When and why to hire. Just about halfway through this episode.And the why question has been proposed. Giving me some pretty serious thought as to how I run my business even today, before I hire employees. The systems that I'm building as to why I’mbuilding them and how they will play into my business five years down the road. Specifically, the difference between working for myself and owning a business and to what my end goal is. My question for you all is: when you started your business did you want to work for yourself or did you want to run a business? Did that why follow you, or change and adapt as the rubber hit the road?

Finished the first lesson of business success today. In all honesty, the biggest takeaway is that I am the luckiest man in business. I took none of the right steps, started for the wrong reasons in a 'unknown' location and just sent it. And I made it. Somehow. The market was right and primed for me, there was no competition worthy of competing with, and somehow the cost of doing business was low enough for me to be profitable my first year and every year yet. How did you plan to fail? How did you plan to succeed? How were you just plain lucky?

Just finished, in it's entirety, the mindset success courses. The biggest takeaway, for me, is the mindset of gratitude. I've been implementing goals, quiet time, filling my Coke can, thinking big, and integrity to myself. But the part, that has been at the top of my mind, and acting upon, is the attitude of gratitude. Every time I'm feeling like crap, whenever I walk in to do a sale, when I need to boost my mood before seeing people, I take 30-60 seconds and just list things I'm greatful for. Like Tom said, can't be angry if you're greatful(paraphrasing). How often do you find yourself in a bad mood? How do you turn that frown upside down? I challenge you, next time you're not mentally in it, to take that 60 seconds and just SHOUT(if you're alone) out what you are greatful for.

Recently came across a couple of different scenarios that put me on my heels. Unexpected yes. Managed through those situations. Outside looking in, you probably wouldn't notice. But something shifted in me. It wasn't until recently I recognized I had picked up the habit of reacting instead of responding. Darn. That old thing again. And by that old thing again, I don't mean necessarily the react vs. respond but how quickly I can revert back to old habits from my survival days without recognizing it. Some of those reflexes kick hard. I do check in with myself. I do my best to keep my new habits. It is strange the old ones kick in such subtle ways sometimes it is difficult to detect that shift. There are a few situations I need to be way more proactive with. Going to focus on and update my goals. Because right now there is too much that is left to chance. Can anyone relate to any of that?

I have been struggling on cashing out a couple loans. For a year. Nothing bad, making payments, but never actually just putting cash down and never having to worry about them again. I set goals about a month ago now, added them to the lock screen of my phone, and wrote them on my bedroom wall. With those two CONSTANT reminders(the average 20 yr old opens their phone over 150 times a day) I have been keeping my mind focused on the plan. Didn't spend a single unnecessary red cent, seeked out more clients, and didn't drive more than needed. With that, I would like to announce that with the discipline that has helped me develop, I am NOW DEBT FREE!!! Paid off all my debts, fully moved the rest of my equipment onto my own land, and now I only owe gratefulness to the people who helped me get here. THAT is the power of setting goals, reminding yourself of them multiple times a day, and you stick to them. p.s. I'm getting a new starry night headliner for my work truck as a reward for this goal. (Will post pictures when installed) p.p.s. How do you guys set goal rewards that aren't monetary? Most of my goals at this stage of my life are about building a foundation, financially and physically, and spending money as a reward seems counter intuitive.