Definitions and Acronyms for me to remember:

NR = New Rich

DEAL & DELA

D for Definition

E for Elimination

A for Automation

L for Liberation

W4W = Work for work’s sake

Dysphoria is the direct opposite of Euphoria

Eustress is a term coined by endocrinologist Hans Selye which is defined in the model of Richard Lazarus (1974) as stress that is healthy, or gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings. Eustress is a process of exploring potential gains. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustress)

Key thoughts for me to remember that strike a cord with me:

D:  To retire early or young.

NR: To distribute recovery periods and adventures (mini-retirements) throughout life on a regular basis and recognize that inactivity is not the goal.  Doing that which excites you is. (Ferriss 22)

D:  To make a ton of money.

NR:  To make a ton of money with specific reasons and defined dreams to chase, timelines and steps included.  What are you working for? (Ferriss 23)  For many years this had been my focus to simple make a ton of money.  Now though, because of personal and spiritual changes that have gone on in my life, my focus is still to make a ton of money but it is to accomplish specific goals in the area of giving, starting charities or non-profit organizations and pursue activities alone, with my wife and with our kids that we haven’t and can’t do now.

D:  To have freedom from doing that which you dislike.

NR:  To have the freedom from doing that which you dislike, but also the freedom and resolve to pursue your dreams without reverting to work for work’s sake… (Ferriss 23 and 24)

Money is multiplied in practical value depending on the number of W’s you control in your life: what you do, when you do it, where you do it, and with whom you do it. (Ferriss 24)  This is the freedom multiplier!

Let the hard questions begin!

2. How has doing what you “should” resulted in subpar experiences or regret for not having done something else? (Ferris 37)  My attending college immediately after graduating high school and attending the college that I felt my parents wanted me to attend has been something I have definitely had regretted.  I do have to admit though if it had not been for me to attend where I did, I would now be married to my wonderful wife and we wouldn’t have our awesome inspiring kids.

3. Look at what you’re currently doing and ask yourself, “What would happen if I did the opposite of the people around me?  What will I sacrifice if I continue on this track for 5, 10, or 20 years? (Ferriss 37)  This is a hard question.  I am in some ways already doing the opposite of what the people around me are doing, though I know I can do more.  I have already proven to myself that I can have a professional career while only having attended one year of college.  Do I want to ever get a college degree?  Defiantly, but on my terms and where I want to attend!

At the age of twenty I had already gotten married to a woman with two children.  At age twenty-one we had three children.  In the process of fighting against current of what others do I have been all of the following: Call Center Representative (four  times), truck driver, pizza delivery professional, electronics store stock person and sales person, part of a mall cleaning crew, retail associate at two different clothing stores, insurance sales person for three different companies, an outside sales professional at one computer support company, a Regional Account Manager, an Inside Sales Professional twice, and have joined and quit two MLM companies.

I have been on the verge of ending my marriage more than I like to admit.  I have dealt with suicidal thoughts.  Overcoming a particular destructive addictive behavior is a daily fight for me.

“What would happen if I did the opposite of the people around me?”  When I do it against God’s principles it destroys me and those around me.  When I do it and I am aligned with God’s principles, I am more blessed than I know how to express!

“What will I sacrifice if I continue on this track for 5, 10, or 20 years?” If I were to sacrifice and fight against God’s will and principles I would be miserable.  If I continue to only trust marginally in God and His will and not continue to fight the current of mediocrity I too will be miserable.

So, why the sarcasm for “vacation” at the very beginning of this post?  Simply for the fact that over this next year I am going to strive to enjoy my vacations with as little drama as possible from outside forces – Here’s to the beginning of an awesome year!

The 4-Hour Workweek – Beginning the Journey is a post from: domingo rogers

With the most recent turn of events, a new opportunity has shown itself and my sense of being has renewed and a brighter hope for the future seems to be rising in the east. A change in jobs, when one is being offered an opportunity to move from one economic status into a new one that results in a positive move I’m sure accounts for much of this. To boot, a territory of Manhattan!! So stoked!

Then there’s the separation from the kids and my wife. Difficult in general and when considered in the evening somewhat depressing. There is hope in knowing this is temporary but hard to bare while hearing my wife’s cry of frustration and the kids cry or say my name. This though, too drives me in my tasks the next day; to provide for them that which I have not been blessed with or been able to in the past. So hope endures as my zeal for wealth and that which it can provide on earth moves forth; yet I remain conscious that it is He that has given me this great opportunity and He that I thank every day.

A search for a place of worship continues…Good to see old “friends” but not challenged nor feel ministered to at Peace or Colonial. So, I pray and search and look forward to making new friends in churches all around the Raleigh area!

“The Faith Sonar” or “New Hope for the Bank” is a post from: domingo rogers

Adam Smith – Economist

The above quote, by Adam Smith, the Scottish political economist and philosopher of the mid to late 1700’s made me stop and think today, “Having ones health is definitely priceless, but just because one has a clear conscience and is out of debt doesn’t necessarily mean that ultimate financial happiness has been achieved.” Perhaps he was writing about happiness in general…Then again maybe he’s talking about bad debt not good debt. In either case, I challenge the following: Outside of nuns, monks, and those on the opposite side of the spectrum – money addicts, why do people from all walks of life strive in some degree to enter into debt?

For those that have entered into a vow of poverty, they have not entered into a promise to be “dirt poor” but rather a vow to not own any of their own belongings. Instead money, tools, clothes, and other “earthly” items are shared as a community and put back into society. Monks, nuns, and many other religious devotees focus on Heavenly treasures and the spiritual well being of themselves and others. With this focus and servitude they are often times living in the exact life that Adam Smith speaks about; healthy, clear conscience, and debt free individuals. However, there are others in society that though being debt free, penny pinching, healthy individuals are content but not happy. These individuals are constantly worrying about their future in some way or the other. They cut coupons, sock money away in the bank where it’s “secure.” Others don’t trust the government and stash the money away in their backyard or underneath their mattress. Oh they don’t have any debt, they own their house free and clear, drive an old reliable vehicle, and boast quite adamantly about these accomplishments. Are they truly happy, though? Are they happy in their mind because they don’t know anything different? Is the colloquial saying, “What you don’t know, can’t hurt you” true? As one considers these questions and ponders the fact that the movers and shakers of history have started from both very financially wealthy and poor backgrounds, one must keep in perspective that these individuals have chosen to remain in their sec of society while others have gone to the opposite side of the spectrum and choose to become very wealthy or live a very meager lifestyle.

While there are those that choose to live a life of meagerness because of religious beliefs or because they want to have as little risk of loss in their life; there are those that live in excess and are living in debt and beyond their means to a grand level. Whether society puts these individuals under the label of those dealing with gambling addictions or money addictions, these individuals are living in denial of a deeper problem. I found an interesting link from the University of Maine on addictions to money and am including it here for consideration:

http://www.umaine.edu/eap/money_additions.htm

My further reading found that according to an article on the Center For Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) website, “[The] combination of bubble-induced wealth effects and declining wage income has led to record levels of borrowing. The combined level of mortgage debt and consumer debt stood at a record 108.3 percent of disposable income at the end of 2003. This ratio of debt to income is almost 16 full percentage points above the 2000 level, which was already a record.” They based this statement from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Federal Reserve Board. For those of you wanting to do more research here is their links:

• CEPR – http://www.cepr.net/publications/debt_trends.htm
• Federal Reserve Board – http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/hist/cc_hist_sa.txt

My research and thought process must take a pause, but this discussion will continue and so will the journey…

Health, Debt, and Happy? is a post from: domingo rogers

The act of creating.

The fact or state of having been created.

The act of investing with a new office or title.

The world and all things in it.

All creatures or a class of creatures.

Creation The divine act by which, according to various religious and philosophical traditions, the world was brought into existence.

An original product of human invention or artistic imagination: the latest creation in the field of computer design.

cre·a’tion·al adj.

wealth (wĕlth) n.

An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; riches.

The state of being rich; affluence.

All goods and resources having value in terms of exchange or use.

A great amount; a profusion: a wealth of advice.

[Middle English welthe, from wele, from Old English wela.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Creation of Wealth…this phrase can mean many things to different people. As one that is a Believer and driven to achieve worldly wealth, the multiple meanings that I face with this phrase are compounded and often seem to contradict each other. This journal is not supposed to out rightly challenge ones views on monetary wealth versus spiritual abundance, but rather be the means that records the journey I experience of success in the creation of wealth. I’m sure my views of wealth and the creation therein will evolve with the challenges of current culture, economic and political developments, and the very decisions I make every day. My wish is that you the reader take something away from my experiences in this journey that has begun but only just started.

First Crawl, Then Walk is a post from: domingo rogers