Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Stop Calling 911 on Yourself A few days ago, I was on with a client making significant progress toward smoothing out the rough edges of her career, relationship, and personal life. When we began, she consistently banged her head into the wall in every area of her life. Relationships were challenging, job performance was up and down, she had no personal life, and her vision for the future was non-existent. She was, in my words, being an arsonist. However, unlike most arsonists, she was also the 911 operator, drove the fire truck to the incident scene, grabbed a hose, and put out her fire. After a few weeks of working together, I noticed the pattern and called her out. She even surprised herself when she admitted that she was the cause of most of the issues in her life, but she didn’t know how to stop all the self-inflicted pain. I gave her a different way of thinking about it - What if, instead of being an arsonist, you were in charge of preventing those life-getting-in-the-way moments? What if, instead of driving the fire truck, your job was to make sure it was ready to roll, even if it is never needed? What if, instead of calling 911 on yourself, you decided to help other people improve their lives through your interactions? “That sounds exciting. But how do I do it?” There are two steps: become aware that you are causing your issues and discipline yourself to stop doing what you know is not working for you. “Oh. Discipline. It sounds like you’re saying I need to grow up and act like an adult in charge of my own life.” Did I say that? I didn’t hear myself say that? Did you hear me say that? The very next week, we spoke on the phone, and she felt in control of her life for the first time. Yes, she was still a little shaky in her approach, but her self-confidence was returning. She was noticing, and so were others. Frankly, it was nice to see somebody go from firing things up to being fired up herself - and winning the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Escaping Your Past My mind is constantly searching for a simple process for anything that will help me get what I want, and that usually comes down to something I talk about a lot: making a decision. I speak about decision-making much of my day because it’s the most dynamic tool in your personal growth tool kit. It should be easy — Almost everything you will ever want to do in life has already been done. The solution to getting what you wish to should be based on logic and proven steps. In other words, figure out what works and do it. But, as much as we can all agree that it should be easy, using logic to get what we want doesn’t have much to do with being a human—that’s where emotions and a more psychological approach come into play. “Come on, let’s just do what we know works?” You say. “No. I’m not feeling it. Let’s go with the flow and figure it out?” Logical vs emotional thinking is an epic battle that Stephen Spielberg could tell in a blockbuster movie. Oh, wait, it always is! Let’s take a side trip to the movies and prove my point. The Hero has a problem in a movie, and something has to change, but they don’t know what to do. Professionally speaking, they are an emotional mess, no matter how real it may be. Then, in a movie, their situation suddenly thrust them into taking action to solve their problem. Logic kicks in, and they get busy fixing life. But, in a movie, life gets in the way, their actions are not working, and their emotions take over. It seems that all is lost, but never fear. Before any good movie ends, our Hero figures out precisely what needs to be done. One. Two. Three. Victory is at hand. Somebody, please roll the credits. What’s the lesson in the story we are writing? Everything that you want to do has already been figured out. Your job is to set your emotions aside, go into logical mode, and take the fewest steps possible to reach your dream. They’re no need to wait. Hero’s, don’t wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scared and Excited at the Same Time Over the weekend, I had a few hours to waste at a local car dealership and found myself in conversation with a very motivated young man. After seeing my email address, he asked a few questions about what I do for a living, and we were off to the races. Eventually, he said the same thing I hear many times a week – “I’m trying to figure out what I want, but I want more. That excites me AND scares me. Sometimes I wonder when I’ll get started and how long it will take — so I never get started.” Like I said, I hear that every week, and I have for years. Here’s my answer. You’ll never stop trying to figure things out. Life is an endless cycle of figuring things out, getting comfortable, and getting uncomfortable, and figuring things out again. It never ends. You may as well play the game. Excitement and Scary can feel the same. Emotionally, they are not that different. If you find that it is one or the other, look deeper. If it’s both, I would move forward as fast as possible. You’ll get started as soon as you are more excited than scared. As long as you are excitedly moving toward your goal, how long it takes won’t matter. That’s something that is hard to remember… but it’s a good thing if you do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creativity on Demand Over the years, I have produced over 12,000 podcasts, and everyone began with the written word. Even though that makes my mouth and fingers my most exercised body parts, it has also given me many opportunities to learn to keep my words flowing. Like most people, you have sat before a blank screen, praying for inspiration. It could be writer's block, procrastination, or maybe you stayed up late watching Netflix. In any case, there's a simple solution to always having a starting point. Any project I need to wrap my head around begins by capturing the ideas that flow into my mind throughout the day. Even turning the radio off on a 20-minute drive can provide a treasure-trove of useable nuggets. Next, I tuck those ideas away safely without organizing, editing, or re-writing. I just grab the thoughts, jot a note or record a memo, put them away, and let them simmer. When I'm ready to get to work, I take 15 minutes the day before to review my creative genius list, toss out what is not relevant, create a simple outline, and walk away knowing I am ready to begin. The next day, I can't wait to sit in front of a blank screen and let the magic start flowing from my fingertips with complete ease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock Your Goals with Accountability Over the years, I've witnessed dozens of people set themselves up for failure by following seemingly wise advice - "When you set a goal, make it public and tell everybody you know so they can support you." In my experience, that could have worked better - especially on long-term goals. The reason is that nobody outside my close relationships knows me well enough to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. That makes it challenging to provide support in meaningful ways, difficult for me to accept, and unneeded pressure on everybody. It takes little thinking to realize the best accountability relationship needs to be based on respect and a sincere connection to have the most impact. That means there is no need to crowd-source accountability when you only need two people to keep you on track. The first partner is the one you listen to the most - YOU! Accepting responsibility for your accountability is the most potent skill you own. But since you are the boss of YOU and don't always listen to yourself, you need somebody else you trust and respect who is willing to call you out on your stuff. Once they agree, let them do their job. Getting what you want begins and ends with you, but having an accountability partner is a great way to keep you on track in the messy middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mindset of a Master Negotiator I've always believed that life is a series of presentations we continually make throughout our day. The progress we make, the success we enjoy, and the happiness we experience directly result from our presentation skills, including negotiation. Yes, whether you like it or not, you negotiate for everything. Once you know about a natural feeling that all parties experience during negotiation, you'll never feel like an underdog again. Always remember- Whenever two or more folks negotiate, they automatically feel the other has the advantage. It's natural to have the fear that things may not go your way. Stay the course, and you'll get what you want. When you understand this simple mindset, you will automatically put yourself in a more confident position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becoming Aware of Your Passions Are you aware of your passions? If not, I have a question for you - What do you do when you are doing YOU? Why spend your days searching your mind to figure out your purpose when you are most likely living it daily? When you take a minute to inventory how you spend your time, you will see what you enjoy doing. Do you read, write, exercise, or work? How about walking, talking, playing, fighting, laughing, or watching television? Do you quilt, garden, volunteer, or socialize? Passion in life is not about finding something to do. It's about noticing what you do naturally - and doing more of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Common Sense Success Accelerators When you feel in control, are you happier? I created 'Do What Makes Your Heart Sing' a few years ago. While it was about being happy, it's a core teaching that has become my best practice. 1) Stop fixin' to get ready. If you want something, there is no reason to put it off. Could you go out and get it today? 2) Ask for help. We all need help, and millions of people are waiting for you to ask them. 3) Slow down when it gets bumpy. Going after big goals will lead you down rough roads. Those are when you slow down, stay focused, and keep moving - as fast as possible. 4) Fly it into the barn. Good pilots continue to fly their airplanes until they are safely tied down on the ground. Keep going until you get 100% of what you want. 5) Be smart—set goals. Don't argue. This one is simple. Trust and use your wisdom and instinct. Set goals to keep you reaching for what you want. Seek solutions that keep you moving. 6) Don't give monkeys piggyback rides. Others will happily put THEIR monkey on YOUR back if you let them. Deal with your challenges. Let them do the same. 7) Practice daily P.Y.O.T.B. You are your own best cheerleader. Be sure to pat yourself on the back and say, "I did good!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forgetting What You Do For Fun What do you do for fun? Such a simple question causes people to get a blank look in their eyes. A few years ago, I visited friends who lived and worked on the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Yes, thousands of people live there. The drive into town is too far to commute - but that was okay with my friends. They had recently switched careers, packed up, and moved to become Park Rangers. They were right where they wanted to be. It was late in the day when we settled into their guest room and headed to the dinner table. I had been driving all day and was feeling a little fidgety. "So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" He looked at me like the fast-paced city slicker I was and said, "I've been having fun all day - even at work." I didn't get it - yet. It turns out that his life change taught him that having fun is a sneaky little thing. Fun likes to show up when you are not paying attention and in the moment, whether wasting time or working. In my career, I've asked people what they do for fun many times - They are either in a materialistic chase for something our society has told them is fun… or… They have forgotten that what they do naturally when they are not paying attention can be more satisfying than they think. And there it is. When you stop looking down the road for the fun that you think you want to have, you realize that you are already having a good time right where you are. No chasing is required. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So You Have Good Intentions? Do you get out of bed daily, plant your feet on the ground, and start getting things done? Do you do it with intention? If you take a minute, you’ll notice the happiest, most successful, and most content people live a life of intention. But having an intention is not a magical force reserved for the special few. It implies little more than what you plan to bring about in your life - something I was about to do. In the months after meeting my future wife, I realized an intention was emerging in my mind. With every passing day, that intention transformed into a goal. Soon, I had a plan along with a timeline. I became obsessed and was on a mission to succeed. I had, as they say, “Good intentions.” But more than good intentions is needed to get what you want. In my case, I knew where I was heading; Joi was only beginning to understand what was on my mind. That’s when she asked - “So, Mr. Smith. What are your intentions, exactly?” Without missing a beat, I said - “My intentions are simple. I will do everything possible to get you to fall in love, marry me, and spend the rest of our lives together.” Her jaw dropped. She smiled, took a sip of wine, and said - “Well, we’ll keep going and see what happens.” What? We’ll see how things go! I already know where this is going. Why do we need to wait? I know my intention, and I’m to get it! Of course, I didn’t say any of that to her. Yes, getting what you want in life requires knowing your intentions. The next step is to transform them into goals and actions. But you and your dreams are not living on an isolated island. If others are involved, you must let them know what you have on your mind. But, because you said your intention, does that mean you will get what you want? No. It means that you now have a partner in your quest. Your intentions are about to merge; if all goes well, your actions will create success for everybody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can I ask you a question? “Hi, Scott. Can I ask you a question?” Sure. “I’m working on myself. Do you have any advice?” Sure. Stop working on yourself. It’s your life, enjoy yourself. “Can I ask you another?” Sure. “You say, do what you love even if you hate it. I don’t understand.” Have you ever worked yourself to the bone and frustrated yourself to prepare to enjoy a dream vacation? “Yes.” Then you already understand. “Can I ask one more?” Why not? “Great. You’re always saying that more is on the other side of less. What do you mean be that?” Sure. It’s a math question. If you eliminate 80% of your current activities that keep you from doing the 20% of what you love, you get to do more of what you love. Less is on the other side of more. Any more questions? “My mind can't take any more. Thanks.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 - Questions to Ask Before Beginning Anything Everybody has dreams. Daydreams, dreams while you sleep, and dreams of what you wish for the future. I’ve always believed that dreams are goals you have nurtured to become real. But how do you know if the voice speaking to your heart will lead you in the right direction? Brant Pinvidic’s book, The 3-Minute Rule, has four questions that will help: 1) What is it? Do you understand precisely what you want? 2) How does it work? How will you go about reaching your goal? What will likely be the outcome? 3) Can you do it? Is your plan reasonable? Do you have the time, skills, and money? 4) Are you sure? Are you confident you can achieve your goal if you are willing to put in the effort? Use these when something is holding you back. I promise. The clarity you are seeking is around the corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Passionate Life Laws Specific actions, thoughts, and feelings have revealed themselves to be the truth. If you want to better yourself, here are my Top 10: 10) Purpose And Passion Come From Clarity of Thought. 9) Purpose And Passion Begin With Acceptance. 8) Faith and Courage Power Transformation. 7) The Secret Lies Within You. 6) Some Doors Must Close Before Others Open. 5) Strong Values Create Strong Passions. 4) Goals Are The Heartbeat of Your Life. 3) Emotions + Logic = Change. 2) Momentum Is The Result of Planning. 1) Everything Happens When Something Happens. The path to all success is well-worn. Follow the path that others have blazed. Your dreams are waiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Courage to Face Your Passion Changing something about your life is pretty straightforward. Figure out what you want and change it. Are you done laughing? Most folks fall on the way to their dreams because they don't move, move at the wrong time, or move too fast. That's why it's time to build your bridge once you know what you want. Here's how: 1) Fortify your current foundation. Save money, pay bills, and do whatever it takes to build a firm and peaceful base. 2) Begin constructing the foundation for your new life. Go to school, network, research, and plan. Do everything in your power to ensure your success with no regret. 3) When you're ready, leave your past behind, cut off the old, and begin living your new life. Patience is key. Wait until you are at least 70% ready to succeed before you cross to the other side. This patience will ensure you transition at the right time, increasing your chances of success. Success arrives when you move from a solid TODAY to a stronger TOMORROW. It's important not to leap too soon but also not to delay. Find the balance between urgency and preparation, and your transition will be smoother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Your Brain to Focus Better The older I get, the more I realize I'm fiddling with small things that drive me crazy but keep me busy. And I do it with the full knowledge that it's not the best use of my time, I'm below my pay grade, and I'm distracting from the big stuff I should be doing. Over the years, I've noticed almost everybody I know does the same thing. I've also learned it doesn't have to do with procrastination as much as getting a quick win and a short-term payoff. Yes, the reward for more significant projects is getting what you want, but checking off your list of little stuff is distractingly intoxicating. It makes you feel good all day but keeps you awake at night. The solution is to think bigger. As I work through my day, I focus on my life's biggest, broadest, and most important mission. Is it family? Is it your health? Do you want to make more money? Is it time to give back more? When you have a great picture painted in your mind, your mission becomes your focus, and you will do whatever it takes to move closer to that vision That's why - "I work on BIG things I love, not SMALL things that drive me crazy." Imagine your impact on your life and the world by focusing on big. The small stuff is going to get done. If not, it doesn't matter. Big stuff does matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zig Ziglar Classic Lesson When I was young, stupid, and wondering when I would understand life, I often turned to my friend, Larry, for a road map. He always seemed to have what I needed - until the day he passed the torch. He knew I needed more. That’s when he introduced me to Zig Ziglar’s Stages of Competence: 1) Stage One is where we begin. We are “Unconscious Incompetent.” We don’t know what we don’t know. Yup. 2) Stage Two is called “Conscious Incompetent.” I spent a lot of time there. I used to say, “I have no idea what I’m doing - but at least I admit it.” 3) Stage Three is “Unconscious Competent.” I see that in my work. People who have no idea how good they are. 4) Stage Four is “Conscious Competent.” That was my goal. I wanted to know what I was doing - and KNOW it! Most people continue to another level some call “Conscious competence of unconscious competence.” The ability to recognize and develop Unconscious Competence in others. You will become who you were meant to be when you learn how to get there, do the work, and recognize your achievement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living a Scripted Life In the world of Scott Logic, I’ve always fought my advice that said … “When life is predictable, scripted, and process-oriented - BORING - life gets as excited as you ever dream it could be.” As a guy who likes excitement in my day, you can see why I would prefer to ignore that wisdom—and I’m not alone. Still, I don’t miss it. I prioritize that way of thinking at all costs. Let’s talk about that ‘scripted’ part of living. While I love a good spontaneous day, I’ve learned that the more scripted and predictable my day, the less stress I have and the more I get done. All that means is that I know what I’ll be doing throughout the day, when I’ll be doing it, and what time I’m done for the day. Frankly, I can usually tell you what I’ll be doing weeks in advance. Maybe that’s why I never need to check my calendar when somebody asks me when I’m available for a meeting. I already know because everything is already in place. Next, you should live a process-oriented life. The best way to explain what I mean is to use goals as an example. Most people set goals and focus on the outcome of achieving that goal. If it’s weight loss, your goal may be to lose 50 pounds. While that’s not bad, focusing exclusively on the end goal is a fast way to fall off the wagon after a single, out-of-control weekend. But there is a better way… Instead of focusing on the goal of losing 50 pounds, it’s much easier to focus on the steps in the process that will get you there—watching what you eat, exercising, keeping yourself motivated, shopping for your future skinny jeans. The mindset is simple; as long you keep doing what’s working, you’ll get what you want. Simple. A scripted life and a process-oriented life is a good life. Figure out what works and do it over and over again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let The World Do What it Does A client asked me, “With all the craziness that is going on in the world these days, what do you pay attention to most of the day to keep yourself on track?" Well, let me first say that the world is going to do what the world is going to do. I always has; it always will. No matter what you do, the world and all its people will do what they will do. You will too. Having said that. My response to was… "I pay attention to MY agenda first. When I cross paths with the agendas of others, it doesn't have to be my way or the highway, but I must continue to live the life I desire and get the results. I want to do it without delay and distraction. The truth is, I want us both to do that." As long as you know what you want in life, getting it is a matter of moving forward a little bit every day and staying on track. Since every person you meet is on their path, you will always have the opportunity to be pulled into their agenda, willingly or unwillingly. If you do, you detour from your dreams. Take control of your agenda because somebody else always has plans for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live Your Purpose There's an incredible idea floating within your mind. It will soon demand your attention. "Is this all there is? Am I destined for something bigger?" You are. Here's how to discover your path: 1) Accept WHO you are on the inside by reviewing your past choices. The good ones are a clue. Do more of them. 2) Accept WHAT you do when you are doing you. It's not a thing; it's a feeling. 3) Accept WHEN when you want to begin living. Now is a good time. 4) Accept WHERE you are in your life. You CAN get there from here, as long as you know where HERE is. Accepting real purpose is usually revealed by your daily actions. If you don't like the direction you are heading, it's time to try a new one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Better Than a To-Do List I'm sure you have a lot to do. If you use a To-Do list, I'd like to pass on advice that will make your days much more fun. LOSE your "To-Do List." Replace it with a" Did I Do It List." To-Do Lists make you an employee of your checkmarks. They cause more stress the longer they get. A "Did I Do It List" assumes you know what must be done. Instead of chasing, you are checking to make sure you did it. An un-focused path produces additional tasks to fill your day. Using a "Did I Do It List" will focus you on your goals and create quick results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comfort Zone Holding You Back I was sitting at the dining room table of a friend. We had been solving the problems of the world in an hours-long conversation when she asked, "What are you talking about on tomorrow's podcast?" When I told her that I hadn't thought about it yet, she said, "Why don't you talk about why people don't take big chances and stay in their comfort zone for their entire life?" My mind did an instant review of my life and all the areas I had stumbled on before getting out of my way. I also remembered conversations with clients over the years on life's leaps. Before I could say anything, she said, "I know what it is. People get so comfortable with what they've built, and they don't want to chance losing it. Their money, their home, they wonder what their family will say?" Is there anything else? "Yes. Everybody gets scared and freezes. I'm like that, but I've learned to push through fear and go for it - as long as I'm mostly sure I won't lose what I've built." We talked a bit more about what it takes to make the changes you want in life and came to three conclusions- You can do anything when you have a growth mindset and believe that anything is possible. Holding on too tightly to what you have sends the wrong energetic message. When you are willing to expand - you will. Next, as a human, you will never be comfortable gambling on the very thing that allows you to dream. The solid foundation that takes care of your personal needs is why you desire to self-activate. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs taught us that. Your foundation must remain while you expand. Finally, fear will always be present when beginning a new adventure. The cure is knowledge. When you know what you have, see your path forward, and have prepared as much as possible for your journey, you will find yourself willing to go for it. Anything is possible when you protect your foundation, respect the challenge, and honor the dreams whispering to your soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Productivity Secrets You Should Do I have a saying - “Next year begins THIS year. Next month begins THIS month. Next week begins THIS week.” If you want to stay on track, accomplish your goals, and enjoy life more - you MUST take control of your calendar. It’s easier than you think: 1) Life will come at you FAST! Be sure to schedule any significant and can’t miss life events at least one year in advance. Put it on the calendar and block it out. You can always change your mind. 2) Hold your space. Decide in advance what you will be doing with your days. When will you work on projects? When will you see clients? When will you have fun? 3) Never end one week without locking in your schedule for the next - and stick to it. When your day-to-day focus fulfills your goals this week, the future is always brighter. Focus, my friend. Focus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motivational Teaching Method Mrs. Etheridge was a 5th-grade teacher at Westgate Elementary in Manassas, Virginia. She had a special knack for motivating her most free-spirited student. Now, I wouldn't be honest if I were to you, I remember how she tamed a young boy who saw the world as a place to explore - mostly between the lines. But I will say that when you begin teaching and motivating others to reach their full potential, you quickly find ways to get them out of their own way, fire them up, and enjoy more success. When you first begin, meet others where they are and establish a frame for what is to come. That will get their attention. Next, strengthen the foundation by reminding them of what they already know and its impact on their life. The introduction of new knowledge arrives when they are open to receiving it. But since stacking new knowledge on top of old is like chasing shiny objects and forgetting everything you've already learned, integrating the new with the old is where you put it all together. Adding an exciting twist, something they didn't see coming as a bonus, and using it as a catalyst that paints a picture in their mind of the benefit of using the new knowledge in their lives. Finally, give your students homework in the form of a challenge, compassionately hold them accountable the next time you see them, and repeat. Everybody is driven by something different. When you structure teaching into a motivational flow that is relatable, repeatable, and re-framable, you create more excitement as you go and lives change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Goal Setting Purpose? I've always believed goal setting is the heartbeat of our lives. Goal setting is one of the most powerful tools you have to create your best life. My question to you is… do you know what your best life is supposed to be? I came upon my belief not from a book or a guru but from a realization I had many years ago. I found I was happy when I was chasing something bigger than myself that was also in alignment with how I felt on the inside. I was unhappy when I was checking items off my list and not honoring my true self. After years of pondering, I concluded that a purposeful outcome would eliminate frustration and boredom and generate excitement and enthusiasm. That leads me to the two definitions of goals: 1) The end toward which effort is directed. 2) An area or object toward which players in various games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usually through or into which it must go to score points. Most people treat goals like the number two, a To-Do list, with a short-term outlook. People who focus on the first definition are long-term thinkers. But what's the real difference? What "end" do you place your focus on? Heartbeat goal-setters know there are many "ends" before the ultimate termination point we call goal achievement. That's what excites and drives them. They purposely focus on that 'end.' Everything else is a step in the journey that is only needed to get to their pre-determined outcome. Heartbeat goal setting. It's purposeful goal setting that ignites a fire in your belly, gives you a mission, and makes you happy. Everything else is an item on your To-Do list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Your Life Got in The Way Can you remember when you filled your thoughts with dreams and ambitions? That’s how most of us live our early lives - until the real world splits into two distinct periods: 1) BEFORE life gets in the way. Anything IS possible. It’s a beautiful time when you run as fast as possible toward your goals, even if your parents disagree. 2) AFTER life gets in the way. Anything WAS possible. Life is good, but it’s not what you expected. Your parents would have said, “I told you so.” What if it was possible to remember what you wanted and why? What if you could stand on a foundation of wisdom and experience and combine what you have now with what you want? That would be a brand new life, wouldn’t it? Wait. It is possible. All you have to do is remember what you wanted all those years ago and start running after it again. Run fast. You’ve waited long enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Time To Explore I’ve spent the last couple of days saying things like — “What do you do when you are doing you, and your purpose is to find your purpose?” Now, I realize that something so simple is also something most people will ignore. I also realized that for some people, as soon they begin reading and realize they’ve already heard it, tune out and open the next email. That’s unfortunate. Studies have long ago proven that repetition is the Mother of all skills. Yes, it takes time to learn new things and master them. But getting a new skill is not the value of repetition — it’s the doors it opens. When you opened my email yesterday, you were a different person than now. And tomorrow you will be different than you will be by the end of the week. As you explore your day, you’ll figure out what doesn’t work, lock in what does, and update your worldview. You will see things differently. The wisdom you collect will transform your personality as you explore your life and you will begin becoming the person you are meant to be. Of course, this should be no surprise since you’ve been doing it your entire life. But what if you purposefully did it every day? What if you chose to purposefully explore all the possibilities of your life in hope that it will lead to your destination? What if you explored the possibilities with full faith and trust that you are following your path, the correct path, and the one that will lead you to everything you desire? It’s not a what IF. It’s what IS. It’s your choice to make that happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somebody Needs You Right Now When I was a teenager, I was a weekend moviegoer. It was the age of Rocky, Star Wars, and Jaws. Besides, with only three channels on television, getting out of the house was the top item on my to-do list. As a kid with big dreams, I quickly slipped into the fantasy world of films and let my mind run for a couple of hours. By the film's end, I was always excited to get on with life and become like the folks I watched in movies. That's when life got in the way. Like many young folks, I graduated high school, charged into the world, and waited for somebody else to lift me into my dreams. Well, things didn't work out the way I expected. That's when my mother-in-law gave me some very useful advice that I needed to hear — "You know, right now, Somebody needs what you have to offer, but because you're sitting around the house, they don't even know you exist. Get out there and let them know you are here." I can't tell you how many times in my life I've said to myself — "Somebody out there needs what I have to offer. My job is to find them and let them know I'm here." It's the same for you. If Somebody needs what you have to offer, your job is to find them and save their day. That's how you write and star in your life movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Procrastination With One Question Are you a member of the Procrastination Club? Procrastination is the intentional and habitual postponement of an essential task that you should be doing. Is that what you are doing? In my view, three things could be happening if you procrastinate - It may be possible that you are not procrastinating at all? Instead, you may be forcing yourself to do something that you don't need to do anyway. The other possibility is that it simply doesn't mean enough to you to start the process. Or, said another way, other things mean more to you. Finally, your wisdom is telling you this is not something you should be doing. Yes, you must complete some tasks. That's called being a responsible person. But if your list keeps getting longer, it's time to ask yourself a question - Is it important enough to me to get it done? If not, you know why you are procrastinating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Do Successful People Do? If you study people who have succeeded in any area of their life, you will find they have much in common. Not only do they follow a set of rules, but they also follow those rules no matter how much life gets in the way. What are those rules? The person who has the strongest "Why" wins. The person who shows up wins. The person who shows up on time wins. The person who is most persistent wins. The person show never assumes wins. The person who is the best at what they do wins. The person who plans and documents their journey and interactions wins. The person who never gives up total control to others wins. The person who accepts responsibility for themselves wins. The person who serves the most wins. The person who is grateful for everything wins. The actions you take automatically become the life you experience. It's essential to be mindful of where you are heading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste A few years ago, the world changed when we were introduced to the coronavirus. It was as if we were racing down the Interstate at 85 miles per hour, slammed on our breaks, and directed off the nearest exit on an undefined detour. It all seemed to happen in an instant. The pandemic caused real pain and loss for some and fear and stress for others. Still, as surreal as it was, it wasn't long before most people began to notice the craziness of our previous lives replaced with a 'new normal'—one that felt more like a 'new nothing.' Much to our surprise, life slowed to a crawl, schedules changed, and we found contentment by not chasing every shiny object that life presented. The pandemic pause caused people to reevaluate life from the inside out. While it happens all the time, this time, we noticed it. How often have you found yourself in an impossible situation that ended with one action? You paid off debt, quit a job, and said goodbye to a bad relationship? How often have you decided to try something new, and the past instantly disappeared? Did you decide to move into a new home, start your own business, or return to school? How often have the worst pains and biggest joys been the catalyst for an exciting new beginning? A death, wedding, or the birth of a new child? While some situations in life are unpredictable, the lessons learned and wisdom gleamed remind us that anything can and will change instantly. Knowing that grants you immense power over your destiny - especially if it's self-inflicted and you are in control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get What You Want In the last few years, people have become increasingly popular for sharing every little aspect of their lives with others. But, when it comes to getting what you want, keeping your plans to yourself is a powerful tool. Independence has just passed, and when I arrived at my desk on Monday, I had two client messages that made me smile. The first said, "I decided to spend my weekend practicing what I do in private so that I will be praised in public." That's something I've said and done many times. The second client told me they had completed a new project over the weekend and were heading in a new direction. When I mentioned they had never said a word to me about it, they said, "I know. I'm learning that nobody needs to know what I'm doing to do it. I'll do it, and they can catch up." My heart smiled as I witnessed three powerful tools impact my client's lives: 1) Practice privately until you are ready to share with the world. Nobody needs to know how you got so good at what you do. 2) There's no need to tell anybody what you will do. Just do it and then let them know what you've done later. 3) It's easier to get things done when everybody else is busy doing something else and isn't poking their nose in your business. Long holiday weekends and summer vacations are a great place to begin. You can do whatever you want with your life; you don't need anybody's permission or approval to make it happen. Your destiny is 100% up to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increase Momentum in Your Life Have you ever found yourself stalled? A few years ago, I had big plans, but nothing was moving forward. Other people didn't seem to get the memo that I was on a mission, yet nobody was there to help. We've all been in situations where nobody will return your call. Your email gets ghosted. You can't get support or commitment for your future world-saving plans. That's what happened to me, and I decided to create my momentum. I called it my "Momentum Freight Train." My first use of my new mindset was to get my future wife to take our relationship more seriously. Everything was going great - but I needed to be faster for me. So, before our next date, I said to myself - "I'm not going to wait for permission. I'm going to build my life, no matter what. If she doesn't join me, I'll ride my momentum to someone who will." It's important to understand that creating your momentum is not negative thinking. On the contrary, people notice attractive energy - and she did. I was off and running with my commitment, and Joi and others didn't take long to realize they had better get on board before my train left the station. Everything good begins with YOU. There's no need to wait for others. Create your momentum, and others won't be able to stay away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increasing Productivity I have a question for you. What is your ONE most important activity? What is the ONE core activity that makes everything else okay? What is the ONE core activity that, if you don’t do, causes everything to fall apart? In Brian Tracy’s book Eat The Big Frog First, he recognized that many people focus on anything but the most critical activity in their life. They are usually surprised when things fall apart. Is it showing up for work on time or doing a great job at work? Could it be your unflinching attention to your family? Does your business have ONE activity that causes people to buy from you? When you focus on your ONE most important activity - and do it first - everything else gets easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Improving Your Financial Situation Most people say money is their top concern when it comes to improving their lives. Tony Robbins said, “Making money won’t solve all your problems - but at least you will arrive at your problems in style.” Making more money, no matter how little, will solve most of your problems. It is also the magic juice that will fuel your dreams. If you want enough money to create the life of your dreams: 1) KNOW what kind of life you desire. Be realistic about how much you need. 2) Making money is about adding VALUE to the person giving you some of their money. They don’t have to do it. Make their life better and help them reach their dreams. They’ll happily help you do the same. 3) Set a financial goal and keep track of it. Forward momentum is your friend. 4) Save some for yourself right off the top. Even 1% will add up over time. Plus, seeing your “profit’ will motivate you even more. 5) Stop trading hours for dollars. Once you have momentum, shift your mindset to passive and residual income. Set a course. Stay the course. Dreams come true when you have the resources to make them happen. Make ONE DOLLAR more today than yesterday. Use it to build a better life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supercharge Your Self-Esteem Do you have goals and dreams? If so, Confidence and Self-esteem will play a significant role. Confidence is feeling good about your worth or abilities and self-respect. Self-esteem is a feeling of self-assurance—an appreciation for your abilities or qualities. Confidence and Self-esteem can be developed over time, and you gain them through experience. Yes, it's possible to fake it until you make it. It's better to jump in head first. Everything you do today is an opportunity to become a more self-confident person who appreciates you and has self-respect. There is no secret to building self-esteem. Do what you do. Do it well. Acknowledge your success. Repeat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Magic of Anticipation It's fascinating how children effortlessly balance living in the present with eagerly anticipating the next exciting event. Perhaps it's time we all rediscover this simple yet powerful approach. Remember those special events from your childhood that filled you with such excitement that you could barely contain it? The ones that kept you buzzing all day and even stole your sleep at night. Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring back that feeling? The trick to harness the power of anticipation is to keep a steady stream of exciting moments in your future. I call this the Anticipation Engine. These two things to keep in mind: 1) Your energy is dependent on getting excited about your future. Keep your list long. 2) Once an event passes, your excitement will disappear. Enjoy the current moment. Don't rush ahead, but always have something fun coming next. Living a life of anticipation always gives a natural energy boost. If your life is bland - schedule something fun and get excited again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Give Up Dreams to Get Dreams John Lennon was famous for saying, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." Over the years, I've found that folks tend to ACT and DO what serves them best. And they do it while dreaming and planning for something else. It's an exhausting way to live. You can set yourself free by making a simple decision. If you want something different, do it now! If you can't get yourself to do it, consider that it may not be as important to you as you think. If that's the case, get your ego out of the way and scratch it off your list. You're going to surprise yourself with new opportunities. They have been hiding for years, waiting for you to make space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Your Friends Holding You Back? The success and happiness that you have in your life is a direct result of something your Mom was always asking - Who are your friends? If they are positive, you will be positive. Are they negative? You will be negative. If they have money, you will have money. Are they broke? You get my point. Your life will inevitably mirror those closest to you. But remember, you have the power to choose who these people are. Choose wisely, and you'll be on the path to success and happiness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Success at The Highest Level No matter what your goals in life are, you are likely striving to be the best at something. Whether it's the best Mom or Dad, excelling in your career, or winning at the game or sport of your choice. Being the best always comes down to: 1) Do what you love and are good at naturally. You'll have the edge over others. Stay in your wheelhouse. 2) Commit your focus to mastery. Being a Jack-of-all-trades will not work. Specialists always win over generalists. 3) Spend more time doing than learning. There's a significant difference between knowledge and wisdom. It's the experience gained from doing that truly matters. 4) Hire a Coach. When you're at the top of your game, working with your Coach will take you from second place to first. 5) Keep going until you get what you want. Never stop, and never make excuses. It was your idea to pursue your path. Enjoy the privilege of being able to make that choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hierarchy of Your Needs Your best life is built sequentially, one level at a time. Forget the elevator. Climb all the stairs to the top, and you’ll have lasting success. In 1954, Abraham Maslow released Motivation and Personality. His Hierarchy of needs theory is all about climbing to the top. Maslow suggested that to reach your full potential: 1) You must provide for your physiological needs. Food, clothing, shelter, money, and more. 2) You must feel safe. Personally, emotionally, financially, health and well-being, and against accidents and illness. 3) Socially, you need to feel love and belonging. 4) Esteem and the desire for acceptance, respect, and value by others is your next step. Self-actualization requires mastery of your previous needs. Maslow said, “What a man can be, he must be.” 5) Self-transcendence removes you from your ego and begins your focus on the greater good. Your best life is built sequentially, one level at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Questions That Will Change You Long ago, I realized that life is nothing more than a giant scavenger hunt. Yes, life is full of questions, and it’s long enough for you to figure out all the essential answers. And the winners are the people who figure out the solution you seek. Here are a few that I use regularly to get me thinking: 1) What do you want to do? 2) What do you want to have? 3) Where do you want to go? 4) What contribution do you want to make? 5) What do you want to become? 6) What do you want to learn? 7) Who do you want to spend my time with? 8) How much money do you want to earn, save, and invest? 9) How much time do you want off? 10) What will you do to create optimum health? I’ll repeat it. Life is full of questions, and it’s long enough for you to figure out all the essential answers. It’s time to get busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Simple Questions To Find Your Passion If I could help you figure out your passion and purpose with four simple questions — would you answer them? Let's get right to it. I think your mind is about to explode! 1) What can I spend my time doing that causes me to lose track of myself and time? 2) What sort of activities do I spend money to participate in? 3) What areas of my life do I fear judgment? 4) What makes my heart race? Answering those four questions is like looking into a mirror and seeing the truth come out of your mouth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily Awareness Diary Over the last few months, you’ve heard me mention my prompted Daily Awareness Diary and the fantastic results it’s getting for my Face Your Passion coaching members. I thought I would share the template we’re using. Before I begin, I want you to understand that this process is about becoming aware of your present life and using that awareness to have more passion and purpose. The prompted format is intended to produce consistent information you can mine later to learn more about yourself. If you need more information on how to use this template, listen to today’s Daily Boost Podcast. Here are the prompts we answer every day: How was yesterday through the lens of Retrospection How was yesterday through the lens of Prospection How do I want to feel? What am I praying for Who am I praying for? Who do I want to connect with? What are the Pre-Planned Responses I need today? What’s my Conclusion as I finish today’s diary? What Personal Affirmation can I create from today’s diary? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring What’s Possible I’ve spent the last couple of days saying things like — “What do you do when you are doing you, and your purpose is to find your purpose?” Now, I realize that something so simple is also something most people will ignore. I also realized that for some people, as soon they begin reading and realize they’ve already heard it, tune out and open the next email. That’s unfortunate. Studies have long ago proven that repetition is the Mother of all skills. Yes, it takes time to learn new things and master them. But getting a new skill is not the value of repetition — it’s the doors it opens. When you opened my email yesterday, you were a different person than now. And tomorrow you will be different than you will be by the end of the week. As you explore your day, you’ll figure out what doesn’t work, lock in what does, and update your worldview. You will see things differently. The wisdom you collect will transform your personality as you explore your life and you will begin becoming the person you are meant to be. Of course, this should be no surprise since you’ve been doing it your entire life. But what if you purposefully did it every day? What if you chose to purposefully explore all the possibilities of your life in hope that it will lead to your destination? What if you explored the possibilities with full faith and trust that you are following your path, the correct path, and the one that will lead you to everything you desire? It’s not a what IF. It’s what IS. It’s your choice to make that happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are You Comfortably Miserable? Are you living a life of comfortable misery? It's easy to settle into day-to-day that is different from what you want. It's not bad. It's not good. Are you making barely enough income to be comfortable but still struggle? Is your job okay but not inspiring? Are your relationships fine but not fueling your dreams? Most folks are living comfortably miserably. Don't let that be you. Change your path now. Decide to accept nothing less than exactly what you want. Stand up, take a step, and repeat. The rest will work itself out. That's a promise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blow Things Up With Creative Destruction Do you ever feel like a thousand things must line up before you can get what you want? It is safer to wait until the stars align before taking your next step toward your goals. Maintaining momentum can also be exhausting — if not impossible. Another choice is to blow things up, tear things down, and blast away what you don't want using Creative Destruction. Think of 'creative Destruction' as renovating an old kitchen. Instead of spending months on futile repairs, remove what's obstructing your path and create a direct route to your dreams. Don't accept what is stopping you. Turn on your creativity and figure out a way to sidestep the problem. Start to build something new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Standing In Cement? If you’re going to drive across a bridge, it’s best if there is a solid foundation on both sides. The same happens when crossing a symbolic bridge to the next chapter in your life. Having a solid foundation on both sides is the goal. But what happens when you get stuck in your foundation before you cross? It’s common for folks to build such a solid foundation in their current life that it becomes difficult to move forward. You are stuck in your comfort zone. If you’re happy, the bills are paid, and everything is okay - what’s the incentive to shake things up? Well - The only way to live the life you’ve always wanted is to believe in your WHY and take your first step as soon as you can see the other side. Yes, it can be scary. However, staying where you are for the rest of your life is also scary. Keep what you have and get what you want. That’s the goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life With No Limitations and No Consequences What if everything you did today came with no limitations and good consequences? What could you do with your life? Limitations can be helpful. Staying within speed limits keeps you from getting tickets. That's good. Limiting yourself to a job that doesn't serve you? That's bad. Fear of change usually creates limitations. Or is it the fear of bad consequences? What would happen if all consequences were good? Asking someone on a date may cause fear and hold you back. That all goes away the instant you hear, "Yes!" Reach for the good! Roll through your day believing that you are ten feet tall and bulletproof. Anything is possible! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Focus on What’s Important Are you the kind of person who is always running around putting out fires—fires you set? I think it is time we took away your matches and lighter fluid. Keep these tips in mind: 1) If your life is non-stop drama, stress, and craziness, there is a good chance that YOU are the cause. There is also a good chance you won’t see it that way. 2) Living with your hair on fire will keep you so busy you will spend years wondering why you can’t get what you want. 3) When you STOP doing anything that results in more craziness, you will find that life is pretty quiet. That’s when good stuff begins to happen. It’s a Universal truth. You are 100% in charge of every action you take. Choose good ones. It makes life more fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Accepting Your Passion No matter what activities that you do in life, the goal of every road you travel should lead to happiness. After all, we don’t pursue ambitions so that we can be unhappy - right? With that in mind, your journey will be more pleasant and the outcome more predictable if you: 1) Begin by accepting WHO you are right now. It’s okay to desire change, but you begin where you are today. 2) Clearly understand WHAT you are doing when you are authentically being YOU. The core of who you are is not likely to change. More likely, you are seeking to get back to your real self. 3) Decide when you will start living your passion day-to-day. There’s no need to wait. It begins the instant you choose. Accepting your passion and deciding to make it a day-to-day reality will make today the best day of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices