MARCH 2019 INLAND EMPIRE

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

Jim Conlon Executive Agent of the Month

Inside Features Ashley Daniels Meridox Tricia Piornack loanDepot®

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A DYNAMIC LENDER

MAKES FOR

A HAPPY BORROWER The user experience is a key factor when applying for a mortgage. Reducing the time it takes to complete the loan process and enhancing the overall experience is what differentiates one lender over another. That’s why loanDepot developed mello™ – an easy-to-use web app that allows our customers to take control of their mortgage journey.

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CONTACT US FOR ALL YOUR HOME FINANCING NEEDS! RICHARD HEDRICK

NMLS# 1059650 Branch Manager (909) 912-7835 office (714) 400-2753 cell 3281 E Guasti Rd, Suite 550 Ontario, CA 91761 rhedrick@loanDepot.com www.loanDepot.com/rhedrick

ONTARIO BRANCH

RIVERSIDE BRANCH

TEMECULA BRANCH

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO BRANCH

(909) 912-7810 3281 E Guasti Rd, Suite 550 Ontario, CA 91761

(951) 375-4800 41607 Margarita Rd, Suite 101 Temecula, CA 92591

(909) 912-7835 21804 Cactus Avenue, Suite 102 Riverside, CA 92518

(949) 799-3050 30448 Rancho Viejo Rd, Suite 250 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

loanDepot.com, LLC NMLS ID 174457. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act CRMLA 4131040. (122818 118995v2)

EXECUTIVE AGENT OF THE MONTH

Jim Conlon RE/MAX Freedom

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Inside Features

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Ashley Daniels

Tricia Piornack

Meridox

loanDepot® ExecutiveAgent Magazine

INLAND EMPIRE - MARCH, 2019

Editorials

E XECUTIVE AGENT

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MAGAZINE

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Fred Arrias Executive Publisher PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Ph: (949) 297-8323 Fax: (949) 266-8757 FArrias45@gmail.com www.ExecutiveAgentMagazine.com

It’s Easier Than Ever To Be A Landlord.

-Joe Edgar

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

3 Money Habits That Separate the Rich From the Poor -Jim Rohn

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To Be Successful, Focus On Your Personal Growth -Ramit Sethi

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The Termite Guy......................................................3 VAREP.....................................................................15 WCR........................................................................24

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3 Reasons Why Investing In Real Estate Is Easier Than Ever -Candace Sjogren

Photography: iPhotography Studio, Michelle Fairless Photography, Rob Paino Graphic Designer: Garon T. Arrias Editorial Manager: Trudy Van Writers: Ben Angel, John Boe, Haley Freeman, Jim Rohn, Walter Sanford, Dirk Zeller, Zig Ziglar Craig Harrison, Simma Lieberman, Chris Widener © Copyright 2019 Executive Agent Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Executive Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

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Make Greatness Your Goal!

-Chris Widener

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E XECUTIVE AGENT

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MAGAZINE

Tricia Piornack Written by Haley Wilson Freeman

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ricia Piornack grew up in Redondo Beach, where her dad, a contractor, built her mom’s dream home when Tricia was 10 years old. “I grew up around new homes all my life, and I understood from a young age that it’s everybody’s dream to be able to own a home.”

While Tricia began her professional journey as a children’s photographer, it’s not surprising that her early appreciation for homes eventually led her to mortgage lending. She began working for a credit union, where she quickly advanced from a teller position to risk management, and later, loan processing and origination.

After Tricia and her husband relocated and bought a home in Lake Elsinore a few years ago, she was impressed with the performance of her builder’s preferred lender. “My loan officer said, ‘Why don’t you come work for me?’ The service I received was amazing and reminded me a lot of the credit union I worked for.” Tricia joined loanDepot as a loan processor, and she says, “I’ve loved it ever since.”

