Assist/Guide NOT Help

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Disclaimer: I understand the difference between the two. I'm going to relate the difference mainly using the context of this article in a non-emergency setting. If you are in physical danger, I will help you. This article is based on regular life and business scenarios.

Assist vs. Help. I know, I know...what is the difference. When you look at the definition of help it uses the word assistance. I'm going to put my own spin on the difference and the way I look at the difference between the two.

When I think of the word help, it is telling me to solve a problem. Physically and mentally I have to put full effort into it. It means the person asking for my help wants me to take over the problem and solve it for him/her. To me the person asking for help will not to learn how to solve it, if I have to step in and solve it all on my own.

Imagine if 10 people came to you and asked you to help them solve their top 3 problems. That means you have to take over their problems and get it to a resolution all on your own because they cannot do it. To me, it is saying they want to dump their problems on you or someone else to resolve because they don't want to deal with it any more. They simply will not know in the future how to solve a problem if they dump it on yours or someone else's lap.

The best thing to do is assist or guide them in solving their problem. If you lead a person down the right path so they can see how it is resolved they will learn from example how to do it. You simply cannot help someone with all their problems. The best thing you can do is guide them to the resources that will resolve the issue and support them along the way.

Ex: I remember when a lot of people wanted me to do all work on some of their investment deals when they first got in the business. They were looking to make money, but having me do all the work. Tony, can you do this and that and call this person and call that person. No, I cannot. If I spent all my time helping them by doing all the work, how would they learn. So what I did was I guided them down the path to do the deals by telling them what questions to ask and what information to get so they can go through the experience and learn by doing. As they got the information and relayed it back to me, I analyzed it and we kept moving forward. I didn't spend all my time working the deal myself, but gave them guidance to do it and supported there position.

In a business/investment deal, if I have to do all the work I expect 100% compensation, especially if you dump all the problems on me. If you approach me and say can you assist me with this deal and I will compensate you for it, it tells me you are willing to do the work seeking the proper guidance to close the deal. To me that is the difference. I don't have to put forth all effort in solving all problems, I'm simply guiding someone to a positive end result and they are learning by example.

Remember, a little bit of something is a lot better than a whole lot of nothing!

Happy Assisting!

Tony

Personal Growth and Development...

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...implement it in your life or you will not be as successful as you want to be.

If you stay stagnant and do not allow other people to assist in your growth as a person, don't begin to complain about your situation. There are organizations and people out there dedicated and devoted to assisting individuals in their personal development. You can educated yourself all you want in your field, but you need to grow as a person to achieve maximum potential.

I am not an expert on this subject, however I have seen a lot of people (including myself) grow and have more success. We are able to handle and manage stress better, ask the tougher questions, build stronger relationships and live fulfilling lives of love and peace.

No one knows yet the absolute maximum potential of the human mind and we may never know. However, I know my success coaches keep growing by learning from people who have been doing this a lot longer then they have. One of my success coaches told our group that he paid $20,000 to talk to one of his mentors. Not only is he growing himself, but he takes the wisdom given to him and gives it to us and all of his clients.

How can you expect to help someone grow when you don't grow yourself? The more you are willing to invest in yourself, the more you can assist others in their growth when you are called upon. I could never help someone grow in my past until I did it first.

I was putting all effort into one area of my life causing a lot of mental strain for myself. I started reading Self-Help Books, talking to people who have gone through various education seminars for personal growth and development and surrounding myself with highly successful people.

I'm not a preacher, but Personal Growth and Development is essential to not only growing as a human being but in your professional career as well. Believe me, I have seen many people change for the better after they take on this amazing life changing maxim.

Happy PG&D!

Tony

Ingredients for Success

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There is not one, but many ingredients needed to be successful in any career path you choose. In this article I will list some I constantly mix in to keep on top pf my game. Some I incorporate more than others due to the fact that they are needed, wanted or desired more.

• Education - Continuing Education via my peers or self education. A must!
• Health - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle gives me more energy.
• Exercise- Maintaining physical and mental health keeps me on my toes.
• Inspiration - Hearing success stories form other people drives me more to give back.
• Attitude - Having a positive attitude is vital as it limits my stress.
• Meditation - Take time each day to relax and re-charge.
• Reading - I read, even if it is a little every day for mental relaxation.
• Hobbies - I have various hobbies I like to do to get away from work once in a while.
• Organization - Stay organized to mitigate the ridiculous stress of finding things all the time.
• Volunteering - Giving back to others or helping people makes you feel good and is fulfilling.

I incorporate some of these on a daily basis, a few times a week or on a weekly basis. I realized in order to be successful you must have a balanced lifestyle. Putting everything into one area of your life will not get you anywhere. I know this from personal experience. Once I started maintaining a balanced lifestyle including all areas of my life into my daily routine, I found out how much more energy and less stress I had in my life.

Happy Balancing!

Tony

Short Sales - 2009

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2009 will be another year of engaging in short sales for investors. There will continue to be an abundance of opportunities to close a lot of deals and funnel our income into other investments letting our money continue to work hard for us.

