Did you miss it?

Dear ETR Reader - In case you missed my e-mail Thursday... Your chance to save up to 52% on 7 of ETR's best business- and wealth-building programs ends tonight at 5:00 pm sharp. Find out how you could be making $500 to $5,000 a month by the time NEXT Thanksgiving rolls around! Find all the details below. -- Jess From: Early To Rise Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 2:32 PM To: Jessica Kurrle Subject: FW: Grateful for More Than Just... Dear ETR Reader - Many people reading this note may be grateful for surviving the recession with their savings intact. For having a few extra dollars to spend on holiday gifts this December. For having a job. These are certainly worthy of gratitude - especially this year. But I want you to start thinking ahead to next year's Thanksgiving. It is my deepest hope that you'll be giving thanks for some exciting changes that occurred during 2010. Picture yourself at the table next November 25... offering your thanks for: The second stream of income that's sending $500 to $5,000 bucks into your bank account each week... A totally autopilot online business that brings in enough cash to pay your rent each month... The $25,000... $50,000... or even $100,000 or more you've added to your current business... Finally being able to leave your current job behind... Run your own six- or seven-figure Internet business... work on your own terms... do something you love... and make money doing it! If you think a year isn't time enough for this kind of "miracle" to happen, consider Julie's story. Last year at about this time, she said goodbye forever to her "day job" and started an online real estate business. Her first month, she earned $500. She brought in $2,000 the second month. And by month 3, she was making $5,000. Today, she's bringing in thousands of dollars each month.. Now, I have no doubt that this could happen for you. With enough willpower and drive, you could do it all by yourself. But in honor of Thanksgiving... I'd like to help you out. I've put together a special "Thanksgiving Wealth Collection" just for ETR readers. This is a collection of 7 of ETR's top wealth- and business-building programs. You can get them for up to 52% off the full price. Read all about what we're packing into this Thanksgiving Wealth Collection right here. And make sure you act right away - this sale ends Monday, November 30, at 5:00 pm sharp. Next Thanksgiving could be the year you say "I'm thankful for all the extra cash in my wallet!" Don't put your chance at building real wealth off a minute longer. Get ETR's deeply discounted Thanksgiving Wealth Collection right here. Happy Thanksgiving! Jessica Kurrle Associate Publisher, Early to Rise                           You are receiving this e-mail as a part of your subscription to Early to Rise. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized financial advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. _____ To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

ETR: The Optimal Selling Strategy

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Issue No. 2822 - $1.00	Monday, November 30, 2009
Letting Your Business Outgrow Itself... Tiny Lists Can Be Fun... Upside-Down Marketing... and Much, Much More By Michael Masterson In today's essay, I explain why your favorite restaurant -- the one with a two-hour wait every night -- will close as soon as they add more tables. Also in this issue, I share how I snuck into a museum during a busy workday. And then I tell you about the only healthcare provider you can trust. Later in the week... From success mentor Brian Tracy, we hear why your grandfather could afford to be lazy at work -- and why you don't have that luxury. Julie Broad, Internet Money Club member and founder of Revnyou.com, reveals how having "backup" saved two years' worth of work on her Internet business. And she's not talking about an IT gizmo. Paul Lawrence, creator of several programs for ETR, shows you how to harness the "power of the guru" to develop profitable products. And, finally, Internet Money Club Director Brian Edmondson tells us why going to Penn State helped him make six figures annually as an Internet marketer. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- A Surprise on the Table for NEXT Thanksgiving... Picture yourself 12 months from now... Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner in 2010... You're thankful for food on your table and family and friends. But you're also grateful for much more... Perhaps it's the second stream of income that's sending $500 to $5,000 bucks into your bank account each week... Or perhaps the $25,000... $50,000... or even $100,000 or more you've added to your current business... Or maybe you give thanks for finally being able to leave your current job behind... run your own six- or seven-figure Internet business... work on your own terms... do something you love... and make money doing it! ETR can help you make that Thanksgiving dream a reality. We've put together a special "Thanksgiving Wealth Collection": 7 of ETR's top wealth- and business-building programs for up to 52% off the full price. Any one of these programs could help you add $500 to $5,000 or more to your monthly income by this time next year.  But act fast. These deep discounts end Monday at 5:00 pm. "Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future; it is a continual calculation, an instinctive exercise in foresight." Henry R. Luce Understanding the "Optimal Selling Strategy" of Your Business By Michael Masterson Norm Brodsky wrote something in Inc. magazine several years ago that has stuck with me. It echoes a belief I share with him about the fundamental nature of business: "If you don't really know what's driving your success, you have to be careful about the strategy you adopt. There's a risk, after all, that you may accidentally undermine whatever made your company successful in the first place." Brodsky cites, as an example, a friend of his who sold trendy jeans and other casual clothing to young women. He wanted to increase the size of his store. When the space next door became available, he wanted to take it, knock down the adjoining wall, and double his inventory. It sounded like a good idea -- given how busy his store was. But when Brodsky questioned him, it became clear that his friend hadn't the vaguest idea why people liked to shop there. When Brodsky analyzed the plan in detail and considered, among other things, the higher per-foot rate the landlord wanted to charge, he realized that his friend would need more than $1 million in extra sales each year just to break even. Since his friend admitted that he wasn't losing any sales to overcrowding, Brodsky advised against the move. That was good advice. How many times have you seen a successful restaurant expand, only to see its business become attenuated and eventually disappear? The same holds true for many retail businesses. Bigger isn't always better. But you won't know if that holds true for your business until you have figured out how and why the business works. There comes a time when the lights come on and you feel like you truly understand your business. This is not likely to happen right away. For some, it takes years and years. But when that "Aha!" moment comes, it brings with it a sense of confidence and energy that makes your successes come more often and more easily. Often, the secret you discover is disturbingly simple. It is something basic to every business that I call the "optimal selling strategy." By that, I mean the fundamental things you have to know to make a profitable sale: where to advertise, how much to spend on advertising, how to position your product in terms of the competition, how to price it, what kind of guarantee to give, etc. In a nutshell, understanding the optimal selling strategy means understanding how to acquire a customer for a reasonable cost. Until you get that working, the future of your business is uncertain. You are running your business scared, because you sense, deep down inside, that you don't really "get it." As the top guy, you do the best you can. You judge each situation on its own merits. But you long for some general principle that can make your decisions simpler. And that comes with the "Aha!" moment. If you are a top-guy-in-waiting, it's important to try to get to the "Aha!" moment before you are put in charge. There's nothing worse than taking on a fast-growing business and watching it sputter and stall under your leadership. Conversely, there's nothing better than taking on a stalled operation and making it work. But unless you really know what you are doing, you will never be sure you can make it keep working. And that means you will never lead with confidence. Wherever you are in your career, you have to do this: You have to understand what makes your business grow and what the secrets are to making it profitable. Do you understand the optimal selling strategy of your business? Don't answer too quickly. It's more than just knowing how things are usually done. I'm asking if you think you understand the underlying equation that allows you to attract prospects to your product, sell them, deliver your product, and then sell them other things too -- all at an acceptable profit. If you do, good. If you don't, get to work. May the "Aha!" moment find you soon. P.S. Want to start your own business? I recommend you go online. It's cheaper, easier, and the profit margins can be huge. But before you'll see true success, you must discover your optimal selling strategy. In the Internet Money Club, Director Brian Edmondson gives you not only a top-notch education in Internet marketing, he helps you discover that fundamental truth about your business. The class of 2010 is launching tomorrow to a select group of ETR readers. It's not too late. You can still sign up for the IMC "hotlist" here. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Do You Make the Most of Your Time? - Michael Masterson has a super-busy schedule. But he can still make time to do what he loves. Can you do the same? If you feel hemmed in by deadlines and obligations... and never have time for yourself... let success mentor Bob Cox show you his proven time management techniques. Read more... Living Rich: Traveling to an Appointment My Way By Michael Masterson I have a lunch appointment in Baltimore. I take an early flight to D.C. and get into the city (one of America's greatest) three hours before my appointment. I go directly to the National Gallery of Art. Just before I enter the main exhibition gallery, I see a room full of George Bellows's work. I love George Bellows. In the center of the room is a comfortable couch. I sit in front of "New York," a big, energetic painting of what looks like downtown on a gray day (like today) in 1911. In the foreground, a throng of pedestrians, walking in that bent-forward way New Yorkers have. In the center, trucks and horse-drawn wagons and buses and cars. In the background, a park -- and then those tall, tired buildings. I sit there very happily for 20 minutes. In a little while, I'll be on the train heading north to my meeting. For the moment, I'm richer than Bill Gates. I've stolen an hour of my precious life's time. It's all mine. Often, One-on-One Is Best By Michael Masterson You are having a problem with a member of your team. It's affecting everybody. Your instinct is to call a meeting and give a speech that addresses the problem in general. You won't mention names or point fingers. You figure the message will get through. It will, but maybe not in a positive way. He'll realize that it's "about him" and will (a) freeze up from embarrassment or (b) freeze up from resentment. It's much better to solve a problem with an individual employee privately. Have a one-on-one meeting. Or write him a personal memo. If necessary, make two or three attempts. After three attempts, if you don't have a significantly positive response, you will probably have to get rid of him. Be Skeptical of All Medical Advice By Michael Masterson Here's my jaundiced view (after having been in the health-publishing business for almost 20 years): When it comes to relying on your doctor's advice... don't. Most GPs are too busy rushing from patient to patient to be able to keep up with current medical knowledge. It's an impossible task for a generalist. Specialists are like highly trained mechanics. They have made their reputation doing a certain procedure reasonably well. And they'll just keep doing that same thing so long as it will make them money. Of the dozens of doctors I've worked with over the years, I've trusted the advice of only a few. Based on that, here are my recommendations: When it's important, get a second opinion. Be leery of conventional doctors, especially when they recommend drugs or surgery without considering alternatives. (Alternative practitioners are not perfect either.) Do your own research. Ask questions. If the doctor seems annoyed, get a new one. Latest News The launch of the next Internet Money Club is just around the corner. We've been building what we call a "hot list" for months now. The folks on the list are going to get first dibs on the limited spots available. They'll have the opportunity to sign up before the rest of our 450,000 or so subscribers. If you are serious about creating a second income online, you need to be on that list. "This, indeed, is a thought provoking write up. And I surely gained a lot by revisiting these words of wisdom. I felt enriched. I had been straying a bit. But this essay was enough to bring me back on track." Deepak Rautela -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Stop Playing Stock Market Games Spending 12 hours a day on research and obsessing over trades is one way to play the markets. But why not use that time to enjoy your newly-earned profits? Learn from one former Wall Street "insider" shows how to trade with precision and speed instead. Spend just 30 minutes a day in front of your computer – using "tactical surgical strikes" to hit the market where it hurts. Learn the techniques in "The Money Vault" and you could be making money whether the market falls, soars, or goes sideways. This program is available – for a $446 discount – until 5 p.m. today. Go here to find out more about this product – and this amazing deal. Today's Words That Work: Attenuate To attenuate (un-TEN-yoo-ate) -- from the Latin for "to reduce" -- is to weaken or diminish in strength, value, amount, or degree. Example (as used by Michael Masterson today): "How many times have you seen a successful restaurant expand, only to see its business become attenuated and eventually disappear?" We want your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on today's issue. Email us at: AskETR@ETRFeedback.com
Whitelist Our Email | Click Here to Unsubscribe | Customer Service | Feed Back
Copyright © 2009 Early to Rise, LLC. NOTE: If URLs do not appear as live links in your e-mail program, please cut and paste the full URL into the location or address field of your browser. Disclaimer: Early to Rise only recommends products that we've either personally checked out ourselves, or that come from people we know and trust. For doing so, we receive a commission. We will never recommend any product that does not have a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized Financial Advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized Financial Advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here. To contact us, please visit... http://www.supportatetr.com/helpdesk To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

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Deadline Extended: Steve Forbes and the $137,000 Revelation...

