The Secret

A long while ago my friends Corey, Kevin and I sat down and watched the movie "The Secret". Its a wonderful film about visualizing your goals. The movie plays with the idea of the "Law of Attraction" which states: people experience the corresponding manifestations of their predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions and that people therefore have direct control over reality and their lives through thought alone.

A few people in the movie explain some the habits they had developed to harness the Law of Attraction for the fullest experience. One guy talks about "Vision Boards", which are a series of pin-up boards he had created with images and words of things he wanted to achieve. Others talk about writing down your goals and posting them up everywhere around your house. Some say to just sit and think about your goal as if you had achieved it and try to hang on to the feelings you experience while doing it.

After watching the movie I was energized to go achieve something. However, I knew that the high would die down after a while. So, I decided that every time I needed a pick-me-up I would do one of the habits the people in the film did.

The first thing I did was create a Vision Board. I put picture of homes I would like to own, cars, a pile of money, places I want to travel, and the business concepts I want to achieve. I spend a lot of time of the computer so instead of making one to put on my wall, I created one for my backdrop of my computer. I see the desktop often enough for my Vision Board to be effective.

Today I created the list of things I'm thankful for. I did this because I don't want to forget the core of my entrepreneurial energy. And with my list of thanks, I put together a few goals I want to achieve in 3 yrs, 5 yrs and 10 yrs. I want to share them with you, and they are as follows:

Thankful For:
Friends &Family
A place to live and sleep
The clothes on my back
A car that runs very well
My cultured background
Free thought and the ability to speak
My health
My vision
Fresh air and greener pastures
Meditation
Opportunities of Club Entrepreneur

3 yrs
-Make $500,000 in three years.
-Build self sustaining RPMS to a fleet of 10 vehicles servicing 2000 members with 1 franchise partner in California in three years.
-Own 2 investment properties in Tempe Arizona in three years.
-Own a 2 bedroom loft over the 10^th floor in Tempe’s Centerpoint Condominiums with a view of Mill Ave in three years.
-Refine my German in three years.

5yrs
-Make $1,000,000 in five years.
-Be completely removed from RPMS as a manager.
-Own 5 investment properties between Arizona and other states in five years.
-Learn to speak French in five years.
-Live in a cooler, greener part of the United States in five years.

10 yrs
-Make $10,000,000 in ten years.
-Own property in the south of France in ten years.
-Own property in Munich in ten years.
-Own property in Italy in ten years.
-Own property in Greece in 10 years.
-Learn to speak Italian in ten years.

I highly recommend practicing some of these techniques. The way I see it, if you only give yourself room to succeed, thats all you'll be able to do (don't forget to learn from your mistakes). Try keeping your mind on your personal success, and see what happens.

If you consider yourself an entrepreneur (or if not) and you have not seen this movie yet, get off the internet and watch it! Whether you believe in the Law of Attraction or not, its well worth considering. I'm all about people building their own destiny, and this movie helped me develop some habits to keep my life positive.

Next Curve

I recently watched an hour long video on Guy Kawasaki's blog "How to change the world". Its one of his presentations on The Art of Innovation. I have a lot of respect for Guy, not just because of his own personal achievements with Apple, etc, but also for the fact that everything he says really makes sense. On top of it all, he has a pretty good sense of humor. I highly recommend you watch this video, its absolutely amazing!

Although Guy's presentation is long, its full of great information. He's a very concise kind of guy. He only sticks to the main points and gives great example of each. He's really easy to follow and gives plenty of room for reflection on his points. The one point I'd like to go in depth with is point #11 "Don't let the bozo's grind you down", or as I see it "creating the next curve". (If you only want to watch that point its near the end around 45min in)

Creating the next curve is ultimately The Art of Innovation. Its taking your business to the next level. Developing a system or product that changes the way things will be done. Moving into new standards, solving problems that people don't realize they have. Completely changing the playing field and creating new markets.

Guy explains that a lot of companies have trouble expanding or growing their business and product. Rather than evolving their products and created a new curve, they simple add value or improve them or blow off an idea completely. He uses the example of Thomas Walson of IBM saying there is only a market of 5 computers in the world, and of Western Union, the telegraph company, stating that they don't see the use of a telephone in the everyday life of America. Amazing I know, but Guy points out a few companies who failed to see the next big curve.

He himself even made the mistake. Guy was offered the position to be the CEO of Yahoo! during its inception. He passed on the opportunity because he didn't realize that Yahoo! could be a profitable business model. He estimates his choice cost him almost 2 billion dollars. He's still kicking himself today because he couldn't see the curve. (He also wanted to spend time with his family, but as he says, that only accounts for 1 billion)

After watching the video I tried to think ahead of the curve. I looked deep inside myself, and my surroundings to see what I might be able to come up with that could be considered the next big curve. Holy shit, it's hard. Even with RPM'S, which will be launching in the next few months, I couldn't really picture the next curve. I've heard it said often that there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, and RPM'S really doesn't. It does add value to what already exists. Thats not bad, but its not a new curve.

As the world becomes more and more flat with the expansion of the internet and devices to share information it becomes more difficult to create something new. But I ask you to do this. Take some time out of your day and exercise yourself . Attempt to think up the next big thing, whether it be in you industry, business or something completely new. I think you'll find as I have, the tendency to add value to something that already exists. Either way its frustratingly fun to try, so do it - and who knows... You might just come up with something :)

What makes you?

Ah, friends. What glorious people to have in your life. Its interesting to think of the different levels of friendship, and where you would place some of yours. I have close friends - the people I do everything with, tell everything to, and have very open opinions with. There are also professional friends - people I meet for business advice or catch up with on business progress.

I would like to have more friends with person interest vested with them. I do well to get to know new people, and love to help people out in any way I can, but sometimes I don't think I give enough of my personal life away for people to make a connection. I know hundreds of people, most of which I probably see every month at least. But only a handful really know what I'm about, and could tell you why I do things the way I do. A lot of people know me, see my actions and hear what I say, but don't know my reasoning behind the ideas.

Its almost like high school all over again. I was somewhat reserved didn't take the time to talk to classmates. I just went to school, learned something and left. And that day when I performed with a band with friends at the Battle of the Bands everyone had the expression of "Where the hell did this guy come from?!?" No one had any idea I had that kind of energy, or spoke louder than classroom conversation. I never shared anything outside of school with my classmates. For all they knew I disappeared when the bell rang. I knew my life wasn't hallow, and never felt unfulfilled, but I didn't want other people to think that I was a bore or not looking to achieve something great. Because I will, and I am, and I want that to be a part of my peers expectations.

I know what the problem was too. I never shared anything because I didn't want to look like I was gloating. The change I made, however, was just a step in the right direction. I became more extroverted. I had a voice, and people knew I had energy. The problem still was that no one knew where I'm coming from. I went from the quite-esq guy to "that guy" (at least with some, especially new people) Not until someone had the time to sit and chat for a long time did they begin to understand who I really was.

Now, people know of me, hear me, and see what I do. I've changed my image a bit, and now my peers just by listening or watching can tell you what I'm up to.

I am a business owner, an entrepreneur. You know this because I frequent at the Club Entrepreneur meetings, and am enrolled at Grand Canyon University. My company deals with nightlife and entertainment. I love business and solving problems.

Wonderful! You want to do a business deal?!? Derp. Where is the personal stuff?? Even now, I'm having trouble expressing it in text, online. Between "where is the personal stuff??" and "even now" was a 10 minute pause. So up next is a stream of consiousness of things I enjoy...

I don't have a favorite color, and love all types of music, except country. I find it whiny, and don't enjoy the twang. I wont judge you if you listen to it, but I might make some noise about it if you make me listen to it in the car. I'm a huge food fanatic. I'll eat just about anything at least once, but I've found I don't really dig the sea food much. I love sushi though. I've done a great deal of exploring with different beers, and looking to move into some wine tasting. I frown upon those who stick to "budlight" (I put it in quote because I said it with a funny face and as if I had a speech impediment) because its a crappy beer with no flavor. Spring in for a little more and try something new. I love movies! I like a wide verity of movies from action flicks to animated. And yes that includes chick flicks, probably because I watch a lot of them with my mother when I was younger, but I personally think they are entertaining and an added bonus is most women dig it. I don't play a lot of sports, mostly racquetball. I was born in Germany, and am a German citizen. Yes, I have an alien card. No, you may not see my antenna. I speak fluent German, I just need to work on my vocabulary. Post my success with business I would like to move back to live there. Ultimately I would like to own a few homes in different countries on the Mediterranean and have a big yacht to travel between them. Europe is great, and has a lot of beautiful history - if you haven't you should visit. I have a thing for Asian women. I would like to visit Asian, but not to pick up women.

That wasn't so bad. It only scratches the surface, but its a good start. Now I just have to figure out a way to put it into conversation. That pile of information is what I feel projects a decent personal image of me outside of my business mind. In giving this information I want to help bring my professional relationships to a new level. A more personal one where it doesn't just feel like business. I know who I am, and I want you to know as well.

I realize most of the people reading this already know all that about me, but maybe someone else will stumble upon it.

I suppose I could have read a book or found an answer to this "issue" on the internet, but I would rather post it. I don't do well with learning from books or reading. In fact I have trouble with recreational reading . I would much rather have a conversation with someone and learn that way. Sometimes you get a biased explanation, but books are written by people too.


PS: Beer was never meant to be light, if you dont want a fat ass, dont drink so much :-p

Not Sunday, Are the rich stupid?

We have all seen the rich purchase ridiculous products for the sake of fads, but I think this site takes the cake for me.

Lifestyle Pets Inc. - Cats

Ever wanted a $22,000, 30 lbs, domestic "special breed" leopard? Well congratulations, you can now get one. This is the classic use of gene-splicing, breeding that rich consumer geniuses love! If you have too much money and need a huge cat (that might eat children) for your home, call Lifestyle Pets Inc.

You know right off that is for the rich because you name is Lifestyle Pets, so of course you're going to have to "afford" something. But honestly... why? Isn't it enough people get attacked by wild cougars/mountain lions jogging the scenic paths surrounding their $3 MM dollar homes? Why bring them into your house?!?!

This cat, Ashera, is a breed of the "exotic blend" of African Serval and Asian Leopard Cat. For an extra $6000 you can even have the kitten shipment expedited! And soon to come, specialized small breed of dog! Because everyone needs a purse-pup like Paris Hilton.

I'll give Lifestyle Pets Inc this much... They used science to create a really interesting (but potential dangerous product) and have a really awesome website to sell it on. I just don't see the point. No one needs a big cat, nor does anyone need to pay that much for it.

Maybe I'm just jealous because I haven't been able to create a "need" for a ridiculous product that sells for an exorbitant amount of money.

Prune Juice Please

This is a personal blog of my week. I find myself frequently laying around and reflecting on my week, every Sunday. I decided after a long and refreshing nap to start recording my thoughts. I know a few bloggers and they always say I should be blogging. I just could never decide what the hell to blog about! Well, now I've found something, and the time to do it. My vision for this blog is to describe my ad-ventures, people I meet, and reflections of feelings, etc... The mushy stuff.

The idea came to me while talking on the phone with my business partner, Toby. Usually when I'm bored or can't find anything to do I'll call him. We live pretty far apart, and business aside I don't see him often. As of late we have been exchanging updates via phone or email on our progress to get our business of the ground. Everyday now I have been eagerly trying to move forward into a launch. Our business, for those unaware, is Responsible Partying Made Simple. We have been working on the model for over a year now, and are ready to spring into action. This is our first venture together and there has been a gigantic learning curve. That is partially to blame for the slowed progress. Now, with all the information and knowledge we have, I'm starting to get antsy. I know what to do, how to do it, but spent all my money figuring that out. I know what to say, how to present the idea, and have loads of support, but we're on a tight bootstrap budget. This tends to turn into a rant, and always closes the same way. So, I will get into this another Sunday, after a different nap.

I want my business to exist to help Arizona, and the nightlife crowd, but thats not all. I have a great deal of angst to finally start a successful business. I've been in the entrepreneurial field for almost 2 years now. I have been in the mindset my whole life. I just recently found a name for it. - The bug bit me a while back, but the symptoms just started to show :) - For as young as I am I have made a great deal of progress in the field. I have an awesome network of people and access to knowledge some would die for. But I want to put it to use! I feel like I've done a lot of talk, but not enough action. - Granted I've done a lot to get my business to the stage it is at. That alone is an achievement, I know. - Within myself though, I feel like its time to shit or get off the pot, except I super glued my ass to the seat, and ate too many peanuts.

If I only had a glass of prune juice.

I relentlessly push forward, and we're excruciatingly close to launch. I feel like it will only take one more push and we can finally hit the fan! (I need to get that website finished) I've been mentally preparing myself for all the things that come with running and owning a business. I've listened to stories and taken notes on the do's and dont's. I subscribe to a verity of blogs on small business management, and business guides. I don't necessarily find them very helpful because they don't all fit my business or situation. I do take time to read the ones that truly apply, and at least try to understand the others in a generalize context. The golden information is from the people I know, and stories of my friends' businesses. I enjoy helping them with their business issues, its fun. But I'd like to return the favor and give them some of my issues to solve.

Soon enough I will succeed in this launch. Then it will be time to take on the next challenges, and the other ventures! It is quite an addicting lifestyle, but its the best way to get a high. I am constantly re-energized by everyone I know in the field. We share great passion for what we do, and I couldn't ask for anything better.