10 Killer Leadership Skills

2015-02-04 By Kassandra Leave a Comment

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Are you in a position of leadership, either in your place of work or perhaps among your friends?

Do you influence others around you?

Do you wish be an empowering person? Lifting others up and helping them achieve their greatness?

Leadership:

noun

the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group
ability to lead
an act or instance of leading, guidance or direction

There’s a lot of books out there you can read on being a great leader (anything by John C Maxwell is a great place to start!) … But I recently ran across this article written by Tara Jaye Frank on the Be Leaderly site a friend forwarded to me.

These 10 Killer Leadership Skills are things that every leader needs to possess and hone if they wish to be effective, set a high bar for greatness, and lead the way for others to do the same.

10 Killer Leadership Skills

Killer Leadership Skill #1: Empathy

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Be an ACTIVE listener! Don’t think about what you’ll say next.

Understand yourself as well as those around you.

Although discerning a mutually beneficial path may be tumultuous, it’s better to ensure all parties involved get what they need than for you to be right.

The most effective leaders are very emotionally intelligent, and make others feel not only understood and respected, but also empowered.

Killer Leadership Skill #2: Vision

As a leader, you must be able to effectively cast your vision. If you are not able to communicate and openly share this with others, who will want to follow you?

Whether it’s a new singular product idea or new business, a strong vision outlines the big picture. Hard work fills it in.

Killer Leadership Skill #3: Agility

Agility is the ability to fluidly take in new information and be able to re-examine goals and plans.

What once was a good decision yesterday may not be so today.

Great leaders can quickly change course without causing extraneous drama.

Killer Leadership Skill #4: Story

Great storytellers are able to inspire others and get people to buy into their vision. Not in a negative way like a slimy salesperson, but in such a way that other people see it and want to be a part of it.

Are you able to understand context, create a point of view that compels others, and tell a memorable tale about it?

Killer Leadership Skill #5: Strategy

Great leaders are able to identify pertinent information and form related (and often times to others unrelated) patterns into opportunities. They see meaning and options where others don’t.

And then they take action.

Killer Leadership Skill #6: Inspiration

If you are a great leader, you inspire others. They willingly will take personal risks for you. They buy into your vision, believe in you and what you stand for, and trust you.

When you inspire others, it is your vision, your integrity, and your ability to be open and honest that instills in others the craving to be part of something greater than themselves.

Killer Leadership Skill #7: Creative Problem Solving

“Think outside the box.”

We’ve all heard this term, right? While this term may be a bit out dated, it’s basically telling you to develop the skill to be able to view a problem from new or different angles.

Sometimes you must experiment with multiple paths in order to sharpen a team’s ability to uncover relevant solutions for whatever problem (or as Zig Ziglar likes to call them opportunities) lie before you.

Killer Leadership Skill #8: Presence

Poise. Posture. The “EF Hutton” effect.

Whatever you want to call it, it is the certain je nai sais qua that happens when a leader walks into a room … You just know they do. Their stance, the way they talk, the way they interact with others …

When a leader speaks up, people lean forward to listen. The people around them are trying to get every little drop of knowledge and wisdom they can from them.

It’s as if these people carry gravity you can feel with the things they say, do and think.

Killer Leadership Skill #9: Authenticity

You must be transparent in times of change if you wish to be a great leader.

You must be vulnerable in times of loss and not hide it. People need to know you’re human – not some robot.

You must always be honest and genuine. If you’re not? People see through that crap eventually.

Be relateable. Be trustworthy.

Be someone of integrity.

When you are an effective leader with authenticity? You will mobilize teams faster because they know you are someone of your word they can trust.

Killer Leadership Skill #10: Courage

Question your own assumptions. Sometimes the things you believe to be true are in fact the complete opposite. Always question and strive for better, even when the times get tough or you may be ridiculed.

Great leaders ask tough questions, tell the truth, and expect the best of themselves and others.

Bust up the norm! Don’t be afraid to be different.

It’s sad and true that the average person leads an average life because they do average things.

A true leader is not average. But in order to be above average (or to even excel) you must do, say, and think things that the average person won’t. And sometimes this can cause issues with friends, family, and loved ones. But take courage!

Be the leader they’re looking for … Because everyone is looking for someone to follow to greatness …

Be bold! Inspire boldness in others around you.

