Here’s something to think about. Research in the USA has shown that less
than 5% of people reach financial independence by the time they retire.
Only around 1% (one in a hundred) will become wealthy.

What is it that sets this 1% or 5% of people apart from the rest? What do
they do, or know, that the rest of us don’t?

I’m sure much of their success is due to:

Being enthusiastic
Setting goals
Having great ideas
Staying focused
Being persistent
Working hard
Having a positive attitude
Increasing their skills

This is all good stuff, but if I had to sum up the secret to success in just two
words, what would those two words be?

BE DIFFERENT!!!

You have got to different. If you follow the crowd by following the example of
the 95%...Where are you heading? If you do the same things that almost
everyone else does, then there is a good chance you will end up with the
same results as they do. As the old Chinese proverb goes – Insanity is
doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.

Most people don’t live in big flash homes, drive expensive cars, have hugely
healthy bank accounts and big investments, or travel the world wherever or
whenever they please.

Most people spend most of their lives just working hard for a wage or salary,
fighting to keep their heads above the water, to pay a never-ending tide of
bills.

It’s easy to get in the line and follow the crowd...but where are they going?
We usually make the false assumption that the 95% of people know where
they are headed and the best way to get there. They must be right, they are
the majority...surely?

Numerous people in the world do very ordinary things every day… and they
get very ordinary results. Anybody can be ordinary, it’s the easiest route to
take, but it takes a special kind of person to venture down a different road
from the where everyone else is headed.

Are we following the wrong people? In order to achieve a different result, we
need to think and act differently to the masses. We need to follow the 5%
who actually become independently successful.

I’ll give you an example. If a retail store were to have a closing down sale
and reduce all it’s prices, what would most people do? They would rush in
and grab a bargain… right? Now, think about the property or stock markets
and what happens when prices drop dramatically…most people sell. And
when prices are high most people buy. Except for an astute few, who won’t
play follow the leader, and who do the opposite.

Most people would rather be wrong than be different.

Most successful entrepreneurs like to be different. However, they do have
several things in common with each other like:

Entrepreneurs like to be in control of their own destiny.
Entrepreneurs are self-starters who don’t rely on others.
Entrepreneurs think for themselves and like to make their own
decisions.
Entrepreneurs are prepared to accept responsibility for their actions
Entrepreneurs focus on opportunities not security.
Entrepreneurs take ACTION.
Entrepreneurs are prepared to go that extra mile when others have
long ago given up.
Entrepreneurs are prepared to do more than is expected of them.
Entrepreneurs focus on solving problems and overcoming difficulties.
Entrepreneurs use their mind and skills to their best advantage.

It’s often a combination of these differences that produce exceptional
results. And above all, most successful entrepreneurs have a mind of their
own and refuse to automatically follow traditional methods by doing what
everyone else is doing.

So, when it comes to looking for exciting new opportunities, try thinking
differently to everyone else. Step back and look at things from a different
perspective. Look at things not as they are, but what they could be. Apply
vision and imagination and become a lateral and creative thinker. Look for
possibilities, potential and opportunities. Start viewing every problem, every
difficulty, and every obstacle, as an opportunity waiting to happen.

These truly are “The Golden Days Of Opportunity”

"You are, at this moment, standing right in the middle of your own “acres of
diamonds.”
Earl Nightingale –
Author, Motivator, Speaker

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."
Coco Chanel – French Couturier