YANG Wisdom

Chris: "Our goal is to never get it right, just do it!"

People are often afraid to try what they dream off.

I've come across lots of great ideas and solutions but no real execution of them, why is that?

I suppose it has to do with the thought of the word "failure" being associated within a negative connotation.

Whyt do we focus on the negative instead of the positive? Why don't we realise that "failure" is a great learning curve for something better?

My reality

I am sitting here in the office with Audrey.

Chris walks in and immediately I know he's got a different persona on.

"Right" he said "What's going on with these accounts"

"I'm getting them sorted" Audrey replied "But I need you to look at something first OK"

Chris hangs around and listens to Audrey explanation about the accounts quietly for a few seconds.
Then he's off ranting again.

"I don't want to deal with these accounts, you should have to deal with these accounts. I should just be able to sign something and that's that. I don't want to look at any paperwork."

My analytical mind thinks that he's gone a bit nuts. It explains to me that to run a company you'd need to look at where the money is going and what your spending. But my imaginative mind thinks that the situation is a bit amusing, as it explains to me that Chris would rather see action than take up valuable time "trying to figure out" whats going on.

"Alright alright" Audrey replied back after his rant. I can tell she's giving him a bit of cheek.

Chris walks out, half amused half serious.

Audrey turns to me "That's Semi Boris"

"Oh really?" I replied realising that I was just exposed to Chris's alter ego.

"I wonder what Boris in action looks like?" I say out loud to myself.

"Oh you won't see it often" Audrey said "Chris enjoys life too much."

Headspace chatter..

Chris's girlfriend is a hole puncher.

What are they going on about..

Dear..

Dear world,

I am sitting here, trying to cut my spending and budget the money I've got.

I have successfully stopped subscriptions that I do not need and deleted accounts with websites that I just visit to shop on.

I am afraid of the spending plan spreadsheet that Audrey has me writing in. She says I need to document all my spending from my credit card onto this sheet.

My thinking is that I actually don't want to write in it. Not because I don't want to actually follow her advice- but because I don't want to use my credit cards period.

I am already shocked my my weekly spending. $472.00 last week? On what??!!

I am DEFINITELY going to change this habit and kick it to the curb!!

YIN Wisdom

Audrey: "Alright let's get your deposit"
Me: "But how? I'm in so much debt"
Audrey: "You're going to be on a financial diet from now on."
Me: "A financial diet, what's that?"
Audrey: "That mean's your giving me your credit cards. Hand them over."

Pure panic set in.

Is she serious? I pay may bills on those credit cards! But as she spoke, I understood what she was trying to show me.

I now live by two "Audrey" philosphies.

1) I can always spend as much as I earn
2) I only buy what I need not what I want

People these days believe credit cards are a God's send. They base their lives around this card and the "convenience" that they believe it gives them.

But the convenient solution is only short term and what is left every month is the every growing and changing repayments that need to occur.

I am told that if I use a credit card to purchase something, I should not wait until the monthly repayments to pay it back. The repayment should be completed straight away- in full. So for example I purchased a new computer for the price of $998.00 - my goal should be to repay my credit card purchase of $998.00 straight away.

I must have looked horrified at the concept of handing over my credit cards because Audrey finally compromised with me to hand it over next month.

*Phew* I thought, at least i've been given time- and not go cold turkey as she initally suggested.

"So what about my bills?" I said " How do I pay them?"

"You just have to figure out where to find money then don't you?" Audrey replied with a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Alright. I trust these people. Let's get this started.

My Reality

"They're not here" a stranger said as she walked past me smiling.

"Yeah I figured." I said trying to figure out If I should walk outside and have a wonder.

"They usually come around 9.30am but i've seen then coming in later." She continued as she made her coffee.

"Oh really" I said with a bit of a smirk. They really practice what they preach here at the wealth centre.

She turned to me "I'm Julie by the way"

I shook her hand "Hi Julie" I replied smiling back.

"I work over there across the hall" She said as she walked back to work "I'll see you around then!"

