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Motivation 101 – It Isn’t My Fight

It is much easier to sit back and do nothing rather than to get involved.  This could hold true for a lot of things around us. From politics to foreign policy, today’s problems just seem too large or too complex for any one person to fix, therefore those problems are easier to ignore rather than to try and fix them.

Today’s society is by far one of the most selfish to date as each person focuses most of their time on themselves and what pertains to their immediate needs.  At the same time they never look  outside of their own bubble or anticipate anything for the far future, which ultimately means as a society, we are always 10 steps behind and only tackle on issues after they have already destroyed or made our life difficult.

This proved especially true during the 2008 elections which were lead by Obama under the theme of “change.”  Many could argue that the 2004 elections held much stronger candidates that could have taken this country even further than Obama, as it wasn’t in as bad of a shape as it was in 2008.  However, no one previously had reacted allowing 4 more years of stupid foreign policy, limitless spending, and more losses for our society.

It was only after people started feeling the pinch that they decided to react by choosing to vote rather than ignore the elections and unfortunately this pattern follows again today.

We could spend hours talking politics but it is well beyond the point and irrelevant to our message today.  The same mindset above is often represented in all we do, from our daily choices to our work routines, we spend most of our time worried about ourselves and what change we need to apply or which problems are the ones affecting us, but never really stop to think how our actions (or lack of) really affect others.  It is often easier to be self-focused rather than to worry about others and it is often true that others will not care either, so why should we?

We always like to say that one person cannot change the world but we certainly believe that one person can initiate the change this world needs for others to follow and no longer be afraid.  It always takes that one person to raise their hand so others follow and do the same, and that one person needs to start becoming YOU.  Its simply a good habit to acquire and practice now, so that you can apply your ability to look at things from an alternate angle better and certainly pro actively fight for the problems of tomorrow today so that your children, friends, and family don’t have to be impacted by your lack of actions but also because their unwillingness to act will change once they see the actions of those around them.

If something is at the forefront of your mind, it is likely that you will share it with others or talk about it and form opinions about it, meaning you will know which way to act or react rather than not be involved.   As long as you choose to remain a silent passenger during the drive that life takes you on, you simply will be driven wherever others want you to go and ultimately will never earn your own place in society.

If you are so concerned about wars ending, gas prices rising, and feel the need to complain daily of the stupidities that go on each and everyday around you, then why are you not aware of who the presidential candidates are and what it will mean for them to take office?

Either act now and take control today or forever hold your peace tomorrow and suffer the consequences of your lack of actions.

Project 911 “Pegasus” – ADV1 vs. Forgestar

Let the showdown begin! Our Project 911 C4S “Pegasus” is in need of a matte white wrap job for next month, but as of now we are undecided as to which wheels to wear when it gets out of the garage.  We will let you decide which it should wear once its matte!

In phase 1 we presented you some of the finest ADV1 wheels we had put on any of our project cars.  The ADV7 3-piece max concave wheels looked perfect on our 911 Project “Pegasus” and truly gave it the look that people on the street called “the perfect fit”.  The ADV1 wheels were made with brushed centers, polished lips and windows giving the car that extra sharp luxury look.

In Phase 2, we took it to whole different level by dropping our car on some gold Forgestar F14 Monoblock wheels with an extra wide rear end and 20” sizing.  We wanted to make our project car lighter but a bit flashier than before.  We went with gold and the result was striking.  Creating an entirely different car than before and taking away the baller look for a much more toyish track look.

Which one do you prefer?

Farnoosh Torabi – Psych Yourself Rich Review

In order to establish a good relationship with money, one must look at both the financial and psychological factors that are involved to better understand why people do what they do with it.

Like it or not, it’s undeniable that money can increase happiness and success. To get to the pinnacle of success, one needs to learn to have the right mindset and discipline to lead a virtuous financial life.

