All week long I heard the same thing from every NFL expert out there on television and radio. My beloved Pittsburgh Steelers – despite being banged up, were nine and a half point favorites against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Sure we were beat up with a Quarterback on a gimpy leg, without his Pro Bowl Center, and a Running Back that had torn his ACL the week before to end his season. Even our Defensive Safety, who would have been healthy enough to play in 31 other stadiums that night, was out due to a rare blood disorder that threatened his life the last time he played in Denver.

None of that appeared to matter to all the experts as I watched and listened all week long. A David vs. Goliath showdown if there ever was one.

But that’s why we play the game.

I’m not going to lie to you, I wanted all these experts to be right. I’m a diehard Steelers fanatic through and through. In my view, there are 31 teams in the NFL, and then there are the Pittsburgh Steelers. But I’ve also seen and experienced the dynamic power of “belief” – and all week long, that one key element made me apprehensive and uneasy. It was a perfect storm, with Denver being at home, the Steelers being beat up, and a young Quarterback named Tim Tebow who doesn’t realize that he’s not the quintessential NFL Quarterback.

Turns out my fear turned into reality last night as the lowest rated NFL Quarterback threw just 10 completions last night – for 316 yards. Who does that?

Tim Tebow does – that’s who.

Tebow mania has been a top story even before he took over that starting position when the Denver Broncos were just one and four. Denver fans were clamoring to put him in to save their season because the knew better than the Denver management and staff – including Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway. Tebow may not have the mechanics, the arm, or the experience to be a top rated passer in the NFL – and he may never have two of the three. None of that really matters when you have the belief and the faith that he does. He just knows how to will a win.

Ironically, it’s not his arm or his pocket presence that makes Tebow so polarizing. It’s his faith. Tim Tebow is a Christian first, and an NFL quarterback somewhere after that. It’s a subject matter that gets all kinds of emotions stirring and those who can’t handle it seething. His faith has been mocked – been the brunt of jokes, and even a sketch on Saturday Night Live. And none of it appears to phase him one bit. (Of course it helps when you just ousted the Defending AFC Champions in your first Wild-Card win – ever.)

Like business, it appears to be tabu to bring your faith into the sports arena. His words and praise for his Lord and Savior have been mocked and maligned all year long by some, and praised by others who follow the same path. Like it or not, there’s no denying that it works for him, and his team and those around him elevate their game and their standard of living when they buy into what he’s got.

But make no mistake, that’s his faith and belief – not yours. While some protest that he’s shoving it down everyone’s throat, I simply don’t see any of that. Just because he thanks God for this opportunity at every Press Conference doesn’t mean he wants or even expects you too. He’s never mentioned that – once. Nobody but Tim Tebow was given this unique opportunity – and unless you just beat a Goliath in your first Wild Card game – there’s no ownership required by you.

Funny thing is – It’s not the first time I’ve seen a phenomenon like this occur. A group so polarizing that it stirs the pot and makes front page news for defying all the odds and the experts. A company that some just love to mock and frankly hate. But like Tebow, YTB faithful like me just ignore the nay-Sayers and do what we do because we believe differently. I do it not because I think it’s divine, but because I’m smart enough to know how it all works.

Lesson learned here.

For Tim Tebow and the faithful that follow him – I’d simply like to offer up my congratulations and say job well done. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t typical, but it was a “W” when it was all said and done. And frankly, that’s all that really counts as you move on to Divisional Round against New England next weekend.

Just as I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers organization is the Class of the NFL, Tim Tebow is one class NFL player.

Get ‘er Done.

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Business got cranked back up this week after a two week vacation with family over the Christmas Holiday. We hit what seemed like the entire East Coast with stops in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina in our 14 day road trip. One of the best Christmas vacations in recent memory. After our hectic schedule working double time 6 weeks prior – it was a welcome and much need opportunity to just unplug – get away and enjoy ourselves.

While getting back into work mode this week, I was out visiting customers yesterday. I asked if Santa was good to them. One response really struck a chord with me.

“Better than I deserve.”

Aside from being one of the most unique answers I think I’ve ever heard – I loved this response because of its optimism. We hear so much “doom and gloom” and how everyone is struggling with “the poor economy” from the media, it was really refreshing to hear about someone who had a grand Christmas.

I can certainly relate in several ways and I asked if I could use the phrase – I’d even give them credit. The response was once again classic comedy and something Ron Head always kids about as well.

“Just give me credit the first three times. After that – feel free to use it as your own.”

In 2011, it felt like Santa was around all year long. We got the house painted, two new cars, brand new stainless steal appliances in the kitchen and personal trainers to help take our personal fitness to a whole new level. Christmas day wasn’t too shabby either. I’ll be doing a review in a week or so about one of the nicest presents I’ve ever gotten for Christmas. It wasn’t from Santa, but from my wife, who has once again managed to fulfill another dream of mine.

Thing is – we were able to do all this in 2011 because we have several vehicles that are firing on all cylinders right now. And no, I’m not talking about the two new Chryslers sitting out in our garage. I’m talking about business vehicles that gave us the opportunity to purchase both new rides.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that we create our own reality. In other words, it’s our own thoughts and actions that produce the results that actually show up in our lives at the present time. If you don’t like what’s happening right now, something you’re doing needs to change in order for it to change. The best way to do that is by making a small improvements or adjustments on a daily basis. Brian Tracy tells us that just a small 1% improvement each day can create dramatic effects over time. I can tell you from my own experience, that’s more true than most realize.

If things are cooking and life is really good like it is for us right now – what are the most important thoughts and activities of value that you’re doing to ensure that you keep the good times rolling? As a business owner you need to remember what Jim Rohn taught us – you don’t get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour. The more value you bring to the table, the more income you’ll realize at the end of the day.

And there’s no cap or ceiling. Nobody actually dictates what you’re actually worth “per hour” other than you.

I still see close friends and neighbors who’ve been laid off or downsized that continue to look for another “job”. Why? Because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that a “job” equates to “security”. Two of those neighbors here in the neighborhood lost their homes in 2011 because they were waiting for that steady – secure “job”. Every time I drive past both homes, I think to myself what could have happened if I opened up my mouth and told them what I was really thinking when they told me they where looking for that “steady income” and “security”.

More than likely it would have ticked them off because they’ve been brain washed into thinking another way. It also would have been seen as cruel and mean – but sometimes the truth can be cruel. I know, I’ve been there. I spent three years bouncing from one “secure job” to another. I got downsized by one company. I got locked by another by another company who got caught cooking the books and reported false earnings to the SEC. I got closed down by yet another company who decided to go they way of big box retailers. And the final straw was the one who filed for bankruptcy. All in the period of about 3 years.

That’s not security. That’s insanity.

I deserved better.

It wasn’t until YTB came along back in 2005 that I actually found something that provided the tools, the information, the leadership and the support system to not only change my thinking, but change my habits and work ethic to be self sufficient. It gave me a sexy product to market that I was passionate about and provided true leaders and mentors who could actually walk the walk – not just talk the talk. I simply took a little from “this” Founder, a little from “that” Director and made my own way to real security. So much security that by the time all the false claims and attacks that where thrown at YTB in 2007 and 2008 – I was more than capable and diversified enough to weather any outcome.

Of course, I was also intelligent enough, with enough business savvy at the time to distinguish between what was real – and what was mere perception.

Today, the false claims and the frivolous lawsuits seem like a distant memory when I look at my YTB business and booking engine today. All the fear mongering and wild speculation that went along with it by a few dysfunctional, self serving loud mouths who thought they had it all figured out.  My how time has a way of dishing out some true reality.

Truth is – I deserved better a far better outcome, and that’s exactly what I got.

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I love the Christmas Season. While I love the Season, it’s also the most hectic time of year for our family – especially this year.

The business venture we took over back in August has compounded our busy schedule but has also paid off in spades. We just finished up on a six week mission to reach out to and service every single location we have in time for Christmas. While we worked double time the last six weeks, the kids had several events going on with school and extracurricular activities that added to our busy schedule.

At times – we didn’t know which end was up.

The hectic schedule finally wound to a close on Friday, and by the time you read this, we’ll be off on a two week vacation with family. Long breaks like this is one of the many perks of the business, and it’s why we committed to working so hard that last six weeks.

While we’ll be vacationing the next two weeks, both Ronda and I are way behind on our goal setting that we do each and every year. It’s a habit that we’ve always done, but really didn’t take seriously until we got involved with YTB. It was one of the many tools we bought into in order to achieve success.

Overall both of us agree that 2011 far exceeded our wildest expectations and dreams. So much so – the future’s so bright…

We gotta wear shades.

(Oh COME ON! You had to of known it was coming.)

With the current year coming to a rapid close, we’ll be setting aside time the next two weeks to take a look at 2012 and beyond to dream and strategize about what we’d like to accomplish and what our world should look like.

Both Ronda and I are dreamers. On top of dreaming big – we also believe that somehow – some way the resources and avenues will find its way to us to make it happen. The most difficult part of the whole process is having the patience and persistence to follow through and take the appropriate action to make it all happen.

We’ve heard it time and time again, and I’m sure you have too at one time or another:

“Never – Ever – Give Up.”

I have to admit – there were times that a comment like that felt like lip service. I mean, I heard it, but the words didn’t have the impact that was intended, because I was still in the thralls of reaching for my goals but not quite achieving them.

If you’re feeling like that at this time of year, I want to ask you – actually I really need to beg you – “Never give up.”

Now – I don’t want to come across as hype or some pie in the sky dreamer. I can assure you, that I’ve been there – done that – and even have a T-shirt that says so. I know how the mind can play it’s tricks and that voice can be so loud that it can cancel things out.

But I want you to do this before the new year – because it’s probably one of the most important steps you can do to create a world that’s so bright – you’ll be wearing those shades.

I have a close friend who really helped me with this and most of you may remember Andy Cauthen. If you didn’t know Andy – you should have. Andy was President & COO of YTB Marketing, Inc. and a very dear and close friend. One of Andy’s legacies, was a popular series or course that he produced a number of years ago and caught fire on the subject of “Goal Setting“. It’s one of the finest and most thorough pieces we’ve ever read on the subject.

Andy not only goes into how to set goals, but the type of goals you should be thinking about. It’s a time to dream – and dream big.

Why is this step of goal setting so important? Try this exercise the next time you work on a jigsaw puzzle. Turn all the pieces over, and attempt to complete it upside down. Fact is – the pictures on the other side make a huge difference in completing the puzzle. And that’s what goal setting does – completes a picture. Think about it. You don’t take a trek across the country without a road map do you? You don’t build a house without a set of blueprints, right?

Far too many people actually plan to fail because the fail to plan.

If you want your future to be bright and full of promise – both Ronda and I want to invite you to take some time before the new year to set some goals and work out a plan. Neither one of us can truly express how much it’s meant to both of us. Not only in our professional lives – but our personal life including our family and our marriage.

If you’ve never done something like this – it’s time to start. But only if you really want to enjoy your life and be all you can be.

You only get one shot at this journey we call life – so why not take some time to plan it out so you can really – truly enjoy it?

Who knows you might be wearing the same shades and singing the same tune we are this time next year!

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By the time you read this, our family will be off on a much deserved (and needed) break to Grandmother’s House for Thanksgiving dinner and extended weekend at the Biltmore House. I’m sure we crossed a number of rivers, but the woods have been plowed down to make way for an interstate highway so we can get there faster.

If you’ve ever studied the history of Thanksgiving – you know it’s far more than what we were taught in school as children. The tradition actually came from across the Atlantic and was more of a religious ceremony with days of fasting to signify difficult or pivotal moments and days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty. The fasting part was dumped overboard when it came across the Atlantic and transformed to signify a celebration and thankfulness of the year end harvest.

This years harvest for our family has been extremely plentiful. I took over and resurrected a large territory and business back in August that’s already deposited over $60K into our business account in less than 4 months. One third of that has been paid out in weekly compensation to individuals who haven’t seen checks this large in years. While everyone is busting tail (especially now with the holiday season upon us) it’s been a ton of fun, and extremely rewarding to realize that this business has produced these kind of profits.

And for record, to those who don’t understand business or financial numbers who troll this blog looking for fodder. The “decimal point” that you weren’t sure about back in August, needs to be replaced with a “comma” one digit to the left. When business people talk “six figures” or use the shorthand “K”, it represents thousands with a comma not a decimal point.

Just sayin…

Anywho…I once heard a joke that I’d like to share today that I think is relevant to today’s Thanksgiving Harvest and it goes something like this:

A man visits an old farmers garden, and he observes, “The Lord certainly has blessed you with a beautiful garden.”

The farmer replies, “Yes, but you should have seen it before I got here and God had it all to himself.”

The moral here is we have to put forth some effort and input energy ourselves to enjoy the harvest. The garden our family enjoyed this summer never would have been if I didn’t take the time to plant the seed, water it on a regular basis, and protect it from the weeds that would choke the life out of it.

The same goes for business.

A territory and business that was neglected and frankly on the verge of being shut down was given new life and now thriving. Not only did we bring a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset to the table, all the marketing tools and promotional avenues I’ve been using for years in our MLM and travel business have exceeded all expectations.

It’s the same territory, and the same business. The only difference is the caretaker who not only knows how to cultivate, plant, and harvest – but actually executes a plan of action.

Far too many people blame the economy, the company, or the business model for an under performing harvest. What most don’t realize is that the missing ingredient to produce fruit is you.

That’s a tough pill to swallow – especially when the harvest isn’t what you want it to be.

Like any house plant that you don’t water, feed or pay any attention to, when left neglected without any action by you – it will wither away and eventually die.

With the new year coming up upon us, it’s time to start thinking and honestly planning how to make next years harvest even better than this year. Never settle – even if you’re like us and could have more than you could ever hope for. A great place to start is an attitude of gratitude for what you already have. Gratitude and thankfulness for “what is” right now is probably the single most important step you can take to make this journey we call life even better.

That’s easy to do on a day like today. The trick is carrying it over and spilling it into every day – every hour – every moment of your life. Come to think of it – it’s so important that it should be the number one item on your 2012 goal list that we always start working on this time of year.

#1 – Be thankful – have a constant attitude of gratitude.

That line item has moved up the list each and every year for the last couple of years. And I can’t think of a single solitary thing we’ve done that’s made a bigger impact to our current success and bountiful harvest that we’re currently enjoying.

Be thankful – for the good times and even the bad times. While the good times are obvious and easy to do – it’s the bad times that develop strength and help you grow.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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If you keep up with YTB News, you’ve probably seen the plethora of posts highlighting a press release concerning YTB Travel Network and their new alliance with Sixth Scott. Those who were at Convention this summer heard about what was coming down the pike from YTB Travel Network. As it turns out, the key players for Sixth Scott were also at the Convention to check out the company structure, the numbers, the Founders and the culture they’ve created with thousands of RTA’s and Representatives all in one place.

As with any true business mind who takes the opportunity to really look closely at what YTB has – they liked what they saw. A distribution channel that only pays when that channel produces. With YTB’s incredible size and enthusiasm about travel, they didn’t just like what they saw – they loved it. For Sixth Scott, it was a very smart and strategic business move that will help expand their influence and objectives in the travel industry.

For long time Travel Agents in YTB like me, it puts me right back where I was prior to 2007, but with one major difference. I have years of experience under my belt not only selling travel, but in marketing that will benefit me and my travel business greatly.

You’ll always find a group of clowns in any industry who don’t have the proper tools and skill set to handle change or a new competitor. Because they can’t handle this change or increased competition, they end up making a lot of noise and do cause a disturbance with all sorts of shenanigans and stunts to distract the average onlooker. The problem with that type of hype and slandering is that it’s based on pure emotion instead of fact and logic. People can and do say all sorts of crazy things and make outrageous claims and predictions that you’ll find on the Internet.

I can assure you, these type of arrogant pin heads will not be happy with this new partnership enabling a Travel Agent such as myself access to all the product, benefits, and accreditation they have in the industry.

What they want is nothing short of pure annihilation.

On the other side of the coin, we have smart, savvy business minds in the travel industry that understand the power of a large sales force. Companies like Carnival Corporation, Pleasant Holidays, and Sandals resorts. Industry publication like Travel Weekly who has listed YTB Travel Network as a Top 50 travel company the last five years. Leading industry trainers like Marc Mancini who created our e-campus program for us several years ago and the late Phil Davidoff, a former ASTA President who offered support and training to our organization before his passing. Business owners like Debbie Maier and Mailpound who created a fantastic opportunity in marketing travel to our clients after visiting a Red Carpet several years ago. Debbie was completely blown away by our enthusiasm and our passion for travel. And of course we can’t forget Vicki Freed while she was with Carnival who participated in CLIA’s largest on sight training that industry accreditation had ever seen.

Both Vicki and CLIA were once again blown away by YTB’s enthusiasm and passion for travel.

It’s a shame that in every instance above, those who took a stance to support and help YTB Travel Network, were promptly slandered and attempts to shame them into submission was the order of the day by a bunch of overzealous Anti-MLM zealots who couldn’t handle an opposing view or perspective.

Makes me wonder if this new entity Sixth Scott who will now handle our travel bookings and travel support knows this and that’s why I can’t find any information about them?

I have to admit here that I’ve not had time to properly research this Sixth Scott company. An initial search on the Internet and a couple of phone calls turned up virtually nothing about this LLC. Maybe – just maybe, this could be done on purpose? An LLC is easy to form. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that these guys want to focus on expanding business, and not get mixed up with a bunch of crazed lunatics who I can assure you will have the spare time and most certainly spend the energy and resources to get to the bottom of who these folks are.

I however have a number of businesses I need to run – and frankly don’t have the time.

I’m willing to bet however – the overzealous crowd will make it a top priority because it produces a fear that YTB Travel Network and guys like me will continue to sell travel to the general public.

I’m also looking at the fact that this move is like all the slandering and brain washing that’s been done for the last four years has been completely washed away. We’re right back to where we were prior to the fall of 2007 when YTB Travel was taking the industry by storm with all the perks and vendors they’ve always had.

For those of us in YTB, this new partnership will have plenty. It will completely separate the marketing program we have from the travel program – enabling our marketing arm to focus on marketing (what it does best), and leaving the travel aspect of the business to industry veterans and experts.

Along with a sleek new look to the web site, with all the bells and whistles including group access, we’ll gain access to even more travel vendors including all the major cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, airlines and charter organizations, and best in class package deals at higher commission percentages.

We’ll also have a new specialized, in-depth training, that can show you exactly how to be successful – even if your new or have limited experience in the travel industry. The new entity will also help market your business, when to sell what, how to use CRM and client data, as well as sales techniques to create a more profitable business.

Industry perks will also be back in full force with IATAN accreditation just like before. (As always, reserved for those who actually earn it.) Access to FAM trips, inaugural cruises, and ship positioning cruises where available are all a possibility. A new A-list program will also be introduced in the near future for those Travel Agents who produce the travel required.

Yep, there’s no question this is great news for someone like me who loves travel and loves to promote travel and gets paid for doing just that. All the handcuffs and limitations the industry attempted to saddle me with because they can’t comprehend or get past the word “recruit” has now been washed away. As with any position or opinion, there will always be a different side. Thing is, I adapted and survived because like Sixth Scott – I understand good, basic business concepts.

That my friends is something that you can’t shame into submission, can’t slander with false claims and outrageous predictions, and can’t destroy simply because you’re too stubborn or too stupid to realize a legitimate, long term business model.

Consider this a reset – a way to go back to the future and show the entire industry how good and dominant a travel company can be.

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A couple years ago, I stared swimming laps for exercise. I’ve attempted to exercise off and on over the years, but swimming has been the only form I’ve been able to really enjoy and stick with over time. Our entire family really enjoys the water and swimming’s low impact – full body workout has been perfect in giving me the endurance and stamina I need for work and family life.

In all, I’ve been swimming a mile and a quarter five days a week for the last two years. During the winter I have enjoyed the indoor pools that Gwinnett County offers at a very reasonable rate between Labor Day and Memorial Day. About the only issue I’ve had with this indoor option are the supper high levels of chlorine and the limited hours I’ve been able to get my workout in.

This season, with the new business and increased demands on my schedule, I needed to find another option. I just wasn’t making it to the pool for days at a time, and I felt horrible. I’m not just talking about feeling guilty about missing my exercise, I’m talking about just feeling physically drained and worn out at the end of the day. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, and while I was extremely busy and moving all day long, by the end of the day, I was simply worn out without much left in my tank for family and personal time.

For one reason or another, I’ve always felt gym memberships were overpriced and a waist of both time and money. It’s one of those limiting beliefs I’ve had that was embedded somewhere along the line, and I’m not exactly sure how or why it was planted there.

My beliefs about money has changed drastically over the last seven years now that I know I’m not limited to what somebody else tells me what my time is worth. Today, I create my own net worth and I’m paid in direct proportion to the amount of time and effort I put in.

Because money has long been eliminated as an obstacle, I came to the conclusion that I need to change my limiting belief about wasting my time at a gym. A good start was the fact that our local LA Fitness has an indoor pool designed specifically for swimming my laps to get back into the shape and recapturing the endurance I was looking for. A dry sauna also added value to the membership, as I’ve always enjoyed the benefits of opening up my pores, sweating out toxins and increasing my metabolism.

Much like everything else I get involved in, I not only wanted to do this gym thing right, I wanted to take full advantage of my membership. You can’t help but notice all the other equipment as you walk in that are designed to help you get into shape. Problem is; it’s been decades since I’ve used any of this equipment, and much of it has changed since the last time I’ve even seen equipment like this.

I noticed a segment of the members there that appeared to be wondering from machine to machine with very little in the way of results. We all attain this attitude at the age of 2 or 3 that “I can do it myself” – and some just never grow out of that mentality. We think we should know it all by the time we’re adults.

It’s an ego thing.

When I first got involved with YTB and wanted to learn about travel. I sought out the expert knowledge of Carnival, Marc Mancini, CLIA, and Travel Agent University. When I wanted to change my financial outlook, I gathered the expertise of millionaires like Coach Tomer, T. Harv Ecker, Robert Kiyosaki, and Donald Trump. I did the same with this blog. Experts like Yaro Starak, Darren Rowse, and Brian Clark taught me the ropes and enabled me to attain a permanent place on the internet that gets its fair share of traffic.

Of course, we can’t forget MLM, and Network Marketing. Coach and Scott Tomer, Tim Sales, Mike Dillard, Doug Firebaugh, and Len Clements provided great information and resources on building an MLM business the right way.

The point here is that in every instance I acquired the expertise and knowledge of an expert in their respective field. If I’m going to do something, I wanted to make the most of it – I didn’t want to be just average. Nor did I see the need to be so arrogant to think that I could figure it all out on my own. Not when there’s a wealth of information and people who sincerely want to help.

So it shouldn’t be a big surprise that both Ronda and I have retained the services of a personal trainer at LA Fitness to help educate us on the proper way to use the vast assortment of equipment and exercises in an effort to take our personal fitness to the next level. We simply applied the same thought process and willingness to ask for help from true experts like we always have.

There’s a term in personal fitness and training that I’m sure you’ve heard of.

“No pain – no gain.”

I can tell you that right now, that I have muscles I didn’t even know I had. Every inch on my body is feeling a high level of pain right now. While I give certain muscle groups an opportunity to recover and heal, another group kicks in during the circuit training that brings a whole new meaning to the word pain.

It really doesn’t matter if it’s personal training for fitness – or if the pain comes in the form of personal finance, business ownership, or improving your mindset and thinking. It often involves pain or at least discomfort to some extent because it includes change. A change in attitude – a change in habit, or a change from just thinking about it and actually doing it. It’s uncomfortable and rather awkward when you first get started.

If it weren’t, you’d already be doing it by now.

As adults, we often settle for the status quo or just average. Somewhere – deep inside, always wanting to advance and grow to better ourselves. Some never really take the time or energy to achieve that next level. We all talk a real good game, but fewer and fewer it seems actually walk the walk. Limiting beliefs and excuses always seem to get in the way.

It’s just too hard.

That’s why I thought it was wise to find someone outside of friends and family to hold me accountable – to help with this next level. Like I’ve learned in years past, I found an expert in this field who can show me how to do this the right way for the best desired results.

Results.

What a word.

If the result I wanted was pain – I certainly acquired it.

Don’t misconstrue or take this out of context – but I’m loving it. I’m looking past the discomfort and awkwardness right now and focused on the end result. Results  I haven’t seen in years when it comes to being physically fit and in shape. As I’ve learned so many times before in the area of finance, business, marketing, and personal development, this discomfort and awkwardness is a small price to pay on this journey we call life in an attempt to achieve our desired outcome.

Now if you’ll excuse me – I need more ibuprofen.

Until next time.

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I’ve discovered that being offline has its advantages.

Who knew?

It’s not that I miss being online, but the online world is so much different than the real world. There’s something about people hiding behind a keyboard that turns them into these egoistical maniacs and know it all’s. They can check in and check out on a moment’s notice covering a vast amount of cyber space without having to back up or support anything they say or do. There’s little to no responsibility or consequences to contend with in this vast expansion of bits and bytes.

Life – or the real world – has a completely different set of rules and consequences attached to it. There’s a level of accountability that you just can’t hide from offline. Online, it’s nothin’ to “talk the talk” – but if you don’t know how to “walk the walk” offline I would imagine you’ll find yourself in very compromising and uncomfortable positions in what I can only categorize as bizarre and irrational perceptions.

Offline, you also have the opportunity to kick the tires so to speak. A chance to look someone directly in the eye and ask the pointed questions. Instead of just the written word as a response, you can collect and record someone’s vocal tone, body language, and whether or not they can look you in the eye when they respond to questions you ask.

One of the things I’ve never been able to grasp are these folks who get all riled up over people they’ve never met, or even talked to. They form these opinions and illusions based on a perception that’s disconnected and incomplete. It’s a major reason why I’ve never given credibility to people who have some dysfunctional disdain about me. They simply can’t form a complete picture or accurate opinion about who I am and what I stand for without actually meeting me face to face.

Those that have actually met me have a completely different attitude and perception from what I’ve read here in cyberspace. Remarkably, it would completely contradict the crap I’ve read about who I am and what I do from the cowards who have never personally come in contact with yours truly.

Likewise, the cowards who spend hours yammering on the Internet attempting to shame and slander the YTB Founders, Coach, Scott, and Kim have never had an opportunity to come face to face with their nemesis either. About the closest anyone has gotten, was going to an opportunity meeting incognito. While they happened to be in the same room, there was never any real dialog because one was standing in front of the room in plain sight, while the other was hiding in the back of the room among a large crowd of faces. The result was about as effective as watching a presentation via streaming video.

Several years ago, another clown was in Florida to check out Funshine. Instead of spending time with the people there, he took pictures of cars in the parking lot. Then while the owners of the cars were in training classes, he sneaked in to take pictures of the empty hallways. If I remember correctly, the pictures of empty hallways were to prove that nobody was there. (Apparently, the owners of the cars left without their preferred form of transportation.)

But alas, it did give the cowards an opportunity to say “I was there” in an attempt to add credibility and confirm their already twisted views and perceptions.

I had an opportunity myself to check out another well known “industry scammer” on the Internet about a year and a half ago. Part of the reason I went to this meeting was to see if the speculation and perceptions online matched what I saw with my own eyes. As it turned out, I had an opportunity to shake hands and introduce myself to this so called “scammer” and actually brought up the fact that they were so well known in the cyber world.

This one very pointed question opened up a rather lengthy dialog over several conversations. The contrast over what I had read and what I had gathered on my own was astounding. I had also gathered information on the cowards who were so head strong at pointing the finger at this guy. What I found out made me realize the cowards themselves had three more fingers pointing at them. In other words, these so called critics who were trying to save everybody from being scammed actually had more problems and blemished of their own that I could only conclude that the ranting and raving they were doing was nothing more than a deflection technique to make themselves feel better about their own miserable existence.

Look – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

Don’t believe a word I say – unless you can verify on your own to be true.

You don’t have to agree with me – but you do have to do a little more than read and post on message boards and blogs to form a legitimate and accurate perception of what’s going on. These clowns who only lift a finger to do a Google search on the internet to find opinions and perceptions that match their own illusions are a complete joke.

Instead, find somebody who has some real world experience and is capable (or at least willing) to show up in person for a face to face.

Online is a great place for introductions and connections. It’s capable of doing a lot and expanding your influence. However, if you’re not willing to unplug and venture out into the real world – you’re simply not going to get very far. You’ll quickly find yourself without any real knowledge, experience, or credibility.

While online can be great and it has its advantages – don’t mistake the online world as the real world or life experience. In order to grasp what’s really going on the only place to do that is offline.

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