…You have to take the stairs.” (fearlessmotivation.com)

How ambitious are you? Today’s title is sobering. It tells us there is no quick fix on the road to a successful life. Having started 8 businesses myself, I remember many potholes and disappointments along the way.

It’s not that you can’t become very successful. The problem is that you won’t give yourself permission to be successful. You think of your shortcomings and decide you don’t have the tools. There is only one vital tool that you need and it is called WILLPOWER! That’s it.

Also, don’t allow others to talk you out of striving for and attaining your dream. In many cases, their motives are suspect. They may be envious of you and your commitment to your goal.

You’ve just got to be willing to take the stairs!

If not today, when?

 

There are two kinds of criticism: self and from another.

A simple rule, regardless of type, is that you shouldn’t overreact to either.

Both of them can provide an opportunity for personal growth. Self criticism is a good thing if it can help you become better able to handle all the challenges that life may bring.

Criticism from another falls into two categories: justified and unjustified. If you receive a criticism that is justified, the proper response is, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

If, however, if the criticism is unjustified, respond with, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Don’t launch an attack on him or her. It will only make matters worse if you become defensive or begin criticizing the other person about  their shortcomings.

We are all subject to criticism. Learn how to handle it!

If not today, when?

…Swim out after it!

It’s one thing to want something and another thing to make it happen!

Which are you? A dreamer or a doer?

With every day that passes, I hear of people who accomplish amazing results with their dedication and energies. Do you believe that those who reach their goals have more ability than those who don’t?

I don’t believe there there is a direct correlation between ability and productivity. I think living a life of achievement depends upon one attribute which is WILLPOWER!

Simply put, push aside all the reasons why your goals are impossible to achieve and get moving. We all have a tendency to procrastinate.

Hard work always pays off. Don’t allow anyone to discourage you from pursuing your goals!

You only live once. Make it count!

If not today, when?

 

We are all creatures of habit. Of course, there are many good habits we have developed that help us maintain a stable lifestyle.

When it comes to problem solving, however, habitual thinking may be a serious handicap. The very best problem solvers are those people who are able to “Think Outside The Box.”

If you have some difficulty in your life that just seems to linger without any solution, it’s time to take an entirely unique approach that is not seen in the box where your thought process resides. Difficult problems sometimes require very unique solutions.

The chance for happiness in this life depends to a large degree on the thoughts you have and the decisions you make.

Don’t live in your box forever! Break out and really live!

If not today, when?

Life is a matter of priorities.

We always have something we should do. Some of those tasks that lie ahead of us will be enjoyable. We look forward to them because they will be a good experience.

Other tasks, however, have the potential to be challenging. As the title to today’s blog says, “Do the worst first.” When looking at future tasks, what have been your decision making habits thus far? Do you put off difficult tasks after doing the easy ones? Or, do you avoid the hard ones as long as you possibly can.

If success could be found by always doing easy things, everyone would be successful. And, we know everyone is not successful.

Success is obtained in every aspect of your life, both personal and professional, by doing difficult things first.

Become more successful!

If not today, when?

“People with determination are those who get up and keep going, who learn from what went wrong and adjust course.”

Failure is necessary! There is a saying that you must experience a bad relationship in order to know what a good one looks like.

When we have a failure, large or small, it gets our complete attention. That’s why failure is a much needed learning tool for us. It hurts so much that we are forced to ask our self, “Why did this happen? What can I do to avoid it in the future?

Failed relationships are usually the most hurtful kind because they cause you to doubt yourself. Don’t do that. People are complicated and it’s necessary to see the other person in a variety of circumstances before really knowing them.

Start slowly!

If not today, when?

Yep, my Bucket List is complete!

I wanted to and did: Marry the “Love Of My Life,” have terrific children and grand children, join the Navy, start 8 businesses, visit the great cities of Europe, Participate in the Port Huron to Mackinac Sailboat Race and the Chicago to Mackinac Race, write nine books, write a nationally syndicated real estate column, become a high school football coach and write a blog.

How about you?

Do you have a Bucket List? In other words, do you have heart felt objectives that are really important to you? Or, have you already given up on some or most of them?

At the age of 16, Winston Churchill told a friend, “Someday, I will save England from invasion!” You CAN make your dreams a reality if you are willing to pay the price.

If not today, when?

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford

Look at the empire that this man created with his dream of building an automobile. Can we even begin to imagine all the obstacles in his path?

We can always think of reasons why we can’t accomplish a goal. Actually, we are very creative when explaining something we can’t do versus things we can and will do to move our life and accomplishments forward. It’s called a “cop out.”

So, where are you in your life? Standing still, slipping backward or leaping forward? Have you ever had a dream of doing or being something? Did you pursue it with unfailing determination?

Don’t sell yourself short! Go for it!

If not today, when?

She is the 28th Native American woman abducted in Montana. The entire community is very frightened because the culprit or culprits have not been caught.

The country of Angola is rich in diamonds, but because of wide spread corruption, the populace is barely existing on an extreme poverty level. Among other dire consequences of inadequate food is a high infant mortality rate.

Both of these stories appeared in today’s New York Times. They are only but a mere snapshot of the millions of poor people victimized by the educated, rich and powerful!

Is this just another little news tidbit or does it move you?

Do you want to be a happier person who feels you make a difference?

Lift up someone who is down!

If not today, when?

With all the strife and unhappiness in this world of ours, it can be difficult  to believe there is a God watching over us. When I was a young man, I would see bad things happen to people and say to myself, “Why doesn’t God do something?”

As I began to mature, however, I learned that we frequently receive blessings not of our doing which I believe, come from an invisible, but very real God. Everything good that happens in our lives is not a coincidence!

Scientists have spent hundreds of years trying to explain with certainty how the earth came about and the origin of intelligent human beings. I believe our very existence on a planet that seems to generate the food we need and materials to build our cities is a gift from a generous God.

If not today, when?