"Ok great" I replied.

I turn to walk to my section of the level. Oh wait- the door is locked.

Headspace chatter..

Where is everyone?

Why isn't the office doors open it's 10am?

I thought I was late!!

YIN YANG Wisdom

Audrey and Chris keep telling me: "1+1=3"

Since I arrived to do my internship at here at the wealth centre, Audrey and Chris kept throwing the equation 1+1=3 to me.

I didn't understand it for about 2 days and then after much confused looks, Chris finally revealed his thought process once again.

"We are taught to be analytical" He said "From a very early age, we go to school and we are taught maths, routines and schedules."

This is true. (Refer to my experience about asking questions)

"And so, when I tell people 1+1=3 their natural thinking is to analyse it as an equation- very linear and never with any imagination."

Alright, I thought.

"People that do well in business" continued Chris "Are able to change their normal way of thinking from reality into imagination."

"Ok- so how do they do that?" I asked.

"Well because they have imagination you see, they are able to understand the equation easily." Chris replied.

"What's an example?" I asked.

"Remember that meeting we had with Robin?" He said

"Robin is considered as number "1". He is trying to get his company up and and running so he came here to the wealth centre for help.

We are also considered number "1" because we are running a company too but we could also benefit from Robins product and expertise.

The difference between smart workers and hard workers is collaboration. Instead of just keeping it one sided- make it two way." Explained Chris.

"1+1= 3" I said, finally getting it.

"Yes, using their imagination." Replied Chris.

Headspace Chatter

Questions??!

You want questions??

Oh, I'll give you questions *Grumble*

1. How did I myself in this mess of debt and "pay-check by pay-check living?"
2. How do I get myself out of this debt and living "pay-check by pay-check"
3. How do I create wealth?
4. How do I manage my life so that I don't have to work the J.O.B?
5. 1+1=2 (not 3!!) Damn it..

My Reality

"Come sit in on this meeting." Chris says as he walks by the door.

I walk out to follow him into the conference room to be greeted by another participant Robin Kohler.

"Robin's working on a project to get his company up and running." Chris informs me as I sit down.

Once again, I'm thrown into the deep end, learning as i'm going and really just trying to get my head around all these different projects that are in progress. (That's why I always feel overwhelmed when I walk out of a meeting!)

Robin explained his background story briefly to me.

Corporate worker. Idea for freedom. Dream of creating a company. (Pretty typical thinking of everyone I know who want to "make it big")

"So why is he here at The Wealth Centre?" I thought to myself.

Chris must read my mind sometimes because he turned to me and proceeded to answer my non verbal question.

"I love technology you see." He said "I think Robin has a fantastic concept but he needs help in the execution."

I nod my head.

"That's why he is here- 1+1=3"

Dear..

Dear world;

Why do I always walk out of meetings feeling inundated?

YANG Wisdom

Chris: "If you don't know anything. Just ask"
Me: "Ok, I will"

To be honest, I actually don't like asking questions.

I'm an observer- I watch how things work and my last resort has always been asking questions about things.

When I was young I went to a Catholic Primary School. (If anyone else went to a Catholic Primary School you would probably relate to what I'm about tosay)

Back then, we were taught to be "Quiet children". Doing our work quietly at our desks and just getting on with it.

There was no room for question asking- no. That was considered a "bad thing" and those children that did ask questions were frowned upon with a resulting remark such as "Didn't you listen?"

I'm not saying that this way of learning didn't work or was terrible. (sorry if I've offended anybody!) My point though is, that what we learn sticks.

We grow up, we follow what we were taught.

The concept of questioning really shook my core when I was in attending High School.

I remember really distinctly, when I was in History and my teacher asked us to complete a task. My friend (who I might say was labelled a "trouble maker") put her hand up and remarked "I don't know what to do."

In shock and in horror the whole class turned to her then turned to look at out teacher. It was like a slow motion scene in a horror movie and we were all sitting there in silence and anticipation.

