I’m sure most of you have read Dr. Stephen Covey’s book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”  Today, I want to leave you with the 7 habits of highly unsuccessful people.  

Please make sure you don’t embrace any of these habits.

1 – They Think, Say, and Do Negative Things

They see problems in every opportunity.  They complain that the sun is too hot.  They curse the rain for ruining their plans for the day.  They think that everyone is against them.  They see the problems but never the solutions.  Every little bit of difficulty is exaggerated to the point of tragedy.  They regard failures as catasrophies.  They become discouraged easily, instead of learning from their mistakes.  They never seem to move forward because they’re always afraid to come out of their comfort zones.

2 – They Act Before They Think

They move based on instinct or impulse.  If they see something they like, they buy at once without any second thought.  They don’t think about the future.  What they’re after is the pleasure they will experience at present.  They don’t think about the consequences.

3 – They Talk Much More Than They Listen

They want to be the star of the show.  So they always engage in talks that would make them heroes, even to the point of lying.  Oftentimes they are not aware that what they’re saying is not sensible anymore.  When other people advise them, they close their ears because they’re too proud to admit their mistakes.  In their mind they’re always correct.  They reject suggestions because that will make them feel inferior.  These people are “know it alls.”  We have all met these types of people.

4 – They Give Up Easily

Successful people treat failures as stepping stones to success.  Incompetent ones call it quits upon recognizing the first signs of failure.  At first, they may be excited to start an endeavor.  But then they lose interest fairly quickly, especially when they encounter errors.  They they go and search for a new one.  Same story and same results.  Incompetent people don’t have the persistence to go on and fulfill their dreams.

5 – They Try to Bring Others Down to Their Level

Incompetent people envy other successful individuals.  Instead of working hard to be like them, these incompetent ones spread rumors and try every dirty trick to bring them down.  They could’ve asked these successful ones nicely.  But no, they’re too proud.  They don’t to ask for advice.  Moreover, they’re too negative to accomplish anything.

6 – They Waste Their Time

They don’t know what to do next.  They may just be content on eating, getting drunk, watching TV, or worse, staring at the blank wall with no thoughts whatsoever to improve their lives.  It’s perfectly fine to enjoy once in a while.  But time should be managed efficiently in order to succeed.  There should be a proper balance between work and pleasure.

7 – They Take the Easy Way Out

If there are two roads to choose from, incompetent people would choose the wider road with less rewards, rather than the narrower road with much better rewards at the end.  They don’t want any suffering or hardship.  They want a good life.  What these people don’t know is that what you reap is what you sow.  Efforts and action will not go unnoticed.  If only they would be willing to sacrifice a little, they would be much better off.  Successful people made it through trials and error.  They never give up.  They are willing to do everything necessary to achieve what they aspire for in life.

Today, I would like to leave you with three simple success principles.  If you study the lives and actions of successful people, you will find that they all possess the following traits.

I.  Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life

In a society where people blame everything from their parents to the government for their failure, successful people don’t buy into this type of thinking.  They realize that when you say, someone or something outside of yourself is preventing you from succeeding, you’re giving away your power to that someone or something.  You’re saying, “You have more control over my life than I do!”  Successful people don’t buy into this victim thinking.  Rather, their personal credo is…”If it’s to be, it’s up to me!”

What successful people understand is that there are certain things in life you can’t control, such as nature, the past and other people.  But there are things you absolutely can control, such as your thoughts and your actions.  Taking 100 percent responsibility for your life is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself.

II.  Live Your Life “On Purpose”

Perhaps what separates superstars from others more than anything else is that they live their lives “on purpose.”  That is, they are doing what they believe they were put here to do.  Having a sense of purpose in your life is the most important element of becoming a fully functioning person! 

When you live your life on purpose, your main concern is doing the job right.  You love what you do — and it shows.  Your conviction is as evident as it is persuasive.  And you will find that people want to do business with you because they sense your commitment to giving your all.

III.  Never Give Up

It may sound so simple, even obvious, but when you are truly committed to achieving your goal, giving up is not even an option.  You must be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.  Everyone wants to be successful, everyone wants to make a lot of money.  Yes, everyone wants it, then why is it that so few achieve it?  They simply are not prepared to do what it takes to achieve it. 

During WWII, the Germans had defeated and occupied most of Europe.  They were about to move in and destroy the British empire, but they had misjudged one powerful war hero, Sir Winston Churchill.  This is part of Sir Winston’s speech he presented to the nation: 

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”

England defeated the Germans because of one man’s super-human courage.  Historians today say his courage came from his Purpose, his Passion, and his Never-Give-Up Attitude. 

Never under estimate the power of perseverance and what it can do for you.

We all want success in life.  We want success in our home life, business life, and in our relationships with others.  The most important single factor that guarantees our success in every aspect of our lives is having a positive attitude.  Without a positive attitude, success is not possible.

You will never attract positive things into your life if all of your thoughts are negative.  Just as a magnet attracts anything metal, our minds attract the things we think about most.  Your mind will always seek to turn the things you think about most into physical reality.  Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “A man becomes what he thinks about most of the time.”

What is attitude?  As the dictionary defines it, attitude is a way of talking and behaving.  However, its significance in our lives is much more.  Attitude is a way of life.  We have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  As they say, the only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.  We cannot change our past, nor can we change the way certain people think.  We cannot change what’s inevitable, however the only thing we can possibly change  to deal with situations better, is our attitude.  Attitude determines outcome.  This truth is accepted by most of the successful people of the world, whether it is a doctor going for surgery or a businessman launching a new venture.  It is attitude that provides them the winning edge.  Thus, a correct and a willful attitude is the key to success.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than fact.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstance, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, intelligence or skill.  It will make or break a company, your downline, or a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.   The only thing we can do is to play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  This means that no matter what happens to you, it is how you react or respond to it, that is the most important attitude.

When you lose hope, when you despair, when you blame people all the time, when you do not even want to try and persevere, then you choose to make life meaningless for yourself. What is the value of intellect, imagination, education, knowledge, wisdom, experience, competence and talent if you adopt a negative attitude every day?  You need to have a positive attitude every day.

Thought for the Day:

“It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.”  ~ Zig Ziglar

Speaker, trainer and author, Jim Rohn, provides the following tips to ensure a productive life.

• Do not spend time regretting the past, but invest that time wisely by preparing a better future.
• Develop an understanding and awareness of the fact that all good will be attacked.
• Do not doubt yourself, for where doubt resides, confidence cannot.
• Smile at adversity, and act quickly to eliminate it.
• Do not imagine yourself to be less than you are, nor more than you are, but seek always to become all of which you are capable.
• Invest your time in worthy projects, invest your thoughts toward a worthy occupation, invest your affection toward a worthy recipient and, finally, invest your greatest respect for yourself.
• Choose the good in life in all things, and choose the opportunity as well as the chance to work when springtime smiles on your life.
• Do not allow yourself to become arrogant or discourteous, for both are characteristics adopted by those who seek to cover their weaknesses.

Thought for the Day:

“Do Today what others won’t, and Tomorrow you will enjoy what others don’t.”

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.  Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different.  He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.  I have decided to choose one of you.”  The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued.  “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED.  I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.  I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.  He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.  She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.  Everyday he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.  After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.  Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.  By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot.  He just knew he had killed his seed.  Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.  Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues.  He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil.  He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot.  But she asked him to be honest about what happened.  Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right.  He took his empty pot to the board room.  When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives.  They were beautiful – in all shapes and sizes.  Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back.  “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO.  “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot.  He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.  Jim was terrified.  He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure!  Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim.  He looked at Jim and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!”
His name is Jim!”  Jim couldn’t believe it.  Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.  “How could he be the new CEO,” the others asked.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed.  I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it and bring it back to me today.  But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.”

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.  When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave YOU.  Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.  Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!’

~When YOU plant honesty, YOU will reap trust~

~When YOU plant goodness, YOU will reap friends~

~When YOU plant humility, YOU will reap greatness~

~When YOU plant perseverance, YOU will reap contentment~

~When YOU plant consideration, YOU will reap perspective~

~When YOU plant hard work, YOU will reap success~

~When YOU plant forgiveness, YOU will reap reconciliation~

~When YOU plant faith in GOD, YOU will reap a harvest~

So, be careful what YOU plant now; it will determine what YOU will reap later.

I believe that we were created for greatness.  We were created not just to survive, but rather to thrive.  We were created to live life to its fullest and enjoy the abundant life.  I also believe that our Creator doesn’t play favorites.  We have all been created unique, with equal opportunities for great success.  If that is the case, I have to ask myself the question, “Why is it, that most people simply struggle and merely survive each day?”

Tony Robbins answers the question with this statement, “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power.  Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular. In fact, I believe most people fail in life simply because they major in minor things.”

How is it that so often people from such humble beginnings and devastating backgrounds manage, inspite of it all, to create lives that inspire us?  Conversely, why do many of those born into  privileged environments, with every resource for success at their fingertips, end up fat, frustrated and often chemically addicted?  What makes some people’s lives an example and others’ a warning?

Here are some ideas on how you can live a life of greatness:

1.  Just Do It!

Most people spend their time dreaming, thinking, planning, setting goals, and forget to just do it!  Planning your work is important, but more important is working your plan.

2.  Understand Your Value!

Recognize and accept that you were created for greatness.  God gave you talents to use, not to bury.  Do something you love and you are passionate about.

3.  Focus.

The difference between winners and losers is that winners focus on their goals, and don’t get distracted by other so-called opportunities.  If you have laser beam focus on your goals, then you can cut through anything that seems to be trying to stop you.  Be careful of well-intended friends and people who try to get you to lose focus.

These three simple ideas will get you started on the road to greatness.  Greatness is a rare trait found in only a few.  But my question to you is, “Why Not You?”  We only have one life to live, so why not live it to its fullest and enjoy every moment.

Greatness is not power, wealth, fame, beauty or talent.  William Arthur Ward describes it, “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position or prestige.  It is discovered in goodness, humility, service and character.”  In other words, it is becoming someone you admire.  Not because of egotism but because of the innate desire to be and do one’s best.  Why not add greatness of character to our lives?  For when we do so, we add value to them.  And when we have value, our life has meaning.

When we hear the word “invest,” we often think of investing in the stock market, in real estate, or for retirement.  While it’s good to invest that way, the truth is, those investments will eventually fade away.  The best inheritance we can leave our children and others around us is what we invested in them, not what we left for them.  When we’re not taking time to share what we know with the next generation, then we are not being faithful with what God has given us.  God expects us to impart to others.  The next generation should not have to start over.  They shouldn’t have to re-learn what we’ve already learned.  We should be pouring everything we know into our children, into a young person, into that co-worker in the office, and into people in our organizations.  We’re all leaving a legacy.  Let’s make sure it’s an intentional legacy.  The only investments that are going to last are the investments we make in other people.  We didn’t get to where we are on our own.  Somebody invested in us.  Make it a goal to invest in someone else.  You can leave a mark that cannot be erased.  If you will take time to invest in people; mentoring, teaching, training and modeling, then those seeds that you sow will be multiplied back to you.

Most people in our world today need encouragement.  They need to be validated and affirmed.  So, I encourage you to ‘Be an Encourager.’  Here are 10 simple ways you can encourage someone and make their day;  maybe even change their lives:

1. Show genuine interest in them.
2. Take time out to listen.
3. Be available.
4. Send a note (email or sms) telling that person you appreciate them.
5. Look for something positive about the person and tell him or her.
6. Tell the person one thing he/she does well (be specific.)
7. Acknowledge when that person does something good or well.
8. Don’t forget to say, “Thank You.”
9. Get to know what interests that person and pass across useful information.
10. Be Kind.

Thought for the Day:

“It’s one of the greatest compensations in life that no one can help another without helping themselves.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recently I have been thinking a lot about that question, “Why not me?”  There are a lot of people who are healthy, fit, with good figures;  that raises a question, “Why not me?  There are millions of people who are very successful network marketers, “Why not me?”  There are thousands of people who find it easy to recruit, “Why not me?”

I think you are getting the point.  But that is a good question.  We can, of course, make lots of excuses, but that’s all they are, they are excuses.  There is no reason in the world why we can’t do something, if someone else has already done it or is doing it.

Maybe some of the reasons it’s not us is because:

• We don’t really believe we can
• We are not committed
• We are not passionate about it
• We are not persistent and give up too quickly
• We are not prepared to give up some things and do whatever it takes to make it happen
• We don’t want it badly enough

From now on, when you see someone achieve something great, say to yourself, “Why not me?”  When you see someone buy a new car or home, “Why not me?”  When someone achieves Executive Director or National Vice President, “Why not me?”

I can honestly say when I see a new 4-year old company in our industry reach a $billion in sales in one year, I ask myself, “Why not me?”  Don’t accept second best, don’t possess a defeatest attitude.  We were created to be successful.  Unfortunately, life has programmed us for failure, however we don’t have to accept this;  we don’t have to be one of these victims.  I want you to know that you are a winner.  Accept nothing less, and you won’t have to say, “Why not me?”  I leave you with this that I found on the web today.

Why Not You?

CONSIDER THIS…

Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration.  Why not you?

Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them.  Why not you?

Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today.  Why not you?

Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present.  Why not you?

Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment.  Why not you?

Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength.  Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children.  Why not you?

Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits.  Why not you?

Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness.  Why not you?

Today , many will find abundance in simplicity.  Why not you?

Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial.  Why not you?

Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes.  Why not you?

Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference.  Why not you?

Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, and so much more.  Why not you?

Today is a new day!

Many will seize this day.

Many will live it to the fullest.

Why not you?

I heard someone say, “There are two things that are most difficult to get people to do:  to think and to do things in order of importance.”  He went on to say, that’s the difference between a professional and an amateur.

So often we are busy doing the urgent and can’t find time to do the important.  I also believe this marks the major differences between a leader and a follower.

• A follower knows what they want, but they don’t have the time to get it done.
• A leader knows what they want and makes the time to do what it takes.

There is an important principle in life.  It is called the “Pareto Principle,” also known as the 20/80 principle. 

The Pareto Principle is: 

20% of your priorities will give you 80% of your production if you spend 80% of your time and energy on the top 20% of your priorities.

Examples of the Pareto Principle:

• 20% of our time produces 80% of the results
• 20% of the people take up 80% of our time
• 20% of our products bring 80% of our sales and profit
• 20% of your downline will produce 80% of your growth and success

So, I encourage you to implement the following strategy:

• Determine which people are the top 20% producers
• Spend 80% of your ‘people time’ with the top 20%

Remember, we teach what we know–we reproduce what we are.  So, if you want your leaders and downline to enroll, then it is vitally important that you lead by example. 

Here are a few differences between leaders and followers:

To grow your Sportron business it is important to know where you are and where you want to go.  Then simply prioritize your plan, your daily activities, and “Take the Next Step.”

You have often heard me say that life is a series of choices.  We can choose to enjoy life, we can choose to be successful, we can choose not to get angry or jealous.  Sometimes it’s not easy, however, it is possible not to let life’s unpleasant circumstances affect how we feel and react.

Today I want to tell you that you can choose to be happy!

Happiness does not depend on your circumstances, it depends on your will.  It’s a choice you make.  Some people can go through awful situations, yet you would never know they were having  problems.  While others in similar circumstances insist on wallowing in despair; they are down, depressed and discouraged.  Well then, what makes the difference?

It’s all about making choices.  It’s how you train your mind.  One person chooses to develop a habit of happiness.  They are hopeful, they are believing the best, and that everything is going to be okay.  The other person has trained their mind to see the negative, to be worried, frustrated and constantly complaining.  Don’t allow your boss or spouse to ruin your day.  Don’t allow circumstances to upset you.  Don’t allow stress, anger or frustration to steal your joy and happiness.  Every day has it’s frustrations and every day will not go the way we planned or hoped for.  However, how we react to those situations will determine our state of mind.  When that happens, decide, “I’m going to be positive; I’m not going to allow this to affect me; I choose to believe everything will work out for my good.”  That type of talking to yourself will put you on the road of productivity, success and happiness. 

We must always remember that we can’t control people, nor can we change them, however, we do have full control of how we react to situations and circumstances.

To be a successful network marketer, you must possess the habit of happiness because people are attracted to happy, positive and excited people.  People who are always negative, complaining and tired are unhappy people and they never last long in our business.

My message to you today is to accept responsibility for your happiness and your life.  Decide to make Happiness a Habit!

Thought for the Day!

We first make our habits, and then our habits make us. –John Dryden