After all the chicken Little people crying out recession (the damn media sensationalizing bad news), official GDP figures released on Monday (30 April) shows that the US grew 0.6% in the first quarter, official confirming that there is no recession (to be in a recession, GDP must be negative for two consecutive quarters/6 months)…at least for now. That shows you cannot believe anything you read in the newspapers nowadays.

In fact, there was a series of surprising economic reports that shows a recession is not likely developing:

1) Consumer spending increased by 1%

2) Unemployment rate for April improved to 5%, down from the 5.1% figure in March

3) Nonfarm payrolls for April decreased by 20,000, much less than the 81,000 reported in March, and less than the 75,000 decline that economist predicted

4) Factory orders for March climbed 1.4%

5) US Dollar is showing more strength while commodity prices are beginning to come down (as a result of the FED signaling an end to interest rate cuts). This should reduce inflation and improve consumer’s disposable income further.

Not Bad…But Not Good Either

Note that the data coming out is NOT good, it’s just not as bad as what everything has been saying. The US is unlikely to go into a recession, but growth will remain sluggish and flat, at least for the next quarter. The good news is that the fiscal stimulus package and the aggressive interest rate cuts HAS NOT even taken any effect Yet. Once the FEDs actions start taking effect in the second quarter, economy is likely to start growing again by the second half of the year.

The Market Update

The S&P 500 managed to stay on an uptrend above it’s 20 & 50 day MA and breaking through and stay above the 1400 resistance, while the Dow broke through the 13,000 resistance and has stayed above. On the Singapore front, the STI progressed through the 3,000 point barrier to close at 3200 points.

My Wealth Academy Portfolio is finally in the green, with my Singapore stocks up +7.32% for the last 4 months and US stocks up just +0.43%, powered mainly by the strong gains in Apple (+41.8%), Google (+12.37%) and Visa (+38.1%)

If you want to learn how to massively profit from the markets, join me at the next Wealth Academy Live Training in Singapore 15-18 May! Call 62740105 and speak to Wandy/ Terence before all the seats are sold out

Recently, I was doing a recruitment seminar (to fresh graduates from the local universities) for one of the large insurance companies in Singapore. I talked about how anyone could achieve time freedom and financial freedom by becoming a financial advisor in Singapore. I shared how becoming a financial advisor was a powerful strategy in becoming your own boss and having the potential of earning unlimited income WITHOUT having to have lots of startup capital.

What shocked me as the number one reason that stopped them from even considering the career was, ‘ we don’t like to sell’ or ‘we don’t feel comfortable with being a salesperson’ Somehow, many of these grads were under the impression that by being a graduate, selling was beneath them!

I looked them in the eyes and told them, ‘ If you do not like the idea of selling to someone else, you will NEVER EVER BE RICH!!!!!’ I believe that if you don’t like salespeople or if you don’t like to sell yourself, you can forget about ever becoming wealthy.

I believe that in order to achieve ANYTHING in life, you must be great at SELLING! If you want to land that lucrative job, you must be great at SELLING YOURSELF during the interview. If you want to get that promotion, working hard and being loyal is not good enough. It is not always the smartest and most hard working person who gets the promotion. It is the person who is able to SELL HIS IDEAS to management and the person who is able to SELL and convince top management why they are the best person for the job.

The person who ends up President of the United States (or any country) is not the smartest person around (look at Bush), but it is the person who is best able to SELL themselves and their ideas to the people.

If you want to get the man or woman of your dreams, you have to SELL YOURSELF (it is called dating). All CEOs are top salespeople. They have to constantly sell their vision to their employees, sell their company, brand and products to the market and sell their business to investors. All the prophets like Jesus, Buddha, Confucious, Mohammed etc… had to sell the concept of salvation.

I have seen so many people with PhDs, Masters Degrees, from Top colleges and even people in the Gifted Program with super high IQs who will NEVER EVER be rich simply because they cannot sell.

Looking back at my life, I feel that what gave me the edge over all my friends and competitors was the fact that I learnt to enjoy and be great at selling! That is what made me into a best-selling author, one of the highest paid speakers in Asia. It also allowed me to build one of the strongest brands in education and training.

