When Will YOUR Last Day Come?

What If?

This is being written on May 24, 2011 and, just in the past few days there have been big news stories about some things that HAVE happened and some big news stories about things that DIDN'T happen.

This past Saturday, according to one guy, was supposed to be the last day of this world's existence. Well, obviously, since I'm writing this article a few days later, it didn't happen. Lots of coverage of this prediction and lots of people panicking over what they needed to do before it was too late.

This past Sunday evening a horrific tornado hit the city of Joplin, Missouri. The pictures an images I have seen looks like a bomb was dropped on that city. Over 100 people are dead at this point with that amount expected to rise.

As a matter of fact, this Spring has been horrible in the area of terrible weather disasters such as other tornadoes that have killed hundreds in many different states and flooding affecting many hundreds, if not thousands, more.

So, the question comes to mind, "What IF today IS your last day on this earth?"

What then?

Here's the bottom line - we have no idea when that will be.

Regardless of what some self-proclaimed prophet says (the Bible clearly states that NO ONE knows) we don't know.

Even if you have been diagnosed with a terminal disease and you are given a few days to live, the doctors STILL don't know exactly when your last day will be.

And, when it comes to weather tragedies, we surely don't know.

I'm really not trying to be TOO somber in this article but all of this simply points to one main thought that I have tried to emphasize over the past couple of years -- TODAY is all we have!

TODAY.

Since it is so obvious that we have no idea when our last day will be, why don't we live TODAY as if it WERE our last?

We see all kinds of neat bumper stickers with phrases emphasizing such and even hear powerful songs sung that state what one would do if they knew their time was cut short. There are even movies about crossing things off of a list before one dies.

But, simply put, you have RIGHT NOW. You may not even have the rest of the day but you DO have the current moment.

Kind of brings a whole new perspective to the phrase, "live in the moment" doesn't it?

Just something to think about and perhaps something to help us live in such a way that, when "that time" comes we have no regrets.

Along with those thoughts, whatever you do, be sure to....

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Yup, I Need You!

No, not in a "mushy" way. Not in a "my heart aches when you're away" kind of way. Not in an "every time I look at the stars I think of you" kind of way.

But, regardless, I DO need YOU!

Simply put, here's the deal - I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you listen to my podcast or if you only read the blog - either way - I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!

It becomes hard after a period of time to keep putting positive information out there if you're not sure that anyone is really "listening" to what you are saying. And, the only way for me to know that is through FEEDBACK from you!

You can do this several ways:
1. leave comments right here on the blog
2. leave comments on the FYU Facebook fan page (www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity)
3. leave comments via e-mail to me (mike@futureyouuniversity.com)
4. leave comments through the website (www.MichaelSpillman.com)

I really DO need to know that what I'm doing is getting out there. If not, I may just pull back for a while and focus on other avenues. So....let me know and let me know as soon as possible!

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

Mike

Your Personal Draft: Late Round Pick

7th Round Draft Pick - Peyton Hillis

If you want to see why I use Peyton Hillis as my "prime example" in talking about "late round" draft picks that have excelled then just do a little research on him. For one, notice that he was not drafted until the 7th round...the LAST round of the draft that year.

He was pretty frustrated to not be picked until then because, like most, he felt he was better than a 7th round draft pick. HE believe that about himself but, those in charge apparently felt differently.

He was drafted in the 2008 NFL draft and has played with two different teams. Even while with the Denver Broncos he began to turn heads with his punishing running attack and, this past year, now with the Cleveland Browns, he excelled!

Again, read up on him yourself and I think you'll be inspired and you'll like what you see. He is a very humble young man that counts himself as "blessed" (as you will hear him say many times).

So, what about YOU?

Are you one of those people that others around you said would never really amount to anything? Are you one that others have told to stop having such high hopes and aspirations? Are you one that has listened and has begun to believe this yourself?

If so, STOP LISTENING to "those" people! And, for sure, STOP BELIEVING what they have to say about you (or anything else for that matter).

WHAT DO YOU KNOW - BELIEVE - ABOUT YOURSELF?

Have you stopped trying and have you waved the white flag of surrender to your personal accomplishments that you dreamed about earlier in your life?

Hey listen, regardless of WHAT you are doing in your life right now as a "job" - it DOES NOT determine what you can accomplish in your life with the right mindset and attitude!

Does that sound like a bunch of "positive thinking mush"? Those that have tried to keep you down all of your life would probably want you to believe that it is.

IT IS NOT!

Peyton Hillis said that he wanted to prove everyone wrong and that he wanted to make the most of his opportunity. He has and I imagine he will continue to do so.

Now, what about you? Will YOU determine to stop listening to those that want to tear you down and will YOU determine to prove them wrong?

Will YOU make the most of YOUR opportunity?

Opportunity? Yeah, it's there ready for you to take it for a ride - the ride of your life!

So, how about it? It's up to you now, Mr. 7th Round Draft Pick.

As you take hold of the opportunity that is before you each and every day, be sure to always...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Personal Draft...Mid-Round Pick

Mid-Round...Is THAT Where YOU Belong?

That guy in the picture there is Ryan Mallett, former Arkansas Razorback football quarterback.

Why do I have him as the picture for today's topic? Because in the recent NFL Draft he wasn't drafted until the 3rd round which was unexpected.

Now, even though there are 7 rounds you could technically say that Mr. Mallet was not a "mid-round" pick. And, you'd be right.

However, his talent and ability is definitely worth more than a 3rd round pick. Why, then, did he not get selected until the 3rd round? "Off the field issues" is what they are called and a lot of NFL team owners and coaches want to stay as far away as possible from someone that might have problems with these AMPLIFIED "off the field issues" once getting into the NFL.

Am I picking on Ryan Mallett? Absolutely not! He now has something to prove (and he has said that himself) to a lot of people out there that overlooked him as an addition to his team. Will he? Only time will tell.

But, here's the deal...he'll have the OPPORTUNITY!

You see, for all of us, that's all we can really expect or ask for. An opportunity!

No matter who you are or what you do, YOU have an opportunity each and every day to better yourself and your position at whatever it is that you are doing.

EVERY DAY. OPPORTUNITY!

You may be one (like Mr. Mallett) that belongs in a higher position than where your currently find yourself. Maybe you are one that WAS in a higher position but, like we discussed yesterday, got distracted and lost some valuable ground. What are you doing about that TODAY?

Or maybe you are one that has always been considered "average". Your parents never pushed you much or expected you to do more than "average". And, because of that, you never really pushed yourself or expected much out of yourself other than "average".

WAKE UP!

Now, yes, I understand that you may be doing 100% where you are right now. And, if that is so, my hat is off to you and I also say, "keep up the good work!".

But, for many of you/us...we're NOT doing 100% where we find ourselves right now.

Hey, raise the bar of expectation a little bit and see what happens not only in YOUR life but also in the lives of everyone around you.

Yeah, really. Go ahead. Give it a try and see what happens.

Be DETERMINED that you are going to prove anyone that ever said you were average WRONG!

PROVE IT TO YOURSELF!

Separate yourself from the crowd and rise above the rest.

(Hey, where's my trumpet? I feel like I need to do the "charge" thing!)

But seriously. Whoever told you that you were average and that you never should expect more were likely average themselves and didn't want you to excel above and beyond them.

And, by the way....who told you that you had to listen to and believe them in the first place?

Think about all of this and share some of your thoughts on this and how it relates to your life or the lives of those around you. I'd love to hear from you.

But, until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Personal Draft - First Round Pick

First Round Pick

Does this describe YOU? Are you a "first rounder"?

In connection to the "NFL Draft" scenario that I began using yesterday a "first rounder" is a player that is drafted in the first round...the cream of the crop. They have excelled in their career in college and have been predicted to do well at the next level in the NFL.

In the months and weeks leading up to the actual draft day just about every highlight that ever exists of this person is shown again and again while all kinds of "experts" (and I do use that term very lightly!) talk about why this person is so good and worthy of a first round pick.

Over my lifetime I have seen several situations where these first round picks DID do as expected when they got into the NFL. They lived up to the hype and the expectations.

However, I have also seen MANY go in the opposite direction. Usually they loose their focus on what got them there in the first place and they fail miserably. They get distracted by all of the "bling" that now surrounds them and the "big money" that goes with it and, as I said before, they lose focus on why they are there in the first place.

I have watched many "hopefuls" with great potential simply get lost in the drugs and other "trappings", lose their standing on the team that chose them and, finally, drop out of the NFL completely to never be heard from again (as far as the sports world goes).

What does that have to do with what I'm talking about in this series?

Perhaps YOU are one of those that have done well all through your life up to this point. Perhaps you graduated high school at the top of your class and followed that up by doing the same in college. Perhaps after leaving college you have done quite well with your first job and moved up quickly in the company. It seems as if everything you touches turns to gold!

Great potential. Great expectations.

YOU have expectations of yourself and you KNOW you can do whatever you set your mind to do! And, on top of that, due to your past accomplishments, others have great expectations of you as well.

What will you do with this opportunity that is before you? Will you continue to learn and grow and be open to advice from others around you or will you decide that you don't need to hear anything from anyone else because, after all, you ARE a first round pick!

Hey, we've all seen this in the "real world" (as opposed to the world of sports stars) haven't we?

Opportunity.

It's yours, REGARDLESS of what "round" you get "picked".

What will you do. What ARE you doing?

One last thought: Don't let the expectations of others overwhelm you! It CAN become too much and others CAN put unrealistic expectations on you. Be careful with that and, yes, live up to your potential and what you KNOW you can accomplish.

Now...get after it!

Until next time...

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

Mike

http://www.michaelspillman.com/

YOUR Personal Draft

The NFL draft for 2011 just ended over this past weekend after MONTHS of speculation and predictions.

And, you know what? It just proved once again that the so-called "experts" really don't have a clue what they are talking about! If you've watched along the way then I'm sure that you agree with me on this - at least to SOME extent, right?

There were "high, first round" predicted picks that not get picked until much later and, on the other end of the spectrum, there were some picked early that were not even really talked about.

Experts, huh?

So, this week I'm going to compare some of this to your OWN "personal draft" and what that means for you. Here are some of the things we'll be taking a look at in the next few days:

- How much does what others say influence you and your actions?

- If others have high expectations of you, how does that impact you?

- If others have low (or "NO") expectations of you, how does THAT impact you?

- What are YOU doing with the OPPORTUNITY that is before you RIGHT NOW?

Be thinking about those things and I'd also love to hear any other analogies that you may have come up with in comparison to the NFL draft - send them to me right away so that I can use them during this week's podcast and blog articles.

So, what will YOU do today? It matters!

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com