Dear David,
Talk about “procrastination”…My friend Cindy and I had the pleasure of meeting you on October 26th, 2004 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
You asked my girlfriend and I to send our “story” to you along with our picture, so that we may appear on the Oprah show with you the next time you’re on. (I might have added that last part, but hey – you can’t get what you don’t ask for?:)
Smart Women Finish Rich inspired a group that I formed with five other ladies that we now call our Smart Women Success Group. Our intention is to take control of our lives and destiny in a supportive environment while referring to your Quantum Leap System! Once a month, at a set time and place our meeting commences with the five of us sitting around a coffee or work table with our “SMART” goals written down. Every meeting we start off by sharing our specific goals and discussing what action steps we’re prepared to do pushing us that much closer to achieving them. Our goals aren’t specific to money, although that certainly is a category that we incorporated. Our goals reflect our values (thank you VALUE ladderJ) and what’s important about LIFE to us.
It’s almost been a year that we’ve been doing this and have now added a new member, of course if you’re a member one HAS to read either Smart Women or Smart Couples Finish Rich. The success that we have realized by taking this systematic approach to planning our lives has been AWESOME!
Starting with myself – Michelle (30 years old), I was laid off at the beginning of last year and not financially and emotionally prepared for it. Almost a year later, I have started my own business, I’ve been able to fund my Dream and Security Baskets (slowly, but surely) and have enhanced my personal relationships by aligning my goals with my values!
Cindy (31) – Started a new job that she loves and has prepared herself financially in the event that she gets let go unexpectedly —again.
Rhonda (30) – Her biggest accomplishment since the start of our group is ‘taking action’! Now divorced, Rhonda has joined a sports club, taking singing and keyboard lessons. In the past she would have said she had no money or time to do these activities, but no more! She’s paid off her VISA and bought herself a beautiful new home – “Smart woman” or what?
June (36) – Has also experienced a layoff with high mortgage and car payments. She was the one that read your book first and highly suggested we do the same. June’s goal is to strive for freedom and is working to aggressively pay her home off within a six year period at the same time funding her security and retirement baskets!
Ingrid (30 somethingJ) – Is married and has a daughter of 2 years old. She brings a different perspective to our Smart Women Success Group by being a wife, a mother, and an entrepreneur. The book Smart Couples …has enabled her and her husband to reevaluate and speak openly about their own values! Ingrid is one of our newest members but brings a great deal of support and accomplishments that helps all of us to pummel forward.
Tamara (31) – We conference in our girlfriend Tamara as she now resides in New Jersey (instead of her hometown – Toronto). This group has been able to offer her support and guidance both financially and personally as we read and re-read your book and ask ourselves questions as it relates to our goals, values and desires.
Your book Smart Women Finish Rich helped us to initiate this group, taking your words and placing action to it! If this is something that we can help other women to start based on your practical theories, we would love to do so!!!
Thank you for sharing your story and making a difference in our lives above and beyond the financial aspect!
Sincerely from,
On behalf of The Smart Women Success Group,