Today, Tricia is a loan officer, bringing her 17-plus years of comprehensive banking and finance experience to her practice at loanDepot’s Riverside branch. “Being a loan officer and working directly with borrowers is the part I enjoy most. As a

processor, I missed sitting down with them initially and talking about their financial needs, figuring out if it is the right time for them to buy a home and what they need to do to prepare. My goal is not just to put someone into a home, but for them to also still put money in savings and have enough left over to enjoy their home.”

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Your Advocate For The Right Home Loan Tricia guides clients through the home buying process from start to finish, setting the right expectations and giving them a road map for success. “I want to make buying a home a seamless process they can understand. It’s always about them and making sure they’re comfortable and confident in the decision they’re making. We maintain great communication here between our departments, and I am available to my clients at any hour to answer their questions.”

With her many years of industry experience, Tricia is able to anticipate possible complications ahead of time and work with her clients to resolve issues. Both borrowers and their agents will appreciate Tricia’s significant contribution to a seamless close of escrow. “It’s my goal to originate loans efficiently up front and push a file through that is one touch with very limited conditions.” loanDepot provides state-of-the-art tools that enhance the home buying experience along with an array of innovative programs that give borrowers attractive financing options. “We do a lot of down payment assistance programs. Those really help our borrowers who may not be able to get into a home due to lower income or limited down payment. CalHFA offers Conventional, FHA and VA loan programs and allows for an additional Zero Interest Program (ZIP) for Closing Cost assistance of either 3% or 4% of the loan amount.

Tricia and Jayson, her husband of 14 years, are enjoying the unique lifestyle in Temecula’s wine country. Parents to three grown sons, they love being part of the vibrant community in Canyon Hills, where so many neighbors come together for social activities.

With her mother’s joy at acquiring her dream home still a vivid memory after all these years, Tricia remains passionate about helping her neighbors achieve their own dreams of home ownership.

“Having gone through the process myself, I know anybody can buy a home. I’m here as their advocate to make sure they get what’s best for them.

What’s good for one borrower may not be best for another. I’m here to put the right family in the right loan program.”

Tricia Piornack loanDepot® 21804 Cactus Avenue, Suite 102 Riverside, CA 92518 Tel: 909.912.7839 Email: TPiornack@loandepot.com Web: www.loandepot.com/branches/temecula-ca NMLS ID 810106

At the other end of the spectrum is loanDepot’s Jumbo Advantage program. Tricia explains, “This is our own product that allows for a higher balance loan without mortgage insurance.”

Rates, terms, and availability of programs are subject to change without notice. loanDepot.com, LLC NMLS ID 174457. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act CRMLA 4131040.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

3 Reasons Why Investing in Real Estate Is Easier Than Ever Written by Candace Sjogren

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ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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ccording to a study conducted by Morgan Stanley, more millionaires today have invested in real estate than any other asset class. While real estate investing may seem intimidating or out of reach, new technology is changing the game by increasing access and decreasing investment minimums.

To get a better understanding for how new and younger investors can begin building their real estate portfolios, I had a phone interview with Joy Schoffler, Chief Strategy Officer at Upside Avenue, a spin-off of traditional real estate investment companies that let’s the little guys in.

ADVERTISING Upside Avenue started 16 years ago as a family office, acquiring multi-family buildings alongside other individual and institutional investors. Previously, this type of investment was only available for accredited, or wealthy, investors, but now Upside Avenue has opened their investments to the public at a minimum investment as low as $2,000.

With the early stage investor in mind, Schoffler recommends the following three tips for getting ahead in real estate: 1. Start conservatively.

The first and most important aspect to remember when investing is preserving money. “Market growth is slowing down,” explains Schoffler. “When you’ve worked hard to save money you can finally invest, you need to be careful to not just invest it anywhere. I recommend starting out by investing with a more conservative approach because I’ve done it the other way and lost.”

“If you adopt the investment concept of compounding -- the process of increasing your return based on reinvested earnings -- you might be surprised what you could earn over time. But you need to be comfortable playing the long, rather than short game. Make sure your investments will perform well in both an up and down economy.”

