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When Little Is HUGE

December 15, 2011

I bet you have some big dreams, maybe one in particular. It might be to start a business doing something that you’re really passionate about. It might be to quit your job, sell your house and travel the world. It might be to earn so much money that you can give incredible amounts away blessing and impacting thousands of people.

Whatever you’re big dream is, there’s this big chasm between you and it. It seems unattainable and actually completely unrealistic. Don’t you have responsibilities after all? How would that ever be possible for you to do something like that?

It might not actually be as far away as you think.

You see, all those great people in the world who do these amazing things that we only read about, they’re just like you and me. They’re not any smarter, faster, or more privileged.

The difference is that they don’t think like everyone else. They have the guts to dream big and come up with these seemingly impossible endeavors that everyone tells them will never work out. But, they don’t stop there.

They had a quality that every achiever has: consistency.

Once we believe that our big dream is really possible, consistency is the key. We must focus on that one goal and do the little things everyday to get us to where we want to go. Do not give up. Do not waver.

My immediate big dream is to be successful in my business. I did little things in my spare time this week and was actually able to accomplish quite a bit and build a bit of momentum.

In case you’re curious, this is what my week looked liked:

  • Monday: sent two emails to people with key connections, had ad poster put up at Claudia’s work
  • Tuesday: designed and ordered business cards
  • Wednesday: installed WordPress on my site with the help of my good friend Ryan Ash
  • Thursday: registered Google voice number, setup Google Places and AdWords, setup Facebook Page, started setting up site

I am excited to build on the momentum that I’ve started already and use consistency to reach my goal.

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You Become What You Think About

December 14, 2011

This recording has completely changed my life!

We are implementing the challenge he puts forth here. I’m excited to see what happens!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plhYVd2MgtA&rel=0]

Join us on this 30 day challenge!

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Germs – IDC #4

December 13, 2011

I have a very strong ‘distaste’, shall we say, for touching things while out in public. This was a challenge suggested by a friend… this is for you Adrienne!

[tentblogger-youtube cT5LOmwUpzU]

You can read what the IDC Project is all about here and view our completed “uncomfortable situations” here.

We received lots of votes for the IDC Project Voting. The IDC Project that won was: Buy a homeless person lunch and ask them about their story. Thanks again for voting and look for that project next Wednesday!

 

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Our Annual Review

December 12, 2011

This is the time of year when Claudia and I look back at the past year and set goals for the one ahead. So, this week we set a couple of nights aside to do this because we found that it really gives us a sense of direction and purpose and we’re able to actually do a lot of the things that we want to do.

In looking back, one of the things we do is ask ourselves two questions:

  1. What went well?
  2. What didn’t go well?

We’ll put down at least 6-8 answers for each and make sure they’re things that we had control over. If something did not go well but we couldn’t prevent it or had no control over it, it doesn’t go on the list.

In case you’re curious, here’s some of what we wrote down:

What went well:

  1. Claudia gave birth to our son Jude – overcame fear of having a baby
  2. figured out a way for me to quit my job, a very destructive, negative environment
  3. started rise365
  4. paid off one of our larger debts
  5. went to Colorado for an event – was impetus to change, connected us with amazing people, and propelled us to change
  6. learned valuable lessons about story and decision making

What didn’t go well:

  1. my window washing business
  2. didn’t simplify our wardrobes
  3. took too long to make a decision about my job
  4. didn’t connect with more people locally
  5. didn’t do date night

Thinking about your past year, what are some of the things that went well for you? What didn’t go well? I’d love it if you shared some of them and told me what you learned because of it! You can do that in the comments below.

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Story

December 11, 2011

I often think about movies, what makes a good movie and how this relates to living a good life. A life that will seem way to short when I die, not too long. So, I had two thoughts relating to movies and life.

#1 You don’t know a character by their thoughts, just by their actions:

I know this is like ‘duh’ but think about it. When you watch a movie, all you have to go on is the character’s actions. You can’t hear what the character thinks. So, basically we are left to judge them by what they do, not what they think about. So, why can’t we get this through our own brains?  I am trying to apply this in my own life. I may think and read and do all the ‘right’ things in my head, but I am judged by my actions: what I say, what I do, and how I treat others.

Ralph Waldo Emerson says it best, “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”

#2 Characters in movies progress

This is huge! They progress. They move forward or backward then forward again. They learn lessons, they grow, they change. That’s what makes a good story, right? We love to watch a story about how someone overcame ‘unbeatable’ odds or how they changed a hurtful habit to win back their true love. How boring would it be to watch a movie of someone who just lived an unhealthy, unimpactful, unhappy life. Depressing! And yet, this is how we often live.

So, what if we would think of our lives in movie form? Would your life make a great movie, one that millions would want to watch? Would mine? A story of unquenchable love, forgiveness, reconciliation and passion? One about actively moving forward, evaluating the present and changing what is needed to create a unique, inspiring future?

Way to often we pacify ourselves by watching others live out great stories instead of writing one ourselves!

 

 

 

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Did That Just Happen?

December 8, 2011

 

Did you ever get the feeling that you are being watched? Or that maybe that person you talked to isn’t really that person that you talked to? Or that your life is pretty much like the Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show, and you don’t actually know what is real?

I do. Sometimes I wonder if the stranger I just talked to was an actual person or an angel. Whether things that happen during my day “just happened,” or were arranged.

I think we have been tricked into thinking that things just simply happen. That we live in this random story of actions and events, but have no part or roll in what actually happens in the story. I am just supposed to go about my life, mind my own business, work hard, keep my head down and keep walking. I have no sphere of influence, what happens has no eternal meaning. And that I am just a person, a speck in the midst of millions. I have no ‘shine,’ nothing to offer. Some people were born great, but not me.

I think most people believe this lie and we walk around numb. Numb because ‘life is hard,’ or ‘it hurts to much to forgive,’ or ‘that person is just unlovable’ or ‘they need to change before I do, after all, they are the one with the problems,’ or ‘I never have enough money.’

I think we have been numbed on purpose to make us less effective. And we have become very easy targets by basically letting ourselves ‘rot’ away with our laziness and apathy. We think we can’t change, so we don’t.

If I believed I was fearfully and wonderfully made…brilliantly made, and was living out this belief, that would be very influential wouldn’t it? So, why don’t we believe it? Believe that each of us has something brilliant to offer?

What dulls our brilliance? There are many ways we are dulled. In fact, if I was looking at us humans from the outside, I think it would be quite easy. How about a little discouragement for one?

I am often dulled by the lie of discouragement. Dis-Couragement. I feel that I don’t have any say in the matter. Phrases like, ‘it is what it is,’ go through my mind. Or the lie that the course of my life can’t be changed, or ‘my future looks so depressing’, or ‘how are we going to make it?’ The lies go on and on. My courage is dismantled, knocked down, flattened. And I walk around head to the ground unengaged, ineffective, tarnished, dead.

We live in a battle for our lives. A BATTLE. A battle for our minds, souls, a battle even for our courage. Just think how effective we would be in a battle if we were brilliantly using our gifts! We would have strength! Our voices would be heard, we would make a difference in this world! Can you imagine? But, the lie is that life is nothing more than a monotonous grind of dailyness. Millions of people living in a fog, angry, unforgiving, slothful, and uninspired.

What were you created to do? Who are you and why are you here? Do you know? If not, than find out! If you do, than are you doing it?!

Let’s not let the fog of life dull our brilliance. Or diminish our effect on the world.

You were created with a purpose, I was created with a purpose. I am in full pursuit of mine, are you?

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Michael On Wearing Red Polish – IDC #3

December 7, 2011

For I Don’t Care Project #3, I wore red nail polish out in public. I did some shopping (purchased a couple of things too) and bought a cup of coffee.

Why you ask? To loosen the grip of the fear of what others think has on me. Read more about the IDC Project here.

This was a tough one for me. I couldn’t believe how dark the polish was as I was putting it on! And, my stomach was definitely in knots when I was walking into the stores.

I definitely got some double takes and strange looks because I made a point to show my hands and let my brilliant nails shine. This was especially true with the sales clerks when I checked out. They didn’t say much at first because I’m sure they thought I was some weirdo with a few loose screws. However, as I was friendly and chatted with them, they warmed up and were more congenial.

Through doing this project, I learned that the fear of what others are going to think is much stronger leading up to what I’m going to do. Once I’m actually doing it, there’s adrenaline that kicks in and I see that it’s not really that big a deal.

However, I must confess. I did make sure I removed the polish before we saw friends that night (guess the adrenaline wore off).

We’d love it if you cast your vote for an upcoming IDC Project. The following are 3 of the many suggestions we received.

[polldaddy poll=5729288]

 

– We’d also love your suggestions for “uncomfortable situations”. Leave them in the comments here.

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Why Community Matters

December 6, 2011

On the train on my way home from work

Community makes a difference. I know for Claudia and me, community has been huge. This is what spurred us on towards launching rise365. But realizing the importance of community started long before that. About two years ago we dove into a new approach to life. We started listening to and reading great books, blogs, and podcasts and through this we began connecting with some incredible individuals! Without these people and their ideas, thoughts, and encouragement, we would have never made to where we are today.

That’s because it’s too difficult to go it alone. In fact, YOU WON’T MAKE IT! Unless, of course, you’re fine with the status quo. Unless you’re ok with just doing what everyone else is doing.

But, that’s not me and that’s not you! You wouldn’t be reading this if that was the case. You see, those OK with the status quo read this and think, what’s the big deal? Why be so dramatic with your life and what you’re doing? Settle down already (besides, you’re making me feel insecure about my life)!

I want to be different and apparently you do too! You and I both know there’s more to life and we are chasing after it! It is a challenge and a little scary at times but the rewards are well worth it!

That’s where community comes in. The comments and emails you’ve written have been a HUGE encouragement for Claudia and me! Just the other day I got an email from someone who read my post on tithing and suggested a great resource on the topic. I checked it out and it was really helpful in bringing understanding and clarity.

For all this, I thank you. I only hope I can be as helpful to you in return.

I want to know how community has impacted you. Do you have a supportive people surrounding you? If not, how will you begin to pursue it?

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