The FIRST Step...

Comfortable?

 

Satisfied?

 

Happy?

 

Restless?

 

Sometimes we THINK that we like where we are in our life and, yet, at the same time we feel a tinge of restlessness and dissatisfaction.

 

Could it be that you have allowed yourself to feel comfortable because you just, simply, gave up? Have you perhaps convinced yourself that you are "satisfied" when, deep down, you know that your feeling of restlessness comes from actual DISsatisfaction? And could it be that you have allowed yourself to "settle" for a level of happiness that, in reality, is NOT happiness after all?

 

Now, let me say up front that, indeed, you may actually be completely happy and satisfied with your life. THAT'S GREAT! You may be fulfilled with what you have accomplished and where you are in your life. Be sure to THANK GOD for that feeling of happiness and satisfaction.

 

But, for many, there is a real desire for "something better".

 

WHY?

 

Because, for many, they KNOW that they have the ability to do MORE than what they have done and/or accomplished in their life and they WANT to achieve more. But, for whatever reason, they have gotten "sidetracked" and have settled for, "Oh well, it is what it is."

 

Again, not EVERYONE has this restlessness in their lives, but many do!

 

If you are one that finds you want to change the direction of your life for the better then please, pay close attention.

 

1. First and foremost you MUST decide that you do not want to stay where you are.

2. You MUST take action.

     "Staying where you are will never get you where you want to be." - Yeah, that's one of my quotes.

     "Change Nothing - Nothing Changes" - And, yeah, another one of mine.

I want you to notice something in that graphic at the top of this article. I want you to notice that one, little word, YOU.

 

YOU have to want it. YOU have to make that decision. YOU are the one that has to take action to make it happen.

 

Others can encourage you (as I do) but YOU are the only one that can make it happen by taking the necessary action.

This event that I've been telling you about is an EXCELLENT way to get the needed mindset to make positive progress in your life. Hey, listen friend, even you if you can't get to this event, are you AT LEAST taking advantage of the many needed articles, videos and MP3's available on Dani Johnson's site? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

 

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT! - MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! It doesn't matter who you are or what you do for a living, you don't want to miss this life-changing event. You've heard me talk about Dani Johnson many times before right? I will be attending her live event in San Antonio, Texas on July 12th - 13th and and also for the Business Workshop on the 14th and I'd love to meet YOU there! Go here to check it out for yourself and get ready to take your life to the next level!

Every day, a decision is made and it's made by YOU.

 

Decide wisely 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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Life Has No Remote...

Do you remember those days before you had that collection of remotes setting beside your couch or chair? One thing to remember when thinking of the "days before remotes" is the fact that there weren't that many different channels to watch anyway!

 

Yet, there were those times when, if you wanted to change the channel, you had to get up and physically do it yourself.

 

Unless, of course, you had kids! :)

 

That's right. I tell people that my kids were my remotes before I had remotes. "Hey son, change that over to a different channel as you walk by!"

 

Now there are remotes for just about everything! We have become spoiled by all of these remotes and how easy it has become to change whatever they are connected to.

 

So, due to that, we may even find ourselves sitting around waiting for something to change as easily as changing the channel or ceiling fan speed.

 

Well, friend, let's take a step into the light of reality: IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY!

 

I actually saw the saying that you see displayed above on a sign in front of a church building. I recorded myself quoting that saying on my cell phone recorder so I'd remember it. (Hint: do this anytime ANYTHING jumps out at you that you want to remember for later, Don't count on your memory if it really matters!).

 

The late Jim Rohn used to say something along the lines of, "Life is not a tree. If you don't like where you are, MOVE!"

 

You've "heard" me say it again and again but, friend, if you want your life to change, YOU have to take action. Others may be able to help you along the way and others may be able to offer encouragement but, bottom line: NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR YOU!

 

Here's the deal: You ARE capable at making whatever change it is that you want and/or need to make. That's right - you CAN do it no matter how hard it may appear or how large a task.

 

"As long as their is breath, there is hope!" - Mike Spillman

 

Are you breathing? Then, guess what? There is hope and opportunity for CHANGE in your life!

 

Too, remember that a cruise ship cannot make a 180 degree turn as quickly as a bicycle but it still CAN be done!

 

So...get up off of your butt and change it yourself.

 

"It ain't going to change itself!"

 

And, as you make that move, always be sure to...

 

 

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

 

Mike

 

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Reaching Out for Something Better

"Reaching Out for Something Better"

In the last entry I discussed how I - along with likely everyone that is reading this blog - seem to have this "something" in me/us that causes me/us to feel that there is something 'better" out there for us and that WE MUST GO AFTER IT if - IF - we really DO desire to do so.

No one else can do it for us, remember?

Is this a BAD thing? The reason I ask is because I am sure that some of you might even feel guilty for wanting something "better". Why is that a bad thing?

Some will even try to make it a spiritual matter and talk about the Bible teaching that we shouldn't want something "better" than what we have and that we should be content. Well, I DO know what the Bible says about that and, my friend, you are taking things out of context if you feel that we should not strive to better ourselves. "Nuff said about that for now.

Listen to me for a moment on this - by bettering ourselves and our situations we can position ourselves to help even MORE people than we are able to do right now. Make sense? Think about it.

Think about this as well - do you not want things to be better for your kids? Do you not EXPECT them to better themselves in many areas?

OF COURSE YOU DO! And "we" do as a society as well!

If you come across an individual that is 35 years old and is still wearing diapers and sucking on a baby bottle (for NO reasons that has to do with any kind of mental impairment or physical impairment) - WOULD YOU NOT BE APPALLED AT THIS?

Yes, you would! But, could this not happen if - first of all - this person's parents never expected them to move beyond that stage in their development when it was time? And, would you not also agree that the individual themself would desire to move on from that activity once they realize that those around them have done so?

I mean, seriously, do you not think that when this individual started kindergarten they MIGHT notice that no one else is going to class wearing diapers and sucking on a baby bottle? Even if they were a bit stubborn, do you think they MIGHT begin to want to "fit in" a little better by the time they reached 5th grade or so?

OF COURSE THEY WOULD!

Now, I know that was a simplistic example but, again (I've said this many times before) the profound can be FOUND in the simple!

Too many of us have given up. Would you agree?

My guess is that even YOU have "given up" from time to time on this whole process of "bettering yourself".

Another way to word that is "personal development". Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, NOW I get it!

Believe me, there are many other ways to "better yourself" beyond just the personal development and there is still that "something" in me/us that propels us forward to try to identify that "something" and go after it.

But, bottom line - if we don't even have the desire to better ourselves by improving our mindset then, by my way of thinking, we are destined to stay right where we are.

Diapers, baby bottles and all.

Give some thought to that and see if you don't agree. Friend, you wouldn't be reading this at all if you didn't have the desire to find something positive to help with your mindset.

And I thank you for taking the time to read THIS particular article.

And, yes, I will be continuing my discussion on this in the days and weeks to come.

As always, I also welcome your comments and thoughts but I DO prefer that you post them on my Facebook fan page:

www.facebook.com/FutureYouUniversity

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Until next time, be sure to...

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

Mike

No Pity Party in the Rut Room!

No Pity Party in the Rut Room!

"What's a 'rut room' " you ask? That's where you are if you decide that you don't want to do anything to get out of your rut!

Yeah, and it's pretty nice, too! I mean, you've got it all set up with all of the comforts of home because - after all - you plan to stay here for a while if not forever!

It's great. Kind of. Sort of. But not really.

Why?

Because you're there all alone in your "rut room". So you decide to throw a party to see what happens! Yeah, you decide to throw a "pity party" in your "rut room".

But, another problem - no one else comes to your "pity party".

Why? Because too many other people are already involved in their own pity party and, anyway, a pity party is usually celebrated alone!

Not so great after all, huh?

SO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

GET OUT OF YOUR RUT AND STOP YOUR WHINING!

Yeah, I'm talking to myself here, too. Sometimes I even need to give myself a swift kick in the pants - even though I've not figured out a way to do that physically!

So, as a quick review let's take a quick look and see that - first and foremost - you have to understand that you are in a rut or that you've come up against a roadblock. But, even then, you still have a choice to make in that you can either just accept it and do nothing about it OR you can decide that you don't want to stay in that rut or that you will NOT allow that roadblock to prevent you from continuing on your journey!

What will it be for you?

Remember - the deeper the rut the harder it is and the more effort it takes to get out. The same is true for a roadblock - the bigger the roadblock, the longer it may take or the more effort it will take to remove it. Sometimes you just have to choose a different route and go around it!

SO DECIDE!

Do you want to stay in your "rut room" and keep throwing yourself your little "pity parties"?

OR are you sick of living this way to the point of understanding that, once and for all, it's time to DO SOMETHING to change your position?

This is not easy. Ruts are comfortable. Take another look around your "rut room". Comfortable.

But you know that this is no way to LIVE life! This is not really a LIFE at all - it is an existence.

How determined are you to get out of your rut? How determined are you to not allow that roadblock to keep you from making progress?

How great is your DESIRE in this area?

This will determine your success. Remember - it's not easy and it will not be accomplished on your first try. But, will you give up and give in?

NO YOU WILL NOT!

I mentioned an article from Success.com that I wanted to share with you about this very thing - how to get out of a rut! Here's the link for you to check it out:

http://www.successmagazine.com/1on1-break-out-of-a-rut/PARAMS/article/1065/channel/22

Be sure to take the time to read this - it's really good and goes along with what I am saying about ruts and out tendencies to stay in them.

Once again I find that what I am saying and thinking and sharing on these topics are backed up by others - like in the article above and the one I'm about to share with you.

Hey, this ol' boy DOES know what he's talking about - imagine that!

Here's another good article for you on how to get out of a rut - check it out:

http://www.askmen.com/money/body_and_mind_100/142_better_living.html

Tomorrow we will talk and discuss how great your determination and/or desire is for this to actually happen in your life and - just like with the above articles - we will discuss a few things that you can - and MUST - do in order to get yourself out of that rut or around that roadblock!

Until then - enjoy the articles and be sure to...

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

Mike

Ruts and Roadblocks

Ruts and Roadblocks

How would you like to see THAT scene before you as you try to make progress on a trip? If you DID come across this then you would obviously have to make some alternative plans in order to continue on your journey.

This major roadblock was caused by a mudslide - something completely out of our hands. It wasn't anything YOU caused and there wasn't anything YOU could do to prevent it from happening. But it DID happen and, because of that, if you were on a journey and encountered this road block then you would have to make some decisions regardless of how and why it happened.

Does that ever happen to you in your life? You do understand that I'm not talking about a boulder blocking an actual highway, right? But has your life ever met up with some sort of roadblock that you had no way to control or prevent? What did you do?

Let's talk about ruts for a moment. A lot of you have HEARD about ruts but I wonder how many of you have ever actually encountered ruts while driving. It could be a rut that has been made on a snow-covered road or it could be a rut that has been carved out in a mud-packed road. Either way, ruts can cause problems for the one trying to navigate down such a road!

You can stay in a rut but you really aren't deciding which direction your automobile will go - you just stay in the rut and follow the same path as others before you. If you give just a little effort to get out of the rut you will not have much success! The deeper the rut the harder it is to get OUT of that rut!

Now, let's again apply that to our actual lives. Sometimes we get in a rut that we have carved out ourselves, don't we? We've just fallen into going through the same motions day in and day out until we have carved out a nice little rut for ourselves.

