Mike's Quotes #20: Who Will You Touch TODAY?

"You can touch someone's life wherever you are....where will you be and who will you touch TODAY?" - Mike Spillman (11.2011)

One way or the other, you WILL "touch" or impact someone today...and every day. You will either "touch" or impact those around you in a POSITIVE way or in a NEGATIVE way. There is no middle, or neutral, ground in this area. 

Too many times we may feel that there just isn't much that we can do that matters in today's world. We often think that way because we are thinking about something BIG and NOTICEABLE to those that may be watching. 

Sure, there are some in our world that will make sure that all the cameras that can be gathered together will be around when they do something "nice" for someone or for a group of people. Yes, it's still good that something good is being done but, friend, I believe what you do on a daily basis may very well have a far greater impact.

When you choose to treat those around you with respect and as a fellow human being you really have no idea the "weight" or impact of such action. Really, you may never know what impact this type of action may have on their lives and the lives that they, in turn, may also touch in a positive way. 

I remember hearing Colin Powell, retired four-star general in the United States Army, talk about how he would make sure that he stopped and actually talked to the guy at the garage ticket booth on his way out. He had noticed how pretty much everyone just gave the attendant their ticket and kept right on going without even acknowledging the guy in the booth. Mr Powell felt it was important to make contact with this person on a regular basis and to actually get to know them to some extent to where he could actually ask them how his kids were doing. 

This is what I'm talking about. Whoever you are, wherever you are, YOU have the ability to touch those around you in a powerful and positive way. And, just like when you touch a pool of water with your finger and ripples go out from the point of contact, so it is with your personal touch in the lives of others. 

You will likely never know how many people are touched in a positive way because of YOUR decision to "touch" as you go through life. 

Pretty amazing, isn't it? YES, IT IS!

So, not only should you be sure to do what I say in my closing "tag line" but also be sure to help impact the lives of those around you in an AWESOME way!

So yeah, get after it and, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

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2 of 6: "APPRECIATE PEOPLE"

Unless you have found a way to become a complete hermit, you WILL come into contact with people from time to time and, usually, on a fairly regular basis. And, that being said, it's not always easy to appreciate some of those people, is it?

Some people know how to "push those buttons" that make it hard to appreciate them and to keep a positive mindset BUT we must understand something very clearly. Although those people may be able to "push our buttons" but they do NOT have the power to "make us mad" or "put me in a bad mood". They do NOT have the ability to do that...WE have the power over our mindset and our emotions and we are the ONLY ones that determine what happens in such situations. 

Remember the "formula" that I shared with you that I picked up from Jack Canfield? Here it is again: E + R = O, which stands for EVENT + RESPONSE = OUTCOME. We all have those "events" in our life, but it is our RESPONSE to those events that will determine what happens on the other side of that event...or what we would call the outcome. 

This is one reason that it is so important to infuse as much positive information into our mind as possible. Again, the more that is there, the easier it is to access that information when those tough situations come along. 

Make a determination TODAY - right now - that YOU will be in control of these situations and that YOU will use YOUR positive attitude and mindset to help direct the path of these situations. Use YOUR influence to battle the negativity and to help "turn things around" instead of letting those with their negative attitudes freely spew their "poison" all over you and those around you.

This does not mean that there has to be any type of confrontation. It simply means that, with your words and actions, you have the ability to deflate and defeat the impact of negative thoughts and emotions. YES, IT IS THAT POWERFUL!

Now, let's look at another way in which we can appreciate people. 

EVERYONE loves to be appreciated! EVERYONE loves it when others notice the work that they do and when someone takes the time to share a word of thanks and encouragement.

I want to encourage you to "open your eyes" to those around you and make an effort to do just that - to simply let them know that you appreciate what they do. 

Many of these people have become "invisible" in our lives. We have just grown accustomed to them "being there" and doing their job without us really even noticing them or what it is that they are doing. And, many times, these people go unnoticed by others as well.

But you, friend, can make a difference!

I remember hearing Colin Powell, former United States Secretary of State, say that he would always be sure to spend a little time talking to the parking lot attendants as he came and left the parking garage. He had noticed how most people just handed their ticket to the attendant without saying a word and then went on their way as quickly as possible. Mr. Powell, however, would make eye contact with them and have a brief conversation with them whenever possible.

Do you think those people appreciated someone actually SEEING them? You KNOW that they did!

Here's another challenge, friend. See how may people you can notice that you have tended NOT to notice in the past. Make an effort to take a moment and say "hello" to them, ask them how they are doing and even that you appreciate what they do. Compliment them. Wish them well and see what happens.

You just never know how YOUR comments may turn their day around for the better. And, you just never know how YOUR positive comments may "ripple" off from that person on to someone else.

Don't ever doubt that a POSITIVE mindset is very POWERFUL. 

Have some fun along the way and make a positive impact on your world as you do so.

And, as always, wherever you go and whatever you do, be sure to...

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

Mike

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

RELATIONSHIPS: They ALL Belong to You!

"RELATIONSHIPS: They ALL Belong to You!"

Yesterday we discussed the very obvious statement, "Relationships: We ALL Have Them!" and, today, we discuss another that SHOULD be just as obvious.

Here's the deal - when we discuss "YOUR relationships" we have declared something that is very important for us to understand. The word "your" signifies ownership! YOUR relationships belong to YOU!

Why is that important? Because this important fact helps us understand that YOU are the "common denominator" in all of your relationships. ALL of them.

Sometimes the following thought is hard for us to admit and sometimes we don't WANT to admit this fact to ourselves. But, when we understand that WE are the common denominator in all of our relationships, then we must also understand that if our relationships tend to be "less than desired" then we need to take a look at ourselves.

It's easy for us to blame everyone else. It's easy for us to say that it's not our fault that our relationships are not quite what we'd like them to be.

However, by understanding that WE are the common denominator in ALL of those relationships then, perhaps, it's time for us to get honest with ourselves and take a look at US!

Ouch!

We'll talk more about this as we go along in the next few articles so I'll move on to the other part of today's focus.

In this series I will be examining all kinds of relationships but I want to start with the "outside rim" of the relationships that we all have and then we'll work in closer and closer until we begin to discuss those relationships that are closest to us all.

So, today I want to challenge you to consider those relationships that would fit into the category of those that you have "semi-regular" contact with during the week. Perhaps your mail man (or is that "letter carrier"?) or the check out clerk at the local grocery store, or a waiter/waitress that is at your favorite restaurant.

Sometimes we get busy with our own "business" and we don't even acknowledge that these people exist. How many times each day would you think this happens to these people. A LOT!

I was very impressed at one event at which General Colin Powell spoke. This man has spoken with some of the most powerful people in the world on many occasions and has had some of these same people listen to what he had to say.

Yet, he shared how important it was to take the time to reach out to those that, many times, are overlooked. He specifically talked about the parking attendants where he worked. He shared how he always made sure he took the time to put his window down and ask how they were doing before he drove out of the garage.

Did he HAVE to do this? No.

But he did. And it made a difference. Not so much because THE General Colin Powell took time to say hello to these people but it was just the fact that SOMEONE took the time to do so.

You don't have to be a famous person in order to make such a positive impact on the lives of those around you. Why not take the time today (and tomorrow and the next day and....well you get the point) to "reach out" and say "thank you" or ask how those that make up this kind of relationship in your own life are doing?

THIS MATTERS!

Tomorrow I will discuss how THIS has an impact on all of our other relationships. Be sure to join me then.

And, until then...

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

Mike

http://www.michaelspillman.com/

(be sure to go there and check out the audio/video version of these thoughts)

Reflections on a Great Day!

I mentioned several times on last week's podcast that I would be attending the "Get Motivated" Seminar in Springfield, MO. this past Thursday - and I did, and it was incredible!

Friend, ANYTIME you have the opportunity to attend a seminar or event such as this - GO! And, let me especially emphasize that, if you have the opportunity to attend THIS particular seminar - GO! You can check out their schedule at http://www.getmotivated.com/ - you simply cannot beat the price of attending such an event!

So, just as in my podcast for today, I want to reflect on the experience and also add a few extra thoughts in the blog today that I was unable to do in the podcast due to time restraints.

1. ANYTIME you can spend a day with "like-minded" individuals you need to make sure that you do!

I've talked many times about how important it is to surround our selves with positive information and people. This fits the bill on both accounts! Now, don't get me wrong - not everyone in that crowd of nearly 10,000 people had the right mindset. As a matter of fact, there was a group of gentlemen (and I'm trying to be nice here) that were there for...well, I can't really figure out WHY they were there. One young man that sat two seats over from me was on his cell phone pretty much the whole time and, once one of his friends saw my displeasure in this fact and mentioned that to the phone phanatic (cleaver, huh?) he put it away. Thank goodness! However, within the next 30 minutes I noticed that they all got up and left. One of the ladies there with our group that was sitting right next to the group said that they were very rude as they got up and left declaring, "We don't need this crap!" The only thing we could figure out was that they didn't like the speaker or what was being said. So, again, even in the midst of such a powerful event you can and WILL find negativity! But....the POSITIVE far outweighed the NEGATIVE and, as is usually the case, the negative cannot stand to hand around a bunch of positive people like were present for this event.

2. Absorb What is Being Said

On top of spending time with like-minded people, what a great day it was to listen to so many "like-minded" speakers! Yes, some were better than others and, I sure wouldn't want to ever be the last speaker at such an event (you know, what your mind can absorb is directly connected to what your rear end can!), but there was something to be learned from each and every one. Don't tune them out (even listening or reading in your home - don't take shortcuts!) and don't assume you've heard it all before. Because friend, I can assure you - you have not! I was pleasantly please and surprised at a lot of the things I heard from this group of people and I tried to absorb as much of it as I could like a sponge!

3. No Matter Who You Are - People Are People

General Colin Powell - a great man for sure...a man who has met with the most powerful leaders all over the world...a man who demands great respect just by his very presence...a man who spends time in the parking garage talking to the attendants asking about their families and their jobs. What? That's right. This was what stuck out to me most about what he had to say - no matter who you are or what level you have achieved in your life, people are people and we all need contact with one another. Are we listening? Have YOU gotten "too big for your britches"? Don't forget those around you each and every day that serve you in some way and make your life easier. Thank them, talk to them, laugh with them and thank them again.

4. Being Wealthy and Helping People Are Not Exclusive of Each Other

If anything, wealth should bring with it an added responsibility to help those around us! One of the speakers, James Smith, really emphasized this in a powerful way! Going along with what Gen. Powell said about remember that people are people, Mr. Smith emphasized how we can help those around us and give them hope for a better and brighter future. He wasn't talking about handouts to people that won't help themselves - but helping those that NEED help and perhaps don't know HOW to receive that help, WHERE to receive that help or even have the ABILITY to receive that help. This is so important for each and every one of us to remember in our lives - especially as we all work toward our goals and dreams. There is something that we ALL can do where we are with what we have to help someone move along in their life as well. Get excited about the possibilities of what YOU can do in the lives of those - not only in your immediate area - but all over the world!

5. Your Past Does Not Have to Determine Your Future!

I don't have my information here in front of me as I type, but I believe the co-founder of this event's name is Tamara Lowe. Now, I'll just be honest - she wasn't my favorite speaker and I didn't really prefer her speaking style. So....did I just shut her out? NO! Like I said, I tried to absorb all that I could and I did so with this speaker as well. Now, she actually said, "Your past does not determine your future!" and you will notice that I added the words, "have to". Some people will wallow in their situation and allow their past to determine their future. But they and you do not have to allow this! I won't go into all of the details that Ms. Lowe shared, but she came from an unbelievably bad background and is definitely a success today! She lived the kind of life that usually is considered a "dead end" and, yes, many people - in the end - end up dead due to this type of life. No matter WHO you are - there is hope! Seems like I remember someone saying something along the lines of, "As long as there is breath there is hope!". Don't ever forget that and don't ever cease to believe that - IT IS TRUE!

6. Listen to WHO You Can WHILE You Can!

Zig Ziglar, an icon in the filed of personal development was also on the program. This was inspiring and a "heart-tugger" all at the same time. Apparently, Mr. Ziglar suffered a very serious fall sometime recently (I really don't know when) that has affected his sense of balance as well as his short term memory. However, Mr. Ziglar has not allowed this to stop him - it has slowed him down - but it has NOT stopped him! His daughter shared that he has said that it has just forced him to find new ways of doing things - and he has. His daughter escorted him around the stage (or TRIED to - she could hardly keep up with him) and had to help him move on in his talk because he would forget that he had just finished talking about something already --- but this was truly inspiring to watch. Mr. Ziglar has done so much for so many for so long and I appreciate him and what he has done so much. Listen to me here - if you have the opportunity to hear Mr. Ziglar now - DO IT WITHOUT HESITATION! I'm not trying to be morbid here, but I really don't know (none of us do) how much longer he will be able to continue what he is doing and, believe me, you don't want to say, "I wish I had" once he is no longer able to do so.

Well, I mentioned on my podcast that I would expand a bit in this blog - and, boy, did I! There is so much more I could say and I will say - just not today. I will be continuing some of my thoughts on the podcast for Tuesday as well as in this blog entry tomorrow.

One more thing I want to mention... a young man that I met by the name of "Chas". You'll hear more about him on the podcast and you will read more about him in tomorrow's entry so be sure to come back and hear/read about this young man!

And, as always...

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

Mike