On a cold and stormy night, February 14th, 1965, an older African American woman was standing on the side of the highway beside her broken down car. Her nice clothing was completely drenched from standing next to the car trying to flag down a ride.

There were few cars on the road that night, and she was losing hope that she would ever catch a ride. A young white man stopped for her, which was a rarity, because of the race conflicts occurring during the 60’s.

They began to talk, and he did what he could to comfort her. She was very distraught over a sick relative she was going to see. Because it was 11:30pm when he picked her up and the weather was so bad, he drove dozens of miles out of his way to help her get where she was going.

Though he had to drop her off before she made it all the way to her destination, he took her to a safe place, tracked down a taxi for her, and got her on her way. During their interaction she wrote down his address, thanked him before she left.

A week later, a knock came on the young mans door. Two deliverymen were trying to drop off a very expensive, giant console color TV. He told them it wasn’t his, and that he didn’t order it.

The driver of the delivery truck handed him a note which read, “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The storm had drenched not only my clothes but my spirits as well. I had waited so long, I thought I’d never get a ride. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just hours before he passed away. God bless you for helping me, and unselfishly helping someone who really needed it. I hope others come along to help you, just like you helped me. Best Wishes, Mrs. Nat King Cole”

When you serve others unselfishly, you never know the good you just might do—without even trying.

Years ago, I acquired a small book of poetry called “Poems of Power”, published in 1903. It has some of the most inspired writings in it of any book I own.

Each piece of poetry has a specific positive focus. They talk about taking hold of your own power through improving ones’ attitude, building success, taking action, the passion and spirit inside, focus on winning, loving all you encounter, never ending learning, and much more.

One that I’ve shared with thousands who have attended my Leadership Program, is about choice of mental focus. I hope it helps you steer your course….

On Attitude

One ship drives east, and another west
with the self-same winds that blow.

‘Tis the set of the sails,
and not the gales,
that decides the way we go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
as they voyage along through life.

‘Tis the will of the soul,
that decides its goal,
and not the calm or the strife.

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American Poet (1850-1919)

Implementing the success strategies of others is an easy way to boost your self-confidence and get you moving. A positive attitude can be generated by observing how others have successfully created one.

If you surround yourself by people who are negative—it’s tough to be positive. It’s like living in a vacuum that extracts the good, leaving the negativity behind. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Make a conscious effort to spend as little time as possible around negativity.

Figure out exactly what you want. Work out what goals you have passion for. Don’t let others distract you from your objectives. Personal development is not only possible—it’s impossible not to have it. The bottom-line is what kind of development are you doing—one that lifts you, or one that drags you down?

Create a clear, accurate picture of what you are excited about and desire to have in your life. Everything you want is here in abundance. There is no shortage of money, success, friends, learning—ways to attain your desired outcomes. The only requirement, is that you take action, learn from your results, and go again. You must keep after your goals until you get them. Don’t quit.

When you surround yourself with passionate, achievers—attaining what you desire becomes easier. Think of the most positive people you know, and arrange to spend time with them every week. The power of their positivity can energize you.

W. Clement Stone said, “There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative!”

Focus on what you can achieve, and take small incremental steps to make change happen. There will always be obstacles—that’s life. Your job is to just—keep—moving!

Set your goals, dream on them, and take action so you are living them. Don’t let obstacles stop your achievement—it’s your birthright. You can be, do and achieve whatever you are willing to tenaciously take action on—go for it!

Everything you need to succeed is within you right now….

In you live seeds of greatness, that are more than enough to fulfill your fondest dreams.

This next second is the perfect moment to launch your ultimate goal.

Far too often, people fail to take action because of a deep fear that they don’t know enough. It may be true—it may not.

But when you step out there, you get feedback on what direction to move for your next action. This is learning and growing toward needed knowledge.

All necessary skills to attain greatness begin in your mind. You can be, you can do and you can have, whatever you desire. You just have to unleash yourself from your fears. The power you want, and the knowledge needed, grow with each action you take.

Your achievements don’t make you into someone. They are an expression of who you already are. Achievements show the uniqueness that resides within you. Your incredible potential is just waiting to be expressed.

You’re going to experience setbacks. Sometimes things won’t work-out the way you’d hoped. That is not a stop sign—it is a sign to do something differently!

Every emotion you could ever experience is within you right now. Which one you let dominate at any given moment is your choice.

Those mental states that you express most frequently (good or bad), are building a basis to have more of the same kind. The direction of your thoughts is a choice—whether you are choosing intentionally, accidentally or from trying to ignore something.

So, when you get lazy and don’t keep your mind focused on positive outcomes and your success, you are by default allowing your brain to move toward lack and negativity.

Diligence is a crucial element to building success. Tenacity and many mistakes are part of the process. Whatever is happening—relax, and pay attention. You can come back from it. Just don’t give up. Stay focused on your ultimate outcome.

As Sir Winston Churchill stated so succinctly, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to keep fighting that counts.”

Yes, you can have the life you desire. All the resources you need are within you right now. Take action toward your desired outcomes, and let your inner resourcefulness be fully expressed—beginning this next second!

“Do not squander time—for that is the stuff life is made of.” Benjamin Franklyn

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?  Does it ever seem like it’s just too hard or too much to make the progress you want?  Are there times where the obstacles just seem to mount up so high it’s hard to see past them?

When difficulties amass, you can get stuck in “too hard” or “too much” or you can step-in to your power.  You can choose to amplify your action.

Worry, anxiety, negative-self talk will all bury you.  You can choose to focus on the problem, or the solution—either way it’s your choice.

Whatever you focus on most, you will attract more of that into your life. If all you focus on is your problems and obstacles you will be stuck with them.  Get strong.  Focus on what you desire to be, do and achieve.

During the challenging times of your life you need to stimulate your creativity. Look for opportunities outside the box.  When you open your mind you open up the possibilities.

“To change one’s life: Start immediately! Do it flamboyantly! No exceptions!”

Dr. William James (1842-1910)

Letting the “glums” be your core focus will drag you through the muck. Stop choosing that focus!  When you pick a plan and start, you feel better. A little movement is all it really takes.

Choose you!  Choose achievement over stuckness.!  Choose today to make a new great beginning in an aspect of your life. You will feel great once you start, and become even more energized as you progress—no matter what comes at you.

Humor can shift your perspective.  A friend sent me these a number of years ago. I hope they give you a bit of a lift.  Enjoy!

GOOD

A Bloomington, IL policeman had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but for some reason wasn’t getting any.  He soon discovered the problem.  A 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read “RADAR TRAP AHEAD”.  The officer then found a young accomplice just a little further down the road with another sign that said “TIPS” and a bucket full of money.  (And we used to just sell lemonade!)

BETTER

A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in Peoria, IL. There was a $40 speeding ticket included with the picture.  Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $40.  The police responded back to him just a few days later with another mailed photo of handcuffs.

BEST

A young woman was pulled over for speeding.  A Pennsylvania State Trooper walked to her car window and flipped open his ticket book.  She looked up at him and said, “I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the State Troopers Ball.”  He very professionally replied, “Pennsylvania State Troopers don’t have balls.”  There was a moment of silence, she smiled, and he realized what he’d just said.  He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car, and left.  She was laughing so hard she couldn’t start her car.

Today is abundant with possibilities. Today you can achieve massive results.

What’s stopping you from achieving your dreams—only you….

Conditions are not ever perfect.  There are times that it may be easier, but they still won’t be ideal.  Still—you can move forward.  Progress is a choice, and it’s not really dependant on circumstance.

What would you really like to do? What goals would you like to attain?  Where would you like to take your career, finances, relationship, health—well you can begin it today.

Rarely is any great thing achieved in one fell swoop.  It takes time, but you must begin it now, for now is all there is.

There is only one person that can create your reality, and you see them in the mirror daily.  You have to choose you to do it.  You have to take the time to begin—don’t worry about the finish yet—just begin.

The path of someday leads to the village of no where.  Someday will never come.  Creating a plan, and implementing your plan will get you there.

Let today be your day to start. Choose you to be the one to make a difference in one situation or one experience. You can do this, because you have massive possibilities.

“Do you love life?  Then do not squander time—for that is what life is made of.”
— Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

What Time Management Does for You

With good time management, you can gain a significant chunk of time.  What if you could gain 1 hour per day, 5 days per week?  That would mean 250 additional hours per year!  That’s over 1½ months of time you gain to play or work in a year.

This is an opportunity to enhance your productivity by 12%.  Also, the more effectively you manage your time, the less stressed you will be.  Stress increases from forces which are out of your control.  Getting a handle on what happens with your time, sets you up for less stress.

The following strategies can assist you in saving time now being wasted.  Applying even a few of these will make a difference. Read more »