Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

One Question Procrastination Elimination 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, two things could happen if you procrastinate - It may be possible that you are not procrastinating at all. Instead, you may be forcing yourself to do something 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. 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

Shake Up Your Life and Thrive Growth and change are what most people strive for in their life. It’s what drives you before you create your amazing life. It’s also what drives you to step up to the next level. In the last 17 years, I’ve produced the Daily Boost podcast, and I’ve spoken to thousands of people. All of them were in various stages of change, and most aimed to be happy. But, there is an issue that keeps popping up. As people live and enjoy the life they’ve built, the natural desire for more growth kicks in, and they find themselves driving harder—usually without thinking about it. It could be about passion, but most times, it’s about making more money. One day, I talked with a friend about living a good life and how hard people work to mess up a good thing. That’s when he asked a great question - ”When life is good, why would you do something else only to make more money?” It’s not to say that making more money is not very good. It’s just important to make sure that you focus on what is right in front of you and remain balanced and happy as you grow. The happiest people in the world already know that. Because a powerful force drives humans to grow at any cost, sometimes that costs them in ways they never see coming—good and bad. Enjoy what you have and grow to make things better. That’s a recipe for success, no matter how you see it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing Your Plans Slows You Down In the last few years, it has become increasingly popular for people to share 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. Independent's Day weekend has just passed, and when I arrived at my desk on Tuesday, 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 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. I'll do it, and they can catch up." My heart smiled as I witnessed three powerful tools that 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 are going to 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, and 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

Living Your ALL IN Life I want to become the person I am meant to be. That’s something that I hear daily in my life from people all over the world. Frankly, beyond living a joyful life, I can’t think of anything more important than growing to become who you know you are on the inside. Most people tend to work in different areas of their life. All will say that family and friends are the most important, but they tend to focus on their career and legacy - especially after the kids move out. But here is a problem… For many years, most people, including myself, tended to get lost in developing specific areas of their lives while others were on hold. While outwardly successful, they wouldn’t be on the phone with me if everything was going perfectly. It’s not, it’s hit or miss, and that is causing sleepless nights. A solution is an ALL-IN approach to living. Over time, I’ve developed the solid belief that whatever you deem as the ultimate best use of your life will only happen after you have evolved every area of your life - and do it every day. Focusing on your business and achieving success at the highest levels only happens when the other areas of your life are balanced. Raising your children to be the best can only happen when the other areas of your life balance. Developing your spiritual being will only happen at a deeply satisfying level when all other areas of your life are balanced. In other words, you will only achieve your personal best when your body, mind, relationships, and finances are working in synchronicity to support your journey: any other strategy is hit or miss. The goal is simple. Every day you should do something to develop, maintain, and grow every critical area of your life. It doesn’t have to be big, but it does have to happen. No, things won’t be perfect every day, but it’s incredible how all those imperfect days add up to a pretty good life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find Your Passion - Be Yourself A few years ago, I recognized that many folks are unaware of how to find their real passion. I often ask this question. "What do you do when you are doing YOU?" I usually hear crickets. Lots of crickets. Most folks spend their days figuring out their purpose and passion - when it's usually right in front of them. All you have to do is look at how you spend your time, and you'll see what you enjoy. Do you read, write, exercise, work, walk, talk, play, fight, laugh, watch television, quilt, garden, volunteer, socialize, or love doing something else? That's a clue. Pay attention to how you spend your time. It is serving you in some way. Could it be that you've already found your passions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living Your 9-Year Lifecycle My friend, Louis Gates, taught me about the 9-year life cycle a few years ago. It's an easy way to get what you want using the Law of Attraction. 9-year cycles begin the day you are born and repeat throughout your life. Happiness is as simple as paying attention to your cycle - and asking for what you want. In year 1, start asking for a new purpose in life. It will reveal itself in year 2. Your focus will tighten. Things start moving in year 3. You'll enjoy the changes happening in your life. You accelerate in the direction of your purpose in year 4. Years 5 and 6 are for evaluation. You decide to focus on only what is working in your life. Years 7 and 8 are about letting go. You begin to remove all clutter from your life. When 9 years roll around, your mind begins to ponder the next phase of your life. The process continues. Where are you in your cycle? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Activity Creates Activity Have you noticed? When you initiate action toward a goal - a million other distractions arrive. Etch this into your mind: Activity creates activity. No matter what you choose to take on, your energy will attract attention. You will discover everything you need to succeed. It will also attract everything needed to through you off track. That's okay. You can harness this power to get what you want. Don't get stuck in neutral. Shift gears and accelerate yourself into massive imperfect action mode. And remember this - Activity will always create more activity. Knowing your goals and focus will allow you to choose the best opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Evil of Good Enough How much is good enough? I received an email from an MTMer who changed careers to become a Surgical Assistant. He did it at an age most folks start thinking about retirement. Mike shared a useful saying he's heard many times in the operating room. He said," The evil of good enough is better." Once you've accomplished your goal, stop messing around and move on. The more you poke around, the better your chance of doing more harm than good. A simple concept. I like simple. Simple works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journey. Destination. Repeat. Life is a long and winding road. It has many ups and downs and a few surprises along the way. Here's what you can expect: 1) Follow your passion, and the money will arrive. It may take longer than you think. It may be less than you think. It doesn't matter. You'll be happy. 2) Nothing will happen until you move from daydreaming to daily action. 3) The road will be rough. Then it will smooth out. Then it will be wild again. 4) Whatever path you thought you would travel will change. 5) You will find speed limits. Sometimes you will move slowly. Sometimes fast. Pay attention to the signs that arrive in your life. 6) Frustration will be a constant companion. So will excitement. 7) You must be strong to stay focused on the big picture. 8) When you arrive, you will find yourself seeking another adventure. Success is a journey that brings out the best in you. Arriving at your destination will make you desire another journey. Stay busy, my friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership Skills From Leaders There is nothing new in life. To be a great leader, learn from those who know how to lead. Do what they do. "Good leaders take a little more than their share of the blame, a little less than their share of the credit." - Arnold H. Glasgow "Lead from behind and put others in front, especially when celebrating. Take the front line when there is danger. People will appreciate your leadership." - Nelson Mandela "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." - Martin Luther King, Jr. "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want to be done because they want to do it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower "A person who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd." - Max Lucado "Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." - Steve Jobs Have a great weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding the 4 Kinds of Clarity Understanding what you want in life is the foundation of all success. There are 4 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. Always keep your eye on the prize. I like simple. Simple works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Habits That Will Transform Your Day Daily success is a habit. When you figure out what works and do it every day, the success you deserve is around the corner. 1) Daily Top 3: We all have tons to do. Make sure at least 3 items are Goal and Dream oriented - not to-dos. 2) Triage Your List: Because you put it on the list last week doesn’t mean it still needs to be done. Be brutal. 3) Block Your Time: What gets scheduled gets done. 4) Allow Unschedule Time: Leave space on your calendar for unexpected items. Never schedule more than 50% of your time. 5) Personal Development: Take the time to work on your body, mind, and spirit. You will make your World, and THE World, a better place. It’s simple. Success arrives when you determine what actions get the desired results and do them daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Power of Simple With Adequate Information Is your head constantly spinning with information overload? It’s easy to do in today’s busy world. It can also be paralyzing and dream-stopping. Instead of soaking in every piece of information and confusing yourself, the secret is - 1) Know your outcome. Knowing where you are heading makes it easier to see which road to travel. 2) Commit to tossing out 80% of the noise and clutter that currently fills your day. 3) Choose to act only on information that you deem adequate. In other words, you don’t need to know everything before you start. Focus on Adequate, reasonable, practical, and adequate, detailed information. All that counts is moving closer to your Goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to be Endlessly Creative Over the years, I have personally produced over 10,000 podcasts, and every one of them begins with the written word. Even though that makes my mouth and my fingers my most exercised body parts, it has also given me lots of opportunities to learn to keep my words flowing. If you're like most people, you have found yourself sitting in front of a blank screen, praying for inspiration. It could be writer's block, procrastination, or maybe you stayed up late watching Netflix. In any case, there's a simple solution to always having a starting point. Any project I need to wrap my head around begins by capturing the ideas that flow into my mind throughout the day. Even turning the radio off on a 20-minute drive can provide a treasure-trove of useable nuggets. Next, I tuck those ideas away in a safe place, with no organizing, editing, or re-writing. I grab the thoughts out of the air, jot a note or record a memo, put them away, and let them simmer. When I'm ready to get to work, I take 15 minutes the day before to review my creative genius list, toss out what is not relevant, create a simple outline, and walk away knowing I am ready to begin. The next day, I can't wait to sit in front of a blank screen and let the magic start flowing from my figure tips with complete ease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Permission Needed For Happiness You do not need permission to live life according to your terms. It’s okay to ask for advice and guidance. Researching your direction and path is smart. It’s even okay to persuade others to take the journey with you. You don’t need permission to be yourself and live your life. You don’t need a big storyline. You don’t need approval from anyone else. You can start whenever you choose. Here’s a secret that will help you adjust your mindset. Most folks don’t care about you. They’re too busy thinking about themselves. If that’s the case, it sure seems silly to ask for permission - right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MAPPING Your Success Have you ever heard people preach, "Get out of your comfort zone, try new things, always stretch!" While true, it's only part of the story. Look at anybody who has achieved goals and maintained success over a period, and you'll find: 1) Motivation. Successful people do whatever they can to get and stay motivated. It's not an occasional thing. It's an always thing. 