Living IN a rut is really pretty easy! After a while you don't really have to give much thought to what you are doing - just stay in the rut and do the same thing today that you did yesterday and the day before and the day before that!

Maybe you've fallen into a rut that someone else (or several someones) have carved out. You have fallen into this rut and have given in to the "path of least resistance". "Hey, this is not so bad! I just follow the crowd and don't do anything different and I can just glide right along!"

Not a bad way to live if you want to live life like a robot.

So, what if you realize that you are in a rut and you don't WANT to stay in that rut? What then?

Ruts and roadblocks - they happen to all of us.

I shared with you on today's podcast that I feel that I have faced a roadblock and that I am in a rut RIGHT NOW! I have acknowledged that even a couple of weeks ago but it seems that I'm still here staring at that roadblock and trying to look out and over that rut.

Wow. You too?

So, how did we get here? You see, to me, this is the second most important thing we can do as far as "ruts and roadblocks" go. First, we must realize we are there and it's not where we want to be and then we must try to figure out how we got here!

Sometimes, with the roadblocks - as the example shared above - it really has nothing to do with us, it just happened! That's the way life is sometimes! We can either sit there in despair and just give up OR we can plan an alternate route so that we can continue on our journey!

But, there are SOME roadblocks that we have placed before ourselves. How did THAT happen? It's very important for us to take a close look at this and try to "pin-point" exactly HOW it happened so that we can now do the "opposite" in order to "undo" the roadblock.

This ain't easy! (Pardon my southern slant on that line.)

Chances are - and chances are really good - that it didn't happen overnight (with the "we put it there" variety of roadblock). And, that being so, our "pin-pointing" won't happen overnight either. We'll get back to this in a moment and combine it with the "rut problem" as well.

How do you get out of a rut? WITH A LOT OF EFFORT!

Anyone that has encountered a physical rut - especially a deep one - can tell you that it takes MAJOR effort to get out of (and stay out of) a rut! Remember, the deeper the rut the harder it is to get out OF that rut!

How deep is your rut? Have you caught this before it got too deep or will you need some major climbing gear just to peek over the top of your rut?

The same is true for ruts as it is for roadblocks - we MUST figure out how we got here!

How do we do that with ruts and roadblocks?

THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION.

What is DIFFERENT now than it was before?

Has the joy, energy and happiness been sucked from your life? Why? How? When did it happen?

Go back in time and try to "pin-point" a time when you actually felt the way you think you want to feel now. When were you happy? When did you feel as if you had positive and powerful energy in your life?

Take a snapshot if you will of "then" and one of "now" - what's different?

Go through a process of elimination with both the rut and the roadblock and try to determine what changed in your life in such a way that caused you to follow that path that led you to where you are today.

Take how ever long it takes to try to figure it out. Write down what you find as you go along. You likely will find SEVERAL things that have changed and not just one!

We are going to talk more about this tomorrow and also we will talk about what we do once we pin-point the problem.

But know this, friend - YOU CAN OVERCOME THIS and you CAN get out of your rut and you CAN get around, over or through that roadblock whether you caused it or life just dumped it there.

YES, YOU CAN!

Know that. Believe that. Feel that.

And, as you go through your day...

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

Mike

The Emotion of Success

The Emotion of Success

Happy? Sad? Melancholy? These are likely some of the words - mostly "happy" and "sad" that come across our mind when we think of emotions, right?

Although we may go through all of these from time to time as we journey along the pathway to success, this is not really what I'm referring to when I talk about the "Emotion of Success".

The idea for this article (and the podcast that goes with it) came from part of an article by Jim Rohn entitled, "It Is a Challenge to Succeed".

(You can find a link to all of Jim Rohn's material by clicking on the banner that you'll find here: http://futureyouuniversity.com/fyu_products.html )

Here is an excerpt from that article that I want to share with you for today: "I’ve often said that to have more, we must first become more, and to become more, we must begin the process of working harder on ourselves than we do on anything else. But in addition to gathering new knowledge, new skills and new experiences, it is also important to discover new emotions. It is how we feel about what we know that makes the biggest difference in how our lives turn out. How we feel about the chances we have and the choices we have determines the intensity of our effort. Whether we try or don’t try. Join or don’t join. Believe or don’t believe."

As I read this I cannot help but think about the fact that PASSION is also an emotion. And, from what I can deduct from this and other materials (and my own personal experience), it is one that is absolutely MANDATORY in order to achieve any level of success.

You cannot miss the point that Mr. Rohn makes about the necessity of IMPROVING ourselves in order to improve our lives! This is what my podcast and this blog is all about - helping you IMPROVE your mindset and your attitude so that you can be better equipped for the journey ahead.

The decisions you make as to whether you "try or don't try, join or don't join, believe or don't believe" all will come from your determination and your passion and your FEELING (emotion) about what this REALLY means to/for you and your family.

When you really consider this, THIS will be what determines if we even SEE the chances and choices that pass before us each and every day. I often hear people say, "I wish someone would just give me a chance!" while they sit around on their butts all day WAITING for someone to drop that chance in their lap. All the while chance after chance passes by their door day after day after day.

You've heard me say (or read my writings) how important the choices we make today are for our future. And, if you've read or listened to many others in this area of personal development they will have said the same thing.

What you do today MATTERS!

If your attitude and emotions are not in line with a person that is PASSIONATE about improving their lives then you will allow opportunities to pass through your fingers by NOT MAKING WISE CHOICES when they come your way.

Think about it!

Too many times we make the choice to NOT do something, to NOT read something and/or to NOT try something and, usually, we don't really have a good reason for NOT doing these things. We just decide NOT to and, many times in the process, have made a CHOICE to turn down opportunity.

Yeah, that's right - that knocking at the door just MIGHT BE opportunity!

I hope that this article - based on the wisdom of Jim Rohn - will challenge your thinking and encourage you to "put your antenna up" so that you can be aware of those choices that can lead to opportunity each and every day.

How do you feel about that?

Always remember to...

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

Mike

Desire Determines Direction (Part 4)

Desire Determines Direction (Part 4 - Conclusion)

Here's a question to consider as we begin today's discussion: Do you even KNOW what your real "desire" or "dream" is for your life?

That may sound like a silly question and you may even answer right away, "Well, of course I do!" But do you really?

You see, again, so many of us THINK we are following OUR desires when, in reality, we're not following our desires at all - we're following someone else's FOR us. And, if you take the time to really think about it and you discover that this is actually true in your life, you may not even remember or even know what YOUR desire/dream really is after all.

This is purely a "guesstimate", but I'd say that at least 80% of us are not really following OUR desires and dreams, but someone else's. If I'm even close to being right - and I think I am - isn't that something to consider?

And, again, the thing is, most of that 80% don't even realize that this is true in their lives! Many f that 80% think they are actually following THEIR desires and then wonder why they feel unfulfilled and unhappy!

So, today, as the conclusion to our week's discussion on, "Desire Determines Direction" (if you're following someone else's desire or dream, which direction are you headed?) I want to try to help you focus in and discover - or rediscover - YOUR desire and dream for YOUR life!

I want to challenge you to really take the time to sit down and give this some thought - have you forgotten what your desire and dream is for your life? Has it been so long - have you been "off track" for so long - that you have forgotten what it was that got you "excited" about your life? Try to remember, try to think again of what it was that you wanted for your life and get a piece of paper and a pencil or pen out and get ready to go through a very simple process that will help you in this endeavor.

Let me just say here first, that sometimes, "life" just gets in the way and we do have to postpone some things from time to time. That doesn't make you a failure or a "slackard" as we say in Arkansas, it just means that "life happens"! For example, if you have young children at home, many times these children and all the things that go with it take center stage - as it should!

So, sometimes things may have to be postponed, but it's also important for us to keep our desires and dreams at the forefront of our thoughts so that, when the opportunity arises, we are ready to make some moves in order to make them a reality in and for our lives. You may even be able to do some things "on the side" (in the evenings or whenever) that might be slowly moving you in that direction. By keeping this at the forefront of our thoughts - even though other things are taking center stage - our minds will be open and aware of opportunities that, otherwise, we might miss!

Alright, do you have your paper and writing instrument ready? Here we go and keep in mind, get as detailed as you possibly can in this process! This will help you remember and reignite vividly your true desires and dreams for your life!

1. Write It Down! As best as you can, write down what your desire/dream is and get as specific and as detailed as possible. Don't just say, "I want to be successful". What does that mean anyway? For some, "successful" means raising a happy and healthy family while, for others, it may mean that PLUS running their own business. It's different for everyone so get as detailed and specific as you can as to what it means for you! See what I mean? Hey, don't worry about it if you fill up a whole page! What you may find is this - once you start thinking and writing down your thoughts it may all just "flow" line after line after line! This is good for it shows that your mind if opening up and pouring out the treasure that you have, perhaps, kept under lock for too long!

2. "Visualize" Living that Desire and/or Dream! What does it look like? Again, get as specific and detailed as possible. Don't worry about what anyone else might think about what you write - no one else needs to even see this! This is for you! As you write describe where you are, what your surroundings look like - both geographically and physically (your home, office, car and other surroundings). See and describe what YOU look like - your hair, your body, your clothes, your smile. See and describe how you FEEL! What about the people around you? Who are they? What do they look like? Picture it in your mind and transfer those thoughts down on this paper.

3. Your Why. Why does that image you just wrote down excite you? DOES it excite you? Why is this so important to you? Why is it a desire or dream of yours? Again, get as detailed and specific as you can. By doing so, you will clarify whether this is really YOUR desire or not! Honestly, only YOU know the real "why" behind your dream or desire. Perhaps you've never even shared that with anyone else - do it now on this paper and remember, no one else ever has to see this but you! So, release any inhibitions that would keep you from being open and honest about your "why" and free yourself by writing this down now.

4. What Now? It's a wonderful thing to think, visualize and talk about your "why" concerning your desires and dreams. However, if that is all we ever do then it will always remain simply a dream. So, it's important for you to know take the time (it may even take several days to do this part) to figure out exactly what has to take place - what has to happen - in order for you to actually arrive at the image you visualized in step 2. Do you need to take some courses of some kind? Will you need to get a loan for a business? If so, how and where do you need to check this out? Will you need to move to a different place? You are the one that will have to take the time to make out this list. And then, for each of these you have to break it down to what will be involved in that process.

For example, let's say your desire is to teach at a nursing school. I heard on the news last night that there is a BIG shortage of those that are able to TEACH nurses and, because of that, there is a shortage of qualified nurses to feel the need! So, if that were your desire you would write that down and visualize it as well as get specific as to "why" this is a desire of yours. Now, you will have to get specific as to WHAT has to happen. For one, you will need to check to see what the requirements are and what requirements you lack. You will need to also find out where you can go to take the classes necessary as well as the cost involved. Will you need financial aide? Will you have to relocate? Can you do some of this online? Will you be able to do this part time while you keep your job or do you plan to dedicate yourself to this 100% so that you can move ahead as quickly as possible? If you decide to go for it 100%, what will be the financial strain or need while you do so?

Get the picture? There is a lot more to this example, but I think I've shown enough to give you the idea of what you really need to do here. Again, specific and detailed!

5. Date to be Completed? By going through the process described in #4, you should be able to come up with a reasonable time line as to when you should be able to be living the life that you envisioned when you "visualized" your desire and dream. Yes, there may be some things that come into play that set it back from time to time - but for now, come up with a realistic idea of when this process might be completed.

6. What Now? Again, it's easy - and fun! - to talk about and dream about our desires and dreams. And, again, it's easy to keep them there as a dream and never really make a move to help them become a reality in our lives. Is that what YOU want? Do YOU want to still be talking and dreaming about this five years from now? OF COURSE NOT!

So, the thing you MUST do now (and this may be the hardest thing to do) is to figure out what you must do NOW to "get the ball rolling" on this process. What step - what first step - do I make today?

Perhaps it is a phone call to begin the process described in #5. Whatever it is, the important thing is to do SOMETHING that will begin this journey to reality!

The easiest thing in the world to do at this point is to do nothing! To put it off until "tomorrow" and then put it off again until "tomorrow" and on and on it will go.

Isn't it time to stop talking about it and start moving - actually MOVING toward your desires and dreams? YES, IT IS!

And you can do it! Just make sure the desire and dream is yours and, as the title of this week's topic states: "Desire Determines Direction"!

Now, get up and get going and make that desire a reality! And, in advance, congratulations for doing so!

And, every day along the way, never forget to...

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

Mike

Desire Determines Direction (Part 3)

Desire Determines Direction (Part 3)

Where are you headed? It depends on your desire, does it not?

Think about it...if one person desires to go to New York and another desires to go to California they will NOT be headed in the same direction, right? Pretty simple concept when we think of it like that - but not so easy to grasp when we apply it to our own lives.

Along that same thought, if your desire is to go to New York and you stay at home - will you make progress on your journey? You may say, "Well, DUH! Of course not!"

Seems pretty obvious when we use an example like that, right?

Yet, how many of us "say" that we have the desire to change the direction of our lives or state that we have a desire to achieve this or that and our lives and remain "sitting in our chair" never making a move in that direction? And, the sad thing is, many people in that situation whine about why nothing ever improves in their life!

As is true with everything that I share with you through the podcast and through this blog - THE CHOICE IS YOURS! It really and truly IS up to you!

"Oh, but I'll start tomorrow" you say. Wouldn't you agree that this is an indicator of what your desire REALLY is? Your TRUE desire would appear to be staying right where you are and not making any changes or progress in your life REGARDLESS of what you SAY!

What's that old saying? "Actions speak louder than words."

Jim Rohn put it this way: "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure."

Notice the words, "our disciplines" and "our judgments" and understand that it IS up to you! No one else can do it for you. Sure, others can encourage you but only YOU can make the decision to put words into action!

Don't settle for the "instant gratification" of spending one more hour glued in that chair in front of the television watching mind-numbing junk....ACT UPON YOUR TRUE DESIRE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE!

(Yeah, I was "yelling" that -- sometimes that's needed, wouldn't you agree?)

Tomorrow we will conclude this series of thoughts with some encouraging words to help us ALL live up to our words and by examining what our TRUE desires really are.

I hope you'll join me and, until then and as you go through you day, be sure to...

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

Mike

Desire Determines Direction (Part 2)

Desire Determines Direction (Part 2)

The definition of "desire" as given by dictionary.com is as follows for the verb usage: "to wish or long for; crave; want." And, for the noun usage: "a longing or craving, as for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment."

I also wanted to find out the definition for the word crave or craving since it was used in both of these definitions. The noun usage of "craving" is defined as: "great or eager desire; yearning" and the verb usage for the word, "crave" is defined as: "to long for; want greatly; desire eagerly".

So, here's the question for the day - What is it that you "long for, want greatly and desire eagerly"? What is it that you crave that will "bring satisfaction or enjoyment"?

Only YOU can answer that question for only YOU know the answer to that question!

Again, it's one thing to SAY that we desire something in our lives and it's a whole different thing to actually live our lives in response to something that we don't actually believe deep down inside!

Think about it this way... have you ever changed your mind about how you felt about someone? Sure you have! But even more specifically, have you ever thought you were "in love" with someone only to discover later on that you either weren't in love with that person anymore OR that you discovered that, perhaps, you weren't really "in love" with that person in the first place.

You see, you can still SAY the words, "I love you" but your actions - even your body language - will betray you because you know deep down inside that it simply is not true. And, usually, if the person on the other end of this relationship is paying attention at all, they will pick up on the body language and other factors that even let them know that, although you say it, you really don't mean it.

You may feel that way about a so-called "desire" in your life. Maybe it WAS a desire in your life at one time. Maybe it was a desire that really wasn't your own but, you were more or less talked into it and you've tried to follow it anyway. Maybe you took some sort of "test" that would determine what your gifts and talents were and you have been trying to follow what was indicated SHOULD BE your desire.

Let's go back and revisit that "wake up call" from yesterday: You are where you are BECAUSE you have allowed it to be so!

Go back up two paragraphs and revisit the thoughts on "how" or "why" something may be a "desire" that you've tried to follow. Notice that in EACH of these situations that "fire" for that "desire" is not sufficient enough to keep you enthused.

Yes, it IS possible to really, truly believe that something IS a real desire of yours - your life's calling and have that change later. Early on you're "on fire" and ready to take on the world with your dedication to this "desire" and then you find that your heart just isn't in it after all.

What happened? Sometimes it's simply called "growing up" and, at other times, it is simply a result of you "peeling back the layers" on that desire only to discover that it is not quite what you thought it was. Think about this: how many college students change their major? Lots - if not most - of them! Why? Because they discovered through a process that this was not what they thought it was in the beginning and, perhaps, they discovered something else that seemed to inspire them even more!

Also, as we discussed earlier, it is possible that you were "talked into" this desire and you've tried to "live up" to whoever it was that felt that this was what you needed to do. THIS WILL NEVER WORK! Please understand that you might have some success in this area, but you will never feel the "connection" necessary that you must have to carry you on in a powerful way. Maybe it was a parent, a spouse or some other person that you highly regarded in your life. Regardless, your "direction" prompted by this "desire" will never lead you where you truly wish to go.

It's o.k. to change your mind and leave something that you thought was a desire. It's o.k. to stop trying to please everyone else. Actually, in both of these situations (or any others) not only is it o.k. it's NECESSARY for you to discover and follow YOUR desire.

You know what I'm talking about, right? YOUR desire! The one that effortlessly pushes you along in the direction of it's fulfillment!

DESIRE DETERMINES DIRECTION!

Here's the thing: not many people are dedicated and disciplined enough to "stay the course" even with a desire that is THE desire! It's hard because we live in a world of "instant gratification"!

One last example: You have decided to cut back on sweets, eat healthier foods and, as a result, lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Whether you realize it or not, this takes dedication AND discipline! But your DESIRE to be healthier is strong and you are determined!

But then, you walk in and one of your kids has left something out on the counter while they went back to their room to drop off their backpack. It's a nice big bowl of vanilla ice cream smothered in thick, chocolate fudge covered with whipped cream! WOW, that looks SOOOO GOOD!

What do you do? Your IMMEDIATE desire is to get a spoon and dig in, right? But your "long term desire" is to walk on past that bowl of ice cream and pass on this temptation. But, will you?

It depends on how REAL your "long term desire" really is.

If you were to go ahead and dig into that bowl of ice cream, what would your thoughts be? DURING the destruction of that ice cream you'd likely be thinking, "Oh wow, I know I shouldn't be doing this but it tastes SO GOOD!"

And, almost immediately upon finishing it off you'd think, "I can't believe I just did that!" and then you would continue to "beat yourself up" over your lack of self-control and discipline.

What will it be for you, my friend? Will you continue to give in to the "right now" or will you be dedicated to your "real" and "true" desires and stick it out for the long run?

DESIRE DETERMINES DIRECTION!

Which direction are you headed?

Think about it and join me for more on this topic tomorrow and, as you go along the day be sure to remember to...

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

Mike

Desire Determines Direction

Desire Determines Direction!

I want you to take a couple of minutes and write that down - DESIRE DETERMINES DIRECTION!

Now, if you have time, I want you to write it on three separate pieces of paper that you'll be able to post somewhere at your home (bathroom mirror?), somewhere in your car and somewhere at your work so that you can see it constantly throughout each day.

This series of messages this week goes "hand in hand" with the series that I just completed this past week on "TODAY Matters!" because the DESIRE you have TODAY will DETERMINE the DIRECTION of your FUTURE!

Do you want a "wake up call" today? You may have already gotten it IF your mind is really "gearing up" on what I'm talking about today and you've started thinking ahead on this line of thought.

Here it is: Could it be that you are where you are in your life due to your desire (or lack of it) in your life?

You see, NONE OF US (yup, myself included) likes to admit that something COULD be our fault - or at least partially our fault. But, in all honesty, we have to at least look at this possibility, wouldn't you agree?

A "spoken desire" is not the same as a "heart-felt desire". Think about that with me for a moment. Have you ever SAID "yes" to something that, deep down, you really didn't want to say "yes" about? There, in a nut shell, is the difference between a "spoken" and "heart-felt" desire.

When you really take the time to think about it, you likely do that a lot more than you want to admit! WHY DO WE DO THAT?

Let's continue the "wake up call". We NEED a "wake up call" once in a while, don't we? Yes, it makes us uncomfortable but, hopefully, the uncomfortableness will help us to review what is going on (or ISN'T going on) in our lives. So, here's some more...

Perhaps the reason that we express "spoken desire" that is not the same as our real, "heart-felt desire" is that we are either trying to impress someone else or ourselves. Maybe - and likely - even both.

You may say, "Oh, I don't care what anyone else thinks!" Really? I hear a LOT of people say that but I've actually met very few - if any - that really lived that way. Let's be honest, we DO care what others think!

And, sometimes we express these "spoken desires" as a way to appear more together than we actually are on different matters. For example, we may express a "spoken desire" about what we plan to do with our life over the next few years as a way to "keep up" or "fit in" with those that are around us at that moment. Don't you hate when you do that to yourself?

And then there are the times that we utter these "spoken desires" as a way to convince OURSELVES that we are more together than we actually are on different matters! You know what I'm talking about, right?

It's EASY to write down goals and dreams. It's EASY to fill out a questionnaire that is designed to help us discover our gifts and aide us in the process of planning some important goals in our lives. It's EASY to talk about what great things we plan to accomplish in our lives over the next twelves months!

Wow! Take a step back and just look at what all you just expressed about yourself! You're a real "go-getter" aren't you?

Why then is there that nagging pit in your stomach?

It's because, deep down, you know better. Deep down, where your "heart-felt desire" is located you know that that your REAL desire doesn't match up with your "spoken desire".

And then, when you follow that path of thought you must come to the conclusion that the reason you have not actually made changes in your life is because of you. OUCH!

Yes, you. No one else. No one else can be blamed and you can't point your finger at anyone else. It's you and your desire - or lack of it.

Do I have your attention today? GOOD!

It gets better, I promise! But we needed to start HERE with some honest talk to ourselves and about ourselves before we can move on to the next part of this discussion.

The good news is that you CAN boost that "heart-felt desire" to the point of it being a driving force in your life instead of letting that "weak desire" continue to lead you in a life of weakness!

You see, even now your desire is determining your direction.

Join me tomorrow as we move on to the next part of this discussion and really look at the thought of, "What IS My Desire?".

And, until then...

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

Mike

Beware Mediocrity!

"Beware Mediocrity!"

How many of us would line up to go to the restaurant that would advertise a "mediocre sandwich"? Perhaps they believe in the "truth in advertising" rule! (Don't you wish more restaurants were as open and honest as the "mocked up" sign above?)

Here is the definition of "mediocre" as given by dictionary.com . . .

MEDIOCRE: adjective
1. of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate.
2. rather poor or inferior.

Now, YOU tell ME - would you seek out a restaurant, a business, a car dealership, a doctor, a dentist, a school, a realtor (and on and on we could go) that promoted themselves using EITHER of these definitions?

Can you even imagine an advertisement coming across your television screen or the radio airwaves with the voice saying, "Our customers say we're neither good or bad! Heck no! As a matter of fact, they say we're 'barely adequate'!"

Now, let's get down to the point - how many of us have settled for these to be definitions of our own lives? OUCH!

Yes, we are continuing our discussion of the choice we have to either FOLLOW our dreams or SETTLE for less!

This is one of my greatest concerns about our young people. Yes, there are examples of young people that are doing some incredible things with their lives. But, my guess - and that's all it is - would be that for every one of THOSE teens there are likely ten others that have already settled into a lifestyle of accepting mediocrity for their lives.

The struggle for us all in trying to correct this problem (with our young people - we'll get to you and me next) is in trying to help our young people understand that, indeed, the WORLD lies open and waiting for them! That, at their young age, they can accomplish SO much! That, at their age, they have the time to mess up several times and still recover! That, IN this age that we live in there is likely more opportunity available for them than ever before in the history of our world.

But, what kind of example are WE (yeah, this is the "me and you" part I just talked about) setting for them in this area? Let's look at the things I just mentioned that our young people need to understand and notice that WE, too, need to understand the same things:

1. The WORLD lies open and waiting for YOU! Regardless of your age, this fact is true. Remember, stop making excuses (disguised as "reasons") and look around.

2. At YOUR age, you can accomplish SO much! This is NOT true only for young people. Age really doesn't have a lot to do with it IF you understand and realize point 1: The world lies open and waiting for YOU.

3. At YOUR age, you have the time to mess up several times and still recover! Now, granted, the younger you are the better this is for you. But let me ask you this question: How old are you now and how many times have you really messed up already? Oh, and let me ask you this one, too: Are you still here? Remember, "As long as there is breath there is hope!"

4. IN this age that we live in there is likely more opportunity available for YOU than ever before in the history of our world. You see, this one fact removes the age barrier for the most part. This one fact removes the geographical barrier BIG TIME! As I have mentioned lately on my podcast, if you have the ability to listen to my podcast and/or to be reading this blog, then you have access to some of the greatest tools that can open up GREAT AREAS OF SUCCESS in your life. Regardless of who you are, where you are and how old or young you are.

One of the quotes I use in today's podcast is from Ayn Rand and it is the following: "The quickest way to kill the human spirit is to ask someone to do mediocre work."

Now, along with that, I'd like to include another quote because I think they go "hand-in-hand" with one another. This one is from Scott Alexander which says, "All good is hard. All evil is easy. Dying, losing, cheating, and mediocrity is easy. Stay away from easy."

Too many of us have sought out the EASY in our lives and, because of this, have allowed and settled for mediocrity in our lives! WAKE UP!

Chances are that if you feel empty, lifeless and in a dead-end situation that you have allowed and settled for mediocrity in your life.

Yes, some people actually seek out the easiest, least demanding job that they can find. It doesn't matter to them that it is also the least PAYING job and that they can be replaced by just about ANY "Joe Mamma" on the street - it's easy and that is exactly what they seek.

Many companies use these mind-numbing (and often "butt-numbing"!) tasks to weed people out. Yes, these tasks are likely necessary and must be done. But, again, ANYONE can do them and many times companies will start workers off to see who will rise above and who will settle. Kind of like the example given last week about a glass of water with impurities. And it's like the proverbial example of the "cream rising to the top"...SEPARATION!

We are going to be continuing this discussion for the rest of this week and I encourage you to take an inventory - an HONEST one - of your mindset and your attitude as you consider these thoughts. Could it be that YOU have settled for less and, by doing so, settled for mediocrity?

YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT and don't you ever forget it!

Desire to "rise above" and, as you do so...

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

Mike

Want It More!

Want It More!

Obviously, when we use the word, "it" in today's title we are referring to your goals and dreams. Another way to approach this topic is to use the question that I poised all the way back in my second podcast: "What Are YOUR Dreams Worth?"

Are you afraid to move forward? Does the uncertainty of "being your own boss" or "doing your own thing" paralyze you with FEAR and keep you from making progress toward your goals and dreams?

Here's what you have to ask yourself: Which do you want more? The future that you have visualized and that you desire OR to stay where you are and remain there for the rest of your life - IF you're lucky enough to keep your job?

How bad do you want success? Yes, again, let me emphasize that "success" can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people - but we're talking about YOU and YOUR definition/idea of success in your own life! Don't worry about other people's definition and desire for success --- we're talking about YOU! How bad do you want it? What's it worth to you?

Do you want it bad enough to...

--> Keep going even when you get discouraged?

--> Keep going even when you are afraid of the unknown?

--> Keep going even when you come up against a road block?

-->Keep going even when there is no one there to cheer you on?

--> Keep going when some around you even try to discourage you from moving on with your goals and dreams?

Bottom line, do you want it bad enough to KEEP GOING?

Many people are afraid to take the risk of dreaming. However, you must decide if the risk is worth the reward? We all should be more afraid of NOT moving foward and of NOT improving our lives.

The EASY thing to do is to do NOTHING!

Yet, I want to suggest to you that there is no such thing as "doing nothing".

When you think you are doing NOTHING, you are doing SOMETHING! Notice this...

By DOING NOTHING, you are...

--> Surrendering to fear

--> Giving up on your dreams

--> Taking a step BACKWARDS (you will move one way or the other!)

--> Taking the lazy man's way out

--> Allowing others to control your destiny (and that is NOT your destiny!)

So, you see - there is no such thing as "doing nothing" - we are either moving FORWARD and making PROGRESS or we are sliding BACKWARDS and losing ground every single day.

Which do YOU want more?

No one can answer that and no one can decide that but you! It is YOUR choice - and it IS a choice!

I want to challenge you - encourage you - to want SUCCESS and MOVING FORWARD more than you want to maintain the status quo.

You can do it and I am here to help! Keep moving, keep growing, keep dreaming, keep improving your life and....all along the way, never forget to...

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

Mike

Starting Point - DESIRE (part 3)

Hey friends!

It's another TERRIFIC TUESDAY and I really got off for a few minutes on this point on today's podcast. Hey, if you haven't listened yet - be sure and do so ( http://tinyurl.com/d4n2fx ) .....I really got FIRED UP on this one and, as you can see in the last post that I put up right after I recorded it last night, I referred to it as HIGH OCTANE!!!

How can you NOT get pumped and excited when reading and discussing this great book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill?

I don't have it in front of me as I type up this article at my office, so I won't attempt to share the specific quotes with you - HOWEVER, the point is made that this book was written right after the Great Depression and Mr. Hill emphasizes over and again the fact that OPPORTUNITY was ABUNDANT!

Does this message apply today? ABSOLUTELY! We have too many negative people in our world proclaiming that there is NO opportunity to be had. However, it's like this little thing I saw once before.....how do you read the following:

OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE

You can read it one of two ways:
1. Opportunity is nowhere - this is how the majority of people read this. That's a fact. I believe it is due to the fact that most people actually believe this to be true.

OR

2. Opportunity is now here - the exact same letters are used to form this thought. Can you see it? Can you believe it? Can you act upon it?

We MUST NOT accept defeat as a reality! I shared a quote about this on today's podcast. As a matter of fact, it's the same quote that my son, Jordan, picked out to put on the front of the t-shirt he designed. You can see this at: www.PrepareTheFutureYou.com and you can actually purchase one of these. At this point - just let me know how to do so.

Anyway - listen to the podcast today and allow yourself to develop that STRONG, BURNING DESIRE that will see you through the ups AND downs along the way!

And, as always...

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

Mike

Success Needs No Apologies! - "Magical Monday"

I hope that you are enjoying our discussions from the book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill in our current podcasts. I know I am enjoying sharing this information with you and am getting "more comfortable" with the amount of material to share in such a limited time on these podcasts.

That being the case, today's podcast is the 2nd part of the discussion on Chapter 2 - DESIRE.

As Mr. Hill continues his emphasis on DESIRE being the starting point of all achievement he also emphasizes that fact that we must have a DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE - the knowledge of what one wants and the burning DESIRE to possess it.

We may choose to call that "FOCUS". Whatever you choose to call it and whether or not your "goal" is to be wealthy (rich) - WHATEVER YOUR GOAL, you MUST have that burning desire within that will drive you through any and all perceived failures along the way. We have already discussed that in some of our recent discussions on this topic.

However, as I look at this statement - I also see the importance of knowing your "WHY". Your PURPOSE - WHY are you pursuing this goal/dream? Is it simply to amass wealth? I'm thinking, since you are reading this, that the answer to that would be "no". Is it for your family and their financial security? Do you have something (a group, organization, charity) in mind with which you plan to share? Do you have something in mind that you want to do that requires more money than you have right now? WHAT IS THE "WHY" BEHIND YOUR DESIRE?

Another of the quotes in this chapter that I brought out was the following:

"Success requires NO APOLOGIES, failure permits NO ALIBIS."

WOW! Think about that! Perhaps we do not pursue "success" because we often feel that we need to apologize for doing so! Again, go back to the discussion last week on the thought of, "Is it wrong to desire wealth?" Should we feel GUILTY or APOLOGIZE because we seek success or achieve success?
NO!
If it were not for successful people - those that had a BURNING DESIRE to achieve success - we would not have many of the things that make our lives not only convenient but also healthier, safer, etc. Thomas Edison never gave up! He pushed forward again and again after many perceived "failures" while creating the "light bulb" as we know it today. His thought on this - each "failure" was just one step closer to "success". Why? He said that it was just another answer to "what doesn't work"! Wow! What an attitude. Aren't you glad he succeeded?
FAILURE PERMITS NO ALIBIS - stop making excuses! We are good at that, are we not? Do not accept anything less than your best and stop listening to even others that want to make excuses for you! Now, this is a fine line that we walk - on one hand we shouldn't "beat ourselves up" when we fall short of a goal. However, IF this goal is something that we have a BURNING DESIRE to achieve and it has a PURPOSE then we must also not allow the "comforting words" allow us to get TOO comfortable and relax and settle for mediocrity.
See what I mean?

And, finally, the last quote I wanted to discuss was one that should make a HUGE impact on our thought process as we have discussed it so far in our discussion.

"Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success."

What a GREAT way to look at these perceived "failures". Will we allow ourselves to LEARN from these setbacks? This is exactly what Thomas Edison did! He allowed each failure to bring him one step closer to success - it is within each of us to do the same!

Stop counting your failures and allowing that to stop you from moving forward! Instead, look at all of the seed that has been planted and let that propel you with forward momentum. My goodness, with that in mind, I have seeds planted for a BOUNTIFUL CROP OF SUCCESS! What about you?

What great information - I am so glad that Napoleon Hill did not give up on his pursuit of this book, aren't you?

We will continue our discussion on chapter 2 in tomorrow's podcast. Until then...

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

Mike