- After The Research: What Are The Real Differences Between A Millionaire And You?
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Over the last 5 years I have interviewed the most successful and wealthiest people in the world on my radio show, from Top CEOs to Tony Robbins. Recently, I was having a dinner with a well known millionaire who said to me, "Why don't you do your own 'study of success?; Who better to do it than you?"

My first reaction was, "I know all the answers. There is nothing 'new' in the world of success. I have read over 1,809 books in the last 11 years (since I was 18). What else is there to know?"

I said yes.

Sure, "I will take your challenge and do a study of my own."

I went through dozens of hours of tapes and transcripts asking "What is the commonality between all the Millionaires I have interviewed? What is 'The Millionaire Composite?"

What I discovered through this research has shocked me. It has personally changed my life-FOREVER! Now I will share the Composite with you--years of study, interviews and research.

There are 10 points that make up 'The Composite' I share with you today #1.

The Millionaire Composite - Principle #1 STOP AND THINK vs. RUN AND ROUTINE
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This might sound a bit controversial, however, my research tells me that millionaires care more about their lives than the average person.

What do I mean by this?

You see, the average person is running all day-going about their daily routines. Days, months, and years go by when they finally look back at their lives. All they see is 'Run and Routine.' The days look similar, their accomplishments are few, if any, and they envision the future with confusion. They rarely construct a clear picture of exactly where they wish to go. Their constructive imagination is hardly ever used positively.

The 'Run and Routiners' cannot tell you their life purposes or their vision statements of life. The 'Run and Routiners' do not have a dominant mental picture in their mind that they are constantly constructing for themselves.

The 'Run and Routiners' do not take time each day, each month or even each year to stop and think about their lives. They rarely, if ever, put their lives on paper. The 'Run and Routiners' live most of their lives in comatose. On the other hand, very successful people live their lives alert and aware.

Many times these 'Run and Routiners' are not conscious of their run and routine lifestyles, though they have been in them for years.decades.

What makes Millionaires different?

Here is the first step.

Millionaires STOP and THINK about their lives. They stop and think about their business. They value their lives enough to stop--sometimes 10-20 minutes a day. They think about their lives and work. They say to themselves, "What have I done--so far--to accomplish my purpose in life and to move forward on my plan?"

These successful people value their lives enough to take time and build mental pictures-in order to first construct their lives mentally. First, they go through situations in their minds. Second, they rehearse these situations so that they see their lives as they develop. This is not easy. However, these successful people know there lives are worth the time and effort.

What is different from them than most people is that they take the TIME.

Millionaires did not progress to this level of success with the common run and routine lifestyle.

My research tells me most successful people have put their lives on paper.

They have taken the time to -stop and think- and ask themselves questions like:

What is important in my life?

What is the vision for my life?

What is my life mission?

What do I want it to say on my tombstone?

What is the legacy I want to leave?

What are my action steps and goals for today, this week, this month, this year for my business?

Who should I spend quality time with?

Not only do they stop and think about their lives more, but they TAKE THE TIME to put those thoughts on paper. They write their answers down.

I recently visited with a Real Estate Multi Millionaire Mogul. What did I see next to his desk? His vision statement, along with a list of what he values in life---hand written.

A few months back, I interviewed an individual who has sold over a billion dollars worth of products on television. He told me that he reads his life and business vision and goals daily, and that he TAKES TIME to visualize exactly what he wants to create-EACH NIGHT before falling asleep.

These 'Stop and Thinkers' go back and read what they have written--daily, weekly, sometimes monthly. They are fused with a sense of direction and purpose because they take the time to determine WHERE they want to go.

The 'Run and Routiners' do not have this sense of direction because they have not taken the time to truly think about themselves and their lives. People like this must ask themselves, "When was the last time I truly thought about my life and where I want to go?" Then they must ask, "When was the last time I put it on paper and read it daily, weekly, or even monthly?"

Isn't it clearer and easier to see how very successful people achieved their positions in life. They took the time to stop and think about where they wanted to go first.

My research shows that clarity in life and business is the first secret to making money.

This is the secret to the 'Stop and Thinkers.' How many hours in a year do 'Run and Routiners' take the time to construct vivid, clear and exciting mental pictures of the futures they desire.

'Stop and Thinkers' do this when they rise and go to bed.

At first, it was hard. Now it is natural. Just like taking on any new behavior. They persevered through the uncomfortable times. They never gave up on themselves or their futures.

Now is your time to make your move, right?

Begin today, right now, to stop running, and begin To STOP AND THINK about your life.

Begin asking yourself the questions outlined above over and over.

Begin today creating the new habit of 'Stopping and Thinking,' Just begin. No need to be perfect. Begin.

Begin today by putting your life to paper.

My research proves that this is exactly what millionaires do.

THIS is the foundation for your success. Will you begin?
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Author's Bio: 

Mike Litman was recently called '...a modern dayNapoleon Hill' by Networking Times Magazine. Heis the co-author of the #1 best-selling bookConversations With Millionaires. Mike's the hostof The World's #1 Personal Development Radio Show,heard in 31 countries. Tony Robbins, Robert Allen,Les Brown, Top CEO's and more have all appeared onhis worldwide radio show. You can receive his FreeNewsletter at http://www.mikelitman.com and his book athttp://www.amazon.com or your local bookstore.