Learn Lots... Learn Young

Have you even wondered how some people just seem to know more than you? Or always seem to have read "that" book, or know something on "that" topic? Are they a constant source of reference for you? Do you want to be "that" guy?

Well yesterday I found out just how these people get the edge. Scott Ginsberg is the worlds foremost expert on Approachability and is often known as "The Nametag Guy" as he wears a nametag 24/7 and for nearly 3000 days straight.

One of his articles, he has written hundreds, is titled 23 Ways to Learn A LOT at a Really Young Age and is a reference list of all those things we should do to help our learning, creativity, and knowledge retention. Read it!

Three of the stand out points that Scott makes are:

1. Read lots of books. Highlight, underline, take notes and annotate. When you’re done, recopy those notes onto a Word file. Then save them in a folder called “Book Notes.” Refer back to them regularly. And never loan those books to anybody. Start with one per week.

10. Make lots of lists. Best creativity tool EVER.

12. Hang with super smart, cool and creative people. Ask yourself, “How smart are the five people I spend the most time with?”

This is a "Stick on Wall" guide for me and has been stuck up along with the Don's Top Ten Rules of Success about my desk where i can see them every day. Download my easily printed version here.

Get on the fast track to real wealth

I have just finished reading Rich Dad's Guide to Investing: What the rich invest in that the poor and middle class do not. (RD's G2I) I give it 8/10

The first half of RD's G2I is focussed on qualifying the reader as someone who is really committed to being financially free. It does this by taking you through the key aspects of what it takes to leave behind the rat race and get yourself on the fast track to financial freedom. As is said within the covers of this book, DO NOT read unless you are willing, committed, and determined to be financially free.

The second half of the book is based around Rich Dad's 10 Investor Controls and the quest to become the Ultimate Investor.

Kiyosaki writes in his familiar style that mixes the hard facts and theory with his real life experiences. Short stories based around Kiyosaki's life and quest to become financially free and the ultimate investor are used throughout the book to illustrate the points being made and make the understanding of sometimes complex topics a little easier for the reader.

If you are wanting to get on the path to financial freedom and want some inspiration as well as tips get this book.

If you are on the path to financial freedom and already own your business then get this book too as it has many great ideas to help you get further ahead and ensure you success now and long into the future.

Auckland Small Business Expo

Today I went to the Auckland Small Business expo with my close friend and soon to be business parter Pauline. Man was it fantastic. I went last year, but i skipped the seminars. This year I went and I must say i was impressed with the free information on offer and the speed and fluency with which it was presented. All of the presenters obviously knew what they were talking about and were passionate in their field.

Today Pauline and I went to the following seminars:

Making networking big for small business Chris Matthews, Principal Lecturer, The Open Polytechnic

Learn the Secrets of Creating a Highly Persuasive Website David Kelly, CEO, Zeald

BIG Ideas for Small Businesses Dave Wild, Managing Director, Smith and Wild

What's Your Ultimate Vision: Importance of Strategy in SME™s Carl Michael Bates, Director, Sirdar Limited

Over the next weekend i will try and update you all with an outline of what each person spoke about in their allotted 20mins.

If you haven't been to the expo in NZ, or one similar elsewhere in the world then i highly recommend doing so. The information you gain and new ideas you will take into your business will far far far outweigh the cost of your time.