You best stay out of the kitchen.

Being one of the more visible YTB blogs on the internet, I have my share of readership. Most readers are supporters and enjoy my insight and information about our company.

I also have my share of detractors. Some I would safely say detest my existence for one reason or another. If you’re in the public eye, you can’t be everything to everybody and there will always be those who don’t agree with you. What makes my sort of activity and exposure dangerous is when emotions enter into the mix.

Emotions have too many variables. You can’t expect emotions to remain constant over time or from one person to another. Each individual perceives and reacts to each situation differently. Logic and facts however always have a base or a core that remain constant. One of the things we’re finding through our journey together with YTB is that the facts of our business model are able to withstand the misconception, half-truths, and lies that we see from those who use perceptions and opinions as their core defense.

As expected, John Frenaye took exception to my article on Friday and boldly laid claim that I’m the one who “spins”. He added that his blog was more “legitimate” and his was the only viable option where people had to ability to “judge for themselves”.

He’s also a tad upset at what he’s deemed a “personal attack” and eventually, “my lies” will catch up with me.

My – my – my. How easy it is to dish it out.

It’s interesting to me how quickly this group pulls the “personal attack” card when challenged. I’m not sure if they think they’re too pure, or we’re to take pity and look the other way when their blatant misrepresentations about our people, our Founders and our company are created by their hands. I hate to break it to this group – but they leave some enormous “stinkers” out there on the web. Their activities have left some laughing, and others appalled. We DO know right from wrong, ethical from unethical, what is morally right and what’s morally bankrupt.

To illustrate how bold and brazen John has become over the years, we’ll reference one of the most legitimate and honorable sources I know – our court system. What was forwarded to me last week clearly illustrates why our Home Office made the decision to turn down his requested interviews and why others have come to the conclusion that John can’t be trusted to “report” anything concerning YTB in an unbiased or accurate manor.

Case in point: This was written by John last week on his blog:

Of course, back in August of 2009, we reported on the story where Coach had a ramshackle home and was able to convince a church to make the repairs in return for a lease. But Coach reneged on the lease and got his home fixed for free.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t call his post entitled “Once Upon a Time” an actual “report” but ironically – a “Fairy Tale”. If you strip away John’s “report” and look at the court documents which are linked in the word “TRUTH” it reveals John’s elaborate web of deception – not Coach’s.

Yes – John’s the one deceiving the flock – pouring Kool-Aid if you will. The “truth” shows that Coach and Chris “donated” the parcel in question to the church for a Minister and his family use as a parsonage. More troublesome; the word “lease” never even appears in the actual court documents, although conveniently inserted by John in his – “report”.

True, the home needed electrical upgrades to meet code, and a gas furnace needed to be converted to propane. There was never any lease however, and Coach and Chris never received a penny for their generous donation to the Church and its family. Consequently, the court concluded:

“the parcel here in issue and the house thereon qualified for exemption during all of the 1998-assessment year either because it was in the process of adaptation for exempt use or because it was actually used by the Church as a parsonage for Rev. Casey.”

I know I’m going out on a limb, but you be the judge here. Which do you find more “legitimate”? John’s “Once Upon A Time” fairy tale – or – documentation from “The State of Illinois“?

What’s so astounding to me, is the man doesn’t appear to understand how anyone could possibly question his “reporting” as wrong or even inappropriate. To question anything he says or does is challenged with a very coy rebuttal and continued claims that HE is the most fair and unbiased source concerning YTB in the land. According to John, he’s proven how Coach has a long history of deception and he’s proud that his flock agrees that Coach should be thrown in jail for doing what he did to this church.

And yes, that type of arrogance is frustrating – even for me.

We can’t forget another court ruling regarding YTB’s business model and claims of an elaborate pyramid scheme that wasn’t just dismissed but tossed out as “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter“. Again we find John and others on the wrong end of an argument calling the absurd complaint “powerful”.

Here’s how the Honorable Judge Murphy described the complaint:

“The First Amended Consolidated Complaint, filed July 15, 2009, is an ungainly monster of 39 pages containing 133 paragraphs (many of which have subparagraphs) that likely does not pass muster under the familiar federal “notice pleading” standard.”

True to form, John “disagrees” with the court’s ruling, and makes no apologies for his position or opinions. John falls right in line with the type of hideous and outrageous accusations Counsel tried to pull in its second go around, after the first complaint was dismissed. Their answer to the problem – a bolder, more brazen attack.

So which do you find more legitimate? John’s statement, or Judge Murphy?

