Howdy from a warm Cedar Crest, NM.

Last week was a great time. It was the week of the JDRF golf tournament. I was joined by my friends from all over the country…..My friends Roger Maupin (www.grasslandinvestments.com), Robert Fabros (www.mymonavie.com/rkfabros), Steve Wilklow, and Frank Aquilone (all the way from Virginia)…..as well as the one and only Rob Novak (www.resultsnow.com) among others.   

 I showed my expertise in golf by totally humiliating myself. Luckily it was a scramble, and we did well. I left my pride and arrogance on the golf course…..my soul is open for all to see. Roger
told me to invest in golf lessons….it takes a lot for Roger to say
anything like that…..so that should give you a solid picture of my golf
disabilities.

Attention Deficit Disorder #132 My first and last day in second life      

 So….as I am writing this blog….I get an email of someone from second life (sl) (www.secondlife.com).  Yes….you
heard me right….”second life”…the internet game that is taking
cyberspace to a new level of gaming…or whatever…I know the joke is
on me.      

My business partner Kelly told me about this “internet life” game that was taking the world by storm a few months back. So I signed up months ago…but forgot about it….never installed the software ….too much too learn…so I thought. Well…so I get this email from a “Patricia” writing to me tell me “we are through…it is  over”….and to “never bother me again.” So I am reading this email….wondering…huh? So of course my curiosity gets the better of me…and I dive in. I download the software…..and tada! I am officially a “second lifer”…at least for the day. 

Of
course…I let “Patricia” know she had the wrong dude…she let me know
that she was sorry and she meant her messages for another guy
(obviously). She also told me that she and the other guy were dating on sl and that they bought a house together in sl…..ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But now, Patricia and her beau are done….and she is buying her ex out of the house they bought together……ARE YOU KIDDING ME?   

My friends….this sl game is weird and a really weird place….yes… and dangerous too… Let
me explain…When I logged on…this guy, a charater in sl, tells me I
need a gun because there is “mafia” everywhere and I need to protect
myself. So…like an idiot…I say "okay"….then I get transported to this guy’s place. The guy gives me a gun, and other very weird items that I cannot discuss on this blog. Then the guy shoots me. Nails me in the head…..I start to burn up…then I die. Few
seconds later….for some reason, I came back to life…but now with no
hair….I am a bald dude in cyberspace….that is a big deal for me not
having hair….and I cannot figure out how to get my hair back.   

 Plus…I found myself sitting in a chair trying to make “linden” money….no joke….hoping to save enough money to buy hair. Yes…they pay you to sit.   

 It
does get interesting in sl …I was sitting next to a very large naked
guy or girl (not sure) in a green thong and a santa hat…Mmmm Yummy!   

 Of
course there is not point to this “game” but this game is jam packed
with people everywhere….some naked…some with wings….everything goes in
this one crazy place…It reminds me of Vegas with a huge dose of crack
cocaine and acid.   

 After a while I had enough…and I said good bye to my bald self…and back to reality….      

 But I digress…   

 Coming from a mindset of abundance…       

 Kelly Fabros, via her personal coach, Bill McCarley,  taught me the importance of an abundant mindset. Kelly has had several amazing successes in her short career as an entrepreneur.  There are a lot of reasons for her success…but…in my humble opinion, her mindset gives her an upper hand.

Think
about this….Is it a coincidence that Kelly was able to raise money and
purchase a six million dollar, two hundred unit apartment complex in
her second year of investing in real estate? Is
it a coincidence that Kelly is cash flowing 30K per month in her
Monavie business (and she has not even been working in her business a
year yet)? It is not a coincidence.   

 Kelly
believes so much in the mindset of abundance that she has a personal
coach working with her on a weekly basis….Bill McCarley.   

 Mindset plays a large part in achieving success. Having an abundant mindset is opening up a world of possibilities rather than shutting the door on your dreams. An abundant mind set asks the question “what if” or “why not” vs. “that is too risky” or “I can never do that.”   

 Now….having an abundant mindset is not some hokey, mystic, positive thinking, pink world movement. On the contrary….it is the belief that there is enough to go around. Better yet… it is a culture of sharing ideas and practices with others. It is a “spread the wealth value system” based on a foundation of infinite possibilities and solutions.   

 The opposite of abundance is scarcity. Scarcity says “there is not enough to go around so I better get my hands on everything I can…” A mindset of scarcity leads to hoarding of ideas, concepts, and money.  A scarcity mindset leads to secrecy….avoidance….and paranoia. In the long run….one seeks loyalty…but will only find disappointment and betrayal. I believe, scarcity, at it’s worst leads to isolation.   

 Many think that hoarding ideas and keeping secrets will lead to a competitive advantage.  I understand this….it is hard to think otherwise in the society we live in. BUT…sharing is a fast track to success. The sharing of ideas, solutions, etc….make those ideas, solutions better. A great example of this is the history of Linux software. A collaboration of minds to create an amazing operating system that is/was free…the authors of Mavericks at Work,Taylor and LaBarre, said it best ”The smartest guys (aren’t) in the room. The best ideas come from the most people…” In other words….collaboration…alignment….abundance.   

