Notable Quotes #54

October 21, 2008
Notable Quote #54

Good Afternoon!

Here it is Tuesday and here are your Notable Quotes!

“We may not be interested in chaos but chaos is interested in us.”
Robert Cooper

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
M. Scott Peck

There are times in our lives where we feel like Chaos is all around us…I am feeling that right now!  Having chaos can be a positive thing if it is treated correctly.  However, when taken the wrong way or dealt with the wrong way chaos can bring certain anguish to our lives.  It’s interesting that no matter how hard we try to keep chaos at bay, it is often elusive and will invade our lives at any given moment.  We may not want or even care to invite chaos into our lives, but as Robert Cooper put it…”chaos is interested in us.” 

It’s how you handle the chaos that makes all the difference.  One can look at chaos as a deterrent to one’s goals/objectives OR one can look at chaos as an opportunity stretch and grow in unexpected ways!  While it’s tough to view chaos as a growing opportunity it truly makes a difference as to the outcome! 

What chaos has been infiltrating your life?  While viewing chaos in a positive light, what ways do you feel like you can grow and mature in?  Should you not view chaos positively, what negative effects do you think it will have?  Take this opportunity to look at what is going on around you.  Don’t be afraid to face chaos head on and take charge!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #53

October 15, 2008
Notable Quotes #53

Revolution Café

Good Morning!

I trust that this week is going well for everyone.  My week hasn’t been too bad…extremely busy, but good.  For those who are interested I did participate & complete the 3rd Annual Cottleville Fall Run on October 4th.  I had two goals for this event…1) Finish, 2) Finish in under 45 minutes.  Well, I did both!  I ran the 5k or 3.1 miles in 42:09!  I MADE MY GOAL!!  I am not thrilled with my time, but only because I wanted to do better.  My next 5k I will be going for finishing in less than 35 minutes.  I will keep you posted.  Now for the quotes:

“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
Napoleon Hill 

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier,
not that the task itself has become easier,
but that our ability to perform it has improved.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Persistence…Persistence I believe is at the root of all success.  If we don’t have persistence we will often fail.  I look at persistence in my own life and in particular my running and realize that failure has always been a heartbeat away.  If I don’t persist in the quest to run a 5k and eventually complete a Triathlon next year, I will not achieve my goal(s).  However I like what Napoleon Hill says is that he links Patience AND Perspiration with Persistence.  Persistence isn’t enough alone, we must be patience and work hard to achieve our goals.

Looking back to when I first set the goal to run a 5k I was nowhere ready to even show up at the event.  However after much training and preparation 3.1 miles wasn’t as bad as I thought.  It wasn’t that the distance became shorter, rather my ability to perform had improved. (Emerson)

Our personal life as well as our professional life is often difficult; however with patience, persistence and perspiration our ability to carry on in this journey of life will continuously improve.  What areas are you struggling with?  What areas are you getting ready to “throw in the towel”?  Let me be the first to say DON’T!!!  Maintain the three P’s as well as a positive attitude and things will turn around one way or another.  Keep in mind that it may not be how you think it should, but everything happens for a reason…PRESS ON!  One last quote to leave you with.  This is from Calvin Coolidge the 30th President of the US.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Calvin Coolidge

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #52

October 2, 2008
Notable Quotes #52  

Happy Thursday!

I know it has been awhile, so I’ll just cut to the chase.   

“My motto was always to keep swinging.
Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field,
the only thing to do was keep swinging.”
Hank Aaron

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
Arnold Palmer 

These quotes may seem a little odd, but they really got me thinking.  This weekend I will be running in my 1st 5k race.  That is 3.1 miles!  Saturday morning around 8:00 a.m., I will take off…and hopefully I will finish before 9:00 a.m.  With the training I had been doing it shouldn’t be that hard…however life sometimes throws you a curve ball. (see Hank Aaron and Arnold Palmer quotes!)

There have been some changes at my work and I have seen my workload pretty much double or more.  I am NOT complaining because this has been and will continue to be a great opportunity for me both personally and professionally, but it has taken a toll on my training schedule.  With this being said, I am going to push through this weekend and reach the goal that I set out to obtain. 

Life has a tendency to always keep us on our toes.  Just when we think we have things figured out, WHAM!  Life hits us square between the eyes.  It’s critical that we never lose focus on what we are striving for.  While we may not be moving at the pace we would like to towards our goals the important part is that we ARE MOVING.  Maybe you have been hit by life, maybe life is going great, whatever the case is…never lose sight of what you are aiming for.

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #51

September 19, 2009
Notable Quote #51  

Happy FRIDAY!!

Today we will wrap up the 6 Steps Towards Changing Direction in One’s Life.  I am curious to know if anyone found these past few weeks helpful or at least thought provoking???

Just a quick recap and then on to Step 6!
1) Change Your Attitude (Basis for all change)
2) Start with the END in Mind
3) Don’t be afraid of FAILURE…OR SUCCESS
4) Don’t Sell Yourself Short on Your Experience or Lack Thereof
5) Network, Network, NETWORK!

Step 6: Keep the Passion and Fire going STRONG!

These two quotes I feel touch on the passion/fire and motivation we need in order to be successful in orchestrating change.

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Nelson Mandela

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing . . . that’s why we recommend it daily.”
Zig Ziglar

Keeping the Passion and Fire is crucial to changing direction.  How many times have we all started a diet and then fell off the wagon?  What about all those New Year’s Resolutions?  I am right there with you!  The problem is NOT with the idea; the problem is with the execution!!!  We as humans need the extra push to keep going…We need to find those individuals that will hold us accountable for the execution of our ideas (or our directional change).  If we allow our passion or fire to be extinguished then we lose our hope at changing directions.  Don’t let that passion or fire be stifled…find ways to stoke the flame and keep the passion burning!  There is nothing that can stand in our way of achieving the change in direction that many of us are seeking! 

Have a GREAT weekend!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #50

September 9, 2008
Notable Quotes #50

Happy Tuesday!

Today is the 50th installment of Notable Quotes!  I honestly didn’t think that it would last this long or that I would get the responses that I have received thus far.  I hope that you continue to enjoy reading these quotes and what my thoughts are on them.  If you are new or maybe have missed a quote or two, check out the Revolution Café blog.

I have been sharing my thoughts with you concerning Changing Direction in One’s Life.  So far there have been 4 steps.  Today is step 5 and next week we will wrap up with the final step.  So far here is what we have:

1) Change Your Attitude (Basis for all change)
2) Start with the END in Mind
3) Don’t be afraid of FAILURE…OR SUCCESS
4) Don’t Sell Yourself Short on Your Experience or Lack Thereof

Here is the 5th step:

Network! Network! NETWORK!

Now that may not sound very original and I will admit…it isn’t!  But, it is an action that is not being used as much as it should be.  Just think…the more people you are able to network with, the more opportunities you will have to share your goals and aspirations!  Here is what Jim Rohn says:

“Here’s what is exciting about sharing ideas with others:
If you share a new idea with ten people, they get to hear it once and you get to hear it ten times.”
Jim Rohn

Talk about strength in numbers!  The more you network with others the greater your chances are at being successful in Changing Directions!  We can’t keep our ideas to ourselves and then expect others to act or show interest in them…we need to tell everyone we come into contact with!  I have a passion for coffee…good quality coffee!  My wife and I roast and sell various coffees from around the world.  That is our “Part-Time” job.  However, many people at my day job know that we have a coffee roasting business!  I am working on changing directions and coffee will be one of the ways for me to do that.  Everyone I run into I try to work coffee into the conversation…sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.  The funny thing is, I gave a few samples away here at work and the next thing I knew I have people I didn’t even know ordering coffee!  I shared my ideas with others and it spread like wild fire!

Don’t be afraid of sharing your ideas with others…who knows, they may be just the person to assist you in Changing Directions!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #49

September 4, 2008
Notable Quotes #49

Good Morning!

I know it has been 2 weeks since my last Notable Quote, but do not fear!  They are back and should go more smoothly now…only time will tell.

I have been sharing my thoughts on Changing Direction In One’s Life.  So far we have looked at the first three steps:

1) Change Your Attitude
2) Start with the END in Mind
3) Don’t be afraid of FAILURE…OR SUCCESS

Today I want to give you the 4th step in this process:

- Don’t Sell Yourself Short on Your Experience or Lack Thereof

Many times when we choose to change direction we do just that…CHANGE DIRECTION!  We may feel that we need to move in a direction opposite of where we are currently headed.  Often, we may feel like we don’t have any experience or at least not enough experience to be able to change.  I am here to tell you, DON’T SELL YOURSELF SHORT!  You do have experience…Life Experience.

We are all different and therefore we all have had different experiences.  You have had many experiences that I and many others have not…and in the same turn, I have had many experiences you haven’t had.  That is what makes us unique and different.  It’s how you frame your experience and how you choose to make your experience relevant that is the difference maker!

Here is a brief story…

     A woman had been a Nurse for 20 years, but has always had a longing to work in a “green” job, one that would help and care for the environment.  She wanted to give back.  Many people she talked to told her she didn’t have any experience in that field and that she should stick with nursing because that is what she did!  She ran across an individual who she didn’t know was a life/business coach.  She shared her idea with him and instead of putting down or squelching her dream he started to ask questions…what was she currently doing (Nurse) and what was she truly wanting to do? (Help save the planet!)  This is what he told her…

     You may not have experience within the area you want to get into, but don’t let that stop you!  Forge ahead!  He told her that in order for her to be successful she would need to gain experience, but why not learn as you go?!?  Use the experience you already have!  Start off being a nature tour guide.  Work under an experienced guide and let them show you the ropes.  Use your experience as a nurse to help you get your foot in the door.  After all who better to be a guide on a nature hike (Where accidents/injuries often happen) than a nurse!  You have spent 20 years as a nurse…use that passion, that drive that you have in saving lives and transfer it to a passion and a drive to saving the environment!

The nurse went away feeling excited about her change of direction.  She had been on many interviews prior to talking with this coach and was never offered a position, but after this talk she went into the interview with a new outlook.  She didn’t get the first job or even the second but with her new found outlook she was able to land the job she had always wanted!  She is now not only a guide, but she speaks all over the country teaching children and adults what they can do to help save the planet.

This story may see a little odd, and you may think it doesn’t really fit, but trust me it does!  If changing direction for you means to go in a direction you have never been before DON’T be scared!  Look at it as an adventure!  DON’T SELL YOURSELF SHORT!  Use the experiences you have to help you be successful in your journey!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #48

August 19, 2008
Notable Quotes #48

Good Afternoon!  

I told myself that I am determined to get the Notable Quotes out this week on TUESDAY…Life isn’t so busy that I can’t take time out and send the Notable Quotes!  So, here we go.  

I have been sharing with you the past couple weeks ideas that I believe are crucial in Changing Direction in One’s Life.  I hope that you have found these to be useful or at least, thought provoking. 

Step 1: Change Your Attitude
Step 2: Start with the END in Mind  

Today is Step 3:  DON’T BE AFRAID OF FAILURE…OR SUCCESS!  

I know we have all heard of the failure aspect, but how many times have you heard of people having fear of success?!?? (More on that shortly!)   

Fear is something that can overcome us and place such a strangle-hold on us that we essentially become paralyzed.  There are many individuals who have succumbed to this fear of failure and sit complacently in their chairs wishing, longing and dreaming of a different situation.  Then there are people who look at failure as merely a stepping stone toward greatness.  Thomas Edison failed over 10,000 times before he successfully invented the light bulb; and Michael Jordan was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore!  These guys took their ”failures” and turned them into determination, determination not to let anything or anyone get them down.  We can learn a lot from Mr. Edison and Mr. Jordan.   

Don’t be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid.
John Keats   

You always pass failure on the way to success.
Mickey Rooney  

Fear of Success is much like fear of failure.  It too, can entrap us to a point of paralysis and keep us from ever reaching our dreams and goals.  There are times when we set goals and work hard trying to obtain them.  Often times when we get close to achieving our goals we get scared!  We begin to ask ourselves, “What happens next?” “I don’t know what to do now that I reached my goal.”  “Maybe my goal wasn’t good enough or high enough.”  In other words be become fearful of success or reaching our goals.  As long as we have something to work towards, we feel that we have not “arrived” and must continue on.  We need to not become arrogant, but we do need to prepare ourselves for reaching our goals.  Let me give you this example:    

Let’s say you have a goal to save $2 million and then retire.  You’re projected to hit that goal at 50 years old.  You work hard, save and you quickly realize around age 49 that you will have saved your desired amount and you are ready to retire.  However as 50 continues to creep up, you begin to get scared…you ask yourself the same questions as before, “What happens next?”  “I don’t know what to do now that I reached my goal.”  In other words, you have fear of success!  We need to be proud of our success, but we must also prepare for our success.  This returns us to last week’s step:  We must start with the END in mind!  

What fears do you have in your life that is keeping you from changing direction?  Are you afraid of failing or are you fearful of success?  Both fears can bring the vehicle of change to a screeching halt.  We must reflect and be determined NOT to let our fears take us hostage.  Changing direction in one’s life is scary and it can cause us to question our own skills, abilities, goals and dreams.  However if we Change our Attitude, Start with the END in mind and not let our fears of failure OR success overtake us, WE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE!  

Until Next Time,  

Heath

Notable Quotes #47

August 13, 2008
Notable Quotes #47  

Good Morning!  

I hope all is going well for everyone and that these Notable Quotes continue to inspire us all to think.  Last week I wrote about changing direction in one’s life.  I put forth the notion or idea that I would be sharing different insights or steps with you on how to change direction.  The first step was “Changing Your Attitude”.  I wrote that before we can even hope to change direction we must first change our attitude…this is the basis and foundation for changing direction.   

Today I want to share with you the second step in Changing Direction…  

Step 2:  Start with the END in mind.  

We first need to decide where we want to end up, then we need to evaluate where we currently are.  You may have heard this in the past, but maybe never really put any thought into it.  I’m here to change that!  Check out these two quotes…   

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.
Denis Watley  

Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people’s criticisms, carry out your plan.
Paul Meyer  

While Changing Your Attitude is the most crucial aspect in changing direction, I believe that this is a close second.  Think about it…If we don’t know where we want to end up, how are we going to change direction?!?  Now this may not be something that can be done in a couple of hours or even a couple of days.  This may take some time to really think and decide where you want to end up.  However this shouldn’t be a stumbling block to change.  You can have many different areas that you want to change direction in.   

Once we have determined where we want to end and have evaluated where we currently are, we need to create an action plan.  Just as we started with the END in mind, we must work BACKWARDS.  Again, my view may seem a little off, but stick with me.  

Here is one personal example I’ll share.  For the most part I have been a pretty active guy.  I played sports from the time I was 5, throughout high school and was even an Intermural Softball Champion in college!  But, over the years my activity level hasn’t just leveled off, it has plummeted!  I decided I wanted to change direction…I want to be a healthy Heath!  The best way to do that is to start with the END in mind.  My end is a Triathlon.  I decided to be specific when I set the end.  (This is important so that you have a deadline to work towards and you are not able to put it off.)  My goal is to complete (notice I didn’t say win) a triathlon while I am 30 years old.  Not 31 or 32, but 30.  That is the end goal.  After much research I have found a triathlon close to home and it is held typically in late August/ealy September. (DEADLINE)   

Now starts the action plan.  The triathlon I will complete is set up in the following fashion:

Swim: 1/4 Mile
Bike: 12 Miles
Run: 2.5 Miles  

How can I work backwards in order to achieve my goal you ask???  First I decided to tackle the running aspect.  I have been training and I will compete in my first 5k on October 4, 2008.  After that I will compete in a biathlon which is biking and running.  I will have this completed by June 1, 2009.  Finally I will accomplish my goal of completing a triathlon in August/September of 2009.  

When you start with the END in mind and you create an action plan by working BACKWARDS, you realize that your goal is attainable!  Think about that this week.  Where do you want to END up?  Be specific and set deadlines.  Then work on creating an action plan by working BACKWARDS!  Remember to keep a P.M.A. (Positive Metal Attitude) and anything is possible!  

Until Next Time,  

Heath

Notable Quotes #46

August 5, 2008
Notable Quotes #46

Good Afternoon!

After last week’s Notable Quotes I received quite a few responses on how what I said or didn’t say made an impact, it seemed to get people to think about what the words they choose or not choose to say.  That is the whole point of Notable Quotes…I absolutely love to share my thoughts and insights with anyone who will listen! Hopefully these Notable Quotes get you to think; not only about what you are doing, but what you aren’t doing and what you could be doing.  I also hope to bring a source of inspiration and motivation to everyone from time to time.  Thanks for your comments and responses, and keep them coming.  Now for the quotes…   

The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life…by simply changing his attitude of mind.
William James

It is not the place, nor the condition, but the mind alone that can make anyone happy or miserable.
Roger L’Estrange

It’s interesting how these two quotes came to me this past week.  I have really been struggling recently with the direction of my life and the life of my family.  Now let me clear a few things up first…NOTHING is wrong!  Family, job and life in general are just fine!  What I have been focusing on is my/our FUTURE direction.  I believe that the world is full of options and opportunities and that anyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, etc can take advantage of what’s offered!  Choosing which options/opportunities to explore is the challenge!  Notice…I didn’t say that we would be “given” these options and opportunities; we must work hard and SEIZE them!  Life isn’t fair and unfortunately we are not all on a level playing field, but the great thing about that is if when we do succeed, it will be much sweeter (is that a word?) than if things were just given to us.

You may be asking yourself how do these quotes relate to what I just said?  That’s an easy question and here is your easy answer…

In order to change one’s direction in life, we must first change our attitude!

If we desire to change our lives we must change how we look at life.  No longer should we look at life as a struggle.  We must look at life as numerous opportunities to grow.  We should not look at our job(s) as a burden, but as an opportunity to expand our knowledge base for future endeavors.  Our children should not be looked upon as just children but as an opportunity to help shape, and mold the future!  Changing our mindset or mental attitude is the basis for everything.  Having a positive mental attitude will lead to endless opportunities where as have a negative attitude will have just the opposite effect.

Over the next few weeks I want to explore different aspects and ways to change one’s direction in life.  Maybe you are like me and contemplating the direction of your life.  Hopefully this will help.  Maybe you are just the opposite, happy and content where you are and where you’re headed…that’s great!!  Hopefully this will continue to encourage you on your journey.

As you go through today and the rest of this week, take a few minutes to think and assess your attitude.  Is your attitude holding you back?  Be honest with yourself and prepare to make those changes that are crucial to your success!

Until Next Time,

Heath

Notable Quotes #45

July 29, 2008
Notable Quotes #45  

Good Afternoon!   Typically when I send out Notable Quotes there are 2-4 paragraphs that follow the quotes.  Today will be different.  Two questions…  

1. Do the words you speak plant seeds of success or failure?

2. We all have the ability to remain silent, but do you possess the restraint?    

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
Napoleon Hill

Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent.
Napoleon Hill  

Until Next Time,

Heath