You don’t realize how loud the world is until there is a lack of noise. The silence of the woods is perfect. It’s surreal. 

It’s something we should all experience more often. Leave your phone at home. Try and be in the woods at least once a week; more often the better. 

It helps you take a break from the constant chaos of life. Especially if you’re always sitting at a computer working. You need time to get outside and think. Take time away from everything to reflect on life. 

Life’s too short to only live in the digital world. Get away from the likes and comments. Get away from other people’s opinions. 

Figure out what means the most to you. Take time outside to think about your goals in life. Think about who you want to become and why. 

The woods are a great place. Silence is needed. Focus on listening to the noises in nature. The birds. The wind. The leaves. The silence. 

We don’t realize who crazy our lives are until we take a step back. Take time to get outside and think.

The woods are necessary for keeping a clear mind. Make it a goal to get outside at least once a week, by yourself, to think and sit in silence. 

“Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious. ” – Phillips Brooks

It’s hard to be patient. We all want to see immediate results. We want to succeed in one day, one month, one year, or five years. You have to go into any project you’re pursuing knowing success will not immediately happen. It will require a lot of time and patience. You should prepare yourself before any project. Write out a commitment to yourself that if your project goes over x days, months, years, etc. and is not yielding the results you were looking for you will either A.) Keep remaining patient and working in the project or B.) Move on from the project. Either scenario is fine. Make that commitment before hand. 

Success/results will not be seen immediately. It will seem like you’re working on something for no reason. It will seem like the needle isn’t moving, like you’re running full speed on a treadmill making no ground. Relax. Focus on the long term results and impacts you’re trying to make. Don’t get me wrong, if you have no dedication, no passion, no work ethic, poor planning and research no matter how much time and patience you have, you will yield no positive results. 

So be patient but continue doing the important daily activities that matter. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Next time you’re being impatient ask yourself why. Why am I being so impatient in this moment? Start to address the route causes of your impatience. Take a few deep breaths, realize everything is fine, and move on with your day. 

Patience is a virtue. 

With Christmas past us, now is the time to reflect. Be grateful for who and what you have. What great lives we have. Those of us fortunate enough to live in America need to realize that now more than ever. 

Most of us have electricity, running water, and a home. Appreciate the often overlooked necessities. Think how lucky you are to have a family. To have friends. To be cared for. To love and be loved. The holidays should remind us what we truly care about. Focus on gratitude over material items during the holidays. Give more than you get. 

Tell someone close that you’re grateful for knowing them. Give someone a hug. Write someone a thank you letter. Show your gratitude. 

Be grateful for what you received, who you are, for your family and friends, and for being alive.

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” -Zig Ziglar

Negativity is the easiest way to avoid solving problems. 

You know these types of people. Nothing is ever good enough. They look for ways to complain. Negative people kill companies. They kill relationships. They kill them selves slowly.

When someone around you complains, give them a tip for solving the problem. 

“Why does George always get the best leads? Why don’t I get the same leads as George? That’s unfair isn’t it?” 

“My suggestion would be to work twice as hard as George, reach out to current clients and ask if they know someone who could benefit from using our product or focus on your work and make sure you’re doing the best job you can!” 

It gives them multiple avenues, makes them realize complaining won’t change anything, and helps them think in a more positive, problem solving manner. 

Stay positive and inspire the people around you. Focus on solving the problem the next time someone complains. It can help you think differently and also help others reduce their number of complaints. 

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington

The other day I went to the mall looking for a specific piece of jewelry for my girlfriend. I knew what I wanted. I knew the type but had no clue about price or features of the jewelry. While I was there I ran into 3 different salespeople. 

The first salesperson I met information dumped on me. She THOUGHT she knew what I wanted. She insisted I wanted this and wanted that. She loaded information on me. Honestly, she taught me a lot about what I was looking for but delivered it terribly. She educated me on the product. After she talked at me for 30 minutes I began to get frustrated. I was boiling inside. I needed to get out of this situation. So I did what every salesperson hates but everyone who isn’t that interested does. I asked for her information and left. I will never buy from this type of salesperson. She did no listening, all talking, and pressured me in all the wrong ways. 

The second salesperson was exactly what I was looking for. He was funny, asked me what I was looking for, pointed me in the right direction and insisted/recommended what I should do next. I enjoyed this interaction so much more. Especially after the terrible time I had 5 minutes prior. I liked this type of salesperson. 

The last salesperson I interacted with was good. She was very helpful, courteous of my time, and knowledgeable. She pointed me in the right direction and helped me understand why the prices were what they were. She was nice but was missing something. Maybe it was energy or enthusiasm. Either way I ended he conversation asking for her information and left my email address. She told me she would email me and I haven’t heard anything since our interaction. I know know what she was missing: confidence. 

Which salesperson did I buy from? The second salesperson. His prices were higher and his product was similar. It didn’t matter. I liked this salesperson. I realized how important that is. People buy from people they like. The other salespeople had better products, better prices, and better selection. That had no impact on my decision.  

Go be sold by someone. It sucks. We want someone who’s helpful, charismatic, and listens well. 

It’s an important lesson to take from all of this: We buy from people we like.

There are a few key factors that separate the average runners from the good and the good from the great.

Training, mental strength, diet, Consistency, etc.

The one thing that always irks me is when I hear people say they ran 5 or 10 miles on the treadmill because of the weather. The only weather condition where you should be running inside is lightning and thundering. Besides that you need to be outside. 

You need to train your body to be prepared for any condition: snow, sleet, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc. 

You need to be prepared to run in those conditions. That’s what will separate from the pack. No matter the weather you will be prepared. This will give you a huge leg up on your competition. It will make you mentally stronger, never caught off guard, and excited to run in bad conditions. While others will be complaining of the weather you’ll be licking your chops. You’ll know you’re ready no matter what. 

Run outside. It’s worth it. 

What is hard work?

What does it mean?

Showing up everyday, putting in the long hours on a consistent basis, and doing things others won’t. 

People always want to be successful but very few want to put the work in to become successful. 

Be aware that others around you won’t think like you do. Rarely will you find others who are willing to work like you. 

It’s lonely at the top.

If you want to be average work 9-5 and focus on your weeknights and weekends.

But, if you want to win, working late nights and sacrificing weekends is necessary.

Sacrificing some time for work will pay off long term. Focus on the future results not the immediate satisfaction of a party or video games.

Hard work and dedication are crucial.

If you’re going to do something do it.

Don’t half ass it. Go all in. 

Don’t expect things to happen over night.

If you’re doing the right work everyday it will pay off. 

It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. It might not be for five years. 

It will pay off though. 

Keep working hard. Stay consistent with what’s you do. If you’re doing the right things on a consistent basis your bound to find success.

Stay patient. Maintain your effort. 

Consistency is very important. Even more important is having the patience to know things will turn out right.

Believe in yourself.

Believe in what you’re doing.

Believe you’re helping others.

You have the support system around you.

You have the resources and time.

The best time to start is now.

Forget the fear. Use it to your advantage.

You have nothing to be afraid of.

Take the leap.

Take action now.

Believe.

 

 

Running gives you a feeling like no other sport.

When you’re done with that run, sweats pouring from your face, you can barely move, exhausted beyond belief, you question why you keep doing this to yourself.

You stumble up to your room, take off your clothes and hop in the shower. It begins.

The runner’s high.

There’s no other feeling in the world like it; besides maybe hard drugs but that’s for another discussion.

It’s addictive. It makes you want more. It makes you want that feeling indefinitely.

You may be tempted to run every day but don’t.

Cross train instead.

Cross training helps you avoid injuries and gain strength in other areas.

You may not have the same feeling cross training as running but it’s equally as important.

Swimming, biking, boxing, Yoga, basketball, lifting, etc.

Try getting off your feet and transition to using your arms more than your legs.

Swimming is a phenomenal exercise. It helps your lungs, form, arms, legs, focus, toughness, everything needed for running effectively!

Cross train 3 to 4 times a week. You may not get the same feeling as running but it makes you better.

The runner’s high cannot be replaced but it can be supplemented by other workouts.

Go have fun and try something new!

It will make you appreciate running more.

 

Instead of trying meditation once and giving up after 5 minutes try a longer meditation practice first.

Start with 15-20 minutes at first. At this point in a meditation you will begin to feel the effects. Longer durations of meditation will help more than the short sessions.

It will increase your awareness, happiness, attitude and overall energy.

It’s going to be tough to get through the first 20 minutes but it is worth it.

Forget everything you’ve heard in the past about meditation.

Try 20 minutes today. If you can’t focus for the full 20 minutes that’s fine!

If you do last 20 minutes though you’ll be hooked.

You will almost immediately feel the benefits. It’s like a wave of positivity throughout your body.

Headspace is a great app for first time meditators but I would suggest using Insight timer to get the full 20 minutes in.

Don’t worry about screwing up; you’re going to.

Have fun with it. Don’t worry about anything in that moment.

 

When do you know when to give up? Or when to move on? 

When do you know to push through? How long should I drudge through this?

At what point do you move on to your next career, relationship, or habit?

Do you just know when it’s time? 

What if you’re so close to your break through though?!

There are really only two options:

Tough it out or move on.

But indecision is paralyzing. 

Make a decision either way. Don’t have one foot in and one foot out at all times. 

Either get both feet in or get out.

You make that decision.

Stop waiting around for your life to change. Go out and change it. 

It’s fucking hard. At times it sucks. You’re going to have to do things you dislike. Make sure they align with your ultimate goals. If they do then work through it.

Exercise. Meditate. Have fun. Smile. Stay positive. 

If you’re doing something you hate that doesn’t align with you’re goals stop it. Do something different. Change it up. Don’t get caught in the day to day bullshit. 

Be consistent. 

Do what’s necessary each day to put you one step closer to your goal. 

It doesn’t have to be huge. Just make sure you do something. No matter how small it may seem. 

Small steps can help you accomplish big goals. 

Focus on doing something each day. Anything really. 

Take a small step in the right direction. 

It will all pay off in the end. 

There are times when things suck.

Nothing seems to go your way. You start to get down on yourself. You start to feel bad for yourself. We become known for being “that” guy or girl. The one that always has something horrible going on. The pessimist. Mr. Negative. We start to blame others. This company sucks. My territory sucks. This can’t happen. No one can do well. I hate working here. 

Please, don’t be this person. 

Focus on what you can control. 

Work hard. Stay late. Come early. Be a vocal leader. Stay positive. Be encouraging. Get excited. Always feel great–no matter how you feel. Smile. Laugh. Speak loud. Be consistent. Be grateful. Stay motivated. Focus on the end goal. 

Both of these people spread through companies, teams, friend groups, etc. 

Be the positive, hardworking, grateful person who focuses on their end goal and doesn’t let outside sources effect them. 

Certain people won’t like you. Won’t respect you. Will judge you. Who cares? Not everyone’s going to like you anyway. 

Stay positive and motivational. Be optimistic. 

No one likes a negative nancy.

“There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist.” -Mark Twain