Ready for Better

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Drunk Monkeys end up Fat, Broke and Alone!

What has your Mind-Monkey been drinkin? I hope it's not the same sauce that mine has been swiggin'! That is some powerful potion!

A super cool author named Brian Johnson puts it like this in his book A Philosopher's Notes

"In Buddhism, they like to say that our minds are like monkeys swinging from thought to thought (to thought to thought...).

Only, the monkey in our mind is drunk, swinging from thought to thought to thought.

Then that little drunk monkey is stung by a scorpion! Swinging feverishly from thought to thought to thought. D'oh.

That's not all, though. Take that drunk little poisoned monkey and make him crazy!

THAT is how our minds tend to be."

Lately my drunken, poisoned, crazy-monkey-mind has been takin' some speed or something!

Seriously, in the last couple weeks the thoughts have been flashing by the hundreds every second in my little brain.

I normally experience a couple dozen wild business ideas, faces of people I need to connect with and thoughts of stuff around the house to accomplish, just while brushing my teeth. But that has gone into overdrive lately.

I have a new employment position as a social media guru/blogger/internet guy. While settling into this fresh and exciting opportunity it has been hard to reign in my brain as I incorporate a whole new block of knowledge and responsibilty into my life. How much Fun it has been!

Okay, so what's the problem?

Well previous to locking-in this new job I had a few goals that I was consistently and steadily working on every day.

I had a Tight handle on my daily spending... Like None.
I was Ferociously Strict on a diet plan which had helped me drop 20lbs in a month.
I spent lots of free time working on True North FFC
Intaking tons of great material for my entreprenurial, philosophical & business education
And generally enjoying time with my beautiful girlfriend Lindsay :)

Then the Mind-Monkey found out about the new job and went Bat-Sh!T Crazy!

Basically, losing my focus on these "old" goals (hold on Linds, I'll explain :) has put the success of those goals at risk! In the last couple weeks, I've...

Spent cash on a couple celebration moments that I really didn't Have to
Broken my diet on "Non Off-Days" several times
Slowed waay down on connecting with my Coaching Community
Haven't picked up a book or heard a seminar with the Free Agent Academy in weeks
and even... OMG, "Worked" when I could have been chillin' with my girl!!

Now, I don't have Any reason to have changed the outcome that I am looking for in all these areas, but my effort to reach those goals has dropped significantly! It is really hard to tame that drunk-monkey-mind!!!

This is why it is hard to get out of debt.

This is why it is hard to stay on a budget.

This is why most people, Yes, like 95% of people are not as wealthy as they have the potential to be!

It is hard to stay focused!

With a plan of action to follow, like a written budget or a diet meal plan, it is easier to know if you are on or off track... However, you do have to actually look at the budget or have a meal plan to start with.

These are just a few examples of things we all want to improve on: Spiritual, Relationships, Career, Time managment, Horseshoe Throwing Ability... Whatever it is, we can work toward our goals if we can stay focused :)

I have completed the first step in calming and sobering up my plastered primate: I realize this is a problem!

I now know that I need to take small steps in the right direction to get myself back on the track that I set out in the first place...

But, you know what? Today IS St. Patty's Day :) Maybe I'll start the sobering up process tomorrow!

I hope you enjoy Shakin' your Shamrock tonight and when you wake up tomorrow, think about what thoughts you would like your monkey to slow down and ponder on...

Believe me, with powerful focus, intensity and love-from-above: your potential and possibilties are LIMITLESS!!!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with? You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Ice Ice Baby - Stop! Collaborate and Listen!

Anything broken around your house? Something that has been in disrepair for awhile, but you've learned to live with it?

Here at True North FFC headquarters it is the Ice Maker. It be busted!

Our freezer's ice maker went out last summer and in the blink of an eye, here it is spring-time and it still isn't fixed.

Anyway, how have we survived without this vital piece of equipment? We go Old School.

Three wonderfully bright blue hunks of plastic have helped us keep our drinks cool. They are an almost forgotten invention called Ice Cube Trays... or something like that :)

Well here is the point of today's blog: Have you filled up an Ice Cube Tray lately?

I have been for several months now, and I learned something about this seemingly simple task.

A slow and steady stream works best for proper fillage.

Ideally, each little cubie-cup has been leveled to a uniform amount all the way up and down both rows.

Now, how do you think a "get-it-dun" and "get-on-with-life" guy like me was trying to speed up this process?

More Water! Oh Yeah! Kick on the faucet full-blast and let's rock...

Uh... except that doesn't work. Most of the H2O hits the cups fast, shoots up and over the edge... then down the drain!

Hmmmmm

Well just like filling up an ice cube tray, Money works best for us when it comes in a steady predictable stream and we carefully plan where to put it. Is that how life usually send us our money? Sometimes, sure.

A salary job or regular paycheck can work like that. We should have our budgeted cubie-cups ready to catch a certain amount every month.

But what if money comes in spurts or rushing in? We all want to win the lottery, but what about more realistic chunks of change?

How do we handle a $1500 Tax Return? What about selling a toy or extra vehicle on craigslist for a couple thousand? Or maybe an inheritance? What happens when the money faucet turns on and we try to handle a bunch of dollars at once?

Most of us would love to have that problem, right?

Well truthfully, without proper planning, most of that extra money will end up down the drain!

Maybe we should catch that extra cash in a big savings account bucket, then slowly and methodically plan out our new financial situation.

Have you ever made a foolish purchase with that tax return money, when you still owe on your car or credit cards? I sure have. That was back when I was wasn't living on a plan and wasn't getting anywhere financially.

Put those days behind you too by slowing down and looking at where your income is going. I hope you start to find excitement in saving those dollars and planning for your financial future, instead of letting it drain away. This is exactly what the wealthy people in the world do. And by switching that pattern, you become one of them too.

Someday, when I feel I've saved enough, I may spring for a new ice-maker... for now though, I'm getting pretty good at filling the trays!

Have a GREAT Weekend!

Sincerely,

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Sunshine, Palm Trees & Seafood Baby!

Are you stranded? Have you been feeling stuck? Are coconuts and crabs all you have eaten for the last four years??

Well I hope not!

Recently my Cuz, Tera and I watched the movie Castaway with Tom Hanks.

It's been years since I'd seen it, and I'm really glad to have a new perspective on the concepts covered.

As a chubby executive Tom finds himself in the most unlikely of situations alone on an island. At first he is frustrated with his situation and lack of survival skills. He continues trying to survive and learn and eventually becomes very good at it.

Throughout this process he rides the range of emotions, befriends a volleyball and even considers suicide. He fails at the testing of the attempt and therefore succumbs to complete powerlessness.

How often in our lives do we find that whatever island we are on, it can be just as lonely. It can be a financial island of debt. It can be an island of love-less solitude, a dead end job or lost hope that we deserve to be happy.

At some point we all have had an experience like this...

Tom has a monologue at the end of the movie where he explains that he finally realized that he was not in control of anything. He gave up trying to make his escape happen on his own. An understanding came that he could Not make it happen on his own.

Then one day the Tide brought him a sail.

How they never get around to mentioning God, I have no idea :) It is almost comical that the whole movie explains the human relationship with faith and the almighty and they never say it out loud!

Anyway, two walls of a johnny-on-the-spot show up one day. Ah-Ha! Hope arrives by divine intervention! He was not out of energy, but reignited with passion for life and he has a new goal. To get off that island!

Just when we think all hope is gone. Just when we finally give up and decide we are incapable of controlling things with our own two hands. That is the moment that our Tide will come in.

A couple years ago I made the realization that I was ruining my financial life with my own ideas and plans and actions. It was a lonely place, knowing I was broke and it was all my fault. I knew that I was not going to dig myself out of the bottom of that hole.

God (NO, Not Dave Ramsey :) put information into my life. A sail had showed up. The answers were right in front of me. All I had to do was put in the effort to build my raft. At that point, following the baby steps was the easy part. It was not only a way to improve, but it was imperative to my survival.

When is your sail going to show up? Have you decided that your efforts alone can only take you so far?

Want more proof?

Lately my adventure of self-employment has been nearing the edge of a cliff. I have cut my lifestyle to nothing. I am about to have to tap into funds that I never wanted to touch. I've been struggling and pushing to grow this coaching business. It has not been easy or fruitful so far. Something had to give.

I finally realized that success in this endeavor will not depend on another hour spent writing a blog or another 10 links posted to fans of my page. This wonderful information and passion will connect with the right people at the right time for them and for me.

Out of the clear blue sky two weeks ago another sail was brought in by the tide...

A position with a great small company that is so custom tailored for me that no one but God could have penned it any better.

I now work part-time for http://www.kandgcycles.com/ as their Social Media Creative Genius. I get to work from home. Motorcycles have been a passion my whole life. I am using all the things I've learned while building this business online from the ground up. I will continue to build True North FFC just as I have been doing :) YAY!!

Thanks God - For everything, especially the sail, the tide and Yes even the island that keeps me out of the Ocean.

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols

True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Got a leaky Wallet? Bulging budget or none at all? Dilapidated Debt that you're sick of living with? You are losing hard earned dollars every month! Let me show you how to spackle the cracks and firm up your financial foundation. DIY or using my professional services, either way, the best time to fix your finances is Now!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

You Gotta' Know When to Hold'Em, Know When to Fold'em!

Pocket Rockets - Big Slick - Cowboys or Ladies, Yup: "I'm All In!" Okay, maybe on Middle Pair or Suited Connectors too, just depends on the Feeelin'...

Ever play a friendly game of pitch or hearts or spades or maybe pinochle? Well these games are fun, but the one we're talking about today is Texas Hold'Em Poker.

A poker table surrounded by family and friends can have all the drama, excitement, strategy and disappointment that you can find on the WSOP with a little less $$ at risk.

I know this well.

Truthfully the Texas Hold'em Games that I have played in over the last several years have been more of a source of camaraderie, social time & family fun than any money-making-or-losing endeavours.

But a thought occurred to me recently whilst the game was slowly getting going for the night...

"Nobody wants to win early"

Huh? Why would that be?

Well we all want to win Big don't we?

You see the early games are usually when people are just getting warmed up. There are fewer people at the beginning to enter the pot. They haven't decided to risk much yet on their hands. The stakes are therefore quite small.

A general feeling among the players at these Non-Tournament games is that our luck and skill can only bring in so many winning hands. It is near impossible to take every pot for a whole night. I've never seen it done.

So if our Luck is finite and we know we want to win big. The best time to win is later in the game.

If we spend our dough riskily in the beginning, maybe win some, maybe lose some, we don't lose big, but we Cannot win big, there just isn't a bunch of chips being bet to take. If we lose all we've brought to play with, we are done.

We need to have chips available later in the night. More people show up. Many have lost a little and bought more chips to play with. The stacks around the table grow. The betting gets bigger. The stakes are higher. Now is the time to use your best skills. Ideally, you don't have to risk everything to take down a big hand, when you've built your wealth slowly over time.

So conservative play early, leads to the chance to be in the game later when the stakes are much higher. The big winners understand this, and consistently over time, they can beat out luck.

How come in Life "Everybody wants to win early"?

We want to have the things now that it took our parents or grandparents 30 years to accumulate. Waiting to save up for stuff or cars or the house we deserve is Not part of "what everybody thinks".

Truth is: the principle works the same in Life as is does on the Poker Table. Winning Early, doesn't mean Winning Big, in fact it can prevent us from being in the game at all later on...

The record number of bankruptcy cases and the state of our economy in general is proof of this. Lots of Americans thought they had big blessings of the house, car & lifestyle of the American Dream, for just a few reasonable monthly payments. Those things weren't blessings, they were burdens.

Those who showed us the Real American Dream didn't borrow their way into it, they paid as they went, started small and invested over time.

"Radical" ideas of conservative spending and money management are starting to look a lot smarter now.

These three things are the essence of poker: Mystery, Risk & Luck. Without any one, the game completely changes.

In Life we can embrace the Mystery, feel the thrill of Risk, but there are proven ways to beat out Luck.

I hope you take the time to educate yourself on what these proven ways are. If you have Any questions, I would be glad to show you the way.

You DO Deserve to Win BIG!!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Debt is Normal - Be Weird!! (like me... or like you are built to be...)

You're Weird! At least Different. Okay, maybe Unique?

I know and appreciate this about You...

I have 758 friends on my facebook page and 158 people "like" my business True North Financial Fitness Coaching. That is quite a few right?

The stats are showing me that I have around 25 regular readers of this blog. A rather small amount compared to those who may have access to it.

So, statistically, if you are reading this right now, you're one of those 25.

THANK YOU! For being in this small minority of people who take time every week to tune in and read whatever crazy ideas my Thursday mind has conjured up!

I am Very interested in Your Story, what sets You apart, and which topics that I've written have spoken to you the most.

I want to continue to let these words flow from my own unique mind. I also now want to know what unseen force has magnetized Your weird brain to mine!

Would you please do me the honor of engaging via:

email: aaron@truenorthffc.com

or text: 785-218-6134

or facebook: www.facebook.com/cydeburn

I would LOVE to hear from you! How about a couple questions to ponder or answer if you feel so moved.

1.Who Are you.

2.What makes you want to learn more about financial peace?

3. Do you envision yourself in a wealthy future?

4. Does a blog about Dogs, Motorcycles, Geese and Gravestones have Anything to do with Money?? (ha!)

Thanks so much for your feedback, as this unique... Actually SPECIAL community grows, I want to send appreciation to You for being part of it.

Gravestones??? Yup.

Yesterday, I had a few extra minutes to spend before seeing a client in Ottawa.

I drove out 15th street to Highland Cemetary. As usual, I rolled up quietly by the grave markers for My Grandfather, Grandmother and Dad.

Just less than a year ago in this same place I quietly asked a question to these family members about leaving my job, going my own way and trying to build a business from scratch... They spoke to me then as they do now...

"We've got your back!" is actually the message conveyed to me by them.

I just loved that. Thanks Again to Everyone "Up There."

Yesterday though, a New message came. One that I've never realized before...

This whole Weird, Different, Unique way that I see and am now persuing life and my goals is actually in my DNA. This is proven in the camera-phone pics below.

Take a look at this picture. In the foreground, the small stone is my Dad's, the next is his parents'.

Just yesterday it occured to me that all the other stones in the area are factory-made, polished and purchased and pretty.

Ours? Nope.

Natural limestones gathered from the family farmstead and built by a Nichols hand. No perfectly straight edges, no shiny finish. This is the Nichols way... Our Way and it is manifested in family honoring family...

This is in my DNA, it is my nature to be different.

I was blown away by this simple realization.

Honestly, there have been times in life that I have been very uncomfortable with feeling like an outsider, or weird or not part of the normal crowd.

Now that my weirdness has led me down a path to debt-freedom, entreprenuership & passion for helping others, I couldn't be happier about all of it.

Funny how God works. He's given us all the tools we need, to be the person we came here to be. Sometimes they lay unseen right in front of our faces for years at a time.

Are we ready to open our eyes?

Because you are reading this, because you are one of the 25. I believe you are. Only weirdos would tune in every week to this silly blog.

Thanks to You too for "Havin' my Back!" I trust you'll be here next week for more!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Geese Don't Fly in No VEEE!!

Look Up! These pale grey winter skies have birds aplenty and life and money lessons too...

At least around Princeton Kansas they do.

The flocks of Canadian Geese are always coming and going. They'll find a field to frolic in, or maybe, as the picture below shows: A secluded quarry lake with ice, open water and protection from the wind.

What can we learn from these long-travel migrants that cover thousands of miles each winter? What can we find out about ourselves, and yes, our finances in these great Vee's in the sky?

From Wikipedia - The Explanation of the V formation

The V formation greatly boosts the efficiency and range of flying birds, particularly over long migratory routes. All the birds except the first fly in the upwash from the wingtip vortices of the bird ahead. The upwash assists each bird in supporting its own weight in flight, in the same way a glider can climb or maintain height indefinitely in rising air. In a V formation of 25 members, each bird can achieve a reduction of induced drag by up to 65% and as a result increase their range by 71%.^[1] The birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members. The formation also makes communication easier and allows the birds to maintain visual contact with each other.

I want to point out something that this technical explanation does not.

Geese Have NO IDEA what a VEE Is!

"Upwash" and "Wingtip Vortices" are just plain Hogwash to a Goose!

Seriously, can we conclude that their "In-Flight Choreographer" has explained ahead of time who flies next to who, how far to space yourself, when to do-si-do and turn yourself around?? I think NOT!

Guess how this Magical Formation becomes; what all these scientific terms really come from...

The Goose Flies: WHERE IT IS EASIEST TO FLY!!

If you were a big 'ol Honker and had a'ways to go, would you flap along all by your self out in the middle of nowhere?

When pulling up alongside your pal, you'd find quite a lift of breeze and all of a sudden it is Much Easier to float along; what would you do?

Would you mind that your energy now helps lift your neighbor that rides up behind, to your right or left a little? Heck no, the more the merrier!

What about the poor guy up front, breaking the air for all his followers? Well, when he gets tired, and backs off, someone Well Rested is right there to take his place. The leader then gets to go and float along till his turn comes back around. He's then renewed and ready for more action!

We can break down this amazing sky-dance into physics terms; or we can simply understand that when you have a long way to go... Do what is EASIER!

Living a Debt-Free and In-Control financial lifestyle is just like flying in the "Upwash" and "Wingtip Vortices". Everything just seems to require less effort.

The number of decisions to make per week on paying bills or juggling finances is dropped to near zero. The stress of stretching a paycheck across that last week of the month is gone. The energy and work it takes to "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" can be spent in other areas of life.

Believe me, you can go 70% further with your money when living debt-free!

So: What if I'm saddled-down with the weight of credit card bills? It's hard to fly with a car payment book chained to my neck! My student loans and 2nd mortgage are like anchors dragging along the ground...

Well, we have powerful exercise equipment to strengthen your wings. We can cut loose as much unnecessary weight as possible. By powerful focus and extra-hard flapping of your God-Given wing-power, for a temporary distance, you can catch up and ride easy-breezy with the gang.

Those of us in the Debt-Free Vee want you up here with us. We'd love to show you the view. You too can go thousands of extra miles, thousands of extra dollars, ahead of those trying to do it all on their own, fighting turbulent winds while carrying extra baggage.

During these frigid snowy days, I get another idea in my mind... Guess what happens when you have the strength, stamina and a flight plan to fly thousands of miles at a time? You can choose to go South for the Winter!

Thanks for flying along with my blog through all these windy writings. I am truly honored to have you in my flock!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/

Thursday, February 3, 2011

1 out of 3 Four Year Olds Know the Path to Wealth, Do You?

Bright White. Soft and sugary. A fat powdery coated puff of marshmallow can be a tasty time machine that instantly transports you back to childhood... It also can tell you if you will end up wealthy or not.

In the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment (1972), conducted by Prof. Walter Mischel, at Stanford University, California, we find the research that proves my theory.

You may have heard of this challenge: A 4 year-old child is put in a room by themselves with one marshmallow sitting on the table in front of them. They are told that if they can wait alone with that marshmallow for 15 minutes and not eat it, they will get two marshmallows... hmmm, does that little "deal" sound familiar?

"Live like no one else, so later you get to live like no one else" - Dave Ramsey

In the experiment, 2 out of 3 kids ate the marshmallow before the time was up and therefore only got one. The other third of the children did wait it out and ended up getting twice as much; Two Marshmallows! They were naturally good at Delaying Gratification.

These children were followed until thier college years. There we saw that the ones who waited had a much higher success rate in school and other areas of their lives. They were reaping the rewards of patience.

I believe this has impact not only with kids and sweet treats... It also correlates with how we approach life, relationships, health and especially purchases.

Do you choose to buy something Now with a loan, 90 days same-as-cash or credit cards? Or do you choose to wait on a purchase and save the money up to buy something?

I know that this is a universal law, that when you wait and delay gratification, you get a more abundant result.

Believe me, I have been the Insta-Eater kind of kid for many years, and still have lots of work to do on this issue. I love this simple analogy. Now when I am making a decision on a purchase or whether or not to eat that fresh-baked cookie, I realize that waiting will bring a bigger reward.

Here is your take-away for the your own MarshMoney test: Of the kids who waited, some had tricks for making the agonizing 15 minutes go by easier... They looked around the room, they played with the chair or their shoes, they basically Didn't Look At the Marshmallow!

So don't torture yourself by sniffing, feeling and licking the thing. That only makes the waiting worse... While you are on your journey out of debt, or learning to save up for that new appliance, "Don't Look at the Marshmallow!"

Stay away from the Mall or the Electronics Store, Stay out of the Resturant where you have to feel weird ordering the cheapest thing there. Keep the spending tempations away from your senses and it will make the process so much easier.

I promise you that being out of debt and having financial freedom is worth the wait!

Sincerely,

Aaron Nichols
True North Financial Fitness Coaching
aaron@truenorthffc.com
785-218-6134
http://www.truenorthffc.com/