Author: jakedavis1910

Daily Attitude Email 5 13 13

Yesterday was mother’s day, and I was reminded once again how lucky I am to have such great mothers in my life.

In doing some reading on legacy once I came across the letter below that someone had written his mother.

It served as a great reminder of the legacy my mother has given me and the legacy my wife is giving our children.

If you haven’t already, thank the mothers in your life for the legacy they are passing on.

Make it a great day.

Jake

A Letter to My Mom on Her 80th Birthday

Obviously, I could talk today about the many different areas my mom has excelled in over the years and

made a positive difference in other people’s lives. Whether it’s been through her ministry, her catering

business, her creative touch or her friendships, she has exemplified the principle of being faithful despite

what you have and letting God promote you. Consistently, it seems her gift has always made room for

itself and propelled her into a big place.

But more important to me than any of that is the legacy she has been able to leave me and my family.

Almost on a daily basis I’m reminded of how blessed I am and have been. I have a wonderful wife and

two wonderful kids. We are all healthy and blessed. I have really never known tragedy in my life. I live in

America and am blessed by all the freedom and richness that it represents. I drive on roads I didn’t build,

have daily conveniences I never invented and enjoy freedoms for which I was never asked to fight. And

as incredible as that is to me, equally as important, I was given an upbringing by my parents that has

made me very blessed indeed.

First and foremost, I was given the gift of faith. I was raised in a house and environment where my

parents in both word and deed made sure God was first in our home. I always had an example of my

mom giving her time to the church and love toward its people—from the perceived least to the greatest,

she always was an example of giving to her faith.

I was given the gift of respecting other people. I don’t recall my parents ever exemplifying or showing

prejudice toward others. I know they grew up in a different generation where prejudice was more

common, but that was not something I ever saw.

I was given the gift of a strong work ethic. Laziness was never part of the scenery in my childhood. My

mom worked two jobs: her day job at the bank and her night and weekend job raising four kids. Only a

parent with kids can fully appreciate the sacrifice and persistence that required.

I was given the gift of persistence and ingenuity. My mom has always found a way to just get it done, and

usually in her own way and with her own style. She’s never been a clone. Her persistence, creativeness and

ingenuity have always been a great example to me of life’s infinite possibilities.

And I was given the gift of love. I’ve met people who have not felt loved by God or loveable by man. I

can honestly say that I have always known I’m loved by God and have never once doubted my parents’

love for me. Our home was a safe environment to be who you are and to be accepted as you are.

Mother, beyond just my love and appreciation for you, I want to thank you again today, on your 80th

birthday, for your gifts and legacy to me.

Your son,

Kyle

The Phrase That Pays

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

Daily Attitude Email 5 9 13

“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

Daily Attitude Email 5 8 13

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

Daily Attitude Email 5 7 13

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

Daily Attitude Email 5 6 13

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

The Phrase That Pays

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