Thoughtful Reactions

The other day I spoke about giving others the job of making us happy.

http://www.powersharing.com/m/articles/view/Whose-Job-Is-It

Our happiness does not hinge on other people or circumstances.

I also spoke about Short Cut Thinking and how easy it is for us to keep digging into the same old ruts of habitual thoughts and reactions. Instead of taking ownership of our thoughts and reactions, we tend to take the easy way out and allow our habitual patterns take charge.

While it is not easy to be in total control of our initial reactions, personal responsibility still demands that we learn the importance of taking charge of our actions and reactions.

As creatures of habit it's unlikely that our first reaction to our situations will be under total control. But we can do something about the second reaction and those thereafter. In order to avoid the downward spiral out of control, we need to recognize when we're in Short Cut Thinking mode. Let's take responsibility and make a conscious decision to act like grown ups. In other words, let's put on our big boy pants and stop throwing tantrums like a bunch of babies.

Even though our habitual thinking will tend to be our first response, the willingness to assume responsibility and seek out intentional, positive responses will bring about solutions with successful outcomes.

Tommy Wittig
(c) 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Experienced Parents

Attention Parents: you may not be a perfect parent but I’m willing to bet you have experience. You may not know what lies ahead, but you have hindsight.

If only we knew then what we know now! Chances are that we could have avoided the unnecessary pain and consequences of our own decisions.

But instead of thinking that your kids can or will only respect a perfect parent, remind them that there are no perfect parents, only experienced ones. If you present it with genuine love and respect, they might just be willing to listen to your advice. This is no guarantee that they will listen, but your odds increase when you are genuine. Kids can see a fake a mile away.

Remind them how much more painless and wise it is to learn from the mistakes of others rather than making the same mistakes of others (like we did!).

Eventually it should be enough for your kids to hear of your experiences, to learn from them, and hopefully, if you back this all up with your actions, show them that you are worth listening to.

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Just One More

Wow, I really like this - did you know that water boils at 212 degrees? Maybe you did, and if so, good for you, you are smarter than me (‘cuz I just learned this yesterday).

Now think about this - at 211 degrees water is just really, really hot. It’s that one degree more that causes water to boil. 211 degrees, really hot; 212 degrees, boiling. And when water boils it causes steam and steam can power a locomotive. What a difference one degree can make!

This is a perfect example of how one more can make a huge difference. It speaks to how one more step, one more effort, or one more minute, can make or break us. In life it is this one degree, one step, or one effort that separates the good from the great. If we had to settle for 211 degrees, we would never reach the boiling point and be able to reap its benefits. If we only walk 5279 feet, we are one foot short of a mile. It’s that one foot that makes it a successful and complete mile.

Never dismiss the power of one more. It separates 59 minutes from an hour, it separates 23 hours from a full day, and it separates 6 days from a complete week. While 211 degrees is really, really hot, it is that one degree more that is needed if we are to move locomotives.

What is that one more thing that you can do today to power your locomotive?

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Lifetime Investments

Just a quick thought -
If you are unwilling to invest in or contribute to life, don't be surprised when down the road, life has nothing to give you in return.

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Ability Vs. Willingness

The ability to be successful lies within all of us. The willingness to be successful lies within few of us.

Success is seldom about ability, it is about willingness. The willingness to do exactly what you know you need to do is what it takes to be successful in most of life’s ventures.

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Comes To Pass

In life you're going to have problems and challenges. Life is not fair and seldom is it ever easy.

But there's one thing I know - the only way to GET through your problems is to GO through them.

You will be frightened and it will require you to get very uncomfortable. But don't let that stop you. These emotions are the nemesis to your success. While you may not be able to avoid the emotions, you still must take the action required in spite of the emotions. Do it afraid, do it angry, or do it uncomfortably. Just do it.

Remember what it says in the Bible? "And it came to pass."

To make it Pass, you gotta go through it and get it behind you. You can only achieve that by going forward - through it.

Going Through It

The University of Life never ceases to amaze me. I am convinced that there is no better Teacher than life's experiences and if you're willing to slow down, look around, and humble yourself you will position yourself to succeed where many others will fail.

Today's lesson is simply this; you cannot get through the tough times if you aren't willing to go through the tough times.

Your Life, Your Choice

Not only is your life your fault but it is your choice. You are where you are and you are who you are because you made that choice.

Today's Quick Thought - What's Going On?

It occurred to me that those with nothing going on have nothing going for them.

Busy is a good problem to have.

Today's Quick Thought - The Real You

You might torque off a few people by being you, but why in the world would you want someone to like you for NOT being you? If people like you for being someone you aren’t, then I got news for ya; they don’t like YOU!

Trust

I have learned from experience that I would sooner trust the person who honestly admits they know very little as opposed to the person who boasts that they know it all.

Trying To Beat The System

Seems to me that life and success follow one basic law: you reap what you sow. Sadly, people waste more of their time and energy trying to cheat this principle rather than simply embracing it.

Personal Responsibility - Again!

You could do worse than to take Personal Responsibility for yourself.

In life it will be simple to spot those who avoid responsibility and seek the easy way out. They will be the ones who are quick to pass the buck, disperse the blame, avoid taking action, do the minimum required, and to top it all off, they will carry a sense of entitlement. These folks will slip through life with an attitude of defeat because deep down they believe someone or something else is holding them back. Not once have they ever considered taking responsibility for themselves and their actions.

Take responsibility. I can't say this enough. You can never go wrong by taking responsibility for your every thought, word, and action. Taking responsibility is steeped in honesty, integrity, and humility. These are the qualities that will bring you results. Success seldom comes to those who don't take responsibility. Notice I didn't say it NEVER comes to those who don't take responsibility. I said it SELDOM does. But is that how you want YOUR success to be? Steeped in irresponsibility? Sure, you can be successful in that manner but you don't deserve to be. It's like someone who plays darts in the dark. Sooner or later you might hit the bullseye but you don't deserve to.

Stop letting everything and everyone be your excuse for mediocrity or failure. Take responsibility and take back the most precious gift you were ever given - your own life.

Today's Quick Thought - Inspiration vs. Action

Still waiting for the right inspiration to get you moving? Still waiting for the right motivation to start in on your goals? Still searching for that shining example on how to be successful? Well don’t. Get up off your butt and get moving. Do something, anything; just stop waiting for something or someone to inspire you. Quit looking for something or someone to motivate you. Get up and get to work.

Motivation and inspiration will never replace action. Action is what creates momentum. Waiting for inspiration and motivation is nothing more than idle time. Time is precious and for every second that you are not working towards or investing in your goals, you are pushing your success further away from you. Every action you take, no matter how small it may seem, is a step towards obtaining your goals and achieving your success.

Don’t wait around for inspiration. It rarely comes to you. You need to go to it. By taking action you will find inspiration surrounding you and you will be shocked at how the momentum of your actions will carry you along.

Inspiration and motivation seldom promote action. Action promotes inspiration and motivation.


Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Today's Quick Thought - Don't Bank On Tomorrow

Many people dismiss the value of today by saying there is always tomorrow. Tomorrow I will spend time with my family; tomorrow I will exercise; tomorrow I will start that project; tomorrow I will start a retirement plan; tomorrow I will quit smoking; Tomorrow I will...

But what happens when tomorrow arrives? Nothing. Their mindset has not changed and they continue to live in the facade that tomorrow will be their big day of change. They have failed to realize that tomorrow is nothing more than today in a few hours.

If you’re putting off til tomorrow what you can very well achieve today, you are wasting precious time. You will never get another chance to relive a moment other than when the moment is present. Even now, the thirty seconds or so it took you to read up to this point are thirty seconds you will never get back. (But don’t stop reading - you need this stuff!)

If you’re banking on the future to be your salvation or turning point I ask you; how can you expect change in the future if you are unwilling to change today? Your future is now. With every second that passes by you have just experienced the miracle of living out the future while continuing in the now. Your future is only as good as your now.

Dig down deep and ask yourself if you have left anything undone due to the fact that you were planning to do it tomorrow. If you come across anything, I encourage you to stop putting these things off and get to work on them today. Even if you are able to schedule them in for tomorrow, next week or next month, whatever time you determine to do these things, commit to it and do not waver. Just stop putting things off by doing nothing. Time is too precious. Make the most of your time and your time will make the most of you.

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Today's Quick Thought - Behavior

When you reward good behavior, the behavior will probably be repeated. Why? Because we love the reward.

When you ignore bad behavior, the behavior will probably be repeated. Why? Because we love the reward. In this case the reward is getting away with the bad behavior.

Today's Quick Thought - Remedial Sunday School

Remember the Golden Rule? For those who need a little Sunday School 101, it goes something like this; “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

With that being said, allow me to put a new spin on it; “Talk about others the way you would like them to talk about you.”

