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 . . .

Thinking about it!

Hey blog lovers!

My apologies for being away so long. Frankly I don't know how a daily columnist does it. I try but woof. . . !

Anyway . . . the fight goes on. You know life jumps up and bites you in the a__ occasionaly, but you've gotta keep moving forward. Set a target, take aim and go for it no matter what. I believe that everyone who stops here for a read has the power within them to be better.

Here's what I've been concentrating on lately. Thoughts. That's right. Here's something I read recently, "Be careful what you think. Because your thoughts run your life." You see, if we start changing our thinking then our words will change (how we talk about ourselves and others), then our actions will change creating new habits, and then AWESOME RESULTS! Cool huh?!

Did you realize that thinking (or saying) something as seemingly innocent as "That makes me sick." can effect you personally? Every time you have a sad, angry or unkind thought, your brain releases chemicals that cause stress in your body! That's why some of us get a headache or a stomach ache when we get emotionally upset.

So what are you thinking? Because your body reacts to every positive thought you have also. In a good way. Your brain releases chemicals that relax you and make you feel good. I mean come on, who doesn't want to feel better?

This goes a long way on fighting the enemy called average. If we would all start thinking differently . . . well just think what could happen. You know if enough of us would do this a world could change. So start with yours. I know you can do it.
Thinking better and seeing you later.

Renewed Fight!

Well, just got back from my mother-in-laws memorial in Chicago. Wow - I still marvel at the greatness of a simple down home woman who loved family and people in general above all else. My wife shared a story with me about when her mom was in ICU how she motioned for something to write with (she was to weak to talk, tubes in her and all) and she wrote, "bagels, cream cheese, and fruit for the nursing staff". Even in her weakened state she was thinking of others and being better than average.

Why are we so self centered that we cannot be more like this? Truth be told I really struggled with the video of her life. I had to turn away or just cry like a baby because I miss her and her husband so much, and I know I have a ways to go to be more like them. I still struggle with the fact that they are not here anymore.

But in reflecting on things this weekend. I realized this! In the grand scheme of things it appears God has created us as eternal beings. And for a short time (in light of and eternity) we have been granted life on earth. A short time to experience "Life" and all of the beauty that it incorporates. SO DON"T WASTE IT!
LIVE YOUR LIFE TO BE BETTER THAN AVERAGE! BE HEALTHIER! BE SMARTER! BE STRONGER! DON'T LET OTHERS OR OTHER THINGS DETERMINE YOUR LIFE'S DIRECTION AND DESTINATION WHEN YOU KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING BETTER TO BE HAD! STRETCH YOURSELF!

Don't let life beat you down! Take a time out and enjoy a sunset, see something better in it's beauty. Stare at it for a while take it all in! GO AHEAD YOU CAN DO IT! Someone said that life is one thing that you only get ONE shot at. Live it well, don't be average - BE BETTER, MAKE BETTER EXPERIENCES! We all have the potential. Don't waste life, not one minute. It's not worth it. Growing, becoming a bit more every day is what makes this an exciting adventure!

So here's to your journey - Live a little more today, grow mentally, physically, spiritually. Do something out of the ordinary and become a bit more than average.
And remember the line from the movie "Hook" with Robin Williams, "No, to live, that will be an adventure indeed." On the road to better than average . . . see you there.

Passing the Baton - A Case for Better Than Average.

Today is marked with sadness and thanks. Today my mother-in law has passed away (sadness). Lord knows I loved her and my father-in-law. Jake and Tully Kendall defined family for me. Family more than I had ever known. For this I am eternally grateful (thanks). I will miss them both, maybe more than I miss my own parents who have also passed away. Tully's life held the true meaning of family and social acceptance for me. After all she accepted me as a son-in-law over 3 decades ago. To think that maybe she saw something in me that could carry on her family with my wife is simply beyond my comprehension. But here we are. The carrying on is handed down to us. Those of us who are left (relatives) to keep and hold family together.

The cry to be more. . . better than average. . . is now louder than ever. Through tears I wonder at being up to the task. But I know with my maker, that all things are possible. I believe that is called faith. For them both I trust in God's providence.

We now will be the next to pass. Our goal, to see to and secure the heritage of family. We must sacrifice what is necessary, and boldly proclaim the need to be closer to all who will listen, inside and outside our immediate families. To our children and our friends. The flag has been passed.

To those of you who would follow these ramblings. Stretch with me, grow a bit to be better. Especially in this area of family. Call someone you love today. Tell them how you feel. Don't harp on the wrong but magnify the right and call them to closeness with your voice and your actions. Together we can be better than average. In fact I think there's a key there . . . "Together" we ARE better than average.
Good luck and God bless. . . see you later.

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.

The Angry Rant!

I AM SO TIRED OF THE AVERAGE SAME OLD, SAME OLD!

"Average performers live their lives in first gear, resisting or ignoring change and avoiding risk! The masses all have the same talent and opportunity as the world class; yet they choose to play it safe and avoid the pain of possible failure and the uncertainty of (temporary) defeat."

Don't statements like that just tick you off! They do me! It's like I find myself playing not to lose too often, or playing to cruise. And it gets me no where. Just the same old thing. This whole journey out of the average is really causing me to take stock on a regular basis and see where I headed. Or if I'm even moving at all. The scariest thing I encounter regularly is the fact that if I don't do something, make at least a little change, take a little risk, that everything will be exactly the same in the future. And that more than anything is starting to scare me.

I mean really! Do you want to wake up in five or ten years and find that everything is still the same!?!

Really! I (we) need to make a commitment to spend as much time as possible PLAYING TO WIN, and quit play to just exist! The later is just boring!(Oh, and has no future by the way.) In a world that is changing, and all of the so call guarantees are fading fast. We have to shift gears and get out of our comfort zones to challenge ourselves to realize our true potential. In each one of us is something more than we presently are. Maybe reading a new book (something other than fiction), or spend a few minutes a day contemplating the way you wish things were (Dreaming), or doing one thing outside the norm. Could change the entire landscape of our existence.

I spent time with a guy this week that has such awesome potential and if (when) he finds that one thing that clicks with him. His AH-HA moment! With his personality and latent talent, he is going to open literally thousands of new doors.

Here's a challenge! SHIFT GEARS into the possibilities! Take a chance this week on the "Maybe it'll work". Try one thing that you've never done. Oh it's exciting! I for one am after the new things. The challenges. Yeah some of it's scary. But something tells me the payoff is awesome.

Ignore the mountain and envision the ride down the other side after the victory of getting to the top. See you on the other side. Later . . .