4 of 6: "SET GOALS!"

"Aim for nothing and you're sure to hit it every time!"

You've likely heard that quote (or something close to it) many times before and, friend, it is the truth! What is YOUR view on that?

I actually have known people over the years that felt that the best way to keep from being disappointed is to simply not do anything. Don't expect anything. Don't hope or wish for anything. Don't set any goals in any area. Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. 

That's true! However, it's also true that if you EXPECT NOTHING by DOING NOTHING, then you will RECEIVE NOTHING! It's that old saying that comes from the Bible, "What you sow, you shall also reap."

It's a very basic premise in planting of ANY kind, whether it be farming or just planting flowers around the yard. What you plant (as well as how MUCH you plant) will determine what (and how much) you "get back" at "harvest time" or when that plant comes to fruition. 

YES, all of this DOES have something to do with "Setting Goals"! 

If you don't want to be disappointed - don't set goals. If you don't want to become discouraged - don't set goals. If you don't want to improve your life and better yourself - don't set goals. If you don't want to be challenged and/or "stretched" - don't set goals.

Bottom line: ANY of things that I discuss on this blog and through the podcast really relies on one thing - it's the fact that IT'S UP TO YOU if you decide to put any of them into practice!

Hey listen, there are a LOT of people that like to ACT LIKE, TALK LIKE and PRETEND that they are doing things to make a difference in their life but, when it gets down to it, it's just that...it's jut an ACT, a bunch of TALK and nothing but PRETEND!

What sets YOU apart is when you decide to actually put ACTION behind the words and plans. 

In reality, "Setting Goals" is just PART of the process. To be honest, ANYONE can SET a goal - that's the easy part! At that point, it's just talk.

It's when you TAKE STEPS TOWARD THAT GOAL that the change begins to take place and you begin to set yourself apart from all of the "talkers". You now become a "doer"!

One can talk about taking a trip to a certain place - maybe even to go and visit family members. They can talk about it and say over and over again that they PLAN to do so "one of these days". However, until that person actually PLANS the actual time needed and then actually takes the steps of scheduling time off from work, double-checks with that family member that it is a good time to come for a visit and GETS IN THE CAR, starts it up and heads out (or gets on a plane, etc) it's nothing but talk and that visit will never take place.

The KEY is ACTION. 

Setting goals is one thing. Actively MOVING TOWARD those goals is something completely different and, again, it is here that the change begins to take place.

Once 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. 

Join me in the next article as I bring to a conclusion my discussion of these 6 important "tasks" for our life from my "POWER Board". I'll be covering #5: Don't Quit and #6: No Excuses! Be sure to join me as I wrap up this discussion.

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

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

Facing and Alleviating Your Fears

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In case you haven't done so, you can listen to the podcasts and watch the video that goes with this topic by going directly to www.FutureYouUniversity.com or by going here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast (which is also available on iTunes).



I would suggest that you try to hit all 3 sources. Why? Because I did each one of these separately which means that each one will have a little bit different information shared. So, to get all that I have to offer with this topic, go and get it from all 3 sources. I think you'll be glad you did!

 

Here's the thing, friend - it's time to stop MAKING EXCUSES (we often try to "pretty them up" by calling them "reasons") and get on with the business of moving FORWARD with our plans - WHATEVER THEY MAY BE - that have yet to be completed.

 

Wouldn't you agree?

 

And, why wait until January 1st like everyone else? Why not get a start TODAY and get a "jump" by doing what you know you need to do NOW...not later?

 

 Oh, but you see, "later" is always "easier" for most people, right? "Later" means we don't really have to do anything NOW because - as you can see - we can always do it "later".

If that is how you have been living your life, let me ask you a very simple question: HOW'S THAT WORKING OUT FOR YOU?

As always, it always boils down to a CHOICE...you can either keep on doing what you have been doing (refer back to the question in the previous paragraph) OR, we can see that we need to do something different. Take that one step further - not only must we "see" that we need to do something different but - get ready for something simple here - we NEED TO DO something different.

"Many times the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!" (yeah, that's one of my quotes).

So, listen, hopefully you've already written down the things that you are still "waiting" to do and, hopefully, you've been open and honest and have written down WHY you have still not done them. I'm guessing that it comes down to some form of FEAR. Most of the time we are AFRAID to reach out for success (or even a special trip at times) due to our fear of something. It may be that we are afraid that we don't have enough money to go on that trip or that we can't get off to go on that trip, OR it may be related to some sort of success that always seems to be out of reach.

FEAR.

Oh, it's real and it can keep you paralyzed and staying where you are for the rest of your life. Most of us are not comfortable staying there because we KNOW that there is something better. Oh sure, there are many people that are absolutely comfortable staying where they are - BUT THAT IS NOT YOU!

We're not comfortable staying there but, at the same time, we're not comfortable with stepping up/out and making a major change in our lives. Why? Because of fear. And, sad to say, many times the uncomfortable feeling that we have in staying where we don't want to be is MORE comfortable than what we feel when we think of moving forward.

The fear of the future can cause us to settle for the "comfort zone" of where we are -- even when we don't like where we are.

When you think about it, isn't that interesting? Dreams without ACTION pretty much amount to wishful thinking! Are you ready to stop with the EMPTY DREAMS? Are you ready - once and for all - to take ACTION?

Then here it is...FACE YOUR FEARS!

Simple. Yes, I know. But it IS simple. The hard part is deciding to STEP OUT and take ACTION!

The best way to face our fears is to move toward or even INTO our fears. The example I used in the podcast and the video on this is that of learning how to ride a bike. Think about it for a moment. Why did you even want to learn how to ride a bike in the first place?

BECAUSE YOU SAW OTHER PEOPLE DOING IT SUCCESSFULLY AND THEY WERE HAVING FUN!

And, you likely thought that it was going to be easy based on how easy the others made it look. Didn't you? Of course you did. But was it easy?

NO! It was hard and it was scary! Especially after you crashed and crashed again. Every time you crashed (and even before you crashed) you had to FACE THE FEAR based on your perception that it was worth it! You, too, wanted to have FUN riding that bike!

You actually stepped INTO that fear so that you could be successful at learning to ride that bike!

O.k. now, let that sink in for a minute. Doesn't that make sense? Doesn't that describe what you MUST do even now in order to achieve success at whatever it is that you are wanting to do?

That answer would be "YES!".

Then understand that, in order to ALLEVIATE your fears you must FACE and ATTACK THEM! You know that's true and you KNOW that it is something that you MUST do if you ever really and truly plan to move FORWARD with your plans and with your life!

Simple question: WILL YOU?

As always, it is up to you and only you.

It's your move.

And, as you contemplate that move, be sure to...

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

Mike


 

Happy Birthday to Me

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O.k., let me first of all make sure you know that this is NOT going to be a self-indulgent blog article, o.k.? O.K.! Good!

 

However, it IS about the fact that I turned 53 years old on Saturday, November 1st. Why is this significant to anyone else but me and some friends and family that are close to me? Well, it may not be significant to you in the same way that it is to those that I just mentioned but it SHOULD BE significant to you as well.

 

Why?

 

Because, regardless of when your birthday is, five years have passed by for you regardless of you age, as well! (That is, of course, unless you are a child prodigy that is only 4 years old and able to read this!).

 

For most of us, our goals are set according to: 1) New Years Resolutions or 2) a certain age in our life. Am I right? (Go ahead and say it, "Yes, Mike, you are right!").

 

I mentioned on my latest video-cast that I had several goals set for myself that I had planned to reach by the time I turned 50 (feel free to insert YOU age/number here). And, guess what? Although I have made some progress toward some of those goals, I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET!

 

I can't yell at the calendar and tell it to "SLOW DOWN! I'M NOT READY YET!" It doesn't work...have you tried it? If not, go ahead and try it...really, go ahead. You'll see I'm right about this, too!

 

(Hey, it's my birthday, I have a right to be RIGHT. Right?)

 

So, now let's start talking about what YOU (and I) are going to do about it - or what YOU (and I) ARE doing about it, o.k.?

 

We'll go there next and I'd love to get YOUR story of either success or failure in this area. Don't worry, I won't use your name  - even a first name - unless you ask me to.

 

Key point: NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!

 

So, "Happy Birthday to Me!"...now, excuse me while I go get some of that cake! And, until the next time, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike



 

Are We There Yet?

Today is "Thankful Thursday"! I know you can come up with a few things in your life to be thankful for today, right? Do it and express it!

A car full of kids with their parents heading out on vacation with the car packed to the top with kids, suitcases, toys and even perhaps, a pet or two. Hey, if you have kids and have done this for ANY distance then you know and can relate to some of the phrases that I'm about to share.
"I need to go to the bathroom!" "He's touching me!" "I'm hot!" "Can we turn around and see what that dead thing was in the road?" (That's a personal one from one my own kids). And, here we go...
"Are we there yet?"

Put all of those phrases on "repeat often" and you have fun-filled, family-packed adventure!

Yet, for us as adults, it is imperative for us to be asking that same question and to be asking it often..."Are we there yet?" or better yet,"Am I there yet?"

One variation of this phrase that you often would here/will here from the backseat of the car would also be, "How much further?" And, yes, that is also extremely important for us to be asking ourselves as we move toward our goals and dreams.

Hey, listen - if you were going on a trip with no set destination in mind, how would you answer the questions, "Are we there yet?" or "How much further?" ? I do understand that some people take out on a trip with no real destination in mind but to just "go" and "end up where you end up". My guess is that they don't usually do this with kids on board!

In the same way, if you don't have any set goals or dreams and a way to determine and know when you have reached or achieved them then, how will you know how much further you have to go or even if you have already arrived?

Just as a family on a trip will likely have places along the way to use as "gauge points" (we'll spend the night in this town on the first night and then we should arrive by 4:00 p.m. the next day) we should also have such "gauge points" along the way to our goals and dreams.

Again, a simple and easy example to use is that of weight loss. Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on losing fifty pounds and it's easy to get discouraged. However, if we use five pounds at a time as our "gauge points" then it makes it a little easier to deal with "how much further" we have to go before we reach our goal.

Why? Because we can actually "see" that we are making progress!

What are YOUR "gauge points" that you are using to mark your progress or to even make you aware of the fact that you AREN'T making progress?

One of mine, for example, is getting back to doing a DAILY podcast and, now, a DAILY blog article. This is important for me to do so that I can get back to a DAILY ROUTINE of "getting back on track" with formulating and sharing my thoughts and ideas.

What about you? ARE YOU THERE YET? Will you know?

Keep moving forward and keep marking and measuring your progress and, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Permanent Marker Dreams?

Hey! It's "Magical Monday"!!

Check out the podcast to hear my comments about what makes today "MAGICAL" - you'll be glad you did!

As we continue to talk about our goals and dreams I want to bring up the idea of HOW you write down these goals and dreams....do you write them down with "PERMANENT MARKER" or do you do as I do and use a "dry erase board"?

I mention in the podcast that one thing I like about that "name" is the middle word, "erase"!

Sure, you may also think about it as if you use ink or pencil to write these things down. The great thing about a pencil is the ERASER!

When I sit in my "war room" and look at my dry erase board where I write down my focus, plans, goals and dreams I have to acknowledge and realize that I have erased and started over many times.

Yet, I STILL am focused on the same thing....I've just had to take a different path from time to time and I'm still on the journey!

Sometimes there are roadblocks and set-backs but the key thing is to ask ourselves if we are determined enough or focused enough to "stay the course" and keep moving on toward that destination.

Don't get all worked up if you've had to adjust your time line for completion of your goals....the main thing to look at is this: AM I STILL MOVING TOWARD THOSE GOALS?

Check this out on a DAILY basis and ask yourself if you have made progress TODAY toward those goals and dreams. Even the old saying of "Two steps forward and one step back" will mean movement in the right direction.

Think about that fact. IT'S TRUE!

Don't be afraid to get the eraser out and don't be afraid to use that eraser on that dry erase board.

And, hey, if you've used permanent marker or ink -- don't be afraid to tear that up and start all over! We'll be talking about that tomorrow but, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

On Your Mark, Get Set...GO!

