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Just Do It

2012-04-09T11:43:45Z

I know I find myself falling into the procrastination mode at times and I bet you do as well. It is not a huge deal unless it turns into a trend and then, we become disorganized.

Success is not achieved out of the blue. It is a purposeful course of deciding what you want to do with your life, what you will do after you get there, and what the steps are to get you where you want to be.

Most of us are visual and we create mental pictures to guide us down the path of true freedom and inspiration. But we can develop mental pictures of procrastination. This is a self-defeating behavior that can develop in the part of ourselves that creates a false belief of low self-esteem and fear of disappointment.

A number of small jobs done over time are greatly more controllable that one big task with no end in sight. You'll be amazed at how much you can get done if you focus on one thing at a time instead of cluttering your mind with multiple tasks

When you exercise self-discipline in this way, you will make major strides in accomplishing your goals in less time.

No matter what is happening around you, keep your mind focused on the reward you'll receive by reaching your goals.

If people or outside forces distract you, use the power of the human mind to block out what impedes your growth and focus exclusively on the task at hand.

You will make extraordinary advancement by refusing to let others change the path you have selected. Overcoming procrastination and staying motivated is the way to lifetime success and happiness.

You'll attain your goals quickly when you stay focused on your purpose and the rewards that will follow.

Remember the Nike commercial slogan “Just Do It!.”

Be the Difference!

Rich

5 Ways to Help You Acheive your Goals

2012-04-02T11:28:30Z

Goals are tools for motivation if you use them correctly otherwise, they can be a source of frustration. Goals are only empowering if they are used in a good way. So how do you make a goal into something that is a benefit for you?

Goal-setting strategies are important to help you create the type of success you desire and deserve. Here are five goal-setting techniques to help you.

1 - Balance Your Goals

In your life you will have personal development goals, personal finance goals and things goals. Don't neglect any of them. It is okay to want things, but don't forget to balance them with your own growth as a person. All of these goals are important so be clear about all of them and make them real for you.

2 - Plan Actions From Your Goals

Goals are not items for your to do list. Your goal is what you are after. Plan specific actions that lead you towards those goals. Use the goals to provide your compass for those actions. When you plan actions for the day you can easily tell if they're going to be effective if you have clear goals to compare them against.

3 - Share Your Goals

Do not keep it a secret that your goal is to hit the bull's-eye? Too many keep their goals a secret. Share your goals with people who will support and encourage you.

4 - Write Down Your Goals

Make your goals real by writing them down. Put copies of your goals on index cards and review them regularly. Make them the center of your focus put the index cards where you will see them each day. Don't just set them and then ignore them. Your goals are like a compass to tell you which way to go. The exciting part is that you get to chose the alignment of your compass.

5 - Don't Give Up

Your goals and the actions you take to get them are different things. Don't be afraid to try something, fail and try something else. Take effective and massive action to meet your goals and understand that any true goals will take many steps to achieve. Sometimes you will make a misstep, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the goal. Everyone makes mistakes, but it's only those who abandon their goals who don't achieve them.

Be the Difference!
Rich

What is the Next Big Thing?

2012-03-28T14:17:33Z

I was in a meeting yesterday and was asked what is the next big thing? Here was my answer...who cares!

it seems like we get hung up on what is next?...what could I do?...Where will I be?

So, why did I answer..."who cares?"

I learned the hard way "if I do not focus on the now...tommorrow does not happen."

Write down...Right now...3 things...You are going to do today... towards getting your goal done.

Be the Difference!
Rich

The Role between a Mentor and Mentee

2012-03-27T11:02:41Z

I’m often asked about mentoring...what it means to be a mentor and what is the mentor-mentee relationship? First understand, the role of a mentor is to aid the mentee in reaching his or her goals.

As a mentor you also will learn a lot from teaching and leading others, the relationship between the mentor and the mentee should be mentee-centered. So the mentor will listen, guide, and challenge the mentee to do his best in his or her life not just in their job.

The mentorship program requires frequent contact between the mentor and the mentee for the communication line to remain open. Mentoring is an interactive relationship wherein both parties can contribute to each other’s grow as a person.

Mentoring is very different from counseling and coaching neither is it being buddies because mentoring is a tool that is used for personal and professional development.

