KEEP Going! (Look Up! Get Up! Get Going and KEEP Going!)

 Every "step" that has been discussed in this "series" is vitally important. Without even ONE of these "steps" the whole process becomes ineffective. The process becomes futile. And nothing changes in and/or for your life. 

 

Think about it (and I've discussed it every step of the way), it is SO important for each of us to LOOK UP and see what we may miss on a daily basis. The nice and kind people that can enrich our lives as well as possible opportunity that passes by on a daily basis. We just don't see and CAN'T see it as long as we keep our heads down and fail to LOOK UP! 

 

And yet, simply LOOKING UP - as necessary as that is - alone, doesn't really accomplish much of anything, either. We may SEE opportunity as it goes by and we may even acknowledge that we see it and recognize it as opportunity but...so what? "Hey look, there goes another opportunity! Wow, there sure is a lot more opportunity available that I see now that I'm looking up!"

 

O.k. But it really doesn't help you in any way, does it? UNLESS you take the NEXT step and actually GET UP so you can begin to take action! 

 

Now friend, pay attention, because THIS IS THE PLACE where most people get stuck!  

 

A decision is made...a "commitment" or "resolution" is stated BUT, too often, that's where everything comes to a screeching halt.  Making the decision to actually GET UP and prepare to take action is a VITAL part of this process but, just "getting up" still will not accomplish anything if you just get up and stand there. Thinking. Planning. Preparing. Talking. Thinking. Planning....you get the picture. 

 

This is where so many develop the "paralysis of analysis" or, said in a different way, they become paralyzed by FEAR.  We can fool ourselves into thinking we are doing necessary work to make sure we take the correct action by making the correct preparation and...we just stand there and fail to actually DO something that matters. 

 

So, yeah...often, what is required is that you just "DO IT AFRAID". Do it anyway. Do it "in spite of..." To quote a famous slogan, "Just DO it!".  You MUST "Get Going" or, guess what? You will continue to just stand there and wonder why nothing has ever changed. 

 

Now, THIS is where the real journey begins and where the real "work" and "challenges" begin to take place. Seriously, if actually following through were "easy" then, you already know what I'm about to say, EVERYONE that ever attempted to fulfill their dreams and "life vision" would be able to do so and WOULD do so, right?  

 

Will it be easy? Likely not! But, will it be worth it? That depends on you and your "WHY" that has prompted you to follow this dream in and for your life. How important is it to you? For you? 

 

Here's the deal: You can know this for sure - you will NEVER know the feeling of accomplishing whatever it is you have set as a goal for yourself UNTIL and UNLESS you actually take action and "get going".  

 

But how determined will you be to "KEEP GOING"? Again, how important is it TO you and FOR you? Take a look at the graphic at the top of this article and notice that the "superhero" has flown PAST Earth and is continuing to go beyond what we would think is even possible. Think about the truth in all of this that, by following this process, you will likely go further than you could ever imagine. 

 

Wouldn't it be something incredible to experience that in and for your life....FINALLY? 

 

Bottom line, don't ever give up. There will be set backs and road blocks. You may even have to take detours that you never imagined you'd have to take but, again, how important is it to you?

 

The only time you fail is when you give up. If you get knocked down or knocked back, dust yourself off and GET BACK UP and KEEP GOING! Don't you DARE ever give up, friend. 

 

So, in closing, let me assure you that all of this is not just "guess work" on my part. I've lived it and am STILL living it even as I type this sentence. I'm actually about to take another "detour" on my journey. And, because of that, I likely won't be doing another blog article, podcast or YouTube video for a while. I'm not sure on that for sure at this point but I know that my schedule is changing dramatically to the point that I don't know that I'll have the time to do so for the time being.

 

But know this...even with this detour, I know I am still moving for a better and brighter future in and for my life. And, whenever it is that you find and read this blog article, I hope YOU will be encouraged to keep your head up so you can see the opportunity around you and that you will then GET UP, GET GOING and KEEP GOING.

 

Once again,  the ball is in your court - it's your CHOICE. 

 

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeslivefree/

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@big.digi.profits

 

Easy to Do - Easy NOT to Do!

 True, I will say that this is an "easy" 4 Step Process on how to make positive PROGRESS toward a better and brighter future in and for your life. But, as it says in the graphic above, it's EASY TO DO and it's also EASY NOT TO DO!

 

That doesn't change the TRUTH of what is being presented in this article (also my podcasts and videos...see links below) but it does acknowledge that, perhaps, it may be even easier for most NOT to do and implement in and for their lives and their future. 

 

You know "the drill", right? We get discouraged, frustrated and distracted and we tend to walk around with our heads down - figuratively AND literally at times. Have you ever wondered what all you have MISSED by doing so?

 

This actually ties in very closely to the series that I just completed talking about "See It - Want It - Get It!". If and when we walk around with our heads hanging down we simply MISS OUT on so many GOOD THINGS and maybe even many OPPORTUNITIES! 

 

If you've followed me for very long at all you've likely heard me say something along the lines of, "Opportunity Doesn't Always Knock! Sometimes You Have to Go Out There and Tackle That Sucker Out on The Sidewalk!"

 

But you won't ever see it (DON'T SEE IT!) with your head down. 

 

Paul, in the 3rd chapter of the book of Philippians says that (and I'm paraphrasing... I shared this a few weeks ago and you can also look it up for yourself...it's around verse 13-15) he kept his eyes "on the prize" of the calling that God had for his life! He put EVERYTHING else behind him...he focused...kept his head up and his eyes open!

 

So, there's your assignment...step #1: LOOK UP! 

 

Try it out for yourself by putting it into practice TODAY...NOT tomorrow or next week. 

 

Oh, and another "assignment" is for you to sign up for free and join my community on Skool...check the link out below!

 

Once again,  the ball is in your court - it's your CHOICE. 

 

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

www.FutureYouUniversity.com and www.MichaelSpillman.com currently take you to the same place, which is my Facebook page, listed next...

www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeslivefree/

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@big.digi.profits

 

  

 

 

DON'T "See" It?

 

As we start this article, let's try to clear something up...when it comes to desiring/wanting something BETTER in and for our lives, do you sometimes feel that you DON'T See "It" (that better future) or is it more than you simply CAN'T See "It"?

I would suggest that both would apply because I believe that they go hand in hand with each other. Think about it by using this is the "real", physical world. Let's say someone using binoculars tells you that they see an elk that is beyond your natural ability to see due to the distance. The can tell you about it and describe it to you and may even ask you, "Do you see it?" or "Can you see it?"

Well, in THAT scenario, you can't do EITHER, right? You DON'T see it because you CAN'T see it. And, not to get too confusing, you also CAN'T see it because you DON'T see it. 

Now then, when it comes to your desired "better future", why is it that, often, we have a hard time visualizing that better future in our lives...SEEING that better future ("it")?

I was going to type the words, "Do me a favor" but, you know what? Saying it more correctly would be for me to type, "Do YOURSELF a favor" by spending some time asking yourself the question, "What is BLOCKING MY VISION?"

For example, in the above example, you couldn't see the elk because you didn't have the tool in your hand that would allow you to actually see just as your friend was able to see...the binoculars, right? So, WHAT tool, what mindset, what...._________ will you need/DO you need in order to finally "See" that better future? YOU must think and begin to fill that blank and, yes, there likely will be MORE than one answer. 

Here's the thing, friend. I CAN and WILL help you with this but...here's the kicker...you have to reach out and let me know that you'd like my help. I can't SEE your need without you providing the proper tool for me to do so. In this case, it's you letting me know. 

One of the easiest ways to do so is to join my community (link below) on Skool and introduce yourself. When you do, I will personally welcome you into the community and that is when we connect and you can tell me about your struggle and what it is that you desire in and for your life.  

 Yes, it's free to join and I'll get you started heading in the right direction just like I try to do with my blog articles, podcasts and videos.

And, yes, there will be opportunity for you to dive deeper if you so desire.

Bottom line: will you stay "blind" to what waits for you and your future? 

Once again,  the ball is in your court - it's your CHOICE. 

 

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

www.FutureYouUniversity.com and www.MichaelSpillman.com currently take you to the same place, which is my Facebook page, listed next...

www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

 

Become MORE! (Yes, You CAN!)

 

I had the opportunity to hear the late, great, Jim Rohn speak a couple of times before his passing. A couple of quick and important lessons in that alone...#1. If you have the opportunity to hear one of our current "top minds" in whatever area you are pursuing - DO IT and DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I was actually at an event at which he was scheduled to speak and which would have been my 3rd time to hear him but he was ill and unable to do so. He passed shortly after that.    #2: I was able to do so because I was part of a MLM organization that had hired him to speak at their conventions. This was something NEW for me to do but, if nothing else, I had the opportunity to learn from someone like Jim Rohn! 

Why do I mention those things? Because they are EXACTLY what I'm discussing in today's article...stretch and push yourself so that YOU can become MORE!

Notice what he said in this quote and APPLY IT TO YOURSELF. This should cause you to ask yourself a couple (at least) of questions such as:  1. Do I feel (and maybe even complain) that I'm not making enough money? 2. What am I doing about it as far as improving myself in the area of personal growth? 

Listen, you can earn all of the certificates, etc. that you can or want and still not do well because of your personal skills and mindset. That, my friend, is a fact.

Here's another graphic from one of my white boards in my office...

 

 

 Maybe you've heard the idea of "Be - Do - Have" with the explanation behind it being that, if you want to change and improve your life you must first BEcome the person you need to become in order to DO the things necessary for you to HAVE those things that you desire. I've heard that discussed and explained very well and I understand the point behind that line of thinking. 

 

However (and this is another point to consider as well), I don't completely agree with that order or process. As indicated on that image from my whiteboard, I think you must first DO something before anything else takes place. What is it that we must DO? We must FIRST make a firm DECISION about what it is that we want to accomplish in and for our future! Once that is done, THEN (in my opinion) and ONLY then can we figure out and know what it is we need to DO in order to achieve that result.

 

(Hey Mike, what's the other "point to consider" that you mentioned?) Don't just settle for what someone says...no matter who it is! Now then, let me differentiate that a little. Just because you don't understand something or it's not clear to you at the time does NOT mean that it is wrong! If you are listening to someone that has "been there, done that" and you haven't, you likely don't understand because your mindset hasn't developed to the same point that theirs has. Right?

Write that thing down so that you can go back and examine it again and again and again and, if possible, listen and/or read more from that same person which may also help you begin to understand what was being said.

But, that STILL doesn't mean that you have to agree with everything that was said. So it was with what I shared with you by using the graphic above. I heard what they said and I understood the reasoning behind what they said and, for a while, I agree with what they said. But, as I grew and developed I began to believe the thought that I shared with you that you must first DO something and that "something" was to MAKE A DECISION! 

