We must stand up for what we believe! Its very easy to let our beliefs be kept on the "low" to prevent conflict or because we feel our voice will never be heard. You have heard it before and I will say it again, "If we all think like this then nothing will ever change".
To win you have to risk loss. ~Jean-Claude Killy
We will always face opposition and we may hurt some feelings along the way but if we feel convicted in our hearts, about a belief or an idea, then we should stand up for those beliefs. By not standing up for what it is that we believe in we are essentially standing up for what we don't believe in. Failure to take a stand is the easy route that is ineffective. If no one ever stood up for what is right in our world, our world would be very wrong.
The more chance there is of stubbing your toe, the more chance you have of stepping into success. ~Author Unknown
When standing up for what we believe creates conflict or gets a reaction, it is typically because what we believe is what others are afraid we believe. Often reaction means progress.
There have been many great stories about individuals standing up for their beliefs and the beliefs of others that have left marks on our great nation and our great world. These stories we hear, often, have a negative "short term" outcome but leave a lasting impression. The fruits of our labor may not be evident until some time down the road, but they will be evident and that is what matters.
I truly believe in my heart that if you or I know that we can help a cause or another person, even if it is just one other person, and we do not help that cause or person, then we are not living out our calling.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. ~James Bryant Conant
Friday, February 18, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Execution
Yesterday I was a part of the Xplode Real Estate Technology conference in Austin, Texas. The event was a huge success as over 300 agents learned from some of the brightest in the industry about how to boost their business using technology. While listening to the speakers and then gauging crowd response I could see that what was being taught was really hitting home with these real estate professionals. Everyone there knew that change was needed to stay competitive and succeed. As these eager learners were furiously taking notes on their iPads and laptops it was evident that a lot of work was ahead.
As I was sitting their witnessing these "light bulb" moments, I really started thinking about how the key element to everything that was being taught was execution. Execution is the hardest part of any new idea or thought and it's often the part that keeps us from being successful.
It happens all the time in our every day lives. We know we need change yet its so easy to remain idol and stick with what's comfortable. When we are thinking about these new ideas and changes, we get so fired up and excited. However when we are back in our own "real world" without a passionate friend or speaker making it seem so easy and right, we lose focus and end up never pursuing the change.
When we know we need to make changes, the biggest mistake we can make is to not make a change. When you know you need change, and you know what it is you need to change you must act on it as soon as possible. Nothing will change without the initiative and without this initiative you are just wasting time. Every second that you continue in your "old ways" you are giving up on opportunity as well as letting others catch you or even pass you up. This earthly life we live is very short and our scarce resource is time. So to waste that time is a huge mistake.
Execution takes effort and focus. It takes determination and drive and a vision beyond that which is obvious and right in front of you. Must people cannot execute which is why there are very few that are great and successful. But if you want to be successful then you need to focus on execution.
Sometimes execution is a slow and small task with meaningful and purposeful changes and yet other times it could mean drastic and immediate change. And while each situation is different, execution will always be the necessary theme.
There are so many different life applications that this post relates to. It does not matter if it is your career, your lifestyle, your faith, your relationships, your health or the type of shampoo you use, execution is key!
You and I can continue in our old ways or we can commit, right now, to executing what we know we should execute. Do not let the reason you don't get to where you want to be, be because you did not do what you knew you should have done. In other words, don't let lack of execution be your execution.
talkin' truth
-EC
As I was sitting their witnessing these "light bulb" moments, I really started thinking about how the key element to everything that was being taught was execution. Execution is the hardest part of any new idea or thought and it's often the part that keeps us from being successful.
It happens all the time in our every day lives. We know we need change yet its so easy to remain idol and stick with what's comfortable. When we are thinking about these new ideas and changes, we get so fired up and excited. However when we are back in our own "real world" without a passionate friend or speaker making it seem so easy and right, we lose focus and end up never pursuing the change.
When we know we need to make changes, the biggest mistake we can make is to not make a change. When you know you need change, and you know what it is you need to change you must act on it as soon as possible. Nothing will change without the initiative and without this initiative you are just wasting time. Every second that you continue in your "old ways" you are giving up on opportunity as well as letting others catch you or even pass you up. This earthly life we live is very short and our scarce resource is time. So to waste that time is a huge mistake.
Execution takes effort and focus. It takes determination and drive and a vision beyond that which is obvious and right in front of you. Must people cannot execute which is why there are very few that are great and successful. But if you want to be successful then you need to focus on execution.
Sometimes execution is a slow and small task with meaningful and purposeful changes and yet other times it could mean drastic and immediate change. And while each situation is different, execution will always be the necessary theme.
There are so many different life applications that this post relates to. It does not matter if it is your career, your lifestyle, your faith, your relationships, your health or the type of shampoo you use, execution is key!
You and I can continue in our old ways or we can commit, right now, to executing what we know we should execute. Do not let the reason you don't get to where you want to be, be because you did not do what you knew you should have done. In other words, don't let lack of execution be your execution.
talkin' truth
-EC
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Great believe they are Great
The other day I was having a good conversation with some friends about professional boxers and fighters and whether or not they think there is a possibility of losing a fight when they step into the ring. Many people are often saying how "cocky" these guys are and how they think they are so good. But realistically speaking, could someone even enter a ring for a fight without honestly believing they will win?
If a fighter entered a ring with doubt, with the thought of losing on his mind, losing would be inevitable. The fighter would be thinking about how he could lose or the move or punch that would knock him out. This would take away from thoughts of how he can win, be effective and ways to out perform the opponent.
As I started thinking more and more about this I really started seeing how in order to be the best, you must think you are the best or that you are close to becoming the best. Now there are many people that think they are the best and are not the best, but it is this mentality that allows them to perform to the best of their ability. This confidence is what makes these premier competitors who they are. Would you want the guy that doubted his ability to win, to be leading your team?
“Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” ~Robert Collier
Now one thing I must also point out is that there is a big difference in thinking you are the best and thinking why you are the best. Some people believe they are the best because they just are the best while others believe they are the best because of their work ethic and still others believe they were given talents and abilities by God. So being confident in your abilities does not necessarily mean that you are taking any or all of the credit. In fact look at Colt McCoy or Tim Tibaut. These guys are premier athletes that of course believe they are great but they also give all of the glory to God for their successes and failures.
Now just because you are great or maybe even "the best" does not mean you cannot fail or lose. It is my belief that the outcomes are determined by God and his plan and often times he takes away the things we want so bad (like victory) to teach us and others important lessons or to draw us closer to him. Colt McCoy and Tim Tibaut are able to cope with losses because they attribute it to God and his plan and while it does not always go how they desire, they are true believers in his ways.
In order to be the best you must think you are the best but you should also be aware that you can lose. It is the awareness that keeps you focused on the goal and prevents one from becoming overconfident and being defeated by one's own self. And don't ever lose site of why you are the best and where it came from!
Bein' real
-EC
If a fighter entered a ring with doubt, with the thought of losing on his mind, losing would be inevitable. The fighter would be thinking about how he could lose or the move or punch that would knock him out. This would take away from thoughts of how he can win, be effective and ways to out perform the opponent.
As I started thinking more and more about this I really started seeing how in order to be the best, you must think you are the best or that you are close to becoming the best. Now there are many people that think they are the best and are not the best, but it is this mentality that allows them to perform to the best of their ability. This confidence is what makes these premier competitors who they are. Would you want the guy that doubted his ability to win, to be leading your team?
“Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” ~Robert Collier
Now one thing I must also point out is that there is a big difference in thinking you are the best and thinking why you are the best. Some people believe they are the best because they just are the best while others believe they are the best because of their work ethic and still others believe they were given talents and abilities by God. So being confident in your abilities does not necessarily mean that you are taking any or all of the credit. In fact look at Colt McCoy or Tim Tibaut. These guys are premier athletes that of course believe they are great but they also give all of the glory to God for their successes and failures.
Now just because you are great or maybe even "the best" does not mean you cannot fail or lose. It is my belief that the outcomes are determined by God and his plan and often times he takes away the things we want so bad (like victory) to teach us and others important lessons or to draw us closer to him. Colt McCoy and Tim Tibaut are able to cope with losses because they attribute it to God and his plan and while it does not always go how they desire, they are true believers in his ways.
In order to be the best you must think you are the best but you should also be aware that you can lose. It is the awareness that keeps you focused on the goal and prevents one from becoming overconfident and being defeated by one's own self. And don't ever lose site of why you are the best and where it came from!
Bein' real
-EC
Monday, February 7, 2011
Im so sore!
You know when you have not been to the gym in a while, and you go work out, and the next day you are really sore? Why is that we are so sore the next day? Did we do something wrong?
Being sore means that you are using muscles that you have not used in a while and thus are sore. But this does not mean that you are doing something wrong or injuring your muscles or that you should quit. This means that you are doing things you have not done in a while, or ever, and this is how you know that your efforts are working.
This metaphor can be applied to life in general. Often times, when we try for new things, or take a stand for something new, we get opposition, hit a wall of adversity or just feel "sore". This does not mean we should stop, it means we are on the right track. Nothing worth working for in life is easy, because if it was, why would you try for it? The best things in life are difficult to attain, they take time, sacrifice, patience, will, and maybe even some luck. If we quit every time we felt "sore" we would never get anywhere.
Think about what happens once you get in a rhythm and you start working out on a regular basis. The soreness becomes less noticeable and can even go away completely. This is because your muscles have become used to working in that way and have gotten stronger and can work longer. This means results! But, what would happen if you never increased the weight you are lifting, distance or speed you are running, or the amount of repititions you are doing? Your exercise would actually become too easy and its effect would begin to decrease, maybe even to a point where it has no effect at all.
For me, this means that I must constantly be raising the bar in my life so that I am always getting a little "sore". No matter what the goal is or what part of your life you are trying to apply this too, it is applicable.
Once you get in good shape, a little soreness actually starts to feel good because it is a reminder that you are doing the right things; its a testament to your efforts. The soreness is never as bad as those first couple of days of working out but you can still feel it. I know that I want to constantly be improving in every aspect of my life and I want to feel that soreness as a constant reminder that I am heading in the right direction!
You will have constant opposition in everything you do. But as you become more "in shape" for life you will be able to handle it better. The "soreness" will always be there, but let it only make you sore and not lead you away from your path. Let the soreness remind you that your headed in the right direction!
-No one said it was going to be easy!
EC
Being sore means that you are using muscles that you have not used in a while and thus are sore. But this does not mean that you are doing something wrong or injuring your muscles or that you should quit. This means that you are doing things you have not done in a while, or ever, and this is how you know that your efforts are working.
This metaphor can be applied to life in general. Often times, when we try for new things, or take a stand for something new, we get opposition, hit a wall of adversity or just feel "sore". This does not mean we should stop, it means we are on the right track. Nothing worth working for in life is easy, because if it was, why would you try for it? The best things in life are difficult to attain, they take time, sacrifice, patience, will, and maybe even some luck. If we quit every time we felt "sore" we would never get anywhere.
Think about what happens once you get in a rhythm and you start working out on a regular basis. The soreness becomes less noticeable and can even go away completely. This is because your muscles have become used to working in that way and have gotten stronger and can work longer. This means results! But, what would happen if you never increased the weight you are lifting, distance or speed you are running, or the amount of repititions you are doing? Your exercise would actually become too easy and its effect would begin to decrease, maybe even to a point where it has no effect at all.
For me, this means that I must constantly be raising the bar in my life so that I am always getting a little "sore". No matter what the goal is or what part of your life you are trying to apply this too, it is applicable.
Once you get in good shape, a little soreness actually starts to feel good because it is a reminder that you are doing the right things; its a testament to your efforts. The soreness is never as bad as those first couple of days of working out but you can still feel it. I know that I want to constantly be improving in every aspect of my life and I want to feel that soreness as a constant reminder that I am heading in the right direction!
You will have constant opposition in everything you do. But as you become more "in shape" for life you will be able to handle it better. The "soreness" will always be there, but let it only make you sore and not lead you away from your path. Let the soreness remind you that your headed in the right direction!
-No one said it was going to be easy!
EC
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