Billionaire Shares His Success Secrets

Bill Bartmann is well qualified to talk about what it takes to be successful. He is a billionaire, about the 25th richest man in the world and has earned the accolade of "Entrepreneur of the Year". However, life for Bill Bartmann started out very differently.

Bartmann was one of eight children. His parents were uneducated and so could not command well-paying jobs. He describes having to move frequently and even being turned out of dwellings because they were deemed not fit for human habitation.

He has been homeless and was once part of a travelling carnival. He's a former high school dropout. He was a teenage alcoholic and a member of a teenage gang called known as the Manor Boys. He was also the smallest member weighing in at just 98lbs. This didn't stop him from picking fights with the 'big' boys. In some ways it's a trait that has stuck with him - not so much picking fights - but there's audaciousness to many of his business ventures that leave many wide-eyed with wonder.

He truly understands the concept of risk and reward. A big risk can result in a huge pay-off, but if it backfires it can leave a large dent in your pocket and bank balance. Bill Bartmann has experienced both extremes. He has been a pauper, a millionaire, bankrupt and a billionaire.

It just shows that it's not your circumstances that make an individual wealthy. It's your mindset. He could lose everything today and tomorrow he would simply start to rebuild his fortune.

In a recent interview for Virtual Seminar Week, Alex Mandosian asked Bill Bartmann what was in his view the key to success. Bartmann replied that he could sum up the key to success to just one thing, something which he had identified at a young age. I held my breath. This is what he said,

"All the successful people I knew in life had high self-esteem and all the losers had low self-esteem."

Why was I expecting this billionaire to say something different, more profound maybe? We often complicate things unnecessarily. The truth is often very simple and staring us in the face as is beautifully and humorously illustrated in Russell Conwell's Acres of Diamonds.

Also to quote Harv Ecker,

"You can have the greatest business strategies in the world but if you don't have the mindset to go along with them you won't use them."

Our self-image drives everything that we do and our self-image is inexorably linked to our self-esteem and self-confidence. Improve your self-esteem and improvements in your life will naturally follow. Having a high self-esteem is indeed the key to success.

When Bartmann was growing up his self-esteem was low. He gives credit to his childhood sweetheart, Kathy, for opening his eyes to this fact. It is as Barbara D'Angelis says,

"Until you're aware of what you're doing you have no choice but to continue doing it."

However, at age 17, Bartmann was not aware that he continually put himself down until one night he was driving with Kathy, just 14 at the time, at his side when she suddenly slapped the dashboard and said,

"Pull over! Stop the car! Let me out!"

Shocked, he obliged. She told him that she never wanted to see him again. She told him that she loved him but that he was always putting himself down. She had had enough.

He was stunned. He had no idea. He loved this young girl and he did not want to lose her. He pleaded with her explaining that it was a habit he did unconsciously. He said he would change. She relented and agreed to stay. While change wasn't easy the alternative didn't bear contemplating. He steadily built his self-esteem. He took the GED exam and put himself through college and law school.

Kathy has been by his side ever since, eventually becoming Bartmann's wife; they've been married now for 33 years. And, as further testament to her how savvy she is, she is his business partner, has been on the cover of Forbes and has been individually listed in the Forbes 400 wealthiest people in America. As you can tell Mrs Bartmann deserves a story of her own but back to Mr Bartmann.

It takes a diamond-hard resolve, an iron-clad self-esteem to endure the ups and downs that he has experienced and earn the respect that he has garnered from individuals as diverse as Mother Theresa, Mohammed Ali and Clarence Thomas (U.S. Supreme Court Justice).

Sure he's been tested. He's had his self-doubts, even bouts of depression - he wouldn't be human otherwise. However, when your self esteem is strong and when you are clear about your core values - the things you stand for and what you are unwilling to compromise on - then you bounce back from these lows. And each time you bounce back just a little bit higher.

Again, reinforcing the role that self-esteem or self-image plays in our ability to grow, one just needs to take a look at the content of Bartmann's seminars. He doesn't teach people about the stock market, real estate or any other way to generate income. His seminars take a different approach, a more fundamental approach. He knows and appreciates the importance of self-esteem and the powerful tools he teaches are equable applicable to life as they are to business.

