Incredibly Inspiring

If you haven't heard about Connie Talbert...take a look! (Thank you Janie for sending this to me).

Times have CERTAINLY changed

OK...so I'm not one to follow politics. When I go to a party and someone's talking politics, I dodge the conversation or change it.

In fact...I avoid politics at all costs.

The last time I voted, it was for Al Gore simply beccause I didn't want Bush in office...well, we all know how well that worked.

This year, I've been watching. Not the traditional political debates or the CNN commentaries, or the TV commercials candidates spend billions on (when they would be creating jobs, feeding the poor or investing in research of alternative energy sources)...no rather, I've been watching You Tube and a hilarious show a friend of mine turned me on to, the Daily Show.


I'm not a fan of TV but the Daily Show is just tooooo funny!

Have you seen the political videos on You Tube? They are absolutely HILARIOUS! But, beyond the humor, they've done something remarkable: I actually know the names of the presidential candidates. Yes...I know the names of all of them. That in itself is a miracle.

So, here I am. I'm educated, successful, opinionated and....I don't even take part in the evolution of the future of the US???? Why???? One conclusion: I feel it's hopeless and I have no part. I put my effort and attention forth to things I know I can directly impact and see a result from. Or, maybe it's because I'm just too comfortable enjoying life in America as I know it.

Well congratulations to whatever BRILLIANT masterminds are behind the Daily Show and YouTube...through humor, you got me. You got me interested in the future of the country, in what is going on, in what I can do about it, in who's doing what (if I can even sort through most of the BS that's just fear driven, vote-for-me because I'm better nonsense). Come on...can we get someone in office who really cares for someone besides himself/herself? Can we get a Congress that actually shows up and does something? That would be nice.

So, while the videos aren't all that classy, nor do they let in on anything the candidates stand for, they do serve a purpose of bringing forth awareness and curiosity about the election. This is a whole new way of doing things...times certainly have changed.

When I was in New Zealand, I found this billboard on a bridge absolutely hilarious. We pulled over to get a picture. Here I am all the way across the world and other countries are making fun of our president. In Australia, people hate him...that's practically all people wanted to talk about. In my opinion, that is not a way to build world relations.

Here's a couple of vidoes for you to enjoy! They keep cracking me up.

Thanks Beau!

My buddy Beau Reed just shared with me an incredible program he created.

Beau is an amazing guy...young, smart, and a really creative entrepreneur. I've watched him develop over the last few years and he's getting some great results.

Anyways, he shared with me a really powerful program he created called Zango Guru...this lead generation system is so powerful, I started getting leads within 10 minutes of setting it up.

Can you believe that! Within 10 minutes!!!!

So, I wanted to share it with everyone. Just go to http://www.zangoguru.net/ and sign up for the 3 FREE Videos. When you register as a member, be sure to say Shannon Lavenia referred you.
Since Beau and I are great friends, he always has some **extras** for my personal friends and associates.

Cutting Off Your Customers

Wow, Donald Trump had on his blog this morning an article about Sprint/Nextel cutting off customers who were a nuisance...people who called customer service over and over with complaints.

Check out the blog post here:http://www.trumpuniversity.com/blog/index.cfm?blogpost_id=1212&commentmadep=true

What a bold approach and article! In my business, I choose who I work with and have often times turned customers and clients away. Why? Because I know the amount of effort it will take to "deal" with them is not worth the profit I might make. In addition, as you say Mr. Trump, some people will never be happy. I'm sure Sprint/Nextel wasn't the only company they were burdening. If we looked into it, I'm sure we would find a pattern. The source is their own internal lack of joy, purpose or accomplishment. Sometimes, it's simply an over-extended sense of self-entitlement. And sometimes, its greed...people will want "freebies" or refunds and expect to get them many times over simply by complaining.

I've watched this in restaurants. People complain about the silliest things with their meals to get a discount, a free drink or a free meal. My rule is if I don't like it, I'll pay for it and order another. Free food reminds me of the days when I lived in my car!

Anyways, it's a never ending battle and Sprint is right to turn them away. If the people would put forth so much energy towards something constructive, they'd create a life they enjoy, get some gratitude and wouldn't waste their life away complaining.

However, this does not give companies the right to not perform as they have agreed to or to produce as promised within their contractual agreements. Customer service is still a major factor in any companies success, but at the end of the day, if you discover there is no way you're going to make them happy in the first place, dump them.

What a Great Tool!

One of my associates turned me on to the coolest new tool for goal achieving: Mind Movies.

This program allows you to create a movie of the life, career, family, etc...that you envision for yourself. You can actually put your thoughts and dreams to music in video...easily.

Check it out, Click Here

Powerful from Robert Kiosaki

Network Marketing-It's an Asset, Not a Job
By Robert Kiyosaki
I am sometimes asked, "Why do so few people makeit to the top of their network marketing system?"

The truth is, the top of the network marketing system is open to everyone-unlike traditional corporate systems, which allow only one person to reach the top of the company.The reason most people do not reach the top is simply because they quit too soon.

So why would someone quit short of the top? Most people join only to make money. If they don't make money in the first few months or years, they become discouraged and quit (and then often bad-mouth the industry!). Others quit and go looking for a company with a better compensation plan.

But joining to make a few quick dollars is not the reason to get into the business.

The Two Essential Reasons to Join a Network Marketing Business:

Reason number one is to help yourself.
Reason number two is to help others.

If you join for only one of these two reasons, then the system will not work for you. Reason number one, means that you come to the business primarily to change quadrants-to change from the E (Employee) or the S (Self-employed) quadrant to the B (Business owner) or I (Investor) quadrant. This change is normally very difficult for most people because of money. The true E or S quadrant person will not work unless it is for money.This is also what causes people to not reach the top of the network marketing system: they want money more than they want to change quadrants.

A B quadrant or I quadrant person will also work for money, but in a different way. The B quadrant person works to build or create an asset-in this case, a business system. The I quadrant person invests in the asset or the system. The beauty of most network marketing systems is that you do not really make much money unless you help others leave the E and S quadrants and succeed in the B and I quadrants. If you focus on helping others make this shift, then you will be successful in the business.

As a B or an I, sometimes you don't get paid for years; this,a true E quadrant or S quadrant person will not do. It's not part of their core values. Risk and delayed gratification disturb them emotionally.

Delayed Gratification and Emotional Intelligence: One of the beauties of network marketing is that it focuses on developing your emotional intelligence as well as your business skills.

Emotional intelligence is an entirely different matter from academic intelligence. In general, someone with high emotional intelligence will often do better than someone with high academic intelligence but low emotional intelligence. That explains, in part, why some people do well in school but not so well in the real world. The ability to delay gratification is a sign of higher emotional intelligence. In a recent study of emotional intelligence, it was found that people who could delay gratification often led more successful lives than those who could not. This is why the educational system inherent in a good network marketing opportunity is so important. It's the emotional education or emotional intelligence aspect of their programs that I find so valuable for people.

Many people write me and tell me they loved my book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, but I fear that many of them don't get the most important point of the book: Lesson #1, "The rich don't work for money."

Once I have built or bought an asset, that asset works hard to make money for me. But I will not work for money-I will work only to build or buy assets. Those assets make me richer and richer, while I work less and less. That is what the rich do. The poor and middle class work hard for money, and then buy liabilities instead of investing in assets.

What Kind of Asset is a Network Marketing Business? Remember, there are two reasons required to be successful in network marketing: to help yourself, and to help others. Reason number one means helping yourself get to the B side of the quadrant.

What about reason number two? The beauty of most network marketing systems is that you don't really make much money unless you help others leave the E and S quadrants and succeed in the B and I quadrants. If you focus on helping others make this shift, then you will be successful in the business, If you only want to teach yourself to be a B quadrant and I quadrant person, then a true network marketing system won't work for you. You may as well go to a traditional business school, which focuses only on your becoming a B quadrant person.

The beauty of a network marketing business is that your goal is to create assets, which are other B's working under you-and their job is to create other B's working under them. In traditional business, the focus is for the B to have only E's and S's working for them.

The type of business I was taught to build is a business with me at the top and E's and S's at the base. I really don't have room at the top for many other B's, which is why in my businesses, I strongly recommend that all my employees look into network marketing as their own part-time businesses. The traditional corporate system really is a pyramid, because there are a few B's and I's near the top, and more E's and S's at the base.

A network marketing system is a reverse pyramid: its primary focus is to bring up more and more B's to the top. One type of pyramid, the traditional type, has its base on the ground; the other type has its base in the air. It's a pyramid that pulls you up instead of pushing you down.A network marketing business gives everyone access to what used to be the domain only of the rich.

This passage is excerpted by permission from The Business School for People Who Like Helping People, by Robert T. Kiyosaki, with Sharon Lechter, CPA, authors of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Adventure of a Lifetime!

John and I just returned from our three week adventure in Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand.

We had an incredible time!

We started in Sydney, Australia for LLI's Summit Conference, which was awesome. You can read more below about that. When the conference concluded we rented a campervan (as suggested by our buddies Rhonda and Brian Swan) and drove up the cost from Sydney to Brisbane.
I must admit, the idea of 5 days in a small van when I live in over 5,000 sq.ft was a bit daunting, but we had a blast. I even cooked several times! It gave John and I time to be close and to think about when we used to live in a tiny apartment. We stopped at Budgewoi and then went up to South West Rocks. Rocks is a stunning place. We went for a stroll and happened upon some of the most beautiful beach I've ever seen...it was SPECTACULAR! We hung out on the beach and enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather.

We then drove up to Byron Bay. What a cool and hip beach community the Bay is! We stayed at a camp site filled with surfers and beach goers. It was another relaxing day in the sun. John and I relaxed and talked about our goals for the future, sharing with each other our homes, dreams and gratitude for such an incredible lifestyle

We drove up to Brisbane, spent the night and flew out early in the morning to Auckland. We loved Auckland! Although it was rainy, it was tons of fun, with great dining and people. And then we were off to Rotorua. We stayed at an amazing place called Treetops (http://www.treetops.co.nz/). If you go to NZ, this is a must visit. High in the Rotorua rainforest, it's a luxury lodge with amazing staff and a cozy, loving atmosphere. The main lodge is 100% over-the-top luxur. We met great people from the U.S. and New Zealand and a travel agent from Russia.

At treetops we spent the day exploring the rainforest and with horseback riding with an amazing guy. His name is Diddy, a local legend of a horse whisperer who is 79 years old. He was a hoot!

The next day we wandered into Galatea to visit our first ever New Zealand Summit Advisor Delwyn McKenzie. She lives on a beautiful farm that backs up to the state park. While we were there we got to pet her llamas and they even showed me how to milk a cow! Delwyn, and her husband Cliff, are amazing. They are the epitome of entrepreneurs and risk takers and it has paid off tremendously.

We spent the night in Rotorua city...it stunk. Literally. It's right on a volcanic fault with sulfuric steam vents. Smelled like rotton eggs. We couldn't figure out why it was such a tourist attraction. We were happy to leave. We flew down to the South Island into Chrischurch and then over to Methven and Mt. Hutt. We spent the day snowboarding on Mt. Hutt. Can you believe it? We actually went snowboarding in July! It was great snow too!

We enjoyed a wonderful scenic drive through the incredible south island down to Queenstown, a hopping city in the mountains. The drive was breathtaking: rolling farmlands, snow-capped mountains, lush greenery.

Queenstown is a blast. We went snowboarding three days at Coronet - great snow, great people and great adventure! The city of Queenstown has tons to do and is mosly for tourists and locals. There were great shops and restaurants.

One of my favorite things was taking a small charter plane to Milford Sound through the spectacular Southern Alps. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We enjoyed seeing where parts of The Lord of the Rings were filmed and exploring the Fiordlands. We took a cruise through Milford Sound and got to see spectacular waterfalls and seals sunning on the rocks.

This trip was more than I ever could have imagined. Adventurous, educational, motivational, inspirational and tons of fun, fun, fun! Every minute was exciting and we got to enjoy the company of so many great people.

I'm so greatful to Liberty League International for providing a vehicle that gives me freedom. Freedom to grow and evolve. Freedom financially. Freedom to operate my business from wherever I may be. It's about living life to the fullest and enjoying every minute of the experience!

Check out the rest of our pics here: http://extremeteam.smugmug.com/gallery/3097955#169570131

Facing My Fears

So, a few days ago, I walked on fire.



I must admit I was petrified at the idea...I had an entire story running in my mind. A mental film, of which I was the star. In this mental movie, I stepped onto the hot coals with hundreds of people looking on and the smell of burning flesh began to permeate the air. I ran screaming across the coals and looked down at my crispy feet...swollen, blistered and in pain. I then spent the next few days on crutches as my wounded feet healed. Worse, because I had the experience, hundreds of others bailed on the opportunity to walk through the coals.



Thank God it was only a mental movie!!! Isn't it amazing how we create these grand dramas to prevent us from moving forward in life. I know of hundreds of people who have created movies like this in their head about starting a business...except they allowed the movie to stop them from moving forward.



Walking across the coals was simply, liberating and extremely exciting! It was awesome to erase the movie and create a new movie...one of achievement and excellence. That's how simple it is...we all get to choose the movie we create. It can be one of fear and drama, or it can be an Oscar winning movie of achievement and outrageous success. Yes, the heroine or hero will inevitably have some great adversities and obstacles to overcome, but it is out of this that great accomplishments are born.



When I walked through the fire, I was the second person to go. Talk about a leap of faith. When I face fears, I face them head on. I'd rather jump in and do it than sit in the fear. People were cheering and waiting for me with hugs of joy. I'm proud to be an example of success for people to follow.



Then I got to watch John go...he was a pro!

It's been quite an adventure!

Good Day Mate
Hello from Australia!

The Summit Conference Australia has been incredible...the Best Summit Conference LLI has ever hosted. The energy, community and presentation were explosive!!

As promised by Brent and Shane, the ALL NEW Summit Conference blew everyone away.

The adventures started with a private dinner hosted on a harbor cruiseline for the EMC. Brent and Shane presented the EMC with our own Harbor Fireworks display...millions of people looked on wondering what the festivities were all about. We certainly let Australia know we arrived with a big bang!!

From the Welcome Celebration to the BlackTie, this event was absolutely extraordinary! Bob Proctor was amazing as he instructed each of us how to unleash our true potential and excel in our lives and businesses. He gave a powerful presentation with specific instruction on how to move beyond fear and doubt, to achieve extraordinary levels of success.

On Wednesday, we faced our fears as we walked across the red hot coals in the Australia hillside. This was the most incredible event; watching a community of people, who recently were just strangers, empowered and supporting each other to excel. These were associates from all over the world; London, Paris, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and many more, all converging together in a moment of achievement and excellence...cheering each other on as we walked across the coals; facing and moving through our fears, into our futures! Not one person backed out...the support and enthusiastic encouragement assisted everyone in moving past their limitations to achieve success. The high-fives, jumping hugs and bellowing laughs of joy and excitement were incredible to watch!

After two intense days of conference, we enjoyed a wonderful day exploring Sydney with some teammates, assimmilating and discussing all we learned and how we will use this information in our lives. We took a Sydney Harbor Cruise to Taronga Zoo and experienced our first opera at the Sydney Opera House...it was Fantastic!


We closed out the event with Lynn McTaggert, author of the Intention Experiment. She provided concrete, scientific evidence on the Power of Intention and how to use Intention to achieve remarkable results in life. Following, we celebrated the event with the Farewell Gala...everyone looked so amazing. It was a party of prosperity, joy and celebration.
As we move from the energy of this event, into the "real world", "What now?". I've learned from past events, that I'm so full of energy and power coming out the event, it's important to put it to immediate use. The impact of this event will be evident in the application of the knowledge and skills we gained...knowledge less than 1% of society actually possesses. What an incredible gift to move powerfully forward with the new-found understanding and education we possess.

In moving forward, I'm setting HUGE goals (private plan, talk show syndicated by the end of 2008, $3million home, $1million vacation property in Breckenridge and the formation of the Lavenia Foundation for Charitable Works) and now possess incredible strategies to achieve them quickly and efficiently; with new focus and clarity. The value of learning one-on-one from people who have achieved incredible success in their lives is priceless!

Now...John and I are journeying up the coast of Australia in a caravan(this in itself is an experience...keep tuned to learn more). We are having a fantastic time, enjoying every minute of our freedom.

Another Adventure of a Lifetime!

John and I are off on another adventure. This time we're spending three-weeks travelling through Australia and New Zealand.

Yesterday, we stopped over in Tahiti...it was beautiful! We went from 107 in Tucson to 80's in LA to 80's in Tahiti with 100% humidity. We walked under the moon along the cool beach front, enjoyed a wonderful dinner and Polynesian dance who. Here's a pic John snapped of me.

We're in Sydney, Australia now. Here's a pic from our hotel. We're right on the water with a great view of the Harbor, Opera House and Bridge. We're off to do the Bridge Walk in a few minutes.