This Becomes Your DESTINY

Before I start in on my thoughts for today's article, let me take a moment and encourage you to be sure to also listen to the podcast! There are two ways to access it and both links are located at the bottom of this article. I tell people that listen to the podcast to be sure to also read the blog and now I'm telling you to be sure to listen to the podcast.
 

Why? Because they are done at two different times and there is not a script. That means that you will get additional material besides what you find here.
 

Too, let me just say that when you read this blog you can't "hear" the passion in my voice and the inflection found there as well. So, be sure to read AND listen, o.k.?
 

Oh, and one more thing - SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

 

Now on to the show (as they say).

 

Today I'm going to discuss the last two "verses" of this graphic since we have come to the end of the week. Again, let me emphasize that, what you have before you, is a PATH, a ROAD MAP to your destiny!

 

Your destiny is not something that has been predetermined even if you or others think that it has been done. NO!

 

Do NOT settle for that way of thinking or do NOT listen to anyone that would tell you such garbage! YOU have control over the direction of your destiny and - negative or positive - it is laid out for you in the graphic above.

 

Your thoughts, words, actions, habits and your character....THIS becomes your destiny!

 

Yes, you can change your habits from bad to good by simply going back to taking control over your thoughts. Remember? Your thoughts become words, your words become actions and your actions become habits!

 

These habits become your character - WHO YOU ARE!

 

We live in a world (at least in my opinion) that is short on solid and trustworthy character. It's a shame but I see it pretty much every day.

 

We live in a world where lying is accepted and laughed at as if it really doesn't matter. We live in a world where our young people are not being taught how to be mannerly, respectful and honorable and it's sad to see.

 

When you live in such a way as to direct your path to your destiny, you provide a way - a road map - for your children and your grandchildren that can be passed down from one generation to another.

 

You may think that I have too easily interchanged the ideas of destiny with that of your legacy or dynasty. Don't let that distract you but think of this: Creating and directing your DESTINY will, indeed become your legacy and your dynasty. That, my friend, is a fact!

 

I was reading James Allen's "As a Man Thinketh" last night and there was part of one sentence that jumped out at me due to what we have been discussing the past few days. Here it is: "Thought and character are one..."

 

Your habits (which derive from your thoughts) become your CHARACTER and, yes, your character becomes your DESTINY!

 

Wow, does that impress you as it does me?

 

No more "floating around" with no control when it comes to your destiny. YOU set the sail, my friend, YOU plot the course and YOU blaze the trail.

 

It is YOUR destiny and YOU are in control.

 

And, never forget, that it begins with what you think.

 

Feed your mind and build a destiny that you can be proud of and one that you know will withstand the test of time long after you are gone.

 

And, as you go about building this powerful and positive destiny, 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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

Behind Your Back

We often worry about things that don't really matter, don't we?

One of the things that we often worry about that really shouldn't matter is what - in many cases - other people think and/or say about us.

Sure, there are some that we DO need to have some concern about their thoughts and words (spouse, our kids, and yes, our employee as well as those that we lead) but, even then, we can take it too far.

So, to "cut to the chase" or, in other words, to get right down to it, the people we are talking about are the people that really don't matter in our lives!

We try too hard to please those or impress those that really don't matter! And, if you think that they DO or SHOULD matter then ask yourself this very important question: WHY?

HINT: Don't start relationships off by being deceitful (doing and saying things in order to make them think that you are someone other than who you really are) and this should not be much of a problem for you!

"Keeping up with the Jones' " (Who the heck are these people anyway? I STILL haven't met them to see why they're so special.) and trying to impress certain people for egotistical reasons just brings extra stress and drama into your life. And there is NO NEED for it at all.

I once had a conversation with a guy who is older than me and was griping and complaining about a motorcycle he owned that was a very famous and very popular brand of motorcycle. After he went on and on about it I asked him, "So why do you own one?" Without hesitation he answered, "Prestige!". I paused for a couple of seconds and said, "You know, I'm old enough that I don't really care what people think about me or what brand of motorcycle I ride." He didn't quite know what to say once he realized what I was saying about him even though I never mentioned him or his name in what I said.

Do you want to know why some people will talk behind your back? It is simply because they don't have the "guts" or the character to talk to you about something to your face AND because what they are talking about is nothing of importance...and they know it!

LET THEM STAY THERE and let them watch you as you continue to move forward and make progress toward your goals and your dreams.

"They" will always be there and "behind your back" is where they are destined to remain.

YOU keep your eyes focused on what is ahead and don't EVER look back or give notice to those behind you that are there by their own doing (or LACK of doing).

And as you keep moving on, 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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

Live Life With Integrity

I have been a little "under the weather" the past couple of days and, while snuggled up in my favorite chair today I flipped through several channels and came across something that concerned me.

It was ANOTHER "program" that was totally dedicated to using lie detector tests and paternity tests to see if someone - usually involving a couple - was telling the truth or not. I say "another" because there are others like this as well. One seems to be nothing BUT paternity tests to find out who the real "daddy" is to a child and another in which the audience chants the name of the hosts, that focuses on the dysfunction in relationships to fuel their show.

I say "SHAME ON YOU!" to the people that have anything to do with these "shows" for taking the "low road" as a form of entertainment. And, I also say, "SHAME ON YOU!" to those that feed their mind (by watching) with this kind of garbage.

Yes, there are issues in ANY relationship but there is a remedy to strengthening any and all relationships and that remedy is to life a life of integrity.

Dictionary.com has the first definition of the word dignity as: "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. ".

Think about this: if we all would live lives of integrity then all of our relationships would improve! It doesn't matter if it's personal or business - a relationship based on integrity is one that will improve and be strengthened and long-lasting. So much stress will disappear in our lives when living a life of integrity.

Determine now that, in ALL areas of your life, you will life a life of integrity and that you will LEAVE A LEGACY of INTEGRITY for all of those around you!

Character. Integrity. Regardless of what "the world around us" says about it, IT MATTERS!

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

Mike

Future You University     FYU on Facebook     MichaelSpillman.com

Survivor: Character Counts!

Survivor: Character Counts!

For this week's last blog entry I wanted to share a few more thoughts on some things that I saw as part of this most recent season of "Survivor" which came to an end this past Sunday night.

I've already talked about Pavati's excuse of, "I had no choice!" in trying to defend her alliance with Russell - the most vile of the villains - when she realized that her decision to do so was starting to cost her in her bid to win the $1 million prize.

And that's exactly what it is - an EXCUSE!

Have you bought into that excuse in your own life? Have you decided that it's easier to give up any responsibility in and for you own life by claiming that you have no choice? Please don't!

There is ALWAYS a choice. Always. 100% of the time.

The choices that we have may not always be wonderful choices, fun choices or even choices that we particularly want to make, but there are ALWAYS choices and we make them every single day.

Deciding to do nothing, to wave the white flag of surrender and proclaim, "I give up! I have no choice" is a choice in itself. Please understand that it is a choice that will never lead you forward closer to your dreams and your goals.

The excuse, "I have no choice" is like a ball and chain tied around your ankle that will always weigh you down and keep you where you claim that you don't want to be.

Free yourself, take responsibility and open your eyes to the many choices that surround you each and every day!

Now on to the second part of today's discussion - CHARACTER COUNTS!

As I mentioned, Russell (in my opinion and apparently in the opinion of those that played with him and against him) was the most vile of the villains. He lied to anyone and everyone and told them whatever they wanted to hear. He continuously would tell someone one thing and then turn around and tell another person something completely different. He tried to threaten and bully everyone else because of his perceived "ultimate power and control" of the game.

He did well! He got all the way to the final three contestants - as he did in his last appearance on the show - who had a chance to win $1 million. And, just as it was the last time he was on the show, he really thought that he was the clear winner and that he would be rewarded the money.

Wrong!

Not only did he not win, he didn't even receive one vote from his peers deeming him worthy of the prize. Russell was shocked.

Really? Yes, really!

He felt - and even said - that those on the "jury" that he had helped kick off of the island and lied to (he had lied to each and every one of them) would respect (he actually used that word) the way that he played the game and that they would vote him in as the winner.

Wow. I don't believe anyone could ever be more "off" in their opinion and that of reality.

But, you see, this is one of the things I absolutely hate about this show. People have begun to believe that the phrase, "Outwit, Outlast, Outplay" means "Always Lie" in the process of the game.

That really bugs me! In my opinion, if you really want to see someone "outwit, outlast and outplay" then let's see someone do so WITHOUT lying! That, my friend, would be a person deserving of the $1 million!

But back to the main point - CHARACTER COUNTS!

Russell found out that, to his surprise, even in a game full of lies, CHARACTER COUNTS.

And, for those that follow the show that phrase does seem a little odd when talking ABOUT that show!

So many people live their lives conniving and scheming to get ahead and try to excuse their actions by saying something along the lines of, "Oh, that's just the way of the world!" and "If I don't do this I'll get chewed up and spit out!".

And yes, sadly, many people do get ahead in our world by living lives of dishonesty. (By the way, one thought I had about Russell was this - would you want to do business with him in the "real world" after watching how dishonest and conniving he was?).

But even when it may not seem to be so, please understand and stick to the belief that CHARACTER COUNTS!

It counts in defining who you are! It counts in defining your legacy that you will leave behind! It counts in what your children see in you - part of that legacy.

When you live a life of dishonesty and deceit you will always be living a life of discomfort and distrust. After all, if YOU are dishonest and deceitful then likely the people that you have around you are the same way. Watch out for that proverbial "knife in the back"!

However, even though those that live lives of character do not always see the immediate "reward", know this - YOU WILL ALWAYS BE BLESSED BY LIVING IN SUCH A WAY!

Yes, you will. Your life will be blessed with TRUE and HONEST friends - people that you can count on and are willing to be counted! You will find people ready to help you at a moments notice regardless of the need or when the need arises. You will live a life of contentment knowing that you have done your best to live a life worthy of the "Golden Rule" - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Hey, that may sound corny - but it's true.

CHARACTER COUNTS!

And I encourage you to live that way today even if it seems that those who live otherwise are the ones "getting ahead".

Let's get to the finish line and THEN take a look around, agreed?

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

Mike

TODAY Matters 4 Youth!

TODAY Matters 4 Youth!

How old is old? That's a question with an answer that is dependent upon who it is you are asking! I'm 50 years old right now, so to me, 70 would be considered old and yet, someone that is 70 would suggest to you that anyone OLDER than them is old!

When I was a teenager, I couldn't imagine someone being 25 years old - THAT WAS OLD!

So it is when I say that today's message is for "young people" or "youth" -- what does that mean and who does that include?

I'll try to clarify it in the following way: Anyone that has the ability to understand what I'm saying (we're talking "little one's" now!) up through those that have completed college and are in the 20's...that's who I'm talking to today.

How's that?

What do I feel that this message is so important for you? Because so many people in the world will tell you that what you do right now in your life doesn't really matter! And, from what I've seen, the younger you are the more likely it is that you will hear this said.

Bottom line: THAT JUST ISN'T TRUE! It's a LIE!

Regardless of your age - no matter how young you may be - what you do TODAY MATTERS!

Now, let me clarify something else again - I'm not trying to get you to "grow up" too fast and skip your childhood or the life of a teen. Enjoy every bit of it WHILE YOU CAN!

But what I AM saying is this: no matter how young you are you can make "life-impacting" decisions TODAY!

Since I usually direct my thoughts toward adults, let mention a couple of things to you first: 1.) I am not going to "talk down" to you - regardless of your age. You need to hear this "straight"and "to the point" and that's what I am going to do. It's what I always try to do regardless of the age of my audience. 2.) Although I emphasize the fact that TODAY is all we have and that, in reality there is no such thing as tomorrow (what do you call that 24 hour period that we refer to as "tomorrow" once it arrives? "TODAY"!) we still MUST be planning for the future. Our future is NOW. I wanted to get that out there before I continue on with this discussion. There now, let's move on!

What you do today matters because you are laying the FOUNDATION - the BUILDING BLOCKS - for your future TODAY! And, just like with any building of any size, if you have a shoddy or weak foundation, that building will not be stable and it WILL come crashing down!

Here's my main point: I encourage you - I CHALLENGE YOU - to make a decision NOW - TODAY - to live a life of character!

What do I mean? I challenge you to STEP UP and ABOVE those around you and choose to live a life of honesty and honor which, in turn, is living a life of character.

Hey, don't laugh this off - what you do TODAY matters and what you do TODAY becomes a habit for your life! Really think about that!

Don't laugh it off when I challenge you to NOT CHEAT on any tests or assignments. The sad thing is that this has become so common place that many young people would look at me like I'm crazy for saying that. Really? This is what I mean by you stepping UP and ABOVE the rest!

It's not "just" about not cheating on tests or assignments, it's about living a life of TRUTH! Dedicate yourself to a life of TRUTH and you WILL "rise above the rest"! That's a promise and guarantee!

Why is this so? Because so many of your peers WON'T and DON'T live a life of truth! And you're decision to do so will set you apart and lay a solid foundation for a powerful and positive future.

Living a life of character means that, because you life a life of TRUTH, when you speak people believe you. Think about how important that really is.

If your habit has been to lie about big things or small, how do you get anyone to believe you when you really ARE telling them the truth?

Understand this: some people may appear to be "making it" in the word by living a life of dishonesty and lies - you can see it around you each and every day - but that is a facade, a "false appearance" and you need to dedicate yourself to NOT be lured away by false appearances.

People that live this kind of life will encourage you to take the path of least resistance! Instead of dedicating and disciplining yourself to WORK at an honest job, they will try to lure you away with the "false appearance" of money and wealth.

I know that the lure is strong for some of you. But I want to CHALLENGE you to STAND UP and STAND ABOVE the rest! You CAN do it if you set your mind to it and I will do all I can to encourage you along the way.

And, you know what? There are many more people just like me out there that are waiting and willing to HELP YOU ACHIEVE this life of character!

The habits that you form TODAY will shape all of your "tomorrows". Regardless of your age!

THIS CHOICE IS NOT EASY and the life that comes from choosing to live a life of character is not always easy either!

One last thought - You may think that those that live a life based on dishonesty and lies have a lot of things that you desire such as popularity, friends, money and lots of "stuff". But I encourage you to look again and look very closely.

Those that live this kind of life really have NO true friends. Those people that you see following them and surrounding them will stab them in the back (both figuratively and literally) at their first opportunity. Those that live this kind of life can never really be at peace for they are always "watching their back" due to what I just said about those that surround them. When that "stuff" is gone - so are the so-called "friends".

Choose a life of character - regardless of your age. You attract those that are like you! Usually this is worded that you become like those you hang around and this is true. However, I want to turn it around and use it to show the power that YOU have in and with your life!

When you choose to live a life of character you will attract others that are drawn to this type of life and decision.

When can you begin this process? When you can you take the first step of this journey?

TODAY! Right now.

And, YES, YOU CAN! Never doubt that.

Contact me at any time via the information that you can find on my website (http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com) - I'd love to hear from you.

And, as you go through each day always remember to...

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

Mike