Of the hundreds of books I have read over my years on this planet, there are three that stands out more than any other. "Atlas Shrugged", "1984" and "The richest man in Babylon".
I briefly wish to talk about Atlas Shrugged, because it relates to a conversation I had over a nice curry lass night. In case you haven't read it, it is a fictional account of what happens to a country when innovation and the capitalist spirit is smothered by Socialist doctrine, red tape and Big Brother diktat.
Written decades ago, it now seems that we are venturing into this very arena, only in a slightly different form. The small business owner, the lifeblood of the country is being smothered by regulation upon regulation that does little if nothing to promote commerce in any form. We are being strangled whilst large corporations run rampant across the land doing pretty much as they please.
You only have to see how some Clinical Waste removal companies are acting dishonourably to see how fecked up the system has become. Their use of lies and bully boy tactics is not backed up by any semblance of customer service. When it comes to the law of contracts, they are unfortunately in dishonour. Many of them are in breach of contract.
Time for us all to send them a message I think. I will talk about this more in my next email newsletter. To sign up for FREE, go to www.gdpresources.com
Friday, 3 September 2010
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
You can't keep a good man down
A blog is sometimes the last thing on ones mind when illness strikes. After suffering from a prolonged chronic illness that almost ended my dental career, the blog is back. The illness is there, but it is also a shadow of its former self.
Now, let's knuckle down and make some money
Now, let's knuckle down and make some money
Sunday, 8 August 2010
What do you WANT???
Hello again..... you will need a pen and a piece of paper.
Many people think they know what they want, but is that actually the case? We live in a consumer society run by a FIAT monetary system. We are bombarded day and night by adverts for this product and that. We are told what to think, what to wear, what to say and what to buy. For some of us, our thoughts aren’t our own, they were given to us. Public norms and conventions tell us how to behave and tell us how to rebel. Original thought is tolerated at best, scorned by the masses at worst. (And with the internet, one now has to question whether anyone can actually have an original thought.)
It’s OK to have an opinion, so long as it isn’t deemed to be “controversial”. And it has always been like this, ever since mankind developed consciousness. Order, convention, stability. Those that threaten to rock the boat are tossed overboard. Perhaps they are the lucky ones
But thankfully, an occasional mind will sneak through the gaps and then the whole world changes.
Great minds create great change. Some spent their whole lives working towards a single goal. Others just decided one day to defy convention, to sit at the front of the bus, to say “Screw You”.
You don’t have to be a genius to change the world. You don’t have to be rich, you don’t have to be powerful. You just have to possess the force of will to know what you want.
So what do YOU want? You know most people haven’t actually sat down and seriously asked themselves that question. Why don’t you try it now. Over the next 5 minutes, write down everything you can think of that you want in life. I’ll wait.
So how did you do? Well, I know that at least half of you reading this didn’t even bother. I know, you’re too busy, you haven’t got a pen, it’s a Tuesday, Orion is in ascendance and you couldn’t POSSIBLY offend the great space goat by being so presumptuous. It’s ok, I understand.
All excuses are just that, excuses. I don’t mind if you didn’t do it. After all, it’s your life. Of course in my belief system, if you don’t know what you want......... how will you ever get it?
For those of you who did, there will be different results. You will have a vision of where you want to be in the future. Some of you will even be playing pictures and movies in your minds. But why did you choose those wants? You chose those wants based on you values and your beliefs.
As an example, what do you think someone who believes deep down that the rich are all scumbags and that money is the root of all evil will want? It’s probably fair to say that becoming wealthy won’t be on their list.
If you value security, stability and certainty, you’re probably not going to want to go sky diving in the foreseeable future.
If you want significance, if you want to feel important and special..... you’re probably going to want a big house, a big car, a big job and an attractive spouse to parade around with. Maybe a title.
For those of you who took part, that’s your next task. Take each item and ask yourself:
“Why do i want this?”
Let’s go deep into the rabbit hole.
That’s it. People want to be happy; unfortunately most of them don’t know how to be happy on a consistent regular basis. They think that buying that car, that dress, that house, that kitchen, that holiday, that DVD, that pizza.............. will make them happy. And it might, but only briefly.
Compulsion, greed, addiction, anger, power, and opinion aren’t the answer.
Compassion, contribution and finding out who you are........... that’s my belief as to what brings happiness. You can’t find happiness in the eyes of another until that other is your own reflection. You are already happy, you just don’t know how to switch it on.
When was the last time you laughed, to the extent that tears were streaming down your face? When was the last time that you felt so content that you could just sit for hours watching the wind play with the trees? When was the last time that your heart actually ached with joy?
You think that can be bought with bloody paper IOU’s with an old woman’s face printed on them?
So what do you really want? And how do you fulfil those wants?
Do you have a plan to get where you want to be?
Do you want one?
If you do, then I would recommend my Mastermind Alliance product http://www.gdpresources.com/Mastermind.shtml
Remember one thing, this product is not for everyone. Only those motivated by personal growth should even consider its purchase. But for those of you who seek something better than where you are now, go on buy it, you know you want to ;)
Regards
Stephen Hudson BDS, MFGDP, DRDP
Please help support the Sick Dentist Scheme and the BDA Benevolent fund by buying my book atChoose Your Reality. A proportion of the profits from its sale are split equally between these two charities
PS: Please feel free to pass this onto anyone you feel may be interested in it
GDP Resources
Disclaimer: S.Hudson or SNH Publications will not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletters. This information is for entertainment only.
Many people think they know what they want, but is that actually the case? We live in a consumer society run by a FIAT monetary system. We are bombarded day and night by adverts for this product and that. We are told what to think, what to wear, what to say and what to buy. For some of us, our thoughts aren’t our own, they were given to us. Public norms and conventions tell us how to behave and tell us how to rebel. Original thought is tolerated at best, scorned by the masses at worst. (And with the internet, one now has to question whether anyone can actually have an original thought.)
We police ourselves. We police each other.
It’s OK to have an opinion, so long as it isn’t deemed to be “controversial”. And it has always been like this, ever since mankind developed consciousness. Order, convention, stability. Those that threaten to rock the boat are tossed overboard. Perhaps they are the lucky ones
But thankfully, an occasional mind will sneak through the gaps and then the whole world changes.
- Galileo
- Martin Luther
- Leonardo Da vinci
- Shakespeare
- Fibonacci
- Newton
- Henry Ford
- Ghandi
- Einstein
- Rosa Parks
- Martin Luther King
- Hawkins
Great minds create great change. Some spent their whole lives working towards a single goal. Others just decided one day to defy convention, to sit at the front of the bus, to say “Screw You”.
You don’t have to be a genius to change the world. You don’t have to be rich, you don’t have to be powerful. You just have to possess the force of will to know what you want.
So what do YOU want? You know most people haven’t actually sat down and seriously asked themselves that question. Why don’t you try it now. Over the next 5 minutes, write down everything you can think of that you want in life. I’ll wait.
So how did you do? Well, I know that at least half of you reading this didn’t even bother. I know, you’re too busy, you haven’t got a pen, it’s a Tuesday, Orion is in ascendance and you couldn’t POSSIBLY offend the great space goat by being so presumptuous. It’s ok, I understand.
All excuses are just that, excuses. I don’t mind if you didn’t do it. After all, it’s your life. Of course in my belief system, if you don’t know what you want......... how will you ever get it?
For those of you who did, there will be different results. You will have a vision of where you want to be in the future. Some of you will even be playing pictures and movies in your minds. But why did you choose those wants? You chose those wants based on you values and your beliefs.
As an example, what do you think someone who believes deep down that the rich are all scumbags and that money is the root of all evil will want? It’s probably fair to say that becoming wealthy won’t be on their list.
If you value security, stability and certainty, you’re probably not going to want to go sky diving in the foreseeable future.
If you want significance, if you want to feel important and special..... you’re probably going to want a big house, a big car, a big job and an attractive spouse to parade around with. Maybe a title.
So what do you want?
And why do you want it?
For those of you who took part, that’s your next task. Take each item and ask yourself:
“Why do i want this?”
Let’s go deep into the rabbit hole.
- You want a 1967 Chevy Impala? Why?
- You want to do an Iron Man Triathlon? Why?
- You want to be a millionaire? Why?
- You want to retire at 65 and spend your retirement in the garden? Why?
- You want qualifications and letters after your name and be a big cheese on the lecture circuit? Why?
- You want your Daughter to be a Doctor or a Lawyer? Why?
- You want to sit in front of the TV and watch the Omnibus edition of Hollyoaks? Why?
Happiness.
That’s it. People want to be happy; unfortunately most of them don’t know how to be happy on a consistent regular basis. They think that buying that car, that dress, that house, that kitchen, that holiday, that DVD, that pizza.............. will make them happy. And it might, but only briefly.
