Project 141: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (Part 3: REFILL)

 

 Again, if you've not done so, be sure to go back and read parts 1 and 2 of this article. Part 1 can be found HERE and Part 2 can be found HERE.

In the last article I discussed the "RELEASE" part of the "Release and Refill"  concept found in the following scripture. Be sure to go back and read it so that you can make the "connection" on these two parts.

 Philippians 4: 6-8. Here is that passage again:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

 

 

So, understanding (or at least acknowledging) the idea that we must RELEASE the worry from our lives in order to help improve our mind, mindset and attitude we must also understand/acknowledge the idea that we must then REPLACE that "void" that has been left by removing that habit of worry from our lives. And, verse 8, tells us EXACTLY what we need to be using to REPLACE that "void".

In order to develop ourselves, personally, we must improve and, usually, CHANGE our mind/mindset. Before we can change our life we must first change us - ourselves. And it all begins with this change of mindset and attitude.

Instead of focusing our thoughts on those things that we tend to worry about, we now need to begin to focus on things that are TRUE. Obviously, we want to avoid focusing on things that are untrue (lies) in our world. We are SURROUNDED by these lies from all angles and in regards to just about every area that we encounter each and every day. But, as we think about changing our mind and mindset and, as a result, our attitude, we must understand that we must reject the lies that we may believe about ourselves and our abilities.

Again, you don't have to agree with me friend but, in my opinion, there is no better way to do that than to spend time in the Word and to allow God - your Creator - to tell you what He thinks about you. The TRUTH and not the lies that we may want to believe instead. One of my daily affirmations that I created several years ago states this fact: "I AM ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AND DO GREAT THINGS!" while one that I added later also states, "I AM A CHILD OF GOD, THEREFORE I AM AMAZING!"

It is important to focus on this TRUTH in and for your life!

 

Paul then encourages us to think or focus on that which is NOBLE. Simply put, think of it this way - choose to think and focus on what is BETTER and ABOVE the "normal" activity and thoughts that surround us each day. We must "rise above" the negativity that surrounds all of us and begin to focus on BETTER thoughts and ideas. Don't allow yourself to "think and act" like everyone else. Friend, you are NOT "everyone else" and, to be blunt, you are BETTER than everyone else because "everyone else" tends to just "go with the flow" and THAT AIN'T YOU!

Now then, it is also important that we fill that void with what is "JUST" or, maybe better understood as what is "RIGHT". Wow, just typing those words may even stir up a hornets nest with some people because many in our world today do not like ANYONE pointing out the fact that, indeed, there IS right and wrong in our world. Yes, all of these things are very closely related and, again, the main point of this is the fact that, in order to improve your mind, mindset and attitude (which means you are improving YOU overall) we must discipline ourselves to THINK DIFFERENTLY than others. And, most likely, differently than you have focused your thought before. Don't be thinking of ways that you can take advantage of people in your work (this applies in a LOT of ways, friend) but, rather, by thinking about what is true, noble and just (right) you begin to think about how you can help others and be of service to others. WOW! What a change in mindset, wouldn't you agree?

And, finally, think on things that are PURE, LOVELY and of "GOOD REPORT". It's a mind shift! Get rid of all of the "garbage" that you have allowed into your mind (this is a DAILY process, by the way) and allow your mind to begin to think and focus on what is PURE and LOVELY! Also, again being closely related is the encouragement to think/focus on things that are of "GOOD REPORT" or things that are positive, uplifting and encouraging. The other side of this? You already know.

I know I've already said it but let me say it again. You may not believe in God or the Bible, but I do and I believe that it is my calling to share with you how this can help you in every area of your life. 

When I started this section on PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT I did not plan to have 3 parts on this but I felt that I needed to share with you as much as I could in this area. As I discussed in part 1, "personal development" is closely connected with the Spiritual aspect that we talked about in part 1.

Bottom line, as I discuss my "expanded" use of Project 141, I encourage you to do SOMETHING (at least 1 thing) in the area of "personal development" every day for the next year and see what happens in and for your life.

I'd love to get some feedback from you about what you've read so far in this new series talking about this "expansion". I always love to connect with my readers and I'd love to do that with you.

Always remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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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Project 141: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (Part 1)

 

 

Today, as I begin to write this blog article I just want to state that I don't know why you are here but I do believe that you are here FOR A REASON. I absolutely do believe that. I do not believe that it is just a coincidence that you are here, now, reading this blog article.

That being the case (and, again, I believe that it is), it is very important that you PAY ATTENTION to what I share with you today. You are here for a reason and there is something that you NEED to read in this article. Or, perhaps, something in this article will cause you to decide to read my previous article or...? 

