What Am I Afraid Of

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We are almost to May, and now is a great time to do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and see how far you have come in 2022. When you look at your weaknesses, ask yourself; What am I afraid of? Check if any fears hold you back. Many people overlook a big reason they aren’t moving forward, the fear of success.

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Ask Yourself, What Am I Afraid Of

Take a moment and ask yourself, what am I afraid of? There are many fears which can be reasons for your lack of success. One of the most prevalent fears is the fear of criticism by others. Some people care more about what others think of them than their success. Are you one of them? If so, stop! No one is more important than you.

I have a fear of heights or, a better way to put it, a fear of falling from great heights. Recently, I was able to experience this fear once again. My wife and I went to the Boca Museum of Art to see the Machu Picchu exhibit. There were almost 200 gold and pottery exhibits from the Incan Empire. In addition, there was a virtual reality experience.

My Fear Of Falling

I walked into the room, climbed into a pod, sat down, and put on my VR headset. After some brief instructions, I was standing in Machu Picchu. An Incan spirit guide appeared before me, and it all began. Next, we were given the power of flight by the Condor God and began rising above the great city. It happened so quickly that my fear of heights immediately kicked in.

It is incredible how real it seemed. I was not a few feet off the ground but thousands of feet in the air. Of course, this was all in my mind. In reality, my feet were only about a foot off the floor. I had to control my fear and keep telling myself where I was. Soon, my fear was under control, and I was enjoying my time flying above Machu Picchu.

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The Fear Of Success

My definition of success is making the most out of gifts you are given at birth in your lifetime. One thing that can hold you back is the fear of success. You might not even realize this fear exists in you. How can you be afraid of the one thing you strive to become? For example, many people would like to become famous, but their lives would have to change to do so. The brain is resistant to change, therefore; you have a fear of success.

The fear of success is powerful and deceptive. It can take the form of procrastination and excuses. If you are successful, you would have to establish another level of comfort. A promotion at work could mean more responsibility. Your fear of success in your mind could sabotage this goal.

What Fears Do You Have?

Whatever fears you have are created in your mind. You can learn to control your mind and also control your fears. Learn to make peace with your fears instead of trying to eliminate them from your mind. As many times as I have jumped out of airplanes and flown in helicopters, I still cannot eliminate my fear.

What am I afraid of? A few things, but I have control over them. Take control of your life and go out and get what you deserve. Never let any fears get in your way of accomplishing your goals. By being honest with yourself, you can see if you have the fear of success. Once you have identified it, you can control it like you can control all your fears. Nothing can stop you!

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@russ_jay

https://unsplash.com/@agnieszkam

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Find Your Inner Child

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Today I want to talk about belief. Many people lose sight of their dreams when they enter adulthood. We forget how to believe like a child. Our childhood beliefs become replaced by anxiety and worry as adults. Find your inner child and begin believing in your dreams again.

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Find Your Inner Child And Believe

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on your childhood. As a child, you believed all things are possible without question. A man in a red suit, sleigh, and flying reindeer will fly around the world, in one night, and deliver presents to every child.

If you have been good all year, you get the nice present you asked for. In contrast, if you have been a bad boy or girl, you will find coal in your stocking. These unquestioned beliefs resulted in many a wonderful childhood. You might have grown up, but you should find your inner child and continue to believe once again.

Believe In Your Dreams

Believe in your dreams with the same unquestioning passion you had as a child. The only reason you stopped believing was you entered adulthood. Family, bills, your career, and all of the situations associated with adulthood kill your dreams.

Find your inner child and begin to believe you can change. The Bible says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV. As long as you believe and do not doubt, it will be yours. The timing though is up to God.

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Law Of Attraction

This is how the Law of Attraction works, Ask, Believe, and Receive. Belief, mixed with emotion, is the key ingredient in this formula. You must erase all doubt. You might ask for something but do not believe it in your heart, therefore, you never receive it. Ask God to release all doubt within you.

When you find your inner child, you have no doubt. Doubt comes into your mind through your experiences in life. As a child, your parents told you that Santa would come down your chimney and deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The next morning, Christmas Day, you wake up and find the gifts you asked for under the tree. You asked, believed, and received. There was never any doubt.

Reflect On Your Childhood

Today, reflect on your childhood and remember those wonderful days. If you’re not living the life you want to live, decide to make a change. Commit to your decision and begin to believe like a child. Dust off your forgotten dreams and start dreaming again.

Begin to develop daily habits of prayer, affirmations, and meditation. Tell yourself every day, “I release all doubt;” “I release everything that is holding me back.” Do this several times a day, every day, and begin to build belief. In time, your doubts will appear less often, and you will feel the belief building inside of you.

Ask God

Ask God for what you want and believe in your heart that you will receive it. Remember that the Bible also tells us to ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 ESV.

Take some time for yourself to relax and reflect on your childhood. Find your inner child and the ability to believe like a child.

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@profwicks

https://unsplash.com/@carolynchristine

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Resistance Will Hit You

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Resistance will hit you when you least expect it. I experience resistance when things are going great; it is how life challenges and tests my belief and faith. Last December resistance hit me hard. I did not have any inspirations to write. My mind was blank.

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Get Ready, Resistance Will Hit You

I did have a great Thanksgiving week last year; full of the 4 F’s, food, family, friends, and football. The holiday fell at the perfect time for me because I knew I wanted to take a break. I knew I was dealing with resistance.

When you experience resistance, you find the lessons that you are meant to learn

– Jon Gordon

I wanted to get out of my daily routine for a short time. Every day I start by giving thanks, praying, exercising, journaling, and meditating. I felt it was becoming just a drill, and I was not getting everything out of it. Every once in a while, it is good to step back and take a break.

The tendency to follow the path of least resistance guarantees failure in life.

– Brian Tracy

Do It In Moderation

I believe in doing everything in moderation. I am the type of person that can get obsessed with one thing and ignore other important things in my life. My years of experience have taught me that moderation is a better course for me.

So last week, I went a couple of days without any inspiration to write; I knew I was dealing with resistance. Resistance is that feeling inside you that you want to do something but are also unmotivated to start. It is a force to counter your forward progress. If you have ever attempted to create something, you have probably experienced resistance at some point. No one is immune to it.

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https://unsplash.com/@steve_j

The real problem has far less to do with what is really out there than it does with our resistance to finding out what is really out there.

– Barbara Brown Taylor

Why?

I knew I was dealing with resistance when I began to notice my thoughts. The question, Why was prevalent in my thoughts. Why was I writing? Why was I starting another business? I began to focus on my lack of progress or success in certain areas. I ignored all the progress and success I am having in many more areas. Resistance will hit you, so be prepared.

If I have resistance to something, it means there’s something wrong. The resistance to me is a sign of fear.

– Billy Corgan

Resistance will hit you and is the reason most younger people do not live out their dreams. They believe there is always time. There is no sense of urgency. For example, more people today are living to be 100 than when I grew up. If you are 20 years old, that gives you 80 more years to achieve your dreams. The lack of urgency is why many people do not get wealthy until their 40s and 50s. We live in an unlimited universe, but we do not have unlimited time.

Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt.

– Steven Pressfield

Light A Fire Under You

No one is promised tomorrow. Last November marked the first anniversary of the passing of my friend Tom. He appeared healthy one day, and a few days later, he was gone. Never take today for granted. You might not have tomorrow.

If you find yourself dealing with resistance, ask yourself two questions.

1. If you were told you had a week to live, what would you do?

2. If Death appeared before you today and said, It is time, what regrets would you have?

The main question is, What are you waiting for?

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@stillnes_in_motion

https://unsplash.com/@steve_j

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Tap Into Inner Energy

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Learning to tap into inner energy is essential in your journey to personal improvement. You can do all the right things and not see improvement. For example, verbalizing positive affirmations and visualizing your future daily, yet you still don’t feel you are improving. Something is holding you back. It could be that your heart is closed, and you are blocking your inner energy.

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Tap Into Your Inner Energy

Almost everything you do externally and internally requires energy. Just like it takes physical energy to exercise, it also takes an expenditure of energy to control your thoughts. Dealing with your emotions also requires energy. Getting through the day asserts a lot of energy. It can be exhausting.

I’m sure you have experienced times when you don’t feel like you have much energy; you are drained. If you feel low on physical energy, rest and a healthy meal can recharge you. Unfortunately, food will not supply you with energy if you are mentally and emotionally drained. Where does that energy come from? Inside you. Yogis call these energy centers chakras. We all have an infinite supply of inner energy.

Your Energy Is Flowing

Have you ever been in love? Those first days of a relationship fill you with physical and emotional energy. You feel as if you could take on the world. The same thing happens when you start a new project; you don’t even think about eating or sleeping. The infinite energy that comes from within you keeps you going.

Conversely, if your relationship ends after a few months, you lose your energy. You become sad and depressed. Much of the energy you have is spent trying to figure out what went wrong. You don’t eat much and spend way too much time in bed.

Where Did It Go?

Where did the energy go? It is still there inside you. You have blocked it. By closing your mind and heart, you have blocked the flow of energy inside you. Learn to open your heart to tap into inner energy.

Have you seen those people who seem to have an unlimited supply of energy? They are happy and productive. You always see them out and about. They are positive, glass-half-full people. In contrast, we all know someone that never has any energy. They are the complainers and hardly ever have anything positive to say. If they can bring you down with them, they will. Their hearts have closed and blocked the energy flow.

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I have experienced these different energy flows many times in my life. Have you? There have been times when my heart is open, and the energy is abundant. Then there were times when I blocked the energy and closed it off. It happens because we are programmed to open or close based on our past experiences.

An Open Heart

If I see a sunset, hear a song, or smell a certain scent that reminds me of a happy time, my heart will open. On the other hand, if those stimuli invoked a memory of a past negative experience, my heart would close. By learning to keep your heart open and let go of your past, you can keep the energy flowing. This energy comes from within your being. It is your Chi, Shakti, or Spirit.

How do you learn to open your heart to tap into inner energy? It’s simple, don’t close it. Decide that you want to keep your heart open. When you feel your heart closing because of a circumstance in your life, stop, relax, and open it up again. Do not allow it to close. Recognize when you feel your heart closing and open it up.

Life Continuously Flows

Don’t allow the circumstances of your daily life to take away your inner energy. Think of life as if you’re standing in a river. Life flows all around you. Experiences happen, but they are only experiences. Like the water, they keep going, ever-changing. Life is a series of experiences that happens to us every day. They are always changing. The river water flows around you, touches you, and then it’s gone. The same water molecules don’t come back, different ones flow behind it. In life, we experience the circumstances, and then they’re gone.

Experiences only stay if we hang on to them and don’t let them go. During the times we react negatively to these experiences, our hearts become closed, and we block our energy. Decide what matters more, an open heart and infinite energy or hanging on to negativity. Keep your heart open and let all things happen. Experience them and let them go.

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@osalom

https://unsplash.com/@cyrusgomez

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Vince Lombardi’s Inspirational Speech

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For my podcast today, I am reblogging a post I wrote several months ago, Vince Lombardi’s inspirational speech.

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Vince Lombardi was a great leader who knew how to motivate men. He was an American football coach, winning many championships. He was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers when they won the first Super Bowl, and The Super Bowl trophy is named after him. Lombardi was famous for his inspirational speeches. One of his most famous speeches is “What It Takes to Be Number One.”

Lombardi was known for his drive and determination, but he is remembered for his leadership. Lombardi was driven to be the best and demanded the same from his players. “What It Takes to Be Number One” was first given in the locker room at halftime. Since then, Lombardi gave this speech many times to businesses and at political conventions.

I have always admired Vince Lombardi. You could say, he is my “go-to” guy for inspiration. Vince Lombardi’s inspirational speech is one of my favorites. I have it on a card hanging up in my office. Now and then, I take it down and read it. Vince Lombardi has been such an inspiration to me I even married a girl named Lombardi.

Lombardi’s Inspirational Speech, “What It Takes To Be Number One”

“Winning is not a sometimes thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

By doing the right things all the time you will find yourself winning more often than not. Develop the habit of winning in everything that you do

“There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that’s first place. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don’t ever want to finish second again. There is a second-place ballgame, but it is a game for losers played by losers. It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.”

You won’t win every time, nobody does. When you don’t win it should drive you to come in first the next time. Only one team is having fun at the end of a championship game. The winning team.

All In

“Every time a football player goes to ply his trade he’s got to play from the ground up, from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads. That’s O.K. You’ve got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you’ve got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you’re lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he’s never going to come off the field second.”

Giving it everything you’ve got is how you win. You cannot do things halfway.

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Win

“Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization, an army, a political party, or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win and to beat the other guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don’t think it is.”

The objective of any business is all the same. It is to make a profit. If you are not making money in your business, you have a hobby.

Compete

“It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That’s why they are there, to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules, but to win.”

Competition makes everyone better. It doesn’t have to be nasty and you don’t have to cheat. Do your best and win fairly.

Grind

“And in truth, I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head-to-head combat.”

Embrace the grind and everyday challenges. Learn to love the daily routine of making yourself better. Championship teams put more emphasis on practice. They embrace the difficulties of the daily grind. Championships are won during these times.

Read

The final paragraph of his speech is the most important part for me. It sums up what it takes to be number one. Read it many times and let his words take hold of you.

“I don’t say these things because I believe in the “brute” nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear, is that moment when he has to work his heart out in a good cause and he’s exhausted on the field of battle, victorious.”

I love Vince Lombardi’s inspirational speech and hope it helps those still sitting on the sidelines. Get in the game and go after what you want. Thanks for reading and listening.

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@jontyson

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Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone

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The other day I was thinking about those psychological barriers we put on ourselves called comfort zones. Those areas or events which we feel good when we are there. It is our safe place. It is where we feel warm and fuzzy. Nothing can happen to you when you are in your comfort zone. You must break out of your comfort zone to develop.

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Breaking Out Of Your Comfort Zone

For most people, their comfort zone is their home. You feel safe and comfortable inside your home. You can control what goes on there. On the other hand, if you leave your home, you lose control. When you walk into a building you have never been inside before, you feel nervous and uneasy. That warm and fuzzy feeling inside is no longer there. Your senses are heightened because you are outside of your comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is created in your mind. It is a mental boundary based on your past experiences. Everyone has a different comfort zone. Some are small, and some are extensive. Some people are only comfortable inside their homes, but not everyone. If they relate their home to previous bad experiences; it will not be comfortable for them.

Comfort Zones In Your Mind

Your brain is designed for survival and to keep you safe. It creates these comfort zones based on your experiences. Negative experiences as a child manifest as fear. Those experiences would become fearful to you and would be outside of your comfort zone.

What I am talking about is boundaries. Your mind has created these boundaries to avoid the fear that you manifested. You are born with only two fears. The fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises. All other fears you manifest, and all fears can be controlled.

When you decide to expand your comfort zone, it is a painful process. You have to overcome years of boundaries formed in your mind. Your fears will have to be faced, but you can do it. A way to describe your comfort zone is to think about a dog and an electric fence.

No Fences

When my wife and I were in Colorado, I noticed our friends’ neighborhood had no fences to separate the properties. In Florida, almost everyone builds fences around the property. I inquired as to why they didn’t build fences. The reason is that they have herds of elk, deer, and even the occasional bear wandering through the neighborhood. Therefore, the HOA outlawed fences.

Our friends have two large dogs, so they put an underground electric fence as a boundary. The dogs can run around the yard, but if they try to leave, they get a mild electric shock. It teaches them how far they can go. Inside the underground fence is the dog’s comfort zone. It becomes painful when they try to go outside their comfort zone. You are no different. You have created a boundary that becomes painful when you go outside it.

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https://unsplash.com/@alvannee

The dogs manifest a fear of the edge of the property. When they try to leave, they feel the discomfort of the collar and go back to their comfort zone. They are happy in their comfort zone. It is their warm and fuzzy place.

