Personal Development: "Be All In and Give It All You've Got"

 "Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you." - William James

If you want to succeed in anything you do, you must be all in.  It applies to everything you do. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Whether it's in a team environment, in business, your significant other or spouse, but most  importantly, it really all begins with you. So, what do you have to do to be all in and give it all you've got?

1. Commit yourself. You must make a commitment to your goal, team, the people involved and the outcome.  Just having a passion or desire is not enough.  A desire is a want and that's it, just like a passion.  We desire, along with being passionate, all the time. But, how many of those desires or passions have you actually followed through on or acquired?  Wanting something is not enough and it certainly doesn’t mean being all in or giving it all you've got.  It’s more than words, wants or desires; it's a promise.  People of integrity and real leaders keep their promises, therefore honoring their commitment.
2.  Hold yourself accountable. True accountability can only come from you.  You're the only one who can hold you accountable.  And to make it work, you must allow others to hold you accountable as well.   Success is never found on your own, it always takes other people to help in one way or another.  If you're not willing to be held accountable to the commitment you have made or for what you have to do or say you're going to do, then you're not really all in and you're not giving it your all... it's that simple.
3. Be dependable. Being consistent with your word shows, not only others that you're trustworthy and dependable, but yourself too.  When people stand in support of you, they know they can count on you to do what you say you're going to do. You build trust with them. It's like this, if you can't count on someone to follow through, then you learn very quickly you can’t rely on them and you will foster little trust in them and eventually you won’t waste your time on them, right?  Well, that's how it is with you too... it's a two-way street! Be willing to be all in, because those that are all in will to have leave you behind if you're not dependable. They will not give up their commitment to achieve their dream for one who can’t give it their all.

What you really need to know by being all in or giving it all you've got, is that you can't quit or stop because things get rough or life becomes difficult and gets in the way.  There will always be excuses or reasons that can get in your way and stop you from doing anything, if you let it.  This maybe a good time to change you thoughts, behavior or attitude before you begin justifying your lack of commitment.  Your actions or lack thereof, will always speak louder than words.  Remember no one finds success on their own, help from other people is always needed, some way, some how.  There's no such thing as a self-made millionaire. So know where you're going, enjoy the journey, be all in … and give it all you've got all along the way.

Dare to... Practice Moderation

Virtue is a habit of the mind, consistent with nature and moderation and reason.  ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero


Being moderate is doing just enough for you... working enough and resting enough. I don't mean doing just enough by being mediocre or complacent, no, no... that would be going to the other extreme and that's not good.  Moderation simply means creating balance in your life. It means using self-discipline to keep from overdoing it, like stopping before you go overboard. But, moderation is even more than that. It's a specific kind of balance. It's being conscious and aware of what you're doing. And, recognizing that too much of any good thing is bad. Even a virtue, when pursued to excess, crowds out other virtues and causes harm.

When you practice moderation you have balance between insufficiency and excess. For example, while talking too much can be disruptive, not talking enough, you get ignored. And when there's a discussion, your special way of thinking about things will be missing from that discussion.  So, knowing the right balance is the key to moderation if you want to be kept from being blown about in the wind of your wishes and successes. Without moderation you can get swept away and damage yourself by things like drugs, alcohol, or crime, then becoming addicted, you want more and more and more.

Dare to.... Be at the Top of Your Game

It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.
Henry Ward Beecher

Dare to...

Are you at the top of your game?  Are you doing really well, doing extraordinarily well? Maybe you're a doctor and you've been recognized as the best in your field. A well respected lawyer who's a partner in a top firm. Perhaps you're a super stay-at-home mother and the envy of all the parents at the playground. Dreams don’t come true unless you are motivated enough to work towards your goals and strive persistently until they are accomplished. As the road to success gets tougher, most people lose heart and soon give up on their dreams, but keeping your eye on your vision and working diligently will propel you to the top where the view is much better.

But if you are doing extraordinarily well; where you have achieved that kind of recognition and success, you're considered to be at the top of your game.  As notable psychologist, author and speaker, Dr. Robin says it's easy to become arrogant... it can go to your head, but you shouldn't. "You don't have to be a jerk because you are excellent; you don't have to be a jerk because you do it better," she says. "You don't have to be a snob; you don't have to act in that oh-so-powerful way if you are at the top of your game."  Dr. Robin says those really at the top of their game, in every way possible, are people who are:

• compassionate 

• willing to share their expertise 

• great role models for anyone looking to find success.

"Partner your passion, your purpose with your skill set, and you will be a winner and at the top of your game." Dr. Robin Smith

You want to be at the top of your game? Just apply the very strong, intense emotion or desire you have inside of you to something you love to do, to your intentional or voluntary behavior of active awareness, with the ability you have to do something well, whether it arises from talent, or acquired through training. And as Dr. Robin implied, just leave out the arrogant, full of yourself attitude and add some compassion, be willing to share, and be a role model to any. You can do it... I dare you.

Dare to... Believe In Your Dreams

Dare to...

"Risk, care, dream and expect." ~ Derek Davis

You've had a dream... a vision about your future, you like it, but have a hard time believing that you can really make your dream a reality?  The real deal is that you have to create that state of certainty where you believe in your dreams. You have to really know and feel that it's coming your way. So what do you do? Read on:

Dare to...

Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2

“Always think on paper.” ~ Keith Cunningham

• Write down your dreams and visions. If you expect to achieve what you believe, then you must write it down. I mean using pencil and paper, erasing all doubt, by drafting and refining it until you get it to where you want it.

Personal Development: Comfort Zone Be Gone

Life loses its meaning when we get stuck up in comfort zone. –M.K. Soni

Your comfort zone is your behavioral state of mind operating in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk. True statement... in other words, boring.

LifeandStuff

 A comfort zone is a type of mental conditioning that causes a person to create and operate mental boundaries around themselves. 


Where is the challenge and growth when you operate around boundaries and already know what to expect. Such boundaries create an unfounded sense of security, that is, when you establish your comfort zone you tend to stay within that zone without stepping outside of it. Step outside your comfort zone and experiment with new and different environments. You will find that you'll be lead to new and different responses within your new environment. 

Personal Development: 'Success is in Confidence'

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

You want to define yourself, at work and socially. You know who you are; beautiful, capable and settles for nothing less.  And I'm sure you've encountered confident people; their walk and talk oozing with confidence.  You want that... without being arrogant or hubris, of course.  You know you aspire to be confident, however, you're unsure; lacking self-esteem, style or poise.  Well, no more - put your future in your hands and lay your path straight by incorporating the tips below to help you be a confident person ... it'll get you on track to living life on purpose.