Dear Early to Riser, I've gotten the folks over at Newsmax to extend the deadline on this special offer. I want to make sure you don't miss out on this free, exclusive interview of Steve Forbes and Christopher Ruddy. I urge you to respond today. Jess Steve Forbes and the $137,000 Revelation . . . Dear Early to Rise Reader, The stock market is trending upwards again... The worst is behind us... Nothing to worry about... Right? Before you throw Wall Street a ticker tape parade... You need to ask yourself two questions: If the dollar is worth nothing, how valuable are stocks regardless of how high their share prices soar? And if inflation strikes... Will your CDs, money markets, and bonds actually work against you? Recently Steve Forbes sat down with Christopher Ruddy - CEO of Newsmax Media - and an esteemed panel to discuss the threats of a devalued dollar to the economy and - more importantly - to your wealth. This revolutionary online broadcast offers real solutions to the real problems facing your investments in today's uncertain times. Chris Ruddy would like to share this exclusive interview with Early to Rise readers for free right here. Enough of the Doom and Gloom... How Are You Going to Use These Dire Times to Reap a Sizable Windfall? Joining Steve Forbes and Chris Ruddy on the broadcast are Libertarian vice-presidential nominee Wayne Allyn Root and international finance analyst and currency expert Sean Hyman. In the broadcast, Sean Hyman reveals a way for investors to use the weak American economy to realize a $137,000 (or more) return in the next year alone... Using literally pocket change. You can view this groundbreaking Internet broadcast right now - as well as a critical report that hands you the blueprint for achieving the six-figure opportunity Sean Hyman reveals - by simply clicking this link. In the report you will see how average investors are now rising up to become modern day "Robber Barons." Just like their 19th century predecessors such as Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller. Take the time to view this broadcast as well as this eye-opening report. Every penny you've worked so hard to attain may very well be in danger if you don't know how to protect yourself. But if you take the right steps now, you can actually use the next year to not only safeguard your finances, but make more money than you ever have in your entire life. View this critical Internet broadcast featuring Steve Forbes right here! To Your Success, Jessica Kurrle Associate Publisher, Early to Rise P.S. To become one of the modern day "Robber Barons" in the report that accompanies the Steve Forbes broadcast, you literally need pocket change. It's an incredibly revealing piece into how wealth is really made in turbulent times. Click here to view the free broadcast now!       You are receiving this e-mail as a part of your subscription to Early to Rise. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized financial advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. _____ To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

The Michael Masterson Journal

Issue No. 18 - $1.91	Saturday, November 28, 2009
Clayton Makepeace has been writing successful copy since 1975. Among his many accomplishments, he has written several of the biggest-selling sales letters of all time. I started writing copy a few years after he did, so I've had a chance to learn plenty from my own experiences. But when I read what he has to say about his method, I always learn something new and valuable. Recently, I read an article in which he explains how he builds a sales message based on the product's features. He begins by listing the features, and then asks himself two simple questions about each one: Why is this a feature? What good does it do the customer? Asking these two questions leads him quickly to the benefits of the product. Once he determines a benefit, he "dimensionalizes" it by adding specific detail. This gets him very close to finished copy very quickly. The process goes like this: Product: a drill bit Feature: constructed of carbon steel Why: carbon steel never wears out Benefit: The last drill bit you'll ever buy. Dimensionalized Benefit: You can save up to $75 a year in broken drill bits... hours of unnecessary trips to the hardware store... and hundreds of dollars in lost income! Another example: Product: a dental service Feature: a TV in every exam room Why: more comfortable for the patient, and helps time pass more quickly Benefit: Your appointment is over before you know it! Dimensionalized Benefit: Great for fidgety kids: The time zips by. In fact, just last week, littlie Jimmy asked if he could stay longer. I use a similar process. If you're familiar with the American Writers & Artists Inc. copywriting program, you know it. Mine is Product, Feature, Benefit, and Deeper Benefit. As in: Product: perma-tee for golfers Feature: made of handsome, unbreakable plastic Benefit: You only need one. Deeper Benefit: Other golfers will admire you. I like digging out the deeper benefit because it reminds you of what is really motivating the customer. In this case, you recognize that golf is a competitive game on many levels, including "Who has the latest gizmo." But I also like Clayton's technique of dimensionalizing the benefit, because that gives you instantly usable copy. In this case: "Wooden tees are expensive! I save enough money every year for a free round of golf. Plus, I don't have the clutter of extra tees in my pocket. Not only that, my perma-tee is distinctive. My golfing buddies are always asking about it." Get the best of both techniques by combining them: Start with Feature. Go to Benefit. Go to Deeper Benefit. And then Dimensionalize! Investor's Daily Edge analyst Ted Peroulakis has just come back from a trip to South America. He's normally a pretty grounded guy. But this trip turned him into a raving enthusiast. The country he's raving about? Brazil. Ted and his wife spent a few days on a sugar plantation, visiting friends. "Huge tracts of land are reserved for agriculture, and Brazil has some of the best farmland in the world. We drove around in an ethanol-fueled car. The ethanol comes from processed sugar." The cities impressed Ted as much as the countryside. The restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and malls were bustling. "The air of optimism is amazing. There's a feeling that Brazil's economy is over the hump, and they're never looking back." Brazil is the "B" in the "BRIC" countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries -- the fastest-growing economies in the world. Until recently, Brazil was considered the weakest of the four, Ted says. But not anymore. Brazil's middle class is smaller than China's, but much more affluent. Like Russia, Brazil is resource-rich -- but it is not nearly as dependent on oil and arms exports. (In fact, a recent discovery may soon make Brazil an oil-surplus country.) And while India has a larger population than Brazil, it is constrained by greater overall poverty. Brazil is the largest country in South America, and has the world's eighth-largest economy. It also boasts some great manufacturing companies, including jet-maker Embraer and steelmaker Gerdau. Ted loves Brazil's natural resources, agricultural production, offshore oil potential, growing middle class, and expanding industrial base. Brazil is now the king of the BRIC countries, he says enthusiastically, and will continue its reign for years to come. Ted recommended a Brazilian Exchange Traded Fund, trading under the symbol EWZ, in April. His position is up 74 percent so far. And then, last Thursday, he recommended a call option on Brazil in his Options Power Trader. That one is already up 43 percent. "Things are popping," he says. Ted's fellow analysts at IDE share his enthusiasm for Brazil. And they are working on ways to profit from it. You can read about them in Sound Profits. But don't wait too long to get in on this rising tide. Brazil made the front cover of The Economist a few weeks ago. That means mainstream investors may start streaming into this opportunity -- and pushing up prices. You may have heard about the risks associated with impotence drugs. The FDA has received reports about men suffering heart attacks or losing their vision after taking them. The percentage of users affected is very small. But blindness is pretty serious. Hardly a "minor" side effect. I have known the embarrassment of impotence. It's not something I'd like to experience on a regular basis. But rushing to drugs is never a wise first move when it comes to your health. In a conversation with Total Health Breakthroughs' Managing Editor, Jon Herring, I discovered another reason to be cautious about the little blue pills. Jon said that impotence is often a sign of poor circulation. And that could be a significant factor in heart disease. The first thing you should do about poor circulation, Jon said, is exercise. Studies have shown that men who burn at least 200 calories a day through exercise are less likely to become impotent. Not only does exercise improve circulation, it increases testosterone and reduces fat -- all of which will improve sexual performance. So start with that. And then explore the many natural substitutes for impotence drugs. You'll be healthier for it, and happier. And that happiness will carry over to your partner. There are numerous benefits in owning your own business... Being financially free Reduced stress Getting rid of your boss Having more control over your life Doing something you care about Needless to say, these are the benefits of a well-lived life. And if you are reading this and thinking, "I could use more of those benefits," why not consider a home-based side business to get yourself on a positive path? There are dozens and dozens of side businesses you can start from your kitchen table. ETR contributor Paul Lawrence is a specialist at shoestring start-ups. He's had success in all sorts of enterprises. But these days, he is concentrating on information publishing and marketing his books and reports on the Internet. "That is the cheapest way to go, by far," he says. I, too, am a proponent of information publishing because of its modest cash requirements, ease of acquiring products, and suitability to direct marketing (the best selling method for the would-be entrepreneur). But the best thing about it is that everything -- from marketing to sales (and follow-up sales) to the ordering process to customer communication -- can be automated from the very beginning. The tools and services available to home start-ups today are absolutely amazing. Once you get going with an Internet-based business, you can rely on a steady stream of income, for which you really have to do nothing more than make sure your website doesn't blow up from too much business. Whether you want to eventually quit your job and ride the money train or keep working at what you do and collect extra income, an Internet business can meet your needs. There are many good programs that will teach you Internet marketing and information publishing. But the best one I know of is ETR's own Internet Money Club. Director Brian Edmondson takes you from start up to a fully functioning -- and profitable -- online business. He shows you how to match your passion to a market that you can actually make money from. Then he teaches you the same marketing strategies that Agora and Early to Rise use to build a customer list. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to IMC. For the rest of the story, go here. With Christmas right around the corner, it would be nice to think that our economy will bounce back next year. Yes, it would be nice. And, indeed, some pundits are hopeful. The retail numbers for October were better than projected. Saks was in the black. Nordstrom's increased sales by 6.5 percent. Neiman Marcus's sales were down 6 percent, but that was a huge improvement over the 16-25 percent drops they had been experiencing. Why the pickup? Here's Andy Gordon's take: "People are already getting into the holiday spirit. "This is, after all, the one time of the year when we have a built-in excuse to buy. Sales have been suppressed for about a year. There's lots of pent-up demand out there. "But my wife's two favorite stores -- Target and Costco -- saw sales go down. When Saks does better than those two, I get nervous. Where did all the frugalistas go?" Andy notes that the less-than-affluent haven't been rushing to buy. Will Christmas lure them back? The holiday spirit, combined with lots of deep discounts, will certainly help. But I'm not optimistic. As I've mentioned before, every small businessperson I know is still cutting costs, firing employees, and singing the blues. College graduates are not finding work. Strip malls are closing and boutiques in malls are disappearing fast. The financial press continues to tout the end of the recession, but I don't see it. I'd short the retail market if I were an investor. But what do I know? Relationship Advice? We often hear from readers that our business advice can be applied in other areas. Here's what one had to say: "Just to say I very much enjoy Early to Rise. And although not quite ready to start my business, I find much that is insightful in these newsletters. Often the business advice can be applied to relationships, too, especially this one about being prepared to be wrong without feeling you are human waste!" S.S. What about you? Do you apply the advice in ETR in unexpected or unusual ways? Let us know at AskETR@ETRFeedback.com. [Ed. Note: Michael Masterson welcomes your questions and comments. Send him a message at AskMichael@ETRFeedback.com.]
© 2009 Early to Rise, LLC.
NOTE: If URLs do not appear as live links in your e-mail program, please cut and paste the full URL into the location or address field of your browser. Disclaimer: Early to Rise only recommends products that we've either personally checked out ourselves, or that come from people we know and trust. For doing so, we receive a commission. We will never recommend any product that does not have a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized Financial Advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized Financial Advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here. To contact us, please visit... http://www.supportatetr.com/helpdesk To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

