SHARE and TEACH

CONCLUSION: "Share and Teach Family and Others!"

"Learning", of any type, is achieved through sharing of information. Wouldn't you agree?

Parents, teachers, and others pass along information to our children and they learn - good or bad - that which is shared with them. 

If you will notice on the picture above, I have circled the focus of today's article: "Share and Teach Family and Others!". When I originally wrote the main phrase about finding and keeping our joy and peace, I realized that it was also important to TEACH and SHARE and, especially, to do so with FAMILY FIRST and then others. 

Let's talk about sharing and teaching with our family first. There are not many things that are more valuable than to help our children learn how to find JOY and PURPOSE in their lives. Notice I said, "teach them HOW TO FIND" and not, "tell them what it is". That's one thing we must be careful of and avoid. We can NOT tell anyone else what it is that brings joy and purpose in their life but we CAN help them in the process of discovering that for themselves. 

Go back and read again the articles on finding our joy and also on finding our purpose and use some of the information there to help in this process. We can help our children understand that, often, we find true joy while serving others. We can point out how this is discussed and promoted in the Bible as well as just about every "positive information" source that has ever been printed. You can also hear just about every motivational speaker say the same thing (as well as write the same thing).  WHY? Because it's true!

Helping our children to discover joy through serving as well as helping them understand that they DO have a purpose in life and it begins in the world that is nearest to them - their world - is one of the greatest things we can do for them. Help them to understand that, when we say that their purpose in life begins in "their world" that we are not saying that they are the "center of the universe of their world". Make sense? 

And, don't forget, they will learn best by observing what YOU AND I do in our own lives. That's right - they're watching us!

SHARING AND TEACHING OTHERS - I'll start this part of the article where I finished the last one. Those around us will most often "learn" through observing how we put this into practice in our own lives. Don't miss the importance of this and, especially, how it relates to this process with others (non-family).

Here's a little "warning" for you: If you try to "tell" everyone what to do in this area, you will likely be met with resistance and ridicule. And, when you have a "bad day", you will hear about it from them because you have already presented yourself as an "expert" in the area. Hey, I'm just being real here. People don't like to be "told" or "preached at" by others. 

Here's how this works with others...

Your example through discovering this in your own life will work as a "magnet" for some and it will draw them to you. Notice I said, "some". Not everyone will pay attention and not everyone WANTS to find joy in their life. I know that sounds odd but, truth be told, a lot of people ENJOY being miserable regardless of what they say.  (Also be aware that these are the same people that will likely do as much as they can to ridicule you and discourage you along the way. They are miserable and they want everyone else to be miserable as well).

But, there are those that will be "drawn" to you and the way that you handle yourself. Living a life of joy and purpose will automatically draw others to you and, many times, they will want to know HOW you are able to live life the way that you do. Don't take this as a sign to "dump it all" on them at one time! No, just take the time to share with them a little at a time - over time - so that it can be absorbed along the way. Most importantly, continue to SHOW THEM by how you live. 

You can share these articles with them. You can also share that free resource from Jack Canfield that I discussed recently (and I highly recommend that). Just go to jackcanfield.com and look for the 10 Day Transformation Course and sign up for it - again, it's FREE!

Help them understand (and this applies to our family as well) that this is something that takes time and that it is a process. It's not a magical formula that happens overnight. Every person is different and it will take some people longer than others.

That's o.k.

Life is a marathon and not a sprint. Enjoy the journey and don't focus solely on the destination. 

Thank you for allowing me to experience joy and purpose in my life through sharing this blog and my podcast with you on a regular basis. I do mean that - THANK YOU!

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

 

Are the Best Things in Life REALLY Free? (Part 2)

If you have yet to do so, go back and read Part 1 of this current series so you can be "up to speed" on the emphasis and focus of this series.

 

Bottom line: As wonderful as the things listed in the graphic above really are - they are NOT free!

 

Each and every one of them require an INVESTMENT from you. It may involve an investment of time or an investment of emotion or risk or any number of things. And, quite often, it requires an investment of several - if not all - of the things that we could list. 

 

Yes, this applies even to something as what we may call "simple" like kisses. That's right, KISSES.

 

Let's start with adults and work our way back. If you are on a date and you try to give or get a kiss too soon, what will happen? Perhaps a slap across the face or, for sure, some sort of rejection. Why? THE INVESTMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE! And, no, I'm not suggesting, "Hey baby, I bought you supper, you owe me a kiss!". I'm talking about an investment in interest and respect, for example.

 

If you are in a relationship (whether dating or married) then, for those kisses to actually MEAN something, there MUST be an investment as well. Too many lose that "spark" with those kisses over time because they have also ceased to make continued investment. Think about it...it's true.

 

Kisses don't always have to be a form of foreplay for some sexual adventure, right? Sometimes a kiss - a kiss with investment - can be as simple as a little kiss on the forehead that says, "Hang in there, it's going to be alright".

 

And oh, then there are those kisses that we give to those babies...our own kids OR grandbabies (or nieces and nephews). Even though that little baby may not know about it, there has been investment made on YOUR part in all of it (especially if it is your child or grandbaby).  If you don't agree, try kissing some baby that you've never seen before and see what the reaction of the parent(s) is(are).

 

FAMILY - I'm sure you have no problem at all agreeing that FAMILY requires investment. Family is not always easy and, to be honest, it's not always pleasant. Sometimes family hurts and causes pain. However, family is forever. I know, you may feel anything about family BUT that you want it to be "forever". I get that, I really do. Maybe I should rephrase what I said and change it to, "Family SHOULD BE forever." If that is to be so, it definitely requires an investment of your time, patience, love and understanding.

 

As far as your own family (your spouse and your children), here's some advice: INVEST EARLY AND OFTEN! You'll be glad you did.

 

SLEEP - Sleep? What? How does one invest in sleep? There are several ways for this to be done but, for one, when you live each day to the best of your ability, you should be able to lay your head on your pillow at night and sleep well with that knowledge. Yes, even when things don't turn out just right or the way that you wish...if you've done your best, let it go and sleep easy, friend.

 

If you are a believer, trust your God, turn your worries over to Him and sleep easy. Invest in that relationship as well!

 

And yes, you can even invest by the way that you treat your body. There's two ways to look at this part of the equation: 1. A good night's sleep will help keep you healthy and, 2. Being healthy will help you get a good night's sleep. Take care of yourself, try to improve your health and sleep better. In turn, you will feel better and actually BE better.

 

I'm purposely not going into more detail on these items so that YOU may "dig" into these things for yourself and for your own situation. My hope is that just bringing these things up might create a "spark" in and for your life in one (or all) of these areas.

 

They are all part of the investment that you make in the world in which you live.

 

Invest, get involved, be involved and experience the true return from your investment...a joyous life.

 

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    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Set Sail

We've likely all heard the saying, "Better safe than sorry!", right? But, maybe it's more correct to sometimes say, "Being safe can make you sorry!".

 

Like the graphic says above, "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for."

 

Can you imagine someone building a ship and even gathering a crowd for a christening and then, when someone asks when they plan to take it out on the water, they get this reply: "What? Are you crazy? I'm not EVER taking it out on the water! I spent too much time and money to take a chance like that!"?

 

WHY DID YOU BUILD THE SHIP?

 

I used this example in the podcast (I do recommend that you always listen to the podcast for more thoughts - click one of the links below) of many that I have seen buy an expensive 4X4 truck or SUV but that never take it "muddin'" or hunting anywhere that may cause it to get dirty, muddy or perhaps get a scratch on it. WHY DID YOU BUY SUCH A TRUCK?

 

It's been shown that we have gotten so used to the idea of "anti-bacterial" EVERYTHING so much that, often, our kids get sick MORE than they used to. Why? Because by being so overcautious and overprotective our childrens' bodies have not had the chance to build natural immunities to the germs that they would normally encounter.

 

What's the point?

 

Just as a boat was not meant to stay in the harbor and just as a truck built to get in the mud was not meant to be kept on city streets and, yes, just as a child was not meant to always be clean - so it is with you and me and our lives.

 

WE WERE NOT MEANT TO PLAY THINGS SO SAFE THAT WE FORGET HOW TO LIVE!

 

Some are so afraid of rejection or getting their feelings hurt that they never develop close relationships of any kind because it's "safer" that way. WE WERE MEANT TO LOVE! Yes, we get our feelings hurt and we can get rejected along the way, but we were meant to have relationships and to LOVE!

 

Some young people are afraid to leave home and some parents are afraid to allow their young adults to leave home because of the unknown "out there". Yet, all humans were meant to step out on their own at some time in their lives! Yes, it is scary due to the unknown but it is also EXCITING for that very same reason! WE WERE MEANT TO LIVE and LEARN!

 

The same is true of jobs and business! Some are afraid to go for that promotion because they may get turned down and/or because it would require some learning of NEW things. But refusing to "go for it" and to reach out and stretch will cause those people to continuously live an unfulfilled life! WE WERE MEANT TO STRETCH AND GROW!

 

Whatever it is for you, friend, we cannot always cling to what we perceive as "safe".

 

You are resilient and amazing! Don't sell yourself short. You were made to "take it" and to keep coming back again and again and again.

 

So, "get out of the harbor", set sail, feel the wind in your face and LIVE LIFE as it was meant to be lived.

 

And always 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

Who Follows YOU?

 

("Like" us on Facebook!)

 

 

 

Position DOES NOT make a leader. We've established that fact and, hopefully, more and more people will begin to understand that and CHANGE their "style" of "leadership". After all, that's not leadership, it's a POSITION. (In order to be a leader you must have followers!).

 

A real leader is one who has "been there, done that"! In other words, they are able to lead based on what they KNOW. The KNOW because they have BEEN THERE and DONE THAT! They can SHOW you the way because they have GONE the way. If you didn't read it, go back to the last blog entitled, "Been There, Done That" and take a look at the quote at the top of the article from John C. Maxwell.

 

Now, with those founding pillars in place let's conclude this little series on EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP by asking the question, "Who follows YOU?"

 

Some are stunned and surprised at such a question because they don't think ANYONE is following them. Friend, get this point: even if you are NEGATIVE and have NO DESIRE to lead the way, SOMEONE is watching you and choosing to do what you do. In other words, they are choosing to follow your lead.

 

Kinda' scary, isn't it? I HOPE SO!

 

You see, you can LEAD others to BE better, DO better and LIVE better by your own desire to do the same. And, by doing so, you are SHOWING what you KNOW because you have chosen to GO that way and follow that path. Amazing, isn't it?

 

And, on the other hand, you can choose to do the opposite and have others with no desire use you as an excuse to do the same in their life. Sad, isn't it?

 

Either way - YOU ARE A LEADER.

 

I saw this demonstrated in my own life when I was somewhere around 6th - 7th grade. There was a little guy quite a bit younger than me that would sit by me at church and, on one such occasion, I began to notice that he was trying to do everything that I was doing. If I sat up straight, he sat up straight. If I coughed, he coughed. I crossed my leg and, as hard as it was for him to do so, he found a way to cross his leg just like me. Even then it hit me hard that someone was watching me THAT closely and that they were DOING exactly what they saw me do.

 

Friend, nothing has changed.

 

 

So, with that being true (and it is) why in the world would ANYONE choose to lead others toward a life of unfulfilled and empty dreams? NOT YOU!

 

So, look in the mirror and say to yourself with CONFIDENCE and with a SMILE on your face: "I really AM a leader!".

 

Now, go on. LEAD.

 

 

And while you're at it, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

PRIORITIES: Are They YOURS?

(be sure to check out the podcast on iTunes or on the RSS feed)

Have you ever received an e-mail that was marked as "priority"? You know, the ones with the red exclamation marks by them indicating that this is something REALLY important (a priority, right?) that you MUST open right away! And, friend, how many times has this actually been true? Yeah, hardly ever - IF ever - for me, either.

Have you ever had a friend call you, text you, e-mail you and tell you that they had an emergency and that they needed your help RIGHT AWAY only to find out it was nothing of any major importance...at least to you? I'm sure most - if not all - of you have had someone in a position "above you" at work drop something on your desk telling you that this needed to be done A.S.A.P. and that it was of "utmost importance". And, have you rushed to get it done while leaving a lot of other things UNdone only to find out that it sat on that person's desk for a week after you got it to them "A.S.A.P."?

I have a sign somewhere that used to hang in my office that reads, "Lack of planning on your part does NOT mean an emergency on mine."

GOOD POINT.

As you go through that list that shows your daily activities and as you begin to see what your priorities actually are (not what you WISH they were) you need to also begin to ascertain something else. How many of these priorities are actually YOURS? (By the way, if you've not done these lists, go back and listen to yesterday's podcast and read yesterday's blog and get going on it!).

I hate having to do so many "disclaimers" but I feel that I must because there are so many people that are just waiting for someone to give them "permission" to feel good about their wrong ideas (even if that "permission" is a twisting of what is actually said). So, here we go...

DISCLAIMER: The fact that you'd rather be doing something different does NOT mean that a particular priority in your life is not necessary. EXAMPLE: Sure, I'm guessing ANYONE would rather be doing something else besides changing a diaper and wiping up drool but, if that is where you are in your life right now, it IS a priority and it IS necessary. DO NOT take that to mean that it is someone else's priority and think that you shouldn't be doing that particular thing.

There, now are we on the same page?

Here's the point I'm trying to make about all of this...don't let someone else determine the size of your dreams (one of my "7 Daily Affirmations") and don't let someone else determine what is to be of importance in your life.

For example, many may try to convince you that you need to be working as many hours as possible while you can and that your children won't mind because you'll be able to furnish them with all of the "cool STUFF" that so many other kids wish they had. Don't buy into that! I often heard it said that no one, at the end of their life, ever says "I wish I had spent more time at the office" but many DO say, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids!".

Our oldest son and his wife recently had their first baby (our first GRANDbaby) and she is now almost 4 months old. They cannot hardly believe that she is already that age. JUST WAIT (and yes, I've told them), it goes by SO fast...WAY too fast. No matter how young your children are please get this - YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW YEARS TO MAKE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES! Do not allow anyone else to convince you that something else is of more importance than this.

Hey, even take a look at your career. Is it something that is important to YOU or to someone else? (Again, I'm not giving you "permission" to back up an idiotic idea that you should quit work and go sell shells in a shack by the sea shore. Wow, that was almost a tongue twister!) But is this something YOU wanted to do or is it something someone else decided (and put pressure on you about) was what you needed to do with your life.

Notice the last two words in that last sentence...YOUR LIFE!

So yeah, you have some more homework to do going all the way back to that original list showing your daily activities. Now, go through your "priorities" that are made evident to you and determine how many of these are actually YOUR priorities.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

You Are Able to TOUCH and CHANGE Lives

Today is "Wide-Open Wednesday"...what will YOU do with today's wide-open opportunity?

So far this week we have discussed two of my "7 Life-Changing, Life-Directing, Powerful Daily Affirmations" and, as you might guess, I will be continuing on with the third of these seven in today's article. For those that have yet to listen to the podcast that goes along with all of this, I'll go ahead and share with you the total list of all seven before I continue today's thought. Here we go:

1: I am somebody SPECIAL!

2: I AM ABLE to accomplish GREAT things!

3: I AM ABLE to TOUCH and CHANGE many lives for the better!

4: I will not allow ANYONE to determine the size of my dreams1 THEY ARE MINE!

5: I AM A GIVER - not a taker!

6: I WILL take steps on this journey TODAY!

7: I CAN! I WILL! I MUST!

Again, if you have not listened to or read the previous topics (the first two affirmations) before now, take a few moments and do that. Why is this important? Because the very first affirmation is the BUILDING BLOCK and FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE upon which the remaining six affirmations are built.

Because of WHO you are (one created in the image of God) you are, indeed somebody special! And, based on this fact you ARE able to accomplish "great" things and, among those great things is your ability to TOUCH and CHANGE the lives of those around you that you come into contact with each and every day.

Take a moment and just think about all of the people that you have had more than just a "passing connection" with over the past five years. I'm not talking about those people that you came into contact just once (those would be the "passing connection" people I mentioned - although you DID have an impact on them as well!) but those that you come into contact maybe even two or three times in a week.

The waiter/waitress at your favorite restaurant, the garage attendant at your parking garage, your doorman, your co-workers, your friends at church, your spouse's family, your family, your children, friends of your children and on and on we could go. Think about that just for a moment and try to come up with an estimate of how many different people you've had contact with, like these, over the past five years.

My guess is that you will likely come up with a larger number than you would have thought in the beginning. Now, double that number and then triple it. Why do that? Because, whether we realize it or not, the impact we make on other people is transferred to  people that THEY come into contact with in THEIR daily lives!

WOW! When you think of it this way you do, indeed, have impact on far more lives that we can even begin to imagine! Here's the kicker - that impact can be either NEGATIVE or POSITIVE!

What impact would you say that you "generally" have on those around you? Oh, I know we all have days when we are a bit short with people and maybe aren't as positive as we normally are. That happens. But friend, what IS your "norm"?

Listen, when you even just consider the impact you make upon hundreds - if not thousands - of lives just from the impact upon your children, it can be almost overwhelming. Your children and all of those that they connect with throughout their school years and even through college as well as the co-workers that they will have in their career. Combine that with their friends and then their own children (your grandchildren) and on and on it goes.

WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING TODAY?

You see friend, it is not about HUGE and MIGHTY things when we discuss this. Sure, it CAN be and you MAY touch many lives in ways that not many can or do but - DON'T MISS THIS POINT - your ability to touch and change many lives for the better begins right now and right where you are. TODAY.

We must stop waiting for some great opportunity before we touch lives and realize that this opportunity is here before us this very day. NOW.

So, touch and change the lives of those that you come into contact with today and every day and just imagine how far-reaching that impact will be and then smile as you go about your day.

And, as you do so...

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

Mike

YOU Can Do GREAT Things!

Today is "Turn-Around Tuesday"...stop waiting and TURN YOUR life AROUND TODAY!

Today I want to continue our discussion on my "7 Daily, Powerful, Life-Changing Affirmations" that I put together back in August of 2008. Yesterday we discussed my 1st of these 7, "I am somebody special!" and, today, I'd like to continue with the second one: "I am able to accomplish great things!".

Remember, the first of these seven that I covered yesterday is the FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE on which all of the other six are based upon. Everything else comes from - and because of - this first and most important daily affirmation, "I am somebody special" and the reasoning behind it which I discusses yesterday.

Once we can at least make a move toward accepting and believing that, indeed, we ARE somebody special, then we can move on to the second of these seven, "I am able to accomplish great things!"

WHY? HOW? We can because, first and foremost, of WHO we are! Remember, we are made in the image of God and, that alone, qualifies us for greatness REGARDLESS of what kind of lives we have lived in the past! DO NOT MISS THAT POINT....even if we were mistreated in our lives as children and raised in a very negative - and even abusive - environment, we STILL have the OPPORTUNITY to turn things around and begin to live a life with a focus on the POSITIVE.

What IS "greatness"? Obviously, for some people in our world, it means achieving the very best that their chosen field has to offer whether that be President of the United States or any other top level of achievement that is available to them. But, for some of us, it may not mean anything like that.

How much money does it take for you to be "great"? How many people have to know who you are in order for you to be "great"? How many times does your name have to appear in print in order for you to be "great"? Friend, these things have absolutely NOTHING to do with "greatness"!

You achieve GREATNESS by what you do with your life every day of your life. That's right...not quite as grandiose as some would have you believe, right?

You achieve GREATNESS by being the best husband and father that you can be or the best wife and mother you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being the best friend, employee or employer that you can be. You achieve GREATNESS by being a person of HONOR in all of the above mentioned areas!

Now, this does not mean that you CANNOT or WILL NOT achieve "greatness" in your chosen field, but don't limit yourself to that line of thinking.

Here's the KEY POINT I want to make sure you get in all of this (be sure to listen to the podcast that goes along with this topic: http://mikespillman.hipcast.com/rss/futureyouuniversity.xml (RSS feed)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 (iTunes) ...

...you are able to achieve GREATNESS because of WHO you are (one made in the image of God) and not because of the positive or negative that those around you have said to you in relation to who you are.

EXAMPLE: You are NOT doomed to failure just because someone may have told you that you are worthless and that you would NEVER amount to anything! But, on the other side of the spectrum, you are NOT guaranteed success just because someone told you that you were the greatest thing in the world! Now, true, it is much better and more conducive for success to have that positive feedback rather than the negative but, again, you have the ability to achieve great things in your life because of WHO YOU ARE from the start!

Do NOT sell yourself short! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you should settle for less! Do NOT listen to those that would tell you that you must make a choice between your chosen passion and your family in order to be a success!

God has blessed you with everything that you need in order to do and accomplish "great" things! Use that, develop that, use the good sense the Good Lord has given you to take advantage of this unbelievable age that we live in today that offers so many opportunities for success for those that are willing to step out and go for it.

Just remember, as you do so, you do so as a person of HONOR.

"I am able to accomplish great things!"

As you continue along this path, always be sure to...

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

RELATIONSHIPS: An Extension of YOU

"RELATIONSHIPS: An Extension of YOU

I'd like to mention something about the picture used above and how it relates to our topic. You can see four pictures of me - the same person but, yet, each picture is different than the other.

So it is as we deal with the different relationships in our lives. WE are the same person yet, we are perceived differently with each relationship that we have in our lives. Now, let's move on to the topic for today.

All of our relationships (remember, they ALL belong to us) have US as a common denominator. We talked about that before but it is important for us to never forget that fact.

And, regardless of what TYPE of relationship we are discussing (check out person, mailman, parking attendant or best friend) we leave our "fingerprints" on each and every one.

Wow, think about that for a moment!

Sometimes we think these "outer ridge" relationships don't really matter. You know, the ones that we discussed yesterday when we talked about taking the time to acknowledge those that we do come into contact with on a semi-regular basis or a regular basis such as a parking attendant.

We can fall into the trap (and lie) that how we treat these people doesn't really matter. After all, they don't really know us anyway, right?

WRONG!

They DO know you by your actions! Who you SAY you are is not as revealing as who you SHOW you are. Now there's an ugly truth to think about.

We want to think that if these people in that "outer ridge" of our relationships think the wrong thing about us (according to who?) then it's because they don't really know the "real" us.

Oh? Perhaps they DO know the "real" you more than you care to admit.

You leave your "fingerprint" on every person that you come into contact with during each and every day. Like it or not, this is true.

Think about this as well - for most of these people this is the ONLY impression that they have of you. Now, based on that, what impression do they have of YOU?

In my opinion, more than anything else, how you treat those in this category defines who we are more than anything you want to believe or want others to believe.

It is your "fingerprint". It is your "identification" of who you really are.

If you are not satisfied with the "fingerprint" that you have been leaving behind why not make a change starting TODAY?

Unlike our own physical fingerprints we CAN actually "change" this "fingerprint" that we leave behind.

It's your move.

Until next time...

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

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com

Leaving Your Positive Footprint

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.”
-Anonymous

In today's podcast - let me first of all clarify something - I DO realize that the correct term is "carbon footprint" and not "carbon imprint" (and yes, I'm grinning as I type this!). I realized that I had made the mistake when I listened to my recording to make sure things fit together as planned BUT I wasn't going to try to correct that. I still think you got the point in the podcast (even though you may have had a laugh!) and, I prefer for my podcast to have as much of a "live" feel as possible even though they are recorded.

O.k now - on to the topic at hand! Number one premise for us to set down for the day is this:

You DO leave an IMPACT each and every day!

(And this is regardless of HOW you approach your day - positive OR negative!)

So, once again, we come back to the point of "choice" - it's YOUR CHOICE as far as the type of impact you wish to leave on the world around you. Yup, it's all still up to you!

IMPACT YOUR WORLD! This can be a daunting task to consider, right? But, notice closely that I did not say, "Impact THE world" but "YOUR world" instead. There is a big difference!

For one, it IS a daunting task for any of us to consider making an impact on the whole world - there are very few people in history that have lived in such a way as to have such a huge impact!

However, when we break this down to OUR world it becomes more manageable. So, it is important for us to "define" what, exactly, encompasses "OUR WORLD".

Here's a short list to consider - make it personal and add to it so that you can get very specific in your approach:

1. Your children, your spouse - YOUR FAMILY

2. Your neighbors (whether in an apartment building or a neighborhood)

3. Your co-workers

4. Your circle of friends

5. Those you have contact with on a daily basis (your child's teacher(s), school bus driver, etc., the parking attendant, store clerk, waiter/waitress, YOUR bus driver, paper delivery person - on and on we could go here -- YOU add to the list from YOUR life)

6. Those at your church or social group

Even though this list can grow quickly, it is still a much more manageable size group than considering the whole world.

BUT HERE IS THE KICKER!

Your impact spreads far beyond those on your list! Think about that and consider how your actions impact the lives of those around you which, in turn, very likely will influence their impact on those that THEY contact on a daily basis.

Just like the ripples on a pond from a rock tossed into the water, so is your impact and influence on those around you. It doesn't stop with the initial "splash" that is made - it goes out further and further beyond the point of contact.

WOW! Pretty amazing to think about, isn't it?

Here's a challenge for today (and then tomorrow and the day after that and then the day after that and then....well, you get the point, right?) -- see how many people you can help smile today.

Whether that is a child or an elderly person (and all points in between) - think about the impact you can have just by sharing yourself with others and bringing a smile to the face of others.

And then watch the ripple effect take off - beyond your knowledge and beyond your initial contact.

Each and every day we leave an imprint or a footprint -- why not do all that you can to leave your POSITIVE footprint on the world - YOUR world -- along the way?

And...here's a twist from today's podcast -

"Make someone else's day awesome? That is something you may can do for them!"

(And yours will be awesome in return - guaranteed!)

Mike

Thanks For YOUR Help With "Make-a-Wish"

Hey friends...I thoght I'd put up a final note about our recent fund drive with the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" that ended on August 31st.

Although our goal was to raise $5300 to provide the wish for one child, we were unable to meet that goal at this time. Disappointed? Sure. Defeated? NO WAY!

Here's what we DID accomplish... $2044 !!!!

AMAZING! AWESOME! POWERFUL!

Carissa, fromt the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" told me that this figure was enough to provide plane tickets for 5 young people to go to Disney World --- SO WE DID GOOD!

Thank you to ANYONE and EVERYONE that donated to this very worthy cause! Thank you for caring enough to make the sacrifice to help.

I have to mention donations on "both ends of the spectrum" :
1. A young couple donated $1,000 toward this effort all on their own! Why? Because they have healthy children and wanted to be a part of helping out families that were going through the struggles with their ill children! THANK YOU for this powerful show of love and commitment!
2. An unemployed friend of mine out in California donated a total of $60 during the two month effort. He didn't have the money but FOUND a way to make donations! THANK you for your powerful show of love and commitment as well!

Whoever you are - whatever amount you donated - THANK YOU!Lives have been touched and changed and I hope yours has been as well in the process.

The VALUE of LOVE

As I type this, it is another WONDERFUL MONDAY - the start of another FANTASTIC week! Many times I refer to Monday as "magical" on my podcast because it is, indeed, just that. Why? (This is for those that have never really listened to or heard my podcast). It is "magical" because you have the ability, the POWER to determine what your day will be. And, this being Monday, for most it is also the first day of the work week which means that, by determining the direction of your Monday, you also determine the direction of this work week! That is MAGICAL, my friend!

So, what will YOU do with your Monday? (This actually applies to every day!).

Lately I have also been referring to Monday as "Make-a-Wish Monday" because of the fund raising effort that I am involved in through F.Y.U. This goes through the end of this month with the goal of $5300 - the amount needed to fulfill the wish of one child.

Where are we in this goal? A dismal $300. No, that's not a typo...that's the correct figure. The whole month of July we raised $300.

SO...that means that we are headed for an UNBELIEVABLE finish to this effort and that it will be EXCITING when you finally decide to take action! Again, to raise the other $5,000 all we need is 166 people to donate $30 - that's all there is to it!

$30????? Some may be thinking that they cannot do that - and that's o.k. If you can't donate the $30 then what CAN you do and what WILL you do? For many - and I do mean many - $30 is but a drop in the bucket which means that those in that position can donate more than the $30. Will you?

Remember, organizations such as this CONTINUE with their task regardless of the economy! They STILL have wishes that need to be filled even in a "depressed" economy - so it is up to people like you and me to CONTINUE to support their efforts.

So, let's look at that $30 and consider it's VALUE. On today's podcast I discuss this and ask how many of you spent $30 over the weekend. Think about it. My guess is that the majority of you reading this did, indeed, spent $30 (and then some) at some point over the past weekend. Wow, some of you as you read this - depending on what time of the day you read this - may have spent that today already.

Did you spend it on a meal? Was it good? Even if it was the BEST MEAL EVER, it's now gone and but a memory. It was food. Now, don't place the value on the "experience" of the time spent with family and/or friends. Just the food itself. Think about it, you didn't pay your friends to spend time with you, did you? (If you did, we need to talk!). So, what was the VALUE of the money that you spent on that meal.

For most of us - if not all of us - it costs more than $30 to fill up our gas tanks. Sure, it gets us to where we are going, but have you considered the VALUE of that $30+?

We could go on and on with examples, but I hope you can follow through now with this thought process and apply it to yourself and your situation.

Now, what about the $30 that you COULD donate to this special effort? Oh, by itself, it really isn't able to accomplish much in fulfilling the dream of an ill child. BUT, when you combine with others all across the United States (and perhaps the world), you have LEVERAGE! And that LEVERAGE allows your efforts combined with others the ability to have a much greater IMPACT on the lives of these children! Think about that!

Now...what is the VALUE of that $30? For me, it is far greater than the value for any meal, for gas in my tank or whatever else I mindlessly spend $30 on over the course of a day or weekend. What about you?

When you consider this, we indeed are asking the question, "What is the VALUE of LOVE?" How do you put a "price tag" on that? YOU CAN'T!

Please, your help is NEEDED TODAY!! Not tomorrow (although we'll take it then too!). Here's the fact - and you know it's true - if you put off until tomorrow something that you can do TODAY, the odds of you doing it then are greatly diminished.

So, please, I beg you - DONATE TODAY!

Go to http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com and click on the "Make-a-Wish" banner on the home page.

NOTE: When you go to the donation page - indicate the amount you wish to donate but DO NOT PUT IN YOUR ZIP CODE or change the "chapter"!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Simply indicate the amount you wish to donate and then fill out your personal information.

IF YOU WOULD- after this is done you have the opportunity to leave a message for everyone else. If you donated the $30 - please leave a note that simply says, "I'm one of the $30" or something along that line. OR if you donated a different amount, please indicate that you are, indeed one that cares!
Too, if you would, leave some sort of indication of how you have come across this information. Perhaps it is from morningcoach. com - if so, perhaps put an MC beside that information. Are you accessing this from theworldneedsmorehappy.com ? Then maybe something to indicate that as well. And, for all of you accessing this through Future You University, how 'bout "F.Y.U."?

Thanks again. We have our work cut out for us for sure. BUT if we will understand the POWER OF LEVERAGE as well as the POWER (and VALUE) of LOVE then we WILL reach this goal!

As always, "Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

WOW - I'm BEHIND!

I apologize for being so far behind on my blogs - I have no excuse and I will try to catch up as much as possible in today's entry.



Following the FEAR of POVERTY and the FEAR of CRITICISM we began to discuss the next fear in Napoleon Hill's list of the "Six Ghosts of Fear". This all can be found in chapter 15 ("How to Outwith The Six Ghosts of Fear") of his classic book, "Think & Grow Rich".



THE FEAR OF SICKNESS



You likely already know this but, people (yes, even you!) can literally make themselves sick! I had listed on my "status" on Facebook this topic and one of my friends made the comment that they once had a coworker that would end up going home for the day not feeling well if they had discussed at all any type of sickness or someone else that was sick!



Napoleon Hill even talks about an experiment that he had carried out in which he had three different people come in to the "victim" and express the idea that, "Wow, you don't look too good. Are you feeling o.k.?" The "victim" responded to the first query with something along the lines of, "Oh no - I'm doing fine!" However, once the second person came in and asked the same question the "victim" would then respond with something along the lines of, "Well, you know, I am feeling like I'm coming down with something." and then, by the time the third person came in with the same comment, the "victim" would admit that they were, in fact, not well.



Isn't that amazing? Yet, we can do the same thing ourselves AND that being so - out of necessity - it must also be suggested that we can IMPROVE our health by controlling our thoughts!



THIS IS STILL ALL ABOUT OUR MINDS and the THOUGHTS and SUGGESTIONS that we allow there! Mr. Hill states the following: "Powerful and mighty is the human mind! It builds or it destroys!"



What are the SYMPTOMS of this FEAR of SICKNESS?



1. AUTO-SUGGESTION - Huh? Wait a minute! Isn't "auto-suggestion" a positive thing? Well, it CAN be! However, just as we can feed our mind POSITIVE information in order that our subconscious mind can then "automatically suggest" those positive thoughts and beliefs back to us, so is it true with negative thoughts. We can also allow negative thoughts to be fed into our subconscious mind (yes, WE/YOU/I control this!) and that is what we will receive through auto-suggestion. We can so fear getting sick that our subconscious can contiually suggest to us that, indeed, we DO feel bad and ARE getting sick!



2. HYPOCHONDRIA - We all have likely heard this term, right? We call those with this "phobia", "hypochondriacs". Mr. Hill describes this as a medical term for imaginary diseases and he suggests that, many times, what we IMAGINE brings about worse health than the actual disease/sickness feared! He also suggest that NOTHING in a bottle is able to cure this - again, it's all in the mind and we DO have the power and ability to control and CURE this plague from our lives!



3. EXCERCISE - (or the lack of it!) We can't excercise - or so we've told ourselves - because we suffer from this problem or that problem that prevents us from doing so. Poor me!



4. SUSCEPTIBILITY - This fear actually can break down our immune system and make us susceptible to the very sickness that we try to avoid. Worry and fear, again, can literally make us sick. We won't sleep properly, excercise properly, eat properly or think properly which will - in turn - lower our body's ability to fight off the illness.



5. SELF-CODDLING - Directly from this chapter, here is what Mr. Hill has to say about this one... "The habit of making a bid for sympathy, using imaginary illness as a lure. (People often resort to this trick to avoid work). The habit of feigning illness to cover plain laziness, or to serve as an alibi for lack of ambition." Hmmm...know anyone like that?



6. INTEMPERENCE - The habit of using alchohol and narcotics (I would include even prescription or over-the-counter medication) to destroy pains such as headaches, etc. instead of destroying the cause. Maybe even now - in our current situation - spending endless hours looking over medical help websites to try to see what might be something that could fit how we feel (or THINK we feel).



Wow - do you find yourself in there anywhere? Sadly, most of us can probably relate to at least SOME of these symptoms!



Now, listen - I do understand that there ARE some diseases, illness and even headaches that we may not be able to control simply with positive thoughts. However, there are many things that we DO bring on ourselves, wouldn't you agree?



I do know this - a POSITIVE attitude is ALWAYS welcomed by doctors as one prepares for surgery and the recovery to follow. The doctors KNOW that our mindset can make all the difference in the world in how we go through surgery many times as well as how our recovery goes!



Even if you DO feel bad (for example, with a headache) you can still DECIDE how you will allow that headache (or whatever it may be) to control your day! My wife is a pro at this and she amazes me in how she can DETERMINE not to let it impact her day. And she usually succeeds in that task. She will tell me that she is NOT going to let her feeling bad ruin her day and she will put a smile on her face and proceed to, indeed, have a good day IN SPITE of how she feels.



What's the cure of this and the other fears? It's in everything that I (and others like Napoleon Hill) talk about every single day... the fact that YOU/ME/WE have the ability to control our day and our attitudes by our thinking.



Some won't want to hear that. Why? Because some LIKE being sick! (Remember symptom #5?)



PARENTS: Please pay close attention to this! Sickness is BIG BUSINESS! Parents have been sold a bill of goods many times into thinking that their child needs this medication or that medication for this and that to the point that so many of our kids are so "doped up" that they cannot even function properly! (This REALLY gets me angry!). The result? "Oh well, but at least they are behaving themselves." Again, this may step on some toes, but - if it will help some folks WAKE UP - then it's o.k. by me. Parents, most of what has been labled as some "illness" or problem with children (for which prescriptions are given) can be "cured" simply by spending quality time with your child and sharing your life with that child!



This is a whole separate topic but, to the point, we have gotten LAZY in raising our children and many times take the easy way out. It's easier to attach some "name" to the problem and have medicine prescribed and administered than it is to do the "work" of parenting. Ouch!



Here's the thing on ALL of this - creating and maintaing this POSITIVE mindset TAKES WORK! It's something that requires attention each and every day - much like raising a child!



That's why it's so important for you to continue to visit this blog and listen to my podcasts (as well as other's that can help you in this process) each and every day. It's an ON-GOING battle of the mind!



And I'm glad I am able to be a part of the solution - thanks for allowing me into your life.



Keep up the battle - you CAN overcome this fear as well as the others.



And, as always, be sure to remember to...



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





Mike

The CHALLENGE Has Been Made!

Hello friends - if you listen (or have listened) to my podcast today you will find that today - MONDAY (and every Monday between now and the end of August) is "Make-a-Wish Monday"!

I will be spending time each Monday talking about our current fundraiser and about this great organization and also trying to spur you on to take ACTION with this effort.

Here are some challenges I set out in today's podcast (where do YOU fit in?):

1. GET YOUR OFFICE INVOLVED! (Why not see if you can't get your co-workers involved in donating to this cause? Why not? Most people will help out and, again, it's the LEVERAGE that makes this thing possible!

2. SET THE EXAMPLE! (Don't just encourage your co-workers to get involved but make sure that YOU are involved and that you are "blazing the trail" with your example.)

3. SPECIFIC CHALLENGE #1: (I'm not saying this to "pat myself on the back" with this - I'm really not. But I do want you to know that I'm "putting my money where my mouth is" and I want to challenge others in this very specific way. I have donated $100 for the month of July and I plan to do so again for the month of August. I CHALLENGE 20 other people that are able to do so to commit to the same thing. Yes, I know that many - if not most - of you are unable to do so, but I KNOW that there are those of you out there that CAN! And, so - I CHALLENGE YOU TO DO SO!

4. SPECIFIC CHALLENGE #2 - MORNING COACH: (If you don't know what "morning coach" is, go to www.MorningCoach.com - it's a GREAT community of people that I have been associated with for about that past 9 months or so. There are over 10,000 members of that community and I challenge J.B. (founder) and the rest of the community there - COMBINED - to contribute $1,000 to this cause. I have no way to keep up with it, to determine what has come from the M.C. community - but there is the challenge. THIS IS AN EASY CHALLENGE FOR THIS LARGE GROUP!

5. SPECIFIC CHALLENGE #3 - THE WORLD NEEDS MORE HAPPY: (Again, if you don't know, go to www.TheWorldNeedsMoreHappy.com - this is another GREAT community of people headed up by my friend, Angie Strader. I also challenge Angie and the rest of the community there - COMBINED - to contribute $1,000 to this cause. Again, I have no way to keep up with it specifically from this group - but there, again, is the challenge. YOU CAN DO IT, HAPPY PEOPLE!

It's time we kicked this into "high gear" so that we can be sure to reach the goal of providing the funds to grant the wish of one special child!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Thanks in advance and, as always...

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

Mike

Seeing the NEED Around Us

Hey friends - again I want to encourage you to take a moment and DONATE to the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" fundraising effort that I am involved in through my website http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/

It is SO easy for us to get caught up in our daily activities, problems, etc. and not realize that we CAN and SHOULD be turning some of this focus to others.

"I can't donate!"

Really consider that. Tear it down and look at it closely and then ask yourself the question, "Why?"

Usually we say something like that without really putting much thought behind it. Yet, at the same time we'll go out and spend several dollars on a fancy cup of coffee or a pack of cigarettes or on colas throughout the day without giving that much thought.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!!!!

Do you realize the impact that WE can have TOGETHER in raising enough money to provide ONE WISH for a child in this awesome program?

PLEASE - take a moment and really consider this and then DONATE what you can.

In advance, I once again say, "THANK YOU!"

Important Instructions on the DONATE Page for "Make-A-Wish"

Hey friend - just a quick note to help clear up any confusion that you may have when you go to the donation page for this special "Make-A-Wish Foundation" fundraiser that I am putting together.

Go to my home page - www.FutureYouUniversity.com
- click on the special banner at the top of my page for this effort
- once there you can read a personal message from me...when you are ready, click on the blue "donate" button

Once at the donation page, please PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING!!
- you can use one of the amounts already designated OR put in ANY amount that you'd like to donate (please consider a MINIMUM of $10 and do more if you are able)
- THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!! ---- Do NOT change ANY of the information concerning the local chapter - do NOT fill in your zip code....just leave this section alone and leave it as it is (the TN - Mid-South Chapter should already be listed - that's what we want)........so, skip all of this and go on down to your own personal information.

Fill in your information along with your credit card info. and then, when done, click "submit" and you will be taken to a printable receipt. You will also receive this receipt in your email.


IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE donating on-line, please look at the article below this one and read how you can do it through the mail OR over the phone. Either way, just please make sure that you "earmark" Future You University so that they will be sure to add your donation to our total.

Again, THANKS IN ADVANCE for your help in this important effort - - - it's all about the POWER of LOVE!

Mike

My "WHY" in Choosing the "Make-A-Wish Foundation"

I encourage you to listen to my podcast for today as I discuss why I chose the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" as my focus for this current fundraiser.

However, I'll still share it with you here in hopes that it will spur you on in a decision to donate and be a part of this great opportunity to help make a wish come true in the life of a deserving child.

You know, the recent deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays have really brought into focus the brevity of life. The fact that these people were "famous" brought their deaths to the forefront.

However, people die every single day without notice outside of a few friends and their family. To me, even more heart breaking is the fact that children die every single day leaving a gaping hole in the core of that family. Some of these children die of incurable diseases and their families struggle with them through the course of this illness reaching out for anything good that they can bring to their child during those difficult days.

In 1998 I was a youth minister in Mountain Home, Arkansas and had been so for about four years. I have always enjoyed working with and being around young people! Their energy and enthusiasm about so many things and their eagerness to share their joy simply made it a joy for me for many years.
(Again, as I mention on the podcast, I may not have all of the facts completely right, but they are close enough to make the point.)

There was one young man by the name of Russell Woods that made a profound impact on my life during this time. He was 13 years old and full of life! You could look into his eyes and see a spark of mischievousness that brought a smile to your face just wondering what he was up to. During this time Russell began to experience headaches and would often get up in the middle of the night to throw up. He knew something wasn't right as did his parents. In the summer of 1998 it was discovered that Russell had a tumor on his brain stem and, at first, was told that it was a slow growing tumor and that with medication and possible surgery, it should be able to be handled.

That was the news as I sat with the family on that particular morning. What joy! How happy everyone was! Tears of joy filled the room as we all hugged each other. However, after I made the four hour drive back home I received a phone call that told me that just the opposite was true... it was actually a fast growing tumor and there was nothing that could be done.

Devastation. Even to this day when I type that I get an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Over the next year and a few months I spent quite a bit of time with Russell - he had such a wonderful sense of humor all through his illness and was such a joy to be around. I still have a picture of him in my office with a package of juice-filled wax bottles that he gave me because he heard me talk about something like that I enjoyed when I was a kid. That was Russell.

During the course of his illness the Make-A-Wish Foundation fulfilled a wish for Russell. To be honest with you, I don't remember what it was, but my wife thinks it was a trip to Disney World. Regardless of what it was, this organization was able to provide a special memory for Russell and his family.

Sadly, one day in October 1999, Russell passed away. To this day I get emotional every time I think of this special young man.

You likely have similar stories to share of some special young person that struggled like Russell. My desire is to provide enough money to help make a wish come true for one of these special young people.

Will you help?

I know times are tough. I know money is tight. But, at the same time, I want you to consider how quickly and easily you go through $10 during the course of a week.

Can you commit yourself to a minimum of $10 to help make this happen? I know some can't, but I know most can!

Hey, wouldn't it be great if we end up raising enough to provide TWO wishes?

Regardless, your help is needed! The "official" kick-off date for this special drive begins on Wednesday, July 1st. But you can begin now if you'd like.

This is a two-month drive and is scheduled to end on August 31st.

Please go to my website: http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com and click on the banner at the top of my page to read more and donate.

Reach out, in love, and touch the life of a special young person.

That's the POWER of LOVE!

Mike

The "Make-A-Wish" Challenge is Set!

That's right - everything is all set up and ready to go! The "official" launch date is Wednesday, July 1st BUT you can begin even now if you'd like!

Go to the website http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ and click on the banner on the top of the home page that talks about this special effort with the "Make-a-Wish Foundation". It will take you to an information/donation page.

HOWEVER, going to this page does not commit you to anything! So, please, feel free to go there and read the personal message from me as well as have the ability to check out a lot of other information about this organization as well.

YOU CAN ALSO DONATE AT THIS PAGE AT ANYTIME!

Think about this... 500 people donating only $10.60 will get this done! Or, let's make it even a little easier to understand....530 people donating on $10 will get this done!

How quickly do YOU go through $10 during the week - or more likely during a day?

If you would rather not donate on-line you can still participate one of the following ways:
1. You can make a check out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and send it to 320 Executive Court, Ste. 101, Little Rock, AR 72205 - BE SURE TO PUT Future You University in the memo line so that they can add this to our total!
2. You can call Carissa Godwin at 501-376-9474 and handle this over the phone. Once again tell her (or anyone else if she is not available) that you are doing this with Future You University.


In advance - THANK YOU so much for your participation in making this possible!

SPECIAL NOTE: On Wednesday, July 1st, I will have a special podcast - very personal - sharing with you why I have chosen this organization for this special drive.

Special "Make-a-Wish" Challenge Coming July 1st!

Beginning July 1st

All of you will have the opportunity to help raise enough money to make ONE wish come true for a special child involved in the "Make-a-Wish Foundation" program!

Just think about what WE can do TOGETHER!

Be watching here and on the website www.FutureYouUniversity.com , listening to the podcast and plan to get involved!

PLEASE plan to share this information with as many people as you can to make this goal a REALITY!

Please know that I (Mike) get NOTHING by way of money by doing this - but this is something that WE can do TOGETHER for a special child - don't' you agree?

THE GOAL: Raise $5,300 between July 1st and August 31st

The Importance of PERSISTENCE!

This is the title of today's podcast as we begin our discussion on chapter 8 of Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich".

As we discussed "DECISION" from the last chapter, I stated that "decision" was likely the most important step of the whole process. We can make all of the plans in the world but, if we are unable to put those plans into ACTION through a DECISION, then it is all for nothing.

I'm not sure that this next step is "as important" as DECISION, but, even once we make a decision if we do not have the PERSISTENCE to stick with it and see it through, then even the decision to take action is all for nothing. Make sense?

Persistence is something we ALL need EVERY DAY, isn't it? We can look at all areas of our lives and see the need and the practice of PERSISTENCE!

Do you work? Do you get up and go to work? Sometimes, it takes PERSISTENCE to do so, doesn't it? What about those days when you don't WANT to get up? If you are determined/persistent in the thought and plan of keeping your job - you get up and go, don't you?

Are your children persistent? HELLO? Sure they are! And so were you and I when we were younger - we didn't give up on ideas or on asking our parents about or for something, did we? Or, at least we didn't give up easily!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT?

We ended the podcast with the discovery that PERSISTENCE is something that can be DEVELOPED! This gives us all hope!

So, think about the need for persistence in your life and then join in as I discuss this thought further on the podcast for Tuesday.

And, as always....

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

Mike