2) Accountability. Successful people accept responsibility and ask others to hold them to their plan. 3) Planning. Successful people understand that no plan survives the first battle. They plan, work their plan, and adjust their plan until they get what they want. 4) Systemization. Successful people believe success is sequential and built level-by-level. Once achieved, it is systemized and maintained. 5) Sustainability. Successful people know that everything has an expiration date. Continuous monitoring and adjustments allow for long-term success. I call this system MAPSS. It's all you need to get anything you want in life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Productivity Hacks I think it’s time we stop seeking more productivity. It’s too much work! I prefer being more efficient and effective. Here are a couple of ideas that will help: 1) Say “No” to meetings if possible. If you must, keep them short and sweet. 2) Delay paying attention to incoming communication. It’s nothing more than somebody else’s to-do list. Do your stuff first. 3) Daily interruptions will never go away. You may as well expect and plan for them. 4) Never schedule more than 50% of your day. That will give you more time for things that pop up. 5) No more multi-tasking. Finish one task before the next. The fastest way to be more productive is to make your To-Do list as short as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time to go ALL IN Have you ever wondered how the most successful people in the world get that way? Could it be their timing is right? Do they "know" somebody? Luck? That's it. They get lucky! Maybe, but I think there is more to it. Every person I've ever known who achieved remarkable success did three things: 1) They recognized what they wanted and envisioned themselves living that life. 2) At some point, they commit and go all in. Their dream IS going to happen. There is no "Plan B." 3) No matter what gets in the way, they practice never-ending flexibility and perseverance. They keep going until they get what they want. Yes, it seems that you must pay a price for living the life of your dreams - and it's not money. It's YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Improving Your Financial Situation When it comes to improving their lives, most people say money is their top concern. Tony Robbins said, “Making money won’t solve all of your problems - but at least you will arrive at your problems in style.” The truth is, 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 who is giving some of their money to you. 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 never lose 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

How To Figure Out Your Purpose Over the years, the most popular question I get from the MOVERS around here is - “How do I find my purpose and face my passion?” If I were to expand on that question, it would be - “What can I do today to find my purpose and overcome the fear of living my passion?” In other words, it’s one thing to find it; it’s another thing to get yourself to do it. Today we’ll focus on finding it. In my quest to live passionately, I always follow a 5-step process for discovering and facing your passion. It has never failed me. 1) Explore the possibilities that are available to you. The more, the better. Many things will interest you, and you should be willing to allow them into your life. 2) Pay attention to what gets and keep your attention. Don’t fight the feeling. Just follow the urge to explore. 3) Deep dive into the things shoving themselves into your life and immersing yourself. 4) When you find yourself fascinated and nearly obsessed, even if it makes no sense, you are heading a new path. Don’t be surprised if it is nothing you’ve ever considered before. The formula is simple: Exploration + Fascination = Facing Your Passion While there can be several strategic steps within the steps above, the more significant challenge is to allow yourself to follow what you find. Once you find it, be sure you live it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Do You Feel Sessions How much better would your day be if you knew what surprises lurked around the corner? While you can’t predict everything, you can prepare for most things using “How Do I Feel Strategy Sessions.” Here’s how it works: 1) Once a month, take a few minutes and review what’s going on in your life. Your job. Your vacations. Your relationships. Your goal is to recognize what is likely to require your attention. 2) As you form your list, consider every possible scenario and expected outcome. Imagine what may happen and craft a plan for handling it in your favor. 3) When the situation arrives, remember how you decided to handle it and stay in control. Using a pre-planned response is a great way never to be surprised again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interpret Your Calling Is the Universe whispering and nudging you to move in a specific direction? Before I go on, I must admit that I am certainly not an expert in the Universe or it works in our life. The magic of gravity is enough to blow my mind, and the only Secret I know is that you are the only one in charge of getting what you want in your life. But what if you know that Universe is speaking to you? Calling you, compelling you to get off the sofa and do what you say you want to do? But you still won’t do it? Many years ago, I was in the habit of listening to those voices whispering inside my head and following whatever I thought they said for me to do. Eventually, after many false starts, I realized the messages were not black or white. There didn’t seem to be any particular order, and they were almost always out of context with my life. In other words, mindlessly following my feelings often ended with me not getting what I wanted, and whatever I wanted to get away from became more assertive in my life. One night at about 3 AM, a thought popped into my head— “Maybe I’m not supposed to do what I’m hearing? Maybe I’m stuck in my thinking, and the Universe is giving me more of what I’m focused on. You get what you focus on. That’s a basic rule of life. It made sense to me that whatever I was focused on would linger in my brain until I questioned it from a different angle - whether I wanted to your not. That’s when I started flipping the script and created my 180 Degree Rule. Now, when a thought pops into my head and convinces me of the direction I’m supposed to run with all my enthusiasm, I pause and ask— “What if it really means I’m supposed to move away instead of forward?” With that new way of thinking, everything changed. It didn’t get easier, and sometimes took time to choose a path. Still, questioning the context of the Universal wisdom as it applied to my current life and experience allowed me to avoid dead ends and frustration. And another thing happened… My life became more balanced and calm by going into “trust but verify” mode. Instead of chasing dreams of what might be a reality, I focused on adjusting my reality to be more like the vision I held in my heart. When the Universe speaks to you, it doesn’t always include context and directions. Take a minute to decide if you’re supposed to move toward or away, and clarity will emerge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Reinvent Yourself EVEN Without a 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

Be the Leader that Sets the Pace for Success Is your hair on fire for success? There's a phrase that sums up what it takes to get whatever you're seeking. "The faster the speed of the leader, the faster the pack's speed." It's a simple truth; success likes speed. It's very sexy and beautiful to others. Knowing your goals and taking massive imperfect action always speed up success. Why? People get caught up in the belief their leaders cast. When you crank up your energy and urgency, others feel your passion and support your mission. Whatever your dreams, it is time for you to fire up your inner supercharger and get ready for the ride of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transform Your Relationships with 4 Essential Steps Every day we navigate the world - which usually involves other people depending on how you process relationships, which can be good or bad. The quality of life is dependent on the quality of relationships. It makes sense that we follow 4 steps to making them great: 1) Curiosity - Everybody is curious about the people they meet. If you want to meet great people, be engaging. The more curious they are about you, the better. 2) Enlightenment - Once curiosity peaks, interest will be to grow. People want to know more about you. 3) Commitment - With more knowledge, connections deepen. 4) Action - Once you reach commitment, people become open and willing to join your world. Whether personal or business, all relationships evolve on the same path. Allow time for things to unfold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking Your Inner Child With The Power of Anticipation I love how kids live in the moment while also getting excited about the next fun thing coming. Maybe it’s time we all begin acting like kids again. Since you were young, special events made you so excited that sheer anticipation would drive you all day and keep you up at night. The trick to harness the power of anticipation is to keep a steady stream of exciting moments in your future. I call this my Anticipation Engine. Keep these two things to keep in mind: 1) Your energy is dependent on getting excited about your future. Keep your list long - but not too busy. 2) Once an event passes, your excitement will fade. Enjoy the moment. Don’t rush ahead, but make sure you have something fun coming next. Living a life of anticipation gives a natural energy boost. If your life is monotonous - schedule something fun and get excited again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Daily Rules for a Happier You Every day we all jump into the craziness of life without much thought to the basic rules we use to run our day. Here are a few of mine. You can borrow them if you would like: 1) Do what makes your heart sing. You'll always feel better when you are dancing down your path. 2) Believe anything is possible. As soon as you believe - everything IS possible. 3) Be nice to others. Expect them to do the same. No further explanation is required. 4) Believe in people and encourage their dreams. When you do, they'll return the favor. 5) Do the right thing. If you mess up, say you're sorry, try again. 6) Meet people where they are in their life and walk with them to where you both want to go. 7) Do what you say you will do. It's always better to under-promise and over-deliver. 8) Make lemonade out of lemons. Everything is fixable if you have the right mindset. 9) Keep things simple. Yup. 10) Relax. Life is short. Double yup. Focusing on life's big picture makes it easier to enjoy your daily experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Escaping Life's Holding Pattern and Breaking Free When I learned to fly little airplanes, my training took me into Holding Patterns. Holding Patterns slow aircraft traffic and keep things safe. When a pilot is told to enter a Hold, that’s where they stay—flying in circles until Air Traffic Control releases them. That sure sounds a lot like regular life these days. I remember flying a Holding Pattern with my instructor. We were there longer than usual, so I asked, what is taking so long? He said, “Why don’t you call them up and tell them you need to get moving?” A few minutes later, I called ATC on the radio and instantly was cleared to head toward my destination - with an apology for the delay. I’ve never forgotten the lesson. Even in with everything that has happened over the last few years, there’s no reason to be stuck in a Holding Pattern. When you decide it’s time to get moving, magical things happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the Power of a Personal Constitution I was on the phone with a client when she mentioned she uses a personal constitution to guide her life. She wrote the document 25 years ago and has never changed it. She’s not very happy either. Yes, by definition, a Constitution never changes. But that didn’t stop me from asking if she had ever considered amending her Constitution. Let me be clear - Your most important beliefs and core values should not change easily or quickly. Yet, as you grow wiser, you should be willing to make adjustments based on your past experiences. Over time, everybody updates their core belief system. It’s best to make it a conscious rather than an unconscious decision. Is it time for the old dog to learn new tricks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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