Make the Impossible Possible!

Don't Lose Yourself in a Job That Won't See Losing You as a Loss

2012-01-22T15:58:00.000-05:00

The most winning college football coach ever, former Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno has passed away. It is reported that he succumbed to lung cancer. While that may very well be the physical cause of his death, I suspect that it was his scandalous and shameful termination from his job that accelerated the cancer.

One's emotional state of mind has a great deal to do with one's health and physical well-being; and I think it goes without saying, to have a career as prolific and extensive as Paterno's - for it to end the way it did, could weigh very heavily on the mind soul and spirit. Joe Paterno was known to have once said something along the lines of without football in his life, his life would be over. As things have unfolded he spoke his reality into existence.

On one of the interludes of her album "Velvet Rope," Janet Jackson says, "How empty of me to be so full of you." What happened to Paterno happens to so many people on a variety of levels every day. People lose themselves in all sorts of things that do not return equal or greater value. In the end, they find themselves in various states of hopelessness and depression. Look at the woman who puts her dreams on hold to support her husband and raise their children. Look at the man who falls in love with a woman, gets married and counts his own friends in that part of the vow that says "forsaking all others." These are people who after years have gone by, find themselves resenting the very people they invested so much of themselves into.

Careers that can be very consuming emotionally, can take a heavy toll on people. Police officers & firefighters, for example tend to die within 10 years after retiring from the job. Why is that? The human body & mind endure and carry a great deal in those professions. Imagine the person as an empty container that over the course of 20-25+ years fills up with eating certain foods at certain times, ripping and running, and dealing with all kinds of different people and situations - good bad and ugly ... and then it stops. The person is no longer in control. There are no more bad guys to lock up, fires to put out, tickets to write, or ladders to climb. And because they did not have many if any other activities or interests outside of and away from the job, when the job is gone, as Paterno alluded, life is over. It's just a matter of waiting for the clock to stop ticking.

I retired from Law Enforcement last year; however, I'm not afraid of my clock stopping anytime soon. In fact - for ME - it's like MY clock just got extended! Why? Because, recognizing what was stated above, I began building something different and separate from the job over five years ago. I began speaking and writing as something I would do after 25 years on the job. I wasn't really expecting to retire from the job 15 years early, but even still ... Because I had built other interests and developed other friendships away from the job, I was able to cross-over into civilian life almost seamlessly. In fact, I have a fond appreciation for NOT having to fulfill the responsibilities of my former obligation!

Now, I'm not saying don't put your best efforts into your vocation. What I am saying is that one should not put all his or her emotional being into anything that is not repaying him or her in kind. There is a word for people who break their backs - be it physically or emotionally - yet get little to nothing in return ... And that word is "SLAVE." Don't be a slave to your occupation. Don't be a slave to your marriage or other relationships.

Whatever you invest yourself into will produce a return. Just as you must over see how the market handles any money you may have invested into it, you must pay close attention to what's going on in your life so that you can see if you're getting back all that you're putting in. The only time one's life should be over should not be based on whether or not there's a job left to do, but based on there not being any living left to do.

Welcome to 2012 ... M.C.E. ... Money Changes Everything

2012-01-03T00:22:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

This is my primary motto for 2012. One thing that I have noticed over the past couple of years is that whenever I have speak about or post anything about money and or becoming wealthy; without fail, someone would always post some kind of response about how "money can't buy happiness" & "money isn't everything." What's worse, they tend to fall back on the Bible as if that gives them justification for having an impoverished mentality. Well, I beg to differ. As Zig Zigler says, "Money isn't everything, but it's right up there with oxygen." Where is the "heavenly joy" in being broke as hell?

I really wish I could say that, for the life of me, I can't understand the mindset people have in that there is some kind of nobility in being broke, but the fact of the matter is I understand it all too well. You see, it takes a certain mindset and a certain level of discipline to attain wealth. Most people don't have what it takes to be wealthy, let alone strive to become wealthy. Personally, I have more respect for people who genuinely strive to become wealthy but don't quite make it than I do for those who do nothing but stay in their same old funky conditions.

I am not (yet) financially wealthy; however, my life has unfolded in such a way that I am quite better off than most people my age in similar circumstances. Things have and continue to unfold in my life because I strive to make moves and meet people who can help me better myself. There's a famous quote that's been said by so many people that I look up to that I can't rightfully nail down the original owner; however, the quote is "If you're the smartest person in your circle, then you need a new circle."

The reason why this quote is so powerful is because you can replace "smartest" with any other adjective and the statement won't lose it's power. In fact, it strengthens whatever adjective you use. Having said that, I firmly believe that if you're the richest person in your circle, then you need a new circle. By that I mean, the only way you can improve your situation is to surround yourself with people whose situations are better than yours. When you immerse yourself in environments that you wish to dwell in, over the course of time, you will learn things that - if you take heed and implement them, you will likely someday discover your rightful place in those environments.

If you want to have more in your life, you're going to have to do more in life, and while most people want more out of life, they're not willing to do more. So when people come along and get the things they want in life, the person on the sidelines finds themselves resenting such people. However, the uncomfortable reality is that these people resent themselves. When they see others succeed, they are reminded of their own lack of drive and instead of taking stock and accountability in themselves, they project that resentment; or "hate," outward towards the people who are succeeding.

Why do you think so many people have so many opinions about how much money entertainers and athletes make and what they do with their money? People pass judgment because they're using their imagination to spend the money entertainers and athletes make instead of using their imagination to make the money that entertainers and athletes spend. But what happens is, when reality and imagination meet, imagination comes up short and reality comes up empty.

But you know what? Money changes everything! Money makes it possible to have more things, do more things, and help people who genuinely need and deserve help. Has money, the little I've made and continue to make, changed me? Hell yeah! Money has changed where I live and where I have been able to provide a home for my family. Money has changed the car I drive, the clothes I wear and the kinds of food I eat. Money has allowed me to make charitable contributions. Money has allowed me to travel the country; and most importantly ... Money allows me to meet and learn from people who can teach me how to make more money so I can do all of the above even better and better.

In short ... MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING!

*******************************************************************************

"Many poor people believe they are better people because they are poor. Somehow they believe they're more pious or spiritual or good. Baloney! The only thing poor people are is poor.

What good do you do poor people by being one of them? Whom do you help by being broke? Aren't you just another mouth to feed? Wouldn't it be more effective for you to create wealth for yourself and then be able to really help others from a place of strength instead of weakness?"
T. Harv Eker

Common Sense Ain't Common ... HRJR's Review

2011-11-09T22:31:00.000-05:00

I recently finished reading a book that I wish I could personally put in the hands of every teenager in the world in every language possible! The name of that book, "Common Sense Ain't Common: A Practical Guide to Getting the Most Out of Life," by Philly native Tazz Daddy.

In this book, Tazz uses an outstanding mixture of personal and professional experiences along with recent events and names everyone knows to drive home every possible way people could see where that thing called "Common Sense" applied, where it was ignored, and how to go about making it applicable in your life.

When I was just half-way through the first chapter, I couldn't help thinking "I need to put this book in my niece's hands!" My niece Bryanna is 13 years old and very intelligent for a young lady her age. When most girls would take advantage of an uncle who says, "I'm gonna spend some money on you" and take him to the mall, my niece has me take her to Barnes & Noble! As I kept reading, I couldn't stop thinking about how the lessons that Tazz was dropping could benefit her and a lot of kids like her ... and unlike her!

l to r: Tazz Daddy H.S. Reed, Jr.

I read a lot of books. I would go so far to say that I've read more books in the last five years than I read throughout my entire scholastic career. It's rare that I actually know the author of one of the books I'm reading, let alone have him as a close friend. Friendship aside, I have to honestly say that this book is definitely a must-read.

Like my book, "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY! You're Either Part of the Problem or You're Part of the Solution," Tazz's opus speaks to people of all ages. Like my book, for those who are the same age as he and I, it's a reminder and a "come to Jesus" type conversation. For the youth, it's a glimpse into the future and the book provides tools that if used immediately and consistantly will help the young reader avoid a great many of life's pitfalls. I honestly believe that Tazz's book would make the perfect precursor of preparation for my book. The two could easily go hand in hand!

On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, I give "Common Sense Ain't Common: A Practical Guide to Getting the Most Out of Life" ...

How Do You Define Your Personal Brand?

2011-11-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

When people hear the word "entrepreneur" their minds go off into God only knows how many different directions, and most of them will more than likely fall under the category of "not me." However, I want you to understand something.

Everyone is anentrepreneur. We all have a product to sell and a service to provide. Youare your product, and whatever you do with your life is the service youprovide. However, when you sell your product and provide your services to thebenefit of others more so than yourself, you then become an employee. Now, there's nothing wrong with being an employee, there's a job and a place for everyone. Better stated, somebody has to do the work that not everyone wants to do. That's not to say that those who do the work that other people don't want to do are at the bottom. In fact, such people exist on every rung on the vocational ladder. There are people who are happy at the bottom, in the middle, at the top, and at every level in between. And then there are people who are unhappy where they are, but won't do anything to better their ssituation. These are the people who give stink to the words "employee" and "entrepreneur" alike. Where you fit in the vocational spectrum is based on how you feel about yourself and the work you do. How you do that work and the conduct you display go to define your brand.

"Branding" in this sense is new to no one. It's just the modern day verbiage for developing and exhibiting your reputation. Simply put, your brand is your reputation and it extends far beyond your vocation. When you think of yourself as an entrepreneur, imagine yourself as a company. As was stated earlier, you are your product. How do you want people to see you? How do you want people to receive you? What qualities do you want people to be thinking of when they're thinking of you? All of these things make up the definition of your personal brand.

Establishing and maintaining a positive and productive brand is something that could very well take a lifetime; however, all it takes is one discretion ... all it takes is one second to decide to go left or right when you know you should be staying on the straight and narrow, and your brand could be irreparably damaged. When Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, he damaged his brand. When Tiger Woods' infidelity became public knowledge, he damaged his brand. Even when Michael Jackson's inability to let go of his childhood to where he genuinely thought in his mind that it was fine for a man his age to share a bed with children who were not his own ... he damaged his brand.

The same way you think about your favorite snack, soda, restaurant ... even your favorite toilet paper ... you want people to think as favorably about you as you think of those things. And why do you think so favorably of those things? Because they make you feel good. Because they have proven themselves. If you want to have a brand that is desired and admired by others, then it's up to you.

It's up to you to present and carry yourself in a dignified manner. When you go to work; whatever it is you do, do your job and do it well. If you do just enough to get by, don't think that just because your superiors aren't saying anything to you that they aren't saying things about you. If you actually are an entrepreneur and you provide a product or service, then you must certainly be cognizant of how you present who you are and what you do.

You have to realize that in the minds of the people around you, perception is reality, but you are the only one responsible for creating and exhibiting the perception that makes up that reality. How you do this goes to define your personal brand.

2011-11-05T09:58:00.001-04:00

On behalf of my "partner in crime," Tazz, I want to take a minute and thank those of you who have planned to attend our booksigning/seminar on Saturday Dec. 10th. For those of you who might be able to make it; or have yet to RSVP, we certainly hope you can fit it into your schedule. For those of you who will not be attending ... YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE MISSING, but don't worry ... We'll definitely be back.

Have you ever met someone and for whatever reason, just clicked right off the bat? A little under a year ago, I peeped some videos that Tazz had done and I saw an outspokeness that I too had, but (due to my job at the time) could not fully exercise. So I introduced myself to him and we just started building from there.

Inspired by concepts found in Napoleon Hill's book, "THINK & GROW RICH," six months ago, I created a small "Mastermind Alliance" group with several other speakers including Tazz. He and I both believe in making strong alliances with positive people who are on a mission and in doing so, being able to help one another better themselves and others.

When he told me about his book "Common Sense Ain't Common" I clicked with it right off the bat because I have always said, "If common sense were actually common, everyone would have it!" I knew I had to use my resources to provide him an outlet to help further share his work and his word.

I GUARANTEE YOU ... If/When you come to Hue-Man, you're going to see two speakers come at you with brand new speeches of motivation & encouragement never heard before .

You will NOT be disappointed ... That is ... unless you're not there!

WE hope to see you there!

"ASK HRJR!" Topic: Bullying

2011-10-19T13:22:00.000-04:00

I do what I do because I enjoy helping people. I have dedicated my life to facing the good, the bad, and the ugly; find a way to process and rationalize it, and then share those rationalizations with people hoping they can find some peace and or an easier way to go. I was asked the following by a young woman whose son is being bullied.

Hey I need advice ... I'm a single mom and my son's dad is a dead beat. My son is being bullied in school. The teacher knows and separated the kids, supposedly the other parent was notified. My son is in no way a fighter. He had an anxiety attack when I dropped him off at school, because of fear. I keep telling him he's gonna have to do what he needs to and stand up to this bully but he won't any suggestions?

Signed,
Bullied Boy's Mad Momma

Dear Bullied Boy's Mad Momma,

Your son has to learn both confidence and HOW to defend himself. Things like discipline, esteem and confidence must be taught and instilled before and so that they can be used and then converted into SELF-discipline, SELF-esteem & SELF-confidence.

My advice ... Find a REALLY good karate school. One that offers a good physical fitness and practical self-defense program. Considering your son's father is - shall we say ... "inactive," definitely look for a school with a lot of positive young male students older than him and male Senseis (teachers) who give kids quality attention.

I used to manage a karate school. I have seen kids like your son come in low in confidence and bullied in school. After the first couple of months, when they accustomed to the flow, they changed. They were more outgoing and confident. Most importantly, few of them ever had to actually defend themselves. Those that did were capable of doing so.

The next thing I would advise is that you attempt to speak with the other child's parents. However, I must warn you that this may prove to be very difficult. The school may be uncooperative in sharing the other kid's parents' contact information. When we were kids, there were times when parents would get involved and mediate the situation. Old school fathers would lace the boys up in boxing gloves and let them handle it. I remember being picked on and having my father show up at the playground and tell me to deal with the bully or deal with him. I held my own with the bully.

If you can communicate with the other parents then perhaps together you can work something out. Other than that, teach your child how to defend himself and surround him with people who are high in confidence. It will certainly rub off on him.

"Plan A" ONLY? ... ARE YOU CRAZY?

2011-07-03T12:37:00.002-04:00

A friend asked, "How much faith do you really have? Would you put all your eggs in one basket with faith? Yes, No, or maybe and Why?" My answer is below ...

Many people - most notably Steve Harvey - believe that if you have a "plan B" then you lack faith in your "plan A." I do not subscribe to this belief. If you KNOW you cannot fail then by all means, go all-in; however, in life it is rare when you're going into a major venture knowing you cannot or will not fail.

Faith is no excuse to ignore or neglect thinking practically. If you put all your eggs in one basket and that basket gets tipped over, what happens to your eggs? If you're playing blackjack in Vegas & you go all in asking for hits when the dealer is showing a King & then flips an Ace ... what happens to your money?

Even though I often use the acronym "Follow One Course Until Successful" for the word "FOCUS," this is NOT an absolute - nor is the acronym for "PUSH," "Pray Until Something Happens." No battle is won, nor any success achieved by blindly following JUST one course and or sitting on your butt praying and doing nothing else but.

Contingency plans exist to give us options. If you're putting yourself on a path to acheive more for yourself in life; it's bad enough you will have haters and all other kinds of obstacles placed in front of you, so why would you voluntarily eliminate options for yourself by having in faith in only one option?

No ... Have faith in achieving the goal overall and use however many options that present themselves or that you create to get there.

IN A PERFECT WORLD

2011-06-16T15:10:00.001-04:00

IN A PERFECT WORLD

In a perfect world, people would tell the truth and those to whom the truth was told would be able to handle it.

In a perfect world, you succeed when you work for what you want and you fail when you don't.

In a perfect world, you can fall out of love just as easily as you fell in love. It will hurt the other person, but he or she will simply accept that was not "THE" right person for him or her & move on with his or her life.

In a perfect world, you're allowed to change your mind. You can believe one thing today, learn something new that changes your view, and then act out on that new course without being called indecisive at best, or a liar at worst.

In a perfect world, everyone would get along, and even if there was someone with whom you couldn't get along, you'd agree to stay out of one another's way.

In a perfect world, a partnership is just that. everyone puts in his or her fair share and they are rewarded accordingly. If you each put in 50% of the work, you each get back 50% of the return.

In a perfect world, the government is simply a tool built by & used for the benefit of the society. Position would equal one's level of duty and responsibility, not power and prestige.

In a perfect world, you win because you earned the privilege, not simply because you participated. You go in, do you your best, and the results speak for themselves. As well prepared as you may be, your opponent may be better prepared. As hungry as you are, today your opponent might have been just that much hungrier. Consequently ...

In a perfect world, if you lose you don't blame anyone other than the face you see in the mirror. You take accountability for your flaws and strive to improve them next time.

In a perfect world, people don't crucify one another for their mistakes because everyone knows they are not perfect themselves. People don't laugh or ridicule you when you fall because they know that they have either fallen themselves or will someday fall themselves.

In a perfect world, people do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. They don't look for a reward because they know that the good they did will returned in due season.

In a perfect world, there would be no need for laws because everyone would know not to do anything that would be harmful to themselves or others.

These are just a few examples of what a perfect world would be for me. The problem I have is that when people say "In a perfect world," they say something they want but will not work to achieve. Therefore, not only does perfection become elusive, but improvement fails to even have a chance.

So when I look sad and feel out of place, you now know it's because I am not where I want to be, can't get there by myself, and I don't have enough people willing to help me get there. I don't have enough people willing to help me get there because it will take ALL of us to get there & just one unwilling person makes the task impossible.

How Do I Help You Find Your Answers?!

2011-06-13T09:48:00.002-04:00

As a Coach, I ask my clients those questions that make them see the answers in their head in such a way that they HAVE to pull them out and act on them. They realize "Hey - someone's REALLY watching and is going to hold em accountable," and they know they have to produce. It's not easy; but as I always say, "Success doesn't come easy - nor is it supposed to. It's going to be work and that work is going to be hard."

A lot of times people already know what's right for them. They know the path they should take or the decision they should make; however, for "whatever" reason they do what's wrong for them. They take the wrong path and make the wrong decision. WHY?

As Tony Robbins says, people are driven by two forces pain & pleasure. People will do whatever they can to increase pleasure and avoid pain. The problem with that is people fail to realize that to some degree, success lies on the other side of pain. You have to go through some things in order to get you some things. People make the wrong choices because at the time those choices are easier to follow than digging in and putting in the work.

Those wrong choices start out bringing a false sense of immediate pleasure, but it's false because the only pleasure there is, is from NOT doing the work. Eventually, there comes a price to be paid & when that time comes those who did not put in the work pay the price and THAT's when the REAL PAIN comes.

The end result - be it pain or pleasure is what lasts, not what you get in the beginning. If you start out just going for the pleasure the table can turn on you. If you jump into the mix fighting (what "fight" doesn't come with pain?) you run the chance of turning those tables too.

Get YOUR Autographed Copy TODAY!

I have people who hold me accountable to my goals. As a coach, I appreciate BOTH sides of that particular coin. My book, "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" is ONLY the beginning. I wrote that book at the START of my journey. The lessons still hold true and - if nothing else - give people the courage to TAKE ACTION & start their own journeys.

What are you waiting for? See ... You need someone to hold you acocuntable (LOL). So if you "plan" on getting your copy ... TAKE ACTION, Click here: http://bit.ly/jtlXHI and either start or fortify YOUR journey!

Take care & have a blessed week!

Harold

HRJR Comes BACK to Harlem (and I'm NOT alone!!)

2011-06-02T06:46:00.005-04:00

Hey Friends ...

I can't tell you how excited I am about this upcoming signing as I return to the Hue-Man Bookstore! This will be my third appearance there and like the saying goes, "Three times is the charm!" With each appearance I have strived to make it better than the previous one and this one is no different!

I have a few speakers lined up who are making serious and positive differences in not only their own lives, but also with those around them in their communities as well.

Cathleen Williams (left) is one of the most inspiring women I know. She's like a big sister to me, and I am honored that she will be hosting this event!

Keishorne Scott (below) is a young brother who started and runs TWO non-profit youth empowerment organizations.

Rossmery Gomez (right) is a sister who has such a refreshing and positive outlook on life that you cannot help but feel "OUTSTANDING" in her presence!

Tazz Daddy (below) ... Well Tazz is in a class of his own (LOL)! Mess around with him and before you know it, in between the laughs - you done learned something!

Me ... I'm bringing FIRE. I'm not just talking about my book "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" I plan on sharing some ideas with you that I hope will encourage you to take control of your lives!

I hope to see you Saturday AT ONE O'CLOCK!!

Hue-Man Bookstore

2319 Frederick Douglas Blvd.

New York, NY. 10027

HRJR is Asked "WHAT's IN YOUR HAND?"

2011-05-30T10:28:00.000-04:00

This coming Friday - June 3rd 2011, I am going to be up EARLY in the morning in order to be on the "What's in Your Hand" radio show hosted by Ricky Young (WHCR 90.3 FM or http://www.whcr.org/)
As I prepare for my return to the Hue-Man Bookstore for another signing for my book "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!" I'm going to share with Ricky (and you WHEN you listen in) what's been going on in my life and on my journey, some of the ups and downs and definitely what's out there on the horizon! I'll be returning to Hue-Man the following day Saturday, June 4th from 1pm to 4pm!

Ricky Young Host of "What's In Your Hand"
WHCR 90.3 FM or http://www.whcr.org/

More about the show & Host:
“What's in Your Hand” is a motivational radio program focused on success and achievement with the goal of inspiring the listener's to their (TAGS ) talents, abilities, gifts, and skills.

Some of the past interview guests include: motivational legend Zig Ziglar, Michael Beckwith and Bob Proctor of the "Secret", Andrew Young former U.S. Ambassador and former Mayor of Atlanta, Darren Hardy publisher of Success Magazine, Motivational Speaker Les Brown and author of the book turned movie "The Pursuit of Happyness," Chris Gardner.

Ricky Young has hosted Motivational Seminars & Workshops with Dr. Deepak Chopra and also Herbert Harris author of 12 Universal Laws of Success. Ricky is a former Professional Boxer with 22 bouts and was Boxing Coach at Columbia University for 11 years.

Make sure you tune in ... Friday June 3rd 2011 - 6am! Chances are your favorite morning drive radio shows will be playing "the best of" and other pre-recorded repeats! Start your weekend getting some pure LIVE motivation and inspiration!

My Mastermind Group

2011-05-25T19:26:00.000-04:00

As written by Stephanie Brail (http://www.feelgoodgirl.com/): "Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, first defined the mastermind as a 'coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.'

Hill’s concept of the 'Master Mind' was inspired by Andrew Carnegie, wealthy steel magnate.... According to Hill:

"Mr. Carnegie’s Master Mind group consisted of a staff of approximately fifty men, with whom he surrounded himself, for the DEFINITE PURPOSE of manufacturing and marketing steel. He attributed his entire fortune to the POWER he accumulated through this ‘Master Mind."

On June 4th, at the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, I will introduce you to some of the members of my "Master Mind Group:"

Keishorne Scott
Youth Empowerment Speaker

Tazz Daddy
Speaker, Life Coach
(Phila, PA.) Power 99 Radio Personality

Rossmery Gomez
Transformational Leader and Life coach.

I'm doing more than selling a book ... I'm giving you prime examples of ordinary people who are fulfilling extraordinary dreams!

Today's Thought ... 23 May 2011

2011-05-23T07:51:00.001-04:00

"It really bothers me when people deal with their problems by saying 'I put it in God's hands.' It bothers me because most of the time what happens is many of those people do nothing themselves to correct their situations. God works THROUGH us not FOR us. God didn't create our problems, so why should God solve them? It's not a matter of faith, it's a matter of good sense. Handle your business." HSRjr.

HRJR Speaks @ Aviation High School (LIC, NY)

2011-05-19T07:34:00.003-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Harold S. Reed, Jr.

E-MAIL: HRJREnterprises@comcast.net

WEB: http://www.hrjrenterprises.com/

(05/18/11) On a rainy Wednesday, several entrepreneurs from the tri-state area converged upon Aviation High School in Long Island City, NY. to speak to an assembly of students about the realities and benefits of entrepreneurship. The event, called "Small Business Camp for Teens," was organized by Vera Borukhov - at teacher and an entrepreneur herself as the owner of Veracity Learning, a tutorial service which provides tutors to go to children's homes to provide them with scholastic assistance.

Amongst the panel of speakers were: Biana Bakman - social media marketing consultant; Rossmery Gomez - inspirational speaker; Jim Hernandez - youth empowerment speaker; Dana Humphrey - public relations consultant; Audra Fordin - auto mechanic/owner of a Great Bear Auto franchise; Keishorne S. Scott - youth empowerment speaker and founder of two community-based non profit orgainzations; Natalie Sulimani - tradmark attorney; and closing out the panel and presentation, Harold S. Reed, Jr. - speaker, author and Certified Professional Life Coach.

"HRJR"
Your Motiv-ACTIONal Speaker

Reed spoke to the students about how he retired from his 11 year career in Law Enforcement to become a successful speaker, writer and life coach. The prevailing themes of his presentation were the differences between employees and entrepreneurs, the difference between earning money and "making" money, and the value of creating multiple streams of income.

Every speaker gave the students a variety of real-life examples of what it takes to become an entrepreneur. No speaker pulled any punches and answered every question the students had. The students were very attentive, constantly writing notes and taking videos with their cell phones and after the entire presentation the students were able to approach the speakers and ask even more questions.

VIDEO:

Aviation High School, has a history which parallels the industry it serves. The school has grown from 3 teachers, 1 clerk and 100 (part-time) students in 1925, to its present program of 150 teachers, administrative staff, and over 2000 students. With the constantly expanding aviation transport, manufacturing, engineering and management segments of the industry, it is the school's mission to provide our nation, with our share of qualified trained young professionals necessary to control the present and influence the future of the Aerospace industry. Upon graduation, the students receive licenses in these fields of aviation. The school also has a vibrant U.S. Air Force Jr. ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program, and many students enter military service after graduation.

*********************

To book Mr. Reed for speaking engagements contact the Great Black Speakers Bureau: http://bit.ly/mjBcqR, or to inquire about "HRJR Coaching Services" send an e-mail to: HRJREnterprises@comcast.net

HRJR Coaching Services

2011-04-24T17:33:00.000-04:00

http://youtu.be/3PBQ8OC8fB4

COMING SOON from HRJR Enterprises

2011-04-24T17:29:00.000-04:00

http://youtu.be/a6ydUM2nTy4

Economic Empowerment Summit Promo

2011-04-19T01:28:00.000-04:00

Friday - July 15th 2011
Best Western Gateway Grand
Gainesville, Florida

"The Millionaire Brotherhood Success Seminar" 3/31/2011

2011-04-04T13:31:00.002-04:00

Interested or Committed ... Which Are You?

2011-04-01T02:09:00.002-04:00

Are you "interested" in living a better life or are you "committed" to it? You see, there IS a significant difference between the two. Things that tickle our fancy, or that we find interesting can easily be replaced by the very next thing that tickles our fancy.

However, when you are committed to something, you have put yourself on a course towards achieving it. It could be a better job, a better relationship, or an overall better life; if you are truly committed to succeeding in a given endeavor your chances are far more greater than if you just acknowledge an interest in it. Therefore, if you truly want to achieve your goals - whatever they may be, you must learn to convert your interest into commitment.

For example, if you walk onto the lot of a car dealership and look around, you're going to be approached by a salesman. You're going to tell him that you're "just looking," but he's going to dig in by asking you question after question about what you are LOOKING FOR.

Then he's going to go about showing you cars that satisfy what you said you were looking for. He's going to show you all the bells and whistles, and if you're on YOUR game, you will ask more specific questions about mileage, warrantees and such. He'll then let you test drive a car or two, and then invite you in to run some numbers.

A half-hour to an hour later (if your credit is not too jacked up), you're driving off that lot in a new car. The salesman turned your INTEREST into COMMITMENT.

Nothing worth having will ever come easy. To paraphrase Frederick Douglass, without struggle there is no progress. You must be honest with yourself with regards to what you want to do and achieve in life. Take stock of what it is you find "interesting." Once you've done that, prioritize those interests. Once you've listed those "interests," COMMIT YOURSELF to seeing them through.

In the process, you will learn what's really important to you. In the process, you will learn what you are REALLY committed to - and once you have learned what you are committed to, you will be on your path towards achieving the greatness that is destined to be yours.

HRJR's Jewels #1

2011-03-31T13:52:00.002-04:00

The Sale's Ending in Just a Couple Hours!

2011-03-28T22:06:00.002-04:00

How to go from the Hood to HARVARD - YES ... HARVARD!!

2011-03-24T00:33:00.003-04:00

The following can be found on the Harvard University website's Financial Aid Section (http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do - just in case you don't believe me!):

Welcome to the Harvard College Financial Aid Office.We are eager to help you and your family understand our financial aid programs and to assist you in finding ways to meet your college costs. Given the unprecedented economic downturn of the past year and a half, we understand that the thought of financing four years of college weighs heavily on families. We remain deeply committed to making a Harvard education affordable for all admitted students and invite you to learn more about our financial aid program. All of our financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need—there are no academic, athletic or merit-based awards, and we meet the full need of every student, including international students, for all four years.

In December of 2007, President Drew Faust announced a sweeping overhaul of financial aid policies designed to make Harvard College more affordable for families across the income spectrum. Over the past decade we have increased our scholarship aid by 163%, and this year we are awarding a record-breaking $158 million in need-based scholarship assistance to almost 60% of our students.

Our new financial aid policy has dramatically reduced the amount families with incomes below $180,000 are expected to pay, and parents of families with incomes below $60,000 are not expected to contribute at all to college costs. We no longer consider home equity as a resource in our determination of a family contribution, and students are not expected to take out loans, which have been replaced by need-based Harvard scholarship. This new program has reduced the cost to middle income families by one-third to one-half, making the price of a Harvard education for students on financial aid comparable to the cost of in-state tuition and fees at the nation’s leading public universities. For a more detailed explanation of our program, please click here.

We look forward to working with you,

The Harvard Financial Aid Office

HRJR's Facebook Quotables #4

2011-03-20T19:37:00.002-04:00

HRJR's Facebook Quotables #1

2011-03-20T18:41:00.002-04:00

HRJR's Facebook Quotables #2

2011-03-20T18:40:00.006-04:00

HRJR's Facebook Quotables #3

2011-03-20T18:40:00.002-04:00

Accept Responsibility

2011-03-15T09:19:00.000-04:00

"Succeeding in life is 10% what happens to you & 90% what you do about what happens to you. People need to pay closer attention to what they say & do. When you say someone 'makes me mad,' then you are a slave to that person because you have given that person control over your emotions. The devil didn't make you do it. He made you think about it ... YOU MADE YOU DO IT!" ~ HSRjr.

This past weekend I had a long conversation with a young lady whom I've mentored since she was in high school who has been having the damndest time trying to improve her life. She knows that there's a better life out there away from her hometown and she is doing what she can to get out into it by enlisting in the Marines. Unfortunately, due to some administrative mix ups the process is taking longer than she expected.

Regretfully, her major problems exist in her home. Apparently, her mother and (biological) father only got along when they conceived her because her mother is constantly telling her that she hates him and that she looks like him and sees his face when she sees her. Wrong? Absolutely, but let's not get stuck on that point. Let's move forward.

This young lady already has most of her stuff in boxes. That's just how ready she is to move out. Not only does she have the above mentioned problem with her mother, her younger sister is always picking fights with her. When she goes back at her sister, the sister runs to the mother - or if the mother comes into the room, she automatically jumps to the younger sister's side. She has even called the police several times accusing the young lady of being the one responsible for causing a disturbance.

Being a veteran myself, I reminded her that when she gets to boot camp those drill instructors are going to get into her face and say all kinds of things (none of them nice), and there will be nothing she can do about it - so I suggested that she start using her family as "practice dummies." I explained to the young lady that she needs to master the art of silence and the skill of humility. The only time there can be a disturbance is if she takes the bait. Her mother and sister know which buttons to push to get the responses they want. I instructed her to pull the plug on those buttons and stop taking the bait.

