My Thoughts on ROLE MODELS

role model - a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, esp. by younger people. (from dictionary.com)

There has been a LOT of discussion over the years concerning this term and exactly WHO and WHO IS NOT to be considered a role model. On the podcast I shared the controversy that surrounded Charles Barkley when he said that he was not, and should not be considered, a role model. This actually happened in 1993 and not in the late 70's or early 80's as I mentioned. (Wow, time DOES fly by!)

I agree with Mr. Barkley when he says that parents should raise their kids and not him, but, like it or not, he was still a role model. Tiger Woods - like it or not - is/was a role model. LeBron James (and the list can go on and on) is a role model whether he wants to be or not.

Some of these athletes, musicians and actors DO realize the huge impact that they have on our young people and they do try to conduct themselves in a way that shows this - but even they make mistakes!

We, as parents, have been a part of this problem. If you haven't done so, go back and listen to yesterday's podcast and read the blog for my discussion of our "Misguided Hero Worship". WE - as parents - must help our children, as they grow, to truly understand and realize who the real heroes are and who the people are that they should actually look to emulate.

People WILL disappoint! People WILL make mistakes! That's just a fact of life and we can use situations like this (the discussions for this week) to help our children and teens understand this. Hey, they will be disappointed in us sooner or later as they begin to get to the age that mom and dad aren't perfect!

Now, if I am going to rant about something on this topic, here it is: The people that claim that they aren't a role model and that they don't want to be a role model yet market themselves to be attractive to young people in order to sell their products. Many of these people will tell you that, yes, they are trying to influence the thinking of our young people - but they don't want to be role models?

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!

Here's the thing - we are ALL role models to someone or to a lot of people. Scary, huh? But it's true. Yes, if you have children, you are their role model whether they tell you that or not and whether you want to be or not. It just comes with the territory!

Even when you think your kids/teens aren't listening to you - THEY ARE! Even when you think that your kids/teens aren't watching you - THEY ARE! You can be sure of that.

So, what should we take away from this week's discussions?

1. All of us, famous or not, need to take responsibility for our mistakes and stop making excuses. Remember, for every night there is a morning after! Know that and be prepared to face the consequences when we choose to make unwise decisions.

2. We all need to stop saturating our lives with the media's overkill on any and every subject. Is it really profitable for us to spend THAT much time listening and watching this stuff?

3. Let's all pay attention to and honor the REAL HEROES that surround us everyday and not allow the media to get our attention off of these people. Just because someone is famous and/or rich does NOT make them a hero!

4. Be a role model and help your children pay attention to those people around them that are appropriate role models for them. Again, just because someone is famous and/or rich does not mean that they are someone to emulate.

Again, all of this comes down to a choice - OUR CHOICE on what we allow into our homes and our heads. It's up to YOU to control this and to help teach your children this value for their own lives.

Think about it and...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Mike's Rant on Misguided Hero Worship

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I'm continuing on my little "rant" for this week and, guess what? I'm still smiling!

So far this week I have "ranted" about people's using "addictions" or some other "disease" to apparently remove them from actual responsibility for their actions, the media's "over kill" on these and just about ANY situation and now, today, I want to "rant" about our misguided "hero worship".

Again, I can't speak for other places in the world, I can only speak of what I see in the United States of America. However, from what I can tell, it seems that this is something that takes place in a LOT of countries around the world.

All of this discussion has centered around - or began because of - Tiger Woods and his HUGE mistakes that have come into light since around Thanksgiving of 2009. On Monday I discussed Steve Phillips, another "celebrity" that was involved in extra marital affairs that cost him at least two different jobs and caused him to enter a "sex addiction clinic" and claim that, because he knew the consequences and he ignored them he MUST be an addict.

The media has covered this thing to the point of exhaustion and, yet, I know there are some people in this country that are just waiting for more and more information on this - and other - topics like it.

Now, let me go ahead and say this ahead of time - tomorrow we WILL be discussing the thought of "role models" and address the question about these "celebrities" - "Are they role models and should they be held to a higher standard?"

You see, to me it doesn't matter if you are talking about athletes, singers, musicians or actors. Here's the bottom line - THEY ARE JUST PEOPLE!

Yet, for whatever reason, we - in this country - have lifted them up and placed them up on a pedestal because...what? They can hit a baseball or dunk a basketball? They can sing or play the guitar? They can act?

This makes it alright in our society for these people to get paid $25 million dollars per year for doing so? Really?

Hey, I like sports just like a lot of people. I enjoy watching Brett Farve and several others play football. I love watching Albert Pujols hit a baseball and LeBron James dunk a basketball. But, does what they do entitle them to be paid THAT kind of money and does it entitle them to the "hero worship" that so many young people - AND ADULTS - pour upon them?

My answer: NO!

Now, let me clarify something here - I have no problem with someone attaining wealth. One of the great things about attaining wealth is all the good that can be done by the person that has accumulated such wealth. Also, I do know and realize that MANY of these athletes (and others I have talked about) DO a lot of wonderful things with the money that they have received. O.k.? But that's not the point of today's discussion.

Here's the point: Does their ability to hit a ball, dunk a ball, sing, play or act automatically qualify them to be a "hero" for our young people?

Let's talk about the REAL heroes that are around us each and every day and let's do all we can to LIFT THEM UP and ENCOURAGE them in THEIR lives. And, hey, by the way...I can guarantee you that THEY are not getting the millions of dollars that these "celebrities" are getting paid. Yet, they are dedicated to their jobs.

Here I go again with another clarification before I talk about some of these real heroes. As I list these groups of people I want to make sure we understand that, just like anything else, just because a person is IN one of these groups does NOT make them a hero! There are GOOD and BAD representations in each of these groups. Obviously, I'm talking about the GOOD representations in each of these groups.

TEACHERS
Where would we be without our teachers? The GOOD teachers are dedicated to their jobs and do their very best to bring out the best in their students. They are often underpaid and under-appreciated. If your child has a GOOD teacher, why not take a moment and send them a note of thanks? What a great thing to do!

POLICEMEN - FIREFIGHTERS - EMT's
There are probably others that fit in this category that I am over looking but it is not done on purpose so forgive me if I left someone out. Again, the GOOD ones in these categories care about their jobs and the ones that they serve. They are there when they are needed to give protection, aid and, even comfort at times. They put their lives in danger regularly but do so willingly. They, too, are usually underpaid and under-appreciated. Do you know one or more of the GOOD ones? Why not tell them "thank you"? I can promise you that they will appreciate it.

