Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Seize Control Now With No More Waiting 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 core teaching became 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. 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. If you let them, other people will happily put THEIR monkey on YOUR back. 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 your back and say, "I done GOOD!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Stoic Rules for a Happier Life I'm a fan of Stoic Philosophy. While it may be over 2,000 years old, its practicality is still valid. These rules to live by will help you have a happier life: 1. If you're going to learn and succeed, be humble. There is always someone more intelligent, more successful, and wiser. 2. Find the right scene. Choose your friends and situations. If you want to rise in life, you can't allow yourself to be held down by others. 3. Protect your time. Seneca said, "We're tight-fisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers." Life is short. 4. Never do anything out of habit. Always think about how you can do things better, and always question yourself. 5. Keep it simple — do your job. Approach every task as if it were your last because it very well could be. 6. Adapt and learn from failure. Using your success to justify complacency is common. It's also easy, which is why most people do it. You can do more and be better. 7. Live below your means. The more you need work to maintain your needs, the less you will enjoy what you have. Everything in life comes down to keeping things simple and mastering the basics. That's how you get the success you deserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Opening New Doors Fuels Your Dreams One of my favorite questions is, “What CAN I Do?” No matter how challenging a situation. Answering that question always reveals a clear path. As they navigate our new world, I hear my clients ask me that question too. My answer usually goes something like this - “Can can you do? When you open a new door, you will find a new opportunity. Start opening more doors.” Feeling empowered in a world that is draining your energy is like Tesla on a cross-country trip without charging stations is difficult. If you want to ensure you are never running low, remember that dreams, possibilities, potential, and a feeling of certainty are all powered by new opportunity. When you open a new door, an opportunity reveals itself. Your challenges will fade as you focus on the new way. But you must be willing to open a new door to find it. The key to thriving in uncertain times is finding opportunities behind new doors. All you have to do is open the door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strategies for Getting Things Done As always, 2023 is a year that gives us new challenges every day. With many working remotely, the question of productivity is coming up more and more. So how do we get things done in this environment? I'm a fan of planning a week in advance and holding space on my schedule for what needs to be done. There's nothing like giving yourself a pre-determined amount of time and trying to shoehorn everything on your list into it. But we can improve on that method: 1) Delete it. Review every task and decide if it's something that needs your attention. 2) Delegate it. If the task rises to a level of importance, ask yourself if somebody else can do it. If so, pass it on. 3) Delay it. This option only applies to items you may need or want to spend time on in the future. Hide it away where you won't look at it every day. Someday, when you have time, you can decide what to do. 4) Do it. Sometimes the buck stops with you. Now that everything else is off your plate, you can schedule a time to complete it. Winning the day is about making sure the most important things in your life get done. What will that be today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shift Your Story - What, Why, When, Where, Who A long time ago, when I was in broadcast school, we spent a lot of time learning journalism rules. While the subject can fill books, you can answer almost anything by asking - Who? What? When? Where? Why? If you know that information, you can create a complete story. Years later, I re-arranged the formula for my personal growth. Every time I decide to take my life in a new direction and create a new story, I ask - What? Why? When? Where? Who? Occasionally I need to ask HOW to reach my goal, but that usually takes care of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Happiness By Embracing Your True Passions Have you ever asked, "How can I figure out what makes me happy?" Recently, a client confessed her life was about doing and chasing. Every day she settles into a routine of going about her day - all while dreaming of what will make her happy. Then she noticed something. It turns out that after she completed her MUST list, she turned her attention to what she loved. And it wasn't that different. She was mindlessly happy. However you choose to spend your days, your actions serve you even if you are dreaming of something completely different. Writers write. Mechanics repair. Complainers complain. Happy people are happy. If you want to move closer to your dreams, decide WHO you want to be and WHAT you want to do. Then do more of it every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Destination Success Change is one of those things that happens over time for most people. Sometimes you have no choice. If you have been thinking about tweaking your life, I have some suggestions to get you started: 1) No matter what dreams you hold, inventory the good, bad, and ugly of your current situation. You can't move forward if you don't know where you are starting. Don't be afraid. Information is power. 2) Next, decide WHAT you want and paint a picture of your life after your journey. Knowing your destination before you begin assures your success. 3) Now that you have laid the foundation, it's time to understand WHY you want it so bad. Doing the previous two steps should have built your desire and excitement. When that happens, it's time to lock in your WHY and get moving. Know where you are, what you will create, and WHY you must achieve your goal. Realistic and grounded thinking makes anything possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Uncomfortable Growth and Building Lasting Self-Confidence I got off the phone with a client who told me I insulted her with a comment on a recent call when I said, “Your self-confidence is low, and that’s okay. Everybody has low self-confidence - even if they walk with a swagger that says otherwise.” It turns out she spent the entire day pondering my comment. Then she realized that I was referring to a moment along her journey. Let me put it another way. No matter how long you live, how much you succeed, or how much swagger you have in your walk, there will always be someplace in your life where you feel like the underdog. It’s the same way for everybody. As soon as you take the next step, your self-confidence is forever boosted - until the next step arrives. The process will continue throughout your life. If you want unstoppable self-confidence, get used to feeling uncomfortable and taking action anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Goal Paradox: Distractions on the Path to Success Do you have a long-term goal on paper, a computer file, or in your mind? Is that a goal that you want so much that it could also be a distraction? It’s common for me to run into someone working to get what they want. As momentum builds, they decide to take a shortcut. They take a leap of faith and go for it - only to see the dream slip through their fingers and fade. Why does this happen? Building toward success also builds self-esteem and excitement. It can be tempting to disrupt the same day-to-day process that has propelled your progress. However, if you jump too soon, those disruptions turn into distractions. When that happens, you undermine the foundation of your success. What’s the fix? Achieving big goals is like saving money. Over time, your efforts compound, and you can have anything you want. Be patient, and keep moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rock Star vs. Band Member: The Journey to Success I have a question for you - Are you a Rock Star or a member of the band? Either is okay, but it sure helps to know which role you play while you are moving toward your goals. I remember talking with my son after graduation. He had set his sights on becoming a Rock Star. Now, as a Dad who has BIG dreams and hard-won experience, I knew I had to give him perspective. So I asked - Are you willing to do what it takes to rise to the top? And if you don’t get what you want, will you be happy settling for life in the background? That’s when he said, “I wouldn’t be happy being a background singer.” He chased his dreams for a few years until he found a new passion that fits him like a glove. He may not be on stage, but he is a huge fish in a massive pond - and happy as a clam. You might call him a Rock Star! You will always get what you want if you are willing to do whatever it takes to reach your dreams. How bad do you want it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Power of Stop, Think, Think Again With everything happening in the world, it isn’t easy to make good decisions. Being a former fat guy living in a relatively thin body, I learned a life lesson I still use daily that helps. As a kid, going out to eat was a special occasion. One weekend my parents introduced me to the concept of an all-you-can-eat Steak House! From that day forward, I knew I would live in my Husky pants until I found a solution. Years later, I did. In the beginning, I adopted a philosophy of choosing food that said, “Stop. Think. Order.” If that doesn’t work, I employ my advanced version, “Stop. Think. Think again. Order.” Years later, I streamlined my thinking to “Stop. Think. Think again. Act.” I also began to apply it to everything I do. One day I mentioned my new-found thinking to my Mom. She said, “That’s like listening before speaking and thinking before acting. Hmm… that sure sounds like something I may have said to you before.” I’ll never admit it. Stop. Think. Think Again. Act. Today is going to be awesome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Better NOT to Push Through the Pain Levi is my high-energy Australian Shepard. I can count on him to always be at my side and ready to go - until I noticed something was off. After a trip to the Vet, we figured out that intensely chewing his toys and breaking a few teeth. He's an all-in working dog, after all. Nothing will stop him from doing his job. It's been a while since the surgery, and he's doing great. I remember when I asked how long until he was up to speed again, the Doctor said - "He's been pushing so hard and living with a lot of pain. Now that the pain is gone, I wouldn't doubt he pops right back feeling and acting better than ever!" Hmm… that sure sounds like what I find in some humans. Why work through the pain when you can just get rid of anything causing pain in your life? It is much easier to remove the pain so you and focus on positive solutions in front of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Motivated Way: Stand Up, Take a Step, REPEAT Every time I see my friend, Tony, he greets me, saying… “Hey, Buddy! I see you still have the BIG MO. What’s your secret?” Yes. I’m still MOtivated, MOving, and in MOmentum. If there is a secret, George Herbert said it this way - “Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand and work with whatever tools you have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” If you keep the faith, start where you stand, and do the work; you will always find your way. Stand up, take a step, REPEAT! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Default Mode: The Path to Happiness and Success There is a myth floating around that life is more fun when you are spontaneous. That’s true, but not all the time. Happiness and success are most common among folks who live in a Default Mode. In other words, they figure out what works for them and keep doing it. Living in Default Mode makes life predictable for you and everybody around you. It limits decision-making and establishes continuity. It’s a behavior that reduces stress and improves happiness. Living your life in Default Mode is the fastest way to reaching your goals - your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staying Engaged and Crushing Goals I've been listening to clients tell me the story of their life. I can't help but wonder why they keep beating around the bush. In journalistic terms, these folks are burying the lead. Instead of getting to the point, they begin with secondary details. How does this relate to improving your life? Many say, "I can't focus on anything." No. You are focusing on the wrong things. Sometimes I hear, "I can't get myself get moving." Truth? You are moving - in the wrong direction. They may say, "I don't have enough money!" No. You need more money. Don't get caught up in the unimportant yet dramatic parts of life. Focus on the cause of your challenges. The results will change automatically. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four Simple Steps to Unlocking Transformation Creating a difference in your life requires simple actions. It’s all about getting what you want and keeping what you love. 1) Decide - Everything begins with your decision to transform. 2) Define - Aimless wondering is no fun. Defining your path will get you there. 3) Deploy - Putting your plan into action is the only way to make progress. 4) Defend - Your goal should be to make life better. When you find what you love - defend it so you never lose it. I like simple. Simple works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Uncover Your Big, Awesome, Motivating Mission Do you still dream of what you will be when you grow up? Do visions still keep popping into your head? Is there a mission that seems to be calling you? What’s your BAM? What’s your BIG - AWESOME - MOTIVATION - MISSION? What gives you pleasant dreams and a feeling of happiness? What scares yet excites you? What makes you smile and say, “If I could only get myself to…” Stand up? Take a step? Repeat? There’s no need to wait. You can start right now. Really! Right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Paradox of Choice: Too Many Options? Do you have too many choices in your life? Is it confusing and making you feel distressed? In 2005, Barry Schwartz wrote Paradox of Choice and challenged traditional thinking. He said the way to maximum freedom was to minimize choice. Too many choices are not a good thing and can create paralysis. No matter what you choose, you'll always wonder if you could have done better. Distractions are your enemy, and focus is your friend: Here's how to free up your life: 1) Limit your choices. Narrow your list to items you have already experienced. Having every option won't serve you. 2) Be sure to permit yourself to try other possibilities IF needed - but only after you've vetted your first. 3) Stay in your lane and keep it simple. Too many choices are part of modern life. If you can't decide, shorten your list of options to what is essential. Ignore everything else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why You Must Be Your Own Cheerleader Do you remember what it was like to be in 1st grade? It was when everybody lavished you with encouragement for being YOU - and because you finished your art project without eating the glue. Those were beautiful times. But you may have noticed things have changed since it was okay for you to take a nap in the middle of class. You grew up. Yes, growing into an adult brings many mentors your way. They do their best to motivate and inspire you. But you know in your heart that they can only do so much. It's up to you to drive yourself toward your dreams. That's called adulting. I say it's time to PYOTB, my friend! YOU are your own BEST Cheerleader. Don't sit around waiting for somebody to make you feel good. Pat yourself on the butt. Scream, "I done GOOD!" It's going to be the best day ever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Start Your Side Hustle Every day I spend time on the phone with excited folks who know they are close to getting what they want. They can't figure out how to get their hands on it. Let's start with: 1) Anything you want in this world is owned or controlled by somebody else. 2) If you want their help, you will have to get their attention. It always comes down to three things. In this order: 1) What problem are they having? No, it may not relate to you. It doesn't matter. If you can help, you will get their attention. 2) What's your solution? How can you fix it? When can you fix it? You'll know when you are close when you see the excitement in their eyes. 3) What's your offer? What must they do to get you to help? What do you want? It's simple. Address another person's problems with a robust solution and an offer they can't refuse. That's a real win-win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Succeed With Your Best Talents No matter your goals in life, there is a good chance you are 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 toward mastery. Being a Jack-of-all-trades won’t work. Specialists always win over generalists. 3) Spend more time doing than learning. There’s a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. Experience is what 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

How To Stop Burnout Now Steven Covey called it sharpening the saw. If you take a break to sharpen the blade, you will always cut more wood. The same applies to life. My formula for stopping burnout is Ritual, Rest, Rejuvenate, Reactivate, Repeat 1) Success comes when you perform ritual actions every day. Figure out what works and do it. 2) Running full-out all the time is not sustainable. You must stop and rest. 3) Resting allows your body and mind to rejuvenate and become strong again. 4) When you are ready, it's time to reactive into action mode. 5) Repeat until you get what you want. It's easier to cut more wood when you take a break to sharpen your saw. A walk in the park on a busy day counts too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Live Your Greatness With the craziness of life, are you having difficulty breaking through to the greatness that is YOU? What does greatness take? 1) Imagination. Your ability to form images, ideas, and sensations in your mind. Without help from anything or anybody. Use yours. Trust yours. 2) Enthusiasm. Living life with the excitement of feeling is PASSION. Only involve yourself in activities that you are enthusiastic. 3) Persistence. Life is long. Things take time. Learn to love being doggedly persistent. It will serve you well. 4) Faith. Have faith in yourself. Live your life in complete trust and confidence in someone or something. Imagination. Enthusiasm. Persistence. Faith. That's living. Imagine how good it could be with a bit of Gratitude? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living Your Purpose Every Day 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

Choosing To Be Positive in The Way We live in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelmingly negative, making it seemingly impossible to be and feel positive. Please don’t fall for it. Overall, the world has always consisted of billions of people choosing from a 50/50 split of negative and positive options. Since everything in the Universe is balanced, it makes sense that half of our choices are negative and the ofter half positive. It’s also why everybody can choose — but there’s a secret. People who are not growing and thriving will almost always take the easy way out and let negativity fill the gap. That’s why gossip and negative people are everywhere. Most people want to take the easy way. On the other hand, people who decide to grow automatically choose a positive path, are happier, and eventually don’t even recognize negativity. The trick to being a positive person in a negative world is choosing your path in life and taking action toward it. As soon as you do, the negative doesn’t matter, and life gets good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Balancing Every Minute of Your Day If you’ve ever felt like your life is a balancing act of activities that fill your day — to get everything done so you can be happy, here’s another way to think about it. When I began my career, I was in radio. Initially, I thought my job was to step into the studio and play whatever music I thought would make me and my audience happy. But before my shift began, my Boss introduced me to the ‘Format Clock.’ A Format Clock was a clock face drawn on a piece of paper divided up like pieces of a pie into sections. Starting at the top of the hour and spinning a complete circle, each segment told me what to do. My Boss explained it like this. There are some songs that people love, and we play a lot. We want to introduce new songs to our audience, and there are old songs that people want to hear again. Your job is to rotate through each category so our listeners are always happy. Later in life, I realized that our day-to-day activities are very similar. There are some things we love to do more than others. There are new things that arrive in our life that excite us. There are traditions, rituals, and memories of the past that make us feel happy. Your goal for any particular day is to rotate through the things that you happy and productive, moving closer to your destination, and allowing you to live with a content state of mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Focusing on Your Twenty Percent If you’re like many folks, you have so much on your plate that it’s challenging to keep up— forget about moving closer to your goal. There’s good news; you are not alone. Everyone lives according to the 80/20 rule that almost everybody has heard about. The Pareto Principle means that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of all causes for any event. However, to get what you want in life, there is a slight twist to the equation that says, 80% of the things you focus on in life have nothing to do with what you ultimately want. They are simply the busyness of life. 20% of the things your focus on in your life have everything to do with getting what you want and will yield the most significant return for your efforts. When you eliminate, delegate, or ignore the 80% and hyper-focus on the 20%, the math changes, and suddenly you are living your best life 100% of the time. Focusing on your best 20% changes everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Define. Refine. Execute It is part of our human experience to constantly feel lost as we ramble through our day - feeling more like we are, bumbling and stumbling than moving toward our purpose in life. Living a meaningful life is about knowing where you are heading while dodging the millions of others who are drifting. If you're not careful, you'll get caught up in their aimless journey. The first and every thought in your mind should always be defined and definite—the overall life purpose and the minor purposes that lead to your overall goal. Getting what you want in life also requires constant refinement of the goal you seek. The best tool to use for this task is the wisdom that you have acquired through years of experience. Your wisdom will allow you to cautiously and effectively move closer to your defined goal. The final step also differentiates between those who don't find their way and those who do—execution of your plan in the direction of your destination. Your consistent execution of the action is the way to your success. As you walk through your day today, define, refine, and consistently execute to get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget Improvement. Go For a New Opportunity. Have you ever wondered how much easier things would be if you didn’t have to think so much? What if the future or your past didn’t matter? Imagine if you didn’t worry about the possessions, success, or drama of others. What would happen if you believed that YOU were in control? Now you are starting to think like a Stoic Philosopher. Stoicism is about paring down and simplifying. They eliminate unproductive traits that define the majority of the population. One of the most common is turning obstacles upside down, creating opportunities, and seeing them as teachable moments. For a Stoic, every bad thing becomes a new source of good. Marcus Aurelius said it this way, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in your way becomes the way.