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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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

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

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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

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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

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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

YouTube

 

Action Removes Doubt

If you've never taken the opportunity to do so when I have mentioned this before, I want to tell you that you NEED to go to www.DaniJohnson.com and check out what this lady has to share and offer you and anyone that goes to her site. There is a LOT of free stuff for you there. This lady KNOWS what she is talking about - that's why I share stuff from her so often on the Facebook fan page that you can access here.

 

It's been said many times in many different ways by many different people but what you see said in the graphic above comes from Dani Johnson for this day: "ACTION takes you out of doubt, while doubt takes you OUT OF ACTION!"

 

Doubt - or FEAR - can and will paralyze you, freeze you, to the point of doing nothing. This only creates more doubt and/or fear due to the lack of results. It is a vicious downward spiral that CAN be corrected but it can only be corrected with ACTION!

 

Hey friend, I'm speaking to myself here as well!

 

I did come up with this little phrase a few years back that applies today: "If you want the plan to work you must work the plan!"

 

There was a time in my life a little over twenty years ago when I was out of work and, partly due to this, I slipped into a deep depression. One of the most frustrating things about this was also something that added to the depression. The very thing(s) that I knew I NEEDED to be doing - HAD to be doing, I did not - COULD NOT, do. I KNEW that I needed to get out of bed and go find a job - ANY job...but I just couldn't do it. Now, if you've never been through that I understand that you cannot understand that concept but, if you have been there, then you know exactly what I'm describing.

 

The very thing I needed to do to help (at least to some point) my current state of affairs was not being done which simply added to the frustration, depression and desperation.

 

I promise that I'm not trying to be over-dramatic on this but it really does relate to what we are talking about today.

 

ACTION is a necessity in ANY desire and attempt toward improvement in any area of life. Specifically for this discussion, ACTION is a necessity in any job or opportunity designed to help improve your financial situation.

 

Many are afraid and/or doubtful of their ability to do what is needed and, as a result, add to their own frustration and desperation - and DOUBT - by their very actions (or LACK of actions).

 

To change up a well known commercial phrase: "Just GET UP and DO IT!"

 

You've often heard that the only way to overcome a fear is to face it.

 

ACTION removes doubt AND fear.

 

It's as simple as that but, at the same time, one of the hardest things to DO. But, do it, you MUST!

 

And, 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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Just Go Out and DO IT!

"Just Go Out and DO IT!"

I'm not going to spend a lot of time with today's blog entry - listen to the podcast for a more "in-depth" discussion on today's topic.

Simply put - stop talking about doing it, stop continuously planning on doing it, stop wishing you were doing it, stop just dreaming about doing it, stop telling everyone around you that you're going to do it ----- JUST GO OUT AND DO IT!

Again, YES, we have to make plans and chart our course for our goals. But remember, sooner or later we have to climb in the automobile, start it up and DRIVE that baby!

Usually it is FEAR that keeps us from taking that first step. And, usually, that fear is the fear of the unknown! "What if I fail? What if I mess up? What if I make mistakes?"

To be truthful, the answer to questions 2 and 3 are simply - "YOU WILL!" But, thank goodness we can come to realize that this does NOT make you a failure!

No one travels this road perfectly! No one launches out toward their dreams without ever making a mistake or messing up. We all do! Everyone has and continues to do so!

The key thing is to LEARN from your mistakes and mess ups! That will serve us in a far greater way (LIFE EXPERIENCE ALONG THE WAY) than any book or planning will or can ever do!

So, my friend, as we near the end of another month - JUST GO OUT AND DO IT!

You know you can, right? Sure you do!

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

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

Mike