10 questions every aspiring millionaire should ask

• Daniel Ally,

ShutterstockWhile most people are seeking answers, real leaders seek questions.

An intelligent student at one of my seminars inquired, "Daniel, as a tenacious entrepreneur at a rapidly expanding company, are there any particular questions that I should be asking myself?"

Great question!

Before I became a millionaire at the age of 24, I learned to ask some serious questions that allowed me to become who I am today. Some of the questions that I had asked were not generally asked by the majority of people. Because of this, I believe that questions are the sole promotor for the mindset of any aspiring millionaire.

Questions are a way of life and those who ask them will have the most control in their lives. While most people are seeking answers, real leaders seek questions. Questions will automatically give you the right answers. However, answers may not always give you the right questions.

When someone asks a question, it’s relatively easy to discern their level of understanding and thinking. Of course, the most intelligent and powerful person will most often ask the best questions. Truly, your level of questions will determine your level of success.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” - Voltaire

When it comes to becoming a millionaire, there are many questions that you should be asking. The first question is, "Why should I become a millionaire?" After all, why would you want to become a millionaire in the first place? This is a question (or answer) you should figure out for yourself.

Related: 7 Tips to Become a Millionaire

Besides asking, “Why I should do it?” you can go on to ask more questions, such as, "How do I do it?" or, "When should I do it?" However, these questions are basic and you can ask them on your own. Here are 10 thought-provoking questions that every aspiring millionaire should ask themselves:

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1. Did I do everything I could today to make tomorrow the way I want it to be? 

At the end of each day, you either rejoice or regret what you did in your day. If you've done everything you could today, tomorrow will always work itself out. This way, you'll make every day count towards your success. 

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2. How would the person I would like to be do what I'm about to do? 

One of my mentors taught me this question. What you're basically asking is, "If I were in the year 2020, would I make the decisions that I'm making right now?"  This will allow you to behave like the person that you've been striving to be. 

3. Who could have helped me today if I had only asked? 

There isn't a day that goes by where you couldn't have asked for more help. Almost everyone you need is a phone call or email away. Are there some mutually beneficial tasks which you can get others to do for you? Millionaires leverage their responsibilities by asking for help.

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4. How would I act today if I knew that I would be getting what I want tomorrow? 

We all have a deep promise within us. Some of us just need faith to activate that promise. If you were 100 percent sure of your future, how would you act if you knew that everything that you wanted will come to fruition?

5. What are 3 major improvements that I can make within the next 30 days? 

We all have improvements that we need to make in our lives. They constantly nag at us and we need to address them. Instead of running away from them, seek to improve your life and enhance yourself by directly dealing with these issues.

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6. How can I deliver more value to more people in less time? 

We all know that I'm famous for asking this question. In short, ask yourself, "How do I become better to more people in the fastest way possible?" It will also help you to expand your influence. This question changed my life completely. 

7. If I could change one thing about myself that's been holding me back, what would it be? 

This is a tough question since many of us are in denial when it comes to changing the habits that hold us back the most. Whether you are struggling financially, slightly overweight, or smoking cigarettes, deal with it as soon as possible. In other words, don't settle for failure when you want success.

Related: 10 Major Differences Between Rich and Poor People

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8. If there was one goal that I must accomplish within the next 3 months, what would it be? 

Get serious with yourself and focus on the one overarching goal that you need to accomplish within the next three months. If you do, you will make tremendous strides in your life and overcome many obstacles. 

9. How do I give more of myself to those that are in need of me? 

Right where you are, there are many people who need your help. If you know of any way that you can help, make sure you do it. Whether you're working your local homeless shelter or reading poems to hospital patients, these people need you desperately. Help them.

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10. How do I increase the quality and quantity of my work?

Getting better at what you do is only going to help those you serve. Speeding up your work (automation, mass-production, delegation, etc.) is another way to serve those people on a greater scale with your excellent product or service. 

More Questions to Consider:

What did I want that I didn't ask for today? 

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

What must I do to love all of the people I meet?

What is the best use of my time right now?

What do I want my attitude to be right now?

How do I do what I'm currently doing on a massive scale?

What is my life mission? What exactly was I born to do?

