Ask Altucher

James credits at least some of his success to his guest's new company, Product Hunt.

 

Erik Torenberg a founding team-member at Product Hunt, co-founder of Rapt.fm, and associate at Queensbridge Venture Partners joins James today.

 

Product Hunt seems like such an easy idea and an overnight success on the surface... but really it was years in the making.

 

But since its launch, it has been on a true rocket-ship ride.

 

It all started with a relatively small e-mail list... and the brilliant strategy of allowing product makers to talk to product users.

 

They went through Y Combinator and then got funding from Andreessen Horowitz. That was all the street cred they needed to explode.

 

Listen here as Erik tells James what's next for Product Hunt.

Direct download: AA20Ep20369.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 5:03pm EDT

Do you need a vacation?

How about a place that has such a lingering bad reputation that it's the perfect place to get away to?

Interested?

Today, James and Claudia call our good friend and the original co-host of Ask Altucher, Aaron Brabham, to find out why he's now living there and what else he has been up to.

I can't tell you where he is – you'll have to listen to find out. But once you hear his story, you'll know why he has no plans to come back stateside.

And what's he doing there?

He's living the life of an entrepreneur.

To learn more about his new company, just click here.

He's involved with a new and exciting health and fitness company and explains to James and Claudia why he got involved and what his plans are to grow it.

Listen here as James and Claudia catch up with Aaron.

Direct download: AA20Ep20368.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:36pm EDT

James spent an hour interviewing his wife and business partner, Claudia Azula Altucher.

They went back to 1999, when Claudia first started to learn about yoga. She knew very little about it, but wanted a discipline that would be physical and get her into a "zone."

They went all the way back to Claudia's early childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was raised by a very loving mother, who unfortunately committed suicide when Claudia was only 17. You'll hear the pain in Claudia's voice as she talks about this tragic time in her life.

Claudia eventually saved $2,000, just enough money to come to the United States. She had to leave Argentina.

Life as an immigrant can be tough, yet Claudia never gave up. But she still hadn't found peace. She needed to make new choices and take control of her life.

She found it in yoga.

If you're interested in learning more about yoga, you have to listen to Claudia's podcast. You can listen on her website: ClaudiaYoga.com.

Follow her on Facebook and YouTube.

Direct download: AA20Ep20367.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

James gives his friend Mitch Joel a call today to talk about a subject that scares the heck out of him — public speaking.

James asks Mitch about his philosophy on public speaking.

Mitch breaks down public speakers and presenting into three styles of music: The first is the "classical music approach," the second he calls the "jazz improve” approach," and the third he calls the "rock and roll approach."

Mitch tells a great story about President Bill Clinton, the type of speaker he is, and also what his own personal speaking approach is.

He helps James understand that he doesn't always have to create a brand new speech every time he presents.

It's OK to re-use a lot of the same material. Don't keep the entire audience from hearing your best speech if only 20% may have heard it already.

Direct download: AA20Ep20366.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:44pm EDT

James gives his good friend Chris Brogan a call today to talk about the real value of doing a podcast.

James asks Chris... Is podcasting worth the time and effort?

Chris says "no... and yes." There's no real money in it, but the other benefits are worth every second you put into it.

Podcasting helps you with all your other media by broadening your "umbrella." You can take your podcast and create a blog post or a newsletter article and you can tweet about it and post it on Facebook.

Plus, as both James and Chris say, their biggest benefit is getting to talk to people they would never get a chance to without the podcast

Listen to Chris and James talk about the real value of starting a podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep20365.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

Brian Koppelman is back today to continue the fascinating discussion he and James started on his last visit.

As Brian says, "Non-fiction books answer a series of questions, whereas fiction books raise a series of questions."

On the last show, James made a promise to Brian that he would read more fiction. Brian holds him to it today.

This is another amazing conversation between two extremely creative people who are constantly working hard to improve their crafts.

Listen today and make sure you grab a pen to write down all the great books they talk about.

Direct download: AA20Ep20364.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:57pm EDT

Today's question is a tough one, as one of our listeners writes in...

"My girlfriend has decided to concentrate on her career and wants to take a break from our relationship. How can I support her while satisfying my own needs?"

James and Claudia disagree a bit on their answers.

Listen here and you can decide who you think is right.

Direct download: AA20Ep20363.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:42pm EDT

Today's question...

"I feel like the life I knew is falling apart before my eyes and my next steps are critical. I would deeply appreciate guidance and support.

Here is what's happening. I'm a twenty-year-old college student starting an online business, and last week I flew to New York City behind my parents' backs for a business event (with my own money) and they found out and decided to withdraw all financial support. I called my mom to apologize and she exploded, telling me that starting a business was ruining my life and destroying my relationships.

She said she would rather I take a semester off than work on a business while she is paying for my school tuition. So, I stayed up all night thinking and decided to take a semester off to pursue my business.

Then I called her today to tell her and she exploded in the other direction, telling me that if I drop out of school I will be putting a dagger into her heart. She tried to make me promise I will stay in school

It looks like at this point she will let me stay in school and work on my business, but now I genuinely think the best thing might be to take off a semester and work only on my business.

I don't want to give in to a compromise that isn't in my best interests, but I also don't want to tear my family apart.

How do I choose myself in this situation?"

Listen to James as he gives his real life advice.

Direct download: AA20Ep20362.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

John Ruhlin joins James and Claudia to talk about what it means to be a great salesman and

John has decided to take it to a new level.

Before you can sell you have to get in the door.

So he introduces himself with a very special gift.

Like the time he brought $7000 worth of Brooks Brothers clothes to a prospective clients hotel room and set it up to shock him.

It worked even better than he had hoped.

John says, if you’re going to send a gift than send it to their inner circle, their significant other, their adman and their family. These people are usually ignored and they’re often the most important people in your prospects lives.

Click here to listen to John’s stories and ideas for some great gifts to get you in the door.

Think “radical generosity”

Direct download: AA20Ep2036220Ruhlin.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:15pm EDT

Of all the assets that you could possibly sell, I bet you've never thought of selling your future . . . but Jason is doing just that.

Jason Zook (formerly JasonSurfrapp, Jason Headsetsdotcom and Jason Sadler) is a crazy-at-heart salesman . . . beneath that, he's an impressive content creator with a long track record of success.

He's not a painter or a musician, but no one would ever say he's not an artist.

Today's he's selling his future.

Is he on to something new here?

Listen as James does his due diligence and decides whether to buy in or not.

I doubt you'll ever hear another show like this one again.

Direct download: AA20ep20360.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:58pm EDT

Derek Coburn is the master at networking.

Derek says, "Going to networking events is a waste of time." You can go to networking events two or three times a week and never realize how much time you're wasting.

Traditional networking isn't working anymore.

He still goes to larger networking events, but only if there are multiple ways he can win . . . you need to be very selective.

Derek wrote the book on networking, Networking is Not Working, and he gives James a recap of some of his best ideas.

Listen to James and Derek talk about networking 2.0. 

Direct download: AA20Ep20359.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:57pm EDT

Everyone at some point in their career hates their job.

For some people it's just temporary, but for others, it gets so bad that they quit.

If you decide to quit, everything suddenly changes. The stability of your old job is gone. Now you're on your own, and it's scary.

Give yourself permission to be burned out.

 

Listen to James and Claudia work through how to get through this.

Direct download: AA20Ep20358.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Do you know what the secret mistake that most first time entrepreneurs make?

If you’re an entrepreneur than its so to know it. If you don’t you could already be out of business and not even know it.

 

Listen to James and hear his secret.

Direct download: AA20Ep20357.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:51pm EDT

Most books are "business card" books.

A "business card" book is a book that helps the author establish credentials. It works as a business card.

But today, James wants to talk about "braingasm" books. Your brain has an orgasm while you're reading these books – they're that good.

James recently wrote a post about books like these, called "The 10 Most Important Books to Expand Your Mind," and today he's going to review a few of them.

 

Listen to James' list and hear why he thinks they deserve to be on it.

Direct download: AA20Ep20356.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT

 

James says, no.

Direct download: AA20Ep2035520.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 5:22pm EDT

Just don't do it.

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Claudia and James felt it was very important to record this podcast.

Claudia, being a victim of living through her mother's suicide when she was just a teenager, is passionate about preventing it.

 

Listen to this extremely important podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep20354.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:09pm EDT

This question came in from the Choose Yourself Facebook group:

"I've been passed over for my next promotion. I feel like 'the poor employee' instead of "the 'rich employee.'"

James says being "The Rich Employee" is a mindset, and this person is already acting as a rich employee.

He has realized there's a problem and he's taking steps to fix it, but right now he's hurting.

He asks himself, "Why should I accomplish anything?"

Listen to James' answer in today's show.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. The Rich Employee is now also in paperback.

Direct download: AA20Ep20353.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:22pm EDT

Get ready – this one is going to be very controversial.

You went to college. You took out huge student loans to get your degree. You can barely make ends meet, and your monthly student loan bills are now due.

What can you do?

Ask for help.

Listen to today's show here

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. The Rich Employee is now also in paperback.

Direct download: AA20Ep20352.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:53am EDT

Should you "fire" a really terrible customer?

Well, that depends...

If that customer happens to be 99% of your business, you have a big problem. But today, James addresses what to do with those customers who won't break your business.

You could delegate that customer to another employee. Sometimes that works.

You could have a real, honest conversation with that customer, asking them their advice on how you could serve them better.

"Help me help you..."

 

P.S. The Rich Employee is now also in paperback.

Direct download: AA20Ep20351.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:38pm EDT

Do you want to be a professional speaker? Does having to get up on stage in front of a group of people scare the heck out of you?

Today James and Claudia invite Brian Rashid to join them to give us a couple of quick tips to help you if you want to become a public speaker.

Brian says you have to get really clear on one topic. Then create a clean one-page that lists bullets points on what you'll talk about, and add in testimonials as soon as you have them.

This is a long interview and Brian doesn't hold back. He's willing to answer every question they ask him.

James calls this interview "The bible of public speaking."

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. The Rich Employee is now out in paperback

Direct download: AA20Ep20350.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:29pm EDT

Why did James self-publish his new book, The Rich Employee?

He wanted total control over the marketing.

The old way of the legacy book publishers is to get the author to march around the country doing book signings at the few book stores that still exist.

This just doesn't work anymore.

Instead, writers should do the "podcast tour". You'll get in front of millions of potential buyers without ever leaving your house.

Remember, you should always choose yourself.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. The Rich Employee is out in paperback as of today

Direct download: AA20Ep20349.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:57pm EDT

Why did James feel that he had to write his new book, The Rich Employee?

He wanted to set the record straight.

For the average employee, income is going down while inflation goes up. Industry, knowledge, and management are all being outsourced cheaply to other countries or to technology.

Many people mistakenly think that the only solution is entrepreneurship – that "entrepreneurship is the pathway to riches." This is not true. Being an entrepreneur does have great upside but it also has a well-known failure rate of 85%. There is no way to predict your way out of that 85%.

The solution is to become a rich employee, and now, anyone can do it.

This century, companies will only succeed if they encourage their employees to develop the "Rich Employee" mindset.

 

In today's podcast, James talks about The Rich Employee, saying that to succeed and thrive no matter where you are, no matter who your boss is, and no matter what your situation is, you should "choose yourself."

Direct download: AA20Ep2034820with20TRE20preroll.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:16pm EDT

Chris Brogan was gracious enough to allow us to repost an interview he did today with James to talk about, everything…including the release of James brand new book; The Rich Employee that hit the Amazon bookstore today.

They jumped onto a platform new to many of us, Blab.im and did an hour long interview.

A lot of people jumped in to ask questions including Joel Comm, Michael Stelzner, Mitch Jackson and so many others.

We hope you enjoy this as we play with the best way to deliver you our content.

Thanks again Chris and please check out Blab.im

Best,

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20Ep2034720Blab20final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 7:05pm EDT

This weekend Dr. Wayne Dyer passed away.

James wants to recognize the influence Wayne Dyer has had on his life. We're very sad about his passing.

Here is one of the last interviews Wayne Dyer has done and it is with James... 

During that interview James asked Dr. Dyer what he saw as the arc of his career. "What has your message been and how have you seen it evolve?"

Without hesitating, Dr. Dyer responded...

"Well, it's really been always about self-reliance, in one form or another. I've often said that I really feel that I had a conversation with God just before I showed up here on this planet in 1940 and I was asked, 'What would you like to do on this trip?' And I said, 'Well, I think I'd like to teach self-reliance.' And God said, 'You want to do that for an entire lifetime? Just teach self-reliance?'

"I said, 'Yes, that would be a great lifetime.' And he said, 'Well, then, we'd better get your little ass into an orphanage and we'd better let you have all of these different experiences, so that once people start to question that, you will never be dissuaded because you'll have the experience of it.' So everything in my life has been directed towards teaching people how to have self-reliance. It has shifted from psychology and an emphasis on psychological principles, to spiritual principles, and that's something that I really had nothing to do with personally; that was just the direction that I was destined to go."

They concluded their conversation with the following exchange...

Dr. Wayne Dyer:Think about your body, the body that you're in. You're in a male body, I'm in a male body. And I'm in a body that's about 6'2", it has blue eyes, it has no hair on its head, it has certain characteristics and so on, and inessence, that's why, for this incarnation, I'm doomed.

I'm doomed to live – I'm not gonna be in a female, 4'10" body. I'm not gonna be in any other – this is the body that I get, okay? Now, what kind of choices do I have to make within that context? Well, I can decide how healthy it's gonna be. I can decide whether I'm gonna exercise it or not.

I can decide actually how long it's gonna live.

There's many, many choices that I make about this body within the context of being doomed to live in this body and not any other body. Now, if you take this metaphor and you extend it to not just the physical body but to the rest of your life and all that you are, you are, in essence – you are given a dharma. You showed up here with a purpose. You showed up here with an energy that propels – and there's something that excites you, and it's like whether you want to be a falconer or whether you want to be a musician or whether you want to be a writer or whether you want to raise horses in Montana.

Whatever it might be, there's something that excites you. Now, you have been doomed; in other words, this is your dharma. This is what you're here for. But you're making choices.

And the choices that you make all along, all the course corrections that you make, involve,

"Am I willing? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make this come true?" I've always been willing.

"Are you determined?" That is, are you gonna not let anything interfere with it? Yes. You have to have that determination.

"Am I fearless?" In other words, am I gonna get the fear out of me and come from a place of love, from divine love?

"Am I using compassion?" Compassion for myself and compassion for others, and ultimately,

"Do I reach that state? " The highest rung on the ladder, if you will, when Rumi said, "When you are born, a ladder is placed before you to help you to escape from this world.' And so to understand that you're in this world but you're not of this world, and when you reach the top of the ladder, the top rung on that ladder of divine love, you realize that, yes, you are doomed. You have been. You're to be a writer, you're to do all these things, but you also make choices and course corrections along the way, just like the choice you make about how your body is going to be.

When you understand that, when you understand that you showed up here for a reason and a purpose and, "Now I'm gonna be willing, I'm gonna be fearless, I'm gonna be determined, I'm gonna be passionate," then you can live your life without regrets. I just read a book called The Five Regrets of the Dying, by a woman in Australia who is a hospice nurse, and she interviewed people every day who were dying, and asked them what were their regrets. 

She wrote a book about it, and the number one regret of people who were under her hospice care, the number one regret of the people dying was, "I wish I'd had the courage to live my life the way I knew I should, rather than listening to other people tell me what to do." That's the essence of it all.

James Altucher:   That's really important, because as you said, you're doomed to make your choices, but if you don't make your choices, you're even more doomed.

Dr. Wayne Dyer:   Absolutely, absolutely.

