Bankruptcy to Millionaire

This is going to be a very deep and personal entry. It is really going to explaining how B2M Dot Com came to exist. And why success from inspiration is inevitable. And failure is impossible.

This is not a personal touch you’d get from most “professional” bloggers. But it’s esential to the understanding of B2M–why I know that if I can go from FLAT BROKE to MILLIONAIRE in 48 Short Months. I can also inspire and motivate others to do the same.

Because you hear from the ultra-successful always so often the same ‘ole song and dance: “I was broke. Now I’m rich. If I can do it. So can you.”

I’m paraphrasing of course. But the message is essentially the same. No one has ever been so bold as to have the foresight of financial and personal success, and then give a step-by-step, play-by-play of what it takes to get there. Before success has even happened… until Me.

My Name is Tevin Anderson I’m 21 years old, and I used to be a loser.

You see I grew up looking for the “Big (Easy) Score”. The opportunity to make money FAST. The thought of working for a boss day in and day out to make the same amount of money every week, never appealed to me. Where’s the fun? Where’s the excitement?

My Dad, and lifelong entrepreneur, always encouraged this way of thinking. And I’m GREATFULL HE DID! Because I always have and always will truly believe the only way to make true money in this world, and to make a difference in it. You CANNOT work under someone else. You MUST be your own boss. You MUST be self-motivated. And you MUST take action.

But growing up, I kind of misunderstood this formula a bit. Because I somehow managed to convince myself that if I just wanted money enough, it would just fall in my lap.

“I don’t need to study for this test. I’m a smart kid.”, “I don’t need to get a job… I’m worth more than $7.15 an hour!”, “People will give me their money, just because I’m here.”

I went through this pattern for many, MANY years. I didn’t study hard in school. I didn’t do “homework” because I “knew it” already. At least enough to get a B- or C+. “What’s the point in homework, if I can pass without it???”. I didn’t get a *real* job.

Where I began to go wrong:

When I was 16, I became a “professional” Magician. (A pretty good one I would say.) I would make between $120, and $180 for a 40 minute birthday party magic show. Easy Money!

I was able to pick up other odds and ends jobs that (at the time) paid enough to give me enough play money, without really putting in any hard work. I was probably making more than my friends that were putting in HOURS every months at a part time job.

I would come home after school and read my dad’s Dan Kennedy Newsletter. Or a copy writing course. Or a business opportunity letter. After a few reading sessions, I was a GENIUS. I knew everything I needed to know to make a fortune with direct mail or Internet stuff! (Hindsight sarcasm wanted. )

I was able to convince my Dad to fork over the cash for a number of “Get Rich Quick Overnight With Little to No Effort” schemes. None of which ever amounted to anything. But I just thought, “I can get rich quick!”.

I created websites. Adwords affiliate links. I tried to make money by creating a course on how to make money on the internet. (HA!) Online estores. MLM. BLARGH!

But my lack of action, and procrastination was detrimental to any success I could have had! I would read. I would start. I would abandon.

I had more great ideas, and started projects than I could even keep track of! The grass was always greener with my next opportunity.

Not making ANYTHING. Just before my 18th Birthday I found POKER…

Ahh…. THAT’S the way to Get Rich Quick!

The guys on TV make millions, and live a lifestyle unlike any other!

(Probably) Needless to say, I got hooked. I got hooked in the action. The gambling. And the Poker. The allure of getting rich, and doing it easily roped me in.

Over the next three years it would do alot of harm to my production of other things–things that actually made money. And my bank account.

During my poker playing days, my best friend (who was doing quite well financially over the short term) got me into the Mortgage Business–just about a year and a half ago. I got a good job, with a pretty good salary with great potential for Commissions. I even had a GREAT month September 2006 pushing close to $10,00 before taxes. Not bad considering I was only in my 3rd month in the industry.

However, being the person that doesn’t want to work for others, and sees all the holes, and problems of this (admittedly scammy) company. I went on my own with the same friend that got me the job in the first place. We started our own company. Good idea… bad timing… (and most likely bad execution… the errors made there are a whole ‘nother story)

The mortgage industry simultaneously begins it’s steady slide into the mess it’s in today. And since I was almost entirely in the “subprime” mortgage portion. My amount of funded loans and commissions steadily went down. While my credit card debt and poker losses mounted.

I moved out of my place. Moved back home with my parents. I spent several months frustrated with myself. Disappointed in myself. Disappointed with my decisions. My actions (or inactions). I was even close to even feeling SORRY for myself.

Which brings us to a couple of weeks ago. I finally came to the realization: I see myself being successful. I see myself being self-motivated. I see myself being responsible and intelligent.

But then I realized. I CAN SEE MYSELF THERE! BUT I’M NOT THERE.

“Why?” I asked myself. And as soon as I ask the answer is completely evident. Currently:

I’m not “successful”. I’m not being self-motivated. Gambling is preventing me from being responsible and intelligent!

Once I finally took control of this reality. Things INSTANTANIOUSLY CHANGED.

I made the decision:

I WILL NOT CONTINUE TO LIVE MY LIFE THE WAY I’M CURRENTLY AM. OTHERWISE I’LL BE IN A GUTTER ONE DAY!!!!! THIS CHANGES NOW!

At that moment. I began to turn my life in the RIGHT DIRECTION. I quit gambling and poker. FOR GOOD. I’m going to instead focus those efforts on a simple and obtainable objective:

Go from broke (in every sense of the word) to a millionaire in FOUR YEARS.

Yes it is a tall order. But I can, and I WILL achieve it. And over the next 48 months you will witness it first hand–and hopefully you’ll join me.

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This is the most important point in my life so far, admitting to myself: There is no reason that I can’t begin change TODAY. Why wait until tomorrow? Begin now.So I challenge you:

If you, like me, see potential in yourself but just CAN’T SEEM TO TAP INTO IT. Decide. Decide that today is the day you Start. Start going for your dreams. Start reaching your potential. Start looking forward and NOT looking at your past.

Decide that TODAY is where you begin. Then make one small obtainable goal, and build on it. I started by telling myself I’ll read at least 1 hour a night. And I’ve started with Think and Grow Rich.