Property, Investment and Learning

Will Smith makes his kids to read Rich Dad Poor Dad

2010-11-10T11:19:00.000+00:00

Haven't updated my blog for awhile, so will do it more often again. Interesting video that Will Smith makes his kids read Rich Dad poor dad.

Decision and Persistence

2010-08-06T10:30:00.001+01:00

Some of you might ask what is the key to success?

There are many factors that can bring success. But the answer i hear many times from people who are wealthy or successful is Persistence. But first for many people would be to make a definate Decision.

Many times I have seen people, including myself missing opportunities because we couldn't decide and often fail to persist (to carry on).

Imagine if you are at a cross road and you don't decide which direction to go then you will never get anywhere. Whether you choose to go left, straight on or go right (could be right or wrong) at least you made a decision. Along the road or journey you will learn many things.

Also how many new year resolution have you made? But failed to follow through and persist to what you want to achieve. It envolves decision and persistence.

Decision i would say also include choosing a destination, if you are on the road without a destination, then you are just wondering around aimlessly.

Say if you plan to go from Leeds to Scotland, you will get a map or nowadays uses tom tom. You can then figure out where you are and where you want to get to, you can then choose the fastest route or the shortest route. And sometimes you might take a wrong turn (even tomtom shows you wrong direction sometimes) you can replan/recalculates then try out new routes and so you will get to your destination.

Also watched karate kid on wednesday, if you fall down you rise back up. You will power to persist and carry on will help you create your achievements to get to your destination.

For me, my decision was in property investment and continue to persist in doing it. I have made lots of right and wrong decision that created desired and undesired results. And sometimes it just don't go the way you plan. But I know that is part of my journey and one day i will reach my goals, vision and destination.

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you will be right!" - Henry Ford

Forex Trading New journey

2010-07-26T23:42:00.090+01:00

Tonight me and my wife went to an introduction 2 hour Forex (Foreign Exchange) trading seminar (a form of spread betting) from Knowledge To Action (Greg Secker), the speaker Clive who came to tell us about it.

We basically learned; it is about:

Risk management - only risk 1% of your capital
Strategy & Mindset - controlling emotions (knowing when to take money, when to quit, when to trade and when not to trade)

My wife decided that she wants to learn and try out Forex trading . She has mentioned a few times that she has an interest in Forex, I think it is because she likes figures and numbers and looking at charts. Also since my wife will be starting her new journey very soon because she has taken voluntary redundancy from her job. It will be wise to learn from actual experts, before trying to trade as it can be very risky investment if you don't know what to do.

As my own main investment focus will still be property investment, but in order to support my wife's learning and her new journey, which becomes part of our new journey. We decided to use part of our cash reserves (which includes her redundancy pay) to go on the course together; my role is probably more of a supporting role but as we are learning together we should be able to discuss and make money this way as well.

Will be an interesting times ahead for us, so watch this space..!!

World cup 2010 teamwork learnings

2010-07-12T15:38:00.000+01:00

Finished watching the world cup 2010 final last night, Spain Vs Netherlands.

To be honest, during this world cup I haven't really watched that many matches. Especially after when England lost, which they were quite disappointing as they didn't seem to have the teamwork, skills or the mindset in order to win the world cup.

But seeing Spain and Netherlands played, although they didn't score many goals but you get the feeling they do really want to win, doing all sort of tackles and wanting to get control of the ball, trying different shots. Spain won in the end, which I'm happy for them because they have repeated their success, and now as the European champion and world champion.

Watching the world cup has also made me think about how similar it relates to the business/property investment world. Because having a good team in business, it is as important as in football or any team sports, it's about having:

Common Goal and Mission. Eg "be the world cup winner". As you can see from the players was going full out knowing they want to win and pick up the world cup trophy. Focusing playing their part and striving towards winning.
Skills and Mindset- they all have to learn and train to acquire their skills and continue to practise regularly and constantly improving their skills and stamina to become the best that they can be. You can see the players played very hard, trying to open an opportunity for all sort of shots and continue playing at extra time even though some was getting tired but their minds keeps them going. In business you constantly learn to improve and seek ways to be better.
Knowledge and Teamwork - knowing your own and other team mates strengths, weaknesses and abilities; understanding where your team mates are and what position they can get to and skills they have. And the getting the best people possible for the team, whether it is the goalie, defender and striker, etc.
Coach or Mentor - to train and guide you, someone who has been there before you, someone who you can learn from and push you forward.
Understanding the rules of the game - in the final match quite a few people got yellow cards, players getting off-side and missing opportunities. In investment it is important to understand the rules and how to play the game, otherwise you will miss opportunities (like in football the point of getting the ball in between the goals) or you might lose like getting red card being sent off.

Think about the game of football, in your line of work or business. It maybe quite interesting if you look at it as a game.

Importance of Marketing

2010-06-28T23:15:00.026+01:00

One of my recent seminar I went to Guerrilla Business Intensive (One of T.Harv Eker's series of courses), it really occurred to me the importance of marketing. The training mentioned that the time & effort spend on a business should be the following:

60% Marketing
20% Operation
20% Production

There are successful people who have marketed a product that they don't have yet, raised interest and get people to pre-paid before they go and buy/create/produce it.

But sometimes we get bog down by the paperwork, or getting the product right. But we forget the importance of getting the customers! So get the people in, before worrying about the paperwork and product.

In terms of property investment, get the seller leads first, then think about the paperwork, etc.

In terms of business get the demand first.

Remember: Focus 60% on Marketing

Robert Kiyosaki National Achiever Congress

2010-06-15T23:08:00.000+01:00

Will update shortly about my most recent seminar seeing Robert Kiyosaki and Kim Kiyosaki live in London last weekend. What an amazing experience. So watch this space very soon..!

Helping others step forward, achieving results

2010-06-03T17:01:00.004+01:00

Recently in the last 2 weeks I have been to many trainings and seminars. Meeting lots of new people which has given me an opportunities to speak to and help others to take particular action that they didn't feel comfortable in. By helping, encouraging and push them a little, it really makes a difference for them to step out of their comfort zone. It's a great feeling and satisfaction when you have seen/helped someone grow, for them to move forward.

Also I am so glad that someone pushed and helped me to do a task which I have put off a while, I thought I didn't have the right knowledge and setup to do that. But tonight i will do my 1st Teleseminar to a group of people.

Some of the task which when in Hindsight might seem easy but when first doing them to many people, including myself may sometimes feel uncomfortable doing them, maybe it is because of the following:

we have never done a task before
lack of knowledge
bad experience
fear
worried about what people thinks
also other thoughts, feeling and experiences

So next time when you don't feel like doing something, be aware of your Thoughts and Feelings. Because that's what is stopping you from taking the necessary Actions to achieve your Results.

Also tell someone your goals and results you want to achieve and that they are willing to support you. Get them to hold you accountable and encourage you to take the actions. Because actions is where it will give you results.

Remember TFAR

Thoughts > Feelings > Actions = Results

Last day at work and a new journey begins

2010-05-14T15:20:00.029+01:00

Today it is the last day at work, after almost 10 years at Pace. I have finally escape the full time work in pursue of my business and property venture.

There are a mixture of feeling on this last day; a mixture of excitement/freedom and a bit of sadness. After all i have been at this company for so long and have been part of my life, routine and habit of going to work. But overall the freedom it bring overcome any sadness, as I am now able to move in the direction where I want to get to and aim to achieve my dreams and goals I have set myself.

I believe everything happen for a reason, so I am really happy and excited what lies ahead of me. Creating and building a new business with my business partners and learning from other property experts. Although it may take a while to establish ourselves as a property investment business, but i do think when others see our successes of our property investments; others will soon be interested and want to work with us.

But starting a business requires a lot of hard work; include creating a well defined business plan/model; creating goals, strategy, process, etc; delegate work, roles and responsibilities; monitor the cash flow and finance, customer focus to offer best possible service and be accountable/responsible by taking all the necessary actions that will move the business forward.

So watch this space as I share my new experience of my new journey and life which begins now..!

Learn from mistakes

2010-05-05T23:36:00.000+01:00

A great quote I recently learned and remembered, which says that

"Smart people learn from their mistakes,
smarter people learn from other people's mistakes,
and the smartest people learn from smart people's mistakes"

Property Network meetings

2010-04-27T05:26:00.002+01:00

Are you interested and want to start Property Investments?

Or are you already investing and seeking ways to improve and learn new things?

Well, whether you are a newbie or a property investment expert, it is always good to continue to learn and update your knowledge. Because it can help you make or saves lots of money and avoid some costly mistakes by learning from other people. Each month there are different speakers to talk about a different subject related to property investment. Come with an open mind and see what it is about or just come to meet new people.

Property Investors Network (PIN)

For those who are new to Property Investors Network meetings there is a gift for you. Once you have clicked on the link below and enter your details, and in the voucher code enter “20poundgift” and you can enter your 1st PIN meeting for free.

If you live around or near Manchester area, click here for the Manchester Property Investors Network meeting. It is on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (19th May, 16th June, 14th July), doors open from 6:00pm start at 7-9pm. Held at:

Fairways Lodge,

George Street, Off Bury New Road,

Prestwich,

Manchester,

M25 9WS.

If you live around or near Leeds area, click here for the Leeds Property Investors Network meeting. It is on the 4th Wednesday of each month (28th April, 26th May, 23rd June, 21st July), doors open from 6:00pm start at 7-9pm. Held at:

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Wellington Street

Leeds

LS1 4DL.

Usually the entry fee is £20 if registered and paid online, or it is £30 at the door.

Freedom !!!

2010-04-19T23:34:00.092+01:00

Freedom today is Monday 19th April 2010, at 1pm I decided to take the plunge and handed in my notice to quit my job. What a fantastic happy feeling it brings and it feel like I have freed myself of a heavy burden and a sense of relieve.

Previous thoughts and feeling was that I felt trapped and stuck in a job, but I believe in myself and my own potential and by having the right team, support and network. I know I can take myself and other people around me to the next level.

Handing in the notice is a tough decision, you will have to overcome lots of things around you; including your inner self and external surroundings. Eg you may be comfortable in your current lifestyle and will be scared of a change. But there is a saying which goes:

"Your success lies outside your comfort zone"

Therefore I have stepped outside my comfort zone to go on my new venture, my new journey and my new life. I don't know what exactly lies ahead, but I do know I won't live to regret it because I have tried.

"It's better to have tried, than not trying and regret later"

So I hope by sharing these feelings will inspire my friends and people around me to plan for your future and you can become who you choose to become. But you need to plan, have goals, be focus and preserver by taking actions everyday through good and bad times to move towards your goals..

"Be who you can become"

Appreciation of others

2010-04-09T13:58:00.004+01:00

As well as being thankful of what you have now, which I mentioned in my previous sharing of "Being Grateful, Creates happiness".

It is also about showing appreciation for others around you. So if someone helped you in some way or just the kindness of your heart. Maybe consider doing one or some of the following:

Simply saying thank you to them
Send a text/email
Write a card
Box of chocolate
Bottle of wine
Treat them to Diner
Buy them some beer
Flowers (Be careful, depending who it is may get the wrong idea)

Sometimes by doing a little bit in return can brighten someone else’s day. As one of the saying goes

“Treat others as you like to be treated”.

Millionaire Mind Intensive 7th - 9th May 2010

2010-04-01T08:21:00.004+01:00

I went to this seminar last year and it has really help me identify myself, by understanding myself better. The seminar goes into understanding what your upbringing, experiences and emotions attached to money, which leads to you success or failure. It also goes into how to manage your money, financial blueprint and beliefs.

For me it is learning about myself, why i behave in certain ways, do the things i do and the learning/teachings that made it worth while. This seminar is not about a particular skills or investment, it is learning and understanding your mind. And once your mind is aware/changes that's when actions begin to occur. Truely a well recommended seminar to go to.

