Achieving Success by Following Your Passion
Don’t you think it’s about time you followed your passion?
In this video, Joshua Bevan learns how important it is to achieve success by following your passion. Using your special talents to help the world is not only vital to your own happiness, but it is also the key to living a life of true love and meaning. We all know that finding and following your passion can be challenging, but, as Joshua finds out, you have been given a gift to give to the world. Once you truly believe that following your passion can lead to success, the proper path will become easy.
We’ve heard it before: You’ve been given a gift. You have special gifts.
But the thing that they don’t say is that the gift is not for you. The gift is for you to give to the world. Let me put it like this: When I was eight years old, I went to Jill Flores’ birthday party. The party was a regular 8 year old’s party… balloons, cake, games.
One of the cool things that I remember is that Jill’s family had a big property and they collected a lot of big crazy stuff from movie sets and theme parks… It was all basically junk, but it was really fun to play around.
Now, when you go to a party, what do you bring? A present, right? Well, at the time, I was not an eight year old girl. I didn’t have any frame of reference to pick out a present. Nor did I have any money to buy one if I did. So my mom bought the present. I think it was a my little pony. Then my mom wrapped up the birthday gift, gave it to me, and drove me to the party. When we got there, I gave Jill her gift, and I had a great time at the party.
That’s the way it works when you’re eight, and that’s the way it works for the rest of your life.
You have been given a gift. It’s been wrapped up nice and pretty. But the gift is not for you. The gift is meant for you to give to the world.
Once you start giving your gift to the world, you are going to have a great time at the party.
Now, when I was 8, my mom went out and got a my little pony, wrapped it up and handed it to me. What would happen if I never gave that gift to whom it was intended for? What if I just stayed home, and let the pretty wrapped package gather dust on the shelf? Two things would happen:
- Jill would have lost out on that my little pony. Not a huge bummer if she misses one toy horse. But, what if a lot of the other kids stayed home also? What if the only kid that came gave Jill a my little pony sparkling stable, but she had no ponies to put in it? The same thing is happening in the world right now. Too many people are wasting their time in jobs that they hate while their gifts sit on a shelf gathering dust. That doesn’t just affect you. That affects all of us.
- The second thing that would have happened if little eight year old Joshua was to scared to take his gift over to Jill Flores’ house, is that I wouldn’t have had any fun at the party. I wouldn’t have gotten any cake and ice cream. I wouldn’t have been able to play any games. I wouldn’t have been able to ride that giant spinning barrel that I’m pretty sure used to be at Magic Mountain.
When you give your gifts to the world, you have a good time. That’s the best part about your special gifts. Not only are you good at giving them, you have fun doing it! So do it. I understand that we all have to tread water a little bit. But there is plenty of time in everyday. Message me and I will help you look at your schedule and find some time to give your gift to the world.
I used to think that you had to work hard at success in order to be able to enjoy your passions. But it’s the opposite: you must work hard at your passions in order to enjoy success!
Let me know what your passions are. Tell me about your gifts. And tell me how I can help.
Success secrets from John Wesley quotes
While I don’t find myself in a church on a regular basis, I do see great value in learning from religious leaders. John Wesley’s writings are no exception. Wesley lived during Revolutionary War times in both England and America. He founded a very analytical and studious movement in Christianity called Methodism.
The Methodist approach to religion reminds me of many of today’s agnostics. The basic, watered down premise is to accept no dogma blindly, but instead for each person to study and interpret all writings for himself.
John Wesley Quotes
The danger in such a thoughtful approach to faith is similar to a flaw I have noticed in myself and many of my clients. Many of today’s entrepreneurs experience “paralysis by analysis.”
“Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.” –John Wesley, 1768
John Wesley writes that while knowledge is important, it’s the love that really makes a difference in the world. Beware of sitting back and spending your whole life making “perfect decisions” and failing to take action. There is no such thing as a perfect plan. Get out into the world now and spread your love.
On the other hand, John Wesley wrote not to run your life with your head down:
“Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry.” –John Wesley, 1777
True leaders develop the ability to make informed, efficient judgments quickly. This is one of the keys to success. Surround yourself with wise advisers, trust their opinions, but never hurry through any decisions to the point that you forget to think for yourself.
