Self Confidence Formula

1. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life; I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.

2. I realize that the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.

3. I know that through the principle of autosuggestion any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE.

4. I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I will never stop trying until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.

5. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism by developing love for all humanity – because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me because I will believe in them and in myself.

6. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

This has been taken from the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Distinctions Between Coaching and Therapy

I have often been asked by potential coaching clients to explain the difference between coaching and therapy. So here is my explanation and most of it is taken from the work by Patrick Williams titled The Continuing Debate: Therapy or Coaching? What Every Coach Must Know.

Therapy is a medical and clinical model and relies on diagnosis. Deals with identifiable dysfunctions in a person and is about fixing the past. It deals mostly with a person’s past and trauma, and seeks healing. The questions always are “Why.” Therapy helps patients resolve old pain. Therapy focuses on processes and feelings, and assumes emotions are a symptom of something wrong. The therapist diagnoses and then offers professional expertise and guidelines to provide a path to healing. Therapy style is one of patient nurturing, evocative, indirect, cathartic and parenting. Progress is often slow and painful. The therapist is responsible for both the process and outcomes.

Coaching is a learning and developmental model focusing on attainable goals and possibilities. It deals with a healthy client desiring a better situation. Coaching is about understanding the past as a context for the future. It deals with a person’s present and seeks to help them design and act on behalf of a more desirable future. The questions asked are: How and What. Coaching helps clients learn new skills and tools to build a more satisfying and successful future and focuses on goals. The coach offers perspective and helps the client discover their own answers. Coaching focuses on actions and outcomes and assumes emotions are natural and normalizes them. The coach stands with the client and helps her or him identify challenges, then partners to turn challenges into victories, holding the client accountable to reach desired goals. The coaching style acts as a catalyst to challenge and is direct and uses straight talk and accountability. Growth and progress are often rapid and usually enjoyable. The coach is responsible for the process and the client is responsible for the outcomes.

Coaching today embodies the superior purpose of psychology. It is not just about pathology, diagnosis and treatment of human facilities. It is, more importantly, the study of human potential and possibility. Since we are by nature infinite and unlimited, all things are possible. The purpose of coaching is not to repair what has been damaged but to cultivate the genius that resides within the human mind and the generosity that resides within the human spirit. Most of us have a story that we have created about ourselves that is so small compared to our potential it is ridiculous. In A Course in Miracles, it says we have been given the wings of an eagle. Is the story you keep telling yourself the one you want? If not, when would now be a good time to do something about it?

Coaching is about empowering people and helping them discover what they want and what they can do, instead of focusing on what is wrong and what they can’t do. By doing this coaching improves dramatically the overall mental health and the quality of life, both personally and professionally. Which would you rather do, focus on the past and what went wrong, or focus on your strengths and write and create a future that is filled with purpose, passion, financial success, love and excitement? Today can be the first day of the rest of your exciting life if you choose it to be. Why wait?

Therapy is about recovering and uncovering, while coaching is about discovery. It is about discovering the greatness that lies within each human being and the possibilities which are limitless. What do you really want?

My company, Practical Empowerment LLC, Marty McEvoy - Practical Empowerment offers its coaching clients a multi-dimensional process, that is able to be put into practice and is workable, and that shows people how to gain power and control over their lives, so they can create and have what they really want. What do you really want? What about you income? What about your relationships? How about your health or your business?

You tell me what you want and I will show you how to get it. Call me today at 608-637-6898 or write me at marty@martymcevoy.com

Mt. Everest

Until one is committed there’s hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative, and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits
oneself then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s concepts:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do,
Begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

W. H. Murray

(Discussing his expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest)

Conquest of Mount Everest - More Information

Creating a Better World for You and Me

We all want to make it a better world. We want peace, joy, happiness, health and abundance for everyone. I have found the following exercise to be very practical with amazing results. It comes from one of thirty exercises that can be found in Resurfacing Techniques for Exploring Consciousness, by Harry Palmer, the founder and developer of the Avatar Program. If you would like to find out more about the Avatar Program, you can contact me at 608-637-6898 or by e-mail at marty@martymcevoy.com I wish you an incredible day.

COMPASSION EXERCISE

Honesty with one’s self leads to compassion for others

OBJECTIVE: To increase the amount of compassion in the world.

EXPECTED RESULTS: A personal sense of peace.

INSTRUCTIONS: This exercise can be done anywhere that people congregate (airports, malls, parks, office, beaches, etc.). It should be done on strangers, unobtrusively, from some distance. Try to do all five steps on the same person.

