Sunday Night Live Streams with Mike!

Starting THIS SUNDAY NIGHT (Jan. 7) I invite you to JOIN ME at www.Facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity for my very first WEEKLY LIVE STREAM!

I plan to do this EVERY Sunday night and hope to build a "community" that will come together to encourage each other in the process!

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please go to that Facebook page and post your topic ideas and/or questions that you'd like me to address during the live stream.

You can also send those to me via e-mail at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com

Plan to be a part of this special event and tell/invite others to join as well!

"Better People" - Final Thoughts

So, the last couple of days we've discussed the need to surround ourselves with "better people" in order to maintain our positive mindset and attitude. We've also discussed some ways to make that happen and to even form - or join - a "mastermind group".

 

We also discussed some of the "do's and don'ts" in this area but also encouraged you to find something that "fits" you and what you are seeking.

 

Remember, ANYTIME you have a chance to learn from anyone that has "been there, done that" then you definitely want to take advantage of such an opportunity.

 

Surrounding yourself with "better people" can be something as simple as what you are doing right now...reading this blog. No, I'm not trying to put myself up on some pedestal, believe me. However, I DO know and understand the importance of listening to good, powerful and positive information. There are some that I ALWAYS click on to listen anytime I see something from them.

 

CAUTION: Be careful who it is that you listen to - don't ever forget that! You won't find me telling you what to do in order to become wealthy, find the secrets of the stock market, etc. You won't find pictures of me standing in front of some fancy car or big mansion trying to get your attention. Beware of the "pretenders", friend. Many of those that you find in such pictures and advertisements do not even own the cars and/or houses that you will see in these pictures. Isn't that funny, as in, isn't that a joke? Make sure that they actually HAVE "been there, done that". Ideally, look at those that do not have an "agenda" that they are pushing. Sure, they may have materials for sale that you can use in the battle for your mind - which is what we are talking about - but they aren't flaunting their wealth. Jim Rohn was that type of person and, as I've shared with you many times before, Dani Johnson is also that type of person that I highly recommend.

 

However, this group of "better people", perhaps even a "mastermind group", does not have to consist of famous and wealthy people. Like I said in the podcast, if you find such a person that will let you hang around and observe and learn from their actions - JUMP ON IT!

 

Basically what we ARE talking about is this: people with the same desire and interest in achieving some goal or interest.

 

I did want to share with you another place - online - that I found that will allow you to discover groups that are already in existence and are near your area. Now again, be cautious and do your "due diligence" even in this endeavor...not doing so can actually hurt you rather than help you. Go to www.meetup.com and see what you can find that might be of interest.

 

As I mentioned in yesterday's podcast, I am thinking of starting such a group to be done online (like with google hangouts) before too long. I likely won't open it up for more than 4 or 5 people initially. Be listening for more details and be thinking about whether or not this may be something you would be interested in being a part of.

 

Hey friend, being dedicated and serious about ANYTHING demands action of some sort. The idea that one can just "drift along" in this area is incorrect. This, almost more than anything, is so important in your very being and in every area of your life.

 

Overly dramatic on that? I don't think so.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

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How To Surround Yourself With Better People

If you haven't done so already, go back and read the last blog article and listen to the accompanying podcast. It "sets the stage" for today's discussion.

 

So, hopefully, you understand the importance and necessity of surrounding yourself with "better" people. Now then, how does one do that?

 

I hope that you have spent some time brainstorming some ideas on how you could do that where you are. I'd still love to hear from you and have you share some of your ideas with me.

 

Here's a hint and it doesn't always have to be 100% accurate but, nonetheless, pay attention: This "new group" of "better people" will likely NOT include any of your current friends. It is possible, but it is not likely and, I might even add that it may not be advisable. Now, if you have a friend that has actually helped introduce you to the idea of improving your mindset and being careful of those with whom you spend your time then, definitely consider them as a part of this important group.

 

Make sense?

 

This group is not the same as getting together with a group of friends and just hanging out. This is far more important than that. YES, having time with friends is important and necessary as well, but, again, we're talking about doing what you MUST DO in order to keep your mind positive.

 

Perhaps a better way for me to explain this is to share with you a definition that comes from Napoleon Hill himself. The following comes from http://www.thesuccessalliance.com/what-is-a-mastermind-group.html:

    

The concept of the "mastermind alliance" was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich," though mastermind groups have been around since the beginning of time. Even Benjamin Franklin belonged to such a group, which he called a Junto.

Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as:

"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."

He continues…

"No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]."

 

You don't have to call this a "mastermind group". There are TONS of ideas and suggestions on HOW to start such a group and even what you should do in your "mastermind group".

 

However, someone else may have thoughts and ideas that don't apply to you and what you are wanting to achieve.

