Focus The Fire

So you’re working hard to build that career and earn money to pay for things that matter to you. School, food, vacation, family expenses, healthcare, potato salad, etc. Today we’re giving you 5 common fees to understand when you decide to put that money to work by investing.    5 Common Investment Fees To Know   Management fee Performance fee Early exit fee Account management fee Transaction fee  These fees go by different names so pay attention to how they work. Also I’m not (legally) your financial advisor so be sure to do your own research and ask questions.    Other investment education resources:   investopedia.com seekingalpha.com bloomberg.com   Question of the day: What’s one question you’ve always wanted to ask about personal finance?   (Comment below or on twitter)     Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focust

A big part of get a high level position in a company is proving your commitment to the organisation’s long term objectives. Young ambitious professionals often lack the perspective of being the boss who has to decide whether they should take a risk on someone with a promotion or salary increase.    In their head, they are weighing whether you will be around adding value for a long time, or if they will have to go through this process with someone else in a year after you get the first bonus cheque and buy a car.    Today we discuss one power tip on signalling that you are ready to join executive leadership.       Question of the day: What can you do to prove your level of commitment?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more grea

Successful careers are built on manual control rather than autopilot. Your ability to recognise when things need attention and make the right adjustments is crucial to building a meaningful career with more time, money and freedom. Today’s guest, Kanika Tolver, specialises in helping professionals repair, or as she would say, “rehab” their careers. If you’re looking to advance in your industry or make a transition this conversation is for you.    Who is Kanika Tolver?   Kanika is a highly decorated information technology Federal Government professional, rebel entrepreneur and Certified Professional Coach. Kanika is a serial innovator who’s fueled by an extraordinary commitment to social change and helping others create their own “epic lives.” She’s also the CEO and Founder of Career Rehab, LLC in Washington, DC.    Career Rehab focuses on assisting career transformations for students, professionals and retirees. The company provides career coaching programs, events, webinars, and digital resources to help peo

There are some mental barriers that keep smart professionals from breaking the mould and generating income outside their traditional salary. On this episode of Focus The Fire:  Some of the most common challenges to generating secondary income How to overcome those challenges How to start earning at least $100 per day outside your main job     Question of the day: What’s your $100 thing?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

Last year I realised that I wasn’t thinking big enough in many areas. To be clear, I really thought I was thinking big, but that wasn’t reflected in many areas of my life, career and business. You see it’s no enough just to have big dreams. We have to match those desires with an operational framework that can sustain that growth.    Being exposed to different client negotiations over the year has been extremely useful in learning how people react to price and perceived value. With those lessons in mind the broad theme for the year 2020 is “No More Small Talk: Don’t drop your price, raise these instead”.    In this powerful episode I’ll share insights on the three most crucial things you should work on raising this year to experience more personal and professional rewards: 1. Skills, 2. Communication, 3. Clients.      Question of the day: What do you need to upgrade the most: skills, communication or clients?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full sh

What a year! As 2019 comes to a close we spent some time reflecting on the best practices to increase your chances of massive success in 2020. Here are 5 crucial things to do in 2020. What else would you add?   Stop self-rejecting Take more action Learn while doing Keep good energy Give yourself permission to be a beginner      Question of the day:  What changes are you making in 2020 to boost your career? (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

The first step to building your side hustle is figuring out what you will offer the market. Today we explore two strategies to help you generate ideas and choose one or two areas to focus.    Strategy 1 Make a list of skills or other things you can use to generate additional income. Separate them into three groups as follows:   Things you can do/monetise right now Things you can improve or build, then monetise Things you can learn how to do    Strategy 2 Look at what tasks and products people are already using to generate income. Browse gig websites like Fiverr and Upwork to see what people are paying for. You may consider joining the gig / freelance economy through these channels to get some experience, or launching your own distribution channel.    Question of the day: What’s something you want to monetise? (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter

Reflecting on the things that really made a positive difference this year, I realised that it kept coming back to the same theme: Overcome self-doubt and do things you never did before.   On this episode I share the back story how I ended up presenting my first career training webinar a in December 2019.    Question of the day: What have you been talking yourself out of doing?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv  

Growing your career at faster than the average pace requires building relationships with decision makers. These people can be a catalyst to your progress and get you seats at tables that would otherwise be inaccessible. In this episode we provide you six practical tips for networking with high level executives. How do you get connected with powerful people?    Research their interests. Lead with value. Save time, make money, build a bridge.  Secretaries and personal assistants  are the gate keepers! Office parties and social events are prime time. BAM FAM - Book a meeting, From a meeting. Can I walk with you to your next meeting?   Question of the day: Which tip are you going apply first? (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help u

Today we continue the money conversation looking at the kinds of limiting beliefs you’ll need to shed to find success on the journey ahead. It’s a flashback to episode 61 that will set up some things are discussing over the next month.    Special Announcement   On Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 2PM EST I’ll be the guest presenter for the team at Whats Next! Join us for this free webinar and learn how to level up your career over the next two years. Click here for more info and to reserve your seat.       Question of the day: What’s the craziest thing you’ve heard about money? (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

The people you see winning aren’t necessarily better or smarter than you. However, they are producing more output.  Hi, name is Dalan and as President of the Perfectionists and Overthinkers Association I’d like to welcome you to this meeting.    Today we talk about reconfiguring your mind for success and getting unstuck.   Question of the day: What have you been second guessing yourself on lately?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

Trying to figure out your entire life or career in one mouthful can be intimidating. Taking such a long view can also make you feel like you’re not making progress. Here’s a different approach.   Divide your career into seasons and episodes similar to a series on Netflix (a good one). What is the main movement you will make happen in the story during this season? What will we learn about the main character (you)? Is there a pivotal episode that will have everyone talking?      Question of the day: What’s the big thing that you want to happen in the this season of your career?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

Income augmentation sounds fun and exciting but it’s important to be sure you build these income streams the right way. In this episode we talk strategy. Learn what you need to think about before and during the construction of your empire.   These five tips are especially crucial if you plan to do this while maintaining your main job. Remember, you don’t need to quit your job to be an entrepreneur. In fact that steady base salary can free you from a load of pressure as you build the other income streams.   5 Tips for Building More Income Streams   Cows aren’t always sexy. BCG growth matrix.  Resist the urge to start everything at the same time. Results are worth more than talking points.  Build smart and sustainable. Document processes and create systems.      Question of the day: Which income building tip was your favourite?   (Comment below or on twitter)     Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Conn

Today we dive into how you can start augmenting your income. Yes you could start a huge business, create a new game changing app or be the next Warren Buffet. That can happen eventually, but let’s say you want to start with an extra few thousand dollars each month, as in this month.    Can you monetize something that you currently have or know?    Freedom is earned in phases so let’s look at how you can take some smaller steps now to get the money momentum rolling.       Question of the day: What is one thing you have or know that can be monitized today?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv  

At some point in your career you may decided to leave your parents house or stop renting apartments. You want to buy a house. This is a big deal, and we want to make sure you are well-prepared to navigate the process.   At this point I’ve purchased homes in three countries, and been involved with the bank financing for numerous other homes, commercial properties and even private islands. Here are some potholes to avoid so you come out like a champ!    Take time and don’t rush the process. Get something manageable. This does not have to be your dream house. Understand the financing terms. Investigate the developers and warrantees. Run calculations on the purchase and cost of living. Take your time furnishing the house. Study the market and consider how long you plan to stay. Question of the day: Which home buying tip did you find most useful? (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focus

It’s been 150 episodes. Whew! Hard to believe sometimes, looking back at the years. Today we reflect on some lessons learned, and share our focus for this next evolution.    We are still giving you the essential advice you need to build a career that leads to more time, money, and freedom. Now we are about to lean in on this money thing so you can make career decisions based on what’s best, not what you can afford.     Question of the day: What questions do you have about money and personal finance?  (Comment below or on twitter)   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire       Help us create more great content: patreon.com/dalanv

Welcome to the final episode of season 1 in our Caribbean Wisdom Series. This season we are featuring brilliant minds from the British Virgin Islands. Today’s guest, Sachkia Barnes, brings hope and a path for those of you who may be in a job that you don’t love. Learn how to use freelancing as a way to gain more freedom and possibly transition into becoming a full entrepreneur.   Connect with Sachkia here: www.sachkiabarnes.com Twitter - @sachkiabarnes Instagram - @sachkiabarnes Facebook - /sachkiabarnes LinkedIn - in/sachkiabarnes   Sponsor: DV GLOBAL MEDIA Our sponsor for this series is DV Global Media. They are a premium audio production and marketing service providing professional voiceovers for film, radio, audiobooks, ads, custom messaging and much more. If you want to access the power of having experienced voiceover artists, musicians and business people with MBAs at your service contact the team at DV Global Media today.     Question of the day: What valuable skill could you leverage or learn to start

Welcome to season 1, episode 3 of our Caribbean Wisdom Series. This season we are featuring brilliant minds from the British Virgin Islands. Today’s guest, Micheal Thomas, brings a seasoned perspective from leading a family business that’s been growing for over 50 years.    This episode is a master class on how to build a business that creates careers for other people.    Mike shares his wisdom on:  Navigating challenges. Working with your spouse and family. Networking and negotiating major financing deals with banks. Building a corporate culture that makes employee stick around. The big money sitting in so called blue collar jobs. Riding a bicycle after 20 years and much more.   Guest's website: CTL Home Center ctlbvi.com   Essential career advice for ambitious young professionals.    Full show notes and other resources available at www.focusthefire.com   Connect with host on twitter @dalanv www.twitter.com/dalanv   Connect with show on twitter @focusthefire www.twitter.com/focusthefire      

This is Season 1, Episode 2 of our Caribbean Wisdom Series! During the coming weeks we will feature powerful interviews with some of the brightest minds in the British Virgin Islands.     Today we feature Janette Brin, a marketing expert and creative mind behind the fashion and lifestyle brand Caribbean Posh. Hear the story of how she gained leadership roles without compromising her femininity, built a major brand, and overcame personal trauma all while balancing work, family and business.      Follow Janette and Caribbean Posh here: IG, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @caribbeanposh www.caribbeanposh.com   Sponsor: DV GLOBAL MEDIA Our sponsor for this series is DV Global Media. They are a premium audio production and marketing service providing professional voiceovers for film, radio, audiobooks, ads, custom messaging. If you want to experience the power of having experienced voiceover artists, musicians and business people with MBAs at your service contact the team at DV Global Media today.         Question of

This is the start of season 1 of our Caribbean Wisdom Series! During the next three weeks we will feature powerful interviews with some of the brightest minds in the British Virgin Islands.     Today we feature Kristin Frazer and rising fashion mogul, Kristin Frazer of Trèfle Designs. Hear the story of how a young lady from a tiny island managed to overcome a $10,000 loss, build a brand, get noticed by Essence Magazine, and land her clothing on major celebrities including Chrisette Michele and Beyonce.    Follow Kristin’s Work here: www.trefledesigns.com IG Handle: @trefledesigns @treflehomebvi FB Handle: @trefledesigns @treflehomebvi  Click here for a sneak preview of "Project X"   Sponsor: DV GLOBAL MEDIA    Our sponsor for this series is DV Global Media. They are a premium audio production and marketing service providing professional voiceovers for film, radio, audiobooks, ads, custom messaging. If you want to experience the power of having experienced voiceover artists, musicians and business people with