Category: Thinking - Coach to Expect Success

Imagination - Not Just For Kids

6/24/2019

Going back a little bit - to when we were all kids and Imagination was a big part of our lives. As we get older, we tend to lose it a little bit of it. The key is to keep it alive as it is so important for us to control our thoughts, control our thinking and actualy think about things in our future. Listening to Andy Andrews a lot lately and this was one thing he brought up with Bruce Van Horn on his Life Is A Marathon podcast - check it out here: http://www.lifeisamarathon.com/liam-477-andy-andrews-the-bottom-of-the-pool/ This is a great show to listen to. Find some time to do just that.

The things he brings up are so basic, yet so powerful. This is a wonderful conversation that really gets us thinking about the power of not only controling our thoughts, but also the importance / necessity to think about things we want to have happen in our lives. I've been listening to a lot about Andy Andrews' message that centers around his new book "The Bottom of The Pool" and the coversations that I've been listening to lately about this book, there are some powerful and important messages that must be listened to from this.

This will be a book that I will have to pick up very soon.

What Are We Thinking?

5/30/2019

I recently shared this image with my students for one of our weekly blog posts and a few of the responses that have been turned in so far, have gotten me thinking a little bit more about this. Our thoughts really are powerful, and sometimes that power might be causing us more problems than it does to help us. When we have thoughts running through our head - or at least mine - I find myself either being more inspired for the task that I am doing at the time or I'm too busy thinking about something else. With my lack of concentration for the task at hand, I find myself thinking about something else and then at times, stopping the current thing and moving onto something else just because the thought came into my head.

Now knowing that I do that at times - does help so I can stop myself more often to get back on track. Another thing I'm trying is to write a note down quickly about the thought / idea, and come back to it after I finish my current task. This really does affect how I am feeling - mainly about myself, but about life in general. When I'm fired up, feeling good about myself, my life, what I'm doing, etc., it for sure affects how I am acting at the current moment. Too many times when I'm not in a good frame of mind, my actions & words sometime come out in a very harsh way and sad to say, it's mostly at home when that happens.

This concept is very powerful as by reading some student posts and thinking about this post that I'm writing here, I can see how important it is for me to have control over my thoughts, beliefs, feelings and actions. Any moment that any of these are out of whack, I know that I can make an adjustment, just a little change (mostly it's my attitude & effort) that I can fix a little bit and great things seem to happen after that adjustment. It's funny, this point about taking control of our lives, especially our thinking, it's been said that life gets a lot easier when we do this. The things that we cut out that waste our time, make us feel down and to doubt ourselves, the people that are in our lives that whenever we walk away from a conversation with them - we are feeling worse than we did before??? Those are the things we have to fix. Taking responsibility for what goes into our heads, taking control of our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and actions; it's so powerful (not easy) to do! I'm seeing some BIG TIME results and I want to do more of this. How about you?

Procrastinators - It's Time!

4/16/2017

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." — Napoleon Hill

As I sat down outside, with our dog on Easter morning, I had some great quiet time to do some thinking. This thought from Napoleon Hill has been echoed inside my head for a while along with being echoed from so many other people too.

The sun was coming up over the house behind us, there was a nice little breeze along with the birds chirping and wind chimes nearby making a very majestic sound for the morning. Great reflection time too on this special morning with a great cup of coffee.

I needed this and I have figured out I need to do it more. This overwhelming feeling came over me – moving me to tears – that not only do I need to do this more, but I need to put into action what I’m thinking about doing. This blog is part of it along with my podcasting, writing my first book, doing some interviews, creating videos and speaking too. All of these items connected to helping others, making a difference with them and adding value to their lives too. The time must be now – it’s all I got. Heck… it’s all any of us have when you think about it.

Of course, this has been on my mind more since I’m getting older. Sitting at 51 is a unique perspective I think on life – but it’s also a view that does not have to be saved for this age. One of the things I see that there are people that have these thoughts and ideas sooner in life and they act upon them sooner too. Sooner for me is now. For someone else, it’s the time they are at now in their life.

I am totally amazed at those people that for years have been sharing this idea along with others, about self-improvement. Napoleon Hill was one of many doing this a long time ago. He has helped to change so many lives in the past, present and even future too; as his teachings will live on forever. I listen to podcasts and read books that continue to mention what a profound difference that he and others have made on life for so many people. To me that’s what our lives should be all about – making a difference with others along with adding value to their lives too. Whatever you find yourself doing throughout your life – these ideas should be part of it. Starting now, don’t wait. I’m working on doing that. I hope you are too.

It's Been Said Before, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem

8/12/2015

“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” ― Tina Fey

This got me thinking simply from the fact that it’s political season again and it seems that most, if not all the candidates that are running for president are just not connecting with me about them having solutions to the problems our country faces. In fact I think it’s most of America that see them as continuing to be part of the problems that we have in our country.

It’s hard to remember a time where our country has not been so divided in what it seems as so many different areas too. I don’t see any political party helping this out at all. That’s what real leadership is all about, finding solutions for problems that affect people. To be a difference maker for those people, that’s what elected officials are supposed to offer – service to the people they represent. It seems that blame just keeps getting passed back and forth.

I even forget this point as there are times I don’t help out problems and issues that go on around me, my family, my job, etc. I do like to think though that I work at getting back to the idea of offering ideas to solve or help the problems that are going on around us. I try not to stay in that negative mindset of pointing out the brick walls that we have to deal with, the blame game, and just that overall negative victim mentality.

Seeing that the majority of our government leaders seem to have issues with solving problems along with creating more problems and dividing our society, I guess it’s up to us. We not only have the power, privilege, and responsibility to hold them accountable but we also need to take this approach with ourselves and our lives. We need to be an active part of the solution for our own problems that we face throughout our lives. That does not mean we don’t need help, but we won’t solve our own issues if we are not actively working on ourselves to find solutions.

I need this quote this morning as my day got started out in a not so positive way – mainly due to me not thinking too clearly as I said something to my wife as she walked out the door that wasn’t the best thing to start her day off. I should have known better for sure. Now that I’ve read this quote again, I need to adjust my thinking and my actions to not only solve some problems that have come up with a variety of things we need to have done here to our house, but also to repair some damage I did this morning with my words.

What We Have Inside Us Point Us To Our Future Path

6/7/2015

"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.

Good 'ol Zig Ziglar Has Another Lesson For Us - Quote Of The Week!

3/29/2015

“You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” – Zig Ziglar

If you don’t know who Zig Ziglar is, it’s about time you found out. This guy has been helping to make a difference with so many people throughout so many years, it’s amazing. What’s even more amazing is that he continues to make a difference for so many people and he passed away back in November of 2012. Zig has such a huge legacy where his lessons are still being taught today by the people who were working with him.

This thought that Zig brings up, which by the way is totally true, can be one of the biggest life-changers out there for us. All we have to do is follow the statements’ advice. If we change what goes into our mind on a daily basis, we will start seeing different results. Those things that we let into our heads, affect everything we do.

The biggest thing for us is to realize that we have total control of what we let in. Now remember that society and much of the world’s view will try and fight that. The world’s view is always fighting to control people, and make no mistake about it, it’s doing just that. The negativity, fear, ideas of judgment, jealousy, victim thinking, etc.; all go against what is good for us and our lives.

We have to be the ones that find information that will uplift us, give us hope, positive messages, confidence, helping others, working hard at improving, etc.; those are the messages that we need to seek out and bring into our heads. For once ideas come into our heads – we cannot be the same person as we were before the idea got there. That idea may help us to form new habits and help us get into action to either make ourselves better or worse; depending what we let into our heads.

There is another idea that I discussed with my Principles of Leadership students last week in my first presentation to them. That idea was everything we do, every choice we make either takes us closer to what we want in life or it takes us further away. That’s why it’s so important for us to kind of know where we are going to in life. Think about this last thought and compare it to what Zig Ziglar is talking about. Then, let me know if you want to share any thoughts, have a discussion or ask any questions about this. It’s a life-changer. Only if you let it be.

There Is Always Time to Refresh Our Attitude And Our Thinking - Quote of the Week!

9/1/2014

"Refresh your attitude and adjust your thinking!" - Les Brown

Most days I get these great updates online from Les Brown and today was no exception. When I saw this, it was part of a longer posting, but this first line really stood out to me. Mainly it's because I know that I need to do this on a regular basis, but I needed to see it from Les to really make a connection I guess. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that we all need to focus on this simple yet powerful statement.

It really has become apparent to me lately, especially watching and listening to the media, that if we don't refresh our attitudes once in awhile along with adjusting our thinking, we will fall victim to what the media is preaching and promoting to society. The biggest part of what I see is going on is that there is a massive push it seems to have us take less responsibility for our own lives and to fixate blame on others. That could be a certain political party or elected officials, it could be other countries, other races, the government, heck the list goes on and on.

Life continues to give us ups and downs. It's our job to respond correctly to these things that life throws at us. This summer with my knee surgery, both our kids out of the house and attending college, of course the same old money issues that seemed to have been around for years and years; certainly gets me thinking about having to make some changes. I have always prided myself in having a good and positive attitude, but there has been plenty of times where this statement has become something that I have focused on, but now I know how I need to continue doing it a lot more.

Leave it to Les Brown to keep me focused on things I know I have to do. That's why I always promote that you find those sources of great and inspiring information that can help you get through difficult things in life. Remember, we are what we think. Keep guarding your attitude along with what goes into your head. Find things that Les and others share on a daily basis to help you get through the ups and downs that life throws at us. Any thoughts? Any stories or examples to share? You are always welcome and encouraged to just that by leaving some comments.

Don't Limit Yourself, A Few Tips - Quote Of The Week

8/25/2014

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash

It is totally true that the most valuable 6 inches of space is right between your ears. When people learn to control their minds, control what goes in and out of their brain, that is when great things can happen. I’m still constantly working on this fact. I hope you are always working on it too.

It’s also true that our biggest critic that we will usually ever have to deal with is ourselves. As I tell my students each and every year at the start of every class I teach, we are with ourselves 24/7. We can’t get away from ourselves since every night before we go to bed, during our time of sleep and first thing in the morning, there we are again. We might be able to fool others, but when you think about it, we certainly cannot fool ourselves. We know when we do something wrong - others might not know about it, but we do. Our limiting thoughts and beliefs that we put on ourselves are far worse than what others can put on us. Now, what others say and do sometimes does add to our own negative thinking about ourselves, that’s why it is vitally important to guard the relationships around us.

So one of our most important things we must always look to do, and for me it’s something I constantly have to remind myself to do; is to always work on our thinking. We need to control as much as we can as to what goes into our minds. There are way too many people and things out there that would be glad to control us for their agenda. If we don’t control our own minds and our own lives, we will have them controlled by someone or something else for sure. Then we wonder why life get’s so hard and difficult to do things we think we want to do.

Look at what you reading or are you even reading at all? There are so many factual connections out there in the world that show massive positive results for being a reader. Leaders are readers is the old saying. Successful people in all walks of life are many times very avid readers. Try it and see the changes that will start to appear. I know I need to monitor more of my time spent watching TV instead of working on the thoughts and ideas that I have. I also need to be listening to more positive motivational content through audio books, podcasts, etc.

So what are some thing you do to help you think more positively about your life and yourself? Any success stories out there about some examples of things changing for you or others that you have witnessed when taking this process on? Always feel free to let me know your thoughts and ideas as I certainly don’t have all the answers and I’m always looking to learn new things that can help me to help myself and others.

Life Is Hard - But Compared To What? Quote of the Week....

8/11/2014

"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?" -- Sydney J. Harris

I’ve had my share of time to think lately on how hard life is while recovering from my knee surgery. I must say however that I am working very hard to not let those thoughts consume me as it really only makes me feel sad and down. When I saw this statement, it obviously connected with me. So many times before I did not have the time to think about things as I was always busy doing many things, especially being a teacher and having a family with my wife and two teenagers. I guess having a few extra weeks of having to take it easy, having a little pain and more discomfort; really gave me time to think about how challenging things are for me.

Here is where the second part of this quote comes into play. I do need to look at this part and I have asked myself that question, compared to what? Compared to when I was in college? Sure, it’s more challenging now for sure. Compared to what so many other people around the world are going through and many even around here in my community, not a chance. I still have it really good compared to so many other people. There is a saying that I have posted in my classroom that I make reference to all the time. Be kind to others for everyone is fighting some type of battle. The more I talk with people the more I see we all have some types of issues that we have to deal with.

So when it comes down to it, at least for me, when I think about how difficult life can be I need to remember a few things. First, we all have issues and if I were to put my issues on a piece of paper and then try and trade them with other people for their issues, I think I would quickly see that mine are not that bad. Second, a good life just doesn’t happen. There has to be some type of work involved and most of the time it won’t be easy as I’ve come to learn things that are worthwhile are usually not easy. Third, I’m really trying to take these temporary challenges and learn from them. I am looking to see how they can help me get better as a person, father, husband, teacher, etc. Finally, I think that how hard life can be is really up to me and my attitude towards things. I can make those times as hard and as difficult as I make them out to be. So maybe take a lesson and think about that quote a little bit now and don’t wait until you are laid up with some injury or illness where you have more time to dwell on how bad you might have it. Always remember to ask yourself compared to what?

I’m always looking to learn from you and your thoughts on this quote. Leave a comment or two or get back in touch with me so we can share some stories and ideas about this.

Challenges Make Life Interesting - Quote of the Week

7/14/2014

“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful” – Joshua J. Marine

Thinking about how challenges are all around us all the time throughout life caused me to stop for a moment when I saw this quote. We all have challenges that we are dealing with. Each and every day. We see life challenges in the news, on social media, talking with friends and neighbors; enough to know that we are not alone when it comes to having challenges to deal with.

In pausing life here for a moment thinking about this idea, with a cup of coffee too by the way, I have come to a couple of main thoughts that stick out to me. First, I am indeed not the only one with problems and challenges. In fact not only do we all have them every day in our lives, some obviously are far worse than what we have to deal with. The thought that others do have it worse off than I do helps me to see that I need to not complain about my challenges and that I need to not let them define me along with not letting me quit due to those issues that I have.

Another thought that comes to me when I think about this is that there is tremendous empathy and caring for others that comes out of taking a few moments to dwell on these thoughts. Empathy is a point that I try and get my students to think about every year as I think it's one of the most powerful abilities that we have in connecting with other people. It's one that we all need to do more of in this world especially with all the lousy examples we see in the media about the selfishness and lack of character that seems to be all around us in our world.

These two ideas are really helping me as I face another of many challenges in my life as I go in for knee replacement surgery tomorrow. It truly has been a long and painful process over the last few years of trying to do everything I could to help my knee pain. It has finally come down to the fact that the severe arthritis that I have started to battle now in my life has caused me to make some choices to get back my quality of life that I want to have. I look forward to this process because I know at the end of it will be a life with less pain and my ability to do things I love to do. I know there will be more procedures that I will need to have done in the future due to these changes in my body as I get older. But I know there are so many people worse off than me, I will not let this stop me from doing the things that I know I need to do along with the new things I want to do in my life. There are so many more meaningful moments in my life that going through this and other upcoming challenges, will make them all the more sweeter.

What challenges are you going through right now where maybe you can take these couple of ideas to help you get through them and look ahead for better days? Let me know as we can help each other out with some new thoughts, ideas and discussions about this and many other life events that we all go through.