July 17, 2008

Opportunities to be Found in the Decline... The More the
Merrier When It Comes to Building Wealth... A Few More
Tips for Power and Confidence... Creating Positive Change in
Your Life... and More.

** Opportunities to be Found in the Decline
By Adrian Newman, Founder of e-Wealth Daily

There's big business in nostalgia. Whether it means selling collectibles or providing the experience of living like an early settler, there is plenty of opportunity in this ever-growing market.

Recently, I was sent a list of 25 things that are on their way to extinction in America. There are a few I had thought were already long gone, like milkmen and outhouses. And then there were a few others that have been replaced by new technology, such as VHS format video and analog television.

On this list, the Internet is the biggest culprit when it comes to reasons why certain items are on their way out. Hard copies of Yellow Pages directories are facing tough competition from online versions and search engines. And printed classified ads are rapidly being replaced by online listings such as Craigslist.

Following these trends could be good for you and your business in two ways.

The first is understanding why some items are on their way out. In the case of those resources that are migrating online, it is important to understand this new technology and use it to help promote your business.

I've often written about why going online is important to both running a business and finding new moneymaking opportunities, but I simply can't seem to stress this enough.

The second reason why is that each of these descending items opens up the door for a few business opportunities you should certainly consider.

In your spare time, you could offer your services to help locate some of these hard-to-find items. Top sellers on eBay and other auction sites do this full-time, and while you may not get rich overnight, a sizable side income could certainly be made.

Keep your eyes on declining industries, because any keen observer could find a hidden moneymaking opportunity lying in wait.

** The More the Merrier When It Comes to Building Wealth
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in business. No matter how great your business idea is, there is always going to be a certain amount of risk involved. Sometimes, it's all due to poor timing for a business, a down economy, problems within your specific industry, or any number of other factors that can contribute to a business not succeeding.

If you want to increase your chances of making money with your own business, then you may want to consider adopting several forms of income, as opposed to just one. It sounds more difficult than it really is. You don't have to run three, full-time businesses. You could make money from a variety of sources -- and you don't have to work day and night to do so.

You can choose to run a few businesses on a part-time basis. Look at it this way: running a few businesses gives you a chance to test the waters before getting too committed to just one project.

You can see which business works best for you and which one has the most potential to make money. More so, if they are all moneymakers, then you could be rolling in money in no time at all. Running two or more businesses at once isn't as difficult as it sounds -- it all has to do with staying organized.

** A Few More Tips for Power and Confidence
By John Hurd, Chief Wealth Researcher

Yesterday, I wrote to you about making your first impressions on future colleagues, clients and customers memorable and positive. Today, I'll expand on the idea that body language is the front line of any business or networking deal you could make. And if you're not careful what your body is saying about you, it could completely drown out your voice.

Here are five more tips to help you build a confident appearance even under some stressful situations.

1) Don't let your arms get in the way. This is especially important when you are standing and you are not holding or carrying anything. Try and let your arms hang naturally and avoid digging in your pockets or fidgeting with your fingers. And never cross your arms, as this is a sign that you are closed off and are not going to be receptive to whomever you are speaking to.

2) Know where your eyes are going. I've been in meetings where one of the attendees was constantly looking around the room as if they were searching for something they had lost. Had this been a one-on-one conversation, I would have been greatly unnerved by this person, assuming they had spotted something I was unaware of. As a result, I would have been unnecessarily nervous. Try to keep your attention focused on the person talking and maintain polite eye contact. Wandering eyes are a sign that your mind is wandering, too. To avoid this, give the other person your undivided attention.

3) Avoid the dead handshake. It is still very customary in our culture to start introductions with a handshake as well as to finalize deals with them. Known for years as a "gentleman's contract," the handshake can be a very powerful tool to prove you are the person for the job. Good eye contract and a firm handshake will speak volumes about the quality of person you are, without even having to utter a single word.

4) Avoid the small distractions. That small piece of lint on your jacket can wait and, if you don't need that pen, it should be out of sight. I've encountered pen jugglers and lint scavengers many times and their constant fidgeting has led me to believe that they could be distracted from whatever task I need them to perform. A trustworthy colleague can stay focused and doesn't let the little stuff get in their way.

5) Maintain a two-way conversation. Even if you aren't the one doing all the talking, maintain your part of the conversation by practicing what is called active listening. Active listening includes acknowledging your speaker by repeating key items during the conversation and addressing only relevant points to the topic you are discussing. Continuous polite eye contact with your speaker and an open posture are also a big part of active listening.

Keep these five tips in mind and you'll be able to present the confidence that business associates, clients and customers want -- and expect -- from you.

Yesterday, I looked at the example of a young baseball player named Josh Hamilton, while also offering my own example of how it's possible to turn your life around when you're experiencing hard times. Although I offered the stories to illustrate that it could be done, I ran out of space and was unable to offer a few of the keys that could help a person overcome their struggles. Today, I'll look at a couple of factors that are essential to reassert control over your life and achieve the things you want.

The absolute most important thing is that you find something you believe in. Without finding something that keeps you motivated, it can be extremely difficult to turn around a negative situation. This is because motivation keeps you hungry and makes you want to achieve. When you really want something, you'll stick to it.

When you hear successful people speak, they usually attribute their success to focus and wanting to succeed. The "want" is the most important part, because it creates the feeling of fulfillment when accomplished, and the motivating desire to experience that fulfillment. If it's not the end goal that keeps you motivated, perhaps it is something else. Maybe you need it to better support your children or your spouse or save yourself from bankruptcy. Whatever your motivating factor is to change, keep focused on it to push you through towards your goal.

Another way to start changing your situation is to get involved in something; and it doesn't matter what it is. I've found that if you start doing something that gets you up, active and excited, it can produce all kinds of results in other areas. It could be something like joining a gym, becoming a volunteer, or even cleaning your home. The key with this method of motivation is that it has to become something that becomes routine, because if it's a "one and done," it's unlikely to help push you over the hump.

If you're feeling trapped and unmotivated, give these ideas some thought and hopefully you, too, can break out of your rut.