Win OR Lose?

 

Right up front let me acknowledge that the idea for today's article and podcast do not come from me. I was listening to a video from John C. Maxwell and his "Minute with Maxwell" video series, and I REALLY liked what he shared on this topic. You can watch it here . You can also sign up for "Minute with Maxwell" to be delivered to your own e-mail address on that same page.  

For most of us - if not all of us - we normally think of this type of thing where there is a winner and there is a loser. One person (or team) wins and the other loses. I love the example that Mr. Maxwell gives about what happens when, over a period of time, the same person wins while competing with the same person that, of course, always loses. 

In case you didn't watch that video clip, I'll tell you what happens. (Actually, if you think about it for a moment, you likely already know the answer). The person that always loses will no longer be interested in "playing" or "competing". 

Why? Because no one likes to continually lose. Most people do NOT want to participate if it has been proven that they will likely lose. Every. Single. Time. 

And, by the way, this is NOT promoting the "everyone gets a trophy" and "we don't keep score so that no one experiences losing" type of mentality. C'mon, now. That's not real life and, by following this type of mentality, we (adults) are not doing our job of preparing our young people for a realistic future. 

But, is it possible to create an environment that is a "Win-Win" situation for all involved? Well, it's not likely that it will be that way for ALL involved (there are many reasons why this is so and many of them have to do with the attitude of some individuals), BUT, perhaps, there is a way to create more of  this than we may think. 

Think about it... business is an easy example of this concept. Specifically as it deals to companies making a profit while, at the same time, those that distribute that companies product also makes money. And, this usually takes place along several levels. As long as everyone along that "chain" is happy with the amount of money that they make ("profit"), then it is a "win-win-win-win", etc. situation. 

See what I mean? 

The problem comes when someone along that chain becomes dissatisfied because someone else (up the "chain") is making more than them. They get greedy and, instead of being happy with their profit (and their level of responsibility that accompanies that level of profit) they begin to, as I said, get greedy and begin the process towards a miserable existence. 

I don't always have to make ALL of the profit available in order to be successful or happy. Right? I can share the profit with others and, often, by doing so, I can actually expand my ability to the point that I can actually make MORE overall profit as a result. As a matter of fact, those that try to "do it all" and "make it all" themselves usually end up failing in the process. 

Get the point yet? 

In the same way, just as I don't have to make ALL of the profit, I don't have to "win" in ALL areas in order to share that "winning" with others along the way. I can "win" and you can "win" as well. The only one that loses is the one that chooses to sulk, pout and try to figure out how to completely keep all of the "winning" to and for themselves. 

Oh yeah, and when you help others "win", guess what happens? They become even more productive and you "win" even more . Too, don't sell short the fact that you WIN even just from the knowledge and feeling that comes from helping others do more and be more along the way. 

BE SURE TO WATCH THAT VIDEO THAT I GAVE YOU THE LINK TO ON THIS! It's very short (it's called "MINUTE with Maxwell" for a reason) and worth the watch. I also encourage you to sign up to have it sent to your e-mail. It's another great "tool" to ad to your routine to help keep positive thoughts coming to your mindset.

So, as you go about your day today (or tomorrow), start looking at how you can create more "win - win"  and less "win - lose" scenarios. I wish you much success in this endeavor. Truth is, if you find ways to do this successfully, you WILL experience much success!

Be sure to come back for the next article and be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this article. And, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

Excuses Prevent Action!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As always, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

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

Mike

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

The Importance of EXECUTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As always, if you haven't done so yet, you need to listen to the podcast on today's topic. Just click one of the links at the bottom of this article to do so. There is SO MUCH MORE information and additional thoughts that I share with you there that is not found in this article. 

If you listen by going to iTunes, please take a moment and leave a review - I thank you in advance! Also, be sure to stop by the FYU fan page on Facebook and let me know that you left that review AND to just say "hello" and let me know that you are benefiting from Future You University. 

As always, THANKS for joining me today and, please, share this with as many as possible and always be sure to keep moving forward, closer to your dream!

And, until next time, whatever you do,  be sure to...

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

Mike

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