Opportunity to Grow

This article will conclude the series for this week, addressing the question of "WHEN do I/we need to get started on taking action?"

And, throughout the week, the answer has been, "NOW!'

 As was discussed in the last article, it is sometimes difficult to "get off of the fence" when we face a future that involves "the unknown" or that is full of the "what if's?".  

 

 THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES and SET BACKS! 

Take the advice of Simon T. Bailey as stated above, and look at CHANGE as an OPPORTUNITY TO GROW!

Change IS inevitable but that does not mean that it is something that we cannot handle or control. Sure, if we look at change as a "dirty word" and as an enemy, or foe, then we will face change timidly and full of fear.

However, if we understand that change can, indeed, be considered our "friend" because it will give us the opportunity to grow, then we can actually begin to face change without fear or hesitation!

Too often, when facing change, many people will simply give up and/or run back to their comfort zone. BUT THAT IS NOT YOU....is it?

Remember, because you ARE unique and because you "see" things and look at things in a way like no one else, YOU can see the opportunity where others see only a wall and a reason to retreat.

So, stop hitting that "snooze button" for your life, dedicate yourself to DAILY growth and activity, take steps TODAY to begin to turn those dreams into reality, once and for all get off of that fence by making a decision to MOVE FORWARD and, friend, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE CHANGE THAT YOU WILL FACE.

Feel the breeze of freedom as you begin to step into the reality of your better future!

And, as you do so, 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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Get Off the Fence!

If you are going to make the decision to start taking ACTION in order to turn your dreams into REALITY and not just "talk", then it will be imperative for you to "get off the fence".

I love the way that Gloria Mayfield Banks described going from the "want to lane" to the "GOT TO lane". The strength of your purpose or your "why" will determine if you actually make that move from one "lane" to the other.

"Sitting on a fence" indicates a person that cannot decide which way that they want to go. They are not on one side or the other but, rather, they are in the middle - on the fence - making no decision either way.

WHAT A MISERABLE WAY TO LIVE! 

Yes, stepping off of that "fence" into a future of some unknowns can be scary! Yes, there are a lot of "what if's" that can - and will - come to mind as you consider doing so. Yes, there will be challenges and there WILL be roadblocks and obstacles.

But, listen, if you're not going to move forward then go ahead and get off of the fence and go back and retreat into the comfort zone. How has that worked out for you?

If your "why" and your purpose is big enough and strong enough, you will NEVER find happiness going back. You will only find and feel fulfillment by moving FORWARD! 

For you, there is only ONE WAY and that way is forward, into your positive future. 

Will there be changes in and for your life? ABSOLUTELY! 

Join me in the next article as we discuss the fact that CHANGE is an opportunity to grow and, 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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Dreamers or Doers?

Several years ago, when I was still in ministry, I began a program that I called, "Dreamers and Doers", with the idea of our group of people taking our TALK and putting it into ACTION. 

I've always liked that title that I came up with and I am reminded of it from time to time and it still challenges me even today. And, I believe that it fits right in with our theme for this current series.

When we talk about the need to "stop hitting the 'snooze button' for our lives" and we discuss the need to CONTINUALLY grow, then it becomes a natural discussion of the need to put our passion and our "why" into ACTION. 

Remember? Purposeful, DAILY action!

Let's make sure we understand this first: We MUST have dreams! We all NEED something to hope for, to strive for in our lives. WE NEED DREAMS!

Also, as we have already talked about, these dreams must be YOURS and no one else's. No one can decide your dream for you and you can't live or follow a dream that belongs to someone else. 

QUESTION: Have you taken steps to put that DREAM into ACTION? Have you made the move of turning that DREAM into REALITY? Let's be careful that we don't continually talk about what we PLAN to do or WHEN we plan to do or WHAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE in order for us to do so.

Listen friend, it's EASY to dream! It's EASY to talk about those dreams and to get excited about those dreams.The real work begins when you start taking steps, when you start taking ACTION!