Now, obviously 10 is not a magic number and there are a ton of traits one admires in the people they follow … So!

What are your thoughts? What’s missing from this list, in your amazing opinion? 😀

Leave a comment at the bottom and let me hear from YOU!

And if you would like to improve your leadership skills, definitely check out the presentation below.

3 Uplifting Reminders to Dream Big

2015-02-03 By Kassandra 10 Comments

Have you ever had a moment in time where you wanted to give up? Where it felt like your dreams could never come to fruition?

I’ve been there.

But I’m here to tell you – NEVER give up!

Too often we allow failures or setbacks … Or kinks in our plans to stop us from moving forward … To doubt our own greatness.I want to inspire you to KEEP GOING!

Don’t let go of your dreams … Keep fighting for them! They were put in your hearts for a reason and you have all of the ability to accomplish them …

Don’t. Give. Up!

Best Motivational Video Ever – Johnny Wimbrey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0QG8s8LYU0?rel=0

It’s true. We are blinded from the truth. We have through lack of ambition, feelings of entitlement, and the “98% mentality” allowed others to form and shape our lives.

We have become slaves. Sheeple. We were born into bondage, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who you want to blame your circumstances on. “No one can stop you like you.” – Johnny Wimbrey

When you’re going through hell, the worst thing you can do is stop. – Johnny Wimbrey

“Sell yourself EVERY DAY on your abilities, on what you’re doing, on the goal that you want to reach.” – Les Brown

“Average people lead average lives because they do average things.” – Johnny Wimbrey

“You’ve got to be so relentless, regardless of what comes down the path that you’re always looking for a way to get over, that you’re always looking for a way to break through, always looking for a way that you can win …” – Les Brown

If you develop your gifts, you will travel far. So what’s keeping you?
Why Do We Fall – Motivational Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmVOuLgFB0?rel=0

“Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you get it. It’s about how hard you GET hit and KEEP MOVING FORWARD! How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how WINNING is done!” – Rocky Balboa

“Pain is temporary. It may last for a minute, or an hour, or a day. But eventually it WILL subside, and something ELSE will take it’s place. If I QUIT, however, it will last FOREVER.”

“The margin for error is so small … I mean, 1/2 a step too late or too early and you don’t quite make it. 1/2 second too slow or too fast, you don’t quite catch it. The inches we need are EVERYWHERE around us. They’re in every BREAK of the game, every minute, every second!”

“You got a dream? You gotta protect it. People that can’t do something themselves want to tell you YOU can’t do it. You want something? Go get it! Period.”

“Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t always win, but don’t be afraid of making decisions.”

“You have to believe that something DIFFERENT can happen.”

“He who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right.” – Henry Ford

“Most of you say you want to be successful, but you don’t want it BAD. You just kind of want it. You don’t want it BADDER than you want to PARTY! You don’t want it as much as you want to be COOL. MOST of you don’t want success as much as you want to SLEEP!”

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”

“Dig deep down and ask yourselves, ‘Who do you want to be?’ And figuring out for yourselves what makes YOU happy? No matter how CRAZY it may sound to other people.”

“Make a CHOICE, right? You just DECIDE! What is gonna be, WHO you’re gonna be, HOW you’re gonna do it. Just decide!”

“Why not? … Why can’t I be the best … ?”

“Get up and don’t ever give up!”

“You can stay here, get the shit kicked out of us … or … we can fight our way back… into the light … We can CLIMB out of hell …one inch at a time …”

“To be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you will BECOME. Most of you won’t be successful because when you studying and you get tired? You quit! ‘I don’t do well in math.’ You right! You ain’t never studied! ‘I’m not good at writing’ – cause you ain’t never WRITTEN before!”

“Talent you have NATURALLY. SKILL is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beatin’ on your craft.”

“If you are not making someone else’s life BETTER, then you are WASTING your time.”

“Don’t cry to give up. Cry to keep going! Don’t cry to QUIT! You already in PAIN you already HURT — get your REWARD for it!”

“Now, if you know what you’re worth? Go out and GET what you’re worth! But you gotta be willing to take the hits and not point fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody! COWARDS do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!”

“Every day is a new day. Every moment is a new moment!”

“I’mma show YOU how great I am.” – Muhammed Ali

“You have the power… to make this life a wonderful adventure!”

