I waited for his finger to pull the trigger.

I waited to watch the bullet exit the barrel in slow motion, hit the target’s face, and leaving the bits and pieces of brain splattered all over mine.

Like pulp fiction. But 3D.

My mind raced forward to my reaction after this shooting would happen. I’ve always been a forward thinker like that.

Would I scream? Probably not.

Go into shock? Nah.

Pee on myself? Nope.

I simply concluded that I would do…nothing. Nothing at all.

Just a few moments before, a gun man (who’ll we’ll call “Gun Guy”) raced out of his car to confront a man who was buying a few books from me (with whom we’ll call the “Victim”).

“Gun Guy” wore one black leather glove on the hand that would pull the trigger. It was ninety-two degrees outside.

This, I concluded, could only mean trouble.

It was summertime. The block was hot. And full of people who had run far away enough to not get hit with a bullet, but close enough to watch the whole thing.

Scared, but nosey.

What a horrible combination.

It was just me, “Gun Guy,” and the “Victim.” In front of my book table. Waiting.

I couldn’t move.

Couldn’t run for cover like the others. I was too scared and nosey to do anything.

What a horrible combination.

I watched as “Gun Guy” quietly told the “Victim” why he was there. With the gun in his face. Ready for war.

While the “Victim” tried to plead his case, the ”Gun Guy” dug deep in his soul for the biggest piece of spit he could find and hauled it straight into the face of the “Victim.”

The monstrous piece of spit dangled on the “Victim’s” lip and held on for dear life. Mimicking his manhood.

Too afraid to wipe it away, the “Victim” looked at me and then held his head down, confirming what I knew all along: that if he made it out of here alive, he couldn’t come back to the hood ever again.

Satisfied with murdering “Victims” pride, the ”Gun Guy” said his final remarks and walked back to his car and drove away.

Ten minutes didn’t go by for things to go back to normal and I was back to selling my books.

My mind darted back to the week before when they found my homeless friend who used to insist on acting as my security, murdered just a few feet away from where I sold my books at.

Though things got crazy around there once and a while, I never considered selling my books anywhere else. This was easy money. I had hit jack pot.

Just when I thought my amusement for the day had ended, “Gun Guy” returned, riding down the street. In slow motion. With the gloved hand hanging out the window. With the gun in hand. Amusing himself. And scaring the shit out of us.

Everyone, including some new customers I had, ran for cover.

He did this imaginary drive by for a while. Six times to be exact. And I had simply had enough.

When I wake up everyday, I have a goal and back then it was to bring home two hundred dollars a day in book sales.

The ”Gun Guy” was messing up my money. The Carolina heat had me melting away. And I was pissed.

As he coasted at a speed of five miles per hour, taunting the crowd again with his intimidation tactics, I politely jogged to the car, cleared my throat and said, “Do you mind? I’m trying to sell books here and you’re scaring the shit out of my customers, so can you find and kill the “Victim” on another day please?”

He laughed.

Pulled his arm back in the car. Took off his glove. Reached in his pocket and handed me five one hundred dollar bills.

“My bad shawty,” was all he said as he drove off.

We never saw him again. That day.

BUT TIPH, WHAT’S THE POINT?

Well, other than the fact that it was funny to relive, the lesson is simple:

Ask for what you want.

History has proved time and time again that people have received opportunities and riches, simply by asking for them, but asking (which is a VERY powerful tool for success) is something that most people are afraid to do.

If you’re a person who avoids asking for what you want (or need) because you don’t want to look like you need the help, don’t want to look stupid, or you don’t want to be…REJECTED I have a couple tips for you.

Tiph Tip #1- Don’t assume that you’re going to get a no. Ask as if you expect a yes.
There were over sixty people, mostly men, standing outside that day and it took me, a one hundred and fifteen pound girl to make the man with the gun go away AND I received a five hundred dollar bonus for my pain and suffering. I took a risk and in that brief second, visualized getting exactly what I wanted. My peace of mind back.

Tiph Tip #2- Don’t give up.
Be persistant. There will be times when you’ll be rejected and it’ll hurt like hell, but never give up. Asking for what you want is really just a numbers game.

Is there something in your life that seems so impossible that you think you need to do more than just ask…think again. Whether you’re looking for a raise, a better relationship, new clients, a job, a vacation, help with the kids, etc. JUST ASK!

TAKE ACTION NOW

This week I want you to ask three questions to the people who have the ability to make it happen. This means if you have a problem with your boyfriend, you’re going to ask the boyfriend for a resolution. Not your friends.

Same for your business. If you want more clients, you’re going to send emails out this week asking your old clients for referrals.

Ask for what you want BOLDLY or spend the rest of your life running in fear.

The choice to live a better life has always been yours.

Choose wisely.

I’D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO WORK WITH ME 1-ON-1

I LOVE working with people one-on-one. I LOVE building their
businesses, showing them the way + watching their AHA! moment the
first time they see their money rolling in!

Teaching small businesses how to build revenue online is a
passion of mine. Whether it’s helping an author/self-publisher
build a literary empire or helping a new entrepreneur create a
completely virtual business from scratch…the fun for me is
helping you build a creative business that you’re TOTALLY
passionate about (+ is TOTALLY profitable too)!

That’s why I’m currently opening up 24 one-on-one GET UP & GO
HARDER sessions with me. I have a lot under my belt at the moment
(a new novel hitting bookstores + iPads in September 2012 + my 30
day self-publishing digital boot camp that starts in June 2012)…so
once these one-on-one spots are gone, THEY’RE GONE!

If you have a gut feeling that I can help you create a business
like mine- a business that earns great income + that feels like a
hobby + you just need a place where someone will call your bluff and
kick your butt LIKE IT’S THEIR JOB- then email me at: tiphani@tiphanimontgomery.com for more info.

I’ll respond right away with all the details about being one of the
24 to work with me one-on-one.

Because I want you to believe in yourself.
HARDER than you ever thought possible.

Xx

Tiph

Have you always wanted to start a business, but can’t quite figure out what you want to do? In today’s video, I’m going to share 3 creative ways to come up with an idea so that you can get started!

If you found this video useful, please share it with someone who would LOVE to start their own business!

P.S. I got this technique from a GREAT digital program for entrepreneurs called, The Spark Kit, by Danielle Laporte.

Because I want you to believe in yourself.
HARDER than you ever thought possible.

xo

Tiphani

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” -Jim Rohn

Have you ever found yourself trying to hold on to a friendship that was only meant to be for a season? Is there a nagging feeling that the friend you’re trying to DRAG along into the new vision in YOUR life is meant to be left behind? Friends are the glue that hold everything together, but what if superglue couldn’t even make you stick?

Today is the day that you’re going to get rid of some dead weight in your life.

Yup, that’s right.

Today you’re going to break up with the people in your life that don’t align with your new vision.

You become the friends that you hang out with and the odds are that they’ll suck you into their mediocre lifestyle before you’re able to change them. So start surrounding yourself with positive successful people who uplift, encourage, and applaud you for going after your dreams and obtaining some victories!!!

The fact is, if you’re not growing together, you’re growing apart. Most friendships aren’t meant to last forever and this video is confirmation for what you already know.

That it’s time to let go.

Not sure who you need to cut loose? Make a list of the people your closest to. Put a minus sign next to the negative and toxic people that make you feel bad, drain you, and lead to stress/drama and put a positive sign next to people who are loyal, honest, supportive, make you feel energized and at peace.

Break up with the minuses TODAY! Release yourself from their negative influences.

Because I want you to believe in yourself.
HARDER than you ever thought possible.

xo.

Tiphani + Baby Bear

Psssst!……Leave a comment below + share this video…..xo.