As I continue my discussion on the "expansion" of Project 141 let me first call your attention to the original concept of Project 141...and that is the financial aspect of the program. You can read, listen and watch everything I've done about that by going to www.myProject141.com .

In the "expansion" of Project 141 I wanted to approach the fact that each of us can do SOMETHING every single day to make a difference in our lives as well as in the lives of others. The numbers in Project 141 represent doing 1 thing per day (or week) 4 (for) 1 year. This is more than your normal "New Year's Resolution" that most people start and stop consistently each and every year. This is more of a "strategic" approach to making actual change and improvement in our lives.

But you MUST be committed to doing this for ONE FULL YEAR!

In my last article, I discussed the importance of spending time in God's Word (the Bible) at least once a day. Again, you may or may not believe in God. That's besides the point. I DO believe in God and I'm simply sharing with you MY thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Whether you believe it or not, I do believe that YOU are a child of God...that you were created by God and, that being the case, you have an absolute need to "connect" with your creator - your Father - every single day. If you've not read that article yet, you can do so by going HERE. 

Closely related to the importance of your SPIRITUAL strengthening each day is your need to also focus on PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT each and every day. Do SOMETHING - (read something, listen to something) in the area of personal development every day for the next year and see what happens in and to your life. Whether you realize it or not, the area of "personal development" is closely related to what I've already discussed - the SPIRITUAL life based on the words of the Bible. That's right, the majority of the things that you read and hear from those that specialize in the area of personal development use thoughts and ideas that come straight from the Bible. 

For example, one of the key components with "personal development" (positive mental attitude, positive attitude, etc.) is that of "guarding/protecting your mind or your mindset". Look at the next graphic and read how the late Jim Rohn put it...

 

I've talked about this for years! The world is FULL of negativity and is more than willing to dump all of that negativity into your mind and mindset. You already know that, right? That's my goal and my purpose with everything that I have done with Future You University since it all started on March 2, 2009 and it still is the focus even now. 

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to hear Jim Rohn speak in person on a few occasions while he was still alive. Notice the very strong word that he uses here: GUARD! This is serious business friend! Also notice how often he stressed that we "stand guard at the door of (our) mind"...EVERY DAY.

A guard is to be AWAKE, ALERT and diligent in his duties. He is not to take the task lightly and he is to PROTECT whatever it is that he is guarding. Get the point?

Now, along those same lines, follow along with this passage from the Bible...

Philippians 4:6-8

New King James Version

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

 

 Do a little research on those words if you'd like, in Part 2 of this section I will get into the ideas and meanings behind those words and why they are so important as we continue our discussion on PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

But, even for now, PAY ATTENTION to what you let into your mind and mindset. BECOME AWARE of the need for YOU to "stand guard at the door of your mind."

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

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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

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No Such Thing As "Self-Growth"

"There is NO SUCH THING as "SELF -growth"...we grow from what we learn from each other and then what we APPLY from what we learn. 

It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to grow alone!" - Mike Spillman

O.k., let me get this "disclaimer" out of the way, right up front. I am NOT knocking the use of the word, "self-growth" and I am NOT "bashing" those who use the word. Get it? Got it? GOOD!

However, I do want to point out that, in reality, there is NO SUCH THING as "self-growth", as I point out in my quote for the day.

I guess I can best compare this "word" to another phrase you have heard before: "self-made millionaire".  Yeah, there's no such thing as one of those, either, though I think I do understand the general idea behind that descriptive phrase.

My guess is that it refers to someone that has gained wealth but not by inheritance, winning the lottery or any other method in which they "came upon" money that they did not actually earn. So, a "self-made" millionaire would be one that earned their money by starting or developing their own business or organization.

Make sense?

Even then, the person - technically - cannot be "self-made" in that they depended on other people to teach, train, mentor and/or advise them along the way. They had to have others with which to do business and they also had to have others willing to work alongside them.

Right?

So it is with the word, "self-growth".

I understand what I believe to be the basic thought behind this word. A person is responsible for doing what is needed to grow and it's not going to be provided by others. They are responsible for this themselves. "Personal development" is another good way to put it.

Hey, listen...NO ONE CAN DO THIS FOR YOU! You have to decide - FOR YOURSELF - that you have a need to grow. YOU, and no one else, must then decide that YOU are going to pursue that need. Again, no one can do this for you...it is up to YOU.

In that way, you could say that it is, indeed, "self-growth" but, friend, you can never do it alone. You must have others to teach, train, mentor and/or advise you along the way. The very fact that you are reading this blog article is proof of what I'm talking about in this area.

I continue to seek out and find new "sources" with thoughts that continue to challenge me along the way. These thoughts by these people help keep me moving.

I'm thankful to those that have provided this source of "fuel" for me along the way and I am thankful for you coming here to get some of that "fuel" for yourself. I'll always do my best to do all that I can to help you along your path of "self-growth" or personal development.

Keep CHOOSING to grow each and every day. And, as you do so, 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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Get Your THINK On!

"The only difference between those who fail and those who succeed is the way  they THINK!"

Mike Spillman

"C'mon, Mike, don't you think you are over-simplifying things a bit with that quote?"

Absolutely not! It really IS that simple, friend! Please be sure to listen to the podcast and watch the video on this topic to get some additional material as I discuss this very important topic. 

I really DO mean to say that the ONLY difference between those who fail and those who succeed is the way that they think. It's their mindset! And, yes, there IS a difference in how "these people" think as compared to the "ordinary person" which, many times, describes you and me. 

I've heard SEVERAL wealthy and successful people say that, if for some misfortune, they were to lose all of their wealth that it would not be that big of a setback. Why? Because they KNOW that they can recover that wealth and, likely, even more. Compare that to most of us if we were to get "wiped out" by some unfortunate event. "WOE IS ME! I'M RUINED AND DOOMED TO DESTITUTION!"

However - and this is important - it IS possible for you and me to CHANGE the way that we think and to IMPROVE our mindset and how we think about things. We DO have the ability to learn how to think about and approach roadblocks, set backs and obstacles that get in our way as we try to achieve our goals and/or dreams. We DO have the ability to develop a "never-give-up" mentality as opposed to a mentality that says, "Give Up" at the very first sign of resistance.

How do you develop such a mindset?

Let me answer that question with a few questions: What do YOU do EACH DAY to make sure that you are absorbing as much POSITIVE information as possible? What and who do you read about so that you can study what that person has done to achieve the success that they may have? What do YOU do on a DAILY basis to "fortify" your mindset and to protect it from the negative influences that we all face every day?

It's like someone saying that they want to get in the best shape of their life and, as part of that, they really want to develop a muscular physique but, at the same time, they are unwilling to do ANY exercise or lean anything about weight training. 

How is YOUR thinking? Do you need to refocus your mindset back to the "what IS" side of the equation and away from the "what ISN'T" side? 

As the graphic states, maybe it's time to "Get Your THINK On!" and, friend, spending time here is just one of the ways to help you in that process. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of that process for you.

Drop by my Facebook page (link below) and let me hear from you. 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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Mike's Quotes #44: What Do YOU Seek?

“What you SEEK you will FIND - that is a Biblical TRUTH! Be careful what it is for which you seek, because THAT is what you will find.”- Mike Spillman (12.17.19)

Once again let me say that I don't know you or what you do or don't believe. Whether you believe in the Bible or not really has nothing to do with today's quote. Not only is it a Biblical truth, it is also a UNIVERSAL truth!

A month or so ago I did another article talking about the fact that you see what it is that you focus on and, friend, this is no different. 

This also ties in to what I have been sharing with you about "frequencies" as is discussed by Bob Proctor. (By the way, I shared a link to a video that features him talking abut this very thing. You can find that on my FYU Facebook page.)

PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: What is going on in your life right now? What is happening with you and with those that are closest to you? Are your thoughts and events negative or positive? Are the people around you negative or positive? How are things at work? Take a CLOSE look at all of these areas and honestly access what is going on in your life.

As much as we may not want to admit it, much of what we experience in our life is a direct result of what we have SOUGHT in and for our life. This is a fact, friend, and you can protest all that you wish but the truth is the truth! Notice that I did not say, "ALL that we experience..." but, rather, "...MUCH of what we experience."

Maybe it's time to seek something better? Only you can answer that question and you really need to answer it honestly, no matter how painful it may be. 

Again, what you SEEK you WILL find!

If you wish to find fault with your spouse, your friends or your co-workers then, guess what? YOU WILL EASILY FIND FAULT and you will have an ample supply of faults to gripe and complain about! If you wish to find fault with and at your job then, again, you will find PLENTY to gripe about as well. 

Here is another POWERFUL truth in all of this: YOU have the POWER to completely turn that around. That's right, you can also find POSITIVE things to notice about your spouse, your friends or your co-workers. And, you may be surprised to find out that there will be PLENTY of those positive things that make themselves known. 

I know you can figure out what will happen in and for your life when you start seeking and finding POSITIVE focus in and for your life, right? Things begin to change for the better.

What you SEEK you WILL FIND is a plain and simple truth.

What do YOU seek?

