Income Evangelist – The BLOG

Have you regretted buying anything lately?

For some time now, much of the news about the economy has been less than positive. That has a lot of people second guessing their decisions. As a strong believer in Americans’ ability to overcome any obstacle, I have faith things will improve.

There are three things that are important about that statement. First, I admit there is a real problem that needs attention. Next, I confessed I have faith in the American people. Notice I did not say the government, I said the people. Finally I didn’t declare when the economy will improve, just that it will.

Let’s concentrate on that last statement for a moment. The reason I can’t say when is because the timeline will be different for each of us. Some business sectors are already showing promising results. Others are still in decline. Companies are experiencing results that are opposite of the general trend of their sector. Not surprisingly then, individuals are also seeing different levels of financial success.

You will reach a point when you can not allow your life to continue as it is now.

Do you want to turn your situation around? What if you had more money, more time off, or an increased excitement about what you do? You can, after you stop waiting on something else to save you. That will be soon after you stop saying I could have or I should have, and start saying I am.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

The American Cross estimates that “every two seconds someone in America needs blood.” That’s where you come in! January is National Blood Donor Month, so we wanted to both recognize that there are nearly four million donors across the United States and send out a call to action.

During winter blood donations often decline as inclement weather causes blood drives to be cancelled and seasonal colds and flu can keep donors home. January can be a difficult month for blood donations, yet the need for blood continues. That’s why it’s important for all eligible donors to make and honor blood donation appointments this month and throughout the winter.

To read more about the American Red Cross and find out where you can volunteer or donate blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

A friend of mine, Joel Boggess, posed a question on his blog today. Could you change your world if you had an extra two weeks in a year to get things done?

I agree 100% when Joel suggests most people don’t see the value, and therefore don’t read books.

The other day a friend of mine chastised me for the stack of books on my desk. His comment was I would get a lot more done if I didn’t waste my time reading so much. He then went on to proudly proclaim in the 25 years since graduating from high school, he had not read a single book.

Rather than lash out and defend my position, which was my first thought, I did something that neither of us saw coming. I handed him the first book off the stack and said, “you have two weeks to read this book and get it back to me, or you own me 20 bucks.” The book was Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk, which is only about 140 pages. I had really been looking forward to that book, so it was a leap of faith on my part to just hand it to him.

A few days went by and saw my friend at a restaurant during lunch. As I walked by his table he stopped me, reached in his pocket and handed me $20. He then went on to explain that he had indeed read the book and wanted to keep it. Quite a turn around from the tongue lashing I had received the week before.

Now I have to order a new copy of Crush It. Some how that seams like a small price to pay for the door I may have helped open for my friend.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

“You say you’re a _______ and then you _______.”

The sentence above has a lot of blanks to fill in. As we approach the end of the first week of this new year, does your life have blanks that need to be filled in? Our SNAP Coaching program starts with that very premise.

I very much believe in the adage, if you’re failing to plan, you’re planning to fail. Often people first react with “that statement is harsh.” Perhaps it’s because it threatens the “I’ll just wing-it” approach many of us live by.

How do I know we “wing-it” most of the time? That’s easy, people tell me. Some just flat out say the words. However, the majority of the time the statements are less direct. Instead they comment “it is amazing how well things are just coming together on ______.”

That rings of another adage, luck is when preparation and opportunity meet.

Now that you are ready, let’s increase your luck in 2010. Email me and proclaim that you’re willing to have your turn as the luckiest person in the word.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

Would you say frustration is a good or a bad thing?

Before you rush to answer, think about the last you were frustrated. When was that exactly? Maybe it’s been a while, or as recent as the days surrounding Christmas. Was it the last time you checked the mail, or talked on the phone? Who were you frustrated with – someone you knew, or a complete stranger who turned something simple into a major ordeal?

Earlier today I encountered someone who can only be described as frustrated. A situation had occurred, just before I arrived. It had nothing to do with our meeting. Yet it was going to be their focal point the entire time I was with them.

At first I was tempted to ask if there was anything I could do to help. Thankfully what started as a polite pause, resulted in a completely different course of action. I simply sat there, looked them in the eye, and listened to what they had to say.

At first there were details about what he had just been through. Next came general comments about people today. Before long, our single sided conversation focused on how life as a whole was just unfair. Finally it happened. They threw their hands in the air and said…. (I’ll have to leave that part out to keep a “G” Rating, but you can probably guess what it was on your own.)

