Dear Ole Dad

I want to salute all the parents of the world! Without even knowing it, we go through an enormous part of our lives playing the role of "Master Teacher" and forming and shaping the lives of our children that go on to define tomorrows world. Talk about responsibility...WOW!!!

I find myself looking backwards these days a heck of a lot more than ever. I know everyone says I'm just getting old. Call it what you want, but everyone's life is a huge book of knowledge so learning from it can't be a bad thing. My dad was the most influential person in my life. I guess I should say "is" because I'm still learning from him today even though we lost him to the "Big C" (cancer) as he used to call it. It's been four years already and in just those four years the things I have gone through are amazing.

I've had two kids come of driving age (and promptly crashed of course), a kid go through rehab (doing great in recovery by the way), watch my mom's alzheimer's get pretty bad, almost cash in on the real estate bubble when my house was on sale for 7 figures only to have it fall through at closing, had challenges with the wife, won and lost clients, hired and fired a few employees, witnessed the first Afro-American become President of the United States, attended a few funerals...and this was in 4 years. Was I always thinking and trying to be a "teacher"? NOT! Was I being a teacher? Absolutely!

The scary part about that is people were watching how I acted and reacted in all of those situations and they learned from my behavior whether I wanted them to or not. Just think about that in relation to children. Where do they spend the majority of their lives? Yes with their parents and hopefully with both their parents. The lessons we learn from those that are near and dear to us last forever. We can all only hope to have most of those lessons be helpful and positive. I'll always remember my Dad as a fair but strict parent. He laid down the law and when (not if) you challenged it you were well aware of it. I have five brothers and sisters and I don't remember anyone successfully challenging that law. I remember my Dad laughing at the silliest commercials and jokes and how much he enjoyed us and all family, how he praised and respected my Mom for being the "Best Mother in the World". I remember him caring for his employees and going out of his way to help the local community. Was he aware he was teaching this whole time? Now that I can comprehend the issue I can't ask him so I ask all of you. Do you consider the fact that those near and dear to you are watching and learning from your every move?

Well if my Dad didn't I think he did a phenomenal job anyway. So to all the parents and teachers out there, here's to you!!! I must mention that Mom is a close second to the most influential people in my life. From where I stand, Mom's really are the ultimate "teachers" and I can't express the respect and honor I have for all of them, especially mine and my wife of course!

Here's a small thing I'm trying to do to give back to my community www.Raendrop.com.

God bless you all, enjoy your Sunday and please be careful someone is learning from you.

Victor
vpuchi@raendrop.com

Change is Good

Why is it so difficult for people to deal with change? After all isn't change supposed to be good?

Personally I believe change is a must. From a business owners perspective change means life. If your business isn't changing and evolving it will become stale and your customers will find an alternative in a heartbeat. So what about from the personal side?

People are constantly changing, every minute of every day, again that's life. Every minute is a new experience and we take it in, process and react...poof we've changed! So why is it so hard to change the way we do things? Is it lack of leadership, motivation, clarity, validity? I supposed it could be any, all or any combination of those and other items too. A bit ironic don't you think? Change is good but making the change is extremely difficult?

What about all of the newly unemployed? Talk about change! I've found a great resource to pump up the motivation for anyone in the process of thinking about change or in the process of executing a change. It's a short movie called Change is Good.

The source of this move is from a company called Simple Truths, my favorite site for motivational resources. I post some of my favorite movies and books from the company on my site Raendrop. The point to all of this is to educate yourself on how to make change easier. Learn how to motivate the people that are critical to the success of the change. After all, the change is good only if its successful and that is a matter of opinion. Embrace change, instigate change and lead the change, but please educate yourself first then Teach and success will follow.

Good luck, keep the chin up and make a change!

Victor

Labor Day

This is quite an ironic day to be celebrating the fruits of our labor when we are in the middle of what some will call one of if not the worst economic crisis in US history. The latest on unemployment is 9.7%...astronomical. So what to do? We certainly have a lot to be proud of, this is still the greatest country in the world. If your fortunate enough to still have a job as I am, then you should feel bad for those less fortunate.

I have a suggestion and I offer it because it has worked for me and it makes complete sense. Be your own boss, take control of your destiny and make life work for you because of you. I have been my own boss for just about 20 years and when there is an economic down turn I know I will be the last guy without a job in my business. Yes its hard but at times like this I wouldn't want it any other way and neither would my family!

So is everyone cut out to be their own boss? My thoughts are yes and absolutely yes. Is everyone going to create a multi-million dollar business? No and they don't have to. All a person needs is enough money to not be a burden on society. Feed and clothe yourself and your family and put a roof over your head, everything else is a luxury. So where does a person start? Business is for business people that are college educated and know about marketing and employees and accounting (oh no!)....NOT!

Today's world is filled with hundreds if not thousands of "work from home" businesses, in my opinion a better option is a network marketing business. Network marketing is the new term for Multi-level marketing businesses. I know, most people have a negative feeling about this but, they ain't what they used to be. Of course there are still many scams out there, but that's true of every transactions you can think of (mortgage brokers come to my mind!). There are some really great opportunities out there. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some simple some complex and in various industries. What does someone need to do to start? In most cases just listen for about 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes that's it and other times you'll need to make a financial investment and committment.

Here's one that I love because there is no upfront cost, you don't have to sell anything and your only financial committment is to buy something you probably already buy once a month for a nominal $20-$30 a month. After that, all you have to do is tell other people about the opportunity and spread the word. The very cool thing about this is that the products offered for sale are sold at a discount from anywhere else (you get value and everyone you share this with gets value), $1 of every item you and everyone else buys goes to a charity dedicated to feeding starving children around the world and you can make some $$ by sharing this value added concept with others.

Do yourself a favor and spend 30 minutes at this site www.tampogo.com/krc. Yes that is my site, I am part of the program. I offer this concept to you to help those in need or for others to help those in need, but frankly I don't understand why everyone wouldn't want to do this. It cost nothing, offers value, is charitable and you are helping others for absolutely no additional cost in your life! A little skeptical, check this out http://www.onlinescamsuncovered.com/tampogo-scam.html

For more ideas on how to add value to your business visit my personal collection of ideas and products at www.raendrop.com

Have a fantastic holiday!

Victor