Tuesday, 24 January 2012
One Step Closer
I am one step closer to my purpose time to keep on pushing and wipe away the sweat.
The journey is not easy but no one said it would be.
Sometimes I feel the journey is lonely then I realise God is always with me.
Because this is my journey of purpose the ground is rocky as it has not be tread before, but once I walk this path for others I have opened up the door.
I am one step closer to my purpose and for that reason I cannot quit.
I look over to the horizon "MY PURPOSE I CAN SEE IT"
The journey to the dreams in marriage, finance, fatherhood, Christianity are not easy journies and at times I think for a moment they are impossible task to complete. But then I say to my self I'm prepared to fight for the chance of obtaining compared to quitting and accepting.
"Remember God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Desire for wealth
I was really challenged recently by a message I heard from a pastor called Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill church.
His challenge was this, "has our desire for wealth stolen the very wealth that you truly desire"
A key point that he made was that the does chasing wealth get in the way of you seeing your kids, because your working 14 hour days seven days a week?
I must be honest I have chased wealth from a young age but never from the stand point of being MR BLING that was just not me, but from the stand point of not being poor. This drive comes from the fact that I have lived in lack whilst I was young and hated not going on field trips, not having the latest trainers, having no present on my birthday and worst of all seeing my mum have no money to give her kids for school dinners.
All these things caused me to be so money conscious that I would be the person that worked 14 hour days, 7 days a week. I would sacrifice time with my wife and my kids and when they complained that they never seen me I would state "Well I am paying the bills and giving you guys a lifestyle I never had"!
But the truth is I was not any more happy than I was a kid and poor. Why I asked my self I live in a nice house, I have enough clothes, been on holiday, kids go keyboard, guitar and kickboxing I have more than in my youth 10x over. Why still not happy?
Because what I really wanted was to spend time with parents, do family things, speak about my day and share my achievements. Then I thought that's what my wife and kids want and they was not receiving it. Yes they had stuff but what they wanted was more of me and I really wanted more of them.
So I made a decision Saturdays is family day, no mistake. That was a start, but I now I more often than not have dinner around the table with the kids. Ask them about the day, sometimes I wish I never asked. My eldest at eight has become a match maker to her friends. As long as she not looking to be paired with anyone that's OK!!!:). I also ensure that I read them the night time bible story once again more time with them. But the most important thing I make sure we have fun, play fighting, singing, dancing (I don't dance very well but we will still call it dancing), bike riding and we also go kickboxing in the same class. None of this doesn't cost any money or very little but it cost my time. But what a return on investment I am receive!!!
I also trying this with my wife (COMMUNICATION) I am repeatedly told this is important from my wife. The truth is I tried for years to buy my wife affection, but all she wanted was me. Me to listen and ask how was her day, to pay attention that she lost weight at the gym. Once again this doesn't cost money but cost my time.
NOW don't get me wrong I still work hard as I still have some financial goals and so does the kids and wife (Disneyland for the kids and a walk in wardrobe for the wife and Range rover for me). The difference now I make sure as much as possible I get the right balance.
The bible states "what is it to conquer the whole world and never have loved". I put it this way what good is it if you have a large bank account but no one you love to share it with?
Just looking at my kids sleeping tonight, I realise my true treasure. I have already purchased the true treasure, my job is to ensure that treasure grows and develops.
So go and take care of your financial wealth but ensure to invest time, effort into the true wealth that lasts a lifetime.
Remember "God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
His challenge was this, "has our desire for wealth stolen the very wealth that you truly desire"
A key point that he made was that the does chasing wealth get in the way of you seeing your kids, because your working 14 hour days seven days a week?
I must be honest I have chased wealth from a young age but never from the stand point of being MR BLING that was just not me, but from the stand point of not being poor. This drive comes from the fact that I have lived in lack whilst I was young and hated not going on field trips, not having the latest trainers, having no present on my birthday and worst of all seeing my mum have no money to give her kids for school dinners.
All these things caused me to be so money conscious that I would be the person that worked 14 hour days, 7 days a week. I would sacrifice time with my wife and my kids and when they complained that they never seen me I would state "Well I am paying the bills and giving you guys a lifestyle I never had"!
But the truth is I was not any more happy than I was a kid and poor. Why I asked my self I live in a nice house, I have enough clothes, been on holiday, kids go keyboard, guitar and kickboxing I have more than in my youth 10x over. Why still not happy?
Because what I really wanted was to spend time with parents, do family things, speak about my day and share my achievements. Then I thought that's what my wife and kids want and they was not receiving it. Yes they had stuff but what they wanted was more of me and I really wanted more of them.
So I made a decision Saturdays is family day, no mistake. That was a start, but I now I more often than not have dinner around the table with the kids. Ask them about the day, sometimes I wish I never asked. My eldest at eight has become a match maker to her friends. As long as she not looking to be paired with anyone that's OK!!!:). I also ensure that I read them the night time bible story once again more time with them. But the most important thing I make sure we have fun, play fighting, singing, dancing (I don't dance very well but we will still call it dancing), bike riding and we also go kickboxing in the same class. None of this doesn't cost any money or very little but it cost my time. But what a return on investment I am receive!!!
I also trying this with my wife (COMMUNICATION) I am repeatedly told this is important from my wife. The truth is I tried for years to buy my wife affection, but all she wanted was me. Me to listen and ask how was her day, to pay attention that she lost weight at the gym. Once again this doesn't cost money but cost my time.
NOW don't get me wrong I still work hard as I still have some financial goals and so does the kids and wife (Disneyland for the kids and a walk in wardrobe for the wife and Range rover for me). The difference now I make sure as much as possible I get the right balance.
The bible states "what is it to conquer the whole world and never have loved". I put it this way what good is it if you have a large bank account but no one you love to share it with?
Just looking at my kids sleeping tonight, I realise my true treasure. I have already purchased the true treasure, my job is to ensure that treasure grows and develops.
So go and take care of your financial wealth but ensure to invest time, effort into the true wealth that lasts a lifetime.
Remember "God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
Friday, 13 January 2012
Character Testing
Recently posted pictures on a property that I am currently working on.
Everything had been going smooth until the electric cost came out as £500 more than expected and yesterday my plasterer advised that his cost due to the work has increase from £650 to £1000 and the materials cost have gone up by 50%. Still have the kitchen and flooring to complete and we are be hide the time line created for the tenant to move in.
There was a moment that I wanted to get stressed with the ever increasing cost of the project and the need to lay my hands of more cash. But I made a decision that this will be apart of my learning and instead of getting stressed I put the issues into perspective and find a solution. I took this mindset and applied it to a work issue by where I have a very talented individual who plays a key role in the business but I was finding difficult to fully utilise him to get a return on investment.
Once again instead of stressing at the prospect of letting him go, I made a decision to find a solution. With God blessing a solution was found and now I have incredible return on investment and a very motivated employee.
If I carry on like this it will not be long before I can tick the achievement of getting my Range Rover.
Seriously we can either focus on the lack or the potential it is a choice of the mind.
To share also I recently read to great books that help with transforming the mind. The first is Joyce Meyer book "POWER THOUGHTS" and the other book is by Tony Robbins "Awaken the giant with in". Both books are a great tool to help thinking correctly
Remember "God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
Everything had been going smooth until the electric cost came out as £500 more than expected and yesterday my plasterer advised that his cost due to the work has increase from £650 to £1000 and the materials cost have gone up by 50%. Still have the kitchen and flooring to complete and we are be hide the time line created for the tenant to move in.
There was a moment that I wanted to get stressed with the ever increasing cost of the project and the need to lay my hands of more cash. But I made a decision that this will be apart of my learning and instead of getting stressed I put the issues into perspective and find a solution. I took this mindset and applied it to a work issue by where I have a very talented individual who plays a key role in the business but I was finding difficult to fully utilise him to get a return on investment.
Once again instead of stressing at the prospect of letting him go, I made a decision to find a solution. With God blessing a solution was found and now I have incredible return on investment and a very motivated employee.
If I carry on like this it will not be long before I can tick the achievement of getting my Range Rover.
Seriously we can either focus on the lack or the potential it is a choice of the mind.
To share also I recently read to great books that help with transforming the mind. The first is Joyce Meyer book "POWER THOUGHTS" and the other book is by Tony Robbins "Awaken the giant with in". Both books are a great tool to help thinking correctly
Remember "God gift to us is life, what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Narrow Road
I have been quite over the last few weeks and been slacking in writing my daily/ weekly blog.
One of the reason has been the purchase of a new investment property. Property tends to be one of the areas I really want to develop as investor. I have spent the last 10 years in the market ranging from flipping properties. One example was purchasing and selling a property in the same day after paying for it cash (That was really scary) as the originally buyer pulled out and we had to find a buyer in a week.
I have also done refurb which earned me the right to a interview on Midlands Today discussing the problem with empty homes.
I currently working on a refurb project that we are renting out, thought I would share some pictures of the current project and then produce some after shots and you can let me know your thoughts.
Some people think it has been crazy to buy in a uncertain market but I follow a rule from the bible, the road to glory is on the narrow road and the road to destruction is wide and well trodden. James Cann (Dragon Den) stated that he lived by this principle which was described in a different way by his father who stated "observe the masses and do the opposite". No one is buying at the moment even though properties are cheaper than before and they cashflow better than before. I see opportunity when others are seeing DOOM.
For every property that I have purchased I have felt nervous and fearful. This project tested me as we had investors pull out and mortgage offers withdrawn but I said I was determined to achieve against all the odds. I hear alot of people speaking about investing in property the reason alot will not is FEAR grips them of falling. The WHAT IF!!!!! Even now I worry but you must deny it and move one with great action whihc moves you out of doubt.
The truth is I have lost money and made money in property and on both fronts I have learnt which ensures that every inverstment is better than the last.
This for me along with www.gen-hope.co.uk are the main focuses work wise in my life so you will be seeing alot more about the property side of things in the future.
My words to any one reading this take a risk (one that you can afford to lose) and see what happens, the worst that can happen you LEARN ALOT. Second OBSERVE THE MASSES and do the opposite.
Remember "God gift to us is life,what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
One of the reason has been the purchase of a new investment property. Property tends to be one of the areas I really want to develop as investor. I have spent the last 10 years in the market ranging from flipping properties. One example was purchasing and selling a property in the same day after paying for it cash (That was really scary) as the originally buyer pulled out and we had to find a buyer in a week.
I have also done refurb which earned me the right to a interview on Midlands Today discussing the problem with empty homes.
I currently working on a refurb project that we are renting out, thought I would share some pictures of the current project and then produce some after shots and you can let me know your thoughts.
 |
| Bathroom (Stripped and ready lick of paint) |
 |
| Kitchen being removed for rewire and facelift |
 |
| Front of House (Rubbish to be removed) |
For every property that I have purchased I have felt nervous and fearful. This project tested me as we had investors pull out and mortgage offers withdrawn but I said I was determined to achieve against all the odds. I hear alot of people speaking about investing in property the reason alot will not is FEAR grips them of falling. The WHAT IF!!!!! Even now I worry but you must deny it and move one with great action whihc moves you out of doubt.
The truth is I have lost money and made money in property and on both fronts I have learnt which ensures that every inverstment is better than the last.
This for me along with www.gen-hope.co.uk are the main focuses work wise in my life so you will be seeing alot more about the property side of things in the future.
My words to any one reading this take a risk (one that you can afford to lose) and see what happens, the worst that can happen you LEARN ALOT. Second OBSERVE THE MASSES and do the opposite.
Remember "God gift to us is life,what we do with that life is our gift back to God"
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