Name some significant people. Immediately Washington, Lincoln, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King come to my mind. Now, name the most significant people in your life. Different list, right? 

There are certain people who just “showed up” at critical times and had a huge impact on who you are today. Life changing words and generous actions can come from almost anyone at any time. A pastor, mentor, parent, boss, friend, doctor, or even your local barista can plant a seed. Keep your focus on those who have loved and helped you along the way. Be grateful for the significant people in your life.

Understanding the truth is great.

Believing the truth is better.

Doing the truth is freedom.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32 KJV

Rings
Ornaments
Challenge Coins
Bracelets
Tattoos

Tokens are effective reminders until you turn them into decoration.

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: [39] And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Numbers 15:38-39 KJV

Everyone has their own way of doing things; this is a good thing! Thoughtful change often produces better results, higher quality, increased efficiency, more happiness, and better work. The flip side is – sometimes we do things without consideration. Sometimes we DRIFT.

Ever ask yourself…
“Why did I get myself into this?”
“Why didn’t things turn out better?”
“Why am I overweight?”
“Why is my marriage on the rocks?”
“Why is my business failing?”
“Why is the service so bad?”

Drift is very dangerous. It will steal your life and dreams. Drift will put you in a place you never wanted to be. So, what can we do about it? My friend Jayme Yarroch has a one line solution for drift.

INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT

I know this is a simple statement but it’s powerful. It works in business, management, personal relationships, families, marriages, spiritual growth, and every area of your life. If you set goals and then make sure your actions align with those goals, you’ll hit the target every time.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Joe Sabah
“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time” – Zig Ziglar

The world never gets up at 4am for months on end to grind with you. It never pulls all night coding sessions with you. It didn’t read 1000 books with you. It’s never there to help with the kids while you fulfill orders for your business. It does not see your countless hours of practice. It didn’t go to 6 months of therapy as you fought back from injury.

So, the next time someone says…

“You’re the most talented”
“You are wonderful”
“You are so lucky”
“You suck!”
“You don’t deserve this”
“You will never make it” 

IGNORE IT!

The world usually looks on as you cross the finish line; sometimes with admiration, sometimes with envy. The world can’t share your experience because it doesn’t understand your sacrifice.

Believe in yourself, trust the process, and don’t believe the comments.

For every successful singer… there are thousands with better voices.
For every successful entrepreneur… there are thousands with higher IQs.
For every successful athlete… there are thousands who are faster.

“If I had your talent”… is jealous dreaming.

“If I had your talent” is the lie we tell ourselves to escape the responsibility of taking control of our own lives. Determination, work ethic, and sacrifice pave the way to success. It’s never your talent.

I understand, all your excuses are valid.
But, the truth is, the marketplace doesn’t care.

The market does not care about your color, or your religion, or your place of birth, or even your 5th grade education. The marketplace does not care about your manufacturing problems, your people problems, your increasing costs, or your logistical problems. The marketplace doesn’t care if a rogue virus comes through your facility and sends everyone home sick for a couple of weeks. The market cares about price, quality, service, and deadlines. The only thing the market wants to know is…. “can you deliver”?

I love the fact that the marketplace does not care about me personally. There is a freedom and focus that comes from a free market economy. A wonderful opportunity for problems solvers, innovators, and hard workers. If you can fill the need and you can do it better, you can win!

Are you gonna make it better, or make excuses?

Here is my essential reading list from 2020. IMHO the audiobook version for each is better than the print. 🙂 If you’re only gonna choose one, my personal favorite is the first in the list, “What You Do Is Who You Are”. This is the best book on culture I’ve ever read. Enjoy!

What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your Business Culture

I’ve never met anyone who was hoping their life would be worse tomorrow.

I’ve met lots of people with bad attitudes, poor diets, terrible work ethics, and no goals.

Zig Ziglar has a wonderful quote, “90% of the people don’t care that you have problems and the other 10% are glad you have them.” This statement might not be 100% accurate, but it’s close. The sooner we can stop focusing on our circumstances and start focusing on our actions; the sooner things change for the better.

Set goals, do the work, and learn to love the process.

The seeds you plant are the fruits you get.

Your actions create your results.

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.

Leviticus 26:6 KJV

What are you going to do when your back is against the wall?
What are you going to do when you win the lottery?
What are you going to do if the outlook is bleak?
What are you going to do when everything is perfect?

Your current situation, good or bad, is just another opportunity.
Face every opportunity with the same attitude.

“Things don’t happen to me, they happen for me.”