Join me on my journey of life as I travel the world physically and discover the journey within... EVERY DAY is an ADVENTURE... making a choice is an adventure... taking a risk, and stretching yourself out of a comfort zone... are adventures...
Showing posts with label financial freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label financial freedom. Show all posts
"The Barefoot Investor" is a book, a brand and a man.
If you haven't 'met' him already, meet Scott Pape.
He is an Aussie man who has his financial act together, and teaching many others (particularly targeting those in their 20s and 30s) how to do the same.
Personally, I'm 'a-foot' again, traveling the world, which is how I have come to 'meet' Scott.
Having left Perth International airport (heading for New York) 27 hours ago, I'm currently 'resting' at Heathrow airport in London. I'm still enjoying reading Scott's book "The Barefoot Investor" which I picked up at the bookstore at the airport.
It's a little like reading my own thoughts, with a slightly more 'ocker' 'accent'.
Scott's background is as a Stockbroker and his advice on finance, lifestyle, living life on your terms and money carries a flair of a cross between Tim Ferriss and Robert Kyosaki... no wonder I have an instant love for the way this man thinks!
I'm already half way through the book - The Barefoot Investor - (I did also watch two movies and slept 8 hours on the flight from Perth to Singapore to London!) and feel inspired to share this fabulous resource with you.
Because he's another YOUNG AUSTRALIAN who's figured it out.
He's figured out how to USE MONEY and not have money use him.
He gets it!
He understands the power of this tool we use as a currency to get the THINGS WE WANT and he teaches how to direct your finances to get more of what YOU value, while also creating your own 'Barefoot Investor' pathway to your financial freedom.
If you want your own copy, click the link below (and yes, this is my affiliate link, so I will get all of a few bucks if you click through me! Seriously, I don't care if you want to find your own way to buy his book. Support him. Support yourself. And find your own pathway to financial freedom!)
Help support the man, who's passion is to help so many! I am a woman on a mission to encourage you to live YOUR life on YOUR terms...
To encourage you to create your OWN unique footprint on the path of life...
Scott Pape, the author of The Barefoot Investor is also encouraging you to go along your own 'Barefoot Path' and live life on your terms! He gives you financial strategies to do so.
I'm always excited when I come across other like-minded people, and especially so with another young Aussie. It also makes the journey of teaching and inspiring others to do the same (live life on their terms) so much more gratifying and rewarding...
So.. with a bottoms up of my glass of wine while I finish up this blog at Heathrow airport (British Airways Lounge) ..here's a "CHEERS!" to celebrating your life on YOUR terms!
P.s. remember to come back and comment on this blog post what you think about Scott's Book.
This blog article was inspired by a facebook interaction on my profile a few days ago.
Are you looking for some answers on how to automate, delegate and leverageyour life... so you can have one?
How am I qualified to share this information?
I am a living example of creating my life by design, by leveraging most of the common personal and business tasks out.
I retired two years ago from a job as a Paramedic (and I was also running my business 'bound to a desk.') When I created enough passive income to match my job income, I took a leap of faith from my old belief system of doing everything myself, to setting myself up to win - by automation, delegation and leverage.
My result? I more than doubled my passive income inside 18 months, whilst traveling the world and only working less than 4 hours a month (yes, really!) to 'tap the doors of automation.'
Whilst my vehicle of how I did this may be different to yours, the SAME MIND-SET strategies are required to get similar results for a life designed set to: automate, delegate and leverage.
This article is NOT about how I created my income. It IS about how I created a lifestyle of freedom to travel the world, play every day and position myself to be in an even greater creative space to add even more value to my life and the lives of others.
Facebook Status update on 17th November:
“If you could ask me any question regarding how to automate,delegate and leverage your life for financial and time freedom, what you would ask me? ...OK, if you have a few Q's go ahead.. :o)
Where do you go for inspiration?
I seek out mentors in all areas of life who have overcome great challenges and succeeded. I also master strategies of those that have accomplished what I want to do. I read a LOT. I listen to audio-books and tele-seminars/webinars. I’ll go to many seminars – free and paid ones. I also draw on my own life experiences. My time as a Paramedic was a gift in many ways. In particular to remind me that I am very blessed and to live EVERY DAY with the fullest attention and gratitude.
What drives you to be successful?
I’m very internally driven. My WHY is HUGE! Know your WHY. Have a deep enough WHY. The bigger the goal, the bigger the WHY needs to be.
To create and continue momentum for my drive: I also create emotional leverage with myself, meaning that I future-pace myself to see my goal complete and how I feel, how it effects my life and of those around me. I also write down my goals, create vision boards and practice the daily habits of gratitude/visualisation/meditation as soon as I wake up, again throughout the day and again just before I fall asleep.
I also ‘stack’ my magic moments of the day. I run a mini-movie at night as my last conscious thought so I am constantly creating and living in a world of success: with relationships (with myself, the Divine, others), my goals, the quality of my life, health, etc.
I’m also now gracious and kind with myself. (In the past, I’d verbally beat myself up if I hadn’t succeeded at a step in the goal by an (internally set) expected time-frame, even if I’d taken massive action.) I’ve learned I can only have “massive” EFFECTIVE “action” when I pay attention to my inner dialogue and ‘working’ on the same team as ALL the personalities within myself. (We all have them!). So, I’ve turned the “inner critic” into the “inner coach” (Jack Canfield) and give myself a lot of love, grace, kindness, attention, praise and internal support. This sets me up to trust my instincts and subconscious mind even more with a collective power, instead of self-sabotaging and dragging myself down with any negativity and internal conflict.
How do you turn it around when things are not quite how you want them to be?
In the last few years (when my success has escalated the most) I have been practicing the ‘Art of Allowing’. I allow and have faith and trust that everything is as it’s meant to be, even if it doesn’t match MY plan and all my actions. Often the situation is a gift unwrapped in that moment. At some point in time, it reveals itself that BECAUSE things “weren’t quite as I want them to be” that I’m on my current path NOW, which is awesome! (Please note, there are lengths of the path I journey down ‘in the dark’ simply grateful for the light about to come. This is where I 'listen' with extra sensory acuity to my inner guidance).
Two tools to use in this situation: First, practice Gratitude. Find all the gifts. Second, In your mind’s eye future-pace yourself to see what you create with the situation now. Then go back to your past to see where there have been other times in the past where this type of situation has delivered you many gifts because of similar situations earlier. Then bring yourself back to the now… and take course corrective action! (Time-line therapy model: See an NLP practitioner or Psychologist who can help you through this process).
What’s your # 1 tool for state management and avoiding those time wasting days/hours?
Gratitude (authentic gratitude. FEELING centered in all the abundance that I NOW have) and;
Visualization of all areas of my life: first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. I also set a plan for my goals and create a monthly plan, a weekly plan and a daily plan. Each night (or sometimes first thing in the morning) I set my targets for the day.
I decide on "My THREE MUST ACHIEVE" outcomes for the day. Then everything else is a bonus. I also give myself plenty of time to play, breaking up the day (and the week.) For example, I will go for a walk, sit in the sunshine and read (sometimes ‘work’ material), meditate, re-bound (on a mini-trampoline), call a friend, chat on facebook and connect with people. I’ll plan lots of social activity and events to go to, so I am focused on my time frame on what needs to be achieved in the time in-between.
Essentially I recognize what DRIVES me.
Love & Connection does.
So when I catch myself ‘time-wasting’ I’ll ask myself: “what do I need to do right now to serve my goal at the highest level?” also, “What is it that my spirit needs right now?” is a great question when I sense myself creating a road-block.
It’s important to pay attention to that ‘inner child’ that perhaps wants some attention or even something as ‘little’ as to notice the bird flitting around in the garden or watch the butterfly land on a flower. Again, it comes back to GRATITUDE and living in the NOW. This appreciation allows me to be in the flow and therefore do what is in alignment with my goals and best interest.
I'd just like to know the overall strategies you use for having a mobile life and business. I'll be on the road soon enough managing the business and I'd love your insights into the whole experience.
Leverage: Automate and delegate.
Break down all your tasks and qualify people to delegate and leverage to. I use a “McDonald’s Franchise” model, giving small tasks (even breaking down big ones into smaller chunks) to delegate to people I outsource to on my ‘team’. By spreading out the workload I minimize my risks of being too dependent on that team member. It’s therefore easy enough to re-allocate the task to someone else, or train someone to do the one thing. Think of ‘french fry station’ or ‘drink station’ etc.
You can outsource tasks to people you know locally, or online. Resources for virtual assistants, writers, webs-site designers, bookkeepers, editors, copy writers, etc can be found easily, with you deciding who is the best fit for you at a great price. You can check out resources here: www.RentACoder.com and www.elance.com
On the personal level too, I have a similar mind-set with house-sitters. I have several to mitigate my risk of my house (and animals) being unprotected. So, I have a long-term sitter and a short-term sitter. This allows for me to have a contingency back up.
I have four beautiful animals I care and love for (and who have guided me for 10+ years!) So I keep my home as my base to return to in-between all my travels. It may be a better option for you to release your home: rent/sell/sub-let etc.
I also have a gardener who has access to my property once a month to take care of all the external maintenance.
I redirect all my business and personal mail to my bookkeeper who works in closely with my Accountant. We communicate (usually) quarterly to confirm my tax statements.
I set up most of my accounts to be paid automatically online with direct debits.
Integrating my calendar with my iPhone also allows me to set reminders for bills/events/tasks that require attention on certain dates. There is software available to calendar share with a Virtual Assistant who can access information you give permission to read (and write), so many tasks can be outsourced whilst flying, sleeping or climbing a mountain!
These are some of the basic strategies. The toughest part for most people is getting into the mind-set to delegate and leverage your life…. So YOU can have one!
A Huge THOUGHT KEY here is to have an ABUNDANCE mind-set.
The more people you have on your team helping you, the more opportunities you are creating in life to allow money to FLOW, and helping a lot of people to grow and win financially.
You buy your TIME back which allows you to step into a ‘gap’ to create even more and think of new solutions and attract even more opportunities than if you choose to do most of the tasks yourself.
What extra greatness will you create in your life as you free up your time and create financial freedom? Would you travel more? Spend quality time with your family? Volunteer for a charity? Build another (different) business? Play more? Take up a new sport or hobby? All of the above? :o)
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I would love your feedback with these responses. Please let me know if I have added value. Thank you for letting me know what you think.
Serving the world, in the context of love and joy, and an abundance of gratitude!
The POWER of sincere Gratitude is often very much misunderstood and underestimated.
Gratitude will create a vibrational force that magnetizes abundance into your life. Not just in the financial sense. It also magnetizes more of whatever you are focusing on and truly appreciating, seeing the gift of what you have in your life.... RIGHT NOW....
Equally, if you focus on what you don't want, or in fact not appreciating what you have now in your life, you are resisting what you have and in essence focusing on what you DON'T WANT.
This often occurs with people who resist money, yet find themselves in a financial conundrum. People often want more money, want more wealth, yet FEAR it. At some level there is a resistance and if you look deep enough into these situations they will usually show up a pattern of focusing on the illusion of their reality NOW.
~What's important is to focus on what is GREAT NOW with a sincere embodiment of GRATITUDE. ~
We created the financial situation in the now, by the constant thoughts and actions of the past. The lag time shows up the evidence, 'reality' mirroring what you had been thinking. If you choose to keep thinking the same thoughts, your 'reality' will keep showing up the same. If you're focusing on abundance, the gifts, the magnificence, the magic, you will get more of the same. Needless to say, if you're afraid and focusing on bills, debts, and creating illusions of the future of more of the same.... well, you will get more of the same.
There is a solution to this financial example. As it seems to stem as the perceived problem by many.
First, define the problem. It's usually not a money income problem. It's more often than not, a money SPENDING problem.
Once defined, you can now empower yourself to make alternative choices. AND most importantly re-set your frame of point of view to focus on what you already have NOW.. and BE......... sincerely grateful.
Once you enter this space, a positive magnetic force will occur, opening up your mind to alternative thoughts and therefore actions. New insights, and opportunities will 'magically' appear.
A few days ago, I had quite a strong response both on my profile page and in my message box to a status update on facebook, which was:
"Financial Freedom is the attainment of Passive Income exceeding Needs rather than Wants." ~Phil Jones~
I also mentioned in a comment to the post (in response to a previous comment):
"...This is one of my FAVOURITE topics to discuss... I have successfully created financial freedom++ for myself and love to guide others who wish to do the same.."
It brought forth a flood of people wanting guidance.
There is no magic pill. But, the right mind-set with a core essence focused on Gratitude, it could be perceived as magic!
There is no one strategy physically to create wealth. There are thousands of ways to create financial freedom. But these are purely the vehicles. And like learning how to drive a car, you need to learn "how to drive" the vehicle. That knowledge is what helps you then recognize how to maneuver the vehicle and get you from A - B.
YOU have all that you need within you to succeed financially. You have the answers to the questions you are yet to ask. Each and every one of us is connected, within the matrix of consciousness. Some of the answers will show up directly within your mind. Some answers will lead you to others who will assist you with the answer.
Simply tap in to the abundance of what is already great in your life NOW and focus on Gratitude. Lag time aside, your 'reality' will evolve into a new one, as you shed the skin of false beliefs, that you are stuck in a financial nightmare.
The first step for guidance is... Gratitude is the key.
It is not the only tool by far. It is certainly the first and ESSENTIAL step on the path of abundance; the path of creating your life by design, on your terms so you too can SHINE... ...creating your own unique footprint on the path of life, with all the wealth you desire.
Now.. for helping you learn how to drive your vehicle of abundance, I highly recommend "Think and Grow Rich" as your foundational book on your path to financial success.
I will leave you with a beautiful quote from Melody Beattie (author of "Co-Dependent No More" 1987)
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie~ Author's note: Wealth embraces more than just money. It equals money, assets, relationships, spirituality and health. When these are all satisfying in our life we have true abundance, true wealth.
Calpe, Spain.. Climbing Caple Rock (also known as Penond'Ifach) was a magnificent adventure!
The journey up the mountain became a wonderful metaphor for life... and success!
It takes some effort, trust, faith, persistence, perseverance, tenacity, preparedness, a plan-of-action, vision of the end goal, team work, empowering self-talk, effective communication, and least of all ...courage... amongst many of the MUST HAVE traits to succeed to complete your goal and achieve the outcome you desire! ....
Most of all.. NEVER QUIT!
And when you make it to the top of YOUR mountain... you too will see the delights, sights and extra SPACE available to you...
Don't be one of the (too many) people who quit their dream or goal before they reach the top... Instead, move forward to experience and enjoy the magnificence of putting in the effort to create your life by design...
There is a trek. There are decisions to be made. There will be hurdles to overcome, and ramble to scratch your way through. There will also be beautiful, glorious views along the way, sometimes easy trails or paths to follow, the odd rope thrown your way to help you 'UP', fresh air, new awareness and awakenings as you realize your dreams manifest into reality....
Spring! ...into designing your life on your terms!~ :o)
Living life large, by self-creation through vision and bringing it into reality!...
Happy 1st day of Spring, Australia!
...as per my commitment to an amazing life by my personal design, I will be in Australia for the summer of '09/'10 ...I have been chasing the summer around the world for the last 2 years!
...what will your life look like... when you design it with specific intention?
