Friday, February 28, 2020

How To Get "Good Luck"


I guess I've heard it for most of my life. People that look at others that are more successful than they and the less-successful person states that the other has acquired their success by luck.

Many times, the less-successful use this as a way to try to make themselves feel better ABOUT themselves for their lack of success. So, it is easier to try to "tear down" someone else's success than it is for them to actually do the work necessary to achieve similar success.

Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Some time ago I did an episode on the idea that OPPORTUNITY does not always knock and that, at times, you must go out and find it. At times it will definitely involve WORK along the way.

Here's a quick bit of advice on this thought: Seek success in the area of something that you enjoy  - something that "cries out" YOU and that "work" will not seem like work at all.

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

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

Mike


Thursday, February 27, 2020

Winners Habits


I'm not sure if the above quote was said by Dave Ramsey but I do know that I got this graphic off of one of his Facebook posts that came across my news feed.

Let me start off asking you a question - When you look over that list of things a person might desire to "win at" (starting on line 2), is there anything that YOU would add to that list? What is it that you seek and/or desire?

Whatever it is - whether it is on the list that you see in the graphic or not - it will require good habits that create positive results. It will will require a "winners habit" in order to succeed.

Whatever area you desire success, it is important that you find someone else that has been successful in that area and that you study them. Find out as much as you can about that person and about what they did to develop that success in that area. Yes, study their habits...the habits of a winner.

You've heard the phrase about there being no need to "reinvent the wheel", right? When you decide to study and emulate (copy) the habits of a champion, someone that has experienced success, you eliminate the need to "reinvent the wheel". They have "forged a path" for you to follow if you will only study and pay attention.

I would say that's some good advice found in that graphic that I've shared with you today. What are YOUR thoughts? Please take a moment and stop by my Facebook page (link below) and let me know. Thanks, in advance!

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


Wednesday, February 26, 2020

One Decision Away


As I've mentioned in the podcast and the recent videos, I really want to encourage you to have your "eyes and ears open" to things like this that likely cross your path on a daily basis. Two articles ago I shared a picture that I took of a sign that I came across in an office and, in the last article, an image that I cam across during a recent study. This one? It came across my social media feed from a connection that I have through the John Maxwell program.

Why do I say this? Because again, friend, we all need to absorb as much positive information into our mindset as we can, each and every day. What you put into your mind will determine your mindset and your mindset will determine your direction in and for your life. And, if you're not paying attention, many of these opportunities will pass you by undiscovered and unnoticed.

That is one decision that you can make that, indeed, can and will take your life in a different (and better) direction. 

We all face choices and decisions every day of our lives. Some carry greater "weight" than others but, at the same time, even those "small" choices or decisions may have a greater impact than we might first consider. For example, though you may not think of it this way for now, a simple decision about what you will have for lunch may have such an impact over time. 

How so? Choices, and the decisions that follow, easily turn into habits and habits dictate a lot of things in our lives. In the above example, what you choose to eat for lunch ONE day may not be that big of a deal but, at the same time, if you have made a poor choice health-wise and that choice turns into a habit then...well, I think you can come to that conclusion for yourself.

Going back to a previous article this week, you have a choice to make between mediocrity or excellence. Getting into the habit with either of these will take you down two different directions for your life. ONE decision begins that process.

That doesn't mean that you cannot CHANGE that direction but, the longer that decision goes and the longer it has become a habit, the harder it will be to change the direction of that course. But it can be done!

"As long as there is breath, there is hope!" is a quote that I put together back on March 2, 2009 during my very first podcast. It's a quote that I say in my podcasts nearly every time I record a new episode and it is so important to understand. Every day that you are alive and breathing gives you the OPPORTUNITY to change the direction of your life - no matter how impossible it may seem.

I often use the example of a "jet ski" compared to a tanker ship. They BOTH can be turned around but, obviously, the "jet ski" will be able to do so much quicker, taking up less space and time to do so than the tanker. The tanker CAN still turn around and go in the opposite direction, but it will require much more space, time and energy. 

Think about that and determine - CHOOSE - to pay close attention to the choices that you make on a daily basis!

Often I urge you to be sure to also listen to the podcast and watch the video on the day's topic. LET ME POINT OUT that the reason for me doing so is very evident with this article. I recorded the video two days ago and recorded the podcast a few hours ago. I can promise you that this article takes a different path with totally different ideas and examples than either one of the others.

Why not  - while you are "consuming" this information - make a decision to take advantage of ALL that today's topic has to offer. Why not CHOOSE to access all three "avenues" available to you each and every day?

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




Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Mediocrity or Excellence?

"Why choose mediocrity when excellence is an option?"

It may be a bit hard to read in the graphic above but, the gentleman featured is the founder of BNI (Business Network International), Ivan Misner. I'm not sure if the quote that you see in the box next to him is actually his but, he did share that statement in the video from which this screenshot came.

A little side note about BNI. I recently joined this organization in order to help my business. If you are looking for an excellent networking group that focuses on referrals then I strongly encourage you to check this group out. You should be able to find a chapter in your area by doing a search online.

The quote can apply to just about any and every situation whether you are talking about relationships, mindset or the workplace. And, by the way, excellence is ALWAYS an option!

The sad thing is what I found in the following graphic...

That literally makes me shudder because I've seen what seems to be this idea lived out in the flesh! YIKES! For too many, it seems that mediocrity is the "norm" and, friend, that's a horrible way to live and go through life. 

It's kind of like those t-shirts that I saw back several years ago. One would state, "I'm #1 - Why Try Harder?" and another would state, "I'm #3 - Why Try At All?". I believe there are too many in our society that are living the "#3 Lifestyle". 
Listen friend, if you choose to improve your life then you MUST understand the importance of determining that you will - at ALL times - seek excellence and NEVER settle for mediocrity.  

Now, listen, I'm not here to say that my sons always did what I advised them to do when they were still living at home but I tried to give good advice about their jobs when they got old enough to work for others. I would tell them to ALWAYS do more than what was expected out of them and that, if they did so, they would never lack good referrals and they would never lack finding a good job.

Why is that so? Because so many others will do ONLY what is expected of them and, many times, not even that! That have settled for mediocrity and, often, these are also the ones that whine and complain about not getting a raise or better jobs. 

My guess (and hope) is that, if you are reading this article, you are not likely a person that would settle for being mediocre and that you seek excellence. Still, be careful and stay aware because it is possible to allow yourself to settle for less or to settle for mediocrity in those that surround us or even in ourselves. 

ALWAYS seek excellence and, as you do so, always be sure to...

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

Mike




Monday, February 24, 2020

So You're Saying There's A Chance?



Earlier this month I came across this sign in the office of a "weight loss center" and I knew I had to take a picture of that sign. I did post it on my FYU Facebook page (link below) either the same day or the day after but I did not make any comments about it at that time.

But, today, in this article, I want to spend a few minutes discussing what you see in the graphic above. I absolutely LOVE what it has to say to and for each of us.

It doesn't really make a lot of difference if you are talking about weight loss, career choices, relationships or making a shift in mindset, all of these things contain a CHOICE if there is a CHANGE that is desired to take place.

Now, to be honest, deciding that you want to lose some weight and get in better shape is not as risky as someone considering making a completely different change in their career path. But, at the same time, there is a CHOICE that has to be made before the CHANGE can take place, right?

Once you have made the CHOICE - or decision - to make a CHANGE in your life, in any area of your life, then you also have another choice - or decision - that must be made. What will you do with your CHOICE or your DESIRE to make the change?

If you truly desire (how strong is your "why"?) for the change to take place then, friend, you MUST take the CHANCE and take action. 

How important is this desired CHANGE for your life? How important is it for you to reach or obtain that CHANGE for your life? That (your "why") will determine, to a great extent, how determined you will be to reach that goal of CHANGE.

Many are afraid of taking that CHANCE in and for their lives due to their fear of failure. They, themselves are afraid of possible failure and they are often also afraid of what others will think or say if they do fail in this effort. 

Sure, you might temporarily fail or have a set back but, again, how determined are you to achieve this CHANGE in and for your life? Is that temporary failure and set back worth the CHANCE?

ANY change...ANY change first and foremost requires that you CHOOSE to finally do something about whatever it is that you are dissatisfied with in your life and then you MUST determine if you are willing to take the CHANCE required for that CHANGE to actually take place in and for your life.

 The CHOICE is yours and yours alone. And, as you consider the CHANGE that you wish for your life, always be sure to...

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

Mike