HALFWAY THERE

Today, June 30th, is day 181 of 2017.

YOU.ARE.HALFWAY.THERE!

Ok...technically, there are 184 days left in the year and the true halfway point will be July 2nd....BUT....today is the END of the first half of the year, as counted by months.

So, here are a few questions for you:

• How's your year going?
• What successes have you had?
• What challenges have you faced?
• How are those New Year's Resolutions coming? 

"New Year's....what?"

You remember those, right?  

NEW YEAR....NEW YOU!  So much promise as the New Year began.

According to U.S. NEWS, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the 2nd week of February, so the odds are mostly against you.

BUT WAIT......there's hope!

Having a BEST YEAR YET doesn't include quitting or giving up on your goals...plans...and dreams.

Here are a few things, if you commit to them, that will help you redeem the 2nd Half of this year and you can FINISH STRONG!

• SET SHORTER TIME FRAMED GOALS
• I have employed a concept called the 12 Week Year
• The focus is on, and only on, the next 12 weeks
• WHAT ARE 2 to 3 ACTIONS YOU CAN CONTROL
• For a weight loss or fitness challenge, this would be like
• Control the type of food you eat
• How much you eat
• How many days of exercise will you do
• If your goals are not fitness related, think of key actions you can control to help you get to your goal
• These ACTIONS should have a "measurable" component to them
• If it doesn't get measured, it doesn't get changed
• SET CHALLENGES TO GO AFTER
• Get others involved with you
• Here's an example:
• Within your 12 weeks, do a 4 week "plank" challenge to work on your core
• Challenge and invite others to join you and post what you do on Social
• This will keep you accountable!
• Maybe your goal is in saving money
• Cut out one thing you would usually buy during the week and save that money
• One trip to Starbucks
• One meal eating out
• It's not hard...it's just DISCIPLINE

When your 12 Weeks are up, take the next week to assess how you did; set a new set of 12 WEEK YEAR goals; CELEBRATE what you accomplished and get ready for next week.

Here is what I'm committing to do in the next 12 Weeks:

• I am training for a marathon, so in the next 12 Weeks, not only will I continue to focus on my running/training miles, but I will also incorporate CROSS TRAINING/STRENGTH TRAINING (T-25; Insanity Max; the gym; etc) 3 days a week
• I will post to Social during these next 12 Weeks so that I am kept accountable to my goal

Who is going to accept my 12 WEEK YEAR CHALLENGE?  It can be anything that you want to do that you can have a measurable outcome (weight; fitness challenge; relationships; budgeting; etc).

Send me a note and let me know what you are going after in the next 12 weeks. 

adventure

[ad-ven-cher]

- an exciting or very unusual experience

Doesn't that definition sound like life?  "..an exciting or very unusual experience."

The heat today reminded the CHEERLEADER of the day we moved to Tulsa, OK in 1991. 

That day, August 8th, was the hottest day of the year in Tulsa.  If memory serves me, it was 108 degrees...in the shade!  We talked about the move; unloading our belongings into our 900 sq. ft. apartment; our new bed spread; how long it took to cool off our new "home" due to the door being left open as we moved in.  

As we were talking about it and remembering that day, almost 26 years ago, I said, "WHAT AN ADVENTURE!"

We both smiled at that thought and I began to think about ALL of the ADVENTURES we have been on since.  That move to Tulsa wasn't the first of our LIFE ADVENTURES, and I'm stating, right here, that it won't be the last!

Our lives are a series of ADVENTURES from getting married, having our first child, then our second, then our third, moving (we moved 9 times in the first 10 years of our marriage...the last 21....3!), church, jobs, elementary school, Junior High, High School and College. Graduations, marriage of a child, deaths in the family, new life, and on and on and on and on it goes.......

Through it all...through the GREAT times and the not so great times, one constant has remained.....WE KEEP LIVING OUR ADVENTURE!

As you journey through your BEST YEAR YET.....take on each day with the anticipation of an ADVENTURE!  

Find something NEW today that you haven't done before...maybe meet a new person....Hi-5 a stranger....SMILE at someone.....SMILE at yourself...get out of your comfort zone and do something out of the ordinary. 

I'll leave you with this, "When was the last time you did something for the FIRST time?"

Begin TODAY to LIVE YOUR ADVENTURE!

      

PATHS

Which road did you take?

Which road are you on right now?

Any regrets?

There are times when you should take the tried and true path.  Follow after those that have gone before you.  

It's easy.

It's safe.

BUT.....

There are times, when you need to choose the path that not many others, if any, have traveled down.  

The "signs" aren't as clear.

The path is not a smooth.

It's risky......oh, but the REWARDS!

Are you trading SIGNIFICANCE for safety....SIGNIFICANCE for comfort?

Don't be like the one who said, "I wish life had a rewind button."  

In the end, we'll only regret the chances we didn't take.

When you are like the one in Robert Frost's poem, and are faced with 2 roads in front of you, which will you take?

My BEST YEAR YET is going to be filled with the ROAD LESS TRAVELED!  YOURS?

AIM SMALL MISS SMALL

The other night I caught a bit of the classic movie, THE PATRIOT, with Mel Gibson.  I really like this movie.  So many GREAT leadership lessons with inspiration woven throughout it.

When I turned it on, it was near the part where Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson's character), says to his sons, "Remember what I told you?" To which, they reply, "AIM SMALL MISS SMALL."

Think about this for a moment.  When an archer draws back a bow, they are far more accurate when they ZERO in on the bull's eye then when they broadly aim at the target. 

Same with a golfer.  When they concentrate on landing the ball on a specific spot near the pin, their shots are more accurate...more precise then when they just target the green, in general.

What is true for these actions are also true when going after your goals in your BEST YEAR YET!  The sharper the focus....the more accurate you will be.  The more accurate you will be...the less margin for missing your target or goal.

You have read here about DREAMING THE BIGGEST DREAM YOU CAN....THEN GO AFTER IT.  Did you know that it doesn't "cost" anymore to dream BIG than it does to dream small.  

DREAM BIG!

Now, in your BIG DREAMS...BIG GOALS, to be the most effective at reaching them, be LASER FOCUSED in order to position yourself to AIM SMALL MISS SMALL!  

Here are a few to consider as you start:

• If EVERYTHING is important, then NOTHING is important
• What are the 2 or 3 KEY ACTIONS (those you control) that will put you in position to hit the TARGET?
• The KEY is to focus on what YOU can control
• KNOWING what NOT to do
• This is almost as important as know what TO do
• Don't be distracted by things that might "LOOK" good...might even be good, but they have no bearing on your GOALS
• The KEY is DON'T BE DISTRACTED by the "shiny" object off to the side
• Your ACTION need to be measurable
• What gets measured GETS DONE!
• Can you measure the actions (or lack of actions) towards the goal?
• Example: if you want to lose weight
• Do you track what you are eating
• Do you track how much water you are drinking
• Do you track what and how much exercise you do
• Do you track your sleep
• Each of these are MEASURABLE metrics to track to hit your goal
• What METRICS are you tracking to AIM SMALL MISS SMALL?
• BE ACCOUNTABLE
• Have someone who can follow your METRICS and can give you input
• If you are not hitting your targets, let them speak into what you are or are not doing
• If you are hitting your targets, CELEBRATE together

So, as you continue in your BEST YEAR YET, DREAM BIG, and be laser focused on your KEY ACTIONS so that you can AIM SMALL MISS SMALL!

MADE NOT BORN

There's a great story that Leadership Expert, John Maxwell tells.....

"A group of American tourists walked through a quaint English village in wonderment. They were enamored by the town’s winding cobblestone streets, the beauty of its courtyards and plazas, and the sense of history emanating from its ancient churches. While strolling through the local park, the tourists struck up conversation with an elderly gentleman and found out that he had lived in the town for his entire life. One of the Americas, eager to hear more about the town’s history, asked, “Sir, have any great men been born in this village?” “Nope,” said the old man, “only babies.” 

LEADERS ARE MADE, NOT BORN!

Now, it's true, we are all born, but you understand where I'm coming from.  NO ONE is BORN A LEADER.

Maxwell in his book, THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP, says that "Leaders develop daily...not in a day!"

What do you do daily to increase your LEADERSHIP?

"I'm not a LEADER, Tim."  Oh, to the contrary. 

WE ARE ALL LEADERS.....we just might not be in the "recognized" LEADERSHIP position.

Whether you are the CEO of the company, the grounds keeper, or something in-between, YOU.ARE.A.LEADER.

Back to my question, "What do you do daily to increase your LEADERSHIP?"

Here are 3 things that I do EVERYDAY, that helps to increase my LEADERSHIP:

• READ / LISTEN
• I look for ways to increase my personal development through reading about others that have done something that I want to do 
• I am including READING and LISTENING as one action as I spend time READING books and articles as well as LISTEN to podcasts that help in my personal development
• WRITE
• As a LEADER, I write this blog, BEST YEAR YET, everyday
• I spend time to understand my voice and let others "hear" it as well
• Besides this blog, I usually find myself writing throughout the day.  Not necessarily in sentence structure, but in ideas, quotes, other things that catch my attention
• THINK
• When I was growing up, I would get in trouble for "day dreaming."  Today, my "THINKING TIME" is the "adulting" term for "day dreaming!"
• I spend time just thinking about things.  Thinking about actions.  Thinking about how to do things better.  Thinking about challenges and how to overcome them.
• I also think about things that I can't do alone.  Those BIG visions/goals that will take others getting involved to get it done!
• I "visualize" GREAT things happening.  I want to "SEE" it in my heart first...then I KNOW I'll "SEE" it in the flesh!

Find something that you can do, DAILY, to develop yourself as the LEADER you are.

REMEMBER, LEADERS ARE MADE NOT (just) BORN!

THE DECISION

decided

/ dəsid /

verb

1. come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration.

Everyday, we are each faced with a series of decisions.

When it comes to our VISIONS, GOALS and DREAMS, we will be faced with the decision to give up or press forward.

Here's a list of known people and where they were at different ages. 

• At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA
• At age 23, Oprah was fried from her first reporting job
• At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer
• At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school
• At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare
• At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter
• At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker
• At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home dad working odd jobs
• At age 39, Julia Child released her first cookbook and got her own cooking show at age 51
• Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic Figure Skating Team, didn't get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40
• Stan Lee didn't release his first big comic book until he was 40
• Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42
• Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52
• Grandma Moses didn't begin her painting career until age 76

Whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it.

You are not a failure because you haven't found fame and fortune by the age of 21.

Hey, it's ok if you don't even know what your dream is yet.

Even if you're flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you'll end up tomorrow.

NEVER tell yourself you're too old to make it.

NEVER tell yourself you missed your chance.

NEVER tell yourself that you aren't good enough.

YOU.CAN.DO.IT.......whatever IT is!   

YOUR DECISION!

ON THE RUN

How was your RUN today?

You didn't run?

One part of the definition of the word "RUN" is, "a journey accomplished or route taken..."

So, let me ask you again, how was your RUN today?

Or should I ask, "what route did your journey take today?"

Each day, in our BEST YEAR YET, we have an opportunity to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.  What impact have you made or did you make today?

• Physically
• What did you do to increase your heart rate
• Spiritually
• Pray
• Read you Bible
• Attend a Bible study
• Relationally
• Have a meaningful, non distracted, conversation with your spouse/significant other
• Have a meaningful, non distracted, conversation with your child(ren) or a friend
• RAK (Random Act of Kindness)

Just like in race training, some days are REST days.  I get it.  BUT everyday is NOT a rest day!

Be intentional to maximize opportunities you might have to make an IMPACT each and every day!

As you journey through the rest of today....and every other day....ask your self, "HOW WAS MY RUN TODAY?"

FINAL NOTE:

My run today?  It was tough.  Started out good, but realized I didn't account for the heat on my 5 miler.  Didn't take any hydration with me and I felt it at about mile 3.  5 miles today, and a 9 miler tomorrow.

UNCOMMON

1. un·com·mon
   ˌənˈkämən/

   adjective

   1. 1.

      out of the ordinary; unusual.

   adverb

   1. 1.

      remarkably.

   
   

"UNCOMMON.....UNCOMMON, can you use it in a sentence please?"

This was the thought or question that went through my head when I pulled up the definition of UNCOMMON.  It wasn't that I didn't know what it meant, it was how it was used in a sentence that struck me as odd.  

This is what it said, "prostate cancer is not uncommon in men over 60"  Wait...what?

First of all, isn't that a double negative?  Wouldn't the sentence be better if it said, "prostate cancer IS common in men over 60"?

Anyway....let's stick with UNCOMMON being out of the ORDINARY....being UNUSUAL...being REMARKABLY!

One of the synonyms of UNCOMMON is "peculiar."

In the Bible, 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people...."  Here, it doesn't mean STRANGE, it means you are not ordinary, you are set apart, you are special.

There is so much COMMON in this world, why not be UNCOMMON?

Recently I asked myself, "are you trading SIGNIFICANCE for comfort?"  I could have asked, "are you trading SIGNIFICANCE for being common?"

What is UNCOMMON?  

• How about going down to the homeless shelter and serving food 
• Or volunteering to coach youth athletics and you don't have a child playing
• Giving of your TIME, TALENTS and TREASURE to see someone else's life change 

There are so many other things that you can do.  Be creative and come up with something UNCOMMON, so that you can be a part to CHANGE HISTORY in this, your BEST YEAR YET.

What SIGNIFICANT, UNCOMMON act can you do?  Drop me a line and let me know.

Now, go be UNCOMMON!

22 ON 22

It's this guys birthday today!

Luke is "22 ON 22!"

I have probably said it here....I know I have said it before....BUT HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!

Luke is our youngest so that makes me......still young too!

Wow...as I was looking for pictures, it's as if I jumped into a DeLorean and shot back in time to different periods...years...memories....happenings.

So much has gone on in these past 22 years:

• 5 homes
• 3 dogs
• Vacations
• Stay-cations
• Father's Days at Rosenblatt
• (now) Father's Days at TD Ameritrade
• Christmas morning Hot Wheels
• Football games in Lincoln
• Football games around the country
• Weddings
• Funerals
• Surgeries
• Surf Camp
• B-B Gun and TVs
• So much more.....

As each of us go through life, remember to CAPTURE each moment so dear.  Don't rush life, as we talked about yesterday, "Row....your boat (life) GENTLY down the stream...."

So today, Luke, we celebrate you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  

Here's to your BEST YEAR YET!

Love you!

A boy and his dog