Cashflow Quadrant

Last week I talked about the Cashflow 101 game by Robert Kiyosaki and today I'm going to talk about one of his books "Cashflow Quadrant". Robert and his team have written many books on finance and investing, but this is one of my favorites.

What is the Cashflow Quadrant? Well, it looks something like this:

What it's saying is that there are four ways to produce an income: you can be an employee, self-employed, a business owner or an investor.  According to this graphic, 95% of the population is on the left side of the quadrant, that is they have a job or own a job (self-employed), but either way they're trading their time for money. And only 5% of the wealth is on the left side. The 5% of the population on the right side controls 95% of the wealth.

Remember "Occupy Wall Street"? They were complaining about the 1% who controlled the money. But what did they really accomplish? Nothing. The 1% still controls the money. How about instead of protesting and calling these people names that we join the 1% (or 5% in this case)? If we learn how to create businesses and to invest our money wisely we can be part of the 5%. In fact, if enough people do this, we can double the size to 10%.

There are many ways to start a business: you can be a professional like a doctor, lawyer, plumber but usually when you start out you'll be by yourself so you'll be in the lower left quadrant. Or maybe you can purchase a franchise such as McDonald's. I don't know how much a McDonald's franchise costs…probably hundreds of thousands of dollars. But what you're really buying is the system. Or you could join a network marketing company. Again, you're buying a system but now you're spending maybe a few hundred dollars.

Education is the best way to move to the right side of the quadrant. Learn about the different ways to start a business and pick one that works for you. And then you can look at the many different ways that you can get money to work for you.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-backup-day/ Backup all of that valuable data! Your spreadsheets, your databases, your music and all of those beautiful pictures! Ask me how you can get unlimited photo storage for only $39/month. It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eiffel-tower-day/ I've been to England and Germany. And I had a 4 hour layover in Italy but I've never been to France. I love their bread! And don't get your crayons too close to the flame! 

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sourdough-bread-day/ I'll have to try again to make it to the bakery in Berkeley that I missed on French Bread Day earlier in the month. And you know you want to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fun-day/ Go ahead…it's ok. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/one-cent-day/ celebrates the lowly copper coin.

Next Tuesday - How about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/no-housework-day/ as a day worth celebrating? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/beaver-day/ How about a "Leave it to Beaver" marathon? (6 seasons are available on Netflix and I've already added them to my queue!)

April 31 - Fooled you…there is no April 31st, so you get a day to rest.

Is it one of those pyramid things?

How many times have you been asked that? I know that I have been asked a few times. But before you get all huffy, try to find out what they mean. Sometimes they have no idea what they're even asking about.

Suppose they tell you what they mean, so how do you respond? I'll try to cover a few responses that you can use depending on what they say to you.

1. Only the people at the top of the pyramid make any money. That's true, but everybody is at the top of their own pyramid. Or more seriously, everybody can make it to the top in a network marketing business. How many other businesses can say that?

2. The only people who make money are the ones who got in at the beginning. The only advantage that the people who started early is more practice. Anybody who puts in the work can make money.

3. You only make money if you recruit someone else. Yes and no. Usually there is some kind of bonus if you sign up another distributor (or whatever the particular company calls their representatives), but only after the new distributor signs up some customers. Customers are the lifeblood of legitimate businesses. If there are no products or services being sold, then the business is not legitimate. But the beauty of network marketing is the leveraged residual income. So, what the heck does that mean? It means that you make a little money from the customers that you sign up directly, plus a little bit from the customers that your distributors sign up, plus a little bit from the customers of the distributors that your distributors sign up, etc.

I can't tell you what other companies pay out, but SendOutCards will pay you from 2 - 27% for the efforts of others…not a bad deal! And 5% for your own purchases and 20% on your customers' purchases. 

4. You have to get in on the ground floor. It's often better to get in early, see #2 above, but it's bad to get in too early. Usually it takes about 1 1/2 years or so for a company to become established. If you join a company before this time, there's about a 90% chance that they may go out of business, according to Harvard Business School. And yes, HBS teaches network marketing.

Network marketing is not only a legitimate business model, but you may see more established businesses taking on the model. Why? Because it's a much more effective way of selling a product or service. How so? In the standard marketing model, a company pays an advertising firm money up front to come up with an advertising campaign, which may or may not produce results. Then a sales force is hired to sell the product. A lot of salespeople are on a commission basis, but they may have a base salary whether they sell anything or not. The company may be out thousands or even millions of dollars before an item or service is even sold. But with network marketing, there is no money paid until an item or service is sold. There is no advertising campaign. The products are sold by word of mouth by independent contractors; whether they're called distributors, representatives, consultants, or ambassadors. Money is only paid out when goods or services are sold to a customer, which makes it very inexpensive and efficient for the companies selling the product or service, which is why they usually offer a decent commission. And usually the only limit to how much you can earn is how much you and your team can sell. Many of the top distributors are making 6 or 7 figures a month. And many more are making a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month.

Years ago I was in a network marketing company, but I did absolutely nothing with it until I read "Why We Want You to be Rich" by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki where they talked about how network marketing could be an ideal way to get rich. So, I got more active in network marketing. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm making progress.

Interesting days

Today - It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/doctors-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pencil-day/. I like writing in pencil. Maybe because I make some many mistakes when I write something down. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-a-walk-in-the-park-day/ I'll have to find a new park in San Ramon today

Tomorrow - And the day after Pencil Day is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/crayola-crayon-day/ I remember when I was really young that one of the highlights of going to my grandparents' house was getting a coloring book and crayons to color with. Bonjour, it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eiffel-tower-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-backup-day/ Check it out here. Last, and probably least, it's  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bunsen-burner-day/

Next Monday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caramel-popcorn-day/  Cracker Jack! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/plan-your-epitaph-day/ What would you want your tombstone to say? 

Wear your colors on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tartan-day/. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/new-beers-eve/ Have yourself a pint!

April 30 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oatmeal-cookie-day/ Yum! One of my favorites. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poem-in-your-pocket-day/ Who's poetry would you pull out and recite? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/jazz-day/ Cool! And honestly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/honesty-day/

Sunday's child is full of interesting days

How many of you remember this?

Monday's child is fair of face
Tuesday's child is full of grace
Wednesday's child is full of woe
Thursday's child has far to go
Friday's child is loving and giving
Saturday's child works hard for a living
Sunday's child is fair and wise
and good and gay

And yes, I am a Sunday's child. How about you?

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lemon-chiffon-cake-day/ I need to find someplace that has some. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/smoke-and-mirrors-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/niagara-falls-runs-dry-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pencil-day/ Can you hand me that #2 so I can mark this on my calendar? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-a-walk-in-the-park-day/ Maybe I'll find a new park to walk in today. And let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/doctors-day/ Although you may want to stay away from these doctors.

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/go-for-broke-day/ Just do it! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/read-a-road-map-day/ But can you fold it afterwards? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/deep-dish-pizza-day/ I'm more of a regular crust kinda guy, but sometimes it's good to step outside your comfort zone. And last, but far from least, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caramel-day/ I really do like caramels and especially sea-salt caramels

April 29 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/zipper-day/ Happy 102nd birthday to the zipper! What will you do to celebrate? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-guide-dogs-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-dance-day/ C'mon baby, let's do the twist! And lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-wish-day/ And who better to get you into the spirit than Jiminy Cricket himself.

Late blog post today

I won the Cashflow game today. Although if the woman in the lead didn't have to leave early it may not have happened.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/black-forest-cake-day/ Dennis didn't have any at his Cashflow game! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/something-on-a-stick-day/ Hot Dog on a Stick? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/weed-appreciation-day/ No, not that kind of weed!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lemon-chiffon-cake-day/ One fine day! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/niagara-falls-runs-dry-day/. Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/smoke-and-mirrors-day/

Next Saturday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cordon-bleu-day/ Not to be confused with

And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/vitamin-c-day/. Have an orange today. And let's not forget, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pillow-fight-day/ 

April 28 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/workers-memorial-day/ The day that OSHA was founded. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/biological-clock-day/ Is yours going off? How about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cubicle-day/? The inventor wishes he'd never created the idea! Blueberry pie, anyone?

Cashflow 101

How many of you are familiar with the Rich Dad, Poor Dad books by Robert Kiyosaki? Not to be confused with the Rich Man, Poor Man mini-series from 1976.

The Rich Dad, Poor Dad books tell about Robert's real dad (the poor one) and his friend's dad (the rich one) and what he learned from these two men.

Cashflow 101 (and Cashflow 202) is a game created by Robert Kiyosaki to teach the principles in his books. At about this time 3 years ago I went to a Meetup featuring Cashflow 101. It was at this Meetup that I was introduced to SendOutCards. For more on that, see my video on Magic. I've also played online quite a bit and have had some sporadic weekly games. I'm about to revive the weekly games, so if you're interested in playing, let me know. It will have to be on a Friday or Saturday…preferably in the afternoon or evening. I can't play this Friday but I can possibly play on Saturday evening, depending on how long the Cashflow Meetup lasts. To find out more about the game, you can check it out at www.richdad.com.

Learn how to get out of the Rat Race and onto the Fast Track.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spanish-paella-day/ I hear that paella is yummy, but I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to try it today…maybe over the weekend. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/quirky-country-music-song-titles-day/ Although I do like "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off"! 

