Is your life out of control? Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and stressed out? Then you should conside simplifying! I know your thinking… “simplify, you must be out of your mind?” And you’re absolutely right. So lets take a few minutes to explore what can be a life changing blog.

Have you ever heard someone say, “life is crazy busy”? I know you have. Almost everyone you ask how they are doing, will say so. It is like a badge of honor, but what that tells me is life is spinning out of control and they are stressed out of their mind. Why do we do this to ourselves? We have no one to blame, but ourselves.

Our days can be very busy and full of activities such as, taking care of the home or yard, shuffling the kids to their activities, paying bills, projects at work, not to mention getting in a workout, just to name a few. No wonder we feel that life has become this perpetual rat race. This cycle of craziness leads to fatigue, low energy, frustration, unhappiness and potentially depression and anxiety. 

Consider the fact that antidepressant prescriptions have increased by 65% over the past fifteen years and 2 in every 10 Americans are taking these medications! These numbers are even worse for kids with over 800% increase this past decade! So what gives? Is there a sudden flaw in our genes causing a massive change to our brain chemistry? Not even close! In fact our genes have not change at all in nearly 40 thousands years. This is where you need to consider something different. 

Human beings are dopamine-seeking missiles. Dopamine is the brain chemical along with others that is produced when we exercise, eat chocolate, drink alcohol, have sex or any other behavior we do that feels good. We like the feeling dopamine produces, but if you’re not careful (especially for addictive personalities) it can be destructive. So how do we naturally tap into our dopamine? It starts by asking one simple question before each task, “what do I want to experience and how do I want to feel?” Even though there are times when we must take on tasks that perhaps aren’t our favorite things to do, we can choose to find the joy and fulfillment if we are willing to seek it. This is what being mindful means, intentionally choosing the emotions you want to experience. For me it is always joy.

Then we need to consider the tasks we take on. Ask yourself, “does this task move me closer or further away to my goals?” If your answer is further away, you still have choices. You can delegate, outsource or choose not to do the task. If you don’t like cleaning the house and wasting 4 hours on a Saturday then outsource and hire a service. If you don’t enjoy cutting the grass then delegate to it the kids. I promise they won’t melt and they will learn valuable lessons. And some things are just not worth doing at the sake of your own happiness. I can’t tell you what those things are or what category they fall in, you must decide that. However, you can decide to have very different experiences than the ones you are having. It’s always a CHOICE.

Live inspired, be abundant, and fulfill your destiny,

Happy Friday!

I was recently reminded of the importance of mentors, coaches, and accountability partners. Mentors have the ability to push you harder and further than you would on our own.

I was on a group bike ride with some serious cyclists recently. I have just started adding touring rides to my workouts. The most I have ever ridden prior to this particular ride was 25 miles at one time. On this particular evening, the group was preparing to bike 40 miles. This ride was on country roads that are very hilly and challenging.

We headed out and all was going well. I was keeping pace and at times taking my turn to lead the pack. Halfway through, the group decided to take the 50-mile route instead. At that time, I had already ridden 12 miles more than I had previously with 15 miles still to go with a strong head wind on the way back. My initial thoughts were not positive ones.

I can tell you with great certainty that I would have not made this choice on my own, but I was not going to be the one to complain. With roughly 5 miles to go, I began to cramp and was feeling like I was running out gas. But the group would not let me fail. They encouraged me and supported me during my toughest moments to help me achieve this goal. When we finished, I felt immensely proud that I completed the journey and kept up with these seasoned riders.

My limits were stretched far beyond anything I would have attempted on my own.

Where in your life do you need to stretch your thinking and actions? Where do you need some encouragement and support? Who would be willing to help you achieve your goals?

Pushing yourself every day to get better. In order to experience mega growth, we need accountability and coaching to stretch ourselves in every way imaginable. All the greats do this regularly. Identify where you need to be stretched and then reach out to those who will push you.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Friday Motivation!

Have you ever minimize your expectations to avoid being disappointed? Ironically, thinking small always result in disappointment.

Thinking small comes from doubt and uncertainty. We unconsciously minimize our expectations for many reasons. The biggest of all is fear.

– The fear of failure or disappointment.

– The fear of change.

– The fear of worthiness.

– The fear of humiliation or shame.

– The fear of loss.

If you are a follower of (TGIM or now in this case TGIF) my blogs, you know that overcoming fear is essential to unlocking the greatness that we are designed for. Tapping into your greatness requires letting go of your fears and taking action. What awards or accolades have ever been given for playing small?

Especially in today’s world, those who dare to be bold achieve success. Success is achieved by those who are willing to step outside their comfort zone. Those who have dared to be great at some point have experienced fear. The difference in those who have had achieved success is they didn’t allow their fear to define them.

Where are you playing small in your life? Stop and think hard about this. Then ask yourself, why? How does this serve you or humanity? Embrace your fear and take action. It is time to unleash your inner greatness. Your time on this planet is finite and the world needs you to step up to your greatness.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Friday Motivation!

Have you ever considered how important character is to your success? Not just your character, but also the character of each member of your team/family/friends? If you were to survey 100 people, I believe that you would receive an overwhelming response that character matters.

I believe when we are building our team or community we surround ourselves with, far too often we spend more time considering talent than character. Think about it, talent without character is like having a sexy sports car without gas. History is replete with talented athletes and performers who had serious character flaws. Unfortunately, far to many have destroyed themselves and their careers.

This is why I would suggest that you consider the character of the people you associate yourself with and the people you allow on your team or in your life.

A team built on strong character allows talent to reach its full potential. It will bring out the best in the organization when adversity strikes (because it always will). This will allow you or your organization to overcome and persevere. Character will drive your team to reach its full potential and bring out the best in each member.

The most successful individuals and teams surround themselves with high character people. Plus, they are constantly growing their own character. Never stop striving to become a better version of yourself. It’s always character first, energy second, and talent third.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God It’s Monday,

As we plan for our future, we make investments in many things such as a home, college, retirement and other important endeavors. Unfortunately, most people fail to invest in them.

Businessman and Author, Brian Tracy, said “we should invest 3% of our income in our own personal development.” You may think this statement is self-serving for an author, but I can tell you from personal experience there is no truer statement.

I can definitively say investing in ones self is the best investment you can ever make. How can you possibly grow without exposing yourself to new ideas, concepts, and mentors who have achieved the things you would like to achieve?

I have seen people become inspired and completely transform their lives from a new thought.

When was the last time you took a course, read a new book or invited a mentor for coffee and picked their brain? From Author and Business coach, Robin Sharma, to the uber successful Richard Branson, said, “The ROI (Return on investment) for personal growth is 20:1.” If you know of any place where you can guarantee that kind of return, I would love to know.

If you invested $1,000 per year towards your personal growth for 20 years that equates to an additional $400,000 to your bottom line. Sign me up!

There is no better place to invest your money than in yourself. Start today by budgeting 3% of your income for personal growth. Identify what you want to learn, then go do it. The knowledge and opportunity it will afford you is staggering.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God it’s Monday,

For the first 30 years or so of my life, I tried to control everything. I was the classic control freak. It used to drive me nuts…literally! My life was filled with disappointments, frustration and stress. I was insufferable to be around. This is a tough thing to admit and it almost cost me everything.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to gain control you must learn to give up control. This is one of life’s great paradoxes.

I know for a fact my experience is not unique to me. I see it all the time. More relationships and personal well-beings have been destroyed by the need to be in control. I have seen business owners who have been unable to get out of their own way because of their inability to delegate and let go of things they have no business doing.

We have little to no control of things outside ourselves, but we have 100% control of things inside our self. We have sole control over our inner world. This is where all our attention and intention must be.

How we experience things is up to us.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God it’s Monday,

If there is one constant in life it is change. Once we learn to embrace this universal truth life becomes magical.

Change for many is like a visit to the Dentist, it is painful and uncomfortable. We resist like a 5-year-old eating broccoli. What we don’t realize is the more we resist change, the harder and more difficult life becomes.

I often hear people say, “I like things just the way they are.” Life is not stagnant. We are either growing or dying. If we really examine our lives everything is changing all the time. Nothing stays the same. Our world is changing at break neck speed. Do you own a cell phone?

Learn to embrace change. Make it your new mantra. Everyday affirm, “change is normal, change is good.” You will begin to see all the possibilities that exist around you.

You will experience less anxiety and uncertainty that occurs with the unknown.

Imagine if Ben and Jerry’s only sold vanilla ice cream? How boring!

Live inspired, live abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God it’s Monday,

You have probably heard that “The fastest way to learn something is to teach it.” This is one of life’s great paradoxes. I know you are thinking, “how can I teach something I don’t know everything about?”

The fact is you can never know all there is know about anything. Don’t wait until you “know all about it” or have it “mastered”. It is your knowledge and experience that is needed.

The world needs what you have to offer. Go out and teach and help others. The more you teach the more you learn. By doing so, you will learn more about your topic and yourself.

We can provide great value. There is no greater reward than to give our time and talents. It will benefit the lives of others. So don’t wait, the world needs to know what you know.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God it’s Monday,

When you woke this morning, what was the first thing you thought of? What was on the top of your to-do list? When we are clear of our life’s purpose our first thought should ALWAYS be, what do I need to do today to move me closer to my #1 goal.

What is most important in our lives is what we decide to put our focus and attention to. Your decisions will ultimately determine your destiny.

If your day begins with random thoughts and actions, then start by getting a clear mission and purpose. Your mission is your WHY! Why are you here and what do you want to be known for? Your purpose is your legacy. How will your purpose impact the lives of others?

We have a relatively short period of time to be able to impact the world. There is no time to waste. We need to have a plan every day. That plan is your strategy to fulfill your mission and purpose. Those who have the most clarity and a well thought out and documented plan get the most done.

So get started now! Why wait? There has never been a better time to take action. Get clear, get a plan and get going!

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,

Thank God it’s Monday,

I want to thank all of you who take the time to read my Monday Morning Motivational blogs. I am humbled and grateful that you find value in these lessons. I started writing this blog 3 years ago to fulfill my mission; “To inspire millions to live happier, healthier and more prosperous lives.”

I began writing these blogs soon after I adopted a gratitude mindset. That’s when everything in my life changed such as my relationships, experiences, abundance and opportunities.

It is easy to be grateful for the good things in your life, but we need to learn to be grateful for life’s challenges. We also need to be grateful for the things yet to come, because that requires faith.

Living in the presence of gratitude changes everything.

If there is one gift I can wish for each of you this Christmas, it is the gift of a consciousness of gratitude. It will never let you down or disappoint. It gives back everyday.

Give yourself the gift of a gratitude journal. Write in it daily. Start by giving thanks for the good things, for your challenges, for someone and for something yet to come. Unlock the power of gratitude in your life this coming year and experience your best year ever.

Merry Christmas.

Live inspired, be abundant and fulfill your destiny,