Newsletter for March 2005:
Three of Life's Essential Truths

Don't wait for success, and don't wait for tomorrow! Live your life the way you want to live it. You are in charge of your schedule. You are in charge of who you hug, how much you smile, what you think about, and how much you learn. Of all the creatures on earth, only humans get to choose how we will live our lives. Don't blow it! Live well. Focus on the things that enrich your life. Learn. Grow. Every day, be happy.

Recently, I was reminded of three of life's most powerful truths. Each of them deserves a “This Months Thought” all by itself, but I can't wait to share them with you. Patience and waiting are not always a virtue, so I want to give you all three at once. I'll try to be clear and brief

 

Truth #1: "How we live our days is how we live our lives."

 

This quote from Annie Dillard is one of the most important things I know. I talk with people all the time who say that "some day" they'll create the life they truly want, but they always have an excuse why they can't do it now.

Obviously, some dreams require patience while we move toward them, but many of our most important dreams take no time at all! You can have them TODAY! Do you want a better relationship? Do you want to be more fit, have more energy, have more fun, or be more relaxed? Do you want more time with your kids or your parents? Would your ideal life involve more humor, more laughter, more love? Why are you waiting?

Reach out to someone you love. Read a good book. Go for a run, or get a massage. Tell a joke, hold someone's hand, send them a card. What are you waiting for? These things don't cost a penny, and they are available right now.

Whatever your ideal looks like, move toward it this month. Take control! Set your alarm clock, adjust your schedule, and move toward your ideal life. The way you live your days is ultimately the way you live your whole life!

 

Truth #2: "We become what we think about most."

 

This quote has been credited to many people, from Aristotle to Marianne Williamson, so I don't know who said it first, but it is TRUE!

The things we think about become the themes, the focus, and the center of our lives, and we control the things we think about, every day.

Right now, as you read this, think about the color blue. Now, think about elephants. Now, think about being sick, or being poor. See? You can think about love or success or fun or health or anything else you focus your thoughts upon. Is that all there is to "success"? Of course not! But focusing your thoughts on the things that enrich your life and make you happy can't hurt, either. The things we think about most, will surely influence the direction of our lives. Choose wisely!

 

Truth #3: "To have more, you must first become more."

 

This is a wonderful quote from Jim Rohn.

Alcoholics Anonymous defines insanity as "doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result", and yet that's what many of us do every day. We go to work with the same skills and the same attitudes we had last year, hoping for a different outcome. Or, we talk to our kids with the same tone of voice and using the same words, but hoping for a different response. That is crazy!

To change your outer life, first change your inner life. Improve your skills. Read more and better books. Take classes. Listen to tapes. Get a coach or talk with experts. Take notes. Try a new way, or a new approach.

The biggest challenges in life are not to be successful in business or to become famous, or to win first prize in some contest. Those things are fun and valuable, too, but the BIG pieces in life are living well, fulfilling our potential, and making a difference.

Don't wait for success, and don't wait for tomorrow! Live your life the way you want to live it. You are in charge of your schedule. You are in charge of who you hug, how much you smile, what you think about, and how much you learn. Of all the creatures on earth, only humans get to choose how we will live our lives. Don't blow it! Live well. Focus on the things that enrich your life. Learn. Grow. Every day, be happy.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world." -- Anne Frank

"I want to do it because I want to do it." -- Amelia Earhart

"You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now." – Joan Baez

"People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals – that is goals that do not inspire them." -- Anthony Robbins

In working with professionals, the biggest challenge I hear is the quest for clients. For many professionals, and some business owners, the challenge of maintaining a consistent, high-quality marketing system is over-whelming but it doesn't have to be that way!

First, I note that many of the professionals who struggle with the business side of their practice are the BEST in their respective fields! They love what they do! So, why don't they have clients calling them every day?

Because, second, they confuse marketing with advertising or "pressure", and they refuse to do it. Out of that confusion, they fail to take simple but powerful, positive steps that could make a huge difference in their practice, and in their personal finances.

Third, they don't have a plan, or they don't follow it consistently over time. Marketing is not about pressure or sales or gimmicks. It's about letting the world know what you are good at, and what you love. It's about letting people know how you can serve them, and that's a wonderful thing!

This spring, develop a 90-day marketing plan that you personally love. Focus on your strengths, and the things that are easy for you to do. Think about your natural allies and partners, and invite them to work with you. Set a budget, commit to a plan, and stay the course. Decide to have your best year ever, and work your plan! This is not hard - it's easy, and it can be extremely profitable!

Need help developing a plan?

You can certainly contact me for coaching, but a fellow coach – David Steele, has published an amazing e-book called, "How to Build Your Ideal Practice" and I highly recommend it. If you need more clients (or customers) and need a plan to get them, buy and use this book. It doesn't "cost" - it will pay a huge return on your investment of a few dollars, a few hours, and a bit of work. To get an E-book or paperback copy, visit: http://www.buildingyouridealpractice.com/.

I love stuff like this, and never tire of the many subscribers who forward jokes and word-plays and silliness to me! I hope you enjoy it!

Several cannibals were recently hired by a big corporation. "You are all part of our team now", said the HR rep during the welcoming briefing. "You get all the usual benefits and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat, but please don't eat any of the other employees."

The cannibals promised.

Four weeks later their boss remarked, "You're all working very hard and I'm satisfied with you. However, one of our secretaries has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to her"?

The cannibals all shook their heads no.

After the boss had left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which one of you idiots ate the secretary?"

A hand raised hesitantly, to which the leader of the cannibals continued, "You fool! For four weeks we've been eating Managers and no one noticed anything, but nooooooooo, you had to go and eat the secretary!"

GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND! Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!