Category: Goals - Coach to Expect Success

Quote of the Week - April 28, 2014

4/28/2014

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." – Les Brown

We got done recently listening to a little Les Brown in our Leadership class and it made total sense to highlight this quote this week after I saw it on social media. No wonder we are to busy living our fears as I just got done with dinner with my wife and we were watching the news (mainly for the weather updates), but was also saw so many stories that feed right into worry, stress, negativity, anger, being fed up with government and people, etc. We get so tired of all the other crap that we don't have any energy some times to live out our dreams.

Knowing that - I need to change my mindset a little bit. The podcasts and audio books that I'm listening to on a daily basis before I get to work help with starting out my day in a positive way. I need to continue that.... so I've been connected with a couple of more that I'm listening to during the day and at night while I do my schoolwork - really helping big time. Are you doing that at all? If you have any suggestions please send them my way or at least get them out there for others to use too.

Another thing we need to realize - is really the short amount of time we actually have to go out and live our dreams. Time is going by so fast and we seem to spend it on things that really don't matter too much. I am trying to identify a couple of my fears that have been holding me back and I am working on defeating them along with moving on with some goals and dreams I have. Maybe you too can find one fear to address and work on along with taking that energy and time and putting it towards a goal that might have?? Let me (and others) know for everyone needs help. You just might be that one person that helps others get over what they have to do. :-)

Quote of the Week - February 24, 2014

2/25/2014

"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?

Quote of the Week - July 22, 2013

7/22/2013

"Do you ever doubt or worry that the sun may not rise tomorrow? Sunrise must come, it's an immutable law of the universe. And so must your dreams if you simply plant good seeds and continue to nurture them." ~ Russ Whitney

Interesting points Russ brings up here. Not sure I doubt that the sun won't come up tomorrow. In fact, that is one thing my dad always would say - "don't worry John, the sun will come up tomorrow." Sometimes I would get worked up about something, worry about it, and my dad would always help bring me back down to earth a little bit.

I think what Russ is talking about here is that we need to have the faith that our dreams are the same way. We need to work at them everyday, just like the sun comes up every day. It goes back to a very simple idea that Mike Litman (best selling author of "Conversations with Millionaires") would always talk about - yet it's more difficult to do than people think. Mike would mention the idea about working on your goals and dreams just 1% everyday. Do little things here and there, everyday that would get you closer to your goals and dreams. He would say that after a month, look as to how far you got toward them. After half a year - wow! Especially after a year would go by... great progress for sure.

This quote struck me right in the nose. It got me thinking about the changes I have to make to start getting the believe and expectation about my dreams and goals. I need to get out there and not only expect that everyday something will get accomplished or started towards them, but also that 1% factor really connects to this point too. Where are you at with this thought? Is this concept something you have thought about before like I have? Is it something that you need to get back to doing everyday, like I do? I always welcome your thoughts, ideas and discussion as I really get something from anyone that takes the time to share. Writing this has helped me remember a 1% choice I can make right now in getting something done. How about you?

Quote of the Week - June 3, 2013

6/4/2013

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down." - Mary Pickford

This quote jumped out to me as I stared my Monday off after a fun but tiring weekend. Amazing when something you kind of already know comes to you in a thought, idea, or a quote - and it seems totally brand new to you. This quote has two powerful points to it. First, the fact that we truly can have a fresh start at any time we choose - is so true and very amazing when you think about it. When we choose to actually changes our attitude or our outlook, and then start to figure out how to get better or to fix something that has gone wrong; there is a lot of power in that. That is really something that should get us very excited and inspired to get back on track to do things we really want to do.

Secondly, only when we decide to quit on ourselves, a dream, a goal, or someone else even; that is what true failure is all about. When we stop, think, learn, ask questions, etc., then get back up and keep going - that is where we learn from those temporary setbacks. Failure only happens when we CHOOSE to quit. I've done plenty of this over my life, but I'm working hard to not have it happen any more. The amazing thing is that I get so inspired from others. So being connected to others can really help you with this idea.

So much on this quote - but I'm always interested in learning from others what they think about this. That way I can learn more from others. Anything to share?

Quote of the Week - April 29, 2013

5/1/2013

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”  - Earl Nightingale

What a great quote to not only remind us about the need to dream and to never give up on your dreams, but also there is the reminder about how precious time is. As my friend Doug Evans says "Dreaming Is Never Optional". It is easy to remember it as DINO.   All great things take time to accomplish, for if they didn't take the extra time, then everyone would do great things.

We all know that time goes by, and it seems more and more it's going by faster and faster as we get older. Please understand a year will go by whether you go after your dreams or not. Then it will be 5 years, and 10 and so on. This is something that personally I've been battling with and I've started to figure this out that I have to start acting on my dreams and goals because time is not waiting for me. First you have to identify some dreams and goals that you want to accomplish. Give yourself permission to do just that.

No matter what age you are right now - it's the perfect time to start identifying some dreams and goals and start today to go after them. I'm trying to do something everyday, no matter how small that step is that will help me go after my dreams and goals. The sooner you start the better off you are since you will still have more time on your hands to continue to make those things happen. Go ahead... start today. Feel free to share any thoughts or ideas that you find helpful, or even things you are having trouble with. I have a feeling that we can help each other out with these ideas.

Quote of the Week - January 21, 2013

1/23/2013

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes." - Andrew Carnegie

Finding this quote on a Monday and thinking about having goals for today (a teacher meeting day) along with goals for the week ahead; got me thinking about having these thoughts going for me long term. Instead of just a Monday or a week, I'm thinking (and I know that) I need to have these going for my future. Thinking about Andrew Carnegie (the steel industry guy) and all the success that he had with people and leadership; I know it's coming from a good source too.

I had a good discussion with a colleague today about focusing in on important things in life. That there are only so many things that we can control and actually do something about ourselves. Happiness comes from the fact that we have the ability to command over our thoughts on those things that are important and that are really important to us. The key is to realize this as soon as we can for then we still have time on our side to do something with this fact. The longer it takes for us to realize the truth to this statment the further away from true happiness I think we will be.

What are your thoughts on this quote? What lessons can you teach me and others with your opinions and thoughts? Please let me know here.

Quote of the Week for January 2, 2013

1/3/2013

"I used to say, "I sure hope things will change." Then I learned that the only way things are going to change for me is when I change."-- Jim Rohn

Found this quote right before the new year started. I thought it connected really well, maybe just for me, I don't know.

I find myself not that excited about New Year's Eve - from the standpoint of not wanting to go out
and party, going to some bar or a big expensive dinner party, staying up all night, etc. I have been one that really enjoys spending New Years Eve with my wife, my kids, other family members or friends; just playing a game, eating of course and just ending one year and starting another with people that I truly care about.

I do find myself getting excited or looking forward to the new year for a new start, a fresh beginning on things that I know I need to work on or accomplish. I am not sure why I am unable to accomplish things at other times of the year, when we all know it doesn't have to be a new year to get things done or to make changes. All it needs to be is to make the choice to change and then to start the action of making the change(s) that need to be done. The new year does help with the sense of urgency I have, since I know I will be another year older this year. There are new habits I need to form and replace bad habits that I have been doing for so long. There are successful people I need to get around and listen to what they say and watch what they do. So many things and all I have to do is just start doing them.

What about you? What's this quote mean to you? I'm always looking to learn from others... and that means you.

Pre-New Years thoughts.

12/8/2011

Pre-New Years thoughts.

Have you thought of what your New Year’s resolutions will be in a few weeks?

If you are like most people, we spend the last few weeks of the year thinking about all the things we didn’t do over the year.

All the things we know we should have attempted to do and we didn’t. Isn’t it usually the same resolutions every year??

I know it seems like that for me.

How about this?

Start thinking about them now, and then start doing things to make them begin to happen. Don’t wait until January
1st.

I was listening to a pod-cast yesterday and the speaker gave me this idea.

Bettering our lives really should be thought of all the time, not just once a year.

With the craziness of the holiday season upon us, it makes sense for us to start looking at things now rather than waiting until January 1st.

Here is my usual list on most years: lose some weight – check.

Get more exercise – check.

Read more – check.

Start to write down some goals to go after – check.

Spend more time with my family – check.

Finally start some of the projects around the house that need to get done – check.

Look to enhance career opportunities – check.

The list goes on and on and on and on.

It seems to me that we are all worth a “check-up” more than once a year to see how our lives are going and where we can improve them.

So, not only on January 1, 2012 should we take a look at our lives and where we are going.

But how about checking ourselves out during the rest of the year?

What do you think? Don’t you think you are worth it?

As always, let me know your thoughts.

Great quote to think about and then put into action!

6/6/2011

This is one of those quotes that you just have to put into play - check it out:

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” - Dale Carnegie

This is one of those things that has been on my plate for just about my entire life. I need to have some more action in my life for the things that are important for me to accomplish. I've been a little bit of a chicken when it comes to doing some things that I know I have to do. My personality type is that of a procrastinator by nature. Still at age 45, but getting better.

I do know this - One thing you should know is that anything from Dale Carnegie is worth so much value that you should look to study and implement it into your life. I know that when you do get into action, good things happen. It's true for exercise. It's true for any type of action that gets you from the place you are to a place you want to go. So as I continue to work on my procrastination and work more on getting into action to go after my goals and dreams; I'm interested in your thoughts about Mr. Carnegie's statement? Do you find that that statement pertains to you or not? If not, what are your secrets for focusing on getting things done? Give me some thoughts... let's talk about this a little bit.