M.J.Stephens'- PATHFINDER Journal

Hello! (The date is May 10,2010)
My name is Michael J. Stephens. I purchased Dean's books back in October of 2009. I began reading the books immediately, but put them down after I read the part where he says that the better your credit is, the easier it is to invest.Sadly they sat on my dresser until April of 2010! Circumstances forced me to give the books another honest try. This time, I didn't quit. Glad I didn't! I've read through both of them completely, and now have a better understanding of what to expect! I was one of those people that saw problems and obstacles as things that were preventing me from being successful. Wrong! All along it was my point of view! They were merely challenges, not actual obstacles! I have been a 20 year victim of that mindset. I call it Damnesia. The viewpoint that I could never get what I wanted, what I thought I deserved because of X,Y, and Z. It has taken a great deal of work to break myself of this habit. Don't let someone else's point of view stop you from you're own success!

When you accept you're failures and shortcomings as the way that it has to be for you, then you die...a little bit more so each and everyday. You cannot accept what you do not want for yourself, for your family, for your future...ever. Only I could change my life...no one else can do that for me. I once had a jr high principle who started every day with this quote..." If a task is once begun, never leave it until it's done, you can make it if you try, but YOU must do the trying!"(Otis C. Polk Jr.)
That used to get me so pumped and ready for the day, but somewhere I lost sight of the prize.
I've written many songs about my struggles, of course I've never done anything with them. But I still use them to this day, to help keep me focused on what I need to do.(PM me for a copy of them if you want, I'd be more than happy to share them with you!)

I'll admit that I've been held down and held back in the past by my own personal vices.After reading Dean's books, I decided to re-prioritize my life.
I took the News Diet, and let me tell ya, it felt great. I still don't watch the news...way too negative. They ought to start a different kind of news channel. Anyways, now that I've re-focused myself, I have a mission:Succeed first, then exceed my dreams! I've already had one property offer, but it didn't work out. I would have never even had that chance without Dean's books, and the advice that I've received on these forums. I'm not about to quit now, that's exactly how I've ended up where I am now. Never again will I quit a task that I begin without achieving what I set out to do! How will I ever accomplish anything if I quit now?
I will find a way, no matter what! I will be a Pathfinder! I will not stop at all of the bumps in the road. I will find a way to succeed,everyday!