Practical Empowerment

Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008

2008-09-24T11:05:00.002-05:00

I wanted to get information to everyone on the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008. The Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 is designed principally to assist struggling homeowners and the housing industry. A major provision in the new law helps both the housing industry reduce its current inventory and existing homeowners sell their homes. It does so by creating new homeowners.

A new first-time homebuyer credit of up to $7,500 is to help entice middle-class taxpayers to get off the sidelines and buy their first home. This is a temporary tax credit and applies for homes purchased after April 8, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

As with most tax law provisions, in trying to make the first-time homebuyer credit fair, Congress introduced some complicated rules. The basics rules are as follows:

The credit is equal to $7,500 unless the purchase price is less than $75,000, in which case the credit is 10 percent of the purchase price ($3,750 for married individuals filing separately).
Those with higher income are excluded from taking the credit. The new credit phases out for married couples filing jointly with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $150,000 and $170,000 ($75,000 and $95,000 for single taxpayers).
A first-time homebuyer is someone (or a spouse) who has not owned a principal residence in over three years. Renters, even if they own a second home, can therefore qualify, as can someone who stopped owning a home three years ago.
Qualifying homeowners who purchase within the allowed time period in 2009 need not wait to file their 2009 returns to claim the credit; they may do so on a 2008 return. Homebuyers also can find some immediate relief by lowering estimated tax or wage withholding to anticipate the credit. In no case, however, will the IRS present the homebuyer with a check for $7,500 at closing, although lenders and sellers may make some private financing arrangements to account for the credit.
The credit amount ($7,500 or less) must be paid back to the government over 15 years starting with the second year after purchase. It is therefore more an interest-free loan than a permanent tax credit. There are exceptions in cases of death, and an accelerated recapture provision that may require an immediate payback of any balance due when the house is sold or no longer used as a principal residence.

If you have any questions, you can let me know.

Retail Sales Worries

2008-08-29T10:28:00.000-05:00

I am encouraging all my business clients to read this article RGE - Retail worries by James Picerno originally in published in the The Capital Spectator.

These are challenging times and will require a new way of thinking and viewing our businesses.

Emergence of Second Tier Thinking

2008-08-25T13:02:00.003-05:00

I have been fascinated with the work of Dr. Don Beck Spiral Dynamics: A model for human development & cultural evolution - WIE.org for a long time.

He says, "It’s not that we need to form new organizations. It's simply that we have to awaken to new ways of thinking. I believe it makes no sense to spend a lot of time attacking the current realities. It is time to create the new models that have in them the complexity that makes the older systems obsolete. And to the extent that we can do that, and do that quickly, I think we can provide what will be necessary for a major breakthrough for the future."

What I am fascinated about is that in my lifetime alone, I have been able to experience or see unfold the different cultures and world views that he teaches. This is clearly dempontsrated in the New York Time Magazine article on Sunday Barack Obama, A Free-Market-Loving, Big-Spending, Fiscally Conservative Wealth Redistributionist - NYTimes.com Read this for yourself and see this new way of thinking that is emerging that Dr. Beck talks about as "Second Tier."

Be well.

DISTICTIONS BETWEEN COACHING AND THERAPY

2008-08-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

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

2008 Housing Act - Property Tax Deduction for Nonitemizers

2008-08-14T14:49:00.003-05:00

Some taxpayers do not itemize deductions and are not able to deduct the real estate taxes they pay. The standard deduction is taken instead. These taxpayers have not been able to take advantage of one of the more significant benefits of home ownership, that is, the ability to itemize deductions.

In the hopes of providing some relief to homeowners in a difficult economy, Congress has enacted The Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008. One of the provisions in the 2008 Housing Act is an increase in the standard deduction for state and local real property taxes for homeowners who do not itemize deductions. The standard deduction is increased by the lesser of (1) the amount otherwise allowable to an individual as a deduction for state and local real property taxes, or (2) $500 ($1,000 in the case of married taxpayers filing jointly).

The increased deduction may be of real assistance to you.

Please call my office to discuss how this benefit, and other benefits of the 2008 Housing Act, can help your overall tax situation. I would enjoy discussing this with you.

IRS Offers e-Newsletter for Small Business

2008-08-14T14:44:00.002-05:00

e-News for Small Businesses is a free electronic mail service designed to provide tax information for small business owners and self-employed individuals. It is distributed every other Wednesday.

Sign-up (view a representative sample (PDF) of e-News for Small Businesses) and you will receive information about:

Important upcoming tax dates for SB/SE customers
What's new for small businesses on the IRS Web site
Reminders and tips to assist small businesses/self-employed with tax compliance
IRS News Releases and special IRS announcements that pertain to SB/SE customers
Tax-related information from other federal agencies

When you subscribe, you will receive a confirmation message by e-mail. Remember, you must respond to this email in order to verify your subscription.
Subscribe Now

Quote By Dr. Maxwell Maltz

2008-08-14T11:25:00.002-05:00

"I am a firm believer in 'negative thinking' when used correctly. We need to be aware of negatives so that we can steer clear of them. A golfer needs to know where the bunkers and sand traps are - but he doesn't think continuously about the bunker - where he doesn't want to go. His mind "glances" at the bunker, but he dwells upon the green. " Dr. Maxwell Maltz

New Small-Business Website

2008-08-08T15:03:00.002-05:00

The National Small Business Association has started a new Web site. It is intended to educate small-business owners about proposals promoted by the IRS and Congress to raise revenue.

These proposals are aimed at the small-business owner. You can visit the site, http://www.preventirsabuse.org/ and find the following:

How the NSBA aims to get the small-business community to speak out against the increase in IRS audits of small businesses.

How legislation recently passed by Congress would require credit and debit card companies to report all electronic payments made to businesses.

The NSBA cited a recent study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse that found the IRS increased its audits of small corporations by 41 percent between 2005 and 2007. Meanwhile, audits of the largest corporations plunged in 2007 to the lowest level in the last 20 years.

State and Local Taxes

2008-08-08T14:45:00.003-05:00

The Tax Foundation The Tax Foundation - State and Local Tax Burdens: All States, One Year, 1977-2008 found that New Jersey residents paid 11.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while Alaska residents paid just 6.4 percent. The nation as a whole paid 9.7 percent of its income in state and local taxes this year, down from 9.9 percent in 2007, mainly because income grew faster than tax collections between 2007 and 2008.

After New Jersey, New Yorkers were in second place with 11.7 percent of their income taxed by state and local authorities, followed by Connecticut (11.1 percent), Maryland (10.8 percent), Hawaii (10.6 percent), California (10.5 percent), Ohio (10.4 percent), Vermont (10.3 percent), Wisconsin (10.2 percent) and Rhode Island (10.2 percent).

Next to Alaska, Nevada residents pay the least in state and local taxes as a percentage of income at 6.6 percent. That's followed by Wyoming (7.0 percent), Florida (7.4 percent), New Hampshire (7.6 percent), South Dakota (7.9 percent), Tennessee (8.3 percent), Texas (8.4 percent), Louisiana (8.4 percent) and Arizona (8.5 percent).

South Pacific - The Musical

2008-08-08T13:39:00.002-05:00

The musical South Pacific South Pacific (musical) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia will be performing here in Viroqua, Wisconsin in September and the following is a quote from that show that I like and wanted to share.

“You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear, you’ve got to be taught from year to year, it’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear-you’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid, of people eyes who are oddly made, and people whose skin is a different shade- you’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be taught before it is too late, before you are six or seven or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate-you’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be carefully taught!”

Here Comes Everybody

2008-08-07T09:22:00.002-05:00

If you have not read the book, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, by Clay Shirky, Here Comes Everybody - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I highly recommend that you obtain a copy and read it.

It is very well written and a great read. It has lots of relevant and current stories to explain the message.

In the same way that the printing press changed society and the telephone changed the way we communicate, there are now a host of new social tools, from instant messages and mobile phones to weblogs and wikis that are changing how we communicate and how we receive our information. This book is about these new tools and how these tools will change how we live, what we do and who we are.

Team Mottos

2008-08-06T13:19:00.001-05:00

Following is a selection of mottos from some members of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team:

Success isn't final. Failure isn't fatal. It's courage that counts. Alicia Coutts (Swimming)

Strong minds suffer without complaining; weak minds complain without suffering. Melissa Wu (Diving)

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Glenn Warfe (Badminton)

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up that counts. Casey Eastham (Hockey)

Limitation is a creation of your mind. Ky Hurst (Open Water Swimming)

To be the best you have to beat the best. Ryan Carneli (Taekwondo)

What does not destroy us, only makes us stronger. Jane Saville (Athletics)

You always miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Wayne Gretzky Tully Bevilaqua (Basketball)

As you live, so you are. As you imagine, so you become. Amy Hetzel (Water Polo)

The more you practice, the luckier you get. Jade North (Football)

In order to succeed, you can not be afraid to fail. Tanya Bailey (Cycling)

Train hard, fight easy. Bradley Pitt (Boxing)

Whatever you can do or dream you can, do it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. - Goethe Jacqui Lawrence (Canoe Kayak)

Always believe in the power of your dreams and never ever give up. Nat Cooke (Beach Volleyball)

Stages of Human Development

2008-08-06T09:10:00.002-05:00

Dr. Clare W. Graves was a professor of psychology at Union College. He was a specialist in the theory of personality and its application to industrial and medical problems. He held that human behavior can be broken down into seven patterns, or levels of existence. His theory suggested that every person falls somewhere between level one, a human vegetable, and level seven, the highest form. This information was first published in the Harvard Business Review in 1966, the theory attracted wide attention and Prof. Graves became the subject of numerous magazines and newspaper articles.

One of my favorite quotes from Prof. Graves follows:

“Each successive stage, wave, or level of existence is a state through which people pass on their way to other states of being. When the human is centralized in one state of existence, he or she has a psychology which is particular to that state. His or her feelings, motivations, ethics and values, biochemistry, degree of neurological activation, learning systems, belief systems, … education, economics, and political theory and practice are all appropriate to that state.”

Research has now shown that humans can move from one stage to another through certain transformative practices. This is how we grow and develop.

Be well.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Signed Today By the President

2008-07-30T16:09:00.002-05:00

Congress has just passed, and President Bush signed today, a $300 billion housing bill to help restore confidence in the housing and financial markets. The bill is called The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The new law includes more than $15 billion in tax incentives. These are some of the major provisions.

First-time homebuyer tax credit - The credit is essentially an interest-free loan from the government. Taxpayers who take the credit, which equals 10 percent of the purchase price (up to $7,500 for single individuals and married couples filing jointly; $3,750 for married individuals filing separate returns), must repay the credit. They will have 15 years to repay the credit in equal amounts. If a taxpayer sells his or her home before the end of the 15-year period, he or she will likely have to immediately repay any outstanding balance. Important income thresholds also apply. Additionally, the credit is temporary and applies to homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

Borrowers - Many homeowners are trying to refinance mortgages that offered low teaser rates but whose rates have now skyrocketed. The new law authorizes states to issue $11 billion more in mortgage revenue bonds for 2008 and allows qualifying sub prime borrowers to use their state's mortgage revenue bond program to refinance into a loan with a more favorable rate.

Property deduction for non-itemizers -There is a new standard property tax deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions. Before the new law, only itemizers could deduct state and local property taxes. The housing act gives non-itemizers a limited deduction for state and local property taxes by increasing the amount of their standard deduction by the amount of property taxes they paid or $500 ($1,000 for a married couple filing jointly). You might benefit from this deduction if you have paid off your mortgage and no longer itemize. This is available only for taxes paid in 2008.

Home sale exclusion - A married couple filing jointly can generally exclude up to $500,000 in gain (single individuals up to $250,000). Before the new law, if a second home becomes a principal residence, after two years the owner could sell it and exclude up to $250,000 in gain from their income or up to $500,000 for couples filing jointly. http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc701.html The new law pro-rates the exclusion between the time that a home is used as a principal residence and the total length of ownership, which includes any "non-qualifying" use as a rental or vacation property. The non-qualifying use before the January 1, 2009 effective date of the provision is not used in the calculation; neither are periods after a qualified use of the property or temporary absences of less than two years.

Down payment assistance - Seller-funded down-payment-assistance programs provide cash assistance to homebuyers who cannot afford to make the minimum down payment or pay the closing costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. The new law bans seller-funded down payment assistance programs.

Military personnel - The housing bill includes many provisions to help military personnel on active duty and veterans avoid foreclosure. Under the new law, service members and veterans are protected from foreclosure for nine months following a period of military service (rather than the current 90 days). Congress also made the VA home loan program more attractive and provided funding for disabled veterans to make accommodations in their homes for their disabilities.

So that is all for now. I will keep you posted as I know more. If you have any questions or comments on this article, let me know. I would love to hear from you. Until next time, remember, have fun and create a great day.

Be well.

How Your Paradigm Influences Your Cash Flow and Bad Debts

2008-07-30T14:19:00.002-05:00

Today’s article is about how your paradigm influences your cash flow and bad debts. You might say how does that apply to me? Read on and you will learn how it does.

Athletes for years wanted to break the 4-minute mile. It was once thought to be impossible. Then on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister Roger Bannister - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ran the mile in 3 min 59.4s. A challenge thought impossible by Bannister himself at one time. In fact after the devastation of his failure at the 1952 Olympics, Bannister spent two months deciding whether to give up running. He decided on a new goal: To be the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. Accordingly, he intensified his training. It all started with a decision. He asked himself the question, what do I really want?

When Wernher von Braun, considered by some the father of the space program Wernher von Braun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia was asked by President Kennedy what it would take to get to the moon. His response was, “the will to do it.” In fact one of Wernher von Braun’s other famous quotes is “I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution.”

Typically when we each of us set goals, we set our goal based on what we think we can do, or we base the goal on our past. This is our paradigm. It can also be called our belief system or our way of thinking. Our current paradigm is like a governor on our performance. We usually do not base our goal on what we really want. Additionally, we sometimes set our goal based on what others think we can do or on some study. We need to break these barriers of self-limitation. The truth is that all of us have infinite and unlimited potential and that all things are possible. Author Joel Barker writes “In order to change your future, you must be willing and able to change your paradigm.” Joel Barker -- Welcome So let’s look at a specific example.

My last article was titled “Accounts Receivable - How to Improve Cash Flow and Reduce Bad Debts.” I have worked with business owners for the past 36 years and one of the most challenging issues of every business is the collection of accounts receivable. In the article I made some recommendations that will improve cash flow and reduce bad debts for every business owner. One of those recommendations was to establish goals and standards.

One of those goals or standards might be the average collection period, usually expressed in day. That is the average number if days it takes for an invoice to be collected. In this example let’s say that our company collects its invoices within an average of 52 days. That is a long time considering the work has been done, employees and associated costs have been paid and that it is possible to have the average be zero days with today’s modern financial tools. These tools are credit cards, Paypal, automatic debit, etc.

So how would a business owner begin? That is, reduce the number of days from 52 to something dramatically shorter. It would start with the question, “What do I really want my average collection period to be?” Then the next step is to make a decision. Napoleon Hill wrote “God throws himself on the side of the individual who knows exactly what he wants, if he is determined to get just that.” The Napoleon Hill Foundation Then realize that for every result we want in our lives, there is a way of thinking and a way of acting. You have heard it said, “If you always do what you have always have done, you will always get what you have always gotten.” So you must change you thinking, your policies and your actions with regards to accounts receivable.

It is a simple as that. Success and decision are partners. If you have any questions or comments on this article, let me know. I would love to hear from you. Send me your success stories. Until next time, remember, have fun and create a great day.

Accounts Receivable - How to Improve Cash Flow and Reduce Bad Debts

2008-07-29T11:02:00.002-05:00

I have worked with business owners for the past 36 years and one of the most challenging issues for every business is the collection of accounts receivable. In this article it is my intention to share with you some ideas that might dramatically improve cash flow and reduce those costly bad debts.

I believe it all starts with communications. I am recalling lightheartedly the scene in the movie Cool Hand Luke: “What we've got here is a failure to communicate.” Cool Hand Luke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I remember when I first met my friend Shannon and we were cooking dinner together in her kitchen. She was explaining to me which towel was for drying hands and which towel was for drying dishes. She then explained what was recycled, what was composted and what very little went in the trash. In addition, she was always aware of my agreement with her. There was much more that we discussed, but I will not bore you here. The message that I want to convey is that I would not have known these procedures without her communicating them to me.

So it is the same with customer or client accounts receivable. Every business owner should communicate at the beginning of each relationship what is expected from the customer or client; the billing, payment and accounts receivable policies; and the promises of the business to the customer or client. I have found that as business owners, we are more worried about having the business than in getting paid. I believe this should be reversed and the first question that should be asked is how are we going to get paid and when. Every business should be paid promptly for the service they provide. In the end, it reduces the cost of doing business for everyone.

The communications should be as simple a providing each new customer or client with a copy of what is expected from the customer or client; the billing and accounts receivable policies; the promises of the business to the customer or client and obtaining agreement on everything. Agreement is the key. This should be handled before the relationship starts and as a very important part of every relationship. Existing customers and clients should also be communicated with and agreement reached.

So the beginning of the relationship with every customer or client is the key to increasing cash flow and reducing bad debts. The following are some additional ideas to consider and implement.

Communicate and obtain agreement with everyone in the organization concerning the policies for billing, collection and accounts receivable and make the communications periodically. Employee participation is important.
Make it easy for people to pay, including Paypal, credit cards and automatic withdrawal.
Keep communicating to everyone.
Make no exceptions in the process.
Have periodic meetings to assess the procedures and then change if necessary.
Set goals and standards for billing, collection and accounts receivable. These could be the following: Average collection period; # of days beyond month end when invoices complete; receivable turnover; and bad debts as a percent of sales.
Reward employees when goals are achieved .

Start today and implement these ideas. Success and decision are partners. The benefit will be improved cash flow, reduced bad debts and more profit for everyone to share.

The New Paradigm for Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis of 2008 and What It Means by George Soros

2008-07-28T13:57:00.003-05:00

I recently finished reading a book that I highly recommend. The name of the book is The New Paradigm for Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis of 2008 and What It Means GeorgeSoros.com

George Soros is a noted and influential financier, chairman of Soros Fund Management Soros Fund Management and founder of a global network of foundations designed to support open societies. A Budapest native who lives in New York, Soros is very active politically.

Soros is known for "breaking the Bank of England" on Black Wednesday in 1992. With an estimated current net worth of around $9 billion, he is ranked by Forbes as the 97th-richest person in the world.

With the country in recession and a housing market that is suffering, Soros looks at it as "the worst crisis since the Great Depression." He sees a profound difference, though, between today's financial problems and those of the 1930s. "The periodic crises were part of a larger boom-bust process; the current crisis is the culmination of a super boom that has lasted for more than 25 years."

Soros believes there is a basic difference between thinking and reality. Soros learned that principle when he was a student at the London School of Economics and was heavily influenced by Karl Popper. Today, he thinks a new economic model is needed to understand the nature of the economic situation.

Although the economic crisis was "slow in coming," Soros believes it could have been "anticipated several years in advance. It had its origins in the bursting of the Internet bubble in late 2000." Soros also asserts that "cheap money engendered a housing bubble, an explosion of leveraged buyouts and other excesses. When money is free, the rational lender will keep on lending until there is no one else to lend to. Mortgage lenders relaxed their standards and invented new ways to stimulate business and generate fees.”

The result is the housing foreclosure mess that is sweeping the country, taking houses away from people who strapped themselves too tightly and ruining their credit for the foreseeable future. Economic distress, noted Soros, "spread from residential real estate to credit card debt, auto debt and commercial real estate."

EXCLUSIVE: Soros: Fannie, Freddie crisis not the last Reuters

Soros does write that he doesn't know what the economic future holds. He believes that "we have not learned how to govern ourselves. As a consequence, we live in great uncertainty and grave danger. We need to gain a better understanding of the situation in which we find ourselves."

I recommend that you get a copy of the book from your local library or local book store.

Housing Bill - Break For First-Time Home Buyers

2008-07-25T15:46:00.001-05:00

I wanted to get this article from the New York Times up and posted about a new tax credit for first time home buyers. You might benefit, so take time to read it. I will keep everyone posted when the final version is signed.

Here is the link. Your Money - Housing Bill Has Something for Nearly Everyone - NYTimes.com

Yoga - A Way To Reduce Stress In Your Life and Your Business

2008-07-25T15:36:00.002-05:00

I have been practicing yoga since about 1982. It was June and a physician suggested that I take up the practice of yoga to reduce the stress in my life and improve my health. I have had a daily practice since then.

The practice of yoga embraces all our parts, body, mind, heart and soul. The practice of yoga bestows countless blessings. The paradox is that yoga takes time, but makes more time available; the practice of yoga requires energy but it restores us; yoga requires effort, but becomes effortless: the practice is typically hard to start, but eventually cannot be stopped.

I wanted to share with you an article that was in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. Follow the link. Yoga Bears: It's No Stretch to Say Traders Are Taking Deep Breaths - WSJ.com

Have a great day and let me know how you enjoy yoga.

Three Cups of Tea

2008-07-24T11:03:00.002-05:00

One of the questions I always ask my clients is what is your definite purpose in life? It seems for most people a hard question to answer. Some people tell me all they want to be is happy. I explain that they are already happiness, and ask them the question again. Some tell me money and I ask the question again. What is your definite purpose in life? Then they tell me they do not know.

Author James Allen James Allen Home Page says that ‘until thought is linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment.” You must decide what you want. You must decide on your definite purpose. Only you can decide that. Most people go through life trying to find their purpose, only to realize that it can be whatever they decide it to be. It is an intention, resolution or determination. Purpose is the focus of your attention and attention is the creative energy that brings about your reality. Purpose is a settled determination and comes about from a decision. You can make a difference in the world. What is your purpose?

Lance Armstrong offers a particular inspiring example. “The truth is if you asked me to choose between winning the Tour de France and cancer. I would choose cancer. Odd as it sounds, I would rather have the title of cancer survivor than winner of the tour, because of what it has done for me as a human being, a man, a husband, a son and a father…The one thing the illness has convinced me of beyond all doubt-more than any experience I’ve had as an athlete-is that we are much better than we know. We have unrealized capacities that sometimes only emerge in crisis. So if there is a purpose to the suffering that is cancer, I think it must be this; it’s meant to improve us.”

You can go to Lance Armstrong Foundation: Home and learn about what he is doing with the wisdom and knowledge he has learned to help and inspire other people.

I recently was given a book by a friend of mine, entitled Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Three Cups of Tea - About the Book

The book is part mountaineering memoir, part puff profile, but largely a testament to a generosity that transcends politics and religion, Three Cups of Tea shares the story of a consummate outdoorsman-turned-infidel saint. Separated from his expedition while scaling K2 in 1993, a moribund Greg Mortenson staggered into a Himalayan shantytown in northern Pakistan. Nursed back to health, Mortenson pledged to build a school for a village where sticks and dirt were used to practice multiplication tables. He has since erected 55 schools across the Muslim mountain region, amid brushes with local crooks, kidnappers, a salty Swiss philanthropist, Tom Brokaw, and the Taliban.

Greg Mortenson has a purpose for his life and Tom Brokaw had this to say about him. “Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.”

Greg has this to say. “I do it because I care about kids. Fighting terror is may be seventh or eighth on my list of priorities. But working over there, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve learned that terror doesn’t happen because some group of people somewhere like Pakistan or Afghanistan simply decide to hate us. It happens because children aren’t being offered a bright enough future that they have a reason to choose life over death.”

This is Greg Mortenson’s advice. “Everybody looks for something that you can look back at, to see you’ve really accomplished something for future generations. You may not have to go clear to the Himalayas, but you can still make a big difference where you live. .. You have to make that first step.”

So what would you do if you knew you could not fail? What is your purpose in life?

All great people started out small. Take Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King, Jr. When you look back at their history, almost without exception they were nobodies. Nobody! Gandhi was just a mediocre attorney who got thrown off a train into the dust by the British because he was Indian. Mother Theresa was just an ordinary nun.

Again, I ask “what would you do if you knew you could not fail?” What is your purpose in life?

If you fail to determine and decide on your definite purpose, everything else will feel wrong. Your purpose gives you direction in life. It is why you get out of bed in the morning and it is the fuel that will transform your life. It could be you might want to work with children, help the environment, cure malaria or build schools. Without a clear purpose, you will wander through life, not sure which way to go, and usually living someone else’s dream. Your purpose should be to do something that you love. When you have your purpose, everything else will fall into place. You will focus less on what is wrong and more on what is right. You will be happier.

Your purpose may be something you would be willing to trade your life for. The psychologist Alfred Adler once said, “I am grateful for the idea that has used me.” Martin Luther King said, “If you do not have a life worth dying for, you are not living.” Mr. King The King Center died so others could live. What is your purpose? We live in a world of abundance, where you can have anything your heart desires. There is nothing standing between you and your desires except lack of definite purpose and the plans that will derive from it.

Financial Ratios-Standards For Success

2008-07-21T16:23:00.001-05:00

To qualify for the 113th Boston Marathon, Boston Athletic Association athletes must meet the designated time standard which corresponds to their age group. Every runner knows what that is for their corresponding age group and they constantly monitor their performance and trainings to that standard.

In business, performance standards are usually measured in terms of financial ratios. Financial ratio's and other key indicators are important. Think of these like the meters and lights on the dashboard of an automobile. Financial ratios are useful indicators of a firm's performance and financial situation. Most ratios can be calculated from information provided by the financial statements. Financial ratios can be used to analyze trends and to compare the company's financials to those of other company's.

Any successful business owner is constantly evaluating the performance of his or her company, comparing it with the company's historical figures, with its industry competitors, and even with successful businesses from other industries. To complete a thorough examination of your company's effectiveness, however, you need to look at more than just easily attainable numbers like sales, profits, and total assets. You must be able to read between the lines of your financial statements and make the seemingly inconsequential numbers accessible and comprehensible.

This massive data overload could seem staggering. Luckily, there are many well-tested ratios out there that make the task a bit less daunting. Comparative ratio analysis helps you identify and quantify your company's strengths and weaknesses, evaluate its financial position, and understand the risks you may be taking.

As with any other form of analysis, comparative ratio techniques aren't definitive and their results shouldn't be viewed as gospel. Many off-the-balance-sheet factors can play a role in the success or failure of a company. But, when used in concert with various other business evaluation processes, comparative ratios are invaluable.

A good place to start in understanding financial ratios is to go read the article on Financial Ratio in Wikipedia at Financial ratio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Next, you should determine which one’s you want calculate and monitor for your business. Some of the ratios to include and monitor are the current ratio, receivable turnover, receivable aging, average collection period, inventory turnover, debt ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, interest coverage, gross profit margin, return on assets and return on equity. These should be calculated periodically and compared to industry standards and previous periods. When comparing your company with industry figures, make sure that the financial data for each company reflect comparable price levels, and that it was developed using comparable accounting methods, classification procedures, and valuation bases.

Such comparisons should be limited to companies engaged in similar business activities. When the financial policies of two companies differ, these differences should be recognized in the evaluation of comparative reports. For example, one company leases its properties while the other purchases such items; one company finances its operations using long-term borrowing while the other relies primarily on funds supplied by stockholders and by earnings. Financial statements for two companies under these circumstances are not wholly comparable.

The following are some good websites to use to calculate the financial ratios you choose:

Financial Ratios

UW Libraries - Foster Business Library - Financial Ratios Calculator

If you have a business, decide today which financial ratios you will monitor. If you are just starting a business, put those financial ratios in your business plan. Success and decision are partners.

This is all for now. If you have any questions, you can always contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com. In addition, I would love your feedback to this post.

Take care,

Marty

Al Gore And The Environment

2008-07-21T13:28:00.002-05:00

If you have not seen this video, I recommend it. Then go to his sight and sign up. Here is the link: http://www.wecansolveit.org/?source=GoogleSearch

Measuring Performance - Your Business Financial and Accounting System

2008-07-11T08:14:00.004-05:00

Over the next 2 to 3 weeks, large corporations will begin reporting their earnings to investors for the second quarter of 2008. Investors and analysts use these reported earnings of the corporation in the calculation of the value of the stock and thus the market value of the corporation. Do you know what your earnings through June 30th have been? Are you able to measure and evaluate the performance of your business through this period? Do you know where your business stands financially?

Almost weekly, I will have a business owner call me for advice on their business. One of the usual concerns is always the financial and accounting system of the business. They tell me they feel out of control and lack the information necessary to make informed decisions on the future of their company. Even worse, they tell me they don't have last years taxes done because they are waiting on their accountant and this years books are not current.

Financial information for the business owner is critical. Financial information is used to make decisions both short and long-term. Financial information is used in the planning and budgeting process and to value the business.

There are two basic reasons, besides providing a useful product or performing a meaningful service, for building a business. One is to sell the business at some future date and the other is to franchise the business. With these reasons as the goal, meaningful, timely and accurate financial information is a must for every business owner. You want to build a business so that people bring other people to your business telling and showing other people what an incredible and successful business you have. Therefore, your financial and accounting systems are important ingredients to the success of your business.

The main purpose of the financial and accounting systems for every business should be to provide information to be used in the decision making process. Accounting is both the art and the science of systematically recording, classifying, summarizing, analyzing and reporting financial information so that it can be used to make financial decisions within the organization and to report information to users both within and outside of the organization.

Today is July, 11, 2008. I believe every small business should have their financial information complete through June 30, 2008. The following are the important reports for every business owner:

Balance Sheet
Income Statement
Cash Flow Statement

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reports the assets, liabilities and equity of the business. It is a picture of the business at a particular point in time. The balance sheet reports total assets, such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. The balance sheet also reports total liabilities, such as accounts payable, accrued liabilities and notes payable. The difference between the assets and the liabilities is the equity of the business. The equity of a business is an important number.

Income Statement

The income statement reports revenues, expenses and the resulting net income of the business. The income statement tells the "story" of the operations of the business for a period of time. It could be one month, one quarter or one year.

Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement explains the reasons for changes in the cash balance, showing all the sources and uses of cash in the operating, financing and investing activities of the business.

In addition to the above financial reports, financial ratio's and other key indicators are important. Think of these like the meters and lights on the dashboard of an automobile. Financial ratios are useful indicators of a firm's performance and financial situation. Most ratios can be calculated from information provided by the financial statements. Financial ratios can be used to analyze trends and to compare the company's financials to those of other company's.

I will be discussing these ratio's in future articles, but it is always a good idea to have a few that you always monitor. One of my clients always required three numbers from her accounting department each week; cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. It might be something simple like average sale per customer. Financial ratio's are important for every business.

This is all for now. If you have any questions, you can always contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com. In addition, I would love your feedback to this post.

Take care,

Marty

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Outline of a Good Business Plan.

2008-07-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

A client of mine on Friday asked me to give her an outline for the business plan she is writing. I told her that a good business plan would normally include the following sections.

Cover Sheet
Table of contents
Executive summary
The company and business description
The products and services
Market and competitive analysis
Operations plan
Management and organization
Financial
Appendix

I suggested she read the information on business plans at the Small Business Administration.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com. Remember, have fun and create a great day.

Marty

Higher Fuel Prices and the Business Auto Expense Deduction

2008-07-07T11:51:00.000-05:00

In this article, I am going to be discussing the methods available for deducting auto expenses and suggest that you review now your own situation in light of higher fuel prices.

On July 1, 2008, the IRS raised the standard mileage rate from 50.5 cents to 58.5 cents for business travel from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Was this enough? Do you need to consider switching to the actual expense method to compute your vehicle expense deduction in 2008? This article will help you address these questions.

The two methods:

There are two basic methods that business taxpayers may choose from to compute their deduction for the business use of automobiles: the IRS’s the standard mileage rate method and the actual expense method. The method chosen in the first year the vehicle is placed into service is very important and it will affect whether a change in method can be made at a later date.

Standard mileage method – With the standard mileage rate method, the fixed costs and the operating costs of the vehicle are generally calculated by multiplying the number of business miles traveled during the year by the business standard mileage rate. The actual expenses for operating the vehicle are not included in this calculation, but the IRS does allow additional deductions for business-related parking costs and tolls, interest paid on vehicle loans and any state or local personal property tax paid on the vehicle. In addition, there are certain other limitations that need to be reviewed. One is that you cannot use this method if you have previously depreciated the vehicle using a method other than straight-line for its estimated useful life.

Actual expense method - With the actual expense method, taxpayers can deduct the operating and maintenance costs incurred for the vehicle during the current year. These include gas and oil, insurance, tires, license, registration fees, business-related parking costs, tolls, interest paid on vehicle loans, any state or local personal property tax paid on the vehicle, repairs, maintenance and car washes. In addition to this total, depreciation is added. Be sure to see the new rules for 2008 depreciation, because these have been changed. When the business use of the vehicle is less than 100 percent, expenses need to be allocated between business and personal use.

Changing methods

Businesses can switch between the standard mileage method and the actual expense method only if they have not claimed depreciation in excess of straight-line on the vehicle. No mid-year method change is allowed.

For more information on the standard mileage rates, you can go to IRS Announces 2008 Standard Mileage Rates; Rate for Business Miles Set at 50.5 Cents per Mile. For more information on depreciation for 2008, you can go to IRS To Issue Guidance on Special 50-Percent Depreciation Allowance

If you have any further questions, or would like me to answer a specific question, you can contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com.

Victor Frankel Quote

2007-12-27T16:21:00.000-06:00

“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only answer by being responsible.”

GREAT QUOTE

2007-12-14T10:16:00.000-06:00

“To believe in the things that you can see is no faith at all, but to believe in the unseen is both a triumph and a blessing” Abraham Lincoln

The Power of Practice

2007-11-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

When I first attended Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health back in 1990, the instructor of my yoga class invited everyone to commit to doing their yoga practice for 30 days after returning home. I thought to myself that is going to be easy. Then I thought again and again and had lots of reasons why not to commit. Some of them were: I have to be on my mat and do the yoga postures for 30 days straight and how is that possible. How am I going to do that? It will interfere with work, my kids and my social life. Will I have time to eat? How will my house get cleaned? What if I fail? It will be a waste of time. How can being on my yoga mat for 30 minutes a day for 30 days do anything, much less transform my life as suggested by the instructor?

I decided to make a commitment to 30 days. The first 3 to 4 days were just fine. Then my mind told me that this really was not making a difference. I decided to keep at it anyway.
Then came day 10 and there was no major changes going on. I had a cold on the 12th day and really thought I would skip a day, but I was reminded about my commitment from a friend. So a cold, dripping nose, aching body and all, I got on the mat and practiced my yoga. I was now to my 16th day and there were still no major changes. I thought to myself, I have been wasting a lot of time and could be spending it doing something else. Then on the 19th day, a friend who was a chiropractor stopped me while I was working out at the local YMCA and he asked if something had happened to me. I asked, “What do you mean?” He said, “you look much more centered and relaxed than I have ever seen you before, you seem to be standing much straighter and you seem more confident.” I told him that I had been practicing yoga everyday for the last 19 days and then he understood. I continued to my 30th day and by then, I had noticed major changes in my mind, my heart and my body. I had transformed. I was truly a different person.

I continue to practice my yoga, but not on a daily basis. I wonder sometimes if I should make another 30 day commitment. The lesson I learned from this experience is the value of practice. Practice in and of itself is transformative. I have used this lesson in other areas of my life, from starting a business, to studying for an exam, to meditation, to loosing weight and to learning a new skill. I realize that practice is and of itself transformative. I have come to learn that I have to be willing to go through long periods of practice with no visible results. I call them the plateaus. Then one day, I transform.

I see this also in my executive coaching clients. We can go weeks and never see any measurable results, and then one day, all of sudden, there is transformation. I encourage everyone to commit to a practice. Do it today.

States vs Stages: Ken Wilber

2007-11-08T13:43:00.000-06:00

“You cannot, however, be introduced to all the qualities of higher stages of consciousness without actual growth and practice. You can have a peak experience of higher states (like seeing an interior subtle light or having a feeling of oneness with all of nature), because many states are ever-present, and so they can be “peek”-experienced right now. But you cannot have a peak experience of higher stage (like being a concert-level pianist), because stages unfold sequentially and take considerable time to develop. Stages build upon their predecessors in very concrete ways, so they cannot be skipped: like atoms to molecules to cells to organisms, you cannot go from atoms to cells and skip molecules. This is one of the many important differences between states and stages.

However, with repeated practice of contacting higher states, your own stages of development will tend to unfold in a much faster and easier way. There is, in fact, considerable experimental evidence demonstrating exactly that. The more you are plunged into authentic higher states of consciousness-such as meditative states-the faster you will grow and develop through any of the stages on consciousness. It is as if higher-states training acts as a lubricant on the spiral development, helping you disidentify with lower stage so that the next higher stage can emerge, until you can stably remain at higher levels of awareness on an ongoing basis, whereupon a passing state has become a permanent trait. These types of higher-states training, such as meditation, are part of any integral approach to transformation.

In short, you cannot skip stages, but you can accelerate your growth through them by using various types of state-practices, such as meditation, and these transformative practices are an important part of the Integral Approach.”

--Ken Wilber

The Power of the Question

2007-11-05T20:35:00.000-06:00

The questions that we ask ourselves everyday are very powerful. What we are actually doing is asking our other than conscious mind to give us an answer. The other than conscious mind is actually infinite and unlimited and will provide us with an answer if we ask the right questions. It has been estimate that this part of our mind has the processing capacity of 16 billion to one of that of the conscious mind and we own both. Asking the right questions are very important in getting the answers we want. The most important thing to remember when working with powerful questions is to focus on the positive and try to stay away from questions that start with ‘why” because they lead to analysis and do not provide solutions. We also need to be patient and not force an answer. When we are facing a challenging or complex situation, all we need to do is gently ask ourselves a powerful question. Agonizing will not solve the problem. The information needed will be revealed.

The following are some powerful questions that you can use in your life, your business and your career:

What do I want in this situation?
How can I ………………………? Add whatever you are trying to do.
Who is a good prospect?
What am I focusing on?
What action can I take?
What can I learn today?
Whom can I serve today?
What is working in my life?
How can I move forward?
What am I willing to let go of?
Who am I?
Where am I?
Why am I here?

Using questions helps others take their focus off of what they do not want and put it on what they do want. It creates a change in perception. It allows them to dream about fresh, new possibilities for their lives or their business. They focus on what they want and not on what they do not want or the past. This is the real power of conversation. It provides a space and a place for miracles.

Ask yourself powerful questions everyday.

Is Transformation a Necessity?

2007-11-04T19:24:00.000-06:00

Is transformation a necessity? What do you think?

I like the words of Eckhart Tolle, in his book Stillness Speaks.

“The transformation of human consciousness is no longer a luxury, so to speak, available only to a few isolated individual, but a necessity if humankind is not to destroy itself. At the present time, the dysfunction of the old consciousness and the arising of the new are both accelerating. Paradoxically, things are getting worse and better at the same time, although the worse is more apparent because it makes so much ‘noise.’”

Health and Nutrition

2007-10-31T22:09:00.001-05:00

One of the seven steps of Practical Empowerment is health and nutrition. If you exercise and eat the right foods, you will most certainly be empowered. You will have more energy, your weight will be exactly were you want it to be, your hormones will be in balance, you will have beautiful skin, the digestive issues will go away and you will have less cravings and addictions. You will strengthen your will and it is the will you use to focus on and create what you want. What do you really want?

Your body is made from the foods you eat. Healthy bodies are not made from pizza. I invite you to add the following to your diet.

· A teaspoon of cod liver oil everyday. This will give you beautiful skin and improve your immune system. It will also help with the seasonal depression.

· Water-Our bodies are 75% water and we need sufficient water for optimum brain function, digestion, detoxification and energy production. Please go purchase a real good water filter that you will use for the next 20 years. Bottled water not only is not very good for you, but all those plastic bottles end up in the land fill and will be there for another 200 years. Divide your weight in pounds by 2 and drink that many ounces of filtered water per day from your own tap.

· Eat fermented foods that are organic and preferably you make yourself such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and high quality yogurt.

· Coconut oil is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, weight-loss promoting, and very tasty. Cook with it, put it on steamed vegetables or grab a teaspoon full and just eat it.

· Bone broth is not only good for your immune system, but settles the nerves after a hard day and is full of minerals. I make my own organic chicken broth and use it in my cooking everyday.

· Celtic Sea Salt-This is more that sodium chloride, this amazing stuff is an energetically charged mineral supplement, especially high in magnesium and balance with potassium and it really tastes great. Celtic sea salt will not create the health problems that our processed and bleached table salt does.

Now you might look at this list and be overwhelmed. Please do not be. Think of it as something you are going to do to be healthier, stronger and more vibrant. Start with just one new item per week and add it to your diet. Will it feel funny? Yes, because it is change and change always feels different. Welcome the change into your life for a more balanced, happier and healthier you. You will feel the best you have ever felt, I guarantee.

Your Personal Power

2007-10-29T23:11:00.001-05:00

As I sit here to write this article, I realize that we actually create our own personal power and it all starts from a decision. The decision is to decide what you really want. The decision is to decide on your definite purpose in life. The problem is that when you ask people what they really want, they usually are not clear. If they do know, they are usually things they want to get away from, or simply another material thing to be used for a day or year or a lifetime and then discarded.

I always ask my executive coaching clients to tell me what they would do if they knew they could not fail. I tell them for just a moment to believe in themselves as infinite and unlimited beings with no limits and no barriers. What would they want to be? What would they want to do? What would they want to have? I believe personal power comes from being clear on what you want. In addition, I believe it is having a purpose that involves collective wants. It could be the wants of your family, your community or your world.

My definite purpose is to inspire and touch people in such a way that they make the decisions and take the actions necessary transform to their life and the result will be a better and more beautiful world for everyone. For one of my clients it is to spread joy everywhere, everyday. What is yours? Your personal purpose usually exists at a level of consciousness that can never be fully conceptualized. This does not mean that it is inaccessible. The best way to discover your definite purpose is to ask yourself the question, “What is my definite purpose” or “Why am I here.” In addition, writing, meditation and taking walks in nature are really helpful, along with discussing your purpose with a friend or an executive coach like me.

I like how the writer James Allen wrote about purpose.

“A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.”

Once you have your purpose, you will want to create a vision of how to achieve it in your marvelous and incredible imagination. It is the picture of the future you want to create. Having a personal vision is very important. It is the key that will unlock the enormous power of your purpose. Your vision is the vehicle that will bring purpose into your very acts and commitments. It is where you finally say, ‘I will do whatever it takes.” My vision is to be one of the best executive coaches in the world.

Author Joel Barker says, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world”

Every person who has done remarkable things in their lives has had a clear vision, stemming form a deep and pervasive sense of purpose. It seems a creative power is released when an individual’s vision and personal purpose are aligned. Results are easier to create, the vision gets clearer, there is more commitment to the vision and life seems to all fall into place.

I believe that personal transformation precedes organizational and world change. If it is going to be, it is up to me. If you really want to change the world, just build a better you.

Start today and decide on your purpose, then create your vision and then take the first step towards your goal. Tell me what you want and I will show you how to get it.

I Will Do Whatever It Takes

2007-10-28T21:48:00.000-05:00

I was at a seminar one time in Minneapolis and my friend Pauline asked me what I really wanted to do. I told her that I wanted to create a business that made a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives and filled my life with joy and abundance. She told me that was really wonderful and that I should create an affirmation around what I wanted to do. I thought to myself, what a great idea.

So I created the affirmation, “I am now creating and providing a service that makes a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives and fills my life with joy and abundance.” Again, Pauline told me that the statement was really good and made her feel inspired, but that there was still something missing. She invited me to consider adding the following words, “I will do what ever it takes.” Wow, I thought to myself, that phrase now makes me committed to my affirmation. No longer were they just pretty words.

My new affirmation then became, “I will do whatever it takes to create and provide a service that makes a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives and fills my life with joy and abundance.” As I look back upon this experience and the lesson I learned, I am so ever grateful for the presence of Pauline in my life at that time and always.

“I will do whatever it takes,” means the following to me.

-Seeing all my daily tasks through to completion.
-Keeping my commitments.
-Practicing when I do not want to practice.
-Not violating the rights of others.
-Giving up something of a lower nature to achieve something of a higher nature.
-Walking straight ahead towards my goal, no matter what and realizing all my fears are just an illusion.
-Being persistent and not giving up.
-Being willing to release all my ideas as to how something should be or look like in order to move forward.
-Trusting in the process and being grateful on every step of the journey.
-Being willing to fail and then get up and try again and again and again.
-Being open to and willing to listen to the advice of other people.
-Constant and never ending improvement of myself.
-Accepting other people as they are.
-Being patient.
-Asking for help.
-Having the wisdom and understanding that the good I desire is already here, and that all I need to do is get in harmony with it.
-Saying please and thank you to everyone.

Health and Nutrition - What to Remove from Your Diet

2007-10-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

We are what we eat! Eating is a conscious choice that affects are lives, our attitudes, moods and emotions. There are many types of foods we may not be conscious of their impact. I thought it might be a good idea to invite you to consider removing some items from your diet. Here is a short list.

Soda - The average American drinks an estimated 56 gallons of soft drinks each year, one can of soda can be loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners and food colors and sulphites. Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease. Drink water or a cup of organic free trade herbal tea.

High Fructose Corn Syrup – This is one of the biggest contributors of the obesity and type II diabetes epidemics we are experiencing. High fructose corn syrup is everywhere because it is cheap and plentiful and it is easy to incorporate into processed foods. I personally would not give it to my dog if I had one. It disrupts our sugar metabolism. It is also genetically modified as are the enzymes used to produce it.

Trans Fats – This is a must. These are outlawed in Denmark and have no place in your diet. If you eat out, you are sure to be getting big doses of Trans Fats in your diet. Eat at home and enjoy the experience. Use organic coconut oil, olive oil, organic butter or ghee, and flax oil.

White Foods – These white foods are highly processed grains and sugars and oils. A good example would be white flour and white sugar. In order to process these empty foods, we have to rob our body of nutrients to use them. Eat whole grains and whole foods everyday.

Artificial Sweeteners – These are toxic chemicals and mess with the natural signals in our bodies. Try a moderate amount of organic maple syrup, honey or molasses.

Artificial Colors, Preservatives and Flavors – All of these are toxic chemicals, contributing to allergies, asthma, depressed immune systems.

As I have said before, you do not have to do this all in one day, and you do not have to be perfect. Making dietary changes is usually not easy. Be kind to yourself and be patient. I invite you to remove one of the items form the list each week. Then you will wake up one day and realize that that can of soda really does taste awful and really does mess with your emotions and energy levels.

May you be happy and well!!

Practicing Compassion

2007-10-23T23:35:00.000-05:00

There is a Buddhist meditative practice that teaches how to be more compassionate. It is called Metta. Metta is the Sanskrit word for love. The meditation focuses on consciously evoking feelings of love and compassion both for oneself and others. The Metta practice is built around repetitively reciting a series of phrases to one’s self. The phrases are as follows:

May I be filled with love and kindness.

May I be free of suffering.

May I be peaceful and at ease.

May I be happy.

After a certain period of time, one is instructed to replace the “I” in each phrase with specific family members, then friends and acquaintances, and eventually even one’s enemies.

The Focus of Your Mind

2007-10-22T22:06:00.001-05:00

One of the statements I always tell myself and encourage my clients to use for themselves is the following:

"All bad feelings are focusing on what I do not want. I always focus on what I want. The power of decision is my own. I have the power as to how I focus my mind."

The Intention Experiment

2007-10-21T20:28:00.000-05:00

I have been reading a book titled ‘The Intention Experiment” by Lynne McTaggart. I find it to be an incredible book. The book is a revolutionary and groundbreaking exploration of the science of intention. It draws on the findings of leading scientists on human consciousness from around the world. The book demonstrates that thought is a thing that affects other things and that thought generates its own energy that you can use to improve your life, to help others around you and to change the world.

The book forces you to rethink what it is to be human. As it proves, we are connected to everyone and everything. The idea that we are connected to everyone and everything requires that we pay closer attention to our thoughts, intentions, words and actions.

You read the book and let me know what you think. You can also go to her website and learn more about “The Intention Experiment” The Intention Experiment - the largest mind-over-matter experiment in history

Letting Go...

2007-10-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

Letting Go

To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another; it’s to make the most of myself.

To “let go” is not to nag, scold or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To “let go” is not to deny but accept.

To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To “let go” is not to cut myself off; it’s the realization I can’t control another.

To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To “let go” is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality.

To “let go” is not to be in the middle, arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To “let go” is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To “let go” is not to regret the past but to grow and live for the future.

To “let go” is not to fix but to be supportive.

To “let go” is to fear less and love more.

To “let go” is not to care for but care about.

To “let go” does not mean to stop caring; it means I can’t do it for someone else.

Meditate Your Way to Health

2007-10-02T23:54:00.000-05:00

I was having some health challenges about 25 years ago, and someone suggested I meditate. I did and my health improved and so did my whole life. So here are some great reasons to meditate.

You will have improved concentration and a clear mind makes you more productive, especially in creative disciplines like writing. I am very productive when I meditate.
You will focus more on what you want.
You will be less bothered by little things. Do you sometimes allow yourself to get upset by little things? It is the nature of the mind, which is not who you are, to magnify small things into serious problems. Meditation helps us detach. We learn to live in the here and now, rather than regretting the past or worrying about the future. We do not worry about little things, but are able to see the big picture.
You will have better health. There are numerous studies, too many to count, pointing to the health benefits of meditation. The reason is that meditation reduces stress and alleviates anxiety. If we can reduce stress, many health benefits follow.
You will have a deeper understanding and knowledge of yourself. Meditation helps us to have a deeper understanding of our inner self. Through meditation we can gain a better understanding of our life’s purpose

Meditation has nothing to do with philosophy or religion, but is about consciousness.

Meditation is the cornerstone to personal growth and transformation. I recommend that all of my clients meditate if they are truly committed to personal transformation and growth. The “Holosync Solution” from Centerpointe Research Institute is the best way I have found to meditate. It is simple, easy and effective. All I have to do is push a button and put on the head phones and in just a few minutes I am in a very deep meditation. Since using the products, my meditations are deeper, longer and more beneficial. I feel more relaxed, happier, confident, positive and creative. I am really able to focus on my goals, and let all the distractions just go by. Everyday seems to just get better and better! Highly Recommended!

Follow the link Marty McEvoy - Practical Empowerment and order the demo disc today. Let me know how you like it.

Nature is Part of Us

2007-09-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

I was reading in a book by Ken Wilber, called A Brief History of Everything and he writes the following:

“Molecules awoke one morning to find that atoms were inside of them, enfolded in their very being. And cells awoke one morning to find that molecules were actually inside of them, as part of their being. And you might awake one morning and find that nature is part of you, literally internal to your being. You are not part of nature, nature is part of you. And for just that reason, you treat nature as you would treat your lungs or your kidneys. A spontaneous environmental ethics surges forth from your heart, and you will never again look at a river, a leaf, a deer, a robin, in the same way.

This sounds very weird and far out – until you have that experience. You might ask the Apollo astronauts about it.”

Free! Three Great Books!

2007-09-21T23:34:00.000-05:00

I have uploaded three of the greatest books of all time to my website. The three books are:

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles

These are the books that inspired the movie and the book, "The Secret".

The three books are in the public domain and therefore available for downloading and distributing. The books require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them (they are PDF files).

The link for the book downloads is here. Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Enjoy!

Praise for "Think and Grow Rich!"

2007-09-19T12:59:00.000-05:00

"This is the best single book on personal success ever written; it made me a millionaire—-starting from nothing."
-- Brian Tracy, author of Getting Rich Your Own Way

"It's the classic of all classics."
-- Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

"The cogent advice articulated by Napoleon Hill is as relevant and pertinent today as the day it was written.”
-- Donald R. Keough, former President and CEO of Coca-Cola, now Chairman of Allen & Company, Inc.

“I first read Think and Grow Rich! 30 years ago at age18. I found it to be the most fascinating book I had, or have ever read, excluding the word of God. It is much more than instructions on how to obtain wealth. It strengthens your spirit, your soul, and promotes the proper attitude to achieve peace, endurance, and a loving family—the real measures of success in life. My life has been richly blessed as a result of reading and rereading Think and Grow Rich!. Dr. Hill performed a wonderful work for mankind and was a useful vessel for God when he wrote this book for all people and all ages. I know all readers will be enriched upon reading this new edition of Think and Grow Rich!."
-- Emerson B. Hall, President of TruBody Shaving Gels

"Think and Grow Rich! has had a tremendous impact on my life. My company, Contours Express, would not exist if not for this book. And now, seven years, 15 additional readings, and more than 350 fitness centers later, I still find new personal and business applications each time I read it. Without question this is the greatest business book ever written."
-- Daren Carter, founder of Contours Express fitnesscenters, located in six countries

“Dr. Hill’s original work transformed the 20th century. This newly revised version will do the same for the 21st century. No writer, thought leader or guru of personal growth and development comes close to Napoleon Hill. This landmark work takes his stature to an even more monumental level.”
-- Bill Brooks, author of The New Science of Selling andPersuasion

“Here comes the all time classic self-help bestseller gently adapted to be most relevant for the challenges we all face today. If you believe pursuing self-improvement is important for enjoying a full and meaningful life, you will want to make sure you have this book in your personal development library.”
-- Charles C. Manz, author of Temporary Sanity: InstantSelf-Leadership Strategies for Turbulent Times and co-author of Fit to Lead

"Ross Cornwell has made it easier than ever to learn from a giant of a leader and thinker. Napoleon Hill's wisdom applies to us all, any generation, any background and station in life! Napoleon Hill has served as Mentor to Millions. Why not you?"
-- Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems and author of The Million Dollar Toolbox

“I thought Think and Grow Rich! was a classic and could never be improved. I was wrong. I am sure Dr. Hill would be greatly pleased to see how his work has been honored and enhanced by this outstanding new edition.”
-- Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies, author of The Cookie Never Crumbles:Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living

“Think and Grow Rich! is timeless and will continue to change lives. It’s powerful in turning people's dreams and passions into life-long realities. It did mine and still remains my number one reference book."
-- Don L. Price, professional speaker, author,sales/marketing & positive change solution provider

“It took me 17 years to become World Champion, but I always knew, deep down, that I would win the 'big one' someday. Napoleon Hill's Think And Grow Rich! changed my life. It inspired and excited me, and with the belief in myself I received through its pages, I, too, passed the 'persistence' test and achieved my lifetime goal. This life-changing book will help you achieve your goals too!”
-- Peter Ebdon, World Snooker Champion 2002

“Think and Grow Rich! was one of the first motivational books I ever read. Often I pick it up and read a chapter....the ideas NEVER go out of date."
-- Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, keynote speaker, speech coach, sales trainer, Past President of the National Speakers Association

“Zen teacher Richard Rose said a spiritual seeker could find Enlightenment by following Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich!, and substituting ‘God’ or ‘Truth’ wherever the book says ‘money.’”
-- August Turak, founder of Raleigh Group International, Elsinore Technologies, Inc., and the Self Knowledge Symposium Foundation

"I was introduced to Think and Grow Rich! as a high school student. This book was recommended to me by my teacher who taught a class called 'Everyday Living.' At that point in my life I suffered from low self-esteem, and this book was a motivating factor for me. It gave me a new lease on life when I realized I could do anything if I had the desire and believed I could achieve my goals."
-- S. Truett Cathy, founder, Chairman and CEOof Chick-fil-A, Inc

The best way to truly learn the value of this book is through a study group. Please contact me via email to register for my online book Study of "Think and Grow Rich".

Bottled Water - Think Again!

2007-09-18T19:57:00.001-05:00

"Millions and millions of dollars are spent each week on advertising campaigns to give consumers the perception that bottled water comes from some pristine mountain spring or magical underground aquifer assuring purity and quality. However, the fact is that bottled water is often times little more than just tap water in a bottle... sometimes worse!

You see, the Federal regulations that govern bottled water only require it to be as good as tap water, not better. There are no assurances, regulations or requirements that bottled water be any higher in quality than tap water, and according to some recent studies, it may often be of lower quality."

Click here to learn more.

Think and Grow Rich Online 6 Week Seminar

2007-09-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

Think and Grow Rich Webinar
6 Week Online Book Study
Beginning October 2nd @ 7:00 PM

This is your chance to be part of a MasterMind group that will be studying the classic book, Thick and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. This is a book that will change your life!

From Wikipedia:

Think and Grow Rich! (ISBN 1-59330-200-2) is a classic motivational book. Written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by Andrew Carnegie, it was published in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression. In 1960, Hill published an abridged version of the book, which for years was the only one generally available. In 2004, Ross Cornwell published Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised (Second Printing 2007), which restored the book to its original content, with slight revisions, and added the first comprehensive endnotes, index, and appendix the book had ever contained.

The text of Think and Grow Rich! is founded on Hill's earlier work, The Law of Success, the result of more than twenty years of research based on Hill's close association with a large number of individuals who managed to achieve great wealth during the course of their lifetimes.
At Carnegie's bidding, Hill studied the characteristics of these great achievers and developed fifteen "laws" intended to be applied by anybody to achieve success. Think and Grow Rich! itself condenses these laws further and provides the reader with 13 principles in the form of a philosophy of personal achievement.

Reflected in these principles is the importance of cultivating a burning desire, faith, autosuggestion and persistence in the attainment of one's goals. Hill also discusses the importance of overcoming many of the most common fears that can adversely affect one's thinking and potential.

Hill in his introduction to the book refers to the "Carnegie Secret", a conception which he reports is the foundation of all success and appears to be the premise of the book. Hill promises to indirectly describe this "secret" in every chapter, but never state it plainly, believing the use of the secret is only available to those who possess a "readiness" for it, a disposition Hill describes as essential to the concept itself.

Think and Grow Rich has sold consistently since its first publishing. According to one publisher, the book has now sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Think and Grow Rich is currently ranked #9 on the BusinessWeek Best-Seller List for paperback business books and has been on the aforementioned list for 22 months as of April 2007.

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” -Napoleon Hill

Cost: $89.00 (price includes the book “Think and Grow Rich”)
Payment Method: Check or Cash

Contact Marty McEvoy at marty@martymcevoy.com to regsiter!

Make checks payable to Practical Empowerment, LLC

If mailing a check please mail to:

Practical Empowerment
114 FS Drive, Suite D
Viroqua, WI 54665

Napoleon Hill Quotes

2007-09-13T23:24:00.000-05:00

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

Action is the real measure of intelligence.

All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea.

All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination, Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.

Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.

Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do.

Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.

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

Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

Edison failed 10, 000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.

Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and thought. Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.

Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win - essential to success.

Everyone enjoys doing the kind of work for which he is best suited. Fears are nothing more than a state of mind.

First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.
Happiness is found in doing, not merely possessing.

Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your mind's eye, and you will be drawn toward it.

Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.

If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it, write it in the sand near the water's edge.

It has always been my belief that a man should do his best, regardless of how much he receives for his services, or the number of people he may be serving or the class of people served.
It is always your next move.

It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.

It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project.

Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to conceive.

Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true.

Money without brains is always dangerous.

More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.

Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.

Nature cannot be tricked or cheated. She will give up to you the object of your struggles only after you have paid her price.

No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.

No man can succeed in a line of endeavor which he does not like.

No man ever achieved worth-while success who did not, at one time or other, find himself with at least one foot hanging well over the brink of failure.

No man is ever whipped until he quits in his own mind.

One must marry one's feelings to one's beliefs and ideas. That is probably the only way to achieve a measure of harmony in one's life.

Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.

Procrastination is the bad habit of putting of until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.

Reduce your plan to writing. The moment you complete this, you will have definitely given concrete form to the intangible desire.

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

Success in its highest and noblest form calls for peace of mind and enjoyment and happiness which come only to the man who has found the work that he likes best.

The battle is all over except the "shouting" when one knows what is wanted and has made up his mind to get it, whatever the price may be.

The best way to sell yourself to others is first to sell the others to yourself.

The ladder of success is never crowded at the top.

The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.

The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does.

The most interesting thing about a postage stamp is the persistence with which it sticks to its job.

The starting point of all achievement is desire.

The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind.

Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.

The way to develop decisiveness is to start right where you are, with the very next question you face.

The world has the habit of making room for the man whose actions show that he knows where he is going.

There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.

Think and grow rich.

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.

Understand this law and you will then know, beyond room for the slightest doubt, that you are constantly punishing yourself for every wrong you commit and rewarding yourself for every act of constructive conduct in which you indulge.

Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.

War grows out of the desire of the individual to gain advantage at the expense of his fellow man.

We begin to see, therefore, the importance of selecting our environment with the greatest of care, because environment is the mental feeding ground out of which the food that goes into our minds is extracted.

When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.

When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.
Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent.

You can start right where you stand and apply the habit of going the extra mile by rendering more service and better service than you are now being paid for.

You give before you get.

You might well remember that nothing can bring you success but yourself.

Your ability to use the principle of autosuggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.

Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.

World Day of Prayer

2007-09-13T07:37:00.001-05:00

On September 13, 2007, more than 1 million praying friends from around the world are joining in prayer with Silent Unity. Unity World Day of Prayer 2007 Please join us in this day of prayer. Your prayers do make a difference.

Light a Candle for the Victims of 9/11

2007-09-10T23:44:00.000-05:00

Click here to go to the site.

As a Man Thinketh...

2007-09-09T20:51:00.000-05:00

"What we think, we become."
Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."
Mahatma Gandhi quotes (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948)

"If you think you can do a thing, or think you can't do a thing; you're right"
Henry Ford quotes (American industrialist and pioneer of the assembly-line production method, 1863-1947)

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world."
Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

"Any thought that is passed on to the subconscious often enough and convincingly enough is finally accepted."
Robert Collier quotes (American motivational author, 1885-1950)

"A man is what he thinks about all day long."
Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim quotes (American Teacher and Spiritual leader and Peace Prophet, 1908-1981)

"When we think of failure; Failure will be ours. If we remain undecided; Nothing will ever change. All we need to do is want to achieve something great and then simply to do it. Never think of failure For what we think, will come about."
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
"One comes to believe whatever one repeats to oneself sufficiently often, whether the statement be true of false. It comes to be dominating thought in one's mind."
Robert Collier quotes (American motivational author, 1885-1950)

"Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it."
Ernest Holmes quotes (American author and founder of the Religious Science Movement 1887 - 1960)

Trying to Solve the Problem at the Level of the Problem

2007-09-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

I had a great teacher wants tell me that I could not solve the problem at the level of the problem. This meant I had to step out of the problem and look at it objectively. I had to look at it from the outside looking in. This is where a good coach is really valuable. I have tried to solve some business and personal problems by myself and could never find a solution. Then one phone conversation with my coach or mentor and just like that the problem is solved.

How is that so? Well, let me explain.

You and I make decisions and solve problems based on our own individual map of reality, which is only the map and not reality. The term the map is not the territory is a remark by Alfred Korzybski. His view was that an abstraction derived from something, or a reaction to it, is not the thing itself, e.g., the pain from a rock falling on your foot is not the rock; one's opinion of another person, favorable or unfavorable, is not that person; and so on. One of the principles of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is the map is not the territory. NLP has been described by its creators as “the study of the structure of subjective experience.” The subjective experience is how people experience and conceive reality.

So we make decisions and solve our problems based on our map of reality. In the book, A Course in Miracles, which is really an incredible way to train your mind, the first six lessons are as follows:

Nothing I See Means Anything.
I have given everything I see all the meaning that it has for me.
I do not understand anything I see.
These thoughts do not mean anything.
I am never upset for the reason I think.
I am upset because I see something that is not there.

Another way to look at all of this is that within your mind you have beliefs, values, filters, meta programs and then throw in your conditioning, self-image/confidence, barriers of self-limitation and your personality. This is your map of reality. It is not reality. Your map of reality can be changed and that starts with a decision by you.

For any outcome you want, there is a certain way of thinking and acting that will get it for you. What are you thinking and how are you acting. The results that you are getting in your life are based on your map of reality. You are both the director and the actor. You can change your map and change your results. The truth is all things are possible and all we need to do is decide what we want and to really go for it.

Who would you be, what would you do, and what would you have if you knew you could not fail?

A Practical Suggestion

2007-09-05T23:01:00.000-05:00

We have an intellectual faculty that has been given to us called our Will. Now most people think that the Will is like something we force, brute determination. But it is not like that at all. The functions of the Will are to decide, place, shift or remove attention. The word attention is derived from two Latin words, ad meaning towards and tendere meaning to stretch. This control of attention is done as either a self-determined act of personal will or in obedience to outside influences. Attention is the creating energy that brings about your reality. Energy flows to where attention goes. The Will can be strengthened through use and with proper nutrition and exercise.

All bad feelings are focusing on what you do not want. When you focus on what you do not want, you are both unhappy and you get what you do not want. Use your will and take your attention off of what you do not want and put your attention on what you do want. The power of decision is your own. You have the power as to how you focus your mind.

Every One of Us Has the Power

2007-09-04T22:48:00.000-05:00

I read a beautiful quote by Dolores Huerta last night that I wanted to share with you. She writes, “Every one of us has the power. We need to use it and not be afraid to use it. We need to share what we learn. We have to go beyond our fears. If we don’t come out of our own comfort zone we can’t do anything.”

Dolores Huerta is one of the most significant labor leaders in U.S. history. http://www.doloreshuerta.org/ Along with Cesar Chavez, she co founded the United Farm Workers union in 1962, and dedicated her life to the struggle and dignity of migrant farm workers.

Stress Reducers

2007-09-03T13:19:00.000-05:00

52 PROVEN STRESS REDUCERS

1. Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

2. Prepare for the morning the evening before. Set the breakfast table. Make lunches. Put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc.

3. Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. ("The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory."- Old Chinese Proverb)

4. Do nothing you have to lie about later.

5. Make copies of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden. Carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring.

6. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home and relationships will be less likely to break down "at the worst possible moment."

7. Be prepared to wait. A paperback book can make a wait in a post office line almost pleasant.

8. Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do today; whatever you want to do today, do it now.

9. Plan ahead. Don't let the gas tank get below onequarter full, keep a well- stocked "emergency shelf'' of home staples, don't wait until you're down to your last bus token or postage stamp to buy more, etc.

10. Don't put up with something that doesn't work right. If your alarm clock wallet, shoe laces, windshield wipers-whatever-are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.

11. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get to appointments. Plan to arrive at an airport one hour before domestic departures.

12. Eliminate (or restrict) the amount of caffeine in your diet.

13. Always set up contingency plans, "just in case." ("If for some reason either of us is delayed, here's what we'll do..." Or, "If we get split up in the shopping center, here's where we'll meet.")

14. Relax your standards. The world will not end if the grass doesn't get mowed this weekend.

15. Pollyanna-Power! For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 or 50 or 100 blessings. Count 'em!

16. Ask questions. Taking a few moments to repeat back the directions that someone expects of you, etc., can save hours. (The old "the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get" idea.)

17. Say "No!" Saying no to extra projects, social activities and invitations you know you don't have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs quiet time to relax and to be alone.

18. Unplug your phone. Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep or read without interruption? Drum up the courage to temporarily disconnect.

(The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil.)

19. Turn "needs" into preferences. Our basic physical needs translate into food, water, and keeping warm. Everything else is a preference. Don't get attached to preferences.

20. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

21. Make friends with nonworriers. Chronic worrywarts are contagious.

22. Take many stretch breaks when you sit a lot.

23. If you can't find quiet at home, wear earplugs.

24. Get enough sleep. Set your alarm for bedtime.

25. Organize! A place for everything and everything in its place. Losing things is stressful.

26. Monitor your body for stress signs. If your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax your muscles and take some deep, slow breaths.

27. Write your thoughts and feelings down on paper. It can help you clarify and give you a renewed perspective.

28. Do this yoga exercise when you need to relax: Inhale through your nose to the count of eight. Pucker your lips and exhale slowly to the count of 16. Concentrate on the long sighing sound and feel the tension dissolve. Repeat 10 times.

29. Visualize success before any experience you fear. Take time to go over every part of the event in your mind. Imagine how great you will look, and how well you will present yourself.

30. If the stress of deadlines gets in the way of doing a job, use diversion. Take your mind off the task and you will focus better when you're on task.

31. Talk out your problems with a friend. It helps to relieve confusion.

32. Avoid people and places that don't fit your personal needs and desires. If you hate politics, don't spend time with politically excited people.

33. Learn to live one day at a time.

34. Everyday, do something you really enjoy.

35. Add an ounce of love to everything you do.

36. Take a bath or shower to relieve tension.

37. Do a favor for someone every day.

38. Focus on understanding rather than on being under stood, on loving rather than on being loved.

39. Looking good makes you feel better.

40. Take more time between tasks to relax. Schedule a realistic day.

41. Be flexible. Some things are not worth perfection.

42. Stop negative self-talk: "I'm too fat, too old, etc..."

43. Change pace on weekends. If your week was slow, be active. If you felt nothing was accomplished during the week, do a weekend project.

44. "Worry about the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves." Pay attention to the details in front of you.

45. Do one thing at a time. When you are working on one thing, don't think about everything else you have to do.

46. Allow time every day for privacy, quiet and thinking.

47. Do unpleasant tasks early and enjoy the rest of the day.

48. Delegate responsibility to capable people.

49. Take lunch breaks. Get away from your work in body and in mind.

50. Count to 1,000, not 10, before you say something that could make matters worse.

51. Forgive people and events. Accept that we live in an imperfect world.

52. Have an optimistic view of the world. Most people do the best they can.

From The American Lung Association

Back to School

2007-09-03T11:24:00.000-05:00

This is the week that most children will start back to school. I have the deepest respect for the job that teachers do and for all of their hard work.

Most of us, who have 35-40 hour per week jobs, have no idea the hours that teachers work. Yes, most teachers are able to take some time off in the summertime, but they also use this time for continuing education and learning new skills for the classroom. Teachers spend hours preparing for class, teaching in the classroom, talking with parents and helping students outside the classroom. They spend time looking for the right word, the right book, the right picture or the right song that will inspire the child to the greatness that lies within them. Do you realize the commitment that it takes to be a teacher? I do not think we do. The really great teachers never read the story, they tell the story and that takes practice and more practice. The story is a metaphor for learning. The songs they sing to our children have to be memorized and practiced.

The word education comes from the Latin word educere. This means to draw out from within or to bring out something. It is not about memorizing more facts and figures. I believe the knowledge and the wisdom is within us already. The teacher brings forth the knowledge and wisdom that is within us and shows us how to express it. So it takes a lot of work to bring out the greatness and uniqueness in every child, especially when the world that they live in everyday is all about conformity and sameness.

The results we experience in life are an expression of our awareness. How do we expand our awareness? Through effective education, mentoring and coaching.

So this week, take a moment and say thank you to a teacher. Tell them that you appreciate all that they do to make a difference in the lives of children. One of my favorite teachers who I have great respect and admiration for her work is Ms. Shannon, who is the early childhood kindergarten teacher at the Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School, in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School: Faculty. If you read about her work at the website, you will understand why she is a teacher. Today, Labor Day, she is in her classroom preparing and rehearsing for the week so that her students receive the best. That is commitment.

The Limited Liability Company

2007-08-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

The limited liability company (LLC) is a business entity created by statute in every state. The LLC is essentially a combination of a corporation and partnership. The owners, usually called members, enjoy the liability protection of a corporation and the taxation and operation options of either a corporation or a partnership. It is also possible to have a single-member LLC which can operate as a sole proprietor or a corporation. These attributes have caused the LLC to be a preferred choice of entity for many new businesses.

Each state has its own unique LLC statutes. Some of the statutes are binding upon the LLC, such as formation issues. That is, each LLC must submit articles of organization precisely as the statute states. However, most of the statutes are merely default rules for when the LLC members either have no operating agreement or no agreement on a specific issue covered by a default rule. For example, most states’ default rule for voting provides that each member has a vote equal to his ownership interest. However, since this is merely a default rule, the members may agree to override the default rule and have a per capita system of voting.

The LLC combines desired attributes of a corporation and a partnership. Previously, anyone setting up a business typically decided between a corporation and a partnership. Some people would opt for a corporation for its liability protection while others would choose a partnership for its pass-through taxation and more informal structure. With the creation of LLCs, people can now have both.

Most states allow LLC members to determine the management structure of the company. Except for a few states that require a centralized corporate-like structure, the LLC members can choose between centralized management and management by the members. Most members of LLCs choose a partnership-like, member-managed governance structure since this system is very flexible and allows for management by committee, management by a sole member, or management by a nonmember manager.

Flexible Tax Structure
Check-the-box tax regulations allow LLC business owners to elect the desired status for federal tax classification. If no election is made, a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership. However, circumstances may be such that a corporate tax classification will be advantageous for the LLC. In that case, the owners merely “check the box” and elect a corporate tax classification. The check-the-box regulations make tax classification a very simple matter. You can always research tax information at Internal Revenue Service.

In addition, you can contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com

Magical Thinking Will Not Get You What You Want

2007-08-30T01:18:00.000-05:00

There is a big difference in wishing for something and actually doing what it takes to make it happen. What I have discovered is that everyone wants something greater. The problem is most of us never go after what we really want. We settle for something far short of our wants and desires. Then we create stories, excuses and reasons to prove to ourselves that everything is just fine. It is called mental gymnastics. It is the insanity of doing the same thing and expecting different results. We want to earn more money, we want our relationships to be more meaningful, we know we should lose weight or exercise more or that we should play our part in creating world peace.

What do you really want? Sit quietly and ask yourself the questions, “What would I do if I knew I could not fail” “Who would I be” “What do I really want” or “Why am I here?” You decide.

The real value in having a personal coach is that the process will take you from wishing to acting. How do I know this? I have experienced the coaching process for myself. I have used some of the best coaches in the world. Follow this link and learn what coaching is all about: Marty McEvoy - Practical Empowerment.

I remember teaching swimming lessons at age 14. I had to move the child from wanting to get in the water, to being in the water. That took a decision from the child and the action of stepping into the water and lots of support and encouragement.

No matter what you want, there is a price to pay for it if you really want it. The results you are currently getting in your life are a result of how you have been thinking, feeling and acting. If you want to have different results in your life then you need to think, feel and act in a way that will bring about those results. Magical thinking is only part of the formula. You must take action. The value of the thinking is that it will motivate you to take action. The problem is that most people do not follow through with the action because it makes them feel uncomfortable.

The easiest way to do all of this is to uncover how you are thinking and acting now to produce the results you are currently getting. Then change the way you think and act so that you get what you want. Say for example you are just getting started in real estate sales. This is what you should do. Go speak with all the successful producers in your company and area and ask them how they think and act everyday. Successful people are always happy to talk with someone who wants to learn. Spend an hour with them. You will be amazed at how they think and act.

So today, start thinking and acting in a way that will give you the results you really want. I can help you do that. Contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com. By contacting me, you are acting in a different way. You decide...

Your Imagination

2007-08-28T21:45:00.000-05:00

Napoleon Hill in his book, Think and Grow Rich Think and Grow Rich! The Original Version, Restored and Revised, says “The imagination is literally the workshop wherein are fashioned all plans created by human kind.” He goes on to say, “It has been said that anything can be created which a human being can imagine. The only limitation is that which one sets up in one’s own mind.” This means that anything that you can create in your marvelous mind can be created on the physical plane.

Everything in the room that you are sitting in, from the clothes you are wearing to the chair you are sitting in, was at one time, only a thought in the mind of an individual. You can literally create the life you want by first creating it in your imagination.

Your imagination is your ability to build big, beautiful, wonderful pictures in your life. This is really the workshop of the mind. Thomas Edison had carved into his desk, “imagination is more powerful than knowledge.” We are always imagining something, but we are not always imagining the right way. See most people imagine all the reasons why things cannot be done. They imagine all the obstacles and why things will not work. We have not used our imagination properly in most cases since we left the sandbox. What we want to do is focus on what it is we want and to build it in our imagination, over and over. We want to decide right now the income we want to earn, the home we want to live in or the relationship we want to have and start building it in our imagination.

You should go and read about Nikola Tesla. He had developed for himself an incredible imagination and used it to create all his inventions. He would literally create an invention in his mind, start it running and come back weeks later to see which parts had worn out. You can do the same thing.

Here is a practical method to really improve your imagination. Look at an object, then close your eyes and remember all the details of the object you were just looking at. Then, open your eyes and look again for something you did not see before. Then close your eyes again and picture all the details again. Do this a few times on one object and then go to another and do the same thing. Do this everyday for a few weeks, and you will develop an incredible imagination.

Put your imagination to work today and build the life you want. If you have any questions, please contact me at marty@martymcevoy.com

Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness

2007-08-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

We have been told by every great spiritual teacher to forgive. In the bible it says, ‘And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye.” So let’s look at forgiveness from a very practical viewpoint. When we don’t forgive it robs us of our free attention and it is our free attention that we need to create what we want in our lives. The definition of attention is the creative energy that brings about reality.

So how do I forgive? It is a process and starts with a decision. I realize that forgiveness is better than holding a grievance. I realize that the power of decision is my own. I realize that happiness is a choice and is up to me if it is going to be. I realize that an unforgiving thought is focusing on what I do not want versus what I want.

Once I make the decision to forgive, I then realize that I might have to forgive not 7 times 7 times, but 70 times 70 times. I have found the following prayers to be very helpful and were given to me by some of my greatest teachers.

TRUE FORGIVENESS

A thought process example

From: The Disappearance of the
Universe

By Gary R. Renard

You’re not really there. If I think you are guilty or the cause of the problem, and if I made you up, then the imagined guilt and fear must be in me. Since the separationfrom God never occurred, I forgive “both” of us for what we haven’t really done. Now there is only innocence, and I join with the Holy Spirit in peace.

Fear binds the world. Forgiveness sets it free.

There is a very simple way to find the door to true forgiveness, and perceive it open wide in welcome. When you feel that you are tempted to accuse someone of sin in any form, do not allow your mind to dwell on what you think he did, for that is self-deception. Ask instead, “Would I accuse myself of doing this?”

40 Day Forgiveness Prayer
By Carol Canova

Must be done for forty consecutive days or the soul knows you need more time, so you start over if you miss a day. Do the prayer before bedtime.

Get completely relaxed, until you feel as though your body is floating – Relax – allow now your muscles to open and the tension to float free – now tell your heart to open and to allow all the hurts you’ve felt to be encapsulated in little balloons and to float freely to the Father to be blessed and healed.

Visualize now the face of the one you’re forgiving – and know that you’re speaking to their very soul. Visualize your soul speaking through you to their soul and know that this is so. Then speak inwardly (or aloud if possible), saying: “_____, I forgive you for all the times you’ve hurt me consciously and unconsciously since the beginning of time, and ______, I’m asking forgiveness of you for all the times I’ve hurt you consciously and unconsciously since the beginning of time.”

Let your soul turn and look at your own self and say to yourself, “______,

I forgive you and I love YOU.”

Then say, “Father God, forgive me for everything in this situation and relationship and release me. Thank You for this beautiful forgiveness. Thank You for this release from the memories and distorted perceptions.”

Amen and Amen.

Have a great day - Marty

Unity Church Presentation

2007-08-20T23:06:00.000-05:00

I drove to Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Sunday to do a presentation to the Unity Christ Center. Lots of rain on the drive, but still incredibly beautiful. If you have never been to Wisconsin, you should plan a visit.

The title of my presentation was "Practical Empowerment…Seek what lies within you now". The purpose of the presentation was to remind each and every person that they are as God created them….made to perfection and in the image and likeness of God. To tempt each person to rediscover their purpose and vision - the one that lies within them– without barriers preconceived notions, or limits. And then to give each person some practical tools helping them realize your greatest desired potential, which is infinite and unlimited.

I thought the presentation went well and I received lots of compliments after the presentation. I really enjoyed meeting everyone at the church.

If you ever are near Eau Claire, Wisconsin on a Sunday, you should make it a point to attend the 10 am service at Unity Christ Center. The minister is Rev Sandra J. McKinney and she is a beautiful person. You will be welcomed with open arms from my friends in Eau Claire.

I will be in Eau Claire, Wisconsin again on September 15, 2007, speaking at the First Annual Wisconsin Wellness Expo. Wisconsin Wellness Directory I hope to see you there.

A quote from: The Dore Lectures on Mental Science

2007-08-15T23:28:00.000-05:00

“My mind is a center of Divine operation. The Divine operation is always for expansion and fuller expression and this means the production of something beyond what has gone before, something entirely new, not included in past experience, though proceeding out of it by an orderly sequence of growth. Therefore, since the Divine cannot change its inherent nature, it must operate in the same manner in me; consequently in my special world, of which I am the center, it will move forward to produce new conditions, always in advance of any that have gone before.”

-Thomas Troward

Quote by U.S. Anderson

2007-08-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

“When you paint success pictures in your mind, you initiate an inner process whereby your attitudes, hopes, aspirations, and enthusiasm are elevated in response to an image of a more promising future. Every person who aspires must first sell themselves hope, the promise of a better life.”

Law of Compensation by Raymond Holliwell

2007-08-13T11:26:00.000-05:00

Crowd out all inferior thoughts by superior thoughts, evil thoughts by good thoughts, ugly thoughts by beautiful thoughts, distressing thoughts by pleasant thoughts, and you will begin to overcome the growth of all negative and confused states of wrong and discord. In other words, learn to think constructively of all persons, all things, all events, and all circumstances. Appraise them from the ideal point of view. As you do this you will gradually transform your whole existence for the better. These are the means whereby you may steadily promote your welfare and advancement.

As you train yourself to mentally look for the good, you will move towards the good; and, as you form higher and larger conceptions of the good, these elements will begin to find expression in your words, acts, character, person, talents, powers, attainments, and achievements; that is, all things in your life will commence to improve as the direct result of your improved thinking.

This process does not imply, however, that you are to ignore the wrongs of life, the empty places, and the undeveloped states of being; but that you are to think right through and beyond them towards the hidden good or the principle within that is ever seeking a higher and fuller expression. You will, therefore, cease to condemn and to criticize in a destructive manner; instead you will seek to bring out the good in yourself and in others, and to discover and develop the greater possibilities everywhere.

Commonly Missed Tax Deductions

2007-08-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

Many business taxpayers fail or neglect to deduct otherwise eligible business expenses or fail to fully deduct qualifying business expenses. As a result, millions of dollars are overpaid to the Internal Revenue Service every year. Below is a listing of some commonly missed deductions or deductions that you may not be fully utilizing. You may wish to carefully examine your records to determine if you may be missing any of these deductions.

Home Office Deduction: If you use part of you home as a home office, you may be entitled to deduct expenses related to the home office based on the percentage of square footage the home office occupies. Related expenses include mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities, and repairs, etc.

General Business Expenses: If you use your personal funds for business expenses such as office supplies, these are qualifying business expenses, which you may deduct.

Meals and Entertainment Expenses: If you have used your personal funds to pay for meals and entertainment expenses, these expenses qualify as a business deduction, subject to limitations. In addition, you should keep detailed records on each expense.

Personal Assets Converted to Business Use: If you have contributed personal assets, such as a computer, the fair market value of these assets qualify as a business deduction, subject to depreciation limitations, beginning with the date of conversion.

Self-Employed Health Insurance: As a self-employed taxpayer, you may deduct 100 percent of your health insurance premiums.

Communications Expenses: Expenses related to the business use of your personal telephones, cellular phones, and internet connections may be deducted.

Automobile Expenses: Mileage and other related automobile expenses might be deducted when your personal vehicle is used for business purposes.

Universal Flag

2007-08-11T23:02:00.000-05:00

Around the globe, hundreds of millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Over a billion have inadequate access to water. Tens of thousands of children under five years old die each day due to poverty related causes. Why is it that the richest nations allow the poorest ones to suffer any lack at all? According to Brian McClure, creator of the Universal Flag, the answer lies in “our perception, which is the only thing that we can ever change.”

In order for us to heal the planet and evolve as a species, we must shift our perception to one of inclusion rather than exclusion. This requires a remembering of who we are and what our place is in the world. A visit to the Universal Flag’s website will provide you with some food for thought on these issues. It outlines five fundamental “Truths” shared by all humans: 1) You are One with All, 2) You are Divine Presence, 3) You are Eternal, 4) You are Truth, 5) You are Interdependent on All.

By displaying the Flag, we remind one another of these greater Truths. When people ask what the Flag means, we tell them. In so doing, we extend an invitation to consider new possibilities. Without making anyone wrong for their beliefs, we offer a kinder, more expansive lens through which to view the world.

The power of symbol cannot be underestimated. Our dreams guide us through symbolic language. Politicians use symbols to gather and mobilize support. Ancient healing arts such as Reiki use symbolic hand signs to restore balance and flow to the physical body. And, corporations have made good use of their logos to create effective, very profitable brand loyalties. (Who can think of golden arches and not reminisce about their favorite way of eating a french fry?) Now, the world has a new symbol and it is one that calls forth our greatest promise and potential as a species. The Universal Flag is a beacon of our future.

The end of global poverty will come when each of us understands the Truth of who we are. That we are each inextricably connected to one another, to our earth and to our divine Source. When any one being suffers, it has an effect on all beings. Every time we see a Universal Flag symbol, the part of ourselves that desperately longs for peace is stirred awake and given greater legitimacy to exist. When we see the Universal Flag flying outside of any home, anywhere in the world, we know that we have found a friend. Instead of being greeted by limitations, we meet each other in an endless horizon of opportunity; and thusly, the world is changed.

McClure, intends for the Flag “to serve as a reminder, or a sign post, of our Oneness with All.” Rather than representing any one particular group, race, religion or nation, the Universal Flag represents all of life. Woven into its design are elements that express a commonality all beings share. The white background represents the purity from which we come; the colors signify vibrations of energy common to all (think chakra system); the waves represent the ups and downs of life; and, the gold band encompassing the symbol reminds us of the Golden Rule, “Treat others as you want to be treated.”

If you’re wondering why we need a universal flag, since it will never be used to distinguish us as separate from anything else….Well, that’s exactly the point. Let’s consider the consequences of a separated humanity by revisiting a few scenarios from our recent past: Hundreds of soldiers with swastika armbands marching the streets of Nazi Germany…The Israeli government banning the Palestinian flag and forbidding use of its four colors in artwork…Students in California protesting proposed immigration laws by raising a Mexican flag over an upside down American one. Not one of these situations led to greater peace or abundance for the parties involved. The world is filled with symbols of our human differences, when instead it could be enhanced by expressions of individual gifts or fortified by testaments to our collective strength. We all seek a sense of belonging, yet we’ve forgotten that our ultimate belonging is to each other.

The Universal Flag Foundation is a 501C3 company. To purchase a flag, or to learn more about upcoming projects and ways to get involved, visit www.UniversalFlag.com

Brian McClure can be reached at Brian@universalflag.com Brian is a personal friend of mine and an incredible individual.

Developing Loyal Clients and Customers

2007-08-10T10:32:00.000-05:00

The 6 reasons people do not buy products and services is no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust and no value. Do not get into objection answering games to try to finesse people to buy your services. You may gain the sale, but you will lose a customer and referrals.

There are two types of services, a pleasure providing service and a problem solving service. A pleasure providing service is fun, provides escape, excitement, amusement and reward. A problem solving service on the other hand, should provide fast, easy, solutions to nagging tasks that people have to do, hate to do, do not know how to do, do not want to do and are afraid to do. The secret is to research and design your pleasure providing or problem solving service so it is ideally matched to your specific target market.

You can then confidently and persuasively present your services with impact and conviction because you have done your homework. You will not have to sell. Your prospect will want to buy. You will have lifetime clients and advocates and not just one time sales. You will also have referrals. You will earn them with superb advice and service.

The Art of Blessings

2007-08-10T09:54:00.001-05:00

I Am There by James Dillet Freeman

2007-08-10T02:02:00.000-05:00

Do you need Me?
I am there.
You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.
You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.
I am at work, though you do not understand my ways.
I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.
I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.
Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know me as I am, and then
but as a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.
When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
I am in you, and you are in Me.
Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind
are the mists of “yours” and “mine”.
Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.
Empty your heart of empty fears.
When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.
You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all. And I am in all.
Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.
I am there because I have to be, because I am.
Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world
take form; only because of Me does the world go forward.
I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living
cells are founded.
I am the love that is the law’s fulfilling.
I am assurance.
I am peace.
I am oneness.
I am the law that you can live by.
I am the love that you can cling to.
I am your assurance.
I am your peace.
I am one with you.
I am.
Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.
Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers,
Because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I am there.

A copy of “I Am There” is now on the moon…carried there on the Apollo XV voyage by Astronaut James B. Irwin and left on the moon for future space voyagers.

Deliberately Creating Community

2007-08-08T20:18:00.000-05:00

I created my company Practical Empowerment, LLC to show individuals, families, business owners and organizations how to create what they really want. Our purpose of is to inspire and touch people in such a way that they make the decisions and take the actions necessary to transform their life. Our mission is to make a meaningful and positive difference in peoples’ lives so that they can be more, do more and have more of life. We do that through a seven step process we call Practical Empowerment. The seven step process shows people how to gain power and control over their lives so that they can decide and create the life they really want. Practical Empowerment is a multi-dimensional process that is capable of being put to use, practice or action, is workable and gets the dramatically improved results that every individual, family, business owner and organization wants.

One of the steps is community. Community is defined as a unified body of individuals with common interests living in a particular area. It can be a group linked with a common policy, history, social, economic or political interests. Community is about joint participation.

How do you get involved in your community? You can join a church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship? You can volunteer at your local coop or food bank. You can be part of your community foundation Viroqua Area Foundation or local charity. This is where we can get meaning and connect with others. This is where we realize we are really all the same.

One way I have found to create community is to attend my local farmer’s market every Saturday morning here in Viroqua, WI. Search - LocalHarvest. It is a chance for me to buy organically grown fruits and vegetables that were grown by my neighbors. It is a chance for me to meet and talk with people and stay connected. I also know that I am helping the environment because my purchases are not shipped thousands of miles from the producer. I also know that I am supporting a small business grow and prosper in my community.

If you are looking for other ways to create community, go to Tools for Creating Community Sustainability Goals and read the information.

The Shift Movie - Watch it, Share it...

2007-08-08T07:32:00.000-05:00

Click here to email/share with a friend.

My Grandchildren

2007-08-05T21:14:00.001-05:00

This is a picture if my 2 grandsons, Charles and William and my Daughter Anna. It is Williams first birthday.I think life is wonderful. I will be going to see them next weekend.

What gift has Providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?
-- Cicero

George Carlin's Views on Aging

2007-08-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life. You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60 ..

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92"

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning Learn more about the computer, crafts, music, art, stock, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If by Rudyard Kipling

2007-08-03T23:23:00.000-05:00

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn out tools.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “HOLD ON!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that is in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Measuring Your Performance

2007-08-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

I have been a CPA since 1974 and a CFP since 1989. 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 worked in just about every industry there is and with both large and small companies. I have developed an expertise in helping companies increase their bottom line. I have started, operated and sold many successful businesses. So with all this experience, I have developed some practical ideas that can be used by anyone to transform their business and personal life.

One of the most important ideas I share with my business owners is the need for meaningful, accurate and timely financial information. This is the one idea that can transform your business, because it will measure your performance and show you exactly where you are positioned financially. A runner would never run a race without a watch and trying to run your business without financial statements is the kiss of death. Your balance sheet details assets, liabilities and net worth, while the income statement tells the story of your performance showing revenues and expenses. In addition, the cash flow statement explains how the cash was received and spent.

Ideally you should have your financial statements completed by the 10^th or 15^th day after month end. This allows you to make adjustments before it becomes too late to make adjustments to your operations until the next month. Having meaningful, timely and accurate financial information will let your banker know you really are serious about success and they will want to be part of your team. If you need help completing your financial statements, please let me know

I have found that one of the best software programs for doing your accounting to be QuickBooks and you can find more information at Accounting Software – QuickBooks. In addition, I like the QuickBooks Online program because there is no need for backups, you have access to it anywhere in the world and I can be in the program giving you advice from my office while you are in the program at your place of business. You can find more information at Online Accounting Solutions and Professional Internet Accounting Software - QuickBooks OE | Home

If you want to purchase regular QuickBooks, you should call me because I usually can get a discount on the program at 608-637-6898 or email me at marty@martymcevoy.com In addition, if you would like to purchase QuickBooks Online, you should call my friend Patrick Gillogly at QuickBooks Online at 520-407-6759 or email him at patrick_gillogly@intuit.com If you tell him I said to call, he will give you a 40% discount off the purchase price.

Decide today to have meaningful financial statements. Success and decision are partners.

Your Definite Purpose

2007-08-01T22:37:00.000-05:00

Author James Allen says that ‘until thought is linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment.” You must decide what you want. You must decide on your definite purpose. Only you can decide that. Most people go through life trying to find their purpose, only to realize that it can be whatever they decide it to be. It is an intention, resolution or determination. Purpose is the focus of your attention and attention is the creative energy that brings about your reality. Purpose is a settled determination and comes about from a decision. You can make a difference in the world. What is your purpose? If you fail to determine and decide on your definite purpose, everything else will feel wrong. Your purpose gives you direction in life. It is why you get out of bed in the morning and it is the fuel that will transform your life. It could be you might want to work with. Without a clear purpose, you will wander through life, not sure which way to go, and usually living someone else’s dream. Your purpose should be to do something that you love. When you have your purpose, everything else will fall into place. You will focus less on what is wrong and more on what is right. You will be happier. Your purpose may be something you would be willing to trade your life for. The psychologist Alfred Adler once said, “I am grateful for the idea that has used me.” 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. What is your purpose? We live in a world of abundance, where you can have anything your heart desires. There is nothing standing between you and your desires except lack of definite purpose and the plans that will derive from it.

A Self Empowering Message - Esther Hicks Abraham

2007-08-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

Self Confidence Formula

2007-07-30T22:10:00.000-05:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2007-07-29T19:13:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-28T07:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-26T12:41:00.000-05:00

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'....

2007-07-25T21:44:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-07-25T08:49:00.001-05:00

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

2007-07-24T01:31:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-22T21:19:00.000-05:00

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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

2007-07-21T19:50:00.000-05:00

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

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.)
Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as “something for nothing.”)
Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.
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.
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.
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...

2007-07-20T13:45:00.001-05:00

...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

2007-07-19T17:33:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-07-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-16T13:12:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-14T23:08:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-07-13T15:15:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-11T11:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-07-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-07-08T21:34:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-04T17:43:00.000-05:00

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.

Stepping into Freedom

2007-06-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

Each moment of everyday we make the decision to either step forward into freedom or back into bondage. The bondage is the limitations of our own mind. These limitations were either created by us based on circumstances or events in our life or they were taught to us by someone who did not know any better. The truth is that there are no limitations, except those we choose to believe. We have infinite and unlimited potential.

In my own life I saw this so clearly last night when I was working with my personal fitness trainer Lisa. When I workout by myself, I always do what I have always done before or do what I think I am capable of and I get the same results. I have my own set of limitations on my physical body. I call it the “wall” or “my terror barrier” and this is where I stop each time. Not so when I workout with Lisa. She is always working with me to go beyond my ideas and limitations. Last night it was jumping rope. I said to myself, I can’t do that, I am 57 years old and I have not jumped rope for 30 years. Lisa was thinking “He is capable.” Sure enough, with a little coaching from Lisa, I was able to do 3 sets of 100. Sure, one of the result was I was able to jump rope, but the real result was I felt empowered, alive and full of confidence and I had fun. I had moved to a place a freedom. I achieved a higher level of awareness of who I was and what I was capable of.

The real value of coaching, it is not the goal, but who you become by achieving the goal. It is your path to freedom from old habits and beliefs that keep you in bondage. You are free to be, do and have anything you want without violating the rights of others. I am so confident in the coaching process that I offer a complimentary coaching session to everyone so they can experience the process. If that is something that interests you, I can be contacted at 608-637-6898 or at marty@martymcevoy.com

The poet Rumi writes, “The garden of the world has no limits except in your mind. Its presence is more beautiful than the stars, with more clarity than the polished mirror of your heart” So what is it you really want? Not what you think you can have based on your current results, but what do you really want? If you decide you can have it, then it is yours. You just need to take the first step to freedom.

Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, “We are very near to greatness. One step and we are safe. Can we not take the leap” Decide to take that step. Do it now!!

How to contact Lisa

Lisa is a personal trainer and works in the Vernon Memorial Healthcare Wellness Center. http://www.vmh.org/ If you do not have a personal fitness trainer, I would highly recommend one and if you live near Viroqua, WI. I would highly recommend Lisa. She is one of the best I have ever worked with. She is well trained, experienced, fun and gets results for her clients and results is what it is about.

You Decide, Right Now!

2007-06-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

Decision is the starting point of everything in our life. If we want different results in our business or personal life, we must make a decision. So how is it we actually decide?

We decide with our “will” and the more decisions that we make, the stronger our will. The functions of “will” are to decide, place, shift and remove attention. Attention is the creative energy that brings about your reality. Energy flows to where attention goes. In the book, the Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace Wattles http://www.martymcevoy.thesgrprogram.com/ which the movie “The Secret” http://www.thesecret.tv/ was based on, he writes the following: “Since belief is all important, it behooves you to guard your thoughts. And, as your beliefs will be shaped to a great extent by the things you observe and think about, it is important that you focus your attention. Here the will comes into use, because by means of your will, you determine the objects of your attention.” He goes on to write, “Use your mind to form a mental image of what you want and to hold that vision with faith and purpose. Use your will to keep your mind working the right way.”

There are certain things that strengthen the will and certain things that weaken the will. Some of them are as follows:

Strengthen
1. Making decisions
2. Traditional foods www.westonaprice.org
3. Faith in yourself

Weaken
1. Poor diet
2. Television and video games
3. Letting someone else make your decisions

In A Course In Miracles it says, “The power of decision is your own” Decide today what you really want, and if you do, I can show you how to get it.

Decision and Committment

2007-06-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

I wanted to continue my theme on decision and discuss another part of decision and that is commitment. If we do really want change, we need to be committed. We need to say to ourselves, “I will do whatever it takes to accomplish my goal, no matter what” We need to give up something of a lower value to achieve something of a higher value. In A Course in Miracles it says that “Miracles come from conviction”

I think one of the best pieces I have ever read on commitment is from W. H. Murray discussing his expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest. He says: “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."

So what do you really want? Sit quietly and ask yourself the question “What do I really want” Let it come to the surface of your consciousness. Then make a decision to go for what you want and take the first step. Then and only then will you see the miracle.