Daily Inspiration 4-14-13

"One of these days,

I'm going to publish a book

of all the pictures I did not take."

 

-- Rene Burri

I always thought I would wake up some day and think "I should have taken more pictures and video." But, then I think about all the hundreds of photos I have sitting in the cabinet and maybe, just maybe, I looked at them once or twice for a few minutes and that was it. The truth for me is that more pictures just doesn't do anything for me.

But, experiencing does do it for me. To see it live and in person is so powerful and memorable. I have never ever seen a photograph that comes anywhere close to what I see with my own eyes. No matter who the professional photographer is, I cannot imagine a photo doing anything more than showing a small section of what I actually see. And then, there is the wind and sun and rain and all weather, along with sounds, all mixed together that no video could ever hope to capture.

While I fumble for the camera to take that shot to not look at many weeks, months, years from now, I potentially miss the real thing--the experience. I take photos, but not very many and not all that often. But, I keep my eyes, ears, and feelings on wide open throttle.


See It, Feel It, Hear It, Live It. It's Captured.

Spread Some Joy Today--Smile often and much. Have a blast at whatever you are doing today.

Daily Inspiration 4-13-13

"If you will pump long enough,

hard enough, and enthusiastically enough,

sooner or later the effort

will bring forth the reward."

 

-- Zig Ziglar

I was talking briefly with a client and friend (yes, they go hand in hand!) and I said something about needing to prime the pump. That's a phrase you don't hear much anymore, so I thought I would share this classic Zig Ziglar video about priming the pump.

It's easy enough to give up when it doesn't look like the results you want are coming. It's true also when you're trying so hard. But, sometimes, just a little priming of the pump with get that thing working quickly and once working, the rewards are greater than the efforts.


Consider Ways You Can Prime The Pump And Speed Up The Flow.

Spread Some Joy Today--You have to believe it first.

Daily Inspiration 4-12-13

"We cure disagreements

by building a bridge

of mutual respect first,

a bridge that permits

education or dialogue or learning.

When you burn that bridge,

you've ensured nothing but conflict."

 

-- Seth Godin

I was thinking about major disagreements. One holds tight to this the other holds tight to that and apart they remain. In fact, not just apart, but at odds with one another because there is nothing to discuss except supporting arguments solidifying one's own position. I'm right and you're, of course, wrong. What else is there?

Then I saw this bit from management guru, Seth Godin, and I see how clearly it is that major disagreements can bring adversaries together utilizing a bridge of mutual respect. It is that bridge that allows the flow of potential information that may sway minds to consider another path; other options.

How does one build this bridge amid the emotion and chaos of territorial defense? We begin with love. Yes, it is love the builds the bridge. It is love that creates the idea of respecting the other enough to allow another, more open and human look into how and why they feel the way they do.

It is in this loving position of empathy, that we connect to ourselves in the other, and they in us. The bridge brings us together to the potential of not only understanding, but perhaps even exchanging positions, or even more loving, allowing each position to exist on its own without any insistence that there be only one position.

The position of right and wrong destroys the bridge. We must let that go to cross it.


I Think It Is Not Just Personal Disagreements, But ALL Disagreements That This Applies To.

Spread Some Joy Today--Hone your bridge building skills. Love your enemies.

Daily Inspiration 4-11-13

"Life is truly a ride. We're all strapped in, and no one can stop it. As you make your way from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream; sometimes you just hang onto the bar in front of you. But the ride is the thing. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair is messed up, you're out of breath, and you didn't throw up."

 

-- Jerry Seinfeld

Words of wisdom to ponder today. . .


Hang Ten, Or Hang On!

Spread Some Joy Today--Give yourself a bit more rope. You deserve the space.

Daily Inspiration 4-10-13

"Whenever you're called on to make up your mind

And you're hampered by not having any

The best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find

Is simply by spinning a penny

 

Not so that chance shall decide the affair

While you're passively standing there moping

But the moment the penny is up in the air

You suddenly know what you're hoping."

 

-- Piet Hines

How many times have you or I been in a place where we don't know what to do, and then finally we have a few choices, and finally being committed to actually make a choice, we feel even more unsure now? Whether it's weighing the pros and cons, looking at all the aspects of each potential choice, just doesn't seem to be enough. We're afraid of making a bad decision and of the potential problems that will come as a result. Then, maybe we think of flipping a coin . . .

Alan Cohen says, "When you find yourself standing at a crossroad of choice, take a coin and assign one alternative to heads, and the other to tails. Then flip the coin and imagine that the side that comes up will indicate the path you absolutely follow. Then, the moment you see which side appears, notice your immediate gut reaction. Do you feel happy, or disappointed? Energized, or deflated? Enlivened, or depressed? Be honest about how you feel, and you will see that your inner guidance is speaking to you through your voice of joy or its absence."

If we can accept the idea that we have an inner being within us, or God within us, or an inner wisdom, it is the emotions that are the guiding light. Choosing what feels good, feels right, feels joyful, will always be the greatest of guidance.


Brings New Meaning To The Old Phrase, "If It Feels Good, Do It," Don't You Think?

Spread Some Joy Today--Follow your bliss.

Daily Inspiration 4-9-13

"You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful to me

Can't you see

You're everything I hoped for

You're everything I need

You are so beautiful to me

 

Such joy and happiness you bring

Such joy and happiness you bring

Like a dream

A guiding light that shines in the night

Heavens gift to me

You are so beautiful to me."

 

-- Song written by Dennis Wilson and Billy Preston

Popularized by Joe Cocker in 1975

 

As I was thinking about this ever so beautiful song and expressed so well by the one and only Joe Cocker, I thought envisioned God singing this love song to each and every one of you.


May Love Follow You All Day Long Today.

Spread Some Joy Today--Rest easy in it. You are loved.

Daily Inspiration 4-8-13

"No matter what your history has been,

your destiny is what you create today.

What are you going to create?"

 

-- Steve Maraboli

Some believe that we are predestined to be, do and have what we are, act upon, and posses. I think we are creators and that we choose what we create. Indeed, sometimes--in fact, probably often--we create out of habit, past experience, parental upbringing and more, but we create. And, each day I think we create anew. The past really doesn't matter because we can create again differently if we choose to.

So, let's say, just for giggles, that you believed that too. What are you going to create today? Good times? Enjoyable experience? Abundance? Or something else?


The Ability To Choose Is Your Ultimate Power.

Spread Some Joy Today--Focus on your own happiness. People will notice.

Daily Inspiration 4-7-13

"Books can be dangerous.

The best ones should be labeled

"This could change your life."

 

-- Helen Exley

I saw this quote and immediately loved it. I loved it because it is so true! So, just for giggles, I thought I would put together my top 10 books that changed my life. As I was doing that, it became clear to me that doing a top 100 would be hard enough, but top 10 is quite a challenge. But, here goes . . .

These are in order of the most substantial change in my life and experience from having read these books. Number one is the largest change, to number ten. Although there was a growing from early age to now, these are not in order of having read them, but only focused on how much of a change they caused in me.

1. The Bible
2. The Secret (unabridged audiobook) by Rhonda Byrne
3. Love Is Letting Go Of Fear by Gerald Jampolsky
4. Ask and It Is Given by Esther Hicks
5. Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer
6. As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
7. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
8. How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling by Frank Bettger
9. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
10. Leadership Is An Art by Max DePree

Well, that's pretty much it; however, it is certainly possible that if I were asked for my top 10 again, I might have a slightly different list. Of course, The Bible is where much of the others got some great content. . . at least parts of it.


What Are Your Top 10 Life Changing Books? Send Me Yours!

Spread Some Joy Today--Have an awesome day today. Just because.

Daily Inspiration 4-6-13

"You can't just wish change;

you have to live the change

in order for it to become a reality."

 

-- Steve Maraboli

Sometimes is seems so difficult to change. I wish that it would just be done and I wouldn't have to go through it to get there, if you know what I mean. It's the going through it or living the change that seems to be the work I often do not want to do, and yet I want the accomplishment of having done it. Silly.

I seem to think that once I got to the other side, or the goal, that life would be better, the bells will be ringing, the grass will be greener. But, by the time I get there that feeling is replaced by something different. It is still very good, but different.

The hardest thing I've found is to change long-held habits. I know I can do it. Ability isn't even on the list of questions. Will I do it? Well, that's the best question. And, how I feel at any given time has much to do with it, but more than this, it is my well worn justification mechanism that is in play too often. You know, the devil on the other shoulder telling me it's okay, it's only. . . and you can start tomorrow. . . there's too much stress going on right now to deal with this. . . just chill. . . take a break. . . you deserve it. . . enjoy it now. . . it will all be here tomorrow. . . Then I chime in: Yes! I do deserve it. . . I can't give up all the things I love. . . I'll start fresh tomorrow. . .

None of this probably ever happens to you. I'm sure it is just me. For me change is sometimes easy and sometimes it is a son-of-a-bitch! Until I find a way to want the new results, or change, more than the status quo, I study.


It's All In The Sincere Desire To Be Where I Want To Be, Picture It, Live It, Feel It, And Then I Become It.

Spread Some Joy Today--Lighten up on yourself. Make it more fun. Ask yourself, how can I have fun doing this?

Daily Inspiration 4-5-13

"Above all else, go with a sense of humor.

It is needed armor.

Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lip

is a sign that the person down deep

has a pretty good grasp of life."

 

-- Hugh Sidey

Today I found a group photo of a weeklong class I took and since I'm tall, I was in the back row. There was a life-sized cardboard cutout of the company founder and I'm standing next to his image with my hand showing around his shoulder. I laughed when I saw it, and admitted to myself something I've never actually said about myself. I said, "I have a sense of humor!" I knew that of course, but I never really thought that about myself in quite that way and this picture brought that out.

I love to laugh. In fact, I love my partners because whenever we are together and most of the time on the phone, we laugh. There's always something humorous going on, some reason to laugh out loud and lighten whatever serious issue is before us. Of course, serious is a relative term . . .

I used to take life so seriously. I laughed here and there, but mostly it was serious. The thing that made it serious was called drama. As soon as I finally decided to let go of the drama and my own importance life got lighter and laughter came easier.

Whatever is going on is going on. Lay down the rope. Stop tugging on it. Have some fun. Laugh. Cry with joy! Shout out! Smile. It is a great day!


In Every Way Possible Today, I Will Find Things That I WANT to see. I Will Laugh. I Will ENJOY Myself!

Spread Some Joy Today--LIFE is for the living.

Daily Inspiration 4-4-13

"Whoever is in a hurry

shows that the thing he is about

is too big for him."

 

-- Lord Chesterfield

I had two sales presentations today. One I did and another I was the mentor. The first was relaxed, yet enthusiastic, confident, full of discussion and just plain fun. The second when we arrived we found the prospect unprepared due to a time constraint on another appointment and granted us only about 20 minutes. It takes that long just to understand what they are needing on the surface and I should have remembered that, but we went ahead anyway and it felt rushed from the start. That felt crappy to me, and if it feels that way to me, I can imagine how the prospect might feel.

The better plan on the second call would have been to give the elevator rendition ever so briefly, then some things to look at online, and schedule a follow up appointment. It would have been relaxed, smooth, and they would have felt comfortable thinking about the their next appointment.

No matter how long you've been in sales, no matter how many presentations you've made in all kinds of environments, you learn something from each and every one. You might learn what to do next time, and what not to do next time, but there is always something to learn.


And, That's A GOOD Thing.

Spread Some Joy Today--Consider this: "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." -- St Francis de Sales

Daily Inspiration 4-3-13

"On the day you die,

you will have e-mail in your inbox.

Then what will you do?."

 

-- Robert Holden

Today I had one more opportunity to rise to spontaneity rather than doing work, or thinking about work as is my lifelong habit pattern. Work is important. I've a business to run and all that, but living life is important, and life is precious. I'm seeing that more every day as my wife's illness depletes her physically. So, when she is wanting to take a ride or something that she wants to do and she has the energy, where I used to find ways to avoid going to do what seemed pressing, I now find ways to say yes to go and do while the opportunity still exists.

We have this tendency to take life for granted until there is something that causes and interruption to that train of thought. The interesting thing is that none of us knows when our time will be. I've seen family members, co-workers, and others who were here today, and suddenly gone tomorrow. What would be different in our lives if we treated each person we interact with as if they wouldn't be here a month from now? Maybe we would pay more attention to them, or say what we feel, or spend more time with them. Maybe we would love them while we could, and that would be a very good thing.

So today, she got up, got dressed and wanted to ride up the coast which is a long drive. At first I said that I had so much to do, could we do it in a day or two, and then I thought which was the real important thing? It became obvious that the ride was far more important, so we went for a long ride. My email was there when I returned and nothing fell apart. In fact, probably some things just fell together. That's the benefit of a team. My company doesn't revolve around me in reality, though from time to time my ego argues with that theory.

I have a very strong work ethic. I enjoy my work. It isn't even work to me most of the time. But, as the quote at the top says, I will have emails in my inbox when I die and then what will I do about that? There's only one answer: nothing!

We've all heard that stuff about smelling the roses, right? Well today, it seemed that all the trees on the planet grew leaves in the last two days. The greenery was incredible. There were forests of purple and yellow flowers on the brush all around out by the coast. There was so much beauty surrounding us that it often took our breath away. All for the cost of a half a tank of gas and a few hours of daylight. What a bargain!


Time Is Not Short. Life Is. Live It.

Spread Some Joy Today--Find a way to say yes instead of a list of reasons why not.

Daily Inspiration 4-2-13

"It's true!

The scale can only give you

a numerical reflection of

your relationship with gravity.

 

That's it.

 

It cannot measure beauty,

talent, purpose, life force,

possibility, strength, or love.

 

Don't give the scale

more power than it has earned.

 

Take note of the number,

then get off the scale

and live your life.

 

You are beautiful!"

 

-- Steve Maraboli

This is such an awesome quote and worthy of printing it our nicely and putting it on the wall--maybe even in a frame.

Two lines leap off the page at me when I read this:

1. Don't give the scale more power than it has earned. Or, anything else for that matter. We give many things way more importance than they deserve. Most, if not all of the "scales" we use in judgment cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength or love.

2. You are beautiful! That is worthy of being on the wall in huge, bold letters! Yes! We need to remind ourselves often that we are beautiful; that we are marvelous; that we are magnificent, and powerful.


It's Just A Reflection. A Mirage.

Spread Some Joy Today--Begin and end the day loving yourself. As you do, spreading joy cannot possibly be avoided.

Daily Inspiration 4-1-13

"Values:

Everyone has them,

everyone has different ones,

and the content and order of these values

determines, almost entirely, your behavior."

 

-- Dr. John F Demartini

I love John Demartini's books. He has a calming, common sense way of getting to the heart of things. The quote above is an example. He goes on to say, "Whatever is highest on your value list is where your mind is sharp and alert, disciplined and focused. Whatever is lower on your value list is where you hesitate and procrastinate."

I'm going to make a sign to put on my wall to remind me that if I am procrastinating and lack discipline on a subject or activity, it is clear that I do not value it much. I may think I SHOULD do something for whatever benefit may SEEM important, but the reality is that if I really valued it or if it were high in my list of things I value, I would find a way to not only get it done, but get it done with joy.

In business, I see how people value or don't value making time to get things done to help us help them. Some go right to it and bang it out. They value the result of what we are doing and want to help make it the best it can be. Many are always too busy, can't find time, don't know what to do and a longer list that is purely an indication that it is not high on their values list.

I used to try to impose my values about what we do on them, and now I'm okay with whatever they choose to do or do not do. I understand how busy we can make ourselves. I do it myself in many ways. Sometimes accomplishment is not even on the list--just activities--and lots of them!

But, we do what we value and we don't do what we don't value. Of course, there's even another way of seeing this. They value that we are doing it for them and they don't have to think about it. At the same time, we value taking the best care of them possible. So it all works out just fine.

What are your prime values? What do you spend your time on? What do you spend your money on? What do you find important? Unimportant? The value story is telling.


I Accomplish That Which I Value Most. Everything Else Takes A Back Seat Until I Change My Values.

Spread Some Joy Today--Do what you value most and do for others what they value most.