That’s right – what’s your problem?  You’ve go one, right?  You know, “that thing” that keeps you from being a success.  Those things – (excuses) – that stand between what we are and what we want to be.

• I’m too shy
• I don’t know the “right” people
• it takes money to make money and I’m broke
• he, she, it, they are special
• I’m not smart enough
• blah, blah, blah

Give me character every time

It’s all about your character – what you believe in and whether you believe a thing is possible – FOR YOU!

This golfer lived his dream, because he had one – a dream that is.  If you’ll notice, it took:

• an idea
• asking for help
• planning
• DOING - oh yeah, the actual doing – the thing separating the heroes from the wannabes

D.J. Gregory walks every hole of every round of every tournament of the PGA tour.  Not even the pros do it.  Want to know why this is special?  Watch the video.

Don’t tell me:

• what you’d like to do or be
• what your dreams are
• your problems are
• why YOU can’t accomplish anything

I don’t want to hear it.  Show me what you can do.  Be an example for your wife and kids.  Empower the people around you by your example – or just SHUT UP and QUIT WHINNING – we have enough people doing that right now.

All joking aside – life is what YOU make it.  It’s really that simple.  You cannot continue to do the same things and expect a different outcome.  In order to have the life you want, you must DO things differently than you’re doing now.

Get Psyched!

Don’t you get tired of people whining -

• about how hard their life is?
• about how much everything costs?
• about what the government is doing?
• about how badly they are being treated?
• blah, blah, blah

I’m sick of it.  If you don’t like what’s going on, then here’s a thought – take the initiative and “do something” about it.  Yes, this will require action on your part, but think of the calories you’ll burn in the process.

Ross Training – Plenty of Motivation

If you need a little motivation then watch this great video that I found at Ross Training.  Thanks Ross

That question changes things – doesn’t it?  It kinda complicates your thinking process and makes you focus on what you really want – that’s scary.

Besides, most people don’t know “what they want”.  They are too focused on what they “don’t want”.

• I don’t want to be poor.
• I don’t want to be disrespected.
• I don’t want to be in debt.
• I don’t want to be fat.
• I don’t want to go to work.

Would you dare to pursue your dream if it meant leaving the comfort of mediocrity?

You cannot improve yourself and stay the same.  What will you choose?  And the choice is up to you.

Until you accept the idea that you are responsible for your life – nothing will ever change.  No amount of wishing and hoping or dreaming will change a thing.  Change is the result of decision that is acted upon.

Decide what you want – then get busy.

Would you dare to have more than your friends?

The quick and easy answer is yes, but it’s really not so simple.  You’ve got a lot of time and energy invested in your friendships.  Are you willing to jeapardize that?

Growth changes a person (so many people overlook this obvious fact), which can scare others.  Plus it can make them uncomfortable because they have to ask themselves why and how you were able to achieve your “new” accomplishments.  I mean you’re the same person, right?

Here’s a thought – your income is the average of your five closest friends and associates.  Test it for yourself.

Who determines what is possible?

This is an easy question.  The answer is everyone but you.  Right?

• You can’t help your lot in life.
• You don’t have an education.
• You’re not smart enough.
• You don’t have the time.
• You don’t know where to start.
• You don’t have the “connections”.

We see what we believe is possible

You’ve probably heard the phrase “I’ll believe it when I see it”.  That’s not true.  We “see” what we believe.  If we don’t think a thing is possible, then we won’t believe it – even when we do see it.

Our perception clouds and determines our reality.  As long as you limit yourself with outdated ideas and beliefs, you will never see (or be) anything new.

Keith Barry will make you question what is possible.

What do you believe is possible for you and your life?

Tags: Brain+Power, mediocrity, change

(photo courtesy of andrew mc d)

Sharing is easy while we’re children because we want everyone to enjoy the pleasures that we enjoy. Somewhere along about junior high school, that all changes. We start to exclude others while someone else sees fit to exclude us.

We start to form little cliques like:

• the “cool” kids
• the rich kids
• the gamers
• the freaks
• the jocks
• the nerds
• the suckups
• the slackers

Now that I’m older and look back on my life, I realize just how much of life you miss when you choose to alienate yourself. Why can’t we go back to that childlike innocence and share some of the things that we have?

1. Share you love

(photo courtesy of Noel Zia Lee)

Tell others how much they mean to you. Tell them that you love them. What they do with that knowledge is up to them, but I guarantee that you will feel much better – and so will they.

2. Share your thoughts

(photo courtesy of JasonRogers)

Let people know what you think about – especially your children. You’re a big mystery to your kids.

• They want to know why you do the things that you do.
• They want to know how you do the things you do.
• They want to hear stories of when you were a kid.
• They need to learn how to dream or create goals.

Children have a million thoughts running through their heads everyday and they don’t know that its normal to have that many. Explain everything to them. Answer their questions.

3. Share your opinions

(photo courtesy of Jan Tik)

Tell people what you believe and why. They may challenge your belief system. That’s good. Your views may be antiquated. You may need to revise you ideas or you may need to explain to them why you feel your opinions are correct.

4. Share your wisdom

(photo courtesy of Christina Snyder)

Be a mentor. Find someone and pass your knowledge to them. Help them avoid the pitfalls that you struggled through. Show them how to avoid the ruts in life. You’ll have a friend for life.

5. Share yourself

(photo courtesy of Tony the Misfit)

No person is complete while alone. You need others and they need you. It is when we give of ourselves that we are open to receiving the blessings that life can provide.

Sharing is easy once you get past all the cliques and petty divisions.

Tags: sharing, personal+growth, personal+development, opinions, wisdom

Charles Hannell wrote The Master Key System almost 100 years ago, but his thoughts, teaching and philosophy are timeless. Recently, while studying his work, I came across the statement, “I can be whatever I will to be” and it became stuck in my mind. Kind of like a tune that you just can’t get rid of. The more I thought about it, the more fascinated I became with the simple but profound principles it teaches.

(photo used courtesy of suika*2008)

1. I am responsible for my life

The first thing that becomes clear is that I am responsible for my life. I like that. It is nice to know that I am in control of my destiny. No matter what occurs in the external world, it is only my responses to those events that determine how they affect me.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Paul wrote that back in the first century and to me he is making a great point. He did not say that everything would be good, but that “all things work together for good”. In other words, we, through our responses determine whether a thing is good or not.

If it helps us grow spiritually, then it is good. However it is we who determine whether we choose to grow through our experiences or not.

2. I am what I will to be – not – what I want to be

When I first came across this statement it read kind of funny – funny strange. At first, I attributed it to the fact that the book was written 100 years ago and language has changed somewhat since then. But the more that I thought about it, the more I came to realize that the statement is correct as stated.

“What I want to be” is more about dreams, hopes, wants and wishes. It imposes no responsibility nor decision and requires no dedication nor commitment. It would have no value stated this way.

You get to choose between what you want (hopes) and what you will (unrealized goals) have.

3. …I will to be

“What I will to be” implies power and determination. Say these two statements:

• I am what I want to be
• I am what I will to be

Which statement sounds weak and which sounds powerful? Which statement put you in control?

“I want” sounds like pleading and begging. It reminds me of a child having a temper tantrum, stomping his or her feet and crying because the don’t have something. It bears a very strong resemblance to most people I know. There is no power in wanting.

(photo used courtesy of soldiersmediacenter)

4. The force of will

When a person imposes their will on a thing, then accomplishing that thing becomes a mission – a quest. It is a self-promise that cannot be easily discarded. You can see obvious differences in the person who is on a quest to get into shape and the person who “wants” to get into shape.

A person does not write a “Last Want and Testament” as a preparation for distribution of their assets at death. They have a lawyer compose a “Last Will and Testament”. It becomes the only way that their goods can be disbursed, because that person has “willed” it to be so done.

5. Use this affirmation – as often as possible

“I am what I will to be”. Say it often. Substitute your own desires and see how it affects your life.

• I am what I will to be

• I accomplish what I will to accomplish

• I acquire what I will to acquire

• I create what I will to create

• I learn what I will to learn

• I understand what I will to understand

• I do what I will to do

• I am successful because I will to be successful

Try it for a few days and you’ll begin to understand how powerful your will truly is.

Tags: responsibility, decision, determination, affirmation

Jill Bolte Taylor’s first-person telling of awakening and then slowly realizing that she has had and is having a stroke.  What makes this telling so unique is that Jill is uniquely qualified to articulate this accidental experiment.  It is inspiring and enlightening on so many levels.

Take the time to watch and listen – It may change the way you think about reality – your reality.

Passion can be stirred by a number of different things:

• your beliefs
• your desires
• your dreams
• your experiences

This post is about three women that I’ve had the privilege to come to know since starting this blog. Women whose passion for helping others was ignited by their battle with breast cancer.

(photo courtesy of Andreia)

Cancer is ugly and terrifying – but it can be beaten. Modern medicine has proved that cancer can be beaten by driving the mortality rates of most cancers down. However, those same treatments are severe and take a huge toll on the body and mind.

These three cancer survivors have dedicated their lives to helping others. Here’s how:

Jane Ali and SurvivorCelebration.com

I met Jane at the House of Blues in the Madalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas during a mixer for the participants of the fall PGA expo, this past September (2007). Jane gave a short presentation detailing her then up-coming nation-wide bus tour to promote breast cancer awareness.

My business partner, Scott Kay, and I had been trying to become involved with breast cancer rehabilitation, but really didn’t how or where to start. Thankfully, Jane and her husband A.J. took the time to talk with us and provide us with some direction and suggestions. They also made us aware of their website, SurviviorCelebration.com and encouraged us to create our Pink Rotater.

Since then, A.J. has taken SurvivorCelebration.com and transformed in into an interactive social networking site that provides all the tools a person needs to:

• meet other cancer survivors and patients
• learn from others
• inspire
• be inspired

SurvivorCelebration.com is in its infancy and needs you. Take the time to visit and put up your own page and then tell your friends about it. There is no cost – here’s my page. If you’ve always wanted to get involved, but didn’t know how, then here’s your chance. SurvivorCelebration.com is not just about breast cancer, but about dealing with all forms of cancer. There are a multitude of groups for everyone – take a look and then join today.

Christine Clifford Beckwith and The Cancer Club

I met Christine vicariously through a book that she had co-authored with her husband Harry Beckwith entitled “You, Inc.” While reading this book, I learned of Christine’s battle with breast cancer and more importantly her passion to inspire others through her talent of using comedy to create cartoons that just force you to laugh.

Christine has created The Cancer Club to help cancer patients cope with their situation, inspire others and use laughter to help relieve the constant stress associated with cancer. This website is filled with hope, inspiration, gifts, encouragement, laughter and much more.

Christine provides a monthly newsletter that I subscribe to and encourage you to do so as well. I always learn something new and her cartoons always make me laugh.

(This is one of Christine’s hilarious cartoons.)

Carol Cauthen and Touching You

I had the pleasure of meeting Carol when she read an article about the Rotater in the Birmingham News and contacted me via email. Since then, she has begun to carry the Rotater in her breast cancer boutique on a consignment basis.

Carol is a 21–year survivor of breast cancer. Her passion led to the creation of first her boutique, Touching You and then her website, TouchingYou.com. Touching You is dedicated to the breast cancer survivor and offers a huge variety of products that have been created to deal with their special needs.

Everyone who works for Carol is a breast cancer survivor and therefore knows how to help.

Passion not taken lightly

Many people use the word “passion” carelessly. When you are passionate about something, then you DO something – not discuss it. These three women have used their battle with cancer to become passionate about helping others who face cancer.

What are you that passionate about?

Tags: the+Pink+Rotater, Survivor+Celebration, The+Cancer+Club, Toughing+You, cancer, breast+cancer

• If you have to ask the question, then the answer is NO! 
• If you have the ability to do more than you are currently doing, then the answer is NO! 
• If no one is asking you for your advice on being successful, then the answer is NO!  Millionaire Mommy currently boasts a subscribership of 2848 readers and that number is growing.  I’ll bet that they read her posts to discover how she became a millionaire.  People want her advice because she is successful. 

Do you want to be successful? 

Everyone wants to be successful, right?  Not really.  Everyone dreams of success, but few “do” anything that moves them toward success.  The “doing” is a requirement for “having and enjoying”.  What are you doing that will lead you to success? 

