Introduction to "The Importance of Action"

Over the past few days I decided that it was time to TAKE ACTION. 

Oh, I know that there are many that would suggest that I (or them or anyone) should just wait until the start of the new year to take steps to make changes or take action, right? 

But, why SHOULD I and why WOULD I wait when I can start taking action today? 

So, let me share with you what I have decided to do and, as part of this sharing, hopefully encourage you to take action in your own life.

Back at the start of July I made a big "push" to promote that "Future You University" was back! Well, I did do a few blogs and podcasts but, by no means, did I do so in a way that would qualify as saying that I was "back". 

Yeah, as usual, "stuff" kept getting in the way or, to be more honest, I ALLOWED that to be an excuse as to why I wasn't following through with what I said I was going to do. 

IMPORTANT TIP #1: You MUST be honest with yourself about where you are in your own life! 

I have come to realize the absolute NECESSITY of taking ACTION in my life and to get past the excuses that I have allowed to rule - yes, rule - parts of my life. You? 

So, part of my decision to take action - DAILY action - is to get back to doing a DAILY blog article along with a daily podcast and video (Vlog) as well.  

IMPORTANT TIP #2: Make sure you start out with a DAILY activity and stick to it!  

If you try to make a major change without dedicating yourself to DAILY action toward that purpose your chances of failure increase dramatically.  Yes, you can always adjust things later on if necessary but do not be fooled into thinking that you can/should start off doing this any other way except for doing it DAILY!

I also made some other decisions about taking daily action in other areas of my life: physically, spiritually and concerning my business. Why wait to do what everyone does and make those so-called "New Year's Resolutions"?

IMPORTANT TIP #3: Doing what everyone else does will take you to the same place that everyone else ends up...that same place that they started.   

I've already hit a challenge in this process. I'm having some major issues getting my podcast up and publicized. This podcast company has been having some major issues over the past several months but this is the first time that it has directly impacted me. So, to be honest, it may not get published as planned but I will STILL continue to record new ones each and every day. 

IMPORTANT TIP #4: Anytime you plan to make major changes in your life, get ready - THERE WILL BE ROADBLOCKS trying to block your way to successfully completing what you have set out to do.   

Now, interestingly, as is usually the case, this blog article is COMPLETELY different than the podcast and Vlog that I recorded earlier today. So, hopefully that podcast will be available to you soon. If not, check out the video on my YouTube channel (link below) since I recorded them at the same time.

I plan for this to be a series for this week: "The Necessity of ACTION!". Be sure to join me DAILY.  

Until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

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

YouTube

 

It's How You FINISH That Counts

"It's not how you start, but how you FINISH!"

 

I've heard and read that many times before but, I heard it from someone personally just last month. This gentleman is very successful in his business that he runs but, like most people, it wasn't that way in the beginning.

 

THE business - a home-based business - that got him started and that he is still heavily involved in even after 9 years, started off at a snails pace. How much of a "snail's pace" you ask? He sold ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for his first six months. That's right...NOTHING.

 

What would YOU have done? Most of us would have, understandably, quit. Right? I mean, hey, come on, SOMETHING must not be quite right if, after six months, a person hasn't made one sale. But, he persevered and, during the last six months of that first year, he made $104,000 working that job part time.

 

About a month ago I heard him address this among a group of about twenty of us. He laughed and said something like, "Yeah, a lot of people still give me a hard time about going for six months without a sale. All I have to say is, 'It's not how you start, but how you FINISH!' "

 

Again, he is still very involved in working this business. Do you want to know - even though he is not done - how he has "finished" or how he has grown this business? He has made a six-figure income every year (including that first one) and, more often than not, he is actually making $250,000 + per year with that same business.

 

Don't ever forget that. You MAY be going slow as far as making the progress that you had PLANNED to make or that you WANT to make. However, even if the visible "results" are not what you wish they were, you are still ahead of where you were when you started.

 

And you are for SURE ahead of those that sit on the sidelines and criticize and mock what you are doing. Don't ever forget that.

 

Remember, even if you take two steps forward and one step back, you are STILL moving forward in the right direction and you are STILL one step ahead of where you were yesterday.

 

You never know how close you are to your "breakthrough". That's a fact, friend. You may be one day or one customer or contact away from a monumental surge in success.

 

Keep that in mind as you keep moving forward. And, as always, 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

  *MJ Spillman Travel on Facebook*    *TRAVEL FOR LESS and ENJOY LIFE MORE!*

Start Here

My guess is that we've all seen stories of people that rose up from horrible circumstances to experience incredible success which inspires all that find out about such a person.

Usually, when I see such stories shared, it's with the idea of, "Look at what they have been able to accomplish - what's YOUR excuse?" And it IS powerful. Very powerful.

Yet, for many of us, we've not had to fight such huge difficulties BUT, at the same time, many of us still struggle with setbacks of our own. (No, I'm not comparing "apples to apples" and I understand that).

You can have the best background in your life and still struggle with current circumstances. You may have had the best childhood possible but, your adult years may have put you in circumstances that you never thought you'd experience.

Here's the focus of the message for today (from the graphic above): "Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go, they merely determine WHERE YOU START."

So, here you are. "Current circumstances" may have you stunned and/or feeling discouraged, depressed and even defeated.

"As long as there is breath, there's hope." is a quote I have used often since coming up with it back on March 2, 2009. THERE IS HOPE!

It may not happen overnight but you CAN move on from where you are now. And you can begin that process now as well. Hey, we can all fuss and complain about it not being fair or how angry we may be or whatever the emotions may evoke due to your current circumstances. BUT, where you are is where you are. This is where you must start regardless of what has been fair or not fair.

START HERE!

It is what it is but also remember WHO YOU ARE and what you are capable of. You are one that has been created with tremendous resilience and potential in spite of setbacks.

So, friend, get up and go - REGARDLESS.

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

How Will You Get There?

So, which of the modes of transportation that you see in the graphic will you take? (And, let's add a graphic of someone walking, shall we?).

 

"Uh, it depends on where I'm going!"

 

GOOD ANSWER!

 

And, on top of that, depending on where you are going - especially how FAR you are going - will even determine if you use just ONE of the shown modes of transportation OR if you end up using SEVERAL of the shown modes of transportation!

 

For example, you may take a trip that would require you to walk down the street (walking), grab a cab (automobile) or get on a bus (bigger automobile) to be taken to the airport so that you could board a plane (uh, a plane). Then, upon landing you may have to either rent ANOTHER automobile or grab another cab or bus and maybe even have to board a ferry or a ship to continue on your destination.

 

Does the fact that you had to use SEVERAL modes of transportation in order for you to reach your destination make this trip a failure?

 

OF COURSE NOT!

 

Then why is it so easy for us to see this logic in the above example but NOT see it when trying to apply it to your journey to reach your goals and dreams?

 

Too many people think that you MUST stick to one "mode of transportation" to get from point A to point B when it comes to these things.

 

Stick to this particular job! Don't quit this job or don't change jobs! Stay with this one company for 40 years and you will have success!

 

Hey friend, that train left the station long ago - the reality of that type of thinking does NOT exist any longer!

 

In the same way, thinking that you must stick to ONE "business opportunity" or "work from home" system in order to be successful is ludicrous!

 

Sure, sometimes we are tempted to give up too soon, BUT, are we giving up on our goals and dreams or are we giving up on this particular means of "transport" along our way?

 

For me, if I don't enjoy what I'm doing and if I don't have 100% belief and conviction in what I'm doing then I'm going to STOP doing that thing!

 

Yes, I understand that NOTHING is ever 100% perfect and enjoyable, but that is not what I'm talking about. But, friend, if you don't believe in what you do you will NEVER be successful using that mode of "transport" toward your goals and dreams.

 

THAT IS A FACT!

 

The main thing is this: NEVER GIVE UP ON MOVING CLOSER TO YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS.

 

Who cares (and, by the way, whose business is it to care about this but YOU?) if you change ways of getting there several times?

 

JUST GET THERE and enjoy the journey along the way! Too many times we miss out on the journey and what takes place on the journey.

 

Hey, remember this: Even if you DO take two steps forward and one step back, you are STILL making progress! You are STILL one step ahead of where you were!

 

Thanks for your time today. Don't ever forget 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

Do You Have What It Takes?

How big is your dream?

 

Do you feel unstoppable?

 

Do you feel that you are DESTINED for success?

 

Do you - or have you - felt like giving up?

 

Honestly, your answers to these questions will likely depend on how long you have been working on achieving your goals and dreams. The longer you spend at it the more likely your answers change.

 

For example, "Do you feel unstoppable?" - if you're just beginning the journey I'm sure the answer is a resounding "YES!" but, if you've been at it for a few years it may be more like, "Not so much."

 

And, if you've spent ANY time at all mapping out your goals and dreams then I can say FOR SURE that, at least once, you HAVE felt like giving up! (We don't like to admit that one, do we?)

 

BUT, it's not so much about the answers to the questions but what we DO to answer those questions.

 

Doubts do creep in BUT....do you have what it takes to look doubt in the face and keep going anyway?

 

Fear, set-backs, delays, negativity from others, money problems and many other things may cause you to feel like it's just better to give up BUT...do you have what it takes to keep going ANYWAY? Even when it seems like it will be impossible to make it to the end?

 

DO IT ANYWAY.

 

That's what matters. It's not always about "feelings" (even though positive feelings really do help, right?) but it IS always about WHAT YOU DO ANYWAY.

 

So, do you?

 

Do YOU have what it takes?

 

Sure you do. But even when you feel that you don't - DO IT ANYWAY!

 

And, oh, is it ever so important to do this along the way...

 

 

"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

Is It Foolish?

Was it foolish?

 

If you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and read the article from yesterday. But, bottom line, was it foolish for my wife and I to take that trip?

 

Remember, I listed 8 steps that took place during that whole ordeal as follows:

     1. We had set our plans on where we wanted to go.
     2. Obstacles stood in the way (being behind on time; snow)
     3. Others tried to tell us not to do it
     4. WE WERE DETERMINED
     5. We proceeded and it took a lot LONGER than we had planned!
     6. There were delays (flat tire/spending the night/more ice)
     7. WE WERE DETERMINED
     8. We finally arrived at our destination!

Now, as a parent and 30 years older I would likely say that, if one of my kids were planning to do the same thing that I'd be one of those trying to talk them out of taking that trip!

But, you know what? That's part of the whole thing that we miss!

If we (you, me and anyone else we want to talk about) want to achieve SUCCESS in whatever it is that we seek, we MUST have a YOUTHFUL-NOT-AFRAID-OF-ANYTHING type attitude and approach!

Now, let's stay focused on the fact that the trip was an ANALOGY and that the real focus is on our determination (or lack thereof) in reaching our goals and seeing the journey through to the end!

Have you lost that "not-afraid-of-anything" attitude?

Look at those 8 things listed above and, again, KNOW that they WILL occur! Not if, but when!

IT WILL HAPPEN!

You WILL have obstacles and it WILL take you longer than you planned.

Most everyone under estimates the time required to reach the success that they seek. Will you stay with it? Will you give up?

Others WILL try to get you to quit and give up and they may even tell you that you are FOOLISH for continuing to "chase that dream".

"You've been trying to do this for four years now...don't you think it's time to quit being a fool and just give up?"

Is it foolish OR is it worth it?

How DETERMINED are YOU in the pursuit of your dreams?

Regardless of how long it takes, how AWESOME will it be when you DO achieve what it is that you have set out to achieve?

Here me again: DON'T YOU DARE EVER GIVE UP!

Fire it up and keep it going!

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

How Bad Do You Want It?

This is not a picture I took but it is similar to what the conditions were like back in December of 1983 when my wife and I - five months pregnant at the time - decided to go ahead and head out on our planned trip to visit our families over the Christmas holiday.

 

When I say, "decided to go ahead", there was a lot of things to take into consideration before that decision was made. One, my wife was five months pregnant! Two, we were behind our time schedule due to someone putting carpet in the house AND it had begun snowing and snowing hard! As a matter of fact, by the time we made the decision to go ahead and go, there were at least 3-4 inches on the ground and a lot of it sticking to the roadways.

 

My brother and his wife lived about 30 miles from us and had also planned to make the trip but changed their mind due to the snow. They TRIED to get us to change our mind as well but we were DETERMINED to get away for the holiday season and go see family!

 

And we did. I don't remember the year model of the old Dodge truck we were in but it was old and it had lots of "air holes" in it that was letting in a LOT of cold, cold air as we traveled along the way.

 

If you are familiar with southwest Missouri/northwest Arkansas then you are likely familiar with the Boston Mountains. This highway is pretty dangerous on a GOOD day but, with snow all over the place, it was really treacherous as was evidenced by the many cars and "big rigs" that were off in the ditch.

 

But we kept going.

 

I don't remember if we had planned to spend the night at my wife's grandmother's house or not that night but, we ended up doing so due to a flat tire just outside of the town she lived in. The sun had already gone down and it was cold and icy. I walked my wife up the long driveway that we had the luck to be able to pull over in. I thought that I could at least get her in to where it was warm before I changed the tire. The kind folks let us in and, after talking a few minutes, we found that they knew my wife's grandmother and allowed my wife to call her (this was before cell phones). The gentleman told me to stay put with my wife and that he would change the tire. I tried to tell him I'd help but he insisted.

 

We finally made it to "Nany's" house for the evening but, upon getting up in the morning, we discovered that a lot of "frozen rain" had fallen and there was now ice EVERYWHERE. What did we do? We got in the truck and headed on down south so that we could still reach our destination.

 

We finally made it and ended up having to stay a week longer than planned due to ANOTHER ice storm that hit. When we finally left it was still fairly risky but we HAD to get on back.

 

Was it foolish? We'll talk about that thought in the next article but, notice these things:

     1. We had set our plans on where we wanted to go.

     2. Obstacles stood in the way (being behind on time; snow)

     3. Others tried to tell us not to do it

     4. WE WERE DETERMINED

     5. We proceeded and it took a lot LONGER than we had planned!

     6. There were delays (flat tire/spending the night/more ice)

     7. WE WERE DETERMINED

     8. We finally arrived at our destination!

 

Now friend, look over that list and KNOW that this will also happen to you when you decide to step out and proceed toward your goals and dreams.

 

That's not an "if", it's a "when". IT WILL HAPPEN.

 

Bottom line, "How bad do you want it?" Or, as the title to the podcast version of this asks, "Is It Worth It?".

 

Only YOU can answer that question and you WILL - sooner or later - have to answer that one.

 

In the next article we will answer the question (as best as I can) as to whether it was foolish or not to make that journey. I invite you back for that because it, too, will be something that you will have to answer along the way as you continue down your path to your goals and dreams.

 

Until then, 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

Taking That NEXT Step!

Sometimes that "next step" can be the hardest to take. True or False? I guess it really depends on what that next step is, right?

Just getting straight to the point here - whatever that "next step" is for you, if you never take it you will never get where you are going.

Pretty simple. But, again, don't forget that many times the profound can be found in the simple.

That "next step" may actually be considered your FIRST step toward whatever it is you plan to achieve but, then again, is it actually your first step? (Whoa, dude...you're going to short-circuit my brain!)

Think about it - what IS the first step in ANY process that you are considering?

Is it when you have the original thought and then decide to think a little MORE about that original thought? If you didn't immediately dismiss that original thought but decided, instead, to give that thought a little more time in your head - was this your first step along the path for this idea?

If THAT was not the "next step" then what happened after that? Did you decide to talk to someone else about it or do some research on-line or at the library to find out more about this thought? Wouldn't THAT be a "next step"?

At what point does the "next step" become a step that we are afraid to take?

Granted, it's EASY to THINK about doing something. Yet, some people that I have met during my life have actually been afraid to allow themselves to even THINK about the possibility of following a dream, thought or idea.

Thinking and doing are two different courses of action, wouldn't you agree? For most (at least from my experience) it would seem that taking the step from THINKING and TALKING about doing something and actually beginning to DO IT is the "next BIG step" that causes so many of us to freeze in our tracks.

Remember what I said earlier? "...whatever that "next step" is for you, if you never take it you will never get where you are going."

Believe me, I understand that hesitation and the reality that FEAR freezes us and causes us to cease following our dreams any further.

So, what about YOU? What's YOUR "next step"?

I'd love to hear from you and get your feedback from those of you that have pushed through/past that fear and have moved on as well as those of you that are struggling with taking that step.

We're all in this together, remember?

Be sure to check out and become a member of our Future You University fan page on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/futureyouuniversity

I'd really love to get your feedback and thoughts there if you would. Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

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

Mike

Choice Three: STRENGTHEN

I know that what I'm about to say is an over-simplification but consider it anyway: "Life is a series of choices."

Now, again, I didn't say you had to AGREE with my statement, I just asked that you consider it which, in and of itself is a choice, is it not? Your consideration is a choice and your agreeing or disagreeing is a choice. You made a choice to read this article right now instead of doing something different. You have a choice to either keep on reading this article or to go on and do that "something else". You made a choice to get out of bed this morning or, if you are still in bed for whatever reason, you still made a choice to do something besides just lay in bed sleeping or watching television at this moment.

Yeah, I really COULD go on and on with this pointing out how many choices we make each and every day several times a day - but I won't. It was a choice that I had and I chose NOT to follow through with that. (There I go again!).

And, yes, when bad things happen in our lives we have choices that we must make. Among those are how we will allow this "bad thing" to impact us. We can either let it DEFINE us, DESTROY us or STRENGTHEN us. We've already talked about the first two and, today, I'll discuss the last one as I conclude my thoughts on this topic.

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I've said it many times in the discussions on this topic but I feel the need to say this again - please do not take it that I am "making light" of any tragedy that may have taken place in your life or the life of someone you know. Perhaps you are going through that that tragedy right now and NONE of this will make any sense to you at all and, likely, may even make you angry. BOTTOM LINE - I understand that what I am saying is over-simplified. But, even in the midst of crazy events in our lives it still all boils down to the simplicity of choices.

Oh, believe me, I understand that the fact there are choices to be made is a simple fact but the CHOICES TO BE MADE is what makes it all so difficult.

Don't let bad things define you or destroy you - we've covered that already and, as always, if you haven't had the chance to read those, you might want to read them BEFORE you read this installation. So, WHY NOT let even the bad things in life STRENGTHEN you or make you stronger?

Anyone that has done ANY type of strength training can tell you that it is NOT easy! Hey, anytime I (you, them, whoever, right?) have tried to do ANYTHING that was some sort of change to my habits (diet, exercise) it was NOT easy to do! And, when you start talking about trying to become stronger (which usually incorporates diet AND exercise) you have to stay with it and fight the pain knowing that the strain and resistance against your muscles will make them stronger.

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:13 said the following, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Now, again, I realize that all of you reading this may not be believers but I feel the need to share this anyway because, for many people in our world, their FAITH is a HUGE FACTOR in their ability to keep going and to gain strength even in the midst of these "storms".

But, beyond the powerful thing that Paul said in that verse is what is found in the preceding verses describing some ups and downs that Paul, himself had experienced. Notice this in the same chapter, but in verse 12..."I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

FAITH - FRIENDS - FAMILY...the cornerstone for many people and especially when bad things happen in their lives. Have you utilized these resources in YOUR life recently? If not, maybe you need to do so BEFORE the "storms" hit (we talked about the need for preparation in one of the earlier articles in this series).

You CAN do this! You CAN make it through and you CAN survive another day and then another and then another. YOU CAN! YOU MUST!

"As long as there is breath, there is hope!"  Don't ever forget that!

Again, always feel free to contact me at any time (mike@futureyouuniversity.com) - I'd love to hear from you. And, whatever you do, where you go, be sure to...

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

Mike

What Killed the Cat?

Once again it's "MAGICAL MONDAY!"... What will YOU do that's "magical" today?

So, we've all heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat", right? And, I'm sure - in spite of their 9 lives - that this has been true on occasion. But, it IS fun (even for a non-cat person) to watch a cat that has "zeroed-in" on some "target" due to this curiosity.

In today's podcast ( http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mike-spillmans-future-you/id423660739 ) I share the tale of me watching such a cat recently. I was sitting in a room with a group of young men and the cat spotted a moth that was flying about the room and, pretty quickly, began to "stalk" it's prey. The moth was mostly keeping to the higher parts of the room and, regardless of how far up the wall the cat would stretch after climbing on the back of a chair, the moth still remained out of reach. One of the boys stated, "That cat will NEVER catch that moth!" to which I replied, "Don't be too sure." The cat preceded to climb on the back of the couch that I was sitting on and looked up and patiently watched that moth flitter about the room. And, guess what? Believe it or not that moth basically fluttered right down within the cats reach and, yes, the cat DID catch that moth!

A couple of things came to mind almost instantly with this....NEVER say NEVER and, also, NEVER GIVE UP!

How many times do we find ourselves either listening to others tell us that we will NEVER accomplish what it is we have set out to accomplish OR to that little negative voice within ourselves that says the same thing? STOP LISTENING to the negative voice!

Now, really, I have NO IDEA what was going on inside of that cat's head when it was watching that moth but I really didn't see any indication that it even considered for a moment that it WOULD NOT get what it was after - that moth!

We need to develop that same determination in our own lives and STOP living a life of "if I ever achieve this" and START living a life of "when I achieve this"...BIG DIFFERENCE in the two, wouldn't you agree?

Sure, curiosity may have killed the cat but think about this: how much SUCCESS did that cat experience along the way and up to that point?

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get other thoughts on this topic and, until next time, always be sure to...

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

Mike

Starting Over...Again

Hey! It's "Turn-Around Tuesday!" Be sure to listen to today's podcast to find out the significance of this "tag" for today!

On your mark...get set....GO!

FALSE START! Line up and do it all over again.

Board game...roll the dice...move six spaces...space says, "GO BACK TO START!".

On a bit of a more serious note, perhaps you or someone you know had their life savings set back in a way that they thought was "secure" only to find out that it had all been wiped out or "swindled" away. Time to start all over after years of saving and putting back.

"I do...regardless of sickness, health, poverty and/or wealth...until death do us part!" Scenario one: the person standing across from you had other ideas of what the phrase "until death do us part" and they decided to bail on your marriage at the first hint or sign of struggle. Scenario two: Death IS what "parted" the relationship between the two of you and, regardless of how long the two of you had been married - like in scenario one - now you look at having to start life all over again without that person by your side.

You've planned out your path to achieve your goals and dreams and have even set a time-line only to find that time come and go without you reaching your intended result....START OVER.

You start over and "tweak" things a bit thinking you figured out where you went wrong and what you need to do to finally reach those goals and dreams only to find yourself "coming up short" once again...START OVER AGAIN!

And again. And again. And again. And again.

Question: How many times will YOU "start over" before giving up?

Question: Do you see yourself a failure because you had to start over? If not the first time, how many times do you start over before you begin to feel this way?

Question: How many times in your life have you EVER reached success the very first time you tried something that required quite a bit of effort, skill and knowledge? (I think I can answer that one for you - LIKELY, NEVER!).

So, here we are in the middle of the first month of 2012 and, perhaps, you ARE starting over for the _____th time.

So what?

The main thing is that you have NOT given up! When you get "knocked down" you can either GIVE UP or GET UP!

The choice is yours! Do you get that? The choice is YOURS and not someone else's.

Stop listening to the naysayers and the doomsday words of those that likely never attempt to "step out of the box" to better themselves. Stop listening to those that tell you that you should "give up" because, "After all, you've had to start over two or three times!".

SO WHAT?

If it's important to you and if it's of value to you - WHY GIVE UP BECAUSE YOU HAD TO START OVER?

Don't. Keep going. Keep moving. Never, ever give up.

And, as you do so, be sure to...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)

Mike

Keep Going!

"Keep Going"

Based on what I read in the quote by Conrad Hilton, if you quit you become unsuccessful. I've actually talked about this from time to time over the time that I've been doing these podcasts and blog entries - but it's worth visiting again as I celebrate the occasion of my 300th podcast.

Yup, that's right - #300!

Let me share some thoughts that I have about that and then I want to turn it around and help you apply these things to YOUR life so that you can be encouraged to "keep going" as well.

I began doing my podcast on March 2, 2009 as a Monday, Wednesday and Friday podcast and, though a little nervous at first, loved it right from the start. Of course, you have have to understand that most of my life has been spent speaking in front of people so it wasn't anything new to some extent. Just a new "venue".

It didn't take long for me to realize that, especially since from the beginning I was reserving the Friday podcast to do a "Fun Friday" episode that, just having Monday and Wednesday to talk about things really wasn't enough.

I'll never forget as I announced that I was going to a Monday - Friday format that I had a close friend say to me, "Why are you doing that? What in the world are you going to talk about all of that time?" She didn't really understand the whole concept anyway and so she couldn't see that anyone would be able to have THAT MUCH STUFF to share!

Let me say this (and this is something you can apply to your own life as well) - when you pay attention to the world around you there will be lessons shown each and every day. IF you are watching and paying attention. That being so, I try to pay attention to how people behave (including myself), things people say and attitudes (both positive and negative) that are displayed as I go through my day. Try it and see if it's not true in your own life! Perhaps keep a journal of just some quick thoughts that come to mind on what you have learned from this process through each day and soon you'll be amazed at how much you have learned and noticed!

Anyway, over time I have asked for some feedback for one reason or another and, most of the time, I've never had a lot of response - that's disappointing!

I really don't have an adequate way to know how many people are listening to my podcasts and I do have some sort of tracking to have an idea how many people might be reading the blog - so I know they're out there...but they (uh...YOU!) just aren't getting involved in much interaction.

So, yes, there have been many times that this has been a bit frustrating and discouraging, but I have kept going and I WILL keep going.

Why? Because I hope that what I do is helping someone - even one! And, there are times that I do receive an e-mail or a message on Facebook from someone that tells me that they are benefiting from what I am doing. That makes me smile and, at times, has even put a tear in my eye.

So, here' the deal... yeah, there are days that I wonder if anyone is listening and if what I'm doing makes a difference and then there are days that I know - even if I haven't heard from anyone - I KNOW that I am making a difference and I keep moving ahead!

So, what about you?

Perhaps you are on a similar journey. Oh, it may not be doing a podcast and blog, but you may have started down a journey toward your goals and dreams and, as you plod along, you wonder if you are actually making any progress or if anything is even happening in your life.

It's hard to "see" the progress that we make from day to day as we go through the day. Have you ever tried to watch the grass grow? I hope not!

But, you know, if you tried, not only would it get very boring but you'd not notice anything happening at all!

However, come back in a week and take a look - it grew and you can tell that it grew!

Remember going to see your grandparents or someone else that hadn't seen you in a while when you were younger? What did they almost always say? "My goodness how you have grown!"

We may not have noticed that much at the time (even though if you were a male teen you likely were measuring your height almost every day!) but they noticed right away. Why? They were seeing you "from a distance" (through time) and not "up close" (day to day).

If you had the ability to "rise up" above yourself and actually see a beginning point for this journey that you are on and then also be able to see a line to where you are now - you'd SEE the progress that you have made!

One of the ways that you can do this is by keeping a journal along the way. Write down the good and the bad thoughts and moods. Likely, what you will see is that your attitude has improved over time and your whole thought process is not the way it once was.

You ARE making progress as long as you have not decided to give up!

KEEP GOING! Never give up!

The world needs people like me and you that are DETERMINED to make a difference in our world and are DETERMINED to better themselves along the way!

So, my friend, even when times are tough and you get discouraged, understand that you ARE making a difference and keep going!

In closing, I would like to say "thanks" to a few people that have kept me encouraged along the way from time to time. I usually hate to do this because I'm always afraid that I'll leave someone out - but I hope not! A special thanks to Brain Johnson for sending the encouraging cards to me, to Jim Ferguson that always lets me know that he is listening and to Gerry Ottesen for being a constant source of encouragement and finally to my good friend, Frank McDerment for being an encourager and also for doing my Future You University website going!

Thanks, friends!

And, to you my friend, if you are reading this and following along - I thank you! Let me hear from you from time to time!

Always remember to...

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

Mike

Shake It Off and Move On!

Shake It Off and Move On!

So why is there a donkey staring me in the face? If you don't know already then it's obvious you haven't listened to the podcast for today, so I'll have to explain in a moment.

This past Saturday my youngest son, Jordan, graduated from High School and, during the ceremony, the featured speaker shared a simple - yet powerful - story about an old donkey (aha! Now I know why there's a donkey staring me in the face!).

It seems that this old donkey was walking around the farm when he stumbled into an old, dry well on the property. The old farmer, discovering this old donkey down in this dry well thought about it for a little while and decided that since there was no way he could get the old donkey out of the well and, also, since the old donkey wasn't really good for much of anything, that he'd just fill in the well with the donkey in it.

Now, that sounds harsh, I know - but it's just part of the story, o.k.?

The old farmer then called together his neighbors and asked them to all bring a shovel so that they could fill in this old dry well and be done with it. As the crowd dumped shovel after shovel of dirt down the well the old donkey would simply shake the dirt off of his back and step up on the dirt that was now beneath him. Most did not notice this at first - the action was so small and unnoticeable - but, soon, the crowd begin to notice that the donkey was continually shaking the dirt off of his back and then stepping up and getting closer and closer to the top of the old well.

As you can imagine, eventually, the old donkey finally stepped up one last time and walked on out of the well and off into the distance! A silly and corny story, yes, but it does have a very powerful message attached!

The graduation speaker then challenged this graduating class with the idea that they must be like the old donkey and be prepared to "shake it off and step up" as they encounter struggles in their lives. I added "move on" to the equation because that is what the donkey did once he had gotten out of the well.

"Shake it off, step up and move on!"

What a powerful formula for all of us to remember and put into practice in our lives.

By now, you have likely heard me (or read my writings stating such) say that there are more than enough people that are more than happy to dump their "negative dirt" (let's get blunt here - "negative CRAP!") on us again and again and again.

If we do not have the determination to prevent this from having an impact on our lives then this negative crap will begin to weigh us down and wear us out until we finally crumble under the weight and give in to stay put and never make advancement in our lives.

WILL YOU ALLOW THAT?

Instead, let's determine that we will shake off this negative crap - don't allow it to stay "on your back" or in your mind! Shake it off! It's worthless and useless! The only worth it may have is if you use it as "fuel for your fire" and determination to move on REGARDLESS of what others may say and/or do!

Shake it off and then STEP UP, determined to not stay put. Determined to move FORWARD in your life! Keep doing so and you will soon discover that you have, indeed, moved on in your life!

Powerful, powerful story! Simple, yes. But again, do not allow the fact that is simple cause you to overlook the power found within.

So, today, I encourage you to be determined to do just like the old donkey - "Shake it off, step up and move on!"

You can do it! One step at a time and one day at a time.

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

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

Mike

Keep On Trying!

Keep On Trying!

What you will notice as we go through this "Positive Alphabet" is that many of the thoughts mentioned are repetitive! There are many that you will notice the same thing being said, just in a different way.

Is that a bad thing? NO!

Repetition is a good and NECESSARY thing as we attempt to transform our lives by absorbing these principles being covered in these podcasts and blogs!

I found this article by Michael Tipper on this website, entitled: "Why Repetition is so Important"- http://www.happychild.org.uk/acc/tpr/amz/1198rept.htm

"When you create a memory, a pathway is created between your brain cells. It is like clearing a path through a dense forest. The first time that you do it, you have to fight your way through the undergrowth.

If you don't travel that path again, very quickly it will become overgrown and you may not even realise that you have been down that path. If however, you travel along that path before it begins to grow over, you will find it easier than your first journey along that way.
Successive journeys down that path mean that eventually your track will turn into a footpath, which will turn into a lane, which will turn into a road, and into a motorway and so on.

It is the same with your memory: the more times that you repeat patterns of thought, for example when learning new information, the more likely you will be able to recall that information. So repetition is a key part of learning."

Wow! Did you get that? Think about the analogy used in this article and apply that to us as we attempt to improve our lives by "going against the grain" in our negative society! We are literally "clearing a path through a dense forest" as we "hack" our way out of the negativity that we have allowed into our lives! We have allowed it to take root and to grow - but now we have decided to move out of that situation and to improve our lives. IT'S NOT EASY and it's NOT a "one-time activity". This is what we discussed just a few articles ago!

You see, when you START this process and then QUIT (even for a time) you will find it difficult once again. "Oh, but it shouldn't be that way! I already started the process!" Yes, but you allowed the "weeds" to grow back up and now you must cut them down again!

You ceased momentum! The very law of momentum is that it is very difficult to get something started moving from a dead stand-still. HOWEVER, once you DO finally get it to start moving, MOMENTUM helps KEEP it going until it takes less and less effort to move that "something" along!

And YES, momentum CAN cease and we will have to start all over again!

So, KEEP ON TRYING! Every single day!

Do NOT give in to the idea of failure! Thomas Edison saw each "failure" on his way to the invention of the light bulb as one more way learned that didn't work - don't do it that way again!

Soon...you'll go beyond "trying" and you'll be FLYING!

(Yeah, I know - sounds kinda corny - but it's TRUE!).

It's not easy to start, but it is a necessity! Begin the JOURNEY now...today! And don't give up, don't give in, don't surrender but....KEEP ON TRYING!

And, all along the way, make sure that you...

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

Mike

What Makes YOUR Grass Green?

Fertilizer.
Plenty of watering.

No, no, no...that's not what I'm talking about!

In today's podcast I talk about two ideas:
1. Things don't always go as planned (the last blog entry and the podcast from Monday)
2. NEW isn't always better

The combination of those bring up the old saying, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence." And then there is the quote from Erma Bombeck that says, "The grass is always greener over the septic tank!"

It's easy for us to think that "others" have it better and that "other things" are better than our own - especially when things are not going as we had planned in our own lives.

Think about it - when are the times that you think that other people HAVE TO HAVE a better marriage than you? Isn't it when you are going through turmoil with your spouse? Is that what you had in mind when you got married? Of course it's not! Yet, most of us realize that those times will come and go IF we are dedicated to seeing it through. One reason affairs happen is due to what I call "the affair effect". Things aren't going well in your marriage. There are lots of arguments and disagreements. You find someone that lends you a shoulder to cry on and/or a listening ear. Wow! Someone that actually listens! And, you know what? They are attractive! Their hair is combed and they smell good! It seems that when you are with that person that everything else just doesn't matter - it's just you and them! They pay attention to YOU! They laugh at your jokes! Then it tends to go one step further and you kiss - WOW! - there are the fireworks that you remember having with your mate a long, long time ago, but THIS person really "lights your fire"! Secret meetings begin and the sex is unbelievable! Again, the world seems to stop when the two of you are together!

Hold the phone, chief. Have you ever stopped to consider the parameters on all of this? You are talking to and having an affair with someone without all of the distractions of everyday life! They listen to you? Do you think they would always have that "listening ear" when there are a hundred other things going on in your lives? No. And they are attractive! When do you usually see them? What if you were with them while they were taking care of your sick children and/or they were sick themselves? What if you saw them first thing in the morning and their hair was not all fixed up just for you? And, no, just because you spent the night with them and saw them in the morning is NOT the same thing! And, by the way, the "mind blowing sex" is once again due to... a) the newness of it all b) no distractions c) the thrill of the forbidden

So, get over yourself and realize that if you decided to jump into this all the way, leave your spouse and move in with this person that it will just be a matter of time before the exciting becomes routine - and then what?

When are the times that you think other peoples' homes are better than yours? Well, for one, isn't it when something is wrong with yours and it's going to cost you money to fix it? Again, not what you had in mind when you bought and fell in love with that house. It could also be when you have been in someone else's home and it looks so nice and clean and spacious! (Remember, they were expecting company - come back and see it unannounced! It's the same theory behind the "affair effect" mentioned above).

You see, the problems in our lives and, yes, even the people that bring some of the problems into our lives are the people and things that make us who we are! When we take off the "rose colored glasses" and see things as they really are, we often learn to appreciate even more those around us as well as the things that are around us.

Hey, the next time you think your house is not what you want or your car is not as fancy as you'd like - travel to a third world country for a short spell. I can promise you that you WILL come back with a whole new appreciation for what you DO have!

So, you see, the question, "What makes YOUR grass green?" is simply meant to help you focus on what makes you who you are. What is it - who is it - in your life that enriches your life? Helps you grow? Challenges you? Teaches you? Strengthens you? Helps you become a stronger and better you?

Think about that and be thankful for those things and people - yes, even when they don't always go as planned - that help make YOUR grass green!

And, as always -

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


Mike