Big Potato?

Two farmers used to sell their potatoes at the market. One would take hours packing the potatoes in layers – small ones at the bottom, big ones on top, so that they were properly sorted when they got to the market. The other farmer would simply throw all the potatoes into the truck together, regardless of size, and race along bumpy roads to the market, thereby saving lots of time and effort. When he got to the market, the potatoes had sorted themselves according to size – the big potatoes on top, and the lower they were, the smaller they got. Big potatoes always rise to the top.

In life, big potatoes are winners and small potatoes are losers. Big potatoes might start off at the bottom and endure a bumpy road, but in time they will always rise to the top of any endeavor or situation. I see that with immigrants. They might get here with nothing, but the winners will wind up above some people that have been in the country all their lives. Losers, on the other hand, will arrive in their new country with money and expectations, but in a relatively short period, they will go to the level they belong at. The real self will emerge. Trailer park trash will end up in a trailer park. And that’s because they revert to the kind of trash thinking and choices they made before.

We decide whether we will be big potatoes or small potatoes, and it’s never too late to change. Small potatoes can become big potatoes, no question about it. That’s what’s great about life – we can always change. The past doesn’t have to be equal to the future. Every day is a new opportunity to start over. Today IS the first day of the rest of your life. And no matter how difficult your circumstances are, have faith and remember that if your thinking is positive and your choices are right, you’re a big potato, and big potatoes ALWAYS rise to the top,

Big potatoes are disciplined, determined, courageous, and honest. They don’t quit and they believe in themselves and in their goals. They delay gratification, surround themselves with winners, and work hard. They live lives of integrity and focus. While others accept mediocrity and compromise, big potatoes demand the best of themselves and are prepared to pay the price of success. In the end, they reap what they sow and find themselves at the top of the heap, every time.

Robin J. Elliott www.dollarmakers.com www.jvwisdom.com

"So, Why Did You Leave South Africa, Robin?"

Want to know? Click here: http://realsouthafrica.blogspot.com/

Do You Still Think Like an Employee?

“A Waiter is a waiter, because he thinks like a waiter, not an owner”. How true. I heard this on a CD by Brian Klemmer. Employees focus on problems, while owners focus on solutions. Employees watch the clock while owners watch the bottom line. Employees think in terms of what they don’t have, while owners think in terms of what they can have. Scarcity or abundance, half full or half empty… Do you focus on the limitations or the opportunities? Do you take responsibility for your future or do you blame your low income on your employer or the economy?

Imagine a waiter that thought like an owner. He would innovate, add value, work longer hours, create change, and eventually open his own restaurant. Now imagine an owner that thought like a waiter! He will blame, hide, work too little, and go bankrupt as many do. He would make excuses. Your mindset will determine your choices and your results. When I teach people to broker Joint Ventures, I always say, “You can own the tollbooth, or you can work in a tollbooth- your choice!” I see 50 year-old waiters and I know they have no ambition to own a business. They’re happy to be employees, and that’s fine. But it’s not because they CAN’T own a restaurant! We choose our futures and then we create them.

Any entrepreneur who still thinks like an employee is doomed to failure. That’s why 87% of new businesses fail in the first five years. It’s fine if you buy a franchise, because that’s basically buying a job. Franchisors don’t want free thinkers, strong personalities, or entrepreneurs; they want robots, clones, and employees. Napoleon Hill told us, “Whatever the mind of man can believe and conceive it can achieve”. Your thoughts, expectations, and beliefs create your choices and your future. It all starts in your head.

Let’s think like millionaire entrepreneurs. Want to know what thoughts they think? Read their books and listen to their teachings. If you think their thoughts, you’ll get their results. What you think about comes about. What you focus on grows bigger. Your outlook is your bankbook and your netWORK determines your netWORTH. So mix with owners and you’ll become like them. Mix with losers and don’t be surprised when you realize one day, with a shock, that you’re a loser, too. You’re in control, so today you can decide: “Do I want to be a waiter, serving rich people who deign to throw me a few crumbs, or do I want to be waited on? Do I want to clean the boat or own it?” Your only limitations are in your head.

Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com www.JVWisdom.com

Are you Paralyzed?

Many of us are paralyzed. Benjamin Disraeli said, "Every man crucifies himself between two thieves: one the regret of yesterday and the other the fear of what tomorrow may bring". When you stand back and think about that wonderful observation, you realize that we need to address and overcome the barriers of our regrets and fears before we can move ahead.

There is an old Buddhist saying that goes, “If you want to know your past, look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future, look into your present actions.” Let’s talk about regrets, first. We all have them. They’re like huge bags of manure that we drag behind us. They hinder and hobble us, every step of the way. There’s nothing we can do about the past except release it. There are no time machines available on EBay. Move on. Forgive yourself and remember that success is the best form of revenge.

Now, let’s talk about fear of the future. Imagine if you were asked to walk alone, along a long, dark road and you knew that there were many thieves and murderers lurking in the shadows. In your personal or business life, it’s scary to face life alone, isn’t it? Well, imagine if you had forty strong soldiers to accompany you along the way. Would you still be afraid? If attentive and learned counselors, bodyguards and advisors, surrounded you, it would be a cakewalk. At a seminar I presented in Toronto this week, one of the Members, Judy Davidson, said to the audience, “When I offer somebody a Joint Venture, I tell them that I have four hundred other Members behind me.” Think about that!

The DollarMakers Joint Venture Forum was created to provide entrepreneurs the support, guidance, and access they need to succeed magnificently in Joint Ventures. At the same time, strong, committed relationships are being developed. Friendships are forming that support our members in their personal and business lives. Knowledge and support makes one confident and that fear of the future dissipates like dew on a hot, summer day. Every day we have the opportunity to create a better future. Along with other winners, we know that we have no limitations. Together, we can do amazing things. All the support, understanding, and encouragement are right there when you need it, from hundreds of other caring Members worldwide.

How do you eat an elephant? Bite by bite. Baby steps. One day at a time. Hold hands with other Members and step out. Dare to dream and then dare to DO. Confront your fears and do what you dread and you will be amazed that it’s always easier than it looks.

Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com www.JVWisdom.com