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The #1 Principle Determining Success

By Phillpi LeBlanc

There was a Harvard study of sales people who made over $250,000 a year from their sales. Researchers found that the most successful sales people had one trait in common.

It was called “Speed of Implementation”

From inspiration to implementation, those who take action now find success much more than people who postpone taking action.

Here are some of the obstacles that come in the way, and how you can overcome them:


1. Not prioritizing: Speed of implementation doesn’t mean that you have to act on every idea that comes to your mind. In order to make this strategy efficient, you have to have a system to ‘prioritize’ what’s important to you and your business. Act fast on the ideas that top your priority list and work your way down.

2. Procrastinating: We all do this. Harold Taylor defines procrastination as the ‘intentional’ and habitual postponement of an important task that should be done now. Did you hear that? “Intentional” postponement of an important task. This means, if you ‘Intend’ to ’stop procrastinating’, you can.

3. Limited time: This is probably the most challenging thing for most of us. But there are ways to get around it using ‘leverage’ and ‘help’ from other people. It’s a universal principle – “the more time you spend acting on profitable ideas, the more money you make.” For Example, let’s say, if you invest 8 hours in your business you make $5000/a month. If you have 5 well trained employees investing their time in your business, your business makes $25,000 or double that, per month. It’s just a simple concept, and it’s not very hard to understand.


Here are some things you can do right away to make "Speed of Implementation" a strategic action plan for your online business:


1. Keep a notebook where you write down every little profit idea that you come across. Update your list according to priority. Take off the ideas which do not make sense to you.

2. In your daily schedule of things to do, make it a point to invest a little time on acting on these ideas.

3. Find a partner, or someone who aligns with your goals, and have them invest some time in your ideas. Be sure to make it worth their time. If you cannot hire an employee, try getting your spouse involved in your projects.

Once your realize the power of "Speed of Implementation," you’ll start seeing major improvements in your business and finances. As a result, this progress increases your motivation to grow your business and achieve all your dreams.

Can You Do Something for Me NOW that I Won't Do Until Later?

Yesterday I put up a poll for the men & today one for the women. The question was "Would you get involved with a person who states UP FRONT that he/she requires you to prove he/she can trust you BEFORE she commits to the relationship?"

The results from those polls are below:

(MEN) Yes: 12 No: 19
(WMN) Yes: 4 No: 4

The poll was based on a conversation wherein which the young lady stated she requires ONE THING of a potential suitor - That he prove to her that she can trust him BEFORE she gives of herself (commits) into the relationship. The question issued in the poll was worded by her.

What was NOT allowed in your decision making process was the fact that although she could ask this of a man, HE COULD NOT ASK THE SAME OF HER. Her logic is if he cannot fulfill that ONE request from her then he has every right to keep on moving. She believes this to be a fair request because she's stating what she wants "UP FRONT" as opposed to popping it on the guy later on down the line.

Here is MY logic: Just because you disclose an "unfair" deal at the start as opposed to it being a surprise in the future does not make it ANY LESS of an "unfair" deal. You cannot or rather SHOULD NOT go into a relationship giving ultimatums. You cannot or SHOULD NOT go into a relationship asking anything of the other person that you're not willing to give of yourself AT THE SAME TIME.

Personally speaking, my wife & I go back and forth on the meaning of "partnership" as it relates to the workings of a relationship - as I am sure many couples do during the course of their relationships - HOWEVER, we went into our relationship on equal terms. I never asked more from her than I was willing to give of myself & vice versa.

I do not believe it to be healthy to any relationship for someone to submit a request, requirement, or demand that he or she is not willing to accept themselves. When I asked her "What if he asked the SAME THING of you before you could ask it of him," her response was that she would not accept it and move along.

Now I am by no means a "perfect" husband, but that's because I am not a "perfect" man - or a perfect ANYTHING for that matter; however, I could never ask my wife for anything I'm not willing to give up myself, and I really have to question any person who would succumb to such a "request, requirement or demand." In fact when I added the "fineprint" of her NOT reciprocating what she was asking for into the discussion, she said I "skewed" any future results (that caveot was not disclosed to the women's poll).

Respectfully, my friend shall remain anonymous for as long as she chooses to, however, I am very much interested in opening this issue up for mutual dialogue between men & women. I believe there is a lot to be learned here.

My friends ... What say you?

The Answer is "NO" ... ACCEPT IT.

This past Friday I had the pleasure of being the Master of Ceremonies for the 1st Annual NY State Regional Awards for International Men's Day. It was a great program - not because I was MC'ing it (though that played a big part {smile!}), but because the cause was genuine and necessary. We were celebrating men who were doing good things for the community all throughout New York. As I said, it was a great program. We had some really talented young singers for entertainment, and some well respected dignitaries address the audience.

However ... we (my co-host & the organizers) began to realize that the program was running long. When the time came to start presenting the awards, we decided that we would read off the names, allow the recipients to come up and receive their award, but NOT allow them to give acceptance speeches. A couple people were allowed to, but for the most part (as MASTER of Ceremonies), when most of the recipients asked if they could have a few words, I looked them square in the eye and politely said ... "No." On the drive home, my wife told me that there were a couple of recipients who had some "not so pleasant" words for and about me for not letting them speak.

My response ... "Oh well."

But the more I thought I about, the more I came to realize more clearly something that I've always known but never really verbalized ... until now. People are not used to hearing the word "No."

People think that just because they ask for something or want something, that alone is basis and merit enough to have it, and to be refused is like a personal blow. What's funny is I have a friend from grade school, Derrick B., who brings this so close to the forefront of my mind. You could ask Derrick for a piece of candy and if he didn't want to give it to you, he'd give you a face as solid as stone and say, "No," and you'd stand there looking (and feeling stupid). Whether you're 7 or 37 ... that feeling doesn't leave. However, people have to understand that you're not going to get everything you ask for. You're not going to get everything you want; at least, not just because you want it.

Now, I do believe in the concept of "Don't take 'No' for an answer," but this is not an absolute. At some point, everyone must take a "No" for an answer. Sometimes, you can dig in and put in the work to turn the tides, but other times you just have to accept that the road ended with that "No."

Speaking of which, look at it like this ... Say you're driving someplace you've been to dozens of times, however on this particular day, they're doing construction and the road you normally take is completely blocked. There's a work crew, all kinds of bulldozers and other machinery, and there's even a detail of police officers redirecting traffic. Speaking from personal experience, I can assure you that there are people who will still not accept that reality and ask if they can go through. When told "No," they might be mad, but they're still driving away and through the detour. They had no choice but to accept the "No."

Sometimes, a situation is what it is. I think people who call themselves "motivators" do a disservice when they tell people that they are unstoppable. Again, there are times and places for this mindset, but there are no absolutes. Sometimes you have to accept the reality of a situation for what it is and then "FIND A WAY" to achieve a more desireable outcome.

At the risk of sounding cliche' ...
Sometimes ... "NO MEANS NO."

FREE COACHING!! ... Time's Almost Up!

Friday will be the last day to take advantage of HRJR Coaching Services' FREE month of coaching.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity & receive your initial consultation, send me an e-mail at HRJREnterprises@comcast.net.

If you think you can do it alone, more power to you - but the best of the best have coaches!

2011 Chevrolet Camaro ... GOAL ACHIEVED!!

This is not me showing off.
This is me showing the value of goal setting.
I set the goal to get this car over a year ago.
I put it off for the birth of my 2nd son.
I put the goal off, but I didn't put the goal away.
Despite all life's obstacles ...
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!

HRJR's Rule of Money #1

HRJR's Rule of Money #1: Money invested must have a "Magnetic Boomerang Effect." In other words, it must always come back home and bring with it friends that look just like it!

 

About three years ago, I gave my first televised speech. It was called, "Money is an Idea!" and basically, what I spoke about was how people's thoughts and views about money manifested themselves in their lives. In other words, if you believe that you're not meant to have money or a lot of it that's just what's likely to unfold in your life. On the other hand, if you believe that you are worthy of the finer things in life or that with more money you can do more for others, that may also come to pass.

 

Now do either outcomes happen just because you believe one view or the other? No, of course not. How it really works is this ... whichever view you're subscribing to will determine which actions you take. Those actions will determine your eventual outcome. So, if you believe you're not meant to have money, then you're not likely to do anything to get it and thus you won't have any. However, if you truly want the finer things or believe that you are supposed to have money, you are more likely to do what's required to achieve that outcome.

 

At least this is how I see it.
Feel free to disagree ... but I ask you, is your bank account reflective of your views on money?

 

Anyway ... On to the rule.

 

There are times when the return on a monetary investment is not expected to be monetary itself.

A common saying is, "You have to spend money in order to make money." The word for which this term defines is "Investing." The proof of a good investment is found in its return. If what you gain in return is more than what you originally spent, then the investment was good. If you spend more than you stand to gain in return, then the investment is poor.
 

Just about every good money management book I've read states that your dollars should be treated like workers whose job it is to go out into the world and accomplish your objectives. For me, one of those objectives is to "return home," and in addition to returning home bring more money with it.

 

Again ... this is just how I see it.
Feel free to disagree.

How Free Do You Think You Are?

People need to realize that FREEDOM AIN'T FREE!

There's a price to be paid. You don't just up and decide "I'm free" and *POOF* no worries. It takes work to get to the point where you are as free as you can humanly be.

Got bills & debt? You have to pay those bills off in order to be free of them. Got a mortgage? You have to pay that off to be free of it. Got a car note? You have to pay that off to be free of it.

Then again, people can say "'F' those bills!" In THEIR minds they're free, but on the planet that the rest of us live on, they're still very much bound to their bills. Another way to be free of that mortgage is to say "'F' that too!" Do that and in a few months the Sheriffs will come & "free" you from that house when the bank forecloses on you! And that car note? ... Les Brown always says, "The best way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments!"

So by all means, be free in mind and spirit. You NEED to be free in mind and spirit because that's the only way you're going to devise, cultivate and implement the strategies you will need to free yourself from those things that actually do bind us in our daily lives.

Let's not make the mistake of allowing our mental & spiritual freedom to create delusions of grandeur. We've got business to handle while we're here. There are three types of people who are TOTALLY & COMPLETELY free:

1. The homeless
2. The unemployed
3. The DEAD.

I'm not ready to be ANY of the above!

COMING SOON - HRJR "Motiv-ACTIONal" Tele-Seminars

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #021

Shortly after I finished my seminar/book-signing this past Saturday, an older woman approached me and asked, "Do you know you're scaring people?" When I asked her to explain she said, "You're telling people they can be what they want in life. That's fine if you're young, but I'm too old."

It's NEVER too late to make a turn in the right direction!

WELCOME TO HRJR Coaching Services!

HRJR at the HUE-MAN Bookstore on Sat. Oct. 9th 2010

Event:

Motivational Seminar & Booksigning for "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY! You're Either Part of the Problem or You're Part of the Solution!" by Harold S. Reed, Jr.

Place:
Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe' - 2319 Frederick Douglas Blvd. NY, NY. 10027


Time: 12pm


* As both a ten year police veteran & an award winning Motivational Speaker & Certified Professional Life Coach, Harold is dedicated to a life of service with the goal of helping people lead rewarding and productive lives.


* A self-proclaimed "Investor in the Human Spirit"®, Harold believes that while there is greatness in everyone, most people are either too scared or too lazy to tap into that greatness and create the lives they truly want to live.


* His mission is to change that debilitating trait!


* Partly autobiographical, in "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" Harold teaches many of the lessons he learned that turned his life around for the better & put him on the path to fulfilling his dreams.


* "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" will help you gain insight on facing your fears, appreciating the value of setting goals, and dealing with the "Bubble Busters" in your life.

"Ask HRJR!" is Back!

HRJR:

Everyone goes through troubled times. What do you do to get through troubled times?

N. Dawson

N. Dawson:

Guaranteed ... the most common answer to this question will be "prayer," but let's get a little more real and a whole lot deeper shall we?

Prayer is good, and prayer works, but there is even scripture that tells us "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). What this means is that you've got to put some muscle behind your hustle. You can't simply say, "I'ma leave it in God's Hands" & walk away from the situation.

I'm reminded of the joke about the preacher who says "I'm going to draw a circle on the ground where I'm standing. Next I'm going to take all of the money the church collected and throw it up in the air. Whatever lands inside the circle the church keeps and whatever lands outside the circle I shall accept as my pay." When one of the members asks, "Well when does God get His money?" the preacher responds, I'm throwing it up to Him ... Whatever He reaches down & catches - He keeps!"

My point ... God is going to let you do what you do down here. "Putting it in His hands" doesn't mean you take your hands off. You don't SEE God's hand when it moves. You just know that in one way or another ... it moves, and hopefully you learn something from it.

People have to keep in mind that God puts us through hard times to make us stronger. There's no testimony without a TEST ... We've all heard that time and time again.

You have to do SOMETHING (constructive) to get through the troubling times. No one gets hit with a messed up situation, drops to their knees and stays there until the clouds float away.

Sometimes you're just going to have to ride out the storm. When the crap hits the fan, you do eevrything you can possibly think of to correct the situation, and then you think up some more stuff. After that ... Well, like A.L. Williams said, "All you can do is all you can do, but all you can do is enough."

Keep the faith and KNOW that there's a light at the end of the tunnel even if and especially when you can't see it! Time heals all wounds.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #019

Last night I spent a great evening networking with
like-minded success-driven people.
The dynamics of my game are changing!

The next 16 weeks are going to be hard-core.

BACK BY SPECIAL REQUEST ... Like Cotton ... HRJR Comes to Harlem ... AGAIN!!

Friends,

By now, many of you know I've written a Self-Help/Motivational book called "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY! You're Either Part of the Problem or You're Part of the Solution!"

I went from self-published & released in `07 to signed to a publishing deal in `08. In `09, the book was re-released as a 2nd edition that, in addition to being available in print, also became available as a 5CD audiobook and i-Tunes download.

Two weeks ago I was in Barnes &Noble.

Two weeks from now I will be returning to the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, NYC.

Check the promo:

Many of you have already bought a copy of my book. I know this, and I appreciate it. If you've read it, I KNOW you got something positive out of it, and if you got something positive out of it, those you truly care about can get something positive out of it as well. SO ... How long is your Christmas gift list? What kind of budget are you working with? Naturally, you're going to have to get something flossy for your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend - but after taking care of him or her, you can take care of your Top-5 by giving them a personally autographed copy of the book and not even break the bank!

I was only at Hue-Man - for the first time just this past April, and they asked me to come back! I must be doing something right! I talked about the book for about 15-20 minutes and commenced to signing. When I was done speaking, the manager said, "We need you to come back and do a seminar!" As busy a year as it's been with various speaking engagements, there was NO WAY I could turn down a return invitation! If you're not aware of the significance of the Hue-Man Bookstore, it’s not just that Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem is the largest African-American-owned bookstore in the New York area - it’s one of the largest in the nation.

This is NOT a hobby or passing "look at what I did" kind of thing. This is NOT a game! I'm going in HARD!! I've got a lot riding on this event and I would greatly appreciate it if those of you who can make it come through and show some support.

DATE: Saturday - Oct. 9th


TIME: 12pm


PLACE: Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe' - 2319 Frederick Douglas Blvd; NY, NY. 10027

If you can make it hit me up with a private e-mail (findaway@live.com) and let me know. There's NO guestlist and NO COVER. All I ask is that you come through & get yourself an autographed copy of my book. Bring a friend or two as well! The more the merrier! I want to pack the place to the point where we damn near shut them DOWN!!

Thanks in advance!

H.S. Reed, Jr.
"Investor in the Human Spirit"

"Are You Where You Want to Be in Life?"

I often ask people, "Are you where you want to be in life?" and I often get the answer, "No, I'm not." Then I ask, "Well, where DO you want to be in life?" This is where the conversations get fun because the answers start at "I don't know" and escalate to the highest heights of whatever can possibly be imagined.

If the person answers that they are not where they want to be because they don't know where they want to be, it's not totally okay because typically I'm not having this conversation with teenagers or even college students. I'm talking about adults who are out in the "real world" and long gone from their days in a classroom. On the other hand, it doesn't make sense crying over their lack of direction up until that point, so I'll say that it's kind of okay to not know because it gives us a "ground zero" to start from.

The fact of the matter is that many people are just going through life on auto-pilot with no clue as to where they're going; and because they don't know where they're going, they're never going to know when they've arrived. Hell, because they're not focused on where they're going, they might "arrive" and not even know it.

I remember one day years ago, when I had to take public transportation to go to work, and I fell asleep on the bus. When I woke up - or rather when the bus driver woke me up, we were at the last stop of his run - with me missing my stop quite some time back.

This event paints the perfect picture of what I'm talking about because I was on the bus "just traveling along." I wasn't driving, so I "wasn't in control" of how I got to my destination. I "got comfortable" on my ride and I "fell asleep." I was still traveling along, but "I had no clue as where I was & because I wasn't paying attention to where I was, when I arrived I had no idea that I had arrived." Because I had no idea that I had arrived, I "kept on traveling" until I "ultimately ended up somewhere I did not know or want to be." However, "once I was awakened," and realized where I was, "I had to go about the work of going back & getting to where I was supposed to be."

Is this not just about the exact recipe as to how people wind up "lost & found" in life?

"just traveling along."
"wasn't in control."
"got comfortable"
"fell asleep."
"I had no clue as where I was & because I wasn't paying attention to where I was, when I arrived I had no idea that I had arrived."
"kept on traveling"
"ultimately ended up somewhere I did not know or want to be."
"once I was awakened,"
"I had to go about the work of going back & getting to where I was supposed to be."

If you're not where you want to be, in life there's only one person responsible for changing that direction, and that person is you. No one else is going to know when you're unhappy before you do; so since you're the first person who's going to know when things aren't right, logically speaking, only you can be the first person to go about making things right.

I beleive people make two kinds of mistakes: (1) Mistakes made out of ignorance, and (2) Mistakes made out of arrogance. It's okay to be lost if you don't know you're lost. That's a mistake made out of ignorance - you didn't know any better; but once you realize or are made to realize that you're going in the wrong direction, any conscious decision to proceed in that direction can't be labeled as anything else but arrogance - you're gonna' go where you wanna go because it's where you want to go, even though you know it's the wrong direction! Hell, not only is that arrogant ... it's downright stupid!

So ... Let's talk about getting back to getting to where you want to be in life. If you're not there - or on your way there, you have to wake up and you have to wake up NOW. No one can live your life for you. No one can do your work for you. Oh ... you might get over & trick someone into taking your load upon their shoulders, but the universe has a way of balancing things out, and I guarantee you that you will come up short.

Today's Thought ... 16 Sep 2010

‎"You have to push a little harder. You have to dig a little deeper. You have to stay up a little later & wake up a little earlier. You have to sacrifice a little sleep. You have to spend little time socializing, playing & watching games. You have to deal with a little discomfort & little-minded people. The rewards will be stupendous because little things mean a lot." ~ HSRjr.

HRJR @ Barnes & Noble ... THE AFTERMATH!

Today, I experienced a personal best in my career as a published author. Today, I had a book-signing for my book "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" at Barnes & Noble, the largest retail bookseller in the country.

Allow me to share some history with you so you understand how significant today was for me.

Two years ago, while I was still pushing my (self-published) 1st edition of "FIND A WAY!" I sent a copy to the Manhattan corporate offices of Barnes & Noble and inquired how I could get my book in their stores. About a month later I got an letter from them that politely said (in short - paraphrasing) "We don't do much business with self-published authors who don't have a proven following. Thanks for sending us your book. Don't call us - we might not call you." Some people might have been discouraged at receiving such a letter; however, those of you who know me also know that I have a tendency to be both stubborn and spiteful. So, if you try to stand in my way ... you're in for a fight.

So I kept pushing and plugging. I went from pushing my self-published product to getting signed to a publishing deal. That deal called for the re-release of "FIND A WAY!" - not only in print, but as a 5CD audiobook, and i-Tunes download ... and I kept on pushing and plugging, and after putting in the required work and steadily building a following, I received word from my publisher that I was going to be doing a book-signing at a Barnes & Noble store!

Today was a great day! There was a great vibe in the room. The seats were filled, my audience was inspired ... and books were sold!
The scary thing is ... THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #016

Two-thirds of the year are now behind us.
What have you accomplished?

HRJR @ Barnes & Noble - This Coming Saturday - Sept. 11th

I'm doing it and I'm doing it BIG!

I'm going to be at Barnes & Noble
on Saturday Sept. 11th from 12 to 3pm! Not only am I going to be signing copies of my book
"FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!"

I'll also be giving a motivational seminar based upon the principles in the book!



COME ON THROUGH!!

It's Been a Long Time - I Shouldn't Have Left You ...

I know I've been gone for "a minute," but I've been very busy, and I have missed you just as much as you have missed me - if not more!

Life is becoming a matter of flux for me right now. What does that mean? That means that things are happening and things are changing. Some things are happening and changing for the better and some things are just proving themselves to be nothing but obstacles. As much as I hate those obstacles, I also welcome them because I know that by overcoming them, I can only get better!

We're about to take off, but it's going to be a slow ride. It's going to be slow so that we can appreciate the journey because that's where the value of the journey is to be found.

Stay tuned ... I'M BACK!

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #014

I know I've been away for a while.
I'm back!
Here I'm going to discuss limited thinking.

7 Jul 2010 ... Today's Thought.

When I became a cop, a government official said to my class, "You have a front row seat to the show of life!" I truly see the ass-end of people's F'd up lives from the idiotic to the tragic.

Every day I count my blessings and thank God for each & every one of them. Lord knows I'm not satisfied with where I am, but I sure am grateful that I am not where I was, could have been, or where my haters expect me to be.

6 Jul 2010 ... Today's Thought.

Here's a new twist on reality: You have to FAIL your way to success. This doesn't mean you get to constantly screw up then expect the best, NO. It means you put forth your best work and IF you fail along the way, take the lessons learned and move on to the next step on your journey.

In the words of Michael Jordan: "I have failed over and over and over again in my life ... And this is why ... I SUCCEED."

21 Jun 10 ... Today's Thought

"For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, & then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, & not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden." Galatians 6:3-5


In short, know thyself. Know what you are capable of and put foot to ass towards success! Handle your business & don't expect someone to do it for you.

26 May 10 ... Today's Thought.

"The only person standing in the way of your dreams is you. Oh, there will be people who will get in your way - but just like they got IN your way you can move them OUT of your way. However, you are wherever you are & because you are always there, moving yourself out of your way is more of a challenge. You can either be your biggest obstacle or be the most reliable person who has your back." ~ HSRjr.

24 May 2010 ... Today's Thought.

The world can be yours, or you can be be a slave to it. What sets you apart from the rest is what you do or don't do to achieve your dreams and goals. If you're expecting someone to just ring your bell and hand you a fat check, then you have long wait ahead of you.

HRJR Achieves a Life Goal!

I am pleased to share with you a milestone in both my career as a motivational speaker and my life overall.

Just a little over 20 years ago, at about 2 or 3 in the morning I was flipping channels on the TV when I came across a PBS special. At about 18 - 19 years old I saw motivational speaker, Les Brown for the first time - and I was motivated. After watching that special for an hour or so, I knew even back then that I could be somebody ... that I did not have to stay in the hood. Although I did not yet know who or what I would become, I did not think it was possible for me to do what he was doing.

Over the years, I bought his tapes and books, and watched him on TV if & whenever I could ... especially when he got a talk show of his own (which he describes as "the most successful talk show to ever be cancelled from network television"). When I made the decision to become a motivational speaker myself back in the fall of 2005, best believe it was in his footsteps I was choosing to follow. I set a goal to someday meet him, or at the very least, be able to afford to someday see him speak live.

This past Friday evening that goal was achieved and so much more!

Not only was I able to meet him, but I was personally introduced to him by a friend who was organizing the event at which he was speaking. When my wife & I showed up and she saw us; she took him by the hand, excused him from the conversation he was having, and pulled him over to us. I don't know what or how much my friend told him about me, but he greeted me first with a smile, a handshake, and a joke - and then he hugged me ... and as a man I am not ashamed to say I broke down.

I then presented him with a copy of my book, "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" and before I could show him where his name was in the dedication he said to me, "When you write your next book let me know - I want to write the foreward." Then when he saw his name in my book, he told me he was honored. Later on in the evening he gave me his personal e-mail address and told me that he wants to train me to become an even better speaker.

The Law of Attraction states that you will get in life what you focus on. Ask the universe for what you want; Believe that it is meant to be yours; and finally (I add in put in the work necessary so that you can), Receive what is meant to be yours.

Words of WEALTH from Suze Orman

Susan "Suze" Lynn Orman is an American financial advisor, author, motivational speaker, and television host. She gives common sense approaches to saving and investing. I came across this article and thought I would share it with you!

Lasting wealth is not found in the numbers flickering from the ATM screen. It's built on the foundation of who you are, how you act, and what you believe in. Follow these steps over the next 10 years to ensure financial security:

1. Take an oath of financial honesty. A crushing credit card balance caused by your need to impress others is a costly lie. Living within your means is living honestly. Find ways to save $25 a week and you'll free up $100 a month. Invest it and in 25 years you could have $80,000.

2. Stop settling for what the world offers. You need to be your own best advocate. If there's no raise this year because of the economy, meet with your boss to determine grounds for a raise next year. If you're self-employed and haven't increased your rates in years, I have to ask, why are you putting yourself on sale? I say it's fear. Recognize that this fear is keeping you from having more in your life.

3. Avoid debt bondage. Yes, debt is necessary; it's how you own a home or get a college degree, but the trick is to respect it. Take on only what you can afford. Have a credit card balance? Use the $100 from step one to increase your minimum payment on a $10,000 balance that charges 18 percent interest and you could save almost $24,000 in interest fees.

4. Make your financial life work within the new normal. The best move you can make today is to let go of what was and focus on what has been dubbed the new normal: a period of more moderate growth. That means, for instance, you need to expect that your house will appreciate at roughly the rate of inflation.

5. Get in great credit shape. I've always said a high FICO score is a key component to security—but it's even more important now that lenders are so circumspect about making loans. A FICO score of at least 700 is your best defense. And if you find yourself in the job-hunting pool, a good score could distinguish you from others. (Yes, many employers check FICO scores. It's considered an insight into your sense of responsibility.)

6. Remember that every no leads you that much closer to a yes. The pain and anxiety of shocks like layoffs or divorce are unquestionably destabilizing. But you make things worse when you see these events as major setbacks, instead of starting points for you to reimagine and reclaim your life. I also believe you can reduce the pain by adopting a "hope for the best, plan for the worst" mind-set (i.e., have an emergency fund).

7. Open up. Most people in financial trouble hold tightly to what they have. To put yourself in position to receive more in life, you must first open your hands—and your heart—by giving to others today. If you want to learn about a specific charity, check out the free service CharityNavigator.org.

8. Save for indulgences. Assuming you're on track with your retirement savings, have no credit card debt, and have an emergency savings fund, I'm not going to deny you fun—so long as you've saved up for it. If you want to have $5,000 for a milestone birthday trip in two years, you'll need to put away about $200 a month now, given today's low bank rates.

9. Eliminate the "I shoulds." Take care of every major must-have document this year—a will, a healthcare power of attorney, etc.—you've sworn for years that you'd get to.

10. Choose your legacy. This is all about the deathbed test. Will loved ones describe you in terms of what you bought for yourself, or will they talk about who you were and how fiercely you loved? Make that question your guidepost, and I will 100 percent guarantee that life will be richer than you can imagine.

Just Like Cotton ... HRJR COMES TO HARLEM!

The HRJR Booksigning Tour CONTNIUES!

(THIS) Friday - April 16th 6pm - 8pm

The World Famous
Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe'
2319 Frederick Douglas Blvd; (Harlem) NY, NY 

Come on out & bring a friend...
or 2 or 3 or 4 or MORE!!

11 Apr 10 ... Today's Tought

"HE is able and this has been proven time and again; however, if YOU are not able - then neither you nor any of the things you want to achieve and have in life will ever be ACTUAL. Putting your situation in God's hands doesn't get the issue resolved unless you are allowing God's hands to work through your own." ~ HSRjr.

THE NEW & IMPROVED HRJR WEBSITE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!

Welcome to the new home of everything HRJR!

HRJR Morning Motivation 002,003 & 004

Morning Motivation 002

Morning Motivation 003

Morning Motivation 004

HRJR's Morning Motivation

Through the good & bad times, there are lessons to be learned in life. Have faith in that there are good things in store for you, then be bold enough to claim them!

24 Mar 10 ... Today's Thought

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, "When the student is ready, the teacher will come."

No master became a master without first being a student or apprentice of some sort.

With learning comes experience, & with experience comes wisdom.

With wisdom comes the humility to always remain a student & the confidence to teach when your students become ready.

~ HSRjr.

HRJR's 3 Laws of Nature

"Yesterday a friend told me there are 3 laws of nature:


1. Eat

2. Procreate

3. Don't get eaten.



So true. Me, I say ...



(EAT) Go out there in the world & get yours.




















(PROCREATE) In the process of 'getting yours' be sure to create & leave something behind for those coming up behind you.

















(DON'T GET EATEN) There is always going to be someone who is bigger than you. Learn how to avoid them or learn how to destroy them."














~ HSRjr.

21 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

KEEP MY NAME IN YOUR MOUTH!

I'm not worried about you talking about me. My father once told me, "Never let anyone live rent-free in your mind!" So everytime you got something to say about me. I'm not this or I haven't done that - I want you to know two things:

#1: I get closer to my goals every single day while you go nowhere!
#2: As long as my name is in your mouth I occupy prime real estate in your feeble mind!

20 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

"How can you expect to do great things for GOD, when you can't provide the basics for yourself? Stop using GOD as excuse for underachieving in your life. Get yourself together first, so you can be an EXAMPLE by words and deeds. You can't feed the poor from an empty basket."

~ Kareemah El-Amin

19 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

Got haters in your life?

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, & the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, & gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee & His glory shall be seen upon thee." ~ Isaiah 60:1&2

Never allow the haters in your life to throw shade on your shine!

18 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

"Movie actors are for the most part UNEMPLOYED throughout the the majority of any given year. Some make maybe one movie every year or so - two or even three if they happen to be hot right now. They work 1 to 3 jobs a year, yet achieve wealth. The lesson to be learned: It is not how much work you do, but how well you do your work that determines your success." ~ HSRjr.

17 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

Someone recently asked me what is MY definition of a mistake. My answer: To me ... a mistake is an act made out of either ignorance or arrogance. Regardless of which, there bears a lesson to be learned in order to make us better people provided we're willing to humble ourselves enough to learn the lesson.

16 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

"Division leads to fractions – a part of a whole. Stop letting the social engineers divide us by refusing to be fractional. God created us with all we need to be complete - as a whole. Red and blue has divided the men in our communities; race divides the world community; and religion divides our spiritual community. We are one ... Own it!" ~ Omari Bakari

YOU'RE INVITED TO MY UPCOMING BOOK RELEASE PARTY!

On Friday April 16th I will be having a book signing/release party at the Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in Harlem! If you're watching this video & will be in the area on April 16th ...
YOU are invited and you can bring friends with you!

15 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

"Do you share your money with just anybody? Dreams are the seeds in the soil of your soul from which riches blossom. Just as you are sure to hold onto your money, do not share your dreams with just anyone. Just as not everyone is deserving of your money, your dreams are not worthy to be shared with just anyone. Share your dreams just as you might invest your money - wherever you will get the best return." ~ HSRjr.

14 Feb 10 ... Today's Thought

"If you are the one to whom you hold yourself accountable in everything that you do, & you can account for every hour of your day and every word you say, then you are among the select few who actually are in control of their lives. Either you make your place in the world or the world makes a place for you. " ~ HSRjr.

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #'s 003, 004, & 005

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #003

This is a lesson in self-confidence. Just sharing a story about how I psyched myself out of an opportunity. Learn from my mistake just as I did.

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #004

Words are powerful. They can hurt or help, hinder or give hope. Just as God spoke the world into being, so can you speak into reality the life you want for yourself.

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #005

No one is perfect. Everone makes mistakes. However, mistakes are not indicative of failure as long as you learn from your mistakes.

THE ICEMAN COMETH ... to Harlem!

On Friday April 16th I will be having a book signing/release party at
the Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in Harlem!
If you're watching this video ...
YOU are invited and you can bring friends with you!

Good Thoughts To Remember

I received this friendly note in an e-mail today & thought I would share it with you!

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call ...

"The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so ... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Some Advice for Those Preparing to Enter the Job Market.

Many of you should gearing up to graduate in a few months, and I just thought I'd reach out to you to offer some friendly advice.

What comes with graduating will be your journey into the job market. With so many people linked up to these social networking outlets, one of the things that many employers and their Human Resources departments are doing is checking people's MySpace & Facebook pages to see how candidates let their hair down on their own time. This has come to cost quite a few people some good paying jobs over the past couple years.

I am certain that many of you have had a great college experience - based on some of your party pics where it would appear the bottles were overflowing - and any given day could have been Halloween, but the last thing you need is to have some HR rep shredding your resume & your future because of some fun you had in the past.

I'm not saying that you can't have the fun you want to have now. I'm not saying you can't record it so you can look back on it years from now - even to show your kids that you weren't always the stuffy-butt they think you are now that you know better. What I am saying is that you should not give any one any reason to put unnecessary stumbling blocks in your path. As a matter of fact, if you lose out on a job in part because of some of the pictures in your MySpace & Facebook pages ... the person really at fault is the person who put them there. Even if someone "tags" you in a picture, if you "remove" that tag, that pic can never be posted again under your name.

As you begin to enter the so-called "real world," now is the time to start thinking 2-3 steps ahead! It's better to be able to say "I'm glad I did" instead of having to say "I wish I woulda'."

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #'s 001 & 002

Brand New Year ... Same Old "Bubble Busters!"




This video was actually made at the end of 2009, but hey ... Better a lil' late than never! This video explains how the Law of Attraction (aka "The Secret") is used in the "HRJR" philosophy.

A Word to High School & College Students

Anything worth having in life is not going to come easy - and it's not supposed to. You can’t possibly appreciate something that you did not have to endure some kind of struggle or sacrifice for. Success in life comes from fighting and overcoming your obstacles.

Speaking of enduring and crosses to bear, if you’ll indulge me, allow me to share a little bit of my history with you. I am not a college graduate. I left Rutgers University at the end of `89; joining the Air Force in `90, and serving in Desert Storm in `91. After coming back home, I went back to Rutgers in `91, but left school again in `94 to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. A goal I didn’t achieve until 2000.

Now, let’s talk about those six years between `94 and 2000. I was a flashlight carrying rent-a-cop guarding everything from malls, car dealership parking lots, and once ... I was even assigned to guard a hole in a wall at a construction site.

I managed a karate school for most of `96, but wound up having to quit that job because my car got totaled in a crash & I couldn’t get out there anymore. I tried temp-work in an office for about three months ... that didn’t pan out. I collected unemployment for about 6 months before landing another Loss Prevention job at TJ Maxx locking up shoplifters and cashiers hooking up their friends.

In `98 I got a job at Old Navy doing the same thing, which I held for another year and a half before finally getting hired by my home city’s police department. After two years of chasing crack-heads, Bloods and Crips – thanks to networking with a good brother, I was able to join an agency that has allowed me to provide a very good living for my family & I. In 2006, I created "HRJR Enterprises" and began my career as a motivational speaker & author. In each career; which I refer to as my "vocation" (Law Enforcement), and my "passion" (speaking, writing & coaching), I have been able to positively impact a lot of people.

