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.

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.

One of the many resources I encountered while creating some our retirement coaching program is an extraordinarily good book: 

“This Is Not Your Parents Retirement - A Revolutionairy Guide to Investments for a Revolutionairy Generation” by Patrick Astre.

No, it is not a brand new book.  It has been around a few years.  BUT, Astre keeps it updated on line at

http://www.thisisnotyourparentsretirement.com/Update.html

This is more than a retirement book.

The world has changed. Shouldn’t your retirement strategy follow suit?

You’re destined for a longer, more active retirement than any generation before you — and you want the cash to do it in style.  Forget nest eggs. There’s a revolution afoot in retirement planning, and expert Patrick Astre divulges the investment secrets that create multiple income streams for life.

It is time to consider a totally new way of thinking about life, money and retirement.  It is time to abandon your traditional, linear approach to life — a predictable transition for childhood, to marriage and children, work, and then retirement — and embrace the freedom and the rewards that come from living a nonlinear life.

Those of you who follow this advice won’t have to wait until retirement to travel, enjoy a hobby,  and live the life you truly desire.

Those of you who are already in the midst of retirement will find sound and practical advice to help you enhance your cash-flow strategy and begin living a limitless retirement.

You’ll be able to do those things now and will still be able to fund your needs when you are too old, or too ill, to work and to pursue leisure activities.

This book shows you how to become financially independent by providing common sense strategies and an easy-to-follow financial roadmap to accumulating the assets that will generate a series of income streams throughout your life.

I can not recommend it more confidently than these experts:

“This is absolutely a must-have book for anyone reaching for financial independence.” –Lynn Parrott, VP John Hancock/Manulife Financial

“This is one of the best financial books I have read. It’s clear, easy to understand and a great guide for anyone who wants to build and preserve wealth toward retirement.” – Arnie Pechler, MBA, CFP, CSA, LUTCF, Vice President, Farmers & Traders Life

As always I welcome your input and comment.  Please let me know if you enjoy this book and if this is the kind of information you are looking for.

Thank you for your visit

Gratefully,

Steve

Your Retirement Success Champion

PS - I will be doing making many more recommendations, suggestion and reviews in the future.  Please consider subscribing to the feed to be kept appraised.

Are you paying attention to the outside forces that can have a big impact on your business? 

Or is your head in the sand?

As an entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to be aware of the external forces that can make or break your business.

In the March 2008 edition of Entrepreneur Magazine, Andrea Cooper wrote an excellent article entitled, “The Influencers: What forces will affect your business in the coming year?”

She outlines the top 25 Influencers; the individuals, groups and trends that will have a substantial impact on business this year. 

Here are 6 that I thought were particularly interesting:

Mortgage Crisis

Continuing fallout from the mortgage crisis will undoubtedly affect you and your business in 2008. As banks wrestle with the problem of bad home loans, it may reduce their capacity or willingness to hand out money to entrepreneurs.

A Generational Shift

The first baby boomers are becoming eligible for retirement, and the nation is on the verge of a generational shift as those under age 44 assume more power. Boomers are itching to leave corporations and start their own businesses. Services that help them, such as small-business counseling, mentoring or virtual back-office support, should fare well. Older boomers are looking for meaningful part-time work that helps them leave a legacy; savvy entrepreneurs who create flexible opportunities can reap rewards from their talents.

Shrinking Middle Class

Working longer, commuting farther, sinking financially–that’s how The Trends Journal described the average member of the U.S. middle class last year.  What can entrepreneurs do? Believe that the high cost of oil will have real consequences on buying power, and make it easy for clients to work with you, whether it’s with convenient locations or via the internet and other technologies.

College Entrepreneurship Programs

Used to be, people didn’t think about going to college to learn how to be an innovative business owner. That was before the rise of college entrepreneurship programs. The latest trend on campus is teaching entrepreneurism outside of business school, even to English majors.

