JD – The only way to have a friend is to be one. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

JM – I find your lack of faith disturbing. – D.V.

EB* – Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

JW – The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. — Robert Frost

Since EB was out today, I got to go out and search for a quote for him.

This quote from Emerson struck me.

Every day is the best day of the year. Every day is your birthday, Christmas, your anniversary, the day you found $5 dollars; all wrapped up in one.

What a great and positive way to look at a day.

Sure made me smile a little wider.

Make it a great end of the week and weekend.

Jake

http://youtu.be/Slpz0D35oRI

The Lorax is one of the favorite Dr. Seuss stories at our house.

My favorite quote from it is:

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

What a great reminder that we do, in fact, make a difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” – Kenneth Blanchard

As you think about that smaller goal you are focusing on this week, you may be at the point of seeing if you are really committed or just interested.

A consistent theme around goal achievement and success is discipline.

At some point we have to accept no excuses, only results.

Not feeling it today, do it anyway.

Didn’t get enough sleep last night, do it anyway.

All your friends aren’t doing it that way, do it anyway.

Are you really committed to your goal?

You don’t get to answer that question, the results will answer it for you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. – Henry Ford

Sticking with the theme of trying to help everyone accomplish that small win they are looking for this week, today’s quote talks about something that comes up with nearly 100% of all goal achievement: obstacles.

We are all going to be presented with obstacles and excuses.

We will all the opportunity to quit or give up.

But keeps your eyes on the prize.

Don’t let the obstacles and excuses distract you this week.

Let your creative juices flow and figure out a way around them.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you chase after two rabbits, both will get away. – Proverb

Yesterday, I hopefully got you thinking a little bit about some small way to get started towards a goal of yours.

Today, I am hoping to help you keep your focus on it.

As the Proverb above illustrates, it is by dividing our attention that we lower our chances of successfully accomplishing our goals.

This week, intently focus on meeting that short term, small objective you thought of yesterday.

Don’t let anything get in your way.

Sign out of FaceBox and Pinetrust.

Unplug the TV.

Put down that comic book.

(Unless these were part of your goal.)

All of life’s little distractions will still be there after you meet your goal (they might actually end up being less attractive).

What is distracting you from getting that quick win?

Make it a great day.

Jake

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. – Zig Ziglar

I thought I would start this week off with something to hopefully get you started.

One of the best ways to get started is with something (seemingly) small.

A phrase that has been stuck in my head lately is “I have everything I need in order to succeed.” And starting small is a great way to realize this. You don’t have to wait for that big raise, that big move or some other major life event.

Starting small also gives you a chance to build your willpower and discipline muscles. If you were lifting weights, you wouldn’t start by loading up the bar with every weight in the place.

So, what’s your small start for the week?

Reading 50 pages?

Exercising for 30 minutes?

Putting that first $10 in your “I’m super rich” gar?

Eating a salad for lunch?

Whatever it might be for you, pick something small and get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

JD – Every problem is an opportunity.

EB – In this bright future you can’t forget your past. – Bob Marley

JW- If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done. — Thomas Jefferson

JM – Invention my dear friends is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple. – Willy Wonka

I really like the quote JW shared from Thomas Jefferson.

What a great reminder of such a common sense approach.

Are you missing the mark in an area of your life? Take a look to see if you just haven’t been willing (yet) to do something you’ve never done.

Overweight and never been willing to commit to an exercise plan?

Out of money and never been willing to stick to a budget?

Bad relationship and haven’t been willing to face your fear and have a difficult conversation?

The point at which you are willing to do something different is the point at which that positive change begins to come to fruition for you.

Begin that process today with something that has been lingering for a while.

Make it a great weekend.

Jake

http://youtu.be/010KyIQjkTk

This one goes out to my wife, Meaghan. One of the Kriss’s passed away this week so we have been walking down memory lane this week.

Amazing how a song can take you back to a time and place.

Make it a great day.

Jake

http://youtu.be/MkX6xQM_QE8

Saw this commercial during the Masters and it has stuck with me since.

Swing your swing. Your own imperfect swing. The one that only you are capable of bringing greatness out of.

I have been asked to speak to groups or individual students over the years about career choices.

One thing I mention to them every time. Know yourself. Know what kind of job you will or won’t like. Know what kind of environment you will or won’t succeed in.

Now, after seeing this commercial, I can add one more thing. Swing your swing.

Do you know your swing?

Are you swinging your swing or someone else’s?

One too many metaphorical references to your swing?

Make it a great day.

Jake

"Leaders must not be naive. I used to say, ‘Liars shouldn’t lie.’ What a sad waste of words that is! I found out liars are supposed to lie. That’s why we call them liars — they lie! What else would you expect them to do?" — Jim Rohn

When I first heard this one from Jim Rohn I just laughed a little.

After I thought about it a little more, I realized what a freeing thought it is.

Instead of spending our energies talking about what others should or shouldn’t do, we can just be aware of what those things are and move on.

Then we can focus on how (or maybe if) we are going to interact with them in order to get the best results.

Make it a great day.

Jake