So, what will you do?

Are you going to keep "talking" or are you going to start "walking"?

In our next article, we will discuss the need to "Get Off of the Fence" and get moving.

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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YouTube     Future You Travel     Put Away Your Wallet

Are You Growing or Rotting?

I really don't have any idea what John Addison had in mind when he said the above quote but I can share with you what comes to MY mind when I read his quote.

The first thing that comes to my mind is a watermelon growing on the vine. By the way, I LOVE watermelon! But, like anything else, if you "pick it" (cut it from the vine) too early, too prematurely, the watermelon will not be as good as it could be if it had been left to ripen to perfection. 

Even when a watermelon has been left on the vine so that it may grow to perfection, in order for me to get that watermelon, it once again has to be cut from the vine. 

Either way, once the watermelon is taken from the vine, it ceases to be green and it ceases to grow. What happens? It begins to rot and die!

Here's the kicker: Even if it is allowed to grow to being ripe, if it is not harvested (and enjoyed by people like me!) it will rot on the vine. Why? Because it has a natural growing season - a cycle - that takes place and ends up with the melon "being done" one way or the other.

Aren't you glad that we don't have a "growing season" that only allows us to become "ripe" or to "reach our potential" only to begin an immediate descent toward death? 

Oh sure, I understand that, technically speaking, we ALL have a "growing season" or a "cycle of life" but, at the same time, we can continue to grow and expand our lives regardless of age.  If you ever decide that you have learned all that you need to learn or that you know all that you need to know then, friend, you are on a downward spiral!

Yes, there are many people in this world that are "rotting on the vine", so to speak. They have ceased growing or they have never really even tried to grow or had any desire to do so. They exist, but that's about it...nothing more. 

And, friend, that's sad!

It goes back to what I talked about a couple of weeks ago about those that had talent but failed to put the work in that was necessary to make the most out of that talent.

Remember: DAILY activity. PURPOSEFUL activity. Every. Single. Day.

So, let's ask that question again: "Are you GREEN and GROWING or are you DEAD and ROTTING?" 

Don't TELL me and/or the world...

SHOW US. 

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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Stop Hitting The SNOOZE Button!

When I was in college I would set my alarm clock across the room, on a desk, so that I would not "hit the snooze button" and fall back asleep. Now, to be honest, there was no "snooze" button because it was a wind-up clock along the lines of what you see pictured above. However, the idea was the same - turn it off and get up in a few more minutes. 

I'll be honest, I have never quite understood why someone sets an alarm knowing that they will hit the snooze button 3, 4 or maybe even 5 times before getting up. They know that, they plan their time (initial alarm) accordingly. Me? Why not just set the alarm for whatever time it will be when you finally get up? Why not sleep through the interruptions that come with that alarm going off again and again and again?

For many, it's a very misleading statement when they say, "Yeah, I have my alarm set for 5:30 a.m. everyday!" while, by the time they get done hitting the snooze button, it's 6:15 a.m. before they finally get out of bed!

New Year's Resolutions are much the same Oh sure, the "snooze button" setting is in months instead of minutes, but the result is the same. 

"Starting tomorrow I"m going to _________________ (you fill in the blank)!"

Maybe that person WILL actually follow through with that resolution for a few days or even a month. According to an article on this very thing, "only 64 percent last longer than the first month, and only 46 percent last longer than six months."

And yet, after hitting the "snooze button" on whatever the resolution was for eleven months (for some) they will do it all over again the following year.

A couple of weeks ago I began a series on the importance and necessity of TAKING ACTION. You can start with the first article in that series by CLICKING HERE.  Then, last week, I started another series on how important for each of us to be the very best that we can be - to live OUR purpose. You can CLICK HERE for that beginning article.

After hopefully agreeing that we MUST have DAILY ACTION as a part of our lives and, after also hopefully understanding that we MUST live our lives to our full potential, then the only question that remains is - WHEN?

