Archive for September, 2009

I'm the first one to tell you that I consistently on a daily basis get sidetracked and lose focus of the 1-2 MAJOR things I need to get done in a day.

So, for me to actually accomplish major task items are HUGE!  According to Timothy Ferriss, author of "The 4 Hour Work Week", we should only have 1-2 items on our to do list each day.  I clearly know this, but I still struggle with implementation.  Yesterday, I spent the first 1/2 of the day filling out excessive paperwork to become a certified MCE instructor and provider.  Grueling... but done!  I also wrote an entire business plan for an idea that came to me during a time of struggle.  And, yes, it is going to change how real estate professionals do business!

Today's blog was not about points or content.  It was about being real and authentic.  And trust me, if I can do this, you can! 

Implement a MAXIMUM of 2 items on your to do list each day, and see what happens!  You actually get it done, and you don't feel guilty about all of the other things you HAVEN'T done! :)

Measuring Well-Being

In a study of how occupation affects happiness, business owners came out on top.

Occupation Overall well-being
Business Owner 72.5
Professional 71.5
Manager/Executive 70.9
Farming/Forestry 67.8
Sales 67.6
Clerical 66.1
Construction 65.0
Installation 64.4
Service 64.0
Transportation 62.6
Manufacturing 62.1

Source: Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

Note: Scores are based on respondents' answers to six categories of questions about work and life quality.

Staying in Control

Other patterns among the self-employed help explain their psychological well-being. Entrepreneurs tend by nature to be optimistic, evidenced in their willingness to strike out on their own, psychologists say. Laura Street, of Pleasanton, Calif., isn't making a profit in the handmade-jewelry business, Ampersand Designs, which she co-founded last year. But to her, the glass is half full: She says sales are rising, she expects to turn a profit soon, and she loves her work.

"Yes, the economy is bad. But we aren't coming into a workplace wondering, 'Are we going to get fired today?' " she says. "If you control your destiny, the well-being is something that just comes naturally."

The freedom business owners have to control their schedules enables them to adhere more closely to their personal priorities, says Amy Neftzger, an organizational psychologist for Healthways. They have the flexibility to "make it to a child's play, or spend time with family," she says.

Golfing With the Mayor

Many also have community ties that feed a sense of well-being. James Barnard, chief financial officer of his family's business, Barnard Manufacturing in St. Johns, Mich., didn't have a great summer. He and his cousin Gary Barnard, president of the heavy-equipment parts maker, stopped drawing paychecks to help the company through a steep sales drop. They agonized over a decision to lay off dozens of workers, and Gary sat nearly alone in the plant for several weeks, answering phones.

But their company has a good image in the community, and "it's a big deal to us to keep that going," James says. He takes part in civic groups and enjoys golfing with the mayor and police chief. Pressed to describe the rewards of running a family business, he says, "It's pride. Definitely pride."

Wall Street Journal, Email sue.shellenbarger@wsj.com

Sep
17

How to recognize fake RMB bank notes

Posted by: admin | Comments (6)
kickdrum44 asked:


Learn to recognize fake RMB bank notes

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Sep
16

Short Papering the Short Sale

Posted by: 1scottcarson | Comments (0)

Many individual are very familiar with what is currently going on in the current real estate market with the number of foreclosures and home owners in trouble. Financial hiccups can happen to anyone and...

Anthony Lee asked:




Looking for the cheapest bank repo auto is often made possible by ads you can see on newspapers, the internet, and television. Oftentimes, it sounds like the best deal you can get and the way to your dream car. They promise to sell cars way, way below its current market value. You can even read banners saying “90% off on cars”. The question is this: Is this true?

To be fair to those companies that sell bank repo autos and to make this issue clear as early as now, the answer is “yes”, it is true. However, that does not end there. There is of course a catch.

If you are planning to buy a car at 90% discount, do not expect that you get your dream car or a high-end model vehicle. Instead, expect for junk or damaged vehicles that are only good for scrap. Why? The answer is very simple. You would not sell a good car for a hundred bucks, do you? And if you are the one who is in charge of selling bank repo autos, you would first have it appraised before you sell them, right? That’s exactly what car auctions sites do.

Another important point to take note is that when repo car auctions are often flooded with pre-owned vehicle dealers who will do anything to buy these vehicles at the most resalable price. Not to mention, these people are very experienced when it comes to auction and tricks to win the car. In other words, if you want to join the auction for the first time, expect that you will become the sheep in the midst of the wolves. Well, you will not be to one for dinner but expect that you go home either commuting or hitching a ride to a friend.

There is also a great chance that the price of the car may go very close to its current market value. So if you expect too much that you will get a very cheap car then you will certainly become very frustrated even before the day ends.

The lesson:

Do not take advisement come-ons as gospel truth. There may be a little fact behind it but still, they are only meant to attract you to join. Expect that the bank repo autos at auto auctions are priced almost the same as other pre-owned car and used car dealers.

You can still join auto auction websites that charge membership fees to its members. Just be on the look out for scams. There are websites that says they will you give the list of all the cars up for bid, location and dates of all the auctions happening nationwide. While some may actually have these information, there are few that only give you vague details about auto auction, and addresses and phone numbers wherein you still need to call for details.

Do not give your credit card number and bank account information to the company representative who says they are important for verification. You join because you are just out there to bid right? So why is there a need for them to know about your credit card and bank account number? Be careful, they might be scam.

Check out with the state Attorney General or with the Better Business Bureau the name of the company where you plan to be a member.

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