Rather than just wish everyone a successful 2011, I thought I'd share with you a condensed version the presentation I give to kids all over Houston about how to succeed in life. This is stuff I've learned both the hard way, and from people that have achieved high levels of success. I hope something in here helps you!

HOW TO WIN

Winning - that's what it's all about. Well, it is considering I give this speech to members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They all compete in one sport or another, and the bottom line of competition is winning. But the truth is, you won't win every contest, but you CAN...well, you SHOULD win the Big Game - LIFE. So here you go!

GOAL SETTING - If I had a dollar for every person that's said, "The secret is to set lofty goals", I'd have a lot of money. But if I had a dollar for every person that said, "And now, here's how to craft a plan to reach those goals", the only dollar I'd have is the one I gave myself. I love goals, but isn't the how the thing that matters? It sure is! Here's the how:

Work backwards to move forwards. That's the how. That's what the most successful people do, all day every day.

Simply put, that means starting at the Big Goal and working backwards to where you are now, establishing small milestones that you have to accomplish to get to the next step. Here are two examples of that:

1. You are on the freshman tennis team, and you want to earn a scholarship to play tennis in college. There's a lot between here and there, and just saying "I want a tennis scholarship" won't make it a reality. There are certain state rankings tennis players can reach. From lowest to highest, they are: ZAT, Champ, Super Champ. You'll have to be a Super Champ ranked player in your senior year to have a chance at a scholarship, but right now your ranking is ZAT. So here is a plan for you:

MAY 2014 - graduate with a tennis scholarship to college waiting for you

APRIL 2014 - win the district, bi-district, regional and state tournaments

AUGUST 2013 - achieve number one or two ranking on school tennis team

JUNE 2013 - achieve Super Champ ranking

APRIL 2013 - win district junior varsity tournament

JANUARY 2013 - achieve number one or two ranking on junior varsity team

AUGUST 2013 - achieve top eight ranking on junior varsity team

APRIL 2012 - make the team that competes in the district tournament

JANUARY 2012 - achieve Champ ranking

AUGUST 2011 - make it to finals in at least one ZAT tournament

MAY 2011 - make the team that competes in the freshman district tournament

APRIL 2011 - achieve top-eight ranking on freshman tennis team

I created this plan in about 10 minutes, just typing it on the computer. It wasn't hard at all, but it's a plan that any freshman tennis player can use to reach that goal. It has milestones along the way that are reasonable, and if you don't reach one, then you know you have more work to do. You won't be swimming blind - you have a plan.

Plus, you aren't concentrating on the scholarship, which is years away. You're concentrating on a reachable goal that is only months away.

And it was created by working backwards - starting at the end, and working back to where we are now. That is how you create a plan to reach any goal.

GOAL SETTING (CONTINUED)

Here's another (much shorter) example:

2. You want to buy your dream house. It costs $800,000. Right now, you can afford a house that costs $150,000. You know what your goal is - how do you get there?

You really only need to know three things: (a) When do you want to be able to buy this home; (b) How much down payment will you need for that house; and (c) How much will you have to be making to qualify for the loan and afford the payment?

Let's say you want to move into that house in 8 years. That's the answer to (a) and it's reasonable. But keep in mind, that $800,000 home will probably be worth more in 8 years. Let's say it will be worth $1 million by then.

I know what you're thinking - Holy smokes! How can I ever afford a million dollar home?!? Especially in 8 years??? Well, let's see.

The answer to (b) is probably 20%. That means you'll have to put down $200,000 - a lot of money! But you already have some of that saved - it's the equity in your present home. And in 8 years, you should build even more equity. It's probable that you'll build up a net equity in your current home of $40,000 by then, assuming you have $15K equity now and pay down $25K on your mortgage in eight years. So your savings goal is now $160,000. That's the answer to (b).

For (c), all we have to do is figure out the mortgage payment on $800,000. Let's say mortgage rates are 6% then (that's a guess - no one has any idea what they'll be then, but this guess is as good as any). So the payment on $800,000 at 6% for 30 years works out to be $4,800. You also have to pay taxes and insurance. Let's assume $2,000 per month for those.

So, you have to be able to afford a payment of $6,800 per month. The rule of thumb today is that your total mortgage payment should be 25% - 30% of your gross monthly income. That means you need to be grossing $22,600 to $27,200 per month, which works out to a yearly income of $272,000 to $326,000. That is the answer to (c).

If you are living in a $150,000 home then you're probably grossing $50,000 per year. So in eight years, you have to go from $50,000 per year to $326,000 per year. Along the way, you need to save $160,000.

This is all you need to craft your plan. It could look something like this:

2019 - Buy dream house

2018 - Income is $331,031. Savings are $45,000 for year, $160,000 total

2017 - Income is $252,696. Savings are $40,000 for year, $115,000 total

2016 - Income is $192,897. Savings are $30,000 for year, $75,000 total

2015 - Income is $147,250. Savings are $20,000 for year, $45,000 total

2014 - Income is $112,405. Savings are $15,000 for year, $25,000 total

2013 - Income is $85,805. Savings are $10,000 for year, $10,000 total

2012 - Income is $65,500. Savings are $0

2011 - Income is $50,000. Savings are $0

Now you know where you need to get to each year. If you look at the savings, you can see that you can easily save $160,000 on the income levels shown. So if your present home doesn't build up that extra $40K equity you need, it shouldn't be hard to save a little more to make up the difference.

The biggest challenge will be finding an industry you can work in that will give your income the chance to grow 31% a year (which is the constant growth rate I used). That almost certainly means either: (1) sales; or (2) owning your own, successful business. Sales are MUCH easier than owning a business, but that's up to you.

So, that's the how. Here's the rest:

EMBRACING CHALLENGES, OBSTACLES AND EVEN TRAGEDY - This is something that is not obvious to almost anyone, and is much harder to do than it looks.

My presentations are mainly to young Christians, so we talk about God's plan. As Christians, we're raised to be thankful for our blessings. But if we believe in God's plan, and place all our trust in Him, then we really have to be thankful for everything. Good or bad. That's not easy, trust me.

But when you thank God for everything He sends you, guess what happens? Those obstacles are not frightening any more. You lose your fear of them. Fear clouds the mind, so when the fear is gone, you are much more able to figure out a way to overcome the obstacle.

For those of you that are not religious, you can still be thankful for any obstacle. Just look at it as another challenge sent to you by the cosmos. Another opportunity to show what you're made of. You'll do great.

TREAT EVERYONE YOU MEET AS IF THEY HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS TOWARD YOU - Because 99.9% of the time, they do. This is not to say that you should walk through crack houses and greet those that live there with a hug and a kiss. That would be stupid, and no one is asking you to be stupid.

But in your daily life, almost everyone you meet will have good intentions toward you. This means that they aren't interested in hurting you. They ARE interested in what you can do for them. And that's a two-way street, isn't it? In business, if you're going to do something for someone, you expect they will do something for you - either pay you, or reward you with a great opportunity.

When you start treating everyone you meet as if they have good intentions toward you, you will be absolutely amazed at the opportunities that seem to start falling out of the sky for you. Why?

Because successful people are ALWAYS looking for people that can help them be more successful, and they will pay generously for that service.

I'm NOT talking about being a suck-up to people. You have to believe in this, and not expect that just because you're nice to someone, they're going to rain money or opportunity on you. That may or may not happen. But if you're withdrawn and suspicious of everyone you meet, I can guarantee that it will NEVER happen.

CONCLUSION - There's lots more, but these are the main points. Especially the part on setting plans to reach goals.

One other thing - use a daily calendar. Use a REAL calendar - a paper one, a DayTimer, etc. Take a few minutes each night and write down the things you want to accomplish tomorrow.

The reason to use a real calendar, rather than making notes on your smart phone, is that when you physically write something down and it's where you can see it at any time, it becomes a promise you make to yourself. And those are the kinds of promises you're most likely to keep. (I use my iPhone only as an appointment reminder, and it works great for that.)

If you have any trouble keeping those promises, write these four words on the first line of each day - "I promise I will". If that doesn't work, then get a friend to be an accountability partner. Ask them to call you each night and go over that day's calendar. If there are things you didn't do, ask them to press you on why. Offer to do the same thing for them.

Good luck!

Rodeo, I don't have time right now to read all of what you posted - and I'm not a "believer", so I would take issue with the religious parts of what you've posted - but you are also offering some excellent, very practical advice here. We would all be better off if more people were "well thought-out" and your goal-setting tips are a prime example of that.

Good on your for trying to make the world a better place!

Winning is NOT what it's all about for sure !

Losing has incredible value and can teach lessons that winning can not

As a long time head / assitant coach ( Men's and Women's Soccer ) ~ with many undefeated conference championship seasons ~ advancing to State playoff levels ~ I know both sides well ~ Teams ( students ...people ) that ALWAYS win learn less about life overall than teams that sometimes lose

yet another reason why i me some RodeoSchro

I created this plan in about 10 minutes, just typing it on the computer. It wasn't hard at all

XxAxX said:

yet another reason why i me some RodeoSchro

I created this plan in about 10 minutes, just typing it on the computer. It wasn't hard at all

Well to be honest, I had to screw up for a decade or so before I learned all that!

Mach said:

Winning is NOT what it's all about for sure !

Losing has incredible value and can teach lessons that winning can not

As a long time head / assitant coach ( Men's and Women's Soccer ) ~ with many undefeated conference championship seasons ~ advancing to State playoff levels ~ I know both sides well ~ Teams ( students ...people ) that ALWAYS win learn less about life overall than teams that sometimes lose

But sure - there are valuable lessons in losing. Trust me, I address that in the full presentation. My favorite coach of all time is John Wooden and his credo was, "Always strive for perfection, knowing that you will never reach it".

Ace said:

Rodeo, I don't have time right now to read all of what you posted - and I'm not a "believer", so I would take issue with the religious parts of what you've posted - but you are also offering some excellent, very practical advice here. We would all be better off if more people were "well thought-out" and your goal-setting tips are a prime example of that.

Good on your for trying to make the world a better place!

Thanks! Hey, this is not generally a religious presentation, except when given to the FCA. All FCA speakers have to tie in their speech with Godly themes.

But my prime example of the results of this stuff is not a religious figure - it's Arnold Schwarzenegger. He achieved the highest possible success in three completely different areas: (1) sports (greatest bodybuilder ever); (2) entertainment (highest paid actor in the world in the '90's); and (3) politics (can't be president but was governor of the largest state in the country).

I can't wait to see what Arnold does next!

RodeoSchro said:

XxAxX said:

yet another reason why i me some RodeoSchro

Well to be honest, I had to screw up for a decade or so before I learned all that!

i think your list of goal setting tips is quite excellent.

XxAxX said:

RodeoSchro said:

Well to be honest, I had to screw up for a decade or so before I learned all that!

i think your list of goal setting tips is quite excellent. I wonder what I could sell to increase my income every year by 31 percent....hmmmm.....

Dear, that line of work is not for you

i am going with this one....

Work backwards to move forwards. That's the how. That's what the most successful people do, all day every day.

but there is so much mess to sort out, looks like i will b very very busy from now on

XxAxX said:

RodeoSchro said:

Well to be honest, I had to screw up for a decade or so before I learned all that!

i think your list of goal setting tips is quite excellent.

Thank you! But the important thing isn't how to set goals - it's how to make a plan that will get you from here to the goal.

physco185 said:

i am going with this one....

Work backwards to move forwards. That's the how. That's what the most successful people do, all day every day.

but there is so much mess to sort out, looks like i will b very very busy from now on

Trust me - it won't take nearly as long as you think! And it will be fun doing it. You know what they say - the fun is in the journey?

They're right!

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

i think your list of goal setting tips is quite excellent. I wonder what I could sell to increase my income every year by 31 percent....hmmmm.....

Dear, that type of profit is not for you 25%, maybe, or 26% i dare say, but no higher. trust me

okay. you've always been a terrific business manager, dear.

want to make God laugh? tell him your plans.

i love that joke.

reverse-engineer it. That really is great advice.

But I'm not sure what I want to engineer in the first place.

I would probably stand a greater chance of success

if I could force myself to read all of that

it's terrible when laziness affects non-physical challenges

RodeoSchro said:

Ace said:

Rodeo, I don't have time right now to read all of what you posted - and I'm not a "believer", so I would take issue with the religious parts of what you've posted - but you are also offering some excellent, very practical advice here. We would all be better off if more people were "well thought-out" and your goal-setting tips are a prime example of that.

Good on your for trying to make the world a better place!

Thanks! Hey, this is not generally a religious presentation, except when given to the FCA. All FCA speakers have to tie in their speech with Godly themes.

But my prime example of the results of this stuff is not a religious figure - it's Arnold Schwarzenegger. He achieved the highest possible success in three completely different areas: (1) sports (greatest bodybuilder ever); (2) entertainment (highest paid actor in the world in the '90's); and (3) politics (can't be president but was governor of the largest state in the country).

I can't wait to see what Arnold does next!

I thought this was an inspiring post until you brought Arnold S. up . I hate it that he and Hitler are probably the best known Austrians...