Goals

Success equals goals; all else is commentary. - Brian Tracy

This Sunday, millions of people in 220 countries will watch two premier football teams battling to win Super Bowl XXXVII. These teams began the year with that one goal in mind. In the end, they have played sixteen regular season games and two (or three) play-off games, fought through injuries, adversity, penalties, personalities, brutal weather and bad calls in search of a dream: winning the Super Bowl. (For Seattle, it would be their first ever!)

Achieving your goals is one of the most rewarding things in life ... but if they are worthwhile it won't be easy. There are adversaries you will battle before you reach them.

The more goals you set ... the more goals you get. - Mark Victor Hansen

Adversary #1 - Procrastination. In order to reach our goals, we have to set them. But here's the problem: we know when we set a goal we are saying that something in our lives is incomplete. That there is some area where we could operate on a higher level or we recognize some achievement that we haven't attained. Goal setting means telling myself that I will change ... I will grow ... I will practice ... I will risk ... I will start ... I will ....

Accomplishment is impossible until you recognize a worthwhile goal, and then
set out to achieve it. A goal is a dream with a deadline. - Unknown

Adversary #2 - Problems. You will never achieve anything worthwhile without overcoming obstacles. If it were easy, anyone would do it! No matter what the goal is you've set for yourself, get ready for problems to
appear.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. - Jim Rohn

And the timing couldn't be worse! You've just convinced yourself to get off your ... couch ... and set the goal of achieving something you've dared to dream. No sooner do you set out on the road to success and suddenly there's a roadblock right in front of you. What do you do? Do you give up, say you knew you couldn't do it, chalk it up to experience, and go back to ... what? Failure? NO!

Fall seven times. Stand up eight. - Japanese Proverb

You anticipate problems ... think yourself around them ... act your way through them ... but you don't let them derail your commitment to pursue your goals!

The greatest obstacle you will ever face is you! When you come to a problem, overcome your fear, the negative self-talk, and the attitude of quitting. When you can attain victory over your self, you will find that any other problem is just a pebble in your shoe ... irritating, but easily discarded!

When you dare to dream, dare to follow that dream, dare to suffer through the
pain, sacrifice, self-doubts, and friction from the world, and you will
genuinely impress yourself. - Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Adversary #3 - People. When you are bold enough to set a worthwhile goal, there will always be those who will tell you it can't be done ... or it could be done, but YOU couldn't do it! There are many reasons why people attack us when we set our goals and start down the road to accomplishment ... understanding those reasons won't make it any easier to take. Don't try. Just treat people with respect, and stay away from people who hinder your dreams.

There's always someone to suggest that you'll never be who you wanted to be.
Your choice is to take it ... or keep moving. - Phylicia Rashad

Goals are necessary tools to success. But success is never easy. You'll have to battle procrastination ... anticipate problems ... and disregard some people. It's not easy. But Super Bowl goals, even personal and seemingly small ones, brings its own reward!

Happy New Year

My purpose for writing is stated at the top of this page: Helping people gain control of their lives by offering them insight and inspiration for personal and professional success. Because of that, at the end of this year I'd like to refer you to a terrific site that has resources from some of the worlds leading success experts. My goal is not to sell their products, but to offer you genuine support in moving your life forward. I've found these people to be very helpful and their products world-class. Their mission is to help people and make a difference in their lives. AND, you won't find any advertisements or pop-ups on their site ... or SPAM! Give them a look and you'll see why I'm delighted to refer them to you.

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My wish for you is that you find 2006 to be more of everything you desire!

"Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas"

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year. - Charles Dickens

"Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" If you listen to the pundits it seems there is a war going on to secularize America, a war being fought on the airways, at City Hall, at retailers, and other places of public gathering. It is a war on traditional values and the true meaning of Christmas.

A recent Gallop poll found more than 60% of Americans believe that saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" is not a good thing. The people in my world here in Middle America (Tulsa, Oklahoma) are mostly conservative, evangelical Christians. And many of them are concerned that the celebration of Christmas is giving way to a secular winter holiday. They point to multi-national conglomerates removing "Christmas" from their advertising; schools banning red and green napkins from "winter" parties; Christmas trees being renamed; and hundreds of other happenings that make them believe Christians are losing ground.

This is nothing new. For a number of years Christians of every stripe bemoaned the commercialization of Christmas. They felt the message was being lost under the sheer weight of holiday gifts, food, decorations and cheer. The Christian Christmas was so intertwined with the secular holiday that the two seemed inseparable: Silent Night blared over the shopping mall's speaker system, Rudolph and the wise men found a home on the same decorated lawn, and office parties led to shenanigans prohibited at other times of the year, but were overlooked in the "spirit" of the season. Preachers thundered from the pulpits cautioning their parishioners that the true meaning of Christmas was being absorbed into all things secular.

Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer conglomerates. Who'd have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? It's a beautiful world all right. - Bill Watterson

But today, it seems like we've had enough. "Happy Holidays" simply won't do. So we are up in arms ... arguing, chastising, challenging, berating, and boycotting anyone and anything that so much as mentions "Happy Holidays" instead of our blessed "Merry Christmas." In our haste to stem the secular onslaught, we've missed some important things about the meaning and message of Christmas.

First, isn't Christmas about good will towards all? How can the Christmas message be losing ground when we broaden our greeting to include our friends who hold other beliefs? When we say "Happy Holidays" we are acknowledging that there are many people of faith who have celebrations during this time of year. The Christian message isn't minimized by making the holidays more inclusive. Quite the contrary, inclusiveness is at the very heart of Christmas. A point made quite compellingly in the Christian scriptures with the story of the Christ-child being visited by the "pagan" Magi.

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. - Dale Evans Rogers

Second, when the Christian language of Christmas is removed from the larger cultural winter celebration, a clear distinction will exist. Against the colorless backdrop of a secular holiday the Christian message will be an attractive alternative once again. "Merry Christmas" literally means the Mass of Christ. Christianity not only celebrates the birth of Christ, but his death and resurrection as well. When Christians say, "Merry Christmas" they are celebrating the totality of who Jesus is and what he has done. Maybe when "Christmas" isn't used to introduce the newest product, last-minute-sale, or perfect gift, maybe ... just maybe when we say "Merry Christmas" it will mean something.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. - How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss

Third, is a culture war reflective of the One who was born the Prince of Peace? While everyone should be able to share their faith and defend their beliefs according to their own consciences, this language of conflict has to cease. I'm tired of wars and rumors of wars ... real and imagined ... as were the people in the world into which Jesus was born. The message of Christ didn't spread because Christians traded for favors from the government, nor because they harangued Caesar into allowing a Christmas tree in the forum; neither did it spread because they entered into a cultural war with the popular pagan world. The message spread because it was a message of hope. A message that began with these words, "I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people."

I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men! - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christians ... the very ones entrusted with the "Merry Christmas" message in the first place ... should make it their aim that everyone - all people - regardless of race, color, creed, or economic situation, have an opportunity to experience good tidings of great joy. No matter which phrase is used!

Greatness

Every day, people settle for less than they deserve. They are only partially living or at best living a partial life. Every human being has the potential for greatness. - Bo Bennett

I was at a speakers training conference this weekend and world-class speaker Kevin Bracy (www.kevinbracy.com) spoke on the importance of moving from excellence to greatness. He said excellence should not be our ultimate goal, we ought to be striving for greatness.

What does it mean to be great? Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player. Abraham Lincoln is the greatest American president. Elvis is the greatest Rock-n-Roller. Blaise Pascall is the greatest mathematician. Shakespeare is the greatest English playwright. Pick your field and you'll find hundreds of people of excellence, but only a notable few who have achieved greatness.

But that definition of greatness may be way too narrow to be of any value to the rest of us. You see, most of us aren't going to be Shakespeare or Lincoln, we may never be known outside a small circle of people, but that doesn't mean we can't be great. Let's define greatness as the desire, the daring, and the determination to achieve your destiny. You want to achieve it ... you are willing to take the necessary risks ... and you refuse to let anything keep you from making it happen.

I've often said, the only thing standing between me and greatness is me. - Woody Allen

With that definition, here are five things you can do to begin reaching for greatness ...

G - Guard Your Thoughts. Start paying attention to what is filling your mind. Most of the input is a lot like McDonald's Menu, it looks good but it has no nutritional value ... and too much of it will make you sick! Read empowering words, listen to positive messages, refuse to allow negative and pessimistic assertions any room in your mind.

