Daily Boost Motivation and Coaching

Non-Optional Time Suckers It happens to all of us. We're going about our day, hot on the trail of checking off items on our never-ending To-Do list. Then, we discovered that we didn't get everything done before time ran out.  When my son was entering the workforce, we would often find time to catch up on weekends. He was trying to navigate the business world while balancing his life. He had a fast-paced job and had become a productivity ninja. He was proud of his color-coded To-Do list and calendar, but he had a problem - "Dad, no matter how organized I am, I still can't get everything done. I'm writing everything down, and I'm working through it, and I still run out of time. What am I not doing right?" My first thought was how happy I was that he had the clarity of mind to look beyond the obvious solution. Then, I had a few questions - You say you have accounted for everything. How much time did you allocate for eating lunch or running down to the coffee shop today? How many times did you visit the restroom, and how long did it take? On your commute, how much time did you spend at the traffic lights? I stopped. "What does that have to do with my getting my work done?" he asked. Nothing, but you still have to get that stuff done. And thanks for making my point. What my son had discovered is what I call "Non-Ops" — the non-optional things of life.  Non-Ops are a never-ending string of activities that require our attention. They never go away and sneak up without you knowing. If you don't account for the Non-Ops of life, you'll never get to the optionals of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Set Expectations and Get Results I can’t remember a time in my life when expectations didn’t significantly impact every minute and hour of every day of my life. No matter who you are, you have a million expectations inside your mind — and don’t get me started about expectations that others have for you.  Years ago, I developed an awareness of how expectations control our lives and settled on an engineering model to guide me along my path. The model is called the Feed-Forward/Feedback Model. The first step in the FFFM model is to become aware of everything happening in your life.  Next, set an expectation for any event, goal, relationship, or life situation that you have in your life. Once set, your only job is to observe whether you are getting what you desire. If not, and there is always an if not, notice the discrepancy and update your expectation based on real-life results.  Continue observing your result and making adjustments until you get the expected result. It looks like this: expectation, observation, discrepancy detection, change in exception, expectation. Life is not rocket science. It’s engineering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Words That Will Change Your Life: Slow Down While recovering from Total Hip Replacement, I engaged with a client on a Zoom call. He shared one of his favorite sayings, “Slow is fast, fast is slow,” which made me angry. Why? First Responders practice “Slow is fast, fast is slow” all the time, so you never see them running to the scene. Pacing themselves is simply safer, more effective, and faster. A more real-life example of why it’s a good idea to experience a risk-taking, lane-shifting driver passing you five times only to end up sitting next to you at the stop light—or worse. The reason I was angry was because I had not yet listened to the advice I give high-performance and driven individuals every day of my life — “SLOW DOWN! Step off the hamster wheel of life, wait for the wheel to stop spinning, and only then, begin your journey to whatever you want.” What I realized in my recovery from THR was my pre-surgery hamster wheel was still spinning on pure adrenaline, even though my medications and mobility had forced me to a stop a few days earlier. Once I recognized what was happening, I breathed and began my slow journey back to myself. If you struggle to implement a plan, I can promise you that you are pushing too fast, and until you force yourself to STOP - everything will keep spinning out of control.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Total Control: Pre-Planned Responses Imagine if you could always know what to say in any situation.  Having the right thing to say is possible. The trick is to think about all the possible ways a conversation may go and create a Pre-Planned Response. The secret is to work it from every angle until you have covered everything possible. Leave no stone unturned. So, what happens when the conversation arrives? 1) You will be calm and collected. 2) You will not be surprised. 3) You will have the right thing to say. What happens if you are surprised?  It's impossible to predict what everyone will say. But you can focus on the unexpected because you have everything else covered. 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 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, and adjust 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 Efficiency 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) Only schedule up to 50% of your day. This will give you more time for unexpected events. 5) No more multi-tasking. Finish one task before the next.  The fastest way to be more productive is to make your ‘Did I Do It’ list as short as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To KNOW You Are a Success Have you ever had a crazy day that involved putting out fires and wondering when it would 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, your life will change when enough people begin paying attention to you. 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 lovers and haters come out to play simultaneously. Focus on the lovers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Driving Yourself Crazy  Whatever you desire in your life, everything starts as a thought. It will demand your attention. You have three options: 1) Deny it and keep moving. 2) Do it - put it into action. 3) Delay it and drive yourself crazy. Deny it. Do with it. Delay it. The quality of your life will be a result of your choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Don’t Need Plan B 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) They practice never-ending flexibility and perseverance regardless of what gets in the way.  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

There is Always a Way When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked?   I used to be that way. Something changed. I learned long ago that getting blocked would be an everyday occurrence. And, the bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could live with endless frustrations - or find a better way. It came down to this: 1) Blocks have nothing to do with who I am. They could be self-inflicted or caused by others, but they still have nothing to do with me.  2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it. Always… always… always. You may not like the path, your ego may get in the way, or it may scare you, but there is always a way. The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living Your Default Mode Would you like to make life easier for yourself and everybody around you? It’s time to establish a “Personal Default Mode.” Success in all areas of life smooths out when you know what to expect of yourself. It gets better when others know what to expect of you. A “Personal Default Mode” is a consistent way of acting in different areas of your life. For example: 1) How do you respond to stress? 2) What happens when you don’t get what you want? 3) Is there a behavior you expect from others? Do they know it? Most things run on autopilot when you understand how you handle day-to-day situations.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Never Triggered Again Have you ever caught yourself doing or saying something you swore you would never do?   You are TRIGGERED! It can be frustrating when you set and don't follow the rules. Sometimes, you put your foot in your mouth. Sometimes, you put the pizza in your mouth. In any case, your emotional habits usually trigger your actions before you can do anything about them. Controlling behaviors that have been on auto-pilot for years takes: 1) Catch yourself after the fact. Notice your mistake and find it sooner next time. 2) Catch yourself being triggered. You’re getting better. 3) Catch yourself before you act and stop it. GOAL! Don’t let Emotional Triggers throw you off track from your goals. Pay attention to your behaviors and make minor adjustments until you get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are You The Monkey in The Middle? Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle? I was speaking with a client 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, having low expectations and being surrounded by like-minded folks is okay.  It’s also okay to reach for your dreams, has 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

5 Words To Succeed at Anything When I was a baby DJ in broadcast school, I spent a lot of time learning the rules of journalism. While that subject fills books, almost everything we needed to know was - Who? What? When? Where? Why? If you know that information, you can tell a complete story. Years later, I re-arranged the formula for personal growth. Every time I set goals and consider a different direction, I ask - What? Why? When? Where? Who?  Occasionally I need to ask HOW I will accomplish my goal - but that usually takes care of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let Your Greatness Shine  Whether in business, having a job, going to school, or living your life, your ability to present well will supercharge your success. Here are five tips I use every day: 1) Understand that most folk only expect you to wow them. They are not expecting bad. You shouldn't either. 2) Join the conversation THEY already have inside their head, not the one YOU are having. 3) You'll move faster if you drop the small talk and dig into the meat of your communication. You can fill in additional information later. 4) The sooner you get people to suspend disbelief and engage with you, the sooner you will succeed. 5) Stop overkill. Find the first best place to take your exit and bring your meeting to an end. You're going to be amazed at how well this works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Focusing on YOUR Important As a child, I remember heading out the door for a day in an endless adventure. It usually concluded with a game of Hide-And-Seek.   Those days seemed to last forever. These days, most of us are still running until the sun goes down. But there's so much to do that we rarely have time to ponder the bigger picture. Remember- You will always find time for your most important tasks. You will eat, sleep, pay bills, feed the dog, and take care of your children - no matter how crazy life gets. When life gets crazy, and you scream, "Something has to GIVE…" it's usually your dreams for the future that get put off. Steven Covey reminded us how important it is to focus on what's important as much as possible. Make sure you put yourself on the list too. Then, when life goes off the rails, fix it as soon as possible, get back to what's essential, and keep moving. Not all dreams come true, but the important ones always seem to come your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Will and Way of Change in 30 Days Only a silly person thinks you can change everything about your life in 30 days - right? Call me silly, but everything I've ever done was rooted in a 30-day sprint - even if I didn’t know it. Here's how you do it: 1) Set what Napoleon Hill calls a Major Definite Purpose or a Big Ass Goal. 2) Stop negative self-talk. Others may throw sticks and stones; don't throw them at yourself. 3) List all the reasons you CAN be successful. Make it a long list. 4) Decide that you will do whatever it takes to reach your goal. For the next 30 days, nothing will stop you. The impossible becomes possible when you are focused, willing to take massive imperfect action, and won't take no for an answer. By the way… When you seek or follow your purpose in life, your life will become one big non-stop happiness sprint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interpreting 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 if 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 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

10 Daily Rules for a Happier You Every day, we all jump into the craziness of life without much thought of 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 lives 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

7 Stoic Rules for Happiness 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

Opening New Doors Fuel 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 you do it? 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. To ensure you are never running low, remember that dreams, possibilities, potential, and a feeling of certainty are all powered by new opportunities. 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

Do This Instead of Setting Goals 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 - MOTIVATING - 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

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

Using Natural Law to Be Your Best 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. What you think about, you bring about. Pay attention to your thoughts. 2) According to the Law of Polarity, nothing exists without an opposite. Love, hate, hot, cold, yin, and 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 up 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

Your Desire Comes From Their Desire Not a day passes by without someone asking, "How do I get another person to help me get what I want?" Persuading others is one key 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 to show others the way and explain how to solve their problem.  3) The most potent way is to offer to take care of their dilemma. 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

Why Next Week Begins This Week 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! 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) Conclude each week by securing your schedule for the next - and adhere to it. Consistency is key.  The future is always brighter when your day-to-day focus fulfills your goals this week. Focus, my friend. Focus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Prioritize Yourself First If you spend any time listening to me, it won’t take long before you hear me screaming from the top of the mountains to ignore the agenda and propaganda-filled world we live in and focus on yourself.  Here’s the truth... Nobody is thinking about you and what you do. That means you need to pay attention to yourself because everybody else is busy with themselves. Some folks find that way of thinking difficult because society makes you believe you must do what everybody else does to be successful. But lets think about that for a minute. Is everybody more successful than you, or is everybody in the same boat? If you are being honest, you know the answer.  So, who is more successful than you? It’s those crazy people that are out in front leading the masses. You know, the ones who paid attention to what they wanted, ignored what others thought, took action, and convinced everybody else to support them on their mission. Here’s another truth… Like they say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” But never forget, when you think about yourself first, you’ll have more time to think about others too.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hope, Fear, Faith, and Courage Have you ever paid attention to the process that moves you forward - or stops you in your tracks? All change begins with Hope, a feeling of expectation, and a desire for a certain thing to happen. Right after hope comes fear, an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous and likely to cause pain or a threat. When you commit to making your dreams come true, you move into Faith; you have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Finally comes Courage, the ability to do something that frightens you. Don't allow yourself to get stuck along the way; your dreams are waiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Waiting to Get What You Want 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 before I got out of my own way. I also remembered conversations with clients over the years on the topic of 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- When you have a growth mindset and believe that anything is possible, you can do anything. 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 the very reason 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 that are whispering to your soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Automatically Motivate Yourself Over the years, I’ve learned there is one trait responsible for holding people back. While it lives at the front of your mind and affects everything you do, it is also invisible.  You are too vague in your vision. When most people build a successful life, they often do so with a lack of clarity or precise vision of their future. They have a vague idea. The Universe kicks in gear, an opportunity arrives, and life is good and satisfying—until it’s not. A day will come when you desire something more. You may find yourself stuck behind an obstacle of indecision and frustration. Confused, lacking direction, fearful, and seeking the motivation that will drive you forward. It will feel as if there is a cloudy haze over your future with no clear path to success—and no motivation to go for it.  But there is no need to worry. Another day will dawn. You will realize that a general and non-specific approach to your future is not the fuel that will power you. Being too vague doesn’t build a vision. A time will come when you choose to be specific in your wants, needs, and desires. You will seek absolute clarity and turn your head away from anything that doesn’t provide a clear path. It may take time, but you will discover your first step. When you do, magic will happen. On the day that you define what you want, vagueness will disappear. Your new focus will create excitement and will manifest into automatic motivation. You will move toward your new experience. If you want something different in life, clearly and precisely express what that means to you. When you do, you will strike gold in time and be off and running on your new adventure automatically. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are You Focused on The Wrong Things? Have you ever found yourself setting out on a big mission yet not being able to define what you want?  When I was a young man, I trained in journalism as part of my broadcast career. Radio stations would send me to the local town meetings and political events. Anything newsworthy. My job was to write a story and deliver it on the air, and I thought I was doing a great job - until my boss called me into his office. He wanted to know why I wasn't getting to the critical part of the story faster. He said I was distracting from what was important. In my mind, I was doing no such thing.  I told the story how it sounded best in my mind, but nobody was listening long enough to hear what I had to say. All these years later, I've learned the "I want to get more out of life" crowd does the same thing. Recently, I spoke with a client when I realized she was very good at shifting to the unimportant—finding more time, learning more, and getting more advice. Even cleaning the garage was more important. In the middle of her wandering story, I stopped her, "Why are you avoiding what is most important to you? Cut to the chase, say what you want, and go do it." Her response came with a few tears. "I thought I was talking about what is most important. Now I realize I'm telling myself a story that is comforting and sounds good to in my mind." She is burying the lead in journalistic terms, busying herself with secondary details, and growing frustrated. How does this relate to improving your life? Do you say, "I can't focus?" Nope. You are focusing on the wrong things. Do you say, "I can't get myself moving?" Truth? You are moving - in the wrong direction. Do you say, "I don't have enough money?" Wrong again. What you need is more money! If something is important to you, give it the honor, respect, and focus it deserves. Lose the drama, get to the point, and start getting what you want right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Thing Turns Dreams Into Reality Do you have long-held dreams and goals that require little motivation to get yourself moving? Laura and I have worked together for over a decade on various projects. Her latest was a move from a long-time career into something she was in which she was more passionate. After several months, her dream transformed into a goal. The roadmap was in place. Action was the only thing needed to turn dreams into reality, and nothing happened. Months passed by with little or no action. Life seemed to always get in the way of Laura's dreams. When I asked what was going on, she said, "Oh… I don't know. I always seem to have something more important on my mind." That's common, and what John Lennon meant when he said, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."  Over the years, people tend to ACT and DO what serves them best. All while dreaming and planning what they want. It's an exhausting way to live, but you can set yourself free by asking yourself a simple question - "How bad do I want it?" Truthfully, answering that question will do one of two things. It will propel you into action or have no impact at all. If you find yourself motivated and moving, all is well. If not, you have another question to ask - "If I don't want it that bad, should I drop it and move on?" Everybody has ideas and dreams that enter their mind throughout their lives. The important tend to cause automatic forward action. Your life transforms, and everything begins to go in a new direction. For the others, you may want to consider that it's not as important to you as you thought. The best thing is to get your ego out of the way, scratch it off your list, and make room for something that excites you. When you do, incredible new opportunities that have been hiding from you for years will enter your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remove Your Fear of Change I woke up this morning with the realization that a life-changing event was looming in my future. I needed to wrap my head around the mindset adjustments I would need to make before changing my mind and running the other way. All of us have made decisions that, if we did, would change our world overnight.  Are you heading off to school for the first time? Are you getting married after being single forever? Could it be accepting a new job in a strange town?  It doesn't matter how excited you are. It doesn't matter how well you have justified your upcoming change. It doesn't matter how adventurous your spirit is. Life-changing decisions can feel like you’re launching on a mission to mars without your space suit.  But there's one thing I know for sure - Life is all about getting from where you are today to where you will be tomorrow. It's the transformation from what you have to what you could have that excites growth in our lives.  So, what is that uncomfortable feeling that you have in your gut? Every one of us views ourselves as who we are on the inside—our identity. Since life is real and the future is not realized, feeling apprehensive is a natural response.  What you need is a "Transitional Identity" to get you from today to tomorrow. "I've always been a hometown person, and now I'm learning to become a citizen of the world." "I've always been single, but I'm becoming the best relationship person I can be. My future spouse deserves that." "I've never climbed this high on the corporate ladder; now I'm becoming the leader everybody deserves." Transitional Identities are a simple way to ease the fear of the unknown—even if it's self-inflicted. As your future becomes more accurate, your Transitional Identity will transition you into a new life, and you will become a new you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calculating Your Success You have big dreams, and you've set your goals. Filled with excitement and setting your fears aside, you are off and running toward your success, but it's more complicated than you thought it would be. What's going on?  That was the question on my client's mind when I stopped by for a visit. His new business was growing but slower than expected, and he was beginning to wonder if his dreams would come true. Stress was high, and time and money were running out. Having seen these situations before, I decided to walk him through three questions that, while they would have been better answered before starting the business, there was still time. My first question was, "How long will it take you to learn the skills required to succeed? Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, anything and everything needed to run a successful business. Everything takes time, and you need to be able to survive the learning time. Next, I wanted to know how long he would churn and work at the goal. Was he committed for as long as it takes, or was there a set deadline? Building momentum in anything can be exhausting. How long can you keep going? I saved the most important question for last. How long will it take until you burn through your resources? Cash, credit lines, free rent on your building, favors from friends and family? Knowing the answer to that question can be humbling and scary, but it can also set you free. After several hours of our learn, churn, and burn conversation, he could pinpoint exactly how long they had to reach their goal. With a definite timeline, the entire team focused their energy on the minimal viable actions that would achieve success and fit their schedule. Within months, they reached their goal and have enjoyed a successful business. Whether you own a business or not, any worthwhile project has a far better chance of success when you are realistic about the process before you get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Identify Opportunities From Obstacles When you boil it down, all the activities that keep you busy every day lead to one destination—happiness.  It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that none of us are chasing misery.  But what happens when you have too many options and keep choosing those that throw you off course? My dog, Levi, and I have had a standing appointment with Mindy for years. She's a dog agility world champion and knows a thing or two about training champions. She's also very good at teaching us to negotiate a field of obstacles successfully while running as fast as we can.  When we begin to run a course, we aim to complete it as fast as possible with no mistakes. Follow the numbers from lowest to highest correctly, and everything will end well.  But life gets in the way, even in dog agility. Mindy is an expert at setting traps designed to distract and pull us off course. Since a dog can't read numbers, I must discriminate between the correct and the false path. The wrong choice will cause us to go off course and not reach our goal. If you live an active, growth-oriented life, you will encounter distractions. Many are placed in front of you by well-meaning people. They look like opportunities. In reality, they are obstacles that will cause you to veer off course—potentially for years. You will go off course if you take a job that is not aligned with your goals. If you negotiate a deal on a new home that leaves you underwater, you are off course from the start. If you enter into a relationship that doesn't match your values, you will have no numbers to follow.  Setting well-defined goals is the first step in knowing the difference between opportunities and obstacles. It is a skill that will serve you well. Everybody heads down the wrong path from time to time. It takes time to recover. The fewer times you do that, the faster you reach your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life Changes When You Are Most Tired 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 length of 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 yet to define 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 one's 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 put up with a less-than-satisfying life path for so long. 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're going to change directions anyway.  You will change when you wear yourself out. Just skip the bad stuff, adjust, and get to the good stuff right now. There's no need to wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recovering When You Feel Lost When life gets in the way, it can be challenging to know what to do next. No matter how motivated you are to achieve your goal.  Thinking like a Pilot can save the day when that happens. A few years ago, I was a 150-hour pilot. I was flying a Cessna 172 to pick up my daughter for a weekend visit from the University of Florida—a trip I've made a dozen times. It had been an uneventful flight, then, about 15 minutes from landing, it happened… Maybe it was the heat of the day or the drone of the engine. In any case, I had the sensation that I had no idea where I was. I could see the airport in front of me, so I was aware of the situation. But I had no idea how to get to where I wanted to go. It was a terrifying feeling.  Knowing I had to call the Tower in minutes, I turned to my training and followed three rules that any pilot knows will get them back on track. The first is to continue to fly the airplane and stay safe. That may sound simple, but how many times have you wanted to cover your eyes and hide when things got challenging?  The second is to break through your confusion and figure out where you are on your journey. If you can keep yourself stable, you'll have time to snap out of any momentary rough spot and get focused. The third rule is to communicate with people who can help. With only a few minutes before entering the airspace illegally, I called Tower and said,  "I'm a low-hour pilot, a little South of the field, and I am confused. There's no emergency, but I could use some guidance." That simple commutation gave Air Traffic Control everything they needed. In minutes, they lined me up on the runway, and I impressed them with a perfect landing. "Not a bad landing for a lost pilot," they said. All I could do was laugh and be grateful. Sure, my ego took a hit. But I learned a lesson, picked up my daughter, and had a great flight home. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. It'll get you there every time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Different Way of Planning I was on the phone with a client this morning when he said, ”I don’t know why I have such a hard time planning my day-to-day stuff. I want my day to be easier!” I get it. Everybody does. And to make that happen, you need a mindset shift. First to consider is that non-stop and continuous planning of every task every day is exhausting. It only adds another level of stress to your day. Instead, planning should be done occasionally with a broader focus on the short, medium, and long term. The goal is NOT to spend your life planning. It is creating containers where you plan to do your work or play. Once you have your containers, you load them with goals and tasks and get them done. When things require adjustments, make another plan. Make your plan and work your plan. Don’t keep changing things. That’s how you get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Who is Your Future Self? I’ll never forget the day a mentor of mine said to me — “You have to become the person you want to be before becoming the person you want to be.” What?  So, do I have to fake it until I make it? Heck no! I’m not going to change who I am - no way! “No. You’re not changing who you are. It’s just that you have to understand that in the future, you will have a different set of beliefs than you hold right now. That’s called growth. Whatever you believe, you will become.” At first, I thought he meant I would have to sell my soul to the devil and take on beliefs, not mine, to get what I wanted. But one day, I realized that day-to-day living is changing me anyway. I may as well make a choice myself. My thinking went like this — If I hold a self-image because of what I believe, all I have to do is create a future self-image, decide what that person would believe, and design a set of rules and actions that make those beliefs happen. What’s the best part? There’s no waiting. The very minute you decide what you believe, everything begins to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to be Effortlessly Creative Over the years, I have produced over 12,000 podcasts; everyone begins with the written word. Even though that makes my mouth and fingers my most exercised body parts, it has also given me many opportunities to learn to keep my words flowing. 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 watched Netflix late. In any case, a simple solution can alleviate this feeling of being stuck, always providing 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 without organizing, editing, or rewriting. I grab the thoughts, jot a note or record a memo, put them away, and let them simmer. When I'm ready to get to work, I take 15 minutes the day before to review my creative genius list, toss out what is not relevant, create a simple outline, and walk away with a sense of readiness, knowing I am fully prepared to begin. The next day, I can't wait to sit in front of a blank screen and let the magic start flowing effortlessly from my fingertips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mindset For Happiness I spend most of my days finding ways to keep tens of thousands of people worldwide motivated and moving - and that always comes down to a strategy for mindset. Here are a few things you can do - today! 1) Remind Yourself of Your Gratefulness Who or what are you most grateful to have in your life? Sometime today, pause, close your eyes, and fill your mind with the people and things that make your life good. Remember, reminding yourself of why you are grateful makes you unstoppable. 2) Your Actions Reveal Your Purpose What will make you feel like you are living your true self? The items that move you closer to who you are are hidden in your to-do list. What are they? Focusing on fulfilling actions means that you are living your purpose. 3) Strategize THEIR Feelings in Advance You can make someone feel great today. Who will that be? Take a moment and review the people you will interact with today. How do you want to make them feel? When you make others feel good, you feel good too. 4) What CAN You Do? Choose a challenge that has stuck and ask, what can I do? List three challenges that have you stuck and ask what can I do? Then, do it. Nothing can stop you when you ask what can I do? 5) Hold Space For Your Dreams Since today may get busy, what space are you holding for yourself? The space between your appointments today belongs to you. How will you use it to make your dreams come true? When you hold space for your dreams, your dreams always come true. If you feel like a challenge, turn these into rules and affirmations to live your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Strangest Secret For Success Earl Nightingale produced “The Strangest Secret” to motivate his insurance company sales force. It is now a motivational standard. The secret is simple: 1) You become what you think. 2) You must pay the prices. 3) You must control your thoughts. 4) Cut away the limitations of your mind. 5) Set a clearly defined goal.   6) Act promptly when your path is clear. 7) Save at least 10% of every dollar. What do you want more than anything else?   Do more than you must. Do more than anybody else. Do it better than anybody else. Are you ready to make it so nobody can ignore you? Commit today to do more than you must to get what you want. 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 grabs and keeps 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, you are heading a new path, even if it makes no sense. 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

