Choose Wisely

If you haven't done so yet, go back and read the last blog article. It "sets up" the thoughts behind today's podcast (as well as the next one to come). Also, be sure to listen to the PODCAST that goes along with this topic by CLICKING HERE for the iTunes page or by CLICKING HERE for the RSS feed. 

When it comes to making a DECISION about the DIRECTION of our life, we must CHOOSE WISELY, wouldn't you agree? 

Think about it, we're talking about the DIRECTION FOR YOUR LIFE - FOR LIFE! Yes, you can still correct that direction at a later time if you need to but, here's the thing to remember even with that: You will be further away from where you want to be and it will be more difficult and time consuming to get where you want to be and where you planned to be to start with!

There is a saying that carpenters use when cutting boards... "Measure twice, cut once." The idea behind that is to CHOOSE WISELY but do so BEFORE you make that cut! If you don't, you will have to do it again. If you cut it too long, you will waste time having to cut it again. But, if you cut it too short, you will not only waste time but you will also waste material because you will have to use another board to try to get it right. 

The same quote could be applied to our lives and the decisions that we must make... "Think about it more than once before you act!" There is wisdom in the idea of needing to "sleep on it" before making a decision. 

There are so many important decisions that we need to make over the course of our lives. Hey, there are many important decisions that we need to make even over the course of a year, month, week and even - at times - a day! 

What career path will you choose? If you decide that you need to CHANGE the path that you are on for your career, what path will you decide to take next?  Is it really the career path that needs to be changed or is it something within you that needs to be changed?  Are you going to get married? Who will you marry? Believe me, this is a HUGE decision that will be made and it will have an impact on you and your life for years to come as well as an impact on another generation if you have children. 

Listen, even though these choices can be changed later, THERE WILL STILL BE AN IMPACT THAT WAS MADE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE on your live and/or the lives of others.

So, yeah, do you get now how important it is to CHOOSE WISELY? 

Take a moment and just jot down all of the decisions that you have to make over the course of a single day. From the time that you get up (that, by the way, is a decision that you had to make) to the time that you go to bed (yes, another choice!). No matter how small you may think that decision is, if you had a choice, write it down. When you have done so, take a minute or two and look over each of those choices and see if even these "insignificant" choices and the decisions that you made with them could have a much bigger impact on your day if you had chosen differently (good and/or bad).

WHAT YOU DO, MATTERS!  

Hey listen, your decision to take the time to read this blog article was a good choice. No, not just because I'm the one that wrote it, but because you made a decision to spend some time "feeding your brain and your mindset" some good, positive information that will help you in this process.

Choosing TO do something like this and choosing NOT to do something like this WILL have an impact on your day and, in the long run, continuing with that choice on a daily basis will have a further-reaching impact on your life (and the lives of those around you).

In the next blog article I will discuss the need to do this on a DAILY basis - don't miss it! 

Until then, 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

Decision Drives Direction

Right up front, let me give credit for the image above (as well as the article title and idea) to John C. Maxwell. I didn't read any article that went with this image so the ideas shared are my own, but I do want to acknowledge the origin of the image and title.

In my podcast, I end up saying, "Decision DETERMINES Direction", which is actually the same thing as the graphic and title above. Bottom line is this: Your decisions - on a DAILY basis - have a major impact on your life...for the rest of your life!

Everyday - every single day - we all have choices that require that a decision be made. Many we brush off as "not really important" but, at the same time, many of these "small decisions" that we make are bigger than we may think.

For example, getting into the habit of hitting the "snooze button" in the mornings may not seem like that big of a deal. By the way, it IS a choice and it reflects a DECISION that has been made! For one, those extra 10 - 30 minutes or so that we keep hitting that button are not "good sleep" minutes and that can affect you throughout your day. Too, this could result in you running late, being in a rush and throwing off the rhythm of your whole day. It may also be a reflection of your attitude toward your job (or whatever it is that you will be rushed to get to). 

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE - CHANGE DIRECTION!

Easier said than done? Of course, just like everything else I discuss through this blog and my podcast. However, you have a CHOICE that has to be made. You can keep whining and complaining and wonder why things aren't getting any better (doing the same thing you have always been doing) OR you can make the decision to CHANGE the direction of your life - and then DO it. 

It's just like when you map out your route for a journey that you plan to take. (Notice: You PLAN to take..as in, you make PLANS for the trip!) There are many different ways to get where you want to go. There are different routes - some that can actually take you in the opposite direction of where you want to go. Perhaps some are scenic routes, while another route may take you close to where a friend lives. It's up to you! What do you want to do and where do you want to go? Too, how quickly do you want to get there? Do you want/need to take the quickest route or are you more interested in taking your time and making several stops along the way?

So it is with life, friend! 

But here's the truth on this: keep going in the same direction that are going now and - guess what? - you will end up wherever it is that this particular "direction" is taking you. If you don't like where you're going - CHANGE DIRECTION!

I could spend a ton of time on this but I hope that I've done enough to spark some thoughts and ideas in your own mind. See how far you can take the application with this and, most importantly, apply them to YOUR own situation!

Too, I want to be sure and encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic. You can do so by CLICKING HERE for the iTunes access or by CLICKING HERE for the RSS feed. 

Be sure to join me for the next article in this "mini-series" as I examine how important it is to CHOOSE WISELY when needing to make those decisions. 

Until then, 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

Change Your _______, Change Your Life!

I'm sure, like me, you've heard all kinds of ideas and thoughts on how to "change your life", right? 

So, who is right? Like the image above says, "I want to change my life - but HOW?"

I recently have come across a couple of more that, on the surface, seem a bit "funny" in what they claim will change your life. One says that "changing your WATER" will change your life while another says that "changing your BLENDER" will change your life. 

Again, on the surface, these both seem a bit odd but, at the same time, when I (you) understand that they both are basically stating that, by changing what you put IN YOUR BODY, you can change your life, they make a bit more sense. Don't they?

There are all kinds of ways that we can change our life in a physical way and, yes, what we put INTO our bodies is a big part of that as well as what we DO WITH our bodies (such as exercise). And, as a benefit of that, our attitudes will often improve and we have a "brighter" outlook on everything around us. 

But what about NOW? What about "where I am" right now, regardless of the amount of exercise I am (or am not) getting? Yes, I understand the need for being more careful about what I put INTO my body, but what about TODAY while I'm still trying to improve in that area?

Here we go, friend Once again, it's going to sound "too simple" but, like I've mentioned before, "Many times the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!" - don't miss that point. So, here it is: "CHANGE YOUR MINDSET, CHANGE YOUR LIFE".

Here's a shot of the little card I have on my "focus board" that reminds me to FOCUS on what is important. It's one that I've shared with you before but I want to use it again, as a reminder of this fact...

Take a close look at this and I honestly believe that there is not any way that you won't see what I'm saying is TRUE. (Notice: I didn't say it was easy, I said it was TRUE.)

Part of this process is something that you are doing right this very moment - reading this blog article about having and maintaining a positive mindset and attitude.  Another easy step that you can add to that is to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article by clicking HERE for the iTunes access or by clicking HERE for the RSS feed. 

That's right, daily - DAILY - simple, small steps repeated (guess what? DAILY) consistently will lead to CHANGE. That is true in any area of your life, good or bad  It's never too late to break a bad habit and it's never too early to develop a good one. And, friend, THIS is a good one!

The only way that you can change your BEHAVIOR (what you DO) is by first changing the way that you THINK which will develop the foundation of your BELIEFS. 

Do you want different RESULTS and a different/better life? Then it is imperative that you change what you think and believe and then, as a result, change what you DO.

DO and LIVE what you BELIEVE or you will be miserable. 

Again, be sure to listen to the podcast to get additional input and thoughts on this topic and  NEVER, EVER give up on improving and changing your life. If you haven't done so, go back a couple of articles and read the one on "The 4th Quarter" as well as the last one on being SO positive that negative people won't even want to be near you. 

Get it? Got it? GOOD!

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

Be SO Positive That...

From time to time I'll have people say to me, "Mike, I understand the importance of being positive but I just don't know how to do that when I'm surrounded by so much negativity!"

Anyone else relate to that? I DO!

First of all, let me ask you this: WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS? Let me explain what I mean.

Have you ever bought a certain "brand" of automobile and then, all of a sudden (so it seems), you notice how many other cars of this same brand are on the road? All of a sudden (so it seems), they are EVERYWHERE! 

The fact is, there are no more of these particular brands of automobile than there were before, but your FOCUS has changed to the point that you now NOTICE them more than before.

Does that example make sense? Now let me explain how that connects to the negativity that surrounds us each and every day.

I don't deny the fact that there are many negative people around us. Seriously, they seem (at times) to be EVERYWHERE! This becomes increasingly difficult if you find that a lot of that negativity comes from others under your own roof (from those in your family). 

But, do you think it's possible to change our focus to where, even though that negativity still exists, we don't notice it as much as we once did but, instead, we begin to notice that - HEY - there are also a lot of POSITIVE attitudes around us?

Now, I can't tell you whether you think it's possible or not, but I CAN tell you that it IS possible to change your FOCUS to where you begin to notice the POSITIVE more than you do the negative.

(By the way, this article is really very different than the podcast that I have on this same topic. So, you need to be sure to listen to it by clicking HERE or by clicking HERE.)  

 And, friend, the way that it begins is by doing exactly what you are doing right this very moment. That's right! Continue to immerse yourself with as much positive information as possible and you will soon find that you are drawn to (and others are drawn to you) others with the same positive attitude as you. This will help you focus on the POSITIVE and pay less attention to the negative. 

Listen, there are many others out there JUST LIKE YOU! That's right, there are many others that are seeking to increase the positive influence in their own life and they are looking for YOU! And then, guess what? When there are two of you combining "forces" you will find that you will attract others as a result.

Will you rid your life of all negativity. NO.

But, you WILL begin to focus less on the negativity around you and it will have less and less effect on you and your life. 

I want you to pay close attention to this FACT: It is IMPOSSIBLE for a positive attitude and a negative attitude to co-exist. One will "win out" over the other, sooner or later. 

So, if you are in a situation where those close to you (spouse, family, close friend) have a negative attitude, DO NOT GIVE UP! Surround yourself with other positive people (like I describe above) and continue to immerse yourself with positive information (like you're doing now and like you will do when you listen to the podcast) and, if you stick with it, you will begin to see that YOUR positive influence will begin to "snuff out" the negative influences around you. 

Easier said than done? YOU BET!

But it CAN be done and YOU CAN DO IT, friend!

I'd love to connect with you and encourage you directly so please feel free to connect with me via my fan page on Facebook by CLICKING HERE. 

Again, whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP! There are many that are waiting for YOUR positive influence to impact their lives in a powerful way. And, you will likely never know how many people you touched and whose lives you helped change for the better!

Be sure to check back for my next article coming soon. 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

The 4th Quarter

Here we go, the 4th quarter of 2016.

What's the "score" as it relates to your life and the plans you had for your life in 2016?

If you have paid attention to just about any sport, you have witnessed how different teams approach the 4th quarter of a game. Some approach that last quarter of the game with determination while others approach it with surrender. 

We've all likely seen teams that were defeated before the 1st quarter was even over. Even though there was plenty of time left in the game, the team had already "surrendered" and "given up" and, thus, were already defeated. 

And, at the same time, we've all likely seen those teams that, even though they were behind by a seemingly insurmountable score, continue to fight all the way through to the end of the game. And, sometimes, even beyond the "regulation" time of the game, taking it into overtime and, at times, even pulling off an incredible win. 

What's the difference? Well, although there are other factors, for the most part it is MINDSET.

What's YOUR mindset going into the 4th quarter of this year? Are you discouraged? Frustrated? Hopeful? Determined?

By the way, be sure to take a few minutes and listen to the podcast that goes along with this article. You can listen to it by clicking here or by clicking here.

Here's the thing, friend...there is still time to make progress in WHATEVER it is that you are trying to accomplish in and for your life. Don't ever forget that fact and don't ever give up! (Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is hope!")

But, also remember this...you don't HAVE to achieve all of your goals by the end of this quarter! Now, I understand that you want to finish what you set out to accomplish, but I just want you to realize that, even if you don't, you are NOT a failure! Hey, listen, when all is said and done, we're just talking about days on a calendar as opposed to life-long improvement and progression, right?

Right!

Bottom line, just don't give up. Don't surrender and keep fighting against what may seem like insurmountable odds to succeed where others have given up long ago.

Yeah, it's the 4th quarter but, friend, don't panic. If you're not where you want to be, perhaps you need to look at the "game plan" that you've been following for the first 3 quarters of this year and see what changes or "tweaks" that you may need to make and then move on BOLDLY into this 4th quarter.

But also remember, a lifetime is not made up of one year.

TODAY matters...do what you can do today (don't see yourself short), sleep easy tonight and then, if blessed with another day tomorrow, do it all over again.

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