Things can go from great to terrible in a split second. Maybe you lost your biggest client, your spouse left you, you have to declare bankruptcy, or you got fired.
All is not lost.
As long as you've got a pulse: the opportunities are endless. Don't look at it as bad (I lost my job, my life is over) put a positive spin on it and ask yourself why is this a good thing (I lost my job, and now I get to travel where I want, start my own business, and have the freedom I've been craving for years). As long as you have some type of roof over your head - you'll be fine!
Failure leads to success. But only if you don't give up. A great quote "If you can find a path with no obstacles - it probably doesn’t lead anywhere"
So chin up, morn whatever the loss is, and start chasing down those opportunities!
Almost every successful person I know experienced an immense amount of failure and rejection before they finally forged-through to their successful life. The difference between those who win in life and those who lose is determination. The only person who can make you fail is you. Are you going to give up or push-forward?
Every day I'm faced with rejection, criticism, and failure. People love to tell me what I've done wrong, why I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing, and how I should change to please other people. No thanks. I choose to take the criticism, failure, and rejection to heart and then find a way to prove those people wrong (bitter, aren't I). Speaking from experience though, it feels great to do something no one but you said was possible.
So whether you've got millions or a negative balance in your bank account - brush yourself off and find the opportunities (or create them if you can't find them), take a leap of faith (your only gambling on yourself), and get what you want out of life. NOW!
Stop reading now - go seize the day.
Seriously, why are you still reading?
Your wasting a lot of time here.
Jump up and go - off the computer - into the real world.
Success is yours for the taking - so reach out and grab it before someone else does.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Cave for Corporate or Endure for Entrepreneurship
Had an interesting day that brought a lot of interesting questions to my mind.
In a world full of opportunities and endless possibilities should we adapt ourselves to get ahead for other people (employers) or should we stay true to ourselves, take the hits, and make our own rules as we go.
I face a lot of criticism because of my "serial entrepreneur" habits. I come and go on projects on a daily basis. However, I believe that this is one of the things that helps keep my dream alive.
Just yesterday I had one of my best friends in the world tell me (that after 10 years of entrepreneurship and dedication) that business isn't for me. The justification on this statement was based on the fact that I am not willing to sacrifice principals, values, and beliefs in order to satisfy others. I was taken-aback with this statement and got to thinking about how disconnected we can become from who we are in the chase for the mighty dollar.
If you've read my blog before, you know that I feel very strongly about being ourselves.
Professionalism and dedication are not optional but being brainwashed and disconnected is. There is no amount of money or material goods that could convince me to change the way I believe things should be done for the way someone else does. I believe in customer service, respect, and leaving everyone and every place better than it was found.
Staying true to myself and standing up for what I believe in has cost me a lot of money and even some friends. But then again who wants money that was earned being someone we're not and who wants friends who don't support who we really are. Besides, I would rather work for or with a company or clients who values individuality, creativity, and diversity. People hire us for who we are. Do you stay true to who you are?
My thought is this: Be who you are because if you loose the job, the client, or the friend - you will never let yourself down and can rest easy knowing that you did what was right.
Best wishes for success: don't cave - stay strong!
Brad
In a world full of opportunities and endless possibilities should we adapt ourselves to get ahead for other people (employers) or should we stay true to ourselves, take the hits, and make our own rules as we go.
I face a lot of criticism because of my "serial entrepreneur" habits. I come and go on projects on a daily basis. However, I believe that this is one of the things that helps keep my dream alive.
Just yesterday I had one of my best friends in the world tell me (that after 10 years of entrepreneurship and dedication) that business isn't for me. The justification on this statement was based on the fact that I am not willing to sacrifice principals, values, and beliefs in order to satisfy others. I was taken-aback with this statement and got to thinking about how disconnected we can become from who we are in the chase for the mighty dollar.
If you've read my blog before, you know that I feel very strongly about being ourselves.
Professionalism and dedication are not optional but being brainwashed and disconnected is. There is no amount of money or material goods that could convince me to change the way I believe things should be done for the way someone else does. I believe in customer service, respect, and leaving everyone and every place better than it was found.
Staying true to myself and standing up for what I believe in has cost me a lot of money and even some friends. But then again who wants money that was earned being someone we're not and who wants friends who don't support who we really are. Besides, I would rather work for or with a company or clients who values individuality, creativity, and diversity. People hire us for who we are. Do you stay true to who you are?
My thought is this: Be who you are because if you loose the job, the client, or the friend - you will never let yourself down and can rest easy knowing that you did what was right.
Best wishes for success: don't cave - stay strong!
Brad
Saturday, July 11, 2009
In Times of Challenge
Just a thought for next time you face a challenge that is particular difficult to overcome.
In life
When we are tired we must be energetic
When were discouraged we must be optimistic
When we hurt we must be invincible
When we are scared we must be brave
When we can barely walk we must run
When we are at our worst - we must be our best
For that is true greatness
In life
When we are tired we must be energetic
When were discouraged we must be optimistic
When we hurt we must be invincible
When we are scared we must be brave
When we can barely walk we must run
When we are at our worst - we must be our best
For that is true greatness
Friday, July 10, 2009
Get What You Want
To each of us, success has a different meaning. Our priorities stem from our values, beliefs, and lifestyle. Success is defined by the individual and is impacted by society.
Society says: If you have lots of money you are successful.
While having lots of money is something we strive for (as it provides us with freedom and opportunities) it is very possible to get everything you want without being rich. For the purpose of today's blog I'm speaking specifically about how to get the things we want that have a price tag attached.
How to get what you want.
Let's say you make a base salary of $20,000 per year. Surviving and paying your living expenses is hard enough. Maybe you dream of driving the sports car, living in the big house, and vacationing in Spain. I've got good news for you: with the right attitude, dedication, and creativity you can achieve all of these things. It’s not easy but the rewards are worth the work.
Don't focus on dollars and cents - or focus on the big price tag. Prioritize and break down your "wish list". Let's say the first thing you want is a new car. The car is $60,000. There's no way you can go out and buy the car with your current living situation. But you can have it. "The New Rich" are everyday people like you and I who know what they want and will do whatever it takes to get it. Instead of buying the car, figure out how much it will be to lease the car (put your fear of commitment and the unknown aside). Let's say it's $1,000 per month to lease your dream car. Which means it's only $200 per week. Which means its only $28.50 a day. not so bad, right?
But where are you going to find the extra money? That is what separates the "new rich" from the everyday "slave,slave, retire" type of people. Instead of thinking about the grand total its going to cost you - find a project, hobby, or even part time job that will fill that need. Whether you start a business or sell some of your old items online: it's much easier than you think. Find something (anything) that will provide you with a constant stream of revenue. In theory, you just got your car for free - without going into any debt.
We all want what we want - and we each deserve to have it. All that needs to be done - is a little bit of creative thinking and some hard work and before you know it you'll be hiring a house sitter driving your convertible down the streets of Spain.
Stop thinking of things as impossible and think about HOW you can do it. Not "if" Because you can do anything.
Stay positive, work smart, and keep on dreaming big!
Society says: If you have lots of money you are successful.
While having lots of money is something we strive for (as it provides us with freedom and opportunities) it is very possible to get everything you want without being rich. For the purpose of today's blog I'm speaking specifically about how to get the things we want that have a price tag attached.
How to get what you want.
Let's say you make a base salary of $20,000 per year. Surviving and paying your living expenses is hard enough. Maybe you dream of driving the sports car, living in the big house, and vacationing in Spain. I've got good news for you: with the right attitude, dedication, and creativity you can achieve all of these things. It’s not easy but the rewards are worth the work.
Don't focus on dollars and cents - or focus on the big price tag. Prioritize and break down your "wish list". Let's say the first thing you want is a new car. The car is $60,000. There's no way you can go out and buy the car with your current living situation. But you can have it. "The New Rich" are everyday people like you and I who know what they want and will do whatever it takes to get it. Instead of buying the car, figure out how much it will be to lease the car (put your fear of commitment and the unknown aside). Let's say it's $1,000 per month to lease your dream car. Which means it's only $200 per week. Which means its only $28.50 a day. not so bad, right?
But where are you going to find the extra money? That is what separates the "new rich" from the everyday "slave,slave, retire" type of people. Instead of thinking about the grand total its going to cost you - find a project, hobby, or even part time job that will fill that need. Whether you start a business or sell some of your old items online: it's much easier than you think. Find something (anything) that will provide you with a constant stream of revenue. In theory, you just got your car for free - without going into any debt.
We all want what we want - and we each deserve to have it. All that needs to be done - is a little bit of creative thinking and some hard work and before you know it you'll be hiring a house sitter driving your convertible down the streets of Spain.
Stop thinking of things as impossible and think about HOW you can do it. Not "if" Because you can do anything.
Stay positive, work smart, and keep on dreaming big!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Take It To Heart
People often say "Don't take it personally" or "It's not personal, it's just business" - I strongly disagree with the principal. Whether we like to admit it or not, criticism or harsh actions are personal. If they weren't personal - whoever has delivered the undesired message or feedback wouldn't have told YOU personally. So my thought: Take it to heart.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, let people know how I feel, and as a result (even on the worst days) I sleep well at night knowing that I was true to myself. I take things so personally and get so upset at different occasions of rejection and criticism that I make sure (If I agree with the criticism) that I never make the same mistake again. If I didn't take it personally - I probably wouldn't do anything about it and repeat the same action again.
Do you take it to heart?
Many of us have become accustomed to a desensitized way of living and working: this is bad. If we program ourselves to make decisions without any emotion then who are we making the decisions for. I believe that a delicate balance between emotion and control is necessary. There are time in which we must bite our tongue, but we always have to let it out sometime (or else it will build up and end up coming out wrong in some escalated situation).
Next time you face criticism or undesirable feedback: take it to heart and see how it feels. Then, make your next decision based on a combination of emotion and control. It works for me, and I've avoided becoming a corporate zombie while maintaining my professionalism and integrity.
Stay true to yourself and keep on dreaming big!
I wear my heart on my sleeve, let people know how I feel, and as a result (even on the worst days) I sleep well at night knowing that I was true to myself. I take things so personally and get so upset at different occasions of rejection and criticism that I make sure (If I agree with the criticism) that I never make the same mistake again. If I didn't take it personally - I probably wouldn't do anything about it and repeat the same action again.
Do you take it to heart?
Many of us have become accustomed to a desensitized way of living and working: this is bad. If we program ourselves to make decisions without any emotion then who are we making the decisions for. I believe that a delicate balance between emotion and control is necessary. There are time in which we must bite our tongue, but we always have to let it out sometime (or else it will build up and end up coming out wrong in some escalated situation).
Next time you face criticism or undesirable feedback: take it to heart and see how it feels. Then, make your next decision based on a combination of emotion and control. It works for me, and I've avoided becoming a corporate zombie while maintaining my professionalism and integrity.
Stay true to yourself and keep on dreaming big!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