In “Psych Yourself Rich,” Farnoosh Torabi writes to persuade her readers to have the right mindset in regards to finances. We are strong believers that self-awareness leads to personal growth because personal growth is all about becoming aware of your actions and choices while improving them with each opportunity you encounter. We share very similar ideologies that are mentioned in this book. According to Torabi, “when it comes to managing money, we’re irrational. Our decisions are influenced by deep-rooted emotions and perceptions that are hard to overcome.” Therefore, her first advice in order to overcome those emotions and perceptions is to take money out of the equation. Then, based on her experiences as a personal finance expert, Torabi suggests following the next steps. We picked the most important ones. Here they are:

 

	Define Rich Each of us has a different meaning for “rich.” Being rich and feeling rich are two different things. For some it might just mean how much money one has in his/her account. For others, it’s a combination, rich simply means the quality and worth of our possessions, friends, and relationships. Take some time to figure out what is important to you; what does “rich” mean to you, which will, in a vague way, help you, find your long term goals. I, for example, describe “rich” as having a safety blanket – being prepared for the unexpected and being able to experience things without limitations.
	Establish Goals Once you know what rich means to you, it is easier to make tangible goals. Questions like “how much do I need to have aside to make sure I am prepared for the unexpected?” or “what does it mean for my dream job to be prosperous during rough times?” allows you to come up with a design to accomplish that specific goal. Whether it is buying saving bonds or opening money market accounts, or …, the point is to make the goal as real as possible. Do not let your goal live in your head only, but let it live in your heart as well. Committing to your goals with your mind, body and soul will infuse all of your senses making it easier to visualize them.
	Embrace Your Relationship with Money Have you ever wondered “where has my money gone?” after each paycheck? If you are not able to understand what is wrong with this picture it is because there is a disconnection between your hard work with the money you have, such as spending more than you earn on things that you don’t need. Lacking the right mindset keeps you from establishing the kind of financial life you want. In order to reconnect with your money, Torabi recommends focusing on the good by feeling appreciative of your economic situation. Reflect on earlier years to find out how did your childhood leave an impression? Or what do you want to do change about the past? Connect with your money on a regular basis by tracking it, keeping an account of how it’s spent, and analyzing where your money is going. Finally, let fear make you stronger – “it can inspire you to take control and change bad financial habits.”
	Be Your Biggest Advocate The idea here is that no one cares for you as much as you do for yourself. Being an active advocate means: being committed, knowing your rights, exercising common sense, having persistence, identifying helpful resources, and always assuming there are risks to everything. Remember that accountability is a two-way road. Someone cannot be successful at tricking you if you don’t let them. Torabi also advices to use your resources and look for people that have experience in what you lack.
	Think Five Years Ahead The ability of projecting yourself years ahead helps you to stay motivated to get to your goal. According to Torabi, you should know yourself well enough to predict what you may need and want personally and professionally over the next five years. So ask yourself where would you like to be in five years from now? Would you like to be debt free, if you are? Have a bigger house? Start a family? Think of what needs to be done to get wherever you want to be and be persistent. Once you visualize a strategy, it lets you “manage your money and goals at a more consistent and tangible pace.”
	Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit It all starts with your willingness to take a chance. In her final chapter, Torabi identifies entrepreneurs by their ability to peruse their passion for creativity, having a strong work ethic, independence, appetite for risk, and “willingness to go the extra mile and down the road less traveled.” She urges everyone to learn from them since everyone is a small business person on some level; exchanging work for money qualifies you. While this can be applied to improve your financial life, this can also be apply to improving yourself, including your abilities and skill set.
In conclusion, we feel that Psych Yourself Rich is a great read with some great tips, and also believe that the information is presented in an understandable and relatable way. Its does repeat itself at times but primarily because many of the learning tips are inter connected and therefore will overlap in nature. We do feel as though the title may turn off a few people that may think this book is in regards to some magic formula to success but we can tell you that this is not the case but rather a quality roadmap to a healthy financial future. Our short interview with Farnoosh Torabi follows.

 

“It all starts with your willingness to take a chance.” Can you share a time when you took a chance and how it paid off? I took a chance in 2006 and quit my job as a financial producer and reporter for a local TV station in New York City (where I felt I had hit a wall) to venture into the vast world of internet TV. I had accepted a position as a senior web correspondent for TheStreet.com TV, which had just launched. When I told my boss, he skeptically replied, “Internet, eh? Well, we’ll see you back here in 6 months.” You have to keep in mind that YouTube had only just started to pick up steam and the Internet bubble burst of 2000 was still alive and fresh in many people’s minds. The position at TSCM was brand new, which meant there was no limit to how much I could grow and do…But it also meant having little guidance and getting thrown into a new and crazy thing. I was worried, for sure. But I knew that even if I only was there for 6 months (like my boss predicted), I’d learn more there than my previous job would have ever allowed. Fortunately, the move proved extremely pivotal in my career. I sharpened my financial reporting skills, interviewed heavy-hitting CEOs and entrepreneurs, and hosted a web show with Jim Cramer that had millions of viewers. I had no idea what I was getting myself into…I just knew it HAD to be better and more fulfilling than where I was and for me, that’s all the convincing I needed to take that chance. Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone to grow.   Why is it important for people to adapt to this “Psych Yourself Rich” mindset? It’s the only way you’re going to be able to make meaning out of your financial life. This book can help you get to places where your financial decisions become deliberate – as opposed to haphazard or mindless. Adapting to the lessons taught in the book, you’ll develop a closer relationship with money and better understand why you do the things you do…and from there, be able to make healthier choices and live a financial life that is better aligned with your values. The title gives the impression that the road to wealth is a mindset. Can you define the background behind the choice for the title and how it came to be? I wanted to write a book that explored the emotional side of money. Over the years, after working closely with many individuals and families struggling with debt, I realized that managing your money well and building wealth over time takes discipline, courage, focus and desire, among other things. Sure, calculators and budgeting pie charts go a long way in helping us stay on track, but at the end of the day, your mindset — a positive, practical and honest mindset — is what matters most. To “psych” yourself rich means getting in the right mental zone to achieve financial freedom.

 

Who should read this book?

While my audience tends to skew younger, I think this book is appropriate for anyone who feels they’re at a loss with their finances — people who are in a cycle of debt, who can’t save enough, living paycheck to paycheck, etc — and can’t get a grip. I reckon that’s many people these days – both young and old.

 

How would you sum up the entire book?

Psych Yourself Rich helps readers fine-tune their perspectives and make the small changes necessary to develop the proper mindset, behavior, habits, tools and etiquette to get their mind and money in shape. The book introduces some of the latest behavioral and psychological research, as well as my own recent experiences working with struggling adults and families to offer a deeper, more holistic financial guide. I set aside advanced math and calculators and, instead, encourage readers to redefine rich, embrace risk, be their biggest financial advocate and always think five years ahead. And while we can’t help but be emotional when it comes to money, the book instructs how we can take control of our emotions and channel them in a way that can actually help our finances, not hinder them.

 

European Delivery

Make no mistake about it, purchasing a brand new car is an exciting and special experience, especially if it is your first time choosing the vehicle, color combo, options, and accessories to your liking.  Purchasing a European car generally means there is a wealth of options available to you to suit your driving needs, though there is one option that is rarely discussed, yet has plenty to offer, and that is the various European Delivery programs.

Many German and Swedish manufacturers offer European delivery programs where you can fly out to the manufacturer, drive your new car all around Europe, and fly back home while the manufacturer ships your car to your local dealership.

Audi, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, and BMW all have European delivery programs available.  Packages include around two weeks of European road insurance, as well as numerous excursion packages to suit your liking, therefore, you will have plenty of time to get acquainted with your new vehicle.

Here’s what to expect if you are purchasing an Audi and would like the European delivery:

1) you will fly into Munich and their chauffeur service will escort you to your complimentary four or five star night in Ingolstadt;

2) the next day, you will be taken to the Audi customer service center;

3) the rest of the story is yours to create.  One, two, and three-day outings are available through the Audi Driving Experience, but you are also welcomed to explore Europe on your own.

BMW offers five different “Adventure Packages” suited to the differing tastes of those looking to explore Europe.  Of course, you are welcomed to simply pick up your car at the renowned BMW Welt, hit the autobahn, and return it to be sent home when you are finished.

Mercedes-Benz, not to be outdone, offers a 7% discount on eligible vehicles for European delivery.  Your MB USA concierge will escort you to Stuttgart where you will enjoy a one night complimentary stay at a luxurious hotel.  From there, you may choose from one of four packages (including a Black Alps Rally Package), or explore on your own.  Drop your vehicle at any one of eleven European cities available from Mercedes-Benz when you’re finished for maximum trip flexibility.

Want a professional photoshoot of your new car in Europe?  Porsche offers schedule photo sessions at the grounds of either the Zuffenhausen or Leipzig factory when picking up your new car.  Both locations include a factory tour, but each offers it’s own special perk.  The Zuffenhausen location includes a tour of the just renovated Porsche Museum.  The adrenaline junkie can take their new car onto the test track of off-road the Cayenne if they select to pick up their vehicle in Leipzig.

Whatever your preference is, if you have the opportunity, let’s just say there is likely a European delivery program to fit your style.  We’d love to take a 911 into Switzerland to drive the San Bernardino Pass.  What would you do?

Forever Wealthy – Freedom of Time

It is often agreed that time is money and that time holds much more value than money, but if that holds true then why do we continue to chase money rather than time?

Today we talk about the difference between those that have mastered the concept of wealth creation and those that simply live to be rich.  Many people will tell you that they are constantly in the pursuit of life’s hustle when it comes to making more money but rarely focus their life on creating time, which ultimately tells you they understand nothing of true wealth.

Most people looking to make money, seek money as their goals are to usually purchase things and establish a certain lifestyle.  Even if being successful means to always end up working in order to maintain such a lifestyle, it certainly never graduates from the idea of constantly working which almost defies the purpose of lifestyle.  The idea of wealth creation is to buy yourself time and freedom, not a luxury lifestyle.  Being able to use your time as you wish, not as you have to, is one of the most important aspects of accumulating wealth.  No one wants to work forever and certainly, no one with money wants to continue serving others.

In order to become wealthy, rather than rich, you must learn to let go of this constant idea of lifestyle enhancement especially as your time still doesn’t belong to yourself.  Mastering the art of making money means creating wealth that is residual and doesn’t require you to work in order to keep making money.  Many have probably heard the lines:

“Money makes money” or even “Let your money work for you!”

These two lines are often used when describing the actions of the wealthy, not the rich.

We discussed the idea of Wealth Transfer in Broke on Another Level, which essentially taught you how to enjoy the lifestyle without the cost of the loss.  However, today we are referring to your ability to purchase time, not goods.  Time is essentially what you must learn to get yourself free from a very early standpoint in life in order to attain numerous levels of wealth.  Many will tell you that they can make lots of money wearing so many different hats, yet it will often follow with “…but I don’t have time…” which tells you that their definition of success is only related to their ability to work for their money.

A good example of this is the famous 9 to 5 corporate worker whose time is eaten for 12 hours a day and limited to one role in those 12 hours versus the Internet Marketer who also works 12 hours a day but creates 5 to 6 different venues to profit from, all of which eventually become residual.  In 5 years, the corporate worker makes much more money per hour but still has to work the same hours, while the Internet Marketer no longer has to work on those same 5 to 6 venues but can rather focus on new ones and still makes the same or more money from those past 5 to 6 sites.  At some point, the Internet Marketer will not only surpass the corporate worker but no longer have to work to accomplish that outcome, meaning he can either focus on making more or enjoy his life to the fullest.

From a very early standpoint in life you must be able to differentiate between your ability to create businesses, or ventures that eventually become residual in nature rather than force your presence in order to profit.

Those that master this concept early find themselves identifying residual incomes quickly and at an early stage which allow them to acquire opportunities that often others wait to long to undertake.  Think about those that own 5 or 7 properties and make $10,000 a month profiting from rent payments, yet only work maybe 4-5 hours a week on that business of theirs.  Their time certainly can be spent doing other things to accumulate more wealth and certainly can be used to enjoy their lifestyle even more.  There is no dependency on any office or minimum need to work but rather only freedom of time.

If your goal is to make money, you will certainly get rich but if your goal is to be free, you will certainly need wealth.

Secret Model – Beth

Introducing Beth, a Secret Model like none you’ve seen before.

Beth actually happened to be a Secret Entourage reader and posted her interest in restarting her modeling career and asked us for some tips.  Being that she happened to live in South Florida, it only made sense to give our own reader a shot at being a featured model.  We asked William Stern to use his magical photography skills with Beth alongside our Project 911 and the results were somewhat too hot to handle for the site, so we urge you to check out our forum thread here for the full rated R shoot after viewing the PG13 rated shoot posted here.  Let us know what you think!

Modulare Wheels – Ferrari F430

What’s better than a Ferrari F430?  A modded one.  In one of their latest creations, Modulare Wheels have taken a stunning example of the Ferrari F430 and turned it up to eleven.

This car was optioned exceptionally from the factory.  The grigio exterior is accented well with black leather and bits of carbon and alcantara inside.   Aggressive yellow brake calipers sitting on the F430’s carbon ceramic rotors compliment the optional Scuderia shields on the front fenders.

Modulare decided that it wasn’t enough and couldn’t stop there, lowering the car an inch on the car’s factory coilovers.  From there, they outfitted the centerpiece: 20” Modulare B14 forged monoblock wheels finished in “tinted brush.”  The fronts measure 20″ x 8.5″, paired with massive 20″ x 12″ rears, mounted on Michelin PS2 245/30/20 and 325/25/20, respectively.

The unique split 8-spoke design of the B14 provides ample contact points on the rim of the wheel.  Combined with Modulare’s forged construction, this wheel is the perfect mix of style, strength for street style, and track performance.

With aesthetics out of the way, there was still one thing missing from this F430 – the sound to match it.  Capristo supplied one of their racing exhausts to lighten up the rear of the car, supply more power, and most importantly help that high-strung Ferrari V8 scream through the streets of its native Texas.

Be sure to be on the look out for more from our friends at Modulare Wheels and chime in with your thoughts on the car.  Also, if you want to learn how to drive a car like this and GET PAID, check out our eBook!

The Government Doesn’t Create Jobs: Entrepreneurs Do

The debate continues about the federal government’s handling of recent economic downturns and how federal spending measures affect our economy. How effective and efficient is government job creation? How does it compare to job growth in the private sector?

The United States government has spent an astonishing amount of money to stop the nation’s economic decline and promote “job growth.” Americans are still divided on how effective the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was in combating what, at that time, was seen as the real possibility of an economic depression. Many Americans, in a state of disillusionment, ask, “How did the $787 billion that the government spent help me or anybody I know?” Unfortunately, economic studies, which have asked these same questions, do not provide many clear answers. For many Americans, the general mode of thought is that the stimulus must have helped, and that the federal government continues to somehow control the job growth in this nation.  The details are just fuzzy.

The truth, however, is clear – crystal clear. According to the 2010 census, the government employs 19.8 million people through federal, state, and local positions, as well as throughout the United States military. In comparison, nearly 120 million people in the United States work in the private sector. This means approximately six times the number of employees work in the private business sector compared to the government. Of these 120 million employees, 59.9 million work for small companies consisting of fewer than 500 employees. Larger companies of more than 500 employees employ 62.7 million people. The question arises: if the private sector employs six times the number of people as the government, how can the government take credit for the nation’s job growth?

