Extreme Makeover- Over 50 Version

Extreme Makeover- Over 50 Version

Doing all the things you didn’t do cuz you were too young to appreciate them.

Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson and a supporting cast showed us a lighter side of a part of our life that many of us really should take more to heart. Their portrayal of two over the hill men spoke volumes to me as I watched my own youth passing before my life. Not only was I about to turn 50 but there was in the back of my mind the remembrance of things yet accomplished and opportunities yet realized. In my haste to take care of family, friends, ministry and career I had forgotten to take care of the closest thing I possessed, me.

Now before you reach for the mouse to click to yet another dull and boring site let me expand on this idea. If you are like me and I suspect you are, you have spent many of your best years investing in the lives of your kids, church, business, or boss. You have gotten up at maybe 4am or 6 and made the trek into that mill we call life and done your duty to make ends meet, bring home the bacon. You have done your duty.

Now you are half a century old and reflective on life. Have I made any mistakes, have I done the right thing. Could I have done this or done that. Will the Cubs ever win the pennant? All of these ideas circle your mind like the Indians at Custards last stand. The hardest part of this whole thing is that you are still relatively young.

In my own case my family lives a long time. My parents are still both going strong, if not physically at least mentally. So I can look forward to another 40 years plus of life. It would be different if I only had a few short years to kick it but I have a long to time to get things done. So what will I ever do?

Getting going right now in life while life is good for the getting sounds like the best medicine for me. Maybe I’ll take up skydiving, write that novel, and become a doctor, a lawyer, or whatever. The main focus needs to be, “Get going”.

If I had only know then what I know now, I would have started a business, became a lawyer, or done so many other things that would have benefited me now in life. I would have become a totally different person, maybe even a better person. But at the time when I was going through those situations, I was way to young to appreciate what I had.

Now I’m not here to cry over spilled milk. I am here to tell the world that life is way too short and is wasted on the young. Their comprehension is so limited that they aren’t able to really grasp their limitless potential, rather they, well we all went through it, so there is no need to rehash the past.

Right now, I am bent on getting all that I can out of life. From the time that I wake up in he morning till the time I lay my head on my oversized pillow at night, I plan on squeezing the most out of the last half of my life.  What that means is that I am less fearful and more fearless. Less skeptical and more optimistic. Less Cynical and more Open-minded about the wide variety of life. This is what Life is all about.

So for the rest of you out there that are spending your final 40 or 50 years of life in a stupor, on a video machine in Vegas, or at a seminar on “Being Quiet”, Get out of my way. I plan on living a full life. Full of fun, excitement, risk taking and people touching. When they finally put me in that old pine box, on my tombstone will be written the epitaph “Here lies the worn out carcass of what was once the happiest Mamma Jamma in Vegas, He lived, loved and went out in a blaze of glory”

Sherman

Sherman Ray is the founder of Diversity Networking Group, a mentoring and networking group in Las Vegas. He is also a businessman, speaker and author. To see more of his work contact him via Facebook, Twitter, Ustream, Youtube, LinkedIn. Also look for other leadership and articles that will encourage you at www.redlettermedia.net

The Answer to US Economy

Had a brilliant idea today. The US economy is in its worst shape since the great Depression. During that time nearly 25% of the workforce was on the public dole or just sitting on street corners waiting for something to happen. And happen it did. We had a huge influx of jobs due to wars and the greatest surge of hiring due to the Industrial Age here in the US.
This same sort of infusion needs to occur in American in order for us to just keep up with the pace of people coming into the workforce in the next 20 years. Unlike in past times we can't look forward to a war or some major upheaval to occur, so we need to look at some more obvious tragedies that we can all attack to make things work out for the global community. If America doesn't take the lead in this battle then our competition, i.e. China, Hong Kong, Japan, etc... will.

Operation Africa
Northern Africa is argueably the most destitute area on the planet. There is drought, famine, homelessness on an epic scale and warring factions that need nothing more than direction and stability. In many parts of the world the overarching reason why there was fighting was because there were so little resources to go around, subsequently it was "Every man for himself".
Here is my plan. We need jobs. Africa needs...well everything. Why not accomodate them and us at the same time. In order for us to have jobs we need someone to buy or use our products and services. I can't think of a better if not in an alruisitc sense project to work on.
Africa needs infrastructure- we'll build thier roads.
Africa needs food- We'll give them food. Release our American farmers to grow in areas that have long since been laid fallow because we are trying to artificially keep prices low.
Africa Needs Water. Desalinazation- We can build the largest desalinization plant and system the world has ever seen.
Africa needs energy- We can build them a new energy grid.
Africa needs Technology- Bill Gates get out your checkbook and pen. We can use our American know-how to help them leap forward. Can you imagine cellular towers, cable underground feeds, Electric grids erected?
Africa needs housing- millions of new homes could begin in earnest. The building boom would last for literally generations with no end in sight.

The rest of the list could fill not only this page but volumes as the basic building blocks of a society are put into place.
Now if only others would see this simple solution to a US and global problem. If we don't do it...someone else will.
Who would pay for all of this?
Africa sits on the some of the largest oil, mineral and gas reserves on the planet. Contractors and private entities could negotiate their pay with African governement officials to get paid through this countries natural resources. It is a win-win for everyone. America gets to go back to work and Africa gets to become a viable partner in the future world stage. We get immediate money and a future trading partner, they get to come out of 3rd world poverty and become a major force on the world stage.

WooHoo
Operation African

50 and Counting

Tuesday marks a milestone in my life, I turn the dreaded 50. That's right, I hit that time in life when most men are either still on their way up the corporate ladder of success or looking for a new girlfriend. I am neither. I am securely in a relationship with the most wonderful woman a man could ever want or need and as for looking for some pension with a gold pocket watch that's also not in the cards. Linda and I are rather building our own business and life together. We are actually living the American Dream.

The one thing that I am reflective about, is the fact that I  have never had any biological children of my own. I do have 4 step-children and 8 grandchildren but none of them are from my loins and to tell you the truth that doesn't always set really well with me. Not that I am afraid of them ever putting me in the old folks home and never visiting me, I am more concerned with my own biological legacy.

Legacy is something that we all want to leave behind. Some of us more than others. But in my case I am  hung up on the prospect of leaving a legacy of the Ray family line, Sherman branch. This may be the only way I can acheive immortality that by writing and leaving a digital legacy for future generations to see and hear, so this may be my masterpiece in work.

In the weeks and years to come I hope to continue this work of mine. It is my baby that I want to nurture and prune. Unlike a biological child I won't have to worry about it getting into the fridge at 2am.

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Honesty Is The Best Policy

The life of a business owner has its ups and of course its downs. Most of the time all I do day in and day out is find different ways of helping people get what they want and as a result I get what I want. Today was a particularly impressive day because what the customer wanted wasn't something that I was able to get for them, nor would I ever.

Maybe you've found yourself in a position where your morals were put to the test and you had to choose whether or not to cross that line between good and evil. Now I don't want you to think for even an instant that I have gotten to the point where I am sinless. Heck, I sin on an everyday basis. Sometimes I crapout on an hourly basis but there are just some lines that I am not willing to cross.

Without going into all the details. (I just erased all of them and realized that I could get alot of people, including myself, in trouble) I had to decide whether to cross over a line of morality, business-wise that surely potentially had immediate as well as future consequences. Not only did I refuse the first advance but when I was offered a second time, with rationalizations by the tempter, I had to refuse again.

Ok, so I know that I am being cryptic but in order to not get people in trouble I just have to. Now hear is the point of the whole story. If I had fallen to my temptation, then why would anyone ever trust me with the things that I am currently being trusted with? I don't even think the tempter even realized what they were asking me to do. If I was willing to steal, lie, short, stretch the truth or anything less than the truth then what would make them think that I wouldn't steal, lie, short or stretch the truth with them also?

The reason that people do business  with us is the very thing that this person was trying to get me to jeopardize, our honesty. Honesty is all we have that makes us different from the rest of the pack. If we loose that edge then we become just another dishonest businessman.

My hope is that you, Mr or Mrs businessowner become disgustingly honest. The Bible says that you should not give false measures. That means that you need to be honest. Not only is it satisfying but it is right.

An Open Letter to All My MLMer Friends

I recently finished my run with a promising Network Marketing company that we had hoped would do some incredible things. It proved not to be "The One" and we parted company none the worse. As a matter of fact, I learned alot during the 6 or so months that we spent with the company.

One of the best things we learned was that there are alot of people involved in MLM or network marketing. The average person spends only 90 days as an MLMer and in that time only makes a small amount of money. That means that 90% of MLMers are looking for that next ship to roll into harbor everyday.

For Linda and I we decided to chuck the whole thing (this has been our 3rd go around in the last 20 years) and focus on our traditional business that being an Interior Design company.
The problem with ending our MLMer days is that once you have been branded an MLMer you always get people thinking that you are just an MLMer in between jobs. Not only are you never quite out of the loop but the loop follows you from station to station in life.

Most recently, I received one of those, "You can get in on the ground floor opportunity calls." I can't tell you how annoying it all is that someone who knows that you are building your own business would present their opportunity and basically discount that your dream is already being fulfilled. That is the problem with the whole MLMer thing. Everyone who is in an MLM is taught that their opportunity, comp plan and product is what you are looking for. The truth is not everyone is a candidate for your product or service. As a matter of fact I would go even further and say that unless you are very choosy in the people that you present your opportunity to the MLMer is doing the very same thing that all of his coaches and mentors tells him people will say about his OPPORTUNITY.

The mentor or coach or upline will tell the sincere new protege that those people who don't get involved with your new business are lost or dillusioal or dream stealers, etc... Unfortunately, those same well meaning MLMers are saying in essence to the business person that their business that they have dreamt of starting and are actively building is wrong. What an outrage.

Now I know there ARE people who have businesses that DO change direction and become very successful in network marketing but the numbers are extremely low. I've done my research on this one folks. As a matter of fact, if only 10% and that is being generous, of MLMers make any kind of money at all then someone quitting their dream and becoming an MLMer would have to either really be getting into THE ONE or be out of thier minds.

So, to all my MLMer friends and relatives, please be more choosy in your network marketing companies. There is a new comp plan, product and ground floor opportunity started everyday and they are not all ONE SIZE FITS ALL. Not everyone needs to be in your business. Especially those who already OWN their own business.

Lastly, I am off the market and will be working on my dream until it becomes a raging success. Anyone trying to introduce me to their opportunity will be soundly removed from my life (I will still pray for you) because you are a DREAM STEALER. Don't be a Dream Stealer and stay my friend because I love you all.

Sherman Ray
Owner, Linda Ray Designs

Persistence Pays Off

In this weeks saga of the ongoing triligy of the Ray Chronicles we will take a look at how persistence, in the face of adversity, always pays off. In this case the story is about the "Lovely Mrs Ray".
Linda has been the most loyal employee of a yet to be named design firm in the Las Vegas valley. She has studied and shlept around after a very talented designer for many years. Never has she gotten the true credit that she had deserved for her contributions in their company.

Project after project has allowed her to hone her skills not only as a designer but as a true leader in the field. When the specter of her leaving the design team came up, many of the employees told her that her talents would really be missed if she were to leave the company. Truth be told, Linda's talents have not yet really matured because of the overshadowing talents of her partner. He really is talented.

Well, fast forward. Linda decided that it was time to start her own company. We submitted all the right paperwork and vioula la we are now Linda Ray Design. No sooner had we hung out the proverbial shingle than we landed a small but greatful client. On the same day as we were speaking with the first client, we were informed about another. And within a few days we were offered the possibility of working with an investment firm, who promise they will keep us up to our eyeballs in work!!!

This is almost too good to be true. As we were driving home from our meeting with the investors I turned to Linda and said, "God is really rewarding us for our faithfulness". She said, "Boy I wish I hadn't complained so much during the whole time."

The great thing about God is that He understands that we are all human. We are whiners and complainers and frail and all that stuff but there are those that are sincerely just voicing their hurt and frustration. That is my Linda. She is the greatest and that is why I love her.

Here's to Linda Ray Design. May God look down on this business and use it to glorify Himself.

Motivation Means Everything

It's been a wonderful past few weeks. I've seen much growth not only in my business but also in myself. We've added to our numbers by shear fortitude and admittedly a bit of luck. The most striking thing that I have to point to is the learning experience that I was priveledged to witness. Let me elaborate.
As many of you know about 10 months ago we started a networking group. It's called the Diversity Networking Group. The whole idea behind starting such a thing was that Linda, my wife and I couldn't find a networking group that we both could be a part of. Many of you have heard this story before but I will get to the main point shortly. Well, after many months of working with a handful of business owners, neither Linda nor I (at the time I was an insurance agent) was able to get one referral from our group. Everyone else was making money off of the referrals that they got from the group and also us. Linda and I, though we were the heads of the group didn't share in the growth monetarily.
Turn the corner...I decided that we would put on an Expo and highlight our businesses in the process. It was like pulling teeth but I was able to get 90% of my group to opt-in to the Expo. Big deal. This is where I started to see a crazy thing.
I went to visit other networking groups to gain some insight into how to correctly market and structure an Expo, networking group and stuff like that. What I saw was jawdropping. One group in particular had taken the concept of MLM to the extreme. They literally had clothed their MLM in a networking group. Everything was built around their product. All of the other business people that they embraced became lemmings for their MLM. It was incredible. The degree of self-promotion was sickening.
Now I'm not here to say that all that this particular group did was wrong. They were able to mentor and encourage the people that they touched but in the end let's just call a spade a spade, it was all self-promotion. As a matter of fact everything, down to the very colors that they used in their marketing oosssed of this particular company.
This was something that I didn't want to be said of me and my networking influence. I went out of the way NOT to self-promote because that wasn't something that I was raised to do. Maybe that is something I am doing wrong. Maybe I would be richer today if I stuck my smiling puss on everything that I was involved in but deep inside of me I just refuse to do that. I've made a pledge to my folks that I was all about them and that's where I draw the line.
So in the end I've grown alot through the last few months. We've lauched a new business that already, potentially has some humungous clients wanting to use our services. We've expanded our existing business by double since February and the Expo we are hosting is gaining some traction in the marketplace.
Now if I just could do something about SELF-PROMOTION...


Sherman Ray is founder and President of Diversity Networking Group. He is also a Leadership Mentor and Vice-President of Linda Ray Design, an Interior Design firm located in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition he is a Team Leader for Kaching Kaching, an online retail marketing company. To contact Sherman write to info@diversitynetworkingroup.com