Daily Boost — Motivation and Coaching

Do you have dreams of what you want for the future? Have you ever wondered your inner voice will lead you in the right direction? These four questions will help sort out everything for you: 1) What is it? Do you understand exactly what you want? 2) How does it work? How will you go about reaching your goal? What will likely be the outcome? 3) Can you do it? Is your plan reasonable? Do you have the time, skills, money? 4) Are you sure? If you are willing to put in the effort, are you confident you can achieve your goal? Why hold yourself back from turning your dreams into reality? All you need is a little clarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that happy people view the world differently? They don't wear rose-colored glasses. They have a better way: 1) Happy people accept that life brings problems.  2) Happy people recognize that problems are a privilege that comes with being alive. 3) Happy people get frustrated but don't give up. Problems are normal. 4) Happy people accept responsibility for solving problems. 5) Happy people deal with anything life throws at them, get a good night's sleep, and do it all over again. I wonder? If you view problems with a positive attitude - was there ever a problem? That'll get you thinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Productivity is a big deal for any high-performance person in today's fast-paced world. Almost everybody's life revolves around how much they can squeeze into their calendar. Something I don't agree with at all. I was chatting with a client recently when he commented that I must be swamped. He wondered how I kept up with everything I had to do. I decided to share my calendar with him and asked, "So, what do you see?" "Well, I see that you only have three appointments on most days. That surprises me." Yes. I average three appointments per day—none on Friday through Monday. So I asked him where he thought I put my focus? On my scheduled appointments, or in the space in-between? "I assume that you focus on your appointments, but that leaves a lot of time in your day. What am I missing?" The answer is that I focus on the unscheduled time on my calendar. My goal is to create entire days with no scheduled appointments. I want to own the space between interactions with others. I consider it an "Invisible Appointment" I make with myself to use as I wish. It is also the most valued time that I own. That's the thing about time — Time is your most valuable asset. It should never be allocated to anything other than what is most important in your life. Yes, you will still honor your obligations. Yes, you will still make time for friends and family. Yes, you will get stuff done. But something else will happen. When you choose to value the space between schedule time, you enter the world where the most creative, productive, and highest performing people live. It is a place where they focus on their contributions to the world and stay undistracted from day-to-day activities. People who make and keep "Invisible Appointments" with themselves are the difference makers around us. They're not chasing the crowd. They are leading the way. Schedule less and you’ll get more - that’s a promise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love the quiet peacefulness of mornings, but I'm not too fond that mornings happen so early. Still, the focus, creativity, and feeling of momentum that comes with getting up before the chickens have such value that I needed getting up a bit easier. My solution to drop the complicated and establish a simple routine. I begin by deciding the area I’m currently prioritizing and choosing a "first thing" task to move me closer to my goal. Next, I set myself up for success the night before. Depending on my task, I make notes, organize my desk, get my gym clothes ready - whatever it takes to prepare. Finally, when I wake up, I get licked by the dogs, take care of my personal needs, read something inspirational for five minutes or less, and start my day. No distractions. No email, social media, or news. Just start. My goal is to make my primary focus the first thing I do in the morning before life gets in the way. It works like a charm. There's a reason the Marines do more before 9 AM than everybody else. Now it's your turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, most of us have heard that anything is possible. Our mentors say, "If somebody else is doing it, you can too!" When Roger Bannister broke the "four-minute mile barrier" in 1954, 1,400 other runners followed in his footsteps. I was watching American Ninja Warrior recently, female after female climbed the 14-foot warped wall. Something impossible before Kacy Catanzaro did it in 2014. This past week as we attended the Medical School graduation of my step-daughter. I was reminded of how her journey began nine years ago, sitting on my office floor in tears. Deciding to do something that seems so far off can feel like an impossible and scary thing. Even if you have an "if they can do it, I can do it attitude." A journey of a thousand miles is always filled with doubt until you arrive at your destination. After an hour of imagining the scariest things that could happen on her journey, Alayna's tears died up. She took a breath and asked, "What should I do, Scott?" Since it seemed that she had made up her mind, had assessed all the possible challenges, and wanted it more than anything, the only question I could think to ask was, "Do you have a Plan B?" She repeated her answer dozens of times over the years as she navigated the up and downs of achieving her goal. On graduation day, I overheard her saying the exact phrase to anybody who congratulated her on her achievement, "Thank you. You know - there wasn't a Plan B. There was nothing else I wanted to do or be. I had no choice, so here I am!" We all know Alyana had a choice. We always have a choice. No, that doesn't mean that you always get what you want. But you increase your chances of success when you cut off all your other options and go for your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get the Daily Boost Commercial-Free! Have you ever had one of those days when it would be nice if somebody would pat you on the back and pump you up? The only problem is, nobody seems to be stepping up? Relying on others for motivation is a great way to get what you want. We all need the external encouragement of our peers. However, your internal motivation is stronger. Having a quick way to cheer yourself on is even more powerful. My friend, Terry, owns a martial arts school in Memphis, Tennessee. Martial artists are positive people, and Terry was no exception. Especially when leading a classroom filled with young Teens. But what he did at the end of a class was brilliant. As the kids were wrapping up and cooling down, Terry had them stand at attention and hold one arm over their head. Then, he instructed them to lower the raised arm to the opposite shoulder and said, "Never forget that you are your own best cheerleader. Pat yourself your back and say I done good!" The entire class did what he said, broke into an energetic laugher, and headed home feeling great. A few weeks later, I found myself about to enter a meeting and feeling a bit nervous. Before walking into the room, I ducked into a hallway, raised my arm, patted myself on the back, and said, "I've done good to get here. I'm going to walk through doors and get what I want." At that point, I gave myself a hard slap on the back and walked into the meeting. It was a raving success. In the years since I've made it a habit always to be my own best cheerleader. I always hold myself responsible for keeping myself motivated and feeling good. And I gave my little strategy a name— When you need a motivational pick-me-up, slip off by yourself and say, "It's time for a PYOTB!" Then, pat yourself on the back and say, “I done good!" As silly as it sounds, it's will become a secret weapon that works every time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People have always sought change for themselves, their life, or the world. If you want to change something about your life, there is a constant truth; you must change before anything else changes. Many smart folks agree - Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” What about Albert Einstein?  “The world, as we have created, is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Do you want to change something about today, tomorrow, or the future?  You must change before anything else changes. Have you learned lessons from past experiences?  You have already changed, and your future is better for it. Rumi said, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” If tomorrow you want to be better than today and yesterday, something has to change. That something is you. If you want to make more money, serve more, and be happier next year, something has to change this year. That something is you. If you want this life to be well-lived, something has to change today. That something is you. What if you want everything about your life to be perfect? Listen to Winston Churchill. “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” It’s so simple.  You must change before anything rlse changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A funny thing happens when we graduate from High School and enter the real world; dreams change.  When my Son was in his early 20's, he announced that he was heading to Los Angles to pursue his dream of becoming a Rock Star. He would be a singer in a rock and roll band, and he was on a mission to achieve his goal. When I heard his idea, I had a question - "What happens if you become a member of the band instead?" He had a perplexed look on his face. I'm not sure if he was angry or confused. It seemed that the concept of playing any other role never occurred to him. I continued. "Would you be okay with that? Are you willing to do what it takes to rise to the top? And if you don't get what you want, will you be happy settling something different?" That's when he said, "No. I wouldn't be happy. I'm a Rock Star, and that's what I'm going to do.” The following day he began his journey and chased his dreams for a few years. While he had success and enjoyed his Rock Star status, something else began to emerge. He discovered a new passion that fit him like a glove. He started to dabble in graphic design and music promotions and soon found himself loving being in a more supportive role. He wasn't on stage; he was playing in the band. But there was no doubt he was a star in his new world. His life was different than he thought it would be, but he found his day-to-day experience to be a much better fit. You will always get what you want if you are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. But you might be surprised when you find your real passion along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most potent and respected skills you can own is the ability to make a decision. Having a clear mind is essential. This means using your emotions is not something most people would recommend. However, since you're going to use your emotions anyway, you may as well harness the power of your heart. If you're like most people, your most important and fun decisions have been very emotional. Whether to get married, move to a new home, or buy a new car, emotions are always the first step in decision-making. But, sometimes, you choose to approach your decision-making from a logical point of view. The logical side of your brain kicks, and you dig deeper. You check off all the boxes and do your due diligence—waiting for a clear answer to appear. Whether it's emotion or logic, both aim to find approval, go forward, or disapprove and turn away. But black and white rarely make for a good life. In 300 B.C., Stoic Philosophy first brought to mind that decision-making follows a simple formula; emotions + logic = outcome. That's what happened when my wife and I first discovered the 12-acres the would become our new home and Alpaca farm. When we first discovered the property, we were both excited and overwhelmed at the scope of our new adventure. But it didn't take long before our logical brain stepped. It was time to double-check our intentions and confirm our emotions were on the right track. Once verified logically, overwhelm disappeared, the excitement grew, and we were off on our new adventure. As a human, no matter how hard you try to hide your feelings, you are an emotional person. It's the fire that drives you. Disciplining yourself to follow a formula and confirm your 'gut feeling logically' is how you make great decisions in every aspect of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing to take a different path in life can take years and happens in stages. But there is one stage that is always present before you succeed. One joy of doing my work is the relationships I have with thousands of people - many on a one-on-one basis. In most cases, these folks have decided to move away from their old life. They are heading off in a new direction, and most have begun their journey. And that's when things get complicated. Their decision to change is usually the result of repeating behavior that continues to deliver unwanted results. Eventually, they reach a point where there is no choice but to consider something different. That's what happens when you wear yourself out, get your ego out of the way, and decide to get moving. It's an exciting time, filled with dreams, ideas, and energy. But it can also be a time of confusion. As you seek to find the combination of thoughts and actions that will create your success, building a roadmap is your top priority. And that takes patience. One day, you realize that you haven't achieved your goal. Nobody has given you the answer you seek, no matter how well-meaning. Frustration sets in. You almost give up. You find yourself mad as hell and not wanting to take it anymore - and magic happens. When you understand that the only person who can answer your dreams is you, your dreams will become real. Your energy will serge. You will find yourself with all the motivation you need to create the life that you have been wanting all these years. You will break free of whatever is holding you back. You decide you can't go back, you won't hold back, and your time has arrived. What happens next? Since the journey is not the destination, you begin to embrace every step you take along the way. You start getting what you want today and even more tomorrow. It never stops. Frustration is your friend. Stand up. Take a step. Repeat. Keep moving until you create the life of your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices