Hard, continuous work - The 'not so secret' to success

I've found the truth in the statement "nothing worthwhile comes easily", any number of times over the course of my life.  In the early years, this was also a source of major frustration in my life as well. One of the challenges I personally had to overcome was that I figured once I had "made it" (whatever that means), I could sit back, enjoy the fruits of my labors and life would be great.  How totally misguided that opinion was.

I've been fortunate to have some awesome opportunities over the course of my life and looking back with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, the times when I didn't get all that I wanted out of those chances... it was because I took my foot off the gas..  Well - those days are gone.  As you start your Sunday, what  better way to start your day then a quote for the one and only Steve Jobs that reminds us that if you want results that last....you obviously have to work hard, but you have to make that work a continuous effort.

Is there something that with a little extra effort today you can make better?  Have you rested on your laurels a bit too much recently?  Make today the day you recommit to getting all you can out of you life - and create the results you want... and make them last!  Make it a great Sunday all! #NoLetUp #OnwardandUpward #WhateverItTakes #BeRelentless #MakeTodayGreat #NeverStopStriving #ThankfulforMyLife

Hustle beats talent... When talent doesn't hustle: A life lesson

So... how may times have you heard folks make the claim/excuse - "Well... I'm just not talented enough to do that"?!  If you've known me for a while, you unfortunately probably heard that from me at some point in the past - which frankly I'm not embarassed to admit.  The main reason I'm not, is because that sad fact of life is what made me the relentless and driven individual that I am today.  I've used this quote at some point over the past couple of years, but wanted to share it again this morning as it truly points up the leveling wind that exists in the world today.  

No longer are only those who have outsize talents able to create and enjoy a great life - it's available to each and every one of us... it just sits on the other side of what you get when you hustle.  I was never an athlete in high school (although I tried to argue that debate was not only a sport but a contact sport - LOL), but I know hustle when I see it.  He/she who puts in the effort day after day, never gives up and constantly shifts their efforts to find a better way forward all exemplify the power of making a plan, executing on that plan and just simply grinding it out every day will always pay off.  

As you enjoy the start to your weekend, give some thought to what hustle means in all areas of your life.  Are you falling short of what you want, but not giving some part of you life everything you have?!  You're not getting everything you want because you aren't innately talented, it's because you haven't found the right amount of hustle required to get it.   Believe me... I know.  Hustle truly can beat talent - my life is a case study of that each and every day!  Make it a great Saturday all - and don't let another day go by without committing yourself to truly giving your life all you can! #NoLetUp #WhateverItTakes #OnwardandUpward #startuplife #EmbracetheHustle #WorkingHardDaily #WeekendRecharge #RecommitDaily #Thriver4Life

Push yourself daily... it's not glamorous, but it's worth it!

Wrapping up another great work week and realized that this quote sums up the day to day grind of how hard we all strive to make ourselves better every day. When I look at the evolution of my daily routine, I'm often struck by the fact that is someone has told me 3 years what all of the different pieces of my day was going to look like today - I would have told them they were crazy. Not only have I dramatically increased the number of things that I can do every day, but I've been able to remove the time that I'm spending on busy work or items that made me feel 'busy' in the past without really being productive.


That said, Sean's quote struck a chord as one of the most empowering parts of the life I lead now is constantly working hard to be better - in every part of my life! Are you focused on the glamour of those that have succeeded? Never forget that the work, focus and efforts involved are not always seen and certainly not glamorous... but they are necessary to get all you want out of life! 

Enjoy your Friday evening and never stop pushing yourself to be better with every passing day - you won't be disappointed by the results! ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎startuplife‬ ‪#‎PutInTheWorkDaily‬‪#‎GetterBetterDaily‬ ‪#‎PushHard‬ ‪#‎SuccessIsInTheSmallThings‬ ‪#‎StrivingDaily‬

Goals matter - Avoiding lifetime pain: Why trying is important

There will be pain. One of the things that I've come to realize over the last several years - is that setting big goals and then working daily to attain them is many times painful - and frankly at times excruciating. Whether it's getting clients to pay you on time (or at all), making the right choices on what to spend your time on, who to call and what partners to work with - the pain of making the wrong choices is amplified when you are on your own.  That being said, I wouldn't change the stress and headaches of my current state affairs for anything as I know that while the pain of pursuing my dreams sometimes feels overwhelming, not chasing after what I want in life is a pain that will last a lifetime!

