MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

March 2024 Newsletter Think and grow rich

Think and grow rich

 

In today’s world, it’s easy    to find reasons to feel discouraged or down. This usually happens when you start focusing on things you can’t change. The good news is that there will always be one area where you have total control, and that is your outlook on life.

 

If you need a mood lifter right now, I highly recommend reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It was first published in 1937 and is still the best-selling self-help book ever written. It will teach you how to attain wealth and success through positive thinking, persistence, and focused desire. The author offers practical techniques and inspiring examples of successful people who achieved their dreams by using these same principles.

 

“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct, and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” — Napoleon Hill

 

One of the quotes from this book that I repeat over and over in my speeches is “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it.” That quote from Think and Grow Rich has been deep in my core since I first started selling real estate in 1983. Back then I had no mentors, no one telling me “You can do anything you want to do in life,” or any other form of encouragement, so I decided to create my own motivation by reading positive self-help books.

 

Reading that line literally changed my view of my abilities. I soon learned that drive, desire, and determination, along with a lot of discipline, would get me anywhere I wanted to go in life. And that mindset is not just about making money. It has to do with living your best life. And if living your best life includes making a lot of money, then so be it.

 

To my way of thinking, “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it” is almost identical to manifestation and visualization. Almost everything that has happened in my life has existed in my head before it ever became a reality. I believe that our thoughts become alive if we want them to. I believe manifestation is very similar to dreams, and I believe that our dreams are a prelude to reality. Of course, I’m talking about positive and exciting dreams, not nightmares.

 

One of the best things about having this mindset is that you can apply it to every area of your life. It can help you become a better parent, a better son or daughter, a better coworker, or a better employer or employee.

 

If you can learn to think and believe in certain ways, then you can achieve your goals and become successful. Napoleon Hill states that by focusing on a passionate desire, having faith in oneself, training the subconscious to believe in success, and developing a detailed plan, anyone can become rich.

 

One of the main messages I get from re-reading the book Think and Grow Rich is that our mind is our quarterback that can lead us to victories or failures. We need victories to keep us moving forward. Even very small victories can help us move the needle. However, I also believe failures will propel us even farther than victories will. Think about it: when you make a mistake, don’t you sit back and analyze what you did wrong? I believe that not making the same mistake twice is a victory in itself.

 

Because I had no formal training for running a business, I had to learn from my mistakes. It was not easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing if I could do it all over again. Why? Because I became stronger by accepting and embracing the challenges that came up in my life and in running my business. If you prepare your mind to accept the fact that you are going to run into challenges, you will be able to navigate through them and come out victorious.

 

 

“Knowledge is power. Make an effort to always continue to learn.”

— Napoleon Hill

 

 

Another author, Robert Kiyosakis, said, “If you avoid failure, you also avoid success.” Often, in the real world, it’s not the smart people who get ahead but the bold. If you face your fears and doubts instead of giving up, new worlds will open up for you.

 

Self-help books like Think and Grow Rich can help you live your best life and become the best version of yourself. One of the greatest benefits of creating this mindset is that you will encourage, inspire, and empower all the people around you to be the best they can be, because you will be leading by example. Your significant other will benefit, as well as your children, your coworkers, your employees, and your employer.

 

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Let’s do everything in our power to be the BEST humans that we can be. Think and Grow Rich will help us get there!

 

 

What People in the Audience are Saying…

With Van's passion, humor and experience you can be assured of one thing- your audience is going to get fired-up, built-up, and fully charged –up. As an entrepreneur at the top of his game Van is in the unique position of being able to "talk the talk" because he has "walked the walk". Over the years he has been a great inspiration to me and my staff. Van is a speaker with charisma, humility and impact and he's a difference maker in the lives of the people he touches…"

—George Akers // President, First Mortgage Corp.

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking with our company today. I thought your presentation was awesome! I was really motivated and inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I will use this motivation to grow my business and my personal life.”

—Justin Pauls // Realtor, Tampa, Florida

We are delighted you will be accepting the award for Omaha’s Top 25 fastest growing companies. Congratulations on your outstanding growth and we wish you continued success.”

—Tracey Fortina // Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for running such a class act company. It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with someone such as yourself. I know you are probably one of the most respected businessmen in the region.”

—Dustin Talacko // Realtor, Omaha, Nebraska

Congratulations on writing “Selling from the heart” and thank you for sharing a copy with me. Your class has been one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. Your enthusiasm and passion for your work are awesome. But the most refreshing part of the class was your delightful sense of humor. Thank you again for being a fantastic teacher.”

—Linda Reismeiler // Student at Randall School of Real Estate, Omaha, Nebraska

Kudos to you, Van, for reaching a major goal. But more than that...For successfully building one of Omaha’s best companies from scratch and making it thrive even in less than ideal market conditions. You have realized the American Dream...And brought it home to many, many others. My best to you!”

—Todd Andrews, Anchor and Producer, KETV Omaha

Having you here again was such a blessing to so many! As I looked at the pictures, I could see just how interested each and every person was in what you had to say!

This has been such a gift to our agents when they need it the most. The fact that you come, you are so genuine and caring, you are so honest, you are not trying to sell anything and your passion to help each and every person believe in themselves and become the best they can be is HUGE! The timing is perfect for us all helping and caring about each other, so, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving of yourself to help all of us!”

—Carolyn Summerton // First Mortgage Company of Idaho

I enjoyed your seminar and its focus. I was on the fence whether or not to attend and decided why not? I could have sat through an all day session if there was one, usually I end up at the seminars that start with a focus and quickly go astray. I found with yours time flew by too fast and it was already time to go but I wasn’t ready to go.”

—Scott Asbill, CDPE // Associate Broker, Realtor