If trials are a given, then the key question becomes how to deal with them in the most productive way. I have three thoughts that will help when you face trials.

1. Stay focused – It’s easy to get distracted and discouraged, but don’t let it get the best of you. Discouragement results when you give your attention to all that is not going well. Even in difficult times you can be encouraged by focusing on what you want to make happen, not all the things that are getting in the way. There is, and always will be, plenty of negativity. In your heart you know that you will get through this tough time, just like you have all the other tough times. Stay positive. Stay connected to a vision that is personally compelling and inspirational. This is critical at any point in time; it is absolutely essential in difficult times.

2. Be willing to change – If what you’ve done in the past isn’t working, then try something new. Challenging times often require new and innovative strategies. Don’t be afraid to do things differently, and do different things. As the marketplace changes you will need to change and adapt with it. Step out, and try something new.

3. Keep moving – When times are tough and uncertainty is high, the natural tendency is to slow down, or to pull back. This may be the natural tendency but it’s not a very effective approach. Some action is always better than no action. The more productive approach is to “lean into it.” The best way to move though uncertainty is through trial and error. If you are on new ground, which is typically the case with change, the most effective way to determine the next step is to take “a” step and assess. Then take the next step, and the next step, and so on. Keep moving.

You will have trials. Be prepared. Learn and adapt. Use the current trials to prepare you for the next peak.

Be encouraged.

Your thinking causes you to act in a certain way, which creates the results you experience. Ultimately, your thinking creates your life. Almost everything you have in life is a result of your thinking. Neuroscientists have determined that every thought sends electrical and chemical impulses throughout your brain, affecting every cell in your body.

The average person has over fifty thousand thoughts a day. Each thought moving you either toward the life you desire or away from it. For most, thinking is reactive. Approximately 90% of your thoughts today are repeats from yesterday and previous days. If you’re going to create a life of greatness – in your business and in your personal life – you will need to be intentional about your thinking.

What you think about, what you focus on, you give life to. Thinking, talking and worrying about your problems, and what you don’t want will never produce what you do want.
Whatever you give your attention to expands in your experience.

This doesn’t mean you should be a Pollyanna. I’m not suggesting that you ignore problems or issue that are real and relevant. What it does mean though, is that you focus on solutions, instead of just dwelling on problems. You need to discipline yourself to focus on the solutions, the blessings, and all the things that are positive in your life. Even in the worst of times there are still many things to be grateful for. Your future is not defined by your past. Change your thoughts, and you will change your life.

There are few things more critical than your thought life. If it’s not productive, if it’s not positive, if it’s not helpful, if it’s not edifying, don’t spend your time on it. Make a decision to focus on the things that support you being your best. Each day take time to intentionally dwell on what is good, and what is right. Train yourself to be deliberate and purposeful in your thinking.

Be encouraged!

In a sense, life balance is more about “intentional imbalance.”   Often there are periods or “seasons” in life when you will choose to spend more time, energy and effort in one area over another.  Life has different seasons, each with it’s own set of challenges and blessings.  The key, in my opinion, is that it is intentional.

The 12-Week Year is a terrific process to help you live a life of intentional imbalance.   Many of our clients use the 12-Week Year to focus in on a few key areas in their life and take new ground.  Living a balanced life is all about intentionality.

Have an intentional week!

Be encouraged.

The Declaration of Independence states that “… all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

The framers understood that we are born with these rights, we don’t get them from government.  In fact, whatever rights or power the government has, comes from the people.  Government exists to help secure our rights.  Nowwhere in the constitution does it guarantee “equal outcomes” or does it establish the government for such purposes. 

America affords all of us the opportunity to pursue what matters most to us and shape our lives in the direction that we see fit.  I’m thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to choose.  And I’m grateful to all those who have sacrificed so that we can continue to enjoy a free America.

Be encouraged!

I recently found out that I have prostate cancer and I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow.  Although the thought of being prostateless is not pleasant, the thought of being cancer free is.   Having gone through breast cancer with my wife – who is doing great – I’ve done my research and have confidence in my surgeon and the team I’ve chosen.

Except for this cancer stuff I’m very healthy and in great shape as I approach the half-century mark.  I’m also incredibly blessed.  Times like this put this in perspective very quickly.   And I am, without question, a very blessed man.  I love what I do, I have great friends, two beautiful and funny daughters and one amazing wife.  I have a friend who’s been through hell and back dealing with personal illness, loss of his mother and the loss of his son.  He and his wife have a saying: “God is good; all the time!”

Take a moment today and take stock.  I’m certain you, like me, are blessed.

Be encouraged

The 12-Week Year creates a dynamic that causes us to act sooner and more consistently on our intentions. In a 12-Week Year we’re constantly confronted with the passing of time and the connection of our actions to our goals. The 12-Week Year creates the impetus for us to act now versus putting off critical activities until a later date.  It creates an urgency around the most important activities.  In the end, more of the truly important stuff gets done each day and each week, which creates a compounding affect of your results.   More of the important activities done each day equals better results.  The 12-Week Year is powerful!

Be encouraged.

I don’t know about you but I’m sick of “leaders” across all aspects of our society, in business and government, acting in self-serving ways at the expense of others. A decade ago the prevailing attitude was that character doesn’t matter. It was embodied by the administration, the media, and Hollywood. Today we’re living with the consequences of that philosophy – from abuses of politicians like Blagojevich to once-trusted business leaders like Madoff.

Does character matter? More than we know.

Be encouraged.

If you have children then you know what I’m talking about. Kids demand sacrifice – time, money and energy, and yet what is produced from the sacrifice is incredible. Success in relationships is like that; it takes an upfront and ongoing investment to experience the richness that occurs with others.

Success in business is no different. Business success demands sacrifice – time, money and energy. If you’re going to be successful in business you will need to invest time, money and energy in your business and in your development. Greatness however requires something extra; an additional sacrifice that few seem willing to pay.

There are many things one sacrifices to be great. I believe that the number one thing you will need to sacrifice in order to achieve greatness is your comfort.

It seems that we’re all hard-wired to seek comfort. We like life comfortable. From our favorite chair to the route we drive to work each day, to the daily activities we choose to engage, we seek the familiar.

The primary obstacle standing between you and living a life of greatness is comfort. Comfort prevents you from breaking through to the next level and from enjoying the things you desire. Greatness is about personal leadership and at the heart of personal leadership is a willingness to sacrifice comfort.

Challenge your comfort this week and see what happens.

Be Encouraged,

The courage to begin and continue is what separates the great ones. You may not have all the answers; you may not even know the questions. Never mind, start where you stand! Richard DeVos founder of Amway said: “It is impossible to win the race unless you venture to run, impossible to win the victory unless you dare to battle.” Once you’ve begun, have the courage to keep moving. The difficulties you encounter will resolve themselves as you advance. The power of courage resides in your decision to do what you know you need to do. Courage is a character trait, and I’m convinced that character is built through application. You can’t build character just by reading about it. Character, and specifically courage, is acquired only by exercising it. To have courage you must be courageous. Be courageous this week and do the things you need to do!

Be Encouraged

Change is difficult, change is uncomfortable. But change is also where growth occurs. You are either pushing ahead or falling behind, there is no “maintaining.” Penn Central and Montgomery Ward are just two examples of organizations that tried maintaining and are now defunct.

The current market, as difficult as it is has opportunities available to those who are willing to look for new and innovative ways to create value. Stop waiting for the market to return to “normal.” It has changed – permanently! It is time for you to change too.