GRATITUDE FOR THE AMAZING RAY CHARLES

A few months ago I watched the movie “Ray”, the life story of Ray Charles, one of the most incredible life stories I have ever seen. Completely intrigued about how someone from an under privileged background can create such enormous success. Taken away by such inner strength, total self reliance and confidence. This is such a lesson to all of us how to achieve success.

The great Ray Charles was an explorer who returned time and again from expeditions across musical boundaries to give us, in his own unique way, melodious stories and charts of his adventures. From rock ‘n roll, soul , R&B, swing, gospel to Country music Ray Charles broke barriers that nobody thought was possible. In so doing he changed what had previously been only a black and white territorial paper map of American music into a 3-D, solid terrain model, full of colour.

Ray Charles Robinson was born Sept. 23, 1930, in Albany, Ga. His father, Bailey Robinson, was a mechanic and a handyman, and his mother, Aretha, stacked boards in a sawmill.

At just five years old Charles had to endure the trauma of witnessing the drowning death of his younger brother in his mother’s large portable laundry tub. Soon after the death of his brother he gradually began to lose his sight and by 7 years of age Ray Charles was blind.

But Charles would not be denied and rather than give up, he made a significant geographical relocation to Seattle, Washington. It was in Seattle’s red light district at just 16 where he met a young Quincy Jones only 14 himself. He taught the future producer and composer how to write music and arrange. It was a friendship that lasted a lifetime with the two working on many sessions together later in their careers.

His first 3 recordings were made in Tampa, Florida in 1947 and included Guitar Blues, Walking’ And Talkin,’ and Wonderin’ And Wonderin’. Charles got his first taste of commercial success in 1953, when he arranged and played piano on bluesman Guitar Slim’s recording of The Things That I Used to Do, which sold more than a million copies. The real Ray Charles emerged in 1954 on a record called I Got A Woman. The recording reached #1 on the R&B chart in 1955. More significantly it brought together elements of gospel music in a secular setting, in a way they had never been married before, and served to spawn a whole new genre later to become known as Soul.

The movie “Ray” is a must see. Gratitude to Mr. Ray Charles for changing the world. Love it!!!

Paul Mantel – http://livelifeco.com

I saw a video on You Tube  the other day after having a conversation with a colleague and fellow Entrepreneur, that made me laugh hysterically. It is a simple skit that outlines 2 employees on an escalator who are so wrapped up in the day to day, that they’ve stopped thinking for themselves.

Then I actually started to reflect on this and it made me realise that although it’s very funny as a skit - how true it’s become in everyday life. When did we stop listening to our own instincts, our own gut feelings, our own beliefs - and start accepting what other people tell us. When did we start allowing other peoples opinions to make us doubt ourselves, our own ability and what choices we make? What do we need to do to build our own confidence and self image and start being and displaying the leadership qualities in our own lives?

How often would the sales person hear - “I’ll have to check with my friend, my spouse, my partner”
“Does this dress look good on me, is it my colour, does it suit my figure?” Surely we know ourselves if we like something - if it suits us - if it looks good? When did we stop listening to our own instincts? When did we stop trusting our own opinion? In my opinion - leadership qualities and leadership abilities come from first and foremost from being confident in yourself - to think for yourself and to not be concerned about the opinions of others.

To be the leader and to display leadership qualities you need to be committed to whatever it is you have chosen to do in your life, your purpose is something that should ring true for you and only you. It does not matter if no one else understands why you chose to do or not to do something, as long as you’re being true to yourself. Leadership means you do the best and are the best you can be, for you, for your family and your team / colleagues. Displaying honesty, ethics and integrity and above all staying true to your path and compass.

So many people think that they have no choice  anymore - the news, media, gossip columnists tell them what they should think, how they should look and how they should feel, and sadly I look around me and see evidence that so many people see to have stopped thinking for themselves.

Yonika

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It’s an interesting question… For some Success can be measured by how much money they have in the bank, for others it could be the role they play in their community, the career they have, or maybe it’s the person they are being.

For me personally it’s all about the contribution you make and the integrity and values you have. There are plenty of very wealthy people out there who have achieved success and have created financial abundance, but if they are alone without friends and loved ones, then one would hardly call them successful. Money alone won’t keep you warm at night. On the other hand, having absolutely no money or financial security is not a success story either, no matter how much you give back to your community. You need to be able to help yourself to be able to more effectively help others.

Key to Success

Integrity would have to come into the definition of success for me every time. I know of many people who would consider themselves to be “successful Business Men or Women” and from a monetary standpoint that could be true. However their integrity is often lacking and their attitude displays one of “what’s in it for me”? Often these individuals display acts of greed, selfishness and arrogance. Luckily most of the Successful people I know are successful in every sense of the word - they are rich in income, friendships, relationships, health and happiness and those 5 things would be my 5 pre-requisites in the definition of Success.

One of my favourite Personal Development speakers Jim Rohn once said “if you help enough people get what they want, you can have everything you want” and this is how I run my business. My business is absolutely about generating a fantastic income for myself and my family, but that would be a pretty empty goal if I couldn’t assist others to create the same along the way. Helping others to achieve financial and personal success is a balance that many people are looking to achieve.

My husband Paul and I were recently at one of our conferences in Puerto Rico and we got to hear from an amazing speaker Neal Petersen. Neal sailed solo around the world in a boat he designed and built - 27,000 miles in a boat alone at sea! Neal spoke about having 4 key values in what you do, and to me sums up Success;

“1. Is it right for me?

2. Is it right for my family?

3. Is it right for my community?

4. Is it right for the next generation?”

I genuinely believe if you ask yourself these 4 questions about the actions you are taking in life, and can answer yes to each of those 4 things, you’d have to be on a successful path. I know that what we are doing with our Business is absolutely on a success path . “Stand and be counted by your contribution” Neal Petersen

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I often get asked, how do you manage it all… A successful home based business, a great marriage, 2 children and a dog! How do you fit it all in? Being successful in Business means learning to keep the main thing, the main thing, and prioritising what needs to be done, and what can wait. The reason my husband and I started a Home Based business was to be able to have more time freedom and more choice. The last thing we wanted to do when we sacked the boss, was to go from those kind of “employee constraints” ie, asking for time off to see your child’s school concert or to have some time to have a family holiday. We can work 4 - 5 hours a day when our kids are in school and totally create enough contacts and business within this time. We network with people everywhere we go and some of our best business is actually done when we’re just out living our life! When we tell people we’re off to Puerto Rico for one of our Personal Development conferences that we market, we typically get a response of “oh wow - lucky you”! Who wouldn’t want the time freedom and choices we have? It’s a lifestyle business and we can honestly just share how we live and people want a part of that. Who wants to seriously work 40 - 50 hours a week anymore, not forgetting the time wasted travelling to and from an office? When you can literally commute to your office with a few steps, coffee in hand and possibly being still in your pyjamas - you know that you’re in control and life is good! Make it a great day! Yonika

A successful business means time for play!

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