On becoming an Empowerer
The ability to empower others is one of the keys to personal and professional success. John Craig remarked, “No matter how much work you can do, no matter how engaging your personality may be, you will not advance far in business if you cannot work through others.” And business executive J. Paul Getty asserted, “It doesn’t make much difference how much other knowledge or experience an executive possesses; if he is unable to achieve results through people, he is worthless as an executive.”
When you become an empowerer, you work with and through people, but you do much more. You enable others to reach the highest levels in their personal and professional development. Simply defined, empowering is giving your influence to others for the purpose of personal and organizational growth. It’s sharing yourself – your influence, position, power and opportunities – with others with the purpose of investing in their lives so that they can function at their best. It’s seeing people’s potential, sharing your resources with them, and showing them that you believe in them completely.
The act of empowering others changes lives, and it’s a win-win situation for you and the people you empower. Giving others your authority isn’t like giving away an object, such as your car. If you give away your car, you’re stuck. You no longer have transportation. But empowering others by giving them your authority has the same effect as sharing information: you haven’t lost anything. You have increased the ability of others without decreasing yourself.
By John C Maxwell
Your Coach,
Bill
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Got Goals?
Got Goals? 4 Tips from Real People That Achieved Real Goals
As an alternative to posting the hackneyed advice of self-proclaimed life coaches and storytellers (e.g. Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, etc…), I thought I’d collect and share advice from real people in the mySomeday community that achieved real goals. In the past, they admitted to having issues with finishing what they started. ”So, what was different this time?”, I asked. Although they all agreed that building a detailed step-by-step Plan was essential, each had a unique aspect to that Plan that kept them motivated. Here are their tips.
1. Break It Down
Maia was determined to get out of credit card debt but was daunted and occasionally paralyzed by the enormity of the goal. She decided to break down the path into clear, achievable steps and discovered that checking off smaller to-dos generated real momentum. These small flashes of progress kept her head in the game and allowed her to continue to believe that the goal would someday be reality. Maia is convinced that taking the time to break down the path into incremental steps made the difference for her.
2. Picture It
Globehound turned 40 and decided it was time to go back to the future and get back in shape. To stay motivated, he strategically placed unflattering pictures of himself in various places next to images of people he’d like to emulate. This ‘in your face’ approach worked wonders. Whenever he felt lazy or was eyeing that bag of Doritos, he’d take a quick look at the pictures and the urge was squashed. Now that he’s back in shape, he posted before and after pictures of himself as a constant reminder of a place he does not wish to return. Globehound was adamant, this visual anchor located in a prominent place had a profound impact on his ability to stick to his plan.
3. Broadcast It
Christine wanted to change levels in her biz. She knew it for a long time but it wasn’t until she shared this goal with her upline that she started to make real strides. Knowing that others were watching and rooting for her proved to be just the motivation she needed to continue to check off steps in her plan.It profoundly affected the accountability factor by adding social pressure and expectations to the mix and Christine says it was just what she needed to make the moves forward.
4. Make It About Something Bigger Than You
ASLA had run a half-marathon before but she was feeling a bit unmotivated this time around. Someone suggested that she make someone else the beneficiary of her efforts. She built a plan to run a half-marathon and included a charitable partner. Knowing that her efforts would do good beyond personal satisfaction gave her a real sense of necessity. If she was in a rut, she would visit the charity’s website and suddenly her laziness felt insignificant. She claimed that adding this one element shifted her entire perspective and gave her massive amounts of motivation.
Got any stories or motivational tips? Please share. We’re always looking to incorporate new elements into our business to increase the motivation and accountability factors.
YOUR COACH
BILL
As an alternative to posting the hackneyed advice of self-proclaimed life coaches and storytellers (e.g. Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, etc…), I thought I’d collect and share advice from real people in the mySomeday community that achieved real goals. In the past, they admitted to having issues with finishing what they started. ”So, what was different this time?”, I asked. Although they all agreed that building a detailed step-by-step Plan was essential, each had a unique aspect to that Plan that kept them motivated. Here are their tips.
1. Break It Down
Maia was determined to get out of credit card debt but was daunted and occasionally paralyzed by the enormity of the goal. She decided to break down the path into clear, achievable steps and discovered that checking off smaller to-dos generated real momentum. These small flashes of progress kept her head in the game and allowed her to continue to believe that the goal would someday be reality. Maia is convinced that taking the time to break down the path into incremental steps made the difference for her.
2. Picture It
Globehound turned 40 and decided it was time to go back to the future and get back in shape. To stay motivated, he strategically placed unflattering pictures of himself in various places next to images of people he’d like to emulate. This ‘in your face’ approach worked wonders. Whenever he felt lazy or was eyeing that bag of Doritos, he’d take a quick look at the pictures and the urge was squashed. Now that he’s back in shape, he posted before and after pictures of himself as a constant reminder of a place he does not wish to return. Globehound was adamant, this visual anchor located in a prominent place had a profound impact on his ability to stick to his plan.
3. Broadcast It
Christine wanted to change levels in her biz. She knew it for a long time but it wasn’t until she shared this goal with her upline that she started to make real strides. Knowing that others were watching and rooting for her proved to be just the motivation she needed to continue to check off steps in her plan.It profoundly affected the accountability factor by adding social pressure and expectations to the mix and Christine says it was just what she needed to make the moves forward.
4. Make It About Something Bigger Than You
ASLA had run a half-marathon before but she was feeling a bit unmotivated this time around. Someone suggested that she make someone else the beneficiary of her efforts. She built a plan to run a half-marathon and included a charitable partner. Knowing that her efforts would do good beyond personal satisfaction gave her a real sense of necessity. If she was in a rut, she would visit the charity’s website and suddenly her laziness felt insignificant. She claimed that adding this one element shifted her entire perspective and gave her massive amounts of motivation.
Got any stories or motivational tips? Please share. We’re always looking to incorporate new elements into our business to increase the motivation and accountability factors.
YOUR COACH
BILL
Friday, June 10, 2011
Lessons From Legends
The 5 Greatest Entrepreneurs Of All Time And What You Can Learn From Them
Being a business owner can make you feel like you really have no one to turn to for advice.
But yet, one of the most important things to do as a business owner is to avoid the mistakes of others and build on what you know.
There are many ways to do this. Numerous books come out every year that address the plight of the entrepreneur and provide tips and advice on every topic of business you could think of. Entrepreneurial groups where business owners of similar sized businesses can come together to discuss meet almost everywhere.
Another way to prepare for being the best entrepreneur possible is to study the successful methods of those who have gone before you.
Here are some of the most well-renowned entrepreneurs of all time and the bits of advice they have passed down.
1. Andrew Carnegie
Famous for his production of steel, Andrew Carnegie has been considered one of the first real rags to riches stories.
He was primarily self-taught when he started with Western Union as a messenger boy and telegraph operator, but he eventually found himself as one of the richest men of all time.
While he may or may not have been the originator of the saying “surround yourself with people who are smarter than you,” he certainly lived out that motto in his business affairs. One of Carnegie’s key parts of his business plan were the young but exceptionally well educated men he brought in to his business.
2. Estee Lauder
To many women everywhere, her name means cosmetics. In a time where women weren’t typically involved in business, Estee Lauder founded one of the most enduring retail brands.
Her approach centered on quality: quality of product and of customer service. Her quality based approach included providing free samples of her products and teaching her staff about attention to detail in customer service. If you run a business that sells a product, some of these tips may work for you.
3. Phil Knight
Nike. Just the word brings to mind all kinds of images. And that’s the idea.
Knight may very well be the face of branding (no pun intended). His ad campaigns for Nike have encompassed their catchy slogan as well as a bevy of celebrity athlete endorsements. In many ways, Knight has changed the idea of how to brand your company.
But in case you don’t have a Nike sized budget for advertising, the most important thing to take away from his success is the idea of branding yourself on your advertisements, merchandise, everything. The goal is to have your name associated with your brand.
4. Steve Jobs
Creating products that appeal to a certain crowd of people is how Steve Jobs makes his fortune and sells some of the most popular products of all time. As the co-founder of Apple, Jobs has focused on making products that appeal to the consumers’ desire for easy to use products.
He has found his niche in the market and Apple products are everywhere. Finding your niche in the market and making products that appeal to your consumers is one of the easiest and yet most elusive aspects of being a business owner.
Taking a serious look at the typical consumer and identifying his wants and needs is a good first step towards creating your place.
5. Ray Kroc
Last but not least, the founder of McDonald’s.
While McDonald’s name is familiar in almost every country around the world, there are a great number of people who don’t know where the business came from. Kroc was already fifty two years old when he discovered a small restaurant run by the McDonald brothers through his business as a kitchen equipment salesman.
He liked the idea of a restaurant with a limited menu and wanted to make the McDonald’s restaurant a name all over the world. Perseverance was Kroc’s life theme throughout the years before he founded McDonald’s, and during the time it took to build up the empire, he never stopped working. This is a lesson to all the mature entrepreneurs: success can come at all stages of life.
In fact, one of the most quickly growing groups of business owners is the retirees. A little perseverance is all it takes.
Of course, these leading entrepreneurs have significantly more to teach than the basics of running a good business. A little research on your favorite(s) can provide a wealth of information regarding good business tactics and successful ways to run a business.
The options for expanding your knowledge about business and being an effective entrepreneur are endless so don’t ever feel like you have nowhere to turn when your business faces a problem. There are always people to turn to, past or present!
Your Coach
Bill
Being a business owner can make you feel like you really have no one to turn to for advice.
But yet, one of the most important things to do as a business owner is to avoid the mistakes of others and build on what you know.
There are many ways to do this. Numerous books come out every year that address the plight of the entrepreneur and provide tips and advice on every topic of business you could think of. Entrepreneurial groups where business owners of similar sized businesses can come together to discuss meet almost everywhere.
Another way to prepare for being the best entrepreneur possible is to study the successful methods of those who have gone before you.
Here are some of the most well-renowned entrepreneurs of all time and the bits of advice they have passed down.
1. Andrew Carnegie
Famous for his production of steel, Andrew Carnegie has been considered one of the first real rags to riches stories.
He was primarily self-taught when he started with Western Union as a messenger boy and telegraph operator, but he eventually found himself as one of the richest men of all time.
While he may or may not have been the originator of the saying “surround yourself with people who are smarter than you,” he certainly lived out that motto in his business affairs. One of Carnegie’s key parts of his business plan were the young but exceptionally well educated men he brought in to his business.
2. Estee Lauder
To many women everywhere, her name means cosmetics. In a time where women weren’t typically involved in business, Estee Lauder founded one of the most enduring retail brands.
Her approach centered on quality: quality of product and of customer service. Her quality based approach included providing free samples of her products and teaching her staff about attention to detail in customer service. If you run a business that sells a product, some of these tips may work for you.
3. Phil Knight
Nike. Just the word brings to mind all kinds of images. And that’s the idea.
Knight may very well be the face of branding (no pun intended). His ad campaigns for Nike have encompassed their catchy slogan as well as a bevy of celebrity athlete endorsements. In many ways, Knight has changed the idea of how to brand your company.
But in case you don’t have a Nike sized budget for advertising, the most important thing to take away from his success is the idea of branding yourself on your advertisements, merchandise, everything. The goal is to have your name associated with your brand.
4. Steve Jobs
Creating products that appeal to a certain crowd of people is how Steve Jobs makes his fortune and sells some of the most popular products of all time. As the co-founder of Apple, Jobs has focused on making products that appeal to the consumers’ desire for easy to use products.
He has found his niche in the market and Apple products are everywhere. Finding your niche in the market and making products that appeal to your consumers is one of the easiest and yet most elusive aspects of being a business owner.
Taking a serious look at the typical consumer and identifying his wants and needs is a good first step towards creating your place.
5. Ray Kroc
Last but not least, the founder of McDonald’s.
While McDonald’s name is familiar in almost every country around the world, there are a great number of people who don’t know where the business came from. Kroc was already fifty two years old when he discovered a small restaurant run by the McDonald brothers through his business as a kitchen equipment salesman.
He liked the idea of a restaurant with a limited menu and wanted to make the McDonald’s restaurant a name all over the world. Perseverance was Kroc’s life theme throughout the years before he founded McDonald’s, and during the time it took to build up the empire, he never stopped working. This is a lesson to all the mature entrepreneurs: success can come at all stages of life.
In fact, one of the most quickly growing groups of business owners is the retirees. A little perseverance is all it takes.
Of course, these leading entrepreneurs have significantly more to teach than the basics of running a good business. A little research on your favorite(s) can provide a wealth of information regarding good business tactics and successful ways to run a business.
The options for expanding your knowledge about business and being an effective entrepreneur are endless so don’t ever feel like you have nowhere to turn when your business faces a problem. There are always people to turn to, past or present!
Your Coach
Bill
Thursday, June 2, 2011
New 19 yr old IBO Making Great Moves!
Hi Bill and Janice!!
Rosy suggested I send you an e-mail regarding my new IBO Jessica. Bill you met her at the training night in April, she was asking questions, and you both met her at BDS in May.
Jessica is 19 and lives on her own, working at a part time retail job in Maple Ridge. She did not have the money to get started, so we set up a Grand Opening, and a SAM Session makeover. The grand opening landed on a canucks game, but she still made about 80pv and $83 retail. Then her SAM session our goal was to finish raising money for registration, and get a summer leadership ticket. She had 3 people show, did 120pv and over $150 retail. This month she had done total of 200pv customer volume and $230 retail profit!!!! So we are hoping to sign her up on 31, so she will qualify for the activation bonus of $50 for May as well And she already has a great customer base!! She has Summer Leadership ticket in hand, and we will sit with a couple one on one customers to help raise a bit more to cover any other expenses for Summer Leadership. I am so proud of her because she is such a great student, listening to suggestions, and following through. It has paid pretty good for her!
Thanks for leading the way!!
Trudy
Rosy suggested I send you an e-mail regarding my new IBO Jessica. Bill you met her at the training night in April, she was asking questions, and you both met her at BDS in May.
Jessica is 19 and lives on her own, working at a part time retail job in Maple Ridge. She did not have the money to get started, so we set up a Grand Opening, and a SAM Session makeover. The grand opening landed on a canucks game, but she still made about 80pv and $83 retail. Then her SAM session our goal was to finish raising money for registration, and get a summer leadership ticket. She had 3 people show, did 120pv and over $150 retail. This month she had done total of 200pv customer volume and $230 retail profit!!!! So we are hoping to sign her up on 31, so she will qualify for the activation bonus of $50 for May as well And she already has a great customer base!! She has Summer Leadership ticket in hand, and we will sit with a couple one on one customers to help raise a bit more to cover any other expenses for Summer Leadership. I am so proud of her because she is such a great student, listening to suggestions, and following through. It has paid pretty good for her!
Thanks for leading the way!!
Trudy
It's About A Team
One is too small a number;
Great Team Effort This Past Month Team,
Some great thought process here.
A Chinese proverb states, “Behind an able man there are always other able men.” The truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great achievement. The question isn’t whether teams have value. The question is whether we acknowledge that fact and become better team players. That’s why I assert that one is too small a number to achieve greatness. You cannot do anything of real value alone.
I challenge you to think of one act of genuine significance in the history of humankind that was performed by a lone human being. No matter what you name, you will find that a team of people was involved. That is why former US President Lyndon Johnson said, “There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”
C. Gene Wilkes, in his book, Jesus on Leadership, observed that the power of teams not only is evident in today’s modern business world, but it also has a deep history that is evident even in biblical times.
Wilkes asserts:
Teams involve more people, thus affording more resources, ideas, and energy than would an individual.
Teams maximize a leader’s potential and minimize her weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses are more exposed in individuals.
Teams provide multiple perspectives on how to meet a need or reach a goal, thus devising several alternatives for each situation. Individual insight is seldom as broad and deep as a group’s when it takes on a problem.
Teams share the credit for victories and the blame for losses. This fosters genuine humility and authentic community. Individuals take credit and blame alone. This fosters pride and sometimes a sense of failure.
Teams keep leaders accountable for the goal. Individuals connected to no one can change the goal without accountability.
Teams can simply do more than an individual.
If you want to reach your potential or strive for the seemingly impossible – such as communicating your message 2000 years after you’re gone – you need to become a team player. It may be a cliche, but it is nonetheless true: Individuals play the game, but teams win championships.
Your Coach
Bill
Great Team Effort This Past Month Team,
Some great thought process here.
A Chinese proverb states, “Behind an able man there are always other able men.” The truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great achievement. The question isn’t whether teams have value. The question is whether we acknowledge that fact and become better team players. That’s why I assert that one is too small a number to achieve greatness. You cannot do anything of real value alone.
I challenge you to think of one act of genuine significance in the history of humankind that was performed by a lone human being. No matter what you name, you will find that a team of people was involved. That is why former US President Lyndon Johnson said, “There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”
C. Gene Wilkes, in his book, Jesus on Leadership, observed that the power of teams not only is evident in today’s modern business world, but it also has a deep history that is evident even in biblical times.
Wilkes asserts:
Teams involve more people, thus affording more resources, ideas, and energy than would an individual.
Teams maximize a leader’s potential and minimize her weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses are more exposed in individuals.
Teams provide multiple perspectives on how to meet a need or reach a goal, thus devising several alternatives for each situation. Individual insight is seldom as broad and deep as a group’s when it takes on a problem.
Teams share the credit for victories and the blame for losses. This fosters genuine humility and authentic community. Individuals take credit and blame alone. This fosters pride and sometimes a sense of failure.
Teams keep leaders accountable for the goal. Individuals connected to no one can change the goal without accountability.
Teams can simply do more than an individual.
If you want to reach your potential or strive for the seemingly impossible – such as communicating your message 2000 years after you’re gone – you need to become a team player. It may be a cliche, but it is nonetheless true: Individuals play the game, but teams win championships.
Your Coach
Bill
Friday, May 27, 2011
Roughly 90% of Succeeding in your business is developing the Right Thought Process!!!
Here's a list of some of that Process:
#1.You Create Your Own Life...
You are not a victim. You are 100% responsible for the life you have right now. If you are unhappy, you have the power to change your attitude and actions to begin making your life better. Always remember, whether you think life sucks or you think life is great, either way, you're right.
#2.You Make Yourself Feel The Way You Feel...
Ever notice how some people are able to brush off insults, while others get furious and start throwing punches? Realize that nobody can "make" you feel anything. You are the one that "chooses" to feel good or bad about a particular event or action that occurs.
#3.Fake It Till You Make It...
If you want to be more confident, happy, or positive, then "pretend" that you already are this way. Eventually, after practicing this long enough, you'll realize that you're no longer "pretending".
#4.Follow Your Purpose...
A purpose is what you enjoy doing that you never get tired of and you will do for the rest of your life. Write down on index cards a list of purposes and choose the one that speaks to you the most.
#5.Set Goals and Schedule Your Day...
List out 5 to 10 goals that you want for your life. Break each goal up into smaller sub-goals and then break those sub-goals into individual tasks and action steps. Every night, plan the next day in advance. Create a daily "to-do list" with those tasks that you need to do to accomplish your goal.
#6. Live In The Present
Regret and shame come from dwelling in the past. Worrying and anxiety come from living in the future. True peace of mind comes from living in the present. The more you become aware of being in the present, the more it becomes a part of your daily life.
#7.The Power Of Attraction....
The power of attraction is a powerful mental tool. The process works by focusing on something that you want while visualizing that you already have it. You then have a heightened level of awareness for recognizing opportunities that occur around you. These opportunities will then assist in bringing what you want into your physical reality.
#8.Expand Your Comfort Zone...
Your comfort zone (what you feel comfortable doing) is always in a state of either expanding or contracting. The more you get out in the world and do what you feel uncomfortable doing, the less inhibited you become, thereby allowing you to live a richer and fuller life.
#9.Be Thankful For What You Have....
Every morning before you start your day, give thanks and appreciation for what you have. It's only when we are thankful for what we have that life gives us more blessings and abundance to be thankful for.
#10.The Power Of Asking
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It's the reason that children ask their parents for the same thing over and over again, because they know mom and dad will eventually cave in. The same concept works in the real world. If there is something in the world you want, ask for it...or at least ask how to get it.
#11.Learn From The Pro's And Copy Them...
Find the successful people in your field and ask them for advice. Ask them what they do to be successful, take notes, and then copy them. A lot of people think that the pros don't want to share. The opposite is actually true. Most successful people are more that willing to share their knowledge if you ask them.
#12.Ignore The Trolls...
Trolls are people that will try to discourage you from your dreams. Don't listen to them. Realize that the only reason they are doing it is because by seeing you chase after your dreams, it's reminding them that they aren't chasing theirs. Misery loves company.
Your Coach
Bill
Here's a list of some of that Process:
#1.You Create Your Own Life...
You are not a victim. You are 100% responsible for the life you have right now. If you are unhappy, you have the power to change your attitude and actions to begin making your life better. Always remember, whether you think life sucks or you think life is great, either way, you're right.
#2.You Make Yourself Feel The Way You Feel...
Ever notice how some people are able to brush off insults, while others get furious and start throwing punches? Realize that nobody can "make" you feel anything. You are the one that "chooses" to feel good or bad about a particular event or action that occurs.
#3.Fake It Till You Make It...
If you want to be more confident, happy, or positive, then "pretend" that you already are this way. Eventually, after practicing this long enough, you'll realize that you're no longer "pretending".
#4.Follow Your Purpose...
A purpose is what you enjoy doing that you never get tired of and you will do for the rest of your life. Write down on index cards a list of purposes and choose the one that speaks to you the most.
#5.Set Goals and Schedule Your Day...
List out 5 to 10 goals that you want for your life. Break each goal up into smaller sub-goals and then break those sub-goals into individual tasks and action steps. Every night, plan the next day in advance. Create a daily "to-do list" with those tasks that you need to do to accomplish your goal.
#6. Live In The Present
Regret and shame come from dwelling in the past. Worrying and anxiety come from living in the future. True peace of mind comes from living in the present. The more you become aware of being in the present, the more it becomes a part of your daily life.
#7.The Power Of Attraction....
The power of attraction is a powerful mental tool. The process works by focusing on something that you want while visualizing that you already have it. You then have a heightened level of awareness for recognizing opportunities that occur around you. These opportunities will then assist in bringing what you want into your physical reality.
#8.Expand Your Comfort Zone...
Your comfort zone (what you feel comfortable doing) is always in a state of either expanding or contracting. The more you get out in the world and do what you feel uncomfortable doing, the less inhibited you become, thereby allowing you to live a richer and fuller life.
#9.Be Thankful For What You Have....
Every morning before you start your day, give thanks and appreciation for what you have. It's only when we are thankful for what we have that life gives us more blessings and abundance to be thankful for.
#10.The Power Of Asking
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It's the reason that children ask their parents for the same thing over and over again, because they know mom and dad will eventually cave in. The same concept works in the real world. If there is something in the world you want, ask for it...or at least ask how to get it.
#11.Learn From The Pro's And Copy Them...
Find the successful people in your field and ask them for advice. Ask them what they do to be successful, take notes, and then copy them. A lot of people think that the pros don't want to share. The opposite is actually true. Most successful people are more that willing to share their knowledge if you ask them.
#12.Ignore The Trolls...
Trolls are people that will try to discourage you from your dreams. Don't listen to them. Realize that the only reason they are doing it is because by seeing you chase after your dreams, it's reminding them that they aren't chasing theirs. Misery loves company.
Your Coach
Bill
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Don't Waste Time
Don’t lose your marbles!
A friend sent me a story of a ham radio operator who overheard an older gentleman giving advice to a younger man.
“It’s a shame you have to be away from home and family so much,” he said. “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities. You see, one day I sat down and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in his lifetime.
“It took me until I was 55 years old to think about this in any detail,” he continued, “and by that time I had lived through over 2,800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.”
He went on to explain that he bought 1,000 marbles and put them in a clear plastic container in his favorite work area at home. “Every Saturday since then,” he said, “I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.”
Then the older gentleman finished, “Now let me tell you one last thought before I sign off and take my lovely wife out to breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday, then I have been given a little extra time.”
We can’t choose whether we will get any more time, but we can choose what we do with it.
Your Coach,
Bill
A friend sent me a story of a ham radio operator who overheard an older gentleman giving advice to a younger man.
“It’s a shame you have to be away from home and family so much,” he said. “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities. You see, one day I sat down and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about 75 years. Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in his lifetime.
“It took me until I was 55 years old to think about this in any detail,” he continued, “and by that time I had lived through over 2,800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be 75, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.”
He went on to explain that he bought 1,000 marbles and put them in a clear plastic container in his favorite work area at home. “Every Saturday since then,” he said, “I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.”
Then the older gentleman finished, “Now let me tell you one last thought before I sign off and take my lovely wife out to breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday, then I have been given a little extra time.”
We can’t choose whether we will get any more time, but we can choose what we do with it.
Your Coach,
Bill
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