What am I not doing right now that is very easy to do?

More Questions to Consider:

What did I want that I didn't ask for today? 

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

What must I do to love all of the people I meet?

What is the best use of my time right now?

What do I want my attitude to be right now?

How do I do what I'm currently doing on a massive scale?

What is my life mission? What exactly was I born to do?

What am I not doing right now that is very easy to do?

If you're an aspiring millionaire, keep these questions written somewhere around you. I personally have a many of them on post-it notes in my office. Ponder over your favorite ones every day for the next 30 days. Watch how quickly your life will change! Also, be sure to send me the questions that intrigue you the most.

Career Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make in 2016

BY J.T. O'DONNELL

Ever wonder why school teaches us everything except how to get the job? Do you ever feel like managing your career is really hard? You're not alone. Millions of people are struggling to build careers that are satisfying. Professional happiness eludes the majority of the working population. According to Gallup, only 13 percent of the work force is highly engaged, a.k.a. happy at work. It's not for lack of effort. Everyone is trying to figure out the path to greater career success on his or her own terms. Why then, aren't more people succeeding? Answer: They're going about it all wrong.

Want a Better Career? Start Unlearning Everything You Know About Building One.

Everything we've ever been taught or thought would help us in our career is outdated. For example, studies now prove a college degree does not guarantee you a better career. And, seeking full-time, long-term employment is a pipe dream. Why? Because every job today is temporary. We live in the gig economy now. The entire way we work has shifted. Yet people still try to approach their careers thinking if they can just find a job that makes them happy, they'll live happily ever after. It doesn't work that way. More important, some major shifts in business and the economy are going to make it even more important that you no longer keep approaching your career the wrong way. If you do, you could find yourself at the bottom of the talent spectrum, under-employed, and struggling to find any job to pay the bills. With that in mind, here are five career mistakes you don't want to make in 2016.

1. Assuming your job is secure.

Companies are now forced to change their business models very quickly. Your skills could be in-demand at the office one day, only to be useless the next. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong. It's just business. But, when it happens, you need to be ready to find a new employer fast.

2. Not having your career tools ready.

Besides an updated resume, you also need an optimized LinkedIn profile. It helps even more if you have a full-fledged personal brand too (i.e., blog posts you've written showcasing your expertise. Twitter account where you share timely industry info, etc.). You just never, ever know when you'll need to throw your job search into high-gear. Wasting days and weeks building your career tools when you could have had them ready to go is poor planning.

3. Not building an interview bucket list.

There are two types of people: those who look for work on a job board and try to fit themselves into a job opening they aren't really excited about, and those who create a list of companies they'd like to work for and keep an eye on them online in the event the right opportunity presents itself. Guess which one usually lands a job worth being excited about? Today, it's up to you to create a list of viable employers and start to networking with their employees. It's not only more effective (studies show 80 percent of all jobs today are gotten via referral); it's also more fun. Who doesn't likechoosing whom they want to work for?

4. Failing to know your workplace persona.

Nobody is a superhero at work. There are eight key workplace strengths (I call them personas and you can learn about them by taking this quiz). At best, you have two or three top workplace strengths. You need to know what they are and how they add value to the company. If you know how you save or make a company enough money to justify its paying your salary, then you know how to market that value to other companies if you need to.

5. Not investing in serving your network.

I can't stress this enough: Today, your network is your net worth. Your professional contacts are crucial to your getting the job opportunities you want and deserve. The best way to build a strong network is to serve it. Understanding how to help those you are connected to is vital. People remember when you help them. That social currency will come in handy. Someday, you may need their help. By building up trust and respect within your network, you'll be able to tap into their knowledge, expertise, and contacts when you need to. Waiting until you are out of a job and desperate for the help of your network is not the time to start thinking about what you've done to earn their assistance. 

We Aren't Employees, We're Businesses-of-One.

If you really want a better career, you have to stop acting like a helpless employeeheld hostage by the golden handcuffs of employers. Instead, you need to take full ownership of your career and become a business-of-one who wants to partner with employers to serve them. Building a win-win situation between you and an employer is your job, not theirs. Why? You're the service provider and they're the customer. If you want their business, you need to build a brand that is in-demand. Something they will pay good money for. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you can get the professional respect you want and deserve. If you're ready to be in control, you can start by mastering these career moves. 

It's Not Rocket Science, But It Does Take This.

Don't let outdated approaches to your career set you back next year. Avoid the mistakes above and focus on building your career strength. There are plenty of resources out there to help you close your gap in knowledge so you can get the upper hand. But, it's up to you to take action. Nobody's going to do it for you. Failing to do so could lead to some serious professional regret in the future.

Looking For Inspiration for a fulfilling week ahead? This six words can help....

nina zipkin 

We know that the most valuable advice can come from the most unusual sources or in an unexpected form. Larry Smith is the founder of SMITH Magazine and the Six-Word Memoir® project, which asks people to share their stories in six words. Taking the concept a step further, writer and speaker Smith recently released his latest book titled The Best Advice in Six Words: Writers Famous and Obscure on Love, Sex, Money, Friendship, Family, Work, and Much More, collects insights from leaders in technology, business, entertainment, politics and more who want to share their brief yet striking life mottos. Smith is married to Piper Kerman, whose memoir of the same name inspired the Netflix seriesOrange is the New Black.

What is your best six word advice? Check out the slideshow below to get inspired. 

“Good stories always beat good spreadsheets.”

Image credit: Doc Searls | Wikimedia Commons

Chris Sacca
Chris Sacca is an entrepreneur, startup advisor and investor. His venture fund Lowercase Capital has invested in big name companies like Kickstarter, Twitter and Uber. Before launching his fund, he worked as a lawyer, a Telecommunications, Media, and Technology advisor for President Obama's 2008 campaign and was Google's Head of Special Initiatives. 

“People first, then money, then things.”

Image credit: David Shankbone | Wikipedia

Suze Orman
Suze Orman is a personal finance expert, and Emmy winner for her CNBC program Suze Orman Show, a New York Times bestselling author and a motivational speaker. Prior to her success sharing her insight about managing money, Orman started her career first as a waitress, and then as an account executive at Merrill Lynch, a Vice President at Prudential Bache Securities and then as the founder of the Suze Orman Financial Group. 

“Be a doer, not a dreamer.”

Image credit: DFree | Shutterstock.com

Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is a writer and producer and the author of the recent memoir Year of Yes. 
Rhimes is the creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, and her production company Shondaland has three shows currently on the air, with How to Get Away with Murder joining Grey's Anatomy and Scandalto create ABC's unprecedented three hour primetime block on Thursdays. The company has several more series in development. 

“Share your story, change the world.”

George Takei
George Takei is an actor, voice actor, director, author and LGBTQ activist. Known for his varied roles, including Hikaru Sulu on the originalStar Trek, the beloved performer is currently starring in Allegiance, a Broadway musical based on his and his family's experiences in a Japanese Internment camp during World War II. Takei has been the subject of an acclaimed documentary, To Be Takei, and has 1.77 million Twitter followers.
 

“You: average of 5 closest friends.”

Image credit: Olivier Ezratty | Wikimedia Commons

Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss is a blogger, New York Times bestselling author, speaker and investor who has backed companies like Facebook, Twitter and TaskRabbit and advised others like Uber and Evernote. Ferriss is the author of the popular "The 4-Hour Workweek," "The 4-Hour Chef," and "The 4-Hour Body."  

“Trust your gut, shape your butt.”

Image credit: Gillian Zoe Segal | Wikimedia Commons

Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is the billionaire founder of Spanx, the Atlanta-based 15-year-old women's shapewear empire. Blakely, who had no prior retail experience before launching her company with $5,000, found herself failing the LSAT, working as a Chipmunk at Disney World and going door to door selling fax machines before unrelenting hustle and a vote of confidence from Oprah Winfrey led to her achieving fashion success. 

“Jump from cliffs. Wear helmet, lipstick.”

Image credit: The Moxie Institute

Tiffany ShlainTiffany Shlain is a speaker, author, award-winning filmmaker and the founder of the Webby Awards. She launched a film studio called the Moxie Institute and a non-profit called Let it Ripple: Mobile Films for Global Change.  