James Altucher:   'Cause someone else is making the choices for you. And on that note, Wayne, I really appreciate you spending the time and on this interview. I really want recommend I Can See Clearly Now. It's a great book, it's inspirational. I also recommend all of the books that you referenced in the book and in this interview, because I think they're all transformational books, and again, once again, thank you for coming on this show and being interviewed.

Dr. Wayne Dyer:   It's my pleasure. God bless you. Good luck to you, my friend.

James Altucher:   Thanks, Wayne.

 

Dr. Wayne Dyer:   Namaste.

Direct download: ALR20EP20620DR.20WAYNE20DYER.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:39am EDT

A few months ago Frank Curzio interviewed James on his Top 10 iTunes podcast Wall Street Unplugged.

We thought a lot of our new listeners might have never heard this interview and so I decided to publish it today.

I really think you’ll enjoy this interview

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James is hard at work on his next new project. Stay tuned right here as we’ll be announcing it first on this podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep2034520Frank20interview.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 7:36pm EDT

Most small businesses fail. In fact, about 85% of them do.

Is it the business, or is it the people behind the business that fail?

 

Listen here today as James talks about how not to fail as a small startup business.

Direct download: AA20Ep2034420fianl2028229.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:39pm EDT

Why do anything if you're going to die anyway?

It's an evolutionary thing. Our brains have been setup to reward us for those things that trigger well-being.

When the chemical dopamine is triggered in your brain,  it makes you feel great.

 

Listen here today and go do something.

Direct download: AA20Ep20343.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:31am EDT

China is having problems...

The Fed may raise interest rates next month.

And the market is down about 10%.

But this is not 2009. The world is not falling apart.

Today James gives you some companies you may want to think about.

 

Listen here today and I hope you profit from it.

Direct download: AA20Ep20342.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:39am EDT

Before you start your podcast, should you have a specific niche in mind?

James says no – you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. If it works, great. If not, then you can close it down and start another.

Just do it for fun.

Listen here today. I hope you enjoy it.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new bookAll I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).

Direct download: AA20Ep20341.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:14pm EDT

I've been saving this recording for the day when James' schedule became so crazy he just couldn't record your daily dose of Ask Altucher.

Today is that day...

This is a presentation that James gave recently at the NJ Tech Meetup.

WARNING: This recording does have a bit of explicit language, so listen at your own risk.

Listen here today and I hope you enjoy it.

Regards,

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20Ep20340.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 5:37pm EDT

Are you willing to disobey your parents?

Cassey Ho came from a typical Asian family. They gave her three choices for her career... doctor, lawyer or engineer.

She had to bring honor to her family.

But that wasn't Cassey's calling. She had the entrepreneurial spirit, and she just had to follow her dream.

Fast-forward to today, and Cassey has almost 2.5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel Blogilates TV, with one of her videos now approaching 7.5 million views.

And that was just the beginning. She has created a whole line of products that's growing quickly.

Listen here today as she shares with James how she advertises her "brand."

Regards

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20Ep2033920Cassey20Ho.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:46pm EDT

Do you fear the nothingness of death?

That last thought, that last breath...

James doesn't.

Pain scares him, but not death.

Listen here today as he and Claudia discuss the unknown.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. This Thursday, August 20th, James will be the featured guest on Product Hunt LIVE, a place to chat with the world's most interesting authors, artists, founders, investors, game creators, entertainers, and makers. For more information click here.

Direct download: AA20Ep20338.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:04pm EDT

What if the consequences of saying "no" are so strong, you feel like you just have to agree?

James gives an example: Your boss demands that you change your plans at the last second and spend the weekend traveling for business, instead of doing what you had planned.

Can you say "no" to him?

Sure, but you'll probably lose your job, and that may not be an option. "No's" do have consequences.

So what else can you do?

Be prepared...

Listen here today as James gives us a few hacks so this doesn't happen to you again and again.

Hint... Choose yourself.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new book for FREE! All I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).

 

P.P.S. This Thursday, August 20th James will be the featured guest on Product Hunt LIVE a place to chat with the world's most interesting authors, artists, founders, investors, game creators, entertainers, and makers. For more information click here.

Direct download: AA20Ep20337.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 5:02pm EDT

What if someone told you that your behavior was controlled by a powerful, invisible force?

Nick Morgan, the author of Power Cues, joins James today to tell the fantastic story of how, after a serious concussion that left him in a coma for about 10 days, Nick lost the ability to read other people he knew.

He could no longer read their body language. He couldn't read the cues.

After a couple of months of agony, something switched back on.

That experience awakened in Nick a lifelong interest in body language, gesture, and voice, and a drive to understand how people really communicate with each other.

Listen here today as Nick relays some amazing stories about how you can take control of your communication.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new book for FREE! All I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).

Direct download: AA20Ep2033620final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT

What's an effective way to deal with complainers? James says help the complainer focus on other things, and if they're a chronic complainer, then just remove yourself from the conversation. You'll notice the complaints will slow down.

Why doesn't James have any external advertising on his blog or podcasts? James gives his honest answer and breaks some new news.

How does James pick a book subject that he knows there is a demand for? He doesn't.

Listen here today as James explains.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new book for FREE! All I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).

Direct download: AA20Ep20335.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:40pm EDT

Are you writing a thousand words a day, every day? You better be if you want to write a great book.

Are you doing great research? Have you immersed yourself in the story? Are you writing everything down?

James says you should start off with a moment of fear. Ask yourself, what are the 10 questions everyone is going to have?

Good luck, and if you want James' guide to self-publishing, click here.

Regards,

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20EP20334.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:22pm EDT

We’re not talking about having enough money to take care of your human needs; we’re talking about getting rich.

Today’s question comes from a twenty-year-old who says that’s all he can think about.

The key to getting rich is to ask, who did I help today?

Regards,

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20Ep2033320final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:53pm EDT

James delves into the mind of his 13-year-old daughter Mollie today.

We start off with James asking Mollie about her favorite music, movies, and TV shows.

They then talk about school. James has made Mollie an offer: She will never have to go to school again, if she'll just read one book a week and talk about it with him.

She says... No thanks.

Listen today to hear Mollie's answers.

Regards,

 

David Newman

Direct download: AA20Ep20332.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:51pm EDT

Claudia "The Snake Killer" has today's question, which is, how does James retain the information from all the books he reads?

James usually reads about five books at the same time, making it through 20% of each book daily. If something interests him, he'll highlight it and write it down.

And then he'll try to teach it to someone else.

Listen here to hear James on the "mind palace" technique to memory recall.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. We're looking for a few great affiliates to help us get James' message out.

The idea is simple. You sign up with us to become an official, sanctioned distributor of Choose Yourself Media products. You begin promoting them immediately. You use sales copy and other advertising materials that we've tested ourselves – materials that have already been proven to work (banner ads, text ads, e-mails, newsletter ads – you name it!), and you offer your members the bonuses and privileges that we offer.

 

For more information on becoming an affiliate, click here.

Direct download: AA20Ep20331.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:40pm EDT

I hate my boss. He's a real tyrant, but I can't quit because I need the money.

James says, in order to become the rich employee, you need to tie your success to the success of the company.

Encourage the people around you, as hard as that may seem. It will make you feel better.

And, as intimidating as it may seem to leave your job, you need to start to take action. Start working today on finding another job. You could take courses online and learn new skills.

Invest in yourself, starting today.

Listen here to hear James' ideas on becoming the rich employee.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. We're looking for a few great affiliates to help us get James' message out.

The idea is simple. You sign up with us to become an official, sanctioned distributor of Choose Yourself Media products. You begin promoting them immediately. You use sales copy and other advertising materials that we've tested ourselves – materials that have already been proven to work (banner ads, text ads, e-mails, newsletter ads – you name it!), and you offer your members the bonuses and privileges that we offer.

 

For more information on becoming an affiliate, click here.

Direct download: AA20Ep20330.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:10pm EDT

What's the best way to get your dream job?

A listener wrote in to say that he has been sending his "out-of-the-box ideas" to his company, but he hasn't heard back.

Suddenly, the company has posted a job opening for something similar that he can do.

He's wondering if he should just go through the normal routine and apply for the opening through the normal channels, or if he should get very creative, like Claudia did when she "applied" for the CEO position at Twitter.

James says he should do both.

Listen here to hear James give the listener the tips and tricks to getting his dream job.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. We're looking for a few great affiliates to help us get James' message out.

The idea is simple. You sign up with us to become an official, sanctioned distributor of Choose Yourself Media products. You begin promoting them immediately. You use sales copy and other advertising materials that we've tested ourselves – materials that have already been proven to work (banner ads, text ads, e-mails, newsletter ads – you name it!), and you offer your members the bonuses and privileges that we offer.

 

For more information on becoming an affiliate, click here

Direct download: AA20Ep20329.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:01pm EDT

Today, James, Claudia, Mollie, and Josie are podcasters in cars going to Whole Foods.

Often, the biggest gatekeeper you'll run up against is in your own mind. You believe you have to use gatekeepers to become successful.

What if you want to be a star in Hollywood? Do you need an agent (i.e., a gatekeeper)?

The short answer is: no.

Listen here to hear James and Claudia offer proof that you can do this yourself.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20328.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:38pm EDT

Good television tells great stories... In fact, James believes television is the best art form out there right now. It's better than the best movies and even better than most books.

But they both do love to watch funny movies

Here's a list of the 11 funniest movies ever, according to James and Claudia:

 1. Superbab

 2. This Is the End

 3. The Hangover (James), Liar Liar (Claudia)

 4. Groundhog Day (James), Trainwreck (Claudia)

 5. Ben Stiller movies – Meet the Fockers, There's Something About Mary, Zoolander

 6. Funny People (James) (Claudia isn’t crazy about this one)

 7. Top Five

  8. We're the Millers

  9. The Wedding Ringer

 10.The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up

 11. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Listen here to hear James and Claudia talk about these and a few more of their favorites.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20327.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:27pm EDT

First, what is good character? 

A person who takes responsibility has good character.

Listen to hear James and Claudia talk about whether society is dying because of a lack of character.

Be impeccable in your word…

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20326.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 9:54am EDT

When is enough enough?

Whenever money is your main goal, it will always disappoint you.

At the end of the day, it's more important to ask yourself: "Who did I help today?"

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20325.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:06am EDT

James answers a few questions in rapid-fire fashion.

The first question is whether you should edit as you write. James says never. Your first draft is always terrible. Just race to the end.

Write it, write it, and write it...

Race to the end, and then sculpt it when you're finished.

A listener writes in to ask James if he, as an author, should start using Quora. Another wants to know how to avoid taking criticism personally.

Plus, someone wants to know more about why James doesn't read or listen to the news.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20324.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:04pm EDT

James and Claudia celebrate five years of marriage on today's show.

They talk about what marriage is really all about. It's not about your sex life, the money, or almost anything else...

It's about becoming friends and handling problems.

If there is love underneath... any problem can be solved.

Because you will have problems...

And to read James blog post on How to Be Married for Five Years, click the link.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20323.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 6:22pm EDT

James recently hired someone to completely rewrite Fifty Shades of Grey using a thesaurus to change every word. Unfortunately, he found out there are laws against this, so of course, he never published it

James' guest, John Havel, joins him today to talk about a friend of a friend of his who claims he makes about $15,000 a month through the Amazon Kindle store selling books he "writes."

He finds other people's books about dating and social relationships, reads the comments to see what people like and don't like, and then he creates an outline.

He sends this outline to a ghostwriter in the Philippines and, for about $250, he gets back a 30-page document that he then edits to create a book.

He publishes about four books a month to the Amazon Kindle store.

He's learned all the tricks on the Amazon platform that help him "work the system," increasing his rankings and selling more books.

Designing an eye-catching cover and writing great copy on the description page are the most important things you can do to boost your sales.

For him, the content is secondary.

So John and his team decided to see if they could replicate his system.

They decided to see if they could get a #1-ranked book on Amazon within a week.

They took a romance novel they thought was in the public domain, changed names, re-worked it, and put it out there.

It didn't work out the way they thought it might.

Listen here to hear the story behind John's experiment.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2032220final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:04pm EDT

Love can be tough – especially when it's unrequited or unreturned.

We've all been there...

Are you sure that what you're feeling is love?

If you truly care about someone, then you want the best for them. The best for them may not be the best for you.

Love is not a gift that has to be returned.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20321.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:54am EDT

In school, in order to get an "A" you have to get 90% of the questions right. But in business, if you make just 50% of your decisions correctly, you're an "A+" leader.

Do most of you really need to learn trigonometry, algebra or geometry? Why to they keep teaching this to everyone?

Real life business is about strategy, persuasion, and writing.

Writing is a critical skill to learn, but most schools never spend enough time focusing on it.

Instead, students read Shakespeare and Homer and write reports on historical subjects.

Listen to today's episode and let us know the last time you "square rooted" something.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20320.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:41am EDT

What is doubt?

James says doubts are all in your head. "If I X, then the result of Y may not be great" – that's a doubt.

Don't let doubt control you. Instead, use it as a tool.

Action is the only thing that will make you successful. Living in your head will never get you anywhere.

Listen to today's episode and don't doubt your decision.

Regards,

David Newman

 

PS – James was on Farnoosh Torabi's podcast So Money yesterday. It was a great interview and we thought you might want to listen.

Direct download: AA20Ep20319.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:53am EDT

James once played poker for more than 365 days in a row. He was obsessed.

He’d just sold a business and had a ton of cash in his pocket, but he had no friends. He thought he could make both money and friends by taking up poker.

He quickly learned that in poker, psychology is 90% of the battle and understanding the odds is the other 90%.

He loved it and those lessons have stuck with him.

And he learned that he should have kept doing what he was great at. 

Listen to today's episode to find out what he did next.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20318.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:35am EDT

There are about 250,000 podcasts available today, but what's the business model?

Business models don't have to come first, but problems that you solve and your passion to solve them should.

Listen to today's episode and learn why James and Claudia podcast.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20317.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:52pm EDT

Today we're going to have some fun...

James and Claudia share a list of their 11 top TV shows:

1."Arrested Development"

2."Breaking Bad"

3."Better Call Saul"

4."Peep Show"

5."Madmen"

6."Louie"

7."Veep"

8."Silicon Valley"

9."Freaks and Geeks"

10."Rome"

11."House Of Cards"

Listen to today's episode and please send us your suggestions for the best TV show works of art.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20316.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:37am EDT

How can you build your network of influencers? Ignore the obvious. Don't do what everyone else is doing.

Don't send the people congratulations on their birthdays. Everyone else is doing that.

Instead, notice them and acknowledge their work.

James does this about four times a day, every day, and he has built up a huge network.

You can, too.

Listen to today's episode, and start building your network.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20315.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 9:37am EDT

Your friend's spouse is cheating and you know about it. What should you do?

This exact situation happened to James once and he decided to stay out of it. By saying something, he would have injected himself into his friend's relationship. He thought it was better to let them work it out themselves.

This is a tough question, but you can't be the solution to every problem.

Listen here to today's episode, and...

Be there for your friends.

Regards,

David Newma

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20314.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:21pm EDT

Scott Young spent $2,000 and got a "degree" from MIT... And he never had to leave his house.

He calls it the "MIT Challenge."

Scott believes you might learn better without having to go to college for four years.

He spent four years getting a business degree and he still had a longing to learn computer science. But he didn't want to spend four more years of his life in school and accumulate all that debt.

He wanted the education, but not the school.

He has taken a few classes online before and thought, "If you can learn a class, why not an entire degree?"

But when he was done, would anyone hire him?

Listen today to find out.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2031320w20Bestseller20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:03pm EDT

I can't seem to make new friends...

Today's question is from someone who's recently out of prison and can't find a true friend except his wife.

James and Claudia each define what a true friend is.

To find new friends, you have to put yourself out there.

And you have to be a good friend to get new good friends.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20312.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:12pm EDT

Claudia is upset...

United Airlines grounded all their flights recently due to a computer glitch. This glitch had nothing to do with their airplanes. People just couldn't check in.

United probably has layers and layers, and more layers, of new software laid over old software, millions of lines of code and bug fixes on top of bug fixes.

James says this is the preverbial "canary in the coalmine" problem for United.

Fix this or its end is near.

James relates this to the employee who every two weeks gets his same paycheck. He should always have a plan B and a plan C in place, just in case.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20311.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:56pm EDT

Did mastering chess change James life? 

Yes. It has opened all sorts of doors for him and taught him to look at everything a little differently.

He spent his youth studying everything about chess. 

He learned how to learn, and he learned how to lose.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2031020final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:39pm EDT

Taylor Pearson talks with James today about The End of Jobs, he wrote the book on it.

James says about Taylors book “ The most important thing about The End of Jobs is that entrepreneurship is not a choice you can make at your leisure”.

“This is something that is actually happening.  The train is leaving the station. You have to either jump on the train or lose your chance forever. Now is the time…”

James asks Taylor what he would do if he wanted to start a new seven figure a year job right now but you had no experience.

Taylor says he’d become an apprentice; there are plenty of great entrepreneurs looking for talented young people to help them grow their businesses.

That’s exactly what he did and he tells James his story.

They talk about how entrepreneurs are leveraging the democracy of the Long Tail to get rich, how others are using Amazon as their store front to drop shipping or as a testing ground before they launch their own website.

As more and more jobs are being outsourced the question remains…

Where is this all going?

The trend is clear. The middle class is dying. 

You can choose to exit up or you can choose you exit down.

Make your choice.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2030920final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:28pm EDT

James' practice of working to improve four areas of his life (physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental) just 1% a day led to today’s question: How does James' daily practice turn into money?

He turns this question around. What if you did the exact opposite of his daily practice? Could that ever lead to money?

Instead of being healthy, you stayed up all night drinking. Instead of exercising your idea muscle, you just vegged out all day.

Do you think this would turn into money?

Create your "“scene" – the people that will help you and those whom you help.

Don’t have a goal other than improving 1% today.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20308.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT

So, you've gone ahead and created 10 great ideas, sent them over to a company to try to help them, and someone from the company has written back and said...

We don't need your ideas.

James is curious about what his original letter said. What you say when you send your ideas is extremely important...

Make sure you don't give them more work while you think you're helping them.

Just keep sending out your ideas, keep trying to help people. If they say, "No thanks," try again in a few months.

And remember: Don't ask for anything in return.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20307.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:49pm EDT

Mac Lethal (born David McCleary Sheldon) is another overnight success, 17 years in the making.

In November 2011, he released a video on YouTube of him rapping over the beat to "Look at Me Now" while he prepared pancakes in his kitchen.

The video became a viral hit and got millions of views in a matter of days, but he'd been practicing his craft for years and years.

As he tells James on the extended version of Ask Altucher, high school bored him so he started writing rap songs in study hall.

Rapping wasn't his passion, but it worked. As he became better at it he became much more passionate...

By 2011 he'd finally made it. Today he often spends hours listening to rappers and learning from them.

He tells James that he believes it takes 20 years to become a real master at your trade.

It takes you a couple of years to move past a beginner, and by year five you start to find your voice and stop mimicking others.

By year 15 you finally focus and become an authentic voice.

But he didn't stop there. He's written a book, Texts From Bennett that was optioned by FX.

Most things you try probably won't work, but keep trying and eventually one good idea will slip through... And no one will remember your prior mistakes.

This is a great interview and you'll want listen to the entire conversation.

Listen to today's show and you can find Mac here and here.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2030620w20income20ad20.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:38pm EDT

Happy Fourth of July.

To celebrate, James and Claudia wanted to give everyone a present.

Listen to today's show and click here to get your special present.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20305.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

James and Claudia touch on a controversial subject today... opinions.

James says whenever he has a strong opinion about something, everybody gets angry.

As you probably already know, James has some pretty strong and controversial opinions about a lot of things... college, 401(k)s, owning homes...

What opinion will really matter 100 years from now? Instead of getting angry, focus on yourself and stay healthy.

And be open and willing to listen to others' opinions. You may just learn something important.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to enter for your chance to win James' 30 favorite books.

Click here now to enter... 

When you enter, you'll also discover how to significantly increase your odds at winning this valuable bundle.

Don't miss out, click here now to enter.

P.P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep20304.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:19am EDT

James starts off today with a productivity hack, and it involves looking at Claudia.

Today's question asks for James' opinion on the best technique to teach someone something.

James starts off with a quote from Bruce Lee.

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."

When you practice something 10,000 times, that doesn't mean you're an expert at only that one thing. Instead, you open a window into learning.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. There are only two days left to enter for your chance to win James' 30 favorite books.

Click here now to enter... 

When you enter, you'll also discover how to significantly increase your odds at winning this valuable bundle.

Don't miss out, click here now to enter.

P.P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

 

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

Direct download: AA20Ep2030320.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:57pm EDT

James wants to catch up before he leaves for his silent retreat to finish his new book.

His phone has been exploding with questions and today he's trying to get through a few of them. (If you listen closely you'll hear him tell Claudia not to be so bossy... it's too funny.)

He covers parenting, business relationships, optimal peak performance times, and startups.

Sit back and enjoy

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. There' are only two days left to enter for your chance to win James' 30 favorite books.

Click here now to enter... 

When you enter, you'll also discover how to significantly increase your odds at winning this valuable bundle.

Don't miss out, click here now to enter   

Direct download: AA20Ep2030220w20giveaway20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

James was giving a talk to 150 people in Hoboken, New Jersey last week.

Before the talk, he took a walk to prepare, settled into a café, took out his waiter's pad, and jotted down notes.

A few tables away at the café, a dad read a newspaper while his two kids played chess.

James, being the semi-professional procrastinator that he is, spent a few minutes looking at their game.

Then instead of preparing his talk, James wrote about 15 or so tips on how they could play better chess.

When the dad and his kids were getting ready to leave, James walked up to the dad with five pages from his waiter's pad ripped out and said, "I was watching your kids play."

James offered him the waiter's pad pages and said: "I made some notes for them."

"He sort of just peered at me and took the notes and said, 'OK.' Then he left," James said.

When James sat down, he felt really proud of himself. He helped someone!

He was feeling all good about himself.

But why didn't that guy say thank you, throw a parade, or anything like that?

James took time out from preparing for his LIFE-CHANGING talk in order to write five pages of detailed notes on how the guy's kids could play better chess.

Then he thought about it. Maybe it's not the best idea to walk up to a total stranger in the middle of the day and say, "I've been watching your kids play."

James also was feeling shy when he said it, so he was not quite looking the dad in the eye. Then James handed him a bunch of ripped-out pieces of waiter's pad paper with probably unreadable notes written on them.

He committed error No. 1 when delivering value: Establish your credentials first as quickly and concisely as possible.

If there's an "urgent" problem, you have to say why you are "unique" to solve it.

James could've started by saying, "I'm a ranked chessmaster and here's how your kids can improve at chess." Very specific and quick.

Oh, and don't be a creepy guy. Very important.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers.

Direct download: AA20Ep20301.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

Today is a huge day for all of us at The Choose Yourself Network. Today we're publishing our 300th episode of Ask Altucher.

What started as an experiment has now become a way of life for so many people, including us.

So from James, Claudia, myself, and everyone else involved in getting you these shows every day, thank you for listening...

And to celebrate today, James and Claudia invited a good friend, Jim Shells, to be their guest on Ask Altucher today.

Jim and James meet two years at a Jason Gaignard Mastermind talk.

Jim's the founder of Board Meetings International,an organization that exists to strengthen the relationship parents have with their children.

Jim noticed while traveling the world and speaking with thousands of entrepreneurs that many are feeling burnt out. In their never-ending quest to build their businesses, they've often forgotten about why they were doing it.

They worked so much to be able to spend quality time with their families.

As Jim says in his brand-new book The Family Board Meeting, "intending to spend time with your kids isn't the same as actually doing it."

And he goes on to say, "Time together isn't the same as quality time together."

So he's created his family board meetings.

According to Jim, there are three basic ground rules for making a board meeting a rewarding experience:

  • It must be one-on-one (i.e. not with your spouse or other children).
  • No electronics allowed.
  • It must be a fun activity, which the kid gets to choose, with focused reflection on questions like, what was your favorite part and why?

This process can be used in your business relationships also to quickly find out which ones may not work out.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas

 

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers.

Direct download: AA20Ep2030020w20giveaway20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:56pm EDT

"Dr. Altucher" is in the house today. Well he's not really a doctor but he plays one on Twitter.

Today's question is, "What is the best way to teach your kids about business?"

James has a few very interesting nonconventional ideas.

First, walk up and down main street with you kids and ask them, "Which of these business are going to succeed and why?"

Second, watch "The Profit" on CNBC with your kids. Pause it and talk to them about it.

Third, watch "Shark Tank" with your kids, pause the show and ask them if they'd invest in the company, how would they market it, would they buy it...

Fourth, practice what you preach.

Fifth, and this one is the hardest, coax them to start their own business.

Click here to listen to this episode.

Claudia thinks James' interviews with Mark Ford are a must-listen for everyone. Listen to part one here and part two here.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing

Click here to learn more about James' great ideas

 

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers.

Direct download: AA20Ep2029920w20Income20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:30pm EDT

James 13-year-old daughter explains to him today that the safest way to make money is to get a job with a steady salary.

As you can imagine, James disagrees.

He says DON'T focus on a salary. If you have a salary you can still get fired at any time, plus you're taxed at the highest rate possible.

When you're working for a salary the value you're bringing to your company is often two or three times what they're paying you. Your boss has to take a piece, his boss needs to take a piece, and so on up the ladder.

Salary is a fancy phase for "We're about to steal two-thirds of your value."

Try to get at least seven sources of income and don't invest your money with banks or brokerages companies.

They are not your friends.

Instead, invest in yourself.

Listen to hear how James sees the future.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing.

Click here to learn more about James' great ideas

 

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers.

 

Direct download: AA20EP2029820w20Income20Ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:09pm EDT

Don't try to predict the future.

When you're 19 years old, you're going to make every mistake possible. We all do it, but that doesn't mean that your relationship isn't meaningful.

Don't regret. Don't be anxious.

Stay focused on the present.

Listen to hear how James wants Claudia to stay in practice, just in case.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. Find Out Today How to Thrive in America Over the Next Five Years

The American Dream is not dead. But it has been forever changed. Playing by the old rules no longer works. Instead, there's a new way to "make it" in America. Millionaire investor James Altucher just revealed a roadmap that shows you how to get there.

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers.

Direct download: AA20Ep2029720with20Giveaway20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:56am EDT

"Can a person be too humble," was the question asked of James today.

James says he doesn't think that's the real question. The real question should be, "Should I be so humble that I let people walk all over me?"

The easy answer is, "No."

But there's a lot more to it.

Listen to hear how James explains this idea.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. Find Out Today How To Thrive in America Over the Next 5 Years

The American Dream is not dead. But it has been forever changed. Playing by the old rules no longer works. Instead, there’s a new way to “make it” in America. Millionaire investor, James Altucher, just revealed a roadmap that shows you how to get there.

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WINJames Altucher’s favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast. 

 

This giveaway includes over 30 hard copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all around choose-yourselfers

Direct download: AA20EP2029620with20Giveaway20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:36am EDT

Yesterday, James noticed on Amazon that there was a second version of The Choose Yourself Guide to Wealth.

Someone had hacked James' book and made himself the editor so he could sell it and get paid.

Claudia called Amazon and went ballistic when no one would help.

James used a different tactic.

He found the "author," who lives in Bangladesh and was using his real name. James wrote to him and recommended he take it down.

He wrote James back, blamed it on a so-called friend and apologized.

Eventually, and only because James has connections within Amazon, he got it taken down. But not before this guy made a substantial amount of money selling James' books.

As James says, "At least I'll get an Ask Altucher show and a blog post out of this experience, so all was not lost."

You can't let people take advantage of you, but you can't let things like this ruin your life.

Listen to hear how James resolved it, made the best of it, and moved on.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James' new book is a "must read." I promise James will introduce you to ideas you have never heard of or read about before. Pick up an "authentic" copy right here... 

 

P.P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep2029520with20ad.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:13pm EDT

Hal Elrod died.

We're not talking metaphorically; he actually died in a head-on car accident. Driving home in his new car he was hit head on by a drunk driver. He bled to death on the side of the freeway.

After six days in a coma he woke up to find that he had 11 broken bones, permanent brain damage, and doctors said he might never walk again.

But he had learned a very important lesson from his time as a door-to-door knife salesman. He calls it the 5-minute rule. It's OK to be negative when things go wrong, but for no more than 5 minutes

Not only did Hal walk, he went on to run a 52-mile ultra-marathon, become a hall of fame business achiever, international Keynote Speaker, success coach, hip-hop recording artist, and multiple-time #1 bestselling author of The Miracle Morning series of books.

If you win the morning you win the day.

That wasn't the only time he had to overcome huge problems. But again his 5-minute rule kicked in.

Listen to Hal's incredible story and hear his list of six personal goals that he does every day. His life savers.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. If you want to have an extraordinary life, James' new book is a "must read."

I promise James will introduce you to ideas you have likely never heard or read about before. Pick up a copy right here...

 

P.P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of 

Direct download: AA20Ep294.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:06pm EDT

James has a list...

First, having any opinion at all is a mistake for any young person.

Second, you were not put on this earth for any special purpose. Stop searching for your purpose in life. It only causes unnecessary stress.

Just do want you want to do.

Third, you probably talk too much. Try to talk less.

Fourth, take the word "career" out of your vocabulary. Get good at multiple things.

Listen to hear the rest of his list.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. If you want to have an extraordinary life, James' new book is a "must read."

I promise James will introduce you to ideas you have never heard of or read about before. Pick up a copy right here...

 

P.P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep20293.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Everyone's happiness is different, special, and customized just for them by them.

Is happiness something inside you or is it outside of you?

James and Claudia explain the difference.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows clever ways to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

 

P.P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep20292.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:47am EDT

Last week in our Ask Altucher episode #286: Help I'm Homeless and episode #283: Will You Go Broke Choosing Yourself? James and Claudia talked about being homeless.

Today they interview Maja Gray who is living, as she calls it, location independent.

Maja has been a traveler since childhood. She's lived all over the world. Hong Kong, Mexico, Japan, France...

She has stayed with friends, house sat, boat sat, but right now she's living in an airport. She exercises in the yoga rooms, uses old phone booths that have a table, Wi-Fi and an electrical outlet, and finds a comfortable place to sleep.

She's learned to nap anywhere, showering is easy, and the food is great.

Learn how she follows all four of James rules for living a healthy life.

Living homeless today may not be exactly what you thought it was.

If you'd like to help Maja finish her book, learn more here.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows clever ways to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

P.P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

 

Direct download: AA20Ep20291.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:15am EDT

James and Claudia tackled todays question about too many choices a little differently today.

Claudia thought you should begin with focusing and James felt you should instead just pick anything and get going. 

Do the first, simplest thing you can first.  

Then do a little of the next….  

As they talked through this James explains how he started this morning preparing for his podcast recording today, his “A” thing. Then he took a break and he did a few “B–E” things.

He then got back to the “A” thing having felt like he’s accomplished a lot already today.

Learn what James “B-E” things were today.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows clever ways to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

P.P.S. Have you entered yet?

 

Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast

Direct download: AA20Ep20290.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:22pm EDT

You can't be productive all day every day.

First, you must read. When you read, you get the distilled, curated life of the writer. The author becomes your virtual mentor.

Second, you must sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, your brain just isn't working at its peak.

Third, you should eat at home. This saves you a couple hours a day and as a bonus, you'll be healthier.

Fourth, you should throw out everything that you can.

And fifth, you should never surf the web. Try for a week, and see how much extra productive time you have.

Listen here and learn how you can become mega-productive.

Plus, don't go to meetings, don't make many phone calls, and send texts instead of emails.

You are what you consume.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows clever ways to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

 

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast

Direct download: AA20Ep20289.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:06am EDT

Mark Messick dropped out of school at age 11 and that's when his real education began.

It wasn't his choice. He was comfortable in his "normal" life but his family was about to make a few quick, short-term moves and it was easier for him to be home schooled.

The same school curriculum doesn't work for every child. Every one of them is different.

As soon as Mark dropped out he felt free. He didn't have to follow the crowd anymore. He could now follow his passion.

He discovered he loved to write.

When he was 13 years old he discovered Amazon would allow him to self publish his first book. He sold six copies and he knew five of the buyers.

Fast forward to today. He's had nine books available on Amazon, and the reviews are fantastic, but its time to test something new.

Mark's 16 years old now and an entrepreneur at heart. He just launched his brand new website Epicproductivity.com.

Learn how Mark made $4,000 last month from his self-published book sales.

 

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows clever ways to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

 

P.P.S. Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

Direct download: AA20Ep20288.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I want to start a business, but I'm afraid I'm going to go broke?"

Somehow, when you work for someone else, you feel more stable. But that's just not the case. They can fire you at any time. There's no stability in that.

Yes, it's true that the failure rate for new businesses is huge and the chances are good that your first business may fail.

And maybe your second and third businesses will also fail. But that's no reason not to try.

Fear motivates.

Learn how James has turned his fear into millions of dollars.

Turn your fear into your energy.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. "James' Hack" – How to Make Money Without a Job

While most people worry about money and live paycheck to paycheck, select people have discovered how to break free of the fear and write their own ticket to success. If you are willing to pursue what some consider a controversial path, you too could become a member of this group.

If you are looking to make more money, or prepare for a secure retirement, this path could be right for you. If you're wondering where the "American Dream" is hiding, you'll find it here.you'll find it here

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN James Altucher's favorite books from the James Altucher Show podcast.

This giveaway includes more than 30 hard-copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all-around "choose yourself"-ers, including:

When to Rob a Bank by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (authors of Freakonomics)

  • What to Do When it's Your Turn (and it's Always Your Turn) by Seth Godin
  • The Game by Neil Strauss
  • Bold by Peter Diamandis
  • Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
  • Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson
  • Plus 24 additional hard-copy books.

 

P.S. BE SURE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
FOR EACH FRIEND WHO ENTERS, YOU'LL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL THREE ENTRIES.

Direct download: AA20Ep20287.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:28pm EDT

Last Thursday on our Ask Altucher Episode #283: Will you Go Broke Choosing Yourself?

James said: "How many homeless people do you know? It's harder to become homeless than you think."

And while he still believes that to be true, James had a long-time listener write in to tell him and Claudia that the listener is homeless and living in an airport.

You'll hear the pain in Claudia's voice as she talks about this.

This person has been sending James and Claudia his daily 10 ideas for a while now, but something is missing from them. Claudia says she believes she knows the reason.

The listener doesn't have a roof over his head. And that's where he should begin.

To come up with 10 great ideas a day, James says you have to have the four legs of a complete daily practice: You have be physically healthy, emotionally healthy, mentally healthy and spiritually healthy.

Being homeless is robbing this person of all four legs.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. "James' Hack" – How to Make Money Without a Job

While most people worry about money and live paycheck to paycheck, a select group has discovered how to break free of the fear and write their own ticket to success. If you are willing to pursue what some consider a controversial path, you too could become a member of this group.

If you are looking to make more money, or prepare for a secure retirement, this path could be right for you. If you're wondering where the "American Dream" is hiding, you'll find it here.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

This giveaway includes over 30 hardcopy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all around choose-yourselfers, including:

When to Rob a Bank by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (authors of Freakonomics)

What to Do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin

The Game by Neil Strauss

Bold by Peter Diamandis

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

Ready. Fire. Aim by Michael Masterson

Plus 24 additional hardcopy books.

 

P.S. BE SURE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
FOR EACH FRIEND WHO ENTERS, YOU RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL THREE ENTRIES.

Direct download: AA20Ep20286.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 6:47am EDT

"Dr. Claudia" is in the house today.

Back pain is a major problem for many people, yet for most it's easily curable.

Here are a few quick exercises that may help.

1.Back away from your desk. While you're still sitting, open your legs and let your body "waterfall" between them. Breathe deeply and relax.

2.Stand up from your desk. Breathe in, push your chest out and lean back. Then come back to vertical, bringing your head up last, while you exhale.

3.Stretch your silence. Try to just be silent for a few hours.

Your physical well-being is critical. Take control of it today.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource details a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

This giveaway includes over 30 hard copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all around choose-yourselfers, including:

When to Rob a Bank by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (authors of Freakonomics)

What to Do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin

The Game by Neil Strauss

Bold by Peter Diamandis

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

Ready. Fire. Aim by Mark Ford...

Plus 24 additional hard copy books

 

P.S. BE SURE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
FOR EACH FRIEND THAT ENTERS, YOU RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL THREE ENTRIES.

Direct download: AA20Ep20285.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 9:35am EDT

Do you feel anxious when you're not working, or not studying?

Anxiety is built into all of us. It's in our DNA. We had to be anxious or we'd be eaten.

When you feel anxious, think about it, realize it, notice it and relax.

Most anxiety is pretty useless. It zaps energy from you and doesn't solve anything.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.

This giveaway includes over 30 hard copy books, written by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, marketers, celebrities, and all around choose-yourselfers, including:

When to Rob a Bank by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (authors of Freakonomics)

What to Do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin

The Game by Neil Strauss

Bold by Peter Diamandis

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

Ready. Fire. Aim by Mark Ford...

Plus 24 additional hard copy books

 

P.S. BE SURE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
FOR EACH FRIEND THAT ENTERS, YOU RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL THREE ENTRIES

Direct download: AA20Ep20284.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:17pm EDT

James has shut up. He's not talking... except on this show. He's saving his voice for a special project.

Today's question is an important one. It's about fear. The fear of becoming homeless if you choose yourself.

How many homeless people do you know? It's harder to become homeless than you think.

Quitting your job is not "choosing yourself." There's a lot more to it than that.

Listen to today's episode and hearJames explain the difference.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

Altucher Podcast Rap by Stephen Fruend

 

Check out our new website and tell us what you think JamesAltucher.com

Direct download: AA20Ep2028320w20Rap.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 4:36pm EDT

Another podcast on the go today...

James received a text from a young listener who wants to earn a quick $5,000 so he can travel to Thailand.

He asks, "What's a quick and easy way to make some fast money?"

The easiest way is to do something online.

James and Claudia's idea muscles are in overdrive today. They come up with a huge amount of great ideas.

Regards,

David Newman

 

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

 

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Miranda Sings by Jerry Seinfeld

Global Family Reunion – Come meet James in person this Saturday.

Ask Altucher Ep 245: How to Make Money With Your Blog in Six Months

Mimi Ikonn on How to Make seven figures on YouTube, here and here.

Gilad Soffer

 

 

AA Ep 170 What's The Best Way to Crowd Fund with Clay Hebert from Kickstarter

Direct download: AA20Ep20282.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

We want to thank Jerry Seinfeld for coming up his original show, "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." Today we ripped off the title.

James and Claudia are on the way to a dance recital for James' daughter and decided to try something new today.

A podcast on the go...

James asks Claudia if she has career envy.

In her next life, Claudia says she wants to be Beyoncé… so that makes James Jay-Z. He's OK with that.

There's no way to completely avoid career envy, but when you feel it, just think about what you're grateful for.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

 

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee by Jerry Seinfeld

 

Global Family Reunion – Come meet James in person this Saturday

Direct download: AA20Ep281.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

"Ocean's 13" and "Rounders" writer Brian Koppelman talks with James today about why reading fiction is so valuable.

No matter what field you're in there's tremendous benefit to reading fiction as part of the diet of what you read.

Brian says, fiction forces your analytical mind to take a back seat for a moment and knocks you out of you comfort. It forces you to grapple with those things that you often shut out.

Reading fiction is not a test; you're not in an English class

No one is going to quiz you on what you read, no one is going to call you an idiot if you don't get it, or don't like it.

Fiction may not immediately improve your life. It's not as direct as most non-fiction books but...

The lessons you pull from the fiction that hits you the hardest are the lessons that stay with you the longest.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

The Moment with Brian Koppelman

Billions,a new drama from the Showtime cable network

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

Candideby Voltaire

L.A. Confidential by James Elroy

American Tabloid by James Elroy

The Stranger by Albert Camus

I Smile Back by Amy Koppelman

City of Thieves by David Benioff

The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow

 

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakaml

Direct download: AA20Ep20280.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:40pm EDT

Two entrepreneurs, Robert (Bobby) Edwards and his mother, Judy Edwards who presented on Shark Tank talk with James today about what life is like after the show.

They did a deal with Lori Greiner that was a game-changer for them.

Their product, Squatty Potty was a bit controversial and at first the shows producer turned them down.

But after using the product for a while, they got back in touch and asked the entrepreneurs to refine their message and to come on to the show.

Listen to today's episode and learn what its like behind the scenes on Shark Tank.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

The James Altucher Show Ep. 24 Mark Cuban: Enough Said

The James Altucher Show Ep. 49 Kevin Harrington: The Greatest Salesman Ever

 

Squatty Potty Shark Tank video

Direct download: AA20Ep20279.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:45pm EDT

"It's important to lack focus."

Both Newton and Einstein were fans of this idea... Let your mind drift off and see what happens.

Maybe your best ideas come while you're in the shower or as you're drifting off to sleep.

Claudia keeps a pen and paper nearby or quickly dictates ideas into her phone so she doesn't forget them.

Read a book that has nothing to do with what you're working on... Take a bath or a nap... Trust your brain.

Allow yourself to drift.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

 

Ask Altucher Ep 16: Be More Productive

Direct download: AA20Ep20278.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 2:19pm EDT

If you put yourself into the public domain, be prepared. There are a lot of haters out there.

No matter who you are, one in 10, one in 20, or one in whatever will hate you.

Nobody is above it. It will happen.

And it hurts...

So what should you do about it?

Simply, stop caring what anyone else thinks. Start by stop giving a F@#K.

It's really that easy.

Regards

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

The Ultimate Guide to Making a Personal Manifesto

 

 

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Direct download: AA20Ep20277.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:04am EDT

We're lucky... We're living at a very special time in history. Startup companies have so much cash that if you're smart, you can legally grab a bunch of it.

Greg Muender did. He became a part-time Uber and Lyft driver to help put his wife through medical school.

He was doing OK, making decent money, but suddenly an idea struck him. Why not write about his experiences and post it to Medium, a new blogging website?

He added a few affiliate links at the bottom and BOOM the cash started rolling in. He was making more money writing about Lyft and Uber than he was driving for them.

And that was just the beginning.

Listen to Greg's story in today's episode.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

AA Ep 217: How One Man Makes Six Figures With Uber

Greg Muender

Fatberry

 

Medium

Direct download: AA20EP2027620final.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:47am EDT

Do you carry around a dream in your back pocket?

Rollie Peterkin did.

He left a cushy job on Wall Street to go to Peru and get punched in the face...

And he loved it.

So what's next? His world is now wide open.

Listen to Rollie's story in today's episode here.

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

 

-----------------------------Throwback Thursday ---------------------------------

 

Ep. 23 "How To Go From $0-$40,000 a Month Writing From Home."

 

---------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

 

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHANGING YOUR LIFE

Ask Altucher Ep. 70 "How Do You Find Your Passion?"

Direct download: AA20Ep20275.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:59pm EDT

Someone once asked Mohammad Ali how many push-ups he does. He said he has no idea. He doesn’t start counting until it starts hurting.

How do you think about work? Do you get tense, anxious and overwhelmed?

The key is find one thing that you really want to learn well. 

Bruce Lee said he doesn’t fear the man who has practiced 1000 kicks, he fears the man who has practiced one kick 1000 times.

Listen to today’s episode and, stay curious

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

 

------------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

10 Things I learned From Richard Branson

Bold by Peter Diamandis

Boingboing

Direct download: AA20Ep20274.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 10:33am EDT

Exercising is something you have to constantly work on. It's not something you can do for a while and then never need again.

First, unclutter. Give away anything you really don't need.

Second, remove from your life the people that drag you down.

Third, stay calm.

Give these three simple ideas a try and let us know if they make a difference in your life.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

------------------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------------

The Ultimate Guide to Becoming an Idea Machine

10 Ideas to Declutter and Live in the Home Of Your Dreams

How to Deal With Crappy People

 

AA Ep 252: How to Use "The Force" in Your Life

Direct download: AA20Ep20273.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 11:53am EDT

One of the most frequently asked questions we get relates to how to make more money. 

Today, James and Claudia talk to Alex and Mimi Ikonn who've figured out one of the formulas. 

They took a simple idea, something that really resonated with them personally, and decided to create a business around it.

They borrowed money from Alex's mom, used their credit card line of credit, and started their online business.

They were desperate to start their own business and initially set small goals.

It was either start their own company or go back to a 9 to 5 business. Something they never wanted to do again. 

Click here to listen as Alex and Mimi share their best practices of quality, consistency and authenticity. 

"The moment you shift your mind from just selfishly just trying to make money for yourself to how you can create value for other people, that's when you actually make money." 

Regards,

David Newman 

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

  

--------------------Recommended Resources-----------------------

Alex and Mimi Ikonn

Mimi Ikonn's You Tube Channel 

Luxy Hair

The 4-Hour Work Week    

Direct download: AA20Ep20272.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:28pm EDT

James flips this question around and asks Claudia, "What have you learned?" 

They talk about many of the misconceptions that exist about the things you've "learned."

Including how to learn quickly.

Listen as James and Claudia talk about what you should unlearn. 

Regards,

David Newman

 

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

 

-------------------------Recommended Resources----------------------- 

Choose Yourself by James Altucher 

Ep 239 Changing Your Lifestyle Can Change your Life with Drew Canoli

Direct download: AA20Ep20271.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 1:35pm EDT

What does James want people to say at his funeral?

He could care less...

We all have two lists: your résumé list and your eulogy list.

No one is going to stand up at your funeral and read your résumé. Instead, they're more likely to stand up and talk about the impact you've had on others' lives.

Listen as James and Claudia talk about your impact.

Measure your impact and think about your eulogy.

"James Altucher, he chose himself." R.I.P.

Regards,

David Newman

P.S. James says there are seven huge trends that will shape America. Understanding these trends before anyone else will give you a huge advantage in work, life, and investing. Click here to learn more about James' great ideas.

 

--------------Recommended Resources----------------

Choose Yourself by James Altucher

Ep 215: What's on Your Bucket List?

 

Today, we're going to introduce something new, Throwback Thursday. We have so many new listeners joining us every day and we have so much content in our archives that many of you may never have heard. So, we've decided to pull out an old favorite and highlight it on our new Throwback Thursday segment. This episode was published July 23, 2014 and we called it – How to Land a Job. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Direct download: AA20Ep20270.mp3
Category:business -- posted at: 12:48pm EDT