Thanks for taking the time to join me today and, 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

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Mike's Quotes #22: Mind Control

“Mind control...how will YOU control what goes into YOUR mind today?” 

- Mike Spillman (4.7.11)

When I talk about "mind control", DON'T FREAK OUT! 

When discussed as we will in this article, it is not weird or something to be afraid of. Friend, it is an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY if you wish to remain positive and if you wish to prevent yourself from being overrun by the negativity that surrounds us all every day!

Simply put, YOU can control what you allow into your mind - your mindset - today and EVERY day. That's all "mind control" is...controlling your mind.

What makes that phrase "weird" or something to be "afraid of" is when you allow someone else to control your mind!

DO NOT MISS THIS IMPORTANT PART: The battle for control of your mind is just that...a BATTLE!

That's why I do what I do. That's why I have the "tag line" at the start of every podcast, "You're greatest education takes place on the campus of your mind." 

It is SO important that you make an effort to infuse your mind with POSITIVE information. There used to be an old computer programmer's acrostic that was, "G.I.G.O" which stood for, "Garbage In, Garbage Out".  I recently heard a similar phrase, "Junk In, Junk Out". The idea was/is that, the program is only as good as the information that is put into the program. If you put in "garbage" then, guess what? "Garbage" is what you will get out of the program.  How much more important to make sure that we "program" our minds with something GOOD and not "garbage"?

Sure, there will be some situations that we will encounter during the course of a day or week that we have no control over BUT we DO have control as far as the "impact" of that negative activity or thought. 

When I consider the importance of making sure I take my daily dose of "positivity vitamins", I feel that it begins to build up a "resistance" or "immunity" to such things. And, friend, it actually does!

It's up to you. You can take the "lazy" approach and make no attempt to protect your mindset. You can just let "whatever" take control of your mind and your mindset OR you can be proactive and do something EVERY SINGLE DAY to make sure your mind is being fed a steady "diet" of positive information.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this "diet" in this part of your life.  I'll continue to do all that I can to be of help in this area and I encourage you to do your part as well. 

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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Protect Your JOY

Oh, they're out there. No matter how "safe" you think you are, they are still out there and they are waiting to steal from you.

 

I'm talking about the people and the thoughts around you every single day that are out to steal your JOY.

 

Sometimes the thoughts are there because we have allowed them to be there. And, there are times that the thoughts are there because of people (joy robbers) that have been a part of putting them there.

 

Just as you lock your doors at night and maybe even set an alarm, so you should be as dedicated to protecting your mind and mindset from the negativity that would steal away your JOY.

 

The series that I just completed in the last podcast speaks to this very thing. There are things that we MUST be doing in order to keep focused on what CAN BE rather than what IS. Many times we allow our current circumstances (even if it's only an hour or two out of our day) to keep us from looking BEYOND what is, to what CAN be.

 

And, in the process, when we get "bogged down" in the struggles, we may lose our joy.

 

And, friend, let's just be real here for a moment, o.k.? There are also people that seem to get THEIR joy from stealing YOUR joy, right?

 

Some are acquaintances that cross your path most every day and then there are those that are supposed to be closest to you. The ones closest to you are the ones that seem to hurt the most because you feel (rightly so) that THEY are the ones that should be your strongest advocates instead of being some of the ones that try to steal your joy.

 

But friend, you can stop it and you can prevent it from happening. Yes, you can PROTECT your joy!

 

Unlike the graphic above, we cannot allow others to cause us to just "lock up tight" and "shut down". Too many simply stop living as a way to keep from getting hurt. In reality, that is a direct way that you are being hurt and allowing others to hurt you more than they should.

 

Protect your mind and your joy? Absolutely! But what is required is for you to guard your mind by what you allow INTO your mind. THIS is what determines your mindset.

 

Do you want to really stop "joy robbers" in their tracks? Be DETERMINED that you will not allow any one or anything to stop you from being joyful today! That's right. I know it may sound too simple or impossible but, friend, it is not!

 

I've shared with you before how my wife has faced such issues in the workplace but was determined to not allow this as part of her experience. She REFUSED to give in to that mindset and made a decision that SHE would have an impact on THEM instead.

 

And it has worked every time.

 

It's YOUR mind, YOUR mindset and YOUR joy. Protect it, preserve it and promote it and see what begins to happen in 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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Check Your "A Game"

"A" game.

 

What does that mean for you and/or to you? For most "A Game" usually means, "bring your best!".

 

I changed it to "CHECK Your 'A' Game" for a reason.

 

For today, "A" = ATTITUDE...so, "Check your Attitude".

 

Yeah, I know I talk about this a lot but, hey, don't we all need it? I'll go first...I DO! And, friend, whether you want to admit it or not, YOU do as well.

 

Quick story as to where this all came from, o.k.?

 

I worked pretty much all day long on putting together some graphics, etc. for a landing page that I'm going to be using for some network marketing. I'm familiar with landing pages and opt-in pages, etc. but I've never put much time into putting them together myself.

 

I figure that, if it is a way to learn something new, then I should spend a little time doing just that. And that, I did.

 

I was having some problems at the end of the night putting one final piece together and was "chatting" with some online support when, one final click, and it was all gone. No, I didn't delete anything. No, I didn't push any wrong "buttons". Just *BAM* and it was all gone. They (the support team at this site) are checking on it but, that didn't make me any happier about the whole thing.

 

"Frustrated" doesn't really describe how I felt but, it will do for now.

 

Then, after a bite to eat, I checked a couple of things out on Facebook when I came across a video that was shared by a friend of mine. It helped me "CHECK MY ATTITUDE" really quick.

 

I posted it on my Facebook fan page...check it out HERE and leave a comment. Seriously, check it out and listen to this young man. POWERFUL!

 

Keep your eyes and ears open for such reminders of the importance of mindset and attitude...we all need it from time to time.

 

Check your "A Game" and, as you do so...

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

Mike

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Watch Your THOUGHTS



Step 1: WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS

 

Look at the graphic and notice the progression. This week I will be taking a look at EACH of these steps in this progression.

 

Why?

 

Because if we don't want this progression to take place in a negative way and we DO want it to take place in a POSITIVE way then we may want to look at each step closely.

 

Part 1: Watch your THOUGHTS, they become WORDS!

 

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "Wow, I wished I hadn't said that!"? Guess what? If you don't want to SAY it then don't THINK it!

 

As much as we want to claim differently, it is a fact that what is said is at first THOUGHT. Your brain simply cannot act on it's on when it comes to talking. You have to THINK it in order to SPEAK it. Sorry, you can't get off that easy by saying, "I spoke before I thought!". Uh, no.

 

This simply speaks to the importance of taking the time to think a little longer BEFORE you speak!

 

This is also another reason why it is so important to add to your "library of positive thoughts" of your mind.

 

No matter how hard you try, if you keep thinking it, "it" will come out of your mouth!

 

Like everything else, it is YOUR choice. It is a choice as far as to what you think and what you say.

 

If you are not sure that this is important, look again at the graphic above and realize that THIS IS THE START OF THE PATH TO YOUR DESTINY.

 

You can speak death (negative) or life (positive) into existence beginning with your thoughts that will turn into your words.

 

Death or life. Hmmmmm....which would you CHOOSE?

 

Kind of important, would you agree?

 

Be careful what you think. Your thoughts become your words. Choose carefully, friend.

 

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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"What is Going On in That Head of Yours?"

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Did your parents ever say that to you with a bewildered look on their faces?

 

Oh, mine did many times over the years while they were trying to figure out what in the world this boy – especially as a teenager – was thinking when he (yeah, ME) did something stupid (which, at that time in my life – like most teens – was quite often!).

 

Truth is, when you’re a teenager YOU’RE not even sure what’s going on in your head because of all the physical changes your body is going through! But what’s your excuse now or what’s the REASON behind your actions (or lack thereof) now?

 

What you THINK matters! What you put into your head/mind matters.

 

So, here’s a real quick way for you to KNOW what’s going on in that head of yours. Do a quick check up to see what it is that you are PUTTING IN to your head.

 

It really is that simple. Oh, it may not be as simple when you realize that you need to make some CHANGES on what you allow into your head, but the discovery process is really quite simple.

 

But you have to be HONEST with yourself in the process.

 

So, “What’s going on in that head of yours?”… you tell me, friend.

 

And as you do a little check up, be sure to…

 

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

Mike

This entry was posted in Empower Network

G.I.G.O.

 

This is "THANKFUL THURSDAY"...express all for which YOU have to be thankful!

How many of you have ever watched the show "Hoarders"? And, if you have, how many of you have watched in utter disgust and disbelief that ANYONE could live that way?

Yet, how many of us DO live this way when it comes to the "garbage" that we allow into our lives and the lives of those around us - yes, especially our children? Friend, whether you realize it or not, we ALL probably allow more trash/garbage into our minds and lives than we want to admit or even realize.

G.I.G.O. = "garbage in/garbage out". This is a phrase used to describe the need for accuracy in computer programming. A computer is only as "smart" and as "accurate" as the information that is programmed into it in the first place. (Hey, listen - I'm not a computer geek so don't get upset if I word something incorrectly, o.k.? Thank you!).

Maybe even envision it this way: If you put gasoline into your car that is contaminated with either water or even bits of trash, then your car - no matter what the cost or what size the engine - will not run very well. G.I.G.O.

Do you find yourself to be in a negative mood much of the time? Perhaps it's time to do a "check up from the neck up". Maybe it's time to really take a look at what kind of information we are allowing into our mind and, as a result, our mindset. Positive mindset or negative mindset?

It's SOOOO easy for us to get careless and not pay much attention to what we allow in our minds. It's easy to let down our guard and even justify allowing a "little bit" of trash to slip in. Hey friend, it only takes a "little bit" of trash to bring ANY machine down not to mention how a "little bit" of trash/unhealthy foods each day adds up to MAJOR problems with our physical bodies as well as the impact on our brains.

As one guy said in a movie, "And that's a fact, Jack!"

What do you read? What do you watch on t.v. and how MUCH of it do you watch? What do you listen to on the radio or via mp3 players, etc.? Who do you listen to on a daily basis by spending time with them? What do you say to YOURSELF (self-talk)?

All of these are areas that we MUST pay close attention to IF we are really serious about performing at our best. It all starts in the mind and with our mindset.

What are YOU "putting in/allowing in" and what are you getting out? Don't expect excellence out of garbage. IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN!

Hopefully this blog as well as the podcast is a help for you in this area. Take advantage of this material as well as others that offer such positive information and see what happens in your life.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow for another powerful and positive message. Until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

Can You Dig It?

Say what?

Now, hang with me on this, o.k.? Don't run off if you don't love your job! Give me a chance.

My guess is that MOST of you (if not all of you) are actually NOT doing what you love most - your dream job or the thing that you are most passionate about, right?

So, is it the end of the world? THAT'S UP TO YOU!

YES, you should be working toward the day when you can do what you LOVE most! Work for the day that you can live your PASSION instead of just "working your job".

But, until then, even if you are not doing what you love most is it possible for you to learn to love what you are doing?

Huh?

Stay with me here, it's not really that far of a leap.

You can either go through the whole day "hating your job" OR you can learn to adjust your mental attitude, your positive mindset/attitude in a way that enables you to actually learn to LOVE what you do. WHATEVER you do!

Think about it.

You can dread the start of the day because you HATE your job! You can go through the course of the day focused on the fact that you HATE your job! You can end your day with a big sigh of relief that you are finally done with another day at the job that you HATE! Then, not long before you go to bed you dread the fact that you have to get up and go back to work because you HATE your job!

Wow, doesn't THAT sound like fun? Some of you are saying, "You just described my life."

Sad.

I'm here to tell you that it IS possible to turn things around to where you can actually LOOK FORWARD TO your day and learn to LOVE what you are doing!

But, it is up to you and your desire to improve your life day by day.

This, my friend, is a MAJOR mind adjustment but it is one that you CAN accomplish IF you set your mind to it!

Choice A: hating your whole day OR Choice B: learning to find purpose and challenge which will cause you to actually look forward to your day.

Wow. Doesn't really look like much of a choice to me!

Think about it. Brainstorm on it and see what you can come up with.

C'mon - I CHALLENGE you to send me a message and tell me why you CAN'T learn to do this.

Come back tomorrow as we wrap this series up and, until then...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Informational Filter

"Your Informational Filter"

Take a moment and look at that picture and ask yourself this question: "Would I allow a big pile of garbage like that in my house?"

I hope that I can answer that for you with a resounding, "NO!".

Yes, there are some people that do, but I'm hoping that you are not one of them!

Of course, by looking at the picture you already know what the real point of it is especially when you combine it with what we have been talking about for the past few days.

WHAT JUNK ARE YOU ALLOWING INTO YOUR MIND?

We have been talking about the massive amounts of "news programming" available to us each and every day via the television. This doesn't even take into account what's available to us on the Internet, the radio and even our smart phones. Is there REALLY a need for this much information/news?

NO!

Here's the deal, too, when you start talking about all of this "news programming" - a lot of it (if not most of it) is not even news at all!

You've heard the phrase, "No news is good news" right? Well, let me do my own little twist on that one by saying this: "ALL NEWS IS NOT GOOD NEWS!"

I'm not even talking about the fact that we sometimes receive bad news. What I'm talking about is that everything that might be labeled as "news" in our society is not all GOOD (as in "quality") news. Really think that one over.

The main reason I brought all of this up about the news is due to the fact that I have noticed such an "overkill" on my own "local/affiliate stations" with their "news coverage" AND also due to so many people claiming that they just HAVE to keep up with the "news". Really?

Anyway, enough of that.

What about soap operas? What about sports programming? (By the way, a lot of the so-called "sports programming" is pretty much like the "news programming" when you consider the fact that some of these 24 hour cable sports channels have to fill that much time!).

What about Facebook? What about....? YOU fill in the blank there and be HONEST with yourself on these things.

How much time are you spending DUMPING garbage (useless or negative information) into your mind? Remember, G.I.G.O. (garbage in - garbage out).

Tomorrow I will conclude this series but the battle will be one that continues in your life and it is 100% up to YOU as to what you do about it - if anything at all.

Bottom line again - do NOT think that what you allow into your mind has not impact on your life and the lives of those around you.

Start using your "informational filter" and "clean up" what you are allowing into the "engine" for your whole life.

Think about and DO something about it.

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Your Information Diet

"YOUR INFORMATION DIET"

Simple task - tell me about your diet.

"Oh, but I'm not currently on a diet."

Sure you are. Tell me about it.

"No, see...you don't understand. I TRIED a diet but it didn't go very well so I quit."

Regardless, you are STILL on a diet. Whatever it is that you eat from day to day IS your diet! Now, when we look at it that way some of us might feel like crawling under a rock and hiding, right?

I hear people say, "I'm going to go on a diet" or "I'm going to start a diet" and, though I understand what they are trying to communicate, those words used are actually wrong.

The correct thing to say would be, "I'm going to CHANGE my diet" or "I'm going to IMPROVE my diet."

Get it?

Good!

Why is this so important? Well, first of all you can relax. We are NOT going to be talking about your nutritional diet in this series of discussions. We're going to be talking about your "mental diet" or your "information diet".

So, right off, let me ask you the same question that I asked before BUT this time in reference to your "mental or informational diet".

Tell me about your diet.

The thing is, most of us THINK we know about our "mental/informational diet" but, in reality we really have no idea.

It's time to find out!

Step one: FIND OUT WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

What do I mean by that? Simply go through your program guide (whatever or however that is available to you) and look through a 24 hour period and see how many "news programs" are on the air during that time period. However, DO NOT count your cable channels but ONLY count the "national" channels (NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX).

Seriously. Give it your best shot and see what you come up with.

I'll share mine with you during the next podcast/blog article. I thought I had a pretty good idea how saturated this type of programming was but I was still a bit shocked when I actually took the time to put it down on paper.

Do that and then come back tomorrow for the next entry on this topic and we'll see what you and I both do with what is available.

Until then...think about the old computer acrostic, "G.I.G.O" which stands for "garbage in, garbage out". It's a simple reminder that a computer is only as good as the programming. If you program "garbage" into the computer then guess what you'll get? GARBAGE!

The same is true when we think about our mindsets. Positive or negative?

Think about it.

And until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Keep on Celebrating!

Keep on Celebrating!

How is your celebration going today?

Are you allowing the negative things that surround you each and every day to get you down? Are you allowing it to sway you toward "stinkin' thinkin' "?

Remember, it's a CHOICE!

And, yes, I do realize it's easier said than done. But, honestly, isn't anything worthwhile easier said than done?

And yes, let's just get real here - sometimes no matter how hard we try, regardless of how much "good stuff" we fill our minds with, LIFE GETS US DOWN.

But, I'm simply here to try to encourage you to GET UP and not GIVE UP when that happens in your life!

Notice these words from the song, "Don't let it get you down...don't let it turn you around..."

Again, what we ALLOW these things to do in our lives (and TO our lives) is the main thing!

DON'T let it turn you around and send you in the opposite direction of your goals and dreams! Don't allow these things to persuade you to give up on your goals and dreams and head back to where you were before. DON'T DO IT!

And, then the last verse of this awesome song:

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow - And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no
I'm using up the time but feeling fine, every day

YES, there are some very real emotions (sorrow) that can take the wind out of our sails...but, again, even allow those times to celebrate life! If you are mourning the loss of someone close to you - celebrate the memory of THEIR life and then allow the fact that you can share those memories with others and help that persons memory live on cause YOU to celebrate YOUR life!

Sometimes we call it "sorrow" though when we become discouraged and disappointed. We feel sad when, in reality, it may very well be such strong discouragement that we become depressed. Please understand that I'm not making light of this - I've been there! - but I still want to encourage you to NOT ALLOW THIS TO TAKE ROOT IN YOUR LIFE!

There is too much to enjoy and celebrate in this life to have time to allow the negative influences to take root and control our lives in this way! Whether it be sorrow, hate, discouragement, anger....the list can go on and on! And, the thing is - LIFE GOES ON!

I'm going to talk more about this tomorrow but the point is made here - we are "using up the time" one way or the other! Time comes and time goes. "Today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday".

A day will come and go in the life of those focusing on the positive things of life as well as those that allow the negative things of life to take root and rule theirs.

By choosing to celebrate ANYWAY we can continue "feeling fine, every day"!

So, come on - get on up and KEEP ON CELEBRATING!

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

Beware Mediocrity!

"Beware Mediocrity!"

How many of us would line up to go to the restaurant that would advertise a "mediocre sandwich"? Perhaps they believe in the "truth in advertising" rule! (Don't you wish more restaurants were as open and honest as the "mocked up" sign above?)

Here is the definition of "mediocre" as given by dictionary.com . . .

MEDIOCRE: adjective
1. of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate.
2. rather poor or inferior.

Now, YOU tell ME - would you seek out a restaurant, a business, a car dealership, a doctor, a dentist, a school, a realtor (and on and on we could go) that promoted themselves using EITHER of these definitions?

Can you even imagine an advertisement coming across your television screen or the radio airwaves with the voice saying, "Our customers say we're neither good or bad! Heck no! As a matter of fact, they say we're 'barely adequate'!"

Now, let's get down to the point - how many of us have settled for these to be definitions of our own lives? OUCH!

Yes, we are continuing our discussion of the choice we have to either FOLLOW our dreams or SETTLE for less!

This is one of my greatest concerns about our young people. Yes, there are examples of young people that are doing some incredible things with their lives. But, my guess - and that's all it is - would be that for every one of THOSE teens there are likely ten others that have already settled into a lifestyle of accepting mediocrity for their lives.

The struggle for us all in trying to correct this problem (with our young people - we'll get to you and me next) is in trying to help our young people understand that, indeed, the WORLD lies open and waiting for them! That, at their young age, they can accomplish SO much! That, at their age, they have the time to mess up several times and still recover! That, IN this age that we live in there is likely more opportunity available for them than ever before in the history of our world.

But, what kind of example are WE (yeah, this is the "me and you" part I just talked about) setting for them in this area? Let's look at the things I just mentioned that our young people need to understand and notice that WE, too, need to understand the same things:

1. The WORLD lies open and waiting for YOU! Regardless of your age, this fact is true. Remember, stop making excuses (disguised as "reasons") and look around.

2. At YOUR age, you can accomplish SO much! This is NOT true only for young people. Age really doesn't have a lot to do with it IF you understand and realize point 1: The world lies open and waiting for YOU.

3. At YOUR age, you have the time to mess up several times and still recover! Now, granted, the younger you are the better this is for you. But let me ask you this question: How old are you now and how many times have you really messed up already? Oh, and let me ask you this one, too: Are you still here? Remember, "As long as there is breath there is hope!"

4. IN this age that we live in there is likely more opportunity available for YOU than ever before in the history of our world. You see, this one fact removes the age barrier for the most part. This one fact removes the geographical barrier BIG TIME! As I have mentioned lately on my podcast, if you have the ability to listen to my podcast and/or to be reading this blog, then you have access to some of the greatest tools that can open up GREAT AREAS OF SUCCESS in your life. Regardless of who you are, where you are and how old or young you are.

One of the quotes I use in today's podcast is from Ayn Rand and it is the following: "The quickest way to kill the human spirit is to ask someone to do mediocre work."

Now, along with that, I'd like to include another quote because I think they go "hand-in-hand" with one another. This one is from Scott Alexander which says, "All good is hard. All evil is easy. Dying, losing, cheating, and mediocrity is easy. Stay away from easy."

Too many of us have sought out the EASY in our lives and, because of this, have allowed and settled for mediocrity in our lives! WAKE UP!

Chances are that if you feel empty, lifeless and in a dead-end situation that you have allowed and settled for mediocrity in your life.

Yes, some people actually seek out the easiest, least demanding job that they can find. It doesn't matter to them that it is also the least PAYING job and that they can be replaced by just about ANY "Joe Mamma" on the street - it's easy and that is exactly what they seek.

Many companies use these mind-numbing (and often "butt-numbing"!) tasks to weed people out. Yes, these tasks are likely necessary and must be done. But, again, ANYONE can do them and many times companies will start workers off to see who will rise above and who will settle. Kind of like the example given last week about a glass of water with impurities. And it's like the proverbial example of the "cream rising to the top"...SEPARATION!

We are going to be continuing this discussion for the rest of this week and I encourage you to take an inventory - an HONEST one - of your mindset and your attitude as you consider these thoughts. Could it be that YOU have settled for less and, by doing so, settled for mediocrity?

YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT and don't you ever forget it!

Desire to "rise above" and, as you do so...

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

Mike