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

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Inspired to Inspire

"You Can't Give What You Don't Have!"

I believe that a majority of people have a desire to inspire others. But, at the same time, I would also suggest that a majority of people don't know HOW to inspire others.

It's really fairly simple - or, at least STATING the solution is fairly simple. "Be Inspired, Inspire Others" or, as the title says, we must be "Inspired to Inspire". And, yes, still yet: "You Can't Give What You Don't Have." 

Get the point? One must first HAVE inspiration in order to share that inspiration and, at the same time, inspire others.

 Here's a simple example that may make it even clearer. Let's say that you have a desire to share some grain that you have with others. Perhaps it's been a very harsh year and many of those around you are struggling. But, when you go to your barrel of grain you notice that there is barely enough grain in the barrel to cover the bottom. This creates a dilemma in that now you have to decide to give a little more (and very little at that) to one or two people OR to give a little less to maybe three or four people.

However, if you go to your grain barrel and the grain is full and spilling out onto the floor around the barrel then you have the ability to help a larger group of people with a larger amount of grain! What you have will determine what you are able to give and share.

Who - or what - inspires you? 

Perhaps it is the beauty of God's creation around you or the beautiful laughter of a baby. Maybe even the unconditional love of a pet. What have you read that has inspired you? Maybe you find inspiration in Scripture or maybe there are certain authors that have inspired you. I know that there have been many authors that I have read that have really inspired me in the area of doing all that I can to work on myself and protect a positive mindset. To be honest, some of those, I don't even remember their names but, at the same time, there are some of the "greats" such as Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar and Bob Proctor among others.  Every blog article that I've ever written can be found in this blog. Hopefully you can be inspired by some of the things you find and read here. 

This doesn't mean that you have to be in some major leadership or management position to inspire others. When you become inspired you become like that barrel that is overflowing with grain. You cannot help BUT share inspiration - and you can do it without being annoying! 

Just simply live an inspired life. 

As you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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The Challenge of DREAMING BIG

The bigger the DREAM, the bigger the CHALLENGE...that, my friend, is a fact! And, if the CHALLENGE is bigger, it must be due to the fact that the OBSTACLES are also bigger.

Now, friend, will you STILL make a decision to DREAM BIG even knowing the facts that I just presented?

A dream with no challenges is just that...a dream, and nothing more. It is only when you make the decision to begin to take the steps on the journey toward your goals and dreams that the dream becomes more than just talk.

It is only when you become more focused on your GOALS than you are on the CHALLENGES and the OBSTACLES that you begin to make progress toward reaching those goals and dreams. 

Many times people will refer to their dreams as their "destiny".  Be sure to pay close attention to the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the graphic below..."The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

I have spent a good part of the past 9 years trying to provide information to help you (and myself) to understand the importance of developing and keeping a positive mindset - even after you have made such a decision as was just discussed. 

This is the last blog article that I will be writing for a while. Be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic (the iTunes and RSS Feed link are found below) to get more (and different) insight into the thoughts on this challenge that comes when you decide to dream big.

Also, be sure to check the next podcast that will be coming out next...it will be the last podcast for a while as well. Be sure to listen to it to get all of the details.

And, finally, be sure to follow along via the fan page on Facebook (link below). That is the main place that you will be able to still be in touch with me from time to time until the relaunch sometime in the future

So friends, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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3 of 6: ATTITUDE!

ATTITUDE. Good or bad, it's something that we all have. And, on any given day, we may have both...several times throughout the day!

Your ATTITUDE can and will either be a CURSE and poisonous OR it will be a BLESSING to those with whom you come into contact.  You literally hold the keys to LIFE or DEATH of a person's mindset in YOUR ATTITUDE. 

And, you hold that same key for your OWN life through your attitude. 

Am I over-stating the importance of ATTITUDE? You decide for yourself as you look over the following quotes...

"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." - John C. Maxwell

A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. Wade Boggs
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_attitude.html

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." -  Wade Boggs 

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude." -  Zig Ziglar 

 "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." -  Winston Churchill

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." -  Thomas Jefferson

A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. Wade Boggs
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_attitude.html

The things that I have stated so far in this article as well as the profound words found in the above quotes, just emphasize even more, how important it is to PROTECT YOUR MINDSET and, thus, your ATTITUDE.

I was reading an article just yesterday about a lady (she was the author of the article) who, over time and due to different things that she was not happy with, allowed her attitude to become more and more negative as that time passed by. And, as a direct result, she was "let go". In other words, she was fired and told to move on. 

Again, a bad attitude can POISON one's life...EVERY area of that life.

Now, let's end this on a "high" note and talk about the POWER of a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Your positive attitude can (and will) make all the difference in the direction of your life and ALL relationships in your life. That, my friend, is a FACT and one that you need to consider very seriously. Go back and read again what Thomas Jefferson said about the man with "the right mental attitude"...HE CANNOT BE STOPPED!

That's right, friend. What you allow INTO your mind and what you allow to STAY in your mind will have a direct impact upon the direction of your life!! (Yeah, that was worth TWO exclamation points). And, as a direct result, it will also have a PROFOUND and POSITIVE impact upon the lives of many people around you in any area of your life.

Now then, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

Join me in the next article as I continue to discuss these 6 important "tasks" for our life from my "POWER Board". 

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

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H.O.P.E. (Purpose)

(If you've not done so, please read the previous two articles in this series...they are all connected!)

 

 

PURPOSE:

If you've read the previous two articles then, hopefully, you've figured out that your PURPOSE is PEOPLE.

 

That's right. Once you begin to allow yourself to open your heart and your life to others, you will begin to experience life as life was meant to be experienced...ALIVE and CONNECTED!

 

Many people struggle with their "purpose in life" and spend countless days, weeks and even years struggling with that thought. Some even spend countless dollars trying to discover this purpose. Hey, I just saved you lots of time and money!

 

YOUR PURPOSE IS PEOPLE!

 

We're all here together and we're all here for one another. We are all part of the HUMAN race (you ARE human, right?) and, that alone, connects us all.

 

When you close yourself off to others, you rob the world of who you are! You rob the world of your personality and everything else that you offer to this world.

 

Yes, I hear some of you saying, "But what about me? What about MY goals and what I am trying to achieve?" My guess is that you have heard this quote from Zig Ziglar before, haven't you?

 



"You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want,"

 

Just relax and care about others...serve others...be interested in others. Just relax and do that and see what happens in and for your life.

 

Some people call it "karma" and some use the phrase (good or bad), "What goes around, comes around."

 

Regardless of what you decide to call it, it's a true way of life and, friend, I want to encourage you to fulfill your PURPOSE for your life.

 

Even though I may not know you, I - for one - am glad that you are a part of this thing called the "human race".

 

Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

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You MUST Start!

I'm so glad that I had the chance to hear Zig Ziglar speak on two different occasions. The first time was around 32 years ago and the last time as a little over a year before he passed. Both were very different types of presentations but both were equally powerful.

 

The first time I heard Mr. Ziglar speak was at a time when he was still full of good health and vitality. He was all over that stage and on fire! The last time I got to hear him speak he was STILL all over that stage but at a much slower pace and with the help of his daughter. He was actually suffering from Alzheimer's and his daughter would have to keep him on track because he would often repeat something that he had already said. I will never forget at one point when his daughter said, "Daddy, you already told them that part." and, without missing a beat, Zig said, "Well, of course I did! I just don't think they got it the first time!"

 

You see, I took advantage of an OPPORTUNITY to hear Mr. Ziglar speak. It was a choice and it required a decision. And I'm so glad that I did. No one now has the chance to hear Mr. Ziglar speak at a live event anymore. Never. That can never happen again.

 

Friend, yes, I am VERY serious about this even coming up and about Dani Johnson. Listen, if you haven't done so yet, GO to her page and just look around, read the free articles and listen to the free recordings and you will quickly discover that she is a TREASURE and the OPPORTUNITY that is before you to learn and be taught by this powerful woman is just that...an opportunity.

 

Attending or not attending is a choice that is before and, yes, it does require a decision. YOUR decision.

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT! - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! It doesn't matter who you are or what you do for a living, you don't want to miss this life-changing event. You've heard me talk about Dani Johnson many times before right? I will be attending her live event in San Antonio, Texas on July 12th - 13th and and also for the Business Workshop on the 14th and I'd love to meet YOU there! Go here to check it out for yourself and get ready to take your life to the next level!

I can promise you this - you will NEVER REGRET attending this event and you will be THANKFUL that you DID attend when you had this opportunity to do so.

This, literally, could be YOUR "starting point" to greatness. Yes, I DO believe in it that strongly. Look at the quote from Zig Ziglar above again: "You don't have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great."

Bottom line: STOP waiting for everything to line up perfectly. STOP waiting for opportunity to send you a personal invitation. STOP making excuses and START taking action.

Remember what I said recently? "Chang Nothing - Nothing Changes".

I look forward to meeting YOU in San Antonio! Until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

 

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The Power of A.S.K.

THE POWER OF A.S.K.

I'm really excited about this week's topic of discussion because I think it can really "open a lot of doors" for those of you that are still struggling with the concept of raising the bar of your expectations.

The concept that we will be talking about this week is a Biblical concept, but I won't be "preaching" at you during these discussions - I promise! However, there is much good and many wise thoughts and ideas that can be gained from Scripture and some of the greats in the field of personal development (such as Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar) regularly refer to some of these thoughts and ideas.

What I'm talking about is the concept of Ask - Seek - Knock. The extended version of this is as follows: Ask - and it shall be give to you; Seek - and you shall find; Knock and the door shall be opened to you. We'll get into the specifics of these the rest of the week when we discuss "Ask" on Tuesday, "Seek" on Wednesday and "Knock" on Thursday.

But today, as a way of introduction, I want to go back and again talk about the need to RAISE YOUR LEVEL OF EXPECTATION!

Why is this so important?

If we don't have an expectation of something greater in our lives then there will be no desire and no need to follow the A.S.K. concept. Why? Because, again, you are happy where you are and have likely decided to "settle for less". (Go back two weeks ago and listen to that week's podcasts as well as the blog entries for that week on this topic).

Here's the bottom line: as I talk about each and every day in my podcasts, we ALL have the power and the ability to make things better in our lives! We ALL have the power to "turn things around" each and every day.

We also all have the ability to choose to do nothing and settle for less.

Raising your level of expectation doesn't mean you have to desire to become a millionaire. It doesn't mean you even have to desire to change jobs. You may love your job and you may be doing exactly what you were meant to be doing. AWESOME! GREAT!

However, I am a firm believer in the fact that ALL OF US (yes, even you) can improve ourselves a little each and every day. And, by doing so, we become better husbands, wives, dads, moms, friends, workers, bosses, etc.

And, by doing so, we likely teach a very valuable lesson to our children and/or to those that are around us each and every day.

It's the belief that we can always LEARN more and improve our lives and expand our knowledge base just a little bit more. From what I understand, it has been proven that in order to keep our minds "fresh" and "sharp" it is important for us to "exercise" our brains by challenging our brain with new information.

So, yeah, even if you LOVE what you are doing - there is still the ability to raise the level of our expectations.

Now, there are also those of you that have become discouraged and depressed to the point of giving up any hope that things might become better in your life. You've waived the "white flag" and surrendered to any thought of expecting more in your life.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Stop relying on others or "outside sources" to make that happen in your life - IT IS UP TO YOU! It is YOUR job to improve your life!

It is NOT the governments job! Some have that expectation in their life and are waiting for the government to "give them" what they thing is their "right".

Some have the expectation that FAMILY should take care of them and they sit around and whine and complain when the "family" doesn't come through as they "should".

If either of these describes you - SHAME ON YOU!

You have taken the road of least resistance and have become LAZY - yeah, I said it - instead of raising your level of expectation! Don't raise your level of expectation of what you expect OTHERS to do FOR you, but raise your level of expectation about what YOU can do for YOURSELF!

When we begin to understand that, indeed, it is up to US to improve our lives then we realize that, indeed, there is no limit to what great things we can accomplish in our lives!

You've likely heard the phrase, "If you want things done right you have to do them yourself!". Apply that to what we are talking about here and think about it for a moment!

Those that are sitting around waiting for others to do FOR them are basing their "results" on what the "others" decide to do. And, again, it usually isn't to the approval of the one that has settled for this type of lifestyle.

WHY NOT DO IT YOURSELF?

Raise your level of expectation of what is POSSIBLE in your own life and take charge of this area of your life!

Believe it or not, it's true! (Think about it, whether you believe something or not really has nothing to do with something being true or not. What is true is true!)

What is true? The possibilities are ENDLESS for you when you take this approach with your life! You will be surprised at what you are able to accomplish in and with your life once you begin to raise your level of expectation!

And, this week, I will be sharing thoughts with you about this concept of "A.S.K." and how this can greatly aide us in this desire.

Thanks for allowing me to share these thoughts in your life today. Be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with it by either going to iTunes and searching Future You University or Mike Spillman OR you can listen in by going to http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com

As you go through your day today, always remember to...

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

Mike

Living a Life of PURPOSE

"Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time." - Marian Wright Edelman

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." -Robert Byrne

"We are here on earth to do good for others. What the others are here for, I don't know."
- W. H. Auden

As we continue to talk about "PURPOSE" and, more specifically today, "Living a Life of PURPOSE" it is interesting to notice these quotes that have shed light on this very topic.

In a very general sense we are going to discuss the PURPOSE that each of us has in our lives - this is a common theme for each and every one of us. You likely can pick up on it already just from reading the quotes provided so far.

Regardless of who you are, where you live, what your economic situation is - we are all here for one general purpose: Doing good for others or, said in a different way - SERVICE!

Now, we will try to get a little more specific as far as determining our INDIVIDUAL purpose in life - but this is a MUST for our starting point!

Zig Ziglar said it this way: "If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want."

I emphasized that last part of his quote because it speaks to the topic at hand - notice what he says! You see, living a PURPOSEFUL life of SERVICE TO/FOR OTHERS is not exclusive of being a success - even a financial success - in our world today!

So, you see, it really DOESN'T matter who you are, where you live or how much money you do or don't have! We can ALL look around us and reach out to those around us and do SOMETHING for them to help them in some small (yet, likely bigger than we realize) way!

I really believe that, until we begin to understand this and even PRACTICE this in our own lives, we will NEVER discover our "specific" purpose for our lives. Why? Because, until we start understanding this basic principle we will continue to live a life focused only on ourselves.

Remember, you were put here for a PURPOSE! You were placed on this earth for a REASON! And, for each and every one of us, that general purpose and reason is to help EACH OTHER! Think about how POWERFUL that is when you really look at it closely.

Living a life focused on ourselves is not really living at all. Here's one final quote that emphasizes this truth:

A useless life is an early death. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

None of us wants to feel as if we are living a "useless life". We ALL want to know and feel that we have a PURPOSE and a REASON for being here. Open your eyes, look around you. See and live PURPOSE for your life!

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

My Jim Rohn Tribute

My Jim Rohn Tribute

Last night as I recorded my podcast for today I had many thoughts sweep over me. I'd like to try to share some of those with you today and encourage you to be sure to listen to today's podcast which includes about a three minute clip of Mr. Rohn speaking.

Thought #1: Did the closing sound corny?

When I ended my podcast I said something along the lines of, "...this great man who walked this earth, the same earth that we walk today" and immediately thought, "Wow, that sounded corny!" Then I thought about it a little more and, although I do wish I had worded it differently (yeah, I know I could have gone back and edited it or redone it - but I really didn't want to) there is meaning behind what was said and here it is: Jim Rohn was, indeed, a very special man BUT he was no different than you or me! If he were here today he would tell you the exact same thing. Oh, he was different than most of us in that he reached thousands upon thousands of people around the world and he will continue to do so for years and years even after his death --- a true legacy. He is also different than many of us in that he stepped up and out and followed what he had been taught. But, do you realize that he did not hear these lessons until he was about 40 years old? And, look what he did with the rest of his life!

So, here's the kicker - why can't you do the same? You see, he DID walk the same earth as you and I. He had the same struggles, cares, concerns and, obviously, health issues that many of us face from day to day. Yet, again, look at the legacy that he leaves behind. There is greatness in each one of us that is just waiting to be let out and let loose!

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you."

"Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well."

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become."

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day."

Thought #2: Jim Rohn Was Unique!

Jim Rohn didn't try to be anyone else. He was a unique man and he had a unique way of speaking. If you listen to the audio clip on today's podcast you will hear me make a comment on how he said the last word of that clip. It put a smile on my face every time I heard it as I edited the podcast. I loved hearing him do that particular "thing" to words as he spoke. He was calm as he spoke and was not one of those "fired up" guys that run all over the stage. Now, don't get me wrong - I like those guys too and sometimes that is what I need! But, Mr. Rohn didn't try to be anything but who he was. And, for that, I am very thankful.

The lesson is true for us still today and I touched on this very idea a few days ago in our podcast on, "You Are Unique!". Don't try to be like everyone else and don't try to BE someone else - be who you are and use the talents and the abilities that God gave YOU!

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."

"It is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all. It is what you do about what happens that counts."

Thought #3: A Void is Being Left

Charlie "Tremendous" Jones passed away in 2008 and now Jim Rohn in 2009. I had the privilege to hear Zig Ziglar back in October and was inspired and saddened at the same time because it was evident that his time of sharing will soon be coming to an end. Wow - that's all I can think to say. These men are, indeed, legends in this field and now they are gone and there are not many - than I'm aware of - of this caliber that still are able to continue on. Dennis Waitley comes to mind and I'm glad I had the chance to meet him in July of 2008 and, although he is still going strong he, too, is getting up in years.

What then? I believe there is a call for others to step up and continue this great legacy set by these men. You can call it arrogance if you'd like but I plan to be one of those that steps up and does my best to continue in their footsteps! Yes, others are doing so even now - and I plan to be one as well. We cannot all be speakers, authors - motivators in the same realm as these great men. BUT - we CAN all be motivators in our own world and to/for those that we are around on a daily basis! Will you?

We all have a responsibility to be the best that we can be and to be all that we can be. Never forget that as you make your way through this daily journey.

And, finally, this quote from Jim Rohn - I think this speaks of his character and his heart for people. I will leave you with this quote as I continue to encourage you to, "Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

"I wish for you a life of health, wealth and happiness; a life in which you give yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and achieve worthy rewards."

These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.comExcerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn.Copyright © 1994-2008 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.

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