Successful People: Core Philosophy Revealed
As an avid student and practicioner of success principles, this topic is near and dear to my heart — the core philosophy of those who are truly successful in every regard. If you still struggle to attain success in business or life, this post should shed some light on how successful people think. Please leave a comment!
There are lots of Internet marketers making scads of money online and I know many of them personally.
Despite their obvious wealth, very few of them have what I would call a healthy, happy, integrated core philosophy that virtually guarantees success over the long term.
They can talk business as the day is long. But ask them what they’ve done for fun lately and they draw a blank. Apparently, they don’t know how to DO anything (except buy expensive toys) with all that money.
Yawn, how BORING.
More notable is the fact that these ‘entrepeneurs’ are just as insecure and uncertain about the sustainability of their businesses in these uncertain economic times as are people with jobs in tenuous industries.
No matter how much they have, they cower in fear that the ‘good times’ will suddenly end and that they’ll be left with nothing.
UGH!!!!!! That’s NOT success. Fear is the (evil) antithesis of success.
- REAL success comes from understanding that the true value of money lies in having the FREEDOM to LIVE the way you want to live.
- REAL success comes from knowing that you can write your own ticket REGARDLESS of what’s happening with the economy, on the political scene or any other external factor.
- REAL success comes from having both the ability and the desire to GIVE more to those less fortunate.
One of the few IM’s who shares my core philosophy and with whom I feel great simpatico is my friend, Yanik Silver; a multi-million dollar online business owner who understood the meaning of ‘living large’ BEFORE he got rich. By result, Yanik has achieved extraordinary success in every facet of his life… NOT just his business.
Every time we talk he’s off on another great adventure – anything from running with the bulls, to dune buggy racing in the Baja and flying on the Vomit Comet, the zero-gravity airplane. (I unfortunately had to decline invitation to the last two events due to prior commitments, but know the stars will align one of these days. Personal note to Yanik… I’ll cancel any plan if you do a ‘Peking to Paris’ run across the Gobi Desert and the high Tibetan Plateau. 
)
Yanik’s next great adventure is a trip on Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson’s sub-orbital space flights.
Although I personally don’t have quite such lofty adventures planned, if you’ve followed my personal blog, you already know that I’m a total glutton for geophysical eye candy and international cuisine.
Yanik isn’t an adventurer because he has the money — he has money because he WANTS to do those things. And like Yanik, I traveled extensively before I was making serious coin. The only difference is that I do it far more often and I fly first class now .
Ros hiking at Macchu Picchu 2001 – camera imprinted date is incorrect.
In other words, money is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
That’s the primary concept that some people just don’t get, and NOT ‘getting it’ stymies success. And it’s not something to which one can just pay lip service either — you have to hold it in your heart of hearts for it to work its charms.
If that seems like backwards thinking to you, Yanik’s “Maverick Manifesto” video will clarify the principle and help you establish a rock-solid philisophical foundation on which you can build the life of your dreams.
So, if you want to make more money, have more fun and give more back, watch Yanik’s video now… and hopefully you’ll join us in the Gobi!
BTW, the video is 60+ minutes long, so grab a non-alchoholic libation and plan to settle in.
Want more info?
Rosalind Gardner is a Super Affiliate blogger, author, speaker, and Internet marketing consultant.
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Thanks Ros,
It is so important to have fun and have some balance.
I find that a morning beachwalk, swim and then meditating on my special rock at Rainbow Bay set me uo well for the day.
Macchu Picchu is on my vision board
Suzie
Attract Abundance today
Nice post Ros, you’re right.
I’ve traveled all over the world (Still am) and met a lot of different people at all levels of success and with all versions of success.
My own perspective has been largely shaped by the thoughts and advice I’ve received from the people I’ve met on my travels.
When you see someone with nothing (literally) who is happier that some of the richest people alive, you know that money is not required or any sort of pre-requisite for happiness.
I think many people even take the law of attraction from the wrong end and see it as a way of control their external environment to make it one that will make them happy. Of course, this is exactly what won’t work since you need to be happy with what you have to maximize the flow of new things to you. Any mindset of ‘lack’ or ’scaricity’ simply re-enforces more of the same.
Since money is literally just something that you use to stop other people from preventing you going about your business (like a passport), in itself it is worthless, but acquiring enough so that people who do care about it don’t interfere with you is useful.
