By Richard B. Brooke

It’s happened to all of us. One day you are plodding through life just fine. Oh sure, things could be better. It would be nice if you were making more money and driving a really classy car. People would really take notice if you advanced to the next level in your company. But for the most part, you are content … doing just fine. Then you bump into and old colleague or college buddy, and suddenly your world isn’t so peachy. You are forced to listen as your friend lists – one by one, leaving all humility aside – his recent achievements and numerous acquisitions.

Why him and not me, you may wonder. And if you are watching associates in the very company you’re in blow by you on their way to the top, your discouragement may turn to disbelief. With the same products and opportunities, why do some people create success while others struggle?

Obviously, there are a lot of factors unique to each of us. Call them challenges, excuses, priorities, circumstances or bad luck. We all have our hills to climb.

With enough motivation, mountains turn into molehills and good luck will prevail.

Motivation is that magic potion of emotional, internal energy that leads us to act powerfully. It’s a synergistic blend of enthusiasm, courage, persistence and creativity that has you looking at your world like a winner. You see it, feel it, and can even taste it. With that kind of magic mood, you and I can and will do anything we choose.

Motivation comes from a crystal-clear, heart-warming, mind-compelling vision – a Technicolor picture of what you see for yourself. A vision perfectly aligned with your goals, true values and natural gifts.

Now you have a choice. You can hope, wish for and want a compelling vision to visit you as it wanders the galaxy. That’s called bumping into motivation; but bumping into it happens about as often as you win the lottery. This, by the way, is how 95 percent of us manage our motivation – by accident.

Or you can grab your destiny like your life depends on it and create a vision that propels you into massive action.

You know how to do it. Think, dream, brainstorm and write. Keep writing and revising your vision until it works for you. Change it as soon as it quits working for you. And if you need help, I encourage you to get your hands on my book, Mach II With Your Hair on Fire.

It’s not easy. If it were, everyone would do it. But it’s what separates those with their “hair on fire” from those with wet heads. It’s up to you.

If you aren’t sure that your vision is powerful, just look at your actions in the past 90 days. Are you lighting up the world with your luck and good fortune? Or are you still struggling?

There’s no hill for a climber with a vision.

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1. Leadership That Inspires
2. The Four Greatest Lies of Success
3. You’ll See It When You Believe It

by:Michael Kaunitz, CPA

The earlier you start investing, the more your nest egg will be down the road – everything held equal.

This is based solely on the principle of compounding.  If you start saving at age 22, save $100 a month and earn  an 8% return until you are age 65, you will have $450,478.  However, if you wait to start saving until age 32, save   $100 per month and earn an 8% return until you are age 65, you will have $194,654.  This $255,824 is a life changing amount at age 65, especially with the total savings difference only being $12,000 between the two examples.

Saving at an early age should not just be limited to one’s retirement.  It should be applied to all aspects of life.  Whether it is your child’s college education or your dream vacation home, saving early can yield more impressive results than if you were to wait until later in life to start.  Just remember the magic of compounding and its potential results.

Mike can be contacted at kaunitzcpas.com

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1. Financial Advice For Single Parents