A few T. Harv Eker quotes:

"You can have all the knowledge and skills in the world, but if your "blueprint" isn't set for success, you're financially doomed."

"How you do anything, is how you do everything"

Event: Millionaire Mind Intensive London

Date: 7th – 9th May 2010 (Fri – Sun)

New Venue: Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgeware Road, London. W2 1JU

Click here or on the picture below to find out more

Robert & Kim Kiyosaki Rich Dad Seminar 2010 UK

2010-04-01T08:00:00.000+01:00

Have you read or heard of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad?
Rich Dad Poor Dad, it is a must read book that will change your thinking about money; being employed, self employed, business and investments.

Whether you like it or not, the way you think about money is one of the most important factors affecting how you live your life.

As Robert Kiyosaki’s ‘Rich Dad’ told him, you don’t need a good job, you need a good system.

This is your opportunity to break the cycle of working for money and start making money work for you

In this brand-new program Robert shares the system that allowed him to retire a wealthy man at 47. He found what he loves so he does it because he chooses to not because he has to. And he has refined and developed his system to give you the financial education that you should have!

He will be joined by his wife Kim who is a dynamic success story in her own right. She’ll be here to smash the idea that financial independence is a man’s game – Kim inspires every woman to take control of her own destiny.

I believe this is the 1st time Robert and Kim has come to do a seminar like this in the UK, so don't miss your chance. I think it will be an amazing event. See you there!

The event will be on Fri 11th - Sun 13th June 2010

At Excel London. Starts 8:30am to 9pm

Click here to find out more info?

Blog update survey

2010-03-20T17:03:00.005+00:00

Go to the Survey on the right, below About me and tick the option by voting.

"How often do you think I should update my blog?"

So, help me understand how often you look at my blog, then i will know how often I should update it and share what i have learnt with you?

The reason i wanted to find out is that several of my friends ask me how often i update my blog. I said normally i update it when someone asks me a question about something, then when i remember i will update my blog so that it benefits all the people around me.

Also do leave me comments in my blog, so that i know what people are interested in reading. Thanks.

Think How? Take Action

2010-03-16T08:30:00.005+00:00

Recently I have been speaking to a number of people who want to invest in property, but have worries of doing it. This is because it is often it is your first one, or have had bad experiences in the past.

Although most of them have done some learning from books or seminars or know people who successful in properties. There is something that holds them back to trying it and moving forward.

Maybe for some of you, you have the following worries. But here are some suggestions that could move you forward:

Lack of knowledge – Then go and learn from other people. There are books available, seminars, audio CD, other investors & mentors, property network meetings. There are plenty of way to increase your knowledge.

Lack of experience or previous bad experience – Remember learning to ride a bike, learn to drive or Swim, etc. Once you done your first and repeated it, you get more familar and more experiences to carry on and do better next time. Also we all have mistakes. I have certainly made plenty of them. However if you constantly improve and learn to do better next time and be persistent in properties it will give you great wealth over the long term.

Other people influence – Be careful who you are listening to; have an open mind to listen but remember lots of people who talk negatively haven’t even invested or have the know how, so be selective who you listen to. Consider have they achieved where you want to get to or they just talk and have negative views? You should copy people who are successful and follow their path and you will get to where they are.

Market condition – It is said during in bad times; there are more self made millionaires than during normal times. If you have an open mind and take the opportunities we have today you will be much better of. Imagine you didn’t do anything in these bad times and 10 years later you regret not even had done anything or even tried it.

Not enough capital – Find ways to get finance; partner up with people who have money, Joint venture with someone, equity release from your home, borrow money form somewhere or find ways to make money. Think of how you could?

Don’t have time – Again partner up with people who have time, they can do the research or instead of doing something like watching TV for 2 hours each evening, then for example only watch 1 hour each evening and spend time research with the other hour. You can plan your time and make time. Book yourself an appointment with yourself.

There’s a saying which says “If you do what everyone else do, you get what everyone else gets”

It’s all about taking action; it doesn’t have to be big steps. It can be very small steps, but by taking these small steps you start to move to where you want to get to.

Another saying asks “How do you eat an elephant? One Bite at a Time”

Think HOW? Take ACTION.

Being grateful, creates happiness

2010-03-08T16:04:00.006+00:00

Part of creating wealth and freedom for yourself is to create happiness into your life by being grateful. Since watching “The Secret” end of last year (must have watched it more than 6 times now) and teachings through Christianity Gospel (Bible).

It finally clicked and the ways that I have learnt and apply to bring more happiness to each of my day is to be grateful of what I have now. Having that focus on the positive aspects of your life. Each morning I will think of things that I am grateful for and it does automatically make your feel more happy and smiles :)

It can be very simple things, sometimes things that you take for granted for. Eg Having food and shelter. These are some of the things, I’m grateful for:

Having a warm shower
Got a roof over the head
Had breakfast/lunch/diner to eat
Got a warm clothes to keep me warm
I’m alive and well
Have a lovely wife/family
Have good business partners/friends
Manage to catch the train/bus or drive
Time to spend with people you want to
Got to destination on time
Had a great day yesterday
Got pack lunch
Helped someone
Gave to charity
Achieved what I have achieved

As you can see it can be very simple as having some clothes to wear or just being alive. So friends, try it for yourself each morning and think of say 3 things you are happy or grateful for?

If you keep on doing it, you will attract more happiness into your life; as the law of attraction states. Also it can be things that you experienced, whether it was good or not you could be thankful for having that experience.

New Year 2010 Goals Setting

2010-01-04T20:39:00.004+00:00

It's the new year 2010, it will be a year of many great successes. Have you set any goals for this year?

Many people will have said new year resolution or goals. But inorder to succeed, it is best to write it down on paper and have a think of the reasons why you want to achieve them and dream how you will feel when you achieved it?

Best to set some very easy to achieve goals and goals that will stretch you. Every time you achieve a goal celebrate.

Use Who/Where/What/When/Why/How and write it down and stick it somewhere that will remind you daily? Then put into little steps for action.

Determine your goals and make steps towards that direction. You can do a little bit each day, say 10 minutes, half and hour or an hour. What ever you can, but do it daily or at least weekly. Be persistent and continue.

Also have a review and think where you are now. It's good to think about goals, but if you don't know where you are then how do you get to your destination. It's about knowing where A and B is, then you can get from A to B.

It's doesn't have to be perfect, just by doing it and learning from what you have done will gain you experience to do it better in the future.

I heard this quote, which says "sloppy success, is better than perfect mediocrity"

If you have set yourself say to learn something or read a book then do a bit daily or a few times in a week. One of the things I have learnt to do is to use a countdown online timer. The idea is to basically set 4 times a week of 50 minutes session undisturb (eg turn the phone to silient) to do things towards your goal. Be countdown gives you a little pressure and helps you do more.

So summary have a think back what you wanted to achieve last year? Where are you now? And where you want to be in the future (1 month, 6 months, 1 year time); then break it down to steps and actions; then make it happen.

To your success in 2010

Please leave me comments

2009-11-05T17:47:00.003+00:00

Just realised when my friend said she couldn't leave comments that i didn't enable it. So i have enable comments now.

Please leave me comments, share your learning, tell me what's useful and what not so that I know whether I'm helping you or not?

Help me to help you..

Bank job loss

2009-11-04T22:32:00.002+00:00

Read in the newspaper and there are many jobs being axed by banks.

HSBC slashed 1700 jobs in Britain over the next year. Which bring the total this year to 4600. Also Royal Bank of Scotland said few days ago to cut 3700 jobs. More about HSBC link here.

So isn't this an indication that many many more people will become job less. And if they have no other source of income. They will become financially troubled. That's why it is so important to look for other source of income via business and investments.

So family and friends, please for yourself or for your family. Look and take action into creating part time businesses and/or investments that will create extra income for your security.

Google docs

2009-10-26T23:29:00.003+00:00

Haven't posted for awhile. Been really busy working, planning what i need to do and getting more organise and to have a more systemise approach to create my financial freedom.

So I've started looking at ways to centralise my documents so that it is easier to manage and share with other people. I decided to look into using google docs, this seems to be a good tool to use.

I can do the following (from what i learnt):

Upload documents
Upload excel spreadsheet
Upload pdf file
Upload other documents
Invite other people (send email) to view or have ability to edit the docs
Create folders to organise files
Hold a revision of changes to document changed

Still learning at the moment, so once i found out how to use it better will post and teach you. Or if you know how to use it let me know.

Bank base rate stays at 0.5%

2009-10-08T14:08:00.002+01:00

The bank of England has kept the base rate at 0.5%, this is good for many property owners with a tracker or variable rate mortgage. But not so good for people with savings in banks, which is next to nothing.

Read more about the Bank of England base rate, follow the link here.

Millionaire Mind Intensive 29th-31st August

2009-08-24T15:24:00.000+01:00

I went to this seminar several months ago and it has really help me identify myself, by understanding myself better. The seminar goes into understanding what your upbringing, experiences and emotions attached to money, which leads to you success or failure. It also goes into how to manage your money, financial blueprint and beliefs.

A few T. Harv Eker quotes:

"You can have all the knowledge and skills in the world, but if your "blueprint" isn't set for success, you're financially doomed."

"How you do anything, is how you do everything"

Click here to listen to T. Harv Eker's eSeminar

Event: Millionaire Mind Intensive London
Date: This weekend 29th – 31st August 2009 (Sat – Bank Holiday Monday)
New Venue: Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgeware Road, London. W2 1JU

http://www.millionaireminduk.com/

Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad

2009-08-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Book review:
A must read book talking about people in the 4 quadrants:

E - Employee
S - Self employed
B - Business
I - Investment

The book is about moving towards the right side of the quadrant toward by building Businesses and investments. It aslo tell you how people are in a rat race, going round in circle by explaining income and expense, assets and liabilities. Assets is where you get money into your pocket and liabilities is where it takes money out of your pocket.

For example

A typical person say Joe in the E or S quadrant might have a good job and several liabilities like a small house, and a normal car. Therefore he earns a income, but has to pays back out for expenses from the house & car (mortgage, loans, bills, tax, etc). We works harder and final get a promotion so he now earns more, he then buy a bigger liabilities like moving to a bigger house and nicer car. Therefore he now earns more but also pays out more. He is working for money.

Where as another person say Sally building B or I. She creates businesses and investments that someone else can run (with or without her) that will keep on going, bring her money and grow. Therefore the money is working for you.

Do read this book, it's like a wake up call to understand why people are stuck in the rat race!

Book information:
Rich Dad Poor Dad By Robert Kiyosaki

Find UK properties using RightMove

2009-07-27T22:40:00.001+01:00

There are many different ways to find property, you can visit local estate agent, look in your local newspapers, walk or drive around the area you like and look at "For Sale" signs or you could look using the internet.

With the internet it is easy to Find and search for properties online, there are a numbereous websites that you can you use to do this, like:

RightMove
Find a property
Nestoria
Vebra
MousePrice

Here I will give you an example of using www.RightMove.co.uk website.

At the homepage (shown below), in the Find property input box enter the area name or postcode (can be part of the postcode) you wanted to search. For example type in LS6 (Leeds area 6) and click on For Sale.

Which will display a more specific search criteria screen like below.

You can then specify the following criteria:

Search Radius - usually select Within 1/4 or 1/2 mile
Property type - usally house or any
Number of bedrooms - usually select the minimum number of bedroom
Price range - usually specify the maximum price
Also useful to click on the "Include Under Offer, Sold STC (Subject To Contract) and Reserved properties" check box, so that what types of properties are being sold

Other criteria normally leave the default search value. Once you have clicked on "Find properties", it will display the list of found property.

Once you have the list go and click onto the property you like for more info. You will be able to find:

More detail description
More photos
Estate agent details
Map
Area info
etc

Have a go and find a property in the area you are interested in!