Speaking negative things about ourselves gains immediate attention.

I’m not pretty…. Honey, yes you are!
I never win… Sure you can keep trying!
I’m so fat… Come on man, you are just big.
I’ll never find a good job… Sure you can.
I’m always broke… I’m sorry.
I’m stupid… Are you?
I can’t start a business…. Oh.
I have terrible ideas… OK

Soon people stop giving attention and all you have are your words.
THE DANGER… negative words can actually become WHO YOU ARE!

Your words are life.
Repeated words get written in the program of your subconscious.
Your subconscious mind makes tiny decisions for you all day, every day.
The compounding effect of these decisions will transform your life. (GOOD or BAD)

Your words are the arrows.
Your goals are the targets.
Your subconscious mind is the bow.

You must be intentional about what you put in your subconscious mind.
Daily affirmations and goals are a great place to start.

Facts, points, lists, procedures, and stories. All have their place, but one of them is king.

Blogs, PodCasts and YouTube channels are increasing at exponential rates. The opportunity to teach and spread your message has never been greater or easier. You can spin up a YouTube channel in an afternoon and post your first video using a cell phone! But what message did you give your kids today? How about your spouse? Your friends?

I spoke yesterday with my long time friend, Albert Morrissette. He called to congratulate me on finally launching the SignPositive – YouTube channel. We were catching up and talking about our families and kids. He told me that one of his boys was pursuing the management training program, and a long time employee called him up just to tell him what a well rounded and respectable young man he had raised. That his son was doing the family proud! THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!

Albert and his wife Sheila have invested time, love, money, and if I know Albert – a swift kick in the shorts when necessary. They did not give their children a list of instructions to follow…they gave them examples and stories they could believe in. They told their children they not only could be great but that they WOULD be GREAT. Looks like that investment is already starting to pay off.

The most effective leaders open doors.
The most effective leaders build foundations. 
The most effective leaders tell stories.
The most effective leaders start at home.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: [7] And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV

There is a pattern in the old testament…. REPETITION.

If you can show me a place where people need information and instruction, I’ll show you a place that needs repetition. You can express your message with the coolest graphics and plaster them on every wall in your facility only to find they quickly fade into the background. The “2 Second Lean” guy, Paul Akers doesn’t even allow posters of his teaching in his business. This forces his people to memorize the content and really embody the message.

Ever find yourself in a loop of preparation procrastination? I have.

You know, when you buy a really cool leather bound journal…and never write in it. Or, when you purchase a camera and mic…and never create a video. How about writing a bunch of jokes…and never doing a standup.

Procrastination is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being exposed. Fear of rejection. Training and preparation are required, but the preparation cannot be a substitute for the performance.

Try punching procrastination in the face, crushing the fear, and doing something meaningful today.

Listening is relatively easy. It’s when you open your ears.

Hearing is more difficult. It’s when you open your heart.

Presumption is dangerous. It’s when you do neither.

So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill.

Deuteronomy 1:43 KJV

From time to time we all say, “This is perfect!” But that’s not what we really mean, right?  We usually mean, “This is better than I thought it would be.” or “This is exactly what I expected.”

In reality, true perfection is just an idea…
The perfect product.
The perfect song.
The perfect relationship.
The perfect business.
The perfect life.

If perfection is what you’re waiting on…
You never ship the product.
You never sing.
You never go deep in a relationship.
You never start the business.
You never live.

“PERFECT” is great for a goals list, but it’s terrible for a to-do list.

The short game can be enticing. To novice players it appears that action, opportunity, and fortune are in the short game. The truth is… lack of empathy, self centered pride, lying, and cheating will soon limit your opportunities and steal your money.

The short game:
I got mine.
I will cheat to win.
I don’t care.
I will lie to make a sale.

The long game:
I give more than I take.
I never cheat.
I care.
I keep my word.

Abundance and fulfillment can only be found in the long game.

If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Numbers 30:2 KJV

If you spend all your time “looking back” you will likely wreck the present.

If you spend all your time “looking forward” you will likely miss the present.

Look back and learn, look forward and plan… then do something meaningful today. We are not promised tomorrow.

Humans can do something that no other animal on earth can do. We can communicate our ideas and feelings to each other. It has allowed us to build civilizations and to birth modern technology. Our ability to communicate is the single most important thing we do.

Question: Why do we fail to communicate?

If we don’t communicate…
We can’t resolve problems.
We can’t persuade.
We can’t explain.
We can’t show empathy.
We can’t understand.
We can’t correct.
We can’t help.
We can’t love.

Answer: We don’t listen.

Listening is an act of generosity and kindness. 
Listening opens our eyes and reveals the truth. 
Listening is the bridge of communication. 

Next time you find yourself in a disagreement, instead of thinking of your next comeback, be humble and listen.

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, [13] If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?

Numbers 24:12-13 KJV

Ruts are comfortable… it’s just how I do things. It’s my default behavior; my knee-jerk reaction.

Thoughts produce actions.
Actions produce patterns.
Patterns produce ruts.

Ruts built on truth, kindness, and generosity are productive and profitable.
Ruts built on lies, anger, and laziness are destructive and deadly.

Examine yourself. 
Do the right things.
Get in the right rut. 🙂

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Numbers 21:5 KJV