 

Bottom line is simply this: You must WANT something so badly for yourself and your future that you DO WHAT IS NECESSARY for you to BECOME MORE so that you CAN have what you desire.

 

Follow me for more! Please visit all of the sources listed below and subscribe, like, follow and SHARE with others because, friend, I'm just getting started even though I've been doing this since 2009!

 

 

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

www.FutureYouUniversity.com and www.MichaelSpillman.com currently take you to the same place, which is my Facebook page, listed next...

www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

 

 

 

 

Try Something NEW??

So, earlier today I was going to record a video to put on my new Skool Community ("Finish What You Start!") that is linked down below and found that, once I got ready to do so, I could actually do a "LIVE" version. 

I thought that was great and, even though I'd done live steam videos on other platforms but never on Skool, I figured that I could figure it out. But, guess what? I couldn't! At least NOT YET!

And I will.

Now, this is just a very small example of what, for many, is a much bigger problem that often keeps us stuck where we are and afraid to step out and move forward. 

Ready or not, we live in a very fast-paced evolution of technology that can (if learned to be used correctly) make things so much easier for us (you and me) than was possible just a very short time ago.

But, will you step out and "try something new"?

Or, will you simply say, "I can't" or "I don't know how" and allow this new technology to pass you by?

It all goes back to what we have been talking about for the past couple of months talking about the decisions (aka, "VOTES") that we make each and every day and facing the fears that hold us back.

So, it all depends on your DECISION as to what it is you truly want for your future. Yep! It's up to you but I am here to help along the way, if you'd like. (THE great reason to join me in my new Skool Community listed below).

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

www.FutureYouUniversity.com and www.MichaelSpillman.com currently take you to the same place, which is my Facebook page, listed next...

www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

STOP Complaining - START Solving!

This is an original post (new for this date in July of 2026) that is based off of a graphic that I put together several years ago. Many times I will put thoughts that go through my mind down in a file of other quotes that I have and/or make a graphic of the quote and save it on my computer. This is one of those times. 

I don't remember exactly what was going on at the time or what spurred me to come up with this thought but, even if I don't remember the specifics, it  speaks "loud and clear" to me even today. 

                     

"I must CHANGE my thinking! When I see a problem, I MUST stop complaining. Instead, I must develop a solution and put it into ACTION!"                      

I think that you would agree with me when I say that it is EASY to find SOMETHING about which to complain...right? For some, it's like a favorite pastime and, if you spend enough time around them it may seem as if that is about all that they do!

And, if (more like "SINCE") complaining is such an easy thing to do then, on the other side of the equation, to be someone that DOESN'T complain about everything so quickly would make you someone that is "different" in a positive way...right?  

For most of us, we need to pay close attention to what everyone else is doing and DO THE OPPOSITE! Especially when it's something as negative as complaining all of the time. What, of necessity, does that mean? It means that we will have a positive impact on our OWN mindset by focusing on POSITIVE thoughts and ideas instead of the negative AND we will also have a positive impact on those around us.

And, in case you don't know it, people want MORE of the person that is POSITIVE and LESS of the NEGATIVE person. It is a need and a necessity...especially if you are trying to improve your own mindset as well as have a positive impact on those around you.  

Oh, and something else to keep in mind: There have been many times in the past (and even happening right now, today) where people have taken those "things" that brings about the tendency to complain and have made millions of dollars by finding a solution. They found that THEY weren't the ONLY ones that were complaining about ____________ (fill in the blank), which represented a PROBLEM and they came up with the SOLUTION. 

That quote that I came up with that is shown up there? Just even on a day to day basis - for me - that thought helps me simply change the way I think about things that are easy to complain about. Instead, I begin to think about what I can do to change or remove that situation. And, sometimes...it is as simply as not putting myself in the position to where I'm around whatever it is that causes me to complain in the first place!

What about YOU?  

Make a list (remember...WRITE IT DOWN) of the things that you find you complain about a lot) and then brainstorm how you can CHANGE YOUR THINKING and begin to look for a SOLUTION to prevent that from being a part of your life.

Hey, it's YOUR list so don't worry about what anyone else might think about it. 

Is there something you can do to help IMPROVE the situation? (By the way, complaining to someone by saying, "You need to do this differently!" and not actually being a part of the solution doesn't accomplish much!) Is there something you MUST do to remove that negative situation in and for your life? 

Finally, maybe look at it in a way that could cause you to see if you can come up with a solution that would benefit many people in a way that you could actually build a business around it...instead of just continuing to complain about it.

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

 

Mike

 

NEW! Check out my community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/finish-what-you-start-2579

www.FutureYouUniversity.com and www.MichaelSpillman.com currently take you to the same place, which is my Facebook page, listed next...

www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSpillman

My podcast:  https://mikespillmansfutureyouuniversity.buzzsprout.com

 

What's Holding YOU Back?

(be sure to "LIKE" Future You University on Facebook!)

 

 

In my last blog I addressed the topic, "I Always Wanted To..." and talked about things that we SAY we want to do but, for whatever reason, seem to never get done. If you haven't done so, take a moment and go back and read the last entry. For the most part this is a PART 2 continuation of that article.

 

Three questions were brought up that I want to review again:

 

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU HAVE SAID YOU WANT TO DO AND, AS OF YET, IS STILL UNDONE?

 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

WAS IT AS IMPORTANT AS I KEPT SAYING IT WAS? IF SO, WHY DIDN'T I DO IT REGARDLESS OF ANY EXCUSES?

 

I'm hoping that you have already taken the time to write down your answers/thoughts on these questions. If not, take a few moments and try to put some honest answers to them. Go ahead. I'll wait.

 

 

So, here's the main thing: What are you waiting for or, worded differently, "WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK?"

 

Wow. Really think about that. I'm not sure there are really any "EASY" answers for this and yet, at the same time, you may know the honest truth immediately.

 

As I said in the last article, whatever you come up will likely be connected to some sort of FEAR.

 

WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

Here's the deal...how much time is going to continue to pass while you (and me) wait and wait and plan and plan and talk about "one day I'm going to..." ? How much time has ALREADY passed?

You likely have heard the following quote by the late, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones :

"You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read." I agree with what he says but, at the same time, there will be NO CHANGE if you do not absorb the influence/impact of either the friends or the books! The late Jim Rohn talked several times about the fact that, regardless of what we do - the next five years are going to come and go. Regardless. He would then ask the question, "What are YOU going to do?" How do the lines to that song go? "Time keeps on ticking, into the future..." WAKE UP! (Yeah, I'm talking to me, too!) I'm guessing that you are like me in that you really don't want to get to the end of your life with  regrets about all of the things that you DIDN'T do. So, have you WRITTEN DOWN what it is that  you are afraid of? Have you WRITTEN DOWN what it is that is holding YOU back? Hang on to that list and began to consider (if you haven't done so already) what it is that you need to do to get rid of that obstacle in your life and your future success! Get started on that and in my next article I will attempt to help you IDENTIFY and ATTACK these obstacles. Feel free to send me what you are discovering is in YOUR way...let's get this thing done together! Until then, be sure to... "Make it an AWESOME day! (Who esle is going to do it for you?)" Mike



I Always Wanted To....

Be sure to "LIKE" Future You University on Facebook!

 

 

I'm typing this on Thursday, September 27, 2012 after the legendary Andy Williams passed away on Tuesday, September 25th. Why is this significant to me? Because I have said for years that I wanted to go see his show in Branson, Missouri before he died. Now, it's too late.

 

For me this goes back to my childhood. I can remember watching Mr. Williams on television (yes, black and white) putting on some of the best Christmas specials that I can remember. I always thought he had one of the smoothest voices ever - even at my young age. I can also remember the Osmond brothers being introduced and a part of these television specials. I loved those shows!

 

Then, a few years ago, Mr. Williams brought his act to Branson, Missouri which has only been a few hours from me all along. I've said to my wife (and even to my sons who are all now out of the house) that I wanted us to go see his Christmas show sometime. I said that year after year after year. And, as I've already said...now it's too late.

 

So, here's the question: WHAT ARE SOME THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU HAVE SAID YOU WANT TO DO AND, AS OF YET, IS STILL UNDONE?

 

Here's what I continue to ask myself about situations like the one above and others that I find let slip past me - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

 

My goodness, the whole thing with going to see Andy Williams boiled down to two things: 1. sometimes I felt that it would cost too much money and 2. poor planning. And now, something that I've wanted to do for years has passed me by.

 

Another thing I find that is necessary to ask with such things is this: WAS IT AS IMPORTANT AS I KEPT SAYING IT WAS? IF SO, WHY DIDN'T I DO IT REGARDLESS OF ANY EXCUSES?

 

Sometimes the truth hurts but the truth is that if something really IS important to us we WILL find a way to make it happen. Won't you?

 

Ahhhh, but there's that factor of FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real.

 

We're still working on that, aren't we? I know I am. Hey, I'm just being honest. I appreciate you reading my blog and listening to my podcast (yes, I am doing a podcast on this topic - be sure to check it out at www.FutureYouUniversity.com) but I will always be honest with you on such things. What good does it do me - or you - to make it appear that I have it all worked out? I DON'T but I continually strive to keep moving forward and I hope that I encourage you to do the same along the way.

 

So for now, address the questions brought up in this blog. Get out a piece of paper and spend some serious time digging at the TRUTH. Make that list of things that are still waiting for you to enjoy and complete (and no, we're not talking about things like "mowing the yard") and then dig deep as to WHY it's still on that "to do" list.

 

I plan to do another blog entry in a few days to continue these thoughts and I'd love to get your feedback either by leaving a comment here or on the FYU fan page on Facebook (preferred).

 

Keep pressing forward, friend and, until then, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike



 

 



Always a Winner!

Join the group on my Facebook fanpage and become part of the discussion!

I'm not sure where it all began but I have always viewed myself as a WINNER! Now, that doesn't mean that I didn't have the normal ups and downs as a teenager or that I've always had a "winner mentality" even as an adult! So, right off, don't get me wrong about that.

But, when even struggling through those tough times and even some "dark" times I've always come through the other side realizing that life was, indeed, worth living and that I had something of value to offer.

I don't remember my parents ever instilling "positive mental attitude" in me while I was growing up but, still, I do know that I tended to have a more positive outlook than many of those around me. I can't remember what grade I was in but it was somewhere around 5th - 7th grade that, apparently, some adult that knew me felt that I had that extra "something" in me and put my name in for me to get a catalog to start my own business selling shoes via a catalog. I didn't do it and didn't even fully realize that this meant someone actually considered me at this age for this, but I DID realize this years later and it made an impact on me.

Wow! Someone - I'm guessing an adult - saw something in me that told them that I might have what it takes to start my own "business" at an early age. Many times others see "it" in us long before we realize we have "it". Thanks to whoever it was. I'll never know, but THEY knew and they planted a seed.

I am a winner. Regardless!

I am a winner regardless of what others say or think about me.

I am a winner regardless of what life brings my way.

I am a winner regardless of what my actions - when I'm not exhibiting that "winner mentality - my bring my way.

I am a winner regardless of how many people read or don't read my blog and do or don't listen to my podcast when I do them.

I am a winner as long as I have planted some positive seed in some person's life along the way.

I am a winner even if I never know who that person is or what became of that seed that was planted.

I am a winner because I am made in the image of God Almighty. And that, my friend, puts me on a powerful and positive track from day one.

That's right, I'm a winner. Always have been and always will be.

And you?

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

Mike

YOU Can Do GREAT Things!

Today is "Turn-Around Tuesday"...stop waiting and TURN YOUR life AROUND TODAY!

Today I want to continue our discussion on my "7 Daily, Powerful, Life-Changing Affirmations" that I put together back in August of 2008. Yesterday we discussed my 1st of these 7, "I am somebody special!" and, today, I'd like to continue with the second one: "I am able to accomplish great things!".

Remember, the first of these seven that I covered yesterday is the FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE on which all of the other six are based upon. Everything else comes from - and because of - this first and most important daily affirmation, "I am somebody special" and the reasoning behind it which I discusses yesterday.

Once we can at least make a move toward accepting and believing that, indeed, we ARE somebody special, then we can move on to the second of these seven, "I am able to accomplish great things!"

WHY? HOW? We can because, first and foremost, of WHO we are! Remember, we are made in the image of God and, that alone, qualifies us for greatness REGARDLESS of what kind of lives we have lived in the past! DO NOT MISS THAT POINT....even if we were mistreated in our lives as children and raised in a very negative - and even abusive - environment, we STILL have the OPPORTUNITY to turn things around and begin to live a life with a focus on the POSITIVE.

What IS "greatness"? Obviously, for some people in our world, it means achieving the very best that their chosen field has to offer whether that be President of the United States or any other top level of achievement that is available to them. But, for some of us, it may not mean anything like that.

How much money does it take for you to be "great"? How many people have to know who you are in order for you to be "great"? How many times does your name have to appear in print in order for you to be "great"? Friend, these things have absolutely NOTHING to do with "greatness"!

You achieve GREATNESS by what you do with your life every day of your life. That's right...not quite as grandiose as some would have you believe, right?

You achieve GREATNESS by being the best husband and father that you can be or the best wife and mother you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being the best friend, employee or employer that you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being a person of HONOR in all of the above mentioned areas!

Now, this does not mean that you CANNOT or WILL NOT achieve "greatness" in your chosen field, but don't limit yourself to that line of thinking.

Here's the KEY POINT I want to make sure you get in all of this (be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml (RSS feed)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 (iTunes) ...

...you are able to achieve GREATNESS because of WHO you are (one made in the image of God) and not because of the positive or negative that those around you have said to you in relation to who you are.

EXAMPLE: You are NOT doomed to failure just because someone may have told you that you are worthless and that you would NEVER amount to anything! But, on the other side of the spectrum, you are NOT guaranteed success just because someone told you that you were the greatest thing in the world! Now, true, it is much better and more conducive for success to have that positive feedback rather than the negative but, again, you have the ability to achieve great things in your life because of WHO YOU ARE from the start!

Do NOT sell yourself short! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you should settle for less! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you must make a choice between your chosen passion and your family in order to be a success!

God has blessed you with everything that you need in order to do and accomplish "great" things! Use that, develop that, use the good sense the Good Lord has given you to take advantage of this unbelievable age that we live in today that offers so many opportunities for success for those that are willing to step out and go for it.

Just remember, as you do so, you do so as a person of HONOR.

"I am able to accomplish great things!"

As you continue along this path, always be sure to...

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

The EVIDENCE of FAITH

Today is "Thankful Thursday"...Be aware and EXPRESS your thanks TODAY!

If you've not been following the blog this week, be sure to go back and catch up beginning with Monday's article - each article this week has built and been an extension of the previous day's article.

Although I've been mostly using the Bible's definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1, ("Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.") I have been making applications about our experiences as we try to get closer to reaching our goals and dreams. Is there a spiritual application to be made? Absolutely! And I will be sharing some thoughts on that in Friday's article entitled, "The APPLICATION of Faith".

Yesterday we discussed the SUBSTANCE of FAITH and realized that faith is NOT "careless living" and even though faith does not demand proof there is SUBSTANCE behind the actions we take based on our faith. Again, if you've not read yesterday's article, be sure to do so in order to get the "connection" between the two.

According to that Biblical definition shared above, not only is there SUBSTANCE to faith but there is also EVIDENCE involved. Remember, I'll be discussing the spiritual aspects of this on Friday, but even for today's thoughts some of you may have a hard time connecting the idea of "evidence" with "faith".

Let me ask you a question that hopefully will clarify this dilemma. Why would ANYONE jump out of a perfectly good airplane - especially for fun??? Yeah, it's called "parachuting" and people do it all of the time. Believe it or not, even though I am very afraid of heights, there is a part of me that wants to experience this before I die. Thing is, I'm worried I just might die of a heart attack from the shock as soon as I am pushed out of that plane! (That's right - PUSHED!).

Are you 100% sure that the parachute is going to open? NOPE.  Is there a chance that it WON'T open or that it won't open correctly and that you could either be killed or seriously injured? YUP!

So, jumping out of an airplane, even WITH a parachute on your back, demands a bit of faith on your part, does it not? And, that FAITH is based on the EVIDENCE that, more often than not, the parachute WILL WORK! If you really don't believe that it will open - if you don't have FAITH that it will open - you will NEVER jump out of that plane unless you're more certain that you will die if you remain ON that plane. Right?

So it is as we move toward our goals and dreams. Even though it may seem like a far stretch (remember, it IS important to push ourselves and to "stretch" with these endeavors) for you to achieve whatever it is that you have set up as your goal/dream, you do it anyway.  However, along with the SUBSTANCE that we discussed yesterday, there should also be some EVIDENCE to go along with your faith or belief that you can and/or WILL achieve success.

Chances are that you have been shown or have seen others that have done the same thing that you are trying to accomplish and they have been successful in doing so. They don't just TALK about it, they've DONE it!

Is there any guarantee that the same success awaits you? NOPE. Is there a chance that you will fall short of your goals/dreams and that you could even lose some or a lot of money along the way and fail miserably? YUP.

But, based on the SUBSTANCE that we talked about yesterday, mixed in with the EVIDENCE that we have talked about today, you still have to step out on FAITH, believing that this, too, can be true for you IF you are willing to put out the effort necessary (the evidence of others will point this out to you) to make it happen.

So, yes, even with SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE, moving in this way still demands FAITH!

I'd love to hear your comments about this topic and on what has been shared this week. You can contact me directly via e-mail (mike@futureyouuniversity.com) OR via the website (http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ or http://www.michaelspillman.com/ ) or by leaving a message here on this blog OR by leaving a message on our fan page (www.facebook.com/futureyouuniversity) . I really would prefer you to leave it on the fan page but I would love to hear from you in any of these ways.

I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as I make the spiritual application to all of this. Until then, as you go through your day, be sure to...

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

Mike

What Killed the Cat?

Once again it's "MAGICAL MONDAY!"... What will YOU do that's "magical" today?

So, we've all heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat", right? And, I'm sure - in spite of their 9 lives - that this has been true on occasion. But, it IS fun (even for a non-cat person) to watch a cat that has "zeroed-in" on some "target" due to this curiosity.

In today's podcast ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 ) I share the tale of me watching such a cat recently. I was sitting in a room with a group of young men and the cat spotted a moth that was flying about the room and, pretty quickly, began to "stalk" it's prey. The moth was mostly keeping to the higher parts of the room and, regardless of how far up the wall the cat would stretch after climbing on the back of a chair, the moth still remained out of reach. One of the boys stated, "That cat will NEVER catch that moth!" to which I replied, "Don't be too sure." The cat preceded to climb on the back of the couch that I was sitting on and looked up and patiently watched that moth flitter about the room. And, guess what? Believe it or not that moth basically fluttered right down within the cats reach and, yes, the cat DID catch that moth!

A couple of things came to mind almost instantly with this....NEVER say NEVER and, also, NEVER GIVE UP!

How many times do we find ourselves either listening to others tell us that we will NEVER accomplish what it is we have set out to accomplish OR to that little negative voice within ourselves that says the same thing? STOP LISTENING to the negative voice!

Now, really, I have NO IDEA what was going on inside of that cat's head when it was watching that moth but I really didn't see any indication that it even considered for a moment that it WOULD NOT get what it was after - that moth!

We need to develop that same determination in our own lives and STOP living a life of "if I ever achieve this" and START living a life of "when I achieve this"...BIG DIFFERENCE in the two, wouldn't you agree?

Sure, curiosity may have killed the cat but think about this: how much SUCCESS did that cat experience along the way and up to that point?

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get other thoughts on this topic and, until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Are We There Yet?

Today is "Thankful Thursday"! I know you can come up with a few things in your life to be thankful for today, right? Do it and express it!

A car full of kids with their parents heading out on vacation with the car packed to the top with kids, suitcases, toys and even perhaps, a pet or two. Hey, if you have kids and have done this for ANY distance then you know and can relate to some of the phrases that I'm about to share.
"I need to go to the bathroom!" "He's touching me!" "I'm hot!" "Can we turn around and see what that dead thing was in the road?" (That's a personal one from one my own kids). And, here we go...
"Are we there yet?"

Put all of those phrases on "repeat often" and you have fun-filled, family-packed adventure!

Yet, for us as adults, it is imperative for us to be asking that same question and to be asking it often..."Are we there yet?" or better yet,"Am I there yet?"

One variation of this phrase that you often would here/will here from the backseat of the car would also be, "How much further?" And, yes, that is also extremely important for us to be asking ourselves as we move toward our goals and dreams.

Hey, listen - if you were going on a trip with no set destination in mind, how would you answer the questions, "Are we there yet?" or "How much further?" ? I do understand that some people take out on a trip with no real destination in mind but to just "go" and "end up where you end up". My guess is that they don't usually do this with kids on board!

In the same way, if you don't have any set goals or dreams and a way to determine and know when you have reached or achieved them then, how will you know how much further you have to go or even if you have already arrived?

Just as a family on a trip will likely have places along the way to use as "gauge points" (we'll spend the night in this town on the first night and then we should arrive by 4:00 p.m. the next day) we should also have such "gauge points" along the way to our goals and dreams.

Again, a simple and easy example to use is that of weight loss. Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on losing fifty pounds and it's easy to get discouraged. However, if we use five pounds at a time as our "gauge points" then it makes it a little easier to deal with "how much further" we have to go before we reach our goal.

Why? Because we can actually "see" that we are making progress!

What are YOUR "gauge points" that you are using to mark your progress or to even make you aware of the fact that you AREN'T making progress?

One of mine, for example, is getting back to doing a DAILY podcast and, now, a DAILY blog article. This is important for me to do so that I can get back to a DAILY ROUTINE of "getting back on track" with formulating and sharing my thoughts and ideas.

What about you? ARE YOU THERE YET? Will you know?

Keep moving forward and keep marking and measuring your progress and, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Permanent Marker Dreams?

Hey! It's "Magical Monday"!!

Check out the podcast to hear my comments about what makes today "MAGICAL" - you'll be glad you did!

As we continue to talk about our goals and dreams I want to bring up the idea of HOW you write down these goals and dreams....do you write them down with "PERMANENT MARKER" or do you do as I do and use a "dry erase board"?

I mention in the podcast that one thing I like about that "name" is the middle word, "erase"!

Sure, you may also think about it as if you use ink or pencil to write these things down. The great thing about a pencil is the ERASER!

When I sit in my "war room" and look at my dry erase board where I write down my focus, plans, goals and dreams I have to acknowledge and realize that I have erased and started over many times.

Yet, I STILL am focused on the same thing....I've just had to take a different path from time to time and I'm still on the journey!

Sometimes there are roadblocks and set-backs but the key thing is to ask ourselves if we are determined enough or focused enough to "stay the course" and keep moving on toward that destination.

Don't get all worked up if you've had to adjust your time line for completion of your goals....the main thing to look at is this: AM I STILL MOVING TOWARD THOSE GOALS?

Check this out on a DAILY basis and ask yourself if you have made progress TODAY toward those goals and dreams. Even the old saying of "Two steps forward and one step back" will mean movement in the right direction.

Think about that fact. IT'S TRUE!

Don't be afraid to get the eraser out and don't be afraid to use that eraser on that dry erase board.

And, hey, if you've used permanent marker or ink -- don't be afraid to tear that up and start all over! We'll be talking about that tomorrow but, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

Week in Review for Monday, Jan. 9th - Friday, Jan. 13th

Since I've started getting back on track with my daily, 5 minute podcasts I thought I would try something a little different and new with my blog entries for now. Let me know what you think and we'll just go with what works best.

Instead of trying to do a daily blog that goes along with the daily podcast I thought I'd do a "week in review" and do a "re-cap" of the past weeks podcast topics. For one, my job at the time makes it very hard for me to do this on a daily basis and, secondly, I hope this will also help you to decide to take the time to listen to the podcasts if you haven't done so already.

Remember, you can access the podcasts via iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739

So, here we go...



Monday, January 9th: "Year Passed: One Day at a Time" ... A lot of people look at the past year (2011 in this case) scratching their head in bewilderment wondering where the time went and how it passed by seemingly so quickly.


NEWS FLASH: it didn't pass by any quicker or any differently than any other time period that you have experienced. The whole past year passed by just like any other year - one month at a time, one week at a time, one day at a time, one minute at a time and even one second at a time.
Now, let me say this: I have definitely experienced the thought that the older you get the faster time SEEMS to go by. The key word there is "seems" because, in all reality, time passes by for me at age 52 the same way it did at age 5.


The main focus of this podcast message is for us to realize that we MUST STOP looking BACK on time gone by in large groups of time and start looking DAILY at the time that we have before us - RIGHT NOW.

Today.

"Today is the tomorrow that you talked about yesterday." I have no idea who said that first but I heard it quite a few years back and I think it makes a very good point.

Here's the way I like to put it...
"The 24-hour period that we call tomorrow will be called what when it arrives? TODAY! So, in reality, there is no such thing as 'tomorrow' because all we have is TODAY!"

Give that some thought and be sure to listen (if you haven't done so) to this podcast as well as the others for the week passed.

Tuesday, January 10th: "This Year Passing: One Day at a Time" ... Just like 2011 we find that 2012 is passing by in exactly the same way - ONE DAY AT A TIME!

You know, it's very interesting to think of how many of you had some thought like "No Duh!" or "I'm not stupid, y'know?" in response to my last observation. However, it's even more interesting to me to think about how many of us KNOW that and yet we still continue to live as if we DIDN'T know that!

As you look at the date of this podcast you will see that the first month of 2012 is almost half-way passed and, yet, many are still planning to get started on their "New Year's Resolution" TOMORROW.

May I be blunt here? (Of course I can, it's my blog, right?) For those of you that are still saying, "TOMORROW" on getting started on some new thing....you won't.

*Ouch!*

Hey, sometimes the truth hurts, doesn't it? But, sometimes we need to HEAR and FACE the truth (why does the phrase, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" pop up in my head?) no matter how much it hurts.

Procrastination is the killer of dreams! Yes, just like me you have probably heard the following saying most all of your life: "Never put off until tomorrow that which you can do today" (or some variation of that saying). And yet, as much as we may want to "roll our eyes" at such sayings, THIS ONE IS TRUE! Why? Because all we have is TODAY!

Look at the definition of "procrastinate" - to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.... to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.
Now look at the word "procrastination" - the act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.

Hey, YOU are the only one that can answer this question: How important are your goals and dreams? Your action or LACK of action shows more than what you say as far as your answer to this question.

