Do Something TODAY!

 "Remember WHO You Are" video 

CLICK HERE to watch the video 

(Listen to the podcast for this topic HERE)

Do something TODAY that TOMORROW will thank you for!
Do something TODAY that NEXT YEAR will thank you for!

 

As always, if you've not done so, go back and read the previous article and listen to the previous podcast for the 1st of this most recent 3-part "Mini-Series". That will help "connect" these together. Also, I'm not going to write a very long blog article (the podcast was fairly short as well) on this topic because I have recently discussed the importance of TODAY. 

The two lines above the first paragraph are what stood out in the above listed video after covering the first main impression that was covered in the previous article and podcast. 

Have you ever heard or read this phrase? 

"TODAY is the TOMORROW that you worried about YESTERDAY!"

 

Listen, it doesn't matter if you are having fun or not, the fact is, TIME FLIES either way! It seems to pass by even faster as I have gotten older but, the fact remains that time passes at the exact same pace for EVERYONE, regardless of what we may think.

 

The late Charlie "Tremendous" Jones once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” 

 

The late Jim Rohn also said,"The difference between where you are today and where you'll be five years from now will be found in the quality of books you've read." I also remember hearing him talk about the fact that five years are going to come and go for us all but the difference will be what we decide to do TODAY, each and every day, over those next five years.

 

Jim Rohn also emphasized the importance of TODAY in this quote:  “Either you run the day or the day runs you..” 

 

The choice is yours. What will YOU do TODAY?

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

YouTube   

 

Question: Is it IMPORTANT and/or NECESSARY to Have a "Plan B"?

 "Plan A" would be your #1 plan for whatever area in your life is being planned an/or discussed. This could be your career path that you plan to choose, for example. 

"Plan B" would be your "backup" plan that comes to be if your "Plan A" or #1 plan doesn't work out. Again, this could be applied to your career path that you have chosen.

Before I get deep into this discussion let me address something that I strongly believe. There are SOME situations that should NOT have a "Plan B" in place. Sometimes we may need to "burn our bridges" or any way of retreat or escape in order to avoid not giving "Plan A" all that we have. In my opinion, a marriage is one of those things that should not have "Plan B" in place. I believe that too many people approach marriage with that "Plan B" approach in place all along. I actually heard a young lady tell me once about her desire to marry a certain young man, "Oh well, if it doesn't work out, we can just get a divorce." How sad

I could do a whole different article on that but, for now, I need to stick to the main focus of this blog article: Having a "Plan B" in place when it comes to your career or source of income.

So, "Plan B"...do you have one? Do you NEED one? It would be great to be involved with a panel discussion on this or even a Q and A session with you in the audience. I'd love to hear your thoughts/answers on those two questions.

If you would, share those thoughts/answers on my Facebook page...I'd love to see what you have to say.

I will be doing a podcast on this topic very soon. In my next article I will share with you my most recent experience in this area. Be watching for it and, until then 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

YouTube   

Stop Trying to Fit In

Why do so many try to "fit in"? Why do so many try to be like someone else, instead of being themselves? I'm sure there are many different answers to those questions and you, yourself, may have struggled with this very thing in your life.

But, let me ask another questions: Why try to be like someone else when YOU are the ONLY YOU in existence? YOU are UNIQUE and there is no one else like you - never has been and never will be!

I do understand wanting to emulate - or copy - some favorable characteristics that some have. We all need mentors or those that we look up to as a good example. I get that. I understand that and I support that. 

HOWEVER, that does not mean that you should give up who you are in order to "be like" someone else. Make sense?

The fact that you are UNIQUE (and you are!) supports what the graphic above states...you were BORN to STAND OUT!

Now listen, let's use a little common sense here, o.k.? Yeah, I know...sometimes common sense ain't so common but, still, help me out here. Obviously, if you are a mean spirited jerk to everyone around you then, friend, you need to STOP being "that" version of you and do all that you can to become a better you and the BEST you that you can be!

We ALL should be striving to do that in our lives and for the impact that we have on those around us. That's the whole purpose of "personal development", right? That's my whole purpose in what I have done over the past 11 years through Future You University...to help each of us to be a better "future version" of ourselves than we are now.

Again, you are unique and there is no one else like you. You have certain gifts, talents and abilities that only YOU bring to the table of life. 

That being said, stop trying to fit in when you were BORN to "stand out"!

Please be sure to check out the podcast and the video that goes along with today's topic. You can find the links below. 

Until next time, 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   Live Debt Free!

"Flash Back Friday" - Taking Care of Business NOW!

 

Today is "Flashback Friday" and I'll be sharing an article with you from April 7, 2011. Enjoy!

-------------

Some of you may think of Elvis when you hear the phrase, "Taking Care of Business" while others (like myself) think of the song by Bachman Turner Overdrive (yeah, BTO sings TCB...I just love all of these abbreviations).

And, you may be wondering what this has to do with our current discussion on LOVING WHAT YOU DO. Hang with me here...it's an easy leap on this one.

First of all, remember, we have been talking about a video featuring a man that worked as a janitor when he won the state lottery. What did he do? He kept right on working his janitor job because of his love for the track program and his desire to donate money to help build a new track for the school. He had a PURPOSE and a PASSION for what he was doing so it didn't matter to him that he didn't HAVE to keep working as the janitor. He WANTED to!

That is when you know you are at your "dream job". When you don't HAVE to do it but you do it anyway.

Now tell me, would being a JANITOR ever have been on your list of answers as being anyone's "dream job"? Likely not. But it brings on the main point of this whole discussion.

Here it is: it doesn't matter what ANYONE else thinks about what you are doing or what they think you SHOULD be doing. It's up to YOU to live your dream, whatever it may be.

Now then, most of us think of something far more elegant when we think of our dream job, don't we? But, again, let me refer to a question I asked early on in this series that SHOULD give you a clear view of your "dream job" - If money were not an issue, what would you be doing?

Well? Surely by now you have come up with an answer to this question if you have been following this series.

But the curve ball comes when we look at where we WANT TO BE and then at where WE ARE and we don't like what we see. The "wanna' be" is a long ways away from our "what is".

What then?

Yesterday I suggested that it might be possible to learn to love what you are doing even if you are not doing what you love (your "dream job"). I hope you have thought about that.

On yesterday's podcast I encouraged you to really try to brainstorm and think of HOW you can approach your current job with excitement rather than dread. WHAT CAN YOU DO to approach your day and your job with a challenge so that you get out of the rut of whining and complaining?

One thing that may be absolutely necessary is to change who you hang around with at the office!

BREAK FREE from those that do nothing but whine and complain but also never lift a finger to try to improve their position or make any attempt to actually do their best for the company.

How many times have you heard someone say something like this (and YOU may have been one of the ones to say it!): "Well, I'm not doing one thing more than I have to! If I don't HAVE to do it then I'm not going to do it!"

May I be blunt? What a loser mentality!

What if you decide to TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS RIGHT NOW where you are TODAY?

What if you decided to put 100% of your effort into doing the very BEST job that you can RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW?

What if you did this today, tomorrow and EVERY day from now on?

What do you think would happen?

I can tell what would happen - THINGS WOULD CHANGE!

You don't need me to tell you what might change for you, do you? Take a moment and write down everything you can think of that would change for you if you adopted this approach.

Why not STOP dreading the day at work and why not TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS when you go to work today and start learning to love what you do (which is simply loving the fact that you are living up to your potential!) until you get to the point that you can finally have the "job of your dreams" and do what you love.

Thing is, you just might find out that this "dream job" was right under your nose all along.

Think about it.

And, until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Sit In The FRONT Row!

Those that speak to audiences LOVE the "front row people".  We know that those who are sitting in the front row have likely made some sort of sacrifice in order to be in the front row. They may have paid more for their ticket that placed them in the front row OR they may have gotten into line EARLY in order to make sure that they had a chance to get down to the front row before all of those seats were gone.

They are at that particular event to get as much out of it as they possibly can. They are eager and ready to learn and absorb as much as possible while they have the chance. They do not want ANY distractions by others and they WILL NOT give up their seat in the front row!

Friend, this should be the way that you approach YOUR LIFE! You need to do all that you can and make whatever sacrifices required so that you can MAKE SURE that you are on the "front row" of your life! Your life - just like the fact that you are unique - is uniquely yours...why would you want to take a chance on missing out on ANYTHING in and for your life?

Just like in the last article, let me say that I really urge you to WATCH THE VIDEO (link below) that goes along with today's topic. I'm just able to illustrate some things about the following graphic that I just cannot do through print...but I'll do my best.

The graphic - or picture - below is my all-time favorite that I have used and shared over the past 11 years. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and have gotten feedback from others that say the same.

Take a good, close look at it and see if you don't smile when you do so.

Take a look at the two ladies on the front row....WOW! You have NO DOUBT that they are having the time of their lives, right? Look at their faces...they are not just smiling. They are laughing and, you can tell that they just cannot help but do so! They are trying to hold their dresses down and the one on the right is doing her best to hold on to her hat. These two ladies illustrate the "JOY OF THE FRONT ROW".

Now, when you take a look at the two ladies that are in the second row, you notice a slight change. Yes, they are smiling but - hey, c'mon - it's NOTHING like the two in the front row. And then, go to the third row. Hello? Are they even ON a roller coaster? You seriously could not tell it by just looking at them. They look as if they are bored out of their minds and, honestly, they look a little "hacked off".

Do NOT allow yourself to become complacent about living your life in the time you have been given on this earth. Do NOT allow time to pass you by that you will never, ever be able to regain. Do NOT live a life of regret when you have the CHOICE of living your life in the front or third row.

What does that mean for you and your life? I'd love to get your feedback on that. Yes, I know you can leave comments below this article but, if you would, I'd prefer you to go to my Facebook page (link below) to do so. Thanks, in advance, for doing so.

In the next article I will share an article from the past through "Flashback Friday". And, 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   Live Debt Free!

Life Happens!

I'm guessing that you - like me - can relate to the graphic above. Am I right? I would also guess that your answer to that question would be an emphatic, 'YES!"

We all have ideas and plans about how our life is going to go but, in reality, "life" has a different idea and, as the title for today's topic declares: "LIFE HAPPENS".

I really want to encourage you to watch the video (YouTube link below) for this topic so that you can see how I illustrate this next part that I'm going to discuss with you now...I think it would be beneficial for you.

In both pictures let's call the lower left hand corner, or the "starting point", point A. And, again, in both pictures let's call the arrow tip point B. Got it?

Obviously, in the first picture on the left, the graph indicates how everything would go IF everything went perfectly! There are no "hiccups" or detours, just a straight and upward climbing path of success.

HOWEVER, the picture on the right would likely more accurately depict the pattern in your life as well as mine. And, yeah I'm sure we have all even sat with a stunned look on faces saying, "What happened?" Here's your answer: "LIFE HAPPENED!"

In both pictures, notice that BOTH scenarios start off at the same spot - point A. The picture on the left shows a steady, uninterrupted and upward climb to point B. I'm not going to say that point B is where a person "ended up" but, rather, it is where they are, CURRENTLY, in their journey. 

Now I want you to focus on the graph on the right. Again, point A begins in the same spot and, although there are ups and downs and even circles at times, point B is still at a higher place on the graph than point A. Oh, I know, it's not as "high" on the graph as the first picture BUT, still, it definitely shows progress!

Keep this in mind and don't ever lose sight of that fact! Even though there have been obstacles and delays and even though you have even gone in circles at times, you are STILL making progress and moving closer to your goals and dreams! That is, as long as you don't allow yourself to give up. 

I've shared this thought with you many times before but it fits right in with this discussion: "Even if you take 2 steps forward and 1 step back, you are STILL ahead of where you started by 1 step!"

Seriously, watch the video. You'll be glad that you did and DO NOT EVER lose sight of your goal and DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

Keep pushing and keep moving my friend.

And, as you do so, 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   Live Debt Free!

Beware the Poison

Poison - if not correctly addressed - WILL kill. The longer a person waits to get the needed treatment, the higher the chance of DEATH.

So it is with the "poison" of being ungrateful. Unchecked, it will KILL a person's self-esteem and attitude. The longer a person waits to get the needed "treatment", the higher the chance of this DEATH to their self-esteem, attitude and, likely, relationships.

Listen, it's EASY to be ungrateful! It's EASY to focus on what is WRONG instead of what is RIGHT in your life. It's EASY to focus on what you DO NOT have instead of what all you DO have.

We seem to be fighting this battle in the United States right now. We have many in our society that whine and complain about everything and also want everything given to them. These people are UNGRATEFUL about what OPPORTUNITY is available to them every single day in our country.

When we allow ourselves to be ungrateful - to drink the poison of ungratefulness - we become a negative person in just about every area of our lives.

Why? How?

It's the same as we have talked about many times before. When we focus on the negative we "dwell" in the area of the negative. Believe me, when we become ungrateful we have started to focus on the negative. We can easily fall into being ungrateful for just about everything in every area of our lives.

It's easy to become ungrateful with your spouse and/or your children. The same is true as it relates to your friends, your co-workers, your job and on and on it goes.

But, you know what? Staying focused and positive which, by the way means that you will be "swimming upstream" against what most other people think and do, IS NOT EASY.

However, it DOES become easier the more you "practice" finding and focusing on what is good. It becomes easier once you become a person of THANKFULNESS.

Be sure to listen to the podcast and watch the video (links below) to get the "full impact" of today's topic and, while you're at it, be sure to drop off at my Facebook page (link below) and leave some feedback. Thanks, in advance!

Until next time, 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   Live Debt Free!

Work From Home Series #2: Warning Signs Part 1

As always, please be sure to go back and read the article before this since it is the first "lesson" in the series. ALSO, I would suggest that you actually WATCH THE VIDEOS (link below) in this series...I think you will benefit from doing so.

As we continue to discuss the possibility of working from home, it is important to take a good look at what your "expectations" are when you envision taking this journey. What do you imagine it will be like if and when you take that step? What "picture" do you "see" in your mind? When you watch the video, you will see several pictures that I pulled up on a search for "work from home". I've included one below so that you can get an idea of what is often portrayed for this category.

Is this similar to what you envision when you think of working from home? Do you picture yourself lounging around in your pajamas, kicking back and, for the most part, taking life easy?

If so, this is one major problem before you even begin the daunting task of looking over what is available! This is a FALSE IMAGE that does NOT truly show what it is like to work for yourself, from your own home. Not even close! Is it possible to live this way? Yes, but it will take you years to get to the point for this to be true in your own life, if even then.

So, before we even begin to address the actual "Warning Signs" that I have planned for this article, we must start there! Come on back down out of the clouds and to reality and we'll continue with the rest of today's discussion.

When I say "Warning Signs" I'm talking about things that you MUST pay attention to and understand how important it will be for you as far as getting answers about them.

Warning Sign #1: Is it something that is already offered in "normal" venues?      Whether it's vitamins or some type of energy drink, coffee, makeup, nail polish or any of the many things that are promoted in this arena, if it is something that people can buy at the local store at a much cheaper price, THIS WILL MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SUCCESSFULLY SELL TO OTHERS. 

It doesn't matter how much better you have been told (and maybe believe) your product may be compared to those at the store, the majority of people don't really care about any thing else except the cost. Money talks and what you have to offer will likely be priced substantially higher than what they can buy at the store.  Be careful that you don't buy into the hype that will tell you otherwise.

Does that mean that it will be impossible for you to have any type of success with this type of product. No, but it will definitely make it more difficult. 

Warning Sign #2:  Does the use of this product require MAJOR changes in habit?    Back in 2003 I lost 100 lbs over the course of 13 months. I don't remember exactly how much of that 100 lbs. I lost by using a certain weight loss product but I did honestly feel better using that product than I did with anything else I did and/or tried over that time period. I actually still use some of those products even today! People that knew me and saw the transformation that had taken place wanted what I had! They saw the results with their own eyes!

However, I learned quickly that, even though they "wanted" the results, they were unwilling to do what it would take for them to get similar results. Many people want CHANGE but are not willing to DO WHAT IT TAKES to bring about that change in their lives.  

The same is true if you are talking about "cleaning products" for you home or even coffee. It's the same for those programs that urge others to completely change their habits for their phone, electric, t.v. and other services that they use on a daily basis. 

Impossible? No. However, I just want to make sure that you are aware of the difficulty that this type of product will bring your way - REGARDLESS OF THE HYPE that you will be told.  

Warning Sign #3:  What is the cost to get started and what is the CONTINUED costs involved?  Please notice that a "start up" cost does NOT mean that it is something that needs to be avoided! You will not find a program that will actually provide you a way to do business without there being SOME cost involved at the start. That cost can (and likely will) vary widely and YOU will be the one that will have to decide what amount you feel is justified. 

"Continued Costs" can come in several different ways. One of the main ones is what is usually called "Admin Fees" (administration fees) and, again, THAT cost can and will vary widely. Currently, I pay $0 monthly fees in this area and have paid as much as $197 per month for these fees. Again, YOU are the one that will have to decide what you are comfortable with and what you feel is justified. 

One that many don't even consider (most don't even KNOW to consider this) is the cost of having people to talk with in one way or another.  It may be the cost of posting ads on Craigslist, for example. "I thought you could post for free?" Regardless of what you may be told, posting ads for free in this way is NOT the way to accomplish much of anything. For one, you will CONTINUOUSLY be checking to see if your ad has been removed or not and, it likely will be and will be OFTEN. The only way to actually do much in this area is to PAY for it and, friend, that cost CAN add up quickly. 

You may need to buy leads in order to have enough people to share your opportunity with each and every day. What are leads and how much do they cost? Leads can be those who reply to your ads that you have posted or that saw you make a post on social media. A "lead" is simply a person that has given you some amount of information so that you can contact them and share your information. Some people BUY leads which, by the way, has a "mine field" all it's own! The costs of these leads also vary greatly and the "quality" of them ALSO varies greatly.  

NOTE: Most home-based business FAIL due to the lack of an adequate supply of leads. Simply put: Not enough people to talk with about whatever it is that you offer.  THIS IS A COST THAT YOU MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION! 

In the next "lesson" I will cover 3 more "Warning Signs" that need to be considered and I hope that you will join me for that one. If you have any questions that you would like to ask, please do so by going to my FBook page (see link below) and leave a comment. Perhaps it is a question about something that I've discussed in this series OR a question about a situation that you are considering and you'd simply like another opinion. Please don't mention any company names when you leave a comment with your question. If you have some information that you would like me to actually see, just let me know and I'll make arrangements to get that from you. 

Just for your information, here is another look at the topics to be covered in this series...

 I hope you find this series beneficial and I hope you will join me again for the next "lesson" and, 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   Live Debt Free!

Mike's Quotes #32: Better and More Productive

"Better, more productive "today's", when added together, will bring about a better and more productive year." - Mike Spillman (12.31.2018)

If you have not done so, be sure to go back and read the last blog article, "One Day at a Time". This article, along with the last one, go "hand in hand" and build on each other. 

Don't sell short the importance of each and every day in your life. Oh listen, I understand and support 100% the need to just kick back and enjoy yourself with no real focus on "doing this and that". I think if you go through your life without those times you are hurting yourself as well as those around you. We all need those times to just enjoy life!

Here's the thing - even days like that are days that we don't need to "sell short" as far as their importance and what they can actually mean as far as our ability to be "productive" in our efforts!

When you understand the main point from the last article that last year passed by one day at a time and this new year will do the same - pass by one day at a time - you may begin to grasp the importance of what you do and accomplish today. 

Whether it be "New Year's Resolutions" or just a decision to be more pro-active in your daily decisions and activities, it is much easier to gauge your progress DAILY rather than weekly, monthly or annually. 

DON'T JUDGE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS (or anyone else's) BY WHAT HAPPENS IN ONE DAY. 

Why is that important? We all have bad days and, at times, those times go beyond even a day. Don't make major judgements or decisions when you are in one of those "down" times. You must understand, as stated in today's quote, it is the combination of your days that will determine the productivity (or lack thereof) of your year. Remember, as this is published, we are only three days into the new year!

A few suggestions for you:

     1. Make a COMMITMENT that you WILL take action toward whatever it is you have set out to accomplish. DO IT TODAY and don't wait. (Again, yes, there are days that you may "relax" but don't make it a habit!) 

    2. Though you don't have to make MASSIVE moves each day, make sure that what you do TODAY is challenging enough to push you a bit. For example, writing a plan down on paper, though it has a purpose, is not really DOING anything. Make sense?

   3. Honestly check your progress at the end of each day. BE HONEST and hold yourself accountable to what you had planned to accomplish. This is the best way to make needed adjustments as soon as possible so that you do not get too far off course. 

NEXT WEEK, the first full week of 2020, I will do a series on "WORK FROM HOME" opportunities. I will discuss some "warnings" about what you need to "watch out" for with so many things that are promoted and I will also share with you one that I believe to "check off" all of the things that are necessary for a legitimate, work from home opportunity. You can actually be checking this out by clicking on the "Live Debt Free" link below. 

Again, HAPPY NEW YEAR and, until next time, 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   Live Debt Free!

Mike's Quotes #31: One Day At A Time

"One day at a time...that's how it comes AND goes!" - Mike Spillman (12.31.2017)

Here we are again. Still looking over the year that has just passed and now, on this 2nd day of the New Year, we look forward to what lies ahead.

"Where did the time go?" That's something that you hear a lot, isn't it? Well, at least I do and I also find myself saying that very thing! It's strange but, it DOES seem as if time goes by quicker as you get older but we all know that this simply is not true. It passes for each of us in exactly the same way and at the same pace. For the purpose of this blog article I will state how it goes by in seconds, minutes, hours and days. 

The year that just passed did so one day at a time - 365 of them. And, guess what? The year that we have just begun will also pass the same way - one day at a time and then, after 365 of them, we will find ourselves back at the start of yet another year. 

"One day at a time...that's how it comes AND goes!"

If you have followed me for any length of time then you know how much I stress the importance of TODAY. Let me state it again: That period in the future that we call "tomorrow" does not exist. There is no promise of it's arrival and, at this point in time, it is yet to come into existence. And, on the other side, that time period that we call "yesterday" also no longer exists. Different than "tomorrow", "yesterday" DID actually exist but it is no longer. It's in the past, gone and never to be relived or retrieved. That being said, TODAY is all that we have at our disposal. What will YOU do with YOUR "today"?

Next week I plan to start a new series about all of those so-called, "Work From Home Opportunities" that so many of you (along with many others) may be looking over at the start of this new year. But, in my next article I will share another of my quotes that goes a step beyond today's thought and touches on how we can make sure that we have a PRODUCTIVE year by having PRODUCTIVE days. Be sure to join me for that article and also be sure to listen to the podcasts on these topics as well. All links can be found below.

Again friend, I do want to wish you a Happy New Year and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your "positive information diet". Until the next time, 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   Live Debt Free!

Mike's Quotes #18: More Than Talk?

 "A lot of people like the idea of 'doing something' but not many people actually like DOING something!" - Mike Spillman (8.24.11)

You know the type. The person that always is talking about what they are going to do...ALWAYS.

They may be talking about the fact that they just aren't going to take "it" anymore and that they are going to tell the boss off and quit! How long has THAT conversation been going on? They may be talking about some great trip that they are going to take or some big financial move that they are going to make or...you fill in the blank. 

The sad thing is that, sometimes, "that person" is you and me. OUCH!

We are really getting ready to see this played out once again - like clockwork - as we get ready to enter another new year. You know what I'm talking about, right? Those things called, "New Year's Resolutions". 

As the quote says, "A lot of people like the idea of 'doing something' but not many people actually like DOING something!" 

The easiest thing in the world to do is to TALK about DOING something. I won't quote it but, what's that saying about "good intentions"? Talking and planning is a whole different thing than planning and doing. There's truth in that sentence, friend!

It is also often referred to as "paralysis of analysis". This simply describes the temptation to wait and to try to get everything "just right" or "perfect" before taking action. Many people spend a lot of time getting all of their supplies gathered up and getting their desk all set up and organized and, yet, fail to ever actually get started DOING something.  

What will it take to finally step out of the "talk zone" and get into the "doing zone"? Well, friend, that honestly depends on the strength of your purpose or your "why".  We've talked about that detail many times in the past and it is still THE deciding factor in this area. Remember, talk is cheap! 

Don't wait until January 1st. Start putting your words into action TODAY and, 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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Mike's Quotes #17: Opportunity Knocks?

"Did you know that OPPORTUNITY doesn't always 'knock'?" - Mike Spillman (3.6.11)

I'm sure we've all heard the different discussions about how we must all be ready when opportunity "knocks". Though it is true, I still have a question about that - How do you know when opportunity "knocks"?

Here are a few things I have noticed about opportunity by observation...

   1. OPPORTUNITY IS TRICKY! Sometimes, "opportunity" will send a lot of "pretty stuff" before it comes your way. What am I talking about? Go back and read my last article that talks about, "PRETTY stuff doesn't always mean GOOD stuff!" Sometimes "opportunity" will sit back and watch how you handle the distractions before it decides to reveal itself to you!

   2. OPPORTUNITY MAY DISGUISE ITSELF! Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."  

    3. OPPORTUNITY MAY NOT KNOCK! You see, too many people sit around and wait for opportunity to walk up to THEIR door, KNOCK on their door and then WAIT for them to answer the door. To be blunt, what makes YOU so special as to think that opportunity is going to go to that much effort or that opportunity is going to actually choose to knock on YOUR door as opposed to your neighbor's door?

   4. OPPORTUNITY MAY HAVE TO BE "HUNTED DOWN" AND "CAPTURED"! Hey, it's the truth! Sometimes you have to go out there, hunt opportunity down and wrestle that sucker to the ground and capture and claim it for your own! If you pay attention you will find "clues" as to where this opportunity may be found but, again, you must pay attention! You can't always - if ever - sit back and wait for it to knock on your door. If you want it bad enough then you must be willing to take ACTION and go after opportunity!

Are you WAITING or are you PURSUING opportunity?

You can continue to wait if you choose but, remember, "Opportunity doesn't always KNOCK!"

Take action TODAY and, 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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Mike's Quotes #6: DECISIONS and CHOICES

"Every Decision is a CHOICE. Every CHOICE Makes a STATEMENT." (11/02/19) 

As you can tell by the date, this is one of my most recent quotes that I wanted to share with you. Believe it or not, as is often the case, I had not planned anything out nor had I sat down to brainstorm with the purpose of "coming up" with some new quotes.

Nope! Many times my quotes will come from an article I've written or just from a thought that comes to mind. Sometimes that thought is spurred by something that I see or hear like a sign or something that someone else says that makes me think. And then, like the quote above, they just come to me as a response during an conversational exchange with someone.

After I said this to the person that I was talking with I thought, "Wow! That was pretty good! I need to be sure to write that one down!" And, I did. 

Think about what is stated in this quote and, I do believe that you will agree with the statement and also be challenged by this quote. 

Too often we don't consider the impact of our choices and our decisions. As a matter of fact, we seldom put much thought into the fact that EVERY DECISION IS A CHOICE.  

Yes! Every single decision is a choice. 

Now, I'm not going to try to give an example of every single thing that I can think of to illustrate this fact, but I will try to share a few. YOU think further on this and apply this thought in your own life and see how many decisions that you make (or have made) that, indeed, indicated a choice that was to be made.  

Let's start at the beginning of your day and talk about setting your alarm. You have a decision to make - what time do you want to set your alarm - and, you have a choice as to what time you want that alarm to be set. As a matter of fact, you first have a decision (and choice) as to whether you even want to set that alarm in the first place!

Do you want to set the alarm at a time that will allow you plenty of time to get ready for work (or whatever it is you have planned for your day) and even sit and enjoy a cup of coffee without feeling rushed OR do you want to set that alarm in a way that will allow you "just enough" time to get things done so that you can hop in your car and rush off to work? 

It's a decision and that decision involves a choice and, friend, that choice - and EVERY choice - makes a STATEMENT! 

Think about this: Let's say that you have made a commitment (decision) to get up earlier and work out before you head out to the office. You have decided (another decision) that you need to get up 45 minutes earlier than usual in order to get this done and still get to work on time. 

Got it?

What you actually DECIDE to do indicates that you have made a CHOICE about how important that decision to work out really is to you, wouldn't you agree? WHAT YOU  HAVE CHOSEN TO DO makes a STATEMENT about your true commitment to working out. 

Got it? 

My goodness, as we approach the end of 2019 and as people get ready to dust off their continuously recycled "New Year's Resolutions" we will see a LOT of this taking place. 

WORDS are not decisions and they don't even truly indicate that a choice has been made. ACTION demonstrates a decision and a choice that has been made. What you actually DO makes a STATEMENT about what you truly believe and how important something truly is to you. 

Go back and look at last week's topic of "Price Vs. Value" and see if this does not apply...IT DOES! 

You see, if you say that you love your spouse or your children and that they are very important to you then, you show by your decisions and choices what you truly believe. Your ACTIONS will make a STATEMENT about what really is true. You can say whatever you want and try to justify it any way you want but, friend, the truth is the truth and EVERY DECISION involves a CHOICE and EVERY CHOICE makes a STATEMENT.

There is no way around that truth. 

Hey, be sure to listen to the podcast and to also watch the video on this topic. I know that I will be recording those separately, which means that there will be three "versions" of today's topic and I encourage you to access all three so that you can get the full scope of my thoughts on today's topic.

Thanks again for taking time to join me today and, until next time, 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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Dreamers or Doers?

Several years ago, when I was still in ministry, I began a program that I called, "Dreamers and Doers", with the idea of our group of people taking our TALK and putting it into ACTION. 

I've always liked that title that I came up with and I am reminded of it from time to time and it still challenges me even today. And, I believe that it fits right in with our theme for this current series.

When we talk about the need to "stop hitting the 'snooze button' for our lives" and we discuss the need to CONTINUALLY grow, then it becomes a natural discussion of the need to put our passion and our "why" into ACTION. 

Remember? Purposeful, DAILY action!

Let's make sure we understand this first: We MUST have dreams! We all NEED something to hope for, to strive for in our lives. WE NEED DREAMS!

Also, as we have already talked about, these dreams must be YOURS and no one else's. No one can decide your dream for you and you can't live or follow a dream that belongs to someone else. 

QUESTION: Have you taken steps to put that DREAM into ACTION? Have you made the move of turning that DREAM into REALITY? Let's be careful that we don't continually talk about what we PLAN to do or WHEN we plan to do or WHAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE in order for us to do so.

Listen friend, it's EASY to dream! It's EASY to talk about those dreams and to get excited about those dreams.The real work begins when you start taking steps, when you start taking ACTION!

So, what will you do?

Are you going to keep "talking" or are you going to start "walking"?

In our next article, we will discuss the need to "Get Off of the Fence" and get moving.

Until then, 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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Are You Growing or Rotting?

I really don't have any idea what John Addison had in mind when he said the above quote but I can share with you what comes to MY mind when I read his quote.

The first thing that comes to my mind is a watermelon growing on the vine. By the way, I LOVE watermelon! But, like anything else, if you "pick it" (cut it from the vine) too early, too prematurely, the watermelon will not be as good as it could be if it had been left to ripen to perfection. 

Even when a watermelon has been left on the vine so that it may grow to perfection, in order for me to get that watermelon, it once again has to be cut from the vine. 

Either way, once the watermelon is taken from the vine, it ceases to be green and it ceases to grow. What happens? It begins to rot and die!

Here's the kicker: Even if it is allowed to grow to being ripe, if it is not harvested (and enjoyed by people like me!) it will rot on the vine. Why? Because it has a natural growing season - a cycle - that takes place and ends up with the melon "being done" one way or the other.

Aren't you glad that we don't have a "growing season" that only allows us to become "ripe" or to "reach our potential" only to begin an immediate descent toward death? 

Oh sure, I understand that, technically speaking, we ALL have a "growing season" or a "cycle of life" but, at the same time, we can continue to grow and expand our lives regardless of age.  If you ever decide that you have learned all that you need to learn or that you know all that you need to know then, friend, you are on a downward spiral!

Yes, there are many people in this world that are "rotting on the vine", so to speak. They have ceased growing or they have never really even tried to grow or had any desire to do so. They exist, but that's about it...nothing more. 

And, friend, that's sad!

It goes back to what I talked about a couple of weeks ago about those that had talent but failed to put the work in that was necessary to make the most out of that talent.

Remember: DAILY activity. PURPOSEFUL activity. Every. Single. Day.

So, let's ask that question again: "Are you GREEN and GROWING or are you DEAD and ROTTING?" 

Don't TELL me and/or the world...

SHOW US. 

And, 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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You Be YOU! (Everyone Else is Taken)

There is no one else like you. Period. There never HAS been anyone like you and there never WILL BE anyone like you. Ever. 

Wow! Let that sink in for a moment. 

You are, indeed, one-of-a-kind and, yes, you are UNIQUE!

That being said - and is a FACT - why compare yourself to anyone else or why try to be LIKE someone else?

I understand having a mentor or a "hero" that you want to emulate or "be like", but don't try to be a "carbon copy" of that person. You simply cannot! We'll talk more about this in the next topic but, don't even try to COMPARE yourself to anyone else - there is no need!

Your finger prints identify YOU and no one else! Again, with that being true, don't you think (as well as believe and understand) that your MIND also is unique and that no one actually thinks about things and approaches things exactly the way that you do? They don't - they CAN'T!

So, take your unique talents and abilities, find your passion and your purpose as we discussed in the last article, and you go out and make a positive and powerful impact on your world

Only YOU can do that the way that YOU can do that!

And, 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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