Just when I thought the worst was over, they ask me what I would have done in their situation.Thousands of years of human evolution came to my aid as the “fight or flight” reflex kicked-in. I sat-up straight, threw my shoulders back and said, “I would feel exactly the same way you do, but… I would never have been lucky enough to find someone to listen to me the way you did.”

Evidently my nervous response to what had just unfolded was the perfect answer. In an instant my new best friend burst out in laughter. The conversation shifted to things more light hearted. Although we only spent a minute or two talking about the original purpose of my visit, the outcome was far better than I had hoped for prior to arriving.

So, would you say frustration is a good or a bad thing? Maybe it’s how we deal with it that determines our real answer.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

Thus far, 2010 has not been my year. What started a few days ago as a slight tickle in my throat, soon grew to deep cough. Even though I was a bit feeble, there were several tasks I needed to accomplish. It was amazing how my seemingly minor affliction was causing havoc with the rate at which I was able to get things done.

As the hours ticked by, my list of accomplishments barely changed. Unfortunately, my list of symptoms began to mount. Chills, a stuffy nose, aches in my neck and shoulders, ringing in my ears, and finally sharp pains in my head. Eventually I surrendered to the warm comfort of my bed, hoping for a reprieve. I did drift off to sleep for a few minutes, but even that accomplishment was short-lived.

As I yearned for some sort of relief, a comment that I had heard a few days earlier kept replaying in my head. “If you feel like working, then work. If you don’t, then work.” Surely those words didn’t apply to me now, after all, I was sick. But did they?

I reached for the pen and note pad I keep near the bed. Gradually I started to write. Only words at first, but ones I felt might help to empower me during my ailment. For most of the afternoon I repeated the cycle of napping then jotting ideas. Eventually the small notebook was filled front and back with my thoughts.

As I look over my feverish ramblings from the day before, I have to admit my surprise. I am thankful I did not completely yield to my situation. That something good came from the simple effort of trying. I’m not sure where some of the ideas came from, but I’m glad I have them with me now.

Are you facing a painful situation? If so, ask yourself what can you do right this minute that shows you have not, and will not just surrender. Make it happen, and then share it with me. I’m waiting to hear about your renewed direction.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

It’s Day 3 of the New Year… and what do most people have to show for it?

It’s to easy to just let things happen day-to-day. It’s so easy to allow the days to slide by without really engaging yourself. It may be fun. It may be relaxing. It is also devastating to the journey along your path of personal success. Before you know it a few days turn into a week… Then a month… Before you know it another year has slipped away.

Right now, before another minute ticks off the clock, I want you to do one thing to increase your ability to start seeing “hidden” opportunities. Is there a call you can make? Grab a pen and write it down that idea that’s been floating around your head, so you can start developing it further. Is there a new year’s resolution you can keep alive for just one more day. Whatever it is, just do it!

That’s the first step toward achieving your dreams. This is a pivotal moment. It will define where you will be a year from now. Yes, it is that important.

If not now, then when will you stop just existing day-to-day?

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

Why is it that most small business owners aren’t confident in their marketing. Perhaps you are experiencing the frustration of continually spending money on commercials or print ads and then don’t the response your were anticipating. How annoying is it when a customer you thought was about to buy from you, chooses your competitor for all the wrong reasons?

When your sales strategies aren’t working to grow your business, you lose faith. Once you become doubtful about your future it can begin a downward cycle. If you ignore the signs long enough the ultimate result will more that likely be devastating.  If you would prefer a different outcome, you’ll need to make adjustments. Not just one, but several. Not all at once either. Thankfully the path to wisdom always comes one step at a time.

What can you do right now, right this minute, that will move you even the slightest bit further along your personal path to success?

Once you know what it is, tell me. Send me an email with the idea and a deadline for getting it done. Make your message in the form of a promise. Just as I am waiting, so is your success.

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com

Have you noticed people only appear motivated to make pivotal changes in their behavior at a point they can somehow declare pivotal? By that I mean we don’t decide to start doing something better just because it’s Tuesday. It hast to be something on a grander scale. The first of the month, a year, or even better a decade. Those are times we at least claim that we’re willing to make a difference in out lives.

Well guess what? Today is January 1, 2010, which meets all three of the criteria listed above. So what are you going to do different?

- Alan Jackson
Your personal Income Evangelist
alan@incomeevangelist.com