Success can mean something different for each and every person. For some, success can be dropping a size in clothing, running a mile, or taking that first step towards building a residual income. For others that have been stricken with a disease, it can be their ability to take a breath without tubes or the need for an apparatus.The list really can go on and on. Regardless, it's important to be there for others and to give back.

Last year, I was fortunate to win the Rally for Kids with Cancer scavenger cup, with Eva Longoria as my celebrity driver. On April 29-30, 2011 (that's this Friday), my wife, Loren Ridinger and I will again be participating in the Rally for Kids with Cancer scavenger cup in Miami along with Eva Longoria and a host of other celebrities.

So you want to get ahead in life? Sure, you can follow the conveyor belt in life - school, job, more schooling, family, grandkids, etc... But does that really get you to your own personal goals? A lot of times, we rely on this conveyor belt for our own happiness and to get us to where we want to be.  In most cases, it doesn't because we are left feeling unfulfilled in many key areas.

In March, I went on a ten city tour for the 2011 Market America Blitz Tour, where I spoke to thousands of entrepreneurs on the importance of building an on-going stream of residual income so that they can live the life they've dreamed of instead of someone else's life.

There are obviously numerous ways to get there -- some people are lucky and fall into such a situation. Others must struggle before they finally make it.  One thing though that everyone who strives for success should be doing is to lead by example.  We all want to be somebody, so the best way to do this is to find someone who interests us and to model our own lives after their's.

As I often say, "you cannot lead where you will not go, and you cannot teach what you do not know." By studying someone and then modeling our lives after theirs and leading through our own actions -- helping out others, giving of ourselves, getting involved on social networks by actively showing people your business, becoming a resource and not just a spectator on the sidelines, etc... Together, we all stand to gain more in the long-run. This also becomes a springboard to bigger and better things.

Thing about it - when you want to know something, who do we often seek out? People that are already successful at something, not the person who sits there and waits for things to happen.

To help motivate you all and get you started down the path to success, here's a little exercise.  I would like everyone that attended the 2011 Market America Blitz Tour to take a moment and share their story with us -  we're even running a contest too, with one winner per month receiving a $100 gift card and a 30 minute call with a Blitz Tour Speaker.

The key thing to remember is that by sharing your success story, it also helps motivate others who may have been on the fence, to seek you out because they see your story being similar to their own and are then hungry to learn more.

So are you ready to start leading by example? Get started by entering the "Share Your Success Story" contest.

Keep growing. I believe in you.

JR

Look at the faces of these people after sitting and learning for three hours. It captures the moment and their mind set. Something is happening here that is monumental!  This is the end of the Blitz Tour, but the beginning of a new era changing the way people shop with Social Shopping as continue on our Billion Dollar Roll together.  The next tour we will visit college campuses across America. But first on to Taiwan and Hong Kong. Get ready for the United Kingdom with uk.shop.com!

We have now completed the Market America Blitz Tour with visits to Long Island, NY, Lancaster, PA and Charlotte, NC. The Blitz Events in Long Island, Lancaster and Charlotte were inspiring.  Everyone is on board with the university concept, social media, IBV and the portal. I was joined by Andrew Weissman in Lancaster and Charlotte as we enlightened the attendees about Market America’s Paid to Shop program, social media, vertical marketing, the UnFranchise business and the revolution of social shopping.

People constantly hear me talk about how my cyber office is everywhere. Let's face it though, in the digital age that we live in, we can virtually work from anywhere -- with the right tools.  We're talking digital devices like smartphones, relying on digital copies of files and documents instead of mountains of paper and so on.  Just by eliminating some of the clutter, it makes it easier for us to focus in on the tasks we have at hand.  Tasks like reading articles, responding to emails, sorting photos, etc...items that help keep things moving along.  Otherwise, it just piles up and we get nowhere, because we're 'treading paper.'

For the past month, I've spent a good deal of time away from home on the ma® Blitz Tour, yet I've been able to focus on not only staying in touch with the office, but also had the opportunity to spend time together with my family, business contacts, and potential business partners -- all without being chained down to a desk. You see, that's one thing I love so much about my digital office -- wherever I go, it goes -- not the other way around.  In-turn, even though I'm still working, I am enjoying it so much, that I'm being more productive.

For many of you that know me and understand how important it is to balance work with other responsibilities, it's that work smarter, not harder approach that has helped propel me along. By using the tools that we have available to us -- (smartphones, iPads, laptops, etc...) and by finding our true passion, work doesn't seem like work and we get more done because we're doing something we enjoy doing, so much so, that we put our hearts into whatever it is!

So when you're working -- here are a few things to think about. Can I be working smarter -- make a list of the things I currently do and any alternate ways to get them done.  Second, Do I have the most efficient tools? I'm not saying go get all of the tools, we often don't need them. Find the one's YOU NEED, and make sure they will work with how you operate. Last, think about where you want to be headed and if you are on that path. If you're not, readjust.

Like skiing, we all have an end goal in mind -- to make it to the top (in skiing -- to make it to the bottom). Arm yourself with the tools that will help get you there and continue to adjust along the way. Life is filled with obstacles, wind patterns and such that try to throw us off course. If you arm yourself with the right tools, you can take your business anywhere!

See you all in Lancaster.

Keep growing. I believe in you.

JR

This is a great video to share with all of your friends and family members.  Earning Cash Back with Market America is easier, faster and bigger than ever!  Most companies charge up to $500 to enter their cash back program, Market America is free and takes less than 30 seconds to join. Earn an additional 1/2% from all of your friend's purchases no one offers cash back for friend's referrals like Market America.  In additional you will be assigned a personal consultant shopper that will help you get the best deals from all of our brands. What are you waiting for? Register now!

( on the slopes with Joe Bolyard)

After a few days of traveling and a very successful blitz tour in Dallas, Phoenix, Pasadena and Portland it was time to take a break to recharge my batteries, get creative and get organized. As an avid skier I always make it a point to visit Aspen for Spring skiing and the spontaneous adventure is the perfect way to get myself recharged and prepared for the second half of my Blitz tour with my wife Loren and our friends.

How do you encourage your employees to work together? Two executives examine the idea of collective leadership in their new book, As One.

What makes a leader great? All entrepreneurs and CEOs face a similar challenge: Inspiring employees to work together. Management gurus, from Peter Drucker to Tony Hsieh, have offered insights about forming collaborative work environments, but few have attempted to apply a more scientific approach to finding the key ingredient for great leadership.

( Pasadena Blitz Event)

We have now visited four cities on the Blitz Tour – Dallas, Phoenix, Pasadena and Portland. I am looking forward to next stop in Minneapolis, MN on March 21st!

The Blitz Events in Pasadena and Portland were inspiring. Everyone is on board with the university concept, social media, IBV and the portal. Kevin Buckman and I enlighten the attendees about Market America’s Paid to Shop program, social media, vertical marketing, the UnFranchise business and the revolution of social shopping.

With Dallas and Phoenix under our belt…the tour continues…next stop – Pasadena. Dallas was an orchid and Phoenix was a rose.  Both were incredible but different and I can't begin to describe it.  It is as good as it has ever been and equal to the pioneering rise of the company!  It's so good to be in the trenches with people who are salt of the earth and hungry for success but equally sincere.  They get it!  They are on board with the university concept, social media, IBV and the portal. We are meeting the next generation of stars. The Blitz Event in Phoenix was unbelievable. Pure Energy! Phoenix has risen from the ashes and flying!  50% of the attendees were new entrepreneurs.  Everyone was so attentive - they sucked it out of us and hung on every word and were very responsive.  Kevin Buckman and I presented for three hours about Market America’s Paid to Shop program, social media, vertical marketing, the UnFranchise business and the revolution of social shopping.