Step 1 With attention on the person, repeat to yourself: “Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness for his/her life.”

Step 2 With attention on the person, repeat to yourself: “Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life.”

Step 3 With attention on the person, repeat to yourself: “Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness, and despair.”

Step 4 With attention on the person, repeat to yourself: “Just like me, this person is seeking to fulfill his/her needs.”

Step 5 With attention on the person, repeat to yourself: “Just like me, this person is learning about life.”

Talk about wearing your 'Heart on your shoulder'....

A male long-coated chihuahua named "Heart-kun" with a heart-shaped pattern on his coat sits at Pucchin Dog's shop in Odate, northern Japan July 10, 2007. The one-and-a-half-month-old chihuahua was born on May 18, 2007 as one of a litter. The shop owner Emiko Sakurada said that this is the first time a puppy with these marks has been born out of a 1,000 that she has bred. She also said that she has no plans to sell the puppy.

Water or Coke?

Water or Coke?

Which one is the 'Real Thing'?

We all know that water is important but you've never seen it written down like this before.

WATER
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half world population.)
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50%less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

COKE
1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days.
3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for sumptuous brown gravy.
8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.
2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
3. The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would YOU like a glass of water or Coke? Success and decision are partners.

Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007

Triggers Retroactive and Immediate Changes

President Bush signed on May 25, 2007 the Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007.

The new tax law targets nearly $5 billion in tax incentives principally to small businesses but also to some larger ones. It also includes tax incentives to help taxpayers recovering from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, as well as an important package of S corporation reforms.

However, unlike some past tax bills, the revenue raisers that mean more taxes for certain taxpayers offset the full cost of the tax breaks. One such provision, an expansion of the kiddie tax to apply to children who are 18 years old or who are full-time students up to age 24, will impact millions of families.

The major provisions in the most recent tax law designed to assist small business include:

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) The new law extends the WOTC for 3 1/2 years through August 31, 2011. It also expands the WOTC to allow the credit to employers who hire disabled veterans and individuals in rural counties that have suffered population declines.

Small Business Expensing The new law extends and expands the Code Sec. 179 enhanced expensing provisions through 2010. It provides for an immediate 2007 increase in the expensing limit from $112,000 to $125,000, with the phase-out level increasing from $450,000 to $500,000. The amount is also indexed for inflation for tax years beginning after 2007 and before 2011.

GO Zone Businesses The new law will also extend special 179 expensing for Go Zone businesses (those devastated by Katrina) through 2008.

FICA Tip Credit In a move to help many small businesses offset the costs of dealing with the higher minimum wage required in the new law, a new tax provision allows employers in the food and beverage industry to receive the full tip credit despite the increase in the Federal minimum wage. The tip credit will be based on a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour rather than the new minimum wage, which will reach $7.25 over the next two years. Even though the minimum wage has increased, the amount of the tip credit will not be reduced. The provision applies with respect to tips received for services performed after December 21, 2006.

Family Business Tax Simplification Under the new law, a married couple who operates a joint venture and who files a joint return can elect not to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. This treatment is available for tax years beginning after December 31, 2006.

Each spouse would take into account his or her share of income, gain, loss, and other items as a sole proprietor. They would not have to file a partnership return (Form 1065) and report two Schedule K-1s. Instead, the couple would each report their share of income on Form 1040, Schedule C.

S Corporation Package Several modifications to the S corporation rules will help small businesses keep the tax benefits of being an S Corporation. The legislation's Subchapter S provisions would facilitate the use of S corporations by closing some of the traps that could trigger termination of S corporation status and by reducing the taxes owed by the shareholders of an S corporation.

Raising those subject to the "kiddie tax" The new law raises the age from under-18 to under-19 (under-24 if a full-time student) at which a child's unearned income (currently in excess of $1700) is taxed at the parent's rate.

The Laws of Money

1. Law of Abundance. There is an ample supply of money for all who want it. To get your share, decide to be rich, and obey the Laws of Cause and Effect as they apply to money.
   

2. Law of Exchange. Money is the medium for exchanging goods and services. It replaces barter. What you ear in an open market shows the value others place on what you do.

3. Law of Capital. Your most valuable asset is your earning ability. It’s physical, it’s mental – it’s your capital. And your most precious resource is your time.

4. Law of Time Perspective. The most successful people make their day to day decisions by considering the longest time period. Delayed gratification is the key to financial success.

5. Law of Saving. Financial freedom comes to those who save 10 percent or more of their income all their lives. The way to do this is to “pay yourself first.”

6. Law of Conservation. It’s not how much you make but how much you keep that counts. Successful people save lots in prosperous time to have a financial cushion for bad times.

7. Parkinson’s Law. Expenses always rise to meet income. It happens to most people. It’s why most people aren’t rich. To be rich, you must flout this law.

8. Law of Three. Financial security is like a three-legged stool: it rests on savings, insurance and investment. You must tend to all three to become financially independent and secure.

9. Law of Investing. Investigate before you invest. Spend as much time studying an investment as you do earning the money you put into it. Never let yourself be rushed.

10. Law of Compound Interest. Allowing money to grow at compound interest will make you rich. The key to making this work is to put it away and never touch it.

11. Law of Accumulation. Great financial achievement is an accumulation of hundreds of small efforts. You should build a momentum to your savings plan and let nothing get in its way.

12. Law of Attraction. As you accumulate money you begin attraction more money to yourself. Thinking about money as you save makes you a magnet; you attract more money into your life.

13. Law of Accelerating Acceleration. The faster you move toward financial freedom, the faster it moves toward you. It’s an offshoot of the Law of Attraction: what you want wants you.
    
    
    

    By Brian Tracy

Six Ways to Turn Desires Into Gold

The method by which desire for riches can be transmuted into its financial equivalent, consists of six definite, practical steps:

1. Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, “I want plenty of money.” Be definite as to the amount. (There is a psychological reason for definiteness.)

2. Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as “something for nothing.”)

3. Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

4. Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

5. Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.

6. Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. As you read – see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich

Tell me the results you want, and i will show you how to achieve them!
www.martymcevoy.com

Three Places Your Money Can Go...

...how much goes where is YOUR decision...SUCCESS AND DECISION ARE PARTNERS……DECIDE TO KEEP MORE MONEY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TODAY.

Tax Planning for 2007….Do Not Wait

I was reading in the book, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, the other night the chapter on the subconscious mind. I n that chapter, it states that “You may voluntarily plant in your subconscious mind any plan, thought, or purpose which you desire to translate into its physical equivalent or monetary equivalent.” The subconscious mind then goes to work. I then went to my library of books and picked out a book by Dr. Joseph Murphy, titled, The Power of your Subconscious Mind, and he was stating that the subconscious mind is so powerful no one can really measure its potential. Dr. Murphy said you can ask your subconscious mind a question and you will get an answer.

So how does this apply to taxes and tax planning. If you want to save taxes, and I know most people do, you need to ask the question, “How can I save income taxes this year?” or “How can I reduce my income taxes this year?”

You will get an answer and I am sure you will be surprised. You will receive an answer that will reduce your taxes. It must happen and it happens by Law. Every question you have has an answer. Most people are too busy to ask the powerful questions.

Here is the problem. Most people wait until it is too late to do tax planning. They worry about their taxes in January of the next year, instead of July of the current year. January is too late. Worse yet, they have not filed their taxes for the prior year because their records are a disaster or their accountant is just too busy to get it done. Therefore any tax planning for the current year is almost impossible.

How do I know all of this? I have been doing taxes for over 35 years and I have observed peoples habits. I have prepared thousands of tax returns and worked with thousands of individuals, families and business owners to reduce taxes. I have been very successful. Those individuals, families and business owners who plan now, save taxes. It is real simple, so do not complicate it. Are your records timely and accurate so you can do effective tax planning? If not, when would now be a good time to do something about it? Do you want to save taxes in 2007? I am sure you do, but you must take action.

God will not do for you, only what he can do with and through you. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find. No one else can do it for you.

Do You REALLY Need Email?

No Email?????? ........... An unemployed man is desperate to support his family of a wife and three kids. He applies for a janitor's job at a large firm and easily passes an aptitude test.

The human resources manager tells him, "You will be hired at minimum wage of $5.35 an hour. Let me have your e-mail address so that we can get you in the loop. Our system will automatically e-mail you all the forms and advise you when to start and where to report on your first day."

Taken back, the man protests that he is poor and has neither a Computer nor an e-mail address. To this the manager replies, "You must understand that to a company like ours that means that you virtually do not exist. Without an e-mail address you can hardly expect to be employed by a high-tech firm. Good day."

Stunned, the man leaves. Not knowing where to turn and having $10 in his wallet, he walks past a farmer's market and sees a stand selling 25 lb. crates of beautiful red tomatoes. He buys a crate, carries it to a busy corner and displays the tomatoes. In less than 2 hours he sells all the tomatoes and makes 100% profit.

Repeating the process several times more that day, he ends up with almost $100 and arrives home that night with several bags of groceries for his family. During the night he decides to repeat the tomato business the next day.

By the end of the week he is getting up early every day and working into the night. He multiplies his profits quickly.

Early in the second week he acquires a cart to transport several boxes of tomatoes at a time, but before a month is up he sells the cart to buy a broken-down pickup truck.

At the end of a year he owns three old trucks. His two sons have left their neighborhood gangs to help him with the tomato business, his wife is buying the tomatoes, and his daughter is taking night courses at the community college so she can keep books for him.

By the end of the second year he has a dozen very nice used trucks and employs fifteen previously unemployed people, all selling tomatoes. He continues to work hard.

Time passes and at the end of the fifth year he owns a fleet of nice trucks and a warehouse that his wife supervises, plus two tomato farms that the boys manage.

The tomato company's payroll has put hundreds of homeless and jobless people to work. His daughter reports that the business grossed a million dollars.

Planning for the future, he decides to buy some life insurance. Consulting with an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan to fit his new circumstances. Then the adviser asks him for his e-mail address in order to send the final documents electronically.

When the man replies that he doesn't have time to mess with a computer and has no e-mail address, the insurance man is stunned, "What, you don't have e-mail? No computer! No Internet! Just think where you would be today if you'd had all of that five years ago!"

“Ha!" snorts the man. "If I'd had e-mail five years ago I would be sweeping floors at Microsoft and making $5.35 an hour."

Author Unknown

My Comment

I think the important part of this story is that the man took action. He did not wait until he had the e-mail to make a living, but he took action that very day. So often we wait to go after what we want, waiting till we have what we think we need. In this story, he attracted to him everything he needed for success when he took the action.

Personal Coaching

I am often asked, “Just what is personal coaching?” “How will it work in my life?” and “What are the results I can expect?”

I heard a saying a long time ago that said, “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten.” This is talking about your results. Results can be defined as how much money you make, your net worth, your relationships, your health or the size of your business. People are always trying to change their results without changing the cause which fundamentally lies within them and not outside of them.

All of our dreams come in a size too big, so we can grow into them. That means we have to change how we think, how we feel and how we act in order to achieve them. We need to do something different. We need to create a new story. Are you tired of your story? This is where a personal coach can be very valuable.

Among the many descriptions and different applications of coaching, the common theme is that coaching is a form of supportive relationship in which the coach will help the client to move forward to produce better results. Improved results are a natural desire of everyone. It is the Spirit within all of us, seeking to express itself without. Coaching is based on the study of human potential and possibility. The truth is that each and every person has infinite and unlimited
potential. The focus is on the goals of the client and the role of the coach is to support development from within, in such a way that enables the client to learn and achieve the desired results.

The roles of the coach are many, including but not limited to:

• Providing clarity, focus and direction by helping the client to identify, clarify and move towards goals such as greater effectiveness, confidence, self-discipline or motivation. The goal could be improving relationships or health, or gaining a promotion at work.

• Facilitating discussion around specific issues, such as stress at work or dealing with change and to help the client identify new beliefs and choices or adopt new ways of thinking, feeling and acting.

• Providing a sounding board for ideas. This is very important in the business environment.

• Assisting the client in learning new skills, such as public speaking, time management, financial planning, organization or communicating more effectively.

• And, possible the number 1 role is providing accountability.

The focus is always on the client, helping them to bring out their best and maximize their potential. All of the tools and products offered by Practical Empowerment LLC are designed to focus on the infinite nature within all human beings and provide the essential knowledge necessary to help the client recognize and realize this potential.

If you are not happy with the results in your life, when would NOW be a good time to do something about it.

THE HEART OF COACHING
We keep it simple and practical, so success is assured. It is not necessary to have a degree in psychology to help people to create change and achieve the results they want. All we do is focus on the two most effective levers of change and those are awareness and responsibility.

Most people do not understand that the results they are getting are simple a manifestation of their current level of awareness. We help our clients raise their level of awareness, which often shows up as new choices in the way they believe, think, feel and act, so they gain a platform for improved results.

To maximize the benefit from increased awareness the client will need to go through apparent limitations that appear to hold them back. We help with this through responsibility. This refers to the willingness and level of commitment of the client to take action and by helping empower the client with practical tools to take action. This might include working with them on their beliefs or resolve and holding them accountable for their progress.

"The power of personal coaching lies in the fact that it provides an individual with the most critical ingredient for extraordinary, consistent success: ongoing support, detailed action plans, constructive feedback and, most importantly, personal accountability.

When a person knows that he or she will be regularly reporting on daily and weekly actions to a coach - someone who is going to give them unbiased and constructive criticism and unwavering encouragement all the way to the finish line - that person's commitment, enthusiasm and belief in the goal increases exponentially.

In essence, a coach is the catalyst that helps an individual to unstoppable personal achievement. In my opinion, there is no greater reward!" - Bob Proctor

There's nothing more exciting than to see individuals from all walks of life create phenomenal shifts in their thinking and results. More times than not, the person at the end of the program is hardly recognizable to the person who entered the program.

It's an overwhelming testament to the awesome power and potential that rests in the human soul ... your human soul.

Don't hesitate another minute. Contact me and begin experiencing success you really want in your life. It's your turn. What do you really want?

You can call me on: 608-637-6898 or at 608-606-1531 or e-mail me at marty@martymcevoy.com

We Are the Masters of Our Fate and the Captains of Our Soul, We Can Steer

I was listening to this song the other night by Miss Higgins and I wanted to share it with you. Just go to MISSY HIGGINS and select a track and listen to her song Steer. I have typed the lyrics below so you can read them. You are the maker of your dream. You can either choose the one that others tried to give you, or you can decide today to go after your dream. You know which one it is because you feel it inside. You decide right now!! The power of decision is your own, because you can steer.

STEER (2007)

Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh and breathe them deep into your lungs

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

So hold this feeling like a new born
Of freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and rain

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

‘Cos you’ve been listening for answers
But the city screams and all your dreams go unheard

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

Yeah get out of the box and step into the clear
‘Cos now you finally know you can steer

A Great Way to Start the Day!

One of my clients asked me the other day how I stay so positive. I told her that one of the ways I start my day is by repeating several times out loud an affirmation I learned from Paul Scheelle from Learning Strategies Corporation. I am always amazed at watching how my day does unfold and how empowered I feel throughout the day. You should try this for 40 days. I would love to hear your results. Your life will be magical.

"I am alive, alert, awake, joyous and enthusiastic about this day.

I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm as I step forth with a mighty Faith to do the things that ought to be done by me right NOW!!!"

BNI Presentation

The following is a presentation I gave at a Business Networking International www.bni.com meeting in La Crosse, Wisconsin on July, 10, 2007:

Today, I want to talk about my company, Practical Empowerment LLC. I want to talk about why I started the company, the products and services we offer, who would be a good referral and what you can do to refer me business today.

So what is it you really want? What would you do to be the driver of your life instead of being driven by it? Do you have a life filled with joy, passion and purpose?

I started Practical Empowerment LLC as a way to fulfill my purpose and vision in life. I want to inspire and touch people in such a way that they make the decisions and take the actions necessary to transform their life and the result will be a better and more beautiful world not only for themselves and but those they love. My mission is to make a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives so that they can be more in life, do more in life and have more of life. So what is practical empowerment? Practical empowerment is a multi-dimensional process that is capable of being put into practice, is workable and that shows people how to gain power and control over their lives so that they can create what they really want. We do not have a contract to live forever.

I have been a CPA since 1974, a CFP since 1989 and have started, owned and sold many very successful businesses. I have helped individuals, families, business owners and organizations achieve better results for over 35 years. I have studied under some of the world’s best known teachers on success, including Bob Proctor from the movie, “The Secret.” www.thesecret.tv My clients have included all types of industries. My experience has been very practical. Yet at the same time, I have spent the last 25 years of my life doing what I call “transformational work.” I have attended seminars on yoga, diet, nutrition, communications, ethics, meditation, personal advancement, spirituality, energy work and relationships to name a few. The person I was in 1982 before I started doing this work and who I am today is like night and day. Quite frankly, I was a mess and out of control. Today I am very proud of the person I have become. To say the least I am very grateful. I have 2 awesome, gifted and talented daughters and when I began showing up in my life and going after my dreams, so did they. You to can change and take control of your life, and you can do it today.

The problem I see with most self improvement programs and the self-help world is that there is no practical application to make success a reality.

Practical Empowerment is for people who are looking for personal advancement. Practical Empowerment features a seven step process for financial, spiritual and lifestyle growth. There is mind, body, spirit and “reality.” The “reality” is the “practical” aspect of “Practical Empowerment” Basic things like time management, a clear vision and plan of action, a clear understanding of how your results are related to your mind, having meaningful financial information and filing taxes on time are important in business and everyday life. So is a regular exercise program, a solid nutritional program, meditation, mastermind groups and a clear understanding of how our beliefs are linked to our success. In addition, having a coach that can be understanding and unreasonable at the same time to provide feedback and direction will assure success.

So the products and services I offer show people how to first of all decide what they really want and then show people how to achieve what they really want. The products include individual and group coaching, seminars and customized presentations, books and publications, individual study programs, accounting and tax services and consulting services.

A good referral for me would be someone who is not real clear on what they really want, or someone who works really hard and just never seems to get the results they want or someone who wants to make more money, but not sure on how to earn more money. This could be a business owner or an individual. I love to go into organizations and do 30 minute presentations to small groups. I also work with sales organizations helping them achieve better results, so this would be a good referral.

What can you do to refer me business today?

You should listen to what other people are saying. When you hear words like I can’t, I want to make more money, it’s a problem, life’s a struggle, I do not know what I want, I am broke, what will I do, I do not know what to do and if only I won the lottery, you should set them down, tell them about me and have them call me right now.

You should go to my website, http://www.martymcevoy.com/ study the site so you fully understand all of my products and services and then refer others to my sight. Encourage people to sign up for my monthly newsletter at this sight.

You should read my blog once or twice each week at http://www.practicalempowerment.blogspot.com/. All of the information at both sights is designed to really help people.

Encourage people to attend my seminars and book studies. The next seminar is July 21, called “The Goal Achiever Seminar” and you have a flyer at your table.

Ask people what they really want and tell them you know of someone who can show them how to get it.

So what is it you really want? Not what you think you can have based on your beliefs and results, but what do you really want. Robert Schuler says, “If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been.” You do not have to know how to achieve your dreams, but you must take the first step. Emerson says, “We are very near to greatness. One step and we are safe. Can we not take the leap?”

Announcing My Monthly Give Away

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on my postings. Each month I will be giving away a copy of the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. To enter the contest is simple! Just leave a comment on any of my posts and you will be automatically entered into the contest. At the end of each month I will randomly select a name from the people that left a comment.

This is a great opportunity to win a book that could change your life!

Walking Your Path with Joy and Honor

This was sent to me by Claude Shama and I wanted to share this with everyone.

Walking Your Path with Honor & Joy

‘What is the path’ the Zen master, Nan-sen, was asked.
‘Each day and every day is the path’ he answered.

Our path is the context for our gift in action, our unfolding Life’s purpose,

The platform for our life’s lessons, that which is truly meaningful.

The canvas for who we meet, what we share, the foundation of our spiritual development,

The seeds we plant, the spirit with which we harvest and the unveiling and fullest expression of our Truth.

As we walk our path we will meet many different guides.

Each bearing useful tools, information, and reassurance.

At time it will be our turn to guide.

Many times the impact of our interactions will serve to guide those in ways we may not be aware of, just as we may be impacted by people in ways we did not expect.

When I am off of my path, I desperately seek the right map.

The problem is that I spend so much of my time and energy looking for the right map I end up missing the territory.

People spend much of their time desperately seeking the Right relationship, job, house, outfit, activity etc.

What will bring well being, fulfillment or joy?

When you are connected to your own Unique Path, these forms find you at the Right time.

‘Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not the fish they are after’ -Henry David Thoreau

Each of us has our own Path to walk.

It is different than what our parents thought it should be.

It is different than what we many times think.

It is different than what others, who advise us, think it should be.

Our path lies beyond our pre-conceived notions and unfolds before us as we dedicate ourselves to walk it.

A Special Story...

I received the following story from a friend of mine in Australia, Herbie Muench. It shows to me the power of love and determination in creating possibility.

In Queensland, Australia, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Ben, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?

Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" "Mummy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."

Mum smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire Station in Brisbane, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Queensland.

She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day.

He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the full Monty!

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -one with the emblem of the Queensland Fire & Rescue Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.

They're all manufactured right here in Brisbane, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Ben, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting truck.

Ben got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station.

He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Brisbane that day and Ben got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines that day.

He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the Love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Ben, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Ben had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Station and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Ben as he made his transition.

The Officer in charge replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system, that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Ben's third floor open window--------

16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Ben's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.

With his dying breath, Ben looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Ben, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the O.I.C said. With those words, Ben smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.." He closed his eyes one last time.

Starting a New Business in 2007?

If you are planning to start or acquire a new business in 2007, I suggest you keep adequate records of the expenses you paid or incurred in creating the new business. These would include the following:

• Investigative costs including analysis of potential markets, labor force and financial projections.

• Advertising for business opening.

• Costs of training employees.

• Consulting and other professional fees.

• If the organization is a corporation or a partnership, expenses can include organizational meetings, state fees, legal and accounting fees related to setting up the entity.

If an election is made, and this is critical, up to $5,000 of start-up expenses may be deducted in the year your business begins. Any additional expenses would be deductible over a period of 180 months. Absent the election, start-up expenses must be capitalized. The $5,000 limit is reduced dollar-for-dollar once total start-up costs exceed $50,000.

Court decisions have generally defined the start date as the point when the business begins to function as a going concern and performs those activities for which it was organized.

For more information, you can visit the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov or you can contact me at 608-637-6898 or at marty@martymcevoy.com

Steps to a Successful Business

The author Michael Gerber, of the “E Myth” says you build a business for 2 reasons, one to sell the business and the other is to franchise the business. Is that what you are doing in your business? Do you have a business that other people bring other people, to show them what an incredible business you have? Do you work in your business, or on your business?

I have worked with individuals, families, business owners and organizations for the past 35 years helping them produce greater incomes, save money in income and estate taxes, increase sales, start and sell their business, create vision and mission statements, do planning, produce meaningful and timely financial information and increase their net worth. I have found the following ideas useful and beneficial to everyone:

• Have a definite purpose, with a clear vision and established goals and objectives. In the book Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill he writes, “What a different story people would have to tell if they would adopt a definite purpose and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an all-consuming purpose.” What is your purpose? If you’re a business, what is the purpose of the business organization? If you fail to decide your definite purpose, you feel lost and not sure of your direction. If you are an individual, what is your purpose? Why are you here on this planet? What is your unique purpose? My friend Bob Proctor says “your purpose in life is to do the thing you love.” Once you have found your purpose, you can then create your vision and then you can set your goals. Write yourself a plan, and then again, and then again until your vision becomes reality. Your vision is how you express your purpose.

• Have a way to measure your performance. If you were a runner, you would never think if running a race without a timer. You must have a system that allows you to produce meaningful, timely and accurate financial information. If you are an individual, you will want to prepare a financial statement at least once a year and if you are a business or organization, you must produce a balance sheet and profit and loss statement each month.
  In addition, the information is of no use if it is 2-3 months old. If you are a business owner, you need to have information to make decisions within 10 to 15 days after month end. There are many inexpensive software programs to use and the one I like is Quick Books Online http://www.qboe.com/ and it only costs about $12 per month.

• File all income tax and other tax documents on time. Make it a goal every year to have the information you need organized so that you can file your taxes on time. Filing an extension will just cost more time and more money. In addition, I always tell my clients to report all of their income for 2 reasons. The first being that the value of your business is based on
  the profit of the business and the second being is that every business owner should be focused on service and not trying to hide money from being taxed. You will attract into your life what you focus on.

• In the incredible and practical book, Your Invisible Power, Genevieve Behrend, writes “realize that since Order is Heaven’s first law.” This to me means that everything in your business, personal life and organization must have order. I will walk into many companies
  and it looks like a tornado went through it. I suggest to everyone, that when they go home at night, the desk is cleared and everything put away. Everything needs to be in the right place and there needs to be order. The next morning you will have a clean work space and can start on your first objective for the day. A surgeon always has order in the operation
  room. When you have clutter it takes away the free attention that you need to be creative. A good book to read would be Clutter’s Last Stand, by Don Aslett and then start throwing it away. In addition, everyone should store all of their records electronically and have several backups. This actually is more secure and you will find more convenient than storing all that paper.

• The success and quality of your life and business is related to the quality the questions asked. Understand that every question has an answer. You ask the question and by law, you must get an answer. The most important thing to remember when working with powerful questions is to focus on the positive and to stay away from questions that start with “why.” Examples of powerful questions: What is working in my life? What is working in my business? How can I reduce my income taxes? What do I want? Who can I help get what they want today? What am I focusing on? How can I feel more joy, peace and abundance in my life? What is my next step? What action can I take?

If I can help you get clear on any point in this article, please let me know. Leave your comment or you can contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com or at 608-637-6898.

So decide what you want today. Then decide you can have it.

“There is a sacred essence in each human. This can only be realized and shared when we go beyond ourselves and beyond our limits.” Mary Todd Bean.

Your Independence Day, All it Takes is a Decision

I like July 4 each year because it is time that I stop and be grateful for all those that made that courageous decision on July 4, 1776, so that we could be free. It was one of the most courageous decisions of all time, as far as any American citizen is concerned, when 56 individuals signed their names to a document which they well knew would bring freedom to all Americans or leave all of the 56 hanging from the gallows. We all remember the date of this great decision, but few of us realize the courage that decision required. President Lincoln’s decision to issue his famous “Proclamation of Emancipation,” which gave freedom to the slaves of America, cost Lincoln his death. Martin Luther King said, “If you do not have a life worth dying for, you are not living.” Mr. King died so others could live.

I like to use all of this as a metaphor to my own life and how it relates to my own paradigm and my own thinking. The word paradigm means a set of assumptions, concepts, values, beliefs and practices that constitute our way of viewing our world. In A Course in Miracles it says the world we see is of our own making. Since we all have a different paradigm, we all have a different view of the world. It is our view and it was created by us or taught to us by others. If we want to see the world differently, which really means different results, we need to change our paradigm. To change the paradigm you must make a decision to create a new one and be willing to let the old paradigm change, which may seem like a death, just like those 56 individuals did in 1776. It is our “Declaration of Independence,” it is our new story.

I remember some of the most terrifying moments in my life were when I had to give up an idea or belief or concept that was no longer useful to my own transformation and growth. I had to choose to go for freedom. When my children were teenagers, it was my belief that I always had to be giving them advice and telling them what to do because that is what all the parents before me did. When I was told all I needed to do was tell them how great they were and tell them how much I loved them, my old way of thinking had to die to give way to the new. Did I get different results? Yes I did. Was it uncomfortable? Yes it was. Was it the right thing to do? Just ask any parent who has survived the teenage years.

I think we are all slaves to our own paradigm and we are not willing to make that courageous decision to change so we can be free. I have always liked the saying “If we always do what we have always done, we will always get what we have always gotten.” We must be willing to be “born again” and “to be the change we want to see in the world.” The Bible says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Most everyone wants to get better results. The salesman wants to sell more, the business owner wants to earn more profit, the parent wants more for their child, we want better health and we all want peace in the world. Everyone wants better results. Results can be more money, better health, better sales, better relationships or whatever one wants. When you change your paradigm you will achieve better results in all areas. The great thing about it is you do not have to change the other person and it is so much easier that way. You just have to change you.

People are always trying to change their results, without changing the cause which is always in the mind. A person does not earn $50,000 per year because they want to earn $50,000 per year. They earn $50,000 per year because they are not aware of how to earn 50,000 per month. Author Joel Barker of the book Paradigm writes “To ignore the power of paradigms to influence your judgment is to put yourself at risk when exploring the future. To be able to reshape your future, you must be willing and able to change your paradigm” The paradigm acts like a governor on performance. Change the paradigm and you get increased awareness and achieve better results and your world will change. I can show you time tested and practical examples on how to change your paradigm, but you must make the decision that you are ready for a change and call me at 608-637-6898 or email me at marty@martymcevoy.com.

Is it not time we all decided to change and to create a new paradigm as to what is possible in our lives and the lives of those we love? When we do, we help change the lives of our children and theirs and the lives of generations to come. Can you decide to do that now? These are some I consider.

1. That world peace is possible and it starts with me and it starts now.
2. That I have been gifted with infinite and unlimited gifts and talents and potential and that what I see the other person doing, I can do to.
3. That I am whole and perfect as I was created and if I am whole and perfect as I was created, so must be the person I am looking at.
4. That I have a purpose and a vision, and that I can react to circumstances or events in my life or act out of my vision to get to the new story.
5. That everything I want is already here, I just need to decide what I want and become aware of it.
6. That God’s will for me is perfect happiness and that God is good all if the time.
7. That I am always in the right place, at the right time, for the right reason. Thus everything as my friend Marty Stuehler at http://www.abigskyevent.com/ says “Is PERFECT and we just need to be willing to be shown the perfection and be grateful.”
8. That success and decision are partners and that all I need to do is decide what I want and trust and have faith that it is possible.

I believe that “Hope is born out of participation in hopeful solutions,” as Marianne Williamson says in The Principles of Everyday Grace. Create a great day.