[VIDEO] how to get 734,185 visitors to your site, FREE!

Hey, what's happening?

A couple of weirdo underground guys who i've never
heard of before have just shown me a CRAZY VIDEO that
shows them pulling in 734,185 visitors into their
website, all completely for FREE (with zero advertising
costs)!

SEE THE PROOF VIDEO & HOW TO GET FREE TRAFFIC YOURSELF HERE:

==> http://www.SharingProfitStrategies.com/?rd=bl63cmsz

=========================
SCREW PAYING FOR TRAFFIC!
=========================

They went on to tell me that ARTICLE MARKETING is
still an amazingly effective way to get HIGHLY
*targeted visitors* to your website without paying
for traffic...


The only problem with writing articles is that it
takes a HUGE amount of time to write all those articles..


..and unless you LOVE writing more than anything else
in the world, it's quickly going to become a giant
energy suck on your time, dragging you down into
a pit of total burnout... (when you could be watching
America's Got Talent on TV or cliping your toenails)


If only there was a way to automate this vitally
important but really boring task...


WELL NOW THERE WILL BE!..

==> http://www.SharingProfitStrategies.com/?rd=bl63cmsz

================================================
These guys, Adeel Chowdhry and Bobby Walker, have
just announced "MASS ARTICLE CONTROL" to the world,
and it contains, 'FREE TRAFFIC GETTING' SOFTWARE!


Software 1: Mass Article Creator
Software 2: Mass Article Submitter


* Limited copies are being released!

==> http://www.SharingProfitStrategies.com/?rd=bl63cmsz

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

You can churn out up to 1000 articles or more
with a few mouse clicks (push button)... and this is
HIGH-QUALITY content, not the barely readable
crap that typical "article spinners" cough out...


Plus, you have complete freedom to use the built-in
options, or you can add your own words and phrases
anytime you like, AND it allows you to also create
NICHE SPECIFIC *categories* which will contain keywords
and synonyms for your TARGET AUDIENCE - since different
words mean different things depending on the market
you are talking to.

..and Mass Article creator also LEARNS as you use
it... since it was built using the state-of-the-art
artificial intelligence technology!


They tell me it took them SIX MONTHS and around
$48k in development costs to create these tools..


Mass Article Submitter will then SUBMIT your articles
to the TOP ARTICLE DIRECTORIES automatically for you
at a push of a single button!!


==> http://www.SharingProfitStrategies.com/?rd=bl63cmsz


It's so good it's almost scary!


There's nothing to buy, just WATCH this video that
shows HARD PROOF that you can get nearly a MILLION
visitors to your website for FREE, just by doing
Article Marketing (would never have believed it
myself until I saw the proof)!


==> http://www.SharingProfitStrategies.com/?rd=bl63cmsz


anyways, who in their right mind would refuse
FREE TRAFFIC? not me that's for sure since
TRAFFIC = MONEY, ..as if you didn't know that
already.


Later,


Glen Brink
glenbrink@yahoo.com

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my Recommendations for work at home jobs
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my New MLM
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ETR: Off the Shelf or Custom?

