Boys need fathers

“Young men need fathers.  Without fathers they flounder.” -Matt Rosenberg

In 2021 in Chicago there were 3561 shootings and 800 murders.  The neighborhoods with the highest rate of births to unwed mothers were the same neighborhoods with the highest murder rates.

Studies show that two biological parent households, regardless of race, had greater educational attainment, higher adult incomes, and lower rates of incarceration.

Persistence

“Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.”

By definition, great achievement is not easy.  If everyone was doing it, it would not be noteworthy and admirable.

Things that are not easy take time to learn and master.

You will try and fail.  Try and it will come out messy.  Try and feel uncertain.

Try and take far too long.  Try and be clumsy.  Try and look foolish.

It’s what you do then, that really counts.

Not happy with something? Good!

“And from the discontent of man, the world’s progress springs.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

When we aren’t happy (frustrated, upset, angry) that’s when we will do something to change it.

If we were comfortable with everything, then we wouldn’t be motivated to change anything.

It is from this mental adversity that our ingenuity and motivation comes from and grows.

What are you not happy with that is motivating you to make it better?

Do you do difficult things?

“Difficulty is the high fence that keeps out the weak, wannabees, and pretenders.  Most people won;t do it if it’s hard.” – Dr. Mardy Groethe

Not doing anything difficult is how to take the easy path and be comfortable – and to live an ordinary unremarkable life and die without finding out what you can really do.

On the other hand, if you are following your inherent talent, it may be difficult for others, but far less difficult for you.

What important or valuable thing do you/have you done that was difficult/tough/complicated?

The best year of your life – starting now

Make a decision that the next twelve months will be the best year of your life.

Making that firm decision and making plans gives you optimism.

What would have to happen?  What would it look like?  What do you have to do?

List your reasons – your motivations; the more the better.

You need a pen and paper to get started.

Then you need belief and action.

Go!

Everyone's a fraud – until they aren't

Fake it until you make it.

Act the part, until you become the part.

Learn, act and talk like the person you want to be, and soon enough, you are that person.

Do you believe in yourself?

Are you betting on you?

Do you invest in you?

Do you have faith in you?

You should.

Courage in the calm

Most people don’t get out of their comfort zone until something happens that forces them to.  When their back is against the wall, they (may freak out first and then) exhibit courage.

The people that make the most progress and use more of their potential, exhibit courage and take action before they are forced to.

Is that you?

Are you emotionally reactive?

“You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you.  True power is sitting back and observing things with logic.  True power is restraint.  If words can control you that means everyone else can control you.  Breathe and allow things to pass.” – Warren Buffett

I meet with a lot of people.  I travel.  I try to affect lots of people.  I need to in order to accomplish my goals.

But the more people I come in contact with, the more people I will meet who will say things to hurt me.  The more people I meet, the more I will see who are doing things and saying things I do not believe in.

If I put my own happiness in their hands, I will surrender control of it to them.

I know those people are out there.  That’s ok.  I will continue to be intentional and take action to craft the life and build the world of my choosing and bring my friends and family with me.

Want things to change for you?

What did you do yesterday?

If you lived every day of your life like yesterday, where would you end up?

Physically?  In your relationships?  Economically?  

Would you be fulfilled and happy?

People want things to change for them, but they don’t want to change.

It’s not hard to understand.

Until you change, little will change for you.