Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts

Be Kind

Posted: Tuesday, December 9, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , , ,
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Last night I was talking with my daughters about the poor behaviors of others while at work. My girls love working with people and at 18 – 23, one is a waitress, one is a salesperson for a cell phone company, and one works at a local grocery store. As such, all three get to see the good as well as the bad behaviors of the people in our community… Which is certainly magnified this time of year.

After listening to their horror stories and sharing a few of my own from my early days selling Christmas trees, I was reminded of the quote; "A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person."
My favorites were the people who would say: "I could buy this place and fire you," or "I know the owner and I could have you fired." Those who say such things have revealed more about their character & integrity than about their influence or power.

To live life to the fullest, at some point in our life we need to let go of the idea that some people are below us. The Bible is very clear in stating that this isn't the case. Even if you've worked hard to get to where you are in life, there’s no such thing as a self-made person. Someone believed, encouraged, and invested in you. Be grateful and be that someone for others as well. What goes around eventually comes around. No one has ever made themselves strong in the long run by showing how small someone else is.

Personally, some of the best lessons I have learned in my life have come from people who (my arrogant, younger self) thought that there was nothing that person could teach me. Don't be lazy and make assumptions about people. Ask about their story. Then listen. Be humble. Be teachable. Be human. Next time you want to scold a waitress or argue with a salesperson… realize that was once each of us, and it could be my daughter… or it could be yours.
Remember, The only time you should look down on someone is when you are reaching down to lift them up!
You've got this!
LWS

Is it time for you to stop setting goals?

Posted: by Unknown in Labels: , , , , ,
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I was talking with a partner this morning and he asked me: "What goals are you shooting for next year?" He went silent when I said; "I am not setting goals for next year. I didn't set any this year, and it was a record year for us... so I am skipping setting goals for next year as well." He was shocked, but then I explained to him my thought process...

We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives — getting into the better shape, building a successful business, raising a wonderful family, improving our financial situation, and so on. For most of us, the path to those things starts by setting a specific and actionable goal. I have taught people this process for years and this is how I approached my life until recently. I would set yearly goals for my health, my finances, my business, and my life. Setting goals has been a huge part of my life for over 25 years... But the results have been mixed.

Today, what I’m starting to realize is that when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things. It all comes down to the difference between your goals and your system.

What’s the difference between your goals and your system?
If you’re a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.
If you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.
If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million dollar business. Your system is your sales, marketing, and training process.

Now for the really interesting question… If you completely ignored your goals and focused only on your system, would you still get results? 
You know you would!  My friend Randy Schroeder says this; “DDDDBC – Daily disciplines done daily build character.” And they do… but they also build businesses, finances, better health and so on.

There are two more reasons why you should focus on systems instead of goals.
1. Goals reduce your current happiness.
When you’re working toward a goal, you are essentially saying, “I’m not good enough yet, but I will be when I reach my goal.” The problem with this mindset is that you’re teaching yourself to always put happiness and success off until the next milestone is achieved. “Once I reach my goal, then I’ll be happy. Once I achieve my goal, then I’ll be successful.”
SOLUTION: Commit to a process, not just a goal.
You can keep things simple and reduce stress by focusing on the daily process and sticking to your schedule, rather than worrying about the big, life-changing goals. When I started my business years ago I set goals to hit three separate levels by certain dates. I missed my first one by three months, the second by six months, and the third by two and a half years. Needless to say I was unhappy and frustrated. However, I found it much easier to focus on the daily disciplines I could control (how many phone calls, presentations, etc. ) The key to our success in network marketing has nothing to do with the ranks we have hit, it's all in our "system." We have simply averaged 15+ presentations a month for over 25 years. When you focus on the practice instead of the performance, you can enjoy the present moment and improve at the same time.

2. Goals are strangely at odds with long-term progress.
You might think your goal will keep you motivated over the long-term, but that’s not always true. Consider someone who sets a goal to lose 30 pounds. Many people will work hard for months, but as soon as they hit that goal, they stop training. Their goal was to lose the weight and now that they have completed it, that goal is no longer there to motivate them. This can create a type of “yo-yo effect” where people go back and forth from working on a goal to not working on one. This type of cycle makes it difficult to build upon your progress for the long-term.
SOLUTION: Release the need for immediate results.
When you set a goal and you don’t reach it, you often feel like a failure. But with a systems-based mentality, it’s much easier to carry on. Systems-based thinking is never about hitting a particular number, it’s about sticking to the process and not backing off of your efforts.

None of this is to say that goals are useless. However, I've found that goals are good for planning your progress and systems are good for actually making progress.
Goals can provide direction and even push you forward in the short-term, but eventually a well-designed system will always win.
Having a system is what matters. Committing to the process is what makes all the difference!

