| Several years ago I was working as a project | | | | Research Corp. one in five people feel that "the most |
| manager on a software integration project and I had | | | | practical" way to accumulate |
| the wonderful opportunity to welcome a new person | | | | $200,000 is to win the lottery. The lottery! I'm here to |
| to my team. He had an interesting background and | | | | tell you that if that's theeasiest way to $200,000 then |
| was full of great stories he willingly shared in the slow | | | | don't bother! The odds are against any of us |
| moments that our big project was filled with. But, one | | | | winninganything of significance from the lottery. What |
| story has stuck with me over the years - the story | | | | this poll reflects is the inherentlaziness of the average |
| about the new guy only working half days. | | | | person. Anyone can run down to the corner store and |
| My coworker had retired from the Marines and he | | | | buy alottery ticket. Total investment - $1.00 and 15 |
| shared with me that whenever anew Marine would | | | | minutes. Statistically averagedreturn - zero. |
| join his unit fresh out of boot camp, his sergeant would | | | | To achieve success, you need hunger and motivation. |
| call thetroops together and introduce the new member | | | | Are you willing to work eighthours for someone else, |
| of the unit to everyone. Near theend of the | | | | come home, and work another eight hours for |
| introductory speech, the sergeant would note that | | | | yourself? |
| since "Joe" was thenew guy he would only have to | | | | Are you willing to do this every day of every week for |
| work half-days until he got up to speed. Thesergeant | | | | months with no return otherthan the satisfaction of |
| would then continue by explaining that "Joe" should | | | | knowing that you are actually putting forth the effort |
| report to work at 6amand would be free to leave at | | | | tocreate a new success? If you answered yes then |
| 6pm each day. | | | | you have the stuff that success ismade from. If you |
| Once I quit laughing I recognized the not so subtle truth | | | | answered no and you think I am a lunatic for even |
| in his story. We have towork even harder when | | | | suggestingsuch a thing, go back to dreaming about |
| applying new knowledge. It is not enough to buy a | | | | success! You are not ready. |
| book,take a class, read an ebook or signup for the | | | | Even more important than being ready for success is |
| latest tele-seminar unless you investone hundred times | | | | being prepared for failure. Ifyou fail the first, second, or |
| more effort implementing your new knowledge. This | | | | third time you attempt a new venture it doesn't |
| applies tointernet commerce just as equally as it | | | | matterbecause you are programming yourself for |
| applies to starting a real-estate investmentbusiness. | | | | success. Every failure brings with itsomething that can't |
| Everyone wants to produce new income streams and | | | | be bought - experience. And that's all success really is |
| many people evenhave the motivation to reach out | | | | - thesum of your efforts, knowledge, and experience |
| and acquire the physical tools they need, butspending | | | | applied to a problem or challenge. |
| money is just the first step. You have to invest effort | | | | Wear your failures as badges testifying to your |
| too. | | | | experience and discipline. Keep yoursuccesses close |
| I was reading the January 27, 2006 issue of The | | | | to heart to use as energy for future endeavors. Now |
| Week, a weekly international newsmagazine, and I | | | | go and earn afew badges because without one or |
| found an interesting poll. According to a survey done | | | | two, your success can only be luck. |
| by Opinion | | | | |