What motivates Us?

I saw this video today and the 10 minutes it took to watch it were so powerful in reminding me not only why I choose to do what I do each day, it also reminded me of why so many others face the struggles they face in life. What's missing for so many? What motivates us to be better?

I had a debate one time with a friend many years ago about the worth of money in motivation of people. I told him that my belief was that we all want, or think what we want is more of it but we soon find out, as we achieve more of it, there is not very much it does to fill the void so many have in their lives.

I used this following example with him as I have with so many others in the past regarding this topic. I said to him if I offer the waiter, who was working at the beach we were hanging out on, a job for one million dollars per year would the guy jump at it? We both agreed that he would but we both disagreed for how long he would keep it or if it would make him happy. I asked the young guy when he came up to play along with us in a hypothetical situation and he agreed. I said to him I would like to offer you a job that pays one million dollars per year and this is what you must do... I have set up an office with a chair and a desk for you. It would be your job to go to that room everyday at 8am and remain there until lunch doing absolutely nothing. No contact with others just sitting quietly behind that desk until lunch and then returning after lunch to sit there doing nothing, no writing, no phone, no computer just being in solitude until 6pm then go home and return the next day to repeat. I asked would you be interested? and How long would you last? That guys answer was one year. I have heard 3 months on the short end, I have had some people tell me I am not interested, the longest period I have heard was actually one year.

It seems that whatever amount of money many think they may need in life to get started on their actual dreams is equated into time and that is the amount of time they are willing to endure the job described. If they think they need three hundred thousand dollars then 4 months is the time they say they would take the job for. If they think they need a million then they will say one year. I would argue that not very many human beings could allow themselves to waste away each day by choice, doing nothing except obtaining a paycheck, no matter the size, for very long at all.

There is something within every human being that drives us to create, to become great at something and to fulfill our purpose. Unfortunately society has taught so many people to get on the spinning wheel of life and the reason we do is because we must, "its your responsibility". This is the beginning of the end. To buy into that theory alone results in a lapse of heart and will. That same heart and will are the purpose which have created many of the greatest accomplishments we have all been blessed with in every day life.

Watch this following video and determine your 3 things and how active they are in your life. Every one of us is worth way more than a Million a year but it all comes down to us tapping into the power which would provide the world around us with our talents in order to exchange for it's rewards......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc

The Paradox of our Time

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; we have more gadgets but less satisfaction; more medicine, yet less wellness; we take more vitamins but see fewer results. We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner; we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits; we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less; we make faster planes, but longer lines; we learned to rush, but not to wait; we have more weapons, but less peace; higher incomes, but lower morals; more parties, but less fun; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, but short character; steep in profits, but shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces; these quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room. - Dr. Bob Moorhead

It is time for us to Choose what we want for our lives to represent so make today count

When Others Disappoint you...

When Others Disappoint you...

Over the past two weeks I have thought a lot about this topic and wanted to share the positive in it so this is my accomplishment of that task. Being a driving personality I am very committed to reaching goals and being proactive about those same goals. In the quest of doing just that it is necessary to have interaction with many people with different personalities, drives, ethics , morals and so on. Our key to creating success is in melding all of these different people, values, goals and ethics into a centrally focused team.

This is where the real challenge begins!!

I have realized that I am on a lifelong hunt to align myself with certain people that are of a like minded focus to reach the highest levels of giving, creating, sharing and being a better rendition of ourselves. I consider myself extremely lucky because I know that I have awakened at this point in my life to realize how fortunate this once ignorant soul has now been. My past ignorance is one that is all to common. It was an ignorance centered on obtaining goals, reaching measurements all for the sake of the numbers alone. The last several years have helped me to understand that the numbers are in place to cause my own reflection of me. I do not play by the numbers any longer but rather by becoming intimate with the equation that always produces the sum.

Let me explore what is a common saying I often use... "The sum of the equation is not our main focus"  for example.. 2 + 2 = 4. Most people spend all of their lives wishing the "4" would be an 8, 16, 32, 95 etc... The desire is constantly around making our goals and reaching our numbers but the reality is now and forever will be "if you want the sum to change, you must focus on the equation"

Every time I place 2 + 2 it will always equal 4. If I want a different number then I must use a different equation. This simple reality gives me so much freedom to study myself and be better. I recently told someone that the development of my life, relationships and creations of my time is the body of my work. The head of that body is me, and so therefore as I think I will have. When I see that the body of my work is not in a place that I want it to be, it is time to slow down and reflect on where my head is. I love statistics and understanding performance of what I am trying to accomplish. I love understanding my goals in order to examine how close I am to reaching them. Knowing where I am in reaching goals is simply studying "my body of work".

Napolean Hill stated "what the mind can conceive and believe the will can achieve" This statement is truly knowing the concept of that which is in my head is in my life. If I can think it it will happen, good and bad. If I am sure that all that I have is based around me then I must take responsibility for it. The greatest challenge most people face is cited in the last sentences phrase;  "taking responsibility". We want to blame our challenges on circumstances and others instead of looking within. 

As I look at the last year I have had to examine both circumstances and relationships. The road I traveled this past year is a great one but only because I see it that way. There are so many things that I watched others do in and around my life that I found discomfort in. In my perceived effort to continue to travel the road and do my best I allowed certain situations and people to stretch some things I would normally not allow. As I sit here today and look back at those decisions it would be easy to blame others but the reality is I must be thankful. Yes, thankful is the word I think we should most often embrace when situations or others let us down and disappoint us. If we can find the joy and gratitude in all of these situations we will most certainly create a better life, a better body of work and certainly a better self.

The process of things coming easier to me in life sounds great. The idea of having only ethical motivated people around me sounds even better! It is the reality of challenge that is truly great when we choose to embrace it with gratitude. Many people will come into each of our lives with all sorts of baggage and personal conflicts. This is our opportunity to see their talent, help them refine it and to work with them to create greater outcome. The idea that there are people we do not even know yet whom we could possibly meet tomorrow and build a lifelong journey of working together to be better and helping others become better in the process is awesome. The utopia of this thought can be exhilarating. The possibility that someone can come into our life tomorrow that could bring conflict, challenge or distrust is also available and this too should be welcomed. 

I love knowing that the development of me is tested and proven to win. Great people with Great focus are welcomed in my life. People who are challenged to have the right focus are also welcomed. Either individual makes me a better person because I choose to be aware and in gratitude of all things. If there really is a utopia then I would certainly say this mindset is really the peace we are searching for. I hope for every person I know and every person I work with to experience the freedom of knowledge that nothing is beyond our decisions. I could easily look at many things throughout my life where at first I want to wave the magic wand and make the situation disappear. I can look at many people I have met and want to wave the magic wand again and make them disappear. The truth is that I am a product of my experiences so to make any part of my life disappear is to cause a part of me to die with it. Do not get me wrong there are times where you have to remove certain people or circumstances from your life because you know they are not in the right spot or incorrect. I have had to live through this personally and very recently as well. The greatest part is in knowing that you can celebrate the positives they brought instead of focusing on the negatives you decided to remove.

It is just a simple matter of choice. (It is simple, not always easy but it is simple - Jim Rohn)

This choice will give you power to live each day in comfort and peace and when the head is right so is the body. If you think your challenge is with your business today....If you think your challenge is with home today......If you think your challenge is with people today... KNOW that is none of the above but rather it is with the way you think and see things today. 

Every great leader I study was a master of their own mind. Are you? Do you have a desire to be great? Greatness exists in our ability to see past circumstances and people. Greatness calls for us to see the work which is ourselves and be committed to developing that work to its highest potential.

I hosted a teleconference recently where I discussed the concept of "Easy Street" and how much we should not want this in our lives. I am not looking for a life where all action creates reward simply so I can repeat the process. I would be nothing more than Pavlov's dog in this scenario. 

I am looking for a life where even when people or circumstance disappoints...  I can ask the question Why? 

I can feel the Angst.

I can even welcome the Frustration.

After these emotions I will be challenged to search for Gratitude for which I can receive Clarity. Then I will take new action and get greater results. This supersedes the perceived rewards and even more the boundaries of "Easy Street". This represents a life committed to living at a higher level!! I have always enjoyed new experiences and I still do. This has been a mantra of mine throughout my life. I consider myself very lucky to live a life where things are constantly changing and demanding the best of me. I verbalize these thoughts in word and expression regularly so I must remember to WELCOME all that comes my way.

I work with some really great people who are truly committed to living their lives at a higher level. Each and every one of the people I surround myself with are incredible people and I appreciate knowing they are in my life for advice, direction and support. These people are not in my life by mistake but rather by focused choice and intent. I am living my life surrounded by people who want more for themselves and others, and encourage me to do the same. I implore everyone reading this today to develop the same thing in your life. Do not settle for second best because you deserve the best. If you have made a mistake in action or letting the wrong person get into your inner circle, first be thankful for the lesson and then make a change. You will find yourself better on both counts. The only way you can be disappointed is if you choose to be or do not take action to be focused and stay on the right path.

The Difference Between Good and GREAT Leadership

The Difference Between Good and GREAT Leadership

Challenging times require leaders who can lead others through the challenges. Now more than ever we need great leadership in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals and organizations. Good leadership won’t suffice. We need great leadership. There is a difference.

• Good leaders get people to believe in them.
• Great leaders inspire people to believe in themselves.

•  Good leaders say “Watch what I can do.”
• Great leaders say “Let me show you what you can do.”

•  Good leaders catch fish for others so they can eat today.
• Great leaders teach people how to fish so they can eat for a lifetime.

Having worked with countless leaders over the years in businesses, schools and professional sports I’ve realized that great leadership is really a transfer of belief. Great leaders share their belief, vision, purpose and passion with others and in the process they inspire others to believe, act and impact. Great leaders are positively contagious and they instill confidence and belief in others.

Great sales managers inspire their sales people to believe in themselves and their product/service. Great school principals inspire their teachers to believe they can make a difference. Great teachers inspire and empower their students to believe in themselves. Great pastors inspire their congregations to serve and impact the community. Great sports coaches inspire their teams to believe they can win. And the people who have changed the world have been those who instilled in others the confidence to step up, serve, take initiative and create positive change. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need to lead.

To lead others in a powerful way you must invite them on your bus, share your vision for the road ahead and then encourage, empower and inspire them to drive their own bus. In the process, instead of having just one bus that you drive, you create a fleet of buses and bus drivers, all moving in the same positive direction. When you create a fleet of buses and empower people to drive their own bus, you generate an amazing amount of power and momentum that becomes an unstoppable force. This is what great leadership is all about.

What does great leadership mean to you? Leave a comment below.

Original Page: http://www.jongordon.com/blog/?p=1685

Just True

7 Qualities Of Incredibly Productive People

This was shared with me by a friend this morning and thought I would pass it along..

7 Qualities Of Incredibly Productive People

Business Insider

Some people get more done than others--a lot more.

Sure, they work hard. And they work smart. But they possess other qualities that make a major impact on their performance.

They do the work in spite of disapproval or ridicule.

Work too hard, strive too hard, appear to be too ambitious, try to stand out from the crowd. It's a lot easier and much more comfortable to reel it in to ensure you fit in.

Pleasing the (average-performing) crowd is something remarkably productive people don't worry about. (They may think about it, but then they keep pushing on.)

They hear the criticism, they take the potshots, they endure the laughter or derision or even hostility--and they keep on measuring themselves and their efforts by their own standards.

And, in the process, they achieve what they want to achieve.

They see fear the same way other people view lunch.

One of my clients is an outstanding--and outstandingly successful--comic. Audiences love him. He's crazy good.

Yet he still has panic attacks before he walks onstage. He knows he'll melt down, sweat through his shirt, feel sick to his stomach, and all the rest. It's just the way he is.

So, just before he goes onstage, he takes a quick shower, puts on fresh clothes, drinks a bottle of water, jumps up and down and does a little shadowboxing, and out he goes.

He's still scared. He accepts it as part of the process. Pre-show fear is like lunch: It's going to happen.

Anyone hoping to achieve great things gets nervous. Anyone trying to achieve great things gets scared.

Productive people aren't braver than others; they just find the strength to keep moving forward. They realize fear is paralyzing while action creates confidence and self-assurance.

They can still do their best on their worst day.

Norman Mailer said, "Being a real writer means being able to do the work on a bad day."

Remarkably successful people don't make excuses. They forge ahead, because they know establishing great habits takes considerable time and effort. They know how easy it is to instantly create a bad habit by giving in--even just this one time.

They see creativity as the result of effort, not inspiration.

Most people wait for an idea. Most people think creativity happens. They expect a divine muse will someday show them a new way, a new approach, a new concept.

And they wait and wait and wait.

Occasionally, great ideas do just come to people. Mostly, though, creativity is the result of effort: toiling, striving, refining, testing, experimenting... The work itself results in inspiration.

Remarkably productive people don't wait for ideas. They don't wait for inspiration. They know that big ideas most often come from people who do, not people who dream.

They see help as essential, not weakness.

Pretend you travel to an unfamiliar country, you know only a few words of the language, and you're lost and a little scared.

Would you ask for help? Of course. No one knows everything. No one is great at everything.

Productive people soldier on and hope effort will overcome a lack of knowledge or skill. And it does, but only to a point.

Remarkably productive people also ask for help. They know asking for help is a sign of strength--and the key to achieving more.

They start...

At times, you will lack motivation and self-discipline. At times, you'll be easily distracted. At times, you'll fear failure or success.

Procrastination is a part of what makes people human; it's not possible to completely overcome any of those shortcomings.

Wanting to put off a difficult task is normal. Avoiding a challenge is normal.

But think about a time you put off a task, finally got started, and then, once into it, thought, "I don't know why I kept putting this off--it's going really well. And it didn't turn out to be nearly as hard as I imagined."

It never is.

Highly productive people try not to think about the pain they'll feel in the beginning; they focus on how good they will feel once they're engaged and involved.

And they get started. And then they don't stop.

...And they finish.

To Busy to be Better?

The Greatest Disease attacking America is.....

APATHY

Apathy (also called impassivity or perfunctoriness) is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical and/or physical life.

It was just a few years ago that the economy in the United States and beyond was at one of its worst times in collective memory. We saw panic everyday of our lives in newspapers, television, conversations, housing crisis, bank misappropriations and the list could go on forever. After reading an email this morning about someone who was so busy that he was not able to take time out of his hectic schedule and dedicate time to examining his life I realized something; I had a greater appreciation for the economic crisis a few years ago than ever before!

I have been fortunate enough to be invested into peoples lives and all they experience for a long time now as my career. I have learned that it is always our own perceptions that make our life rewarding and frustrating. It is the way we see things because if we were not here to state the enjoyment we are experiencing then there would be no excitement. In the same manner if we were not present to express the frustrations then there would be no frustration. I love understanding the amount of control that each and every person really has on their entire life and all that it brings. As soon as I see the things in my life as opportunities for growth they become positives. As soon as I fall into blaming those same situations in my life, for challenging me too much or call them the cause of my issues, my frustration is pronounced. The only real remedy to building forward momentum in life is the unconditional acceptance of all that it brings.

This is a hard battle for all of us because we want things to "work out" "be right" "flow smoothly" but life does not always work that way. Now does it?

I hope not and that is scary to type right now but it is a realization I really appreciated this morning even more. The additional value I found in my search this morning for answers regarding our recent national finance crunch became clearer. Talking to people everyday of my life and helping them to examine their business which is always a reflection of who they are made me appreciate the spirit of brokenness. Reflecting on my daily schedule I can get a feel as each year passes of great years, average years and really tough years for each person I work with. I have noticed a few truths and one of the most obvious is that the good years and the bad years are not in alignment. What I mean to say is that I can talk to a dozen people on my right who are really struggling to find answers and solutions to the challenges they face and then I can find a dozen people on my left who are doing great and finding more success than ever before so what is the difference?

The difference is as always; THE INDIVIDUAL

Each one of us must learn to take responsibility for all that we have in our own lives. Our current circumstances both good and bad are simply a reflection of us and all that we have to offer to the world around us. I know that 2009 took a huge turn downward in the economy because I heard about it everywhere! I also know that new fortunes were birthed in 2009 by certain people who would not be bound by the negative status quo that was being so widely spread. People who did new things, built new companies and found gratitude for all that life brings them. These same people celebrated great reward in a popularized "depressed year" and we heard about it where?

I have noticed that good news is not seen as the primary source to sale newspapers or news programs or even the topic of most conversations. I have also noticed that fear is used regularly to motivate people into their next quick decision or golden goose chase. I realize that fear and negativity are celebrated but I know they are not the way to find success nor its rewards and yet we are surrounded by it. Perhaps this is the reason that more of our population enter into mediocrity with their lives as opposed to creating great things which would stand out. I am on anywhere from 60-100 calls per day with hundreds of emails exchanging thought and ideas for solutions to issues I am asked about by many I work with. It is regularly found by me that the more focused an individual is on overcoming and welcoming the next opportunity (Challenge, problem, issue) into their life the quicker they find the most positive outcome. It is with striking similarity that I find that the person who resents the opportunity (challenge, problem, issue) they are most recently faced with the longer this issue stays in their life dictating every thought and their reliving of it conversation after conversation with me. 

In the ten secrets to success we are taught that gratitude for EVERYTHING is part of success. In the Bible we were told to "count it all joy when we face trials of many kinds" this seems eerily familiar to the "unconditional acceptance of life and all that it brings" It seems to me that we must learn to celebrate the life we have and all that comes with it and it is in this celebration we will find success and reward. It does not matter what job or what circumstance you are in, the rules are the same and they apply to everyone. We have heard them and are all familiar with the concepts. As a matter of fact the moment that every human being hears these repeated truths we all have that feeling deep inside that we know they are truthful and then we often still struggle to apply them. Our faith that doing right and being right may just not be enough to get me where I want to go?

Where does this doubt come from?

What is going in our minds is what creates the substance of each of us and our lives are a reflection of those same thoughts and ideas. This takes me back to our surroundings and how important it is that we guard the door to our minds  and make sure not to accept the negativity of the major networks nor the ideas from the prognosticators of doom. I know it is critical for me to start each day in a foundation of belief in the positive. I listen to positive speakers every day, read and entertain positive thoughts every day. I have an understanding that any day where my energy is not on top of the world that I must begin to care for my mind because my life and what I think it holds is simply a reflection of me and my perceptions!

Jim Rohn is one of my favorite speakers and we lost him in 2009 but he stays present with me in every week of my life. Jim said while speaking to the kids one day 'Kids what happens to your health if you put sugar in your coffee?" The kids replied "You'll be ok." Jim said to the kids "What happens if you put arsenic in your coffee?' The kids replied "You'll be dead." Jim said again "What if your worst enemy puts sugar in your coffee?" the kids replied "You'll be ok." Jim asked again "What happens if your best friend puts arsenic in your coffee?" the kids replied "You'll be dead." Jim paused and said Kids Watch your Coffee. 

I know that I appreciate learning and being taught the secrets to live a more grateful life and it was this morning that I was reminded why the economic crisis of 2009 was such a great thing. It caused so many people to slow down and really question their safety, their fears, their reasoning. In essence it caused people to search for answers. It is when people are too busy making things happen that we should be worried because failure always follows ignorance. The only way to be ignorant is to stop searching for new truths. 2009 was a year of loss for one reason to me and that is because Jim Rohn passed away. He lived a life full of searching because he learned the secret to success. I am thankful for his life, his energy and his lessons he shared as a result of his search. 

I am also encouraged that the search of so many people in 2009 for real answers caused a rebound in economy and we see more possibilities for growth than ever before. Will we maintain this incredible search? or Slip into the comforts of mediocrity? Explore for yourself today and then share what you find with others. Take time to build a personal calendar that allows for you to be the best you deserve to become. I have attached an exercise that was done by Stephen Covey (another great contributor) and I encourage you to take time and reflect on what you want your life to stand for..

Make it count and be grateful today!

1.         Schedule a four-hour appointment with yourself. This may seem like a long time, but I have found it’s about right. It gives you the opportunity to disengage from the demands of day-to-day life and immerse yourself in the exercise. However, more than this amount of time might be difficult to sustain emotionally.

2.         Find a quiet place that is completely private. You will need a place where you won’t get distracted. I have found that I best connect to what’s important when I am in a beautiful, quiet spot outdoors. Movie soundtracks can also enhance the setting. Warning: find a place where you feel free to express your emotions. It is not unusual to cry or even weep.

3.         Make a list of those in your life who matter the most. Obviously, you will want to include your immediate family, but there are undoubtedly others as well.

4.         Now visualize your own funeral. 

I’d like you to imagine that you are about to attend one of the most important occasions of your life. It will be held in a room sufficiently large to seat all of your friends, your family, your business associates—anyone and everyone to whom you are important and who is important to you.
Can you see it?

The walls are draped with deep golden tapestries. The lighting is subdued, soft, casting a warm glow on the faces of your expectant guests. The chairs are handsomely upholstered in a golden fabric that matches the tapestries. The golden carpeting is deeply piled.

At the front of the room is a dais, and on the dais a large, beautifully decorated table with candles burning at either end.

On the table, in the center, is the object of everyone’s attention. A large, shining, ornate box. And in the box is … you! Stiff as the proverbial board.

Do you see yourself lying in the box, not a dry eye in the room?

Now, listen.”

5.         Write down what each person says. There are 4 speakers there. One from your family, friends, community, and work. Imagine that they have five minutes to speak. What did they most appreciate about you? What did your life mean to them? What impact did it have? What have they lost with your passing? Write these words down as though you were that person.

6.         Determine what would have to change in your life in order to create this outcome. Here’s the good news: you aren’t dead yet. You can still change the outcome. You can take the steps necessary to begin shaping these eulogies—and the outcome of your life—now. Do you need to make a phone call, rekindle a relationship, or be more intentional with those you love? Whatever is required, wouldn’t it be worth the effort?

7.         Use this as the motivation to create a written plan. A “life plan” may sound daunting, but it’s not. In fact, I believe you will find it to be one of the most inspiring experiences of your life. I have provided a step-by-step guide in another post, so I won’t repeat myself here. Suffice it to say that my purpose here is to motivate you to live your life intentionally, with purpose. A life plan will help you do that.