One day at a time, time is passing you and all of us by.

Wednesday, January 11th: "What Happened Last Year?" ... You know, it is easy to look BACK over the 12-month period that was deemed 2011 and wonder, “WHAT HAPPENED?”

“What happened to all of the goals and dreams I had set for myself? What happened to all of the wonderful things I had planned to accomplish? It’s already mid-January 2012 – WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIME?”

Again, remember that each year passes by exactly the same way – ONE DAY AT A TIME! Also, remember that the fact that the first month of this block of time deemed 2012 is already half over SCREAMS that fact loud and clear trying to get your attention.

So, along with “WHAT HAPPENED?” we also now need to be asking ourselves, “WHAT NOW?” If we don’t take a look at the PAST then we can’t impact our FUTURE in a way that would go along with our goals and dreams, right?

Bottom line: if you are still saying you plan to start TOMORROW on your “New Year’s Resolution” then, let’s get honest and face this fact – YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DO IT!

*OUCH!*

Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn’t it and sometimes we don’t want to hear the harsh truth (“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” – sorry, that just popped into my head) but we MUST be willing to be honest with our PAST if we plan to be honest about our FUTURE!

Thursday, January 12th: "Getting Back on Track" ... Here’s a thought mentioned in the last podcast that I want us to consider at the start of today’s review: “Where will YOU be when you get where YOU’RE going?” Again, we can’t get back ON track until we can discover where we got OFF track in the past, right?

Remember this: PROCRASTINATION IS THE KILLER OF DREAMS!

Are you determined to get back on track? Is it important for you to do so? Do you still have the belief that you can do what it is that you have set out to do? Have you lost your passion for your goals and dreams? If so, why? Take some time and HONESTLY answer these questions before you move on.

**Be sure to listen to my “7 Life-Changing, Powerful, Daily Affirmations” that I put together back in August of 2008… THIS CAN BE A REAL HELP TO “KICK-START” YOUR DAY!

Now, this may sound a little odd at first, but think about this: “SUCCESSFULLY MOVING TOWARD YOUR GOALS and DREAMS IS LIKE BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP!” (By the way, this is a “Blog Bonus” that is not discussed in the podcast!)

Think of any relationship that is important to you that involves any type of romance and compare the following to your “relationship” with your goals and dreams…

- Do you remember how excited you were at the beginning of that “romance”? Do you remember how you felt when you were around that person, heard that person’s voice or even just THOUGHT of that person?

- How hard did you try to keep that romance alive? How hard did you work to make SURE that they KNEW your commitment to them was real and that you would do whatever it took to “keep it alive”?

- Now, if that relationship has weakened and perhaps even died – WHAT HAPPENED?

- Did you start losing your focus and start paying more attention to something or someone else?

- Did your efforts to make sure they knew of your commitment to them start being shown less and less often?

Now, connect all of that to your goals and dreams and think about how you felt when you FIRST came up with these ideas. Perhaps you came up with them and made this commitment as a “New Year’s Resolution” sometime in the past. Do you remember how eager you were to tell anyone that would listen? Do you remember how committed you were to making those goals and dreams a reality? You would do ANYTHING and work however hard was necessary to make these become a REALITY in your life and to keep this dream alive!

What happened? Did you start losing your focus and start paying more attention to something else? Did your “passion” and commitment become weak because of the continued passage of time or a lack of belief in yourself?

WAKE UP AND DECIDE NOW IF YOU STILL WANT THIS IN YOUR LIFE! If so, “fall in love” once again with these hopes, dreams and ideas and realize that you CAN if you really want to do so.

Friday, January 13th: "Keeping Our Focus Toward Success!" ... Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The same is true as you move toward your goals and dreams – rarely are these things achieved “over night” and, that being true, it takes determination and perseverance in order to “STAY FOCUSED” to see them through.

You may question your ability to stay focused enough to see these through and it may be so especially if you have seen several years pass by along this journey. DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR DESTINATION and DO NOT become deterred in this journey.

If the goal is BIG ENOUGH and WORTH ACHIEVING then you can keep moving forward REGARDLESS of what may happen to slow you down along the way.

Only YOU can decide how important this is to you – if it’s not important, you WILL NOT continue and if it IS important to you, you WILL continue on NO MATTER WHAT!

One day at a time, one step at a time.

Hey, remember this – my daily affirmations that I shared with you were penned back in August of 2008. That’s almost 3.5 years ago! And,yes, I have to admit, there have been times that I have lost my focus along the way.

This is one of the reasons I am getting “re-focused” on my daily podcast and my blog – I CAN! I WILL! I MUST! (the last of my “7 Life-Changing, Powerful, Daily Affirmations”).

There are all kinds of reasons that I could still come up with to tell myself that I need to just give up on my goals and dreams in this area. There is no need for me to list them here and share them with you – I KNOW THEM WELL ENOUGH AS IT IS!

But, I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED and I WILL SUCCEED in this journey!

What about you? If it’s important enough, you will.

**Just a little side note on this blog. After doing one series of “Week in Review” I have decided to push myself and do all I can to do a separate blog entry for each daily podcast. Honestly, I think reading a blog article this long is a bit much and, for me, it’s easier for me to stay focused on the “message at hand” when I do the blog daily along with the podcast. So, look for a DAILY BLOG ENTRY to go along with the DAILY PODCAST starting on Monday, January 16th.

Stay focused – stay on track. And, as you do so be sure to …

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

Mike