From John’s point of view, it’s YTB that is “crafty” and “sly”. The only reason why YTB is still around is due to changing our model or living on the very edge of the law. Regardless how much change or how close we “appear” to be, it’s still the right side of the law. YTB’s model has never required “payment for the opportunity to recruit others” from day one. You may not agree with that – you may not understand that – and you may never accept that. But because yours is only “opinion” and not “fact” – you do have to continue to deal with YTB.

Finally, John recently found out that the law is the law, and everyone (including him) must abide regardless of opinions or perceptions. The creation of a fake Zam Zuu fan page to mock and poke fun at our company violated ZamZuu’s trademark causing a confusing similarity. His defense – a space between “Zam” and “Zuu”. (And no, I’m not kidding.)

John, you don’t just stink – you absolutely reek of lies, deceit and a perception that the laws of this land simply don’t apply to you. It’s a double standard that I will not turn away from and I will not make any apologies for in calling you out. We all make mistakes (even me) but there comes a time when you have to stop blaming others or being a victim and take personal responsibility for your own actions.

You are in the public eye and there will be those who will disagree and oppose you. There will also be those who will hold you accountable for your actions. If you don’t like it, either toughen up or stop what you’re doing and go back into hiding.

As it stands right now – you have proven to me, our company, and several outsiders who have no beef one way or another with YTB that you should not be trusted due to your attitude and your actions documented above.

For every action, there is a reaction. So if you don’t like my reaction, stop acting the way you are!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

I don’t know how many actually remember reading “The Scarlet Letter“, nor how many have actually read this classic Nathanial Hawthorne novel. It takes place in Boston in the seventeenth century. A woman named Hester was sentenced to wear a large Scarlett Letter on her breast after it was discovered that her child was conceived from having an adulterous affair. She was deemed a sinner, and was publicly displayed as such. As a result, the town would hurl insults to humiliate her for having sinned.

Hester was publicly shamed – socially isolated and alienated for her indiscretion.

Three centuries later, most of us would consider such a public display barbaric – or at the very least uncivilized. I still see plenty of examples, mostly from my kids experience in school with one child’s attempt to shame another in front of their peers. (Remember seeing the “Kick Me” signs on the back of the class nerd?) As adults, we develop a higher sense of self-worth and self confidence in our own abilities that such behavior is no longer necessary.

The act of shaming another person is an attempt to gain power over another. The desire is to alter and shape another’s behavior or belief. It’s a way to communicate who is the outcast and who are the elite. Who is down-and-out and who is one-up. It produces an immense sense of power and control for the person dishing out the insults – using the other as a punching bag – while deflating the self-esteem and self-worth of the person being shamed.

I’ve never bought into shaming another person as a form of control – it’s just not something that I believe is effective or worthwhile. My recovery from alcoholism 20 years ago enabled me to develop a higher standard of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. My recovery also changed my perspective when dealing with individuals who attempt to shame others.

It was during that time I found they were the ones who are weak and insecure – not the other way around.

Think about it – if your position and confidence resided where you felt secure there wouldn’t be a need to fill any type of void by stepping on someone else to prop yourself up. Likewise, there wouldn’t even be a need to respond because your own experience and beliefs override any outside attempts to change that belief.

You’d already be whole or complete.

Seeing random acts of humiliating and alienating has increased for me over the last few years. In part, because I’m involved in a very emotional industry which provides average people an opportunity to run a home based business. On the one side, these same average individuals see an opportunity to get themselves out from under the bottom of the pyramid known as traditional business. (Starting at the bottom and never finding a way to work their way up the ladder, or pyramid.) On the other side, you find those who have either failed themselves in a short stint with MLM, or have bought into all the myths and stereotypes they find from reading.

A simple observation will quickly form the conclusion that those who have the least experience on either side are by far the ones who are the loudest and most obnoxious. Why? They don’t have enough experience or documentation to fall back on to support their beliefs or convictions.

Look at Coach, Scott, and Kim. All three have been extremely successful in MLM and their experiences extend back to the early 1980’s with A.L. Williams. Attempting to insert any of the myths, rumors, or stereotypes about MLM into their belief system is like trying to tell YOU the sky is purple. The opposition can jump up and down – scream at the top of their lungs – provide example of others who also think the sky is purple but you’re not going to budge. All those years of looking up to the sky and seeing blue simply can’t be overwritten or changed.

Think that example is oversimplified or outrageous? Possibly – for you. But those of us who’ve been a part of this industry and work it the right way know exactly what I mean. It’s something you can’t explain – like how kids will change your life. You have to experience it to realize the importance or relevance.

I was talking with my father last week about all the egg tossing and mudslinging that I see others get so wrapped up in. He told me he sees it all around us, and is thankful that he’s somewhat isolated now with my younger brother on their farm up in Pittsburgh. While my father is now retired, he still writes and teaches to keep himself occupied during the winter months on the farm. He sent out a publication to his subscriber base yesterday (of which I am a part of) and this one paragraph struck a chord with me after our conversation last week.

I know that rancor and incivility has existed before in the history of this nation’s politics. But seldom if ever has it been in the ugly stalemate we now experience. Neither major party will allow the other party to press any part of its agenda. Senators who argue vociferously on the floor of congress no longer later sit down to lunch or dinner with their other-party colleagues. The scene is ugly and disappointing.

Ugly and disappointing is something our entire Country appears to be trapped in right now. Incivility certainly isn’t reserved for critics of YTB or MLM. It’s a trait that’s been learned and developed throughout the years that frankly, like my father, makes me sick to my stomach. How humans can treat other humans in this fashion is deplorable and unconscionable. For someone to demand respect or a voice by using these tactics goes beyond any boundaries I’ve ever known. It’s a big reason why I have the rules that I do on this blog.

I’ve spent years documenting about my experience and what I know to be true about YTB and MLM here on this blog. You don’t have to agree with it or even read it if it bothers you. But it does have boundaries for those who are incapable of being civil or rational. It’s simply not a trait I’ve been willing to tolerate since I started this blog – and I’m certainly not going to change that position now.

For the life of me, I can’t think of a single example of how insults or humiliation changed or resolved anything. All it did was heighten emotions, not logic. You’d think some would get that. But as we’ve seen – even the brightest, most talented, most promising of individuals fall woefully short of reaching any resolution because they’re just too wrapped up in their own egos.

We can only hope (and pray) that someday they might grow up to become confident, respectable adults.

You never know…it could happen.

In the meantime, just put these people aside and focus on the things you can control and find enjoyable. There’s no pleasure or knowledge in reading insults.

If I can do it, so can you, and you’ll never know how much better life can be until you actually let it all go.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

As I think back to my early childhood, there are a couple of events that I can recall. One of them was watching Armstrong land on the moon. The other was a year prior. The day Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. I think one of the reasons I remember the faint flicker on the television, was because the news interrupted the celebration of my fourth birthday.

April 4, 1968

I don’t really recall anything else growing up as a child concerning the Civil Rights Movement. The now famous “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was 8 months before I was even born. Nor did I have any knowledge of the type of segregation or prejudice that existed in our Country. It wasn’t until I reached my Middle School and High School years that I became aware of the Movement as a history lesson – not experience.

I always think about that flicker on the television this time of year. How peaceful Dr. King was. How violent others were. And yet, how he was able to change history. Two score and six years ago, there was a peaceful march in Washington to speak up and say:

“We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.“

Nineteen sixty-three was not an end, but a beginning. There was neither rest nor tranquility in it’s pursuit. Because of one man’s undeniable dream, others followed long after he was gone to produce a true American Triumph for this Country. 

I took some time to read Dr. Kings “I Have A Dream” speech yesterday. How the Civil Rights Movement challenged “that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – and realize how he had won.

At the same time I read the text, I couldn’t help but think of the prejudice and bigotry that exists for those of us who work in the MLM industry. How people I know and love are ostracized, ridiculed, and spit at with insults simply because they work in MLM. I looked at Dr. Kings words and could feel the frustration of knowing what is right and just – yet the power within him to deny the frustration and insist that there could be change.

Peaceful change.

Along with being a student of the Travel Industry the last few years, I’ve also become a student of the Network Marketing industry. What I’ve come to know without a doubt, is MLM is full of theories and myths. Theories are great, but they don’t mean a thing if they’re not practical.

Or even worse – dis-proven.

One of the best “theories” I know of is this myth about running out of people – that MLM can’t be sustained. I can’t tell you how many times this graph showing the “unsustainable exponential progression of a classic pyramid scheme” is thrown up in my face.

True, the math is correct. Also true, the theory exceeds the world’s population.

Therefore, it should also be true that we should be able to find an example of when it’s actually happened.

But where?

Not only has it never happened, an MLM that’s been around since 1886 is STILL able to sustain itself by sharing the business with friends, family, and acquaintances. You just might have heard them. They changed their name in 1939 to AVON. Then add in an Association that supports and defends the Network Marketing model that’s celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year. (Created in 1910 as the DSA.) The Direct Selling Association protects and serves another 200 companies who use Direct Sales as a model.

So why do so many use theory that’s not only never happened but proven invalid?

We often think of the fight against prejudice when we think of the Civil Rights Movement. I looked up the word last night and here’s the definition:

an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

More times than not, that’s exactly what we see when it comes to MLM and Network Marketing. Some were shown this unsustainable graph and without any knowledge of the history behind Avon, Fuller Brush, Tupperware, Mary Kay, and a host of others, they accept it as fact instead of just a theory. Most all staunch critics or cynics of the industry merely come from prior programming like this. And because prejudice comes without thought or reason, it can be extremely difficult to extract the weeds that are now overgrown and choke the sunlight needed to help them grow.

Another word we often think of concerning the struggle of the Civil Right Movement is bigotry. And yes, I looked for a definition of this word as well.

stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.

I don’t know about you…but boy does that strike a cord with me when you look at the insults, the spitting, the dirt digging and the childish pranks that critics and cynics have pulled over the years. If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard that I need to find another host, what a scammer, a liar, and not so proud member of the dumbass den I am – I wouldn’t need MLM.

I’d be independently wealthy.

Yes, it’s frustrating to read the words of a bigot, especially when you’re the one who has the relationship with their subjects at hand and not them. But remember these words when you see the emotional outburst and anger that are evident on the various blogs and boards concerning our company, our Founders, and our people.

In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

Some try to confuse and muddy discipline with bigotry. It angers and frustrates a bigot that their differing views and opinions have boundaries – that they can’t be heard or express their intolerance everywhere and anywhere. A big reason why I am the subject of much of bitterness and hatred they have.

I fight intolerance and differing creeds with silence. And that’s the worst thing you can do in the eyes of a bigot, because their self worth is tied to their beliefs which need to be heard in order to be valid. Otherwise, like the theories they spit out become invalid.

I’m no Martin Luther King – and I don’t have the fraction of the following or voice that he had. But I can pass his message on, especially on a day like today to help us continue the fight “that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

For me, that includes a dream that I have a right to pursue and promote my YTB business without ridicule, insults, or slander.

Sounds like a long shot I know. But so did the Civil Rights Movement when Dr. King spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial having no idea that 45 years later his Dream would realize a true American Triumph.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

I had the following story forwarded to me this weekend by one of my subscribers. I have no idea who the author is, or it’s origins. Heck, I don’t even know if it’s true or not. (Although if it isn’t – it should be.)

If you do an internet search on this piece you’ll find pages and pages of this piece – my guess is because it’s touched a lot of lives. My hope is that’s exactly what it does for you.

Change Your Thinking

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity an color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.

Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.’

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

I love this time of year. My creativity seams to flow much better after I’ve done a good round of goal setting.

I’ve done goal setting for years. In 2005 I wrote down “new business”, and two weeks later we got a call about YTB. In 2006 I did a round of goal setting and within minutes of putting down on paper the word “writing”, I got a call about some new thing called a blogging. Two years ago I started our Newsletter, complete with a full “7 Day Quick Start” guide to help team members get up and running. None of these ideas were anything more than a thought that was transferred from my head to a piece of paper and then circled as one of the things I wanted to focus my time on.

I couldn’t tell you if any of these opportunities would have come to me if I didn’t spend time thinking about what I wanted to do in my life. Ever since I was introduced to “The Secret” some years ago, I have found some compelling evidence both from personal experience and from what I’ve read that what the mind can conceive it can achieve.

One of the things I’ve learned over the years is to take “inspired action”. Joe Vitale (as well as many others) tell you to follow your small hunches. You may not know where it will lead, but if you do – you’ll be doing exactly what you suppose to do. I know there are many “Christians” who read this blog, and you call that force God. For others who feel more comfortable with “The Universe”  – you can use that terminology if you want.

Think about this phrase for a minute.

“Ask and you shall receive.”

What kills me is that so many people ask for things like a new car, a million dollars, a new soul mate and then just sit there waiting – and waiting – aaaand waiting.

Then end up complaining that it never happens.

That’s because they forgot about another quote that I know they’ve heard over and over again – but never actually do.

“Faith without works is dead.”

The point here is that when you ask for things like a new car, a million dollars, or a new soul mate and focus your energy thinking about those things, opportunities begin to present themselves to nudge you in that direction. It’s up to you to not only recognize what those opportunities are, but to actually move in that direction. If you do, you’ll find that thought an “inspired step” in the direction you want not only moves you closer to your intended goal, but this simple step turns out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Why? Because that’s what God (or The Universe) wants you to do!

