Success Tip: Toastmasters

You've heard about them, you may know people who are members. But have you ever really considered Toastmasters?

I was invited to attend Toastmasters about 10 or 11 years ago, but I didn't take up my co-worker's invitation. I thought - quite silly now - that Toastmasters was a group of cigar smoking, older gentlemen, like you use to see on Dean Martin's variety roast shows. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Toastmasters is made up of ordinary people - like your co-workers, or friends in what one has called a "laboratory of speech giving". In fact, my particular club is hosted by the Boy scouts of Glendale called - the Prepared Speakers.

I would urge you to look for clubs in your area and examine them - each club is made up of local people based on a theme - some are dinner clubs, some are affiliated with a particularly company, some are general in nature.

It's a good place to meet people, and practice speaking skills in a friendly, and unfettered atmosphere.

Are you a member? Do you have experience? Or if you have joined one recently I'd like to hear from you?

BM-

Quote of the Week: "No one ever succeeds alone" - Robert Shemin

This week's quote comes from the book pictured on the left How Come That Idiot's Rich and I'm Not.

We have this notion in America of the Lone Ranger/Batman type - you know - someone who takes on the world alone. But in reality, all successful people need help. We need advisors, coaches, lenders, customers, and clients. True we ourselves have to do the work, but our "team" that we put together - makes it all worth while. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can reach our goals.

What does this quote mean to you? How can you apply it in your life?

.

Spotlight: Harry Lorayne

Memory expert, magician, and self help guru - he's done it all...

I'd like to introduce you to my first self-help guru - Harry Lorayne. You may have heard of him on the Johnny Carson show, or inconjuntion with the famous basketball player Jerry Lucas.

I'm not sure how I came across the first book I read of his - about 30 years ago and counting, but it was an eye opener: The Memory Book. I learned how to memorize a list of 20-30 items by reading it only once, how to memorize a deck of cards (actually I only got to about 37 in a row), and how to memorize everyone you meet only once. It's a simple but affective system he's developed.

It taught me that we have - with the proper instruction - the ability to actually improve. Improve in anything weight, mind etc. It's a presumption of most self-help books that one can actually change. This book actually demonstrates that point (I'll save this idea for a later blog).

He also wrote a book called: Secrets of Mind Power originally written in the 50's or 60s. It was one of the first self-help books on the market. Although he would be what Stephan Covey ("Seven Habits of Highly Effective People") calls a practitioner of the Personality Ethic. That is by changing your personality you can be come successful. Yet there's something infectious regarding his writing

I recently looked him up on-line - and it's refreshing to see he actually has his own web-site (http://www.harrylorayne.com/) and still going strong. He's actually something of a celebrity judging by the endorsements.

He's written many, many books on memory, magic, math skills, and the like. If you would more information or any list of his out-of-print books email at the above address.

Take a look at him, try out a few products and leave a comment I'd like to know what you think...

BM-

Book Review: How Come THAT Idiot's Rich and I'm Not

A book by Robert Shemin – 2008 Crown Publishers

I’ve had the advantage or disadvantage of reading other reviews for this book – and not a pretty lot in the bunch. I on the other hand enjoyed this book. But, I’m partial to self-help books that belong to the what I call ‘Tongue in Cheek Books,’ books that talk straight or seemingly talk straight.

This book aptly enough is about getting rich. His premise basically is: get off your duff, and just do something – a little bit everyday.

True anyone with a pen, brain, and a piece of paper could have put these principles into words – anyone could have – but the Author “DID”.

The book is divided into 3-parts: Part I – Forget what everyone told you, this is how it’s actually done; Part II – Think about how you fit into the picture; and Part III – Things the author thinks is important to own to be wealthy and why.

The book is easy to read, easy to understand, easy to follow. If you’re looking for a thesis on wealth building this isn’t it; if you’re looking for a starter book, and a book that kicks you into action, this is it.

I personally have been following this book since May 25th of this year and so far I’ve had no hiccups. Look for upcoming blogs on my progress with this book

Of course in all build wealth books: assets – especially derived examples – always seem to go up, never down. Hmmm?

Have a copy of the book? What do you think...

BM-

If you would like a signed copy of this book from the Climb the Ladder Team, please send an email to the address above at teamclimbtheladder@gmail.com –or– save yourself some money and order direct from Amazon: How Come THAT Idiot’s Rich and I’m Not.