Tag Archives: self

Riding The Wave

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There’s nothing like a trip to Hawaii to drive home the reality that life is truly for living. As I sat on the shore, I watched the waves start far out toward the horizon, and it seemed as if they would go on forever. But before I knew it, they came crashing to the shore. I watched it happen over and over. I also watched surfers ride those same waves, some hanging on for the duration while others crashed into theater. Whatever happened, they’d paddle back out and wait for the next worthwhile wave. Some got tired and came to shore. Others sat out there and never caught another wave.

That’s when it hit me: Isn’t that just like life? You wait for the wave then ride it as far as you can. It’s such a great wave that you start to feel like it’s going to last forever. You even begin to forget all the work it took to paddle out and get past the big waves crashing on top of you. All you can focus on is the great ride. But then, in a split second, CRASH. You’re off your board and under the swirling water, wondering if you’ll ever make it back to the surface for some air. This is the true test: Do you paddle back out, struggling past those initial waves, and wait it out to try again or does the wipeout stick in your mind and send you heading for the shore?

In life – and in sales – we’re surfing. We do all that’s needed to get to a place where we’re moving forward, and it feels like the ride won’t end. It’s exciting, thrilling, and lucrative – riding that wave. Then, for some of us, the wave comes to an end and we crash. When that happens, it can seem like all that effort was for nothing. When you feel that way, do you find yourself turning toward shore or heading back out to try again?

We all have big waves in life and in business. Never taking a chance of a wipeout is often easier because you can’t fail if you never try, but you don’t get anywhere if you don’t let go of that fear of failure. You don’t have to have a perfect ride. Success and happiness are often just a matter of hanging on after all the others choose to let go. And when that wave ends and you find yourself struggling to catch your breath, just spit out the sand, get back on your board and start paddling.

The shore is already crowded with spectators who have given up, and they’re just waiting for you to wipe out too. A lot of people say life isn’t easy. I say it’s as easy as you make it. Enjoy the ride and make some dreams come true.

One Washes Out, Another Washes In

Surfing great Laird Hamilton wasn’t necessarily born to ride the waves. His mother moved them to Hawaii after Laird’s father left. A young Laird later introduced his mom to big-wave surfer Bill Hamilton, whom he’d met on the beach of the North Shore of Oahu. After the boy’s mother and Bill Hamilton married, it was Bill who influenced and molded Laird into a surfer. Where are you in this wave analogy? Waiting on the shore? Paddling back out? Crashed, gasping for air? Riding the wave in?

Where are you in this wave analogy? Waiting on the shore? Paddling back out? Crashed, gasping for air? Riding the wave in?

Start Living

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Wailea Emerald Course

Wailea Emerald Course – May 2013

We all have these secret things we want to do or see or have and we stifle them by saying, “I can’t afford it” or “I can’t take the time off,” “The kids are too young,” “The kids are too old.” It’s important to remember, though, that we only get so much time. Don’t wait to start enjoying it all.

Some of our most valuable possessions aren’t possessions at all, they’re memorable experiences. That’s why we take pictures and capture them on video so we can share them and look back on them to relive that positive memory.

When striving to reach the highest level in your career, that same principle can apply. If you are in sales, the great experiences you’re after will require an investment. Execute your career in that same ‘live life now’ kind of way. Pursue success with an eye on the memorable experiences it can provide for you and your loved ones.

Don’t miss life. All the time I hear people say things like, “They grow up so fast” or “When I was young I should have” or “Next year I want to….” Stop wanting, stop waiting, start doing. Life is for living. Apply that to your goal setting for the next year. Experience every moment. Go out there today and create those positive, memorable experiences because when it comes down to it, that’s what we will be left with. Happiness isn’t something you experience; it’s something you remember!

Finding Your Way To Success

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This week I want you to ask yourself, “Why am I not doing what I know I can do to be a success?”