She is A Looker

What happens when one dog decides it wants to expand its horizons and leave? Maybe the dog is a male and sees a beautiful female dog a few houses away. First, it would slowly approach the edge, receive the shock, and jump back. Its desire to meet this female is strong. Instead of going back to its comfort zone, this time the dog stays and tries again.

Each time it receives the shock, it gets less painful. It is becoming comfortable being uncomfortable. With each try, the dog gets farther and farther, until they break free of the pain. It now has new areas to explore and sniff. New experiences are waiting for him, along with the female dog.

Painful?

Was it painful? Yes! Why didn’t he go back to his comfort zone? Because his reason for wanting to get out of the yard, (the female), was bigger and more powerful than the pain. As a result, he expanded their comfort zone. Like the dog, you must break out of your comfort zone.

If your reason for wanting to change your life is larger than the pain of leaving your comfort zone, you will do it. Slowly begin doing the things you are not comfortable doing. Try to do it a little at a time, and the pain and discomfort will diminish. You will be expanding your comfort zone. You might even break free of it altogether.

Self-improvement is painful. You have to face your fears and deal with the past. Your past has shaped you into the person you are today. You have the power to improve your future. Break out of your comfort zone for yourself and your family. Start doing those little things today!

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@lemonzandtea

https://unsplash.com/@alvannee

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Some Of The Advantages Of Teamwork

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What is your preferred way to handle a project? Do you like to tackle it as an individual or as a member of a team? There are many advantages and disadvantages to each. At times, I prefer to handle a project alone. In contrast, I am a big proponent of teamwork for certain projects. Let’s talk about the advantages of teamwork.

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Advantages Of Teamwork

Before I go over the advantages of teamwork, we need to consider some factors. Different projects present different challenges. Before you decide on tackling something individually or as a team, you should ask yourself some questions. Is the problem/task simple or complex? Do you have the specialized knowledge to complete it alone? If not, how many members do you need for your team? Do they possess the knowledge necessary to complete the task?

There are many advantages and disadvantages of forming a team. Some of the advantages of teamwork are:

  1. A team is better for brainstorming new ideas;
  2. Team members will motivate each other;
  3. If a team member is ill or out for some time, productivity continues;
  4. Members can work on different sections of the project at the same time. Therefore, the project/task is completed sooner;
  5. Team members will bring specialized knowledge to the team.

Knowledge

When you first begin a project, you probably don’t have all the knowledge on how to get it completed. Other people have knowledge that you do not possess. Therefore, by forming a team you will be able to have a brainstorming session for new ideas. These new ideas that the team has brainstormed will show you different ways of completing your project.

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If you are like me, you have days where you are just not motivated. These days, it takes discipline to even work on your project. It is hard to be motivated every day as an individual. Team members will motivate each other. It’s much easier to perform a difficult task if you know somebody is counting on you. Team members should always raise each other.

Missing Person

Working on a project is easy when you are feeling great. It is another story when you wake up ill. A sickness can stop you from working on your project for many days. When this happens, your team members will pick up the slack for a member that is out. The team’s productivity and momentum don’t stop.

Working as an individual generally means working on one aspect of the project at a time. It can increase the time it takes to complete the project. When you have a team, each member can work on different sections. By working on different sections at the same time, your project will be completed sooner.

Harmony

No one has all the knowledge necessary to complete a complex task. Your team members will bring different knowledge to the table. Each member will have specialized knowledge that you might not possess. This specialized knowledge will be necessary for accomplishing your goals. For example, you might be an excellent businessperson, but do not know design. You won’t be able to sell your product until you have designed it. One of your team members will bring that knowledge to your business.

Before I go, I want to touch on an important aspect of teamwork. It’s the word harmony. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If a team member is creating disharmony, your project will fail. So, when selecting your team members, take care and select the best. Make your selections based on knowledge, work ethic, and most importantly, their ability to work in a team.

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Developing The Right Habits

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Developing the right habits is essential if you want to change your situation. Doing the same things that you are currently doing will get you nowhere. You must change your mindset, which includes developing new habits. If you are having trouble developing new habits, remember this question. What matters more?

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Developing The Right Habits For You

A great story to illustrate this point comes from the late, great Kobe Bryant. He was being interviewed by a reporter who questioned him about what time he woke up. When Kobe told him he woke up at 3 AM to get to the gym at 4 AM, the reporter was stupefied. Why so early? He asked. Kobe replied because my competitor gets to the gym at 5 AM.

The reporter couldn’t believe Kobe would wake up so early. He said, don’t you like to sleep? I know I do. Kobe didn’t reply, so the reporter asked him if this was a trait with which he was born. Did his father wake up early? Kobe replied, no. Then how do you get up so early, he asked? Calmly, Kobe responded, it comes down to what matters more.

What matters more, sleep or winning? For Kobe, it was winning. He developed the habit of waking up early so he could get in more practice time than his opponents. Whatever type of person you want to become, you must develop new habits. If you desire to be a great athlete, research the habits of great athletes. Are you an artist? Then research habits of great artists. Here is a post about the habits of the wealthy.

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It Is Not Easy

Developing the right habits is difficult. You must be consistent in practicing these new habits. It takes 21 days in a row before a habit will start to form. Some days are going to be more difficult than others. When you go through these days, ask yourself, what matters more?

Changing your routine means getting out of that zone of comfort you are currently living in. For example, most successful people wake up early. Just like Kobe, they want to take advantage of every minute of the day. But sleeping is good, and your bed is oh so comfy. You are safe and warm in your bed.

You feel so good that it is simple to close your eyes and go back to sleep. At that moment, ask yourself, what matters more? Becoming the person you want to be or going back to sleep? By getting up, you have time to read, meditate, exercise, journal, etc. One decision will change your lifestyle, while the other will keep you where you’re at in life. What matters more?

The Great Irene

Look at my post about the heroic deeds of Irene Sendler. Irene risked her life during World War II by smuggling Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. For Irene, what mattered more, was the lives of innocent children over her life.

Are you happy where you are at this point in your life? If not, you must change and begin stretching your comfort zone. Get a little comfortable being uncomfortable. Begin your change by researching and developing the habits of the person you want to become. If you want to improve your relationship, develop habits of people in good relationships. Do you want to be wealthy? Research the habits of rich people. If it becomes difficult to change, remember to ask yourself, what matters more?

Cites

https://unsplash.com/@lazizli

https://unsplash.com/@prophsee

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Change Your Life

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In today’s podcast, I talk about two of the most powerful words spoken daily by most people. They are to words we don’t give much thought to. These two little words are so powerful that they can change your life.

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You Can Change Your Life

To understand the power of, I Am, we only have to look in the book of Exodus, Chapter 3. This is the story of the burning bush. God tells Moses to go to the Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses says to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:13, 14 NIV)

One translation of I AM WHO I AM, is, “I will become what I choose to become.” Another is, “I create what(ever) I create.” These two words give you the power to become what you choose to become. They can change your life. In contrast, they can also create an unwelcome life if not used correctly.

Describe The Present

We use these words to describe our present situation, person, or job. When someone would ask me, “What do you do?” I would reply with, “I am a soldier,” “I am a student,” or “I am a federal agent.” These were words to describe my present situation at the time. I never really thought about what I was saying. There are many different ways to answer that question.

So why are the words “I Am” so powerful? It is because when your mind hears you say these words, it is creating a life to match your words. Whatever words are used after, “I am,” I developed a belief that is what I would always be. I continued that life until I changed what I was thinking and saying. For example, when I was a soldier and wanted to change, I began saying, “I am going to be a federal agent.” A year later, I was a federal agent.

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Change Your Statements

Analyze how you are using the words, I Am. I called these; I Am Statements. Are you negatively using them? Are you saying, “I am drowning in debt,” “I am not feeling well,” or “I am miserable?” If you are, this is what you are bringing into your life. Saying, “I am sick,” will only bring more sickness to you.

You can change your life by changing the “I Am Statements.” Think about what you’re saying and change them to the life you want to live. Think about how you want to be in the future, not how you are right now.

Use Positive Words

Begin writing your “I Am Statements” with positive words and phrases. Write them on a pad and put them where you can see them. Throughout the day, read them out loud. Simple statements like “I am happy,” “I am loved,” and “I am healthy” will change your life. Repeat the statements several times a day, especially before you go to sleep. Soon, you will begin to feel different as you build belief.

I write down several “I Am Statements” twice a day, once in the morning and before I go to sleep. I wish you could see the difference it has made in my life. It is enormous. My life is peaceful and full of love. I have cast away fear, worry, and doubt. I owe it all to two of the most powerful words ever spoken, “I AM.” I will become what I choose to become.

You can become whatever you choose to become. Begin your daily regimen of speaking your “I Am Statements.” I do not doubt that you will experience the same positive changes that I have.

Cites

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Never Quit

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What is the true meaning of failure? What happens to you when you fail? In this article, I want to talk about failure and most importantly quitting. There is a distinction between the two. As you commence the process of changing your life, you should know the difference. Never Quit!

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Failure is defined as a lack of success, the omission of expected or required action. Quitting is defined as giving up or admitting defeat. These definitions are subjective. I believe the true meaning of failure is when you quit.

Quitting Is Never Acceptable

Failure is acceptable and should be encouraged. It is a way for you to learn and move forward. Failure will show you your mistakes. Learn what you did wrong and correct it on the next attempt. Continue your attempts until you get it right. Quitting is not acceptable. No one ever learned anything from quitting.

To be successful in anything, you must develop a habit of winning. Hall of Fame basketball player Michael Jordan said, “If you quit once, it becomes a habit. Never quit!” The late, great football coach Vince Lombardi stated, “Winning is a habit, unfortunately so is losing.” Quitting is losing, and that is the true meaning of failure.

They Failed But They Never Quit

I am sure Vince Lombardi failed at some point in his life. He did not win every game. Surprisingly, Michael Jordan took the game-winning shot 26 times and missed. He missed more than 9000 shots and lost 300 games. He failed over and over, and that is why he succeeded in life. They might have failed, but they never quit.

Quitting comes from a weak mind. Developing a strong mindset is the best prevention for quitting. Understand that you will have failures in life. Learn to embrace your failures and not use them as an excuse to quit.

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Resistence

When you decide to change something in your life, you will experience a phenomenon called resistance. Your brain is wired to keep you safe. It does not like change or stepping outside your comfort zone. You can experience resistance in the form of procrastination, excuses, rationalization, and lack of knowledge. All people with creative minds, artists and writers, have experienced resistance.

A strong mind will conquer resistance. You will fail, but you will not quit. Understand that failure is part of the process. Failure is temporary. It will teach you how to succeed. Quitting is permanent. It becomes easier and easier to do. It will stop all growth. As long as you don’t quit you will never truly fail. The true meaning of failure is quitting.

You Almost Had It

When people quit after a setback or series of setbacks, it is usually right before the breakthrough. They were just about to learn something that would keep them going. When a seed is planted in the ground, it struggles to become a plant. Imagine if seeds would quit right before they break through the soil. We would have no food.

You will need to develop a strong mind. You will strengthen your mind just like you develop your body; through exercises. Begin habits of positive self-talk, meditation, visualization, belief, and faith.

Focus On Why

Focus on WHY you started. What was the reason you decided to improve your life? Your WHY has to be big and emotional; your health, family, or personal reasons. If it is big enough, you will go through setback after setback but never quit.

Another great way to avoid quitting is to not go through the process of change alone. Find a team of like-minded people. Go through the process together, helping each other. If one person is experiencing setbacks, the others will lift them. It is easier to quit on yourself than it is to quit on the team.

Have you decided to change and are experiencing failures? Are you thinking about quitting? If so, I am here to help. Leave a comment or email me at tbcinspires@gmail.com. There are plenty of articles on my website, InspireChief.com, which can be of help. I will see you next week.

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