Are You STUMPED?

 

Have you ever had a stump in your yard that you needed removed?

 

Now, I understand that, depending on where you live, this may not be something that has ever concerned you. But, for those of us that live in more rural areas, it's a fairly common occurrence.

 

There are several reasons that someone may end up with a stump in their yard or on their property. Someone may decide to clear out some trees and, instead of using a bulldozer to remove the tree - including the stump and the roots - they cut them down with a chainsaw and leave the stump. Sometimes, a tree may be rotten and actually fall over or, to keep that from happening, may be cut as mentioned in the last example. Lightning could strike a tree and kill it, which would require the tree - and stump - to be removed. There are many reasons but still one problem - THE STUMP!

 

There are almost as many "solutions" to this problem as there are reasons for it's existence in the first place. Some try to burn the stump in order to remove it. This takes a very long time, if it works at all. Remember, there are roots under that stump that may run several feet deep and out in all directions! Some try different types of chemicals that are supposed to kill the stump, including the roots but, again, this usually takes quite a long time to actually happen. Others will either rent a "diamond-cut saw" or hire someone that owns one of these to "chip away" at the stump in order to remove it. But, again, the problem of the root still remains. One of the most entertaining ways is for someone to put a chain around the stump and hook it on the back of a pickup with plans of "yanking it out" of the ground. The pickup, more often than not, usually loses this battle and often ends up with some sort of damage.

 

But, I'd say THE most entertaining, the QUICKEST and most EFFECTIVE way to remove a stump is to use some dynamite and simply BLOW THAT SUCKER UP! That's right...blow it up and remove it all at once.

 

So, what is it in YOUR life that has you "stumped"? What is it that is holding you back and preventing you from making the progress that you have planned for your life?

 

How long has this been going on? How long have you been attempting to "chip away" or try to resolve this issue by "attacking it" (not sure that this is really a true attack when approached this way) a little at a time?

 

Chances are - if you are really honest with yourself - you KNOW what the problem is...you just may not want to admit it to anyone else. You may not even like to admit it to yourself, but you probably really know what it is.

 

Are you ready to, once and for all, "blow that sucker up" and remove it from your life? Hey listen, be sure to take a few minutes to listen to the podcast that goes along with this, o.k.? Seriously, you need to listen to it and be encouraged. (Just click one of the podcast links at the bottom).

 

Here's a few quotes from some graphics that I've posted on the FYU Fan Page over the past few days that may be of some encouragement to you in this process. This first is from Mark Cuban:

I also found this quote from Tony Robbins: "Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being excited of what could go right."

Here's another, from Dave Ramsey, that basically sums up that definition of "insanity" (doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results):

 

 Then, here's this quote from Robert Allen: "Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone."

And, finally, this one from SUCCESS Magazine...

Take heart, friend! Don't give up! Do whatever it is you have to do to finally get past whatever it is that has you "stumped" and then move forward - WITH CONFIDENCE - knowing that you are moving close and closer to your goals and dreams!

Let me know if I can be of assistance and, 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

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

When Things Don't Feel Right...

You've heard of the "two percenter" as opposed to the "ninety-eight percenter", right?

 

If you haven't, to put it simply, the 2% set themselves apart from the other 98% of the population and, as a result, are at the top 2% of income earners.

 

The 98% are those that are part of the crowd that does the same things as everyone else in that 98% group. They follow the same plans and do the same things. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are unhappy or even unsuccessful (the definition of "success" can mean many different things).

 

But, it DOES mean this: there are only 2% that are willing to step out from the crowd and take more risks and, as a result, usually reap more rewards.

 

They don't look at things the same, think the same or do the same things as everyone else. They are not careless. They do their homework or "due diligence" but they also are not afraid to "follow their gut" when making their final decision.

 

Notice the quote from Albert Einstein above.  Following the crowd will usually take you only as far as the crowd is willing to go. It's that same idea that says that you will fit into the average of those ten people with which you spend most of your time.  You tend to go no further or do any better than the average of that group of people.

 

Why not step out and take the chance - the risk - so that you have a chance of finding yourself where no one has ever been before?

 

BECAUSE IT SCARES US!

 

I've heard Anthony Robbins say something along the line of how important it is for each of us to become more afraid of staying where we are than being afraid of the possible risk and unknown.

 

Step out of the shadow of fear and walk boldly.

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

                             Make money from home with Mike!

Living in the "YES!"

