Best Friends - An unlikely match?

I was getting my nails done the other day with my mom, and my mom's nail lady said something funny.  She said that little kids are often best friends with older people.  She said, 5 years old have a lot of questions, and 75 years old have a lot of answers...so it's a good match!

That's awesome!

What's Really Important

I had a great visit from my mom/dad/godmom/uncle and 89 year old grandma.  It is always nice to spend time with family - it helps to keep me grounded and remind me what is truly important to me in life.  That's family. 

I have a rule - I won't hire someone unless I'm willing to introduce them to my parents.  This week, for the first time in my career, my parents go to come to my office and see what I do!  It made me proud to show them the company I have built, and the people who work with me.  They, too, are my family.

Both of my families were introduced to one another, and it's nice to know my parents are proud of me, who I am, and what I do for others. 

It's easy to get caught up in day to day tasks, thoughts, goals and problem solving.  But every now and again it's good to remember what's really important!

Accountabilibuddy

We all have goals.  We all want to achieve things.  Wanting and doing are 2 separate animals!

I have recently contracted an "Accountabilibuddy" (unofficial name...) to hold me accountable for following through with actions that will help me achieve personal and professional goals.

He's similar to a personal trainer you'd get at the gym.

Once a week we review my goals and my action plan to get there.  Each week he goes down a checklist and asks me if I followed through with xyz...

I have found that just knowing I have to answer to him pushes me to take the right steps, and do the proper actions to move in a direction of success even if at the moment I don't feel like it.  My pride won't let me give him excuses and it motivates me to know I'm constantly improving and becoming a better mom, coach, person, business owner and friend!

I can't remember where I heard this but it made an impact - It's easier to do the right thing than make excuses why you didn't.

Human nature is to procrastinate, make excuses, take the easy way.  So - sometimes we need to motivate ourselves with rewards and/or consequences for taking the right steps to accomplish our goals!  I highly recommend finding an accountabilibuddy to push you to the next level!

Ordinary Days

Yesterday I was in a part of Denver that has a lot of less fortunate people.  I noticed a lot of grown people walking the streets in tattered clothing with sad looks on their faces.  Some had visible disabilities while others looked unkept, maybe even homeless.  At that moment I was so filled with gratitude for the blessings I have in my life.  Most of these blessings are a product of the choices I made early on in my career - on ordinary days.

I chose to work hard in my 20's when my friends went out to party.  I chose to study even when I was tired.  I chose to set goals and prepare my week on Sunday instead of dreading Monday.  I chose the road less traveled and took the criticism from my "friends" and family that came with it.

The choices I made on ordinary days compounded, and have produced the life I live today.

I am POSITIVE the people I saw walking the streets yesterday did not expect to be in dire straights in their 40s.  I am sure they never thought they'd be struggling.  No one expects to be jobless or homeless when they "grow up" but the fact is the life you have when you grow up is a product of the choices you make on ordinary days.  Days like today.

Will you choose to prepare for the future, or in the future repair your life because of decisions you made in the past?

More Wisdom from Yehuda Berg

There are two thoughts that a successful person must let go of:
I will never make it.
I am already there.  

Believe in yourself even when you don't have a reason to.  Continue learning even when you think you are a master at your trade.