Morning Motivator - Get On With It

"'Someday' is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you."
- Timothy Ferriss, Author of The 4-Hour Work Week

For the past 2 days, I have been in attendance at an information management trade show. There were MULTIPLE discussions about "Stimulus Packages," disaster recovery and forecasted planning. While I was there, I decided to also take the down time to review and re-read a FAVORITE book of mine – The 4-Hour Work Week. The underlying theme of the book is EFFICIENCY and INTELLIGENCE driven by ACTION.

Amazingly, as I stood before many of the managers of major information systems around the Southeast, I was in AWE at how DRASTIC the planning differences were. Some managers were already taking ACTION on what they believed to be the proper actions to be in line with new government regulations. Others were WAITING to learn more or budget more or have someone tell them what to do.

I am never one to be UPSET at someone seeking more information. However, I am one that becomes VERY frustrated when there is NO action taken…purely out of fear. WHY WAIT? What is the worst that can happen? If you make the "best available" move right now and find that it is not CORRECT, adjust along the way. Think of a BOAT – Navigational adjustments are much easier to make when the boat is in motion. A slight turn of the wheel and you have charted a new course. When the boat is anchored, turning it around will require LOTS of time and energy.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
You may have heard the phrase "FALL FORWARD." If not, it means that if you are going to make a mistake, make it in the spirit of GROWTH and ACHIEVEMENT. By taking ACTION you create one of two situations:

1. You are SUCCESSFUL, in which case you are happy and winning anyway
2. You are not successful with THAT action and LEARN what corrections to make to achieve your goal.

When you are taking ACTION in your life – you are either WINNING or LEARNING. There is only FAILURE for the person that sits around waiting on their tail for someone to TELL them what to do.

Take ACTION – Create your SUCCESS – Achieve your DREAMS. Have a FABULOUS weekend! (I will be eating crawfish - www.ragincajunboil.org)

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - My Perfect Record

"The man who makes no mistakes, does not usually make anything."
-William Magee

I remember a conversation years back with my mentor, Bill Long, about my SUCCESS as a Young Professional. He asked me, "how many times have you truly failed at something?" My PRIDEFUL response, thinking I was answering so perfectly, was "really? Never that I can think of." What he said next STUNNED me...

His next words were, "Then you are failing in life because you are not trying hard enough." (Ouch!)

At first, I was PISSED! Then, I mellowed, considered his advice and determined he was CORRECT. I never failed because I had yet put myself OUT far enough to fail. I wondered WHY?

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
Inherently, we assess our self-value on SUCCESS patterns. These triumphs BUILD our confidence, provide us with a sense of CONTROL and a belief that we can SHAPE our future.

So why would we NOT protect our EGO's from failure? No one wants to FEEL like a failure.

But if you NEVER challenge yourself and TRY to push your limits... are you REALLY successful??

Remember, the swan song of a COWARD is the arrogant chant... "I have never failed."

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - How Much To Invest...

"Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it."
- Dali Lama

In a time of perceived economic strife, we are all EXAMINING our investments. We are FOCUSED on what we have lost and what we used to have. Some have even STOPPED investing... (Bad idea).

Here is the FUNNY thing about "investing"... When you DO it right, you ALWAYS benefit. You may not see IMMEDIATE returns. You may not see returns in 10 years. However, if you CONSISTENTLY and SYSTEMATICALLY invest in your future... YOU WILL WIN!

Money is the EASY thing to think about in this context. What about EDUCATION? What about COMMUNITY? What about PHYSICAL FITNESS? What are you investing in... And are you making the RIGHT sacrifices to make it WORTHWHILE?

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
As you consider what is worth INVESTING in - time, money, energy - take an inventory of SACRIFICES.

What are you WILLING and UNWILLING to achieve your long term goals? What PAINS are you willing to accept as a part of your INVESTMENT?

Once you know your breaking point... CROSS IT! DO IT FAST!

See if you really break... If not, INVEST MORE!!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - Getting Lucky

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."
- Dali Lama

Sometimes we beg, plea and PRAY for something we want. We will make DEALS with God about what we will and won't do anymore.

How often does anything you "ASK" for show up immediately? What do you BELIEVE would happen if you were provided everything you wished for?

For myself, I imagine, I would be able to RUIN lots of good things... Very quickly by getting what I "want"! Human nature involves an inherent lack a long-term PERSPECTIVE, which would almost GUARANTEE we would "wish" our way into trouble if allowed.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
Understand, I ENCOURAGE you to wish and dream. I want everyone to continually ASK for the things the want.

Also, I hope for you the STRENGTH to appreciate what a blessing NOT getting your way can be. Relish the fact that there are greater powers at hand, helping to ensure your BEST interests are served... Even if you don't see it.

It is TRUE that sometimes the best gift is the present you NEVER received.

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - Tell Me What I Can't Do

"Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again."
- James R. Cook

Have you ever been CHALLENGED by someone telling you what you are CAPABLE of? How did you REACT? What were your MOTIVATION levels afterwards?

For me, I have a COMPETITIVE nature at my core... plus a little "chip on my shoulder." I will admit that I do, on occasion, carry a BAD attitude as well. Thus, I LOVE when someone tells me what I cannot do...

Like many others, I CHOOSE to take certain actions and not others. They are my CHOICE, not my limitations. Sadly, people tend to mistake what you DO or DO NOT, with what you are CAPABLE of... aka your LIMITATIONS.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
The INTERESTING thing about being CHALLENGED by someone else is the RESPONSE you achieve when you prove them wrong.

By EXECUTING in a fashion that undermines their belief system in your capabilities, you are QUIETLY yet FORCEFULLY, creating your reputation amongst those whom disbelieve.

Why is that IMPORTANT? When others know you are WILLING and CAPABLE to overcome any challenge... your LEADERSHIP capabilities and RESPECT amongst followers instantly merge.

You BECOME the person everyone THINKS you can be and they rarely doubt your ABILITIES thereafter.

So, let them tell what you can't do... Then PROVE you can and shut their mouth!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

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