On Your Mark...Get Set...GO!

It's time. I've been talking and planning on trying to get back to a more consistent schedule with my podcasts and it's finally time to stop talking and start talking.

Yeah. It's time to stop talking ABOUT it and start talking AS PART of it! Know what I mean?

So, beginning Monday, January 9, 2012, I am starting - once again - to get back to my DAILY, 5 minute podcast (daily being Monday - Friday).

What does tht mean as far as my blog?

What I plan to do is a "week in review" blog post where I give a summary of the podcasts topics for the past week instead of a blog entry every day about that particular day's topic.

My current job simply makes it hard to do both and I am recording podcasts 10-15 days in advance in order to do this -- BUT I AM DETERMINED TO GET BACK ON TRACK with my efforts!

Please let me hear from you as you listen to the podcast and/or read the blog.

Thanks!

And remember...

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

Mike

Another Year Passed...One Day At A Time

"Another Day Passed..."

Here we are again... the end of another year and the time that so many start looking back and examining the year gone by.

The other day I posted the following on my F.Y.U. fan page on Facebook - ‎"Think about this: Waiting until January 1st to make resolutions for the new year is like waiting until you run out of gas to begin looking for a gas station." - Mike Spillman

That kind of hits me right in the gut like many of you. Why? Because I have done the same thing many times before.

Isn't it time for a change in the way that many of us approach this?

Too many people look back over the past year with remorse and regret due to feeling like they have not accomplished all that they had originally planned. You know, back at the start of this very year that is coming to a close. Those "New Year's Resolutions".

The main title points out something that we might want to really focus on - this year has passed ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Hey, listen, I understand - I really do. I've made so many major plans and have set goals that I have STILL yet to reach and I have beat myself up about those many times before.

But, here's the deal: that hasn't helped me in any way that I can see so WHY keep doing the same thing?

INSTEAD of waiting until the end of the year to look back and determine whether it was "successful" based on whatever measuring stick we have decided to use - WHY NOT look back at the end of EACH and EVERY day to gauge our progress?

Hey, here's another simple comparison that we can make that many of us ALSO can relate to: KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR WEIGHT.

The time to see how you've done on your weight goals is NOT at the end of a 12 month period BUT in shorter increments - sometimes DAILY or even WEEKLY. At the very most - MONTHLY.

Hey, YOU know what happens if we don't, right? That weight will sneak up on us and - what - surprise us? Now, you know that you have to admit that this scenario is a bit funny. Seriously, WHY should we be surprised?

Do you realize that only two pounds a month will add 24 pounds to our weight? Hey, let's get really depressing while we're at it and lay that out over a 5-year period that will add on an extra 120 pounds!

WHAT?

So, you see, the time to check our progress on ANY goal/endeavor is NOT at the end of a year but each and every day, weekly or - at most - monthly BEFORE things get away from us.

Think about that as we come to the end of another calendar year.

Don't fret over the past year but decide now to approach this differently than we have before and let's see what happens.

Here's to your health, happiness and success in the coming year!

And, in the mean time...

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

Mike

Sometimes You Have to Just "Go With the Flow"

GIVE UP OR KEEP MOVING FORWARD?

It's now always easy to keep pushing forward when it seems that the "ROADBLOCK DEMONS" are determined to keep you from moving in a forward direction.

I've talked about it many times in the past and - not for the first time - I am experiencing it as I continue to plan to actually present my first seminar.


Is it frustrating? OH YEAH!


But, I also know that I can either GIVE UP or continue to MOVE FORWARD with my plans - even if it does take some major reorganizing!


As always, the choice is MINE and it is up ME to decide what it is that I will do with these temporary roadblocks and setbacks.


Me? I choose to keep pushing forward!


And I encourage YOU to do the same in YOUR LIFE in whatever area of your life that it is with which you are attempting to move FORWARD into a better and brighter future.


Here's to your continued effort and coming success in your endeavors. And, as always...


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



Mike

That "In-Between" Week

That "In-Between" Week

It starts right after Halloween. You know what I'm talking about, right? The music. The decorations in the stores. The shelves already displaying items for the upcoming Christmas shopping season.

Honestly, that drives me NUTS! It's not even Thanksgiving yet and Christmas has already started taking over. Oh, I understand that it's all driven by the almighty dollar and that merchants have to get a "head start" on everything these days so that they can make their big money (hopefully) during this Christmas season. But the fact that I understand it doesn't mean that I have to like it!

Thanksgiving comes and goes and we are all reminded of our blessings and of all the things for which we have to be thankful. And then - (INSERT OMINOUS MUSIC HERE) - it's "BLACK FRIDAY" and the mad dash to the Christmas shopping season has begun for many!

The music is everywhere, the stores are all brightly decorated, all of the favorite Christmas shows are coming on the television and, yes, I begin to get excited about Christmas and all of the memories from Christmas past come flooding over me once again. I LOVE IT!

Some radio stations begin to have 24 hour a day Christmas music for about a week leading up to Christmas and then "BAM!"...it's December 26th, the music has stopped, the commercials are all gone and it's all done. Such a large build up and then it's gone.

This is why so many people struggle with Christmas - especially the "let down" that comes once it's over. Families go back to their own homes and many are now left alone in an empty house once again.

But, hey, New Year's is just around the corner! The hope and promise of a chance to start all over with a "clean slate" can sometimes help bring some excitement back into a life even after the joy of Christmas has passed.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Maybe you had to go back to work the day after Christmas. Perhaps you took your vacation during this time so that you could be with your kids while they were out of school.

What happens during this week "IN-BETWEEN CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S"?

Stuffing ourselves on left overs? Sitting mindlessly in front of the television watching football bowl games that mean nothing except to those involved? Shopping those "AFTER Christmas" sales?

Many take this time to look over the past year as a new one approaches. And, upon doing so, many are saddened that, once again, they failed to achieve what they had set out to achieve almost one year ago at the beginning of 2010.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

My guess is that most of us - if not ALL of us - have some regrets about things that we failed to accomplish during the past year.

So what?

I mean, think about it - what are you going to do about it now? I mean, it's a bit late to lose 50 pounds during this last week after Christmas, right?

But...don't miss this...it's NOT too late to correct our mindsets and it's still NOT too late to RESOLVE to stop "wishing" and start "acting" in this coming year!

It's actually NOT too late to determine that, once and for all, you ARE going to start that new business! Why not take steps TODAY (why wait until January 2nd?) to actually move closer to making that happen? It' s NOT too late!

Yes, take inventory of your life. As I have said before, "LEARN from the past but don't LIVE in the past!"

There's nothing you can do about what you failed to accomplish. But there is a LOT you can do to make sure that you are not sitting in the same exact spot come the end of 2011!

I'm excited! I have begun taking steps to PUT INTO ACTION some things that I have been talking about and "planning" for several years now!

It's time to stop talking and it's time to start MOVING forward in 2011!

So, what will YOU do during this "in-between" time?

Don't waste it - use it to prepare yourself for a productive 2011.

You can do it! I'll help any way that I can, but it's still ultimately up to you!

As always...remember (and this applies to everything that we just talked about) to...

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

Mike

Still Time to Sign Up for the FREE Class

Yes, there is still time to get signed up for this FREE 8-week course!!

What are YOU waiting for? PROCRASTINATION is a KILLER OF DREAMS and it may very well be what is holding you back from getting signed up for this course.

All excuses have been removed, have they not?

Oh sure, you can use the one about TIME... but I can't remove that one for you.

But, again, it is absolutely FREE and being offered TO you and FOR you.

Go to the website: http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com and register by clicking on the banner promoting the box and I will be getting the pertinant information to you.

8 Week FREE Teleconference Course

I will be starting a FREE 8-week course in March on

"Setting and Reaching Your Goals"

This class will be open ONLY to the FIRST 20 people that register by going to the link below:

http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/events/free-course.php

Once you have registered I will be sending you an e-mail with all the details as far as the date the class will start, time, call in number, etc. I will be asking your opinion on a couple of different possibilities on the night of the week as well as the time when I send out this e-mail.

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS FREE OPPORTUNITY!