August 29th, 2010 by Jim Donovan
Can you really increase your income by simply reading self-help books and listening to audio programs or is it just a bunch of hype designed by the people who write and record those books and programs?
Do these principles really work or is it just a lot of feel good, touchy feely rubbish?
Well, my friend, I can honestly tell you yes, you can! It does work and, in a moment, I will explain how and why. I can hear some of you more skeptical readers saying, sure, prove it. I will, I promise.
Napoleon Hill in his classic book, Think and Grow Rich, James Allen in As A Man Thinketh and Florence Scovel Shinn in The Game of Life all written in the 1920s, taught us we could use the power of our minds to become more successful.
Most of you, especially if you’ve been in business for a while, have probably been to a seminar on personal development. Seminars are great. I love going to them and I really love giving them since it gives me a way to share ideas with a live audience and meet new people, something I really enjoy doing.
The problem is, as I’m sure you’ve experienced, that a week or two after the seminar you are right back into your less-than-productive habits. You left the seminar all charged up and once the excitement wore off, you slipped back into your pre-seminar behavior. Reading books and listening to self-help programs is also a great practice but, like seminars, if it is not done on a regular basis it is not nearly as powerful. The operative word here is regular.
On-going Personal Development
The key is On-going Personal Development (OPD). The Japanese have a word, Kaizen, which means making small daily improvements in every area of your life. It is a principle taught to them by the late W. Edwards Demming who was sent by General Douglas MacArthur to help them rebuild their country after World War II. Since we have no word for this in English, I have chosen OPD, On-going Personal Development as a reminder to follow this formula for success.
It is not so much what you do sometimes that makes the difference, it is what you do daily. If you want to succeed, make a daily habit of reading and listening to self-help and inspirational books and audios. As little as 15-20 minutes a day can make a major difference. For one thing, you will begin your day (assuming you do this first thing in the morning) on a more positive note and secondly, you will, over time, have assimilated a lot of powerful, positive and thought provoking material.
Proof Positive
A number of years ago, my friend John came to visit me in my home office. It had been a while since I had seen him so, of course, I asked how he had been. “Great!” he replied, “My income went up over 15% in the last six months.”
Considering that John is in automobile sales and we were in the middle of the worst recession in decades, I had to learn more. I asked John how he did it and was a bit taken aback when he replied, “I went to a seminar.”
He went on to explain that the seminar leader suggested reading a self-help book for fifteen to thirty minutes a day. John, who had not read a book since school, bought the persons book and began reading every morning before going into the dealership where he worked. He would leave for work a half an hour early each day, sit outside in his car and read the book. That was the only change he made in his daily habits and his income went up by, in his case, $1,000 a month. By the way, that works out to $100 an hour for reading!
Why this works
It took me a while to fully understand what had taken place but it finally clicked one day. Imagine John, having just finished his daily ritual of reading an inspirational book, going into the showroom. He is in a positive, uplifted state and is cheerful.
The other salespeople are in the corner, whining about the recession. You’ve seen the scene, everyone stands around complaining about the situation instead of taking action to change it.
You, the buyer, enter the showroom. One one side is the group, kicking the coffee pot and looking grumpy. Across the room is John, bouncing around happy as can be. Now, let me ask you the critical question. Who do you want to buy your car from? Who are you most likely to gravitate toward? John, of course. Positive energy attracts people to it.
As a direct result of investing a little time each day on personal development (OPD), John increased his income and felt better in the process. The bonus is that this activity is cumulative. The more you do it, the better you feel.
Success leaves clues
One hundred percent of the self made millionaires (excluding people in the entertainment field) are committed to reading and listening to self help books and audios. The most successful direct sales companies have instituted a book/audio of the month program and encourage their people to participate.
How many books have you read this month? How many audios are in your car? Do you think it is a coincidence that top companies have a formal program of books and audios for their employees success?
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August 10th, 2010 by Jim Donovan
Most people, especially online and in Social Media circles, know me as an author. This makes sense since I’ve written seven books, several of which have been translated into eight languages and are sold in 22 countries.
I’ve been very fortunate and have had the thrill of touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in a positive way. I still get goosebumps every time I receive an email someone who’s life has been changed by what they read in one of my books.
However, what a lot of people may not know is that I also deliver seminars and workshops. As a matter of fact, I started doing seminars before I published my first book.
I’ve delivered programs to businesses, associations, schools, and government agencies. And I’ve held a number of public seminars like the one I’m part of in Philadelphia in November (see below).
My talks have been for a variety of gatherings including motivational seminars for college students and at-risk youth, performance enhancement programs for corporate employees, and productivity workshops for senior management and sales forces.
I’ve delivered half and full day training sessions for association meetings to help members in their personal and business lives as well as people in mid-life who want to reinvent themselves and create a more rewarding future.
Speaking and training is something I’d like to do more of so, if you or your company, association, school or agency have an upcoming event or would like an inspiring, affordable speaker, contact me.
Incidentally, if you can refer me to someone who engages me for a paid event you will be compensated.
You can learn more about my programs here.
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July 29th, 2010 by Jim Donovan
The other day I posted a question on the social media sites about going through a period of big shifts and change, since I’ve noticed over the years that whenever I’m personally going through something, chances are many others are too. This reinforces the idea, referred to in all spiritual teachings, that we are all connected.
For me, this has meant taking a close look at my business and life’s work and refocusing on the core of who I am and what I do.
It resulted in my taking down a Web site or two and redesigning my main, www.JimDonovan.com, Web site.
I’m also eliminating one of my Facebook pages since it was a distraction. My official “Fan” page is here at Jim Donovan and it will remain so.
So, what’s been happening with you? I’d love to hear your comments and recent experiences. You can post them here.
If you are, like me and so many others, going through a business “reinvention,” you may want to ask yourself what I consider to be one of the most powerful questions you can ask.
This was asked of me back in 1997 when I was just starting out as an author and speaker by my, then, coach Beth Meininger, one of the best coaches I know.
I was going through a rough spot and trying to offer whatever services I thought would produce income for me. I’ve always been good at figuring out what service people want and finding a way to provide it, however, at this point in my business, this was not the best route for me to take.
Beth looked at me and asked, in her best coach tone, “Jim, what are you willing to let go of to make room for what you want?”
Let go? You must be kidding. As I wrote in a story in my first book, Handbook to a Happier Life, “The last thing I let go of had claw marks on it.”
My nature as an Entrepreneur is not to let go but rather, to hang on to as many things as possible. The problem is this will not get me, or you, where we want to go.
Over the years I’ve noticed a lot of solo business owners, particularly people in network marketing, trying to do several businesses at once. All this does is dilute your efforts and scatter your energies.
For me this means going back to those actions and activities that are what I consider to be my life’s purpose.
Back in 1992 I wrote that my purpose is,
“To create and communicate information which will have a positive effect on people’s lives, empowering and helping them reach their full potential as human beings.”
The essence of this has not changed. At this point in my life, it’s writing books and delivering seminars and trainings. Of course, this includes audio and video programs, tele-classes and whatever new media comes along to facilitate this mission in the future.
Are all your activities in alignment with who you are and what your mission is?
If so, great. If not, what will you change in order to live your true purpose at the highest level?
Please comment and post below.
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March 19th, 2010 by Jim Donovan
Have you ever noticed that there is no shortage of people willing to give you advice, whether or not you asked for it? I’ve developed some simple rules about from whom I will accept advice and suggestions.
I do not ask for heath advice from people who are sick, I do not ask for financial advice from people who are broke and I do not ask for business advice from people who are not in their own business.
Over the years I’ve watched hundreds of people go into a business venture and excitedly tell their family and friends about their new enterprise. Big mistake! How many of your friends and relatives own their own business? Probably few or none.