The Role of the Entrepreneur

The overlooked champions of job growth are the nation’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. Small firms accounted for 65 percent of the 15 million net new jobs created between 1993 and 2009, which equals a substantial 9.8 million positions. These entrepreneurial ventures are the engine of our economy, and have been for quite some time.

According to the Census Bureau, in 2009 alone, more than 552,000 companies with at least one employee were launched. Small entrepreneurial companies account for 99 percent of all private-sector employment. The nation’s economy is built on this foundation of small business, and it relies upon those small businesses to continue to lead us back to economic stability and prosperity.

The Role of the Politician

Interestingly, politicians focus on two central ideas: smaller government and more employment. These two ideas are at conflict with each other. The truth is that successful politicians don’t campaign on the idea of raising taxes and spending those tax dollars on providing more government jobs. While that may be a truthful platform, it is certainly not going to win elections. Politicians must maintain the appearance of an environment that’s friendly toward investment and job growth at the same time. Ultimately, this dilemma leads to political posing, rather than political action.

Reality vs. Public Image

Politicians, of course, are seizing as many public relations moments as possible as the private sector creates job growth. Incumbent politicians seek media opportunities that instantly show job creation on a large scale, such as the ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new plant that hired 500 employees. Those politicians are trying to guarantee that they’re associated with job growth and community prosperity in hopes of re-election. The component that’s overlooked in this scenario is that, while it is a great sign of success that 500 jobs were created in one location, entrepreneurs are consistently creating more jobs on a daily basis. If 500 entrepreneurs were able to create one business apiece that hired five people for each venture, those entrepreneurs would create 2500 potential jobs. These smaller success stories do not receive much attention from the media or politicians due to their lack of instant public relations impact.

In addition, the majority of smaller businesses are not seeing the “tax holidays” that larger corporations enjoy through government intervention. While larger companies receive loan guarantees and other incentives to try to promote job growth, entrepreneurs are financing their businesses through bank loans, credit cards, and loans from family or friends. The credit situation is improving, but it’s still not ideal for small business growth. Banks should continue to be encouraged to lend to small entrepreneurial ventures to see the greatest return on investment for potential job growth.

Instead of trying to garner false publicity for job creation, the government should be working to support our entrepreneurial culture. Through encouraging education about business practices and encouraging those successful small businesses to continue to grow through the use of technology and government incentives, the whole nation can benefit. Real job growth depends on countless Americans who focus their energy on their passion for small business, rather than the few who focus their energy on preserving their political images.

Dush Ramachandran is Business Tranformation Coach for The Net Momentum. He has built, grown and sold two of his own companies and most recently served at Vice President of Sales and Business Development at ClickBank where he was instrumental in growing the company’s revenues nearly 500% in five years. Dush is the host of the ‘Entrepreneur Effect’ radio show and is the author of an upcoming book on entrepreneurial success

Nutek Wheels – Ferrari 458 Italia “The Dark Prince”

When Top Gear reviewed the new Ferrari 458, Jeremy Clarkson hailed it as the “best Ferrari in recent years.”  Certainly a testament to modern engineering as the 458 was just a tenth-of-a-second behind the Enzo on their test track.

Wheel companies have it rough nowadays.  New cars, especially supercars, are being designed and built with already near-perfect setups.  It’s a tall order to attempt improving it.

Nutek Wheels set out to do this on the 2011 Ferrari 458.  This very special example looks menacing in black, which comes with a special-ordered custom paint trim on the interior and emblems.

To accent the car, Nutek decided to fit a set of fully forged three-piece 505 series wheels.  Measuring at 20″ x 9″ in the front and 20″ x 12″ in the rear, this configuration was designed to work perfectly with the factory recommended tires, and allows room for the owner to select a wider tire, if desired.

The final touch on this wheel setup is the finish; custom painted to match the blacked-out emblems of the car for this setup is truly one-of-a-kind.

The 505 wheel from Nutek offers various sections of the wheel available to be painted to suit the owner’s needs.  If you’d like to see for yourself, head to Nutek Wheels and play around with their wheel configurator!