Category: Future

Success & Failure - Both Don't Last Forever

2/9/2022

My friend Coach Ray puts these quotes out all the time & this one (like the others) are full of great lessons for me and anyone else that wants to take them in. It's a great reminder that both successes and failures, don't last... but they do affect our futures for sure. I find myself looking back to yesterday even, and there were good things that happened yesterday for sure. I look to continue those good things today. But to do that, my actions, choices, decisions, etc., need to be aligned with those things.

Just as there were some not-so-good things that happened yesterday, I want to learn the lessons from that hopefully to not have my actions, choices, decisions, etc., give me those same results. Again, it's tied into one of the best pieces of advice that I've ever found - and I share it often... "our past is our best mentor."

I also love that part of it where it reminds us that we "must pay the toll" of what success is. Sometimes it's paid in the failures we go through & the struggles that are usually associated with them. We can turn those into "currency" in order for us to use them on better times in our future. Again, things like this are always great reminders for us to take with us throughout our days.

0 Comments

Being Present & Focusing On Giving Others My Attention

10/21/2021

0 Comments

Found a great video clip that comes from Tony Robbins that reminds us about the importance of being in the present moment - wherever that might find us - it's really the only place to be. Check out the video HERE.

Many times we get caught up in the past along with worrying about the future too. We forget to look down to where our feet are, right now at the moment. I love that reminder as it's quick and easy for us to make sure we know where we are right now & that's all we can do at the moment, is be where we are at. I heard something recently from another podcast that gets right on top of this topic. It was mentioned that what keeps us up at night are usually fearful, negative, worrisome issues. Where the things that usually get us out of bed are more hopeful, inspiring, things to go after for the day, etc.

It's all part of not looking in the rear-view window of our lives and not focusing too much of the things way out in front of us either. My good friend, Dr. Jeff Lip has mentioned it many times - if we get focused too much on the past, often times it leads to depression. The fact that we are not as young as we used to be, the relationships that we lost, the regrets start piling up, etc. If we focus too much on the future - we get anxious, worried about things we think are going to happen, etc. We miss out on the present, the place we are currently at. It's the only place that we can actually do something about.

Finally, when I am able to focus on other people and looking to help them; I am finding that not only do my problems get smaller, but I find out new ways & ideas of dealing with them too. It allows me to open up to see new possibilities instead of being locked up inside my own head and trying to figure out solutions just from my perspective.

0 Comments

Statement vs. Question

7/26/2020

0 Comments

Got all fired up from a conversation with the one and only Dr. Jeff Lip. We were talking about a book that we both recent read, "The Final Summit" by Andy Andrews. It was an eye, mind & heart opening book and Jeff brought up some great points that we talked about on his show. Check out his show HERE to hear our conversation and to find his other podcasts to listen to it. One thing I wanted to bring up was this idea of our lives being a mindset of a "! vs. ?". Our lives can be either a question mark (full of doubt, fear, lack of passion, etc.) or it can be an exclamation point (confidence, encouragement, passion, great relationships, etc.).

There are so many things that we can do to get through the "stormy seas" that we all have going on in our lives and how we don't have to be scared along with realizing that we ourselves, can be the "calm" of our own storms. This came from this quote out of the book that Jeff shared with me in our discussion:

"My life which was a question mark is now a statement. Stormy seas do not scare me for I am the calm in the storm. My past is behind me and my future is bright because I now know the secret of the present. I will do something and I will do it now."

Part of this solution to have a life more of a "!" is by having great people in your life that you can talk with, bounce ideas off of, to have in your corner for encouragement and to learn from them too. Another thought is who's "storm" do you want to be driving your ship through? Your own "stormy seas" or someone else's where you are not the one in control. Same thought - do you want someone else driving your ship? I know I don't want that.

Check out my podcast HERE where I share some thoughts & ideas. This is something that will help me to get my day & week started in a great direction. Hope it does the same for you.

0 Comments

It's Planting Season - Always Do Your Best

4/2/2016

0 Comments

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." -- Og Mandino

It's great to see Spring coming around a little bit more everyday. Even with some colder weather coming in during the start of April, it's still nice to see it lighter out later along with some green coming back all around outside.

I am reminded about this quote seeing that I have been constantly reminding my students about doing their best for years. As I have always told them, I need the same advice for myself that I give to them. The things that we all do now, both good and bad will be what affects our future. There have been some things that I have gone out of my comfort zone for lately, and I need to continue doing that. It has become more exhilarating for me compared to causing me to be nervous and getting worked up about.

