If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to start a business with little or no money, you’ll want to read Cameron Johnson’s book entitled, You Call the Shots: Succeed Your Way – and Live the Life You Want – with the 19 Essential Secrets of Entrepreneurship.

It’s a very inspirational and motivational book that chronicles Cameron Johnson’s life as a teen entrepreneur, and identifies 19 key principles of success that helped him build a dozen successful businesses before age 21.

I first discovered Cameron Johnson in 2009 in The YES Movie (Young Entrepreneurs Society), where he was featured as one of America’s most successful young entrepreneurs. (Click to read my Review of The YES Movie.)

Johnson started his first business when he was nine with $50 and a home computer. He made his first million before graduating from high school. Before he turned twenty-one, he had started twelve successful businesses and was offered $10 million in venture capital to expand one of his online-based businesses.  But he turned it down because he’d lose his freedom to “call the shots.”

He wrote You Call the Shots at age 21 (in 2007) and at that time, already had enough money in the bank to comfortably retire.  But he’s having too much fun starting and building businesses to do that.  Johnson believes everyone can take control of their lives and find the work that will make them truly satisfied and happy.  From the book liner:

“Through the story of his own impressive career so far, in You Call the Shots, Johnson takes you behind the scenes of entrepreneurial success and empowers you to hit the ground running with your own great business idea, no matter how young you are or how little money you have to invest.”

Who You Call the Shots is For

You Call the Shots is for anyone that has dreamed of starting a small business either full or part time, whether you’re 14, 40 or 65.  Cameron’s point is that you’re never too young, too old, or too late to achieve your dreams and live the lifestyle you want. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down, it was that engaging for me.

If you have budding teen entrepreneurs at home, as I do, this would be a great book for them to read because Johnson shares so many lessons he learned as a teen that have made him the success he is today.  And it gives great insight for parents on how to nurture the entrepreneurial spark within our kids.

Warning:  Reading this book will make you question whether you are living up to your full potential! But I think that’s a good thing.  If Cameron can be a millionaire by the time he graduated from high school, and start 12 successful businesses by age 21…what’s your (and my) excuse?

I’ll be sharing some tips I gleaned from You Call The Shots over the next week or so, so be sure you’re subscribed to the Life Compass Blog RSS feed so you don’t miss anything.

One Regret

My only regret in reading the book is that I didn’t read it sooner.  What I mean is that I brought it along with me on a trip that took me to Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.  I was in the Roanoke, Virginia area at the beginning of my trip, which is where Cameron lives and where most of his story is based, but I didn’t start to read the book until the latter part of my trip, after I left the area.

I kicked myself, because I would have enjoyed visiting some of the places he mentioned in the book, and maybe would have even tried to meet him.  Don’t think that’s possible?  You’d be surprised, because he gives an account in the book of how he had an amazing encounter with Donald Trump when he was 8 years old, just because he asked (page 10)!

And that’s the first major secret of success that Cameron Johnson shares in You Call the Shots: “Put yourself out there.”  Believe in yourself, believe in what you’re doing, be bold, and take action.

You might also like:

• Warren Buffett’s Best Investment Advice:  Invest in Yourself
• Think you’re too young, too old or too late to achieve your dreams?
• Taking action:  The miracle of the first step
  

After 18 years of marriage, I have a new wife.  Gratefully, this one’s much better than the old one.  Let me explain.  Before she slaps me.

Last week, my wife and I enjoyed a dinner out to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary.  During the course of our conversation, she made an interesting observation about our lives:

Nearly everything about us has changed.

And boy, was she right.  I am not the man she married.  And she is not the woman I married.  In fact, here are just a few of the changes that have happened throughout our marriage so far (most have changed more than once):

• Weight
• Body shapes
• Hair
• Interests
• Hobbies
• Jobs
• Children
• Homes
• Dreams
• Habits
• Goals & priorities
• Finances
• Beliefs about money
• Philosophy of educating our children

Dealing with Changing Expectations in Marriage

As we reminisced, we realized that we came into marriage with one set of expectations and beliefs about how things were going to be, but things have certainly changed over time.

My wife was going to be a career business woman.  But after our first child was born, she was destined to be a stay-at-home mom.  We were just going to have 2.1 kids, but now have 5.  We bought a quaint “starter” home…and have stayed there 15 years so far. I was going into politics, but sensed a call to ministry (which worked out OK because there’s a lot of politics in the church).

Some changes, like the ones I just described, are fairly serendipitous – they just happen and everyone takes them as they come.  Some are caused by external forces beyond our control – like when our oldest son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Others were desired by both of us mutually. And some things were wanted by one of us, and ignored or maybe even resisted, by the other – like when one of us was passionate about healthy eating and living while the other wasn’t so much.