My guess is that, most of us, if not all of us, can all look back and see evidence of times when we had "planned to start but never did" or "got started but never finished".  And, though it is painful to take a look at those situations, we must do so for TWO main reasons.

1. Acknowledge these failures but don't continue to dwell on them. LEARN and MOVE ON!

2. Use them as a "fire" that serves as fuel for an ignited flame of DETERMINATION to NEVER  REPEAT those failed actions! 

Hitting the "snooze button" is easy...TAKING ACTION is not always so easy.  

So, as Mel Robbins said in the quote in the above graphic, "THE TIME IS NOW".  

Join me in my next article as we consider the topic, "Growing or Rotting?" and, 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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It's Up to EACH of Us to Be the BEST of Us!

This is it. The conclusion of the series. What? If you didn't realize that this was the part - the conclusion - of a series then you need to go back and read the four previous articles, starting with the one entitled,"Listen Carefully! Opportunity IS Available" 

YOU NEED TO READ each and every one of these my friend! You really do. And, while you are at it, be sure to listen to each podcast and to watch each video broadcast on the same topic(s). All of the links can be found below.

When we all consider (and, hopefully, accept) the fact that we are all uniquely created and that NO ONE is like us then we will also realize that we all have very unique (special only to us) talents and abilities. And, friend, the world NEEDS each of us to share these unique talents and abilities!

In other words, "It's up to EACH of us to make the MOST of us!" 

Yes, I believe that God has give each and everyone of us our own special and unique set of talents and abilities but, at the same time, He also has given us the ability to USE those and to make the most out of them. I firmly believe that, not only has he given us the ability to do so but that He also EXPECTS us to do so. If you want, go read what is shared in the Bible in Matthew 25: 14 - 28.

Again, just because you have those unique talents and abilities does not mean that you can just sit back and expect things to happen. NO! Go back and read what I said about those who have had talent but did not WORK at developing that talent...they usually fail and fail miserably. And, on top of that, they are usually a "cautionary tale" that is used to help others see the dangers of doing so.  

One other thing (remember, go listen to the podcast and also watch the video for some additional insight), don't wait for others to do this for you. Don't wait for others to set things up for you so that things are perfectly aligned in order for you to take action.

If you do you will end up as another "cautionary tale" that I talked about two paragraphs above this one. 

Don't expect or wait for the government to do it for you. Don't expect or wait for your parents to do it for you, or your spouse, or your friend(s), or....you fill in the blank. 

Take DAILY ACTION beginning TODAY. 

I hope that I can be a part of the process of helping provide you positive information to help keep you moving forward.

Be sure to join me next time as we continue with our daily activity of helping to protect our minds from negative thoughts and influence and to promote good, positive thinking to help maintain a positive mindset! 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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Stop Comparing Yourself to Others (Follow YOUR Purpose)

If you were to be completely honest with yourself, how often would you admit that you spend comparing yourself - any part of your life - to someone else? Perhaps you compare different areas or parts of your life to theirs. Their house? Car? Job? Relationship? Vacations? Looks? 

Most of us would not want to admit such but, the truth is, that we likely DO compare ourselves to others in some way from time to time. 

Make sure you read the above graphic and follow what it says. 

   1. Do NOT waste one more minute comparing yourself to other people

   2. This journey is YOURS alone

   3. God needs you to fulfill YOUR purpose - not to try to fulfill someone else's

Listen, our young people really struggle with this - comparing themselves to others and, often, feeling that they come up short. They will then, also, relate that to the fact that they are just not "good enough". 

Here's the thing: it's hard for us to help them avoid such mind games if we are doing the same thing. You DO KNOW they see right through things that you think they'd never notice, RIGHT??

You gain NOTHING by comparing yourself to others. Absolutely nothing. 

If you haven't read the previous articles in this series, be sure to do so...especially the last one where the fact that NO ONE ELSE IS LIKE YOU. And, friend, that makes you pretty awesome!

One of the things that I talk about in the podcast is the fact that we don't know everything about those with which we may compare ourselves. Be sure and take a listen (link below) because, again, though I talk about the same topic, there are different thoughts discussed there.

Here's the kicker: There are others out there that are you looking at you and they are comparing themselves to YOU and they wish they had your talents and abilities or...fill in the blank.

So, why don't we all just be the best that we can be and live OUR purpose - not anyone else's - and live that life of purpose with passion?

That would be pretty cool, right? 

Yes, as a matter of fact, it would be pretty cool and it IS pretty cool. 

So, do THAT 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 Gets YOU Pumped? (Come Alive and GO DO IT!)

So, friend, what gets YOU "pumped"? What makes YOU "come alive"? Again, if you're not sure, take a few minutes - maybe even a few hours - and write it out. Brainstorm any and all ideas that really tend to get you "excited" and see what you come up with - WITHOUT the doubt and questioning on whether or not you can actually do that thing.

Here's a key question to ask that you likely have heard before: If money were no object, what is it that you would want to be doing? 

You see, we - the world - need to have more people doing just that and not just "going through life" out of habit. We need a world full of people that have COME ALIVE to their passion and their purpose and that are using their passion and purpose to impact the lives of those around them in a POWERFUL and POSITIVE way.

Whatever it is may not turn into some global activity BUT, at the same time, understand the fact that IF YOU BEGIN TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN THIS WAY, you WILL have an impact on the people around you and it WILL spread and touch the lives of others.

BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE! Don't wait until it looks as if you will have a huge following or a huge program that you are ready to launch. START TODAY and BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE! 

Begin with YOUR mindset and YOUR attitude. Begin with how YOU will do all that you can to maintain a positive mindset and, in turn, a positive influence on those around you. Perhaps beginning with your family or room mate and then on to to your co-workers.

KNOW THIS: You WILL come into contact with resistance and rejection. Yes, even when you are simply trying to be POSITIVE, there will be those that will do all that they can to stop you in your tracks. That's just the way it is, friend. But, do NOT let that stop you from your mission - your passion and your purpose - to have a POSITIVE impact on YOUR world, beginning where you are TODAY, right now.

So, yeah, what gets you pumped? GO DO IT!  Be sure to listen to the podcast and also to watch the video on this same topic (links found below) and also join me tomorrow as we discuss the importance to "You Be You - Everyone Else is Taken".

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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Listen CAREFULLY! Opportunity IS Available!

Have you ever been driving and then "wake up" (though you never fell asleep) and realized that you had covered a lot more miles than you thought? 

Have you ever read something - over time - ten, twenty or even thirty times and, on the thirty-first read you discover something in the exact same words and sentences that you never noticed before?

In the same way, I noticed recently that I had listened to a commercial on television several times before I "noticed" or "heard" something for the first time...even though I had actually heard it several times before. Do you understand what I mean?

One day, while watching this commercial, a certain phrase "jumped out" at me almost as if the volume had been turned up on that one phrase so that I would notice. 

The commercial is for an on-line University and it features someone (President of this University? Professor at this University?) talking to what appears to be a graduating class. Among several things that this person says here is what finally got my attention:  "The world in which we live equally distributes talent but it doesn't equally distribute opportunity, and paths are not always the same."

Take a good look at that quote and see if you actually agree with what is being said.

For me, it's a resounding "NO!"

In my opinion, the only part of that statement that has any truth in it is the very last part: "...and paths are not always the same." 

Think on this: Do you really believe that TALENT is distributed equally?  No matter how hard you want to believe that to be true and no matter how often a parent may try to convince their children that this is true, IT IS NOT TRUE!

 TALENT is NOT distributed equally! This is pure common sense to know this and to see this everywhere you look. It is a FACT that some people are more talented than others! 

Think on this: If talent was equally distributed then every person that ever tried out for a sports team would end up as a professional athlete! Every person that THOUGHT they could sing would actually be able to become a professional singer as they also won every singing competition that ever existed!

How would you decide the winner in ANY competition if talent were equally distributed in our world? 

You could not and that statement is an absolute fallacy. 

As is the phrase that follows: "...but it doesn't equally distribute opportunity.."

Honestly, what a HORRIBLE and even DAMAGING message to say to anyone!

Think on this:  OPPORTUNITY IS distributed equally in our world. Oh, there may be draw backs and road blocks. It may be hidden behind those drawbacks and road blocks but, friend, OPPORTUNITY is equally available to EVERY one and ANY one!

How hopeless the message that is shared that says that opportunity is NOT available to you, regardless of who you are or what circumstances in which you find yourself. 

Listen to me, friend and HEAR THE TRUTH! Though you may not be as talented as others you can still hold your head up with the knowledge and understanding that, indeed, OPPORTUNITY is equally available to you!

What do you read in that graphic? "Opportunity Is Nowhere" or "Opportunity Is Now Here"?

Do NOT listen to anyone that would tell you that opportunity is nowhere to be found. RID YOURSELF of that type of thinking and, honestly, those that would promote such. Because friend, the fact is that OPPORTUNITY IS NOW HERE each and every day!

That fact being true (and it is!) allows you to do the following...

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

Mike

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ACTION: It Becomes Easier With Momentum!

This will be the conclusion of my series on the necessity and importance of ACTION in our lives IF we desire to move forward in a positive (and powerful) way. 

If you haven't done so, I strongly encourage you to go back and begin with the introductory article and then read each one before you read this one. I also encourage you to either listen to the podcast or watch the video broadcast of this series as well. All of the links for the blog articles, the podcast as well as the video broadcast can be found at the bottom of this article. 

The fact is that, anytime you set out to make a change and an improvement in and for your life, not only will there will others ready and willing to "pull you back down" but you will find that this change of direction or even this change of action will be the most difficult at the beginning. 

Hey, it's not easy to break a bad habit even if that bad habit is basically doing nothing!

From what I understand, many people that struggle with obesity get to a point that they feel is a "point of no return" and they just give up any thoughts and hopes of actually being able to change the course of their life and their health. And then, it becomes easy to just "accept" that fact and continue down the road to destruction and death.

But, the fact is that it is the same for a lot of people in different areas in their lives. People give up on marriages and relationships every day because they feel that it is just "too far gone" to even have a chance for improvement.

People commit suicide every day because they feel that they have made so many mistakes in their life that there is just no way that they could ever make up for all of those mistakes. They feel that the world would actually be better off without them. REMEMBER: "As long as there is breath, there is HOPE!" 

And, in just about any situation, even if a person can "see" that change and improvement is possible they still have a very hard time actually taking action to begin making it a reality in and for their own life.

 Look at that picture. Those that don't know any better might even think that it's fake or that it is absolutely impossible for that man to pull that enormous plane.

But, have you ever watched a "strongest man" competition? Although I've never seen it done with a plane, I have watched as men have pulled fire engines, buses and even a train! But it wasn't easy!

As a matter of fact, if you actually watch something like this, you will see that the person doing the pulling will exert an incredible amount of energy and effort trying to get that object to budge...even just a little! They will literally be parallel to the ground trying to get that object to move!

I know I have watched and thought, "There's no way this guy is going to be able to move that train (for example)!" I would watch and see how much effort he was exerting and think that he had given it all that he had and that he was going to fail at his attempt and then...and then the camera would focus in on one of the wheels! And, if you looked close enough, you would see that wheel/tire move just a little. The guy doing the pulling could feel this and he knew that momentum was starting to kick in and he would strain even more to try to get that object to move.

Again, the camera would focus on one of the wheels or tires and you would see it move a little more and a little more and then, you would watch as it slowly began to actually roll forward! Unbelievable! 

And, as that huge object began to roll, the one doing the pulling would then be able to take a step, dig in and continue to pull with all of their might until they could then take another step, and another until that mammoth object began to roll down the track. And, soon, the person would be taking step by step by step while that object would be rolling behind him as he continued to pull it toward the finish line. 

THAT IS REMARKABLE!  

And it is a great example of exactly what I'm talking about in this article! That is why DAILY activity is so important. You MUST create momentum and you MUST be consistent in doing so! The impossible now becomes possible and what you once thought you could never do or achieve is within your reach.

But it starts with you TODAY with a DECISION.

There's only one way to do it and that's to START doing it today, tomorrow and every day on a DAILY basis.  

Hey, do me a favor and visit my Facebook page and leave me a note. If this series has helped you in ANY way and if there has been one particular lesson or even one particular line or phrase that has helped you, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you! 

Join me next time as we begin a new topic and, as always, until that time, always be sure to... 

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

Mike

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ACTION: The Only Way to Stay "FRESH"

 Stagnant - 1. not flowing or running, as water, air, etc. 2. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water. 3. characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement: a stagnant economy.  4. inactive, sluggish, or dull.

And, as a matter of interest, here is a list of words that describe the opposite of being stagnant: active, alert, busy, energetic, lively, mobile, moving, spirited, working.

Allowing any area of your life to become stagnant is very similar to allowing yourself to get into a rut, as we discussed in the last article.

Honestly, no matter what your situation, you MUST do whatever it takes to prevent stagnation in your life! Remember, "No activity equals DEATH!" 

Take a look at that body of water in the above picture. My guess would be that, if there were any fish in that body of water before, many - if not all - have already died due to the lack of fresh water that would continue the life in that water. 

Many would be shocked if they were able to see a visual image like this picture as it described their own life and the lack of activity found therein. 

Just as a charging dog could cause one to be paralyzed by fear and just as the "deepness" of one's rut can do the same, so it is with taking the needed action to prevent themselves from becoming stagnant! 

However, if you desire to live a productive life and if you wish to improve your life in all areas then it is an absolute necessity that you do whatever it takes to bring in "new life" INTO your life in order for it to remain "fresh" and "alive".  

It will not happen over night and it will not happen by itself. It will require YOU to make a decision to take action and it will also require you to actually put that decision into gear by TAKING action. 

Here's the kicker...some people actually are AFRAID of their life improving. What??? I know, as odd as it may seem, there are actually people out there that are fearful of their lives improving for the better.

WHY? Well, as best as I can figure out, it is because it is sometimes easier to live a life of stagnation and  a life in a rut so that one can use that as an excuse for their circumstances. For some, it is easier to blame their lack of action and activity in their life on the very things that are a result of the lacking activity.

Strange, isn't it? But, let's get real here - what about you? Again, as has been discussed in every article in this series, YOU MUST BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF before any advancement can be made.

Read and/or listen to those that can help stimulate your mind and your ideas. Spend time around those people that do the same and spend less time - if any at all - around those that do the opposite.

You MUST begin to bring in some "freshness" to your life if it has become stagnant. You must bring in some "fresh air" to help clear out and clean out the stagnant air that you have become used to.

So, again (from previous articles in this series) what is your WHY or your PURPOSE? What is it that you wish to accomplish?

Bottom line, get moving and take ACTION because it is the ONLY way to stay "fresh".

Tomorrow, we'll discuss the topic: "ACTION: It Becomes Easier With Momentum!"

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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ACTION: The Only Way to Break Out of A Rut

So, I'm sure you've heard that definition of "insanity" as continuing to do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, right?

The above graphic is just another take on it that I put together several years ago but the fact remains to be the same and to be TRUE: If you keep doing the same thing over and over again you will continue to get the same results AND you will end up in a rut! 

Oh, I can hear some of you now. "But if you are having success doing the same thing over and over again - what's wrong with that?" Nothing, necessarily. But I still stand by what I said in the above paragraph. Even those (individuals and companies) that have been successful that continued to keep doing the same thing year after year after year ended up in a rut and, as a matter of fact, many of them have closed their doors to business.

ACTION is the ONLY way to break out of a rut. And, here's a fact to go along with that statement: The deeper the rut the more action will be needed in order to break out of or get out of that rut!

Are you ready for another one? A rut does not necessarily indicate action. Yes, it does indicate some action by someone at some point in time. And, that action may have even been done by YOU but, guess what? You may have stopped any and all action and decided just to lay down, sit down and just stay down in that rut!

*Ouch!*

Are you done trying to justify that rut that you find yourself in? Are you ready to be HONEST with yourself about this? (If not, go back and read the first introductory article for this series. You can read it here) 

One of the first - and often times BIGGEST - steps that you have to take when trying to break free from living in a rut is to first ADMIT THAT YOU ARE IN A RUT! Friend, that's not easy!

Remember in the last podcast and blog article how we discussed "Purposeful Action"? We also referred to that as your "Why" as far the reason behind you taking action. Once you realize and admit that you are, indeed, in a rut then hopefully your purpose - your WHY - will first and foremost be your desire to break out of and get out (and stay out) of that rut.  

Now, although I said that admitting that you are in a rut is often one of the BIGGEST steps in breaking out of a rut, your work has only begun. Oh, understand that, if you don't first make that decision, then nothing changes and you stay down in that rut. BUT, once you have decided that it's time to get OUT of that rut then the real work has begun.

Again, the deeper the rut, the more energy or ACTION will be required to get out.

How big is your WHY? How big is your PURPOSE?

One last note...if you actually look around, you will often find others that are ready, willing and able to HELP YOU in this effort.

Don't ever forget that.

Now, GET BUSY and GET MOVING so that you can BREAK FREE OF THAT RUT! 

In tomorrow's article we will discuss:  "ACTION: The Only Way to Stay 'FRESH' "

Do what you need to do TODAY while you the opportunity and, as you do so, always be sure to...

 

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

Mike

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

YouTube     $20 Travel Business

ACTION: The Only Way to Move Forward

"PURPOSEFUL ACTION"

If you haven't read the introductory article to this series on "The Importance of ACTION" be sure to do so first. You can read it here

As I begin with this first part of this series I want to be sure to emphasize that I am talking about PURPOSEFUL action or, action with purpose.

What do I mean? Well, have you ever seen a dog chase it's own tail? There is a lot of action going on in the process but very little is accomplished!

Look at the images above and you will see three different ways that action is taking place with, perhaps three different purposes.

The first image shows a guy running from a dog which may indicate that his ACTION is motivated by FEAR! Think about it: It IS possible to be "paralyzed" by fear and not even be able to move BUT if this guy wants to avoid being bitten and/or attacked, HE WILL TAKE ACTION with the PURPOSE of avoiding being bitten by the dog.

If you look at the image in the middle you will see a couple of people that are jogging or running. Though it appears that they are simply jogging we have no idea what their PURPOSE in doing so really is, do we? They actually could be running from a dog as well! They could be running as a form of exercise and they may actually enjoy doing so which could mean that, for them, it is also for fun. And, finally, they could also be jogging or running as a means of "transportation" with the PURPOSE of getting from one place to another.

And finally, in the picture on the right, we see an older gentleman riding a bike. Riding a bike definitely requires ACTION in order for you to get that bike moving and it also requires ACTION (at some point) in order to keep it moving. Sure, you can "coast" for a bit and not peddle but, sooner or later, if you wish to keep moving, you must peddle that bike some more. Again, we have no idea what the PURPOSE of this bike ride is by just looking at the picture. Fear? I've been chased by a dog while on a bike before, have you? Exercise? Fun? Transportation from one place to another? Though we don't know the actual PURPOSE of the bike ride we DO know that it requires PURPOSEFUL ACTION - or a DECISION - in order to get that bike moving.

So, as we discuss the IMPORTANCE or even NECESSITY of ACTION in our own lives, it is important for us to be aware of the PURPOSE of what we are doing...the WHY of our activity.

I shared with you on my last podcast that I decided (made an "active decision") that I needed to put some ACTION into my life in several areas. I decided that I need to take some PURPOSEFUL ACTION in the areas of my physical health, my spiritual health as well as the health of my business. I put myself on a strict diet and began to work out on my home gym again. I began on a schedule to spend some time reading my Bible every day and I also wrote down some specific, DAILY goals that I needed to be doing with and for my business. (Notice from the last article how important it is to do this activity on a DAILY basis).

As is always the case, your "WHY" (your PURPOSE) will greatly determine your success in maintaining your ACTIVITY.

So, as I talked about in the last article, you must first BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF as far as the ACTIVITY or ACTION that needs to take place in your own life and in what area(s). You must also decide the "WHY" or the PURPOSE of your action and then dedicate yourself to TAKING ACTION DAILY.  

That's your homework assignment for today. Yes, even that requires that you take action and not just think about it or talk about the need to do so. You MUST take action and DO IT!

In my next article we will discuss the fact that ACTION is the only way to get out of a rut when your activity has ceased or you have lost sight of your purpose.  

Be sure to join me then but, until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube     $20 Travel Business

 

Introduction to "The Importance of Action"

Over the past few days I decided that it was time to TAKE ACTION. 

Oh, I know that there are many that would suggest that I (or them or anyone) should just wait until the start of the new year to take steps to make changes or take action, right? 

But, why SHOULD I and why WOULD I wait when I can start taking action today? 

So, let me share with you what I have decided to do and, as part of this sharing, hopefully encourage you to take action in your own life.

Back at the start of July I made a big "push" to promote that "Future You University" was back! Well, I did do a few blogs and podcasts but, by no means, did I do so in a way that would qualify as saying that I was "back". 

Yeah, as usual, "stuff" kept getting in the way or, to be more honest, I ALLOWED that to be an excuse as to why I wasn't following through with what I said I was going to do. 

IMPORTANT TIP #1: You MUST be honest with yourself about where you are in your own life! 

I have come to realize the absolute NECESSITY of taking ACTION in my life and to get past the excuses that I have allowed to rule - yes, rule - parts of my life. You? 

So, part of my decision to take action - DAILY action - is to get back to doing a DAILY blog article along with a daily podcast and video (Vlog) as well.  

IMPORTANT TIP #2: Make sure you start out with a DAILY activity and stick to it!  

If you try to make a major change without dedicating yourself to DAILY action toward that purpose your chances of failure increase dramatically.  Yes, you can always adjust things later on if necessary but do not be fooled into thinking that you can/should start off doing this any other way except for doing it DAILY!

I also made some other decisions about taking daily action in other areas of my life: physically, spiritually and concerning my business. Why wait to do what everyone does and make those so-called "New Year's Resolutions"?

IMPORTANT TIP #3: Doing what everyone else does will take you to the same place that everyone else ends up...that same place that they started.   

I've already hit a challenge in this process. I'm having some major issues getting my podcast up and publicized. This podcast company has been having some major issues over the past several months but this is the first time that it has directly impacted me. So, to be honest, it may not get published as planned but I will STILL continue to record new ones each and every day. 

IMPORTANT TIP #4: Anytime you plan to make major changes in your life, get ready - THERE WILL BE ROADBLOCKS trying to block your way to successfully completing what you have set out to do.   

Now, interestingly, as is usually the case, this blog article is COMPLETELY different than the podcast and Vlog that I recorded earlier today. So, hopefully that podcast will be available to you soon. If not, check out the video on my YouTube channel (link below) since I recorded them at the same time.

I plan for this to be a series for this week: "The Necessity of ACTION!". Be sure to join me DAILY.  

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

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