July is the month for national day celebrations in Canada and the U.S., i.e. Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day in the U.S. on July 4th.

Happy Canada Day!
Happy Independence Day!

Let the parties begin!

Any affiliate in almost any niche can help their readers celebrate by sharing ideas for:

• Party invitations
• Party decorations (think flags)
• Barbeque recipes
• Drink recipes and ideas – my favorites, beer in a Canadian flag wetsuit (see pic below) or a Caesar in a glass with a Canadian flag drink umbrella
• Themed dessert recipes
• Party Games

Having hosted more than a few Canada Day block parties, I think of all those things that you need to support a crowd:

• BIG fancy ice buckets to hold beer and other drinks on the patio
• Shade umbrellas
• Flags (LOTS and lots of flags)
• Balloons
• Holiday Tableware (suggest plastic items for pool parties)
• Themed yard ornaments and pool toys
• Canvas chairs with Canadian flags (or hockey team logos)
• Beach towels with flags (no need for a pool, a sprinkler for the kids will do)

BTW, if you do a Google search for “Canada Day Party” with or without quotes, you should see 2 listings with some of my Canada Day party pictures come up from years past.

Good SEO, eh?

Check out how I Got a First Page Google Listing in Only 9 Seconds.

Because it was a Canada Day, part of our requirement to attend the party was to wear something red and white… so patriotic clothing is another suggestion you can share with your visitors.

And after you’ve finished getting your site together to help your visitors celebrate the holidays, take time to read these 2 motivational articles about gaining independence through having your own business:

• Celebrating Independence
• Declare Your Own Independence Day

Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!

Cheers,

P.S. Independence and national holiday celebrations occur throughout the year in other countries. For an extensive list of national days around the globe, please visit Wikipedia – National Days.

With Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on the 4th, I can only hope that means most folks in both countries are recognizing and celebrating their good fortune to live in independent, democratic nations this week, because we are truly very fortunate.

Hardly a week goes by that I don’t think of how very lucky I am simply to have been born in a place like Canada, where we are at liberty to live as we choose with only the most modest constraints to ensure that everyone enjoys the same freedoms.

Personal freedom is the great thing accorded to us, yet financial freedom is still elusive for many in our respective countries.

If you’re frustrated by a lack of financial independence, I invite you to read “Declare Your Own Independence Day“, in which I discuss the true meaning of financial independence and a number of factors that can thwart your efforts to achieve it.

Happy Independence Day!

As I write this, it’s almost July 4th, Independence Day in the U.S. and a day for Americans to celebrate!

I know one American affiliate marketer who has even MORE reason to celebrate on July the 4th.

His name is Doug and he chose this date in 2001 to quit his job and claim his PERSONAL independence. Three cheers for Doug!!!

Like Doug and my other entrepeneur friends…

I celebrate my independence from bad bosses and paltry paychecks each and EVERY day. I don’t miss the long commute, the annoyance of an alarm clock jarring me awake at 5AM or reducing my life expectancy by working ridiculous short-change shift schedules.

Not even one iota.

Furthermore, I feel MORE financially secure as an entrepeneur than I ever did with a full-time government job and a large pension waiting for me at retirement.

At this point, I would NEVER trade the freedom to call my own shots and create my future for ANY job, because NOTHING is more satisfying than being your own boss – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What about you? Do you have personal and financial freedom?

Or, are you still struggling to shed the shackles and yet are still pining to make that seemingly giagantic leap?

If you’re experiencing the latter scenario, let me guess…

You’ve read all the books a hundred times and even memorized the list of action steps – define your wants, set goals, commit, take action and persist.

But if you already know all that, WHY are you still working for that jerk?

Hmm…

OK, so let’s forget the action steps for now. Here’s a different slant that lists 7 things that you might be doing that could be getting in your way – and need to be banished from your life’s lexicon if you ever hope to achieve success.

1. Self-doubt is the biggest obstacle to success. Some people are so paralyzed with fear that they cannot act and without action, one can not move forward. So, get rid of it. Learn what you need to know, do what you need to do to banish doubt. Replace it with positive thoughts and constructive knowledge that push you in the direction you want to go.
2. Worry is an absolutely useless emotion. Don’t waste brain space with stuff that may never happen. Again, it’s a matter of making yourself knowledgeable, creating a plan and working that plan.
3. Guilt is a complete waste of time. Stewing over things that happened in the past contributes nothing to your future. Either take action to rectify the problem, or choose to get over it and move on. It really is that simple.
4. Expectations invariably lead to disappointment. Unless you are the luckiest person on the planet, don’t expect anyone to hand you the keys to a successful business and say ‘Here you go, it’s all yours’. Be prepared to work – and work hard.
5. Jealousy and envy are another waste of time. Those who think they ‘deserve’ to possess the superior achievements of others or wish them ill by result need an attitude adjustment. Approach those whose success you’d like to emulate with respect, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
6. Blame wastes energy. Very few of us escape life without challenges and obstacles, often imposed by others. But hanging on to past or present grievances gives away your power to act in the present. Do what you need to do let things go and get on with your own life. The most inspirational stories come from those who have clawed their way from the depths of despair to attain extraordinary success.
7. Excuses are lies we tell ourselves to avoid the unpleasant truth. The most common excuses are “I have no time” and “I have no money”. As the old saying goes however, “where there’s a will, there’s a way”. If you want really want to make time for an activity, you will. No excuses.

The road to personal independence and financial freedom is fairly straight-forward.

Take responsibility for your current situation, accept that there will be obstacles and plan your course of action. Be sure to enlist support as needed and follow your plan in a logical order.

Lastly, don’t wait. Claim your right to personal independence and financial freedom today!