What to Do With STRESS

 

STRESS...I'm sure you've felt the strain of stress in your life. Am I right? Stress can literally strangle you to the point of being unable to breathe.

 

Without going into details, let me just say that my wife and I have experienced quite a bit of stress over the past couple of months and, just as I described, it had gotten to the point that it was literally hard to breathe and even sleep.

 

A few years ago I shared with you the story of a "special message" that I kept getting one afternoon while out on a ride on my motorcycle. On two or three signs (I don't remember which now) I saw the message, "Believer in Yourself". This got my attention! The SAME message on different signs on the same day? And then, as I was riding back through my home town, I passed an insurance office with one of those scrolling signs and caught the very tail end of a message. I have no idea what the first part was but, the part that I saw as I passed was, "...and YOURSELF!".

 

That day I wrote that message down - "Believe in Yourself and Others!" - and even have it as my background on one of my computers.

 

Now, that has nothing to do with today's message except for the fact that I could not miss another situation in which a particular message kept getting my attention a couple of days ago.

 

This time it was on my Facebook news feed. I "subscribe" to a lot of different pages and receive a lot of good, positive messages from these sources. However, the other day STRESS was working hard on my wife and I and was literally choking the life out of me. It was hard to remain focused and positive due to this fact.

 

All on the same day, but THIS was the first notice of the day that got my attention:

 

 

 

Wow, I thought that this was pretty powerful since it spoke specifically about STRESS and since this was something that was greatly affecting my thought process and even my very ability to think clearly. Then, during the same few minutes, I scrolled down the page just a little further, and I came across the next graphic:

 



 

Now, here's the deal.....I KNOW THIS STUFF and I often share such thoughts with YOU!

 

But friend, never forget that I, too, am human and that I struggle with things like this just as you do. I think - and I hope - that I always make this very clear in the things that I write and the things that you hear me say through my podcast.

 

So, even though this last graphic didn't say anything SPECIFIC about "stress" it still hit home and got my attention, especially when combined with the graphic above it that I had come across just moments before.

 

And then, to top it all off, I scrolled down the SAME page, on the SAME day, within the SAME few minutes and found this graphic:

 

Now friend, you tell me...if this series of graphics "appeared" to you in a matter of moments in the circumstance that I have described, would it get YOUR attention?

 

I wish I could say that I IMMEDIATELY copied these graphics on to my computer...but that would be a lie. I waited a few hours with these things going through my head and thinking about how they came to my attention and THEN I went back and copied them to my computer KNOWING that I would be using them to share with you like this.

 

The "Law of Attraction" simply speaks to the fact that the thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc. that you PUT OUT is what will "come back" to you.

 

Here's a quick illustration to help clarify this "law" and how it works. Have you ever bought a particular make and model of automobile and then begin to notice how many similar automobiles just like yours are out there? They've been out there all of the time but NOW that you have your focus on what it is that you are driving, it's as if your eyes have been opened to that very particular make and model.

 

Make sense?

 

I don't know, maybe you needed to see these same graphics today. Maybe this message today was exactly what you needed to read. If not you, then maybe someone else.

 

That's why it's so important to share this with those that you know - whether you think they need it or not. You may not know what it is that THEY are struggling with and, perhaps, without your knowledge, THIS is what they needed to read today.

 

Thanks for your time and thank you for sharing this with others.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Knowlege, Hard Work or Attitude?

I've seen this "floating around" Facebook for the past week or so and finally decided to take a look at it and, well, you can see for yourself that it IS actually very interesting!

 

What's more important? Knowledge or hard work?

 

What about attitude?

 

Sure, this is very interesting and, indeed, it may be a coincidence but, it is also VERY thought-provoking and right on track to what is actually TRUTH!

 

While knowledge and hard work are BOTH very important and necessary for success, they are NOTHING without a good, positive attitude!

 

Just look around you and you'll find evidence for yourself, friend.

 

Oh, I know. There are some higher up than you are that know far less than you do. That's sad but it is a reality that we face in the workplace. Sometimes - many times - it's because of "who they know" that got them there but, be patient, they often won't - and CAN'T - stay there for long.

 

Too, I know that you can look around and find those that are higher up than you that likely don't work nearly as hard as you do. Pretty much the same scenario as I've already discussed and, be patient, many times the same results will eventually occur.

 

However, I bet that if you pay much attention to any of those people, you will also find that they are greatly lacking in the ATTITUDE area. Oh, they may have an "attitude" alright, but it's not a positive and helpful attitude, right?

 

When you combine knowledge, hard work AND a good, positive attitude together then, friend, you have a WINNING COMBINATION! And, if you have a winning combination then you just need to "stay the course" and things will be good for you and your future!

 

Many people get "let go" and are replaced because of the simple fact that they ARE replaceable!

 

With the winning combination that I just talked about, you will make yourself IRreplaceable and in high demand, not only at your current workplace but at other places as well.

 

Coincidence? I'm still not sure how that worked out with those numbers on that sheet of paper but, friend, it will NOT be a coincidence if things go well for you when you put together that "winning combination" as a part of your life.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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What Makes the Difference?

What makes the impossible, possible?

 

What invokes the change from UNable to able as well as from can't to CAN?

 

Are you ready for this unbelievably simple answer?

 

Here it is: YOU!

 

Now, friend, I DO understand that there are some things that are, indeed, impossible. For example, it is impossible for either of us to actually fly. I'm not talking about in an airplane or some such transport. I'm talking about either of us jumping off of a building and having the ability to actually fly.

 

Nope. Can't do it. It is, literally, IMPOSSIBLE. (By the way, the guys in these "flying squirrel suits" that "glide" are doing just that...gliding. They are NOT flying even if it is described as such by some commentators.

 

However, there are many things that we call "impossible" that are not impossible. But, to us and for us, they seem that way. Just as we feel that we are UNable to accomplish some things and that there are some things that we just CAN'T do.

 

I love the graphic above and understand that it is not as easy as just putting an "x" through the part of the word that changes it from one form to another.

 

However, it is YOU and YOUR ATTITUDE that can actually change this in your own life. It is a change in attitude and outlook (positive mindset) that can and will allow you to see the impossible as possible.

 

It is YOU and YOUR ATTITUDE that will now help you understand that  you ARE ABLE to accomplish what you had once thought was beyond your abilities.

 

It is YOU and YOUR ATTITUDE that will cause you to approach life and it's challenges with an "I CAN" attitude verses always thinking that you can't.

 

Easier said than done? Absolutely.

 

But friends, LIFE is "easier said than done".

 

Continue adding to your positive mindset in order to build your positive attitude which will then connect to living a more positive life!

 

Sure you can!

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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You Are Capable!

 

I love that quote in the graphic above. Read it and pay close attention to your immediate response.

 

I'm not sure WHY we do it, but many of us DO it.

 

Do what, exactly? Doubt ourselves. So many of us have a struggle accepting what is said in that graphic. What was YOUR initial and immediate response to what you read? Be honest with yourself...no one else is going to know, but YOU MUST BE HONEST with yourself IF you are planning to move forward in this progression of a more positive mindset.

 

Yet, to some extent, I DO know why so many of us doubt ourselves. It's because we've been "beaten up" over the years. We've experienced temporary set backs and perceived "failures" and it has become difficult to believe that anything good can actually happen to us and for us.

 

We WANT to believe it but we just can't seem to get past the doubt that it CAN actually happen to us. Others? Sure, we don't have much of a problem believing that someone else can have something good in their life...we even often feel that they DESERVE it as opposed to us....who, for whatever reason, DON'T deserve it. Or so we feel.

 

I may have used the following graphic before but it seems to really apply in today's thought. Take a look:



 

For whatever reason, we find it easier to believe in others than ourselves. We have no doubt that THEY can achieve any thing and every thing, but not us.

 

STOP DOUBTING YOUR LIMITS!

 

Belief (that you can) is not based on what you can SEE! It really doesn't take much belief or FAITH to act on something that is clearly seen. Acting on something that is clearly seen removes most - if not all - risk. No risk doesn't require belief or faith, friend.

 

The Bible (in Hebrews 11:1) defines faith as, "...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

 

HOPE combined with EVIDENCE!

 

Wait a minute, it says "evidence of things not seen"...how is that evidence?

 

There is evidence of things that we cannot see around us each and every day, friend. Electricity and the wind are just two - very simple - examples.

 

Again, FAITH - BELIEF - demands that we "step out" without "seeing" everything fully. Risk is a part of the equation but, what is truly valuable without some level of risk involved?

 

Stop doubting and begin to believe that, indeed, you ARE capable of more than you know.

 

Keep your head up and keep moving forward and, as you do so, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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Have FUN Again!

As we have discussed the importance of surrounding ourselves with "better people" the question I want to ask you today is this: What are YOU doing to be one of those "BETTER people"?

 

Have you forgotten how to say "YES" to life?

 

Have you forgotten how to have FUN in life?

 

Do you project positivity?

 

Are others drawn to you and want to be near you?

 

If no, WHY NOT?

 

Make no excuses, friend. Simply EXAMINE what is going on in your life and what you need to do to get that "spark" back once again!

 

TODAY is all that you have - enjoy it, have fun in it and with it and get everything that you can get out of it. TODAY IS THE DAY!

 

When talking about the need to surround yourself with "better people" I want to actually CHALLENGE you to be or become that person that others want to be around.

 

Yes, personality does have a lot to do with it, BUT you CAN develop that "draw factor" which causes others to want to be around you as much as possible.

 

Bottom line: never forget to love life, live life and have FUN in your life.

 

I discuss this much more on the podcast that you can access either on iTunes OR the RSS feed.

 

Until next time...

 

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

 

Mike

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"Better People" - Final Thoughts

So, the last couple of days we've discussed the need to surround ourselves with "better people" in order to maintain our positive mindset and attitude. We've also discussed some ways to make that happen and to even form - or join - a "mastermind group".

 

We also discussed some of the "do's and don'ts" in this area but also encouraged you to find something that "fits" you and what you are seeking.

 

Remember, ANYTIME you have a chance to learn from anyone that has "been there, done that" then you definitely want to take advantage of such an opportunity.

 

Surrounding yourself with "better people" can be something as simple as what you are doing right now...reading this blog. No, I'm not trying to put myself up on some pedestal, believe me. However, I DO know and understand the importance of listening to good, powerful and positive information. There are some that I ALWAYS click on to listen anytime I see something from them.

 

CAUTION: Be careful who it is that you listen to - don't ever forget that! You won't find me telling you what to do in order to become wealthy, find the secrets of the stock market, etc. You won't find pictures of me standing in front of some fancy car or big mansion trying to get your attention. Beware of the "pretenders", friend. Many of those that you find in such pictures and advertisements do not even own the cars and/or houses that you will see in these pictures. Isn't that funny, as in, isn't that a joke? Make sure that they actually HAVE "been there, done that". Ideally, look at those that do not have an "agenda" that they are pushing. Sure, they may have materials for sale that you can use in the battle for your mind - which is what we are talking about - but they aren't flaunting their wealth. Jim Rohn was that type of person and, as I've shared with you many times before, Dani Johnson is also that type of person that I highly recommend.

 

However, this group of "better people", perhaps even a "mastermind group", does not have to consist of famous and wealthy people. Like I said in the podcast, if you find such a person that will let you hang around and observe and learn from their actions - JUMP ON IT!

 

Basically what we ARE talking about is this: people with the same desire and interest in achieving some goal or interest.

 

I did want to share with you another place - online - that I found that will allow you to discover groups that are already in existence and are near your area. Now again, be cautious and do your "due diligence" even in this endeavor...not doing so can actually hurt you rather than help you. Go to www.meetup.com and see what you can find that might be of interest.

 

As I mentioned in yesterday's podcast, I am thinking of starting such a group to be done online (like with google hangouts) before too long. I likely won't open it up for more than 4 or 5 people initially. Be listening for more details and be thinking about whether or not this may be something you would be interested in being a part of.

 

Hey friend, being dedicated and serious about ANYTHING demands action of some sort. The idea that one can just "drift along" in this area is incorrect. This, almost more than anything, is so important in your very being and in every area of your life.

 

Overly dramatic on that? I don't think so.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

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How To Surround Yourself With Better People

If you haven't done so already, go back and read the last blog article and listen to the accompanying podcast. It "sets the stage" for today's discussion.

 

So, hopefully, you understand the importance and necessity of surrounding yourself with "better" people. Now then, how does one do that?

 

I hope that you have spent some time brainstorming some ideas on how you could do that where you are. I'd still love to hear from you and have you share some of your ideas with me.

 

Here's a hint and it doesn't always have to be 100% accurate but, nonetheless, pay attention: This "new group" of "better people" will likely NOT include any of your current friends. It is possible, but it is not likely and, I might even add that it may not be advisable. Now, if you have a friend that has actually helped introduce you to the idea of improving your mindset and being careful of those with whom you spend your time then, definitely consider them as a part of this important group.

 

Make sense?

 

This group is not the same as getting together with a group of friends and just hanging out. This is far more important than that. YES, having time with friends is important and necessary as well, but, again, we're talking about doing what you MUST DO in order to keep your mind positive.

 

Perhaps a better way for me to explain this is to share with you a definition that comes from Napoleon Hill himself. The following comes from http://www.thesuccessalliance.com/what-is-a-mastermind-group.html:

    

The concept of the "mastermind alliance" was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in his timeless classic, "Think And Grow Rich," though mastermind groups have been around since the beginning of time. Even Benjamin Franklin belonged to such a group, which he called a Junto.

Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as:

"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."

He continues…

"No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]."

 

You don't have to call this a "mastermind group". There are TONS of ideas and suggestions on HOW to start such a group and even what you should do in your "mastermind group".

 

However, someone else may have thoughts and ideas that don't apply to you and what you are wanting to achieve.

 

The main thing is this: FIND A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FOCUSED ON BEING POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

 

No negativity allowed but, instead, the support and strength of like-minded individuals!

 

**IMPORTANT: Do NOT allow yourself to get caught up in finding someone of the opposite sex to "understand you" if you are married. Do NOT create an issue with your spouse by doing so. This is a sure way to create DISTRUST, JEALOUSY and DISASTER in your relationship!

 

 

 

 

 So how do I go about this?

A few quick suggestions that we may continue discussing in the next article...
 *put an ad in your local paper  *put a notice on your FB page and see who may be interested  *look for such groups in your FB groups (needs to be in your area if possible - face to face is better than just online but online IS an option)  *check your local paper for such groups or the internet for such local groups  *seek out people that you have admired before that seem to fit this type of mindset

What ideas do YOU have? Share them on the Future You University page on FB  - c'mon, let me hear from you!

Friend, this could be THE positive turn in your life for which you have been searching. And, you know what? It may also be the same thing for everyone else that ends up being a part of your group of "better people".

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

 

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Surround Yourself With Better People

At some point in time, if you are SERIOUS about improving your mindset and doing all that you can to eliminate as much negativity from you life as possible...you're going to have to make choices.

 

And, yes, those choices will - and MUST - include those with whom you spend your time.

 

No matter how hard you try or no matter how hard you think you need any particular relationship, you will have to make a choice as to whether or not that person actually helps you in your desire for a more positive mindset or hinders you in that pursuit.

 

Go ahead and try it, friend...it simply will not work if you attempt to stay connected to negative and dramatic people.

 

As the graphic states: "The only way to get better is to surround yourself with better people."

 

"Oh, but I can't!" Again, it's a choice and it's YOUR choice but it is a choice that will have to be made sooner or later.

 

Just some advice here...the longer you wait the more you will realize that you have wasted valuable time and energy hanigng on to something that was not actually worth hanging on to.

 

That kind of hurts, doesn't it? However, you will find this to be true and the stronger will be your regret wishing that you had made the change sooner.

 

Hey listen, we ALL have our "bad" (negative) moments. Don't take this to say that you must remove yourself from anyone that has negative thoughts and/or words EVER in their life.

 

You'll live your life as a loner by doing so.

 

I am talking about those that continually criticize and/or mock you for daring to reach for your goals and dreams and to NEVER give up regardless of what you can "see" at the moment. I'm talking about those people who spend so much of their time watching the news that they must share with you and anyone else that will listen, every negative and horrible thing that is going on in the world. I 'm talking about the people who are always whining and complaining about SOMETHING. I'm talking about those people who always whine and complain about what they DON'T have and/or about what is WRONG in and with their life and yet, aren't willing to do anything about it.

 

Yeah, THOSE people.

 

I bet you have some of those in your life, don't you? I bet you pictured some particular people as you read through that list of descriptions, didn't you?

 

Another word of advice...don't think that you can be "the one" that can help change them. No sir, don't do it....they will drag you down more often than you being able to lift them up.

 

It's hard. It's difficult. But friend...it is necessary and it is a fact: "The only way to get better is to surround yourself with better people."

 

Tomorrow we'll discuss some possible ways to make that happen. Be thinking and brainstorming yourself between now and then. I'd love to hear YOUR ideas on this.

 

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Farewell, Funny Man (Tribute to Robin Williams)

Like many, I could not believe the news yesterday when I heard that Robin Williams had been found dead from an apparent suicide.

 

I began to think back to when I first saw him on the television show, "Happy Days" as Mork, the alien, which then turned out to be a show of it's own, "Mork and Mindy". One of the things I loved about that show was the fact that, before it finished it's run on the air, they brought on the late, Jonathan Winters, to be on the show as well. He, like Robin, was one of the funniest people I had ever seen on television and I ALWAYS laughed at his antics.

 

Another memory I have of Robin Williams is an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". When Robin was introduced he didn't sit down for, probably close to five minutes. Why? Because he was running all over the place...up in the audience, grabbing people up and doing something silly with them and then down to the main floor and grabbing a camera while he was in front of it and doing silly stuff the whole time. My wife and were laughing so hard we were literally crying. Johnny Carson had a stunned look on his face but, at the same time, was laughing as well.

 

HOW DOES SUCH A FUNNY PERSON BECOME DEPRESSED AND LONELY TO THE POINT OF SUICIDE?

 

Answer: It happens more than we know.

 

From what I understand, fame is not all that it's cracked up to be. Many wish for fame and then wish they didn't have it once it arrives. Many wish for privacy once fame arrives and, because they ARE famous, privacy is something hard to come by.

 

Are your friends really friends? Are they there because they like YOU or YOUR MONEY and YOUR FAME? If you lost it all, would they still be around? Sadly, many a famous person has found themselves alone once the fame was gone.

 

Hey, comedians are SUPPOSED to be funny, right? And, they're supposed to be funny ALL OF THE TIME! It's expected!

 

How hard that must be.

 

Friend, don't assume anything about anyone at any time.

 

Don't assume that someone "CAN'T" have problems because "of who they are". EVERYONE has struggles and feelings - regardless of their "position" in life. We all do. We all hurt. We all cry. We all seek "connection", love and acceptance.

 

And friend, if YOU are one that finds themselves on the side of being lonely - even when surrounded by people - please talk to someone! Find someone that will listen, even if it's calling a national hotline. You are valuable! You are important! And, friend, YOU ARE NEEDED IN THIS WORLD!

 

"As long as there is breath, there is hope!"

 

I posted a picture featuring this hotline number on the FYU page on Facebook (link found below), but I wanted to post the number here as well for those that may need it.

 (EVERYONE, share this information TODAY! You NEVER know who may see this that NEEDS to see this very thing!!!)

 

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE:

1-800-273-8255

Your call is free and confidential, and will be answered by a trained counselor

at a local crisis center.

 



I want to close with the following words from a song by "Smokey Robinson and the Miracles" that was released in the United States on September 24, 1970. The song: "Tears of a Clown"

Now there's some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown
When there's no one around

Thanks for taking the time to read and to share. I invite you to also be sure to listen to, and share, the podcast via the link(s) below.

Until next time, friend, be sure to...

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

Mike

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Making Adjustments

Are YOU willing to "adjust your sails" if necessary?

 

Sometimes we can get stubborn and refuse to adjust our sails. This, ultimately, will often lead to disaster. Depending upon how one uses them, sails can be your friend or your worst enemy!

 

Perhaps more than we realize, life is like that of being in a boat guided by the wind. Sometimes, as Jimmy Dean said, you must adjust your sails in order to reach your destination. This means that, sometimes, you may have to take a different course - a different path - in order to reach the same, original destination that you had set out for yourself.

 

We can become so stubborn about "staying the course" that, in the midst of a storm, we can actually do more harm than good. Make sense? Though I've never sailed, I do understand that, at times, you must actually drop your sails - bring them down - in order to survive and not be crushed by the wind and the storm.

 

Does this mean that you've given up? Does this mean that you've quit?

 

Not at all. It simply means that you understand the need for adjustments in your life.

 

You see, one of two things are happening: You're either NOT adjusting your sails and you are being taken wherever the wind takes you OR you are adjusting your sails to have that ship take you where YOU determine to go.

 

Have you ever had to take a detour while traveling? I'm sure you have. You had to take a different route or course due to some roadblock, right?

 

Did that mean that you gave up on reaching your destination? Not at all. It simply means that you had to make an adjustment due to unforeseen obstacles that required you to alter your original plans.

 

Adjustment does not mean failure. Failing to adjust, many times, will bring about failure.

 

Think about that and, friend, don't be afraid - or too stubborn - to adjust your sail in order to reach your destination. You will find that this is necessary in every area of your life.

 

The choice is yours.Choose wisely.

 

And, as you go about this journey called "life", always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike



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Say More by Saying LESS

 

Take a moment and really take in the graphic that I came up with the other day that you see above.

 

Go ahead...take a look.

What kind of budget would you have to set up for yourself based on how many words you say during the course of a day? That's kind of crazy to think about, isn't it?

I'm not going to do it but, if you want to have some fun with this idea, count the number of words that I used in this blog article.

The point is this: IF you had to pay $1 for EVERY word that you say....would it change the way that you speak? Would it change how MUCH you say? Would it change WHAT you say?

Sure it would.

"Say MORE by saying LESS" might be a good idea to try to live by...think about it.

There is too much "noise pollution" in the world today and much of it comes from people talking way too much. Don't get "worked up" on this until you hear what I'm actually saying, o.k.?

I'm not talking about friends that haven't seen each other for a long time or family that hasn't seen each other in a long time. I'm not talking about family and close friends at all. The day may come when we WISHED we had just one more conversation with that family member or friend.

I AM talking about those that seem to have the need to tell you everything that they have to say about anything AND everything. Do you know someone like that? People that "hog" the conversation and, usually, don't end up sounding as intelligent as they would like.

If they - and us - had to pay $1 for EVERY word that we said during the course of a day, what would change?

Would we be more patient? Would we be more careful? Would we take the time to THINK a little longer BEFORE we speak?

Think about it this way...if we actually spoke less the first time, we'd have to spend less time - and use less words - having to explain or apologize later.



"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."
- ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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You really CAN enjoy a life of travel for less!

This is NOT a timeshare and it IS for a lifetime...that's right, a LIFETIME!

Contact me directly through the "contact" form on this site or from the

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- Mike

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It's How You FINISH That Counts

"It's not how you start, but how you FINISH!"

 

I've heard and read that many times before but, I heard it from someone personally just last month. This gentleman is very successful in his business that he runs but, like most people, it wasn't that way in the beginning.

 

THE business - a home-based business - that got him started and that he is still heavily involved in even after 9 years, started off at a snails pace. How much of a "snail's pace" you ask? He sold ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for his first six months. That's right...NOTHING.

 

What would YOU have done? Most of us would have, understandably, quit. Right? I mean, hey, come on, SOMETHING must not be quite right if, after six months, a person hasn't made one sale. But, he persevered and, during the last six months of that first year, he made $104,000 working that job part time.

 

About a month ago I heard him address this among a group of about twenty of us. He laughed and said something like, "Yeah, a lot of people still give me a hard time about going for six months without a sale. All I have to say is, 'It's not how you start, but how you FINISH!' "

 

Again, he is still very involved in working this business. Do you want to know - even though he is not done - how he has "finished" or how he has grown this business? He has made a six-figure income every year (including that first one) and, more often than not, he is actually making $250,000 + per year with that same business.

 

Don't ever forget that. You MAY be going slow as far as making the progress that you had PLANNED to make or that you WANT to make. However, even if the visible "results" are not what you wish they were, you are still ahead of where you were when you started.

 

And you are for SURE ahead of those that sit on the sidelines and criticize and mock what you are doing. Don't ever forget that.

 

Remember, even if you take two steps forward and one step back, you are STILL moving forward in the right direction and you are STILL one step ahead of where you were yesterday.

 

You never know how close you are to your "breakthrough". That's a fact, friend. You may be one day or one customer or contact away from a monumental surge in success.

 

Keep that in mind as you keep moving forward. And, as always, as you do so, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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A Great Attitude Becomes...

 

How does one become an adult?

 

Yes, I understand that there are certain rare diseases that a baby can be born with that causes them to grow old very quickly. But, in an "ordinary" situation, how does one develop into an adult?

 

Does a child grow into an adult in a week? A month? A year? Five years? Ten years?

 

I also understand that, in different cultures, children are considered "adults" at different ages. But, even with that being true, it doesn't happen overnight.

 

One day at a time, right? And, for most parents, those days seem to speed up as time goes by and, before they know it, their child is an adult with a child of their own.

 

Oh, believe me, I know. I have three sons that are all adults and two of them are married and, on top of that, our oldest has two children of his own.

 

We understand the concept of how things happen gradually just as is true in a child's education. Yes, again I understand  that there are some situations where a child "genius" moves ahead in his schooling. However, a child is never born and then receives his High School diploma the next week.

 

So, again, we all understand the idea of a process that involves time and progression.

 

So it is with the wording found on the graphic above. Every life is made up of years, which are made up of months, which are made up of days, which are made up of hours, minutes and seconds.

 

So, getting down to it, our life is made up of TODAY - one day at a time. And, what we do with TODAY (the seconds, minutes and hours that make today what it is) matters.

 

And, what we do TODAY is greatly dependent upon our ATTITUDE. That's right, our attitude.

 

Do you want to have a better day? Develop a better attitude.

 

Do you want to have a better month? Year? Life? Same answer...develop a better attitude.

 

Allow that "great attitude" to transform your seconds, minutes, hours and days which, in turn, will transform your weeks, months, years and - yes - THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

 

Attitude. How's yours?

 

Believe it or not (it's your choice, right?) our attitude really IS that important and impactful.

 

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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Positive, Patient and Persistent

Short and to the point today.

 

I hope that all of you understand the importance of remaining POSITIVE as we go along this journey called life. You do, right?

 

Not only does it make a big difference in OUR lives, but it also makes an impact - yes, a POSITIVE impact - on those around us. Many times we may never know what our positive attitude has done for someone else that has crossed our path through the course of a day.

 

And, thought it's not always easy, I would think that most of us also understand the importance of being PATIENT even as we strive to remain positive. Seriously!

 

For me, the testing of my patience will often determine whether I keep a positive attitude or if I allow my attitude to take a negative turn. IT'S MY CHOICE. But, wow, I have always tended to be an impatient person and it is literally, a daily struggle. Yes, I am much better than I used to be but, at the same time, I have a long ways to go!

 

What about you?

 

So, maybe we can even say it this way: "Stay POSITIVE so that you can practice PATIENCE."

 

Now, here's the kicker, friend. In order for us to be successful with either remaining positive or patient, it is going to demand - yes, DEMAND - that we be PERSISTENT!

 

Attempting improvement in anything - ANYTHING - by attempting that improvement for only a short period of time will NEVER bring about that improvement. Make sense?

 

You will never achieve IMPROVEMENT in anything unless you are PERSISTENT in your pursuit of that improvement. You can't quit or give up early.

 

Nope.

 

You MUST push on even when you give like giving up. Patience, remember?

 

Remaining persistent is where many fall short and fail.

 

How determined - how PERSISTENT - are you in achieving whatever it is that you have set out to achieve in and for your life?

 

The 3 P's of Improvement: Positive, Patient, Persistent

 

You CAN accomplish what you desire through this process, friend. But don't you DARE, EVER GIVE UP.

 

Remember, as you continue to "push through" each and every day, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Here We Go Again - "The Sky is Falling!"

How many times have we heard THAT before? When I showed my wife this graphic she began to laugh and said, "That reminds me of that New Madrid scare right before Jordan (our youngest, born in January of 1991) was born!"

 

Ah, yes! The New Madrid Fault "end of the world as we now know it" scare of December 1990. Anyone else out there remember that one? You see, living in Northwest Arkansas at the time made the "craziness" even a little bit crazier since we were fairly close AND not too far from the fault line as a whole.

 

Warnings were issued almost nightly from the television as well as the radio for everyone to be making "disaster relief kits" in order to be ready when "THE earthquake" hit.

 

I remember seeing news footage of all of the satellite trucks that had crowded the streets of that little town. Hey, at least BUSINESS was good for the locals, right?

 

The day - December 3, 1990 - came and went. No earthquake. Would you think that I'd be making it up if I told you that some people came away from that day a little disappointed? Well friend, I wouldn't be making it up simply because of the huge, relentless build up for this "event".

 

It came and it went without incident and the media had nothing else to talk about with such emphasis. Well, not until the next "big thing" came along.

 

Currently, if you turn on the national news (yes, and even the local news) you will find wild stories about the "ebola outbreak". Now, don't get me wrong. Death - to and for anyone - is a horrible thing to come due to some disease. I'm not taking that lightly at all. People have died.

 

But, what I AM saying is for all of us to step back, take a deep breath and realize that the sky really isn't falling.

 

Understand that the media MUST report such things to the point of hysteria in order to "stay in business". Like it or not, that is the truth. And, it is also true that there is fierce competition between the different stations to "out-do" one another in their reports and interviewing of "experts" (now, usually that term gets stretched to the breaking point!) or whatever it takes to get them the most viewers.

 

Still don't believe me? What does YOUR local station do when there is some sort of storm in your area that is a little out of the ordinary? You DO know what I mean, don't you? They even come up with daunting "names" for these events: "The Fierce and Frightening Flood of '01" . I just made that up but you've seen similar things, haven't you?

 

Here in Arkansas, the weatherman can predict a couple of inches of snow or a little ice and you would think that the Polar Ice Cap was planning to move in. EVERY newscast has some guy from the Highway and Transportation department being interviewed to find out what they are doing to prepare for this "life-altering event" that is headed our way!

 

And, honestly, "religious people" can be some of the worst ones of the whole bunch! Hey, just remember that I AM A BELIEVER, o.k.? But it seems that any little unusual event brings up the whole "end times" scenario that prepares us for the end of the world.

 

Here's the deal: you can allow yourself to get "sucked in" to all of this and get all worked up and stressed out over these things that are often presented as MUCH WORSE than they actually are. You can believe that or not - that obviously is your choice - but friend, this is part of the "negativity" that I always talk about us having a need to protect ourselves from...know what I mean?

 

I hope so because, after all, the sky really ISN'T falling.

 

Thanks for your time. Until next time, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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What Would YOU Do?

Take a look by clicking the graphic and feel free to get in contact with me. What do you have to lose? What do you have to GAIN? - Mike *Any information you provide is shared with no one else. It is only for MY purpose to connect with you