The Ultimate Investment

Like a powerful chemical reaction, we often need a catalyst to get us started down the road to success.  A catalyst is like a lit fuse on a stick of dynamite.  It's what starts a reaction of explosive power.  In a gasoline engine, the catalyst is a tiny spark from a spark plug.  It sparks a chain reaction many times greater than itself, and drives immense machinery. Your success also needs a catalyst.  One such catalyst is Desire. Desire, like the spark plug in a car, in and of itself it is not really that powerful, but it ignites a force within   >> [Read the rest of the post]

What’s the big deal about self reliance?  Being self reliant makes you feel secure, fulfilled, confident -- like we're worth something.    An ancient Chinese proverb says, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.  But, if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." Of course, there are those with physical, mental, or emotional handicaps who require dependence upon others.  But, to the extent possible, you should strive to become self supporting physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually.  Don't lament over any condition you have as an excuse not to succeed.  Charles, confined to a   >> [Read the rest of the post]

David O. McKay, past president of a large international Christian Church said, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home."  This is true.  You should place a high priority on your family relationships, even at the expense of other things that may seem just as desirable. Ben recently went through a divorce, separating him from his wife and three small children.  When asked why, he responded. "I forgot what was most important.  I was so focused on making money, on getting the big house, nice car, and building my career, I forgot where my real treasure was.  Now I've lost   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Love and service are factors of success which can't be measured in monetary terms.  Being a volunteer brings a feeling of inner peace not attained any other way.  Would you consider Mother Theresa failed because she died poor?  What about Ghandi?  Heavens no! Sam volunteered his time working with teenage boys, providing training, guidance, leadership, and just a listening ear.  He wasn’t paid a dime but was at it many years until health concerns required his retirement.  When he talks about his service, his eyes glow, his heart warms, and he tells of yet another young man who's recently called and thanked him   >> [Read the rest of the post]

“I’m so swamped I can’t seem to get anything done!”  Mark leaned back from the computer and rubbed his eyes.  “As soon as I start on something I get a phone call or email from someone demanding yet another report or file to be completed.  I’m so far behind I can’t get anything done for trying to juggle it all.” Clint stared at him from the other side of the desk.  He felt guilty because he was there to ask Mark for something too.  Instead he remembered how not long ago he’d felt the same way.  Clint decided to share the   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Let’s look at a good example of what life can offer if you set a destination for life and strive to reach it:  DKUU5SFC9QEE Jay was born into a big but poor family.  He learned from an early age if he wanted anything it was up to him, and him alone, to get it.  First he decided what he wanted out of life, listed out all his goals, then rolled up his sleeves and went to work.  Jay wanted to be involved in business, and realized to do that, he needed an education, to help him be they type of person he   >> [Read the rest of the post]

As you work toward the achievement of your goals, you need to realize that obstacles will inevitably step out to block your way.  Don't complain about these problems.  Recognize them for the blessings they are.  Or you can end up like the bad example below: Mike is pretty smart.  Actually, he is brilliant.  But what has he done with that brilliance? Absolutely nothing.  You see, Mike has never held a job for more than eight months.  His longest job was as a manager of a convenience store.  The odd thing is that he is never fired.  He just up and quits.    >> [Read the rest of the post]

Each person has two dimensions to their life, the physical and the spiritual.  Both dimensions are essential to your overall success and happiness.  Too often the spiritual journey of life is neglected for the sake of the physical (or material), only to discover that having the physical without the spiritual leads to emptiness (even though you may have all the comforts money can buy).  True happiness comes from being at peace spiritually as well as physically. William had been extremely successful as an ophthalmologist, but in the process of his striving for medical and business success had completely neglected anything else.    >> [Read the rest of the post]

Success means different things to different people.  In fact, there are as many definitions of success as there are people.  Success is, and needs to be, a very personal decision. For one person, success may be defined as financial independence.  To another, success is a close, happy and loving family.  To still to another, success is traveling to exotic places and having exotic things.  Each definition is right.  Success is what each person considers it to be.  Any person who has achieved the object of his or her desires is just as successful as the next, regardless of income, size of   >> [Read the rest of the post]

Henry used to be bitter.  He grew up in a family that didn't have much money.  His father was always on the verge of making it big on some deal that was almost ready to close.  In the mean time, they had to move several times to keep the bank from foreclosing on their home.  Henry resented people who had money while at the same time envied them.  Life was unfair.  Why did things worked out for other families and not his? He continued to grow bitter until he landed a job he really loved.  It was everything he'd ever wanted.  Still,   >> [Read the rest of the post]