Saturday 27 June 2009

Winning days

Brad:

Wow what a great day today. Was at Bradford rowing at the Bradford summer regatta and won my 1st race since being in the UK. Considering I've only just taken up rowing again after a 10 year break I think its a job well done. I think part of the growth of success is small achievements! And this is a great achievement. Its given me some more enthusiasm to get fitter. Here's me and my doubles partner Michael.





The Beard:

Hahahaha. Found this website today about beard cricket... 

http://renaissancemonkey.blogspot.com/2006/03/beard-cricket.html

If you give it a go let me know what your score is.

Financial Freedom:

Some people mentioned today that I should do photography at rowing events and sell them on to the rowing competitors. Maybe some of you could help me out here. Do you think its a good idea? Please leave a comment or get in touch via facebook. 

A quote:

Wow, got two strong quotes today. I hope you all enjoy them.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller

"Most people give up just when they are about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot from winning a touch down!" - Ross Perot



Wednesday 24 June 2009

The Cut!!!!!

Brad:

Today has been an odd day. Kind of like a day off... Although I still did some work. So I guess not a day off, maybe a half day off. I was up at 5:30 to go rowing this morning. Got home at about 10 and then had a short lie down (which ended up being 3 hours of much needed sleep). I went to YES group north in the evening (http://www.yes-group-north.blogspot.com/) to see Margaret Nolan speak. After I had taken all the photos I needed I listened to Margaret's talk about the triad of change, the seasons of well being and energetic intelligence. The one thing that really stood out for me was that if there is a problem in your life, as an example let say a sore arm, then going for treatment to fix the arm won't be as effective. It is better to see what behavior we did to cause the sore arm and what we focused on that caused our arm to be sore. By changing the behavior and the focus you are treating the cause of the sore arm and not just the symptom of the sore arm. Thus delivering a more sustainable solution. 

The Beard:

Major News on the beard front. I trimmed my beard. As much as I was thinking I would just let it grow till I reached financial freedom it just makes sense to trim it and keep it manageable and presentable. Especially seen as I meet with lots of people. Anyway I took some photos to show you all the transformation.

The 1st one is my beard at its longest. The 2nd I trimmed the beard with hair clippers on a no.4 blade. The 3rd I trimmed the beard on a no.2 blade and the last one I thought to myself seen as I've got the clippers out and I need a haircut I might as well just do it... So I did. I cut my hair as well as my beard. Let me know what you think.

 



Financial Freedom:

I did have a day off today... Well half a day at least. Today I didn't take a massive step towards financial freedom although I did talk to a couple of friends at the YES group who helped me define what it is I am after and look at some possible options of how I can get there. I like talking to people about possibilities. Its so refreshing compared to all the recession news we hear all the time. 

The quote:

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies within us while we live." - Norman Cousins

Monday 22 June 2009

New car, Movies and scraggle


Brad: 

I've got a new car... Well not a new one but its new for me. Its a 2002 Nissan Almera. It looks like its a good car that will last for a few years. 


I watched a Beautiful Mind last night. What a great film. It is a 2001. Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crow were both brilliant. And such a good story line with a great twist. 

The Beard:

OK so the beard is now getting really long. I've held off trimming it for a long time... I'm sure it would grow down to my toes if I let it!!! Also just found this really cool video on youtube. The evolution of the beard. Someone took a photo of themselves every waking hour for a 7 weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY8gja0_CCA

That led me on to this movie of this guy Noah who took a photo of himself every day for 6 years!!!! Wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B26asyGKDo&feature=related

Financial Freedom:

Well now that I've bought a car I need to get rid of my old one. I'm thinking I should put it on eBay and sell it there... Unless any of you know someone who would like to buy a Suzuki vitara for £100. The engine needs to be restored. I've seen engines on eBay for under £100 but my knowledge of fixing cars is really limited.

The quote:

"The relationships we have with the world are largely determined by the relationships we have with ourselves." - Greg Anderson

Tuesday 16 June 2009

A long weekend

Brad:

Had a fantastic time in Scheveningen, Den Haag. I visited my brother and his girlfriend. Was there for Monique's birthday party on Saturday. Happy Birthday Monique!!! I had such a re-energising time on the beach on Sunday. Playing volley ball and throwing a Frisbee. It felt so good to just relax and not think about the ins and outs of normal daily life. 

The Beard:

Its getting to a stage where I'd almost say that it is scraggly. Even though I want to keep the beard till I'm financially free I'm considering trimming it. Hmmmmm, If any of you have any suggestions please let me know. Either on Facebook or Twitter.

Financial Freedom:

I looked at my trading account today. Found a couple of good possibilities but only went with one in the end as the share direction followed the sector direction. Its a pretty sporadic market at the moment. I'm also hoping to go look at a car tomorrow. Seen as my Suzuki Vitara is pretty much ready to be scrapped. *sigh*. I'm looking forward to the day when I get my mini from Utility Warehouse!!!



A quote:

I really like this one. "The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it!" - General Norman Schwarzkopf

Thursday 11 June 2009

Car Troubles

Brad:

Tell me if you think this is irony at its best. On the way to the garage to get the car MOTed and serviced it starts making this rattling noise. By the time I get to the garage the mechanic says its not worth booking in for a service cause the engine is knackered... Hmmmm, it'll cost more than what I paid for the car 2 years ago to get it fixed. How can I work this to my advantage???

The beard:

Just is.

Financial Freedom:

If I have to buy a car it will probably cost a lot of money... OK maybe not a lot of money but more than I have right now. Having my car break on me is like getting kicked in the financial shins. Its not going to break my leg but it definitely slows me down on the road to financial freedom!!! Again I ask the question. How can I work this to my advantage???

A quote:

How fitting that this is the quote I find today! "The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." - Vince Lombardi 


Wednesday 10 June 2009

Roman beards

Brad: 

I'm pretty tired now, had a fantastic session rowing this evening. I haven't trained on the water for over a week now and I can tell my fitness has slipped. I've started cycling every now and then on the exercise bike and am hoping to make that more of a regular occurrence.

The Beard:

I was having a one to one meeting with a business college  yesterday who told me that on first impressions men with beards aren't trusted as much as clean shaven men. I'm not sure if I agree with that. He went on to say that it goes back to the Roman times when if you had a beard then you were seen as hiding something. I have done some research of my own and found this site which talks about the beard being fashionable at some times and not during other times depending on who the ruler was at the time. Nothing there about it being seen as not trusted. Perhaps some of you can let me know how you feel about men with beards and if we can be trusted.




Financial Freedom:

I had a good talk today with a friend who helped me define what my target is for financial freedom. I've looked at my monthly expenses and have now got a clearer figure in mind. We then broke it down to how many customers I need to gather with Utility Warehouse so I can earn enough passive income to cover my expenses. Its amazing how setting clear targets makes it seem more achievable. Clear Targets that are easily broken down into small chunks which are easily achieved. 

And a quote: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will." - Jawaharlal Nehru


Sunday 7 June 2009

Working for someone else vs working for yourself

Brad: 

I've got to go to work today. I'm working two nights a week at a local pub/restaurant to earn some extra money. Its a great place to work with a fantastic group to work with but it is still working for someone else. Although I know it will help my finances for now it is difficult once you have been working for yourself to then work for someone else again... It makes me wonder why so many people are prepared to work so hard for someone else and earn their bosses lots of money then why don't they put the same amount of work in for themselves and get the rewards?

The Beard: 

I'm going to have to trim my mustache again. Its been getting a bit to long. Although I do find it funny that if I press my lips together then you can't see them. They're camouflaged by my beard and mustache!!!

Financial Freedom: 

Two things have jumped out at me today. The first is an email I received with a link about a seminar in London to show how to make money off the internet. (http://www.millionaireminduk.com/gis/) 

The second is a quote from Walt Disney. "If you can Dream it, you can do it!" If he can turn a swamp into a business that people from around the world will visit and create an international icon then so can anyone. 

Saturday 6 June 2009

Our fragile planet

Brad: 

Wow, I stumbled across this amazing movie. Please everyone, watch this film produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. He does those amazing 'Earth from the air' photos. here is the link to the movie. http://www.youtube.com/homeproject Take some time out of your busy lives and watch this.

The beard:

Can you believe that a man's beard contains between 7000 and 15000 hairs... find more interesting facts like this at  http://www.berro.com/entertainment/humans_interesting_facts.htm
another fact that really caught my attention is that a beard grows an average of 140 mm a year... Come on financial Freedom! Rescue me from this beard.

Financial Freedom:

Well I'm thinking of ways to generate passive income. I've looked on the internet but there are so many random ideas and network marketing companies out there... The network marketing company I have chosen to use is Utility Warehouse. (www.easyparttimeincome.co.uk) I like it so much because instead of selling things like health products and soaps etc Utility Warehouse is a lot easier and people are always looking to save money on their gas, electric, telephone and internet services. 

One of the other ideas is to write a book. I'm going to be working on a photography book soon... hopefully this evening. Its a great idea to do the work once and if the book is good then people will keep on buying it. 

Another idea is getting photographs published on a stock photography website. This is something I have looked at before but will be looking at more closely in the coming weeks. 

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. 



Friday 5 June 2009

Savings!!!!

Brad: 

I'm really happy with the photos from my photo shoot yesterday with Mark Skeet. Please feel free to have a look at the slideshow he has on his blog http://blog.markskeetphotography.co.uk/ or look here for a preview of the photos. http://www.markskeetphotography.co.uk/clients/brad-potterton/ Please let me know what you think. 

The Beard: 

Its getting longer... I wonder how long this will get? 

Financial Freedom:

Signed up another Utility Warehouse customer yesterday!!! I'll be saving her about £200 a year just on her gas and electric. Its unbelievable. please take a look at my website www.telecomplus.org.uk/potterton for more information about saving money. I was also out taking photos today for a friend who is going to be making greeting cards and will be using my photos on the front of the cards. 

Thursday 4 June 2009

photo shoot day!

Brad:

I've just come back from the photo shoot. Its weird being a photographer and having photos taken of myself. Full credit to Mark who did a great job. I'll post the photos when I get them.  

The beard: 

I've been noticing odd different colour hairs in my beard. some white, some light some reddish type ones. Pretty weird considering my hair is really dark. LOL just found this site about beard awareness. http://www.beards.org/ 

Financial Freedom:

I'm coming to the realisation that things are going to be really tight this month... Its that time of year when I need to sort out car insurance, MOT and service... At least I've got 3 appointments tonight so might have an extra 3 customers with Utility Warehouse. I really love the idea of doing the work once and getting paid repeatedly for it. www.telecomplus.org.uk/potterton


Wednesday 3 June 2009

Accountants and photo shoots

Brad: 
Today I met up with my accountant, great guy and really helpful. Its amazing how knowing the right people can make life so much easier. I'm looking forward to a photo shoot tomorrow. Its going to be weird being a photographer and having my photo taken by another photographer. I'm in really capable hands though http://www.markskeetphotography.co.uk/

The Beard: 

Had some really good feedback from some people on my facebook page about my beard (Thanks everyone)... Well apart from 1 comment about it looking like "a huge squirrel is clinging to your lower jaw" ;-) and another one about me looking like "Popeye's arch nemesis Bluto";-)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B4w4lafinU 

Financial Freedom:

I didn't manage to get make any appointments today for UW although I do have 3 for tomorrow evening. Another step closer to earning a passive income :-)




Tuesday 2 June 2009

Brad: Hmmmm, how am I today? Or how have I been seen as its now 6 minutes past midnight... I've worked on clearing some of the clutter on my desk. I'm trying to simplify my life. Keep me focused on 1 thing at a time. Oh and I've tasted an amazing humous. Lemon, coriander and chili. mmmmm

The Beard: So far the beard has stabilized. It still itches from time to time. Arg! Although with all this hot weather we've been having in the UK (24c) its made me question my rational about growing a beard in the summer. It has been a good way to stop sun burn though.

Financial Freedom: Today has been a long but successful day. I was at my BNI meeting at 6 am... Yes you read that correctly 6 am. I have made some really good contacts and I'm looking forward to doing business over the next few days. Even though its going to be a tight month I'm excited about pushing the utility business forward. I love the idea of working once and getting paid again and again. 

Monday 1 June 2009

1st entry

Hi Everyone and welcome to my blog site entitled Brad, the beard and financial freedom. 

I think the blog title is self explanatory but let me expand a little so everyone has a clearer idea of why I am creating my 1st blog.  Brad = Me, the beard = my beard, and financial freedom = my road to financial freedom. 

I'm growing my beard at the moment, with the intention that I will only shave it all off after I am financially free. Financially free to me means that my passive income is greater than my expenses. 

I intend to update this blog regularly with photos and updates as to how my path to financial freedom is coming along. 

As this is my 1st post I'll keep it short and sweet.

In the words of a great pixar action hero.

To infinity... And beyond!!