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/black-forest-cake-day/ Maybe Dennis should have some at his Cashflow game! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/something-on-a-stick-day/ Hot Dog on a Stick? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/weed-appreciation-day/ No, not that kind of weed!

Next Friday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fish-fingers-and-custard-day/ If you have no idea what this is about, then watch this video. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-mousse-day/ 

And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walk-to-work-day/ I looked into it but it'd take me about 11 hours! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-party-day/ Beyonce and her friends sure know how to party! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/find-a-rainbow-day/ April showers just may bring a rainbow with them

April 27 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/morse-code-day/ Di di di dah! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/prime-rib-day/ Gulliver's in Burlingame used to have the best prime rib…I wonder if they're still open? 

Success comes in cans

I saw this on Facebook yesterday and it inspired this blog post:

Ever since we were children we were taught the power of positive thinking. Who can forget "The Little Engine that Could"? As long as you believe in yourself, and put in the work, you can accomplish difficult tasks. Unfortunately, most people forget the second part and think that all you need to do is 

but it's not quite that easy.

I don't believe in the law of attraction as much as I believe in the law of attention. The law of attraction basically states that if you believe in something enough the "universe" will provide it to you, while the law of attention will provide opportunities based on what we pay attention to. I'm sure we've all bought a new car, or even taken a test drive, and now we see those cars all over the road. These cars weren't suddenly manifested because we bought or drove one, but we now notice them because our attention has now shifted to that car. It's the same with success. It doesn't occur because we want it to, it occurs because we think about it and then act upon the opportunities that we are presented with because of the focus of our attention.

So, to be successful you need to think positive thoughts, focus your attention on what you want and put in the work to make it happen.

And speaking of success, here's one of my favorite definitions:

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/purple-day/ Unfortunately, my purple shirt isn't hanging up in my closet…maybe next year! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/make-up-your-own-holiday-day/ I wonder if my boss will give me the day off if I make up my own holiday? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spinach-day/ I'm going into work several hours later tonight, but Sweet Tomatoes closes at 9:00, so I should be able to get there in time. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/nougat-day/ Yum!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spanish-paella-day/ Am I brave enough to try some? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/quirky-country-music-song-titles-day/ Aren't they all quirky?

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/love-your-produce-manager-day/ Maybe I'll go to the local produce stand and hug the manager. It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/childrens-book-day/ Take the time to read to your kids or grandkids today. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-a-lie-day/ Would you tell a lie, even if it was ok on this one day? And I may have to break down and buy some bread, peanut butter and jelly for https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/peanut-butter-and-jelly-day/

April 26 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/richter-scale-day/ There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pretzel-day/ How do you like your pretzels? Plain? Dipped in hummus? Dipped in chocolate? Both? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hug-an-australian-day/ Here's the video that Danny and I did for "The Best Job in the World".

Which of the following is your retirement plan?

A. "Would you like fries with that?"
B. "Would you like a cart while shopping at Walmart?"

Even if, or especially if, you're planning on living on your 401k you'll need extra income.

The whole selling point of the 401k was that you'd be in a lower tax bracket when you retire. But many, if not most, retirees are finding themselves in the highest tax brackets of their lives and without their mortgage or dependent deductions they were used to. These people are often taking on jobs just to be able to pay their tax bills.

The 401k was designed by the government to be able to continue collecting taxes after people retire and no longer have any income to be taxed. It was NOT designed to help out the taxpayer.

What if there was a third option?

C. Own your own business?

Now, many of your normal expenses are at least partially deductible; your rent or mortgage, your cell phone bill, your Internet provider, meals, travel, entertainment and more.

But what if you don't make any money? That's ok. Your expenses may be able to offset your income from other sources.

I'm not a tax lawyer or accountant, so I can't give you any advice. But check with a professional to find out how a home based business applies to your personal situation.

And contact me to find out about a home based business that may suit you.

PS Yes, this was another recycled blog post. I mean an encore performance!

Interesting days

Today https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pecan-day/ Pecans are very tasty. What's your favorite kind of nut? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tolkien-reading-day/ What's your favorite Tolkien book? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/manatee-appreciation-day/. And I'm preparing to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/waffle-day/ on the way home from work

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/nougat-day/ Sounds like a good day for a 3 Musketeers bar. And on a healthier note, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spinach-day/ I do like a good spinach salad. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/make-up-your-own-holiday-day/ What would your holiday be? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/purple-day/ I think I might still have a purple shirt somewhere

Next Wednesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sourdough-bread-day/ I'll have to make up for not getting any French bread on French Bread Day last week. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/one-cent-day/ and that's my 2 cents worth on that subject. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fun-day/ among others. What do you do for fun?

