I like to think I've been on both sides of the coin on this one.
I remember working 2 jobs (40 hours a week at a kitchen company selling upgrades, and 20 hours working the William Hill Call Centre in Leeds taking bets over the phone) - for a total of 60 hours per week.
I don't even know if thats allowed anymore with the EU working time directive (although I guess that will disapear once #Brexit happens, and we can all look forward to people working 80 hour weeks once again when we do, right?)
What I remember from those days is being trapped in this merry go round of not having enough money and having to work 2 jobs, versus spending the money I got on personal development and books.
I'm guessing at some point that paid off, because right now, I'm writing this from my Villa in the Mediterranean on a weekday morning when everyone else is at work.
But I also remember, people having a go at me because all I did was read, and spend money on personal development materials.
Strangely, they're either not around me any more (still working in that same warehouse they were 20 years ago - yup, true story), or they're just not in my network of people I speak with anymore.
I remember how difficult it was to finally escape that old environment.
And the financial changes only started when I actually started to learn sales - as that was the only job where you didn't need qualifications (no degree, no HND, just 5 GCSE's!) and where your results spoke for themselves.
I took to that like a duck to water.
The persistence in getting the deal done was probably the biggest factor to my success in those days.
I remember when I got the job at Dell on £100k a year, some my 'peers' were like 'how did he get that job', while only a few supported me.
Some even laughed.
But I literally went from £15k to £100k in the space of just 4 years.
And most of that income went into buying properties below market value and doing them up.
Thats where it all started, money wise.
But really, it all started in my mind when I was working 2 jobs and doing the 60 hour weeks, and reading everything I could on personal development, making money, investing etc
So if you're working those 60 hour weeks right now, find that time to read more, to buy more books, to listen to audio such as podcasts and books.
Join a group of people who are there to help you, where you can get support and motivation and inspiration as well as learning HOW TO DO THINGS.
Your friends and network might think you're mad, of course.
Even those who are on the journey next to you may think you are over doing it.
Be obsessive.
I can't tell you the number of times people have said to me 'all you ever think about is money'.
And they were right.
Not making it.
Not dreaming how to spend it.
But actually learning how to earn it while I'm asleep, at the gym or watching Netflix.
Fast forward 20 years, and here we are.
Villa. Med. Freedom.
It's taken hard work, sacrifice, a loss of certain friends.
It's meant tearing down the old me, and making a person my kids would be proud of, instead of this working class lad with dreams and no heart.
It's meant fighting through my fears, of which there were many, and breaking down what people said either to me, or behind my back into the lies that they were.
Heck, their lack of support became my driving force.
My detractors ended up being my biggest motivators (thanks).
"I'm going to show them" is what I repeatedly told myself.
It wasn't easy.
It shouldn't be easy - because then everyone would be doing it.
But most don't, because it's too hard, or because their friend told them not to, or 'why bother, you should be happy with what you have'.
Screw that.
But if you do want it, then persistence, obsession, sheer determination and HUGE FOCUS on the right goal, put in place with the right mindset and lots and lots of action even if you fail - that's what will get you there.
Drop me a message - how's it working out for you so far ?
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