Flashback Friday: "There Is Hope - and TODAY IS THE DAY!"

"As long as there is breath - there is hope!" - Mike Spillman

Wow, talk about "flashback"...I've gone all the way back to the very first podcast and blog article that I posted back on March 2, 2009.  Be sure to listen to the podcast (link below) for this original and premiere podcast for the "full story" behind today's topic. The article that went along with this original podcast is very short but I will still share it with you today. Here you go...

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Wow, what an awesome day this has been!

I'm not going to go back over everything I talked about in that podcast entitled, "There Is Hope" but I do want to simply "touch base" on a little of it to share with you here.

In the podcast I quote a few other people on their thoughts about "hope" and I also share one that I came up with myself which is: "As long as there is breath - there is hope." (not too shabby, huh?)

Don't ever forget that! No matter how dark things may seem - no matter how hopeless they may appear --- as long as you have breath, THERE IS HOPE!

Listen to the podcast and then begin to look around you through the "eyes of HOPE" as opposed to looking thorough the darkness of doom and despair.

Please feel free to leave comments and/or ask questions - I'd love to get your feedback and hear from you.

"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

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How High Are YOUR Hopes?

The graphic above features some lines from the song, "High Hopes" by Panic at the Disco and, if I remember correctly, was "hot" around the end of 2019. Even though the popularity of the song has come and gone, I STILL love the song but especially love the words found IN the song.

You can read the words to the chorus for yourself but I want to highlight a few ideas from the song that have inspired me these past several months. 

1. Even When Things Aren't Good - Keep Moving On With Your Hopes and Dreams! 

    "Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make a killing, didn't have a dime but I always had a vision" says, very plainly that things were not always "super-great" for the writer of this song. Wouldn't you agree? But, even though things weren't that good, they had HIGH HOPES that caused them to see past the struggle. How?

2. Always Keep Your Vision in Focus!

    Whoever wrote this song expresses the FACT that one can rise above the struggles and setbacks and keep their eyes on their VISION. As a matter of fact, this is an absolute necessity if one wishes to succeed. Things will not always go smoothly or as planned and your VISION and your hope/belief in that vision will be what helps you keep moving forward...REGARDLESS.

3. Don't Worry About the "How"

   Bob Proctor discusses this idea when he talks about coming clear with your vision and desire for your future. What do you wish to attract into your life? What do you wish to achieve? "See" it and declare it for your life but DON'T WORRY ABOUT HOW it is going to happen. He says that the "how" will appear as you keep your eyes on the vision. 

    Pretty cool, huh? Too often, too many people fail to even get started because they feel that must first figure out HOW they are going to make "it" happen. And, that being the case, they will stay right where they are.

How high (or strong) are YOUR hopes? How strong and in focus is YOUR vision? How powerful is YOUR purpose? 

Know that, anytime you attempt to achieve betterment in your life, there WILL be struggles and roadblocks along the way. You must decide NOW what you will do when those difficulties come your way. Plan for it, prepare for it and move on toward your goals and dreams!

And, as you do so, 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

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The Success Iceberg

I've shared this image before and even have mentioned it before but, today, I want to "dive" a little deeper into what is represented by the picture that you see above. 

I've also mentioned before that success of any kind is not an "overnight sensation". What you SEE is illustrated as being above the water in the picture above. What you SEE is the public acknowledgement of a person's success.

If you desire success - in ANY area - "what you see is NOT what you get". Let me explain.

Most of us can relate to the example of someone who makes it to the Olympics. We understand that, making it to the Olympics in and of itself, is a great accomplishment. I also believe that most of us understand that this "success" did not happen overnight and that it took YEARS of sacrifice and many, long hours of training for that person to achieve this level of success.  

Many begin at a very early age preparing for this future success. Sure, many times it begins as a goal or dream of their parents BUT, at the same time and at some point in time, they also have to "buy into" the dream in order to dedicate themselves to this extensive training and sacrifice. 

Those that actually reach the level of winning a gold, silver or bronze medal in the Olympics are receiving those public accolades or what you "see" as "the tip of the iceberg".  Again, what you DON'T see is all that went into that success.

Success is something that many say that they want. Many will swear up and down that they are ready to do "whatever it takes" in order to achieve success. And, though many may THINK that they are ready and willing to do "whatever it takes", few actually are.  

As is usually the case, it all boils down to the strength of your "why" and the power of your purpose. Put another way: HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?

You MUST "count the cost" because, friend, there WILL be cost - in many different ways,for the success that you seek. There will be "sweat equity" cost and there will be financial cost. You must also understand that there will be "relationship cost" and this is one that you really need to be careful with and consider very seriously. 

WORD OF CAUTION:  Take care that you do not seek your own success at the expense of your children and your spouse. This is a sad mistake that I have seen many make in their pursuit of "success" and, in my opinion, though they may have reached some level of what the world might consider success, they have actually failed. 

Yes, do the best that you can for your family. Show them dedication and persistence. Provide for them the very best that you can but, at the same time, do not do so at their expense. You only get one shot with those kids and it is for a very short period of time. Cherish and protect that time, friend because once it is gone it is gone forever. No matter how badly you may want to "re-do" this time while they are in your care you simply cannot.

Prepare yourself for success but understand that "success" can be defined in many different ways. Yes, prepare yourself for your own success but be cautious and aware of the timing of the sacrifices that must - and will - be made.

Please be sure to listen to the podcast and watch the video on today's topic. You can find the links below. Also, please be sure to stop by my Facebook page and leave some feedback on today's topic. That link can also be found below.

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Results INSPIRE

Over the years, as I have checked into several different "home based business opportunities", I have always asked ONE question right from the start - "What are YOUR results?" Oh, listen, I know for a fact that anyone that is "recruiting" someone new to their business HATES that question and it's a question that THEY bring up to the person that recruited them: "What do I say if I don't have any results yet?"

Now, please understand that this is MY view on this and you sure don't have to agree with me. I know, for a fact, that those involved in "recruiting" don't agree with me on this and, again, that's o.k. I know that, when a "new recruit" is asked that question and they don't yet have any results, they are told to talk about someone else's results. I get it. I really do. But, for me, I want to know what results THAT person has had and - again, just my take on this - if they don't have any results to share then they shouldn't be trying to recruit anyone else. I hear you but, let me say again, that's MY view about it, o.k.?

RESULTS INSPIRE. But, in my opinion, they need to be PERSONAL results for it to really matter.

 I've shared my story with you on several occasions about losing 100 pounds over the course of thirteen months way back in 2003. Guess what? I didn't have to talk about someone else's results when mine were right there in front of them to see for themselves. On the other hand, if I had been trying to get people to buy into this weight loss plan and I, personally, had not had ANY results to share then, who would have thought it was a good program?

RESULTS INSPIRE.

Hey friend, it's the same way with the idea of PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. Your journey to develop a "better" version of yourself can, indeed, inspire others. If those that have consistent contact with you see a change in your attitude and mindset then, guess what? They would be more open to listening to you if you encourage them to try to develop a positive mindset in and for their own lives.

Yet, at the same time, you need to understand this fact: THEY ARE WATCHING YOU! And, if they hear you "promoting" personal development and a positive mindset and they have seen NO change in your attitude and mindset then, guess what? They will treat you like the hypocrite that you are. That doesn't mean that you will ALWAYS be "on" and never have a bad day or moment but it DOES mean that, overall, there has been a change in your life. 

What are YOUR results? Don't forget, RESULTS INSPIRE.

Hey, if you would, be sure to also listen to the podcast and watch the video that goes along with today's topic. The links can be found below.

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Stop Trying to Fit In

Why do so many try to "fit in"? Why do so many try to be like someone else, instead of being themselves? I'm sure there are many different answers to those questions and you, yourself, may have struggled with this very thing in your life.

But, let me ask another questions: Why try to be like someone else when YOU are the ONLY YOU in existence? YOU are UNIQUE and there is no one else like you - never has been and never will be!

I do understand wanting to emulate - or copy - some favorable characteristics that some have. We all need mentors or those that we look up to as a good example. I get that. I understand that and I support that. 

HOWEVER, that does not mean that you should give up who you are in order to "be like" someone else. Make sense?

The fact that you are UNIQUE (and you are!) supports what the graphic above states...you were BORN to STAND OUT!

Now listen, let's use a little common sense here, o.k.? Yeah, I know...sometimes common sense ain't so common but, still, help me out here. Obviously, if you are a mean spirited jerk to everyone around you then, friend, you need to STOP being "that" version of you and do all that you can to become a better you and the BEST you that you can be!

We ALL should be striving to do that in our lives and for the impact that we have on those around us. That's the whole purpose of "personal development", right? That's my whole purpose in what I have done over the past 11 years through Future You University...to help each of us to be a better "future version" of ourselves than we are now.

Again, you are unique and there is no one else like you. You have certain gifts, talents and abilities that only YOU bring to the table of life. 

That being said, stop trying to fit in when you were BORN to "stand out"!

Please be sure to check out the podcast and the video that goes along with today's topic. You can find the links below. 

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

"Flash Back Friday" - Taking Care of Business NOW!

 

Today is "Flashback Friday" and I'll be sharing an article with you from April 7, 2011. Enjoy!

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Some of you may think of Elvis when you hear the phrase, "Taking Care of Business" while others (like myself) think of the song by Bachman Turner Overdrive (yeah, BTO sings TCB...I just love all of these abbreviations).

And, you may be wondering what this has to do with our current discussion on LOVING WHAT YOU DO. Hang with me here...it's an easy leap on this one.

First of all, remember, we have been talking about a video featuring a man that worked as a janitor when he won the state lottery. What did he do? He kept right on working his janitor job because of his love for the track program and his desire to donate money to help build a new track for the school. He had a PURPOSE and a PASSION for what he was doing so it didn't matter to him that he didn't HAVE to keep working as the janitor. He WANTED to!

That is when you know you are at your "dream job". When you don't HAVE to do it but you do it anyway.

Now tell me, would being a JANITOR ever have been on your list of answers as being anyone's "dream job"? Likely not. But it brings on the main point of this whole discussion.

Here it is: it doesn't matter what ANYONE else thinks about what you are doing or what they think you SHOULD be doing. It's up to YOU to live your dream, whatever it may be.

Now then, most of us think of something far more elegant when we think of our dream job, don't we? But, again, let me refer to a question I asked early on in this series that SHOULD give you a clear view of your "dream job" - If money were not an issue, what would you be doing?

Well? Surely by now you have come up with an answer to this question if you have been following this series.

But the curve ball comes when we look at where we WANT TO BE and then at where WE ARE and we don't like what we see. The "wanna' be" is a long ways away from our "what is".

What then?

Yesterday I suggested that it might be possible to learn to love what you are doing even if you are not doing what you love (your "dream job"). I hope you have thought about that.

On yesterday's podcast I encouraged you to really try to brainstorm and think of HOW you can approach your current job with excitement rather than dread. WHAT CAN YOU DO to approach your day and your job with a challenge so that you get out of the rut of whining and complaining?

One thing that may be absolutely necessary is to change who you hang around with at the office!

BREAK FREE from those that do nothing but whine and complain but also never lift a finger to try to improve their position or make any attempt to actually do their best for the company.

How many times have you heard someone say something like this (and YOU may have been one of the ones to say it!): "Well, I'm not doing one thing more than I have to! If I don't HAVE to do it then I'm not going to do it!"

May I be blunt? What a loser mentality!

What if you decide to TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS RIGHT NOW where you are TODAY?

What if you decided to put 100% of your effort into doing the very BEST job that you can RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW?

What if you did this today, tomorrow and EVERY day from now on?

What do you think would happen?

I can tell what would happen - THINGS WOULD CHANGE!

You don't need me to tell you what might change for you, do you? Take a moment and write down everything you can think of that would change for you if you adopted this approach.

Why not STOP dreading the day at work and why not TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS when you go to work today and start learning to love what you do (which is simply loving the fact that you are living up to your potential!) until you get to the point that you can finally have the "job of your dreams" and do what you love.

Thing is, you just might find out that this "dream job" was right under your nose all along.

Think about it.

And, until next time, 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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Sit In The FRONT Row!

Those that speak to audiences LOVE the "front row people".  We know that those who are sitting in the front row have likely made some sort of sacrifice in order to be in the front row. They may have paid more for their ticket that placed them in the front row OR they may have gotten into line EARLY in order to make sure that they had a chance to get down to the front row before all of those seats were gone.

They are at that particular event to get as much out of it as they possibly can. They are eager and ready to learn and absorb as much as possible while they have the chance. They do not want ANY distractions by others and they WILL NOT give up their seat in the front row!

