11/04/2015: Still waiting...

     Okay, I am still waiting to talk with Greg.  He did try to reach me last Thursday evening, but I was in a rehearsal for a show I am doing.  Nothing since then, but I will continue to try.
     He once said I was not persistent enough.  Well, I am going to continue to be persistent in my attempts to contact him and get the information I need and get a plan in place to proceed.  I understand he is a busy man.  But, I feel I am just ignored in my attempts most of the time.  But, I am going to stay tough and go after what I need.  I have too much riding on this to give up.
     I am now attempting to find out who his new assistant is and get them to set up a meeting on his calendar.  More to come..

"Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

PS - Don't forget to subscribe to get regular updates on the project.  I will be sharing all the valuable lessons and information that I learn along the way.

10/27/2015: Layoffs again? Damn corporate America!

     Damn corporate America!  I am once again facing a potential lay-off within the next couple of weeks.  Budgets and projects are being cut.  The project I was to work on in 2016 has been cut.  My work has all but dried-up now.  I fear the Grim Reaper will be tapping me on the shoulder within the next week.
     One of the things I hate most about the corporate world is that YOU as a person, just don't matter.  No matter how much you work or sacrifice for the company, it just doesn't matter.  When it is time for layoffs, how hard you work or sacrifice just doesn't come into play.  You are merely a name on a spreadsheet somewhere.  The people making the layoff decisions probably don't know anything about you, your efforts or your work ethic.
     My job required me to be on "on call support" for nearly the last 20 years.  That meant regular 2 AM phone calls dealing with system problems.  Problems that could take several hours to fix. The phone ringing not only waking me up, but also my wife, my kids, the dogs.  My job also required me to travel.  I was on one project that required me to travel to Florida every other week for 2 years.  We started early on Monday morning, which meant I had to leave on Sundays to fly down and be ready.  The weeks were long and I flew back on Friday evenings arriving at the airport after 11 PM.  The travel had a big impact on both me and my family.  I bring all this up to show that none of this comes into play at layoff time.  I was talking with a coworker the other day.  It is almost like a big game of musical chairs.  At layoff time, the music stops.  Depending on what chair you are sitting in and if you have a chargeable work package tells whether you are safe or not.  It doesn't matter if you are more dedicated or work harder than the person next to you.  It is all based on the almighty dollar.  The dollar that lines the pockets of upper management and funds their golden parachutes and their multi-million dollar retirement funds.
     This is the 3rd time in 5 years that I have faced a layoff situation.  The last 2 times, I had one foot out the door but was able to save myself by contacting everyone I ever knew and worked with over the years at this company.  I work hard and I have a good reputation, which sure helped.  But, if I left it up to management, I never would have made it through.  They made no efforts to find me work elsewhere in the company,
     If I do get laid-off, it could be a blessing in disguise.  Working in an environment where you are always worried about being laid-off can be very stressful.  And add that to the already stressful environment where it has become every man for himself.  The backstabbing and degrading of others has become commonplace.  People due it in hopes of surviving the next round of layoffs.  It is pathetic,
    I am still waiting to hear back from Greg.  I contact him every day.  But, I won't give up.  "Cmon Greg, let's make something happen and get me out of here!"

"Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

PS - Don't forget to subscribe to get regular updates on the project.  I will be sharing all the valuable lessons and information that I learn along the way.

10/23/2015: Starting Over The Right Way

     Okay, so it's time to put a plan in place in order to make this project succeed.  I have identified some of the major issues that have to be addressed.  The first being, assertiveness.  I know what things have to be done and there are times when I need to get outside of my comfort zone to make them happen.  Sometimes I have to push people.  But, I tend to be "too nice a guy", to a fault.  I worry too much about imposing upon other people, or coming across too strong. I have been told this many times over the years.  At just about every yearly appraisal in my job I was told by my managers, "you are to nice to your people.  You need to be harder on them".  Well, I struggle with that.  I feel that kindness goes a long way.  But, there is also a balance.  I can still be firm.  And if someone promises me something, there is nothing wrong with holding them to it.
     Greg had promised me several things when I was in the UK.  Well, I was sitting back waiting for him to address them.  But, he is busy and I am sure I am not on the top of his priority list.  So, instead of saying something, I would just sit and wait.  Well, none of the things were done,  Was it Greg's fault?  Nope, it was mine.  When we recently talked about it, he asked me "did you pick up the phone and call me?"  No, I didn't.  I didn't want to be a bother or impose.  Well, he said I was not assertive enough.  He said that I need to stop being a nice guy and make things happen.  He said I need to hold him and others accountable.  When they commit to something, he said I need to get a date.  Then he said to follow up with an email confirming the promise and completion date.  Finally, he said if the completion date comes and it has not been completed to CALL and get it addressed.
     So, I am going to heed his advice.  There were some promises made back when I was in the UK. I have asked Greg if the offers are still valid.  If they are, and I certainly hope they are, I will get commitment dates and ensure they are completed.  And I am going to ENSURE things are done in the future.  It is for my own good.  I am awaiting Greg's reply on the offers now.  More to come...

"Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

PS - Don't forget to subscribe to get regular updates on the project.  I will be sharing all the valuable lessons and information that I learn along the way.

10/21/2015: Back to the Future!

In the movie "Back to the Future Part II," Marty McFly travels to October 21, 2015.  Well, that is today.  And it just happens to coincide with me going "back to the future"  What do I mean?  Well, after what I would call a "failed attempt" at this project which started just about 2 years ago, I am going to go back and start over.  Yes, I am going back to help my future.  So, I consider this my Back to the Future moment. 

Out of frustration, I looked back at the past two years to see what went wrong. Well, I realized what was wrong was me.  I had the best of drive and intentions but I lacked the drive and guts to make everything happen, that needed to happen for success.

So, I have been back in touch with Greg and he is still there for me.  So, I am starting back at square one.  And this time, I am going to make it happen.  My level of frustration with my job and my financial situation is worse now that it was 2 years ago when this project started.  It is time for a change.

So, please follow along, listen and learn as this time I WILL succeed!

Click For 

Back In Time Video

by Huey Lewis and the News

"Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

PS - Don't forget to subscribe to get regular updates on the project.  I will be sharing all the valuable lessons and information that I learn along the way.

07/01/2014: My Business Proposal To Be Tested (Part 3 - "The Pitch")

     A few days later we had our SKYPE call.  The first thing Greg said was, “there was an idea you wanted to discuss with me”.  I said “yes, I am sending you a document now.”  I sent the document over SKYPE.  I did not want to send him the document ahead of time because I wanted to be able to see his reaction while reading the document and I also wanted to be able to address any questions in real time.

    Greg started to the read the document.  After a minute or so he said “this is great.  Can we really do this?”  I told him with today’s technology we can do anything.  We just need to find the right tools and people to make it happen.

     When we got to the end of the call, he said he wanted me to shorten the proposal and we would get together and review and then present it to Sally in Australia as the UK team was too busy and she would have time for this.  I said ok and got started right away on streamlining the proposal.

(May 6^th)

    Greg was out of the country for a few weeks and was beginning work on the 50 Millionaire Challenge so we didn’t meet again until May 6^th.  We revisited my proposal again.  Greg told me they were working on a new project called “Titans of Wealth”  It was a series of free seminars to be given my him and Andrew Barsa.  Greg would be doing a section on Forex training and Andrew on wealth creation.  He said it would be a great way to test the streaming concept. 

    We were on a SKYPE call and Greg said he wanted to pull in Peter Burnett who was heading up the Titan’s project.  He brought Peter in introduced us.  He then told him we wanted to add a streaming pilot to the Titans project.  Peter was very open to the possibilities.  We discussed at a high level and Peter and I agreed to set up a meeting to discuss in more detail a few days later.  Next day sent him some screen mock-ups.

(Part 4, "Project Discussions" Next)

"Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

06/25/2014: My Business Proposal To Be Tested (Part 2 - "The Research")

     I spend the next several days doing some research on virtual training and education both in the US and worldwide.  The statistics were pretty incredible with regards to the market and it’s growth.  It was clear that if your company didn’t embrace virtually training now, your competitors will and you will be left in the dark.  I then spent several days looking into the technology and services behind live video streaming.  I spoke with representatives at some of the top live stream service companies.  I found out all that what needed, both hardware/software and staff that would be required to live stream trainings and/or the Success Summit.  The best part was, the initial cost to get started was only around $2K.

     I created a 5 page written proposal outlining how Greg could grow his business by expanding and offering his training and also his success seminars virtually via live streaming them.  I also introduced the concept of setting up a recorded, self-paced study program that could also be offered.  I was ready to present my proposal to Greg.  We had a SKYPE meeting scheduled for later that week.

(Part 3, "The Pitch" Next)

'Here's To Your Success..."

Bill McManus

06/11/2014: My Business Proposal To Be Tested (Part 1 - "The Idea")

     I mentioned in an earlier post that I am working on a test parallel project with Greg based on a proposal I had presented to him.  So, I am going to share a bit about that.

     During one of my earlier sessions with Greg (March 21^st) we were discussing a string of losses I incurred on my trading account.  He had asked what was going on in my life.  Well, I was struggling with a few issues, but one of the main ones was the constant and ever-growing stress in my job.  And at the same time, how I did not know if I would even have a job after the end of this year.  He said that I am too distracted with the other issues and it is affecting my judgment with regards to trading.  That is totally understandable.  

      Greg said, “You have got to get out of there mate!”  Then he gave me an assignment.  He told me to look at what skills I have and see what other jobs might be out there for me.  Well, I told him that my skills are pretty much limited to a small niche in the computer field and the job prospects were slim to none in this area.  Also, I would just be jumping from one stressful job I hate, to another.  I told him I needed a total change and that was one of the main drivers behind the Making of a Millionaire project.  To become self-sufficient and break away from the corporate world.  He told me to write down my skills and then any potential jobs where there might be a fit.  Then he asked if coming to the UK was an option.  I told him no, because my kids and my family are here.  So, I would need to find something I can do locally, or virtually.  I told him I would work on the assignment and he said we will discuss in our next session.

     Later that day and into the next, I started writing down my strengths: my analytical  skills, team and project lead skills and what I consider most important, my creativity.  Then I tried to think of a job or company locally or virtually where I could apply those skills and be happy at the same time.  I thought and thought and I was totally coming up empty.  Then a light went on.  What about working with Greg and his company?  I love working on this project with Greg.  All the people in his company were just awesome.  What if I could find a niche in his company and work directly with him?  Something that would help his business and offer my possible employment.

   So, then the gears started turning.  It would have to be something I could do remotely and preferably during standard working hours here.  I first thought I could possibly do work in social marketing.  They have a social media presence, but maybe I could improve it.  I started to look into what way I could help out there.  I began looking at their Facebook pages, Twitter accounts etc.  Then I went to their website. While checking out their training pages it hit me.  They currently offer Forex training in the UK, Australia and South Africa.  And they are very successful at it.  But what about the rest of the world?  At this point I realized I may have found a niche.  What if Knowledge to Action started offering their training virtually?  BINGO!  That’s it!  That could be my niche.  To help set-up and then help run a “virtual division” of Knowledge to Action.  If  they could train 200K people in 10 years from 3 locations, imagine how many they could train from around the globe?  I decided I was going to write up a proposal for Greg on this virtual concept.  I sent a message to Greg on Facebook and told him I had an idea that was going to “blow his socks off”.  He immediately replied and said “C’mon don’t leave me hanging”  But I told him I wanted to present it logically and I would have a proposal for our next call.  I was so excited that night, that I didn’t sleep a wink.

((Part 2, "The Research" Next))

"Here's to your success..."

Bill McManus

06/10/2014: Helping Others Not Only Impacts Their Lives, But Your Own As Well :-)

     Greg Secker has been nice enough to take this project on and act as my mentor.  Not only does Greg spend his valuable time helping me, but Greg does a great deal to help people and charities on a regular basis.  On my trip to the Uk, we discussed my desire to help others.  He said, "Why wait?  Why not start right now?  Find a way to make a difference and just do it!"  Well, I did just that.
     As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I have been mentoring two children through the icouldbe organization.  I spend an hour or so a week mentoring these under-privileged children.  The mentoring revolves around their education, but also includes mentoring in all life skills needed to be successful.  I pass on what knowledge I have from my life's journey as well as the wisdom I have gained from Greg.  I have really enjoyed my time.  One of the two kids I am mentoring is from Jamaica.  As the school year just ended, I just received the following email from him.

"i would just like to thank you for all the help and mentoring you gave me this year. I really enjoyed everything. You taught me a lot, gave me very useful advice and helped me discover a new side of myself. We had a good time this year and i just wanted you to know that your help was very much appreciated."

     That email just made my day.  It makes me feel good knowing that I have given back and made a positive impact on someone else's life.  I will continue to mentor through the icouldbe organization and hope to branch out and help children and others in different ways as I progress through this project and through my life.  I encourage everyone to make a difference by taking a little bit of time out of your life each week to make a positive influence on someone's life.  Believe me, it makes you feel good.

"Here's to your success..."

Bill McManus

06/05/2014: Forex Coaching session - Trends

     I just got off my Forex coaching call with Emmanuel.  It was a great session!  We spent the entire session digging deeper into identifying market trends.  We use Teamviewer so we are able to share screens and draw on each others desktops.
    We first discussed the importance of using the 200 Moving Average on the weekly chart to identify the overall trend.  We then jumped to look at the correlation of the 100 Moving Average on the daily chart.  He emphasized the importance of having all 4 EMAs in order 200/100/20/10.
     We went through various currency pairs and he had me identify the trends.  He said I was "spot on" on identifying all of them.  He then picked some charts and had me go through the daily charts and identify where I would have made my entries based on the underlying trend and the current price in relation to the 20 and 100 Moving averages.
     We finished off the session by reviewing High Test and Low Test bars, aka "Pin Bars".  Emmanuel had showed me these when I was in the UK, but I wanted to review to make sure I understood the criteria.
     I do not have another coaching session with Emmanuel for 3 weeks due to his schedule.  My assignment for the next 3 weeks is to focus on identifying strong market trends.  He said I should focus on taking QUALITY trades and do not worry about QUANTITY.  He said even if I only take a few trades it is ok, just focus on identify trends and quality entries.
   All is all it was a great session.  Very informative.  Emmanuel rocks!

"Here's to you success..."

Bill McManus

06/04/2015: The New 2 Year Journey Begins!

     Well, my corporate account is finally set-up.  There was some issues in getting it set-up, but I am now ready to start trading this account.  I actually placed a pending short order on the EURGBP last night, but it was not triggered.  I have another coaching session with Emmanuel tomorrow.  The plan is to review market trend identification in more detail.  Like the old saying says: "The trend is your friend"  It is one of the most important concepts, so it will be time well spent.


I have a meeting tomorrow morning with Greg to layout my 2 year plan for his 50 Millionaires Challenge.  I am #1 on the list.  The timing for this coincides well with the Making of a Millionaire Project.
    While I was in the UK, Greg encouraged me to surround myself with successful, like-minded people.  So, I decided to start a local "Master Mind" entrepreneur group. I talked to a few entrepreneur friends in the area and we will be holding monthly meetings.  The goal of the group is to share ideas, provide support and help one another and just keep each other motivated in what can be a challenging field.  We will be holding our first meeting next Tuesday.  I hope to grow the group and challenge the group to help others.  With the help of the group I hope to start a Children's Leadership program like Knowledge to Action has in the UK.

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

05/19/2014: Preparations for the 50 Millionaire Challange

     I was told that I would be receiving a contract for the Forex Account I will be trading sometime today.  This will be the last administrative piece before I get started on this 2 year journey.
     I have scheduled regular training sessions with my coach Emmanuel out into July.  He will be working with me to keep me on track.   I believe the project goal is to average about 3% profit on the account on a monthly basis.
     I am excited to get started and I am proud to be the first of Greg's 50 future millionaires on this project.  I am sure it is going to be an educational and exciting ride.  But, as I stated before, it fits perfectly with the Making of a Millionaire book project.
     I will be doing my best to also work other parallel projects with Greg to accelerate the project.  I have one in the works right now which I will post about later on today or tomorrow.

"Here's to your success"

Bill

05/16/2014: Assertiveness Pays Off.

     Introducing Arnold, my new assertive alter-ego.  I have begun to assert myself as necessary.  After my last meeting with Greg, I did as he recommended and sent him and email and copied Bridgette on the items we had agreed up.  He had agreed to set me up for unlimited trainings with my Forex trainer Emmanuel.  He also agreed to set me up with a funded Forex account to trade as part of his new 50 Multi Millionaires Challenge.  Also, as instructed, I set a deadline of the end of last week to get the items addresses.
    Well, at the end of last week, the training had not been set-up, nor had the account been funded.  So, in order to get the items addressed, I needed to take some assertive action.  My first step was to send the above picture to Greg on FaceBook with the following message:  Mr. Secker. I am Arnold, Bill's new assertive alter-ego. I was told you and he had an agreement last week regarding setting up training and a funded account. I was also told that you have not followed through on that agreement as of yet. I am here with a friendly reminder. But if I have to "I'll Be Back..."   I like to use humor where possible.  I thought it might be a subtle, effective and memorable way to get some action. Well, I saw that Greg had viewed the message, but I did not hear from him.  I knew his assistant Bridgette was out of town and was due back this Monday.   So, I figured I would wait and he would probably have her address this on her return.
     At close of business on Monday, I checked and still nothing had been set-up.  On Tuesday morning I checked again and still nothing.  Being afternoon in the UK, I knew that there was ample time to begin addressing the items, so I decided to contact Greg and Bridgette and ask for a status. I sent the following email.

Hello Greg & Bridgette!

    A week has passed, so I am checking in to see if I can get a status on the training and account set-up per my agreement with Greg last week as referenced in my email below.  Can I please get an update?  Is there anything you need from me?  If so, please let me know.  Thank you and have a great day!

Bill

     Well, it worked because on Wednesday I as copied on an email from Bridgette to have the account set up as well as the training.  As of this morning, the training sessions have been set-up and the account is in process.  So, going forward I will be assertive, but handle it in a tactful manner.  This was way I ca get things done and not ruffle too many feathers.

    So, I am ready to start as #1 of the 50 in the Multi Millionaire Challenge.   What a better fit for the Making of a Millionaire Project.  I am going to set-up a  meeting with Greg to layout the 2 year plan.

"Here's to your success!"

Bill

05-06-2014: I'm Back! Assertiveness is the key!!

Assertiveness!  That's what I have been missing.  The diminishing number of posts over the months, to the total lack over the last 2 months was all due to lack of assertiveness.

     I had a great call with Greg today.  Probably the most important one yet.  He asked how I have been doing in general.  Well, I told him, "to tell you the truth, I am frustrated.  We started this project about 5 months ago and I feel like you aren't on board and I feel like I am not even on your radar."  I hated to even say those words as I was afraid I might upset him and he may bid me farewell.

     Well, come to find out, he has been waiting for me to be assertive and take the reigns and control over the project and my life.  He said he is indeed busy, but I need to demand his time.  And if we agree to something on the call, I have to get with his PA Bridgette, or whoever I need to do get it addressed.  I have just been waiting around.

     I admit it.  I guess I am too nice a guy by nature.  I have been told by many a manager that I am "too nice" to my customers or my people.  Maybe I am nice to a fault.  But Greg told me you can be assertive and go after what you want and still be nice.  He said he lives under the phrase "I would rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission"  Well, I have been spending my whole life waiting around and asking for permission to be successful.  That stops today!  Today I am going to start being more assertive and take control of my destiny, rather than waiting around on others.

     I am back folks and this project is on track and the future is very bright!

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

03/11/2014: Perseverance

Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

I stumbled upon this statue depicting perseverance.  I think it captures it perfectly.

Sometimes the anchor becomes very heavy. My anchor is very heavy today...

02/15/2014: Olympic Lesson From Shaun White

My wife and I enjoy watching the winter Olympics together.  I really like to watch the snowboarding competitions.  Like the rest of the US, I was cheering on Shaun White, hoping he would be the first snowboarder to bring home gold for 3 consecutive Olympics.

The conditions weren't the best and although he gave it his best, he had a bad run on his last attempt.  Sadly Shaun was unable to bring home the gold.  He didnt' even bring home a medal, placing 4th in the half pipe competition.

"I'm disappointed," White said. "I hate the fact I nailed it in practice, but it happens. It's hard to be consistent."   

But, when asked if he would be competing in the 2018 Olympics he said "I think so".   After 4 years of training for these Olympics, Shaun didn't bring home the gold.  But, he is not giving up.  He will be going right back to training and will be back in 4 years.  I will be there to watch him and hope that next time everything works out for him.  I admire him for his talent and perseverance.  Go Shaun!

So, I took away a big lesson from this.  No matter how well you prepare and practice, there will be times when things just don't go your way.  Maybe you are doing all the right things but conditions aren't just right.  I will apply this lesson to my trading and to life in general.  There will be times when the conditions aren't just right and I will fall.  But like Shaun White, I just need to get back up and head to the top of the hill for another run and keep chasing the gold.

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

02/08/2014: Challenges continue

I am still facing challenges but doing better to have the right attitude.  I have still not had the opportunity to review my goals with Greg.  The week after we had our last session he was in South Africa.  The week after he was in Morocco.  This week he is in Australia on a speaking tour.  I have to understand that he is a busy man.  I will do my best to set-up some time with him next week as I do not believe he is traveling.

Trading: Trading has been a mental struggle.  Why?  Well, not due to major losses, just due to the lack of trading opportunities for the last 2 weeks.  The number of potential trades has been low for the last 2 weeks.  But, I have to realize that I cannot force trades.  The set-ups are either there or they aren't.  The idea is to avoid losses by only taking good set-ups.  An exercise in patience.  I am taking it as a challenge to grow further.

week of 01/16: 9 pending trades placed, only 1 of the 9 triggered for a small loss.

week of 01/23: 8 pending trades placed, only 1 of the 8 triggered 

Mentoring:  With mentoring being one of my goals, I started to mentor others through the icouldbe organization.   I am now mentoring under-privileged kids through Icouldbe.org (www.icouldbe.org) I am currently mentoring 2 students in their academics and planning for the future.  I am doing my best to pass on what I  learn from Greg nd others like Trevor Kearney, a new friend I met in th UK.  Trevor is a very successful man and also mentors children.  

Writing:  One of my other goals was to write my first children's book. With the lack of trade opportunities I have made quite a bit of progress on this book.  The book is to be the first in a series.  It is called Doran's Doorway Adventures.  I will finish this book this year and see what happens..

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

02/02/2014: Goals for 2014

As requested, I have sent my 2014 Goals to Greg.  He asked for: What I want to be, What I want to do and at I want to have.  My goals for 2014 are as follows:

For 2014….

Who Do I Want To Be?

1)     A Positive Person

2)     Healthy and Fit

3)     An inspiration to others

4)   A better all round person than I was on 1/1/2014

What Do I Want To Do?

1)     Maintain a positive outlook and positive self-talk and image

2)     Volunteer/Inspire: mentoring (icouldbe.org) 50+ hours for 2014

3)     Only take good trade set-ups.  Focus on trading plan!

4)     Begin to “brand” and build a significant following for The Making of a Millionaire

a.      Get a good website w/ email capture capability set-up

b.     Blog and post videos regularly

c.      Engage others in online success forums etc.

5)     Attain a good level of Physical Fitness

a.      Lose 40 pounds

b.     Exercise daily

c.      Lift weights 3+ days a week to tone up

6)     Complete 5-6 chapters of Making of a Millionaire

7)     Sell my old home

8)     Complete first children’s book: Dolan’s Doorway Adventures #1

9)     Disney Trip with family for Colin’s graduation (1 ^st week of December)

What Do I Want To Have?

      1)    Peace of mind.  Freedom from money and job worries.

      2)    Pride in my achievements for the year


"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

01/25/2014: Better Week

Just a quick update.  This last week was a better week.  My trading improved and I regained most of my lost profits.  I have a better overall attitude as well.  I am still facing a lot of issues in my job and in my personal life.  But I am looking at these obstacles as a test and I am doing my best to learn to deal with them  and work through them and grow from them.  It's all about attitude.





"Heres to your success"

Bill McManus

01/22/2014: Trading - Impacts of News Releases

I just wanted to make note of the importance of following the information passed on by my coaches.  One thing that I was told in training, was to be aware of news and the significant impact that High Impact news can have on the markets.  Here is an example from this morning.

I was long on the USDCAD pair and took my trade at Point A.  Note the effect on price at Point B when the BOC Monetary Policy Report came out that has a direct impact on the Canadian dollar.  You can see there was a significant spike in price.  This ended up triggered a take profit on this trade for this account.  But, news can also go against you.  It is important to check all high impact news for the day as shown on the Forex Factory website before considering your trades for the day.

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

01/18/2014: A well needed Pep Talk - From the bottom of the pit to back on top!

 

I had my session with Greg today and boy did I need it.  I felt like the world was all coming down on me.  My ex-wife served me with court papers taking me back to court for more money.  My trading which was going so splendidly the first month, took a major turn for the worse.  There are major issues with my job and also my wifes job, with lay-offs pending.  It all seem to come down on me at once and I fell into a major depression and as Greg put it, "I just shut down".

    Well, Greg put things in a whole new perspective.  He discussed the importance of challenges in life and in the journey to becoming a success.  He told me that "challenges are the catalysts of greatness"  he said I should embrace and welcome the challenges as they will just make be better and stronger in the end.  He said that we cannot grow without facing problems.  It is in our moments of challenge when we find out who we and what we are really made of.

     I had originally though that I would not include this in my blog.  But, then I realized this blog is about the entire journey.  The good and the bad.  The triumphs and the pitfalls.  My goal is to help others and others will surely encounter the same thing.  I want everyone to see that they challanges are normal and they will help you in the long run and give you tools to deal with them.  So, I will always include my challenges and outcomes along the way.

   Challenges are what make an "average" person become an "outstanding" person.

 

 

            

     He also talked about what he called the Strong and Shadow Archetypes.  These are personality traits that we have or project in various aspects of our loves.  People either project Strong Archetypes or Shadow Archetypes, of which there are four.  We can however show a strong archetype the majority of the time, but can also fall into the shadow archetypes during challenging or other times.

   

           

     

     We then once again discussed the importance of my morning ritual.  He wants me to focus on physical activity too.  This is one of my major goals for 2014, but he said it is also important to be fit and full of energy which will help me on my journey.

     When we were done with our session I felt so much better.  I realized that these were the first of many challenges and struggles that I have ahead of me.  Greg told me to learn to laugh at the challenges and the people placing them before me.  He said they are actually doing me a favor by making me a better and more successful person in the long run.  So, I now welcome the challenges as I know I will prevail and I will be a better person on the other side of the challenges as I grow from them.

     We discussed goals in general.  Greg asked me to write down my goals for 2014.  

• • What do I want to be
  • What do I want to do
  • What do I want to have

     He also told me to start working on a "Vision Board".  Find pictures of what I want to be,do and have in the future.  I actually have a good start on this already.  I am supposed to send this information to him in a day or two and we will have another session this coming week.

"Heres to your success"

Bill McManus