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Issue No. 2821 - $1.00	Friday, November 27, 2009
How to Enjoy the Benefits of Contrary Thinking... Without Turning Into a Grumpy Old Bastard By Michael Masterson If you are (as I am) a contrary person, you may find yourself finding fault with every conventional idea you hear. When this becomes a habit, several good things will happen: You will develop an above-average ability to predict impending disaster. You will become skilled at solving problems. You will seldom be taken for a fool. But several bad things will happen too: Some people will not like you at all. Most people will regard you as interesting but difficult. At times, you won't like yourself. Here's a good way to enjoy the benefits of contrary thinking without the drawbacks... Before you voice your opinion (i.e., state your radical idea), ask yourself: "Do I like the person I am speaking with?" If so, muffle the clever comment and ask a few questions instead. Say, "That's very interesting. What brings you to that conclusion?" After your interlocutor has given you his reasons, you can gently deconstruct them. And then say, "I have an idea you might find amusing -- considering your perspective." Then state your idea. This way, you get the fun of being contrary without the collateral damage. (By the way, I don't actually do this. I have a friend who does. But it is something I am trying to learn how to do.) -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Our Thanksgiving Gift to ETR Readers: Cash in Your Pocket! Last year at about this time, ETR reader Julie B. said goodbye forever to her "day job." With ETR's help, she started an online real estate business. "I earned $500 my first month, $2,000 my second month, and $5,000 my third month," says Julie. Today, she's bringing in thousands of dollars each month. Then there's Matt. He used a little known Internet cash-producer to bring in $332,252. Using that same secret, another friend of ETR says he brings in "probably a hundred to a few hundred a month" and as much as $600 a month. "You know, it depends on the month," he says. We want you to enjoy the same kind of success these three are enjoying. That's why - as a special Thanksgiving gift - we want to offer you a deep discount on our top wealth- and business-building programs. You can get the programs in our "Thanksgiving Wealth Collection" for up to 52% off their regular price. Any one of these programs could help you add $500 to $5,000 or more to your monthly income by this time next year.  Hurry - this sale ends Monday, November 30, at 5:00 pm sharp. "Economy is in itself a great source of revenue." Seneca Cutting to Standard Sizes By David Cross My friend RP, a licensed building contractor, helped me build some shelves in my garage. Had I done it myself, I'd have fitted the shelves to the exact space of 16 feet, 9 inches. But RP said wood comes in 8-foot lengths. And by making the shelves 16 feet long, I would save money, eliminate waste, and cut down on the time it would take. "We're not building a piano," she said. "Just use standard sizes." This got me thinking. A majority (and I really do mean more than 90 percent) of people who start an Internet business believe that their idea is so unique that every aspect of it needs to be customized. That includes paying someone to create a website logo and design, and having a programmer write new software. Programmers love this trend among Internet entrepreneurs, especially if the client has only a vague idea of what they want. Whether it be a website, content-management system, shopping cart, e-mailing system, or some whizz-bang application to send text messages to your customers... you can get it customized and programmed. But you'll pay through the nose, to be sure. Every week, I hear of people spending money on custom programming. And, for the most part, they don't need to. If you are just starting out, you definitely don't need to. What can you use instead? Off-the-shelf solutions! Are You a Custom Snob? We'd all love to believe that our business idea is so special that it needs to be developed from scratch. But, basically, your online business is pretty much like everyone else's. It boils down to winning and retaining customers. ETR's parent company, Agora Inc., got to $20+ million in online sales before they even thought about customizing their order system. And it was not until they got to $100+ million in online sales that they took the next step in their software evolution. So focus on marketing, use what's out there, and stop wasting time. Custom software, by the way, suffers from a major weakness. It's written for you. So only you and your people can test it. And with only a few people testing it, the chances of failure are greatly increased. And keep in mind that most things that we think matter in business really don't. A logo, for example, is something most Internet businesspeople deem a must. But (without looking) can you remember the Early to Rise logo? Do you like it? Does it factor into your purchasing decisions? I can hear you scoffing at what I'm saying here, because your idea really is unique. It's a new type of travel booking service aimed at CEOs who play golf in Scotland, then ski in Italy, and then go salmon fishing in Norway. There's nothing else like it. Yes, but... it's your marketing that will differentiate your service from all the others out there and make it work, not your software. I'll bet the most widely used travel software platform out there has 90 percent of what you need. And 90 percent of what you need when you are starting out is very good. So use that, and focus on getting 100 percent of your marketing right. $20 to Start Your Online Business You can start your online business for almost nothing. Other than spending a few bucks for Web hosting (less than $10/month) and $10 a year for a domain name, you are good to go. Most Web hosting companies allow you to install a free, powerful content-management system, like Wordpress or Drupal. (You can do it with just a few clicks.) Then skip hiring a Web designer and go with one of the free or low-cost (less than $100) theme templates for Wordpress or Drupal. It may take you a couple of days the first time you do it, but it can give you a kick-ass, custom look and feel website... for a fraction of the price. (Using these systems, I can now set up a great website in less then four hours.) Setting up a shopping cart can be confusing, even for experienced e-commerce folk. But when you're just starting out, you can "rent" one for $35 to $100 a month from companies like 1ShoppingCart.com, Volusion.com, or Yahoo Commerce. And you can use Paypal's shopping cart for free -- and start selling online immediately. For $20 or less a month, you can have an e-mail autoresponder system (core to many online businesses) with a service like Get Response, AWeber, or Constant Contact. And if you wish to run list-management software on your own server, there are two great free programs: Subscribe Me or PHPList. One reason people give for going with custom programming is that they want to be able to have a "membership" website, integrating usernames and passwords. But even that is something that can be automated inexpensively by using software such as AMember, Membergate, Visiongate, Memberstar, or EasyMemberPro. Why Starting a Business on a Shoestring Is a Good Thing Some years back, before the Internet was around, I consulted with a nonprofit organization that never had any money for marketing. So I had to use PR and other free and extremely low-cost techniques. What a fantastic learning experience that was -- figuring out how to build a business with nothing! When you're starting out online, you don't need to fork over a king's ransom for software or programming -- and you shouldn't. For one thing, you've no idea whether your idea is going to work. If you spend money on custom features, only to discover that you have no customers, that money is down the drain. Second, I know of many websites that bring in upward of $500,000 a year, but almost to nothing to produce or maintain. And, finally, using prebuilt software will have you up and running in a fraction of the time. Free and dirt-cheap software is out there. Start using it. [Ed. Note: Using off-the-shelf software is just one of the many tips, strategies, and techniques David Cross shares each week in his Internet Rant newsletter. For even more off-the-cuff advice from this expert Internet consultant, go here.] -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- $2.3 Trillion Floats by You Every Year - Billions of