He promises "no tear-jerking or any tugging at your emotions". Yet, how can you not be emotionally moved by his story and is it not by allowing ourselves to be swept away by the emotional charge of this "rags to riches" tale that gives us hope that we too can achieve great success in our lives?

Nickolove Lovemore is a Life & Success Coach and a Certified NLP Practitioner. Please visit http://www.SuccessAccessories.com for free ebook featuring some of the world's leaders in personal development who have learnt how to apply this success secret to their lives and are achieving phenomenal success.

Positive Self Talk - The Way You Talk To Yourself Can Determine How You Succeed

We hold a silent conversation with ourselves many times in the day. Some experts even said that we have these silent conversations for about 50.000 times a day. This “selftalk” has a direct effect on our thoughts and behaviors.

Self-talk is the inner monologue (and sometimes dialogue!) when confronted with a situation. What we silently say to ourselves about the events we experience influences us in many profound ways. Selftalk changes what we see and hear around us, what we feel within us, and what we remember when we look back on the experience.

Have you ever heard about self fulfilling prophecy? Self-talk is very much like a self-fulfilling prophecy—something you think about a lot can actually make it happen. When your self-talk is positive—“Things will work out,” “I know I can do the job”—you’re giving yourself permission to succeed and chances are you will. You ordered your subconscious mind to provide you all the resources to succeed. When your self-talk is negative—“I know I’ll have a terrible time,” “I’m not good enough to be a supervisor”—you’re giving up on yourself and chances are you won’t even try to succeed. Because you’ve ordered your subconscious mind to let go all the chances to succeed.

Self-talk can direct your thoughts and behavior. If you think, “I know I can do the job,” you’ll be more willing to apply. During the interview, you’ll be more likely to show confidence in yourself and your abilities, and have a better chance to succeed. But if you say to yourself, “I’ll never get hired for that position,” you may not even apply, guaranteeing that you won’t get the job.

So, it is very important to “rewrite” all negative self-talks with a positive ones. The idea is to erase the mental “tapes” you normally play for yourself when confronted with stress, and replace them with new ones.
There are several thought patterns that we usually have, especially the negative ones, such as:

1. Black or white thinking (You’re either perfect or a total failure!)

· I am from a small town and everyone else is from a larger city. No way can I compete with them

· Now it’s my turn. I have to show them how good I am.

2. Catastrophic Thinking (Exaggerating the significance of one single event!)

· This is the most embarrassing moment of my life!

· No one has ever insult me such a way as he’s just did to me!

3. Pessimistic Thinking (Seeing only the negatives and assuming the worst!)

· I’ve never have good friends before. What makes me think I can start now?

· I know I can’t do it! It’s just a waste of time.

4. Self-fulfilling Prophecy

· If I eat one serving of ice cream, I know Iwon’t be able to stop.

· I can’t start my daily activity without a cup of coffee.

5. Should Statements (Being ruled by a rigid set of rules!)

· I should have practiced more. Now the chance has gone.

· I shouldn't eat after 6:00 p.m. or else all the calories will turn to fat.

6. “It’s-not-my-fault” Thinking (Shifting responsibility for your behaviors!)

· If it wasn’t for her, I would be the one at that position.

· I can succeed if I have more time.

7. Mind Reading (Assuming people are thinking the worst about you!)

· No one would be interested in what I say

· See.. they’re all looking down on me.

8. Discounting (Can’t accept positive feedback!)

· Who does he think he is, trying to give me some advice? Huh?

· I know he is not trying to give me feedback. He’s trying to embarrass me during the meeting.

9. Comparing (Always comparing self to others!)

· No matter what I do, he will be always one step ahead!

· Yes, you can do it because you have more resources than me


The way to induce positive thinking and eliminate negative thinking is simple. First, you have to beware of your self-talk. If it is a negative self-talk, then STOP IT!! Say to yourself right away, “STOP!!”

Then replace the negative self-talk into positive ones. At first, maybe it will make us feel a little awkward. We cannot actually choose the words we are going to say everytime, even to ourselves, because it comes out just like that. It lies in our daily habit. But never mind, if we keep on practicing it, then soon a new habit will replace the old one.

