Most people hate one of my favorite sayings!

(Disclaimer...there are people who are reading this blog who have just heard some terrible news, a death, cancer, a loved one in prison, or a job loss -- please know this post is not directed to you. I am praying for you)


I have this saying, a lot of people get tired of hearing it, but it makes sense to me.

It simply says. "if that is the worst thing that happens to you today, its gonna be a great day." Here is why I like the saying:

1. It puts things into perspective. Sometimes, we simply over-react to the smallest problem. For example, how many times have you been following a "slow car" and you decide to pass. Now, you are making great time. Then you get to the next stop light and look in your rear view mirror, and there is the slow car right beside you.

2. It helps you focus on your blessings. Recently, I heard a lady talk about picking up her husbands socks. How she was so tired of constantly picking up after him. Until, he died. Then, there was no more items to pick up. Through her tears, she said that she would give anything to "have" to pick up after him.

3. It helps you move on. How many times has one little thing in our day destroyed our entire day. The person who cut you off in traffic, the drive through worker who forgot to get you ketchup, your friend who forgot to call, etc. Really, if any of those things are the worst thing that happens to you, it's gonna be a great day.

I am not sure why people don't like my saying, but I encourage you to adopt it anyway. Life is life, we can't stop aggravating things from happening. But, we can do something about how we react to those aggravating things.

As the people who fall into the disclaimer category will tell you, sometimes life is truly hurts. Don't waste your energy constantly worrying about the small stuff. Stay Tuned.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Under Oath

He was always a great athlete. No one was surprised when he began playing football for Notre Dame. His athleticism was nothing compared to his humility. Every time he was asked about one of his great plays, he credited God, his teammates and coaching staff. Frank Symanzski was humble to his core.

During his senior year in college, he was called to testify in civil court. After he was sworn in, the judge was asking him questions. The conversation when something like this....

Judge: What position do you play?
Symanzski: Center, your honor.
Judge: Are you good?
Symanzski: (Deep Breath) Sir, I am the greatest center in the history of Notre Dame Football.

When his coach asked how he could possible say such a bold statement, Symanzski told him, "Coach, I hated to do it, but I was under oath."

How long has it been since you put yourself under oath? How many problems can you eliminate by putting yourself under oath? Let me explain.

If you were honest with yourself, you would admit the things that you need to change to be more successful. How long has it been since you had a conversation with the person in the mirror to discuss what kind of effort your putting into this game called life?

Are you being the spouse and parent you know you need to be? Are you taking care of your body? When you are working, do you work? When you are home, are you truly there 100%? It has never been easier to learn. You can get quite an education by listening to books on Cd's or mp3s when you are driving to and from work. How long has it been since you took advantage of that opportunity?

So my challenge to you this week, put yourself under oath and then take steps to make the changes you need to make. It could be as easy as picking up the phone, calling someone and telling them that you love them. Stay Tuned.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Are your headlights on?

You have probably seen these signs on the highways. A quick little reminder that if it is raining, it might be a good idea to turn on your headlights so the other drivers can see you coming. It got me thinking, wouldn't it be cool if life came with other signs that offered some quick reminders? Some examples:


1. A good day at work will never make up for a bad night at home. I am a dedicated employee. I am proud of my job and I am thankful for my job. At the same time, my job will never make up for a bad evening at home. Keep your priorities in line.


2. You only get one body- take care of it. A man I respect and love recently told me that he was eating to live - instead of living to eat. If we take his advice at an early age, our body will provide us with a lot of good days ahead.


3. Anybody can manage, it takes someone special to lead. This world has enough managers. We need leaders who are willing to lead, challenge, and support people to do more than they ever thought possible. One hint, if you are constantly reminding people you are a manager, chances are you ain't leading.


4. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear is a killer. Fear kills careers, success, and frankly a whole lot of fun. Successful people still get scared, they just feel the fear and go for it anyway.


A reader recently told me that he thought my blog was too simple. He challenged me to come up with new ideas, new paths to success, and to write about those new ways. To me, that is one of the problems, we are so busy looking for the new ways, we never take the proven paths. Stay Tuned.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availablility. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Where is your stopwatch?

A slow jogger would often take 13 - 15 minutes to complete a mile around the track. Now, give him credit for jogging but his pace really needed to improve. After a casual conversation with a friend, the friend decided to accompany him on his runs.


Immediately, the pace was faster because they started pushing each other. Then, the new jogger introduced a stop watch to their runs...a base line was set and on each run the time improved, cutting as much as six minutes from their time.


What can we learn? It is one thing to have a goal. However, if you are not measuring your progress, the motivation and excitement of hitting the goal will soon be lost and you will just be out there running a 15 minute mile. Accountability and measurement are two key components to achieving our goals that are sometimes over looked.


Accountability: Do you have a group of people you can touch base with on a regular basis? This accountability group should be able to push you, challenge you, congratulate you, and drive you to your goals.



Measurement: Constant measurement is the best way to achieve progress. The stopwatch provides motivation and feedback while you're jogging. What device are you using to encourage progress with your goals?
Stay Tuned.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Make the changes.

She is a loving wife, mother, and friend. She works hard, has amazing faith that has been tested to the max, and she is extremely loyal. Whether it comes from her kitchen or baked over a camp fire, the food she prepares is amazing. Lately, she is a loser.....and you can learn from her.

A significant event in her family was what pushed her over the edge to decide to lose weight. She knew that she needed to change her habits to achieve her goal. Here is what she did:

1. Got a coach. She asked one of her girl friends (a one time personal trainer) to be her coach and work-out partner. Accountability!

2. She set a goal. She knew what she wanted to achieve, she set her sights on that goal.

3. Paid attention to what she consumed. She started keeping a food diary. She knew that big changes start with small steps.

4. She started working out a minimum of one hour a day. At first, it was hard. At first, she couldn't complete a lot of repetitions. But as the days turned into weeks then to months....her progress fueled her motivation.

5. She monitored her success every week.

6. She hit her goal.

7. She created a new goal. Life is not about the destination, it is about the journey.

Whether you need to lose weight, be a better spouse, close more sales, or have more patience with your kids, follow her formula and you can make the change that you need to make.

First, make the decision that you are going to change and set your goal. Then reinforce that decision in your sub-conscious mind by changing your habits. Then get help. (Remember, the best way to get what you want is to work with the people who have already obtained it. Then start doing the things those people do.) Monitor your progress and make the changes you need to make.

Just like my friend, you can change your life...when you take the steps you need to take. Stay Tuned.


The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.