I showered and shaved…………… I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat………….. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer………. As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me….. Touching my own.
I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side……. I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much.
A prayer began: ‘Our Father’………… I thought, ‘This man with the shoes, has no pride.
They’re dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!’

‘Thank You for blessings,’ the prayer went on.
The shoe man said………….. A quiet ‘Amen.’
I tried to focus on the prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren’t we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door?
‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended………. And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud…… Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters……… His hands were raised high..

It was time for the offering……. And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached…. Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out……… What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft ‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me……… To tears, and that’s no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man… For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service…… As is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow………….. And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark….. And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming……… For being our guest.
He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad to meet you, my friend.’
There were tears in his eyes……. But he had a large, wide grin.

‘Let me explain,’ he said…….. Wiping tears from his eyes.
‘I’ve been coming here for months…. And you’re the first to say ‘Hi. ”
‘I know that my appearance………’Is not like all the rest
‘But I really do try……………….’To always look my best.’
‘I always clean and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk.
‘But by the time I get here………’They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’

My heart filled with pain………… And I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize……… For daring to sit so near
He said, ‘When I get here………..’I know I must look a sight.
‘But I thought if I could touch you..’Then maybe our souls might unite.’

I was silent for a moment………… Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my heart, not my head.
‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said……’And taught me, in part;
‘That the best of any man………….’Is what is found in his heart.’

The rest, I thought,…………… This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.” He continued, “It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?”

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, “The one I feed.”

If you can buy a franchise you will spend thousands of dollars and basically buy yourself a job. You can start your own business, which usually takes a great idea and lots of money. Or you can take a look at network marketing.

If you are like me when you hear the work network marketing, you probably cringe. You might think network marketing is one of those pyramid schemes or maybe it is multi-level marketing.

Well pyramid schemes are illegal and if you have a job right now, you are in a multi-level marketing. Most companies have a CEO at the top, then he or she will have a couple people answering to them. Those people will have a layer of management under them and so on and so forth. The key is I have a very small chance of ever making the same kind of income the CEO does. That is not true in a network marketing company. You have control of how much money you are going to earn.

These are the reasons you should take a look at network marketing:

1. Network Marketing has a very low initial cost. Most network marketing companies have a start-up cost ranging from $100.00 to $1000.00.
2. In Network Marketing you have the opportunity to develop residual income. This is what is so appealing for network marketing. The longer you work your business, the more your income is going to be residual. Meaning your income is going to be coming to you whether you are working or not.
3. You can Leverage your income. When you work for yourself you can only work so many hours to create your income. In network marketing, you have a team of people working with you so you can exponentiate your income.
4. You make money by helping other people make money. So how cool is that. The only way to make big money is by helping other people. The more people you help create a successful business and income, the more money you make. In most network marketing companies, it does not take a million successful people. If you develop 4 to 5 leaders in your business, you will create a large residual income.
5. Your income is directly related to your own personal growth and self improvement. If you would interview the major money earners of any network marketing business they would tell you to read self improvement books. By working on yourself you build up your income.
6. You become part of a Team. One of the coolest feelings is when you are part of a team striving for a common goal. You develop personal relationships with people all over the world.
7. Speaking of all over the world. You can work from ANYWHERE. In most network marketing companies it does not matter where you work from. All you need is a phone and an internet connection. In most cases, you can even be relaxing on vacation and still have your business making money for you.

I have been in network marketing for a while now and the longer I am in the business the more thankful I become. I am not selling anything, I just share the opportunity. Some will, some won’t, so what, someone’s waiting.

I am very grateful and appreciative for the opportunity I was shown.

May everyone have outstanding success!

Mark Nelson

He lays out very specific strategies for creating market dominance in building a booming check in any business.

Hope you enjoy it!

If you have any questions please give me a shout!

5 Simple Steps to Double Your Referrals and Upgrade your Clients

1. Use a Personal Touch
   The saying, “they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” is true in any business. The more personal your communication, the more effective the message will be.
2. Communicate a Slogan or Message Unique to Your Business or Service
   Successful businesses and service providers understand how important creating a special saying or slogan it is for your success. You want to imprint your unique slogan or message in your clients and prospects mind. So every message you send them should include your slogan or message.
3. Be Consistent and Frequent
   Your goal should be to personally touch your clients at least 18 times a year if not 24 to 36 times a year. To achieve this goal you will need to have a systemized process of staying connected to your clients. My suggestion is to have two systems. The two systems I use are greeting cards and emails.

   My goal is to send a personalized card once a month and an email twice a month. Without a system this would be an impossible task.

4. Use a System to Leverage Your Time
   The most successful professionals and bussinesses create systems and processes that allow them to leverage their time so they can concentrate on their daily activities to run their business.
5. Have an Auto pilot System
   The most effective referral generation and follow up systems work on auto pilot. When you can automate your follow up process, it produces amazing results with very little effort. If your system is not automated, if you are like me there are days where some very urgent things need to be taken care of and they will replace my follow up.

If you have a goal of increasing your referrals, upgrading your clients, growing your business, or increasing your income take the time to create a unique, personal, automated follow up system.
Go to The Best Online Referral System.

Home-based businesses have become more and more common as people are looking for ideas to make extra money or for ideas to get them out of the rat race of their regular jobs. Attorneys, doctors, financial planners and many other professionals are doing some sort of home-based business. So what is driving this?

For many of us, we were told by our parents to go to college, get a degree and get a good job. As the world is changing this pattern does not always work. So what are the options? Franchises have become too high priced. Working for one company for 30 years is a thing of the past. So for many people a home-based business is a choice that works for them.

A big trend of home-based business opportunities is with network marketing. There are so many people that have negative feelings towards network marketing. That’s really because they do not understand what it is. Network marketing is really a smart way to get started in business. Usually for under one thousand dollars. Rather than spend over one hundred thousand dollars or more you are going to invest your time and sweat equity. Within a year you can build a substantial business by concentrating a few hours a day part time. Some of these opportunities let you build up passive income that will make you financially independent.

Many people will not look at network marketing because they want instant gratification. To make these businesses work you need to be determined, you need mental toughness and stamina to stick with it long enough to make it work. Or maybe they have friends or family that tried network marketing and it did not work for them. Usually the first people new network marketers talk to are family and friends. Well Aunt Susie tells them that is the worst thing they can be looking at. Well let me tell you, that’s the language of the poor. Just because network marketing did not work for Aunt Susie, it doesn’t mean network marketing won’t work for you.

Here’s the real deal about network marketing. There are many different opportunities out there. Look for one that is current and will appeal to the masses. Make sure there is training available or training supplies. And make sure you have a passion for the business.

A friend of mine introduced me to network marketing. What made the most sense to me was I had a choice. I could work for thirty years in a job building up the financial future for someone else or I could try network marketing. Starting out part time, concentrating on improving myself and work hard for five to ten years and build up my financial future.

Here are 7 strategies that you can take advantage of if you have a home business.

(I am not a tax accountant. Before using any of these strategies please seek the advice of a tax accountant.)

1. HOME OFFICE DEDUCTIONS

   For a while there was talk that taking home office deductions raised a red flag. As long as your business is legitimate and you designate an area for your home office you are okay. With that you can deduct expenses that you incurr in the course of doing business. You can deduct office furniture like file cabinets, desks, office decorating and even office cleaning. You can also deduct rent, utilities, insurance, property taxes, supplies, phones, and repairs made to the office area of your home.

2. EDUCATION

   You and your employees of your home based business can deduct 100% of the cost of any education they receive up to $5,200.

3. AUTOMOBILE

   You can deduct your mileage when traveling for your home based business. Keep a log of your mileage and what you vehicle was being used for.

4. TRAVEL AND VACATIONS

   You can deduct the majority of any trip if you can link it to your business. The catch is you have to be doing business on the first and last day of your trip. Keep all receipts and document what you are doing for business.

5. ENTERTAINMENT AND MEALS

   You can deduct any 50% of meals that are being used for your business. Whether it is entertaining a prospect or making a sales presentation. If you have a business party at your home, you can deduct the entire cost of the party. Make sure the party is for a business purpose and document it well.

6. MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT PLAN

   You can deduct 100% of medical expenses, even some of those that are normally not covered by some traditional medical plans. These include chiropractic care, vitamins, supplements, deductibles and co-payments.

7. BUSINESS GIFTS

   You can deduct business gifts up to $25 per person each year. If you are giving a gift to a business and do not designate who the gift is for, there is no limit.

You need to properly document your business expenses from your personal expenses. If you are using credit cards you either get a card in your business name or designate one card for business purposes only.

]]> http://www.financialhat.com/educating-about-money/home-based-businesses-7-tax-saving-strategies/feed/ http://www.financialhat.com/business/do-this-get-rich-time-management/ http://www.financialhat.com/business/do-this-get-rich-time-management/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:13 +0000 Mark http://www.financialhat.com/?p=656
Have you ever been in the position where you have so much to do that it seems like you are always behind? With the economy the way it is right now you need to become more and more efficient with your time.

As usual I am reading a book that I feel will not only help me in my personal life but also in my business. Do This. Get Rich! by Jim Britt is the book of my choice at this time.

He has a section dedicated to time management. I have always been a lister. A lister is a person who will write down the top items they need to accomplish during the next day. Even though I am very good at creating my list, I am not so good at completing all the items.

Mr. Britt in Do This. Get Rich! has a section about fifteen-minute blocks. According to Mr. Britt there are 1,440 minutes in each day. If you subtract approximately five hundred minutes for sleeping you are left with about nine hundred to accomplish your dreams. He then describes taking a look at his day.

I took the step of looking at my day. I am a high school teacher so I can not use the time during the school year to work on my businesses. so instead of nine hundred minutes I have approximately 420 minutes or 28 fifteen minute blocks.

After getting up in the morning I exercise, shower, read and it breakfast which in all reality I use 7 fifteen-minute blocks. After teaching school I use at least 4 blocks for eating supper and I usually unwind with either watching tv or reading for a couple of hours or 8 fifteen-minute blocks.

That leaves me 9 fifteen-minute blocks during the week days to accomplish my dreams. Holy cow, is that a rude awakening.

At this time I write this blog, I am an affiliate marketer, and I have my own business with SendOutCards.

At first glance that seems like a daunting task. Can I build a business in 2 hours and 15 minutes each day. If I look at it in hours and minutes it does not seem like it is feasible. However if I look at it like I have 9 fifteen-minute blocks I can accomplish much more. I tend to focus on each block and make sure I am doing something that will positively affect my business.

In this book Do This. Get Rich! there a many more ideas that make sense to take you to the next level.

I don’t know about you but if the things I am doing right now are not taking me to where I want to go then I am willing to try something else.

]]> http://www.financialhat.com/business/do-this-get-rich-time-management/feed/ http://www.financialhat.com/business/what-do-you-open-first-from-your-mail/ http://www.financialhat.com/business/what-do-you-open-first-from-your-mail/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:40:49 +0000 Mark http://www.financialhat.com/?p=647



Printed Greeting Cards on Demand

With a simple click of your computer mouse - you can select a card, write a message and send a printed greeting card. We print it, stuff it, stamp it, and send it in the mail for you. It’s Fast, easy and fun. Let our reminder system tell you when a card is needed or simply choose a card anytime you want. Send unexpected cards at unexpected times. Never forget another birthday. Always show appreciation.



Custom Card Designs

Send Out Cards can custom design a card for Christmas, birthdays, parties or any other event.

When was the last time you sent an unexpected card at an unexpected time to someone you care about?

Do you think it would make a difference?

Do you remember people’s birthdays and other special occasions? Do you think that matters to them?

How about a simple thank you or expression of appreciation. Do you think that would make a difference?

With this incredible tool, not only can you remember people and share appreciation, you can motivate, uplift, encourage and truly make a difference. Here is the interesting thing, the more you do this, the more you realize that you, the sender of these cards, benefit the most.

We are changing people’s lives for good one simple card at a time.



www.sendoutcards.com/marknels

Mark and Nancy Nelson

715-563-1832

]]> http://www.financialhat.com/business/what-do-you-open-first-from-your-mail/feed/