at what I do but the things that I teach and the wisdom that I try to pass along to whomever I can doesn’t come from me. I am but a conduit by which that teaching and wisdom flows. Have you ever heard that old saying, “Who motivates the motivator?” The motivator is simply passing along what he or she has been given. And so when the Universe puts something in front of me and gives me that intuitive nudge it is my responsibility to pass that along to you.
Well, it put something in front of me today and I don’t think it will require ANY explanation from me. It tells it’s own story. The first time I read it I was in tears the whole time. I hope that it touches each and every one of you as much as it touched me. Open your heart and take in this most valuable story that the Universe gave me today and led me to give to all of you…….
- -
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you can!", and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk non-stop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."
As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began, " We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
- -
Ladies and Gentlemen, all I can say is that if this story doesn’t inspire you to take Life by the tail and swing it around the room a few times then, in my eyes anyway, YOU ARE BEYOND HELP !!!
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“The mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is in love, laughter, and work.”
- Elbert Hubbard
************************************************************
As I close out this weeks edition, I want to share a quote with you that I think, while it may hold a little different meaning for each of us, will touch us all just as deeply…
“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”
- Vincent van Gogh
As always, it has been and honor and a privilege to be able to spend this time with all of you. Until we are joined together again, may God Bless and Keep you, each and every one. And just remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Newsletter 04/20/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
Wow, has this been a busy weekend !!! From the time I finished my work on Friday at around 5 pm until now I have completely moved into my new house in TN AND completely set up my office so that I would be functional by tomorrow morning. I am nothing short of EXHAUSTED !!! But, as usual, I’m ready to look Monday straight in the eye tomorrow. Welcome back to all my regulars and welcome aboard to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read back editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
If you’ve read any of the things I write about Success University then you know that I’m always talking about the business side of things like the AWESOME Compensation Plan and SUPERIOR Support System. Well, I want to take a slight detour from that and point out one of the Charitable things that We do. Not only does Success University have 14 day Trial Membership so that you can TRY BEFORE YOU BUY but they take the entire $2 that they charge for that FULL ACCESS, UNRESTRICTED Trial and they donate it to a very well known International children’s charity. That’s right. You can actually Test Drive Success University to see if it’s a fit for you and feed a hungry child for a FULL WEEK !!! Folks, how in the World can you go wrong there ??? Even if you don’t like our product and our program you can still make a positive impact on the life of child. How about it ??? Go check it out at…..
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Often times you hear me refer to the Law of Attraction in my newsletters. It occurred to me that there are a lot of people that don’t really know what it is or understand how it works. It also occurred to me that telling some people to watch THE SECRET to learn about it is like telling someone that is NOT a sci-fi fan to go watch Star Wars. It’s probably not going to happen. So, with that in mind, I decided to do a very short and concise explanation to at least plant the seed in those of you that are not up to speed on it.
The encyclopedia definition is: The Law of Attraction takes the principal "Like Attracts Like" and applies it to conscious desire. That is, a person’s thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, and beliefs cause a change in the physical world that attracts positive or negative experiences that correspond to the aforementioned thoughts, with or without the person taking action to attain such experiences. This process has been described as "harmonious vibrations of the law of attraction" or "you get what you think about; your thoughts determine your experience".
Allow me to break this down for you. Let’s go from largest to smallest and envision our World: Universe, Galaxies, Solar Systems, Planets, Humans, Organs, Tissues, Molecules, Atoms, and…….. ENERGY !!! No matter Who you call God, you cannot escape that what I have just described is accurate. Whether you are a Christian, Agnostic or just a plain old Scientist that believes anything and everything as long as it can be PROVEN, you simply must accept that statement as accurate. Your religious preferences change nothing about the known composition of the various aspects of the Universe.
We live in a physical World and so the Laws of Physics MUST hold true. The entire Universe is one big Energy Field. You, while you APPEAR to be solid, are in fact a smaller Energy Field existing in the larger one. If you could put your hand under an electron microscope you would just see a mass of vibrating Energy and all things vibrate at a specific frequency.
Ok, now take your thoughts and apply them to this principle. In case you didn’t know it, your thoughts have specific frequencies too. You can measure a thought. In the medical world today you can be placed on a machine with electrodes attached to your head and as your thoughts change so will the readout on the machine. Therefore, anytime you have a conscious OR unconscious thought you are putting out a frequency that has a direct impact on the surrounding Energy fields.
Now, some people don’t believe in the Law of Attraction. They think it is some sort of sacrilegious voo doo or something. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I grew up in a Christian home and my Grandfather was a Methodist Minister for years. If anything, the Law of Attraction actually SUPPORTS my pre-existing religious beliefs. We practice our religion in our hearts and Spirits but we live in a Physical World. This Physical explanation serves to give a deeper understanding of Biblical concepts such as prayer. Just like in my Bible where it tells me that whatever I ask for in Prayer I’ll receive. My God placed me in a Physical World to live so it only makes sense to me that the answers to my Prayers would have a Physical origin.
Well, that’s at least a good start for you to grasp the concept of the Law of Attraction. I live my life by it everyday and it has served me well. It is a wonderful and very effective tool that my Creator has given me to make my Life what I want it to be. I HIGHLY recommend it !!! And I also HIGHLY recommend that you take the time to watch the movie THE SECRET. You can watch it directly from the website for just about $5. That way you don’t even have to buy it. The web address is http://www.thesecret.tv . If YOU’RE not using the Law of Attraction in YOUR Life you just don’t know what you’re missing !!!
************************************************************
“You are a creator; you create with your every thought. You often create by default, for you are getting what you are giving your attention to, wanted or unwanted, but you know by how it feels if what you are getting (creating) is what you are wanting or if it is not what you are wanting.” (Where is your attention focused?)
- Abraham Hicks
************************************************************
I want to talk briefly about Risk Taking. A great speaker and very wise man by the name of Les Brown said, “Jump and grow your wings on the way down !!!”. Do you know what that reminds me of? Do any of you know how a Mother Eagle teaches her babies to fly? She throws them out of the nest !!! That’s right. She tosses them out from the nest that is hanging off the side of a mountain at incredible altitudes and it is then that they spread their tiny wings and take flight for the first time.
People, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been talking to someone about my business and one of the main reasons I get for them not joining my company is they don’t want to RISK FAILING !!! Are you kidding me ??? Ok, let’s look at the percentages here; Join my business and fail, 50%, don’t join my business and fail, 100%. I mean really, what has happened to the Spirit of this country?
If we had this NO RISK taking mentality a hundred years ago where would we be now? We wouldn’t have airplanes if the Wright Brothers were afraid of taking a risk. We wouldn’t have telephones if Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t a risk taker. We wouldn’t have light bulbs if Thomas Edison had said, “But, what if it doesn’t work ???”. The very Entrepreneurial Spirit that CREATED this country is slowly leaking out the bottom. I don’t know about you but I find that very disconcerting.
We need to get fired up about Life again !!! We all have something inside us that makes us GO TAKE what we want instead of waiting for someone else to bring it to us. We need to reach way down deep inside ourselves and pull that part of ourselves back to the surface. It’s there in all of us, waiting for us to take charge of our Lives again and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN !!! Did you know that the average Entrepreneur goes through roughly SEVENTEEN DIFFERENT BUSINESSES and are bankrupt an average of SEVEN times before they finally OBTAIN and MAINTAIN wealth ?!? That kind of puts a little perspective on why 1% of the World is wealthy and the other 99% are standing there scratching their heads. Which percentage are YOU going to be in ???…………….
************************************************************
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
- T. S. Eliot
************************************************************
************************************************************
“The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.”
- Jawaharlal Nehru
************************************************************
Well, now I’m physically AND mentally exhausted !!! LOL I’m going to call it a night and go get ready for tomorrow’s adventures and opportunities. Life never allows me to be disappointed in that department. I hope each and every one of you will embrace the new week with the same HARD CHARGING attitude. Remember what Winston Churchill said, “We all create our own Universe as we go along.” Until we can have this time together again, may God Bless and Keep all of you. And, always remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
Wow, has this been a busy weekend !!! From the time I finished my work on Friday at around 5 pm until now I have completely moved into my new house in TN AND completely set up my office so that I would be functional by tomorrow morning. I am nothing short of EXHAUSTED !!! But, as usual, I’m ready to look Monday straight in the eye tomorrow. Welcome back to all my regulars and welcome aboard to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read back editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
If you’ve read any of the things I write about Success University then you know that I’m always talking about the business side of things like the AWESOME Compensation Plan and SUPERIOR Support System. Well, I want to take a slight detour from that and point out one of the Charitable things that We do. Not only does Success University have 14 day Trial Membership so that you can TRY BEFORE YOU BUY but they take the entire $2 that they charge for that FULL ACCESS, UNRESTRICTED Trial and they donate it to a very well known International children’s charity. That’s right. You can actually Test Drive Success University to see if it’s a fit for you and feed a hungry child for a FULL WEEK !!! Folks, how in the World can you go wrong there ??? Even if you don’t like our product and our program you can still make a positive impact on the life of child. How about it ??? Go check it out at…..
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Often times you hear me refer to the Law of Attraction in my newsletters. It occurred to me that there are a lot of people that don’t really know what it is or understand how it works. It also occurred to me that telling some people to watch THE SECRET to learn about it is like telling someone that is NOT a sci-fi fan to go watch Star Wars. It’s probably not going to happen. So, with that in mind, I decided to do a very short and concise explanation to at least plant the seed in those of you that are not up to speed on it.
The encyclopedia definition is: The Law of Attraction takes the principal "Like Attracts Like" and applies it to conscious desire. That is, a person’s thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, and beliefs cause a change in the physical world that attracts positive or negative experiences that correspond to the aforementioned thoughts, with or without the person taking action to attain such experiences. This process has been described as "harmonious vibrations of the law of attraction" or "you get what you think about; your thoughts determine your experience".
Allow me to break this down for you. Let’s go from largest to smallest and envision our World: Universe, Galaxies, Solar Systems, Planets, Humans, Organs, Tissues, Molecules, Atoms, and…….. ENERGY !!! No matter Who you call God, you cannot escape that what I have just described is accurate. Whether you are a Christian, Agnostic or just a plain old Scientist that believes anything and everything as long as it can be PROVEN, you simply must accept that statement as accurate. Your religious preferences change nothing about the known composition of the various aspects of the Universe.
We live in a physical World and so the Laws of Physics MUST hold true. The entire Universe is one big Energy Field. You, while you APPEAR to be solid, are in fact a smaller Energy Field existing in the larger one. If you could put your hand under an electron microscope you would just see a mass of vibrating Energy and all things vibrate at a specific frequency.
Ok, now take your thoughts and apply them to this principle. In case you didn’t know it, your thoughts have specific frequencies too. You can measure a thought. In the medical world today you can be placed on a machine with electrodes attached to your head and as your thoughts change so will the readout on the machine. Therefore, anytime you have a conscious OR unconscious thought you are putting out a frequency that has a direct impact on the surrounding Energy fields.
Now, some people don’t believe in the Law of Attraction. They think it is some sort of sacrilegious voo doo or something. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I grew up in a Christian home and my Grandfather was a Methodist Minister for years. If anything, the Law of Attraction actually SUPPORTS my pre-existing religious beliefs. We practice our religion in our hearts and Spirits but we live in a Physical World. This Physical explanation serves to give a deeper understanding of Biblical concepts such as prayer. Just like in my Bible where it tells me that whatever I ask for in Prayer I’ll receive. My God placed me in a Physical World to live so it only makes sense to me that the answers to my Prayers would have a Physical origin.
Well, that’s at least a good start for you to grasp the concept of the Law of Attraction. I live my life by it everyday and it has served me well. It is a wonderful and very effective tool that my Creator has given me to make my Life what I want it to be. I HIGHLY recommend it !!! And I also HIGHLY recommend that you take the time to watch the movie THE SECRET. You can watch it directly from the website for just about $5. That way you don’t even have to buy it. The web address is http://www.thesecret.tv . If YOU’RE not using the Law of Attraction in YOUR Life you just don’t know what you’re missing !!!
************************************************************
“You are a creator; you create with your every thought. You often create by default, for you are getting what you are giving your attention to, wanted or unwanted, but you know by how it feels if what you are getting (creating) is what you are wanting or if it is not what you are wanting.” (Where is your attention focused?)
- Abraham Hicks
************************************************************
I want to talk briefly about Risk Taking. A great speaker and very wise man by the name of Les Brown said, “Jump and grow your wings on the way down !!!”. Do you know what that reminds me of? Do any of you know how a Mother Eagle teaches her babies to fly? She throws them out of the nest !!! That’s right. She tosses them out from the nest that is hanging off the side of a mountain at incredible altitudes and it is then that they spread their tiny wings and take flight for the first time.
People, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve been talking to someone about my business and one of the main reasons I get for them not joining my company is they don’t want to RISK FAILING !!! Are you kidding me ??? Ok, let’s look at the percentages here; Join my business and fail, 50%, don’t join my business and fail, 100%. I mean really, what has happened to the Spirit of this country?
If we had this NO RISK taking mentality a hundred years ago where would we be now? We wouldn’t have airplanes if the Wright Brothers were afraid of taking a risk. We wouldn’t have telephones if Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t a risk taker. We wouldn’t have light bulbs if Thomas Edison had said, “But, what if it doesn’t work ???”. The very Entrepreneurial Spirit that CREATED this country is slowly leaking out the bottom. I don’t know about you but I find that very disconcerting.
We need to get fired up about Life again !!! We all have something inside us that makes us GO TAKE what we want instead of waiting for someone else to bring it to us. We need to reach way down deep inside ourselves and pull that part of ourselves back to the surface. It’s there in all of us, waiting for us to take charge of our Lives again and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN !!! Did you know that the average Entrepreneur goes through roughly SEVENTEEN DIFFERENT BUSINESSES and are bankrupt an average of SEVEN times before they finally OBTAIN and MAINTAIN wealth ?!? That kind of puts a little perspective on why 1% of the World is wealthy and the other 99% are standing there scratching their heads. Which percentage are YOU going to be in ???…………….
************************************************************
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
- T. S. Eliot
************************************************************
************************************************************
“The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.”
- Jawaharlal Nehru
************************************************************
Well, now I’m physically AND mentally exhausted !!! LOL I’m going to call it a night and go get ready for tomorrow’s adventures and opportunities. Life never allows me to be disappointed in that department. I hope each and every one of you will embrace the new week with the same HARD CHARGING attitude. Remember what Winston Churchill said, “We all create our own Universe as we go along.” Until we can have this time together again, may God Bless and Keep all of you. And, always remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Newsletter 04/13/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
I hope this past week has treated all of you as well as it has treated me. As if I wasn’t busy enough already, I have just had SO MANY new and wonderful opportunities and projects come my way. But, as I always tell everyone, RESULTS require ACTION !!! And, trust me, there has been no lack of that. I would like to welcome back all my regulars and welcome aboard all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read previous editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Special Note ************************
I hope that all of you have taken the time to download the FREE 200 Bonus Products that I sent you the link to this past week. (Sorry about the typo in the original email) It is a veritable GOLD MINE of Goodies !!! I was amazed when I first came across it. I’m still trying to get all of it downloaded. IT’S A LOT OF STUFF !!! Also, thanks to all of you that checked out and took advantage of the great quality products that are on the rest of the E-Store page. I am eager to hear the Testimonials that I am SURE will follow. With names like Ewen Chia, Brad Callen and more you just CAN’T GO WRONG !!! If you didn’t get the correction e-mail, the correct link to the FREE 200 Bonus Products is…
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/estore.html (First Product Listed)
***********************************************************
********************* Success University *********************
For those of you that think Personal Development is a waste of time and money, allow me to run a few statistics by you concerning YOU and the rest of the people in the World:
At age 65: 29% are DEAD !!!
63% depend on family or Soc. Security.
4% are financially secure.
3% are STILL WORKING !!!
1% are WEALTHY !!!!!!!!!
If YOU are interested in being a part of that 1% then YOU need to check out Success University !!!!!
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
You have probably noticed lately that I’ve been leaning a little bit in the direction of the Techy Dept. with portions of my newsletters. There is a reason for that. That reason is that it doesn’t matter how awesome your business is or how great you are at it, if you don’t have a good working concept of your TOOLS OF THE TRADE then you are holding yourself back from the levels of success that you could otherwise be attaining.
Back when I first started this newsletter I told everyone that if anybody had any particular issues they needed help with or specific subjects they wanted me to cover all they had to do was e-mail me. Well, guess what ? Nobody did !!! BUT, during the course of an average day performing my duties as the Director of Support for my Success University Team at least 25% of the questions and/or concerns that I deal with are of a technical nature. I don’t know if it’s an embarrassment issue or what the problem is but, for some unexplained reason, people would evidently rather go it alone than to break down and ask questions. Now, I’m onboard with the concept that Trial and Error is a good way to teach yourself something because you learn from your mistakes but I will GUARANTEE you this !!! Your website, your email, or anything else having to do with the internet and/or your computer is the WRONG PLACE to practice Trial and Error !!!!!!
That having been said, here is what I would like to do. I would like to start a QUESTION OF THE WEEK program. Quite simply, I would like all of you to e-mail me with any and every question you have about your computer, your website, your equipment in general or anything else having to do with this category. Then I can go through them and every week I can share the question (anonymously of course !!!) and the answer with all the other readers. It will be a good way of getting some quality information out to all of you and helping you to get to that next level of Success that much sooner.
One other area of this subject that seems to jam some people up is Terminology. Lets face it, some of the names that they have for some of this stuff even has me looking up a word or phrase here and there !!! I would like to share a link with you to a web page that I found today. It is a Glossary of Technical Terminology. It is a really good place to look up those often confusing terms. You will find everything there from ACTIVE X to ZIP. Check it out and don’t forget to Bookmark it !!!
http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/
I’ll be waiting on those emails. If I don’t get any I’m going to have to call “Foul !!!” I struggle each and every day to keep up with the World of Technology. I know that some of you are doing the same thing. Let me help you and help others in the process. I’ll be waiting…………..
************************************************************
“Correct me if I'm wrong - the gizmo is connected to the flingflang connected to the watzis, watzis connected to the doo-dad connected to the ding dong.”
- Patrick B. Oliphant
************************************************************
Have you ever taken a sticker off of something like maybe a bumper sticker from your car and even though you had removed the sticker that Goo Residue was left behind? Did you leave that residue there or did you get some cleaner and remove it? Well, you just hang onto that thought because it is going to be the point of reference for something that I want to talk to you about today. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the process of going from being a Negative person to being a Positive person and have come to certain conclusions pertaining to the relationship between that transition and the end result.
First, we must agree that there are various levels of Negativity and I am going to list them here as I see them:
1) First, we have COMPLETE NEGATIVITY. This level of Negativity is the most severe and the hardest to transition from. This is the classic “The World is out to get me”, “The little man can’t get ahead”, etc. scenario. Most often it stems from growing up in a Negative environment and basically being taught this way of thinking based on day to day exposure to it. On average, this is not going to be someone you want to have a business relationship with.
2) Next, we have what I call POSI-NEGATIVITY. This form is still severe but is much less detrimental to your day to day life. This is the type of person that you can eventually talk into taking a half-hearted whack at your business but they will ASSURE you from day one that they are not going to like it or do well at it.
3) Now, we have what I call NEGA-POSITIVITY. This is Negativity in it’s gentlest form but still strong enough that it is a HUGE stumbling block in the lives of people that suffer through it. This would be the otherwise Positive person that always harbors a small to moderate amount of fear and/or doubt. They would be the type of person who would leave to go to the amusement park with a forecast of sunny skies and STILL take an umbrella because “With my luck, just as sure as I don’t take it we will get rain !!!” They will embrace your business with open arms but will always hold themselves back due to having this level of Negativity in their lives.
Alright, now suppose that a person from any of these categories decided to make a change in their life. The only way to make this change is to peel away the layers of Negativity. Depending on which category this person falls into, this could be a moderate to difficult task but let’s assume that they finally accomplish this. The problem is that some people stop right there. They have good intentions by deciding to make the change in their mindset and starting a new life full of CORRECT THINKING and they are really serious about this change. But, at this point this is all just a concept to them. They have not educated themselves in this area and have not laid the foundation for this new life.
This is where Personal Development comes in. ACTION without EDUCATION is fruitless and EDUCATION without ACTION is worthless. You must marry the two together. If you just decide to become a Positive person and don’t educate yourself in the various areas of Personal Development to help strengthen your core then you are going to have great difficulty staying the course !!!