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Power Is Sworn Enemy When will you get to do what you want to do? More people than you know lose sleep over that question. If that sounds like something you have experienced, you’re not alone. Almost everybody begins their journey when a thought pops into their mind. Then, day-to-day life keeps them busy, and they spend frustrating months fixin’ to get ready. You know, starting to prepare… so you can begin to do… so you can do… and say you did. If that doesn’t work, you summon your friend, Will Power. Will is not a person, but more like a kind of friend that you don’t know why you keep letting into your life. Will’s job description should read -- to force you to do things you say you want to do but can’t get yourself to do. They are a bit slacker, live rent-free in your mind, say they want to help, and never deliver on their promise. When you give up, Will leaves. The good news is, there’s no need to force yourself to do anything. Achieving your biggest goals in life has nothing to do with Will Power. Instead, shift your mindset - “To act at your discretion without constraint.” That’s the definition of Free Will, Will Powers, good cousin. Use your Free Will to harness your excitement and choose the path of least resistance. Start making the slightest changes in your life. Those steps will lead to big results sooner than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big. Awesome. Motivating. Mission. Do you still dream of what you will be when you grow up? Do those visions keep popping into your head? If that’s the case, what’s your BIG, AWESOME, MOTIVATING MISSION? BAM! What dreams excite you and give you a feeling of happiness? BAM! What scares you - and excites you? BAM! What makes you smile and say, “If I could only get myself to…” BAM! Take a few minutes and figure out your BAM! Then stand up, take a step, and repeat! Keep going until you get what you want. Oh - there’s no need to wait. Now would be a good time to start. :) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Your Morning Routine Working? You hear a lot about using morning rituals to get more done. But what if you could use your mornings to get more done for YOU? In the fast-face world, we live in today, there seem to be two groups when it comes to how to use mornings—personal and productivity. Once folks remove themselves from the craziness of jumping out of bed, taking care of the kids, and hitting the drive-through, they choose one of the two. But what if there was a third group that was more satisfying? Before I go on, I must admit that I didn't use to be a morning person and didn't like getting up early. I even quit my first couple of jobs as a morning radio host so I could sleep. Later in my career, I would hit my desk at 5 AM and pound through my to-do list as fast as possible. I must have been saying, "I…MUST… GET… IT… DONE!" That didn't work well because I didn't see the purpose of getting out of bed early if it was only to work. I spent my mornings reading and meditating for a few years before heading to the gym. I got in better shape, but my bank balance was less, and my future goals were seemingly unreachable. Then, one day out of pure frustration and sporting a brand-new I don't give a heck attitude, I asked myself a question that changed everything - "What's the first thing I should do tomorrow morning that, if I do, will allow me to live a life of my design?" I didn't ask about work or what was on my to-do list. It had nothing to do with getting more done or getting in better shape. I focused on the lifestyle I wanted to live - and it was life-changing. In the years since I made that decision, I've started my days doing the most important thing I deem required to live the life of my choosing, and I've been happier for it. I've also come across dozens of morning do-gooders who are getting everything done except what they dream of doing, and when they realize it's not their fault, everything changes. They get caught up in the buzz of life, and everyone does. But you start making real progress the minute you focus on YOU before anything else. When you focus on what is important to you, you get what is important to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Committed to Your Goal Woody Allen said, "Half of success is showing up." I've thought about that quote many times over the years. There was something about its logic that didn't match up with my day-to-day experience. Don't get me wrong, no matter what you want to do in your life, showing up is the first step in getting it. But I've shown up many times and went home without the prize I so much wanted. I've also seen others convinced they'll advance toward their goals if they show up. Instead, they end up disappointed with their results. So, if showing up is getting you halfway, what's the other half? It's knowledge, work ethic, communication, and people skills. And let's not forget your ability to commit to doing whatever it takes to get what you want. Some people don't show up, and some don't commit. Many do show up. Why don't they succeed? I remember the words spoken by my Paster moments before my wedding to my first wife, Sheryl. I was a 20-year-old kid, and he asked, "Do you know what makes a marriage work?" Without much thought, I said, "It's a 50/50 thing. It'll work as long as we show up for each other." His response resonates with me to this day. "Success in anything is 100/100 thing. You always show up and commit to giving it 100% of your effort - and so does everybody else." So, yes. Showing up will get you halfway to your goal. But if you want to go all the way, you must commit to 100% and do whatever it takes to get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Best Quitters Win Has anybody ever told 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 important idea, it can be challenging to allow yourself to quit. Stuck in a lousy job, terrible relationship, destructive behavior? That may not be wise. Your internal sense of "Identity" will compel you to hold on to the very end. Listen closely when your inner voice begins to sound a warning. There's no need to wait for the inevitable. Trust your gut. If you must, go through the fire and change your direction fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multitasking is Slow You Down 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, it begins producing your expected results. It also 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?” Working on multiple projects simultaneously only delays the completion of all projects. Pick one. You will love how you have so much more time in your day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ignoring Everything Except Important Are you the kind of person always running around putting out fires - fires you set? I think it is time that we take away your matches and lighter fluid. 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. Living with your hair on fire will keep you so busy you will spend years wondering why you can’t get what you want. 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 truth. It’s a truth. You are 100% in charge of any action you choose. Choose good ones. It makes life more fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Single Change That Changes Everything Last year I made a decision that changed everything about my life. 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?" If you don't know exactly how to get where you want, you will recognize success when you see 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. What single 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

Stop Learning Start Doing Have you ever felt as if something was holding you back? You might be spending too much time learning. The challenge begins when your mind gets confused. Since it can’t tell the difference between perception and reality, learning feels like doing. You might be getting more intelligent, but you are not moving forward. Here are some simple truths: 1) Learning new skills is fun and is required for a better life. 2) Learning alone will not produce results. 3) You don’t have to learn everything—you already have enough to start. When 90% of your time is used for moving forward actions, you will make massive progress. It’s time to get moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why You Must Live Your Best Life Now A few years ago, I heard that Super Markets were considering changing expiration dates on food. They replaced it with "Best if Used By." Maybe you should treat your life the same? I've long known that everything has an expiration date. Nothing goes on forever. Everything will come to an end. What's good may become not so-good. What's bad may become great. Life will be born; life will die. This incredible ebb and flow is just the way of the Universe. Change in life is inevitable and always lurking around the corner. To me, making the best of what you've been given - right now - makes a lot of sense. What's your "Best if Used By" date? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Live Like a Happy Person Did you know that happy people are regular people that look at the world differently? They don't wear rose-colored glasses either. They have a better way: 1) They realize that if you are alive, you will have problems. 2) They accept that dealing with problems is a privilege of being alive. 3) They don't get frustrated. They know problems mean you are shaking up life and living. 4) Happy people accept responsibility for solving problems. They never run from them. 5) A good day for a happy person is dealing with everything life can throw at you. Getting a great night's sleep and doing it all over again is the reward. By the way - It's amazing how this kind of attitude seems to make most problems never show up in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Ask For What You Want Have you ever noticed how nobody gets to the point these days? It seems like everybody is beating around the bush instead of asking for what they want. I have news for you. People can't read your mind. If you want something, you will have to ask for it. But it's not all about you. Before I continue, I have a warning. Be careful what you ask for, just in case you get it. Be specific to avoid confusion. Be on guard for creative answers that are not precisely what you want. Now, a three-step formula to making it happen: 1) Come right out and ask for what you want. 2) Tell them how helping YOU will benefit THEM. 3) Tell them what to do next. New opportunities are about to come rushing into your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Out of The Box Thinking Doesn't Always Work Getting things done in today's crazy world is complex. While most techniques are still very valid - the rules have changed for just about everything. Does that mean you must get out of your box and think differently? Maybe, but there are other choices: You can stay IN your box and keep using the thoughts and actions that have served you. That’s good, but you'll also be out on anything that requires fresh thinking. You can toss out the old entirely and step OUT of your box where everything is new. That sounds scary. The better choice might just be to get rid of your box. When you think about it, most of what makes today's progress so exciting is that almost everything you need to improve your life is built on your past. Staying IN your comfort zone while you expand to things OUT of your comfort zone is a winning solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Only Reason You Have a Job If you've been looking for a quick way to success - this will do it! I was watching Restaurant Impossible when Robert asked, "When did you last get paid? Why do you have a business?” His answer? No matter what you do, you're only doing it for money. Don't believe me? What would you do if you didn't have to work? I guarantee it would be different. Here are three kick-starting questions: 1) What exactly do you want from your business or your Job, and what should it provide you? When you know, you can set goals to achieve them. 2) What is the minimum necessary to achieve your goal? Keep it simple, and know when you succeed. 3) What is the fastest and easiest path to get it done? Hint? Focus your activity on the next step in front of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building Your Bridge to Your Purpose 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. Be patient. Wait until you are at least 70% ready to succeed before you cross to the other side. Success arrives when you move from a strong TODAY to a stronger TOMORROW. Don't leap too soon, but don't delay, either. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Easily Change Your Identity Have you allowed yourself to become the person you are on the inside? We all make decisions that change our life trajectory without much thought. That can lead to feelings of being lost on you your life path. Maybe it's time to create a new way of seeing yourself. Using a Transitional Identity is a great way to feel confident when you can't believe in your future. The trick is to focus on the smaller steps to your destination. That will allow you to move away from who you are, yet not jump to who you want to be in one big step. "I'm running a successful small business and laying the foundation for my empire. All I have to do is keep moving." "I'm a great student. Very soon, I will be a great teacher to others. All I have to do is keep moving." "I'm incredible at losing 1 pound at a time. Soon I'll hit my goal and weigh 100 pounds less. All I have to do is keep moving." Transitional Identities are temporary and ever-changing. They are helpful when destinations are hard to see before you take your first step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Purposeful Living Through Values An immense frustration for most folks is feeling like other people are getting in the way. That will stop the very instant you begin to live according to your Values as you work toward your Goals: Here's a simple recipe for enjoying every minute of the day: 1) Know, understand, and practice living your values. While it's difficult, you will feel happier and in control. 2) Be sure only to set Goals that allow you to practice your Values along the way. Doing otherwise is not being who you are. 3) Prepare for a shock wave from people who wonder why you won't do things their way. And get ready for the peace of mind you will begin to feel. Self-directing your life according to your innermost thoughts is the ultimate power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living Your Average Perfect Day How would you feel if every day, on average, was as you wanted? It's time to make your dreams come true and create your "Average Perfect Day." Here's how it works: 1) Find a quiet spot and write a detailed description of your perfect day. Let your fantasies flow onto paper until you've mapped out morning until night. 2) Focus on your daily experiences, not material goods. In other words, if you want a sports car, focus on how you feel in the driver's seat. 3) Fight the urge to judge. The goal is to slow down, tap into your core, and get excited about what's possible. There is one last rule that you must follow. There are no limitations and no consequences. Let yourself be free to dream. You are going to be surprised how many start coming true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Your Purpose Do you know your purpose in life? What a great feeling! But what if you know your purpose but can't get yourself to take action toward your goal? No, you're not procrastinating. It could be that you're just busy with minute-by-minute life. If you want to change, try this: 1) Slow down and get real. Running faster will only distract you from your purpose even further. Be brave and accept what you want. 2) Forget any limitations floating around in your mind. After all, they'll probably not be good ones anyway. Toss out fear of consequences for your actions too. 3) Accept where you are in your life today. Start there and move forward. Put one foot in front of the other, pointing toward your dreams. Stand up, take a step, and repeat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Build Connections With Desire Not a day passes by without someone asking, "How do I get another person to help me get what I want?" Persuading others is one of the keys to getting what you want - and here's the big secret; it's NOT about you! Most folks tell others what to do. That's rarely building a real connection. You'll get what you want faster by focusing on how you can tap into the desire of others and help them get what they want. A more practical solution is to show them what needs to be done to reach their desire. It gets more powerful. Why not offer to help them reach their goal? Could you do it for them? That's how you genuinely tap into desire. When you follow this approach, you will make friends prove your value and are much more likely to have your favor returned. Do good first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abraham’s Hierarchy of 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