THE MILLIONAIRE MIND

Really I don't have a topic for this post. I'm just writing this sort of as a log of things I'm working through personally. When the money is stacked, I can look back at this post as a testament of the problems I had to work through.

One of the last sunny warm weekends in Michigan and what was I doing? I was grinding. That means cleaning, planning, accounting, research, development, and organizing until I can’t read straight. Then I sleep for a few hours and go at it again. There is no regard to time, just peace of mind. When Sunday arrives, there is a sense of urgency to get to a point of completion where I can start the week feeling aggressive and confident enough to kick the ass necessary to start the week.


Well my small business is chugging away at a loss. I had to come to grips with this situation and the staggering loss I will have to sustain to bring this thing to profitability. It seems when all is going well there is always something to set me back from making this endeavor fully profitable.

I don't want to get caught up in my own ego and keep working at something that is going to bring me completely down and take years off my life. My small business is very personalized and it hurts for it not to be successful. Before I make the decision to continue at a loss, I bounce the facts off of a few key people and get their feedback. I might not agree with what they have to say, but I listen and think, and consider it. This is key to being successful. When all is said and done, I should be looking good April 2007. Yes, I said the same for May 2006, but all I can do is plan and consider the numbers, and they are positive. I have to leave everything else to God and fate. Plan the work and work the plan.



My corporate job seems to be going well. We landed two more GM contracts on Friday, so that means we are going to be running GM strong for the two years. This adds a certain level of complexity to my position, thus breaking up the monotony of the job, introducing a heightened level of risk, to continuing a successful track record. Everything I love, but it doesn't come with the check or the respect it deserves.

Now that I have a girlfriend (yes...sorry to disappoint) it adds a certain constraint on my activities, but it helps me balance myself. Time that I used to spend out late at clubs, I spend with her. This is way more enjoyable then going to clubs, getting drunk getting home at 3:00 AM. I’m gonna’ be 32 for crying out loud! She is very entrapanureal herself and it helps to have another successful person in my camp.


With all my planning almost complete, and a spotless apartment, I look to long term planning. This small business is just a window to bigger business ventures. The mind never stops.

Maybe that Sunday that I'm in the Gallardo returning from the perfect round of golf, speeding to my beautiful home, with a manicured lawn, circular drive and double doors. I'm greeted by my beautiful wife and kids. I can smell dinner cooking as I tell my wife about my golf round and hear the tales of the kids activities for the day.



Sounds like a great life. Will I be at peace then?

HELL NO!







I got the yellow Gallardo, I need the green.

I just shot an 85, I need to get my rounds down into the 70's

I'm feeling kind of chunky, I better go running after dinner.

Did my kids do their homework,

What's my schedule for tomorrow...

My wife’s birthday is coming up……..


That's how I roll! The Millionaire Mind never stops…….

Holla

-MJL

THE LAWS OF POWER III (Part 1 of 2)

CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS

"Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelop them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late. "

Ok, this one is pretty deep. Remember these tactics are to be used to gain power, not friends. Many of these laws are deceptive and manipulative but good. You can even see how on shows like "The Apprentice" and "Survivor" these laws are keys to success.

The first part of this law involves putting forth false intentions.

USE DECOYED OBJECTS OF DESIRE AND RED HERRINGS TO THROW PEOPLE OFF THE SCENT

Robert Green says, "Use false sincerity, send ambiguous signals, set up misleading objects of desire. Unable to distinguish the genuine from the false they cannot pick out your real goal".

In business, when talking with people I try to figure out their intentions before I think about what they are actually saying. Their intentions often gives true meaning to what and why they are telling me certain things. In turn, I assume that people are doing the same to me.

I have a slight advantage in this because I do not fit the mold very easily. I am not an easy read by anyone and my motives are very hard to decipher. I have a small select group of "friends" that I am open with, and everyone else can kiss my ass.

More from Robert Greene:
"Most people are open books. They say what they feel, blurt out their opinions at every opportunity, and constantly reveal their plans and intentions. They do this for several reasons. First, it is easy and natural to always want to talk about one's feelings and plans for the future. It takes effort to control your tongue and monitor what you reveal. Second many believe that by being honest and open they are winning people’s hearts and showing their good nature. "

I fight the urge to belt out plans and actions by confiding in close friends. You want to shout out every moment that you are going to rule the world but by being "unabashedly open you make yourself predictable and familiar". It is almost impossible to respect or fear you, and power will not accrue to a person who cannot inspire such emotions.

I have seen this first hand at my job. We had a high ranking official that was so predictable. He was so emotional that he could not possibly conceal his plans and his hatred toward me and other high ranking officials, allowing his every move to be countered until his demotion.

That's right, I don't play at work. I will take you down!

Another tactic mentioned by Robert Green is false intentions. "Hide your intentions not by closing up (with the risk of appearing secretive, and making people suspicious) but talking endlessly about your desires and goals- just not your real ones. You will kill three birds with one stone: You appear friendly, open and trusting; you conceal your intentions; and you send your rivals on time-consuming wild-goose chases."

Part 2 to follow.


-MJL

Back in Action

Well, after a week of hosting 3 Shanghai customers and 2 Korean visitors I am whooped. Last week pushed me to my physical and mental limit; probably the most challenging week for me this year.

My guests flew into Detroit on Friday and had to be hosted from Friday to Thursday evening. While hosting I also had to work with my customer 14 hours per day, during their stay. Of course they could not drive in the states so I had to drive them around town.

With all that being said, I built up an incredible admiration for them. The 3 customers were all in their late 20's and all very good people. They were really good at their respective positons and challenged me both intellectually and socially. Since most communication is non-verbal our guests were able to tell pretty quick, genuine people from fake-ass people. As I began to devlop their trust, they would let me know what they think about certain people they have met or worked with, and they were surprisingly accurate. What would take normally 3-4 months to observe about someone's personality they were abe to figure out in hours. I will try and pay more attentio to nonverbal cues in the future. I never knew how powerful they were.

Thanks for the email support, regarding my continued posts. Don't worry, I haven't left, I only took a week off. You can always scroll throught the archives for the "Best Of" posts. (Now I know how Howard Stern feels when he goes on vacation). I AM BACK IN ACTION

-MJL