Now, think back to my example in the beginning. You have peeled away the bumper stickers of Negativity in your Life but if you don’t take the time to go back and clean off that Goo Residue through Personal Development then you will always carry a certain amount of that "Old You" with you. That is going to hinder you in everything you do from your Business Life to your Personal Life. So, when you make that commitment to peel away those layers of Negativity let Personal Development be your Goo Cleaner. Be sure to FOLLOW UP with a good CLEAN UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“Think positively about yourself, keep your thoughts and actions clean, ask God who made you to keep on remaking you.”
- Norman Vincent Peale
************************************************************
My, my, how the time does fly. That’s right, it’s about time for me to call it a night. I have a HOT DATE with a HOT BATH !!! I’m going to relax and visualize the upcoming week. This will put the Law of Attraction to work to put the necessary wheels in motion to bring me my World as I see it. It’s all right there for the taking everybody. Like my favorite ad slogan says, “Just DO IT !!!” and like my favorite Jedi Knight says, "There is no TRY, only DO !!!" LOL Hey, it may be Hollywood but it's the TRUTH. Until the Good Lord sees fit to let us have this time together again, just remember to always.......
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
I hope this past week has treated all of you as well as it has treated me. As if I wasn’t busy enough already, I have just had SO MANY new and wonderful opportunities and projects come my way. But, as I always tell everyone, RESULTS require ACTION !!! And, trust me, there has been no lack of that. I would like to welcome back all my regulars and welcome aboard all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read previous editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Special Note ************************
I hope that all of you have taken the time to download the FREE 200 Bonus Products that I sent you the link to this past week. (Sorry about the typo in the original email) It is a veritable GOLD MINE of Goodies !!! I was amazed when I first came across it. I’m still trying to get all of it downloaded. IT’S A LOT OF STUFF !!! Also, thanks to all of you that checked out and took advantage of the great quality products that are on the rest of the E-Store page. I am eager to hear the Testimonials that I am SURE will follow. With names like Ewen Chia, Brad Callen and more you just CAN’T GO WRONG !!! If you didn’t get the correction e-mail, the correct link to the FREE 200 Bonus Products is…
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/estore.html (First Product Listed)
***********************************************************
********************* Success University *********************
For those of you that think Personal Development is a waste of time and money, allow me to run a few statistics by you concerning YOU and the rest of the people in the World:
At age 65: 29% are DEAD !!!
63% depend on family or Soc. Security.
4% are financially secure.
3% are STILL WORKING !!!
1% are WEALTHY !!!!!!!!!
If YOU are interested in being a part of that 1% then YOU need to check out Success University !!!!!
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
You have probably noticed lately that I’ve been leaning a little bit in the direction of the Techy Dept. with portions of my newsletters. There is a reason for that. That reason is that it doesn’t matter how awesome your business is or how great you are at it, if you don’t have a good working concept of your TOOLS OF THE TRADE then you are holding yourself back from the levels of success that you could otherwise be attaining.
Back when I first started this newsletter I told everyone that if anybody had any particular issues they needed help with or specific subjects they wanted me to cover all they had to do was e-mail me. Well, guess what ? Nobody did !!! BUT, during the course of an average day performing my duties as the Director of Support for my Success University Team at least 25% of the questions and/or concerns that I deal with are of a technical nature. I don’t know if it’s an embarrassment issue or what the problem is but, for some unexplained reason, people would evidently rather go it alone than to break down and ask questions. Now, I’m onboard with the concept that Trial and Error is a good way to teach yourself something because you learn from your mistakes but I will GUARANTEE you this !!! Your website, your email, or anything else having to do with the internet and/or your computer is the WRONG PLACE to practice Trial and Error !!!!!!
That having been said, here is what I would like to do. I would like to start a QUESTION OF THE WEEK program. Quite simply, I would like all of you to e-mail me with any and every question you have about your computer, your website, your equipment in general or anything else having to do with this category. Then I can go through them and every week I can share the question (anonymously of course !!!) and the answer with all the other readers. It will be a good way of getting some quality information out to all of you and helping you to get to that next level of Success that much sooner.
One other area of this subject that seems to jam some people up is Terminology. Lets face it, some of the names that they have for some of this stuff even has me looking up a word or phrase here and there !!! I would like to share a link with you to a web page that I found today. It is a Glossary of Technical Terminology. It is a really good place to look up those often confusing terms. You will find everything there from ACTIVE X to ZIP. Check it out and don’t forget to Bookmark it !!!
http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/
I’ll be waiting on those emails. If I don’t get any I’m going to have to call “Foul !!!” I struggle each and every day to keep up with the World of Technology. I know that some of you are doing the same thing. Let me help you and help others in the process. I’ll be waiting…………..
************************************************************
“Correct me if I'm wrong - the gizmo is connected to the flingflang connected to the watzis, watzis connected to the doo-dad connected to the ding dong.”
- Patrick B. Oliphant
************************************************************
Have you ever taken a sticker off of something like maybe a bumper sticker from your car and even though you had removed the sticker that Goo Residue was left behind? Did you leave that residue there or did you get some cleaner and remove it? Well, you just hang onto that thought because it is going to be the point of reference for something that I want to talk to you about today. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the process of going from being a Negative person to being a Positive person and have come to certain conclusions pertaining to the relationship between that transition and the end result.
First, we must agree that there are various levels of Negativity and I am going to list them here as I see them:
1) First, we have COMPLETE NEGATIVITY. This level of Negativity is the most severe and the hardest to transition from. This is the classic “The World is out to get me”, “The little man can’t get ahead”, etc. scenario. Most often it stems from growing up in a Negative environment and basically being taught this way of thinking based on day to day exposure to it. On average, this is not going to be someone you want to have a business relationship with.
2) Next, we have what I call POSI-NEGATIVITY. This form is still severe but is much less detrimental to your day to day life. This is the type of person that you can eventually talk into taking a half-hearted whack at your business but they will ASSURE you from day one that they are not going to like it or do well at it.
3) Now, we have what I call NEGA-POSITIVITY. This is Negativity in it’s gentlest form but still strong enough that it is a HUGE stumbling block in the lives of people that suffer through it. This would be the otherwise Positive person that always harbors a small to moderate amount of fear and/or doubt. They would be the type of person who would leave to go to the amusement park with a forecast of sunny skies and STILL take an umbrella because “With my luck, just as sure as I don’t take it we will get rain !!!” They will embrace your business with open arms but will always hold themselves back due to having this level of Negativity in their lives.
Alright, now suppose that a person from any of these categories decided to make a change in their life. The only way to make this change is to peel away the layers of Negativity. Depending on which category this person falls into, this could be a moderate to difficult task but let’s assume that they finally accomplish this. The problem is that some people stop right there. They have good intentions by deciding to make the change in their mindset and starting a new life full of CORRECT THINKING and they are really serious about this change. But, at this point this is all just a concept to them. They have not educated themselves in this area and have not laid the foundation for this new life.
This is where Personal Development comes in. ACTION without EDUCATION is fruitless and EDUCATION without ACTION is worthless. You must marry the two together. If you just decide to become a Positive person and don’t educate yourself in the various areas of Personal Development to help strengthen your core then you are going to have great difficulty staying the course !!!
Now, think back to my example in the beginning. You have peeled away the bumper stickers of Negativity in your Life but if you don’t take the time to go back and clean off that Goo Residue through Personal Development then you will always carry a certain amount of that "Old You" with you. That is going to hinder you in everything you do from your Business Life to your Personal Life. So, when you make that commitment to peel away those layers of Negativity let Personal Development be your Goo Cleaner. Be sure to FOLLOW UP with a good CLEAN UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“Think positively about yourself, keep your thoughts and actions clean, ask God who made you to keep on remaking you.”
- Norman Vincent Peale
************************************************************
My, my, how the time does fly. That’s right, it’s about time for me to call it a night. I have a HOT DATE with a HOT BATH !!! I’m going to relax and visualize the upcoming week. This will put the Law of Attraction to work to put the necessary wheels in motion to bring me my World as I see it. It’s all right there for the taking everybody. Like my favorite ad slogan says, “Just DO IT !!!” and like my favorite Jedi Knight says, "There is no TRY, only DO !!!" LOL Hey, it may be Hollywood but it's the TRUTH. Until the Good Lord sees fit to let us have this time together again, just remember to always.......
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Newsletter 04/06/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
It’s great to have all of you here again. I just finished relocating my office again back to Tennessee. It’s amazing how Life, if you will let it, will take care of itself and lead and guide you to exactly where you need to be and exactly when you need to be there. You just keep visualizing and your Life will go into this magical state of “Auto-pilot” if you will let it. Everything may not make sense to you at the time but as long as you are visualizing your Life the way you want it then you can rest assured that things are happening just as they should. The Universe makes NO MISTAKES !!! As always, I would like to welcome back all my loyal friends and welcome aboard my new ones. If you have missed an edition or maybe you are new and want to read back editions, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Tell me something. Have you ever been a part of a company that actually interacted with you on a Personal level ??? Have you ever worked with a company where the CEO and Top Leaders and Money Earners in the company come out and have dinner with you and get you know you like you’re old school buddies ??? Probably not. Well, guess what ?….. That is EXACTLY the kind of Personal attention you get with Success University !!! They are ALL there in London right now for the Annual Leadership Convention. They are all gathered around the “Campfire” and growing, not only as business associates but as FRIENDS. That’s just the way they are. That’s how I met them all in Dallas, TX in January of 2007. You don’t find that anywhere else. With other companies you get a website with a Trouble Ticket page and MAYBE an e-mail address IF YOU’RE LUCKY !!! So, who do YOU want to spend your time with ??? Think about it…………….
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Ok, so who wants to be and Internet Guru and DOMINATE the Web for their particular niche ??? Everybody, right ??? Well, it’s not nearly as far out of your reach as you might think. Think back to when Domino’s Pizza came to town. There huge success didn’t come because they had a necessarily superior pizza. They took delivery to the next level. They came to the table with a delivery claim that, until then, nobody had offered. They assured you that when you ordered your pizza from them that you would receive it in a specific amount of time and this guaranteed you, the customer, that it would be fresh and hot. This ONE THING shot them to the top of the pizza game !!! The point is that the Guru’s on top CAN BE TOPPLED !!! Nothing says you have to be a Small Player in your business. Here are some things for you to consider:
The first thing you need to do is get to know the competition. Take the time to THOROUGHLY acquaint yourself with every possible detail about them, both as a person AND as an Internet Presence:
1) Check out their web site and track any and all changes that they make to it.
2) Subscribe to their newsletter so you can use their own advice against them.
3) Read their blogs and find out which Online Networking groups they belong to and join.
The object here is to find out everything possible about this person right down to their favorite color and what they like to have for breakfast !!!
Now, the next thing you want to do is find out if they are for real. Some obtain the Guru position almost by accident. For example, being the first one to jump in can be enough to make it happen. If you go at this with great determination, you may find out some really interesting things about this so called GURU that you see as the unbeatable competition !!!
You may find that:
1) They are not as Knowledgeable as they proclaim.
2) They are just another self-proclaimed expert that is in fact a phony.
3) They are good at developing a following but have no leadership skills.
4) They are so busy being a Guru that they are not staying current with the times.
5) They are offering products or services that ones of superior quality does exist.
6) They may be promoting in a way that can be improved upon.
7) They are not maximizing the relationship aspect of their visitor traffic.
I could go on and on but the point should be quite clear. Even though they may be on top in their particular specialty it doesn’t mean that you can take that top spot. All you have to do is ONE UP them in one or more areas and they CAN be brought down off their pedestal !!! Find that weakness. Find that one or more areas where they are not quite making the grade and exploit it. Provide that extra customer care. Make sure that your products or services are SECOND TO NONE !!! Be a leader and, above all, be a REAL PERSON and you will develop a following that will never leave you as long as you stay the person they came to know and always strive to be just a little bit better tomorrow than you were yesterday !!!
************************************************************
“In modern business it is not the crook who is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing.”
- William Wordsworth
************************************************************
Have you ever noticed that successful people tend to be the GO FOR IT type ??? Trial and error are usually the most effective means of solving life’s problems. Yet many people are afraid to undertake the trial because they’re too afraid of experiencing the error. They make the mistake of believing that all error is wrong and harmful, when most of it is both helpful and necessary. Error provides the feedback that points the way to success. Only error pushes people to put together a new and better trial, leading through even more errors and trials until they can finally find and acceptable solution. Making an error does not make you a failure. It just simply puts you one step closer to being a success. No errors means no successes !!!
Unfortunately, we live in a culture of PERFECTION. We have this crazy idea that any failure is unacceptable. Only pure, untainted success will do. In order to hang onto your reputation as an achiever, you must reach every goal and never, ever, ever make a mistake that you can’t hide or blame on someone else. That is why if you are a high achiever that very strength can become a weakness. Successful people like to win and achieve high standards. This can make them so terrified of failure it ruins their lives. When a positive trait, like achievement, becomes too strong in someone’s life, it’s on the way to becoming a major handicap.
That is why BALANCE is so important in your life. Everyone likes to succeed. The problem comes when fear of failure becomes dominant in your life. When you can no longer accept the fact that you are GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES or recognize the importance of trial and error in finding the best solution to a problem or the eventual success or a design or business idea, etc. you are headed for a fall. The more creative you are, the more errors you are going to make. Get used to it !!! Deciding to avoid the errors will destroy your creativity too.
We hear a lot about being positive from all the great minds of our time and from times past and they are right generally speaking but, maybe we also need to recognize that the negative parts of our lives and experiences that we endure have just as important a role to play in finding success, in work and in life. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying being negative is good. We all know me better than that. I’m saying that you need to understand that even negative experiences and negative results play their own specific role in the creative processes of the Universe. It’s just up to you to react to those negatives in a proper and creative manner so that they can serve a positive function in your life. Remember, every rock can be either a stumbling block or a stepping stone. It’s up to YOU which one !!!
************************************************************
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it. So, go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can because remember, that's where you'll find success-- On the far side.”
- Thomas John Watson, Sr.
************************************************************
Ok, guess I better call it a night. As much as I would like to hang out with all of you, Life’s duties are calling and I must answer the phone. There is much to do in preparation for taking Monday HEAD ON !!! No matter how well things are going, they can always be going better and you should ALWAYS strive to reach greater and greater heights in ALL AREAS of your Life !!! Success is NOT a destination but rather a journey. Each level you reach simply puts you closer to the next level you can strive for. NEVER, EVER SETTLE !!! So, until the Good Lord affords us this opportunity again always remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
It’s great to have all of you here again. I just finished relocating my office again back to Tennessee. It’s amazing how Life, if you will let it, will take care of itself and lead and guide you to exactly where you need to be and exactly when you need to be there. You just keep visualizing and your Life will go into this magical state of “Auto-pilot” if you will let it. Everything may not make sense to you at the time but as long as you are visualizing your Life the way you want it then you can rest assured that things are happening just as they should. The Universe makes NO MISTAKES !!! As always, I would like to welcome back all my loyal friends and welcome aboard my new ones. If you have missed an edition or maybe you are new and want to read back editions, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Tell me something. Have you ever been a part of a company that actually interacted with you on a Personal level ??? Have you ever worked with a company where the CEO and Top Leaders and Money Earners in the company come out and have dinner with you and get you know you like you’re old school buddies ??? Probably not. Well, guess what ?….. That is EXACTLY the kind of Personal attention you get with Success University !!! They are ALL there in London right now for the Annual Leadership Convention. They are all gathered around the “Campfire” and growing, not only as business associates but as FRIENDS. That’s just the way they are. That’s how I met them all in Dallas, TX in January of 2007. You don’t find that anywhere else. With other companies you get a website with a Trouble Ticket page and MAYBE an e-mail address IF YOU’RE LUCKY !!! So, who do YOU want to spend your time with ??? Think about it…………….
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Ok, so who wants to be and Internet Guru and DOMINATE the Web for their particular niche ??? Everybody, right ??? Well, it’s not nearly as far out of your reach as you might think. Think back to when Domino’s Pizza came to town. There huge success didn’t come because they had a necessarily superior pizza. They took delivery to the next level. They came to the table with a delivery claim that, until then, nobody had offered. They assured you that when you ordered your pizza from them that you would receive it in a specific amount of time and this guaranteed you, the customer, that it would be fresh and hot. This ONE THING shot them to the top of the pizza game !!! The point is that the Guru’s on top CAN BE TOPPLED !!! Nothing says you have to be a Small Player in your business. Here are some things for you to consider:
The first thing you need to do is get to know the competition. Take the time to THOROUGHLY acquaint yourself with every possible detail about them, both as a person AND as an Internet Presence:
1) Check out their web site and track any and all changes that they make to it.
2) Subscribe to their newsletter so you can use their own advice against them.
3) Read their blogs and find out which Online Networking groups they belong to and join.
The object here is to find out everything possible about this person right down to their favorite color and what they like to have for breakfast !!!
Now, the next thing you want to do is find out if they are for real. Some obtain the Guru position almost by accident. For example, being the first one to jump in can be enough to make it happen. If you go at this with great determination, you may find out some really interesting things about this so called GURU that you see as the unbeatable competition !!!
You may find that:
1) They are not as Knowledgeable as they proclaim.
2) They are just another self-proclaimed expert that is in fact a phony.
3) They are good at developing a following but have no leadership skills.
4) They are so busy being a Guru that they are not staying current with the times.
5) They are offering products or services that ones of superior quality does exist.
6) They may be promoting in a way that can be improved upon.
7) They are not maximizing the relationship aspect of their visitor traffic.
I could go on and on but the point should be quite clear. Even though they may be on top in their particular specialty it doesn’t mean that you can take that top spot. All you have to do is ONE UP them in one or more areas and they CAN be brought down off their pedestal !!! Find that weakness. Find that one or more areas where they are not quite making the grade and exploit it. Provide that extra customer care. Make sure that your products or services are SECOND TO NONE !!! Be a leader and, above all, be a REAL PERSON and you will develop a following that will never leave you as long as you stay the person they came to know and always strive to be just a little bit better tomorrow than you were yesterday !!!
************************************************************
“In modern business it is not the crook who is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing.”
- William Wordsworth
************************************************************
Have you ever noticed that successful people tend to be the GO FOR IT type ??? Trial and error are usually the most effective means of solving life’s problems. Yet many people are afraid to undertake the trial because they’re too afraid of experiencing the error. They make the mistake of believing that all error is wrong and harmful, when most of it is both helpful and necessary. Error provides the feedback that points the way to success. Only error pushes people to put together a new and better trial, leading through even more errors and trials until they can finally find and acceptable solution. Making an error does not make you a failure. It just simply puts you one step closer to being a success. No errors means no successes !!!
Unfortunately, we live in a culture of PERFECTION. We have this crazy idea that any failure is unacceptable. Only pure, untainted success will do. In order to hang onto your reputation as an achiever, you must reach every goal and never, ever, ever make a mistake that you can’t hide or blame on someone else. That is why if you are a high achiever that very strength can become a weakness. Successful people like to win and achieve high standards. This can make them so terrified of failure it ruins their lives. When a positive trait, like achievement, becomes too strong in someone’s life, it’s on the way to becoming a major handicap.
That is why BALANCE is so important in your life. Everyone likes to succeed. The problem comes when fear of failure becomes dominant in your life. When you can no longer accept the fact that you are GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES or recognize the importance of trial and error in finding the best solution to a problem or the eventual success or a design or business idea, etc. you are headed for a fall. The more creative you are, the more errors you are going to make. Get used to it !!! Deciding to avoid the errors will destroy your creativity too.
We hear a lot about being positive from all the great minds of our time and from times past and they are right generally speaking but, maybe we also need to recognize that the negative parts of our lives and experiences that we endure have just as important a role to play in finding success, in work and in life. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying being negative is good. We all know me better than that. I’m saying that you need to understand that even negative experiences and negative results play their own specific role in the creative processes of the Universe. It’s just up to you to react to those negatives in a proper and creative manner so that they can serve a positive function in your life. Remember, every rock can be either a stumbling block or a stepping stone. It’s up to YOU which one !!!
************************************************************
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it. So, go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can because remember, that's where you'll find success-- On the far side.”
- Thomas John Watson, Sr.
************************************************************
Ok, guess I better call it a night. As much as I would like to hang out with all of you, Life’s duties are calling and I must answer the phone. There is much to do in preparation for taking Monday HEAD ON !!! No matter how well things are going, they can always be going better and you should ALWAYS strive to reach greater and greater heights in ALL AREAS of your Life !!! Success is NOT a destination but rather a journey. Each level you reach simply puts you closer to the next level you can strive for. NEVER, EVER SETTLE !!! So, until the Good Lord affords us this opportunity again always remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Newsletter 03/30/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
Wow, the Law of Attraction has been working overtime for me the last few weeks and I hope that you have been experiencing the same kind of progress and development in your day to day life. Life is just such an adventure and, no matter what comes your way, you can always use it to your advantage if you just have the right mindset and enough faith. I would like to welcome back all my loyal readers and put out a big HELLO to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read back editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
What is the #1 reason that most marriages fail? What is the #1 reason that most kids can’t attend the University of their choice? What is the #1 reason that people, on average, spend more time with their Employer than they do with their own family? If you said MONEY you were exactly right !!! Now, isn’t that sad? What’s even sadder is that the money is there for the taking if you just know where to look and have the desire to do what you need to get it. I know of just such a place. It’s a place where you can not only solve your issues with money but can also make HUGE positive changes in your life !!! I know I did. And the great thing is that this place is just a mouse click away…..