Thanks for a great post.
Andy
That is why I bought your book and subscribe to your blog.You are real and realistic.
Thank You Stan
hi rosalind,
thanks for your post – you spoke from my soul!!!
and you are so true. i always think that i have to work hard and sit here and do nothing but work. also i´m usually afraid that my sales break and i don´t have that income anymore.
i need safety but the last days when the financial crisis arrived i realized that it´s safe that nothing is safe
no insurance on earth can make me safe. life is full of adventures but also dramas. so we may should enjoy the moment much more.
Hey folks,
Ros has this so bang on!
I have personally been through several ups and downs with my online business and THE biggest thing I have learned is this:
“Shiny objects DO NOT buy happiness”
In fact another well known marketer said this to me when I was on a serious spending spree:
“Colin, don’t love anything that can’t love you back.”
While I do like to get cool new gadgets my focus now is enjoying the freedom I gain to spend time with friends and family.
In fact some of my best moments because of that freedom involve simpler and MUCH less expensive things.
In fact something as simple as a corn cob can bring great joy.
Yeah, tossing a corn cob with Rosalind didn’t cost a lot and the fun was immense.
Remember the post Ros did after I became the reigning “Affiliate Corn Cob Toss” champion.
Hi, Ros,
I totally agree with that you say especially “REAL success comes from having both the ability and the desire to GIVE more to those less fortunate”
Often times we are so concerned with ourselves that we forgot that there are others out there that are less fortunate than us. I sincerely wish that everyone who has become successful and who will be successful following Ros’ guidance will contribute some of their coins to the less fortunate.
Have a great day!
I think many people who claim that they are successful are not really successful. They do not give, they do not share, they just pile up money.
Real Success is like how you defined it. Really Good Post. Refreshing.
Ros,
Your well researched articles makes my day and i have always look forward to read from you. Please i need more of this type of write up.
In Nigeria most of our big men does not have time to socialise they are always head bent in their business without remembering that all walks without play make jack a dull boy.
Bye for now.
Success means different things to different people. There are a lot of people out there who are financially successful but very unhappy. Research shows that lasting happiness comes from being thankful for what we have, carrying out acts of kindness, having purpose and living in the present moment rather than regretting the past or worrying about the future. Whilst external things can bring us great pleasure, it seems that the pleasure can be quite temporary and leaves us wanting more, because we adapt very quickly to our new circumstances. Fear comes from thinking “what if”. Happiness comes from knowing that whatever happens we’ll handle it.
Hi Ros,
Spot on as always!
By the way, I love your style and appreciate the fact that you don’t bombard you list with the next, greatest, must have, money making gem from yet another guru that you must buy to be successful and which you must buy before the expiry date or else!
Phew! What a mouthful…
Anyway, I’m in total agreement with your philosophy. I’ve met many people who are continually chasing the dollar but are never truely at ease. You can tell. Just observe… their faces, their vocabulary, their thoughts and how and where they spend their time. They all tell a story.
I’ve retired three times in my life. Once in my twenties, in my thirties and now in my forties. People say, “you must be loaded” or “gee, you must have made some shrewd investments”. I just laugh (considering I’ve probably lost more money than I’ve made). You see, I just made some choices or decisions, regardless of money. I chose to follow a dream or to pursue a goal or hobby or whatever I needed at that time. Most of the time I haven’t had the money, but it still came.
It requires a leap of faith and sometimes its scary but if you proceed, all the pieces will fall into place and help will come. Just begin. If you invest in yourself, in your experiences and in your health and happiness, you will be secure because no one can ever take that away from you. They are all a part of you.
If you are moving forward, you can’t be going backwards!
Take care and enjoy!
Regards,
Joe
Thanks Rosalind. I’m new to this business and have just bought and read your book. I also teach self-development and what you wrote above is so true. Our deep-seated fears about what money is and what we can do with it, is what holds us back. When we understand that money is a powerful means of exchange that we can use in fair exchange to live the life of our dreams and be magnificent, then the flow is there naturally. I, too, have Macchu Picchu on my vision board and am fully intending to go there as soon as possible. Thanks for your reminder to me to take things slowly and establish myself as an expert in my field.
I look forward to more fair exchange from you.
In gratitude
Fiona
This is really a great read!
Thank you for taking the time to write it. There are quite a few times when I turn down exciting adventures/events in order to do more work, due to fear of losing business.
You are so right, we just need to let ourselves go! As you said, “money is a means to an end, not an end in itself”.
Thanks Ros,
We always need reminding about priorities in life. In my own experience true happiness comes from being balanced physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Life is meant to be lived fully and completely in the present moment, without attachment to the outcome.
Maybe if enough of us put it out there the rest will get it some day.
Cheers
Hi Ros,
I generally don’t leave comments but I simply had to compliment you on your use of language to describe your love of travel and good food…
“…you already know that I’m a total glutton for geophysical eye candy and international cuisine”
Lets just say, I like your style.
Kind regards,
Patrick
Good Morning Ros, I always enjoy your perspective and valuable perspective,
Thank You.
Yanik’s Video brings us all back to the real important stuff, and reminds us how
fortunate we are and what life should be. I love his…….. BLUEPRINT.
Have A Beautiful Day, Larry
Thanks, Rosalind. That was needed this AM. I get very impatient to have THIS HAPPEN – NOW – and lose touch with everything else important and good in my life NOW.
Rosalind,
You are a wise woman indeed! I first realized that money and possessions was not the end-all and be-all when my mother passed away and we were trying to decide what to do with all her stuff. What I remember about my mother transcends the things of this world – I rather treasure who she was as a person and the memories I have of her.
So my pursuit of success in IM is based on a desire to provide my family with good memories and the practical resources needed to pursue their dreams. Money – as you say – is a means to an end and it’s different for all of us .
Thanks for sharing this very important principle that can keep our success in perspective.
Eunice
Hi Rosalind,
Thanks the invite to your blog. It took me on an interesting journey.
First, I read your blog. This is interesting as I travelled the world for about 11 years in the Merchant Navy. Here, I met people from all walks of life and in many varied situations There are still places I would like to see, Alaska and New Zealand are but two. Strange as it may seem, I lived in BC Canada for about 19 years but the nearest I got to Alaska was the Alaska Highway and Watson Lake in the Yukon !
In regard to Yanik’s dissitation, this I enjoyed for the full 68 miutes odd. I found it interesting and provocative so much so I left my’etchings !) on his site. The balance of life in North America has certainly been disrupted over the recent years with false qualities of life. I have noticed the lack of interest in community affairs develop over the past decade with a lack lusrter interst in helping others in our dwindling spare time !
I am certainly glad this imbalance is being noticed by others I hope others take heed and regenervate society when we improve our over worked lot !
Kind Regards = Roy
Great to see such a balanced perspective on life, money and success Ros!
Perfect way to start the business day.
Mind blowing photo of you at Machu Piccu…..
Hi Ros and readers,
You’re absolutely word perfect when you say money is just a means to an end. Actually, money has no value in itself; it is merely a means to value an exchange in goods or services. If you were stranded on a desolate island with one billion dollars, it’s only value would be as fuel to keep you warm on a cold night.
For me, money equates to freedom – to do and be all that is possible. It is not a measure of success, but a measure of how unrestricted you are in being able to live the life you want.
And depending on the lifestyle you choose, money may not be all that pivotal in your enjoyment of the moment.
Hi Ros
Well, speak my mind. It was you that got me started in the first place. I picked up your advertisement on an e-mail in August 2005 and stored it. Went to Texas and else-where in our fifth wheel for five months had a great time and returned home with plans to go again. I opened your advertisement again seven months later and started. Here 2008 I am still home and trying to make some money on line so I can go again.
I do believe sincerely that you must have a dream in order to get ,go, or do anything other than what you are doing everyday. Why do some people seem to make it good, while others don’t? Do they have bigger dreams. NO! You can call it luck, opportunity, destiny what ever you want, but it happens.
Some people will say keep trying and it will all happen even if it takes 1,2, or 3 years. Three years will come and go anyway.
“Yanik isn’t an adventurer because he has the money — he has money because he WANTS to do those things. And like Yanik, I traveled extensively before I was making serious coin. The only difference is that I do it far more often and I fly first class now .”
I don’t think I am not going to Texas this year, because I can’t afford to go first class. No I really think it’s because I checked my finances and I don’t think it would be a wise decision. You lead us to believe that money is easy to come by or that it’s o.k. to be in the 96% of the people that can’t afford things. Believe me if I could be in the top 4% who have it all, I would. Having a lot of money may not be everything but having to little sucks!, so would I want more or at least enough, Yes.
Now to come back from my self pity and verbal vomit, I still follow and read all your corresponds and try to implement them, we all still need people like you to kick our butts and to show what is possible and to help us dream.
There is a good saying and I don’t know who coined it first.
” Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day,
Teach that man to fish and you feed him for the rest of his life.”
You are still one of my heroes.
Thanks Joe
This inspiring message came a perfect time to keep on my vision of being able to do wonderful and exciting things my life has lacked. Someday I hope to be in a position with my business where I can take those trips and do things that financial success can provide.
I totally agree that making money in itself will not bring joy or longlasting satisfaction. It’s what you do with it that can define you and your attitude about life during the process and once you have attained the success. What good are toys and expensive gadgets if you have no real soulfilling joy in your life. Toys doesn’t buy happiness.
Ros ~
Quit my job to travel the world (the first time) when I was 24 and was on the go for 2.5 years. Did it again when I was in my early 30s. Most recently traveled extensively when I was 40 (I’m 49 now). Have survived frostbite in Nepal and the big waves of the Zambezi River. Countries of experience range from southerly Australia to northerly Norway – 49 countries and growing. (paid for it all myself and have an ideal companion in my hubby).
The key to all of this is the definition of freedom and success – how you put it is wonderful. Freedom to pick who you want to work for, freedom to buy the house you desire, having the clarity to decide for yourself what kind of stuff and house is ideal (overriding those marketing messages that bigger and more is better), and just knowing how good we have it are milestones of success.
Keep your messages like this coming! I’m eager to read them and share success!
Nicely said, Ros!
Once upon a time I was one of those entrepreneurs who worried it would all go away if I didn’t work all the time. Fortunately I’ve come to understand something different….. freedom and independence are the most important goals…. and giving back brings the most gratifying reward of all. That shift in my thinking has helped me transition into a much more joyful, balanced lifestyle.
Thanks for reminding us of what’s truly important!
My best,
Kerri Mackenzie
Firstly, i would like to say i have been receiving your newsletter for a couple of years, and your quality Ros has always really shone through. Your willingness to share, support and foster abundance and know-how with others is so inspiring.
Your attitude of sharing, as i see it, is reflected in the way you live as though money and business are not a limited pot that have to be fought over in a win / lose competition way, but rather your actions say that business is a win / win, sharing sucess together, way.
And right now, in the midst of this tightness around money – the credit crunch, where fear of losing is freezing everything up, you are bringing exactly the right message. Its not the money – its the way it serves our dreams that counts.
The sentence that has been in my head these last couple of weeks is “Money no object.” (It seems the credit crunch is helping us to wake up from the dream of money as value simply disappears day by day. If money were an object it couldn’t simply disappear)
For so much of my life i have lived in what i would call “poverty consciousness” as opposed to “abundance consciousness”. This poverty consciousness has affected me most in the way i release money, it has always been hard to spend in an open hearted way, joyful way, to really let go and trust that there is a flow of money of which i am a part. But now I am beginning to truly realise that it is in the emotion with which i spend that there exists the potential for real transformation. For me until now the truth is that money has been an object. It is something that i have perceived as the source of security and so i have felt the reluctance to let it go. Instead in some way i needed to sit on it instead.
But now, to be in the flow of money, as i look through money to my wishes, for myself and for those around me, rather than look at money as an object in its own right, this is what i am learning and beginning to truly practice now.
My work is with colour, colour as energy, and your message Ros is that money is energy. Energy to live our life, not an object to count on for its own sake. If i put that in to colour terms i would say that red represents our relationship to the earth and thus the material world. (Red is traditionally associated with the chakra – the energy centre – at the base of the spine). Red can be the assertiveness of the top dog with its tail up (indicating strong red chakra energy) as it dominates those around it – competition, or it can be the abundance of Father Christmas in his red cloak, bring presents and goodies for all. Your message Ros is very much the latter.
Red’s complementary colour is Green. Green represents flow and is associated with the energy centre located at the heart. (Just notice how our feelings flow throughout the day) So here we have a red / green balance to strike. Red = sit on money, green = let it flow, spend from the heart.
Even more importantly though from your message Ros, is the importance of blue. Blue is the energy centre of the throat that sits above the heart. Here is our power to declare and affirm our beliefs and desires. Red – earth is a place to manifest our (blue) dreams – just as you say your friend Yanick is doing.
Money is simply the medium for this. Money is no object – just a means to an end, the means to realise our dreams.
And if i may, in closing, it strikes me that in so far as your name Ros – Rosalind, includes the energy of Rose – which is pink (a light red) – then you Ros, help shine the light in to the red of abundance and material success for all of us, helping to make all our lives richer in the true sense. Thank you so much.
Thanks Ros,this is very good.
My first Internet marketing Seminar was Yanick’s birthday party quite a few years ago in Orlando Fl. It was a totaly free event with some very big names as presenters.
As I went around talking to some of them it was easy to see which ones had Yanick’s spirit of giving (and living!) and who were empty shells.
Two “givers” still stand out in my mind…Jim Edwards and the late Cory Rudl.
Hope to get to one of your presentations in the future.
Regards,
Jim
I believe that when we let something like money control how we make our decisions and how we live our lives we set ourselves up for failure in not being able to achieve a lifestyle that can offer us happiness. I see it as a problem in that we become enslaved to it not being able to enjoy it when it does come by our way. As some of my past personal experiences in life have come about it always seems that it never stays the same way very long. I really appreciate your emails and comments as well and keep up the good work.
And… real success comes from “Never Quitting”. If you think it’s too hard… it is.
You are right on target with your thoughs about money being a means to an end and not the end itself. Money is only a tool that is used to enjoy life. It also allows you to give back to people who are still in need. Because we are all part of the same human family haveing lots of money allows you to share the richest of the planet with all people near and far.
Too be traveling and prospering. Works for me. Definitely a mind of all work and no play is not good. When I get a little more I will travel and share how a little more. Thanks Rosalind!
Ros,
This post reminds me of the quote “Money doesn’t change you, it only makes you more of who you already are.”
So if you live in fear now, money won’t change that.
Therefore, we need to live and be TODAY what we want to become so that when we get it, we’ll be fulfilled and grateful.
Thanks!
Yisel
Hi, Ros
I totally agree with you that one should give more to the less fortune when one can afford it. I think it gives a sense of fulfillment to our life and meaning to our wealth.
You have changed my perspertive about travelling. I always hold dear to the believe that I will only travel once I have make lots and lots of money first. But I realise that nowt I should visit the places I wish to go before it’s too late even though I may not be able to travel in style.
Who knows I may have the money but I might no longer have the health and fitness to travel any more.
Even though I have not purchase your book or anything from you, you are still so warm, friendly and personable. You are great.
Too many times I get stuck in front of the computer obsessed at how i will dominate the competition. This is a great eye opener and hopefully it will sink in soon before my girlfriend actually kills me! lol Although i do well online because Im obsessed, I think having a life really is essential!
Alain
Ms Gardner,
I bought your book,I followed all your instructions,I created my website exactly as you said,and..for someone that until 8 months ago,could ONLY retreive email,I did it.My warmest regards and prayers go out to you and yours this holiday season.I thank you from my heart.
Olympia
Spending your money, to travel, to do the things that you want to, helps all sorts of other people, to earn enough to weather this economic downturn. Rosalind’s newsletters, blogs and articles inspire hundreds of people with their up beat and timely ideas. Unfortunately, this financial mess has succeeded in scaring people half to death and made them realize that even the big ones can fall prey to others’ scams. This is a much better idea than spending trillions to shore up the money lenders and banks that hasn’t seemed to result in fixing the problems. It is going to take more people spending their money doing the fun things in life to bring the markets back into line.
Talk about a timely blog! Way to go!
Hi Ros,
I added you to follow on my twitter and after reading your article now I know why.
So right on how you describe success. Thanks for sharing you insight.
Happy travels!
Laura
great post.
all successful people have a way of chillingout. having a way to stay fresh will keep you sharp when it comes to new business ventures. Also makes it easier to come up new fresh ideas
All work and no play makes bill a dull boy. Or something to the affect