Pass the test to level up

Bad things keep happening to you.  The same bad things.

You lament – “I’ve been here before.”

Yes.  But you have not been beyond it.  

The world will keep throwing the same test at you until you pass the test.  Then you get to move on and up.

What is the universe trying to teach you that you are so far unwilling to learn?

Believe in yourself

If you don’t believe in yourself, why is anyone else going to believe in you?

Make small promises to yourself and keep them.  Start developing self-respect and self-discipline.

Do the right thing when no one is watching and when no one will notice.

Stick with something uncomfortable and don’t give up until it’s done.

Then do more with bigger challenges.

Build your own belief in yourself. 

You will never outperform it.

Uncomfortable facts

Uncomfortable facts are often the most helpful to us.

The fact that we caused our own problems is one that is likely to make us uncomfortable because we were denying it for so long.

But we can’t fix it until we see and accept it.

A fact is a fact.  We are the ones that make it an “uncomfortable fact”, and the reason we do that can be the gateway to fixing it.

Before you make that promise….

Consider the cost of keeping a promise before making it.

You want people to know that when you say you will do something, you do it.  

Some people don’t have any intention of keeping promises when they make some of them.

Others are just too optimistic and like to say they will be helpful, with the best intentions, but they promise too much.

Some promises take 3 minutes – “I promise I will take the garbage out”.

Some are long-term commitments – “I will homeschool my children” or “I will serve on the board of directors for your organization”.

Will the feeling and motivation you made your promise in run out before the promise is fulfilled?  Probably.  Then it’s about discipline.

Making promises and keeping them is a highly respected and valued thing in the world.

So that your word is gold, consider the time and energy cost of keeping a promise before making it.

Criticize ideas, not people

Some people are smart with information, and stupid with people.

If you tell people they are stupid because they have an unworkable idea, you have lost them.  They will escalate and dig in, or check out.  They won’t listen to you anymore and will not want to be around you.

But if you offer better ideas and discuss what you know about why their idea is not the best one, showing you care about the outcome for them and the group, that will get a very different response. 

Your tone of voice in it is a huge factor.  Show you care, be patient, and don’t try to show you are smarter or superior.

Be smart  – and good with people.

Offer dignity

When someone makes a mistake, what do you do?

When someone doesn’t know something, what do you say?

When something embarrassing happens to someone, how do you react?

When someone has a problem or needs help, what is your attitude toward them?

Offer them dignity.

People will remember those who were kind and understanding to them when they could have laughed, scoffed, acted superior, or rolled their eyes.

Those people will be your greatest friends and allies.

Imposter syndrome

“Imposter syndrome is real and it arrives whenever we are doing important work.” – Seth Godin

Imposter syndrome is when you doubt yourself and feel you are inadequate, not supposed to be here, aren’t good enough to do this, and feel you don’t deserve to be successful.

You won’t feel it when you are doing the same thing you have always done – you are an expert at that.  It shows up when you are out of your comfort zone, doing some higher-level work, breaking new ground, and doing something for the first time. 

I have walked on stage in front of 1000 people doing keynote speeches, lined up at the starting line on a dirt bike for a 1000-mile race, and flown airplanes by myself – I know all about this feeling.

But remember – if anyone can do it, than anyone can do it.  And if they have done it, they have done it the first time.  If you want to, you can too.

All growth is outside your comfort zone.  Growth is not for sissies.  It takes courage.

Control your thoughts, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward.  

You got this!

Changing your life – What are you glad you did in the past?

Think about it.  What significant “moves”, decisions, trips, discussions, or actions have you taken in the past that you are so glad you did?

Everyone has decisions that lead to great experiences, a better path, a great outcome, or something big in their life.  What were they for you?.

Well there is more of those decisions to make!

In the end, people will regret the things they did NOT do, far more than the things they did.

Become the person your future thanks you for.

Here are a few for me – 

I am glad I sent a little postcard from Builder magazine back to find out more about something in 1986.  Changed my whole life.

I’m glad I said “yes” to my friend Franz Froelich in California when he said “Hey we should get a group of guys together and go riding on a tour in Baja; my neighbor Chris Haines does these tours”.  Changed my life.

I’m glad I read this little book from A.L. Williams back in 1988 called “Common Sense”.  I learned about compound interest.

I’m glad I bought my brother Rick’s dirt bike in 1997.  Changed my life.

I’m glad I said yes when my son Tanner suggested we race in Baja.  Changed my life.

I’m glad I bought all the empty property in the commercial park my first building was located in back in 2000-2003.

I’m glad I learned how to sell like an expert.

I’m glad I started writing Think Daily in 2009.  It has made me better and expanded my network!

What decisions have you made that you are glad you did?

What decisions are still to be made that you will thank yourself for?

You have no energy because you are bored.

That’s your fault.

Do something that energizes you.  Take on a project that stretches you.  Challenge yourself.

Go help someone who really needs it.  Go do something really cool.  Create something exceptional.

You can do so much more.

You’ll have energy when you are engaged.

Let’s go!

Feed your mind, and the rest will follow.

We are programmed to pay attention to bad news and shocking images.

The media knows that, so they produce it by the truckload.  They want your attention and know how to get it from you.

Don’t put junk in your mind. 

Guard your inner world. 

Crowd out darkness with light.

Feed it with information and images that build your character and skills.

Your mind is the source of everything you’ll ever do or become.