Friend, this should be the way that you approach YOUR LIFE! You need to do all that you can and make whatever sacrifices required so that you can MAKE SURE that you are on the "front row" of your life! Your life - just like the fact that you are unique - is uniquely yours...why would you want to take a chance on missing out on ANYTHING in and for your life?

Just like in the last article, let me say that I really urge you to WATCH THE VIDEO (link below) that goes along with today's topic. I'm just able to illustrate some things about the following graphic that I just cannot do through print...but I'll do my best.

The graphic - or picture - below is my all-time favorite that I have used and shared over the past 11 years. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and have gotten feedback from others that say the same.

Take a good, close look at it and see if you don't smile when you do so.

Take a look at the two ladies on the front row....WOW! You have NO DOUBT that they are having the time of their lives, right? Look at their faces...they are not just smiling. They are laughing and, you can tell that they just cannot help but do so! They are trying to hold their dresses down and the one on the right is doing her best to hold on to her hat. These two ladies illustrate the "JOY OF THE FRONT ROW".

Now, when you take a look at the two ladies that are in the second row, you notice a slight change. Yes, they are smiling but - hey, c'mon - it's NOTHING like the two in the front row. And then, go to the third row. Hello? Are they even ON a roller coaster? You seriously could not tell it by just looking at them. They look as if they are bored out of their minds and, honestly, they look a little "hacked off".

Do NOT allow yourself to become complacent about living your life in the time you have been given on this earth. Do NOT allow time to pass you by that you will never, ever be able to regain. Do NOT live a life of regret when you have the CHOICE of living your life in the front or third row.

What does that mean for you and your life? I'd love to get your feedback on that. Yes, I know you can leave comments below this article but, if you would, I'd prefer you to go to my Facebook page (link below) to do so. Thanks, in advance, for doing so.

In the next article I will share an article from the past through "Flashback Friday". And, until then, 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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Life Happens!

I'm guessing that you - like me - can relate to the graphic above. Am I right? I would also guess that your answer to that question would be an emphatic, 'YES!"

We all have ideas and plans about how our life is going to go but, in reality, "life" has a different idea and, as the title for today's topic declares: "LIFE HAPPENS".

I really want to encourage you to watch the video (YouTube link below) for this topic so that you can see how I illustrate this next part that I'm going to discuss with you now...I think it would be beneficial for you.

In both pictures let's call the lower left hand corner, or the "starting point", point A. And, again, in both pictures let's call the arrow tip point B. Got it?

Obviously, in the first picture on the left, the graph indicates how everything would go IF everything went perfectly! There are no "hiccups" or detours, just a straight and upward climbing path of success.

HOWEVER, the picture on the right would likely more accurately depict the pattern in your life as well as mine. And, yeah I'm sure we have all even sat with a stunned look on faces saying, "What happened?" Here's your answer: "LIFE HAPPENED!"

In both pictures, notice that BOTH scenarios start off at the same spot - point A. The picture on the left shows a steady, uninterrupted and upward climb to point B. I'm not going to say that point B is where a person "ended up" but, rather, it is where they are, CURRENTLY, in their journey. 

Now I want you to focus on the graph on the right. Again, point A begins in the same spot and, although there are ups and downs and even circles at times, point B is still at a higher place on the graph than point A. Oh, I know, it's not as "high" on the graph as the first picture BUT, still, it definitely shows progress!

Keep this in mind and don't ever lose sight of that fact! Even though there have been obstacles and delays and even though you have even gone in circles at times, you are STILL making progress and moving closer to your goals and dreams! That is, as long as you don't allow yourself to give up. 

I've shared this thought with you many times before but it fits right in with this discussion: "Even if you take 2 steps forward and 1 step back, you are STILL ahead of where you started by 1 step!"

Seriously, watch the video. You'll be glad that you did and DO NOT EVER lose sight of your goal and DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

Keep pushing and keep moving my friend.

And, as you do so, 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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

C.S.P.I. - What Is THAT?

Simply put "Common Sense Positive Information" is what I have done my best to provide through Future You University for the past 11 years. 

Oh, I know that I haven't actually called it that over that time period but, when I recently thought about it I realized that it was a perfect "name" for what I have done and continue to do. 

Hey listen, I'm not one that is going to talk about psychological patterns or studies or whatever that will help you understand who you are and why you do what you do. That's just not me.

I'm not knocking those that do...it's just not me. 

I've always tried to communicate in a way that ANYONE can understand and apply whatever it was that I was discussing.

Years ago, when I was in ministry, I always tried to do the same thing. When I was still in youth ministry, I would have the opportunity to speak to the church about once a month. Just like now, I always did my best to present information in a way that I would like it to be presented to me. I wanted to do so in a way that ANYONE could understand and apply in and for their lives. 

The "preacher" at one of the churches I worked with was what you would call an "orator". In other words, he was good at crafting words and making a "speech" but, at the same time, he really rarely - if ever - actually connected with his audience. At this particular church, I would always have one of the leaders come to me after I would speak and tell me how much he enjoyed  my presentation because it was done in such a way that he could actually understand it! My thought was, "Well, why do you guys allow this other guy to "preach" every Sunday?"

I hope that you have enjoyed my approach to the material that I have shared with you over the past 11 years. Please take a moment and stop by my Facebook page and let me know (link below). I'd love to hear from you!

Be sure to join me next time and, until then, 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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Podcast #1,000 CELEBRATION! (3 Things I've Learned)

March 2, 2009. 

On that day I published my very first podcast for "Future You University" and, now, 11 years later, I am publishing podcast #1,000. 

So, today, I celebrate the publication of my 1,000th podcast along with 11 years of Future You University! Woo-hoo!

If you would like to join in on that 1,000th episode, please click on the link below for either iTunes or the RSS feed...I'd appreciate it if you did.

Here Are 3 Things I've Learned Through This Past 11 Years:

1. You MUST Be Willing to Adjust

    If I had stuck to my "5 days a week" schedule of publishing this podcast I would easily be celebrating 3,000 podcasts instead of 1,000. But, bottom line, I didn't and I haven't. I didn't stick to my "5 days a week" schedule and I haven't published 3,000 podcasts!

    Does that make me a FAILURE? Nope! It simply means that "life happened" and I've had to make adjustments along the way. Do I wish I could have kept up with my original "5 days a week" schedule all the way through? Yes, I do. I was building up a pretty decent audience at the start and can only imagine what that audience would have been like by now if I had. But, at the same time, I'm proud to have been able to overcome some of the obstacles that have come my way and still persisted to the point of publishing #1,000 today!

2. I Must "Do Me", REGARDLESS

     Even though I have not kept the audience that I was beginning to build and even though I do not get the feedback that I desire, I have kept on "doing me" regardless. I have continued to write my blog articles, record my podcasts and also record some videos along the way. As a matter of fact, to date, I have written 1,050 blog articles, recorded 1,000 podcasts and also recorded 153 YouTube videos (not counting live feeds on social media). 

    Why have I done so even when I have wondered - at times - if anyone was even reading and/or listening? Because it is who I am and I MUST continue to "Be Me" and "Do Me". I love to share information and I love to believe that, in some small way, I have made a positive impact on this world that will live on long after I'm gone. I HAVE made an impact and it WILL live on.

3. I've Left a Lasting Impact

    As I stated in the last paragraph, I know that I have left a positive impact on this world that will live on long after I'm gone. Wow! That puts a smile on my face and a good feeling in my heart because I know that, just as I have done with those that came before me, others will be able to listen to, read and watch my messages that I have published over these past 11 years and in the years to come. 

    I am so thankful that I have the ability to read, watch and hear messages from Napoleon Hill. I've had the opportunity to hear and/or watch messages from many other greats from the past that left this earth either before I was even born or when I was too young to even know anything about them. 

    Though I know that, more than likely, my messages will not be on the same level (popularity) as many of these greats, the fact remains that this information will always be available somewhere for future generations. It is exciting and humbling at the same time.

These 3 lessons that I've learned over the past 11 years also applies to you in your life, friend. As you go through your life you will discover the need to be FLEXIBLE with the ability to ADJUST to life's ups and downs that WILL come your way. I encourage you that, as you do so, you keep your focus and always be sure to "BE you and DO you". Hey, as I've mentioned many times before, YOU ARE UNIQUE to this world and there is no one else like you. And, finally, you WILL leave a lasting impact, one way or another...positive or negative. Do all that you can to leave the best, most positive impact that you can.

Whenever it is that you come across this article, THANK YOU for taking the time to read it. I hope it leaves you something worth your while to consider and absorb in and for your life.

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!