Success Factor #5: DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

 In this conclusion of my "Success Factors" we will discuss the importance of NEVER GIVING UP! You can see the previous titles in the image above.

Remember, when we talk about "success", that word can mean different things to different people. SUCCESS can be applied to any area of your life...YOU decide what that means for you - these factors will apply no matter which way you decide to apply them.

                                                                          

Remember, "changing direction" does NOT equal failure! Failure only comes when you decide to "wave that white flag" and surrender...to QUIT. 

 

I'm sure that, by now, most of you are familiar with Thomas Edison's journey through many "failures" that led him to success. (If not, do some research and discover it for yourself - you will be amazed!) 

Too, it's important to understand that your goals and desires - or what is even important to you - may change over time. Does that mean that you are a failure? NO! Honestly, if those things DON'T change for you then, in my personal opinion, you are not maturing as you age.

I plan to do a video soon sharing my own personal journey and "where I am" now after 13 years on this particular journey with "Future You University". Be sure to check out updates HERE.

 

I've been with a new company now for about two months and I probably had the worst week on ANY job this past week. It was BRUTAL! I would be lying if I told you that I didn't have a hard time maintaining a positive mindset because it was VERY difficult to keep my focus on the positive.

Some might consider quitting and finding something else to do after such a week. Although I had a hard time maintaining a positive mindset, the thought of QUITTING never entered my mind! This is a "commission-only" sales position and, that being the case, there will ALWAYS be great weeks and there will also be "sucky" weeks like the one that I just endured. 

 

You simply push FORWARD, regardless. 

As you can tell from the date at the bottom of the graphic below, I came up with this statement a little over 11 years ago...and it is still true today and it will ALWAYS be true.

In the podcast that goes along with this particular "Success Factor" (see links below for podcasts), I discuss how I've taken a step back from "pushing" so hard on some things like I have done in the past and that I am now attempting to do better at enjoying what is available for me TODAY...right now. Take a listen, I think you'll be glad that you did since I don't follow a script. You will hear other thoughts and ideas than what I am putting in this article and I do believe that you will benefit from that additional material. 

Here's a quote that I pulled from that podcast: "If you do not quit - stop - trying to live your best life and to share your best life so that you can IMPACT those around you in the best way possible, then you will never, ever be a failure."  

 

 

 

Now then, the following is for "the believers" out there. Obviously, even if you are not a "believer", you can still read what I put below but, if you don't like it, then just skip over it and take the positive information that I have provided for you in the article. Don't allow yourself to "get your feather's ruffled". This may not be for you!

 

For the believers out there, I want to leave a couple of encouraging thoughts that apply to those of us that seek to follow God and His Son, Jesus as we strive to make our world a better place by doing so. Take comfort in the words found in Galatians 6:9 - " Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)

 

And then, finally, I hope you will enjoy and celebrate in the truth found in this video. You will hear the words, "So, keep your head up...don't you give up...Jesus is coming back!".  Don't ever forget that truth, friend! 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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   

Success Factor #4: KEEP Going!

As a quick review (all can be found in the previous articles), here are the "Success Factor" steps previously covered:

1. Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!
2. Success Factor #2: GET UP!
3. Success Factor #3: GET GOING!

Be sure to take a few minutes to read the previous articles as well as listening to the podcasts (see link at bottom of article) IN ORDER. They all "feed" off of the previous "Success Factor" step.

That being said, "Success Factor #3" discussed how important it was to "GET GOING!" and, in this article, we will stress how important it is to "KEEP GOING" once you start taking action.

In the podcast I discuss the difference between "falling short" and "failing". Pay attention to this: FALLING SHORT is NOT failure! Changing course or direction, is NOT failure! Failure occurs when you have decided to "wave the white flag" and "give up". You CEASE to make any effort to continue progressing FORWARD. 

Here's something else to consider in this thought process. You can even decide to stop pursuing something that you thought was very important to you at one time and STILL not be a "failure".

Our lives change and, with that, our perspectives and priorities change as well. Wouldn't you agree? There are things that I once pursued that, at the time, I felt were VERY important to me and I was determined to reach "success" in those areas.

 

 CLICK HERE

Things (my goals, perspective AND priorities) have changed quite a bit over the past 13 years when I first began "Future You University". I am proud of the number and the quality of the articles and podcasts that I have done over this period of time. They will "live on" long after I am gone from this earth. That has now become a major feeling of accomplishment to me and for me in my desire to share positive information with as many people as possible.

My goals that I once had to be a major "player" in the public speaking arena is no longer of major importance to me. I have worked and pushed hard in different areas in the field of "home-based business" over the years and now, to be honest, I have no real desire to pursue that any longer. 

Does that make me a "failure". NOT AT ALL! I am still dedicated to making sure that I am doing all that I can do in order to "take in" as much positive and encouraging information that I can for my own personal benefit. And, as I continue to share information with you from time to time, I can also try to provide the same for you. 

So, yes, I have definitely "changed course" but I have not "given up" or "surrendered" in my desire to improve my life on a daily basis as well as being dedicated to sharing what I can to help others in that same journey.

Do you happen to remember when you first learned how to ride a bicycle? Or, perhaps, you may remember the time that you taught your children to do the same. I use this example in the podcast for this topic and talk about how hard it is to grasp the idea that you must peddle faster in order to get momentum which, in turn, makes it easier to ride. At that stage of the learning process, being told that does NOT make sense but, it is still a true fact, right? 

I also use the example of having to push a car that is completely stationary and of how much force and effort it takes to get that car rolling/moving even just a little bit. But, once it begins to roll, momentum kicks in and it takes less and less effort to keep it moving.

Newton’s first law of motion – sometimes referred to as the law of inertia states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Listen, ANY relationship takes effort. ANY endeavor to improve your life in ANY way will take effort. The earlier it is in the process, the "harder" it is to gain that "momentum". Too many give up TOO SOON before they begin to experience the momentum in whatever endeavor it is that they are pursuing.

(By the way, in the podcast, I give some much-needed advice to those that are involved in any type of "home-based business" beginning at the 9:52 mark. If you are involved in such or are considering such, make sure you take a listen!)

As always, I encourage you to listen to the podcast that accompanies this article...I believe that you will gain even more out of this particular topic by doing so.

So, "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" , "Success Factor #2: GET UP!" and "Success Factor #3: GET GOING!", "Success Factor #4: KEEP GOING!". This will be followed in my next podcast and article with the last of the "5 Success Factors" with,  "Success Factor #5: DON'T YOU DARE, EVER, GIVE UP!". 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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    

 

Success Factor #3: GET GOING!

I will begin this blog article the same way I begin any blog article that is a part of a series...if you haven't listened to the podcasts or read the previous articles in this series that have come before today's article, please be sure and do that FIRST. (Links for the podcast are below).

As is indicated by the title of this article, today we continue on with "Success Factor #3: GET GOING!" and, if you've noticed, these "Success Factors" are following a natural progression of steps that will lead to success in ANY area that you pursue. Yes, I do mean ANY area!

We've discussed that fact that, first of all, you must have your eyes open to the opportunity that may cross your path on a daily basis and you must LOOK UP in order to see that opportunity when it appears. 

Then, in order to take ACTION when opportunity presents itself, you must then be ready to GET UP to take action!

In the podcast (I strongly suggest you listen to all of the podcast articles that go along with this series) I present a very simple illustration to help drive this point home. Simple, yes but remember that often, the profound can be found in the simple!

In a nutshell, I discuss an example where you finally decide to take "THAT" trip that you have planned for and talked about for years. You know, the one that everyone around knows about because you haven't stopped talking about it? Yeah, that one!

You get your car all loaded up, ready to go and you get in your car that is in your driveway. Your neighbor notices you sitting in your car and stops by and asks where you are going and you tell them that you are finally taking THAT trip that you've talked about for so long. "Congratulations!" says your neighbor and they wish you a safe trip as they walk away.

 

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The next day, that same neighbor notices that you are STILL sitting in your car which is STILL sitting in your driveway. The neighbor comes over to make sure everything is o.k. and says, "Hey, do you need any mechanical help with your car? Is everything o.k.? to which you reply, "Oh yeah, sure! Everything is fine! I'm going on THAT trip, you know and I'm ready to go!"

Your neighbor replies that, yes, they do know that you said you were going on THAT trip but asks why you are still just sitting there. You reply in such a way that would indicate that you are a little offended that your neighbor would ask such a thing, "You don't think I'm ready to go? I mean, just take a look! I'm all packed and ready to go...are you trying to say that I'm not??"

You neighbor tells you that they can, indeed, see that you are all ready to go but then asks this very straight-forward question: "But, when are you actually going to leave?"

Again, a very simple story that, sadly, is lived out by many year after year after year. Does this describe you?

As I've said before, talk is cheap and you must do more than just "talk the talk"...you must put ACTION behind those words and actually "walk the walk"!

Talking and planning are great things to do and, as a matter of fact, planning and dreaming are FUN things to do but, friend, if you wish to have success in your life you must finally take some ACTION by getting up and getting going!

Isn't it time?

 

So, "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" , "Success Factor #2: GET UP!" and "Success Factor #3: GET GOING!", will be followed in my next podcast and article with "Success Factor #4: KEEP GOING!". 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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    Project141 

Success Factor #2: GET UP!

"Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself" - Unknown

 

As always, if you've not done so, be sure to go back and read (and listen to the podcast) on "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" since it "leads into" today's topic for Success Factor #2.

 

Friend, it is a fact that, before you can GET UP you must first, LOOK UP so that you know what action you need to take and which direction you need to head when implementing that action. Remember, success does NOT always "knock"! You have to be on the look-out and be ready to take action once you see opportunity come your way.

 

So, bottom line, what will you do once opportunity appears? What action will you take...if any?

 

 

I was recently listening to a recording of several people sharing some personal development thoughts and heard some very good thoughts from Marisa Peer. In her thoughts about the "Law of Attraction" she pointed out that it doesn't take the process out to the practical aspect...the fact that, once you "attract" whatever it is into your life, you still have to ACT in order to bring it into actuality.

 

She used the example of "attracting" the opportunity for that "dream job". Even if you do attract that dream job, you STILL have to actually apply and interview for the job! You can't just sit back and think, "Well, the law of attraction will drop it into my lap...I'll just wait for them to call me."

 

NOPE! 

 

In James 2: 15-17 we see this pointed out in a very practical way... " ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (New King James Version)

 

To put it bluntly, TALK IS CHEAP! What good does it do to wish someone well and not DO anything about their situation? So it is with the need to GET UP and TAKE ACTION in every area of your life! 

 

In the podcast, I also share some scripture from Ephesians 6 where the "armor of God" is discussed. Imagine, if you will, someone getting ready to go out to do battle. That is the imagery being used here. Different parts of the armor is discussed in this section of scripture (vs. 10 - 17) instructing the importance of putting on each piece as well as the actual importance OF each piece of armor.

But then, in verse 13, something very powerful (and important) is stated in this process - "...and having done all, to stand." 

 

In other words, it doesn't matter how much you - or what you do to - prepare for battle, you must STAND (get up) in order to actually go out TO the battle! Again, "talk is cheap" but so is "pretty armor" if it is not actually used. 
 

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to hear the late Jim Rohn speak while he was still alive. I heard him say the quote that you see above many times and it speaks right along with what we are discussing today. Stop whining. Stop complaining. "If you don't like where you are, change it. You're not a tree." (Jim Rohn)

Change does not occur by staying seated...you have to actually GET UP in order to MOVE forward in the direction of your opportunity.

 

CLICK HERE

 

So, "Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!" and "Success Factor #2: GET UP!" will be followed in my next podcast and article with "Success Factor #3: GET GOING!". 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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    Project141 

 

 

Success Factor #1: LOOK UP!

 Notice that the RSS Feed AND the iTunes podcast links have changed (11.1.21)!

Click on the links at the bottom of the blog to access the new information.

 

I begin this new, 5 part series, based on something that "came to me" back in August of this year. However, I don't feel that it just "came to me" but rather, I feel that God put this in my mind to share with those that seek to improve their lives in the area of maintaining a positive mindset. 

The following picture is the card that I wrote that thought down on that particular day...

 

 These are, indeed, SUCCESS FACTORS for anyone that desires to move forward in their life and with their plans for their life! In order to do so you must LOOK UP, GET UP, GET GOING, KEEP GOING and (though it doesn't appear on this card) DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

 

Too many times we may become lost simply due to the fact that we are not "looking up" and keeping our eyes open for opportunity that is available to us each and every day. 

 

You've heard the saying, "When one door shuts, another door opens", right? If you are not paying attention and/or LOOKING UP, you may very well MISS seeing that door when it opens.  

 

For me, when I picture someone keeping their head down it indicates someone that is doing all that they can simply to "protect" themself. "Keep your head down!" so that you don't suffer a blow to the head. Though I understand that approach in some situations when it comes to some sort of physical danger, this is NOT what one needs to do when battling the negativity that tries to defeat us along the way.  

 

 

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We must LOOK UP and determine the best way (path) to take in order to ATTACK the negativity "head on" with a POWERFUL and POSITIVE forward movement! 

 

For me, as a Christian, I must acknowledge that I must also LOOK UP for guidance from God in all areas of my life. I love the following verse found in Psalm 121: 1-2..."I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic (see link below) to get some extra information that won't be a part of this article. I do want to share with you the following graphic from Stephen Hawking on the importance of LOOKING UP...

 

Be sure to join me in the next article as we continue on with SUCCESS FACTOR #2: GET UP!

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, 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    Project141