Master Of One

Jack of all trades, master of none.

That is how the old saw goes.

Being a dilettante I could find that discouraging. - The concept implies the power of single minded purpose.

I have found for myself, and life is a personal journey, that it is more fun to dedicate the majority of my efforts in one direction while touching on new things constantly.

Dreampower speaks of goals, but goals are signposts on the road we are traveling, not the destination. - The consummate artist always sees need for further improvement.

One of the keys to improvement is a broader world view. The more insulated we are from diverse input, the less we will change. - Change can be a very good thing, leading to improvement.

Feel free to dabble and move on in those areas not connected with your primary journey; you may discover a shortcut or a new destination.

It is all right to be a jack of all trades.

But still seek to be the Master Of One.

Allan

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Commitment

Commit to the goal, not the path.

We have a dream.

We plan and project and set a goal based on that dream.

We visualize what we will have to be and do to reach our goal.

And we act.

It is easy once we act to think of just three things; what we are doing, what we will do next, and the end result desired.

Keep your nose to the grindstone, your ear on the ground, your eye on the future. - It sure is hard to work in that position.

Take some escape time to see if there is a better way to get where you are going.

You know a great deal more than when you a started, use that knowledge to reassess your path.

Allan

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Reach Out

A quiet balanced life may have no joy.

As I've said before, - a rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out.

If you stretch out of your comfort zone you will be a bit unbalanced, you may fall, but at least you are moving.

When you are moving new things will happen, some of them will be good, some even very good.

When you are moving inertia keeps you moving, but now you can lean toward those good things and cause more good things to happen; - things that would never have been available if you had not reached out from that comfort spot.


A rocket's guidance system does nothing before take off.


Act on something new and strange today.


Get off your pad, - take off.


Allan

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Let The Customer Lead

The customer is your finest resource.

You finally have the business you have dreamed about.

It is doing fairly well, - how do you boost it up to the next level?

Watch your customers.

You can ask the customers questions, but your questions define your expectations, and influence the results.

You can listen to what your customers say, but most customers will give their opinions to everyone but you.

Watch what your customers do and how they do it. There may be ways to improve their shopping experience, making it faster with more choice where they spend their time.

You may even discover a whole new business that the customer wants, but they don't know it yet.

Watch your customer, and from their actions intuit what they desire.

Now give it to them.

Allan

Society Change

Society is changing, enjoy the ride.

Much of what we consider normal, is just the way things have been recently.

Things change.

Technology is effecting society, read more here if you are interested.

Now is a great time to start your own business.

Think about what society needs now, guess a bit on what it will need in the future, - then act.

The future will belong to those that act today.

Allan

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Secure Foundation, Change the Facade

Build your life on solid ground.

We represent ourselves differently in different situations.

We can be professional at work, playful with kiddos, boisterous at sports.

These are just the facade we wear over our real foundational person.

These different personalities can each be very real at the moment, but if they are not aligned with who we really are they will make us, and everyone else, uncomfortable.

The various parts of your personality need to be in congruence, working to the same end.

The place to start is at the foundation.

What do you really believe? Do you believe it just because you were raised that way? If your foundation is real it will stand up to challenge, if not it is better to rethink your positions.

You can see it in many political blogs; they shout for or against something or someone, but never have an original thought themselves. They would not consider the other side's argument, or that there might be a third side that has more merit than both. Their foundation is unexamined, their whole life may end up being a sham. - That is why their writing is only read by others with the same flaws, and is a waste of time to all.

Inspect your foundation, you do not have to be right, but challenge it.

Prove to yourself that your rants have value; that you foundation is solid.


Allan

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Jump the Hurdles

To jump the hurdles you have to be running.

In track and field one of the more interesting events is the hurdles.

Form is very important; clearing the hurdle and not losing speed is imperative to those that wish to win.

When you set your eye on the prize, you can walk toward it or you can run. If you run, form is important, study your obstacles before you arrive, know how to fly over them. If you walk, you will have to climb over the obstacles others sail over; in a competitive environment this is a sure way to lose.

Another facet of running the hurdles is that sometimes you will knock one over, frequently the winner of a race has knocked over several. Their speed carried them on to the next hurdle.

