The Prosperity Podcast

When I was a kid, I would often have a dream about showing up in class in my pajamas.  I know many people have similar dreams about doing something mildly to wildly embarassing.  Sometimes, in our real lives, even while we’re acting with our best intentions and efforts, we end up falling flat on our faces or perhaps the other end.  If you want success and prosperity in life, you have no choice but to get up, shake it off and try try again.  Perserverance indeed furthers but finding the energy to give it another go might be blocked by fears of success, losing control or just plain making an idiot of yourself.  We suggest you let go of the inhibitions and start acting as stupidly as the rest of us.  As Bob Dylan said, “Even the President of the United States must sometime have to stand naked.”  It’s your turn., Mr. President.

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Wisdom from Star Trek the Next Generation.  There are many occurences in our lives that don’t go exactly as we plan or hope.  Yet, it is often convenient for us to cling to the notion that the bad stock pick will go up tomorrow; the spouse won’t be abusive again; another Republican adminstration will cure the ills of the nation.  These are not based on reality.  They are based on the fact that we hope that something outside of ourselves will change and make us happy.  Sorry folks, it’s time to take 100% responsibility for what happens in your life and stop directing hope and blame at others.  Clinging to what isn’t true or real is not just being strong willed; it’s pig headedness.

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I think sometimes that I hope for an unexpected miracle to appear in my life that will somehow solve my problems.  A lost, forgotten, relative leaves me gobs of money and I never have to go to work again.  Oprah listens to this Podcast instead of her own and decides I can sit in her chair and talk to boring authorities on spirituality as well she.  But the expectations that disappoint the most are the ones that I consider possible.  If I were to examine closely the chances of these reasonable miracles occuring, I might find, I’ve set it up so that they are less likely to occur then the proverbial freeze in hell.

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I have met many artists in my life.  Some seem like they are from another planet; others act as ordinary as yesterday’s news.  What they all have in common is a dedication to creative expression.  That may seem like a trivial conclusion but it is very important.  Many of us spend more time saying no to our ambitions, ideas and projects than we do in actually getting things done.  Not so with the artist.  With an attitude of childlike curiosity and play, my artist friends are about to start the next project.  Sure, maybe it’s not a masterpiece (maybe it is) but I bet the piece they create spontaneously brings them a lot more enjoyment than the piece that you never even started.

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Julia sent me a message saying that she wanted to talk about “Listening with Love’s Ear” for this week’s Podcast.  You would have been amused by the blank stare that took hold of my face.  I really had no idea how this was going to add to my propserity.  But you know, I gave her a chance to explain.  I kept an open mind.  I remembered how generous she’s been with her time and experience for the past 18 months of Podcasts and pretty soon it all became crystal clear.  There’s a tremendous power and benefit in listening with full respect, attention and consideration.  And there’s equal power in speaking in the same way.  In our hurry-up, impatient, news bite world, we want to get it over with and move on but the most benefit now and in the future might be to stay open and go deeper to where the real power is.

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People often develop the insidious habit of insisting that everything be right.  Perfectionism is a belief and behavior that can block your thoughts, actions, relationships and, of course, prosperity.  When we turn perfectionism on the outside world it is bad enough but when turned on ourselves it is evil and destructive.  Japanese craftsman always deliberately leave a flaw in their woodwork as a reminder of this crippling behavior.  Are you blocking your prosperity because you find that it’s never right and never meets your expectations?  Pride is a sin and perfectionism venal.

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If you want to be a medical doctor in the United States, unless your Frank Abagnale Jr., you have to go to college, go through medical school and an internship and for certain specialties do a residency.  This can take 10 years or more but the rewards are great both financially and in terms of service to your community.  It’s really much the same for just about any career.  Sam Walton started out with a single store not an empire.  Warren Buffet with one stock.  Keeping your goals in mind, your eye on the prize and being willing to pay your dues in work and education will assure your long term success and satisfaction.

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Even person has a breaking point.  If situations or circumstances in our lives are not to our liking, we may tolerate them until something gives way.  Sometimes, we lash out in anger; sometimes we swallow the anger and it gnaws away at our psyche leading to stress and illness.  Anger is the most destructive of the emotions but we need not let it get the upper hand.  By learning to set our limits, our psychological boundaries, and stating them clearly to those who matter the most, we can make tremendous progress towards a life that’s harmonious, healthy and happy.

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Joseph Sugarman has had a long career in the direct mail marketing industry.  He’s an authority on copywriting for catalogs and magazines.  He has been an associate of many of those who have worked on The Secret.  He has been an inspiration and model to me throughout my business career.   We are delighted that Julia was able to interview him at his home in Maui.  Joe gives great advice with his signature simultaneous  bravado and humility.  We know you’ll appreciate him as much as we do.

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We have a saying around my house that the easiest thing to do is complain.  How much easier to place the blame on someone else instead of acting responsibily and taking care of it yourself?  These complaints are a form of judgment.  Perhaps against our selves (which we get into next week) but most of the time we are judging our friends, neighbors and co-workers in a self-defeating act of criticism and projection.  What fears are we dragging up that keep us from seeing our reality and companions as they truly are instead of projections of our psyche?  Does it matter?  What can we do about it?  We try to answer just those questions.

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