The mindset we have going into a short sale is what can we do to help the home owner. First things first is to let them know nothing is guaranteed. We have them sign a letter of understanding detailing what we are trying to accomplish.

Number one is to keep a permanent foreclosure from going on their credit. Second, what is it they need that we can assist them in moving out of the house. Granted the bank does not allow the seller to receive any profits from a short sale, but we may take our own money and pay for their rental truck or first and last month's rent at their new place. We understand they are in a financial crunch, so we are willing to offer some assistance.

We know all short sales do not close, so we keep an existing pipeline of them going. We put together the short sale package getting the Authorization to Release Information form signed by the seller so we can talk to the bank on their behalf and fax it over to the bank. After we fax the package we let it go.

We start to follow up once a week. The first week we find out who has been assigned the file. We get all pertinent contact information in order to keep the channels of communication open. As we continue to follow up we always ask the person with our file if they need anything now or is there something that needs re-faxed.

We never get upset at the person working the file. They are not in control of making the ultimate decision. If we do not hear from our contact for an extended period of time we have ways to get them to call us. Ohhhh how I love those who taught me short sales and how to get the bank contact to call. The little secrets you learn.

Make sure you have your buyer's lined up. Cash buyers first, qualified financed buyers second. Make sure to follow up on all necessary tasks as they rise to ensure a quality closing.

2009 will continue to bring about more short sales with Option Arms and Alt A paper loans resetting. Recasting of the Option Arms will tack on unpaid interest to loans causing more home owners to owe more than what the house is worth.

Happy Short Sales!

Tony

The American Dream

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The American Dream is not "just" owning a home. Let's get this "one and only" thought process out of the collective conscious. The American Dream is NOT about working long hours for someone else with enough money just to make ends meet, hoping for constant job security and matching benefits. The first thing Corporate America does is cut benefits. Yippeee, now you are a total slave to your money; trading time for dollars and unable to retire. I could (and should) rant about this for paragraphs and paragraphs....but....ah...NO.

The American Dream is about lifestyle. Yes everyone wants to own a home but there's more to The American Dream. The ability to leave for vacation and if you choose, be able to stay another week without worry or stress. The ability to pay for your children's education and retire wealthy enjoying your Golden Years. Living in your dream home with "your" luxury car having parties with friends and families.

The American Dream should be revered as the greatest opportunity for individuals to exceed to their highest capabilities with no restraints. After all we are living in the land of opportunity and not, "hey this is what you are supposed to do" mentality. Opportunities are endless to live this dream with excitement, fulfillment in all areas of your life and to mitigate stress as much as possible.

The American Dream should no longer be a dream, it should be your desire, your way of life, your goal. Stop listening to all the negativity in the news and those around you who constantly spew it out of their mouths daily. Ask yourself, when was the last time the "negative news" helped you achieve your goals and objectives? Yes there are certain things I follow in the news but it is pertinent to what I do so I can stay on top of my game.

It is time for you to stop living The American Nightmare and start living The American Dream!

Happy Reality (no more dreaming)

Tony

I love what I do

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I'm going to highlight various reasons why I love what I do. As an entrepreneur you have no limits to your success wheresas working for someone else you are stuck and extremely limited.

This list is not in order of favorite because they all are equally fantastic.

• Schedule my own hours
• Freedom to do what I want when I want - Time is very important
• Unlimited Income potential - The possibility is endless
• I can work from anywhere in the world and still make money - Not tied down to a specific location
• Surrounded by like-minded individuals - Not only are they business associates but damn fine people as well
• My entire business is fully automated - No need to run all over the place.
• I can do a presentation anywhere
• I can invest anywhere allowed by law and have others managed it
• Assist others in making money
• Assist others in giving them more time
• Provide further knowledge to others
• Multiple Streams of Income
• A proven system that generates wealth - It is not just money
• Have fun!

This list is the reason why I tell everyone I know about Nouveau Riche! There are a lot of happy and excited people in this organization. I'm glad to be surrounded by them!

Happy Investing!

Tony

Nouveau Riche - 2009

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2008 ended with another amazing college with Jim Piccolo hosting over 400 people at his 22,000' abode in Arizona. Students from all over the country received more world premiere real estate investment education from practitioners in the field ending with a celebration with the President and CEO at his home.

2009 is going to be an incredible year for those who are already involved in Nouveau Riche and those who will be joining us! More millionaires will be made!

Here in Chicago we are gearing up for our first "Super Saturday Training" of the year January 17th followed by our first "2 Day Intensive" of the year January 30th and 31st. The 2 Day Intensive will be 1 of 2 before our first college in April. Our Intensives generally attract between 500-800 people each day. All in all, 3 days of training from millionaires in 2 weeks time. I love our opportunity!

The possibilities are endless for the coming year for Nouveau Riche business owners and real estate investors. Right now we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg as Jim continues to provide more ways for students to generate income and learn from the best in the business!

The time is NOW to look at our opportunity knowing where NR is heading for 2009 and beyond. Our leaders are planning and setting in place the possibility for everyone to have anything they want in their life if they take action. YOU deserve this opportunity!

Happy Investing!

Tony