Now … what are YOU gonna do?

“Because limits – like fears – are often just an illusion.”
The most motivating 8 min of your life!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYKsbld6LII?rel=0

“Don’t ever let someone tell you you CAN’T do something.”

“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure AROUND you. We were ALL meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

“Since when are you the quitting kind? … So you didn’t make the dress list. There are greater tragedies in the world. … In this lifetime, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody except yourself! And after all that you’ve gone through if you ain’t done that by now? It ain’t never gonna happen!”

Don’t regret a moment in life because you chose to quit … because you let someone else get the best of you.

Do your very best. Regardless of ANYONE who tries to keep you down. Don’t quit on you!

Dream Big. Never Give Up.

Help OTHER PEOPLE achieve success and YOU will be successful.

And with that, I’d like to ask you …

What is stopping you from achieving your goals? Your dreams and ambitions? How are you overcoming those obstacles?

I heard the following song when I was at a retreat while I was in college. I always play it in my head whenever I’m feeling down … Whenever I think about quitting. It always raises my spirits and reminds me to live life as it was meant to … To give me strength … And to DREAM BIG!

I hope it does for you, too …

If you know the above, but you don’t know where to turn to keep reminding yourself … If you need to hear from other people who have been where you are …

Or if you just want to be around the thinking that out thinks you … Then check out the below presentation!

And be sure to leave me a comment – I would love to hear what these videos instilled in you!

29 Quintessential Success, Money And Life Quotes

2015-02-02 By Kassandra 6 Comments

Do you enjoy listening to wise words from people you admire?

Do you look for and take time to analyze information that will help provide you with progress toward a more prosperous and fulfilled life?

I’m sure you do – otherwise you probably have no ambition!

I know that most people, including myself, have at one point in life struggled with their finances. And this can be tough. Especially when you don’t have someone to model after or knowledge on how to decrease your debt and increase your wealth.

So today I wanted to provide some wonderful, inspiring, and quite honestly essential quotes on success, money, and life.

“Great quotes encapsulate big ideas in few words. They inspire, motivate, and encourage in a memorable way.” – Thank you Rob Berger!

Too many people spend money they earned… to buy things they don’t want… to impress people that they don’t like.

Will Rogers

Have you ever done this? I know I have. I’ve gone to places I didn’t want to, spent money I really didn’t need to spend (or didn’t have) and all to do what? Impress someone? Feel like I fit in?

It can be hard to say no to your friends, but keep in mind you don’t HAVE to spend money to have a good time! And if you don’t like the place chosen? Suggest somewhere else!

And you DEFINITELY don’t have to be around people you don’t like. This is YOUR life. You should spend the 24 hours a day you have with the people you like who lift you up, and live a life of happiness, wealth and prosperity.

And if you don’t like your life? Do something to change it! Be around people who have what you want. Learn from them! Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice from them. Every successful person started from somewhere — and most of them were not born with it, either!
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin

This quote is true on so many levels.

Did you know that as of 2008, 1/3 of all high school graduates never read another book after school? And as per this site:

When I was first told of these statistics, I was floored!

It’s no wonder my success coaches always tell me to read 10 pages of a “good book” a day! That’s 3,650 pages a year (or about 10+ books) … Think about how more well versed, educated, and knowledgeable you would be among your peers if you just read 10 pages a day on a subject that would advance your life …

Do you read daily? If so, what books do you read? Leave a comment at the bottom!
I will tell you the secret to getting rich on Wall Street. You try to be greedy when others are fearful. And you try to be fearful when others are greedy.

Warren Buffett

I hear this all the time from investors. Kind of like the advice of “buy low sell high” … But more like “Don’t do what everyone else is doing” …
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.

Charles Dickens

Basically save more than you spend. It’s that simple.

If you spend more than you earn, you will have problems.
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas Edison

Seriously. If people truly understood this, we would not only have more entrepreneurs, we would have more people with higher self esteem and higher levels of happiness.

Too often, when introduced to something that could have a powerful impact on one’s life, people are too afraid of it and make weird excuses to not take advantage of said opportunity.
What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us.

Julia Cameron

When you do what you love, it no loner seems like work, right? And when you do what you love, what you’re passionate about? Money comes! It’s weird and woo woo … But it’s true. Law of Attraction!
Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We all only have 24 hours in day … but most of us squander it. Whether it’s vegging out in front of the electronic income reducer (T.V.), wasting time with people we don’t like, or trading time for money …

Instead of doing this, why not spend your time doing something that will help move you forward with your dream? Why not do things you love? Do things that challenge you?
Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.

Jim Rohn

Pretty straight forward.
Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest. You can’t win until you do this.

Dave Ramsey

Live on less than you make so you don’t spend more than you earn. Makes sense, right?

And giving (whether in time or money) provides the fulfillment of a part of a human need as per Tony Robbins.
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

For those that expect something for nothing? They’ll never understand this.
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

Norman Vincent Peale
I think this speaks for itself, too.
It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.

George Lorimer

If you only focus on earning money, what good is that if you lose your friends and family? If you lose yourself?
If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

Henry Ford
Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.

P.T. Barnum

If you allow money to rule you, you will only get hurt. You will focus on the lack of it.

But if you make money your servant, you can do so many things. Not only can money pay for your bills, but it will allow you to achieve the dreams you have PAST your bills…
I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it…

Thomas Jefferson

I personally don’t believe in luck. I believe you create it – by having the proper mindset, focus, and action!
You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.

Dave Ramsey

If you do not follow the advice of these quotes (that of living below your means, investing in yourself, investing in ventures that will create a passive residual income, etc) then you will always be worried about money …

Worried about how you’ll earn enough to pay bills … Worried about how you can save up enough to take that vacation ….

Wouldn’t you rather be in a position where you wouldn’t have to worry about money?

Where money didn’t control your every purchase decision? (Or any decision?)
Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.

Nathan W. Morris

When you borrow money, you’re basically spending money you don’t have. Which means that is that much less money you’ll have in the future because you have to pay off what you took from your future self.
Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.

Zig Ziglar

Falls along the same lines of investing in yourself!
Never spend your money before you have it.

Thomas Jefferson

You don’t want to steal from yourself, now do you?
It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.

Robert Kiyosaki

This is something I try to have people understand because it is of the utmost importance if you wish to leave a legacy for your children and lead a life with less stress than the average person.

Again – live below your means and don’t spend more than you earn.

Make your money work for you by investing in things that will have a return on your investment … Like stocks, rental properties, a network marketing business that will create multiple passive residual income streams … THAT is how you create generational wealth … Because then you can also teach your family to do the same!
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.

Benjamin Franklin

Personal development is key for progress! Without it, you fall prey to the misguided ideas of people who feel entitled and do not understand how entrepreneurship works … those who feel that the rich are evil and should be punished for their hard work …
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Vidal Sassoon
Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.

Winston Churchill

If you allow the times you have failed to stop you from continuing to progress toward a desired dream? Then you are a failure.

BUT! If you do not allow those failures to stop you, then you are a success! Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.
Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning.

Robert Kiyosaki

Sometimes people are presented with opportunities that are really exciting and can change their lives for the better! But they allow their fears to get in the way.

Fear that they’re not enough. Fear that they might lose. Fear that they won’t be successful.

But you MUST allow the excitement of winning to overcome that … Or else you will never achieve the goals are really in your heart!
Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

Dale Carnegie
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

Mark Twain

Why not take a chance on yourself? You’d be amazed with how strong you are … How smart and creative you are …

But if you’re too scare to take a change or ask for help to build your future … You will live with regret.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes it may be hard to blaze your own trail. And you may lose some “friends” along the way.

But just remember – if it’s worth doing, it’s worth the risk. And while there’s room for everyone at the top, not everyone is ready to be there.
Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.

Oprah Winfrey

There are many ways to save, invest, and earn money.

What are some of the ways you save, invest or earn money?

I would love to see your comments below!

If you’re looking to save, you can check out some of my previous posts, like 5 Useful Tools to Manage Money.

If you’re looking to invest, there’s so many tools at your disposal!

But if you’re looking to earn money … Keep in mind that the best way to earn money is to do so by investing in something that will provide you with residual income. Whether it is owning a rental property, a network marketing business, or some other type of investment that makes money on your money’s money … Just do it! We all only have 24 hours a day … do you really want to spend it in a cubicle and / or working to make someone else rich?

If you are involved in a direct sales company (by the way good for you if you are!), then you MUST check out this community that has been helping thousands of people increase their sales:

7 Lessons Learned From My Last 21 Day Blogging Challenge

2015-02-01 By Kassandra Leave a Comment

Previous Post: 31 Snacks That Satisfy the Munchies

Next Post: 29 Quintessential Success, Money & Life Quotes

Have you ever been part of a blogging challenge? If not, then you should!

I’m sharing this today because tomorrow I’m joining up with a few thousand other people for another 21 day blogging challenge! And I’m hoping that what I share today, and throughout this next challenge, you’ll be inspired to start your own!

Law of Attraction

My success mentors always say, “What you focus on expands.” And it’s true!

The Law of Attraction is basically, “What you think about (and take action on ) you bring about.” And by blogging daily, with the focus on one of my passions, I saw more opportunities come about for me to share with you
It’s Possible to Write a Blog Within an Hour

Most of the time, it took me at least an hour or more to research, write the blog, and get the photos done for each post. — But that’s because of 2 things.

1 — I didn’t do my research beforehand. I’d have a general idea as to what I wanted to write about, but then I would do my research in the allotted time I outlined for myself to do all of what was needed for the blog … But this isn’t time efficient.

2 — I didn’t use the tools at my disposal! The blog you’re reading my post from is utilizing a blogging platform called Kalatu. To make the explanation short, Kalatu is THE BEST blogging platform out there! Not only does it utilize WordPress, but it also (a) allows you to market whatever you want without penalty, (b) nothing you put on the blog will ever be taken down [unless it’s illegal], (c) provides multiple ways to help spark your imagination [like providing a headline, blog templates, and more]!
Blogging Is a Great Way to Learn About Social Media

If you are using your blog to have an online diary, then you probably don’t care about social media.

But if you’re an entrepreneur trying to get your business more traffic, you MUST have a blog! People only buy from you when they like you and trust you. And what better way to show someone who you are than with a blog where you share things that you’re passionate about and can attract others like you to what you do?

When you’re trying to bring in more traffic, you MUST know a thing or two about social media. Otherwise, the time you spend might be wasted. So along the process, you have to find someone who knows what they’re doing, learn from them, and take daily action to implement what you learn!

That’s one of the reasons I love one of the businesses I’m in — not only do I have a team of people who are eager to see me succeed, but who also teach me information on how to increase my earnings online AND my knowledge of social media and internet marketing! It’s a proven system that not only condenses the information you might find through Google, but also tells you what is working RIGHT NOW, not what was working 3-5 years ago or more.

If you’d like more information, be sure to click here!

Or, if you don’t want a condensed, packaged, step by step formula for utilizing social media and online marketing to learn how to make money online, then you can go the time consuming (and possibly more frustrating) of Googling and trying to learn it all on your own. [Which it can be done – I know several who did it and made bank!]
With My Particular Blogging Challenge – You Can Win Prizes!

During my last challenge, the first part was simply to complete the challenge. And by doing so, I got the following badge I can proudly display on my site:

Sure, someone could be a bit uncouth and swipe it for themselves and SAY they survived the blogging challenge …. But I have the pride of knowing that I actually did it! I blogged daily for 21 days. It was rough sometimes with my schedule, but it was worth it! 🙂

What’s great is that every person who completed this challenge got this reward, too! So it wasn’t a concession prize like too many people try to offer these days to make people “feel better” or whatever. We earned this badge and proudly wave it!

Now, what I’m REALLY excited about were the other prizes that came about. For example:

— one couple who blogged together won the “Most Passionate Bloggers” award, which means that they got to have their own Kalatu design created for them … and we all get to celebrate with them and use their design!

— another blogger won “Kalatu Blogging Idol” … I think this just means they got the most votes for favorite blogger? They got something pretty nifty from that, as well!

— another set of bloggers used their blog to market one of their businesses and got a cash prize for most ALL IN sales! I mean, who does stuff like that? Awesome people, that’s who! Now results not typical and individual results vary based on your knowledge and own hard work … But that’s frickin’ awesome! And they totally earned it because they followed a system and utilized the knowledge at their fingertips!

Now, I’m not sure what they’ll be giving out this time, but I’m super stoked to find out!
There Are Several Resources to Help Inspire You!

As I mentioned before, the Kalatu blogging platform is phenomenal! You get stuff like:

— a plugin that gives you headline that gives you plugin suggestions

— a plugin that suggests ideas for you to blog about

— a plugin that provides a template for you to write out a blog and then formats it for you

And if that’s not enough, it also provides you with places to go to in order to get ideas like:

— HowStuffWorks

— LifeHacker

And if all else fails … Google is your friend!

QUICK TIP: When you Google something, at the bottom of the page are related words other people are looking for that are similar to what you searched for. So while you may not find the results you’re looking for, the other keywords listed just might provide you with a new list!
It’s Good For Your Brain!

As I’ve said in a previous post, doing something different helps your brain! Doing something different does all kinds of good things for your brain and helps you out in other ways as well.

And if you’ve been blogging for a while, doing a challenge like this is still good for your brain! Why?

Because you begin to form a habit, for one. And for another – successful people always complete the challenges they take on. Successful people don’t. So why not take on this easy challenge, right?

You also are putting your voice out there! When you blog about what you’re passionate about, you not only provide valuable information people can search for, but you allow others to reach your corner of the internet. This in turn allows you the opportunity to provide value to people you haven’t met yet.

Maybe it’s a DIY on a neck wrap to help with neck pain … maybe it’s information on how gaming is actually beneficial for you … Maybe it’s simply information on how to earn money online … Whatever it is, blogging is an easy way to get your opinions out there in order to get your voice heard and potentially affect thousands of other people in a positive way!
You Can Make Money Blogging

Seriously! I just came back from an event for one of my businesses wherein I was FLOORED to find out how many of those there had made money by blogging … And how MUCH they made … Now, not all results are typical and individual results will vary (see average income earnings here) … But I met so many people who had replaced their incomes from blogging … And a ton of people who made some money within their first week! (I even met someone who made a few hundred in their first day!)

I even met several people who had made over $1,000,000 (that’s 1 million dollars peeps) by following a simple system, learning how to utilize social media and online marketing, and helping others do the same.

And you can, too!

Want to know more? Then click here!

If you would like to join me on this next blogging challenge, not only is it FREE but you don’t have to have a Kalatu blog! I’d love for you to join and allow me to be your accountability partner. It’ll be fun, and you’ll learn so much from the process and the challenge … It’s incredibly rewarding! Just be sure to click on this image:

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To Black Card or Not To Black Card

2015-01-29 By Kassandra 2 Comments

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In our society today, we’re told that if we spend more, then we can get rid of debt, right?

No? But isn’t that what the American government has done with our country’s debt?

We all want to feel like VIPs, but do the perks outweigh the cost?

Back in the day they used to make classes like Home Economics a requirement. And they used to teach things like balancing a checkbook, typical money management skills you would need for the home, as well as cooking tips, sewing, and more. These days that type of class is generally focused on housework skills and is now an elective.

But in what other class do they teach you about the consequences of debit? Credit cards? And the effects of borrowing money when used for commercial consumerism vs investing in your future and your financial freedom?

You would think that the economics classes would teach this. But they’re mostly theory and world economics – not about how to increase your own personal wealth and teach other people how to produce and create generational wealth by avoiding the pitfalls of the average money mentality.

I grew up with a mother who did her best to teach me at least some of these things – the things she has come across in her own lifetime. Like …

Don’t spend money you don’t have … unless it’s an emergency! Then pay it off as quickly as you can to avoid interest fees.

I also heard things like …

Once you pay down your debt, only use the card in case of emergencies.

Sounds like maybe going into debt should only be used for times of emergency?

But how do you define an emergency?

And if this is how credit cards are taught to be used in family households, then how is it that according to CNN the Average America household in 2012 had at least one credit card with nearly $15,950 on it?

Looks like that went down to an average US household debt at $15,611 in 2014 according to Nerd Wallet. In total, Americans owe $11.74 TRILLION in debt, which is up 3.3% from 2013, with $882.6 BILLION of that debt being on credit cards.

Where does all of that money go?

I really feel like these 2 less than 2 minute videos from the season 2 episode 5 of Friends (The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant) shows it really well:

What I caught from this episode is truly very simple …

Both the people who make a lot of money (but have a lot of debt to pay down) and those that make minimum wage or even those in the middle class (with little to no debt) have in common …

People who have more fluid finances (by fluid I mean extra spending cash after all of the bills are paid) tend to not really think about where there friends who have less spending cash at the end of the month can afford to do.

