If you do not lay a strong foundation for this business, you will not succeed… it's that simple.

"The most accomplished navigators know that you need two crucial facts – where you are and where you want to be – to know how to set a course." (Diane Kennedy, C.P.A., "Loop-Holes of the Rich").

Are you ready to create a game plan for your financial independence?

PLAN TO WIN

I understand that "to win" means many different things to different people. That's why one of the first things you need to do is to come up with a personal working definition for what it means to you – "to win." Jack Zufelt calls it "Core Desires." Others call it your "Big Y" or why you are doing the business. Sometimes it's referred to as goal setting. Whatever you call it, this is sure: If you don't know what it means "to win", then you'll never know when you've won and you never will be the winner you're born to be.

Here's what I know. Unless you have a reason, I mean one really big reason, or a bunch of important reasons that drive you emotionally, financial freedom becomes very elusive.

As Jack Zufelt says, you MUST discover your Core Desires (your real Why) which unleashes your Conquering Force so you will be able to demolish all barriers and obstacles in your way.

“When you have a dream, nothing gets in your way.
When you don’t have a dream, everything gets in your way.” — Tom Paredes

It doesn't matter if you know exactly what to do and when to do it. If you don’t have a compelling reason, you won’t do it.

So, what's your reason for doing this business?

Identify your Core Desires or your Big Y
A Core Desire, according to Jack Zufelt, is something you want so badly that you will do whatever it takes, become whatever you must, to get it… no matter what! No matter how difficult, scary or expensive it is.

Remember a time when you were really passionate in life? How'd you like to get that back?

For some… this brings up the image of someone wearing a flashy gold watch… driving a Rolls Royce… or living in a huge mansion in Beverly Hills.

But, what about the rest of us? Maybe for you, an extra $200 to $300 per month would have just as profound an impact on your life, right now. Did you know that most families could avoid Bankruptcy, altogether, if they had an additional $200 to $300 per month? It's true!

Of course, once you have built up to that level, you may want to go for more! That's certainly an option. My point, however, is that we all need to stop and think… just for a minute.. about what kind of "success" we are looking for.

So, ask yourself….
What is most important to you in life?
What is most important to you in business?
Why are you in this business?
What are your top five values in life? In business?
What do you want to accomplish?
What would I like to have that I don't currently have?
If I had that, what would that give me that I don't have now?

Set up specific, measurable and written goals with action deadlines.

Your written goals act as a sort-of road map to help you get to your destination and to identify where you get off track. Plus, it's a vitally important part to include in your written Business Plan in order to satisfy the IRS requirements to have a business with the "intent" to make a profit.

Write it down!
Magic happens when you write things down. Don't just think it; ink it. A year from now, you'll be blown away at how significant it is that you've written that down. What you have written down is your "target". If you don't have a target, I can guarantee you will never hit it. Send a copy to your upline sponsor so they can also help keep you focused on your goals.

The Anatomy of a Goal

Listen to The Anatomy of a Goal by Gary Ryan Blair, The "GoalsGuy"

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What's YOUR vision?
We all have one.. and you already have visions that motivate you to do what you are already doing! Richard Brooke writes in his book, Mach II with Your Hair On Fire, "A vision is simply how we see ourselves; the conversation we have with ourselves and the way we feel about ourselves in any given endeavor."

So, why is a vision so important?

Mr. Brooke goes on to write…

"To the degree that there is a contrast between what we have decided should be happening (visions) and what is happening (current results), MOTIVATION naturally, effortlessly, powerfully, and infinitely flows.

It does this instantly, as soon as it recognizes that a contrast exists.

The best analogy for how this works is a thermostat.

Let’s say the actual temperature (what is happening/current results) is 65 degrees. And you set the thermostat at 70 degrees (what you’ve decided should be happening). There is a contrast between them. So, the thermostat signals the heater to produce heat (motivation) until the temperature hits 70 degrees; at which time the thermostat signals the heater to stop. The temperature in the room starts to cool back down almost immediately. When it goes below 70 degrees, motivation, in the form of heat, begins to flow, and the warming-up process begins again. Back and forth, back and forth, the temperature rises and falls, constantly in search of 70 degrees.

So, too, when what is happening in your life contrasts with what you decide should be happening, the “thermostat” in your mind releases motivation to bring the two together to create alignment. As the two come together, motivation is momentarily reduced, only firing up again as they drift apart.

If there is no difference between what is going on and what you expect to be going on, you have no motivation.

There is nothing for your mind to pursue.

You have no need for physical energy, persistence, or creativity.

How do you know what your vision is?

Look at your actions. Your actions are always consistent with your visions. You are on the path to where you envisioned going.

John Milton Fogg says: "Human beings get what they Expect, and Vision is the tool that does the job of creating Your Expectations. If you've got a bunch of stuff in your life you don't want— such as failure, settling for less, being unhappy, unhealthy, lack and limitation, etceteras— Change Your Vision."

Every step you'll be asked to take is going to be pretty easy for you do, however it will be easier for you not to do it. You might be hearing those voices in your head saying things like, "yeah, but…" or "I already know that" or "I don't have enough time (money, experience, knowledge, ability, or whatever)." Those are the scarcity messages that most of us have listened to for years.

Let me ask you… "Have those messages supported you so far?" "How are those messages working for you?"

The first step is the hardest. Take it. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The courage to begin always separates dreamers from achievers.

Your big opportunity is where you are right now. Do not wait; the time will never be "just right". Start where you stand, and work with the tools you have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

Your willingness to act and to overcome inertia, is the first step on your path to greatness.

Establish Your Budget

Assuming you completed the previous step and have your goals written down, now we will begin putting together a plan for accomplishing those goals.

What's it going to take to reach the goal you set? You did set a specific measurable goal didn't you? If not, there is no way you'll be able to figure out how to reach it.

Treat your business like a business!
As in ANY business, there is a cost of doing business. You need to determine NOW what your monthly budget will be for working your business. Building a business is a marathon. IT IS NOT A SPRINT. Make a minimum commitment of 12 months. What you will accomplish in your last two months will normally exceed what you accomplish in your first ten months. Folks, that is just the way it is… Sadly, too many do NOT UNDERSTAND that simple FACT.

Plus, you want to project your budget out over the next 12 months — and then even as far as 5 years. That's right – five years! There are at least two reasons for this…

1. You need to ensure you have the funds – or at least a plan to have the funds – in order to conduct your business long enough to begin making money. If you don't prepare now for giving your business a chance to succeed… guess what? It probably won't.
2. The IRS expects any legitimate business to have these projections if there is a true intent to make a profit.

How much you budget will be up to you and how aggressively you want to build your business. Here are some items you may want to budget for:

• Your Business membership fees.
• Advertising (incl. leads, prospecting website(s), fliers, business cards, or other printed material)
• Home office overhead and supplies
• Telephone — Long Distance
• Internet Access

Let's walk through a simple example of a budget…

GDI membership fees.		$10.00
Advertising (Leads)		$50.00
Home office overhead		$10.00
Telephone — Long Distance		$39.95
Internet Access		$39.95
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSE		$149.90

Now that you know what your monthly expenses will be, your next step is to project that amount over the next 12-months, i.e., $149.90 x 12 = $1798.80 annual expense. Now you know the amount you need to be prepared to spend over the next year.

If you're NOT willing to make that investment, I recommend you get out of this business NOW and use your money elsewhere. You don't want to start a business undercapitalized with an almost guarantee of failure.

Remember, too, that these expenses should be able to be deducted on your income tax return as a home business tax deduction, so the actual out-of-pocket expense will be much lower.

…What have I got to do?

Be warned. There are no magic pills that will make you a success overnight. You must take an active role in your own success.

Andrew Carnegie’s motto was “Anything in life worth having is worth working for!”

If your goal is to have a successful marriage, you must work for it. If you want to be an entertainer or sports hero, you must work for it. If you want to serve humanity, you must work for it. If you want to become wealthy, you must work for it.

The same is true in your Follow Our Lead business.
If you want to be successful, you've got to work for it.

Since you must work, make the most of it. Work smart as well as hard, run with enthusiasm, be patient, be persistent, and relish the journey.