Greg Billings

I’m a fan of Robert Kiyosaki, if you haven’t figure that out!

He speaks extensively on the issue of Cash Flow.

Cash flow pattern of the poor . . . of the middle class . . . and of the rich.

The one most interesting, and what should be most troubling is the cash flow pattern of the middle class.

Kiyosaki paints the picture seen all too often:

• High paying jobs, with nice homes, cars and credit cards.
• Put money into retirement/401(k).
• Balance goes to purchase toys and liabilities that don’t put money in the pocket.

Over time, he notes, that lifestyle must be sustained. With higher paying jobs or working longer hours.

And then, the catastrophic ramifications of being laid off or fired.

The solution?

While he doesn’t reference it in this article, he has spoken on building a passive income asset.

But, he describes the cash flow pattern of the rich.

Investing in assets that generate income.

Where do you fall? Do you need to change? What steps are you taking?

Click here == >> New Rule of Money #3: Learn How to Control Cash Flow

First, a definition of Plan B . . . and then, the “The Fourth Quarter”.

Plan B is the back-up or alternative plan you have in place in case what you’re doing now doesn’t pan out.

You know, the job you hate . . . or the “pink slip” discussion with your boss .  The unexpected medical situation . . . or even planning on your retirement years . . .

Before I left the professional world for my growing internet marketing business, I counseled many college students on their careers.

As the senior manager for two United States Senators and a U.S. Senate Committee, many college interns came through our doors.  They were studying medicine, politics, law.  They dreamed of their professional careers . . .

Maybe in a law office, working in Congress, like me, or working on public policy for their favorite cause.  They all came to ask, “How did you get to where you are?”

I offered them some wisdom of age, in addition to career counseling, . . .  Be thinking of what life will be like in 20 years, as you plan your life today.

Will they like their job? And what if they don’t?  Do they have a Plan B to implement? What is that alternative plan?

I urged them not to let things get in the way . . . thinking they had time to kick their Plan B into place . . . tomorrow . . .

Because, before they know it, things like marriage, kids, a mortgage, car payments.  You know,  the things of life that get in the way.

Fast forward to ME. Last year I turned 60 . . .  As my best friend, a year older, said, “we’re in the fourth quarter, buddy!”

I look back and I see some unfinished business.  You see, I violated my own rule . . .

Kids, marriage, the job got in the way of building out my own Plan B to the level that I would want today.

Well, no more . . . I’m singularly focused on my Plan B.   Which now has become my Plan A!

My wife and I have items on our bucket list that have been undone.   Travel . . . and we mean significant travel . . . not just “up the road” to a Holiday Inn Express . . .

And I’ve long dreamed of a villa in the Caribbean, our favorite vacation spot.  A work spot I can enjoy now (the beauty of an internet business . . . a good internet connection is all you need!) . . .   And an asset that can be part of our family long into the future.

So there you have it. Plan B and the Fourth Quarter.

I don’t know which quarter of the ball game you find yourself in . . .

But, take it from me, it’s never too late for that Plan B.

What to know what I’m doing?   You can reach me here.

Ok, I have to admit.

As a Washington Wizards fan, LeBron James hasn’t ranked very high on my list.

But I admire athletic talent when I see it . . . and particularly an athlete who brings his goals to the game.

This article “5 Lessons From LeBron James About Big Goals and Proving the Doubters Wrong” hit the nail on the head . . .

Not only for how LeBron brought home the NBA Championship . . . but also for how you might approach your goals.

Here are the five items the author attributed to James and his quest for the NBA Championship that you might find helpful to your goals and your life.

1. It’s not over ’til it’s over.

With all the critics and their prognostication, it would have been easy for LaBron to respond negatively. However, “nothing silences critics better than success, and LeBron used what the doubters said to push harder to prove them wrong.”

2. Tap into a personal passion.

LeBron brought attention and pressure on himself and promised Cleveland he’d bring home the trophy. In business, a mission is important to give your work purpose and to remind you “who’s counting on you to deliver.”

3. Recognize when to change your game plan.

“Past performance is no guarantee of future success, as the Warriors found out.”

4. You can’t do it alone.

“No matter how dominant you are, without reliable teammates you will not reach ambitious goals . . . Individual strengths need to add up to more than the sum of their parts.”

5. Have a vision for your legacy.

Each step in your journey should ultimately align with your goal.

Leaders need to know their vision. The road may shift, and there might be some potholes, but without a clear picture and vision, getting to the ultimate destination is questionable. And they don’t blame others or make excuses for their problems.

They step up and get on track? What track are you on?

Click here for “5 Lessons From LeBron James About Big Goals and Proving the Doubters Wrong”

I just finished Timothy Ferriss’s book, The Four Hour Work Week. “Escape 9-5. Live Anywhere And Join the New Rich.”

Ok, that’s a bit far out for me. Everybody’s personal circumstance is different, so what he was able to do with his life . . . running business while traveling the world for months on end . . . would not have fit for me. And maybe not for you.

Something to do with a wife, three kids and a dog . . .

But the book is packed with helpful suggestions, tips, and thoughts.

One has to do with time management and productivity.

“Are you being productive or just active,” he asked.

Are you inventing things to avoid the important?

If you are an entrepreneur, you probably have run into this wall.

He suggests 1) defining a short to-do list and 2) defining a “not-to-do” list.

Here’s the exercise he takes the reader through to zero in on time management:

First, he asks the reader to think about their to do list through a number of permeations of:

“If you had a heart attack and had to work two hours a day, what would you do?”

Then he asks two questions that should resonate with anybody trying to assess their productivity:

• What are the top-three activities that you use to fill time to feel as though you have been productive?
• Ask yourself, “If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with my day.”

Hope you can apply these to your daily work schedule. . . and increase your productivity!

“If you’re short on time, you need network marketing more than anybody else.  Having more time isn’t the solution to most people’s problems.  Time management is.”

These comments came from a short video by Ray Higdon, an industry leader and coach.

How true.

Here’s another comment in his article that jumped out:

“I remember one night my wife was doing a home meeting and after her presentation she asked a well dressed guy what he liked about the presentation. He replied “I work 70 hours a week” of which Jess replied, without hesitation, “Ewww, how long do you have do that?”

You see, some people use the fact that they are busy as an excuse from doing network marketing or from taking on another project that could potentially change their lives. IF you are super busy right now, do you have a plan that can possibly help you NOT have to be so busy? If not, that is a scary thought.“

Seventy hours a week?  Is this you?

Click here for Ray’s short training video on the topic . . . Time Management for Busy People!

What the Wealthy Buy!

I’m always on the lookout for things to share on how to set up one’s mind for success.

I came across an article which talk about the things that happy people do every day.

And, I would suggest, the right frame of mind will help put the best light on your game plan.

Your financial plan.  Your business plan.  Or your personal plan.

My college boys are frequently on the receiving end of my ideas. As they go into a final exam, I tell them they can look at the cup half full . . . or half empty. I ask them which might bring them more success?

Can’t say I’m always happy, but I’m generally a “cup half full” guy.

I recently picked up an exercise bike with a computer laptop table. So for two hours a day, I’m hitting Number One on this list. Exercise.

Number three on the list is “Be Polite.”  Throughout my professional career, I had to deal with folks who wouldn’t move the politeness meter much.

In my last position, I was threatened with legal action, if I didn’t watch what I said in a meeting my organization was conducting.

What the dude didn’t know is I’ve been in ponds with a lot bigger sharks than him or his company.   If he thought I was shaking, I actually was laughing.

Why did I transition to my own business, with my 10 second commute to my home office?

So I can pick and choose who I want to work with.

Here you go. Click here for the “7 Things Extremely Happy People Do Every Single Day” published in Inc. Magazine.

Ever wondered what the wealthy buy on pay day?

