Quick tip for the day – pay yourself first. Read that and you’re done here, basically.

When I look back at my experience in the Amazon, there wasn’t many times animals would stuff things away for eating later. And the reason for that is because things go bad there, rot, pretty fast. So no opportunity for storing anything. Because of the abundance of food, and the tropic weather, animals don’t have to do that, though a few do.

But almost everywhere else you look in nature, it stores up something to use later. Even plants do this so they can survive when times get rough.

One thing Indians do along the Amazon, which made my parents crazy, was that the men and boys eat first. Women and children last. This was their culture, and for great reason – the men and boys protected the women and children. So here, they “paid themselves first.”

This is another “habit” you have to develop. Not something that will come automatically. And the best way to do it is to automatically have something come out of your paycheck. If you do it right, you won’t miss it and you’ll build a good nest egg.

I read to my kids the classic book, the Richest Man in Babylon, and even had an audio cassette with the book acted out. It was powerful and they still remember it 20 years later. Author George Classon made the point – Pay Yourself First.

And take advantage of the tax deferral here. Because of high and even multiple tax rates, money that you save or invest without being taxed accumulates at a rate of 30% to 40% faster than taxed money.

Self-made millionaires, according to Dr. Thomas Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door, are almost obsessive about accumulating their funds in assets like real estate, self owned businesses and equities that increase in value without triggering tax liabilities.

Put away 10%. It’s a start. Graduate to 15%. And then watch how your financial life will benefit and change!

Why is it that it’s so easy to worry about anything? And like something combustible, it we continue to worry, we simply feed the fire and eventually get sick. Maybe you’ve never been there, and if not – good for you – but for the millions who struggle with this very natural feeling, let me tell you how I work with it.

I bet if you’re worrying, you don’t have a game plan written down with a lot of specifics. I’m not talking about a to-do list. I mean sitting down and writing out your goals for this year. If you want a really cool sheet for doing this, shoot me an email and I’ll send it to you. This is a must.

When you have where you’re going in clarity, everything else falls in place. And the first step in busting worry is defining the situation clearly in writing. So much I have found can be solved just by defining the issue. As they say, “Accurate diagnosis is half the cure.”

See that notepad on your desk? Grab a pencil and write what is the worst possible outcome of the situation. What’s the absolute worst? Get this clear in your mind and on paper.

And yikes – not sure you’re gonna like this one, but it’s being willing to have it so. Say, what? Resolve to accept the worst should it occur. That’s my first piece of advice – being willing to have it so. Once you resolve to accept this, well… your mind will become more calm and clear and you’ll be ready to snap out of depression and take action.

Got it? If you’re dwelling on the problem instead of the solution, you’ll be depressed. Time is on your side, most of the time – you will have enough time to work out this plan.

Snapping out of that mood is like someone throwing cold water on you – your state changes and you say – OK, that was interesting – now, I got to get down to work. OK? If you’re not clear on this, use the contact form and I’ll make sure to explain it more.

Now that you and I are clear on that – the next step is to do something. Take some action. What I suggest is begin immediately doing everything possible to improve the worst.

Still worrying?

Worry is just a sustained form of fear caused by indecision. Wanna know how to get over it? ACTION. Get your butt in gear and do something about your situation. And guess what? You won’t have time to worry. Take action and watch your confidence rise, your courage and control returns. And fear… is gone.

Still have the paper handy? Make a list down one side of the things that you believe are stressing you out. Next on the other side of the page, write the worst possible thing that could happen as a result. And tell me if this doesn’t help the worry just disappear!

I don’t watch the news much, but I know that most are saying we’re in a recession. If you’re smart, you won’t participate. And if you are savvy, I know you’ll be interested in what I’ve found on recession-proofing your income.

First of all, I believe the media is at the center of all this. This stuff sells papers and advertising on TV because people are drawn to it. When you get together with your circle of friends, what is the first thing you talk about after the weather?

“Say, did you hear how many foreclosures in Fort Myers?”

So you, too, become the bearer of bad stuff. And what is the recipient supposed to think? They hold back even more money and become part of the problem. Why are places closing? Is there really a lack? No – we’re just not buying out of fear. It’s a house of cards.

OK, so now for some good stuff. First, with all this stuff going on, how secure do you feel in your job? My wife had a cushy summer job at a local interior design firm. She was office manager. But one day – out of nowhere – the boss came in and asked her to sit down. And that was it. Sorry… we ran out of money.

Here’s what most will do. Panic. Or, wait and hope. Or maybe even get another job. But in times like these, you could sit down and take control. I mean the timing doesn’t get much better than this, people.

I am so into how businesses are stretching and molding themselves to the new economy. And I think it’s important that we do the same thing. In fact, during these so called “recessions” more people start little businesses than at any other time. Cool!

What if there was a way, with a little investment, you could own your own business. I mean something you could make some money at part time, in addition to your 9 to 5. I’ve found that network marketing offers this kind of ease and the cool thing is you are able to engage with like-minded entrepreneurs – like you. Really! Take a look at my Facebook page.  These guys are capturing a piece of today’s marketplace, with very cool cutting-edge products.

I didn’t realize the power of network marketing until my wife and I built one up to the second to the top level.  And even today we are paid residual checks from it and we don’t lift a finger.  It’s like I wrote a cool song, and people liked it, and still like it – and it gets played – and I still receive a residual on it.  I did the work – once.

This is a real cool way to have great income during this “recession.”  You get real resourceful in times like these and we come up with all sorts of money-saving skills.  Small niche businesses thrive!

So consider it – network marketing.  More than 61 million people are doing this and more joining each day with a myriad of goods and services.  It’s really as basic as it sounds.  You rely on a network of people in which you market your business.  Money that most companies spend on advertising is paid to you.

Look.  I’ve done this form of business for over 20 years.  And I’ve owned a few businesses – still do.  A lot of friends and family will rain on your parade, but they aren’t paying your bills.  Look at the people who are making a good income with this and ask yourself if you couldn’t do the same.  And remember my story… I love that check that comes in, every month without fail.

Do you think network marketing is a good business model?

Do you guys remember when I wrote about what jobs would be best to work in a depression?  What I did – which I thought was pretty cool – was to look back into what areas were doing gangbusters during the Great Depression.  It was fun research and I kinda knew what areas would be the ones we just don’t give up on even when we have more bills than income.  It reminds me of the story Randy Gage tells about all of his stuff being repossessed and the last thing he let go was his couch and TV.  Why?

You probably already know the answer to that.  It’s the same reason why at work you have this fantastic idea to make changes and you get home and sit down and watch four hours of TV instead.  We are wired in such a way that we have to fight for progress.

And as much as I know you want to know what areas thrive in a depression, I want you to grasp that small businesses explode during this time.  It’s all a matter of filling a need.  So pay close attention.

One reason to start your own business is because you’ve been affected by this recession.  Hey, millions are also looking for a better way to keep incomes flowing. These downturns make it prime time to do this.

Another reason is you want to stretch your paycheck.  If you’re like most households, you know how important it is to keep working – even keep your spouse working, because money doesn’t go as far as it did.  Groceries rose 5.5 percent in 2008.  That number will go up this year.  Owning your own business can bring in an extra stream of income.

And how many of us HATE their current job?  Any hands?  Job losses increase each day.  Most people feel they can’t quit their job.  Why not work for yourself?

It is COOL to work from home. I’ve been doing it since 1997.  Very cool.  I can go on all of my kids field trips, vacations, etc.  when I want to.  And you can work from almost anywhere with the right business.  Set your own schedule, baby!

Haven’t you always wanted to own your own business?  It take considerable passion, yes.  But don’t you want that to stay ahead of the recession?

And here’s my takeaway – Owning your own company often brings with it a sense of personal pride and a paycheck to match.  It isn’t too late, it isn’t the wrong time and you’re not underqualified.  Anyone can start a network marketing business and succeed if they dedicate themselves to it.  I’m living proof.

What are your thoughts?

I know my buddy Chris Widener has a nice session on how to stay motivated.  And I’ve been to a dozen or more seminars with the great speakers and have around that many notebooks around the house with tons of notes taken while soaking in the best way to stay motivated.

Since January 1 has come and gone and you may not be doing all the fun things you planned for this year, this might be a good refresher on how to quickly get back on the wagon.  And if you’re already there, print this out and hand it to a friend.

It all boils down to 5 things – here they are:

1. Write out a clear life plan – your ultimate goals – and refer to this plan often.
2. Exercise – Yikes!  You knew this would be in here somewhere.  Just look at the people who have it together in life.  Increasing your heart rate increases your energy level to tackle other goals.  Thus, no exercising close to bed time.
3. When undertaking a lengthy and difficult project, especially something you DON’T want to do, imagine what you’d like to be doing when finished – like eating a great meal, see a cool movie, read a good book – and make this task a priority.
4. Keep your WHY in front of your eye.  Do you want a new iPhone, car, more time with the family, a new netbook?  Keep a photo of your goal on your desk or where you will see it often.
5. Figure out how much sleep works for you.  I know I cover this often.  It’s because I was the biggest cheater on sleep in the world, next to my son, Dennis.  But it catches up with you.  Especially in health.  The body needs time to repair itself.  Most of us need six to eight hours.  Adequate sleep fuels inspiration and clarity and helps maintain healthy eating.

That is all for now.  If you follow a few of those, you’re doing good.  If you want to make it happen this year – follow all of them.  Make them your boss!

Questions?

I was blown away by the scientific research in quantum physics that related a story of how praying for less crime in Washington DC on one given night, actually worked.  And recently best selling author Marci Shimoff interviewed 100 unconditionally happy people.  These people were being happy for no reason – it wasn’t their birthday or anything.  They were just happy.

What she found is really cool.  Marci recognized that they all focused on the solution rather than the problem.  Wow – write that one down.  Another cool point she found was that happy people let love lead in their lives.

They have the same junk thrown at them in life that we do, yet they choose to keep their hearts open in their daily lives.  And this can be seen in their gratitude.  They focus on it.  Not that they have more to be grateful for.

And here’s an important one.  They connect to something larger than themselves.  Marci found that people who are happy don’t always have to figure out everything to be in control.  The live in the flow of life, trusting underlying benevolence and wisdom from that larger wholeness.

These same people seek a nourishing support system.  Remember what I talk about – the power hour?  These people do this and discover their passion and incorporate it into everything they do.

Now – quick things you can do today that lead to happiness.

In a minute, you could – be grateful – write a thank you card.  Relax – close your eyes and breathe deeply and slowly, three times.  Connect – call, text or email someone you haven’t in a while.  Gain perspective – look out the window toward the horizon.  And think about you – list three things you like the most.

Did you know that 72% of Americans dream of starting their own business.  Man, that’s almost all of us.  I know I’ve had that entrepreneureal spirit since a buddy gave me a copy of Think and Grow Rich.

And what is your passion?  Like model airplanes?  Creating websites?  Taking pictures?  57% of us are passionate enough about something to turn it into a money maker.

I don’t know about you, but if you’re like me, there are reasons – whys – you want to start something you can call your own.  Intuit by Decipher released interesting figures.  They say they found 40% would start a business because they are tired of working at something they hate.  (That number sounds awful low compared to people I talk to.)

Finally, let me give you a clue I got from Dr. Oz, America’s Doctor, who I heard in a recent seminar on his HealthCorps organization.  Essential to health and happiness are exercising and sleep.  We don’t get enough deep sleep for our bodies to repair themselves.  Should you be up at 1 AM reading this?  If you have a normal day – 9 to 5, the answer is no.  So my challenge to you today is to do what you can to have a more positive outlook on life, and to get 8 hours sleep tonight.

It wasn’t until last month that I really got a grasp on how powerful the influence of thoughts is; i.e. the things we think on and to what degree they actually influence our day. But an Ah-ha moment came to me when I looked back over my life and could actually see how I had changed, and more importantly, how circumstances around me changed, when I had taken the time to get my thoughts working for me.

So, I thought I’d share how I start my morning, and you and I can compare notes.

First, let me tell you that morning is the best time to do this because negative, or unproductive thoughts have not had a chance to influence you. You probably already guessed that.

And I had even heard the fact that it takes 10 positives to outweigh a negative, or something like that. So I stayed busy keeping myself with a positive outlook. But what I didn’t realize was that there was an easy method to get positive every day and in this way to combat any negative influence.

The exciting thing is that I’ve tried this and it really works. In fact, it works so well that others teach this, too. Here’s how easy it is:

The night before, write down your to-do list for the next day. Direction equals energy. Make your to-do list your boss. I’ve been working out of my home since 1997. And I have a high level of discipline. But even so, it is a challenge to stick to my plan. However, I’ve learned that if you’re hard on yourself, life will be easy.

Check the weather the night before as well. You want to make sure you are dressed appropriately.

When you do get up – and I have to schedule this because it takes a good hour – get into what I call my power hour. This is the crux of my message today. What I do is usually watch an hour of self improvement – you can find these in Success Magazine. They have a DVD that comes bound in the center. I also have a good library of seminars I can watch or listen to.

And if you want to mix it up a bit, as I do, grab Success Magazine and read how others have achieved greatness. SO many lessons – the hour will be gone before you know it.

So what does this do? Well, it sets the mind in a can do attitude which is vital when life comes at ya. You will be set to go about your day in a way that empowers you. I challenge you to try this for three days and tell me your results. Your day will be different.

Now here’s the bad news.

You need to make this a habit, because it is one of those things that is easy to do, and easy not to do. You have total control here and must see the value and be disciplined enough to do it every single day.

Make it fun.

I rip my DVD’s and put them on my iPod and then walk down to the beach and watch them there. Or get up before the sun comes up and put on a pot of your favorite coffee and get in your favorite place in the house and watch or read. You will soon see you are empowered just by that area of the house.

Take care and let me know how it goes for you.