You Gave Up That Right

So, I am going to start off this blog with a warning. This will not be my usual motivational type post, but more of an in your face reality check about how I view problems in our lives. If your feeling get hurt easily, you might want to stop now. If you continue to read, I hope that this sheds some light on your perception of your problems in life.

You have given up your right to bitch about the problems in your life if you have decided to ignore it and do nothing to correct it. I hear people bitch and moan about how bad things are in their life and how they wished they were better and yet they are doing nothing to correct it or make it better. Let me share a couple of true stories with you:


I know this guy, who a year into his marriage found out that his wife had cheated on him before they were married. This guy understood, once he had taken some time to analyze the situation, that he only had two options. Option one, divorce and move on with his life. Option two, forgive the woman that he loved dearly and never throw it in her face what she had done. Selecting option two meant that they would have to work on their relationship and not just ignore the problems. The guy chose option two and from what I can tell, they have a great relationship.


I know another couple who have struggled financially throughout their marriage. One of the root causes has been a credit card in her hands. She has a tendency to buy stuff that is not really needed or at times went shopping to deal with her depression. This has been a major point of contention in their relationship and she stills complains about their financial situation but doesn't do anything to correct the problem. 


Here is my point, it is an utter waste of time and energy, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to complain about your situation if you're not going to do anything about it. If you choose to keep your problem, then you only have you to blame for it so stop complaining and live with it. On the other hand, if you choose to deal with it, instead of complaining about it, put that energy into fixing the problem and move on with making your life better. 

When I learned to move my efforts and concerns to the things in my own personal life that I can control, life changed for me. I am a much happier person with little to no stress. Sure, issues still arise, but I understand that I can either do what I can to correct them or live with it. Either way, I have given up my right to bitch about them.


Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big

Coulda...Shoulda...Woulda

Michael Jordan was know for his talent on the basketball court, George Washington for his ability to lead, Thomas Edison for his inventions, and Mother Teresa for her compassion. This list could go on and on, spanning centuries, and areas in which these people have excelled. But no matter who you chose, they all have one thing in common, the abilities and talents that they possessed would have all been useless if they had not applied them. They all faced struggles and successes in their lives while applying their talents, but it never stopped them. They were willing to make sacrifices to reach their potential in life because they loved what they were doing. They were passionate about it!

What in your life are you passionate about that you aren't doing? What "coulda, shoulda, or woulda" do you think about when it's quiet and only your thoughts are there to keep you company? What opportunities in life are you depriving yourself of by not pursuing the talents that you were born to perform? Not only does pursuing your passions in life change your life, it also changes the lives of those around you. Conversely, not pursuing your passions in life, holds you back from being truly happy, healthy, and living a life full of the experiences that you were meant to have. 

It's never to late or to soon to start pursing your passion in life. Sure it might be a little harder because of certain habits that you have created in your life, or because of the mediocrity that you have settled for, but what is happiness really worth to you? I can tell you from experience, that after spending twenty years in a career, choosing to pursue my passion was a difficult decision. I knew what it was going to take to make it become a reality and I knew how far out of my comfort zone I would have to get. But the past twelve months have been the best investment that I have ever made. It has changed my life and I can see the changes in those around me. Make the decision, take the action, and don't look back.

Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big

The Foundation Has Been Laid

What a great year 2011 has been. Sure, it's had it's ups and downs, but that is just a part of life. The knowledge, experiences, and the people that have come into my life this year have helped shape what 2011 was all about. I can look back and say that there are some things that would have happened but they didn't so I'm not going to worry about it. 2011 was a year that I was able to lay an incredible foundation for all that is going to happen in 2012. I have been able to developed my mind, spirit, and soul for my passion. 2012 will be a great year to start building on that foundation and go from unknown to know, from good to great, and from practice to game day. I believe that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in life at this moment. Over the next few days I am going to take, what is for me, a huge leap of faith. I have shared my passion to become a full-time Motivational Speaker/Life Coach with just a few close friends and family. Ones that I feel I could trust with my goals, ones that would support me, and ones that wouldn't try to squash my dreams. Now, I feel like I am ready to share it with the world. I know that it will come with some criticisms and obstacles, but when a dream/passion goes from your head to your heart, it's almost impossible to extinguish that kind of fire. With the help of friends and family, we will begin to put AIAO Life Coaching on the map. I know that this will get very busy for me this next year and I am sure that there will be obstacles that will test my resolve but I am ready to take them on. Thank you to everyone for your support. I am always open to ideas and constructive criticism, without those two things, AIAO Life Coaching cannot become all that it can be. Cheers to all that 2011 was and all that 2012 will be.

Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big.

Success For Just Dollars

I have been wanting to share a list of all the books that I have read over the past thirteen months for a couple weeks now, so here it is. The ones with an asterisk are the ones that I will be reading again in 2012. I have discovered the power of reading during this time and believe that it is one of the most under utilized tools that we have. Many of these books I purchased at Dollar Tree, clearance sections of bookstores, a couple from Half Priced Bookstore,and a few from Amazon. The only book that I paid full retail for was Atlas Shrugged. I am a bargain shopper but I have been amazed, when I let the books find me, how they have been the right books at the right time in my life. Some I even bought months before I read them, but when I picked them up, the timing was perfect. In order to find the time and money to sit down one on one with all of these successful people, if it would even be possible, would be an almost impossible feat. I have found success for just a few dollars per book and wisdom that I can pick up at anytime. I would like to challenge everyone to read a book a month this next year.  

*Life Coaching For Dummies

*Neuro-linguistic Programming For Dummies

*The Alchemist -Paulo Coelho

Excellence: Inspiration for Achieving Your Personal Best -Edited By J. Pincott

Life Coach -Steve Tarde(Ebook)

You Have 3 Minutes: Learn the Secret of the Pitch From Trump’s Original Apprentice -Ricardo R. Bellino

Drive:The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us -Daniel Pink

Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story -Gail Larsen

Don’t Be Clueless: 7 Keys to Life in the Real World -Garry Cobb & Pat Breslin

A Boy Should Know How To Tie A Tie and Other Lessons For Succeeding In Life -Antwone Fisher

Sales Presentation Techniques(That Really Work) -Stephan Schiffman

It’s Not Over Until I Win: How to Become the Person You Always Wanted to Be-No Matter What the Obstacle -Les Brown

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference -Malcolm Gladwell

The Little Red Book of Wisdom -Mark DeMoss

*Rhinoceros Success -Scott Alexander

Advanced Rhinocerology: To Help You Through the Jungle -Scott Alexander

Wisdom to Grow On: Incredible Letters and Inspiring Advice For Getting the Most Out of Life -Charles J. Acquisto

Toy Box Leadership: Leadership Lessons From the Toys You Loved as a Child -Ron Hunter Jr. & Michael E. Waddell

How To Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

Atlas Shrugged -Ayn Rand

*Happiness from the Inside Out: The Art and Science of Fulfillment -Robert Mack

Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t -Michael J. Losier

Secrets To Success: When You Want to Succeed as Bad as You Want to Breathe -Eric Thomas

Journey to the Impossible: Designing an Extraordinary Life -Scott Jeffrey

Step Into Your Greatness: People Don't Fail Because They Aim to High and Miss, but Because They Aim to Low and Hit -Les Brown(Audio Book)

*Make The Impossible Possible: One Man’s Journey to Change Lives -Bill Strickland


*The Passion Test:The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose -Chris & Janet Attwood


In closing I would like to thank you all who read my posts and wish you all a very wonderful Holiday season. I am expecting big things in 2012 and I hope that all of you are as well.


Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big!!!

Stepping Out

I have been pursuing my passion for just over a year now. I have been feeding and nurturing it with great care. I am sure that there are things that I could have done better but I don't regret where I am in my pursuit. I believe that I am where I am supposed to be in this journey. This past year has had it's ups and downs, but I was open enough to allow my passion to show me what all it can and will become. Doubts have crept in and even thoughts of giving up. I have also had those days where I felt like nothing can stop me from accomplishing all that I was destined to do. Thankfully, I have have had way more days of determination than those of doubt. 

I know that I was born with my destiny and passion already alive within me. But, due to my choices I have had to wait until the time was right for it to be revealed to me. I'm not sure of the exact moment or situation that caused me to realized what I was destined to do, but I am now very clear what it is that I am to do with my life.

I know that my next step could be my hardest so far. You see, I have protected my passion and dreams from most of my friends and family. I know that I will need help along the way, but I was afraid of what others might say. So, I have probably been overly protective of my passion at times. I believe that, to some extent, I needed to protect it. Mentally and spiritually my passion needed time to mature and take root within me, to the point where it wouldn't be easily shaken. I now feel that the time is almost here for me to share with the whole world where it is I am going. I know that opening myself up like this will attract the cynics and critics. I understand that their words and actions could hamper my progress. Many of their concerns will be well founded in "being realistic" and their concern for me and my family. To those who honestly have me and my family in their best interests, I appreciate and thank you for your concern. More importantly, this will also open new doors for me. Every successful person, has had some help along the way, from sources that they never thought of. Now is the time for my passion to really take flight.


Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big
 

The Road Not Traveled

The road on the right looks close, the one on the left looks really muddy from all the recent rain, and there is no way to turn around. So, I guess the I will have to go forward, onto the four-lane Interstate that is well paved, has a 70 MPH speed limit, and plenty of traffic. Left, right, or forward will all get me to the same place, the end of my life. You see, on the road of life we will be faced with this type of decision many times over. Going forward means that you will follow the status quo. You will live your life, like many other, among the people who have given up on their dreams in exchange for being comfortable. Personally, I have traveled this road a lot and it's easy and pretty safe travel. To be honest, I've enjoyed the time that I have traveled this road. It didn't require a whole lot of effort and I could use cruise control most of the time. Sure, I haven't achieved everything that I could have, but who needs that headache? The more you achieve, the more that is expected of you. Plus, I have a good job that I can move up in, I make pretty good money, I have a nice home and car, and a family that loves and supports me. What or why ask for more out of life? Because the road that looks to muddy or the one that seems closed is the one that is not travelled in my life. Because that is the road that my heart and spirit tells me that I should be on. At almost 40 years old, many would say why now and isn't it to late in life? Many before you have tried and failed miserably at chasing their dreams. But that's the point, that was them and that was their dreams. It's time that I take the road not travelled in my life. I am willing to take on the struggles and hardships that will inevitably happen. When your dream moves from your head to your heart, there is no stopping you. So I salute those of you who have decided to travel the road in your life that has not been travelled and those of you who are now making that decision.You will face criticism, doubts, hardships, and maybe even lose some friends and family along the way. The road not traveled will test you like you have never been tested before in your life. It will cause you the do things that you have never done and will force you to be good at things that you never saw as one of your strengths. But, that road will also give you happiness like you have never felt, inner peace like you none other before, and a sense of worth that only that it can.

Now I know that this metaphor is probably a little redundant and played out but for those of you who really know me, I speak what is on my heart. I know that the seeds of inspiration, that I share, will never go without being harvested when they are read by an individual with an open mind and heart.

Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big

Second-Class Citizenship

The definition of a second-class citizen is a person considered inferior in status or rights in comparison with some others. I believe that many of us have been a second-class citizen at some point in our lives or might even feel like they are one right now. I know that I have been a second-class citizen at times in my life. I have been poor, homeless, worked what some would consider menial jobs, and have lived in a trailer(mobile home) more than once. One, if not more, of these could classify me as a second-class citizen at different times in my life. I know that there are many other factors that could cause someone to be considered a second-class citizen but none of these are what I would like for you to take into consideration.

When we deprive ourselves our birthright of being happy and living up to our fullest potential as a human being, aren't we really relegating ourselves to second-class citizenship? It's not that we are inferior, but we place ourselves in an inferior situation when we ignore our happiness and passions in life. We are capable of far more that what we allow ourselves to accomplish. Some are afraid of failure, some success, and still others are plain lazy. I understand that it's easier to just ignore what our heart wants, especially when it will take work to make it happen. With time, that nagging feeling of accomplishing what it is that you have always wanted to do will subside, but it will never completely go away. From time to time, your heart will remind you of the "what if's" of what your life could be like. It will remind you that you are not a second-class citizen, but a first-class human being, with a hidden passion that needs to be fulfilled. No one can accomplish your dreams and goals but you and no one can make you completely happy but you. 

It's time to turn in your second-class citizenship card and go after that which has caused you many restless nights.

Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big!!!