To be honest, when I first started, I felt uncomfortable with selling too. I felt uneasy asking people to give me money (which is what selling is all about). I had the wrong perception that the person who sells gains at the expense of the person buying.

Then, I realized that if you provide a product or a service that truly adds value to people’s lives, then it is a win win situation. You are helping that person solve a problem, meet a need or achieve a desire/goal. At the same time, you get rewarded for the value you have created for that person. So, go forth and create value to the whole world… and become rich in the process

The June school holidays are coming soon and I will once again be running my Superkids (For ages 7-12) and ‘I Am Gifted, So Are You!’ (For Teens aged 13 and above) Life Transformational Camps in Singapore, Jakarta, Medan and Kuala Lumpur.

My Kids and Teen programs are based on my very first book I wrote 10 YEARS AGO, entitled ‘I Am Gifted, So Are You!’ It chronicles my journey from a student who was kicked out of school at age 9 (Primary 3) and labeled a slow and hopeless learner by friends and teachers and how I learnt the accelerated learning and personal success strategies to become one of the top students in Singapore (I was later ranked among the top 1% of academic achievers in the National University of Singapore and a pioneer in the talent development program/ Gifted Program).

What really inspired me to write the book and to spend my last 16 years inspiring and teaching students to bring out the very best in themselves in that I believe that if I CAN CHANGE, then ANYBODY CAN CHANGE. I believe that there are many many students out there in the world who are just like where I was. Students who have given up hope in their studies and their future simply because they have failed too many times in the past and have been constantly labeled and reprimanded by well meaning teachers and parents. So much so that they have formed a MENTAL BLOCK and even HATRED towards studies and exams.

So, how do I help children and teens to transform their lives through my intensive holiday programs? Well, there are three things that I focus on..

1) LEARNING MASTERY
First thing I do is teach students the RIGHT WAY on how to learn. By teaching and demonstrating powerful learning skills like super memory techniques, speed reading,information gathering, whole brain note making, concentration techniques and thinking skills, teens will be amazed and gain so much confidence when they discover that they can make learning extremely easy and fun.

2) PERSONAL MASTERY
While scoring straight ‘A’s is important, I believe it is certainly no guarantee of success. For our children to become successful in school and in life, they must develop PERSONAL MASTERY skills such as learning to design their destiny through goal setting and career planning, developing unstoppable confidence and high self-esteem, learning to manage stress and motivate themselves, time and life management and the ability to overcome failure and setbacks

3) RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION MASTERY
The third ingredient of success in life that we must teach our kids at a young age are basic but very important values like RESPECT, GRATITUDE and RESPONSIBILITY. I believe that to achieve anything in life, we must learn how to work well with others, express ourselves confidently and to learn to manage relationships with friends and family

If you have friends or family members (kids or teens) who you know can truly benefit from the Superkids and I Am Gifted, So Are You Programs, do encourage them to call 62740105 (Singapore), (603)77250212 (Malaysia) or (62)215723315 (Jakarta) and speak to our customer care officers or attend one of our FREE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS this coming weekends!

In Singapore
Free Introductory Workshops:
Dates/ Timings:2 May (Fri 7pm), 3 May (Sat 2pm), 4 May (Sun 2pm),
9 May (Fri 7pm), 10 May (Sat 2pm), 11 May (Sun 2pm)
Venue: Adam Khoo Training Centre, Singapore

Life Transformational Workshops:
Superkids Camps (5 Days): 24-28 May, 2 June- 6 June, 11-15 June
I Am Gifted Camps (4 Days): 29 May-1 June, 7 June- 10 JUne

In Malaysia
Free Introductory Workshops:
Dates/ Timings:
3 May (Sat 3pm), 4 May (Sun 3pm)
10 May (Sat 3pm), 11 May (Sun 3pm)
Venue: Adam Khoo Training Centre, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Life Transformational Workshops:
Superkids Camps: 24-26 May (Penang), 31 May- 2 June (Petaling Jaya)
I Am Gifted Camps: 27 May-30 May (Seremban)

In Indonesia
Free Introductory Workshops:
Dates/ Timings:3 May (Sat, 2pm) in Jakarta
4 May (Sun 2pm) in Medan

Life Transformational Workshops:
Superkids Camps: 23-26 June (Jakarta)
I Am Gifted Camps: 26 June-30 June (Jakarta), 19-22 June (Medan), 1-4 July (Surabaya)

You can also listen to a recording of one of my LIVE INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS at this link.