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
I spend a lot of time talking to you about how to maintain your business more effectively. But, what about how to maintain your BUSINESS EQUIPMENT more effectively. Now, I’ve touched on a couple of specific areas in previous newsletters on computer maintenance but I was thinking today that I really just needed to put together a list of things to keep in mind that will have your computer spending a lot more time being TROUBLE FREE and giving you the performance that you expect WITHOUT the headaches !!!
Ten tips to keep your computer running smoothly:
1. Never, never turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down: The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. Since shutting off the power manually can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TOO !!!
2. I highly recommend that you purchase a UPS (uninteruptable power supply): This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will also protect your computer from high and low voltage fluctuations which can easily cause permanent damage to your system. A UPS is much more superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any type of power disaster.
3. Backup you data: ALWAYS back up any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So, backup data to external hard drives, flash drives, cd drives, etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose and back it up IMMEDIATELY !!!. Don't wait until tomorrow. Your computer is NOT going to warn you that it is about to crash !!!
4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month: This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. The BEST thing to do is to purchase a Utilities program such as System Mechanic Professional and use it to keep your hard drive healthy.
5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up: Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard. The only exception to this rule is if you know a peripheral is "hot pluggable". If you do not know what "hot pluggable" means then ignore this exception because you have no business messing with it.
6. Keep at least 2 Gig of your C: drive free: This is for Windows to use. If you use Windows Me, Windows XP, or Windows Vista then you should have 2 Gig of free space on your C: drive. If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow. Use the ADD/REMOVE tool in the Windows Control Panel to uninstall unneeded programs from your drive. You can also use drive cleaning tools included in the Utilities program you may have purchased to clean up your drive. If you do use this Utility or another hard drive cleaner, do not delete shared files unless you back them up. The cleaners do a rotten job of knowing if another program uses shared files.
7. Minimize the number of programs that load up when you start your computer: They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace). All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower right corner of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up. Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time. There is also a program I recommend called XP SMOKER if you use Windows XP. It is specifically designed to optimize Windows XP to it’s maximum performance capacity.
8. Use a virus checker regularly: Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Iolo anti-virus, which is included in System Mechanic Professional.
9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program: A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to it. You really don’t want someone else running your computer. I suggest you use Iolo’s Personal Firewall program, which is also included in System Mechanic Professional. Your firewall should boot up with your computer to protect it from invasion. Do not think you are safe from hackers!! Hackers use search programs to seek out computers at random. Get a firewall program and use it !!!
10. Keep track of the software you receive with your computer and new peripherals: This software contains valuable drivers and programs for Windows and is needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep this software and your Windows software in a safe place !!! You never know when you will need them.
These tips are the methods that I use on an ongoing basis to make sure that all my computer usage is hassle and worry free. BELIEVE ME !!! You don’t want to neglect your computer. There are not many more unsettling feelings than to lose something VERY VALUABLE and sometimes irreplaceable on your computer and have nothing or nobody to blame but YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
************************************************************
In a previous newsletter I covered some information to help you maintain a healthy body. Well, I’m sure you are familiar with the theory of Humor being an excellent way to promote good health. I’ve always believed this but since my exposure to the Law of Attraction I have developed an unusually high level of interest in this Phenomenon. You see, I know and believe it is true but, being a VERY analytical person, I had to know WHAT it does to promote good health besides the healing of injuries and maladies !!! I went online and did some research and I think you will be surprised at what I found.
Did you know that people who laugh a lot on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person? When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Their breathing becomes deeper and this sends highly oxygenated blood and nutrients throughout the entire body.
How about this. Humor actually changes our bio-chemistry during the laugh. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases the production of infection fighting antibodies.
Additionally, humor is VERY good for your heart !!! Laughter may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Are you into fitness? Check this out. Laughter can be a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give your midsection a workout, it can benefit digestion and absorption functioning as well. It is estimated that extended periods of continuous laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.
Ok, how about it’s effects on that big muscle between your ears that RESPONDS to the incoming humor? Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain actually causing enhanced learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information. I guess that explains why a good teacher that can make a subject humorous causes us to remember the material more efficiently.
Well, we have covered the Physical health benefits of humor but that is only the beginning. In short, I came into so much material on the Mental health benefits of laughter that I could not begin to do them justice in this newsletter. However, hopefully I have aroused enough interest and curiosity about this subject in general that you will pursue and obtain additional information on your own.
The point of all this is quite simple. Laughter is Fun and laughter is Healthy for you !!! How many things in the World meet both of those criteria ? In my experience, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH !!! Do yourself a favor. The next time you’re feeling a little under the weather or a little down……
TAKE TWO LAUGHS AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.”
- Henry Ward Beecher
************************************************************
Alright, looks like the clock has, once again, cut me no slack at all. It’s time to start packing it in for the night and getting ready for all the wonders and adventures waiting just around the corner. Monday’s are always fun. They are the “Catch up” day from the week-end and the “Head start” day for the rest of the week. So, all of you be sure and get a good night’s rest tonight and wake up with a smile and unwavering determination tomorrow morning. They will both serve you well. They do me !!! When you are in your bed tonight spend a few minutes being grateful for both what you have AND what you are about to receive. May the Good Lord bless and keep all of you until He affords us this opportunity again. In the meanwhile, always remember to….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
Wow, the Law of Attraction has been working overtime for me the last few weeks and I hope that you have been experiencing the same kind of progress and development in your day to day life. Life is just such an adventure and, no matter what comes your way, you can always use it to your advantage if you just have the right mindset and enough faith. I would like to welcome back all my loyal readers and put out a big HELLO to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read back editions or maybe you just missed one, all you have to do is go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
What is the #1 reason that most marriages fail? What is the #1 reason that most kids can’t attend the University of their choice? What is the #1 reason that people, on average, spend more time with their Employer than they do with their own family? If you said MONEY you were exactly right !!! Now, isn’t that sad? What’s even sadder is that the money is there for the taking if you just know where to look and have the desire to do what you need to get it. I know of just such a place. It’s a place where you can not only solve your issues with money but can also make HUGE positive changes in your life !!! I know I did. And the great thing is that this place is just a mouse click away…..
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
I spend a lot of time talking to you about how to maintain your business more effectively. But, what about how to maintain your BUSINESS EQUIPMENT more effectively. Now, I’ve touched on a couple of specific areas in previous newsletters on computer maintenance but I was thinking today that I really just needed to put together a list of things to keep in mind that will have your computer spending a lot more time being TROUBLE FREE and giving you the performance that you expect WITHOUT the headaches !!!
Ten tips to keep your computer running smoothly:
1. Never, never turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down: The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. Since shutting off the power manually can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TOO !!!
2. I highly recommend that you purchase a UPS (uninteruptable power supply): This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will also protect your computer from high and low voltage fluctuations which can easily cause permanent damage to your system. A UPS is much more superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any type of power disaster.
3. Backup you data: ALWAYS back up any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So, backup data to external hard drives, flash drives, cd drives, etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose and back it up IMMEDIATELY !!!. Don't wait until tomorrow. Your computer is NOT going to warn you that it is about to crash !!!
4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month: This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. The BEST thing to do is to purchase a Utilities program such as System Mechanic Professional and use it to keep your hard drive healthy.
5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up: Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard. The only exception to this rule is if you know a peripheral is "hot pluggable". If you do not know what "hot pluggable" means then ignore this exception because you have no business messing with it.
6. Keep at least 2 Gig of your C: drive free: This is for Windows to use. If you use Windows Me, Windows XP, or Windows Vista then you should have 2 Gig of free space on your C: drive. If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow. Use the ADD/REMOVE tool in the Windows Control Panel to uninstall unneeded programs from your drive. You can also use drive cleaning tools included in the Utilities program you may have purchased to clean up your drive. If you do use this Utility or another hard drive cleaner, do not delete shared files unless you back them up. The cleaners do a rotten job of knowing if another program uses shared files.
7. Minimize the number of programs that load up when you start your computer: They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace). All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower right corner of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up. Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time. There is also a program I recommend called XP SMOKER if you use Windows XP. It is specifically designed to optimize Windows XP to it’s maximum performance capacity.
8. Use a virus checker regularly: Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Iolo anti-virus, which is included in System Mechanic Professional.
9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program: A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to it. You really don’t want someone else running your computer. I suggest you use Iolo’s Personal Firewall program, which is also included in System Mechanic Professional. Your firewall should boot up with your computer to protect it from invasion. Do not think you are safe from hackers!! Hackers use search programs to seek out computers at random. Get a firewall program and use it !!!
10. Keep track of the software you receive with your computer and new peripherals: This software contains valuable drivers and programs for Windows and is needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep this software and your Windows software in a safe place !!! You never know when you will need them.
These tips are the methods that I use on an ongoing basis to make sure that all my computer usage is hassle and worry free. BELIEVE ME !!! You don’t want to neglect your computer. There are not many more unsettling feelings than to lose something VERY VALUABLE and sometimes irreplaceable on your computer and have nothing or nobody to blame but YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
************************************************************
In a previous newsletter I covered some information to help you maintain a healthy body. Well, I’m sure you are familiar with the theory of Humor being an excellent way to promote good health. I’ve always believed this but since my exposure to the Law of Attraction I have developed an unusually high level of interest in this Phenomenon. You see, I know and believe it is true but, being a VERY analytical person, I had to know WHAT it does to promote good health besides the healing of injuries and maladies !!! I went online and did some research and I think you will be surprised at what I found.
Did you know that people who laugh a lot on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person? When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Their breathing becomes deeper and this sends highly oxygenated blood and nutrients throughout the entire body.
How about this. Humor actually changes our bio-chemistry during the laugh. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases the production of infection fighting antibodies.
Additionally, humor is VERY good for your heart !!! Laughter may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Are you into fitness? Check this out. Laughter can be a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give your midsection a workout, it can benefit digestion and absorption functioning as well. It is estimated that extended periods of continuous laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.
Ok, how about it’s effects on that big muscle between your ears that RESPONDS to the incoming humor? Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain actually causing enhanced learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information. I guess that explains why a good teacher that can make a subject humorous causes us to remember the material more efficiently.
Well, we have covered the Physical health benefits of humor but that is only the beginning. In short, I came into so much material on the Mental health benefits of laughter that I could not begin to do them justice in this newsletter. However, hopefully I have aroused enough interest and curiosity about this subject in general that you will pursue and obtain additional information on your own.
The point of all this is quite simple. Laughter is Fun and laughter is Healthy for you !!! How many things in the World meet both of those criteria ? In my experience, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH !!! Do yourself a favor. The next time you’re feeling a little under the weather or a little down……
TAKE TWO LAUGHS AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.”
- Henry Ward Beecher
************************************************************
Alright, looks like the clock has, once again, cut me no slack at all. It’s time to start packing it in for the night and getting ready for all the wonders and adventures waiting just around the corner. Monday’s are always fun. They are the “Catch up” day from the week-end and the “Head start” day for the rest of the week. So, all of you be sure and get a good night’s rest tonight and wake up with a smile and unwavering determination tomorrow morning. They will both serve you well. They do me !!! When you are in your bed tonight spend a few minutes being grateful for both what you have AND what you are about to receive. May the Good Lord bless and keep all of you until He affords us this opportunity again. In the meanwhile, always remember to….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Newsletter 03/23/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
I hope this beautiful Easter Sunday has found each and every one of you reaching your goals and living your dreams. It’s Springtime and the air is filled with new life and new energy. I just can’t get enough of it. The grass is turning green, the trees are beginning to bud and I’m ready to take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer. I would like to welcome all my regulars back and throw out the welcome mat to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read the previous editions or maybe you just missed one, you can take care of that by going to either…..
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Jim Rohn is quoted as saying, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” There is a lot of truth in that. I have learned that from my own personal experiences. That’s why I choose to get my self-education at Success University. Success University is a place where the Best of the Best, like Jim Rohn, have come together as faculty members to bring you the absolute best in quality information and training !!! And, on top of that, you will earn an amazing residual income while you are learning. How much better can it get than that ??? Take is from me and go check out what Success University has to offer YOU !!!!!
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Ok, so you have a web site and everybody is telling you that you just MUST have a landing page !!! Well, I must say that I agree BUT no advertising tool is effective if you don’t create and use it properly. So, I have put together a list of ten tips to take into consideration when creating and using your landing page. I hope you find them helpful.
1. First Impressions Matter: When a prospect scans your landing page, they decide in just a few seconds whether they are going to hang around and check things out or move on. When making this decision, they consider two things: “Does this page look hard or complicated?” and “Is this page relevant to my search?”. Design, copy, font size, and form length all influence the first. To influence the second, make sure your page (especially the headline) is directly geared toward the search criteria that most likely brought them to your site.
2. Have an Offer: Your landing page doesn’t need to sell your product, service, or company. It just needs to sell them on your offer. Focus your page around a single call to action, such as a free report or free sample. And don’t bore them to tears by trying to cram a bunch of information about your company onto the page. They’ll learn about all that after they click through.
3. No Navigation: This isn’t your home page, so don’t have a navigation bar there. Simpler pages almost always work better for lead generation. In eye tracking studies, the navigation draws attention away from your offer and conversion action. It’s tempting to leave those links just in case the visitor wants to dig through your site and learn more. Forget that. Your goal is to sell your offer, and the only thing those links can do is reduce your conversions. You can always share additional information after they convert on the thank you page or by your follow up emails in your auto responder.
4. Use Graphics Wisely: Graphics are the #1 thing that draws the eye. Use them carefully since the wrong graphic can distract from the offer and conversion. Two other tips: Let people click the graphics to get more info (visitors often click on graphics) and be sure to have a caption (besides the headline, captions are the most read copy on the page).
5. Make Your Content Scan-able: People don’t read landing pages, they scan them. Use bullets, if you can. Be sure your copy sells your offer when someone scans just the first three words of each bullet or paragraph. Bold your key words. Consider using things such as an audio clip or short video on your landing page. This can engage buyers who want more infomation without making the page look overwhelming.
6. Only Ask What You Really Need: Every field you ask to be filled in reduces your conversion rate, so collect as little information as you really need to route the lead and stay in touch. You can always collect more during your follow up process.
7. Capture Implicit Information: Use hidden fields to capture additional information about your leads. You can also use “click paths” to capture implicit information. For example, if you want to know the prospect’s occupation, add some navigation on the left that lists all the major occupations. This is different than your site navigation. Prospects are likely to click on the link for their occupation, so you can take them to an even more targeted landing page and capture their occupation as a hidden field.
8. Have Reasons to Give Valid Information: After conversion, don’t just hand the offer to the prospect, email it to them. This is a great method to ensure that you get a valid email address. Also, be sure to place a link to your privacy statement near the location where you ask for their information.
9. Say Thank You: After a customer converts, take them to a thank you page. This is important to track the conversion rate. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to deepen the relationship by making another offer, promoting your blog, asking for feedback, or running a poll. Up to 40% of prospects say they are willing to share additional information after they convert. Why not take advantage of that percentage and rack up all the available information that you can about them?
10. Test: Testing lets visitors vote with their actions, removing any doubt about what works and what doesn’t work. The most valuable things to test are the headline, graphic captions, the submit button, form length, and graphical elements.
Well, there you have it. These tips, properly applied (application is the key to effectiveness), should serve you well and help you to get the absolute MOST out of your landing page efforts. Lets’ face it, we have enough to do without wasting our time learning everything the hard way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“As technology advances, it reverses the characteristics of every situation again and again. The age of automation is going to be the age of DO IT YOURSELF.”
- Marshall McLuhan
************************************************************
Do any of you remember a movie called “Pay It Forward”? It was about a little boy who is caught up by an intriguing assignment from his new social studies teacher. The assignment: think of something that would change the world and put it into action. He conjures up the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward--repaying good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds done to three new people. The idea being that if everyone involved sticks with the concept that in a very short period of time the World in general would be completely engulfed in doing good deeds for their fellow man/woman. How AWESOME of a concept is that !?!
The concept was described by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Benjamin Webb, dated April 22, 1784:
“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”
Think about this for a moment. In which way is the Greater Good served; by you Giving to those in need and the kindness ending there, by Loaning them that which they need and then burdening them with the chore of repaying that which they lacked to begin with OR Loaning them what they need with the repayment requirement being that, when it is within their capability to do so, they be required to show that kindness to another and another and another ???
Every time I think about this it just brings such joy to my heart. I’ve always been a giver but throughout most of my life, prior to being exposed to this concept, it always stopped there. I have been cheating the World out of countless acts of kindness until I came upon this new vision. Sometimes I think about what wonderful things could be accomplished if we could ever get the multitudes involved. There are a lot of people in this World that need help and there are equally large numbers of people that are in a position to give that help. How wonderful it would be to set the wheels in motion to cause them to cross paths !!!
The thing is that it isn’t about money !!! In fact, the vast majority of the time, these acts of kindness never have to even involve money. Your elderly neighbor may need you to change the tire on their car. They may not be able to change their own tire but they may be able to pay it forward by babysitting for a young mother that needs to go to work. That young mother may be able to pay it forward by tutoring a child that is experiencing educational challenges. It just goes on and on.
Folks, it can be really easy to get so wrapped up in your day to day business affairs that you don’t even see what’s going on around you. Sometimes I’m as guilty of that as the next person but we all need to work on that. We need to pause occasionally and look around us. Sometimes another person’s needs don’t just jump out at you. Sometimes you have to stop and take note of them. Believe me, if you want to be a help to somebody all you have to do is look around you. I can GUARANTEE you that you are SURROUNDED by people in need. I challenge each and every one of you to do that very thing daily. Believe me when I tell you that you never, never know when that person in need might be YOU !!!!!!!!!! So, PAY IT FORWARD….. It WILL find it’s way back to you !!!!
************************************************************
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
- Henri Nouwen
************************************************************
Well, I don’t know about you guys and gals but I’m about ready to relax and take in the rest of this beautiful Spring evening. It’s really amazing how the time flies when I’m visiting with all of you and equally amazing how the time flies until the next Sunday. I do LOVE sharing with you and will continue to do so as long as the Good Lord sees fit to make it possible. Here’s to a wonderful and prosperous new week for all of you !!! May each and every one of you reach your goals and live your dreams and until the Good Lord grants us this opportunity again just remember to always………
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
I hope this beautiful Easter Sunday has found each and every one of you reaching your goals and living your dreams. It’s Springtime and the air is filled with new life and new energy. I just can’t get enough of it. The grass is turning green, the trees are beginning to bud and I’m ready to take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer. I would like to welcome all my regulars back and throw out the welcome mat to all my new readers. As always, if you are new and want to read the previous editions or maybe you just missed one, you can take care of that by going to either…..
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Jim Rohn is quoted as saying, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” There is a lot of truth in that. I have learned that from my own personal experiences. That’s why I choose to get my self-education at Success University. Success University is a place where the Best of the Best, like Jim Rohn, have come together as faculty members to bring you the absolute best in quality information and training !!! And, on top of that, you will earn an amazing residual income while you are learning. How much better can it get than that ??? Take is from me and go check out what Success University has to offer YOU !!!!!
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Ok, so you have a web site and everybody is telling you that you just MUST have a landing page !!! Well, I must say that I agree BUT no advertising tool is effective if you don’t create and use it properly. So, I have put together a list of ten tips to take into consideration when creating and using your landing page. I hope you find them helpful.
1. First Impressions Matter: When a prospect scans your landing page, they decide in just a few seconds whether they are going to hang around and check things out or move on. When making this decision, they consider two things: “Does this page look hard or complicated?” and “Is this page relevant to my search?”. Design, copy, font size, and form length all influence the first. To influence the second, make sure your page (especially the headline) is directly geared toward the search criteria that most likely brought them to your site.
2. Have an Offer: Your landing page doesn’t need to sell your product, service, or company. It just needs to sell them on your offer. Focus your page around a single call to action, such as a free report or free sample. And don’t bore them to tears by trying to cram a bunch of information about your company onto the page. They’ll learn about all that after they click through.
3. No Navigation: This isn’t your home page, so don’t have a navigation bar there. Simpler pages almost always work better for lead generation. In eye tracking studies, the navigation draws attention away from your offer and conversion action. It’s tempting to leave those links just in case the visitor wants to dig through your site and learn more. Forget that. Your goal is to sell your offer, and the only thing those links can do is reduce your conversions. You can always share additional information after they convert on the thank you page or by your follow up emails in your auto responder.
4. Use Graphics Wisely: Graphics are the #1 thing that draws the eye. Use them carefully since the wrong graphic can distract from the offer and conversion. Two other tips: Let people click the graphics to get more info (visitors often click on graphics) and be sure to have a caption (besides the headline, captions are the most read copy on the page).
5. Make Your Content Scan-able: People don’t read landing pages, they scan them. Use bullets, if you can. Be sure your copy sells your offer when someone scans just the first three words of each bullet or paragraph. Bold your key words. Consider using things such as an audio clip or short video on your landing page. This can engage buyers who want more infomation without making the page look overwhelming.
6. Only Ask What You Really Need: Every field you ask to be filled in reduces your conversion rate, so collect as little information as you really need to route the lead and stay in touch. You can always collect more during your follow up process.
7. Capture Implicit Information: Use hidden fields to capture additional information about your leads. You can also use “click paths” to capture implicit information. For example, if you want to know the prospect’s occupation, add some navigation on the left that lists all the major occupations. This is different than your site navigation. Prospects are likely to click on the link for their occupation, so you can take them to an even more targeted landing page and capture their occupation as a hidden field.
8. Have Reasons to Give Valid Information: After conversion, don’t just hand the offer to the prospect, email it to them. This is a great method to ensure that you get a valid email address. Also, be sure to place a link to your privacy statement near the location where you ask for their information.
9. Say Thank You: After a customer converts, take them to a thank you page. This is important to track the conversion rate. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to deepen the relationship by making another offer, promoting your blog, asking for feedback, or running a poll. Up to 40% of prospects say they are willing to share additional information after they convert. Why not take advantage of that percentage and rack up all the available information that you can about them?
10. Test: Testing lets visitors vote with their actions, removing any doubt about what works and what doesn’t work. The most valuable things to test are the headline, graphic captions, the submit button, form length, and graphical elements.
Well, there you have it. These tips, properly applied (application is the key to effectiveness), should serve you well and help you to get the absolute MOST out of your landing page efforts. Lets’ face it, we have enough to do without wasting our time learning everything the hard way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
************************************************************
“As technology advances, it reverses the characteristics of every situation again and again. The age of automation is going to be the age of DO IT YOURSELF.”
- Marshall McLuhan
************************************************************
Do any of you remember a movie called “Pay It Forward”? It was about a little boy who is caught up by an intriguing assignment from his new social studies teacher. The assignment: think of something that would change the world and put it into action. He conjures up the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward--repaying good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds done to three new people. The idea being that if everyone involved sticks with the concept that in a very short period of time the World in general would be completely engulfed in doing good deeds for their fellow man/woman. How AWESOME of a concept is that !?!
The concept was described by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Benjamin Webb, dated April 22, 1784:
“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”
Think about this for a moment. In which way is the Greater Good served; by you Giving to those in need and the kindness ending there, by Loaning them that which they need and then burdening them with the chore of repaying that which they lacked to begin with OR Loaning them what they need with the repayment requirement being that, when it is within their capability to do so, they be required to show that kindness to another and another and another ???
Every time I think about this it just brings such joy to my heart. I’ve always been a giver but throughout most of my life, prior to being exposed to this concept, it always stopped there. I have been cheating the World out of countless acts of kindness until I came upon this new vision. Sometimes I think about what wonderful things could be accomplished if we could ever get the multitudes involved. There are a lot of people in this World that need help and there are equally large numbers of people that are in a position to give that help. How wonderful it would be to set the wheels in motion to cause them to cross paths !!!
The thing is that it isn’t about money !!! In fact, the vast majority of the time, these acts of kindness never have to even involve money. Your elderly neighbor may need you to change the tire on their car. They may not be able to change their own tire but they may be able to pay it forward by babysitting for a young mother that needs to go to work. That young mother may be able to pay it forward by tutoring a child that is experiencing educational challenges. It just goes on and on.
Folks, it can be really easy to get so wrapped up in your day to day business affairs that you don’t even see what’s going on around you. Sometimes I’m as guilty of that as the next person but we all need to work on that. We need to pause occasionally and look around us. Sometimes another person’s needs don’t just jump out at you. Sometimes you have to stop and take note of them. Believe me, if you want to be a help to somebody all you have to do is look around you. I can GUARANTEE you that you are SURROUNDED by people in need. I challenge each and every one of you to do that very thing daily. Believe me when I tell you that you never, never know when that person in need might be YOU !!!!!!!!!! So, PAY IT FORWARD….. It WILL find it’s way back to you !!!!
************************************************************
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
- Henri Nouwen
************************************************************
Well, I don’t know about you guys and gals but I’m about ready to relax and take in the rest of this beautiful Spring evening. It’s really amazing how the time flies when I’m visiting with all of you and equally amazing how the time flies until the next Sunday. I do LOVE sharing with you and will continue to do so as long as the Good Lord sees fit to make it possible. Here’s to a wonderful and prosperous new week for all of you !!! May each and every one of you reach your goals and live your dreams and until the Good Lord grants us this opportunity again just remember to always………
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Newsletter 03/16/08
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
It’s great to be back. I really missed my time together with all of you last week. I hope you have all had a wonderful and prosperous week and that you are realizing all your hopes and dreams. If you want it and believe that you can have it then you can. Just remember the three steps to having everything you want in life; Ask, Believe and Receive !!! It’s a simple but highly effective method of living your life. Those of you that live your life by the Law of Attraction already know what I’m talking about. Those of you that are not need to start applying it. I would like to welcome back all my long standing readers and welcome aboard all my new ones. As always, if you have missed an edition or are a new reader and want to read previous editions, all you have to do is go to either…..
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Let me ask you something. Why would ANYBODY get up before they wanted to so they could go somewhere they didn’t want to go to do something they didn’t want to do ??? The answers is BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO !!! But there is a cure for that particular illness. It’s called having your own business and calling all your own shots. I do it everyday and you can too. A little over a year ago I joined Success University and just this past October I parked that tractor trailer that had me prisoner for the last time. I have to tell you, it was a GREAT feeling !!! If you haven’t found that freedom in your life then you need to find it and it is no further away than Success University. Do yourself a favor for life. Go check it out at…
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Well, it’s that time again Boys and Girls !!! Time to play with our favorite uncle….. Uncle Sam. Yes, the time of the year that we all look forward to and cherish every moment of. The thing is, when you are a Small Business owner you have an even more intimate relationship with your favorite uncle than most others do. It’s not that you’re cheap but you just don’t want to have to give him any more than you absolutely have too. I have spent a little time on-line poking around and I’ve put together a list of twelve of the more important Small Business tax tips.
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a tax professional of any sort !!! This information is information that I found on the internet while doing research on the subject. It is very general in it’s description and you should consult a tax professional for a complete description of all these tips in regards to their use and your qualification to use them.
1) Home Office: The important thing to remember here is that you use the term "home office" the same way the IRS does. The tax agency says it must be a space devoted to your business and absolutely nothing else. Deducting the den where you keep the family computer which also serves as a guest bedroom won't fly with Uncle Sam. The deduction, however, isn't limited to a full room. Your home office can be part of a room. In order to determine just how much of the space is deductible you will need to measure your work area and divide by the square footage of your home. That percentage is the fraction of your home-related business expenses -- rent, mortgage, insurance, electricity, etc.-- that you can claim.
2) Office Supplies: Even if you don't take the home-office deduction, you can deduct the business supplies you buy. Hang onto those receipts, because these expenditures will offset your taxable business income. This includes everything from the ink cartridges to the postage stamps.
3) Furniture: When you purchase office furniture you have another tax-cutting opportunity. Office furniture purchases provide you with a couple of choices. Deduct 100 percent of the cost in the year of the purchase or deduct a portion of the expense over seven years. This is also known as depreciation.
4) Other Equipment: Items such as computers, copiers, fax machines and scanners are also a good source of acceptable tax deductions. As with furniture, you can take 100 percent up front or depreciate it, this time over five years.
5) Software and Subscriptions: Off-the-shelf software and industry related magazine subscriptions are fully deductible. Also, you can use the full price for the year purchased as opposed to having to depreciate them.
6) Mileage: At the end of the year, you have two choices. You can total the mileage and add in the tolls and parking to calculate your deduction. Once you have your mileage total, multiply it by the allowable mileage rate. Or you can measure your business usage against your personal driving and deduct that portion of your auto-related expenses. Remember to include gas, repairs and insurance. If you are leasing, include those payments. If you buying the car, factor in the interest on your loan and depreciation on your vehicle.
And if your company's office is at your house you can deduct the entire business-related mileage, from the minute you pull out of the driveway until you return home.
7) Travel, Meals, Entertainment and Gifts: Be sure and hang onto your travel expense receipts because the entire cost of the trip is tax deductible as long as the expenses are costs associated with life on the road (dry cleaning, rental cars and tipping the bellboy). The only exception is eating out. You can deduct only 50 percent of your meals while traveling. Likewise, the 50 percent rule applies to client entertainment except in the case of a gift which is completely tax deductible up to a certain limit.
8) Insurance Premiums: Self-employed health insurance premium costs are 100 percent deductible. This break primarily benefits proprietorships, but there are limits. The deduction can't be more than your business' net profit. And it's not allowed if you were eligible for other health care coverage, including that offered by your employed spouse's medical plan. You also can include some of the premiums you pay for long-term care insurance for yourself, your spouse or dependents. Do your homework on this tip folks !!!
9) Retirement Contributions: Are you self-employed and saving for your own retirement with a SEP-IRA or Keogh? Don't forget that these are tax deductible and that you need to deduct your contribution on your personal income tax return.
10) Social Security: If you're self-employed or starting a small business, you have to pay double the Social Security contributions you would as an employee. That's because federal law requires the employer pay half and the employee pay half. Self-employed workers are both. However, You can deduct half of the contribution on your 1040.
11) Telephone Charges: As a small business owner, 100 percent of all your business calls are deductible even when calling from home. Now, since most all homes have a phone anyway, regular fees and charges don't count toward your deduction. But if you have a second line installed and use it only for business, all of these charges are deductible.
12) Child Labor: There is no Social Security tax when you hire your child who is 17 or younger and you can deduct the salary as a business expense. This break is available, however, only if you operate as a sole proprietor or as a partnership in which you and your spouse are the only partners. If your business runs as a corporation, then it, not you, are considered the employer and the corporation is not relieved of the tax liabilities.
************************************************************
“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
************************************************************
I know that I spend a lot of time on the subject of Mindset and our thought processes but there is a very valid reason for that. Your mind controls every other aspect of your life. It decides if you are going to eat healthy or eat junk. It decides if you are going to drive recklessly or be safe. It decides if you are going to be a good parent and play an active role in your children’s lives or if you are going to just let them fend for themselves. And, it decides if you are going to KEEP ON KEEPING ON when the going gets tuff (and it WILL) in your business sometimes.
You know, if you don’t have perseverance then it doesn’t matter what other great qualities you have. You can have all the knowledge that there is to attain in the industry you work in. You can have the top-of-the-line product in your industry. You can have any and every advantage you can think of but if you don’t have perseverance then you are doomed !!! Now, why would I say such a thing.
I say it for this reason. No business has ever went from concept to all out success without going through some growing pains. The difference between the ones that made it through those growing pains and the ones that fell by the wayside is that the ones that made it had perseverance. They had that GET UP AND BRUSH THE DIRT OFF THEIR KNEES mentality. They looked their adversities in the eye and screamed, “IS THAT ALL YOU GOT ???”
I’m reminded of a fly. Just think about all of the qualities that a fly has and what is the one that comes mainly to mind? Well, have you ever tried to get rid of a fly? Have you ever successfully talked a fly into leaving you alone? Have you ever successfully discouraged a fly in any manner? Seriously, a fly gets on a mission and determines that SUCCESS is the only possible scenario. Even under the threat and possibility of DEATH the fly persists and persists, unyielding in it’s methods. Let’s look at Webster’s definition of perseverance:
Perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Now, read that definition and tell me that there shouldn’t be a picture of a fly next to it !!! Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been said that getting from one mountain top to another involves traveling through a valley and that is quite obviously true. It’s easy to fall from one and often times a difficult climb to the top of the other. So, the next time you are in that valley and staring up at the next mountain top that you are tying to reach just pray a little prayer and ask for the perseverance of a fly !!!
************************************************************
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”
- Marie Curie
***********************************************************
I have got to tell you that it feels so good to be doing what I love so much on a Sunday Night again !!! It felt like a part of me was missing when I didn’t get to hang out with all of you last week. With the help of the Good Lord that won’t happen again. Don’t forget, if there are any subjects that you would like me to cover or maybe you have a specific question that needs answering and the rest of the readers could benefit from that answer too, don’t hesitate to email me and let me know. Take care of yourselves everyone and until we get the chance to do this again next week by the Grace of God, just remember to always……
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey Everybody,
It’s great to be back. I really missed my time together with all of you last week. I hope you have all had a wonderful and prosperous week and that you are realizing all your hopes and dreams. If you want it and believe that you can have it then you can. Just remember the three steps to having everything you want in life; Ask, Believe and Receive !!! It’s a simple but highly effective method of living your life. Those of you that live your life by the Law of Attraction already know what I’m talking about. Those of you that are not need to start applying it. I would like to welcome back all my long standing readers and welcome aboard all my new ones. As always, if you have missed an edition or are a new reader and want to read previous editions, all you have to do is go to either…..
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Let me ask you something. Why would ANYBODY get up before they wanted to so they could go somewhere they didn’t want to go to do something they didn’t want to do ??? The answers is BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO !!! But there is a cure for that particular illness. It’s called having your own business and calling all your own shots. I do it everyday and you can too. A little over a year ago I joined Success University and just this past October I parked that tractor trailer that had me prisoner for the last time. I have to tell you, it was a GREAT feeling !!! If you haven’t found that freedom in your life then you need to find it and it is no further away than Success University. Do yourself a favor for life. Go check it out at…
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
************************************************************
Well, it’s that time again Boys and Girls !!! Time to play with our favorite uncle….. Uncle Sam. Yes, the time of the year that we all look forward to and cherish every moment of. The thing is, when you are a Small Business owner you have an even more intimate relationship with your favorite uncle than most others do. It’s not that you’re cheap but you just don’t want to have to give him any more than you absolutely have too. I have spent a little time on-line poking around and I’ve put together a list of twelve of the more important Small Business tax tips.
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a tax professional of any sort !!! This information is information that I found on the internet while doing research on the subject. It is very general in it’s description and you should consult a tax professional for a complete description of all these tips in regards to their use and your qualification to use them.
1) Home Office: The important thing to remember here is that you use the term "home office" the same way the IRS does. The tax agency says it must be a space devoted to your business and absolutely nothing else. Deducting the den where you keep the family computer which also serves as a guest bedroom won't fly with Uncle Sam. The deduction, however, isn't limited to a full room. Your home office can be part of a room. In order to determine just how much of the space is deductible you will need to measure your work area and divide by the square footage of your home. That percentage is the fraction of your home-related business expenses -- rent, mortgage, insurance, electricity, etc.-- that you can claim.
2) Office Supplies: Even if you don't take the home-office deduction, you can deduct the business supplies you buy. Hang onto those receipts, because these expenditures will offset your taxable business income. This includes everything from the ink cartridges to the postage stamps.
3) Furniture: When you purchase office furniture you have another tax-cutting opportunity. Office furniture purchases provide you with a couple of choices. Deduct 100 percent of the cost in the year of the purchase or deduct a portion of the expense over seven years. This is also known as depreciation.
4) Other Equipment: Items such as computers, copiers, fax machines and scanners are also a good source of acceptable tax deductions. As with furniture, you can take 100 percent up front or depreciate it, this time over five years.
5) Software and Subscriptions: Off-the-shelf software and industry related magazine subscriptions are fully deductible. Also, you can use the full price for the year purchased as opposed to having to depreciate them.
6) Mileage: At the end of the year, you have two choices. You can total the mileage and add in the tolls and parking to calculate your deduction. Once you have your mileage total, multiply it by the allowable mileage rate. Or you can measure your business usage against your personal driving and deduct that portion of your auto-related expenses. Remember to include gas, repairs and insurance. If you are leasing, include those payments. If you buying the car, factor in the interest on your loan and depreciation on your vehicle.
And if your company's office is at your house you can deduct the entire business-related mileage, from the minute you pull out of the driveway until you return home.
7) Travel, Meals, Entertainment and Gifts: Be sure and hang onto your travel expense receipts because the entire cost of the trip is tax deductible as long as the expenses are costs associated with life on the road (dry cleaning, rental cars and tipping the bellboy). The only exception is eating out. You can deduct only 50 percent of your meals while traveling. Likewise, the 50 percent rule applies to client entertainment except in the case of a gift which is completely tax deductible up to a certain limit.
8) Insurance Premiums: Self-employed health insurance premium costs are 100 percent deductible. This break primarily benefits proprietorships, but there are limits. The deduction can't be more than your business' net profit. And it's not allowed if you were eligible for other health care coverage, including that offered by your employed spouse's medical plan. You also can include some of the premiums you pay for long-term care insurance for yourself, your spouse or dependents. Do your homework on this tip folks !!!
9) Retirement Contributions: Are you self-employed and saving for your own retirement with a SEP-IRA or Keogh? Don't forget that these are tax deductible and that you need to deduct your contribution on your personal income tax return.
10) Social Security: If you're self-employed or starting a small business, you have to pay double the Social Security contributions you would as an employee. That's because federal law requires the employer pay half and the employee pay half. Self-employed workers are both. However, You can deduct half of the contribution on your 1040.
11) Telephone Charges: As a small business owner, 100 percent of all your business calls are deductible even when calling from home. Now, since most all homes have a phone anyway, regular fees and charges don't count toward your deduction. But if you have a second line installed and use it only for business, all of these charges are deductible.
12) Child Labor: There is no Social Security tax when you hire your child who is 17 or younger and you can deduct the salary as a business expense. This break is available, however, only if you operate as a sole proprietor or as a partnership in which you and your spouse are the only partners. If your business runs as a corporation, then it, not you, are considered the employer and the corporation is not relieved of the tax liabilities.
************************************************************
“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
************************************************************
I know that I spend a lot of time on the subject of Mindset and our thought processes but there is a very valid reason for that. Your mind controls every other aspect of your life. It decides if you are going to eat healthy or eat junk. It decides if you are going to drive recklessly or be safe. It decides if you are going to be a good parent and play an active role in your children’s lives or if you are going to just let them fend for themselves. And, it decides if you are going to KEEP ON KEEPING ON when the going gets tuff (and it WILL) in your business sometimes.
You know, if you don’t have perseverance then it doesn’t matter what other great qualities you have. You can have all the knowledge that there is to attain in the industry you work in. You can have the top-of-the-line product in your industry. You can have any and every advantage you can think of but if you don’t have perseverance then you are doomed !!! Now, why would I say such a thing.
I say it for this reason. No business has ever went from concept to all out success without going through some growing pains. The difference between the ones that made it through those growing pains and the ones that fell by the wayside is that the ones that made it had perseverance. They had that GET UP AND BRUSH THE DIRT OFF THEIR KNEES mentality. They looked their adversities in the eye and screamed, “IS THAT ALL YOU GOT ???”
I’m reminded of a fly. Just think about all of the qualities that a fly has and what is the one that comes mainly to mind? Well, have you ever tried to get rid of a fly? Have you ever successfully talked a fly into leaving you alone? Have you ever successfully discouraged a fly in any manner? Seriously, a fly gets on a mission and determines that SUCCESS is the only possible scenario. Even under the threat and possibility of DEATH the fly persists and persists, unyielding in it’s methods. Let’s look at Webster’s definition of perseverance:
Perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Now, read that definition and tell me that there shouldn’t be a picture of a fly next to it !!! Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been said that getting from one mountain top to another involves traveling through a valley and that is quite obviously true. It’s easy to fall from one and often times a difficult climb to the top of the other. So, the next time you are in that valley and staring up at the next mountain top that you are tying to reach just pray a little prayer and ask for the perseverance of a fly !!!
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“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”
- Marie Curie
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I have got to tell you that it feels so good to be doing what I love so much on a Sunday Night again !!! It felt like a part of me was missing when I didn’t get to hang out with all of you last week. With the help of the Good Lord that won’t happen again. Don’t forget, if there are any subjects that you would like me to cover or maybe you have a specific question that needs answering and the rest of the readers could benefit from that answer too, don’t hesitate to email me and let me know. Take care of yourselves everyone and until we get the chance to do this again next week by the Grace of God, just remember to always……
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
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