John Wesley measured success differently than many others of his time (and many people of today as well). Wesley felt that success is measured not by the number of possessions that one can amass, but by the amount of positive that that he can implement.
“Having first, gained all you can, and secondly, saved all you can, then give all you can.” –John Wesley, Sermon 50
This is commonly paraphrased “Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.” In order to be a good steward of the resources we have been given, we must do our best to produce more than we consume. Then, with the bounty that we have leftover, we must help others. We must strive to turn our world to paradise on earth.
If the teachings of John Wesley resonate with you, then you have a lot in common with Joshua Bevan.
Watch some of Joshua’s videos now.
Consumption vs. Creation: How do You Want to Compete?
Consumer Competition
Like every true American, I am competitive. We learn to compete in sports and games while growing up. As a kid, most daily events are competitions: we compete over grades; we compete over the most desirable lunch items; we can even turn simple instructions like “Line up in order by height” into a competition. Most of us carry that competitive nature through to adulthood.
The colloquial phrase that describes this adult behavior is “Keeping up with the Joneses.” When your neighbor bought a new boat, you had to buy an even faster boat. When your coworker built himself a “man cave,” you needed one with a bigger TV. When your friend got the latest designer handbag, you had to get the more expensive style. Buy, Buy, Buy! Consume, Consume, Consume! This is what our society trains us to do. And while there isn’t anything inherently wrong with consumerism, when taken blindly, it has some major flaws.
Change Your Focus
The problem with this type of competition is that it is limited. There is a finite amount of ‘stuff’ available to purchase, and a limited amount of resources to trade for it. Even if you happen to be a wealthy business owner (which, if you regularly read my blog, you either are or are on your way to being one), your cash-flow is limited. One choice is to work hard enough and smart enough to grow your business, which in turn will give you more resources to consume. However, that’s not going to cut it forever: there will always be a bigger, better, smarter, faster, cleaner, cooler, louder, shinier gadget on the market to buy. The key to ‘winning’ this game is to change your focus. If you want to be ahead of the curve, you will want to change your focus NOW. The rules are changing; the pendulum is swinging the other way. The way that we are beginning to compete with each other is shifting from consumption to creation.
That’s right: Creation. In the future, the competition game will still be around. The difference is, we are moving away from competing over which neighbor on the block can buy the best accessories for his fancy car, and towards competing over whose non-profit can help the most people. Who can raise the most funds for her child’s school? Who can donate more time to the local food bank? Who can gather the biggest team of participants for the upcoming 5K charity race?
Put your talents to good use!
Use Your Talents
So, when you’re ready to begin your personal shift, go ahead and change your focus. Start creating. Write. Paint. Sculpt. Sing. Build. Manage. Play. Start using whatever you are passionate about as your gift to the world. Figure out how to use your talents to make this world a better place. Then, put in the work and watch your efforts take shape.
I hereby challenge you. Now take my challenge and turn it into a healthy competition.
How to Save on all Your Online Shopping
Saving money online is becoming more of a necessity for all of us. According to the US Census Bearau, we spend $126 Trillion online every year. This number grows higher as more Americans begin to take advantage of the money saving deals given by online retailers. Here’s a way to save even more on all of the already low prices on the ‘net. ShopBest pays you cash back on your online shopping. Here’s how:
- Visit ShopBest and download your FREE toolbar.
- Shop as you normally would. (That’s it!!)
- The ShopBest toolbar will automatically give you cashback points at the stores your normally visit.
ShopBest is the online coupon that is always on. There are no special logins to keep track of or cumbersome websites to visit before shopping. As Ron Popeil would say, “Set it and forget it!” Easy, simple, and it will save you money from your family’s budget.
Give All You Can
The part that caught my eye originally is the ShopBest Cares program. Every time that ny of its members make a purchase, ShopBest will make a donation to a charity that benefits children. You don’t need to change anything about your shopping habits, yet you will get a check in the mail, and so will the organizations that help kids in need.
Chick-fil-A First 100
Until last week, I had only been to a Chick-fil-A once in my life. The service at that one dinner was so above and beyond that I wrote a letter of praise to the corporate offices.
That’s when I started to read the business philosophies of the President, Dan Cathy, and his father, Chick-Fil-A founder Truet Cathy. I then began reading the Cathys’ leadership theories and they blew me away. I had to meet these guys.
On July 29, 2010, Chick-fil-A opened a new location in Valencia, California. To celebrate the Grand Opening, they gave away a year’s worth of free lunches to the First 100 customers. I joined the crowd and sought out interviews with Event Planner Hollee Swain, Owner Operator Dustin LaChance, and Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy.
Billionaires Pledge Wealth to Charity
Forty billionaires are committing to give at least half of their fortunes to charitable organizations. These men and women fully embody the ‘Earn All You Can, Save All You Can, Give All You Can’ concept. They have worked hard all of their lives (many come from very humble beginnings) and used the gifts they were given to seek out great success.
- Eli and Edythe Broad – Real Estate, Insurance
- Michele Chan and Patrick Soon-Shiong – Biotechnology
- Ann and John Doerr – Venture Capital
- Larry Ellison – Oracle
- Barron Hilton – Hilton Hotels
Warren Buffett and billionaire colleagues pledge to give to charity
- Joan and Irwin Jacobs – Qualcomm
- Lorry I. Lokey – Publishing
- George Lucas – Film Producer, Director
- Alfred E. Mann – Biomedical
- Tashia and John Morgridge – Cisco Systems
- Bernard and Barbro Osher – Savings & Loan
- Herb and Marion Sandler – Savings & Loan
- Jeff Skoll – first president of Ebay
- Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor – Banking
- Bernie and Billi Marcus – Home Depot
- Ted Turner – Media
- Pierre and Pam Omidyar – Ebay founder
- David M. Rubenstein – Investment
- Vicki and Roger Sant – Electrical Power
- Thomas S. Monaghan – Domino’s Pizza
- Jim and Virginia Stowers – Investments/Medical Research
- Warren Buffett – Investments
- Walter Scott, Jr. – Construction, Mining
- Michael R. Bloomberg – News/Media
- Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg – Media Executive
- Elaine and Ken Langone – Home Depot
- Ronald O. Perelman – Venture Capital
- Peter G. Peterson – Investment Banker
- Julian H. Robertson, Jr. – Hedge Fund Manager
Bill and Melinda Gates encourage 40 billionaires to sign Giving Pledge
- David Rockefeller – Oil Industry Heir
- Jim and Marilyn Simons – Hedge Funds
- Sanford and Joan Weill – Banker
- Shelby White – Hedge Funds
- George B. Kaiser – Banker
- Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest – Media Entreprenuer
- Laura and John Arnold – Hedge Fund
- T. Boone Pickens – Oil, Natural Gas Industry
- Jon and Karen Huntsman – Chemical Company
- Paul G. Allen – Microsoft
- Bill and Melinda Gates – Microsoft
Sanford and Joan Weill sign the Giving Pledge
These 40 individuals and families have spent their time dedicated to success. They have amassed great wealth. Now, as Michael Bloomberg writes, they are hoping to “inspire others to give of themselves, whether it be their money or their time.” Many of these billionaires have abstained from leaving huge fortunes to their next of kin. Sanford and Joan Weill write, “We are firm believers that shrouds don’t have pockets.”
In all 40 pledges, the pledge signatories write about the great feeling bestowed upon a giver. Peter G. Peterson writes, “I get much more pleasure giving money to what I consider worthwhile causes than making money in the first place.”
For more information and to read each philanthropist’s full pledge, go to www.givingpledge.org.
Dan Cathy Models Leadership
Dan Cathy, President and CEO of Chick-fil-A, displays ultimate leadership skills. I had the privilege of meeting with him yesterday. It is so easy to see why the company he leads is expanding even during this down economic time. Check out the footage in a few days and see his “lead by example” style. During his (highly energetic) few minutes that he shared with me, he showed me his brand of confidence that empowers his team members through all of his 1,500 quick service restaurants.
Success in Life Begins with an Oxygen Mask
When airline passengers board a flight, an attendant will describe the emergency procedures. She will remind us: “In the event of an emergency, be sure to secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.” I’ve heard these instructions used metaphorically many times, and I mostly agree with the descriptions I’ve heard. In this article, I’d like to carry it further and discuss what’s missing.
On the plane, the number one priority is to make sure that we can breathe properly. Otherwise, we may pass out while trying to help our fellow passengers secure their masks, and everyone will suffer. Similarly, in life, we need to make sure our own business and personal lives aren’t going to suffer when we take the time to help a friend with his crisis. That’s a valid metaphor. We do need to follow it because the equivalent to passing out in the airplane is a failed business or a disastrous personal life.
The part I take exception to is that this is not the case only during emergency situations. In other words, we all need to help each other, always. Most of us can remember to help during times of crisis or in an emergency. For example, when there is a large natural disaster in the world, it is immediately followed by an outpouring of support from people and organizations. Or, we all remember to help a friend who is going through a divorce, or whose wife has health problems. What we forget is that we are supposed to help each other, always, during good times and bad.
I believe that the best way to get what you need is to ask for it. However, you must also remember to ask others what they need for bigger success. More than likely, the huge need that was hindering your friend’s forward momentum is no big deal for you to provide: maybe it’s a vendor referral, or a new client introduction. Assistance that may cost you only a little time and effort will help him see huge progress. As everyone makes these small gestures the rule instead of the exception, we all become more successful.
If the plane loses cabin pressure we need to make sure that children and the elderly can put on their masks. But we also need to hold the terminal door for the man with full hands and help the lady put her carry-on in the overhead compartment. We all need to strive for success (however that looks to each of us) and the best way to make that happen is by helping those around us achieve their goals.
Earn, Save, Give: John Wesley’s Guide to Success
There are many ways to achieve success in life. Some plans are more elaborate than others. Some would work for everyone while others would only achieve one person’s definition of success. Some are simple in design but take a lifetime to execute. John Wesley, a founder of the Methodist Church, wrote many sermons centering around proper stewardship of money and his instructions for a path to success. He stated that everyone can follow these three steps:
- Earn all you can
- Save all you can
- Give all you can
Earn All You Can
John Wesley wrote that God has given each of us valuable skills and talents. It is our duty to use these gifts to their fullest potential. We must work as hard as we can to create success for ourselves and our businesses. A balance must be struck between causing no harm to our fellow man while gaining the most resources for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Save All You Can
John Wesley then wrote of the importance of living frugally. We must not squander away these hard earned resources by trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses.’ Wesley himself lived a very humble life, never raising his budget throughout his entire career after seminary. The goal is to only use as much of the gifts as is necessary to keep our families comfortable, healthy, and safe.
Give All You Can
After working hard and earning great success in our business, and living frugally, there will be plenty of resources (time, money, and so on) to give. Wesley wrote that these resources are to be used to help our fellow man. It is our duty to improve our world, and to leave it better than we found it.
First visit? Play this video!
While building his businesses from the ground up, Joshua Bevan sought out some of the best mentorship. He has learned that the path to success is difficult and simple at the same time. Joshua has committed his life to learning how to, “Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.” Through videos, blogs and speaking events, he will pass that knowledge forward.
Recent Post
-
Achieving Success by Following Your Passion
by Joshua with View Comments
Don’t you think it’s about time you followed your passion?
In this video, Joshua Bevan learns how important it is to achieve success by following... -
Confidence vs Arrogance
by Joshua with View Comments
In this episode, Joshua learns that there is no such thing as too much confidence. Arrogant people are put in the same category as selfish or rude peo... -
Success secrets from John Wesley quotes
by Joshua with View Comments
While I don’t find myself in a church on a regular basis, I do see great value in learning from religious leaders. John Wesley’s writings are no e... -
Act at the Speed of Instruction
by Joshua with View Comments
In this episode, Joshua Bevan learns from a successful Real Estate investor that the best way to be successful is to act at the speed of instruction. ... -
Why are we so afraid to be embarrassed?
by Joshua with View Comments
In this episode Joshua Bevan learns from a group of evolutionary psychologists why fear and stress is a reflex when we are presented with an embarrass...