Today’s video is one I think about a lot. I know it is a little longer than usual, but it is worth watching.

https://youtu.be/pyHMRwrS1pc

This video is Les Brown’s story of getting into the radio business. Through telling this story, Les make’s one of my favorite points. “You’ve got to be hungry” is something that goes through my head at least a couple of times a week.

Think about your life and what you really want to accomplish. Are you hungry to accomplish your goals? Do you take no for answer? Would you work at a job for no pay just to get to your long term goal?

Want to make more money this year…..You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Want to become a better father/spouse/friend……You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Want to learn more…..You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Want to lose weight…..You’ve Got to Be Hungry! (Sorry about the bad pun on that one, couldn’t resist).

When you are needing a little pick me up, just think of Les’s booming voice in your head.

Want to just watch TV instead of picking up a book? Hear Les….You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Want to eat a bowl of ice cream before bed? Les booms…..You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Want to take it easy today instead of giving your best? Focus on his voice….You’ve Got to Be Hungry!

Think about your goals and what you are hungry to accomplish. Get started on them today. If you are hungry, then it can’t wait until tomorrow.

Jake

After the story of doubting Thomas, the disciples are given an important command – go and tell others.

Inspire the same belief they found in others.

I think this can apply in goal setting and personal development as well.

Once you have the belief in the new you, bring someone along.

Inspire someone along the same journey and bring them with you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Came across this old post and thought it was worth sending again:

Last night Maggie picked one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are”. That led to another Dr. Seuss inspired email.

Here is the quote to start the book:

“When I was quite young and quite small for my size, I met an old man in the Desert of Drize. And he sang me a song I will never forget, at least, well, I haven’t forgotten it yet. He sat in a terribly prickly place, but he sang with a sunny sweet smile on his face…”

“When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad… You should do what I do! Just tell yourself, Duckie, you’re really quite lucky! Some people are much more…Oh, ever so much more…Oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”

The book is another classic example of Dr. Seuss. Only by being absurd and entertaining can he so pointedly remind us all that we are truly lucky.

No matter how bad you may think you have it at any given point, you are truly lucky.

But this isn’t an exercise in sending everyone on a guilt trip…..

When I am reminded of how lucky I am, I become more motivated to do something with it. I become even more focused on using what I have in order to make the biggest difference I can in the lives of others.

For whatever reason, we are the lucky ones. It is our job to do something about it. It is our job to help others move into the lucky column.

And like my email on the 51% rule, this one is the same. The good guys have already won. More people in this world fall into the lucky column than the unlucky one. All we have to do is find the unlucky ones and help them move to the lucky side.

And if you would like to hear the whole book (which I highly recommend), here is a link to hear John Cleese reading it:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcuw5p_did-i-ever-tell-you-how-lucky-you-a_fun

Can’t believe it is Monday already…..here is to another great week.

Jake

https://youtu.be/l-gQLqv9f4o

No better way to start a Monday than with a solid pep talk.

Enjoy.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc

Jim Rohn talks about how “disgust” is a powerful word when it comes to personal change.

At some point, you look around and get disgusted.

Disgusted with how you look.

Disgusted with how you feel.

Disgusted with your stuff.

Disgusted with your bank account.

We all have that moment when we have to decide to fight for ourselves. When we tell ourselves that enough is enough and it isn’t going to be this way anymore.

When this happens to you, take action. Immediately.

Don’t let yourself sleep on it.

Don’t start next week.

Take action while the emotion is strong.

Make it a great day.

Jake

In the sales world, one of the secrets to success is a concept I call "one more phone call".

The idea is that at the end of the day when you are ready to pack things up and head home, you make one more phone call.

I have heard many successful salespeople say that this little trick is what made the difference in their sales career.

I know all of us aren’t necessarily in sales, but we can use this same principle to be more successful.

Think about what is your "one more phone call".

What little thing can you do every day to push you over the edge?

Pick something and try it for a week and try it out.

Make it a great day.

Jake

What is happiness?

This one is easy. I just looked up the definition and found this:

State of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Actually, I think this question is best answered by thinking about a follow up question. Why is that the same things can happen to two different people and one is happy and the other is not?

Which one are you?

We all have the choice as we walk along life’s path every day. We can choose happiness or we can choose not to be happy.

If you aren’t happy, ask yourself why.

Do you not believe that happiness is out there for you?

Do you believe life to be one of struggle and pain?

Do you let future worries weigh you down today?

Do you let the past drag you down today?

I like how the definition of happiness starts at contentment.

We can start to add happiness to our lives simply by content with what we have. Then we pursue greater levels of happiness.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Come on now all you young men, all over the world. You are needed more than ever now to fill the gap of a generation shorn by the war. You have not an hour to lose. You must take your places in Life’s fighting line. Twenty to twenty-five! These are the years! Don’t be content with things as they are. ‘The earth is yours and the fullness thereof.’ Enter upon your inheritance, accept your responsibilities. Raise the glorious flags again, advance them upon the new enemies, who constantly gather upon the front of the human army, and have only to be assaulted to be overthrown. Don’t take No for an answer. Never submit to failure. Do not be fobbed off with mere personal success or acceptance. You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her. She was made to be wooed and won by youth. She has lived and thrived only by repeated subjugations.

Winston Churchill

This quote is aimed at the young men but is as relevant today for all ages.

Seize this day.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” – Winston Churchill

Distractions. They are a fact of life.

How many times in a day do you catch yourself thinking "what was I doing?"

Like most things in life, learning how to focus your efforts is a discipline, learned over time.

Decide to work on that discipline today.

Pick a period of time and focus on the most important to do on your list.

It might be 5 minutes or it might be 5 hours, but pick a time and stick with it.

And then do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And I think you get the idea after that.

Make it a great day.

Jake ​

https://youtu.be/Mr2ptPJrLNw

Not exactly your “normal” toe tapper, but this gave me an idea.

Pick your favorite theme song/pump yourself up jam.

Then just let it play in the background while you do your thing.

Something to keep you pumped up and moving forward.

Also, I would like to hear from you about what your favorite one might be…there were some interesting other suggestions on YouTube (AirWolf, MacGyver, Indiana Jones, etc.)

Make it a great day.

Jake