dollars flow right by you every month. These are real dollars -- cash that you can tap into. But the problem is, they are invisible. You've seen all the products and ads. But you don't know which are working and which are not. The profit opportunities in this $2.3 trillion industry are enormous. Here's how to tap into them starting immediately: Management Tip: Track the Performance of Your Workers... and Publish the Results By Michael Masterson In my experience, nothing motivates people more than tracking their productivity and posting the results for all to see. And technology is readily available to track the performance of customer-service reps, data-input operators, salespeople, and the like. You don't want to surprise them, of course. That would do more harm than good. Tell them that the productivity reports will be published and when. The rest -- their motivation and hard work -- will happen automatically. The people at the top will be motivated to stay at the top. Most of the people at lower levels will work harder to succeed. Some will be demoralized by the process. Give them a chance to improve. If they don't, sayonara. Time-Zone Trouble By Michael Masterson Good sleep is essential for good health and personal productivity. But when you travel between time zones (as I often do), it is difficult to get. If jet travel knocks you out, here are some of the things I do that I'd recommend: Don't drink alcohol on the plane. Eat light. And don't watch TV or a movie. Take melatonin (in spray form, if you can get it) an hour before you want to fall asleep on the plane -- which should be as soon as you possibly can. Take a nap when you arrive, but don't sleep for more than two or three hours. That is more than enough to give you enough energy to be productive throughout the rest of the local workday, yet not so much that it prevents you from being tired enough to go to sleep on local time. Don't smoke or have caffeine (cola, coffee, chocolate) less than six hours before you want to go to sleep. An hour before bedtime, take some more melatonin. Pull the blinds so the room will be nice and dark for as long as you want to sleep in the morning. Set an alarm clock and back it up with a wake-up call so you don't lose sleep worrying about whether you'll wake up at the right time. What to Do When You Lose Your Creative Mojo By Michael Masterson All creative people get stuck now and then. Writers have writer's block. Painters have painter's block. Even marketers and CEOs will admit that they sometimes "haven't got a clue." And if your financial future depends on generating ideas, this can be downright scary. I used to have mornings when I'd sit down to write an ETR essay and realize that I had nothing to say. The thought that half a million people were waiting to hear something from me made it worse. My instinct was to close my laptop and come back to it another day. But I can't do that. So I've developed a routine, of sorts, that might work for you. First, I try to stimulate my mind by reading bits and pieces of stuff I've clipped and saved. Sometimes, I simply read quotations. If that doesn't work, I get up and walk around my writing studio or do some calisthenics. And if that doesn't work, I sit my butt back down and start to write – even if the writing feels lame. What I get for my persistence is not usually great stuff. But it's something. So then I take another break and think about what I'm doing. I ask two questions: What is the core idea I'm trying to express? What is the best way to introduce that idea? With a story? A fact? A statement? This almost always helps me zero in on something worth writing. The process of pushing through becomes a habit that gets more effective with each passing day. I can't remember the last time I was blocked completely. Try it. Let me know if this works for you. Latest News So it's the day after Thanksgiving. Are you hitting the mall? Or are you doing a lot of shopping online? If so, you're not alone. According to a survey from MarketLive, 55 percent of shoppers plan to do their holiday shopping online this year. That's up from 49 percent last year. And 26 percent of shoppers plan to purchase more gifts via the Internet, compared to 21 percent in 2008. What's it all mean? Internet business is alive and kicking -- and growing -- as offline retailers suffer. Are you ready to take advantage of that trend? The Internet Money Club can help... "Michael, "I wanted to tell you that my wife Rosie and I learned several things at ETR's Bootcamp that we will be implementing in our business. And that there are a couple of ideas we will need some help with in order to implement those things. But I'm sure the staff at ETR will be able to answer all our questions. "I look forward to meeting you again and possibly working on something in the future." Gilbert Flores -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended----------------------------------------------------- $4,000-an-hour "Internet Guru to the Gurus" agrees to reveal his most powerful moneymaking secret Not long ago, a well-known online entrepreneur of our acquaintance was making $10,000 to $15,000 a month. He was happy with that... until he met the "Internet Guru to the Gurus," who told him he was doing something completely wrong. He made one simple change and his revenues soared. First they doubled. Then they doubled again. When he hit $180,000, he couldn't believe it. And yet the next month his revenues exceeded $300,000! Twelve months later, he was bringing in over $1 MILLION a month! Now you can get the same valuable advice from the Internet Guru to the Gurus. What's more, you can start using his secrets right away. Find out all about it (and the Thanksgiving discount) here... The Language Perfectionist: A Gallimaufry of Gaffes By Don Hauptman Below, another batch of interesting mistakes, all found recently in major newspapers: A Pentagon spokesman on unneeded planes: "We've always frowned upon earmarks and additives that are above and beyond what we ask for." An additive is a substance, usually a chemical, that's combined with another substance. The right word here is addition. "Are we telling young adults it is alright to waste half their lives in a drug stupor and somehow it will magically work out?" Notwithstanding the widespread use of alright in popular culture (The Kids Are Alright), the correct expression is all right. It's two words, not one. Notes Garner's Modern American Usage, an excellent style guide: "Alright for all right has never been accepted as standard in American English." "Demi Lovato... and Selena Gomez... are paired together for this comedy." This is a classic redundancy. The word paired tells us that the actresses are co-stars, so together should be omitted. "Mr. Bowman, 47, appears to have crossed some unspoken line with his $400,000 in student debt and penalties, accumulated over many years." The problem here is a misused metaphor. The line the writer figuratively cites isn't "spoken," but rather is like a line on a map or one drawn in the sand. "Sadly, there is a ton of good country music, but it is not being played on radio stations." This writer is guilty of a misplaced modifier that contradicts his meaning. The mistake is easily repaired by moving the adjective: "There is a ton of good country music but, sadly, it is not being played on radio stations." [Ed Note: For more than three decades, Don Hauptman was an award-winning independent direct-response copywriter and creative consultant. He is author of The Versatile Freelancer, an e-book that shows writers and other creative professionals how to diversify their careers into speaking, consulting, training, and critiquing.] We want your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on today's issue. Email us at: AskETR@ETRFeedback.com
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Copyright © 2009 Early to Rise, LLC. NOTE: If URLs do not appear as live links in your e-mail program, please cut and paste the full URL into the location or address field of your browser. Disclaimer: Early to Rise only recommends products that we've either personally checked out ourselves, or that come from people we know and trust. For doing so, we receive a commission. We will never recommend any product that does not have a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized Financial Advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized Financial Advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here. To contact us, please visit... http://www.supportatetr.com/helpdesk To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

