Endure to Earn. Questions For Resilience

A few years ago, I was chatting with a friend about business. He owned a struggling martial arts school and was crafting a master plan to grow in the coming year.  

I had four questions:

1) How long do you think it will take to learn what it takes to succeed?

2) How long are you willing to work to reach your goal?

3) How long will your money last?  

4) When will you begin earning - and how much?

Be prepared before you begin. Consider those questions before you set off on your journey.

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Rough Roads Smooth Successes

Life is a long and winding road. It has many ups and downs and a few surprises along the way. 

Here's what you can expect: 

1) Follow your passion, and the money will arrive. It may take longer than you think. It may be less than you believe. It doesn't matter. You'll be happy.

2) Nothing will happen until you move from daydreaming to daily action.

3) The road will be rough. Then, it will smooth out. Then, it will be rough again.

4) Whatever path you thought you would travel will change.

5) You will find speed limits. Sometimes, you will move slowly. Sometimes fast. Pay attention to the signs that arrive in your life.

6) Frustration will be a constant companion. So will excitement.

7) You must be strong to stay focused on the big picture.

8) When you arrive, you will find yourself seeking another adventure.  

Success is a journey that brings out the best in you. Arriving at your destination will make you desire another journey. 

Stay busy, my friend.

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Becoming Aware of Your Passions

Are you aware of your passions? 

If not, I have a question for you -

What do you do when you are doing YOU? 

Why spend your days searching your mind to figure out your purpose when you are most likely living it daily?

When you take a minute to inventory how you spend your time, you will see what you enjoy doing.

Do you read, write, exercise, or work?  

How about walking, talking, playing, fighting, laughing, or watching television?  

Do you quilt, garden, volunteer, socialize?  

Passion in life is not about finding something to do. It's about noticing what you do naturally - and doing more of it.  

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Filter, Focus, and Prioritize Your Path

My wife and I were having dinner this weekend. She finally asked, “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing for Operation Reinvention this Summer? I want to help.”

I said, “I won’t need your help. I need your support.”

She had a puzzled look. I don’t blame her. But, I am locked in on my Goal - and that needs two things:

1) The ability to filter out what doesn’t matter and prioritize what does.

2) Accept 100% responsibility for reaching your Goal. As they say, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Anything less will remove you from control.

You’ll find many well-meaning people offering support if you miss either one. The problem? The suggestions they make will be different from how you imagined your journey. As soon as that happens, you have pulled off your path.

If you are setting off on a life-transforming Goal, it’s okay to accept the support of others. Remember, your most important supporter is YOU!

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The Art of Moving Past Frustration

When life gets in the way, do you get frustrated about being blocked?  

I used to be that way. Something changed.

I learned long ago that getting blocked would be an everyday occurrence. And, the bigger my goals, the more blocks would arrive. I could live with endless frustrations - or find a better way. It came down to this:

1) Blocks have nothing to do with who I am. They could be self-inflicted or caused by others, but they still have nothing to do with me. 

2) If you want something, there is always a way to get it. Always… always… always. You may not like the path. Your ego may get in the way. It may scare you. There is always a way.

The next time frustration gets in your way, blow it off and keep moving. There is always a way to get what you want. Find it.

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It’s All About ONE Important Thing

I have a question for you.

What is your ONE most important activity?  

What is the ONE core activity that, if you do, everything else is fine?

What is the ONE core activity that, if you don’t do it, causes everything to fall apart?

Many people focus on anything but the most critical activity in their lives. They are usually surprised when things fall apart.

Is it showing up for work on time or doing a great job?

Could it be your unflinching attention to your family?

Does your business have ONE activity that causes people to buy from you?

When you focus on your ONE most important activity - everything else will take care of itself.

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Freedom and Growth Between the Lines

Are you a fun-loving, carefree person who prefers to drift with the wind?

Are you happier following the rules and staying within the lines?

Whichever you are, happiness and success will arrive when you combine both:

1) Too much flexibility in life doesn’t allow for compounding your life experience. Like money in the bank, leave it alone once you know what works.

2) Too much structure will limit your ability to discover growth opportunities. Don’t get stuck.

Donnie and Marie said it best in the ’70s, “I’m a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock and roll.” Combine the best of both. 

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Navigating Life with Your Who I Am Document

Do you have a roadmap for how you operate in your world?  

A few years ago, I decided I needed a guide to ensure my daily actions matched my values. I ended up calling it my ‘Who I am' Statement.

Who I am - this is not a mission statement.

Who I am - this is not a list of affirmations.

Who I am - is not a value statement.

Who I am is a personal cheat sheet to establish how I act and respond to the day's challenge. 

You should have one, too.

Why do you do what you do?

How do you see yourself?

How do others see you?

How do you act in certain situations?

It's a great time of year to dig deeper into who you are. That way, when life gets in the way, you'll always have an expert to turn to for an answer - YOU!

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Achieve More with the 70% Strategy

Have you figured out what you want to do with your life but can’t build momentum? 

One of two things is happening:

1) You have decided to wait and see what happens with something else before committing to your new plan.

2) You need more information before moving forward, making it the same as the first.

The secret to gaining momentum is the ’70% Rule’ in every decision.

Once you have an idea, begin researching and resourcing whether you have the ability and the desire to head in that direction. Once you hit 70% certainty, one way or the other, either move forward or drop it and move on.

Why 70%?

Because 70% is enough information to make the right decision, you’ll never get to 100% anyway. 

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Defend Your Happiness With Strategies That Work

Have you been running full speed ahead - knowing you’re not heading in the right direction?

It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and find yourself off track. 

Could your experience be better?

It comes down to awareness and decisions:

1) Everything begins when you recognize that something needs to change and admit it to yourself. Is the time now?

2) Driving forward will only add to unhappiness. Instead, keep up with life and push the pause button on everything else—no pulling or pushing. You are only pausing.

3) During this time, work your way back to YOU. There’s no hurry. You may have been off-track for a long time.

4) Remember your dreams. Now that you have space, it’s time to explore how everything fits into your life today - and your future. Begin to take action in any direction that makes you happy.

Once you find enjoyment, accept it and defend it with all your energy. Spend the rest of your days bringing more into your life.

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