Side Orders: The Money On the Side Business and Lifestyle Blog

Top 10 Reasons for NOT pursuing your passion...

2009-11-25T18:18:00.000+10:00

The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest-in other words, your passion!

As you proceed on your passion to profit journey, you may find yourself challenged by doubts and fears. It's only natural. While this is a natural part of being human, however, giving into those doubts and fears doesn't have to be. Here therefore, are my counterarguments for “The Top Ten Fear-Based Excuses People Give Themselves For Not Following Their Passion”

Reason #1: Will people really want to pay me for this?

If you believe that the only place your prosperity can come is from your employer, then that’s the reality that you will create. If you accept that your good and all the blessings of the universe come from other sources, and that you can create and receive wealth for yourself from any channel, then you’ll understand that you can make enough to thrive, not just survive! It's a law of the universe that people will pay for the things that have value to them.

Reason #2: I don't have the credentials.

Most successful entrepreneurs don't have a formal education or degree. If you are faced with a task you've never accomplished before, you don't need to be smart, you simply need to know what to do. Many successful passionpreneurs are simply people who knew the steps to take to go from where they were to were they wanted to be.

Reason #3: If it does sell, will my luck continue long enough for me to be successful?

The question is not whether IT will continue long enough for you to be successful, but will you? As long as you are providing value to the world, there will be people who will pay for it.

Reason #4: I don’t know where to begin.

That's a common fear. You feel this way because you feel overwhelmed by the task. The trick is to make your list of things to do and simply take one step at a time.

Reason #5: I have kids and a family to feed.

Yes, and soon the kids will have more expenses, like college tuition. It’s been at least 20 years since one or even two incomes has been enough to meet the average family’s rising cost of living. Rather than working more and more hours to make more money, wouldn’t it be easier to put something in place to decrease your dependence on a single stream of income? Your kids are the reason you want to make money. Don't let them be the excuse you use not to.

Reason #6: I’m not a good business person.

Again, that’s not a requirement. Many of the most successful entrepreneurs are "idea people" who were simply smart enough to find people who are good in the areas they aren't.

Reason #7: If I leave my job, I’ll lose my pension and benefits.

If it’s predicted that 97 percent of the population will retire dependent on family, friends and the federal government to survive, and they’re doing pretty much the same thing you are, what assurances do you have that your fate won’t be the same? Besides, no one’s saying you have to leave your job, but why not think about creating something that can create your own pension and benefits. It's my belief that no job can ever match the potential for prosperity of someone with the passion to succeed.

Reason #8: I’ll think about that when I’m older.

And in the meantime? There really is no such thing as the future. There is only now. Your future and the lifestyle you desire is created by the things you choose to do now.

Reason #9: It’ll take too long for me to be successful at it.

Ask yourself: "How old will I be in 10 years?" Then ask, "How old will I be in 10 years, if I don’t do this?" Then ask, "How old will I be in 10 years if I do this?" The fact is, the years will pass regardless of what you decide to do with your life. By not pursuing your passion, however, you’ve simply decided to pass the years unhappy and frustrated rather than in empowering pursuit of fulfillment.

Reason #10: I’ll start when I have the money to invest.

Many people assume that no actions can be taken unless and until they have a certain amount of money. In fact, just the opposite is true. Paperwork can be completed. Products can be designed. Calls can be made. Estimates can be acquired. Marketing strategies can be mapped out.

In addition, it’s been my experience that if you proceed AS IF you have the money, faith, and the divine order of the universe will bring you what you need. Remember, we live in a supportive and creative universe. And this creative power of the universe is brought to bear by commitment, is multiplied by faith, and serves men and women who go after their dreams!

And now, the big secret

I'm now going to share with you the REAL reason you're not pursuing your passion and turning it into profit. Are you ready? After years of coaching and consulting people, I've discovered that the single and only reason people aren't out there doing it is because you don't believe it is possible for you. Forget all the excuses above. It's simply a matter of your belief level. If you really believed it was possible; if you included "passionpreneur" in your self-concept, you would get the information required and embark on the journey. It's as simple as that. We do things that are consistent with our self-concept. The reason you don't smoke, the reason you do exercise, the reason you don't live in an apartment, the reason you work the job you do, the reason you do anything you do, or don't do anything you don't is simply because you think of yourself as the type of person who ________ (fill in the blank.)

Your mission. My mission. Our mission, therefore, is simply to raise your belief level and help you change your self concept so that you actually believe and think of yourself as the type of person who can make money in unique, untraditional ways. Some of the ways I do that in this book is by telling my own story so you can relate, telling others' stories, and by breaking down the entire process in ways that make sense and that resonate as doable.

That's why many people have benefited from reading and implementing the strategies in Turn Your Passion into Profit, and why you can too!

Note: For more tips on overcoming your fears, acting on your ideas, changing the game, and creating a passion-centered lifestyle, visit www.passionprofit.com!

Why it's impossible to raise your standard of living working a job....

2009-11-24T08:11:00.000+10:00

"Yes. It's impossible to raise your standard of living working a job."

My name is Walt Goodridge, business coach and author of Turn Your Passion Into Profit. I know that statement might be a little hard to swallow, given what we've all been led to believe about success in life, working hard and so on. So let me put it this way: It's impossible to make the sort of money you are ultimately capable of making at a job because, even if he or she wanted to, no employer can or will ever pay you what you're really worth.

Now don't get me wrong, it is possible to make MORE money at a job. You can beg for a raise every year, work more hours, or go on a constant quest for the next higher paying position in an effort to improve your life, but conditions will invariably only improve slightly. The only way to REALLY raise your standard of living is to leverage your talents, your gifts, your interests and your hobbies to create a product or service that you can sell to increasing numbers of people and free yourself from the cycle of trading time for money.

Frame it any way you like. You can start a sideline business and make extra money on the side. You can find a side hustle and increase your income during this recession. You can mine your talents and turn a hobby into a business. You can turn any of your many ideas into a home-based business that can help you survive and thrive despite any economic downturn. In other words (mine), you need to become a passionpreneur and turn your passion into profit!

"Passionpreneur" is a word I created to describe someone who has turned a passion--a hobby, a talent, an interest--into the basis of a business idea, product or service. It's something that just about anyone can do, and what my book, Turn Your Passion Into Profit was written to help you accomplish.

But I know what you're thinking: "I don't have anything unique about me that I can use to start a business."

The truth is you do. We all do. Think about this: Everything in nature has been endowed with what it needs to survive. There is no living thing that isn't inherently equipped with the skills and abilities it needs to secure its continued existence. Whether through instinct, size, camouflage or speed, no gazelle, lion or giraffe has to go to trade school to learn how to survive. That's the beauty of the divine plan. We, as humans, are part of this plan and therefore, each one of us is given something that sets us apart from everyone else; something that we can use to ensure our own survival. Before industrialization sent hoards of us to the cities to work on assembly lines in factories, we all used something we did or owned and exchanged it for the things we couldn't do or didn't own. Experts say that before the Industrial Revolution, 80% of us where entrepreneurs. The fact is, everyone has unique, extraordinary potential.

Unfortunately, because we now live in a capitalistic society, we rarely have a chance to be rewarded for the extraordinary potential we bring to the universe. Instead, as employees, we are rewarded for our lowest common denominator--something we share with just about everybody else: our time and our presence. Think about it. In your job, you're usually paid simply for showing up to a position for a certain number of hours to do a job which somebody else could just as easily do; It's this replaceability that ensures that big business--which competes on price--can stay in business. If people were compensated based on the real value of their skills and talents, big business couldn't survive.

So, given that a job has only so much potential to create financial freedom, how do you move beyond the limitations of a job? First, you need to understand something very basic and key to your success....

"Everyone has a passion"

That statement forms the basis of the Passion Profit Philosophy. It is at the core of my belief that there's more to life than working for someone else for 40 years and then retiring. Your life should be fun, meaningful, and satisfying while offering some benefit to the world.

The three types of people I meet most frequently in my Passion Profit workshops are individuals who don't know what their passion is, those who have too many, and those who have a passion and simply don't know what to do with it. Whichever category you fall into, I've provided information that can help you.

Don't know where to look to find your passion? Your passion may be hiding in your hobbies; it may be in your desire to make a difference; it may be a childhood wish. I've created exercises as well as a secret formula for discovering your passion. Wherever your passion is, the Discovery Exercises can help you find it.

Don't know how to choose your passion? Don't worry. The choice of which passion to pursue is LESS important than simply choosing. I find that the uncertainty of thinking that you have to choose often leads to inaction. The first thing to realize is that you're not making a FINAL choice, just the FIRST one. In other words, whichever passion you decide to pursue is just the first step in a journey that may lead through different expressions of your passion. Like me, you may choose to pursue say, a passion for music, which might then lead to you becoming a writer, which may lead to public speaking and eventually coaching. I couldn't have predicted where I would end up (I wasn't always called the "Passion Prophet"). But, I do know that I wouldn't have gotten here had I not taken that FIRST step.

The fact that everyone has a passion means that we all have something that we're good at; something that we're experts in; something that provides us an inner sense of freedom, happiness, fulfillment and personal expression. The chapters on "Finding Your Purpose" and "Discovering Your Passion" will help you do just that.

"Everyone passion has value"

This is the second statement in the Passion Profit Philosophy. The fact that every passion has value means that everyone can be rewarded for the pursuit of something that has special meaning in their lives.

Don't know if your passion has real value? Well, fear not. I have an entire chapter in Turn Your Passion Into Profitwith insights just for you.

According to the New York Times,

"80% of all working Americans are unhappy about their careers..."

I sincerely believe that you never fully ENJOY life to its fullest, nor REALLY have the sort of FUN life was meant to be unless you're actively pursuing your passion!!

Create a Product (or Service)

Based on research into the thought habits and creative processes of entrepreneurs and inventors, you can now follow my step-by-step guide with documented techniques for coming up with unique products as expressions of your passion. You'll get all the facts and information you need, as well as a path to follow in order to arrive at the best practical product with which to make money.

I prefer creating a product, because that way you have something that can sell even if you're not physically present. I'll show you how to create a tangible product that accomplishes that WHATEVER your passion is.

Here's part of the secret: In order to create a winning idea, you need to know what questions to ask in order to isolate the value of a passion. And you need to be able to determine what physical form or conceptual angle to attach to your passion in order to communicate that value to the world. (In other words, you need to know what people will pay for--those are the Magic Questions!) And you need access to the means to manufacture, print, create or assemble your product. All of that is provide in chapters 3 & 4.

On the other hand, there are some passions that are better expressed as services. So I've provided information on how to price your services so you can survive and thrive in business! The only thing you WON'T have, once you finish reading Turn Your Passion Into Profit is an EXCUSE!!!

"Make a Profit"

THE KEY: Once you have a business, there are only two ways to make money. Charge more, or spend less. I'll show you how to do both, in addition to creating streams of repeat-business income from your current customers!

From part-timers who make a few extra dollars, to MILLIONAIRE passion seekers who get nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the sky's the limit as to how much money you want to make from your passion! REALLY! It's all possible!

You NEED Money in life!!

Don't let anyone fool you. As long as you're living in a capitalistic society, most of the good that you'll do for others, the fun that you'll have, and the security you'll achieve will come from the money you earn.

But, I'm sure you've also heard, that it's not how much you make, but how much you keep. In order to keep more of what you make, you need to maximize your profit. In order to do that, you'll need to set up a legitimate business, launch it, and market it creatively and effectively.

That's exactly what chapters 5, 6 and 7 cover. It's all designed to help you make more, keep more and accomplish more with what you keep!

The Key to it all

The key to developing a product that sells hinges upon a profound commitment to the following belief:

"Value No One Can Match"

"If you create and market a product or service through a business that is in alignment with your personality, capitalizes on your history, incorporates your experiences, harnesses your talents, optimizes your strengths, complements your weaknesses, honors your life's purpose, and moves you towards the conquest of your own fears, there is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that anyone in this or any other universe can offer the same value that you do!"

- Walt Goodridge,

If you've visited my home page, you might already have seen these testimonials. I've provided them here for new readers, and also to remind you that these are real people who took a chance and ordered the book.

What people are saying about this book

"Thank you so much for writing Turn Your Passion into Profit. Like you said, you're never really happy until you're pursuing your passion. So I want you to know that I stepped out on faith, quit my job and wrote the novel I always wanted to write. Now I'm on tour all over the country and finally living my dream. I am very proud of me and you should be too!"--Hallema, author, Mass Deception

"I have read many "self-help" books but yours is actually instructional and answers questions. It addresses how I feel and what I am thinking...Like you said in your book, it is scary. However, I am doing what you said and am starting to feel so much better....I think just realizing that I don't have to stay in one of those 9-to-5 jobs working for someone else gives me so much courage to get out there and start doing what I want! Thank you so much for the book and the inspiration. I truly appreciate it."--Tammy van der Leest

"Walt, next to my Bible, your book, Turn Your Passion Into Profit is the book I reference the most in my house! It is the only other book that is constantly visible (it's on the dining room table right now!)..."-- Karon Mason Etienne, Maryland.

[From the Library Journal]...Libraries might find their readers better served by Walt Goodridge's Turn Your Passion into Profit , which is noteworthy for its more complete coverage and practical, down-to-earth tone and style.-

The Library Journal, Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque

Turn Your Passion Into Profit comes in paperback format, or ebook format, or as a 6-CD audio set. There's also a QuickStart Manual that can help you get any new business up and running quickly on the internet. You can purchase any one of these items individually, or you can order the combo package and save a few dollars.

Answer to A Frequently Asked Question:

"Does the audio cover what's in the book?"

"Yes, the 6-CD set covers the info the book and more, but as charts and personality tests, and tax forms can't be adequately transmitted in audio format, while the energy of live

events, the emotion of delivery and the thrill of hearing others talk about their passions at my workshops can't be adequately communicated in written format, I like to consider the CD a great supplement to the book, and vice versa. Get them both!"--Walt

The Saipan Solution: Visa Waiver suggested as an act of good will to ally the US with Russia, China,

2009-09-27T06:21:00.005+10:00

A DestinationSaipan.com Bulletin:

The Saipan Solution
Visa Waiver suggested as an act of good will to ally the US with Russia, China, in the face of Iran threat

Could the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the furthest east, and perhaps least known of America's territories take center stage and become a bargaining chip in diplomatic relations between the US, Russia and China in light of
Iran's nuclear proliferation? Joe Hill, attorney on the island of Saipan, the commonwealth's capital and center of economic activity, thinks so, and he may not be the only one.

"There are a few pieces of the puzzle," Joe Hill suggests, "that, if they could just connect somehow, might prove a perfect solution to our problem."

Puzzle Piece 1: The Visa Waiver

The "problem" at issue is the impending federalization of the commonwealth's immigration under Public Law 110-229, which is being opposed and resisted by many of Saipan's residents, leadership and business community because of its
anticipated effect on the island's sole source of economic viability: tourism.

Saipan's year-round tropical weather, white sandy beaches, clear water and world class diving has made it a popular vacation getaway for Japanese, Russian, Chinese and American tourists for over 30 years.

Saipan, which has controlled its own immigration policies since its political union with the United States in 1975, extended a waiver of the costly, and time-consuming visa requirements to Russian and Chinese visitors, allowing them to travel freely to vacation on Saipan's shores.

The new law, which would effectively bring the Commonwealth under US immigration law and control threatens that waiver, effectively cutting off a potentially profitable stream of tourist dollars which the island needs in order to recover from the crippling effects of the recent departure of its now infamous garment industry.

Puzzle Piece #2: Iran's deception

It's just been reported that Iran has been withholding information about a nuclear program. US President Obama now seeks Chinese and Russian support (along with Britain, France and Germany--the P5 countries--to impose sanctions on Iran.

The most important thing on Obama's agenda is rallying the P5 countries together to put pressure on Iran. However, a good faith gesture like allowing the citizens of your desired allies to travel to the tropical shores of one of your possessions could be used as a chip to garner that support and build toward even friendlier future relations.

Just about any resident of Saipan will tell you that businesses there are in a state of limbo based on the uncertainty of the coming federalization. Investments in the island have been stalled, Construction is down. Tourism is decreasing as Russians and Chinese, expecting that they'll no longer be allowed the luxury of a Saipan paradise vacation, are looking and booking elsewhere.

The Saipan Solution:

Might the US maintain the Russia and China visa waiver program, which has proven beneficial and incident-free for all these years, as an olive branch--a way of softening relations with Russia and China?

It's a small gesture," Hill acknowledges. "It's a small thing in a much bigger picture, but it's of major importance to us American citizens, and resident workers living on Saipan, and perhaps could be an incremental step in fostering good relations
between the US, Russia and China."

A long shot? Perhaps, but for the people of Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands, whose livelihoods are threatened, whose families face separation as a result of the controversial law, and the end of the visa waiver, it's a shot worth taking.

For more about Saipan, Public Law PL110-229, and the visa waiver program,
visit www.DestinationSaipan.com

#####

What's New! How to survive the financial crisis, and more...

2009-06-14T16:54:00.000+10:00

June 2009: A brand new follow up to Turn Your Passion Into Profit is coming soon! It's called

ABOVE THE PENDULUM:
How to Survive the Financial Crisis,
Create a Recession-Proof Income, Live a Passion-Centered Lifestyle,
Thrive in the New Paradigm...and Save the Planet at the Same Time!
When you join Walt's mailing list, you'll receive a FREE copy when released! (a subscribe link
is on the book's product page.)

March 2009: Walt has co-written and published a unique book entitled
Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: Diary
of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan.

Jamaican in China!

2009-05-11T17:41:00.003+10:00

It seems my new new calling may be to provide travel tips by way of personal adventure to potential corporate, rat-race escapees and the hyper-employed (hyper=beyond). My Jamaican on Saipanbook has spawned a sequel: Jamaican in China! You can check it out at JamaicanInChina.com

Obamanomics 101: Rescuing the (Global) Economy, One Obamapreneur at a Time

2008-11-21T05:47:00.005+10:00

The following article appeared in the Saipan Tribune on Wed, Nov 19, 2008. I've combined it with images from a photo-essay which just appeared http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ to expand on the theme of the article and continue making the point!--Walt

[Feel free to reprint, publish and share with everyone; please include the following notice if you do.]
Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home on the Pacific Island paradise of Saipan. To learn more about Walt's philosophy and formula visit www.passionprofit.com.

Obamanomics 101: Rescuing the (Global) Economy One Obamapreneur at a Time by Walt FJ Goodridge, author of Turn Your Passion Into Profit

PREAMBLE: The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest-in other words, your passion!

Ka-Ching!

My friend, Stacey, has figured it out! She sent me an e-mail yesterday proclaiming, "...don’t you get it? That’s how he’s going to rescue the economy!"

She was referring, of course, to president-elect Barack Obama and the much hoped-for, highly-anticipated, almost messianic expectations attached to his presidency, and its effect on the future of the U.S. and its economy.

According to UrbanDictionary.com, "Ka-ching" is the vocal imitation of the sound the old-time manual cash register makes when you ring up a sale.

It might just represent the sound of the trickle up bail out obamapreneur phenomenon inspired by the soon-to-be official president.

What Stacey figured out was that all you have to do is put the image or name of Barack Obama on a product, or tie your existing product or service to the incoming president, and you might just rescue yourself from your own private financial meltdown or the effects of a recessed economy, and hear the sweet ka-ching sound yourself!

The e-mail Stacey sent me had a link to a Web site selling official Obama commemorative dollar gold coins for $9.95. Christmas presents for everyone! Kaching!

I quipped that this was evidence of the early stages of Obamanomics and obamapreneurs in action, and that I would launch sites of the same name. I quickly found out, however, that people have already snatched up those domain names. In fact, the fellow who now owns OBAMANOMICS.COM is selling it for $5,000. Ka-ching!

The morning after Obama's win, newspapers around the country were forced to reprint tens of thousands of copies to meet the demand of people saving these copies as front-page keepsakes of a moment in history. Ka-ching!

Hotels within a hundred miles of Washington, D.C. are charging as much as $1,000 per night-with a five-night minimum stay-for rooms during the week of his scheduled inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2009. Ka-ching!

One entrepreneur is selling 2,456 Obama-adorned items, t-shirts, mugs, caps, etc. through cafepress.com. Ka-ching!

So, how can you capitalize on the Barack wave to sell your creativity? You can, like the folks at minimovie.com, combine break dancing, (b-boyin' for those in the know) with technical expertise and create an ingenious and hilarious “Barack/McCain Dance Off” video that might just get people thinking, “How'd they do that? and hire you to do something similar. Ka-ching! [Search for Obama dance-off” on Youtube.com]

The Barack Effect

Now then, if you are having a challenging time predicting what the profitable trends will be with Obama as president (it's all so new and different), here are some tips to help your brainstorming.

First, understand that America has never seen such an international outpouring of support and well-wishes for one of its presidents. What do you think that means? What does it tell you about how the world regards this man? What does it say about America’s reputation abroad? What opportunities might this spell for business owners around the world?

Anything associated with Obama’s history, upbringing, parents, education, etc., will provide clues as to what may gain in popularity. On that note, you can scan the Internet for his life story, or pick up a copy of The American Journey of Barack Obama on Amazon.com. It’s a great book that-oh, oops, yes...Ka-ching!-as I was saying: a great book that shows his family tree, and traces his entire childhood and adult journey. It's just full of associations to people and places that might spark a business idea.

Just the mere fact of Barack's presidential win has and will result in new ways of thinking and acting. Here are some predictions, as well as some actual developments.

With hope in the American dream restored, there will be an increase in the numbers of people in the U.S. applying for citizenship.

There will be increased interest among the youth, and within disenfranchised communities in the electoral process, and the inner machinations of government.

Americans’ perception and reception overseas will improve; tourism of U.S. citizens traveling abroad will likely increase.

There are also international opportunities already being exploited.

According to Kenyan Tourism Minister Najib Balala, "We are now contemplating opening the ’Obama Route’ that will start from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley and Lake Victoria, leading to Kogelo village thus giving clients the chance to visit Obama's father's birthplace." Ka-ching!

The Caribbean island of Antigua-Barbuda has officially renamed its highest mountain peak “Mount Obama.” Can you say “press opportunity for local tourism” folks? Ka-ching!

The city of Obama, Japan has received more than its fair share of media attention as a result of sharing a name with the future president. According to inventorspot.com, site which may help with ideas on capitalizing on trends: "The latest manifestation of Obama-boosting comes courtesy of the so-called "Obama Girls", a troupe of hula dancers from Obama, Japan who have journeyed to Hawaii (where Obama was born and raise) to compete in a dance contest.” Ka-ching!

Go!

All this humor/parody, t-shirts, dolls, books, videos, travel, tourism, information, music, and profit potential by name association are just the tip of the entrepreneurial iceberg. So don't miss out. Get your thinking caps on and the creative juices flowing. And, remember, it's never too early to start thinking about business ideas. Who do you think will be running again in 2012? Ka-ching!

###

Worldwide Cash!
From a Telegraph.co.uk photo-essay entitled Obama Mania: Loose Change We Can Believe In
(Some photos not included. Visit Telegraph.co.uk for full set of photos http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/3478214/Obama-Mania-Loose-change-we-can-believe-in.html

Around the world, savvy entrepreneurs are saying "yes we can" to
having the audacity to cash in on Barack Obama's name in the
hope of making a lot of money
Picture: REUTERS

Barack Obama is no longer just a man. He is T-shirts...
Picture: GETTY

...he is playing cards...
Picture: GETTY

...he is posters...
Picture: GETTY

...can provide the time...
Picture: EPA

...and protection. It seems there's no end to novel items aimed at a
market of shoppers fuelled by November 5 optimism
Picture: WENN

Obama-mania has taken the world by storm. In Athens, medallions
displaying Obama in the likeness of Greek mythological hero Hercules
can be found at tourist spots
Picture: REUTERS

In Bosnia, clothing company Borac has started manufacturing Obama suits
that are selling like hotcakes in the country and in neighbouring Croatia
Picture: KONFEKCIJA-BORAC.BA

Africa hasn't seen such a commercial rush over a personality since Nelson Mandela.
Traders are selling low quality Obama T-shirts and pirate VHS copies of his victory speech...
Picture: AP

...and he has become an unlikely figurehead for Kenya's Ministry of Health
Picture: REUTERS

A Japanese comedian, Nocchi, has discovered that armed only with a tan, short haircut
and the English phrase: "Yes, we can!" he can earn a buck impersonating the president-elect

Two towns called Obama, which means "small shore" in Japanese, are already promoting their
names and selling T-shirts, chopsticks and traditional sweets
Picture: AP

In cyberspace, a Super Mario-style game entitled Super Obama World, depicts a pixelated
president warding off enemies of the state...
Picture: SUPEROBAMAWORLD.COM

...and a pornography peddler has put a $10,000 tag on the http://www.sexwecan.com domain name
Picture: sexwecan.com

Of course the man himself hasn't done too badly from his status as international phenomenon. His books, The Audacity of Hope and Dreams From My Father, top best-seller lists worldwide
Picture: GETTY

[End Telegraph.co.uk images.)
But, of course, some entrepreneurs may not do too well...
The author of this book, published in advance
of the election, just missed the mark. It's entitled
A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win

And, even ME!
And, even THIS article is cashing in Obamanomics...Within two days of
being published, I've already received reprint requests (no income, but provides
great publicity), in addition to requests to create profitable, passion-centered websites and
provide business coaching from people around the world.

P.S. Speaking of predictions, here is my own "Walt's Predictions for Fun and Profit" Update:

And, while we're on the topic of seeing the future, as you may recall, I made a few predictions a few weeks ago. [See "What Happens Next?" published in the Saipan Tribune on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008]

Prediction #1 has come true: Barack Obama was elected president.

Prediction #2 Fate of the Northern Marianas Marine Monument will be tested soon!

Prediction #3: Dismal Fate of U.S. carmakers; Bankruptcy is in the cars

If all goes well, by year's end, I’ll have launched my new
career as a fortune-teller with a 3 for 3 record! Stay tuned. J

Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home on the Pacific Island paradise of Saipan. To learn more about Walt's philosophy and formula visit www.passionprofit.com.

How to Make Money on the Side (Turn Your Passion into Profit)

2008-07-22T07:26:00.002+10:00

Seems there's a spike in the number of people searching for "how to make money on the side" through the local search engines. Perhaps there was an article in local newspaper or something. In any case, I welcome our new visitors. For information on exactly what you can do to make money on the side, check out the main PassionProfit site at www.passionprofit.com

Startup Business Financing 101...

2008-05-05T07:56:00.004+10:00

Hello, once again! The Passion Profit Company is launching some new projects, products and services.

We've started with a revamp of the PassionProfit.com site for a cleaner, tighter look.

We've also just launched StartupBusinessFinancing101.com which features a thorough money-generating guide by Passionpreneur Expert Kamau Austin.

Blogger, Internet Marketing, and Software Expert Jamie Ratliff Says...

"Raise Cash Fast should be
required reading for Business 101"

"I was amazed at the many pages of quality information that is usually difficult to track down. Just the chapters on the Small Business Administration and Establishing Business Credit would be worth the cost of this publication.

The resources provided could be priceless to a lot of small business owners or anyone who is thinking of starting a business. The chapters regarding MicroLoans and Grants are better than I've seen in standalone products that sell for hundreds of dollars on their own.

The best thing about Raise Cash Fast is that the guide covers so much, it really doesn't matter how big or small a business is, they will find valuable information that applies to their specific business financial needs.

Thanks for sharing such extraordinary information."

Jamie Ratliff owner...
www.jamieratliff.com

Find out more at
StartupBusinessFinancing101.com

Obama, Clinton, Paul and the road to real Change in 2008

2008-01-10T10:02:00.000+10:00

Wow! How time flies when you're on purpose! Been a while since my last post. Well it is the new year, and while I won't be giving a year in review, I will give a year in preview and let you in on a little secret. While you invest your hopes in political candidates to be the bringers of change, don't forget your part in the equation. Consider this:

If the world is to be saved; if global warming is to be prioritized and addressed; if people are to live disease-free lives; if the rights and freedoms of all on the planet are to be honored and respected; if we are to develop a workable understanding of ourselves, of others, and of reality to be able to make better choices, then there must be a change in the way people currently think, communicate and act.

People need to be awakened to a specific set of new ideas that will facilitate these changes. People need to see the beyond the deceptions that currently skew their perceptions. People need to be able to think critically and analyze their worlds and make choices that are in their own best interests and the interest of global survival and prosperity.

If you know what's news, if you know what's the latest, hottest, most impactful new idea, it's much easier to succeed. You can profit in the stock market, do better in politics, find breakthroughs in science, or programming or marketing."--Seth Godin

The Great Sheep Uprising is that "impactful new idea." And if you ask "can the great sheep uprising help me make more money, have more fun, find love and help the ones I love?" then the answer is yes!
The Great Sheep Uprising is more than just a manifesto. It is a way of interacting with the world. It is a way of interpreting the world. It is a way of life based on insights that will free your mind to see things differently.

It will hone your ability to think by developing your critical mind. Your critical mind helps you interpret what you experience. People who interpret the world correctly make better decisions. It's that simple. When you see the world correctly, you will not be led. You will not be deceived. You will not be hoodwinked. You will know what comes next. You will predict the future. You will start businesses on the cutting edge of thought. You will resonate differently, and thus you will attract new people and new experiences into your life. You will make better choices.

The awakening of thought that must precede such change, the actions that result, and the results that proceed from those actions are what The Great Sheep Uprising is all about.
As the first in this "new reality" genre of books, The Great Sheep Uprising, Book 1: Whispers from the Field, is an overview of the world as it is perceived, a manifesto of the way of thinking required to change your place in it, and a vision of the future once your uprising is complete.

The Great Sheep Uprising is the change we've all been waiting for.

Click on the banner below to learn more...

Envision the change. Spark the change. Lead the change. Document the change.

Saipan, Northern Marianas Earthquake...possible Tsunami?

2007-10-31T16:09:00.000+10:00

From here at "ground zero" I can tell you that all is well. According to RadioAustralia:

A powerful earthquake has hit the Northern Marianas sparking concerns of a possible tsunami.

Our reporter in the Northern Marianas, Gemma Casas says buildings in Saipan, the main island of the Northern Marianas, swayed for a few seconds as a quake measuring 7.2 on the richter scale jolted the chain of tiny islands.

Work and classes were momentarily interrupted but the islands' Emergency Management Office says there is no threat of a tsunami despite the intense quake.

The US Geological Survey says the quake was located 408 kilometres north of Saipan and 93 kilometres north, northwest of the volcanic island of Pagan.

Hours before the quake in the Northern Marianas, the USGS recorded a magnitude 5.6 quake hitting the San Francisco Bay Area.

Last month, two strong quakes also jolted the Marianas region which refers to Guam and the Northern Marianas.

In September, the Marianas was also shaken by big quakes measuring up to 7.4 on the richter scale.

Now, with that said, I will now take the opportunity to direct your Saipan interest to a few sites for you to learn more about Saipan.

Help Beautify CNMI!

Nothing beats a Marianas dive!

Discover the "New" Saipan!

Powered by Paradise!

3% of the World?

2007-10-23T15:09:00.000+10:00

Just a reminder to myself that I've still got a lot of the world to see! (Inspired, perhaps, by Angelo's adventures!)

New YouTube Videos of Saipan (Korean Hip Hop on Saipan)

2007-10-11T08:15:00.000+10:00

More from the "He's got WAY too much time on his hands" files....I've filmed a few videos and posted to my YouTube account.

There's the sequel to "See the World" which chronicled my first few months on Saipan....it's entitled "Runaway: See the World Too"

Someone who once lived on Saiipan and who now lives stateside asked me to show what Koblerville looks like since they miss home. So, I can proudly say, that "by popular demand"There are also three sequels to "A Drive Through Saipan" entitled "Another Dive Through Saipan (Koblervill)" and "The Road To Marpi" and "Saipan Drive Through San Antonio."

There are also 2 videos of the Korean B-Boy crew breakdancing at the Paseo De Marianas Street Market. Check them out and let me know if the quality is ok and if you like my musical taste!

Visit The Passion Prophet's YouTube Channel

Individual videos:

"Runaway...See The World TOO"

Another Drive thru Saipan (Koblerville)

A Saipan Drive Through San Antonio

The Road to Marpi

Korean Hip Hop On Saipan I

Korean Hip Hop On Saipan II

PassionProfit.com site is now PR5!

2007-10-09T18:05:00.000+10:00

Perhaps only the techies and webmasters will really appreciate this one, but according to my Firefox browser toolbar, my three most popular sites, passionprofit.com, hiphopentrepreneur.com (aka hiphopbz.com) and welovesaipan.com now have a PageRank of 5!

Here is an explanation of page rank from webworkshop.net
"PageRank is a numeric value that represents how important a page is on the web. Google figures that when one page links to another page, it is effectively casting a vote for the other page. The more votes that are cast for a page, the more important the page must be. Also, the importance of the page that is casting the vote determines how important the vote itself is. Google calculates a page's importance from the votes cast for it. How important each vote is is taken into account when a page's PageRank is calculated.
PageRank is Google's way of deciding a page's importance. It matters because it is one of the factors that determines a page's ranking in the search results. It isn't the only factor that Google uses to rank pages, but it is an important one."

Page rank ranges from 1 to 10.

Now from a site owner's point of view, having a high page rank allows you to charge more for links on your site. In other words, once your site has a high enough page rank, other sites with lower page rank will pay you to place a text link to their sites from your site to help improve their page rank.

Yes, links from these three sites are available...Email me for details.

Harlem building blast is....

2007-10-09T17:25:00.000+10:00

So here I am in Saipan, driving around town when I hear a stateside news report of an explosion in a Harlem apartment building.
Once I heard that there were rumors of an illegal restaurant operating in the building, I knew what I would find once I got back home to do the research.

The blast occurred in the very building I moved out of (escaped) a year ago to move to Saipan. 10 West 119 St. The fireman peering out the window in the picture is probably standing in what used to be my bedroom.

Seems "blasts" are following me around...I escaped the World Trade center blast by a few years (I used to work on the 73rd floor of tower one, and escaped this blast by one year.

Life is so interesting.

News story here

The blast occurred at 4pm on a Saturday....wonder what I would have been doing at that time?

BlogRush Your Way to Better Times

2007-09-25T16:08:00.001+10:00

I've added a free widget to my blog on the left. It comes from BlogRush, which is a revolutionary free blog syndication network created by internet marketing legend John Reese and his new company income.com. What it does is serve up relevant content from other blogs in the content network.

So it will send people to your blog who are already interested in the type of information in your blog.

So how does it bring you more traffic? Each time your page loads, the widget also loads, which earns you a syndication credit. If your blog gets 100 page views a day then you get 100 syndication credits.

The powerful viral twist (and what makes it different from anything else, say BlogBurst) is that when other people join BlogRush (via the tab on the bottom of the widget) and add the widget to their blog, then you will get page views of your content proportional to the page views of their blog.

If Fred signs up and puts the widget on his blog then each time that his blog shows the widget, one of your posts will show somewhere on the network. It gets even better, because if Sally joins from Fred's blog, you'll also get a syndication credit for every time that that the widget is displayed on Sally's blog. This scenario keeps going for 10 referrals deep.

If it takes off, then those who put it on their blogs early stand to get a lot of traffic. That's why I recommend that you get BlogRush right away and add it to your blog.

Join now

(Note: You'll be asked for your blog URL and your blog feed. See this example:

Blog URL: http://www.waltgoodridge.blogspot.com

Feed URL: http://www.waltgoodridge.blogspot.com/atom.xml

for the typical format.)

Rainbow 'round the sun and other desert island fantasies

2007-09-03T08:17:00.000+10:00

And so,

while surfers do their seeking
and engines rank their searching,
and servers do their serving
and clicks of mice, some once some twice
cause ebooks to downloading

I spend my days in simple ways
to live a life worth living:

"I find a place of constant sun
and simply lie there baking..."

Now here's something I don't believe I've seen before....While sitting in the noon-day sun soaking in the rays at a favorite hideaway on island, I look up and see a rainbow 'round the sun!

The unique mix of clouds and moisture and whatever else created a "not your typical rainbow" right above my head--one that formed a ring around the blazing sun...pretty cool...Hope you can make out the ring in the picture....

"Or roam a while this desert isle
like Hanks, Crusoe or Perrineau"

Then yesterday, while sunning again near Wing Beach, I look around and realize (and this isn't the first time I've noticed this) that because of the population and lifestyle here on Saipan, it's not unusual to be on certain beaches on a given day for hours at a time, and not run into a single soul. You can almost convince yourself you're all alone on a deserted island, evoking images from Castaway, that movie with Tom Hanks....

"Or better still, enjoy the thrill
with others of my choosing"

But, of course, there are people on the island...so, one could venture inland, and return later to enjoy the tranquility and treasures with someone you enjoy being with.

Wheat Grass? Yes, wheat grass!

2007-09-01T19:58:00.000+10:00

So today I harvested my first batch of wheat grass grown from seeds I had flown in from Guam, and nurtured in my own apartment. Being the health nut that I am, while I was living in New York, I would often drink shots of wheat grass bought at health food stores on Broadway or in the village. Now that I'm on Saipan, there aren't many stores selling wheat grass.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, you can check out
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/greens.htm
for a great overview...

Here are a few excerpts from different pages:
Wheatgrass is fast becoming one of the most widely used supplemental health foods. It contains chlorophyll (nature's most health promoting nutrient), 20 amino acids, several hundred different enzymes not found in other foods, as many as 90 out of 102 possible minerals, vitamins and other important nutrients. It is perfect for dieters, athletes, people on the go, who want to maintain a healthy immune system, or simply anyone who wants to feel GREAT.

Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria.

Chlorophyll (wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream. Studies of various animals have shown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction. The red cell count was returned to normal within 4 to 5 days of the administration of chlorophyll, even in those animals which were known to be extremely anemic or low in red cell count.

Farmers in the Midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them on wheatgrass to restore fertility. (The high magnesium content in chlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones.)

Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.

Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive indefinitely.

Dr. Ann Wigmore has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.

Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them and makes them over.

Since I don't have a juicer yet, I just cut a handful and ate it directly...
I'll be ordering a juicer this week, and who knows, you may see me out at the Sabulu market selling shots of wheatgrass!

How to Creat Your Own Ebooks Or Special Reports Without Writing It Yourself

2007-08-31T07:55:00.000+10:00

I've been encouraging people to launch blogs and create ebooks as an easy way to start generating money on the internet. As I started to create a blog entry on that topic, I received this quick article by Robert Williams that covers some of the same ideas. So, I'll give Robert a little plug!

==================

Article Title: How To Create Your Own Ebooks Or Special Reports
Without Writing It Yourself
Author: Robert P. Williams
Word Count: 669
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=179949&ca=Business
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=179949

Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=179949

================== ARTICLE START ==================
Selling products online has become very lucrative for many
netpreneurs. Ebooks and special reports are amongst the most
popular type of downloadable products. These files in written
form, can be very useful when they convey desireable
information.

Indeed, information is what fuels the internet. People log
online to search for information. If you have the information
they need, they will come to you. If this information holds a
lot of value, you could sell the same and make a good profit.
Since words are still the primary tools of communication on the
web, information is often conveyed in written form.

Preparing written works is not easy. For starters, not everyone
can write well. Those who can may not take the time to embark on
such an undertaking.

Fortunately, there are some alternative routes you can take
which will allow you to prepare your own eBook or special report
without having to write down a single word. Let's take a look at
5 of these options.

Gather some articles and compile them in a single volume. This
would be the easiest way to prepare your own digital product.
These articles can be PLR works which grant you the right to
alter them and use the content anyway you please. They may be
articles written by other people, which you have compiled from
renowned websites like http://ezinearticles.com or
http://goarticles.com. If you choose the latter, just make sure
that you respect the terms and conditions of their usage,
primary of which is the inclusion of the original author's
resource box. Make sure that each article organically and
logically flows to the next. You can ensure this by studying the
articles you want to include.

Conduct an interview with an expert and record the same.
Thereafter, hire someone from http://rentacoder.com,
http://elance.com or http://guru.com to transcribe the
conversation you had with the said expert. You'd be surprised
how quickly you can compile 50 to 200 pages worth of essential
reading material using this method.

Buy an existing eBook or special report that comes with private
label rights. This would enable you to alter the contents of the
same, and even name yourself as the author of the work. You
could add some materials as you feel are necessary, or better
yet, you could combine two, three, or even ten of these PLR
eBooks or special reports to come up with an encyclopedic tome
of information worthy of some notice.

Hire a ghostwriter to prepare an eBook or a special report for
you. There are many freelance writers looking for work at the
websites we mentioned above. It's just a matter of selecting
the best writer for the job at a price that will not be too
daunting to your budget. Expect to pay $200 to $1,000 for a 50
page eBook.

Here's a novel approach. Join an internet marketing forum, and
ask a question. A good example would be "How Could You Profit
From The Internet With A $0 Budget." For certain, you'll get
some amazingly enlightening replies. Compile these replies until
you'll have enough materials to come up with an eBook or a
special report. Ask the posters' permission to avoid any
copyright issues. Chances are, they'll agree, provided that a
link to their respective websites are included in your work.

Lack of writing prowess, or the time to write, is never a bar
for the production of your own digital products. All you need
is a little imagination, and hopefully, the suggestions above
have stirred up some concepts in your mind.

About The Author: Robert Paul Williams is the Editor of Work At
Home Business Website. Come Browse Our Free Article Library and
Stay Informed with the Latest Home Based Business Opportunity
News, Success Tips & Strategies.
http://work-at-home-business-website.com/Articles.php

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=179949
================== ARTICLE END ==================

Why I Trust You

2007-08-30T07:14:00.000+10:00

As published in the Saipan Tribune

Why I Trust You

I recently recruited a new business associate to oversee several sensitive aspects of my company. I asked for no resume or referrals, but simply acted on a feeling I got upon meeting her at a workshop. Within 48 hours of her signing on, I had shared with her details of my business and personal life that apparently surprised her. She called today, to ask a simple question: "Why do you trust me?" she asked. "I've been with the company less than 48 hours officially, and already I know things about your operations and you personally, that indicate a deep level of trust. So, I ask, why do you trust me?"

The question was a fair one. So, I gave it some thought. These are some of the answers I gave her on the phone, which I'll now share with you.

Why Do I Trust You?
I trust you because with me, trust is a given. It's not something you have to earn, necessarily. It's something that we start off with, and you either keep it or lose it as time goes by. You either confirm the soundness of my decision, or you reveal that I made a mistake.

I trust you because trust is the basis of you meeting the expectations of our agreement and interaction. I trust you, therefore, because I want you to succeed, and my trust is what you need in order for you to do your job.

I trust you with and share the intimacies and secrets of my world because you cannot harm me. As a spiritual being, no one can harm me in any way that really matters. I am not my user id and password. I am not my credit rating. I am not my bank account. I am not the image and impression you may have of me once you know these things. I trust you, therefore, because I am fearless.

I trust you because it's efficient. I trust you because if I am wrong in giving you my trust, there really is nothing that I've lost except a little time. If I am right, however, we hit the ground running and conquer the world starting from day one. Whereas, if I wait for something you do to earn the trust, we may wait and waste days or weeks that might have been spent productively producing results.

I trust you because trust is a function of a vibe that I respond to. If I felt I could not trust you, I would not trust you. You need prove nothing, but simply continue to be who you are.

In other words, I trust you because trust is a function of character, and your character is what it is from the day I meet you. It's not a gift I give you for something you do tomorrow, but a given YOU come with based on who are today.

My trust you'll never earn, my friend
by what you do and say
My trust is like a gift
you'll keep or lose along the way

My trust is automatic
yes, I'll trust you at first sight
I trust you first and what you do
will prove me wrong or right

My trust is what you need
to do your best, so why indeed
would I withhold the very thing
you need most to succeed?

For trust is not a prize you win
from points that you accrue
no trust derives from what's inside
and THAT'S why I trust you!

Tell me more about my eyes #6

2007-08-21T23:09:00.000+10:00

My clients and readers write some of the best emails! With "Mary's" permission I've provided her recent email to me...

Hello Walt!

So nice to see you back on line this Friday! I went over to YouTube and was in awe of your videos of your life in Saipan. Please add some more. I watched them all.

How wonderful to be living your dreams!

You are truly an inspiration!

While I was watching you drive around the island, I marveled at what you have accomplished!

The realities [OF LIFE] can create a feeling of being overwhelmed with life . My daughter has told me that I should be excited about this time of my life. She says to me Mom, you can do anything and go anywhere! Isn't that wonderful?!

She often tells me to be happy. Lately, quite honestly, I've been more depressed than I'd like to admit.

However, while I was enjoying your videos of what you've done with your life, I said to myself, MARY, you can do this too! Why not? Just take it step by step.

Now, I don't mean moving to Saipan, but I mean, truly getting excited about my place in the world and carving out my niche. You look really happy with your accomplishments. I found myself asking myself, Why can't I get over my trials and tribulations and move on to discover some wonderful place to live and work too?

When I was reading your blogs and looking at your videos, something sparked in me. It's all so amazing what you're doing!! You look so happy. I want to be happy too. But I know if it is to be it's up to me.

It's a challenge learning how to be an entrepreneur so I'd love to get back to my writing and learn how to make money from the Internet to help supplement my income.

It's all felt so over my head, but today I feel like there's hope.

Again, you are a true inspiration!

Thanks for all you do being a beacon of light for what's possible even when life presents the appearance of nothing but impossibilities.

Peace and blessings to you

MARY C [Name has been changed for confidentiality]

Altogether now....Click here to learn how to say 'tell me more about my eyes! (.wav fiile)

How to Be An Effective Coach the PassionProfit Way

2007-08-09T07:54:00.001+10:00

How to Be An Effective Coach
(as published in the Saipan Tribune)

So, do you want to be a coach? Do you believe you have some expertise or experience to share with others to help them achieve their goals? Do you see yourself as a life coach, a business coach, relationship or success coach? Or have you signed up as a coach for a children's or employee team? While I can't claim any sports coaching experience, I do have a business and career coaching practice through which I've culled the following general guidelines and principles that might help.

A COACH MUST HELP FIND THE HIDDEN VALUE
Whether you're coaching a little league team or million-dollar client, everyone has a unique value and thus a unique advantage they bring to their journey. Your task is to identify, present and help your team members or client develop that individual value. You must help him complete his own master list of assets and direct him towards honing those assets that are most conducive to success in the project at hand.

A COACH MUST STIR--BUT NOT SERVE--PASSION
As your coach, it's not my job to remind you every day to do what you know needs to be done. I can remind you what needs to be done, but I won't remind you to do it.

The purpose of my coaching practice is not to produce income (for me) but to produce results for you. I don't want to provide on-going coaching just to have a constant source of income, by constantly replenishing a depleted well of passion. You have friends, church sermons and good motivational audio programs that can do that for you quite well. My task, and the best use of my resources and your money, is to get you from point "A" to point "B" in your journey. I can help you set the destination. I can help you find the vehicle. I can help you plot the course. But I won't drive the car for you.

My coaching style demands that you find the motivation and the energy yourself. How? By aligning your dream with a higher life purpose, by helping you set achievable goals, by helping you find your own personal "why" for embarking on the journey. I can't motivate someone who can't find the time or energy to devote to their passion. But once a person has identified his reasons for pursuing a goal, that energy starts to flow.

A COACH MUST OFFER CLARITY
As a coach, one of my most important roles is simply to ask the right questions, and then wait for answers. So, when I ask a client, "what do you want to see happen next in your life?" it forces her to conceptualize, visualize, and formulate a response that communicates that vision to me--another human being waiting for an answer. It's that communication that makes all the difference.

You see, the average person, if left to his own habits and comfort zone, will not adequately answer the basic questions that can help him formulate accurate intentions and a direction for his life. Communication creates clarity. Without it, the intention and the goal is just a nebulous idea in mind without clear focus.

A COACH MUST KNOW "WHAT'S NEXT?"
This is a critically important ability to develop. Even though it may appear to be another way of saying that a coach must have a plan, there's a subtle distinction. "What to do next" varies from person to person. I can coach two people towards the same objective but the steps for each person will be radically different. Each person comes to the table with a different set of assets, abilities, and--very importantly--perspectives that you must take into account if you are to move them forward effectively. Someone who has a piece of information missing in his/her perspective of reality must be helped in a unique way.

A COACH MUST BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND FILL IN THE GAPS IN UNDERSTANDING
It's been my experience that everyone is potentially capable of doing anything they desire. The reason more people do not manifest that potential is that there are gaps in their understanding of the world and of themselves—what they believe about the world and their role in it.

Sometimes that understanding may be of some practical process (i.e. how to start a business, how to apply for a grant), but often it's a less quantifiable misapprehension of some basic laws of the universe. In other words, some people believe they have to be smart to be wealthy. Some people believe they must be cutthroat to be successful. Some people believe
in a universe of scarcity. Some people aren’t aware of the law of cause and effect. Some people believe that it's ungodly to be rich. Some people believe that life and scoring must be difficult. Some people believe in the chaos theory of reality, in a punitive and vengeful God, and the list of beliefs goes on and on.
Many of these beliefs, more than anything else in life deprive an individual of greater expectations, and thus a fuller experience of the game of life.
You as a coach must have a more complete understanding of the universe, the world, reality, individual potential, (i.e. the game) and how it works. Then you must be able to listen to what a client is saying--listen very carefully—and watch what a client is doing--observe very keenly--then, by dissecting the words and ideas that they use, and the actions they choose, assess what's missing from their understanding of the universe. It might be their belief system as it relates to money, people, duty, purpose, goal scoring, whatever.
So your task as a coach is to have that understanding and then supply it to your team member or client. The trick here is, if YOU also share an erroneous understanding of the way the world works as it relates to the path a client is taking, then you cannot effectively coach that person along that path. This brings me to the next important concept.

A COACH MUST LEAD THE WAY BY EXAMPLE
I couldn't write an article on coaching without mentioning a quote that has always inspired me:
"You teach best that which you need to learn most."

The spirit of that quote (credited to Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull), is the permission you need to jump into coaching even if you're not the best player around. Even though I believe "you'll coach best that which you've already achieved," you don't need to be Pelé to be able to coach soccer. And you don't have to be a millionaire ALREADY to help others become rich. You only need to be a few steps ahead on the path in order to guide someone to follow you.

That's why I can promise to be able to help people do the things I have personally done (write and publish books, launch websites that sell, generate passive, residual income, quit their jobs, and live a nomadpreneur life). When and if I ever choose to focus on and achieve the goals of getting on Oprah, having one of my books on the New York Times Bestseller list or taking a company public, then I'll add those to my list of coaching deliverables.

A COACH MUST RAISE BELIEF LEVEL
Finally, having value, clarity, passion, a plan and true understanding all serve the ultimate purpose of raising the client's belief level. Everything you do as a coach must be with that purpose in mind. Your job is really quite easy, actually. Your primary job as a coach is to raise your client's belief level about what's possible. That's it.
Once someone believes that a thing is possible, that thing becomes more probable. Once clarity is achieved about a thing that is probable, that thing becomes more likely. Once steps are taken towards a thing that is likely, that thing becomes anticipated. Once faith and purpose are aligned with an anticipated thing, that thing becomes expected. And a thing expected, pursued diligently, with an understanding of the basic laws of the universe eventually becomes a result.
A coach helps to reduce the time between intention and manifestation by raising the client's belief level. I’ll say that again. A coach helps to reduce the time between the desire for a goal and the scoring of that goal by raising the player’s belief level.

A COACH MUST GET RESULTS
As a coach, people are coming to you achieve a desired goal. Nothing else matters.

A COACH MUST RECOGNIZE OPPORTUNITY NOT CREATE IT
Producing results is a function of optimizing the opportunities that exist in a person's experience. The “how” will usually take care of itself once the intention and expectation is developed. Every person's life will present a unique set of opportunities that, more often than not, you will find already exist* The steps to achieve a thing, therefore are always a secondary consideration. Your task through your actions is simply to open up the channels to allow, experience and manifest that which has already been created in mind, honed by clarity, backed by faith and flavored with understanding. (Read Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell at www.passionprofit.com/resources/acresofdiamonds.html)

IT WORKS!
The reason coaching works in developing winning teams, in guiding clients
in their careers, business ventures and relationships is because there ARE
certain truths of reality that are consistent and knowable. Yes, coaching works because
value CAN be found
clarity CAN be developed,
results can be achieved
purpose CAN be known
beliefs CAN be raised,
and action CAN be taken
towards the realization of any worthy ideal or specific goal.

Whether you're starting your own coaching practice, or doing it for fun,
to be an effective coach you must develop first your own awareness, practice, habit, mastery of these truths of the game in your own experience, then share them with those who look to you for guidance and success!

To the degree that an individual or a society recognizes its value, achieves clarity pursues results, aligns with a higher purpose, raises its belief level and takes necessary actions to manifest the goal, success can be achieved!

Where's My Blog???

2007-08-08T07:43:00.000+10:00

A new blogger here on Saipan asked a question the answer to which may be of help to other new bloggers.

I have created my blog. I can see it when I
access it through my google account, but when I do a
google search on the search engine nothing is found. I
have tried to copy and paste my URL address and search
the web but still no results. Any suggestions???

That's a great question which I'm sure other bloggers may have.

The process of showing up in search engine listings is
one that takes time and specific efforts to accomplish.
(and that underscores all the more the significance of what we've been
able to accomplish with welovesaipan.com and what Angelo
has done with his own www.thesaipanblogger.com blog.

In fact there's an entire industry called SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
where experts are paid big bucks to get their clients' sites to appear
high up in the results of a search engine query.

Typically, however, it does take at least a few days to show up anywhere
on the search engine listings. When we launched welovesaipan on Dec 6,
it showed up a day or two later at position 155 for a google search for
"saipan." (that's the 16th page of listings)

So as a reality check, you have to give it a little time.

If you want to become a student of SEO and do all the techie
things that nerds like Angelo (notice how I conveniently left myself out of that one?)
do, you can visit sites like problogger.com and webmasterworld.com
and start the journey up your learning curve.

In the absence of having a budget to hire Angelo or myself to help
you accomplish what you desire a little more quickly, or the inclination
to spend days of your life tweaking website code to entice the search
engines to notice and promote you to the top of the list, you can simply

1. Start posting great content to your blog on a regular basis. As your archives
grow, it will automatically show up higher and higher in the google listings.

2. Consciously use specific keywords in your posts.
Google also has a relationship with blogger.com and it's not
impossible for a post that you do today, for example, on say, the
topic of "saipan schools" to show up tomorrow if someone
happens to do a google search for "schools in Saipan" or other
related topic which you cover in your daily posts.

3. send me a photo and a blurb about "why we love saipan"
so I can add you to the front page of the welovesaipan.com site.

4. Link to and request links from all the other bloggers out there.
(visit Angelo's site for the master list, and don't forget our newest
blogger, Lewie Tenorio of KZMI-FM who just launched
www.saipantriguy.blogspot.com

Walt

A Simple Business Plan

2007-08-07T11:01:00.000+10:00

The following is an excerpt from Happy Pocket Full of Money By David Cameron.

"Cause others to experience wealth massively, increase their wealth
consciousness massively, and you will experience wealth massively. Look at life
today. Any business that deals with the increasing of people’s productivity and
connectivity always becomes a very big self-sustaining business. It may not be a
perfectly good business, but it is big and self-sustaining. Software, networks,
transport, electronics, and such businesses improve people’s productivity and
standard of living and in return, they grow. But that is only a scratch on the
surface. Even more magnificence will come our way when we start building
businesses that deliberately are designed to give rather than receive. Businesses
designed to cause first that other people get wealthy. Future businesses will be
designed to cause growth that is true growth and not growth with serious side
effects somewhere else. These businesses will cause elevation of populations
from a lower standard of living to a higher one, and elevations in their
consciousness and well-being. The more you cause others to have in wealth, the
more you will have in wealth, effortlessly."

Recommended hosting account

2007-08-03T09:53:00.001+10:00

People have been asking recently which company I use for hosting my websites. I use 1and1.com.

If you'll be so kind, please use this link http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=6793973 to find out more.

Walt

...used auto parts on the web? Millions!

2007-08-03T09:01:00.000+10:00

I love stories like these!
Just a year ago, Philip Schaffer was wondering what he could do to energize his going-nowhere business, Action Auto Wreckers. With the economic boom stimulating new-car sales, the Long Island, New York-based Schaffer suddenly found himself sitting on a glut of junked autos, with fewer and fewer customers to take them off his hands. "It seems like everybody around here is driving a new car or a leased car that they don't have to work on themselves," Schaffer says with a sigh. Many people in his shoes would have waited patiently or closed up shop. Schaffer did neither. Instead, he decided to reinvent his business by shifting it onto the Net, where he opened the used-parts site Action Auto Wreckers.

The result? He has found himself overwhelmed by orders from body shops, hobbyists, and do-it-yourselfers attracted to his vast inventory and low prices. "I've shipped motors to California, parts to Chicago, Hawaii, even Guam," he says. For one cybercustomer from Iceland, Schaffer drained the oil from a wrecked Pontiac Sunbird, boxed up the parts needed to fix it, and shipped the whole thing out by air.

The bottom line, Schaffer says, is that the Net has given him a new lease on life. His annual sales now top $1 million, with half of that business done online. "The potential is there," he insists, "to do $5 million or $10 million over the Internet. It has put the fun back into coming to work."

The full article is at
http://www.adobe.com/v1/handlers/index.cfm?ID=14662&method=full