I was just going over the latest issue of our new magazine called “The Achiever.” Well, thank you for taking the time to spend just a few minutes with me today. I have a very interesting subject: “Five Simple Steps to Go from Average to Fortune.”
My Modest Beginnings
My life started out rather modestly up in farm country in Idaho, where I was raised. I grew up in this little community of some four or five thousand people. After high school, I went to college for a year and a half and then I quit, deciding I was smart enough and got a job to see if I couldn’t make all of my ambitions come true.
Struggles and Questions
A couple of years after I left school, I found a very beautiful young lady and persuaded her to marry me. But two or three years after getting married, it didn’t look like my new bride had made such a wise decision. I was behind on my bills and struggling to figure out what to do. Should I go back to school? Start a business? I needed answers on how to become successful and turn my life around.
The Turning Point
At age 25, good fortune came my way when I met a remarkable man, Mr. Earl Shof. He was a businessman and entrepreneur who took a liking to me, hired me, and shared his philosophy, which turned my life around. The best thing Mr. Shof gave me was not a job, but the benefit of his philosophy.
Sharing My Journey
About 17 years ago, I decided to share the ideas that had worked so well for me. I put all the material together and started giving lectures and seminars. Over the last six or seven years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world, sharing ideas on how to improve one’s life personally, socially, and economically.
Step 1: Get Serious
To go from average to fortune, you must get serious about two things:
- Setting Goals: Define what you want to achieve economically and personally in the next five to ten years.
- Personal Development: Strive hard to become the kind of person you want to be.
Step 2: Get Smart
To make your life worthwhile, you must have some ideas and information. You need to be smarter than you were in the last decade. Read books, learn from experiences, and gather information to become wiser each year.
Step 3: Get Going
All the things that you’ve learned will not do you much good if you don’t put them into an action plan. You need to:
- Design Your Days: Plan your days, weeks, and months to ensure you take proper actions for desired returns.
- Economic, Social, and Personal Actions: Implement what you’ve learned to see real results.
Step 4: Get Excited
Not just false enthusiasm, but genuine excitement about:
- Your Potential: Believe in your ability to make necessary changes.
- Positive Acts: Commit acts that are constructive and beneficial for your life.
Step 5: Get Away
Life balance is crucial. Learn to:
- Reflect and Recharge: Spend time alone to reflect on life and recharge.
- Live Well: Balance earning with living well and enjoying life.
Conclusion: So those are the five simple steps to go from average to fortune: get serious, get smart, get going, get excited, and get away. I hope these points will be valuable as you consider them. Thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time.
FAQs
Q1: How long should I spend on personal development each day?
It varies, but even dedicating 30 minutes a day can lead to significant improvement over time.
Q2: How do I set realistic goals?
Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each.
Q3: How can I stay motivated to take action?
Find your “why” – your personal reason for wanting to achieve your goals – and remind yourself of it regularly.
Q4: What if I fail to balance my life?
It’s okay to stumble. The key is to recognize the imbalance and take corrective steps to realign.
Q5: How do I get started with these steps?
Start with one step at a time. Begin with setting goals, and gradually incorporate the other steps into your routine.