Mike's Blog
Get Out of Debt Quickly
Imagine a simple formula that can help you get out of debt fast
- paying no more money per month than you pay now.
It is possible.
Grab a piece of paper and pencil and watch this video.
If you need help, please call the non-profit Family Financial
Education Foundation at (877) 789 - 4173.
Could It Be Magic
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Even though we all know life can be tough, it doesn’t stop people from looking for the magic bullet – the one thing that will bring us happiness, wealth and health. Of course, there is no magic bullet. However there is one thing I have found that comes pretty close:
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Mike Carruthers |
and he has done extensive research into this. It turns out that giving is something of a magical potion. It often results in benefits of longevity, physical health, mental health and financial health. Is it really magic? I suspect not – but it does seem to be statistically true nonetheless.
What's Your Big Idea?
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Almost every person I know has an idea for a new product or business somewhere in their head. They tell me because I ask them. You see, entrepreneurship fascinates me so it comes up a lot in conversation. The statistics say that most of those ideas people tell me about will never make it out of their head and onto a piece of paper – let alone into a real business. Why?
Fear of failure, lack of money, self-doubt and risk aversion are the reasons I hear most often. But I think self-doubt is the big one. The theory is that part of our survival instinct is to NOT seek out big changes. So, as soon as you come up with an idea and decide to implement it, your brain immediately begins to try to talk you out of it. That makes you doubt yourself. I know that feeling.
But there is another force - at least for me - that helps push past all of that. It's that worry that one day you'll look back and wonder, "What if?" That worry has led me to try a lot of things from stand-up comedy to starting a magazine, a radio marketing business, selling sound proof windows to, of course, launching "Something You Should Know." Not all my ventures have been successful but enough of them have to have made the process rewarding and profitable. And frankly, I don’t know of a single successful entrepreneur who hasn’t had some failures on the road to success. It seems to be a necessary part of the process.
Starting a business today is so much easier than it used to be. The Internet has made it so. You can start a business today in your home for very little money. I it doesn't work, you haven't lost much. And that fear of "What will people think if I fail?" is non-existent." People don't condemn you if things don't work out. They are too wrapped up in their own lives. In fact, they are much more likely to admire you for trying (secretly wishing they had the guts to do it too). At least that has been my experience.
Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. Some people need the security of a paycheck. But that security isn't what it used to be. Everyday people who thought they were in a secure job get laid off. So what is really more secure, leaving your fate in the hands of someone else or taking charge of your own destiny?
The point of all of this is to say that if you have EVER thought of starting your own enterprise it is very easy to at least explore the idea and see if you have something. You don't have to commit to doing it - yet. There are some great books on the subject that can really give you a feel for whether entrepreneurship is for you.
I would just hate to have you look back one day and wonder:
What if?
I have read and interviewed all of the authors and highly recommend:
May your entrepreneurial dreams come true. -Mike
As always, I welcome your comments (Email me)
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by Jim Beach. If you want the nuts and bolts – here it is. Great stories plus practical, insightful and specific ways to start a business. 
by Tom Anastasi. You'll avoid a lot of common pitfalls if you read this book. 
by Lewis Schiff. This is by current favorite book. I’ve read it three times. Lewis talks about how wealthy and successful people achieve their goals by thinking and acting differently from middle-class people and how anyone can do the same. 
by Cal Newport. The “do what you love and the money will follow” theory of success is blown to bits here. “Follow your passion” is a likely prescription for failure. Do what you are good at – that’s the ticket. 
by Tory Johnson Tory is a contributor to Good Morning America and produces live events for women entrepreneurs. This book is really solid and has great practical information regardless of your gender. 
by Scott Fox. If you are looking to start an online business, this a great book to get you started. So much of the “get rich on the Internet” stuff is hype – Scott is not. 
by Scott Shane. It may sound like I'm throwing a bit of a wet blanket on the subject – and to some extent I am. But this is well researched reality that makes the risks you face very clear. 
by Chris Guillebeau What’s the hardest part of starting a business? Deciding to do it and then taking the first step. Good stories and research of 1500 people who did.Funniest Joke Of All Time
October 5, 2009
In a little over a month from now, Something You Should Know will quietly pass the 30 year mark. 30 years on the air! In that time it has been broadcast on over 1,000 radio stations. Imagine, since late 1979, Something You Should Know has been heard on the radio every day, somewhere in the United States. I am very proud of that.
And it is a job I am well suited for. You see, I am an information junkie. I love uncovering new stuff that can change people's lives - in a positive way. Of course not everything people tell me in interviews makes it on the air (or in the podcasts on this website). So, for my first blog post, rather than share some incredible information that will alter your life forever, how about something that may just bring a smile to your face? I heard this in an interview I did recently with Julien Smith author of the book "Trust Agents." It is supposedly the funniest joke ever told.
In 2002 scientists did the largest study ever on humor. They researched over 40,000 jokes to discover the funniest joke of all time. Using whatever criteria they used - here it is...
2 hunters are walking in the woods when one of them collapses. He is not breathing and his eyes are glazed over. His friend whips out his cell phone and calls 911. "Help my friend is dead and I don't know what to do!" he screams. The 911 operator says, "Calm down sir, I can help you. First, let's make sure your friend is dead." There is a silence followed by the sound of a loud gunshot. The man comes back on the phone and says, "Okay, now what?"