You've got this!
LWS


Excerpts via@ Scott Adams & James Clear

No Man's Land.

Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , ,
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Tennis is a great game. It teaches players a lot about temperament and psychological tendencies. Tennis is one of those games where you must play the ball, not the opponent. If you take care of the ball, take care of your shot, you force your opponent to take care of his business also. 

Court position is a vital part of a player's strategy and ability to execute effective shots. In tennis, the phrase "No Man's Land or The Dead Zone" refers to the area of the tennis court where a player doesn't want to be trading shots. This area is where half volleys land at your feet, shots go into your body and too much open court is exposed for angled passing shots. Good players spend almost no time here. They may return a short ball from no man’s land but will return to the baseline or take the net. No man’s land is where mediocre players go to die.

No man’s land is not just a tennis issue. "No Man's Land" can be a metaphor for nearly every aspect of a life. No man’s land is any place where you are unfocused, uncommitted, waffling, or have an unclear vision of what to do or where you are going... And guaranteed, you will get chewed up. No man’s land is where mediocre entrepreneurs go to die.

If you are going to be successful at anything, at some point you must decide whether you’re in or you’re out. It’s that simple! No more stories, no more sidestepping, no more excuses, escape hatches, or half efforts. You’re either in, or you’re out. You are either going to do it or you're not!

Learn from others that are successful, make your venture a priority, pay the price and never give up!

LWS

#success

We all get down... you just don't want to stay there!

Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , ,
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Last week I put up a post on Facebook about bitterness and received a private message from a friend who asked a powerful question. She asked; “I liked your post today regarding you and Tracey... But what if it's underlying sadness that often comes out as bitterness. If we let go of the front that holds strong people stronger then we are often left with a crumbling wall of tears. Finding strength to pull past that, has proven difficult for me. Even trusting and relying on God makes me feel weak.”
(While this is a little long, I would like to share my reply here in hopes that it may add value to others going through the same struggles)



Let me start by saying that most people deal with negative emotions by putting up walls. We are all really two people. Who we really are and who we want the world to think we are. The closer the two people are, the greater the happiness and joy in your life. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers for this one, but I would like to share a couple of thoughts that have been a benefit in my life as well as others.

1. List everything in your life you are grateful for.
No matter the cards you've been dealt, or whether this year has felt tougher than most, there's always something in life to be thankful for. There's also a good reason to find that something: Practicing gratitude and writing down your blessings takes your mind away from what’s wrong with your life and brings you back to what’s right in it. Then begin and end each day reading your list.

2. Make a mental decision that your best days are ahead of you.
Personally, sadness has always seeped into my life when I look at past failures, broken relationships, and regrets. It’s like at times I can get stuck re-reading the same chapter of my life over and over. At some point, I (you) must make a conscious decision to turn the page and move forward with your life. Life is always best when it’s spent looking through the windshield rather than the rear view mirror.

3. Be careful who you confide in.
Working through depression or sadness is an internal battle. While you may have a parent or spouse that can help you through it, more often than not, you create a bigger issue when you get others involved. Unfortunately, there are also people around you that will use it against you and are glad that you have them. When I have spoken with a friend about a problem that they really can’t “fix,” suddenly I have two problems… The original problem, and the reaction from my friend about my problem.

4. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.
While it is a difficult skill to master, one of the greatest powers that we have is the ability to choose one thought over another. A trained mind has the ability to decipher what thoughts serve them well and those that don't. While telling someone to “stop thinking about what makes them sad” may sound too simple, training yourself to choose which thoughts to dwell on is one of the best ways to find peace and happiness in your life. Like growing a garden, the only way to have a successful harvest is by regular weeding.

5. Trust in God.
As a Christian, the knowledge that I am not alone is what gives me strength. I admit that I don’t know all of Gods plans in my life… But I know that He has them and I am grateful to be part of them.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

May God Bless you!
You've got this!

Money Is not important to me!

Posted: by Unknown in Labels: , , ,
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Every month or two, usually after one of my business ownership seminars, someone will come up to me and smugly say something like; "I am not like you or these people here, money means very little to me." I always get a good chuckle out of that remark and upon further questioning, without fail, they will fall into one of three categories:

1. They are collecting disability, welfare, unemployment or being financially supported by some other social program.
2. They are living at home with their parents, living on their own with the support of their parents, or are being financially supported by a friend, family member or their spouse.
3 They are working two to three jobs and if married, the spouse works as well. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the people in the first two categories are virtually unteachable since it requires little or no effort on their part to exist. (Now I realize from time to time someone may need some temporary help, that's not what I am discussing here. I am referring to someone who is "riding in the wagon" questioning the motives as well as minimizing others for wanting to make money while they "pull the wagon.")
 The people in the third category give me hope. They are working hard so I will always try give them a few minutes of my time so I can walk them through a few common misconceptions. Personally, In my early 20's I had some misguided thoughts about money and wealth until I was taught some of the following simple truths:

 1. Money is neither good nor bad, it's a magnifier of who you are. Contrary to what many believe, money is certainly NOT the root of all evil. What the Bible actually says is, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Those two little words, “love of” make a huge difference to the total meaning. I can tell you from my own experience that I thought more about money when I didn't have it than when I did. Look at every hospital wing, church, charity, or humanitarian effort and it will ultimately lead back to a financially blessed person who wanted to pay it forward and become a blessing to others. If you are a good person, we ALL want you to become wealthy!

 2. Time is more valuable than money. Financially successful people understand this and they use their money to buy time while everyone else sells it. When you have enough income, you are able to pay people to do the things you don't want to do yourself. Things like cleaning your house, maintaining your car, mowing your lawn, cleaning your pool or helping run your business. Once I understood that people pay others to do things they don't want to do so they can have more time for the things they want to do, the next logical question that changed my life years ago was; "so why am I getting paid at my job?"

 3. When you sell your time, you are never paid what you are worth, only what the job is worth. My daughter, who worked at a coffee shop, once complained to me that she should be paid more than $9.00 an hour. My daughter is amazing so I quickly agreed, but unfortunately for her the job was only worth $9.00 an hour. Once she understood this, she quickly found a new job that had more value. Remember, salaries are well publicized... Taking a job, then complaining about the pay is like moving to Phoenix and complaining that it's hot.

 4. Happiness doesn't come from having stuff, happiness comes from having options. While a nice house, car, or boat is great, most financially successful people value the freedom they have over anything that they own. When I had a job in my early 20's I was told when to get up, what time to be at work, when to go to lunch, and when I could go home. Come to think of it, most of the decisions that impacted my time and life were made by someone else. You can never be truly free until you are financially free.

 5. Unless you take control of your future, you will spend most of your life working for money. I had a very short debate with a professional in their thirty's last year. After he told me money wasn't his "priority" in life, I asked him; "what was?" He came up with a great list... His family, his faith, his health, helping others, etc... He was surprised when I agreed, then I asked him how much time he spent every day making money?" "Nine to ten hours" was his reply. Ok, how much time does that leave you with your family? Your faith? Your health? Etc.? He got quiet... because it's easy to say that money's not important but your time and actions tell the real story.

Chase your passions, make money, have fun and make a difference!
You've got this!

It's Your Life... Don't Miss It!

Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , , , ,
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From time to time, someone will private message me criticizing me for posting a lifestyle picture or they will accuse me of bragging about my family, a recent purchase, trips, or something like that. It never really bothers me, but today I would like to explain why I post certain things.

Several years ago I went to a wedding for a close friend’s daughter. At the reception, in the middle of the first dance between his daughter and the groom, I noticed my friend starting to tear up. When I asked him if he was ok his reply was “I missed it.” “Missed what?” I asked. “Her whole life” he said. While this friend was financially successful, I wondered at that moment; “How much of his money would he be willing to give back in return for a few more years with his only daughter?” The experience reminded me of the John Lennon quote; "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”

From that day on I stopped counting my life in just months, years and decades and decided to focus on having a good day… because, as my friend Kevin Knebl says; “Good days make up a good life.” The first thing I say every morning when I awake is; "Thank you God for another day.” The last thing I do each day is thank Him for my blessings and ask for one more. If the answer is no, I would like to believe that I am ready. That doesn't mean I'm looking to go right away, but if it's my time, I believe I am ready because I have thoroughly enjoyed my life.

Personally, I meet a lot of people that are “preparing” to get ready to live. They delay all the things they want to do on the hopes that one day they can. I used to be like that. I would say things like; “I will be happy once I am married”, or “once I buy a home.” I will be a success once I accomplish “this” or once I am able to do “that.”


So my thought for today is this… Yes, prepare for the future and be responsible but don't forget to live today! Take your kids golfing and enjoy a sunset. Plan a trip, buy a pet, sing out loud to a to a great song, laugh more. Tell more people that you love them and ask for forgiveness from someone you’ve wronged. Don't wait. Do it now, because that is all you are guaranteed.

This is your life… Don’t “Miss It!”

Carry on… ツ

Every Choice You Make.

Posted: by Unknown in Labels: , , , , ,
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Last week, Tracey and I sat down with our third daughter Kasey and discussed her future. We have gone through this exercise with her older sisters and it’s been a milestone in each of their lives. Since there are a lot of uncertainties in life for a teenager, rather than ask them to decide a particular career path or choose their soul mate, we asked them to describe to us the “30,000 foot” view of what they want their life to look like in 10 to 15 years.

Do they want to be married? If so, what would their ideal spouse be like? Will they have a family and what will that look like? Will they own a home? Go to work every day? Will they be making good money in ten years? Will they travel and where? Do they see themselves going to soccer games to watch their kids on weekends and will they go to church? Will they live in the city, the suburbs, or in the country?

Once we have view of where they want to be, I give them an assignment to put it on paper. To cut out a picture of the home they see themselves in, the spouse they see themselves with and the children as well. Get a picture of the places they dream of traveling to and the things they would like to see.

The final step to this process is the most important of the entire exercise.
As a professional speaker, I have taught for years that there is no joy in settling for less than you deserve and that we are all a product of all the choices we make. I see most people give up what they want most for what they want now and I have taught that there is no shortcuts to success.
With that in mind, we explained to my daughter that EVERY decision she makes, from this point forward, will either take her closer to this reality or further away.
Every friend she chooses.
Every boy she dates.
Every class she takes.
Her work ethic.
Her desire for excellence.
Her character.
Her moral compass.
Every rule she keeps or breaks.
Everything!
Each decision will either get her closer to her Dream Life or further away… Period!

This has been a valuable lesson to my children as well as a great reminder for me.
Every choice and decision that I make either gets me closer to my dreams or further away…. And yours do too!

Don't Focus on the Bug Guts!

Posted: by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , ,
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Last week I had a conversation with a good friend which became awkward after fifteen minutes or so. My friend has an amazing family and career and it was like he was trying his hardest to find the problems in his life in spite of his good fortune. It reminded of a speech I did years ago on focus.

One summer I decided to take my family cross-country in our first motorhome. On the third day we drove from Utah into Colorado and came across one of the prettiest valleys we had ever seen. The surrounding mountaintops were covered with snow and had pine trees as far as you could see. The valley was full of color with a dozen different flowers that were in bloom and there was a crystal clear river winding back and forth from the freeway to the base of the mountains.

 As I drove down into this breathtaking valley a bug hit the lower left corner of my windshield followed by a second right beside it. They both left a pretty big marks and along with the normal yellow color they seemed to have mixed in a little green and red. In fact one of them, I recall, looked like it was taking the shape of Florida as it spread across the corner of my windshield.

About that time I heard Tracey scream my name and I looked up just in time to recover from almost driving off the side of the freeway. As I caught my breath I realized that in the midst of one of the most beautiful places in the world I almost lost everything... Why? Because rather than looking at all the amazing things around me I was off staring at the “Bug Guts.”

That story later became a CD as well as a metaphor for our family when we lose sight of our blessing and focus on the problems. When we take our eye off of where we are going and get distracted by the hurts of the past.

So today, ask yourself: "What are the “bug guts” in my life?"
What are you focusing on that could cost you everything? What are you constantly thinking about that you need to put behind you? Then do it!

As I often post here… Life is Beautiful!

Carry on… ツ

Should I stay or should I go?

Posted: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , , , , , ,
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Should I stay or should I go?

This is not only a song from one of my favorite 80's bands "The Clash," it's a question that we must ask ourselves on a regular basis.
You will often hear people say; "the only thing constant in life is change." 
While change is a fact of life, it doesn't mean you need to givie up or starting over every time something gets tough. 

As I work with people from all walks of life, one of the most concerning trends I have witnessed is the "disposable" attitude most people have about the most important aspects of their lives.  When things get difficult, people often give up on friends, marriages, careers, businesses, family, etc...  Nothing is safe. 
As I stated in an earlier post, "people quit everything."  I shake my head daily as I watch people sell themselves short or give up on the people around them.

To be clear, sometimes you need to make a change and begin again... but when?
I don't claim to have all the answers, but after working with people over the last 25 years, there is one thing that I am certain of... "Walking away and giving up should be your LAST resort...not your first."

Whenever I get upset at my current circumstances and want to make a change in my life, I always ask myself  two critical questions:
1. Am I in the right place? 
    Is this person, business, or relationship worth my time and effort, or am I wasting my time?
    More often than not, we are the weak link, so here is another way to look at it,
    If I was right would this be right?
2. Have I given it all I have? 
    You have to be honest on this one. Ask yourself this, if I was on my "A" game, would I have different    results than I have now... and have I given it enough time to see the results?
Most people don't quit, they just give up before they ever get good or see the results they want.

If you believe that you are not in the right place and you have given it your all, then maybe it is time for a change... But if you are in the right place and you haven't given your best, then I would stay put and get back to work!  Your "future" self will thank you for it....

That's my "take," what's yours?

What are the Odds?

Posted: Friday, October 12, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , , ,
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Another Network Marketing Question I get all the time is this; "What are the odds that I will make it?" or "Why do only a small percentage of people make "real" money in Network Marketing?"

There are three things we need to understand for us to answer the "odds" question:
1. Most people that join us don't do anything. (Sorry, if you want a free ride this is the wrong industry for you... Buy a lottery ticket! And those of you in the industry that sell this as "something for nothing" need to stop it or get out.)
2. Not everyone who joins us wants to make millions a year. (Some want free products, some want to make hundreds a month & some want to make thousands)
3. Its really just a math equation. (In my company, someone with 100 people on their team will make around 50K a year. The math on that would show that only 1% of the distributors make a thousand a week, but that's not really the WHOLE truth...Most of the hundred are just consumers, some of the hundred are getting their product for free, some are making hundreds a week, and there are a handful of builders who are well on the way to having a hundred people on their team.)

Here is another way to look at it...
I am a member of a large fitness club in Southern California. While there are over 10,000 paying members at my club, at any given time there are only a hundred or so people actually working out. Of those 100, only a handful look like they could be featured in a fitness magazine.
So here is the BIG question... What are the odds that a NEW member can become one of the "chiseled" few? ( And timing, positioning, and who you know have nothing to do with it!)
Actually, the real question is this... "What are the odds that the new member will DO what it takes to become one of the FEW?"
Here is the truth about my gym:
* The majority of the members who aren't in the gym will have absolutely NO change and therefore will have no return on their money. (in our industry you will at least get great products)
* As long as they stay consistent, the people working out in the gym will change based on their effort and goals. ( More effort = More results )
* The few who make it a priority in their life, stay focused on their goals, & give it ALL they have will see the biggest change. (This is where champions are made!)
Anyone CAN, but few will DO...

And that my friends... Is our business!

It didn't work for them!

Posted: by Unknown in Labels: , , ,
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In my twenty five years in the network marketing industry, the one comment I hear weekly is; "I have a _________  (friend, brother, neighbor, etc...) who got into "that" and didn't make it.

I can usually get a good shock out of them when I tell them that I agree. I know that better than anyone!
EVERYONE knows "someone" who got involved in Network Marketing and quit.... So what?  People have quit my gym, quit school, quit on their marriage, quit my church... The truth is, people quit everything! 

 A close friend of mine decide one day that he would take up the game of golf. He spent over a thousand dollars on clubs and equipment and only went golfing ONE time. He got so mad that he went home and sold everything. When I decided to take up golf, my friends experience never even entered my mind... Why would I?
And the last thing I would ask for was his opinion on Golf...



Most people that quit anything really didn't fail, they actually quit before they ever got started. Success in our industry is actually pretty simple... You have to do enough of the right things.


Some people do enough, but not the right things.
Other’s do the right things, just not enough of them.
Do both and you WILL see results!     ツ

How to apologize like a man

Posted: Monday, August 20, 2012 by Unknown in Labels: , , , ,
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There will come a time in every man’s life when things don't go his way. This is the reality of life, and I can tell that it’s naive to think that you will always be right or that you will always find yourself on the winning end. You won't, so deal with it. This is especially true if you are a leader involved in a lot of people’s lives. Sometimes you will get the chance to say “I told you so,” other times you will “get” to hear it.
If you are the guilty party, the only real choice you have is to be a man and face the music.  A real man is one who can face up to his mistakes and learn something from them so that he never repeats them.

 So the question is, when is it OK to admit you're wrong? Although this question has puzzled men for centuries, the answer is quite simple: when you're wrong.
Where we get a glimpse into character is watching the way a person admits their mistakes ( if they do so at all ) , if they take full responsibility, and then what they are doing to clean up the mess. I have found that when good men make mistakes, they own up to them and get to work fixing them as best they can, even if it hurts. This takes character, integrity and a greater desire to be good, rather than simply to look good.

I know that many of you are probably thinking, “Isn't admitting defeat a bit like quitting?”
The answer to this question is no. In fact, it couldn't be further from quitting.  Let me explain;
For those of you that know me, you know that I am an optimist and that I hate to lose. I never, under any circumstances say, “What should I do now?” or “Hopefully I'll do better next time.” This type of attitude is weak and lacks vision. However, one shouldn't be afraid to acknowledge defeat either. You see, a real man has the ability to stand up tall and admit that he’s wrong. But, accepting defeat is not the same as admitting defeat. I don't believe that, as a man, you should ever accept defeat. The only thing worse is a man that acts like he is a victim and then defers the blame. A "Never Give Up" mentality is what separates winners from its losers. The ability to swallow your pride after making a mistake shows strength and can begin the process of forgiveness.  With the right attitude, even losing can make you a stronger and better man.

 Finally, if you have a friend or leader who has made an error and is now stepping up, offer them understanding and forgiveness... Lord knows that it could be any of us the next time.

 Lance Smith



Who said What? - Understanding the critics in your life.

Posted: Saturday, July 30, 2011 by Unknown in Labels: , , ,
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"Shelly said I was Ugly," my daughter said when she came home from Jr High a few years ago.  “Who did?” I asked. 

“A girl in my English class, do you remember her?" was her reply. 
"I don't, Why would she say that, and more importantly, do you think it’s true?” I asked. 


She thought for a minute , “Not really, but it wasn't very nice of her.”
I agreed, told her how pretty she is, and then we spoke for a few minutes trying to decipher the root of Shelly's criticism. (Shelly liked a boy, who liked my daughter, nothing more... )

“You want critics in your life,” I said to my daughter. 
“Really?” she questioned. “ Yes, trust me on this one.”


Although it’s hard to comprehend for an eleven year old, everyone who has ever accomplished anything significant in life has a loyal, and often vocal  following of critics. You can start with the president, then work backwards from there. Find any successful person or worthy cause, and I can point you at a person, a writer, or an author of a blog that despises them.


We know that the higher you climb the ladder in life, the more your rear end is exposed. 
The truth is; To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, & be nothing.
To put it differently,  If no one is shooting at you, you're not doing enough.

 Critics are a part of life and are not necessarily a bad thing.  We can listen to what is said, then sort through all the noise to see if any of the points are valid. Personally, If I were to internalize ALL the criticism I have received over my 45 years on this planet, I would be a useless  mess.


Criticism on the other hand, can be very helpful if it’s coming from a good source with the right intentions. 
It can help by;
1. Identifying flat spots in your thinking.
2. Making you aware of others’ perspective.
3. Keeping you accountable for your words and actions.


I gave my daughter an outline I have used for years to understand the meaning of it.
“First, you need to weed out jealousy, bitter people, or those with a different philosophical or moral compass.” I said. 
Hurting people hurt people and arguing with someone with a different view of life will usually be a waste of time and effort.

“Next, you have to figure out the relevance. I have always based the weight of any criticism on three factors.  My relationship with the person, their knowledge of the events, and their personal track record. "

I add them up as follows;

Their relationship with me
None 1
Acquaintance 2
Friend 3
Relative/Good friend 4
Mentor 5


Their knowledge of the events in question
None 1
Very Little 2
Some 3
knowledgeable 4
Expert 5

Their  personal track record
None 1
Minimal 2
Average 3
Good 4
Successful 5
 "Add up the three, and this is what you should do," I explained.


3 - 6 Flush it ( Not worth thinking about )
7 - 9 Acknowledge it ( Look at facts to verify )
10 - 12 Consider it ( Most likely some truth in it )
13 -15 Respect it ( Look again at your beliefs and validate them or change)


When a critic scores a 3, you are wasting your time even thinking about it but a score above 10, take notice and improve.... but keep on moving forward!

As Theodore Roosevelt said;

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

That's my take, what's yours?


Lance


( Archived from a previous blog of mine )

It's not about the "What," It's about the "Why!"

Posted: Friday, May 7, 2010 by Unknown in Labels: , ,
9


Everyone is "busy" ... Busy with our families, busy with our work, our businesses, & busy with our lives.
Yet some people just seem to be knocking it out of the park in everything they do while others seem like they are barely holding on.
What's the difference?
Sure, there is the financial angle we could discuss, the spiritual angle too,  or even the mental angle could come into question here.  But I want to take this in a different direction ...
When it comes to our daily routine in business and in life,
Everyone knows "what to do,"  but most people don't focus on "why" they are doing it.
...Once there were 3 bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing.
The first man answered gruffly,
"I'm laying bricks."
The second man replied,
"I'm putting up a wall."
But the third man said enthusiastically and with pride,
"I'm building a cathedral."


My question for you is this, what are you doing everyday?
Just "laying bricks," or are you "building" something incredible?
What ever role you play in life or business, people don't buy into people/companies that just know "what to do," they buy into people/businesses that know "why" they are doing it!
That's my "Take," what's yours?
********************************
Here is a great clip from Simon Sinek that hammers home this point.

Stuck?

Posted: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by Unknown in Labels: ,
0



"When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us." - Alexander Graham Bell 





Things Money Can't Buy

Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 by Unknown in Labels: , ,
0


Money can do a lot of things, and I am a big fan of having more than having less... But one thing I have never done is attach my happiness or self worth to my bank account... Truth is, if you can't be happy on $40,000 a year, you won't be happy at $4,000,000 a year. 
SO here are a few things that money can't buy... 
Please feel free to add a few of your own.
Family Holding Hands
1. A First Kiss from Someone Special – The sweet rush of butterflies in your tummy when you kiss someone special for the very first time.

2. The Realization of True Love – The warm feeling you get many years after your first kiss

3. The huge smile on the face of a child when they finally "get it" as they're being taught math or reading.

4. The day you realize you married the right person. – Every day you confirm it from that day on.

5. Beauty – Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

6. Faith - Knowing where you come from, who you are, & where you are going.

7. True Friendship – Through thick and thin, they stood by your side. They were there when you had nothing but them.

8. Peace of Mind – It can only be acquired with an honest heart.

9. Beginner’s Eyes – You’ll never see it again for the very first time.

10. The Joy of Telling an Interesting True Story – One of the most enticing roles we lead in life is that of a storyteller. There are few things more satisfying than telling a true story that others enjoy listening to.

11. Happiness – True happiness is achieved by doing what you love and being involved in something you believe in.

12. Success – Success is simply excelling at doing what you love.

13. A Single Moment of Time – Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

14. A Baby’s Laughter – Babies don’t care about money. They care about kindness, love, and living in the moment.

15. Surprise Encounters with Long-Lost Friends – You haven’t seen them in years, and you figured you’d probably never see them again. Then suddenly, there they are standing right in front of you.

16. The Feeling of Self-Accomplishment – You set your sights on a specific goal and followed through until you achieved it. Now that’s something to celebrate!

17. The Sound of Raindrops Outside – …as you snuggle up on the couch. Few sounds are more soothing.

18. A Good, Genuine Conversation – Those moments of verbal bonding when the topic of conversation flows seamlessly and all parties involved gain as much as they put in.

19. An Unexpected Compliment – It seems like just another busy afternoon, but then someone stops you and says, “I love your shirt. That color looks great on you.”

20. The Feeling You Get When Your Idea Works – You’ve been struggling to resolve a complex problem all day, but you just can’t seem to get it right. Filled with frustration, you decide to try one last idea before calling it a night. You’ve had many ideas before that failed miserably… but this time it works.

21. Randomly Hearing Your Favorite Song – You’re stuck in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic, so you crank on a radio station for a little distraction. The opening notes to your favorite song instantly chime in.

22. Having a child ask you for advice. – You usually give it freely, but now they want to know what you know.

23. Watching a Live Blooper Unfold in Front of You – As you walk alongside a friend, she trips over her own feet, wobbles erratically, regains her balance, and then tries to play it off like nothing happened. Hilarious!

24. A Sunny Sunday Afternoon – The birds are chirping, a light breeze in blowing through your hair and the sun’s rays are warming your cheeks.

25. Being In The Right Place at The Right Time – You’re sitting in the nosebleed seats at a professional baseball game. The home team batter cranks a monstrous, game-winning home run. The ball bounces off another fan’s glove two seats in front of you and lands right in your lap.

26. The Recollection of Great Childhood Memories – Do you remember the first time you learned to ride a bike? What about wrestling with your dad? Or climbing trees with your friends?

27. Reminiscing About Old Times with Your Best Friend – Those crazy life experiences only the two of you lived through together. Like that wild 24 hour road trip to Atlanta, or that drunken night on the 3rd floor balcony of your college apartment.

28. Passion – True wealth comes naturally to those who follow their hearts. You can’t pay someone to be emotionally passionate about something. Nor can you pay them to psychologically give-up on their passions.

29. Objects of Sentimental Value – Old family photos, your great grandmother’s music box, that painting your baby brother made for you… some things are priceless.

30. The Comfort of an Old Familiar Smell – You just pulled into your parent’s driveway after being away for a long while. You smell familiarity in the air, the scent of the pine tree in the neighbor’s yard. As you head through the front door, more familiar smells consume your senses. Gosh, it feels good to be home.

31. The Hilarity of an Inside Joke – You’ll never get it unless you were there at its inception.

32. Earning the respect of people you respect. – respect is always appreciated, but when it comes from someone you respect, there is no better feeling.

33. Amazing Talents You Are Born With – Like the mind of a genius or the voice of an angel.

34. The Excitement of Making Someone Else Smile – Because her smile makes you smile back.

35. Exercising Your 5 Senses – Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Each provides a gateway to rewarding personal experiences.

36. Sharing a Good Laugh with Friends and Family – Some of the most memorable moments in your life will be moments spent in laughter.

37. The Warm Coziness of Your Own Bed – No bed is more comfortable than your own.

38. Watching Wild Animals in Nature – Like a hawk gracefully soaring above the tree line, or a deer prancing across a grassy field.

39. A Home – Money can buy a house, but not a home. Because home is where the heart is.

40. Waking Up to the Smell of a Home Cooked Meal – You were still asleep, but someone special knew you’d be hungry soon.

41. The Peaceful Sound of Absolute Silence – Shhhhh…

42. Streams of Consciousness and Clarity – You’re ‘in the zone!’ Act while your mind is hot.

43. The Sound of a Light Breeze Through the Trees – It’s the sound of Mother Nature all around you.

44. The Captivating Experience of People Watching – The interesting (and sometimes foolish) things people do never ceases to please. You can’t buy this quality of entertainment.

45. Watching the Sunrise and Sunset with Your Beloved – Make time for this. It’s worth it.

46. The Sound and Sight of Ocean Waves – Another phenomenal act of Mother Nature.

47. The ‘Pump’ After a Great Workout – You feel like you can conquer the world.

48. The Blissful Act of Daydreaming – Just being… and thinking… and dreaming.

49. When She Says “I Love You” - …and you know she means it because you can read the sincerity in her eyes.

50. When an Unlikely Someone Remembers Your Birthday – A friend you haven’t seen in over a month calls you at 9AM on your birthday just to say “happy birthday.”

51. Finding Something You Thought You’d Lost Forever – You searched for it for days and finally gave up. Now, six months later, it basically appears right in front of you.

52. The Inspiration Behind Creative Works of Art – Every piece of art is priceless in the eyes of someone who can relate to it. The creative inspiration behind these works of art is no different.

53. When Your Pet Snuggles Up Next to You – It’s just soooo cute.

54. A Moment of Eye Contact with an Attractive Stranger – You’ve never seen them before, and you may never see them again. But a moment was shared.

55. A Long Hug from a Loved One – Those deep, warm hugs you wish you could nestle in forever.

56. Happily Singing at The Top of Your Lungs – Well… You know you make me wanna shout! Kick my heels up and shout! Throw my hands up and shout! Throw my head back and shout! Come on now… Shout!

57. Seeing Your Breath on a Chilly Night – A simple phenomenon that has entertained children since the beginning of mankind.

58. The Feeling of Acceptance – You’re now a part of something greater… and it feels good.

59. Watching the Clouds Form Cool Shapes – Never the same show twice.

60. Cuddling a Newborn Baby – Precious… simply precious.

61. When You Know You Can Trust Someone – You can see it in their eyes and you can feel it in your heart. They have no ulterior motive.

62. Sitting Around a Bonfire with Your Friends – One of the greatest settings for reminiscing and storytelling with those your care about.

63. Seeing Two Elderly Folks Who are Madly in Love – It’s a sight of love that has surpassed the tests of time.

64. The Beauty of a Moonlit Sky – Few simple pleasures are more satisfying than gazing up into a starry, moonlit sky.

65. The Awesomeness of Skipping Rocks Across Water – It doesn’t matter how old you get, this one never gets old.

66. Watching Lightning in the Distance – Peaceful and powerful at the same time.

67. Slow Dancing in Your Living Room - Dancing is like dreaming with your feet. -Constanze

68. Knowing She’ll Be There When You Get Back – Yes. There is stability in your life. And she’s a big part of it.

69. Watching Her Sleep – Just being with her and breathing with her.

70. The Colors of Fall – It’s Mother Nature’s artwork.

71. People Who Make You Smile Just by Thinking of Them – Wherever I am, no matter what I’m doing, just thinking of her makes me smile.

72. The Warm Touch of Your Beloved – It’s the touch no one else has.

73. The Sudden Realization of Gradual Change. Those precious instants when you suddenly observe your child is now measurably bigger, better or smarter than just before. Or at least you now see them that way.

74. Knowing that God is so awesome, that all things are possible through him.

75. Laying in the grass watching the clouds float by while you pick out the different shapes you see. ~ It's great to let that inner child out

76. Being able to be there to say goodbye to someone who is passing from this life to the next- especially when they know who they are and where they are going.

77. Llistening to your grandchild retell a family story in their own words.

78. True friendships - even after all the "layers" are removed, they are who they say they are.

79.

80.

… This is a re-post from another forum, most  are from Marc & Angels site, with a few of my own, and a few from my friends! What's yours????