Learning to LIVE YOUR LIFE!

 

I wanted to introduce you to someone that I've come across that shares some really POWERFUL and POSITIVE information in the area of learning to live YOUR life...not the life that OTHER'S want or think you should live.

The best way for me to do so is to share a couple of summaries on a couple of her books. Who is "she"? Her name is Brené Brown and I believe you (male or female) can benefit from what she shares.

Click on the summary titles below to be taken to them and you'll find access to more information about her books within those articles.

I'd love to hear your feedback as well as any suggestions that YOU have come across as far as beneficial information like this.

"The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown

"Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown

 

Enjoy and be watching for more!

 

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  Leaders Are Readers (Audible Books)

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

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

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

                                                                          

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

You simply push FORWARD, regardless. 

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

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

Mike

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

YouTube   

Success Factor #2: GET UP!

"Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself" - Unknown

 

As always, if you've not done so, be sure to go back and read (and listen to the podcast) on "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" since it "leads into" today's topic for Success Factor #2.

 

Friend, it is a fact that, before you can GET UP you must first, LOOK UP so that you know what action you need to take and which direction you need to head when implementing that action. Remember, success does NOT always "knock"! You have to be on the look-out and be ready to take action once you see opportunity come your way.

 

So, bottom line, what will you do once opportunity appears? What action will you take...if any?

 

 

I was recently listening to a recording of several people sharing some personal development thoughts and heard some very good thoughts from Marisa Peer. In her thoughts about the "Law of Attraction" she pointed out that it doesn't take the process out to the practical aspect...the fact that, once you "attract" whatever it is into your life, you still have to ACT in order to bring it into actuality.

 

She used the example of "attracting" the opportunity for that "dream job". Even if you do attract that dream job, you STILL have to actually apply and interview for the job! You can't just sit back and think, "Well, the law of attraction will drop it into my lap...I'll just wait for them to call me."

 

NOPE! 

 

In James 2: 15-17 we see this pointed out in a very practical way... " ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (New King James Version)

 

To put it bluntly, TALK IS CHEAP! What good does it do to wish someone well and not DO anything about their situation? So it is with the need to GET UP and TAKE ACTION in every area of your life! 

 

In the podcast, I also share some scripture from Ephesians 6 where the "armor of God" is discussed. Imagine, if you will, someone getting ready to go out to do battle. That is the imagery being used here. Different parts of the armor is discussed in this section of scripture (vs. 10 - 17) instructing the importance of putting on each piece as well as the actual importance OF each piece of armor.

But then, in verse 13, something very powerful (and important) is stated in this process - "...and having done all, to stand." 

 

In other words, it doesn't matter how much you - or what you do to - prepare for battle, you must STAND (get up) in order to actually go out TO the battle! Again, "talk is cheap" but so is "pretty armor" if it is not actually used. 
 

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to hear the late Jim Rohn speak while he was still alive. I heard him say the quote that you see above many times and it speaks right along with what we are discussing today. Stop whining. Stop complaining. "If you don't like where you are, change it. You're not a tree." (Jim Rohn)

Change does not occur by staying seated...you have to actually GET UP in order to MOVE forward in the direction of your opportunity.

 

CLICK HERE

 

So, "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" and "Success Factor #2: GET UP!" will be followed in my next podcast and article with "Success Factor #3: GET GOING!". 

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    Project141 

 

 

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

 

Do NOT Give Up!

Let me mention, right off the start, that you can find the podcast that goes along with this very same topic by clicking on the podcast link at the end of this article. I don't follow a script when I do the podcast and the blog article so, even though the topic is the same and there are some similarities, there is different material to be found in each.

Chances are, at some point in your life - at least once - you have felt like giving up. And, if we were to be completely honest, most of us would have to admit that we likely actually HAVE given up on something in our lifetime.

But we don't like to admit it. Why? Because it makes us feel like a failure!

However, keep this important fact in mind: One usually must experience failure (and, sometimes, lots of it!) in order to finally experience success. 

When I first put together my first podcast back on March 2, 2009, I came up with a little saying that I use with every podcast still today: "As long as there is breath, there is hope!" I have also discussed that thought in several podcasts and blog articles since that time.

But it is still such an important fact to keep in mind! No matter how large the problem(s) may seem or how "dark" your world may seem, as long as you are alive and breathing, THERE IS HOPE for something to change!

I get it. Sometimes it is VERY difficult to "see" any type of hope or change when things are really difficult.  But, friend, it IS possible!

I've used the following example many times in the past and I use it in the podcast that goes along with this article. It will take a lot bigger space, a lot more time and, yes, even the cost of a lot more fuel to turn around a large tanker in the ocean than it does a small jet ski, but it IS possible to turn that thing around!

Time. Effort. Dedication. Space. 

THESE are the things that we give up on too soon, my friend.  

 Thankfully, I had the opportunity to hear the late, great, Jim Rohn speak before his passing and this is one of my favorite quotes that I actually heard him say at such an occasion: "The major key to your better future is you."

We MUST begin to understand this important fact! YOU are what makes the difference! Stop telling yourself that you are a FAILURE and start telling yourself that YOU ARE THE SOLUTION! 

Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP!  

GET UP - however many times it takes - and KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

Be sure to listen to the podcast and hear me talk about being 10 years behind on some of my goals. Have I ever thought about giving up? YES! Have I done so? To some extent, at times...YES! But, do I continue to push forward anyway? YES! YES! YES!

And I encourage you, friend, to do the same. Don't you EVER give up!

And, please also keep this in mind until our next time together...
 

"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

Whatever You Do...KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Do not allow yourself to become discouraged and defeated - KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

Do not allow yourself to start losing ground, slipping back to where you were before - KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

Do not allow yourself to give up - Do not EVER give up - KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

Hey, listen, even if you do the whole "Two Steps Forward and One Step Back", you are STILL making progress...you are STILL moving FORWARD!

Dig in, dig deep and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem. KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

Be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic (see the iTune and RSS Feed links below) and get a lot of extra thoughts and insights to this important topic.

And, as always, whatever you do, be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube

"Taking the Journey - What About the Detours?"

Here's a fact: The longer the journey the greater the possibility of one or more detours along the way.

What then?

Be sure to listen to the podcast and/or watch the video of this topic and pay close attention to the recording of John Maxwell and what he says about "getting from here to there". To paraphrase, he stated that the BEST way to reach your destination is to make sure that you have STRATEGIES and a SYSTEM in place. He stated that having a SYSTEM was the MOST EFFICIENT way to progress along your journey. 

You see, the time to plan on what to do when you come across those detours - or roadblocks - is NOT when you come across them. Now, sure, sometimes you can't avoid such a thing but, there ARE ways to plan ahead. One way is to have a "strategy" as to what to do in such a situation as well as a "system" in place to carry out those plans. 

Like I said at the start of this article...detours WILL come. That, my friend, is a fact.

But, how determined are YOU to reach your "destination"? How important is it to you?

Do you remember the first "Vacation" movie? Chevy Chase took his family all the way across the country to go to "Wally World" only to find it closed once they arrived. BIG DETOUR! He wasn't about to turn around and go back home after all they had been through along the way and, even though it was not exactly the smartest way to approach it, he did exactly what he came to do - treat his family to some fun at "Wall World".

Again, how determined are you to reach your destination? 

That - your determination - will greatly determine what you will do when you come to one of those detours. You MUST be determined to NOT allow ANY detour to set you back and stop you from accomplishing what you have set out to accomplish.

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

Try and Fail?

One of the most sad things to see is someone that has given up.

I hate to see anyone - or any group of people - that have become so "beaten down" that they have decided that it's better for them if they just quit trying and give up.

I've been to that point before...have you?

Thankfully, I DIDN'T give up, but it's not a good place to be, friend. But let's get something straight right from the start: "FAILURE" or "DEFEAT" is a part of life. That, my friend, is a FACT!

