Doing What It Takes

There seems to be this preconceived notion that all successful people do exclusively what they like to do in order to be successful.

This couldn't be further from the truth. If that were so, everyone would be successful because we all love what we like to do (simple).

Successful people do what others aren't willing to do in order to fulfill a means to an end. I compare most successful people to janitors. Not a lot of janitors enjoy cleaning the way they do, but it is a means to an end.

I once got a job with no way of transportation between my residence and my new job. I had two choices at that point. I could either turn down the job and stay home or I could find a way to work. I chose the latter. I bought a bike, and rode 5 miles every weekday for 8 weeks to transit between my house and my job. It meant sacrifices. It meant waking up earlier. It meant getting home later. It meant being tired. It meant rain, heat, or wind. But it also meant me doing whatever it took because it was up to me to achieve my dream.

I have a surplus of other instances and situations where I had to make similar decisions. To some, it doesn't seem like a big deal. Truth be told, it's not. However, these are the kinds of things that people allow to stand in the way of their dreams. If someone told you that at the end of this week you'd earn a $1,000,000 for DAILY doing whatever it is you don't feel like doing right now, would you do it? Would you last a week? If not, you frankly don't deserve it.

Success - Will Smith

I watch this at least every other day

Faith Is A Verb Explained

Nothing in my life previous to this revelation his impacted me so. Some part of me wishes that I would have discovered this sooner, but as I get to know the Lord, I know that I found out exactly when I needed to.

I am heavily involved in personal development, wealth mentality, positive thought process, and success principles. I'm also a part of a team of independent business owners focused on their success and the success of others. Working in these veins, I've come to know myself better and understand what it takes make my dream visible and real. I have the tools I need to become "Me 2.0", a much more dangerous version. I could write a term paper on all the things I've learned over the last month, so I'll refrain from elaborating too much. But I do have one revelation that I know can help you if you truly consider what I'm saying.

Faith is a verb.
 
I grew up in the church and I know a plethora of Bible verses. I've always heard of faith and thought that I understood what it was, but now I realize that I didn't have a clue.
 
Faith is a verb.

I always thought that faith was this…belief, that if you believe in something so much that you could make it true. However, what I realize now is that that is far, far from the case. Faith is associated with action, not thought process. Everyone in the world has faith and demonstrates it every day. Let me give you an example so that I can better explain: Some couple conceives a baby. In preparation, they buy diapers, a crib, paint the walls, and even save money for what they KNOW is coming 9 months later, even though they can't physically see it. Each of these actions described above – buying diapers, painting walls, saving money – is faith. They are ACTING, now, for things they can't see, but that they KNOW are coming.

Faith is a verb.

See, I used to think faith was just belief, but then I thought about belief and I realized that it's not that faith isn't belief, but that my definition of belief was not accurate either. When someone says, "I believe in you," isn't there usually an action associated with that? Conversely, if someone says that, but doesn't show it (ACTION), do you feel like they believe in you?

I basically had to get faith from being intangible to tangible, from something that was in my mind to something that I did physically. And now all of those Bible verses make so much sense to me.

"Faith without deeds is dead" - Faith is not a possibility without deeds, since faith is a verb, an action word. Basically, "Doing something towards your goals without doing something is dead."

"Faith of a mustard seed can move mountains" – Small acts of faith (reading 10 pages/day of a personal development book, consistently being on time, jogging for 15 minutes a day) can enable you to move mountains (become CEO, lead a multitude of people, lose 50 pounds). Your faith, your actions can be small and you can still do incredible things.

"God is faithful" – one of the most powerful statements in the Bible, in my opinion. God will do what He says he'll do. He has faith, which translates to He executes actions for things that can't yet be seen in your favor.

I believe that this revelation can help any and every one that listens and will open the Bible up to you like you read it for the first time. This lack of understanding is the reason why so many people's dreams go unfulfilled. They think that if they just "believe" and have "faith" that it's just going to magically happen. It's like you going to your fireplace and believing that "There will be a fire," without purchasing wood and an ignition source. There won't. Faith is a verb; you have to place action towards the dream you can't see yet in order to receive it. I haven't gotten everything down that I want and could say on the subject, but I pray that you got the message and that this can help you pursue your goals and dreams.
 
Some faith verses that can help you out:
> Matthew 17:20
> Matthew 14:22-31 (he stopped walking)
> 2 Corinthians 5:7
> Colossians 1:5 (I could write a whole blog post just about this idea)
> 2 Chronicles 20:20

If the spirit of our Lord lives within and enables us, nothing is impossible (with faith).

The Road Ahead of You Vs. Your Rearview

As you drive, can you look ahead to the road in front of you AND peer to the rearview mirror?

No, you can't. You can look either ahead or behind. And when you look behind, you use what you see to help you manuever forward. That is the only purpose of the rearview mirror.

The same methodology should be applied to your future (ahead) and your past (rearview). Use your past as a tool for your future. Because if you continue to peer exclusively in the past, how can you expect to move and manuever your life forward?

Kobe System: Domination

Open Mind vs. Positivity

Me: "If you think that it's going to go badly, then it more than likely will."
 
Him: "Well I went over there with an open mind, but…"

Stop right there. An open mindset is not be confused with a positive one. It is one step up from a negative mindset, but it is not equal to positivity.

An 'open' mindset leaves room for both positivity AND negativity, as illustrated by the example. Going into a conversation or situation with an 'open' mind usually means that you have your reservations about said conversation or situation, but you're willing to see something that can change your mind (come on, admit it). A person with a positive mindset, however, doesn't allow different or even bad/negative ideas to affect them negatively.

Say, for example, the person in the scenario above was investigating his move to a much more busy, much more inhabited work space instead of staying in his nice, isolated cubicle. This person, who has an 'open' mind, sees the cramped space, the recycled air, the bacteria, the noise and uncomfortable nature of the move. But here's the kicker: he already had these expectations before he began investigating the space. With his 'open' mind, he was looking to eliminate negatives instead of gaining positives.

Now let's take that same scenario with a person with a positive mindset. He sees the increased ability to collaborate with others, the more effective communications, the mobility, and the opportunity to take advantage of a change. He may see the same negatives, but he doesn't let those affect how he perceives the situation. And in his eyes, even if it doesn't work out, it's not a negative but a learning experience.

B +

D'Angelo's Back!

Possibly the most gifted Neo-Soul artist in existence. I'm so happy to see him back.

D'Angelo peforms for first in a long time