Forever is a Long, Long, Long, Long Time!

 They say life is a battlefield


I say bring it on


If you wanna know how I feel


Live it till it's gone


I'm just saying that what don't kill


Only makes you strong


If you don't recognize what is real


Then forever is a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time

Some things never change

Here we go again


Feel like I’m losing my mind




Shake it up, let it go

I don't care anymore


Just go numb


You never know … until you let go


Let's go numb



I can feel you now



Keep on doing the same old thing


And you expecting change


Well is that really insanity


Or just a losers' game


I only trust in the things I feel


Some may say that's … strange


You better recognize what is real


Cause forever is a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time

Some things never change

Here we go again


Feel like I’m losing my mind




Shake it up, let it go

I don't care anymore


Just go numb


You never know until you let go


Those of you that have been following Simply Amazing! for a while know I often gain inspiration from song lyrics. These are the words from the hit song “Numb” sung by the artist Usher. And they are inspiring and insightful at the same time.

The message in these lyrics is amazingly powerful – don’t wait until later to chase your goals or your dreams because it just might be too late. Try to let your body and mind be numb to the potential for failure and focus instead on how incredibly amazing success will feel when you achieve the goal.

See, here’s the thing. Achieving success requires a winner’s mindset. It’s not about luck. Or who has the most money. Or fate. Winners take risks while knowing the consequences. Yep, that’s right – RISKS. Winners have indeed been losers in the past and have learned many lessons from those experiences. And they will most certainly be losers again at times in the future. That is just how it works.

And they know that winning requires the willingness to try things that might just scare the hell out of them. They allow themselves to let go. And they trust themselves like never before. But most importantly, even before the game starts, in their minds they visualize themselves as winners. It takes going numb to really feel it.

So, I ask you to try something with me for just a moment. Of all the things you really want in your life or in your career or in your business … of all those things, what one goal would you go after if you knew there was no consequence of failure? What one significant achievement do you want more than anything else and you are willing to step over the line for it? What is it? If thinking about it makes you uncomfortable, hooray!! You are on the right track.

I bet – I just bet – it is a goal that has been with you for some time. Well, it is time to go numb and begin defining why this “thing” is important to you and the benefit you will realize by getting it.

You may never know how it will feel unless you allow yourself to let go and try … unless you give yourself permission to step across that “line” into the scary zone … unless you believe in what previously was the unbelievable.

Please, think the unthinkable and inside of it you will find a “you” that is way cool. And probably damn amazing as well!

Goals aren’t easy – what would we learn if they were? Not much. As one NASCAR driver says, “If winning were easy, all of the losers would be doing it!” Rock on dude!

Embrace the dream, find motivation to stay excited about it and then define the actions to make it possible. The only way to find out if it will work out is to just do it. Go numb – it feels absolutely amazing!

Seven Lessons I’ve Learned From Santa Claus

Santa and his team have been bringing Christmas cheer to billions of people every year for a long time. How does he make the whole thing work? And what lessons can we learn from him and the whole gang up North?

Well, I think I’ve got part of his magic figured out. At least I think I do …

See, here’s the thing. Sometimes the best lessons in life come from the most unusual of circumstances. And I think we can agree that everything that surrounds the fat man is unusual by our mortal standards. Giving yourself permission to explore the true magical takeaways from Santa could just change your life.

So let’s explore seven lessons I have learned from Santa and the team at the workshop way up on top of the world.

You Must Have A Plan. The dude obviously has a plan to be able to achieve what he does every year for all of those children. Depending on luck is not how he ensures that every toy he needs is in the sleigh on Christmas night. The details must be incredible. There must be something to that whole “making a list and checking it twice” regalia that we sing about. I am certain Santa knows that HOPE is not a plan. Details boys … details!!

You’re Only As Good As The People Around You. Santa himself cannot even begin to tackle everything that’s required to pull off the monumental task he achieves every year on Christmas. He must depend on the elves to manufacture all of the toys and to assist him with every last administrative detail necessary for success. The engineer elves design all of the cool new toys each year. And, beautiful Mrs. Claus is always there to provide him support and love. Santa would easily be the Grinch without the support of those around him.

One Day Can Make Or Break You. Ole Saint Nick has one day a year to be a hero or a zero. And he knows it. Santa makes a promise every year to all of the boys and girls around the world that he will deliver toys and other goodies on Christmas night. By my calculations, he is batting 1,000%! Keeping his promise is what keeps the kids coming back year after year. And maintaining that promise allows everyone to have tremendous trust in him.

Manage and Document Performance. “He knows who is naughty and who is nice.” Hmmm. Never thought about how profound that statement is when put into the context of leadership and parenting. Santa is very clear on his expected behaviors – be good and helpful at home, at school and in all aspects of your life. He also has defined the rewards that go to those who behave in such a way – toys and goodies for the good ones and lumps of coal for the bad ones. And you find out every year how you performed!! Set expectations and reward proper behaviors – not just at work but also in all areas of your life.

The Joy Is In The Giving More Than The Receiving. The man gives and gives and gives and all he wants in return are a hug and a thank you. That is servant leadership if I have ever seen it. It is a great model to emulate in your lives. Ramp up the giving and you will receive more than you ever dreamed possible in return.

What Others See As Impossible Can Be Possible For Me. Fly around the world in a sleigh full of toys for billions of girls and boys. Land on rooftops. Flying reindeer. Slide down chimneys into houses. Eat 40 million cookies in one night. Elves … Enough said. The first step in achieving goals is believing that you can and will do it. Believing that once you take the first step towards the goal nothing can stop you. The moment Rudolph’s hooves lift off of the ground Santa knows it’s gonna be a good night. What or who is your Rudolph?

Lastly, It’s OK To Eat Cookies Everywhere You Go! I love cookies – more than most foods in my life. Santa has given me permission to eat cookies everywhere I go. Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that my favorite cookie is … the next one I will eat. Enjoy what you like is the message here. Allow yourself to be a kid when you can.

Santa Claus is more than a mystery – he is a great teacher of life and leadership. Every year on that fateful night he must dare to be amazing. And he is!!

I’ve strapped on the Santa suit dozens of times in my life for the enjoyment of thousands of children. And every time it is a special experience. I respect the role that I am playing and the responsibility that comes along with representing one of the greatest leaders of all time. What he stands for and how he does it is a model from which everyone can learn.

What has Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas taught you in your life? I would love to hear from all of you about your relationship with Santa.

Look around you this holiday season and notice the lessons to be learned. Embrace the true magic and miracles of Christmas and honor them in your life. And share those newfound joys with anyone who will listen. Santa is watching, so make him proud.

Happy You Year: Make 2013 the Year of You!

 Welcome to 2013, everybody! I hope your holiday season was truly amazing and resulted in many incredible new memories. Our holiday time off with friends and family across the region was fantastic and I am now ready to dare to be even more amazing in 2013!

Ya know, for many people, the dawn of a new year is a time for reflection on the past and commitment to the future. Everything that either was or wasn’t achieved in the outgoing year all come to bear on New Year’s Eve. And that can stir up both a feeling of satisfaction for a job well done and a sense of frustration for those goals that fell short.

Success and failure often become the springboard for setting of resolutions in the new year. The aim is to define these desired outcomes in such a way that it motivates you and inspires the necessary behaviors that stick.

Most of you have proclaimed new year’s resolutions in the past and achieved varying degrees of results. Count me in that, too. I’ve been losing thirty pounds and getting more sleep as goals for years. Anything is possible if I commit to it after four glasses of champagne! LOL!

See, here’s the thing. You are not alone. Using the fresh new calendar as a catalyst for change is a great way to go. Ya gotta do it sometime. Studies show that 87% of all Americans set New Year’s resolutions. And here is the ugly truth about the other side of this coin: incredibly, after just 30 days, 50% of all resolutions have been abandoned. And by the end of the year, well over 85% of all new year’s goals have fallen by the wayside – tossed aside like a two-week old, bruised up, mushy, smelly banana. Yikes!

Okay, big whoop. So we make ‘em and we break ‘em with great efficiency. So what is it that’s enabling such a dismal success rate on New Year’s resolutions?

The problem lies within the resolution itself. How they are defined kills the inspiration after just a short period of time. We make them too rich in content and way too complex or hard to achieve. We also make too many resolutions. It is too easy to express goals like they are an event that will all of the sudden happen – “I’m going to lose thirty pounds.”  TA DA! Like magic it will be so.

Example: “I resolve to get a new job this year.”

How exciting! A new job – Woohoo! With almost complete certainty, though, I propose that this resolution was made without consideration for the steps and the plan that it will take to achieve this goal. Days and weeks tick by, and nothing much has been done to fulfill this goal except some looking on Monster.com and in the want ads. Realizing just how hard this is going to be, the resolver starts rationalizing why their existing job isn’t so bad after all. And Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah - they convince themselves that they don’t need a new job after all. Resolution Shmesolution. Who needs all of that hassle anyway?

This person may have been capable of finding a new job, but after a while they found themselves unwilling to follow through. How frustrating …

Here is my proposal: Replace your New Year’s resolutions with New Year’s Evolutions.

Yep – EVOLUTIONS

New Year’s Evolutions

What’s the difference? It’s huge. Resolutions tend to be defined in one big step – I’m gonna get a new job. Here-to-there in one giant leap.

However, by defining your goal as an evolution, it implies that you intend to achieve it by completing multiple steps along the way. Accomplishing the goal will be a series of moderate-sized victories as you work towards the finish line.

The definition of evolution is that it is the process of growth or development. What a perfect vision for change. Note that it is a process – not an event.

At some point in his life, Shaq sucked at basketball. Same with Shawn Johnson in gymnastics – she used to fall off of the balance beam on a regular basis. It takes time. It requires a plan. There will be sunny days and rainy ones, too. And people will tell you that you will never get there. Defining your goals as an evolution allows you to see victories early and often so you are inspired to keep on going. What an amazing feeling!

Remember our resolution about getting a new job? Let’s try it as an evolution.

“I am not happy in my existing job. I know I can do better. I will define the traits of the company I want to work for, the type of boss that I will report to, the rewards I will achieve in my new job and the outcomes I want to achieve in this new line of work. I will seek the assistance of individuals who can help me and I will proceed with a plan. I will be patient and will never settle (unless urgent and temporary circumstances dictate that I must). I will have a new job when I know it is right for me.”

Phew! That is very different. It defines steps and milestones and feelings and emotions and concrete details of what this person wants. It is indeed an evolutionary process to find a new job. This, my friends, is a New Year’s Evolution. And it is defined for success.

So Happy New Year…

Umm, wait a minute…

Check that…

HAPPY YOU YEAR, EVERYONE!

How about you make 2013 the Year of YOU?

And do it in amazing style by defining your New Year’s Evolution(s). Just one or two should do.

What would be your top New Year’s Evolution you place above all others in your life or career? I bet you have a really amazing one in mind.

If you think it would help to talk about your “you year” evolutions and see what working together to achieve them would look like, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We can set up a complimentary phone call or in-person meeting to explore your evolutionary goals as well as what the path to realizing these goals would look like for you. It will be awesome to hear about your 2013 aspirations.

If You’re Talkin’, You Gotta Be Walkin’

Walk the Talk. You have all heard this phrase. Maybe you have even said it yourself.

But what does it mean anyway? And why is it so important?

The key message in this phrase is that whatever you expect out of others, you must be willing to do first yourself. In other words, model the behaviors that you desire to see in those with whom you work. Or, for that matter, with whom you live.

And when does walking the talk work the best? I believe it is when you are leading or encouraging change.

See, here’s the thing. Being an example for the behaviors and attitudes you need in others is a powerful tool. And it is an amazing way to build trust in the eyes and minds of those with whom your success depends. Showing others how to be or do what you are asking them to be or do works well to overcome resistance to change, too. “If she’s doing it, I guess we ought to be doing it as well.”

Change is hard. Change can mean sacrifice. And change always takes change. Show that you are willing to lead the charge by walking the talk and your legion of followers will explode.

And, if you can’t walk the walk, ya got no business talking the talk. You’re better off just keeping it to yourself.

Be a model for all to see. For all to be motivated by. And for all to emulate. Take a hill for them, because of them or instead of them. When you do, it won’t be long before you start seeing yourself in others. And it will be simply amazing!

Memories Should Be Unforgettable

Life by the numbers:

1,440 minutes in a day

525,600 minutes in a year

41,522,400 minutes in the average lifetime

And here is a number that will blow your mind: 2,491,344,000 seconds in your life

Billions of seconds … tens of millions of minutes … tens of thousands of days … so many opportunities to create and experience lasting memories. And on some days I can’t remember what I had for lunch.

The start of the new year has prompted me to think about all of the great things that happened in my life in 2012. There are oodles of things that make me smile – silly things my dogs did, vacations with the family, camping with Cindy, surprising my bride with a ring for our 25^th anniversary, animals we saw in the woods while riding our ATV, securing my first coaching client, my first taste of pineapple (yep, you read that right!), blue skies and warm waters in Costa Rica, learning Spanish, my Mom getting a hearing aid, and talking with my Dad – just talking. All great things that I hope I can keep securely locked away in my mind forever.

Umm, then there’s all of the other stuff that happened in 2012 that I don’t remember. I am sure there are great things that people told me or sweet things that friends or relatives did for me or incredible dinners that Cindy and I had together or amazing accomplishments that people achieved at work. And I don’t remember them. I don’t remember them at all.

See, here’s the thing. Many people get lost in the everyday so much that they forget to notice those things or people around them that are memorable, or better yet, unforgettable. They are texting or tweeting or listening to music or thinking about anything but the essence of what they are experiencing at that very moment. Their body may be present, but the mind and spirit are anything but. And the world passes them by without a trace, without so much as a glance.

Every day, regardless of your circumstances, at least one thing happens to you or because of you that is truly memorable. A smile from a stranger, a kiss from your dog, a picture-perfect sunset, a great glass of wine, something funny said by your three year old, great service at your favorite restaurant, seeing a hawk sitting on a street light or, in fact, just finding yourself on the desirable side of the grass (think about that one for a moment!). Memorable things are there – you just need to be present to remember them.

As Josh Foer said so eloquently in a landmark presentation last year, “Our lives are the sum of our memories. To live a memorable life, you have to be the type of person who remembers to remember.”

Please, for your own life’s enjoyment, remember to remember. Take time to remember. Slow down, be present, put the cell phone down and notice what is around you. Commit to finding something unforgettable in each day. I promise that you will smile at least once every day as a result.