MP900386813

Get past all the fears and excuses and really ask yourself, “What would my life look like if I just did it?” Would I have l that I wanted and wished for? Would I be able to provide for myself and my family the way I dream about it? Would I wake up each morning with the feeling that I am doing all that I can to be the person I want to be? So today I want you to figure out WHAT IS STOPPING YOU! There is a reason you write goals each year and really believe that this is the year and then you stall out before January ends. You cannot get better at anything unless you figure out what it is you need to get better at. If it is making calls, seeing new people, asking for business or getting out of you comfort zone; figure out what you need to get better at and find a way to do. There are many books, seminars and personal coaches to make you better and help you on your journey but the best people at anything have a coach, a mentor or a formula for their success. Stop making your career a hobby and get serious! Stop waiting for life to happen and start making life happen for you! It’s time to get serious for your success, conquer your fears and take real action this week. We all know what we need to do but achievers take action. Make this week count!

Changes

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Changes

As the year is moving forward, I am blessed that I get to speak to a lot of people and hear their goals. Yet some are still resisting change when they know it’s the best thing for them. So those people I will quote REO SPEEDWAGON (dating myself), “If you’re tired of the same old story, It’s time to turn some pages, I will be here when you’re ready to roll with the changes”.

Remember change my equal stress and uncertainty,but is necessary for you to grow in life. Keep on rolling!

It’s All In Your Head

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When I try to think ‘big picture’ about what makes people successful in business or in life, the first and most obvious part of the ‘big picture’ to me is this: It’s all in your head!

Meaning, it’s what’s in your head that sabotages you. Our minds are powerful tools that can be used to both imprison and free us.To be successful,we have to be mentally strong enough to respond to whatever happens in a positive, pro-active way.

Mental toughness is a process. It just doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like any kind of strength training. You start out slowly, with smaller weights. You learn to pick and choose the options that work best for you, where you are.

When something terrible or unexpected happens, youmay be prone to thinking, “You know, that’s just my luck. Stuff like this always happens to me.”
Or, even when things are rolling along smoothly, you may be one of those worriers—that personwho always assumes theworstwill happen in any given situation.

Self-image is a tough thing for all of us. We all have our own insecurities, our own sense of inadequacy, even failure. And if you really just want to try to hold on to what you have, that negative self-image will always speak louder in your head than anything else. People with half your ability will accomplish more in life only because they believe better things about themselves. Their perception makes for a more successful reality.

The beginning of mental conditioning is training yourself to recognize and acknowledge the strengths you already have. Everyone says, ‘If I could just live up to my potential,’ but to be honest, I don’t buy that.We’re always looking for abilities we wish we had, rather than recognizing the gifts and skills we already have.

Why do you suppose that is?

Everybody’s afraid of what others think.When you close your eyes, that person is in your head, saying what you think they think about you (and it’s never good).We’re always afraid that someone’s going to pull the curtain back and find out we don’t know asmuch as we think we know.That somehow we’re not as accomplished, smart or successful as they are.

Even when all the talent and know-how and drive and determination is already there to succeed, just a whiff of fear will kill it before it even begins.

That’s why it’s essential to ‘retrain’ your mind to work FOR you, not against you. Train it to take the time to gain perspective, to respond, not to react.To think: ‘What are my options here?’

Whatever the situation—whether it’s personal relationship trouble or challenges in business—you always have options. Mentally, you lay it all out: What do I really want to do? What is the best way to respond to get what I want?What will be the best scenario short-term? Long term?

Each option comes with a given consequence, so you train yourself to think through those as well. Some of the consequences automatically rule out the option.

Once you narrow down the options, keeping ‘mind over matter’ means you learn to play to your best strength and go with the option you know you’ll be best at, the response that will work best for you.

If you see yourself as a person who already has the talent and skill and drive and determination to get things done…If underneath all that is a fundamental belief that you deserve to succeed in everything you work hard at…

How and where and who you envision yourself to be is how and where and who you are…and will be.

Always…
be willing to try…
be actively learning…
lead by example…
believe you add value to whatever you do…
be open…
be contagious…
Is this you? If not, begin each day retraining yourself to think, speak and act in affirming, intentional and positive ways. To change your perspective is to change your life.

The Value of “Thank You”

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There are certain times of the year when thankfulness seems more plentiful. Thanksgiving Day is a natural time to pause and count our blessings, while the Christmas holiday is a natural time to be thankful for the family, friends and celebrations that add meaning to our lives.

The rest of the year, most of us don’t say ‘thank you’ nearly enough.

I know the importance of those two little words, though. That’s why I make sure to say ‘thank you’ to all those who help me do what I do:

• Thank you for working alongside me.

• Thank you for your loyalty and belief in me.

• Thank you for your strength to get through the frustration and the tears.

• Thank you for your drive to work hard and be the best you can be.

• Thank you for your part in helping us grow by leaps and bounds.

Taking time out to let those around you know they are appreciated, that the work they do is noticed and valued, goes a long way. It can turn a promising newcomer into a top producer. It can make a committed team member really shine. It can make the people around you not just willing but eager to help you look your best.

Do you want to reach the top? Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’ along the way to those who are helping you achieve that goal.

Who can you thank today and for what? Don’t wait. Do it now.

Change Your Perception, Change Your Life

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We’ve all heard it said that ‘perception is reality,’ but have you thought about the fact that a lot of the adversity we face in our lives is rooted in our perception?

So, what is perception? Perception, defined, is ‘the process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation.’ It is also an impression, an attitude or understanding based on what is observed through your thoughts.

So, what is your perception of your career, your life, your finances? Is your perception part of the problem or part of the solution?

If your perception of the economy right now and anything that is happening in the world is that it’s all on the skids and that buying and investing in anything at this time is ludicrous, that is your reality. There is nothing I could say, no evidence I could present to change your perception or the resulting reality.

Now, 80 percent of Americans worry about things that never happen. But every now and then, out of all of those hundreds of things we worry about, one actually happens, confirming the perception that what you worry about will happen. But a vast majority of the time, we worry about things that never come to be.

That worry spills over to the people in our lives, creating perceptions in others that may or may not be reality based. Negativity breeds negativity. Hopefulness breeds hopefulness.

The other day, I was out with my children, riding bikes, when we came across one of our neighbor’s sons. This was the conversation that took place between the two boys:

“Hey! Did you get a new bike?” the five-year old neighbor kid asked.

“Yes,” answered my son, enthusiastically.

“I wanted a new bike, but I couldn’t get one because of the enonomy.”

The ‘enonomy’? How could a five-year-old kid know about the economic impact on his desire for a new bike? Somewhere in his house, his parent’s perception of the economy trickled down to him.

Think about this: In the past eight hours, what have you communicated about your life, about your career? Whatever industry you’re in—whatever role you’re filling at present—what kind of perception are you operating under? Are you approaching what you do with a positive outlook? Are you focusing on the problem or on the solution? And how do you relate your perception to others?

Times are tough. Challenges are part of the journey. But if you change your perception, it will change the reality of your life.

What’s holding you back?

Charles Schwab is dyslexic, but that didn’t stop him from achieving success in the business world through the investment firm that bears his name. The 55th richest person in the U.S. according to the 2008 Forbes 400 list, Schwab started a foundation that provides support, encouragement and resources for families impacted by learning disabilities.

Changes to Underwater Refinance Plan Going Into Effect

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On October 24, 2011, President Obama announced plans to open up refinancing to more homeowners who are underwater. This proposal was a revision to the previous Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and is now known as HARP 2.0.

Some of the major changes under HARP 2.0 include:

No underwater limits: Previously, borrowers whose loan-to-value limits were greater than 125 percent were ineligible to refinance. Now, borrowers can refinance no matter how far their homes have fallen in value.

Appraisals may be eliminated and underwriting relaxed for most borrowers: Being able to use this program may save time and money, and remove some of the anxiety from the refinancing process.

Deadline extended: Borrowers now have until December 31, 2013 to get refinanced under HARP 2.0.

These changes will be put into effect by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the week of March 19, 2012.

It’s also important to note that the HARP 2.0 Program is for loans that were secured by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prior to June 1, 2009.Currently, loans obtained after this date are not eligible for this program. You can determine whether your mortgage is owned by either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by checking the following websites:

Give me a call or send me an email if you want to learn more about these changes. I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have!


Mind Over Matter

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mindmatter

 

Before Disney was ‘Disney’

Walt Disney is remembered as one of the most successful film producers, directors, animators and entrepreneurs of all time. More than 40 years after his death, The Walt Disney Company owns, among other assets, five vacation resorts, 11 theme parks, two water parks, 39 hotels, eight movie studios, six record labels and 11 cable TV networks. In 2007, the company had an annual revenue of more than $35 billion annually. But not everyone believed in the future Academy Award winner. Walt Disney was once fired from a newspaper job because he ‘lacked imagination and had no original ideas.’
[Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com]

When I try to think ‘big picture’ about what makes people successful in business or in life, the first and most obvious part of the ‘big picture’ to me is this: It’s all in your head!

Meaning, it’s what’s in your head that sabotages you.Ourminds are powerful tools that can be used to both imprison and free us.To be successful,we have to be mentally strong enough to respond to whatever happens in a positive, pro-active way.

Mental toughness is a process. It just doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like any kind of strength training. You start out slowly, with smaller weights. You learn to pick and choose the options that work best for you, where you are.

When something terrible or unexpected happens, you may be prone to thinking, “You know, that’s just my luck. Stuff like this always happens to me.”

Or, even when things are rolling along smoothly, you may be one of those worriers—that personwho always assumes   happen in any given situation.

Self-image is a tough thing for all of us. We all have our own insecurities, our own sense of inadequacy, even failure. And if you really just want to try to hold on to what you have, that negative self-image will always speak louder in your head than anything else. People with half your ability will accomplish more in life only because they believe better things about themselves. Their perception makes for a more successful reality.

The beginning of mental conditioning is training yourself to recognize and acknowledge the strengths you already have. Everyone says, ‘If I could just live up to my potential,’ but to be honest, I don’t buy that.We’re always looking for abilities we wish we had, rather than recognizing the gifts and skills we already have.

Why do you suppose that is?

Everybody’s afraid of what others think.When you close your eyes, that person is in your head, saying what you think they think about you (and it’s never good). We’re always afraid that someone’s going to pull the curtain back and find out we don’t know as much as we think we know. That somehow we’re not as accomplished, smart or successful as they are.

Even when all the talent and know-how and drive and determination is already there to succeed, just a whiff of fear will kill it before it even begins.

That’s why it’s essential to ‘retrain’ your mind to work FOR you, not against you. Train it to take the time to gain perspective, to respond, not to react. To think: ‘What are my options here?’

Whatever the situation—whether it’s personal relationship trouble or challenges in business—you always have options.

Mentally, you lay it all out: What do I really want to do? What is the best way to respond to get what I want?What will be the best scenario short-term? Long term?

Each option comes with a given consequence, so you train yourself to think through those as well. Some of the consequences automatically rule out the option.

Once you narrow down the options, keeping ‘mind over matter’ means you learn to play to your best strength and go with the option you know you’ll be best at, the response that will work best for you.

If you see yourself as a person who already has the talent and skill and drive and determination to get things done…If underneath all that is a fundamental belief that you deserve to succeed in everything you work hard at…How and where and who you envision yourself to be is how and where and who you are…and will be.

Always…
be willing to try…
be actively learning…
lead by example…
believe you add value to whatever you do…
be open…
be contagious…

Is this you? If not, begin each day retraining yourself to think, speak and act in affirming, intentional and positive ways. To change your perspective is to change your life.

Smile Thieves

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People become what they think of themselves, good and bad.

It may sound strange to say so, but I want to talk about thieves. Not the bandit, shoplifter or pickpocket type, but the kind I like to call ‘smile thieves.’ We all know these people: You wake up happy and ready to conquer the day. You feel great, you look great. Then the smile thief appears and ruins your day with a comment like, ‘Isn’t that dress a little tight?’ or ‘What happened to your hair?’ These people rob you of your smile daily. They steal your confidence, your happiness and your zest for life on a regular basis.

Never give anyone the ability to change your day or mood. Challenges will come into your daily life and you will have to face them, but that’s different from willingly letting smile thieves wreak havoc. Often, these people are jealous of the happiness of others so they search for negatives in people like there is a reward for it.

People become what they think of themselves, good and bad. If you think of yourself as a beautiful, hard­working, successful individual and truly believe it, it will happen. If you see yourself as always struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by, that is what you will become.

You would never allow someone to reach in your pocket and steal money out of it, so why would you allow anyone to steal what is more important than money: your confidence. You have the power to make life great. If someone tries to change that with a negative comment, call them out on being a ‘smile thief.’

Whatever you do, don’t ever let anyone steal your smile.

5 or 53… It’s Easy

A smile is the most common facial expression and you can do it with as few as five pairs of facial muscles or as many as 53 (not surprisingly, it takes more effort to frown). Smiling also releases endorphins that make us feel better.

Write five affirmations that you can use each day to keep your confidence at an all time high.

It’s All In Your Head

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The following is an excerpt from the book WAKE UP!

When I try to think ‘big picture’ about what makes people successful in business or in life, the first and most obvious part of the ‘big picture’ to me is this: It’s all in your head!

Meaning, it’s what’s in your head that sabotages you. Our minds are powerful tools that can be used to both imprison and free us. To be successful, we have to be mentally strong enough to respond to whatever happens in a positive, pro-active way. Mental toughness is a process. It just doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like any kind of strength training. You start out slowly, with smaller weights. You learn to pick and choose the options that work best for you, where you are.

When something terrible or unexpected happens, you may be prone to thinking, “You know, that’s just my luck. Stuff like this always happens to me.” Or, even when things are rolling along smoothly, you may be one of those worriers—that person who always assumes the worst will happen in any given situation. Self-image is a tough thing for all of us. We all have our own insecurities, our own sense of inadequacy, even failure. And if you really just want to try to hold on to what you have, that negative self-image will always speak louder in your head than anything else. People with half your ability will accomplish more in life only because they believe better things about themselves. Their perception makes for a more successful reality.

The beginning of mental conditioning is training yourself to recognize and acknowledge the strengths you already have. Everyone says, ‘If I could just live up to my potential,’ but to be honest, I don’t buy that. We’re always looking for abilities we wish we had, rather than recognizing the gifts and skills we already have. Why do you suppose that is?

Everybody’s afraid of what others think. When you close your eyes, that person is in your head, saying what you think they think about you (and it’s never good). We’re always afraid that someone’s going to pull the curtain back and find out we don’t know as much as we think we know. That somehow we’re not as accomplished, smart or successful as they are.

Even when all the talent and know-how and drive and determination is already there to succeed, just a whiff of fear will kill it before it even begins. That’s why it’s essential to ‘retrain’ your mind to work FOR you, not against you. Train it to take the time to gain perspective, to respond, not to react. To think: ‘What are my options here?’

Whatever the situation—whether it’s personal relationship trouble or challenges in business—you always have options. Mentally, you lay it all out: What do I really want to do? What is the best way to respond to get what I want? What will be the best scenario short-term? Long term? Each option comes with a given consequence, so you train yourself to think through those as well. Some of the consequences automatically rule out the option. Once you narrow down the options, keeping ‘mind over matter’ means you learn to play to your best strength and go with the option you know you’ll be best at, the response that will work best for you.

If you see yourself as a person who already has the talent and skill and drive and determination to get things done…If underneath all that is a fundamental belief that you deserve to succeed in everything you work hard at…How and where and who you envision yourself to be is how and where and who you are…and will be.

Always…

be willing to try…

be actively learning…

lead by example…

believe you add value to whatever you do…

be open…

be contagious…

Is this you? If not, begin each day retraining yourself to think, speak and act in affirming, intentional and positive ways. To change your perspective is to change your life.

What are the voices in your head saying? And how do you need to change them?

Purchase WAKE UP! at http://www.manginelligroup.com/wakeup/