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
There are countless men and women that have VOLUNTEERED (let's not miss this point) to serve in this way and there are countless numbers of them that are in very dangerous situations on our behalf. You may not agree with the politics behind those in charge, but you cannot fault those that are serving. Along with those that are serving I also want to mention those that are left behind at home to take care of a family or just to worry daily about the safety of their loved one. Salute one of these heroes whenever you get a chance!

OUR VETERANS

There are also countless numbers of men and women that ARE around us every day that have served their country in their past and ALL of them have been impacted in some way. Some with memories that they would like to be rid of and some with physical problems and/or handicaps due to their service. There are also countless families that have nothing BUT the memories of their loved one that served and was killed during their service. Again, salute these people whenever you get the chance.

I'm sure there are MANY more people that YOU can think of in the are of TRUE HEROES! However, the point is not to remind me of them - but to make sure that YOU let them know that you consider them a hero!

THESE are the people that we should be pointing out for our children, our teens and, even for each other as those that truly DESERVE the label of "hero" in our world today.

And, yes, some of these athletes, musicians and actors would also tell you the exact same thing concerning this topic.

Indeed, there ARE true heroes that live among us or HAVE lived among us. Let's get our priorities straight and let's get our focus straight and direct this focus toward those that have actually SACRIFICED and SERVED or are doing so each and every day!

And, as you do so, remember...


"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Mike's Rant on the Media

The Rant Continues...

I hope you don't mind me taking this opportunity to let off a little steam about a few things. And, yes, I'm smiling as I type that sentence!

Today I'm going to rant about the media and the impact it makes on our lives each and every day. Before I get started on today's "rant" (yeah, I'm still smiling) I want you to try to figure out how much time each day - on average - you spend listening to and/or watching some sort of "news". Could there perhaps be a need for a change in your dose of "news" each day?

As I mentioned on today's podcast, think for a moment about all of the news outlets available to us each and every day. When I talk about this, I'm not even talking about newspapers and what's available on the Internet which would multiply the sources many times over!

How many 24 hour "news" channels can you think of? There are SEVERAL available to us out there each and every day to where, regardless of the time - day or night - you can turn the television on and get the "news".

In case you are wondering why I keep putting "news" in quotation marks it is because I believe that the majority of what is passed off as news is not really news. So, I'm using the term "news" in a very loose and general way.

Now, on top of all of the 24 hour "news" channels on a national level, you also have 24 hour "sports" (yeah, I'm using that one loosely and generally as well) networks as well that tend to try to get into the area of "news" quite often. Then, along with all of that you have the entertainment "news" shows that REALLY get into the "gossip" aspect of all of this.

Are you ready to go to the "local" level now? I can only speak of the way it is in Arkansas, so you will have to apply this to your local "news" market on this part. Most of our local news channels (the main networks - NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX) have an early morning "news" program that starts somewhere around 5 or 5:30 a.m. and goes until it's time for the national morning "news" programs. These generally run until 9:00 a.m. or, in the case of one network, 10 a.m. each day. In Arkansas, on the networks who's morning national program ends at 9:00 a.m. our local channels pick up with ANOTHER segment of morning "news" which ends at around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. THEN several of them also have a noon "news" program that last for 30 minutes - and even one of them goes for a full hour. On top of all of that, each of these also has a "news" program from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. (followed by the national "news" from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.) and another from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. and now a couple of these have extended this to an additional segment that goes from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. We're not done yet! They hit us again with a 10:00 p.m. "news" segment that goes for another 30 minutes! However, the local FOX network has their evening "news" begin at 9:00 p.m. and again at 10:00 p.m.

CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!

Now, this is in ARKANSAS - there is just not THAT much to talk about around here!

But the truth is this: even nationally, there just really isn't THAT much to talk about! And, so, many times these networks must CREATE their own news by talking about things that aren't really news. Many of the things you will see talked about on these programs are full of controversy that rival the "entertainment news" (gossip shows) format.

Can you say OVER-KILL?

You could literally sit in front of your television ALL DAY and watch "news" from the time you get out of bed to the time you GO to bed and then, if you want, get up in the middle of the night and catch a peek at a little more. See why I asked you to determine your "dose" that YOU get each day? Might it be a little much? Could it be that you need to "wean" yourself off of this?

So, what does this have to do with what I ranted about yesterday? EVERYTHING!

When you consider the amount of time that is dedicated to "news" (again, for the most part the use of this word is a JOKE) then they have to fill that time with SOMETHING!

And, so, when a professional golfer crashes his SUV into a fire hydrant and tree at 3:00 a.m. and 911 is called - IT'S MAJOR NEWS that is shown over and over again and talked about to the point of redundancy!

Now, let me say this - I'm not letting Tiger Woods or so many of our "celebrities" off of the hook on this, o.k.? We'll be talking more about this tomorrow and on Thursday -- but right now I'm ranting about the media! (Yup, still smiling).

Really think about it - how many times did you see the SAME clip of his SUV crashed into that tree? Over and over again all day for several days!

Let's fast forward a few months to something that happened earlier this week - Tiger's "news conference" (Really? Are you kidding me?) for him to "apologize" to a few close friends PLUS a huge television audience! Was this something that REALLY merited all of those channels to "cut in" to their programming so that they could air this live?

And, because it was relatively short - 14 minutes, was it? - some channels (the so-called SPORTS channels...yeah, I'm talking about you, ESPN) decided it was worth showing in it's entirety more than once! If I had hair long enough to do it, I'd be pulling it out about now!

Wow, have I ranted long enough yet? (Smiling!)

Here's the thing that WE (those of you taking the time to read this) must think about --- IT'S ALL MOSTLY JUNK and NEGATIVE so we need to break away from it as much as possible!

Again, with as much time to fill as these "news" programs have to fill then they MUST find as much doom and gloom as possible. And, with today's technology it is now possible for them to get more and more often from ANYWHERE around the world!

I think it was the old ABC sports show called, "ABC's Wide World of Sports" that used a phrase along the lines of, "Spanning the globe..." Here's the thing - these "news" outlets are no longer just "spanning the globe" they are now scouring the globe to dig up anything that can to try to pass it off as "news".

Really think about that and how it impacts YOUR life and YOUR attitude each and every day.

Ahhhhhhh...now, I feel better!

Hey, seriously, thanks for joining me today and I do hope I've given you something to think about that can HELP YOU in your quest to live a POWERFUL and POSITIVE life!

And, as you do so, remember...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Mike's Rant on RESPONSIBILITY

Let me start off today acknowledging that I have not lived a perfect life. Let me say up front that I have made HUGE mistakes in my life that resulted in some hard things to work through. I am not perfect and I do not claim to be perfect.


That being said, I have to rant a little bit about some of the things that are "news" - especially in the sports world - during this time period.


You know, it wasn't very long ago that I had a series of discussions about recent events in the sports world that involved several "young" men who had made some very unwise decisions.


One of those involved an "unamed" (my choice) professional golfer that is still very much in the news even now as I type this article today.


I know that you figured out at the time that I was referring to Tiger Woods and I do mention him by name in the podcast that I did on this topic today.


HOWEVER, let me state something right up front - I am not venting about Tiger Woods today and here's the reason why: I have not listened to what he has had to say on the topic and I will not address "rumors" of what has or has not been said. I didn't even watch the "news conference" the other day when he "apologized" in front of a few close friends and relatives (and all of the T.V. audience, too???). Obviously, I can't have missed SOME of what has run across the bottom of some stations I have watched that have quoted some of the things he has said. For example, it has been reported on several occassions that he was being treated at a sex addiction clinic - although this has never been confirmed or admitted by Tiger Woods himself.

However, through the course of this "story" being addressed to the point of obsession another situation has come to light and I HAVE heard someone associated with this other situation talk about some things that have just not settled well with me.


So now my RANT begins!

One day I was watching ESPN (and, by the way, my next "rant" in this area is going to be on the media and how they have just gone overboard on so many things) they shared information about one of their former on-air commentators, Steve Phillips, having been fired from ESPN as well as a job as the New York Mets General Manager both due to him having affairs with people that he worked with. ESPN proceed to show a clip of an interview that Steve Phillips had done on the "Today" show earlier that week in which Mr. Phillips discussed the fact that he had been at a sex addicition clinic.

Now, this is not an EXACT quote, o.k.? However, he said something very similiar to this: "Here's when I knew that what I had was an addiction. When I knew that, continuing my behavior might cost me my job and even my marriage, I did it anyway."


Now, friend, I'm not sure how that strikes you - but that just "rubs me the wrong way" and I've been holding this in for a couple of weeks until I finished up on my other topics.

I guess I should place another "disclaimer" here for the moment before I continue:
I DO understand that an addict can be so wrapped up in their addiction (whatever that addiction may be) that they completely throw out any "common sense thinking" out the door and their main focus is to get their "drug" regardless of the cost. O.k.? I do understand that. I do know that to be true and know of situations where people have lost EVERYTHING due to such an addiction. Is it possible for someone to be a "sex addict"? I'm sure it is.

But - and this is just my opinion - I'm not buying this "addiction" thing for a moment in this situation. Let me share with you why I feel this way.

The reasoning. I'm sorry, but that "reasoning" that was used by Mr. Phillips is just LAME! If his reasoning is THE definition of an addiction then we are ALL addicts of some sort!

Think about it - anytime ANYONE does ANYTHING that is wrong, they could use this "reasoning" to claim an addiction. "Yeah, I knew that if I got caught I'd get punished, and I did it anyway. Hey! I must have an addiction!"

Pardon me, but I don't think so.

You can listen to the podcast and get more on my thoughts, but let me say this: (again, this is just MY opinion) Mr. Phillips (and countless others every day) did what he did because it is what he WANTED to do!

Pure and simple.

We are teaching our young people a TERRIBLE lesson and setting a TERRIBLE example by such thoughts and actions. Own up to your mistake, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and don't fall back on such a weak argument and call it an addiction.

Yes, even by taking responsibility the fact remains that WRONG WAS DONE and OTHERS WERE HURT by these actions BUT...I have far more respect for someone that takes responsibility, don't you?

And, oh, by the way...in these situations, you will hear the phrase used, "I take full responsibility for my actions..." I beg to differ. If you take full responsibility for your actions then STOP FALLING BACK ON THE ADDICTION STORY and simply state: "I screwed up!"

As I stated in my podcast, you don't have to agree with my thoughts on this. I don't expect that everyone will. But, if nothing else, please help me in this area of helping us ALL see - and, by doing so, instilling this important principle into our young people - the need for taking responsibility for our mistakes.

Thanks for allowing me to rant. Be warned, I'm going to do some more tomorrow!

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"


Mike

Make Each Day Count!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!
8. Get High on Doing Good!
9. Don't Get Sidetracked!
10. Wake Up Happy!
11. Find a POSITIVE Support Group!

12. Make Each Day Count!

The actual way this is worded is as follows: "Make Every Day and Every Evening the Best Possible - Once Spent, They're Gone Forever!"

Pretty sobering thought, isn't it?

However, it should also help us approach each day with more vitality - see #10: "Wake Up Happy!" for example.

I did this on the podcast and I want to do this exercise with you here, right now. Take out a pen and a piece of paper and fill in the blanks. Yes, it IS important for you to write this yourself and not just see it as I have typed it - this is for YOU, o.k.? Remember, write this out and fill in the blanks...

"Today is ___(day of the week - Thursday for me)___, ___(Date - February 18,2010 for me)__. This is the only, ___Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010___ there will ever be and, once it is gone, it is gone forever."

I don't know about you, but doing that really brings the point home to me! Too many times we get into the "rut mindset" that each day is the same over and over again (kind of like in the movie, "Groundhog Day") and that there is nothing really special or different between one day or another.

WRONG!

Each day is unique! Each day is different! Each day is special! Each day is YOURS to explore and enjoy to the fullest!

Yeah, I know, sometimes you just want to slap me, right? ;)

But, stating things in this way and saying them to yourself (daily affirmations) WILL help you begin to understand it, believe it and get excited about it!

Now, this may sound like a little thing to you, but when I take the time to notice it, I actually DO get excited! Here's what I'm talking about - the time that the sun sets!

You see, I absolutely HATE the time change in the fall when it gets darker earlier. If I let it (and I used to), I could really allow this to impact me in a very negative way - but I choose not to let it go that far anymore. However, I do not like it! So, when I watch the local weather and they give the forecast for the next day they always have listed at the bottom the time the sun will be setting. When I start seeing the time swing into the "later" category by only a minute (maybe two) each day - I HONESTLY GET EXCITED!

Why? Because I love the daylight longer in the afternoon and evenings!

But, you know what? This is also another wonderful example of how each day is different and unique!

