Deep Thoughts with Bailey Dog

This one definitely falls into the category of “Jake’s miscellaneous thoughts on life”. I apologize ahead of time for a little bit of rambling in this one.

Every night I take the dog out to heed nature’s call. On the clear nights I find myself staring up into the sky and the same couple of thoughts keep popping into my head.

First, as I stare into the great abyss I think of how small I really am in relation to the universe and that I am one of millions of people at this very moment staring into the same sky. I think of the great men and women of history and how they must have stared at the sky and felt small at some point as well.

My second thought is of how interesting it is that while I feel at one moment small and insignificant, I know in my heart that I capable of great things. I know that WE are capable of great things at Mavidea. I know that despite our seeming insignificance at times, we can and will conquer whatever portion of this world we want to. I know that God put me hear to be the best Jake I can be and that we all came together at Mavidea to become the best we can be as a company.

My thoughts usually then drift into thankfulness. Thankfulness for a wonderful family, a nice house, a great country and a great group of people to go and conquer the world with every day.

Next time it is a clear night, spending a minute looking at the stars. Think of how small, great and thankful you are. Think of all things that could be.

Wake up the next morning ready to your dreams come true.

Jake

Take One to Dream

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.”
-Henry David Thoreau

Another good quote on the subject of dreams (I am not sure who this comes from) is:

“Dream more while you are awake than you do while you are asleep.”

How often do you dream during the day? Ever spend a couple of minutes just thinking about what could be?

The dreams (or goals or whatever you call them) that enter your mind during the day are the ones that you should focus on when setting your goals. I have also heard “Goals are dreams that are written down”.

What do you dream of?

Do you dream of having a enough money to write a large check to charity?

Do you dream of being in shape?

Do you dream of weighing a certain amount?

Do you dream of paying for your kids college?

Imagine to yourself how you will feel when you accomplish your dreams.

Take a minute to dare to dream. The possibilities are endless. And once you have found something that really gets you excited (gives you goose bumps), grab a pen and paper and write it down.

We all need to start taking action every day to make our dreams come true. But first you need to take a couple of minutes to dream. You will be amazed at the result. You will meet with success unexpected in common hours.

Jake

Courage to the Rescue

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. “
-CS Lewis

A couple of weeks ago, Meaghan and I watched the “The Blind Side” (very good movie by the way). One particular part stuck out in my mind. The main character writes an essay for class about passion and courage.

Since then, I have thought more than a few times about courage and what that means to me and to our daily lives.

I think CS Lewis hits the nail on the head. Courage shows up in every virtuous thing we try to do, right at the testing point.

Diet getting a little difficult….time for courage to step in.

Exercise plan looking a little out of your league today….time for some courage.

Watching TV seeming like a better idea than reading a book tonight….courage to the rescue.

Every opportunity to make a change takes a least a small amount of courage (and some take a lot). It takes courage to step out from the comfort of the same old, same old and into to something new. It takes courage to break old patterns without concrete knowledge of what will happen next.

Now for the good news. A little courage goes a long way. Getting to the testing point and then pushing through the first time makes it easier the second time (and the third time).

Be courageous today. Test yourself and then push through that difficulty with a little bit of courage.

Jake

*I would highly recommend reading any of CS Lewis’s books, he is an excellent author.
**The email above was not in reference to liquid courage….although sometimes a little bit of that goes a long way too.

Never, never, never, never...

Today is Monday the 1st. Beginning of a new week in a new month.

I thought I would start today off with something to “rouse the troops” a little and get the blood pumping.

For some reason, when I think of getting fired up, one of the first people that pops into my head is Winston Churchill. Below are the closing remarks he gave to a school on October 29th, 1941:

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

We stood all alone a year ago, and to many countries it seemed that our account was closed, we were finished. All this tradition of ours, our songs, our School history, this part of the history of this country, were gone and finished and liquidated.

Very different is the mood today. Britain, other nations thought, had drawn a sponge across her slate. But instead our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside these Islands, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.”

Think about how difficult it must have been for him and the rest of Britain to stand firm in the face of evil and the relentless assaults on them and the rest of Europe. Think of the bombs landing in major cities, striking terror in all who lived there.

Now think of the amount of faith, perseverance, and never give in attitude they must have had to get through to victory.

Think of yourself and your goals. Are they any more difficult than what Churchill and Britain faced? I doubt it. If they can stand up to that kind of adversity and say “Never give in”, then you can too.

Are your goals worth fighting for? Of course they are. Because you are worth fighting for. You are worth never giving in. You are worth fighting to the end.

We are starting the second month of the quarter with a large goal in front of us for the rest of the quarter. We can do it. I believe that we are in a similar period in the current recession. Mavidea has stood in the gap and now is our time to push through to the end and make it through to the other side, victorious.

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in…”

Jake

I Knew That I Would Now

Here is a song to get you started off right:



I don’t about you, but I FEEL GOOD.

The last week or so I have noticed that I have more energy than ever. I noticed I have been smiling more than ever.

The best part…I know how I did it and that it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Every YouTube video I watch, every chapter I read, every audio book I listen to, every time I get an email back from one of you in response to one of my emails….leads to more energy, more smiles and more drive to do more of the same.

It is truly amazing to me every time I think about how much sending these emails and spending time on my attitude and thought processes has ALREADY produced changes in me. I hope the same thing is happening for you. I hope you are starting your own journey towards a better attitude and a better life.

It’s just the beginning. There is nothing that can stop us.

Happy Friday.

Jake

Shoot for the Moon

This video is titled “Why People Fail”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uekdv8SiTec

Two points in particular I found interesting. First, take whatever goals you have in your mind and dramatically increase them. Really take a minute and think about that one.

Want to read a book? Make it 3.

Want to have a savings account? Make your goal having a $1million dollars in that account.

Want to exercise a little? Make your goal to do something you don’t think is possible (run a marathon, etc.).

The second thing I found interesting was the reason why he was suggesting you set your goals high. Most people fail in life because they aim too low. Most people aim too low.

Are you aiming too low?

As I have spent more time watching videos and reading on attitude and self improvement recently, I have realized that up until this point, I have aimed too low. There is nothing I can not accomplish if I focus on that goal with 100% of myself.

Getting ourselves to perform at 100% is a conversation for another email, but before you worry about that, realize that you are capable of anything. Nothing can stop you. You are an unstoppable force that just needs to be pointed in the right direction. Point yourself in the direction of something amazing.

Been thinking about a particular goal as you have been reading these emails? DRAMATICALLY increase it. And then go out there and make it happen.

Jake

Laser Focus, White Hot Passion

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”
-Henry Ford

When you read these emails I send, do you see obstacles? Do you see all of the things in the way?

Do you see yourself not having enough time?

Do you see negative family members?

Do you see your own personal discontent and lack of results so far?

And what of the things that don’t look like obstacles, but really are? What about that time spent watching an old re-run on TV? What about that extra 30 minutes in bed in the morning just because you don’t feel like excercising?

Forget about those “frightful things” and focus on your goals. Think about how great you will feel and how happy you will be when:

You finish that book and are just a little smarter at the end than you were at the beginning.

Lose that weight and have more energy and feel better everyday.

Conquer that fear and live without it anymore.

Make someone else around you better from having spent time with you.

Put that check in the bank that moves your account over that magical $1 million mark.

In Napoloeon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”, he mentiions that those people that succeed are those that are able to focus on a passionate desire and see it through to the end. Those people that have achieved success are those that were able to focus on a goal and not take their eyes off it to look at the obstacles in the way.

Do you think Henry Ford would have become who he was if he lost focus and looked at the obstacles?

Do you think you will become what you are meant to become if you look at the obstacles?

Keep a laser focus on your goals. You must have a white hot passion for your goals and focus on them despite all of the obstacles in the way.

Jake

Three Feet Away

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
-Thomas Edison

In his book “Think and Grow Rich”, Napoleon Hill tells the story of R. U. Darby. He went West in order to strike it rich by mining for gold. He found a spot with promise and staked his claim. He borrowed money from friends and family and purchased the necessary equipment and went to work. After some months of work with no results, Mr. Darby gave up. He sold his stake and the equipment for pennies on the dollar.

The company that bought it from him had an engineer look at the site and the engineer came back with “you are 3 feet away from a large vein of gold”. They went to work and sure enough, within 3 feet they had found gold (and lots of it).

That alone would make for a great story. But it doesn’t end there.

Instead of forever lamenting how close he was to greatness, Mr. Darby learned his lesson and let it propel him to greatness in another field. Mr. Darby became a successful insurance sales person. He attributed his success to knowing that he was never going to stop again when he was “3 feet away”. He wouldn’t stop working when it became hard, wouldn’t take no for an answer, and wouldn’t take the easy way out.

Ever been “3 feet away” in your life?

Ever done well on a diet for a while only to give up right before the real benefits started to appear?

Ever exercised consistently for a couple of weeks/months only to give up right before you really started to see results?

Ever read books instead of watching TV for a couple of weeks only to go back to your regularly scheduled programming?

Today is the day to push through. Today is the day to mine that last 3 feet. Today is the day to start a new life changing habit.

At Mavidea, we have 3 feet to go to get to $1.56 million. Might seem like a lot further than that. Might look like it is time to give up on this gold mine. Might look like we have some tough digging ahead.

We ARE 3 feet away. Just need to take one last deep breath and push through to the end of the year.

Jake

Discipline

Here is today’s video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-xNguy73N0

I also found this quote from Jim Rohn:

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

What new discipline do you need to take action on today?

Starting a new discipline is not an easy thing to do. The key is to pick something and take action. Pick a good idea you have had recently and start today.

Want to read more? Pick up a book today.

Want to exercise? Fall on the floor and do some pushups today.

Want to eat better? Eat an apple instead of a piece of cake, today.

Want to change your attitude? Read or listen to something positive, today.

The best part….once you get started the next one becomes easier. Like pushing a snowball down a hill. When I first started sending these emails I committed to the sales team to do so for a month thinking that would be plenty and that I would probably run out of steam. The opposite has happened. It has become easier over time. It has encouraged me to look at new habits to start and old habits to give up.

So, if you have thought of something recently that requires action on your part to change for the better. Start today. And don’t forget, you’re worth it.
Jake

Sharp Stick (ouch!)

Last one in the “Jakeism” series….how exciting.

At least one of you were expecting this one (I know JW had to have been thinking this was coming).

“Better than a sharp stick in the eye.”

Another one stolen from my dad and said to me many times when I whined as a kid (I must have been tough to live with).

This is another where my knee jerk reaction is to think of whining and the negative things and how they are only slightly (ever so slightly) better than a sharp stick in the eye.

Instead, I am going to try and go the other way with it (and suggest you do too). I am going to write down 5 things in my life that are WAY better than a sharp stick in the eye.

· My wife and two little girls. I have the best wife and kids in the world. Hands down. Period. No questions asked. Enough said.

· My relationship with, and faith in, God (and our little church in the Land of Awesome). The more I read and study this attitude/happiness stuff, the more I realize that religion/spirituality is the secret sauce that takes everything to the next level.

· My health. I am not super healthy, but to this point have ZERO to complain about in this department.

· Our country. We aren’t perfect, but there isn’t any where else I would rather live. Regardless of your political views, remember to vote on November 4th (I think that is it) and be thankful for the freedoms we have.

· Mavidea. You guys are awesome. I can’t wait to come to work with you. I can’t wait to make Mavidea better with you.

I write this as an exercise to remind myself of all the blessings in my life. I strongly suggest you do the same. Write down 5 things in your life that are better than a sharp stick in the eye and send it to those you care about.

Jake

You're Worth It.

Today is another “Jakeism”. This one is a fairly recent addition to my random sayings.

During several conversations with people about the hard work involved in making the changes suggested in these emails, I said to them:

You’re worth it.

Think about that. YOU. ARE. WORTH IT. Whatever hard work it will take to make you happy, you are worth it. You are worth the time it will take to make the changes necessary to meet your goals.

Want to lose weight? You are worth it.

Want to read more and learn more? You are worth it.

Want to be happy? You are worth it.

Want to become a better father/husband/wife/friend? You are worth it (and so are your loved ones).

And when you do meet your goal, embrace it. Enjoy yourself and the fruits of your labor. You’re worth it.

I have realized a couple of other things as I thought about this.

I am worth it. For some reason, these happy/attitude pills look a lot easier to swallow when I am handing them out to others. I too need to spend time and focus on the concepts mentioned in these emails and I am worth the results that will come out on the other side.

I have also learned that we are worth it. Mavidea as a collective is worth whatever hard work and effort is needed to accomplish our goals. We are worth pushing a little harder, making that extra call, going the extra mile for the customer, and encouraging each other along the way.

This next part might sound a little corny, but I suggest every one try it.

At some point today, look in the mirror and say out loud, “I am worth it”.

Because you are and there is no better time to get started on making your dreams come true than today.

Jake

How Will You Respond?

Today is another “Jakeism”. Although technically I stole this one from my dad.

Life’s not fair. People don’t act right.

My dad used to say this to me as a kid when I complained of something not being fair.

For the longest time, I thought of this saying as just a response to someone who was whining. To most people (myself included for a while) it sounds like whining when you say it. Can’t you picture someone slumped down in disgust saying “Life’s not fair. People don’t act right.”? Almost using it as an excuse for not doing the right thing themselves.

As I have thought about this one over the years, it is actually one of the most freeing statements you can make. Life’s not fair. There is no promise that things will or should work in a way that everyone would call fair, so don’t worry about it. Don’t spend time trying to make others actions and situations you find yourself in fit into a “fair” view of the world. People don’t act right. You don’t control what others do and should stop worrying about their idiosyncrasies. You only control your attitude and how you respond to them.

If you don’t spend your time worrying about whether every situation is fair to you (because they won’t be) and how other people are not acting the way you want them to (because they won’t) and instead spend your time focusing on yourself and the positive changes you can make in yourself, you will be a much happier person.

And the pay off….if you think positively and don’t worry about the other stuff that can get in the way, you will have less of the other stuff. You will find yourself whining less about life not being fair and people not acting right. You will find yourself full of energy and happiness and you won’t even have time to whine about others and whether not things are fair because you will have so much of the good stuff.

Jake

51%

This week I am going to write about some “Jakeisms” that I try to use to keep a positive attitude.

The first one is one that I think about a lot but probably haven’t said to all of you.

I call it the 51% Rule. It is one my core beliefs that at any given point in time the world is more good than bad (51%).

For every person that cuts you off in traffic and flips you the bird, there are 10 jamming out to their favorite song, signing loud and smiling from ear to ear.

For every malnourished and under appreciated child, there are 1000’s whose parents love them more than anything in the world.

For every abused or belittled child, there are 1000’s of dads and moms squeezing their little one a little tighter today, tucking them in at night and signing one extra song before bed.

For every rape or murder, there are 1000’s of policemen, firefighters and soldiers giving their lives to protect others.

For every Adolf Hitler, there are millions of Allied troops who left their loved ones at home and bravely fought against evil to ensure the freedom of all.

When I think of anything bad that has or will happen, I think of the 51% rule and how AT THE VERY LEAST the world is more good than bad and that I need to focus on the good.

The best part of the 51% rule….good has already won. All we have to do is determine the margin of victory. No pressure, no need to be perfect, just try and run up the score.

So, as you are going about your day today, think of something good to do for someone else and chalk up another win for the good guys.

Jake

Optimism is Not Dumb

thought I would introduce a little humor in today’s email, so enjoy this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qULSszbA-Ek

Optimism. While the clip is one of my all-time favorite movie lines and certainly provides a good laugh, think about how you would react if someone told you that you had a 1 in a million chance at something.

Would you automatically rule yourself out? Would you think “So, you’re saying I have a chance!” and be super excited.

What if I told you that you have a 98.75% guaranteed (Dr. Seuss reference, I read too many kid books) chance of succeeding in life? Would you focus on the 1.25% chance things won’t work out? Or, would you: smile more, pick up the pace, work harder, and be more positive?

What’s today going to be like for you? A good day or a bad day? What about the next year? Next 10 years?

I don’t know about you, but I am optimistic.

And couldn’t forget a song to start Friday off right. The Dumb and Dumber clip reminded me of this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDw9xgSmSc

Make it a great day.

Jake Davis
Chief Operating Officer
Mavidea Technology Group, LLC
Security. Stability. Serenity.

Want to Be Wildly Successful? Drastically Different?

Here is the link to today’s video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuPdzHd8idk

This is part 3 of 3.

First he talks about the law of cause and effect. Our rewards equal our contributions. The value we bring to others will equal the value we receive in return. Want to be more successful? Give more value. Want to be WILDLY successful? Find a way to give ridiculous amounts of value to others. Not happy with your life today? Change your attitude and find ways to think of others and give more value to them.

R&D - a pretty common word and idea in the IT business. What are you doing to invest in your self? Read any books lately to improve your skills? Looking at all the people that I think of as successful (not just the people with money) I have realized that one common trait among them was that they invested in themselves through R&D. I especially like his question “What are you doing this year to make sure you are little smarter than you were last year?” As Mavidea grows our need for more and more skilled people will grow. My hope is that each one of you grow with us.

Lastly, the pay off. The Strangest Secret – we become what we think about most of the time. Step back and really think about what that means. What you are today (both the good and the bad) is a result of what you have thought about in the past. What you will be in the future will be a result of what you start thinking about today. Want different results? Think differently. Want DRASTICALLY different results? Think DRASTICALLY differently.

Take control of your thoughts, work towards a worthy idea and enjoy the process. That is the formula for success. Pretty simple, huh? Nothing is stopping you. Make it happen.

Jake

Merciless Mirror

Here is the video for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es7UjzlSRcU

This is part 2 of yesterday’s video.

I didn’t double check his math on the “free” 72 hours a week, but think about that. What are you doing with your spare time? Spending all of your free time in front of the “escape box”? How much of your free time do you spend improving yourself in some way? How many self-improvement books have you read lately? How many times have you exercised lately? Have you spent any time thinking about your goals in life? Think about how much you could accomplish over the years if you just found a way to dedicate 1 of your “free” hours a week towards a goal.

The most interesting part of this one to me was what Earl calls the “merciless mirror”. Our attitude towards the world is reflected back to us exactly how we are. Whatever area in your life you would like to improve your relationship with others, think about what that “merciless mirror” is saying about you and your attitude. If you want your surroundings/situation to change (lose weight, better marriage, more money, have more fun, etc.), you must change yourself and your attitude first.

Jake

Deep Resovoir

Here is today’s video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajIRxdeCRZM

Skip the first 1:42. This is the first in a 3 part series.

We have all probably heard a variation of the “we are only using 5% of our brains/potential” statistic that he sites. I think he has an interesting perspective on it though. First, he mentions that we all have a deep reservoir of potential, even genius, within us that we must tap into. Second, he says we are only having 5% of the fun we could be having. Think about that. Tapping into your deep reservoir will be fun. You are only having 5% of the fun you could be having….

I think his definition of success is interesting too. Striving towards some great idea. Think about yourself. Are you striving towards some great idea? Working towards some lofty goal or idea?

I have noticed lately that at Mavidea everyone seems to get most excited when I talk them through how we are going to be going after some lofty goal or idea. A large part of our success thus far can be attributed to the fact that we have consistently set lofty goals in front of ourselves and set out to achieve them.

Think about yourself and your potential. I have a mental picture of a deep well of genius that any one of us can dip into any time we want. Think about how deep all of our wells are when you put them together. There is enough genius and potential inside our four walls today to accomplish anything we can think of.

Jake

10-10-10 & Crazy Goals

Yesterday, my brother in law, Pat, ran the Chicago Marathon. So we packed up the family and went up to watch him run.

I learned a couple of things that I thought I would share.

The first thing I learned is that this attitude stuff works. When Meaghan reminded me that we were going to the marathon last week, my first thoughts were negative. I thought of dragging the kids around, long car rides, long train rides and my ever growing to-do list that wouldn’t get done while we were gone. I decided I would change my mind and have a positive attitude about it. Guess what, instead of all the negative stuff I was expecting, I received a great day with the family that I won’t soon forget. I also return inspired to tackle the never ending to-do list.

A lot of people were wearing shirts that said 10-10-10 on them. At first, I thought to myself about how interesting it is that some people must believe that there is some god of numerical symmetry that will swoop in anytime the numbers line up and make that particular day magically better (or worse) than any other day. But then I realized something. I realized that 10-10-10 was special. It was the only one I will ever get. Think about it. Every day is the only chance you will ever get to live that day. What are you doing today to not waste it? What are you doing to live a life of meaning and purpose each day?

The marathon itself was inspiring to say the least. Close to 50,000 people ran in the Chicago Marathon. Let me repeat that. 50,000. For most people, running a marathon sounds impossible. But for 50,000 people yesterday, the impossible became possible. The vast majority of the people running the marathon were average people who set a crazy, impossible goal of running marathon and then went out and made it happen.

Think about that. I am not going to suggest that we all sign up for a marathon tomorrow, but I am going to suggest that we all have a crazy goal out there for our selves. One that seems impossible. Want to save a million dollars? Quit smoking? Lose some weight? Take control of your life? Get organized? Save for a new house? Shatter the Mavidea quarterly revenue record?

Whatever your goal and how crazy it might seem, it can be done. Even better, YOU can do it.

If you have a positive attitude and live every day to the fullest; you can set and accomplish whatever crazy goal you can imagine.

Jake

Pump it Up

Here is the video for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdHAMjA1lMw

This is a good metaphor for Mavidea. Can’t you just picture all of us pumping at the well like Zig?

He makes a couple of comments that I really thought applied to us. One was that you can’t stop now or the water goes all the way to the bottom and you have to start over. We are getting there….just have to pump a little more to get the water flowing. Need to make a couple more calls, work a little more, focus more, be positive. Another comment he made that made me think of us was the part where he talks about pumping enthusiastically. This gets back to my points earlier of enjoying the process. We need to be smiling from ear to ear while we pump.

Think about how this applies to you. Do you need to prime the pump? Do you need to push through and not give up? Do you need to just smile more while you are pumping?

Jake

Are You a Whiner, or a Winner?

Here is the link to today's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Gfje62lxs

Nice and short and to the point.

Sometimes the direct points are the most true and hit home the hardest.

So, really think about it. Do you whine?

I know I do. Too much to do, not enough time, what is taking us so long (seemingly) to see the results we want, too tired, allergies suck, on and on. I am sure all of us can think of times when we whine.

I think his last point is the best. Winners don't whine, they celebrate.

That sounds a lot better than whining. Let's stop whining and start winning. Let's celebrate our victories.

Several of my conversations yesterday (with Jim and Courtney, specifically) confirmed for me once again that we CAN do it. WE CAN WIN! Nothing is stopping us but ourselves (and our whining).

Jake

WHY?

Here is the link to today’s video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxW--T8e9yQ

He asks some interesting questions:

Why?
Why work hard?
Why read and educate yourself?
Why do your best?
Why change your attitude?

His answer. Why not?
Why not do your best?
Why not make a million dollars?
Why not make an impact?
Why not be successful?
Why not be happy?

Why not you?
You have everything it takes. Others have done it. Why not you?

Why not now?
There is no better time to begin achieving your true potential than right now. Don’t wait for a better day, a better week, a better year; start now. Don’t wait for the economy to turn or your financial circumstances to change; start now. And don’t forget to enjoy the process.

I want to add a question to the list. Why not us? Why not Mavidea?
Why not stomp our competition?
Why not be the best place to work in the world?
Why not have the best damn sales team in our industry?
Why not deliver WOW experiences to customers?
Why not do it together?

The last one reminds me of the best part of these emails. I am sharing them with you. We are doing this together. We get to make a change for the better, together.

Make it a great day.

Jake

No More Mondays

My dad told me last week that he is reading a book on attitude called “No More Mondays”. He didn’t really say much about it, but without even reading it, the concept had me thinking.

There are two main lessons that I have learned so far from reading and watching all of this stuff about attitude. The first is that wherever I am in life it is by my choice and that if I want something different, all I have to do is change my attitude and my thinking and apply those towards the thing that I want and I will achieve whatever I set my mind to. The second lesson I learned is a result of the first. Since I am choosing to be in whatever situation I am in (and even if I plan to change it, it won’t change instantaneously), I had better learn to enjoy it.

This second lesson has been a personal mantra for me for the last week or two. Whether it is doing a budget at the office or changing a poopy diaper at home, I am working on making the most of that moment.

So, that leads to my thoughts on the concept of “No More Mondays”. If you enjoy the moments in your life and are moving yourself and your attitude in a positive direction, there are no more “dreaded” parts of the week. No more Monday. Only another week to conquer. Another week to get one step closer to your ultimate goals. Another week closer to living up to your true potential. (Another poopy diaper to be changed).

Change your attitude. No more Mondays.

And for those of you who don’t read any of what I write or just want to mope and complain about Monday. Here is a link to watch Manic Monday…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZgLcK5LzI
Make it a great week.
10 4, over and out.
Jake

Kid, You'll Move Mountains!

Below, I have cut and paste the words from “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. I have read this book tons of times to Maggie and have yet to make it through the whole thing without tearing up.

Ok, sappy dad moments aside….take the time to read this and think about which part of the story applies to you right now: are you stuck, are you waiting, are you in a slump.

My favorite lines from the story are the very end – “And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.) KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS! So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, You're off to Great Places! Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!”

A common theme in all of the emails so far seems to be that YOU will succeed and accomplish whatever you put your mind to.

Let’s take that last part of the story and change the words: MAVIDEA, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS! So...be your name Dan or Tamara or Jamie or Erik or Jim or John or Kim or Courtney or ……, You're off to Great Places! Today is your day!

We have a mountain to move and I know we can do it because of YOU, so get on your way!

Jake



Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by

Dr. Seuss


Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!