Are You STUMPED?

 

Have you ever had a stump in your yard that you needed removed?

 

Now, I understand that, depending on where you live, this may not be something that has ever concerned you. But, for those of us that live in more rural areas, it's a fairly common occurrence.

 

There are several reasons that someone may end up with a stump in their yard or on their property. Someone may decide to clear out some trees and, instead of using a bulldozer to remove the tree - including the stump and the roots - they cut them down with a chainsaw and leave the stump. Sometimes, a tree may be rotten and actually fall over or, to keep that from happening, may be cut as mentioned in the last example. Lightning could strike a tree and kill it, which would require the tree - and stump - to be removed. There are many reasons but still one problem - THE STUMP!

 

There are almost as many "solutions" to this problem as there are reasons for it's existence in the first place. Some try to burn the stump in order to remove it. This takes a very long time, if it works at all. Remember, there are roots under that stump that may run several feet deep and out in all directions! Some try different types of chemicals that are supposed to kill the stump, including the roots but, again, this usually takes quite a long time to actually happen. Others will either rent a "diamond-cut saw" or hire someone that owns one of these to "chip away" at the stump in order to remove it. But, again, the problem of the root still remains. One of the most entertaining ways is for someone to put a chain around the stump and hook it on the back of a pickup with plans of "yanking it out" of the ground. The pickup, more often than not, usually loses this battle and often ends up with some sort of damage.

 

But, I'd say THE most entertaining, the QUICKEST and most EFFECTIVE way to remove a stump is to use some dynamite and simply BLOW THAT SUCKER UP! That's right...blow it up and remove it all at once.

 

So, what is it in YOUR life that has you "stumped"? What is it that is holding you back and preventing you from making the progress that you have planned for your life?

 

How long has this been going on? How long have you been attempting to "chip away" or try to resolve this issue by "attacking it" (not sure that this is really a true attack when approached this way) a little at a time?

 

Chances are - if you are really honest with yourself - you KNOW what the problem is...you just may not want to admit it to anyone else. You may not even like to admit it to yourself, but you probably really know what it is.

 

Are you ready to, once and for all, "blow that sucker up" and remove it from your life? Hey listen, be sure to take a few minutes to listen to the podcast that goes along with this, o.k.? Seriously, you need to listen to it and be encouraged. (Just click one of the podcast links at the bottom).

 

Here's a few quotes from some graphics that I've posted on the FYU Fan Page over the past few days that may be of some encouragement to you in this process. This first is from Mark Cuban:

I also found this quote from Tony Robbins: "Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being excited of what could go right."

Here's another, from Dave Ramsey, that basically sums up that definition of "insanity" (doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results):

 

 Then, here's this quote from Robert Allen: "Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone."

And, finally, this one from SUCCESS Magazine...

Take heart, friend! Don't give up! Do whatever it is you have to do to finally get past whatever it is that has you "stumped" and then move forward - WITH CONFIDENCE - knowing that you are moving close and closer to your goals and dreams!

Let me know if I can be of assistance and, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Getting Rid of the FAT...NOT So Easy

 

If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read the last blog article. It leads into this article and should be read first, o.k.?

 

Too, be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article - just click on either of the "podcast links" at the bottom of this article and you'll be taken right to it. Too, please be sure to share this blog and podcast with as many people as you can. Thanks, in advance!

 

Pretty much everyone would agree that, even though it is EASY to put on weight and even "get fat" it is quite a different story when it comes to LOSING that weight and trying to GET and STAY "in shape". (I hear those of you out there that are saying, "Hey, round IS a shape!").

 

Again, based on what was discussed in the last article, let's get to it and acknowledge the fact that, the longer you take the path of least resistance then the harder it is going to be to make a change and move in the opposite direction! This goes for ANYTHING that has come about by taking this path. The further you go down that path, the further it is back to where you want to be or where you need to be - in ANY area. Make sense?

 

Let's use this example that I've used several times before - the ship and the jet ski. Both of them can turn around and head in the opposite direction, right? Sure it's right! Which one can do it quicker and with less effort? The jet ski, of course. It's smaller and lighter and can just about "turn on a dime" Now then, on the other hand, that ship is going to take a bit more time and a bit more effort to get it headed back in the opposite direction. Why? Because it is so much larger and heavier. So it is with what we allow to grow larger and larger (not just talking about our belly here, friend!) by taking the path of least resistance.

 

But don't miss this point: No matter how "big" and "hard" that task may seem - it CAN be done! Yes, it's going to take longer and yes, it's going to take more effort but - let's get real here - how bad do you want it?

 

Years ago I lost 100 pounds over 13 months and I had a lot of people that wanted to know my "secret" and do what I did to lose that weight and get in shape. But, you know what? Although a lot of people SAID that they wanted to "do whatever it would take", not many were really willing to do so. A lot of people want the RESULTS (this can apply to "success" in many forms) but aren't willing to do what it takes to GET those results.

 

A mentor that I had in that weight loss business that was part of my "formula for success" was very successful in the business aspect of this company. He said that many people would tell him that they wanted to be where he was in this company and he would ask them - straight out - "But are you willing to do what I have had to do to get here?". Many would automatically say, "Yes!" when, in reality, they were not willing to do those things.

 

Another gentleman that I knew - a multi-millionaire in an insurance company that I worked with - was well known in this company due to his success. I attended a convention that had several people speak from within the company. When they got on the stage they would begin by telling everyone what they did to accomplish what they had accomplished. When this one particular gentleman got up to speak he said, "I'm not even going to tell you what I did because none of you would be willing to do what I did!" And, you know what? He was right. I found out what he did to get his business taking off at such a great pace and, friend, it was literally CRAZY! But he did it because he wanted it that bad. Many wanted his success but few - if any - were willing to do what he had done to get there.

 

Friend, it takes DISCIPLINE to "get rid of the fat" and to go the opposite way of the many that are on that path of least resistance. It takes DISCIPLINE to keep going when you feel like giving up - especially if you are trying to redirect a SHIP instead of a jet ski. Get the point?

 

No one can do it for you. You may want them to at times but, remember, getting others to do it for you is following the path of least resistance. Oh, there's nothing wrong with getting someone to help from time to time but, you can't expect (nor should you want) someone else to do the needed things for you.

 

Remember, even if you take "two steps forward and one step back" you are still one step ahead of where you were before! Easier said than done? Well, of course it is! The work goes beyond the words - the work comes in the ACTION that only you can do. I hope that this article encourages you along that path (as well as the other podcasts and articles) and that you will share your thoughts and progress with me. Will you? I hope so! I'd especially love to hear from you via the FYU page on Facebook

Until next time, as you make the daily decision to keep on working towards a better future, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University  FYU on Facebook!  Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

As Easy As Getting FAT

 

(I'll do a podcast on this soon, once my voice gets better following a cold that I have had).

 

 

This graphic came across my social media page earlier today. Yes, I know, it is meant to be light-hearted and funny. Believe me, I DO understand that. I'm not one that lacks a sense of humor!

 

But, I have to be honest with you and tell you that the first thing that went through my mind when I saw this was, "There are LOTS of things that are as 'easy' as getting fat!"

 

Now, first off, for all of you that want to get offended and start sending me all kinds of complaints - DON'T. Listen to me...I have battled the struggle with maintaining a healthy weight for my entire adult life. Been there, done that and STILL have to work on trying to keep things under control. So, due to that, I DO have the "right" to speak on this, o.k.? Secondly, I KNOW that there are certain conditions that cause a person to be overweight (or "fat") that are beyond that persons control. I get that, o.k.? Now, if you STILL decide to get all worked up and upset about this article then you are actually making one of my points for me - and I'll address that point in a bit.

 

There. I hope we have that all out of the way now. Let's move on to the points of this article...

 

PREMISE: Being "fat" is "easy" because, for the most part, is is the result of the habit of taking the path of least resistance. Again, if that upsets you, go back and read the highlighted AND bolded paragraph above, o.k.?

 

It takes DISCIPLINE to make wise food choices. The path of least resistance says, "Eat whatever you want, whenever you want and as much as you want!" It takes DISCIPLINE to actually get up and participate in some sort of exercise while, at the same time, the path of least resistance says, "Exercise? You already DO exercise! You get up out of bed and walk to your chair (or the couch) and then you get back up when it's time to go to bed!" It takes DISCIPLINE to make a decision to make those necessary changes and to actually stick to them and do them consistently. The path of least resistance says, "Don't worry about it. You're just 'big-boned' and there's no real rush with this anyway."

 

Now, with that premise in mind, let's consider that, in fact, there are MANY things that we can do that are as "easy as getting fat". Here's something that will "hurt" to admit with these as you go through them. It's the FACT that NONE of them are of any value! So, I guess, in reality, here's another PREMISE that needs to be set: Following the path of least resistance never leads to anything good or positive!

