Elevate U | The Black Collegian Magazine

Showing posts with label Quotes-n-Tips-n-Tidbits. Show all posts

Visit DuncanNuggets.com

A ton of people have been asking me why I haven't been blogging and the answer is...

I have.

Subscribe to Duncan Nuggets® if you want to stay up to date with my latest articles and commentary.

Thanks!

Words of Wisdom 18: Service to Many

What will you do today to be a better servant?

“Service to many is the prerequisite of greatness.”
-Al “The Inspiration” Duncan

Words of Wisdom 7: Identity Theft

Do you have a bank account? Where? Regardless of where you bank the real question is do you have identity theft protection?

Be sure to sign up for some form of identity theft protection with your bank, credit card provider, or some company that specializes in identity theft plans.

Related Articles:
4 Keys For Smart Credit Card Use
African Americans and Identity Theft
Pervs, Politicos and Prey:
Protect Your Credit Rating – It Can Impact Your Future!

Words of Wisdom 35: Leadership

One crucial key to becoming an exceptional leader is to make sure your people are inspired more by the mission than your individual greatness.

Related Articles:
A Lesson on Leadership from Jackie Robinson
Tips for Developing Leadership Style
Perfecting Your Leadership Qualities

Words of Wisdom 12: Money Smarts

When comes to credit cards and loans be sure to check the facts about the annual percentage rate (APR) before signing on the dotted line. Is fixed or variable? Under what circumstances can it be raised?

Related Articles:
4 Keys for Smart Credit Card Use
College Debt 101
Avoid the Credit Card Trap

Words of Wisdom 74: Emotional Mastery

It takes 3-5 seconds for the chemicals that produce emotions to flood your system. So the age-old aphorism about counting to ten before you respond has an equal amount of science and common sense behind it.

Related Articles:
Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Master Your Anger
With Friends Like These
Emotions and Your Health: Anger
What is your EQ? (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)

Words of Wisdom 6: Identity Theft

When is the last time you checked your credit report? Have you ever checked it? Here's a tip:

Be sure to check your credit report at least once a year. Get a free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com

Words of Wisdom 23: Productivity

People always ask me a question: "Al, where do you find the time?"

They want to know how I am able to have over 100 speaking engagements per year, write dozens of articles, maintain two blogs and two websites, run two businesses (currently starting a third), serve on two boards, chair a steering committee, volunteer for over hundred hours per year, mentor students one on one, and make time for my family. The answer is simple: I don't try to find time; I make time. For example:

By spending 1 less hour per day surfing the web or watching TV, you will have an extra 28-31hrs. every month to work on achieving your goals. That's 336-372 hours per year!

A State of Mind Called Time Pt. I
Prioritizing and Time Management
Struggling After Blowing Deadlines
Study Skills for a Successful Semester

Words of Wisdom 97: Conflict Resolution

When it comes to conflict and disagreement, what’s more important to you: Proving that you are right and justified or resolving the conflict?

“The relentless pursuit of self-justification makes conflict resolution extremely elusive.”
-Al “The Inspiration” Duncan

Words of Wisdom 31: Productivity

“Plan tomorrow’s actions today.”
- Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

Before you go to sleep every night plan (in writing) the ACTIONS you will take tomorrow. This increases your focus and productivity because it keeps you from thinking about what you’re supposed to be doing and actually doing what you’re supposed to be doing.

Related Articles:
Prioritizing and Time Management
Struggling After Blowing Deadlines
Study Skills for a Successful Semester
Seize the Opportunity

Words of Wisdom 5: Identity Theft

What do you do with all of those unwanted credit card offers? Shred, burn, or destroy all unwanted documents with your personal info on them. Especially credit card offers that you do not accept. Cancel ALL unused credit cards. To stop receiving all offers (including the good ones) call 1-888-5-Opt-Out.

Related Articles:
4 Keys For Smart Credit Card Use
African Americans and Identity Theft
Pervs, Politicos and Prey:
Protect Your Credit Rating – It Can Impact Your Future!

Words of Wisdom 17: Fulfillment

One of the keys to greatness is finding a way to do something you love to do, not just something that's "safe" to do. Many people have experienced a high level of achievement but are stuck in professions they hate.

What kind of sense does that make?

None.

"High achievement without fulfillment is a broken way of life."

-Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

Words of Wisdom 21: Failure

No matter what happens or what mistakes you make--be it a bad grade, a bad interview, a bad relationship, bad credit, or just plain old bad decisions--always remember...

“Failure is only permanent if you quit.”

-Al “The Inspiration” Duncan

How do you retire with an extra million dollars?

Q: "You did a money management session today at Georgia State University…do you have any books you would recommend to[young people] for money management and investing? Lastly, what was the calculation that you did to figure out the millionaire question, in case I wanted to retire earlier? Thank you.”

A: I had a great time at Georgia State. Here's a Millionaire Formula: Starting at age 22 (or earlier) invest $3000/yr. in a Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) for 43 years (up to age 65) at 8% interest and you'll retire with an extra million dollars.

There are other accounts or investments you could use if the interest rate is good but a Roth IRA is supposed to be good for people in your age group because you’ll probably be in a higher tax bracket when you retire than you are in now. With a Roth IRA you don't get taxed at 65 when you take out the money. (WARNING: Talk to your bank or a financial adviser.)

Here are several good books on money management for young people:

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing by Kenneth Morris

Please Send Money. A Financial Survival Guide for Young Adults on Their Own by Dara Duguay

Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good by Dr. Boyce Watkins (for mature audiences only!)

Related Articles:

4 Keys for Smart Credit Card Use

College Debt 101

Secrets to Becoming a Successful Campus CEO

Protect Your Credit Rating – It Can Impact Your Future!

Words of Wisdom 27: Flexibility

Learn to be more flexible and adaptable under stress and pressure. The more you can be flexible and adapt to the situation the more power you will have in the situation. According to the Harvard Business School adaptability rates as one valuable skills a leader can have.

"The crocodile lives in the water
and yet he breathes air."

Denkyem – the 'crocodile' represents adaptability

Job Outlook for 2008 Graduates

On-Campus Interviewing: Strategies For Success

Perfecting Your Leadership Qualities

Tips for Developing a Leadership Style

Words of Wisdom 15: Money Smarts

Do you know the highest credit score a person can have? Do you know the five determining factors for your credit score?

Your credit score can range from 300 (poor) to 850 (excellent). 35% is determined by your credit history, 30% Debt, 15% length of credit history, 10% new credit, 10% type of credit used.

Related Articles:

4 Keys for Smart Credit Card Use

Avoid the Credit Card Trap

College Debt 101

Words of Wisdom 25: Money Smarts

This is how most people think: I'll trade some time for some dollars. Every time I do a task, project, or something similar I get paid for it.

This is how entrepreneurial minded people think: How can I do something once and keep getting paid for it even if I NEVER do it again?

That's called residual income. Residual income, doing something once but getting paid for it over and over, is one of the secrets of financial freedom.

Examples: royalties from writing a book, making a film, recording an audio program or song, or building an ecommerce website.

Related Articles:

Secrets to Becoming a Successful Campus CEO

When shopping on line check to make sure that the page is secure before giving out your personal info. Look for https (instead of http) at the beginning of the URL in the address bar.

Related Articles:

African Americans and Identity Theft

Pervs, Politicos and Prey:

Protect Your Credit Rating – It Can Impact Your Future!