The last time I checked sales of SUVs were down 65% and with gas costing $1.00-$2.00 more per gallon than a year ago, I am a little surprised that they haven?t stopped altogether. While I do not feel too sorry for the auto manufacturers because of the high prices they charge, I am sorry for all of those who have SUVs and now are having to pay in excess of $100.00 to fill their tanks, only to get 10-15 miles per gallon. Many of these owners want out but are finding that it is harder and harder to sell them because no one wants a big gas guzzler any more so they decide to trade them in but in many cases they are finding that they owe thousands more than their vehicle is worth. It looks like they are stuck; or are they?

It depends where you focus your mind. When I saw my gas bill exceed $500.00 per month I have to admit the thought ran across my mind to get rid of our SUV and get a more efficient vehicle. When I spoke to my wife about it she said; "I love my SUV, it makes me feel safe and has a lot of room, but if we have to, we have to." I thought, if we have to, we have to. Hmm do we have to, are there other options available? Sure there was, I could either allow the high price of fuel to decrease my lifestyle and place my wife and family in a vehicle that they did not feel safe in to save a few dollars, or.... I could increase my income a few hundred dollars to overcome the higher prices.

I chose the later. I took the attitude of victory; not defeat and surrender. I made up my mind up that I would do what it took to hold onto something that I valued. I began to look for ways to increase my income by finding another business to get involved in, another investment, increase speaking engagements, write another book etc. (I wound up doing all of these)

I knew that the opposite thinking would result in loss. Loss of value if I traded the vehicle in, loss of a feeling of security for my spouse, and of course loss of comfort and space. The loss was greater than the few extra hundred dollars that it cost me every month, so I kept the SUV and as a matter of fact, it was getting up there in age so I sold it, brought another, and get this; because sales of SUVs were so bad I was able to buy it for $5,000 less than book value! I could buy almost a years worth of gas with $5,000, even at almost $3.00 per gallon.

It all comes down to choice. One choice is to do what it takes to succeed and the other is to submit to the pressures of loss. One way of thinking is that of the victor and the other is of the victim.

If you have been hit with hard times, if you feel as though you are in a rut because of the times we live in or from an unwise decision, do not keep your actions and thoughts limited to just decrease and cutting expenses. Why not focus on increase and expansion. Ask your boss how you can make more money. See if you can afford to take on additional work without compromising family time. Ask yourself if there is any other way you can bring increase into your life.

I read about an individual that learned how to build and maintain websites. He targeted businesses and large corporations with his skills and over time secured a large number of clients working part time. He brought his income up to $11,000 per month. This individual was only 11 years old at the time!

How about the woman who went to yard sales buying up used name brand jeans for less than a dollar. She placed them on Ebay and had people in other countries where these jeans were in demand and yet hard to come by pay upwards of $30.00 per pair for them. Talk about a profit.

There are some folks who have lost the use of their limbs who sit on the sidewalk with a cup looking for a hand out while others with similar disabilities running races, go mountain climbing and live life to the fullest. Why? Because one focuses their thinking on all the things they cannot do, while the other focuses on all the things they can. One looks at their disability and other looks at their ability.

Don't sell yourself short and do what it takes to succeed! Why? Da! Why not?

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