Want a BREAKTHROUGH?

 "Remember WHO You Are" video 

CLICK HERE for the video

Go HERE to listen to the podcast

As always, if you've not done so, please read the previous two articles in this 3-part "Mini-Series". All three of these articles come from the video that I have listed above (you should watch that video, as well). 

To help you out, HERE is the link for the 1st article in this series titled, "You Gotta' Have Faith!"...you can click HERE for the second (most recent) article titled, "Do Something TODAY!".

I'm guessing that, if I were to ask for a show of hands for all who would like a "breakthrough", I'd see each and every one of you reading this with their hand in the air, right?

Here is the quote that I pulled from the above mentioned video that stuck with me on this point: "There is no BREAKTHROUGH without a BREAKDOWN." (paraphrased by me)

Have you ever heard the phrase "overnight success"?

Yeah, 99.9% of the time it's just not an accurate description of a band, singer, business, etc. Sure, they may "burst onto the scene" what seems like overnight. This usually means that this is when they become known after being "unknown". 

However, most of the time this person, group or business (and whatever else it may be) has been grinding and struggling for years just trying to "make it". Just because they have not been known on a "big stage" doesn't mean that they have not been working hard for a long time.

Oh, but wait! Someone that wins the lottery could be considered an overnight success, right? Nope. Chances are (more often than not) that the person that won that lottery will be worse off in a few years than they were BEFORE they won that lottery. 

Why? Because they haven't been through the struggle that has helped them learn what it takes to "make it" and to be wise with the money that they have collected over time. Sure, they may have struggled before they won that lottery but seldom have they struggled to the point of learning how to handle such sudden financial gain. 

We ALL want a "breakthrough" but not many of us are willing to go through the "breakdown" first in order to achieve what's on the other side. 

I was at a business convention once where the speakers would start off by telling a short story of how they got to where they were. One, that I had visited with personally on a few occasions, simply said something along the lines of, "I'm not even going to tell you what I did to get where I am (he was a millionaire) because I know none of you would do it." Knowing a little about his story, I knew he was right!

Many want the  success but most are not willing to do what it takes in order to obtain that success.

 There are so many listed quotes that are supposedly said by Thomas Edison that are similar to the one in the graphic above but, you get the idea of what he is saying. 

Was Mr. Edison an "overnight success"? Not even close! But he WAS, most definitely, a success!

Here's one last quote that I want to leave you with today along these lines...

 Has the "breakdown" beaten you down to the point that you are ready to quit right before you have your "breakthrough"?

Think about it and keep LIVING IN FAITH and DO SOMETHING TODAY that you will push your towards your BREAKTHROUGH. 

Until next time, remember...

YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

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Success Factor #5: DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

 In this conclusion of my "Success Factors" we will discuss the importance of NEVER GIVING UP! You can see the previous titles in the image above.

Remember, when we talk about "success", that word can mean different things to different people. SUCCESS can be applied to any area of your life...YOU decide what that means for you - these factors will apply no matter which way you decide to apply them.

                                                                          

Remember, "changing direction" does NOT equal failure! Failure only comes when you decide to "wave that white flag" and surrender...to QUIT. 

 

I'm sure that, by now, most of you are familiar with Thomas Edison's journey through many "failures" that led him to success. (If not, do some research and discover it for yourself - you will be amazed!) 

Too, it's important to understand that your goals and desires - or what is even important to you - may change over time. Does that mean that you are a failure? NO! Honestly, if those things DON'T change for you then, in my personal opinion, you are not maturing as you age.

I plan to do a video soon sharing my own personal journey and "where I am" now after 13 years on this particular journey with "Future You University". Be sure to check out updates HERE.

 

I've been with a new company now for about two months and I probably had the worst week on ANY job this past week. It was BRUTAL! I would be lying if I told you that I didn't have a hard time maintaining a positive mindset because it was VERY difficult to keep my focus on the positive.

Some might consider quitting and finding something else to do after such a week. Although I had a hard time maintaining a positive mindset, the thought of QUITTING never entered my mind! This is a "commission-only" sales position and, that being the case, there will ALWAYS be great weeks and there will also be "sucky" weeks like the one that I just endured. 

 

You simply push FORWARD, regardless. 

As you can tell from the date at the bottom of the graphic below, I came up with this statement a little over 11 years ago...and it is still true today and it will ALWAYS be true.

In the podcast that goes along with this particular "Success Factor" (see links below for podcasts), I discuss how I've taken a step back from "pushing" so hard on some things like I have done in the past and that I am now attempting to do better at enjoying what is available for me TODAY...right now. Take a listen, I think you'll be glad that you did since I don't follow a script. You will hear other thoughts and ideas than what I am putting in this article and I do believe that you will benefit from that additional material. 

Here's a quote that I pulled from that podcast: "If you do not quit - stop - trying to live your best life and to share your best life so that you can IMPACT those around you in the best way possible, then you will never, ever be a failure."  

 

 

 

Now then, the following is for "the believers" out there. Obviously, even if you are not a "believer", you can still read what I put below but, if you don't like it, then just skip over it and take the positive information that I have provided for you in the article. Don't allow yourself to "get your feather's ruffled". This may not be for you!

 

For the believers out there, I want to leave a couple of encouraging thoughts that apply to those of us that seek to follow God and His Son, Jesus as we strive to make our world a better place by doing so. Take comfort in the words found in Galatians 6:9 - " Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)

 

And then, finally, I hope you will enjoy and celebrate in the truth found in this video. You will hear the words, "So, keep your head up...don't you give up...Jesus is coming back!".  Don't ever forget that truth, friend! 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

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How To Get "Good Luck"

I guess I've heard it for most of my life. People that look at others that are more successful than they and the less-successful person states that the other has acquired their success by luck.

Many times, the less-successful use this as a way to try to make themselves feel better ABOUT themselves for their lack of success. So, it is easier to try to "tear down" someone else's success than it is for them to actually do the work necessary to achieve similar success.

Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Some time ago I did an episode on the idea that OPPORTUNITY does not always knock and that, at times, you must go out and find it. At times it will definitely involve WORK along the way.

Here's a quick bit of advice on this thought: Seek success in the area of something that you enjoy  - something that "cries out" YOU and that "work" will not seem like work at all.

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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Mike's Quotes #34: FAILURE and SUCCESS

 “Without FAILURE one cannot know and experience SUCCESS!”

 - Mike Spillman (07.08.14)

The first definition for the word, "failure", that I came across when I searched was, "The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends." That describes it pretty well, does it not - "...not achieving the desired end or ends". We must deal with failure when we do not achieve (fall short) our desired goal. 

But, the BIG question is this: What do YOU do when you fail or fall short? Some people are afraid to discuss failure because they feel it portrays them as being a loser. 

As we will discuss in this article, failure is a part of success. If you wish to be a success then, friend, you should be prepared to suffer failure.

You have likely heard MANY times the quote by Thomas Edison concerning his failed attempts at developing the electric light bulb, right? If not, here it is...

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Also notice this other quote by Thomas Edison concerning failure or "giving up"... "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

I have stated this before but, friend, the only way that you truly fail is to quit or to give up! The path to success is paved with failure along the way. (Notice the 1st graphic at the beginning of this article.)

I want to leave you with SEVERAL graphics that all deal with the idea of success and failure. Let them inspire you. Let them lift you up and let them spur you on down the road toward SUCCESS.  
 

A failure or a "falling short of your goal" is only a temporary set back unless, again, you decide to give up. DO NOT EVER give up! Instead, GET UP and GET GOING!

And, as you do so, always remember to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Starting Over...AGAIN

 

So, maybe you're having to "start over...again".  SO WHAT?

 

The main thing is that you DID NOT QUIT and that you are getting back up and making another effort, right? RIGHT!

 

As I was preparing for this blog by looking over some graphics to use, I came across one that read, "Tired of starting over? Then STOP QUITTING!"

 

Honestly, I think that was one of the dumbest things I've ever read! If you are starting over you certainly HAVE NOT QUIT!

 

Think about it. If you had quit, why would you be "starting over"?

 

YOU WOULDN'T!

 

If you QUIT, you simply lay down by the side of the road and stay there. You don't get back up and you sure don't do what it takes to make another attempt at going after and reaching your goals and dreams.

 

What invention do you think was ever created the first time that it was ever attempted? (I can answer that question for you - NONE!).

 

Sure, there have been some inventions that were created by mistake but, when you actually think about it, that was not THE invention that was being sought! Successful inventions take attempt after attempt after attempt!

 

How many attempts did the Wright brothers try before getting their plane off of the ground for that very short flight? How many attempts did Alexander Graham Bell make before he successfully got an answer on the other end of that telephone? Some - like the 1,000 "failed attempts" by Thomas Edison - have been well documented but, be assured, this is true of ANY real invention!

 

So, you are NOT quitting when you are STARTING OVER...regardless of how many times you have had to do so.

 

Be sure to listen to today's podcast for more and please share the blog AND the podcast with as many as possible. Also, be sure to take a moment to read my "extra note" below the links.

 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read today's blog and, as always, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

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SPECIAL, ADDITIONAL NOTE FROM MIKE!

Hey guys, I just wanted to share this note with you that ties in with today's topic. PERHAPS you have had to try to "start over" with your finances time and time again. PERHAPS you are tired of having too much month left over at the end of your money.

WHAT IF I could share with you a way to PAY OFF YOUR DEBT without having to even increase your income?

That's right! This is NOT a "money-making" scheme to try to get you to sign up for. Nope! This is a "tried and true" plan that WORKS in helping show you how to systematically REMOVE and EXTINQUISH your debt once and for all.

When I was at the Dani Johnson event in San Antonio, Texas this past July I got to see FIRST HAND the group of people that had paid off TONS and TONS of debt all while increasing (that's right, INCREASING) their income at the same time.

Like I said, this is from Dani Johnson - you've heard me talk about her time and time again. She has a PROVEN SUCCESS TRACK RECORD in several areas and this is DEFINITELY one of them.

Just so you know, I am an affiliate of this program (and, by the way, my wife and I DO own this program ourselves!) and do receive a commission off of each sale.

Thing is, I can't and won't EVER promote somthing that I do not believe in 100% myself.

So, check it out, read the information for yourself and think about positioning yourself to where you NEVER have to "start over" financially again.

 

Failure IS an Option!

What we USUALLY here is, "Failure is NOT an option!"

 

I understand and appreciate the determination that comes from such a statement. I like to know that this would be the attitude that my surgeon had before doing something major to my body. Know what I mean?

 

That determination is NEEDED when trying to achieve what you set out to achieve.

 

However, it can also be the attitude that CRUSHES you when you fall short......when you "fail".

 

When you have told yourself - or you've been told by others around you - that "failure is NOT an option" then, how do you feel when you DO fail (or fall short)?

 

Believe me, I have not forgotten that I have said many times that failure is NOT a definition of who you are...it is simply an EVENT as long as you pick yourself up and keep moving.

 

FAILURE DOES EXIST and it is that FAILURE that has spurred many great people to create and/or invent many of our greatest inventions and thoughts!

Do some research on people like Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln and even jump forward several decades and take a look at Michael Jordan and Donald Trump. These are but a FEW of a long list of "famous" and successful people that encountered MANY struggles that would be considered as failures.

Their "secret to success"?

THEY REFUSED TO GIVE UP and they also REFUSED TO LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS SAID ABOUT THEM.

I wonder how many "failed attempts" at flying the Wright brothers experienced before that ONE well-known and short flight took place? Or, what about Alexander Graham Bell? Do you think he successfully got someone to say "hello" on the other end of his contraption that we now call the telephone? I can answer that for you: OF COURSE NOT!

History is not full of stories of those that quit and gave up.

History IS full of stories of those that took FAILURE and used it as FUEL for their journey to SUCCESS.

And, by the way - DO NOT MISS THIS POINT - this also applies to those that REFUSE to give up when a marriage gets tough or when being a parent gets tough! History may not record your name but, more importantly, your FAMILY and those that LOOK TO YOU will remember!



So, yeah, failure IS an option but it's what you do with it that matters in the end.

 

Keep that in mind and, as always, be sure to...

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

Mike

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                                         Start your home based business HERE

The POWER of ONE Day!

 

Our world is FULL of historical dates when, one ONE particular day, something happened that was so significant that it changed some part of our world FOREVER.

 

No, I don't believe that this is an overstatement. I believe that it is a fact whether we realize it or not. Sure, some things that have happened in the world may not have impacted you directly, but it still likely has impacted you even indirectly.

 

For example, November 22 marks the fifty year anniversary of the assassination of then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Sure, anyone born after that time would not know of any impact or ramification that the activities of this one day might have on their life, but they are there.

 

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this example. It can be applied to MANY examples that have taken place all over the world. However, let me just say that world history was changed on that day. I say that simply due to the fact that we will never know what would have taken place in our world if this had not happened.

 

There are many NEGATIVE (bad) examples we could use but there are also many POSITIVE (powerful and good) examples that could be used as well.

 

What about the one day that Thomas Edison finally had success with the light bulb? It's easy to say that our world has been changed FOREVER as a result of that one day. Sure, I realize that there were MANY days behind that "one" day. Nevertheless, there WAS that "one" day when it finally worked.

 

Every day YOU have the opportunity to use your life for good (positive) or bad (negative) impact. Every single day.

 

The day that you were born changed the world forever. Oh, I know that it may not impact the world in the way that my other examples did BUT, at the same time, if you are alive, the end hasn't been written on that story, has it?

 

You may be influencing someones life in a way that you may never, ever realize. YOU may be the "spark" that directs another life to greatness.

 

Yes, YOU!

 

Oh, I have to continue this thought even more in the next blog and podcast but I hope you will let these thoughts sink in.

 

You and the POWER of ONE day. Wow!

 

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

 

Mike

 

Future You University          FYU on Facebook          MichaelSpillman.com

WORK the Opportunity!

O.k.... recap -

We've talked about the fact that "Opportunity IS Knocking".
Then, we discussed the need to "SEE the Opportunity".
And, in our last podcast and blog we emphasized the need to "SEIZE the Opportunity".

Now, finally, we also want to discuss another step that is absolutely necessary in this process:

"WORK the Opportunity!"

Remember what Thomas Edison said about opportunity being overlooked because it comes dressed in overalls and appears as work?

We live in a society that seems to live by the idea of not having to do ANY work for ANY reason! This goes back to that idea I expressed in some of the past few blog entries about people waiting for opportunity to just climb up in their lap and drop all of the benefits of that opportunity right there in their lap!

It just doesn't happen that way! It WILL take work!

My goodness - just think about this -- even just getting up out of that easy chair to go answer the door when opportunity knocks! GET UP OUT OF THAT CHAIR!

People whine and complain about wanting jobs but then turn down jobs that come their way. Again, OPEN YOUR MIND and SEE the opportunity and then SEIZE that opportunity.

Once seized - WORK it and make it work for you!

We all must get past the "lottery mindset". You know what I mean, right? The idea that we can go in and lay down a few bucks, scratch off a few numbers and walk away rich. That rarely happens! And, again - that's just not reality!

This goes back to some of my earliest podcasts when I asked, "What Are YOUR Dreams Worth?" with the idea of putting effort into and behind our dreams and goals.

I remember when I was in college that our school's business team had a phrase that they would use - T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. - and it was pronounced something like, "tan staffel". What did this acrostic stand for? "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" - and that is true, is it not?

Only YOU can take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. No one else can do it for you. It's YOUR choice!

What will you do with it? Will you see it? Will you seize it? And once seized, will you work it?

The choice is yours.


And, as always...

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


Mike

SEEING the OPPORTUNITY!

In my last podcast/blog I discussed the topic, “Opportunity IS Knocking!” and how important it is for us to realize that opportunity presents itself to us every second of every day. If you haven’t listened to the podcast or read the blog – you need to do that now before reading this one!

Yes, it is VERY important for us to understand that OPPORTUNITY is around us and that many times, it is “knocking” in order to get our attention – what will we do? What will YOU do?

Have you ever kicked yourself because of “missed” opportunities? My guess is that we all have! How do we prevent that from continually happening in our lives?

Here is a partial sharing of some quotes that I shared in this podcast (and, yes, I’m sure I’ve shared some of these before):
- Albert Einstein: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
- Helen Keller: “When one door of happiness closes, another one opens. But, often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
- Thomas Edison: “Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
- Winston Churchill: “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity, but the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Yes, even “opportunity” requires WORK! And “work”, for many people is a “four-letter word”! And, yes, EVEN IN DIFFICULTY – THERE IS OPPORTUNITY!



Here are some “steps” for us to use so that we may SEE the OPPORTUNITY:

1. OPEN YOUR MIND! In order for us to “see” and/or “hear” opportunity, we must first open our MINDS to the possibilities – a closed mind exists in darkness!

2. OPEN YOUR EYES! Only after opening your mind can you then open your eyes to SEE the opportunity that is around you each and every day!

3. OPEN YOUR EARS! Sometimes we can hear something before we see it – so it is with opportunity. But, once again, you cannot open your ears until you have first opened your mind!

Give all of this some thought as I continue to encourage you to be aware of the OPPORTUNITY that surrounds you every second of every day and, as always….

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

Success Needs No Apologies! - "Magical Monday"

I hope that you are enjoying our discussions from the book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill in our current podcasts. I know I am enjoying sharing this information with you and am getting "more comfortable" with the amount of material to share in such a limited time on these podcasts.

That being the case, today's podcast is the 2nd part of the discussion on Chapter 2 - DESIRE.

As Mr. Hill continues his emphasis on DESIRE being the starting point of all achievement he also emphasizes that fact that we must have a DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE - the knowledge of what one wants and the burning DESIRE to possess it.

We may choose to call that "FOCUS". Whatever you choose to call it and whether or not your "goal" is to be wealthy (rich) - WHATEVER YOUR GOAL, you MUST have that burning desire within that will drive you through any and all perceived failures along the way. We have already discussed that in some of our recent discussions on this topic.

However, as I look at this statement - I also see the importance of knowing your "WHY". Your PURPOSE - WHY are you pursuing this goal/dream? Is it simply to amass wealth? I'm thinking, since you are reading this, that the answer to that would be "no". Is it for your family and their financial security? Do you have something (a group, organization, charity) in mind with which you plan to share? Do you have something in mind that you want to do that requires more money than you have right now? WHAT IS THE "WHY" BEHIND YOUR DESIRE?

Another of the quotes in this chapter that I brought out was the following:

"Success requires NO APOLOGIES, failure permits NO ALIBIS."

WOW! Think about that! Perhaps we do not pursue "success" because we often feel that we need to apologize for doing so! Again, go back to the discussion last week on the thought of, "Is it wrong to desire wealth?" Should we feel GUILTY or APOLOGIZE because we seek success or achieve success?
NO!
If it were not for successful people - those that had a BURNING DESIRE to achieve success - we would not have many of the things that make our lives not only convenient but also healthier, safer, etc. Thomas Edison never gave up! He pushed forward again and again after many perceived "failures" while creating the "light bulb" as we know it today. His thought on this - each "failure" was just one step closer to "success". Why? He said that it was just another answer to "what doesn't work"! Wow! What an attitude. Aren't you glad he succeeded?
FAILURE PERMITS NO ALIBIS - stop making excuses! We are good at that, are we not? Do not accept anything less than your best and stop listening to even others that want to make excuses for you! Now, this is a fine line that we walk - on one hand we shouldn't "beat ourselves up" when we fall short of a goal. However, IF this goal is something that we have a BURNING DESIRE to achieve and it has a PURPOSE then we must also not allow the "comforting words" allow us to get TOO comfortable and relax and settle for mediocrity.
See what I mean?

And, finally, the last quote I wanted to discuss was one that should make a HUGE impact on our thought process as we have discussed it so far in our discussion.

"Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success."

What a GREAT way to look at these perceived "failures". Will we allow ourselves to LEARN from these setbacks? This is exactly what Thomas Edison did! He allowed each failure to bring him one step closer to success - it is within each of us to do the same!

Stop counting your failures and allowing that to stop you from moving forward! Instead, look at all of the seed that has been planted and let that propel you with forward momentum. My goodness, with that in mind, I have seeds planted for a BOUNTIFUL CROP OF SUCCESS! What about you?

What great information - I am so glad that Napoleon Hill did not give up on his pursuit of this book, aren't you?

We will continue our discussion on chapter 2 in tomorrow's podcast. Until then...

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

Mike