Is there a goal that you've looked at for some time that just seems impossible? Feel trapped in your current situation and not sure where to turn? I spent a number of years feeling those same emotions and cannot even begin to tell you how great you'll feel once you realize that yup... there will be pain, but holy smokes is it worth it! Make it a great afternoon and never forget... the pain of not trying lasts FOREVER! ‪#‎startuplife‬ ‪#‎LivingMyDream‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎TryingPaysOff‬

Your life journey: Truly, uniquely yours

We each are on a journey of some kind as we make our way through this life, and in some cases - it's many journeys taking place all at once.  One constant theme that my journey has returned to over time is that I often felt I had to have others understand what I was experiencing and going through.  What I've learned over time however is that no matter what we do or say, there will always be those who simply don't "get it".  As I left the relative comfort of corporate America now nearly 2 1/2 years ago, I saw a fair amount of folks who didn't 'understand'.  

What I've learned during that time however is that no amount of pitching or convincing will alter those positions and at the end of the day - the only person(s) who need to really understand are you... and those you've chosen to spend your life with.  As you start your Wednesday, give some thought to the energy you're expending to make others understand your journey... and then take a moment to reassess those efforts.  What I think you'll find - as I certainly did - there are some of those efforts that certainly worth your time, but many are not.  Reclaim that time and energy for what is the most important to you and yours... making your life journey the best it can be....each and every day.  

Make it a great day today - and live your journey the best way YOU know how! #NoLetUp #startuplife #OnwardandUpward #LiveYourJourney #LoveMyLife #LiveYourDreams #RenewYourFaithDaily

Nothing can stop you.... Except YOU!

As I've written about in the past, for a lengthy period of time, I had no shortage of reasons why I couldn't succeed at the scale that I wanted to... that is until I realized that the only thing keeping me from that success was me. Over the last several years I've encountered any number of obstacles (both human made and otherwise) that in previous parts of my life I would have allowed to at best alter my course, and at worst - ended my efforts completely.

As our lives evolve and different seasons of our life come and go, the one constant I've found in my life is if you are committed to your beliefs, you work every day to be the best you can be, be willing to learn every day and surround yourself with the best folks possible - there is literally nothing that you cannot accomplish! Hope you had a great day and never forget - the only one who can stop you... is YOU! ‪#‎startuplife‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎OnwardandUpward‬ ‪#‎NothingCanStopYou‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬

Be Bold: Sitting in the front row of your life

I've had the fortune in recent years to sit in the front row of several live theater events and found the the closer you get to the action the better the view, but more importantly the better the overall experience.  When I ran across this great quote this morning, it was a terrific reminder of how I like to start every week, but more importantly how I strive to start every day.

You know what the anticipation is like before a sports event, concert or play?  The feeling that you are about to see/experience something that you haven't seen before?  That feeling should be our goal every day and as you start a new week - make sure you're making your way to the front row of your life.... not only is the view better, but you'll assure that your getting the most out of your life!

Make it a great Monday and enjoy the start to the new week! #startuplife #NoLetUp #WhateverItTakes #OnwardandUpward #EnjoytheFrontRow #MakeYourLifeGreat #todayisyourday #Thriver4Life

Passion: The difference between good & great!

One if the great things about life is that we are repeatedly afforded the opportunity to pursue our passion. In my case, this evolution took place over a number of years and required the chance to come back several times before I saw it for what it was. I had a terrific career, was working inside an organization that I believed in, and while not perfect it was a nice life. When I ran across this quote this morning however, it quickly occurred to me that this was the reason for my discontent. I was doing interesting work, but NOT pursuing my passions. 

Today of course I AM pursuing my passions and while challenges abound and the final outcome is far from assured, I know one thing to be true. My life truly is GREAT today.... all because I took the chance to follow my passion. Are you good but not great? Do you want that for your life? All it takes is a single moment - in which you choose to follow your passion. You won't be sorry -never forget that true greatness and everything we've ever wanted lies on the other side! Make it a great Sunday!‪#‎LivingwithPassionDaily‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎startuplife‬‪#‎DreamersWin‬ ‪#‎Thriver4Life‬

Dreamers Who Do: The ultimate combination

For many years I was truly just a dreamer. Hoping my life would somehow get better, I'd improve my health, be able to have the kind of life I saw others having and in fact spending a fair amount of time wanting/hoping that I could be someone else. Over the last 15 years however, that has slowly shifted with my first finally becoming a 'doer' and over the last five years or so - being a dreamer AND a doer. Life has an interesting way of developing over time and what I've come to realize is that the only person who can really control what you get out of this life is you.  

The weekends are always a time for me to assess how the previous week went, start to determine what changes I need to make to keep moving forward in the coming week, but also allows me to stretch my mind and dream about what comes next. Many think that this time is idly spent, but I can assure you that it isn't. Only when we dream daily of what is possible in our lives... can we truly get out of them what we want, desire and frankly deserve. This weekend take some time to dream big about what you want out of your life and then take concrete steps to make those dreams a reality. It won't be an 'instant' change, but the long-term impact on your life and that of your family of being BOTH a dreamer and a doer should never be underestimated!  

Make it a great weekend.... and keep dreaming! #startuplife #DreamBig #NoLetUp #WhateverItTakes #OnwardandUpward #BeADoer #MaketheMostofYourLife

Exceeding your limits: It really is your duty!

Exceeding your limits. We've all heard it before, the clarion call to do more, be more, achieve more, get more out of life. When I ran across this quote this morning however the word 'duty' is what stuck out for me and best explained the life altering changes that have occurred in my own life over the course of the last several years. There are plenty of people out there who talk about 'getting all you can out of life', but for me there is a deeper, Faith-based reason for pushing through our perceived limits. When we actively work to get the most out of the life we've been given, we have the opportunity to truly honor God - whose plan for our life makes everything possible. 

I for one, had focused on my limitations for many years. Whether not participating in sports when I was younger because I was too small, or later in life engaging in self-sabotage as my career got underway in earnest, too often I looked at my life and made the erroneous decision that it was too hard, too challenging or I simply didn't have the talent to do something. Those days are over, but the experiences that led me to where I am today, only serve to encourage me to look at every new challenge with the knowledge that "I've got this". 

Have you met your 'duty' to exceed your limits this week? If not, take a moment and think about what is possible - if there were no limits to what you can do... because in fact that is the situation that you're in. Make it a great Friday - today is YOUR day! ‪#‎startuplife‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎ExceedYourLimits‬ ‪#‎MotivatedDaily‬

Tenacity: Without it, nothing else matters

As the end of 2013 approached, I found myself facing a series of challenges. I wasn't sure where my career was going and I wasn't getting any younger - was this the time to 'make the leap' and go out on my own? I'd done it before and had failed (several times), did I have the skills I needed to make it work this time? Did I leave an amazing organization that I could retire with and have a comfortable life for the uncertainty of my own gig and non-stop uncertainty? 

Well - as you all know, I made the leap and over the last 27 months have found the truth in today's quote repeatedly over that period of time. The hardest part truly WAS the decision to act. Sure there have been times when I looked in the mirror and asked seriously - what the heck was I thinking... but simply being head down, tenacious, making a plan and then executing on that plan each and every day has made all the difference. I am truly thankful for those that crossed (and guided) my path during my tenure at Valpak (including several of you who pushed me to understand the critical role that process plays in success - you know who you are smile emoticon ), but most of all, I'm thankful for the fact that I learned to be tenacious at a very early stage of my career. 

Are you facing a key decision in your life right now? Let me encourage you to make a decision to act, move forward and do something that helps you get more out of your life. It won't be the end of the journey, but with a little dose of daily tenacity - you can get anything you want out your life... and who knows... maybe you'll get what I've gotten from deciding to act... a life richer than I ever imagined! Make it a great Thursday and never forget... to be tenacious today! ‪#‎startuplife‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬‪ #‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎OnwardandUpward‬ ‪#‎BeTenacious ‬‪#‎DreamsDoComeTrue‬ ‪#‎ThankfulEveryDay‬ ‪#‎ActingPaysOff‬

Perseverance: Love it or hate it... you need it!

Today marks the relaunch of my personal development blog. It's been quite some time since I wrote here, but as my businesses have ramped up in recent months, I found that i'm excited to share that journey as well as the changes that my life is seeing.  Hope you enjoy and welcome to the journey - as I continue to seek a Life Well Led!

Perseverance. Love it or hate it, this word denotes the difference between success and failure in this life more than any other I've run across. For many years, I thought that I simply didn't have the talent to make my life what I wanted it to be, but what I've found in recent years, is that the difference is really found in your ability to keep going in the face of whatever challenges you might be facing at the time. One of the 'truths' that I've come to realize (and as a believer truly accept with my whole heart) is that this life will be challenging and there will be many times where we have to pause and ask ourselves 'where is my path taking me'? While talent can often sets the stage for many, I'm a firm believer that by simply getting up each day and making it the very best day you can all while pursuing the hopes and dreams you have for your life - is the best way to get the most most out of your life. Is there something in your life that you're trying to accomplish but don't feel you have the 'talent' to make it a reality? Take it from me when I tell you - there is NOTHING you cannot accomplish - as long as you persevere! Make today the day that you recommit to making your dreams a reality - you won't be sorry! ‪#‎PerseverancePays‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬‪#‎FollowYourDreams‬ ‪#‎Startuplife‬ ‪#‎TodayisYourDay‬