To me, what this film is documenting is the very thing that can bring transcending and fundamental changes in the world.  More than EVER, we need to spread awareness of this message…get involved in it…and encourage our friends, families, colleagues to join in.

I will tell you that doing this work for the past year has been an incredible experience.  Millions of people are shifting their habits, careers, and even their worldviews, and we need to rejoice in this global awakening!

Have you seen the Paul Hawken clip that describes THE SHIFT?  If not, check this out and begin seeing how real it is:

World’s Largest Social Movement

OK, so this is just a short post to ask that you to go to THE SHIFT site, http://www.theshiftmovie.com and sign up!

Today, the message for this powerful film and movement was finally released to a very large audience! Over 4 Million people know now about THE SHIFT…so lets give this movement some legs!

Also, for those of you bloggers, list owners, or just very popular people…please send this message around.  Vote on it on Digg, Stumble and all social networks!

Here are some links:

THE SHIFT on Digg

BRAND New Facebook Fan Page

Thanks everyone…this is going to be huge…it needs to be.  Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Todd

I think this is an important story because no matter how spiritual one becomes, it is still imperative to recognize that we live in a practical world. I spend a lot of time on this blog and related projects, and I have made no secret of my intention to make money with them.

When I first started We The Change 6 months ago, I read Steve Pavlina’s famous article “How to Make Money From Your Blog”. In it he discusses a variety of revenue sources including Google adsense, text link ads, asking for donations, sponsorships, etc…

The story I am about to share entails none of these strategies. I have manifested money from my blog in a much different sense—one that falls very much in line with my greater purpose in life. I think you will be encouraged by this tale:

A Little Background…

For those of you who read We The Change consistently, you understand that creation of this site was a kind of a personal experiment. You see, about 6 months ago I walked away from a lucrative marketing consulting position to follow my passion in life.

Although I was not exactly sure (at the time) what this passion was, I knew it was not in the field of finance where I had been working. So I just began writing We The Change with the underlying faith that expounding my own personal growth to the world and ‘journaling my journey’ would somehow lead to money and success and all the things I was seemingly walking away from.

In its purest form, the experiment was one of intention manifestation, patience, and faith. I really had no clue how money, for example, was going to manifest. I just felt and knew that if I followed my intuition and my heart all else will fall into place.

Six months later opportunities are percolating and things are bubbling to the surface. It is exciting and something happened last week that brought me 10,000 big ones. But this money, albeit exciting, is just the beginning. Let me explain:

Taking My Contacts Seriously!

Running what has become a relatively popular blog, I get contacted by a wide variety of people. It can sometimes be overwhelming, but I made a commitment from the beginning to review each website/product/service sent my way.

A few months ago, one of my readers sent me a link for a movie that is currently being made called The SHIFT. I was so inspired by the trailer (you can see it at www.theshiftmovie.com) that I contacted the director straight away.

Over the last few months I have become intimately involved in this project, and there are some amazing developments happening. [For more on my journey with the SHIFT movie, read All Roads Leading to Costa Rica For Me. Details of this story are not my mission here].

One of the areas I committed to help The SHIFT was in the area of raising money. Around the same time, I began conversing with another gentleman who contacted me via We The Change. Again, I rarely know who it is I am conversing with, and this particular gentleman wished to interview me for an entrepreneurial series he was doing.

When we got on the phone, we chatted for over an hour and it turned out we are extremely like-minded. His name is Steve Little, and he is someone who has experienced great financial success in Silicon Valley. Recently, Steve has gone through a sort of ‘awakening’ and is now searching for ways to give back, and make the world a better place.

He has turned very spiritual, and it was apparent a ‘shift’ was happening within him….

Making The Connection

As I got to know Steve more through conversations and his website Champion Success, I realized that he might be someone who could help with the SHIFT financial situation. So I asked him: “would you consider investing and supporting this project” and he said “I love the idea, set up the call”.

So the three of us got on the phone and had an inspiring conversation. Rochelle, SHIFT creator, told us the story of how she got the idea for the movie. In fact, the article I wrote last week ‘From Caterpillar to Butterfly, A New Reality for Humanity” was based on the tale she shared in this call.

Steve was inspired, and could see the importance of the project. He could also see how much incredible momentum there is for the movie and almost immediately agreed to provide financing for a few upcoming shoots.

To go a step further, Steve has made a commitment to aggregate other like-minded individuals in the Silicon Valley area to make an even more impactful contribution. Amazing…

How I Received $10,000

So, as you might have guessed, my 10K was in the form of a finder’s fee for putting investor and creator together. BUT, I would like to say a few things about this:

First off, I have deferred payment at this time for an equity play in the project. As I have made abundantly clear, I believe in this movie and movement and would like to form a long-term relationship with the creators.

Second, this money is literally the tip of the iceberg. Cash is starting to flow into this project and I will be eligible for finder’s fees each time one of my contacts supports the film. There are several more investors that I have found through affiliations on We The Change that will most likely come through with aid.

Third, and most importantly, I have found a project that I truly believe in, and have become an integral part to something that has limitless potential on both the ‘do good for the world’ side AND the financial side. This all happened from starting a blog 6 months ago with nothing more than pure intention and a shelving of practical fears.

What YOU Can Learn

The main point of this story is this: when you follow your passion in life, and really put yourself out there, most of the things you worry about not happening fall by the wayside, and the things you need to survive ‘magically’ appear.

This is not to say everyone reading this should quit their job and start a blog because it is guaranteed success. No, that was my particular path. The question is: what can you do, in your situation, to uncover and follow your passion?

Furthermore, this is a story about thinking outside the box. I love Steve Pavlina’s article, and he has some amazing points about how to make money on a blog. But what about all the connections one makes with like-minded people? What about all the myriad of opportunities that exist within this great web of interconnectedness right here, right now?

I am certain that all the success that is flowing to me, and that will continue to flow, is based on me blogging about the things I have a passion. I have the worst technical skill EVER as a blogger…but I always connect with people and am open to their stories. What is your strength?

Can You Also Make Money With The SHIFT?

If you would like to help me with The SHIFT, I would love to hear from you. The tag-line for this film is ‘a movie made by a movement’ and we are trying to make it so.

If you know anyone that can help support the project financially, maybe the next article is about how YOU made $10,000 in one day.

On the final note regarding this project, I am off to Los Angeles later this week for a very exciting development. A major Network TV producer got hold of The SHIFT and wants to make a TV show about it right away. The Eckhart Tolle/Oprah webcasts have exploded, and the time is right for this content to get to the masses.

I mention this as I hope all you readers can send some positive vibes our way for this meeting. Our intention is for the meeting to go great….but even if it doesn’t we will be OK. I guess that’s the most important thing I have learned over the last 6 months!

How do you define success, and what methods do you follow to achieve it? In today’s article I explore the mysterious nature of success, and provide a few excellent tools for having it manifest in your life more readily.

Secret to Success Podcast

First, please listen to an amazing podcast interview I did with Steve Little. Steve is one of the most successful people I have ever encountered and you will be inspired to hear his philosophy:

Steve Little Interview

Because he has enjoyed a very lucrative career in the software business over the last 20 years, Steve shares with us some of his secrets for attaining financial success.

He is also a champion athlete and bodybuilder and has created a health, wellness, and fitness business that services everyone from overweight executives to competitive athletes.

If this wasn’t enough, Steve is also an accomplished artist, musician, author and family man!  Don’t you ever wonder how someone like Steve is able to accomplish so much? 

I know I do, and if you have not caught an episode of “Conversations to Change the World”, this is a great one to hear.

Success is a Present-Moment Thing

Success is an ever-evolving phenomenon in our lives that each person judges differently. One individual’s version of achievement is not necessarily another’s.

We must also be aware that the experience of success shifts periodically within our own lives. What makes you feel accomplished at this present moment may mean nothing 10 years from now.

It is easier to understand this by analyzing what your greatest ambitions were in the past. More often than not, how you defined success during your college years is a whole lot different than how you define it mid-career.

This realization is actually very freeing, and ignites awareness that the only thing that really matters is your present moment concept. ‘Success’ is just a word, a fleeting perception that has no universal meaning.

So when gauging your success in life, there is no need to look behind or ahead. Instead, look right here, right now and bring your attention to your current situation.

Success Magazine Re-launch

With all this said about success…it is still necessary to go for it! Once you become present to the things that make you feel fulfilled, action is required to make them a reality in your life. To use another fantastic quote:

“The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”
–Dale Carnegie

I decided to write this article to coincide with the recent re-launch of Success Magazine! Success is a fantastic platform that solely focuses its content on all aspects of achievement.

I highly recommend you checking it out, and they have chosen their ultimate list of the 25 must-read books for achievers. I have read most of these…all great stuff!

Woody Allen is quoted as saying “seventy percent of success in life is showing up”, and I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiment. You have to be in the ballgame in order to get a hit!

So get yourself into the game and listen to the Steve Little Podcast and check out Success Magazine! I look forward to hearing your comments.

Lastly, please visit Steve’s wonderful coaching website at Champion’s Success. 

Picture above by an incredible photographer, Jane Feldman

I know that most people do not feel as invigorated as I do to walk around a conference or cocktail hour and pitch their ideas to other people. But there really is a science to it, and I would like to share with you 10 wonderful techniques I have used over the years to perfect my ability to work a room and spawn interest about what I am doing:

1. Be Excited, Not Fearful!

The most important thing to do before you begin networking is to get yourself pumped up! If you go into the situation scared and fearful, it will not be very productive. Optimism and excitement breed success and accomplishment. So spend 5 minutes in a quiet place before you start working a room and think about the wonderful opportunity you have in front of you. Get yourself in a positive frame of mind!

2. Do Your Homework

Make sure you are well versed in your product/service, and understand how it fits within the context of the event you are attending. Ask yourself: why would people at this gathering be interested in my offering? Next, do some research on other attendees and take time to learn a little about their businesses. People love to feel like everyone knows who they are. This knowledge will come across in your conversations as pure confidence, and people will be attracted to your language.

3. Be Present in Each Conversation

At any dinner, conference or gathering you may be in contact with hundreds of people who can help you, and it is imperative to be present in each and every conversation. This is SO critical, and where most people fail. Why? Because you never know when inspiration or collaboration is going to strike! Furthermore, it is almost always happens in the least expected ways. So you have to be open to every person you meet, and take the time to listen to each of them.

4. Offer Recommendations

When you are really listening to people, ideas may strike you that have no immediate benefit to you but can help others tremendously. Offering helpful insights and connecting other people is a wonderful way to create a positive energy force around you. Its amazing how when you act in this manner it always comes back to you in some form. Karma really works my friends…so don’t only think about you and have the attitude “what can I do to help this person”!

5. Keep Time Slots Available For One on One

When you strike a real connection with someone (or with a group of people), make sure you have the ability to carve out time to speak with them separately. At my meeting last week, I always made sure to set aside one hour during the day where I could meet with potential collaborators individually. This helps tremendously and makes follow-up so much easier.

6. Be Passionate About What You Are Doing Without Being Overbearing

Ask yourself: are you passionate about what you are doing? If so, people will gravitate towards you and be interested in what you have to say. If not, and you are just “going through the motions”, then you will have less success. If you do have passion, it might be necessary to temper it certain times. Be wary of being arrogant or having the “what I am doing is the best thing ever” attitude. No one likes that, and your overbearing enthusiasm may actually repel people who can help.

7. Make Sure Your Hosts/Conference Organizers Know About You

The people who run dinners, meetings and conferences are the central connectors. They can be integral to getting the word out about your offering. Make a point to introduce yourself (if you don’t know them) and speak intelligently about what you do. Even better—offer to help them…this will go a long way and they will return the favor by introducing you around. Again, have the “what can I do to help” attitude.

8. Have Adequate Marketing Materials

It is imperative to have more than enough business cards, pamphlets, shirts, mugs, or whatever it is that you can give away to leave a lasting impression. If there are 5,000 people attending a conference, than make sure to have 6,000 marketing pieces available. People need something to remember you by, and I think it is a big mistake to not have give-aways for every person.

9. Follow Up Right Away (or appropriately)

Following up quickly after meeting someone is often the key to forming a beneficial new relationship. If you made a good impression on someone they are more apt to help you if you are still fresh in their minds. Again, I don’t suggest being overbearing, but following-up somewhat aggressively is OK if the situation lends itself to that. Keep the momentum going and remember that things do not often transpire right away!

10. Work Collaboratively With Competitors

Every business and project has competition. In my experience there is always enough work to go around if the service/product has real value, and for that reason I always cultivate a amiable relationship with competitors. If you really believe in yourself and what you are doing, having others who do the same thing can actually help you!

There you have it: How To Work a Room Like a Pro!  As always, I look forward to your thoughts.

Please check out these We The Change classics, while you’re at it:

Top 31 Motivation Hacks
How To Cope When Something Goes Terribly Wrong
7 Spiritual Habits to Earn More Money

Since launching this website 6 months ago, I have written a lot about the need to follow your passion in order to become genuinely fulfilled in life. As I write this post, I am sitting on a plane to Costa Rica, and am here because I am following my passion.

You see, the only way I know how to bring value to We The Change readers is share my personal journey with you, and I would like to explain how I find myself on a plane to Central America, why I am going, and what I hope to accomplish.

I also want to make clear that even as I write these words I am not certain where this path will lead. I am nervous, excited, optimistic, scared and open. I hope this article helps you see the power of intention manifestation…let me explain:

The Movement

I have made no secret that I believe we are living in a time when transcending cultural changes need to occur. I titled this blog “We The Change” for this very reason, and there is a massively growing awareness that people alive today have a choice: either to make the necessary adjustments to create a sustainable and peaceful future OR to remain on present course and suffer some pretty dire consequences.

It has been an amazing realization for me how large the “movement” which strives for fundamental changes really is. It is everywhere and I hope the content you find on WTC has helped expand your awareness!

Because I have put myself “out there” over the last year or so with my beliefs, a myriad of opportunities has presented themselves to me concerning this work. Many amazing things have happened to me, not the least of which is sitting on a plane headed to Costa Rica…

Following the Path

The meeting I am traveling to is being run by a wonderful group called The Alliance For a New Humanity. Deepak Chopra and Oscar Arias (Costa Rican president and Nobel Peace Prize winner) founded this organization and it will be attended by a wide array of thought leaders, writers, philanthropists, filmmakers and activists who are leading the way to a more sustainable future for all people.

I am attending because I have quickly found myself as part of a unique project that manifested in my life less then a month ago. Many of you have seen the trailer for the documentary movie currently in production called “The Shift” (if you have not, click here and watch 5 powerful minutes).

When I first saw the preview, I was so inspired that I contacted to filmmaker straight away and offered my services in any way possible. Incredibly, she responded to me within a few hours and we began our dialogue. Now I find myself on a plane to Costa Rica as part of her “crew” and as an associate producer of the movie.

Am I 100% certain what is going to happen? Not at all. For starters, it is still unclear whether the necessary funds to finish the movie will come in! But the entire scenario has just felt right to me…so I am just going with the flow.

Putting yourself out there is the only way to create magic in life!

Rochelle (The Shift’s creator) has repeatedly said to me “you know, I receive thousands of emails each week from people who see the trailer and want to get involved, and I do not have time to reply to them individually. There was just something in your message that made me say ‘I gotta get back to this guy’”!

That something was pure intention with a heavy dose of passion. In fact, I would like to share with you the email I sent Rochelle which has now landed me on a plane:

Hi there—I just stumble-uponed The Shift movie…and absolutely love it! I felt compelled to contact you and see if there is any way I can get more involved.

I live in Manhattan, am a business coach, marketing consultant, and also run one of the fastest growing self-improvement blogs on the internet called We The Change (www.wethechange.com). I started the blog 5 months ago with the very same mindset as The Shift movie!!

I am also helping to launch (in the next few weeks) a very simple and quantifiable web-based tool called “Worldwide Tipping Point”—it is the simplest expression of this “shift” you can possibly imagine, and there might be very real synergy there. Even though it’s not quite done, and being built now, I would share it with you guys based on the video I just saw.

Anyway, I just wanted to touch base with you and offer you my energy and ideas! Please feel free to contact me any time!

Warmly,
Todd Goldfarb

LASTLY, I would like to share with you my personal intention: To come back from Costa Rica with a tangible way for me to make money and work in this area full-time.

Perhaps this intention will manifest as part The Shift movie…or maybe it will be some other connection. But I know I am on the right path, and I am excited…and that is all that really matters!

So if you have gotten this far in the article…give me a silent shout out for my intention. It will go a long way. Thanks!!

To Hear MORE of my Personal Journey and Ambitions, read these wonderful tales:

My Legacy: A Personal Eulogy
Spirituality: What I Have Learned So Far
Meeting Deepak Chopra

Picture above by Chasingtheflow

As one of my blogger friends Alex Shalman said to me, “your site is growing up so quick”!  True, in only four months WTC has garnered over 700 RSS subscribers and become one of the fastest growing personal and spiritual development blogs on the web.

SO, that means we have some sponsors now, and I would like to tell you about them.  Before I do I also want to let you know that starting next Wednesday, I am launching a weekly podcast where I will interview top thought leaders, authors and speakers from across the mind-body-spirit continuum.

The Podcasts are an attempt to spread even more awareness of all the people and groups “out there” helping to improve people’s lives, save the planet, and spread consciousness.  I figured I am only one guy writing this blog, and only have so much to offer.  I hope the pods expand WTC’s offerings and give different perspective on how we can initiate transcending change!

OK, here is some info about our sponsors:

The Now Watch

I love this product because it is SO simple, and is a constant reminder that we should all be living in the moment.  I have had the pleasure of meeting the creator of The Now Watch, and when you ask Adam what time it is he replies “its Now and 11:30”.  I wear mine every day and it certainly aids me in remaining present!

Guy Finley

Guy is a best selling author of several books, founder of the Life for Learning Foundation, and creator of the very powerful audio course “Secrets of Being Unstoppable”.  The audio course is incredible, and I highly recommend it to anyone yearning for quality personal growth material.  Incidentally, Guy will be my first podcast guest, so tune in next Wednesday!

Gaiam

Gaiam is a leading lifestyle company that sells healthy, organic products that are eco-friendly and conscious.  For example, I recently bought a Neti Pot off Gaiam (for those of you who don’t use a Neti, I highly recommend it…cleanses the nasal passages like nothing else).  This company has recently acquired several others, and is creating a cutting edge community for all things wellness.

I have also introduced a new feature: Monthly WTC book recommendations.  For the first month I have chosen three classics, and if you have not read these books I highly recommend picking them up:

The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle’s classic text regarding the power of the present moment.  This book transformed the way I go through life, and I constantly practice its lessons.  In fact, I often read a chapter or two in the morning, just to get myself “present” for the day.

The Tipping Point

A thoughtful and inspiring examination of how certain things become popular, and “tip”.  Read this book with the context of “how can we create a tipping point for the environment, consciousness, and for general wellness”.  A must-read for anyone who truly believes in their work or a cause.

Wherever You Go There You Are

Have you ever thought about trying meditation?  This is the book that got me understanding why I needed to meditate, and how I should begin doing it.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who is intrigued by the practice….its one of the best!

There you have it…I am glad WTC is growing and evolving, and if you have any recommendations for sponsors or books you can feel free to comment below or email me directly at todd.goldfarb@gmail.com!

Photo Above by Janoid

I guess I was hoping to find that social networking realms were areas where people were choosing to spread more positive and uplifting news.  We all know that traditional media outlets are not built for this purpose.  “Fear sells”, and even though I disagree with the premise I understand it from a business perspective.

But places like Digg have been created by the people, for the people…and there is no overriding financial incentive to spreading nonsense and fear.  Let me give you an example.  At the time of the first draft of this article, these are the top 5 articles appearing on Digg’s homepage:

10 bizarre behaviors of parasites

My Daughter’s Life [25 PICS]

Vinyl Toys: Invasion of the Color Snatchers

Two AI Pioneers. Two Bizarre Suicides. What Really Happened?

Belly Dancer Hilarious Accident!

Not exactly the most inspiring and useful content.  I understand that it is unrealistic to think ALL news stories should be meaningful and with-purpose, and my intention is not to “preach” the necessity to change your social networking voting patterns…at least not right away.  But shouldn’t someone ask the question:  How has it become SO normal for purpose-less content to dominate ALL the airwaves?

Not to say that there aren’t tons of people out there promoting positive articles, occurrences and movements…because there ARE and I have had the pleasure to meet hundreds of you!  However, too much of the “good stuff” still seems to get buried under a whole lot of nonsense.

With that in mind here are 10 simple actions you can ingratiate to start changing your surfing habits, and transform yourself into an online contributor who is part of the solution:

1. Vote and comment on stories that you think would be genuinely helpful to other people.

2. Vote and comment on stories that have a meaningful and purposeful message; especially those which suggest positive happenings and change!

3. Start becoming aware of all the “fear-producing” stories that permeate web culture…try your best not to partake and spread these stories around.

4. Make friends with bloggers, social networkers, and readers who have really interesting and positive things to bring to the table.

5. Find a cause, or causes, that mean something to you and spend your online-time contributing to them.

6. Become aware of all gossip content you spread, and ask yourself: “what am I really accomplishing here by spreading these types of stories”.

7. Start noticing how addictive gossip and fear-producing stories can be.

8. Start noticing if boredom is a factor, and if you are simply “wasting time” when online.  If so, figure out what genuinely excites you and do it!

9. Begin realizing that the internet can be an ultra-powerful tool for initiating positive change on a global scale.

10. Also realize that the internet’s “darker side” can be an extremely limiting tool in your life, and its addictive callings waste your valuable time.
 
You may get angry by these statements and feel offended by the topic I am bringing up.  Maybe some of you will disagree with me and tell me that the internet is the impetus for much more positive change in the world then I am mentioning here, and not simply the means for negative and pointless drivel.  I agree with you…to an extent.

At the time of the second draft of this article, here are the top 5 articles on Digg:

On A Scale Of 1 To 10 Eva Mendes Is A 12 – French TV Video

Top 5 Creepiest Pop Culture Foreshadowings of 9/11

We’re supplying electricity to Gaza under Qassam fire

WOW: Guitar Hero makes a billion

Oliver Stone to Direct George W. Bush Biopic

You getting my drift yet?  Negative news permeates our culture.  We may not be able to do anything about it concerning traditional media, but we sure can in social networking platforms.  I urge you, start checking on the homepage of Digg, Propeller and the rest periodically…and remember that THESE are the stories that a majority of people see! 

Can we use this great “web of interconnectedness” better?  Absolutely.  We just have to TRY…and the first step in trying is becoming more aware of what we spread around.