New Year's Resolutions Entrepreneurs Should Make Every Year

JOHN RAMPTON

CONTRIBUTOR

As we rapidly approach the New Year, it’s the time to start thinking about those resolutions that we’ll work on in 2016. The problem with resolutions is that they often fail because we’ll never reach these unreasonable and unrealistic goals. We're entrepreneurs, we always try and conquer the unconquerable!

However, if you set goals that are achievable if you stretch yourself, New Year’s Resolutions can help you gain perspective and achieve goals that can make you a stronger individual both personally and professionally.

For myself, New Year’s Resolutions can be a valuable assist in determining my long-term success. Here are 10 New Year’s Resolutions that every entrepreneur should consider as they welcome this upcoming year.

1. Understand your finances.

Don't think that understanding the basics of accounting is unnecessary just because you have an accountant or even your own accounting department. The thing is, all entrepreneurs should familiarize themselves with at least accounting basics since this will help them;

• Make financial predictions by examining future revenues, future operating costs, and assets needed to service future demand.
• Pay off your bad debts
• Lower your expenses as much as possible (both personal and business)
• Measure the progress of your business so that you know whether or not you’re hitting targets.
• Get your personal credit up as personal credit is a factor in getting business loans.

2. Improve your health.

How do you expect to effectively run a business if you’re exhausted and burnt out? You need to be healthy mentally, physically and emotionally. Give your immune system a boost. When you eat healthy and exercise, you are more productive and happier. That means you’ll have fewer sick days and get tasks accomplished on time. Good health habits help you avoid chronic diseases including hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Related: Why Food, Sleep and Exercise Are Critical to Success

3. Become a stronger leader.

One of the biggest challenges that entrepreneurs face is being an effective leader. This means delegating tasks, rallying the troops when morale is low, creating an environment that welcomes creativity and outside-of-the-box thinking, never losing sight of where you want your business to go.

4. Get more social.

If for some reason you believe social media is unimportant, I’ve got some bad news for you -- you’re 100 percent wrong. Social media is one of the best ways to engage and interact with customers, spread brand awareness and connect with influencers and investors in your industry. If you have a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn account that is dormant, spend the next year being active and optimizing these channels. It’s expected.

5. Spend less time in the office.

Working 60 hours per week might work for someone like Elon Musk, but for most of us, that’s just isn't feasible or desirable. Spending almost every waking minute in the office is a surefire way in getting burnt out and losing sight of why you became an entrepreneur.

Make time for yourself, friends and family. Step out of the office from time-to-time to clear your head, refresh and improve your overall health. Trust me. The place isn’t going to burn down just because you took a vacation or a long weekend.

6. Keep up with current events.

Paying attention to the news keeps you cultured and assists in starting conversations. It provides entrepreneurs with insights into their markets so that they can make more informed decisions. Remember, we live in a small and connected world now. What’s going on around the world impacts your business.

Related: The 15 Practices of Outstanding Leaders

7. Hire smarter.

Hiring the right people is crucial for business owners. They’ll bring out the best in you and your current team. They’ll help your business grow because they’ll be your biggest brand advocates. And, low turnover keeps costs low.

Hiring isn’t easy, but attracting and retaining talent that fits in your company’s culture greatly increases your chances of success.

8. Be more empathetic.

Empathy is “the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions; and the ability to share someone else's feelings.” It is one of the most beneficial traits an entrepreneur can possess. Communicating empathetically with customers, employees, shareholders and investors helps your business succeed. You’ll understand what’s important to them and they will appreciate that you care enough about them to make that a priority.

9. Take some classes.

Whether it’s attending a class at your local college or participating in a free online course, learning a new skill such as accounting, marketing, programming or public speaking will make you a more well-rounded and productive entrepreneur. Here are a few amazing financial books to help you learn a bit more.

10. Remember why you became an entrepreneur.

Regardless if you’re in a rough patch or enjoying substantial growth, never forget why you became an entrepreneur in the first place. For most of us, we had an idea to make the world a better a place in our niche. Take the time next year to remember why you embarked on the entrepreneurial journey. Use that to guide you going forward.

Here is to an amazing 2016!