Vera: Congratulations on your new book ‘The Prophet of Profit’ Can you unpack the scope of ‘profit’ in this context as it seems it’s not just about money?

Jacquelyn: Thank you! The truth is it is never about the money. It’s what the money is able to do and what it provides to a person. I’ve met with a lot of people and the number one thing most people want to improve in their life is their financial status. They simple want more money. They don’t just want more money for the sake of more money; they want what the money can do for them. For example they want to travel more with their family, they want to buy a bigger house or they want to start a business. They want to be able to do the things they want to do when they want to do them.

 

Vera: Your leading chapter in the book emphasizes that ‘’Profit is an honorable word’’ What are some of the perceptions of ‘profit’ that prevent people from gaining profit and how does your book help people get in the right frame?

Jacquelyn: Most people are not thinking about profit or better yet, how to increase their profit. Profit is mostly used in the context of what a business earns, but it also applies to their personal finances. Profit is the amount of money left over after all expenses are paid out. It is a different way to look at your finances and your finances should be treated like a business. You want to be working at increasing the bottom line. Increasing the bottom line will help them do the things they want to do.

 

Vera: A prophet as we know is someone who accurately predicts the future. What are some of the strategies that make ‘’profit’ a done deal for anyone who’ll follow your advice?

Jacquelyn: I encourage people to make increasing their profit or in other words increasing their income a priority in their life and give it the importance it deserves. Money is very important. Instead of looking at what you don’t have or the lack of money, begin to focus your thoughts and energy on earning more. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but the only way you will see them is if you change the way you are currently thinking.

 

Vera: Where do people go wrong when trying to prosper and what are some counterintuitive but foolproof ways for increasing one’s income?

Jacquelyn: In my opinion people do not know how much they need to live the “lifestyle” they want to, they don’t know how much it actually costs. You need to spend some time figuring this out so you have a number you can work towards. It’s much more exciting to have a number to work towards. Second is that there are so many things you can be doing to increase your income. Your income doesn’t have to just come from one source; it can come from multiple sources. However, you have to make up your mind that you are going to do it and not give up at the first bump in the road. Not having enough time is not a good reason for not being able to increase your income.

 

Vera: You espouse the philosophy of ‘’thinking into results’’. What are the best ways to feed one’s mind so that it’s well placed to consistently drive positive results?

Jacquelyn: Just thinking “more positively” is not going to do anything and it won’t increase your income. You have to learn how train to your mind, change your habits and behaviors and take action. Nothing happens without action. You need a system, a mentor or someone who knows how this works. Doing it by yourself, or relying on the “free” information out there, is the long way to do things. You need a study routine.

 

Vera: One phenomenal example you share in the book is of how the principles you teach helped a business increase its bottomline 8 times quickly. How can the corporate mindset be developed to deliver strong results including profit?

Jacquelyn: A company is people. Without the people in a company, you don’t have a company. In a company or business, work with the people. Help them get what they want, include them in the company’s vision. All companies want to grow, for the company to grow, the people in the company must grow.

 

Vera: Your business practice is about more than helping people increase their income. What does it take for one to live a truly profitable life?

Jacquelyn: Only you will know what that means to you. When you begin to study you, you are going to find out what makes you truly happy, what excites you. You are the only person that can decide what that means to you.

 

Vera: Unfortunately the levels of men and women’s incomes are still very unequal. How might women narrow this gap?  

Jacquelyn: Don’t think that way. I’m a woman, and I am in control of what I earn. Make up your mind that you are going to earn what you want to earn and then get out there and make it happen. I know a lot of women who have taken their annual income and have turned it into their monthly income. I also know men who have done the same thing. Just get out there and decide to do it!

 

Vera: As a successful business woman yourself, what additional lessons can you share that other women can use to achieve more financial success?

Jacquelyn: Aim high. There is no limit to what you can achieve. Get mentally tough on yourself, get rid of the excuses and alibis that hold you back, block out all of the noise out there, put your head down and get to work. There is no such thing as wishing and hoping for things to get better. Lastly, study. All successful people study, they have mentors, it is the best kind of study you can do, because the only one that change your situation is you.

 

Jacquelyn’s profile

Jacquelyn Mackenzie began her business career in 1999 working in the commercial construction management industry. Very quickly her career took off like a rocket! Despite starting in business at twenty years, she knew what it took to get results. After raising her 3 young boys, Jacquelyn joined the Proctor Gallagher Institute in 2014 to work alongside Bob Proctor teaching the Thinking Into Results leadership programme. In just a few short years Jacquelyn became the leading consultant in the world within the Proctor Gallagher Institute. Jacquelyn works with individuals and companies across North America to increase profits and improve performance overall.  She is dedicated to teaching people how to unleash their full potential. In early 2017 Jacquelyn released her book, an International Best Seller, “Jacquelyn the Prophet of Profit”.  More on Jacquelyn’s work at jacquelynMacKenzie.com

 

For more information on Vera Ng’oma’s work and resources in leadership, personal and career development and excellence building, click here.