Notice that I put those words in quotation marks. I wanted to indicate that, in reality, they may not actually REALLY be "failure" or "defeat". They may be what some people PERCEIVE to be such.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again - In my opinion, the only TRUE failure is when you give up and stop trying. So, yeah, TRYING and "FAILING" are a part of life but, whatever you do, don't EVER fail to TRY!

Sure, there are those times that you just need to "pull over" and "lick your wounds" a bit before moving on. That's normal and that is often needed so that you CAN move on. Just make sure that you don't fall into a "pity party" and spend all of your "down time" licking those wounds (feeling sorry for yourself). Let that time of "licking your wounds" be a time of HEALING and PREPARATION to continue on in your quest! Fill your mind with POSITIVE reinforcement that will fortify your drive and will power so that you can continue on. 

THIS IS KEY!

That's why it is so important to surround yourself with other like-minded and positive people. You WILL need them to HELP YOU along the way when you are feeling defeated and are on the verge of giving up. Perhaps this message that you are reading is just EXACTLY what you "needed" to read today. Right? You know what I'm talking about. That's why it's also so important to SHARE this article as well as the podcast (links found below) with others - you can never know when THEY will need what is being shared here. And YOU can help in that area when you do share. 

Two main times that I can remember being to the point of giving up, OTHERS came into play. In one situation, it was my RESPONSIBILITY and LOVE for others close to me that kept me going. And, the other one? It was a specific reaction and encouragement from another individual that kept me going. 

Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is HOPE!"

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

RUTS: Get In or Get Out

Again, here's just a quick reminder of the things we've noticed about ruts...
A path or routine you follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

Now, chances are, there are some of you (is it YOU?) that think that you couldn't ever get in a rut. If so, please go back a few weeks and re-read and listen again to the podcast on the series, "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid" and be sure to listen to #3: "That Would Never Happen to Me!".

 

Yeah. I'm guessing that ALL of us get into some sort of rut at one time or another...don't think that you are immune to these pitfalls.

 

Too, there are some of you that think that you can stay in the rut and that you can "handle" or "control" that rut. Here's a FACT that you need to know:

You don't control or handle the rut - the RUT handles or controls YOU!

 

Don't let your ego keep you in that rut. More than likely, if you think that you can't get in a rut or that you are not in a rut, you ARE in a rut and the reason you can't see it is because the rut is so deep that you can't see over the "sides" of the rut!

 

Make sense?

 

Again, don't think you can "handle" the rut - YOU MUST GET OUT! The only way to do that is to take or develop a different route. Changes must be made! You don't have to turn your life upside down while doing this - you may begin a "new path" next to the rut and then pay attention to when that "new path" needs maintenance. If you don't, that path will, again, turn into a rut. And, at times, you may need to take a completely different direction.

 

We must always be alert and paying attention to that needed maintenance or we will continuously find ourselves in those defeating ruts.

 

Take the time to listen to the podcast to hear more of my detailed thoughts on this part of this series and, please, share both the blog and the podcast with as many people as possible. I appreciate your help.

 

As the "sign" in the graphic above states, "Choose your rut carefully...".

 

How about this instead: "Choose to get out and stay out of that rut!"

 

In the next article and podcast we will discuss how "duplication" and "repetition" can also turn into a rut. Join me then and, between now and then, continue 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

RUTS: Why This One?

Here's just a quick reminder of the things we've noticed about ruts...
A path or routine u follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
R - routines and rituals
( a route that is safe and gets me there)
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

As I type this article, I experienced some of these very things with some "snow ruts" (like those in the picture above) as I drove around town earlier today after a late-winter sleet and ice storm overnight. I could get out of the ruts as needed but, more often than not, I could not STAY OUT of the rut...the rut would "win" and force me back into the rut.

This caused me to add another "item" to the list above: RUTS CAN BE DANGEROUS!

If you followed through with the "homework" that I assigned to you in the last blog and podcast, then you spent some time identifying YOUR ruts. Did you? What did you discover?

This article presents a new question to ask about these ruts of yours: "Why this one?".

In other words, how did you get into this rut? What was it about this rut that caused you to repeat the activity that created the rut?

 A "cow trail" is a type of rut. Whether across a pasture or field or even through the woods, somewhere along the way a cow decided to take a certain path and others followed. Even this original "path-finder" cow began to follow that same path/trail again and again and, before long, there was a visible trail or rut that had been made by this cow and the other cows that followed along the same path.

So, with that in mind, why are you in THAT particular rut?

Did you begin the rut originally or did you follow someone else into that rut? This really is important to consider because it may be a key ingredient in not repeating the process in the future. 

This whole thing definitely goes under the "easier said than done" category. I understand that. I also understand that I'm giving you a LOT of things to consider and am really giving very little "guidance". I can't give you the answers, friend. However, I can bring up things for you to consider and then suggest more things to consider as far as possible remedies.

I do hope you will join me as we continue examining RUTS and how they impact our lives. 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    "Like" FYU on Facebook!
 

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

YES, You Will! (Saying "YES" to Life)

 

YES, YOU ARE! - YES, YOU CAN! - YES, YOU WILL!

 

Thanks for staying with me for the duration of this series. I hope that you have been uplifted and encouraged and REMINDED of how capable you really are

 

As always, if you haven't had the chance to read the two, previous articles in this series, then please do so before you read this piece. YES, BEFORE you read this one.

 

Also, I want you to take the time to listen to the podcasts on this topic. Click on either of the two links at the bottom of this article to get connected to the podcasts and then, please SHARE both the podcast and the blog with as many people as possible. Friend, I'm on a mission and I'd like you to be a part of helping me spread the positive message that I know people need.

 

So, we've covered the fact that you ARE capable of accomplishing great things and, with that being true, we've also talked about the reality that you CAN accomplish those things.

 

BE SURE to copy and post the "7 Daily Affirmations" that I shared in the first article on this series (go back two articles, find it and print it out) and make it a habit to verbalize these DAILY!

 

Yes, it is THAT important!

 

In relation to this article, I want to call your attention to #7: I CAN! I WILL! I MUST!

 





I've already established the fact that you ARE capable and that you CAN, indeed, accomplish these things. Now then, TODAY you must take the next step and challenge yourself with a DECISION. You must proclaim loudly and boldly that you WILL take action and that you WILL accomplish these things!

 

But, as shared in that 7th affirmation, I want to challenge you to take it even one step further by deciding that this is an ABSOLUTE MUST for your life!

 

You need to make this a "do or die" proposition for yourself. I'm not joking.

 

If you don't do that then, friend, anything and everything will distract, discourage and devour you!

 

As the graphic below states: "You WILL if your "will" is strong enough!"

 

Stay with me, talk with me through the avenues listed below and I will do all that I can to help you KEEP YOUR FOCUS and RESOLVE but, as usual, there is one major fact that must be acknowledged:

 

IT IS STILL UP TO YOU TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

 

Will you? No one can answer that question BUT you. "You will IF your 'will' is strong enough!"

 

Begin saying "YES" to life again and start doing that TODAY.

 

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    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed



3rd of "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid"

As always, if you haven't done so already, be sure to read the previous two articles to get the full impact of this series. Now, on to the concluding article...

As the old saying goes, "Never say 'Never'".

 

Even as you consider the thoughts of this series, it's easy to examine the first two myths ("It's Not My Fault" and "It's Not My Job") and say to yourself (and even to anyone that will listen), "That kind of attitude will NEVER be a part of MY mindset! It will never happen to me!".

 

Believe me, friend, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with determining that certain things will not take place in your life. However, it's important to realize that there is a BIG difference in saying, "I'm determined for that to NEVER be a part of my life" and, "That will NEVER happen to me or be a part of my life".

 

I understand the determination even in the second example but, the difference between the two is a "stated determination" in the first. In other words, we must always understand (and acknowledge) that many times, in spite of our best efforts, we may still fall to that which we would prefer to avoid.

 

Make sense?

 

Although this may not be true 100% of the time, I would suggest that, ANY time a person states, "It will never happen to me!" that, in all likelihood, it WILL, indeed, happen to them sooner or later.

 

It just seems to work that way in life.

 

Yes, identify traits, character flaws and habits that you wish to avoid. Identify them and work hard to rid your life of them. But, friend, do NOT grow lazy in your work to keep this determination at the forefront of your actions because, if you do, the very thing which you wish to avoid will find a way into your mindset and your life.

 

Pay attention to these "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid" and do not take them lightly! Go to the fan page on FaceBook (www.facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity), find one of the graphics (or several) that you really like and post/share them in different avenues with others in order to help spread this important message that so many need to see.

 

Perhaps use one of those graphics as your "background" on your computer and/or phone so that you can be reminded of this on a daily basis.

 

You will also find a video by Dave Ramsey on that fan page that actually began my thoughts on this particular myth of the three. Particularly notice the comments that seem to express the thought of, "It Will Never Happen to Me".

 

I'd love to get your feedback and comments and, again, the best place to do that is through this fan page. You can also do so on the main website (www.FutureYouUniversity.com), at the end of this article, through e-mail and also through Twitter.

 

Whatever you do, and as you do it, 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



People Worth Meeting (2)

Interesting Person #2

About a week after I met Mr. Don't Tell Me I Can't (go back and read the last article if you haven't done so already), I met the next person that I want to tell you about.

 

Again, open your eyes and pay attention to those that are around you. Take the time to connect with others and you, too, may very well discover some very interesting people on your own.

 

Before I had a chance to talk with this gentleman, I noticed a very tearful good-bye between this man, his wife and a couple of kids. I had no idea what was going on at this point, but I could tell that this was not an easy separation.

 

During our conversation I found out that he was going to a "school" to do some training for a new job. This would involve him traveling to a location several states away and would mean separation from his family for a couple of months. He and his wife had been married for 8 years and had never been apart. He had a 10 year old stepson and a 4 year old little girl that were there to see him off.

 

I'll call him "Mr. Do What You Gotta' Do" because he stated that this was not his first choice of what he would prefer to do but, due to circumstances, this was what was needed to be done.

 

NOTE: Too many people will put themselves and their families in a bad position because they cannot find exactly what they are looking for when it comes to a job. Sometimes in life you do what you have to do in order to pay the bills and take care of your family. That does not mean that you will never find the job you are really wanting but, in the meantime, you do it because it's necessary!

 

He also mentioned to me that he had made some bad choices early on in his life as an adult and he was trying to get things right. He made no excuses, he didn't allow himself to sit and soak in his own pity but, instead, he made a tough decision in order to take care of and provide for his family.

 

I did everything I could to encourage him by telling him that, as hard as it would be, his family would know that he loved them enough to make tough decisions in order to take care of them He was demonstrating his dedication to his family by doing whatever was necessary to provide for them.

Who knows? He may find a whole new career that will allow him a more positive future than he would imagine at first.  I was impressed with  his determination and his great love for his family. I wished him well as we went our separate ways.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are you whining and complaining about what is not right in your life OR are you ready to do whatever is necessary at the time?

Are you complaining that there are no jobs available when there are jobs available around you every day? Stop whining and do what you must do to make things happen!

Quite honestly, no one wants to hear such whining and complaining. Again, it may not be what you want to do with the rest of your life but, what are you made of? How determined are you to do what is necessary?

No one can do it for you...as always, it's up to YOU!

Follow the example of "Mr. Do What I Gotta' Do" (yes, again, a real person and a true story), regardless of how difficult it may be.

In the last segment of this series I will talk about someone that I never did get to meet. However, this person made an impact on MANY, even in his recent death.

Join me then - you don't want to miss it.

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    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed





People Worth Meeting (1)

Interesting Person #1

 

In my job I meet some very interesting people from time to time - almost daily. Now, true, sometimes they are "interesting" in a way that causes me to think, "Now THAT was interesting!".

 

Yet, at other times, I come across people that really spark my interest and helps me know that, indeed, coming across their path was a unique and special experience that I was able to absorb.

 

In this weeks' series, I will introduce you to two men that I recently met that impacted me in the way that I just described in the last paragraph. Then, in the last segment of this series I will share some information with you about a man that I never met and that you will likely recognize. I will share something with you about this man that has made a profound impact on MANY over the past few weeks.

 

Meet "Interesting Person #1" - Mr. Don't Tell Me I Can't

 

A few weeks ago I met a young man (he is about 40 years old - hey, younger than me!) that had a physical handicap that he did not let hinder him. In our discussion I found out that he had suffered an injury when he was 13 years old in which his head was crushed. I don't know all of the details but, from what I understood, he suffered some mental injuries as well as some physical injuries that are connected to his brain.

 

Here's what he proudly told me with a big grin on his face: "If someone tells me that I can't do something, I'm the S.O.B. that's going to get it done!"

 

I asked him when the last time was that someone told him he couldn't do something and he told me it had happened just the week before I met him. When I asked him what it was, he told me that someone told him that, though he had planned to do so, he could not walk home from town. Oh, and by the way, this guy lived about six miles from town which is a long walk for ANYONE. Some of his physical problems made it even more difficult but, friend, that did not hold him back and he walked the full way home!

 

Even after 27 years of dealing with this adversity he still had a great attitude and a determination that this set back was not going to allow him to make excuses and give in to a weaker mindset. As a matter of fact he told me that he hated being on disability. He told me that his goal was to get off of disability and to be able to support himself financially. If I were a betting man I'd place my bet on him doing just that!

 

Now then, what about you?

 

What have you allowed to serve as your excuse for not accomplishing what you have set out to accomplish?

 

If you're like me (and I think you are), when I look at someone like the man I just introduced you to, I really have a hard time really coming up with any EXCUSE that makes much sense. Right? Bottom line is this: I HAVE NO EXCUSE when compared to "Mr. Don't Tell Me I Can't".

 

And, yes, this is a true story and this is about a real person.

 

I was encouraged - and challenged - by this meeting and I hope that you will be as well. I hope that you will be challenged to the point of really taking another look at your attitude and your actions.

 

I also hope that it will cause you to pay attention to those that cross your path each and every day. Pay attention, you will likely meet someone that will inspire you as well.

 

Here's the thing, though...you will actually have to talk to them and find out a bit about them in order for this to take place. Our world is FULL of interesting people.

 

AREN'T YOU GLAD? I know I am!

 

Join me in the next segment of this series as I introduce you to "Interesting Person #2". 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     "Like" FYU on Facebook!  

 

Podcast on iTunes     Podcast RSS feed

Fighting Fear

Do you remember being afraid of "something" in the dark when you were a kid?

 

 I remember times when I couldn't even hardly move in my bed because I was so afraid of what I THOUGHT was "out there. As a matter of fact, I even tried to not breathe as much as possible and had the covers over my head even though I was sweating furiously.

 

I also remember a time when I was out in the woods on our property and found a "creature" crawling up my leg. I didn't know what it was but, it scared me so badly that all I could do was stand still and start screaming. I was "paralyzed"! All it turned out to be was a locust but, hey, I didn't know what it was and I was afraid.

 

I am afraid of heights and that fear also, literally, paralyzes me to the point that I can not move.

 

Can you relate to any of the things that I've shared with you so far?

So, you see, the paralyzing force of fear is not something that we necessarily outgrow as adults. Even in areas besides the physical (like the fear of heights), we can struggle with and have the need to FIGHT FEAR.

It may be the fear of failure, the fear of disappointment, the fear of success, the fear of commitment, or a variety of other fears that we may still face today.

In the next three articles we are going to take a look at the need to FIGHT FEAR and see it for what it really is as well as what "can be" once we get past this fear.

We will take a short journey so that we can "see" what's on the "other side" of fear. And, as it says in the graphic above, "You'll like what's on the other side!".

Until then, why not make a list of the things that hold you  back. You may not want to admit it but, many times, we are held back because FEAR has paralyzed us in our tracks. Go ahead, brainstorm and make a list. Be honest with yourself as you make this list so that you can make some progress as we go through this series.

Be sure to share this with as many people as possible so that they, too, can begin to face fear and enjoy the benefits of getting to the "other side" of fear.

Until then, 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    * Get Paid to Advertise! *