Maybe you need to change up your routine a little bit just to help you break out of your rut! Are you one of those people that does everything EXACTLY the same way each day? If so, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Notice the people and the sounds around you each day! Pay attention to the different styles of clothing that people wear. Hey, look at their hair!

Aren't you glad we're not all the same?

Aren't you glad each day is not the same?

This is YOUR day!

Yes, I know there are obligations that you have. Yes, I know that you have a job (hopefully) that you must stay with until you're told it's o.k. to go home (what a way to live, right?). Yes, I know you have family obligations that you are committed to and love.

So, it's up to you to find ways to "wake up your senses" and celebrate the uniqueness of today!

It's also up to you to wake yourself up to the point of doing your BEST today in anything and everything that you do!

It's also up to you to wake yourself up to those that are around you and to smile and be a positive influence in their lives! It's up to you to do something nice for those with which you come into contact during the day! (Hey, it may be just smiling and saying hello).

It's up to you to enjoy your kids and see the blessing that they are in your life! It's up to you to realize and understand that this day will go by quickly so you must do all you can to squeeze as much joy out of it as you can.

I love the show, "The Amazing Race". Think about it - each day is just that for each one of us.

However, don't think of the "race" part as "who is going to win". Instead, think of how amazing today is and the "race" is you trying to beat the end of the day by getting as much joy and happiness out of it as is humanly possible.

SQUEEZE THE DAY!

Cute, huh?

And, as you do...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

8 Week FREE Teleconference Course

I will be starting a FREE 8-week course in March on

"Setting and Reaching Your Goals"

This class will be open ONLY to the FIRST 20 people that register by going to the link below:

http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/events/free-course.php

Once you have registered I will be sending you an e-mail with all the details as far as the date the class will start, time, call in number, etc. I will be asking your opinion on a couple of different possibilities on the night of the week as well as the time when I send out this e-mail.

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS FREE OPPORTUNITY!

Find a POSITIVE Support Group!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!
8. Get High on Doing Good!
9. Don't Get Sidetracked!
10. Wake Up Happy!

11. Find a POSITIVE Support Group!

We're just about to the end of our list of "Twelve Do's and Don'ts for a Positive Life" and I hope you have enjoyed my discussions on these topics along the way.

I have mentioned several times how the things that I share with you are some of the same things that you will find shared by any number of people in the field of personal development. Oh yes, they may say them in different ways and use charts and graphs, etc....but they are basically the same.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

It's neither, in my opinion. It's just proof that there are some BASICS that we must all follow in order to live a positive life!

I'm always amazed when I read a book or article or hear a speaker talk on these types of subjects how they say some of the same things I've been saying! Wow! They have heard my idea and use it too! ---- Hey, hang on a second - I'm kidding here, o.k.?

If I wanted to be egotistical I could think that. But it's just not true. What I have discovered is this: as I have listened and read over the years I have absorbed - not copied - some of the basic principles that were shared. I have absorbed them and have put them into practice (ACTION) in my own life and have found them to be true!

And, yes, just like anyone else, I use my own way of speaking and communicating to share these things with you. I use my own life experiences to help make them "come alive" for you as I share them with you.

Why am I saying all of this at the start of today's article? Because, again, I don't want you to get lost on the SIMPLICITY of so many of these things. Often, the simple things are the HARDEST things to accomplish!

One of the reasons is that, because we perceive it to be simple, we don't put the effort into it compared to what we might do if we thought it were difficult.

Also, bottom line - "simple" doesn't mean "easy".

For example... you want to be in better health and live longer? If you smoke - STOP SMOKING! Pretty simple, huh? It's true, isn't it? An easy "one step" solution, right?

Point made.

Take all of what I just said and apply it to today's topic: "Find a POSITIVE Support Group!".

"Ah, that's not necessary! I'm doing alright and don't really need this."

Again, don't let the simplicity fool you.

Go back and read, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and read the chapter on the Master Mind group. You see, again, LONG BEFORE I have ever suggested such, other great minds said it first! (Reminder: You can get a FREE copy of this great book at my website: http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com by clicking on the "products" tab and clicking on the banner. You do pay s/h - very small amount for a great book!)

Think even about this series of discussions by themselves. I told you that these came off of a pamphlet or brochure that I've had for over 30 years. So, whoever put these things down in print thought the same thing!

Likely the BEST way to do this would be to connect with a group of people locally so that you can all get together physically. There is just something powerful about the "energy" that can exist in a room when like-minded people are gathered together for a common good!

However, with today's technology it is possible to form such a group with people from all over the world!

I am even organizing such a group - yes, with a very specific topic/purpose in mind to start - beginning in March 2010. I am offering a FREE 8-week teleconference course on "Setting and Reaching Goals" - are you going to be a part of it?

Someone might say, "You're using this discussion to get people to come to your course?" - ABSOLUTELY! And I make no apologies for doing so.

It's FREE - no cost to you, so why SHOULDN'T I do all I can to encourage you to be a part of this? And, no, I won't spring some surprise cost on you. There won't be any hidden charges. You won't get a "skeleton course" and then be told that if you want more, pay a certain amount of money for a "full course".

Sorry, that's just not me. I see that WAY too much and I just won't do that and don't ever plan to do that.

Who knows - perhaps through this course you may find people fairly close to you (again, with technology, does it really matter how close they are to you geographically?) to start another support group.

KEY QUESTION: If you don't take advantage of such a FREE opportunity - what are you doing? Seriously, if you are unwilling to take advantage of something like this - please stop whining and complaining.

This if for those that are WANTING to move on in their lives toward their goals and dreams. Hey, I might learn something from you!

Go the the website (see address link earlier in the article) and click on the banner at the top of the home page. Register for the course and I will be sending you an e-mail with the specifics: starting date, night of the week, time, call in number, etc.

This is for YOU!

A couple of more things about this course - it's only open to the first 20 that sign up. However, if only 5 people take advantage of it, we'll go with the five! I'd rather have five that are ready to go for it than have 100 and 95 of them not really do much with the idea.

Also, it's scheduled for 8 weeks. If, at the end of the course, everyone wants to continue meeting and discussing different topics - I'm in for that too.

Anyway, whatever you do - FIND A POSITIVE SUPPORT GROUP and commit to it and those in the group.

Remember, TOGETHER we WILL make progress on our journey each and every day!

And, as we do, we want to remember to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Wake Up Happy!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!
8. Get High on Doing Good!
9. Don't Get Sidetracked!

10. Wake Up Happy!

You've seen the posters or signs that say, "I'm allergic to morning", right? My sister used to have one of those and I believe it was actually true!

But, you know what? Even if you aren't a "morning person" you can still choose to wake up happy!

Just like everything else we talk about here - it is a choice....it is YOUR choice!

Now, again - this may seem over-simplified but the impact can not be emphasized enough!

You already know this to be true, don't you?

Have you ever gotten out of bed and stubbed your toe? Did it seem as if everything went downhill from there for the rest of the day?

How we START our day determines - to a large degree - how we LIVE our day!

Even if we start off with it not being quite as positive as we'd like (hey, sometimes things DO happen beyond our control, right?) we can STILL choose to change the direction that it is going.

Now, seriously...tell me which is better? Do you really ENJOY waking up in a bad mood? Do you really ENJOY starting your day off in such a negative way? Or do you prefer to wake up in a good, happy mood? Would you not much rather start your day off in a positive way?

Now, I'm not talking about that "fake happy" that gets under your skin to the point that you just want to slap someone! Yeah, you know the type I'm talking about, right? (And, yes, I'm grinning as I type that!).

"As long as there is breath there is hope!"

You see, when we understand this philosophy then we CAN and WILL wake up happy!

My friend, Pat, had on her Facebook status yesterday something along the lines of, "When I hear people say that life is hard, I want to ask them, 'Compared to WHAT?' ".

EXACTLY! It is so easy for us to get into the bad habit of whining and complaining and saying such negative things that, sometimes, we don't even really consider what it is we are saying!

Life can be hard - and IS hard at some point in time - for everyone! That's right! That person that you look at and you think has no problems....THEY HAVE PROBLEMS, TOO!

Yes, there are some people that just seem to "float" above the everyday problems that face the rest of us. But, you know what? They have just learned a different and BETTER way on how to handle the everyday problems that DO face them as well.

Part of life is dealing with problems. The only person that has no problems is DEAD!

So, hey, guess what? If you are dealing with problems then you are ALIVE! So, CELEBRATE that fact and figure out how to approach those problems from a different - and better - angle.

That different and better approach is the one that comes from a positive mindset!

So - it's YOUR choice!

Why not choose to WAKE UP HAPPY!

You'll be glad you did (and so will those around you).

And, as you do...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

"Don't Get Sidetracked!"

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!
8. Get High on Doing Good!

9. Don't Get Sidetracked!

Actually, the original title that was on the brochure that I got these off of was, "Don't Give In To the Ads and Fads - Look for and Listen to The Truth!". But I decided to shorten it and get to the point!

There are SO many fads that come and go and, as I point out in today's podcast, we need to pay particular attention to the last half of that formula concerning these fads. They GO! And, many times they GO as quickly - if not quicker - than they came.

"New and Improved!"

Wow, how many times have we seen THAT one? The question I always have concerning "new and improved" is this: "So then, the old product wasn't as great as you were telling me after all?"

Hey listen, we must all continue to improve our lives and continue to "educate" ourselves in this area of personal development. We must all keep our minds open to new ways to do things that will make our productivity better.

BUT...

Be careful! Really examine that "thing" - the next "new and improved" that crosses your path and make sure it IS something that will actually help you on your journey toward your dreams and goals.

Could be something that might actually take you on an unprofitable detour or wrong route all together!

For those of you that have received my free report that is offered on my website (http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com ) you will find that it consists of only FIVE points.

Bottom line is this - it's really pretty basic when you break it all down. This is why I continually encourage you to not be fooled by the simplicity of some of these things.

When you take the time to study and read the materials from many different "personal development promoters" you will find them all pretty much saying the same thing. It's true! And, yes, I'm one of them!

However, we all have personal tastes as to how it impacts us and who can speak to our "hearts" and move us on to action. But, even though thoughts and ideas can be added on top of the basics, there are still some basics and I believe you find those in that free report!

I'm simply saying this - stay focused and keep moving forward toward your goals and dreams!

Many things will pop up that could distract you and get you sidetracked. Hey, many of these things can even stop you dead IN your tracks if you're not careful!

And, yes, you DO have the ability to discern - to tell the difference, to know - between them.

Keep moving, stay focused and you WILL make progress each and every day.

And, as always, remember...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Link to Lisa's Hand-Crafted Jewelry!

Here's the picture of my wife modeling the freshwater pearl necklace that I purchased from my good friend, Lisa! Please check out her store and look over items by clicking the link below! I'm sure she'd also be happy to hear from you if you don't find what you are looking for - tell her Mike Spillman sent you!

http://www.leesielou.etsy.com/

"Get High on Doing Good!"

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!

8. Get High on Doing Good!

We've always heard, "It's more blessed to give than to receive" and, for most of us, if we heard this when we were kids, it didn't make any sense at all!

However, as we have grown and - hopefully - matured, we have come to know that this, indeed, is true. The joy of giving a gift to somone and seeing the smile on their face. The joy, as a parent, of giving your child a gift and seeing them get happy "all over". You just can't beat that!

Here's the thing - we don't have to wait for Christmas, birthdays or special occassions to do something nice for someone. The "gift" we give doesn't have to be wrapped up in a box with a bow, does it? Of course not!

As we get into the habit of being enthusiastic and excited about the new day before us, and as we talk to ourselves others in a positive and affirmative way we begin to open our eyes to the BEAUTIFUL part of the world around us.

You see, sometimes it's hard to get past all of the negativity that surrounds us. Sometimes we get bogged down in the nasty swampland of negativity and, because of that, it seems that this is all we can see.

But NOW... now that we are seeing the "positive" and "hopeful" side of life we can now lift our eyes and our heads above all of this negative nastiness and see the beauty of those around us!

Isn't that great?

And, once we are able to do so, we see opportunities that come before us each and every day for doing good for someone else.

Perhaps opening the door for someone or picking something up for someone that has dropped something.

Whatever it is - it is a way to help those around us also see the good this world has to offer!

On today's podcast I recommend doing this anonymously if at all possible and whenever possible. This takes away the temptation that we might have of wanting to receive attention for doing a good deed.

So, on this "Thankful Thursday" - be sure to thank those that are doing good things for you and in your life and then, as the movie title suggests, "Pay it Foward" by doing good in the lives of others.

Here's the promise: You'll be glad you did!

(By the way, will everyone appreciate it the way you hope they do? No. But do good ANYWAY!)

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Jim Rohn Materials

Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!

7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!

