FEBRUARY 2007 Greetings & Salutations: Where are YOU going? It never ceases to amaze me ... Do you realize that the vast majority of people (I hope, not you) really have no idea in the world where they are going. They live their lives doing only what they must do to survive ... dreaming of the day they can retire and draw their Social Security benefits. Some of them do a little planning for their retirement years but fully 90% of them learn too late that their Social Security benefits won t be enough to give them more than a paltry existence. -- They always thought, "The government will take care of me," but it doesn t. Many years ago, I told my readers that, if they wanted a motivation to acheive some kind of success in their life, they should just go visit an old folks home ... nursing home, retirement center, whatever ... and see if that kind of existence was what they wanted. I finally quit using the admonition in my writings, when I got a number of complaints from the people who run those facilities and people who said I was using the inhabitants of those facilities unfairly ... maligning those senior citizens for not living a more productive life without knowing the circumstances of their lives. -- But ... If you aren t motivated about your future, go visit your local senior citizen facility. -- If nothing else, it will give you a reason to establish some "goals" in your life. Right now, I can just hear someone saying, "Yeh. But, money isn t everything." I agree, wholeheartedly. "Goal setting" is about "succeeding" in accomplishing, or getting, everything you want or need throughout your life. Not about "money." Some of the most successful people I know have very little money; for money s sake. They have achieved that special state of being exactly where they want to be in life. The goals those people have set for themselves, throughout their lives, have not involved "money" but, by acheiving their goals, all of their needs are amply provided-for without a need for monetary gain. BUT ... If money will fix it, it isn t a problem. No matter what you want from life, you may have it all by simply applying the lesson I learned as a child ... Know where you are going. Know why you want to go there. Know what you are going to do when you get there. Write it down, so you don t forget. Sounds very much like what every "mind stuff" writer has been saying for years about "goal setting" ... doesn t it? -- Then again, it does have a different twist to it. Until now, you have only been told that you needed to set goals for yourself and write them down, using the techniques and methods espoused by your teacher of the moment. -- Once that has been done, you should enter upon the affirmations, visualizations, incantations, prayers, rituals, repetitions, or mental exercises being taught, in order for your sub-conscious mind to bring those goals into existence for you (as if it could). -- But ... Nothing happens without a reason. Have you ever read any of the many dessertations on the subject of "cause and effect?" Without a "cause," there can be no "effect" - and - although it may be difficult to discern, every "effect" has a "cause." Your goal, no matter what it may be ... monetary, physical, metaphysical, tangible or intangible ... is the "effect" you seek. Without a "cause" it simply can not happen. -- It is a "physical" law of nature. By knowing "why" you want to reach your goal, you can begin applying the physical law of "cause and effect" to your goal ... a reason for your goal to be acheived.
FEBRUARY 2007
Greetings & Salutations:
Where are YOU going?
It never ceases to amaze me ... Do you realize that the vast majority of people (I hope, not you) really have no idea in the world where they are going. They live their lives doing only what they must do to survive ... dreaming of the day they can retire and draw their Social Security benefits. Some of them do a little planning for their retirement years but fully 90% of them learn too late that their Social Security benefits won t be enough to give them more than a paltry existence. -- They always thought, "The government will take care of me," but it doesn t. Many years ago, I told my readers that, if they wanted a motivation to acheive some kind of success in their life, they should just go visit an old folks home ... nursing home, retirement center, whatever ... and see if that kind of existence was what they wanted. I finally quit using the admonition in my writings, when I got a number of complaints from the people who run those facilities and people who said I was using the inhabitants of those facilities unfairly ... maligning those senior citizens for not living a more productive life without knowing the circumstances of their lives. -- But ... If you aren t motivated about your future, go visit your local senior citizen facility. -- If nothing else, it will give you a reason to establish some "goals" in your life. Right now, I can just hear someone saying, "Yeh. But, money isn t everything." I agree, wholeheartedly.
Some of the most successful people I know have very little money; for money s sake. They have achieved that special state of being exactly where they want to be in life. The goals those people have set for themselves, throughout their lives, have not involved "money" but, by acheiving their goals, all of their needs are amply provided-for without a need for monetary gain. BUT ...
No matter what you want from life, you may have it all by simply applying the lesson I learned as a child ...
Sounds very much like what every "mind stuff" writer has been saying for years about "goal setting" ... doesn t it? -- Then again, it does have a different twist to it. Until now, you have only been told that you needed to set goals for yourself and write them down, using the techniques and methods espoused by your teacher of the moment. -- Once that has been done, you should enter upon the affirmations, visualizations, incantations, prayers, rituals, repetitions, or mental exercises being taught, in order for your sub-conscious mind to bring those goals into existence for you (as if it could). -- But ...
Have you ever read any of the many dessertations on the subject of "cause and effect?" Without a "cause," there can be no "effect" - and - although it may be difficult to discern, every "effect" has a "cause." Your goal, no matter what it may be ... monetary, physical, metaphysical, tangible or intangible ... is the "effect" you seek. Without a "cause" it simply can not happen. -- It is a "physical" law of nature. By knowing "why" you want to reach your goal, you can begin applying the physical law of "cause and effect" to your goal ... a reason for your goal to be acheived.
Now, let's do some ... Questions & Answers, Comments & Other Good Stuff! First ... I gotta freebie for you. It's a Free Chapter of "£100 PER DAY eBook BUSINESS" - and - using just that one chapter, you can be on your way to Internet success.
Now, let's do some ...
First ... I gotta freebie for you.
It's a Free Chapter of "£100 PER DAY eBook BUSINESS" - and - using just that one chapter, you can be on your way to Internet success.
Would you do ME a favor?? Too bad Christopher Reeves didn't live long enough - but - it isn't too late for my ol'friend Bob Gill. Bob was a motorcycle jumper ... like (and with) Evel Knievel ... but he suffered a back injury in one of his jumps and lost the use of his legs BUT ... Bob Gill will be walking again! As a matter of fact, Bob has put together a foundation to advance the prevention and recovery of Spinal Cord injuries. To meet my ol'friend, go to: http://www.bobgillwalksagain.com/history.htm Then check out his fantastic jump in the Ryder Truck commercial aired on Super Bowl VIII (1973) at: http://www.bobgillwalksagain.com/RyderCommercial.htm After that, check out "The Bob Gill Walks Again Foundation" at: http://www.bobgillwalksagain.com/donate.htm Both Bob and I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Would you do ME a favor?? Too bad Christopher Reeves didn't live long enough - but - it isn't too late for my ol'friend Bob Gill. Bob was a motorcycle jumper ... like (and with) Evel Knievel ... but he suffered a back injury in one of his jumps and lost the use of his legs BUT ...
As a matter of fact, Bob has put together a foundation to advance the prevention and recovery of Spinal Cord injuries. To meet my ol'friend, go to:
Then check out his fantastic jump in the Ryder Truck commercial aired on Super Bowl VIII (1973) at:
After that, check out "The Bob Gill Walks Again Foundation" at:
Both Bob and I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Dan Curriden needed to know ... "Recently I read something from Dan Kennedy stating that there were regulatory changes either in place or forthcoming that would make it much more difficult to sell business opportunites, or even to be associated with selling them (affiliate programs?). He didn't explain further, so I was wondering if you have investigated this, and if you know what changes Dan spoke of. Or, do you know where I would start investigating this myself. -- Thanks again, Jim. You are the 'real deal'." Dan: A "business opportunity" under the law is where the promoter participates with you for you mutual profit ... like the guys who sell you a membership in a deal where they split the fees with you - or - where the promoter provides the tools to do whatever and you both profit. It has nothing to do with selling "how-to" information because you are only teaching the reader what to do and how to do it ... not doing it with, or for, them. Hope that helps.
Dan Curriden needed to know ...
"Recently I read something from Dan Kennedy stating that there were regulatory changes either in place or forthcoming that would make it much more difficult to sell business opportunites, or even to be associated with selling them (affiliate programs?). He didn't explain further, so I was wondering if you have investigated this, and if you know what changes Dan spoke of. Or, do you know where I would start investigating this myself. -- Thanks again, Jim. You are the 'real deal'."
Dan: A "business opportunity" under the law is where the promoter participates with you for you mutual profit ... like the guys who sell you a membership in a deal where they split the fees with you - or - where the promoter provides the tools to do whatever and you both profit. It has nothing to do with selling "how-to" information because you are only teaching the reader what to do and how to do it ... not doing it with, or for, them. Hope that helps.
Neil Stevens didn't know where to look ... "Who are the penny stock brokers ? I cant seem to find any yet." Neil: Just call all the stock brokers and ASK them if they have any Penny Stock issues. -- Don't buy anything they tell you about but give them your name, address and phone number to get on their call list.
Neil Stevens didn't know where to look ...
"Who are the penny stock brokers ? I cant seem to find any yet."
Neil: Just call all the stock brokers and ASK them if they have any Penny Stock issues. -- Don't buy anything they tell you about but give them your name, address and phone number to get on their call list.
My Last Hoorah ... Over the past 50+ years in business, I have produced revenues of over $400,000,000 ... most of it before we even had computers; before the Internet existed. Since One-hundred "buyers" is worth far more than One-thousand "sellers," my friend and I developed a method that produced "buyers" ... real "buyers" not "maybe buyers" - but - we never told anyone (except our kids and grandkids) "what" we were doing or "how" we were doing it. We took an oath never to tell anyone, but my friend is now retired and I ain't getting any younger - so - with my friend's permission, I am now revealing our long-held secrets to the next generation of aggressive entrepreneurs. Go see for yourself at: After Rebecca Hagel got it and read it, she said ... "Eight years ago I dabbled in one little bitty part of this and yes -- it worked (sometimes to the tune of hundreds of dollars in a week). Jim's report just completely opened my eyes to the possibilities. -- I was playing in a kiddie pool back then."
Over the past 50+ years in business, I have produced revenues of over $400,000,000 ... most of it before we even had computers; before the Internet existed. Since One-hundred "buyers" is worth far more than One-thousand "sellers," my friend and I developed a method that produced "buyers" ... real "buyers" not "maybe buyers" - but - we never told anyone (except our kids and grandkids) "what" we were doing or "how" we were doing it. We took an oath never to tell anyone, but my friend is now retired and I ain't getting any younger - so - with my friend's permission, I am now revealing our long-held secrets to the next generation of aggressive entrepreneurs. Go see for yourself at: After Rebecca Hagel got it and read it, she said ... "Eight years ago I dabbled in one little bitty part of this and yes -- it worked (sometimes to the tune of hundreds of dollars in a week). Jim's report just completely opened my eyes to the possibilities. -- I was playing in a kiddie pool back then."
Jason wanted to learn how ... "I've never taken the time to learn how 'real' business communication/correspondence works. -- 1.) What method do you recommend to someone to create their own letterhead, and matching envelopes? And what should the envelopes look like? -- 2.) Can you recommend a resource to use as a guide to writing business letters? You mention getting a high school typing book, but I thought maybe you had something more practical." Jason: You can learn about Letterhead design at both: http://www.allgraphicdesign.com and ... http://www101.iprint.com Your envelopes should match your Letterhead ... your printer can help you do that. You can find a basic guid to writing business letters at: http://esl.about.com/cs/onthejobenglish/a/a_basbletter.htm
Jason wanted to learn how ...
"I've never taken the time to learn how 'real' business communication/correspondence works. -- 1.) What method do you recommend to someone to create their own letterhead, and matching envelopes? And what should the envelopes look like? -- 2.) Can you recommend a resource to use as a guide to writing business letters? You mention getting a high school typing book, but I thought maybe you had something more practical."
Jason: You can learn about Letterhead design at both:
and ...
Your envelopes should match your Letterhead ... your printer can help you do that. You can find a basic guid to writing business letters at:
Sabrina Hinds wanted me to tell you ... "I love your straightforward nature. -- I recently put together a free minicourse to remind both me and anyone who reads it to keep working hard on what were essentially small projects and growing and getting better and better one project at a time. -- It's a short, interesting, fun read with great practical examples. -- I'd like to offer it to fellow Business Lyceum subscribers." Okay, Gang ... go get it, at: http://miniprojects.tipzine.com/jfstraw
Sabrina Hinds wanted me to tell you ...
"I love your straightforward nature. -- I recently put together a free minicourse to remind both me and anyone who reads it to keep working hard on what were essentially small projects and growing and getting better and better one project at a time. -- It's a short, interesting, fun read with great practical examples. -- I'd like to offer it to fellow Business Lyceum subscribers."
Okay, Gang ... go get it, at:
Justin Shek wasn't sure ... "How much do mailing lists cost, lets say 1,000 names and addresses? -- What do you mean "Rented"? Do you mean I need to pay mailing list broker monthly fee? - OR - after I pay I can use the mailing list as many time as I want to?" Justin: You can "rent" mailing lists for from $20 per thousand to $1,000 per thousand depending upon the list demographics. You must usually rent 5,000 names at a time. No one in the industry "sells" their list. Mailing lists are only "rented" for one-time use. In other words you pay $XX per thousand for the right to mail that list ONE-TIME ... if you mail it again you either pay for it or got to jail. Your best bet is to generate your own list through Classified Ads.
Justin Shek wasn't sure ...
"How much do mailing lists cost, lets say 1,000 names and addresses? -- What do you mean "Rented"? Do you mean I need to pay mailing list broker monthly fee? - OR - after I pay I can use the mailing list as many time as I want to?"
Justin: You can "rent" mailing lists for from $20 per thousand to $1,000 per thousand depending upon the list demographics. You must usually rent 5,000 names at a time. No one in the industry "sells" their list. Mailing lists are only "rented" for one-time use. In other words you pay $XX per thousand for the right to mail that list ONE-TIME ... if you mail it again you either pay for it or got to jail. Your best bet is to generate your own list through Classified Ads.
Michael Penland wanted me to tell you ... "I've started my own NEW blog." Okay, Gang ... go check it out at: http://www.michaelpenland.com
Michael Penland wanted me to tell you ...
"I've started my own NEW blog."
Okay, Gang ... go check it out at:
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members. Believe it or don't ... I ain t a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need. This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator. Until next month, keep well ... J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions; or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business; or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members.
Believe it or don't ... I ain t a mind-reader. -- If n you doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information, sources or resources you need.
This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ... I am just your moderator.
Until next month, keep well ...
J.F. (Jim) STRAW Grande Panjandrum
"An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run." -- Sydney J. Harris "It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny." -- Anthony Robbins "We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." -- Frank Tibolt "The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help!" -- Napoleon Hill
Can you stump the old master? -- Betcha can't! Over the past 50 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ... No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ... Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me. Send your Questions, Comments or 2 Cents Worth to ... with "Question" - "Comment" - or, "2 Cents Worth" in the SUBJECT. If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you. Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
Over the past 50 years (man and boy), I have made bundles of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising, entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist & Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing, finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the case ...
No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ...
Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in your business - or - if you have any comments about anything I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your 2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell" me.
If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to get the real 'skinny' for you.
Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but you and I will know who asked the question.
Return to the Archives
Home FREE Reports FREE Newsletter About Us
Copyright - 2007, J.F. (Jim) Straw. All rights reserved.