The Poor is Rich with Ideas

Do you have an idea that you are afraid to execute? What exactly is stopping you? Have you buried it before even trying? Let’s talk about this doubt and fear you have. Or perhaps, the number of excuses you keep coming up with.

So what you’re poor or broke. You’re not the only one. As you can see, most people in this world have no pity for the poor. Know why? Because most of the world is poor. They have problems of their own. The good news is you don’t have to stay in that condition because being poor is a mentality, not a reality.

An idea is an Intelligently Decorated Epiphany Ascending. It goes through stages of development just like any great invention. First, it starts in the mind (conception). Next, it is nurtured with time and effort (planning). Then, it is executed with an effective plan (implementation). Finally, it is properly monitored and maintained (monitoring & controlling). But, it is also easily destroyed with doubt and fear triggered by negative thoughts, which can come from you or others (attrition).

Everyone was born with a gift and talent. I mean everyone. You just don’t realize what you have because you are too busy looking at what someone else has. You’re creating TikTok videos in your spare time. That’s media talent! You’re posting delicious looking gourmet meals prepared by you. That’s culinary talent! You’re posting makeup and hair tutorials you’ve learned by practice or just from watching videos. That’s beauty talent! You loving taking pictures at gatherings. That’s photography talent! Your ability to discover or recognize talent is a talent!

The idea of making a TikTok video showcased your videography skills. The idea of making a meal showcased your cooking skills. The idea of creating a tutorial showcased your beauty talent and gift of teaching. The idea of taking those pictures at the family reunion captured memories and revealed your photography skills. Now you need to research ways to make money from it, if that’s your passion.

Of course, ideas go beyond visual arts, cooking, and doing makeup and hair. I used those examples because many people do them for fun without realizing they are talents. Media classes can help turn your hobby into a career in marketing, advertising, and the like. Culinary school can help you become a certified chef. Cosmetology school can help you become a licensed beautician and business owner. You can become a licensed photographer, though you don’t need one in most places. You’ve already got the skill. All you need is professional, high-level equipment to get started.

If you’re serious about cultivating your idea, then you should start your research now. Talk to people who have successfully executed their plan, and surround yourself with positive energy. You don’t have to quit your day job. You just need to quit making excuses. But if your idea starts producing enough to replace your job, then you’ve scored big!

You don’t have to turn every hobby into an income. That can take the fun out of some activities. However, if money is an issue, you can use some of them to discover your niche and generate an extra income.

And remember…
“Make sense of what you do, and make every cent count.”

Photo: Flickr. Idea by Angela_G

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Are You Ready For The Second Quarter?

Speaking in terms of life, did your game start out quite well, or was it pretty bad? This is the question you should be meditating on because the end of the first quarter of this year is already near. Thus, it’s time to make some changes. Companies operate like this, so why shouldn’t we? Don’t wait until the new year to make necessary changes in your life. Start assessing your behavior and tracking your progress quarterly instead of yearly. By applying this method, you will begin to realize improvements in your attitude and reach your goals faster. Besides, why carry on a behavior or practice all throughout the year when it can be corrected or improved sooner?

If your first quarter went well, good for you. Let’s keep it going. But if you are working towards human improvement as well as success, which are equally important, let’s go through a few check points to make sure you’re on the right track.

Behavioral Assessment: (answer all that may apply)

1. Are you still holding on to something you should’ve let go by now?

• You should let it go because it can have power and control over you and block your blessings, which will hinder your success. You may not think it is damaging to your spirit, but it is because you haven’t let go. When constantly speak negatively of that person or situation, you haven’t moved on from it. You may have learned from it, but you certainly haven’t moved on from it. You become free and clear of the bitterness when the thought can run across your mind without disrupting your spirit. You learn to speak of it from a positive standpoint.

2. Have you admitted to any wrongdoings?

• You’re still holding to on to what someone has done to you, but you never admit to your own wrongdoings in the same situation or another. What makes you so different? If you’ve had many instances like this, you may be the problem. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. Sometimes our approach to handling certain situations is not always favorable to the outcome. Hence, you should always think before you speak or act in any given situation. It can preserve your reputation and make your more diplomatic.

3. Have you forgiven a person(s) who have done you wrong?

• Before diving in, I’d like to add a disclaimer. Holding on to something is not an implication that one hasn’t forgiven a person. Some people say you should forgive and forget. But truth is, you forgive and recover, but you don’t forget. That’s like asking someone not to be human. You can forgive a person instantly, meaning you have no malice in your heart for that person. However, you have resentment or bitterness if you haven’t let go. Forgiveness is easy. Recovery is hard and can take some time. Depending on the severity of the action, it can take months or even years.

Forgiving a person doesn’t mean it erases the pain you feel consequent his or her actions. Nevertheless, you cannot let anything go without forgiveness, but you can forgive without letting go. Resentment causes the situation to gain power and control over you, not unforgiveness. Once you’ve forgiven and let go, then you can recover. As a result, it will no longer have power and control over you.

4. Are you still afflicted with a vice or bad habit?

• You can’t say your path is clear for the second quarter if you are still afflicted with a vice or bad habit you said you would let go for the new year. I understand some habits are harder to break such as smoking, but are you at least cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke daily? If you are taking steps toward overcoming that vice or breaking that bad habit, then it’s safe to say you’re moving in the right direction. Now if you are a cheating spouse whose resolution was to stop, you can’t give yourself credit for dropping the old one yet picking up something new. That does not count. Instead, you should consider a new hobby other than hunting or fishing.

5. Are you taking care of your body?

• You might not see how health and wellness correlate until you realize it’s harder to achieve your goals with a poor engine. You want to drive trucks? DOT won’t clear you with high blood pressure. You want to join the police force? They might tell you to lose weight. Considering modeling, acting, or singing? You’re going to need a lot of energy for that, and aesthetics is everything. If your goal is just to have a good life insurance plan, you might get denied if your levels are too high. So be proactive, get healthy, and get in shape.

6. Have you helped someone in need?

• If you have achieved success in the first quarter and you’re not giving back, then you have selfish motives. But whether you have or haven’t, you’re missing an important step because you reap what you sow. You never know when you might fall. People file bankrupt all the time, and it’s not just poor people. Should you ever fall short, would you expect people to give to you if you haven’t given to anyone? Your gifts don’t always have to be money. You can help people by offering your time or services. If you’ve done all the above except this last step, make it an appointment to give your time, talent, or treasure to someone who can benefit.

Life Goals

1. Is your current strategy working? Meaning, are you seeing results?

• If yes, keep it going and monitor activity regularly. This gives you the opportunity to focus on another goal. If no, try something different or improve your current method.
2. Are you tracking your progress?

• If not, you should. Otherwise, you won’t be able to determine what’s working and what’s not.
3. Have you met your quotas?

• If yes, great. Keep it up! If not, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Just set realistic goals next time, push harder, and be patient.
4. Are you on schedule/meeting deadlines?

• If yes, great! If no, consider budgeting your time wisely. Time management is crucial to success in any realm.
5. Have you written your goals for the second quarter?

• If yes, you’re on the right track. If no, what are you waiting for? Without goals, you have nothing to shoot for. Can you imagine watching a basketball game without goals? 😊
6. Are you keeping quiet about it?

• If yes, awesome! If no, hush. Your goals should be personal and as private as your social security number. You don’t have to tell people everything. If so, throw them of and remain a mystery. Some will applaud. Some will hate and pray on your downfall. And some will copy or try to beat you to the finish line.

So, whatever you are shooting for this year, map out a plan and follow it. Re-evaluate the plan every quarter, and make changes accordingly. You don’t have to stick to one plan for an entire year. Just try sticking to it for that quarter. But if you have no plan to achieve your goal, you can plan to fail at that endeavor.

And remember…
“Make sense of what you do, and make every cent count.”

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them.

Submit topic suggestions using the “Contact Me” page.


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My Business Is Your Business



Have you ever tried to support someone, yet he or she acted as if you were bugging or becoming bothersome with your many inquiries? If you have a business, treat it like one and be professional at all times. People have every right to ask questions about a product or service they intend to pay for. There is a lot of competition in this economy, so don’t ever act as though you are the only one baking cakes, taking pictures, styling or cutting hair, doing party favors, and etc.

Whether you realize it or not, it is your business. People are not obligated to support you when there are so many others competing for their business. You never know who might help you step your game up out of admiration of what you do and how well you do it. If you don’t wish to be contacted by phone, quit issuing out your phone number. If you’d prefer a text, then specify. If you are going to ignore both, don’t advertise your craft as your business. If you are doing it just for fun, then it’s a hobby, not a business. Don’t confuse the two.

Some of you so-called business people are very rude and unprofessional. Don’t ever become so cocky and conceited because you’ve had much success. All it takes is for someone to have one bad experience and ruin your reputation. The best way to market any business or service is by word-of-mouth. So if word is that you don’t respond to calls, texts, instant messages, and emails, then your referrals will begin to decline. Remember, good communication is key in business dealings. Most importantly, treat people you know just as you would any other client. They are paying customers, too. You are not excused from your lousiness just because the two of you are well acquainted. I see it happen all the time.

Returning customers are just as important as new customers. In my opinion, they are actually more valuable because they have shown an act of loyalty. Your residuals come from returning customers, not new customers. They help sustain your lifestyle because the income is steady. Therefore, their business is your business, and they deserve the utmost respect.

And remember…
“Make sense of what you do, and make every cent count.”

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear them.

Submit topics suggestions using the “Contact Me” page.

Photo: Flickr. Pinned to business quotes on Pinterest by Wan Mohd Muslim

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