Time out....!

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Good day everyone.

I want to take my own advice this week and take a time-out.

When we were young, I am sure that many of us were ordered a Time-out, or nap, by our parents.
Perhaps we misbehaved, or were acting like wimpy kiddy baby whiners!

The time-out didn't seem to serve any real purpose, or so we thought at the time.
Even though the time-out wasn't too long, from a lifetime perspective, it had a desired outcome.
Usually, we came back and decided to be nice, and were more mellow, and less whiny.

It's amazing what 20-30 minutes can do to a grouchy kid..!

As adults, we don't get summoned to a Time-out anymore, but sometimes we should.

It is so common in today's fast-paced and hectic world, that we don't take a time-out.  (Not that we should go in a corner, but simply take a real time-out.) Some people are pros at this.  It can be a stroll in your neighbourhood, or a short vacation.  It can do many things for you....all of which are good.

My good friend Eden, said to me one time, "Mike, when the going gets tough, it's time for a vacation."
(Looking forward to the Harley ride in a few weeks Eden!)

I have the three R's for my time-out.  (this is when I apply it to a short vacation, as is the case for me this week...Yahoo!) 

The first R is of course Rest.  When the stress levels and demands subside for a few days, you get to Rest, and actually feel rested.  What a concept!

The second R stands for Relax.  This may include not having any structure, focus, or agenda, other than to relax.   Kind of a "don't worry, be happy" angle to life.

The third R is about Re-focus for me.  This is after ample rest and relaxation.  You now have a new perspective on the road ahead.  It could be for the next month, or next year.....depends on how often you take vacations.

This quote, seemed to apply for this week's Blog.
“We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep.”   -Earl Nightingale

I look forward to coming back in a week, rested, relaxed,  and re-focused on the road ahead.

Have a great week everyone....................I definitely plan on!!!

"Helping you to the next level"

ENVY

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Good day everyone!!

Envy is a small word, but a big issue for many people.

As kids, we would say, "hey, no fair, Johnny got a bigger piece than me."

As adults, we think, "hey no fair, Johnny has a bigger house than I do."

Envy is defined as:

-feeling envious towards someone; admire enviously

-a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

-be envious of; set one's heart on

-spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)

There is no easy solution to Envy, but I have a few suggestions.   If you see someone with something that you really want, why don't you figure out a way to go get it on your own.  Of course, you will do this with integrity, determination and focus.

“Envy is the art of counting the other person's blessings instead of your own.”  - Harold Coffin

Another option is to create a list of all the things that you have in your life today, and be thankful and full of gratitude for what you have.......and not be envious for the things that you do not have.

Is your glass half full?...........or half empty?

While I have 3 amazing sisters, my middle sister Elaine reminded me of this message last week when she emailed me a note:  "Mike each day you wake up and think.....this is going to be a great day......because there are a few people in this big old world that Love Me."  
This is one of those things that I am thankful for!

I know that many of you will have an awesome week, and others may envy you! .... Feel better?

Have a great and productive week!

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next level"

Life Lessons............from Wisdom!

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Good morning everyone!

This weeks Blog will be a little longer, but for good reason, as I have the privilege of sharing some wisdom from my 85 year old friend, Vernon.

Vernon has been a longtime family friend, former boss and mentor to me.   I have known Vernon my entire life!  He is 85 years young and I regard him as one of the brightest business minds that I know.  We always enjoy meaningful discussion on the phone, or face to face, when we are together.  I always find time in my schedule when travelling to Saskatchewan to see Vernon, because I always learn something.  (I also apply my longtime guiding principle here as well.  " I am glad I did...................vs. I wish I had.")

I asked Vernon recently, what he regarded as his Life Lessons in the past 85 years.

Here are some of Vernon's thoughts:

He said "Mike, you are like me..., your ears are eager to hear and learn". 
I guess it is true, because I always can listen to absolutely anything Vernon has to say, regardless of topic.

When he was in his early teens and his parents would visit the neighbours on the farm, he would sit with the adults, vs. play with the kids his age, as he wanted to learn something.  Vernon, said,  "you should always learn as you go."

When he started his Farm Equipment Dealership in 1949 he earned solid customers and they trusted him and he in turn trusted them.  They had confidence in him, as a businessman. (FYI.....Hibbard Equipment Ltd., is still in active operation today)

Vernon noted that "today, the world is changing so fast....you need to keep up!"  Are you keeping up??

He's a man that always has a passion for learning and seeing the world and loves to travel.

Vernon stated, "nature is becoming more of my enjoyment.....it is great to see mother nature's work." That would explain his passion for farming.

He has a lot less focus on business today, and the fact that he can see his grand kids, and now great grand kids grow up, is very important to him, as well.  "They are true enjoyment!"  He noted that the difference with your kids and your grand kids is that you tell your kids to "slowdown" and now you get to watch the grand kids run!

As Vernon and I shared some deep dialogue about life a year or so ago, when he treated me to a steak dinner, while I was in Regina, he commented about the changes we experience in life.  He said, "Mike, nothing lasts for ever.....we change, and people change and go in different directions......just accept it."

I asked Vernon what he would like to be remembered for?  He laughed, and said, "I am not sure I should be remembered for anything, other than the fact that I am no different than anyone else.  I looked after myself, and loved what I did in business and tried to enjoy life."  I know for certain that he truly loved what he did from a business perspective.  He said, "if I had to do it all over again.................I would."

I am grateful that Vernon took the time to share this wisdom with me, but I am truly honoured to have him as a dear friend and Life Mentor. 

