The potential of creating better habits

December 13, 2007 · Posted in Blogging, Change, Choices, Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Motivation, Self-help, The Rotater 

Daylle Deanna Schwartz doesn’t take any crap – not anymore. She decided to create better habits for herself and has parlayed that decision into a successful writing career. Her blog, lessons from a recovering doormat, is inspiring, motivating and empowering. If you need to kick-start your life, then take a look at some of her articles. You’ll probably want to buy one of her books as well.

Daylle tagged me to participate in her “Creating Better Habits” challenge. I am honored that she asked and the following is my contribution.

The Rut

A little over a year ago (Oct. 14. 2006, to be exact), I decided to create a better life for myself. It’s amazing how a pivotal date can stick in your mind, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, I had and still have a good life, but I was wallowing in the rut of a high-paying union job. Great pay, fantastic benefits, okay work, NO CHALLENGE – NO FULFILLMENT. Plants can’t live in a rut and neither will you – you die on the inside.

The “Aha” moment

My good friend, Scott Kay and I were discussing the then-recent purchase of Myspace for an amount in excess of half a billion dollars, when I asked Scott, “Why don’t we do something like that?” He responded, “Okay”. That moment will be burned in my mind forever, because it changed my life.

We had an idea

Scott and I came up with an idea for an internet business. The strange thing was that neither of us knew anything about the internet. In fact, I had only recently bought a computer and had not even been on the internet in over six years. I guess that we are “intelligently ignorant” as Zig Ziglar would call it. We are like the bumble bee who doesn’t know that he’s not supposed to be able to fly.

The changes

Having a life-altering thought is easy. Changing your life is not. It requires changing yourself, which is something that people naturally avoid. I began by creating better habits, like:

  • changing my mind – I spend every spare minute reading. Internet technology, blogs, internet commerce, motivation, business, legal information, SEO, social networking, marketing, promotion, packaging, networking and much more – believe me, YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
  • attempting new things – I had no idea how to create a web site or what a blog was, but I kept reading about how I needed one, so I started a blog on one of the free hosted platforms in order to get the feel of it. It felt good – Yes, I am addicted.
  • avoiding negative people – when we started, it was all a big joke to the people that we worked with. We would hear comments like, “How’s that little internet thing coming along?” or “How’s that shoulder thing working out for you?” Now, it’s a different story, we are getting a lot of press and lot more orders. Now, people stop us and ask, “Are you selling stock in your company yet?” or “When you start hiring, remember me”.
  • testing myself – it is amazing when you realize how much you can accomplish when you are passionate about something. Sleep is for sissies – at least that is what I keep telling myself. We’ve had so many orders for the Rotater lately that we don’t have the luxury to sleep. That is, if we expect to maintain excellent customer service. And we do!
  • not taking “No” personally – some people don’t understand the concept of the Rotater or how it can help them. That’s not a problem for me, because those who reject it are in the minority and I know that it is not an indictment of me or my abilities. I just keep plugging along because I know that we are helping people regain their quality of life.

The result

I am tired, overworked, excited, stressed, stretched, learning, growing – and I absolutely love it. I am having the time of my life. How long will it last? As long as I am willing to maintain good habits.

Thanks

Thanks again, Daylle. I didn’t realize until I began, how much I needed to write this article. What a release.

Tag, your it

I would like to tag:

  • Brad Baggett – my good friend and a phenomenal connector. He “knows” people and can put you in touch with people that can help you – a networker “par excellence”.
  • Eric Sanders – another good friend with a sense of humor that is so similar to mine, that it is scary. Strong opinions and willing to share as well as defend them. A real “idea” man.
  • Tristan Loo – I’ve read some of Tristan’s writings and have been impressed with his style and substance. Recently, I had the pleasure to read “Lucky You!”, an article that he had published in a sweet self-help magazine entitled GOING BONKERS. As usual, it was great.
  • Stephen Hopson - a good friend and constant inspiration. He is one of the best networkers that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing

Tell us all how you’ve created better habits. Anyone who feel compelled to share, go to Daylle’s site and check out the rules and join the fun. The more the merrier.

Tags:

Tags: no tags

rss button for soupornuts.com Get the latest soupornuts.com via rss feed

Comments

6 Responses to “The potential of creating better habits”

  1. Daylle Deanna Schwartz on December 13th, 2007 9:51 pm

    Great post Chris! You prove that breaking habits can lead to reaching your passions. I’m so happy that you participated in the Creating Better Habits Challenge.

  2. Chris Melton on December 13th, 2007 10:50 pm

    Thanks for all your help, support and opportunities. You are one in a million.

  3. Brad Baggett on December 14th, 2007 6:36 pm

    Another great post, I really enjoyed it. You have definately been an inspiration to me and have also helped me develop some “better habits”. I will be honored to participate in the challenge.

    Thank you so much for keeping me inspired and motivated. You and Scott are great guys and I know the sky is the limit for the Rotater.

  4. Chris Melton on December 14th, 2007 7:02 pm

    Thanks Brad - “knock ‘em dead”!

  5. The missing link to success! | JuiceofChampions.com on December 16th, 2007 12:00 am

    [...] recently was tagged by Chris, at soupornuts, to participate in another one, the “Creating Better Habits Challenge”. The challenge was started by Daylle Deanna Schwartz and is open to all that want to [...]

  6. Unleash Pure, Raw Spiritual Power by Changing a Habit on December 16th, 2007 11:01 pm

    [...] When Chris Melton tagged me to participate in Dayelle Deanna Schwartz’s ”Creating Better Habits Challenge,” I wanted to write about a recent change of habit or attitude for the better without going into the archives and regurgitating something from the past.   [...]

Leave a Reply