While they may be well intentioned and have your best interests at heart, their lack of knowledge and their own fears can sabotage your new venture.
If you want advice or input about a business, find someone who is successfully running their own business and ask them. Ask several people so you can obtain an objective view. When your choosing mentors or role models, be sure to seek out those people who have been there. Chose people who have “walked the walk” and have succeeded in doing what you want to do.
This applies as much to health, finance, education, relationships and pretty much any area of your life. If you want to be fit and healthy, do not seek advice from someone who is overweight, a smoker, and sick all the time.
Find a fit and healthy person and model them. I know this sounds overly simple and obvious, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people are listening to and even following the advice of people who do not know what they are talking about.
They are sadly listening to the person who is stuck in a dead-end job telling them why a business idea will not work.
They are listening to an overweight, sick person who is telling them that taking vitamins is a waste of money and they are listening to the person who is living paycheck to paycheck telling them how to become wealthy.
To ensure your success, make sure your role models are demonstrating in their own lives, the qualities you seek to develop.
If you want to learn the exact process that I used to change my life and create the life I now enjoy, take a look
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November 20th, 2009 by Jim Donovan
It saddens and frustrates me when I see people in their fifties or sixties moping around talking about how “it’s not easy getting old.” On the other hand, I am inspired when I see an older person, someone in their eighties or nineties, living a vibrant and productive life. It gives me hope and further proves my theory that there is a huge difference between aging and getting old.
So what’s the difference between these two groups of people? Why are some, still in mid-life, seeming to be on their last legs while others, old enough to be the parents of the first group, still going strong?
While the answer is complex and involves several facets most of which are covered in my new book, it really boils down to a couple of key differences.
It Takes Passion
The first of these and perhaps the most important is passion. Older people who are living vibrantly are passionate about their life. Their outlook is positive and they are motivated by something outside themselves. They have a purpose. They are engaged in life and are pursuing something that matters to them.
Whether it’s a career, a hobby, a cause, or something in between, they have dreams and goals and are living life to it fullest.
In Don’t Let an Old Person move Into Your Body I wrote about Isagenix distributor Jimmy Smith who, past the age of eighty, is on a mission to carry a message of physical health and financial wealth to people all across the globe.
It Takes Power
Beyond attitude, passion, and purpose, living a full and productive life requires power; spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical power.
You can’t “go for the gusto” if you’re too weak to get out of bed.
Spiritual Power
A regular practice of prayer and meditation, the former, talking to God and the latter listening, will help you develop and maintain a strong connection with our Creator. It has been proven that people who have a relationship with a Higher Power are happier, more at peace and tend to live longer then those who do not. Spend time each day in quiet reflection and contemplation. This simple act will do more for your well-being than anything else you might do.
Emotional Power
You can develop and strengthen your emotional power by devoting some time each day visualizing your ideal life. Sit quietly, close your eyes (assuming you’re not driving), and create a “mind movie” of you living your ideal life. See the sights, hear the sounds, smell the smells, and taste the tastes you’d be enjoying if this were happening for real. Your subconscious mind does not know the difference between what is real and what is vividly imagined. Your subconscious will accept your visualization as real and, by virtue of the Law of Attraction, will begin bringing it toward you and inspiring you to take action toward it.
Mental Power
You can develop your mental powers by paying attention to your self-talk and replacing any disempowering thoughts with positive affirmations. Read positive and uplifting information daily to maintain a more productive state of mind. Commit to personal development and learning as a life long endeavor.
Physical Power
Of course, without physical power and energy you’re not going very far. It is essential, as we age, to take an active part in maintaining our health, whatever it maybe. I wrote in Don’t Let an Old Person Move into your Body to accept what you cannot change and change what you can. However you can probably improve more of your health then you think.
There’s a lot of scientifically based information about health and nutrition available today. People are becoming better informed and seeking, and finding, solutions to what were once thought to be “incurable” aliments.
Of course, exercise is important too. As a society, we do not move enough. Our high-tech lifestyles have enabled most of us to expend the minimal amount of physical energy in our day-to-day life. One of the best actions a person can engage in, especially as we age, is yoga. The gentle stretching helps us maintain not only fitness but flexibility as well and the deep breathing goes a long way to helping us relax and reduce the stress in our lives.
How you age is up to you. You can live your life vibrantly and productively, or you can just get old. Decide now to take decisive action to make the rest of your life, the best of your life.
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October 22nd, 2009 by Jim Donovan
Excerpt, Don’t Let an Old Person Move Into Your Body
A butcher for most of his adult life, Jimmy Smith was content with living a modest, middle class lifestyle. He was a happy man blessed with a loving wife and six children, until at sixty-two years of age he had the rug pulled out from under him. Due to his failing health and being unable to stand all day cutting meat, he was forced to leave the job he had held for most of his life.
While this is surely something that would be a challenge to anyone, in his situation it could have been devastating. Fortunately, for Jimmy, a friend introduced him to the network marketing industry, providing him an opportunity for self-employment and a chance to build a business of his own.
After being in the business for a time, Jimmy Smith found his passion in both the leading edge products and the business opportunity offered by Isagenix International, a company whose vision is to make a positive impact on world health and free people from physical and financial pain, and in the process create the largest health-and-wellness company in the world.
I have personally experienced the Isagenix products and found them to be one of the highest quality nutritional products available as have two of my colleagues John Gray and Jack Canfield.
Jimmy had found his calling. With the the health benefits he realized from taking the Isagenix products and the business opportunity it provided, he was on fire and ready to tell the world about his new business.
When I met Jimmy Smith, a few years ago, he was turning eighty and had the energy and stamina of a man half his age. Not only does he look and feel great, he went on to become the top earner in his company, making himself and his family very wealthy, while building a lasting legacy for his children and grand-children.
Perhaps what best describes Jimmy’s energy and passion for what he is doing is the experience that I had while attending an all day event with him. I was leaving the event after being in the hotel for over 12 hours. Riding the elevator down to the lobby with Jimmy’s daughter Grace, talking about what a long day it had been, I asked where her dad was. “Oh, he has a few more meetings,” she replied. We both laughed at the fact that while we, decades younger, were both ready to call it a day, Jimmy the Butcher was still going strong.
Jimmy Smith is the perfect example of what can happen when a person’s passion is ignited by something larger than himself. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Jimmy Smith, by all means, do so. It’s a life changing experience.
Excerpt, Don’t Let an Old Person Move Into Your Body
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September 11th, 2009 by Jim Donovan
I realize that, for many people affirming this can be a real challenge, however, it’s really important if you want to improve your situation. The key to having more of what you want, whether it’s more prosperity, health, time, fun, love, or anything else, is to first acknowledge that which you already have and then, to share it.
By appreciating and acknowledging what you have you evoke the power of the Law of Attraction, which as you probably already know, teaches us that “like attracts like.”
Put another way, we attract more of what we focus upon or hold in our hearts. By “hold in our heart,” I’m referring to the feelings we have for they, even more than what we say, are what attracts our experience. Remember, “As a man (or woman) thinks in his heart, so he is.”
By appreciating and acknowledging for example, the health you already have, you are putting your attention on health, which is the only way to attract it. You cannot focus, as so many people do, on illness and attract health. It violates the laws of our universe.
So you first exercise, should you choose to play, is to choose those areas in your life you’d like to improve. Health, of course, is a great place to begin for without it everything else suffers.
You may also want to include love, career, and, yes, money for they too are important. Ideally we want to achieve a balanced life that is prosperous in all areas.
Take each heading and make a list of everything you appreciate about it as it stands now. This activity will align you with attracting more of the same.
After doing this, in health for example, you may notice you are making better food choices, exercising or any number of other activities that will have a positive impact on your health.
When you begin to appreciate the wealth in your life, don’t be surprised if you begin receiving more, sometimes from totally unexpected channels. I’ve stopped trying to understand just why this occurs. I just let it in and give thanks.
The second part of the process is to share, with others, whatever it is you’d like more of in your own life. This evokes the Law of Reciprocity, another universal law, which teaches us that it is impossible to give without receiving.
If you want more love and affection, be more loving and affectionate to the people you encounter. I’m not suggesting you start hugging total strangers . . . maybe.
My friend, the late Charlie Tremendous Jones, made a habit of hugging everyone he met and it served him well throughout his life. Everyone I know loved Charlie.
It goes without saying that if you want more money, giving some away will help you attract more. I realize how difficult this may seem, especially if you’re struggling to make ends meet, but give it a try anyway. You may be pleasantly amazed at what happens.
Even if you can only afford to give a little it will leave you feeling better about yourself and more prosperous. And, for sure, there are many, many charities and organizations who always need your help.
Making a daily practice of writing what you appreciate in your life is a powerful activity that will produce astounding results and it’s something you can start right away.
Tonight, before you go to sleep, write 5 things you appreciate from the previous day. Do this for 30 days and then decide for yourself if it’s something you want to continue. My guess is, once you start seeing the powerful changes taking place in your life, you’ll want to make it a regular habit.
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August 27th, 2009 by Jim Donovan
“While being young is an accident of time, youth is a permanent state of mind”
Frank Lloyd Wright
Have you ever noticed that some people age well, becoming older with grace and dignity, looking vibrant and alive and remaining physically and mentally active well into old age? Frank Lloyd Wright, quoted above, was still designing when he passed on at 92.
Others, it seems, begin getting old in their youth. What makes the difference?
Why is such a large portion of our society aging so poorly? Why are hospitals and nursing homes overcrowded and many older people just barely alive?
Is this a natural progression or can we actually alter the way we age?
The Bible teaches us that we have a natural life expectancy of 120 – 150 years. Many of the people written about in the Old Testament lived to be over one hundred, and in some parts of the world today, entire villages live well beyond one hundred years of age.
What are the secrets of a long and productive life and what can you do about it? More importantly, how can you live your life to the fullest, enjoying an abundance of health, wealth, and happiness? How can you make the most of your life, for however long you are here?
How can you live, laugh, and love more? What steps can you take, starting now, to achieve the best level of health and fitness you are capable of reaching? How can you get back in touch with your dreams and desires and begin to experience them? How can you learn to age with passion, purpose, power, and prosperity?
In Don’t Let an Old Person Move Into Your Body, you will be asked to reevaluate and question the preconceived notions you have about aging and the commonly accepted beliefs about health. You will be asked to examine your attitudes and beliefs and come to understand the important role they play in how we age. You will learn ways to age without becoming old.
You’ll be introduced to people who have aged successfully and learn their strategies. You will learn about the latest developments in the field of longevity and identify ways you can minimize, even slow, the process of aging. You will create a compelling vision for your future and a plan for a long, active, and prosperous life.
I invite you to join me in this exciting journey into aging and learn how you, too, can develop your personal plan of aging with passion, purpose, power and prosperity, and make sure you don’t let an old person move into your body.
It is your God-given birthright to have a life of joy, happiness, health, love, fun, prosperity, excitement, abundance, and all the other wonderful things life on earth has to offer. To accept less is to shortchange yourself and your loved ones.
To learn more about how you can make the rest of your life, the best of your life, and take advantage of special pre-publication pricing, go here
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July 6th, 2009 by Jim Donovan
One of the questions I am asked over and over by radio and TV interviewers and reporters is “How can a person motivate themselves?”
While there are no simple answers to this question – we all develop methods that work for us – we can use a powerful technique known as leverage. Archimedes said he could move the world if he had a big enough lever.
In the case of self-motivation, the leverage comes from having completed a commitment exercise. If you have not yet done this, it’s quite simple.
Choose the particular goal or area of your life in which you need motivation. Take a page in your journal and write down everything you will gain by taking the action.
In the case of building your business, your list might include financial freedom, more time with your family, freedom to live and work wherever you choose, the opportunity to work from home, the opportunity to do work that you love, being able to make a difference in people’s lives, and on and on.
Write down as many things as you can think of. List every benefit, reward and pleasure you will receive from reaching this goal. This is your carrot.
Next, write down everything you are presently giving up and missing out on by not already having reached this goal. Things like working at a job you dislike, being away from your family, not having enough money, not being able to give your family what they need, always being behind on your bills, and on and on.
Write as many negatives as you can. What is the pain you experience by not having already reached this goal? This is your stick.
You can use the power of the carrot and stick to motivate yourself to action. When you feel yourself slacking off or procrastinating, or even if you feel like giving up, take out your lists and reread them.
These whys will remind you why you are doing this in the first place. Tony Robbins taught us that everything we do is either to gain pleasure or avoid pain. You can use this pain and pleasure - carrot and stick - exercise to keep yourself on track.
Keep your eye on the goal and keep reminding yourself why you want it. Doing this will keep you taking the actions necessary to reach your goals and live your dreams. Remember, you can reach any goal if you have a big enough why.
As my friend, John DiLemme said with the title of his wonderful book, Find Your Why and Fly
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July 2nd, 2009 by Jim Donovan
If you’re in the US and celebrating the Fourth of July, Independence Day (or even if you’re not), here’s something else you can do besides shoot off fireworks and barbecue.
Declare your own independence.
- Declare your independence from allowing outside forces to determine how you feel.
- Declare your independence from allowing the stock market or other economic indicators to determine your financial health.
- Declare your independence from allowing advertisers to determine how you should look and what you should eat.
The only one who can determine the conditions in your life, including how you feel and how much money you have or do not have, is you. You are responsible for your own life, and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you will have the power to change what you want to change.
Your thoughts create your life experience. Whatever you are experiencing in your life right now, is the result of the thought patterns you’ve had in the past, either consciously or unconsciously.
The Bible tells us that As a man thinketh, so is he. This idea has been repeated by every spiritual teaching for the past 2,000 years or more. It’s time we honored it and took back our own personal power. It is time we took back control of our thoughts.
Begin today to take an active role in creating your life. Choose your thoughts intentionally and with care. Monitor your self-talk. Affirm your dreams and goals daily.
Final sale days through July 4th weekend
This fourth of July weekend will mark the end of the special sale pricing for my multi-part audio programs so if you’re thinking of grabbing them, now’s the time. I assure you they will never be available at this price again.
Are you ready to start living the life you’ve always wanted?
Is now your time to start declaring your financial independence?
More resources to help you succeed
With so many people concerned about the economy, I want to make sure you know about some of the simple, low cost resources that you can use to spark your creativity and explore additional income streams. Don’t just sit there watching the news, lamenting about how “bad things are.”
Refuse to be a victim. Take decisive action and you will immediately feel better, plus you will be increasing your income. Instead of worrying about where you can cut expenses, ask yourself what you can do to increase your household income.
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck book and ebook — Learn how you can create immediate income now.
A lot of smart people have used the 20 Ways to Make $100 per Day Online ebook to help them get new ideas and add income. If you missed the earlier information about this simple, yet powerful product.
Learn to put your skills, free time and mind set to work for you. Grab a copy of 44 Unusual Ways Moms are earning money in their spare time – and you can too.
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A number of years ago, my friend John came to visit me in my home office. It had been a while since I had seen him so, of course, I asked how he had been. “Great!” he replied, “My income went up over 15% in the last six months.”
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