Over the years, we’ve noticed that some individuals and couples have an easier time handling unexpected change than others.  Some can make adjustments and go with the flow.

Others can’t handle it when things change, when their expectations aren’t met, or when things happen that they “didn’t sign up for.” They feel hurt, angry, and frustrated.  Thoughts of divorce might even enter their mind.  Maybe it’s because their spouse isn’t on the same page with them as they move through the situation.  Or, maybe it’s because their spouse caused the situation.

Yes, there may be times when you’re justified for having these kinds of thoughts or feelings.  And a few situations may be legitimate grounds for divorce.  But they are also grounds for give and take, a sense of adventure and humor, and even forgiveness and grace.  They are times to move closer together, not pull further apart.

Tips for managing unanticipated changes in your marriage

So, how can we survive and thrive through the unanticipated changes that come our way in marriage?

1.  Realize that change is to be expected. You talked about it on your wedding day, remember?   When you promised to love, honor and cherish in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer!

2.  Don’t think the grass is greener on the other side. If seems greener to you right now, you can be sure that the water bill is higher and the cost to achieve and maintain it is greater.

3.  Keep it simple. Those who are debt-free and have a modest lifestyle can weather most any storm better than those who have the stress of debt and stuff hanging over them too.

4.  Decide that you’re in this together. Tough situations can make or break a couple.  Choose to let it make you stronger and better, together.

5.  Good communication is key. Don’t shut down or keep your thoughts and fears to yourself. But don’t make a scene, start an argument, or pass blame either.  Find a time, and a way, for both of you to share your thoughts and feelings in a positive way.

6.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your minister, a counselor, support group, or a trusted friend can be invaluable in helping you deal with the situation.

How have you handled change and changing expectations in your marriage?  Is there anything else you’d add to my list?

Recommended Resource:

• Marriage Rescue Audio Series

You might also like:

• What keeps your love strong in tough times?
• The three big questions for a frantic family
• Acres of Diamonds

What are the best jobs for teens and young adults these days?  Given the skyrocketing unemployment rates for young workers ages 16-24, the best career option for young adults may be self-employment…becoming a young business entrepreneur!

According to a new report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, entitled “Understanding the Economy: Unemployment Among Young Workers,”  one in five young workers was unemployed in April 2010, a significant increase from prior to the recession when one in eight young workers was jobless.

The 19.6 percent unemployment rate for young workers ages 16-24 in April 2010 is the highest unemployment rate for this age group since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking unemployment data in 1947.

The report also shows that:

• Young workers make up a disproportionate share of the unemployed.  While 16-24 year olds comprise 13 percent of the labor force, they account for 26 percent of the unemployed.
• The youngest workers, those ages 16-17, experience the highest rates of unemployment.  The unemployment rate for 16-17 year olds was 29 percent in April 2010.
• Education reduces the likelihood of being unemployed.  College graduates experience the lowest unemployment rate, 8.0 percent in April 2010, and those without a high school diploma the highest at 33 percent.
• The benefits of a college degree are not uniform among 16-24 year olds.  The unemployment rate for black college graduates was 15.8 percent in April 2010, nearly double the 8.0 percent unemployment rate for all college graduates.
• The recession will have long-lasting effects on younger workers.  At a hearing before the Joint Economic Commission in April, witnesses testified that recent college graduates are likely to see reduced earnings even 10 or 15 years from now.

Reading this report confirmed something for me that I’ve been thinking about for a while:  I need to equip my children to be entrepreneurs.

Long-term self-employment may not be for everyone. But I’m beginning to think more and more that everyone needs to learn how to make it on their own if they need to.

Learning how to be your own boss and run a profitable small business will give you great skills you can use in your main job, and it can provide for you in the event that you lose your main job.  And with the Internet, starting a business has never been easier.

Last fall, I discovered an inspiring documentary video called The YES Movie.  “YES” stands for Young Entrepreneurs Society…and the movie is about 35 young entrepreneurs who took a dream, an idea, and made it a reality, from start to profit.  I absolutely love this video and recommend it for anyone, at any age, who is contemplating starting their own business, either full or part-time.  It is available on DVD, and the run time is 80 minutes.  Click here to read my The Y.E.S. Movie review.

Am I right about equipping teens and young adults to be entrepreneurs today?  Please share your comments.

You might also like:

• Money making ideas for kids
• The Y.E.S. Movie (Young Entrepreneur Society)
• What is the best business to start?

For those of you who are new to Life Compass, I write on Spirituality, Faith and Ethics every Sunday.  Here’s why.

Have you ever noticed how tough situations can sometimes make or break a person or couple?

Why is it that in times of crisis, some people just barely hang-on and survive, while others grow and thrive?  Or why some couples come closer together, while others are driven apart?