Grateful for More Than Just...

Dear ETR Reader - Many people reading this note may be grateful for surviving the recession with their savings intact. For having a few extra dollars to spend on holiday gifts this December. For having a job. These are certainly worthy of gratitude - especially this year. But I want you to start thinking ahead to next year's Thanksgiving. It is my deepest hope that you'll be giving thanks for some exciting changes that occurred during 2010. Picture yourself at the table next November 25... offering your thanks for: The second stream of income that's sending $500 to $5,000 bucks into your bank account each week... A totally autopilot online business that brings in enough cash to pay your rent each month... The $25,000... $50,000... or even $100,000 or more you've added to your current business... Finally being able to leave your current job behind... Run your own six- or seven-figure Internet business... work on your own terms... do something you love... and make money doing it! If you think a year isn't time enough for this kind of "miracle" to happen, consider Julie's story. Last year at about this time, she said goodbye forever to her "day job" and started an online real estate business. Her first month, she earned $500. She brought in $2,000 the second month. And by month 3, she was making $5,000. Today, she's bringing in thousands of dollars each month.. Now, I have no doubt that this could happen for you. With enough willpower and drive, you could do it all by yourself. But in honor of Thanksgiving... I'd like to help you out. I've put together a special "Thanksgiving Wealth Collection" just for ETR readers. This is a collection of 7 of ETR's top wealth- and business-building programs. You can get them for up to 52% off the full price. Read all about what we're packing into this Thanksgiving Wealth Collection right here. And make sure you act right away - this sale ends Monday, November 30, at 5:00 pm sharp. Next Thanksgiving could be the year you say "I'm thankful for all the extra cash in my wallet!" Don't put your chance at building real wealth off a minute longer. Get ETR's deeply discounted Thanksgiving Wealth Collection right here. Happy Thanksgiving! Jessica Kurrle Associate Publisher, Early to Rise                           You are receiving this e-mail as a part of your subscription to Early to Rise. Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized financial advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular investment situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. We expressly forbid our writers from having a financial interest in any security recommended to our readers. All of our employees and agents must wait 24 hours after on-line publication or 72 hours after the mailing of printed-only publication prior to following an initial recommendation. Any investments recommended in this letter should be made only after consulting with your investment advisor and only after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company. _____ To unsubscribe from Early to Rise and any associated external offers, Click here To cancel or for any other subscription issues, write us at: Order Processing Center Attn: Customer Service PO Box 7835 Delray Beach, Florida 33482

ETR: Are You Out of Balance?

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Issue No. 2820 - $1.00	Thursday, November 26, 2009
10 Little Things I'm Thankful For By Michael Masterson It's Thanksgiving. So let's be thankful. Later in this issue, we'll talk about the big things to be grateful for. But let's start with some little things. These are 10 of mine: 1. Padron Aniversarios -- simply the best cigar in the world. I prefer the naturals, which are medium-bodied. They have a superb taste. They draw perfectly. They are balanced from light puff to nub. 2. The New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Monday's are for morons. Tuesday's are for twits. From Wednesday to Friday, they are lots of fun. Saturdays are deadly. And Sunday's are best on the front porch, looking out at the ocean, puffing on a Padron. 3. Bocce Ball on Saturday afternoon. Six friends. Six years. Trash talking. Competition and, yes, cigars. 4. Golf, my new hobby/addiction. What is it about swinging the driver? It begins as a graceful, athletic movement and ends up as a sort of demonic exorcism. 5. Graciella's coffee in the morning. 6. Everything I've gotten rid of this year. Countless shirts and ties and pants dating back to the 1970s. Books so bad I couldn't get past the first five pages. Exercise equipment bought on impulse but never used (including a pair of platform sneakers that promised to increase the size of my calves). 7. That I am in the same "weight class" as K. The weight class I'm referring to is the 100-to-200-pound class. Admittedly, I weigh 198 and she weighs 116. But, as I remind her, "We are in the same ballpark." 8. That, after 59 years, I still have hair where I want it... on top of my head and not coming out of my ears. 9. The fun I have when phone salesmen call me. ("I don't believe in cable television. It is the creation of the devil. Are you the devil's emissary?" Silence. "Answer me!" Click.) 10. Did I mention cigars? -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- The Simple Six-Figure Marketing Strategy Paul Lawrence spent less than $100 to start his first small business. He used just one marketing strategy to go after prospects. Soon he had so many customers – he could hire an employee to do the actual work while he focused on getting new accounts. He used his marketing strategy again... and almost instantly he was grossing $4,000 a month. The people he sold the business to (so he could finish college), used the same marketing strategy and are making $100,000 a year. Paul's strategy is available now. And because of ETR's Thanksgiving Sale, you can get it half-price until Monday at 5 p.m. Don't wait. Check out Paul's program here... "Balance is key: I need to be successful in my career to feel fulfilled, be surrounded by people I care about to share it with, and have my health to be able to do the things I love to do!" Kiana Tom What Do You Want Your Life to Look Like? By Bob Cox During my early business career, I was a terrific insurance salesman. Every year, I would sell more and more. Every year, I would accumulate more and more. Every year, I would send my wife, Karin, and her mother on fabulous trips I won by exceeding sales goals. Karin and Doe went to Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, California's wine country, and other great destinations. Karin would return with pictures, gifts, and souvenirs. Doe would always send notes of appreciation and thanks. I thought all was well. I was wrong! Karin would come home and say, "Bob, I wish you could have been there." I didn't realize that this was a hint that I should have been there. Let me explain... There are times when doing too much inhibits your success. Coming from me -- a proponent of constantly taking action to achieve your goals -- that may surprise you. But what I mean by it is that taking too much action in only one area upsets the balance of your whole life! It was about 10 years ago that I woke up one day and said to myself, "Something is wrong with this picture (my life)." Sure, I had lots of financial success. And, thanks to Karin, a good marriage (in my mind, that is). So why wasn't I feeling satisfied? I mean, who wouldn't want a beautiful home, nice cars, fancy clothes, good health, a great income -- and the ability to send their spouse (and her mother) on extravagant vacations? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn't happy. I had to ask myself the hard question: "Whose fault is that, Bob?" And guess what my answer was? I couldn't avoid the obvious... it was MINE! I had expended so much time and energy in pursuit of financial stability that even when I achieved my financial goal, I kept on going. My work was driven by results: Make the sale, add more clients, expand the business... all with the goal of increasing revenue. The more I did it, the better I became, which reinforced a natural inclination to continue. I was like one of those hamsters that can't stop running on the spinning wheels in their cages. So right then and here, I created an action plan to stop spinning my wheel. I had gotten so caught up in my financial goals that my life simply had no balance. It was all discipline (work pursuits) and no enjoyment (fun pursuits) or compassion (considering other people's needs). I'd often be asked to go play a round of golf (should be a fun pursuit) and would politely decline. After all, that would mean I would be out of the office most of the day. How could I even consider such a thing? And don't even ask me to go on vacation. That definitely wasn't going to happen. It was clear that I had to refocus some of my time, energy, and talents. Easier said then done. What you do to achieve success in one area of your life doesn't necessarily translate to the other important areas of your life. Being a star athlete, brilliant entrepreneur, or wonderful parent is fantastic. The danger lies in becoming addicted to the "rush" of fame, wealth, or applause. Little room is left to nurture the other facets of YOU. However, as with every success technique... a little practice makes all the difference. At the top of my new life action plan was to ask Karin where she would like to go for a vacation. When I did, she looked surprised and asked, "You mean with you, Bob?" You guessed it... during my epiphany, I finally took into consideration ways I could spend more time with Karin doing what she wanted to do. Off we went for two weeks in Las Vegas. I also took up golf in earnest. And though I am not very good at it, it gives me an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the camaraderie of others. I learned to fly an airplane (a boyhood dream), which gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment that far surpasses any of the successes I achieved in business. And I continue to spend more time with Karin -- doing things she wants to do. Okay. Your turn. I propose that you make a conscious and deliberate decision to do what I did. Assess where you are now and how your life looks to you. Pay attention to the hints your loved ones offer. If you find, as I did, that your life is unbalanced, figure out what you have to do to "fan the flames of success" in the areas you've been ignoring. It might mean signing up for that foreign language course you've been wanting to take... scheduling that cruise your spouse has been talking about... or noting your children's soccer games in your weekly planner -- and making the commitment to be there. When you begin assigning things like these the priority they deserve -- and experience the joy they bring -- it will reinforce your willingness to keep making life-balancing decisions. List three life-balancing actions that you can take TODAY: 1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. _________________________________ And make doing this a "must do" part of your weekly schedule. P.S. Achieving balance while still achieving your most valued goals is just one of the factors that make you truly successful and your life worth living. In my program, The Billionaire in You, I give you dozens of strategies to help you get all you want out of life. Find out more about it here. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- Got It All? - You're grateful for what you have in life... but you still want more, right? More success. The ability to provide your family with financial freedom. And you really want to enjoy retirement. An early retirement, at that. But how are you going to get there? Do you have a plan? Bob Cox does... A Good Way to Take a Nap on Thanksgiving By Michael Masterson Sit back on a comfortable couch. Close your eyes and count your blessings, big and small. But don't generalize. Don't think, "I am thankful for my health." Instead, think, "I am thankful that my lungs are working fine, that I have no cancer in my bones"... that kind of thing. Do the same for each of your material blessings... all the treasured possessions you enjoy. Then try to think of all the things you should be thankful for that you don't even realize are blessings. Maybe the electricity that runs your air conditioner, the fuel that keeps you warm in winter, the animals and plants that feed you... Randy Gage, the marketing guru and motivational speaker, said he did this and was shocked by how many things he had to be thankful for. He kept going until he fell asleep. Then, after napping for an hour, he woke up with further thanks. He said it was the best nap of his life. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- This Miracle Substance Protects Against Diabetes... Stops Heart Disease Before It Starts... and Kills Cancer Cells on Contact. So, Why Haven't You Heard About It? Talk about miracle cures. This substance has the power to prevent diabetes. It stops heart disease before it starts. And it kills cancer cells on contact. In fact, this substance has been shown to prevent and treat more than 20 major diseases! However, more than 85% of the population doesn't have enough of it -- at least part of the year. And to make matters worse, the media has ignorantly advised people to avoid this life-giving miracle cure! Click here to learn why you probably haven't heard about this revolutionary discovery. It's Time to Count Your Real Blessings By Michael Masterson I opened this issue by looking at the little things to be thankful for today. Now, let's get serious... Be thankful for your wealth. You haven't hit the Forbes list. But you have enough money to put clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and food in your stomach. "The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts," H.U. Westermayer reminds us. "No Americans have been more impoverished than these, who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." However meager your financial assets are now, they greatly exceed those of the great majority of the world's population. Say "thank you" for that. Be thankful for your health. You have aches. You have pains. You may have illness and infirmity. But you also have time every day when you can enjoy yourself and the company of the people you love and are loved by. Say "thank you" for that. Be thankful for having the wisdom to recognize and appreciate your greatest blessings: The gift of a conscious life Your health (See above.) The love you share with the people you cherish The power of your mind -- the immense and unfettered potential to choose your thoughts Your work -- the value you find in what you do and the good you create from it Latest News Happy Thanksgiving! All of us here at ETR hope you are enjoying the holiday with family and friends. And we want to know: What are you especially thankful for on this day? Let us know at AskETR@ETRFeedback.com. "Great issue. "The last few have come at a time when I needed them most! Thanks for helping me to keep on keeping on. "My warmest wishes to all involved for a wonderful holiday season." T.M. -----------------------------------------------------Highly Recommended ----------------------------------------------------- A Surprise on the Table for NEXT Thanksgiving... Picture yourself 12 months from now... Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner in 2010... You're thankful for food on your table and family and friends. But you're also grateful for much more... Perhaps it's the second stream of income that's sending $500 to $5,000 bucks into your bank account each week... Or perhaps the $25,000... $50,000... or even $100,000 or more you've added to your current business... Or maybe you give thanks for finally being able to leave your current job behind... run your own six- or seven-figure Internet business... work on your own terms... do something you love... and make money doing it! ETR can help you make that Thanksgiving dream a reality. We've put together a special "Thanksgiving Wealth Collection": 7 of ETR's top wealth- and business-building programs for up to 52% off the full price. Any one of these programs could help you add $500 to $5,000 or more to your monthly income by this time next year.  But act fast. These deep discounts end Monday at 5:00 pm. Today's Words That Work: Epiphany An Epiphany (ih-PIF-uh-nee) -- from the Greek for "to appear" -- is a sudden insight. Example (as used by Bob Cox today): "During my epiphany, I finally took into consideration ways I could spend more time with Karin doing what she wanted to do." We want your feedback! Let us know your thoughts on today's issue. Email us at: AskETR@ETRFeedback.com
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