Or maybe you already know? 🙂

If you’re in the market for a home business or a new income stream, you might be interested in a video that helped me when I was exploring the home business landscape.

==>CLICK HERE<==

For me, this was the one, in-depth video that saved me from a lot of mistakes – from choosing the wrong business, for instance – and it overcame the misconceptions about the industry.

It’s a NO HYPE look at the business with real-world practical tips and strategies even Fortune 200 executives are eager to learn.

You might recognize the presenter from his Larry King interview, or through some financial print media.

He’s the “real deal”, a home business multi-millionaire who’s done it and teaches others how to do what he did.

It’s definitely worth your time if you’re serious about new revenue streams.

Click over there now and watch it while it’s fresh in your mind.

Tax advantages are one of the biggest positives of having your own home-based business.

As an employee, you could well be overpaying your taxes.

You can keep more of what you earn as a home-based business owner simply by following some simple steps and guidelines.

I signed up for a free webinar sponsored by Networking Times to hear former IRS Trainer, CPA, tax attorney, and Best Selling Author Sandy Botkin explain how you can give yourself that raise by keeping more of what you earn!

You will learn:

• How to get your gas for free
• How to legally deduct your kids video games and ballet lessons
• How to write off more of your meals and entertainment
• How claiming a home office can turbocharge your retirement
• How technology has made it easy to become a tax savvy business owner

I have followed Sandy for years. Using the information he provides in his products, I structured a trip to the Caribbean, conducting business and deducting part of my expenses!

The tips were easy to follow.  A productive business trip . . . and sand under my feet, looking at the Caribbean water!

Learn how to pay the least amount of taxes possible next year by doing a few simple things today.

Sandy has been training small business owners on tax strategies for over 30 years.

It’s well worth your time to sit in on this webinar!

Click here to register to learn how you can keep more of what your earn with your own home-based business!

An article in Fast Company.com on female entrepreneurs hit some very important points and suggestions from woman in business.

For a guy, it’s always good to get the perspective of others, in this case, women entrepreneurs!

Some excellent advice tips:

• “There is no one who owns a company who knows all the answers or has all the skills. The best advice I could ever give anyone is to never be afraid to ask other people for their help or advice.” (Michelle Garcia, Owner of Heirloom Catering; Denver, CO )
• “Forge genuine connections with people inside and outside your industry.” (Amanda Luu, Co-owner of Studio Mondine)
•  “It’s much easier to tackle new tasks once you’ve already got things going.”  (Bridie Picot, CEO of Thing Industries Brooklyn, NY)
• “Define your business and your brand and commit to it—everything you do should be consistent with your business’s identity.” (Carrie Spindler, Owner of Goodiebox Bake Shop; Cliffside Park, NJ)
• Christine Hebbring & Jennifer Murray, co-founders of Painted Fox Treasures Allenton, WI

“Keep a healthy balance. Starting a new business can consume you to a level that’s not healthy—keep a balance so that you’re still in touch with family and friends.” (Christine Hebbring)

“Don’t let what you don’t know scare you. There’s so much that we have taught ourselves. And there’s so much that you can learn if you have the passion to learn it.” (Jennifer Murray)

All of these are good tips . . . but particularly the last.

Don’t fall into “paralysis by analysis”.

With internet marketing/network marketing, just get the system . . . and do it!

Click here for FastCompany.com’s article: 6 Female Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Business Advice

If you have a website . . . and are trying to build your own identity . . . You, Inc. . . .

You will come up on writing roadblocks.

You want to provide quality to your subscribers . . . . but the well seems dry.

You stare at the screen.

I recently came across an article written by Angie Dixon.  Her byline says she “helps creative people be more of who they are.”

She covers some “big picture” concepts like “Keeping Your Brain Full” and “Create More Down Time”.

But she gets in the weeds with nuts and bolts writing suggestions.

It’s a short read.

Take a few minutes . . . and see what you can take from this for your own writing projects.

Click here.