Where did Bill Go? Even I have to take a break some times...but I took a meaningful break. My father passed away in December and since then I've been very proud of how my Mother has handled the change of life. Recently she had to have two very old trees taken down from her yard...they were 75 foot tall and diseased and with her living near the Chesapeake Bay with hurricane season approaching, she wisely opted to prevent a catastrophe. (There's a lesson in itself for you...) Never the less, it was traumatic for her because they had been there since her and my Dad bought the house and so she was again saying good bye to some long term partners. I took the opportunity to go out and get my hands in some real dirt. For 4 days I tilled, sifted, planned and planted two new beds in her front yard with some nice Dwarf Alberta Spruces to remind her of the Deodora Pines she once had...but without the risk as they only grow to 5 feet tall.
So what does that have to do with success you might ask. First, my Mom is probably single handedly the most significant mentor I've had in my entire life. She was the person who taught me in the early years to not only learn things, to love reading but to also be resourceful. To seek knowledge and wisdom. Her steady support has meant more to me than a billion dollars ever could. It was time to pay back...time to give back to someone who has given so much her entire life.
Second, was the matter of scale. This is a critical thing to consider when you think in terms of success. Do you want to be the big fish in a small pond, do you want to be the small fish in the big pond. Do you want to live in a 6000 square foot house and have little money left to do other things with or the 4000 square foot house and 2 months of vacation time overseas a year. You see when I planted the Alberta Spruce in her yard I knew they would give the evergreen charm the deodoras did. I knew they would endure for many years. I also knew they would never get tall enough to pose a threat to her house. I was thinking in terms of scale. Maintenance factor is something to seriously consider in every move you make through life. Some people love to drown in details. I love simplicity. For me I'd rather have $2 million earning me a quiet 6 figure salary on a safe investment while I have absolute time freedom to do what I want, when I want, where I want. Other people may want the bridge club, the homeowner's association, the keep up with the Jones family game.
Success means something different to anyone you ask. Just always remember that you have to think in terms of maintenance. It is an absolute mistake to think if someone can afford a 10,000 sq foot home they can afford the electric bill. It all boils down to a balance sheet. If they have more coming in than going out, they are doing well. If they have more going out than going in they are in trouble. It really is that simple no matter how many zeros you play with.
All the best!
Bill White
http://www.successradio1111.com
http://www.synchronicity-expert.com
