Project 141: RELATIONSHIPS (Part 2..."The Worksheet")

 

It is absolutely necessary for you to read Part 1 BEFORE you get into this article. Get it? Got it? GOOD! I "set the table" for this continuation of those thoughts found in that article.

This part is going to be a little bit different than I had originally planned to incorporate into this section on "Relationships". I do that. My mind says, "Hey, let's delve into THIS a little more" and, next thing you know, I've started making my article longer than planned.

I did record a podcast yesterday that combines both parts 1 and 2 of this part on "Relationships". You can find that podcast HERE. 

Right off, let me emphasize that I am NOT an "expert relationship counselor" or anything like that. I have done quite a bit of marriage counseling from when I was in ministry and I also have 39 years of marriage that brings with it a lot of "first-hand" knowledge in this area.

Again, be sure to go back and read the first part of this series before going any further. This is simply another suggestion that you may want to take a look at and consider in the area of doing something to improve your relationship with your spouse. 

KEY THING TO CONSIDER: Should you go through the information for this "worksheet" by yourself or with your spouse? Here's what I suggest...

If your relationship is currently in a "contentious state" (problems) then I suggest that you do this on your own and be completely honest in all of your answers. Make sure you understand that this exercise is an "inward focusing" exercise. In other words, this is not something for you to do to "point fingers" at your spouse and play the "blame game". If you are not willing to look inwardly during this exercise then, friend, I suggest that you just move on and do some serious thinking about how serious you really are about your relationship.

Blunt, huh?

Now then, IF the two of you are working together on improving your relationship then, you may consider doing this together as long as you still understand that this is an inward-looking exercise and not something designed to "lash out" or try to hurt the other. 

So, here we go and I do suggest that you listen to the podcast on this as well. The verbal along with the written many times make things a little clearer and easier to understand.

Take a few minutes, get out a piece of paper and divide it into 3 columns. First, write down on the left hand side of your paper (1st column)  all of the things that you remember about your spouse that caused you to "fall in love" with them. Then, make a "middle column" and simply answer "yes" or no" to the question: Is this the same? Are those traits still there? (or however you want to word it). NOTICE: I did not say do you FEEL the same way about that...I asked if those traits were actually still there. BIG DIFFERENCE.  Then, make a 3rd column and answer the question if the "change" that has supposedly taken place is due to your spouse or you. In other words, IF there was a change, WHY was there a change?

 Here's an example I put together just to help you out. Make this YOURS and make sure it applies to YOUR situation and, again, MAKE SURE YOU ARE TOTALLY HONEST WITH YOURSELF!

Let's just use the first entry as an example. In the example above, one of the traits that is listed as something that you "fell in love with" early on was the fact that they were "good looking". Great! Now then, in the 2nd column the question is asked, "Does this trait still exist" or "Is this still true?" The answer I listed - purely as an example - was, "Yes, but different". In other words, "Yes, they are still good looking but in a different way" which leads to column 3 asking, "If there IS a change then, What changed? Who changed? Why the change?" and the very simplistic answer I listed was, "AGE caused the change". 

I'm not trying to over simplify this but to simply give you some ideas. Your "reasons" as to the "why/who/what" may go much, much deeper and that's o.k. Use as much space as you need to write down what you honestly feel and think on this (and ALL of these areas). But, it is very important that you also look at yourself in this and also ask if YOU have changed in this same area as well. In other words, "Hey, have YOU looked in the mirror lately?" This is both PHYSICALLY (you've gotten older as well!) and also taking a look at who you really are on the inside (has your love matured over the years or are you still stuck on things such as "good looks"). 

The real "dig down deep" part of this worksheet is column 3. If you are filling this out by yourself, then say absolutely whatever you feel without worrying about hurting the other's feelings. If you do this, make sure that they DO NOT read this right now!

But, if you are going to do that then, friend, you MUST zero down and look inwardly and ask WHY you feel this way and you may want to do a LOT of "self-examination" on this and see what YOU need to change in this relationship. 

Bottom line: NEITHER OF YOU are the same person that you were when you first met. And, to be honest, you should be glad that you are not, IF you have matured and grown in your life. 

When you do this exercise, I suggest that you ask God to help you "see with new eyes" as you look at your spouse. In other words, sometimes people get fixated on how things "used to be" and, once again, as a reminder, NEITHER of you are the same person that you were before. It's easy for us to get critical of our mate due to things that have taken place over the years that also have impacted us as well. 

Let this worksheet be a GOOD thing in and for your life and relationship. If you approach it the way I suggest and, if you ask God to guide you and help you through the process, I believe it can do just that.

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube  Project141

Are You Growing or Rotting?

I really don't have any idea what John Addison had in mind when he said the above quote but I can share with you what comes to MY mind when I read his quote.

The first thing that comes to my mind is a watermelon growing on the vine. By the way, I LOVE watermelon! But, like anything else, if you "pick it" (cut it from the vine) too early, too prematurely, the watermelon will not be as good as it could be if it had been left to ripen to perfection. 

Even when a watermelon has been left on the vine so that it may grow to perfection, in order for me to get that watermelon, it once again has to be cut from the vine. 

Either way, once the watermelon is taken from the vine, it ceases to be green and it ceases to grow. What happens? It begins to rot and die!

Here's the kicker: Even if it is allowed to grow to being ripe, if it is not harvested (and enjoyed by people like me!) it will rot on the vine. Why? Because it has a natural growing season - a cycle - that takes place and ends up with the melon "being done" one way or the other.

Aren't you glad that we don't have a "growing season" that only allows us to become "ripe" or to "reach our potential" only to begin an immediate descent toward death? 

Oh sure, I understand that, technically speaking, we ALL have a "growing season" or a "cycle of life" but, at the same time, we can continue to grow and expand our lives regardless of age.  If you ever decide that you have learned all that you need to learn or that you know all that you need to know then, friend, you are on a downward spiral!

Yes, there are many people in this world that are "rotting on the vine", so to speak. They have ceased growing or they have never really even tried to grow or had any desire to do so. They exist, but that's about it...nothing more. 

And, friend, that's sad!

It goes back to what I talked about a couple of weeks ago about those that had talent but failed to put the work in that was necessary to make the most out of that talent.

Remember: DAILY activity. PURPOSEFUL activity. Every. Single. Day.

So, let's ask that question again: "Are you GREEN and GROWING or are you DEAD and ROTTING?" 

Don't TELL me and/or the world...

SHOW US. 

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

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

Mike

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

YouTube     Future You Travel

Stop Hitting The SNOOZE Button!

When I was in college I would set my alarm clock across the room, on a desk, so that I would not "hit the snooze button" and fall back asleep. Now, to be honest, there was no "snooze" button because it was a wind-up clock along the lines of what you see pictured above. However, the idea was the same - turn it off and get up in a few more minutes. 

I'll be honest, I have never quite understood why someone sets an alarm knowing that they will hit the snooze button 3, 4 or maybe even 5 times before getting up. They know that, they plan their time (initial alarm) accordingly. Me? Why not just set the alarm for whatever time it will be when you finally get up? Why not sleep through the interruptions that come with that alarm going off again and again and again?

For many, it's a very misleading statement when they say, "Yeah, I have my alarm set for 5:30 a.m. everyday!" while, by the time they get done hitting the snooze button, it's 6:15 a.m. before they finally get out of bed!

New Year's Resolutions are much the same Oh sure, the "snooze button" setting is in months instead of minutes, but the result is the same. 

"Starting tomorrow I"m going to _________________ (you fill in the blank)!"

Maybe that person WILL actually follow through with that resolution for a few days or even a month. According to an article on this very thing, "only 64 percent last longer than the first month, and only 46 percent last longer than six months."

And yet, after hitting the "snooze button" on whatever the resolution was for eleven months (for some) they will do it all over again the following year.

A couple of weeks ago I began a series on the importance and necessity of TAKING ACTION. You can start with the first article in that series by CLICKING HERE.  Then, last week, I started another series on how important for each of us to be the very best that we can be - to live OUR purpose. You can CLICK HERE for that beginning article.

After hopefully agreeing that we MUST have DAILY ACTION as a part of our lives and, after also hopefully understanding that we MUST live our lives to our full potential, then the only question that remains is - WHEN?

My guess is that, most of us, if not all of us, can all look back and see evidence of times when we had "planned to start but never did" or "got started but never finished".  And, though it is painful to take a look at those situations, we must do so for TWO main reasons.

1. Acknowledge these failures but don't continue to dwell on them. LEARN and MOVE ON!

2. Use them as a "fire" that serves as fuel for an ignited flame of DETERMINATION to NEVER  REPEAT those failed actions! 

Hitting the "snooze button" is easy...TAKING ACTION is not always so easy.  

So, as Mel Robbins said in the quote in the above graphic, "THE TIME IS NOW".  

Join me in my next article as we consider the topic, "Growing or Rotting?" and, until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube     Future You Travel

Buried or Planted?

A few weeks back, I posted this graphic on the Future You University fan page on Facebook and even stated that I thought I had found my next podcast topic. Well, I've done the podcast (see the links below for iTunes and the RSS feed) and now I'm doing the blog along the same topic.

Can you relate to what is stated in the graphic? I SURE CAN!

There have been those times in my life where it seemed that the only light at the end of the tunnel was an oncoming train! I can actually remember telling my wife once, years ago, that I had lost all hope. Thankfully, she reminded me that, without hope, what was there? (By the way, that's one of the reasons I came up with the phrase, "As long as there is breath, there is hope!").

You may feel that you are "buried" underneath so much "stuff" that you'll never be able to dig yourself out. It could be debt or any other results of poor choices and bad decisions. But, friend, pay attention to what is stated in that graphic...instead of "buried" you may be in a situation where you are actually "planted"!

Interestingly, you can't be planted WITHOUT being buried first. Don't let that discourage you...read on.

 Right now, as I type this article, it is Spring time in Arkansas. Trees have put on their leaves (for the most part), things are budding and blooming all over the place. Many have been planting their gardens and getting ready for the harvest of fresh vegetables or just to enjoy the beauty of certain varieties of flowers that they enjoy.

Let me ask you, "How do you PLANT a seed?". Do you just place it on top of the soil? Of course not! You BURY it in the soil. You dig a hole and place the seed down into that hole and then you cover that seed up with the soil! Proper planting requires that seed to be buried.

Have you ever watched a seed come up out of the soil? I remember doing the "plant a seed in a cup and watch it grow" thing when I was in elementary school. I, and my classmates, were amazed at how that seed was able to push UP through the soil to find daylight. As a matter of fact, our teacher even placed a cup on it's side to show us that the plant would STILL find it's way UP to the daylight.

That soil is much heavier than that little seedling, but the seedling pushes through anyway! The little seedling pushes up and through REGARDLESS of the fact that it has been planted.

Read this and remember this fact: "THERE IS PROMISE IN THE PLANTING!"

 So, listen, even if you feel you are buried, understand that being buried is part of the process of being planted. But know this - YOU will determine if you "push through" or not!

Some may just give up and not even try. Doing so pretty much guarantees that you will NOT reach "daylight" and fulfill your purpose. But, if you have HOPE and if you have FAITH and BELIEVE that, even though you cannot see it at the time, God has a special purpose for you and what you are going through at the time, then you WILL push up and through what it is that is holding you down for the moment.

YOU WILL!

It's up to you. So, the question to you, now, is: WHAT WILL YOU DO? 

I encourage you to push up with everything that you have until you reach "daylight" and that, even then, you continue to grow and flourish. The world NEEDS you to do so! And I'm here to tell you, you can do just that.

It all starts right here, right now....TODAY. Always remember that YOU decide the direction of your day and, one way to do so, is to always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

Continuous Growth

It's been a long week. I'm tired and I'm late on getting this blog article out for you to read.

 

Hey, my guess is that many - if not most - of you could say some of the same things or even more, am I right?

 

I'm going to sum up this series by pointing out a couple of things that aren't mentioned on the podcast but I also want to really encourage you to do that - LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Same topic, additional material since I don't have a script that I follow and the podcast and blog are done at different times. Seriously, why invest 1/2 when you have so much more available to you and for you?

 

So, here we go with the "blog additional material" aspect of the equation...

 

Look at the picture of the old oak tree in the picture above. I have no idea how many years that tree has been around but you know, as do I, that it began with a very small acorn many years before. And, you also know that this tree experienced many storms and, likely, many seasons of "too dry" weather but, it survived.

 

Here's the one main thing I want to get across to you in this article:

YOUR GROWTH CAN PROVIDE FOR OTHERS.

 

What do I mean by that?

 

Just like the oak tree provides shade, protection and a home to many animals and birds, so can YOUR growth end up providing good things for many others.

 

Your growth can provide encouragement. Your growth can provide strength through that encouragement. Your growth can provide hope and promise. Your growth can provide confidence and a path to examine and possibly follow.

 

Your growth can provide LIFE for others around you and, yes, even to some that you will never know.

 

Think about that and let it sink in. And I mean REALLY think about it. Examine it from every angle that pops into your head.

 

And then, NEVER CEASE TO GROW.

 

"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



Grow Or Die!

 

You do know, don't you, that the oppositie of GROWTH is DEATH?

 

Simply put, you either GROW or you DIE...pretty simple deduction. Easy to "see" but hard to "understand" and "live".

 

Wouldn't you agree?

 

And, so that we not fool ourselves, there must be "measured" growth...growth that can actually be measured in a way that indicates that, indeed, growth has taken place.

 

GROWTH - as opposed to just being in a rut - is not easy. As a matter of fact, GROWTH is a struggle that builds strength and stamina while that particular "thing" is growing.

 

Look at the plant in the picture above. Do you really think that even getting to that stage of growth has been easy for that plant? Do you realize the "work" that has been done in order for that plant to push up through the soil to get to the sunlight? It really is an amazing feat that demonstrates, perfectly, how important it is to "push through" obstacles and difficulties if you want to grow and flourish.

 

Whether it's a plant, a puppy dog or a human being - if food and nourishment is not gained, it will DIE.

 

And, as you already know, it's not a "one-time thing"!

 

There must be CONTINUED FEEDING in order for continued growth to take place.

 

Now then, let's stop talking about plants and puppies and apply this to us...make it personal in this process.

 

"If I want to continue to grow, get stronger, and live, then I must continue to feed!"

 

You are doing just that by reading this blog. Be sure to listen to the podcast as well (see the links below) and then share both with as many "seedlings" as you can. Think about that...there are many people out there (you may not even be aware of who they are) that are struggling to "grow" and struggling to gain much-needed nourishment in order to grow. You may be "the one" to help in the "watering and nourishing" for that person by sharing this material.

 

Again, the choice is yours.

 

Stay in a rut and have all decisions made for you and just go wherever the rut may take you, OR, instead, make a decision - an actual decision (which is not allowed in a rut) - to actively pursue growth, even when it is uncomfortable. Remember the growing pains I talked about in the last article?

 

The choice is yours... GROW or DIE.

 

Choose wisely...your very life (yes, I'm serious) depends on it.

 

Until next time...

 

"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

Growth Pains

The opposite of being in and staying in a rut is GROWTH!

As opposed to being in a rut (as we discussed in our last series), GROWTH is not always easy. And, as a matter of fact, GROWTH is sometimes - if not always - PAINFUL!

Take a look at the picture above and, as if you can't do this without me pointing it out to you, notice the guy wearing jersey number 21. See him? Can you pick out which one I'm talking about?

Of course you can...he's kind of hard not to miss, isn't he?

I love seeing the different shapes and sizes of kids around 5th - 9th grade. They come in all shapes and sizes and it doesn't matter if they are boys or girls. There are some (boys OR girls) that are "behind" on the growth and maturity scale, there are some that are about where they should be and then there are others - and they stand out - that are way ahead on the growth and maturity scale.

Like number 21.

I have a picture somewhere of me in the 6th grade after our team won a basketball tournament. Now, I wasn't as tall as the guy in the picture above but I was still "head and shoulders" above the rest of my team mates. I remember, specifically, while in Jr. High School being in my bed at night, after a basketball game, "kicking" my legs in my bed at night because my legs hurt so bad. I was experiencing "growing pains".

It's a fact of life.

Anytime you choose to GROW (or growth takes place as a natural part of life) it's a challenge and, again, it's often - if not always - painful.

Growth requires CHANGE which, again, is not always easy!

Here's another way to think about it: Though painful, those very pains let you know or reminds you that you are, indeed, GROWING and that you are NOT "stuck in a rut".

So, again, you can choose to stay in that rut and never be challenged with having to make a decision or face a choice. But also remember that you have no "say so" in your life for the rut will make all decisions for you.

Never cease to grow. NEVER give in to the "pain" or "uncomfortableness" of necessary growth.

Giving up is the "easy" way out.

Be sure to join me for the next article in the series entitled, "Grow or Die".

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Growth is Optional

How does that saying go? I think it's something like, "If there is anything consistent in life, it's change!"

 

You cannot go through ONE DAY in life and not experience change. I'd even say that you cannot go through ONE HOUR  - or even ONE MINUTE - in life and not experience change.

 

Our bodies are constantly in a state of change and, much of that change is unable to be seen by us. Regardless, that change exists.

 

Any information that you put into your brain during the day brings about \change in the makeup of your mind. What you have read so far in this blog has caused such a change to take place. The moment you opened your eyes today began that process as well.

 

Some changes we have no control over, don't know about and, for the most part, feel no reactions or results due to those changes.

 

But then there are the changes that we KNOW about and definitely FEEL and REACT to the results that come due to those changes.

 

And, many times, we DO NOT LIKE THEM!

 

Like them or not, as the graphic above points out - change is INEVITABLE!

 

The important thing, then, is what we do with the changes that come our way. As with everything else that is discussed in this blog and on the podcast it comes down to a CHOICE that has to be made by each one of us and no one else can do it for us.

 

GROWTH IS OPTIONAL.

 

You can choose to be defeated, beaten up, put down and embittered by the changes that come your way OR... you can choose the growth that can come from the change, even if it is painful.

 

No one else can make that choice for you.

 

From what I understand, a person's ears never stop growing. That explains to me why I see so many "old people" with HUGE ears! But, you know what? We should all strive to make the following true as well:

     - We, regardless of the changes that come our way, will never, ever stop growing. We choose GROWTH!

 

And, as you maneuver you way through and around the constant changes in life, 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

 

Challenge Brings Growth

Wouldn't it be great if that big, red "easy" button actually existed?

 

Wouldn't it be great if everything always turned out the way that we wanted them to turn out?

 

Wouldn't it be great if we found "that perfect job" for our lives the very first time and that it was easy to move up in that business without any stress or hard work?

 

Wouldn't it be great if.....by now you're likely saying something like, "Uh, yeah Mike, that WOULD be great but we all know that's not going to happen the way that you are describing!"

 

BINGO. But let me continue...

 

Wouldn't it be great if getting into shape and staying in shape was easy and required no hard work or discipline at all? Watch the advertising and you'll see more and more that a lot of companies are trying to pretty much promise that very thing in their advertisements. But, bottom line is that it just won't work!

 

GROWTH IS NOT EASY!

 

You can put that into any category of growth that you'd like and it still comes out the same - IT'S NOT EASY!

 

"Easy" is staying where you are and accomplishing nothing.

 

Easy is allowing others to do everything for you and literally take care of you in every area of your life even to the point of physically clothing you, bathing you, grooming you, etc.

 

Come on...you KNOW that's not what you desire for your life!

 

"Oh Mike, you're getting a bit extreme with your examples."

 

NOT AT ALL!

 

GROWTH IS NOT EASY! It requires learning new things, doing new things, stretching and challenging yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually.

 

But do not ever forget this point: GROWTH BRINGS LIFE!

 

Simple illustration: Ask your mother (if she's still alive - if not, ask any woman that has experienced this) if going through pregnancy and the delivery of YOU was easy? Though not easy, GROWTH BRINGS LIFE!

 

So, friend, take that "easy" button and throw it in the trash! Because in this situation "easy" = LAZY and DEAD!

 

Stay focused, stay strong and KEEP ON GROWING!

 

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

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

 

The Struggle of Learning

 

 

 

OUCH!

 

Guess what? Learning from your mistakes and/or failures is PAINFUL!

 

But, you know what is even MORE painful? Making the same mistakes OVER AND OVER AGAIN and never learning anything!

 

And, it's painful to watch as well.

 

Growth (which is really what learning promotes) is always a painful process whether it be in business (or any type of organization) or even physically.

 

I remember when I was a teen lying in my bed at night, on my stomach, kicking my legs because they hurt so much from the "growing pains" that I was experiencing. But it's not always physical when you are "growing up", is it? Emotionally learning how to deal with social skills as you go through those "awkward stages" of physical growth can sometimes be difficult to navigate.

 

But, just as in these examples I just shared, though "learning" and growth can be difficult they do go "hand in hand" and they DO produce positive results.

 

IF we don't give up and IF we don't miss out on the opportunity to LEARN from our mistakes and failures.

 

Seeing people do the same wrong thing over and over again is just plain painful to see. But, you know what? Whether they realize it or not, it's even more painful to live that kind of life.

 

So, "suck it up" buddy and GET ON with the process of learning and growing through your mistakes and failures.

 

You will make it as long as you don't give up and as long as you don't stop learning.

 

Yeah, now you get it.

 

Until next time...

 

 

"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

                                         Check out this AMAZING home business!



Skip the EZ Button!

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

"Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it."  - Jim Rohn

We live in  a "make it as easy as possible" world! Hey, I have to admit that I get impatient with the microwave! We have some marvelous appliances and other gadgets in our homes that, indeed, make life easier. And,  no, I'm not "bashing" the fact that we have these things in our lives.

However, in a world where you can call anyone in the world and get information from all over the world in the palm of your hand, we have become to expect this type of ease in all areas of our lives. Wouldn't you agree?

We have "instant" EVERYTHING and, that being so, why not have "instant success"? Isn't this what we see advertised with so many "opportunities" out there? "Retire in 6 months with only 1 hour a day!" - EASY!  "Learn to make MILLIONS while you sleep!" - EASY!

We'll talk more about these types of ideas of "EASY" in the next day or so, but for now, let's turn to this same idea that we find when it comes to reading, listening or absorbing quality material.

Again, I know this doesn't apply to ALL young people today but, from my continued experience working with teens, it applies to a LOT of young people...they don't want to be challenged in any way at all. When was the last time that you tried to get a teen to actually READ or LISTEN to something that wasn't animated or part of some video game OR some lame television show?



When was the last time YOU spent time reading or listening to something that actually had value? If you were not following along a couple of weeks ago when I did the series on TIME then be sure to go back and discover how much time you waste each day and how much of that time can be "re-purposed" for something more productive!

There's nothing wrong with some mindless entertainment from time to time but, just like eating a few sweets from time to time, you CANNOT make your diet contain large quantities of either of these examples. Garbage in, garbage out, remember?

As Mr. Rohn emphasized, some things are entertaining but they do NOTHING to help us grow. When was the last time that YOU were challenged and, as a result, you grew?

Have you ever worked out? Have you ever started a routine that involved running, walking, weights or all of the above? When you first begin it is DIFFICULT because your body is being CHALLENGED to do something that is not as EASY as what you have been doing = NOTHING! However, with time and consistency, your body begins to adapt to the challenge and you begin to accomplish more and more as you do so. Your muscles begin to "grow" due to the RESISTANCE (not the easy way out, right?) that they have faced.

NO RESISTANCE = NO GROWTH!

Now, let's go back to the diving board scenario I talked about yesterday. Perhaps you still find yourself standing on the edge of that diving board looking down at the water...waiting...thinking...talking about what you WILL do but still standing and waiting. Perhaps you have seen someone else do it and it LOOKED easy or someone else TOLD you that it was easy. Oh, by the way, I'm talking about the HIGH DIVE, not the low one that pretty much anyone will jump from.

When you get to the edge of the HIGH diving board it suddenly looks different than it did watching someone that knew what they were doing, doesn't it? Maybe now you realize that the reason it looked so easy was because they put HOURS and HOURS of work into their skill. They didn't quit the first time they stood where you are now.

Sure, you can jump now. You may get lucky and not even hurt yourself but, at the same time, you just may do a "belly-buster" or, worse yet, a FACE-buster! And, if you do, you have a choice to make...quit or learn how to improve and then WORK at getting better.

Skip the "EZ BUTTON" and go for the growth! You'll be glad you did.

Be sure to join me tomorrow for another great quote from Jim Rohn and, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

Read, Study & Learn!

Read, Study and Learn!

If you are at all like me, once I finished college I wanted to STOP studying and - how silly of me - stop learning! It was a sign of immaturity and, I believe, temporary insanity to be thinking such a thing!

However, it didn't take long for me to understand and realize that, even if that were my true wish, it just wasn't going to come true! One WILL always be continuing to learn whether they want to or not!

So, here's the thing - we need to make this a "WANT TO" situation in our lives. And, yes, at the same time, it IS a "HAVE TO".... if we plan to continue to move toward our goals and dreams!

Can I point something out right up front? I believe there is a BIG difference between "reading" and "studying". Yes, it is true that you cannot study without reading but it IS possible to read without studying.

So, my focus for this blog today is very similar to what I said about "practice" a few days ago when I worded it as, "Practice With Purpose!". The same is true with this, "Read With Purpose!".

What is it that you hope to achieve as you read? Now, I know that there are times that we read stories just for pure enjoyment and escape and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, if that is ALL that we read -- aren't we kind of sticking our heads in the sand and not living in the real world?

As with everything, we must look at balance and, again, PURPOSE.

There are times that we read with PURPOSE (not the fictional story times) and we need to make sure that we follow through with that purpose.

FOLLOW THROUGH

Why emphasize that word? Well, first of all, follow me through this line of thinking (pretty snazzy there, huh?).

IF we read with purpose (and, by the way, everything we do should have PURPOSE in our lives) then we won't just read to say that we accomplished that task for the day. We will READ in such a way that will cross over into the area of STUDY. And, if we STUDY with PURPOSE we will also LEARN!

Read --> Study --> Learn

I remember in High School as well as college how I studied with one thing in mind. Try to pass the test. That was it! That was my goal and my purpose! That is why, many times, I would stay up all night cramming at the last minute hoping I'd retain just enough to pass the test. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not.

But I can tell you, without a doubt, one thing that DID NOT happen in those situations. I did not LEARN!

Learning takes place longer than the immediate need. Learning implants itself in our minds so that it is ready to be brought back out of that memory file to be used again when needed!

What's that old saying? "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."

What does that mean? It means simply this - If I did not LEARN from the first situation then SHAME ON ME!

So, learning takes place when we embed and incorporate what we have read and studied into our minds and our lives! This is what happens when we READ and STUDY with a purpose!

A few suggestions:

- Keep on reading this blog along with others that encourage and inspire you

- If you haven't done so, go to my website (http://www.FutureYouUniversity.com) and request the FREE report that you will find there. It's not long but, again, don't let the simplicity fool you. (I will make the podcasts that I did based on that report available to you very soon).

- Go to the "products" tab on that same website and order your FREE copy (pay s/h) of "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. Wow, what a great book and, indeed, this is one to be read AND studied!

- If you have some favorite e-books that you have yet to print out, DO IT! Having the material in front of you so that you can highlight, underline and make notes improves the study process and, thus, the learning process.

- Go to Success.com (if you don't subscribe to the magazine) and look over all of the FREE information that you find there. When you find an article that you really like, PRINT IT OUT for the same reason I just mentioned in the previous paragraph.

- Go to your local library and check out all of the wonderful books in the field of personal development! Don't write in the book BUT take a notepad along with you so that you can jot down notes from those books! Keep all of these types of notes in one notebook so that all of these wonderful thoughts and ideas can be easily located!

If you are not in the habit of reading, WORK ON IT and FORM THAT HABIT.

I used a quote on today's podcast from the late Charlie "Tremendous" Jones in which he said, "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for two things, the people you meet and the books you read."

Wow. Think about that and commit yourself to do the following each and every day: Read, Study and Learn!

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

Mike

RECLAIM CONTROL!

We've talked about the fact that YOU have the ability to control your thoughts! That being so, if you can control your thoughts you can control your morning....your afternoon...your day...your week - YOUR LIFE!

Do you feel as if things have spun out of control? Why? What has caused that?

Listen, I understand that there are things that happen beyond our control. For example, parents may have a teen child involved in a terrible automobile accident which claims their life. Wow - I can't even imagine that! But it happens and it may have even happened to someone reading this blog. Perhaps it has been something else for you.

Can you STILL have control after such a devastating event?

YES, YOU CAN!

Please believe me when I say that I am not "down-playing" that tragic event in any way whatsoever. But, the bottom line is this - you STILL have a choice on how you handle that tragedy!

I know I would be devastated, stunned, shocked and numb. However, somewhere along the way you have to make a decision to go on living, as hard as that may seem. Again, it's a choice that YOU make - not anyone else.

Without going further into that scenario here's something I want all of us to consider - REGARDLESS of the circumstance (death, job loss, financial struggles, relationships, etc.) you DO have a choice!

If your world is out of control consider the thought that YOU have TURNED CONTROL over to someone or something along the way. Hard to swallow, I know - but I believe it to be true.

Go back to the blog and podcast on the word, "IF" -- how many of those still creep their way into your life and your "reasons" (excuses)?

You see, if you plan to overcome these six ghosts of fear that Napoleon Hill talked about in chapter 15 of his classic, "Think & Grow Rich", then you MUST reclaim control!

You will never - you can never - move forward in any area of your life without control!

Wow, think about that statement and consider how true it really is.

So, it's YOUR day...YOUR chance....YOUR choice -- RECLAIM CONTROL. The sooner the better!

By the way, please feel free to contact me at any time with comments, suggestions, etc. at mike@futureyouuniversity.com

I'd love to hear from you.

Until then....always remember to...

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

Mike

You Have A Brain...Use It! ;)

The brain.

Even now we know very little about how it works and how powerful it truly is. Oh, I know that we have learned a LOT over the years since the book, "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill was written, but we still know very little about it and the power held within.

This we do know. The majority of us does not take advantage of this powerhouse that we all have. And, yes, I do know that some are unable to use it to it's fullness due to some injury or disease - but let's talk about me and you, shall we?

What are you (we) doing to continue to learn, grow and expand our knowledge that is housed in our brain? For most of us the answer would be - "very little". I believe I've either heard or read somewhere that the majority of us rarely use even 10% of our brain's capabilities. Doesn't that make you wonder what we'd be capable of if we increased that to only 20%?

So, as we read this chapter on the brain and the next chapter on "The Sixth Sense" we may be tempted to disregard the information that Mr. Hill shares in these chapters. I admit, they are a little difficult to read and understand and, yes - believe! But, perhaps we should, instead, attempt to follow the guidelines and suggestions in this book and explore the possibilities!

It always amazes me how many "experts" there are in our world. Actually, to be more specific, it always amazes me how many people are "experts" at anything and everything! You likely know someone like that, don't you? It doesn't matter what it is that you or someone else may be talking about, THEY have all the answers and, usually, all the reasons why it can't be true or why it won't work.

And, yet, when you check their "credentials" or their experience with such things, they have none. Zero. Not one bit. Yet, they "know" all about it! Amazing, isn't it?

So, you see, WE can be the same way (now that's a scary thought, isn't it?) when we read things found in some of these chapters in this book. It doesn't make sense to us. It doesn't sound possible. We've not experienced it ourselves. So, all of that put together must mean that it can't be true! Come on, admit it. You've had those thoughts on some of this, haven't you? To be honest, I have! And then I have to think, "Really, Mike...what do you know about it?"

We must remember how much time Napoleon Hill put into this book. It was not a quick, "write-it-in-a-weekend" endeavor. It took years - over 20 years - to put these thoughts together and - let's not forget this important fact - he tested these principles along the way.

So, as the title says, "You have a brain...use it!" But the main point is this - let's learn to use it more than we are now in order to improve our lives as well as the lives of others.

Here's to that continued process and journey and, as always...

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

Mike

KNOW That You Can!

When you listen to today's podcast (if you haven't already) you will be able to tell that I get very passionate about this topic. Actually, you will hear some frustration expressed about those that will do everything that they can to KEEP YOU from making positive progress in your life!

Think about it. Let's use the example of deciding to lose weight. You share your news with several of your "friends" and prepare to begin your journey. Likely, even at the mention of your plans you will have one of your "friends" (you may want to reconsider this label) drop a "negative grenade" on your plans. They may say something like, "Oh, why do you want to waste your time doing that? You're just like the rest of us - you can't lose weight!"
I know that, already, some of you are nodding your head because you've experienced this, haven't you?
And these so-called "friends" will continue to be negative anytime you share your progress. As a matter of fact, they will even share their negative comments even if you DON'T share your progress. For example, you walk into the office and they may say, "Hey, I thought you were on a diet? Have you started it yet?" They may even do things like offer you a piece of cake or a doughnut and then say, "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you were trying to lose weight!" NOTICE: They DID NOT forget! They are trying to sabotage your efforts - you can be sure of that!
And then they will whine and complain about the fact that they "need" to lose weight and about how they can't and they wish they could.
I think the Greek word for that is.... HOGWASH!

So, yeah, I do get a little upset at people like that. It makes it hard for anyone that tries to make a positive move in their life. By the way, you can use any example that you want, and the result will be the same - you will have others that are determined to keep you where they are. Why? For one, they don't want the "spotlight" shining on them and their inability to even produce the DESIRE to actually DO SOMETHING about the state of their lives.

I actually know of a husband that, in years past would actually unhook wires under the hood of his wife's car so that she could not do something that would improve her life. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

So, it is important to instill this determination deep within -YES, YOU CAN! Although it may be hard you MUST block out these negative forces and, yes, you may even need to withdraw from the situation. Again, reconsider how much of a "friend" they actually are when, instead of encouraging you and being happy for you, they try to derail your efforts.

Sometimes we can't. Sometimes we live with them. And, yes, you need to sit down with them and try to talk to them about what they are actually doing (they usually already know it and will deny it). What do you do if they still don't listen?

LOAD UP ON THE POSITIVE!

Think of it as a scale that has two sides to show what object is heavier. You must do everything within your power to make sure that the POSITIVE outweighs the NEGATIVE!

The very fact that you are reading this shows that you are making an effort to do just that. If it's not enough - then find more positive things to incorporate into your life and RID your life of ANYTHING negative that will fight you in this effort to tip the scale in your positive side. Hint: pay attention to what you watch on t.v. and read in newspapers/magazines/on-line.

Again, it's up to you. We (you and I) cannot expect others to do it for us. Yes, there are friends that actually DO encourage us and help us along the way - aren't you glad? But, we still cannot rely on them to do it for us. It's up to us!

And, KNOW -- deep inside - KNOW THAT YOU CAN!

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

Mike Spillman

Peace of Mind (in a world of chaos)

In today's podcast I share with you 3 specific things you can do that will help you gain PEACE even in a world that is full of chaos.

Can you relate?

I'm sure you can - we all struggle from time to time with people, events or things that tend to rob us of our peace. The result? A life full of turmoil - and that, my friend, is not the life that you, nor I wish for ourselves or our families.

Let's face it - OUR MIND IS A BATTLEFIELD! It's a common struggle for us all everyday - controlling (or patrolling) our minds to keep them as free as possible from the negative pollution that surrounds us.

George Washington said this about peace:

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

Let's change that up just a little bit so that it will apply to what we are discussing today.

"There is nothing so likely to produce PEACE OF MIND as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

So, the 1st step in gaining peace of mind is to IDENTIFY THE ENEMY! (worry? distrust? doubt?) What is it for you? Identify it so that you can...

2. Meet (and DEFEAT) that enemy! Do battle by filling your mind with right and positive things!

And, finally -

3. Give peace a chance! (Yeah, I know it's a song.) Give your mind a break and see what happens!

Yes, it IS possible - BELIEVE IT AND WORK/FIGHT FOR IT - to gain peace of mind in a chaotic world.

I shared the following item on the podcast and mentioned that I would include it in today's blog so that you can focus on it and absorb it a little better. The author is unknown - but it is really good stuff!

Symptoms of Inner Peace
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experience
An unmistakable ability to enjoy the moment
A loss of interest in judging other people
A loss of interest in judging self
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others
An inability to worry (this is a very serious symptom!)
Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation
Frequent acts of smiling
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than to make them happen
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

These are the kind of "symptoms" that are GOOD to have, wouldn't you agree!

Together, we can do even this ----

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

Mike