ACTION: The Only Way to Stay "FRESH"

 Stagnant - 1. not flowing or running, as water, air, etc. 2. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water. 3. characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement: a stagnant economy.  4. inactive, sluggish, or dull.

And, as a matter of interest, here is a list of words that describe the opposite of being stagnant: active, alert, busy, energetic, lively, mobile, moving, spirited, working.

Allowing any area of your life to become stagnant is very similar to allowing yourself to get into a rut, as we discussed in the last article.

Honestly, no matter what your situation, you MUST do whatever it takes to prevent stagnation in your life! Remember, "No activity equals DEATH!" 

Take a look at that body of water in the above picture. My guess would be that, if there were any fish in that body of water before, many - if not all - have already died due to the lack of fresh water that would continue the life in that water. 

Many would be shocked if they were able to see a visual image like this picture as it described their own life and the lack of activity found therein. 

Just as a charging dog could cause one to be paralyzed by fear and just as the "deepness" of one's rut can do the same, so it is with taking the needed action to prevent themselves from becoming stagnant! 

However, if you desire to live a productive life and if you wish to improve your life in all areas then it is an absolute necessity that you do whatever it takes to bring in "new life" INTO your life in order for it to remain "fresh" and "alive".  

It will not happen over night and it will not happen by itself. It will require YOU to make a decision to take action and it will also require you to actually put that decision into gear by TAKING action. 

Here's the kicker...some people actually are AFRAID of their life improving. What??? I know, as odd as it may seem, there are actually people out there that are fearful of their lives improving for the better.

WHY? Well, as best as I can figure out, it is because it is sometimes easier to live a life of stagnation and  a life in a rut so that one can use that as an excuse for their circumstances. For some, it is easier to blame their lack of action and activity in their life on the very things that are a result of the lacking activity.

Strange, isn't it? But, let's get real here - what about you? Again, as has been discussed in every article in this series, YOU MUST BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF before any advancement can be made.

Read and/or listen to those that can help stimulate your mind and your ideas. Spend time around those people that do the same and spend less time - if any at all - around those that do the opposite.

You MUST begin to bring in some "freshness" to your life if it has become stagnant. You must bring in some "fresh air" to help clear out and clean out the stagnant air that you have become used to.

So, again (from previous articles in this series) what is your WHY or your PURPOSE? What is it that you wish to accomplish?

Bottom line, get moving and take ACTION because it is the ONLY way to stay "fresh".

Tomorrow, we'll discuss the topic: "ACTION: It Becomes Easier With Momentum!"

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube     Future You Travel

ACTION: The Only Way to Break Out of A Rut

So, I'm sure you've heard that definition of "insanity" as continuing to do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, right?

The above graphic is just another take on it that I put together several years ago but the fact remains to be the same and to be TRUE: If you keep doing the same thing over and over again you will continue to get the same results AND you will end up in a rut! 

Oh, I can hear some of you now. "But if you are having success doing the same thing over and over again - what's wrong with that?" Nothing, necessarily. But I still stand by what I said in the above paragraph. Even those (individuals and companies) that have been successful that continued to keep doing the same thing year after year after year ended up in a rut and, as a matter of fact, many of them have closed their doors to business.

ACTION is the ONLY way to break out of a rut. And, here's a fact to go along with that statement: The deeper the rut the more action will be needed in order to break out of or get out of that rut!

Are you ready for another one? A rut does not necessarily indicate action. Yes, it does indicate some action by someone at some point in time. And, that action may have even been done by YOU but, guess what? You may have stopped any and all action and decided just to lay down, sit down and just stay down in that rut!

*Ouch!*

Are you done trying to justify that rut that you find yourself in? Are you ready to be HONEST with yourself about this? (If not, go back and read the first introductory article for this series. You can read it here) 

One of the first - and often times BIGGEST - steps that you have to take when trying to break free from living in a rut is to first ADMIT THAT YOU ARE IN A RUT! Friend, that's not easy!

Remember in the last podcast and blog article how we discussed "Purposeful Action"? We also referred to that as your "Why" as far the reason behind you taking action. Once you realize and admit that you are, indeed, in a rut then hopefully your purpose - your WHY - will first and foremost be your desire to break out of and get out (and stay out) of that rut.  

Now, although I said that admitting that you are in a rut is often one of the BIGGEST steps in breaking out of a rut, your work has only begun. Oh, understand that, if you don't first make that decision, then nothing changes and you stay down in that rut. BUT, once you have decided that it's time to get OUT of that rut then the real work has begun.

Again, the deeper the rut, the more energy or ACTION will be required to get out.

How big is your WHY? How big is your PURPOSE?

One last note...if you actually look around, you will often find others that are ready, willing and able to HELP YOU in this effort.

Don't ever forget that.

Now, GET BUSY and GET MOVING so that you can BREAK FREE OF THAT RUT! 

In tomorrow's article we will discuss:  "ACTION: The Only Way to Stay 'FRESH' "

Do what you need to do TODAY while you the opportunity 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

YouTube     $20 Travel Business

Introduction to "The Importance of Action"

Over the past few days I decided that it was time to TAKE ACTION. 

Oh, I know that there are many that would suggest that I (or them or anyone) should just wait until the start of the new year to take steps to make changes or take action, right? 

But, why SHOULD I and why WOULD I wait when I can start taking action today? 

So, let me share with you what I have decided to do and, as part of this sharing, hopefully encourage you to take action in your own life.

Back at the start of July I made a big "push" to promote that "Future You University" was back! Well, I did do a few blogs and podcasts but, by no means, did I do so in a way that would qualify as saying that I was "back". 

Yeah, as usual, "stuff" kept getting in the way or, to be more honest, I ALLOWED that to be an excuse as to why I wasn't following through with what I said I was going to do. 

IMPORTANT TIP #1: You MUST be honest with yourself about where you are in your own life! 

I have come to realize the absolute NECESSITY of taking ACTION in my life and to get past the excuses that I have allowed to rule - yes, rule - parts of my life. You? 

So, part of my decision to take action - DAILY action - is to get back to doing a DAILY blog article along with a daily podcast and video (Vlog) as well.  

IMPORTANT TIP #2: Make sure you start out with a DAILY activity and stick to it!  

If you try to make a major change without dedicating yourself to DAILY action toward that purpose your chances of failure increase dramatically.  Yes, you can always adjust things later on if necessary but do not be fooled into thinking that you can/should start off doing this any other way except for doing it DAILY!

I also made some other decisions about taking daily action in other areas of my life: physically, spiritually and concerning my business. Why wait to do what everyone does and make those so-called "New Year's Resolutions"?

IMPORTANT TIP #3: Doing what everyone else does will take you to the same place that everyone else ends up...that same place that they started.   

I've already hit a challenge in this process. I'm having some major issues getting my podcast up and publicized. This podcast company has been having some major issues over the past several months but this is the first time that it has directly impacted me. So, to be honest, it may not get published as planned but I will STILL continue to record new ones each and every day. 

IMPORTANT TIP #4: Anytime you plan to make major changes in your life, get ready - THERE WILL BE ROADBLOCKS trying to block your way to successfully completing what you have set out to do.   

Now, interestingly, as is usually the case, this blog article is COMPLETELY different than the podcast and Vlog that I recorded earlier today. So, hopefully that podcast will be available to you soon. If not, check out the video on my YouTube channel (link below) since I recorded them at the same time.

I plan for this to be a series for this week: "The Necessity of ACTION!". Be sure to join me DAILY.  

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube

 

Win OR Lose?

 

Right up front let me acknowledge that the idea for today's article and podcast do not come from me. I was listening to a video from John C. Maxwell and his "Minute with Maxwell" video series, and I REALLY liked what he shared on this topic. You can watch it here . You can also sign up for "Minute with Maxwell" to be delivered to your own e-mail address on that same page.  

For most of us - if not all of us - we normally think of this type of thing where there is a winner and there is a loser. One person (or team) wins and the other loses. I love the example that Mr. Maxwell gives about what happens when, over a period of time, the same person wins while competing with the same person that, of course, always loses. 

In case you didn't watch that video clip, I'll tell you what happens. (Actually, if you think about it for a moment, you likely already know the answer). The person that always loses will no longer be interested in "playing" or "competing". 

Why? Because no one likes to continually lose. Most people do NOT want to participate if it has been proven that they will likely lose. Every. Single. Time. 

And, by the way, this is NOT promoting the "everyone gets a trophy" and "we don't keep score so that no one experiences losing" type of mentality. C'mon, now. That's not real life and, by following this type of mentality, we (adults) are not doing our job of preparing our young people for a realistic future. 

But, is it possible to create an environment that is a "Win-Win" situation for all involved? Well, it's not likely that it will be that way for ALL involved (there are many reasons why this is so and many of them have to do with the attitude of some individuals), BUT, perhaps, there is a way to create more of  this than we may think. 

Think about it... business is an easy example of this concept. Specifically as it deals to companies making a profit while, at the same time, those that distribute that companies product also makes money. And, this usually takes place along several levels. As long as everyone along that "chain" is happy with the amount of money that they make ("profit"), then it is a "win-win-win-win", etc. situation. 

See what I mean? 

The problem comes when someone along that chain becomes dissatisfied because someone else (up the "chain") is making more than them. They get greedy and, instead of being happy with their profit (and their level of responsibility that accompanies that level of profit) they begin to, as I said, get greedy and begin the process towards a miserable existence. 

I don't always have to make ALL of the profit available in order to be successful or happy. Right? I can share the profit with others and, often, by doing so, I can actually expand my ability to the point that I can actually make MORE overall profit as a result. As a matter of fact, those that try to "do it all" and "make it all" themselves usually end up failing in the process. 

Get the point yet? 

In the same way, just as I don't have to make ALL of the profit, I don't have to "win" in ALL areas in order to share that "winning" with others along the way. I can "win" and you can "win" as well. The only one that loses is the one that chooses to sulk, pout and try to figure out how to completely keep all of the "winning" to and for themselves. 

Oh yeah, and when you help others "win", guess what happens? They become even more productive and you "win" even more . Too, don't sell short the fact that you WIN even just from the knowledge and feeling that comes from helping others do more and be more along the way. 

BE SURE TO WATCH THAT VIDEO THAT I GAVE YOU THE LINK TO ON THIS! It's very short (it's called "MINUTE with Maxwell" for a reason) and worth the watch. I also encourage you to sign up to have it sent to your e-mail. It's another great "tool" to ad to your routine to help keep positive thoughts coming to your mindset.

So, as you go about your day today (or tomorrow), start looking at how you can create more "win - win"  and less "win - lose" scenarios. I wish you much success in this endeavor. Truth is, if you find ways to do this successfully, you WILL experience much success!

Be sure to come back for the next article and be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article. 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

What Do YOU Build?

We've looked at what successful people build in the last article....they build other people up and motivate and inspire them.

THEY BUILD PEOPLE!

Here's another way to look at the graphic above that may actually fit you and your situation better: "You don't build an ORGANIZATION. You build PEOPLE and then PEOPLE build the organization."

Those that do this NEVER have a hard time getting volunteers.

It doesn't have to be a business. It can be any type of situation where you need PEOPLE to get the job or task done.

You NEED people!

Why do so many have such a hard time understanding that, if you NEED people (and there aren't many situations where this isn't true) then why would you treat people in a way that would drive them away?

Who cares who gets the glory? Who cares who gets the attention?

A true leader (and a successful leader) will sit back with a big smile on their face while OTHERS get the attention and the glory.

Why? Because successful people BUILD PEOPLE.

Apply that at your church, at your sewing club, your book club, your civic club and any other place that you work with others. Do that - build up people - and see what actually gets accomplished and with so much less drama.

Business? Even if it's not YOUR business, if you work FOR this business or company, the same applies. Take PRIDE in what you do and build up those that work WITH you and even "under" you and see what happens.

Success WILL be yours in whatever form or fashion the situation brings about.

And, as you go about this great and wonderful task of building up others, 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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

Set Sail

We've likely all heard the saying, "Better safe than sorry!", right? But, maybe it's more correct to sometimes say, "Being safe can make you sorry!".

 

Like the graphic says above, "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for."

 

Can you imagine someone building a ship and even gathering a crowd for a christening and then, when someone asks when they plan to take it out on the water, they get this reply: "What? Are you crazy? I'm not EVER taking it out on the water! I spent too much time and money to take a chance like that!"?

 

WHY DID YOU BUILD THE SHIP?

 

I used this example in the podcast (I do recommend that you always listen to the podcast for more thoughts - click one of the links below) of many that I have seen buy an expensive 4X4 truck or SUV but that never take it "muddin'" or hunting anywhere that may cause it to get dirty, muddy or perhaps get a scratch on it. WHY DID YOU BUY SUCH A TRUCK?

 

It's been shown that we have gotten so used to the idea of "anti-bacterial" EVERYTHING so much that, often, our kids get sick MORE than they used to. Why? Because by being so overcautious and overprotective our childrens' bodies have not had the chance to build natural immunities to the germs that they would normally encounter.

 

What's the point?

 

Just as a boat was not meant to stay in the harbor and just as a truck built to get in the mud was not meant to be kept on city streets and, yes, just as a child was not meant to always be clean - so it is with you and me and our lives.

 

WE WERE NOT MEANT TO PLAY THINGS SO SAFE THAT WE FORGET HOW TO LIVE!

 

Some are so afraid of rejection or getting their feelings hurt that they never develop close relationships of any kind because it's "safer" that way. WE WERE MEANT TO LOVE! Yes, we get our feelings hurt and we can get rejected along the way, but we were meant to have relationships and to LOVE!

 

Some young people are afraid to leave home and some parents are afraid to allow their young adults to leave home because of the unknown "out there". Yet, all humans were meant to step out on their own at some time in their lives! Yes, it is scary due to the unknown but it is also EXCITING for that very same reason! WE WERE MEANT TO LIVE and LEARN!

 

The same is true of jobs and business! Some are afraid to go for that promotion because they may get turned down and/or because it would require some learning of NEW things. But refusing to "go for it" and to reach out and stretch will cause those people to continuously live an unfulfilled life! WE WERE MEANT TO STRETCH AND GROW!

 

Whatever it is for you, friend, we cannot always cling to what we perceive as "safe".

 

You are resilient and amazing! Don't sell yourself short. You were made to "take it" and to keep coming back again and again and again.

 

So, "get out of the harbor", set sail, feel the wind in your face and LIVE LIFE as it was meant to be lived.

 

And 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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

IT'S TIME TO SHARE OUR EXCITING PLANS - Phase I

For some time I've been sharing thoughts with you about "stepping out" and "fighting fear" in order to move forward with plans for your future.

Today I want to share with you a couple of different announcements about plans that my wife and I have finally pulled together for our next move in our future.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE U.S.A. for there is also opportunity found here for you as well, IF you so choose.

For those of you outside of the U.S. - even though you are unable to participate in this, I still want to encouarge you to FACE and FIGHT your FEARS "head on" and never, ever give up on your dreams!

Thank you, in advance, for your encouragement and, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have.

Here is the link to my FB note about "Phase I" of our plans:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/mike-spillman/time-to-share-our-exciting-plans-phase-i/10151270870774477

 

It's "Wonderful Wednesday" - WHY NOT NOW?

Yes, Monday was "Magical Monday" and today is "Wonderful Wednesday"! So, how is YOUR Wednesday? Rather, what will YOU make of your Wednesday?

In today's podcast we go a step further in our question of "Why?" As you remember, on Monday we discussed the question, "Why not me?" and today we discuss the question, "Why not now?"

This is will be the first of a two-part discussion because I feel that there is so much more that needs to be discussed about this topic. I do believe that it is SO important in these "difficult times" for us to focus on the POSSIBILITIES rather than the "perceived limitations".

Were you amazed at the well-known and powerful companies that were started during past recessions? Don't you know that there were those giving "advice" to these companies to NOT take that step forward?

What about you? Is that happening to you? Has it happened to you? My guess is that the answer to at least ONE of those questions would be, "yes". I know it is for me! I have - in the past - allowed others to talk me out of "making my move". Perhaps to be even more correct in my wording I would have to say that I (not others) have talked myself out of "making my move".

Likely this is true for you as well.

But what are you waiting on? What are you waiting for? There is no time like NOW!

I encourage you to - on the same sheet of paper that you wrote the words, "Why Not Me?" - also write below that question the words, "Why Not Now?"
I also encourage you to get out a piece of paper and make two columns. On the left side write down your answer to the question, "What am I waiting for? What do I think has to happen before I move forward?" Be honest. Be open. Be real. Force yourself to write those answers down.
On the right side of the paper and across from each of your "answers" (not reasons, you notice) write down when those things will happen. In other words, if - for example - in the left hand column you wrote down, "$25,000 in the bank" - then, in the right hand column write down WHEN that will happen. Put a date on it. I mean, hey, if THAT is something that you are waiting on before you make your move, don't you think you should have a "time stamp" on it?
Then, perhaps, also write down WHAT you are doing to make that happen. What are you doing (using our example above) to gain that level of $25,000 in your account?

WHATEVER IT IS - are they simply obstacles that you have put before your path to progress?

Why would we do that to ourselves?

We'll talk about that in Monday's part 2 podcast of "Why Not Now?"

Until then - be open, be honest, be real with yourself. Until you do, you'll never have the courage to move forward in your life.

Hey, why NOT you? And, why NOT now? Think about it and......

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

Mike Spillman

Why Not ME? (plus added BLOG BONUS)

For today's podcast I discuss something that I have discussed in various articles and blogs on different sites in the past.

Yet, it is still SO VERY relevant as we continue on our path to improving our future. Why? Because if we don't ever allow ourselves to realize that WE HAVE THE POWER AND THE POTENTIAL to accomplish what we desire in our lives -- nothing will ever change. All things will remain the same.

Remember, often we "listen" to all of the negative talk around us and choose to believe it about ourselves. It could be hearing those that have told us in the past, "You'll never amount to anything!" to even those around us now that might say, "What? You think you're going to do WHAT with your future? Give it up! You'll never move beyond the job you have now and you might as well stop dreaming and accept reality." - Ever hear anything like that before?

But - it's YOUR choice! It's up to YOU! Ask yourself the question: "WHY NOT ME?" In the podcast I encourage you to write those words down on a piece of paper in bold print and post it where you will see it many times a day. As you see that, make sure you allow that message to get through to your brain and maybe even say it out loud - "WHY NOT ME?"

Here's the BLOG BONUS. This is simply something that I thought about after I completed my podcast and wanted to share with you...

What do you focus on? Think about that for a second as I share a little more about what I mean. How many of you are like this -- you can have 100 people tell you something positive about a job you have done, etc. and have ONE person say something negative about it and that ONE is what you focus on?

We forget or dismiss the 100 and focus on the ONE - why?

Sure, some of it MIGHT be "human nature" - but does it have to be that way? I have to admit that I have struggled many times with the same thing, but I am getting better at it. One way that I have helped myself improve in this area is to realize this: I AM GOOD AT WHAT I DO! Sure, I appreciate the compliments - but I should not allow the compliments determine in my own mind whether I did a good job or not. (Yes, feedback is always good - but, again, be careful with how you use it).
Someone shared this formula with me several years ago along this same line. There are 10% of people that think you can do NO WRONG. There are another 10% that think you can do NOTHING RIGHT. Don't pay a whole lot of attention to either of these groups, but rather realize that it's the other 80% that will help you in honest feedback.

I have used that and it has been very beneficial for me.

So, once again - WHY NOT ME? Wednesday we will take this a step further and examine the question, "Why not NOW?"

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

Mike