Chalk it up to experience

I was reflecting on lessons learned the other day and realized something. There is much more value in the phrase "chalk it up to experience", than we realize. I have always heard people say that almost as if it was an everyday saying. But as I thought about it, I realized how incredible this phrase really is. As we stumble through life, hopefully we are learning and growing from each experience. I know this last year for me has been the greatest learning experience of my life. Learning how to deal with life's unexpected changes. Learning how to deal with life's ups and downs. Learning how to take care of a family of four children. Learning how to not dwell on the past. These are all things that shape us. All these things strengthen us for what is next in life.

I once heard someone say "everything you have done up until this point has prepared you for this moment right now". I believe that. I also believe the more times we fail forward...the more successful we can become. This pertains to all areas of our life (spiritual, mental, physical, economic, family). The more experiences we have and the more lessons we learn, the closer we are to finding the right "groove" for our lives.

So remember...with each difficult learning moment comes wisdom and growth. Be proud to say "chalk it up to experience", because that means you are closer to achieving greatness.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Not everybody fits the part

It has been far too long since I have posted on here so I thought I would take a moment and post something. Two times today I have thought to myself that I don't have the time to do something and realized we always can make time for anything.

I just received an email from my brother with a link to a youtube video and a confession that he is an X Factor fan. My first thought was "how does he have time to watch X Factor?" ( I am assuming DVR) And my second thought was "I don't have time to watch this 9 minute clip, I need to get a lot of work done." But for some reason I decided to watch the clip...and I am glad I did. The clip is of a guy named Chris Rene and his audition on X Factor. I don't know who this guy is and I don't know what will come of him. However, his story and this clip really touched me. As you may know, I love success stories and inspiring topics. This story also taught me once again not to judge a book by its cover.

Here is the clip if you'd like to view it:

As I experience more in life and continue to add to my family, I realize more each day the value that each individual brings into this world. My father as my greatest fan and teacher once (or thrice) told me that "God has invested a lot in you and knows your potential. It is up to you to realize your own potential." Not only are those incredibly inspiring words but there is a lot of wisdom in them as well. We all have a lot to offer and I hope I can remember that not everybody "fits the part". But that doesn't mean that they aren't right for the part.

If somebody tells you that you can't accomplish something or that something needs to be done one way. Reply to them "Who says?" My father's words of wisdom make it possible for us to create our own reality and I believe that this is the purpose of life....to reach our potential even if we don't "fit the part".

Past obstacles lead to future opportunity

How many opportunities are lost by not sticking to something? Too often we give up on things if they don’t workout right away. And too often we fail to recognize the importance of past events in creating our future opportunities. The phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day” comes to mind. If something is truly worthwhile, shouldn’t it take a while to build a proper foundation?

I am currently working on a new business that I had not anticipated working on. At first, I viewed this opportunity as a distraction to my other business, so I initially turned it down. I believe we can be guided in life by our feelings and emotions. When I said “no” to this new business, I suddenly felt very confused as if I had turned down an opportunity that God had given to me. Because of that feeling, I decided to take it on as a challenge and perhaps an answer to past and current prayers.

During this process I have thought about what had led me to this point. I realized that many experiences I had in the past actually prepared me for this moment in time. Businesses or experiences that I have had over the last 9 years that I had viewed as “failures”... were actually building blocks for a proper and stronger foundation. If we stop and take the time, we will recognize the many puzzle pieces of life that came together to fill an incomplete life puzzle picture.

There is always a way to get around obstacles. Let’s work harder on learning from difficult circumstances and realize that if things were always easy, then there would be no growth. God needs us to grow if he is to place more responsibility on our shoulders. Everything you have been through has prepared you for bigger and better things.

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him”. - David Brinkley

NEVER STOP BELIEVING

I have been having an incredible time recently in my business meeting wonderful, talented people. In between meetings I feel an incredible energy that confirms to me each day that I am on the right path. Sometimes I don't believe that it is real. Over four years ago Network marketing used to be something I laughed at and literally said "NO WAY" to. Now it gives me the opportunity to live out dreams I have always had and forces me to surround myself by incredible people and examples of true success.

Below I am posting a video that I watch often. This video is entitled 'Never Stop Believing'. I first stumbled onto this video while on a business trip in Bogota, Colombia. I was asked to speak at a large event that a great leader and his team put on. It was a life changing trip for me. Many things happened that trip that allowed me to learn some valuable lessons, which in the end only made me stronger. At the end of my presentation to a crowd of the most inspiring group of people I have yet presented to, I featured this video and asked the audience what they were willing to do or go through, in order to achieve their dreams and goals. So I ask you the same question....WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO OR GO THROUGH TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS?

There was something I had realized there in that tough week....and it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was so clear to me that emotions,when strong enough, change us. So I finished my presentation time there by saying: "EMOTIONS CHANGE US...AND THROUGH EMOTION WE CAN AND WILL CHANGE THE WORLD."

Watch this video and pay attention to your emotions. Think of something you want and go get it no matter how hard the road!