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Wealth Lessons Everyone Should Hear for Every Stage of Your Life

Do you have the courage to rewrite your story?

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what i would tell my younger self

Do you see what I see? Likely not, as we each see ourselves through the lens of our own story.

Here’s a snapshot of mine.

I grew up lower middle class.  I was overweight and bullied in school, which had a lasting emotional effect well beyond the years of bullying. My mother was a homemaker and my dad worked around the clock so he was rarely home. 

After a defining moment involving being bullied and then being inspired by the movie sensation Rocky at the time, I laced up my tennis shoes and went for a run. From that day on, fitness became my church in many ways and it shaped my discipline. I thrived as a straight A student and then married and had my first child during my last year of college…1983. 

My career in wealth management followed a few years later along with my second child. My career and life have seen incredible lows….and highs! – the market crash of 2000-2002, the Great Recession from 2007-2009 and the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. 

I navigated a divorce, found love again (and we just celebrated our 17-year anniversary!) and became a father for a third time in my 50s. With all of its ups and downs, the one thing I know for sure is that I wouldn’t change any of it as it made me who I am today.

What I would share with my younger self

We often hear the phrase, “What would you tell your younger self?” For me, when I look in the mirror, I think about what I would tell myself at various stages in life like my 20s.

During this phase, it was all about the hustle, and there was no real balance. I feel like it was fight or flight mode all the time.

What I would tell my 20ish self:

  • Work to find balance – your happiness depends on it.
  • Live a little – laughter is like medicine.
  • Spend as much time with your kids as you can – it goes by SO quick!
  • Set goals and track them.
  • YOU are going to make it (be dedicated and consistent).

I was reflecting on my 30s and all of the lessons I learned in this period of time. It may have been a little rocky (yes that is a nod to the movie that inspired me to get fit), but by taking the lessons, I learned the value of learning versus winning.

If I was talking to my 30ish self I would say:

  • It’s better to cut your losses early – time is invaluable.
  • It’s okay to start over – failure isn’t final.
  • Eat more pizza – an indulgence here or there won’t derail you.

If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life – are you working or doing what you love?
Integrity always- your reputation should be your most coveted possession – act accordingly.

I don’t know if its just me but in my 40s I realized that you need to channel grit to outlast life. Mentally, emotionally and physically I realized that longevity and sustainability in all ways was key.

If I had a chance to sit down with my 40ish self I would say:

  • Trust your gut – it’s usually right.
  • For every door that closes, another opens. Don’t be afraid of closed doors. They are redirections.
  • Life is a marathon, not a sprint – train accordingly every day.

My 50s were empowering – not because they were easy – but because I learned the importance of mastering uncertainty. In life, the one constant is change so if you can learn to master uncertainty, you are already ahead.

A few other things I learned in my 50s include:

  • You cannot control the market = it took me a long time to accept this but it is a universal truth.
  • Things don’t always turn out as planned – and that is ok – as they turned out as they were supposed to.
  • Be brave when others are fearful – after all, fear is often simply “false evidence appearing real,” as our minds like to create all sorts of stories.

Do you have the courage to rewrite your story? Today in my 60s I look back at myself on the day I laced up my tennis shoes and went on the shortest yet hardest run I have ever been on. I remember thinking…my life cannot always be this way. 

I have to create change. Were my runs easy while I was over weight? Did the bullying voices immediately go away? No. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires discipline, dedication and consistency. 

But am I grateful beyond measure that I put on my running shoes that day and committed to change? Yes. I can’t imagine where I would be today had I not made that decision. So, have the courage to rewrite your story if needed. No explanation necessary. Make the choice to make the change.

With over three decades of dedication and service, Bart A. Zandbergen is an esteemed Certified Financial Planner® and the Founder and CEO of The Zandbergen Group. As a nationally recognized authority in financial planning and investment advising, as well as a Certified Divorce Financial Advisor®, he has devoted his career to guiding clients to a life full of purpose and financial freedom through personalized financial planning. His integrity, laser sharp focus and skill at guiding his clientele’s financial future led to him being recognized as one of the nation’s top 1% of financial advisors, according to Forbes Magazine. Bart is also an accomplished public speaker; his expert point of view has been published in The New York Times, Forbes, The Orange County Register, Nobleman Magazine, Mensbook, Modern Luxury, Wellbeing Magazine, and Riviera.

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Success Advice

15 Essential Habits to a Stronger, Healthier, and Happier You

The journey towards transformation is not about perfection but about progress

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building positive habits

What habits can truly transform your life? That’s what you’re here to uncover. In our no-nonsense guide, we’ll introduce you to 15 habits to change your life, each with the power to improve your day-to-day existence.  (more…)

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19 Common Characteristics All Visionary Leaders Have

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visionary leadership qualities

When you look at business leaders like Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Sir Richard Branson, and philosophers like Bertrand Russell, Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Bohm,  C. S. Peirce and inventors like Nikola Tesla, Paolo Soleri, Harvey W. Bailey, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and Wright brothers and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Aung San Suu Kyi, it becomes very clear that they are all connected through one leadership—visionary leadership. (more…)

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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers

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how to choose the best affiliate programs for your blog

Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky. 

This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for. 

For more articles on this theme, please head over to this blog https://blog.partners1xbet.com/.

Understanding Affiliate Marketing

Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works. 

Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it. 

It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

1. Assess Your Niche and Audience

The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:

  • Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
  • Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.

2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs

Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:

  • Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
  • Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
  • Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.

3. Evaluate the Commission Structure

The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:

  • The percentage of commission per sale.
  • Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
  • The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.

4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness

Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:

  • Read reviews from other affiliates.
  • Check the program’s history and background.
  • Look for any complaints or issues reported online.

5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered

A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.

6. Understand the Terms and Conditions

Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:

  • Payment thresholds and methods.
  • Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
  • The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.

7. Test the Product or Service

If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.

8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities

Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.

Implementing Your Choice

After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:

  • Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
  • Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
  • Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs. 

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers. 

The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice. 

With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.

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Success Advice

The Power of Ethical Leadership: How Integrity Drives Success

By leading with integrity and ethics, leaders create an environment where employees feel excited to come to work

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Ethical leadership

What differentiates a positive organizational culture that enjoys a clean reputation and long-term success from a toxic culture drowning in scandals, mistrust, and legal fines?  (more…)

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