Action vs. Inaction

"I never worry about action, but only about inaction." ~Winston Churchill

WOW, think about that! Churchill only worried about INACTION...not ACTION.

Think about the rest of us...what do we worry about? Action, right? We worry that we won't do it well enough, that someone might think we are not smart, that we are silly, that we are not business-like. RIGHT?

How can you change your mindset to worry about inaction instead of action? Are you willing to try? Do you see yourself as unique? If so, then let other people see your uniqueness! Don't wear a mask, let people see who you REALLY are.

What action have you not taken because you were worried about how it would be received? TAKE THAT ACTION NOW!! Worry about the inaction rather than the action.

Go back in history and think about how different the world would be today if Churchill hadn't taken action. Most of Europe would be speaking German today, not the 15 other languages that they do speak now. Who knows if the United States would have been pulled into the war? What if Germany had developed the nuclear bomb?

Never worry about action, but only about inaction.

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"I never worry about action, but only about inaction."

Mastermind Roundtable Video 2-23-10

Special Thanks to Tom Hinchey of Hinchey Studios, for providing us with a video version of a portion of the Mastermind Roundtable meeting.

Think Anew, Act Anew

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Albert Einstein said that "you can't solve a problem at the same level of thinking that it was created at." You need to "think anew and act anew." Take a look at Lincolns quote...it's almost as if he was talking about today!!

"The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion." Sound or feel familiar? Are you having difficulty in these times? Are you rising to meet the occasion? Or are you just "doing the best you can?"

"Think anew." When was the last time that you thought anew? Most people haven't had a new or original thought in years. Break out of your comfort zone and THINK NEW THOUGHTS!!! Growth only happens when you leave your comfort zone.

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”

What Do You See?

“People only see what they are prepared to see.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you prepared to see? Are you prepared to see great things or are you only prepared to see average things, or worse yet, only seeing bad things? Why do you think that is? What is preventing you from seeing what you really want to see?

You have seen and done things up until now. You have brought yourself to where you are now. Are you where you want to be? If not, it might be because you aren't prepared to see what is in store for you.

Are you expanding your vision? Opening not just your eyes, but also your mind? They say that "when you see it, you will believe it," but I would say that in addition to that, "when you believe it, you will see it." What are you ready to believe?

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“People only see what they are prepared to see.”

Living in Hope

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof. " ~ Barbara Kingsolver

Have you figured out what you hope for? Or do you not believe in HOPE? Like Red in "The Shawshank Redemption," who had been torn down by the years in the prison...Have you been torn down by life? By your work? By your family or friends? What is it that you HOPE for?

The least you can do is have HOPE. The most you can do is live in that HOPE, not admiring it from a distance, but LIVING IN IT! Are you living in your HOPE? In the movie, Andy LIVED in his HOPE daily, even while in prison, so I ask again, Are you living in your HOPE?

Andy had the best line in the movie when he tells Red that "Hope is a good thing, in fact, it is the best of things."

Another good movie for living in your HOPE is "The Bucket List," but that's for another post. LIVE IN YOUR HOPE! It's the best place to be.

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof. "

The Choices We Make

"It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges, and so do people's lives. The choices we make determine our destiny." ~Thomas S. Monson

I know that you know that the "choices we make determine our destiny." That's kind of a given. But are you putting any thought into the choices that you are making? Or do you just let life come and go without any thoughts on how it will affect you?

Are you saving your money or are you going to Starbucks every morning??? Are you making time to meet with people or are you on Facebook, Twitter and the computer all day? Are you reading good books or watching TV? I could go on, but you get the idea...The choices we really don't think about are hurting us?

The choices we make determine our destiny! Think about that the next time you make a choice without thinking about it.

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges, and so do people's lives. The choices we make determine our destiny." ~Thomas S. Monson

"Look and listen, feel and know. What you sincerely seek will come within your reach, if you simply allow it and see it. Opportunity rarely looks the way you thought it would. Open your heart and open your mind to recognize it." ~Ralph Marston

Each day, coming your way, is a fast-flowing stream of seemingly random events. Somewhere within them are the ones you asked for. There are no coincidences. We get exactly what we ask for.

For each dream you have, life gives you the possibilities for achieving that dream. Your job is to see those possibilities and to act on them. Too often, we are bogged down in our thinking and we can't see the possibilities that are right in front of us.

When you wish to go new places, you must accept that the road will be unfamiliar. Go with what feels right, even though it feels a little uncomfortable. Allow yourself to be taken out of your comfort zone...that's where you will find growth.

What you seek is coming to you. See it and have the faith to fully live it. Don't allow fear to keep you from what you seek and what you want. What you seek is coming to you.

"Look and listen, feel and know. What you sincerely seek will come within your reach, if you simply allow it and see it. Opportunity rarely looks the way you thought it would. Open your heart and open your mind to recognize it."

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the BIG question: Is that okay? ~Jim Rohn

Read that again and ask yourself those questions about your associations. Who are you associating with and are they helping you or hindering you? Analyze those associations. Study them and make sure that they are not influencing you in a direction that you may not want to go. See, we won't let someone push us off course with a big push, but we might let little nudges move us in the opposite direction than we want to go.

It is said that your income is the average of your 5 closest associates. Does that inspire you or do you need to find new associates? Are you putting yourself in a position to be learning from others? Or are you just keeping pace, just "trying to make ends meet?"

The greatest gift you can give somebody is YOUR own personal development. Are you giving that gift or are you not working on yourself and keeping the gift? (Now, I konw some of you are saying, "Of course I'm working on myself...but are you really???)

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the BIG question: Is that okay?

Your Personal Philosophy

“Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out. Don't borrow someone else's plan. Develop your own philosophy and it will lead you to unique places.” ~Jim Rohn

Do you have a "Personal Philosophy" or Mission Statement for your life? Why not? According to Rohn, your personal philosophy is the determining factor in how your life turns out. Might make sense to have one...don't you think?? Do you think it might help you top have one? I do.

Make it YOUR Personal Philosophy. Don't let it be your parents, boss, teacher or who ever might want you to share or take theirs. This is YOUR Personal Philosophy and will take you to places that you have never been or even imagined.

Yesterday we spoke about how Beliefs = Behaviors = Results. These all flow from your Personal Philosophy. Your Personal Philosophy needs to be in alignment with your Beliefs and Values.

Take some time right now to create your Personal Philosophy. Here's a link to help you with creating it.

http://www.timethoughts.com/goalsetting/missionstatements.htm

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out. Don't borrow someone else's plan. Develop your own philosophy and it will lead you to unique places.”

Beliefs = Behavior = Results

"Our beliefs strongly influence our behavior. They motivate us and shape what we do. Beliefs are our guiding principles, and come from many sources - upbringing, imitation of others, conclusions as a result of past traumas and repetitive experiences." ~Peter Shepherd

What are your beliefs? Really, what are your beliefs? When was the last time that you sat down and thought about them? Have you ever questioned your beliefs? What happened? Was your belief confirmed or was it proved to be false?

Beliefs influence Behavior and Behavior influences Results. How are your beliefs stopping you from getting what you want? Ya, I know, I can hear your mind saying your beliefs are helping you get what you want, right...?? Well if that was the case, you would already have what you wanted, wouldn't you. Time to examine those beliefs again!

Beliefs come from many sources, some good, some not so good. Are you letting a belief that is no longer applicable to you keep you from getting what you want?

We'll talk more about beliefs tomorrow, but until then, tell me, "What are your beliefs?"

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"Our beliefs strongly influence our behavior. They motivate us and shape what we do. Beliefs are our guiding principles, and come from many sources - upbringing, imitation of others, conclusions as a result of past traumas and repetitive experiences."

Decide to Become

"We become what we make our minds to become. It is nobody's fault that the great majority of the people never make up their minds to become anything at all."~William James

Have you made up your mind about what you want to become? What, you haven't yet? What's stopping you? What's holding you back? Why haven't you? You can become whatever you decide you want to become. At any time and any age!

I disagree with James as far as fault of the great majority of people, because now, with everything that we have available to us to learn, to grow and to think, it IS the fault of those who never make up their minds to become something. It is their responsibility to become what they want to become. It is not the responsibility of others to tell us what we should become or do.

Step out of your playing small ideas and thoughts and create the life that you truly want. Decide today to become who you want to become. Don't wait another minute...Do it NOW! What are you waiting for?

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"We become what we make our minds to become. It is nobody's fault that the great majority of the people never make up their minds to become anything at all."

I'm Perfect, You're Perfect

“You're awesome and amazing can't you see? You're poised for greatness, wouldn't you agree? Believe in yourself, and feel your creative power,Then watch your joy and love unfold by the hour.” ~Andy Dooley

Too many people don't believe they are amazing and yet a few that aren't, believe they are...How does that work?

Most people's self-esteem and self-belief has been worn down by naysayers, dream vampires and by family and friends that are "just looking out for you." By being told that they "did it wrong," "can never do anything right," "you are a screw-up," and other uplifting statements like that, it's no wonder!

We were created perfectly and still are perfect. It's that little pesky brain telling us that we aren't perfect. Remember, your brain is not your friend. Sure, we all have imperfections, but we still are perfectly created to be who we are.

Who are you? Think about that for a minute. You are not your body your brain, or even your job, but who you are is your spirit and your soul. What drives you? What are you passionate about? Why? That's who you are.

Are you poised for greatness? James Casey gave me a button that says "Accept Your Greatness." And that is the key. ACCEPT YOUR GREATNESS! Allow yourself to be that great person you know that you are! Too many people are content to play small. You don't serve the world playing small. Play BIG. Accept Your Greatness. Become who you are!

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“You're awesome and amazing can't you see? You're poised for greatness, wouldn't you agree? Believe in yourself, and feel your creative power,Then watch your joy and love unfold by the hour.”

Your Potential

“There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Believe in your strength. Learn to repeat endlessly to yourself, 'It all depends on me.”~ Andre Gide

Do you believe in your strength? It's so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Your potentialities are so vast that we can't begin to comprehend them. So what do we do with those potentialities? We let them die a slow death...

Imagine if you were to use ALL of your potential. What would that do for you and your business? Imagine if you only used 50% of that potential? You still would be twice as far ahead as you are now. Don't let your potential die a slow death. Don't let your tombstone read "He had such great potential." Wouldn't it be great if when we all die people said "He reached and exceeded his potential."

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Believe in your strength. Learn to repeat endlessly to yourself, 'It all depends on me.”

Live NOW

“Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Are you getting ready to live? Stop it and LIVE NOW! Before you know it, time runs out...Tomorrow is promised to no one, yet we act like we have all the time in the world to do the things we really want to do...and we keep putting them off.

Don't let your time run out with music still in you. Do the things you have always wanted to do. Don't let circumstances dictate that you can't do what you want to do. It is your choice to either do it or stay "getting ready to live."

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

“Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.”

"Motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. You need to continually snack on it throughout the day.”

Are you getting your fill of motivation? If you went to the "Get Motivated" seminar, that should have kept you motivated for the rest of last week, but as we start a new week, where do you find your motivation?

Instead of junk food, snack on MOTIVATION! Zig Ziglar says that "Motivation doesn't last and neither does bathing, but that's why I recommend it daily." I'm suggesting that you take it a step further and do it hourly, or at least 3 times a day. Could anything stop you if you were filling your head with motivation 3 times a day? I think not!!

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"Motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. You need to continually snack on it throughout the day.”

Focus On The Present

"You can't change anything in the rear view mirror. You have to look through the front windshield." ~General Colin Powell

I had the opportunity to hear General Colin Powell speak at the "Get Motivated" seminar (along with 40k of my closest friends) as well as other great speakers. He said this during his speech and it really hit home for me. I know a lot of people who are having this challenge of not living in the present and going back to the past that's keeping them stuck. Why do you think this is?

I'd say that it's fear of the unknown (the future) vs. the pain of what they already know (the past). This is keeping many people from getting what they want, because they can't get out of the trap they are caught in. It happens to all of us and the best way to deal with it is to focus on the present, even if it is only 1 day at a time, or even the next hour instead of reliving the past.

A lot of people will say to me, "Oh yea, I left the past in the past." However, when challenges come up, they fall back into the state that kept them stuck in the past, so have they really left the past in the past? Don't think so...but you can.

Focusing on the present allows you to plan for the future. Focusing on the present allows you to eliminate the past from the discussion. Focusing on the present allows you to be ready for everything that comes to you! Focusing on the present allows you to be prepared.

Take today and focus on today! Focus on the present.
What do you think?

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"You can't change anything in the rear view mirror. You have to look through the front windshield."

Uniquely YOU

"Your most important job is to be you. There are contributions you can make, 
and gifts you have to give, that no one else can duplicate."  Ralph Marston

 You have a perspective that is unique and valuable. No on else has your unique viewpoint!
No one else has the same valuable insights that you have.
Share the insights and energy that come from that perspective.

 You have feelings and longings that flow from the core of who you are.
Express those feelings and fulfill those longings in your own special way.
The world is waiting to hear those feelings and longings.  Don't deprive the
world of that opportunity to learn.

There is great treasure in your authenticity. Your authenticity is what brings the
world to your doorstep.  There are beautiful possibilities that spring from the genuine
person you are. Don't hide them, let us all share in those possibilities.

Through you, life experiences itself in a way that is unique and special. If you don't
share it with the world, that unique and special experience dies with you, never to
be shared. Don't cheat the world from your uniqueness!

Use this opportunity to make a difference in a way that only you can do.

Know.  Be Known.  Make A Difference!

"Your most important job is to be you. There are contributions you can make, and
gifts you have to give, that no one else can duplicate."

Refuse to Agree to Mediocrity

"Mediocrity is a form of madness, a dream embraced by the masses because it makes just getting by an acceptable -- sometimes applauded -- social art form." ~Guy Finley

Have you embraced mediocrity? Really? Are you excellent in every thing? Do you always strive to be the best that you can be, or do you sometimes slack off...just a little?

We have become a society that makes getting by an art form. Working for the man, doing enough to not get fired, but not going all out to stand above the crowd. Too many people are playing small. The world is not served by your playing small...PLAY BIG!!!

Look at the things you do. What are you an expert at? What are you good at. Where have you settled on being mediocre? I'm sure there are not any places that you would say you are terrible, so let's make mediocre as the bottom rung.

How can you move out of mediocrity? Do you even want to? Or does that frighten you too much. You were meant for so much more, go for it!!!

Let's take a look at settling. One of my favorite quotes says "The place for what you want is currently occupied by what you have settled for." Is that you? Have you settled on mediocrity? I sure hope not...

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"Mediocrity is a form of madness, a dream embraced by the masses because it makes just getting by an acceptable -- sometimes applauded -- social art form."

Your Brain Is Not Your Friend

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." ~Carl Jung

Have you made your unconscious, conscious?? You say, 'What does that mean?" We are directed more by our unconsciousness than our conscious mind, in fact, 96% of our daily thoughts and actions are from the unconscious mind! Think about that for a while.

What would happen to your life if you were able to be in your conscious mind say, 5% or maybe even 7%? How much more effective would you be? How may more things would you get done, start, plan? By increasing your conscious mind by 2%, you are DOUBLING it! WOW!

Your unconscious mind is running your life right now. How's that working for you? Here's something to try to get your head around...YOUR BRAIN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. Let me repeat that: YOUR BRAIN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.

Why you ask? Because your brain (unconscious) can't tell the difference between what is real and what is not. It can't tell you what is right or wrong, but it will tell you things thinking that it is protecting you, that can hurt you. And if we are living in that brain, it is not helping us. It is NOT our friend.

Let me know what YOU THINK!
Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."

A Lousy Teacher

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." ~Bill Gates

Have you been successful before? Are you successful now? Have you found that you learn more from success or more from failure? Why is it that our society so deeply frowns on failure?

What is failure? How do you describe it? How do you feel about it? To me, failure is nothing more than feedback. It's telling me that what I'm doing isn't working and I need to change the strategy or the direction that I was going. Most people when they fail, either quit or "try harder." Are you "trying harder" but getting the same results?

Einstein said that "Doing the same thing over and expecting a different result was insanity." Yet how many people do you know that are doing that?

Success is a lousy teacher. Why do you think so many championship teams don't make it back to the championship game? Their success didn't teach them to be better, they didn't have the same hunger and with everybody trying to beat the champs, their success wasn't able to allow them to be prepared for the new challenges.

Most of you reading this are smart...Don't let your success make you think that you can't lose.

Know. Be Known. Make A Difference!

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." ~Bill Gates