 

The main thing is this: FIND A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FOCUSED ON BEING POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

 

No negativity allowed but, instead, the support and strength of like-minded individuals!

 

**IMPORTANT: Do NOT allow yourself to get caught up in finding someone of the opposite sex to "understand you" if you are married. Do NOT create an issue with your spouse by doing so. This is a sure way to create DISTRUST, JEALOUSY and DISASTER in your relationship!

 

 

 

 

 So how do I go about this?

A few quick suggestions that we may continue discussing in the next article...
 *put an ad in your local paper  *put a notice on your FB page and see who may be interested  *look for such groups in your FB groups (needs to be in your area if possible - face to face is better than just online but online IS an option)  *check your local paper for such groups or the internet for such local groups  *seek out people that you have admired before that seem to fit this type of mindset

What ideas do YOU have? Share them on the Future You University page on FB  - c'mon, let me hear from you!

Friend, this could be THE positive turn in your life for which you have been searching. And, you know what? It may also be the same thing for everyone else that ends up being a part of your group of "better people".

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

 

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  *MJ Spillman Travel on Facebook*    *TRAVEL FOR LESS and ENJOY LIFE MORE!*

 

 



R U Running on Empty?

R U Running on Empty?

During my podcasts you will hear me talk about "Magical Monday", "Turn-around Tuesday" and "Wide-Open Wednesday" and about the fact that, what happens in your life and to your life is up to you. This makes it magical and wide-open because YOU can turn it around!

Now, see, if you have a hard time believing those things then, trying to incorporate them into your life is kind of like getting behind the wheel of a car that has an empty gas tank. You won't get anywhere.

Yes, I know (based on yesterday's podcast and blog) that I emphasize that only YOU can make this happen. In other words, even with a FULL gas tank YOU still have to put the key in the ignition, turn it on, put it in gear and steer it down the road.

But, again, if the tank is empty - you're going no where.

The truth is, as I recorded the podcast for today last night - and still even today - I feel as if my tank is empty! Yeah, it happens to me, too.

Here are a couple of reasons - and things you can check out for yourself as well:

1. My tank is empty because I've not been putting the "fuel" in the tank! Well, duh! But it happens very easily when I (or you) don't "feed ourselves" by reading, etc. those positive materials that keep our mindset where it needs to be. I realized that lately I have not been reading the materials that I usually read that keep me going. So, again, it is up to ME in this area to do what is needed and to make sure I am putting "fuel" in my tank!

2. My tank is empty because I need feedback, input, etc. from YOU! Now, although it is up to ME, I still need others - just as you do. This is the idea behind the "Mastermind Group" that Napoleon Hill talks about in his classic, "Think & Grow Rich" (get it for free - just pay S/H @ http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com ). The strength and charge we get from sharing thoughts and ideas with like-minded individuals. On this part, I also can compare this to dipping water out of a well to share with others without ever making sure that I take some of the water for myself. Sooner or later, I've got to be refreshed as well.

So, bottom line - part of this "empty" feeling is due to what I have failed to do in my own life and part of it is because I need feedback from YOU! And, that, for the most part, I have failed to receive from you, friend.

Please know that I'm not "whining", I'm simply talking and sharing from my heart and also trying to help you understand how important it is to not only RECEIVE but to also GIVE BACK.

Yes, I need it too!

If you would, if you are "out there" and reading this and/or listening to my blog - please leave a comment here on this blog. I'd appreciate it and it may also spur someone else on to do the same.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'll survive. I'll thrive. But, right now....I need to refuel.

Thanks, friend.

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

Mike

Find a POSITIVE Support Group!

Twelve "Do's and Don'ts" For Living a Positive Life

1. Make Enthusiasm A Daily Habit!
2. Don't Allow Negative People to Determine Your Self-Worth!
3. Get Into The Habit of Talking to Yourself Affirmatively!
4. Get Into the Habit of Talking to Others With an Affirmative, Positive Vocabulary!
5. Don't Be a Grudge Collector!
6. Think Positive & Pleasing Thoughts!
7. Don't Brag - Let Your Actions Speak For You!
8. Get High on Doing Good!
9. Don't Get Sidetracked!
10. Wake Up Happy!

11. Find a POSITIVE Support Group!

We're just about to the end of our list of "Twelve Do's and Don'ts for a Positive Life" and I hope you have enjoyed my discussions on these topics along the way.

I have mentioned several times how the things that I share with you are some of the same things that you will find shared by any number of people in the field of personal development. Oh yes, they may say them in different ways and use charts and graphs, etc....but they are basically the same.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

It's neither, in my opinion. It's just proof that there are some BASICS that we must all follow in order to live a positive life!

I'm always amazed when I read a book or article or hear a speaker talk on these types of subjects how they say some of the same things I've been saying! Wow! They have heard my idea and use it too! ---- Hey, hang on a second - I'm kidding here, o.k.?

If I wanted to be egotistical I could think that. But it's just not true. What I have discovered is this: as I have listened and read over the years I have absorbed - not copied - some of the basic principles that were shared. I have absorbed them and have put them into practice (ACTION) in my own life and have found them to be true!

And, yes, just like anyone else, I use my own way of speaking and communicating to share these things with you. I use my own life experiences to help make them "come alive" for you as I share them with you.

Why am I saying all of this at the start of today's article? Because, again, I don't want you to get lost on the SIMPLICITY of so many of these things. Often, the simple things are the HARDEST things to accomplish!

One of the reasons is that, because we perceive it to be simple, we don't put the effort into it compared to what we might do if we thought it were difficult.

Also, bottom line - "simple" doesn't mean "easy".

For example... you want to be in better health and live longer? If you smoke - STOP SMOKING! Pretty simple, huh? It's true, isn't it? An easy "one step" solution, right?

Point made.

Take all of what I just said and apply it to today's topic: "Find a POSITIVE Support Group!".

"Ah, that's not necessary! I'm doing alright and don't really need this."

Again, don't let the simplicity fool you.

Go back and read, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and read the chapter on the Master Mind group. You see, again, LONG BEFORE I have ever suggested such, other great minds said it first! (Reminder: You can get a FREE copy of this great book at my website: http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com by clicking on the "products" tab and clicking on the banner. You do pay s/h - very small amount for a great book!)

Think even about this series of discussions by themselves. I told you that these came off of a pamphlet or brochure that I've had for over 30 years. So, whoever put these things down in print thought the same thing!

Likely the BEST way to do this would be to connect with a group of people locally so that you can all get together physically. There is just something powerful about the "energy" that can exist in a room when like-minded people are gathered together for a common good!

However, with today's technology it is possible to form such a group with people from all over the world!

I am even organizing such a group - yes, with a very specific topic/purpose in mind to start - beginning in March 2010. I am offering a FREE 8-week teleconference course on "Setting and Reaching Goals" - are you going to be a part of it?

Someone might say, "You're using this discussion to get people to come to your course?" - ABSOLUTELY! And I make no apologies for doing so.

It's FREE - no cost to you, so why SHOULDN'T I do all I can to encourage you to be a part of this? And, no, I won't spring some surprise cost on you. There won't be any hidden charges. You won't get a "skeleton course" and then be told that if you want more, pay a certain amount of money for a "full course".

Sorry, that's just not me. I see that WAY too much and I just won't do that and don't ever plan to do that.

Who knows - perhaps through this course you may find people fairly close to you (again, with technology, does it really matter how close they are to you geographically?) to start another support group.

KEY QUESTION: If you don't take advantage of such a FREE opportunity - what are you doing? Seriously, if you are unwilling to take advantage of something like this - please stop whining and complaining.

This if for those that are WANTING to move on in their lives toward their goals and dreams. Hey, I might learn something from you!

Go the the website (see address link earlier in the article) and click on the banner at the top of the home page. Register for the course and I will be sending you an e-mail with the specifics: starting date, night of the week, time, call in number, etc.

This is for YOU!

A couple of more things about this course - it's only open to the first 20 that sign up. However, if only 5 people take advantage of it, we'll go with the five! I'd rather have five that are ready to go for it than have 100 and 95 of them not really do much with the idea.

Also, it's scheduled for 8 weeks. If, at the end of the course, everyone wants to continue meeting and discussing different topics - I'm in for that too.

Anyway, whatever you do - FIND A POSITIVE SUPPORT GROUP and commit to it and those in the group.

Remember, TOGETHER we WILL make progress on our journey each and every day!

And, as we do, we want to remember to...

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

Mike

YOU Are UNIQUE!

"YOU Are UNIQUE!"

(Of all of God's creations - no one can replace YOU!)

Friend, this is a very POWERFUL thought to allow to soak into your mind! This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things to understand and realize as you set out to achieve your goals and dreams - THERE IS NO ONE ELSE OUT THERE LIKE YOU! (And there are plenty of those out there that know us that say, "Whew! Am I glad!")

Even "identical twins" are not exactly identical - YOU are the ONLY YOU in all of creation and that makes you special!

Now, you can stand in front of the mirror, puff your chest out and admire yourself OR you can get up and go after your dreams and goals fueled by this magnificent truth!

One of the things I talked about in the podcast for today was how this really emphasizes the power of the "Mastermind Group" that we talked about last week in our discussion of the need to "Xcelerate Your Efforts". When you get together with a group of "all-unique" people just think about the energy and the OUTSTANDING ideas that can and will be formulated and shared!

Anytime you catch yourself saying, "Wow! Why didn't I think of that?" you are simply reinforcing the very idea that we are talking about today - that thought came from someone else because they are unique and their mind works differently than yours!

Don't try to be like someone else - don't try to BE anyone else!

Yes, it is a powerful thing to have a mentor. Yes, it is a powerful thing to learn important habits, etc. from others. Yes, it is commendable to want to emulate habits and characteristics of those successful people that you admire.

However, don't try to BE them and don't get discouraged and frustrated when you may not have the same success as them. Don't quit! Remember, we are all unique and you likely will have to "tweak" what they are doing to fit who you are!

Because you ARE unique and there is no one else like you - you have something UNIQUE and SPECIAL to offer those around you as well as the world! Isn't that exciting to think about?

Why not be the FIRST with something? Don't sell yourself short on this! There are people every single day that become huge successes because they followed through with an idea that those around them said, "No, it will never work!" Why do they say that? Among MANY other reasons it is because it doesn't make sense to them ---- they are not YOU!

Live with excitement due to the fact that you are unique!

May this thought help you soar today! Fly high! Live with a new zest and zeal today with the thought of knowing that this, indeed is true!

But not just TODAY! It is true each and every day that you bless this earth with your presence --- what another AMAZING thought!

YOU are YOU and YOU are UNIQUE!

When you begin to understand that and live that you will definitely have no problem doing the following...

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

Mike

Xcelerate Your Efforts! (Part 2)

Xcelerate Your Efforts! (Part 2)

In today's podcast I really encourage each of you to "brainstorm" ideas on how YOU can accelerate your efforts on your way to reaching your goals and dreams!

It's always nice (and easy) when someone points out specific things for us to do but, sometimes - if we are not careful - we get dependent on such things and fail to make any moves unless someone tells us to do so specifically. If we follow such a path, that path will never lead us to success.

Why? Because it is not OUR path! We must all understand that suggestions and guidelines are just that ---- SUGGESTIONS and GUIDELINES! Get the point? They are suggestions for us to consider and apply to our own situations. Guidelines are the same way.

So, yes, take them into consideration and adapt them to your own situation, personality and plans --- but YOU must follow the path to YOUR dreams!

So (may I get blunt here?) - don't get lazy! THINK, DREAM and PLAN!

If you go back to the classic book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill (you can get your free copy - just pay S/H - from my "products" tab on my website) you will find that he talks several times about the importance of a "Mastermind Group". This is a group of like-minded people that get together to share their thoughts and to brainstorm together.

This is one way to LEVERAGE yourself - as we talked about in yesterday's podcast and blog. When you get open minds together and they begin to share ideas without fear -- great things can happen! Instead of YOU thinking alone and trying to come up with ideas, etc. you have the benefit of OTHERS doing the same with you -- this is LEVERAGE! It's how you are able to "Xcelerate Your Efforts".

Mel Robbins, in a November article in Success magazine also discusses another way that I believe is a way to accelerate our efforts. In this particular article she discusses how she is open and aware to everyone around her and how she greets and talks to all of these people. From the moment that she drives into the parking garage at her work all the way through her day she talks to each of these people. (This is very similar to what I talk about each Thursday with the "Thankful Thursday" tag).

She is "accelerating" her efforts by including these people in her life and by being genuinely interested in their lives and what is going on in their lives. She is also using the principle of leverage!

Anytime that you expand your circle of contacts and influence, you have accelerated your efforts and have put the principle of leverage into place.

Here's a promise - you will NEVER go wrong by opening your life up with others in this way. We ALL need people! This is not talking about "using" people just so you can get ahead....but, again, being genuinely interested in others. This will always come back to you in powerful ways, wouldn't you agree?

So, get with a group of like-minded people (your own "Mastermind Group") and begin to share thoughts and brainstorm. The energy that is shared and released will lift you up and encourage you (as well as all the others involved) to keep moving toward your goals and dreams. Ideas and thoughts will be shared that you may have never even thought about as well as having thoughts coming to mind simply due to the shared energy of the group.

Yes, YOU can accelerate your efforts and put the principle of leverage to work in your life!

This can be one of the most exciting things that you have ever experienced in this journey -- check it out and see if this is not true for you.

And, as always....

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

Mike

The Driving Force

Hi guys...I've been swamped today but want to encourage you to listen to the "WIDE-OPEN WEDNESDAY" podcast with the same above-mentioned title.

What is "The Driving Force" in this process that we are currently discussing from Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich"?

THE MASTERMIND GROUP!

Listen to it - if you have the book, read this chapter and follow along with it and take advantage of the POWER that comes when like-minded people work together for a common PURPOSE!

And, as always....

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

Mike