What Now? April 30, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentThe 2012 NFL Draft is over. There were a lot of players whose dream of being drafted to play in the National Football League came true last week.
However, for hundreds of others, their hearts were broken. Despite years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, their dreams were denied.
So what should they do now? Cry? Find the nearest bridge and jump off?
Not even close.
Though they didn’t get drafted, many of them will get an opportunity to play in the NFL as undrafted free agents. Others will now be forced to find a new passion and open a new chapter in their lives.
Let me share a quote from my book, WIN: Simple Insights to Help You Win the Game of Life, by a gentleman named Karl Jasper that may make some sense:
“Conflicts may be the sources of defeat, lost life, and a limitation of our potentiality but they may also lead to greater depth of living and the birth of more far-reaching unities, which flourish in the tensions that engender them”
Are You a First-Rounder? April 27, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentStarting tonight, professional football fans will be glued to the television to watch the NFL draft. Over the next few days, teams will have 7 rounds to choose from the nation’s best college players.
These players will now be professionals…just like YOU!
Understand this: a professional is a person who gets paid to perform a service or produce a product.
It got me to thinking…
If they had a draft for the professionals in my line of work, during what round would I be selected?
Give First! April 11, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentAs an entrepreneur, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking profit from every relationship. When you don’t have the luxury of a “regular, steady income”, everyone and everything can look like a potential revenue stream.
I attended a wonderful networking event last night, and was reminded of an extremely important truth:
GIVE FIRST!
Yes. Instead of looking for ways to benefit or take from relationships, find ways to give to others. Find ways to serve others. Find ways to help others achieve their goals.
It’s amazing that the most successful business owners at the event happened to be the most generous.
Training Wheels April 2, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentI recently had a painfully revealing conversation with a friend. At the end of the conversation, I came to the following conclusion:
If Life is like riding a bicycle…I’ve been riding with training wheels on.
Training wheels are designed to keep immature riders from falling. At the same time, they limit the rider’s speed and maneuverability.
However, at some point, the training wheels need to come off.
Scary as it may be, falling is part of the process of learning to balance a bike.
People, places, and philosophies can be some of Life’s training wheels.
The only way to become a mature rider, with the ability to keep your balance and navigate through Life’s challenging terrain, is to take off the training wheels!
Get Better Today March 29, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentMy daughter is now a high school student-athlete. Most mornings, I remind her to “Get better today!”
I want her to concentrate on improving her skills gradually, every day. That consistent growth makes for sustained improvements.
Well…it wouldn’t be cool for me to tell her to do something that I’m not willing to do myself, right?
So, as a business owner and professional speaker, I’m committing myself to improving my fundamental skills every day.
I’ve come to learn that we don’t grow in a day. We grow daily.
The Wrong Wall March 27, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentIn his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey discusses the tragedy of climbing the “ladder of success” and realizing – after getting to the top of the ladder – that your ladder was leaning against the wrong wall.
People push and strive and sacrifice to achieve success in a role that is incongruent with their purpose in life. Despite all the trimmings of success, they are left unfulfilled and empty.
Functioning in your purpose is the only way to achieve the personal satisfaction and fulfillment you need.
Proof March 26, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , 2commentsIn his essay on Tiger Woods’ big win yesterday, ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi said,
“Doubt has only one antidote greater than faith…proof.”
Wow!
Enough said.
Ignorance is Bliss March 23, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentThis phrase doesn’t mean now what it meant to me in the past.
Growing up, I took it to mean that not knowing something freed me from the pain or responsibility that came with the information.
Now that I’m an entrepreneur, invigorated by finding new ways to share my message and running an efficient business, ignorance presents an opportunity for me to learn something new.
The more I learn, the more I realize how ignorant I am about business…and I couldn’t be happier!
Unselfishly Selfish March 22, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentI was listening to the airline personnel reviewing the safety instructions prior to taking off, and something they said struck me.
“In the event that cabin pressure is lost, oxygen masks will drop down. Secure the mask by placing the elastic band around your neck and pull the cords to tighten.”
OK. No problem.
“If you need to help someone secure their mask, make sure you SECURE YOUR MASK FIRST.”
Huh? Sounds pretty selfish.
Yes. Secure your mask first!
Sometimes what appears to be selfish is not selfish at all. It is impossible to help others if you can’t breathe yourself.
There is nothing more unselfish than increasing your ability to help others – even if it appears selfish at the moment.
You CAN take it with you March 21, 2012
Posted by in : Uncategorized , add a commentHave you ever heard the expression, “I’ve never seen a hearse followed by a U-Haul”?
The point is that you can’t take any of your earthly possessions with you to the grave.
Well…there IS something that too many of us take with us to the grave: our POTENTIAL.
Sadly, most of us – for whatever reason – live underachieving lives. There is so much we could have accomplished and should have accomplished. Instead, we take all of that potential with us to our graves.
Convert that potential to production.