Seize Control 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

Decisions Made Easy Have you ever noticed how forward momentum completely stops when you can't make a decision? There's no doubt; that the ability to make a decision is a power skill worth developing. I learned mine from my Mom. I grew up in the small town of Manassas, Virginia and I couldn't wait to graduate and begin my life adventure. My focus was on becoming a top-rated morning radio host, making lots of money in a big market. But I had a problem... The day came for me to decide how to begin my career. I narrowed my school choice and had to commit to enrolling - and commitments can be scary. As excited as I was to begin, I was also confused. That's when my Mom stepped in with a solution. Mom was a Legal Secretary and pulled out a yellow legal pad she kept handy. She drew a line down the middle of the page from top to bottom. Oh, no. We're not going to do the old Pro and Con thing again? That never works! Have you ever tried to make a decision using a list of positives and negatives? It only causes more confusion. But that wasn't going to happen this time because Mom had something else in mind. She drew another horizontal line, from left to right, across the middle of the page. Then she said, "This is different. It's about what is going to happen when you make your decision. Try it." With that, I made a list of everything that WOULD happen if I DID commit and get myself moving in the top left of the page. On the top right, I made a list of what WOULD happen if I DIDN'T do anything. Then, things got interesting… On the bottom left of the page, I listed what WOULDN'T happen if I DID. I filled the bottom right with what WOULDN'T happen if I DIDN'T. Clarity emerged, the fear disappeared, and excitement took over.  If you find yourself needing to make a decision, you can sort out anything, break free, and build fast and massive momentum with those four questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

10 Daily Rules for a Happier You Every day, we all jump into the craziness of life with little 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 lives 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

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

Change Everything With a Magic Wand So you know you want something different than what you have. You can’t seem to put your finger on what you want. And, the big one, you don’t know where to begin. In my years of helping others reach their dreams, I’ve learned a couple of things - For most of us, our lives are pretty good. They could be more exciting, and you could make more money. Your relationships could sparkle a bit more. Still, you may feel frozen from a fear of what you might lose. It may be from a fear that you won’t get what you want. Is it possible that you are living in a someday-maybe mindset? In the business world, things are more apparent. If you want to succeed, you only need to offer something your customer wants or needs and provide a solution. It’s simple math. The customer will take you up on your offer, and your business will thrive. Or, they won’t even notice your business and your competition will succeed. Your personal life is the same way. You recognize that your desire is a problem that needs a solution. Or, you stay forever and frustratingly in a someday-maybe mindset. But what if there was a magical question you could ask yourself? A question that would transform your trajectory if you are willing to accept the answer?  I asked a confused client on a recent call, “If I could wave a magic wand and transform your life into exactly what you wanted - what would that look like?” The first few seconds were silent - until the floodgates of her imagination opened. The picture was painted, and she could see the future.  She let out a deep breath, relaxed, and said - “Thanks for getting me to admit what I wanted, finally. I’ve been thinking about it for years. I was afraid to say it out loud. It feels good.” It always feels good when you release the dream locked inside of you. Now, accept that you want it and get work making it real. If in doubt, wave your magic wand! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Never Miss a Good Opportunity Getting what you want always comes down to knowing what it is, deciding to go after it, and not stopping until you get it.  But what happens when you need somebody's help to get it, and they won't step up? I'll never forget that warm September day I made up my mind to get a membership at a new gym. They had been in pre-sale for months, and I had finally decided to drag myself off the sofa and grab a pre-opening special before it was gone. When I walked through the door, it was a beehive of activity. People everywhere packing up equipment. They were moving to the new location across the street. At that moment, I thought I missed my chance, but I stepped up to the counter anyway, "Can I get signed up?" The young girl behind the counter said something that blew my mind. "I can't help you. The computer is unplugged. Besides, you've had a couple of months. You're kind of late." Let me get this straight.  This business, whose only reason for existence is to get members, can't because their computer is unplugged, and it's my fault? I was picking my jaw up off the floor when the owner saw what was happening. He stopped what he was doing, grabbed a contract, and said, "Of course we can. We'll do it the old-fashion way and enter it into the computer tomorrow. You can pay when you come to work out." With that, I walked out with my new membership. I started working out the next day, and the actions of that day changed my life. How? I had been working out for a few months, and the owner noticed my results. Knowing I had a martial arts background, he asked if I would teach a few kickboxing classes. I agreed, and Motivation To Move was born a few months later. Nothing has ever been the same. I learned a valuable lesson about business and life that day. Once you decide what you want, whether running a business or on a treadmill, never miss out on an opportunity to get what you want. Even if the computer is unplugged. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are You Stuck in The Middle? 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.” Having low expectations and being surrounded by like-minded folks is okay in business and life.  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

Six Mindset Shifts For Better Results On your last day on earth, the person you became will meet the person you could have become." — Anonymous You're smart. You're not going to let that happen to you - right?  Here are six mindset shifts to make sure you are living on purpose right now - 1) Live a good lifestyle. Eat good stuff and exercise. 2) Think long-term. Find your groove and stick with it. 3) Play BIG. Small thinking is not why you were born. 4) Be responsible. No more excuses. That’s the only way to be happy. 5) Learn to be more flexible. Stop being hard-headed. Go with the flow to get what you want. 6) Embrace hard work. There is no Magic Bullet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behavior Hacks For a Better Day Your mind is the most potent super-computer ever created. Here are a few ways to hack it and transform your life. 1) Start using a "Good Enough" approach. Perfectionism is doing nothing to move you forward. 2) Use your ONE mind to do ONE thing. Multitasking is splitting your focus and energy. It's also delaying your success. 3) Let go of control. Some things are up to someone else. Figure out what they are and move on. 4) Say NO to anything that does not directly support your Goals. Do what you KNOW will get you what you want. Don't do something in hopes of getting what you want. 5) Hang out with supportive, positive, and nurturing people. Let toxic people create their group. 6) Be willing not to be liked. If you avoid making folks unhappy, you're not moving toward your dreams. 7) Focus on the story of YOU. Minimize social media and television. When you do, you also minimize the influence others have on you. Notice how most h acks are simply relying on yourself first.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clear Your Clutter, Clear Your Mind I’ve noticed in my life that humans are hoarders when it comes to keeping stuff that works and doesn’t.  They keep hanging on; their life depends on it. Now, before I go on, I think there are two situations at play here: 1) Hanging on to what has worked well but needs to go so you can do more of what you want to do. 2) Hanging on what doesn’t work in hopes that it will work well someday. Both can go on for years, leading to frustration as you long for something else.  I was on the phone with a client this morning, and we ran into that situation. We began dealing with it a few months ago, and it’s still rearing its ugly head in her life.  After exploring it from every angle— Should I keep it? Should I put it to the side and come back to it? Should I toss it and start over? Should I… should I… should I. I finally said the only thing that came to mind - “The mere fact that you keep questioning it tells me you want to drop it. You’re just worried about what comes next, which is strange because what’s next is what you want.  Let me ask a question— How would you feel if you dropped everything holding you back and woke up in the morning with a clean slate and ready to move?” She smiled. You know, with that almost embarrassed look that people get when they can’t pretend anymore. She was busted, and she knew it. That’s when she said— “I’m not going to lie. That would feel great!” We had a “moment,” and everything changed. I suggested a 30-day cooling-off period, but with the understanding that she is moving forward and not backward. A few hours later, she sent me a note. It said, “I don’t need 30 days. Thanks.” It’s simple. When making a life decision, if you stay, you can’t go; if you go, you can’t stay.  Make your choice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why a Balanced Life is a Myth I always hear, "My goal is to balance my life better." It's as if balancing is static and can be achieved and maintained once you have it. Balance is dynamic, fleeting, ever-changing, and always challenging. Sure, it feels good when you reach equilibrium, but what about all that fun you had on your way there? I learned about balance when I worked in radio. My job was to balance the new music everyone wanted to hear, and the old music folks loved to remember. We balanced male and female bands, duos, and anything else musicians would toss at us. That sure sounds like life.  Imagine a life of rotating the new and exciting with the mundane and routine. Time for yourself and time for your family. A bit for the boss and time to play.   Never too much. Never too little. You are always changing. That's balance. Embrace the journey of the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imperfect Steps to Perfect Dreams Do you love the feeling you get when an exciting idea pops your head?  The most appealing aspect of anything new in your life always happens initially -when it’s still a dream inside your head. It’s when it’s time to take actual action that folks slow down - fast! Here’s how to break free: 1) Dreams only come true when you take massive action and establish momentum. 2) Fear of the unknown will stop you. What do I do? Where do I start? Will it work? No worries. One word will change everything. 3) The next time you don’t know what to do, embrace your inner NON-perfectionist. Take “Massive IMPERFECT Action” until things start to move forward. Sometimes, your feet must travel down the path of your dreams before you see the entire picture. Stand up, take a step, and repeat. You’ll figure it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endure to Earn. Questions For Resilience A few years ago, I was chatting with a friend about business. He owned a struggling martial arts school and was crafting a master plan to grow in the coming year.   I had four questions: 1) How long do you think it will take to learn what it takes to succeed? 2) How long are you willing to work to reach your goal? 3) How long will your money last?   4) When will you begin earning - and how much? Be prepared before you begin. Consider those questions before you set off on your journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rough Roads Smooth Successes 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 believe. 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 rough 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

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

Filter, Focus, and Prioritize Your Path My wife and I were having dinner this weekend. She finally asked, “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing for Operation Reinvention this 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 your Goal. As they say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Anything less will remove you from control. You’ll find many well-meaning people offering support if you miss either one. 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. 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

The Art of Moving Past Frustration When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked?   I used to be that way. Something changed. I learned long ago that getting blocked would be an everyday occurrence. And, the bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could live with endless frustrations - or find a better way. It came down to this: 1) Blocks have nothing to do with who I am. They could be self-inflicted or caused by others, but they still have nothing to do with me.  2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it. Always… always… always. You may not like the path. Your ego may get in the way. It may scare you. There is always a way. The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s All About ONE Important Thing I have a question for you. What is your ONE most important activity?   What is the ONE core activity that, if you do, everything else is fine? What is the ONE core activity that, if you don’t do it, causes everything to fall apart? Many people focus on anything but the most critical activity in their lives. They are usually surprised when things fall apart. Is it showing up for work on time or doing a great job? Could it be your unflinching attention to your family? Does your business have ONE activity that causes people to buy from you? When you focus on your ONE most important activity - everything else will take care of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freedom and Growth Between the Lines Are you a fun-loving, carefree person who prefers to drift with the wind? Are you happier following the rules and staying within the lines? Whichever you are, happiness and success will arrive when you combine both: 1) Too much flexibility in life doesn’t allow for compounding your life experience. Like money in the bank, leave it alone once you know what works. 2) Too much structure will limit your ability to discover growth opportunities. Don’t get stuck. Donnie and Marie said it best in the ’70s, “I’m a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock and roll.” Combine the best of both.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating Life with Your Who I Am Document Do you have a roadmap for how you operate in your world?   A few years ago, I decided I needed a guide to ensure my daily actions matched my values. I ended up calling it my ‘Who I am' Statement. Who I am - this is not a mission statement. Who I am - this is not a list of affirmations. Who I am - is not a value statement. Who I am is a personal cheat sheet to establish how I act and respond to the day's challenge.  You should have one, too. Why do you do what you do? How do you see yourself? How do others see you? How do you act in certain situations? It's a great time of year to dig deeper into who you are. That way, when life gets in the way, you'll always have an expert to turn to for an answer - YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Achieve More with the 70% Strategy Have you figured out what you want to do with your life but can’t build momentum?  One of two things is happening: 1) You have decided to wait and see what happens with something else before committing to your new plan. 2) You need more information before moving forward, making it the same as the first. The secret to gaining momentum is the ’70% Rule’ in every decision. Once you have an idea, begin researching and resourcing whether you have the ability and the desire to head in that direction. Once you hit 70% certainty, one way or the other, either move forward or drop it and move on. Why 70%? Because 70% is enough information to make the right decision, you’ll never get to 100% anyway.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Defend Your Happiness With Strategies That Work Have you been running full speed ahead - knowing you’re not heading in the right direction? It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and find yourself off track.  Could your experience be better? It comes down to awareness and decisions: 1) Everything begins when you recognize that something needs to change and admit it to yourself. Is the time now? 2) Driving forward will only add to unhappiness. Instead, keep up with life and push the pause button on everything else—no pulling or pushing. You are only pausing. 3) During this time, work your way back to YOU. There’s no hurry. You may have been off-track for a long time. 4) Remember your dreams. Now that you have space, it’s time to explore how everything fits into your life today - and your future. Begin to take action in any direction that makes you happy. Once you find enjoyment, accept it and defend it with all your energy. Spend the rest of your days bringing more into your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Massive Action for Massive Success (Part Two) Yesterday, we spent a few minutes on practical ways to succeed. Here are a few “very natural” actions that will provide a HUGE advantage over almost everybody. Oh, you may not like these no-brainer daily practices - but they will make you a peak performer: 1) Eat right. 67% of the population eats fast food daily. 60% are obese. Simply eating a better diet will deliver an energetic and mindset boost. 2) Exercise. 77% of the population only exercises within daily duties. 100% of top performers exercise. Which do you want to be? 3) Sleep lots. We need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. The average is now less than 6 hours. You’ll have more energy than 60% of the population by going to bed a little earlier. 4) Be careful with alcohol. 77% of the adult population drinks - 50% regularly. One glass of wine will stop real progress. More than that, and you’ll be less productive the next day. People who do that for a lifetime cannot reach their dreams. Being more “Gooder than Badder” on these items will give you an advantage over 70.25% of the population. Who said you can never catch a break?  Daily Click Eat right, exercise, get lots of sleep, and reduce alcohol. You instantly gain an advantage over 70.25% of the population. That’s how dreams become real - FAST!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Massive Action for Massive Success (Part One) Today, I wanted to give some motivational tough love.  Before I get going - No matter what you desire, remember that life and business are about solving problems. The bigger your dreams, the bigger your problems. If you want what nobody else has, you must solve problems nobody else will. So, how do you begin with a bang? 1) Decide what you want. Be specific. Anything less is what ordinary people do. 2) Decide to pay the price of your success. You’ve heard it before, and it’s true. Short-term pain leads to long-term gain. The future value of your life depends on the current value of your effort. 3) Own your goals. You don’t need to ask permission from anybody. You don’t even need to say a word. Put your head down and get to work. 4) Since you’ve decided what you want. Don’t accept your excuses.  When it’s time to get to work - 5) Start your day early. Do what is important to you before the day begins. 6) Set your focus and starting point. Pick the first task, finish it, and move on to the next. Keep going until you get what you want.  7) Hold space for what is essential for you. 8) Develop the habit of deep work. Two hours of uninterrupted work per day will change your life. 9) Don’t get caught up in believing you need Networking, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Partnerships. Yes, you need some - but not many. Trust yourself and start creating. Let everybody else catch up. 10) Don’t get caught up in learning. If you stumble, find your answer and get back to work. If another question pops up, repeat.  11) Apply never-ending massive imperfect action. Don’t worry about the mess. You can clean it up later. Tomorrow, we’ll chat about how to gain a HUGE advantage while accelerating your success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Capture Ideas, Unleash Potential Over the years, I have produced over 10,000 podcasts, and every one begins with the written word. Even though that makes my mouth and fingers my most exercised body parts, it has also given me many opportunities to learn to keep my words flowing. 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 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 tucked those ideas away in a safe place without organizing, editing, or re-writing. I grab the thoughts, jot a note or record a memo, put them away, and let them simmer. When I'm ready to get to work, I take 15 minutes the day before to review my list of creative geniuses, 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 flow from my fingertips with complete ease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

Fuel Your Fire For Sustained Motivation 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 like 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, 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 we all need. But we need to understand how 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, guides your emotions, and makes anything possible. 2) Focus fuels your fire. If you're unmotivated, you drift 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. Everything changes when you make the words you say to yourself, internally and externally, positive and uplifting. Words matter more than you think. You're human. Your brain isn't wired to stay motivated constantly. It would help if you gave it a helping hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happiness Doesn't Require Permission My friend Sid called to tell me he had found his next big thing. He decided to take flying lessons and couldn't wait to get started. After hearing my Mom's stories over the years, I have always wanted to learn to fly. Her father was a contractor in Wilmington, North Carolina. When an airport client couldn't pay, he offered lessons. She was 15 years old. Her stories of landing on the beaches of North Carolina were thrilling. Flying Solo before an arriving hurricane was captivating. We'll forget that she 3-days short of being legally old enough. Her adventurous spirit took control. With a hurricane coming, she wasn't going to ask for permission. She took command, and it put her in the record books. By the time I began flying 50 years later, things were more controlled, and speaking on the radio to Air Traffic Control was required - and challenging. Being nervous, I often asked for permission when I wanted to do something. I would say, "This is Cessna 67508 requesting permission to…" One day, while waiting for their response, my instructor taught me a lesson I could have learned from my Mom, "You're the Pilot in Command. Your seat is moving, and theirs isn't. Don't ask for permission. Tell them what you want and let them work it out." What?  I don't have to ask for anyone's permission to do what I want.  I never asked again, in flying or anything else in life. I decide what I want to do and do it. If somebody else needs to know what I'm up to, I tell them, work out the solution, and keep moving. If not, I keep moving. Some days, it feels like we need permission from everybody else. Don't fall into that trap. Your destiny is your choice and yours alone. And what happened to Sid? He asked his wife for permission, and she said "no." He never took a single lesson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

The Power of Expectations Imagine how your life would improve if everybody understood what to expect. Expectations are powerful. Pay attention to these three: 1) What do you expect of yourself? You get to decide how you approach the world. 2) What do you expect of others? Clearly, understand what you expect of others. That allows you to avoid surprises - and toxic relationships. 3) What do others expect of you? When you let others know what they can expect of you - and walk your talk - you are living in integrity. Your life will always be more comfortable when you know what to expect of yourself and others.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

The Best To-Do List EVER! I'm sure you have a lot to do today. You’re probably in for a busy day if you use a traditional To-Do list. If I may, I’d like to pass on some advice to make your days much more fun. LOSE your "To-Do List." Replace it with a "Did I Do It List."   Of course, a traditional To-Do list will get the job done. But it’s far too easy to focus entirely on your list of things to do instead of what you're supposed to be doing. Don’t get me wrong, when you are inside any project, you may need a list. I can’t imagine myself in the kitchen without a recipe to follow. To-do lists have their place. For everything else, there’s something better. You should be using a “Did I Do It List.”  As simple as it sounds, instead of chasing and stressing about what you must do, you are simply ensuring you’ve done what is needed. Yes, it’s a simple mindset change, but it will change everything about how you get things done — and you’ll have far less stress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Churchill's Steps For Change As we enter the New Year, I've noticed that people are returning to their old ways. That's okay. It's a journey. But what is that journey? Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often."  And it helps if you understand the stages of change: 1) Pre-Contemplation. You may intend to act but must be made aware that your behavior is the problem.  2) Contemplation. You recognize the problem and start to debate the pros and cons of your actions. 3) Preparation. You intend to take action soon. You may even begin small steps. 4) Action. Making the specific changes required to create your new life begins. 5) Maintenance. Sustain your efforts for at least six months. You will likely achieve a life-long transformation. 6) Termination. You have zero temptation and are sure you will not return to your old unhealthy habits. Winston Churchill said something else - "For myself, I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living in Default Mode There is a myth floating around that life is more fun when you are spontaneous. That can be true some of the time, but not all of the time. If you want to be happier, more successful, and make life easier, it’s time to live in Default Mode.  In other words, figure out what works 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. And studies show that most people will default when a good option is readily available. Of course, the default can be wrong, too. Bad habits should not be used in default mode. And some people claim that default mode means staying in your comfort zone and keeping you from stretching yourself. On that, I'm afraid I have to disagree. My theory of Default Efficiency is simple: figuring out what works and doing it by default is easy, gets excellent results consistently, relieves you from decision fatigue, and allow you to stretch on your terms. 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

Succeeding The Lazy Way I have an admission to make.  I can be a bit lazy. Yes, I also like to work harder than most people. Still, I'm lazy when doing things I don't want to be doing. It's been said that when you do what you love, you will never work another day. Frankly, I've found it to be quite the opposite. What I do is difficult and takes a lot of time and effort. But I enjoy it. Still, I'm lazy. I want everything to be easy, and I want it now. I'm not different than anybody else. I'm lazy. I'm driven. I'm lazy. I made my point. And if you know me well, you may think I am not that lazy.  Oh yes, I am. While it may take a long time to master the skill required to make things easy for myself, I'm willing to go through the hard work if it allows me to be lazy - eventually. And do you know what the most remarkable thing about being lazy is? Your initial hard work allows you to be lazy and makes what you do look easy to others. It's too bad for those working hard at being lazy, sleeping and binging Netflix when you were working hard to make everything easy — and being lazy. Here's today's life lesson. You can be successful and lazy. Just remember that it comes in that order. Successful, then lazy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Say YES to Yourself More This Year Do you ever wish you had a less complicated life?   Even if your job and life are overcomplicated out of necessity, like launching a rocket or performing brain surgery, you can still simplify everything. How do you do it? Your actions in your life and your job are probably not causing the overwhelm. It's the people and the results that are causing you to feel that way. The easier way to under-complicate is to begin saying "No" to the arbitrary and unattainable demands of others and focus exclusively on the results you want.  Here are a couple of ideas: 1) Practice the law of "Good Enough." Perfectionism is overrated. It will waste years of productive time you could use to enjoy life. Set your standards and rise to them. 2) Get good at saying "No." Make that two-letter word your default answer for everything. And remember, sometimes, saying nothing at all gets the same result. 3) Remember that the only thing you must do in life is take a BREATH. Everything else is optional and self-inflicted.  Leonardo da Vinci said," Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."   Why not show everybody how sophisticated you are? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Steps to Getting What You Want — and Keeping It. 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 to get what you want. If you don’t deploy, you don’t get it. 4) Defend. After working 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, defend it so you never lose it. Simple. I like simple. Simple works! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Morning Routines Power One thing that I'm always going to do is refine my morning routine — it's a never-ending process.  You hear a lot about using morning rituals to get more done. But what if you could use your mornings to get more done for YOU? In the fast-paced world we live in today, there seem to be two groups when it comes to how to use mornings—personal and productive. Once folks remove themselves from the craziness of jumping out of bed, taking care of the kids, and hitting the drive-through, they choose one of the two.  But what if there was a third group that was more satisfying? Before I go on, I must admit that I was not a morning person and didn't like getting up early. I even quit my first couple of jobs as a morning radio host so I could sleep.  Later in my career, I would hit my desk at 5 AM and pound through my to-do list as fast as possible. I must have been saying, "I…MUST… GET… IT… DONE!" That didn't work well because I didn't see the purpose of getting out of bed early if it was only to work. I spent my mornings reading and meditating for a few years before heading to the gym. I got in better shape, but my bank balance was less, and my future goals were seemingly unreachable. Then, one day, out of pure frustration and sporting a brand-new I don't give a heck attitude, I asked myself a question that changed everything - "What's the first thing I should do tomorrow morning that, if I do, will allow me to live a life of my design?" I didn't ask about work or what was on my to-do list. It had nothing to do with getting more done or getting in better shape. I focused on the lifestyle I wanted to live - and it was life-changing. In the years since I made that decision, I've started my days doing the most important thing I deem required to live the life of my choosing, and I've been happier for it. I've also come across dozens of morning do-gooders who are getting everything done except what they dream of doing, and when they realize it's not their fault, everything changes. They get caught up in the buzz of life, and everyone does. But you start making real progress the minute you focus on YOU before anything else. When you focus on what is important to you, you get what is important to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Seinfeld’s Success Secret It’s the time of the year when I always remember the lesson I learned from Jeff Seinfeld. I’ll never forget the day a friend called and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse - and I didn’t. Rob was an event promotor who had snagged the chance to book an up-and-coming comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, into a local venue. He needed somebody to warm up the audience and introduce Jerry. I was all in when he agreed to cover my drink tab and let me hang out with Jerry before the show. It was 1986, and Jerry’s television series about nothing was still developing. I know that because it’s what we talked about before the show. As he munched on veggies and sipped sparkling water, I’ll never forget how focused he was on getting what he wanted. Tired and worn out from living on the road, I asked how he managed to keep going. He said — “I know exactly what I want. I’m a comedian, so I have to be funny. The only way to be funny is to write funny jokes. The only way to write funny jokes is to write every day. So, I write daily and put a big red “X” on the calendar. Eventually, there will be a chain of Xs on the calendar. My goal is not to break the chain.”  Then, in a very Seinfeld way, he screamed, “Don’t break the chain! That’s how you get what.” Over the years, I’ve read that others have had the same conversation with Jerry. I’m guessing it was a rule of success that he practiced and shared often. I’m happy he shared it with me. As we begin 2024, pick an action and do it every day until you get so good people notice. And, whatever you do, “Don’t break the chain!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Your Purpose is to Find Your Purpose This time of year most people are setting Big Ass Goals and working on the daily baby steps it takes to achieve those goals. It’s an activity that has proven effective ever since humans figured out that we are hard-wired to seek purpose in our lives. Let’s pause for a light-hearted lecture, shall we? If you are not setting goals that excite you and establishing small habits that make them a reality, you may as well skip into a Las Vegas casino and trust that the ‘house’ has your back and is setting you up for the big win. I have news for you. That’s not their Purpose, so you better know yours. But wait? What if I don’t know my Purpose? A long time ago, I realized that it was well beyond my pay grade to know somebody else’s purpose so I began giving this advice — “If you don’t know your purpose, your purpose is to find your purpose.” As simple as it sounds, it’s amazing how freeing it can be to realize that searching for what you want is living on purpose. Psychologists define Purpose as a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something personally meaningful that simultaneously leads to productive engagement with some aspect of the world beyond the self. What could be more meaningful than happily seeking your Purpose through daily activity? Yes, maybe one day you’ll find the purpose you are seeking, or maybe, you’ve already found it. That’s something to consider, for sure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You Were Born to Do YOU Can you imagine what might happen if you dared to think like your true self, act your true self, and share your true self?  That makes you smile - right? Or maybe you feel that living from the inside out and being fully authentic with the world is self-centered, egotistical, and not how you should be. Still, I bet you’re smiling, at least a little, at the thought. You were born with two things that are yours, and you alone to use as you see fit - or not. The first is Free Will, and without digging into the spiritual and scientific reasons, no matter what happens in your life, you are always doing things YOUR way. Even if you feel that your destiny is pre-determined, you will do it YOUR way.  Imagine what would happen if you choose to do the things you love and do them your way. You were also born with a Unique Ability that you don’t share with anybody else. It has always been there and will never leave you. Imagine what would happen if you were to choose to use it in everything you do. The next time you second-guess yourself, remember to ask yourself one simple question — “What do you do when you’re doing YOU?” When nobody is telling you what to do, when you’re on your own to fill your time, when you are making the rules, what do you like to do, and how do you want to do it? It’s okay to be yourself. I promise that nobody is judging you. In fact, they are most likely waiting for you to show up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoic Rules For a Happy Life 300 BC, political life was driving people crazy. To calm the masses, several schools of philosophy popped up. Stoicism still resonates powerfully today. 1. Don't enslave yourself to annoying people. 2. Choose reasonable expectations. 3. Pre-meditate those expectations. 4. You are a mind operating a bag of chemicals you call a body. 5. Stop pretending you know that things are bad. 6. You were put here to reason, so use it already. 7. Life is NOT too short. 8. Feel your emotions like a Stoic would. They are your power. 9. Anger is a choice. 10. When it comes down to it, we are dogs tied to the back of a cart. Sound wisdom never goes out of style. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mapping: Your Success System Wouldn’t having a plan to help you get what you want would be great?   What you need is M.A.P.S.S. - a system that gets thinking out of the way and focuses on actions in four areas: Motivation: Everything begins with knowing ‘WHY’ you set your goals. Stay motivated. Accountability: Being accountable and accepting responsibility for your results will empower your success. Saying, ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me,’ is a great way to get started. Planning: Plan your work, 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. Momentum is built in life by stacking your accomplishments sequentially. Make sure you set yourself up for the long haul. The freedom you desire rests on a stable and repeatable foundation: Motivation, Accountability, Planning, Systemization, and Sustainability.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices