Category: your Mind

Your life is powered by you. I love that phrase. Les Brown lays it out for us.

Your life is powered by you. You got a dream, an idea,  you gotta take responsibility to make it happen. Your dream, your life, going to the next level will be powered by you. Don’t put your destiny in anyone else’s hands. No one is going to care more about your dream than you. Nobody is going to work on your stuff more than you.

That’s so true. However, the other point in this video may be even more important. You have to share your dream with others.  I often fall into the trap of not discussing my goals with others.  It’s so easy to say that everyone has their own issues and that no one wants to hear about my hair brained ideas.  However, that’s really a defense mechanism that is slowing down progress.

Les says, “if you have been running into a wall – it doesn’t  mean that you can’t get through. It means that you to find someone who is on the other side or find someone who knows someone on the other side.”

This is a great video on passion, persistence, and perseverance.  Les adds a couple more Ps – people and projects. Those are the sharing Ps and of course, it’s powered by you.

What are you thoughts on the video? Share them in the comments below.

For as long as I have been playing golf, I should be much better than I am. A few years ago, it looked like my game was improving and then it disappeared again. Each year I usually end up recycling the same old excuses. “I need to play more often, but I don’t have the time.” “I need to get to the driving range.” The golf industry is built on this one – “Better equipment that’s what I need.”

That all being said, golf is really not that high on my priority list. It’s a nice escape.  It cracks me up when I see celebrities or professional athletes whining about their golf games. Tony Robbins tells a story that is mind altering if taken to heart.

Robbins starts by sharing his struggles in a golf lesson. His balls are going left and right – everywhere except for straight. The instructor says that if you slightly adjust the strike angle, just 1 millimeter, the ball will go straight. That tiny change will make all of the difference.

Tony says that’s a fantastic life lesson for us.  When all hell is breaking loose in our lives, we are only 1 millimeter  away from getting back on track.  Unfortunately, most people think it’s impossible and just give up.  I have been there many times and it currently feels like I’m in one of those storms, but I trust and believe that I’m only 1 millimeter away…

If you are in one of those moments – here is a pick you upper.  From the looks of it, Charles Barkley may be several meters away. LOL…

Jim Rohn starts out with a punch in the gut. He says, “It was hard to give up the blame list. It was so comfortable blaming the government, negative relatives, the company policy, unions, wage scales, economy, interest rates, crisis and circumstances.” His mentor explained to him (paraphrased) “that it is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens – happens to us all. The key is what you do about it.  We can’t change our circumstances. Start doing different things with the same circumstances. We can’t change our circumstances, but we can change ourselves.”

In my world of stock investing, the blame game is part of the territory.  In this 24/7 media age, it is quite easy to watch the news and see the markets reaction in real-time. The Fed releases its minutes – instantaneous response.  Jobs report announced – instant move.  The President speaks immediate action.  Matter of fact, the movement begins before the news as traders begin anticipating the response. With the media bull-horn on full throttle, how can an investor not get caught up in the blame game?  Jim Rohn’s mentors advice applies to trading as well.  Investors can’t control the circumstances only their reaction to the news. Successful trading strategies have been built around news alone.

Rohn then shifts his discussion to money.  His explanation on increasing your income by increasing your value to the market place is classic.  Instead of working harder on your job – work harder on yourself.  By working harder on your job, you may receive a raise. However, by working harder on yourself it’s possible to make a fortune.  The key to wealth is becoming more valuable to the marketplace.

I would love to hear some of the ways that you are increasing your value to the marketplace.  Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Michael Jordan is often called the greatest basketball player ever. All players since him – want to be like Mike. Interestingly, Michael’s greatness didn’t translate over to baseball and he has only been an average NBA general manager. Does someone have to be great in everything they do?

I would be happy being great in one thing, but that’s not how people who have achieved greatness think. They want to be great in everything that they do.  Greatness requires competitiveness. I’m not sure if you can turn it on and turn it off.

Here are some other interesting points from the video:

• Determination – Don’t be afraid to try. Worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work out.
• Nothing to fear, but fear itself
• Take a chance – “Failure gave me strength – that pain was my motivation”
• You miss every shot that you don’t take
• “I have looked at every experience that I have had negative and positive and taken it as a positive.
• “My competitive drive is greater than anyone that I have met”
• “I have failed over and over in my life and that is why I succeed.”
• Success is inside you
• Stay true to yourself
• There are no shortcuts to success

My favorite point is “I have failed over and over in my life and this is why I succeed.”

What’s your favorite point in the video? Share it in the comments below.