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children. - Kahlil Gibran

R - Remember Where You've Come From. If you read the biography's of great people you will find a common theme, most of them were common people who treated others with respect and dignity. It is hard to think of a single person we consider great who was arrogant, rude, or treated others with contempt. Remember, you earn respect by giving respect.

Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great. - Mark Twain

E - Exercise Your Body As Well As Your Mind. You don't necessarily need to be in the gym everyday, but if you are going to be a person of destiny, then you may want to take care of yourself so you'll be around long enough to enjoy it!

Greatness consists in trying to be great. There is no other way. - Albert Camus

A - Affirm Yourself. We are bombarded with negative affirmations, and we need to counteract that with positive affirmations (hence my book: Go For It!). From the time you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night, say positive things to yourself. For every negative comment you hear, you need three or four positive affirmations to neutralize it.

None, but people of strong passion are capable of rising to greatness. - Comte de Mirabeau

T - Think Through Your Own Definition Of Greatness. You may want to be a great world leader, or musician, or artist, or scholar, or athlete, or any number of things ... that's great. Or you may want to be a great son or daughter, or spouse, or friend. Don't let anyone else define greatness for you.

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world, as in being able to remake ourselves. - Mahatma Gandhi

Don't wait to be great! If you have the desire, the daring and the determination, then you can pursue greatness in everything you DO ... and everything you ARE.

Whispering Change

Whatever there be of progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring. - Henry Miller

Have you seen the movie The Horse Whisperer? In one scene, Annie, the mother of a severely traumatized daughter enlists the aid of a unique horse trainer named Tom Booker to help the girl's equally injured horse. Annie asks, "I've heard you help people with horse problems." To which Booker replied, "Truth is, I help horses with people problems."

Booker's character was fashioned after Monty Roberts, called the Man Who Listens to Horses. Monty grew up on a ranch in a family of horse traders. One of the time honored tasks on the ranch was catching, corralling and then breaking the mustangs. This could mean weeks of work. The wildest, most powerful animals could finally be broken only after much blood, sweat, and suffering.

Monty knew, even as a young boy, that there had to be a better way ... a way to break the mustangs without breaking their spirits so cruelly. Then he noticed something, whenever one was separated from the herd and left to wander, it could become sick, even to the point of death. Monty started thinking. If these were such herd animals with such a powerful, innate instinct for connection with other creatures, then maybe that instinct could be used for taming them. He began experimenting on a different way of "breaking" wild mustangs, until in his early adulthood he developed a whole new method.

He would enter the corral with the horse and stay as far away from the animal as possible. He made certain that he and the mustang never made eye contact. No matter how the animal acted, Monty stayed away and kept his eyes diverted. Soon, that horse was nuzzling Monty trying to get some attention. At the end of an hour, Monty could have the wildest mustang saddled with a rider. Now, he travels the world demonstrating this approach.

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. - George Bernard Shaw

What impact do you think this new method of "breaking" horses had on the rancher's traditions? It could save them time and money. It allowed the most spirited horses to be tamed without being broken. It was much more humane. I'm sure you can think of a dozen positive effects this new method of breaking horses had on the ranching community. But, you'd be wrong. The method never caught on. Ranchers still break their horses the old fashioned way, refusing to use the proven, superior method.

All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs. - Anthony Robbins

Isn't that just like human nature? We cling to our traditions and habits long after they have outlived their usefulness. For most people, the familiar is preferred, even if it is not the most efficient. For instance, most people solve problems essentially the same way no matter what the difficulty. However, research has proven that distinct problems require varied methods if the best solution is to emerge. The same is true when dealing with people, most have a "one-approach-fits-all" mentality which is sure to fail more than it succeeds because people are as diverse as diamonds. Sure there are some universal principles in dealing with people, but each one is an individual and should be treated that way.

Never solve a problem from its original perspective. - Charles Thompson

Maybe it's time you "whispered" some new life into your own soul. Look at things differently. Try a new perspective the next time you face a problem. Empathize with the people around you; see things from their point of view. Who knows, you may just discover a whole new way ... a better way ... of living and leading.

Appreciating Human Resources

I know several people who work in the Human Resources department of their firms. Each spends considerable time upgrading their skills and keeping current with the latest government regulations. They are well qualified and highly capable individuals.

Okay, while I do appreciate my Human Resources friends, that's not what I meant with the title! In accounting terms, when something appreciates, it increases in value. What I’m talking about is increasing the value of your human resources ... the people in your organization.

The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership. - Harvey S. Firestone

How can we increase the value of the individuals on our team? Try these ...

V – Value Each Individual. Adding value to people begins by valuing them individually. Each person in your organization is someone of worth, not only because of their contributions, but because they are human beings. They deserve your respect. Value them for the unique individuals that they are.

Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back. - Princess Diana

A – Acknowledge Their Dreams. Everyone has them. While you can't help them with all their goals, you can do something about the ambitions they have that are relevant to your organization. If you can determine what those aspirations are and begin to do what you can to help turn them into realities, their personal growth and their loyalty to you will skyrocket.

L – Lead From Service. Serve your people. Obviously, if you are the leader, you can't be their servant in every area. But you can keep your eyes open to ways that you can help make their jobs, tasks, lives ... a little easier. This is ancient wisdom, but it is as true today as it was thousands of years ago. People thrive in an environment where their leaders make a priority of looking for ways to serve.

The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. - Colin Powell

U – Unlock Their Potential. Each person on your team has within them a gold mine of promise. How do you extract it? Constantly put resources in their hands (like my books or this email). Challenge them with new opportunities. Stretch them to act and think in ways that may be unfamiliar. Remember, though, you can't expect your people to stretch and grow if you are rigid and inflexible!

If I had more skill in what I'm attempting, I wouldn't need so much courage. - Ashleigh Brilliant

E – Embrace Every Attempt. For people to grow, they must be allowed to fail. Learn from the failure, and move forward. You must give your team the freedom to make the attempt to achieve. Every time your people try something new and challenging, even if they fail, celebrate the initiative and courage it took to try.

When we add value to our people, we will appreciate our appreciating human resources!

Obstacles and Opportunities

Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure. - Earl Wilson

It seems whenever I talk about a successful person, someone will inevitably say something like, "Yeah, they got all the breaks." Or, "If I had been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I could have been a high achiever, too." Or, my favorite, "She is so lucky." Sour grapes from sour people always produce a sour whine!

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you dislike? - Jean Cocteau

The truth is, most people who have achieved at a high level have done so in spite of obstacles. It may be that the process of overcoming is the essential factor in attaining success.

In The Psychology of Motivation, Denis Waitley tells the story of a laundry worker who earned sixty dollars a week at his job, but he had a burning desire to be a writer. While his wife worked at night he stayed home and typed his manuscripts. When he finished each one, he would send it to publishers and agents, only to be rejected each time with a form letter. He never even knew if his manuscript had been opened, much less read.

But he continued. Finally, he received a personal rejection letter, quite a step up for this fledgling writer. It was a warm, personal note stating that although his work wasn't good enough for publishing, he showed promise and he should keep trying. Keep trying he did. Every moment of free time he spent writing, finally finishing another manuscript, sending it to the friendly publisher. It was rejected. Then another. Same story. Finances got so tight that the young writer and his wife turned off their phone so they could pay the medical bills for their new baby.

Luck take a second look at what appears to be someone's "good luck." You'll find not luck but preparation, planning, and success-producing thinking. - David Joseph Schwartz

After eighteen months, he had finished another manuscript, but in discouragement and despair he threw the manuscript in the garbage. But his wife saw what he had done and rescued his work. She believed in him and sent the work to Doubleday, the publisher who had sent him the friendly rejections. That manuscript rescued from the trash was published. The title, Carrie, sold over five million copies, and was one of the top-grossing films of 1976. Stephen King would never have to work in the laundry again!

No-one gets an iron-clad guarantee of success. Certainly, factors like opportunity, luck and timing are important. But the backbone of success is usually found in old-fashioned, basic concepts like hard work, determination, good planning and perseverance. - Mia Hamm

What kind of obstacles are you facing? Is discouragement crouching at your door? Don't give up. Turn those obstacles into opportunities to learn, improve, and discover new ways to succeed. Then, with time, hard work and perseverance, you too can become an overnight success.

Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied. - Proverbs 13:4, Holy Bible