Sometimes a runner falls, most will get up and finish the race, running all the way. They may not win this race, but their form may improve enough to win the next.

Set your eye on the goal.

Start Running.

Allan

Give Thanks

Seek out the good stuff.



If your turkey is a bit dry, - add some gravy.


If you life is dry, - add some thanks giving.



I'll write again on Friday, - just keep enjoying life!


Allan

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Facing Criticisms

It can be tough.

The best that we can hope for is a well meaning and observant friend lets us know how we can improve.

That is cool.

It sometimes takes so long to notice our own faults, it is nice to have a shortcut.

But what about the other times?

A crazy, loud, obnoxious person laughs at our weakness.

Smile and thank them, - that will drive them nuts.

Then think about what they said.

It may have been the ignorance of a closed mind speaking. But you may find a grain of truth to investigate. If you are not sure, ask that valuable honest friend.

Life is short, so we want to take short cuts if we can find them.

Enjoy life.

Get all the help others provide, - and use it.

Allan

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Rethink Your Life

What if everything you do could be changed?

Why not think about it?

The job, where you live, people you work with or for.

Or maybe restart with your own business?

What sort of life would be ideal, for you?

The tough part of a new job is that it takes about 6 months to find out if you even like it. A new job or business frequently takes a couple of years to get solidly on its feet.

What will you be doing in two years if you don't start?

Start today thinking of how and where you would like to live.

Start soon on making it happen.

In a few years you could be doing what you want.

Allan

Freedom Of Thought And Action

Watch this two minute PT movie.

If you don't at least nod your head, grin, or remember a bit about why you love independence, come back latter.

This will be tough for some of us.

We own our own lives.

Just because we were born in a place, should not mean that place owns us. This newsletter is banned in some countries, because the people they own might start to think for themselves.

Most of the world now works that way. The country of our birth brands us as their cow; and from birth we are herded, penned, branded, milked, and/or slaughtered at their whim.

There are ways around this trap of slavery we have been born into. - Check out this brief article on Privacy Tactics, or PT.

If it is our life; - we should at least think how we may best spend it.


"Man is free at the moment at the moment he wants to be." - Voltaire



Allan

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Drucker's Opinion

Peter Drucker is no longer with us.

An insightful voice of reason has left the management scene.

The Wall Street Journal has e-published a compilation they call Peter Drucker's Legacy.

Read his opinions, in his words.

There is lots of material here, the equivalence of one or more of his books.

If you want to know management Peter Drucker is a fine teacher; this is a great, free, tool.

Allan

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Enjoy Your Life

We are here such a short time.

Enjoy life.

Not just the trappings of life, - the cars, houses, and trips;

but enjoy life itself.

It is easy to be distracted, or even consumed, by the actions that fill a life.

Instead take some time, alone or with those close to you, and just walk and appreciate all that surrounds you.

This is a glorious world, wonderfully made, rediscover your awe.

There will be plenty of time to do,

tomorrow.

Be appreciative today.

Allan

Capturing Dreams and Reaching Goals

What is important to you?

Really, Really Important?

Have you taken the time to think about it lately?

Now is a good time, - take a piece of paper and write down ten things that you value highly.

If you want: force rank them one through ten or priority group them A, B, & C.

Now take eleven sheets of paper, and write those goals and dreams on the top of a page, one to each page. Keep the last page for new dreams you encounter, write those all down also.

That is a good start, you are way ahead of those that just dream and forget.

If you came up with less than ten dreams and goals, keep the other pages blank for now. You will think of other dreams and goals as you go through the exercise.

The rest is simple.

Head for a quiet spot and jot down thoughts on each page that pertain to the heading.

Cool.

Now spend some time thinking about time, when will this happen.

How will it happen.

Who will you have to be to make it happen.

Is it worth the effort?

Ya betcha.

Organizing your thoughts lets your subconscious work on them based on your priorities.

Next time you have some quiet moments, do it again.

The list will get more defined, you will start to accomplish those goals.

It will take fewer pieces of paper each time.

Enjoy both the effort and the rewards.

Allan

If you have a bunch of troubles, use the same exercise for them. - Just the process of writing them down is a step toward dealing with them.

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Inspiration is where you find it

And inspiration is well worth looking for.

I subscribe to a no-charge (free) daily e-mail quote service.

Once a week they throw in an inspirational story.

Most of the time the quote takes a moment to read, - and sometimes they stick with you all day.

Today is story day, I'll post it here so you can see one that may stick with you for a while.

Be Special to Others

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.

Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.

He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?"

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill him or her. Be careful of what you say.

Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words.... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way.

Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

If you want to subscribe, I have information at our Partner Charity site: Click Here.

Allan

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Time and Money

Time is like money.

You have to pay yourself first.

When you have income, if you do not first take some out for giving and saving, there will be none left for that latter.

At the start of the day, if you do not plan when and how you will do important work, it will not get done.

Let me get philosophical.


"Your time is like a sack of diamonds, don't let them slip through your fingers." - Allan Wallace


The day will be full of distractions.

Each time we skip an important task for an immediate time waster we lose a bit of our life.

Take 15 minutes early in the day and write down what you would like to accomplish in that day.

That alone will redeem a bit of your life from the meaningless immediate.

Label your list for A, B, C, and I; the 'I' has to be done, The 'A's are where you will want to spend your "free" and work time.

You will still have plenty of time for secondary diversions.

But pay yourself first.


Allan
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Keep on Keeping on

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There are days when nothing seems to go right.

My first reaction is that I need to keep on keeping on; - Just put my head down and push my way through.

Happily my second reaction is I may need a break.

I think I need a break.

I have hit several goals this last week.

I think I'll take a day or two off, then I'll take a day or two to look at my remaining goals and plan a few more.

Then maybe I'll take another day off.

Best,

Allan

Small Business versus Wal-Mart

You know I am an advocate of small business.

You also know that I not only favor the entrepreneur, but I have encouraged you to start your own small business.

So why would I come out in defense of Wal-Mart when it is accused of destroying small business by its hard ball tactics?

It is because I believe success should be rewarded, not attacked.

I am sure that you hope for your and your children's success, and you do not want to have that stolen by those that envy the fruit of your labor.

I am sure those driven by envy would love to take the Wal-Mart heirs' money and distribute it.

The envious probably live better than 95% of the world themselves. I am equally sure they would not want their own money taken and distributed to those less fortunate than themselves. They just want anyone more successful dragged down to their level.



"The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill



Read further of my reasoning in this post at Bastiat Free University.

Some may chose to comment here without reading the post at BFU. If their minds are already closed, ignore them.

You will hear a lot of the other side, their emotion over rides their logic. Read the information at BFuniv and decide to think about it, a decision can wait for you to mull the facts.

There is no reason to jump to a conclusion. There is no reason to stick with a decision if latter facts prove it wrong.

Our real education starts with unlearning what we were taught, and deciding for ourselves.

Allan

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Mendacity At Large

Modern society is filled with this.

It is the basis of most TV plots. Someone lies to cover a problem or get their way. Things go bad as the lie creates more problems. A final lie makes everything good and everyone hugs each other. Fade to commercial.

Life does not work like TV. People are hurt by lies, particularly the liar.

Relationships are damaged.

Reputations are tarnished.

This is sadly a problem even with intelligent people that should understand the plethora of difficulties raised by unreliable sources and their information.

It can also be a bad habit.

If a story is worth telling it does not need exaggeration to make it better.

If a product or a person is good, than good will have to be enough.

To relate untrue attributes will only create difficulties.

What seems best in the short run almost always results in long term problems.

Try the truth. - Like aspirin therapy, it won't hurt and it may help.

Allan

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Self Directed Learning

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Self Directed Learning is also called self-teaching or self directed inquiry.

Most of us know the experience of formal education. There are some benefits , mostly to society in the regimentation of their citizens. The students also sometimes learn something useful.

But for most, formal education is not fun.

Self directed learning is about the pleasure of discovery, researching what you want to know, and then using that knowledge to accomplish.

The greatest difficulty with self directed learning is that we may not have enough structure to give ourselves a full view of what we study.

Do it on your own if you can.

Do it for no-charge by monitoring courses at someplace like Bastiat Free University.

Or if it helps to have a goal, seek a diploma from BFU at a very small cost.

Regardless, seek the pleasures of self directed learning, for yourself.

Allan

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Focus on the goal

The jungle is full of elephants and lions.

The grasslands teem with wildebeest and antelope.

What we tend to notice are the mosquitoes.

Each day seems like the prior, if we focus on the small stuff. Little annoying things keep us occupied.

While all around us is major opportunity and danger.

Fear of the major things is not the answer, that stops progress while the mosquitoes nibble at us.

Knowledge and preparation are required.

Seek to learn reality, spend some time relaxing in thought.

Decide what your major goal needs to be; pursuing an opportunity or barricading yourself against the dangers.

There will always be lions and mosquitoes.

If you are to catch your opportunity, prepare a bit for the annoyance and dangers; - then focus on your main objective.

Allan
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The Rut of Routine

I've said it before.

A rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out.

Routine can be good. - Getting up in the morning at the same time helps the self employed get started, with consistency.

But limiting your actions to the same as the prior day makes you miss opportunity.

Identify those things that you dislike doing, but need to be done, - then use routine to standardize performance.

For everything else, creativity is inhibited by routine.

Drive a different way to work or the store. Read different types of material. Talk to different types of people.

If you are in a rut you have quit learning.

Even if you are successful in your rut, someone can still pass you and take the checkered flag. All they have to do is get out of your rut.

Allan

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Integrity

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I have told my kids that integrity is so valuable simply because it is currently so rare.

Integrity, along with other virtues, has eroded as the industrial age has matured and aged. It is not a fault particularly of industry, but of the success of all large organizations. As the industrial age ends integrity will once again become important.

The large bureaucracies thrived on the value of large scale, sacrificing the individual to improve efficiency. This was in industry, government, education; all areas of social interaction were impacted.

We are entering a period based on individual empowering technologies. This will create a society based on highly mobile Netcohort teams of independent entrepreneurs.

The selection of who they will work with will be based on four elements; knowledge, adaptability, action performance, and integrity.

The time to prepare is now.

Allan

Strategies + Tragedies = Stragedies

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The further you are from the problem, the easier it is to come up with a (wrong) solution.

Information is critical to success.

If you need information for an important decision, talk to the people closest to the problem.

I remember a bunch of high level security executives of a fortune 500 company talking about improving the entrance security to a facility. The seven or eight big wigs ignored the mere mortal security officer at the post. They were talking about increased staffing and installing barricades when the officer ignored their snub and interjected, "or you could just close the gate."

"Oh, there's a gate?" they responded.

If you run a business the people closest to your operations know the most about those operations. Don't just ask, although you should do that too. Instead solicit information and reward those that supply it.

As an aside if you have a mid-level manager that always is creative, they are probably farming their staff for ideas and taking the credit.

If you insist on making decisions because you are the boss, you will never hear the best ideas.

If you have a boss like that, find another job where you will be appreciated.

Or better yet, - start your own business.

Allan

Finish it

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Pace is sometimes important.

If you have a large project break it down into small doable tasks.

Each day complete the part that is required for that day. This can make an overwhelming job a collection of small jobs.

but there comes a time when the end is in site, when all is shaping up fine. It is ok to leave your program of gradualism and dive in.

Take a few days, - dedicate them to finishing the project.

Then dedicate some time to celebrating the completion.

A task well done is a task that does not have to be done over.

Allan

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dreampower and Reality

There is a difference between dreaming and using your dreams to create goals, and mere wishful thinking.

Dreams that are achievable are dreams that effect the realities you control or influence.

You dream of being happy and relaxed on a tropical island with a compatible significant other. You have a basis for developing the goals that will help achieve that lifestyle.

You can discover what makes you happy and relaxed. You can become the sort of real person that another will find attractive. The real goal is to discover you, and how to make you happy.

Wishful thinking has you as ruler of the universe, solving all problems, while being admired by all, and married to a movie star. This is a nice dream, and you will discover a bit about yourself, but it will not happen. At least I hope for your sake it doesn't. Notice you attained everything in that dream but happiness.

Discover who you really are.

Build dreams around what is important to you, not what society thinks is important.

The goals you develop by dreampower will keep you motivated, because in reality they are part of you.

Allan
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Back To The Basics.

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There are always distractions.

There will always be shiny new ideas that draw our attention.

There is a story of American football coach Vince Lombardi doing a half time talk to his championship team. They had learned all the fancy plays and responses to other plays, but were still having trouble working as a team. As I recall the story he walked into the locker room filled with professional players and held up a foot ball. He then said something to the effect "This is a football, it is pointy at the ends and has two stripes on it."

It was time to remind everyone you can't win if you do not understand the basics.

If you do not execute the basics well, nothing else will matter.

This is a Goal.

It is based on your dreams, and refined with a time and place for the dream to become a reality.


Review your dreams, energize yourself by considering the ramifications of their successful acquisition.

Get back to the basics.

Allan

Why Not Your Best?

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Of the things you are going to do today, many will be by necessity rather than choice.

I could put in lots of emotional fluff here, perhaps a nice story also. Emotions however can be short term. A logical decision followed up may last a life time.

At each of those tasks you attempt today, think about how to do them better.

Think also on how to challenge your abilities and sharpen your skills.

I knew a gal who had a gate security job. She was more friendly than most, and far more efficient. I noticed she was writing down required information as people approached, I asked her about it.

She had memorized the names and data on all the regular people so she could avoid doing that boring task when they were talking. She said she was attempting to memorize license plates on cars driving in, a quick glance of confirmation and she did not have to keep checking.

Small things done well.

Some hated doing the job she was stuck with, and they were still there hating it when she was moved up to better jobs.

The level of actual work between average and exceptional is not that great. It is the determination to challenge yourself to do your best that bridges that gap.

Do it for yourself.

Small choices to do your best make your life better, even if nothing else changes. - But things will change when you do your best.

The work level is about the same; your life will be better.

Why not your best?

Allan
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My other blogs get smacked

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Just a note that I got a review from the tough critics at I Talk Too Much.

I love to get comments that suggest changes.

I always listen, sometimes I follow their ideas.

I have so many weaknesses it is sometimes hard to figure out where to start.

If you see some changes to make here, let me know.

Life is to short to keep making errors that can be fixed, if I only can find them.

Thanks,

Allan

Ross Rayburn Interview

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As a bit of a break from my short messages I'll provide you with this link to an insightful interview with a very successful small businessman, Ross Rayburn.

Ross Rayburn tried working for others, he tried having others work for him. What Ross found was he spent more time pleasing co-workers than he did his clients.

As part of Mr. Rayburn's project to develop a course on starting your own business, he consented to give this interview. You will Find the course at Bastiat Free University; even though it is a graduate level course there are no prerequisites. You can also register and review the class at no charge.

If you would like to quit being a wage slave, read the Ross Rayburn interview and see the sort of person that succeeds because they value personal freedom.

You can do it also, if you want success and independence.

For more on Bastiat Free University, click here.

It is your life, determine to live it fully.

Allan

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Relativity

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Not physics, - personal.

Often we set up our self judgments based on how we perceive others.

Often our perceptions are in error.

Just because James smiles more than we do, we assume James is happier than we are. It can be a simple step from there to thinking we are not happy.

We are kinder than Dave, less peppy than john, have straighter hair than Betty, are not as good at math as Eileen.

These judgments not only may be incorrect they most frequently are inconsequential.

This is another purpose for taking your dreams and shaping them into well defined goals.

The measure that is important in temporal reality is where are you in relationship to your goals. How you perceive others is immaterial, where are you compared to where you want to be?

Life does not grade on the curve. Look at where you are and decide where and when you want to be somewhere else.

Track that instead of your perception of other's progress or position.


Allan

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Time To Reconsider

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"An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by gradually winning over and converting its opponents: What does happen is that the opponents gradually die out." -- Max Planck, pioneer of quantum theory

I love this quote.

Most people think science is all math and ultimate reality. - Certainly high school physics and biology teachers pretend that is true. Some may even believe it.

In reality, the more you know about a subject, the more you know that it is filled with the unknown and unknowable.

And now there is a new challenge to current physics; and some of the followers of Planck are refuting it on the basis of its novelty. - It has not been around long enough to be considered real.

It may not be real, but it does show that the basis for modern science is tradition more than it is science. - If an idea has stood for 50 years it has huge emotional support and baggage.

All those articles written in all those fancy journals may be wrong, a life in the lab and all that status lost. - it can not be sacrificed just to face the truth.

I have a scientific idea of my own, but if it is ever adapted it will not likely be in my lifetime.

But I will hear some ridicule from those that have a vested interest in the last 100 years of argument.

Ya gotta love Planck.

And this one from Albert Einstein "If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."



Allan

And the best I can do are:

"I err therefore I am."

and

"My own reflection hides the view through the window."

Allan R. Wallace

Move Toward Reality

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We all come up a bit short on knowledge.

There are areas where we accept what others have said without challange.

There are areas where we avoid seeking truth because it might be unpleasant to us, or harmful to relationships.

We have to realize there are many areas where knowledge exceeds anyones ability to assimilate it.

One way to deal with this data overload is to ignore it, recognize we are ignorant, and accept it.

If you have thought and learned a great deal about something; you can decide to become expert in one part of the knowlege available.

I'm sure you can find other solutions.

Let me suggest one paticular method of addressing learning.


Dream, and from your dreams develop specific goals.

Use your goals as a mesuring stick for knowledge.

Are you inflexable about interpersonal relationships? That will get in the way of many goals, learn how to adapt and appriciate diversity.

Are you having trouble breaking even in your business. Seek knowledge in business principles that will help you to better manage your profits and expenses.

Look at what you need, look at what you lack, consider what you don't want to consider.

Start learning.

We will never fully understand reality in this life. But we can start to:

Move toward reality.

Allan

Let It All Hang Out

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A fine saying from the '60s.

loosely translated it means to fully commit. - To yourself.

Society has its rules and expectations, consider ignoring them.

You can be straight laced and keeping up with or surpassing the joneses, or you can ignore the joneses and be yourself.

Do you know who "yourself" is?

If you live in the same type house as everyone else you know, ride in or on the same type vehicle, wear the same clothes, share the same opinions; you are who they expect you to be.

What do you expect you to be?

Is that who you are?

If you ignore convention what will you do, who will you become?

Consider Becoming yourself.


totally -

independent -

you


Let it all hang out.


Allan

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Two Steps Forward

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And one step back.

We all feel good about those forward steps.

Often however the one step back is more important.

Just out of college I had a fine professional position, good for the ego with very nice business cards.

Then I got fired.

At the time I was devastated. It took months before I felt I was once again capable of quality work.

In the meantime I started to work for myself, sick ego and all.

Boy am I glad I got fired.

As I look back I can see how I could have easily been trapped in a dead end job I did not enjoy.

That step back kept me from walking miles, perhaps my whole life, in the wrong direction.

Two steps forward, one step backward.

And it was all good.

Allan

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Release

.

Anchors are fine things to keep you in a harbor while a storm rages outside.

There comes a time to release the anchor from the bottom, haul it up, and sail the deep ocean.


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries." - From Julius Caesar - Shakespeare

Look at all that is binding you in harbor.

Perhaps the anchor needs to be hoisted aboard and the sails raised.

Perhaps also there are many small anchors and lines holding you down like Gulliver secured by smug Lilliputians. It could be time to leave pride and the self satisfaction of small victories behind, and strive for freedom. Cut the lines and escape to a larger world.

Consider all that keeps you where you are. Consider if where you are is all you have ever wanted from your life.

Act.


Allan


For those of you that are Christians, a bit more on WWJD.

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Go Fish

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There is a kid's game called go fish.

Perhaps it can help us be successful.

In the card game you take a guess at what your opponent has. If they have those cards they give them to you, if not they tell you to "go fish." That sends you to a standard draw from the deck.

Often our efforts to reach our market or achieve success appear frustrated.

Maybe it is time to avoid incremental changes in our efforts and "go fish."

Find a quiet spot and time to list opportunities you perceive. Opportunities not related to your current activities.

Narrow those opportunities down to the best few.

Now compare them to your current project; at the point it is now.


Is one of the new ones much greater?

Now you need to do some soul searching.


Is your current project still wonderful?

Now you can attack it with renewed vigor, - knowing your time is well spent.


The real caution is not to dilute your efforts by adding another project. - Keep focused on your one best shot.

Or go fish.


Allan

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Prime the Pump

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I remember trying to use an old fashioned pump. Lots of effort brought no results.

My dad grabbed a cup next to the pump and poured it into the mechanism. The effort suddenly brought results. The first thing Dad did with the water was re-fill the cup for the next time.

Then we enjoyed the water.

Think about what you want. - rehearse what you are going to do. - Start doing it.

But don't forget to prime the pump.

Teach a bit first to find a difference in your ability to learn.

Give a bit before you ask.

love the unlovely to find love.

What do you wish for?

Prime the pump.

Allan

Learnin' not jus' Schoolin'

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Education is currently a factory creating human parts for a social machine.

The primary purpose for today's diploma is not related to learning. The main reason to earn a degree is for self promoting, a diploma is a personal marketing tool.

Success defined by society includes a diploma from a recognized college and a secure job with a big organization.

In reality organizations are shrinking, not growing.

Individual empowering technologies are demonstrating the archaic nature of industrial age bureaucracies in the emerging age of information and miniaturization.

Institutions are imploding. - Just as colleges around the world are cranking out a increasing numbers of graduates trained to be cogs in a machine.

The future; - Your future will require you to learn and adapt for your whole life. You need to find a way of learning that you enjoy.

This change will be a gradual process, if you are working for a degree, continue. The diploma earned however will have less value than one earned twenty years ago, and more value than one to be earned in ten years.

What will be important in the future is integrity seasoned with knowledge, adaptability, and action.

Start training for the Netocracy today.

Allan

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Pay Yourself First

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I doesn't matter if you make minimum wage or earn two hundred thousand a year. - You probably spend all of it, and more.

If you start to earn more you will spend that too.

Our choices determine our future.

Take some money out of the pay before you pay bills or buy anything. Give a bit away to someone worse off than you, put some into savings. - You will still spend all the rest of it.

As the savings grow, invest some in longer term quality speculations ( all investment is speculation). If you own a hundred shares of a top quality company, you will not feel poor, you will slowly quit thinking poor thoughts.

keep saving

keep investing

keep giving

keep growing

There is a world of difference between broke and poor. - Broke is temporary, poor is a state of mind.

Assist yourself in developing a successful state of mind.

Pay yourself first.

Allan

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The Extra Mile

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The Bible talks about someone (an enemy soldier perhaps) that demands you to carry his pack for him. The Bible says to carry it an extra mile. In the Bible Christ adds "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." The Bible's point is we have not complied with the law, we all fall short.


But as a side point; if an extra mile is the correct measure with a demanding enemy, how should we deal with our friends, employees, and customers?

Many in business run into hard times and have to cut back. If that is the case explain it to those effected, let them know what is required, and if it is temporary.

Sadly some businesses get in the habit of cutting, and continue in better times; cutting what they perceive to be fat, when in reality it is the meat and bone of their business.

Try the other route.

Give more than is expected.

Put a bit extra in, have the extra service available, be quick with a smile.

You go back to where you had a good experience. You would like to work where they treat you with respect. It is a pleasure to have friends and family involved in your life.

Go the extra mile.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Allan

Protect Yourself

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A small town fellow had a question for the farmer at his door. "Why is it when I drive to your farm, eggs are $1.50 a dozen, when you show up at my door they are only $1.00 a dozen?"

The farmer replied, "that's easy; when you show up at the farm you need eggs, when I come to your door I need money."

When someone contacts you, they want your money.

I make it a rule never to say yes to someone that calls me on the phone with an opportunity. The most I offer them is the chance to mail me information so I can look over their offer and compare it with others. If they still just want to talk, I hang up.

I found my brokers, they did not find me. I found my phone service, it did not find me.

If something is worth your money and time, it is worth investigating. Take your time, the deal of the decade comes every two weeks.

Some people will spend weeks deciding on a car and send off tens of thousands of dollars on a stock tip.

Find your services, don't let them be sold to you by a single caller.

Protect yourself.

Allan

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Desire

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You have to really want it to keep going.

There are so many things happening in our lives; - it is easy to focus on the immediate rather than the important.

Desire is what keeps our focus beyond our feet and on target.

If you are plowing the back 40 or mowing the lawn, looking at the wheels slows you down. A straight path is plowed by picking out a more distant object and heading for it.

The object of your desire does not have to be material, but it does have to be important.

Focus on the long term, develop your goals so as to know what is required.

Step out, start moving.

Head straight toward your goal and your path will be straight.

Allan