Future You University with Mike Spillman

Say It and BELIEVE It!

2012-02-17T09:43:00.000-06:00

This is "FUN FRIDAY!" - Enjoy your day and don't forget to SMILE and SHARE that smile!

This week we have looked at the first four of my "7 Life-Changing, Life-Directing, Powerful Daily Affirmations" and, today, I want to take a look back and check your progress.

One of the EASIEST things to do is to TALK about what you want to do or need to do and then to NEVER do it! Hey, we see this every day, right? You can easily spot it in those that are around you but, the fact is, it's also easy for us to spot it in ourselves but we just don't want to ADMIT it about ourselves!

It's EASY to say, "I'll start doing these affirmations TOMORROW" and to keep repeating that each and every time we are blessed with a new day. Bottom line - it never gets done and our lives remain the same while we scratch our heads and wonder why nothing is changing.

DUH!

So, truthfully, how are you doing with this so far? Are you actually TRYING this out to see if, perhaps, it WILL make a difference in your day? If not, WHY NOT?

Don't just give it the four days that have passed so far! Try it for a solid month and see if, for one, it doesn't get easier to do and, secondly, if it doesn't start becoming something that you begin to FEEL in your day.

I can promise you that there are many of you that are reading this that have a hard time BELIEVING these affirmations. You feel foolish saying them because you don't believe them in the first place. DO IT ANYWAY and say it ANYWAY and see if your belief about these things and yourself don't begin to change.

THEY WILL!

But you MUST say these things repeatedly (DAILY) and you must allow yourself to BELIEVE them to be true - even if you're not 100% sure in the beginning.

Beginning Monday I will continue with the remaining three affirmations but, instead of waiting until I've covered all seven, I wanted to do a "check up" on what I've covered with you so far this week.

Write them out or print them out and post them on or right next to your mirror and then SAY THEM and BELIEVE THEM! It WILL make a difference.

Until next time...

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

Mike

YOU Determine the Size of Your Dreams

2012-02-16T11:32:00.002-06:00

Today is "Thankful Thursday" - think of all for which you have to be thankful and EXPRESS that thanks today!

I hope that you've been able to follow along with this week's podcast and blog articles as I've shared and discussed my 7 Daily Affirmations that I came up with back in the summer of 2008. Again, it is important for all of us to understand that the very first affirmation serves as the "building block" or foundational principle for all of the others that follow.

YES, it IS important for you to do this each and every day and as one of the first things you DO in your day. I also strongly suggest that you do this in front of a mirror if at all possible. You will be astounded at the impact of doing this while looking yourself in the eyes will have on you. Try it, you'll see what I mean.

Today I want to remind you of the fact that YOUR dreams are YOUR dreams! The actual affirmation goes like this: "I will not allow ANYONE to determine the size of my dreams! THEY ARE MINE!"

Sounds simple enough, right? Yet, too many have let their dreams go due to the influence of others around them. Others who did not DARE dream the big dreams but were more than ready to destroy the dreams of others. It happens every day and, friend, it has likely either happened to you or you are aware of those that have tried to do that with YOUR dreams. Remember, they are YOUR dreams and, that being so, no on - NO ONE - has the right or ability to decide how big they should be or what they should be!

This gets really difficult when the "dream stealer" is a family member - especially a spouse. I've read and heard others ask the question, "What do I do if my husband/wife..." and they go on to describe how their spouse is not only unsupportive but actually actively tries to destroy that dream.

I'll be honest with you...I don't have an answer for you on how you handle that. Some would suggest that you simply leave that spouse and move on without them and maybe even try to find someone else that would share in your dreams. However, I am a firm believer in marriage for life so I would suggest that you try to find another solution if at all possible. Now then, they may NEVER jump on board with you and your dreams and that will be when you really find out how important your dreams are to you as well as how strong your passion is for those dreams.

Too, I've noticed that some times - not in all situations but in more than most want to admit - the problem sometimes lies within the dreamer and their failure to bring their spouse along with them from the beginning. Hey, listen - if you are in a marriage, it is IMPORTANT that you share your hopes and dreams and that you share your desire to go after them. Right? Too many people keep these things to themselves and then spring some investment or whatever on their spouse "out of the blue". Hey, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

So, if you've already made the mistake of NOT bringing your spouse along with you or did not share with your spouse from the beginning then, friend, you have a problem on your hands to which you must find a solution.

But, bottom line, whatever you do, DO NOT allow others to destroy your dreams and convince you that you are dreaming too big and that you are not able to accomplish what you have set out to accomplish. (Go back and read and listen to the preceding affirmations on this).

DREAM BIG and make NO EXCUSES to those that lack the ability to dream. By all means, share with your spouse and make every effort to bring them along with you but know this: sometimes the life of a dreamer is a lonely life! But, again, this is when you discover how "real" and important your dreams are to you.

Just imagine what our world would be like if it weren't for the dreamers that never gave up.

Keep on dreaming and, until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

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

Mike

You Are Able to TOUCH and CHANGE Lives

2012-02-15T15:16:00.000-06:00

Today is "Wide-Open Wednesday"...what will YOU do with today's wide-open opportunity?

So far this week we have discussed two of my "7 Life-Changing, Life-Directing, Powerful Daily Affirmations" and, as you might guess, I will be continuing on with the third of these seven in today's article. For those that have yet to listen to the podcast that goes along with all of this, I'll go ahead and share with you the total list of all seven before I continue today's thought. Here we go:

1: I am somebody SPECIAL!

2: I AM ABLE to accomplish GREAT things!

3: I AM ABLE to TOUCH and CHANGE many lives for the better!

4: I will not allow ANYONE to determine the size of my dreams1 THEY ARE MINE!

5: I AM A GIVER - not a taker!

6: I WILL take steps on this journey TODAY!

7: I CAN! I WILL! I MUST!

Again, if you have not listened to or read the previous topics (the first two affirmations) before now, take a few moments and do that. Why is this important? Because the very first affirmation is the BUILDING BLOCK and FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE upon which the remaining six affirmations are built.

Because of WHO you are (one created in the image of God) you are, indeed somebody special! And, based on this fact you ARE able to accomplish "great" things and, among those great things is your ability to TOUCH and CHANGE the lives of those around you that you come into contact with each and every day.

Take a moment and just think about all of the people that you have had more than just a "passing connection" with over the past five years. I'm not talking about those people that you came into contact just once (those would be the "passing connection" people I mentioned - although you DID have an impact on them as well!) but those that you come into contact maybe even two or three times in a week.

The waiter/waitress at your favorite restaurant, the garage attendant at your parking garage, your doorman, your co-workers, your friends at church, your spouse's family, your family, your children, friends of your children and on and on we could go. Think about that just for a moment and try to come up with an estimate of how many different people you've had contact with, like these, over the past five years.

My guess is that you will likely come up with a larger number than you would have thought in the beginning. Now, double that number and then triple it. Why do that? Because, whether we realize it or not, the impact we make on other people is transferred to people that THEY come into contact with in THEIR daily lives!

WOW! When you think of it this way you do, indeed, have impact on far more lives that we can even begin to imagine! Here's the kicker - that impact can be either NEGATIVE or POSITIVE!

What impact would you say that you "generally" have on those around you? Oh, I know we all have days when we are a bit short with people and maybe aren't as positive as we normally are. That happens. But friend, what IS your "norm"?

Listen, when you even just consider the impact you make upon hundreds - if not thousands - of lives just from the impact upon your children, it can be almost overwhelming. Your children and all of those that they connect with throughout their school years and even through college as well as the co-workers that they will have in their career. Combine that with their friends and then their own children (your grandchildren) and on and on it goes.

WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING TODAY?

You see friend, it is not about HUGE and MIGHTY things when we discuss this. Sure, it CAN be and you MAY touch many lives in ways that not many can or do but - DON'T MISS THIS POINT - your ability to touch and change many lives for the better begins right now and right where you are. TODAY.

We must stop waiting for some great opportunity before we touch lives and realize that this opportunity is here before us this very day. NOW.

So, touch and change the lives of those that you come into contact with today and every day and just imagine how far-reaching that impact will be and then smile as you go about your day.

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

YOU Can Do GREAT Things!

2012-02-13T14:22:00.001-06:00

Today is "Turn-Around Tuesday"...stop waiting and TURN YOUR life AROUND TODAY!

Today I want to continue our discussion on my "7 Daily, Powerful, Life-Changing Affirmations" that I put together back in August of 2008. Yesterday we discussed my 1st of these 7, "I am somebody special!" and, today, I'd like to continue with the second one: "I am able to accomplish great things!".

Remember, the first of these seven that I covered yesterday is the FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE on which all of the other six are based upon. Everything else comes from - and because of - this first and most important daily affirmation, "I am somebody special" and the reasoning behind it which I discusses yesterday.

Once we can at least make a move toward accepting and believing that, indeed, we ARE somebody special, then we can move on to the second of these seven, "I am able to accomplish great things!"

WHY? HOW? We can because, first and foremost, of WHO we are! Remember, we are made in the image of God and, that alone, qualifies us for greatness REGARDLESS of what kind of lives we have lived in the past! DO NOT MISS THAT POINT....even if we were mistreated in our lives as children and raised in a very negative - and even abusive - environment, we STILL have the OPPORTUNITY to turn things around and begin to live a life with a focus on the POSITIVE.

What IS "greatness"? Obviously, for some people in our world, it means achieving the very best that their chosen field has to offer whether that be President of the United States or any other top level of achievement that is available to them. But, for some of us, it may not mean anything like that.

How much money does it take for you to be "great"? How many people have to know who you are in order for you to be "great"? How many times does your name have to appear in print in order for you to be "great"? Friend, these things have absolutely NOTHING to do with "greatness"!

You achieve GREATNESS by what you do with your life every day of your life. That's right...not quite as grandiose as some would have you believe, right?

You achieve GREATNESS by being the best husband and father that you can be or the best wife and mother you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being the best friend, employee or employer that you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being a person of HONOR in all of the above mentioned areas!

Now, this does not mean that you CANNOT or WILL NOT achieve "greatness" in your chosen field, but don't limit yourself to that line of thinking.

Here's the KEY POINT I want to make sure you get in all of this (be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml (RSS feed)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 (iTunes) ...

...you are able to achieve GREATNESS because of WHO you are (one made in the image of God) and not because of the positive or negative that those around you have said to you in relation to who you are.

EXAMPLE: You are NOT doomed to failure just because someone may have told you that you are worthless and that you would NEVER amount to anything! But, on the other side of the spectrum, you are NOT guaranteed success just because someone told you that you were the greatest thing in the world! Now, true, it is much better and more conducive for success to have that positive feedback rather than the negative but, again, you have the ability to achieve great things in your life because of WHO YOU ARE from the start!

Do NOT sell yourself short! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you should settle for less! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you must make a choice between your chosen passion and your family in order to be a success!

God has blessed you with everything that you need in order to do and accomplish "great" things! Use that, develop that, use the good sense the Good Lord has given you to take advantage of this unbelievable age that we live in today that offers so many opportunities for success for those that are willing to step out and go for it.

Just remember, as you do so, you do so as a person of HONOR.

"I am able to accomplish great things!"

As you continue along this path, always be sure to...

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

YOU Are Special!

2012-02-13T14:11:00.000-06:00

Today is "Magical Monday"...be sure to use the magic that is YOU, today!

Today I wanted to begin sharing with you my "7 Daily, Powerful, Life-Changing Affirmations" that I came up with back in August 2008. I've done this in the past, but it's been a while and I thought that maybe it was time to break these down again and encourage you to use these in your own life.

#1: I AM SOMEBODY SPECIAL!

This is the foundational principle for all of the 7 affirmations that I have put together. It is important that we start with this basic premise in order to move on through the other six that remain. If you can't grasp this concept and begin to believe it to be true for you then you simply will not be able to utilize the other affirmations that are to follow. It's as simple as that.

The fact is, you ARE somebody special if, for no other reason, you are on this earth and are a living, breathing person. Why is that important? Because, this truth BEING truth means and indicates that you were created by God and, according to the Word of God, made in God's own image! Do NOT miss this point! Oh, I know there are some of you out there that choose to not believe this and that's o.k. However, it will not deter me from stating what I believe to be truth and a truth that can make a major impact in your life!

You were created BY God and, as I've said before, GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK! Think about that and know it to be true in your own life.

Now, yes, people can and often DO make quite a mess out of their lives and, yes, there are people that are evil and have chosen to LIVE a life of junk. But, remember, it is THEIR CHOICE. Sure, they may have had a tough childhood, etc. but, at some point, they had the opportunity to make choices for themselves and, sadly, many people have chosen to continue with their "junky life" and use anything and everything as an excuse as to why this is true for them.

BUT NOT YOU!

You have chosen to understand and realize that you DO, indeed, have a choice and you HAVE CHOSEN to strive to make something better of your life. How do I know this? Because you are reading these words and, my friend, if you were choosing a life of junk you would NOT be spending time here with me. I know that for a fact!

You ARE somebody special and, that being the case, there is something SPECIAL for you to share with those around you that ONLY YOU can share! There is no one else like you - YOU are the ONLY YOU!

I read something along these lines not too long ago: "You may not be somebody in this world but, to somebody, you ARE their world!"

Wow, that is powerful!

Look yourself in the mirror and say with confidence, "I AM SOMEBODY SPECIAL!" Hey, friend, this may make you feel uncomfortable and you may not even want to believe it. However, if you will get in the habit of saying this to yourself at LEAST once a day while looking at yourself in the mirror and if you will continue to remember the things I've shared with you here, you WILL begin to accept this as TRUTH because, quite honestly, that's exactly what it is - TRUTH!

You ARE somebody SPECIAL and don't you ever forget it!

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

Mike

The APPLICATION of FAITH

2012-02-10T15:47:00.000-06:00

It's "FUN FRIDAY"! Get out there and LIVE life and have FUN doing it!

All week long we have been talking about faith and, for the most part, have used the Biblical definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." I've also been using this definition as an application for us as we strive to reach our goals and dreams that we have set for ourselves. Again, if you've not done so, I encourage you to go back and catch up with the blog AND the podcast (iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 and the RSS feed: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml ) before reading today's article.

Today I want to make some spiritual observations and discuss the APPLICATION of FAITH. Sure, you can also apply this to reaching your personal goals and dreams because, again, you can believe something all you want, you can have FAITH that something WILL happen but, until you step out and take ACTION - NOTHING will happen! Again, I'd love to get some feedback from you on today's article either here, via e-mail (mike@futureyouuniversity.com) or on our FB fan page (www.facebook.com/futureyouuniversity).

Once, when I was a young boy, I heard a sermon on the topic of faith. And, in that sermon, I heard it said that with faith I could do anything. Anything? Yes, from what I understood, ANYTHING. So, I decided to test this out and, going into my back yard, tried to pull a full grown tree up out of the ground by putting my little arms as far around that tree as I could which, obviously, wasn't very far around. Guess what? Are you ready for this? That tree stayed put and I wore myself out.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul says the following: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Now, at the time of the above-mentioned incident, I was definitely a child and I definitely understood the concept of faith as a child would. And, thankfully, I do believe I've matured spiritually to the point that I have a better understanding of this concept of "faith". Notice that I didn't say that I understood it completely. Big difference and I hope you'll NEVER hear me say ANYTHING along the lines of me having it all figured out.

Repeating what was said earlier in the week, "Faith is NOT careless living!" and, to go along with that, "Faith is NOT a magic wand!" Let's look at a great example of the application of faith found in the Bible in Matthew 14: 22-33. I'm not going to "cut and paste" the scripture for you but I'm going to "sum up" what is being found there. I hope that you'll have the opportunity to take a look at it for yourself to see that what I'm saying does, indeed, go right along with what is written there.

When you read the preceding verses you will find that there has been a LOT going on for Jesus and His followers. And, as He would often do, Jesus told his disciples (followers) to go on ahead of Him and that He would join them a little later so that He could spend some alone time in prayer. While He was doing so a storm came up with a lot of wind and it began to toss the boat that the disciples were in quite violently to the point that they feared for their lives.

Sometime around 3 - 6 a.m. (the fourth watch of the night) these frightened disciples looked out on the water and saw what they believed to be a ghost! Think about that for a moment...you're fighting to keep water out of your boat and, among all the hustle and bustle and panic, you look out and see a ghost! I don't know about WALKING on the water but I'm thinking I may have begun RUNNING on TOP of the water and in the opposite direction!

In one of several humorous understatements that I believe are found in the translations of the Bible, we read that they "cried out for fear". Now, maybe that is not an understatement but, if you're like me and many others, we READ it as an understatement. Seriously, put yourself in that situation as much as you can and consider how YOU would sound as YOU "cried out for fear". I'm thinking they were screaming their heads off like a boat load of school girls! Mike's translation reads, "THEY WERE FREAKING OUT!"

What did Jesus do? Did He play tricks on them by appearing on one side of the boat and then - BAM - switching sides? Did He say, "Boo!"? Nope. The Bible states that IMMEDIATELY - and, friends, I think that is a KEY POINT that we should always remember - He began to try to calm them down by telling them NOT to be afraid because it was Him, not a ghost, but Him.

Now, one of the disciples - PETER - once realizing that it was Jesus (this same Jesus that Peter had seen do many miracles) replied, (and I paraphrase), "O.k., if it's really you, tell me to come out there with you!". I don't think this was a taunt or a "prove it to me" type of thing. Peter KNEW who Jesus was and he KNEW that he would be safe with Jesus but he wanted that "substance of things hoped for" to be based on TRUTH!

Jesus said, "Come on!" and Peter had a decision to make. He could stay in the boat that was in danger of sinking or, not really knowing how it would work, he could step out and go to Jesus who he KNEW could do things that had never been seen or done before.

Peter had to "put his money where his mouth was" (a trait that Peter exhibited quite often) and make a decision. Look again at that definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR (Peter's hope was that, by getting out of that boat, he would be safe with Jesus) and the EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN" (Peter also knew that, even though he had NEVER seen anyone walk on top of the water like Jesus was doing, there was EVIDENCE in the fact that, indeed, Jesus WAS doing just that and, again, that he - Peter - had seen EVIDENCE of Jesus' mighty miracles).

Look at verse 29 - "....and when Peter came down out of the boat..." Notice it says Peter and not, "Peter and the other disciples". Just Peter. And he did it - he got out of the boat and began to walk - ON TOP OF THE WATER - toward Jesus.

Yes, once he noticed the big waves around him, he became afraid and he DID sink. However, do NOT miss the following points: He was the ONLY one that trusted in Jesus enough to put their FAITH into ACTION and to get out of the boat and, secondly, even though he "failed" (according to some) and began to sink, Jesus still rescued him and walked him back to the boat, safe and sound.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: Friend, it's one thing to SAY what we believe. It's one thing to try to convince those around us of our faith in God and His Son, Jesus. But, it's not what we say, it's what we DO - what we SHOW by the lives that we live - that truly demonstrate our FAITH!

Too, for ourselves, we can try to convince OURSELVES that we have a great amount of faith but, without ever putting it into action (getting out of the boat) we're just fooling ourselves. Fact is, we are the only ones being fooled because those around us are likely NOT being fooled when they see our ACTIONS speaking louder than our WORDS.

Hey friend, I'm still working on stepping out of that boat more often than I do and I want to encourage you to keep on growing in YOUR faith in the one we call JESUS.

As we work to walk more in FAITH, I want to encourage you to...

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

Mike

The EVIDENCE of FAITH

2012-02-09T10:04:00.000-06:00

Today is "Thankful Thursday"...Be aware and EXPRESS your thanks TODAY!

If you've not been following the blog this week, be sure to go back and catch up beginning with Monday's article - each article this week has built and been an extension of the previous day's article.

Although I've been mostly using the Bible's definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1, ("Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.") I have been making applications about our experiences as we try to get closer to reaching our goals and dreams. Is there a spiritual application to be made? Absolutely! And I will be sharing some thoughts on that in Friday's article entitled, "The APPLICATION of Faith".

Yesterday we discussed the SUBSTANCE of FAITH and realized that faith is NOT "careless living" and even though faith does not demand proof there is SUBSTANCE behind the actions we take based on our faith. Again, if you've not read yesterday's article, be sure to do so in order to get the "connection" between the two.

According to that Biblical definition shared above, not only is there SUBSTANCE to faith but there is also EVIDENCE involved. Remember, I'll be discussing the spiritual aspects of this on Friday, but even for today's thoughts some of you may have a hard time connecting the idea of "evidence" with "faith".

Let me ask you a question that hopefully will clarify this dilemma. Why would ANYONE jump out of a perfectly good airplane - especially for fun??? Yeah, it's called "parachuting" and people do it all of the time. Believe it or not, even though I am very afraid of heights, there is a part of me that wants to experience this before I die. Thing is, I'm worried I just might die of a heart attack from the shock as soon as I am pushed out of that plane! (That's right - PUSHED!).

Are you 100% sure that the parachute is going to open? NOPE. Is there a chance that it WON'T open or that it won't open correctly and that you could either be killed or seriously injured? YUP!

So, jumping out of an airplane, even WITH a parachute on your back, demands a bit of faith on your part, does it not? And, that FAITH is based on the EVIDENCE that, more often than not, the parachute WILL WORK! If you really don't believe that it will open - if you don't have FAITH that it will open - you will NEVER jump out of that plane unless you're more certain that you will die if you remain ON that plane. Right?

So it is as we move toward our goals and dreams. Even though it may seem like a far stretch (remember, it IS important to push ourselves and to "stretch" with these endeavors) for you to achieve whatever it is that you have set up as your goal/dream, you do it anyway. However, along with the SUBSTANCE that we discussed yesterday, there should also be some EVIDENCE to go along with your faith or belief that you can and/or WILL achieve success.

Chances are that you have been shown or have seen others that have done the same thing that you are trying to accomplish and they have been successful in doing so. They don't just TALK about it, they've DONE it!

Is there any guarantee that the same success awaits you? NOPE. Is there a chance that you will fall short of your goals/dreams and that you could even lose some or a lot of money along the way and fail miserably? YUP.

But, based on the SUBSTANCE that we talked about yesterday, mixed in with the EVIDENCE that we have talked about today, you still have to step out on FAITH, believing that this, too, can be true for you IF you are willing to put out the effort necessary (the evidence of others will point this out to you) to make it happen.

So, yes, even with SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE, moving in this way still demands FAITH!

I'd love to hear your comments about this topic and on what has been shared this week. You can contact me directly via e-mail (mike@futureyouuniversity.com) OR via the website (http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ or http://www.michaelspillman.com/ ) or by leaving a message here on this blog OR by leaving a message on our fan page (www.facebook.com/futureyouuniversity) . I really would prefer you to leave it on the fan page but I would love to hear from you in any of these ways.

I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as I make the spiritual application to all of this. Until then, as you go through your day, be sure to...

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

Mike

The SUBSTANCE of FAITH

2012-02-08T09:54:00.000-06:00

Today is "WIDE-OPEN WEDNESDAY"! It's "wide-open" for YOU to take that leap of FAITH!

Faith vs. Reason. Is that the way it has to be when we talk about FAITH? I'd say "yes" and "no".

There IS a solid place in our lives for "reason". There are decisions that we make in our lives that MUST involve reason or "reasoning", and well thought out reasoning at that!

So, right off, please don't misinterpret what it is that I'm going to say in today's article. By NO MEANS am I saying that you need to throw "reason/reasoning" out the door. Too many people already misunderstand the idea of "stepping out in faith" and have made some very foolish (and harmful) moves in their lives.

FAITH IS NOT CARELESS LIVING! Make sure you get that point. As a matter of fact, if you'll go back to yesterday's podcast and blog article you'll remember that, according to the Biblical definition found in Hebrews 11:1, "...faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen."

SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE. Understanding this will help prevent careless living and careless decisions.

It almost makes my head spin when I think of how many people I hear say something along the lines of, "Well, you gotta' have faith!" or "Sometimes you just have to step out in faith" or even, "Sometimes you just have to JUMP!"

Again, please don't misunderstand. YES, there comes a time when ALL of these phrases are necessary and TRUE! But, first, make sure you have the SUBSTANCE and the EVIDENCE that is used in the very definition of faith before you make that jump.

THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR:

How much "weight" does this "passion" of yours carry? Another way to ask that is simply, "How IMPORTANT is this passion of yours?" How DETERMINED are you to achieve this goal or dream? Do you have what it takes to stick it out until you reach your goal? Do you have what it takes to carry it out and fulfill it once you achieve it?

Let me use an example from an old television show called, "The Beverly Hillbillies". Do you remember Jethro? (How can you FORGET Jethro if you ever saw the show?). Let's just say that ol' Jethro wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, o.k.? Do you remember what it was that Jethro wanted to have as a profession? Here we go - a BRAIN SURGEON. Of course, the comedic aspect of this was that there was no way in the world that Jethro would ever be able to become a brain surgeon! So, in my way of thinking, there was NO SUBSTANCE to his plan. Make sense?

Yes, it is important to STRETCH and CHALLENGE ourselves in our attempts to better our lives. Think just a moment about those last few words in the previous sentence... "better our lives". If we plan to BETTER our lives then it DEMANDS that we do something DIFFERENT so that we don't keep it the same, right? Doing something DIFFERENT demands a different mindset and approach which means we must "stretch" and challenge ourselves in order to do so.

But, at the same time (and this is part of the "reasoning") our goals and dreams must have "substance" in that it is something that we can actually achieve. Make sense? Hey, I love the NBA but at 52 years of age and also due to my lack of ability there is NO WAY IN THE WORLD that I can become a member of a professional basketball team in the NBA...no matter HOW MUCH I want it or regardless of how many pictures I put up on my "dream board".

Now, once you figure something out that has "substance" for your life (a real passion and something that you feel that you were BORN TO DO) then, YES, stretch yourself and be surprised at how far PAST your expections you landed.

I hope this makes sense...give me some feedback, o.k.?

Tomorrow we will discuss the second part of this "faith equation"... EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN. But, until then, whatever you and wherever you go, be sure to...

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

Mike

The Very Essence of FAITH

2012-02-07T09:34:00.000-06:00

Don't forget! Today is "Turn-Around Tuesday"...Stop waiting and turn things around TODAY!

The word "faith" is described in the following way from dictionary.com - "1. confidence or trust in a person or thing, 2. belief that is not based on proof.

The Bible defines faith in the following way as described in Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Many times in the arena of "positive thinking" or "personal development" we hear things said along the lines of, "If you can BELIEVE it, you can ACHIEVE it!". I think that Napoleon Hill was actually the one that first penned that phrase and, as a result of misquoting he has been "bashed' for thinking that all you have to do is believe.

NOT SO FAST! If you actually READ what Napoleon Hill wrote on the subject in his book, "Think and Grow Rich" (you should still be able to get a free copy by going here: http://www.freetgrbook.com/SeeYourSuccess ) you will find that he stresses the fact that ACTION must accompany this belief or you'll get nowhere. That word, "ACTION", makes a big difference doesn't it?

The hard part of really believing something - and I mean REALLY believing in something - is putting that belief (or FAITH) into ACTION. You know, the "if you really BELIEVE it - then DO it!" type of thing.

For example, kids seem to have TOTAL faith or believe that their mom or dad are going to take care of them no matter what. It seems to be true especially in the area of catching them no matter where you are in connection to where THEY are at the time! On one occasion one of our sons was standing on some steps on the back of one of my brother's house. I can't remember how old he was...he was walking and jabbering and was definitely a hand-full to keep up with. I think he was on the top of three steps when I caught sight of him. I was too far away to get to him and I actually thought my brother was as well and I could tell by looking at my son that he was about to jump without any worry at all as to if either of us would be there to catch him. And, you know what? I was right. He jumped. And you know what else? I don't know HOW he was able to do it but my older brother DID actually get there in time to catch him.

No worries. No problem. SOMEONE will catch me. End of discussion.

Take another look at that second definition given from the dictionary: "belief that is not based on proof". You see, FAITH is not based on proof! That would be called FACT! FACT is based on proof. If you KNOW that there is no way in the world that you will get hurt in ANY way then there in no FAITH demonstrated by making that jump.

From the Bible definition above we see FAITH described as something that is HOPED FOR based on EVIDENCE, but evidence that is not seen at the moment.

Huh?

Do you think it is possible for you to acquire a million dollars in your lifetime? That's not really that big of a feat over the period of a lifetime but just the IDEA of a million dollars causes some to doubt that it could actually happen to them!

Here's the deal - you may not can actually SEE the proof in YOUR life that it will happen, but friend, there is EVIDENCE all around us that DOES show PROOF that it CAN happen!

Is it possible for YOU - yes YOU - to succeed at whatever this passion is that you are following in and with your life? Sometimes it likely doesn't seem like it is possible but I can almost guarantee that you have already seen the EVIDENCE in the lives of others that causes you to KNOW - to have FAITH or a strong BELIEF - that it is not only POSSIBLE but that it WILL HAPPEN in your life even if you don't have the proof of that success.

"Why not me?"

Faith is powerful. Belief is powerful. However, the Bible also makes a very strong and powerful point to go along with those thoughts. Here it is, from James 2:20 (Good News Translation) - "You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless?"

So, YES, believe in yourself and the possibilities but then GET UP OFF OF YOUR BUTT and put the ACTION behind that belief necessary to move you towards success!

And, as you do so, be sure to...

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

Mike

Let Me Introduce Myself...

2012-02-05T22:32:00.000-06:00

Today is "Magical Monday"...Share the magic with those around you!

Perhaps the more correct title of today's podcast and blog would be, "Let me RE-introduce myself." I mean, after all, if you've followed me for very long you have a pretty good idea of who I am and how I operate. If not, you can go to my website, http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ , and read about the background of what I'm doing as well as my thoughts and plans.

I began my "adult life" as a youth minister back in 1982 and even was doing some work among youth groups before I graduated college. Since 1982 I have worked with teens and adults in a variety of positions and have always had a passion for sharing information and making it as interesting and relevant as possible. I also knew that, at some point, I wanted to change direction and step out with my own seminars that would be developed so as to encourage and uplift my audiences.

After developing some friends that liked my comments on another website I began my own podcast on March 2, 2009 and began doing my blog not too long afterwards. However, I intentionally planned NOT to bring "too much religion" in on my discussions thinking it might allow me to reach a larger audience with positive messages that had their "backing" in Scripture, all the while not coming across as too "preachy".

Here's the deal...where has that gotten me after almost three years? NOT VERY FAR!

Oh, I do have some followers and, part of the problem has been some inconsistency on my part due to some problems that I have deemed "beyond my control" in some ways. But, bottom line, I feel that something has been missing and I believe that the "something" has been the MEAT to the MESSAGE!

So, I'm not going to refrain from using thoughts and scriptures that I know fit what I'm talking about so that I may keep from "offending" anyone or so that I can supposedly have a "larger" audience. It's way past time for me to be me - ALL of me - and just do what I do as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Might I lose some followers? Maybe. If so, that is a choice that a person must make for themselves. Here's the deal... I'm the same guy as before so why stop following what I do because I am now going to be more outspoken and open about the foundations from which I get these principles?

Zig Ziglar once talked about how his career as a motivator "took off" once he got God involved in the discussion. I had the pleasure of hearing Jim Rohn speak on several occasions and, if you know anything about what he shared, he based the majority of his thoughts on Scripture.

IF YOU APPRECIATE WHAT I'M SAYING please let me know! I need your support and I need to know that this is something that you agree with whole-heartedly. If you don't, you can still let me know but, honestly, it's not necessary. Just do what you have to do.

So, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Mike Spillman and I am a proud husband, father, grandfather, motivator, writer and Christian. It's nice to meet you.

Whatever you do, where ever you go, be sure to...

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

Mike

Think on THESE Things

2012-02-03T09:38:00.000-06:00

It's FUN FRIDAY! What can YOU do today to bring smiles to those around you?

Before I start let me make sure you know you can follow the daily podcast on the same topics here:

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739

RSS feed: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml

Have you ever heard the saying, "God moves in mysterious ways."? I'm sure most of us have and, honestly, many times when I've heard it used, it was used out of context and in a poor manner trying to explain some tragedy when, quite honestly, the person speaking should have just remained silent.

Here's the thing: I recorded the podcast for today over a week ago. With the job that I'm working right now I try to do at least one week's worth of podcast ahead of time so that I can make sure I don't get behind. Honestly, that's a little hard to do because I like to TRY to talk about things that are relevant and, many times, this happens due to global happenings or just things that I observe from day to day. And, honestly, after I had recorded this week's worth of podcasts I decided not to do the second weeks worth like I did last time because I wanted to wait and see if anything NEW popped up that got my attention. It did and now let me explain.

I recorded this podcast over a week ago. I'm writing this article on Thursday so that it is ready for publication on Friday. (Now maybe you can see how easy it is for me to get confused!). This article speaks more from scripture than I usually have in my podcasts/articles but I felt it was one worth using and exploring in the realm of having a positive mindset. Now, I'll talk more about this in Monday's podcast/article but since the beginning of my podcasts and articles back in March of 2009 I have purposely tried to stay away from using the Bible very much even though I have been a minister for years.

Why? I wanted to try to reach a "bigger audience" without coming across too "churchy" while still using spiritual principles. Again, I'll talk more about this on Monday but something powerful struck me last night while at a mid-week worship assembly. And it was right up the alley of the topic of today's subject matter that was prepared over a week ago.

Listen to the podcast which was recorded before this event on Wednesday night because I think there is a LOT of valuable information there but BE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION to what I'm saying here.

Friend, bottom line... you can't expect good stuff in your life and from your life as long as we continue to allow so much "garbage/junk" in it as was discussed in yesterday's information. So, not only is it important to GET RID OF THE JUNK in our lives and in our minds, but it is likely MORE IMPORTANT to pay close attention to what we use to REPLACE THE JUNK with GOOD, POSITIVE influences.

I encourage you to read the scripture that I refer to in today's podcast (Philippians 4:8) and really consider the things listed there that we are encouraged to meditate upon or think on. IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE and this point was driven home to me once again during last night's event.

And I honestly believe that there is no way around it. Whether you believe in God or the Bible or not -- you cannot discount the VALUE of what is discussed in this part of Holy Scripture. Check it out for yourself, put it in to practice on a daily basis and see what happens!

And, as you begin to experience the POSITIVE change that will take place in your life, whatever you do and AS YOU DO IT, be sure to...

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

Mike

G.I.G.O.

2012-02-02T11:37:00.000-06:00

This is "THANKFUL THURSDAY"...express all for which YOU have to be thankful!

How many of you have ever watched the show "Hoarders"? And, if you have, how many of you have watched in utter disgust and disbelief that ANYONE could live that way?

Yet, how many of us DO live this way when it comes to the "garbage" that we allow into our lives and the lives of those around us - yes, especially our children? Friend, whether you realize it or not, we ALL probably allow more trash/garbage into our minds and lives than we want to admit or even realize.

G.I.G.O. = "garbage in/garbage out". This is a phrase used to describe the need for accuracy in computer programming. A computer is only as "smart" and as "accurate" as the information that is programmed into it in the first place. (Hey, listen - I'm not a computer geek so don't get upset if I word something incorrectly, o.k.? Thank you!).

Maybe even envision it this way: If you put gasoline into your car that is contaminated with either water or even bits of trash, then your car - no matter what the cost or what size the engine - will not run very well. G.I.G.O.

Do you find yourself to be in a negative mood much of the time? Perhaps it's time to do a "check up from the neck up". Maybe it's time to really take a look at what kind of information we are allowing into our mind and, as a result, our mindset. Positive mindset or negative mindset?

It's SOOOO easy for us to get careless and not pay much attention to what we allow in our minds. It's easy to let down our guard and even justify allowing a "little bit" of trash to slip in. Hey friend, it only takes a "little bit" of trash to bring ANY machine down not to mention how a "little bit" of trash/unhealthy foods each day adds up to MAJOR problems with our physical bodies as well as the impact on our brains.

As one guy said in a movie, "And that's a fact, Jack!"

What do you read? What do you watch on t.v. and how MUCH of it do you watch? What do you listen to on the radio or via mp3 players, etc.? Who do you listen to on a daily basis by spending time with them? What do you say to YOURSELF (self-talk)?

All of these are areas that we MUST pay close attention to IF we are really serious about performing at our best. It all starts in the mind and with our mindset.

What are YOU "putting in/allowing in" and what are you getting out? Don't expect excellence out of garbage. IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN!

Hopefully this blog as well as the podcast is a help for you in this area. Take advantage of this material as well as others that offer such positive information and see what happens in your life.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow for another powerful and positive message. Until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

What Would YOU Do If...

2012-02-01T11:15:00.000-06:00

It's "Wide-Open Wednesday"...what will YOU do with this special gift?

What would YOU do if today - yes, today - you could do ANYTHING that you wanted to do and/or go anywhere you wanted to go? What if, what if, what if!

Many of us have had such thoughts and, too often, "fantasies" of such a happening for our lives and, many times it is associated with the thought of, "If you only had 2 weeks to live, what would you do?"

Isn't it kind of sad that we have to associate our pending DOOM in order to think that way? Queen Latifah stars in a movie that came out in 2005 entitled, "Last Holiday" in which she is mistakenly told she only has a short time to live. And, friend, live she did! Money was no object because, after all, you can't take it with you and she was no longer afraid to live the live she had only dreamed of before. She DID have a bit of a money issue once she realized that the diagnosis was a mistake - but she learned to truly "live" her life!

Bottom line, here's the truth: Today (any day) you CAN do anything you want to do! Sure, there may be obligations, responsibilities and our moral compass that keeps us from acting upon some things without thought or regard to others or these responsibilities but...the truth is that you CAN if you want.

Many do so every day REGARDLESS of these responsibilities leaving destruction in their wake. Families have been destroyed by one or both parents deciding to do what they wanted to do without any thought (or little thought) to those hurt by such decisions.

However, I'd like you to consider a more positive approach to this topic. Sure, you may not be able to leave all the stress and responsibilities of your life behind (although some try by faking their disappearance) but there ARE things you can do today that, for whatever reason, you have thought were out of your reach.

Have you decided that you are stuck at your job and there is nothing you can do about it? NOT TRUE! Sure, think wisely and make a wise decision but, at the same time, it may take a sudden and decisive action in order for you to stop TALKING about it and start TAKING ACTION with it.

Many people feel that they must wait until they can "afford it" before they have children. I understand the thought and I also agree to a certain extent but, my friend, you'll NEVER be able to 'afford" the expense of raising a child. If you wait until you think you can afford the financial AND emotional cost and investment then you will NEVER have that child. You will continue to TALK about that child but you will never HOLD that child in your arms!

Hey, listen to the podcast (on iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 or via the RSS feed - http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml ) to get some more insight on this topic and think on this yourself.

Don't come to the end of your life saying, "What if..." or "If I only had done..."

Remember, TODAY is all we have and, as you go through this day be sure to...

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

Small Things BLOWING UP Big!

2012-01-31T11:06:00.000-06:00

Today is "Turn-Around Tuesday" --- YOU have the opportunity to do that TODAY!

The story is told of an elderly couple sitting out on the front porch in their rocking chairs enjoying a lovely afternoon when the old man decides to express some loving thoughts to his wife of many years. Leaning over in her direction he say, "I love you!" to which the dear lady responded, "What's that you say?" Leaving over a little further and talking a little louder the gentleman repeats, "I said, I love you!". Still unable to hear what her husband was saying and a bit frustrated she said, "Tarnations old man! Speak up and say what you want to say!". The old man gave it all he had and yelled out at the top of his voice, "I SAID, I - LOVE - YOU!!" to which, with misunderstanding, the sweet woman replied at the top of her voice, "Well, good grief! I'M TIRED OF YOU TOO!"

Oops! MISunderstandings, MISinterpretations and just plain ol' "MISSES" that turn into MESSES!

"Just let it go." I have uttered those words numerous times in working with young people lately when they want to respond heatedly to what really is a very small offense. Hey, you know this to be true, right - people find out what "buttons" to push to get a reaction from you and they push it often and then they push it MORE often! What happens if we just learn to "let it go" and don't react? Many times, the "problem" will disappear.

I'm ticklish but I have learned to control that response so that when someone comes up to me and asks if I'm ticklish they don't get a response when they try to tickle me. By the way, isn't it odd that a person would ASK you a question and either not believe you OR (as usually is the case) start tickling you before you even answer? Anyway, I can resist the response and, guess what? They don't try it any more.

Simple illustration, I know. But it applies pretty much the same way to learning how to NOT let people "push our buttons". Remember, THEY DO NOT HAVE CONTROL over our emotions. We do!

Also consider the "chain of events" that takes place when you allow this to happen to you and then you drop that negative attitude on anyone and everyone around you. Many of these people are "innocent bystanders" and have absolutely nothing to do with the problem in the first place.

So, realize that what happens to you - positive or negative - doesn't stay with just you. Share the good, the positive and JUST LET GO of the negative and harmful.

Try it, you might like it! (And those around you will likely be pretty happy with it as well).

Until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

Small Things Becoming BIG!

2012-01-30T18:47:00.000-06:00

It's "MAGICAL MONDAY" once again...what will YOU do with YOUR magic?

We go through our days doing what we may think are totally insignificant things along the way. As a matter of fact they are so insignificant to us that we don't even think about them when we do them. (Now stay with me on this because, yeah, I'm going to hit a few "pet peeves" but we ARE going to end on a very positive note!)

For example, one thing I see a LOT of people do (and a growing number of young people - wonder where they get it from?) is to litter. And, from what I can tell by watching, they don't even think about what they are doing. I mean, after all, what's the big deal about one tiny little gum wrapper, right? Of course not until you multiply that by thousands of people that are doing the same thing.

Have you noticed how many "non-handicapped" people park in the "handicap only" parking spots? Hey, what's the big deal, right? I'm just going to run in for a few moments and pick something up. Again, without even thinking about this small, seemingly insignificant action.

Rude comments without thinking. "Oh wait, did you take that SERIOUSLY?" Talking on your cell phone or just being completely engulfed by it while in the company of others.

I could go on and on because there are so many and, by the way, there are things that I do, as well, that has a negative impact on others that I don't even think about. Small. Insignificant.

Now, on the other hand there may also be lots of little things that we or other people do - again without much thought - that may seem rather insignificant. And, just like the negative examples above, though they may SEEM to be small and insignificant, they may be anything BUT that in the lives of some people.

Opening the door for someone else. Saying, "thank you" and "you're welcome" and "how are you today" (and meaning it) when so many people are either too busy or too preoccupied to do so. Picking up that gum wrapper on the ground and putting it in the trash. Taking the time and making the effort to TRULY LISTEN to someone when they are talking with you. Giving someone else the RESPECT of your full attention when you are with them.

Here is a prime example that I experienced just the other day. Please know that I do not share this with you to "pat myself on the back". This just really just jumped out at me because, to me, it was small and insignificant and something that I try to do so often that I didn't even give much thought.

Now first, let me tell you that, for the most part I feel that the term "customer service" is an oxymoron. It seems that the majority of the time that I have to call in and speak to a "customer service representative" it turns out to be something LESS than a pleasant experience. Can any of you relate to that?

Anyway, I really wasn't expecting a battle of any kind but, to be honest, I wasn't looking forward to making a call that would involve a customer representative. As a matter of fact, I tried every way that I could think of to try to take care of this business through this company's website where I would NOT have to talk to anyone. No such luck.

Within the first minute of the conversation, after the gentleman introduced himself to me, he asked, "How are you today?" to which I responded, "I'm doing great! How are YOU doing today?" No biggie. No major motivational speech. Simple. Small. Seemingly insignificant.

However, this gentleman on the other end of the phone said with a smile in his voice, "Mr. Spillman, I'm doing fine and, I'll tell you this - I will be working for another 8 hours or so on my shift and you will likely be the ONLY person that will ask me that today. THANK YOU for asking me how I am doing!"

Did that seemingly insignificant exchange make a difference in this man's day? Apparently so! Did I set out to make that impact? Not really. But I did.

Small things becoming BIG. Think about it and pass it along and see what happens in YOUR world.

Until next time, friends...

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

Mike

Living Today in COLOR!

2012-01-27T10:14:00.000-06:00

Today is "FUN FRIDAY"! Find a reason to SMILE and to SHARE that smile with others!

So, today is Friday...how long have you been waiting for today? How long have you been "hanging on" until FRIDAY? How many times do you find yourself on MONDAY already looking forward to FRIDAY? Songs have been written and sung emphasizing this type of mentality but I really want to ask you to consider this: DON'T YOU THINK YOU ARE WISHING YOUR DAYS AWAY WHEN YOU DO SO?

I once heard a young lady state at around 6:00 a.m., "I can't WAIT for this day to be over!" Are you kidding me? The day hadn't even really begun and she was already wishing it was over? She had apparently already decided for herself that it was going to be a TERRIBLE day and, according to her way of thinking, there was absolutely NOTHING she could do about it except wish for the end of that day.

Friend, that is truly sad in my opinion.

STOP living your life in the "grey" and "hum-drum" existence that so many find themselves in and START living your life in COLOR and experience each day FULL OF LIFE!

Do you remember in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz" how the first part of the movie was filmed in black and white but, upon Dorothy's arrival in the magical land of Oz, the movie was then shown in beautiful color? It was done that way for a reason! It was MAGICAL...it was NEW and VIBRANT and offered so much for this young lady that she had never experienced before. Isn't it time YOU stepped out of the world of "black and white" and started living YOUR life in VIBRANT COLOR?

In case you're having a hard time answering that question, let me be of assistance..."Uh, YEAH!"

Oh, by the way, there IS a reason I have a picture of a watch at the top of this blog. This is the watch that I found before Christmas that caught my eye. Very seldom is there anything that I really want for Christmas or my birthday or Father's Day and it is a bit frustrating to my wife... understandably so. But, when I saw this watch it "spoke" to me and I almost bought it on the spot since it was right there and available. However, I decided I'd wait, tell my wife about it, show her a picture of it on-line and then let her get it for me so it could actually be "from her". We stopped by a couple of stores in other towns before Christmas so she could pick it up and wrap it for me but we never could find THAT particular watch in the other stores! So, finally, we went ahead and ordered it on-line so that it could be shipped to the store in our hometown and we could pick it up when it arrived. Due to our crazy schedule right now it came in about 10 days before we could get to it and, FINALLY, we were able to pick it up the other day - this "Christmas present" near the end of January - at our local store.

We were both excited since we had been waiting so long and I actually had found something I wanted. Isn't that watch BEAUTIFUL? You see, blue is my color and that watch just caught my eye the moment I first saw it. I excitedly opened the box to only be disappointed. Why? Because the watch they sent was NOT the watch I ordered. The one I ordered looked like the one pictured above and the one they sent had the face color of what you see above if it was shown in black and white. In other words it was a dark grey trim with a light grey center. YUCK! When I took it back to the lady inside I told her about the problem and laughing I said, "That's like ordering a color t.v. and getting one in black and white!" (Oh, by the way, we did end up driving back to the ORIGINAL store where I first saw the watch and picked it up - YAY!)

Sure, I could have settled for the one I didn't order since it had taken so long - BUT I DIDN'T WANT THE UGLY, COLORLESS WATCH! I wanted the one that was beautiful, vibrant and colorful!

STOP settling for living a life of "drab existence" and begin to live and experience a life in LIVING COLOR!

So much is being offered to you today that we often pass up because we have settled for "drab" instead of "VIBRANCY" in our lives! Don't wish away the day or the week - take advantage of all that this day has to offer you! GRAB every ounce of LIFE out of this day, squeeze every ounce of life out of every second of this day!

WHY? Because once this second, minute, hour and day is gone - IT IS GONE FOREVER and it CANNOT ever be recovered, relived or replaced. Gone.

So, as is always the case - the choice is yours. What will YOU do with what you have...TODAY? As you go through your day, always remember to...

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

Mike

Smart Phone Dumb

2012-01-26T10:35:00.000-06:00

Don't forget! Today is "Thankful Thursday"...express thanks for all that you have for which to give thanks!

Be sure to listen to today's podcast if you haven't done so already. Although the blog article is on the same topic, I don't use a script so that both are the same word for word. You can follow the podcast here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 .

Well, I finally "gave in" after much refusal and bought a "smart phone" the other day.Why? For one, the phone I have been using is one that I've had since 2006 and, as you know, in technological years, that is a bit out of date and almost obsolete. But, hey, it did what I needed it to do...simply MAKE PHONE CALLS! But, I also have never gotten a new battery for this phone and the battery that is in it has really been weak for some time now. I've "limped along" for the past several months saying that "soon" I would replace it but I still was fighting the idea that I needed to get a phone that would also text, among other things.

It seems that the world around me has gotten so "hooked" on texting that everyone ASSUMES that I am able to text from my phone. I'm not sure how many times I've had people say to me, "I'll just text that to you" to which I would have to tell them - much to their surprise - that I did not test.

NOT ANYMORE! This old dog is learning new tricks and, due to some phone companies now offering flat "unlimited" rates that is as cheap as my "calling minutes only" plan with a major carrier - I caved and bought the smart phone.

I don't feel any smarter, though. As a matter of fact, as I have been working on getting this "smart phone" set up I actually feel DUMBER! But that's o.k. I didn't buy the phone to put on the appearance of being "smart". But, my guess is that there are many people in this world that have done just that...bought some phone or other gadget in hopes that it would make them appear to be "smart".

Guess what. It didn't.

I've come across so many people that complain about being "broke" and "barely getting by" and on and on while sporting one of these expensive-plan "smart phones" at a cost of $100 or more each month to have the privilege of doing a lot of nothing. (By the way - another pet peeve of mine is this: if you have one of these things PLEASE learn to PUT THAT THING DOWN around other people!).

How is it "smart" to have to try to scrape money together for something that you could get for a lot less with a lot less of the "bells and whistles" on it? Friends, I don't care who you are - that is NOT smart!

So, a "smart phone" won't make you smart or even LOOK smart. Neither will "fake glasses", a certain kind of computer, tablet, car or name brand of clothes. Nope. Not one bit.

As I get older I realize that what really makes a person smart is how they live based on what they have learned. What they have learned from others and what they have learned by living life. A person is smart that has learned that this world does NOT revolve around them and that we can ALL learn something from each other along the way.

A person is smart who, after such observation as was just discussed, has learned to treat people with kindness and respect and, for those who have not learned these lessons yet and "push our buttons" by their own selfish behavior - to sometimes learn to bite our tongues and try to help guide them along the way.

A smart person will not always feel the need to TELL you but will often rather SHOW you by example.

A smart person will be slow to judge because they realize that they, themselves, are an unfinished project.

How "smart" are you? How is THIS "education" coming along?

In case you didn't know, school for THIS education is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and it is being held wherever you are at any given time.

Enjoy. Learn. Grow. Strive to become "smarter" each and every day and, as you do so, be sure to...

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

Mike

The Power of Suggestion

2012-01-25T13:22:00.000-06:00

It's "WIDE-OPEN WEDNESDAY!" What will YOU do with your OPPORTUNITY today?

"You're getting sleepy...very, very sleepy..."

The POWER OF SUGGESTION is well known in the world of entertainment hypnosis. I once had the opportunity to see "The Amazing Kreskin" in person while living in Tulsa, OK. (if you don't know who he is, "Google" him) and, as part of his act, he had people volunteer to come on stage to be hypnotized.

Yeah, you guessed it. I volunteered. Me, a skeptic. And, guess what? It didn't take long for me to be dismissed from the stage because, due to my skeptical outlook on the whole thing, I did not fall under the "spell" of the power of suggestion. And, oh yeah, others definitely did and put on quite a show!

Now, if you've yet to listen to the podcast for today (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739) then I guess I'll spoil the effect of what I share in that podcast. It definitely illustrates the POWER of SUGGESTION!

My wife and I are now working with a group of young people in foster care and are experiencing things we have never experienced before even though we have raised three sons of our own. Anyway, yesterday I got a call from one of the schools that one of the attend letting us know that we needed to come pick up this particular child due to....are you ready for this....HEAD LICE.

I have to tell you that as SOON as I heard those words I literally began to feel my head itch in several places - IMMEDIATELY! Now, the question is...have you begun to feel that same ITCH now that you've read this?

Even funnier than that (is that a word?) was when I told some of the other teens that lived in the same house about it so that they could help with some precautionary efforts to keep it from spreading they basically FREAKED OUT and began scratching like crazy!

THE POWER OF SUGGESTION!

What "power of suggestion" is surrounding your daily life? In case you don't realize it, there can be a NEGATIVE power of suggestion just as there can be a POSITIVE power of suggestion. Who or what are you surrounding yourself with today and every day?

Think about this, if you don't like the company you're keeping then CHANGE the company you're keeping! Easier said than done? Sometimes. Necessary? Well, it depends on what kind of influence they have on you and your attitude.

Does their power of suggestion help you stretch further to reach your goals and dreams by "suggesting" that you CAN do it and that you WILL achieve your goals and dreams OR does their power of suggestion say to you, "give up...it's only a dream" or "you really can't do THAT!" or any other of a million negative messages?

If the company you keep does that latter then, YES, YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE COMPANY YOU KEEP!

And, by the way, the SOONER the BETTER!

Oh, and by the way, you also have the power of suggestion that you share with others as well as speaking it to yourself. If it's YOU then, obviously, you cannot change THAT company that you keep but, then again, maybe you can...

By changing the way you THINK! That's right...change the "company you keep" with yourself by CHANGING your SELF.

"Whoa, dude...that was DEEP!"

Smile and offer THAT form of suggestion as you go through your day. And, also, as you go through your day be sure to...

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

Mike

What's Killing YOU?

2012-01-24T10:36:00.000-06:00

It's "TURN-AROUND TUESDAY!" Stop whining and start turning things around!"

In yesterday's blog and podcast we talked about the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat." and then made some applications about what that cat likely "accomplished" along the way. If you haven't had the chance, be sure to read the blog and also listen to the podcast that you can find here:(http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739)

Now I want us to think about the other side of this topic by taking a good look at our own lives and our curiosity OR lack of curiosity and what that means for us on a daily basis.

Why the picture of the dog at the top? Hey, I LOVE dogs (well, MOST dogs) and have had several in my lifetime. But, it has always tickled me when I've seen a dog that was so lazy or uninterested (another way to say, "had no curiosity") to the point that you could bounce a tennis ball right up to them and they just look at you like, "Yawn!"

Many times dogs that do that don't do much of ANYTHING and, likely, they are either OLD and disinterested OR are very much out of shape DUE TO their lack of curiosity.

And that brings us to talking about us - you and me. Have you lost your sense of curiosity or do you still have the spark within that makes you want to keep learning and doing?

Think about this: if all of our great inventors had not had that sense of curiosity, what would our world be like today? I can tell you this - it would be a very DIFFERENT world! Very likely you wouldn't be reading this blog article on your computer or smart phone and I wouldn't have even been able to publish this blog in the first place! Computers, the internet, keyboards, electricity, phones, cell phones, phone lines, "wireless" capabilities and on and on we could go.

Aren't you glad there have always been curious people in our world?

Now, what about YOU? Have you lost your sense of curiosity? Let's get straight to the point here (and be sure to listen to the podcast for more thoughts on this topic): If you've lost your sense of curiosity then you are on your way OUT! That's right, curiosity may have killed the cat but LACK OF CURIOSITY WILL KILL YOU. Count on it.

Wake up. Begin to live again. Get curious!

And, as you do so, be sure to...

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

Mike

What Killed the Cat?

2012-01-23T16:01:00.000-06:00

Once again it's "MAGICAL MONDAY!"... What will YOU do that's "magical" today?

So, we've all heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat", right? And, I'm sure - in spite of their 9 lives - that this has been true on occasion. But, it IS fun (even for a non-cat person) to watch a cat that has "zeroed-in" on some "target" due to this curiosity.

In today's podcast ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 ) I share the tale of me watching such a cat recently. I was sitting in a room with a group of young men and the cat spotted a moth that was flying about the room and, pretty quickly, began to "stalk" it's prey. The moth was mostly keeping to the higher parts of the room and, regardless of how far up the wall the cat would stretch after climbing on the back of a chair, the moth still remained out of reach. One of the boys stated, "That cat will NEVER catch that moth!" to which I replied, "Don't be too sure." The cat preceded to climb on the back of the couch that I was sitting on and looked up and patiently watched that moth flitter about the room. And, guess what? Believe it or not that moth basically fluttered right down within the cats reach and, yes, the cat DID catch that moth!

A couple of things came to mind almost instantly with this....NEVER say NEVER and, also, NEVER GIVE UP!

How many times do we find ourselves either listening to others tell us that we will NEVER accomplish what it is we have set out to accomplish OR to that little negative voice within ourselves that says the same thing? STOP LISTENING to the negative voice!

Now, really, I have NO IDEA what was going on inside of that cat's head when it was watching that moth but I really didn't see any indication that it even considered for a moment that it WOULD NOT get what it was after - that moth!

We need to develop that same determination in our own lives and STOP living a life of "if I ever achieve this" and START living a life of "when I achieve this"...BIG DIFFERENCE in the two, wouldn't you agree?

Sure, curiosity may have killed the cat but think about this: how much SUCCESS did that cat experience along the way and up to that point?

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get other thoughts on this topic and, until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Joy in the Journey

2012-01-19T09:51:00.009-06:00

Today is "Fun Friday!" How appropriate that this day is tagged in such a way on the same day that today's podcast and blog is entitled, "Joy in the Journey". Have some FUN today!

Gas prices. Flat tires. Hotel rates. Road construction. Confusing signs. Detours. Cancelled flights. Wrong flights. Expensive flights. Screaming kids. Screaming adults. Yuck.

Missed deadlines. Others unenthused about your brilliant idea. Job loss. Behind on bills. Credit collectors calling. Sickness. Disease. Broken bones. Broken hearts. Loss due to death. Loneliness.

I've just described situations that may be a part of two different types of journeys. One is obviously connected to some trip or journey we may take in an automobile or plane or any other type of transport. The other, life's journey.

Now friend, if we were to just stop and take a look at these two paragraphs, let me ask you this: would YOU want to be a part of EITHER of these two journeys?

Let's go back to the first one and add some more: Smiling faces. Beaming faces. Children's laughter. Your OWN laughter. Pictures taken to keep those images alive. Sights and sounds shared. Awe. Inspiration. Time spent that will be remembered for a lifetime. Why don't YOU add some more to that list?

And the second one - our journey of life? Let's do the same and add some more descriptive words: Laughter. Love. Memories. Awe. Inspiration. Smiling faces. Beaming faces. Children's laughter. Your OWN laughter. Pictures taken to keep those images alive. Sights and sounds shared. Awe. Inspiration. Time spent that will be remembered for a lifetime. Again, why don't YOU add some more to THIS list?

Isn't it interesting how BOTH of these journeys can be described in much the same way when we consider the JOYS of such a journey?

Sure, there are hurts and disappointments that come and go in life, but don't miss that word...LIFE!

And, in the same way, as you move toward your goals and dreams, don't miss out on the JOY that is in THIS journey as well. Remember, you have had and hopefully still have a PASSION for WHY your are moving toward these goals and dreams. Remember the PURPOSE!

Don't forget to laugh along the way and to share your passion with those around you as you move ever closer to these goals and dreams.

Bottom line: DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE SET-BACKS! It's all a part of the progress, right?

Whatever you do, in ANY area of life, be sure to FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY!

And, part of that is being sure to remember to...

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

Mike
(podcast: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 )

Are We There Yet?

2012-01-19T09:49:00.006-06:00

Today is "Thankful Thursday"! I know you can come up with a few things in your life to be thankful for today, right? Do it and express it!

A car full of kids with their parents heading out on vacation with the car packed to the top with kids, suitcases, toys and even perhaps, a pet or two. Hey, if you have kids and have done this for ANY distance then you know and can relate to some of the phrases that I'm about to share.
"I need to go to the bathroom!" "He's touching me!" "I'm hot!" "Can we turn around and see what that dead thing was in the road?" (That's a personal one from one my own kids). And, here we go...
"Are we there yet?"

Put all of those phrases on "repeat often" and you have fun-filled, family-packed adventure!

Yet, for us as adults, it is imperative for us to be asking that same question and to be asking it often..."Are we there yet?" or better yet,"Am I there yet?"

One variation of this phrase that you often would here/will here from the backseat of the car would also be, "How much further?" And, yes, that is also extremely important for us to be asking ourselves as we move toward our goals and dreams.

Hey, listen - if you were going on a trip with no set destination in mind, how would you answer the questions, "Are we there yet?" or "How much further?" ? I do understand that some people take out on a trip with no real destination in mind but to just "go" and "end up where you end up". My guess is that they don't usually do this with kids on board!

In the same way, if you don't have any set goals or dreams and a way to determine and know when you have reached or achieved them then, how will you know how much further you have to go or even if you have already arrived?

Just as a family on a trip will likely have places along the way to use as "gauge points" (we'll spend the night in this town on the first night and then we should arrive by 4:00 p.m. the next day) we should also have such "gauge points" along the way to our goals and dreams.

Again, a simple and easy example to use is that of weight loss. Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on losing fifty pounds and it's easy to get discouraged. However, if we use five pounds at a time as our "gauge points" then it makes it a little easier to deal with "how much further" we have to go before we reach our goal.

Why? Because we can actually "see" that we are making progress!

What are YOUR "gauge points" that you are using to mark your progress or to even make you aware of the fact that you AREN'T making progress?

One of mine, for example, is getting back to doing a DAILY podcast and, now, a DAILY blog article. This is important for me to do so that I can get back to a DAILY ROUTINE of "getting back on track" with formulating and sharing my thoughts and ideas.

What about you? ARE YOU THERE YET? Will you know?

Keep moving forward and keep marking and measuring your progress and, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Your Personal "Ground Hog Day"

2012-01-18T11:42:00.006-06:00

Today is "Turn-Around Wednesday!" (Be sure to check out today's podcast to see how this is true in YOUR life today!)

Do you remember the 1993 movie, "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in which the character played by Mr. Murray gets to start the SAME day over and over again until he "gets it right"?

Wouldn't it be awesome if we were able to do that exact same thing?

Hold on to your seats, friends because, to some extent WE CAN!

No, I'm not suggesting that we can go back and "re-live" a day all over again. However, what I AM saying is that we all have the opportunity to start each day FRESH and NEW with the chance to make corrections, improvements and advancements in our lives.

Hey, believe me, I understand that there are pressures, problems and people that WON'T GO AWAY with the dawning of a new day BUT I also believe what I have been saying for a very long time with this following quote, "As long as there is breath, there is hope."

When you even consider the "tag" that my friend, Gerry, placed on this day of the week - "Turn-Around Wednesday", it emphasizes the same thing...you CAN "turn things around" today!

What is it that they call this idea in the game of golf? A "mulligan", right? In other situations someone may call out the word, "redo!".

No, we cannot go back and re-live but with every new day we DO have the opportunity at a "second chance" in our lives. How many times have you heard others - or even yourself - utter the words, "I just wish I had a second chance."

You do. Each and every day and, by the way friend, TODAY is one of those days!

Live, love and laugh and, as you do so, be sure to...

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

Mike

Starting Over...Again

2012-01-17T14:03:00.007-06:00

Hey! It's "Turn-Around Tuesday!" Be sure to listen to today's podcast to find out the significance of this "tag" for today!

On your mark...get set....GO!

FALSE START! Line up and do it all over again.

Board game...roll the dice...move six spaces...space says, "GO BACK TO START!".

On a bit of a more serious note, perhaps you or someone you know had their life savings set back in a way that they thought was "secure" only to find out that it had all been wiped out or "swindled" away. Time to start all over after years of saving and putting back.

"I do...regardless of sickness, health, poverty and/or wealth...until death do us part!" Scenario one: the person standing across from you had other ideas of what the phrase "until death do us part" and they decided to bail on your marriage at the first hint or sign of struggle. Scenario two: Death IS what "parted" the relationship between the two of you and, regardless of how long the two of you had been married - like in scenario one - now you look at having to start life all over again without that person by your side.

You've planned out your path to achieve your goals and dreams and have even set a time-line only to find that time come and go without you reaching your intended result....START OVER.

You start over and "tweak" things a bit thinking you figured out where you went wrong and what you need to do to finally reach those goals and dreams only to find yourself "coming up short" once again...START OVER AGAIN!

And again. And again. And again. And again.

Question: How many times will YOU "start over" before giving up?

Question: Do you see yourself a failure because you had to start over? If not the first time, how many times do you start over before you begin to feel this way?

Question: How many times in your life have you EVER reached success the very first time you tried something that required quite a bit of effort, skill and knowledge? (I think I can answer that one for you - LIKELY, NEVER!).

So, here we are in the middle of the first month of 2012 and, perhaps, you ARE starting over for the _____th time.

So what?

The main thing is that you have NOT given up! When you get "knocked down" you can either GIVE UP or GET UP!

The choice is yours! Do you get that? The choice is YOURS and not someone else's.

Stop listening to the naysayers and the doomsday words of those that likely never attempt to "step out of the box" to better themselves. Stop listening to those that tell you that you should "give up" because, "After all, you've had to start over two or three times!".

SO WHAT?

If it's important to you and if it's of value to you - WHY GIVE UP BECAUSE YOU HAD TO START OVER?

Don't. Keep going. Keep moving. Never, ever give up.

And, as you do so, be sure to...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)

Mike

Permanent Marker Dreams?

2012-01-16T15:51:00.002-06:00

Hey! It's "Magical Monday"!!

Check out the podcast to hear my comments about what makes today "MAGICAL" - you'll be glad you did!

As we continue to talk about our goals and dreams I want to bring up the idea of HOW you write down these goals and dreams....do you write them down with "PERMANENT MARKER" or do you do as I do and use a "dry erase board"?

I mention in the podcast that one thing I like about that "name" is the middle word, "erase"!

Sure, you may also think about it as if you use ink or pencil to write these things down. The great thing about a pencil is the ERASER!

When I sit in my "war room" and look at my dry erase board where I write down my focus, plans, goals and dreams I have to acknowledge and realize that I have erased and started over many times.

Yet, I STILL am focused on the same thing....I've just had to take a different path from time to time and I'm still on the journey!

Sometimes there are roadblocks and set-backs but the key thing is to ask ourselves if we are determined enough or focused enough to "stay the course" and keep moving on toward that destination.

Don't get all worked up if you've had to adjust your time line for completion of your goals....the main thing to look at is this: AM I STILL MOVING TOWARD THOSE GOALS?

Check this out on a DAILY basis and ask yourself if you have made progress TODAY toward those goals and dreams. Even the old saying of "Two steps forward and one step back" will mean movement in the right direction.

Think about that fact. IT'S TRUE!

Don't be afraid to get the eraser out and don't be afraid to use that eraser on that dry erase board.

And, hey, if you've used permanent marker or ink -- don't be afraid to tear that up and start all over! We'll be talking about that tomorrow but, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

Week in Review for Monday, Jan. 9th - Friday, Jan. 13th

2012-01-12T17:44:00.012-06:00

Since I've started getting back on track with my daily, 5 minute podcasts I thought I would try something a little different and new with my blog entries for now. Let me know what you think and we'll just go with what works best.

Instead of trying to do a daily blog that goes along with the daily podcast I thought I'd do a "week in review" and do a "re-cap" of the past weeks podcast topics. For one, my job at the time makes it very hard for me to do this on a daily basis and, secondly, I hope this will also help you to decide to take the time to listen to the podcasts if you haven't done so already.

Remember, you can access the podcasts via iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739

So, here we go...

Monday, January 9th: "Year Passed: One Day at a Time" ... A lot of people look at the past year (2011 in this case) scratching their head in bewilderment wondering where the time went and how it passed by seemingly so quickly.

NEWS FLASH: it didn't pass by any quicker or any differently than any other time period that you have experienced. The whole past year passed by just like any other year - one month at a time, one week at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time and even one second at a time.
Now, let me say this: I have definitely experienced the thought that the older you get the faster time SEEMS to go by. The key word there is "seems" because, in all reality, time passes by for me at age 52 the same way it did at age 5.

The main focus of this podcast message is for us to realize that we MUST STOP looking BACK on time gone by in large groups of time and start looking DAILY at the time that we have before us - RIGHT NOW.

Today.

"Today is the tomorrow that you talked about yesterday." I have no idea who said that first but I heard it quite a few years back and I think it makes a very good point.

Here's the way I like to put it...
"The 24-hour period that we call tomorrow will be called what when it arrives? TODAY! So, in reality, there is no such thing as 'tomorrow' because all we have is TODAY!"

Give that some thought and be sure to listen (if you haven't done so) to this podcast as well as the others for the week passed.

Tuesday, January 10th: "This Year Passing: One Day at a Time" ... Just like 2011 we find that 2012 is passing by in exactly the same way - ONE DAY AT A TIME!

You know, it's very interesting to think of how many of you had some thought like "No Duh!" or "I'm not stupid, y'know?" in response to my last observation. However, it's even more interesting to me to think about how many of us KNOW that and yet we still continue to live as if we DIDN'T know that!

As you look at the date of this podcast you will see that the first month of 2012 is almost half-way passed and, yet, many are still planning to get started on their "New Year's Resolution" TOMORROW.

May I be blunt here? (Of course I can, it's my blog, right?) For those of you that are still saying, "TOMORROW" on getting started on some new thing....you won't.

*Ouch!*

Hey, sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't it? But, sometimes we need to HEAR and FACE the truth (why does the phrase, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" pop up in my head?) no matter how much it hurts.

Procrastination is the killer of dreams! Yes, just like me you have probably heard the following saying most all of your life: "Never put off until tomorrow that which you can do today" (or some variation of that saying). And yet, as much as we may want to "roll our eyes" at such sayings, THIS ONE IS TRUE! Why? Because all we have is TODAY!

Look at the definition of "procrastinate" - to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.... to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.
Now look at the word "procrastination" - the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.

Hey, YOU are the only one that can answer this question: How important are your goals and dreams? Your action or LACK of action shows more than what you say as far as your answer to this question.

One day at a time, time is passing you and all of us by.

Wednesday, January 11th: "What Happened Last Year?" ... You know, it is easy to look BACK over the 12-month period that was deemed 2011 and wonder, “WHAT HAPPENED?”

“What happened to all of the goals and dreams I had set for myself? What happened to all of the wonderful things I had planned to accomplish? It’s already mid-January 2012 – WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIME?”

Again, remember that each year passes by exactly the same way – ONE DAY AT A TIME! Also, remember that the fact that the first month of this block of time deemed 2012 is already half over SCREAMS that fact loud and clear trying to get your attention.

