How To Spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S in 2016...With EIGHT Letters!

Hello again!

Last time I discussed the notion that most people who make New Year's Resolutions fail. Dr. John Norcross of the University of Scranton did a study that revealed how few people that make resolutions actually follow though on them.

If you missed my last blog post, you can go here to find Dr. Norcross' work:  http://www.changeologybook.com/dr-john-norcross/

You may be curious as to why I say you can achieve success in 2016 with eight letters when it's obvious it only takes seven letters to spell success. It's just like the cheerleaders said back in the day:

S-U-C-C-E-S-S..!!! That's the way we spell SUCCESS..!!!

And you know, they're right. That is how you spell success.  But that's not what you must do to achieve success.  It's much simpler than that. Not easy, I admit, but simple. And as Les Brown likes to say, "It's possible."

I see people failing to keep New Year's Resolutions for the following reasons...

First, they are resolutions. Resolutions are based on intention, not determination. Resolutions are just something people would like to see happen. For many, "it would be nice" if it happened for them, but they're not committed to making it happen. It's not something they like to do. It may not even be something they want to do.

Their resolution is something they'd rather have someone do for them instead of having to do it themselves because it would be so much easier (and so much LAZIER) for someone to handle all the details for them, i.e., have others roll up their sleeves and do all the dirty work so they can bask in the results. 

And second, this is where the rubber meets the road, folks... whatever you plan, resolution or not, will not happen for you until it becomes this first:

P-R-I-O-R-I-T-Y 

Did you count the letters?  Did they add up to eight?  Good. Then congratulations! You just learned how to spell success with eight letters!  This is how PRIORITY is defined (from www.m-w.com:)

something that is more important than other things and needs to be done or dealt with first; something that someone cares about and thinks is important; something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives 

Point blank, people don't keep New Year's Resolutions, or any other kind of commitments, because those emotional decisions aren't backed up by action.  And those decisions aren't backed up by action because they really aren't that important at all.

Don't believe me?  Have you ever worked on something important to you, only to hear comments like this from people who didn't share your passion for success..?

It don't take all that!
I don't see myself doing what you do!
I can't understand why you have to work so hard. Why don't you just take it easy? You're killing yourself for no good reason!
It's not going to do you any good. You're just wasting your time!

Such comments (and many others) remind me of what Eric Thomas, PhD likes to say often:

"Everybody wants to be a BEAST...until it's time to do what beasts do..!"

Everybody wants to reap the reward, but nobody wants to do the work, or so it seems. As the old saying goes, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die."

Simply put, no matter what you say you want to do, if you don't make it a priority in your life, it's not going to get done. PERIOD! End of story.

It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of what you want to achieve. Most likely they won't understand what you're doing anyway. And they really don't have to. Best of all, you don't owe them an explanation. It's not their dream, it's not their resolution. It's not their plan.  It's YOURS.

So I'm not going to tell you to make a resolution for New Year's or not to make a resolution. That's your choice to make, not mine. What I will tell you is this:

If you do want to make a New Year's Resolution for 2016, fine. Go for it.  But don't stop there.  Make a plan. Work your plan. Stick with your plan. 

Keep working your plan when it doesn't make sense to others. Keep working your plan when it doesn't make sense to YOU.

And when life happens to you, as it will happen to us all, instead of letting it get in your way, determine that what you want to achieve in 2016 is still a priority for you. 

Don't be dissuaded, discouraged or distracted by those who don't share your vision, who don't think what you are doing is all that important. What you're doing might not be for them anyway, so what they have to say about it really doesn't matter.

It is true that what you want to do might not be easy. It is true that what you're doing may not be easy for anyone else to understand. It may even be true that people in your midst may not think what you seek to achieve is even necessary...

But it's a good bet that someone you don't know yet does think so. It's a good bet that you are the answer to someone's prayers, that what you have to offer is exactly what they need.

You might not know it, but they do. So keep going. Keep working. Keep believing that what you have to offer is important to someone, even if it's someone you don't yet know.

If you can do that, you may learn that 2016 will be a better year for you than you could have ever dreamed possible.

