RUTS: What Are They?

 

Before I get started, I wanted to share the "credits" for the "new" music that I'm using beginning with today's podcast. It's by the same person that was responsible for the "theme" I've used for six years now and I use more of his music now. Check it out for yourself for your own needs:

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Now for the start of this new series on "RUTS".

 

As I mention on the podcast (see the two links below to access the podcast), these thoughts came from another sermon I heard from my preacher this past Sunday. As I listened I realized that the points that were being made about ruts applied to our every day lives and activities as well as spiritually.

 

Let me start by sharing a list of things about "ruts" that we will be using for our discussion in this series:

   - A path or routine u follow day after day

   - A rut is fixed, rigid

   - A rut is not creative

   - A rut is not flexible

   - A rut cannot change easily

  - A rut involves routines and rituals

  - A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there

** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"**

 

Wow, read that last one again! If that doesn't get your attention then I'm not sure what will!

 

Now, let's understand this - routines and rituals that are done on a daily (or almost daily) basis are not necessarily bad. Think about it, putting on deodorant and brushing your teeth on a daily basis is NOT a bad thing! I've come across a few people that NEED to get into that habit or RUT for sure!

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get more than what I'll share with you in this blog and get in the habit, routine and, yes, even call it a "rut", of doing both every time.

 

But DO notice that, even though ruts may feel "safe" and they may "get you 'there'" they are fixed, rigid, non-creative, non-flexible and "a grave with both ends knocked out".

 

"Safe" is not always a good thing, friend! This kind of "safety" (which is a false sense of "security") can often lead to your own "death" along the way.

 

Think about that. Listen to the podcast. Identify YOUR "ruts". Join me next time as we continue this discussion.

 

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    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

VALUE...What's Yours?

Now, before I even get started on the thoughts in this article, I want to make sure that I clarify something, o.k.?

As you read this article, understand that I am NOT talking about your "value" as a person. Not at all. Too many people base their "self-worth" (value) on what kind of job that they have, the position that they hold with that job or on a number of other factors. That's NOT what I'm talking about today. Clear?

Now let's move on to what I AM talking about in this article.

Here's a definition for the word, "value" that I found on the computer...
     value (noun) - the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something: Ex. "your support is of great value"; synonyms: worth, usefulness, advantage, benefit, gain, profit, good, help, merit, helpfulness, avail, importance, significance

Before we talk about this definition let me say that we are going to be talking about your VALUE at your workplace. We can ask the question, "What value do you bring to your workplace?" and really get down to the point of this discussion.

As I type this, it was yesterday that I shared an article by Dani Johnson that discusses the importance of VALUE in relation to your PROMOTION at work. You can find it by going to my FYU fan page and scrolling down just a little. Take the time to read it if you haven't done so already.

Let's take a look at the definition again but, instead of the actual definition, I would like to direct your attention to the synonyms listed for the word, "value". Take each one of those words and ask yourself the following question about YOU at your work place. For example, "What is my WORTH at my job?", "What is my USEFULNESS at my job?", "What ADVANTAGE is there by me being a part of this position?". Get the idea?

Be as honest as you can in answering these questions. How do you think your supervisor/manager would answer these questions about you?

Are you a POSITIVE addition or do you bring NEGATIVITY to the workplace? Are you HELPFUL or do you sow seeds of discontent at your job? Are you one that those in charge would do just about anything to keep as part of that company or would it be a blessing to the company if there was a way for you NOT to have that job? Are you so "neutral" (neither valuable or destructive) that it really wouldn't matter to the company either way if they "let you go"?

I''m not really trying to brag but, at the same time, I AM going to brag about my wife a little here. I've shared with you before how she goes into ANY job determined to be a positive influence on those around her. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about in today's discussion and it became evident just today. She had started a new job a couple of months ago, part time, but with the promise of "plenty of hours". However, just the other day one of her supervisors basically told her that her hours had to be very limited and that this was something that was just figured out. My wife loves her job and the people she works with and, to be honest, we were both a little worried about what she would need to do to get the hours that she needed. Would she need to get a completely different job with a different company?

My wife is trained in three different areas within this company and one of her other supervisors found out about this situation. The MAIN supervisor (over all of the other ones in this situation) also found out about the situation and, the main supervisor made it very clear that they needed to do whatever they needed to do to make sure that my wife got the hours needed because "we do not need to lose her!".

Do you think she has established some "value" at her workplace? Sure she has!

So many people miss this point completely. Many people "go to work" and gripe and complain the whole time that they are there and it rubs off on those around them. They do "just enough" to get by and wouldn't even consider doing something that's not part of their "job description" if it would help the company in any way. You get the idea.

Is that you? I hope not.

Yet, it may be you and you may not have intended for that to happen. You may find that you have allowed yourself to slip into that type of action and mentality. What will you do now? Will you just continue along this path of self-destruction or will you make necessary changes to improve your value at your workplace?

No one else can do this for you. As with everything else that we talk about in these articles, it is up to YOU!

Improve your position by improving your value. This applies regardless of what position that you hold at your company.

Think about it and then take action. My guess is that ALL of us can probably do a few things to improve our attitudes and, in return, our value at work. You CAN do it and I'm here to help with information such as this. Hey, be sure to listen to the podcast as well. Just click on one of the links below.

Until next time, 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    4 "no cost or low cost" start ups!

**Don't Wait Until You Get Covered Up With More Debt - CLICK IMAGE FOR HELP!**

Your FEET Will Follow...

That is some kind of UGLY picture there, isn't it? :)

Sorry. I apologize for that. Once you catch your breath, just use  your hand to cover the picture and continue reading.

I was watching a video clip of Dani Johnson (DaniJohnson.com) the other day and she mentioned a phrase that she had heard some time in the past. "Your feet will follow your mouth" was the phrase and it has stuck with her for years.

And, it's TRUE!

You speak the direction of your life and your daily actions. You may or may not quite understand that, friend, but just know that your words ARE that powerful.

WHAT you speak and HOW you speak determines your direction. Are you kind? Considerate? Encouraging? Affirming?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Put your money where your mouth is."?

There is more truth behind that phrase than you may realize!

What - and how - you speak may very well bring extra MONEY into your life and, just as easily, it may actually take money AWAY from your life!

I'm not talking about being a "suck-up" or "brown-noser".

I'm talking about being genuine (you can't fake that stuff for long!) and actually caring about people. The REAL you cannot help but come out for others to witness...good OR bad.

Your words - and use of them - may lead you to promotions and/or new job opportunities. They may also keep you from these things and cost you money that you didn't even know about.

Isn't there enough strife in the world? Isn't there enough strife just around YOU and YOUR world? The same is true about stress, unkind words, and all other kinds of negativity.

Don't make this a seasonal thing, make it a way of life...YOUR life.

Because, after all, your feet will follow your mouth!

Until next time, 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   4 "no cost or low cost" start ups!
 

7th of 8 Things to Give Up

Whether you realize it or not, the FEAR OF SUCCESS is very closely related to the FEAR OF FAILURE. That seems to be a bit strange, doesn't it?

 

How can these two ends of the spectrum - fear and success - be closely related or connected?

 



The truth is, ALL of the things we have discussed thus far in this series is connected to FEAR.

 

Too many of us feel that we just don't "deserve" success in ANY area of our lives (doubting yourself, negative self-talk). Whether it be relationships, advancement at the workplace or financial success, too many feel that they just don't have "what it takes" or that they just can't "make it happen" (criticising yourself). Yet, at the same time, we are fearful of others getting ahead of us, so we may even criticize them as a way to "point out" their flaws.  And, yes, this fear can cause us to continue to postpone (procrastinate) needed actions that might bring success.

 

What if I do succeed? What if I mess things up and I end up failing anyway? What if I let others down in the process? What if my life changes and I lose some of my old friends?  And, this can even lead to the following thought: "The best way to avoid all of that is to just stay with my present situation and not change anything."

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On the podcast I talk about a "self-preservation" characteristic that many young people have that are in the foster care system. When you understand that most of the adults in their life have disappointed them and let them down, it begins to make sense. If they begin to feel that they are getting too close to you or that they are beginning to trust you, they will do what they can to sabotage the relationship. They will "act out" in a way that they think will cause you to not care about them any longer. This is the "fear of a successful relationship" based on the "fear of past failure" in relationships.

 

As silly as it sounds, many people do the same thing in all areas of potential success in their lives. Think about it, procrastination can be a form of sabotage.

 

Just as has been true with all of the things we have examined so far, so it is with this: The best way to FACE and DEFEAT FEAR (any fear) is to TAKE ACTION in the face of fear!

 

Are you on the verge of success?

 

GO FOR IT AND LIVE! EXPERIENCE SUCCESS! ENJOY! BLESS OTHERS! BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE!

 

Yeah, do THAT.

 

And, until next time, always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

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

Podcast RSS feed4 "no cost or low cost" start ups!
 

FINANCES: It's Up to Me

Your ability to work well with others as well as encourage and uplift them will have a direct impact on your financial future.

 

Read that again and let it sink in.

 

Yes, I know that there are some rare instances where someone does something, someway, somehow to where they have no real connection with anyone else at all. Again, notice the word, "rare".

 

For the most of us, we must deal with people on a daily basis and it's not always an easy thing to do, is it? But it's something that the wise figure out and use to their advantage and those that don't, will likely come up a little short.

 

If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read the previous three blog articles that led up to this one. They all "stacked" upon each other and built on each other, leading us to this final thought of this series.

 

The bottom line (and main thought) is this: In ALL of these areas it is important to realize, "If it's to be, it's up to me."

 

Hey listen, if you want to be like everyone else and plod along through life - miserable - like most others seem to be then, friend, just cruise along and make no real effort to improve yourself and you will achieve exactly that.

 

But YOU - yes, YOU - desire more than that for your life! Just the fact that you are reading this blog sets you apart from the majority of others. That's true! Most people that you know will not take the time to read an article like this, much less on a regular basis.

 

Because you desire more for your life and because you understand that, this, by itself, will set you apart from the majority of those around you, YOU will make the effort to actually take the time to pay attention to, and to care about and for those that you spend time with each day.

 

This begins at home with your family and spills over with your close friends and into the workplace among your coworkers. And, yes, this even applies to those that you come into contact with while out and about at the grocery store or a local restaurant.

 

How you treat people MATTERS and YOU are one that knows this, understands this and does what is necessary to IMPROVE this in your daily activities.

 

And, YES, this DOES have a direct impact upon your paycheck and your opportunities. I strongly say to you that THIS IS A FACT!

 

Do you want to become indispensable in your workplace? Then do these things that I have shared with you in the past few articles and your job will be SAFE. Not only will it be safe but you will likely find more and more opportunity offered to you in that company because of these important qualities.

 

I'd love to get your thoughts and feedback on this series or on anything that I share with you. Have you seen this to be true in your own life or have you noticed this in others? Let me know, I'd love to hear about it and look forward to your input.

Until next time, friend, 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 

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What Do YOU Build?

We've looked at what successful people build in the last article....they build other people up and motivate and inspire them.

THEY BUILD PEOPLE!

Here's another way to look at the graphic above that may actually fit you and your situation better: "You don't build an ORGANIZATION. You build PEOPLE and then PEOPLE build the organization."

Those that do this NEVER have a hard time getting volunteers.

It doesn't have to be a business. It can be any type of situation where you need PEOPLE to get the job or task done.

You NEED people!

Why do so many have such a hard time understanding that, if you NEED people (and there aren't many situations where this isn't true) then why would you treat people in a way that would drive them away?

Who cares who gets the glory? Who cares who gets the attention?

A true leader (and a successful leader) will sit back with a big smile on their face while OTHERS get the attention and the glory.

Why? Because successful people BUILD PEOPLE.

Apply that at your church, at your sewing club, your book club, your civic club and any other place that you work with others. Do that - build up people - and see what actually gets accomplished and with so much less drama.

Business? Even if it's not YOUR business, if you work FOR this business or company, the same applies. Take PRIDE in what you do and build up those that work WITH you and even "under" you and see what happens.

Success WILL be yours in whatever form or fashion the situation brings about.

And, as you go about this great and wonderful task of building up others, 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

What Will YOU Allow? (Part 2)

In our last blog and podcast I approached this topic from the side of allowing NEGATIVE things into our lives and that, as long as we allow these things in our lives that they would continue to exist.

 

If you haven't done so, go back and take a look and listen so that you can apply that important part to your life.

 

It was not until AFTER I had recorded the audio for that last podcast that it hit me - it is also important to apply this to allowing POSITIVE things into our lives as well. Let's take a look.

 

Many have a hard time accepting GOOD in their lives due to the them feeling that they do not "deserve" anything good in their life. There are more people that feel this way than you might imagine and, honestly, there are some that feel this way that don't really even understand that they do.

 

So many live a life full of chaos that they can't even imagine having a life of peace instead. They even begin to think that it is IMPOSSIBLE and, yes, even something that they do not deserve. Yet, if you apply what we talked about in the last article, and you begin to NO LONGER ALLOW the chaos in your life and you begin to allow PEACE in your life then, guess what? Chaos ceases to exist and PEACE begins to become present instead.

 

WHAT YOU ALLOW IS WHAT WILL CONTINUE!

 

It's your choice: chaos or peace, impatience or patience, negative attitude or positive attitude, doing your job "half-way" or doing the very best you can do and feeling good about it, stress in your marriage or patience and love.

 

Again, YOU KNOW what area it is in your life that you are allowing something that you need to change and remove. YOU KNOW which area of your life that you need to allow something "better" and more productive.

 

Like I said, it's your choice. It's up to you  and it can begin today.

 

What will you do? It depends on what you want to allow into your life!

 

'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

Whatever it Takes - Just Get There!

How important is "it" to you?

 

What is "it" ?  I don't know, I cannot answer that for you but I can say this: "IT" is whatever drives you, pushes you, pulls you and keeps you going every day. "IT" is whatever area of your life in which you are seeking improvement.

 

So, YOU determine what "it" is for you and, again, ask yourself, "How important is it to you?"

 

We've already established the fact that it is usually DIFFICULT before it gets EASY and that most people QUIT because it is too difficult.

 

Is that true for you?

 

We've also established the fact many times over the past few years that there WILL be "roadblocks" and "detours" along the way of your pursuit of "it". And, again, most people QUIT because there are these "roadblocks" and "detours".

 

Is that true for you?

 

If "it" is important enough to you then you will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get there! And, friend, the only way to do that is to "keep moving forward" as it says in the quote above!

 

Don't compare yourself to others - some can fly but maybe YOU need to run....others may be able to run but maybe YOU need to walk....others may be able to walk and maybe YOU need to crawl in order to get there.

 

But, the main thing is this: YOU MUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

 

Whatever it takes.

 

This should also help reinforce the importance of "fueling up" with as much positive information as you can each and every day. We ALL need a little "help" along the way and this is one sure way to get that much needed help.

 

Don't give up, don't you EVER give up! And, as you keep doing whatever it takes to get "there", 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

Set Sail

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

 

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

 

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

 

WHY DID YOU BUILD THE SHIP?

 

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

 

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

 

What's the point?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

And always be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

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 Greatest Mistake

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."

 

We've talked about it before. The fear of failure can bring on the very thing that you fear...FAILURE! Many times, the more we focus on avoiding making mistakes simply leads to us making MORE mistakes!

Why keep talking about failure? Because it impacts the lives of most - if not all - of us. Some move on past failure while many others get stopped "dead in their tracks" due to this failure and fear of failure.

So, indeed, it IS something that we must discuss and address!

Have you ever been so afraid of something that you just could not move?

I've shared before that I am afraid of heights. You put me in certain situations and I simply freeze. I have to FORCE myself to move when I find myself in those situations. A different situation occured when I was a kid and I had a locust on my leg. I had never seen one before and I didn't know what it was! I froze and started screaming at the top of my voice...I COULD NOT MOVE!

Fear of mistakes and/or failure can literally do the same thing in our lives. It can also be literally debilitating.

Obvioulsy (easier said than done) we must learn to OVERCOME this fear and learn to move forward regardless. It's like I said in one of my podcasts last week: the way we overcome our fears is to FACE our fears.

It won't be quick. It won't be easy. But, if you ever want to move forward and get past your fear of failure then you MUST make that move.

You can do  it. You've proved that you can!

How do I know? Let me give you a few examples.

Now, unless you have some sort of disability that you were born with the fact that you learned to walk proves my point. You don't remember the routine but you failed plenty before you wre successful. You fell often before you learned to walk and way before you learned to run. You did not allow the fact that you "failed" many times keep you from trying. You did not let the fact that you fell down - and sometimes HARD and with PAIN - keep you from trying until you did it again and again.

Want more proof?

Did you ever ride a bicycle? If so, then you have more proof and, this time, you probably remember SOME of the routine that went along with that successful venture. But it was not a success right off! Even if you had training wheels on your bike you likely didn't do it right the first time. For those of us, like myself, that never had trainig wheels on a bike there were many "failed attemtpts" before we enjoyed the freedom of riding that bike. And I can tell you from what I do remember that some of those crashes were, indeed, painful. I know from experience of teaching my own sons how to ride that there was some FEAR involved. Heck, who wants to crash? It really came down to wanting to ride that bike MORE than being afraid of another crash. And, eventually...SUCCESS!

Friend, you can find all kinds of "firsts" in your life that will give you even more proof.

So, there you have it...PROOF that you've overcome this fear of mistakes and failure already in your life. So what's stopping you from doing it now?

YOU ARE.

Rid your life of that fear by taking action TODAY.

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

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Who's On First?

We can make any excuse that we wish to make but the truth is still the truth. The truth is found in the little blue box above.

 

No, I'm not saying that it is possible for you or me to get EVERY possible customer there is out there for us to get. BUT...I am saying that there are many that you and I both are mssing out on because someone else found them first.

 

You can have the absolute BEST product in the world but if you don't have anyone to show it to, tell about it to, share it with, it doesn't really do much for you.

 

I'm not here today to try to share ideas on how to advertise best. That's not my gig. I'm simply here today to encourage you to simply do whatever you need to do to make this work.

 

Stop making excuses. Stop the blame game and simply realize that we CAN control this to a large extent. Right?

 

First and foremost you MUST believe that what you offer is simply the BEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST!

 

You MUST understand and believe that people out there WANT and NEED what you have to offer!

 

If not, what are you doing? Why are you even here?

 

Yeah, it's that serious and that important to understand and believe.

 

You got it. They want it. Now get out there and get it to them and, at the same time, make you AND them happy about the whole thing!

 

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

 

 

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

 

Mike

 

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                             Make money from home with Mike!

Inspire Others

We talked about leaders vs. followers in the last blog entry and, today, we continue with some more thoughts on leaders.

 

John Quincy Adams sums it up pretty well, wouldn't you agree?

 

Just because people "follow" you doesn't make you a leader! Yes, it's true in our current world of social media but it also applies in actual, physical situations.

 

You may be a boss that has many people follow your instructions but, friend, that does NOT make you a leader. It makes you a boss.

 

Can you be a boss AND a leader at the same time? Sure you can...just re-read the graphic above and answer that question for yourself.

 

I had a "boss" not too long ago that actually told a group of new employees one day that he didn't care about them. It was really quite confusing because in one breath he would talk about how much this company would take care of their employees and then, in the next breath, he said, "I don't care about you. I don't care anything at all about you. I pay - you do!"

 

Guess what? He didn't get much - if any - respect from his employees. He did NOTHING to inspire and, in big part due to his actions, this company has several billboards that ALWAYS indicate that this company is hiring.

 

You know why? No one is staying!

 

Here's the kicker: there ARE some leaders that work there IN SPITE OF this guy at the helm. They actually DO inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. These leaders are not afraid to encourage those that listen to step away from this job that will bring in "decent" wages and take on bigger and more rewarding challenges.

 

Again, having followers does NOT make you a leader.

 

Who are YOU following? Are you being inspired?

 

And you, Mr. "Leader" (or so you may think)....do you fit the criteria set at the beginning of this article today by Mr. Adams?

 

If not, why not make a change and see what is possible in YOUR life and in the lives of those that you can lead?

 

It's up to you. It's your choice.

 

Here's to those that actually LEAD and INSPIRE....thank you.

 

For each of us along the journey, always remember 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

                             Make money from home with Mike!

Love Your Job!?



So, I'm guessing that, like me, you have often heard that to be able to find a job doing what you LOVE keeps it from feeling like a job, right? "It's not work!", when you find this type of situation. To GET PAID doing something that, likely, we'd do for free? Heck yeah, sign me up!

 

My guess is that there are some of you reading this right now that DO work at a job that you love. I have known of several people over my lifetime that absolutely LOVED what they did. Friend, if that is you, you are truly blessed!

 

I've had one job like that. Now, when I say "one job", I guess a better description would be that I had a career that I loved and I did the "job" that went with it to several different towns and states. I would work 80 - 100 hours a week and I loved it! Why? Because no one was telling me that I HAD to do it but, rather, I was doing it because I WANTED to!

 

Is that possible for you? Maybe yes, maybe no.

 

However, I believe that Bob Proctor addresses how each one of us can help IMPROVE how we approach our current situation. In other words, here are some thoughts on how to not just survive your place of work, but how to learn to THRIVE.

 

And, who knows, you may even begin to find a way to enjoy - dare I even say "love" - that job.

 

So, once again, the parts that are highlighted below are the thoughts that come from Bob Proctor and the rest are thoughts of my own about this.

 

  

Don't allow others to control your life by REACTING to whatever they say or do.   

 

This is easier said (or "read" in this case) than done! But here's the deal - you will never find ANY place to work that will not involve others. Hey, even if you "work-from-home" you will STILL have to deal with people! And, that being said, we all have to deal with our reactions to the issues that come from working with other people.

 

You also know that there are SOME people out there that actually LOVE to "push your button" so that they CAN get a reaction out of you.

 

And we let them and say something like, "They make me so mad!".

 

No, friend. They cannot "make" you do anything. They cannot control your emotions. Only YOU can do that! The fact is - and you already know this - that we ALLOW them to have this control by continuing to react to whatever they say or do.

 

Controlling this and making this type of change is one reason (if not one of the BEST reasons) that is it so important to continuously "arm yourself" with positive information like this blog and my podcasts!

 

It IS possible to develop the kind of mindset that will allow you to still be around people like this with it not having ANY negative effect on you. It is likely that, by developing such a mindset, you will begin to have a HUGE impact on those that work with you and your influence will grow and spread.

 

Promotion anyone?

 

Reacting to people and/or circumstances have put them or the situation in control of your life! 
IT'S YOUR LIFE!

 

Need I say anymore? It IS your life and it is time to stop allowing others to have "control" over what is yours! Don't think that you can't, because, friend, YOU CAN!

 

It is a process and it does take time. But it CAN be done and you are in the right place to begin that journey. Feel free to contact me with suggestions on who are some others to read and listen to as well as where you may be able to find such information.

 

Who knows, a little bit further down the road you may find that you - yes YOU - actually end up LOVING your job!

 

Now, pay attention to how all of this goes along with how I always close out my articles as well as my podcasts...

 

"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

What IS a "Resolution"?

Here we go again. Many (you are likely one of them) will be composing a list - even if it's just mental - of "New Year's Resolutions" that they plan to keep for the whole year of 2014. This list of "resolutions" usually consists of changes that require MAJOR discipline to make those changes which, also, are MAJOR.

 

Most of us also know that there are MAJOR problems in keeping these "resolutions". Many even joke about the fact that those "changes" (how can they be changes when nothing has changed?) won't last longer than a month or maybe even two, into the new year.

 

Gyms (work out facilities) will be swamped with new clients. One of my brothers started work for a company that had their own gym for their employees and he started right around the start of the year. He could hardly find machines available for his workout due to the crowded conditions. While talking to one of the workers at the gym the worker told him, "Don't worry. Give it about a month and you'll have access to any machine you want." And, he was right.

 

WHY?

 

Why do we do this? Why do we go through this yearly process only to fall extremely short each year?

 

Why do so many do nothing more than make a mental list of these changes that they say that they want to make?

 

Bottom line: we're not that serious about the whole thing! Oh, I can hear some of you almost yelling at me through the computer that you ARE serious and that there are just things that "get in the way" every year that prevents you from seeing your "resolution" through.

 

I also think that many are not serious because most do not understand what a "resolution" really is. We attempt these "resolutions" half-heartily (yes, I can still hear you) fully expecting that we won't stick to them for very long.

 

So, what IS a resolution?

 

Here is the definition of the word, resolve, from dictionary.com... "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full."

 

"Resolve" is the root-word for "resolution". Go ahead and look up the definition for the word "resolution" and you will find a similar definition somewhere in that list given.

 

So, with all of that being said, let me give a few suggestions on making these resolutions which should also help you actually have a little more success at the changes that you wish to make:

 

1. Come to a DEFINITE or EARNEST decision about whatever it is that you desire to change. This would suggest a "whatever it takes" mentality! Too many give up too early and never see success. HINT: Make sure that this goal is something that, even though it may "push" you, will be something that is actually reachable.

 

2. Make a list of only ONE or maybe TWO "resolutions" on your list.

Too often we make too big of a list and do not dedicate ourselves to any of them fully. For example, if you have a list of 10 New Year's Resolutions, how can you be "definite" and "earnest" in all 10 of these? Honestly, you can't! SHORTEN YOUR LIST! Decide what really IS most important to you. Decide what you HAVE arrived at a "whatever it takes" attitude towards and then attack it full force.

 

3. BE SPECIFIC!

"I want to lose weight" or "I want to make more money" is not specific enough. In order for you to determine IF  this goal is something that you CAN have the correct "whatever it takes" attitude about, you must get as specific as possible. One way to do that is to start with your end goal and work backwards. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds over the next 12 months then break that down to how many pounds per month that would be (4.2 lbs. per month) and then even go further than that and break it down per week by either dividing the 50 lbs. by 52 weeks OR by taking your pounds per month and dividing that by 4 to get an idea. Watch this: if you divide it by the 52 weeks then it comes out to only .9 lbs per week and if you divide your monthly figure by 4 it only comes out to 1.05 lbs. per week. Doesn't that help you see this goal in a whole new, REACHABLE light?

Do the same thing with money. Again, if you want to increase your income by $20,000 over the next 12 months you will find that this comes out to $1,666 per month or (divided by 52 weeks) $384 per week more. If you are DEFINITE in your resolve you WILL find a way to make this happen!

 

4. Stay away from ALL negativity!

Do not share your resolutions with ANYONE that will not support your decision. Do NOT share your goals with anyone that will say to you with a grin on their face, "Biting off a bit more than you can chew, aren't you?" You may be surprised at who may actually say that to you so, if you get surprised this way, STAY AWAY from that person if at all possible.

Search on the web or the library for books, recordings, articles about how to successfully achieve what it is that you are trying to achieve. BE CAREFUL IN YOUR SEARCH! Yes, there are a lot of people that prey, specifically, on New Year's resolutions.

 

5. DO NOT GIVE UP!

If you have followed the first 4 steps listed, then you should have the mentality in place and the DEFINITE mindset to achieve what it is that you wish to achieve. Will it be easy? Change is NEVER easy but, I do believe that by following these steps it will be "easier" than it has been for you in the past.

 

KNOW THIS: You DO have what it takes to achieve great things in your life!

 

I'd love to hear your response to this article by either leaving comments below or on the Facebook fan page or even directly at mike@futureyouuniversity.com .

 

Until next time, 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

 

The "Law of Compensation"

Hey friends, welcome back to the continuation of my series based on Bob Proctor's "The Science of Getting Rich". Again, you can likely find a free e-book version of this with a little searching and I'd recommend that you do so.

 

Too, if you haven't done so yet, go back and read last week's articles on this series - they all work together and, even though you can read these and gain something from them individually, it's better when you put them together.

 

So, let's get started with a definition of what, exactly, this "Law of Compensation" actually is.

 

The Law of Compensation clearly states that the

amount of money you earn will be in exact ratio to:

  1. The need for what you do 
  2. Your ability to do it 
  3. The difficulty there would be in replacing you

 

 

It's really a pretty simple concept, is it not? So, let's break it down and talk about "compensation" as MONEY, o.k.?  Now that we have set that down as what we are talking about let's ask the question: "HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU WANT TO MAKE?"

 



The interesting thing is how many people don't understand this simple "law" and plan to make millions of dollars with no skill set or work ethic. Is this a major problem with a lot of our younger generation? Yes, it is. Let me clarify that I know it's not ALL of the younger generation but, you would have to admit that many young people have unrealistic expectations about money.

 

But, there are many older adults that are the exact same way. Bottom line is this: TOO many people expect to get rich doing nothing, knowing nothing and having nothing to offer.

 

Many people are out of work but yet refuse to go to work flipping hamburgers because "it's not enough". I understand that you cannot do what you need to do to support a family like that BUT it's a start! It's a chance and an opportunity to get into a position and show your work ethic and what you DO have to offer for that company. TOO MANY expect to get hired at a management position when, again, they do not have the qualifications to do so!

 

So, yes, going back to the "formula" for this "law" the first step is "the need for what you do". Right now a company may have a need for someone to flip burgers and cook fries. HOWEVER, they also have a HUGE need for someone that can come in, be responsible and add to the TEAM as a worker. THIS need will likely outweigh the need to have someone to flip burgers. Truth is, most anyone can flip burgers but not many people can be responsible and add to the team as a worker.

 

As simple as it sounds - even flipping burgers - again the "Law of Compensation" says that, not only is the first part a NEED for what you do but you also must have the ability to do it! So, yes, anyone can flip burgers but there is so much more that a company is looking for in the people that they hire.

 

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MORE THEN YOU MUST HAVE MORE TO OFFER!

 

What skills do you have? What can YOU offer that not many others can?

 

Here's the deal...if you focus on these first two parts of this "formula" then the third part (difficulty in replacing you) will take care of itself!

 

So, here's the main question to tie all of this together....what can YOU do to make yourself irreplaceable?

 

You may not have the skills to go in at a management position right now. But here's the deal: while ANYONE can flip burgers and it is easily to replace the person that can only do that - YOU CAN OFFER SO MUCH MORE!

 

I've already discussed that but you MUST understand that even at a "burger joint" YOU CAN BECOME IRREPLACEABLE depending on what you bring to the company as a whole!

 

But will you?

 

Or will YOU - like so many others - pass up an opportunity because it's not "good enough" for you?

 

A lot more discussion can be had, I know. Be sure to listen to the podcast on this for other thoughts on this but let it sink in and cause you to give some SERIOUS thought to what it is that you have to offer and what you may need to do to INCREASE what you have to offer.

 

Join me again in the next part of the series and, 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