This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

But that led me to self-development. Because in order for me to make serious money in any business, I had to improve my skills and capabilities. What I learned through college was mastering performance skills—but what I lacked was success skills.

Skills such as communicating, developing high character, and critical thinking were not in my repertoire. I knew how to make money on the job, but I was success-challenged when it came to personal growth.

Which leads us to Paying the Piper. Or to be more exact: the price you pay for remaining stagnant.

I was stuck at a job I didn't like, working hours I didn't want, for people I didn't know, and wishing for early retirement. My co-workers were sick, broke, and many ended up with marital problems. Funeral announcements averaged one per month and personal injuries were rising.

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of your life but have no place to start. You desire a more satisfying career, but you've been discouraged. Maybe you've started a small business, but are now stuck. Or maybe you're struggling to let go of your job even though you were designed for a higher calling.

Believe me, I know exactly how you feel...

I was stuck at a job wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I fought and often gave in to the forces that wanted me to stay. But after departing my last pity party—I took action. And so can you...

If you consistently apply these five action steps, you'll conquer stagnancy forever:

1) Search for a mentor. Every industry has top producers who have knowledge to share. Look for the ones that parallel your interests. Seek them out. Read their articles. Find out if what they offer can help you make breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs are critically important. You don't want to spend a whole year dabbling at a new skill. You want to progress and leverage it right away.

But don't stop searching after you find one mentor. He or she usually had many other influences. And by absorbing more positive influences—you become richer.

2) Buy their stuff. It's rarely enough to subscribe to their newsletter or report. You should invest in their deeper experiences. Get their books, CDs, and DVDs. Attend their seminars and teleseminars. Enroll in their coaching programs. These will shortcut your learning curve and counter a lifetime of negative programming.

3) Take action. Knowledge alone won't create the lifestyle you've dreamed about. You will have to get your feet wet. The only way to get better is to launch out. This is where you excel. Expect to spend about a thousand hours to reach expert status. It's not a lot of time if you're passionate about what you do.

4) Think BIG. For example: It's not enough to become an author of a book. Think about creating other income centers from the sales of that book. Use the book as a brochure pointing to other products and services.

This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

U

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of your life but have no place to start. You desire a more satisfying career, but you've been discouraged. Maybe you've started a small business, but are now stuck. Or maybe you're struggling to let go of your job even though you were designed for a higher calling.

Believe me, I know exactly how you feel...

I was stuck at a job wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I fought and often gave in to the forces that wanted me to stay. But after departing my last pity party—I took action. And so can you...

If you consistently apply these five action steps, you'll conquer stagnancy forever:

1) Search for a mentor. Every industry has top producers who have knowledge to share. Look for the ones that parallel your interests. Seek them out. Read their articles. Find out if what they offer can help you make breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs are critically important. You don't want to spend a whole year dabbling at a new skill. You want to progress and leverage it right away.

But don't stop searching after you find one mentor. He or she usually had many other influences. And by absorbing more positive influences—you become richer.

2) Buy their stuff. It's rarely enough to subscribe to their newsletter or report. You should invest in their deeper experiences. Get their books, CDs, and DVDs. Attend their seminars and teleseminars. Enroll in their coaching programs. These will shortcut your learning curve and counter a lifetime of negative programming.

3) Take action. Knowledge alone won't create the lifestyle you've dreamed about. You will have to get your feet wet. The only way to get better is to launch out. This is where you excel. Expect to spend about a thousand hours to reach expert status. It's not a lot of time if you're passionate about what you do.

4) Think BIG. For example: It's not enough to become an author of a book. Think about creating other income centers from the sales of that book. Use the book as a brochure pointing to other products and services.

This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

Believe me, I know exactly how you feel...

I was stuck at a job wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I fought and often gave in to the forces that wanted me to stay. But after departing my last pity party—I took action. And so can you...

If you consistently apply these five action steps, you'll conquer stagnancy forever:

1) Search for a mentor. Every industry has top producers who have knowledge to share. Look for the ones that parallel your interests. Seek them out. Read their articles. Find out if what they offer can help you make breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs are critically important. You don't want to spend a whole year dabbling at a new skill. You want to progress and leverage it right away.

But don't stop searching after you find one mentor. He or she usually had many other influences. And by absorbing more positive influences—you become richer.

2) Buy their stuff. It's rarely enough to subscribe to their newsletter or report. You should invest in their deeper experiences. Get their books, CDs, and DVDs. Attend their seminars and teleseminars. Enroll in their coaching programs. These will shortcut your learning curve and counter a lifetime of negative programming.

3) Take action. Knowledge alone won't create the lifestyle you've dreamed about. You will have to get your feet wet. The only way to get better is to launch out. This is where you excel. Expect to spend about a thousand hours to reach expert status. It's not a lot of time if you're passionate about what you do.

4) Think BIG. For example: It's not enough to become an author of a book. Think about creating other income centers from the sales of that book. Use the book as a brochure pointing to other products and services.

This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

2) Buy their stuff. It's rarely enough to subscribe to their newsletter or report. You should invest in their deeper experiences. Get their books, CDs, and DVDs. Attend their seminars and teleseminars. Enroll in their coaching programs. These will shortcut your learning curve and counter a lifetime of negative programming.

3) Take action. Knowledge alone won't create the lifestyle you've dreamed about. You will have to get your feet wet. The only way to get better is to launch out. This is where you excel. Expect to spend about a thousand hours to reach expert status. It's not a lot of time if you're passionate about what you do.

4) Think BIG. For example: It's not enough to become an author of a book. Think about creating other income centers from the sales of that book. Use the book as a brochure pointing to other products and services.

This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

This is where private coaching and joining mastermind groups comes into play. Avoid one-dimensional thinking. And please don't take advice from broke people. Hire, consult, and team up with those who are respected in their industry.

5) Stay in the race. Stuff happens. People leave. Others take advantage of you. The economy tanks. Your cat needs surgery. And you may want to quit.

But that's not going to put food on the table. You've got to suck it up and keep moving forward.

Let's brainstorm a bit...

It's just smart business sense to create multiple income centers to combat the negative stuff. For instance: If your consulting business is slowing down, create a low-, mid-, and high-end training programs to market through various distribution channels. This way you'll always have income.

Unfortunately, these action steps come with a price tag. Everything does. But I'm sure you'll agree—self-investment is the best investment you can make.

I used to invest in television, procrastination, and self-defeating activities. A critical mistake. I found out how costly that was.

A cost I could no longer afford...

I'd like to move you with a story about donating my TV to make better use of my time. But that's not true. It stopped working one day and I've never replaced it.

Please don't duplicate my mistakes. Invest in yourself to avoid paying the piper.

Tommy Yan helps business owners and entrepreneurs make more money through direct response marketing. He publishes Tommy's Tease weekly e-zine to inspire people to succeed in business and personal growth. Get your free subscription today at www.TommyYan.com.