Continuing on the Right Path with Debt Elimination

During the fourth quarter of 2012, a key measure of U.S. household debt fell to a record low after peaking during third quarter 2007 just before the economic recession. The trend continued during second quarter 2013, when U.S. household debt fell $78 billion. The amount of debt in American households is now at its lowest in seven years. Millions of Americans are finding it easier to repay their credit card bills, mortgages, and other debts.

How have they managed to do this in an economy that has been slow to recover? According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, the improving housing market bears much responsibility. As the values of homes have increased, homeowners are profiting by selling their properties. Many Americans are finding themselves more comfortable financially, allowing them to make dents in their mortgages while remaining in their homes.

Despite this good news, we are far from out of the woods. Student loan debt has reached crisis status, with American households owing an average of $31,646. The average amount of credit card debt in U.S. households is $15,263 and Americans in total have $853.6 billion in credit card debt. The total American consumer debt figure is $11.15 trillion, an astounding figure. Mortgage, student loan, and credit card debt are the top three sources of household indebtedness.

Consumers use many methods to get themselves out of debt and achieve financial independence. The Dani Johnson training system War on Debt is a popular tool. People who once owed hundreds of thousands of dollars have used this to become debt-free within a short time. It may seem difficult to achieve financial independence when the economy has not yet righted itself but Dani’s system proves that it can be done.

However, this system is not a permanent financial “fix.” It alone will not prevent someone from making financial mistakes in the future and society makes it easy for anyone to make unwise financial choices. Having money is enough of a reason for some people to buy in excess or purchase items they do not need. Avoiding the distraction that having money creates and making the decision to move forward in the right direction represent the smart approach.

Many people recognize when they make financial mistakes. Unfortunately, a lot of them let their mistakes push them in the wrong direction. They might punish themselves emotionally but do nothing to correct the situation. Even worse, they might give up, determining that there is no point in being financially responsible. Fixing the mistake and moving forward is the best response and surrounding yourself with others who are moving in the same direction makes this easier to do.

People who hold each other accountable for financial goals do not accept excuses such as “I bought it because I had the money.” They encourage each other to repay debts and avoid accruing any more. In the Dani Johnson community alone, there are more than 180,000 thousand people involved in this effort. Join this group or create your own.

You Need Not Be An Owner To Take Ownership

Though many people have found success with a work at home business, others continue to work for someone else. Being a business owner is not a prerequisite for taking ownership at work. Everyone should have a vision and focus on it regularly. Keeping purpose in mind enables us to put forth our best effort. Instead of showing up and doing the least possible to get by, we work with what business expert Dani Johnson calls “excellence.”

We all want to succeed at work and understanding the purpose and importance of our roles is the key to doing this. When the head is in the right place, the heart follows. We become diligent workers and outstanding performers who set examples for others. Each employee plays an important role in an organization and when you understand and appreciate your role, your attitude toward work changes. You begin to see the purpose in everything you do and understand how it ties into the big picture.

When we have purpose and vision, it shows in our actions. We bring more to the work environment and others begin to notice. Accolades, bonuses, and raises follow, propelling us toward our intended level of success. Whiners and complainers stay where they started and we eventually leave them behind in the dust. If only they followed our lead, they could be as successful as we are!

People who find themselves complaining about work should snap out of it. Changing this attitude to one of ownership will make a world of difference. Be eager to do the best job, look for new ways to contribute, and keep purpose in mind, letting it serve as inspiration for working with diligence and excellence each and every day. What you do makes a difference not only in your own life but also for your family and others who rely upon what you produce.

This is the way to become a valuable asset even when you are not a business owner. People will talk about you as an example and this will lead to many opportunities. If the motivation does not exist within, find it through training programs and seminars such as those offered by Dani. Taking an approach that has worked for thousands of others makes everything much easier. Dani provides advice and relays success stories that are powerful enough to encourage anyone. 

Anyone who has tired of working for someone else should take ownership to a new level by starting a business. With comprehensive research and the right tools and resources, anyone can get a new business off the ground and experience success. By keeping your purpose and vision in mind, every day will be a productive one.

If business ownership seems overwhelming, rely upon the experience and support of a mentor. Dani has mentored many entrepreneurs by offering books, training, and in-person education that help them achieve success. Whether you choose to become an entrepreneur or continue working for someone else, success will follow when you take ownership of what you do.

Fast Tracking It To Success

It is not unusual for someone to spend years in a job, hoping for a promotion but never receiving it. Many people work in jobs that do not require advanced skills and they do not move up the corporate ladder. Some of us may find ourselves in these situations during our careers. We may wonder why we are unable to advance and may even blame our employers or the economy. The difficult reality is that we may be to blame because our interpersonal skills may prevent us from advancing.

We have all encountered rude customer service representatives. In general, people in positions with lower pay tend to have bad attitudes. They may seem unhappy and this leads customers to be rude to them. Many of these workers do not want to be doing those jobs. Unfortunately, their poor attitudes will not help them advance so they are stuck and the cycle continues. These experiences lead us to conclude that we receive the level of service we pay for in life.

Nonverbal communication used by these service workers conveys strong messages. More than 90 percent of communication is non-verbal and when we encounter an employee who has an unhappy appearance, we know that what follows may not be pleasant. These folks may not even realize that they look unpleasant and they might not understand that their poor people skills are keeping them at the bottom of the career ladder.

No one likes poor service or rude people. As a worker, how can you prevent this? Simple…provide excellent service to every customer. Each encounter will be as pleasant as possible and you will have a greater chance of moving into a higher paying job. Customers will return over the years because they appreciate the treatment they receive. Everyone walks away satisfied with the interactions and the business benefits.

The easiest way to break out of the bad attitude cycle is to act as if you are working in the finest establishment in the world. Do not act like other workers in your pay grade. Treat customers like royalty by smiling, communicating clearly, verifying that you have met their needs, and remembering them when they return. Customers will begin to think differently about the company and you. Supervisors and managers will also take note and will consider you when a promotional opportunity arises.

Treat the work environment, co-workers, and customers with respect, exhibit excellent people skills, and provide the highest levels of service and you will be on the fast track to 6 figure income. This holds true no matter where you work even if it is from home. Customer service extends to email and telephone encounters so refine verbal and written interpersonal skills.

To help friends and co-workers get on the same fast track to success, share this information with them. If all co-workers change their attitudes for the better and improve their interpersonal skills, the business should elevate itself to new levels. As your team moves up in the ranks, new workers can enter and start on their own paths to success.

The Easy Way To Strengthen Your Commitment To Goal Achievement

People are enthusiastic about a variety of things but even the most active supporters of something experience wavering levels of commitment. For example, someone who works out regularly may feel like lounging on the couch when under the weather and someone who focuses on eating healthy may indulge in sweets sometimes. Even people who are committed to financial success may let minor setbacks affect their drive to the top. Fortunately, there is an easy way to strengthen commitment.

The answer is not a secret. In fact, it is covered by Dani Johnson in her book Grooming the Next Generation for Success. Dani refers to the concept as “Expose, Involve & Upgrade” and it can be applied to personal, business, or career life. How does it work? We are exposed to a concept and if this exposure occurs regularly, we then become involved. This is when everything changes, leading us to strengthen our commitment.

Involvement does not equal commitment to purchase a product or service or become actively involved with it. It may only mean that we have begun researching it and have developed some interest in it. The process of involvement occurs naturally as we conduct research and ask questions. This involvement upgrades our commitment, leading us to take action. Involvement is a critical phase because it requires thinking and learning. Most people do not upgrade their commitment simply as a result of being exposed to something. 

By remaining involved, we strengthen our commitment to whatever we are pursuing. Therefore, if you want to enhance your family relationships, advance in your career, or have the best home based business, you must spend time engaging in, researching, and getting involved with that. Dani recommends that we focus on getting involved in things that move us toward our goals not those that keep us in holding patterns or make us go backwards in life.

Dani practices this approach regularly and says that it intensifies her passion. If you start off strong but commitment waivers, re-expose yourself to what got you started and involve yourself in all aspects, learning more each step of the way. This will take commitment to the next level, upgrading it to the point where it moves you forward toward goal achievement.

This approach is used by individuals and businesses throughout the world. People use it when they want others to take advantage of what a product, service, or opportunity has to offer. There is an art to this approach and those who do not understand and practice it will not be successful whether they are on the receiving or granting end.

When commitment wanes, continue exposing yourself to the endeavor and remain involved. Your passion for this venture will soon return and you will be more committed. Dani tells us that where commitment exists, so does ownership and these two factors lead to success. She is an excellent example of this, using her interest in nutrition to earn her first million and springboard her to even greater success.

Getting To The Top Requires Some Climbing

All over the world, people are finding it difficult to be hired. It is not uncommon for a hundred people or more to apply for a single job opening. Unemployment rates are sky-high in many countries and the economy changes from one day to the next. Many professionals and jobseekers are rightfully worried about their futures. However, there are things they can do to remain ahead of the ever-changing job market and become people that every business wants to hire or promote.

While many people want only conventional jobs with daytime hours, others are willing to work alternative shifts and perform duties that are not particularly desirable. This second group will make the sacrifices required to generate income for their households. While the first group complains that there are no jobs available, members of the second group are getting hired and earning money necessary for survival.

A job, especially an entry-level position, is not always exactly what we want. It may have unconventional hours such as nights or weekends or it may be in an unglamorous environment. However, this position might offer the income we need to provide for our families. It may also serve as the first rung on a ladder that gets us to where we really want to be. The hard truth is that we must be willing to climb if we want to succeed.

Whether we want to make a mark at work, home, or with our bank accounts, we must pay some dues. Young people realize this as they embark on their careers and working professionals discover it as they attempt to move up and create six figure income. Couples understand that sacrifice is the key to making a marriage work and parents make big sacrifices to raise their children in comfortable environments. A new beginning requires an adjustment to the ego and standards.

Starting over can be particularly difficult when it comes to career. People who  were once in high positions within their companies are finding it necessary to adjust their perspectives. In their new careers, they are not qualified for jobs at the level of their other experience. There is no such thing as a position that is “beneath” them. They must start from the bottom and work their way up.

Growing the bank account or expanding the family unit requires swallowing your pride and focusing on the small things. People who are at the top must pay their dues when starting new careers. Those who are at the bottom and work hard will soon find themselves in higher positions. Each of us should approach every new venture with a willingness to do what it takes to succeed.

Whatever you are embarking on this year, realize that paying your dues will get you to the top. Begin at the bottom and keep moving forward, working toward the success that you want to achieve. If your character and intentions are pure, you will soon be climbing higher. A shift in mindset the only thing required to position ourselves for success.

*Photo Courtesy of Where There Be Dragons via Creative Commons License

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