You see, if the electric company cuts off your power, it doesn't matter how many times you flip the switches in your house, you're not going to get the results you desire. If you maintain a higher sense of self, and don't allow people to get a rise out of you, then you strip them of the power they're trying to get over you. When you throw your hook in the water, if no fish take the bait then you go home hungry. I stressed to this young lady that she needed to cut the power and swim past the bait.

People will try to get a rise out of you. Let them. That's on them. What you do about what they do is on you. "He dared me to" has never been a legal defense. Neither is "She told me to hit her." People have to learn how to walk away. People have to learn that not every comment deserves being responded to ... but that's hard. Yeah ... it's hard, but the consequences for not going that route are otfen harder.

Man-up and take responsibility for your actions.

HRJR's "Blunt" Answer to a Question About a Crisis of Faith.

2011-03-13T12:50:00.001-04:00

I'd like to share with you a question asked on a friend's Facebook page ... followed by my answer:

QUESTION:

My father is a Pastor. I'm 29, been in church everyday of my life. I've prayed with people and for people. Good people. Most of the prayers go unanswered. Why doesn't God answer their prayers? I'm currently preparing for the seminary. But I'm losing my faith. I can't tell my father this. Any suggestions on how to keep my faith?

MY ANSWER:It would appear that the person upon whom this thread is originated is undergoing a crisis of faith. This person has a lack of faith because - despite his or her father being a Pastor - he or she lacks a true relationship with God him or herself. Quite frankly, his or father being a Pastor doesn't jack to do with anything. It only goes to lead you to think that this person should have a lock on the game because of who Dad is (Mistake #1).

The person says, "Most of the prayers go unanswered. Why doesn't God answer their prayers?" Well MAYBE because God is NOT an ATM you can just go to whenever you want something (Mistake #2).

Maybe it seems that God isn't paying any attention to the people asking FOR something from Him because He is more focused on bestowing blessings upon those who are grateful & appreciative for what they've already being given and he sees them worthy of receiving more.

In the book of Job, Job was stripped of everything that meant anything to him, yet he continued to give thanks and praise for whatever he had left. In the end he was not only blessed to receive back all that had been taken away, he received EVEN MORE!

Instead of begging and calling it "praying," how about showing some gratitude? Instead of getting on your knees and saying "Please God GIVE me strength," how about you get down there and say "Dear God, THANK YOU for making me strong enough to handle all that I have thus far."

I was just telling one of my Coaching clients to "thank" the man with whom she's ending her engagement.
She said, "THANK HIM?! What the hell for?"

I said, "For making YOU a better woman."

(Her): "HOW SO?!"

(Me): "How long were you with him?"

(Her): "Three years."

(Me): If the next man you get involved with down the line starts exhibiting similar tendencies as this man, will it take you 3 years to recognize the BS and do something about it?"

(Her): "Hell NO!"

(Me): "So as you leave, hold your head up and thank him."

Living with a sense of gratitude will always improve your attitude and your attitude will determine your altitude. If you can't or won't have such an attitude with the most supreme benefactor ever, why should your prayers be answered? Are any of us likely to grant the wishes of a person who only comes to us when they want something? Of course not!

So God being ... well ... GOD, why should God be any different?

Do We Actually Have Free Will or Is It All a Set Up?"

2011-03-12T00:53:00.002-05:00

I'd like to share with you a question asked on a friend's Facebook page ... followed by my answer:

QUESTION:
"We believe God is omnipotent, which means he is everywhere, everywhen and knows everything. Therefore, he knows all about each of our lives, ie when we will be born, when we will die and who our mates and children will be. That being said, do we actually have free will or is it all a set up?"

MY ANSWER:
Here's the deal (as I see it): Humans think of God on a human level. Newsflash: GOD ISN'T HUMAN ... GOD JUST "IS." Sure you can ask "What would Jeus do?" Jesus was a man. God incarnate, but still a man. I guess that's where that whole "In the world but not OF it" came from.

Personally, I don't think life is a matter of free will or pre-ordained destiny. I think its BOTH. God knows the answers because He (or she, or they) is God; however, WE don't know the answers. Remember ... God is omnipotent. There are countless outcomes for the things we do, don't do, think about doing ... I think you get the idea. God knows every one of those countless outcomes because only God can count that which is countless. After all God is ... well ... God.

Think of life as an improvisational movie. God is the writer & producer. As the "writer," He designed all that we are and all that is. As the "producer," he provided the "sets" (as Shakespeare wrote: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players"). Some might want to assign Him the role of "director," but naahhh ...

The only time God says "ACTION" is when we are born & the only time He says "CUT!" is when we die. In fact, when that happens, I think he says "That's a WRAP!" Anyway ... everything in between "ACTION & CUT" is up to us.

Again ... remember, God is omnipotent. As such the script He has written has every conceivable action and outcome; however, when we are cast (born) we're not given a script. Now here is where it gets interesting ... We're all cast at different times, and so those who were here before us wrote down a lot of what they thought was going down at the time and then they passed it down. Every generation of "actors" has done this. Many even claim that what they've written is actually God's script. However, they're too many different texts with all kinds of varying inconsistencies.

In the end ... God is God. He's got this. Our job is to do what we do as best we can until our role gets cut. There it is ... Faith, Free will & Destiny ... all rolled into a neat little ball!

Have a nice day!

Reel Wisdom: Lessons from 40 Films in 7 Minutes

2011-03-07T08:21:00.002-05:00

HRJR Speaks #13: "ABUNDANCE"

2011-03-06T19:58:00.003-05:00

How much in abundance does
the Universe have for each of us?
In this video, I tell you just how much!

Millionaire Brotherhood Success Seminar

2011-03-06T19:37:00.001-05:00

There's a chinese proverb that says:
"When the student is ready, the teacher shall appear." On March 31st ... If YOU are ready,I know where some of those teachers are going to be! Keep in mind ...
Success comes only to those who are willing to learn how to succeed.

7 Things That Can Suck You Into Busyness By Phillip LeBlanc

2011-03-05T15:45:00.001-05:00

Phillip LeBlanc & his wife Falesha

Today’s society is littered with things for people to do and ways to remain connected. For most folks, gone are the days of an 8-5 workday with a quiet drive to and from work and an uninterrupted evening at home with the family. Most have replaced that quiet serenity with busy lives and even busier schedules.

The root of such busyness is meaningless action. We live in a world in which we are prodded and tempted to engage in things that are fun, cool, and entertaining (and not necessarily in alignment with what we should be doing). Here are 7 common things in today’s society that most people touch regularly and that can easily suck you into a state of busyness.

1. Online Video – The internet continues to evolve in ways that fulfill right-brain cravings of emotional appeal. For this reason, the rapid growth in popularity of online video should come as no surprise. However, for these same reasons it is easy to get sidetracked in a 60-minute video on a favorite subject or find yourself lost in the land of YouTube search.

2. Blogs / Forums – Reading other people’s blogs can be fun and even educational. Maintaining your position as the most active user in your favorite forum is exhilarating. However, what is your purpose through those actions? Blog and forum posting can be part of an effective marketing strategy. Unfortunately, most people are not using blogs and forums for marketing but instead getting sucked into the busyness abyss.

3. Chat / Instant Messengers – We are now more connected then ever through real-time collaboration and communication. As much as chat and instant messenger solutions can increase your productivity through real-time engagement it is easy for those communication channels to open the door for non-essential conversations.

4. Facebook – With over 500 million users who does not have an account nowadays? But just because everyone is doing it does not make it an ideal platform of choice for getting stuff done. Unless you are in the middle of a well-defined social media strategy for your business, consider keeping Facebook off-limits during the times that you really need to get things accomplished.

5. E-mail – This is another popular vessel in which to communicate with folks around the globe. However, the daily time spent in our email inboxes rivals the time that most of us will spend in one-on-one conversation with our significant other. Personally, I conducted a Return On Action (ROA) study a few years back to find that I was spending almost 2-1/2 hours per day in my email inbox.

6. Phone Apps – No. You are not going to sell me on the fact that playing Angry Birds on your phone is improving your hand eye coordination nor are you going to monetize your ability to get back at those pigs. Most folks have their phones with them at all times. This means that apps (both useful and meaningless ones) are with us at all times, too.

7. People – Even though our technology-embedded world reduces emphasis on one-to-one human communication, it is still a common occurrence to lose minutes (and even hours) per day with others in unimportant talk at the water cooler. Protect yourself. Beware of other people who have zero concern about infecting you with their busyness virus.

Each of these things position you upon the peak of the productivity mountain. On one side is meaningful action; the other side is a steep descent into busyness that destroys your ability to achieve your intended results. Your challenge is to walk the peek in a way that you do not fall off.

HRJR Speaks #12

2011-03-05T15:23:00.000-05:00

You only get better when you grow and
accept that change is life's truest constant.

HRJR Speaks #11: Group Member's Question ...

2011-02-27T19:51:00.002-05:00

HRJR Speaks #10: "Let's Talk About S.E.C.S."

2011-02-26T15:42:00.002-05:00

Here's one reason why many people
fail to reach their potential.

"An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure!"

2011-02-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

Most of the time people never take the consequences of their actions into consideration until they're dealing with the consequences of their actions.

Many bad situations are predictable & easily avoidable. Just think of the worst case scenario and then do everything you can to keep it from happening.

Better to be able to say "I'm glad I did" than to have to say "I wish I would have ..."

Do Something ... THEN DO MORE!

2011-02-24T08:31:00.001-05:00

You are respsonsible for where you are. If you're in an unfavorable situation, you CAN get out of it. You CAN change it. You CAN get out of the hood. You CAN get out of that dead-end job. However, there are 2 things you need to know. 1. It's NOT going to be easy. 2. It's going to take time. The sooner you start the sooner you achieve. If you do nothing, you'll get nothing - AND THAT's JUST WHAT YOU DESERVE.

People want to blame the government and their jobs, and their bosses, and the fact that they were born in the hood as reasons why they aren't where they want to be in life. These are garbage excuses. Yeah - I said it. There are no laws saying you can't become whoever or whatever you want to be (unless you're looking for employment in illegal enterprises), YOU chose your job. Yeah, they hired you, but you applied for that job.

Bosses ... Hey ... I know they're a pain in the ass. But your boss wasn't born your boss. He or she had to go through some crap to get to be a boss. If YOU want to be a boss, or have more than what you have today, you are going to have to do something about it. No one is going to do it for you. In short, if you want more than what you already have, you're going to have to do more than you've already done.

That's just how the game works. You don't have to like it, but if you want to change your situation for the better, you're damn sure going to have to play it.

HRJR Speaks #9: Group Member Questions

2011-02-23T12:20:00.003-05:00

Some Midday Motivation

2011-02-23T12:01:00.002-05:00

HRJR Speaks #8: Question from a Motiv-ACTIONAL Video Group Member

2011-02-21T15:17:00.004-05:00

HRJR Speaks #7: "The Characteristics of an Entrepreneur."

2011-02-21T15:16:00.002-05:00

HRJR Speaks #6: "He/She is Just Not Into You."

2011-02-21T15:15:00.001-05:00

HRJR Speaks #5: L.I.S.P.

2011-02-21T15:13:00.003-05:00

HRJR Speaks #4: Bubble Busters & Dream Killers ... Revisited.

2011-02-21T15:12:00.005-05:00

HRJR Speaks #3: Group Member Question

2011-02-21T15:11:00.002-05:00

HRJR Speaks #2: "Let's Talk About It."

2011-02-21T15:10:00.003-05:00

HRJR Speaks #1: Networking

2011-02-21T15:09:00.001-05:00

A Facebook Question ...

2011-01-22T02:17:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I posed the following question
on my Facebook page:

I have a question (especially for those who love freely offering their opinions). Between now & 2021 do you think you can earn/make at least $1,000,000? If not, why not? Who's brave enough to answer THAT?

I received several responses mostly supporting, but a couple challenging the above question, but one response moved me such that I felt compelled to share both the response and my counter-repsonse with you. The responding party - who shall remain nameless - was inspired to dig deeper! Enjoy.

The Response:

"Will I even be here 2021? But since I've had to start over, I don't think I can. But I have always wanted to write a book because I have always loved to read. Also, start-up $$ is also a factor for those who have ideas, but don't have the capital to put up front ... just my opinion. Don't be too hard on me ... lol"

My Counter-Response:
The only thing I'm going to be hard on you about is ... EVERYTHING!

Granted, the older we get the more aware we are about our own mortality; primarily because the longer we live the more people we see die, be they friends, loved ones or both. However, what's important is to focus more on YOU LIVING than to focus on those around you who have died. Regardless of how old or young they were or how they left, the fact of the matter is that YOU ARE STILL HERE! The Law of Attraction states that you will bring into your life that which you focus most on. So what do you think you're attracting if you ask/wonder "will I even be here in 10 years?" When you die it's GAME OVER, and there will be nothing you can do about it, but until then every day you draw breath is one day more you have to move one step closer to your goals and dreams.

As for having to start over, I'm sure that once or twice in your life you've enjoyed a piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken, right? Well did you know that Colonel Sanders was well in his 70's when he sold his "11 Herbs & Spices" recipe? Do you enjoy Samuel L. Jackson's movies? Well his acting career didn't take off until he was 43!

There was a time when Donald Trump was in debt to the tune of OVER $900 MILLION DOLLARS. He is now worth well over $50 BILLION dollars. Now I'm not saying you have to produce their level of results, but those are three prime examples of how age & adversity can either be walls you climb over or allow to stop you dead in your tracks.

As for start-up capital, STOP thinking in terms of waiting for someone to give you the money & focus more on creating, developing and or improving your product or service. People - black folk especially - are always looking for that fairy god-mother or genie in the lamp to just show up & say "here's all the money you need to get started!" Well dear heart, it just don't happen that way. You can't wait for an opportunity to come to your door to say, "Okay, NOW I'm ready!" You have to get your grind on first, and if you're grinding hard enough, people will take notice & you will find yourself attracting to you the very people who can take you to the next level. People are drawn to success & that's a boat on which everyone wants to get on board.

What does the flight attendant tell you on the plane before take-off? "If there's a drop in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the above compartment. If you have a child, PUT YOUR MASK ON FIRST!" Before you can help anyone else, YOU have to be straight first. Write your book, hone your speaking skills - do whatever it is you want to do & do it with passion.

Like 50 Cent's first album is titled, "Get Rich or Die Trying" ... If you spend the next 9 years grinding & then God forbid drop dead before the 10th year, you will be remembered for your hustle and all you did until you died. If you do NOTHING and live for TWENTY years, what are people going to say? They'll say, "She was here ... Now she's gone. I'll miss her," and go on with the rest of their lives.

It doesn't matter whether you believe you will succeed or fail. YOU will choose your path & either way ... You're going to be right.

Which outcome would YOU prefer? Either way, the onus is on you & YOU ALONE to make it happen.

Now, if you feel I've been too hard on you ... GOOD that was the desired effect. Sometimes what we need is a kick in the ass, but everyone always wants the pat on the ass.

20 Jan. 11 ... Today's Thought.

2011-01-20T09:48:00.000-05:00

BLACK PEOPLE: It is not elitist to achieve success. Having more is not elitist. Achieving more & then treating others as if they're unworthy to achieve the same is what's elitist. It's ludicrous to think that having a lot of money, a big home, a nice car, clothes & jewelry is "the white man's vision of success." Having more is always better than having little to nothing; ethnicity be damned.

GET SOME ... THEN GET MORE!

18 Jan. 2011 ... Today's Thought.

2011-01-18T15:32:00.000-05:00

"It's amazing when you can actually feel God's hand at work. When you're grounded in your faith, life is like learning how to ride a bike. God is holding the back of the seat just like my dad did. When I said "I got it!" He let go. That's when I fell & just like my dad did, God brushed me off & held back onto the seat. You can say "I got it" all you want & he'll always be there to pick you up & hold onto the seat!" ~ HSRjr.

Why Reinvent the Wheel? ... Success Can Be Duplicated.

2011-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

"What is called 'talent' is simply a set of resources that have been combined, sequenced & practiced until they become an automatic skill. Each of us has the opportunity to develop our inner resources into talents to excel at what we love in the world." ~ Andreas & Faulkner

Have you ever noticed when someone new comes on the scene, they're always asked questions like "Who inspired you?" and "Who was it you saw that made you think 'I want to do that?'" For today's star athletes, it was the star athletes they watched when they were children. For musicians at the top of the charts today, it was those who were at the top of the charts when they were children (and some of those artists remain at the top of the charts today). Look at it like this ... might there have been a Shaquille O'Neal if he didn't have Julius "Dr. J" Irving to look up to? Might Michael Jackson have been the dancer and entertainer he was were there no James Brown?

Check this timeline out ... There would have never been groups like Boyz II Men, the Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees if it were not New Edition; and there would be no New Edition if it were not for groups like the Jackson 5 and the Temptations. There would never be a Justin Beiber if there was no Justin Timberlake; no Chris Brown or Ne-Yo were there no Usher. As a matter of fact, there would be no Justin Timberlake if there were no Usher, and I doubt any of them would be who they are if there was no Michael Jackson. Would Hip Hop stars & business moguls like Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens be where they are if there was no Russell Simmons? Would Hip Hop even be what it is were it not for Russell Simmons? Would Simmons have accomplished all he has in business had he not alligned himself with and followed the likes of Donald Trump and Warren Buffet?

In his book "The Success Principles," Jack Canfield says repeatedly that "success leaves clues." What this means is, you don't have to reinvent the wheel to get to where you want to go. Like the people mentioned above, you can look up to someone and learn from them. Between magazine interviews, autobiographies, "official" biographies, and even Facebook ... you can meet some of these people and not only learn how they became the successes they are, you can also learn about the mistakes they made along the way. It's like someone giving you a map to a treasure with all or most of the pitfalls and landmines marked out.

No one succeeds on his or her own. There's someone or something they look up to. No one just comes out of the womb making up their own thing. There are basics to be learned. As human beings, we learn on different levels and thus are capable of producing results anywhere from acceptable proficiency to sheer genius. The results are based on the level of application applied to learning how to produce those particular results. In other words, anyone is capable of duplicating another person's results but they have to be willing to duplicate the degree of work and effort applied to produce those results. Now there are two reasons why this is not an absolute lock towards to success:

1. People tend to want the extraordinary results they want, but they don't want to put forth the the extraordinary work required to pull off those results.

2. We all have different circumstances, so it's not like we're following the exact same path of the person we're looking up to.

Sadly, little to nothing can be done about "#1" ... that's an individual choice. As for "#2," what you must understand is that it's not about following the exact same path as the person you're looking up to. For example, I set a goal to buy a particular car. Getting this car required me to move my money in certain directions in order to make it happen. This doesn't mean I have to tell you exactly where and exactly how I moved my money. The lesson would be in saving, investing and shifting resources in a safe and responsible manner in order to produce the desired result.

Here's a secret to success: Whatever it is that you want to do, find someone who has done it or is doing it and doing it well. If you can actually "Find A Way" to meet him or her, go for it. If not, see if there is some literature out about how they got to where they are. If they are successful, this should not be too difficult a task. Study them. As best you can, do what they did - make the moves they made. If they stayed up late at night studying a particular subject, then you stay up late studying that subject. If they invested their money in certain areas, (first do your research and due-diligence) and invest your money in areas that could produce good returns for you (remember you're not on an "exact" path).

Look ... If you want to play ball as well as LeBron James, remember he modeled Michael Jordan, so you'll have to work & practice as hard as they did. Something my mother always said was, "You play like you practice," so if you want to play like an all-star you have to practice like one. You don't have to reinvent the wheel ... Find a wheel and roll with it! I believe in something I first heard said by Les Brown (paraphrased), "I don't want to follow the path. I wish to go where there is no path and leave behind me a trail." I truly believe this; however, I also believe in working smarter not harder, so I realize (as should you) that before you can go where there is no path and leave behind you a trail, you have to learn something about where it is you're trying to go. You cannot go into the unknown totally ignorant. Would you go deep sea diving in the ocean if you don't even know how to swim with a snorkel? Would you jump off of a 20ft. diving board if you don't even know how to swim? However, if after first learning the basics of swimming, you stepped your game up and learned how the best deep sea or high divers did their thing, in time, you could become as good as them and then add your own spice to it and become even better.

Success can be duplicated!
Get to work!

The Power & Benefits of Effective Networking.

2011-01-14T12:50:00.012-05:00

Andrew Morrison

I want to give a big shout of gratitude to one of MY coaches, Andrew Morrison! (right) He passed on some info to me which I passed onto my wife and out of thousands of applications submitted she was one of ONLY THREE applicants to win a mentor loan from The Thypin Oltchick Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship.

An honorable mention goes to my "big Sis" Cathleen Williams, Esq. (below) because I met Andrew through her. As a matter of fact I was able to facilitate the necessary introductions in order for Cathleen to host her first booksigning and release party for her book, "Single Mother the NEW Father Volume 1: Sports" at the Hue-Man Book Store in Harlem, NY. (on Saturday - Jan. 22nd - Mark your calendars!).

This is networking at it finest!

Food for thought ... This is the power of networking at work. It's not about getting hook-ups for yourself. You meet people and then meet the people they know. Networking really pays off - not when you meet someone who can do something for you, but when you can connect one person in need of a particular product or service with another person who can provide that product or service.

If you meet someone who can hook you up - you kind of owe them a favor in return; however, if you can connect one person in need with another person who can provide, then you have TWO people who are grateful TO YOU and they'll be likely to help you if and when they can.

Having two people willing to help you is a whole lot better than having to owe any one person!

There's a book that I just finished reading that I highly recommend to anyone looking to step up their networking game ... Especially for my African American and Latino brothers and sisters. The name of the book is "Success Runs in Our Race" by George C. Fraser. (right)

This book is replete with examples, exercises, and resources to teach anyone how to begin or improve their networking skills. If your business involves talking to and meeting new people, you will be doing yourself a disservice by not purchasing it! If you are really determined to improve the quality of your life, and perhaps even more, your business - then this is the book you need to have in your hands.

"It is vital that you overcome negative thinking, not only for your career but also for your personal growth & happiness. You can't stand back and be scenery for other people's lives. You have to become engaged in life and take life on." G.C. Fraser

I honestly don't know where to begin to go about explaining how beneficial networking has been for me personally in improving my "people skills," as well as professionally in improving my business and providing me opportunities to meet and learn directly from some really great people. So what I'm going to do is just give you a few examples below:

Les Brown
"The Motivator"

When I met Cathleen on Facebook, I saw she personally interviewed one of my motivational mentors, Les Brown. Meeting him was one of my life's goals - especially after I decided to become a professional speaker, so I immediately accepted her friend request because in my mind I said to myself ...
"This woman is going to be the one who introduces you to Les Brown."
A little over a year later, she facilitated that introduction.

Claudia Jordan
"Model, Actress, Radio &TV Personality"

I also met this beautiful woman on Facebook. After a few conversations, I began listening to her radio show, "The Claudia Jordan Show" on Jamie Foxx's "Foxxhole Radio" channel on Sirius/XM Satellite radio. I soon became a welcomed regular caller & known for always providing a logical twist to the topics being discussed, she dubbed me "The Deep Brotha." When I told her I had written a book ("FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY!") she invited me out to Los Angeles to sit in on her show as a live guest and promote my book (the first time I ever flew 1st Class!).

Marvin Towler
"Martial Artist, Fitness Expert & Entrepreneur"

Yet another person whom I met on Facebook, who has become very much a good friend. Originally from New Jersey but living in California, Marvin and I became friends after he viewed a few of my video blogs. Late last summer, when he returned to New Jersey to visit his family after many years of living out west, he made it a point to see me - first just to actually meet up in person, and then a surprising second time in October - the day before my birthday - to show his support at my "Motiv-ACTIONal" seminar & booksigning at the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem, NY. Marvin also played a part in my meeting the man below ...

Jack Canfield
"America's Success Coach" & Co-Author of the
"Chicken Soup for the Soul" Book Series

Through his books and seminars all over the country, this man has helped millions of people all over the world take stock in themselves and improve their lives. When I read his book "The Success Principles," I was getting fired up because he had put to paper many of the ideas and ways in which I had been living my life. When I went to see him at a seminar he was giving in Boston; I introduced myself to him, showed him a copy of my book and said, "Mr. Canfield, my name is Harold Reed. I believe you have one of these from Marvin Towler." He smiled and said, "Yes, yes I knew you looked familiar and Marvin told me to look forward to meeting you." Because I was seated in the V.I.P. section, I was able to have lunch with him and have a few minutes of direct one-on-one time with him.
(When was the last time you had lunch and could casually converse with
a multi-millionare businessman in your line of work?)

If you'll notice, the common thread with all of the above people is that I met them either directly or indirectly via Facebook. While many of people use this medium to play games and have fun, I actually use it as a means to meet new people - people who over the years have become clients, colleagues and customers.

In the end, I guess I'm no different than the rest of the people on Facebook. I'm just "having fun" at playing a "different" game. I'm playing the "Networking Game" and ...

I'M PLAYING TO WIN!

Just in Case You Missed My Interview Last Night!

2011-01-04T01:47:00.002-05:00

Today's Thought ... 4 Jan 2011

2011-01-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

William Shakespear once wrote: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be."

This has become my mantra with regards to my personal library. I do not believe in "borrowing" books, nor do I believe in "lending" them out. If I borrow them, they're not mine and I will have to give them back. Conversely, if I lend them out there stands the chance that they might not be returned.

I once read that one of the things that separates the rich from the poor is that the rich maintain personal libraries. Is this an absolute science? I cannot personally say that it is; however, what I can say is that I have been in the homes of some very well off people and I have been in the homes of some not so well off people. Those who were well off had bookcases stocked from top to bottom, whereas those not so well off barely had anything more than the latest tabloid or entertainment rag on their coffee table.

In the movie, "Barbershop," comedian Cedric the Entertainer said that the barbershop was the "poor man's country club." Having spent many a Saturday in the barber shop I readily concur. In the spirit of this analogy, I would go so far as to say that with all of the retail book outlets available, the library has become the "poor man's bookstore." The library is still a tremendous place of value, for it contains maony books, records, and documents that you cannot buy at Barnes & Noble; however, when it comes to obtaining those books that you would read to improve your mind, your life ... your over all condition ... I would strongly urge you to scrape together what you can and BUY your books.

Build your library as you would a castle. Every book is a brick. Build for the future. Build and teach your children how to build as well. Who knows what kind of wealth your great grandchildren will amass based on the books you buy & build with today.

Today's Thought ... 3 Jan 2011

2011-01-03T10:58:00.004-05:00

Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made - Let us rejoice & be glad in it!"

But my question is, after all the singing and dancing are done, what are you going to do to make the day really matter? What are you going to accomplish? Yes the Lord gave you today, but there's no guarantee he's going to give you tomorrow. MAKE TODAY COUNT for more than a song & dance!

Get Your Autographed Copy TODAY!!

2011-01-03T10:48:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to mince words ... I wrote a book that not only changed my life, but is changing the lives of many others.

My book, "FIND A WAY TO MAKE A WAY! You're Either Part of the Problem or You're Part of the Solution" was self published in `07, signed to a publishing deal in `08, & re-released as a 2nd edition in `09. In 2010, I did book signings & seminars at the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem (largest African American owned bookstore in the U.S.), and at Barnes & Noble!

If you as an adult are looking for a boost to help you re-focus and get back on track to the destiny you want for yourself - or you know someone in need of that boost, or if you have teenagers to whom you want to give some extra tools as they perpare for college and life away from Mommy & Daddy, then MY BOOK is what you want to have in hand.

For an autographed copy, go to the website below & click on the "Products" tab

God Bless,

H.S. Reed, Jr.
http://www.hrjrenterprises.com/

It's 2011 ... Let's NOT Do it Again!

2011-01-01T23:30:00.000-05:00

Every year we set out to fulfill "New Year's Resolutions," and every year we tend to "full-fail" at "resolving" those things we set out to do at the beginning of the year. One of the main reasons this is so is because we make a big production about the resolutions we're making, but we do not apply the same amount of attention to taking consistent action throughout the year.

This year, I have not made one single "resolution." This year, I'm setting goals. I'm setting weight loss & fitness goals, professional goals, personal goals, and family goals.

The reason why I'm making an issue of this is simple. I have observed that it's a part of human nature to just "go with the flow" and conform. We just got through celebrating the most expensive exercise in conformity a week ago (YES ... I am talking about Christmas). Every spends all year crying broke, but yet & still every December, the mall parking lots are all filled to capacity! So after Christmas, what do people do? They start talking about their "New Year's Resolutions" and what they're going to give up - smoking, over-eating ... whatever. Well, I'm not buying it ... I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!

The only way we're going to achieve our goals - or for those of you who wish to hold on to your "resolutions," is for us to be held accountable to them. You don't have to share your goals or resolutions with the world - in fact, I recommend you don't & I'll explain why in a second. Anyway, find yourself an "Accountability Partner" - someone in whom you can confide and will challenge you only so far as to help you stay on your course.

Now the reason why I say it's not necessarily good or wise to share your goals with the world (or maybe even on your Facebook page), is because not everyone is out to support you. Many people ... even people who deem close to you will use your goals to taunt you. When you hit those inevitable valleys, these will be the people who will talk you out of your goals and resolutions by saying things like "Well, you shoulda' known you was gonna break down and eat some McDonald's - HELL - I knew you were gonna do it!"

Look, the reason we make these resoultions is because we want to change our lives for the better. To do this is to be successful. If you really want to be successful in fulfilling your resolutions, then you most change your patterns. So ... like I have done, do away with your resolutions; set goals, and find yourselves an "Accountability Partner." Recognize that you're only conforming with the norm just waiting to full-fail those resolutions.

In 2011 ... Let's NOT Do it Again!

I Found An Interesting Article Worth Sharing!

2010-12-31T12:17:00.000-05:00

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?

2010-12-29T15:19:00.000-05:00

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.

2010-11-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

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!

2010-11-23T08:40:00.000-05:00

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!!

2010-11-22T14:44:00.001-05:00

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

2010-10-26T20:04:00.000-04:00

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?

2010-10-24T12:30:00.000-04:00

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

2010-10-13T18:24:00.003-04:00

HRJRs 2010 Definitions of Success #021

2010-10-13T13:30:00.001-04:00

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!

2010-10-10T18:10:00.000-04:00

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

2010-10-05T05:12:00.000-04:00

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!

2010-10-03T14:38:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-30T12:13:00.003-04:00

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!!

2010-09-22T23:25:00.002-04:00

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?"

2010-09-19T08:43:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-16T04:49:00.000-04:00

‎"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!

2010-09-11T23:00:00.000-04:00

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

2010-09-07T11:03:00.000-04:00

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

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

2010-09-07T00:11:00.000-04:00

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 ...

2010-09-02T14:58:00.000-04:00

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

2010-07-27T22:44:00.000-04:00

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.

2010-07-07T00:00:00.006-04:00

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.

2010-07-06T05:02:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-21T00:00:00.002-04:00

"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.

2010-05-26T10:02:00.001-04:00

"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.

2010-05-24T12:37:00.000-04:00

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!

2010-05-16T01:01:00.011-04:00

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

2010-04-15T22:10:00.002-04:00

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!

2010-04-12T20:32:00.008-04:00

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

2010-04-11T08:59:00.000-04:00

"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!

2010-04-07T23:27:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the new home of everything HRJR!

HRJR Morning Motivation 002,003 & 004

2010-04-07T23:26:00.000-04:00

Morning Motivation 002

Morning Motivation 003

Morning Motivation 004

HRJR's Morning Motivation

2010-03-30T06:56:00.001-04:00

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

2010-03-24T05:17:00.002-04:00

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

2010-03-23T07:11:00.006-04:00

"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

2010-02-21T00:00:00.002-05:00

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

2010-02-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

"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

2010-02-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

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

2010-02-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

"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

2010-02-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

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

2010-02-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

"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!

2010-02-15T07:14:00.001-05:00

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!