People forget that you don’t have to spend money to have a good time.

People forget that not everyone is in the same financial situation.

People generally do not have an effective way to manage their finances.

I followed the old way of thinking about money … I got good grades when I was younger so I could attend a great college and get a degree …

But because I didn’t get all of the aid I needed to go to college (and my mother wasn’t rolling in cash) I was forced to not only use every piece of aid I could find, I had to use just about all of what was left to me after my father’s death in 1999 and I still went into debt. [Because it costs a lot to go to a school you feel to be prestigious and would look good on a résumé.]

And no matter what I did, it felt like I was still getting more and more into debt.

Looking back now, I know how it happened:

Didn’t keep a better eye on my spending habits
Didn’t have a way to manage money
Constantly spending money trying to take care of others who were not taking care of themselves (being an enabler)

And they were all from my choices …

I made the choice to continue to be an enabler for someone.

I chose to take the opportunity to spend a chunk of my inheritance traveling to Italy (an AMAZING experience a lot of people never do in their lifetime) in order to study abroad and get my minor in Italian when it could have been used for bills or to pay for my schooling …

I made those choices. And I’m living the consequences.

But I’m also overcoming them.

I’ve been diving into personal development, ways to eliminate debt and increase wealth … And I’ve not only been sharing this with you guys throughout my journey, but I have also been using these in my own life and have been working on building up my credit and knocking down my debt.

And funny thing about that …

Apparently, whatever your credit worthiness may be, you get credit card offers for all kinds of things … but apparently? If you have excellent credit, you might be sent the Visa Black Card.

In January, I was invited “by limited invitation” to be a Visa Black Card member … Flippin’ AWESOME perks … But it’s $495 a year and 14.99% APR.

black card

The perks seem like it would be worth it … But at this time when I’m trying to pay down my debt? This is not a wise choice. (Dang did I feel fancy, though!)

I’ll be honest – it was tempting! Super tempting … But why put myself in a situation that could potentially increase my debt, rather than help eliminate it?

(Unless it was to invest in something that would create a passive residual income, of course.)

At some point in the future, maybe this will be something I would use (like use it for purchases but immediately pay it off because I already had the cash) …

Now, for some memberships the perks of being a VIP black card member far outweigh the potential setbacks …

But it’s up to you to make the financial choices that will either put you further into debt?

Or if your financial choices place you in the path towards financial freedom. 🙂

What are you doing to become financially free? Are you listening to people who have what you want? Leaders who can help you achieve your dreams?

Or perhaps you’re embarking on an adventure with your friends to bring about positive change in the lives of others?

Whatever the case may be, please leave a comment with how you are making positive financial changes, whether by eliminating debt, creating generational wealth, or helping others do the same … I want to hear from you in the comments below!

Did you know that studies have shown that if someone was on the verge of bankruptcy that even a mere $300 to $500 a month could help them avoid it?

I got into a direct sales business in 2010 not because I was hurting for money, but because I saw the potential it could do for so many people who were in need of a fiscal revolution and a better lifestyle.

I heard stories about a bitter broke bartender who got herself and a friend signed up into this amazing opportunity and was able to completely turn her life around … And while I still love how anyone can do what she did and completely change their financial future with that product and that business …

I know that not a lot of people want to call up a bunch of people they haven’t talked to in 20+ years just to share with them something that could improve their quality of life …

And that’s when I found another way to not only potentially earn additional income, but also have the ability to reach countless people and help them improve the same aspects of life that you want to help in.

Maybe it’s fashion or make up and you have a passion to help people feel more beautiful from the inside out.

Maybe you’re a bit of a gamer geek and enjoy sharing your feedback on new games, helping others understand the benefits of gaming, or simply just looking to reach out to other gamers that share your same interests!

Do you like to help people?

Would you like the ability to be given more information on how you can increase your wealth?

Are you open minded?

Then check out the truth or hype behind the only true way to work from home and still be able to live life on YOUR TERMS!

Fortune favors the bold. Take action TODAY!

Click on the button to check out the FREE presentation that lays everything out for you …

~ To Your Success ~

Kassandra Keeton

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