Look…here’s a recent example of what I’m talking about.

One of the items on my list of goals was an overhaul of our newsletters auto-responder “7 Day Quick Start Guide”. I’ve changed this guide a few times since I first created it two years ago. One of the nice things about auto-responders is that once it’s written it works on auto-pilot from then on. That being said – it can often take a back seat because it’s done and you really don’t have to think about it much longer.

This series however has been in need of an overhaul or some time. With all the changes to YTB since it was first published there were areas that needed to be updated and produced to provide a more timely and effective program.

Thanks to GoodDay@YTB and Andy Cauthen’s Goal Setting Tips that I published here on the blog and also provided in our Newsletter a brand new stream of subscribers have been opting-in to our Newsletter. I see spikes in subscribers from time to time, but this particular spike got me thinking.

“What if all these subscribers could get that new series I want to do from my goals list?”

That one little hunch or thought – prompted me to actually start my overhaul of the series – and as a result my series has been taken to a whole new level. It’s like being in “The Zone”. New ideas – new topics – new documents – a completely new look and feel that I feel really – really good about. The more I dive into this project – the more I know that this is exactly what I should be doing right now.

What I first thought to be a major “chore” and really didn’t want to do because of all the work it entails has completely turned around to be a truly inspiring and moving experience for me.

Why? I took “Inspired Action”. This thought – opportunity – project – whatever you want to call it – was presented at the best possible time for me because without knowing it – I was ready to do it.

But I would have never known unless I followed up on this hunch.

I think back a rainy night in January some five years ago after our introduction to YTB with an Opportunity Meeting. I remember talking with Ronda about this business as we weighed the possibilities and the obstacles that presented itself during our drive home. I had no idea if this business was for real – nor was it a proven leader like it is today.

But that one small voice – a hunch – a gut feeling told me that this was the right place at the right time for me.

Based on that hunch am I a millionaire? No.

Do I live in some mansion sitting beside the water? No

Am I financially independent with no worries or problems? Hardly.

But I DO have a business that’s provided for myself and my family. Not only that,  I’ve probably grown more as a person and as a business man over the last five years than any other time in my life. I also have a closer relationship with family and more friends than I could ever ask for. It’s been one of the most rewarding, most productive, and most enjoyable times of my entire life.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Stop and actually think the next time an idea or thought comes and rattles around in your head. Most of the time our past programming automatically negates it as either too hard or even worse -  impossible.

Kennedy wanted to put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960’s. Was that too hard? Was that impossible?

Just because you set a goal or state an intention of what you want doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. There’s work involved in anything worth while and many times you have to swim out to it instead of just having it was up on shore.

But if you follow your hunches – your gut instinct – not only will it lead you in the right direction – but you’ll have a blast doing it.

Take hold of that thought and use it to take Inspired Action. You’ll never know until you do how enjoyable life can really be.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

So, how do they look so far? Remember – “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time”.

We spent the majority of Saturday ‘De-Christmasing’ the house. As we were packing all the ornaments and lights for another year, we kept thinking about our goals and got more and more excited about the new year. While the Holiday’s have been great, we’re ready to get back to work!

We sent out our Monthly Newsletter on Friday and also posted 76 “Goal Setting Tips” that President and COO of YTB Marketing Andy Cauthen put together. We checked some of our stats late Saturday night and were completely blown away over how many people actually downloaded Andy’s “Guide”.

It’s EMPOWERING isn’t it??!!

Now that your goals are out of your head and onto something you can see like paper our thinking and perspective has changed dramatically. It makes a big difference – and somehow these goals that have been nothing more than passing thoughts have substance and passion behind them.

Believe it or not – the hard part is over – actually taking the time to write these goals down. Now comes the fun part – going after them.

To some, this may seem like a daunting or impossible task.

Jack Canfield, author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul ” and one of the teachers of the hit movie “The Secret” expressed in this same movie that we can drive at night only seeing the next 200 yards in front of us to reach our intended destination. Reaching a Goal is much the same way. You know it’s there, but you find your way a little bit at a time.

Just remember that the impossible can be broken down into possibilities. Napoleon Hill said “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe – the mind can achieve.”

Everything you see and use today was first born as a goal. The computer you’re reading this on – the software used to enable this communication – the house you live in – the warm air from the furnace – all conceived first from thought – as a goal.

So how do we turn our goals from paper into reality?

Andy’s Goal Setting Tips has some great tools attached in helping you. Here are some great tools from the list and a couple of our own that we’ve learned from experience.

• Use a journal to keep track of your goals: Keep daily or weekly records of your progress including affirmations, successes, appreciations for your hard work, rewards, resistances, obstacles, etc. We found that writing at night, just before bed is very effective. Many times we dream about what we’ve written in our journal. What that means is that you’re subconscious is working on your goals – even in your sleep! (How easy is THAT?!)
• Create a collage to support your vision: To make a goals collage, cut out pictures and words that you like from magazines and glue them onto a piece of paper the size of a placemat. (We use a cork board and pin them up – both are hung in our Master Bath.)
• Use your computer to support you in reaching goals: There are many ways you can put your goals on your computer. Scan your collage or a poster/picture that inspires you into your computer, and use it as wallpaper. (You can also use Google Images and search key words) Create a screensaver with your images or just put up a digital “post it” with your goals list.
• Carry your goals with you and read them out loud: We purchased a pack of 3X5 index cards and write down our top ten goals for the day. We write them in the present tense as if you have already achieved them and say them out loud at various times of the day. It’s important NOT to use the same list from the day before. Don’t just copy them, start with a new sheet and write down the most important goals of the day. (Some can remain the same goals from the day before, but don’t use your previous list to remind you.)
• Be grateful for what you have NOW: This is probably the most important aspect of attracting newer, more meaningful aspects (or Goals) into your life. It puts you in a positive frame of mind – what’s going right – not what’s going wrong. Ever notice how people who complain about not feeling well are always sick? People who complain about bills and money are always broke? Likewise, the people who always talk about being lucky are the luckiest people in the world. An attitude of gratitude puts you in a vibration that attracts more things to be grateful for.

These tools work – and while we don’t have the time or space to document the science behind them, there some very compelling studies that prove they work.

It’s a new beginning – a clean slate. Life is meant to be fulfilling and enjoyable – not some chore or filled with excuses to do just enough to get by.

You have no idea the POWER you possess within you. We put men on the moon – communicate with each other from all corners of the world instantly – and sit in the air at 30 thousand feet while surfing the internet at the same time.

Look at your list – what are YOU going to do that makes your life outstanding?!

You’ve taken the first – and probably most important step in achieving your goals. That’s writing them down. Now it’s time to go after them. You may not have any way of knowing just how yet – but until you doing something to move towards them – you’ll never reach your intended destination.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?

I promise I’ll get back to our regular scheduled posts starting next week. I’ve been enjoying my time with family the last two weeks, and honestly, don’t want anything to take away from this current experience. We’re having a blast!

I do however, want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Not only is this the beginning of a new year, but a new decade to boot!

That being said, it’s the time of year when just about everybody makes New Years Resolutions.

Problem? Most couldn’t tell you what resolutions they made last year at this time, let alone change anything in their life during the last year.

Those who fail to plan – plan to fail.

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? Heck, as much as it pains me to say this – being a guy and all – my son and I broke out the directions for the gigantic Lego set he got for Christmas.

We couldn’t have created this massive police and fire station without it.

So why don’t most people follow a plan in life? Most I suspect, simply don’t know how. It’s not something that’s really taught in school or by most peers.

Good friend, President and COO of YTB Marketing, Andy Cauthen, has been helping those of us who plug into his GoodDay@ytb.com column with some great tips and ideas on planning and goal setting. It shouldn’t surprise you that each of our Founders and Corporate Executives consider themselves in part “students” and they’re always looking for ways to improve and expand personally and professionally.

The beauty of it is – like everything else in our company, we share what we find in hopes that it can inspire and benefit others. (Another one of those traits found in MLM that Traditional Business should expand on.)

So here it is…76 tips on goal setting. Not only the WHY – but the HOW in turning your goals into something measurable and tangible.

The reason I like this short piece so much? It’s a real time saver. What Andy has done is take the best of the best from the literally thousands of books, programs and seminars out there dedicated to goal setting and condensed it into one concise and instructive article. It’s one of his key attributes and why the company values him the way they do. (Well, that and an outrageous sense of humor.)

So what do you say? Are you going to create a plan for 2010 – or are you just going to keep driving because you’re to proud to ask for directions? (By the way – guilty as charged when it comes asking for directions.)

But when it comes to a plan in life…since I found most of these tips years ago, I expand on my list and my plan each and every year.

I can tell you from personal experience…when done right, it truly works.

Happy New Year!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?