Haters Gonna Hate

It Makes No Sense To Be Jealous

"The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves."...William Penn

Haters gonna hate.  You hear this expression all the time.  And I guess when you hear something all the time there's a certain degree of truth to it.  It does seem that people who are jealous like to rain on other peoples parades quite a bit nowadays.  The most puzzling thing about it all is that it's quite unnecessary.  It makes no sense to be jealous.  It's destructive and very self defeating to being the best version of yourself possible.

We should take great effort to avoid being jealous or worse, resentful of other peoples good fortune.  It's toxic thinking. It robs us of having an appreciation of all the things that we are in possession of and who we are.  And it in no way furthers your ability to improve in any area of your life.  

Most of the people who enjoy a good amount of success in life have had to earn it. Sure there are many people who were possibly born into more favorable circumstances.  Perhaps their parents, or grandparents, or great grandparents...you get the picture...were the originators of the lifestyle they enjoy, but should we really hold that against them?  

People get where they are, and have what they have in life because they adhere to a certain life philosophy.  If your life philosophy is dominated by thinking things through and making good decisions, developing sound plans and then taking action to see those plans become reality. you can enjoy the rewards that are available to you in this world.  But fair warning!  Hard work, persistence, sacrifice, character, working well with other people...all these things will play a role in exactly how successful you can ultimately become. 

The greatest thing we can do...instead of being jealous of other people...is learn from them.  Try to emulate what they are doing, or have done, to allow them to enjoy the lifestyle we desire.  We all can learn so much from other people...and I truly believe that most people who enjoy a large degree of success also like to pay it forward. There is a lot of satisfaction to be gained by them knowing that they had something to do with another persons success.  Ask questions.  Approach people. Be bold but not obnoxious and I think you would be surprised how many people would carve some time out of their schedule to lend someone a hand.

Avoid jealousy at all costs. Learn how to celebrate other people's victories and good fortune.  It says so much about a person who is able to do so. Jealousy robs you of being secure in who you are.  It diminishes your self esteem and self worth. Your better than that. You have enormous value.   

Until next time...

#YouMatterTremendously

#GoldenRuleLifeStrategy

Here's another great video.  It's a pretty in depth look at jealousy.

The Secret Sauce Behind Your Effort

What Is Your Why? 

"Every character is asking: 'What's my place?  Why am I here?'  I don't want the answer to be 'Just because.'  You find your own purpose.  Each finds the reasons to be here and contribute."...Sharon Creech

I'm pretty sure everybody would agree that in order to achieve anything in life you have to give forth a certain amount of effort. And it stands to reason that the more effort you put forth, the more you'll get in return.  As the saying goes: "Hard work pays off."  The secret sauce behind your very best effort however, is knowing what motivates you.  It's knowing the answer to the question: "What is your WHY?" 

Everybody has reasons behind whatever it is that they choose to do in this world. Based on everything I've learned from knowing, observing, and studying high achievers, all of them have a very clearly defined WHY behind their tremendous efforts and achievements.  Having a very clearly defined and compelling reason WHY is a prerequisite to success.  It will provide you with the extra motivation and desire that you need to overcome the challenges and obstacles that you are sure to encounter in pursuit of your goals. 

Your WHY is usually personal and deep rooted.  Often...but not always...a person's WHY originates from a place of pain.  It may be that a person has hit rock bottom in a situation and they made a promise to themselves that they were going to make a substantial change.  It may be stemming from a type of loss that one suffered, or that one possibly faces if strong action isn't taken.  Or it could be that a person recognizes a special talent or skill that they possess, and are challenging themselves to become the all time best at something.  They realize that they owe it to themselves to self optimize.  Or it could be that somebody's WHY is very altruistic. The reason they do their best and give it their all is for other people. To provide for them.  Once again, your reason is personal. I mean, of course you can share it with other people, but it comes from within...it's something that you don't have to justify to others.  It's something that has deep meaning to you, and that you feel passionate about.  It could be connected to a big dream you have.

I would advocate writing your WHY down on paper and connecting it to your goals. Don't just write it down, but review it several times a day...especially in demanding moments.  This can serve as an excellent source of motivation.  For example if you're a salesman you could write "I want to be the number one salesman in my district by the end of this year in order to give my family the dream vacation in Europe that they always wanted." That's something specific...it's tied to a goal...and the why is clearly stated. It's to deliver pleasure to this salesman's family.  His/her WHY is stemming from something altruistic...although I'm sure the emotional payoff is pretty big for themselves also if they can pull it off.  A win win situation for sure!

The very most powerful WHY's are when we have them for what we consider our life's purpose.  We can find the drive within ourselves to accomplish anything we desire with a calling such as this. The life we live should have meaning, and with meaning comes deep purpose.  It's impossible to separate the two.  It is no small wonder that many peoples life purpose centers around serving others.  To contribute to the betterment of the human condition.  The "SELFLESS WHY'S."  I am convinced that this is the Secret Sauce to the 10th power! If you've never given serious thought towards what your lifes purpose is...if you feel that your life has no meaning...than perhaps some serious spiritual and self inspection is necessary.  We all have a purpose.  Every single one of us.

Until the next time...

#YouMatterTremendously

#GoldenRuleLifeStrategy
#LiveYourLifeWithPurpose

The Sun Is Shining Today

When The Sun Is Shining We Are Renewed

I'm an early bird.  I've been that way all my life, except for those die hard party years of my early twenties that took me well into the wee hours of the morning...mostly on the weekends.  Those years I pretty much partied like a rock star.  Misdirected, I thought that was what life was about...sex, drugs, and rock and roll...which means I would eventually stumble into my room, wherever I was living, and sleep until at least noon...if I had the day off.  There were plenty of days when I did indeed have to work on a Saturday, and well, those days were pretty rough to get through.  Other than that stretch of time I've always woke up early.  Just the way I'm biologically wired I guess.

I love waking up and watching the day unfold.  No matter the season, the one factor that almost always makes me feel great is when the sun makes it's appearance, announcing that it's a new day to planet Earth.  It's no wonder many of our early civilizations had religions that centered around sun worship!  When the sun is shining we are renewed in some way.  It just makes you feel great.

A bit of wisdom I ran across recently, which was made available through the always enthusiastic Darren Hardy in his newsletter, is that the sun is always shining, you just have to get above the clouds that may be blocking it's rays from reaching us.  He relayed a story about how he was leaving a business trip in Seattle; the weather was kind of overcast and gloomy, but soon after departure the plane's elevation was high enough that it was above the clouds and the sunlight was beautifully visible!

I thought it was a terrific analogy to symbolize the choice we can make on how we begin and spend our days.  No matter what is occurring in our lives, the irritations, the unpleasant people, the depressing local news stories, all those clouds so to speak...we can choose to rise up above them in the same way that a plane does to reach the sunshine.  The sun is shining today here in Cleveland Ohio...but in all actuality it's shining everyday above the clouds!

You do not have to let the weather, or nearly anything else dictate your moods.  Of course certain life events are sad.  The death of a loved one for instance, or the loss of a job.  Those are times when it's reasonable to feel depressed, angry, and all the other human emotions that accompany life events of that magnitude.  But to live each and every day in a funk is not healthy, nor is it acceptable!  

Eliminate all the negative inputs in your life!  Stop listening to the depressing local news.  Avoid those coworkers who are chronic complainers.  Stop arguing with your significant other about the petty stuff.  Stop dwelling on the flaws that we all have and you're certain to find if you're looking for them.  Do the opposite!  Listen to uplifting podcasts or television/radio shows.  Start your day by visiting the IQ Morning report hosted by Jimmy Vaughn.  Seek out the company of upbeat, enthusiastic people!  Engage your significant other in a conversation centered around your appreciation for each other.  Take notice of all the good qualities a person has and pay them a sincere compliment on those qualities!  

Above all...LAUGH!  Find the humour in things...especially yourself.

Life is too short to be unhappy.  Don't sweat the small stuff...which 99% of it is!  Rise above the clouds.  The sun is always shining. Think about all the things in your life you undoubtedly have to be grateful for and find a way to elevate your spirits.  You deserve happiness. We all do. Wholeheartedly.

Until the next time...

#YouMatterTremendously

#GoldenRuleLifeStrategy
#LiveYourLifeWithPurpose       

Kobe Bryant's Passion

KOBE'S PASSION WAS ON DISPLAY

You may not be a NBA fan...but chances are you still know who Kobe Bryant is.  His celebrity status as the super star for the Las Angeles Lakers for the past 20 years has made him a household name in the United States, and it's probably safe to say across most of the globe.

This morning as I was watching the news I learned that Kobe played his last professional game of his stellar career last night.  He scored 60 points in an incredible performance against the Utah Jazz in his career finale.  It was fitting that he would end his career in such a way.  His shots were dropping, he turned back the hands of time for a moment. and it was just a reminder of the many great performances he had throughout his long career.  Not many athletes go out on such an inspired performance.  Last night was an exceptional moment for Kobe and his fans.  Kobe's passion was on display.  Even if you're not a Kobe fan you cannot deny that he's one of the most competitive and passionate players whose ever played the game.

Passion.  How fortunate are those who develop a passion for something and develop it to the utmost of their capabilities?  Or even better, those who recognize that they can live their lives with an intense desire and enthusiasm to be the best that they can be?  

Nelson Mandela was quoted as saying, "There is no passion to be found playing small...in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."  I love that quote.  How often do we play small out of fear of failure, or the opinions of others?  What would or could we accomplish if we acted as if it were impossible to fail? 

It takes a tremendous amount of resolve to stay the course when you've identified your passion.  Often passion correlates with your purpose in life...the thing(s) that you've identified as being most important to your very existence, and that you derive the most satisfaction from.  The things that you get fired up about when you allow your imagination to visit the possibilities that exist...when you dare to fantasize about the optimized YOU.  And it's no small coincidence that your/our purpose is often tied to serving others in some regard.  

Some people's passion...and hence their purpose..is recognized at a young age.  They hone it and develop it and master a life of remarkable achievements because of this.  The athlete's and entertainers of the world come to mind when I consider this fact. But then, on the flip side, there are many of us who need to voyage through life...experience life and it's lessons to figure out what their passions and purpose is.  That's ok.  The only people I truly feel sorry for are the people who travel through life without giving it a thought as to what their purpose and passion is.  Satisfied to trudge through their existence...this miracle that is life...without recognizing what they contribute to the universe.  Failing to recognize that no matter what their role is in society they matter tremendously to someone.

It was great waking up to the story of Kobe's finale game.  Kobe Bryant's passion was on display one final time for us.

Until the next time...

#YouMatterTremendously
#GoldenRuleLifeStrategy
#LiveYourLifeWithPurpose