And if you can keep going when things "get too hard," you may learn the truth that Tom Hanks' character shared with Geena Davis' character in the movie A League of Their Own...

Whatever you plan to achieve in 2016, keep this in mind, and make it a great New Year next year, and every year going forward...

"To Infinity...and beyond..!!" - Buzz Lightyear

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time...or next year...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

How To Spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S in 2016

RESOLUTION: the act or process of resolving: as the act of determining; firmness of resolve; a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent

At the end of December people make resolutions to welcome the new year. Resolutions are simply changes that people plan for the purpose of enjoying more success in the coming year than they experienced in the outgoing one.

People say they want to lose weight, eat healthier, get rid of old habits like smoking, begin new chapters in their lives. Stuff like that.

At first, it all sounds good. Who doesn't want to change for the better? 

But then those emotional moments of euphoria pass. Life becomes normal again. As some would say, "the rubber meets the road," and then we find out who's really committed to making those changes become reality.

For most, chances are better than good those changes won't happen.

It is rare that people keep those commitments past the end of the new year's first month, let alone the first week.  As February first rolls around, most people are thinking: 

Resolutions? What resolutions? We don't need no stinking Resolutions..!!!

as they are glued to their big screens watching the Big Game, the news, a soap opera, or (gasp) "reality" television. (Face it folks, it's all entertainment. Is there really much difference anymore?)

University of Scranton professor John Norcross, PhD did a study of New Year's resolutions and to quote Gomer Pyle: 

People rarely keep the resolutions they make. (Shocking, I know, right?) Dr. Norcross found as few as 8% of people reach the goals they set when they make resolutions. (You can learn more about Dr. Norcross here:  http://www.changeologybook.com/dr-john-norcross/)

Many agree with Dr. Norcross that people who make New Year's resolutions usually fail. Just as many believe they know why there is such a high failure rate.

Personally I feel there is one simple explanation...

...and I'll share that explanation in Part 2 because I've run out of time...

Don't worry, it will arrive just in time for 2016, and it's something to keep in mind when you need to stay focused.

So keep your eyes open, and I'll greet you again tomorrow...

Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel...  (oops sorry, had a 60's flashback...my bad)

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time, remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

Keep Them Out Of The Loop

"He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of conceited [dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves] and will experience harm." - Proverbs 13:20 AMP

"Close friends and relatives, while not meaning to do so, often handicap one through 'opinions' and sometimes through ridicule, which is meant to be humorous. Thousands of men and women carry inferiority complexes with them all through life, because some well-meaning, but ignorant person destroyed their confidence through opinions or ridicule." - Napoleon Hill

RIDICULE:  the act of making fun of someone in a cruel or harsh way; harsh comments made by people who are laughing at someone or something

There are dreams and goals in your heart that you long to pursue. Pursuing them causes joy to spring from your heart, and makes life worth living. 

There are also people in your life who don't share your vision. They don't understand what moves you, inspires you, drives you to excel. In their minds your heart's desire doesn't make sense at all.

Because of this they try their best to talk you out of pursuing your dreams, as they don't "make sense." They can't figure out why you do what you do, or why it matters to you so much.

But that's okay.  Do you know why?

Because the vision for your life doesn't belong to them, it belongs to YOU. Your vision fulfilled has the potential to bring joy to your life and to countless other lives...on your terms.

You don't owe anyone an explanation as to why your goals mean so much to you. You are your own person; you don't have to justify yourself to anyone else.

There are people in this world who desperately need to receive the gift you have to offer. You may be the only one who can bring joy and meaning to their lives. 

More than that, you may be the only one who can do exactly what needs to be done. There's something special about you that can't be duplicated or replaced. You fit the bill perfectly.

For that reason, more than any other, you need to keep naysayers and critics out of the loop.  These are people who failed at life after making a half-hearted attempt at success, if they ever tried at all.

Having suffered defeat, instead of learning from the experience and persisting to get what they wanted, they chose to quit, saying things "just got too hard" for them. (Most likely they were just too soft)

Their defeatist, fatalistic, "Debbie Downer" attitude due to lack of resolve will get in your way...if you let it.  Don't let them infect your determination with doubt, contaminate your dreams with unbelief, or distract you from your mission with petty jealousy.

Keep them around long enough, and they'll have you doubting your goals and dreams more than they do.

It's best that you find people who will offer life giving oxygen to your dreams, people who believe in you and your potential. Avoid those who wish to suffocate your ambitions like the plague. They aren't worth having around...or hanging around.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain

Find people you can trust with the dreams in your heart. They won't betray your goals or your plans, but will do all they can to help you achieve your mission.

This is not about being "anti-social," whatever that means. This is about finding people to attach yourself to, people who support and encourage your success, people who let you to do the same for them. 

If there are "Negative Nellies" in your life that you can't eliminate completely, then limit your exposure to their influence as much as possible. Never let their view of life rule over your own.

"Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality." - Les Brown  

The keys to the vehicle of your life are in your hands, not theirs. Responsibility for the direction in which your vehicle travels the road of life rests with you, not with them.

So don't settle for the well worn path of indifference. Defy the ones who gave up on life, yet believe they are somehow "entitled" to tell you how to live your life when they're too scared to live their own.

Birds of like feather really do flock together. Do you want to soar with eagles? Stop hanging with turkeys! Welcome those that will help you soar to greater heights. Let go of the ones that won't. 

No one has the right to mock you or ridicule your dreams. Your potential is too great to squander and your time is too valuable to waste on people who cannot see or appreciate your uniqueness.

Never let anybody that doesn't recognize your value tell you what you can't do. Don't make the mistake of letting negative people with have nothing to live for take away from you everything that makes your life worthwhile.

No matter how long you live, life is too short to let anyone rain on your parade. You can't take everyone with you because they don't want to go, and they don't want you to go, either. They want to hold you back.  

Take aim at your goal and go confidently in the direction your dreams take you. To paraphrase Dr. Seuss, your destiny awaits you...so get on your way!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and blaze a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time, remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

To Plan or Not to Plan...Here Are Some Answers Part 2

Last time we spoke about planning, or why some people think making plans is a bad idea.  Long story short, people don't like to plan because they feel like making plans is restrictive, and they don't want to be bound by a set of rules. They want to be free.

What they fail to understand is that a plan is nothing more than a guide. It is used in the same way that a road map is used to help us travel on highways that are unfamiliar to us. Plans offer guidance, purpose, direction, a sense of perspective, and help us mark our progress.

Michael Hyatt, the Virtual Mentor, explains the importance of planning your life. He gives seven benefits of having a written plan:

- Clarifies personal priorities
- Maintains balance
- Lets you say "no" to less important things
- Helps you address and identify current realities
- Helps you envision a better future
- Provides a road map to accomplish what matters most
- Ensures you don't finish life with regrets

(read here for more details:  http://michaelhyatt.com/7-reasons-why-you-need-a-written-life-plan.html)

In spite of this, some people still believe planning doesn't matter. They see it as a waste of time. To justify this attitude they misquote a popular slogan created by Nike many years ago, "Just do it..!!"

They fail to acknowledge this slogan was part of an advertising campaign back in the 70's, and guess what..? Nike did a lot of planning to launch that ad campaign successfully. 

(Good thing they did; that slogan became a catchphrase that endures to this day.)

Check this out: folks who think planning your life is a waste of time are the same ones who take time to plan a vacation that doesn't last more than 1 or 2 weeks. Ain't that a kick in the head?

Think of it this way: planning is a close relative of goal setting. Yes, I know people don't care much about goal setting either; thinking that things just work themselves out...but then they're shocked (!!) when things don't work out the way they wished them to.  

Life isn't a wishing well, people. You get from life what you expect from life, as long as your plan for it, prepare for it, and work toward it. Period. End of story. 

Life is like archery. You don't hit the target without taking aim first. Besides, if you don't know where you want to go in life, how will you know when you get there?

Do you hop on a plane, bus or train and say, "I don't know my destination, I'll just take a ride wherever it leads..."? Not likely.

(If you do, the conductor and/or bus driver may have some "friends" at the end of the line who would like to meet you, maybe even offer you a nice parting gift, like a brand new jacket and a matching padded cell...just saying)

There are misconceptions with planning that I'd like to address. People hold certain beliefs about planning which cause them to stumble:

First, they believe that making plans means you can't make changes. They think plans are rigid.

Second, they believe that once you start working on your plan, you have to go "full steam ahead" from start to finish, totally nonstop until the task is done.

And third, they believe any plan which doesn't work exactly the way they expected is a total failure.

Let me address these one at a time:

First, plans are fluid. What you planned on Monday may have to change in some way by Friday, maybe even by Tuesday. Life is not an exact science. 

It is not unusual to change your plan from time to time. Ask any football or basketball coach and they'll tell you: they go into a game with a set plan, then they go into the locker room at halftime to adjust the plan. 

People make changes to their plans all the time. Just because you changed your direction doesn't means you changed your destination. You tailor your plan to meet different challenges like sailors adjust sails to changes in wind direction. You can still get where you want to go.

Second, a plan of action rarely goes nonstop from start to finish. (Come to think of it, the same can be said about you)

It may be necessary to stop, take a breath, get your bearings, then pick up where you left off. Why scrap all the progress you made and return to Square One? That makes no sense. It's counterproductive.

Imagine a mountain climber having reached a certain height on Day One, only to go all the way back down the mountain to scale it again on Day Two from the very beginning. You forfeit your progress when you do that, and it destroys your momentum.

The third one sounds like the first one, but I'll add a little twist. People who believe their plan cannot have any deviations are operating with some unrealistic expectations.  

I say this because plans are like people, none are perfect. And just like people's minds, plans are subject to change. Different factors and variables which you never considered when you put your plan to paper may come into play.  

Think of the surf of the sea: always rolling, always active, never stagnant. Your plan is the same way, always in motion, always subject to the winds of change, the storms of life, whenever they may pop up.

With that in mind, I have some suggestions to help make the planning process a bit easier:

1.  First thing in the morning or before you go to bed, sit down for a few minutes and write down what you plan to do for the new day. Nothing earth shattering, just something you want to do. Remember, this is for you and no one else.

2.  Write down 5-10 things you want to accomplish before the day is over.  Again, this is not to impress anybody; this is just for your reference, it helps you to set your target, to take proper aim, to focus on your objective.

3.  Mark each completed task with a check mark, an "x", an "*", or anything that works for you. This gives you a sense of accomplishment, builds momentum toward the next task. It also indicates that you made progress.  This helps you grow as an individual and reminds you that you're capable of success.  It's a little thing with a big reward; it builds self confidence, raises your belief level, as well as your self worth and esteem.

And most important...

4.  Don't beat yourself up (!!!) if you didn't complete everything you planned that day. Just move those unfinished assignments to the next day's list and plan to complete them. This is not procrastination because you are already in action mode. You got some things accomplished. You are building momentum toward getting those other tasks done, as well as any new items you will add to your list.

If you can accomplish at least three things you planned to do each day...CONGRATULATIONS!!! You were productive..!! And it doesn't matter that you didn't get everything done. You got something done, and you're moving forward. That's what matters.

The result of this process can be summed up in two words... Personal Growth.  You build self confidence, you build belief in yourself and your abilities, and you also grow as a competent individual in your eyes, and eventually in the eyes of others.

I realize this process isn't be perfect, but then again neither is anything else.  This is something that works for me and I hope it can work for you, too.

Les Brown says it best: "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes improvement." And that's what you want, daily improvement which helps you grow as an individual who has something worth offering to humanity, someone who deserves to be rewarded for creating value.

So plan your work, then work your plan. If you are willing to do this, you can be truly say:

"Every day in every way I'm getting better and better." - Emil Coue

"By the yard it's hard, but by the inch, it's a cinch." - Robert Schuller

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time, remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

To Plan or Not To Plan...Want Some Answers?

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'" - Luke 14: 28-30 MSG

"If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln

PLAN: 
- a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something
- something that a person intends to do
- a method for achieving an end
- a detailed formulation of a program of action
- GOAL; AIM

Has anyone ever laughed at you for making plans? I know I have, and I bet you have, too.

I remember how it felt when family members made fun of me for making plans. It wasn't fun. I recall how hurt I was from their laughter and ridicule.

I took for granted that everybody who wants to achieve something significant with their lives makes plans ahead of time. Big mistake. It's just not true. 

Some people hate making plans as much as (if not more than) public speaking or getting a root canal, and I couldn't understand why. But after giving it some thought, I realized some things... 

Many people have a "que sera sera," or "whatever will be, will be" attitude. They let life happen to them, expecting things to happen on their own if they're meant to work out in their favor. 

Sort of like buying a lottery ticket. Or flipping a coin. (How often does that strategy work out, by the way?)

People who think like this always say what they want in life but never do anything about it. Their heart's desire always seems to lie just beyond their grasp.

Most people like to do things totally out of the blue without considering the results. No questions asked.

These people always seem to be playing catch up; nothing gets done. They have no self-discipline. Every little thing distracts their attention, pulling their focus away from whatever they need to be doing at that moment.

And you know what else? They also think you shouldn't plan anything for your life because your attention should be focused on them.  They are extremely self-centered.

They are takers rather than givers. Their motto seems to be "what's in it for me?" rather than "what can I do for you?" They want to be served, not to serve others. 

In their minds planning is a waste of time because they don't want to do anything that doesn't provide an immediate benefit for themselves.

I don't pay much attention to people who make fun of setting goals, or making plans. People who don't plan don't progress.

Life is not a let it happen experience, and it's not a game of chance. Life is a make it happen project. There must be deliberate effort to get things done.  

Contrary to what many people believe, success is not an accident.  You must have a plan, road map that takes you from where you are to where you want to go.

Think about it: if you don't know where you'd like to go, how will you recognize it when you get there...or if you ever do get there..?

We'll discuss ways to get this done in Part 2, next time we get together.  I hope I gave you some food for thought in the meantime.

So take care, enjoy your day, and until next time we meet remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

Don't Be Ned

"A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold. 
Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work?  He will stand [in honor] before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." - Proverbs 22:1,29  AMP


SELL:  to make something available to be bought; to develop a belief in the truth, value, or desirability of; to persuade or influence to a course of action or to the acceptance of something

Most people hear the word "sales" and they cringe. They hear the word "sell" and they shudder. Can't say I blame them. Most people get a picture of a silver-tongued hustler trying to put them in a verbal headlock from which they can't escape...  

Or they see themselves getting cornered on the street by a stalker disguised as an "honest" businessman (?) seeking whom he may devour, trying his best to manipulate people against their will into becoming customers that satisfy his bottom line...kind of like Ned Ryerson in the movie Groundhog Day: 

Kinda gives you the "warm and fuzzies," doesn't he?  

The look on Phil's (the victim) face silently screams, HELP ME! Looks like he'd rather face a rattlesnake post-root canal (without anesthesia, mind you) than to share face time with old buddy Ned. Be honest, you might feel the same way if this happened to you. 

Would you like to have someone stalk you like this? Not likely. Face it folks, nobody would go anywhere if they knew there were sharks like this on the street everywhere they went.  Is it any wonder why people have such an low opinion of salespeople, or of sales in general?

In contrast, consider your typical business establishment the next time you're out and about. Choose anyplace you like: McDonald's, Walmart, your favorite gas station, supermarket, dry cleaners, bank, anywhere; it doesn't matter.  They all have this in common:

First, they do a fair amount of business every day, some do a lot, others do a little, but they all have a certain amount of customers that walk through their doors so long as the doors are open.

Second (and most important), they don't "advertise" like the Ned Ryersons of the world. Yes, they do invest money to make people aware of their presence, but they establish a track record and attract a loyal following based on the quality of their performance.

They also understand three rules of selling:

1.  People like to buy, they don't like to be sold...

2.  People buy for emotional reasons, not logical ones, and...

3.  People justify emotional buying decisions with logic

People like to control the buying process. It is what it is. They make emotional decisions, and justify those decisions with cold, hard logic. As a recent commercial suggests, "..it pays to get the order right," and the people who understand this process do. That's why they are successful.

If you want to be successful with sales, whether it's a product, a service, or yourself, you would do well to learn these three basic rules, and apply them in your own life. Yes, you're in sales whether you realize it or not. Communicating with another person means selling them on something, even if it's just a simple idea you want to share with them.

When communicating with others, be mindful of their freedom of choice. Always. If you violate their free will in decision making you'll lose their attention and their interest. Your chances of connecting with them will fall to slim and none.

The sales process in three steps:

1.  Communicate ideas and information (discuss problems, offer solutions)

2.  Establish value of your product or service (explain how your product or service can provide a desired benefit)

3.  Do #1 and #2 in a way that's unique to you and you alone (justify with logic why it makes perfect sense to deal with you over anybody else)

If you can do that you'll never have to chase down everything that moves, like Ned....

...because every word you say will be music to their ears:

That's all for now, gotta run. Until next time, remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!

Don't Let Fatigue Wear You Down

"Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in." - Galatians 6:9 AMP

FATIGUE: the state of being very tired: extreme weariness; weariness or exhaustion from labor, exertion, or stress

Fatigue.  Everyone faces it at some point in life. We run back and forth, so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, that we don't know it's happening to us until we're too tired to think. 

Whether physical or mental, fatigue can affect us all. How do you know you're feeling it?  Picture this:

If you've ever felt so sore just the thought of making a move caused your body to ache...

If you've ever felt like a dishrag that's been totally wrung dry, then thrown onto a street to be flattened by a streamroller... 

If you've ever felt like you're running in place, going nowhere fast, and the harder you run the more it seems you're falling further and further behind...

You've experienced fatigue.

Fatigue can drain your energy and weigh heavily on your emotions. Fatigue makes problems seem bigger than they really are, as if they can swallow you whole.

Fatigue makes the path to your goal look like a never ending series of hoops to jump through.  Fatigue can make you feel like you're on a treadmill going nowhere, riding a perpetual cycle of frustration.

Left unchecked, fatigue can lead to feelings of despair. You can lose patience, lose heart, lose courage. You can become irritable, even bitter. 

Fatigue erodes determination, makes you feel like nothing you do will make any difference. It can tempt you into giving up on your goals, your dreams, even your life. 

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life." - Proverbs 13:12 AMP

If you can relate to any of this, it's time to get some wind back into your sails. Let this message encourage you to keep your chin up. You need some proper perspective. 

When things go wrong it is tempting to fall into the "all or nothing" trap. You may think success means being flawless, not making any mistakes. When life steers off course, it seems all hope is gone and there's no way to right the ship. 

Not so fast, my friend.

Everything you go through on the road to success is part of the process of becoming successful. You must take the good with the bad, the bitter with the sweet. Bumps and bruises happen along the way. It goes with the territory.

Each step you take moves you forward. Even your stumbles can be helpful, so long as they move you closer to your objective instead of distracting you, leading you astray.

Fatigue is a sign that you need rest. It doesn't mean you should throw in the towel. You may have reached a point in your journey when you will do more harm than good if you take one step further.  

If you've ever driven long distance on the nation's highways, you may have noticed areas on the side of the road called Rest Stops. This is where weary drivers can take a break for a few minutes to get refreshed physically and mentally before going back on the road, awake and alert. 

The same thing applies for all of us on the road called Life. There are times when a rest stop is required. It is best to step back, relax and recharge your batteries, check your progress, and get a new focus on the task at hand.

You do not have to give up. Step back for a moment, regain your balance, get your bearings, remind yourself why you are taking this journey.  Sometimes we forget what we are doing, and why we are doing it.  That's when the temptation to give up is the strongest.

Don't let fatigue wear you down, wear you out, tempt you to give up. Make a pit stop to get recharged and refreshed. Don't be sad because you haven't reached your goal yet. Be glad you're making progress. You're closer to reaching your goal than when you started.

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi

For all you know, you could be on your own personal one-yard line, just three feet from glorious triumph. Get your rest, take the hits that life throws at you, and keep moving forward. With each move you make, victory could be the next step away.

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!