Having Faith

I have been listening to Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking" in the car each day, to and from work, along with my Think and Grow Rich study. Dr. Peale's audio CDs are an excellent vehicle to increase my positive outlook on life and our business. It has been a tremendous help lately.

Having Faith is one of the most important concepts in his work. The idea that your faith is what brings the things in which you believe in to reality. It's an incredibly powerful concept that I am heartened by. I like the idea that as long as you believe strongly in something and take concerted, decisive action toward the goal you can achieve whatever your mind can believe. Faith is the power that will make that happen.

What is hope? Hope is wishing for a thing to come true; faith is believing that it will come true. - Norman Vincent Peale

Personal Motivation

My wife thinks I'm never listening. She says it all the time, "You're not even listening!" or "It doesn't matter because you're not going to hear this anyway." Some times she is definitely correct. I can't do two things at once. If I try to read email and hold a conversation - forget it - you can tell in a heart beat. That's my mea culpa.

But, some times she is wrong. I like to think its more than "some times" but that is a point that she and I can argue later. Some times, I am listening. And most of the time what she is saying makes sense. Last night she said something to the effect of "you don't need all of those motivational books, we [her and my son] she be enough [motivation] for you." Those aren't her exact words, I have a terrible memory for things that I hear vs. what I read.

But it struck a chord. While reading Napoleon Hill et. al is very helpful and inspiring, there is NOTHING more inspiring in the world than coming home at the end of the day to see my wife and my son. It truly is the best feeling in the world. And for that split second everything is perfect. Nothing matters, there are no worries, it is pure, simple joy. That is what I need to constantly remember - I can have that feeling any time I want, simply by walking in my front door. What a powerful thought.

I am going to capture that thought in my head and use it as my reserve from now on. I'm going to continue to read and learn and build from the foundation of the great writers, thinkers, and doers, but I am going to rely more on that "walk through the door" feeling to push me along. It is the best thing this world has to offer.

Decisiveness

Analysis of several hundred people who had accumulated fortunes well beyond the million-dollar mark disclosed the fact that every one of them had the habit of reaching decisions promptly, and of changing these decisions slowly, if, and
when they were changed. People who fail to accumulate money, without exception, have the habit of reaching decisions, if at all, very slowly, and of changing these decisions quickly and often.

Again, from Napoleon Hill. I am about 3/4 of the way through the book and then we'll get on to other luminaries; but there really is so much good stuff to right about in Think and Grow Rich - its amazing.

It's important to do the research, perform your analysis, plot your objective and strategy, and then make a decision and go with it - 100%. Mr. Hill is right, once you've set something in motion the surest way to fail is to change your mind quickly and often. Without focus, there will be little in the way of results.

I've often remarked that in America there is room for nearly anything that is better, or more useful than the existing offerings available. That if you wanted, and were passionate about it, you could begin to manufacture a whole new brand of toilet paper. If you had a good enough improvement on the existing product and had the passion to deliver that difference to the market place, you could win in the toilet paper market. The most commodititzed areas of business still have room for improvement and make room when things are done better.

There are thousands of examples of this, and they pop up everyday. Look at Jet Blue, who thought there was a need for another airline? Starbucks? You could get coffee at every 7-11 prior to their launch. Whole Foods? There are plenty of supermarkets out there struggling. The list goes on and on. Even in what appears to be a "closed" market, a well-thought, well executed decision can win.

So no matter what path is chosen the surest way to success is with decisiveness and sticking to your beliefs about your idea. That is where the passion comes in. If you aren't passionate about your idea or its success then there will be no reason for you to show the resolve necessary for success to occur. You must so deeply believe in your idea that you have the courage to stick to your guns and to see your vision through. You can only do this by being decisive and then making changes slowly and methodically; and only once you are convinced it is the right decision.

Action

With all of the books that I've been reading lately there is one theme that definitely sticks out: the glory and success goes to those that take action. And not just any action, but a concerted, focused effort towards a well defined goal. It is so simple that its amazing that not everyone has figured it out; and frankly, I can't believe it took me this long, but I can already feel it working on my life.

Just by defining what I want and making a plan to get there, coupled with the desire to finish the task has me moving forward much more quickly than I have in the last few years. It feels like I've been sailing on a calm day and suddenly some wind has picked up at my back, filled the sails and I'm moving forward at a nice clip. I look forward to getting more wind in to those sails, and increasing the pace.

I've noticed that action with out the plan is wasted, scattered action. I need to take the 5 minutes, or 5 hours, and write the plan - personal strategy - and then begin to execute. With no road map any road looks good and I quickly get frustrated. If I simply lay out a path, no matter how rough it seems I have a first step complete and a recognizable milestone up ahead to shoot for. Once you have that you are ready to get moving.

I know that by building rough plans, refining them as I go and working towards completing them with out procrastination that I will achieve far more in 2007 than I have in the last few years combined. I can't wait.

Procrastination and Persistence

Napoleon Hill's 31 Major Causes of Failure, numbers 8 & 9:

8. Procrastination. This is one of the most common causes of failure. "Old Man Procrastination" stands within the shadow of every human being, waiting his opportunity to spoil one's chances of success. Most of us go through life as failures, because we are waiting for the "time to be right" to start doing something worthwhile. Do not wait. The time will never be "just right." Start where you stand and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

9. Lack of Persistence. Most of us are good "starters" but poor "finishers" of everything we begin. Moreover, people are more prone to give up at the first signs of defeat. There is no substitute for persistence. The person who makes persistence his watch-word, discovers that "Old Man Failure" finally becomes tired, and makes his departure. Failure cannot cope with persistence.

"Start where you stand" and "Failure cannot cope with persistence" are now two of my favorite quotes and concepts. Finishing is what differentiates success from failure; seeing a project through to its end is the hallmark of a successful individual. That brainstorm, that manuscript, that business idea are nothing without your persistence to finish them. The time "will never be 'just right'" to finish or start; use the tools at your disposal and be confident that your path will lead you to better ones.

Know Thy Self!

Can you list your 10 strongest assets? Can you name your 10 biggest weaknesses? How about 5? If you can't identify clearly your assets and liabilities, how can you know what you are worth? How can you move forward in your life? And by forward I refer to progress and growth; improved job, lifestyle, and most important, satisfaction and fulfillment. I don't mean forward by the passing of years in to old age.

Personally I can't identify 10 assets and weaknesses. I can probably do 5 and 5 each, which is a start; but to not know myself completely is a liability in-and-of itself that I would not have listed. Napoleon Hill states "You should know all of your weaknesses in order that you may either bridge them or eliminate them entirely." If I am not intimately familiar with my strengths, abilities, and areas of weaknesses then I can in no way identify a path to improve.

Further, with out knowing I can in no way know what my actual worth is. And without knowing what my true worth is, I cannot fairly and accurately evaluate the opportunities placed in front of me because I will only choose what "sounds good" rather than choose the opportunity that rewards me (monetarily, spiritually, et al) the most for my worth. Hill continues:

"Your financial requirements or wants have nothing to do with your worth. Your value is established entirely by your ability to render useful service or your capacity to induce others to render such service."

In other words, its not what I feel I should "make" rather it's a question of what I provide and the value others place on that service. Instead of saying "I should be making more money" I need to reframe that to "I should be delivering more value." The focus on providing, is empowering because the situation is in my control. The idea of being paid or "making" money is disenfranchising because it is based on someone's opinion of my worth. If I feel I should "make" more I should immediately think "What can I do to deliver more value?" Focus on that will instantly create the "make"; because I will be worth more to others.

Combining the two thoughts: by identifying my strengths and weaknesses I can more effectively move forward and in-turn constantly improve the quality and quantity of the value I am providing; as that delivered-value increases so will my worth to others and the commiserate fees that are associated with that ever-increasing value-creation.

Let's go create some value!!!

Customer Service Nailed

As I continue through my reading of Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, it amazes me how many of the immutable business truths he properly outlined and expressed in a book that was first published nearly 50 years ago. Each one of the business books that I have read espouses one of the principles outlined in this book.

I read this quote today:

The conduct, or the spirit in which you deliver service, is a strong determining factor in connection with both the price you receive and the duration of employment.

This is probably the most succinct explanation of the value of customer service I have ever read. Customer service, the spirit in which you provide to your customer is directly tied to how long that customer remains with you and how loyal that customer feels towards your business. Regardless of how fast you accomplished something, how cheap the service was, it will boil down to the spirit in which you serve - in which you give to your customer.

Surely, speed, price, execution are all important parts of the puzzle; but they are expected from all competitors. Speed, price, executional excellence are no longer differentiators between you and your competitor. This world demands speed, price and execution in everything. These are no longer hallmarks of great business; these are merely tickets to the show. Anyone not delivering on speed, price and execution are dead on arrival.

The spirit in which you deliver that execution is what begets the loyalty you need to thrive and succeed. That spirit is what makes you remarkable, and remarkable service is what wins you business over and over again. Think back to the last time you were really pleased with a business experience. It was probably due to someone who took the extra time to explain something to you, who showed you a bit of personalized attention. It is that spirit - the human spirit? - that compels business forward.

When delivering your services don't make the mistake of resting on speed, price or execution; put your money on your customer service and the spirit in which you deliver it. That is where your money is.

A quitter never wins -

and a winner never quits. - Napoleon Hill

There are so many easy excuses to quit. Each day you probably run in to 5 things that make you want to throw your hands up, let out a sigh, and perhaps even contemplate changing careers or jobs so that you can avoid those 5 things. It surely happens in any industry and in any job setting from self-employed business owner to CEO of the largest firms and every position from mail-room clerk to Supreme Court Justice. It is inevitable that there will be things in your everyday course that make you want to quit.

As you achieve more those forces become stronger. There are larger hurdles, they pile up, they begin to seem insurmountable. They increasing become about larger sums of money and greater tests of responsibility, ethics and faith. And it is because they grow that it becomes more rational to see quitting as an option.

Quitting is not an option. A winner never quits. There is no valid excuse for quitting in the midst of a well-developed plan to achieve your desired outcome. None. And it makes perfect sense that it should be this way. When things are going well and you feel on top of the world, you don't contemplate quitting. You savor the moment. It is only in the dark moments, the moments that test your resolve do we let the weakness of the option of quitting creep in to our conscious. It is unacceptable. If the option is not present in your position during the good times, it shouldn't be there in the bad times either.

Commit to never quit. Throw quitting out the window with all of the other false options that give you any type of excuse to not rise to your challenge. Notice I said "your challenge" not "the challenge" - it is no one's challenge except your own. Your life will not be what you wish it to be if, at moments of difficulty, you shrink from the opportunity to rise and take your life's vision to the next level in your quest.

There are many times, too many times, when I have made quitting the first option that has come to my mind. It is easy, it feels safe, it feels less difficult in its execution. These are illusions. For quitting is never easy and is never safe. Quitting ensures that you don't progress to your goal - it promises you a lack of fulfillment. It promises nothing more than the angst that you feel when you first contemplate it and manifests itself in life-long regret.

Don't quit. Drop the option from your vocabulary. Become unburdened with that language and you will work more creatively to succeed and to find solutions to the temporary difficulties that face you. And by using creativity you will surmount those difficulties and achieve new levels of self-respect and fulfillment. I will not let myself quit any longer. The only one who is hurt by my quitting is me and my soul. My soul wants more than a life of second guesses and lost opportunities. My soul wants greatness and fulfillment - two items not provided by the choice - at any point - to quit.

Definiteness of Purpose

"Definiteness of purpose is the starting point from which one must begin." - Napoleon Hill

Only is it when we truly decide with a definiteness of purpose what we want to achieve can we begin to achieve it. Random ideas, thoughts that swirl through our brain and tease us with our fleeting desires are no better than other fanciful thoughts of imagination not backed by any purpose or desire.

Until you decide to, with definiteness of purpose, pursue that idea you have no starting point for action, and therefore no ability to get moving towards your goal. You are stuck with great ideas and frustration from having no outlet. Put the purpose with the idea and then you have something powerful. A personal example:

For years I had always wanted to start a business. What type of business? One which I could make lots of money, of course. It didn't matter if it was to be a dot-com, a service business, consulting, or any other manner of enterprise; as long as I was making my fortune. And sure enough, with such a vague goal nothing came of these thoughts.

Then, after years of trying to figure out what type of business to start my brother-in-law came to me. His family said he should start a mortgage company; and he thought I would be a great partner. I agreed. Now my desire to start a business had a definite purpose. The purpose was to start a mortgage company. Now that the type of business was clearly in view I could move forward making it happen.

Within a week I had my best friend from college involved in the idea, ready to commit his money, licensing and time to make the business go with my brother-in-law and myself. And within a short three months we had the plans complete, the financing lined up and the business doors open to the world.

All it took was the definiteness of purpose to spur the action. It was not difficult, it was merely committing to the idea with a definiteness of purpose.

When you have an idea or desire, grab on to it, tie a definiteness of purpose to it and watch it go. With out a definite purpose the ideas have no where to put their creative energy to work. They just sail around with no direction. Once you give those thoughts the direction they need - by being totally committed to bringing an actual event to bear (not just any event, but a very specifically identified event) you can harness the immense power of those thoughts and make what you dream happen.

Pick a purpose based in your desire, and put all of your thought and energy in to bringing about that definite event. That is the only way to achieve.

Positively Positive

In my New Year's resolutions my over/under for maintaining a positive attitude was March - and smack in the middle of it I am here to reaffirm my commitment to it.

I'll admit, I've wavered, downright regressed, but I think I'm up for the year, if only slightly. So here is the 3-month push again to keep it going.

I have a positive attitude. I know what I want in my life. My primary aim is to have and genuinely feel contentment, comfort and joy for myself and my family.

I may not know exactly how I will achieve it, but I know that I can - and that is all that matters. Today I re-up my commitment.

As Jim Rohn says:

Philosophy drives attitude. Attitude drives actions. Actions drive results. Results drive lifestyles. If you don't like your lifestyle, look at your results. If you don't like your results, look at your actions. If you don't like your actions, look at your attitude. If you don't like your attitude, look at your philosophy.

Here we go - let's get after it.

Banks Crawling

Here are some clips of him crawling around - he is really crusing these days!

First Timer

So Banks started crawling this weekend - stud! Here is a clip of him at the end; first time with the video and a little slow - d'oh! I will get more of the man on the move in the near future!

Props to My Boy

Mike Young for signing a ultra-lucrative contract with the Texas Rangers. The 5 year, $80 million deal is the second largest in franchise history behind Alex Rodriguez's 10 year, $250 million contract. It may not last long if Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira have anything to say about it.

Let's enjoy the moment though for a guy who one scout had listed as "average arm, below average bat" when he was in the minor leagues playing for the Blue Jays. Now look where he is - second in the major leagues in hits only behind Ichiro since 2003. 4 straight 200 hit seasons. 1 All-Star game MVP, 1 AL batting title.

Why is this so sweet? Because Mike knew he would be here all along. He knew when he was a kid, he knew in high school, in college, wherever. Mike has the best work ethic, is grounded with an amazing family, and has a sense of self and self-belief that is second to none. So in a world of greedy, scandalous athletes here is a guy that should be celebrated as being a good guy, rewarded for his hard work and belief in himself.

Congrats buddy.