Over the weeked we launched our brand new VIP Mastermind event and it was a cracking success. So much so that we are thinking about having one more this year on December 10th. Now normally I would not dream about having something like this so close to Christmas, as most people just aren't interested, but then I thought about it some more - this is a VIP Mastermind! I am looking only for the select few, so I don't WANT most people to be interested.
During the day, Avi our head Forex Trader arrived driving a Bentley with his surname on the number plate. Well he is 23 years old so why not enjoy it - you know what they say? Youth is wasted on the young. It's funny to see all these 60 year olds with their younger dolly birds in their flash car trying to recapture their youth. Don't get me wrong, that might well be me one day, but that's not my point - my point is, why not do it immediately if you can.
Avi then showed me a poster which read,
"You are the sum total of 6 billion years of evolution - "£$£*ing act like it!"
I love it! How true is that?
When I think about the recent riots and the mob mentality that went with it - is that the sum total of 6 billion years of evolution? And a bit closer to home, how about my own habits? Why can I not say "No" when presented with a tempting cake or sweet after a meal?
Why do I allow myself to get sucked into watching TV - OK I have been getting better since I last blogged about it, but why is it such a struggle? Knowing what to do is the easy bit - doing it is something entirely different.
The only way I know how to deal with these things is not to have them in the house in the first place, including TV. But the electronic baby-sitter is very useful when it come to the kids, so I guess it is here to stay for a few years yet.
Last night while going through some boxes I rediscovered a tip-sheet I used to subscribe to which talked about Micro-cap stocks (also called penny shares in UK) - the kind of companies that are supposed to be the leaders of the future due to their disruptive technologies.
I thought it would be fun to see how they did since 2005 when I subscribed to it.
Well the results were interesting - some of them had gone up four-fold, and some of them had been bought out and most of them went up by at least 20% at some stage or other. The key is not so much when to get in but when to get out. With micro-cap stocks it is a hairy ride to say the least. They are relatively thinly traded too and so this adds to the volatility.
I am going to do some more research into it but it seems to me the only way to make any money out of it is to buy long term call options - that way the maximum you can lose is 100% but it gives you enough time still be right and make a LOT more than 100%. As long as you don't put all your eggs into one basket, it would only take 1-2 good trades to make up for all the losses. And since it is very unlikely that micro-cap stocks have long term or LEAP options, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that as exciting as it is, micro-cap stocks investing is not for me.
Last week I revealed my new mantra for my own personal success - Focus, Discipline and Energy. This week I would like to discuss the importance of Energy. As the season changes, our central heating boiler starts to grind into action, the morning alarm goes off when it is still dark and we dig around for last year's favourite warm jumper..... our bodies and minds are making a big adjustment. It's a time of year that many people don't look forward to. The energy we need increases and I don't know about you, but I've realised that I may well need to focus on my energy levels more right now - because I'm going to need a bit extra.
That's beacuse it seems to me that you can be as focused and disciplined as you like - but if you are feeling tired or lethargic, or if it's cold and dark outside, it is a real challenge to keep focused, and get the tasks done, even if you really have to.
So I've been working on finding ways to turn down the volume the impending Autumn and Winter changes are making, and get some sunshine into my life!
Can you imagine a time when you were FULL of ENERGY? When you were raring to go, attacking a project with zest? Just think - are you more likely to enjoy the process, go the extra mile and is it more likely to be finished if you had more energy? The answer has to be a resounding, "Yes!". So this week, think about how you can cultivate more energy in your life.
Arguably energy is everything - imagine having all the success in the world, all the money in the world, but not being able to get out of bed.There are times when I have been studying stock charts for hours and having the time of my life, and there are times, when I am reading something and my eyes are closing and I could literally fall asleep right there and then.
So while it is different to health or fitness, it is extremely closely linked to both. Rather than go into a big lecture about drinking more water, juicing in the mornings, exercising, eating well etc., and then maybe not doing anything... or stocking up on artificial boosts such as energy drinks or caffeine, which will make things far worse, I would rather remind you to do what is logical for you.
If there was one thing you could do to have more energy what would it be? Take a few minutes now to brainstorm just a couple of things you could do for the next few weeks. Go on, give yourself that gift.
If you are a rugby fan, you may well be riding on the crest of the energy wave created by the success of the Welsh Rugby Team last week. They came agonisingly close to reaching the World Cup Final, but were beaten by France on Saturday by a single point. Do you think that the match Referee had a bit too much energy when he sent off Sam Warburton early on in the game - or was the Welsh Captain unfocused?
I don't want to start a sports debate .... I don't really follow rugby that much - though I used to play for Kent and scored 3 tries at Twickenham - but the build up to any good game is exactly the kind of energy I'm talking about.
Go ahead and take a few minutes now. The answer might surprise you. It might be sleeping MORE. It might be getting up from the computer every 90 mins and doing something away from your desk. It might be doing less of what you hate doing and more of what you enjoy doing.
If you want instant energy, then just do more of what you love to do. I believe that when you do the things you love to do, you suddenly have a helluva lot more energy. This should give you a clue about what you should be doing and not doing in life. Even if you have a goal in life and it means you are disciplined and focused, you have to allow yourself to do the things you enjoy doing. If you don't let the inner child out to play regularly, success will always escape you because that inner child or spirit will sabotage your success at the wrong moment.
Now imagine if you had too much fun, too much energy - and you ran riot without any focus at all? Are you asking yourself if this is possible? What if you ran on your adrenals and you went from one project to the next, never completing anything. You wouldn't achieve much on energy alone.
So the answer, as my mentor T Harv Eker says is, "Both!"
I just looked back at this description and basically described my daughter's playtime antics. Kids, where do they get all that energy from and HOW can we bottle it up and sell it? Melania is 2.5 years old and is a huge bundle of energy - but it is all over the place - and the wreckage of the playroom, with toys everywhere, is a sight to behold. Quite impressive.
I hope this blog has given you some food for thought. And talking of food, and giving you an example of focused energy, here is a picture of Melania and I making one of my favourite foods - home-cooked pizza.
As you know, we demerged our company a few months back and lost some key members of staff as a result. Investment Mastery has been recalibrating - we hired new people local to our new HQ and some former staff came back to work with us once more. Things are feeling good. We have our new trading rooms, which double up as a training room during the weekend, and Lisa Arthur is working with us full time once more as Marketing Manager - welcome back, Lisa.
It also means that my wife, Mudrika is now back in the business, taking care of operations and administration, although quite how she does it is beyond me. I am in awe of her. As an example, little Melania cried 16 times last night (thank goodness Sienna didn't wake) and still Mudrika is going into the office today. So, I have been given the opportunity to turn over a new leaf and pitch in much more around the house and with the girls . I am a firm believer that people don't change their inner self but they do grow incrementally.
Real dramatic change only happens if there is what Anthony Robbins calls a Significant Emotional Event (i.e. near death experience, someone close to you having an accident or during a structured, intense, emotional exercise at a personal development workshop). People have to have a big enough reason WHY to make a change.
My WHY for change is I want Mudrika to be really happy. 1, 2 , 3 ... aaaaaah. Also, I don't want to suffer the consequences of when she is not happy. So you see there are always two forces at work - Pain and Pleasure ... and Pain is by far the most powerful in the short term.
So to help out, I am focusing on 3 things - Focus, Energy and Discipline. It's my new mantra. So far things are going well - I spent the last 2 weekends clearing out the garage and it looks tidy and I feel great. I am helping around the house and doing my best to make Mudrika's life easier. I even helped with the Tesco shopping online last night. Hell, I even ordered my own shirts and shoes online (yes shoes!). Long may it last I say - and those around me are agreeing.
To maximise my energy levels I have started personal training in a vibro-gym (you know those plates that vibrate) and the work-outs have a high impact - boy could I feel it that same evening. Tennis is also going extremely well and I am really enjoying it am making some new friends at the Elstree tennis club.
My next focus is to discipline myself not to watching so many films - I watch a film a day. That probably seems a lot to many of you, but it is just a habit I have gotten into as I don't watch any regular TV. I am replacing it with learning about marketing, my former nemesis. I have never focused on marketing properly, but the demerger means that I need to focus on it and make it as fun as possible. And if not me then who; and if not now then when?
Life is what you make of it. The most exciting thing about it is that at any moment something could come along and change things for the better. I don't know whether you know but one of my hobbies is investing in start ups. I have been doing so since 2001. Some investments I have been involved in recently are looking extremely promising, with some big orders coming through.
Life is full of ups and down isn't it? I'm making the most of mine right now - and my mantra of focus, energy and discipline seems to be having the desired positive effect. As you are reading this, I wonder what you could do to make someone you care about happy? How could you do a bit more, for laughter and smiles?
Finally, I also think that it is the people you surround yourself with that makes the most difference. Environment is the most powerful force there is. Who are you surrounding yourself with?
As a graduate member, you can join me at our bi-monthly meeting (the next is November 20th) and I will share what I do to get focused and we will have a special guest speaker, all designed to help you on your journey to financial independence. Plus - you are surrounded by some extraordinary people, not just on my team, but other graduates too.
If you haven't yet met me, or the team, please join us on 29th October, at our introduction to trading and investing day - I look forward to meeting you. Click Here for More Details
Trader Making Waves On Live Television By Saying That The Savings Of Millions Are GoingTo Vanish
If you haven’t see the video of the trader Alessio Rastani making some pretty big waves on the BBC - LIVE, then now is your chance. It has been billed as a 'frank, jaw-dropping open opinion' about the current economic climate. I am going to say more about it in just a moment but first watch the video, then come back and read my thoughts.
The backlash to this video was amazing. He was hunted down, people went through his trash and found that he wasn’t even a trader, apparently he works for a seminar company in US and his bank account had $900 in it. But who knows? That could have been just one account of many.
What are your thoughts about the video? Click on the image to play - it's just 3 minutes.
I think that by nature, day traders are hunters and he was being very candid about this – although I don’t think he should have said that he lies awake at night hoping for a recession. Why would he do that? What he should have said was that as a trader, his job is to make money if markets go up or down and because he can make money faster when markets go down, he thinks and hopes that markets would come down a little bit more.
Those of you who have been a client of Investment Mastery will have heard me say what Alessio Rastani has now shared with the nation; that you can make money at any time, even when the markets are doing down, as long as you have a plan - and you need to start NOW.
He also told us that money can be made in a recession - and he mentioned that there was money made for many businesses in the 30's depression, and I would like to add more modern recession-successes such as Fedex, Microsoft, Burger King, Amazon, and Ebay. If you read news other than the main headlines, you will also see that smaller, more 'cottage industry' or 'community' businesses are flourishing too; there is a resurgence in social enterprise, local organic deliveries, and suchlike. The world is definately changing - and we need to change too.
So whatever you think about the video and the economic situation - you know that you really must take responsibility for your financial security. You can make money in any market - but you need a plan, follow up support, and you need to start NOW.
'Take A Trader Home' trial a massive success
Last week we trialled Investment Mastery's newest service: ‘Take a Trader Home’. This is where clients who have learned our Forex strategy can watch my No 1 Trader, Avi, trade live from their homes during 2 trading sessions a day. We traded 7 sessions in all that week. 14 people took part in the trial. Everyone made money – anywhere from 80 pips to 160 pips that week. Avi himself was up 8% on his entire portfolio. It was impressive and everyone asked for the service to be continued.
We are currently in discussions with Avi on whether it affected his trading (doesn’t look like it) and whether he wants to continue doing it, as it means he has to be at the computer all the time for the webinar (as opposed to being in bed in his pyjamas) :-)
This service, by its very nature can only be offered as an educational tool for people who have already learned the strategy. We do not want it to be seen as a tipping service or anything the FSA might disapprove of, so only graduates were invited as an additional educational service.
October Heatwave
Finally, as if the world's not crazy enough - I must mention what a glorious weekend it was - and it's October! I don't know about your area - but everywhere I went it seemed that people were celebrating and taking full avantage of the hottest October in 26 years! It was a barbecue day yesterday - and the smell of coals mixed with the sunshine was fantastic. Who doesn’t like a good barbecue? I hope that you managed to enjoy the weekend as well. Did you go to the beach? I can only imagine what it was like in Brighton - by the newspaper reports it was packed - but a lot of fun. I bet there were some businesses doing a roaring trade!
After our BBQ it was off to London in the evening to have dinner with Tax Liens guru Saen Higgins. He had just conducted his 2nd workshop in London and has plans to come back next year. More about that in another post.
Remember to let me know what you think of the video!
Within 1 week of opening up the trading rooms we have had over 70 traders come in to discuss a variety of current issues including Gold and Silver, Forex, short term trading to medium and long term investing.
Our man on the ground Phil is telling us that there is going to be a big move coming up soon but people who went to our Gold and Silver trading event have emailed in letting us know they are already 10% up. This is exciting stuff. Personally I am long on silver as it continues to creep up to its recent high of $50 (I bought in at $36). We are urging people to contact us before the big move occurs so that you are positioned to profit massively from it.
I am going to be sending out a thought piece tomorrow to let you know how I make good money out of one of my favourite stocks - I have several of them - in my ISA and also in my normal trading porfolio. Sure, Avi trades one of my pots on forex, but I like to keep my hand in with some medium term trading, a kind of mixture between trading and investing - I call it TradInvesting. It doesn't take a lot of time and it is all tax free. It is based on a strategy called pound cost averaging which I call Value Cost Averaging (VCA). So look out for that email.
We discussed having people coming into the trading rooms during the week and charging a nominal fee for the use of a desk, chair, internet and laptop if required. The great thing about this is the support mechanism and exchange of ideas between traders. People are responding to this because trading can be lonely. We know that trading is all about momentum - keeping up the momentum long enough until you finally get it. If you are interested, contact us at marcus@investment-mastery.com
We have taken down offer for our members-only site www.YourTradingClub.com and you cannot now get in online for another 6 months when we relaunch again. If you want access to all our trading and investing knowledge for £5 for a 14 day trial then let Dean know at info@investment-mastery.com as this is now the only way to get in. Please add a number and best time to call you back to your email. This is your last chance for 6 months.
That was just a quick update. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend at our 1 day Stocks, Forex, Gold extravaganza and then on Sunday I am talking about Productivity / Effectiveness at Daniel Wagner's event - more on that next week.
We are excited to announce the opening of our new suite of Trading Rooms. Trading and investing can be lonely and since most people like the interaction and fun of having other people around to share strategies, tips and techniques, the Trading Rooms are an ideal way for this to happen. The idea is for people to come in and trade during the week together with grads and traders. The Trading Rooms come fully equipped although you can bring your own laptop with you. The Rooms are located 3 mins walk from Elstree and Borehamwood station, and just off the M25 and A1. If you are a trader and want to trade with other traders, then please let me know at marcus@investment-mastery.com.
Gold and Silver Update
At the weekend we had our second Gold & Silver Club of London meet. Phil Carr discussed 3 strategies, including a short term and a long term one to take advantage of these precious metals. With the current bull market far from over, we are looking to make a lot of money over the next few months trading and investing in Gold and Silver. Personally I favour Silver because it is so much more volatile and has more trading opportunities. Don't wait to get into Gold & Silver - get into Gold & Silver and wait.
Graduate Meeting - Personal Effectiveness and Business Mastery
We had a great grad meeting with a talk about personal effectiveness followed by Pa Joof, Tony Robbins' trainer doing a training on Business Mastery and finally a graduate, Anthony Stavrinides, talking us through how he made £5,000 on spreadbetting binary bets. It was great to see the room packed out - thank you to all the graduates who attended.
Our top tips on personal effectiveness are:
1. Plan the day before so you can enjoy your evening and attack the plan first thing. This is part of a broader plan where you know where it is you want to go. All tasks should be taking you towards your goals, otherwise why are you doing them?
2. Always concentrate on the big £10,000 tasks first (not the 1 penny 'clearing email' tasks) also known as Brian Tracy's 'Eat that Frog' approach.
3. Remember that it is not possible to time manage, you can only manage yourself.
4. Ensure you win the Effectiveness game by dividing up your 'To do List' into 3 levels:
a. Minimum you have to do that day. You cannot go home until you have achieved these. Never have more than 3 things on this list to ensure you get home
b. Expected - 3 tasks that you expect to achieve today. Never have more than 3 tasks on this list
c. Outstanding - 3 tasks which if you did them would be amazing. Never have more than 3 tasks on there. The key is that you cannot start the Expected List until you have completed the Minimum list.
5. Manage your energy and take breaks when you need them. Know when your key productivity times are when you have the most energy and schedule your tasks around that. If you know you have an energy dip around 3pm, there is no point starting a new project at 3pm.
6. Avoid distractions. When concentrating, turn off emails, skype and mobile phones. Have a clear 'Closed Door' policy with a sign on your door that if it is closed, you are not to be disturbed.
7. Bookend your day. Ensure that you finish off all the small bits at the end of the day so you don't think about them later or have them lying around first thing in the morning.
Make sure you come and visit us at our new trading rooms soon.
It is a great place for a holiday. I was there with Mudrika, my two daughters and my family for 10 days recently, in Marrakesh.
While in the pool we were playing water polo, passing the ball to each other. It wasn't long before we were attempting to see how many times in a row we could pass the ball to each other without dropping it into the pool.
It was great fun and we were literally squealing and laughing hysterically stretching out to prevent the ball from falling into the water.
This is what was so interesting.
One time we managed to pass the ball a massive 43 times in a row without dropping it. It seemed huge at the time and even after quite a few more attempts after that, we just couldn't repeat it and get back up to 43. And I started to really think about this - where else does this show up in our lives?. What was stopping us from getting past 43?
When we teach how to make money in Stocks and Forex we are adamant about 3 things:
1. The stock market is the most misunderstood of all the wealth creation vehicles
2. Anyone can learn it (even you)
3. If you practise long enough you will make good money alongside everything you currently do.
Number 3 was the one that got me thinking - I knew that if we just practised long enough we would beat our score. So I put it to the test right there and then. I knew that if we set the intention of doing more than 43 we would get there. Finally after many attempts, we got to 64. Now that could have been the end of it but I knew that if we focused on it enough and practised it enough we could get past even that goal. So I set the intention to beat 64. The next day we went for it and after just half an hour, we went to 86 without dropping the ball. I can't remember having had so much fun in ages.
On the last day before going to the airport, I made a commitment. I told everyone that I was not leaving for the airport until we had broken the 100 mark. They thought I was joking, and I kinda was but at the same time I was focused on beating that 100 mark. I knew that is was possible. Just a few hours later we reached 109 passes without dropping the ball.
What has this got to do with trading and investing?
EVERYTHING.
There are people out there who know nothing about investing / trading in Stocks or Forex but who believe that they cannot make money in Stocks or Forex. What the game in the pool clearly showed is that with enough practise, even complete beginners can learn to do something which before, seemed impossible to them.
Anyone with enough practise can make it in the Stock Market. It might take some time, it might take some effort, you have to learn a system and then you need to practise it until it works for you. It is just a matter of time.
And the best thing about it is that once you have learned it, you have it forever. You can teach your friends and family, you can teach your children, and they can pass it on to their children, (& here's a photo of my daughter Sienna having a sneaky holiday drink!) But seriously, it is a way of passing on a legacy which will be there long after we have gone.
So next year I am going to go for 200. Why not? It is just a number.
Find out more about how to become a successful trader click here: Your Trading Club
Until next time.
Marcus
P.S. Here's me and Melania having fun in the pool.
Hey just back from my trip to Singapore and Malaysia with Avi and about 90 new traders. I really enjoyed it - they asked a lot more questions than their UK counterparts and this will help us to compile a list of FAQs. The food was great ... poor Avi is a vegetarian, so suffered a little when I kept taking him to the 'hawker' centres and food courts offering local delicacies. Not for the faint-hearted. I LOVE it!
Wow the Summer is still going strong - had my butt kicked in the local tennis championship by the club chamption 6:2 6:4 and it was hot out there, beautiful ... but soon it will be over.
But before I get my winter coat out - I am off to Morrocco for 10 days with Mudrika and the kids. Oh, and Mudrika's family! Mudrika and I will get quality time with each other as there will be on site babysitters for my two wonderful daughters! Mudrika even said we were going clubbing. WHAT?! I don't really have the gear for that. Actually I DON'T have the gear for that. I hope no-one takes any photographs.....
Our new Trading Centre to be opened in September
When we come back, it will soon be time for the members' meeting on September 11th. I am very excited that I will be hosting the day at the new Investment Mastery Trading and Training Centre. If you are a graduate member, you will receive an email about it today and information is on the Trading Club and Money Club sites. We have a great guest speaker too, this month with a Business theme. I'll reveal more about the new Trading Centre when I come back but we hope as many of you as possible will come and trade there throughout the day!
Gold and Silver Club - first meeting
The first meeting of the Gold and Silver Club took place in Central London on Wednesday. It was a great success with 3 presenters, Phil Carr, Nik Kalsi and myself kicking off the event. Over 30 people attended a restaurant on Piccadilly. Now we know EXACTLY what to do in the this crisis. It is so simple. It is even something we have been teaching at our 1 day events for the last 6 months or more. This week we went into it in a LOT more detail. Thanks to all involved. If you want to find out more, send me an email at marcus@investment-mastery.com and we will let you know the best way get the information.
One of the Best ways of making money
I'm curious - do you know what is one of (not the best nor the only one, but ONE of) the best ways of making money? The answer is by creating and then selling your own products. By that I mean courses, books, DVDs, audios - information products. You can learn to create some for yourself. They have to be good quality and they have to do what they say. We have many products here within Investment Mastery, but actually when I think about it we don't have anywhere near enough choice for our clients.
We have our Stock Market (for beginners) Home Study Course, our Forex (FX) Home Study Course and our Wealth Masterclass (Wealth Workout), our wealth creation homestudy course; homestudy versions of the courses on DVD, and many of you know that I have written a book. That's actually peanuts compared to what I could have! I decided that I have to do something about it, so I started to look around for inspiration.
One of the people I turn to when it comes to things like this is Peter Thomson. Peter is recognised as being one of the leading business and marketing consultants in UK ... and he is a complete gentleman as well. You have probably heard of his monthly subscription called The Achievers Edge? I have been subscribing for years, and I mention what I learn from it in this blog. He is holding a "Streams of Cash" one day 'bootcamp' course in September where he will share with you the process that he developed to make successful products.
He only does it once a year, so get yourselves along to it and I will see you there! Check this video out now and this is worth every penny and more of what he is charging, (a derisory £67 for an entire day of ideas, hints, tricks and tips on how to create a media empire in the way Peter himself has).
If you don't have any products, and don't go, then you are just not playing the money game to win. Here is the video Peter Thomson Seminar
I have learned a lot from his approach to things over the years so I know it will be jam-packed with goodies all day. Great stuff.
I am flying back by my myself as i will be co-leading at the Millionaire Mind Intensive in London 2-3-4th September so willl be spending my birthday, September 1st, alone without the kids. Hurrah!? Lots more about what's new at Investment Mastery when I get back!
I'm writing this having finished a Stock Market Workshop with my top Forex trader, Avi.
This week I'm asking - what are you going to do with your money?
I don't normally watch the news as many of you know, but this week has been very interesting so I thought I would tune in and catch up.
Obama's office have been very busy this week. First of all they pass what is being hailed as the most radical financial reforms since the Depression in the 30's. Part of these reforms is the Volker rule - named after a recent Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker (left). It controls Proprietary Trading, where banks can no longer make bets on financial markets with their own money, and are restricted to no more than 3% of their capital being invested in speculative business such as hedge funds.
This is, according to the US Congress, designed to stop a repeat of the 2008 collapse and ensure that the consumer is protected ie that individuals' taxes are not used by governments again to support troubled big business. So that 'people don't pay out for Wall Street's errors'. In addition banks must increase their capital held against loans to protect bad debt. This will be good news for Tax Liens investors, now the US are getting their act together.
I read recently a quote from an economist which went something like this...
"If you put young men control of obscene amounts of money, turn a blind eye to the drink and drugs, and pay them well for taking high risks, why are you not surprised when things go wrong?".
Traders in the city are a portrayed as a certain stereotype young, arrogant, irresponsible party-animals (inset images of striped shirts, red braces, champagne, lapdancers, and you get the picture). They are in charge of the big money. When you think about it - If you met a person like that, would you give them your money to invest? mmmm.
As China is rubbing its hands and about to throw the biggest party ever, America is sulking. It has been downgraded by Standard & Poors the financial rating agency from AAA to AA+. In a nutshell, its more expensive now for them to borrow money, and they were downgraded despite increasing their debt limit from $14.3 to $16.7 TRILLION. Big Sulk.
Do you know what a trillion dollars looks like? Let's get this into perspective. The first picture below is a MILLION dollars ($100 bills). That seems quite small, doesn't it. Then look at a trillion. Breathtaking.
If that wasn't enough this week - the Central European bank is jumping up and down about the 'global market turmoil' and are meeting as I write to come up with ways to calm the markets. This week has seen big falls in stocks and panic headlines in the news. The FTSE100 is at its lowest all year, 10% down. When you think about how much money that's £164 billion lost.
A billion dollars in $100 bills looks like this:-
There is speculation that Italy and maybe even Spain, will follow other European countries (Greece, Republic Of Ireland, Portugal) and ask for a financial bail out. The Euro as a currency is looking very wobbly indeed.
What does this mean for mere mortals in UK and our money and lives?
It means reduced pension funds, higher insurance premiums, and less returns if you have a stocks and shares ISA that is managed by an organisation.
Is this the much awaited 'double dip' - throwing us deeper into recession?
This is so depressing....... SO S T O P!
Here's the GOOD NEWS!
I have been saying for years that everyone should be fully responsible for their money. To learn to be a savvy investor, and take control. This is even more relevant today.
You can chose the tabloids fear based approach (I don't recommend that) or you can decide to do it your way, get educated and get back in the driving seat.Get a sound financial education and make your money work for you. Seriously.
If you are trading, you should be selling short and taking advantage of the volatility of the market. (If you don't know what I am talking about - get in touch and we can help you at Investment Mastery).
It's also a good time for a resourceful businesses if you are prepared to work for it. There are many companies out there that are doing very well indeed - and its a good time to start a new business because its cheaper to set up - and you can negotiate like crazy for the things you need.
Now I know why I don't read the news - I would be poor and miserable and totally out of control. So, I suggest you find some good news and start reading that. I certainly will!
So it's back on a plane heading for Malaysia for another workshop. And I'm planning the next Trading and Investing One Day event - I promise I will pack it with sound information that will help people to be successful in their financial endeavours. That day will be in September.
And graduates - I'll see you all at the next Members Meeting on Sunday 11th September - please remember to bring your trading diaries and questions with you. Keep an eye out on the forums for details of the speaker and the NEW VENUE TBA.
I found this YouTube clip of Brian Tracy talking on laziness. Laziness is something that causes me stress and guilt. I can't be lazy, and I don't like laziness in other people. This video made me smile, because I had not thought of it before in this way. What do you think?
In the video Brian talks briefly about human nature and the evolution of modern man and lifestyle and laziness.
I then thought of Brian Tracy's book - Eat That Frog, on how to get over procrastination and some thoughts on why now, more than ever, is a good time to do something about it. Check out Brian Tracy's Blog page (left).
You know what's interesting? Instead of me recommending you reading the book, I can now offer you so many choices:
You can
buy the book but before you do watch a video
download the app
watch a You Tube Clip
like the facebook page
download to Kindle
download to your android phone
get the audio
WOW - what a difference!
Do you know what is the New World Order and how the world is changing?
I believe that we are in a culture of ‘Do It, Do It Now, Then Share It’. The speed at which things are moving, and the success of open source software and social media say it all.
There is a new world order emerging. If you haven’t felt it, seen it, read it or thought about it then start to pay attention. Now.
If you are thinking I can’t wait for this recession to be over and get back on track then I do believe you are wrong.
Tony Robbins told us about it over and over – Things will never be the same again.
Take a deep breath and a really good look around – we are in an interesting and exciting time of change. How many times recently have you said “who would have thought?”
At the time of writing there has just been a bombing in Norway. Who would have thought?
We are in the middle of the time when the ‘trusted’ major institutions, banks, government, media as we know it - are collapsing. Hundreds of years of ‘this is the way its always been done’ is disintegrating. It can not be rebuilt the same way.
I suggest you read what the ostracised economists are writing.
They are the new Columbos, Da Vincis and Eddisons.
I for one am extremely excited to be in the whirlwind.
My daughters have been BORN into computers and social media and this way of communicating. They don’t have to learn a new way (like me and maybe you do), this is their only way.
This is also the new age for women. They don’t want to break the glass ceiling and compete with men, rather are exploring their own ways of being financially successful, forging ahead with their own style of business, and this is so timely, when you consider that we are moving into an age of relationship marketing. Women are natural communicators and relationship builders.
These are interesting times indeed. Historians will look back at this time just as we look back on the industrial revolution today. What a privilege to be a part of it.
Mudrika and I are both really excited when we think of the opportunities that lie ahead for our two girls. We have worked really hard for many years so that we can provide the right education for them and a blueprint for life, where they can really be, do and have whatever their heart desires. These are all the things I wish for you and your family too, and is my mission and the reason I started Investment Mastery all those years ago.
All of this can be overwhelming, and if you don't know where to start, I suggest that have a think about the philoposphy of Do It and do it now. Developing the principles of Brian Tracy Eat That Frog is a good place. Start small, baby steps, but start. Then tell Someone else.
Monday is a good day. Be lazy - find a new, quicker, easier way to get things done.
Enjoy your week!
Marcus
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The Principles of Eat That Frog in 5
Mark Twain once said that if you eat a live frog for breakfast, everything else is going to be good after that because eating a frog is the worst thing you will do all day. So get yourself organised, and do the biggest most horrible job first every morning. Eat that Frog.
When you become extremely effective (ie add value, do the big projects) rather than efficient (empty in box) success in every form comes your way.
Here is my 5 minute version of the most important things in that book.
Internal dialogue
Develop the belief that everything that happens to you is your responsibility. You were in someway responsible for your situation, for someone not calling back, or emailing, or losing the deal, or being tired.
When you take responsibility or your life and its event you also take control of changing things.
Develop and Share
Learn the principle of constant and never ending improvement. Never think that you know it all, or that your way works. This is a dangerous egotistical place to be.
Share what you know with an abundance mentality. Develop your USP, and don’t focus on the weaknesses. Remember an expert only needs to be one step ahead of the person who doesn’t know.
Share it today - this blog post, RSS feed it, facebook it, Digg it! Get it with you wherever you go- download it to your mobile device. I just did, it took me 5 minutes $1.99 well spent.(Download here) Brian had an app for that back in 2009.
That’s two goals already – reading the eat that frog and keeping up with technology. What a good start!
Physical
During your day, take a break, go for a walk, drink water, stretch, recalibrate regularly. Pay attention to your environment. Your desk and office is a reflection of your thoughts. Change your environment, and clear your desk and you will have clarity of thought and increased energy.
Planning
Fast forward a few months, then come back to today to give you some perspective on the tasks you have to do.
Put the tasks in your calendar as chunks of time, create mini deadlines for yourself to get some urgency, plan for emergencies in your week, and procrastinate on smaller tasks. In effect focus on the big ones only, switch your thinking around! Focus on the higher value tasks.
Hi there, my name is Marcus de Maria. My passion in life is being the best I can be and inspiring and teaching others to do the same, especially around wealth creation. More here
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