Every habit can be learned. First, we form the habit, and later it forms us, and therefore forms our life. But the most important point is that it was previously formed by us. So, we can change it. It’s our choice. And surely it is our choice to walk path to success in every aspect of our life.

Positive Self Talk - The Way You Talk To Yourself Can Determine How You Succeed

We hold a silent conversation with ourselves many times in the day. Some experts even said that we have these silent conversations for about 50.000 times a day. This “selftalk” has a direct effect on our thoughts and behaviors.

Self-talk is the inner monologue (and sometimes dialogue!) when confronted with a situation. What we silently say to ourselves about the events we experience influences us in many profound ways. Selftalk changes what we see and hear around us, what we feel within us, and what we remember when we look back on the experience.

Have you ever heard about self fulfilling prophecy? Self-talk is very much like a self-fulfilling prophecy—something you think about a lot can actually make it happen. When your self-talk is positive—“Things will work out,” “I know I can do the job”—you’re giving yourself permission to succeed and chances are you will. You ordered your subconscious mind to provide you all the resources to succeed. When your self-talk is negative—“I know I’ll have a terrible time,” “I’m not good enough to be a supervisor”—you’re giving up on yourself and chances are you won’t even try to succeed. Because you’ve ordered your subconscious mind to let go all the chances to succeed.

Self-talk can direct your thoughts and behavior. If you think, “I know I can do the job,” you’ll be more willing to apply. During the interview, you’ll be more likely to show confidence in yourself and your abilities, and have a better chance to succeed. But if you say to yourself, “I’ll never get hired for that position,” you may not even apply, guaranteeing that you won’t get the job.

So, it is very important to “rewrite” all negative self-talks with a positive ones. The idea is to erase the mental “tapes” you normally play for yourself when confronted with stress, and replace them with new ones.

There are several thought patterns that we usually have, especially the negative ones, such as:

1. Black or white thinking (You’re either perfect or a total failure!)

· I am from a small town and everyone else is from a larger city. No way can I compete with them

· Now it’s my turn. I have to show them how good I am.

2. Catastrophic Thinking (Exaggerating the significance of one single event!)

· This is the most embarrassing moment of my life!

· No one has ever insult me such a way as he’s just did to me!

3. Pessimistic Thinking (Seeing only the negatives and assuming the worst!)

· I’ve never have good friends before. What makes me think I can start now?

· I know I can’t do it! It’s just a waste of time.

4. Self-fulfilling Prophecy

· If I eat one serving of ice cream, I know Iwon’t be able to stop.

· I can’t start my daily activity without a cup of coffee.

5. Should Statements (Being ruled by a rigid set of rules!)

· I should have practiced more. Now the chance has gone.

· I shouldn't eat after 6:00 p.m. or else all the calories will turn to fat.

6. “It’s-not-my-fault” Thinking (Shifting responsibility for your behaviors!)

· If it wasn’t for her, I would be the one at that position.

· I can succeed if I have more time.

7. Mind Reading (Assuming people are thinking the worst about you!)

· No one would be interested in what I say

· See.. they’re all looking down on me.

8. Discounting (Can’t accept positive feedback!)

· Who does he think he is, trying to give me some advice? Huh?

· I know he is not trying to give me feedback. He’s trying to embarrass me during the meeting.

9. Comparing (Always comparing self to others!)

· No matter what I do, he will be always one step ahead!

· Yes, you can do it because you have more resources than me

The way to induce positive thinking and eliminate negative thinking is simple. First, you have to beware of your self-talk. If it is a negative self-talk, then STOP IT!! Say to yourself right away, “STOP!!”

Then replace the negative self-talk into positive ones. At first, maybe it will make us feel a little awkward. We cannot actually choose the words we are going to say everytime, even to ourselves, because it comes out just like that. It lies in our daily habit. But never mind, if we keep on practicing it, then soon a new habit will replace the old one.

Every habit can be learned. First, we form the habit, and later it forms us, and therefore forms our life. But the most important point is that it was previously formed by us. So, we can change it. It’s our choice. And surely it is our choice to walk path to success in every aspect of our life.

Positive Self Talk

One of the most powerful influences on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts, feelings, and your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or your “self talk,” you can begin to assert control over every part of your life.

Your self-talk determines the majority of your emotional life. The words that you use to describe what is happening to you, and how you feel about external events, will trigger the emotions of happiness or unhappiness that you experience. When you see things positively and you look for the good in every situation and in each person, you will become a very positive and optimistic person. Since the quality of your life is determined by how you feel moment to moment, you should make it a habit to only think and talk about what you want and keep your mind off of what you don’t want.

You are constantly faced with challenges, difficulties, and problems every day of your life. They are unavoidable and one of the inevitable parts of being human. But as you draw upon your resources to respond effectively to each challenge, you grow and become a stronger person. When you look back over your life, you’ll see that you are the kind of person that you are because of all the difficulties and problems that you have had to overcome in your life. Without those setbacks, you could not have learned what you needed to know to developed the character and strength that you have at this point in your life.

Much of your ability to succeed comes from the way you deal with life. Having a positive mental attitude is indispensable for success and happiness. It is the key to success in business, and it is vital to building strong relationships with other people. Everyone wants to be around a positive person with a cheerful attitude towards life. But no one wants to be around a negative person who is always pessimistic about everything. Your ability to develop and maintain a positive mental attitude, no matter what the situation may be, will play a critical role in any success you achieve.

One of the best ways to define a positive mental attitude is having “a constructive and positive response to adversity.” It is only when you are confronted with a setback or adversity that you really know if you have a positive attitude or not. Anyone can be positive when things are going well. It is only when things are going against you, that you are able to demonstrate to yourself and others, that you have a positive character and personality.

One of the common characteristics of all high achieving men and women is that they recognize the inevitability of temporary setbacks and disappointments. They accept them as a normal and natural part of their life. They do everything possible to avoid problems, but when they come up, successful people learn from them and rise above them. They continue to move forward towards their goals.

Optimistic people develop the habit of talking to themselves in constructive ways. Whenever they experience adversity of any kind, they immediately describe it to themselves in a such a way that it looses its ability to trigger negative emotions. They are able to exert a sense of control by how they describe any event or situation to themselves.

There is a natural tendency in all of us to react emotionally when our expectations are frustrated in any way. When something we wanted and hoped for fails to materialize, we feel a temporary sense of disappointment and unhappiness. We feel hurt and disillusioned. We react just as though we had been punched in the “emotional solar plexus.”

A person who is positive and optimistic is resilient and bounces back fast when he or she encounters a problem or setback of any kind. He or she responds quickly to an adverse event and interprets it as being temporary and only external. An optimistic person takes full control of his or her inner dialogue and counters any negative feelings by immediately reframing the event so that appears positive in some way.

Since your mind can hold only one thought at a time, either positive or negative, if you deliberately choose the positive thought to dwell upon, you keep your mind optimistic and your emotions positive. Since your thoughts and feelings determine you actions, if you keep your words and thoughts positive, you will automatically be a more positive person and move more rapidly toward your goals.

It all comes down to the way you talk to yourself on a daily basis. When a problem or difficulty comes up you must learn to change your language from negative to positive. For example, you should learn to use the word situation instead of problem. A problem is something you wrestle and struggle with. It represents a potential loss and difficultly. A situation, on the other hand, is just something that you deal with. The event is the same. But the way you interpret the event to yourself is what makes it sound and appear completely different.

An even better word to substitute for problem is the word challenge. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, “I have a problem,” you should say, “I have an interesting challenge facing me.” The word challenge is inherently positive. It is something that you rise to and that makes you stronger. It is again the same situation, only the word that you are using to describe it is different. As a result, your emotional response will be different as well.
The best of all possible words for any event or situation is the word opportunity. When you are faced with a difficulty of any kind, instead of saying, “I have a problem,” you should say, “I am faced with an unexpected opportunity.” Within ever difficulty or problem, there lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. If you focus your attention on finding out what the valuable lesson is, you will always find it.

You should start your day in front of a mirror saying affirmations, such as “I like myself,” “I am the best,“ and “I can do it.” These are personal and positive affirmations that will build your levels of self confidence and self-esteem. You should say these affirmations out loud in front of a mirror at least 50 times a day. By doing this, you will be driving these new positive thoughts deep into your subconscious. At first when you do this, you’ll feel kind of funny doing it, only because your mind over many years has been programmed with so much negativity that it will take time to reprogram your mind with these new positive affirmations.

The hallmark of the truly successful and happy person is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life. The high achieving individual has the ability to continue talking to himself or herself in a positive and optimistic way no matter what the situation is. They are always calm, clear, and completely under control. As a result, they are able to exert a far greater sense of control and influence over their environment, and are less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted by problems or difficulties.

The starting point of becoming a more positive person is to monitor and control your self-talk every minute of the day. Keep your thoughts and words positive and consistent with your goals. Keep your mind focused on what you want and on becoming the person you want to be.
Remember that it is impossible to learn, grow and become successful without adversity and difficulties. You must rise above them in order to become a better person. So, welcome each difficulty as a learning experience and look into the situation to find something good or beneficial in it.

Always, keep your thoughts on your future and on your goals. Constantly think about the person you want to become. When things go wrong temporarily, respond by saying to yourself, “I believe in the perfect outcome of every situation in my life.” Resolve to be cheerful and pleasant in every situation. Resist every temptation to respond to a situation negatively. View disappointment as an opportunity to grow stronger, and talk to yourself and others about it in a positive and optimistic way.

When you practice positive self-talk, and keep your words and your mental pictures consistent with your goals, nothing can stop you from being the success you are meant to be.

Author: Joe Love

Copyright© 2005 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

15 Ways To Get Really Motivated

First, recognize that motivation is an inside job. The word motivate means to impel, inspire, hope, stimulate, incite, propel, spur, goad, move, induce, prompt, instigate, fire, provoke, actuate, cause, egg on, drive, excite, and to trigger. Don’t wait for someone to motivate you, here are 15 ways you can motivate yourself.

1. Set daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and lifetime goals. A goal is a goal if it’s writing. Goals get you going in the direction that’s right for you.

2. Listen to a motivational tape. Record into a tape recorder your favorite quotes, anecdotes and personal success stories. Play back your tape frequently. Nothing is more motivating than the sound of your own voice. Try it!

3. Get motivated to make better telephone calls by buying Art Sobczak’s new book, “How To Sell More In Less Time With No Rejection.” To order call Art at 402-895-9399.

4. To overachieve every quota you are given take this advice. First write yourself a check dated for 12/31/05 payable to yourself and write how much you want to earn on the amount line. Make three laminated copies and put one in your briefcase, auto console, and home office. Second, always aim higher than the quota you are given. If you adjust your aim, the results will follow.

5. Buy an inspirational book of quotations and keep it in your car. Read three quotes daily. Remember - inspirational words usually inspire us.

6. Invest 15 minutes daily to read books and articles about the selling profession. This is gourmet food for your brain. Don’t skip a day.

7. Get a mentor, preferably one outside of your company. The truly successful people never go it alone.

8. To jack-up your sales performance, prepare your own laminated cue cards. Create cue cards for making appointments, your 12 best questions, for handling the price objection, and for asking for the order. Each cue card should be prepared word-for-word. Your performances will sky-rocket.

9. Buy a composition notebook for your car. Record your successes, failures, and daily observations about your selling environment.

10. Read the “The Ancient Scrolls” an inspiring book by Tim Connor. To order call 800-222-9070.

11. To get motivated about improving your personal financial situation, set a personal net worth goal and write it on a spread sheet, then review it monthly. Self worth increases proportionately with net worth.

12. Tell your family if you achieve 110% or more of your annual sales quota - you’ll take them anywhere they want to go on vacation.

13. Tell your family when you reach a new monthly sales record milestone, you’ll take them out to celebrate.

14. Select one song that really gets you moving and play it every morning as you back out of your driveway.

15. Make a dinner date with your spouse tonight then go some place special.

Every day is a great day, especially if you don’t see your name in the obituary section of the paper.

It's easy to make every day a masterpiece when you're motivated.

(Jim Meisenheimer, http://www.meisenheimer.com/)