Enjoy your Alaskan cruise and Yukon tour coming up this week Vernon! 

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)




"Helping you to the next Level"

Past, Present and Future

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I am sure that all of us think about this on a regular basis.

We have heard the express that the "past is the past".  This is a very compelling statement, however it is sometimes difficult for us to not reflect on the the past.  In some cases, it is a good experience and sometimes it is a bit more painful to ponder on the past.  It could be because of things we did,.....or didn't do.

An area that a lot of people seem to not focus on, is to live in the Present.  I know this sounds crazy, but there seems to be more times that we are reflecting on past decisions or experiences and hoping for a new or different future, but in the meantime forget to be present and live today and make it the very best that it can be.

As a spin off from last weeks BLOG (Optimism, Pessimism, and Realism) I see the Optimist thinking about the future in a bright and beautiful way...................that is how I look at it, for the most part.  The Pessimist is obviously anticipating a just so/so future.

"Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.”   - Carlos Santana

We all have choices and can decide on how we will view or think about the future.  It is an opportunity for change and growth....whatever that may look like.  The expression, "hindsight is 20/20" simply reminds us that we have perfect sight of the past and it should be clear as to what we did well, or failed to do.  The key here, is to take this knowledge and apply it in the present, and of course the future.

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next level"

Actions speak louder than words!

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Some may suggest that "talk is cheap", and for the most part this is true, if there is no action or intent behind the talk.

I regard myself as a man of action, yet I enjoy talking about all the things that I want to do and accomplish in my life.

Someone commented to me last week, that "I didn't need to keep saying what my intentions were, because my actions proved it."  In this case, my positive actions were validated and they did indeed speak louder than words, not to mention the fact that it was great to hear this.

How many people do you know that talk about losing weight, or exercising more?  I admire the intent, but if they don't start eating healthier and walking (vs. talking about it) very little progress, if any, will be made.

From a business perspective, I know many people who want to improve their career.  Perhaps by getting a new job, or generating more revenue.  All great ideas, but.....in so many cases that is all it becomes....."talk of an idea."

I came across this quote by Henry Ford many years ago, and it hits me every time that I read it, and reminds me to talk a little less, and act a whole lot more.

"You can`t build a reputation on what you`re going to do" - Henry Ford.

The obvious message here is that if you plan to be slim and trim, or rich and famous, go for it.....but you can't just leverage or hold onto the fact that you only talked about doing all of this.

Remember, to truly create your desired future you must execute on the ideas that will get you to where you want to go.....not just talk about it!!  That is why I respect the people that can truly say that they have "been there, done that."

I PLAN on having a great and productive week.............Really!.........I am not just saying that....!


(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)



"Helping you to the Next Level"

Optimism, Pessimism and Realism!

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Where do you put yourself?

I have dabbled in all three in my lifetime.

OPTIMISM
•the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
•a general disposition to expect the best in all things

PESSIMISM
•the feeling that things will turn out badly
•a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things

REALISM
•the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
•reality: the state of being actual or real

There are extremes to all three, in my opinion.  Some Optimists live in LaLa land, whereby they are always dreaming that "all" things they hope and think about will come true.  The reality is, that this rarely happens in actual fact.

Having said that, the Pessimist may paint nothing but gloom and doom and believes that many things just won't go their way!  Ironically, if this occurs, they will have achieved their expectations, and if a favourable outcome arrives, they are pleasantly surprised.

I tend to lean more towards Optimism, than Pessimism, but have learned a great deal from Pessimism, in fact it has taught me to be more Realistic.

A very special person in my life often has this discussion with me, and as a result I have gained a new perspective from these discussions and the topic of Optimism, Pessimism and Realism.  She is more pessimistic than I am, yet I truly respect the rationale behind her thoughts. It simply let's me look at life and certain situations from a different angle.....a good thing!

It has been said that pessimists have at least one big advantage over optimists: They take a more realistic view of things, including business situations."   ("Learned Optimism", by optimism enthusiast, Martin Seligman,)

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute."  ~Gil Stern

I am Optimistic that many of you will have a great week, but the Reality is that some of you may not....LOL.

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)


 
"Helping you to the next level"

Think BIG!

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It beats the alternative, doesn't it?

I have a great amount of respect for people who Think Big! You can't help but admire the vision and excitement that goes behind all of those BIG thoughts!

My nephew Brian, always thinks BIG!  He has continually educated himself for 10 years, with an undergrad degree, Masters and now a CMA.  He thinks so Big that he and wife Tracy had twins.......can't just go with one baby at a time Brian!

In life and business, I know many people who Think Big!.  They want their cake and eat too.  Is that so wrong.....?

Many of us grew up believing that it would be selfish if we wanted it all....!

I think very differently today.  If you want it, go get it.  But there is a catch......as you need to have a viable action plan and apply ongoing effort and perseverance.  Many people fall off the "Think Big" train when it comes to the last part.  Do you mean, you have to keep at it, if you want to achieve something Big?   Yup!!!

Sometimes, we can be really lucky and it just happens, but in most cases, Thinking Big may involve patience as "IT" may not materialize for a year, or two, or.. five down the road.

I am a fan and admirer of the late Napoleon Hill's work.  He makes reference to how so many people don't "keep on, keeping on".....and if they had, the BIG outcome would be just around the corner....but they quit too soon.

Anything is possible if you Think Big!...................but you may have to work for it.....!

"Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do."  - Napoleon Hill

Have a BIG week everyone!


"Helping you to the next level"