Sometimes, The Truth HURTS!

Well now, believe it or not but, some people will have already gotten offended just by the graphic that I've posted.  We live in a world today - at least in the United States - that is over-run with people and the idea that all should be done to keep from hurting anyone's feelings.

Isn't that special?

Whatever you do, be SURE to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article - I really "went off" on this whole idea. WARNING: If you are of this "sensitive type", you may be offended when you listen!

In our country - the United States of America - our current administration has gone overboard with this whole "politically correct" idea to the point that, in my opinion, they have put us - the American people - at risk. I believe that to be true, 100%. 

We have college students who demand to have a "safe place" that they can go without having a chance of being offended or having their feelings hurt while they are in that area. Are you kidding me?

Lawsuits - silly and frivolous -  are the norm in our society and it is a part of this whole "they hurt my feelings" atmosphere and philosophy. 

It has really exploded over the past few years but, friend, it has been coming for a long time and, to some extent, you and I are to blame. 

For years now, parents have increasingly become "over protective" of their children in just about every way. It has been proven that many childhood illnesses can be attributed to the fact that many have tried to make their child's environment "germ free" which, in effect, lowers that child's body from building immunity to such illnesses. Parents have rushed to the aid of their child(ren) at every fall, bump or bruise to the point that the child begins to whine and cry at any little thing that is the least bit uncomfortable. What happens when these children get to pre-school? Ask a teacher.

Parents, increasingly over the years, rush to the school to scold teachers and administrators when they feel their child has been mistreated. If you doubt that - ask a teacher. Kids pick on other kids and parents rush in almost demanding a full-scale investigation into the matter. Again...ask a teacher.

I understand the need to teach children how to treat others with kindness and respect. However, "bullying" or one kid picking on another, has been around since the beginning of time. I went through it and, likely, so did you. And, though I'm not proud to say it, I also was - at times - on the end of the one that was picking on others. And, likely, you may have done so as well. 

Can I "get real" here for a moment? THAT'S LIFE! When we run to our child's rescue anytime there is a perceived injustice or anytime they have had their feelings hurt WE are actually the ones doing them the injustice!

Why? Because we are not teaching them how to HANDLE those types of situations. Instead of teaching them how to handle those types of things and how to "brush it off" and develop the positive mindset needed to do so, we want to change the world instead so that "my child" can be "protected". 

Well friends, we are seeing the "fruits" of that run rampant in our society today. 

There will ALWAYS be "injustice" in our society. Why? Because our society consists of all different kinds of people. There will ALWAYS be those that "bully" us. Always. There will ALWAYS be others that enjoy trying to make themselves feel better about themselves by degrading others. Why? Again, it's called, "other people exist". 

The real question is, "What will YOU do?".

We MUST teach our kids and our grandkids how to handle these situations. We must teach them how to "toughen up" a bit and to learn how to "brush off" these types of things and move on. However, in order for this to take place, WE - as adults - must learn and practice this, ourselves!

I honestly believe that this is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY if our society in America is to survive. I really do believe it's that serious.

It all starts with YOU and me. And, it must start NOW!

Let me say this - I must. If you are a teacher and you had one of my kids in your class, let me apologize for the times that I did just what I discussed above Yes, I "ran to their rescue" on way too many occasions and I apologize for doing so. I can't go back and undo it but, maybe, I can help others from repeating the same mistake.

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

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

Excuses Prevent Action!

 I'm sure you've heard the saying about "Opinions", right? Well, I'm going to "clean it up" just a little bit and go with it like this: "Opinions are like ARM PITS...everybody has them and they all stink!"

Now, for today's article, I'm going to change that up just a little bit more and apply it to EXCUSES:
"EXCUSES are like ARM PITS...everybody has them and they all stink!" 

Just like in the last article, this one comes as a result of me catching up with some "Minute With Maxwell" e-mails that I receive from John C. Maxwell every day. And, in case you didn't get the link in yesterday's article, you can sign up for free and get this sent to you own e-mail address by going HERE.

I'm sure you've guessed it by now but, the word being addressed in this particular episode was, "Excuses". As I listened, John said something that really jumped out at me and I wanted to share it with you today. Here's what he said: "It's easier to go from FAILURE to SUCCESS than it is to go from EXCUSES to SUCCESS!" 

 It seems that he pointed out, as well, that it is literally impossible to go from EXCUSES  to success because EXCUSES will prevent us from ever taking ACTION (see yesterday's article).

Excuses are the language of FEAR. You can debate that if you wish but, friend, it is a fact. You make excuses because you are AFRAID of SOMETHING in whatever area of your life it is that you are needing to take action. 

Here's the thing, though. Many people have become so accustomed to making excuses that they don't even realize that they do it so much. I know someone who automatically starts making excuses about as soon as they open their mouth when asked about ANYTHING. And, I do mean just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! It's a self-defense mechanism that many people set up because they don't want to have to face the fact that they are not following through by taking action. 

Now listen, I understand that it just flat out HURTS to have to face the truth like that, doesn't it? But listen, friend, EXCUSES WILL KEEP YOU WHERE YOU ARE and PREVENT YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!

So, yeah, maybe it's something we all need to get serious about.

Just like anything else that requires change and a completely different approach, moving away from EXCUSES will be a PROCESS that you approach and attack on a DAILY basis...one day at a time.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear some of you making excuses as to why you can't approach and attack this every day. C'mon...just stop it. :)

So, take a look at where you are and then take a look at where it is that you want to be and realize that it is your EXCUSES that are keeping you where you are. Period.

Hey, I hope we're still friends after this article! I know we are and I know that, even if this was a little painful, you will be fine once you get past the initial shock of the truth. But, friend, you can do this and you CAN get past the excuses and on toward your planned goals and dreams!

As always, 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

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

The Importance of EXECUTION

Have you ever participated in "cliff jumping or diving"?  Here's what I mean. I live in Arkansas and we have a lot of lakes around and I've had the pleasure of living in areas where I had quick access to getting on the lake in a boat and enjoying that time.

When my sons were younger and still at home, we would load up and go out on the lake and spend some time exploring different areas of the lake, swimming and - you guessed it - "cliff jumping" when we could find a safe area to do so. It simply means that you climb your way up to a specific point on a "cliff" or a "bluff" and then you jump off of it into the water.

Here's the thing though - that "specified area" never looks as high from the boat as it does once you climb up TO that point! And, for some (like me), it's hard to "pull the trigger" and take that leap off of that cliff or bluff into the water. I remember one such time with my boys where we would count, "1...2...3!!" for each one for them to jump. NONE of them ever went on "3" that first time. As a matter of fact, it usually took four or five times of that countdown before they would finally jump...and, yeah, I was the same way!

In today's podcast (see links at the bottom of this article) I share some thoughts that I got from John C. Maxwell from his "Minute With Maxwell" that I get delivered to my e-mail every day. (You can sign up and get this sent to your own e-mail as well - I don't get anything for this, I just want to share "good stuff" with you - by going HERE. )

I was listening and catching up on some of the past episodes of this yesterday and came across John addressing the word, "EXECUTE", in which he shared his initial thought and image of a guy being blindfolded, with a cigarette in his mouth, standing before a firing squad. Of course, the "call" that is made by one in charge is, "READY.....AIM...FIRE!" However, John shared that, too often, when we plan to "execute" or take action on some plans that we have laid out before us, we often make THIS call: "READY......AIM.....AIM.....AIM...."

Just like the example I used above about preparing to jump off of that cliff or bluff, sometimes it's hard to "pull the trigger" and take that leap! We may be ready (climbed up to the cliff/bluff) and have taken aim (looked over the bluff to decide where the best place to land would be) but, we didn't really make that climb with the idea of just standing around on that cliff/bluff, did we?

Execution or taking action is a MUST - a NECESSITY - if we plan to ever move forward or experience success in whatever area it is in which we are involved.

John also talks about the other end of the spectrum in this scenario. He says that others will make THIS call: "READY.....FIRE....AIM!".  Now, even though that sounds kind of funny, too many people do just that. Have you? I know I have! Sometimes we get in a hurry and we do make some preparation, BUT we fail to "take aim" or complete the preparation process before we "jump in" or "pull the trigger".

In the example that I used of jumping off of the cliff or bluff, this can be catastrophic! Failing to "aim" or plan where it is that you want to land could even lead to death. Climbing up to the specific area is part of the process but so is looking over that cliff/bluff and "taking aim" or planning where it is that you want to land in the water. Just going up and jumping, without taking that look, could cause one to jump right on top of a big rock just under the surface of the water.

At a shooting range, preparing your weapon to fire but not taking aim will cause one to miss their target and - again with possible catastrophic results - possibly strike another human instead of the target that was set.

So, it is important to follow the course in the correct order, wouldn't you agree?

But again, all of the preparation in the world carries no value if we fail to EXECUTE the plan of action.

How does that "speak" to you today? I'm sure it does in some way, friend. Don't hide from it but, rather, embrace it and address it so that you can take the needed actions in your life to move on toward your intended success.

Join me in the next article as we deal with another area that often prevents us from taking action and experiencing success in and for our lives.

As always, 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

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

Copy Those That DO!

That's a pretty powerful quote shown in the above graphic, isn't it? We'll get to it in a few moments but, first, let me continue on with today's story that is continued from the story in the LAST blog. Got all of that?

If you haven't done so yet, be sure to go back and read the last blog article because today's article is DIRECTLY tied in to what took place with the situation that I discussed there. 

Picking up where I left off in the last article, Asher (my 3 year old grandson) had enjoyed an afternoon of being in a friend's pool last weekend when he and his sister, Em (4.5 years old) came for a visit to our house. He had done the same thing that his sister had done for much of the afternoon - he stayed really close to my wife, hanging on and not wanting to take a chance being away from the "safety" of hanging on. This was despite the fact that he was wearing a life jacket. 

I was busy with Em, helping her finally trust me to the point that she stopped clinging to me and started enjoying being able to splash around the pool and even move around a bit with her life jacket on and a "swim noodle" wrapped around her. And, she finally got rid of the swim noodle and enjoyed getting around with just her life jacket on. 

Asher had watched all of this and, once he saw his sister taking that step and seeing her enjoy the "freedom" that came with taking action based on her trust, he decided to do the same thing. 

He watched someone who was DOING (his sister) and decided that he, too, could do the same thing!

Hey, don't miss this important point: SOMEONE IS WATCHING YOU! That's a bit of a "side track note" from the main thing we'll be discussing today, but it is IMPORTANT for us to realize this fact in ANY area and EVERY area of our lives. 

Now I'll get back to the main focus of this article - in any area of your life in which you seek improvement, FOLLOW THOSE THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL. And, by the way, the only ones that are successful are those that "do" as opposed to those that "talk". 

I've discussed before about the decision that you will have to make in this process when you do this, which is: Are you willing to DO what they have DONE for the success that you seek?

In my example, Asher watched his sister Em SUCCESSFULLY let go of her fears, trust her "Poppa" and actively enjoy her time in the pool even more than she had been doing. She acted, he watched and then he, too, took action.

That's how it works, friend!

It's also important to be careful of who it is that you watch, observe, "copy" and follow! Again, only copy and follow those that DO and that DO so SUCCESSFULLY. 

Whether it is concerning parenting, your marriage or other relationships, your job and/or career as well as your goals and dreams - seek out those that have done it successfully and perhaps are STILL doing so. If possible, take advantage of the opportunity to visit those that are still around and "pick their brain" as to the "secret of their success". 

Several weeks back I talked about learning from "Other People's Mistakes" and I called it "O.P.M Wisdom". In the same - but opposite - way, we can also learn from "Other People's Successes", which we would call "O.P.S Wisdom". 

So, who are YOU watching? Are you paying attention and even taking notice of those that are successful in whatever area it is that you seek success as well? 

Watch. Observe. And then copy those that DO. 

As always, 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

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

Are YOU Paralyzed By FEAR?

"Are YOU Paralyzed By FEAR?"

Last weekend my wife and I were blessed to have our two grandbabies come for a visit and spend the night. We always love it when they get to come for a visit like that and we usually get to enjoy those visits about once a month.

One of the things that made this visit even more special was that we got to take them swimming in a friend's pool. They came all prepared with their little life jackets and enjoyed getting into the water with "Poppa and MiMi" but, I noticed right away, they both were clinging to us and weren't about to let go! I had little Em, who is about 4.5 years old and, as much as I tried, I could not get her to let go a little bit and float around by just holding my hand. 

I would try to tell her that she had her life jacket on and that nothing would happen to her. She would say, "But Poppa, it's DEEP!" I would tell her, "Baby, it doesn't matter how deep it is, you have your life jacket on and you're safe!". 

I would try to pull her away from me to hold on to her hands and let her float out in front of me. She wasn't having ANY of that! She would grab hold of me and wrap her legs as much around my leg as she could and just stiffen up - paralyzed by fear. 

Now, don't get the wrong idea, I wasn't forcing her to take action when she was so clearly afraid. However, I did keep talking to her about how Poppa wasn't going to let anything happen to her and that I would keep her safe. 

Do you know what a "swim noodle" is? Maybe this picture will help...

Now do you know what I'm talking about? These are amazingly simple products that you can bend and shape and use in all kinds of ways to float in the water.  I grabbed one of these off of the side of the pool and wrapped it around her (while I was holding on to her) and had her actually let go of me and hang on to the "noodle". I was able to do so while still making her feel completely safe and, before long, she began to loosen up a little bit and, not too long after that, she was floating around, kicking, moving and having the time of her life!

She excitedly said to me, "Poppa! I TRUSTED you and now look at what I'm doing!" And, before we were done with our swimming time, she even got rid of the noodle and was floating around with just her life jacket - something that she wasn't ABOUT to do at the beginning. 

Have you already been "seeing" the important message in all of this? 

Fear can absolutely paralyze us to the point that we are afraid to do ANYTHING and, that being true, we also fail to make any progress or enjoy life.  The "What If's" can take over to the point that we are afraid to do ANYTHING for fear of doing something wrong. 

We don't trust our instincts or the work that we have put into this effort in preparation. We don't trust the wise words of our mentors or those that have helped us prepare. The only "voice" that we can hear is the VOICE OF FEAR. 

Yet, if we can allow ourselves to begin to hear and listen to our instincts, our preparation, our mentors and other helpers we may actually began to take actions that will lead to a life unimagined!

The opposite of FEAR is FAITH! And, out of necessity, they cannot exist together at the same time or place. 

Simple, yet powerful, wouldn't you agree? 

What might we enjoy and experience once we get past the paralyzing force of fear? Is it worth it to you to find out? If so, you will find ways to begin to take those "baby steps" that will allow you to slowly begin to realize that you can, indeed, take action. 

"Baby steps" or "jumping in head first"...different people may decide to take action in different ways but, the key thing is this: TAKE ACTION! 

Oh, and one more thing that happened in the pool the other day. Em's little brother, Asher (who is 3 years old) had been doing pretty much the same thing by hanging on to my wife. But, he was watching what was taking place with Em and, after a while, on his own, he let go and was floating around with a noodle - just like his big sister.

That's another "lesson" that we'll discuss in the next article. Start thinking about that in advance and see what thoughts come to mind for your own life. 

Until then, 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

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