Give yourself the push you need to get over the hump | March 31, 2009

All you can do is all you can do.

That's part of the title of a book by A. L. Williams, founder of a company that later became Primerica. (The full title is All You Can Do Is All You Can Do But All You Can Do Is Enough.)

I wanted to focus on those words today. All you can do is all you can do. That's because it's easy to become full of despair and desperation when we feel that we've been spinning our wheels and nothing is coming of it. We can be tempted to give up. That's the place where too many people end up -- disappointed, discouraged and disillusioned, giving up just before their big victory.

This is the thing: All you can do really is all you can do. And that will be enough. But you've got to make sure that you really are doing all you can do. Often, when we are overwhelmed by a certain process, if we take the time to step back and evaluate it, what we will find is that we really aren't doing all we can do.

For instance, let's say you've been struggling to lose 20 pounds. You've been cutting out the fast food. You've been eating more of the stuff you believe is healthy. But that scale just won't budge.

Well, if you were to look at everything you're doing, you may discover that you're not working out the way you need, or that while you're making healthier eating choices you're not making the best choices overall. Or you may find that you're not sleeping enough or eating too late in the day or any number of other things.

But at first glance, you were convinced you were doing all you could do because you were cutting out fast food and making better food choices.

And with the evaluation of your process, you now see that there is more you can do. So you do it. And it works! The scale moves. You lose the weight.

If you're frustrated with a particular situation in your life right now, honestly ask yourself if you are doing all you can do. If you're broke and unhappy with the level of income you are producing, for instance, is there something else you can do? Is there more training or certification you can get that will make you more valuable in the marketplace? If your business seems stuck at one level and you think you're doing all you can just to maintain, is there one tweak you can make that will produce a difference?

Don't beat yourself up when things truly are out of your control and you have done all you can do. That's all you can do. But if there is something else you can do, then do it. And watch for the result.

Cut yourself slack when you need, but push yourself a bit harder when you must.

Time management author: Say no to one thing to say yes to another

Judy Christie, a good friend and client, is the author of a really useful book titled Hurry Less, Worry Less: 10 Strategies for Living the Life You Long For. In it, she shares great ideas for getting a handle on your day, getting things done and not worrying about the stuff you don't get to right then. I had to take a page from her book this week when I realized my own week was spiraling out of control. With two speaking engagements and an awards ceremony at the start of the week, my time quickly became more pressed than usual as I tried to fit in normal activities, travel and speaking preparation. As if that were not enough, I was sick on Monday.

For a moment, I tried to figure out how I would fit everything in, sick or not. But I decided a better approach would be to take a few tips from Judy's Hurry Less, Worry Less. Judy says say no to one thing so you can say yes to something else. I had to say no to a few things, including a reception in my honor Monday because I was sick and insisting on going would not have helped anyone and could have compromised the rest of my week.

I took a few other things off the to-do list of the past couple of days, including speaking with you through this blog. All of the things I took off my to-do list -- the reception I had been looking forward to attending, blogging, starting on a new project -- helped make the rest of my week better. I was able to properly prepare for the speaking engagements, handle client requests in a timely manner and participate in some other exciting ventures. Oh, and it also allowed me to rest so I could feel better and perform at a top level.

What about you? When your schedule changes unexpectedly or if you find one task needs more attention than originally planned, what do you do? Do you stress about it and pressure yourself to fit it all in, even though doing so helps no one, or do you re-evaluate your priorities and to-do list to see what needs to change?

If you're like lots of people -- and sometimes even me, you struggle with managing your time and fitting "everything" in -- even if it kills you! Well, I'm here to tell you, that's not the best strategy. You may think it shows you're tough or task-oriented, but really, all it shows is that you end up doing too many things, but none of them very well.

I can tell you my week is going a lot better because I took Judy's advice to say no to one thing to say yes to another.

Grab Judy Christie's Hurry Less, Worry Less and find a few strategies to help you get a grip on your day so you get more of what you want done and enjoy your time doing it.

Face your fear and find your own victory | March 23, 2009

When I was in high school on a church trip to Florida, a boy pushed me into the hotel pool and I thought I would drown, as I thrashed about under the water before someone jumped in to drag me to the surface and safety.

That fear stayed with me for many years, though I didn't consciously think I was afraid of drowning. In fact, I tried over and over in college and afterward to learn how to swim. All to no avail. Friends tried to teach me. Even my baby sister, who is 14 years younger than me, tried to teach me. I took a class, thinking maybe it was the amateur instructors who were the problem. But that didn't work, either.

Finally, after years of wanting to learn, but somehow being held hostage by the back-of-the-mind memory of that night I almost drowned, my husband taught me how to swim. And while I felt great being able to swim in the end of the pool where I could stand up if I wanted, he pushed me harder: I had to go to the deep end!

I resisted. I was not at all interested in swimming in water that could cover my head or in water where I could not control my situation. As it was, learning to swim in the shallow end was a big enough feat. I had overcome years of subconscious anxiety. But my husband knew my real victory would be if I could put aside the fear of the deep end of the pool and trust my new-found swimming ability. So he insisted. And finally, after a few days of his insistence, I yielded. I went to the deep end of the pool.

And I swam!

Have you ever been knocked down by something in life? Maybe you felt like it just got the best of you. Maybe it was a failure at work. Maybe it was a failure in school or in a relationship or even business. Whatever the case, the thing that seemed to knock you down really set you back.

Like me, you might have even thought the thing almost killed you. And so you developed a resistance to that thing. You just gave up on it, or didn't even go near it again.

But maybe it's time to give that thing another try. Maybe with more training or more education or more experience, you're in a better position to face the situation and come out on top.

Swimming is now one of my favorite activities. I still have much to learn, but I am so happy to be free of the fear that held me back for so many years. And now that I've been able to manage my fear, I see the benefit swimming provides. It's fun. It's a low impact way to exercise. It's a great time to hang out with my spouse. I've not gotten to swim much lately, but I'm looking forward to getting back to it this summer. I'm so happy my husband insisted that I look beyond my fear.

Facing our fears and overcoming failure isn't something most of us look forward to doing. Instead, we insulate ourselves against repeating those mistakes by refusing to try the thing again or refusing to face new challenges. But if we were to just get back out there, we could find that we've not only managed the fear, but facing the fear could be a chance to create much more joy, abundance, impact or opportunity in our lives. And that is a true victory.

So what victory is fear keeping you from today?

Thinking is good, but action is better | March 20, 2009

It's not your idea that's the problem. It's the fact that you don't do anything with it that's the problem.

One of the comments I hear most often when I am at a speaking engagement or book signing is this: "I want to write a book or I want to start a business, but I just haven't been able to do anything with it. How are you able to write books and run a business?" Usually the person who is asking is someone who has heard me speak or who has read one of my books and now he or she wants to see if I have a magic answer for how to turn ideas into something more.

And the answer as to how I am able to write books or run businesses or do any number of other things is really simple: Because I act. I move on my ideas. It's said that if you were to act on one really good idea a year, you could fundamentally change your life.

So, what's it going to be for you? Will you continue to have really good ideas that you do nothing with? Or will you focus on one idea and push forward?

Lots of people spend countless hours thinking up ideas (or just talking) and none actually doing anything with the ideas. Thinking is great, but what's the use of thinking if you're not going to act upon what you come up with?

All you end up doing then is whining about "Hey, that was my idea!" later when you see the idea executed by someone else.

Think about four ideas you have had within the last year. Then consider what you did with those ideas. Chances are, nothing much has happened. You might have even forgotten about the ideas until now. Are these good ideas that could really be developed? Do you see how one of these ideas could really change things? Maybe you have an idea for a new invention. Maybe you have a concept for a new social organization. Maybe you have the premise of a new book or new business.

A couple of days ago, I encouraged you to get started on your big idea -- recession and all. Now I'm pushing you to move beyond the idea into the implementation. Do it. Now.

Today is Friday. Which means the weekend is coming up. If you're off work for the weekend -- or even if you're not -- why not set aside a little time to actually move on that really great idea you had a little while ago? No more just thinking about it.

Now is the time to do something about it. Put together a proposal. Invite someone to be a mentor. Look for investors. Find a Web site designer. Sign on a ghostwriter. Come up with a budget. Start a Facebook or Yahoo group. Do something to move the idea out of your head and into action.

What could be more important right now than finally moving on your big idea -- or even your dream?

Have a good weekend.

Do the work, if you want the reward - it's just that simple | March 19, 2009

A Facebook friend, Stanice Anderson, set her status today as "What I learned in recovery: 'Losers do what they want to do. Winners do what they have to do.'"

I absolutely love it. And I have to say, it's true. Variations of that quote have been said by others. "Do the things today that others won't do, so you can have the things tomorrow that others won't have," finance author and radio show host Dave Ramsey says when he advises people about improving their finances.

Image via Wikipedia

Award-winning actor Denzel Washington is quoted as saying, "Do what you got to do, so you can do what you want to do."

In my own life and work, I can point to doing the "dirty deeds" as one of the keys to my success. I don't mind making the sacrifice today for a future goal. When I made the decision to leave a good newspaper career to become self-employed and build my own writing business, I made sacrifices along the way: I slept in airports on business trips because I couldn't afford the hotel. I shopped at thrift shops because I needed to put as much money as I could into my business. I lived in a tiny apartment and passed up the spur-of-the-moment social outings in favor of spending that time and money in my business.

In chapter 10 of Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets, I say this: "Going for your dream can be messy work. And it can be difficult. And incredibly unglamorous. You've got to be willing to do the messy things. The difficult things. The unglamorous things.

"Often, the early stages of chasing a dream are about grunt work and sacrifice. When we envision our success, this isn't the stuff we dream of."

But it's the stuff we must do to have what we want. Whether that's losing weight, growing a business, building a career, writing a book, nurturing a relationship. In all those cases, there are things we would prefer not to do -- or to skip right over -- but if we don't do them, we can't get the result we want. Take losing weight, for example. Sure, you'd rather sleep in every morning, but you know that getting up an hour early to hit the gym will help get you to the weight or fitness level you want. In the case of writing a book, you may prefer to veg out in front of the TV and let somebody else's creativity lull you to sleep every night, but you know you must put your behind in the seat and let your own creativity spill out onto the computer screen if the book is to be completed. In the case of business, you may prefer to skip right ahead to the success, but you know you've got to do the grunt work first to get to that level.

When we make the sacrifices and focus on our plans, we often get the results we want. In my case, those early sacrifices meant my business eventually grew to one that allowed me to afford the things I had to give up for a while. Today, my life is richer and my business stronger because I wasn't afraid to make the sacrifices.

That is the thing that separates the successful from the wannabes. The successful don't mind the work. Wannabes run away from it.

What about you? Do you have a goal, but you're not quite up to making the sacrifice for it? Why is that? Is the goal not worth it? Or do you think the sacrifice would be too great? If you have a goal that you're not willing to put the work behind, then it's not really a goal, is it? It's more like a fond wish.

Sacrifice doesn't have to last always. It's often a temporary circumstance to get you where you are going. So if the goal is worth it, consider doing the things that others won't do so you can have the things that others won't have.

You'll be glad you did.

Get going on your big idea now, recession and all | March 18, 2009

No doubt if you've been glued to the TV or newspapers, you're scared witless. You are petrified that your job may be axed next and dread opening your credit card statements because the interest rates have been jacked sky high. As for your home, well, it's probably already gone... If you were to listen to the news.

I believe our economy is having some serious issues. Anybody can see that. In February, we had another 651,000 jobs lost, on top of the 598,000 that disappeared in January and the more than 3 million before that. Record numbers of homes are in foreclosure and credit card companies are jerking around folks by charging ridiculously high interest rates and banks are reducing lines of credit.

But.

I also think the reality of the situation is made all the worse by the perception of the situation. Sure, you can get wrapped up in the stuff the news organizations are saying. But if you do, you'll miss the opportunity to make your own situation better.

I'm not saying don't pay attention to the news about the economy. That would be foolish. But what I am saying is focus not on how bad people tell you it is out there, but on what you can do to make your situation better. Maybe now is the time to put some serious thought behind that business idea you've been toying with for years. Maybe now is the time to brush up on your skills or to learn something new. Maybe now is the time to rethink what you're doing and find smarter ways to do it.

Now is the time to figure out how you can make the most of today's economic downturn. Lots of people are going to come out of this thing in a much better position than they were two years ago. They'll do that by seeing the opportunities, rather than the obstacles. They will develop new businesses. Strength old ones. Create new alliances and partnerships. Find new investments. Develop new inventions. They will find new ways to serve others and make an impact, too.

So don't let the talking heads on TV fill you with such panic and uncertainty that you miss all the things going on now. Look ahead to this time next year. Wouldn't you rather be talking about the great move you made that totally changed your life, rather than lamenting about the time you hid under a rock?

Just to give you a boost, consider that some of the well-known corporations of today started during recessions or tough times. IHOP, MTV, CNN, FedEx, even Microsoft all started when money wasn't flowing freely. And look at where they are now.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again: You can't wait to start hearing good news in the media before you take your cue. The recession will end a lot sooner than you'll hear about it on TV. Get going on making your big change. Now is your time.

Develop a new attitude about work -- it just might save your life | March 16, 2009

Welcome to your Monday.

And, unfortunately, to your heart attack. Research shows that Mondays are the most common day of the week for heart attacks. Certainly some information identifies physiological reasons, but psychology also can play a part.

That's because emotions such as stress, anxiety, dislike and others can cause such distress as to contribute to this traumatic event. Think about it. Does even the thought of going to work -- working with a certain person, handling a certain project, doing a certain assignment -- cause you indigestion?

I remember when I was a waitress at a 24-hour diner. For some reason, I would get a heavy feeling of dread, or even a headache, when it was time to go to work. I'm not sure why I had such trepidation, because I didn't consciously dislike the job all that much. In fact, I liked interacting with customers and getting tips. But for some reason, the closer it got to my 11 p.m. shift, the sicker I seemed to get. I was almost relieved when I was fired.

When you're having a physical reaction to your job, it's time to figure out how to address it. And when you have a negative emotional response, the same holds true. Sure, everyone has some stress at work from time to time, and there are some tasks we prefer not to do. But when we are suffering serious long-term physiological or emotional issues because of our work, that's not normal.

Or healthy.

The stress or drama going on at work is not worth dying for.

There is another piece to this work-related heart attack issue, too. And that is our tendency to glorify being a "workaholic." It does not help our health. I know in our society it has often become a badge of honor to claim to be a workaholic. But really, it's anything but. I know, I've been there, though never did I see it as a badge of honor. As a young entrepreneur when I worked my newspaper job all day, then came home to work my business most of the night, sleep was rare and long days were the norm.

I didn't mind it because I was young, single and really jazzed about my business. But my life is in a different place now. I recognize the importance of balance. Do I still continue to work hard? Of course I do. Running two businesses isn't easy. But just as I work hard and get lots done, I also enjoy time away from work. My husband and I sometimes leave the office to play tennis in the middle of the day, and sometimes racquetball (he plays racquetball way more often than I do). Sometimes I even take naps! There used to be a time when I would not have dared to step away for such, but now, I know getting away isn't just about having fun, it's about recharging. And it's about quality of life.

You need that balance, too. If you don't have balance, it's time to develop a new attitude toward work -- it just might save your life. Whether you're running a business or punching someone else's time clock, consider your work habits. Are you too busy to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner? Do you find yourself working 10, 12, 14-hour or longer days on a regular basis with no down time? Are you finding yourself getting overwhelmed by the demands of your job and you're not sure how to deal with it? Do you find yourself treating your health poorly because you've convinced yourself you are just too busy to do otherwise? Are you sacrificing important relationships because work has taken over your life?

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, it's time to have a reality check. Is your work killing you?

Anna Nicole Smith wasn't able to take charge of her life ... but you can

Prosecutors have outlined nearly 100 instances of how Howard K. Stern and two doctors allegedly conspired to pump former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith full of highly powerful drugs. Nearly a dozen felony counts broadcast the case against them as the state of California seeks to put them behind bars for a long time for their hand in supplying an addict with drugs.

While this case has lots of attention because of the high-profile people involved -- news networks spent weeks discussing Anna Nicole following her Feb. 8, 2007 death -- prescription drug abuse is a serious epidemic. And it's a symptom of a life seriously out of control.

Whether it's a public figure such as Rush Limbaugh or the person across the street abusing medication, the

impact is the same: prescription drug abuse ruins lives. The ultimate price, of course, is what we saw in Anna Nicole's case: death.

Prescription drug abuse often starts out innocently enough. You get sick or hurt and go to the doctor. She gives you something for the pain. The meds seem to be the only thing to give you any relief. So you take more and more. Seemingly almost before you know it, you're addicted. You go to dangerous lengths to get more drugs -- using fake names to get prescriptions, stealing others' medications.

You can take charge of your life again. It won't be easy, but it is possible. Here are three steps to help you:

The first step is to seek professional help immediately. That is because treatment depends on the type of drug you're addicted to as well as your own circumstances. There are many drug recovery programs available. Start by seeing what's in your own community -- check out the phone book or do a Google search. Do it now. This can't wait another day.

The second step is to find a trusted ally (you may do this one first if you need the support to get you to seek the professional help quickly). This trusted ally can be a spiritual counselor or preacher, solid friend or co-worker. This is some serious stuff you're going through. You need someone who can help you through the period ahead -- someone who will give you tough love when you need it and empathy when it's required.

Another thing you can do to get back on track is to start feeding your emotional needs. Read motivational books and listen to inspirational CDs. This helps you begin to see yourself in a different way, as not just someone who became powerless against pain, but also as someone who has incredible power to do amazing things.

Anna Nicole wasn't able to take charge of her life in the way she needed. Instead, it was claimed by drugs. That does not have to be your fate. Don't let prescription drug abuse run your life. You can take back the control. Today.

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Hope, confidence keys to helping abused see beyond current situation | March 12, 2009

I was the same age or maybe a little older than Rihanna when the guy I was dating dragged me out of his car and across a grassy intramural football field on the campus where I was a student. He and I had gotten into an argument and he wanted me out of his car. He had more important things to do, and I was holding him up with my conversation. He needed to get to the intramural football game. So he jumped out of the car, ran around to my side and snatched me out, then dragged me some distance as I struggled to free myself and onlookers no doubt wondered what to make of the scene.

I don't remember all the details of that incident, only picking myself up from the ground and walking across the campus that night, returning to my dorm and trying to sneak into my room so my sorority sisters and friends did not see the disheveled mess I had become. My hair was all over my head. Grass stains covered my torn shirt. Bruises decorated my upper arm.

The boyfriend and I stayed together.

Domestic abuse is a hot topic these days, as the country buzzes with news and speculation surrounding the alleged abuse Chris Brown inflicted on Rihanna last month when it was reported that he beat and choked her. The fact that they are said to be back together has heightened attention to the case.

I believe the attention to the case can shed some light on domestic violence, and hopefully more people will be educated about it. I believe no one should be in an abusive relationship. And I believe that just because it's the first time we hear of abuse in a particular relationship does not mean it's the first time it has happened. Nor, unfortunately, will it be the last. And that's why we must continue to bring attention to domestic violence.

Because too many people tolerate abuse.

I understand the reasons women stay. Sometimes the women are afraid of what the guys will do to them if they leave. Sometimes the women are hopeful things will change with the men. Sometimes the women remember the good, old days or are swayed by tearful apologies and promises. Sometimes the women blame themselves for the violence. Sometimes, the women feel they have no other options. Sometimes the women think they have no financial resoures without the men. Sometimes ...

The point here is that women stay in abusive situations for many reasons, none of them good. I could tell myself that my boyfriend wasn't wild and angry most of the time, in fact, he was a nice guy. And it wasn't an abusive relationship; it was just an incident that got out of hand. After all, he apologized. And besides, I cared for him. Oh, and maybe if I hadn't said some of the things I said, he wouldn't have had to get so violent. Yes, there are many reasons people stay.

And unfortunately, we've seen the tragic examples of what can happen. Women end up broken, maimed, dead.

They stay because, at some level, they have lost control of their lives. But there is hope. The way to reach a woman who has decided to stay in an abusive situation is to get to her on an emotional level. She has to feel the hope. She has to see that she is worth more than that. That she has it in her to overcome whatever is keeping her there. And that she is the solution to her own situation, and that solution is to make the choice to leave. She has to see that things will get better when she takes charge of her life again. If she doesn't believe the assurances at first, keep at it. Keep feeding her with encouragement, support, love and help. Her life depends on it.

My boyfriend and I eventually broke up and while I'm happy to say I'm a different woman today who knows her worth and sees why a situation like that should never be tolerated, I also understand why it is. People who have not been there don't understand an abused person's motivations for staying. They think it's a simple matter of making a swift exit. And it should be.

But statistics tell us, it isn't. One in four women suffers physical abuse or rape by an intimate partner each year, according to statistics. I personally think that number is higher because not all women report the assaults. And many of those women stay, hoping the violence won't happen again, but knowing somewhere deep inside that it will.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 support for people in abusive situations. There are local organizations in many communities that also can help. Many groups out there try to help an abused person get away. Resources are there.

But the person has first got to decide to get out.

And that can be the toughest part.

American Idol represents dreams, new lives | March 11, 2009

I sometimes get a little misty-eyed watching American Idol. I know that sounds goofy, but I have a good reason, honest. I get misty-eyed sometimes when I see someone who has worked so hard and is now getting a chance to follow a life's dream. And in this case, producers often show little vignettes of the contestants' lives so we get to see why these dreams mean so much. We've seen many stories of single parents looking for a better life, youngsters ready to take flight, even spouses singing in memory of their loved ones recently gone.

Just this season, we have Scott MacIntyre, who is blind but who plays the piano with amazing confidence and Lil Rounds, who was a stay-at-home mom and is now chasing the spotlight. We have Danny Gokey, whose wife died shortly before auditions and Michael Sarver, who is hoping his oil-rigging days are over.When I think of things like that and see a singer doing his or her best to make that dream happen, well, yes, it touches me.

That these contestants put themselves out there for rejection, for critique, for hardship is a testament to the dreams in their hearts. Whether you like them or not, you've got to appreciate the spirit of the show: that anyone can take a chance on pursuing a dream. And who knows where that dream will lead!

I always appreciate those who take a chance on their dreams. I'm living my dream of being an author and entrepreneur and creating a bigger vision all the time. But living a dream isn't easy. It takes guts to do it. Maybe that's why I admire those who do. They have made the tough choice to take a chance on themselves.

What about you? How are you coming on your dream? Are you working on it on a daily basis, taking steps to bring it to you? Are you getting right back up after being knocked down, dusting yourself off to give it another shot? Do you see hardships and even rejection as part of the process?

Or do you let tough times -- and even a few bad comments -- convince you your dream isn't worth pursuing?

Expect good things to happen to you | March 10, 2009

Did you wake up this morning looking at the negative side of your equation? Do you feel a little bit like things aren't going your way? Does it seem like everybody else is having a better time than you are?

If so, then I'm writing this especially for you. Spend one minute -- that's right, one -- wrapped in these feelings, whatever they are. I'll pause while you do that.

OK, ready to continue? Now that you've acknowledged and owned the negative feelings, it's time to change your focus. Now, spend five minutes thinking about the good things you have going for you right now (they can be big or small). Write them down.

Then spend another few minutes thinking of all the great ideas you have for addressing one key concern or issue facing you today. For instance, if you're feeling overwhelmed because you want to lose weight but nothing seems to be working, then write down as many (healthy) weight-loss ideas as you can think of. If you're at a loss, browse a respected weight-loss or fitness Web site. If your concern is how to go after a new market in your business or boost income, brainstorm ideas to do that. Write down your ideas. The point here is to see the opportunities to address whatever is bugging you.

Judy Christie, an author friend who also is a Web site client of RootSky Creative, wrote a good book to help you with this. It's called Goodbye Murphy's Law: Whatever Can Go Wrong, God Can Make Right. This book really helps you address those tough, challenging days. Check it out if you want even more help in this area.

The key is to switch your focus to the good of your situation and the opportunities that await you. You've gotten off to a good start, if you did the exercise here. Now spend the rest of today seeking out those opportunities and acting upon them. You'll be surprised what turns up.

Expect good things to happen.

What's standing between you and your goals? | March 9, 2009

I am a big believer in going after what you want. I did it when I up and left a good newspaper job to follow my dream of being an author and entrepreneur. I did it when I ran a Jan. 1 marathon to set the tone for the year ahead. I did it when I took to the stage to share my message of empowerment with a broader audience.

Going after what you want requires a few tools. One of those is your Zoom Power Equation. Your Zoom Power is your ability to pull sharply into focus what you want -- and make it happen.

I give the Zoom Power Equation in chapter two of my book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets. Your Zoom Power Equation is this: Focus plus Perseverance equals Zoom Power.

What are you focusing on? If you want to improve your results in life, especially these days, then you've got to focus on that which you want. Focus is what a lot of people miss. They try to do too many things, which means they end up doing an OK job in a lot of different areas, rather than an outstanding job in one area.

The key to reaching your goals is in how you think about them -- and how you approach them. Put into place your Zoom Power Equation and you're well on your way to being a success story!

Use the Zoom Power Equation to create your Zoom Power Plan.

Here is the five-step Zoom Power Plan, taken from chapter two of Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets:

1. Identify the result you want. You've got to be clear about what you are
working toward. If you are hazy about what you're working toward, you'll be hazy
about figuring out if you've reached it.

2. Quantify the result. Tell yourself exactly how much you want to achieve.
Do you want to increase your revenue by 20 percent? Do you want to pay off
$5,000 worth of debt? Do you want to lose 20 pounds?

3. Set a time frame. Give yourself a deadline. A goal without a deadline is
just a flimsy wish. If you don't attach a deadline to your goal, then you're
setting yourself up for failure. You must have something to work toward, and in
a particular amount of time.

4. Write down your goal and deadline. Hold yourself accountable. Don't just
keep it "in your head." A vision is fine, but put it down on paper.
Paper takes it out of your head and brings it into the real world.

5. Create a goal plan. Now that you have a result and date, work back
from there to create a plan for making it all happen. Your plan should include
steps that lead to your ultimate goal. So if it's a big goal you're chasing,
break it down into parts. Check off each success as you go.

What goal will you tackle with your Zoom Power Plan this week?

You can find answers in tough times | March 6, 2009

Times like the current recession this country is experiencing test us all. Difficult times can see us crumble or see us rise to overcome the challenge. Often, the difference in outcome can be traced back to how we see the situation.

We must see this time -- or any difficult time -- as something we can overcome and even emerge from as better. We must see the hope in a situation that otherwise would seem hopeless.

This does not mean we should naively ignore reality or refuse to see the signs of trouble. That would not be wise. But it does mean we should see things as they are, but not worse than they are, and then see how they can be better.

The reason this is important is because seeing how a situation can be better -- seeing the hope of the possibility -- helps us to push forward.

The alternative could be tragic. A recent BusinessWeek story listed the nation's unhappiest cities, with Portland, Oregon as number one. The ranking took into consideration things like crime, divorce, economy, even days of sunshine. Unhappy cities have a higher occurrence of drastic actions taken by people who have been buried under dire circumstances -- foreclosures, divorces, and the ultimate, suicide.

Suicidal thoughts are to be taken seriously. When a person feels so overwhelmed or helpless in a situation that he or she sees that as the only option, drastic actions must be taken. Often, people who are in this position give out signs -- maybe they show signs of depression including changes in eating or sleeping habits and loss of interest in activities; maybe they even express suicidal thoughts. Sometimes they express a general sentiment that life just won't get better.

Suicide is the ultimate act of losing control of one's life. Whether you live in a city that appeared on BusinessWeek's list or not, take stock of those around you. Could they be feeling that their lives are spinning out of control? Or maybe you're the one who feels that way. Get help. Call the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-TALK. No matter how this economy is treating you, you can get through it.

If you're not feeling suicidal but are feeling a bit low because of pressing economic, health, career, social or other concerns, one way to improve your disposition and change your outlook is to take an honest look at the situation. Often, we imagine a situation that is worse than the reality. Once you assess the situation, then look at all the possible outcomes if you do not act. Then look at the possible outcomes if you do take action. Once you realize that you can change the situation by doing something, you will gain some sense of control.

You can find answers, even in tough times. Sometimes this means looking around you for insight -- talking to people who have been through it so you get their perspective and learn what worked for them that may work for you, reading books or reputable Web sites that provide solutions. Sometimes it means looking within for insight -- going back to a memory of overcoming a similar challenge, mustering up your strength and will to succeed, looking to your spiritual belief system.

We can't control all the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them. For instance, the company you've worked for the last ten years may have just announced it is laying off you and everyone else in your department. While that may have been an unexpected and unwelcome turn of events that you had no control over, you can control how you will move forward. Maybe you'll begin a search for another job. But will you search within your industry or look for something totally different? Maybe you'll use this opportunity to launch a new business. Maybe you will take some time off to regroup. You control your response.

So if you're going through a rough patch right now, don't hide from what's going on. Face it. Then figure out how you're going to fix it. You're your own solution.

Are your thoughts wrecking your life? | March 5, 2009

This week you've gotten a good status update on your life. Tuesday, you received a life check-up. Wednesday, you received the diagnosis. Today, you'll get the prognosis and cure.

Your diagnosis may have shown that you were a little -- or a lot -- dissatisfied with your life. The prognosis for a life that is not going well isn't good. Things will continue to coast along until some catastrophic event happens or you'll keep going in a disjointed and frustrating dance of highs and lows that leave you confused and even more unhappy. Your income won't increase. Your relationships won't get better. Your work will leave you less than thrilled.

But that doesn't have to be the case for you. Instead, you can go for the solution -- the cure -- to your dissatisfaction with your life. The cure is to first address your thoughts. I believe our thoughts create our lives. If we dwell on certain things, those things have a way of showing up. Don't believe me?

Research tells us that 87 percent of our self-talk -- the things we tell ourselves -- is negative. We tell ourselves such things as, "I'm not good enough," "I'll never make it," "I am too ...".

And so, that's what shows up in our lives. All those negative things we've been telling ourselves end up coming true. Self-fulfilling. And that makes us even more miserable.

So start taking charge of your life by taking charge of your thoughts. Now, this does not mean that one day you are beating yourself up with negative thoughts, then the very next day, you're Mr. or Ms. Positive. That's not what this is about at all. What I am saying is that you must become conscious of the power of your thoughts to create your reality.

Then work to change them. Read books that uplift, inspire and empower you. Surround yourself with friends and contacts who support you in your new quest. Educate yourself about achieving a big goal or dream.

Read my book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets. It includes strategies and suggestions for achieving your big goals and creating success. It also helps you develop the mindset to create success. When you finish reading Zoom Power, you'll have at least two things: the confidence and motivation to do something big and a plan to make it happen.

So don't just settle for life as it is now. Take charge of your life and take it to the next level when you harness the power of your thoughts and transform.

Go for the cure.

Is just OK good enough for you? Or do you want more? | March 4, 2009

Yesterday, we discussed life check-ups. As with a medical check-up, your life check-up may not have been particularly fun, but it was necessary. Your life check-up made you look at some critical areas -- are you getting the results you want out of life? Are you doing meaningful work? Are you revved up about your future?

Now, today, we will get the diagnosis. If you answered "no" on any of the five check-up questions, you have some level of dissatisfaction with your life. If you answered "no" to more than two areas, then you have a seriously high level of dissatisfaction. That's the diagnosis.

Your life is not in great shape. That may sound a bit harsh, but it's nothing you did not know. Having the check-up provided a way for you to get in touch with your emotions about it and ideally, a desire to change it. This was an important step. Many people prefer to coast through life striving for not much and receiving not much and telling themselves they are doing OK.

You've decided that will not do for you.

Now that you know what's wrong, let's figure out how to fix it. You can begin to take charge of your life. Now. Tomorrow, we'll look at the prognosis and the cure.

It's time for your life check-up | March 3, 2009

Have you had your check-up? Your life check-up, that is. March is an excellent time to take stock of where you are. It is early enough in the year for you to make needed changes and produce great results, but it's not so early in the year that you make insincere New Year's resolutions you have no intention of keeping. March is a time to clear your head.

Here is a brief life check-up for you: 1. Am I working on any big goals? 2. Am I at the point I thought I'd be by now? 3. Am I excited about the direction of my life? 4. Am I using my gifts, talents, time and skills to create impact -- make a good living for my family and me, touch lives around me, etc.? 5. Am I interested in improving in any area of my life?

Your answers to these questions will help you figure out where you are. If you find that you are not working on any big goals (or goals at all), you're not excited or happy about the direction your life is taking and you're not tapping into your potential, then now is the time to make some changes. If you are achieving at a high level, then this check-up helps you look toward the next big thing.

Figuring out where you are -- getting your life check-up -- is the first step. Answer these questions honestly. Once you've gotten your check-up, we'll give a diagnosis. I'll help you with that tomorrow.

Celebrating creative, smart women who take charge of their lives, careers | March 2, 2009

Today, we start a month of occasional features profiling women as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. We’re celebrating the originality, creativity and tenacity of women who take charge of their lives and walk boldly in careers using their gifts, talents and smarts. If you know of (or are) a woman who fits this description, e-mail the recommendation to me at monica@knowledgewealthseries.com. You could end up in a future feature.

Today, we feature Michelle Valentine, a writer using her gift to produce novels, a screenplay, freelance magazine articles and more. She was part of the 1990’s effort to revive the 1980’s dance group, The Covergirls, serving as lead vocalist and writer of the title track of their CD. Her novels include Insatiable and A Girl’s Gotta Eat. Her upcoming book, The Year It Snowed in April, will be released by St. Martin’s Press this fall.

She offers insight into the realities of book publishing and the challenges of the entertainment industry.

Q: Please tell us briefly about your journey to becoming a published author. Was it a difficult road or surprisingly easy? How did it happen for you?

A: I came into the industry pretty much in a “back door” kind of way. I had a friend, Yvette Hayward ― she’s actually a publicist ― and she used to put together what they call “sign & dines.” Well, she believed in me and was kind enough to put me on a panel as an unpublished author. I got a really good response. I met Eric Jerome Dickey at one of her events and he suggested that I send my manuscript to his agent. I did and she liked it a lot.

That’s how I got an agent. I didn’t send out a bunch of query letters like most writers do when they’re looking for an agent. However, I got my deal through another friend whom I also met at one of these events. I actually gave her the manuscript when it was still on computer paper. She liked it so
much that she gave it to a friend of hers. That friend happened to be Zane and she published my first book titled Nyagra’s Falls through her Strebor Books/Simon & Schuster imprint. The friend is actually another author by the name of Shonda Cheekes, and she has a new book titled Decoys, Inc.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an author?

A: I’ve always had a knack for writing. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve written poems, plays, short stories, songs, you name it. But when I was working at a law firm several years back, on my downtime at the office, I started scribbling a story that was to become my first real book. I was hooked on it after that.

Q: You also had a singing career. What was that like?

A: It was fun, exciting, somewhat stressful but an invaluable experience. I got to travel to places, do things and meet people that I otherwise never would have.

Q: What suggestions do you have for someone trying to launch a singing career?

A: Stay true to yourself, keep your priorities, learn the business and have a backup plan for when the spotlight fades ― because it always does.

Q: How did your upbringing prepare you for life as an entertainer ― as a singer and as an author?

A: I was extremely well prepared. My mother was a singer, and I was interested in the arts from a very young age. I’d won pageants and been on Sesame Street and all of this created traits in me that allowed me to stay grounded, determined and focused in an industry that thrives on people’s weaknesses.

Q: What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your publishing career?

A: Thinking that being published by a major house automatically means success.

Q: What has been your biggest success as an author?

A: Getting accolades from my readers. It makes me feel great when somebody tells me that the words I’ve written have made them laugh, cry, happy, sad or even mad. I love being able to evoke emotion in others and touch them in some way.

Q: What is the biggest mistake new authors (or aspiring authors) make?

A: Thinking that the publisher is going to do all or even the majority of the work that it takes to get you on a bestsellers list.

Q: You’ve decided to form your own publishing company. Please tell us about that. Why did you make that decision?

A: My company is called The Epitome Group, LLC. The Web site is currently being constructed. I formed it because I know how difficult it is to get the major houses to publish you when you are a new writer. If I can help somebody get their foot in the door in a non-traditional way like I did, I’m more than willing.

Q: What will you offer through your company? Whom will you serve?

A: I’ll offer a great deal of insight and experience from a writer’s point of view. Since I’m a writer myself, I understand our special needs, shall I say ― that sometimes the non-creative powers that be can’t necessarily relate to. Plus my connections that I’ve made in the publishing world, of course.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing you right now in terms of your career, life and work?

A: I’m really good at time management but lately it just seems that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

A: Stay focused and complete the very best manuscript you can. Many people have a story to tell but not everyone can get it down on paper from beginning to end.

Q: Do you have any film projects on tap? If so, please tell us about them. If not, is film something you are interested in, why or why not?

A: Not right now. I had some interest in a screenplay I’ve written as well as in my sitcom. Everybody who reads my work seems to love it. It just hasn’t gotten into the right hands yet. I’m interested in it because movies and television are a natural progression for writers. Aside from seeing your name on a bestseller’s list, I’m sure there’s no better feeling than seeing your words acted out by a group of talented actors.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your life or work that will help readers understand your journey and learn to navigate the literary and music worlds?

A: With hard work, determination and a good support team, you really can do it all as long as you believe you can.

Check out:
Michelle Valentine on MySpace

How to find people to pay you for doing what you love | February 27, 2009

I know it can be tough to turn talent, skills and experiences into income. But it’s possible. I know because I’ve been able to do it. I’ve run my own business for the past seven years, and the business started out of my writing. It has since expanded and has allowed me to share my writing ability in the form of ghostwriting books for others, creating content for Web sites, writing books under my own name and a host of other projects we handle at RootSky Creative.

And I’ve also been able to turn my experiences into income by becoming a professional speaker. I get paid to share inspiration, information and ideas with college students and administrators, organizations and companies, to help individuals see beyond their self-imposed limitations, create solutions and produce better results. The tips I’m sharing here actually work.

So here are ways to find people to pay you to use your talents, skills and abilities, or to share your experiences:

1. Go back to the list of uses for your talents you created yesterday. Now, identify the top three uses you’d most enjoy. Do a Google search on those uses. You’ll likely get a huge list, so narrow it down from there. You can narrow it down by geographic region, industry (if applicable) or other category.

Study your findings to see how people already are earning money using their talents in the way you’ve identified. For instance, if you did a search on joke writing, you would come up with more than 30 million hits. You would see that people earn money writing jokes for radio, greeting card companies, professional speakers, awards shows and events, and a host of other engagements. See, bet you hadn’t thought about all that, huh?

2. Make a list of the types of people, places or companies you’ve just discovered hire people for the use you just searched. Going with our joke writing example, your list might include radio stations, professional speakers, greeting card companies, etc.

3. Now, do a search on the word hiring and the particular job. For instance, a search on hiring and joke writer yields more than 3 million hits. This gives additional information on types of companies that hire, plus this will yield names.

4. Ask around. Find people who do the thing you are interested in doing and ask them for pointers. Be mindful of their time, because if they are doing the thing you aspire to do, they’re probably busy. But chances are, they won’t mind a sincere question or two. You can find these people by looking around your community, reading the newspaper, reading relevant magazines, and asking friends. If you have a question about launching a writing career or speaking, ask me. I’ll be happy to answer it.

5. Go where the people who need you are. For instance, if you have decided to draw on your experience as the formerly fat person who has kept off 300 pounds for more than five years and you want to educate others about wellness and weight loss, then you might consider passing out your fliers outside the food court at the mall, e-mailing them to friends who used to go out to eat with you in the old days or putting them on the cars in the parking lot of the buffet restaurant — trespassing laws, aside, of course. The point here is to get your message to the people who need what you are trying to sell.

6. Put yourself out there. Start letting others know you have taken up this new career. Tell them you’re taking on new clients, projects, business or whatever fits.

7. Get your feet wet. When you’re starting out, it’s OK to work for a reduced rate, or in very specific situations, to even volunteer, just so you get the experience and work out the kinks. As you get better and gain more experience, set your rates appropriately.

These are just a few ways you can find people to pay you for doing what you love. Your new venture may just be a fun side gig or you may find you enjoy it so much it becomes a full-time endeavor! Whatever the case, when you free yourself from self-imposed limitations about what you can’t do — “Oh, I can’ t earn money as a writer. Nobody will pay me to bake cookies for them. I’ll never make it as an artist.” — then you’ll be amazed at how many opportunities there are to do the thing you love!

Make money and make an impact, too | February 26, 2009

This economy is forcing a lot of people out of jobs. More than 3.5 million so far — and that number is growing rapidly. That means a lot of people are desperate to find some kind of way to bring in money in a tough economy. Here are a few tips to help you start thinking about bringing in some money now — whether you are looking to start a whole new career or just pick up a few extra dollars on the side.

These two tips can produce income, if you approach them the right way. I shared this and other important information with college audiences recently when I spoke on their campuses, so I’m sharing a small bit of it with you here, to get your mind turning about the possibilities for you:

Lean on your talent. Each of us has some kind of talent or ability. Figure out what yours is and use it. Develop the talent, then sell it. How do you sell your talent? Do a brainstorming session - -just 20 minutes will do, if that’s all you can spare today. Write down your talent(s), then write down things people will pay for involving that talent. For instance, if your talent is writing, write down things like — copywriting (advertising, marketing, etc), books, articles, descriptions, blurbs, stories, jokes, reviews, devotionals, case studies, reports, Web sites. The list can go on.

All of these involve writing, and people pay to have others write these things for them. Once you have a list of things pay for relating to your talent, start looking at opportunities to get paid. I’ll give you some ideas for finding gigs that pay you to use your talent tomorrow.

Use your experiences. None of us gets out of this life without going through some things. And sometimes we can use those things as lessons or launching pads for other things. Maybe you went through a terrible divorce or you surivived a painful and devastating medical situation. Perhaps those experiences now give you a perspective and skills others don’t have. Consider finding a way to use your experience to help, teach, train, reach or relate to others. Maybe this could provide a new career for you as an author, speaker, trainer, coach, consultant, counselor or some other professional.

These are just two tips for thinking outside the box and using what you know to prosper and grow — and that’s the point of Knowledge Wealth Series. I love sharing this information, but two tips are enough for now. So, how will you use what you know to bring in a little extra money — or start a whole new career?

Three ways to excel at work, in business, life | February 25, 2009

One way you can take what you are doing to a higher level is to learn more about it. When you’re just starting out, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder just where to turn to learn what you need to know. When you are experienced, it can be tempting to become complacent and stop looking for ways to grow. So whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve done all right for yourself, always have a learning attitude.

In my work as a personal development author and even in my role as an entrepreneur, I am often amazed when I speak with people who have an interest in a certain area but are making no moves to learn more about it, yet want to be successful in it. How can you produce top-quality results if you don’t know what it takes to get there?

Here are three ways you can learn about your chosen career, business, creative pursuit or other path:

Find a mentor. I shared this tip with some college students when I conducted a Greatness in You leadership program at their school recently. The mentor may be someone you know well or someone you only know of, through her work. A mentor can show you the ropes, provide a little guidance and sometimes, even help you connect with others. Spiritual Life and Leadership Coach Carolyn Townes shares some tips on how to engage a mentor.

Find good examples of work. Look for examples of the work you are engaged in and study it. For instance, if you are into photography, check out the work of photographers. The Internet has made this a lot easier. Web sites, blogs and forums can showcase examples. Here is the blog of a very good photographer I know named Greg Pearson. When you start to study good examples of the work you want to learn more about, you will begin to notice what makes different types of the work very good. This is an excellent exercise for any field — music, books, business. For example, I read Good To Great by Jim Collins last year and saw case studies of several great companies, all in one place.

Connect with others. If you want to get better at whatever you are doing, then look for ways to be around others who are doing it. Join an association, online community or create your own site for gathering, sharing or collecting information. Robert Trudeau does this by showcasing the work of local writers, artists, musicians and others for our city of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Which of these three tips will you use today?

Focus on your race, not your neighbor’s | February 24, 2009

If you want to achieve a particular goal, you’ve got to zoom in on that one. Forget what the person next to you is doing. When you zoom in on something, you focus on it. It comes into sharp view. And that is what creates the power. I share the simple Zoom Power Equation in my book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets. Once you learn how to apply zoom power to what you do, you will see an increase in the results you produce. You will be able to lose the weight, write the book, launch the business, master the subject, whatever it is you want. But you’ve got to have focus — zoom power.

A lack of focus is the reason so many people produce subpar results, or less than what they want. It’s because they are too busy looking at what others are doing. And they are trying to do too much. The cliche “spread too thin” really is true. If you are stretching yourself in an unreasonable way, you may touch a lot of things, but not leave much of an impression.

Entrepreneur Alynetta Beck wrote an interesting blog post about our views of success. And she has a point: Many people base their success on what others do, and so they are always left disappointed. So decide to focus on what you truly want and what’s important to you. And create your own definition of success. Then zoom in on making it happen.

You’ll produce a lot better result that way.

Get the yucky thing done first | February 24, 2009

Take charge tip of the day: Get the yucky thing done first. You’ve procrastinated long enough and have made every excuse you can think of. That thing on your to-do list — you know, the one you really dread doing — isn’t going to go away. And it’ll sap your energy until you do it.

So do it. Do it or take it off the list, it’s just that simple.

Many times we put things on our to-do lists that are important but they are dreadful — maybe they aren’t all that interesting or exciting or perhaps they scare us a little. But if we don’t tackle the stuff we don’t want to do, we can’t enjoy the stuff we love doing.

I’ve been able to produce many good results, and it’s because I know the power of just jumping in and doing a thing. Some people look at the books I’ve written or the business I’ve built and say, “Must be nice…” Yeah, it is. And it can be nice for you, too. If you just decide to do.

I didn’t get any of the results I’ve had just because I’m so special and could sit back and watch things fall into place. Nor did I get them because I was content to wish for things to happen. I had to do it the old fashioned way. By putting in the time, and doing even the things I wasn’t all that excited about doing.

There is a quote that shows up in many forms, but it’s basically this: “Do the things today that others won’t do so you can have the things tomorrow that others won’t have.”

Most folks will keep putting off the important things and focusing on the easier but not all that impactful things. And the result is they never produce the results they want or are capable of producing.

So tackle that thing on your to-do list that you’ve been avoiding. If you can’t bear to think about doing the whole thing in one go, take it in doses. Just decide you’ll spend 20 or 30 minutes on it today, or you’ll do a certain number of repetitions or whatever is appropriate. Then tomorrow, tackle it again.

The point is to MOVE on it. Now get going.

Stereotypes, labels do not define individuals | February 19, 2009

I caught the end of a segment CNN host Rick Sanchez just did on President Obama’s trip to Canada, and I was a bit stunned. It seems that, after all this time, some people are still amazed that President Obama is … articulate.

Sanchez and Time columnist Joe Klein marveled that the president, on his first international trip as leader of our country, would be so comfortable and that he wouldn’t goof it up. Their premise? That because Obama is a black man with an unconventional background, he should somehow almost be expected to stumble. I could not believe my ears that I was hearing two learned men, men who have been around the block themselves, marvel that Barack Obama could handle himself in public.

I think both men do good work, but this exchange between the two was a bit strange. That they marveled that Obama would be an African American – raised by white grandparents and a mother who spent time abroad — and still manage to behave while meeting the Canadian prime minister was a little weird.

I know the two men were kind of trying to be complimentary and admire President Obama’s composure in an “oh, he’s so articulate” kind of way, but the very fact that this was the conversation was pretty astounding.

We as individuals are more than the sum of the little boxes we check on government forms: black, white, other, male, female, young, old. We are beings who can excel beyond stereotypes or the notions of others, based on our own experiences and capabilities.

Why would it be news that President Obama behaved presidentially when visiting another world leader, a peer? What else would he do?

Success is about time, not talent | February 18, 2009

I spoke at Texas A & M University Corpus Christi earlier this week about Greatness in You. The aim was to give students the confidence to know they can achieve extraordinary results and to help them develop the right mindset to make goals happen.

After the presentation, one student shared this feedback: “It helped me learn that to be great in the field I want to go into, I have to stick with it. That is hard for me.”

I appreciate this student’s honesty. I think his challenge is one a lot of people face. Like him, many people have a hard time sticking to tasks, so they give up on their hopes, goals, dreams and aspirations. But the key to success is hanging in there. It’s not about how talented you are or how smart. It’s about how committed.

I spoke about something called the Rule of 10 to illustrate the point that real success takes a true commitment to the task at hand. The Rule of 10 says that it takes about 10 years of doing something to become top-level. And often that ten-year rule is a minimum. For some fields, it can take 20 or 30 years. When we look at it that way, we realize greatness isn’t as much about talent as it is about time. And most folks don’t want to invest the time.

Michael Phelps didn’t win eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics because he was a born swimmer. He won because he put in the time, hour after hour, day after day, swimming the same drills over and over again. He started swimming at age 7. At age 23, he was labeled the greatest Olympian.

Tiger Woods started playing around with golf clubs before he was 2. Sixteen years later, he became the youngest person to win the amateur champioinship. Again, he didn’t become top-class because he was born knowing how to play golf. He became top-class because he put the time into it.

You don’t have to be the most talented to be great. You just have to be the one most willing to put in the time. Consider Jerry Rice, who was turned down by more than a dozen football teams, but because he kept working and putting in the time, he is now considered one of the best wide receivers ever to have played the game.

You may know some pretty talented people who never really lived up to their true potential. A big reason may be because they weren’t willing to put in the time to go from good to great.

Look at any of your favorite athletes, musicians, businessmen or others you admire. Chances are, you’ll see it wasn’t just talent that got them where they are. It was time.

So you’ve got to wrap your mind around your success. If you want to perform at a truly high level, you’ve got to be willing to stick to it.

Success isn’t just about talent. It’s about time. Can you do the time?

Now is the time to stretch for what you want | February 16, 2009

Here is a great quote to start your week: “Ah, a man’s reach is to exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

That is from a poem by 19th century poet Robert Browning. Don’t aspire for what is easily right in front of you. Go for the thing that is just outside your grasp. If you stretch, you just might get it.

Today’s economic climate is causing a lot of people to withdraw and refuse to stretch because they are afraid of losing. But stretching will be the only surefire way to get us out of this mess the country is in. Playing it safe won’t work. Aspiring higher will.

So what will you stretch for this week?

Self-help could be your own personal bailout plan | February 13, 2009

A guy told my husband the other day that he (the guy) just wasn’t that into self-help, motivational, personal development or advice books. Actually, the guy said the books were “crap” and he never reads them. Of course, as the author of such a book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets, I didn’t think the man’s statement was cute or even all that informed. But sadly, I did think it was typical.

Typical of many people who do not achieve much. I’m not talking specifically about this guy, who is a decent chap. But people who diss self-help, motivational and empowerment books and workshops without even experiencing them are just giving up on their own futures. That’s because their negative attitudes prevent them from seeing information out there that could help them take their lives to the next level.

These are people who are too lazy or insecure to strive for anything better. I say lazy because these are the same people who would rather complain about their boring, sad, low-achieving lives than invest in figuring out how to make them better. And I say insecure because they are afraid to try to make changes because if the changes do not work, they’ll feel like losers.

If you’re someone who has given up on (or never given a shot to) self-help, motivational, empowerment or personal development books, c’mon, give ‘em a chance. Give yourself a chance. Will you find some books that are boring, uninteresting, full of drivel and all-around “crap” as my husband’s friend said? Of course. But you’ll also find some that have great things to say, and more importantly, information that is relevant to your life. If one sentence gets you thinking differently or a chapter opens your eyes to possibilities you had never before considered, just think how worthwhile that would be. Your life-changing experience could be just a book purchase away.

Forget Congress’s bailout plan. Create your own. Get inspired, motivated and moved.

C’mon, get with it, man. Read your way to success.

Can’t find the time to work out? Stop lying | February 11, 2009

Our lives are incredibly busy these days. But being busy doesn’t always mean we’re doing much of anything. A common excuse for not working out is that we don’t have the time. We’re sooo busy.

Really?

Are you lying to yourself or me? The truth is that none of us are that busy. Or, I take that back. Maybe we are that busy, but we’re really not doing anything that important. Can you honestly say that on a daily basis, you truly have no time to get a little movement going on?

I know, many people are parents, are in fast-paced careers and do lots of things. I’m not questioning whether you do lots of things. I’m just questioning whether every single thing you are doing day in and day out is all that important.

Trust me. I know the busy excuse. I run a business. Travel to speaking engagements. Write books. Develop new products. Cook dinner for a husband who likes good food. I get it. And on any day I can (and sometimes do) fall into the “too busy” routine. On any single day, any of us can find ourselves with too much to do and no time to exercise. But when that excuse stretches on for days and weeks, then something is not quite right.

Chances are, even with everything you have going on, you spend some time: Watching TV, chatting on the phone, hanging out on Facebook, shopping online, daydreaming about the life you really want, dishing the dirt around the water cooler, doodling, going out to eat, taking in a movie, cleaning the house, etc.

Am I saying any one of these things is bad? No. But what I am saying is any one of these things (and countless others) that take up time in the day can be replaced by or incorporate exercise. The point here is that you can find a few minutes in your day to work out — even the president does. And I know he has some important things on his mind.

Getting in a little movement several times a week is helpful, I don’t have to tell you that. But it doesn’t have to be something you use excuses to avoid. Find something you like doing — swimming, tennis, walking, racquetball, running. Me? I love tennis, so I make sure I fit that in a few days a week.

So really, the next time you tell yourself you’re too busy to exercise, stop kidding yourself. You’re not exercising because you have so much important stuff to do. You’re not exercising because you don’t want to. Stop making the excuses and start moving more.