This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend some time with more than 800 of our clients at First Steps To Success in Dallas. I saw some familiar faces, as well as some beautiful new ones, and we had a great time learning together and developing business, finance and relationship skills that really have the potential to transform every single person who was in that room.

It is so incredible to watch people of every age, race, religion, industry, background and walk of life learn how to succeed wildly in whatever it is they do. I’ve seen hundreds of thousands of people walk out those doors and realize their dreams, create unlimited opportunities for themselves, restore their marriages, regain control of their time, and dig themselves out of the rut they were in.

Listen, I know things are hard for a lot of people right now. I see it and hear about it all the time. "The economy is bad." "I lost my job." "My kids are out of control." "I think my teenager hates me." "My spouse is driving me crazy!" "There’s just not enough time to do everything I want to do." If you’ve said or thought these things, you are not alone. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping people to get out of those hard times.

The truth is, we live in a world today where people have settled for so much less than they are capable of. They have settled for whatever life has handed them. But you do not have to accept the mediocre life everyone else around you is living. You can build your own life and create your own opportunities instead. And there is a very small percentage of people in the world who have done just that.

In fact, I got to interview an amazing family last night on my TV and radio show, and I have to share their story with you.

The Russell family had so many things working against them. They were in debt and so broke, they could barely put food on the table for their kids. The family ate eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner because they couldn’t afford anything else. Richard was working 16-18 hours a day and rarely saw his family.

Within 90 days of coming to First Steps To Success, Denese’s income from her business actually replaced Richard’s income, so he was able to quit his job. They have paid off $83,000 of debt, and they went from being flat broke to making 6 figures.

But here’s what I find so strange… All the time, I hear people talk about how "there are just no opportunities out there" or they "just can’t find a job" or "it’s just too hard to succeed in this economy." That is total NONSENSE! There is opportunity everywhere! It is all around you right now.

Just look at what Richard and Denese have done! HELLO! They could have used every excuse, but they chose to use the opportunity in front of them to get out of the pit they were in and to succeed beyond what they ever dreamed was possible! And not only that, but their 12- and 14-year-old children have done amazing, phenomenal things as well.

Richard and Denese’s daughter, Alyssa, was 12 years old when she started her first business. She had been making jewelry for fun since she was 8, so she decided to turn that into a business. She created an opportunity for herself, and in her first year, she made $20,000! While 16.2% of the 16-24 age group are unemployed, a 12-year-old made $20,000 in one year!

Alyssa is now 14 years old, and her jewelry will be featured in New York Fashion Week this year. She also runs another successful business with her 12-year-old brother, Spencer.

Do you understand the significance of this story? A family who was struggling so much, they could barely put food on the table, is now living a life many people only dream about. The difference in the Russell family and so many others, is the Russell family chose not to stay stuck. They chose to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. They did not let their circumstances, their hardships, their limitations, their "lack of opportunity" cause them to accept a mediocre life. Instead, they chose to succeed wildly.

Whatever challenges you and your family may be facing today, just know there ARE opportunities all around you. I hear stories every day from people who were in horrible situations, but using the skills they learned at First Steps To Success, they were able to create amazing opportunities and mind-blowing success for themselves.

The bottom line is this: YOU are in control of your own personal economy. YOU are in control of creating your own oportunities. YOU are in control of your future, your success.

I believe in you, and I can’t wait to hear your success story! I can’t wait to blast your story out to inspire millions of viewers and listeners on my TV & radio show!

It’s no secret that millions of people, including people all around you, are struggling financially, in their jobs, in relationships, in their businesses and with their families. I’m doing what I can to help — won’t you join me in sharing this message with them today? Just share this on Facebook and Twitter!

Mark your calendar now, and join me LIVE this Sunday night for The Dani Johnson Show! Grab your friends and family, and tune in on your TV and radio.

In great faith,

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