Excuses Prevent Action!

 I'm sure you've heard the saying about "Opinions", right? Well, I'm going to "clean it up" just a little bit and go with it like this: "Opinions are like ARM PITS...everybody has them and they all stink!"

Now, for today's article, I'm going to change that up just a little bit more and apply it to EXCUSES:
"EXCUSES are like ARM PITS...everybody has them and they all stink!" 

Just like in the last article, this one comes as a result of me catching up with some "Minute With Maxwell" e-mails that I receive from John C. Maxwell every day. And, in case you didn't get the link in yesterday's article, you can sign up for free and get this sent to you own e-mail address by going HERE.

I'm sure you've guessed it by now but, the word being addressed in this particular episode was, "Excuses". As I listened, John said something that really jumped out at me and I wanted to share it with you today. Here's what he said: "It's easier to go from FAILURE to SUCCESS than it is to go from EXCUSES to SUCCESS!" 

 It seems that he pointed out, as well, that it is literally impossible to go from EXCUSES  to success because EXCUSES will prevent us from ever taking ACTION (see yesterday's article).

Excuses are the language of FEAR. You can debate that if you wish but, friend, it is a fact. You make excuses because you are AFRAID of SOMETHING in whatever area of your life it is that you are needing to take action. 

Here's the thing, though. Many people have become so accustomed to making excuses that they don't even realize that they do it so much. I know someone who automatically starts making excuses about as soon as they open their mouth when asked about ANYTHING. And, I do mean just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! It's a self-defense mechanism that many people set up because they don't want to have to face the fact that they are not following through by taking action. 

Now listen, I understand that it just flat out HURTS to have to face the truth like that, doesn't it? But listen, friend, EXCUSES WILL KEEP YOU WHERE YOU ARE and PREVENT YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!

So, yeah, maybe it's something we all need to get serious about.

Just like anything else that requires change and a completely different approach, moving away from EXCUSES will be a PROCESS that you approach and attack on a DAILY basis...one day at a time.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear some of you making excuses as to why you can't approach and attack this every day. C'mon...just stop it. :)

So, take a look at where you are and then take a look at where it is that you want to be and realize that it is your EXCUSES that are keeping you where you are. Period.

Hey, I hope we're still friends after this article! I know we are and I know that, even if this was a little painful, you will be fine once you get past the initial shock of the truth. But, friend, you can do this and you CAN get past the excuses and on toward your planned goals and dreams!

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

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

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

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

Mike

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

5 and 6: Don't Quit & No Excuses!

Before I do anything else in this article, I want to take a moment and give a special "shout out" to those that have read my blog this week (that I know of). If you're location is not on this list, hop on over to the fan page on Facebook and let me know! This is just for this week, the 1st week  for the month of May...Benton, AR., San Mateo, CA., Charlotte, N.C., Kathleen, FL., Flushing, N.Y., Zurich, Switzerland; Islamabad, Pakistan and Central District, Hong Kong. (By the way, I give a "shout out" on the podcast as well, so be sure you listen and give a cheer when your location is named!)

Secondly, before I get into the "meat" of the article, I want to share a picture with you of my "Power Board" that has all of the things on it that I have shared with you over the last couple of weeks. No, I didn't cover EVERYTHING on that board, but I did talk about most of it. I may hit a couple of more things from this board in the next week. Tune in and see!

My "Power Board"

 Now then, let's get to it! I'm combining the last two of these 6 "encouragement points" into one article for two reasons. One, so that I can finish this up in one week and, two, because these last two go "hand-in-hand".

If you've followed me for very long, you have heard me stress this point on many occasions - DON'T QUIT! Hey listen, no matter who you are or what you do, there are going to be times that you become discouraged and/or frustrated and, at those times, you will be tempted to quit.

Again, it doesn't matter WHO you are! There are times that you may actually wish that you could quit being a parent. And, there are some people out there that DO quit and, literally, walk away from that responsibility. BUT THAT'S NOT YOU!

You may find that there are times that you wish you could quit being a husband or wife. And, we both know that there have been MANY that have "quit" on those relationships. (Quick note: Making a necessary change does not mean that you quit, o.k.? Only you can answer the deep down question on whether you quit or not but, again, a change does not mean one quit.)

You may find times that you want to quit your job, school, some sort of training or any number of things that you have committed to...but you don't.  

 I want to share one more graphic with you that I put together the other day. If you ever take a look at the fan page on Facebook, then you likely saw it there. I love putting together phrases that can inspire others and, I hope that this will be one that will inspire you...

Please be sure to listen to the podcast (links to the RSS feed as well as iTunes can be found at the bottom of this article) to hear more on this point but, friend, no matter what happens, DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

 Oh, and don't make excuses, either. 

Here's one reason I say these two things go hand-in-hand...most people (if not ALL) that QUIT are ready and loaded with plenty of EXCUSES as to why they did so. 

As a matter of fact, if you are honest with yourself, you will discover that you have done and maybe ARE DOING the exact same thing. For whatever reason, it just seems to be human nature to try to "defend" our decisions - especially those that we feel others may look at with a disapproving eye. And, we tend to make those excuses because we, ourselves, don't like the fact that we quit. 

You know exactly what I'm talking about, right?

Take personal responsibility for whatever decision that you make. Don't blame others or other things. Many times, people quickly makes excuses when they quit something by blaming others (my boss, my co-workers, my husband, my wife, etc.) or other things (my job, my workplace, stress, etc.). 

I once read a story about George Washington and how, during one battle in which he and his men rowed there boats upon an enemies shore, he told his men to push the empty boats back out on the water. Why? He wanted there to be no way out. He wanted his men to realize that there was no going back and that they could not "quit and run".

In other words, he removed all excuses.

 And, friend, in order to keep going when you want to quit, you MUST remove ALL excuses even before you are tempted to use them.

Just think about how powerful you can become simply by living a "NO QUIT - NO EXCUSES" lifestyle! That, alone, sets you apart from the majority of those around you.

You can do it! Keep coming back here for more positive encouragement to help you in this process and please share it with others...don't you think THEY need it as well? Of course they do! :)

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

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

I hope you have a great weekend and, to all the Mom's out there, I want to wish you a very special "Mother's Day" on Sunday. I hope you have an incredible day!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

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

Mike

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

1st of "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid"

 

Today I will begin a discussion on "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid" that I hope you will consider very seriously. These are three things that I've put together myself that is based on several tendencies that I have observed over the past several years.

I have seen an increase in the "belief" and "practice" of each of these and, friend, such is a POISON and a DISEASE for any person and/or society. 

Let's begin with the 1st of these dangerous myths:

Let me start off with this disclaimer, just as I do on the podcast on today's topic. I am NOT talking about situations where a child or adult has been in an abusive situation and/or relationship. Many times, the offender will do all that they can to make the victim believe that this was their fault. Many have problems believing this lie for many years. Again, know this up front - this is NOT what I'm referring to in this article. 

What I AM talking about is the increased occurrence of this attitude that has become prevalent in our society.  I see this evident in our political system, our schools, managers, all the way down to individuals.

It's called an AVOIDANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY.  It's also called "Playing the BLAME GAME".

You'll hear it all around you if you will but open your ears and really listen.The words usually begin with something like, "Well, I would have done it, but..." or "That's what I was about to do next..." or "I wasn't really trained how to do that" or any number of other things that could be labeled as an EXCUSE.

What about you? Have YOU been sipping on this poison?

Here's a quick way to find out: If the first words out of your mouth tend to be some sort of "explanation" (better known as an EXCUSE) as to why you didn't get something done, then, friend, you just exhibited the idea of "It's Not My Fault".

No one is perfect. No one will ever do everything right all of the time. There are times that things do take place that prevents us from completing a task. DO YOU VERY BEST and, if things fall short, stand up and accept the responsibility as well as any consequences that may follow.

If you have children, what are they learning from you in this area? Are they learning - from YOU - how to accept responsibility or how to make excuses?

Rid your life and your vocabulary of this phrase. Remember, you may not verbalize these exact words but, while making excuses, you still state the same thing - "It's Not My Fault!".

It's time that we expected such from those in public office but, friend, we should also expect the same thing from ourselves.

Wouldn't you agree?

Be sure and join me in the next article as we discuss the 2nd of the 3 Dangerous Myths: "It's Not My Job".

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!  

 

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The Time is NOW! (Part 3 - Conclusion)

Before we get started, if you haven't done so, be sure to go back and red the 1st two installments of this series as well as listening to them via the podcast (see links below). I also want to encourage you to watch the videos that I recorded on this series as well. (You can find the videos HERE).

 

In this final article of the series I want to share with you THREE specific steps that you need to consider in order to "get back on track" and "re-ignite that spark" of your goals and dreams.  Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of being caught up on the 1st two segments of this series.

So, let's get to it! Here are my thoughts and suggestions on how you can "kick-start" that thing in your life and get moving again toward your goals and dreams. Here we go...

1. Re-evaluate, Re-discover and Re-examine your WHY 
     You may discover that the "why" that you once used as your "fuel" to get you going is not as important as it once was. It is also possible that you have lost sight of how important that "why" was - and still is - to you in and for your life. Either way, you need to spend some time and RE-EVALUATE that "why" and see how important it is to you now. You should also RE-DISCOVER your "why"...maybe you'll get the feeling back that you once had about it and it may spur you on to get moving again! Overall, you just need to RE-EXAMINE your "why" so that you can decide if it's even a worthy "why" for you at all.
     You may find that your "why" has changed or NEEDS to change! The bottom line on this point is that you need a STRONG REASON to move you past the inactivity that you have experienced.


2. Take a look at your "reasons" (excuses) as to why you have not progressed as you had planned. 
      I have mentioned before how it is easy to get "comfortable" with our excuses...we can find that it is easy to "soothe" the disappointment (and even disgust) at our lack of progress by using these excuses and calling them "reasons". Oh, we'll even share these with anyone and everyone that will listen - they need to know that it's not US...it's not OUR fault!
     Don't be fooled. Most "reasons" are excuses in disguise.
    While this process of calling excuses "reasons" may make us comfortable, it is important to remember that progress is NOT comfortable! If you're comfortable, you're not being BOLD enough or BRAVE  enough! If you're comfortable, you're not "stretching" and challenging yourself!
     Never forget that, in order to make REAL progress in your life, you MUST step outside of your "comfort zone". Will you?


3. WHAT NOW? 
     If you follow and implement these first two steps then you will come to the point of needing to make a decision. If you are honest and either "re-discover" your original "why" or find that you need a new, bigger and more important "why" and you have decided to stop making excuses once and for all, then YOU MUST MAKE A DECISION!
    You have a choice to make and the choice is YOURS..what will you do?
    Really be careful with those excuses...they have a way of talking yourself out of making the kind of BOLD MOVE that, many times, is absolutely necessary. Some such excuses may be that you don't have the training needed, the education needed or the money needed to move forward.
     Maybe you don't have everything that you need to reach your "ultimate" end goal but, friend, the key is to GET STARTED NOW where you are and with what you have.

 

These steps may seem too simple but, again, don't miss the fact that the PROFOUND can often be FOUND in the SIMPLE. Too, don't let the "simplicity" fool you. These three things are much harder to put into action than you may think.

The key question is this: HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?

Your answer to that question will let you know if, indeed, "THE TIME IS NOW!"

Let me hear from you - we're in this together and I'd love to get your feedback and your stories about this journey in your own life.

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   "Like" FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes  Podcast RSS feed

VIDEO CAST TAB ON FYU

The One Reason Why

We're all really good at coming up with dozens and dozens of "reasons" (excuses DISGUISED as reasons) why we can't accomplish something in our lives. And, if that's not enough, there are plenty of other people that surround us every day that are more than happy to add to that list for us.

 

We listen to all of those "reasons" (excuses DISGUISED as reasons) as to why we CAN'T and as to why something WON'T work instead of listening to the ONE reason as to why we CAN and as to why it WILL work!

 

Oh, there's more than one but I'm going to give you one MAIN reason before we're done here today.

 

We have talked a lot lately about the need to REMOVE and REPLACE those negative things and people from our lives that have devalued us, disrespected us and have thrown us nothing but left overs. We have allowed them to convince us that our worth and our value is dependent upon what THEY decide we are worth.

 

So, let's say you have decided to step out and away from this life and to move on to the life that you were created to have. You may still be standing in the same spot - frozen - afraid and believing that you CAN'T and that it WON'T work! And, likely, many - if not most - of these reasons are the exact things that you have heard and accepted for all of these years. You can't because you don't have the ability or you can't because you don't deserve it or.....

 

Or, let's say you have decided to go back to school to finally get that degree (or even high school diploma). You're in your 40's or 50's, your kids are all grown and you have decided to take that step, yet you find that you are still thinking about it and have begun to believe all of those "reasons" as to why you can't. You can't because you're older than everyone else or you can't because you're just too old and your brain won't allow you to study and remember or...

 

We could go on and on with examples but there is no need because I can almost promise that you've come up with SOMETHING that applies to you in your life RIGHT NOW - TODAY!

 

Are you ready to hear the ONE REASON as to why you CAN?  Are you ready to hear this ONE REASON and start NOT LISTENING to all of those so-called "reasons" as to why you can't and as to why it WON'T work?

 

Are you ready?

 

It's YOU.

 

YOU are the one reason that it WILL work! YOU are the one reason that you CAN accomplish whatever it is that you have a desire to accomplish in and with your life!

 

Yes, YOU!

 

For too long you've listened to those that have tried to convince you that YOU are the reason that you CAN'T do any of these things and, yet, I'm here to remind you of the fact that YOU are the very reason that you CAN and WILL accomplish these things!

 

Why do I say that so strongly? Because I believe strongly in what I have said before: YOU are made in the very image of God and GOD DOES NOT MAKE JUNK!

 

You are SPECIAL and of GREAT VALUE! You are remarkably made and have great talent and abilities! Yes, YOU!

 

Friend, that is THE one reason to combat all of those "reasons" that try to tell you that you can't and that "it" - whatever "it" is - WON'T work.

 

We'll talk even more about this with a quote from a great man that shared a lot of great thoughts like this...the late, Jim Rohn. Be sure to join me then but, UNTIL THAT TIME, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

 

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Live the Dream

Live the Dream!

In yesterday's entry I talked about Jim Rohn's article (see the link in yesterday's entry) in which he says the difference between those living the life we WISHED we were living and those of us standing here wishing is our ability to dream.

No, not just any ol' silly dream. And, no, not a "half-hearted" dream, either.

He is talking about a VIVID dream of the life we desire. The kind of dream that is so VIVID and REAL that we can actually "smell the air" in our dreams!

The kind of dream that, as he words it, will PULL YOU FORWARD to LIVING that dream!

No, it's not because they have had better luck than you or any of the other tons of "reasons" you may want to come up with to try to make yourself feel better by "demonizing" those "on the other side".

It's your VISION and your ability to get excited enough about that vision to put ACTION behind the dream!

Can you? (Yes!)

Will you? (Only YOU can answer that one, my friend).

Stop complaining about the gap and start making moves toward CLOSING that gap by LIVING YOUR DREAM!

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

The Power of A.S.K.

THE POWER OF A.S.K.

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

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

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

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

Why is this so important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DO NOT GIVE UP!

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

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

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

If either of these describes you - SHAME ON YOU!

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

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

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

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

WHY NOT DO IT YOURSELF?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mike

Give Up or Get Up?

Give Up or Get Up?

Here we are again talking about CHOICE.

YOUR choice to either give up and settle for less OR to get up and follow your dreams.

Even when you think you CAN'T (go back to yesterday's message) you still have a choice.

"Oh, but you don't know me, I'm not making excuses, I have a really good reason...."

NO, you don't.

Again, go back to yesterday's message and check out the two people I mentioned there. And, while you are at it, add Dennis Walters to your list. Read about him here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/07/eveningnews/main6372899.shtml

Yeah, I'm pretty adamant about this - contact any of these people (along with many others) and tell them what your "reason" is as to why you CAN'T do something. Really. Go ahead and see what they have to tell you.

Please understand that I DO understand that some people have more negative things stacked against them than others.

However, the fact remains that you can still RISE ABOVE anything - ANYTHING - in your life if you are determined to do so.

It just depends on how badly you want to get up and follow your dreams.

And, yes, just like in the story about Mr. Walters in the link above - sometimes your dreams take a different route, but you ARE resilient enough to change course and still survive, thrive and succeed!

Aren't you?

Sure you are!

So, what will YOU do?

Give up and settle for less?

or....

GET UP and FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS?

You can do it... GO FOR IT!

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

Mike

You Can't WHAT?

"You Can't WHAT?"

I love that little poster up there. It's so true and factual yet, many of us still live by the mantra of, "I can't."

You're kidding, right?

How many of these have you used or ARE using currently: "I'm too young. I'm too old. I'm too fat. I'm too skinny. I'm too dumb. I'm too smart. I'm a male. I'm a female. I live in the North. I live in the South. I live in the East. I live in the West. I live outside of the U.S.A. I live IN the U.S.A. I'm poor. I'm under- educated. I'm over-educated. I'm too pretty. I'm too ugly. I'm handicapped....."

Oh, I'm sure I left some out. My guess is that some of you have even said in your mind, "Well, MY reason is not there...I'm too _________________!"

Really?

For any and every "reason" (by the way, these are EXCUSES that we have "dressed up" as reasons) that we want to give there is someone that IS following their dream in spite of that "reason". Every one of them.

If you want to have your eyes opened to your pitiful excuses - yeah, I'm getting THAT blunt today - then do an internet search on the name Rick Vujicic and watch some of the videos about his remarkable stories. Type in the name Bethany Hamilton, the teenager who had plans of becoming a professional surfer before having her arm ripped off by a shark. Do you think she just gave up?

And there are many, many more that can really make us take a serious look at our life of "I can't!"

You see, these two examples (and again, there are many more) are of people that DID have a really strong "reason" to say, "I can't" on a LOT of matters! But instead, they have boldly declared, "YES I CAN!"

There are so many of us that have gotten lulled into a life of mediocrity by following the life of "I can't". We have settled for less because we have told ourselves - for whatever "reason" (EXCUSE!) - "I can't follow my dreams."

Look at that picture at the top of this entry again. "Someone is always doing something that someone else said was impossible!"

As with everything else - this one is 100% totally up to YOU!

Isn't it time that you stopped whining and complaining about why you CAN'T and started stepping up and boldly declaring that you CAN in spite of what may be "wrong" in your life?

Better yet, why not get in contact with Rick and/or Bethany and you tell THEM why you can't.

Kinda' puts it in perspective, doesn't it?

Follow your dreams or settle for less. What will YOU do?

And, as you go through your day, be sure to remember...

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

Mike

Final Thoughts on "Think & Grow Rich"

I've come to the end of my discussions based on the Napoleon Hill classic, "Think & Grow Rich". It has been an OUTSTANDING time of study and discussion (at least for me!) and I want to encourage you to now go back and read this book again. If you didn't do so - take the time to do all of the assignments and take the time to fill out the lists --- PUT INTO PRACTICE what is asked of you in this book and then see what happens!

So - I like to sum things up short and to the point. Here it is:

STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND START MAKING YOUR MOVE!


Bottom line - that's it!

Start with your DESIRE (chapter 1) - is it strong enough to move you to action? Really strong enough? If it is, are you being ACTIVE in the progress of this desire?

If not - why not?

A couple of things are true if you are not active in the pursuit of this desire:
1. Either the desire is not strong enough or it's the wrong desire
2. You are living a life full of excuses OR you're just lazy


I told you I get to the point!

To make progress we must be HONEST with ourselves - however painful that may be and get rid of the excuses so that we CAN get past ourselves and move on to the future - TODAY!

Thank you for joining me on this journey - I still value and welcome any and all feedback on this discussion. Just send an email to me at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com

We'll begin a new discussion on our next podcast but, until then...

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

Mike

Putting SKIN on Theory!

So, we've studied the book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.

We've looked at and shared some POWERFUL thoughts and ideas on how to improve our lives and move on toward our goals and riches (again, whatever that may be for YOUR life).

Now what?

In Tuesday's podcast I began to "put the skin on theory" or, in other words, to make "practical application" of the things we have studied over the past several months.

But, here's the kicker - it's still up to YOU!

There is no way around that fact and that is what you will hear me say today. So, if you don't want to hear that truth - don't listen to the podcast and don't read another word of this blog.

Too many people still want to rely on "old man IF" that we talked about very recently. They like to think that it is out of their control and that there are "reasons (actually "excuses") as to why they have not been able to make positive progress in their lives when - in all actuality - it all comes back to THEM and THEIR DECISIONS (or LACK of decision). And, yes, failure to make a decision is a decision within itself!

So are you ready to look in the mirror and take a long, hard look at yourself? If not - again, there is no need to proceed. However, if you are serious about this positive progression, you may not LIKE the idea of taking a long, hard look at yourself but you will do it ANYWAY - because you must!

Once again, don't let the simplicity turn you away. Many times the profound can be discovered in the simple.

Go back and watch the video of my moustache (yeah, you read that right! *LOL*) -- what are YOU willing to sacrifice for your success?

Or, to put it another way (this is the title of my 3rd podcast that I did back in the early part of March) - "What Are YOUR Dreams Worth?"

Think about it.

And, while you do -

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

Mike