Here are some clues: 

• If you are doing the same things as all your friends and associates, then you will not be successful. 
• Successful people are different by their very nature.  They separate themselves not because they have special abilities, but because they have developed common abilities to uncommon levels.  Everyone works, but they work hard.  Everyone has an idea, but they pursue their idea.  Everyone starts a fitness program, but they continue it.   
• Successful people realize that success can be achieved because others have done it.  Success is not a secret – it leaves clues.  Do what successful people do and you will increase your chances of being successful. 
• Successful people don’t sacrifice the “excellence of achievement” for the mediocrity of “good enough”.

What does success mean to you? 

Let’s get to the point – No one is going to “give” you success.  You must earn it and that may take time.  Watch the following video that I found on Dethroner – it defines success on so many levels.  This video is about eight minutes long, but worth every second.  Some points to remember as you watch:

• Obstacles can be in your way even when you don’t see them.
• Troubles can chase you down.
• When you are down, others want a piece of you.
•  Always fight for what you want.
• It helps to be a part of a “strong support network”. 
• Never give up!  Never quit!

You will be successful when you want success as badly as this calf wants to survive.  It’s as simple as that.

• Can you walk?
• Can you talk?
• Can you see and hear?
• Did you sleep in a bed last night?
• Are you hungry?
• Do you have a job?

(photo by PJFurlong06)

We all have so much to be thankful for. Perhaps it is because of this that we tend to focus on what we don’t have. It’s really just a matter of perspective. If you live in America and are living at poverty level, then you are still better off than 90% of the rest of the people in the world.

• America is the great land of opportunity. If you live here, then you are limited only by the limitations that you place on yourself.
• Statistically, a person who immigrates to the U.S. is four times more likely to become a millionaire than a native born American.
• Why? They see what is possible and realize that the only things that stand in their way can be overcome with hard work, time, dedication and focus. They see opportunity – not the lack of it.

You really have to work hard to feel sorry for yourself when you put things into perspective.

2. Don’t take yourself to seriously – No one else does

We all spend a lot of time wondering what other people are thinking and saying about us. The answer is simple – how much time do you spend thinking about other people? If my guess is correct, then it is quite a bit less than we are willing to admit.

(photo by Jimmy Joe)

We all like to think that people are listening to what we have to say and that they care about what we think. They are really just waiting for us to shut up so that they can have their turn to talk.

It is only when we focus our attention on “the other” person that people begin to appreciate us. People don’t really care what we think until they know that we care. By taking the time to listen we demonstrate that we value the other person.

• We want to hear what they think
• We are open to their ideas
• We want to help them

3. Keep your promises

Keeping your word will eliminate most of the guilt that you feel and lighten the load of stress.

(photo by discoodini)

• If you can’t fulfill an obligation then inform the person to whom you have made a commitment to as soon as possible. This will give them the chance to find an alternative and demonstrate your integrity. If you put it off, then you limit the options of the other person and put yourself in an even worse position.
• Don’t make promises that you know you can’t keep. Don’t promise the moon if you know that you can’t deliver it. You’ll lose credibility. People will lose respect for you and you won’t be taken seriously. It’s not worth it.
• Promises to you children (and spouse) count the same as a promise to a customer or colleague. Even though they’ll overlook your shortcomings in this area (for a while), it will eventually affect the long-term health of your relationship. It’s kind of difficult to tell a teen that you are interested in their life and problems when you haven’t been spending time with them.
• Apologies get old and no one takes them seriously if they are said too often. Keep your promises and you’ll have fewer apologies to make.

4. If you have a dream – then you owe it to yourself to pursue it

(photo by @n@bou)

Don’t blame others for your inability to do what you want to do. If you want it badly enough, then you will find a way to make it happen. Often the problem is that that there is “no easy” way to do what we want. There seldom is.

• Realizing a dream does not happen without effort – your effort.
• Show your passion – it shows that you are serious and lights a fire under others as well.
• Move confidently in the direction of your dream every day. Small steps add up. Do something every single day that contributes to the achievement of your goal.
• Ask for help. Others want to help and will help. Don’t be too proud – besides, sharing an accomplishment makes the accomplishment mean that much more.

Tags: promises, integrity, dreams, goals, blessings