Regardless of what has happened with he stock market, there is still plenty of opportunity for prosperity right here, and right now. The real problem is created when people get scared and stop spending their money - THIS IS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

Read this carefully: The U.S. and most other economies are not based on gold or any substantial standard. Private banks like the Federal Reserve print billions of dollars in paper money that only has value becuase we agree that it does.

The whole system is an elaborate prop. It’s manufactued, as is the hype surrounding our current economic problems.

Has your job announced they plan to stop cutting your salary checks?  No.

The only people in real danger here are the entrepreneurs who provide products and services to the rest of the public. When people turn into complete dumbasses over a few over-hyped news reports and stop spending any money it kills the small business economy in this and other coutnries.

Let’s all please get our heads out of our asses on this one and be responsible citizens. The sky is not falling. We can cause a huge problem for the whole damn country by freaking out and not spending another dime until the new president gives us the thumbs up, or we can be smart and keep living our lives, which of course involves spending money in the normal fashion.

The debacle of the 2000 election still rings clearly for many others as well. There is a mountain of information that leads to the distinct possibility that our nation’s political engine has been driven by the bankers and mega-corporations for at least half a century.

And when I say driven I mean driven. I’m not talking directed, influenced, etc. I’m suggesting the very real possibility that votes don’t get counted and rules don’t get followed.

Understand I’m not saying this is how things are. I’m just saying I’ve read some compelling essays on the issue, and I’ve drawn a few of my own conclusions as well.

For the longest time this blog was devoted entirely to one of my online business lists. But now that it has become my personal, very casual online journal I can write about anything I like.

And as election time is upon here in the states I’m just musing about some things.

I also have a little prediction: Obama will be our next president.

I’m not saying I trust the guy. I’m not even saying I like his platform (though it does have some appeal).

Make no mistake I don’t want to see our country continue under an extension of the current administration. But when I say Obama will be the next president I’m not carrying on with a personal agenda; this is just how I see things playing out.

And I think it’s legitimately possible that he’s set to be installed, regardless of the outcome of the votes.

I believe the Republican/Democrat duality is a scam. Aside from a few minor differences, what really changed between Bush, Clinton, and Baby Bush? And if Gore were in office do you really believe we wouldn’t still be in Iraq right now? America is a one-party state with two flavors that appeal to different demographics.

Clearly I don’t suggest that all Republicans and all Democrats are on board with, or even aware of, the facade. Ron Paul is clear evidence that sincere, legitimate people still exist within the political arena.

And who knows? Maybe Obama is a real Democrat who actually believes in what he talks about.

Either way the winds of change are blowing. Maybe that means the public will vote into office new leadership. And maybe that means the one-party establishment will install a seemingly new administration to appease the masses. I look forward to a change of pace over the next four years.

In other words I’m not as consistent as I need to be. Hence my recent decision to really work at fine-tuning my time management strategy.

I’ll call this entry “Volume 1″ because I’m sure there will be more to come. Here are a few of my best practices that have helped me become far more effective in my daily work.

A Task List Is A MUST!

This one is fairly obvious, but then I went for a long time without doing it. A daily task list is absolutely necessary for any entrepreneur or businessperson.

We need a short, simple outline of the day’s mission critical objectives as well as any sidenotes of value. This helps us make measurable progress on a daily basis without floundering aimlessly.

I’ve found it best to have only two critical mission items per day, and up to four minor notes. Always try to list your items in order of importance, and always start with the highest priority each day.

And you should always create your daily task list the night before. Setting your list up in advance helps you avoid wasting work time in the morning. You can just hit the first item in your list and go from there.

Question Everything You Do!

Another really helpful tactic is to ask yourself this question when you are considering an item for your task list, or when anything unexpected comes up: “Is this activity productive in terms of moving me towards one of my key goals?”

If an activity will NOT move you toward an important goal it should get the boot. Only spend time doing what matters!

Of course this may require you to go back and set up your core goals. Having clearly defined goals is a must for effective time management because this gives you the foundation for your entire management strategy.

Say NO Often!

It’s not easy at first, but once you get the hang of it you’re going to love it. When you don’t want to do something or don’t see the benefit of an activity you are offered, just say NO!

I’m not telling you to refrain from helping others. I’m just encouraging you to stand up for yourself and your right to use your time for the highest good.

Avoid getting trapped into an obligatory hell of too many commitments.

Increase Your Reading Speed!

Seriously. The ability to read more quickly and effectively will allow you to spend less time on all the content you as a professional must absorb each week.

And you’ll actually find the ability to read faster will enhance brain activity, thus creating the feeling of more energy and sharper focus.

Check out this cool resource to learn more about speed reading.

These quick and easy tips are a good jump on time management. Take action on them and come up with a few of your own winners. I’ll post more on this topic in the near future and certainly I appreciate any tips that are added via comment here.

It’s pretty clear the oil companies use these fluctuations to keep the disgruntled consumer base off balance. A likely scenario is for prices to drop for a few months and then hit another major spike that pushes the average per-gallon rate above $4.

I’m not an economist. I’m just making an observation of what seems to be a pretty clear pattern.

I look forward to the near future when we’re off this ridiculous see-saw. And I’m not talking about the minor budgetary inconvenience of higher gas prices; I’m referring to the much bigger issue of our overall energy strategy.

Here’s something interesting to take note of: Now that the price of a gallon of gas has dropped significantly, see for yourself if you’re hearing less water cooler talk about alternative energy. The sad fact is, public opinion on energy policy rises and falls in direct proportion to the current prices at the pumps.

We have to grow past this as a people. It’s time for us to set goals, demand major policy shifts, and see these goals through.

It’s nice to have a break in prices at the pump. But it’s also critical that we stay focused on the need for alternative energy despite the lowering of oil prices.

It will be interesting to see what the next U.S. executive team does in the realm of new initiatives. I feel intuitively that even after the smoke has cleared, no matter who ends up in office, we will definitely see some very real shifts in the current direction of energy policy and practice.

It’s long over due. And the thought of going even another five years without launching one or more major programs is frankly horrifying.

I’d like to see big steps taken in the direction of wind, solar, and even nuclear energies before the end of the current decade. Once we commit there’s no doubt we’ll succeed but enough of this floundering already.

Take a look at California and the policies they’ve put into play in recent years. It’s inspiring to say the least and there’s no reason the rest of the country should settle for less.

I realize big change is not without some friction. Detroit was less than thrilled with many of the initiatives coming out of California because of the impact they had on the automotive industry. But I say better to take a couple on the chin now for the greater good than to keep moving in a direction that has major and destructive implications for the whole of society.

I’ve made a good living working with amateur Internet marketers but honestly I think some tough love is badly needed in this part of cyberspace. On that note here’s another rant…

There are literally millions of people online who say they want their own “Internet business”. But the truth is most of these individuals are lazy daydreamers who want to win the lottery.

Business and the lottery are two very different things. The Web seems full of people who don’t realize this.

Many people seem hung up on the idea that if they just keep going through the motions, they’ll eventually get the break they’re waiting for. In fact sentiments of “it’s going to happen if I keep trying” are common among wannabe Internet entrepreneurs.

Here’s the thing: Nothing happens for us unless we actively create it.

Another really bizarre phenomenon in the pretend Internet business sector is the huge number of people who have been “working online” for years without ever making their first sale. It’s incredible that such circumstances are accepted as normal.

Consider this:

Have you ever come across a plumber, accountant, dog trainer, landscaper, florist, or restaurant owner who says things like…

“Yeah I’ve been at this for five years and still haven’t made my first sale.”

or…

“I really need this to work out soon before I run out of money.”

Or have you ever heard someone who is about to start a new venture as a commercial cleaner, dentist, real estate investor, or hair stylist say things like…

“There isn’t a lot of work involved is there?”
or…

“Can I do this for two hours a week and still make six figures each year?”

or…

“Will I get my investment back in less than two weeks?”

Statements and questions like these would be considered absurd by any traditional businessperson. And yet such ridiculous sentiments are totally common when talking to people who want their own “Internet business”.

I submit that this kind of mentality (term used loosely) is ludicrous, and closer to the attitude of a lotto card gambling junkie than a real entrepreneur. Anyone who says such things and means them should seriously reconsider this whole “online business” thing.

Too many people seem to be looking for a cookie-cutter system that instantly puts them on track to be wildly successful. Even when offered legitimate coaching services, it’s quite common for people who claim to be Internet marketers to ask things like:

“How fast will I start making money after the coaching is complete?”

and…

“Will I get a refund if I don’t make any money?”

It’s an embarrassment to the whole industry of online commerce that people who claim to be Internet entrepreneurs have this kind of childish attitude about their so-called business. No other business niche breeds so many clueless, lazy, something-for-nothing crackpots.

It may be true that infomercials and manipulative copywriters help perpetuate this kind of get-rich-quick mentality. But the truth is the individual must take responsibility for his or her own expectations and actions.

Any form of business requires creativity, effort, risk, commitment, and time to become profitable. Online ventures are no exception.

Choosing to ignore these words and pursue an Internet marketing business with the something-for-nothing mentality is the fast track to frustration and failure. If you don’t love this business, it will crush you. The world of Internet marketing is no place for the wishy-washy, weak-kneed, or undecided entrepreneur.

Success as an entrepreneur is about being passionate, giving wholly of yourself, busting your ass, falling flat on your face and getting right back up, having a good crying jag from time to time, and reveling in the thrill of complete and total victory at the end of it all. Making real money online doesn’t come with the “I’ll scratch off the blocks and maybe match the icons for the prize” approach.

I saw the question above on a debate site recently. It struck me as funny so I decided to chime in, and here’s what I wrote…

Can video gaming and Christianity co-exist?  What a bizarre question.

First of all, whether proponents on either side of this odd little debate like it or not, both video games and numerous sects of Christian worshipers are sharing space and time in the same universe as I type this. So the short version of my answer is: yes a co-existence is both possible and in progress.

Having said this, I’ll now have a crack at what I assume is the more philosophical question at the core of this debate. Can video games continue to be manufactured without incurring the fiery wrath of God, and/or will the Christian religion survive in the wake of a growing population of inherently wicked game enthusiasts?

I’m going to have to “yes” again. What’s the big deal?

Granted there are members of the Christian society who believe they have been commissioned to help God judge the planet for its sins. Furthermore such self-righteous advocates tend to be in the business of defining exactly what sin is and is not.

And I’m led to believe by the fact this debate even exists that sufficient numbers of those calling themselves Christians object strongly to the existence of video gaming as an activity. I’m fairly certain nobody in the video game industry is lobbying to shut down the Southern Baptist Convention, for instance so until corrected I’ll assume the debate exists due to anti-gaming advocacy on the part of elements within the Christian church.

For a group of people who constantly claim to be targeted for persecution, modern Christians sure seem willing to attack other groups, ideals, organizations, and activities that don’t readily conform to their doctrines. But I’ll save that line of commentary for another article.

As someone who is familiar with and humbled by the teachings of Jesus Christ, I see no reason to seek the demise of the video game industry or those who support it. In fact, trying to put the lid on anyone based on the fact that they produce or endorse content and expressions which I don’t agree with is something that goes entirely against my personal philosophy.

I concede that excessive time spent immersed in digital worlds may not be the ideal lifestyle, and certainly there are many games I consider unsuitable for my 9 year old nephew. The glorification of violence by any form of media, including video games, is a primitive indulgence that I would very much like to see our culture evolve past.

However, it’s just plain silly to presume that all video games are violent. Many are not.

It’s also inaccurate to surmise that all video gamers are obsessed to the point of spending 20 hours per day in front of their consoles. I personally log less than 4-5 hours per month on my game unit.

It should also be pointed out that video games can have a positive impact on users. Stimulated imagination, heightened creativity, improved hand-eye coordination, and improvisational problem solving skills are just a few possible benefits that come to mind.

For Christians who are concerned with the potentially negative impact of violent content and obsessive behavior, I believe the answer is pro-activity and education. Pay attention to the ratings provided by game manufacturers (works just like the movie rating system) and avoid buying titles that are inappropriate for your children. Take this a step further by being open with the people you love, young and old, about the negative and unenlightened implications of digital violence; ask them why they should think it’s OK to hurt people in a virtual world and hold them accountable for a real answer. Don’t compromise your belief that it’s unhealthy to spend hours at a time glued to a display screen, and offer invigorating alternatives for the young people within your circle of influence. Instead of seeking to rob people of their power of choice, why not offer an intelligent challenge that highlights the benefits of your perspective?

It’s a silly name. I can’t help but address that in every review I make of this product because the idea of being “on crack” just does not seem like anything positive or productive to me.

But what the author (Andrew Hansen) is trying to imply is that his product will super-charge your niche marketing and help you make progress very quickly. Is he right?

The short answer is: Yes. This product is worthwhile and beneficial.

Andrew provides a very solid blueprint, in fact his outline is very much like what I do. And Iearned more than one new tactic from this great e-book.

Niche Marketing On Crack actually takes the reader through the entire process of finding a niche, brainstorming product ideas, developing a site (a whole network of them in fact), driving traffic, and setting up a strgon sales process. This really is the one product I recommend to anyone who wants to start an online business.

The strategy outlined in NMOC works great for affiliate marketing, leveraging ad networks (Google Adsense)  and can be used for promoting your own information products. It’s all extremely simple and easy to follow, and 100% realistic.

One of the really cool angles NMOC takes is to go really tight on your targeting. You’ll discover how to focus your efforts on people who are already looking to spend money before they land on your site!

You won’t find anything incredibly techno oriented and you don’t need any prior marketing or business experience to work this system. Andrew says he even taught this method to his girlfriend and her mother, and they both make money using it!

Niche marketing is a buzz term in many ways but it’s also real marketing in purest form. As I’ve said many times before, the majority of people are totally off center with their idea of what niche marketing really is.

If you don’t have a solid understanding of what a niche market is, you’ll fail to earn substantial money online. But once you know the truth about niche markets you’ll be able to make money pretty much at will on a recurring and continual basis.

If that last statement doesn’t sound like good fun you should toss this whole “business” idea in the trash and find a hobby.

The bottom line is, Niche Marketing On Crack is a great investment. I fully endorse this product and recommend it to anyone with an itnerest in earning money via Website marketing.

Recommended Resources:

Learn more about Niche Marketing On Crack

Niche Marketing On Crack Home Page

Niche Marketing Crash Course (Free!)

Is this true? To be honest I can’t see how anyone would discredit the notion.

While there are a number of debatable topics within the overall idea behind the law of attraction, on some level it must be obvious that our thinking has a very real and concrete impact on what we call the physical world. One doesn’t need to believe every minor detail found in popular books and films, but it seems to me very difficult to eliminate the possibility that human consciousness shapes the world we live in.

The current popularity of the term law of attraction began with the release of the film entitled The Secret. But the term was actually coined in the English language in 1906 by William  Walker Atkinson in his book Thought Vibrations: Law Of Attraction In The Thought World.

The term and concept law of attraction have been used numerous times since, including by renowned Christian writer Norman Vincent Peale, author of the all-time best-seller Power Of Positive Thinking. The law of attraction is absolutely not a new idea or a self-help fad.

In fact the core notion of manifesting reality is thousands of years old. It’s also worth pointing out that many scientists in fields like quantum physics and string theory study advocate the validity of the law of attraction.

So what’s the real controversy? Why the big debate as to whether or not law of attraction is real?

There are many reasons, and it’s beyond the scope of this blog to review them all. But traditional skepticism and fear are two of the leaders.

Many people recoil at the idea that a human being has any real power. We are creatures of flesh, bone, and instinct with nothing great to offer as far as some are concerned.

And of course numerous religious groups fear movements surrounding awareness of the law of attraction will somehow detract from their influence on society or “lead people astray”. This is nonsense right out of the dark ages.

I recommend everyone explore the concepts of manifestation and attraction for themselves. Look at multiple sources on the issue and decide for yourself.

This is an important time in human history. At last the idea of personal responsibility and personal power are growing on a major scale!

Before you decide to believe or not believe in the phenomenon we call the law of attraction, spend some time in research and introspection. Look at the matter from many angles and ask the core question:

Do your thoughts and actions create your reality or is life something that just happens to you beyond your control?

People from all schools of thought want to pick the issue apart and argue over every nuance. This is pointless beyond a little entertainment value and the love of a good debate.

The critical issues at hand are responsibility and power. I believe it’s time humanity embraces both and creates a world we can be proud to pass on to future generations.

Here are a few recommended resources to help you begin your study of the law of attraction:

Law of Attraction

How To Use The Law Of Attraction

Universal Law Of Attraction

For this reason, spending a little time on niche research is crucial when starting an online business.

While a true abundance mindset rejects the idea of competition and realizes there is more than enough for everyone, it still makes sense to avoid jumping into the fray with thousands of sites that are selling almost identical products to the ones you are offering. You can make a lot more money with much less effort by narrowing your focus to a niche market.

The term “niche marketing” gets used a lot online, but most of the time it’s not used correctly. A niche, in terms of marketing, is a relatively small group of customers who have very specific interests and/or needs.

Targeting a niche makes it easier for you to create profits for a couple of reasons:

1. You are marketing to a group of people with very specific needs. In many cases these folks actively want the solution you are offering.

2. There is almost always less (even minimal) competition when you are targeting a niche because few online businesses will take the time to research these smaller market segments. Most marketers go for the broad markets, leaving many lucrative niches pretty much untapped.

It should be pretty clear how your business could benefit from focusing on niche marketing. But what is less obvious for many entrepreneurs is how to do this; i.e. many people confuse the concept of a niche with that of a specific market.

Here’s what I mean:

When asked to list a few niches, many people would come up with answers such as horse training, weight loss, and home improvement. These are sincere responses, but they are not niche markets by any stretch of the imagination.

Each of the above markets is very broadly defined. To find a niche, one must more narrowly refine his or her search into a broad market.

On this premise, horse-training equipment for left-handed children might be a niche worth exploring.

As would safe weight loss strategies for men over 40 who are recovering from alcoholism.

By the same token, another possible niche market would be adding bay windows to second story rooms to enhance both interior lighting and equity value.

Are you beginning to see the difference in a broad market and a tightly focused niche? The examples above are totally made up off the cuff, and may or may not be profitable; but hopefully you see the point I’ve used them to illustrate.

While a broad market may have millions of consumers, it also probably has at least tens of thousands of qualified businesses working hard to sell to these prospects. On the other hand, a good niche with only a few thousand customers may have just one or two merchants currently catering to their needs.

As an online marketer you could earn a substantial living with a few hundred core customers. And if you are among the first to discover the potential of a certain niche, you can position yourself very strongly in the eyes of your target prospects and generate sales without a lot of hard work.

It only takes a little research to find a good niche. By spending a few hours of your time looking for a very focused group of consumers you could literally set yourself up for massive success on a long-term basis.

To begin earning real money as quickly as possible with niche marketing I highly recommend Niche Marketing On Crack. I realize that sounds crazy and I assure you I’m not supporting hard drug use, but this e-course is the best I’ve found in the category.

If you want a load of solid, take it to the bank knowledge without a ton of stuff that just confuses the heck out of you this niche marketing course is for you. Not only is this product a crystal clear blueprint for success, it’s super-affordable!

The short answer is yes. But you need to understand there are different ways to read depending on what you want to achieve.

You can increase your speed for getting through less critical reading. But if you plan to absorb 100% of what you read you’re simply going to have to slow down.

The average reader can take in 250 words per minute with a comprehension of around 70%. It’s a great idea to work toward exceeding these bland averages because doing so will make you more effective both in your work and as a person who wants to learn as much as possible in life.

I recently found a pretty cool site on the subject of speed reading. There’s no affiliate program here I just think those who want to learn to speed read will benefit from this content. Be sure to have a look at this site if you have any interest in picking up your words per minute and your comprehension.