1.       Americans are crybabies-

OK… I’ll also lump Canadians and Brits in with us too (I know we got a few of you who read this blog). Don’t get me wrong I love my country, and for many reasons. Between the 24 hour Super Walmart’s and the ability to find a Wifi connection virtually on any corner we have it pretty easy…

Sometimes it’s too easy. I knew we’d be roughing it a little bit but when I found out it was an hour drive for internet; that was a little rough… I had to do everything I could to not stare at my new iPhone 4S every 10 minutes.  I finally just gave it to my son to play Angry Birds each day…

We survived, other than my minor electrocution and Kyler’s pink eye (at least I hope it was only pink-eye) everyone made it through ok and even had a great time. I’m sure we all probably built a little bit of added character along the way.

2.       Money doesn’t bring happiness

Throughout my business life (more so in the last few years) I’ve worked with and interacted with quite a few wealthy people. You forget how people can be so grateful with so little money.

During our trip I met some of the nicest and happiest people that I have ever met….

What’s the average monthly salary for a College educated Filipino?

 $150-$200.

The island we visited considers hot water a luxury (This circles back to my electrocution, I promise that you’ll love the photos).  The Philippines is definitely nowhere near being the richest country in the world, that’s for sure. Despite having the 12^th highest population in the world, their GDP ranks right below Nigeria, and Sweden (Sweden’s population is less than 10% of the Philippines). No need to explain anymore here…

3.       Opportunity is everywhere

 Our flight back seemed twice as long as the flight there (Maybe it’s just me but every flight feels like this).

As soon as I stepped off the plane back onto US soil (This is always a weird statement… It’s not like I jumped off the Mayflower and kissed actual dirt). I had an overwhelming thought of- “You’re in big trouble world… Opportunity is mine”. Now a lot of folks out there are complaining and moaning about how life is unfair and how the American dream is dead…  Those are the same people that have never attempted to create greatness…

The world is our playground and as soon as one realizes that failure is not permanent but only obstacles to overcome they WILL succeed.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve failed in life. The ability to get back and know that I would succeed is what brought me to where I am today.  Unfortunately, many parts of the world, including the Philippines, they don’t know of the opportunities that exist. What’s the difference between someone who knows they have options vs someone who doesn’t know of anything outside of their town?  If you don’t take action, the answer is nothing.

During our trip I made it a point to do some volunteer work. Perception is everything, chances are what you and I may consider rough would be a walk in the park for others who haven’t been afford the opportunities we have.

4.       The human mind is capable of great things

I think this may be a basic rule of human nature, “The more we have, the less we innovate”. Ever hear the saying “Necessity is the mother of invention”? This was definitely something I witnessed first hand.  Ever see a motorcycle that can seat five people? I hadn’t until my trip.  When you have to create and solve problems, you can think of many things. This is a lesson I am definitely going to apply in my businesses.  I once heard someone use the phrase “The illusion of limited resources”.  If your mind is strong enough you can find a solution to anything.

5.       We can all do more

 This one is simple… There is no difference between you and I and all the great men and women who have ever walked this planet. In some cases you and I may have had better opportunities and a better vision of what we want to accomplish.  Be inspired, push yourself… Whatever we are capable of, we can always do more.

I know this post may seem a bit obnoxiously motivational and maybe it’s the jet lag talking but sometimes it takes quite literally living in someone else’s world to see just how blessed most of us are (If you’re reading this you and have an internet connection… You’re Blessed!).

This year has been a whirlwind, I’ve been home for only a few days now and I’m leaving for a trip to Vancouver for the weekend… 24 hours after getting back to the States I got invited to speak at an event… And truthfully I might have just blown it off if I had not just had the experience that I just did…  But I can do more, and my goal for this weekend is to help inspire others to create their own greatness.

Here’s to a great weekend and please don’t forget to challenge Yourself!

P.S. I took a ton of great photos on the trip, if you want see them (including how I almost electrocuted myself) I’ve posted them up on my Facebook Page.  Go check them out and don’t forget to “like” my page!

The first leg of the trip- Vegas to Vancouver

Right now as I write this I’m 40,000 feet or so above the Pacific Ocean watching the sun come up 5 hours into a 14 hour flight to the Philippines. It’s 4:37am… well, at least that’s what my watch says. My 5 year old just fell back to sleep and despite what anyone tells you Pixar DVDs and a Nintendo DS will only keep a kids appeal for so long on a flight halfway around the world.

My father-in law’s birthday is this week and at the last minute we decided to take a family trip. Lynda got the OK from her doctors, and other then a Spanish inquisition from TSA about the small carry-on pharmacy Lynda needs to bring with her, we were off. (Was going to record it on my phone to share but apparently they frown on that.)

The freedom to do whatever I want hasn’t always been a luxury, and while I can’t claimto have grown up poor, my Southern California childhood was definitely not that of a rich kid from Beverly Hills. All the years I spent chasing a dream, wanting to have that undefined financial freedom in my mind, to be able to do whatever it is that I wanted, whenever I wanted. It always brought me to the point of asking myself-

“What the hell do they have that I don’t?”

In hindsight I truly believe that question drove me further from my goals than the answer could have ever gotten me. My mentality was always that others possess some ability or asset that I did not. By simply asking the question I was driving myself further from my desired outcome whether I knew it or not.

Yes there are certain circumstances where a rich kid inherits millions and is “set for life” but there are just as many stories about the kid who came from nothing and created greatness.

At the risk of sounding like a douche (It’s my blog I can call myself a douche if I want to) I’m going to share with you the secret to achieving whatever it is that you want. It’s the one constant that all entrepreneurs (successful ones that is) have and that is the confidence and desire to become successful. It’s that simple… Walk up to anyone who has ever achieved anything and ask them.

“Did you know you’d become…” Or “Did you know you’d be able to…?”

And their will be a resounding “Hell YES!”

Now they may not have known how they were going to do it but I guarantee every single person believed that somehow, some way they would succeed at what they were trying to accomplish.

The truth is time and circumstance will always be a variable.

We all have the same amount of hours in a day and what I truly believe now to be the one reason why people become successful is because they knew they were going to be longer before it ever happened. That’s the secret sauce.

If you haven’t achieved what you want to yet, but you know you will, then it will happen. It’s that simple.

Creating your destiny is knowing what your destiny is. We all hit roadblocks and obstacles… If you KNOW they are only temporary and will disappear as you continue towards your ultimate goal then they will.

Have you ever met someone and said to yourself “How did he get to where his is”

The truth is he was too dumb to know any better.

Success is definitely not defined by how smart you are, plenty of rich people are dumb and there are just as many broke PHDs.

If you’re an investor or an entrepreneur and haven’t done your first deal yet it’s OK… There may even be a lot of roadblocks that are still in front of you. I believe in You, and the second you belief in yourself, it will become reality.