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

YES YOU ARE - YES YOU CAN - YES YOU WILL

Listen to me, now... if you haven't read and/or listened to the first part of this series, DO IT NOW! It is vitally important for YOU to understand, realize, accept and PROCLAIM that you ARE capable and able of accomplishing great things in and for YOUR life!

Be sure to go back to that last article and copy and print those 7 Daily Affirmations that I have for you there and begin to state them - OUT LOUD - each and every day so that you can begin to internalize the beliefs that you find stated there. 

You must first understand and CLAIM this very important fact: YES, YOU ARE!

You see, once we get to where we can begin to at least feel that, "You know what? I am beginning to feel that I actually AM capable of great things!", we can then begin to act more productively and more positively in everything that we do. We can then begin to understand, believe and PROCLAIM that, since I AM capable, then it is true that YES, I CAN actually accomplish these things in and for my life!

Listen, I love the story of the train that said, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" as much as the next guy but, can I be brutally blunt here? (Again, it's my blog so, yeah, I guess I can, right?) Although I understand the idea behind this "I think I can" statement, let me say that I think it is a bunch of WIMPY GARBAGE!

You are capable of far more than stating, "I THINK I can" with your fingers crossed!

Step out of the WIMPY SHADOW OF DOUBT (hey, I call it like I see it) and begin to proclaim, instead, the fact that... 

There is a BIG difference in "thinking" and "KNOWING" something to be true. Wouldn't you agree with that? Hey, listen, if you're not sure how to answer that, then think about this: Ask you husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or whatever your situation is the following question: "Do you think I'm the one for you?".Now, you tell me if you want to hear them say, "I THINK so" or "I KNOW so!"?

A leader that expresses, "I THINK this is the way we should go" as opposed to, "I KNOW this is the right way!", will not have as many people (if any) follow them with any confidence.

"I THINK I can" leaves too many opportunities for excuses. "I KNOW I can" leaves no room for doubt or the need for ANY excuse!

The questions really is this: Do you really WANT to?

Wow, when you really think about it, once we established the fact that you ARE capable and able to accomplish great things in your life, THAT ALONE removed any and all excuses.

That may scare you. That may cause you to tremble, because too many of us have grown to rely on and get really comfortable with those excuses!

So, you see...YOU ARE capable of those things, but WILL YOU TAKE ACTON to DO those things?

I wish I could answer that for you. Well, actually, I DON'T wish I could answer that for you. I don't even WANT to do that for you. It has to come from WITHIN you and it has to be YOUR thought and decision. NO ONE ELSE can do it for you...not now, not ever...YOU.

Be sure to listen to the podcast. I recorded it two days before the time that I'm sitting down and writing this article and, from what I can remember, it's a whole different thought expressed (to a large extent) than what I'm putting down in this article. That's why I always encourage you to read AND listen! It's on the same topic but it's "additional material" since they are  done at  different times and I don't have a script that I use.

GET THOSE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS OUT AND MAKE THEM A PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE!!! I can't express enough how important this is for you in this process. 

Know that you ARE able to accomplish great things and then KNOW that you CAN do these things as well...as long as you decide that you really DO want to achieve more than you have. If not, stop talking about it and stop pretending. 

Harsh? Perhaps.

True? Absolutely.

We'll finish up this series in the next article (and podcast) with the "call to action" entitled, "Yes, You Will!"

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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Knowlege, Hard Work or Attitude?

I've seen this "floating around" Facebook for the past week or so and finally decided to take a look at it and, well, you can see for yourself that it IS actually very interesting!

 

What's more important? Knowledge or hard work?

 

What about attitude?

 

Sure, this is very interesting and, indeed, it may be a coincidence but, it is also VERY thought-provoking and right on track to what is actually TRUTH!

 

While knowledge and hard work are BOTH very important and necessary for success, they are NOTHING without a good, positive attitude!

 

Just look around you and you'll find evidence for yourself, friend.

 

Oh, I know. There are some higher up than you are that know far less than you do. That's sad but it is a reality that we face in the workplace. Sometimes - many times - it's because of "who they know" that got them there but, be patient, they often won't - and CAN'T - stay there for long.

 

Too, I know that you can look around and find those that are higher up than you that likely don't work nearly as hard as you do. Pretty much the same scenario as I've already discussed and, be patient, many times the same results will eventually occur.

 

However, I bet that if you pay much attention to any of those people, you will also find that they are greatly lacking in the ATTITUDE area. Oh, they may have an "attitude" alright, but it's not a positive and helpful attitude, right?

 

When you combine knowledge, hard work AND a good, positive attitude together then, friend, you have a WINNING COMBINATION! And, if you have a winning combination then you just need to "stay the course" and things will be good for you and your future!

 

Many people get "let go" and are replaced because of the simple fact that they ARE replaceable!

 

With the winning combination that I just talked about, you will make yourself IRreplaceable and in high demand, not only at your current workplace but at other places as well.

 

Coincidence? I'm still not sure how that worked out with those numbers on that sheet of paper but, friend, it will NOT be a coincidence if things go well for you when you put together that "winning combination" as a part of your life.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Knowledge is Not Enough

You've heard the term "book smart" haven't you?

 

Simply put, it refers to anyone that is really smart and educated. However, that same person doesn't have much "common sense" to go along with all of that knowledge - with what they have learned from books.

 

Many people - maybe even you - have had to put up with people like this at their place of work. You know what I'm talking about, right? Some person that may be younger than you but, for sure, less experienced than you, is put into a position OVER and in charge of you.

 

Frustrating, isn't it?

 

They know a lot but, at the same time, they don't know much of anything when it comes to what is needed in your workplace.

 

The same is true when it comes to continuing to work toward our goals and dreams. However it is that you are working toward that - whatever your "vehicle" is that is getting you there - we must do more than just KNOW what to do. We must do!

 

"I know what to do" does not equate to doing it and getting it done.

 

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes" does not equate to doing it and getting it done, either.

 

The Bible says something similar, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

 

You can go back to the podcasts and blogs from last week and find this same theme. ACTION is necessary in any pursuit of improvement in any area of life.

 

Excuses can be made but they do not change this fact.

 

No one can do it for you. It's totally up to you and only YOU can make it happen in your life.

 

Stop talking and start walking.

 

One day at a time and one step at a time but GET STARTED TODAY!

 

And, as you do so, be sure to...

 

 

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

 

Mike

 

 

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Read, Study & Learn!

Read, Study and Learn!

If you are at all like me, once I finished college I wanted to STOP studying and - how silly of me - stop learning! It was a sign of immaturity and, I believe, temporary insanity to be thinking such a thing!

However, it didn't take long for me to understand and realize that, even if that were my true wish, it just wasn't going to come true! One WILL always be continuing to learn whether they want to or not!

So, here's the thing - we need to make this a "WANT TO" situation in our lives. And, yes, at the same time, it IS a "HAVE TO".... if we plan to continue to move toward our goals and dreams!

Can I point something out right up front? I believe there is a BIG difference between "reading" and "studying". Yes, it is true that you cannot study without reading but it IS possible to read without studying.

So, my focus for this blog today is very similar to what I said about "practice" a few days ago when I worded it as, "Practice With Purpose!". The same is true with this, "Read With Purpose!".

What is it that you hope to achieve as you read? Now, I know that there are times that we read stories just for pure enjoyment and escape and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, if that is ALL that we read -- aren't we kind of sticking our heads in the sand and not living in the real world?

As with everything, we must look at balance and, again, PURPOSE.

There are times that we read with PURPOSE (not the fictional story times) and we need to make sure that we follow through with that purpose.

FOLLOW THROUGH

Why emphasize that word? Well, first of all, follow me through this line of thinking (pretty snazzy there, huh?).

IF we read with purpose (and, by the way, everything we do should have PURPOSE in our lives) then we won't just read to say that we accomplished that task for the day. We will READ in such a way that will cross over into the area of STUDY. And, if we STUDY with PURPOSE we will also LEARN!

Read --> Study --> Learn

I remember in High School as well as college how I studied with one thing in mind. Try to pass the test. That was it! That was my goal and my purpose! That is why, many times, I would stay up all night cramming at the last minute hoping I'd retain just enough to pass the test. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not.

But I can tell you, without a doubt, one thing that DID NOT happen in those situations. I did not LEARN!

Learning takes place longer than the immediate need. Learning implants itself in our minds so that it is ready to be brought back out of that memory file to be used again when needed!

What's that old saying? "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."

What does that mean? It means simply this - If I did not LEARN from the first situation then SHAME ON ME!

So, learning takes place when we embed and incorporate what we have read and studied into our minds and our lives! This is what happens when we READ and STUDY with a purpose!

A few suggestions:

- Keep on reading this blog along with others that encourage and inspire you

- If you haven't done so, go to my website (http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com) and request the FREE report that you will find there. It's not long but, again, don't let the simplicity fool you. (I will make the podcasts that I did based on that report available to you very soon).

- Go to the "products" tab on that same website and order your FREE copy (pay s/h) of "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. Wow, what a great book and, indeed, this is one to be read AND studied!

- If you have some favorite e-books that you have yet to print out, DO IT! Having the material in front of you so that you can highlight, underline and make notes improves the study process and, thus, the learning process.

- Go to Success.com (if you don't subscribe to the magazine) and look over all of the FREE information that you find there. When you find an article that you really like, PRINT IT OUT for the same reason I just mentioned in the previous paragraph.

- Go to your local library and check out all of the wonderful books in the field of personal development! Don't write in the book BUT take a notepad along with you so that you can jot down notes from those books! Keep all of these types of notes in one notebook so that all of these wonderful thoughts and ideas can be easily located!

If you are not in the habit of reading, WORK ON IT and FORM THAT HABIT.

I used a quote on today's podcast from the late Charlie "Tremendous" Jones in which he said, "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for two things, the people you meet and the books you read."

Wow. Think about that and commit yourself to do the following each and every day: Read, Study and Learn!

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

Mike

You Have A Brain...Use It! ;)

The brain.

Even now we know very little about how it works and how powerful it truly is. Oh, I know that we have learned a LOT over the years since the book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill was written, but we still know very little about it and the power held within.

This we do know. The majority of us does not take advantage of this powerhouse that we all have. And, yes, I do know that some are unable to use it to it's fullness due to some injury or disease - but let's talk about me and you, shall we?

What are you (we) doing to continue to learn, grow and expand our knowledge that is housed in our brain? For most of us the answer would be - "very little". I believe I've either heard or read somewhere that the majority of us rarely use even 10% of our brain's capabilities. Doesn't that make you wonder what we'd be capable of if we increased that to only 20%?

So, as we read this chapter on the brain and the next chapter on "The Sixth Sense" we may be tempted to disregard the information that Mr. Hill shares in these chapters. I admit, they are a little difficult to read and understand and, yes - believe! But, perhaps we should, instead, attempt to follow the guidelines and suggestions in this book and explore the possibilities!

It always amazes me how many "experts" there are in our world. Actually, to be more specific, it always amazes me how many people are "experts" at anything and everything! You likely know someone like that, don't you? It doesn't matter what it is that you or someone else may be talking about, THEY have all the answers and, usually, all the reasons why it can't be true or why it won't work.

And, yet, when you check their "credentials" or their experience with such things, they have none. Zero. Not one bit. Yet, they "know" all about it! Amazing, isn't it?

So, you see, WE can be the same way (now that's a scary thought, isn't it?) when we read things found in some of these chapters in this book. It doesn't make sense to us. It doesn't sound possible. We've not experienced it ourselves. So, all of that put together must mean that it can't be true! Come on, admit it. You've had those thoughts on some of this, haven't you? To be honest, I have! And then I have to think, "Really, Mike...what do you know about it?"

We must remember how much time Napoleon Hill put into this book. It was not a quick, "write-it-in-a-weekend" endeavor. It took years - over 20 years - to put these thoughts together and - let's not forget this important fact - he tested these principles along the way.

So, as the title says, "You have a brain...use it!" But the main point is this - let's learn to use it more than we are now in order to improve our lives as well as the lives of others.

Here's to that continued process and journey and, as always...

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

Mike

Thursday's Podcast Discussion

As I conclude my discussion of chapter 5 - "Specialized Knowledge" - I discussed the importance of YOU finding YOUR specialty!

Think about it - if all you have to offer is the same thing that thousands of other people can do - you will be limited on the amount of income that you will receive. You will also find that you are easily replaceable - hey, if everyone else can do it, perhaps they can find someone cheaper.

HOWEVER, if you can offer something that very few others - and perhaps NO OTHERS - can offer, then - guess what? YOU WILL BE GREATLY VALUED!

"Oh, but I have nothing special to offer"

"It's too much work to try to find something or to become a 'specialist'"

Another thing that was discussed was Napoleon Hill's observation that one thing for which there was NO REMEDY was a LACK OF AMBITION! Are you willing to WORK at it to improve your life? He also made the observation that those who have ambition are those that find themselves placed in the position of OPPORTUNITY.

Are you willing to spend some extra time and, yes, even money to discover something that goes along with your passion? Hey, the library is FREE but, are you willing to spend the TIME that may be necessary to learn something new or learn how to present your idea?

Many talk. Few are willing to do the work.

Stop whining - start shining! (Hey, another good one!)

Think about it. I'd love to hear any comments and/or feedback that you may have on this and all of the other topics that are being discussed in my podcasts.

Tomorrow is FUN FRIDAY and we will continue our sharing of some "unusual sayings". Monday we will begin with chapter 6 of this Napoleon Hill classic on, "Imagination".

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

Mike

50th Podcast: "What's YOUR Specialty?"

Today - after a long, extended weekend away - I finally get back to our discussion of Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich".

We focus on chapter 5 entitled: "Specialized Knowledge" - the 4th step on your journey to "riches".

Here's the main focus on the little bit that I discuss in today's podcast --- are you gaining "specialized" knowledge OR are you "specializing" in gaining "general knowledge"?

What do I mean by that? First of all, Mr. Hill points out that there are two kinds of knowledge - general knowledge (like you gain from attending school/college) and specialized knowledge (putting your knowledge to use for a "specialized" - or specific - purpose).

Too many people are "specializing in gaining general knowledge" - they are spending all of their time gaining one degree after another but never take that step to put all of that "education" and "knowledge" to work or use for the benefit of others. Do you know anyone like that? Are YOU that type of person?

I discuss how I have known people that seem to have "hid" in college. They didn't really want to leave the comfort of college and step out into the real world. They had the routine down - learn to study, study, pass the tests and get your degree and they feared stepping out of that comfort zone.

Sound familiar? We've discussed this same type of idea in an early podcast entitled: "Why Not Now?" Plans and/or education is good - even great and absolutely necessary! However, there comes a time when we MUST step out and put those plans and that education into practice!

Has your specialty become learning and planning?
Has your specialty become procrastination? Hesitation?
Has your specialty become FEAR?

If so, gain confidence from things like my podcast and blog and KNOW THAT YOU CAN and then simply DO IT!

The world is WAITING for you! Do you know that? Do you believe that?

There is a purpose for you - this world is waiting for YOU to fulfill YOUR purpose - yes, even your DESTINY!!!

It's time. No one else can do it for you. No one else WILL do it for you.

Only you. You are the only one that can. And you will. You MUST.

Be sure to listen in to Wednesday's discussion as we continue these thoughts.

And, as always...

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

Mike