Where Is YOUR Focus?

In today's podcast (Podcast son iTune or  Podcast RSS feed), I share a little audio clip that I recorded on my phone on February 18, 2014, which simply states, "Stop focusing on what isn't and start focusing on what is."

It's really a very simple statement but, at the same time, a very POWERFUL one! If you haven't done so yet, take a moment and take a listen - you'll be glad you did.

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"Stop focusing on what isn't and start focusing on what is." - Mike Spillman

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Too many times, too many people spend too much time focusing on what isn't.  Think about it.

Yes, while I encourage you to have goals and plans for your future - a BETTER future - we need to make sure that we don't do so to the expense of missing what is around us every day. It's easy to focus so much attention on what hasn't become reality yet that we fail to notice what we DO have right now. 

Hey, as a parent of three adult children, I especially want  to encourage not to be aware of and appreciative of those precious children that are around you each and every day while they are still at home.  Time goes by quickly!

I saw a graphic on a social media page the other day that read something along the lines of, "Focus on your BLESSINGS more than you do your BURDENS." 

You've also likely heard the old saying that "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Again, it's the idea of wanting and/or focusing on what we DON'T have instead of being aware (and appreciative) of what we DO have. 

Don't focus on the bad - focus on the good.

Don't focus on the negative - focus on the positive.

Don't focus on what is wrong with your job - focus (and be thankful) for what is right about your job.

Don't focus on what is wrong with your family - focus on what is right.

Don't focus on what is wrong with your spouse - focus on what is right. 

Don't focus on what isn't - focus on what is.

And live life in the NOW, not the LATER. Truth is, you CAN'T live it in the "later" for TODAY is all that you have at your disposal.      

Again, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, 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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Make Each Day Count!

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!

12. Make Each Day Count!

The actual way this is worded is as follows: "Make Every Day and Every Evening the Best Possible - Once Spent, They're Gone Forever!"

Pretty sobering thought, isn't it?

However, it should also help us approach each day with more vitality - see #10: "Wake Up Happy!" for example.

I did this on the podcast and I want to do this exercise with you here, right now. Take out a pen and a piece of paper and fill in the blanks. Yes, it IS important for you to write this yourself and not just see it as I have typed it - this is for YOU, o.k.? Remember, write this out and fill in the blanks...

"Today is ___(day of the week - Thursday for me)___, ___(Date - February 18,2010 for me)__. This is the only, ___Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010___ there will ever be and, once it is gone, it is gone forever."

I don't know about you, but doing that really brings the point home to me! Too many times we get into the "rut mindset" that each day is the same over and over again (kind of like in the movie, "Groundhog Day") and that there is nothing really special or different between one day or another.

WRONG!

Each day is unique! Each day is different! Each day is special! Each day is YOURS to explore and enjoy to the fullest!

Yeah, I know, sometimes you just want to slap me, right? ;)

But, stating things in this way and saying them to yourself (daily affirmations) WILL help you begin to understand it, believe it and get excited about it!

Now, this may sound like a little thing to you, but when I take the time to notice it, I actually DO get excited! Here's what I'm talking about - the time that the sun sets!

You see, I absolutely HATE the time change in the fall when it gets darker earlier. If I let it (and I used to), I could really allow this to impact me in a very negative way - but I choose not to let it go that far anymore. However, I do not like it! So, when I watch the local weather and they give the forecast for the next day they always have listed at the bottom the time the sun will be setting. When I start seeing the time swing into the "later" category by only a minute (maybe two) each day - I HONESTLY GET EXCITED!

Why? Because I love the daylight longer in the afternoon and evenings!

But, you know what? This is also another wonderful example of how each day is different and unique!

Maybe you need to change up your routine a little bit just to help you break out of your rut! Are you one of those people that does everything EXACTLY the same way each day? If so, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Notice the people and the sounds around you each day! Pay attention to the different styles of clothing that people wear. Hey, look at their hair!

Aren't you glad we're not all the same?

Aren't you glad each day is not the same?

This is YOUR day!

Yes, I know there are obligations that you have. Yes, I know that you have a job (hopefully) that you must stay with until you're told it's o.k. to go home (what a way to live, right?). Yes, I know you have family obligations that you are committed to and love.

So, it's up to you to find ways to "wake up your senses" and celebrate the uniqueness of today!

It's also up to you to wake yourself up to the point of doing your BEST today in anything and everything that you do!

It's also up to you to wake yourself up to those that are around you and to smile and be a positive influence in their lives! It's up to you to do something nice for those with which you come into contact during the day! (Hey, it may be just smiling and saying hello).

It's up to you to enjoy your kids and see the blessing that they are in your life! It's up to you to realize and understand that this day will go by quickly so you must do all you can to squeeze as much joy out of it as you can.

I love the show, "The Amazing Race". Think about it - each day is just that for each one of us.

However, don't think of the "race" part as "who is going to win". Instead, think of how amazing today is and the "race" is you trying to beat the end of the day by getting as much joy and happiness out of it as is humanly possible.

SQUEEZE THE DAY!

Cute, huh?

And, as you do...

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

Mike

"Terrific Tuesday" - LIVE Where You Are!

I don't know if there is any more important a topic than this one discussed in today's podcast. We must all learn the art of living "where we are".

What do I mean by that? Well, consider this - how many times do you find yourself wishing you were somewhere else? Doing something else, someplace else with someone else? Ever? Often?

My guess is that it depends on how "happy" you think you are with "where you are". This ties in with yesterday's discussion of "Stop Waiting" and the thought of how much time is we waste by waiting for everything to be the way we want them to be before we do something. Each day that passes by is gone forever, never to be reclaimed! Let that sink in for a moment. Really think about that and let it cause you to STOP WAITING and START LIVING where you are!

Now! Today! I understand that your situation may not be what you hope for, dream for and even plan to achieve in your lifetime. HOWEVER, you are where you are RIGHT NOW and it's your choice what you do with it, isn't it?

If you believe that everything happens for a reason, then consider that you are where you are for a reason, a PURPOSE! (Now, you may really think I'm crazy and you may be yelling at your computer, "What? Do you KNOW my situation??" - By the way, do you know how silly you look yelling at a computer screen?) ;)

Perhaps there is someone that you have contact with on a daily basis that needs you! Perhaps they need YOUR positive energy! Perhaps they NEED your help in making it through a rough time. Maybe - just maybe - you work with a group of people that you can count on to help you network with others that may be able to propel you along your way in whatever it is that you would like to do.

I could go on and on with that thought, but why don't YOU continue that thought? Look around you today. Opportunity surrounds you - TODAY! People surround you today and, yes, believe me, I know that people can literally drive you nuts if you let them...but, maybe - just maybe - there is someone there that has been placed in your life for a reason.

Think about it.

Look at today in ways that you have never looked at a day before and realize that, indeed, it is not only POSSIBLE but it is a NECESSITY to begin to "live where you are."

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

Mike Spillman