Project 141 Expanded: COMMUNITY

Project 141 Expanded Application:"Do 1 thing a day, week or month for others (community)"

 As I continue to discuss the expanded application of "Project 141" (do 1 thing per day 4-1full year in different areas of your life in order to improve and strengthen those areas), I will focus our attention, today, on the area of "Community".

I want to define or clarify my use of the word "community" as it relates to this approach. 

Yes, it can definitely attach itself to the idea of a neighborhood or town but it can also simply refer to others that may have a need. This can be a group of people (such as the community in which you live) or a person or organization that you can do something to contribute to in one way or another. 

Keep those two ideas in mind as you read through the rest of this article and push yourself to even consider applying BOTH "definitions" of the word, "community" into your application of "Project 141".

If you have read and/or listened to the previous articles/podcasts about this expanded use of Project 141, you should recognize these two questions used today as being a version of the first two questions that we have asked about our different relationships. Use these and add your own thoughts as a way to "spur you on" to ACTIVELY do SOMETHING in this area. 

    -------------APPLY THESE QUESTIONS TO TODAY'S TOPIC---------------

 WHAT DO I DO TODAY TO IMPROVE THIS COMMUNITY (or specific situation - R.A.K.)?

WHAT DO I DO TODAY TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS COMMUNITY (or specific situation)?  ---- am I just going to whine and complain about "something needs to be done" or will I be a part of doing what needs to be done?

NOTE: Of the different areas that I am using in this extended application, THIS is the only one that I would suggest that it is o.k. to do something once a week or even once a month.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The "Random Act of Kindness" approach to "community": The actual description of this section states: "Do 1 'Random Act of Kindness' per day/week or month (whichever fits you)". I love this idea and, if you've never done anything like this before, SO WILL YOU!

Using the two questions above, approach it as: "WHO do I know that I can do SOMETHING for that would help improve their current situation?" This doesn't have to be something huge. It can a simple phone call and just spending a few minutes chatting with them. This is especially true of elderly people that have been confined at home due to the current pandemic. This could also be a young mother that is overwhelmed trying to juggle taking care of toddlers while, at the same time, trying to work with the "virtual learning" situation going on again, due to the pandemic.  

Want to REALLY have some fun with this? Find a way to do something and remain ANONYMOUS. Maybe you've come across a little extra money (even something like $20) that you think would help out with some gas for the car or for a meal. Then find someone else and ask them to deliver it for you or drop it off with a card where you KNOW they will find it. I once had the opportunity to deliver $100 to a lady. It was not my $100 but I got the joy of seeing joyful tears roll down her cheeks when I told her that someone wanted me to come by and give that gift to her.  

When you get someone else involved you add another layer to the process. Think about this: the person that you brought the gift to gets blessed, YOU get blessed by doing something like this and the person that you chose to deliver the gift also gets blessed by being a part of the process and seeing that person's response! WOW! And, the person you chose to help you may now want to do that with someone else, themselves, which means that you have added another person to the "Project 141 Expanded/Random Act of Kindness Army"!

 The "This is the neighborhood/community in which I live" approach to "community": Have you ever found yourself saying, "Somebody really should do something about that" concerning something that you've come across...particularly in your neighborhood or community?

What are you waiting for or, more precisely, WHO are waiting for to get it done?

Hey friend, what about YOU? What about YOU getting others together to help out? Chances are, if YOU have noticed something that needs to get done, others have as well and it might simply take YOU to serve as the "spark" to bring people together to get something done.

For example, a few years back, I found myself griping and complaining about something that, obviously, bothered me. I had griped and complained about it before (even to management in a certain store) but had never thought about if there was some way that I could do something to make a change. 

With those thoughts in mind, I put the graphic you see below together to challenge myself to DO something and to stop just TALKING about it.

If you find yourself doing the same thing then, friend, perhaps it's time for you to change your thinking as well. If you feel the task is "too big" for you alone then talk to others about it, brainstorm together and see what ideas come together that can help with a solution. 

But, here's the kicker on ALL applications of this approach to "community"...you have to do more than just "talk about it". Here's another graphic that I put together several years ago about that very thing...

"When all has been said and done, that which has been said will be of far less value than that which has been done." - Mike Spillman

"ONE can do much but, MORE THAN ONE can do MUCH MORE!" - Mike Spillman

"This neighborhood/community has too much litter!" - DO something!

"This neighborhood/community has too many yards with tall grass!" - DO something!

 

KEY: Not, "Why isn't someone else doing?" but, rather, "What can I do?" 

Whether along the lines of "Random Acts of Kindness" or the "Neighborhood/Community" approach (and, by the way, they can DEFINITELY overlap), make plans to keep your eyes open for the opportunity to serve and then...DO SOMETHING once a day, week or, at the least, once a month to make a difference!

You can do this!

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

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

Mike

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Ask What You CAN Do!

Ask What You CAN Do!

In John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address we find the often-quoted phrase, "...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

This is a very POWERFUL statement and it doesn't have to apply to the United States of America or to any government. This can be true of ANY situation that we find ourselves to be a part of whether it be a family, a job, a team, etc.

However, too many people sit around and wait for someone - ANYONE and often, EVERYONE - to do "it" for them.

It?

It can relate to a lot of things, but let's just say that "it" refers to just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

In other words, there are some people in our society that sit around and wait for others to do EVERYTHING for them! I know this will sound harsh, but it's true - people like this are leaches on society!

I've dealt with people that want something and, when that thing is supplied they want something more. It's never enough and it's never EXACTLY the way they wanted either!

All I'm saying is this: STOP WAITING OR STOP DEPENDING ON SOMEONE ELSE TO DO FOR YOU IF/WHEN YOU CAN DO IT FOR YOURSELF!

Please understand, I know that there are those that - out of necessity - MUST depend on their government (or other sources) to provide for them due to circumstances out of their control.

Hey, I'm not excited to share this, but there was a period in time when we had to sign up for and receive food stamps so that I could feed my family. I HATE THAT!

But, because I was able to do so, it was a short lived situation.

Some can't pull themselves out of that situation - I hope you understand what I'm saying - but there are many that CAN but that WON'T!

Why? Because it's easy to sit back and allow someone to do it for you.

But, friend, that's no way to live!

Again, this applies to ANY situation and not just to a government doing stuff for you.

What about your family? What are YOU giving to the overall working of YOUR family? You can't constantly be a TAKER!

And your workplace? Have you allowed the negative attitude of others to sway you into thinking that you should not do ANYTHING that's not asked of you? Do what your told and nothing more.

What a terrible way to live and what a terrible way to waste away a day!

And, by the way, you will likely not ever get a promotion either.

DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED OF YOU and see what happens.

That's the attitude that is behind this quote.

ANY group (again, whether it be a family, school, workplace or government) is STRONG when it has those that are willing to DO and to SERVE without waiting to be asked.

What about you?

Why not approach TODAY with this mindset?

And, as you do so, always remember to...

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

Mike

I Am a GIVER - Not a TAKER!

#5: "I Am a GIVER - Not a TAKER!"

In some areas, it seems that we are taking a turn in the right direction. There seems to have been a surge in the idea of service over the past several years. The youth of our world seem to have more of a desire to be of service in whatever they do.

And, although this is true in some instances, there are still FAR TOO MANY "TAKERS" in this world and not enough "GIVERS".

So, I wanted to remind myself everyday of the need to be a GIVER and not just another TAKER!

As I go through my life one day at a time - that's all we have, right? - I need to focus on ways that I can serve/help those people with which I come into contact. Perhaps it is something small like opening a door for someone who has their hands full. Perhaps it's handing a dollar to the person in front of you in the check out line who, embarrassed, seems to be a few cents short of the total.

Whatever it is - I am convinced that if we will open our eyes to these opportunities around us that we may even be surprised how many opportunities present themselves to us!

Whatever your position in life, decide to be GIVER and not a TAKER!

If you OWN a business - don't seek to get as much money as you can out of your customers - seek ways that you can give them MORE than they thought they'd receive for the price. Also, treat those who work for you with this attitude and I do believe that, more often than not, you will find a work force that is more productive and working with a better attitude.

Whatever you do for your job - approach it with this attitude and see what happens! You may be surprised to find that your day is more enjoyable AND that, possibly, your attitude is noticed and you get some sort of promotion. Who knows?

Here's the thing - wouldn't you agree that, regardless of the "outcome", it's a better way to live?

Sure it is!

Tomorrow I'm going to do a "Part 2" of this affirmation and talk about it concerning our relationships. Come back and join me for that one if you can.

And, all along the way...

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

Mike

"Is it WRONG to Desire Wealth?" - THANKFUL THURSDAY

Greetings, friends!

What are YOU thankful for today? Well, besides the fact that the sun is out again today I am so thankful for YOU - the many friends that I have made through this process. Several of you I have talked to in one way or another. Most of you I have not - except through the podcast or through this blog - but, nevertheless, I am THANKFUL FOR YOU!

In today's podcast I break away from the actual book ("Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill) in order to discuss a basic topic that needs to be considered as we discuss this classic.

Just the idea of "growing rich" gives some people a strange and uncomfortable feeling. Why? Well, I obviously cannot answer that question for everyone BUT I do know of two "reasons" with which many struggle and it is those two that I discuss in the podcast for today.

"Is it WRONG to Desire Wealth?"

First of all, again, you can use anything you want in this journey. It does not have to be money - whatever your goal is. You can apply it here.
HOWEVER, many - if not all - of our goals DO involve money and, perhaps (likely?) more money than we have at this moment. So, why the struggle?

1. Religious Teaching/Thought - A verse in the Bible that has been misquoted so many times is found in 1 Timothy 6:10. What we often here is, "MONEY is the root of all evil." Please note, that is NOT what this verse says! The actual quote from this verse says the following, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." There is a big difference there, my friend. The thought behind this is the danger of allowing the LOVE OF MONEY to become so great that money - and the pursuit/love of money - becomes your MASTER! Bob Proctor (http://www.bobproctor.com) puts it this way - "Money makes either a TERRIBLE MASTER or a WONDERFUL SERVANT." This may not be an EXACT quote, but it's pretty close! Bottom line - whatever "good work" that you are able to do now can be multiplied many times over with greater financial resources. What are doing now? Think about how wonderful it will be to be able to multiply those efforts many times over!

2. Societal Teaching/Thought - We also struggle with the idea of feeling GUILTY if we desire wealth. Look around you. So many people are struggling and suffering. There are so many needs in the world. And I desire wealth? Shame on me! And, there are plenty of people readily available to shake their fingers as well! However, just like in point #1 - we can actually DO more good in this area IF we allow money to be our SERVANT and not allow it to become our MASTER! Have you seen the commercial on television where the guy talks about his company GIVES AWAY one pair of shoes for every pair they sell? That blows me away! Think about it though - what allows them to do such a thing? Honestly, they have to be able to "afford" to do such a thing or that company would sink. And, if that company were to sink and fail then many children that are currently benefiting from this "free shoe" outreach would go without.
See what I mean?

Who are you now? Wealth will only AMPLIFY and MAGNIFY who you are at this moment. If you are a greedy person - money will not magically transform you into a generous person. It just won't happen. If you are not already reaching out to those that have need - you will not do so just because you have money. HOWEVER, if you ARE a generous and caring person now - you will have the opportunity to MULTIPLY your efforts beyond your wildest dreams!

So, honestly - as for me - I DESIRE wealth so that I may MAGNIFY my plans and my efforts even now.

May I share one of my "dreams" in this area? One thing I plan to do when I start my seminars is to donate 10% of the money taken in for each seminar admission ticket. No, not AFTER all of the expenses - but right off of the top. So, for example - if the seminar brings in $10,000 in admission, then I want to donate $1,000. My goal? On a regular basis I want to be able to donate $5,000 just from the ticket sales to my seminars and, I'd love to donate this to the "Make a Wish Foundation". That $5,000 is actually what it takes - on average - to fulfill one dream for one of these special young people.

Thank you for allowing me to share that with you!

So...if you struggle with those thoughts and ideas I'd love to hear from you and, perhaps help you move on past that struggle if possible.

As always, I encourage you to send any feedback - good or bad - considering the podcast and/or my blog information.

So....as always...

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

Mike Spillman