In early September, I began noticing a string of news stories about scientists rejecting the orthodoxy on global warming.  Actually, it was more like a string of guest columns and long letters to the editor since it is hard for skeptical scientists to get published in the cabal of climate journals now controlled by the Great Sanhedrin of the environmental movement.

Still, the number of climate change skeptics is growing rapidly.  Because a funny thing is happening to global temperatures — they’re going down, not up. 

~ From Lorne Gunter in the National Post

Bottom Line:  Global warming is a natural, cyclical phenomenon that is nothing new to our planet.  It is caused primarily from solar activity and is not man-made.  Government has used it as a scare tactic to con the public into accepting more control over our actions and our lives.  So go buy an SUV!

Ryan Borchers at the Creightonian writes about JobFox’s recent report of the Top 20 Most Recession-Proof Professions.  It doesn’t take a high SAT score to realize that those jobs that survive a slow economy are those where people are producing the maximum level of value.  Here are the top four professions on the list:

1. Sales Representative/Business Development
2. Software Design/Development
3. Nursing
4. Accounting & Finance Executive

My colleague Tim Bastian was interviewed for this piece.  Here is a key excerpt:

“I gotta tell you, if you’re coming out of college, and you’re thinking that ‘I’ve gotta get a recession-proof job’ and ‘I want to go work for a company that has really great benefits,’ … I’m going to probably find you really boring,” [Bastian] said.  The way to really be recession-proof is to be a person who adds a lot of value.”

There are a few tricks to adding value to a company, Bastian said, such as making yourself look good while making your boss look good, too.  Also, try to put yourself in your boss’ shoes.  Bastian said you should ask yourself, “If I own this business, what would I want me to do today?”

LESSON OF THE DAY:  Demonstrating value in any economy is king.   

If you are in the work force, here are a couple big picture action steps you should be doing to enhance the value you deliver:

- Give more of yourself.  I’ve been sharing my knowledge about investing and the wealth building process with the public for free for over 30 years now.  Doing so has created a community of clients and friends that no amount of money could buy. 

- Build a success library.  How many books have you read in the past year that will help you reach your personal and financial goals?  My guess is not enough.  Your time is precious so invest it; don’t spend it.

- Reach out to the top people in your profession and learn what they do to maximize value.  Reinventing the wheel can be done but it’s tough.  An easier path is to seek out people who are the very best at what they do.  Ask them about their successes and apply what they say to what you do.      

- And last, be patient but always hustle.  The microwave was probably the worst thing that ever happened to delayed gratification.  It provided us with one of life’s necessities – food – in a just a few seconds.  No matter what your job is, you have a personal brand.  And the development of your brand takes hard work and time. 

If you are able to put these pieces together, serious value will be generated on your part leading to serious success later on.  I promise. 

Growth was solid in Q2.  Common sense analysis showing why second quarter economic growth may come in way beyond everyone’s expectations. 

Senator Obama’s Social Security Tax Plan.  Wonderful video presentation from The Center for Freedom & Prosperity Foundation explaining the economic risks of expanding Social Security payroll taxes.   

Smartest advice I ever got.  40 successful leaders share the top money lessons they’ve learned.

Global Warming as Mass Neurosis.  Good article from the WSJ paralleling the global warming hoopla to a wacky theology.