=> Click HERE To Download

I would like to share some of the hundreds of emails that some of my past students have sent me and how the program has been indeed life transforming for them.

Live With Love and Passion

Adam Khoo

Dear Friends,

I have got an exciting announcement! Wealth Academy Options- Conducted by Ron Ianieri of Options University will be down in Singapore this week to talk about how to trade and invest in Options the SAFE and PROFITABLE WAY.

In my opinion, there is NOBODY better and more qualified to teach options strategies in the US and in Asia than Ron!

Ron is one of the WORLD’s most sought after Options Instructor and trainer of today’s top Wall Street Floor Traders. Ron only comes down ONCE A YEAR, so you have to take advantage of this opportunity to at least attend his free workshop where you will learn…

1) Strategies to tackle today’s turbulent market and safeguard your investments
2) How to construct any option strategy that will make money no matter where the market goes and even if the stock moves against you
3) How to trade options the way Wall Street Professionals do

PLUS, you will get a FREE REPORT on ‘ The 7 Deadly Sins of Options Trading’ if you register early!

Ron will really blow your mind with what he can share.

So, go to www.optionsadvantageasia.com or sms: 98552108 (Singapore only) to make a date.

For Singapore Workshops
23 April (Sorry, Fully Booked)
24 April, Thursday, 2-5pm and 7-10pm
25 April, Friday, 2-5pm and 7-10pm
30 April, Wednesday 7-10pm
Venue: Adam Khoo Training Centre, 10 Hoe Chiang Road, Keppel Towers

Jakarta Workshops
26 April, Saturday, 1.30pm- 4.30pm
Venue: Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta
Call: +62215723315

Malaysia Workshops
29 April, Tuesday, 7pm- 10pm
Venue: Adam Khoo Training Centre,
B-2-12, TTDI Plaza, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail
6000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Call: (603) 77250212

A few posts ago, I talked about the power of love that one mum had for her daughter. Knowing that she only had a few months to live (after being diagnosed with breast cancer), Erin Kramp made hours of video footage of motherly advice and wisdom that her daughter could listen to when she was old enough (her daughter Peyton was only two at the time). She even prepared 20+ years of birthday and Christmas presents in advance that her daughter could receive years after she was gone.

In this post, I would like to share the story of an extraordinary love that a father has for his son. It is the story of Dick Hoyt and his son Rick. 66-year old Dick climbs mountains, runs to the ends of the earths and swims across oceans to give his son Rick, a better life.

When Rick was born, he suffered from Cerebral Palsy (as a result of the umbilical cord being caught around his neck at birth). Doctors told Dick that his son would never be able to walk or talk and that it would be best to forget about him and leave him in an institution. He would be nothing more than a vegetable for life.
Read more »

My company, Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group (AKLTG) is on the hunt for the very best Personal & Professional Development Trainers.

A bit of background. AKLTG is Singapore’s largest personal & professional training company with operations in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, China (Suzhou) and Malaysia. We have five main divisions; public seminars, corporate training, Adam Khoo Learning Centres, Schools division and the publishing division. We have reached out to more than 500,000 people and 110 organisations through our comprehensive range of unique, inspirational and dynamic programmes.

We are continually searching for and developing the best people, knowledge and skills to empower more individuals, schools and corporate organisations to realise their greatest potential and achieve their visions and dreams.

If you believe in our vision and want to be a part of a passionate, dynamic and driven force, we want you!

Who is an AKLTG Trainer?
• Passionate about empowering and helping others to realise their fullest potential
• Loves to share knowledge and make a difference to people and organisations
• Highly-energetic and is excellent in public speaking
• Enjoys a young and vibrant workplace
• Has an extreme urge to keep learning new ideas
• A proactive and accountable go-getter who makes things happen

What Does an AKLTG Trainer Do?
• Delivery of our leading public, schools and corporate programmes
• Designs and develops new programmes and content

Applicants with minimum Diploma/Degree and experience in Corporate Training, Speech & Drama and Teaching will have a distinct advantage.

Join Us.

Please send in full resume, stating current and expected salaries together with a recent photograph to hr@akltg.com by 25th March 2008.

We regret that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

This post is dedicated to two special people Kenny Tran and Katie who have made my first book, ‘I Am Gifted, So Are You!’ into a National Best-Seller in Vietnam.

Kenny and Katie came for the Patterns of Excellence Program and Wealth Academy (In Singapore) sometime back. After that they approached me for the rights to write, publish and market my books to Vietnam as they felt that it could make a huge difference in the lives of this country that is full of young people who are hungry for success in life.

By Dec 207, it became one of the BEST-SELLING BOOKS NATIONALLY, together with Harry Potter Book 7! The official website: www.vuontoithanhcong.com has over 65,000 hits for the last 6 months alone.

However, it did not take off straight away. Like most new ventures, there was failure at first. But using the ULTIMATE SUCCESS FORMULA that I taught in the Patterns of Excellence program, they turned failure into feedback, changed their strategy and kept taking massive action until they achieved their goal.

Here is their story:
Read more »

This coming March 27-30 2008, I will be personally conducting the Patterns of Excellence 4-Day Life Transformational Program with my partner, Stuart Tan.

This is indeed the most powerful program among all the programs that I deliver, and certainly the one I enjoy the most. I can’t describe how incredible it feels to help and see so many people breaking through years of limiting beliefs, habits and thought patterns and developing the strategies to achieve exceptional results in their careers, wealth and relationships.

Over the last 6 years, the program has helped turned bankrupts into millionaires (read this in the latest blog post at www.conradalvinlim.com), average people into extraordinary achievers (read more at www.successwithnlp.com), couples transform their broken relationships into rekindled love and even helped people who have had life threatening illnesses like strokes to recover their confidence and life (read Chiat Min’s story at www.recoverystory.com).

Understand that I did not transform these people’s beliefs, thoughts, behaviors and life. They did it for THEMSELVES. All I did was to show them exactly how they could take immediate control of their thoughts, emotions and behaviours using the skills and strategies from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). NLP is the science of using the language of the mind to program your neurology to achieve exceptional results.

I am going to show you exactly how I used this amazing technology to develop laser focus, unstoppable self-confidence, consistent motivation to achieve everything that I have for the last 15 years. From becoming a best selling author, to building multi-million dollar businesses, to maintaining a loving relationship with my spouse for over 14 years and feeling incredible happy and fulfilled everyday.

You are going to learn how to create the amazing life that you deserve for YOURSELF. Learning NLP is like installing the most powerful OPERATING SYSTEM (OS) in your bio-computer so that whatever applications you use will be maximized to its fullest potential. You have goals to achieve results in your life but feel that something holds you back or that you lack the mindset and strategies, then this is your opportunity to change your life.

If you want to attend the next Patterns of Excellence program, then you have to act right now. I have less than 10 seats left. You can call my office at 65-62740105 to book a seat or attend the last introductory preview on 13 March 2008, 7pm (Singapore, AKLTG Training Centre) (call 65-62740105 to book too), although I cannot guarantee that there will be any seats left then.

If you cannot wait, you can also download the Introductory seminar on MP3 right here.

Note: I will also be conducting a Patterns of Excellence program in Jakarta from 8-11 May .

I will see you then!

I ask this question ‘Do you believe in yourself?’ because it is one of the most important questions that will decide whether you live a life of great success or mediocrity.

You see, A LOT of people out there just don’t believe in themselves. It’s sad but true. They see other people achieving success and financial abundance, but they don’t think that it’s possible for them.

The TRUTH is Read more »

I discovered this when I was going through the comments in my previous post and I was shocked to discover how I actually managed to DESTROY this man’s life!

He even did up a website to tell the whole world how it exactly happened and what I did to him:

Of course, I didn’t really ‘destroy’ his life (well, I did in some ways). But I really take my hat off to this gentleman, Sean Seah, for coming up with an angle like this and I think it deserves a front page mention on my blog.

I highly recommend you have a look at his website at:
http://www.roadtoff.com/howadamkhoodestroyedmylife.html