"Prosperity" Now at St. Amelia School

St.Amelia Principal Jim Mule' with Robert Schwarztrauber

Millionaires Share Tips on Success with Students 

at St. Amelia School


BUFFALO, NY – On Wednesday, March 2, 2011, students at St. Amelia School in Tonawanda were privy to words of wisdom from America’s most prominent leaders, as schools across America participate in the National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day”.

Local author and photographer Robert Schwarztrauber was on hand to share readings from his colorful new book, “Building Blocks of Prosperity”. He presented the book and its lessons for leading a prosperous life to nearly 300 children from grades K-7 in library sessions throughout the day.

“Before you can teach anyone anything, you’ve got to get their attention,” says Robert. His new book does just that. Using colorful LEGO toy photographs, this book illustrates and demonstrates principles of prosperity in quotations from America’s most notable pillars of success. 

Robert’s talk included uplifting advice from the world-famous childrens author, Dr. Seuss, who was born on this date in 1904. “So many kids struggle to find answers to questions already answered. If only they knew where to look. The colorful LEGO photos in this book draw them in so the message can be delivered,” says  Robert. Students also participated in a fun demonstration that showed the power of working together.

Robert Schwarztrauber is an award winning photographer, author, and educator. Respected in online communities for his expert work on using digital photography to enhance the well-being of children and adults, he says, “The digital camera might just be the most underrated fitness and learning tool ever invented.”

A deluxe, hardbound edition of this book was donated to the St. Amelia School Library.

Dr. Seuss - Happy Birthday Tribute with LEGOs

As a child, and now as an adult, the prose of the late Theodor Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, still bring a smile to my face and a lighteness to my heart at each reading.

That's why I knew no childrens' book on prosperity could be complete without reference to the great storyteller, Dr. Seuss. He may not have talked much of riches and money, but he sure did speak to the right way to live.

I chose his famous quotation and the LEGO photo (included on page 17 of my book, "Building Blocks of Prosperity") because so often we see children kicking and screaming as they leave someplace that was making them very happy just moments before.

"Time to go!" That's usually when it starts.

Children live so "in-the-moment" that they can quickly turn the smiles into tears. Sure, we understand that it's no fun to be leaving someplace fun. But that's part of life.

Children (and adults) need to learn to focus on, and be grateful for what they have. They need to stop concentrating on, and making themselves sad, over what they don't have. I think this quote from Dr. Seuss is so important.

Beyond that,I loved his stories because they always made you wish you were there.

"OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
THERE IS FUN TO BE DONE! THERE ARE
POINTS TO BE SCORED. THERE ARE GAMES TO BE WON."
From: Oh, The Places You'll Go! 

Children can learn so much from reading his stories.  Not the least of which is the joy of reading.
And what a perfect time to remember as we approach  "Read Across America Day"

Here's a very useful poem I found for young readers too as we celebrate...

The Readers Oath which sounds very "Seuss-like"

I promise to read / Each day and each night.
I know it's the key / To growing up right.
I'll read to myself, / I'll read to a crowd.
It makes no difference / If silent or loud.
I'll read at my desk, / At home and at school,
On my bean bag or bed, / By the fire or pool.

Each book that I read
Puts smarts in my head,
'Cause brains grow more thoughts
The more they are fed.
So I take this oath
To make reading my way
Of feeding my brain
What it needs every day.

from the  National Education Association

And here's an interesting site to learn more about the great "Dr. Seuss"
http://www.catinthehat.org/

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Robert Schwarztrauber

Choose Discipline or Regret

Today I'm going to touch on discipline one more time this week because I think it's so important to our success - in everything.

Getting ourselves to take consistent action, even when we don't want to, can be tough. No question. But it's been said that the top 10% of the folks at the top are there because they are willing to do the things the rest of the folks don't want to do.

Being disciplined challenges most folks.

I keep this quote in my head all the time:

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” -Jim Rohn

I think most of us would agree that we regret far more things that we didn't do, than things we did do.

We've got to force ourselves to take action. The more action the better. More of it and more often.

Just think of how much time you waste in a day. I know if I fail to write out tomorrow's activities before I go to bed, I'll be far less productive than if I have a written plan in place. Far less.

Try it for one week and you'll see just how much more you can do. And while you're at it fix your "time" problem.

People are always impressed by how much I accomplish. I owe my success in that to two things. Having a full plan written out for the day (even if I don't get everything on it done everyday) and I've fixed my "time" problem.

How do you fix your time problem? You do it by changing your perception of how long something will take to do. Most folks go around saying they "don't have enough time". And since that is their belief, sure enough they prove themselves right. I suggest changing your belief. Instead, say to yourself, "Oh, I have time for that."

You'll find you get a whole lot more done with that attitude. Instead of wasting all those little bits of time during the day "in between things" you'll start using those times to get more done. With that belief (whose correctness your subconscious will try to justify) you'll automatically speed up and accomplish more. Getting more done will become a personal challenge - one that you'll win time and again.

One of my favorite mentors, Dan Kennedy, who I quote often in my book put it this way, "It's not the specific actions you take that make you successful as much as it is that you take lots of actions."

Discipline and action 
are critical components of your prosperity.


What can you accomplish with discipline and action? Almost anything I believe. I don't know your particular and unique set of skills, but here are just a few things I have done with not a whole lot more than you have, if anything:

• Located and purchased my first dream sports car in less than 48 hours using less than $1000 cash out of pocket.
• Planned and executed my wife's dream "Garden Wedding" in the middle of a snowy Buffalo winter, IN JUST 8 DAYS! Many guests commented that it was the classiest wedding they'd ever been to. It even included a  scale replica of Niagara Falls, indoors, and the water flowed all night long amongst the flower gardens and live tall trees at Rich's Renaissance Atrium. I received a personal thank you note from billionaire owner, Robert E. Rich, Jr. too!
  
• Took the next 30 days and wrote my first book, telling exactly how you could do that too. It was called, "Plan and Enjoy Your Perfect Wedding, In Just 8 Days!" It was a hit at all the local bridal shows.
• As a marketing representative, in less than 4 months, took an unknown Asian gem merchant from a position of not being able to get a visa to the USA, to sharing a booth with the founder of one of the world's most famous American gem shows, interviewed and published by a renowned gem testing authority, and sold more than $60,000 worth of gemstones - at wholesale price - in her first week here in the U.S..
• Most recently, assembled, photographed and published all the material for "Building Blocks of Prosperity" in just 30 days, including website and sales material...and got it's name out to more than 450,000 qualified prospects!
  

You'll really be surprised just how much you can do when you let action and discipline become your habit.

As it happens, one of my favorite authors, Robert Ringer just had a column published on discipline. Funny how that topic always comes up this time of year as we start dropping all those great New Years plans. You can read his excellent column on discipline here:
http://www.earlytorise.com/2010/01/13/be-relentlessness-in-pursuit-of-your-dreams.html

Robert Schwarztrauber

Your Bridge to Success

Discipline:
A system of essential rules and duties.

Remember yesterday we talked about
Ivy Lee and his great tip for Charles Schwab
that produced millions in profits?




There are actually two important parts to that plan.

First, the plan or the system actually worked.

It worked because it required the essential step of writing down what you want to accomplish - that being the first step in turning wishes or dreams into achievable goals. And it required you to prioritize your goals so that you could begin work on the most important one first.

Second, it required you to have discipline.
And that is where most of us fail.

We can do something once, or for a little while, but then we revert back to our more familiar ways. When things get hard, or obstacles appear we abandon ship and move on to the next project - consoled by the fact that we're not "wasting time" butting our heads on the last thing.

But Ivy Lee's plan won't let you do that. You MUST complete the most important thing on your list before moving on to the next. No sweeping it under the rug, no putting it off until tomorrow. No procrastination allowed.

So make your list, and begin. Successful people differ most from others in that they FINISH the tasks that are important. They don't quit when the going gets tough and they don't put off until tomorrow what they can do today. If you thought it was the most important thing on your list, don't suddenly change your mind.

It's a little thing called discipline.

A system (means its automatic, it just happens - you just DO IT WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!) of essential (means without it, it won't work) rules (agreed upon ways of doing things) and duties (the things you must do).

Discipline is simply defined yet oh so hard for most folks to follow. And therein lies the root cause of most failures. Failures in school, in business, in personal lives, in self-improvement. We can find hundreds of examples of WHAT to do, we just can't seem to follow through daily with the actions that are required to achieve the success that has been laid out for us.

On page 37 of my book "Building Blocks of Prosperity" I tell you the one question successful folks ask that can give you all the discipline you need to succeed. And it never fails!

Robert Schwarztrauber

Concentrated Focus Beats Multi-Tasking

In our effort to get more done in less time, the quality of our efforts is often compromised.

One notably bad result comes in the form of death on the highways - the result of people trying to drive while composing text messages on their cell phones. The ultimate case of Multi-Tasking gone wrong.

While that rare and most serious result gets the headline, there are millions of other small compromises going on everyday that go unnoticed.  But the combined and compound effect of all these small quality lapses adds up.

The individual, business, and society lose out in the long run.

Yes, we are incredible human beings, capable of doing many tasks at once. But we are not capable of doing each task to the best of our ability when we squander our attention upon many things at once.

On the surface it appears we get more done. But how many times do we (or someone else) have to go back to re-check or re-do our work because our multi-tasking failed to pay adequate attention to detail?

Ultimately, time and money are lost. Perhaps worse, you develop a reputation for being careless or sloppy in your work.

Way back in the early 1900's a well respected executive and consultant by the name of Ivy Lee suggested to Charles Schwab, then a top executive in Andrew Carnegie's steel empire, that Charles implement a system to get more done. And Ivy Lee said, "Don't pay me now for this system, but try it out and then pay me what you think it's worth."

After using the system for one year, Charles returned to pay Ivy Lee $25,000. That was a whole lot of money back then - for one simple idea! But that idea made Charles Schwab, and later May Kay Ash and hundreds of other entrepreneurs, millions and millions of dollars.

Doing one thing at a time was a vital component of his system. Focused attention was key to the success of these prosperous individuals. The key wasn't how to get more things done - the key was to get the most important things done first.

Don't discount the difficulty in this. With all the distractions going on around us, continually, it takes great effort to concentrate your focus on one task until completion. It requires discipline, but the rewards of focused attention over multi-tasking have been proven time and time again.

"One thing at a time, and that done well, is a good rule as I can tell"  Theron Q. Dumont

Tomorrow, we'll take a closer look at discipline - and how it just might be the bridge you need to succeed.

 -LEGO photo above from page 34 of "Building Blocks of Prosperity"

Problems Be Gone! Opportunity Knocks.

Have you ever noticed how some words seem to come with emotions already attached ?

"Balloon" is one of those words. Don't you always think happy thoughts when the word balloon comes up?

"Yes" is a happy word too. Something good always seems to happen when we hear that word.

"Problem" is just the opposite. When we hear there is a "problem" most of us know it's not going to be good. It's likely we're going to get anxious, upset perhaps, and maybe even angry when that word "problem" comes up. Problems tend to get in the way of what we're trying to do. They're an obstacle that we must go through, around, or over in order for us to get what we want.

Just look how much emotion is tied to that word "PROBLEM". You can feel it's emotional power.

But we don't have fall prey to it's power. Fortunately, at birth we were blessed with a brain that can think. Thinking gives us the ability to attach meaning to words. It also gives us the ability to choose the words and the meanings that make sense for us. We can choose the words we use and we can alter their meaning as well.

Here's one of my favorite quotes on problems from a guy who certainly has attached a better spin on the word:

“The problem is not that there are problems. 

The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking
that having problems is a problem.”
- Theodore Rubin

It's how we think about problems that IS a problem!

Without problems we could never prosper. It is only by solving problems that we prosper.

Problem are not obstacles - they are opportunities!

Opportunities to make money. Opportunities to learn. Opportunities to grow and serve.

Problems don't appear to stop us, they appear to test us. Only when we show the universe that we can handle the "problem" are we allowed to progress to the next level of achievement. Then, after we've solved the "problem" a whole new world is shown to us in reward for passing the test.

Imagine the young child for whom the door is his first obstacle or problem. Once he overcomes that obstacle by turning the doorknob, behold a new world that opens for him. And now he has the skill and confidence that can open another door as well.

But somehow, as folks get older, they let obstacles or problems get the best of them - they let "obstacles" real or imagined keep them from achieving what they set out for. But by looking at the word "problem" from a new perspective, as just a simple test, many can get back on track. And a few will prosper greatly as they take on, without fear, "problems" no one else has the courage to try.

Change today! For the next week instead of seeing problems as "problems," see them as opportunities. Imagine each is a test you must find a solution to. Then take action immediately to remove that "obstacle" and watch how your life will expand and new doors of opportunity will be opened for you.

The Puddle Family above is from page 40 of my book, "Building Blocks of Prosperity"  Just looking at the photo makes me think of all the opportunities a puddle represents. Boots, raincoats, hats  - someone had a job making all those clothes. And delivery men in trucks had to get them to the store where salesclerks waited on the customer who bought them. I imagine folks using brooms and mechanical pumps to remove the puddles and all the jobs created for the broom makers and pump builders. I think of fishermen gathering worms as bait for catching fish, and the opportunity for a Prince or Gentleman to gain favor from his beloved as he places his coat over the puddle for her to cross without soiling her gown. Writers and cartoonist who create these characters have all benefited from viewing the "problem" as an opportunity. And for kids, they're an opportunity for just plain old fun!

Do you see puddles as opportunities or obstacles? Remember, you're human. You can choose what you think.

On the road to prosperity, those who solve the biggest "problems" reap the biggest reward.

And those who lie down at obstacles, never progress at all.

Robert Schwarztrauber

Focus on Your Passion

Today I was surprised by an audio clip from Earl Nightingale's, "The Strangest Secret." But I wasn't surprised so much by what he said, but rather by hearing it in a different context.

You see, I've enjoyed listening to that CD many times before and each time I glean still another perspective. That's how it is with books, CDs, and DVDs. Because when we read, hear, or see things we do it always in a time and space context.

It's as though we are wearing a different pair of colored glasses each time - colored depending on our mood or the events in our life at that time.

That's why it's important to re-read or revisit anything that has initially offered some value. Obviously some things are junk and you need not even finish those.

But today Earl was talking about "doing your own thing." He talked about making a list of all the things you'd like to do, be, or have. This was his starting point for setting yourself off on the road to prosperity. Make a list of what YOU want - and then number them,  in order to begin on your highest priority item first.

Then he added a comment he was sure many people would be asking,  "But isn't that a selfish thing to think about -  what I want?"

"Not at all he responded," as he answered his own question. He continued by explaining that you will only have the drive and determination to pursue those dreams you hold most strongly in your heart. Only when you have that passion, that strong enough "reason why", will you be able to do what is necessary to achieve success.

And, (this is the part I hadn't heard in all my prior listening) it's not selfish at all, because the ONLY way you can get the things you want is by helping enough other people get the things they want.

BINGO! There's the key that sets you free! So many folks don't go for it because of some misplaced guilt that they doesn't deserve to be, have, or do more than others. But now, knowing this, you are free! When you understand that getting whatever you want will only come as you help others get what they want, you can't lose!  When you know that striving and achieving BIG things for your life will bring BIG things for others too, it takes away all the guilt. You would actually be doing everyone a dis-service by NOT going for it.

So resolve today to make that list of your wants. It's for your eyes only, nobody else has to know. Make a grand list and let it be your guide, your goal for what you will begin to accomplish in 2010 and beyond. Know that the bigger and bolder your list of desires, the more people you will lift toward their goal as you begin to accomplish yours.

Be clear. Be focused. You can have anything you want in this world, but you can't have everything at once.

Let focused action, based on your passion, be the foundation of all your prosperity.

(Camera photo above from page 20 of my new book, "Building Blocks of Prosperity")

PS: Ivanka Trump also believes that you must have a passion for your work in order to succeed. I just finished her new book, "The Trump Card, Playing to Win in Work and Life". I would recommend it highly to anyone looking to build a proper attitude for success, and especially to any young woman who is looking for a positive role model.

Achieving Your Dreams

I thought it might be appropriate, as we begin this new year, this new decade in our lives, to talk about how you are going to achieve your dreams. Hopefully, as this new chapter in your life begins, you DO have a dream?

Typically, New Years Eve is a time when folks make resolutions. They make a promise to themselves that they will change for the better in order to be, have, or do something new. They have a dream.

But sadly, within just a few short weeks, many will have left the path they started out on. They will have fallen back into the habit of their old actions - which can only lead to their old results. Nothing new will come of that.

For it is the universal law that like actions produce like results. The unlocked door will always push out when I push upon it. It will never pull IN when I push OUT. If I want the door to pull in, if want that action to come from the door, I must change my actions. I must cooperate with the door, I must give the door the action it requires in order for it to do what I want it to. Moving the door, or any desire you have, can only be obtained by applying the right action. If you are not now getting what you want, STOP! Stop doing what you are doing. Change your action.

As Gandhi says, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." We must change ourselves, our actions first, before we can expect the world to change and give us what we want. We must be the first to give.

The train locomotive earned its spot as the first entry in my book because of its enormous power. The locomotive has long been a symbol of ultimate power and force to move. Think of the enormous load of freight cars and passengers it must pull. Can our burden be any greater? I think not.

The limerick goes on to describe in the most simple and revealing terms just how the train locomotive can accomplish such a monumental task. And, believe it or not, what the train locomotive has to do is exactly what you and I have to do if we are to accomplish great things. We must work together, cooperate with the people and physical and mental resources that surround us. They have been put here for our purpose, but only the wise will claim them for their cause.

To begin his mission, the locomotive needs steam to power the engine. To create steam, hot water is required. To get hot water, fuel such as wood is required to create and sustain a hot fire. It takes a team, several elements all working together on the same goal, to create the enormous power of the locomotive.

And it doesn't happen instantly as we often hope when we set off on our dreams. Momentum builds slowly as the team members all work together. Then, as they continue to work together on that one focused goal of getting the train moving, the universe finally rewards them for what they give - with the power of an unstoppable locomotive.

This is how you will achieve unstoppable power too!

The steps again are:

1. Determine clearly what you wish to do.

2. Seek out every helpful resource available.

3. Ask for help from those who can help you.

4. Create a team to work along side you

5. Don't give up

You are the locomotive in your life. Powerful beyond measure.

Your dreams are waiting for you - if you will take action and use the forces of the universe which are only here to help you on your journey.

Remember...

If the door doesn't open when you push, change your action. Pull.

Save $10..."Building Blocks" ...Now in Print!

Printed book (right) shown with digital CD-Rom version (left)

Drum Roll Please...

At last...the "real" printed book is complete! The proof looks great.

This was my first time using this printing service, "BLURB.com"
They charge half of what the other self-publishing printers charge but the quality of their book product is top-notch. Just like you'd find in any bookstore. And I didn't even choose the "premium" paper option that they offer (for a fee).

I would definitely recommend "Blurb.com" for anyone who wants to print a book of photos.

It's all done online, via their easy to use software. Basically you're just dragging and dropping your pics onto one of their many book templates. Once there, you can resize or move them to whatever position looks best. Very easy to use. You can even choose decorative borders from their menus to decorate your pages.

Anyone could make a really nice coffee table book to show off their work. Photographers, this would make a great (and portable) marketing tool to show off your work to clients. Your prestige and fees go up, once you're "published". Even if it is self-published. In most folk's minds, if someone did a book about you, you MUST be good. Even if that someone who published the book was you!

But, specifically for this book, I have now accomplished my goal. In just a little over one month's time, working on it part time, I have completed this educational, inspirational, motivational children's book.

It's main purpose was to create a reference book in which my daughters could find many of the most important lessons on prosperity. Lessons that I had discovered only after reading hundreds of books on the subject. This book shares quotations from only the most well-rounded individuals, folks who have created a balanced prosperity in their lives - balanced in health, wealth and wisdom. It's not about folks who got rich at any cost while mired in scandal and destruction.

It's about folks who contributed greatly to society and left a path for others (us) to follow.

By getting children involved at an early age, they can begin to form attitudes and behaviors that can benefit them for the rest of their lives. This is a book that will actually become more valuable to them over time, because as they grow older they will come to appreciate the wisdom even more. They will have developed their "own experience" point of reference that lets them view the quotations through "new eyes" and discover anew, that these masters were right all along.

This book can be a lifelong friend and mentor to your family - sitting quietly upon the shelf, always ready to guide you, at just the right time in your life. "When the student is ready, the teacher appears."

How many books like that do you own now?

Money invested may grow or decline over time, but a mind once expanded can never return to it's original size.

I'm glad I invested in creating this reference of knowledge to expand the minds of my girls. And I'm happy that I could share it with you and your children too.

Get your copy, now on sale direct from the printer "blurb.com" at:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1041572

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Hurry, $10 off sale ends December 31, 2009