That's the one thing that my students have helped me with so often over the years. When I talk to them and hear parts of their stories about overcoming challenges and difficulties, about getting out of the comfort zone; that helps me so much so that I can try and do the same. Of course I tell my students the sooner they make these changes, the better off they will be. I also tell them that since I'm much older than they are, most of the time it's more difficult for me to make those types of changes.

I think it means more to me however (and others that are older) since we realize all the time that has gone by along with the amount of time we have left in life too. For younger people they may think that they have plenty of time to start things later, that they don't have to do it right now. This ties into a saying from John Fuhrman about every choice we make in life either takes us towards our goals and dreams or takes us further away. So we do harvest later what we choose to do today. It's up to us as to what we will be harvesting.

0 Comments

There Is Power In Our Present By Having Hope In Our Future!

6/29/2015

0 Comments

“If there is hope in the future, there’s power in the present.” – John Maxwell

As I was at the gym over the weekend, I was listening to my usual podcasts while I was there. From Zig Ziglar’s podcast there was something that struck me as connecting with me right now. There are most day and most time throughout each day that I do have hope in the future and John Maxwell is right on – that does make me feel there is power that I have in the present.

There are also those few times where I don’t feel very hopeful about the future and I do feel less powerful, less confident, more negative, more down, etc., towards the present moment. But I also have remembered that I cannot stay in that feeling for very long. I’ve made a conscious choice in the past that when these sad, negative, down feelings take over, I first tell myself that they will not last and then second, I try and put myself right into the middle of those feelings. I want to wrap my arms around them, and almost taste what those negative feelings are all about. Knowing that the quicker I can connect with them, the quicker I can learn and make adjustments from them along with quickly moving on towards feeling better and moving forward.

Looking back throughout my life there have been plenty of moments that I stayed stuck in them and thereby giving up control to those negative, sad, depressing feelings. I have learned (through reading a few books, listening to some podcasts, etc., that I need to get connected with those sad, hopeless feelings and thoughts to be able to dissect them, learn from them and become better and move on. When those feeling hit me, I’m not feeling too hopeful about the future and that robs me of my today. I am working hard at not letting that happen.

John Maxwell also mentions about the size of our hope will determine how far we go in life. From these episodes that I have been through, I totally agree with that idea. As Kevin Miller puts it – “You need more hope. You need to increase it and enhance it and establish it.” We all need more hope for sure. We do need to increase it and establish more of it in our lives and in the lives of those that are around us. That is a very powerful and life-changing thought. The more we can have hope for others, the more they can have it for themselves. There are so many people around us that are looking for an example of finding hope in themselves. Sometimes it’s up to us to have faith in a person, believe in them, stick with them and thereby transferring our hope in them into themselves where they can latch onto to it and start believing in themselves and thereby changing their futures and those people around them.

I find it so awesome and inspiring the ideas and thoughts that can come to me with a cup of coffee, some fresh air coming in the house next to where I’m sitting, time relaxing and focusing in on a thought (or in this case a quote), and then all the ideas that come rushing into my head during this time of solitude. Just another thought – maybe you can try it out for yourself? As always, let me know how it goes.

0 Comments

What We Have Inside Us Point Us To Our Future Path

6/7/2015

0 Comments

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The ideas inside of us are what will be coming in our future – along with the thoughts, ideas and experiences we have had in our past – those help us form the thoughts and ideas today that will be potentially there in our future. It’s up to us to act on those and start making them happen.

I think I have put too much weight (at times) on things that have happened to me from my past. Instead, I know now that I should be internalizing those thoughts into action now for a very bright future. The things that lie ahead of us without our action to add to it are really nothing. What lies in front of us in the future – it needs us to be a major part in that – we are the ones that only can make it happen. What’s inside of us is that magic that will take the things in front of us and add life to it.

Pam, who is a friend of mine saw this quote and mentioned “I totally agree...I think what is inside you determines what lies in front of you.” I think she is totally right. In fact since we have control of what is inside of ourselves, we have total control of those things that are in our future. Now, we are not in control of things that will happen to us, things that happen in the world that affect us, along with not being in control of others that will affect us. You know what’s coming next – we are in total control of how we respond to all those things that happen to us.

So knowing that what’s inside us is what helps bring clarity to our futures, why not set out today to begin working on the things that are inside of us?? I know it’s something that I need to continue to work on throughout my life. There are so many ways to do that – reading, changing our thinking, fixing bad habits, strengthening body, mind, soul along with improving and strengthening our relationships too.

Another big thing I think is to really try and figure out where your heart is at with what you want to do with your life. The sooner you ask this the better you, your future, your loved ones, and everyone you come into contact with will be better. As soon as we start working on these things, our present and our future will start opening up with more opportunities. What are some things we can do right now in these areas and others too? I know what I’m working on – do you? I just know I have to do more.

0 Comments

Our Dreams Are Our Creative Visions For Our Future ... It's Time To Put Them Into Action! - Quote Of The Week!

3/1/2015

0 Comments

"A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown." -- Denis Waitley

It’s funny how you see quotes or ideas at a time when you need to see them. This was definitely true about this one.

My wife and I were just talking about at least thinking about and exploring other things to do within or out of our respective careers along with making other changes. Both of us like what we do, but we both agree that we need to step outside our comfort zone when it comes to looking at improving ourselves. That goes for professionally and personally.

Now that I’m past the worst part of my recovery from my back surgery, I have to make some changes to getting more in shape now, as my wife has said she needs to do that too. So we are looking to find a gym that we can feel comfortable at and start ourselves back to being healthier.

I’ve had it on my mind for years about pursuing my Doctorate degree. I’m starting to explore looking for information and I’m seeing that the idea still intrigues me, but there are plenty of items to think about besides the huge financial commitment that it would call for. I know that maybe some other things need to happen before this big leap is made.

I’m starting to get my podcasts going. This has been long on my mind and I am pushing through the little fears (which used to be bigger fears) about doing these. The old saying from my favorite book, The “Magic Of Thinking BIG” states that action cures fear. That is totally true!!

So, on that note that is what I will be working hard to focus on as I embark on this new journey, new way of thinking, and a new way of actually doing things to make my dreams a reality. I know that if I continue doing things the same way I’ve been doing them, then I will continue to not only getting the same results, but I won’t get out of the box that I call my current comfort zone. I look at what I’ve been doing and I tell myself that I haven’t been doing things poorly – hence being comfortable in the comfort zone, but I know I need to change. So here is to Action Curing Fear!!

0 Comments

Quote of the Week - February 24, 2014

2/25/2014

0 Comments

"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." -- Sam Levenson

After dealing with a bit of stomach flu the last few days, I am feeling a little better so I figured I'd get some thoughts out as to this week's quote. I got a little help from a few of my students too while I was home sick - so thank you Meranda, Mitchell, and Amber.

There are plenty of times that I think we are all a clock watcher. As a teacher, there are plenty of times I am watching the clock to start a period, to end a period and many times, to end the school day. I know students are the same way too. This quote from Sam mentions for us to do like the clock does - to keep going. Whether this is during a class period, a work project that has to get done, studying, grading papers, helping a family member out, reading a book, watching t.v., working out, etc. There are plenty of times during every day where we have to tell ourselves to keep going. When things are fun and easy, we don't have to really focus on the "keep going" part. It's when things are difficult or not enjoyable is where we have to remind ourselves to "keep going".

My students that helped me with this thought noticed a couple of things. There is such little time in life that we need to spend our time doing things that matter most to us and that are important. I have really seen that recently as I've gotten older along with hearing from graduates as they get older too. Doing things that matter and that are important, not worrying about the time it takes – just keep going, the time will go by anyway – finish it to the end.

When I was home sick yesterday from school - I had a few minutes to sit in our family room to rest a little bit. As I did this, I noticed our two clocks ticking. One is in the kitchen and the other is in our family room. It got me thinking about how the clock and really time, just keeps going. It doesn't wait. It doesn't stop. It just keeps going. Looking around at our family pictures around our house - I started tearing up as to how much time has actually gone by with me and my family. (tearing up again as I write this). As I recently celebrated my 48th birthday - this concept has really hit home.

This is another in the many reasons, the long list of reasons why in life, we really have to ask ourselves - what is my life all about? What does it mean for me to be here? Am I spending the time I have doing what I really want to do, what I really need to do? The more we realize that we need to continue to learn and grow, to continue chasing after the dreams that are inside of us, going after the passions that get us fired up - that my friends, is time well spent. As I have told my students over and over through the years, the sooner they realize this the better off their lives will be. Funny thing is - this message is for me and others too. It doesn't matter that I'm 48. What matters is that I start now, today, in going after those things in my life.

Any other thoughts that you are thinking about that help you out? You know, it might help others out too. Let me know what your thoughts and ideas are. Quick! What time is it? I just looked at the clock of course - my thought is to keep going on what I have to do and not get distracted. What did you think about?

0 Comments

Quote of the Week - January 13, 2014

1/13/2014

0 Comments

"How you see your future is much more important than anything that has happened in your past." - Zig Ziglar

If you haven't gotten a chance to check out Zig Ziglar - I suggest you do. What a great inspirational difference maker he was. What a key too - he still is making a difference!

As I was getting ready for the upcoming week last night, I found his quote. It of course connected with me and I knew I needed to share it for the start of this week. Especially since we are only heading into the middle of the month of January - it's easier to focus on future things in our life since the new year is not really that old.

The things that have happened in our past have happened for sure. What we can do with it is the key. We can certainly dwell on those events, keep thinking about them and what happened so long ago but that is a recipe for causing ourselves problems.

Now - if we do look at what happened in our past, and we learn from it, and we get better from it along with applying those lessons to today's life. The sooner we can learn from our past and get better for today and our future - the better off we will be along with it will be much better for those people that are around us too.

This is something that I have always struggled with during my life and I am continuing to work on it. The one thing for sure is that I haven't given up yet, nor do I plan on giving up. I have found that I need constant reminders of learning from my past, applying those lessons to getting better and looking ahead is the key. So whether it's a little bit of reading something positive. Listening to podcasts everyday (of which I will be highlighting some in the near future), taking some quiet time for reflection, meditation, prayer, deep-thinking, etc. There are so many things that we can do to help us keep locked on our future - with learning from our past and not being locked in the past.

Another key on this point - the younger you are when you get it, the better off you will be. If you got some insights about this topic, don't keep them to yourself - share them with others. Drop me a note so I (and others) can learn from you.

0 Comments

Quote of the Week - September 2, 2013

9/2/2013

1 Comment

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie

This is one of those things that I think most people always are looking for in their lives - finding something to have fun with, be passionate about - and be lucky enough to be doing it for a living. Success comes in so many different forms, but the foundation comes from this statement from Mr. Carnegie, is one of the many things that the sooner we understand it, the better off we are.

For me, teaching is fun. Working with my students, getting to know them, making a difference with them, helping them see the many possibilities for them and their futures; that's what it's all about. But now since I've been in education for 24 years, I am looking to make some changes to find other things that will challenge me, make me a better person, help me grow and help me to do more in this limited lifetime that we all get. No, I'm not leaving the classroom. Yet. I do see some different things for me on the horizon - teaching & coaching will always be part of who I am, what I'm about and what I do. Since I'm still enjoying these things, I know that I am going to continue doing them. I also know that there are other things out there, dreams that I have had and not yet done much about. It's time.

What is it for you? For the adults out there, do you have fun and enjoy what you spend most of your time doing? Take a few moments to do some homework for yourself - and stop and think about how your life is going, what direction you are going, what are those things inside of you that fire you up? We all have dreams and ideas of what we would love to do - why not start to try and make some of those things happen? What could you have fun at and still make a living? Or, do you have enough spare time to do those things in your life, that help make it worthwhile to keep doing what you are doing?

Another main point here - life is way too short to do things you hate all the time. It does us no good at all. The stress and worry alone affects everything in our lives. Our health, our relationships with others, our attitudes, etc. For the younger people out there - great lessons here. I tell my students all the time. Find things that fire you up. Find things that when you wake up in the morning, you can't wait to get started on. While you are young and in high school (or even before high school), read, talk to people, have your minds open to the many possibilities that are out there; and start identifying things that you enjoy and see how you can get paid to do them.

I am always interested in feedback - but this one would be unique to hear some thoughts and ideas on both sides. Do you have dreams that you are going after? Or, do you have dreams and you have felt that there is no use even trying anymore for them. (remember the discussion points on the grave yard being the most valuable pieces of real estate in the world) Those that hate your job, what do you hate about it? What would you change to make it better? Let me know - I enjoy learning from others, getting help from others and helping others too!

1 Comment

<<Previous

Success & Failure - Both Don't Last Forever

Being Present & Focusing On Giving Others My Attention

Statement vs. Question

It's Planting Season - Always Do Your Best

There Is Power In Our Present By Having Hope In Our Future!

What We Have Inside Us Point Us To Our Future Path

Our Dreams Are Our Creative Visions For Our Future ... It's Time To Put Them Into Action! - Quote Of The Week!

Quote of the Week - February 24, 2014

Quote of the Week - January 13, 2014

Quote of the Week - September 2, 2013

Coach John Daly

Archives

Categories