The next time you feel the urge to talk about someone, especially when they are not around to defend themselves, remember this simple law; you reap what you sow.

Call it Karma, call it a Godsmack, call it whatever you want, but rules are rules. What goes around comes around. What gets said by you will probably be said about you.

Tommy Wittig
© 2011 T-Dub-Ya Words

Today's Quick Thought - Fault Finding

People consciously decide to smoke, overeat and stay at a minimum wage job. People decide to avoid exercise. People choose to have poor hygiene, filthy homes and filthy cars. People willingly decide to waste their time watching the Glass Tit rather than picking up a book or engaging in meaningful conversation with their loved ones. People make an effort to go out to the bar and get drunk and then get behind the wheel of their car and drive home. People willingly show up late to appointments, default on commitments, fail to follow through with their promises and knowingly lie to avoid consequences for their actions.

And isn’t it amazing that these same people are so very quick to point out the faults of others? I guess these people are experts in the field of Self Improvement; just not experts in their own Self Improvement.

Today's Quick Thought - Get It In Gear

Choices are like the gears in your car; drive, reverse and park.

Some will take you forward and move you closer to your goals, while some will take you backward and move you away from your goals. Some just take you nowhere.

When it comes to making choices and decisions, make a conscious effort to take the option that puts you in drive. Life’s too short to go nowhere or backwards because of bad decision making.

Today's Quick Thought - Complaining About Your Job?

Call me simple, but it surprises me when I hear someone complaining about their job. I guess they haven’t considered the alternative - unemployment.

What Do You Think?

Nothing too in depth here; simply put, if you think you can, you’re probably right. If you think you can’t, you’re probably right.

Thinking Out Loud

“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Don’t confuse Fame for Greatness. True greatness is measured by Integrity, Honesty, Responsibility, Loyalty, Commitment and good old fashioned Hard Work. It focuses on what we can do for others as opposed to what others can do for us. If you’re not willing to serve others, no matter how small or insignificant that service may be, then you probably won’t understand what I am saying here. That’s alright. That just leaves more people for the rest of us to help out. As Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”
So I ask you, how’s that Fame thing working out?

This Is An Emergency!

Life can and will be difficult at times. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. So why is it that when tough times come along, the popular response from folks is that of shock and dismay? Did no one tell these people that life would be challenging at times? Did these people grow up in a bubble?

If this applies to you, allow me to be the first one to tell you; Life can be hard. There's no way around it. You will have problems. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And please don't fall for the whole "There are no problems, there are only opportunities" bit. People have problems, period. People struggle, people suffer and sooner or later, this will apply to you.

Pessimistic? I don't think so. I call it realistic. To think that life will not have some bumps and obstacles along the way is naive and quite frankly, irresponsible. There will always be emergencies in life and to not have an emergency plan in place is a recipe for failure.

Cars get flat tires, kids get sick, appliances break down. And seldom do any of these things ever happen when it's a convenient time.

So what's a person to do? Well, for starters make a plan. Understand that life can and will be difficult and there will be emergencies. Without a plan in place your emergencies will turn into catastrophes real quick. So make a plan!

Since the most obvious target in most emergencies is your wallet, start your plan by creating an emergency fund. How much you should set aside is completely up to you, but you should be setting aside something on regular basis.

Your next step is to prepare for an emergency both mentally and emotionally. Emergencies have a way of getting us all riled up by breaking down our ability to make good decisions. In the heat of a crisis good judgement is often affected by emotional reaction. Your best bet is to divorce yourself from the situation as much as possible and view it for what it is; a situation that needs to be rectified.

Say what you want but when life's challenges pop up, there are few things that can't be solved with a few bucks and a little logic. Store up a reserve of both and you'll find yourself in a much better position to take on the difficulties that can and will spring up.

Lastly, when things go wrong, and they will, remember that life is an incredible teacher. Your job is to be an incredible student. There is nothing better than walking away from a bad situation and learning a good lesson. To have gone through a problem or emergency and not learn something is shameful. To repeat the problem for lack of learning from it the first time around is unacceptable.

The university of life is open to all. It is no respecter of age, color or creed. And sooner or later we all must open the textbook and prepare for the next test. If we have done our due diligence and prepared for the quiz, we are granted a passing grade and can move on to the next life's lesson, which is usually not far away. But if we fail to prepare; if we refuse to learn from our circumstances, then the University has every right to flunk us. And I don't know about you but in the school of life, I have no desire to repeat the grade.

Killing The Messenger?

It seems to me that there is a growing number of people today who are anxious to find answers to their many questions; questions like, how to be healthier, how to be happier, how to be wealthier, how to be successful, and so on and so on.

With so many people looking for the next “Secret To Success”, is it any wonder why so many Preachers, Motivational Speakers and Self Help gurus are in such high demand?

In the world of Self Help and Personal Development, there are numerous Speakers and Writers whose reputations precede them. The very mention of some of these peoples names sends folks into a virtual tizzy of excitement, giddiness and hero-worship. I marvel at their reactions and yet I feel as though I’m missing something here. But am I? Is there something that I’m not getting out of these “Celebrities” that I should be so unaffected by mentioning their name, let alone standing in the same room as them? I think not.

The fact is, there are many people who struggle with life and are searching for answers. There are some people who will latch on to Self Help specialists, Motivational Speakers, Life Coaches and even Preachers, hoping for a message, a new revelation, a silver bullet even, that will rescue them from their miserable circumstances. They are the ones whose intent might have been to seek out legitimate help and answers but slowly, over time, after reading all the books and watching all the videos they began to stop listening to their Mentors and began to elevate their Gurus to Celebrity status. Before long, their innocent search for answers became nothing more than hero-worship. They have stopped listening to the message and began fixating on the messenger.

If you’re in search of answers and you should happen across someone who has the answers that you’re looking for, be careful not to let yourself get caught up in the charisma of the messenger. Remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker? While it’s possible that they had started out with a message of help and hope, ultimately, for many, the celebrity of the Bakkers began to take away from their message, turning their followers into frothing fans who would have done just about anything the Bakkers told them to.

And what about James Arthur Ray and his “Spiritual Warrior Retreat” (a.k.a. - the Sweat Lodge fiasco)? Again, another instance where people stopped listening to the message and started to fixate on the messenger. While it’s possible that this guy may have had a positive message that might have been helpful to some, clearly, the notion of discernment and good common sense went right out the window for those who were so enamored by him that they literally died for him.

Let’s face it, we like celebrities. We like to fantasize about being rich and famous just like them. We would rather sit on our couch and watch the lives of fictional characters on TV portrayed by superstar celebrities than live our own lives. We would prefer to watch someone on TV tell us how to be better rather than actually getting up and doing something to make us better. We might actually listen to a Self Help guru and take their advice, but we would never dare question their advice. And that, in my opinion, is truly the root of this evil.

While seeking out help and advice is a sign of someone taking personal responsibility, blindly accepting help and advice without question or thought or formulation of opinion is a sign of sheer stupidity. Blindly following someone at the expense of losing your individuality and simply agreeing to everything they say makes you an idiot (ouch!).

The very definition of Self Help is Self-Help. Yes, your Mentor or Guru of choice might have some great things for you to learn from and yes, they might have the answers to your toughest questions, but they are there to help you help yourself. They are there to point you in a new direction, they are not there to be your direction. Such as the finger that points the way, we should focus on the way, not on the finger.

It’s my opinion that anyone who decides to take up an occupation in the Self Help profession undertakes an enormous responsibility. Your level of success should be based on the level of service you offer to others, not in the amount of how many screaming fans you have. And while it’s safe to say that there will always be those who will want to emulate you and follow your every move, your responsibility is to operate with humility and integrity. I understand that you cannot be responsible for the few that might want to find out where you live and sneak into your home while you’re asleep, but you have been warned. Much like Stephen King’s Misery, you might just happen across your “Number One Fan”.

Again, Self Help is about the Self. If you are truly devoted to bettering yourself, then by all means, seek out direction and advice. Lord knows, there is plenty of it out there (such as this article by yours truly!). And even though there are many charlatans ready to take your money and leave you in a worse state then where you were, there are many who truly want to help you. If you should find someone who really speaks to you, great; but do your homework. Don’t just take to their advice blindly. Listen to them, be discerning, be willing to give thought to their message and formulate your own opinions. And remember - it’s the message that you are in need of, not the messenger. The messenger is there to point the way. Focus on the way, not the messenger.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have numerous adoring fans for which I need to sign autographs.

Fly Paper

If people were like fly paper some of us would be covered in bugs while others would have maybe one or two stuck to them. Some people travel through this life picking up more than others. While both are like fly paper, some are just stickier.

There are those who walk through life picking up knowledge and information everywhere they go. No matter where they are or what they are doing, they are always learning and experiencing.

And then there are those who pick up a thing or two here and there but not much of it sticks. Basically, these are the people you do not want on your team when playing Trivial Pursuit.

In life, being smart does not mean you have to spend years and years in college nor does it mean you have nine Ph.D's behind your name. While these things don't hurt, they aren't necessary to be successful. In my opinion intelligence comes from simply opening your eyes and ears and shutting your mouth.

If you are eager to learn new stuff then learn how to pay attention to your surroundings and listen. Don't just wait for others to stop talking so you can finally have your turn to say something. Actually listen to what others are saying. You can't learn when your lips are flapping. You learn when your mouth is shut and your ears are open.

When you actually listen and pay attention to what's going on around you, your mind goes into Sponge-Mode. The information you can acquire is priceless.

As for college, am I saying don't go? No. This is not a lecture on whether or not someone should go to college. This is simply my opinion on how to use all the information around you to your benefit. It's free and it's available every single moment of every single day. And if you don't think you can learn something new each and every day, then it comes down to me to tell you that you’re wrong. Unless you’re in a coma, your mind should be able to soak up something new on a daily basis. Whether it’s useless trivia such as, on average, a child uses 730 crayons by their 10th birthday or a more relevant topic like, It takes 1.3 seconds for light to travel from the moon to the earth and 8.3 minutes for light from the sun to reach the earth, you should be able to learn something. (Bonus: by reading this, you just learned something new today)               
So zip the lip, open the ears and eyes and tell yourself, "I will learn something new everyday."
It won't make you an instant millionaire but that's not the point. The point is this; being smart might cost you time, effort and even money. You will need to discipline yourself to shut the mouth and pay attention to what's going on around you. But all in all, no matter what the price may be for obtaining knowledge, it's still a whole lot more costly to be stupid.

So be sticky. Be like fly paper.

Stuff

Many of us have stuff. Lots of stuff. Many of us have more stuff than we know what to do with. Yet, with all of this stuff, there is seldom a day that goes by that we don’t wish for more stuff; a bigger house; a newer car; another gadget (insert your toy of choice here_______.); a bigger TV; on and on and on it goes.

What is it with this desire to have more? Why do we keep wishing for more? To this I say, I am guilty. To be sure, I wouldn’t dare write out my thoughts on this subject without admitting that the very thought of this subject stems from my own experience and examples. I say it all too often, but it bears repeating; I am a student of life. Little of what I have to say is ever an attack on others’ behaviors and actions. Most of what I say is based on my own behaviors and actions. This one is no different.

When it comes to stuff, believe me, I have stuff. Stuff packed neatly in boxes with the notion “These are collector’s items. Can’t get rid of these!”. Stuff pushed into my nightstand because “I just need a day to go through it all.” Stuff in my closet that “I might wear this again someday.” Stuff in our Storage because “It’s sentimental.” I even have stuff in my sock drawers because “It’s easier to get at those things when I need them.”

Not a day goes by when I don’t find myself wanting more stuff. Whether it’s stuff to replace the stuff I already have, or just more stuff, I want it. I mean c’mon, who wouldn’t want a brand new iPad or a new 2011 Camaro? Just turn on your television at any given time and the commercials will assault you and entice you with their seductive ways, getting into your head and inspiring you to run out and whip out the plastic for some more stuff you really don’t need.

I mean, I really don’t need an iPad. I really don’t need a Camaro. Really, when it comes down to it I have more stuff than I will ever lay hands on and use, truth be told. I am ashamed to admit it, but I have a collection of movies that just sit on the shelf, unopened, collecting dust. Real good use of money there, right? ...well, maybe I can get around to watching those movies, but for now, they’re just taking up space...

In the wide-world of Tommy, there is this little thing I call balance. I love balance. Why? Because it keeps me centered. I mean what is balance really but finding the center and equally dispersing things to one side and the other? In my world of “stuff”, I am out of balance. I wouldn’t say I am completely out of whack and falling off to one side, but I would say that I have more than I need. But isn’t that true for most of us? Boil it down, and I guess when you talk about absolute necessities, we’re simply talking about Food, Clothing and Shelter. Toss in some Oxygen and Water and we’re golden. We can survive with those few things. But for those who would take such a rigid stance like this, once again, we’re out of balance.

While the necessities of life will always have their place, the wants in life also need their place. Our “stuff” needs a place where we can mess around with it and have some fun with it. Stuff needs a time and a place. It’s only when our stuff becomes more important than our necessities that we fall out of balance. I find that if my mindset is so focused on wanting stuff, I am cynical, envious and downright nasty. That selfish part of me rises up and rears it’s ugly head causing me to take out my frustrations of perceived lack onto the very people I love. Yuck! But when I sit my butt down and take a good look around me, I see that I have so much. “Count your blessings” is what I hear my folks telling me. Their words bounce around inside my head like an echo bouncing off a canyon wall. I begin to count my blessings and realize that I have too many blessings to count!

You see, the stickiest web we can get caught up in is the tendency to overlook and appreciate what we already have. All too often we focus on what we don’t have while all the good stuff we do have sits on a shelf collecting dust, just like those damned movies I have yet to watch.

What would happen if we all dug out our stuff and decided that if it hasn’t been touched in 3 months we put it away for another 3 months and revisit it? What would happen if we all dug out our stuff and said if it hasn’t been touched in 6 months it’s going to a Garage Sale? What would happen if we all dug out our stuff and said if it hasn’t been touched for over a year we gave it all to charity? Seriously, we all have stuff that falls into one of these categories but we just keep packing it away while we pile up new stuff on top of it all. Myself included.

I think it’s time to recognize how much we truly have. I think it’s time to appreciate everything we have. There’s a saying that goes something like this; “Before wanting what you don’t have, try wanting what you do have.” I mean, c’mon...is this message new to you? I sincerely hope not! I keep telling you all that my philosophies are not new and they’re not handed down to me from the heavens as unique revelations. These are the lessons we have all heard (I hope) but it’s my job to remind you of it all.

Count your blessings and focus on what you already have. Don’t worry about the new stuff out there. Trust me on this, there will always be new stuff out there. In a month, that wickedly cool gadget that has you drooling for it, will be replaced with a new and improved gadget that will once again have you drooling. So let it go. Balance out your wants and your needs. Balance out the stuff you have and the stuff you don’t have. Appreciate what you have first and foremost and when the time comes around for you to get the new stuff, you will appreciate it so much more.

Leading By Example

Everyone of us is capable of being a leader or a teacher. Leadership is never about "I'm the boss and you will do what I say." Teaching, leading and motivating stem from the willingness to live out our lives with integrity, humility and discipline. When we adhere to these qualities in our own lives, we can rest assured that hypocrisy will not get a foothold on us. Few individuals respect or follow those whose mantra is "Do as I say, not as I do."

Leading by example is both simplistic and powerful. And if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; success is simple. We are the ones who make it complicated and difficult. We need to keep life simple and leadership, whether it's business or family, professional or private, is no exception.

Like I said, all of us have the capability to lead and teach and direct others. Each of us has the capacity and the power to influence and inspire others. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are being watched. Someone is looking to you for answers and influence and that is an awesome responsibility. No man is an island unto himself so go into this life knowing that you are connected to so many people in so many ways. Nothing you do goes unseen.

The Bible says in Luke 8:17 - "For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light."

Leadership by example is not just about what you do when everyone is watching; it's about what you do when NO ONE is watching. It's not complicated. When you live by a code of conduct that does not waver in any situation or circumstance you can be certain that you need not tell others what to do. They will simply follow.

Balance

Balance is one of the most important aspects in life. It’s important in finances, business, our physical health and our mental health. It’s important in times of having fun and it’s equally important when it's time to be serious. 

For all area’s of our life we must keep ourselves balanced. Going too far to one extreme will always cause us to suffer lack on the opposite end of the matter. A workaholic who spends all their time at the office will feel the pain of a neglected family life. An individual who refuses to exercise will feel the effects of a de-conditioned body, while the individual who exercises constantly could very well feel the effects of overworked physicality. Someone who lives to have fun will more than likely suffer from their inability to live up to their responsibilities, while an individual who cannot lighten up will most likely feel the effects of the stress that comes from not knowing when to take a break.

Many are quick to say “I want it all!” but the reality is that few can truly balance it all. Prioritization and Balance are essential to successful living.

Big Time!

Yep, I can say it was a great day yesterday. Why? Because I was able to participate in my very first ever Interview! That's right! My friend Irene Conlan, who runs the Self Improvement Blog, asked if she could Interview l'il ol' me and of course I said, Yes! For a first timer, I gotta say I think it exceptionally well. Though it was a One Hour Program it flew by extremely fast, but like the old saying goes, "Time Flies When You're Having Fun."
And fun it was.
Check it here.   http://www.worldtalkradio.com/worldtalkradio/vepisode.aspx?aid=55588

And be sure to check out Irene's Website here.  http://theselfimprovementblog.com/

Enjoy! I will be back soon with more thought-provoking, discomforting, knock-you-down-lift-you-up articles, so be sure to check in.
Later!
Tommy

The Chosen Ones?

Let me ask you - are you stuck in a rut? Just barely getting by? Can’t loose that 10 pounds around your gut? Still waiting for the “Perfect Career”? Still waiting on different results when you keep doing the same thing over and over (which, by the way, is the definition of insanity.)? Do you find yourself often wanting but never getting?

Are you ready to be successful? Are you ready to have all the things you have been dreaming of? Are you ready to live the life you’ve always wanted to live? Well, then what are you willing to do about it?

See? There it is; what are you willing to do about it? If you’re like most folks, you probably feel like success is an elusive status that you just can’t get your hands on. I’m gonna tell you right now that your success in life is not as elusive or complicated as you think it is. How can I say that? Well, if you answered yes to any of my previous questions, then it’s safe to say that you want more in your life; more free time, more options, more money, more success, etc. You want to be healthier and better looking. You want better relationships and better family. You want a better job and a better house... I could go on and on. This is the plight for most individuals and I am convinced that there is not one person of sound mind that doesn’t want more than what they have right now.

The funny thing is, for most individuals the very thought of having to do more in order to have more, is not an option. They’re either too afraid to try something new or too lazy to break out of their rut which has become their comfort zone.

But every once in awhile, every now and then, there comes an individual who says “No more. I am done with this and I am willing to do anything to make a change.” And you know what? They do. They find a better way and they stick to it and they make a change in their life. Sometimes they do it all on their own! Imagine that? They take responsibility for their life and they make a change for the better! What a concept. This is the true definition of Self Improvement folks. They didn’t need someone to tell them how to change or what to change. They did it all on their own. All by them self.

Now don’t go falling into that old, defeated mindset that says “Yeah, but they don’t have the problems that I have. They’re stronger than me. They’re richer than me. They’re younger than me. They’re thinner than me.” ...on and on it goes.

Seriously, if you think that I am making this up just go ahead and compare yourself to someone else who “Has More” than you do. Do you hear it? Way back there in the dark recesses of your mind, you’re thinking up your own “Yeah-Buts”. And that’s the problem that so many of us have; we compare ourselves to others and immediately we conjure up excuses by subconsciously belittling ourselves and elevating others. We’ve all done it so don’t take this as a personal attack. Let it make you angry, let it bother you, let it shake you up a little and make you uncomfortable but don’t take it personally. Just hear me out.

When it comes to your success, what is it that you are using as a measuring stick? What do you define as “Successful”? Like most of us you probably look to the rich and famous; movie stars, rock stars, professional athlete’s and yes, even self improvement guru’s. We’ve all done it, we all do it. While there’s nothing really wrong with comparing ourselves to such people there is everything wrong with thinking that these people are the “Chosen Few”, the “Untouchables” or that they have somehow achieved success that only they are capable of.

Success is not complicated and these people didn’t do anything that you or I cannot do. You wanna know what most of these people did? They worked for it. Yep, that’s it. They took action and did something about it. They recognized that there is nothing special about others who have reached that level of success and therefore they took it upon themselves to achieve what others before them have achieved. Is any of this getting through?

OK, so let’s break it down so as to really get this to sink in, cuz I want you to get this;
Success is simple, not complicated.
If you can define success by what it means to you, then it can be achieved.
To achieve your definition of success, you need to take action and get to work.

That’s it. Success, defined. Every one of us is capable of so much more than what we think or have been told to believe. Every one of us is capable of success. But sadly, not every one of us is willing to work for it. If there is one thing, one differentiator that separates the “Chosen Few” from the “Left Over Many”, it’s the willingness to work for what we are capable of obtaining.

It’s not complicated. I didn’t say it was easy; I said it’s not complicated. If I can encourage you in any way at all after reading this, I would simply encourage you to change your perspective. Recognize that successful people put their pants on one leg at a time just like you. They are no different, they are no better and they are not elite. They are simply successful. You can be too. Just define your success and get to work.

‘Nuff said.