Survival+
Structuring Prosperity for Yourself and the Nation
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Controlling our tendency toward Creative Avoidance
By Kevin M
How is it that that some people seem enormously successful, yet astoundingly they have more free time than the rest of us? Have you ever noticed as well that some people who are incredibly busy are at best only moderately successful? Perhaps you’re one of them, always busy, but not having as much to show for your efforts as you think you should.
The typical human reaction to this apparent contradiction in the natural order of things is to assume that the successful person with all the time on his hands is a) lucky, b) has an “in” with important people, and even c) must be doing something unethical, immoral or illegal.
While each of those considerations isn’t beyond the realm of possibility, there’s a far greater chance that the successful person with all of the free time on his hands has found a way to
maximize his results while minimizing his efforts. He manages to do this by saying “NO” to unproductive tasks, either by making it clear to others up front that he won’t engage himself in them, or by simply refusing to participate.
Logically, isn’t that what we should all be doing?
Continue reading Majoring on the Majors by Learning to Say NO →
By Dave “Gonzo” Kelly
That is what Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) asks of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger near the end of the movie “Rudy”. This is after Rudy has been denied the opportunity to dress (be on the sideline in uniform) for the final game of his senior season at Notre Dame. Rudy was never good enough to be a member of the team, but he spent two years working harder than anyone as a member of the practice squad. At the end of his junior year, Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian promised to let Rudy dress for a game during his senior season due to his hard work and dedication.
But after Rudy’s junior season, Parseghian decided to retire.
The new coach, Dan Devine, did not know about this promise, nor did he intend to let Rudy dress for a game. Rudy went through the entire season checking the weekly dress schedule and never saw his name on it. After the schedule for the final game was posted and his name was not on it, Rudy decided to quit. He walked out of the locker room determined to miss his final practice.
Then he ran into Fortune, who had been a mentor to Rudy. And Fortune reminded him of who he was.
Rudy returned to practice. The seniors rallied to his side and convinced the coach to let him dress. He even got into the game for the final couple of plays. The movie ends with Rudy being carried off the field by his teammates. But it almost never happened!
Continue reading Since when are you the quitting type? →
By Kevin M
Now might not be the best time to make a job or career change, but does that mean you have to sit where you’re at and just tough it out until better times come along and open up the doors of opportunity? Well, don’t go quitting your job, but there’s plenty you can (and should) do right now to get yourself prepared for the day when…
Start preparing yourself now for the place you want to be when the economy starts to creep back—many of the best opportunities will come as the elevator begins to rise, and pre-positioning yourself for that moment is something you don’t have to wait to start.
Continue reading Staying Motivated When You’re Stuck in Neutral →
STRATEGY #9 TO SURVIVE A DOWN ECONOMY
By Kevin M
In the best of times, borrowing seems to be a sensible way to get the things we want but can’t afford to purchase in full right now, but we’re sure we can tackle later with a predictably increasing income stream.
But when economic fortunes shift into low gear—as they are now—the same debt accumulated during better times can become a heavier burden, even one which is impossible to bear. Other than paying debt down and eventually off completely, there isn’t much we can do about the debt already accumulated. But the Great Recession should be a wake up call to all who might have come to view debt as a traveling companion in life.
In 10 Ways To Survive a Down Economy (published on Christianpf.com June 1) we listed ten strategies to help you deal with the bad economy. Our topic for today, Strategy #9:
”Envision a future without debt, and then pursue it.” Gradually pay down—then pay off—your debt. This includes your mortgage. It should go without saying that lowering your cost of living will be a crucial element in this effort as well. (Are you noticing a pattern?)”
Is that even possible any more?
Continue reading Envision a Future Without Debt →
By Dave Kelly
One of my guilty pleasures is watching the audition shows of the various performance shows like American Idol and Last Comic Standing. So, of course, I was in front of my TV last month to watch the American Idol audition shows.
Some very talented people who auditioned received the golden ticket to Hollywood.
Some really bad singers did not and they were legitimately surprised when they failed to make it to the next round! (Don’t you think some of them just had to know how bad they really were?)
Continue reading You Make Your Own Breaks on the Way to Your Dreams →
By Dave Kelly
I got this month’s tip from a future speaking star! She is an energetic young lady who is one of the most positive people I know. She approaches life with fun and excitement and is great to be around.
When I asked her about this quote, she told me how important it is to know who you are and be that person.
Simple idea, huh?
Continue reading Shine like a star, know who you are →
By Dave Kelly
I spent 20 years in the mortgage business. During ten of those years, I had my own company. Nine of those years were with a business partner. He and I eventually broke up over a business disagreement:
He was stealing from me and I didn’t want him to.
About a year before we split up, he made a comment to me saying he felt he’d had a good career in the mortgage business. I distinctly remember replying, “This isn’t my career, this is just what I do to make money. A career is what defines you.”
And then I realized, “I’m a mortgage guy!” How did this happen? I had always envisioned myself in front of audiences, speaking, training, inspiring. What could I do to change the course of my career?
Continue reading Find Someone Who Is Doing What You Want To Do →
By Kevin M
“We don’t realize how much hope drives our lives. When hope is gone, life looks a lot different, a lot darker.”–David L. Heller (1913-1992), a cherished friend and mentor
Somewhere along the path of life we lose our dreams. Life rolls along, we have responsibilities, bills to pay, obligations—we “grow up”. Over time, that all becomes our reality, our place in the universe. We get used to it, accept it, go on, and tell ourselves that all is well. When the economy trips and falls, pulling most of us down at least a little, the abandonment finds its’ greatest justification as we rally to cope with the crisis at hand.
And what of our dreams, our best hopes for our lives? Oh, their there somewhere in the recesses of our minds, we just don’t think about them so much—there just isn’t time.
Continue reading Dare to Dream and See What Comes Up →
MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT
By Dave Kelly
“That’s it? That’s this week’s tip?”
Yes, and if you get this one right, the rest of your life will be fulfilling and satisfying. Ninety percent of the input to your brain on a daily basis is negative. Only 10% is positive. Much of the negative stuff is put into our heads by ourselves. We look in the mirror in the morning and criticize every blemish and imperfection that we see. No wonder we go off into our day in a bad mood.
Continue reading Think Positively →
By Kevin M
Imagine there’s a way, not only to keep your job, but also to get a raise in the bargain, yes, even in this very difficult job market when so many are content merely to hold on to what they have, let alone to move forward. How? By becoming that go-to guy (or girl) and daring to ask some uncomfortable questions.
Continue reading Resolve That You Will be a Survivor →
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General: Any information in regard to money, credit, personal finance, or in regard to any other monetary topic, provided or shared on OutOfYourRut.com is presented for information and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice in regard to your specific circumstances...MORE-->
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