Only The Lonely

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like your the only one on planet earth and you just don't have any friends? WHAT A LIE FROM THE PIT OF H-E-double hockey sticks! The truth is we all have somewhere between 100-250 or more people that we know.

Here let me show you. Really, if you do this you'll amaze yourself. It's really easy and incredibly enlightening!

1. First, take a pen and paper and write down the names of everyone you can think of. Now don't qualify any one for any thing, just write down the names. Write down as many names as you can think of.

2. Now, after you've exhausted that, turn to your local yellow pages and go to the letter "A" and notice all the job classifications. Go through these classifications one by one and write down the names of any one and every one who works in those industries or professions (remember no qualifying). For example who do you know that's an A - Accountant, B-Banker, C-Chiropractor, D-Dentist (or Dog Walker), Etc . . . until you've made it through Z.

3. After that pick up your Whites pages phone book and begin again with the letter "A". Now who do you know with the last name Able, Atchison, how about Anderson (that last name with Johnson will keep you busy.) Keep going now B-C-D...Z. We're not done yet by a long shot!

4. Now how about first names!?! Arron, Bob, Betty, Chris . . . come on keep writing!!! You know there's probably at least 50 male and female first names, even more depending on how fancy you want to get. Bet you're not feeling so lonely now! In fact look at how your sphere of influence is growing!!!

Now here's the challenge, if you're up to it. Start at the beginning of your list and begin calling every one you've written down (Oh yeah, this is going to take few days.) But call and just say, "Hi, we haven't talked for a while (long time) and I was thinking about you. How are you doing?" THEN LISTEN (the world loves a good listener.) Or, "Hey you may not remember me but this is ________, we met _________ (Maybe in high school or at the doctors office), How's it going?" and listen. Find out about them, their family, what they've been up to. . .
At the end you might say something like, "Hey, it was great catching up. This was fun, maybe we could do it again some time." If they say something like, "Sure this was great." Put a star by their name and you can talk with them again sometime.

Cool Isn't it!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!! And look at all the people you know!!!! You can go from hermit to social butterfly in minutes!!!!

The truth is, you know more people than you think and you are far from alone in the world. Don't ever believe that lie! You're a valuable item, and your friends will confirm it. When you're done you will know that you're never alone and you'll always have some one to talk to. Potentially, 100-250 or more. And if you start thinking about how they know that many too. Oh my gosh who could you end up knowing!?! EEEEEEK!

The road to an extraordinary life is paved with the people we know. Our network so to speak and you know more people than you think. In fact when you're feeling down, just one or two of these conversations can be a real "pick-me-up" (certainly better than another bottle of wine (or was that "whine") alone. Join me in connecting with new and old friends and acquaintances. It's really fun and it will keep you busy. Fills up your calendar too. See you later . . . .

PS -Hey here's an Idea! Leave me a comment and let me know how it worked for ya!

Who said? Repeated.

The following is a post from a Blogger,Tweeter, Facebook friend. And I'm reposting it here so that you know it's just not you and me that are thinking this way. It's from Annie Sorensen's blog, Live Your Best Life Everyday, and hope you will go there and receive some more inspiration. It reads as follows:

"A post inspired by a looong drive across the Midwest recently, and it’s all about…Average. Why is Average something that people are ok with? Or, stated a bit clearer – why is Average something that people think they HAVE to be ok with?

Let’s try this: You – yes, you – don’t have to be ok with average. It’s your choice. Who said you had to?

You don’t have to accept the fact that, well, the average person just kinda puts up with their job. Disliking your job is, you know, normal.

You don’t have to accept the fact that the average American gets sick every winter – or three times every winter – or once a month – or whatever.

You don’t have to accept the fact that you can kinda pay your bills every month. That you’re not saving nearly as much as you’d hoped – or none at all. But hey, that’s ok, that’s the same situation the average person is in.

You don’t have to accept the fact that if something is uncomfortable, it’s bad. People can’t change – they can’t better themselves or change directions or quit their job – that’s not normal, you say!

False assumptions.

You don’t have to accept any of these things. You can, if you wish. But you don’t HAVE to."

So there it is, and could she be anymore right!?! We don't now, nor do we ever have to settle for average. In the face of all the doubters in the world (they just want to keep you down at their level)you can forge on to BETTER than average. You can always be more if you want to be, and don't let anyone else try to convince you otherwise. See you soon.

Hi there! It's a Beautiful Day!

Okay - Wow again. I can't believe I've been gone so long. But, good things are happening. Change is inevitable, you will change. The question becomes whether it will be good change or bad. I'm opting for the good. How about you?

Lately I've been having a wonderful time connecting and reconnecting with family and friends. The rewards are incredible. But it seems to take a constant and consistent effort on my part. I'm sure you know that sitting and watching "The Biggest Loser, Families" will not improve your relationships with any one. In fact from my perspective there's enough "Biggest Loser" candidates running around loose today anyway. While convicting, the show is not effecting enough people. In fact I know to many people that are probably watching the show and eating rather than DOING something about their situation. But you see that's really the point. Until we get out of our ruts and really do something, nothing is going to change. And then change has to become permanent (that's a "Biggest Loser" lesson). But it is true and if we face the facts truth then become a reality and not a reality show.

Lately I/we have been doing things that make for more time with family and friends and that in turn is paying great dividends. This weekend we had a bonfire in the backyard and invited just one person, and then someone else invited one person, which turned into two people and then the neighbors dropped by with their new baby and it turned into a really fantastic fun night and everyone enjoyed themselves. I know we went to bed that night personally feeling happy and fulfilled. And we didn't watch any TV!

You can do things like this to on your road to fighting average. Get out and do that little something different. Commit to new goals, small measurable ones, and then purpose to do the things that will make them happen. Turn it off (the TV) and turn it on (Doing new things). Make those new things include people. Maybe new people that feed your dreams and possibilities, maybe not the old ones that drag you down or cause you to lower your expectations. You know the old saying, "Bad people help build bad habits." You are greater than that. You can do it. Get busy, get better!
Love and see ya sooner next time.

Great Expectationsh

That was a cool book title. Was it a movie too? I don't really remember (age related thing I guess). At any rate, I read two things recently that got my juices flowing.

1. "World class performers are driven by positive expectations." - Steve Sielbold

2. "High achievement always takes place in the framework of HIGH EXPECTATION."
- Charles Kettering

The first question these quotes beg for me is, "Should I expect more?" and the resounding answer that rings in my head is "WHY NOT!?!". I mean why shouldn't I expect more out of life? I should (we should). A while back I was sitting in my car outside of where I work and I remember saying to myself - "I was created for more than this." The realization was that the mundane routine of life, the box I was living in, was so small compared to my dreams.

What are your expectations? Have you let others who live average steal your dreams? Please don't, you can be so much more. But we have to choose to live on a track other than average. Let's call it exceptional! Yeah! Why not! It seems everything and almost every one is bent on controlling those around them to be average (just watch TV commercials and you'll see what I mean). If you're reading this you'd like to break the mold. Well go ahead. I give you permission to do so.

Here's an idea. Outline your expectations in every area of your life and then ask the crucial question: "SHOULD I EXPECT MORE?" (By the way the answer is "yes") Then raise the bar. Change your thinking, change your talk (To yourself first, then others) and change your actions! Be specific! Focus on your dreams, goals, desires, and move forward (even a little) DON'T SIT STILL! Expect to win regardless of the challenges.

I believe you will, I believe you can. Here's to great expectations. See you next time . . .

Breaking the Yokes

Today I made my first egg without breaking the yoke. As I twittered, that only took 58 (almost 59 years). HA! I was pretty excited about the deal and it tasted good too. But then I was thinking . . . Life doesn't work like that. You've got to break a couple yokes to be better than average in life.

I was oh so careful turning those eggs, trying to be safe. After all I just broke yokes for the last 50+ years while still trying to be oh so careful. Isn't that a bit like all of us though. We try oh so hard to be careful in the things we do. Trying not to upset the apple cart so to speak, even struggling to be normal, rather than trying something new that could possibly open up new opportunities for us.

With my eggs I tried a new spatula and then when they were a little solid I was able to flip them with success. I know some of you are laughing and maybe have even have more successful techniques for my eggs (love to hear them by the way). But that's not my point.

Break some yokes today. Try something new. Maybe a little thing that will make today just a little bit different (in a good way). You know there's an incredibly good feeling that comes from trying, especially if you're successful! Really. Try it!

I read this one recently: "Everyday do something that will inch you toward a better tomorrow." Notice the word "INCH"! You don't have to take big leaps to become better, just inch. So let's all join the "inchworm" club and break some yokes today!

See ya later . . .

Short & Sweet!

Okay it was Sunday afternoon and I was sitting on my butt watching an absolutely stupid movie called "Shark-Boy and Lava-Girl" or something like that. It's about a boy who dreams (day dreams) and his dreams come true. Okay dumb movie for sure but . . .

Right at the end of the movie he says this, "Dream a better dream and then work to make it real." Who is the deviate that makes an utterly stupid movie and then puts something that profound right at the end of it. (I know, your thinking, "Who's the dummy that sitting through it?" Uh, that would be me.) Any way, think about it!

One of the reasons we accomplish so little in our lives is due to the fact that we don't dream (or day dream) good dreams! We effectively think too little of ourselves and others. Soooo . . . dream a better dream! And then like they said in the movie, WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! Come on! Spend some time today dreaming! What can you dream up? Bigger! Better! You know it can be better than it is now! So take a little time and dream about it! Picture it in you mind. What does it look like? What does it feel like? Taste like? Come on you can do it!

Me, this has caused me to look at some things differently. I remember this quote, "Belief comes before results!"
Workin to make it happen . . . see you later.