2. Don’t worry about diversification -- just start.

A lot of people (including myself) are so worried about investing intelligently and maintaining diversification that they never begin investing. Schoffler suggests, however, “If the minimum buy-in is $5,000 for an investment you understand and really want to get into, don’t wait until you have $100,000 built up to participate. If you are fairly conservative with your early investments, you can earn while you learn.”

3. Technology is changing the game and inviting new players.

Before the passage of the JOBS Act in 2012, it was illegal for unaccredited investors to invest in non-traded REIT offerings. The only options were the stock market and possibly a fixer upper if you were willing to endure the hassle of being a landlord.

“However,” explains Schoffler, “since this legislation went into effect, and with the proliferation of fintech [financial technology] that enabled investment firms to serve more investors at lower costs, there are more opportunities to invest in professionally run, institutional quality real estate. And as a result, now large established investment firms such as BlackRock, Carlisle Group and others are launching online investment platforms, some with extremely low minimums.”

“Compared to traditional private offerings, they are also required to file a great deal more information, sharing it publicly through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR). This can help investors in their due diligence, process. The additional annual filings requirements also allow investors to keep better track of their investments, which gives investors way more information about these non-traded REITs.” Information, technology and transparency are removing the intimidating shroud that has historically covered the real estate investment market -- making that leap from saver to investor that much easier for the future generations of millionaires.

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E XECUTIVE AGENT

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MAGAZINE

Written by Haley Wilson Freeman

Ashley Daniels A

shley Daniels is a vibrant young professional who brings integrity and enthusiasm to her dual role of RealtorÂŽ and loan officer at boutique Meridox Real Estate and Mortgage. With six years of

experience across all aspects of home lending and real estate, Ashley enjoys the process of helping her neighbors find the right home and financing in the Inland Empire and beyond.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Applying Family Values to Real Estate Ashely grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, where her entrepreneurial parents built a successful heating and air company. She played women’s soccer and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hope International University. When Ashley needed to complete an internship for her degree program, it happened that her parents were in the process of buying a home. Their Realtor®, Charles Mackey, invited Ashley to intern with him at Meridox. Ashley quickly realized that real estate was a great fit for her outgoing personality and strong work ethic. She further realized that family-run Meridox provided exactly the kind of team atmosphere and service excellence she had been raised to believe are vital to a successful business.

Meridox has established its reputation across Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties with a high-touch service model that emphasizes clear communication and consistent results.

“We’re all Realtors® and loan officers, so we’re a onestop shop. It’s nice because when somebody is looking at a property, I can generally help with all their questions. They don’t have to call a bunch of different people and wait for the answers. The process is streamlined, and clients tell me they value that.”

She continues, “I enjoy it, too, because it helps me get to know my clients better and find a home that is a better fit for them, since I know what their financing is. It also helps me to maintain a relationship and continue providing value in the future. If rates drop, I can let them know it may be a good time to refinance. I’m not just out of the picture until they’re ready to buy a house again.”

help your clients make good decisions, you have to keep up with changes and learn how to adjust with the market. Our company has that mindset, too. We are growing and adding new team members, and everyone has their own expertise, so we can all learn from each other.”

For Ashley, the next best thing to working in her family’s business is working alongside her family by referral. “If I have a home inspection where the air conditioning isn’t working properly, I call my dad and brother to check it out.

It’s great knowing I have a reliable resource for my clients.

My family also refers business to me.”

Much of Ashley’s real estate practice is focused in the Inland Empire, where she has a lifetime of connections to the community. She is also a homeowner in the area, and she and her boyfriend enjoy getting outdoors with their two dogs, Bocephus and Drake. Ashley still plays soccer in a local coed league.

Clients describe Ashley as helpful, knowledgeable and kind. She concludes, “Not just me, but everyone in our company really cares about our clients and doing what is best for them. I like building relationships with people and seeing the satisfaction they get when they purchase a new home or sell a home and move on to a different life. Clients become friends, and I like being the person they trust with their biggest investment.”