April 25 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-marconi-day/ No, not macaroni...Marconi, as in Guglielmo - the inventor of radio. In honor of this I invite you to turn up the radio in your car while driving. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/astronomy-day/ I've celebrated this a couple of times. You can usually find someplace having astronomy day festivities.  And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hug-a-plumber-day/ Hopefully they're not showing any butt crack at the time. And lastly. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/malaria-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/save-the-frogs-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/go-birding-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hairball-awareness-day/, among others.

One of my favorite blog posts

Here's one of my favorite posts:

Go ahead. Look in the mirror. What do you see? No, look beyond the wonderful person we both know you are. Look deeper. What do you see? A network marketer!

Even if you've sworn that you'd never be a network marketer, you do it all the time.

Whenever you tell (market) your friends and family (your network) about a product or service, you're network marketing.

Imagine that you just saw the greatest movie ever created. What do you do? You tell everyone you know about it. So, what happens? A few people find your taste in movies questionable and they don't see it. A few others don't have the money to see it. A few are boycotting the movie studio and refuse to see anything they put out. But a few go to see it because you recommended it. The studio makes more money because of you. But do they even thank you?

Now suppose this was a progressive studio and they pay you a small portion of each of the tickets that your friends purchase. Nice! But it gets better! They pay you for every ticket they purchase for the rest of their lives! That's known as residual income. But wait! There's more! Some of your friends like the movie so much that they tell their friends who tell their friends…and you get paid for all of those tickets purchased for the rest of their lives. That's leveraged residual income.

When your friends tell you about some great product or service that they love and want you to watch a video about it, don't go running away. Even if you're not interested in a business opportunity, it just may end up being a product that you'll love, too. So go ahead and check out the video. And then look in the mirror again. Yes, you're a network marketer.

Interesting days

Today -  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-covered-raisins-day/ Yum! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tuberculosis-day/ Yuck!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/manatee-appreciation-day/ Aw, how cute? And for a double dose of yumminess, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/waffle-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pecan-day/

Because it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tolkien-reading-day/ .

Next Tuesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-backup-day/ No, it's not a day for walking (or driving) backwards. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/crayola-crayon-day/ Remember the 64 color box with the built in crayon sharpener? Super cool! Who says you shouldn't play with fire? It's ok on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bunsen-burner-day/. Last, but not least, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eiffel-tower-day/

April 24 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pig-in-a-blanket-day/ Yum! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/teach-your-children-to-save-day/ It's never too late too start!

Where does the white go when snow melts?

This week is going to most likely be a collection of favorite posts and requests from my readers. Today's request is from Anne Landefeld, one of my newest Facebook friends. Anne wanted to know where the white goes when snow melts. And this is directly related to why snow is white in the first place, since we all know that water, at least if it's clean, is clear.

We all know what a rainbow looks like and we know that it's created by the white light from the sun being refracted by the raindrops. Some light frequencies bend more than others, which gives the rainbow its curved shape.

Each individual snowflake acts like a prism and bends the light that passes through it. However, because there are so many snowflakes that are clumped together that the light passes around inside the snow and ends up getting refracted so much that none of the colors get absorbed by the snow and it all gets reflected back out to our eyes as white light.

Since there is never any white color in the snow itself, there isn't any white left over when it melts.

I hope that answers your question, Anne!

If anybody else has something they want me to write about, just let me know. And if you have any favorite blog posts you'd like to see again, and updated if needed, let me know that, too.

Interesting days

Today -  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/near-miss-day/  There are plenty of movies, I'm sure, about the earth nearly being hit by some massive object from space. And let's not forget our cute little cuddly friends on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/puppy-day/ . It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/melba-toast-day/ Here is an interesting article from Wikipedia about melba toast:

Melba toast is a dry, crisp and thinly sliced toast, often served with soup and salad or topped with either melted cheese or pâté. It is named after Dame Nellie Melba, the stage name of Australian opera singer Helen Porter Mitchell.^[1] Its name is thought to date from 1897, when the singer was very ill and it became a staple of her diet.^[2] The toast was created for her by chef and fan Auguste Escoffier, who also created the Peach Melba dessert for her. The hotel proprietor César Ritz supposedly named it in a conversation with Escoffier.^[3][4]
Melba toast is made by lightly toasting slices of bread under a grill, on both sides. The resulting toast is then sliced laterally. The thin slices are then returned to the grill with the untoasted sides towards the heat source, resulting in toast half the normal thickness.^[5] Thus, it can be described as a twice-baked food (see under rusk).
Melba toast is also available commercially, and was at one time given to infants who were teething as a hard food substance on which to chew.
In France, it is referred to as croûtes en dentele.^[6]

Tomorrow -  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-covered-raisins-day/ I know I've said it before, but it never gets old "Goobers or Raisinets?". And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tuberculosis-day/ which has fortunately been nearly eradicated in the civilized world, but it is still out there and this day is to help us be aware of that.

Next Monday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-a-walk-in-the-park-day/ I've been doing this a lot since I threw out my back about a week and a half ago. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pencil-day/ Where would we be without the pencil? And who wants to play doctor?

April 23 - It's both https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/english-language-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/talk-like-shakespeare-day/ in honor of the bard's birthday. "To be. Or not to be." There's nothing like curling up in bed, or in front of a warm fire, and celebrating https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-book-night/. And last, but not least, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lost-dog-awareness-day/

The Sunday Funnies

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/goof-off-day/ I just emailed this link to my boss. Will I be in trouble when I get in tonight? It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/as-young-as-you-feel-day/ My back is off and on. It's pretty good for the most part now, so I don't feel 500 years old anymore. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-water-day/ Some of my favorite stuff, because without water a beach would just be a desert!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/near-miss-day/ What if next time it doesn't miss? And what goes good with Melba toast? And I still want to know who Melba was and why she has toast named after her. And for the awwww factor for today, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/puppy-day/

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/smoke-and-mirrors-day/ I was such a magic geek when I was in school! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/niagara-falls-runs-dry-day/. Let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lemon-chiffon-cake-day/ Why not enjoy some while listening to the Chiffons?

April 22 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/earth-day/ Has it been 45 years since the first Earth Day? And a day to celebrate the people who really know what's going on at work...https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/administrative-professionals-day/. And I may have to take the day off work for https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/jelly-bean-day/ to tour the Jelly Belly factory. (You get lots of free samples during the tour!)

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/french-bread-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-dog-day/ I'm planning on celebrating both today! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/common-courtesy-day/ Not only is it common courtesy to say thank you, but it also makes good business sense. If you want to send some free thank you (or other) cards to friends, family or clients, let me know. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/single-parents-day/ If you were raised by a single parent, let him or her know how much you appreciate the sacrifices they made

Tomorrow -  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/goof-off-day/ Isn't this everyday? Uh oh, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/as-young-as-you-feel-day/ After throwing out my back last week, I'm not feeling very spry

Next Saturday - I see a trend developing here: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/something-on-a-stick-day/. How about Black Forest Cake on a stick?

April 21 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bulldogs-are-beautiful-day/ How many of you have, or have had, a bulldog? And it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kindergarten-day/ I still remember my first day of kindergarten like it was only 50+ years ago

Why is it so hard for people to see the benefits of network marketing?

I think part of it may be because of our industrial age education system. What do I mean by that? Our schools were designed for one thing…to create obedient factory workers. From the very beginning we are taught to obey, without questioning, authority. We can ask questions about the subject matter, if needed, but we can never question the authority figure. We are taught how to be in close proximity to people we may not know, or even like. We learn to sit and do repetitive tasks without fidgeting. We are trained to respond to the same bells used in factories to know when we need to be somewhere. And we're taught useful skills like reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic.

Now don't get me wrong. I have a huge respect for teachers! And schools do provide a needed service but I do think that they're outdated.

One reason that the arts are always in danger is pretty much summed up by this photo which was posted on Facebook by one of my friends:

The first four reasons are great, however the last one teaches thinking outside the box, and that goes completely against the original purpose of our schools.

What happens if you're not able to do all those things listed in the first paragraph? Originally, you were beaten into submission. But when corporal punishment was abolished you were suspended and possibly expelled. But today, our kids are being drugged into submission. I never fit in. I hated school with a passion. However, I wasn't one to cause trouble. In elementary school, I spent more time in the nurse's office, trying to go home, than I spent in class. If I really didn't want to go to school, I had a secret weapon…Pepto Bismol. My mom said we could stay home if we had a fever or were throwing up. Pepto Bismol made me throw up…so all I had to do was say "Mom, my tummy hurts", get some Pepto Bismol and stay home. I eventually stopped doing that in junior high and high school. I still hated school, although there were a few classes that I enjoyed, but those were definitely the exception. I did the least amount of work to keep from getting in too much trouble. However, my parents and teachers were always disappointed in my lack of motivation.

So, back to my original point, network marketing requires out of the box thinking. There is no 40 hour work week enforced by a boss. There is no guaranteed paycheck. But there is employment for life, which used to be promised by the industrial age employment system. But we're not in the industrial age anymore and we're starting to see those old industrial age jobs disappearing. There is no lifetime employment, there is no pension after you retire…if you can ever afford to retire. There is no respect for the worker. In network marketing, there are no guarantees either, but you are your own boss and if you really work your business it is possible to succeed and to succeed quite well. You just have to unlearn everything you were taught in school!

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wont-you-be-my-neighbor-day/ I guess I should finally meet one today. And if you time it properly, you can celebrate both https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/proposal-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kiss-your-fiance-day/. Actually, I'm pretty sure if you do the first, the second is quite likely to follow. I've never heard of the following holiday https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/snowman-burning-day/, but we don't really get any snow in this area. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ravioli-day/. Strings or Olive Garden for dinner? What do you think? And last, but definitely not least: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-day-of-happiness/ Do something today that makes you happy!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-dog-day/ Sounds like a trip to Wienerschnitzel may be in order. And it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/common-courtesy-day/ Do you remember when it was actually common? I have a lot of respect for single parents…it's tough enough with 2 parents! Enjoy https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/single-parents-day/,  you deserve it! Do something memorable, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/memory-day/. And how about a baguette (or 2), and some butter for https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/french-bread-day/

Next Friday - Okay all you country music fans, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/quirky-country-music-song-titles-day/. And it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spanish-paella-day/ I've never had any, so this may be a good excuse to venture out to one of the Hispanic restaurants in the area

April 20 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chinese-language-day/ I think I'll celebrate by having some Chinese food. One from column A, one from Column B...

 

No blog today

I was going to try to post a late blog today, but it's not going to happen. But there will be a brand new post tomorrow.

How awkward

This isn't a new blog. I'm just adding a title to yesterday's blog post. Thanks to Elizabeth Walker for the title for this post. It's very appropriate since yesterday was "Awkward Moments Day" and I'm sure many of you know that awkward feeling when you post your blog without a title!

I'm recycling. I mean repurposing, another old Empower Network blog post. My back is ok, so i'm putting out a quick post today. I have something I want to discuss this week but probably not until Friday.

7/30/Q = BDABB

Posted by Rick Tompkins on February 03, 2013

0 Comments

No, this isn’t an equation for string theory developed by Dr. Sheldon Cooper but an equation for success in your own home based business.

This is known as the 7/30/Q Plan in SendOutCards and it is the blueprint for success.

The first step is to become a Marketing Distributor with SendOutCards for a one time payment of $395. This gives you the materials and ongoing training that you need to start your own business.

After that, if you can get one customer that signs up for the $31/month subscription plan or two customers that sign up for the $9.80/month plan you get promoted to Senior Distributor and if you do that within your first 7 days of becoming a Marketing Distributor you get a $50 bonus…that’s the 7 part of the 7/30/Q Plan.
Next, help three people become Senior Distributors by doing what you just did and you’ll earn $140 for each one, for a total of $420! You’ve just made your entire investment back. And if you do this step within 30 days of becoming a Marketing Distributor you also become a Certified Trainer. The CT is a very rewarding position, financially and for helping others grow in the business. Every MD (Marketing Distributor) needs to attend Basic Training, and as a CT you get paid $40 for each MD that you train whether you’ve sponsored them or not. That’s the 30 part of the 7/30/Q plan.

So, what’s the Q? You become “Q” Qualified when you have $93 a month in PCV (Personal & Customer Volume). You achieve that if you sign up for the $31/month subscription plan and you get 2 others to do the same (or any combination of $31 and $9.80 plans that total $62). That’s the Q part of the 7/30/Q Plan. When you are “Q” Qualified you’re eligible to get paid in all 7 levels of the compensation plan and all bonuses also.

So, what the heck is BDABB? It’s a Billion Dollars and Beyond, Baby! SendOutCards is going to be a billion dollar a year business. They’re small right now…only in N. America and Australia, but soon they will be expanding worldwide. Do you remember Blockbuster? Or Tower Records? They’ve been replaced by Netflix and iTunes. In five years people will be saying do you remember Hallmark? They were replaced by SendOutCards. Why will people drive to the store, dig through a narrow selection of cards to try to find one that sort of says what they want to say, drive home, put a short personal note in the card, sign it, put it in the envelope, address the envelope, put a stamp on it and put it in the mailbox…at the cost of $4 or $5 when you can do it all online, from the comfort of your home, in about 5 minutes and have the card go out in the next day’s mail for the cost of 62 cents (or 93 cents if you add your own photos to the card…try that with your $5 Hallmark card!)?

As usual, SendOutCards CEO, Kody Bateman has written a rap song on the subject, check it out here: http://youtu.be/dE6QXwxTsjE.

Try it out for free at www.sendoutcards.com/144087

I’ll see you at the top!

A quick update: the 7/30/Q Plan doesn't exist anymore. You still get a $50 bonus if you meet the customer requirement above (the $31 subscription is now $39 but the extra $8 is commission to the distributor), plus you can qualify by giving away 2 of the 10 free subscriptions that you get when you sign up as a distributor. And the Senior Distributor title has been eliminated which means that you get the extra $40 bonus on any distributors you sign up, even if you haven't met your own customer requirement yet…one less rank but more money! Also, the 30 day part is gone. There is no longer a Certified Trainer position. I think it might have been difficult for a lot of people to reach that 30 day goal. You still get the same $420 when you sign up 3 distributors, but the pressure to try to do it in 30 days is gone. The Q is the same and we're still going to BDABB!

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/forgive-mom-dad-day/ In most cases, they did the best that they could at the time. You know that awkward moment when you realize that it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/awkward-moments-day/? And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/biodiesel-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clients-day/ Where would we be without them? What do you do to show that you appreciate them? You can celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poultry-day/ by having some eggs with your desk fast. And it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-caramel-day/ I can hardly wait!

Next Wednesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pecan-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/waffle-day/ Both are very tasty things to celebrate! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tolkien-reading-day/ What's your favorite Tolkien book? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/manatee-appreciation-day/ Are manatees the origin of the mermaid legend?

April 17 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dna-day/ What's in yours? And where were you in 1964 1/2? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ford-mustang-day/

Top o' the morning

Happy St. Patrick's Day, lads and lasses!

That's the extent of today's blog post. At least for now. I'll see if I can add to it later.

Interesting days

www.daysoftheyear.com

More interesting days

My back is feeling better, but too much sitting irritates it. And since I have a 1 hour commute, followed by 8 hours of sitting, followed by another 1 hour commute (with a few standing and stretching breaks), I'm going to keep it short for a while.

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lips-appreciation-day/ A great day to appreciate as many lips as possible! It's also free cone day at Dairy Queen! Thanks to my friend Anne Landefeld for posting it on Facebook. It would have also been my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. They were together until my mom passed away in 2001.

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/submarine-day/ And one of the coolest submarines ever was painted yellow.

Next Monday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/puppy-day/ Awwwwww. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/melba-toast-day/ Who was Melba? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/near-miss-day/ And of course Hollywood set the "what if" stage with Armageddon

April 16 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/high-five-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/save-the-elephant-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wear-your-pajamas-to-work-day/ I guess it would depend on who's wearing the pajamas and what pajamas they're wearing. And lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/eggs-benedict-day/ Can't say that I've ever partaken of this culinary treat

No blog post today

As some of you may know, I threw out my back last week. It's doing quite a bit better, but I just got out of the shower and all of that standing irritated it. So I'm flat on my back with the heating pad while writing this on my phone. Unfortunately, the interesting days are difficult to do on my phone. I'll give you the link so you're not totally in the dark: www.daysoftheyear.com

www.daysoftheyear.com

Interesting days

Since Saturdays are interesting days only blogs, I can take it easy and not feel bad like I have the last couple of days!

Today - It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pi-day/! And not only is it Pi Day, but it's the Pi Day of the century! March 14th is also Albert Einstein's birthday and 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the publishing of the General Theory of Relativity. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-ask-a-question-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/potato-chip-day/ I hope I feel well enough to go out and get some!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/quilting-day/ My sister is making a quilt right now. Is anybody else out there a quilter? Also, we celebrate the original backstabber on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/brutus-day/. And let's not forget the poor, misunderstood buzzard!

Next Saturday - Hats off to all the sinle parents out there on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/single-parents-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/common-courtesy-day/ although there doesn't seem to be anything common about it anymore. And on a culinary note, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-dog-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/french-bread-day/ Yum!

April 14 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-kind-to-lawyers-day/ Even lawyers need loving! Shhhh…it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/library-workers-day/. And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dolphin-day/ How many of you saw the original "Flipper" movie with Chuck Connors and Luke Halpin, who played Sandy in both the movie and TV series? It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/look-up-at-the-sky-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/equal-pay-day/ and there's no reason it shouldn't be

Just interesting days

I threw my back out a few hours ago, so I'm not really up for much blogging today…so some interesting days to hold you over until I recover.

Today - It's Friday the 13th and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-an-umbrella-indoors-day/! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/coconut-torte-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/earmuffs-day/. And from what I've read, Barbie has moved on…but Ken has his own day: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ken-day/

Tomorrow - I'm so excited! Today is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pi-day/ Be sure to watch Facebook for some nifty pictures of me and my new t-shirt! I know it's hard to believe that other things will be celebrated, but it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-ask-a-question-day/. And the major question on people's minds, besides how many places do you know pi to?, will be "Where are the chips?" since it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/potato-chip-day/. Plain or with dip?

Next Friday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ravioli-day/ I'm thinking Strings or Olive Garden! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wont-you-be-my-neighbor-day/ I've rarely seen, let alone met, any of my neighbors…I think it's time. And for you romantics out there, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/proposal-day/ and as soon as you propose you can celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kiss-your-fiance-day/. And let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-day-of-happiness/

April 13 - It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thomas-jefferson-day/, the 3rd President of the United States. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/scrabble-day/ My parents used to play this a lot! But I haven't played in decades

Just interesting days today

I'm researching correlations between the various personality typing systems…nothing definite yet, so just interesting days today.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girl-scout-day/ I saw that Tom Hanks was helping sell Girl Scout cookies in the Bay Area over the weekend. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-kidney-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-an-umbrella-indoors-day/ Are you brave enough to do it on Friday the 13th? And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/coconut-torte-day/ sounds pretty tasty! Who says younger men can't date older women? Ken is 2 years younger than Barbie. And for my friends living on the frozen tundra of the East Coast, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/earmuffs-day/

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-caramel-day/ Two of my favorites! I think I'll have a Milky Way Dark (or 4) to celebrate! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clients-day/ Learn how to appreciate your clients at the upcoming Master Relationship Marketing seminar in Houston next month. If Houston doesn't work for you, don't worry…they'll be more all around the country! Don't be chicken, but it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poultry-day/. And you can have some eggs while you celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/deskfast-day/

April 12 - Take a walk on the wild side and have a grilled cheese sandwich on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/grilled-cheese-sandwich-day/ It's even better with tomato soup, although I can't believe there isn't a Tomato Soup Day! And for dessert, be sure to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/licorice-day/

What's your type?

For years people asked each other "What's your sign?" but they may start asking "What's your type?", which may give a more accurate description of you. By the way, I'm a Taurus and INTP!

Perhaps the best known of the personality typing systems is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), here's a little about MBTI from Wikipedia:

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment is a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.^[1][2][3] These preferences were extrapolated by Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers from thetypological theories proposed by Carl Gustav Jung, and first published in his 1921 book Psychological Types (English edition, 1923^[4]). Jung theorized that there are four principal psychological functions by which we experience the world: sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking.^[5] One of these four functions is dominant most of the time.

TThe original developers of the personality inventory were Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. After extensively studying the work of Jung, they turned their interest in human behavior into a devotion to turn the theory of psychological types to practical use.^[2][6] They began creating the indicator during World War II in the 1940s^[2] through their own original research,^[2] with the belief that a knowledge of personality preferences would help women who were entering the industrial workforce for the first time to identify the sort of war-time jobs that would be "most comfortable and effective"^[1]:xiii for them. The initial questionnaire grew into the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, which was first published in 1962. The MBTI is constructed for normal populations and emphasizes the value of naturally occurring differences.^[7] Robert Kaplan and Dennis Saccuzzo stated that "the underlying assumption of the MBTI is that we all have specific preferences in the way we construe our experiences, and these preferences underlie our interests, needs, values, and motivation."^[5]

TThere are many online tests to determine your MBTI type, from the http://www.capt.org/take-mbti-assessment/mbti.htm (which costs $150 and probably contains a lot of questions) to the free, 4 question test at http://www.ipersonic.com. I like the iPersonics test for a few reasons: it's free, it has only 4 questions and it gives each type a descriptive name. Instead of INTP, iPersonics calls my type the Analytical Thinker.

I also like http://www.mypersonality.info. This test not only includes your MBTI type, but also your preferred learning style as well as other info.The pro version includes the most information, but there is a $29 charge for the test and 70 page analysis.

There is a very strong correlation between MBTI and the Kiersey Temperament Sorter that I discussed last week. Again, I like the iPersonics descriptions.

The MBTI measures 4 categories: Introversion/Extroversion, Sensing/iNtuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Perceiving/Judging.

Here is an excellent chart relating the 16 MBTI types to the 4 Keirsey Temperaments:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirsey_Temperament_Sorter

There seems to be less agreement with the Enneagram and the Character Code, as well as the doshas...see my previous posts.

And here is an article about the best careers for the different personality types...thanks to Adryenn Ashley for posting it on Facebook.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/registered-dietitian-day/ Dietitians would have a field say with my diet! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/no-smoking-day/ This is a good day to give it up if you haven't already. Let's all give a royal flush to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-plumbing-day/. Lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oatmeal-nut-waffles-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-kidney-day/ My father in law had to do dialysis 3 times a week. He was attached to the machine for 3 or 4 hours at a time...not fun. Take care of your kidneys! And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girl-scout-day/ What's your favorite cookie? Mine is Samoas.

Next Wednesday - You know that awkward moment when...https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/awkward-moments-day/ celebrates that moment. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/forgive-mom-dad-day/ Most of the time they tried their best...although I know there are horrible exceptions. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/biodiesel-day/ I'm not sure how to celebrate this if you don't have a car that runs on biodiesel.

April 11 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/barbershop-quartet-day/ The barbershop quartet is one of the things I like best about "Music Man". And https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-parkinsons-disease-day/ There are too many people being afflicted with this. Does anybody remember the 80's? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheese-fondue-day/. And last, but certainly not least: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pet-day/