Daily Boost - Clarity for Life and Work

I love the quiet peacefulness of mornings, but I'm not too fond that mornings happen so early. Still, the focus, creativity, and feeling of momentum that comes with getting up before the chickens have such value that I needed getting up a bit easier. My solution to drop the complicated and establish a simple routine. I begin by deciding the area I’m currently prioritizing and choosing a "first thing" task to move me closer to my goal. Next, I set myself up for success the night before. Depending on my task, I make notes, organize my desk, get my gym clothes ready - whatever it takes to prepare. Finally, when I wake up, I get licked by the dogs, take care of my personal needs, read something inspirational for five minutes or less, and start my day. No distractions. No email, social media, or news. Just start. My goal is to make my primary focus the first thing I do in the morning before life gets in the way. It works like a charm. There's a reason the Marines do more before 9 AM than everybody else. Now it's your turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, most of us have heard that anything is possible. Our mentors say, "If somebody else is doing it, you can too!" When Roger Bannister broke the "four-minute mile barrier" in 1954, 1,400 other runners followed in his footsteps. I was watching American Ninja Warrior recently, female after female climbed the 14-foot warped wall. Something impossible before Kacy Catanzaro did it in 2014. This past week as we attended the Medical School graduation of my step-daughter. I was reminded of how her journey began nine years ago, sitting on my office floor in tears. Deciding to do something that seems so far off can feel like an impossible and scary thing. Even if you have an "if they can do it, I can do it attitude." A journey of a thousand miles is always filled with doubt until you arrive at your destination. After an hour of imagining the scariest things that could happen on her journey, Alayna's tears died up. She took a breath and asked, "What should I do, Scott?" Since it seemed that she had made up her mind, had assessed all the possible challenges, and wanted it more than anything, the only question I could think to ask was, "Do you have a Plan B?" She repeated her answer dozens of times over the years as she navigated the up and downs of achieving her goal. On graduation day, I overheard her saying the exact phrase to anybody who congratulated her on her achievement, "Thank you. You know - there wasn't a Plan B. There was nothing else I wanted to do or be. I had no choice, so here I am!" We all know Alyana had a choice. We always have a choice. No, that doesn't mean that you always get what you want. But you increase your chances of success when you cut off all your other options and go for your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get the Daily Boost Commercial-Free! Have you ever had one of those days when it would be nice if somebody would pat you on the back and pump you up? The only problem is, nobody seems to be stepping up? Relying on others for motivation is a great way to get what you want. We all need the external encouragement of our peers. However, your internal motivation is stronger. Having a quick way to cheer yourself on is even more powerful. My friend, Terry, owns a martial arts school in Memphis, Tennessee. Martial artists are positive people, and Terry was no exception. Especially when leading a classroom filled with young Teens. But what he did at the end of a class was brilliant. As the kids were wrapping up and cooling down, Terry had them stand at attention and hold one arm over their head. Then, he instructed them to lower the raised arm to the opposite shoulder and said, "Never forget that you are your own best cheerleader. Pat yourself your back and say I done good!" The entire class did what he said, broke into an energetic laugher, and headed home feeling great. A few weeks later, I found myself about to enter a meeting and feeling a bit nervous. Before walking into the room, I ducked into a hallway, raised my arm, patted myself on the back, and said, "I've done good to get here. I'm going to walk through doors and get what I want." At that point, I gave myself a hard slap on the back and walked into the meeting. It was a raving success. In the years since I've made it a habit always to be my own best cheerleader. I always hold myself responsible for keeping myself motivated and feeling good. And I gave my little strategy a name— When you need a motivational pick-me-up, slip off by yourself and say, "It's time for a PYOTB!" Then, pat yourself on the back and say, “I done good!" As silly as it sounds, it's will become a secret weapon that works every time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People have always sought change for themselves, their life, or the world. If you want to change something about your life, there is a constant truth; you must change before anything else changes. Many smart folks agree - Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” What about Albert Einstein?  “The world, as we have created, is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Do you want to change something about today, tomorrow, or the future?  You must change before anything else changes. Have you learned lessons from past experiences?  You have already changed, and your future is better for it. Rumi said, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” If tomorrow you want to be better than today and yesterday, something has to change. That something is you. If you want to make more money, serve more, and be happier next year, something has to change this year. That something is you. If you want this life to be well-lived, something has to change today. That something is you. What if you want everything about your life to be perfect? Listen to Winston Churchill. “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” It’s so simple.  You must change before anything rlse changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A funny thing happens when we graduate from High School and enter the real world; dreams change.  When my Son was in his early 20's, he announced that he was heading to Los Angles to pursue his dream of becoming a Rock Star. He would be a singer in a rock and roll band, and he was on a mission to achieve his goal. When I heard his idea, I had a question - "What happens if you become a member of the band instead?" He had a perplexed look on his face. I'm not sure if he was angry or confused. It seemed that the concept of playing any other role never occurred to him. I continued. "Would you be okay with that? Are you willing to do what it takes to rise to the top? And if you don't get what you want, will you be happy settling something different?" That's when he said, "No. I wouldn't be happy. I'm a Rock Star, and that's what I'm going to do.” The following day he began his journey and chased his dreams for a few years. While he had success and enjoyed his Rock Star status, something else began to emerge. He discovered a new passion that fit him like a glove. He started to dabble in graphic design and music promotions and soon found himself loving being in a more supportive role. He wasn't on stage; he was playing in the band. But there was no doubt he was a star in his new world. His life was different than he thought it would be, but he found his day-to-day experience to be a much better fit. You will always get what you want if you are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. But you might be surprised when you find your real passion along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most potent and respected skills you can own is the ability to make a decision. Having a clear mind is essential. This means using your emotions is not something most people would recommend. However, since you're going to use your emotions anyway, you may as well harness the power of your heart. If you're like most people, your most important and fun decisions have been very emotional. Whether to get married, move to a new home, or buy a new car, emotions are always the first step in decision-making. But, sometimes, you choose to approach your decision-making from a logical point of view. The logical side of your brain kicks, and you dig deeper. You check off all the boxes and do your due diligence—waiting for a clear answer to appear. Whether it's emotion or logic, both aim to find approval, go forward, or disapprove and turn away. But black and white rarely make for a good life. In 300 B.C., Stoic Philosophy first brought to mind that decision-making follows a simple formula; emotions + logic = outcome. That's what happened when my wife and I first discovered the 12-acres the would become our new home and Alpaca farm. When we first discovered the property, we were both excited and overwhelmed at the scope of our new adventure. But it didn't take long before our logical brain stepped. It was time to double-check our intentions and confirm our emotions were on the right track. Once verified logically, overwhelm disappeared, the excitement grew, and we were off on our new adventure. As a human, no matter how hard you try to hide your feelings, you are an emotional person. It's the fire that drives you. Disciplining yourself to follow a formula and confirm your 'gut feeling logically' is how you make great decisions in every aspect of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing to take a different path in life can take years and happens in stages. But there is one stage that is always present before you succeed. One joy of doing my work is the relationships I have with thousands of people - many on a one-on-one basis. In most cases, these folks have decided to move away from their old life. They are heading off in a new direction, and most have begun their journey. And that's when things get complicated. Their decision to change is usually the result of repeating behavior that continues to deliver unwanted results. Eventually, they reach a point where there is no choice but to consider something different. That's what happens when you wear yourself out, get your ego out of the way, and decide to get moving. It's an exciting time, filled with dreams, ideas, and energy. But it can also be a time of confusion. As you seek to find the combination of thoughts and actions that will create your success, building a roadmap is your top priority. And that takes patience. One day, you realize that you haven't achieved your goal. Nobody has given you the answer you seek, no matter how well-meaning. Frustration sets in. You almost give up. You find yourself mad as hell and not wanting to take it anymore - and magic happens. When you understand that the only person who can answer your dreams is you, your dreams will become real. Your energy will serge. You will find yourself with all the motivation you need to create the life that you have been wanting all these years. You will break free of whatever is holding you back. You decide you can't go back, you won't hold back, and your time has arrived. What happens next? Since the journey is not the destination, you begin to embrace every step you take along the way. You start getting what you want today and even more tomorrow. It never stops. Frustration is your friend. Stand up. Take a step. Repeat. Keep moving until you create the life of your dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Daily Boost Premium today... Over the years, many teachers have told me that I needed to practice more. They said, “Practice makes perfect!” Yet, the more I practiced, the more I noticed that something else happened instead. Practicing, it turns out, only produces perfection when you practice perfectly. When everything is correct, you know what you are doing and can catch your mistakes. But, if that were the case, why would you need to practice? Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent.  If you practice bad thinking, you will get all the bad thoughts you could ever want. Do that long enough, and your life is full of bad thoughts. Practice makes permanent. Practice bad manners, and you are sure to get better at being rude to others. You will likely get the same treatment in return. Practice makes permanent. Practice bad relationship skills, and you are guaranteed to miss out on the best life has to offer. Practice makes permanent. However, if you practice being positive, forward-thinking, and believing that life is good, that’s what you will get. Practice makes permanent. Practice being a good person that is always thinking of others. You will find yourself surrounded by good people who think of you. Practice makes permanent. Practice being present, respectful, and loving in your relationships. You will never be alone. Once again, practice makes permanent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want more? Get Daily Boost Premium! There’s a saying among dog trainers that for a dog, one time is all the time. Whether it’s good behavior or bad, once a dog learns what it can get away with, it’ll do it forever. A couple of weeks ago, I visited a friend who is also a big-time animal trainer for film and television. While I was at her home, she introduced me to her Golden Retriever. I recognized his expressive eyes. It was Duke from the Bush Beans commercials we’ve all seen so many times. My friend is an upbeat and positive person. A trait that works well for training performance animals to shine on command while on the set. While we were chatting, Duke was interactive and well-behaved. I had to ask how she trains him to be such a great actor? Her answer sounded a lot like a lesson in human potential training. “When a client hires me to train a dog for a movie, the first thing I want to know is what the dog supposed to do? Like anything else in life, if I don’t understand what’s required, there’s no way I can get a dog to understand it. Next, I figure out all the actions, behaviors, and skills needed and break them into small chunks. Then we practice until the dog understands how to perform each small step. Finally, I connect the steps into a chain of behaviors one by one until the dog completed the sequence. Once that happens, we reinforce the training so that we get the same performance every time we ask for it.” I suppose it can be said that you can achieve any significant goal in the same way. Ask yourself, “What’s that dog supposed to do?” Then get busy practicing the pieces until you get what you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get the daily success you deserve! Join MotivationToMove today! One of the most empowering mindsets you can own is knowing that you are never alone in this world. I received an email I wanted to share with you. Hi, Scott - I got something so positive from your message today. You talked about getting out of your comfort zone. I thought that all I have ever wanted was to experience a little Comfort Zone! I realized from today's podcast, people who have enjoyed living in their Comfort Zone have their struggles. It is hard to do scary things when you don't have to. So you stay where you are and feel frustrated. I have had success these last few years, but it has been challenging. I have had to take actions I didn't want to take. Dig deep when all I wanted to do was bury my head in the sand. I wanted a happy, stable life so bad, and it kept me going. With my bad marriage out of my life, selling my big burdensome house, and the bonus of cash in the bank from the sale, I feel a little Comfort Zone on my horizon. And honestly, I am ready. Am I wrong? Isn't the Comfort Zone a completely different place when you have had to fight so hard for it? A new Comfort Zone is not a different place when you fight for it. It's a state where Judith Bardwick said people operate in an anxiety-neutral condition. That's where most people live until you feel the need to change. When that happens, you will feel the need to transition from safe and in control and to something new. First, you enter the Fear Zone. If you keep fighting, you transition to the Learning Zone. Continue to drive yourself, and you will arrive at the Growth Zone. That's where you are now. I've always visualized a Comfort Zone as the bubble I live. As grow and expand, my bubble connects with the bubble next to it. When it does, I arrive in a new safe and in control Comfort Zone. From there, I explore the possibilities of life until I begin the process all over again. Why? Because according to Abraham Maslow's Theory of Human Motivation in 1943, "What a man can be, he must be." I guess we can say you are "musting" right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices