I came across this while reading threads in the Warrior Forum and felt the need to share it with my readers. I hope it means something to you. It certainly does to me.

Hope that this boosts your morale at times when it seems things are not working as well as you would like… there are people who we are fighting for and reasons to do so…that’s why we fight.

The Important Things in Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.

The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.

Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Posted by Laurence on January 10, 2012 at 07:30

Do you have Paypal problems? Are you scared of losing your money or your business because you don’t know what to do? If so, fear no more. Here is your solution.

I have read numerous ebooks about Paypal and how to handle issues you may face but never have I seen one so well written as this one. If you have a business, you would be foolish NOT to check it out for yourself.

The Paypal Pathway is the only book you’ll ever need to clearly understand how to deal with the most popular payment processor on the planet. Don’t delay. Don’t risk losing all that New Year’s earnings. Grab it now at a bargain basement price.

Posted by Laurence on December 31, 2011 at 15:27

I want to wish everybody a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in every way possible.
Set some New Year’s Resolutions.
Set bigger goals and write them down.
Believe in yourself when all others don’t.
Get off the fence and take ACTION.
Focus on achieving your goals and stop letting distractions get in the way.

Above all, be the best YOU that you can possibly be!

Posted by Laurence on at 08:03

The typhoon has hit the Philippines hard and it’s going to take a lot of money and hard work to help them recover. I am a proud member of the Warrior Forum. They have put together a fantastic marketing package of over 70 products. Every cent goes directly to helping the relief fund. So far over $30,000 has been raised.

I have also donated one of my own products to this package and bought the package myself. It’s only $17.00 and worth well over $1000. So I am asking all my members to do the same. Whether  you only want a few of the products or all of them, $17.00 is a small price to pay to help a country in strife. This is the link to the page in the Warrior forum so you can see what you’ll get.

http://goo.gl/aHxNF Please help them.

Posted by Laurence on December 27, 2011 at 11:05

It’s that time of the year again. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or some other religious season, I hope that it’s the best time for you and your family. If you’re not orthodox in your religion or are an atheist, it doesn’t matter. Family is what’s important. Get together, eat, drink and be merry. Enjoy the company of friends and family during this festive season.

I also hope that 2012 is a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous time in every way. Set new goals to achieve – small, medium and large ones so you’re always striving for something. So Happy New Year to you all as well

Posted by Laurence on December 23, 2011 at 18:59

Do you hire writers to work for you? Perhaps they write sales pages, website content, articles, blog posts, emails, ebooks, reports and other material. What’s the chief purpose of all this written material? Generally speaking, it’s to help you earn money. If the material is good quality, you’ll be more successful than if it’s poorly written, plagiarized, not checked for spelling and grammar and badly put together.

When you hire your writers, do you try to figure out how little you can spend and still achieve the best results? OR  do you understand that you need to pay good money to receive high quality material?

I have written well over 2000 articles, numerous blog posts, pages for websites, resumes, ebooks, reports and much more and I have found there are only three main categories of customers out there.

1. The first one wants to pay as little as possible and doesn’t really care whether the material is good or not, as long as it seems OK to them.

2. The second one wants to pay as little as possible but demands: the best possible quality, no plagiarism, urgent deadlines (regardless of the size of the job) and they want writers to believe them when they say they “may have lots more work if this job is done to their satisfaction.” This will also be done for the same low fee.

3. The last one is the customer who sees the need first and the cost second. They understand that in order to get decent quality work, they need to pay a reasonable fee. They’re cooperative, available to answer questions and comprehend that a bit of give and take will provide them with a decent finished product and a long term writer if they have need of one down the track.

Do these examples sound like people you know? Do you fit into any of these categories?

I know which customer I would prefer to work for and I am sure that most writers would agree with me that the third option is the preferred one. The written word is very powerful and can make or break a business. Wouldn’t you want your writer to be keen to see you succeed and to help you along the way without feeling used?

I have no idea what is going through your mind when you read this article but if it makes even one person stop and think about how they treat writers, then it has been worth my while writing this piece.

I welcome all feedback openly.

Posted by Laurence on December 20, 2011 at 13:33

Several friends of mine have started a brand new website designed to help people who want to earn money by building their own online business. I do their writing work and I highly recommend joining their site to see for yourself what they have to offer.

INTRODUCING….THE GURU TRAINING ACADEMY

Where It’s All About YOU!

GRAND OPENING LAUNCH

Are you new to the world of internet marketing?
Do you want to make money but don’t know how?
Would you like access to the best place to learn everything you need?

If you answered yes to these questions, then the Guru Training Academy is the place to find all the answers to your questions.

Instead of spending hours, days or weeks hunting for guidance on how to build yourself a solid business, you can find everything you need in one place.

The Guru Training Academy will teach you:

How to create your own website.
How to choose and buy your domain name.
How to choose the best hosting plans.
WordPress Installation and a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
How to get Triple Links for your site a more powerful than standard links.
And much, much more.

The Academy also has its own forum so you can ask questions freely and make new friends at the same time. The site owners will be present in the forum and will also personally answer any support questions you ask.  All members have access to the forum and are strongly encouraged to use it so other members can also benefit from the responses.

There will be a strong mix of people from different backgrounds, countries, nationalities and levels of experience. You won’t feel alone as you can share your journey and experiences and learn from each other along the way.

You’ll also have access to an experienced writer who will give you tips on writing your own content or places to which you can outsource the work. You can also have articles written for you by this writer at a discounted rate only for members of the Guru Training Academy

You’ll have full support every step of the way with video modules that clearly show you what to do and you can play them over and over so don’t stress about having to be a technical person because you don’t need to be.

You’ll also have access to loads of useful tools, PDFS and software to help build your business. They will cover pretty much any topic you can name.
So don’t let being a newbie prevent you from becoming successful.

Check out the Guru Training Academy FREE for five days.

If you like what you see, simply pay either $10 per month if you’re one of the first 10 lucky people to sign up or $27 per month if you miss out on securing one of the first 10 spots.

What are you waiting for? Here’s the only link you’ll need to begin your journey to success today.
The Guru Training Academy

Posted by Laurence on December 13, 2011 at 00:28

It is almost that time of year. Whether you call it Christmas, the  festive season, the silly season or something entirely different, it happens each year and people spend up big. They buy lots of things they can’t afford for people they may not even like.

Retailers make a large portion of their yearly income in December alone. It’s quite disgusting. Anyway, most businesses close down so that staff can have some time off and so employers don’t have to pay huge penalty rates so they can work.

As for people like us who are self-employed, we don’t get a break unless we choose to. I am not getting any big Christmas bonuses or parties and I am sure many others are in the same boat. It doesn’t faze me at all though. I will still do my work and rest in between jobs.

So, I do wish those of you who celebrate it, a very Merry Christmas and to everyone, a safe and prosperous 2012.

Posted by Laurence on December 12, 2011 at 23:49

How quickly the year flies by. I don’t know about you but I find that as I age, the years seem to go even faster and with a birthday looming, it makes me look back at what I have achieved in the last 12 months.

I have increased my writing and proofreading business quite a lot. I have made lots of new friends and learned more about my craft. I am starting to think about New Year’s Resolutions and the best ones to choose.

What is your Christmas going to be like this year? Have you thought about your own new resolutions yet? Time will fly so fast that it will be 2012 before we even know it. Make sure you’re not working so hard that you don’t make the time to enjoy your life as well.

Posted by Laurence on December 4, 2011 at 22:20

Everyone can write words on a page, whether it’s on a computer or a notepad. NOT everyone can get a message across strongly, clearly and yet still make it easy to read. People pay others to write articles, blog posts, website content, ebooks and much more for them because they know they don’t have the necessary skills to do it themselves. Some do it because they just don’t have the time.

Do you want your business to make lots of money? How much are you prepared to pay to achieve that success? I have seen people offering to pay $1.00 to a writer for a 1000 word article. That tells me they don’t value their business and don’t respect the people who help them.

If you pay small amounts of money, don’t expect to achieve great success because you don’t deserve it. You can’t live in a take, take, take world. You have to give in order to receive and if you find people who can help you with your writing, proofreading, website design, whatever it is that you can’t or won’t do yourself for whatever reason, pay for a good job and you’ll receive excellent work.

I don’t know what you, as my loyal readers, will think of this post but I have seen so many times where people expect to pay peanuts and yet expect miracles. Reverse the situation. Would you work for the money you’re offering that other person? I only ask that you think about that each time you open your wallet.

I would be interested in your feedback on this as well. Thank you for taking the time to read what I have written.

Posted by Laurence on November 19, 2011 at 14:51

I came across these in a forum I belong to and felt that they should be shared by everyone.

Little John’s Rules For Success in the Marketplace

Sell yourself to others. They must have confidence in you so they can depend on you, trust you, believe you, & confide in you. You get one chance to make a good first impression.

Never give the other fellow the impression that you think you know more than he does. If you do, you will break his spirit & destroy your influence with him, losing your ability to communicate properly.

Seek information from other people who are more experienced & be willing to listen to the advice. Be humble & willing to learn from anyone–regardless of his station in life. One good way to measure a person’s character is to observe the way he treats people who can possibly do him any good.

Work hard. Put first things first. Work as if you would life forever; live as if you would die tomorrow. Be willing to sacrifice some pleasures in order to do what has to be done.

Remember that everything you do in life leaves an impression on somebody. You are being observed every minute of each day, & every move is being recorded in someone’s mind, either as a plus or a minus.

Don’t expect everyone to agree with your ideas, but if the majority of people disagree on a subject, it’s wise to make a new appraisal of your position.

It is necessary to control the things you have control over, no matter how small they may seem.  If you don’t have a good feeling about a decision, don’t make it. Never make an important decision without sleeping on it for two nights.

Don’t make things complicated. Most good things in life are simple & practical.

Learn to manage your own personal affairs before expecting anyone to trust you with operating the affairs of their business.

To build loyalty & cooperation, take a personal interest in the feelings & welfare of other people you are working with.

Don’t run from problems. A real problem gives you an opportunity to sell yourself to others. It’s not the problem that matters so much, but how you react to it. The gem cannot be polished without friction, not the child of God cleansed without adversity.

Surround yourself with successful people. The greatness of a man shows when he is able to see the greatness in others.

Be a good listener. Ask questions & get the other fellow to express his opinion first.

Gain experience. Pay your dues. You can’t start at the top. You must learn at all levels to become an effective executive.

Posted by Laurence on November 18, 2011 at 14:22

Do you pay other people to write content for your website? Do you pay for articles to be written? If so, how much do you pay? How do you find the writers? Do you use one person or different people?

There’s an endless debate where price is on one side and quality is on the other. Many people believe that they can get high quality articles for 50 cents or $1.00 and there are people who will work for that amount of money, especially if they’re in third world countries where money is valued differently.

When you look for a writer for your material, consider the quality and the massive benefits you’ll receive as a result of that high quality content and remember that when you discuss how much money you’re prepared to spend.

I have had a few situations where a client has used a writer and received poor quality work. They have then had to pay me to fix that work. It works out more expensive if you don’t do your research before making the decision.

The next time you are looking for a writer, weigh up the value of the branding, sales and other factors that written content will give you and then you’ll appreciate the fees that high quality writers charge.

Posted by Laurence on November 1, 2011 at 17:33

Hello to everybody who has subscribed to my mailing list. You have all done so for a reason. I would love to know what that reason is. Are you wanting to earn extra money? Do you want to learn more about writing? Maybe you just like to read what I write about different things.

Whatever the reason is, I am sure there are things I can help you with that you haven’t asked for. So I am giving you this opportunity. I am not saying you have to buy something from me, although there are numerous options available to use my services.

I am asking you this…what do you want or need right now? Perhaps it is access to free ebooks to help you with your business. Whatever the reason is, please let me know and I will help you in whatever way I can. There’s no catch. I appreciate you being on my list and want to offer you something that may help you in return. All you have to do is ask.

Posted by Laurence on October 26, 2011 at 22:34

I have a wealth of experience writing and reading resumes. I am an ex-marketing manager and recruiter and I have read a few thousand resumes and hired a few hundred people over the years for various roles.

I have helped people write or improve their resumes and I’m still amazed by the number of people that don’t truly comprehend the value of the right resume. It’s much more than words on a page or a list of the work you have done.

A properly laid out resume will make it easy for any potential employer to read it. You only have 10 seconds to make an impact on the employer before they decide to either delete your resume or read it properly. Yet I’m still amazed at the number of people that don’t want to pay to have their resume done properly.

The resume can secure you a well paid job by getting you to the interview stage. Surely that’s worth a lot of money to people who don’t know how to put together a decent resume and need help. After all, if you’re going to be paid $30k or more, any fee for a resume would seem trivial.

I hear comments like “my friend will help me,” “it’s too expensive” or “can’t you do it cheaper for me?” and I simply shake my head. Once you have a proper resume, you have the basis for all future versions because it’s easy to add things once you have the framework.

So, for anyone reading this that does need a resume, please consider the big picture when making your decisions. How badly do you want a job? That’s the key question.

Posted by Laurence on October 20, 2011 at 04:54

Everyone has their own set of skills that enables them to achieve certain things in life. We are all different which is a positive thing because if we were all the same, the world would be a boring place. It’s important to be yourself and use your existing skills to help other people when the opportunity arises.

There are always people around you that don’t have the same skills as you do. If you help them, you’ll feel good about yourself and they’ll appreciate it. Never help with the expectation of getting something in return or it defeats the purpose. Help others and encourage them to do the same and this world would be a far better place to live in. YOU can really make a difference, even if it’s just to one person.

Posted by Laurence on October 12, 2011 at 21:49

Are you doing what you want to do in life? Or are you working a job just to pay the bills? Do you curse the alarm clock every morning and wish you didn’t have to go to work? If so, why? Maybe it sounds like a silly question but isn’t your life more important than just doing what it takes to pay the bills?

Most people are stuck doing jobs they don’t want to do because they’re too scared to reach for the one goal they really want to achieve. Sure, it may be hard to do what you really have your heart set on doing but if you don’t take action, you’ll only regret it. If not today, then years down the track when you’re old, gray and in ill health and can’t take the opportunities that are available right now.

I have had lots of jobs in my life. Some were good and some were not so good but they paid the bills. I currently earn less now than I have ever earned in a regular full-time job because I am on a Disability Pension.

But I didn’t just sit on my butt and feel sorry for myself. I decided to use my skills and do something I love. That’s why I am now a freelance writer, proofreader, editor and researcher. I enjoy writing and helping others achieve their goals. I am happier now than I have ever been because I work when I want and deal with clients direct.

I have even written an ebook on freelancing and the opportunities that are available. Lots of people have read it so far and have commented that it has really helped them change or add to what they’re already doing.

What are you doing with your life? If it’s not what you enjoy, then you should take the bull by the horns and take action. If not today, then when?

I would be really interested in your feedback on this post.

Posted by Laurence on October 1, 2011 at 18:03

After more than a week in hospital trying to manage my pain relief medication, I am finally home and starting to get my strength back. It was a tough time but the result was worth it. I am off the morphine.

If you face health issues, always look for ways to improve your situation. There’s always more than one way to look at a situation. I can now get back to my writing work and selling more copies of my great Freelancing ebook. Have you bought your copy yet?

If not, why not? You’re missing out on learning all about how to become a freelancer. In today’s economy, it’s a great way to earn extra money to boost your regular income or even replace your other job if you persist and become successful. Never give up your dreams!

Posted by Laurence on September 29, 2011 at 18:53

How well you handle life’s little hurdles says a lot about your character and is an indicator to other people how responsible you are when you run a business.

I am going into hospital tomorrow for 1 – 2 weeks, not for surgery, but for some medication changes due to my chronic and severe pain in my neck due to nerve damage. I know some people would simply shut down and feel sorry for themselves.

Any time you go into hospital is a change to your daily routine. You can look at it in a negative or positive light. I believe in looking at things in a positive way. This will give me a break from the computer although I will have limited access to a small notebook. I won’t feel up to writing much and I will have a permanent IV in one arm so it will be hard anyway.

So I am going to rest and also read some of the valuable pdfs I have that will enable me to earn more money when I come out.  I have completed all my scheduled work so I am not letting my loyal customers down. I can also catch up on reading some novels I haven’t read yet.

The weather is going to be nice so I am told I can even sit outside and read if I feel up to it. This will do me some good and hopefully they will also help me with this pain and get it under better control which will lead  to a better quality of life.

So…the next time you face a hurdle, regardless of what it might be, make a conscious decision to treat it in a positive manner and get all the benefits from it that you can. Life happens. It’s how we deal with it that matters.

Posted by Laurence on September 18, 2011 at 14:11

Do you have a website? Do you have trouble writing content for your site? Would you like to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen niche? If your answer is yes to all of these questions, then you don’t need to stress any longer.

Whether it’s written content for your website or if you need research done to help you boost your business, I can help you. I am a very experienced writer, proofreader and editor. I can handle most writing tasks so you can spend your time on more worthwhile endeavours.

So don’t delay. Build your reputation with regular high quality content and you’ll start to achieve your goals. Just email me if you want more information.

Posted by Laurence on September 8, 2011 at 18:32

My new ebook has a new title and even more valuable information now. If you ever considered becoming a Freelancer or you want to outsource work you can’t do or don’t have the time to do, this book has all the answers for you.

If you want to find work, there are tons of useful URLs to help guide you in the right direction. More and more people are looking for ways to make money from home and so this book is the perfect tool to make sure you’re on the right track. No other book has this many links and answers for you. So grab it now while the price is a bargain.

How To Be A Freelancing Success will be the best investment you ever make in your future. Don’t miss out. Grab it before I increase the price.

Posted by Laurence on August 23, 2011 at 03:58