Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Have you ever had a crazy day that has you putting out fires and wondering when it will be time to go home? And, did I mention, you were doing what you love and want to be doing - successfully? Why is it that life gets crazier when things go well? There’s a simple answer. No matter what you do, when enough people begin paying attention to you, your life will change. Some folks will love you. Some will hate you. Others won’t have an opinion but will say something anyway. Many will be jealous. Lots will be proud. It doesn’t matter what you do. You will know when you have succeeded when the lovers and the haters all come out to play at the same time. Focus on the lovers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you live in a cave, effective communication is something you need to master to get what you want in life. Have you ever been in a conversation and felt you were not being heard? It's time to step around to their side of the table and see things from their point of view. Everybody has a different way of hearing and processing conversation. If you consider altering your style to match how THEY communicate, you will arrive on the same page. Some people consider this to be giving up control. It's not. When others can understand what you are saying, you gain control. It's no different from traveling to a foreign country and speaking their language. You don't need to change the content of your message. You only need to adjust how you deliver your message to be effective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 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

My wife and I were having dinner this weekend. She finally asked, “Are you going to tell me about what you’re doing for the summer? I want to help.” I said, “I won’t need your help. I need your support.” She had a puzzled look. I don’t blame her. But, I am locked in on my goal - and that needs two things: 1) The ability to filter out what doesn’t matter and prioritize what does. 2) Accept 100% responsibility for reaching the goal. As they say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Anything less will remove you from control. If you miss either one, you’ll find many well-meaning people offering help. The problem? The suggestions they make will be different from how you imagined your journey. As soon as that happens, you have pulled off your path. You need support. If you are setting off on a life-transforming goal, it’s okay to accept the support of others. Remember, your most important supporter is YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

What if every day was perfect for the rest of your life? If you build it, they will come! Your subconscious mind is a beautiful thing. You can engage its power to create your Average Perfect Day. Here’s how: 1) Write down a clear, event-by-event vision of your perfect day. Yes, it’s a bit of a fantasy - for now. 2) There are no rules. No limitations. No consequences. Don’t be shy. Be honest about what you want. 3) Believe it can be yours. You deserve it. You must believe it is possible. If you follow these steps, your subconscious mind seeks ways to make your dreams come true. All it needs is a partner willing to take action. Do that, and you’ll create an extraordinary life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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 in life - and here's a big secret; it's NOT about you! You'll get what you want faster by focusing on how you can help others solve their problem - and "Ladder of Desire." This is how it works: 1) Most folks lecture others. That's a low level of communication and rarely builds a real connection. 2) A more practical solution is showing others how and explaining how to solve their problem. 3) The most powerful is to offer to take care of their dilemma for them. That is the top rung of the 'Ladder of Desire.' Everybody wants their problems to disappear. Make that happen, and you'll be a Hero! When you follow this approach, you make friends, prove your value, and are more likely to have your favor returned. Do good first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I feel the need to pass along a way to achieve your goals faster than you thought possible. If you are ready for success to arrive, here are three simple rules to help you realize your dreams: 1) Play to your strength. Do what is comfortable for you. 2) Only commit to activities that will lead you to your goal. 3) Never let a day pass without reminding yourself of your strengths. Consciously direct your focus. You can reach your goals faster when you avoid the distractions that are stranding everybody else in place. Focus. Do. Focus again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Personal growth is a journey. It can be a lot of work. It’s also more fun to follow the rules of ‘Natural Law.’ 1) The Law of Vibration states that thoughts are things. They are one of the most potent forms of energy. Pay attention to your thoughts. What you think about, you bring about. 2) According to the Law of Polarity, nothing exists without an opposite. Love. Hate. Hot. Cold. Yin. Yang. Opposites are different forms of the same thing. Embrace them. 3) The Law of Rhythm states life is a pendulum. What swings left must swing right. 4) Every effect must have a cause; every cause must have an effect. That’s the Law of Cause and Effect. Everything in life is perpetual and never-ending. You can speed your success by understanding how these always present forces are at work in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

Before I begin, I want to define what I mean by doing nothing. I don’t see doing ‘nothing’ as something unproductive. Instead, I see ‘nothing’ as a protected personal space that lies between your thoughts and your actions. It is a place that provides a contemplation and planning opportunity before launching into massive and focused action design to reach your outcome and achievement of your goal. It is a holding space where inspiration, desperation, motivation, even intimidation, bubble up into your consciousness and await your next action. Instead of moving your thoughts immediately into action mode or never moving at all, both of which cause unnecessary drama, you purposefully quarantine your thoughts until you are assured in your success plan or decide to take a new direction. Doing nothing looks like this: 1) All thoughts and potential actions arrive in your mind and are held for evaluation. 2) Unless based on a previous decision and cleared for instant action, you always take the time to ensure that your actions will lead you to your vision. 3) If you don’t know the absolute end-game of your journey, you are still on another path. Don’t take a step until you know where you are one your new path. In the end, doing nothing is a place in your mind where you choose your path, direct your actions, and create your legacy. It is a place of personal respect that is built into you and will allow you to have the most significant impact on yourself and the world around you. I don’t know about you, but I get a lot of good thinking time when I’m doing nothing. That time is priceless. If doing something takes you off track, you might be better off doing nothing - at least for a little while. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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. Simple. I like simple Simple works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

As a child, I wondered why I couldn't always have my way. Mom and Dad were so mean! I couldn't wait to grow up, move out, and experience being an adult. Everything would be different - or so I thought. After stepping into the adult world, it didn't take long to realize that not much had changed. It turns out it wasn't my parents. It was life turning down my requests. Life was getting in the way. What was even worse was that I was getting in my way. I've joked over the years that if I'm the Boss of me, so why don't I do what I say? Eventually, I realized having a big ass goal, being on a mission, and most importantly, motivation on demand was the solution. Motivation is a powerful, if not fleeting, tool that we all need. But we need to understand one of the simplest ways our minds generate motivation: 1) Your physiology dictates your feelings. The easiest way to break free of a slump is to stand up, take a step, and REPEAT. Movement wakes your body up, guides your emotions, and makes anything feel possible. 2) Focus fuels your fire. If you're feeling unmotivated, you are also drifting in the wind with no direction. Shifting your thoughts in a positive direction and toward what excites you will break you out and get you moving. 3) The words you say create the emotions you feel. Negative self-talk will drag you, and everybody else, down. When you make the words, you say to yourself, internally and externally, positive and uplifting, everything changes. Words matter more than you think. You're human. Your brain isn't wired to stay motivated all the time unless you are willing to give it a helping hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

The success and happiness that you have in your life is a direct result of something your Mom was always asking - Who are your friends? If they are positive, you will be positive. Are they negative? You will be negative. If they have money, you will have money. Are they broke? You get my point. Your life will become exactly like the people that are closest to you. Choose wisely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle? I was speaking with a client who was trying to be everything to everybody. His business was not growing. His life was not happy. He couldn’t seem to find a way to make progress. That’s when I said… “My friend, you are stuck in the middle. Nothing good happens when you are in the middle.” In business and life, it’s okay to have low expectations and surround by like-minded folks. It’s also okay to reach for your dreams, have high expectations, and expect that of others. What happens if you’re in the middle? When low and high expectations combine, confusion is the result. Mediocrity overtakes quality. Frustration will be your daily friend. The choice is yours. If I were you, I would make the decision never to get stuck in the middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting Goals is the most powerful method of getting what you want. It is the power of mind activation. Here’s how: 1) Decide what you want and when you want to get it. 2) Decide when you will start and when you will finish. 3) Decide how you will begin and maintain your momentum. Then you must get to work. Limit anything and anybody that has a distracting influence on you. You must get to work. Commit to overcoming any obstacle that gets in your way. You must get to work. The path is long. Start like a sprinter and end like a marathon runner. You must get to work. The only thing stopping you from getting what you want is not you. It is everything that you allow to get in your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Not Possible. Tomorrow Possible. American Taekwondo Grand Master H.U. Lee gave volumes of advice during his life of service. In my view, his best was also his shortest: “Today Not Possible. Tomorrow Possible.” Today is a new day. Yesterday prepared you for today. If today doesn’t go as planned - you always have tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever have difficulty making decisions? In the next 60 seconds, you can harness the most potent and easy-to-use decision-making tool I have ever found. Forget the old "Pro and Con" list your Mom and Dad taught you. It's time for a new approach. The next time you find yourself challenged, use Quantum Linguistics. Ask yourself these 4 simple questions to solve your problem: What would happen if I DID? What would happen if I DIDN'T? What wouldn't happen if I DID? What wouldn't happen if I DIDN'T? Unusual clarity is around the corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your best life is built sequentially, one level at a time. Forget the elevator; climb all the stairs to the top, and 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 loving and belonging. 4) Esteem and the desire for acceptance, respect, and value by others is your next step. Maslow said, “What a man can be, he must be.” Self-actualization requires mastery of your previous needs. 5) Self-transcendence removes you from 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

Wouldn’t it be great to start your week with a positive attitude and be in total control? I’m a guy who likes little airplanes. I’ll never forget the first time my instructor commanded me to blow off a great landing. He wanted me to GO AROUND and try again. Over the years, I’ve learned that the same thing happens in life. In day-to-day life, you can bet that somebody or something will mess up with your plans. Pilots handle it this way: 1) Hit the gas and apply full power to the engine. 2) Pull the nose of the aircraft up and climb. 3) Adjust settings until you have positive control and try again. When something gets in your way today, MOVE into action. Pull your chin up and establish a positive attitude. Try again until you get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a truth in life; nothing happens until something happens. Life happens when you take massive imperfect action and move closer to your goal. But how do you begin when your to-do list is a mile long? There's a simple equation: Start + Next = Results. Once you get moving, the trick is to focus on the to-do item that is the best use of your time. The one that will move you closer to your goal right now. After completing that task, move to the next and now the most critical item on your list. Make sure the activity moves you closer to your goal. Otherwise, you are burning daylight and missing out on the life of your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have too many choices in your life? In 2005, Barry Schwartz wrote The Paradox of Choice. It challenged the traditional thinking that the way to maximum freedom is to maximize choice. Too many choices are not necessarily a good thing. They can create paralysis. No matter what you choose, you'll always wonder if you could have done better. Here's my advice to you: 1) Limit 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 things simple. Too many choices are part of modern life. If you can't decide, shorten your list of what is essential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Are you striving for something different but don’t know where to begin? I have a client who is 100 pounds overweight and decided to get healthy. She had no idea how. My advice was simple. If your mind is telling you something you are doing is NOT who you are - it’s time to make an easy change: If you know lousy food is NOT who you are - give it up. If your lack of exercise is NOT who are you - give it up. If lack of focus is NOT who you are - give it up. Give up anything that is NOT who you feel you are on the inside. You’ll like what remains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many have said, "Life is a marathon, not a sprint." But what happens when you find yourself doing both at the same time? If you've been living on this planet for any time, you've figured out life is a long game made of day-to-day sprints. If you want a big bank balance, you make small deposits over time. If you want to lose weight, you make small reductions over time. If you want to get a promotion at your job, you do well every day. The challenge happens when you have not defined the marathon you are running. A lack of a specific goal can only lead to daily activity that may or may not get you to your destination. If that happens to you, you may feel worn out, frustrated, and wondering when things will turn around. There's good news. That kind of thinking means that you are on the right track to success. Certain stamina is required to reach any goal. And society today celebrates your ability to put in the hard work no matter what. There's only one problem. If it's not working for you, it's not sustainable behavior. Sooner or later, you will decide to make a change - usually abruptly. Here's the truth; you will change when you wear yourself out. Reluctant, fearful, or hard-headed, you will only put up with a less than satisfying path in life for only so long. Eventually, when you wear yourself out. When you've had enough, even if the timing is not perfect, you will change when you wear yourself out. You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it. So, what's the fix? The marathon we call life will continue until it doesn't, and there are three things you can do to make it better. The first is to define your destination with clarity. Next, match your daily activity with your goals. Finally, accept that if things don't go your way, you will change directions anyway. You will change when you wear yourself out. You may well skip the bad stuff, make an adjustment, and get to the good stuff right now. There's no need to wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Do you have a roadmap for who you are and how you operate in the world? If not, you need a ‘Who Am I’ document. Who Am I is not a mission statement. Who Am I is not a list of affirmations. Who Am I is not a value statement Who Am I is a personal cheat sheet that reminds you who you are and why you do what you do. How do you see yourself? How do others see you? How do you act in situations? When life gets in the way, you can always turn to your pre-determined ‘Who Am I,’ and you’ll always know how to respond. Remember - Inconsistency in behavior will whittle away at your soul. Consistency will make you stronger, less stressed, and happier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a plan to help you get what you want? What you need is M.A.P.S. - a system that gets thinking out of the way and focuses on actions in four areas: Motivation: Everything begins with motivation and knowing ‘WHY’ you set your goals. Stay motivated. Accountability: Being accountable and accepting responsibility for your results will empower your success. ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me’ is a great way to get started. Planning: Plan your work and work you plan. It’s simple. If you can’t plan it, you won’t be able to do it. Systemization: The first steps of any worthy goal are difficult. As you get more comfortable with your process, lock in the actions and repeat them until you get what you want. Sustainability: Everything takes longer than you think. Make sure you set yourself up for the long haul. Momentum is built by stacking your accomplishments sequentially. The freedom you desire rests on a stable and repeatable foundation of Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has anybody ever said to you, "it's good to be a quitter?" Probably Not. But it turns out to be very good advice. 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 leave when your progress has stopped and you are going around in circles. That's when things get interesting. Once you are committed to an important idea, it can be challenging to allow yourself to quit. Are you stuck in a lousy job, terrible relationship, or destructive behavior? Your internal sense of "Identity" is always going to compel you to hold to the very end. That may not be wise. Listen closely when your inner voice begins to sound a warning. There's no need to wait for the inevitable. Trust your gut and change your direction fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 projects simultaneously only delays the completion of all the projects. 2) When you complete a project, not only is it off your plate, it begins producing your expecting results sooner. It also frees up time to work on your next project. The next time that you are trying to find more time, ask - “What can I finish right now that will give me more time tomorrow - and every day after that?” You will love how you have so much more time in your day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you like to be happy every day of the week? Maybe it's time to start thinking like a happy person? There's no magic to being happy, and rose-colored glasses are not required. Just start looking at your day-to-day life the way a happy person does. Give this a try: 1) Accept that being alive means you will run into occasional challenges. 2) Realize that dealing with challenges is a privilege of being alive. 3) Welcome frustration. It only means adjustments are required. Figure what to change and make it happen. 4) Accept responsibility for solving your challenges and fix them as soon as possible. Don't delay the inevitable. 5) Dealing with everything that life throws at you is easier when you get a great night's sleep. Have another great day tomorrow. You can borrow my daily recipe if you would like— Wake up, refreshed. Have a great day. Sleep like a baby. Repeat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you wish you could find a mentor to help you along the way? Every mentor I’ve ever had has made sure that I possessed three characteristics for success before they agreed to work with me. Would you pass their test? 1) Do you have a burning desire to achieve your goals? 2) Are you a coachable person and prepared to accept the wisdom and guidance of others? 3) Do you have the willingness to undertake all actions to achieve your success? If the shoe were on the other foot, you would want those traits in someone that was asking for your help - right? Walk your talk. Talk your walk. That’s a great life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 be happening if you procrastinate - It may be possible that you are not procrastinating at all? Instead, you may be forcing yourself to do something that you don't need to do anyway. The other possibility is that it simply doesn't mean enough to you to start the process. Or, said another way, other things mean more to you. 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

I woke up this morning with an incredible zest to expand my feeling of gratefulness. Well, there is not so much to expand as to recognize all the things that I am grateful for but haven’t thought about lately. That’s the thing about living in a fast-paced world where our daily activities, big and small, fly by and are quickly forgotten. It’s always been that way. There is nothing new in the world. That got me thinking about one of my favorite quotes — “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault As a no regrets kind of guy, I admit to sometimes not living in gratitude. Thankfully, the wisdom of others is always making sure I remember what is important— Here are a few of my favorites. “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.”—Frank A. Clark “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” —Eckhart Tolle “Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.” —Estonian Proverb “Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: It must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.”—William Faulkner “Enough is a feast.”—Buddhist Proverb “When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.”—Anthony Robbins “When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”—Vietnamese Proverb “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”—William Arthur Ward “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all the other virtues.”—Cicero “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”—Robert Brault Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creating a difference in your life is a non-stop process that requires simple actions to help you get what you want. And it is, after all, about getting what you want and keeping what you love. You’ll always go through these steps: 1) Decide. Everything begins with your decision to head off in a new direction. While sometimes you may feel like you’ve made a decision, if you’re not moving, you haven’t. 2) Define. Aimless wandering is fun when that’s what you’ve decided to do. Otherwise, it’s frustrating, exhausting, and takes place more than you think. When you define your path, you get to walk your path. 3) Deploy. As dull as the advice may be, putting your plan into action is the only way for you to get what you want. If you don’t deploy, you don’t get it. 4) Defend. After working so hard to get what you want, you can guarantee that something or somebody will try to take away your results. That’s not good or bad. That’s life. When you find what you love, be sure to defend it so you never lose it. Simple. I like simple. Simple works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your 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

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

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 always be passionately living, I always turn to 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 that are shoving themselves into your life and immersing yourself. 4) When you find yourself fascinated and nearly obsessed, even if it makes no sense at all, 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