Archive for Make Today Matter
How Much Do You Believe In Yourself?
Posted by: | CommentsLet me start by saying that 100% belief in yourself is NOT arrogance.
Should I repeat that? No? Ok, then, let’s define arrogance. Dictionary.com defines it this way:
- –noun
offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.
I would take it a step further. Arrogance is all about a LACK of self confidence. Just like most bullies will back down when confronted, if you look beneath the surface of arrogance you’ll find someone unsure of their abilities.
How do you acquire that solid belief in yourself? You take it. Power is assumed, not granted.
Have you ever noticed that many people tapped for leadership positions aren’t really looking for those roles? People simply pick up on their energy. They assume they’re leaders because they act like leaders.
Most people don’t play big. They don’t choose to be leaders and claim the things that leaders have and do. You can be like that – or you can go for what you want.
Whatever decision you’re sitting on the fence about – just make it! And then take action. Trust me when I say that you can do anything – but first you must believe in yourself.
There Really Is No Free Lunch … Addendum
Posted by: | CommentsFor you true nerds out there who read my previous post, I thought you might be interested in the video that inspired it.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn was awarded the Nobel Prize last year for her work on telomeres. The video I’m linking is an hour-long lecture she gave geared to all of us “laymen.” And a good thing, too, because the “real” science would be way over my head I’m sure!
So, if this kind of stuff holds your interest, go to my YouTube Favorites page and click on the video “Chromosome Ends and Diseases of Aging.”
There Really Is No Free Lunch For Entrepreneurial Success
Posted by: | CommentsLet’s talk about immortality. WhooHoo! Great topic, right?
I’m revealing my geeky side today to help make an important point: There really is no free lunch.
Immortality In Our Future?
I watched a lecture a few months ago about today’s topic and more recently I ran across a related article in Discover magazine. Without getting too technical, the key to greater longevity may lie in the tips of chromosomes within telomeres, which are repeating DNA sequences that become shorter each time a cell divides.
When its telomeres become too short, a cell stops dividing – and eventually dies. When enough cells die, so do you.
Stop that process and immortality beckons – maybe. There’s even been a pill on the market for about three years now based on this process that proponents say enhances athletic, visual, and cognitive performance. If you can handle the $8000 per year price tag you might want to give this a try.
A Cure For Cancer?
At the same time, companies have also been looking at this process as a way to fight cancer. An enzyme called telomerase maintains telomeres in our reproductive and stem cells but not in the rest of the body.
However, telomerase gets reactivated in cancer cells, which is what allows them to continue dividing at will – and spreading. Blocking this enzyme causes cancer cells to die, so scientists are working on a treatment they hope will kill tumor cells while leaving healthy ones unharmed. Great idea!
Can you guess the down side? Telomerase-boosting treatments aimed at slowing the aging process might also increase your risk of getting cancer. Bummer.
How Does This Impact Your Business?
So, how does this relate to you and your entrepreneurial ambitions? I think it just reinforces that there really is cause and effect in the world:
- If you want to try to live longer you may run a higher risk of getting cancer.
- If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you’ve gotta work at it.
You need to learn new skills and put them into practice. Because if you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same results.
Here’s to better results – and a long and healthy life!
Feeling Frustrated? You Have A Choice
Posted by: | Comments“Aaarrgh!”
We’ve all been there, right? Sometimes things just don’t go our way – and it’s frustrating. The next time that happens, though, I want you to think about this:
What’s really going on when you get frustrated? I’ll tell you what:
You’ve given control to someone or something else!
Every day we’re presented with an opportunity to be frustrated. How do you deal with it? How do you deal with the nuts and bolts of running your business, with changing your life for the better?
It’s All About Your “Why”
It’s been said that a person without a dream never had a dream come true. We need to have big dreams. Don’t ever apologize for them!
And those big dreams are all wrapped up in “why” you have them. For me, it’s all about being there for the most important people in my life. Being there with my physical presence. Being there with my time. Being there emotionally. And, yes, being there with financial support, too.
As long as you can keep your “why” front and center you won’t get mired down in frustrations. Because you know what? You’ll have the power. The power to make the decisions that will move you forward and keep you on track toward your goals. The power of being aware.
Don’t Get Mad – Fix Your Ad!
Don’t allow your frustrations to keep you from accomplishing what needs to be done today. Confront them and see them for what they really are.
You’ve got to change your programming and break the frustration pattern. If something isn’t working, go back with a clear head, examine it, and then fix it.
Keep yourself in a mindset of gratitude. Be thankful for your “why” – because if you do, when you’re frustrated you’ll be aware of what’s happening and you can change it!
Could Your “Seeds” Grow An Empire?
Posted by: | CommentsWe’ve certainly seen instances where actions taken by seemingly the least powerful among us have lead to huge accomplishments. When you “plant a seed” you never know for sure what fruit it will bear … or how much … or exactly where.
For instance, here’s a “domino effect” I’m not sure anyone could have seen coming:
- Boris Yeltsin: What gave him the courage to stand up to communism? He was inspired by Lech Walesa.
- Lech Walesa: He fought for Poland’s unions and later lead that nation. He was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.: He lead the civil rights movement here in the United States. Who inspired him? Rosa Parks.
- Rosa Parks: A woman who simply refused to give up her seat on a bus? Yes – and no.
While certainly not the only factor, that one small act of civil disobedience by a woman in Alabama can arguably be said to have lead to the collapse of communism. It all started with that one small “seed,” which blossomed in some very unexpected ways and places.
What “seeds” have you planted lately – personally and for your business? Have you smiled at a stranger? Did you place an ad for your business? Offer a kind word or gesture? Publish an article or a press release?
Where have you taken a stand? Because you know what? Taking a stand is a simple act whose impact cannot be measured.
I’ll leave you with this final thought:
If a seemingly insignificant act can topple an empire
why couldn’t one small seed planted today
grow an empire – YOUR empire?
Is YOUR Life A Banquet?
Posted by: | Comments“Life is a banquet – and most poor suckers are starving to death!” - Auntie Mame
Auntie Mame is one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s an oldie but goodie, and if you haven’t seen it run – don’t walk – to get your hands on a copy. Because if ever there was anyone – real or fictional – who was a person of action and lived life to the fullest, it’s Auntie Mame.
Any of us who has been on this planet for any length of time has seen their share of life’s victories and defeats – and I know my life is better for having both won and lost. Nothing makes you appreciate the victories like a humbling loss. And nothing makes you eager for the next challenge like a big win.
When was the last time you won – or lost? When was the last time you took a leap of faith?
If you can’t remember, it’s time to take a chance – because if you aren’t doing one or the other you just aren’t living. And, paraphrasing Auntie Mame again, life is meant to be Lived! Lived! Lived!
The 3Rs of Leadership
Posted by: | CommentsThe main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. – Stephen Covey
It’s summertime here in the United States and that means many people are slowing down, taking time off, going on vacation. Nothing wrong with that. We all need down time. However, you can’t take time off from bettering yourself and your business.
What I’m suggesting here is that you create a little “down time” each day to re-prioritize your goals by looking at what John Maxwell calls the 3Rs of Leadership:
- What’s REQUIRED? What do you absolutely have to get done?
- What’s the RETURN? Are you spending time on the things you do best or that you enjoy the most – or are you doing the things that will give you the biggest bang for your buck?
- What’s the REWARD? What are you creating today for the people you care about?
Sometimes we get so focused on getting things done that we don’t take time to remember that activity is not necessarily accomplishment. In fact, what often unleashes true productivity isn’t what you do; it’s what you don’t do – what you release in order to do the things that really count.
So, today and every day going forward, I challenge you to look at how you’re spending your time. Are you following the 3 Rs of Leadership?
I’ll leave you with another paraphrase from Stephen Covey:
A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation and then says, ‘Hey – wrong jungle!’
Don’t be afraid to be the one to climb that tree!
Twitter Updates for 2010-04-06
Posted by: | Comments- 3M tolerates failure, rewards persistence and leads in innovation http://bit.ly/dd3lsP #
- The Overwhelming Wave That Makes Us Procrastinate http://bit.ly/b3XHS4 #
- Management skills benefit from enhanced emotional intelligence http://bit.ly/bU4gJz what’s your EQ? #
- iPad Reviews In: It’s (Mostly) Awesome http://bit.ly/bYohRx #
- Learn the top 5 ways to build any home business http://vur.me/s/xn6 #
- How to take command of a contentious meeting http://bit.ly/be4ZPm #
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- Co-creation gives consumers a voice in product development http://bit.ly/c1pQ6d #
- Succeed with Internet Marketing http://bit.ly/cY46TT #
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Twitter Updates for 2010-04-05
Posted by: | Comments- 6 SEO Fundamentals That Every Business With A Web Site Should Know http://bit.ly/8XAWSU #
- Now You Can Multiply Profits AND Automate Your Business — http://vur.me/s/xK2 #
- 10 Facebook do’s and don’ts http://bit.ly/b2Urbf #
- Build Your New Life – Starting Today http://bit.ly/cY46TT #
- Rational thoughts on irrational decisions http://bit.ly/aHvMS3 #
- more income – less outgo.. http://bit.ly/3tESyW #
- A little bit of failure can provide a lot of learning #
- Strategic planning process must reflect changing business environment http://bit.ly/cqE03D #
- Three rules for masterful public speaking http://bit.ly/cqmHuq #
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Twitter Updates for 2010-04-03
Posted by: | Comments- Could Small Be The New Big? http://bit.ly/cXzjB6 food for thought as you think about your business. #
- starting your own business? need ideas? try this search aggregator >> http://bit.ly/1anfvl #
- How to Get an iPad if You Didn’t Pre-order One http://bit.ly/cb2jJY who’s jumped on the bandwagon? #
- when looking for a new niche, find a career you can love || http://bit.ly/3WTdcm #
- YouTube redesign sparks user engagement increase of 7% http://bit.ly/cIMHMc #
- Easy to Start Online Marketing Business http://bit.ly/cY46TT #
- Location-based networks pose risks for the gullible http://bit.ly/9eOmCH #
- Succeed with Internet Marketing http://bit.ly/cY46TT #
- the three biggest changes to email opt-out practices over the past two years http://bit.ly/cjBbYu #
- Make Serious Money with the Right Video Camera: http://vur.me/s/xKP #
- mobile content is the reason wireless carriers are lowering voice pricing plans http://bit.ly/cTOIdn #
- Harness the power of leverage: http://vur.me/s/xIy #
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