The Sunshine Is Coming

Winter time can be long in the Midwest.  There can be stretches where it seems like we barely see any sunshine. 

The same can be true in our daily journey.  Sometimes it seems like there is never a good break.  It’s constantly cloudy, stormy, and dreary.

The picture in the graphic was taken on a July morning on my deck.  I immediately thought that the sun is coming and even if we aren’t always able to feel it or see it we need to remember that it is always there.

The same is true for us.  The sunshine, the good, is always coming, but it may not be on our schedule.  Oftentimes, we just have to keep pushing through the tough times.

C.S. Lewis said, “Hardships often prepare people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Today, if you are going through a tough stretch, don’t give up, don’t give in, and believe that your sunny days, your extraordinary destiny is coming. 

It will be worth the wait and you will be stronger and enjoy it even more when it breaks through.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

How Do You Really Get What You Want?

Yesterday’s post was a fun, light hearted question prompted by a ransom encounter.  It is thought provoking though.  While that was a dream kind of question, there are many times we have things we want to accomplish.

This time of year it may be a new goal.  So what are some steps you can take to get what you want? 

1.  Do an honest assessment of where you are right now.  I mean a truly honest one.  Use a trusted friend to help you talk through it if needed.
2. Where is it you want to get to?  What is the end goal?
3. Now put the two together.  What steps do you need to take to get from where you are to where you want to be? 
4. Are you ready for the biggest advice of all?  DO IT!  Get up, stay up, and do it day after day.

Are you committed to it, or just interested?
Are you in it for the long haul, or will the first obstacle derail you?
Are you more interested in what can be, or what is?

To get what you want you may need to do what you have never done before, which may start with the four questions above.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

A Random Encounter

Reminder friends, there are learning, life, and leadership opportunities all around you.  There are positive moments to engage in every day.

Yesterday, I was sitting at Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines when a group of young men, probably 13-14 years old stopped.  One of them asked, “Sir, I have a question.  If you could have anything in the world what would it be?”

Great question.  I stalled asking what he would want?  He said “I’m just curious”.  Still stalling for some time to think, I asked where they were from?  Turns out, they were a basketball team from Texas traveling for a tournament.

I had my answer, all I would want is enough money to fund my quest to play golf in all 50 states and not worry about what I spent on it.

Their eyes got big, I got a “Cool” and smiles out of them, a couple of fist bumps, and wished them luck with their basketball.  I smiled and they smiled.

Was it magical? Not really.
Did it change lives?  I highly doubt it.

What it was, was an opportunity to have a positive interaction with total strangers I will never meet again.  Kudo’s to the young man for asking the question.  I could tell he was a leader. 

My takeaway and the lesson?  Be nice to everyone.  Those you know and those you don’t.  In a mall, at school, in a restaurant, and at the gas station.  Everyone can use some smiles.

So, if you could have anything in the world what would it be? 

Oh, and I’m still waiting for that money to appear in my Venmo account. 藍

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

What Now?

The calendar has turned again to another year.  For many years people have used the turning of the calendar as a fresh start.  Resolutions, dreams, goals, whatever you want to call them, set to make a difference in your life. 

I’ve set them before and failed, and I’ve set them and succeeded too.  What’s the difference?  What helps you succeed and reach the goals you set for 2023? 

Here are a few ideas:

1.  Make your goals measurable.  Within each goal should be attainable steps toward the main goal.  Document your progress.
2.  Make your goals attainable and realistic.  Yes, you want to dream big, but you also want to have a dream that will take some work, but also be worth it.
3.  Focus on one day at a time.  Don’t miss.  Don’t think about January 1, 2024, next month, or even next week.  Commit to daily work and pile that work, those days, on top of each other.

Here are just a couple more thoughts. 

1.  How many?  Whatever you feel comfortable with, but the quantity of your goals should not outweigh the quality of your goals.
— I have six goals for 2023.  I call it five plus one.
2.  I read this quote from John Maxwell the other night and it makes a lot of sense.  “Most people simply accept their lives – they don’t lead them.”

Take charge of your 2023.  Lead yourself through it. 

Let me know if I can do anything to help you set or strategize your dreams and goals. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed