Good-bye 2009 and Hello 2010!

Just For TODAY!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy
2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!
3. Get Focused!

As we close out the discussion on "Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!" we come to the "magical" part of the equation - are you ready? (Well, you've looked at the title already, right? So you already know what's coming!)

4. JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, again, please don't let the simplicity of this throw you off. Please don't dismiss this because of the simplicity.....Sometimes the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the simple!

You see, here's the thing - don't plan too far ahead in this choice of "happiness" - just do it for today! Too many times we get discouraged when we consider whether or not we can do something for a long period of time. "I'm not sure I can do this for a whole year!" or "I'm not sure I can do this for the next six months!"

But let me ask you this...do you think you can do the following JUST FOR TODAY?

- CHOOSE to be happy!

- Get your PRIORITIES straight!

- Get FOCUSED!

Just for today - think that's something you can do? Sure it is! JUST FOR TODAY!

Now, please understand - this doesn't mean that negative things won't happen to you and that "bad things" won't cross your path. It doesn't mean that all of the negative people and/or forces that normally come into your life will all disappear.

BUT...I do believe that I can promise you this: If you will do these things on a DAILY basis and focus ONLY on accomplishing them on a daily basis - you WILL be happy! You will be able to keep your focus and correct any distractions that have taken your focus away during THIS day before too much begins to take your attention away too far. See what I mean?

So, you see - this IS "do-able"!

Believe you can - KNOW you can!

And, as you go along this journey, never forget to...

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

Mike

Get Focused!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy
2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

3. Get Focused!

Again - do NOT let the simplicity of these points/steps fool you. Remember, the PROFOUND can often be FOUND in the SIMPLE!

So, let's do a quick recap: first of all, realize that HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE and that you can CHOOSE to be happy! That being said, it's obvious then, that you can also choose to be miserable! Why would anyone do that? I don't know - but I've seen it many times and still can't figure it out completely. So, first and foremost - make a decision to CHOOSE happiness in your life! By the way, if you haven't done so yet - go back to Monday's podcast/blog and make sure you do the lists that are talked about...THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Secondly, it is vitally important for you to GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! What is really important in your life? How important is it? What is the MOST important thing in your life? Once you have set some priorities (why not make a list of the top 10?) You see, when we try to live our lives in conflict with the important things in our lives, we will always be unhappy and often just plain miserable! By the way, have you done the list talked about in yesterday's blog yet? If not - DO IT NOW! Again, this is important!

So, now you have made a choice to be happy! You have made a list of your priorities after giving this a lot of thought. You now can look at your list and SEE and KNOW what, indeed, IS the most important thing(s) in your life, right?

Now...GET FOCUSED!

The other day I watched the Disney-Pixar movie, "Up". And yes, I highly recommend this movie to you - yes you, even as an adult! Anyway, in the movie (now this is going to sound strange if you've not seen the movie) the dogs have an apparatus attached to them that allows them to "talk" or to have their thoughts heard. It's quite fun to "listen" to them talk about something only to be distracted in the middle of a thought with...."SQUIRREL!"

How many of us are like that? How many get distracted very easily at other things going on around them? How many times have you set out with a new list of "new year's resolutions" only to see them go by the wayside in a month or two?

Perhaps it would be good for us to look at the word, "resolution" and break it down to it's base word - RESOLVE. The verb usage of the word means: "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine" and the noun usage of the word means: "a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action. firmness of purpose or intent; determination."

Have the determination - the RESOLVE - to stick to your priorities! Do NOT allow anyone or anything to distract you from your focus, your determination, your resolve!

Yes, this will take discipline - which most of us lack. Why not work in this area of discipline while sticking to your priorities!

Easier said than done? Yes! But, in tomorrow's podcast and final blog for the year I will share with you the final, secret ingredient of this formula for happiness.

You DON'T want to miss it!

Now, while you think about that...

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

Mike

Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

1. CHOOSE To Be Happy

2. Get Your PRIORITIES Straight!

In yesterday's podcast and blog we discussed the idea that "Happiness is a CHOICE!" and that each one of us has the ability to be happy - regardless of our circumstances or the situation. It is something that we CHOOSE for our lives so make HAPPINESS your choice!

Now, let's turn to the second of the four points on how we can make sure we actually DO have a "Happy New Year" - Get Your Priorities Straight!

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence, and considered by some as one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. These three aspects are listed among the "unalienable rights" of man.

What are YOU pursuing in the realm of "happiness"? Remember the lists that you made yesterday? What was on your list of "things that will make me happy"? How are you going to pursue all of those different "things"?

Have you ever tried to catch a chicken? That's hard enough but, have you ever tried (or watched someone try) to catch a chicken in a GROUP of chickens? Inevitably, here's what happens: the person sets out to catch one particular chicken but gets distracted when there is another chicken closer and then they start chasing THAT chicken! They keep switching from one chicken to another and usually have no success at catching ANY chicken!

Does that describe you in your "pursuit of happiness"? Are you "following/chasing/pursuing" one thing and then you get distracted by something else and go after it? Some people pursue some sort of narcotic (drug) seeking happiness and they can't find it there. Some others may pursue happiness by getting involved in many different sexual relationships (wow, has this been in the news a lot lately?) and they can't find it there. Some drown themselves in a bottle of alcohol thinking they'll discover happiness there only to find an empty bottle and, often, a destroyed life.

Sometimes, we see this exemplified by those that chase one "new and improved idea" on the Internet after another. The latest fad, the latest "greatest thing", the most recent "get rich quick scheme" - whatever it is, we see some constantly chasing and pursuing something that they HOPE will bring them happiness.

How does one think that will happen? What is it in ALL of these examples that is supposed to bring about happiness? Is it money? Is it simply the "high" from the drugs, sex and/or alcohol? Is it the idea that there is something better than what we have?

GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

Maybe today you should make a list of "All the Reasons I Have To Be Happy Today!" and see what you write down.

My thought is that, likely, this will be a list of your priorities.

Regardless of what you accomplish - if you do it at the expense of what/who is important to you, you will find emptiness. We all know the stories of men and women that said they were sacrificing time with their families FOR the family only to find their family torn apart. Really think about this - how much sense does it really make to someone to be told, "I never spend any time with you because I love you and I'm doing this for you!" ????

Sure, there are times that there are small sacrifices to our families that come along and that can be "made up" later --- but pay careful attention to how often this starts to creep in to your life and be very, very careful with your priorities.

Need help with this? Compare the list from yesterday of "Things That Would Make Me Happy" to the list from today "All the Reasons I Have to Be Happy Today!" and see if they are different. Are there any similar or duplicate items on both lists? Here's the bottom line "gut-check" on this question: On EITHER list --- what if you could only have 5 total items from both list COMBINED? Not five from each list - five total. Everything else was to be taken away and you would be left with ONLY those five.

What would they be?

This will give you a pretty good idea of what your priorities are. Now...are you happy and/or satisfied with this list of five? If not - change your list and your way of thinking. If you are satisfied with that list - GREAT! Now gauge whatever you pursue with this list.

Make sure these are "aligned" or "in tune" with whatever you do and this will, indeed, help your new year to be "happy". Why? Because you have made CHOICES on what you have to have in your life! Everything else? It's "frosting" on top of the "cake"!

Think about it - DO THE LISTS to help you really see what is going on in your life and in your thoughts - be HONEST with yourself (there's no one else that you need to share your list with which means there is no one that you need to try to impress) and be HONEST with the results.

Hey, friend - it IS possible for each day, week, month and year to be HAPPY if we so choose!

And, along the way...

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

Mike

CHOOSE To Be Happy!

"Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

As we now head into the last few days of 2009, I want to put out some thoughts for you to consider as we approach another new year.

We often hear - and/or say - the phrase, "Happy New Year!" around this time of year and yet, so many people are unhappy year after year. Why? Is there anything that can change that mindset? I believe there is!

First of all, get out a piece of paper and write this down as a heading: "What would make me happy!" Now, just brainstorm and list anything that you can think of that you feel would bring happiness to YOUR life. Just go with it. Go on...do it. I'll still be here when you get done.

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Still waiting - go ahead, get finished THEN read on!

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Done? Now, look over that list and put a mark of some sort (check mark, circle, star, etc.) by all of those things that are "externals" - things, people, places, "stuff", etc.

Are you surprised at all how many of these items on your list are external items?

You see, too many times we expect other PEOPLE or THINGS to make us happy and, this will prove to be true again and again - we WILL be disappointed with those expectations. Sometimes it takes longer than others but, it WILL happen - we WILL be disappointed!

Yes, I understand that people can bring happiness into your life. We just spent a wonderful Christmas holiday with my wife's parents as well as her brother and his family and all of my kids and their wives - it was WONDERFUL and this brought happiness into my life!

But, you know what? I CHOSE to be happy! I could have griped about having to drive to my in-laws on Christmas day. I could have let the fact that we had to take a detour that put us an hour behind time ruin the day. I could have griped that it was crowded and noisy. And on and on and on it could go. See what I mean? I COULD have - but I chose NOT to! Instead, I CHOSE to be happy!

I have spent a little time down in Mexico - about 8 hours into the country away from the border and the real "American influence". The family that my son stayed with for about a month had a home that consisted of a kitchen and two bedrooms. Yes, they were blessed in that they had a few appliances in their kitchen but still it was not what we would consider "suitable" in our lives. They shared a court yard with about 4 or 5 other families which all shared one bathroom. The hot water heater for the bathroom was a black barrel which sat on top of the building so that the sun could heat up the water in the barrel.

And yet, these were some of the most contented and happiest people that I have ever met! Why? They CHOSE to be happy! For one, they didn't have all the distractions of the American idea of what happiness was (drive this kind of car, wear this kind of cologne, own this certain size house, wear this certain brand of clothing, etc.) although it was starting to creep in.

So, here's the thing, friend - you have a CHOICE to make! As we get ready to head into the new year I want to challenge you to CHOOSE to be happy REGARDLESS! That's right - REGARDLESS!

Be determined to find good - to be happy - in any situation...REGARDLESS!

This thought just came to me - the original version of the movie "Pollyanna" which was actually released on January 1, 1960 and starred Haley Mills as Pollyanna. I remember one scene where a group of the cooks, maids and Polly sat around and griped about the church service that they had just sat through. Each one of them had something negative to say about the service and about how much they hated it! Polly had a game that she liked to play called "The Happy Game"and one of the people sitting in the group said to her something along the lines of, "Well Miss Polly - let's see you use your 'Happy Game' on THIS one!' " Polly paused and thought for a moment and then said, "Well, we can all be happy that we don't have to go back until next week!"

I love that! Don't you?

And we can do the same each and every day of our lives by REFUSING to go with the negative and CHOOSING to go with the positive and, thus, CHOOSING to be happy!

Tomorrow: Point 2 of "Four Ways to Make Sure Your New Year Is, Indeed, Happy!"

Until then....

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

Mike

My Christmas Wish For You

My Christmas Wish For You!

First of all - MERRY CHRISTMAS! from my family to yours. May this be a special time for you, your family, your friends and those that you love!

In today's podcast I simply wanted to share the joy of some of the Christmas music I have been using for my podcast over the past couple of weeks by playing the full length versions of a couple of the songs. Once again, here is the link that has a LOT of free, downloadable Christmas music available for you: http://www.feelslikechristmas.com/

The two full-length songs used today (found on this sight under "traditional instrumental") are: We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Deck the Halls - John Morgan. I hope you enjoy listening to them.

SPECIAL NOTE: I made a mistake in today's podcast! No, it's not just a grammatical mistake - I make PLENTY of those! Some of you won't catch it, but many of you will and here's what I want to do: The FIRST person to send me an e-mail that correctly identifies the mistake that I'm talking about will receive a FREE T-shirt from http://www.PrepareTheFutureYou.com . Just send an e-mail to me at: mike@futureyouuniversity.com and let me know what the mistake was and, if you are the first to correctly identify it, I will let you know and get the information I need from you to send that to you.

My wish for you this Christmas is for PEACE and the PEACE OF MIND that comes from the SECURITY of knowing that you have taken control of your own destiny!

What a wonderful gift to give yourself, your family and those you love!

What a wonderful gift to share with anyone and everyone!

Again, Merry Christmas!

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

Mike

Some Christmas Fun!

What Will It Take? (Part 2)

What Will It Take? (Part 2)

Do you REALLY want to have a "HAPPY" New Year?

The DO something! That's right - make a choice, make a decision and then carry that out with ACTION!

Have you ever considered how many people die with their dreams left as just that - dreams? Have you ever considered how many plans are left undone when someone dies? Now, honestly, I hope to live my life in such a way that I NEVER fully complete all of the things that I'd like to accomplish BUT...we both know what I'm talking about here, right?

Stop living life in such a way that you will one day (and that day is getting closer and closer) look back with regret and say, "You know, I sure wish I had done something with those plans I had."

What a sad thing to have to say.

Is that thought enough to push you to action? Again, WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

Hey, we're in this thing together - I believe that and I hope that you, too, also believe that and know that!

Hey, here is an article that I wrote almost a year ago - in February of 2009 - that I think really "speaks" to what I'm trying to say here with this thought. Enjoy it and GET READY TO JUMP!

JUMP OUT OF THE PLANE ALREADY!

The last two Sunday evenings I have watched a television show with my family - especially my youngest son - that features a bunch of "nuts" (yup, that's what I called them!) that do all kinds of crazy stunts like jumping tricycles on ramps, riding motorcycles into the water and riding them on top of the water as far as they can, jumping out of planes --- without a parachute (allowing someone else to come to them and pull THEIR chute! )and all other kinds of things.

Now, these guys (and one gal) are all professionals at what they do. They make tons of money and, yes, they live life on the edge!

I call them "nuts" because I think they're crazy. But then, I think again. You may not agree with me but try to follow my train of thought anyway, o.k.? They are living life TO THE FULL and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY! Oh, I know that maybe it's not EVERY minute - but you get the idea.

They are not living their lives wondering "what if" in anything. What a way to live! My wife thinks it would be awesome to jump out of an airplane. Me? I'm scared of heights BUT I think if I could get past the initial shock, it might be pretty cool. The problem is - if I have a heart attack and die due TO that initial shock - so much for the thrill the rest of the way, right?

BUT HERE'S MY POINT...We may not all be able to literally jump out of an airplane. But....what is it you and I need to do TODAY that will be - for us in our everyday lives - like jumping out of an airplane?

WE LIVE OUR LIVES TOO COMFORTABLY AND SECURELY and we MUST change that and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL!

I have lived too many years (and allowed too many years to go by) with regret. They are gone. I cannot get them back. BUT I can do something about the time I have NOW!

I am going to push myself to JUMP OUT OF THE PLANE ALREADY! Enough of the hanging around thinking about it. Enough of the "wondering". Enough of the self-defeating talk that keeps me from stepping out and going for it.

IT'S TIME TO JUMP!!!!! It's like a speaker I heard this past summer at a conference say, "Jump and develop your wings on the way down!". WOW!

Are you following me here? What is it for you? PUSH, SHOVE, KICK yourself out of your COMFORT ZONE and JUMP!!!

I want today to end with the thought of, "WOW! What an AMAZING DAY! I can't believe I did that!"

Anyone ready to strap on their " 'chute" and join me?

On the count of 3.......

1......

2.......

-------------------and, as always,

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

Mike

What Will It Take?

What Will It Take?

How protective are you of your family and/or loved ones? What would it take - what would have to be done - to push you into action to DO SOMETHING to protect them?

Let's take a step back first and look at some things that we do (or have done) that fit this category every single day...

If you have children - as they began to understand things, did we not give them instructions on not walking away with people they don't know or getting in cars of people like this among many other instructions along this line? Sure we did! Why? TO PROTECT THEM!

Do you have locks on the doors of your home? Do you use them? Perhaps you even have an alarm system on your house. Why do all of this? TO PROTECT THEM!

Do you take your kids to the doctor when they are sick? Why? TO PROTECT THEM!

And, I could go on and on and on - right?

So, every day we do things in order to protect those that we love BUT there are those times that we may be driven to extreme actions in order to protect our loved ones.

What would it take for you to put yourself in harms way so that your family would be protected and kept from harm? Think about that and, likely, as you think about it you may find that you begin to get a little "worked up" just thinking about it!

Now, let's make the application.

What will it take for you to "step up" and do whatever it takes to protect your loved ones and their future? That "future" may simply mean as much happiness as you can give them with your time and attention and it may mean financial security and freedom.

How many more times will you have to be laid off of a job? How many more times will you have to be told that you cannot take a few days off to spend with loved ones over the holiday because you have to be at work the day after the holiday? How many more times will you allow someone else to tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it when you KNOW that you have more knowledge of the "it" than the one that is telling you all of this? How many more days will it take for you to go to work with dread?

What will it take?

Only YOU can decide that and only YOU can decide if your family is at risk in this type of environment.

I want to encourage you to finally say, "ENOUGH!"

Now, understand, you need to plan accordingly - don't forget that!

But...have you been pushed enough? Have you been "bullied" enough? Have you and your family been threatened enough?

What will it take?

Wow. That hits me to my core. What about you?

I plan to continue this discussion in a "part 2" of this topic in the next podcast and my next blog entry - I hope you'll be back for this next part.

Until then...

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

Mike

The Ride of Life

The Ride of Life!

Do you enjoy a roller coaster ride? Yes? No? Here's what I have found - whether you answer "yes" or whether you answer "no", when it comes to roller coasters either answer is given with a lot of emphasis!

People either LOVE or HATE roller coaster rides! I don't know that I've ever met anyone that was neutral on this issue - "Oh, I dunno....I can take it or leave it." - I've NEVER heard that one!

You've heard me talk about the worst part for me -- the "going up" slowly to get ready for that first dramatic drop off. I am afraid of heights and when the roller coaster is making it's climb it is going slow enough for me to notice how high we are getting - I DON'T LIKE THAT PART!

But once we "release" and we began to speed down the track - although my stomach is going nuts - I LOVE IT! Sometimes I'm basically praying out loud, "Please don't break! Please don't break!", I still love the thrill and the excitement of a good roller coaster.

And then, there are those who won't even dare to get on one.

You know where I'm going with this, right? LIFE is a roller coaster ride! There are ups, downs, scary times and exciting times. Times in which we laugh until we almost cry and then there are the times that we just simply cry.

The holiday season is that way for a lot of people. For many with children, it is a WONDERFUL time of the year as the excitement builds and they get to watch the faces of their children on Christmas morning as they see what Santa brought! And, for other parents who are in tough financial shape, this very thought puts a knot in their stomach and they even dread Christmas morning.

For some, this is a wonderful time to share with family and loved ones while there are others that dread this time of the year because a loved one has passed on. I especially ache for those that are experiencing this for the first time and think of how blessed I am that my wife is still with me this holiday season after almost losing her to a heart attack this past August.

Not everyone experiences everything the same - let us all remember that and be aware and sensitive to that and help if and when we can!

This past weekend was a roller coaster of emotions for me. Friday night I got to spend another wonderful evening with some of my high school friends laughing and enjoying each others company. You've heard me talk about this many times before and you've even seen pictures of this posted on this blog. What a wonderful time! Then, on Saturday, we attended the wedding of a young man that was in one of my youth groups when I was a youth minister some years back. To have watched this young man grow up and then see him getting married was a real blessing and one that also brought a lot of joy to us. Two highs two days in a row!

Then, Sunday evening we learned of a young couple that we know that suffered a miscarriage. My wife and I have been through this experience and know the hurt and confusion that goes with this and our hearts ached for them as we cried together for them and also as our own memories came rushing back.

This is life, is it not?

Remember this - when you are laughing and experiencing great joy it is a sign of LIFE! You are alive! And, yes, when your heart is aching and your hurt so badly, this too is a sign of life that you are alive. Sometimes, in the midst of these "down times" we almost wish we weren't alive - but never ever forget that it is an indication that you are, indeed experiencing life - the good and the bad.

And, never forget that, "As long as there is breath there is hope!" Yes, even in the midst of such pain. Yes, even in the darkest of times. There IS hope!

As parents, there have been many times for all of us that we wished (and still do) that we could remove the hurt and pain from the lives of our children --- but we can't. And, really, that's a good thing for our children for they, too, must learn the lessons of life.

It's not always easy for us or them. And, it's sure not easy for us to watch them go through difficult times - but, again - IT IS LIFE and we are on THE RIDE OF LIFE!

One final thought - those of us that have experienced things that we see others experiencing for perhaps, the first time, have an excellent opportunity to share our lives with those that are hurting and/or confused. We are proof that these things ARE able to be survived and that life does, indeed, keep going.

So, friend, buckle that seat belt - or make sure that harness is over your shoulders and clicked in place and then...hang on for this ride that we are on - THE RIDE OF LIFE!

And, all along the way, be sure to...

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

Mike

Leaving Your Positive Footprint

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.”
-Anonymous

In today's podcast - let me first of all clarify something - I DO realize that the correct term is "carbon footprint" and not "carbon imprint" (and yes, I'm grinning as I type this!). I realized that I had made the mistake when I listened to my recording to make sure things fit together as planned BUT I wasn't going to try to correct that. I still think you got the point in the podcast (even though you may have had a laugh!) and, I prefer for my podcast to have as much of a "live" feel as possible even though they are recorded.

O.k now - on to the topic at hand! Number one premise for us to set down for the day is this:

You DO leave an IMPACT each and every day!

(And this is regardless of HOW you approach your day - positive OR negative!)

So, once again, we come back to the point of "choice" - it's YOUR CHOICE as far as the type of impact you wish to leave on the world around you. Yup, it's all still up to you!

IMPACT YOUR WORLD! This can be a daunting task to consider, right? But, notice closely that I did not say, "Impact THE world" but "YOUR world" instead. There is a big difference!

For one, it IS a daunting task for any of us to consider making an impact on the whole world - there are very few people in history that have lived in such a way as to have such a huge impact!

However, when we break this down to OUR world it becomes more manageable. So, it is important for us to "define" what, exactly, encompasses "OUR WORLD".

Here's a short list to consider - make it personal and add to it so that you can get very specific in your approach:

1. Your children, your spouse - YOUR FAMILY

2. Your neighbors (whether in an apartment building or a neighborhood)

3. Your co-workers

4. Your circle of friends

5. Those you have contact with on a daily basis (your child's teacher(s), school bus driver, etc., the parking attendant, store clerk, waiter/waitress, YOUR bus driver, paper delivery person - on and on we could go here -- YOU add to the list from YOUR life)

6. Those at your church or social group

Even though this list can grow quickly, it is still a much more manageable size group than considering the whole world.

BUT HERE IS THE KICKER!

Your impact spreads far beyond those on your list! Think about that and consider how your actions impact the lives of those around you which, in turn, very likely will influence their impact on those that THEY contact on a daily basis.

Just like the ripples on a pond from a rock tossed into the water, so is your impact and influence on those around you. It doesn't stop with the initial "splash" that is made - it goes out further and further beyond the point of contact.

WOW! Pretty amazing to think about, isn't it?

Here's a challenge for today (and then tomorrow and the day after that and then the day after that and then....well, you get the point, right?) -- see how many people you can help smile today.

Whether that is a child or an elderly person (and all points in between) - think about the impact you can have just by sharing yourself with others and bringing a smile to the face of others.

And then watch the ripple effect take off - beyond your knowledge and beyond your initial contact.

Each and every day we leave an imprint or a footprint -- why not do all that you can to leave your POSITIVE footprint on the world - YOUR world -- along the way?

And...here's a twist from today's podcast -

"Make someone else's day awesome? That is something you may can do for them!"

(And yours will be awesome in return - guaranteed!)

Mike

The Wide Open Door

The Wide Open Door

When you listen to my podcast on Wednesday's you will always here me refer to it as "Wide Open Wednesday" - my little special name for that day of the week. However, just like "Magical Monday", "Wide Open" can apply to any and every day of your life!

This, again, is an absolutely TRUE fact in your life today REGARDLESS of what has gone on in your past or what circumstances you find yourself in today!

Now listen, I know people. That being said, I know that there are some of you out there that, when you heard my podcast on this (or on EVERY Wednesday) or when you read this blog entry, think "oh, he really doesn't know what he's talking about - he doesn't know MY situation!" and so you just blow this off.

Really? Let's look at one of the most extreme circumstances that I can think of in regards to one that MIGHT THINK that the "door" is not "wide open" for them. What about someone that finds themselves locked up in prison? Is the door still "wide open" for them?

YES!

I can hear you now, "Wait a minute! How can someone that is locked up in prison for the next ____ (you can fill in the blank on that one) years look at their day, week and life as 'wide open'?"

First and foremost, if you think this way then you are STILL letting your CIRCUMSTANCES dictate your life! In other words, when things are going good - life is good. When things are NOT going good - life is not good. What a miserable way to live and what a "waste of time" way to live!

You see, even the person that finds themselves locked up in prison has an opportunity to CHANGE their direction and their life! This happens first and foremost in their heart and their head with a decision to change the direction of their life - the direction of their journey. Just as it is true with ANYONE in the world, this person in prison can look to each day as being "wide open" for them as they now move down a NEW path for their future.

Our mind is an incredible thing! A person can be locked up behind a wall and still soar with the eagles in their mind!

We're talking attitude here! In the same scenario mentioned above, someone that is locked up in prison can just give up and give in to the idea that their life is ruined and that there is nothing that they can do to make it better and live a "closed door" life. What a waste!

Pay attention here - even someone that is locked up with NO POSSIBLE CHANCE of ever being released can live a life of "wide open" possibilities!

It's not WHERE you are but WHO you are that makes the difference!

Remember these quotes from Jim Rohn?

"Either you run the day or the day runs you."

"If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn't need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around."

"The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become."

So, have do we have that point straightened out yet? It doesn't matter WHO you are or WHERE you live - it's WHO YOU HAVE BECOME in the process of adjusting and correcting the way you think and the way you live that counts!

And that, my friend, DOES mean that TODAY and every day is WIDE OPEN for you!

I really encourage you to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic - there is a lot more there and even quite a few different/additional thoughts that I share there, one of those being the imagery in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz".

Do you remember the scene when Dorothy lands in that enchanted land? Everything in the movie up to that point has been done in black and white. But, when she opens the door everything appears in amazing color! WOW!

Isn't it time you stopped living your life in black and white? Isn't it time you began to experience your amazing, colorful life? Isn't it time YOU stepped through the door to YOUR destiny?

It's open - WIDE OPEN for you.

Now go.

And, along the way...

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

Mike

Today is "Magical"! (Part 2)

In yesterday's podcast and blog entry we talked about "5 Things That Make Today MAGICAL!" and covered - in detail - the first three points. I wanted to spend a little more time on the last two of these points so that we can give the the attention and detail that they need in order to be of help in our daily journey.

As a way of quick review, the first 3 points were:

1.It's a NEW DAY - never before (same job, etc. - but a new day)
2. Although you cannot UNDO the past, you can DO today!
3. There will NEVER be ANOTHER today -- once gone, it's gone forever (so DO it today!)

And now, let's finish up with the last two points as to what makes TODAY "MAGICAL"!

4. Today has an impact on ALL of your TOMORROWS!

Although we cannot go back and "redo" or "undo" what we have done in the past, we can live today KNOWING that what we do today (remember, we can "do" today!) will have an impact on all of our tomorrows! We don't have to settle for the "same old thing" in our lives - regardless of what remains the same!

Tired of your job? Hopefully, you have been making strides in improving your attitude so that you can approach this differently or maybe you have been making strides to make a change in your life sometime in the "not-too-distant" future. For many people that are wanting and moving toward change, it becomes increasingly difficult to "put up" with what we have become dissatisfied with --- our everyday job and routine. (This can be true of so many things in our life that have not changed, including our relationships).

Here's the thing to remember: even if our surroundings do not chance - WE can change! We have the ability - through our changed and improved mindset - to change our approach and our outlook TODAY! Understanding that what we do today will - without a doubt - impact our tomorrow SHOULD help us approach today with a whole new - and improved - mindset!

When we understand - as has already been pointed out - that there has never been a TODAY and there will never be another TODAY (specifically by date!) then we come to realize how important and what a precious commodity today really is! IT IS TO BE VALUED and cherished!

Are you following me on this journey even since I began the podcast on this topic? When I recorded the podcast it was Sunday evening, December 13th. It was posted for airing for Monday, December 14th and I wrote the initial blog entry on Monday, December 14th. Those days are GONE FOREVER! And, now, I am finishing up my thoughts on another day - Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

One thing I had always heard and now, as I get older, find to be true is the idea that time seems to go by so much faster than before! I just turned 50 in early November - how did THAT happen?

What impact will you make on your TOMORROW, today? You WILL make an impact one way or another - know that to be true. It is up to YOU as to what kind of impact you make.

5. You have the ability to CHOOSE how you DO today!

Then last few thoughts of point 4 lead us to this one - we all have the ability to CHOOSE how we "DO" today! Think about how magical that really is!

For many of us, there are many things in our lives that we do not have control over. If you work then there are certain things that you have no control over at all - what time you have to be at work, what time you get to eat lunch, what time you get to go home, when you can be sick, when you can take vacation - just to name a few.

But again - and DO NOT miss this point! - we still have the ability to have control over our minds, our mindset and how we CHOOSE to "do" today! As was mentioned in points 3 and 4, we still have the ability - even in a world of "sameness" - to live each day differently than before. Why? Because today IS different than before!

Will you settle for just "going through the motions" through yet another day? Will you settle for having the same negative mindset as so many around you as you go through your day? OR will you apply what you know to be true and helpful in your life and allow your positive subconscious mind to kick in and help you LIVE LIFE in a NEW AND POWERFUL way?

Let me remind you again to take a quick glimpse at the clock. What time is it right now? For me, as I type this, it is 9:59 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. The only "today" there will ever be! And, as I look at the clock I see that ten hours of this day has already passed! GONE FOREVER! I have fourteen hours left in this precious time slot of my life and the lives of those around me - WHAT WILL I DO WITH WHAT IS LEFT?

It is up to me! No one else!

Yes, we "allow" others to have influence and impact on our lives - but notice the word, "allow"! NO ONE ELSE can actually control how you live your life! NO ONE ELSE can actually cause you to have a bad day or to live your day in a foul mood! NO ONE - but you!

What will YOU choose? What DO you choose?

Feel the magic! Be thrilled by the magic of the moment! Let it exhilarate you and let it spur you on to "DOING" today like no other -- because, in fact, there has been nor will there ever be another.

And, as you continue to do so....

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

Mike

5 Things That Make TODAY "Magical"!

5 Things That Make TODAY "Magical"!

1. It's a NEW DAY!

You can fill in the "date blank" for any day of the year - anytime that you want to apply this, but as for this specific day, there has NEVER been a Monday, December 14, 2009 in the history of time! This is the first EVER "today" - and it's all yours!

Think about that! It's kind of like the old phrase used on the original "Star Trek" show...."Boldly going where no man has gone before!" --- that's all of us with TODAY!

Here's the kicker - no one else CAN go through today like you - because they are NOT you! What you do with today...how you live today...the choices you make today are unique to you which means that NO ONE ELSE will take this journey of TODAY but you!

Yes, you may have the same job, the same spouse, the same family, live in the same house and the same city, drive the same car (and we could go on and on) BUT it is a NEW DAY! Just because so much of what surrounds you and fills your time is the same does not mean that you must go through the day the same as before!

Think about that and let it challenge you and excite you! Break out of the "hum-drums" by realizing that you have never gone through this day before and that you have never "worked your job" as today!

This, indeed, is truly "magical"!

2. Although you cannot UNDO the past, you can DO today!

Don't we all have things we wish we could "undo" and/or "relive" from our past? Wouldn't it be great if we could do what we see kids do in games so many times when they declare, "DO OVER!" after making a mistake? Well, sure, in golf they call it a "mulligan" - but it's a "do over", right? The truth is - we can't.

Yes, we can make amends for some of the mistakes we have made in the past - and sometimes we can't. Yes, we can "patch up" relationships that we have messed up in the past - and sometimes we can't. But, here's the thing we know for sure - we CANNOT go back and do it over again and try to make sure we do it right this time. That day/time is gone and it is gone forever.

So, let's focus on this wonderful time period that is TODAY and let's DO today! Hopefully, this little podcast and blog entry will heighten our awareness of the preciousness of what we have before us RIGHT NOW and maybe cause us to think a little more about what we say and do TODAY!

Go back to point number 1 and think about this again -- yes, the same life as before but we do not have to LIVE it in the same way! Did you have a major fight with your spouse over the weekend or yesterday? You don't have to continue those feelings TODAY! You cannot go back and relive or undo what happened - but you CAN DO something to correct it and improve it today!

Approach your "same job" TODAY with the idea and the attitude and the knowledge that you have the opportunity to DO TODAY the way that YOU choose to do it and in a way that does not have to follow the same old routine. (Oh sure, I know there are "routines" in every job - but the realization that today is new and that you get to DO today can help us even in these routines!).

Although we cannot UNDO - we can DO! And that, my friend, makes today "magical"!

3. There will NEVER be ANOTHER today!

This is the opposite side of point number 1 --- just as there has never been a "TODAY" before in the history of time, there will also NEVER be another Monday, December 14, 2009 in the history of time! What will YOU do with it?

You see, these things all work together, don't they? When we realize how special, precious and "magical" today is, it CAN make a difference in how we live our lives!

What will be the mark - YOUR MARK - that you leave on today? Will you even live a trace of yourself by just "going through the motions" or will you make a difference in YOUR life and the lives of those around you?

Some of you will recognize this phrase from a popular soap opera, "As sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives." IT'S TRUE!

What time is it as you read this blog entry? How much of "TODAY" has already passed into the pages of history never to be reclaimed? WOW - that kind of wakes me up a bit, what about you?

As I type this, it is 10:06 a.m. on Monday, December 14, 2009. Ten hours of this day have already passed by with only 14 hours left! And then...it will be gone forever.

Today. Use it wisely. The magic lies in the fact that, again, you can approach it and live it in a way that can also make it memorable!

4. Today has an impact on ALL of your TOMORROWS!

5. You have the ability to CHOOSE how you DO today!

I will discuss these last two points in tomorrows blog entry - IF that time period arrives! The reason I am doing this is because I had to somewhat rush through them in today's podcast due to my time frame for each podcast. However, why not be sure to listen to the podcast and catch a glimpse of the ideas behind these last two points. I'm sure you can figure them out anyway but still can benefit from hearing it/reading it from someone else's viewpoint!

Friend, today IS "magical". It is uniquely yours! Live it wisely and without regret!

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

Mike

Opportunity with Brian Johnson

Here is the link to Brian's website as was discussed on today's podcast:

http://www.sendoutcards.com/brianj

Interview with Brian Johnson

The Brian Johnson Family

For today's podcast I share an interview I did with Brian Johnson concerning the importance of personal development in his life. Brain is 34 years old and married with 2 little kids as you can see in the picture above. Brian lives in South Carolina, works a full time job in the biomedical field and operates a part time business from his home. From the interview you will discover that Brian's wife had a major role in introducing him to the concept of positive thinking! Brian enjoys live music, outdoor activities, spending time with his wife, and playing with their kids.

I really encourage you to listen to the podcast if you haven't done so already and then notice these notes that I took from my conversation with Brian:

1. Before being introduced to personal development material, he had a "defeatist attitude"

Brain shares that he felt as if he didn't have a very bright future and that he didn't really have any control over it yet, he really didn't think that was strange. Why? Because that was the world that he lived in! His job didn't really offer any hope of a better future and, through no real fault of theirs, his parents didn't really offer him any other mindset either.

This is a sad truth in our world today. So many people are living lives of hopelessness and they don't even know it! People go through their lives every single day feeling - just like Brian did before - that they do not have any control at all over the direction of their lives. Please, please, please, help spread positive information like my podcast and blog to as many people as possible! It is SO important to do SOMETHING to at least plant a seed in the minds of people like this so that they might at least CONSIDER that there just MIGHT BE another way to view life!

2. His negative thinking had limited his potential.

Brian didn't really realize or understand this point until he met his wife and realized, through her positive outlook, that there WAS another way to live!

Do we really see how important it is to have a positive outlook? I don't think Brain was overstating it when he said that his thinking had actually limited his potential -- and there are many out there today that are the same way. Are YOU one of them? NO ONE has the right and/or ability to control your destiny but YOU! It is YOUR destiny and it is up to YOU to take control of that destiny - not only for yourself but also for your family!

3. Brian was proactive in avoiding the negative inputs in his life and finding more positive ones to fill his time.

The news, etc. that filled Brian's time and mind continued to have a negative impact on his life. Brain began to follow a "reading list" connected with his home-based business and then also actively sought to find a podcast that fit his needs.

We can either sit back and allow things to happen TO US or we can stand up, step out and become proactive so that nothing just "happens to us" any longer! This again is why I end each day with the thought of MAKING it an AWESOME day instead of just sitting back and "having a nice day" or whatever is thrown our way as if we were "life-beggars". Think about that - are YOU a life-beggar willing to just take whatever the world is willing to throw your way?

4. Brain knows there is a MAJOR difference in his life "before" this positive mind shift and "after" this mind shift!

Brain describes how he was living a life void of hope but yet, he really didn't know what to do or if there was anything he COULD do to change his direction. He felt as if he had no control over the situation and he had to even change the way he looked at money and those that sought to be a success in their lives.

Friend, you may not truly understand what we are talking about here today. Would you please consider the fact that, if this is so, there just MIGHT be another way to think? Would you at least consider that you have allowed yourself to be controlled by the negative world around you and that you have the ability to step out and live a life with a different mindset? It IS possible in anyone's life - including yours!

5. A life of "positive expectation" and a firm belief of the ability to ACHIEVE!

Brian mentions that this is now how he lives his life. What a difference! Now he lives a life of "positive expectation" and now he firmly believes that he CAN achieve the dreams and goals that he has for his life and the life of his family. Concerning his mindset as it is today, Brain declares, "Now I KNOW I can change it!"

I feel that this was the most powerful part of the interview with Brian when he stated that he now lives a life of "positive expectation" and that he now FIRMLY BELIEVES that he can achieve the goals and dreams that he has set for himself. Wow! Do you see the real difference in the before and after? Friend, no matter how you feel today - you can live a better and improved life STARTING RIGHT NOW!

I wanted to highlight my thoughts along with the thoughts shared in the interview because I felt that what Brian shared was so powerful for each of us to consider! I really want to encourage ALL OF YOU to take a close look at these words and to, perhaps, listen again and again to what Brian shares in this interview. And, friend, if his "before" mindset describes you - then KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt that you, too, can make changes in your life just as Brian did!

I am here to help in any way that I can - don't ever hesitate to contact me at mike@futureyouuniversity.com

Don't forget to listen to the special Saturday podcast with Brian as he shares information about the "work from home opportunity" that he is now involved in and I want to thank Brian, once again, for sharing his thoughts and this information with all of us.

Hey, always remember to...

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

Mike

Podcast Christmas Songs Links

Here is the link that I mentioned for the Christmas music I have been using for my podcast for the month of December:

http://www.feelslikechristmas.com/

Specifically, here are the songs and the artists for the ones that I have been using. You can find these under the "Traditional Christmas Music Instrumentals" section:

Jingle Bells - Billy Gorilly

Deck the Halls - John Morgan

We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Moscow Symphony Orchestra

The other song used is found at the following site:

http://www.ChristmasGifts.com/music

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies - Kevin MacLeod

My Jim Rohn Tribute

My Jim Rohn Tribute

Last night as I recorded my podcast for today I had many thoughts sweep over me. I'd like to try to share some of those with you today and encourage you to be sure to listen to today's podcast which includes about a three minute clip of Mr. Rohn speaking.

Thought #1: Did the closing sound corny?

When I ended my podcast I said something along the lines of, "...this great man who walked this earth, the same earth that we walk today" and immediately thought, "Wow, that sounded corny!" Then I thought about it a little more and, although I do wish I had worded it differently (yeah, I know I could have gone back and edited it or redone it - but I really didn't want to) there is meaning behind what was said and here it is: Jim Rohn was, indeed, a very special man BUT he was no different than you or me! If he were here today he would tell you the exact same thing. Oh, he was different than most of us in that he reached thousands upon thousands of people around the world and he will continue to do so for years and years even after his death --- a true legacy. He is also different than many of us in that he stepped up and out and followed what he had been taught. But, do you realize that he did not hear these lessons until he was about 40 years old? And, look what he did with the rest of his life!

So, here's the kicker - why can't you do the same? You see, he DID walk the same earth as you and I. He had the same struggles, cares, concerns and, obviously, health issues that many of us face from day to day. Yet, again, look at the legacy that he leaves behind. There is greatness in each one of us that is just waiting to be let out and let loose!

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you."

"Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well."

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become."

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day."

Thought #2: Jim Rohn Was Unique!

Jim Rohn didn't try to be anyone else. He was a unique man and he had a unique way of speaking. If you listen to the audio clip on today's podcast you will hear me make a comment on how he said the last word of that clip. It put a smile on my face every time I heard it as I edited the podcast. I loved hearing him do that particular "thing" to words as he spoke. He was calm as he spoke and was not one of those "fired up" guys that run all over the stage. Now, don't get me wrong - I like those guys too and sometimes that is what I need! But, Mr. Rohn didn't try to be anything but who he was. And, for that, I am very thankful.

The lesson is true for us still today and I touched on this very idea a few days ago in our podcast on, "You Are Unique!". Don't try to be like everyone else and don't try to BE someone else - be who you are and use the talents and the abilities that God gave YOU!

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."

"It is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all. It is what you do about what happens that counts."

Thought #3: A Void is Being Left

Charlie "Tremendous" Jones passed away in 2008 and now Jim Rohn in 2009. I had the privilege to hear Zig Ziglar back in October and was inspired and saddened at the same time because it was evident that his time of sharing will soon be coming to an end. Wow - that's all I can think to say. These men are, indeed, legends in this field and now they are gone and there are not many - than I'm aware of - of this caliber that still are able to continue on. Dennis Waitley comes to mind and I'm glad I had the chance to meet him in July of 2008 and, although he is still going strong he, too, is getting up in years.

What then? I believe there is a call for others to step up and continue this great legacy set by these men. You can call it arrogance if you'd like but I plan to be one of those that steps up and does my best to continue in their footsteps! Yes, others are doing so even now - and I plan to be one as well. We cannot all be speakers, authors - motivators in the same realm as these great men. BUT - we CAN all be motivators in our own world and to/for those that we are around on a daily basis! Will you?

We all have a responsibility to be the best that we can be and to be all that we can be. Never forget that as you make your way through this daily journey.

And, finally, this quote from Jim Rohn - I think this speaks of his character and his heart for people. I will leave you with this quote as I continue to encourage you to, "Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

"I wish for you a life of health, wealth and happiness; a life in which you give yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and achieve worthy rewards."

These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.comExcerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn.Copyright © 1994-2008 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.

Zero In On Your Goals!

Zero In On YOUR Goals!

(and go for it!)

Today we complete our discussion of the "Positive Alphabet" and I hope that you have been encouraged along the way and have discovered many useful things to plug into your life as you continue on YOUR journey toward YOUR goals and dreams.

Now then - today, we close by making sure we understand one of the most important steps of this whole process - ZERO IN ON YOUR GOALS!

1. ZERO IN

Zero in, zone in - FOCUS! We live in a world where many things try to grab our attention, don't we? There are legitimate things like job and family, but there are also many things that try to grab our attention that we can definitely live without.

Many of these can be useful BUT - like many other things - when we allow them to grab too much of our attention, they can also be harmful. For example, watching television CAN be helpful - depending on what it is that you watch. But, for most, watching television is a waste of time and is something that takes our focus away from our goals and dreams. Right? The computer is another. The computer can be a wonderful aide in the pursuit of our goals and dreams. But - wow! - talk about something that so easily tries to grab our attention as we do our "work" and "research" using the internet. How easy it is for us to get sidetracked by so many things.

So, FOCUS! Pay attention! ZERO IN!

When my boys were younger I had the chance to coach all three of them in basketball and one of them in baseball. Even if you have not coached, if you have even watched kids of a very young age participate in a sporting event you know what I'm talking about. It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to keep them focused on what is going on! The baseball field seems to be the worse for some reason. Maybe it's because the field is so big and there is so much to distract these youngsters! Look at the clouds... look at that butterfly...look at those ants...look at that dog over there...why is everyone yelling at me and jumping up and down and pointing?

Sometimes we lose our focus along the way. Have you? If so, get back on track and ZERO IN on your goals and dreams so that you can actually continue to make progress toward the achievement of those things in your life.

2. On YOUR Goals!

I know I've talked about it before but, one thing we need to do as we ZERO IN ON OUR GOALS is to make sure that they are OUR goals! Take a good long look, my friend - are you really pursuing what is important to you? Are you pursuing this goal but it is not YOUR dream?

If so, please understand that even if you do reach that goal (I won't call it a dream - because in this situation it's not YOUR dream anyway) you won't be satisfied and you won't find happiness or a feeling of completion. Actually, it is very unlikely that you will ever reach that goal because the passion is not there since it is not yours.

This is part of taking control of your own destiny as was talked about with the letter "T" . It MUST be YOUR destiny and YOUR dream and it is up to YOU to step up and claim it.

Here's something else to think about while we are taking such a close look at our goals and dreams. Is it possible that what you thought was a goal or dream when you began is no longer such? Perhaps you have discovered that this particular goal/dream is really not what drives you after all.

Hey, that's o.k. too as long as you understand that there would be no need to keep working toward that goal/dream.

YOU HAVE NOT FAILED if you realize that your true passion would take you down a different path!

My friend, the whole purpose of everything that we talk about every day is for you to find YOUR goals and dreams - no one else's - and then to take action to make them a reality in your life.

But they MUST be yours!

One easy way to determine if this is truly YOUR goal/dream and if it is STILL the goal/dream that you wish to pursue is to look at your progress. This is connected to your "why". If you continuously are struggling to keep your focus and to make any real progress at all with this - chances are it is either not yours to start with or you have discovered that this is not what you really desire after all.

Hey, only YOU can decide that for yourself. You.

So...take a close look, ZERO IN ON YOUR GOALS and, once you know that this is, indeed, what you wish to pursue then GO FOR IT!

Stop talking about it. Stop dreaming about it without putting any action behind it. Stop wishing and DO something about it!

Isn't it time?

How about we do this together? Are you ready? I know I am!

I look forward to many exciting things that I have planned beginning early in 2010 for us to be able to work together on our goals and dreams.

BUT...don't wait until then - GO FOR IT for it waits for you!

And, hey, don't ever forget to...

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

Mike

Jim Rohn - Link to the Tribute

This Weeks Podcast & Blog Schedule

This Weeks Podcast & Blog Schedule

Monday, Dec. 7 - "You Are Unique"

Tuesday, Dec. 8 - "Zero In On Your Goals"

Wednesday, Dec. 9 - "Jim Rohn Tribute"

Thursday, Dec. 10 - "The Power of Personal Development" with guest Brian Johnson

Friday, Dec. 11 - "Fun Friday & the Bootie Shake"

Saturday, Dec. 12 - Special Opportunity Podcast with Brian Johnson

YOU Are UNIQUE!

"YOU Are UNIQUE!"

(Of all of God's creations - no one can replace YOU!)

Friend, this is a very POWERFUL thought to allow to soak into your mind! This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things to understand and realize as you set out to achieve your goals and dreams - THERE IS NO ONE ELSE OUT THERE LIKE YOU! (And there are plenty of those out there that know us that say, "Whew! Am I glad!")

Even "identical twins" are not exactly identical - YOU are the ONLY YOU in all of creation and that makes you special!

Now, you can stand in front of the mirror, puff your chest out and admire yourself OR you can get up and go after your dreams and goals fueled by this magnificent truth!

One of the things I talked about in the podcast for today was how this really emphasizes the power of the "Mastermind Group" that we talked about last week in our discussion of the need to "Xcelerate Your Efforts". When you get together with a group of "all-unique" people just think about the energy and the OUTSTANDING ideas that can and will be formulated and shared!

Anytime you catch yourself saying, "Wow! Why didn't I think of that?" you are simply reinforcing the very idea that we are talking about today - that thought came from someone else because they are unique and their mind works differently than yours!

Don't try to be like someone else - don't try to BE anyone else!

Yes, it is a powerful thing to have a mentor. Yes, it is a powerful thing to learn important habits, etc. from others. Yes, it is commendable to want to emulate habits and characteristics of those successful people that you admire.

However, don't try to BE them and don't get discouraged and frustrated when you may not have the same success as them. Don't quit! Remember, we are all unique and you likely will have to "tweak" what they are doing to fit who you are!

Because you ARE unique and there is no one else like you - you have something UNIQUE and SPECIAL to offer those around you as well as the world! Isn't that exciting to think about?

Why not be the FIRST with something? Don't sell yourself short on this! There are people every single day that become huge successes because they followed through with an idea that those around them said, "No, it will never work!" Why do they say that? Among MANY other reasons it is because it doesn't make sense to them ---- they are not YOU!

Live with excitement due to the fact that you are unique!

May this thought help you soar today! Fly high! Live with a new zest and zeal today with the thought of knowing that this, indeed is true!

But not just TODAY! It is true each and every day that you bless this earth with your presence --- what another AMAZING thought!

YOU are YOU and YOU are UNIQUE!

When you begin to understand that and live that you will definitely have no problem doing the following...

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

Mike