Compulsion, greed, addiction, anger, power, and opinion aren’t the answer.
Compassion, contribution and finding out who you are........... that’s my belief as to what brings happiness. You can’t find happiness in the eyes of another until that other is your own reflection. You are already happy, you just don’t know how to switch it on.
When was the last time you laughed, to the extent that tears were streaming down your face? When was the last time that you felt so content that you could just sit for hours watching the wind play with the trees? When was the last time that your heart actually ached with joy?
You think that can be bought with bloody paper IOU’s with an old woman’s face printed on them?
So what do you really want? And how do you fulfil those wants?
Do you have a plan to get where you want to be?
Do you want one?
If you do, then I would recommend my Mastermind Alliance product http://www.gdpresources.com/Mastermind.shtml
Remember one thing, this product is not for everyone. Only those motivated by personal growth should even consider its purchase. But for those of you who seek something better than where you are now, go on buy it, you know you want to ;)
Regards
Stephen Hudson BDS, MFGDP, DRDP
Please help support the Sick Dentist Scheme and the BDA Benevolent fund by buying my book atChoose Your Reality. A proportion of the profits from its sale are split equally between these two charities
PS: Please feel free to pass this onto anyone you feel may be interested in it
GDP Resources
Disclaimer: S.Hudson or SNH Publications will not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletters. This information is for entertainment only.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Warning – Opinions enclosed
Hello again
It’s another week in austerity land, and our glorious leader (who has replaced the previous glorious leader) is asking for your opinions. Yes that’s right, they want to know what you THINK. It’s like a huge country wide version of that pointless programme “Question time”.
Your government would like you, the public to nominate laws and regulations they would like to see abolished. It’s all Radio 4 seem to be talking about at the moment, and it’s absolutely masterful.
Yes, masterful. The British public (especially the middle class) loves to chunter. We might not be any good at football, but boy can we tell you our opinions. Well here’s my mindless opinion.............. nothing will come of this.
It’s a smoke screen. It’s a way of saying “See, we are listening.” Yes they might alter one or two things to try and prove this exercise had a point, but no great changes will amount from this. It is simply a tool to divert your attention and give the media another means to tell you how to think.
You didn’t think this was being done for your benefit did you? Hell, I even found myself getting wrapped up in the spin........ for about 5 minutes. But that’s the amazing thing about radios, they come with off buttons. If only we used them more often. Now how’s that for an opinion?
You see, we are about to enter a very difficult period in the history of this country. If you think the public spending cuts being proposed are harsh, well you aint seen nothing yet. These are just the appetisers, mere canapés. The main course arrives next year.
For a while there, I actually thought the government was going to try and hyperinflate away our debt. But with billions being pulled from public spending, and banks still refusing to lend, the numbers show we are heading in the opposite direction. That’s not my opinion by the way, just the opinion of someone else who claims to know how to read the numbers.
Deflation seems to be where we are heading. And that’s fine if you haven’t got any debt or don’t own any assets, because with deflation, cash is king.
Could I be wrong here? Hell yes. I’m wrong all the time. And it would be nice to imagine that the economy can tick over as it has been, but that isn’t going to happen, not in the short term. In the short term, millions will be made unemployed, the economy will shrink and your public services will suffer. I know this because it said so on Radio 4 yesterday .............. erm, hang on.
I know that opinion sounds bad, but it’s better than the alternative. Inflating and debasing the currency would have been a disaster.... in someone else’s opinion. It would have been like trying to cure an alcoholic by getting him drunk. Our debt must be repaid before it gets too big to service. If it gets too big to service, we go into default, and then the currency goes down the toilet..... along with any and all of your wealth. And think of the opinions the population would have about that.
As an example, just do a bit of research into what happened in Argentina. The middle class were destroyed. At least in deflation there will be a middle class left in this country.
Does this mean I agree with the Tory spending cuts? No! I don’t think they are cutting enough, and where they are cutting is in the wrong places. But then that statement is based on my opinions...... most of which aren’t actually mine. They were “borrowed” from the minds of others and lumped together into something I claim to be mine. My knowledge of economics is limited, so really, how the hell can I have an opinion that is actually valid?
I can’t. And that’s the point that most people don’t realise. Most of our opinions are meaningless. But then, that’s just my opinion.
Ok, ok, enough. I hope you see what I am trying to do here. I am merely trying to point out that most of our opinions aren’t actually ours. They were given to use by someone or something. Now ask me how to do a composite, that’s something I can have a valid opinion on. Why? Because it’s my field of expertise and I do them daily. But ask me about Climate Gate or whether I should be using plastic bags for my shopping and really have no idea. Whatever I say would merely be a guess based on the information I have collected over the years.
And my opinions change constantly. What about yours?
One of my opinions that has not changed is my belief in the importance of systems in business. I know I’m preaching to the converted (I know because my records show that most of the people reading this have bought my Practice Systems Templates, and in 5 years only 1 person has ever asked for their money back), but systemisation is key to the smooth running of your practice. Yes you can still make money without them, and yes you can still enjoy dentistry, but systems make things so much easier.
But why make things more difficult for yourself? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
Keep smiling
Regards
Stephen Hudson BDS, MFGDP, DRDP
Please help support the Sick Dentist Scheme and the BDA Benevolent fund by buying my book atChoose Your Reality. A proportion of the profits from its sale are split equally between these two charities
PS: Please feel free to pass this newsletter onto anyone you feel may be interested in it
GDP Resources
Disclaimer: S.Hudson or SNH Publications will not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletters. This information is for entertainment only.
It’s another week in austerity land, and our glorious leader (who has replaced the previous glorious leader) is asking for your opinions. Yes that’s right, they want to know what you THINK. It’s like a huge country wide version of that pointless programme “Question time”.
Your government would like you, the public to nominate laws and regulations they would like to see abolished. It’s all Radio 4 seem to be talking about at the moment, and it’s absolutely masterful.
Masterful????
Yes, masterful. The British public (especially the middle class) loves to chunter. We might not be any good at football, but boy can we tell you our opinions. Well here’s my mindless opinion.............. nothing will come of this.
It’s a smoke screen. It’s a way of saying “See, we are listening.” Yes they might alter one or two things to try and prove this exercise had a point, but no great changes will amount from this. It is simply a tool to divert your attention and give the media another means to tell you how to think.
You didn’t think this was being done for your benefit did you? Hell, I even found myself getting wrapped up in the spin........ for about 5 minutes. But that’s the amazing thing about radios, they come with off buttons. If only we used them more often. Now how’s that for an opinion?
You see, we are about to enter a very difficult period in the history of this country. If you think the public spending cuts being proposed are harsh, well you aint seen nothing yet. These are just the appetisers, mere canapés. The main course arrives next year.
For a while there, I actually thought the government was going to try and hyperinflate away our debt. But with billions being pulled from public spending, and banks still refusing to lend, the numbers show we are heading in the opposite direction. That’s not my opinion by the way, just the opinion of someone else who claims to know how to read the numbers.
Deflation seems to be where we are heading. And that’s fine if you haven’t got any debt or don’t own any assets, because with deflation, cash is king.
Could I be wrong here? Hell yes. I’m wrong all the time. And it would be nice to imagine that the economy can tick over as it has been, but that isn’t going to happen, not in the short term. In the short term, millions will be made unemployed, the economy will shrink and your public services will suffer. I know this because it said so on Radio 4 yesterday .............. erm, hang on.
I know that opinion sounds bad, but it’s better than the alternative. Inflating and debasing the currency would have been a disaster.... in someone else’s opinion. It would have been like trying to cure an alcoholic by getting him drunk. Our debt must be repaid before it gets too big to service. If it gets too big to service, we go into default, and then the currency goes down the toilet..... along with any and all of your wealth. And think of the opinions the population would have about that.
As an example, just do a bit of research into what happened in Argentina. The middle class were destroyed. At least in deflation there will be a middle class left in this country.
Does this mean I agree with the Tory spending cuts? No! I don’t think they are cutting enough, and where they are cutting is in the wrong places. But then that statement is based on my opinions...... most of which aren’t actually mine. They were “borrowed” from the minds of others and lumped together into something I claim to be mine. My knowledge of economics is limited, so really, how the hell can I have an opinion that is actually valid?
I can’t. And that’s the point that most people don’t realise. Most of our opinions are meaningless. But then, that’s just my opinion.
Ok, ok, enough. I hope you see what I am trying to do here. I am merely trying to point out that most of our opinions aren’t actually ours. They were given to use by someone or something. Now ask me how to do a composite, that’s something I can have a valid opinion on. Why? Because it’s my field of expertise and I do them daily. But ask me about Climate Gate or whether I should be using plastic bags for my shopping and really have no idea. Whatever I say would merely be a guess based on the information I have collected over the years.
And my opinions change constantly. What about yours?
One of my opinions that has not changed is my belief in the importance of systems in business. I know I’m preaching to the converted (I know because my records show that most of the people reading this have bought my Practice Systems Templates, and in 5 years only 1 person has ever asked for their money back), but systemisation is key to the smooth running of your practice. Yes you can still make money without them, and yes you can still enjoy dentistry, but systems make things so much easier.
But why make things more difficult for yourself? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
Keep smiling
Regards
Stephen Hudson BDS, MFGDP, DRDP
Please help support the Sick Dentist Scheme and the BDA Benevolent fund by buying my book atChoose Your Reality. A proportion of the profits from its sale are split equally between these two charities
PS: Please feel free to pass this newsletter onto anyone you feel may be interested in it
GDP Resources
Disclaimer: S.Hudson or SNH Publications will not be held liable for any actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletters. This information is for entertainment only.
Monday, 7 April 2008
Doctors and Dentists Review Body
The contract increase will be 3.4%. That makes a change from what we usually get!!
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Am I beating a DEAD horse???
I know, I know I sound all misery and gloom. My friends used to call me Perma bear because I refused to buy a house and wouldn't invest in stocks. But the last year or so, they have begun to understand my reasoning. Ok, this was mainly because I wanted to concentrate on my business and had limited capital, but there was always a deep nagging doubt in the back of my head.
The problem with a bubble, of any kind, is that it is almost impossible to tell the top. So I was quite happy to step aside for the last several years because I didn't want to be caught at the top. Was I right to do this, hell I don't know. But I spent the time concentrating on my business, and not dabbling in other things and that seems to have worked quite well. The one thing I was certain I would never do is to get overextended in debt.
Now the media is awash with doom and gloom stories. you cannot miss them, even if you tried. Even when bullish sentiment gets into the media it is castrated by howling voices of derision. Here's an example:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/23/ccliam123.xml
The responses to his post are not very favourable.
Does this mean we will enter into a recession? Again, I don't know. It certainly looks like we will. And I know what you're asking, what the frickin heck has this got to do with a blog on NHS dentistry? Well, like it or not, your practice is a business, and businesses have to survive recessions. For those of us in the NHS, it would seem there is a beacon of hope to ride through the choppy seas. it looks like ring fencing will be extended to 2011. if the recession hits hard (and we should know by the beginning of next year if this will be the case) then 15000 practices all going private in a sea of unemployment, bankruptcies and house repossession may not make the best business sense. How likely is a housing downturn......... well, here is another link.
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/pdf/abn-amro-home-truths-04042007.pdf
I still feel that our future lies outside the NHS, but (to steal a famous Scotsman's saying) one has to be prudent about this. Whatever plans you make for the next five years MUST take into account economic realities of our present time.
Just a thought
The problem with a bubble, of any kind, is that it is almost impossible to tell the top. So I was quite happy to step aside for the last several years because I didn't want to be caught at the top. Was I right to do this, hell I don't know. But I spent the time concentrating on my business, and not dabbling in other things and that seems to have worked quite well. The one thing I was certain I would never do is to get overextended in debt.
Now the media is awash with doom and gloom stories. you cannot miss them, even if you tried. Even when bullish sentiment gets into the media it is castrated by howling voices of derision. Here's an example:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/23/ccliam123.xml
The responses to his post are not very favourable.
Does this mean we will enter into a recession? Again, I don't know. It certainly looks like we will. And I know what you're asking, what the frickin heck has this got to do with a blog on NHS dentistry? Well, like it or not, your practice is a business, and businesses have to survive recessions. For those of us in the NHS, it would seem there is a beacon of hope to ride through the choppy seas. it looks like ring fencing will be extended to 2011. if the recession hits hard (and we should know by the beginning of next year if this will be the case) then 15000 practices all going private in a sea of unemployment, bankruptcies and house repossession may not make the best business sense. How likely is a housing downturn......... well, here is another link.
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/pdf/abn-amro-home-truths-04042007.pdf
I still feel that our future lies outside the NHS, but (to steal a famous Scotsman's saying) one has to be prudent about this. Whatever plans you make for the next five years MUST take into account economic realities of our present time.
Just a thought
Monday, 10 March 2008
Health Select Committee
Yesterday's final evidence session for the Health Select Committee
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1269
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1269
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