You know, it didn't dawn on me until I was recording the podcast for today (I recorded today's podcast on Monday evening) that I didn't write a blog entry for Monday! YIKES!

My apologies on that - sometimes the day just gets busy and things don't happen while other things DO happen!

So, here is the blog entry that goes along with Monday's podcast on, "Living in the 'YES!' ".


I've shared with you before how I get behind on my reading of SUCCESS magazine. By the way, if you are looking for an EXCELLENT magazine this is one of the best - if not THE best - in my opinion. But, remember, you can also go online to www.Success.com and have access for FREE to a lot of the articles that can be found in the magazine.

Well, anyway (I NEVER get sidetracked, right?) I have gotten behind on my reading again and, given the fact that they send them out a bit early, even though I am currently reading the February issue I still have the March and April issues sitting on my reading table!

But here is what I have found and what I have shared with you before... I don't think this happens by accident!

I'm not sure that ANYTHING happens by accident and I have seen this same thing happen again and again whenever I have gotten behind on my reading.

What is it I'm talking about? Although I'm behind, what I'm reading right now is what I NEED to be reading right now! Do you understand what I mean?

There have been times before that I was in the middle of a series of discussions in my podcast that I decided to try to catch up on some reading and I would read something that was RIGHT IN LINE to the current discussion that I was having on the podcast.

This has happened not only once, but three or four times now and this week has been no exception!

As we are preparing for my FREE 8-week course on "Setting and Reaching Your Goals" there has been a wide range of thoughts, ideas and excited emotions that has been going on in my life. For one, just preparing for the class and the information that I plan to share has me refreshed and excitedly thinking about the great potential that lies within each of us in not only planning or setting our goals but actually moving on to REACHING them!

Then, on top of that, my wife and I have been spending a bit of time talking about some of the goals we have set for ourselves and how exciting it is to realize that we are moving forward with those goals!

ANOTHER SIDE NOTE HERE: Friend, let me encourage you to understand that this is how CONTAGIOUS positive thoughts and people are and how it works! Right now I am more refreshed and excited than I have been in a long time. Now, that doesn't mean I was about to give up or anything like that - but we ALL need a boost and a charge from time to time and I'm getting one from preparing for this class and also sharing thoughts with my wife on these things. GET AROUND POSITIVE AND LIKE MINDED PEOPLE and see what happens in YOUR life!



O.k. back on track now!

But, as I was reading the February issue of SUCCESS magazine I began reading an article about Phil Keoghan, the seven-time Emmy-winning host and producer of "The Amazing Race". Now, I LOVE that show so I was immediately drawn to it and then I was inspired by what I read! (By the way, I have placed this article - which is available on Success.com - on the Future You University fan page on Facebook for your convenience - you can click on that link/banner over toward the bottom of the right column of this blog to become a fan).

He arrived in New York City from New Zealand in the late 80's, he had little money, no job and no friends. As the article asks, "Risky, right?"

But I LOVE what he has to say about such things by saying it's the only way to be - "The successful people I know have taken a lot of risks - risk of failure, financial loss, being judged. Successful people tend to think less about what might go wrong and focus on what might go right." (emphasis mine)

Wow, does that hit YOU between the eyes the way it does me? So many times we focus on what MIGHT go wrong that we forget to even THINK about what MIGHT happen if things go RIGHT!

I heard Tony Robbins say something along the line of, "We are so afraid to make a move - to take a risk that, even if we are miserable where we are, we'd rather stay in THAT situation than take the chance to find out what 'might be'."

I really don't want to live that way, do you?

Another thing I found interesting in this article (well, actually I found the WHOLE article interesting, but you'll have to read it yourself) was when Phil began to discuss how we get so used to saying, "no" in our lives.

"People become very good at what they practice. If you practice building a 'wall of no' up in front of everything you're trying to do, you'll be very good at building that wall. The more you practice, the thicker the wall becomes; the more resilient it becomes, the harder it will be to push that wall down."


Sound familiar?

As we go through this week's discussion, I want to encourage you to start thinking about the possibility of living in the "YES!" and get EXCITED about those possibilities!

Just notice even today, as you go through your day, how often you are tempted - out of habit (that wall) - to say "no" to something that really doesn't have to require a "no" - especially when it comes to what you might be able to accomplish or achieve in your own life!

Remember, you're good at what you practice so why not begin to practice living in the "YES!"?

Try it, see what happens. And, as you do...



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

Mike