Winners Habits

I'm not sure if the above quote was said by Dave Ramsey but I do know that I got this graphic off of one of his Facebook posts that came across my news feed.

Let me start off asking you a question - When you look over that list of things a person might desire to "win at" (starting on line 2), is there anything that YOU would add to that list? What is it that you seek and/or desire?

Whatever it is - whether it is on the list that you see in the graphic or not - it will require good habits that create positive results. It will will require a "winners habit" in order to succeed.

Whatever area you desire success, it is important that you find someone else that has been successful in that area and that you study them. Find out as much as you can about that person and about what they did to develop that success in that area. Yes, study their habits...the habits of a winner.

You've heard the phrase about there being no need to "reinvent the wheel", right? When you decide to study and emulate (copy) the habits of a champion, someone that has experienced success, you eliminate the need to "reinvent the wheel". They have "forged a path" for you to follow if you will only study and pay attention.

I would say that's some good advice found in that graphic that I've shared with you today. What are YOUR thoughts? Please take a moment and stop by my Facebook page (link below) and let me know. Thanks, in advance!

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...


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

Mike

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

One Decision Away

As I've mentioned in the podcast and the recent videos, I really want to encourage you to have your "eyes and ears open" to things like this that likely cross your path on a daily basis. Two articles ago I shared a picture that I took of a sign that I came across in an office and, in the last article, an image that I cam across during a recent study. This one? It came across my social media feed from a connection that I have through the John Maxwell program.

Why do I say this? Because again, friend, we all need to absorb as much positive information into our mindset as we can, each and every day. What you put into your mind will determine your mindset and your mindset will determine your direction in and for your life. And, if you're not paying attention, many of these opportunities will pass you by undiscovered and unnoticed.

That is one decision that you can make that, indeed, can and will take your life in a different (and better) direction. 

We all face choices and decisions every day of our lives. Some carry greater "weight" than others but, at the same time, even those "small" choices or decisions may have a greater impact than we might first consider. For example, though you may not think of it this way for now, a simple decision about what you will have for lunch may have such an impact over time. 

How so? Choices, and the decisions that follow, easily turn into habits and habits dictate a lot of things in our lives. In the above example, what you choose to eat for lunch ONE day may not be that big of a deal but, at the same time, if you have made a poor choice health-wise and that choice turns into a habit then...well, I think you can come to that conclusion for yourself.

Going back to a previous article this week, you have a choice to make between mediocrity or excellence. Getting into the habit with either of these will take you down two different directions for your life. ONE decision begins that process.

That doesn't mean that you cannot CHANGE that direction but, the longer that decision goes and the longer it has become a habit, the harder it will be to change the direction of that course. But it can be done!

"As long as there is breath, there is hope!" is a quote that I put together back on March 2, 2009 during my very first podcast. It's a quote that I say in my podcasts nearly every time I record a new episode and it is so important to understand. Every day that you are alive and breathing gives you the OPPORTUNITY to change the direction of your life - no matter how impossible it may seem.

I often use the example of a "jet ski" compared to a tanker ship. They BOTH can be turned around but, obviously, the "jet ski" will be able to do so much quicker, taking up less space and time to do so than the tanker. The tanker CAN still turn around and go in the opposite direction, but it will require much more space, time and energy. 

Think about that and determine - CHOOSE - to pay close attention to the choices that you make on a daily basis!

Often I urge you to be sure to also listen to the podcast and watch the video on the day's topic. LET ME POINT OUT that the reason for me doing so is very evident with this article. I recorded the video two days ago and recorded the podcast a few hours ago. I can promise you that this article takes a different path with totally different ideas and examples than either one of the others.

Why not  - while you are "consuming" this information - make a decision to take advantage of ALL that today's topic has to offer. Why not CHOOSE to access all three "avenues" available to you each and every day?

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

It's Not Rocket Science - CHANGE Requires CHANGE!

What you read in the graphic above is about as simple as it gets. Yet, at the same time, it is one of the most difficult things that most people have to accept. 

Actually, I guess they DON'T have to accept what is stated above but, at the same time, their refusal to accept what is said means that they have accepted a different, sad fact. "I choose to remain where I am and settle for less than what may be possible for my life and the lives of my loved ones."

That, my friend, is what is called a HARSH TRUTH. And far too many people settle for that harsh truth - a DECISION that they have made themselves, FOR themselves - while whining and complaining about why things don't change for them. 

Ironic, isn't it?

 Jimmy Dean said, "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Yes, there are things that you and I CANNOT change but we CAN change or control how we react to those things in our lives.

Pay close attention to what William Pollard is quoted as saying: "Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable."

Did you notice the last word in his quote? INEVITABLE! Change is a fact of life! Those individuals or companies that refuse to prepare for that inevitable change will lose in life and in business. How many video stores do you see around? Remember "Blockbuster Video"? That's just one example and, the older you are, the more examples you can come up with as far as companies that have gone out of business due to change.

Around where I live one can go through one small town after another and see what once was a thriving center of town around the courtyard square or even what was just referred to as "downtown".  And now? Empty storefronts. There may be a few that have thrift stores in them now but, by far, change has caused these stores to close their doors for good.

Sad? To some extent, yes. But, again, change is a fact of life both for individuals and for business as well.

Let's direct this to you...personally. Whether you want to admit it or not, YOU have had to change more than you likely realize. I'm not going to take the time to try to cover those changes here but I do encourage you to stop and think about what things have changed around you since you were a child. You may be surprised.

The bottom line is this: What are YOU doing to prepare for the changes that are yet to come? The great thing is the fact that you possess the power to change - IN ADVANCE - to prepare for your future and to also prepare for the future of your family and loved ones.

I will leave you with this great quote from Harriet Tubman: "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/william_pollard_163245?src=t_change

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/william_pollard_163245?src=t_change

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/william_pollard_163245?src=t_change

With that in mind, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube

RUTS: Why This One?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I do hope you will join me as we continue examining RUTS and how they impact our lives. Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!
 

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

RUTS: What Are They?

 

Before I get started, I wanted to share the "credits" for the "new" music that I'm using beginning with today's podcast. It's by the same person that was responsible for the "theme" I've used for six years now and I use more of his music now. Check it out for yourself for your own needs:

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Now for the start of this new series on "RUTS".

 

As I mention on the podcast (see the two links below to access the podcast), these thoughts came from another sermon I heard from my preacher this past Sunday. As I listened I realized that the points that were being made about ruts applied to our every day lives and activities as well as spiritually.

 

Let me start by sharing a list of things about "ruts" that we will be using for our discussion in this series:

   - A path or routine u follow day after day

   - A rut is fixed, rigid

   - A rut is not creative

   - A rut is not flexible

   - A rut cannot change easily

  - A rut involves routines and rituals

  - A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there

** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"**

 

Wow, read that last one again! If that doesn't get your attention then I'm not sure what will!

 

Now, let's understand this - routines and rituals that are done on a daily (or almost daily) basis are not necessarily bad. Think about it, putting on deodorant and brushing your teeth on a daily basis is NOT a bad thing! I've come across a few people that NEED to get into that habit or RUT for sure!

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get more than what I'll share with you in this blog and get in the habit, routine and, yes, even call it a "rut", of doing both every time.

 

But DO notice that, even though ruts may feel "safe" and they may "get you 'there'" they are fixed, rigid, non-creative, non-flexible and "a grave with both ends knocked out".

 

"Safe" is not always a good thing, friend! This kind of "safety" (which is a false sense of "security") can often lead to your own "death" along the way.

 

Think about that. Listen to the podcast. Identify YOUR "ruts". Join me next time as we continue this discussion.

 

And, until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

This Becomes Your DESTINY

Before I start in on my thoughts for today's article, let me take a moment and encourage you to be sure to also listen to the podcast! There are two ways to access it and both links are located at the bottom of this article. I tell people that listen to the podcast to be sure to also read the blog and now I'm telling you to be sure to listen to the podcast.
 

Why? Because they are done at two different times and there is not a script. That means that you will get additional material besides what you find here.
 

Too, let me just say that when you read this blog you can't "hear" the passion in my voice and the inflection found there as well. So, be sure to read AND listen, o.k.?
 

Oh, and one more thing - SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

 

Now on to the show (as they say).

 

Today I'm going to discuss the last two "verses" of this graphic since we have come to the end of the week. Again, let me emphasize that, what you have before you, is a PATH, a ROAD MAP to your destiny!

 

Your destiny is not something that has been predetermined even if you or others think that it has been done. NO!

 

Do NOT settle for that way of thinking or do NOT listen to anyone that would tell you such garbage! YOU have control over the direction of your destiny and - negative or positive - it is laid out for you in the graphic above.

 

Your thoughts, words, actions, habits and your character....THIS becomes your destiny!

 

Yes, you can change your habits from bad to good by simply going back to taking control over your thoughts. Remember? Your thoughts become words, your words become actions and your actions become habits!

 

These habits become your character - WHO YOU ARE!

 

We live in a world (at least in my opinion) that is short on solid and trustworthy character. It's a shame but I see it pretty much every day.

 

We live in a world where lying is accepted and laughed at as if it really doesn't matter. We live in a world where our young people are not being taught how to be mannerly, respectful and honorable and it's sad to see.

 

When you live in such a way as to direct your path to your destiny, you provide a way - a road map - for your children and your grandchildren that can be passed down from one generation to another.

 

You may think that I have too easily interchanged the ideas of destiny with that of your legacy or dynasty. Don't let that distract you but think of this: Creating and directing your DESTINY will, indeed become your legacy and your dynasty. That, my friend, is a fact!

 

I was reading James Allen's "As a Man Thinketh" last night and there was part of one sentence that jumped out at me due to what we have been discussing the past few days. Here it is: "Thought and character are one..."

 

Your habits (which derive from your thoughts) become your CHARACTER and, yes, your character becomes your DESTINY!

 

Wow, does that impress you as it does me?

 

No more "floating around" with no control when it comes to your destiny. YOU set the sail, my friend, YOU plot the course and YOU blaze the trail.

 

It is YOUR destiny and YOU are in control.

 

And, never forget, that it begins with what you think.

 

Feed your mind and build a destiny that you can be proud of and one that you know will withstand the test of time long after you are gone.

 

And, as you go about building this powerful and positive destiny, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Watch Your ACTIONS

 

Step 3: Watch Your Actions

 



Thoughts to words, words to actions and actions to...

HABITS.

There are both kinds of habits - good and bad. Where do they come from? How do we develop them?

Follow the progression in the graphic above. Short trip - our habits come from our thoughts! Yes, follow it on through just as in the first sentence of this article and you may find yourself wincing just a bit...OUCH!

Who knew, right? I mean, how many of us really considered how our THOUGHTS made such a difference? Let's jump a little ahead here and understand that our THOUGHTS lead to our DESTINY and that should really give us all a bit of a jolt.

Here's the thing to think about: You WILL have a destiny even if you do nothing!

That's right. Do nothing and you will have a destiny of nothing. Get by doing as little as possible and shirk as much responsibility as possible and you will have a destiny of little.

Pay attention to your thoughts for they WILL lead to your actions - good or bad, positive or negative. Take control and add as much positive input to your mindset as you possibly can.

I had someone ask me just yesterday about this idea of replacing so many negative thoughts with positive thoughts. "How do I do that?" was basically what was asked. The answer? READ AND LISTEN TO AS MUCH POSITIVE "STUFF" AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN!

Remember "remove and replace"?

Remove the negative and replace it with the positive.

Do you want to leave a powerful and positive destiny to be passed down for generations? It all begins with your thoughts that turn into words and then turn into actions which become your habits!

Destiny. I love this part of the definition I found for this word: "the power or agency that determines the course of events"

The "power or agency" that will actually determine your course of events begins with your thoughts which, in the long run, becomes your destiny.

It is not set. It is not something that you cannot control or even change. If you don't like the destiny that you are forming now - CHANGE THE PATH!

Yeah, think about it for a moment before asking how you do that. Change your thoughts, your words, your actions and  CHANGE YOUR HABITS.

It IS possible and it IS necessary if your habits are not ones that you wish to have.

"As long as there is breath there is hope." That points out that you can begin that process TODAY.

Get after it, friend and, as you do so be sure to...

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

Mike

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

                                         Start your home based business HERE