 I can go on and on regarding mindset of abundance….but think about how you operate. Are you an island? Is everyone your enemy first? Are you always looking for a motive?  Is everyone a possible competitor that is seeking your market?   

 Wealth Lifelines are built on deep, transparent relationships. There is no room for a scarcity mindset. Wealth Lifelines share relationships….connect people to help them achieve their goals….dreams. Giving…sharing…helps others. Helping others builds bridges. Bridges build Wealth Lifelines. You know the rest!   

Deep relationships (many deep relationships) lead to true wealth…360 wealth.   

Until next time…rob

Hello from 30,000 ft on a flight to Tampa, Florida. I am on my way to speak at a real estate seminar.

I
am looking forward to the event…not because the fact that I get to be
on stage…but because of the people I meet! An opportunity to meet more
amazing people from different walks of life with a wealth of
paradigms….wow ….I cannot wait.

Seminars, in my mind, are not
just great opportunities to learn…BUT a great opportunity to get more
life experiences and more ideas…..and great friends via Wealth
Lifelines.

I am sorry to all of you who have sent emails asking
me about my blog. I have not done a good job of keeping up with the
blog…that’s for sure…..

Anyway….

The month of May and the month of June have been a great months in building Wealth Lifelines…..

I
got the opportunity to hang out with Tom Davis (www.cthomansdavis.com)
at his home and with his family for a few days in Colorado, Springs.
Wow! Tom introduced me to Mitch Yellen (http://www.weatlhwonks.com/) and his literary agent Rick. Is was an amazing time and I learned a few things about public speaking from Tom…..

I got to hang out with Peter Conti (http://www.resultsnow.com/) and a group of his friends for a mastermind….met some great people and hopefully life-long friends.

I also had a great conversation with Eric….an inventor…..I am hoping to connect with Eric again.

Attention Deficit Disorder #45

Speaking
of Eric…Eric told me something that I have been repeating in my head
over and over. Eric travels a lot to China for business. Eric was
telling me that in China, relationships are valued much differently
than in the US. Eric told me (and I am paraphrasing) “In the US….we try
to keep business and friendship separate….but in China, their attitude
is there is no business without friendship first.” Interesting….huh?

Eric’s
comment led me back to the concept of Wealth Lifelines ™ . Life has
become so rich and so meaningful through the relationships that have
come into my life. Those relationships have led me to the true meaning
of wealth……and it has nothing to do with money…..everything to do with
deep transparent relationships with people. This includes my long life
friends, my wife Leta, my new friends, etc….yes…even my old friendships
are more meaningful. These relationships lead to wealth….and
yes….lead to money. Money is a result of true wealth…this I
honestly believe. Why….because I want to do business with friends! I
agree with the Chinese culture regarding business….it is a Wealth
Lifeline core value!

I love meeting people…people that find value in deep relationships and ….and those that believe success is a team sport!

Anyway…..back to the blog….

Commitment…….

This week …I want to discuss commitment because it is a huge piece of success. Commitment is what keeps you IN the game.

In my early days of real estate investing….it was hard…it was tough….it was depressing….

Yes…it
was depressing? Now…how many real estate “gurus” tell you that? Not
many I am sure….I was not told that in the beginning….I wished someone
would have told me….but I digress.

I was so discourage when I
first started that I wanted to quit and go back and do the easy
thing….GET A JOB! Getting a job is easy…you show up….you do….you go
home…..The Rat Race! At least I could do what most of the population is
doing….strive for status quo….right?

Wrong…..Commitment is
staying in the game no matter what is happening around you. Many
people, in my experience, have an attitude that it is going to be easy
then quit at the first sign of trouble. Then the excuses come in, then
they look for people to agree with them, then it is all over. Back to
status quo.

It is interesting to be on one of my coaching calls
and listen to a student tell my why investing does not work. I realize
now….there is nothing I can say when someone is so committed to
quitting. Obviously the student is looking for confirmation….from
someone…anyone.

Anything that is worth doing…..is not easy. Real
estate investing is not easy. Starting a business is not easy….this is
where commitment comes in.

Like I said….In the first year of my
investing …..I wanted to quit. It was hard….but I made a commitment to
do it until I could no longer do it. Commitment comes in when your
dreams and your desires for a different life lose their luster. When
one refuses to quit is a sure sign commitment is present in all it’s
glory!

The great thing about commitment is that the longer you
hold on to your commitment….the easier it becomes to stay in the game
as trials come your way because your belief gains strength.

I
encourage you to make a commitment until you break through….I know it
is tough…It was tough for me…and in all honesty…it is still
tough….but….wow….God has been obvious…and I hope God continues to bless
me with enough so I can say no to the man!

Until next time….I promise it will be sooner rather than later……rob