SO ... I have no regrets about the decisions I have made because they have brought me to where I am today. However, at the same time, I do with the utmost sincerity, acknowledge many of the options and perhaps even easier traveling that I forfeited by leaving school. With that said ... I urge all of you Undergrad brothers & sisters to stay your behinds in school until you graduate!However, if you’ve got a particular passion ... if you have the grit, the determination and the drive to put in the extra work necessary to succeed – the extra work that you will have to put in by not having the options afforded a college graduate, God bless you, but take it from me ... that path is going to be a long and bumpy one.

On the other hand...

Don’t get it twisted ... that college degree you earn does not provide you with any guarantees ... it provides you with options. That piece of paper may get your foot in the door, but you’re going to have to put in work to prove yourself worthy of being – and staying in the room ... especially if that “room” you’re striving to be in is the boardroom!

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that piece of paper makes you any better than those in this world who may not have had your options and advantages. Both success and failure come in varying degrees, but those degrees – be they scarce or in abundance – all come down from God, and as I always love to say, “God don’t like ugly & karma is a mean S.O.B.!”

Let me stress this point ... a college degree does not guarantee you will be successful. The work you put in and the service you provide will be the determining factors of your success.

So let’s talk about this college degree many of you are working towards.
What are you going to do with that degree?

• Are you going to become just another employee – another spoke in the wheel, or are you going to become a boss – a decision maker?

• Are you going to become a bourgeoisie elitist, or will you provide some kind of service to your community?

• Will you determine what the worth of your degree is going to be by your actions and the example you present yourself as, or are you going to walk off of your campus and out into the real world thinking that because you have that degree, you have somehow attained a “golden ticket?”

I don’t mean to bust your bubble – but then again – perhaps I do. If you think you’re going to walk off of your campus and go off into the real world thinking you’ve got it made in the shade, and that you’re going to get scooped up by some Fortune 500 company making $80K/yr, allow me to share with you the first thing you must come to terms with ... In today’s economy, you’ll be blessed if you can find a job making $30K/yr.

You will have people tell you time and again how hard the real world is outside of the hallowed halls of academia, and you will look at them and nod and say you understand, but sometimes the only way to learn is by personal experience ... So I can see you nodding; but trust me, I do not share this with you for your agreement. I share this with you because although life has been good - very good - to me; and as much as I have prospered, I often find myself imagining how well I could have done had I stayed in school.

God Bless,
H.

Boot Camp Motivation #6

"All it takes to be able to do anything a million & one times is for you to just do it once. The impossible is only impossible because you haven't stepped up to make it possible. Obstacles are placed before you not to keep you from your goal, but to strengthen you so that by the time you reach the final battle just prior to achieving your goal you are fit for the fight and ripe for the victory."

HSRjr.

I'm Just Saying ... This is Gonna be a Great Year!

This past weekend I had the privilege of being a guest panel speaker on a NY local cable talk show called "I'm Just Saying" hosted by an extraordinary woman, Cathleen Williams. We met via Facebook (cuz you guys know that's where I do a lot of my "agressive networking"), and when she invited me to her show informing me that the topic was going to be "Who's Educating Black Boys in America?" there was no way I could be any place else! We learned some very disturbing facts about how many young black men are not graduating from high school & discussed what we can do "as a village" to get our young men back on track!



Let me just say that I got so much out of this trip that "thank you" doesn't scratch the surface of the joy I have in my heart. I met & networked with a wonderful group of brothers and sisters all committed to empowering our people in general, and our children - specifically - our young men in particular. I met fathers of daughters & mothers of sons, and all of us shared valid concerns for their futures. One brother, Dr. Naquaan Muhammad (seated directly in front of me) said, "I have daughters, & I have to make sure that the men I have to someday hand them over to, can do a better job of taking care of them than I did!"

Between the brothers & sisters in the audience and those of us who were on the stage (we did 3 tapings) we created quite a buzz amongst ourselves. However, I left there with a little something extra. The entire experience lit a fire in my heart and under my bottom! Have you ever been around a group of people who just made you take a look at yourself and say, "DAMN! I gotta step my game up!" Well, that was what was going on in my head the whole time.

Don't get it twisted, I held my own, and there was nothing but love and mutual respect throughout the place - but when you have that kind of internal dialogue; when you're surrounded by people who motivate you to raise your personal standards of excellence, those are the people you need to get around and stay around! Sometimes we get so comfortable and complacent with our little group of friends that we fail to see the box we're locking ourselves into. However, this past weekend I walked into a studio full of strangers; met a lot of new friends, and walked out with an extended family of brothers and sisters.

I'm starting the year off wonderfully. This is going to be a break out year for HRJR Enterprises. Books are selling, and the "Make It Happen!" CD is starting to take off. We're looking to both conduct and participate in a few tele-seminars and perhaps even a live one or two! Peronsally, I have a trip planned to meet world- reknowned success coach, Jack Canfield in Boston in the spring, and another "promo" trip to Los Angeles is in the works for the fall.

I'm Just Saying ... this is gonna' be a great year!