Tag Archives: #success

Spirituality

Those Annoying New Years Resolutions

It has almost arrived. The New Year! I hope 2026 brings you health, fulfillment and growth. I also hope what you begin anew in the coming year continues beyond just 2026.

In the United States, multiple surveys have shown that anywhere from 31%-48% of adults set resolutions for the new year. It’s interesting to note that the percentage has been steadily declining for quite some time.

But whether you set them or not, here is a guaranteed way to be successful: Set one, only one, goal you want to accomplish and write it down. Review your goal multiple times each day. Keep it in the front of your mind.

After 90 days have an honest conversation with yourself about your progress. Be fair, but be honest. If you are on track, great! Keep doing what you’re doing. If not, simply adapt. Airplanes adjust course during flight due to wind and weather, so why shouldn’t we? Don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t where you want to be. You will get there if you really want to.

The other ingredient to add is a mindset of commitment. Be relentless with this one. It’s impossible to beat a person who refuses to quit. And remember to congratulate yourself for your success along the way.

You really can do anything you set your mind to…

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Spirituality

Success Through Service

I’ll spend a moment talking about success. Many people define success as acquiring fame and fortune. Those things may happen, but they cannot be your goal. Otherwise you will be chasing all your life because you will never have enough.

Achieving success is about living a fulfilling life. We must be willing to give more than we are paid for. Do more than is required or expected. Replace the word success with service. Leaders have a servants heart.

The mediocre never go the extra mile. They believe they are cheating themselves if they work longer than they are paid for. They are cheating themselves out of missed opportunities because of their shortsightedness.

Arrive early. Stay late. Write “thank you” notes. These qualities set you apart from the rest of the world. Go about your work quietly without feeling the need to be in the spotlight. The right people will notice…

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#inspiration

It’s Coming

December is going to feel like it flew by. Before you know it we will be starting the new year.

With the new year coming so do the resolutions. You remember those. Did you set any at the beginning of 2024? Here’s my encouragement to you: set one. Only one and commit to it. Here is my second encouragement to you: start now, not January 1st. There is no reason to wait if it’s something you really want for your life. And it is your life. You are only limited by your thinking.

It takes 21 days for a new behavior to become a habit. By the time we turn the page into a new year you will be well on your way!

The only person who can stop you is yourself. Get out of your own way and get to work!

2025 is coming soon…

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#inspiration

Milton Hershey

If you like chocolate, then you know the name Milton Hershey. He was the one who brought chocolate to the United States.

Milton Hershey was born in Pennsylvania and raised by both parents until he was 12. His father tried business and farming (twice), but could never find and maintain success. When Milton was 12, his mother separated from Milton’s father and took her son with her. Not only that, Milton Hershey dropped out of school as well! He could only read and write at a fourth grade level.

Hershey failed at many jobs, but he found his calling in candy. He began making candy in his basement and then selling it in a little store he opened. Hershey eventually failed at that, too.

When Hershey attended a candy conference in Chicago, he discovered chocolate at the Nestle display. A lightbulb went off in his head and the rest is history.

Hershey wasn’t educated, he failed in business several times, yet he didn’t allow any of his shortcomings to deter him. He created a legacy of helping orphans and building homes for them. Hershey, Pennsylvania continues to thrive today.

Never let a lack of education or business setbacks stop you. Create your own legacy…

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#inspiration

Halfway There

We are now in the second half of 2024. Before you know it we will be celebrating Christmas! And as crazy as it sounds, some retailers already have Christmas decorations up. Yes, retailers are hurting that bad in this economy.

Take a moment to review the past six months. Think about the high moments, your victories. Keep those in the forefront of your mind every day while adding new successes as you go along.

Did you make any resolutions for 2024 that went by the wayside? It’s not too late to start again. Don’t beat yourself up, just begin again. And again. And keep trying.

You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Make the next half of the year your best half…

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#inspiration

Significance

Most people are striving for success. Money, position and influence are the measuring sticks we use to determine how successful someone might be. But there’s so much more to success than just our possessions.

Making a significant impact on others is the truest way to measure success. People don’t care how much money you have if you make them feel seen and heard.

Success affords you the opportunity to be significant. You gain significance through serving others…

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#inspiration

Team Sports

I love sports. Always have. There’s something special about participating in sports and watching exceptional athletes. But there is so much more to sports than just counting wins.

Every team has superstars. To be a star you need a supporting cast. Running backs are recognized for yards gained, but they wouldn’t make a single yard without an offensive line, no matter how fast they run. Michael Jordan was the best ever, but Scottie Pippin fed him with assists.

Sports teach kids responsibility, accountability and sacrifice. It sounds a lot like the skills you need to succeed in life, whether you played sports or not…

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#inspiration

Inflexible

There are three types of intelligence: intellect, personality and adaptability. Psychologists have studied these for decades and have come to the conclusion that one of these types of intelligence has the highest correlation to success. Which type do you believe it is?

If you had said intellect, you would be wrong. And while a pleasant personality is necessary to get along with others, that answer would be incorrect, too. The correct answer is adaptability.

Being flexible in your approach to problem solving means you see things from a variety of angles. You aren’t hyper focused on just one. Your ability to adapt will take you far.

If you are fortunate enough to have a high amount of all three, there’s no stopping you…

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#inspiration

Successful People

Have you heard of people who are called an “overnight success?” Usually those are people in the entertainment business. But there is no success that happens overnight, regardless of the industry.

We see the outcomes, the great achievements. What we don’t see are the lonely times, the failures, the inner doubts and frustrations. Successful people continue trying when things aren’t going well. They simply refuse to accept defeat.

To be successful, you must find what you are meant to do and be willing to work when others aren’t…

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#inspiration

Learning

When I was in school, I received a report card that showed my supposed knowledge in the subjects I was studying. My grades reflected the first four letters of the alphabet. I mostly received B’s and C’s, along with an occasional A or D. I was labeled as an average student.

I have never considered myself to be average. I refused to accept that label. My ability to connect and communicate with people was not graded, but I excelled in human connection. There are other types of knowledge than book knowledge. Personality and adaptability are more highly correlated with success than intelligence.

My grades went up in college. It turns out I loved to learn. I just needed the right environment.

Whatever grades you received in school, be sure you don’t degrade yourself…

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