Socially Responsible Companies

Consumers care more than ever about corporate social responsibility. The “Edelman Trust Barometer 2007″ found that top concerns include employee treatment and open communication about a company’s conduct and impact, whether good or bad. “People are looking for responsible products, and they’re willing to pay a premium,” says Chris Deri of PR firm Edelman. “Take advantage of your smaller size and be nimble enough to be responsive to those demands.”

The 2008 Elections

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization surveyed its U.S. members about the presidential elections. Nearly 50 percent of them ranked the contest important or very important. The survey found that affordable health care is at the top of their wish lists, but it’s just one key item among many in this presidential race. “Everybody’s concerned about the economy,” says Alan Carsrud, executive director of the Global Entrepreneurship Center at Florida International University. But the presidential election isn’t the only one to watch. What happens in Congress and the state legislatures can have just as much of an impact on your business.

Let me encourage you to read the entire article

You can read it here: 

                                    The Influencers

Keep Learning!

Steve

http://www.championsuccess.com/

PS - As always, I welcome your comments

I usually limit my blogging to 3 days a week, but this morning I was so inspired by what I just finished reading I wanted to share it with you right away.

As I mentioned yesterday, I read between 4 and 6 books a week.  I recently completed a book called “Increasing Your Financial IQ - Get Richer By Getting Smarter” by Robert Kiyosaki.  In my opinion it is a must read for any resposible adult.

The excerpt from the book I read in an article this morning is what inspired me though.  I have adapted it here:

“Learning at an early age that we all have money problems - no matter how rich of how poor we are - is an important lesson.  Many believe that if they had a lot of money, their money problems would be over.  Little do they know, having lots of money just causes even more money problems.

The world is full of people who win millions and then end up deeply in debt just a few years later.

Money alone won’t solve your money problems.  That’s why giving poor peopl does not solve their money problems.

Hard work won’t solve money problems.  The world is fileld with hardworking people who have no money to show for it; hard working people who earn money yet grow deeper in debt needing to work even harder for even more money.

Education won’t solve money problems.  There are plenty fo highly educated poor people.

A job won’t solve money problems.  There are millions who earn just enough to survive but cannot afford to live happy and satisfied.  Many people with jobs can nto afford their own home, adequate healthcare, education, or even set aside enough money for retirement.

What CAN solve money problems is financial intelligence.  The truly financially wealthy take on financial problems and know that solving them will increase their financial IQ.”

I write a great deal about the personal and spiritual growth necessary to experience true and complete success. 

I know from personal experience that having lots of money does not, in and of itself, create the gratification and accomplishment of success.

As I describe in my free reports, “The Secret to Astonishing Entrepreneurial Success“, and “The Secret to an Abundant, Joy-Filled Retirement“, once you find you purpose, you must get into commited action to fulfill it and realize the successful and abundant life you desire.  

I also note in these reports that you will want to do a skills assessment and create an action plan to develop the skills necessary to maximize purposeful accomplishment of whatever you are truly and passionately commited to.

Developing your financial IQ is part of the action process. 

As I wrote about in my article yesterday, there is a champion within you. 

Let me encourage you to take on the Goliath of financial ignorance to accelerate your personal success.

Have an amazing day. 

Gratefully and Sincerely,

 Steve

“Your Success Champion”

PS - Please feel free to comment on this or any article.  I am always open to hearing what you want to know about.

PPS - I will be back on Friday with the next of the 4 Success Saboteurs.

On Tuesday of this past week I hosted the “Retirement Shifts” Teleseminar with my associate Bill Losey, “America’s Retirement Strategist” and author of “Retire In a Weekend - The Baby Boomers Guide to Making Work Optional“. 

 It was a terrific, well attended event.   We talked about:

• The Surprising Facts that will impact everyone in the Baby Boomer Generation  
• Proven Strategies for Generating Income for Retirement
• A Novel Twist on Retirement Planning
• A way to create financial security for yourself and your loved ones
• How to go about Pursuing the Retirement Life that is really possible for you
• How You can Manifest the Abundant, Joy-Filled Retirement You Desire
• Critical Information that will help you Overcome Whatever is Stopping You
• and more…

Click here to listen to the recording:  http://www.thesecretforretirement.com/teleseminar-recording.html

The fact of the matter is your retirement is coming.

The question is - Will you be ready?

Bill and I present information that will help you know with 100% certainty how to have everything you want in retirement, exactly as you want it to be.

I invite you to comment here once you have listened to the recording.

With sincere gratitude and admiration,

Steve

www.championsuccess.com

PS - Listen to the recording and then let me know if you found it of value. 

With the launch of the amazing Miraculous Retirement Coaching Program, I have been closely monitoring  a couple of interesting information sources. 

And, my interest in the practical application of binaural audio and subliminal video programs has me monitoring the work being done by organizations like Sharp Brains, Immrama Institute, and Hypnotic I Media are doing. 

Every once in a while, these topics cross over in very intersting ways. 

For instance, I saw reference to an article entitled “Ten Important Truths About Aging“ by Elkhonon Goldberg and Alvaro Fernandez of Sharp Brains (www.sharpbrains.com).

I was really stunned by the implications of these Truths:

     Neuropsychology Indicates That We Can Control Our Aging

     Aging Means Lifelong Development, Not Automatic Decline

     Some Skills Improve With Age

     Some Skills Need To Be Continuously Nurtured And Trained

     Not All Instances Of Forgetting Are Of Equal Concern

     We Are In Control, To A Large Extent

     There Are Four “Pillars Of Brain Health”

     Cross-Training Our Brains Builds Up Cognitive Reserve

     Computer-Based Brain Exercise Programs Can Help

     Embrace “Good” Stress; Eliminate “Bad” Stress

     Retirement Is Overrated

The article also makes reference to a recent book The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older, by Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg.  

In it Dr. Goldberg explains:   

“that as we undergo experiences, we actually change our brains by creating new neurons and synapses.  This process never stops; our brains enjoy lifelong plasticity.  Until recently, a popular misconception was that neurons die as we age and do not get replenished. Now, neurogenesis, or the ability of our brains to create new neurons until the very day we die, is a proven reality.”

The article concludes:

“Many baby boomers want to remain active and mentally stimulated beyond arbitrary retirement ages. Given demographic trends, this will create a large group of people working into their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Society at large will have to adapt its education, health and employment policies to benefit from this trend.

In summary, the latest neuroscientific research has shown that, contrary to popular belief, the brain is constantly undergoing neurogenesis.  Learning new things and targeted mental exercise promote the development of new neurons and connections between neurons, just as muscle growth is promoted through physical exercise—and this can take place at all ages.  Indeed, work itself, and embarking on second and third careers, can provide great cognitive exercise.”

Did you get that?

In another of my recent posts, The Miraculous Sound of Clarity, An Education For Entrepreneurs & Retirement Planning In A Box, I reference Marc Freedman’s book “Encore - Find Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life” indicating that this is precisely what people approaching retirement are doing.   

As you dig a little deeper you will discover that doing something you are truly passionate about provides maximal cognitive stimulation with minimal ‘bad’ stress. 

So if, as you approach retirment age, you begin pursuing the interests or vocations you are truly passionate about; perhaps those you have deferred for years, you will not only be more satified and joy-filled, but you will likely live a longer, healthier life as well.

With sincere gratitude,

Steve

www.championsuccess.com

Last weekend my friends Pat OBryan and Joe Vitale released an amazing new product, The Clearing Audio.

As I have been known to do when these true gentlemen take the time to share what they know, I immediately downloaded a copy and began working with it.

You can see my testimonial on Pat’s sales page:

“Pat, I just want you to know that I am positively stunned by the effectiveness of the Clearing Audio. I downloaded them, dropped them on my ipod and used the binaural music track during my morning meditation, I was not only charged with positive energy, but I had amazing and inspired new insights for product ideas, AND I had several inbound requests for big time joint ventures. Wow. But that’s not all. A little later in the morning I ran it again while I was training (exercise). UNBELIEVABLE results, more energy, more power, faster recovery. It is my new secret weapon. You’re amazing. Thank you!” - Steve Little, California

And one from my superstar wife Kimberly:

“Tuesday March 4th - I used the binaural audio when I went running today.  I found myself feeling almost like I was floating effortlessly through what is ordinarily an painfully challenging mountain run.  I felt centered and powerful, like all my energy was eminating from my ‘root energy center’.  I also found that throughout the day, even though the audo was not running any longer my work was effortless, everything flowed, and new opportunity showed up, not only for me, but for the people on my team.  I want more.” - Kimberly Little

So what is going on with this “stuff”?

Let me allow Kristen Cramer, President of the Immrama Institute explain:

“There are several different brainwave states. Your brain continually cycles through each of them throughout the day and night. It is a completely natural biological occurrence in every human being, and each of these brainwave states occurs in a specific frequency range:

Gamma: bursts of insight and high-level information processing (40Hz and up)
Beta: Focused concentration, heightened alertness (13Hz to 40 Hz)
Alpha: Relaxed mental awareness, visualization, creativity (8Hz to 12Hz)
Theta: Stress Relief, deep relaxation, meditation, dreaming (4Hz to 8Hz)
Delta: Deep, dreamless sleep, healing and rejuvenation (0Hz to 4Hz)

With the help of audio brainwave technology, you can guide your brain into Beta, Delta, or any other desired brainwave state based on the activity you are engaging.

Our CDs are scientifically designed to release one set of frequencies into the right ear, and another set of frequencies into the left ear. When this happens, the brain’s response is to generate its own frequency (and the one you desire) to reconcile the difference between the two frequencies being heard through the ears.

This “balancing” frequency of the brain is called a binaural beat, and is what we are after in BT.

For example, if a frequency of 100Hz is presented to the left ear and a frequency of 105Hz is presented to the right ear, the brain “hears” a binaural beat pulsing at 5Hz, the exact difference between the two frequencies. Over time, binaural beats can lead to something wonderful called hemisphere synchronization.

Whole brain synchronization occurs when the two hemispheres of your brain begin to work together, resonating at the same frequencies and causing neural pathways to fire more rapidly. Your brain can reach extraordinary levels of performance not normally attainable without years of practice. Research has shown that this type of synchronization is present in the brain at times of intense creativity, clarity and inspiration.

By listening to our CDs you can train your brain to function at this high level of synchronization.

You can track it on an EEG machine, and it is amazing to see how the brain becomes more cohesive. After about 7-10 minutes of using these products the left and right hemispheres of the brain start working together. Remember, there is 30+ years of science backing this up.

You can view a few actual EEG snapshots on our webpage. http://www.immrama.org/brainwave/brainwave.html

So what does this have to do with the education and functions of an entrepreneur?

Let me explain:

Clearing subconscious limiting beliefs and counter intentions is rudimentary to accomplishing more, winning big, and creating the succesful, joy-filled life you desire.

These powerful subliminal tools provide new pathways for even greater results.

We have witnessed amazing shifts on the level of entrepreneurial success simply through the process of clearing.  Here is one reported just last week by Joe Vitale:

“Mickey came into this new program with two businesses, a dream, and a burning desire to attract incredible miracles.Admittedly, Mickey started out very skeptical of the program.  But she decided to believe in it, and stated her outrageous intention to make $12,000,000.  It was definitely a stretch for her and she knew it was time to go for it - freee of any limitations.Then, beyond her wildest expectations, two miracles happened that she directly attributed to my mentoring program.The first miracle happened after her first few sessions which focused on clearing her limiting beliefs.  She cleared her limiting beliefs and an unexpected package of foreclosed properties from Lehman Brothers fell into her lap.  (Prior to these sessions, she never dreamed of anything like this.)  Within that package were two big deals worth a total of $12 billion dollars.  And she ended up not just closing just one deal - she closed both. The combined commission she made was more than $100 million.“Incredible” is the only word I can use to describe the results people like Mickey get when they understand how to use the Law of Attraction.

Not only is this technology useful for personal and professional success, but binaural audios enhance people prepare for retirement by openning up whole new areas of interest and help them live longer more satisfying, active and fruitful lives by staving off the ravages of aging:

“One of the goals in using the audio technology is to stimulate dendritic growth to occur on an ongoing basis to provide an ideal situation for the brain, allowing the brain to operate at its maximum possible potential rather than only using a portion of its potential, and allowing the brain to establish dendritic growth for long-term benefits, including benefits that work to counteract the debilitating effects of aging.” (Immrama Institute web site)

All of this by plugging in to an audio recording 20 to 30 minutes a day!

My team and I are working with a number of experts to create a number of binaural audio music products specifically designed for our programs and you. 

We expect to release them over the next 6 to 12 weeks.

In the mean time let me suggest you visit Pat and Joe’s Clearing Audio Site to purchase and download the Clearing Audio:   www.clearingaudio.com.   

The Immrama Institute also offers 2 extraordinary binaural beat audio products that I have tested extensively.  One set is specifically designed to clear memory that contributes to stress and anxiety.  The other clears memories that inhibit your levels of focus, clarity, and concentration.  This allows you to achieve higher levels of thinking and performance.  Click here to order these amazing binaural audio CDs.

I promise you, you will experience miraculous shifts you will not be able to explain otherwise.

With my most heartfelt wishes for your continued miraculous success and my most sincere gratitude,

 Steve

www.championsuccess.com

This Friday March 7th at 5:14 PM marks the new moon. 

Within the 24 hour period following this time is the best time of the month to send an intention for what you want.

I am sure we all set intentions every day but on this day it is a good idea to make a point of really setting the intention.

Really feel it and open yourself up to all that is possible for yourself.

Steve

www.championsuccess.com

I had a fascinating discussion with a group of retired seniors this weekend.  The average age of the group was 68 and they ranged in age from 63 to 75.  This means some of them are baby boomers and some are not.

All had held high profle positions in very successful companies, had earned a great deal of money, and made a lot of sacrifices along the way in order to achieve the ’success’ they had achieved.

You want to know what the most interesting thing was…..

NOT ONE of them was glad they had.

Yup, thats right.  NOT ONE.

Every single one of them said they wished they knew then what they know now about true success, happiness and joy.

Every single one of them said that if they had it to do over again they would have invested themselves in what they were truly passionate about and NOT in what they THOUGHT they SHOULD do.

Every single one of them said that they are confident they would have everything they need now even with out the high-flying career.

And….here is the kicker….. 

While every one of them is now ecstatically happy to be pursuing the interests and passions they had deferred all those years in their retirement,  they all wished they had done it much, much earlier.

So the question that this begs is….

If these gentlemen had NOT sacrificed and deferred all those years, how is it that they know they would be living in the abundant and joy-filled retirement they have now anyway?

How could this be?

I mean, aren’t we taught that “A successful life is hard work.  You must work hard, make sacrifices, make a lot of money, do without some things, save and invest for your retirement.”

Some of you already know that this is not working.  If you are totally honest about it, you are tired of the grind, but do not believe you have enough stored away and are not sure what you should do about it…so you just keep grinding away.

I took a lesson from these wise old gentlemen some years ago and ‘quit the deferred life plan‘.  I now work less, have more time for my family and the things that matter to me, and have more wealth, more happiness, and more joy than I ever knew possible. 

And I am only 49!

Can you imagine living the retired life of your dreams before the age of 50?

Download my report, “The Secret to an Abundant and Joy-Filled Retirement“.  It’s FREEEE!

We are hosting a Teleseminar with “America’s Retirement Strategist” and author of “Retire in a Weekend“,  Billl Losey on the 19th of March.  You do not want to miss it.

I know what is possible for you and I want to make sure you have it.

With sincere admiration,

Steve

http://www.championsuccess.com 

PS - Check it out and ping me back with your thoughts.