So, along with “WHAT HAPPENED?” we also now need to be asking ourselves, “WHAT NOW?” If we don’t take a look at the PAST then we can’t impact our FUTURE in a way that would go along with our goals and dreams, right?

Bottom line: if you are still saying you plan to start TOMORROW on your “New Year’s Resolution” then, let’s get honest and face this fact – YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DO IT!

*OUCH!*

Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn’t it and sometimes we don’t want to hear the harsh truth (“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” – sorry, that just popped into my head) but we MUST be willing to be honest with our PAST if we plan to be honest about our FUTURE!

Thursday, January 12th: "Getting Back on Track" ... Here’s a thought mentioned in the last podcast that I want us to consider at the start of today’s review: “Where will YOU be when you get where YOU’RE going?” Again, we can’t get back ON track until we can discover where we got OFF track in the past, right?

Remember this: PROCRASTINATION IS THE KILLER OF DREAMS!

Are you determined to get back on track? Is it important for you to do so? Do you still have the belief that you can do what it is that you have set out to do? Have you lost your passion for your goals and dreams? If so, why? Take some time and HONESTLY answer these questions before you move on.

**Be sure to listen to my “7 Life-Changing, Powerful, Daily Affirmations” that I put together back in August of 2008… THIS CAN BE A REAL HELP TO “KICK-START” YOUR DAY!

Now, this may sound a little odd at first, but think about this: “SUCCESSFULLY MOVING TOWARD YOUR GOALS and DREAMS IS LIKE BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP!” (By the way, this is a “Blog Bonus” that is not discussed in the podcast!)

Think of any relationship that is important to you that involves any type of romance and compare the following to your “relationship” with your goals and dreams…

- Do you remember how excited you were at the beginning of that “romance”? Do you remember how you felt when you were around that person, heard that person’s voice or even just THOUGHT of that person?

- How hard did you try to keep that romance alive? How hard did you work to make SURE that they KNEW your commitment to them was real and that you would do whatever it took to “keep it alive”?

- Now, if that relationship has weakened and perhaps even died – WHAT HAPPENED?

- Did you start losing your focus and start paying more attention to something or someone else?

- Did your efforts to make sure they knew of your commitment to them start being shown less and less often?

Now, connect all of that to your goals and dreams and think about how you felt when you FIRST came up with these ideas. Perhaps you came up with them and made this commitment as a “New Year’s Resolution” sometime in the past. Do you remember how eager you were to tell anyone that would listen? Do you remember how committed you were to making those goals and dreams a reality? You would do ANYTHING and work however hard was necessary to make these become a REALITY in your life and to keep this dream alive!

What happened? Did you start losing your focus and start paying more attention to something else? Did your “passion” and commitment become weak because of the continued passage of time or a lack of belief in yourself?

WAKE UP AND DECIDE NOW IF YOU STILL WANT THIS IN YOUR LIFE! If so, “fall in love” once again with these hopes, dreams and ideas and realize that you CAN if you really want to do so.

Friday, January 13th: "Keeping Our Focus Toward Success!" ... Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The same is true as you move toward your goals and dreams – rarely are these things achieved “over night” and, that being true, it takes determination and perseverance in order to “STAY FOCUSED” to see them through.

You may question your ability to stay focused enough to see these through and it may be so especially if you have seen several years pass by along this journey. DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR DESTINATION and DO NOT become deterred in this journey.

If the goal is BIG ENOUGH and WORTH ACHIEVING then you can keep moving forward REGARDLESS of what may happen to slow you down along the way.

Only YOU can decide how important this is to you – if it’s not important, you WILL NOT continue and if it IS important to you, you WILL continue on NO MATTER WHAT!

One day at a time, one step at a time.

Hey, remember this – my daily affirmations that I shared with you were penned back in August of 2008. That’s almost 3.5 years ago! And,yes, I have to admit, there have been times that I have lost my focus along the way.

This is one of the reasons I am getting “re-focused” on my daily podcast and my blog – I CAN! I WILL! I MUST! (the last of my “7 Life-Changing, Powerful, Daily Affirmations”).

There are all kinds of reasons that I could still come up with to tell myself that I need to just give up on my goals and dreams in this area. There is no need for me to list them here and share them with you – I KNOW THEM WELL ENOUGH AS IT IS!

But, I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED and I WILL SUCCEED in this journey!

What about you? If it’s important enough, you will.

**Just a little side note on this blog. After doing one series of “Week in Review” I have decided to push myself and do all I can to do a separate blog entry for each daily podcast. Honestly, I think reading a blog article this long is a bit much and, for me, it’s easier for me to stay focused on the “message at hand” when I do the blog daily along with the podcast. So, look for a DAILY BLOG ENTRY to go along with the DAILY PODCAST starting on Monday, January 16th.

Stay focused – stay on track. And, as you do so be sure to …

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

Mike

On Your Mark, Get Set...GO!

2012-01-08T19:26:00.005-06:00

On Your Mark...Get Set...GO!

It's time. I've been talking and planning on trying to get back to a more consistent schedule with my podcasts and it's finally time to stop talking and start talking.

Yeah. It's time to stop talking ABOUT it and start talking AS PART of it! Know what I mean?

So, beginning Monday, January 9, 2012, I am starting - once again - to get back to my DAILY, 5 minute podcast (daily being Monday - Friday).

What does tht mean as far as my blog?

What I plan to do is a "week in review" blog post where I give a summary of the podcasts topics for the past week instead of a blog entry every day about that particular day's topic.

My current job simply makes it hard to do both and I am recording podcasts 10-15 days in advance in order to do this -- BUT I AM DETERMINED TO GET BACK ON TRACK with my efforts!

Please let me hear from you as you listen to the podcast and/or read the blog.

Thanks!

And remember...

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

Mike

Another Year Passed...One Day At A Time

2011-12-31T12:28:00.004-06:00

"Another Day Passed..."

Here we are again... the end of another year and the time that so many start looking back and examining the year gone by.

The other day I posted the following on my F.Y.U. fan page on Facebook - ‎"Think about this: Waiting until January 1st to make resolutions for the new year is like waiting until you run out of gas to begin looking for a gas station." - Mike Spillman

That kind of hits me right in the gut like many of you. Why? Because I have done the same thing many times before.

Isn't it time for a change in the way that many of us approach this?

Too many people look back over the past year with remorse and regret due to feeling like they have not accomplished all that they had originally planned. You know, back at the start of this very year that is coming to a close. Those "New Year's Resolutions".

The main title points out something that we might want to really focus on - this year has passed ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Hey, listen, I understand - I really do. I've made so many major plans and have set goals that I have STILL yet to reach and I have beat myself up about those many times before.

But, here's the deal: that hasn't helped me in any way that I can see so WHY keep doing the same thing?

INSTEAD of waiting until the end of the year to look back and determine whether it was "successful" based on whatever measuring stick we have decided to use - WHY NOT look back at the end of EACH and EVERY day to gauge our progress?

Hey, here's another simple comparison that we can make that many of us ALSO can relate to: KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR WEIGHT.

The time to see how you've done on your weight goals is NOT at the end of a 12 month period BUT in shorter increments - sometimes DAILY or even WEEKLY. At the very most - MONTHLY.

Hey, YOU know what happens if we don't, right? That weight will sneak up on us and - what - surprise us? Now, you know that you have to admit that this scenario is a bit funny. Seriously, WHY should we be surprised?

Do you realize that only two pounds a month will add 24 pounds to our weight? Hey, let's get really depressing while we're at it and lay that out over a 5-year period that will add on an extra 120 pounds!

WHAT?

So, you see, the time to check our progress on ANY goal/endeavor is NOT at the end of a year but each and every day, weekly or - at most - monthly BEFORE things get away from us.

Think about that as we come to the end of another calendar year.

Don't fret over the past year but decide now to approach this differently than we have before and let's see what happens.

Here's to your health, happiness and success in the coming year!

And, in the mean time...

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

Mike

CHANGE: No Fault of Our Own

2011-12-04T13:20:00.007-06:00

"CHANGE: No Fault of Our Own"

Hey listen, sometimes (like we discussed in the last article) we screw up and bring changes into our lives BECAUSE of something we have done, right?

And then, there are those changes that come into our lives at absolutely NO FAULT of our own. And, sometimes, these are the hardest changes to handle for many.

Before we get too far into this, let's look one more time at the four different categories that I've put together as to the different kinds of changes that we face in our lives:

TYPES OF CHANGES: (1)Those we voluntarily bring on ourselves... (2) those that we have no choice in but are not "against" us (change of seasons, life changes due to age, etc.)... (3) those that come at us DUE TO our actions and (4) those that come to us 100% involuntarily and at no fault of our own.

If you haven't done so, take a look at the changes that have taken place in your life over the past month and even the past year and see what category these changes would fit into...even get out a piece of paper and jot this stuff down. You may be surprised at what you find IF you are completely open and honest with yourself.

Now back to the topic for today: those changes that come into our lives at NO FAULT of our own.

Has your life ever changed due to the death of a loved one or a close friend? Obviously it was no fault of your own but the change impacted your life anyway, right?

Has your home ever been damaged or loss due to a flood or some sort of storm or fire? Again, this was no fault of your own bu the change came anyway.

Have you ever lost a job due to circumstances out of your control such as the company "downsizing" (what a "nice" word, huh?)?

Has change come into your life due to some health issue that has developed due to circumstances out of your control? I'm not talking about situations like this that developed due to you smoking or other unhealthy habits. I'm talking about something that you had NO control over at all. Perhaps it was due to a car accident that was caused by someone else. Maybe it was even just some freak health issue that was undetected all of your life up until this point.

Guess what... in all of these situations change comes REGARDLESS of who was or was not at fault.

Friend, I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news but if you've not experienced such change in your life then know that you WILL if you live long enough.

This type of change is a part of living and it's not easy to handle for anyone.

May I offer a word of kindness to anyone that is still dealing with the changes that have come into your life due to some such incident? Hang in there! I KNOW from my own experiences that this type of situation can leave you with far more questions than answers and I want to encourage you to find some people that will support you an allow you to struggle while encouraging you at the same time.

One of the worse things a person can do with this type of change is to attempt to handle it all by themselves.

You see, we like to be able to pinpoint who is at fault when something goes wrong...that's just our human nature.

We may even shake our fist at God because we don't know who else to blame but, in the long run, that doesn't help us deal with this change either.

As I've said on the podcast and as the picture at the top of this article states, "The only constant in life is CHANGE!"

If you've experienced such change in your life could you be of assistance to someone else that is just now beginning such a journey? Could you be of help in listening because YOU understand in ways that those who have yet to go through such a change can't?

My wife and I have been through some rough times in our life in many ways (no, I'm not trying to get you to feel sorry for us) but these rough times have helped us to be able to understand and reach out to others in ways that we never could have without going through these changes in the first place.

Does that mean I'm glad the change happened in our life? NO! But, it does mean that I can use the experience to hopefully help someone else that is left bewildered by changes that come at absolutely no fault of their own.

Take a look around you. Who may need YOUR sympathy and understanding that only YOU can give because of change that has come into YOUR life at no fault of your own?

I can promise you that there are people around you each and every day that could use your insight into these difficult times.

Remember, we're in this thing called life TOGETHER!

I do hope that, in some small way, what I do through Future You University is of some help and comfort to all of you as we work our way through this thing called "life".

Think about it. Hang on. Help others.

And, even in the midst of these changes always remember to...

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

Mike

CHANGES: I Screwed Up!

2011-12-03T12:19:00.012-06:00

CHANGES: I SCREWED UP!!

Now, hopefully you're really familiar with F.Y.U (Future You University) but I hope you're not TOO familiar with I.S.U. (I Screwed Up!).

But, let's face it, since we are all human we ALL spend time trying to deal with the consequences that come when we screw up, right?

Before I get too far into the discussion for today, let's take a look at the four types of changes that we face in our lives:

TYPES OF CHANGES: (1)Those we voluntarily bring on ourselves... (2) those that we have no choice in but are not "against" us (change of seasons, life changes due to age, etc.)... (3)those that come at us DUE TO our actions and (4) those that come to us 100% involuntarily and at no fault of our own.

If you haven't gone back and read the articles on the first two (and/or listened to the podcasts that go with them) then you might want to do that first to catch up with the discussion so far.

So, for today, we are going to talk about the 3rd category listed above: Those changes that come our way due to our own actions. In other words, changes that come when we SCREW UP!

Here's the deal even with this: too many people still try to blame other people or other circumstances for their own screw ups and won't take the action necessary to accept the blame, do what can be done to correct the mess and then move on!

Does that describe you? (*OUCH!*)

Hey, let's face it...it's hard to ADMIT it when we suffer or those connected to us (spouse, children, friends, etc.) suffer due to our own screw ups! Seriously, who wants to admit to that?

But, it's necessary for us to wake up and realize that we have made a big mistake so that we can hopefully learn from it and avoid that same mistake in the future.

Have you noticed that those that fail to do this seem to keep making the same dumb mistakes over and over again?

Again, does that describe you?

If it does, DO soemthing about it and LEARN as you move forward.

Hey, let's face this fact too...sometimes we just make a wrong decision and we suffer CHANGES that aren't good for us or those that are around us. It's not necessarily a pattern in our lives but, nonetheless, it causes some problems, right?

Maybe you pulled your family up from where you lived and moved them across the country for a new job that you thought would be best for all of you and it turns out that it was, actually, a very poor decision.

This ties in closely with our last topic about those changes that come due to our voluntarily actions but, yet, it's a little different because, at times (unlike that last example) these changes come due to our stupidity.

A bit blunt, huh?

Sometimes an inablility to control our temper and/or our tongue results in changes due to that inability. Maybe you told your boss off and got fired. Now what?

Do that type of thing too many times and you will find it harder and harder to get hired by anyone!

I was talking to someone not too long ago that was complaining about their current situation so I asked them what their "ideal situation" would be. They described it to me and then said, "But I know that will never happen." When I asked them why they would say that here was their response: "Because of all of the stupid stuff that I keep on doing!"

Thing is, during the time period that I was having this discussion with this person they were still doing some of the same stupid stuff that was keeping them from their "ideal situation".

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

So, let's get on to thinking about some sort of solution to this mess. How does that sound?

FIRST, if you fit the type of scenario like the last guy I talked about then you MUST decide what is more important in your life....keeping on doing what you are doing and getting the same results OR starting to CHANGE your life so that you can IMPROVE your life. As you've heard many times before the very definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things over and over again and to expect different results.

Part of this solution is to begin to discipline yourself... your temper, your tongue, your attitude, etc. Only you can do it but this type of infomation and other positive information can help you in this endeavor.

SECONDLY, if you are suffering through change due to a misinformed decision then, most importanlty, admit that mistake - no matter how hard it is to do so - and start moving toward correcting and/or limiting the damage that comes to the change connected to that decision.

Part of that may be apologizing to those that are being impacted due to that decision. Simply and honestly tell them that you blew it and that you are sorry and that if there was any way for you to go back and erase it all, you would.

Thing is, you can't. You can simply try to improve your current situation.

Can I also help you face some reality? It may be something that can be corrected fairly easily and quickly but prepare yourself for those situations that will NOT be corrected easily OR quickly. The main thing in a situation like that is to keep yourself focused on a SOLUTION and to NOT focus on the mistake and what happened in the past.

YES, pay attention to the mistake so that you can learn from it and not repeat it in the future but DO NOT LINGER ON IT!

I'd be happy to discuss this with your further if you'd like to contact me via the website and share with me your situation.

Remember this: WE ALL SCREW UP sooner or later. The key is what we do AFTER that realization.

Hopefully, as we mature and learn the changes in our life that are due to our own decisions will be more positive than negative and we'll learn to handle those that we can't control with a more positive attitude and mindset.

Until next time, be sure to ....

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

Mike

CHANGE: Some You CAN'T Change!

2011-12-02T11:26:00.008-06:00

"CHANGE: Some You CAN'T Change!"

In my last two blog articles and podcasts I've shared some thoughts concerning CHANGES. Wow, even though the word, "change" has six letters it sure can come across as a FOUR-LETTER WORD, can't it?

Before I go any further, let me list once again four different categories of the types of changes that we encounter in our lives:

TYPES OF CHANGES: (1)Those we voluntarily bring on ourselves... (2) those that we have no choice in but are not "against" us (change of seasons, life changes due to age, etc.)... (3)those that come at us DUE TO our actions and (4) those that come to us 100% involuntarily and at no fault of our own.

In my last discussion we covered the first one listed - changes that we voluntarily bring on ourselves. If you haven't done so, you might want to go back and read that blog article as well as listen to the podcast that goes with it. You can access that podcast via my website: http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ .... just click on video podcast and then click on the iTunes icon or the RSS feed icon.

Today I'd like to talk about that second category - changes that come regardless of what we do or don't want but that are not "against" us...or at least not purposely so.

Hey, let's face it, there are some changes that come in our life that is just a part of LIVING life, right?

You can move around the country all you want to avoid the changing seasons but, whether we like it or not or whether we want it or not, the seasons DO change! I do enjoy the change from one to the other but I don't like the extreme heat and I don't enjoy the winter months for very long. Thankfully, since I live in Arkansas the winter months are not too severe and do not last long compared to other parts of the country. But, for me, once it snows one time I'm ready for Spring to arrive!

But you know what? I can complain and whine all I want and it's not going to CHANGE a thing concerning these changes. I can gripe and complain about the change in the fall and spring with the time (spring forward, fall back...or is it, uh....) but it won't do me any good if I choose to stay living in this part of the country.

But, you know what? For some, these changes DO have an adverse affect on them and there IS something that those people CAN do to change this impact upon them. MOVE!

Seriously, these things CAN be changed to your favor to some extent if you really need them to. For example, we have some older friends that now live in Arizona due to the wife having terrible arthritis. When they lived here in Arkansas her arthritis was TERRIBLE due to the humidity here but, when they would go out to Arizona for the winter her arthritis would improve greatly. So, although she couldn't get rid of her arthritis (another change that we cannot do much about or get rid of) she COULD improve her situation by living in Arizona. And that is exactly what they did - they moved to Arizona.

The same is true concerning the changing of the time. It has been proven that many suffer from greater bouts of depression during the winter months due to the extended darkness and the effects of "cabin fever" from having to stay indoors too much. These people can also improve their situation by moving to a different area of the country or world that either does not follow the time change patterns or that is in a warmer climate with extended day light hours.

So, you see, even with those changes that come our way without our choosing them, we can STILL do SOMETHING to help out IF we need to do so.

Or we can continue to whine and complain.

Shall we talk about the changes that come with getting older? Aches and pains WILL come along with fading eyesight and other problems.

It's a fact of life but there are SOME things we can do to improve our health instead of just giving up. Will we STOP these things from happening in our life? NO. But we can delay them or reduce the impact of them in and on our lives.

So, as you would think I would say about this, even if we don't have a choice in this area of CHANGE we DO have a choice concerning the IMPACT of this change.

Just give it some thought when you find yourself getting discouraged and/or complaining about such things and ask yourself if there is ANYTHING you can do to improve the situation.

I bet there is and I bet you can come up with some things if you really want to do so.

Should we even BEGIN to talk about gas prices?

That will have to wait until some other time, friend but, until then, whatever you do, wherever you are, be sure to...

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

Mike

Changes: They Just Keep on Coming!

2011-12-01T10:39:00.004-06:00

CHANGES: They Just Keep on Coming!

It's been a while since I posted my last blog article but my guess is that you have experienced several changes since that last posting, right?

As I said recently, the only constant thing about change is that it is constant! Things constantly change!

Hey, I have to brag for a moment... since my last article my wife and I (as well as our oldest son and his wife) have gone through a HUGE and WONDERFUL change! We welcomed our first little grandbaby girl into the world just a few short days ago. We told our son and his wife that their life is now changed forever - but it is a POSITIVE change that will be well worth anything and everything that comes about because of this change.

Now, you think for a few moments and try to think of how many changes have taken place in YOUR own life since my last article was posted back on November 11, 2011.

Well?

I can just about assure you that there has been more changes than you realized IF you really take the time to think about it.

Try to categorize those changes into the categories that I mentioned in my last article. In case you don't remember or don't want to go back and search, here they are:

TYPES OF CHANGES: (1)Those we voluntarily bring on ourselves... (2) those that we have no choice in but are not "against" us (change of seasons, life changes due to age, etc.)... (3)those that come at us DUE TO our actions and (4) those that come to us 100% involuntarily and at no fault of our own.

For today, let's discuss those in category 1: Those that we voluntarily bring on ourselves. A prime example would be the decision that my son and his wife made to have their first child. Voluntary for sure but a decision that will bring MAJOR CHANGE into their lives and, to be honest, not all of them will be changes that will always bring joy into their lives.

I talk to a lot of people that gripe and complain about situations in their life that, after talking to them for a bit and more information is revealed, are due to CHOICES that were made VOLUNTARILY by them! No one else FORCED them to make those decisions or choices.

I talked to a guy earlier today that wasn't complaining or griping but was telling me he was having to sell just about everything he had because he was out of work. Why was he out of work? Because he couldn't "take the crap" (his words) anymore so he quit.

It was his choice and I hope that he is happy with the choice that he made and I hope that he will be able to provide for he and his wife due to this voluntary change.

What changes have taken place in YOUR life due to YOU willingly, and voluntarily making a CHOICE that brought about this change?

Hey, bottom line: they don't always turn out the way we think, right?

Been there, done that!

So, key lesson with this: THINK AND THINK HARD BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE!

Sometimes - many times - it is the RIGHT choice that needs to be made and, at other times, it's not necessary and is due to our impatience.

Think about it, examine the changes in your life that fit this category and see if there is some way for you to make the most out of the changes that you brought into your life voluntarily.

Sometimes it takes us being HONEST with ourselves and ADMITTING that we actually are the ones responsible for those changes EVEN IF THEY DON'T TURN OUT THE WAY WE WANTED OR EXPECTED!

Fair enough?

I hope to get a few more of these articles out sooner than I have been able to do so recently so be watching and listening to the podcasts that I will be recording with them. As always you can access all of this information at my website www.FutureYouUniversity.com

Take care, friend and, as always, be sure to...

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

Mike

CHANGE (No Dimes or Nickels)

2011-11-11T12:29:00.007-06:00

"CHANGE: No dimes or nickels"

One thing about life is certain...there will ALWAYS be CHANGE! (And, by the way, that will NEVER CHANGE!)

Here's the thing to think about: How will you let CHANGE impact YOUR life?

Will you allow the change that comes your way to control your life OR will YOU control the impact of the change?

This is something to keep in mind whether the change is good or bad! Some change is good and some not so good but we STILL must not allow that change to take over our lives.

Sometimes when change happens it takes over completely and changes a persons outlook on life and even their attitude towards life. Again, this can be with either "good" or 'bad" changes that come our way.

For example, if something horrible happens in a person's life they can allow that change to completely consume their life in a way that the cease to continue to LIVE life. Belive me, this is one of those "easier said than done" scenarios for sure! But, you've seen it, have you not?

I'm not overlooking or taking lightly tragedy that strikes in the lives of people. I cannot imagine the horror and grief that many go through in tragic times and I know that such events will have an impact on a persons life for most of- if not all of - the rest of their life.

However, I have seen those that go through a time of shock and grief and, even though that tragedy has left it's mark on their life forever, they have learned not to allow that tragedy to OWN their life.

Make sense?

Even when something "good" happens in our life that brings change we must still learn to not let that change "own" our life. Change our life? Sure. Impact our life? Of course. But we still must not allow that change - even if "good" - to OWN our life.

An example on this side may be someone that wins the lottery or comes into a lot of money for any reason. I'm sure you've seen the television shows or read the articles that tell of so many that end up worse off than they were BEFORE this "good change" came their way. They never learned to take control of that change before it took control of them.

Change. It will continue to be a part of our lives as long as we are alive.

What will YOU do with that change. Better yet, what ARE you doing?

For our next podcast/blog topic I want to continue this thought process and will begin to discuss the following ideas about change:

TYPES OF CHANGES: Those we voluntarily bring on ourselves...those that we have no choice in but are not "against" us (change of seasons, life changes due to age, etc.)...those that come at us DUE TO our actions and those that come to us 100% involuntarily and at no fault of our own.

So, as you can see we will have a lot to talk about in the next few weeks!

By the way, let me just mention that I am not able to be as "consistent" with my podcasts and blogs as I had been at one time due to a new job that my wife and I are involved with BUT I WILL continue to get these out as often as possible and I still cherish and welcome any and all feedback from you!

So, until that next time, I'd like to leave you with these two quotes I came across the other day and encourage you to think about the truth found within them both.

“The only change to be afraid of is the change that we are not prepared for.”

"If you want the future to be different, change what you are doing today! "

And, as always, be sure to...

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

Mike

The Path Taken Today

2011-10-10T19:16:00.005-05:00

The Path Taken Today

The path taken today determines...

How would YOU complete that statement?

Would you, like many, end it by stating that the path taken today will determine your future?

If you were to state such, would you be talking about your "long-term" future or just your "immediate" future?

This is going to be short and to the point so stay focused and pay attention to what I'm actually saying here, o.k.?

I'll give a nod to the fact that the path taken today may determine your immediate future but there is no way in the world that I'd even give a hint of a nod to the idea that it determines your long-term future.

How discouraging and depressing it would be (and IS for many that fall into this "often promoted yet WRONG" thought process) to think that once you've made a mistake your future is doomed because of that mistake.

Should we be careful in our choices? Sure.

But, here's the deal according to the way I see it and according to the way I've been forced to live it at times... Your FUTURE is less determined by a path that you take than it is by how QUICKLY you are able to determine if you are on a WRONG path!

Think about that for a moment.

Simple analogy - if you take a wrong turn on a trip are you DESTINED to stay on that route and continue down a wrong direction? Uh, NO.

So, for one, you can turn around and correct this wrong decision by going back to where you made a wrong turn and correcting that mistake by then taking the RIGHT path. Right?

Here's another analogy that you may relate to... have you ever taken a wrong turn and had your GPS constantly remind you to turn around? But have you also had your GPS refigure directions based on the direction you are going (even if it IS wrong based on the original mapping) and allow you to get "back on the right path"? I have on several occasions.

So, secondly, once you realize you are on the wrong path you still have the ability to make a few adjustments and get back on track to reach your original destination even if it IS not the same path you meant or intended to take in the beginning. (By the way, this could also be called a "detour").

In closing, if you've made some wrong and even bad decisions or have gone down the wrong path then WAKE UP and do something about it. There is NO reason to keep heading down the wrong path ESPECIALLY once you realize you're going the wrong way.

THAT, my friends, would be idiotic.

Wouldn't it?

Stay on track, friend and, as you go along this journey always be sure to...

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

Mike

What Is It To Be 'Content'?

2011-09-26T15:13:00.006-05:00

"What is it to be 'Content'?"

I briefly discussed the "spiritual struggle" that some may have with the idea of desiring something better in and for their lives. Many times they will go to the verse in the Bible where the apostle, Paul states that he is CONTENT in whatever state (situation/condition) he finds himself in at the time (Philippians 4:11).

I'm not going to get into a deep, religious discussion on this but I DO want you to understand that the concept of desiring something better is NOT contradictory to this finding in the Bible!

What you find if you examine the context (the thoughts that surround this one verse and statement) is that Paul had realized that, regardless of the situation - whether good or bad - it's o.k.! When things are going particularly well, don't get carried away and think it will always be that way and, even when things are anything BUT good, the same is also true...don't get carried away and think it will always be this way.

IT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY!

Again, there is a real spiritual message being shared here that I won't go into in this blog. However, if any of you would like more thoughts on this, just drop me an e-mail at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com

But, here's the deal, friend, for ALL of us to understand. It is in our very nature to desire something better for ourselves and for our loved ones.

And - HERE'S THE KICKER - if you find yourself in a "down cycle" and things just aren't going well for you - DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY and think that you are destined to a life of misery.

BE CONTENT. Huh?

Understand that this is not the end of the world. Understand that you CAN better your life if you so desire. Understand that you don't have to "give up" and accept your current situation as something that sucks the very life OUT of your life!

But, hey, while you are here, take a look around. THIS is a big part of contentment!

Are there loved ones around you? Are there people that love you? Are there friends that care about you? Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have clothes on your back? Do you have food to eat? Do you have smiles shared with you? Are you able to read this? Are you able to listen to the sounds around you?

I could go on and on, couldn't I? But I hope you get the point.

It's EASY for us to loose our focus on what we DO have and put all of that focus on what we DON'T have!

Being content is the act of realizing that, even though things may not be the way I want them to be at the moment, I have much to be thankful for and I NEED to GIVE THANKS for those positive things in my life.

Remember my main "saying"?

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

How true that is for all of us and how often we all need to be reminded.

I know I do!

You see, things are not how I want them to be in my life right now. They haven't been for quite some time and, if you've followed me on this "journey" then you already know what I'm referring to when I say this.

But, I HAVE NOT given up and I WILL NOT give up!

But, (and it IS hard for me to do this, o.k.) I DO need to be "content" and notice the powerful and positive things around me each and every day.

Do I plan to stay in this current situation? NO!

But I can't miss the joy and the blessing that is here, even now, in this current "down cycle".

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Being content does NOT mean that you have to settle for less or for where you are. But it DOES mean that you are thankful for who/what you have WHILE you are here.

So, yeah, I can say and YOU can say, "Whatever the situation, I've learned to be content."

And, as you soak in that thought always be sure to...

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

Mike

Reaching Out for Something Better

2011-09-13T14:40:00.005-05:00

"Reaching Out for Something Better"

In the last entry I discussed how I - along with likely everyone that is reading this blog - seem to have this "something" in me/us that causes me/us to feel that there is something 'better" out there for us and that WE MUST GO AFTER IT if - IF - we really DO desire to do so.

No one else can do it for us, remember?

Is this a BAD thing? The reason I ask is because I am sure that some of you might even feel guilty for wanting something "better". Why is that a bad thing?

Some will even try to make it a spiritual matter and talk about the Bible teaching that we shouldn't want something "better" than what we have and that we should be content. Well, I DO know what the Bible says about that and, my friend, you are taking things out of context if you feel that we should not strive to better ourselves. "Nuff said about that for now.

Listen to me for a moment on this - by bettering ourselves and our situations we can position ourselves to help even MORE people than we are able to do right now. Make sense? Think about it.

Think about this as well - do you not want things to be better for your kids? Do you not EXPECT them to better themselves in many areas?

OF COURSE YOU DO! And "we" do as a society as well!

If you come across an individual that is 35 years old and is still wearing diapers and sucking on a baby bottle (for NO reasons that has to do with any kind of mental impairment or physical impairment) - WOULD YOU NOT BE APPALLED AT THIS?

Yes, you would! But, could this not happen if - first of all - this person's parents never expected them to move beyond that stage in their development when it was time? And, would you not also agree that the individual themself would desire to move on from that activity once they realize that those around them have done so?

I mean, seriously, do you not think that when this individual started kindergarten they MIGHT notice that no one else is going to class wearing diapers and sucking on a baby bottle? Even if they were a bit stubborn, do you think they MIGHT begin to want to "fit in" a little better by the time they reached 5th grade or so?

OF COURSE THEY WOULD!

Now, I know that was a simplistic example but, again (I've said this many times before) the profound can be FOUND in the simple!

Too many of us have given up. Would you agree?

My guess is that even YOU have "given up" from time to time on this whole process of "bettering yourself".

Another way to word that is "personal development". Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, NOW I get it!

Believe me, there are many other ways to "better yourself" beyond just the personal development and there is still that "something" in me/us that propels us forward to try to identify that "something" and go after it.

But, bottom line - if we don't even have the desire to better ourselves by improving our mindset then, by my way of thinking, we are destined to stay right where we are.

Diapers, baby bottles and all.

Give some thought to that and see if you don't agree. Friend, you wouldn't be reading this at all if you didn't have the desire to find something positive to help with your mindset.

And I thank you for taking the time to read THIS particular article.

And, yes, I will be continuing my discussion on this in the days and weeks to come.

As always, I also welcome your comments and thoughts but I DO prefer that you post them on my Facebook fan page:

www.facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

The Search for Something BETTER

2011-09-08T14:40:00.005-05:00

Something Better?

"The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind.
Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat." - Napoleon Hill

My guess is that YOU have asked this question to yourself many times in the past, haven't you? And, my guess would also be that if you HAVE asked yourself this question in the past that you are STILL asking yourself this question even now - TODAY.

Am I right?

There just seems to be "something" in us that always wants to strive for something better. There just seems to be "something" in us that BELIEVES that there IS something out there better than what we have or what we are doing right now.

Now, first of all, there are two extremes with this and any other proposed thought such as this. On one end of the spectrum we have those who have either LOST that desire or, for whatever reason, it was never instilled in them in the first place. Many times if the latter is true it is due to parents that never encouraged this person as a child to strive for something better and to not EVER settle for less than your best.

We see this type of situation around us every day and it is frustrating to see people that have NO DESIRE to better themselves even though - many times - they are living sub-par lives and often doing so off of the government.

The other extreme to this scenario would be those that are NEVER satisfied and are ALWAYS wanting more. That is as much of a danger as the one that has NO desire at all. We see this around us every day as well - regardless of what they have or what their situation, it is never good enough and they think that there is something better out there. Oftentimes, their relationships also exhibit this behavior and they are constantly moving on to other (better?) spouses or partners or whatever - RELATIONSHIPS - thinking there's something better out there.

But where do YOU fit in to all of this?

Hopefully somewhere in-between.

If you are like me, you KNOW deep down what you are capable of doing and being and you KNOW that there is something MORE that you could/should be doing with your life. How many of you out there can relate?

Over the next few weeks I'm going to try to write a new article on this with continuing thoughts. I'm not sure how often or consistent it will be but I will try to do so at least once a week.

I'll explain more in the next submission WHY I am going through this though process in a MAJOR way right now but, until then, I welcome any and all comments.

I PREFER that you leave those comments on the Future You University fan page on Facebook by going here:

https://www.facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

I'd love to hear YOUR ideas and of YOUR strivings for something better and WHY you have that burning desire in your life. Will you do that for me? I'd appreciate it as would any and all others that read what you write.

Hey, I DO know this -- there IS something better out there and it's up to ME to go get it.

Until next time...

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

Mike

When Your Journey is Interrupted

2011-06-29T09:35:00.005-05:00

DELAYS MAY TAKE LONGER THAN EXPECTED

I really don't like detours when I'm trying to get somewhere - do you?

For one, I think it is the uncertainty that I will actually be able to maneuver through the detour route and still get where it is that I want to go.

And, secondly, it is simply an interruption to my planned path on my journey and I just don't like it to change unexpectedly like that!

It's especially hard when this detour is not on a trip traveled in an automobile or some other mode of transportation, but it's a detour in your planned journey (path) for your life!

I've talked about this before in past blogs and podcasts. As a matter of fact, I've done several little "mini-series" on this topic off and on over the history of this blog - just go back through and see what you can find.

But, you know what? It's TOUGH to live it, isn't it? Yeah, you know, the old, "Easier said than done" scenario.

Many of you know that I lost my job back mid-August of 2010. Purely unexpected but, at the same time, not unwelcomed. I was already trying to "plan a route" to where I could do so financially while I pursued my dream of my seminars with my "Future You University" concept.

Well, here I am now at the end of July 2011 and not a whole lot has changed. Oh, I have made attempts to get my seminar started but, quite honestly, it was ill-timed and I was not financially prepared to do it in the way I had planned. Too, other opportunities that I have looked at to try to see us through in the mean time just hasn't worked out. I am starting a new "job" but it will likely be another month before I see any income from it which is not good news right now.

Because of all of this, I stopped doing my podcast after losing my job last August because I didn't know where I was going to be and when and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with my daily schedule like before. I began it again earlier this year more for me than anything but discontinued it again because, quite honestly, I was having a hard time keeping MY OWN mental attitude where it needed to be.

Surprised?

Don't be! I don't think you'll ever find any situation (podcast or blog) where I said keeping a positive attitude even through tough times would be easy. Never. It's NOT!

But, I still have a choice. Give in, give up or GET UP and KEEP MOVING forward even though my path/journey has been redirected due to a detour.

Still easier said than done for sure.

So, I'm struggling big time! Financially, I'm lower than a pregnant ant's belly! And, on some days, the same can be said of my mental attitude. Yeah, that's right - I'm human.

Believe me, there have been days where I felt like giving up and, honestly, there are days that I DID give up temporarily.

That's the key. Make any such situations a TEMPORARY one.

Yes, I WILL still have my seminars but it will be later than I had planned since I had planned to be well involved in them at this point. But, I will continue on that path REGARDLESS of any detours that continue to come my way.

So, I encourage you to do the same. REGARDLESS.

I can - you can - WE can!

And, as you go along this detoured path...

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

Mike

When Will YOUR Last Day Come?

2011-05-24T12:46:00.006-05:00

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!

2011-05-05T12:42:00.003-05:00

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

2011-05-04T11:40:00.005-05:00

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

2011-05-03T17:25:00.006-05:00

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

2011-05-02T16:51:00.008-05:00

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

2011-05-01T18:05:00.007-05:00

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

Taking Care of Business NOW!

2011-04-27T13:08:00.006-05:00

NOW!

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

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Can You Dig It?

2011-04-26T13:49:00.006-05:00

Say what?

Now, hang with me on this, o.k.? Don't run off if you don't love your job! Give me a chance.

My guess is that MOST of you (if not all of you) are actually NOT doing what you love most - your dream job or the thing that you are most passionate about, right?

So, is it the end of the world? THAT'S UP TO YOU!

YES, you should be working toward the day when you can do what you LOVE most! Work for the day that you can live your PASSION instead of just "working your job".

But, until then, even if you are not doing what you love most is it possible for you to learn to love what you are doing?

Huh?

Stay with me here, it's not really that far of a leap.

You can either go through the whole day "hating your job" OR you can learn to adjust your mental attitude, your positive mindset/attitude in a way that enables you to actually learn to LOVE what you do. WHATEVER you do!

Think about it.

You can dread the start of the day because you HATE your job! You can go through the course of the day focused on the fact that you HATE your job! You can end your day with a big sigh of relief that you are finally done with another day at the job that you HATE! Then, not long before you go to bed you dread the fact that you have to get up and go back to work because you HATE your job!

Wow, doesn't THAT sound like fun? Some of you are saying, "You just described my life."

Sad.

I'm here to tell you that it IS possible to turn things around to where you can actually LOOK FORWARD TO your day and learn to LOVE what you are doing!

But, it is up to you and your desire to improve your life day by day.

This, my friend, is a MAJOR mind adjustment but it is one that you CAN accomplish IF you set your mind to it!

Choice A: hating your whole day OR Choice B: learning to find purpose and challenge which will cause you to actually look forward to your day.

Wow. Doesn't really look like much of a choice to me!

Think about it. Brainstorm on it and see what you can come up with.

C'mon - I CHALLENGE you to send me a message and tell me why you CAN'T learn to do this.

Come back tomorrow as we wrap this series up and, until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

What ARE You Doing?

2011-04-25T14:42:00.005-05:00

Well?

Before we get to you trying to answer that question let's do a quick review from yesterday. First of all, if you haven't done so be sure to check out the video on my Facebook fan page about the janitor that is also a millionaire.

Now then...what were your answers from yesterday? The questions were: "If money were not an issue, what would you be doing?" and "If you're NOT doing that, why aren't you?"

NOW, you can go back to that one word question below the picture....well?

Once you watch the video you understand that the man in the story was ALREADY doing what he loved BEFORE he won the state lottery. Why is that so easy to understand?

BECAUSE HE KEPT WORKING AS THE JANITOR EVEN AFTER HE WON THE LOTTERY!

That's one sure way to tell! In the video he talks about how his wife tells him that he really doesn't have to work - and she's right! The man is a millionaire! However, he has a different "take" on his work and tells his wife, "Yes, I do."

WHY? Because he LOVES what he does and he has a GOAL and a PURPOSE in what he does.

Now, let's get back to us...you and me. What about it?

Do you LOVE what you do? Do you have a GOAL and a PURPOSE in what you are doing?

Honestly, I'd say that the majority of people would answer "no" to all three parts of the two questions in the above sentence.

Is it possible to have a goal and a purpose with what YOU are doing right now?

Only you can answer that for sure, but.... join me tomorrow as we take a closer look at this POWERFUL POSSIBILITY for your own life!

Until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

What Would YOU Be Doing?

2011-04-24T18:02:00.007-05:00

I'm going to do my best to keep this rather short today. I know I tend to "rattle on" with my thoughts and ideas and, the ideas I share on today's podcast (http://www.michaelspillman.com/) are short and to the point as well.

Here's what I need you to do IF you haven't done so already. One day last week I posted a video on the Facebook fan page for Future You University (www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity) about a janitor that was also a millionaire. Have you watched it yet?

Here's the direct link:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/seattleking5-15751314/millionaire-janitor-buys-school-new-track-24921293

If not, be sure to do that - preferably BEFORE you read the rest of this blog - as soon as you can so that you can "get" what it is that I'm talking about today.

Now, after watching that video, answer the following two questions as honestly as you can:

1. IF MONEY WERE NOT AN ISSUE, what would you be doing with your life right now?

2. Why are you NOT doing what you came up with as an answer to question one?

Hey, if you ARE doing what you would do in response to number 1, I'd LOVE to hear from you. Other than that, that's all I am going to share today. Take the time to watch the video and then come up with HONEST answers to these two questions before your head hits the pillow tonight.

Come back tomorrow and we'll take this discussion further. But, until then...

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

Mike

Choose Responsibly, ACT Responsibly!

2011-04-20T13:00:00.007-05:00

Would THIS Help?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if it really WAS as easy as seeing a sign like the one above?

Now, let me ask you another question...do you think you'd STILL choose the "RIGHT DECISION" 100% of the time even if there WERE such a sign right in front of you?

Let me answer that for you...NO, you wouldn't!

Why? Because that's just the way we are. We are basically selfish people and we tend to do what WE want as opposed to what may be the "right" or "best" thing to do.

Follow me on this example and be honest with yourself. How many times during the course of your life have you KNOWN what was the right vs. wrong thing to do and you chose the WRONG thing anyway? You may have even known that you might get punished and/or grounded when (not if!) your parents found out about it but, your SELFISH desire to do what YOU wanted overcame that fear of punishment and, you did what YOU wanted to do anyway!

Not very responsible, is it?

Now, sure, we can excuse things like that to our being young and foolish but - ARE YOU READY TO GET HONEST NOW? - how many of us STILL act in such a way from time to time?

You see, it's not enough to just CHOOSE responsibly but it's also important to put that CHOICE into ACTION! And, yes, it's possible to choose and not act....remember, you HAVE done such a thing even in your own life.

If you're still having a hard time thinking that you HAVE done such a thing let me ask you still ANOTHER question. Has anyone - EVER - in your whole life ever said something like the following to you....."But I thought you said you were going to ____________ (fill in the blank)!" ?

That's right. You may have even "announced" what your choice was and STILL decided to do something different. You decided NOT to act upon that choice. It may be something as simple as, "I thought you said you were going to wash the car today!" to something much more serious such as, "I thought you said you were going to stop drinking!".

So, to sum this all up, let's look at what we've discussed:

1. It's important to CHOOSE RESPONSIBLY what we allow into our minds. What we allow into our minds/mindset (positive or negative) WILL have a DIRECT impact upon our lives and the lives of each and every person that we come into contact with each and every day.

2. Understand the responsibility that you have to others besides yourself. It's not all about you! But, at the same time, the better you become the better you become for those around you!

3. Don't make choices or decisions "in the heat of the moment". They will most likely be the WRONG decisions.

4. Do the research needed to make a responsible decision. Pray about it. Think about it. Sleep on it. Then, and only then, should you really try to make such a decision.

5. Even after all of what you did in #4 DO NOT be tempted to still act upon your selfish impulses. It's not enough to just CHOOSE responsibly, you must also ACT upon that responsible choice!

Hey listen, we are all human and we will STILL make irresponsible and/or unwise decisions. However, we CAN equip ourselves in such a way that we make fewer and fewer of these types of decisions in our lives.

I'd love to hear any feedback you have on these thoughts and your experiences in this area.

Thanks for your time today and be sure to check out the audio podcasts on these topics at http://www.michaelspillman.com/

Until next time...

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

Mike

How To Choose Responsibly

2011-04-19T10:50:00.006-05:00

"HOW TO CHOOSE RESPONSIBLY"

Good ol' Monty Hall and "Let's Make a Deal". I talked about this program in yesterday's entry so, if you missed it, go back and check it out.

One of the things I mentioned was the tendency of ALL of us to say AFTER all has been revealed, "Oh, I KNEW I should have picked that other choice!"

20/20 hindsight, remember?

I'm sure you would agree that this is EASY to apply to our lives. I'm sure ALL of us can look back on both good and bad decisions we have made and see rather EASILY what we either should have done or breathe a sigh of relief because of what we DID choose.

So, how CAN we choose responsibly?

The main part of the answer is found in one word in the question - "responsibly".

Decisions that are made without much thought are usually irresponsible decisions. They may be made in the heat of passion or anger or just an overdrive dose of excitement. (By the way, this is why so many sales pitches try to get you to "BUY NOW" or tell you that the offer is good "for today only"! When this is the case you might want to really consider staying away at LEAST until you have had a chance to step away and think about it AWAY from the hype.)

So, first and foremost, in order to make a RESPONSIBLE decision about ANYTHING, make sure you are not being swayed by emotion of any kind.

You should also avoid any choice that is being swayed by DESPERATION! This is another type of emotion that bring people to making rash and irresponsible decisions. Again - PAY ATTENTION TO THIS PATTERN - there are many "sales people" that are actually looking for people to "prey on" that are DESPERATE. Again, take the time to step away from the situation and give yourself a chance to think clearly.

Think about it this way - many times when someone is struggling to keep from drowning they will take their rescuer down with them and drown them as well. Why? PANIC! DESPERATION! Life guards are taught to be aware of this upon their approach so that they do not become a second victim of the situation. Most people, when they have a chance to think of it when they are NOT desperate, know that they should try to remain calm and listen to the rescuer and do as they say. But, in the heat of the moment it's often a different story!

And, finally (at least for this article) you must consider your RESPONSIBILITY toward others if you wish to choose responsibly. This is the part that I said was found in one of the words to the main question. All of the things that I have mentioned so far in this article can fall into this category. Consider your responsibility to others BEFORE making a choice. This may be your spouse, your kids, other family members, your boss and/or coworkers, etc.

You may - in the heat of the moment (remember, this is the time to STEP AWAY!) decide that you want to take a job on the opposite coast without even thinking about the repercussions on your family. Oops!

Sure, it's "your life" but you have also made some choices earlier in your life - if you have a family - that has brought others into the equation that MAKES UP "your life" and they MUST be considered in your decisions. Like it or not - that's just the way it is, friend.

UNLESS you choose to act irresponsibly!

And, if you are NOT married and you plan to do so one day then, please understand, it is IMPERATIVE that you spend time talking about all kinds of things with your potential partner so that you can BOTH see if you are on "the same page" on important things.

Well, that's enough for today.

How do you choose responsibly? DO NOT MAKE DECISIONS IN THE "HEAT OF THE MOMENT". That's it in a nutshell.

HOMEWORK: (What? What do you mean "homework"?) Take a moment and look back over decisions that you would now label as "poor" and see if you can find some "heat of the moment" factor that was connected to that decision. I'd love to hear what you find.

Until next time...

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

Mike

http://www.michaelspillman.com/

"Choose Responsibly!"

2011-04-18T14:05:00.004-05:00

"CHOOSE RESPONSIBLY!"

Your first thought may be, "Choose carefully!", which is also very important to remember but, today, we are going to focus on the "responsibility" aspect of our choices.

When I chose the picture for today's blog article it made me think of the old "Let's Make a Deal" program with Monty Hall. (Yes, I know there is a remake on television right now but I prefer the original on ALL of these game shows).

There were CHOICES that the contestants had to make all through the program and it would come to the grand finale when the top contestants would CHOOSE their final prize (one of which was the GRAND PRIZE for the day). Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3?

I vividly remember yelling MY choice at the t.v. when I was a child but I'm sure YOU have NEVER done anything like that, right?

Now, think about this...how many times have YOU said (or heard someone else say) something like, "Oh, that's the one I WAS going to choose!" once it has been revealed that you picked the wrong door?

20/20 hindsight, right?

We can do that in just about any and every area of our lives, can't we? I know I can!

So, yes, not only is it important to CHOOSE CAREFULLY when it comes to the choices that we face every day but SPECIFICALLY when it comes to CHOOSING what we allow into our minds, but, even more importantly is the fact that we must choose RESPONSIBLY!

Why? Because, again, what we CHOOSE to allow into our mindset will not only impact US but it will also have an impact upon EACH and EVERY person that we come into contact with throughout each and every day. And this starts with those that are closest to you.

RESPONSIBILITY for CHOOSING what we allow into our minds.

Let that concept sink in a little and I'll continue this discussion tomorrow. But, until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Celebrating 400 Podcasts!

2011-04-17T20:17:00.005-05:00

It's rather hard for me to really take this in when I think about it but, today, I am broadcasting my 400th podcast episode!

Oh, it could have been closer to 500 if I hadn't had to take my little break for about 6.5 months but....it is what it is and I'm still looking at 400 of these little messages designed to inspire and encourage.

Have I done so through this effort? I HOPE SO!

But, honestly, I'm not sure how much impact I've had simply because YOU are not letting me know. See what I mean?

I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts but, the truth is, I'm not sure how many people are actually "hearing" or "reading" these thoughts.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!

I need to hear from you! I've said it before but, to be honest, it's kind of hard to keep doing this when I'm not even sure anyone is hearing the message. So...here's what I SPECIFICALLY need from you now (please do one or more of the following):

1. Get in the habit of leaving a short comment here on the blog letting me know that you enjoyed the message or share some of your insights like Tanya does quite often.

2. Please send me a note via one of the contact options found on the "contact" tab on the main website - http://www.michaelspillman.com/ - letting me know that you are listening and/or reading and that you are getting some benefit from this effort.

3. If you haven't done so, "like" Future You University (you can find the link to it on the "contact" tab on the above mentioned website) and then START or ADD TO a NEW TOPIC DISCUSSION on ways that you have been encouraged from what I'm doing here.

4. Go to iTunes and find my podcast there (you can again access this by clicking the "videocast" tab on the above mentioned website and then clicking on the iTunes logo) and please leave a "review" on my podcasts. THIS IS IMPORTANT so that others that come across the podcast via a search can read YOUR comments and be encouraged to listen in for themselves.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

And, in advance, I APPRECIATE your help!

YOU are the ONLY reason I do this. Without someone to listen to this information and, hopefully, benefit from it then there is really no point.

Please don't put this off, do it today if at all possible.

Remember these basic and simple truths that resound throughout all 400 episodes in one way or another:

* DO NOT EVER GIVE UP! ("As long as there is breath there is hope!")

* SHARE YOUR POSITIVITY WITH THOSE AROUND YOU (even with just a big smile)

* YOU MAKE CHOICES EACH AND EVERY DAY - YOUR LIFE IS YOUR CHOICE!

* MAKE TODAY AN AWESOME DAY! IT IS YOUR CHOICE!

* STOP WAITING ON OTHERS TO "MAKE" YOUR LIFE BETTER (in any way) - IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

Thanks for reading this and don't forget to share with me (and others!) what you think about what I try to accomplish via the website, podcast and blog.

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Life's Renewal

2011-04-13T17:34:00.007-05:00

LIFE'S RENEWAL

If you have been following along with this series then you are catching on to the whole "life's patterns" idea and how it connects with an EKG readout. We have looked at the general patterns that are around us in our world (the changing of the seasons, the stock market, etc.) as well as the "ups and downs" that we all tend to encounter as we make our way through this life.

We've noticed that, when considering the readout of an EKG, the "ups and downs" are a very LITERAL "pattern of life" and those "ups and downs" (called "waves") are the very actual sign that one is actually alive!

And, in yesterday's article (and podcast - see information below) we talked about the need to make sure that we don't "flatline" or give up. As most of you understand, the "flatline" is what is shown on the EKG readout when the heart has ceased to pump and a straight, or "flat", line appears on the readout.

We can "flatline" in our own lives when we "throw in the towel" and give up on things ever improving in our lives. We can also "flatline" when we have decided to settle for mediocrity in our lives and we have chosen to merely "exist".

WAKE UP! Do NOT ever give up!

You're better than that, AREN'T YOU?

Of course you are!

Sometimes when we "flatline" we need HELP in getting back in the game of life! In the physical world this can happen in a couple of ways that most of us are familiar with when one's heart has "flatlined".

One way is for someone to perform CPR on the person who has flatlined. CPR, or "cardiopulmonary resuscitation" is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to return life to a person in cardiac arrest. You've all seen it on television, if not in person, right? It is the physical force to try to continue to pump the heart.

Another way that many of you will be familiar with involves some "paddles" and someone yelling, "CLEAR!". You know what I'm talking about, right? Here it is put another way: "An administering of an electric shock to the heart, termed defibrillation, is usually needed to restore a viable or 'perfusing' heart rhythm."

Either way, they are BOTH drastic measures that are used in order to RESUSCITATE, REVIVE or RENEW a life!

So, here's the point, friend... even if you come to the realization that you have "given up" and, for all practical purposes "flatlined", THERE IS HOPE!

Look at the picture at the top of this article. Do you notice that it starts off as a "flatline"? And, then what? The "waves" or "rhythms" return which indicate that life has returned!

So, you see, there IS hope in your life!

How does that happen for you or how WILL that happen for you? I can't answer that for you, friend.

It may be simply reading an article like this or listening to this series on the podcast that "RESUSCITATES" your life or it may be a friend that helps you "snap to" and "wake up" to what is (or isn't) happening in your life. KEEP THOSE KINDS OF FRIENDS!

Bottom line: ARE YOU A FIGHTER?

Doctors will tell you right away that someone that has the "will to live" (a fighter) has a much better chance of survival in surgery than someone who seems to have given up.

ARE YOU A FIGHTER?

Then GET UP and GET AFTER IT once again! Get that "rhythm" and "pattern" back in your life (yes, the "ups" AND the "downs") and keep moving FORWARD in your progress.

Do me a favor, please. If you feel that this series has been beneficial for you (I hope and pray that it has!) then would you PLEASE share it with someone else that you feel could use a little good news like this? I thank you and THEY will thank you!

Remember: NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! "As long as there is breath, there is hope!"

Until next time...

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

Mike

(go to http://www.michaelspillman.com/ for the podcast link to listen to the audio version of this series)

Avoid the Flatline

2011-04-12T21:27:00.005-05:00

Avoid the Flatline

Oh yeah, when you or someone you love is in the hospital you DO NOT want to see that pattern shown above. You don't want to see the dreaded "flatline"!

You WANT to see the "ups and downs" that indicate that your heart is pumping and working showing that you are ALIVE!

Now, surely, you are catching the obvious comparisons here, right? I've already talked about the "pattern of life" that we often go through in our own lives when we experience the "ups and downs".

We think we'd LOVE it if all we ever encountered were "up times". We AVOID the "down times" as much as possible yet, just as with the EKG readout, the "ups and downs" in our own lives are also indicators that we are ALIVE!

And, just like in the hospital and on the EKG readout we should also AVOID THE "FLATLINE" in the pattern of our life!

Many people flatline when they have hit an extended down period in their lives but it is also possible to "flatline" when things aren't so bad. That's right. It's easy to "settle for the mundane" or "the easy". It's easy to want to live life without "rocking the boat" or creating any waves.

BORING!

And dangerous IF you want to avoid the "flatline".

Hey, listen... whether you are settling for mediocrity or stuck in a down period, whatever you do - DO NOT FLATLINE!

In other words, do NOT give up and do NOT settle.

We see the dangers of this type of "inactivity" all around us. A body of water that does not have flow ("life", energy) becomes a STAGNANT pool of FILTH and DISEASE! A person that is inactive WILL face health issues and this is really evident in those that are confined to nursing homes when they are unable to move about. They MUST be moved or they will develop all sorts of bed sores as well as other ailments.

MOVEMENT IS A MUST FOR LIFE!

Again, even if you are in an extended down period - DO NOT GIVE UP! Look for those small "up-ticks" in your day. It may be the smile of a friend or the sunshine or whatever it is. LOOK FOR THESE THINGS in your day so that you DO NOT "flatline" and become stagnant!

Remember, "As long as there is breath there is hope!" - DO NOT EVER FORGET THAT!

Tomorrow, in the concluding article for this series I will discuss the HOPE that we still have even if we HAVE "flatlined". Be sure to join me for this important discussion.

Until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Life's LITERAL Pattern

2011-04-11T13:57:00.005-05:00

Life's LITERAL Pattern

In yesterday's discussion we talked about different "patterns" that we all have in our lives. Hey, how many did YOU come up with in your own life?

I'm sure you have already figured the connection to this discussion by looking at the picture combined with the title of today's article. There are "general" patterns that we can observe all around us each and every day and then there is the very specific and LITERAL "pattern of life" shown on an EKG readout.

Notice the pattern has "ups" and it also has "downs". Should we be concerned because there are "downs" in this pattern? Should we get frustrated, discouraged and/or depressed because of these down "ticks" in this wave pattern?

Of course not! Hey, as long as it keeps moving up and down we're happy, right? Why?

BECAUSE AS LONG AS IT KEEPS MOVING IT IS EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE STILL ALIVE!

Now, please believe me when I say that I understand that all of this sounds a bit cliche, o.k.? But, whether it sounds that way or not really has nothing to do with the fact that it is TRUE!

The "ups and downs" that we all experience in our lives simply PROVES that we are ALIVE and participating in this "ride" that we call LIFE!

Life is not always FAIR and it is not always FUN. Somewhere along the way we bought into this myth and, for many, this false expectation about life has brought a lot of disappointment into their lives.

Even those that we might perceive of living a "dream life" deal with "ups and downs" in their lives. But, many times, there is a difference that we may not see.

What is it?

THEY HAVE LEARNED THIS SECRET ABOUT " UPS AND DOWNS" - they are a PART of LIFE itself and, like we have already discusses, they come AND go!

Many of these people view life just as they do the stock market. They do not "freak out" when the stock market takes a "dip" or even a "dive". Why? Because they prepared themselves for the long haul and they know that it will rebound.

Others are ready to jump out of a window while those that have prepared simply watch and wait for the pattern to continue.

Really think about that and let it sink in - it could make a major change in your approach to life.

Come back tomorrow and we'll continue this discussion of "Life's Patterns" and what it means to each of us.

And, until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Life's Patterns

2011-04-10T20:52:00.005-05:00

LIFE'S PATTERNS

They are all around us.

Wow, that kind of sounds like the trailer to some new horror flick, doesn't it?

But it's not and I'm talking about "Life's Patterns" and the fact that these patterns are around us each and every day.

Think about it and see how many different types of these patterns you can come up with before I start to mention some in this blog. (Note: If you already listened to the podcast - NO FAIR!)

Obviously, from the picture above, the changing of the seasons is one of those patterns that we see take place year after year. (And, by the way, I forgot to mention this, most obvious one, on the podcast).

Yes, I understand that in some parts of the country and the world the seasons don't vary much, if even at all. However, whether the weather conditions around you change much or not does not have any impact on the fact that the seasons come and go year after year.

Think about this life pattern - when you are a baby you rely on others to take care of all of your basic needs such as food and cleanliness. We slowly work our way towards independence in these areas and then, if we live long enough, we slowly revert back to the beginning stages of relying on others to provide all of our basic needs.

Sad, but true. One of the patterns of life that many face.

You can even see these patterns in the commodities and in the stock market. Those that pay close attention to these things can look at charts that show these patterns over a period of time and this will help them make wiser choices.

And then there are these patterns in our own everyday lives...the good days and the bad days. The days when everything seems to be going in our favor and also those days that it seems as if everything is working against us.

There are the times that you are happy with the job of your dreams and then there are the times that you have been "let go" and find it hard to connect with a new job. There are the times that you stand before a group of friends and a minister across from that "person of your dreams" with promises of "forever love" and then there are the times that this union comes to a crashing end.

Wow.

Friend, I'm calling these "patterns of life" because they are all A PART OF LIFE!

So, how are you doing with these patterns in YOUR life today? Are you in an "up" cycle or a "down" cycle?

What are you doing to change the situation if you find yourself in a "down" cycle and what are you doing to PREPARE yourself for that "down" cycle if you currently find yourself in an "up" cycle.

Patterns, remember?

Tomorrow I will make another analogy that I think you will be able to relate to in a very powerful way. Be sure to join me then and also to share this with others.

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Information - YOUR Choice!

2011-04-06T10:28:00.009-05:00

"Your Information - YOUR Choice!

That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? It's YOUR choice!

No one else can control that for you. If you are an adult, there is likely not anyone telling you when you've watched enough television and that it is time to turn it off. It's up to you.

Sure, you may want to stay "informed" on what is going on in the world but, seriously, how MUCH information do your really need to stay informed about what is really important?

Do you REALLY have to know about every little thing that is going on all around the world? With the use of cell phone video cameras and other items we now have INSTANT ACCESS to happenings all around the world.

Is that really necessary? Is it really helpful?

Many of you may not remember what I'm about to discuss and some of you may find it even unbelievable. But I remember a time when there was cable channels didn't even exist and all you had were the three major networks. That's it. Three channels to choose from. And, if I remember right, at midnight they all shut down for the night.

My wife and I were discussing this just the other day about how at midnight there would be a certain design on the screen or the American flag would be shown waving in the wind as the National Anthem was played.

And then, that was it for the night.

And, I wonder, have we really improved our lives by having 100+ channels available to us (and our kids) on a 24 hour basis?

Informational overload.

It is likely more important than ever for each of us (especially as parents) to take control of the information that we allow into our households and into our minds and the minds of those that share our home with us.

If you haven't done so, be sure to read Tanya's comments on the blog a couple of days ago. She makes some very good observations that likely many of you can relate to.

So...what will you do about it?

Is it important enough to you for you to do something about it?

Stop watching t.v. all together? Some do. It might be worth a try even for a day and then two days and then a week.

See what happens.

But also stay away from the news on the radio as well as talk shows (unless they are POSITIVE!) and even try to stay off the computer as much as possible.

Try that and see how you feel and see how much more clearly you may be able to think.

REPLACE the negative with something POSITIVE! If you aren't in the habit of listening to my podcast that goes along with this blog, be sure to give it a try. You can subscribe to the iTunes feed as well as the RSS feed by clicking on the "videocast" tab on my website and then clicking either the iTunes logo or the RSS feed logo.

Just go to http://www.michaelspillman.com/

There is a lot more positive information out there - find it and use it! One that I've mentioned many times is Success.com. You can read a LOT of FREE information there. Also, look through my tabs on my site and check out the Jim Rohn link that I have available for you there. He is my favorite and has some AWESOME thoughts that have made a major impact on my life.

Hey, you don't have to do ANY of this.

But, my guess is that you wouldn't be reading this blog if you weren't on a mission to try to improve your positive mindset.

Remember, it's YOUR choice.

As always, be sure to...

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

Mike

http://www.michaelspillman.com/

Your Informational Filter

2011-04-05T17:22:00.006-05:00

"Your Informational Filter"

Take a moment and look at that picture and ask yourself this question: "Would I allow a big pile of garbage like that in my house?"

I hope that I can answer that for you with a resounding, "NO!".

Yes, there are some people that do, but I'm hoping that you are not one of them!

Of course, by looking at the picture you already know what the real point of it is especially when you combine it with what we have been talking about for the past few days.

WHAT JUNK ARE YOU ALLOWING INTO YOUR MIND?

We have been talking about the massive amounts of "news programming" available to us each and every day via the television. This doesn't even take into account what's available to us on the Internet, the radio and even our smart phones. Is there REALLY a need for this much information/news?

NO!

Here's the deal, too, when you start talking about all of this "news programming" - a lot of it (if not most of it) is not even news at all!

You've heard the phrase, "No news is good news" right? Well, let me do my own little twist on that one by saying this: "ALL NEWS IS NOT GOOD NEWS!"

I'm not even talking about the fact that we sometimes receive bad news. What I'm talking about is that everything that might be labeled as "news" in our society is not all GOOD (as in "quality") news. Really think that one over.

The main reason I brought all of this up about the news is due to the fact that I have noticed such an "overkill" on my own "local/affiliate stations" with their "news coverage" AND also due to so many people claiming that they just HAVE to keep up with the "news". Really?

Anyway, enough of that.

What about soap operas? What about sports programming? (By the way, a lot of the so-called "sports programming" is pretty much like the "news programming" when you consider the fact that some of these 24 hour cable sports channels have to fill that much time!).

What about Facebook? What about....? YOU fill in the blank there and be HONEST with yourself on these things.

How much time are you spending DUMPING garbage (useless or negative information) into your mind? Remember, G.I.G.O. (garbage in - garbage out).

Tomorrow I will conclude this series but the battle will be one that continues in your life and it is 100% up to YOU as to what you do about it - if anything at all.

Bottom line again - do NOT think that what you allow into your mind has not impact on your life and the lives of those around you.

Start using your "informational filter" and "clean up" what you are allowing into the "engine" for your whole life.

Think about and DO something about it.

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Information Overload

2011-04-04T14:49:00.006-05:00

"INFORMATION OVERLOAD"

How much "information" is TOO much and what "information" is actually USEFUL information?

These are but a few of the questions that we all really need to be asking ourselves IF we are serious about controlling what we allow into our "mental mindset".

Why? Again, referring back to the old computer acrostic "G.I.G.O." = "Garbage In, Garbage Out". What you ALLOW in to your mental mindset will be what "comes out" in your thoughts and actions.

If that doesn't sober you up a little bit I'm not sure what will.

I emphasized the word, "ALLOW" two paragraphs earlier for a reason. Let's face it, we're not being FORCED as to what information goes into our heads, are we? Likely not. So, again getting honest with ourselves, we ALLOW this into our minds.

Did you go through your programming guide to see how much "news programming" is on during the course of a day on YOUR television channels? Again, I'm not even talking about the cable "news" channels that are on 24 hours a day but your "local" channels like NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox (no, not the Fox News Network).

Here's what I found when I researched my programming guide:

The local affiliates for NBC and ABC each have a total of 10 hours of "news programming" on as a combination of national and local programming. The CBS affiliate has 9.5 hours available and the local affiliate for the Fox channel only has 4 hours of local news programming. I also found that the local NBC affiliate begins this type of programming at 4:30 a.m. and continues it off and on throughout the day until 10:30 p.m. The ABC affiliate begins this type of programming at 2:30 a.m. and continues on and off until 10:30 p.m. (even though it just hit me that they do also have a national "news" program from 11:00 - 11:30 p.m. which brings them up to the same 10 hours a day as the other two that I mentioned.

I live in Arkansas which is a very small state. However, our local affiliates feel that there is some sort of need for those of us in the state to be inundated with MASSIVE amounts of local news available to us all throughout the day. Really?

Listen friend, I'm here to tell you that there is NOT enough "news" going on in this small state to justify the local NBC affiliate airing a local "news program" from 5:00 - 7:00 a.m. as well as from noon - 1:00 p.m. and then again from 5:00 - 5:30, 6:00 - 6:30, 7:00 - 7:30 and again from 10:00 - 10:30 p.m. Too, the local ABC affiliate offers similar local programming from 4:30 - 7:00 a.m., 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. - Noon, 5:00 - 5:30 p.m., 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 - 10:30 p.m. Let's not forget the local CBS affiliate that offers the same type of "programming" beginning at 4:30 - 7:00 a.m. and then provides more from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m., Noon - 12:30 p.m., 5:00 - 5:30 p.m., 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and again at 10:00 - 10:30 p.m.

Whew! That makes me tired just typing all of that!

My friend, this is INFORMATION OVERLOAD and I didn't even address the national "news programs" that are on off and on all day and night. And, yes, I put the words "news programs" in quotes for a reason and I will address that in the next podcast/article.

Remember, too, that we haven't even began to mention the so-called cable "news channels" that are on 24 hours a day.

HELP!

So, friend, what are you allowing in YOUR mind? What are you allowing to make a definite IMPACT upon your life and the lives of all that you have contact with on a daily basis? Remember the "ripple effect"?

Think about it - with the television turned off for a change and we'll continue this discussion tomorrow.

Until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Information Diet

2011-04-03T15:38:00.007-05:00

"YOUR INFORMATION DIET"

Simple task - tell me about your diet.

"Oh, but I'm not currently on a diet."

Sure you are. Tell me about it.

"No, see...you don't understand. I TRIED a diet but it didn't go very well so I quit."

Regardless, you are STILL on a diet. Whatever it is that you eat from day to day IS your diet! Now, when we look at it that way some of us might feel like crawling under a rock and hiding, right?

I hear people say, "I'm going to go on a diet" or "I'm going to start a diet" and, though I understand what they are trying to communicate, those words used are actually wrong.

The correct thing to say would be, "I'm going to CHANGE my diet" or "I'm going to IMPROVE my diet."

Get it?

Good!

Why is this so important? Well, first of all you can relax. We are NOT going to be talking about your nutritional diet in this series of discussions. We're going to be talking about your "mental diet" or your "information diet".

So, right off, let me ask you the same question that I asked before BUT this time in reference to your "mental or informational diet".

Tell me about your diet.

The thing is, most of us THINK we know about our "mental/informational diet" but, in reality we really have no idea.

It's time to find out!

Step one: FIND OUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

What do I mean by that? Simply go through your program guide (whatever or however that is available to you) and look through a 24 hour period and see how many "news programs" are on the air during that time period. However, DO NOT count your cable channels but ONLY count the "national" channels (NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX).

Seriously. Give it your best shot and see what you come up with.

I'll share mine with you during the next podcast/blog article. I thought I had a pretty good idea how saturated this type of programming was but I was still a bit shocked when I actually took the time to put it down on paper.

Do that and then come back tomorrow for the next entry on this topic and we'll see what you and I both do with what is available.

Until then...think about the old computer acrostic, "G.I.G.O" which stands for "garbage in, garbage out". It's a simple reminder that a computer is only as good as the programming. If you program "garbage" into the computer then guess what you'll get? GARBAGE!

The same is true when we think about our mindsets. Positive or negative?

Think about it.

And until next time...

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

Mike