Are you board with retirement?

Are you tired of a career choice that no longer ignites your passions?

I came across a great article by Brad Sugars at Entrepreneur.com tonight while making last minute preparation for the ”Power Your Business to Hyper-Success Teleseminar” I am doing this week.

It gives you 6 excellent tips to help you get a kick start into a new game when time and your life savings are on the line.

Here is an excerpt:  

“There’s a big difference between starting a company as a young entrepreneur with stars in your eyes and launching a business at an age when you need reading glasses. If you’re a twentysomething student with an idea for a better search engine, like Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, you can start over if the idea is a dud.

If you’re a retiree looking for a second career, you have a lot more to lose–including your life savings.

The upshot is that many people elect to hang up a new business shingle when friends their age are settling down to a life of leisure. The challenge is figuring out what to do and how to do it, without betting the farm on a venture that might not pan out.

Why are some successful in building a (post-retirement) business and how can you accomplish the same feat? Here are some guidelines to steer you in the right direction.

1. Find the market gap in the business you know. Sometimes the best way to determine what business to go into is to identify a need that isn’t being served by the business you came from. One of my friends used to be in the car wash business and knew that he sold three times more car wax than his competitors. After he retired, he set up a consulting company teaching his methods to other car washes. He knew there would be a demand, and he had the expertise to meet it.

2. Consider turning your hobby into a business. My father-in-law loved building computers, so after retirement he set up a small home computer building and repair business. An ex-banker in Savannah, Georgia, turned his love of local history into a tour business. You could do the same thing with gardening (be a consultant), baking (open a local cookie-making business) and so on. The added bonus is that if it’s a hobby, it won’t seem like work.

3. Investigate franchising. If you can find a home-based franchise that interests you, the cost will be relatively low, and you get pre-built systems and support materials so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. This also reduces the risk of failure, and you get startup training as well as ongoing assistance that you wouldn’t get as a solo operator.

4. Use your connections. You’ve spent a lifetime building your network; now use it. I know a retired fruit and vegetable buyer who used to serve as a middleman between farmers and airline food services. Over the years, he developed contacts in Dubai. After retirement, he became a broker between the farmers and customers in the Persian Gulf. It was an ideal part-time business with no employees required.

5. Keep upfront expenses to a minimum. Nieukirk, the ex-Caterpillar painter turned home builder, didn’t need an office and had to purchase nothing more than a van, some ladders and a number of tools. Starting small ensures that you can preserve most of your savings, avoid capital-raising efforts and associated debt, and back out gracefully if the business stumbles or the life of an entrepreneur doesn’t suit you as well as you expected.

6. Avoid a 40-hour work week to start. Don’t get yourself into a situation that requires your full-time attention from day one. You’re not 20 years old anymore, and you might not have either the energy or the desire to work 40, 50 or 60 hours a week. Get your feet wet with a part-time commitment. You always have the option to add hours if business is good and you’re having fun.

If you play your cards right, you’ll find a way to be productive and make money even after your core earning years are behind you. You may not set the world on fire, but you’ll put some extra money in the bank and enjoy yourself to boot.

Then again, as they say, a spark can start a fire. Colonel Harland Sanders was 62 when he sold his first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in 1952. By the time he sold his franchise operations in 1964, Kentucky Fried Chicken was a household name. So remember, you’re never too old to be an entrepreneur.”

It never ceases to amaze me how  constant the keys to entrepreneurial success remain.

Keep Learning,

Steve

Your Success Champion.

PS - If you find this material helpful, please comment here.

Several months ago I posted an introduction to an incredible new film called “The Shift”

I was so moved by the trailer I have gotten heavily involved with the project. 

It is a documentary film that is still in production. 

It has many of the top consciousness thought leaders in the world and an amazing array of others.

Each reveals the shift in consciousness that is occurring in thousands of ‘pockets’ all over the world. 

I believe this film will change the world and could not be more excited to be part of the project,

It may seem a little off topic for this blog in the midst of all the new announcements I am making. 

But, I think it’s a cause worthy of (you) Champions.

Check out the trailer and let me know if you want to know more or get involved in some way.

Last week an amazing musician named Bashiri Johnson was so moved by the trailer he wrote a terrific new song.  Check it out!

I’ll keep you updated from time to time here but will be putting a community site together soon.

Thanks for commenting.

Keep growing,

Steve

I few months back I received an invitation to Twitter.  To tell you the truth, I did NOT get it.

If you are not familiar with Twitter yet, it is what is a Microbloging system.

With it you can blog simple acts and thoughts as they happen throughout the day.

I honestly could not imagine why anyone what want to know what I was doing at that level, and I just did not see why I would care to knwo what they were doing.

Well, I have had an opportunity to rethink that opinion.

I had an opportunity to meet with a true internet marketing guru, Drew Kossoff (www.rainmakeradventures.com), a few weeks back, and we chatted a bit about it.

He planted a few thought seeds so I started watching this more closely.

I found myself gaining interesting and meaningful insight into the lives of the people I was following.

I suddenly realized that I had a new competative marketing weapon to use.

One colleague I ran into was amazed when I asked him very specific questions in regards to a trip he had just taken with his family.

An business associate of mine asked me how I knew who was where and what they were up to? I explained my use of Twitter and how I was using it to track friends and see what everyone was up to. 

Now he is addicted to Twitter and uses it to cultivate relationships with clients and get the inside edge on his sales competitors.

This is interesting but it is nothing when you consider the internet marketing and social networking implications of it.

I can think of dozens of creative ways to use it.

Can you?

Please comment with your ideas.

Twitter me:  stevelittle

Keep Learning,

Steve

My friend Joe Vitale recently hosted a seminar in Austin in which he introduced his “AAA Plan to Wealth”.

Nerissa video taped the event and they have posted a 45 minute excerpt on the internet.

I watched it this morning while in the gym and was inspired to share it with you.

Those of you who have read my reports or participated in our coaching programs will find the informaton very familiar.

Enjoy!!

Many of you know that Joe is a personal mentor of mine. 

Watching this reminded me how grateful I am to have this amazing relatonship with Joe.

It also reminded me how appreciative I am to have the opportunity to have such an amazing realtionship with you.

Talk about wealth!

Thank you for visiting.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Steve

Your Success Champion

PS - Keep and eye out for some amazing announcements I will be making next week.

PPS - Did you enjoy this video and find it helpful in any way. Let me know.

Throughout the past several weeks I have shared with you what I refer to as the top 4 success saboteurs.  They are:

• Multitasking
• Distraction & Interruption
• Friction
• Mind Chatter

It is clear from this list that the majority of these have to do with disruptions to the mental clarity and focus necessary to generate success.

The good news is that you do not have to blaze this trail on your own.  Success leaves clues and there are ample sources of information resources that can help you avoid becoming an unwitting victim of these success bandits.

There is no doubt that successful entrepreneurs have mastered a broad array of techniques and practices to keep themselves focused, on purpose, and on the success track. 

It is also clear, however, that the skeletal framework of success is comprised of faith, determination, and persistent practice of effective habits.  The effectiveness of any success tool, technique, or method is determined by the consistency of its application.   As you read through the remainder of this article, consider ways you can reinforce the consistent application of the techniques provided.

Here are 4 techniques that will help you prevail over the saboteurs and obstacles to your success:

•1.       Clear Focus:

Your objective is to manage your project calendar to create blocks of time dedicated as large as possible to each and every important activity.  Each important task should get a minimum of 2 hours of dedicated, un-interrupted focused attention.  More than 2 hours is even better, but 2 hours is an absolute minimum.  If the task or activity you are working on is not important or significant enough to take that large a block of your productive time, then it is probably not an activity that will contribute considerably to success anyway and should be deferred to either someone else or combined with other similar activities which and be combined and completed at another time.

 Within each block of focused time, you will work on one thing and one thing only. 

No multitasking.  No email. No other distractions.

 •2.      Relax

In between these blocks of Clear Focus, you should take a 15 to 30 minute break and completely and totally relax.  No text messaging, returning phone calls, or emailing.  Instead, get up out of your office, go for a walk, close your eyes and meditate, take a nap, listen to some calming music, or do whatever you do to completely and totally relax. 

This has profound impact on your psyche and generates the powerfully attracting experience of accomplishment and success.  You will not only feel better but you will miraculously draw fresh inspiration and energy into your success efforts.   Your mind, body, and spirit will work cohesively and in perfect synchronization.  Your productivity will literally sky-rocket exponentially.

While it is counter-intuitive to think that NOT pressing on to the next project or task immediately will result in an increase in higher quality output, trust me it will.

But even more importantly than that is the experience of success you will realize.  It will seem an effortless pleasure as opposed to a frenetic race.  You will find an unlimited source of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm.  This will attract even more of the same to you, and your experience of success will be transformed.

•3.      Create Routines

For everything that is important to do, create a routine.   The extent to which you can establish consistent routines, you will free up enormous amounts of positive mental energy and think time for the creation of your success. 

Steven Covey explains that time management is a misnomer.  We do not manage time.  We manage ourselves.  By creating routines you eliminate or at least reduce the deleterious effects of the mismanagement of yourself.

When I hear people complain about not having enough time, I am immediately reminded that their challenge is not truly about the availability of time.  Rather, it is actually about the responsible management of the use of time. It is what you do or do not do with time that challenges the outcome you desire.

People who believe there is not enough time are operating with limiting beliefs either about what is possible for them, or about what it takes to be successful.  Somewhere along the way they installed a belief about time; perhaps that time is limited or that success takes a lot time, or something like that.  If these people are challenged to consider their life experience they would find that their experience of the lack of time as is a recurring theme that has curtailed and continues to curtail success in other areas of life.  It is a clear illustration of how a subconscious counter-intentional belief can sabotage success.

By learning how to eliminate and clear these limiting beliefs and by establishing routines that support the effort necessary to accomplish the desired level success, you dis-empower the limiting belief while simultaneously making yourself available for more frequent larger blocks of clear focus time.

Keep in mind that you are the highest leverage resource in your business.  No one you hire can create as great a return on your investment as you can.  By routinely attending to your physical, emotional, and spiritual self, you are equipped for hyper-effective accomplishment and astonishing levels of success.

•4.     Rest, Renew, & Recover

It is sometimes challenging for entrepreneurs, especially inexperienced entrepreneurs, to remember why they chose to be entrepreneurs to begin with.  For most it is about freedom and contribution.  In one dimension this may refer to the freedom to pursue inspirations, dreams, and aspirations and make a significant contribution to others and perhaps the world.  In another it has to do with the freedom to fully experience and enjoy the primary relationships they have with loved ones.  Regardless, entrepreneurs have a clear vision of the success they desire.

Left unabated however, the energy and enthusiasm drawn out of the entrepreneur in the passionate pursuit of this clear vision can consume their life and they can literally lose touch with who they are and why they chose the entrepreneurial path to begin with. 

You must allow yourself to rest, renew, and recover.  The only way to do this is to completely unplug and remove yourself from the entrepreneurial pursuit completely for an extended period of time.  You will need to build in to your plan a minimum of two consecutive days each week away from your business and away from your business relationships.  Invest that time completely in rest and recovery.  Renew your connection with your loved ones and with who you are.

By doing this you will experience success in the truest sense of the word.

By following these 4 simple practices, you will begin to experience the astonishing levels of satisfying and rewarding success immediately.  Keep in mind that success is part of a journey and is not a destination. 

You can experience the elation of astonishing success right now, today.

Please comment and let me know if you feel this information will help you realize the accomplishment you desire.

Thank you for your visit.

With sincere gratitude,

Steve

Your Success Champion.

PS - I was recently invited to present the 4 Saboteurs to a group in a private teleconference.  You can hear the entire article series presented in an audio recording of that presentation by clicking below.

4 Success Saboteurs 

It is often the case that the people who attend our various success coaching programs explore and find whole new venues for creating the life success they desire; entrepreneurial. for retirement, or otherwise.

Aside from the subconscious limiting beliefs and counter-intentions we help them overcome, many arrive to our program believing that it is difficult to take a concept to success.  They think they need to have special skills or talents or that they need realationships with other industry specialists and experts like publishers. 

The truth is that, with the maturity and power of the internet, and a veritable army of success mentors and coaches to help you, it has never been easier to build the dream of financial independence and success. 

Here is a great article about this very thing by Justin Petroccelli, Entrepreneur.com:

Blogosphere to Stratosphere

It illuminates how savvy bloggers are turning mere concepts into the building blocks of a media empire.

“The internet has made it possible for almost anyone to start a business. But beyond that, the proliferation of blogs means that now, more than ever, an idea in and of itself can become a business.” Justin Petroccelli

Do you have something to say?

Trust your instincts and inspiration.  Put up a blog and start saying it. 

You will be surprised by how many people want to hear your voice.

Keep Learning,

Steve

Your Success Champion

PS - Please let me know if you found this article inspirational or helpful in some way.

Bill Losey is a highly sought-after adviser, educator, and author. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He’s a certified financial planner, a certified senior adviser, and certified RSP-trained retirement coach. He’s the founder of National Retirement Planning Month. He publishes Retirement Intelligent, an award winning newsletter that reaches thousands of subscribers worldwide. And he’s the author of a fantastic new book called “Retire In a Weekend: The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Making Work Optional.”

This interview is the first in a series of 12 interviews I have conducted with true experts.  I am so excited about the value of the information provided by each of these extraordinary people, I just could not wait to share this one with you.

In this interview, Bill provides pragmatic advice and practical steps which help you create the retirement of your dreams beginning right now.

Whether you are 30, 60, or 70, following the financial strategies Bill outlines in this interview will guarantee that you have everything you need financially to create the abundant retirement you desire.

He likes to say ‘life is too long NOT to be doing those things that are fun and rewarding” and explains why it is so vital to begin with a clear image of what, outside of money, is really important to you.   

Bill Losey “America’s Retirement Strategist”

I am always interested in knowing whether or not the information I am providing you is useful.  Please comment on this blog and let me know how you like this post.

I am standing for all that is possible for you.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Steve

Your Retirement Success Champion

PS - I invite you to share this post with your friends and family.  I promise you they will thank you for it.