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".

Daydreams or not...they become reality

I have been thinking recently about how unique we all are and how much we all have to offer the world. It doesn’t matter our background or past accomplishments, we all have huge potential. I think the thing the world fails to teach us is that there is always a way to accomplish dreams and goals. It doesn't happen overnight and it may come in the form of a non traditional vehicle...BUT there is always a way.

I remember many days even as a young child where I would dream of doing incredible things instead of being confined to a classroom. One day in particular sticks out in my mind. I was in 6^th grade and I was staring outside through the windows while the lesson was going on. I felt the playground calling me and I felt like I was there as I stared intently out the window. Some people call it daydreaming but I felt alive while in those dreams. I do admit I became a professional daydreamer throughout Junior High and High School and reached my peak in College. This was until that kid inside of me, the one that was staring through the window at the playground, decided that enough was enough. I will never forget the day I decided that I was going to make something happen in my life, one way or another. I was 22 years old and pulled out of the driveway and headed west.

This leap of faith led me to Los Angeles where I met my amazing wife. Her belief in me made me realize I could do anything I set out to accomplish. So many times in my life I have felt scared that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything or provide for a family. I realize now that we need to draw on hope, courage and belief from any place we can. For me it is from my faith, my wife and kids and yes…even from my dreams. Whatever it is for you, find it and use it.

I don’t write this to make myself sound like a success, because I believe success is a never ending process. Success to me is simply the consistent pursuit of a worthy goal. I write this because I have met many people recently that have experienced some things that I couldn’t imagine experiencing and I see them gain strength from many places… and that makes them a success.

There is a story I love about when Disneyworld was completed and they had the opening celebration to celebrate the great accomplishment. Walt Disney had already past away at this point but Disneyworld was a dream of his so it was a significant occasion. Someone turned to Walt Disney’s wife and said “It’s too bad Walt wasn’t here to see this.” Walt’s wife responded with “Oh Walt saw this long before any of us ever did.”

Dreams become reality. If you want something enough….go and get it! Even if it means taking the road less traveled.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that, the passing there
had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
in leaves no feet had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference

Invest in people

"Invest in people and human potential."

This is a phrase that I love. I realize more and more each day the power that comes with each relationship we create. I love my business for many reasons but the main reason is because I get to surround myself with so many wonderful people. Regardless of whether somebody gets involved with me or not, I love meeting people and learning from them. Everyone has so much to offer. Today I met with many different people and every one of them inspired me in some way.

I started off my day meeting with a woman that had two children and decided to join the army just to pay the bills and get herself out of a bad situation. A "girly girl in the army" as she put it. I listened to her story and realized she'd been through experiences that I couldn't dream of.

I was there with another woman that has a passion for health and educating people on the importance of health and nutrition. She has a history that I never knew about. As she told her story I realized how incredible it was for her to be there with me. She has so much to offer the world...in fact her reason for building her Nu Skin business is so that she can self fund a children's foundation.

I met with a wonderful man that has been a human resources director for the last 15 years. He talked to me about his desire to own his own life and not let an employer own him. This man has a huge heart and a great sense of humor.

I met several first generation immigrants from several countries such as Philippines, Guatemala and Colombia. The sacrifices they have made to build a better life in America, I can't even imagine. These people inspired me to do more and be more.

I met a man today that didn't look like the typical person I usually talk to. I was wrong to judge a book by its cover. He turned out to be an a great family man with a great business mind. That conversation reminded me that everyone has something to give and teach.

These are just a few of the people I was able to meet today....but ALL have the one thing in common, which is they all have so much to offer the world. We invest in people and human potential because that is the kind of investment that pays us the most and the kind that keeps giving back to the world.

Go out and meet someone new and listen to their story. They have something to give.