Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

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

Opportunity Discrimination Do you have too many options and are having a difficult time choosing? There is a concept called "Opportunity Cost.” It is simply the value gained or the value lost in deciding what opportunities you will pursue. I tend to focus on another question entirely - "Does an opportunity provide the fastest and most direct path for me to reach my goals?" It's easy to look at almost any opportunity and justify a path, especially if you are being persuaded by someone else. It’s more difficult to make a choice. If you want to break free from a stalled life, you must eliminate anything that takes you off course and stay focused on your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's Your Long Game? Many years ago a friend passed along a pearl of wisdom that has served me well. Larry was a business person and mentor. I was an eager young man who wanted everything now. That's when Larry said - "Scott, sometimes you have to hang around long enough for folks to see that you are the real thing before they'll do business with you." He was right. Over the years I've learned that amazing results can happen quickly through hard work and focus. The best results seem to arrive once you have proven yourself to others through over time. What's YOUR long game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listening to Yourself First Growing up, I was an energetic, enthusiastic, and excitable child. I never let a day go by without challenging something - usually with my mouth. Thanks to those responsible for turning me into a good person, I learned a valuable lesson when they said- “Listen twice as much as you speak. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.” You’ve heard that before, and in today’s fast-paced world, knowing when to put a zipper on your lips is critical. But I’ve also learned to take that advice to a new level to get what I want. I call it going “Dark.” When you go “Dark,” you have chosen to listen to others less. Yes, you are still listening, caring, and interacting with those around you. You’ve decided to listen to yourself twice as much instead. The world we live in today makes it seem as though it’s impossible to get what you want without others. There are endless hours of interacting, Googling, ZOOMing, Texting, and more. It’s as if we’ve lost permission to think and do for ourselves. We can’t move forward without the social approval of those around us when the exact opposite is true. Something extraordinary happens when you give yourself space to listen to yourself more. Your creative mind and talents flourish—your positive energy rebounds. You feel more present and find more meaning in your life. Going “Dark” makes your life brighter, and good stuff happens. When you take the time to slip away into your own space, you develop into the person you were meant to be. Removing yourself from the buzz of the world gives you a new kind of energy. And you do it without anybody’s permission or without anybody knowing. When you emerge, everybody will notice that you are different. They will listen when you speak, seek your advice, and be attracted to you in a new way. Who knew that listening twice as much as you speak works even better when you listen to yourself twice as much as you listen to others? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Types of Clarity You Need Understanding what you want in life is the foundation of all success. There are four types of Clarity: 1) Clarity of Purpose: Knowing what drives your heart and soul is the fuel that will propel you to your dreams. 2) Clarity of Task: What tasks fulfill your purpose? Knowing will reduce stress and create daily satisfaction. 3) Clarity of Process: Ritualistic and consistent dedication to your proven process leads to happiness. Learn what works. Do more of it. 4) Clarity of Outcome: Know what prize you are seeking, and always keep your eye on it. When it comes to understanding what you want in life, I believe in the power of simplicity. Simple works. It's the key to unlocking the 4 types of Clarity that lead to success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steps to Achieve Greatness Do you dream of greatness? Instead of rushing through life, why not change your mindset and actions? It's time to become the person you were meant to be. Here are a couple of ideas: 1) Use your imagination to form images, thoughts, and sensations in your mind. You don't need anybody's help. Trust yourself. 2) Enthusiasm is living life with excitement and PASSION. Only involve yourself in activities that make you enthusiastic. 3) Persistence is the art of doggedly persisting until you get what you want. Stay in the game long enough to get what you want. 4) Having faith means living your life with trust and confidence - even when you're unsure. Imagination. Enthusiasm. Persistence. Faith. That's a great life. Now, imagine how good it could be with Gratitude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Make the Law of Attraction Work for You I've always believed the Law of Attraction should be called Law of What You Think About Most. Like attracts like. What you think about, you get. If you think, "I won't get it because I never do" - you are correct. Dreaming of a new life while focusing on your current problems is a sure way to keep spinning your wheels. The trick is to focus your attention and actions on what you want to attract. That will require a dedicated effort. Vision Boards, lists of Goals, daily journaling are all great ways to stay on track. The Law of What You Think about is magical and straightforward — Decide what you want. Believe it is possible. Focus on the future, not the past. Don't stop until you get it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting Over What actions would you take if forced to start over again? Here’s what I would do: 1) Get absolute clarity and focus. What ONE thing do you want your life and lifestyle to be? 2) Confirm your WHY. Success takes time. Long-lasting success isn’t guaranteed. Owning a strong WHY will allow you the flexibility to persevere forever. 3) Clear the clutter. You can’t move forward with the weight of your past on your shoulders. Debt? Bad relationships? Health issues? Fix them and move on. 4) Take control of your schedule and your time. Of everything you own, time is your most valuable asset. Don’t squander it. 5) Massive Imperfect Action. You will never be stuck as long as you keep shaking the trees. Do something. Anything. Notice your results. Do it again. Do it until you get what you want. It’s not about learning more. It’s about taking control of the basics and using what you already know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Discover What's Blocking You If you find yourself spinning your wheels, remember this - You must know where you are before going where you want to be. It's time to inventory your life as it exists today. Examining your finances, jobs, relationships, responsibilities, and dreams for a few hours can be eye-opening. It's also the only way to deal with many of the demons that hold us back. It can be scary to dig into the dark corners of your life. But I promise, when you shine a light on everything you don't want to see, you'll find yourself free and able to move toward your dreams. I'll repeat it. You must know where you are before going where you want to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caring What People Think is Holding You Back Do you know anything about other people? Not a week passes without us hearing about somebody who did something out of character and caught us off guard. The truth is, none of us know about anybody else, and nobody knows about us. So, have you ever wondered how this knowledge can empower you? Are you dreaming of doing something different? Do you have a case of "Whatwilleverybodythinkaboutmeitis?" It's time to get over it. Nobody in the world knows your true inner self. They only see what you present. If you're getting pushback, it's because of what you've been presenting. Change that, and everything else changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Time To Be a Good Quitter Has anybody ever said to you, "it's good to be a quitter?” Probably Not. That’s why it’s so important today that you pay attention today. Being a good quitter isn’t an excuse. It should never be an option for making things easier. Instead, quitting is a wise choice. You choose to quit when your progress has you going around in circles or has stopped. That's when things get interesting. Once you are committed to an idea that is important to you, can be difficult to allow yourself to quit. Stuck in a lousy job, terrible relationship, destructive behavior? Your internal sense of "Identity" will compel you to hold to the very end. That may not be wise. Listen closely when your inner-voice begins to sound a warning. There's no need to wait for the inevitable. Trust your gut and change your direction fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stand Up, Take a Step, Repeat Recipe It's the world's most straightforward recipe for success: Stand up, take a step, REPEAT! A member wrote asking how to use such simple advice best: 1) Stop whatever you are doing. Find a place where nobody will interrupt you for at least 5 minutes. 2) Focus on YOU. 3) Ask, "How is my life going?" Open your mind and let your thoughts flow to the different roles of your life. Bring them into focus. 4) For areas going well, continue your momentum. For areas of concern, ask," What CAN I do to make it better?" 5) Immediately take action based on your answers. Never stop. 5-minutes a day is all it takes to stay on track. Check in with yourself. Adjust. Keep moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Create More Time Wouldn’t it be great if you could create more time in your day without giving anything up? The secret is how you prioritize the projects that are already on your plate. That requires a simple understanding: 1) Working on multiple products simultaneously only delays completing all the projects. 2) When you complete a product, not only is it off your plate, but it begins producing the expected results. This frees up time to move on to your next project. The next time that you are trying to find more time, ask - “What can I finish right now that will give me more time tomorrow - and every day after that?” You will love how much more time you have in your day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happier No Matter What Would you like to be happy every day of the week? Maybe it's time to start thinking like a happy person. There's no magic to being happier. Rose-colored glasses are not required. Just start looking at your day-to-day life the way a happy person does. Give this a try: 1) Accept that merely being alive means encountering occasional challenges. 2) Realize that dealing with challenges is a privilege that comes with being alive. 3) Welcome frustration. That means that you are not satisfied and are beginning to make adjustments. 4) Accept responsibility for solving your challenges. Run forward and fix them as soon as possible. 5) Deal with everything that life throws at you. Get a great night's sleep. Have another great day tomorrow. It's amazing how that kind of mindset makes most challenges never show up in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Characteristics of Success Could you find a mentor to help you along the way? Every mentor I’ve ever had has validated that I possessed three characteristics for success. Would you pass their test? 1) Do you have a burning desire to achieve your goal? 2) Are you open to learning and ready to embrace the wisdom and guidance from a diverse range of voices? 3) Are you willing to undertake all actions to achieve your success? Wouldn’t you want this in someone that was asking for your help? Walk your talk. Talk your walk. That’s a great life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's Your Life Vision? Do you have an image of what you would like your life to be - except when life gets in the way? There's no doubt that daily life events have a funny way of distracting us from reaching goals. It's just too easy to put them on the back burner. That's why you need to become the keeper of your vision. Every day thousands of opportunities will arrive on your path and detour you from what you want. That's why it's up to you to guard your vision by asking a simple question - Will this opportunity move me closer to the lifestyle I desire or further away? Simple. Know YOUR vision. Defend YOUR vision. Live YOUR Vision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoic Philosophy Rules That Apply Today In 300 BC, political life was driving people crazy. To calm the masses, several schools of philosophy popped up. Stoicism was one of them. Many of its teachings resonate today. 1) The mind is your power. It is not an outside event. 2) Time is your most precious resource. There is no time for regrets. 3) Be present. Stop and spend time with yourself. 4) Be grateful for what you have by imagining how much you would miss what you have. 5) Don’t look for happiness in the material. Wealth is in having few wants. 6) See that everything you experience originates from within. Your perception is all that matters. 7) Have a role model to measure your character. Once you find them, you’ll have a benchmark to gauge your progress. 8) Change your perspective on failure. Failure itself is no misfortune; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune. 9) Apply what you learn. Learning is like training weights for your mind. Be sure to use your new strength. Why reinvent the wheel when some old-school wisdom already has it figured out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Day is a Do-Over Day Is it me, or does living life these days make you feel like Bill Murray in the movie, Groundhog Day? When it comes to working toward goals, that can be a tremendous asset. It's also something that will break you free when things don't feel like they are going your way. Everybody has ups and downs. Up days are lots of fun. Down days make you want to crawl under a rock. But like the movie, with the right mindset, you always get another chance to try again. How would you feel if every day was a chance to tweak, adjust, flex, or reinvent your approach to living? What if everything got more comfortable as you built your knowledge of what works best for you? How empowered would you feel if you knew that every day was a do-over day? As long as the sun rises and the sun sets, it doesn't matter if you succeed or fail the previous day. Today is always a new day for making your dreams come true. That'll make you get out of bed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transformational Stages Is there something you would like to transform about your life? These days you are not alone. Stop smoking, lose weight, get a better job - or another job? Transformation always follows the same predictable stages: Stage 1: Pre-contemplation. This stage appears when an idea pops into your head for the first time. Stage 2: Contemplation. This middle ground is where most folks get stuck. It can go on for a lifetime. Stage 3: Determination. Moving past contemplation, you make up your mind, dig in your heels, and make your plan. Stage 4: Action. There is no turning back until you get what you want. Stage 5: Maintenance. This stage is all about keeping what you have acquired - no matter what. This stage may also last your entire life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three Step Productivity Not a day goes by when somebody doesn't ask me how to manage their time and be more productive. I wanted to share my simple, non-AI approach to getting things done. It's crucial to understand that productivity systems are not one-size-fits-all. They should be tailored to your unique needs and goals, which can evolve with your changing roles and responsibilities in life. I'm now living in the wisdom role and not the get a thousand things done a day role. Still, no matter what role you play, productivity comes down to three elements: 1) Holding space on your calendar. If you need help deciding when to do your whats, you must spend more time learning that skill. 2) Task Management contains all the little things you must do during the time set on your calendar. And no, they never go on your calendar. 3) All projects and their millions of details live in a separate project management document, file, or software. You reference it when you need it. Any task that needs to be done finds its way to your Task Manager. That's it. Only three tools are needed for productivity: a calendar, a Task Management System, and a place for project details. Never the three shall mix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reinvent Yourself With No Plan In the last couple of years, I made a decision that changed everything about my life. And no, when I began personal Operation Reinvention, I didn't have much of a plan. I wouldn't say I was winging it, but sometimes you have no idea what kind of plan you need. What I did have was a mindset. I wondered - "What single change can I make - a change that would automatically and positivity disrupt everything in my life and put me in a better place?" I followed that with… "I don't know WHAT it's going to be, but it's not going to be THAT!" While I didn't know exactly how to get there - or even what 'there' was, I knew I would recognize it when I saw it. Goals are cool. You should use them. Sometimes, you must follow your gut, go with the flow, and figure things out along the way. By the way, the single change turned out to be a massive rethinking of how I use my time. I create time freedom - and everything else begins to arrive. What change can YOU make that would automatically and positively disrupt everything in your life and leave you in a better place? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices