The use of the word “afraid” has skyrocketed since the 1990’s. It has become so commonplace, we say it even when we are not fearful. 

I’m afraid I don’t know why!

I know this…
Our words impact our actions.
Fear is a liar.
Fear is a cheater.
Fear is a thief.
Fear will help you make bad decisions.

We have enough problems overcoming doubt without giving FEAR a land-grant in our subconscious mind. “I’m afraid” is a terrible byword.

And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

Judges 6:15 KJV

The words are effortless; the code makes sense; the sculpture reveals itself; the music is smooth; the decisions are clear; the game comes to you.

Flow is magical.
Flow is euphoric.
Flow is freedom.

Flow does not multitask.
Flow does not have a schedule.

We can’t summon flow at will, but we can send an invitation.

Dear Flow,
I am willing to do the work necessary to become a master at my craft.
I will be consistent and show up for practice every day.
I will have a good attitude no matter how long it takes.

Your friend,
Focus

There is a certain number of interactions you’ll get to have today, a certain amount of words you’ll get to speak, and  a certain number of minutes you get to fit it all in.

Our bandwidth is limited. 
We can optimize and work our way into extreme efficiency, but we’re all limited to 1440 minutes a day. Nobody can change that.

Our bandwidth is filled with our inputs.
People – Music – Books – Thoughts – Technology – Work – Etc.

Choose to fill your bandwidth with the right stuff.
Turn off the TV and have a conversation.
Put down the Cheetos and pick up an apple.
Listen to music that lifts you up.

Eliminate the negative so there’s room for the positive.

The reason resolutions don’t work…we don’t believe.

I AM NOT saying you can believe your way to physical fitness or a better relationship with your spouse. But I assure you, you’ll never reach a destination if you don’t truly believe it’s the right thing to do. What we believe creates consistent actions that move us toward endpoints. 

If you believe you can, YOU WILL.
If you believe you can’t, YOU WON’T.

Let me repeat a quote from sports psychologist Treavor Moawad, “Your willpower will always lose to what you really believe.”

With this in mind, how can we change our beliefs? It all starts with our inputs: our friends, music, books, entertainment, hobbies, etc.

Your inputs set your beliefs.
Your beliefs set your actions.
Your actions set your destiny.

Turn in the right direction and humbly work on your inputs.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 KJV

While we were eating at the Mexican restaurant, I leaned over and asked my sister how she was taking all this in. She said, “this is the last time Tiff will live at home.” My niece, Tiffany, is officially moving away from home to start a career in video and marketing. New apartment, new furniture, new job and a whole bunch of new opportunities! From the air, it’s easy to see this is just a bend in the road. From the windshield, I’m sure it looks like a dead end. 

-The last time you change a diaper.
-The last time you smoke a cigarette.
-The last time you go to school.
-The last time you are here.

-The first time you don’t smell like poop.
-The first time you are a non-smoker.
-The first time you have a career.
-The first time you are there.

Be encouraged… “THE LAST TIME” is never “THE END”.