tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64300662147098964432024-03-13T14:13:19.863-04:00True Success Begins WithinI started talking about Personal and Professional Development (PPD) with my employees and colleagues several years ago. This blog is a collection point for some of the basic information I have collected and developed, and for the further development of strategies for personal success. Dreaming about success will not make it happen. Taking action will. This blog is not a step by step guide to success, but rather a starting point for your own personal development journey.Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-47984579407520237292020-02-06T09:54:00.000-05:002020-02-06T09:54:25.828-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VLd34I-lnU/Xjwn6UWgPTI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KRZV-3zA3R8GdDl98_vYS-hOlyhZUvBWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/worrying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VLd34I-lnU/Xjwn6UWgPTI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KRZV-3zA3R8GdDl98_vYS-hOlyhZUvBWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/worrying.jpg" /></a></div>
I was driving in my car and listening to a <a href="https://resources.kenblanchard.com/podcasts" target="_blank">Blanchard Leaderchat podcast </a>yesterday where the host was interviewing <a href="https://jensincero.com/" target="_blank">Jen Sincero</a>, author
of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass%C2%AE-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699" target="_blank">You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life</a>.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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During the interview she shared the quote above and it just
struck me as so true and yet many of us spend a lot of time worrying.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We worry about a host of things in our lives, most of which
once we tackle the issue turn out to not be as big an issue or insurmountable
problem as our imagination let them become.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our minds are always working, always thinking. And instinctively
our brains evolved to be on the lookout for danger. Primitive man had to fight
to survive and had to always be aware of the dangers that might harm or kill
them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we have evolved in many ways but
there is a part of our brains that still focuses on finding danger (trying to
keep us safe). Unfortunately this results in our thoughts drifting to the
negative –we worry that this or that may or may not happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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It also oftentimes keeps us from trying new things, from
going after new experiences or new opportunities. We worry about what could go
wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What the mind believes is what plays out in your life. Feel
you are not worthy of a deep relationship and you’ll never form one. Feel that
you will look foolish if you chase your dream and you will never start moving forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worry zaps your focus on what is possible and uses up
valuable time and energy that you could use to pursue the success in all areas
that you are more than capable of achieving.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s time to become aware and take control of the
conversation running in your head. What are the messages you are telling
yourself and what are you worrying about over and over. You have to take
control and change the dialogue. You have to begin new conversations with
yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Re-frame the conversation and change the wording to be
possible and about possibilities. Literally repeat your new phrase over and
over in your mind several times each day. It may sound silly at first but if
you will commit to it, you will find the negative thoughts get quieter and the
positive thoughts become louder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the positive thoughts increase your actions will change
and you will become more aware of the opportunities all around you. Your
success is within your reach, it’s just clouded by worry and fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Work on stopping the worrying. Pray for more of the good
that is already in your life. Pray for ways to help others in this world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You were brought into this world with more gifts to offer
than you will ever truly know. You #1 task is to find ways to share all your
greatness with everyone around you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-52694580929911143042020-02-05T10:26:00.000-05:002020-02-05T10:26:43.905-05:00Personal energy management is the key to productivity<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YR243xPbPyo/Xjrcb7HVciI/AAAAAAAAAlY/P7HFXNf46IUa1698svNWCVOk4UFBt3-EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/energy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="954" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YR243xPbPyo/Xjrcb7HVciI/AAAAAAAAAlY/P7HFXNf46IUa1698svNWCVOk4UFBt3-EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/energy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Much like running a marathon, achieving true success is a long term endeavor. And like any long term event, managing and maintaining a sustained energy level is key. </div>
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A google search for personal energy management yields over
2.1 Billion sources. That Billions with a B, yet most people spend very little
time, if any, managing their energy levels. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Energy management, and energy awareness, is the real key to
productivity rather than the generally accepted view that proper time management
results in productivity gains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Almost any productivity book you pick up has a chapter or
chapters with effective time management tips, methods and techniques. Whole
books have been dedicated to the subject. And yes, while improvements to your
scheduling, to your methods of prioritizing and organizing your day and
workload will yield some improvement, it is the managing of your energy levels
that will yield the best results.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every person has a natural ebb and flow to their personal
energy levels. You know if you are a morning person or a night owl for example.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the subject of energy management is much more involved
than simply knowing if you are a morning person or night owl. Energy management
is exactly that – Managing your energy throughout your day. You need to
understand what events help boost your energy and which events drain your
energy. Plus, you need to look at your overall lifestyle habits to determine
how you might be able to improve your overall energy level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Events that boost your energy are those that you love to do.
What parts of your work day do you look forward to tackling? Perhaps you love
getting ready for and meeting with your team. Perhaps you love walking through
the distribution center and saying hello to your front line employees. Maybe it’s
sales meetings with prospective clients. You need to think about, and possibly
even monitor/make notes on your schedule for a week or two to determine which
tasks really get you pumped and energized. Once you have identified your
energizing tasks try to incorporate more of those activities into your day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Events that drain your energy are those that you do not
enjoy and that do not match up with your natural gifts and abilities. Filling
out expense reports or other paperwork might drive you crazy. Conducting
pricing comparisons or other research into your competition might drain your
batteries. Once you can identify what tasks are draining your batteries you
need to see if you can delegate any of those tasks to someone else (you may be
delegating a task that energizes the other person’s batteries), or find ways to
streamline (save time) each of your energy draining events.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your lifestyle greatly influences your energy levels as well.
Smoking, over eating, excessive drinking, lack of exercise or lack of sleep (to
name a few), all reduce your basic energy level as well as reducing your
ability to focus and manage your emotional state. Improvements to any one of
these factors will yield improvement in energy and performance both in the
workplace and at home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You need to design and incorporate rituals into your daily
routine that build and renew energy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Set a regular time for going to bed and stop looking at
screens about 30 minutes prior to prepare your body to sleep for example. Using
a mediation app to relax and fall asleep might help as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eat several smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the
day instead of one or two larger meals to help level out your metabolism and
help maintain adequate energy all day long. This also helps to maintain a
stabilized level of glucose which helps in weight loss and energy gain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A daily exercise ritual helps build strength, improves cardiovascular
health, weight loss and boosts energy. You may prefer exercise in the morning
before heading to work, you might like a mid-day workout, or you might find
after work to be best for you. The key is to establish a routine and stick with
it. You will not see results day one, or day ten for that matter. But if you
stick with it, over time you will see results you will like.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are all working longer and oftentimes more pressure
filled hours. You cannot operate at your best without adequate energy reserves
and without having rituals built in to help restore the energy you are burning
off throughout your work day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Time management is great. But the key to sustained
productivity is energy management. That little shift in mindset, and then your
follow through, can dramatically improve your overall performance and satisfaction
both at work and with your home life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-70863374031211034372020-01-28T12:49:00.000-05:002020-01-28T13:01:28.725-05:00Are you feeding your mind properly?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxQOAHcc1HM/XjBzipY9a8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/mIhWzlgG3JAdHCpxgTddnf77c0SuXeYGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/brain-stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxQOAHcc1HM/XjBzipY9a8I/AAAAAAAAAk4/mIhWzlgG3JAdHCpxgTddnf77c0SuXeYGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/brain-stock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Almost every adult in the United States knows that you need
to feed your body right in order to maintain good health. And most of these
adults have access to nutritious foods on a regular (if not daily) basis. And
yet our country is dealing with a host of preventable health issues such as
obesity and diabetes to name just a couple. And don’t even get me started on
smoking and the damage that is doing to the bodies of the smokers and to those
who spend time around them.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this post is not about what you are feeding your body.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is about what you are feeding your mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you spent any time reflecting on the “daily diet” you
provide your mind?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just as the body responds positively or negatively to the
foods you consume and the fitness habits you may or may not have, the mind
responds to the information you feed into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your mood, attitude and outlook on life are all influenced
at a high level by the amount and type of information your mind takes in and
processes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are feeding it only negative information (think 24/7
news) and reality TV shows (set-up to produce conflict) how can you possibly
expect your attitude and outlook to be positive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You need to make sure (and this takes work) to feed your
mind positive information. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately in this digital world you have as much access to
positive information as you do negative. The difference is the negative is
forced out to you in order to gain ratings and/or readership. You have to
search for the positive. I am not trying to pick on TV or magazines – I understand
the competitive nature of their respective businesses. It’s just that I see
very few positive and uplifting messages through these media outlets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you would limit your TV and news time to 1 hour a day,
and your social media time to just 1 hour a day and instead listen to positive
and informative podcasts or TED talks, and/or read inspirational,
instructional, or skills development books you would experience a profound
shift in your outlook on life, your attitude and your overall energy level.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emotions manifest themselves in your body. Negative emotions
can tighten muscles (think stomach aches or other cramps) and can stress your
whole body (think lack of energy and headaches). A mind fed a poor and negative
diet simply lets negative emotions run rampant. It has no reason to do
otherwise – most of the information it is receiving is negative. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Feed your mind a positive diet and it has information to draw
upon and can push your emotions towards a happier state. You have more energy
with less aches and pains. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Your mind is powerful. But that power is affected by
information. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is your responsibility to feed it for optimal performance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am challenging you right now to make a commitment to
yourself to limit the time you spend on TV news and social media; An hour or
less each per day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I challenge you to find alternate “food” sources for
your mind; Podcasts, Ted Talks, and the local library for example. What have
you always wanted to know more about? Which of the five success elements do you
want to focus on first? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Take two weeks and really focus on “feeding your mind” right;
Positive, uplifting and skill/thoughts developmental information (in video,
audio or written form). <o:p></o:p></div>
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I already know that once you change your brain-food habits,
you’ll never go back. Your zest for life will increase and you will find that
you are moving faster and faster towards whatever success levels you have for
yourself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Positive feeds positive.
Success feeds success.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just try it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You’ll be glad you did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-867442500557645502020-01-24T15:02:00.001-05:002020-01-24T15:02:25.531-05:00This week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbtwgDO7Fo8/XitM6V1oSRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/4b6YuLbNulkxn2_0MjzFiAIQZuNCPElqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/proverb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbtwgDO7Fo8/XitM6V1oSRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/4b6YuLbNulkxn2_0MjzFiAIQZuNCPElqACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/proverb.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You will never plow a field if you only turn it over in your mind. - Irish Proverb</span></div>
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How much time have you wasted thinking or dreaming about
something?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thinking is good only to a point. If the thoughts are
helping you formulate and write down a plan of action than they are certainly worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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BUT-<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you continue to just think and think, and plan and plan
without taking action you are certainly not moving yourself any closer to your
goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You will never be able to plan every detail and be aware of
every challenge ahead of time. At some point you have to jump in and trust that
you will figure things out as you move forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You will encounter challenges. You will make mistakes. But
mistakes are how we learn and without action nothing gets accomplished. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stop saying someday. Stop the endless planning and dreaming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Make today the day you take the first step. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You can do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You just have to stop procrastinating, face your fear and get
started.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-78125573213315678452020-01-24T14:43:00.000-05:002020-01-24T14:43:36.322-05:00Live an Intentional Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRdQYHTC7cc/XitIGHeKJhI/AAAAAAAAAkU/h_B0kqyj3AIiL6-ilq-KIUc3R5FouulwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/intentional.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRdQYHTC7cc/XitIGHeKJhI/AAAAAAAAAkU/h_B0kqyj3AIiL6-ilq-KIUc3R5FouulwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/intentional.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Intentional life? What does that mean?<br />
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It’s pretty simple really. You need to plan out your day and
your activities and then follow your plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We all get 24 hours in each and every day and if we are
serious about reaching our success goals in any of the five elements of success
you have to use the time wisely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you thought about what you want to accomplish with your
life? Have you defined what success in each of the five elements looks like to
you? Have you written these specific goals down on paper?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are reading this blog I have to assume you want more
out of your life. You want to bring all the awesomeness that lies within you
out to share with the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You want to feed and fill your mind with positive energy and
information you can use to push yourself forward and help others along the way.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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You want deep, meaningful and loving relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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You want to be physically healthy and strong with all the
stamina you need to enjoy a wide variety of activities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You want to understand how to control your finances and invest
your money wisely for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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You want to be able to give back, both intellectually and
financially to organizations of your choosing to expand your reach and help as
many other people as you can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s a lot of wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But for a well-balanced successful life you need to develop yourself and
your capabilities in every success element.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How does that relate to living an intentional life? <o:p></o:p></div>
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ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Living with intention means that you are taking both control
and responsibility for what you are doing at every moment. Living with
intention means that each and every day you have specific goals you are working
on and are scheduling your time to make it all happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s not coming home from work, eating dinner and sitting in
front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn and a beer. It’s not ending the week, the
month and the year in the same place, with the same struggles and frustrations.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Intentionality is ownership</u>. You own your life. You
are responsible for the path you are on and where you end up in life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, things get thrown in your way that you
did not plan for; events happen that were unforeseen and often unavoidable. BUT
– living with intention means you then choose how to respond to these events.
You decide how to adjust your schedule and plan in the short term so that you
still meet your long term objectives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You own your attitude. Each and every day. Are you
intentionally choosing a specific attitude or do you let the events of your
morning determine the rest of your day? Do you let your attitude and energy
level spiral downward after a tough meeting at work or after some unsettling
news comes your way? It’s always your choice. You can choose a positive
attitude or a negative attitude. The decision is yours and yours alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you intentional about the information you feed into your
mind? Are you watching 24 hour news channels which focus mostly on fear and
emotion to keep you watching? How much time are you wasting reading through
social media posts? Of course you need some news and of course you are going to
look at social media (we are social animals after all). But do you
intentionally decide how much time you will spend on those activities? What
about improving your skills or developing new ones? The more skills you have,
the more options you will have for dealing with the inevitable bumps in the
road of life. And the more skills you have, the more desirable you will be are
in the marketplace and the more options for employment you will have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you have written goals? Daily, weekly or annually? Do you
intentionally plan time for activities on a daily basis that will move you
closer to those goals? You cannot reach success without intention. You must
take control and take action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Action = Movement. Consistent movement over time gets you to
your goals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have the abilities within you to reach every level of
success you desire. But you have to be intentional in thought and in action in
order to reach those heights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My wish for you, as always, is for you to live a balanced
and successful life full of joy and that you help those around you in any way
you can while traveling through this thing we call life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-50119851945288903712020-01-16T09:23:00.001-05:002020-01-16T09:24:17.066-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38hPS_hTXYw/XiBxXYvLRWI/AAAAAAAAAj8/jaFAUN01JnQSEN9ajn69v8MC_JF7Lb7DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/disney%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38hPS_hTXYw/XiBxXYvLRWI/AAAAAAAAAj8/jaFAUN01JnQSEN9ajn69v8MC_JF7Lb7DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/disney%2Bquote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This quote could not be any more straightforward yet so many
people do not heed the advice.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until you take that first step, take that first action, you
are simply in a holding pattern.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is too rich with opportunities and experiences to
simply be stuck in a holding pattern. You simply cannot wait until you have
every single detail thought out before moving forward. You will never move if
you are waiting for that to happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is perfectly OK to start with small steps. Even small
steps move you forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you start taking those small steps you’ll find yourself
more comfortable than you thought and your steps and actions will become
larger. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talking about something does not make it happen. Results
happen when action is taken. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Challenge yourself to take some action. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Action reduces fear. When you actually get moving you’ll
find most of your fears fall away on their own; they were all in your head and dissipate
rapidly when moved into the light of activity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You achieve true success by taking action. You can’t talk
yourself into success. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you can work your way into whatever levels of success
you desire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Action = Results. Learn as you go and your results will get
better and better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be a student of your life. Learn from your experience and
keep marching forward. You have so much to share with the world around you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So stop talking and start doing – today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-55884693378624800442020-01-14T08:14:00.000-05:002020-01-14T08:14:01.738-05:00Are you Teachable?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd6UQRiGwp4/Xh29-PoSEUI/AAAAAAAAAjw/SAZP-xFCoK0MioyjD4LrYo3QeJKMQnC1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/are-you-teachable.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1055" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd6UQRiGwp4/Xh29-PoSEUI/AAAAAAAAAjw/SAZP-xFCoK0MioyjD4LrYo3QeJKMQnC1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/are-you-teachable.png" width="400" /></a></div>
John Wooden remarked “Everything you know you learned from someone
else”.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Absolutely accurate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But are you teachable? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you open to being shown something new or being shown a
better way?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being open to learning requires a bit of humility and the admittance
that you do not know it all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True Success requires that you be a lifetime learner. You
have to always be on the lookout for and open to new information, new ways of
looking at things and new ways of doing things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The world around us is changing faster than ever and will
only be speeding up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The level of success you achieve in each of the <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/about-this-blog.html" target="_blank">five successelements</a> depends greatly upon your ability and willingness to try and learn new
ideas and methods. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember when you were young and you learned your
multiplication tables. You were proud of yourself and wanted to show your
parents or guardians what you knew. There was excitement in having mastered the
challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Same holds true today. There is excitement in mastery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the good news is there is always more and more to
master.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That means the challenge and the excitement need never
cease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be open to learning.
Become a lifetime learner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the saying goes: “The more you know, the more you grow”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make sure you are ready to grow fully into the person you
are meant to be. Become all that you can be and share yourself with the world.
You benefit and we benefit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s a win-win if I ever heard one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-45462349620184770892020-01-09T09:13:00.000-05:002020-01-09T09:13:54.060-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbo0Xtn5Dho/XhczFEKLiyI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-DlRCVHPW8AcLVBfpL_A9jhUhBfTDodmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/peacepilgrim1-2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbo0Xtn5Dho/XhczFEKLiyI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-DlRCVHPW8AcLVBfpL_A9jhUhBfTDodmACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/peacepilgrim1-2x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your
thoughts really do influence your actions and in that way somewhat control your
destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
startling truth is that your brain tries to reinforce the thoughts running
through your head. That internal dialogue continues down a negative track if
not intentionally changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To
become truly successful you need to understand that thoughts become your
reality. You have to think like a successful person before you will ever become
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take
the <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/heart.html" target="_blank">Success Element HEART</a> for example. If your thoughts are negative about
relationships, if you always think the worst of other people or if you always
think that you are unworthy of lasting friendships or love, then it would be
very difficult to actually find a deep friendship or love. Your thoughts become
your actions, and believe me your actions are letting everyone know that you
are not a person with whom to form a lasting relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Conversely,
if you think and feel you are worthy, and you see the best in other people,
forming strong and lasting relationships natural happens. Your actions, your
demeanor and your words let all those around you feel your warmth and
positivity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
works the same for every one of the other four <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/about-this-blog.html" target="_blank">Success Elements</a>. Your thoughts
direct your actions and your actions make things happen. Not overnight, but
things will happen for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Be
aware of your inner dialogue and make sure you consciously step in and take
control. Do not allow negativity to get a foothold. Like untended weeds in a
garden, negativity can quickly overtake every area of your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-61549440654196434762020-01-07T10:29:00.000-05:002020-01-07T10:29:14.224-05:00Have you considered your brand?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQqX3C4qlwM/XhSjSPbX17I/AAAAAAAAAjM/SvNzlFjz3kYSwLSWL0HkXDAW0xgy5cflQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/brand%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="625" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQqX3C4qlwM/XhSjSPbX17I/AAAAAAAAAjM/SvNzlFjz3kYSwLSWL0HkXDAW0xgy5cflQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/brand%2Bimage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just like every company around the world, we all have a
brand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a company, the brand represents the expected experience with
the company and its products.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For an individual, your brand represents the expectation
others have of you. The type of person you are and just how they expect you to
interact with those around you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brand = Reputation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you spent time thinking about your brand? Have you
thought about how you are perceived in the world?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not at all self-centered to think about developing the
best brand possible. Successful people have learned to protect their brand, and
work hard to make sure they stay focused on being their best possible self.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It starts with your values. What are your top 5 values?
Spend some time and list this out. Review the list and then ask yourself this
question – “Where in my life does that value show up?” I would also ask family
or close friends if they agree with your list. If not, listen closely to why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are not consistently “living” that value I would tell
you need to adjust your list until the top 5 are an accurate representation of
your true values (The values you live on a day to day basis). You know your
list is accurate when those around you agree with your list. Your values show
up in the actions you take on a daily basis, and those around you see it every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not happy with your list or the list that your family or
friends have for you. Your brand needs some work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your brand precedes you. Opinions about you are formed
before people even meet you face to face. This happens in the workplace and in
your community. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best brands are authentic. You can’t fake it for long.
Trying to live a life of fake values will not work and everyone will quickly
pick up on it. Your brand becomes tainted and not well regarded. You become not
well regarded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Companies do not leave their brand to chance. You should not
either. The more authentic you are, the more people will gravitate towards you.
Honesty and straightforwardness are like magnets. The more authentic your
brand, the more people you attract, and as you build more contacts you will
find opportunities to achieve even more success. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once the ball gets rolling and you keep authentic to your
brand, the richer life becomes . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True Success does indeed begin within. Your brand is part of
that within. Take the time to define, develop, and protect it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-5401410334815388892019-12-20T09:06:00.001-05:002019-12-20T09:06:57.170-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqLs4WzKbDI/XfzUvvLCC9I/AAAAAAAAAig/FbiK_T2QmYIjzqO-b8Zb_zOnCITdvzpWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/jenny-craig-entrepreneur-quote-lby0h0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqLs4WzKbDI/XfzUvvLCC9I/AAAAAAAAAig/FbiK_T2QmYIjzqO-b8Zb_zOnCITdvzpWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/jenny-craig-entrepreneur-quote-lby0h0e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">True success is a journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">And all great journeys require
continual effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">You cannot achieve success in any
of the five elements (Head, Heart, Health, Wealth, or World) by just focusing
on them once in a while. Success just doesn’t work that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">It takes focused, sustained and
consistent effort to achieve true success. You need to develop daily self-improvement
activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">What are you doing on an everyday basis
to improve your knowledge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">What are you doing on an everyday
basis to improve your health?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">I know it sounds like a broken
record but until you make a commitment and an action plan that you can stick with,
the success you desire will remain out of reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Small steps, taken on a daily
basis, over time will move you miles ahead from where you are now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Success is not a competition with
anyone else. It’s only a competition with yourself to be a little better each
day than you were the day before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">It’s the everyday activities that
will change you and move you closer to your vision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Life unfolds one day at a time,
but have a plan of action for what you are doing to grow yourself each day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-39182815323859234062019-12-18T10:25:00.001-05:002019-12-18T10:25:35.894-05:00Are you investing in yourself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmqb06Dp8d8/XfpDtHMupUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/8l5pX3dEFqcgTOhsAqTs_mte0SCckF_-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/personaldelvelopment%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="450" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmqb06Dp8d8/XfpDtHMupUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/8l5pX3dEFqcgTOhsAqTs_mte0SCckF_-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/personaldelvelopment%2Bimage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe everyone is familiar with the concept of compound interest.
Money left to compound at a low interest rate can yield a fortune over time; very
small changes every day over time results in substantial growth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This same concept holds true for you as well. Daily efforts toward self- development can, over time, dramatically change the direction of
your life and the amount of true success you can achieve.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You cannot make a deposit at the local brain bank and return
many years later to find yourself smarter and more skilled. It’s just not that
simple (and I really can’t part with a section of my brain). What you can do
however is to make a daily investment in self-development. But are you willing
to make that daily </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
investment? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is always about choices and trade-offs. We each get 24
hours in a day, no more and no less. How you utilize that time is up to you. Do
you squander precious minutes and hours on social media, playing video games or
in front of the television? Have you ever even tracked just how much time these
activities are eating up on a weekly basis? You will likely be shocked at the
amount.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not suggesting you give up your smartphone, your
tablet, your gaming system or your TV. What I am suggesting is that you give
some thought to carving out some time each day for self-development. It has
been said that how far you go on the job depends upon what you do off the job.
I believe that the level of TRUE SUCCESS that you achieve in the world depends
almost entirely on the efforts you put into developing your most precious
resource – YOU.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you spending any time each and <u>every day</u> working
on your development?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Notice I said “each and every day”. That’s the real key. You
need to work on self-development every single day. Monday through Sunday – no exceptions.
The main goal here is actually to develop a learning habit. You have to commit
to doing it every single day. At first this might be quite a challenge for you
(aren’t weekends just for kicking back and relaxing?) but it is the repetition that
builds habits, and habits either help us (learning or exercising for example)
or hurt us (smoking or poor diet for example).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may be saying “I can’t possibly find time every day for
self-development”. But my dear reader – YOU CAN. You just need to start
thinking small. Very small. What is the minimal amount you can commit to? I say
everyone can find </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 minutes a day to read, to listen to a podcast or to watch
an instructional video.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 minutes. Can you honestly tell me that your schedule is
so jam packed full of absolutely necessary tasks that you cannot free up 10
whole minutes? Give me a break and stop the silliness. You can find the
minutes, even if it means getting up 10 minutes earlier each day (and it doesn’t).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 minutes a day. That’s
all I am asking you to commit to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, I know that a daily commitment, a daily routine,
will turn into a habit. A positive habit. And over time you will start to see
how that time investment into yourself is paying off. You will have more ideas
and information to offer at work and at home. Your professional life and
personal life will improve. All five areas of true success (<a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/head.html" target="_blank">Head</a>, <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/heart.html" target="_blank">Heart</a>,
<a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/health.html" target="_blank">Health</a>, <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/wealth.html" target="_blank">Wealth</a>, and <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/world.html" target="_blank">World</a>) will become better. So much so that you will expand
from 10 minutes to 15, to 20, to 30 and it will keep growing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it all starts with a simple 10.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-52563084630139239032019-12-12T08:38:00.000-05:002019-12-12T08:38:33.496-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Happiness
does not come from what you have but from what you are.</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhgO2GGqyg/XfJBtS9MsuI/AAAAAAAAAhw/AmHAEz4b9IUbToSoFA858NvlIqKBhD2RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLhgO2GGqyg/XfJBtS9MsuI/AAAAAAAAAhw/AmHAEz4b9IUbToSoFA858NvlIqKBhD2RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/happiness.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
quote reminds me of another well-known old saying: Money can’t buy happiness.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
very true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Happiness
is not the result of what you own or have to show off to the world. It’s not the
material possessions in your life that will bring you sustained happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sure,
a new house, a fancy new car or some other new trinket makes you feel good for
the moment but long-term they all become just another “thing” in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
really brings long-term sustainable happiness are the relationships in your
life and what you are doing to help others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
is a reason why wealth is the fourth area of True Success. I list it after <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/head.html" target="_blank">Head</a>,
<a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/heart.html" target="_blank">Heart</a>, and <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/health.html" target="_blank">Health</a> on purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/head.html" target="_blank">Head</a>
has to do with developing yourself; your self-awareness, knowledge and skills.
You need to learn more in order to be able to do more. And it is in the doing
more, impacting the people and the world around you in positive ways that true
happiness is found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/heart.html" target="_blank">Heart</a>
is the second area for True Success. Relationships. Love and lasting
friendships bring happiness into our lives. Can it get messy at times? Sure.
But in the long-run, time spent developing deep relationships brings stability,
warmth and satisfaction into our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/health.html" target="_blank">Health</a>
is the third area. You have to take care of yourself so you have the stamina
for life and so you will remain on this planet able to enjoy your loved ones
and continue to make positive changes in your area of the world. It is hard to
be happy if you are sickly and battling chronic health issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If
you focus on these first three areas you will find a natural spring of happiness
flowing from within you. And that
internal spring never runs dry. It is renewed over and over again because you
spend your time developing yourself, taking care of the relationships in your
life and taking care of your health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Work
on developing and strengthening the first three areas of True Success and you
will have more happiness than you ever imagined. The bonus is that people will
be naturally drawn towards the energy and glow of your happiness. You will
become an ever stronger magnet of positivity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
that my friend is a goal worth chasing. Happiness is the by-product. True and
lasting happiness comes from who and what you are on the inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-84045125499213311272019-12-10T15:46:00.001-05:002019-12-10T15:46:16.291-05:00Are you living an authentic life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jdot-vM_YY/XfADlFxkteI/AAAAAAAAAhk/B7y_-0t6Rx8IWFkE8bKjpDxuClU0JqROACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/authenticity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jdot-vM_YY/XfADlFxkteI/AAAAAAAAAhk/B7y_-0t6Rx8IWFkE8bKjpDxuClU0JqROACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/authenticity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Are you being truthful to yourself and those around you
about what you value and what is truly important in your life?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you know what you truly value?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you really?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would ask you to spend some time thinking about your values.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a list of as many values as you can think of that are important
to you. Some examples would be: family,
security, faith, friendships, tolerance, optimism, respect, intelligence,
health, openness, love, compassion, etc., etc. Try to come up with at least 25 values
and write them out on a sheet of paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you are done look carefully at that list and circle
YOUR top 5. <u>There is no right or wrong answer</u>. What are the 5 MOST IMPORTANT
values to you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, write the five down on a file card or fresh sheet of
paper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, here is the tough part. Consider each value one at a
time and think of a couple concrete examples of how you bring that value to
life. How are you living that value?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, ask your spouse, another family member, a close
friend, or even a colleague to look at the list and ask them if they agree. Do
they see you living these values?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you cannot come up with multiple concrete examples of you
living a value, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and/or if the person reviewing your list doesn’t see you living
a value, chances are you have a value on the list that is more of a wish than a
real value.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The what and how that you live every day really does tell
you which values are truly important to you on the inside. Again, there is no
right or wrong; no good or bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am not saying that you cannot have values you aspire
to. And yes, you can change your behavior to incorporate other values. But how
you act today results partly from what you actually value; the real list and not
a wish list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knowing what you truly value (what you actually live) will
help you on your success journey. Truly successful people are authentic. They
know who they are; they know what they value; and they align their actions
accordingly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They have taken the time to learn who they are and they have
organized their lives and behaviors around the values that are truly important
to them. They naturally bring energy and passion to everything they do because
they are living an honest life with themselves. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True success requires you to live in harmony with yourself. Everyone
has different top 5 values, and everyone lives those values in different ways.
But if you truly live your values, you will more easily find the success in all
areas of your life you desire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You will exude a natural confidence and authenticity that
others will pick up on. You will become someone people want to be involved with.
Someone people will want to work with and help. Someone people will respect,
admire and maybe even emulate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all starts with authenticity. And authenticity starts
with knowing what you value and bringing those values to life and light each
and every day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-31127302266650335622019-12-05T09:42:00.001-05:002019-12-05T09:42:40.885-05:00This week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-yxPd2Tbts/XekWbqYWvcI/AAAAAAAAAhI/QPcBIF80GqAxEhL90g72kbnsl7oDRJaCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/you-are-today-where-your-thoughts-have-brought-you-you-will-be-tomorrow-where-your-thoughts-take-you-james-allen-success-quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-yxPd2Tbts/XekWbqYWvcI/AAAAAAAAAhI/QPcBIF80GqAxEhL90g72kbnsl7oDRJaCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/you-are-today-where-your-thoughts-have-brought-you-you-will-be-tomorrow-where-your-thoughts-take-you-james-allen-success-quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It is our thoughts that drive both our decisions and our
actions. Where you find yourself today is the result of the actions you have
taken in your life to this point. It is not a result of the events that
happened to you, but rather your response to each and every event.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each reaction you have had, decision you have made, each
action you have taken has led you to where you are today. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>YOU</u> are in charge of your life and where you find yourself
today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that means that you can change the direction of your
life at any time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>YOU</u> have the power.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change your thoughts, change your decisions and change your
actions and you can shift your life in whatever direction you desire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will this happen overnight?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You did not arrive where you are in life today based solely
upon yesterday’s thoughts. Where you are now is the result of your thoughts
over your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It takes time to course correct. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Awareness of your thoughts is the first step to getting
where you want to go. Be vigilant about the silent conversations you are having
in your head. Don’t let your thoughts get away from you. Change the narrative
to a positive one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No longer accept thinking “I can’t”. Change it to “Why can’t
I” or “Who can stop me”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more ownership and control you take of your thoughts,
the better the chances of arriving at the destination you want 5, 10 or 20
years down the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your tomorrows can be what you want them to be, but the
thoughts you are having today and every day make the difference in your
destination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-67789556947786805192019-12-03T11:02:00.000-05:002019-12-03T11:02:04.960-05:00Do you have a knowledge plan?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KlQJOvIWD8/XeaGEa11TgI/AAAAAAAAAg4/ss0KKHYs0MMsnEkt70n6HX6-9kJuZLU3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/knowledge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KlQJOvIWD8/XeaGEa11TgI/AAAAAAAAAg4/ss0KKHYs0MMsnEkt70n6HX6-9kJuZLU3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/knowledge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Let’s talk a minute about your plans for increasing your
knowledge and skills.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you really need a plan? YOU BET</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s first discuss the concept of the “Knowledge Doubling
Curve”. This concept was created by Buckminster Fuller in 1982. By 1900 human
knowledge doubled every hundred years. By the end of 1945 the rate had sped up
to every 25 years. In 2013 the rate was considered to be 13 months. And soon
the knowledge doubling rate will be a mere 12 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How long ago did you graduate high school or college? Do you
really think that what you were taught then is enough in today’s world? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unless you graduated 12 hours ago the answer is no. And even
if you did, you will already be a little behind tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds crazy doesn’t it? But it is true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And although there is no way for any one person to fully
keep up with the pace, each and every one of us needs a plan to grow our
knowledge and skill set. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your plan does not need to be complex or overwhelming, but
it does need to be something you can follow on a consistent basis. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a few quick suggestions to start:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Read 1 book a month and take at least one class
or attend a seminar at least once a year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Viewing one <a href="http://www.ted.com/" target="_blank">TED talk</a> a week or even daily.
They are under 20 minutes in length. I like them because they are short and
introduce me to either a new idea or a fresh perspective I had not previously
considered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Find a mentor to help challenge you to develop
skills.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any plan is better than no plan. I saw this quote earlier
today: “No one plans to be fat, lazy, stupid or broke. It’s the people without
a plan that end up this way”. A little harsh maybe but I hope you get the
point. Without a plan you may easily end up somewhere that you do not want to
be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I challenge you to sit down at some point today or this
evening and really think about a plan for improving your knowledge. What are
you willing to commit to? What are you willing to give up? (More reading, less
TV for example).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I have noted in previous blog entries, we all have 24
hours in our days. No more and no less. Truly successful people use those 24
hours to their advantage. Unsuccessful people do not. Unsuccessful people let
the day control them, instead of taking control of their day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You were born with the ability to learn and develop. It’s up
to you to devise a plan to use that ability to the fullest. Make it part of
your plan to spend at least 30 minutes (preferably an hour) each and every day
feeding thoughts, ideas, concepts, knowledge into your mind. Consistency is the
name of the game. The more consistent and disciplined you are, the more you
benefit and the faster you move towards becoming truly successful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a plan. Make it happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-50063071152049501222019-11-26T13:38:00.000-05:002019-11-26T13:38:07.087-05:00Time Management is a Fallacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy0mZMNdZqc/Xd1wnKld7vI/AAAAAAAAAgI/pb5Wy5OamYcCPJ1pAmWXwCsaJ98V13SzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/timeclock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy0mZMNdZqc/Xd1wnKld7vI/AAAAAAAAAgI/pb5Wy5OamYcCPJ1pAmWXwCsaJ98V13SzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/timeclock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The concept of managing time is ridiculous. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A second is a second.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A minute is a minute.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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An hour is an hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And a day is a day (24 hours long, no more and no less).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time marches forward relentlessly. You cannot stop it and
you certainly cannot manage it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What you can manage however, is yourself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How you use the seconds, minutes and hours each day is under
your control. You can manage your schedule. You can manage your level of focus.
You can manage distractions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you start each day sitting and planning your day out on
paper? Or do you end each day sitting and planning out tomorrow on paper? Or do
you do neither? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I do hope that it’s a
not the last one).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your level of productivity is tied to being organized and
having a written plan of action. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think
about some of the most successful people you can. Do you really think Elon
Musk, Richard Branson, Bill Gates or any other successful entrepreneur,
entertainer or politician is just going through each day shooting from the hip?
Absolutely not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They get more done in the same 24 hour period as you because
of the disciplines they have established for themselves. They allocate their
time according to a plan. A written plan that takes into account what they need
and want to accomplish in a host of areas: business, family, personal,
community, civic, and/or religious to name a few.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take some time to sit, think and write down all the areas of
your life that are important to you and that you want to make an impact in.
That list should become the backbone to your daily and monthly planning.
Develop a simple template with each area of importance to <u>you</u> and fill
it out for a month at a time. What do you want to accomplish this next month? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you have your monthly goals written down you can then
use a daily planner. I know, it sounds a bit archaic, but I like having a pocket
daily planner with me. I can reference it quicker than my phone and I find the
act of writing things in it makes the items more important. Writing verses
typing seems to make things more concrete in my mind; it makes me more
committed to getting them done. For me, having the planner in front of me (on
my desk or table wherever I go) with my goals written down is a continual
reminder to stay focused and get things accomplished.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would also strongly suggest that you keep your phone in
your pocket as much as possible. You probably have no idea how much time you
waste looking at email, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or stock quotes (to name
a few) as well as playing games. Those little screens chew up time faster than
you realize. Yes- you can and should check email and respond as necessary BUT if
you will just schedule set times each day (perhaps 10:00, noon, 3:00 and 5:00) you
will be amazed by the fact that you are suddenly more productive and the world
did not stop spinning just because you did not respond to every ping or whistle
from your phone (muting email notifications doesn’t hurt either – and yes, I
know I am crazy with that suggestion). I always tell my direct reports that
email is for non-urgent communication. If they truly have an emergency or urgent
need – they </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
should be dialing the phone and speaking directly to me, not sending
an email.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always remember that you cannot manage time. You manage
yourself. You manage your schedule. You mange what is important to you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple truth - what is truly important is what
gets done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-54268801497544270762019-11-21T11:16:00.001-05:002019-11-21T11:16:43.066-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I
give myself reasons why I can."</span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D66H7DKy75s/Xda4CblEl3I/AAAAAAAAAf8/af1Mvw9uuM8wc1cWCoJ1OSzlivo2N16QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Instead-of-giving-myself-reasons-why-I-cant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="580" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D66H7DKy75s/Xda4CblEl3I/AAAAAAAAAf8/af1Mvw9uuM8wc1cWCoJ1OSzlivo2N16QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Instead-of-giving-myself-reasons-why-I-cant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all have conversations running in our head almost all day
long (which is why the practice of mindfulness and meditation is so helpful –
but that is another blog for another day). And unfortunately for most people,
these conversations run with a negative slant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t do this.” “That won’t work.” “I am not smart enough
to get that promotion.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Etc., Etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether you realize it or not, those conversations in your
head have great influence on your attitudes and your behaviors. You have to
become conscious of those conversations and realize that you can change the
ongoing dialogue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of letting the negative conversation run along uninterrupted,
realize what is happening and change the thought pattern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change that internal conversation to highlight why YOU CAN
do something; why YOU ARE worthy of being loved: why YOU ARE qualified for that
job or promotion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have deep reserves within that you do not even realize
you possess. You have let that negative wordplay ramble on in your head for so
long you have likely starting to believe it, but that conversation is NOT at
all accurate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I urge you to start paying attention and to change that
narrative. Make it a point to come up with as many reasons why YOU CAN. Write
them down if you have to and review the list often. Read the list out loud. I
know that may sound silly but the act of both saying it and hearing it helps
reinforce that it is true. You mind will follow where you lead it. The more
reasons you provide and the more times you review/reinforce these positive thoughts,
the more you will effect and, overtime, change that inner dialogue. <o:p></o:p></div>
Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-70154329133308408482019-11-19T09:01:00.000-05:002019-11-19T09:01:04.913-05:00Are you strong enough to fail?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udCADgwZ3nM/XdP0kFOhcSI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jDpPyOdrvlkde8TLf3U2mTY3kbXTg6RygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udCADgwZ3nM/XdP0kFOhcSI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jDpPyOdrvlkde8TLf3U2mTY3kbXTg6RygCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Failure.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you strong enough to fail?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What? You thought failure was for the weak?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sorry to say this but you are dead wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Failure requires strength of character, strength of
conviction and strength of the mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You cannot fail if you are not pushing forward. You cannot
fail if you are not stretching yourself to achieve maximum results. It requires
no strength to not try; the weak simply go with the flow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True Success requires you to go against the flow and to
demand much more from yourself. True Success requires commitment and planning
in <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/about-this-blog.html" target="_blank">all five success areas</a>. True Success is a lifelong endeavor and one that
requires your focus, your stamina and your internal strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a well-known Japanese proverb: “fall seven times,
get up eight”. Simply put it means to never give up and to always keep moving
forward. Clearly not something the weak will ever understand or accomplish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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But you are not weak. You know inside that you have
incredible talents and gifts to offer the world around you. You also have
dreams and plans for making those dreams a reality. You are smart enough to
know that you will face adversity and at times feel like you have run into a
wall. But you also know that you can go over or around those walls. It will not
be easy but you are ready for the challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Strength of mind, strength of character, and strength of
will; these all exist within you and in greater abundance than you realize. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have everything it takes to be as
successful as you desire. But you will be tested along the way. No one obtains
any worthwhile level of success without experiencing some failures along the
way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Failure teaches us so much more than success. Failure
teaches you what not to do and helps refine your plans and your actions.
Failure tests your resolve. And failures along the way make success taste that
much sweeter in the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I ask again: Are you strong enough to fail? I say you are
but what I say doesn’t matter. It’s how you answer for yourself that will make
all the difference in your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Commit. Embrace life with wide open arms and enjoy the ride.
Go after your dreams. No one else can or will do it for you.</div>
Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-35764193936185320952019-11-14T11:52:00.001-05:002019-11-14T11:52:51.902-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What comes out of your mouth is
determined by what goes into your mind.</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NDikQVMACw/Xc2F2ZrmBJI/AAAAAAAAAfU/im7u80YUK5U7dZ4gw5WGVF2r-ltTpnIogCEwYBhgL/s1600/feed_your_mind.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1459" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NDikQVMACw/Xc2F2ZrmBJI/AAAAAAAAAfU/im7u80YUK5U7dZ4gw5WGVF2r-ltTpnIogCEwYBhgL/s400/feed_your_mind.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I just love quotes that are
simple and to the point. This quote nails it.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You cannot expect to sound
educated if you are not educated.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The better your vocabulary and
the knowledge you have on a wide variety of subjects the better you will come
across to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The more you read, the better
your vocabulary becomes. (Aim for at least a book a month to start)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The more you listen to educated
presenters (think YouTube or TedTalks) the better your vocabulary becomes. (Aim
for at least one per week – one per day is even better).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">You will begin to assimilate the
vocabulary you are feeding your minds into your own speech.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Same holds true for knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The more you read, the more knowledge
you acquire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The more you listen to educated
presenters, the more ideas you are exposed to, the more your knowledge
increases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And the wider the range of
subjects you read about or listen to, the more you will begin to see connections
which, again, increase your overall knowledge (and value to employers).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Feed your mind a healthy diet of substantive
information and ideas and you will find yourself able to speak more
intelligently on a wider array of subjects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The mind controls the mouth. Strive
to provide your mind with good information to work with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-58709262305328258252019-11-12T14:12:00.002-05:002019-11-12T14:12:50.556-05:00Do you have what it takes to achieve True Success? Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0C1RDfRN7w/XcGPMREZZnI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Jc4wxaOJ5BYa3DOrxsSiPPtChCf2Si00ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/rock%2Bclimber.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/2019/11/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-achieve.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> was about having the Stamina for the sustained effort
needed to achieve true success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part 2 is about Mental Fortitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you have the willpower and attitude to achieve true
success?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone’s success journey is different, but every journey
will encounter trial and tribulations, bumps and setbacks along the way.
Nothing worthwhile comes without effort and achieving success is certainly a worthwhile
endeavor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How well do you handle problems? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you have the emotional intelligence and emotional maturity
to continue on when faced with adversity?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have to make the choice to respond to adversity and not
just react. Reacting is a knee jerk response. Anyone can and most do just
react. The more mature and intelligent choice is to think and then respond. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Responding means that you take the time to understand what
has happened and then to evaluate a range of options regarding the best course
to move forward. It is not always easy – anger, pain, grief, and/or frustration
often get in the way and sometimes you will need to let those emotions play out
before actually responding and moving forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my wife passed from her battle with cancer I knew I had
to work through a grieving process. I knew it was coming, but I still had to go
process my grief and my anger. I made a deal with myself that I would not make
any life altering decisions until my head was back in the game. My response was
to let myself deal with my emotions and then I would put my life back on track.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I certainly hope no one reading this ever has to go through
a similar experience, but my point is that, unfortunately, at one time or
another we all have curve balls in life to deal with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bigger point is to get you thinking about the difference
between reacting and responding. Responding is the more mature and positive
path. Reacting is often rash and negative.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your success journey will no doubt have unexpected twists
and turns, but the more solid your plan and the more focused you are on your
ultimate goal, the more you can push forward during tough times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Start working on your mental fortitude now, before you need
to draw on it. Make a mental note of what you are thinking when issues crop up
at work or at home. Are you kneejerk reacting, or taking time to respond? Work
on taking a breath, taking a pause and then deciding on an appropriate,
emotionally balanced and intelligent response.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Above all, know that you are worthy of the success you seek,
and that you have within you all that you need to achieve it. Have faith that
you possess the inner strength you need to move through both the peaks and
valleys of your journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-86321017662697115102019-11-07T11:34:00.000-05:002019-11-07T11:34:18.180-05:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You cannot control the length of
your life, but you can control its breadth, depth, and height.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyYVDuJQgec/XcRG18K_yNI/AAAAAAAAAfE/sYlM-9HMyuEuSSH69tpL8CpAGfmm74xCACEwYBhgL/s1600/life%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="640" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyYVDuJQgec/XcRG18K_yNI/AAAAAAAAAfE/sYlM-9HMyuEuSSH69tpL8CpAGfmm74xCACEwYBhgL/s320/life%2Bphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">None of us are born with a
countdown timer attached telling us just how many more days we have on this
planet. We just do not know if today, tomorrow or next Wednesday will be the
last day we will be with our family, friends and co-workers.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My intention with that somewhat
sobering comment is not to depress you, but to get you to realize that you need
to take control of each and every day as it comes. You can control what you do
and how you react to events around you each and every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Wooden used to say that you
need to make each day your masterpiece. Not only was he trying to get you to
bring your very best on a daily basis, but I think he also knew that we all
have a finite number of days left and that we have a responsibility to
ourselves and the world at large to make the best of each and every one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When was the last time you took a
moment to smell the air outside, to tell someone how much they mean to you or
to try something new and scratch it off your Life List (those who know me know
I do not like the term bucket list).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Life is all about experiences and
about making a difference. That is the breadth, depth and height this week’s
quote is talking about. What can you do each day so that at the end you can say
to yourself “I lived a great day today”? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Try to make regular activities a
bit more special. Simple things like eating dinner with the family around the
table (instead of the TV) and on the good dishes (what good are they doing just
sitting in the cabinet) and cloth napkins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Try to make it a point to provide
some words of encouragement or praise to at least one person each and every
day. Simple gestures that let people know you care and that will actually lift your
spirits at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">None of know what tomorrow has in
store, but we can make today a better day for ourselves and for everyone around
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-79494297794084209982019-11-05T10:09:00.000-05:002019-11-12T14:14:05.159-05:00Do you have what it takes to achieve True Success? Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0C1RDfRN7w/XcGPMREZZnI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Jc4wxaOJ5BYa3DOrxsSiPPtChCf2Si00ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rock%2Bclimber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="780" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0C1RDfRN7w/XcGPMREZZnI/AAAAAAAAAe0/Jc4wxaOJ5BYa3DOrxsSiPPtChCf2Si00ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/rock%2Bclimber.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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Let’s jump right in and talk about stamina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Stamina?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, Stamina!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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True Success, in whatever way you define it, takes effort.
And effort takes stamina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Contrary to stories that
get told, success does not happen overnight. Those people who achieved “overnight
success” actually had worked for years in the background. Just like almost
everything else in the world, success has a price. And that price is sustained
effort over the long term. And sustained effort takes stamina. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How is your overall <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/health.html" target="_blank">health</a>? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When was the last time you had a check-up at the doctor? And
are you following the advice you were given?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What is your Blood Pressure?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What are your Cholesterol numbers?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Is your weight in-line with your height?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you still smoking?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you eating properly (lots of fresh vegetables, fruits
and lean meats)? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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How many beers do you drink a week?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you getting at least 30 minutes of <u>vigorous</u>
exercise 3 to 4 times per week? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you happy with the way your body looks in the mirror?<o:p></o:p></div>
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These are all important questions. Your health is nothing to
take for granted. You have dreams and aspirations for your life. And you have
people who love you and who want to have you around for many years to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You owe it to yourself and to those you love to do
everything you can to improve and then maintain the best overall health
possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You <u>CAN</u> achieve incredible levels of success, in all <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/about-this-blog.html" target="_blank">five success areas</a>, but only if you have the stamina to sustain consistent effort over
time. If you are not in optimal <a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/p/health.html" target="_blank">health</a>, make today the day you truly commit to
getting control of your health habits. Take it one day at a time and one
healthy choice at a time. You <u>CAN</u> do this. You <u>ARE</u> stronger than you know. You <u>ARE</u> worthy of a long, healthy and truly successful life.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.paulkamm.com/2019/11/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-achieve_12.html" target="_blank">Click here to continue on to Part 2</a>.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-40167497745716528912019-10-31T09:50:00.001-04:002019-10-31T09:50:29.821-04:00This Week's Quote and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0xoX17k9oc/XbrmEHRqfgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/U28kpHGR5Ko_QWlk9VqnuOnge3xMCU-MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Procrastination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0xoX17k9oc/XbrmEHRqfgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/U28kpHGR5Ko_QWlk9VqnuOnge3xMCU-MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Procrastination.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Procrastination
is attitude’s natural assassin. There’s nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted
task.” – William James</span></h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
true, yet so avoidable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Procrastination
zips you of energy. You use up your energy thinking about the task, thinking
about how hard the task will be, thinking about how much you do not want to do
the task, thinking about everything else you would rather be doing than the
task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Get
it. You are actually wasting more time and energy NOT getting the task
accomplished than you would if you just buckled down and got the job done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
quote reminds me of another that (and I am paraphrasing here) if you have to
eat a frog, do it first thing in the morning and nothing worse can happen the
rest of the day. Point being, get the bad thing out of the way and your day can
only improve from there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Procrastination
is a silent and insidious disease. You put something off and nothing horrible
happens. SO, you put something else off and nothing horrible happens. It seems
to you that it’s not a big deal. BUT – the more you put things off, the more
the problems start to build.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You
don’t see the problems at first but they are coming. Maybe not today. Maybe not
tomorrow. But trust me, sooner or later you will have to deal with a much
larger problem than you realize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
had a boss that would bring me a task to do. I would tell him “let me get right
on that”. He would almost always reply with “you don’t have to do it now.” The
problem was that I already had a full plate for the day, week, etc. My standard
response was always “If I don’t jump on it now, it may never get finished.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
would jump on that task right away and get it done. That way, I was not
thinking about, or worrying about, getting something done that my boss directly
asked me to do. Win-Win for me. I looked good for making his request a
priority, and I did not have the stress of worrying about it throughout the day
or days to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
you have a list of things to do (and who doesn’t), I encourage you to jump in
with both feet and challenge yourself to see how quickly you can start crossing
things off the list. I promise you that you will find that each task you have
been avoiding will actually take you less time than you think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And
when that list is done, you can truly relax without stressing over having this
or that to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You
can assassinate the assassin, and get some energy back in the process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-82020574752369469382019-10-29T14:11:00.001-04:002019-10-29T14:11:52.629-04:00Choosing Healthy Relationships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw7rPx1LBHo/XbiAZVpuEWI/AAAAAAAAAeA/TWjRgooCT78clRjSQW1UtTPZHnxd2ctZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/healthy%2Brelationships.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uw7rPx1LBHo/XbiAZVpuEWI/AAAAAAAAAeA/TWjRgooCT78clRjSQW1UtTPZHnxd2ctZACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/healthy%2Brelationships.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Each and every day you have choices to make. What to eat for
breakfast, what lane to choose driving the highway, what tasks to do first at
the office, where to stop on the way home, etc., etc. The list can go on and on
infinitum. But the only choice I want to focus on today is choosing to have
healthy relationships.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is always your choice to make. How are you going to
interact with the people in your life? Your friends, your lover or spouse, and your
co-workers to name a few. This is an everyday decision and a course of action
not to be taken lightly or just left to chance.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you happy with the quality of relationships you are
having? If not, it’s probably time to take a good hard look at yourself in the
mirror and zero in on the attitude and energy level you are bringing to the
relationship. The energy and attitudes you put out oftentimes are reflected
right back at you. If you are negative, the people around you are going to be
negative back. If you are angry or nasty, most likely you will get the same
directly back at you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Conversely, if you are happy and loving you will likely
receive the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Positive attracts
positive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Make it a daily habit to stop and consciously think about
where you are emotionally as well as what type of relationship you want to have
with whomever you are about to be with (could be a business meeting or home with
the family for the evening). Take a few deep breaths to relax and center your
thoughts. Remind yourself that your goal is to nurture and build healthy
relationships throughout your life. Put a smile on your face and walk thru the </div>
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door. You’ll feel better and your relationships will be better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When you pull into the garage after a long hard day at work,
sit for a moment in your car. Remind yourself that you are home and that your
loved ones are the most important people in your life (I trust I am correct on
that one). Commit to focusing on nurturing the relationships before you walk
through the door. The few seconds or minutes that you take can change your
evening and your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Always choose healthy relationships. And by doing so, you
are making your world and the world of those around you better. Be the change.
Make the world a better place. It all happens one interaction at a time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430066214709896443.post-50707337171650886782019-10-28T07:17:00.000-04:002019-10-28T07:17:49.225-04:00This week's Quote and Commentary<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you want to arrange it, this world you an change it. - Paul O'Neill</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkUD-Erakg/XbBjEkzM-cI/AAAAAAAAAdg/kQYpAIoJVgMWlJaA14bJyGI4urrxvsLVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Arm%2BQuote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkUD-Erakg/XbBjEkzM-cI/AAAAAAAAAdg/kQYpAIoJVgMWlJaA14bJyGI4urrxvsLVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Arm%2BQuote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another favorite of mine. It is part of the lyrics from a song called Old City Bar by Trans Siberian Orchestra. The photo is my left forearm. I have it in plain site to remind me each and every day how I want to live my life.<br />
<br />
We all have the power to change the world around us each and every day.<br />
<br />
Simple acts of kindness make a difference and a change. Holding open the door for a stranger coming or going from a store or paying the difference for someone who is a bit short on cash at a fast food restaurant counter. Each of these brightens the receiver's day but also brightens yours.<br />
<br />
Volunteering at your local school, church or synagogue. Joining a local civic organization. Running for public office. Even mowing the lawn or blowing snow for an elderly neighbor on your street.<br />
<br />
Changing the world does not mean some grand gesture or huge financial endeavor. I am not suggesting you have change the world at large (although I am not talking you out of it either). I am talking specifically about your part of the world. The world that is right outside your door and in the city where you live.<br />
<br />
Small miracles happen when you do for others; when you are focused and looking for ways to make a difference. Your heart beats a little stronger and those you have touched feel it as well. When you are focused on making a difference your problems just do not seem as big and your energy level improves. Helping others feeds the soul. Your soul and their soul.<br />
<br />
Imagine just how wonderful the world could be if everyone would take this thought to heart. We can only control how we act and interact. But if each of us works to make a difference in the world each day, over time others will follow. Imagine what that may lead to....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Kammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437229490901830276noreply@blogger.com0