Head up...

In these times of confusion and uncertainty, there is one thing we can count on and that is change. In this time of chaos, all of us are going to have to change. Here is the simple choice we have to make:

Change or become Irrelevant!

Here is the key: implementing proper change takes some courage and facing facts head on. Most people will not do this and that is why they end up in comfort zones doing the same thing over and over again...only to expect better outcomes. It just doesn't happen that way.

We are also facing change head on in our business. Some ideas that we are looking at:

• 2 Day Retreats for business professionals and life producers...a need to just get away; clear the mind intentionally; re-fresh with positive thoughts; and come away with new ideas and new prescriptive.
• New speeches (2) Find extraordinary in the ordinary; Be Intentional
• Newsletter
• New technology...video and audio so we can share our work with more people at a faster pace

Those are just examples of our business in real time adjusting and making changes. When you view change properly and embrace change, it actually become very healthy and very exciting.

Today.... it is esstential to change. Embrace it. And just take some steps. Show courage. You will be glad you did 3 months from now!

Fun!

In 2 days it's on! Teddy, Tate, and Dad for an all boys weekend!

One thing is for certain: We will have Fun!

In these times of uncertainty and chaos, I think one thing is really needed: FUN! But are you intentionally having fun? Some things to consider:

• Do you have a list written down of fun things you love to do?
• If so, have often do you look at it?
• If so, how often do you actually do those things?
• If not, why not?
• Why do we wait to have more fun?

Take some time and have some fun. By the way, you will not want to see our house Sunday night after the three boys have a weekend of fun...because cleaning the house is not on our list.

Just Another Manic Monday

I heard the stock market was down substantially today....I don't know because I don't follow it. Why? Because I only worry about things I can control and the stock market is not one of them.

But there is one thing I can control: Action!

Enough complaining and moaning...that doesn't solve anything.

Here is what does fix things:

Action! Action! We want Action!

Sorry if this is not complicated enough but then again, most things can be made really simple if we get rid of all the noise...I am reminded of a CEO of a fortune 200 company that once told me that he could find a ton of people to make complicated charts and analysis that nobody could grasp.... but only a few could make things simple so everyone can understand.

Priorities Focus Execution

I had a discussion yesterday with a business owner. After listening to his pain points and some of the future issues he is going to have, I worked on a simple cheat sheet that I apply in my own business. Look... we often make business way too hard. Business can be as hard or as simple as we want to make it. I choose to make it really simple (partly because I am not that smart!)

For me and our business, there are 3 critical elements that I must always have my finger on the pulse. I can never lose track of these three things.

1. Priorities: What are the priorities of your business? Do you have them defined? Are they the right ones? Do you track them? Are they working? Do all the employees know the company priorities? These are just some questions you need to have answers to when defining the priorities of the company (or your life for that matter!) But it amazes me on how many businesses do not have clearly defined priorities outlined and then communicated throughout the organization. It is very critical to define the priorities. This requires some space and quiet time away from the business to really work on this effectively. We do "strategic retreats" that are the best r.o.i on our calendar.
   
   
2. Focus: After the priorities are clearly defined and targeted, the next step is to focus on achieving them. The top producers and "get-it-done" people have a laser like focus about their business. Unlike most of the world, who chase rabbits here and chase rabbits there, the top producers are singular in focus. The priority is clearly defined and turned into a target. Then the top producer sets her sights on hitting this target with a passion, energy and concentration that the competition can't match. My goal is to have a focus like Tiger Woods; that is my mental picture of where I want to be.
   
   
3. Execution: Once the priorities are defined, and then the focus is set, the final critical element is to execute. Just Do It! as Nike says...Don't be like rest of the pack out there in the marketplace that fail to perform. Do Stuff! Just execute every single day with enthusiasm! Or in other words as we say in our business....and again we make it simple because we are not that bright...Just sell something to somebody!

The above is a very simple cheat sheet (but a ton of work behind it). Make business simple and by doing the above three, I know your results will be outstanding!

My 10

My Top 10 things I am excited about:

1. New speech and seminar we are writing that provides real life tools and motivation in this time of chaos in the marketplace! This is going to make a huge positive impact for a ton of people!
2. My busy schedule...
3. Wide open spaces...new ways of thinking and new ideas! Can't wait to keep exploring for "new"... My favorite saying is: What's Next?
4. New Cellphone
5. Lake Hills Church (my church) in Austin TX! http://www.lhc.org
6. Our company over next few months is going to be awesome! I can't wait...hard work but a ton of fun.
7. Teddy and Tate....one day from them and I miss them desperately. These two miracle boys Rock My World every single day! My boys...enough said.
8. Brighter Days Ahead....Think positive + Act positive = Positive Results
9. 7 months until football
10. Improving my journal both in quality and quantity. I am committed to get better at writing...I just think and feel better when I do it.

Friday's thoughts

Yesterday I had a blast! I spent the afternoon with the Lake Hills Church Downtown team. They are an amazing group full of talent, motivation, and a strong willingness to learn and improve. A total blast of fresh air!

Imagine what the marketplace would look like if every team mirrored Lake Hills Downtown? For starters, there would be no recession or down-turns; that is for sure...

Some interesting things I learned and thought about:

• Understanding time and time management is one of my top 3 most critical elements in success. Those that get time management dominate. In my opinion, we can't spend enough on understanding and improving time. What are you doing to get better at maximizing your time? If nothing, then you just don't get it...because this is something you can never master.
• Power of a Team. When nobody cares who gets the credit, amazing things can happen. Easy to say but I almost never see it in action.
• ROIR....return on investment relationally! Nothing more important than relationships. But are we intentionally growing our relationships? For most, the answer is no...Today, set a plan to grow relationships...it's the best time you can spend.
• I love creative people. Just go talk to creative folks and you automatically start to think different. Very cool...

Mark my words on this prediction: Lake Hills Downtown is going to make a huge difference in Austin and beyond. I have been doing this long enough to know when you can see high performance in work...as long as they continue to want to improve and stay hungry, the sky is the limit! Great to see God at work....

Look at those 4 bullet points and give yourself some analysis...where are you at?

Mo Problems Mo Teachable Moments

Stress and problems generally go hand in hand. Similar to a popular song: Mo Problems Mo Stress! But most of the time the stress has more to do with how relate to the problems than the actual problems themselves.

Question: How much of a problem do we make our problems? For most, the answer is a big deal and surrounded by lots of stress and chaos.

Is there a better way we can deal with problems? YES! When you are faced with a problem, view it not as a point of stress, but rather a TM...teachable moment. With every problem, we have a choice on how we are going to view and deal with the problem. I am suggesting looking at your problems from a teachable moment point of view.

With every problem, there is an opportunity to learn and grow. Simply, every problem presents a teachable moment that we can improve from. Now that is not to say the adversity is fun or we should enjoy problems. Not at all. But what I am encouraging is that we can learn from every one of our problems. If we view our problems as teachable moments and a chance to grow, the stress is lifted from us and we can make much better choices.

Our new song: Mo Problems Mo Teachable Moments!

Words

One of the problems I am seeing in today's chaotic marketplace is the use of words. Simply, far too many people are talking negative. And really when you think about it....what does talking negative actually accomplish? Nothing; but makes you and others feel down and out. The negative talk is driving me crazy. So unnecessary and so harmful. There is a quick down and dirty on examples of bad and good words.

Negative Talk:

• Expenses
• Wait
• Focus on them and they
• It's (recession and tough times) going to last a long time
• Downsize

Positive Talk:

• Revenues
• Go
• Focus on us...what are we doing? Take care of our own business daily
• It's getting better today
• Growth

Why is everyone talking about cutting expenses and chopping here and there....but nobody is talking about increasing revenues? It blows my mind. A business can only cut and slash so much and for so long...but a business can last forever by growing revenues. Seriously, do a check up from the neck up. Start talking positive today! Focus on the positive and you will be amazed on how things will turn around for the better.

Tastes Good Tastes Bad

Have you ever really thought about the fact that most things that taste good are bad for you... and most things that taste bad are good for you?

Tastes great but is bad for you:

• Candy
• Chocolate (anything sugar)
• Things and Stuff (materialism)
• TV
• Gossiping
• Bigger and More of everything (houses, cars, entertainment systems)
• Self interests

Tastes bad but is good for you:

• Medicine
• Less of everything
• Spinach
• Giving (but once you do there is not a better feeling in the world...but the key is to let go...don't white knuckle hold on...give everything away (time, money, stuff)
• Carrot juice

I think this same principle is true for so many experiences in our life. We simply get better and improve in our life when times don't taste all that good. Look back into your past and every time you grow and improve is when you went through some adversity. That's just the irony of life. Also look back in your past and in your good times, you just didn't grow that much. We simply learn more and grow more in tough times rather than good times.

Today, with all the marketplace chaos and uncertainty, there are many people going through tough times. I know it doesn't feel good. But really, we are all getting better. We are growing and improving. It just doesn't taste good now is all. That's OK. We all will get better through this adversity and years from now, we can look back with gratitude that we went through these tough times.

Better days are ahead for all of us!

But take your medicine today with a positive attitude and get better from it.

TNT

Today Not Tomorrow!

So many people are waiting:

• wait until the economy improves
• wait until things are better
• wait until there is an easy entry point
• wait until next quarter
• wait until next New Years
• wait until I feel better
• wait until my spouse agrees

Wait Wait Wait

No more waiting. We need action! Don't follow the mainstream and wait. Do something different like GO Today!

1. Let you competition wait while you GO Today!
2. Try that new idea Today!
3. Get out of your comfort zone Today!
4. New ways of doing things Today!
5. Challenge yourself Today!
6. Ready...Aim...Fire Today!
7. Be inspired Today!
8. No more fear and take huge risks Today!
9. Connect relationally with someone you love Today!
10. TNT is dynamite Today!

Right and Smart

Something to think about:

The right thing to do is the smart thing to do...

In today's world decency rules; and is more important than ever. For example: If business is tough and you need to let people go, do it with grace and decency.

It is not only the right thing to do but also a very smart business thing to do. When you make a list of all your "customers", don't forget to include ex-employees on that list.

Also: Happy Birthday MOM!