In today's podcast I mention a show that aired from 1967 - 1969 called, "The Guns of Will Sonnett", starring Walter Brennan. How many of you remember that show? There is a line in that show that Mr. Brennan's character would say quite often: "No brag, just fact."

In other words, whatever it was that he was describing or talking about - although it might SOUND like bragging, it wasn't. It was fact and, apparently, there was proof to back it up!

I don't know about you, but when I am around someone that is bragging about this and that that they have done I tend to believe that they really HAVEN'T done very much and they are simply blowing a lot of hot air into the room.

It's kind of like another saying I've heard people use from time to time - "Hey, ______'s good - if you don't think so, just ask him. He'll tell you!"

As the song says, "That don't impress me much!" What about you?

The way I look at it, if someone is having to continually brag on themselves and they have to tell others how good they are at this or that - then somethings wrong. When someone has to try to convince everyone - through bragging - something about themselves then, to me, it is a sign of weakness.

Hey, do YOU enjoy being around people like that?

Now again, just as I did in the podcast, let me take a moment for a bit of clarification, o.k.?

When you are applying for a job or even a new position (promotion) in your company the, yes, it is important for you to highlight what you have done and/or what you CAN DO for the company. No one wants to hire someone that doesn't sound confident in their abilities!

However, even with this, it is very helpful to have several people that can serve as references - don't they usually ask for these? - and serve as OTHERS that can "brag" on you. What a great help!

Sometimes there is a fine line between confidence and bragging and we should all be aware of any tendency we might have to cross over into the bragging area.

It seems that many times we get caught up in this when we are around others that feel the need to brag - especially if it has to do with job performance in the same area in which we may be working.

Here's the key - in WHATEVER you do... DO YOUR BEST and let your actions speak for you. Nothing speaks louder than RESULTS!

Yes, this IS part of living a happy and positive life because we "let go" of the need to brag on ourselves KNOWING that we have given it our best and that OUR BEST will bring about POSITIVE and POWERFUL RESULTS!

So, be honest with yourself - are you giving it your all?

If not, you likely will find yourself needing to brag a bit.

Remember, YOU ARE SOMEBODY SPECIAL and, because of that fact, you are NOT like everyone else and you do NOT need to brag like everyone else - do you?

No, you don't.

You are on the journey to success. You are on the journey to your goals and dreams. You are on the journey to living your best by giving your best. And, when you give your best - bragging is never necessary!

Wow - pretty cool, huh?

Resist the temptation when those around you involved themselves in this detrimental activity and you WILL make progress on your journey each and every day.

And, as you do so, always remember to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!

6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!

Some of you may think that this is beginning to sound redundant - and, to the "untrained eye" it might appear that way. However, look closely at what is being constructed here and notice the progression and how these are all working together to aid us in our desire to live a positive life!

We're told right off to make enthusiasm a daily habit and then we are shown ways that will help make that happen. HOWEVER, first and foremost we must have the DESIRE to live an enthusiastic life. We must have our eyes "open" with that in mind and be looking for the positive in our lives each and every day!

One of the most effective ways to do so is to not allow negative people to have ANY influence in our lives - NONE! We must, through this process, break free from the chains of bondage that have held us back and down due to such people. YES, IT IS THAT DRASTIC AND DRAMATIC.

One way we combat this is to make sure that we are speaking to OURSELVES in an affirmative way - again, go back to my discussions and sharing of my 7 daily affirmations. Then, we also notice that we should be talking to OTHERS in a positive and affirmative way --- this helps us be "whole" in our approach to developing a positive mindset!

By doing so, we should become less and less concerned with holding grudges. We begin to realize - because our focus and direction is changing - that hanging on to such negative feelings will do nothing but bring us down and "kill" our dreams.

So, we're talking to ourselves, we're talking to others and now we are encouraged to THINK positive and pleasing thoughts. Again, this may sound oversimplified, but DO NOT let the simple fool you! "Many times the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!"

This step encourages us to keep our mind focused throughout each and every day. You see, by continuously THINKING in this way then it becomes easier to SPEAK this way - to ourselves as well as to others.

By continuously THINKING this way it also becomes easier to let go of any grudges that we may have been clinging to because now our mindset is focused on something else - something better!

Listen, as I have said many times before, the negative forces in our world are active and busy and are willing to dump negative trash in your lap and in your life ANYTIME you will let them do so!

This is a process. Please do not forget that fact! It does not happen over night, but it DOES happen IF you continue to stay focused. When you fail (notice I didn't say "if" you fail) and allow the negative influences to get the best of you - DO NOT GIVE UP! Realize that you are human and that you just need to get refocused and regain control of your thoughts and, thus, your life.

And, hey, this is one reason I do what I do - to help give you POSITIVE things on which to think! So, use it, apply it and see what happens.

Together we WILL stay on track to our goals and dreams and, while doing so we will always do our best to remember this little quote...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

"Don't Be a Grudge Collector!"

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life


1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!

5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!

There are many different things that people collect. Some collect salt and pepper shakers, some collect cookie jars, some collect light houses, some collect dolls and on and on it goes.

The interesting this is, as I have talked to some of these people I have found that, many times, they never intended to really start collecting them. They had a few items of a particular theme and people ASSUMED they were collecting and started giving them additional items as gifts throughout the years.

Yes, some people DO purposely collect these things, too - I understand that as well. But EITHER WAY, what happens? These people end up with more items than they know what to do with and they end up either boxing some of them up (what good is a boxed up collection that cannot be seen?) OR they have to find a way to devote more space to their collection. Sometimes it's cleaning out a room for them OR even building extra space.

Today, we want to talk about those that tend to collect grudges.

Oh, they may not have this as their intention, but for whatever reason they begin to gather and hang on to grudges. And, others end up giving them reasons to hold a grudge along the way. Then, just like the salt shakers or whatever others may collect, the grudge collector ends up hanging onto so many grudges that they have to decide what to do with them. They can get rid of them (how many times have you seen a collector let go of their collection?) or devote more space (time/energy) to keeping their grudge collection.

When you look at it and consider it this way it kind of makes you think a bit, doesn't it?

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO HANG ON TO A GRUDGE?

Well, for the same reason many people collect the items discussed above - it brings them pleasure!

WHAT?

As odd as it may seem, some people actually find PLEASURE in collecting grudges without realizing how it is sucking the very life out OF their life!

Some use these grudges to manipulate others and others take comfort in feeling that they have been wronged and they are "owed" something in return.

Hey, whatever the reason - STOP IT!

Collecting grudges will NEVER do you ANY good at all and, as a matter of fact, it will have the OPPOSITE effect in your life! Collecting grudges will do nothing but bring you misery and unhappiness and, again, it will suck the joy out of your life.

So, why do it? Why hang on to them? Why not let them go?

Again, have you ever seen a collector let go of their collections? Not often!

But this is different. ESPECIALLY if you plan to keep moving on in a positive way toward your dreams and goals!

You CANNOT keep moving forward while hanging on to the clutter of your collection of grudges - it is basically an impossibility!

If you find that you have collected grudges my guess is that you - IF you allow yourself some serious self-examination - will find that you are physically tired most of the time and that you are stressed and irritated quite easily.

Check it out, be honest and see if that isn't true.

Grudge collecting is a robber! It robs you of valuable energy and mind space. It robs you of the joy of living life.

Be sure to listen to today's podcast for a "different" discussion on this topic - you want to be sure to get it all if possible.

Ask yourself how serious you really are about moving forward. If you really ARE serious about this endeavor then you MUST let go of your grudge collection.

Yes, it IS that important and yes you CAN do it!

It's a choice. It's YOUR choice.

Why not choose to move on with a POSITIVE mindset and free yourself from the chains of being held back by collecting grudges?

You'll be glad you did!

And, by doing so, you will be able to do what I leave you with each day, which is...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Talk to OTHERS Affirmatively Every Day!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life


1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!

4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!

I want you to take a close look at today's topic combined with number 3 that we covered yesterday. By doing BOTH of these DAILY - "habit" - the we are conditioning ourselves to constantly be talking in a positive and "affirmative" way!

We are building up an "immunity" against the dangerous, negative influences that are all around us each and every day - THINK ABOUT THAT! In today's podcast I use the image of putting up a protective, invisible force field that will not allow this negativity to penetrate and get to us.

And, while doing this, we are helping to do what is talked about in the second point - not allowing negative people to determine our self-worth!

You see, by talking to ourselves AND others affirmatively (in the "yes!") on a daily basis, so that it becomes a habit, we are preventing the negative influences from having as much - if any - impact on our lives!

THIS IS POWERFUL so don't skip out on this - don't skip over it or discount it!

IF you are serious, IF you are determined to MOVE ON toward your goals and dreams then you must understand that this is an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!

Too, by talking to others in this way it helps us to stop focusing on what MIGHT be "wrong" with others or what we may not "like" about others and it will help us to focus on what is RIGHT and GOOD with all of those around us.

I've shared stories with you about how my wife has been determined in some of her work environments not to allow the negative people to have ANY power over her. As a matter of fact, her plan of action - ATTACK? - was to do all she could to turn the tables on them and basically make it impossible for them not to smile! AWESOME!

Try it - see what happens.

Determine RIGHT NOW that you are NOT going to say ANYTHING negative about ANYONE today and DO NOT budge on this! This means you will likely have to separate yourself from negative conversations so that you won't follow the temptation to join in.

Try it and give it your best shot!

And then, try it again tomorrow.

Daily.

Until it becomes a habit and you don't even have to think about it.

You'll be glad you did!

And, as you do so...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Talk to Yourself AFFIRMATIVELY!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!

2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!

3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!

I find it interesting to notice that, already, we have used the word "habit" in the first three of these twelve points. This is something that I believe is important for us to understand - it is an ON-GOING PROCESS that we must dedicate ourselves to! DO NOT GIVE UP and DO NOT GIVE IN!

In today's podcast I used the example of putting gasoline into an automobile - that is not a one time procedure IF you plan to go anywhere. And, aren't we ALL on a journey together? Aren't we ALL taking a journey and attempting to make daily progress toward our goals and dreams?

So, when you think of it that way you should hopefully see the need for DAILY "refueling" concerning positive influences in our lives - it needs to become a HABIT.

Now, it is also important to notice the connection between today's topic and the topic from yesterday. When we understand that we do NOT need to allow negative people to influence ANYTHING in our lives then we also begin to see the fact that it is up to us to supply the daily positive "fuel" for our lives. See what I mean?

Even at times when it is impossible for us to get away from such negative people (anyone relate to this where you work?) we can STILL talk to ourselves in a way that will help combat the damage that the negativity can cause.

We have to TALK LOUDER than the negative talk - get it? We have to TALK MORE than the negative talk and overcome it with our positive flow of "fuel".

What we are doing here through this blog and also the podcast is like an "anti-venom" or something that will help us "detox" the negative. YES, IT IS THAT SERIOUS!

Negativity is TOXIC and it IS a POISON in our lives that we must fight and prevent in our lives.

So, enough of the morbid, huh? Let's look to the positive side of this and that is - what WE can do about this. It is WITHIN our control, right? Sure it is! We talk about this all of the time - it is up to YOU and ME to take control of our lives and our environments!

We have the ABILITY, we have the POWER, we have the OPPORTUNITY and we also have the RESPONSIBILITY to do this in our own lives.

So, again, go back to the seven daily affirmations that I shared with you starting back on January 4th and incorporate them into your DAILY routine!

Talking to ourselves affirmatively simply means talking to ourselves in the "YES language" when the world wants to continually dump "NO" on us.

Think about that and the truth behind it.

No one else can do this for you - it is up to you. "Talk to YOURSELF..."

Yes, it helps to have others talk to us and with us as well. That's what I am doing though this blog and podcast. That's what I get for myself from Jim Rohn and others.

Yet, when it comes down to it, I must incorporate these thoughts and ideas into my OWN life and I must make them my OWN - CLAIM them!

Stop telling yourself that this isn't for you because you don't deserve it or because you are not good enough or whatever it is that you may have run around in your head from time to time.

THAT IS POISON and it will KILL you and your dreams!

"I AM Somebody Special!" -- and take it from there, my friend.

Daily.

Everyday.

Starting NOW (if you haven't already).

And, as you do so, don't ever forget to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!

2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!

Yes, I know you've heard very similar things to this before if you've listened to me for very long. As a matter of fact, if you've listened to ANYONE in the area of personal development or read much of anything in this area, you've seen it/read it before.

But, the question is - how are you doing with that?

I'm not really sure what it is about us but we tend to pay attention - for whatever reason - to those negative people that feel that it is their duty to dump their negativity on us. I've shared with you before that I can have 100 people pat me on the back and tell me I've done a good job and have ONE say something negative and I'll linger on that one.

WHY?

Again, I'm not sure but I'm going to do all I can to encourage you to rid that from your life (as I do the same in mine)!

When you really think about it, why should we even listen to ANYTHING these negative people have to say? Seriously! Think about that!

When someone "feeds" on being negative then anything that they have to say is going to be fueled by their negative mindset. You really can't take what they say about anything and put any validity to it. If they give you their opinion about a doctor or a restaurant or even a movie...why would you take what they say as having any value?

If you haven't noticed this before - notice it now: Negative people will spew their negative poison on ANYONE that will allow them to do so!

Notice the word, "allow"!

(By the way, let me say again that, if you haven't listened to the podcast - you need to! So far the thoughts I'm sharing in the blog are similar but yet very different!)

We all need to understand that we OWN our space - our physical space as well as our emotional and spiritual space. And, since we own this space it is up to us - it is our RIGHT - to protect our space from these negative influences!

When we "allow" these negative people to dump their garbage into our space/life, then we are surrendering our ownership to them - think about that!

It's as if we are saying, "You need somewhere to dump your garbage? Yes, I know it's full of rotten food, trash and even raw sewage, but hey, it's no big deal - bring it right on over and dump it right here in my lap!"

None of us would allow that to actually happen, would we? So then why do we allow this to take place day after day in our emotional and spiritual lives?

Whether we realize it or not, we are allow these negative people to determine our self-worth even by allowing them to dump this in our lives. Again, we have surrendered our "ownership" and basically said that our lives aren't that important anyway so it's o.k. to dump that crap in our laps!

Am I getting to you yet? Are you starting to get a little angry? Are you seeing what I'm saying here?

THIS MUST STOP!

Well, it must IF you want to keep moving in a positive direction. This has to stop IF you plan to take positive steps on your journey. This must stop IF you value who you are and you realize that, indeed, you ARE someone special!

Again, in the podcast, I talk about other ways that we can prevent these negative people from determining our self-worth - so be sure to listen to it! BUT, as far as what you are reading here I want to encourage you to put THIS into action TODAY - RIGHT NOW!

"But they're my friends!"

Really? Perhaps it times to consider making some new friends! Perhaps this is one of the reasons you are struggling with making progress with your goals and dreams! Perhaps you have not yet accepted the first of my 7 daily affirmations that you are somebody SPECIAL and, because of that, YOU DESERVE BETTER!

Again, just like making enthusiasm a daily habit - it's a choice and the choice is YOURS!

You can either continue to have this negative garbage dumped on you day after day OR you can make a decision and not allow it any longer.

How? Listen to the podcast, but here is a quick run-down on my suggestions:

1. Remove yourself from the situation if at all possible - even if temporarily. Even if at work, if possible, get up and go do something else somewhere else.

2. Sooner or later you WILL have to do this - CHANGE THE CONVERSATION by talking in a positive way and refuse to give in! Refuse to allow the negative to come into your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual space. IT IS YOUR SPACE - remember?

Yes, sooner or later you may even have to sit down with this person (these people) and tell them straight out that you will not allow this in your life. If they would like to continue to be a part of your life then they need to respect that. If not- it's time for a change!

Yes, sometimes it IS that drastic IF you are THAT serious about the ownership of your life, hopes, dreams and goals.

It's up to you.

This, again, is but one of many ways to do what I say at the end of every article and podcast...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For a Positive Life

1. Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!

Today we start a new series of discussions - you can see the title at the top along with the first topic to be discussed. I do want to talk briefly about where this came from and how you very likely have had - or will have - similar instances in your life.

Sometime around 1978 or 1979 (yeah, think about that - 30/31 years ago!) someone gave me some sort of brochure and, this list of twelve things was part of the brochure. Apparently even then (either a Sr. in High School or a Freshman in college) there was something about it that "spoke" to me since I stuck it in a book and kept it.

Off and on over the years I would run across it, read it and put it back in the book but, for whatever reason, around 10 - 12 years ago I took it out, typed it up and framed it and now it sits in my office. Think about even that part - it has been sitting in my office for 10 - 12 years. Yes, I have scanned over it from time to time but it has not been until recently that I have really paid close attention to it again.

So, here's what I want you to consider about what I've shared. What/who has come into your life over the years that, at the time, may have had no known impact? Perhaps you have already experienced what I have described and have "found" or "rediscovered" something/someone that has been right in front of you for quite some time already!

Life prepares you for the right time and presents things such as this when you are ready to receive. I firmly believe that!

Perhaps this is one of the reasons our brain works in such a marvelous and miraculous way! When we read something, hear something - whatever - it's there and it's there forever. Now, as we get older it may take longer to go through all of our "files", but it is there! And, sometimes we remember something that we came across years before and only now accept it as something of value.

Be open. Be ready to receive!

Now, back to the point of the day - "Make ENTHUSIASM Your DAILY Habit!"

The choice is yours, my friend! How many times have you already heard me say that? No one else can do it for you - it is YOUR choice, YOUR decision!

I mentioned on the podcast that this paper also shared the information that the word "enthusiasm" comes from the words for "God" and "within". Now, you can take that or leave it - it's your choice - but I think that is pretty powerful!

When I think of "enthusiasm" I think of a "zest" for life! I think of a child that is opening a present on Christmas morning!

Each day should be like that for each of us! Yes, I think it sounds corny too when you hear that thing about each day being a gift and that is why it is called the "present" - but it IS true!

And, yes, I know that a lot of you out there have a hard time seeing today as NOTHING to get enthused about because of all of the problems in your life - BUT EVEN YOU HAVE THAT CHOICE AND ABILITY!

Yes, I also know that all of your problems won't disappear BUT you DO have the choice about how you approach today with whatever it brings!

Change your thinking and you can change your life!

You can change the way you look at things IN your life and, perhaps by doing so - will recall something from the past (like what I talked about at the first part of this entry) that will help you attack some of your problems today!

Hey, ever hear this one before? "As long as there is breath there is HOPE!" ? SURE YOU HAVE! And it is true, my friend! It IS true!

One way to make enthusiasm your daily habit is by doing exactly what you are doing right this moment! It is imperative that you fill your mind with as much positive energy and influence as possible and I'm glad I can be a part of that for you.

I'm glad the author of this list that I'm using used the words, "daily habit" - because it requires a daily approach in order for it to become a habit AND once it becomes a habit, it becomes second nature to us and a part of our life.

Think about it. It's YOUR choice. I hope you will CHOOSE to make enthusiasm your daily habit!

And, as you do, always remember...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike