Mindy Sylvester

Let Go

2010-03-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

There I was at 13,000 feet, leaning over the edge of an airplane, with a flight instructor strapped to my back. I was gripping the safety bars tighter than I think I’ve ever held on to anything in my life. I knew it was my turn to jump, but I couldn’t get myself to let go of those bars. “Let go, Mindy," the flight instructor said. I didn’t move. “Mindy, let go,” he said once again. Still, my body didn’t move a muscle. I knew what I needed to do but was paralyzed with fear. Then I heard him say, “It’s going to be ok, Mindy, take a deep breath, smile and just let go.”

And so I did.

I removed my hands from the bars, knowing that now there was nothing between me and the ground. All I had at this point was my fear, my faith, and my new found courage. I let go. For a moment I just sat there, completely still. Anticipating what was about to happen to me and knowing that I just let go of any and all control that I ever had. I sat there, completely vulnerable. Completely scared out of my mind.

We were sucked into the sky like a vacuum. I had absolutely no control over what was going on, I was just falling. Though it didn’t feel like I was falling, it felt like I was soaring. It isn’t often that I let myself be in situations that I cannot control. As I looked around, I couldn’t believe the beauty and peace around me and how quiet and beautiful the earth looked from so far above. I was so happy I let go of those safety bars.

I began to think, “What if I had been too scared to let go?” What if I had let my fear and my desire to control everything prevent me from this experience?” It would’ve been a shame and I would have robbed myself of an amazing life experience, one that I will not likely forget. Though I have never probably actually been closer to death, I have never felt more alive.

Are you holding on to the safety bars? Are you allowing your fears to prevent you from soaring to new heights and experiencing life to the fullest?

I don’t feel like life was meant to be safe all the time. If you’re always looking for safety, you’re never getting out of your comfort zone and you’re never allowing yourself to grow. Taking chances is what makes us feel alive. Maybe you don’t need to jump out of an airplane to feel alive, but maybe you do need to allow yourself to take some risks and allow yourself to do things that make you feel vulnerable and scared. When it’s all said and done, the payoff is worth the risk. Just those few moments of feeling so alive and so free was worth every ounce of fear that I had. Not to mention the feeling of accomplishment, for proving to myself that I am stronger than my fears.

So, what if you take a chance and fail? I don’t think there is such a thing as a failure. Every time you do something new, you learn and grow. Maybe it didn’t turn out exactly the way you hoped, but at least you tried. You became a smarter, wiser person in the process and expanded your thinking and became stronger. Sometimes we have to feel weaker first in order to get stronger.

As far as we know, this is our one shot at our life as we know it today. Allow yourself to experience all life has to offer, even things that you think may be out of your reach. Especially things that you think may be out of your reach - those are the things that will give you the greatest satisfaction once you attempt to get them. Don’t let your mind create problems that may not or may never exist. Allowing yourself to miss out on life’s amazing experiences, happiness, and feeling alive, because you’re afraid of what may happen is a greater danger than letting go of any safety bars, at any height. Some of us build a wall around our heart because we feel like it will protect us. But all the walls really do is keep the hurt and fear inside.

Enjoy all the people in your life, experience all the fun and love they have to offer - and let go!!

Reasons to be happy TODAY!

2010-01-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

A funny thing happened the other day. I was in a pretty heated disagreement with a long time friend when he told me that "he didn't want to be friends with someone who was so happy all the time for no reason." He went on to say that, "I have no reason to be happy right now in my life." I actually thought it was kind of funny and felt bad for him because he is obviously so miserable. The girlfriend that I was with at the time said that she was proud of me for laughing it off because some people would have been devastated if someone told them they have no reason to be happy.

After thinking about it for a while, I guess from the outside, I can understand why someone would think I have no reason to be happy. In the past couple of years I've dealt with a lot of difficult things. My mom passed away after a long battle with a terminal illness, my dad died a tragic death, and I had a large sum of money (that I spent years working hard for) taken from me by someone close to me that I loved and trusted.

While these were difficult, thankfully, my mind and spirit do not let me focus on the negative. You see, someone can take away your money, but they can never take away what is inside of you that helped you earn it in the first place. No one can ever take away your will and determination. If I focused on the deception and the amount of money I lost, I would probably go crazy. Instead, I choose to focus on the exciting things that my future holds and creating ways that I can be of service to others and replace that stolen money.

Both of my parents were 57 when they died and my good friend Chuck was just 36. I'm quite sure that if any of them were to give me some advice right now , it would be to enjoy the life that I have and that every day is precious. No - every MINUTE of every day is precious! When my mom was diagnosed with 4-6 months to live, it happened to be in the height of the real estate boom. Nothing is more important than my family or friends, but I never really could find a balance between my work responsibilities and personal time (I still work on this daily.) I was able to spend a good deal of time with my mom, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd give back every sale and every dollar I made during that time in exchange for spending that time with her rather than working.

Time is so valuable and I think we forget that as we get caught up in day to day life. Right after Christmas last year, my dad called me when I was with a client. I sent him to voicemail and planned on calling him later. Later never came.

It's important not to take today for granted - or anyone in your life. They may not be here tomorrow. I know it sounds a little harsh or morbid, but it's true and sometimes the only time you realize it is when it's too late.

Don't be too late in enjoying your life. Be happy today and appreciate everyone and everything around you. I have so many things to be thankful for and I will always choose to be happy and grateful for what I have in my life. Even if people think I have no reason to be! :-)

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #15 - Take Control of Your 2010

2010-01-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

Now that 2010 is well under way, what actions are you taking to make sure that it is better than your 2009? If you do the same thing you did in the past, you will get the same results. In order to get different results, you must do different things.

Take some time to reflect on things you really want to do and have this year. Write the top 2 or 3 things down and keep them in front of you at all times. Next, make a plan. If you were going to drive from Florida to California and you didn't use a map or google maps, you MAY get there, but it will take you a lot longer and you'll more than likely get lost many times along the way. On the other hand, if you make small goals, such as driving from Florida to Georgia first and follow a precise plan, then you'll obtain that goal quickly, and can quickly move on to the next. One by one, you'll have reached all of your short term goals, and in the end, will arrive in California.

Now let's apply that to your life. Have you always wanted to take a trip to Italy or Hawaii? (insert your dream destination). If you break it down, it won't seem so unobtainable. Let's say you need $3000 to take your trip. If you want to go on your trip in one year, divide $3000 by 12 - this means you'll only have to come up with $250 per month. $250 sounds much easier than $3000, doesn't it? If you break it down even further, you'll only have to save $62.50 per week to take your dream trip in 12 months. (That's less than $9.00 per day)

Now for the action plan! What can you do to either make an extra $9.00 per day or save an extra $9.00 per day? The action plan is the time to make it fun and be creative. Keep your goal in mind every day. Instead of eating lunch out, take your lunch to work. It's a small sacrifice to make knowing that you'll soon be sipping wine and eating pasta in Italy! Here are some other ideas:
1. Go through your closet and take back to the store anything that still has tags on it. Even if you get the bottom clearance price, it gets you closer to your trip.
2. Sell anything you have used or worn in the past year on ebay. Not only will you make extra money, you'll de-clutter your life.
3. Work a couple of hours per week at a part time job. Would working one night or one Saturday per week for a few months be worth making memories that will last a life time? For sure!
4. Cut out cable. For some this is unthinkable, but you have to keep in mind your goal - watching Grey's Anatomy or driving through vineyards in Tuscany. Hmmmm. Once you start doing other things besides spending hours watching tv, you'll realize how much more full your life is!

I could go on and on about what you can "cut out" of your life, but my brain doesn't think that way. I think along the lines of "creation" and "prosperity" rather than "cutting out" and "lacking." Find pictures of all the places you want to go and things you want to do and keep them in front of you. Every day, vividly picture yourself going there and TAKE ACTION every day to do something to get you closer and it will happen!

Meet you at the Piazza!

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #14 - Find Your Purpose

2009-10-17T09:39:00.001-07:00

Last week's radio appearance on WJBC's "The Broad View" (thanks Susan!) was a blast and really made me think about my purpose for creating The Get Rich Girl.

What makes you feel alive!? Is there something, that when you talk about it, you just get a fire inside you and get so excited that you can talk about it all day? That's your passion! If your everyday life - especially your work life - doesn't include your passion, then you're cheating yourself of living the best life you can have.

My passion is helping people. I'm no Mother Teresa, and I don't claim to be, but I have been given so many opportunities in life and I want everyone else to have the same. Flying first class to a private yacht in the Mediterranean is FUN and COOL and there is NO reason why you shouldn't have the opportunity to do that - or anything else you want in life!!

I'm passionate about what I do because I used to be on the other side of opportunity. What I mean, is that I didn't really know what kind of opportunities were available in life until I went out and got rid of my self limitations and fears and started looking for them.

I spent a lot of my childhood in a trailer park. I used to have to pray that my car would start. I drove an entire winter with no heat in my car and actually used to have to scrape the inside of my windows to get rid of the ice. I drove 60 miles each way to school for a week holding the driver side door because it was frozen and wouldn't shut.

I've been poor and I've been rich, and let me tell you, it's a lot more fun being rich! Driving a Porsche is way more fun than driving a clunker! Those people that say money can't buy happiness have never really had it because it is tons of fun! Money won't make you a better person, but it provides security, fun and enables you to help others.

My purpose is to help you realize that you are just as able to have more money than you imagined AND you can have fun doing it! I'm no Harvard graduate - I don't even have a college degree. I certainly had no silver spoon or rich uncles to give me a head start.

What I did have was a desire to do great things and travel the world and be able to afford anything I want. I can now and so can you if you start to work on getting rid of the fears, worry and excuses that you've been making up in your head.

Find your purpose! Live your passion!!

Get R.I.C.H. Quote of the Day

2009-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~Japanese Proverb

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #13 - Take a Baby Step

2009-09-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

“One of my best moves is to surround myself with friends who, instead of asking “why?” are quick to say “why not?” That attitude is contagious. - Oprah Winfrey

So the discussion between my friend who is in (what she calls) a dead-end job, continued the other day. She said she really needed change, has never lived anywhere else and would love to move to Texas.

I said, “Great! When are you leaving?!” She said, “Well, I’m not actually going to do it!” When I asked her “why not” she said, “I just can’t!” And I said, “Ok, why not?” Then the conversation went something like this:

“I don’t have a job.” - Her

“Have you looked?” - Me

“Well, no.” - Her

“Ok, then look for one.” Me

“I can’t leave my job” - Her

“You said you HATE your job” Me

“It’s very hard to find a job” - Her

“How hard have you looked?” Me

Blank stare

“Do you really want to make the move?” Me

“Yes” Her

“Let’s get on the internet right now and look for jobs” Me

Internet opened - job search begins.....

Now she has actually moved forward and is applying for jobs and doing phone interviews. She has been talking about moving for 2 years and all it took was the first step. She now has an idea of what area she’ll live in and has someone lined up to sub-lease her current apartment.

Maybe living your dream isn’t so hard after all!? Maybe it just takes one baby step to get your thoughts focused and your plan into action!?

Your Get R.I.C.H. Action Step of the Day: Take your baby step right now!!!

Lessons From the Great Les Brown

2009-09-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

I recently had the honor of spending a weekend training with Les Brown, one of the world's most successful professional speakers. He's been one of the top motivational speakers and authors for the past 30+ years.

Watching and listening Les speak was mesmerizing. When he speaks, it doesn't come from his throat or even his diaphragm -it comes from deep within his heart. And it shows. He gets a gleam in his eyes and gives off an energy that will make you want to run a marathon.

When you do your job, are you gleaming? The best way to be successful is to do what you love. When you love what you do, you have that fire inside of you that will prevent you from failing. That fire will keep you up at night because you're so excited to get to work the next day. (As I type this, it is 1:30 am!) There are times in the middle of the night when I think of a quote or phrase that I think may help someone deal with a difficult or challenging situation, and I can't help but wake up and get to work!

Within one minute of meeting Les, it's obvious why he has been so successful all these years. He loves what he does and he loves helping other people.

I'd like to share with you some of Les' powerful quotes.

"Commitment is the courage to go from failures, defeats, and disappointments to manifesting your destiny without losing your hunger from your dream. It is the willingness to do whatever is required."

"Passion is that magnificent obsession for a cause, an activity, or a purpose..that as much as we have chosen it, it has chosen us."

"Develop a vision of your greatest self that you pursue wholeheartedly, with an unstoppable spirit"

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #12 - Get out of your own way

2009-09-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

I was recently at lunch with a good friend who was telling me how miserable she was at her job and how disappointed she was with what she’s done in her life. She told me she had so many things she wanted to do in life and asked me if I had any advice for her. I simply told her, “Get out of your own way and make them happen.” She looked at me blankly then said, “Oh, easy for you to say, the girl who makes so much money.”

I stopped and thought about which part of my journey in life that had actually been “easy.” Was it the part of my life when I grew up in a trailer, watching my mom struggle and scrub other people’s floors to put food on the table?” Or maybe it was the part when my dad spent most of my childhood in and out of prison? Or when I packed up my car with $1200 dollars to my name and moved across the country to pursue my dream of traveling the world? At 22, it was pretty scary, and definitely not “easy.”

Nothing about living your dream is “easy.” It never will be. But you must have the courage and strength to take a chance and go after your dream. Most of the ultra wealthy, successful people I know didn’t have anyone hand them anything. They worked for it - and they worked hard! They viewed their obstacles as opportunities and took charge of their life.

Every single person on this planet has a “story.” By story, I mean a struggle in their life that they can use to either paralyze them or catapult them to the road to living their dream and doing whatever they want with their life.

The fact of the matter is that this girl and I grew up in the same area, with the same opportunities and the same education. There’s no real reason why she can’t get what she wants out of life. She’s healthy, she’s smart and she is living in a land with endless opportunities - if she decides to take them.

No one is going to come knocking on your door and make your dream happen for you. You’ve got to take action - today and every day - to make it happen. Or you can continue to make excuses and watch other people live your dream.

One of my dreams is to empower as many people as possible to live their dream. I want you to be able to travel anywhere you want to go, to buy what you want to buy, to do what you want to do and to be who you want to be. Do you want that for yourself?

The great motivational speaker Les Brown said, “A negative person will look at opportunities and all they see are the obstacles. A positive person will look at obstacles, and all they see are opportunities.”

Acknowledge your opportunities, have faith in your abilities and make your dream happen!

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #11 - Perseverance

2009-08-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

I was just being interviewed for a magazine and the journalist asked me to sum up the reason for my success in one word. I had to think about it for a minute. A one word description for everything I've been through in the past 15 years was tough. Then I thought back to when I first moved away from my hometown and everything I owned fit into my Geo Storm. (A car I had for 8 years and 108,000 miles!)

I thought about how scared I was moving away from my family, friends, my steady job and everything familiar to me. I thought about how many times I cried and wanted to turn around and come home but didn't.

Then I started thinking about how I later moved to Florida, again, everything I owned fitting in that same Geo Storm. I started my fitness business and didn't really know what was going to happen, but knew it was what I wanted to do more than anything at the time. I called a Realtor to see if I could buy a little condo and her response was, "you'd be lucky to afford a car."

So how did I get from that Geo Storm to today? Perseverance. I looked up the word on dictionary.com and it fit my life so well I got goose bumps. Perseverance -steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.

What if I would have turned that car around the first time I got scared and moved back to Bloomington? I have amazing friends and family, but I have no doubt that if I would not have persevered then I would not have travelled the world, proven to myself that I could get R.I.C.H, own homes across the country and have the experiences I have had. Life was never bad - I just never would have understood how amazing life can be and all the opportunities it has to offer. And how anything is possible.

Perseverance got me from the Geo to the Porsche. I've been told "no" a thousand times, but I knew it would only take a couple "yes"s to get what I wanted. I've been laughed at, talked about, felt sorry for and insulted. But I knew that for every person that didn't think I was good enough, there was one who thought I was. And all those "no"s made me stronger and better and when I focused and persevered, I made over a million dollars in three quick years.

If you want a better life, whether it's better Relationships, Inner Peace, Cash or Health, (RICH) you can. But you can't give up on your goal or dream the first, or the second, or the 50th time it becomes hard for you. You'll never know just how close you are to your dream if you turn your back on it!

Your Get R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day: Try again at something you've given up on. Try again to get that job you've been turned down for or that friendship you've given up on, or those last 5 lbs you want to lose.

Get R.I.C.H. Lesson #10 - Why Do People Fail?

2009-08-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

I spoke to a good friend yesterday who is having trouble making it in the real estate business. To supplement her income, she started selling pre-paid legal services a couple of years ago, and last year she started selling some juice or vitamin product. She told me yesterday that she's not doing well at anything and she doesn't know what to do. She then asked me to get into some multi level marketing program selling this juice. I told her that there is no way I would be successful at selling juice and when she asked me why, my answer was simple. "I'm not passionate about juice."

She then realized that is the reason she's not doing well at it either. If you're not passionate about something, it's going to be really hard to be successful. If you're chasing something for the money, the money will probably never come - or it will be short lived.

If you're doing what you truly love, not only do you never have to work another day (because work turns into fun), the money will follow. I have success in real estate because I'm passionate about helping people get into good situations and helping sellers get out of bad ones. And I know that I'm good at what I do and will make sure my clients are exceptionally taken care of.

My book is coming out tomorrow and I know I'll be successful with that because I am so passionate about helping others succeed that I can hardly get myself to sleep at night.

Do you love what you do so much that it keeps you up at night!? If you're not, then you should find what it is you love to do and stop making excuses. Don't blame you're economic situation because it will never improve until you're doing what you truly love.

Your R.I.C.H. Action Step of the Day: Take a step to work in your dream career. Research what is necessary to get started and sign up for a class, read a book or go to a seminar. You can't afford NOT to! (And books are free at the library so you really have no excuses!)

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #9 - Live Your Dream

2009-08-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

Are you living your dream life? What would you do today if you didn't have to work? I find it sad that so many people think that living a dream life is unrealistic or "naive." It's usually because our parents and society has made us believe that work is supposed to be hard and making money is supposed to be difficult.

We've basically been hypnotized our whole lives to think "struggle." What would happen if you started to re-program yourself to think that life is fun and easy and you can do anything you want and have anything you want - easily?

The only thing that keeps us from going after our dreams are our thoughts.

The average American works until they are 65 years old to retire and start living and traveling. And then they are barely healthy enough to do anything. On top of that, they ended up with less retirement money than they thought and are too broke to leave the state. Why in the world would you want to wait until you are 65 to start enjoying life!?

By surrounding myself with people who truly are living a dream life, it has opened my eyes even further to realize it can happen.

My friend Katie read the amazing book by Timothy Ferriss called "4 Hour Workweek" and has spent the last several months traveling all over the world. She's from Australia and travelled the U.S. for several months and has been in Europe since June. Her adventures are amazing and she really is living an amazing life. Check out her blog at www.livingadventuresoftheheart.blogspot.com

Also, my amazing friend Elayna had a dream of writing a book and becoming a speaker. Since June she has started a huge international network www.positivemommies. com, wrote 2 books and is working on a huge book deal among other things!! Within a year, she'll be a household name!

The point is, they knew what they wanted and the went for it!!! They didn't listen to the people who told them they couldn't do it, they just followed their dream.

Are you following your dream???

Your Get R.I.C.H. Action Step of the Day: Think about what you would do today if you didn't have to worry about money or bills. Write it down and start visualizing yourself daily doing just that. When you can start seeing yourself living your dream, your subconscious mind and the Universe begins to work to actually make it happen!

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #8 - Act Like A Kid!

2009-07-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

I’m always being accused of acting like a big kid. To me, it’s my favorite compliment! When you’re acting like a kid, you’re fully enjoying life and not worrying about anything! You’re living in the moment and having fun!

Our minds and bodies need a break from thinking every once in a while. In our workouts for the Naples Weight Loss Challenge, every week at the end of the workout we play a fun game like duck, duck goose or tag or hide and seek. Not only are we getting exercise, but we’re laughing our butts off and having a blast. It’s amazing how energetic you feel afterwards.

When I get around my nieces, I turn into the crazy Aunt running full speed through Wal-mart with the shopping cart, making race car noises. We get a lot of stares but we have a blast! Who cares what people think? My nieces love it and there’s nothing better than hearing kids laugh. (And laughing yourself!)

Isn’t that what life is about - to enjoy?

I’ve lost a lot of friends and family members and none of them ever told me, “Man, I just wish I would have taken life more seriously.”

Your R.I.C.H. Action Step of the Day: Act like a kid! Whatever your favorite thing to do was as a kid, do it today. Have an ice cream eating contest, pop wheelies on your bike, eat corn on the cob like bugs bunny, skip through the grocery store - just be silly!! Once a day just let loose and don’t worry about what other people think! Have fun!!!

P.S. My friend and amazing psychotherapist Jenny Craig is an expert at teaching people to have fun and acting like a kid. Check out her website at www.insitestrategist.com

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #7 - Let it Roll!

2009-07-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Reading facebook posts sometimes makes me sad for some of my friends. It's interesting how the same people who are always complaining about their lives are always the ones posting about how bad it is. It's like they just won't give themselves a break. Not only do they constantly view things that happen to them as negative, but they just won't let it go!!

We all need to vent every once in a while, but when something that you view as "bad" happens, vent for a moment, think about the lesson you learned and how it will improve your life then move forward!! The longer you dwell on it, the more of your life you allow it to consume.

For example, one of my friends just hates her co-workers. So 8 hours a day, she has to put up with these people that she dislikes. Then, she comes home and posts on facebook how awful her day was and how she wishes she had a different job. So now, her night is getting ruined also because she won't let it go. She gets angry with me when I won't let her talk about it on the weekends.

Every single one of us has issues we're dealing with. But don't forget about all the positive things you have in the meantime and how precious life is. I went to visit one of my good friends about 2 weeks after my dad was killed. It was night time and I was in one of my silly moods and was making jokes and being my smart-ass self! I went into the other room and they didn't know that I was within ear shot and they said, "Now that's what I call denial! Her dad just died and she's acting like that!?"

Well, what was I supposed to do? Of course I was upset. Of course I missed him. Of course I was hurting inside. But was I supposed to walk around every minute of every day crying and being sad? He wouldn't want that and neither do I. And being sad wouldn't bring him back. It's very sad having lost both of my parents within 2 years as well as one of my best friends, but it's all the more reason to focus on what you do have in life. I have a lot to be thankful for and that's what I choose to focus on - the things I do have.

Chances are, for every one negative thing that is happening in your life, there are 10 positive ones! Focus on those and more good things will happen!

Your Get R.I.C.H. Action Step of the Day: Write down one thing you've been complaining about lately. Write down what that experience or situation has taught you that will make you better. Now write down 10 things that you are thankful for then forget about the negative one - let it roll!!

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #6 - Do the HUSTLE!

2009-07-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

Last week I received a phone call from a fellow Realtor who had noticed that I've been selling a lot of homes and wanted to know what I was doing. I was busy at the moment and asked him when he was free so I could call him back to give him some advice. His response, "I get up around 9:30, so call me anytime after that."

Well, there was our answer as to why he's not selling any real estate. The good agents have already been up for hours and have gotten to the good prospects. By the time he even gets out of bed, the top 1% are half way through another successful day.

Abraham Lincoln said it best, "Things come to those who wait - but only what's left over by those who hustle."

Don't mistake me for being one of those people who like mornings, because I am not. But if you have a dream, a goal, or if you're just trying to make ends meet, you have to wake up, have a solid plan for the day and follow it.

What are you going to do today to get to your goal? You must be relentless, you must let rejection make you stronger and you must keep hustling until you get to your goal!

Do you want the "leftovers" in life?? Heck no! Wake up today energized, excited and ready to get whatever you want! You deserve it!

Your Get R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day - Do 5 things today and every day to move you towards your #1 goal

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #5- GIVE to get R.I.C.H.

2009-06-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

For the majority of human beings, your happiness is in direct relationship to your contribution. Whether that’s your contribution to your kids, your job, your husband, your bank account or your health. You’re happier when you’re able to give more.

Not only that, but the more you give, the more you get in return. (Though obviously, you should never give just for the sole purpose of getting something in return)

Your R.I.C.H. Action Step of the day: Spend time today to give something to someone in every RICH category. Relationships, Inner Peace, Cash, Health

For example:

Relationships - Bake cookies and send to a friend who’s having a tough time right now.

or write a note to your best friend or significant other telling them why you love them.

Inner Peace - Babysit for a friend who has kids so she can have some time only for herself to relax and enjoy life.

Cash - Give to someone less fortunate. Even if it’s just $1.00 to a homeless person

Health - Take your family on a long walk, job or bike ride and follow up with a healthy

salad for dinner

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #4 - Don't Participate in the Recession!

2009-06-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Obviously, I know we all have to make cut backs and that many people are without jobs or have taken a cut in pay. But it’s important to watch your mindset in order to make improvements in your financial situation.

Quantum physics tells us that what we think about expands. So if you’re constantly thinking about lack and not having enough of something, you’ll get more “lack” At any given time, you’re either thinking positive thoughts or negative thoughts - never both at the same time. If you’re always thinking about cutting costs and not having enough money, you’re not only sending out negative vibrations, you’re telling your subconcious mind that you don’t have “enough” However, if you change those thoughts of lack to thoughts of creating prosperity, you will get more prosperity!

So, to make it simple, you’re either spending your time and energy thinking and worrying about not having enough or you’re spending it positively and thinking about how you can create more!

I read an article online from a Realtor who had spent all this time telling people how she had cut $2.00 off her electric bill, $12.00 from her grocery bill, and even like 50 cents from some other bill. It was all for a grand total of like $16.00. That’s great! But what if instead of spending hours on the phone with utility companies and driving all over town to go to 6 grocery stores, she spent that time marketing herself in real estate, or even cleaning out her closets and selling unwanted things on ebay? I’m sure she could of found ways to make hundreds of dollars if she’d have spent her time creating rather than cutting.

Your R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day: Get your creativity rolling and find a new way to create prosperity and opportunities for yourself. Use your skills to create some part time income or make your hobby into a money making venture. If you’re hobby is arts and crafts, make some jewelry and sell it at a craft fair or online. If you love pets, offer to walk or watch a neighbor’s pet. Despite the economy, there are still a lot of people spending money - you just need to attract them.

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #3 - Keep on Failing!

2009-06-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently” Henry Ford.

I was speaking to a client the other day who was telling me of all the things she wished she could do and how different she wanted her life to be. I asked her why she didn’t do some the things she wanted to. She quickly replied, “Oh, I’m afraid I’ll fail.” She went on to talk about all of her past “failures”

What IS failure? I couldn’t help but think how horrible it would be to look back on life and “wish” but only be able to say to yourself, “I wanted to do it, but I was too scared.”

The most successful people in the world are the people who have had the most “failures” Thomas Edison had over 10,000 inventions that didn’t work. Thank goodness for us that he didn’t give up.

Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield were rejected more than 100 times by publishers and now hold the Guiness Book of World Records for the most books sold in history. How many people would have given up after one rejection? 3? 10? 30?

“Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.’ - Thomas Edison

Michael Jordan didn’t make the basketball team his sophomore year in high school. He’s one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Thank goodness he didn’t quit after his “failure.”

This is one of my favorites! Check out the resume of this “failure”:

Lost his job

Defeated in run for State Legislature

Failed in business

Had nervous breakdown

Defeated in run for House Speaker

Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress

Lost re-nomination

Rejected for land officer position

Defeated in run for U.S. Senate

Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President

Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate

THEN....In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President Of the United States!!!

Abraham Lincoln never let his “failures” stop him from achieving his mission in life and is known as one of the greatest Presidents in history.

Do you have a goal or dream that you gave up on because someone told you that you couldn’t do it? How do you know that you weren’t just one NO away from a YES? Or one failure away from SUCCESS?

Your R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day: Write down 1 thing that you’ve always wanted to do but have tried and “failed” at in the past. Write down the reasons you failed. Now begin again - more intelligently! Don’t let one, or two, or 1000 “no”s stop you from living the life of your dreams!

Get R.I.C.H Lesson #2 - Be Thankful Today!

2009-06-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

The best way to get what you want in life is to be thankful for what you have. Oprah made the gratitude journal popular several years ago and The Secret explains how our thoughts are vibrations and when you’re in a positive and thankful frame of mind, you’ll receive more positive things in return.

These days are difficult for many people. Many have lost their jobs or have taken a cut in pay. Marital and health problems are on the rise due to an increased amount of stress, mostly due to the economy.

But no matter what your circumstances are, you should always be thankful for what you have. Sometimes we’re so busy trying to achieve more or have more, we forget about what we actually have right here in front of us.

For today, forget about how your husband or boyfriend leaves the dishes in the sink - be thankful for his good qualities and how lucky you are to have someone to share your life with. Many people have lost their loved ones and would give anything to have them back to mess up the house.

For today, forget about those 10 extra pounds - be thankful you have a healthy heart, great eyesight, hearing, and strong legs and arms. There are people in wheelchairs who would give anything to take just one step.

For today, forget about how much money you lost in real estate or the stock market - be thankful that you had money to lose in the first place. Many people don’t even have homes.

For today, be thankful for your family, your friends, your health, your wealth and for this amazing day in which you are free to do whatever you like.

Your R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day: Make a list of the top 20 things you’re most thankful for AND tell 20 people today how thankful you are that they are in your life.

Here’s mine:

1. My health

2. My wonderful husband - he’s the greatest guy in the Universe

3. My family - they have the biggest hearts

4. My parents - they taught me a lot and I miss them so much

5. My friends - the most amazing and supportive group of people in the world

6. The opportunities life has offered me

7. My successes

8. My mistakes - without them I wouldn’t grow

9. My travels - I’m so thankful to have been to over 45 countries

10. My cool Chicago apt- the greatest city in the world

11. My great home in Florida

12. My work ethic - it’s easy to work hard when you love what you do

13. The people I’ve met in my life - so many wonderful people

14. The sad times- they make me appreciate the happy ones more

15. My challenges - they make me find strength deep within

16. My job - it doesn’t seem like a job

17.My loyal clients and friends that give me business -without them, I’d have nothing

18. Being poor growing up - otherwise I wouldn’t value what’s really important in life - people

19.All those jerky guys who broke my heart in the past - if they hadn’t, I would have my husband! (It’s a miracle he puts up with me and I’m thankful for that too!)

20. Being excited and alive and able to help other people any way I can!!!

RICH Lesson #1 - THINK Positive!

2009-06-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

No one says it better than Henry Ford, "Whether you think you can or you can't - you're right."

Getting yourself in a positive mindset is the first and one of the most important steps in achieving your goals. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities completely and visualize yourself accomplishing those goals every day.

Your mind is very powerful. Unless you fully believe in yourself, you'll sabotage yourself and your efforts. I walked on 2000 degree hot coals barefoot. Yes, on purpose. Why? To prove to myself how powerful my mind is and if I can walk on 2000 degree hot coals barefoot with no marks or blisters on my feet, what else could I possibly be capable of? Anything!!

Please don't go walking on hot coals unsupervised. You have to be trained and I highly recommend going to Tony Robbins' UPW. It will change your life.

Have you noticed that when you workout and you start thinking thoughts like "Oh man, I'm hot. Geez, my foot hurts. I'm tired. I think my side hurts..." (blah, blah, blah) that the workout is hard and painful? The next time you start hearing that voice say those things, you STOP them and replace those thoughts with something like, "I'm STRONG, I'm POWERFUL, I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. I am getting STRONGER every step, every squat, etc." Try it - it works!

In the book Psychocybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, a study was done with a professional football player who couldn't curl over 100 lbs. He tried hundreds of times to lift over 100 lbs but he never did. He was hypnotized and was told that he was so strong that lifting over 100 lbs was easy for him. He then attempted to lift 125 lbs and did it on his first try. What does that tell you about how important it is to think positive and watch the negative thoughts going through your head!?

Your R.I.C.H Action Step of the Day: Think about something you really want to do and start believing you can do it. Visualize yourself every day doing it and notice how happy you are and how good it feels.