ACTION: The Only Way to Move Forward

"PURPOSEFUL ACTION"

If you haven't read the introductory article to this series on "The Importance of ACTION" be sure to do so first. You can read it here

As I begin with this first part of this series I want to be sure to emphasize that I am talking about PURPOSEFUL action or, action with purpose.

What do I mean? Well, have you ever seen a dog chase it's own tail? There is a lot of action going on in the process but very little is accomplished!

Look at the images above and you will see three different ways that action is taking place with, perhaps three different purposes.

The first image shows a guy running from a dog which may indicate that his ACTION is motivated by FEAR! Think about it: It IS possible to be "paralyzed" by fear and not even be able to move BUT if this guy wants to avoid being bitten and/or attacked, HE WILL TAKE ACTION with the PURPOSE of avoiding being bitten by the dog.

If you look at the image in the middle you will see a couple of people that are jogging or running. Though it appears that they are simply jogging we have no idea what their PURPOSE in doing so really is, do we? They actually could be running from a dog as well! They could be running as a form of exercise and they may actually enjoy doing so which could mean that, for them, it is also for fun. And, finally, they could also be jogging or running as a means of "transportation" with the PURPOSE of getting from one place to another.

And finally, in the picture on the right, we see an older gentleman riding a bike. Riding a bike definitely requires ACTION in order for you to get that bike moving and it also requires ACTION (at some point) in order to keep it moving. Sure, you can "coast" for a bit and not peddle but, sooner or later, if you wish to keep moving, you must peddle that bike some more. Again, we have no idea what the PURPOSE of this bike ride is by just looking at the picture. Fear? I've been chased by a dog while on a bike before, have you? Exercise? Fun? Transportation from one place to another? Though we don't know the actual PURPOSE of the bike ride we DO know that it requires PURPOSEFUL ACTION - or a DECISION - in order to get that bike moving.

So, as we discuss the IMPORTANCE or even NECESSITY of ACTION in our own lives, it is important for us to be aware of the PURPOSE of what we are doing...the WHY of our activity.

I shared with you on my last podcast that I decided (made an "active decision") that I needed to put some ACTION into my life in several areas. I decided that I need to take some PURPOSEFUL ACTION in the areas of my physical health, my spiritual health as well as the health of my business. I put myself on a strict diet and began to work out on my home gym again. I began on a schedule to spend some time reading my Bible every day and I also wrote down some specific, DAILY goals that I needed to be doing with and for my business. (Notice from the last article how important it is to do this activity on a DAILY basis).

As is always the case, your "WHY" (your PURPOSE) will greatly determine your success in maintaining your ACTIVITY.

So, as I talked about in the last article, you must first BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF as far as the ACTIVITY or ACTION that needs to take place in your own life and in what area(s). You must also decide the "WHY" or the PURPOSE of your action and then dedicate yourself to TAKING ACTION DAILY.  

That's your homework assignment for today. Yes, even that requires that you take action and not just think about it or talk about the need to do so. You MUST take action and DO IT!

In my next article we will discuss the fact that ACTION is the only way to get out of a rut when your activity has ceased or you have lost sight of your purpose.  

Be sure to join me then but, until then, whatever you do, always 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

YouTube     $20 Travel Business

 

WHY Do You Do WHAT You Do?

 

"Find & Keep/Protect Our JOY & PURPOSE For Our Lives!!

(SHARE & TEACH Family AND Others!!)

 

 

Wow, it's been a LONG time since I've taken the time to sit down and write a blog article! It's been almost 6 and 1/2 months to be exact!!

 

During that time, I've had the opportunity to do a lot of thinking and re-examining of my goals and dreams. And, you know what I have found?

 

I AM STILL "ON BOARD" FOR THE SAME GOALS AND DREAMS THAT I HAVE HAD FOR YEARS.

 

Now, I have to make some adjustments (more road blocks and detours as I've mentioned before) in order to "get back on track" and push further than I have in the past but...IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK!

 

The topic for this blog article (be sure to listen to the podcast here) came from a lot of the thinking that has taken place during these past 6+ months. The actual thought with this article is this:

 

WHY ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING?

 

Friend, it's important - VITAL - to ask this question about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that you are "connected to" in your life. That would be whether it's your job or ANY relationship that you have.

 

THAT'S RIGHT!

 

Perhaps you began working at your job because it was all that was available at the time and you had to "put food on the table". Hey, listen - there's no shame in that and I've been there several times in my life.

 

However, you need to ask yourself WHY you are still doing that job, if you still are. Maybe you've "moved up" in the ranks at that same job and are experiencing pride in that fact. COOL! But, if you're not...then WHY are you still at that same job?

 

Have you become bored and allowed yourself to get in a rut and "settle for less"?

 

What about your relationships in your life? Yes, I'm talking about friends, co-workers and even your spouse, if you are married.

 

Apply this thought to ALL of these relationships but I'm going to apply it to the one with your spouse. WHY are still married to that person?

 

*DISCLAIMER: I am NOT trying to start a war in your relationship! :) *

 

Here's what I mean: Go back and try to remember WHY you decided to ask that person to spend the rest of their life with you (or why you said "yes" when asked to do so). What was it about that person and how you felt that made you decide to make that commitment?

 

Now then, WHY are you STILL with that person? Maybe you need to re-discover that "why" and "re-ignite" that spark that made it all happen in the first place. Yes, even in relationships, we can become bored, take things for granted and even "settle for less" in what we put into that relationship.

 

Wouldn't you agree that it IS important to ask ourselves that all important question of, "WHY?"

 

May you re-discover your spark in all of these areas in your life. May it FUEL THE FIRE that you once had or may it IGNITE a fire that has never before existed.

 

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

Ride Rutless (Conclusion)

I also thought about calling this concluding article, "From 'Rut-Ro!' to 'Rut NO!' " Take a moment to listen to the podcast (see links at bottom of article) and you'll find that I was having a little fun with possible titles. 

I'm going to try to keep this article short and really encourage you to do just what I suggested: LISTEN TO THE PODCAST!

Here's the main point of this concluding article: The best way to avoid getting into a rut in ANY area of your life is to continue to ask the following question:

WHY are you doing what it is that you are doing?
WHY are you working at the job that you have?
WHY are you with the person that you are with "romantically"?
WHY do you spend the time doing the things that you do?
WHY do you spend the time doing the thing(s) that you do that takes up the MOST of your time?
WHY - WHY - WHY

The moment that you stop asking yourself this all-important question, you have begun the path to a rut OR you are already in a rut!

Sometimes these questions are hard to answer - especially if you have already gotten into a rut in any or all of these areas in your life...BUT THEY MUST BE ANSWERED if you wish to avoid the rut.

Remember, a rut is "EASY" because a rut does all of the work for you. You don't have to think, you don't have to make any choices and you don't have to make any decisions at all. You just stay in the rut and go with the rut and allow the rut to take you where the rut will.

Again, that's easy.

But, you know what? Life was not intended to always be EASY.

When you are faced with a tough choice, be thankful because it is a part of life that reminds you that you have a CHOICE and a DECISION about that choice! (A great sign that you are not in a rut).

Ask yourself this question as often as you can - even constantly in order to keep your focus on WHY you do what you do.

Don't settle for EASY...strive to LIVE LIFE!

And, by the way, LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! :)

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

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Why Do That?

Now, I'm not quite as worked up about this as the cat in the picture above (silly people, cats can't talk!) but, at the same time, this is something I've wondered about for a very long time.

Maybe you are the same way and want to know, "WHY?" on this topic.

Now, let me just say up front that this is not one of my usual blog posts in which I share thoughts that will encourage you to keep a positive attitude. But, then again, in a round-about-way maybe it is.

Here's what I want to know. WHY do those that promote ideas of how to make money always seem to be "less than honest" in their dealings with us? Let me explain...

I continue to look for opportunities to make some extra money to help fund my plans to launch my own seminars. Yes, I'm still working on that BUT the key thing is -  I HAVE NOT (AND WILL NOT) GIVEN UP! And, here's what I always seem to notice...

The price associated with this "opportunity" is never the "real" cost! How many of you understand what I mean and have maybe even encountered the same thing?

"This is what you need to finally make that extra money you have been looking for and have never found! I'll show you EXACTLY what you need to do and all for only $___(you fill it in)".

And, yet, I have noticed one of two things taking place AFTER you have decided to give this "opportunity" a try and put your money out there with hopes that this will FINALLY be the chance you have been trying to find for so long.

1. You get the information sent to you and immediately find out by reading the attached information that, in reality, if you REALLY want to be successful then you need to sign up for an expensive "coaching" program - expensive meaning several thousands of dollars.

2. As soon as you put in your payment information you are directed to one video (or other information page) after another trying to get you to "upgrade" your purchase for  more money. Why? Because, again, if you REALLY want to do this the right way then you need to buy this extra stuff!

WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST BE UPFRONT AND HONEST?

Why can't people quit all of this "upsell" stuff (and I'm choosing my words carefully here so that I remain civil) and just say up front how much $$ someone needs to spend?

I think I know the answer to my "why" with some of these people...it's because THIS is actually how they earn the majority of their money and NOT with their so called "wonder program" that they are selling.

Now, not all of them. I have found one that I am trying out that, did indeed, do the "before we complete your order, you need to upgrade" video thing over and over again. However, I stuck to my original plan and did not spend the extra money. I have seen evidence that this program does have the potential and I am willing to do some of the extra work myself to make it work. I'll keep you posted on this and IF it does turn out to do what it promises I will let you know and will let you know EXACTLY what I did to make it work (and at what price).

So, how many of you have experienced the same thing?

Here's the deal (and I hope you have the same commitment): whenever I get my seminars going and when I do finally get my book published and start making my podcasts and other audio programs available for sell, I will NEVER be less than upfront and honest with you or anyone about the cost or what it will/won't do for you!

THAT'S A PROMISE FROM ME TO YOU!

Again, if this program I'm looking out turns out to do what it's promised to do, I'll let you know and I'll let you know EXACTLY what it cost me to do it.

Shouldn't this be how we are all of the time? Even if it's not in selling or trying to buy some product - shouldn't we ALWAYS be upfront and honest with those around us? Shouldn't we ALWAYS present who we are and what we represent - upfront and honestly?

OF COURSE WE SHOULD!

Am I? Are you? Are we?

I guess THAT is the challenge that DOES fit into my typical blog/podcast message. Let me know if you accept the challenge, would you? I especially appreciate it if you would do it on the Facebook fan page.

Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you...I feel better now. ;)

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

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

Mike