My teacher looked up from her desk, and replied "I am not going to repeat what I've just said."

And left it at that.

So let me just bring you back to the present.

I'm now sitting there trying to get my head around this concept.

I can ask questions??...

I can ask questions!!

Headspace Chatter

Why do people wear heels to work.

I've never understood this. They are uncomfortable to walk in, and hurt after a few hours.

Is it if for aesthetic purpose? Because the creators of shoes certainly do not take the ergonomical aspects of their creation as a high priority.

I am not going to partake in "following the crowd". No! I refuse!

I am learning to think for myself.

My reality

"Come on" Audrey said. "We've got a meeting with Chris to talk about your financial situation."

This is the absolutely one thing I dreaded.

Take me on board- teach me some skills- show me the ropes- but do not (please do not- look at my financial situation)

Sitting down in the meeting, I get the feeling of confrontation setting in. Not from anyone else, but confrontation of what I have done in my life. Those numbers on that paper summed me up competely.

I felt vunerable and to a point ashamed of how far out of reach I had made it. At least $40-60,000 in debt.

Audrey hands Chris my financial analysis "What do you think?" She says.

I am eyeballing him.. waiting for the "This is bad, very very bad." and to save the trouble I say "It's pretty bad isn't it?"

He looks up.

"Yeah it's bad" he says "But this can be fixed."

YIN Wisdom

Me: "Audrey, why do you call that guy the green man"
Audrey: "Because his business cards are green and we can't remember his last name."
Me: "OK"
Audrey: "Lets get crackin' this is Hillary time"

Even though they might seem silly to you, that conversation actually struck a string to me.

There are two things you need to look out for here.

1) Audrey and Chris call the guy "The Green Man"

Early on I had no idea what they were talking about. Also what perplexed me even more was their dynamics. It was never a plain boring business office relationship. Chris and Audrey had FUN.

Even though I come from a teaching background, I know the corporate world quite well (thanks in part, to all of my friends whom I heard consistent whinging from). The corporate world was all business, no fun, no games, strict lunch time, limited break times, all work and overtime too if it was needed.

In total an average of 50-60 hours a week.

This was different. Here was flexibility, people truly living the philosophy of "doing the opposite of what the money people tell you." They work, yet play- they eat and come back when appropriate. "All within reason" as Chris says.

So when they started calling people by funny nicknames, I knew I was onto something.

To me now, I will always consider "The green man" a physical symbol of people enjoying themselves and having fun at work.

2) Audrey and Chris have alter egos for work

(Actually Audrey has an alter ego exposed to me immediately from day 1. I have yet to see Chris's)

The first day I was there Audrey introduced me to Hillary. "There's the fun Audrey and then there's the ready to go Hillary."

I understood what she was trying to teach me straight away.

Never take work too seriously. Always have a bit of fun thrown in there every now and then. Any why shouldn't you- you need a balance in your life. All within reason of course as things still need to be completed, but I understood immediately the difference between the sour and bitter worker compared to the upbeat and happy one.

Dear..

Dear World,

I am freaking out just a bit. What have I gotten myself into?? For goodness sake I'm a teacher not a business woman/investor/entrepreneur.

Ok, yes- I considered myself that when I wanted to distribute the products and curriculum but now that I am here smack bang in its reality, It worries me.

What If I fail..

but then again,

what if I succeed?

Headspace Chatter

What are these people on?

Why are they so happy all the time?

Aren't they meant to be quiet when they work?

Why are they enjoying themselves?

Who is the Green man?

My reality

On the 13th of October 2009 at 7.00am, I got ready to attend an investor meeting scheduled at 8am.

Thinking it was a pretty typical day, I set myself up mentally believing that things would fall through.

A few months earlier I was playing around with the idea of how to take that initial leap and work for myself. I was teaching primary school children at that time and on the side started a business as an independent distributor of personal development products and curriculum.

I had tried (unsuccessfully) to market the products- spending more on expenses rather than seeing the profits.

I was getting to a point of desperation as I always had the idea of being independent (in all aspects of my life, spiritually, emotionally and financially) by the age of 30.

To me; this idea was diminishing as each month went by. The fact that I was starting new ventures and not able to see results whilst spending above my mean did not go down well with me.

The fear and realisation of working for the rest of my life based on routine was something I did not want to consider. The only thought that had been going through my head this year was that I didn't want to get pulled down by teaching at such an early age. I knew the statistics-overworked, underpaid, overstressed, bitter angry- I could see it starting to come out within myself.

In July 2009, I wrote a very quick and honest business proposal and sent it to a databased online network to be sent to possible investors.

I had several replies regarding interest between July and September 2009 but none of them actually took the time out to email me back.

So you can see why my skepticism came into play when I was contacted by Chris Wakeford.

My initial thought was to just go in there and tell him honestly where I was at and what I was thinking. I believed that If I was honest he would see my true nature. I went there with no real expectations, and to be honest- I was going along the lines of what Chris had said that previous week when we had a skype conversation "No promises ok?" "Fair enough" I replied back.

So I went; I sat down we talked and immediately I knew that this situation was different. I could see in his eyes the wheels were in motion as we discussed my position, his position and possible solutions and ventures.

"Think outside the box" he said as he proceeded to tell me what his company actually was. "I teach people to do the opposite of what money people tell you to do."

By the end of the hour I was being shown around The Wealth Centre. By 11am I was being offered an internship costing app. $30,000USD.

"What?" I thought, how did this happen? I guess I must have done something right to attract this opportunity to me. But my goodness I was overwhelmed! "This doesn't happen in real life" I kept telling myself (and if it did- I would be hearing about it NOT be on the receiving end of it)

But I knew immediately it was an invaluable experience. I was being offered a position in which i could learn strategies and investments- skills and knowledge quickly- that would have taken someone else years to realise.

I knew I had to jump on board the band wagon.

I was shown basic ropes that day- shown around, shown the initiatives, introduced to Audrey Haley- a "cash flow coach" as she calls herself who was mentored by Chris herself 1 and a half years ago.

"You will be working closely with Audrey" Chris said. "And Hillary" added Audrey (I found out later that "Hillary" was Audrey's alter ego) I must have looked overwhelmed with all the new information because Chris added "Just ask questions" and left it at that.

So it begins.

Dear...

Dear world,

I am sick of working hard with nothing to show.

I feel trapped in your system- the intense media advertising, the consistent ramble of quick fixes to make your life better.

Short term fixes I may add (I know your game) and never long term solutions.

World; for years I have thought about doing something about it but from today I will take the initiative to do it.

The bigger picture

My situation is a pretty typical story.

I grew up in a middle class migrant family. My parents moved to Australia when I was just 7 years old. They wanted to “live that dream” (like all migrants do) of feeling freedom.

I was taught at a very early age that money mattered. It gave us food, gave us a place to live- money gave us things to buy like books, in order to achieve goals like studying.

Like all typical children I wanted to buy things but never really could. I understood at an early age that we were not that well off and that we were just making enough to get us by.

By high school the luxury and unnecessary items of the world drew me in (Thank you advertising) and I wanted to buy! Buy! Buy! all these things which I knew I could not afford.
By the age of 15- I had my first job. (Looking back, I can’t believe how young I was.)

But my determined nature put two and two together:
1) I wanted the item
2) I needed to buy it somehow.
3) So what was the missing equation?..Job.

I have to admit my parents instilled strict principles into me which I think is summed up by the following equations:

Work = Income Followed by Income = Items

Pretty typical thinking don’t you agree?

I appreciate the discipline and knowledge and wholeheartedly do not condemn my parents for teaching me what worked for them- but to an extent I also felt like I was working way too much without actually reaping the rewards in the long run.

I was aware of the long term consequence- but thought I had time to spare and so I did not deal with the situation immediately as it arose.

I actually worked from the age of 15- up until now (27).

This is my Journey - a self discovery and personal experience of learning how to work smarter not harder.