 

1. GETTING OFFENDED is easy! Too many people get offended too easily in our world today. People seem to get offended by just about every little thing that someone may say - or NOT say. Getting offended is EASY and is evidence of a person taking that path of least resistance! Easily getting offended often leads to arguments and hurt feelings and, sometimes, even worse results. If something DOES offend you, discipline yourself to NOT react and say or do anything at that point. Just because something offends you does not mean that everyone has to know about it. Practice the discipline of NOT responding or reacting and then do some self-examination (this requires discipline as well) as to WHY you get offended so easily by so many things. Yes, I agree that there are times that we MUST stand up and fight and make our voices heard. But, at the same time, I'm also convinced that it is not nearly as often as some people make happen.

 

2. BEING NEGATIVE is easy! Hey listen, I understand that there are things in this world and in our individual lives that we can become very negative about very easily. But, friend, it is a CHOICE that each of us must make and, allowing ourselves to take the path of least resistance (no discipline), will make it EASY to have a negative attitude. Don't you just love being around negative people? Of course you don't! Then, friend, what makes you think people enjoy being around you if you have allowed yourself to become negative? Many times a person doesn't even realize that they have become this way. Ironically, this type of person will often criticize and complain about their coworkers or "friends" being negative, rude and unfriendly because they don't seem to want to interact with them. Hello? It takes DISCIPLINE to fight a negative attitude and it takes DISCIPLINE to do it on a daily (that's right - DAILY) basis. It takes DISCIPLINE to truly pay attention to your attitude and actually allow yourself to admit the amount of negativity in your life and your mind. What's in/on your mind usually will come out of your mouth.

 

3. NOT SETTING OR REACHING GOALS is easy! A goal that is easy to reach is not much of a goal. Wouldn't you agree? The idea of a goal is to cause us to stretch and challenge ourselves to do more and to be more than we are right now. One easy way to avoid the fear of not reaching that goal is to simply NOT SET a goal. What has been said is true, "Aim at nothing and you'll be sure to reach your target every time!". Maybe you are one that has actually set some goals (New Year's Resolutions?) and are struggling. Here's a few things to consider (remember, it takes discipline to do this kind of self-examination) about such goals. Perhaps you set unrealistic goals in the first place. Perhaps you never intended to do anything to reach those goals, you just set them because you always do and everyone else does. Perhaps the "fear of failure" has you paralyzed to the point of making no move toward that goal. The path of least resistance says, "Everyone sets goals and everyone falls short so, why set out on a course of failure?" That's EASY. Discipline will challenge a person to push and grow as they go through their days and get closer to reaching their set goals.

 

4. BEING CRITICAL is easy! This is closely related to #'s 1 and 2 in this list but I still want to address it separately. Do you know anyone like this? Could YOU be that person? It is EASY - by following the path of least resistance - to criticize anything and everything and everyone around you. It is EASY to always find what is wrong about something or someone. It is EASY to always voice your critical opinion on these things. It takes DISCIPLINE to "hold your tongue" when tempted to be critical. It takes DISCIPLINE to work on a better idea - if one even exists. You may find that coming up with good ideas and solutions is not as easy as being critical. In that case, it takes DISCIPLINE to compliment and encourage those that must come up with these ideas and solutions. It takes DISCIPLINE to not allow yourself to take that path of least resistance by being critical instead. Here's another heads up for you: NO ONE LIKES BEING AROUND A CRITICAL PERSON.

 

CONCLUSION: Living an undisciplined life of least resistance leads to many problems in our lives and in our world. Crime, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual gratification - regardless of one's marital status, along with many other addictions and vices, can be brought back to taking the "easy" road or path of least resistance. I know that some of you would want to argue that point on some - or all - of these issues. But, I won't argue with you on this. Again, I'm not saying that this is 100% true in EVERY situation but, overall, I believe this to be true a majority of the time.

 

So, bottom line, perhaps the original phrase in the graphic should be, "I wish everything of value and worth was as easy as getting fat." Some still may not like the comparison, but it would be closer to the truth.

 

Please share with anyone and everyone that you feel would benefit from these thoughts as well as the many others that you find on this blog page. You can also find the links to my podcasts below. Again, once my throat gets better, I will be doing a podcast to go along with this blog.

 

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed