November 13, 2008

Finally, News About Banks That Could Help You!.. The
Remedy for Procrastination... How Do You Find Holiday
Cheer?... A Simple Way to Avoid Scams... and More.

** Finally, News About Banks That Could Help You!
By Adrian Newman, Founder of e-Wealth Daily

If you've been following the news on the $700-billion bailout package, you've probably started to think all that money is going everywhere else but where it needs to be to help you.

You see, this money is going to larger banks and it has been said that these banks aren't looking to open the floodgates of the credit market; instead, they are planning to buy up smaller banks and simply expand their businesses.

That's right, $700 billion could be helping the banks grow, not by offering more loans to those who need it, but by letting them buy more and more little banks.

It's hard not to see why small business owners are worried about these developments. Many entrepreneurs use banks to help fund their businesses before revenues start to add up. However, with the credit crisis, new loans are harder to get, even with excellent credit.

In a much-needed but highly unsuspected move, reported by "The Washington Post," the government may step in and suggest that part of this enormous bank bailout package go to seed new loans to qualified borrowers.

I believe this is certainly a step in the right direction. With all of the recent talk of Main Street America, it is good to see some action possibly about to help out.

Of course, this doesn't mean you should hold your breath waiting for some of this cash to trickle your way. There are still other options when it comes to uncovering the cash you need to start or run a business. Creativity is key; a plan is needed and, most of all, action must be taken. Only then will you be on your way to finding the success you deserve.

** The Remedy for Procrastination
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

We have all experienced it — putting things off, not doing what we believe needs to get done. Finally, we commit to the process and leap into getting our stuff done, and we are amazed at how simple and how energizing it was to complete all our tasks.

This top-seven list will keep you in action and out of procrastination. So, what's stopping you? Nothing except you. Don't just stand there! Do something!

1. Be vision-directed in the tasks before you. If your tasks do not match your values or purpose, naturally your heart will not desire to check that particular task off your list. Bring your task into congruence or take it off the list.

2. Begin and end each day with a solid foundation. Before you end your day, spend five to 10 minutes reviewing your day. Take a moment to craft a plan for the next day. When you begin the following day, spend five or 10 minutes reviewing your plan and revise as necessary. Also, be sure to spend some foundational time either in quiet contemplation or reading inspirational or motivational material.

3. Release yourself from perfectionism. One of the biggest challenges is believing everything has to be just so...therefore, we don't do anything if we can't be guaranteed perfection. "Either/or thinking" such as this is guaranteed to lead to stagnation. Practice saying, "Oh, well!" After all, what is the absolute worst thing that would happen from taking action?

4. Dream big while creating it one step at a time. With each step, you get closer to the dream. With no steps at all, you will be stuck in procrastination and you will never reach your dream. Break your "to-do's" into smaller, non-intimidating chunks.

5. Balance planning and creating or doing. Keep your basic plan simple so you do not spend so much time planning what you want to do that you never get to do what you want to do. If you find yourself leaning into the frenetic planning place, stop, take a break, and do a reality check. What is up with using planning as another method of procrastination? What is underneath the overplanning? Are you vision-directed? Is there congruency in your plan and your purpose? Are you expressing your gifts as a part of your vision, or is there an overwhelming sense of "should" on your list?

6. Delegate those tasks that are not invigorating to you. Either barter them, hire someone to do them, or make a request of a friend or colleague to assist in exchange for your assistance somewhere else. In this way, you will be able to check something off your list. It will invigorate you.

7. Join with a friend or a colleague as an accountability partner. Schedule a regular time to check in either daily or weekly. Create momentum and watch as both your business and your dreams flourish right before your eyes!

** How Do You Find Holiday Cheer?
By John Hurd, Chief Wealth Researcher

This morning, while reading my morning paper, I came across a rather grim headline announcing that there will be less

I thought to myself, wow, now that's a bold statement. However, the reason seemed a little off to me. The headline was focused on the fact that those who were polled in a survey said they planned to cut back on spending this season. That's it. And really, it's no surprise considering the current state of the economy. But is it really going to affect holiday cheer?

It may be that I come from a family that has never been big on giving lavish gifts. Sure, presents wrapped under a tree are a welcome sight, but that's not what brings our holiday cheer. Celebrating what we have and have been able to achieve throughout the year is why we get together, not to compare the size and cost of gifts.

Perhaps some people are canceling their holiday travel plans, but it's not the end of the world. There's a lot of talk about getting back to basics and focusing on the essentials rather than the luxuries in life. And I support this movement fully, not only because it removes clutter from our lives but also because it presents new and exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Do you remember when local businesses were passed down from generation to generation, providing a cornerstone of the community? Sure, these still exist, but in the bigger is better 90s, many of these businesses shuttered due to lack of demand for a smaller, more personal experience.

We could be shifting in just the opposite direction now, and that means more opportunities to provide smaller, more detail-based businesses could soon be in demand.

This holiday season, don't look at shortened budgets as a downfall; simply see them as a new motivation to get out there and create a business niche that you can become an expert in. This could help bring you more cheer than any HDTV I've ever seen.

** A Simple Way to Avoid Scams
By Michael Newman, Self-made Millionaire

Many people are constantly concerned they're being taken advantage of. The mechanic is ripping them off, they're paying too much for car insurance or their lender is charging them too much interest on their loan. Whatever it is, some people just constantly think that there is a better deal out there for them. And, in reality, some of them are probably right.

The fact is that there is a sure-fire way to avoid ever being ripped off, and all it takes is a tiny bit of work — a tiny bit of work that could end up banking you a whole bunch of cash.

The trick to avoiding being taken advantage of and finding the best price, all while relieving the stress of feeling like a sucker, is to do some research before you hand your money over.

That's right; it's that simple. Get a second opinion, take a look at various offers and get out and pound the pavement until you've exhausted all your options. Once you've done that, you can make a sound decision about where to get the best bang for your buck.

The most important thing is to know what you're looking for when doing your research. This means that there are few factors to look out for, not necessarily just the price. The key is to look at the value. After all, in some cases, you'll get what you paid for and the cheapest option may end up costing you more in the long run.

It's important to do firsthand research. Get out and talk to different businesses and see what they can offer you. In some cases, you may be able to play companies off one another and start your own bidding war. A friend of mine used to do this with airline tickets all the time. She would go back and forth between travel agencies, giving the prices and features each was offering, eventually leading to the best possible package she could get. Now, be careful; if you choose to do something similar, make sure you're honest with the reps. After all, they can make the same calls you can. If they catch on to any tricks you're trying to pull, you can throw your chances for a great deal out the window.

Keep your money where it belongs and never fall victim to crafty salespeople again by employing this little trick before you make a purchase. After all, it works almost every time.