Formal and Informal Mentoring

Anyone can be a mentor or a mentee without joining any mentoring program. For example, just having a conversation with a stranger can be a form of mentoring if you learn something important from them; this type of mentoring is known as informal mentoring.

Informal mentoring usually just occurs even if you don’t plan it, this can be just as important as a formal mentoring program. Pay attention when this happens and refect on what just happened. Better yet...write it down and reflect on it.

Formal mentoring is having an agreed upon relationship between the mentor and the mentee. Formal mentoring will require the commitment of time and effort between the two parties so that they can share and learn from each other.

Finding a Mentor

Having the wrong mentor can be even worse than having no mentor at all. For this reason, everyone should take the time and effort to look for a mentor that will satisfy your needs, personality, and learning style.

You need to look within yourself and ask yourself what you really want to learn.

Consider the following questions before deciding on a mentor:

Would the mentor provide me with good and accurate information?
Would he support me in reaching my goals and objectives?
Would he respect my dreams, my decisions, and my goal in life?
Would he challenge me when it is necessary?
Can the mentor actually be trusted?

The most important questions to ask yourself is:

Am I willing to listen to this mentor’s ideas and suggestions?
Am I willing to do whatever it takes to get what I’m after?

Asking these questions before you commit to a mentoring program is essential for you to reap the best possible benefit. It is also important to have a clear communication line between you and the mentor. Even at the start of the mentoring program, you already need to specify your expectations and your goal so that the mentor will know which direction to take.

Ending the Mentoring Program

All good things must come to an end. As you grow your relationship will change. You end this mentoring program and sure, you can still and should communicate with your mentor from time to time but being in a commitment to be each other’s mentor and mentee can become more like a burden rather than a privilege after the mentoring program ends.

Both parties should acknowledge what they have learned and thank each other for the time and effort that the person has spent for another’s well-being. Even after the mentoring program ends though, the mentor can still support the mentee and be there for the mentee when he is needed.

What is next...find a new mentor for the next stage of your life and become a mentor to the person who is facing the same questions you had.

Remember...When you light the path for someone else....you also light the path for yourself.

Be the Difference!
Rich

The Wake Up Call...Are You Listening?

2012-03-26T11:00:00Z

I just got word today that a friend has passed. Joe was only 54 years old. While, I morn and celebrate his life and gifts...It became a wake up call.

The story below, was written by an Unknown Monk, in 1100 A.D.

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation,

I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.

My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world."

Our average life expectancy is 83. Take your age today and subtract this from the average to determine the number of years you have left. Now, ask yourself this question:

What will I do with the years I have left?

Will you begin to change yourself?
Will you stay stuck in your comfort zone?
WIll you continue to blame others...because you think they are reason you cannot succeed?
Will fear keep you from living your purpose?
What will be your legacy?

Develop Your Personal Timeline

Take time today and begin to write down your goals over a 10 year or 20 year or longer period. Today, is the day to develop your life plan. What will you be doing different each year as you achieve your goal.

Start with what you want to accomplish and work backwards...all the way to today. List the steps, the milestones, who you are with, what you are doing.

Then, list the 3 things you can do today to begin your timeline.

Here is a fact...we all will die...it cannot be avoided

My friend was 54. I can tell you that he lived, he was accomplishing his goals...he made a difference.

Life is a gift and we can create a legacy that will last long after we have passed...what will yours be?

Be the Difference!
Rich

6 Steps to Solving Problems

2012-03-22T11:14:16Z

In my workshops and in my keynote talks, no matter if I’m talking about consultative selling, leading a team, change management or being a parent. You need to understand...how to identify problems before you can solve them.

The really interesting thing I have found is when I ask someone “what problem are you having?” 99.9% of the time they tell me the answer.

For instance I asked a client what problem are they having? He said, “ We need new software this is the answer not the problem.” A friend called me to help her and I asked, “What problem are you having?” She said, “We need teamwork” this is the answer not the problem. I can give many more examples but you get the idea.

Why do we answer the question with the answer instead of the problem? I think we do not even hear the word problem, because we know what we want. We just have not gotten it.

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

When you apply creative problem-solving, you must change your mindset to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, you will be more creative in solving our problems.

1 - The reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem really is.

Understanding the problem and having a solid understanding of its workings is integral to solving the problem. If you know how it works and what the problem is, then you have a foundation towards solving the problem.

Do this...write down a simple statement of what problem is. Identify what other problems this problem is creating and for who. Look for all the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are.

Many times we get stuck here because we write down the answer not the problem. I teach in my workshops the secret known only to a few for uncovering the problem. Here is what you do.

Write this down...What problem will (insert your answer here) solve?

This one technique is the secret to uncovering the problem. For instance when I asked, “What problem are you having?” She said , “We need teamwork” I replied, “What problem will teamwork solve?” I got the answer which ended up not being teamwork at all.

After getting to the problem take note of what will happen if do nothing.

Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

2 - Write down all the constraints and assumptions you have about the problem.

Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

3 - Solve the problem by breaking it into smaller parts.

Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

4 - It helps to have critical thinking as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head.

When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time.

Keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

5 - Remember that old saying," two heads are better than one."

That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

6 - Be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself.

So, next time you see a problem you think you cannot solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.

Be the Difference!

Rich

The 2 Step Affirmation Process

2012-03-21T12:22:55Z

I had a question about affirmations from my post from yesterday. I thought I would add some clarity and some affirmations to help you.

Most people understand the first step but completely do not know about the second step to make the affirmation work.

Here is the first step:

Affirmations are great tools that can help you overcome fear, build your confidence, develop an improved mindset and more. The problem is that many people aren't sure exactly how to write effective affirmations. Do they always have to be in present tense? Can they contain "negative" words like can't, won't, not, and so on?

There are plenty of differing opinions on the right and wrong ways to write effective affirmations, but the bottom line is that an affirmation can be considered effective if it works for YOU!

The whole point of affirmations is to shift your thoughts and emotions to a more positive place so you feel more confident, happy, secure, abundant, or anything else you're trying to accomplish.

Take a look at the sample affirmations below for starters and feel free to use them if they resonate with you. If not, try altering them slightly until they trigger the mindset and emotional state you're trying to get.

Here some examples I have found.

Affirmations for Healthy Weight and Body Image:

- Today I love my body fully, deeply and joyfully.

- My body has its own wisdom and I trust that wisdom completely.

- My body is simply a projection of my beliefs about myself.

- I am growing more beautiful and luminous day by day.

- I choose to see the divine perfection in every cell of my body.

- As I love myself, I allow others to love me too.

- Flaws are transformed by love and acceptance.

- Today I choose to honor my beauty, my strength and my uniqueness.

- I love the way I feel when I take good care of myself.

- Today my own well-being is my top priority.

Affirmations for Self-Confidence and Self-Belief:

- Fear is only a feeling; it cannot hold me back.

- I know that I can master anything if I do it enough times.

- Today I am willing to fail in order to succeed.

- I believe that I have the strength to make my dreams come true.

- I'm going to relax and have fun with this, no matter what the outcome may be.

- I'm proud of myself for even daring to try; many people won't even do that!

- Today I put my full trust in my inner guidance.

- I grow in strength with every forward step I take.

- I release my hesitation and make room for victory!

- With a solid plan and a belief in myself, there's nothing I can't do.

Affirmations for Abundance and Prosperity:

- I open to the flow of great abundance in all areas of my life.

- I always have more than enough of everything I need.

- Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

- Today I expand my awareness of the abundance all around me.

- I allow the universe to bless me in surprising and joyful ways.

- My grateful heart is a magnet that attracts more of everything I desire.

- Prosperity surrounds me, prosperity fills me, prosperity flows to me and through me.

- I exude passion, purpose and prosperity.

- I am always led to the people who need what I have to offer.

- As my commitment to help others grows, so does my wealth.

- My day is filled with limitless potential in joy, abundance and love.

Affirmations for Life Purpose:

- The better I know myself, the clearer my purpose becomes.

- My unique skills and talents can make a profound difference in the world.

- Today I follow my heart and discover my destiny.

- I am meant to do great things.

- I am limited only by my vision of what is possible.

- My purpose is to develop and share the best parts of myself with others.

- Today I present my love, passion, talent and joy as a gift to the world.

- I need not know the entire journey in order to take one step.

- I fulfill my life purpose by starting here, right now.

- My life purpose can be whatever I decide to make it.

Affirmations for Inner Peace:

- All is well, right here, right now.

- Peace begins with a conscious choice.

- Today I embrace simplicity, peace and solace.

- A peaceful heart makes for a peaceful life.

- I trust the universe to deliver my highest good in every situation.

- By becoming peace, I create peace in every experience.

- I am filled with the light of love, peace and joy.

- Peace comes when I let go of trying to control every tiny detail.

- Where peace dwells, fear cannot.

- Today my mission is to surrender and release.

Affirmations for Opportunity:

- Today I open my mind to the endless opportunities surrounding me.

- Opportunities are everywhere, if I choose to see them.

- I boldly act on great opportunities when I see them.

- My intuition leads me to the most lucrative opportunities.

- An opportunity is simply a possibility until I act on it.

- Some of the best opportunities are made, not found.

- Today I see each moment as a new opportunity to express my greatness.

- I expand my awareness of the hidden potential in each experience.

- Let each of my experiences today be a gateway to something even better.

- Each decision I make creates new opportunities.

Affirmations for Love:

- I am ready for a healthy, loving relationship.

- All of my relationships are meaningful and fulfilling.

- As I share my love with others the universe mirrors love back to me.

- I see everyone I meet as a soul mate.

- I trust the universe to know the type of partner who is perfect for me.

- Today I release fear and open my heart to true love.

- I am grateful for the people in my life.

- I am the perfect partner for my perfect partner.

- I deserve a loving, healthy relationship.

- I deserve to be loved and I allow myself to be loved.

Affirmations for Healing:

- I am strong and healthy.

- My energy and vitality are increasing every day.

- I open to the natural flow of wellness now.

- My inner guidance leads me to the right healing modalities for me.

- Abundant health and wellness are my birthright.

- Thank you for my strength, my health and my vitality.

- I am feeling stronger and better now.

- I love taking good care of myself.

- Today nurturing myself is my highest priority.

- Thank you for the opportunity to balance my mind, body and spirit.

Affirmations for Inner Clarity:

- Today I awaken to my higher wisdom.

- My inner voice guides me in every moment.

- I am centered, calm and clear.

- I always know the right actions to achieve my goals.

- When I know where I'm going, getting there is a cinch!

- Today I am completely tuned in to my inner wisdom.

- Harmony is always a sign that I am balanced from within.

- Thank you for showing me the way to my dreams.

- I trust my feelings and insights.

- I am detached and open to divine guidance.

Affirmations for Self-Love:

- I am filled with light, love and peace.

- I treat myself with kindness and respect.

- I don't have to be perfect; I just have to be me.

- I give myself permission to shine.

- I honor the best parts of myself and share them with others.

- I'm proud of all I have accomplished.

- Today I give myself permission to be greater than my fears.

- I love myself no matter what.

- I am my own best friend and cheerleader.

- Thank you for the qualities, traits and talents that make me so unique.

Here is the second step:

Affirmations are the first big step in wanting a change. Affirmations create the picture of the future.. to tell yourself the “words” of what the future looks like...but there is something missing.

The second step is the most important one and here is what it is:

“Take action”

Add to your affirmation just one thing you will do it to make it happen then as the Nike commercial says “Just do it”

Be the Difference!

Rich

How to Start your Day...Expecting the Best

2012-03-20T12:12:46Z

I got a call yesterday from a man who is organizing a men’s gathering. He asked me to lead a 3 day retreat which I very honored to do. As we spoke he told me about he was finding himself getting stuck in negative thought patterns and expecting the worst possible outcome.

I told him It is a common mindset that proves difficult to change until you finally decide you have had enough. Unfortunately, negative thoughts tend to multiply on their own even when you’re not consciously trying to think negatively.

The good news is that turning a negative outlook into a positive one just takes a bit of patience and persistence until the positive thoughts begin to take over.

Given the opportunity positive will always outweigh negative.

Here are three simple steps to begin forming positive expectations on a daily basis:

1- Develop self-awareness to identify negative expectations.

One problem with negative thoughts is they form below your conscious level of awareness, and you get so used to them being in your head that you hardly notice them anymore.

To turn the tide, you’ll have to develop a stronger level of self-awareness. One good way to start is by performing self-checks several times a day. Pay attention first to how you feel. If you’re feeling positive and productive, most likely you’ve been thinking positive thoughts.

If you notice that you’re feeling irritable, pessimistic or stressed, you’re probably focusing more on negative thoughts. When that happens:

2 - Challenge and change the negative thoughts.

Believe it or not, it’s easy to challenge and change negative thoughts with a little willpower and concentration.

For example, if you find yourself feeling doubtful about your ability to finish your work on time, you might engage in a bit of self-talk like this: Okay, so I’m feeling a bit worried right now, but really everything is okay. I’m strong, and I’m capable of finishing my work on time. Ií’l do my best and everything will work out fine. This type of self-talk can get you thinking and feeling more positive.

3 - As you’re changing negative thoughts to positive, work daily on developing a general positive expectation habit.

Each day when you wake up, affirm confidently, Today is going to be a great day! Everything will go my way and I’ll enjoy plenty of great opportunities and fun!

When you face obstacles or problems, see them as opportunities to learn, grow and strengthen yourself. Perception is 99% of the game! If you simply work on shifting the way you look at the experiences of your life, you can easily conquer your negative thought habits.

The more you focus on changing your perspective to emphasize the positive, you’ll empower yourself to create better circumstances in your life. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying better and more opportunities and attracting other likeminded, successful people to connect with.

I know there are some of you are thinking self talk...affirmations...this does not work! Here is your wake up call...they do work and you are proving right now by affirming to yourself it won’t work.

Given the opportunity positive always outweigh negative...give it an opportunity.

Be the Difference,
Rich

The Power of the Pen or Stylus to Improve your Life

2012-03-19T11:43:54Z

For many years I have used a business journal. I use it to write down all my notes, to-do’s, thoughts and actions. I have them organized by year. I also have a personal journal for my thoughts about what is happening in my life and to write down new ideas for blogs, books, webinars and new products. I have a small pad of paper I keep with me in case an idea comes up to write down. I even have used my iPhones voice recording app.

I now use my iPad with an app that allows me to use my stylus to keep separate journals to use as my personal growth checklist.

How about you? Do you have a personal growth checklist about your business and personal life? Many goals are never reached because we do not do self-assessments.

In one of my personal improvement workshops I have each participant to work on the question they have about their life. We all have one and as we work on the questions it leads up to the big moment. I take each one to a quiet place and there in front of them is a mirrior. It can be scary and overwhelming to sit down and have to face yourself. But, in order for personal development to happen, it is exactly what you must do.

Get yourself a small notebook to be used for all thoughts concerning you. Inside these pages you will keep notes, to-do lists, inspirations and basically, everything about you.

When you put yourself on paper consistently, it becomes a life management bible. Seeing who we are in written form is magic to personal growth. There is value contained here about your purpose in living. By privately writing down your daily to-do’s, aspirations, or even 5 year plans, these pages outline where your life is going. Where your life has been.

The notebook becomes your intimate novel to personal development growth. It makes you self-aware of your behaviors and habits. It puts your dreams in your face to encourage self-actualization. No matter how terrifying the pen gets, you have opportunity to change your life on the very next page.

Your personal development growth is mastering the pages you’ve written about yourself...into new pages of re-inventing yourself and your circumstances. It is through doing a consistent assessment of your life, and bravely finding new ways to approach setbacks.

Questions about who you are and where you are going are constant within these pages. You have made yourself accountable for your life by writing everything down. It is easier to take personal responsibility for what happens to you if you acknowledge it with a pen.

You cannot grow if you do not know. So much happens to us during each day and can easily be missed as an opportunity for growth. By keeping notes, it can be measured and evaluated.

Days become months, and months into years, leaving us in the exact same spot as we began. And then the moment comes where we wonder why our life didn’t turn out the way we planned. It is because time moves forward, and so should we.

Consider this self bible your life instructions. Critique yourself honestly. But, it is very important to applaud the little successes you see, because had you not written them down you probably would have missed them entirely.

Life is a continual process of renewal and opportunity. To measure your personal development growth look back on the pages of yesterday and see if you have climbed ladders or taken a few steps down. What can be learned? What is within your power to change? How will you recreate yourself in small ways tomorrow?

Even one step different than the one before begins a new path. By writing all of you down on paper or like I do in my iPad you have made yourself aware of you. Awareness acknowledges our existence in this world.

An added bonus to purging your thoughts on paper is the release. What is inside you should come out to keep a healthy mind and attitude. This is why journals exist. This is a reason people have day timers and diaries.

Humans can take in so much information daily, and then swirl it around into a feeling or opinion. It is imperative to good mental health to release all this somewhere else...preferably to paper and not another person.

Encourage good things to happen in your life. Help the process through timely self-assessments. Re-invent yourself through writing. Face the written words and change them.

Be the Difference,
Rich

The Secret of Success...Learning to Fail

2012-03-07T13:23:33Z

What creates success in business and in life? Learning how to look at failing as a positive. On average self made millionaires fail 17 times before they succeed. I can list other examples where this mindset is one of the reasons that separates the successful from the unsuccessful.

Have you ever held back on doing something because you were afraid to fail? Who hasn't?

Let’s face it; no one likes to fail. None of us likes to feel like we’re ineffective, weak or lacking in any way, and that’s exactly how failure makes us feel. So, we end up fearing to fail not just because we do not want to look weak to ourselves but to other people.

You might be surprised to know that failure does not exist until YOU say it does. We end up telling ourselves all the reasons we cannot succeed.

In the dictionary, failure has several definitions: 1) a failing to do or perform 2) a state of inability to perform a normal function adequately 3) a fracturing or giving way under stress 4) a lack of success.

Look carefully at those definitions and you will see they have one thing in common when it comes to goal achievement: failure is a PERCEPTION. It is just not how you view it. It is what you say or think to yourself.

If you believe you have failed, then you have.
If you believe you don’t have the ability to succeed, then you don’t.
If you believe you can’t handle the pressure of achieving your goals, you can’t.
If you believe you’re not successful, you aren’t.

The moment you decide to give up or stop working toward your goals, failure wins.

What if you never do that? What if you continue working toward your goals, one step at a time for as long as it takes? There ís no failure then, is there? So, if it is not failure,,,then what is it?

Feedback of what works and what does not work.

This insight should be very encouraging if you’ve been working toward goals and not yet seeing positive results. Simply keep going and you will not fail!

Here are three tips to help you stay strong and focused on your goals:

Never give yourself an out.

Most people do this without even realizing it. They are willing to work hard on achieving their goals, until the going gets too rough.

Commit to making your goals happen, no matter what! Never quit, never contemplate admitting failure, and never lose your inner determination.

Do not get hooked on a specific timeframe for completion.

it is fine to set a general timeline, but be aware that sometimes life throws a curve at you that is beyond your control, so you can’t say for sure when your goal will be achieved.

If you do that, you’re just setting yourself up to give up! Instead, get a general idea of when you’d like your goal to be completed, but then take it a day at a time and focus on making progress, not reaching the finish line in as little time as possible.

Finally, be sure that you do not view obstacles and setbacks as failures.

The two are completely different. An obstacle, setback or delay means only one thing: it is not time for your goal to be finished yet. Thats it!

It does not mean you failed; it does not mean you are weak; it does not mean you’ll never achieve your goals. It just means you are not done yet. Keep moving forward and find a way around or through the obstacle.

Failure only exists in your own mind! Notice that each of these words like can’t and don’t are made up of two words..can or cannot...do or do not..which do you choice?

Be the Difference!

Rich

7 Questions to Ask Yourself...If you are Stuck in the Comfort Zone

2012-03-06T12:00:00Z

One of the people I mentor was stuck in making a move out of his comfort zone. I told him to answer these seven questions.

What do I really want?

Interesting, to know that we rarely take time to figure this out. What do you really want to do with your life. Figure out what you enjoy doing and be the you that you want to be.

Do I really want to change?

Asking yourself this question will help you decide if you are already doing something that you do well and enjoy. Maybe you just aren't focused on a part of your life that you'd like to see grow.

What's the positive intent?

With so much happening around us we think there is no room for even considering there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Look for the positive intent and by the way there is always one...if you allow yourself to find it.

Am I OK with what I'm doing?

Sometimes we end doing something for someone else and not for ourselves. Are you trying to please them or yourself?

Am I happy where I am right now?

If the answer is yes, then grab onto this and be the best you can be.

How much could I have?

Here is what I want to say to you...Be a pig! Because in this case there is no such thing as having too much or too little, but it's more on how much you want it.

What motivates me?

What motivates you? I cannot nor can anyone else motivate you. It's an answer you have to discover for yourself.

Seek and you will find the answer in you...it has always been there...waiting for the opportunity to answer...when asked.

Go ahead...ask.

Be the Difference!

Rich

Facing the Crossroads of Business and Life

2012-03-05T12:00:00Z

One of my personal development programs is “Building a Life Compass.” One of the areas we discover is: “what to do when we face the crossroads of life because, all of us will face them.”

Try looking at life like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight paths.

The question is “which direction will you go?”

In our life many roads would come our way as we journey through life. Here is list of some of these roads we will face.

Some roads lead to a life of single blessedness, marriage, and spiritual fulfillment.
Some roads lead to fame and fortune
Some roads lead to isolation and poverty
Some roads lead to happiness
Some roads lead to sadness
Some roads leads to victory and celebration and
Some roads lead to defeat and disappointment.

Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and the most difficult road you will face is...a crossroad.

Four roads to choose from with limited knowledge on where they go.

Which Road will you take?

What is the guarantee that we choose the right one on our path?
Would you take any road, or
Just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad?...Stuck....Frozen...Unable to move or decide?

First understand this: There are no guarantees.

You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to understand about life.

Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness.
Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned.
Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness.
There are too many possible outcomes, which your really cannot control.

The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you will act and react to different situations.

Wrong decisions are known only after you have made them.

Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have done it?

Why would you go down a path when you know it would get you lost?
Why make a certain decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one.
It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its effect.
If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong.

Take the risk: Decide and take Action

Since life has no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, then you might as well take the risk and decide.

It is definitely better than keeping yourself stuck. It is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be that this turn is an opportunity for an adventure, leading to more roads. It is all a matter of perspective.

You have the choice between being a lost traveller or an accidental tourist of life. But, do not make decisions by taking risks without thinking about which direction you are going to take...this is not about being careless and stupid.

Here are some ways that could help you choose the best option when you face a life crossroad:

Get as many information as you can.

You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with.

Ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why.

What is the situation?
Who are the people involved?
When did this happen?
Where is this leading?
Why are you in this situation?

These are just some of the possible questions to ask to know more about your situation.

This is important. Many times, the reason for indecision is the lack of information about a situation.

Identify and develop options.

What options does this situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, but sometimes they are numerous.

But what do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own. Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end.

You can ask a friend to help you identify options and even make more options. Always make sure that you make the decision yourself in the end.

Ask yourself what are the pros and cons of every option.

Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.

Trust yourself and make that decision.

Now that you have assessed your options, it is now time to trust yourself.

Remember that there are no guarantees and wrong decisions always happen after the fact. So choose to decide and believe that you are choosing the best option with the best information you have at this time.

Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences: good and bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems.

The important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life.

Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. Do not regret it whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.

Be the Difference,

Rich

What Are Successful People Doing?

2012-03-01T12:00:00Z

Here are 10 things successful people doing:

1. They try out new things, knowing that if it doesn't work out as intended, failure is a learning opportunity.

2. Believe and trust themselves. They instinctively know what is right for them and they go for it!

3. Have a well-developed life strategy that includes a written life vision and mission, purpose, and goals statement.

4. Get things done, through whatever time management system that works for them. They make the most of each day and take action on important life tasks each and everyday.

5. They surround themselves with only the highest quality people, programs, and places.

6. Tap into the collective brainpower of others by reading books, magazines, and articles---anything that is helpful for their own development.

7. Value the process of learning for learning's sake. They do not just learn for a specific end---to get a certificate, degree, title, etc. They learn because it is fundamentally rewarding for them.

8. Are the teachers of the world, who share their knowledge with other people. They put themselves out there so the rest of us can benefit, and in exchange, their own learning grows and develops.

9. They love to grow and develop. To stay ahead of the game, they often reinvent themselves over and over again.

10. They are insatiably curious and want to know more about becoming bigger and brighter, as a result they naturally evolve.

How many of these are you doing? Which ones seem too difficult?

Pick the top three that can have an impact on in your life and take action today...By the way this is what successful people do...they take action.

Be the Difference!

Rich

What It Means to be a Mentor

2012-02-29T12:00:00Z

I just got an invite from a group of men I respect to declare myself an “elder.” Interesting to me is to...declare it or did I earn it?

I’m already viewed as a respected elder in many other communities but I know men and women struggle with this. They paint their hair the color it once was. They have their wrinkles, their wisdom lines removed...why?

They resist what they have no control of...age. The more they resist...the more that age comes but, perhaps they have not yet learned the lessons. Is this the reason for the resistance?

Age brings knowledge. It is not until we reach the age of 50 to 55 that we have enough years on the planet...to hopefully have gained knowledge.

What is the role of the “elder?”

First it not to be “elderly.” Our society embraces the young, the hip, the cool, the good looking who have no knowledge or wisdom. It is not possible to teach someone what you have not yet experienced. So, what is the role of the “elder?”

To teach and mentor the young ones.

As these men and women grow older, they have the chance to be a guide for someone who is younger and less experienced than they. This need for people to feel connected, loved, and taught by someone better than they are has given rise to different concepts such as mentoring.

I use the word “concept” because mentoring is “uncommon” not “common.” Do not confuse this when in business the word "mentor" is used. Really they are not mentors...they are teachers...perhaps a coach but rarely a mentor.

When people say that no man is an island, they don’t only mean that no man or woman should live alone. Men and women are perpetually learning creatures: they need the help of someone to guide them through life, and to help them make wise decisions.

Mentoring, or the process of mentorship, is really a growing, strengthening bond that occurs between a mentor, who is more experienced, who is certainly wiser; and his or her protégé, a mentee or someone who is less experienced and wise, and who therefore needs to be guided by the mentor.

The concept of mentorship has long been known and tracked in history. In fact, it was Homer ín the story of the Odyssey that first gave rise to the term mentor through its character called Mentor, who, despite the fact that he is presented as a somewhat debilitated old man, is actually used by Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, to guide Odysseus son Telemachus through a difficult time in the young man’s life.

The Ancient Greeks had the concept of pederasty, which teachers young men to greatness. The Hindu and Buddhist religions have the concept of the guru, where a wise, religious man serves as the spiritual guide of someone who is misguided or who needs to know the Truth. In Judaism and Christianity, the concept of discipleship forms both history and current practice, as clergy or deeply spiritual people guide their respective flocks or followers.

There are many famous mentor protégé relationships in history. Take, for instance, the triplet of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, three great minds in philosophy who preceded each other. Socrates was the mentor of Plato, and Plato was the mentor of Aristotle. Aristotle was even the mentor of Alexander the Great.

The Christian faiths owe a good deal of their spread to the letters and preaching of St. Paul. In the music industry, the rapper Dr. Dre is mentor to younger rappers Eminem and Snoop Dogg. In the movie industry, the famous and late British actor Sir Laurence Olivier served as mentor for multi-awarded actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Even fiction has its own share of mentors and protégés. There are the Jedi knights of the famous Star Wars epics, where Qui-Gon Jinn mentors Obi-Wan Kenobi; when Qui-Gon Jinn dies, Obi-Wan Kenobi takes on Anakin Skywalker; Luke Skywalker, Anakinís son, is mentored by Yoda. The master-padawan relationship in the Star Wars series is actually like a mentor and protégé.

It is time for the old ones to take their place among the “elders.” There is no need to declare it...because you earned it...how?

The lessons of life!

Be the Difference!

Rich

5 Tips to Help You Manage Time

2012-02-28T12:00:00Z

The one thing we all have that money can’t buy is ....time. Once it is gone...it is gone.

Here are 5 ideas to help.

1- Avoid interruption

When you can, leave your phone on voice mail when you have scheduled time to work on projects. If you have a private office, close your door. If you have a cubicle make a sign saying something like "Hard at Work: Please Come Back Later." If you are interrupted, help keep the interruption short by remaining on task.

2- Schedule time to make phone calls and return e-mail

When you leave a phone message, list times that you will be available by phone. Ask the other party to do the same - it will save you both a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on everyone's favorite game, phone tag. Also, avoid checking your voice mail and e-mail frequently. Instead, review them at scheduled times during the day.

3- Plan stress breaks throughout the day

Make sure you give yourself a break! Working to the point of total brain drain will never do you any good. Stretch, take some deep breaths, and go out to get your lunch, call your kids - do something to give yourself a little break.

4- Appreciate your own approach

Just as we are all different in other ways, we all have different organizational styles. Keep in mind that you have gotten where you are today because of who you are and what you have accomplished. Improved organizational skills enhance your personal style, not change it. Getting organized should make you feel good, not overwhelmed.

5- Stick to your plan

The best-laid plans can often fall apart. But understand, there is a fine line between it and plain procrastination. Once you've come up with a good plan for tackling a task, stay with it. Only you can prevent yourself from wavering.

The only one that take time away from you...is you.

Be the Difference,

Rich