My wife and I went out for dinner on Thursday night to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  I know, we were a few days early! But it worked best for our family’s schedule.  We had a great dinner out and enjoyed a show called “Grand Rapids’ Got Talent,” which is our city’s local version of the “America’s Got Talent” TV show.

During our date, we reminisced a bit about some of the challenges we’ve faced in our 17-1/2 years of marriage.  The biggest one happened 10 years ago, when our oldest son was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I mentioned this last week, in a post on the ten best employers for work-life balance, regarding how my employer was very generous to us during that very difficult time.

Our son was 3-1/2 when the tumor was diagnosed.  He had two surgeries, spent a total of 5 weeks in the hospital, and went through many weeks of physical and occupational therapy.  Today, he’s a healthy 13-year old and you’d never guess anything like this would have ever happened to him.  But at the time, of course, we didn’t know how things were going to turn out.

While his illness would have been difficult for any family to deal with at any time, it was especially difficult for us at the stage of life we were in.  First, we had an 18-month old toddler to care for, and second, my wife was nearly 9-months pregnant with our third child.  That child, also a son, ended up being born while our oldest was still in the hospital!  So for a few days, I had three family members in the hospital: my wife, my newborn baby and my oldest son.

Today, 10 years after our son’s illness, we can look back at that crazy time with fond memories for how God blessed us and provided for us during the entire ordeal. We remember the many friends who cared for our younger son as needed.  And the dozens of people – some we didn’t even know – who brought us meals in the hospital and at home, and who helped clean our house and mow our lawn. We survived and thrived because of our faith, God’s healing power, and the help of many friends.

What keeps you strong and helps you through the hard times in your life and marriage?

You might also like:
How one man found his higher calling
What’s the state of your union?
The three big questions for a frantic family

Ready to give your State of the Union address?

Tonight, President Barack Obama delivers his first official State of the Union Address to the Congress and to the American people.

Traditionally, presidents give a report on how things are going in America, and what they plan to do to bring changes and make improvements.

This morning, I had a scary thought:  What if I had to go on TV before millions of people and give a report on the state of my union?  Such a report would encompass an update on my marriage, our finances, our kids, my career, etc.

If I had to do that, I know I’d be more intentional about how I lived my life.  What about you?

I have some friends who go away for a weekend each year and do something similar (without having to go on TV in front of millions of people).  They call it an annual review and planning weekend. They take time to review how their marriage and family life is going.  They identify some changes that need to be made and set some goals and action steps to help achieve them make the change.

My wife and I aren’t able to get away for a weekend right now, but over the last few weeks we have begun to take stock of where we’re at, and we set some seasonal goals – things we want to see happen over the next few months – and action steps.

We’ve already begun to implement some of the changes we wanted to make.  One was a simple change in our evening routine at home, and we’ve already noticed the difference.

What about you? Are you ready to get up in front of the nation to report on the state of your union?  What do you do to check-in with your spouse on how things are going in your marriage and life?

You might also like:
The annual life review and planning weekend
The three big questions for a frantic family
How do you define success?

Beerhorst Family Wonder Wagon - ArtPrize

My city, Grand Rapids, Michigan, is abuzz with all the art that is on display in the downtown area as part of the world’s largest ArtPrize, which runs from September 23 – October 10, 2009.

On Sunday, I took my family downtown to see some of the art.  We couldn’t see it all, as there are over 1,000 art entries:  sculptures, paintings, stabiles, mobiles, etc.

Some are in buildings and some are on buildings.  Some are outside in parks, promenades and sidewalks.  Some are in the river and on bridges.  Some are fixed or static.  Others move or involve audio, video or performance arts.

Of all the great pieces of art, and artists, we were especially impressed by the entry called Beerhorst Family Wonder Wagon, created by the Rick Beerhorst Family and their friends.

The Wonder Wagon isn’t just art to look at, it is art to feel, hear, and experience through several different stations they’ve set up like a gypsy encampment.  During ArtPrize, the family is at the Wonder Wagon encampment every day, creating the hands-on experience for the visitors.

The Beerhorsts are a family of eight.  They live very simply near downtown Grand Rapids on an urban homestead, where they grow much of their own food (and even raise chickens).  They have no car or tv.  Their six children, ages 5-17, don’t attend school, but gain a rich education in the context of their family environment and experience.

They all work together creating various forms of art, which they sell to sustain themselves, in their studio located in the carriage house behind their home.

What impressed me about their ArtPrize entry is that it involved the entire family.  And this, really, is how they live their lives.  Everyone is involved.  Everyone creates.  Everyone produces.  Everyone contributes.

This is the lifestyle the family has aspired to live, and they seem to do it very well.  They have successfully integrated their life and work.

The idea of “integrating life and work” means different things to different people.  But it begins with a desire, and then a plan, to design the life you want to live.

Do you have dreams of changing your life, achieving greater work-life balance, or creating more freedom and fulfillment in your life and work?  If so, what steps are you taking to create that life you want?

Or if you’re not taking any steps to create your dream life, what’s keeping you for getting started?  Please share your thoughts and comments here, or contact me directly.  I’d be glad to help.

Don't Let This Happen to You!

Welcome back to Life Compass, where we’re talking about Patrick Lencioni’s new book, entitled: The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family:  A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity to the Most Important Organization in Your Life.

Over the last few days we’ve covered Question #1: “What makes your family unique?” and Question #2:  What is your family’s top priority rallying cry right now?

Today we conclude with Question #3:  How are We Going to Talk About and Use The Answers to These Questions? Perhaps another way to put it is this:  “So What?”

So now you’ve thought about what makes your family unique, and you’ve identified the major theme that becomes your rallying cry for the next season of life…now what?  How are you going to be any different tomorrow than you were yesterday?

Lencioni says that what’s needed now is some review, accountability, and some kind of visual aid.  He suggests that the leaders of the family plan a time to get together weekly to discuss the progress they’re making.  It could be as simple as a five minute meeting or as special as a date night. He explains:

It is one thing to know what makes your family unique and what needs to be rallied around right now, it is another to put them to use as a guide for living with purpose and clarity.  Another key to making it work is keeping it in front of you, and having regular discussions about it.  This requires a visual of some kind, nothing overly formal, but something that can be easily referenced and accessible.  A single page with a family’s values and strategy, and with its top priority and corresponding categories, will suffice.  Sticking it up on the refrigerator or kitchen whiteboard will go a long way to keeping the family anchored.

Well, that’s it.  Pretty simple, eh?  These three simple, yet big,questions should help all families live with more purpose, clarity and meaning.

Lencioni’s final challenge:

If we just take a little bit of time to explicitly decide what we stand for, what we want, and how we’re going to go about succeeding as a family, I truly believe we’ll be more successful as families.  The most important organization in your life deserves that, doesn’t it?

Indeed it does!

Welcome back to Life Compass, where we’re talking about Patrick Lencioni’s new book, entitled: The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family:  A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity to the Most Important Organization in Your Life.

In my last post we covered Question #1: “What makes your family unique?”.  In this post I’ll cover Question #2:  What is your family’s top priority rallying cry right now?

How often have you come to the end of a week, month, season or year and you felt frustrated that you didn’t accomplish some of your most important goals?  It’s not that you weren’t busy during that period…you were just busy doing a lot of other things.

Lencioni suggests that families can eliminate this frustration by knowing what issue or goal sits at the top of their list of priorities in the current time period (he suggests a time frame of two to six months).

Without a top priority, or rallying cry, everything seems equally important and we spread our time and energy across too many worthy but impossible challenges.  At the end of the day (or the week, month or year) we are often left disappointed that the biggest things didn’t get accomplished.

How do you determine your family’s rallying cry?  Lencioni says you need to ask “what is it that we must accomplish by the end of this year (or whatever period) in order to say that it was a productive time for our family?”  Answers will vary greatly from family to family, and from period to period.

For instance, one family’s rallying cry might be to help dad through a difficult career change, while the family next door might be focused on the discipline of their twin boys.  And that same family might decide that their top priority a few months later is to spend more time together as a family, while the neighbors’ might be to cut expenses.

I think it is important to remember here that there is no good or bad answer, or right and wrong answer.  It’s just about figuring out what matters most to your family.  And once that’s done, you have to identify the four or five big things that need to happen in order for the top priority to be accomplished.

Going back to the previous example, in order to help dad through the career change, the family will need to ensure that dad gives up some of his volunteer activities at school for a few months, that the family cuts back on some expenses that are creating financial pressure, that dad enlists the help of a career counselor and that mom and dad have a weekly date to discuss options and progress.  And while this might seem like a goal for the dad alone, it is something that everyone in the family needs to find a way in which to contribute because it affects the entire family. After all, it’s the rallying cry for the family, and nothing else is more important.

“Finally,” Lencioni says, “a family has to recognize that in addition to the rallying cry and the four or five things that accompany it, there are daily responsibilities that need to happen to keep the family moving. Finances. Education.  Health.  Relationships.  Faith life.  These must be acknowledged too, because they do not go away.  However, they cannot become the sole purpose of the family, because every organization needs to know what it is doing to improve itself, not merely to survive.”

Is your family stuck in survival mode?  Give Lencioni’s suggestions here a try and let me know how it goes.  I believe your family can not only survive, but thrive.