From her parents, Ashley says she learned that success comes only with hard work. As a result, she is innovative and never backs down when helping her clients achieve their goals. Recently, when a client wanted to purchase three adjacent parcels, two of which were not on the market, Ashley did the research, contacted the property owners and negotiated the transactions. “My dad always told me don’t take no as an answer. It can always be done, you just have to put the effort in.”

Ashley meets new challenges with excitement and is always eager to learn fresh strategies that will enhance her contribution as a professional. “To survive in real estate and ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Ashley Daniels Meridox Real Estate and Mortgage 8175 E. Kaiser Blvd., Ste. 206 Anaheim, CA 92808 Tel: 909.838.6164 Email: Ashley@meridox.com Web: www.meridoxre.com CalDRE # 01928765 NMLS ID 1238086

It’s easier than ever to be a landlord.

Written By Joe Edgar

S

ince 2008 we’ve seen the number of so-called “do-it-yourself (DIY) landlords” increase by nearly 30 percent, driven by new rental platforms like Airbnb and the arrival of technology tools that make being a landlord easier than it was in the past.

Amassing a real estate portfolio has long been a stable and effective way to grow your wealth. Is there any wonder why owners don’t want to sell?

But, it isn’t without challenges.

From problem tenants to maintenance headaches, to the risk of financial loss, owning rental property can be a full-time job. Here are a few suggestions to make life easier for potential DIY landlords when getting into the market.

to sell it (or both) free of capital gains while building a nice little rental business, all while both properties continue to appreciate.

Location still matters (a lot).

It’s cliché, but location really does matter in real estate. For landlords, it’s especially important, because attracting tenants to your property is job one, and renters have the luxury of picking and choosing based on location since they aren’t tied down with their own mortgages. This is another good reason to start by renting out your existing house. You already know the area. You already know the neighborhood.

You understand what the market for your property is going to be because you were part of that market yourself when you bought in the first place.

Your mortgage is an asset, not a liability.

Don’t buy what you already own.

Purchasing real estate can be expensive. From inspections to agent fees, to closing costs, simply processing the transaction of buying a rental home can add up quickly. Why not just rent out your current house, rather than shop for a home to rent out?

Your financing is all set up, there will be no closing costs to pay and you’ll save on commission fees.

What’s more, you already know what the house has been through. You know the maintenance history and what work has been done recently. You know exactly what you’re getting into and can budget for ongoing maintenance accordingly.

Many people grow up thinking of debt as a bad thing. And, when not handled carefully, that can be very true. But, in the case of real estate, the reality is actually the opposite. A mortgage on a rental property is an asset because it’s helping to create new income from that investment property. Now you have additional income that is paying for the mortgage.

The real estate market is tight and looks to get even tighter, in part because of the many financial advantages that DIY landlords enjoy. In fact, the system is all but set up to encourage homeowners to become landlords by treating them as quasi-small businesses with all of the benefits that designation entails.

Understand your primary tax exemption.

This is an advantage written into the tax code that effectively exempts up to $500,000 from capital gains tax when you sell your home, provided you’ve lived in the home for at least two years. In other words, a new landlord can rent out their current house, buy a new one, and then after two years, they’ll be able

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It’s not a cake walk, but those that know how to navigate the potential pitfalls of the rental market will be able to build solid real estate portfolios, increase their borrowing power and grow their wealth exponentially over time.

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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April 8-10, 2019 M AY F LO W E R H OT E L WA S H I N G TO N , D C

N A H R E P. O R G / D C 2 0 1 9

HELPING MILITARY & VETERAN

FAMILIES REALIZE THE

AMERICAN DREAM! 2,600 + VETERANS

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WHO WE ARE Established in 2011, the USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity for the active-military and veteran communities.

WERE HELPED THROUGH VAREP CARES

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VAREP San Bernardino - Veterans Housing Summit Saturday · September 22, 2018 Check In 8:00AM Event 9:00AM - 2:00PM Ontario Chamber Of Commerce Education Training Room 3200 Inland Empire Blvd., Ste 130 Ontario, CA 91764 VAREP San Diego - Golf Tournament September 26, 2018 Riverwalk Golf Club 1150 Fashion Valley Road · San Diego CA 92108 View the full VAREP Events Calendar at:

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info@VAREP.net | w w w .VAR EP. n e t | 951-444-7363 VAREP IS A 501.C.3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. USA HOMEOWNERSHIP DBA VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS TAX ID: 45-2458485

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I Nominate: Name_______________________________ Company___________________________ Address____________________________ _____________________________________ City, State, Zip_____________________ _____________________________________ Phone______________________________ Email_______________________________ Submitted By: Fax/Email nomination to: Executive Agent Magazine PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Fax: 949.266.8757 Email: Info@eamag.net Tel: 949.297.8323

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Cover Story

Jim Conlon Executive Agent of the Month

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Jim Conlon “Your Guide to the Perfect Home” Written by Haley Wilson Freeman - Ian Wiant Photographer

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ealtor® Jim Conlon doesn’t just sell his clients a home, he helps them find the house they want to buy. After 16 years as owner of a successful furniture store, Jim was recruited by a leading furniture manufacturer to serve as a regional sales representative.

But when the housing market crashed in 2007, furniture sales plummeted. “I knew I needed a career change,” he says. Ironically, he decided to try real estate. “My wife and I had always bought and sold real estate for investment, so I thought it would be a good fit for me.”

Jim excelled in a market where many agents were giving up. With no preconceptions that real estate should be easy, Jim applied his strong work ethic and no-pressure, common sense sales approach, and achieved Rookie of the Year with 19 closed transactions. During his second year in real estate, Jim became the top producer in his office. “I guess real estate took a liking to me,” he says.

“I’ve always felt comfortable creating transactions for people. When you have a product and you have a consumer, the challenge is matching the two, not selling. It’s about matching needs and abilities, and putting them in a transaction that everyone is comfortable with.”

At the close of 2018, Jim joined RE/MAX Freedom in Victorville, bringing his 10 years of industry success to an already dynamic office. Jim describes Broker Kim Jarrard, number one agent in the local market, as “current, with a lot of energy. She is innovative and embraces technology, and I really like her attitude toward clients and marketing.

There is a lot of camaraderie among agents in our office, and we have the resources and support behind the scenes that make my engagement with clients more enhanced.

Everything is fresh, and I feel like I jumped off a cruise ship and into a speedboat!”

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With his renewed enthusiasm for a business he has long loved, Jim feels he is positioned to bring greater vibrance to his real estate practice. “From the start of my career, I’ve made a habit of constantly reevaluating myself. I like to do a mental exit interview with every client I engage with to think about what worked and what I could do better the next time. I’m always looking for a new way to make myself more valuable to whoever I’m talking to. I’m excited about being at RE/MAX and learning new ways to better serve my clients, whether it’s being more precise on valuation or quicker on communication. I have the resources here to expose my client to more opportunities.”

One of the greatest rewards for Jim’s outstanding service is his robust repeat and referral business. “When I look back over 10 years, I think about how many additional clients I’ve received as referrals from people I helped initially.

They’re better than any review I could get. When someone tells their family, friends or coworkers they think they should work with me, I treat those like gold.”

Often, Jim’s referring clients like to make introductions personally. “One past client told me, ‘I want to take you to dinner so you can meet my daughter. She wants to buy a house.’ It’s a great feeling inside to love what you do and have other people tell you they like how you treated them.”

Many past clients have taken the time to post comments about their real estate experience with Jim. Here is what a few of them had to say: “I would recommend Jim to friends because he jumped right in and started working on selling my house.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

“Jim was amazing, patient and a great guide for me during the purchase of my first home. Coming in with very little knowledge on what would go into the purchasing process of a home, I was so happy to have someone who walked me through every step of it. Jim understood exactly what I was looking for and worked with me within my budget.

He lined up a great day of tours of homes that fit my exact needs and wants. He communicated with me effectively and efficiently, going above and beyond to make sure that I was informed every step of the way.”

“Jim was always there, ready and willing to help with anything we needed. This is our second time working with Jim, and we look forward to working with him again.”

Jim finds new clients among his neighbors in Del Webb Sun City Apple Valley. This 55-plus golf resort community

houses 1,800 residents, and as a local homeowner, Jim is intimately familiar with the area’s lifestyles, floor plans and HOA concerns. “This is a unique community, and since I live here, I understand the challenges that have come up with the association and what the community has planned for the future. I’m in a good position to advise people about their choices and guide their expectations.”

With his genuine, down-to-earth approach, Jim honors the uniqueness of each client and strives to serve them according to their individual needs. “I’ve learned throughout my years in sales that if you have 1,000 people, you also have that many perspectives. You can’t treat people with a cookie cutter approach. When they come to you, they feel their needs and situation are unique, and they want to feel you’re not putting them in a pigeon hole. It’s my job to bring them the best choices that will fulfill their needs.”

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

Trust is the cornerstone of Jim’s representation, a value predicated on transparency, communication and consistency. “Always being available is paramount in any transaction. Clients are thinking about their home most when they’re not working. That creates an alternative work schedule for me in order to accommodate them. From the beginning, I assure them of my interest in their transaction by being available.” Jim says the one exception is Friday night, a time he holds sacred as date night with his wife.

to clients so they understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. Another thing I like to do is introduce them to my team. I let them know that they’re not just working with me; there will be over 30 people who will help them buy or sell a house, including title reps, loan officers, home inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers and assistants. I like to build an image for the client that I am not alone. There is a whole team of people behind me who are committed to helping them get what they want.”

He continues, “I spend a lot of time listening to figure out where they want to be, and I walk them through the scenarios from where we are to how we will get to the finish line. It helps calm them when they can see the path and where they’re going.”

Jim begins each day with an early morning trip to the gym, where he takes time to mentally prioritize his day and think about the things he can do to better serve the people who rely on him to help them with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. “I want to meet 100 percent of their expectations. It’s what I would want from somebody representing me.”

Jim never pressures clients into making decisions, but when they make one, he is ready to act. “I have a whole strategy around how to go from the mental commitment of a buyer or seller to what I need to do. I explain my process

ExecutiveAgent Magazine

JIM CONLON RE/MAX Freedom 12180 Ridgecrest Drive, Ste. 522 Victorville, CA 92395 Tel: 760.964.8881 RainmakerConlon@gmail.com Web: www.remax.com DRE # 00906916 ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Make Greatness Your Goal!

I

f greatness is your goal, whether in your business life, your personal relationships or your own personal growth, here are some guidelines to get you on your way. Greatness is possible! You can achieve the goals you set for yourself and you can make a difference in your own life and those who live and work around you! Set greatness as your goal!

Here’s how: Identify greatness for yourself. While there are some basic generalities that most people would consider great, there are broader definitions of greatness, ones that each individual sets for him or herself. For example, most people would consider Mother Theresa great while only some would consider Donald Trump great. Helping humanity is a broad generality while building a real estate fortune isn’t. So what you need to first do is ask, “What does greatness look like for this company, organization, family or for myself?” From there you can develop values and a mission statement etc. But if you don’t first identify it, you’ll never reach it.

Maximize targeted end results. As Covey says, “begin with the end in mind.” What end results do you want. Be specific.

Come up with all of them. Maximize them. Leave no stone uncovered. Set out for yourself all of the goals or end results you must hit in order to reach greatness. Write them down, memorize them and distribute them broadly (if doing this for a group). Maximize your targeted end results!

Make distinction your endeavor. What is the endeavor of the great? Usually it is to distinguish themselves from the average. They seek to rise above the rest by the quality of their product or service. Everything goes toward the goal of making themselves distinct from the run of the mill. That is their mission. And in doing so, they make themselves great!

Map your effort thoroughly. The three most important words in real estate are “location, location, location.” In reaching a goal, the three most important words are “plan, plan, plan.” Okay, “execute” and “persevere” work too, but go with me here! Too many people wish they would achieve something but never write down a plan for getting there. When I want to go on a long trip I don’t just wish to get there. I plan on how to get there. I get a map, I figure out distances, times etc. Map out your goal thoroughly. This will help you achieve greatness.

Regularly take time for regeneration. Achieving greatness is hard! You will care more, work harder, and take more lumps and setbacks than the rest. So you will need to take time to regenerate so you can fight again another day. Your body needs rest. Your mind needs rest. Your emotions need rest. Your spirit needs rest. I firmly believe that a person who rests well can do more in less time than the one works without setting aside time for regeneration. You may be able to reach goals without rest, but somewhere along the line, you will fall harder and longer if you aren’t regularly regenerating yourself. So take your vacation time this year!

Have a strict evaluation process. Every plan and goal needs an evaluation tool. And it should be a strict evaluation process. This is how you objectively decide whether or not you are proceeding toward your goal. If you have the right evaluation tool and you look six months into it and you aren’t hitting the goals, perhaps you need to change the goal or the way you are going after it. The evaluation process is not to be underestimated in its importance!

Take somebody else with you. True greatness is not individual. The one who becomes great spreads the reward of greatness around. Incorporate many people into the plan and let them eat of the fruit of success. I live in an area that has literally thousands of millionaires created by a company that had a vision of greatness. And while yes, they experience the reward, the rewards then go out many levels through the whole community, from businesses that support our community to nonprofit groups, churches, and schools. True greatness blesses those many levels away.

Learn to party! Party? Yes! What good is greatness if you can’t enjoy it? And not just the final destination but also the entire journey. Be sure to stop along the way and relish in your movement. Celebrate small and large victories. This keeps the sprit high and the big mo rolling! Spend the money, buy the food and blow up the balloons – it’s time to celebrate!

-by Chris Widener

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ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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WHY CHOOSE PWR? Some of the LOWEST Fees in the area

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TO BE SUCCESSFUL, FOCUS ON YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH

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remember grabbing coffee with one of my buddies in New York City. Sunday morning, 11 a.m., I rolled out in sweatpants and a hoodie. My friend showed up in a beautiful blazer over a down vest and jeans. For Sunday coffee!

He looked great. I loved it.

seminar won’t make you a world-class sommelier. But the fact that you’re continuing to learn can only be beneficial.

In short, successful people see learning as a continual journey, not something they reach.

The very best people invest in themselves when they have no resources and when they have myriad resources.

This is a great example of abundance: You don’t save up your good clothes for a special occasion. You look great all of the time. You raise the expectations for yourself because you know you can always buy more clothes. This hit home for me because I used to do exactly that: Save my one cool outfit for a special occasion.

Abundance is one of those words thrown around by life coaches and personal-development authors, but it has taken me years to begin to understand what it really means to me.

I can think of numerous definitions, but here’s one of my favorites: Investing in yourself when you’re unsure of the outcome. Whenever I hear someone ask, “But how do I know this will work for me?” I already know he or she is doomed. Those are the words of a loser.

A winner says, “I’ve done my homework, and this looks good. I’m worth it and I’m smart enough to figure out how to apply this to my life.”

The most successful people invest in learning because they know the process of learning is valuable. Maybe this class won’t make you $25,000 richer, or maybe that wine

This is why I took a class on managerial accounting at Columbia University—even though I have people who run my finance team. It’s why I continue to spend more than $50,000 a year on trainers, teachers and other forms of personal development. It’s why I read at least two books a week.

Some people reading this will roll their eyes and say, “Sure, if I had $50,000 a year to spend, I’d do it, too.” They are delusional. I read those books and went to those meetings when I had nothing.

The very best people invest in themselves when they have no resources and when they have myriad resources.

They’re relentless at getting access to opportunities, whether it means volunteering at conferences or reading every single piece of free material out there.

Those are the people who become so successful they can spend tens of thousands of dollars investing in themselves, continuing exactly what they’ve already been doing for years. That’s abundance.

-Ramit Sethi

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Written By Jim Rohn

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ExecutiveAgent Magazine

3 Money Habits That Separate the Rich From the Poor

H

ere is an exciting thought! Why not work full time on your job and part time on your fortune?

And what a feeling you’ll have when you can honestly say, “I’m working to become wealthy. I’m not just working to pay my bills.” When you have a wealth plan, you’ll be so motivated that you’ll have a hard time going to bed at night.

So if you will indulge me, I would like to share a simple formula for creating wealth. Here’s my thought on how money should be allocated.

The 70/30 Rule After you pay your fair share of taxes, learn to live on 70 percent of your after-tax income. These are the necessities and luxuries you spend money on.

Then, it’s important to look at how you allocate your remaining 30 percent. Let’s allocate it in the following ways: Charity Of the 30 percent not spent, one-third should go to charity. Charity is the act of giving back to the community and helping those who need assistance.

I believe that contributing 10 percent of your after-tax income is a good amount to strive for.

The act of giving should be taught early, when the amounts are small. It’s pretty easy to take a dime out of a dollar. But it’s considerably harder to give away a $100,000 out of $1 million. You say, “Oh, if I had $1 million, I’d have no trouble giving $100,000.” I’m not so sure. $100,000 is a lot of money. Start early so you’ll develop the habit before the big money comes your way.

Capital Investment With the next 10 percent of your after-tax income, you’re going to create wealth. This is money you’ll use to buy, fix, manufacture or sell. The key is to engage in commerce, even if only on a part-time basis.

So how do you go about creating wealth? There are lots of ways. Let your imagination roam. Take a close look at those skills you developed at work or through your hobbies; you may be able to convert these into a profitable enterprise.

In addition, you can also learn to buy a product at wholesale and sell it for retail. Or you can purchase a piece of property and improve it. Use this 10 percent to purchase your equipment, products or equity— and get started. There is no telling what genius is inside you waiting to be awakened by the spark of opportunity.

Savings The last 10 percent should be put in savings. I consider this to be one of the most exciting parts of your wealth plan because it can offer you peace of mind by preparing you for the “winters” of life. Let me give you the definition of “rich” and “poor”: Poor people spend their money and save what’s left. Rich people save their money and spend what’s left.

Twenty years ago, two people each earned a $1,000 a month and they each earned the same increases over the years. One had the philosophy of spending money and saving what’s left; the other had the philosophy of saving first and spending what’s left.

Today, if you knew both, you’d call one poor and the other wealthy.

So, remember that giving, investing and saving, like any form of discipline, has a subtle effect. At the end of the day, the week, the month, the results are hardly noticeable. But let five years lapse and the differences become pronounced. At the end of 10 years, the differences are dramatic.

And it all starts with the same amount of money— just a different philosophy.

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Our bone marrow transplant reunion is now standing room only.

Each year, City of Hope invites bone marrow transplant recipients and their families to attend the “Celebration of Life” event. It’s a joyous time during which survivors of blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma embrace their health, their life and each other. It began more than 35 years ago when City of Hope created what is now one of the largest and most successful bone marrow transplant programs in the world. In fact, we’ve completed over 11,000 transplants and, according to national reports, our outcomes are among the best in the nation. The goal of curing cancer isn’t just something we work at. It’s what we live for.

If you have cancer, make us your first call. Or ask your doctor for a referral. We accept most insurance.

800-826-HOPE

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WE LIVE TO CURE CANCER. Science saving lives. cityofhope.org/bmt

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