Update: The new diet pill "alli" has hit Southern California by storm. Paying sixty bucks for ninety capsules with possible side effects didn't deter the wanna-be-thin or wanna-stay-thin crowd. For many Californians, it's programmed in their DNA to look thinner at all costs. They don't even have to be overweight or obese to try a new diet. They just have to BELIEVE they want to look thinner.

Beliefs play a huge part in why we do what we do. If we cave in to our negative beliefs, we'll never reach our true potential. In many cases, we unknowingly sabotage our own progress because we've lowered our potential by a few notches. And unfortunately, many end up being frustrated spectators from the sidelines.

If you believe you were designed for a greater purpose, look into doing every ethical thing you can to achieve it. The door of opportunity stays open only for a short time. If it's open for you, why don't you enter it now? Let others make excuses—not you.

Feature Article: Who Cares?

Resource: The Science of Success

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When No One Believes in You...

In the Lifetime original movie Homeless to Harvard, Elizabeth Murray fought against incredible odds going from living on the streets to winning a scholarship to Harvard. This is the passionate and true story of Liz's personal triumphs over poverty when there was nothing to believe in, but herself. Her sheer will to overcome her negative plight in life pushed her into becoming a valuable asset to herself, and to society.

Liz never received positive reinforcement from home because her home didn't radiate a healthy, wholesome environment. Her parents were strung out on drugs and booze. Going hungry was normal. Heating and bathing were luxuries they knew about via television.

At 15 years of age, Liz was living on the streets supporting herself by begging and stealing. When her mom died of AIDS, she forced herself to look at her dismal future. Not liking the prospects, she decided to focus on improving herself. She decided to return to high school.

She applied herself. She made the high grades. She slept inside subway trains. She washed dishes. She did what she had to do whether she wanted to or not. And when the opportunity came up—she interviewed and won a New York Times scholarship to Harvard.

Liz is an extraordinary woman and human being. She epitomizes what mindset, will and action can accomplish when applied. She believes that bad things happen to everyone—but you either rise above it or remain in its grip.

When life happens, will you continue pushing forward? Even if nobody's in your corner. Even if you've accrued major setbacks. Or even if you were forced to go in reverse.

Will you rise above your circumstances?

Who Cares?

Dear Associate,

My colleague Denise got on the phone for part one of a three-part small group teleconference call with her speech coach. She was supposed to craft a compelling opening for her talk. She spaced out and didn't complete her assignment. Her coach wasn't pleased.

For speakers, the opening is probably the most important part of the speech. That first line, phrase or paragraph will either compel people to the edge of their seats or have them plotting to leave the room. (Ahem, to use the restroom, of course.) It's critically important to engage your audience during the opening.

Now Denise respects her coach. She has listened to his audio book and attended his one-day workshop. I'm sure she didn't want to let him down.

She confessed that before the call—she was so stressed out about not completing her homework—she decided to take a walk along the beach. Listening to the ocean has a calming effect and is definitely good medicine. As she stood watching the surfers and waves she blurted out, "Who cares?"

Why should she worry about this call anyway? This wasn't a life-threatening situation. This certainly was not one of life's red alerts.

When she relayed that story to me she was smiling, relieved, almost patting herself on the back as if she discovered one of life's universal answers. First I thought that was okay because who needs extra stress. But after letting it rattle in my brain I concluded that it was a cop-out answer. And it's quite possibly the most dangerous anti-success attitude on the planet.

She took no action. Therefore she couldn't get the results she wanted. When there's no sowing—there's no reaping. If she were in school, she'd get an "F" grade.

Think about what a mother would do if her newborn needed a change of diapers. Picture a suspicious character loitering around your car. What if Starbucks went belly-up and began shutting down?

There'd be a whole lot of caring then.

In Denise's case, she wasn't in fear of losing anything. It was only homework. She could make it up by the next call. She didn't believe it was a high priority.

But it was...

Because it reveals a great deal about a person's mindset. Results are key in coaching programs. It shows the coach what areas to concentrate on for each client.

Zero action equal zero results. Some action will reap some results. Even a bad result is regarded higher than no results because it can be improved upon.

Even more...

Not only was Denise holding herself back—she was delaying her teleconference group from progressing forward. It's equivalent to having a team member not show up for the game. This was definitely a no-no. All stemming from the attitude of "Who cares?"

Here's what we must ask, "If the Law of Attraction were factored in: What would a person who didn't care—Attract?"

Answer: More of the same.

If you hired a guy to tile your bathroom within three days, but it took him ten, would you hire him again? Or refer him to any of your neighbors? Probably not.

By showing people we care about them, and ourselves: we attract more good into our lives. And more prosperity.

Warm Regards,

1) Most people want success, but they're not willing to "do the hard" to achieve it.
2) For anything to live, something first must die.
3) What's waiting to be released in your life in order for you to obtain more?

Self-made millionaire and contributor to The Secret, James Arthur Ray takes you on a journey to Harmonic Wealth® and prosperity:

The Science of Success: How to Attract Prosperity and Create Harmonic Wealth Through Proven Principles