"Today, I will experience something new. I will learn from the world around me: from the words I read, the sounds I hear, the touches I feel, and the faces I see.

Even through the course of my daily tasks, I will try to search for a new perspective, lean towards understanding, and make the commonplace a wondrous place to be."

Think about the past year...

• Looking back over the past year, what have you learned?
• What is different in your life based on your 'on-the-go' education and experience path?
• Are you better equipped to lead, love, learn, or serve than you were a year ago?
• What successes have you experienced and who shared in helping you achieve them?
• Is there something that you wanted to do and for some reason didn't get it started or completed?

Our life is made up of interactive experiences.

Each April, I take a short planning break and ask myself probing questions like these. My life goal and intent is to live my life to make a leveraged difference in the world. I take time to revisit my dreams and see how I have done in building solid foundations for success under those sky condominiums (castles). I also know that what gets measured gets rewarded and can be adjusted for finer focus. It works well for me and has helped me keep focused along the way to deal with challenges as I sought to successfully learn and enhance my life.

If you, like me, have found a missing piece or two in the last year, be of good cheer and resolve to move ahead on it today. Life is too short to live in regret. Live forward!

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
George Eliot

Here are a few suggestions to help maintain an attitude of constant learning:

• Take a class at the local college or community center.
• Join Toastmasters and work on becoming a better leader and communicator.
• Explore that hobby you've found intriguing.
• Start a journal, begin a blog, sign up for Facebook. 
• Take up a sport. It's a great way to meet interesting people.
• Explore your own city or town as though you were visiting for the first time.
• Resolve to read selectively and strategically to advance your career. Commit to finding and reading one book a month that will serve this quest.

I know when you come home after a long and sometimes challenging day at work this might not sound like fun to you. However, your energies can be replenished when your mind is actively engaged in something that challenge and engages you.

I challenge you to invest time thinking, reflecting, dreaming, scheming, planning, or just plain working on your future.  It will be an investment that will bring dividends beyond your wildest dreams.

Let me leave you with one more thought from Vincent Arcoleo:

"Life can be so hectic, leaving you with little choice but to be swept up in the hustle and bustle that each day brings. Make today special. Slow down for awhile, maybe even stop time... forget your responsibilities and concentrate on your dreams."

© 2008 Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey, All rights reserved. www.Ideaman.net

PS: Picture is me exploring a semi-deserted beach in Australia a few years back.

by Brian Tracy

Discipline yourself to do what you know you need to do to be the very best in your field. Perhaps the best definition of self discipline is this: "Self discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not." It is easy to do something when you feel like it. It's when you don't feel like it and you force yourself to do it anyway that you move your life and career onto the fast track.

What decisions do you need to make today in order to start moving toward the top of your field? Whatever it is, either to get in or get out, make a decision today and then get started. This single act alone can change the whole direction of your life.

Seven Steps to Success
There is a powerful seven step formula that you can use to set and achieve your goals for the rest of your life. Every single successful person uses this formula or some variation of this formula to achieve vastly more than the average person. And so can you. Here it is:

Decide What You Want
Step number one, decide exactly what it is you want in each part of your life. Become a "meaningful specific" rather than a "wandering generality."

Write it Down
Second, write it down, clearly and in detail. Always think on paper. A goal that is not in writing is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish and it has no energy behind it.

Set a Deadline
Third, set a deadline for your goal. A deadline acts as a "forcing system" in your subconscious mind. It motivates you to do the things necessary to make your goal come true. If it is a big enough goal, set sub-deadlines as well. Don't leave this to chance.

Make a List
Fourth, make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. When you think of new tasks and activities, write them on your list until your list is complete.

Organize Your List
Fifth, organize your list into a plan. Decide what you will have to do first and what you will have to do second. Decide what is more important and what is less important. And then write out your plan on paper, the same way you would develop a blueprint to build your dream house.

Take Action
The sixth step is for you to take action on your plan. Do something. Do anything. But get busy. Get going.

Do Something Every Day
Do something every single day that moves you in the direction of your most important goal at the moment. Develop the discipline of doing something 365 days each year that is moving you forward. You will be absolutely astonished at how much you accomplish when you utilize this formula in your life every single day.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately.

First, decide exactly what you want, write it down with a deadline, make a plan and take action - on at least one goal - today!

Second, determine the price you will have to pay to achieve this goal and then get busy paying that price - whatever it is.

©2008 Brian Tracy, Used with permission. Brian Tracy has been empowering business and sales professionals by sharing his knowledge all over the world. His techniques will allow you to reach your goals and achieve the unthinkable. Brian, also a former Edmontonian, has graciously allowed us to access and share from his vast wisdom and experience. Brian graciously offered his help when I launched my www.SecretSellingTips.com last year. Please visit Brian's website and invest in yourself by adding some of his value-added books and other programs to your success library. Visit: http://www.BrianTracy.com

PS: Brian and I will be working with a group of 10 North American furniture retailers in Philadelphia, PA at the end of the month. Brian will be speaking to the whole group, including owners and I will be facilitating with their sales group following his presentation.