Today I’m adding a new sleeve to my national presentation list. I will host a series of seminars in 2016 that will share inspirational stories to encourage audiences worldwide. I have studied and learned great life lessons from the best inspirational and motivational speakers on the planet. The first two books I read when I was about 14 years young, were Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. My family was on welfare at the time, so both of these books gave me hope and inspiration to create a great life as an adult. The books are loaded with success stories and life lessons from dozens of people who faced adversity but found a way to rally back, overcome the challenges and become successful. I like those stories and I know that many of you do also.
Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference. ~ Winston Churchill
I have hosted dozens of seminars over the years about the importance of a good attitude and ways to stay positive, despite the challenges you may face at home, work or in other relationships. It’s not easy sometimes but I’m a firm believer that while it’s okay to have a “bad moment”, there is no way you should let something ruin your entire day, month or life. There are ways to “get over it” and put things in perspective. Some people say that life is too short to be negative or miserable. I agree and also say that life is too long to be miserable. Life isn’t perfect but as my mentor and dear friend Colonel Tom Kirk taught me, “any day above ground is a great day!” He was a POW in Viet Nam for five long years and is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. It’s stories like Tom’s that I want to share with the world. It really puts life in perspective. We cannot control life events, the weather, global politics or how other people treat us. But we do control our thoughts, our words, our reactions and our next action steps when we face challenges.
People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. ~ John C. Maxwell
One of the audience members at my Positive Attitude seminar told me how difficult it is when her sister calls each morning to complain about her marriage, her job, her teenagers and mother in-law. She complains for at least an hour each day and that leaves her sister (the listener) drained for the day. Ok, we all have moments when we need to vent, but an hour EVERY day about the same old stuff? My suggestion was to cut the call short. Tell her you have an appointment, a root canal, need to get to yoga class or somewhere else besides talking on the phone. Eventually she’ll find someone else to vent to. That also works in your office by the way. Those consumed with ‘stinking thinking’ will always find someone to vent to. Don’t let it be you. It’s both a time and energy suck that does nothing but drain you. It’s a different scenario when a good friend calls to vent for a moment and get your opinion on something for a few minutes. We all need the advice of a good friend at times, but an hour of complaining every day is bad for your energy and mind.
One of the greatest days in your life will be when you take 100% responsibility for your attitude. It’s not what’s happens to you in life, but how you react to it and what you do next. ~ Neil Wood
Begin and close your day with positive affirmations and visualization. Think about the things you WANT to happen instead of those you dread. Worrying is a lot like sitting in a rocking chair. You use up plenty of energy, but you don’t really get anywhere. Create a small list of your most important near-term goals. Write these goals on a 3×5 card and attach it to your mirror in the bathroom. Each morning and evening, look at the card while you brush your teeth. This action creates a Law of Attraction that mysteriously attracts those things you desire into your life. How does it work? I can’t tell you how, but I do know it works. I can’t tell you how electricity works either, but I do know how to turn the bathroom lights on. Just flick the switch and voila! Affirmations and visualization work just like that switch. You make things happen.
I will promote these seminars online, on my website, though the National Speaker’s Association (NSA) and other speakers bureaus that I work with. I will enthusiastically pursue my mission to talk in front of 1 million people over the next 15 years. Many people are trying to find their purpose in life. I found mine when I was 14 years young and will do my best to inspire and encourage others every day. I do believe that the BEST is yet to come! Let’s make it happen and celebrate together when I see you.
We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. ~ Charles R. Swindoll