Did you notice anything different after moving your clock forward ?
Neither did I..
It wasn’t very exciting for “Springing” into the future one whole hour…
Of course we didn’t really spring into the future.
But it got me thinking, “What if you really could spring forward into the future?” Not just an hour but say an entire year..
What does that even look like for you?
What’s going to be different a year into your future?
Are you driving a better car? Do you walk up the path to a larger more elegant home? Do you take exotic vacations?...... Are you out of debt? How much money is in your bank account a year from now? How are your relationships? What are you doing to be a better person.. Do you see a picture in your future that you can get excited about?
In short.. Are You The Freakin' Guy a year form now?
It’s almost impossible not to envision something at least a little bit better than where you are today – wouldn’t you agree?
And it’s a whole lot more exciting when you can envision something far better.
So then what would you truly like to see in your future?
If you see something better... Why not do what it's going to take to make that a reality? We've heard it time and time again.. “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it..”
What if I had asked you that same exact question on New Year’s Day?.. “What do you see in your future - say three months form now?”
Would you have seen yourself exactly where you are today?...
I’m going to step out on a limb and say “Probably Not!!!”…
And why not?
One word…. R-E-S-O-L-U-T-I-O-N-S…
Whether it’s to stop smoking, make more money, or to lose weight, the fact is most people make resolutions to Be, Do, and Have more than the year before.
For you.. perhaps it was to start a new business or learn to invest.. Maybe you wanted to become a better communicator or a better friend.
But you see.. resolutions also have a down side… which is that most resolutions go unfulfilled…
Which is why I always say that R-E-S-O-L-T-I-O-N-S go hand in hand with E-X-C-U-S-E-S
Sad but true… Most Resolutions ultimately lead to Excuses…
So.. I guess that by now I should ask you - "What were your resolutions for this year?"
Are you still on track to make them a reality or have you gotten caught up in Excuses?.. I couldn't do this because of this and i couldn't do that because of whatever..
Look.. either you’re on track or you’re off track.. There’s no in between..
Something I learned a long time ago is that “You can make excuses.. Or you can make results… But you can’t do both..
And yes.. It really is that cut and dry...
So the last thing I want to have happen for you is that you wake up on January 1st 2011 with the same resolutions that you made this year…
You deserve more…
So get after it.. Go Be The Freakin' Guy that you said you were going to be back on January first..
Because if you don't... and you're in the same spot you're in today 9 months from now.. every person you talked to about your resolutions - if even for a minute or two - is going to know that it was just a bunch of small talk.
But I guess small talkers can afford to small talk because.. hey.. Talk is cheap..
P.s. Maybe next year you'll keep your resolutions to yourself.. Go out and Be The Freakin' Guy.. and let the results speak for themselves..
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Possession... It's 9/10 of the Law
We live in an age where far too often people blame their circumstances as the cause of their failure or lack of happiness. Maybe you are that type of person. If not, I’m sure you know a few. This type of person has a tendency to view life as a series of negative experiences that happen "to them" rather than viewing life’s experiences as something they create.
The truth is, they would be better off if they would simply accept that their circumstances are what they are because they have allowed them to be what they are.
By not doing so, they are actually professing that they are powerless to take control over the things that lead to their unhappiness and to change their life into something not just worth living, but worth living happily.
I call these people, VICTIMS…
I recently had an experience where a lady confided in me that she had been struggling from the fall out of an abusive marriage relationship.
She was depressed and miserable, and spending countless hours in the office of a "Therapist" who was doing nothing more than validating the Victim position and aiding to prolong this lady's unhappiness.
She was blaming her current circumstances on something that was no longer a part of her life. In fact she had actually moved on and left the marriage a few years previous. The whole marriage situation was In The Past.. Yet she continued to squalor in what she had labeled as miserable circumstances.
CIRCUMSTANCES… What are they? They are the "Things Standing Around” you. Imagine your life being like a painting canvas and your circumstances being the colors and images on that canvas.
Each and every day we are given the opportunity to paint that canvas in a way that we feel is best for us. Granted some have more training in the art of living than others. But everyone has the equal opportunity to learn to be a better painter, a better creator of circumstances.
Some times in life others may come along with their paint brush and either add color to that canvas or place a big black X right in the middle. An X that not only covers some of the beauty that we had previously painted but that stands out so much that it makes it very difficult to recognize the beautiful color elsewhere on the canvas.
Did we ask for them to place that X there? Absolutely not.
Do we want the X there? Absolutely not.
But do we own it? Absolutely.
Once a stroke is left on the canvas of our life whether we asked for it or not, it is ours. We now have complete responsibility for what happens with it.
We can either leave it there and point at it, proclaiming our disgust and all the while asking others to do something with it for us, like asking the pound to come and remove a stray animal. Or, we can choose to act. Because the truth is.. you own it! Which means you have permission and power to remove it from your life and replace it with something that you truly want there.
This can be done through the process of displacement. Like running water into a milk jug until it flows out pure and clean.
I challenge you to address the many black marks on your canvas.
Let them know that you are aware of their presence. But also let them know that you do not intend to keep them there and as the owner of your mind, you refuse to allow them to be a part of your circumstances. I challenge you to say it out loud. There is infinite power in the spoken word.
And choose each day to endeavor to replace those negative, hurtful, scary things with something beautiful, enlightening and inspiring.
Eventually there will be no room in your life for the black marks and they will all eventually be displaced.
This is a core part of Being the Freakin’ Guy..
Taking 100 percent responsibility for who you are and where you are in your life today.
Because only then can you choose where you will be the next day and the next day and the next day, until you have arrived at your ideal set of circumstances..
It my take a while.. For some longer than others.. But when you arrive at that place where you are fully empowered and claim ownership of your circumstances and your future, then and only then can you look in the mirror and with all sincerity and conviction... say “Hey… I’m the Freakin’ Guy”…
The truth is, they would be better off if they would simply accept that their circumstances are what they are because they have allowed them to be what they are.
By not doing so, they are actually professing that they are powerless to take control over the things that lead to their unhappiness and to change their life into something not just worth living, but worth living happily.
I call these people, VICTIMS…
I recently had an experience where a lady confided in me that she had been struggling from the fall out of an abusive marriage relationship.
She was depressed and miserable, and spending countless hours in the office of a "Therapist" who was doing nothing more than validating the Victim position and aiding to prolong this lady's unhappiness.
She was blaming her current circumstances on something that was no longer a part of her life. In fact she had actually moved on and left the marriage a few years previous. The whole marriage situation was In The Past.. Yet she continued to squalor in what she had labeled as miserable circumstances.
CIRCUMSTANCES… What are they? They are the "Things Standing Around” you. Imagine your life being like a painting canvas and your circumstances being the colors and images on that canvas.
Each and every day we are given the opportunity to paint that canvas in a way that we feel is best for us. Granted some have more training in the art of living than others. But everyone has the equal opportunity to learn to be a better painter, a better creator of circumstances.
Some times in life others may come along with their paint brush and either add color to that canvas or place a big black X right in the middle. An X that not only covers some of the beauty that we had previously painted but that stands out so much that it makes it very difficult to recognize the beautiful color elsewhere on the canvas.
Did we ask for them to place that X there? Absolutely not.
Do we want the X there? Absolutely not.
But do we own it? Absolutely.
Once a stroke is left on the canvas of our life whether we asked for it or not, it is ours. We now have complete responsibility for what happens with it.
We can either leave it there and point at it, proclaiming our disgust and all the while asking others to do something with it for us, like asking the pound to come and remove a stray animal. Or, we can choose to act. Because the truth is.. you own it! Which means you have permission and power to remove it from your life and replace it with something that you truly want there.
This can be done through the process of displacement. Like running water into a milk jug until it flows out pure and clean.
I challenge you to address the many black marks on your canvas.
Let them know that you are aware of their presence. But also let them know that you do not intend to keep them there and as the owner of your mind, you refuse to allow them to be a part of your circumstances. I challenge you to say it out loud. There is infinite power in the spoken word.
And choose each day to endeavor to replace those negative, hurtful, scary things with something beautiful, enlightening and inspiring.
Eventually there will be no room in your life for the black marks and they will all eventually be displaced.
This is a core part of Being the Freakin’ Guy..
Taking 100 percent responsibility for who you are and where you are in your life today.
Because only then can you choose where you will be the next day and the next day and the next day, until you have arrived at your ideal set of circumstances..
It my take a while.. For some longer than others.. But when you arrive at that place where you are fully empowered and claim ownership of your circumstances and your future, then and only then can you look in the mirror and with all sincerity and conviction... say “Hey… I’m the Freakin’ Guy”…
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Freakin' Guy - A Poem
I looked into the mirror to see what I could see,
To find a daring scrapping man , staring back at me.
I asked How is this possible, can I believe the eye?
And then the voice spoke back to me, "Hey! You're The Freakin' Guy!"
So when you're faced with doubt my friend Don't let it take it's hold.
Square your shoulders and lift your chin, face it true and bold.
For in this life we oft will face the tempter eye to eye.
And when you do be sure to tell him, "Hey! I'm The Freakin' Guy!"
- Gregory Downey
(1/28/2010)
To find a daring scrapping man , staring back at me.
I asked How is this possible, can I believe the eye?
And then the voice spoke back to me, "Hey! You're The Freakin' Guy!"
So when you're faced with doubt my friend Don't let it take it's hold.
Square your shoulders and lift your chin, face it true and bold.
For in this life we oft will face the tempter eye to eye.
And when you do be sure to tell him, "Hey! I'm The Freakin' Guy!"
- Gregory Downey
(1/28/2010)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
What the LUCK?
I was recently re-reading a book by C. Mason Weaver called "The Rope"...
In it he says "We need to take back our independence. Independence means freedom. It also means responsibility.”
This means that in order to be free, every problem that you face must be YOUR responsibility to solve and no one elses. If you want a better home, more income, less stress, or a better lifestyle, it requires some action on your part and no one elses.
What I have learned over the past few years from studying C. Mason Weaver's books and hearing him speak in person on several occasions is this: Everyone Deserves Freedom…
But the short fall is that "FREEDOM IS TOO RISKY" For Most People.
People will tell you that everything you could want or need will come from a "GOOD EDUCATION and SECURE JOB with BENEFITS or Government Handouts and social programs, and worse yet, LUCK.."
They will ask you "WHY DO YOU WANT TO RISK YOUR SECURITY BY CHASING SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T EXIST FOR PEOPLE LIKE US?" "THAT LIFESTYLE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN INTO MONEY OR PEOPLE WHO JUST GOT LUCKY.”
Even the government uses the same message. "DON'T WORRY... WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MEDICARE.. SOCIAL SECURITY... AND LOW INCOME HOUSING" "WE WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU GET BACK A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT WE TOOK FROM AWAY FROM YOU ANYWAY".... “And hopefully you will be able to survive on our hand outs all the way through retirement.”
Folks... No one in their right mind would ask you to leave your job before you have replaced your income in some other way... In fact, leaving your job may not be a motivating factor for you. Perhaps you are simply seeking to earn more in your job or you side business.
Look folks.. What I’m trying to say is that no one is asking you to attempt an escape from the prison yard before you dig the tunnel that leads to freedom. And by Freedom I mean Being the Freakin’ Guy in business and in life so you can be, do, and have everything you could ever want to be do and have in your life..
More people hold out hope that success will some how find them through LUCK than they do in the possibility of creating success for themselves through solid committed effort and a sound opportunity.
As I mentioned in my last blog entry, why do you think so many people play the lottery?
Because it's easier to spend 10 dollars a week on the "Power Ball" than it is to invest a few hundred dollars and an honest effort into a sound business idea - SOMETHING YOU CAN BE THE FREAKIN’ GUY AND BUILD FOR YOURSELF.
And by spending that money on lottery tickets, they ease their own conscience into believing that they have upheld their responsibility to themselves and their family. And in the end, "IF I DON'T WIN THE LOTTERY, NO ONE CAN SAY I DIDN'T DO MY PART or I DIDN’T AT LEAST TRY..."
I believe that Being The Freakin’ Guy means making my own luck... I once heard it said that LUCK was simply Labor - Under - Correct - Knowledge...
That's the very essence of why I started this blog in the first place. To share the knowledge that I have gained throughout my life that has helped me to not just believe but to KNOW that I'm The Freakin' Guy..
I intend to help thousands of people make their own LUCK too. Are you committed to being one of them? Then take your spot on the freedom train before it pulls out of the station for good.
All I ask is that you commit to yourself to read my blog and encourage your friends to read it as well. And if you feel inspired to do so, leave a comment or two and share things that have helped you to Be The Freakin’ Guy in your own life. Then together we will support and strengthen each other in our mutual endeavor to Be The Freakin’ Guy.
As one of my dearest mentors would say “Onward and Upward...!!!!!”
-GD
In it he says "We need to take back our independence. Independence means freedom. It also means responsibility.”
This means that in order to be free, every problem that you face must be YOUR responsibility to solve and no one elses. If you want a better home, more income, less stress, or a better lifestyle, it requires some action on your part and no one elses.
What I have learned over the past few years from studying C. Mason Weaver's books and hearing him speak in person on several occasions is this: Everyone Deserves Freedom…
But the short fall is that "FREEDOM IS TOO RISKY" For Most People.
People will tell you that everything you could want or need will come from a "GOOD EDUCATION and SECURE JOB with BENEFITS or Government Handouts and social programs, and worse yet, LUCK.."
They will ask you "WHY DO YOU WANT TO RISK YOUR SECURITY BY CHASING SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T EXIST FOR PEOPLE LIKE US?" "THAT LIFESTYLE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN INTO MONEY OR PEOPLE WHO JUST GOT LUCKY.”
Even the government uses the same message. "DON'T WORRY... WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH MEDICARE.. SOCIAL SECURITY... AND LOW INCOME HOUSING" "WE WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU GET BACK A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT WE TOOK FROM AWAY FROM YOU ANYWAY".... “And hopefully you will be able to survive on our hand outs all the way through retirement.”
Folks... No one in their right mind would ask you to leave your job before you have replaced your income in some other way... In fact, leaving your job may not be a motivating factor for you. Perhaps you are simply seeking to earn more in your job or you side business.
Look folks.. What I’m trying to say is that no one is asking you to attempt an escape from the prison yard before you dig the tunnel that leads to freedom. And by Freedom I mean Being the Freakin’ Guy in business and in life so you can be, do, and have everything you could ever want to be do and have in your life..
More people hold out hope that success will some how find them through LUCK than they do in the possibility of creating success for themselves through solid committed effort and a sound opportunity.
As I mentioned in my last blog entry, why do you think so many people play the lottery?
Because it's easier to spend 10 dollars a week on the "Power Ball" than it is to invest a few hundred dollars and an honest effort into a sound business idea - SOMETHING YOU CAN BE THE FREAKIN’ GUY AND BUILD FOR YOURSELF.
And by spending that money on lottery tickets, they ease their own conscience into believing that they have upheld their responsibility to themselves and their family. And in the end, "IF I DON'T WIN THE LOTTERY, NO ONE CAN SAY I DIDN'T DO MY PART or I DIDN’T AT LEAST TRY..."
I believe that Being The Freakin’ Guy means making my own luck... I once heard it said that LUCK was simply Labor - Under - Correct - Knowledge...
That's the very essence of why I started this blog in the first place. To share the knowledge that I have gained throughout my life that has helped me to not just believe but to KNOW that I'm The Freakin' Guy..
I intend to help thousands of people make their own LUCK too. Are you committed to being one of them? Then take your spot on the freedom train before it pulls out of the station for good.
All I ask is that you commit to yourself to read my blog and encourage your friends to read it as well. And if you feel inspired to do so, leave a comment or two and share things that have helped you to Be The Freakin’ Guy in your own life. Then together we will support and strengthen each other in our mutual endeavor to Be The Freakin’ Guy.
As one of my dearest mentors would say “Onward and Upward...!!!!!”
-GD
Monday, January 18, 2010
You're Scared to Be The Freakin Guy
It's True...
Most people don't REALLY want to Be The Freakin' Guy.
They like to think they do.. and they'll tell you they do until they are blue in the face.
But as soon as an opportunity comes along or someone offers them a chance to do something that will help to establish them
as The Freakin Guy, the idea of actually Being The Freakin' Guy doesn't sound so good any more.
The fact is they're afraid to go through what it is going to take to actually become The Freakin Guy.
What do i mean by that? They would rather continue doing what they're doing than do anything different.
After all going from being Just Another Guy to Being The Freakin' Guy requires three things that can be quite tough for a lot of people.
And trust me, if you aren't willing to do these three things, you don't stand a chance in hell of ever being more than what you are today.
If you think you're already The Freakin' Guy, GREAT!!! You can tell me to blow it out my ear, click away from my blog, and
go back to whatever it was you were doing before you strated reading my blog. I'm not here to waste anyone's precious time.
But if you're not the freakin' guy, then I think you need to take a minute and continue reading. I'm going to lay out the
three most important steps required to Be The Freakin Guy.
1. Feel and Recognize your current situation
This part can be really tough for some people because as a society, we have been conditioned to say "No thanks -I'm alright"..
or "It's Good Enough"... Which is why people get so bent out of shape over stupid little things like some one knocking on your door
to show you a vaccuum cleaner or a set of knives. You don't want to be made to feel WRONG. Isn't that crazy? I know it is.. Which is
why people need to buck up and move past it.
When we openly admite that we need something more or different than we currently have, we are giving up our mental or emotional position,
and for a lot of people, that really hurts. Which is why people will fight tooth and nail over defending their positon on some really
stupid things like "I was a sucker and bought a really crappy Vacuum cleaner." So to avoid it, they get all gripsy and tell the
hard working Kirby guy to "buzz off" or "we don't want any' or "I already have a good one". Deep inside they knopw that if they let that guy in
their house, he's going to bust out that machine and start pulling mad dirt out fo their carpet, enough to make them want to puke.
And then it's made known to all in the room. They've lost their position.
Isn't that silly? I know it is... That's why I bought a Kirby a couple years back. I gave up my position and decided to be the
freakin guy. Because look... I know that Kirby Vacs are spendy. But this isn't so much about the Vac as it is the principle; we'll
do whatever it takes to get what we want if it's imortant enough to us, regardless of what it costs.
You think i'm wrong.. all i have to do is utter one word that has sent people packing in fear of the loss of their current position:
AMWAY...
So if you expect to Be The Freakin' Guy, you have to learn and make a habit of being willing to give up your position, if it is
absolutely clear that your current position is holding you back form being, doing, or having more than you currently are being, doing
or having.
The next thing that scares people is that change hurts. And all I can really say is, you gotta take the squeeze.
2. You Gotta Take The Squeeze
It's true... Change requires work and work requires effort, which we all know can sometimes be painful. It's like being squeezed from the outside, which we all know isn't too pleasant. In fact it just flat out hurts..
Why do you think more people don't achieve more in life?
Because Change hurts. Change IS work.. change requires effort effort.. Change require a person to get out of their comfort zone.
When people wander too far out of their comfort zone life begins to put the squeeze on them - and it hurts. So what do they do? They get scared... and they go back to defending their position... and they begin selling themselves on why it's okay Not To change and Be The Freakin' Guy... They go through this whole racket until they are secure in their mind and in their emotions that they have regained their position.
They say they want to Be the Freakin' Guy but in reality are too scared to actually make it happen. It's the paradox that snuffs out the fire of potential and destroys the greatness that lies within almost all people.
Think of how many things you have tried and then quit the moment you began to really feel the squeeze.
What you wanted to accomplish or obtain starts out as an idea. That idea evetually taps into your feelings, so much so that you to actually start to take some action.
But what then what happens? What You Wanted starts to change, or so you begin to convince yourself. You start to devalue your objective. You start to feel the squeeze and then - All of a sudden - what you wanted doesn't look so good any more..
You start to compare where you were before taking action to where you are right. Then you see in your past what appears to be a less painful situation than where you are right now as you are going through the process of change. So what happens? Fear sets in... Then what do you do? You start to panic... And you begin to question what you are doing and whether or not it’s even worth doing anymore.
And once you confirm within you mind that it’s not worth it, you immediately go back to defending your previous position. "I didn't really want the job anyway.." or "I'm better of where I am because - - " or whatever else the mantra may be for you to help you justify your fear and weakness - and then - you give up and you quit.
And what do you have left? A brand new ugly little failure trophy (that you dress up in cute little clothes) with a little plackered that says “Congradu-Freakin-Lations Pal, you just talked yourself out of Being the Freakin Guy…"
But you're good with it because it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as all that changing you were going to have to do to actually Be The Freakin Guy.
It Sucks.. I know.... But people do it ever day; which is why we have a society full people who are trying to poison you and your children with a Non Results Oriented approach to life. But that topic I will set aside for another blog entry lest I digress.
So look… When you start to feel the squeeze you have to just suck it up and go forward... When things get hard, you have to dig down deep and remember or better yet to FEEL AGAIN what it was that you felt when you originally set out to accomplish what it was you wanted to accomplish that initially got you to take some action in the first place.
If you are willing to do that, your desire for gain will begin to outweigh the hurt of change and you will move forward with boldness confidence knowing that no matter how much squeeze you’ve got on you, you’re gonna Be The Freakin’ Guy in this new part of your life.. Period..
Like I said before... People always say they want to Be The Freakin Guy..
What's really ironic is they don’t REALLY want to be the Freakin’ guy.. I mean they say they do.. but the minute they start to feel the squeeze and they see that to be the Freakin’ Guy life is gonna put the hurt on them.. well, you know what happens next. And all because it's easier to quit than it is doing what it's going to take to actually succeed in life.
Why do you think so many people buy lottery tickets. It requires very little effort and very little commitment and if they don't win, they can blame the folks that run the lottery for rigging the thing.
Folks, life is like a nice ripened fruit, just waiting to give you it’s juicy sweet juice of success.. But to get it, it takes a squeeze… And look, if you are going to Be the Freakin Guy.. you are going to have to take the squeeze.
So ask yourself.. Better yet, write this down and post it on your bathroom mirror and read it every day… “Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze????”
I say that it is… And that’s why I raise my glass to you and say “Here’s to Bein’ The Freakin’ Guy”..
Drink up…
Or are you too scared???
Most people don't REALLY want to Be The Freakin' Guy.
They like to think they do.. and they'll tell you they do until they are blue in the face.
But as soon as an opportunity comes along or someone offers them a chance to do something that will help to establish them
as The Freakin Guy, the idea of actually Being The Freakin' Guy doesn't sound so good any more.
The fact is they're afraid to go through what it is going to take to actually become The Freakin Guy.
What do i mean by that? They would rather continue doing what they're doing than do anything different.
After all going from being Just Another Guy to Being The Freakin' Guy requires three things that can be quite tough for a lot of people.
And trust me, if you aren't willing to do these three things, you don't stand a chance in hell of ever being more than what you are today.
If you think you're already The Freakin' Guy, GREAT!!! You can tell me to blow it out my ear, click away from my blog, and
go back to whatever it was you were doing before you strated reading my blog. I'm not here to waste anyone's precious time.
But if you're not the freakin' guy, then I think you need to take a minute and continue reading. I'm going to lay out the
three most important steps required to Be The Freakin Guy.
1. Feel and Recognize your current situation
This part can be really tough for some people because as a society, we have been conditioned to say "No thanks -I'm alright"..
or "It's Good Enough"... Which is why people get so bent out of shape over stupid little things like some one knocking on your door
to show you a vaccuum cleaner or a set of knives. You don't want to be made to feel WRONG. Isn't that crazy? I know it is.. Which is
why people need to buck up and move past it.
When we openly admite that we need something more or different than we currently have, we are giving up our mental or emotional position,
and for a lot of people, that really hurts. Which is why people will fight tooth and nail over defending their positon on some really
stupid things like "I was a sucker and bought a really crappy Vacuum cleaner." So to avoid it, they get all gripsy and tell the
hard working Kirby guy to "buzz off" or "we don't want any' or "I already have a good one". Deep inside they knopw that if they let that guy in
their house, he's going to bust out that machine and start pulling mad dirt out fo their carpet, enough to make them want to puke.
And then it's made known to all in the room. They've lost their position.
Isn't that silly? I know it is... That's why I bought a Kirby a couple years back. I gave up my position and decided to be the
freakin guy. Because look... I know that Kirby Vacs are spendy. But this isn't so much about the Vac as it is the principle; we'll
do whatever it takes to get what we want if it's imortant enough to us, regardless of what it costs.
You think i'm wrong.. all i have to do is utter one word that has sent people packing in fear of the loss of their current position:
AMWAY...
So if you expect to Be The Freakin' Guy, you have to learn and make a habit of being willing to give up your position, if it is
absolutely clear that your current position is holding you back form being, doing, or having more than you currently are being, doing
or having.
The next thing that scares people is that change hurts. And all I can really say is, you gotta take the squeeze.
2. You Gotta Take The Squeeze
It's true... Change requires work and work requires effort, which we all know can sometimes be painful. It's like being squeezed from the outside, which we all know isn't too pleasant. In fact it just flat out hurts..
Why do you think more people don't achieve more in life?
Because Change hurts. Change IS work.. change requires effort effort.. Change require a person to get out of their comfort zone.
When people wander too far out of their comfort zone life begins to put the squeeze on them - and it hurts. So what do they do? They get scared... and they go back to defending their position... and they begin selling themselves on why it's okay Not To change and Be The Freakin' Guy... They go through this whole racket until they are secure in their mind and in their emotions that they have regained their position.
They say they want to Be the Freakin' Guy but in reality are too scared to actually make it happen. It's the paradox that snuffs out the fire of potential and destroys the greatness that lies within almost all people.
Think of how many things you have tried and then quit the moment you began to really feel the squeeze.
What you wanted to accomplish or obtain starts out as an idea. That idea evetually taps into your feelings, so much so that you to actually start to take some action.
But what then what happens? What You Wanted starts to change, or so you begin to convince yourself. You start to devalue your objective. You start to feel the squeeze and then - All of a sudden - what you wanted doesn't look so good any more..
You start to compare where you were before taking action to where you are right. Then you see in your past what appears to be a less painful situation than where you are right now as you are going through the process of change. So what happens? Fear sets in... Then what do you do? You start to panic... And you begin to question what you are doing and whether or not it’s even worth doing anymore.
And once you confirm within you mind that it’s not worth it, you immediately go back to defending your previous position. "I didn't really want the job anyway.." or "I'm better of where I am because - - " or whatever else the mantra may be for you to help you justify your fear and weakness - and then - you give up and you quit.
And what do you have left? A brand new ugly little failure trophy (that you dress up in cute little clothes) with a little plackered that says “Congradu-Freakin-Lations Pal, you just talked yourself out of Being the Freakin Guy…"
But you're good with it because it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as all that changing you were going to have to do to actually Be The Freakin Guy.
It Sucks.. I know.... But people do it ever day; which is why we have a society full people who are trying to poison you and your children with a Non Results Oriented approach to life. But that topic I will set aside for another blog entry lest I digress.
So look… When you start to feel the squeeze you have to just suck it up and go forward... When things get hard, you have to dig down deep and remember or better yet to FEEL AGAIN what it was that you felt when you originally set out to accomplish what it was you wanted to accomplish that initially got you to take some action in the first place.
If you are willing to do that, your desire for gain will begin to outweigh the hurt of change and you will move forward with boldness confidence knowing that no matter how much squeeze you’ve got on you, you’re gonna Be The Freakin’ Guy in this new part of your life.. Period..
Like I said before... People always say they want to Be The Freakin Guy..
What's really ironic is they don’t REALLY want to be the Freakin’ guy.. I mean they say they do.. but the minute they start to feel the squeeze and they see that to be the Freakin’ Guy life is gonna put the hurt on them.. well, you know what happens next. And all because it's easier to quit than it is doing what it's going to take to actually succeed in life.
Why do you think so many people buy lottery tickets. It requires very little effort and very little commitment and if they don't win, they can blame the folks that run the lottery for rigging the thing.
Folks, life is like a nice ripened fruit, just waiting to give you it’s juicy sweet juice of success.. But to get it, it takes a squeeze… And look, if you are going to Be the Freakin Guy.. you are going to have to take the squeeze.
So ask yourself.. Better yet, write this down and post it on your bathroom mirror and read it every day… “Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze????”
I say that it is… And that’s why I raise my glass to you and say “Here’s to Bein’ The Freakin’ Guy”..
Drink up…
Or are you too scared???
Friday, January 15, 2010
You Can't Get THERE from HERE.....
I was just sitting here at my desk this morning thinking about a funny story I had heard once about a fisherman who realized he was lost in the farm country of Idaho near a small town called Aberdeen.
He stopped his car in the road to ask directions from old farmer who was sitting on his tractor eating a sandwich.
He rolled down the window and called out "Excuse me sir... But could you tell me how to get to Carrie from here?"
The old farmer hopped down off his tractor.. Looked down at the ground and kicked a small pebble in contemplation.
He then answered "You keep heading North this-a-way until you get to the old mill-house on the west side of the road..
Then you're going to turn left and go one half mile... No wait a second.. That aint right eh'tall..."
“Okay.. Turn your car 'round see.. And go back South the way you came until you get to the middle of town and then... No wait wait.. That aint right either...." He then exclaimed to the fisherman's surprise, "Come to think of it son - you just can't get there form here!.."
In all my years of pursuing success and excellence in many areas of my life, there often comes a time when there is just no possible way to get where I want to go from where I am.
And the reason is mindset.
You see the same thinking that led you to where you are today can never lead you away from it. It can only keep leading you in the same direction.
So to get where you want to go, which is to Be The Freakin’ Guy in everything that you do, you need to have a change of mind-set.
Often times this requires changing the way you look at a situation.
Right now, you're seeking more in life than you’re currently enjoying. This is true otherwise you wouldn't be reading my blog.
And most likely, you are attempting to determine whether or not my strategies and techniques for achieving excellence will actually get you what you want.
The problem is, you are trying to reason with your current mind-set.
And that mind-set is made up in large part by what are called primary motivating factors.
Bills.... College For Kids.... Newer house.... Better vacations... Aging parents... Or what ever your situation may be.
But understand one thing. The same things that can motivate you - are the same things that can keep you stuck right where you. Why? Because those same motivators can also cause FEAR. And fear leads to "What If" questions such as "WHAT IF I FAIL.. What If These Strategies Don't Work For Me.. What If What This Downey Guy Is Saying Isn't Really True?"
And it's those kinds of questions that keep us from ever doing anything different than what we are used to doing, even if what we're used to doing isn't working out as well as we would like it to.
Folks, when I got started with this blog, I was rebounding from two previous failed business attempts. In other words, "I Was A Failure And I Knew It!!!"
But you see, successful people will always fail more than unsuccessful people because unsuccessful people are not as willing to try. Instead they sit in their comfort zone thinking of all the reasons why they can’t possibly win until they’re so afraid of failure that they never get up and try anything.
Folks, I invite you to allow yourself to experience that shift in your paradigm or mind-set, and ask yourself a few new questions. "What If These Ideas Really Worked For ME? What then? What If He’s Really Telling The Truth and I Can Be The Freakin’ Guy?.. What Then?... What if all the other people who have already started to Be The Freakin’ Guy in their own personal lives go on to amazing success in life and in business and I'm not one of them?... WHAT THEN?
You see, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
And until you are willing to do that, You Just Can't Get There From Here.
Here’s to you allowing yourself enough freedom of belief to go out and Be The Freakin’ Guy!!!
- GD
P.S.
"It is easier to adjust ourselves to the hardships of a poor living than it is to adjust ourselves to the hardships of making a better one - Think of all the things you are willing to go without in order to avoid doing the things you don't want to do."
-Albert N. Gray
He stopped his car in the road to ask directions from old farmer who was sitting on his tractor eating a sandwich.
He rolled down the window and called out "Excuse me sir... But could you tell me how to get to Carrie from here?"
The old farmer hopped down off his tractor.. Looked down at the ground and kicked a small pebble in contemplation.
He then answered "You keep heading North this-a-way until you get to the old mill-house on the west side of the road..
Then you're going to turn left and go one half mile... No wait a second.. That aint right eh'tall..."
“Okay.. Turn your car 'round see.. And go back South the way you came until you get to the middle of town and then... No wait wait.. That aint right either...." He then exclaimed to the fisherman's surprise, "Come to think of it son - you just can't get there form here!.."
In all my years of pursuing success and excellence in many areas of my life, there often comes a time when there is just no possible way to get where I want to go from where I am.
And the reason is mindset.
You see the same thinking that led you to where you are today can never lead you away from it. It can only keep leading you in the same direction.
So to get where you want to go, which is to Be The Freakin’ Guy in everything that you do, you need to have a change of mind-set.
Often times this requires changing the way you look at a situation.
Right now, you're seeking more in life than you’re currently enjoying. This is true otherwise you wouldn't be reading my blog.
And most likely, you are attempting to determine whether or not my strategies and techniques for achieving excellence will actually get you what you want.
The problem is, you are trying to reason with your current mind-set.
And that mind-set is made up in large part by what are called primary motivating factors.
Bills.... College For Kids.... Newer house.... Better vacations... Aging parents... Or what ever your situation may be.
But understand one thing. The same things that can motivate you - are the same things that can keep you stuck right where you. Why? Because those same motivators can also cause FEAR. And fear leads to "What If" questions such as "WHAT IF I FAIL.. What If These Strategies Don't Work For Me.. What If What This Downey Guy Is Saying Isn't Really True?"
And it's those kinds of questions that keep us from ever doing anything different than what we are used to doing, even if what we're used to doing isn't working out as well as we would like it to.
Folks, when I got started with this blog, I was rebounding from two previous failed business attempts. In other words, "I Was A Failure And I Knew It!!!"
But you see, successful people will always fail more than unsuccessful people because unsuccessful people are not as willing to try. Instead they sit in their comfort zone thinking of all the reasons why they can’t possibly win until they’re so afraid of failure that they never get up and try anything.
Folks, I invite you to allow yourself to experience that shift in your paradigm or mind-set, and ask yourself a few new questions. "What If These Ideas Really Worked For ME? What then? What If He’s Really Telling The Truth and I Can Be The Freakin’ Guy?.. What Then?... What if all the other people who have already started to Be The Freakin’ Guy in their own personal lives go on to amazing success in life and in business and I'm not one of them?... WHAT THEN?
You see, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
And until you are willing to do that, You Just Can't Get There From Here.
Here’s to you allowing yourself enough freedom of belief to go out and Be The Freakin’ Guy!!!
- GD
P.S.
"It is easier to adjust ourselves to the hardships of a poor living than it is to adjust ourselves to the hardships of making a better one - Think of all the things you are willing to go without in order to avoid doing the things you don't want to do."
-Albert N. Gray
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The End In Mind - Be The Freakin' Guy
Just a few quick thoughts on the new year.
I was reading this morning from Steven R. Covey – The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - and The one thought that stood out to me as something that could be applied to the new year was simply this: “Begin With The End In Mind.”
So what does it mean exactly to Begin With The End In Mind?
Simply put it means that if you intend to Be The Freakin Guy in 2010, you absolutely without question need to KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO GET out of whatever it is you’re planning to DO in the coming year… Or to have a clear picture of where you want to end up at the end of the year - before the year even starts.
This is very important for your new year from several aspects however I only want to spend time on two.
1. "Knowing What You Want Will Direct Your Actions."
In other words, you wouldn’t use a cake recipe if what you really want is a Lasagna.
People who decide they are ready to Be The Freakin' Guy do so for a variety of reasons.
But no matter how similar or how different the reasons may be, one thing is
consistent, REASONS. And reasons always direct priorities.
It’s important that your actions support your priorities and also reflect your desired outcome. For that to happen, you simply must “Begin With The End In Mind.”
2. "We Get What We Think About."
Whether we believe it or not, understand it or not, embrace it or not, or flat out reject it, the fact remains that, “We Get What We Think About.”
The life you are living today is the direct result of your own thoughts.
So then, if you want to be rich, visualize yourself as being rich as a result of your efforts in the new year.
If you want to help others, visualize the many individuals whose lives will be made better as a result of your efforts this coming year.
Again, “Begin With The End In Mind.”
We’ve all heard the saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Unfortunately the universe doesn’t work that easily. In order to achieve anything worth achieving you must first believe that the achievement it is possible. And when you set out to achieve it, see yourself as having already achieved whatever it is you are setting out to do. See yourself as the Freakin' Guy.
After all, if the achievement were not possible, you would never have been able to imagine it or would have never had the desire to go through the process in the first place.
The very feelings that pull you in the direction of your desire, which is FORWARD TOWARD THE DESIRED OUTCOME, which in this case would be Being The Freakin' Guy in all that you do; those very feelings exist because in your mind, “Your Successful You”, the you in your subconscious, has already achieved the goal, and is merely waiting for the physical you to catch up!!!
But to do that you have to begin. You have to decide today that You Are The Freakin' Guy..
You cannot wait around wondering when it's going to happen.
and when you do begin, by all means… “Begin With The End In Mind”!!!!
And in 2010, you will "Be The Freakin' Guy"...
I was reading this morning from Steven R. Covey – The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - and The one thought that stood out to me as something that could be applied to the new year was simply this: “Begin With The End In Mind.”
So what does it mean exactly to Begin With The End In Mind?
Simply put it means that if you intend to Be The Freakin Guy in 2010, you absolutely without question need to KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO GET out of whatever it is you’re planning to DO in the coming year… Or to have a clear picture of where you want to end up at the end of the year - before the year even starts.
This is very important for your new year from several aspects however I only want to spend time on two.
1. "Knowing What You Want Will Direct Your Actions."
In other words, you wouldn’t use a cake recipe if what you really want is a Lasagna.
People who decide they are ready to Be The Freakin' Guy do so for a variety of reasons.
But no matter how similar or how different the reasons may be, one thing is
consistent, REASONS. And reasons always direct priorities.
It’s important that your actions support your priorities and also reflect your desired outcome. For that to happen, you simply must “Begin With The End In Mind.”
2. "We Get What We Think About."
Whether we believe it or not, understand it or not, embrace it or not, or flat out reject it, the fact remains that, “We Get What We Think About.”
The life you are living today is the direct result of your own thoughts.
So then, if you want to be rich, visualize yourself as being rich as a result of your efforts in the new year.
If you want to help others, visualize the many individuals whose lives will be made better as a result of your efforts this coming year.
Again, “Begin With The End In Mind.”
We’ve all heard the saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Unfortunately the universe doesn’t work that easily. In order to achieve anything worth achieving you must first believe that the achievement it is possible. And when you set out to achieve it, see yourself as having already achieved whatever it is you are setting out to do. See yourself as the Freakin' Guy.
After all, if the achievement were not possible, you would never have been able to imagine it or would have never had the desire to go through the process in the first place.
The very feelings that pull you in the direction of your desire, which is FORWARD TOWARD THE DESIRED OUTCOME, which in this case would be Being The Freakin' Guy in all that you do; those very feelings exist because in your mind, “Your Successful You”, the you in your subconscious, has already achieved the goal, and is merely waiting for the physical you to catch up!!!
But to do that you have to begin. You have to decide today that You Are The Freakin' Guy..
You cannot wait around wondering when it's going to happen.
and when you do begin, by all means… “Begin With The End In Mind”!!!!
And in 2010, you will "Be The Freakin' Guy"...
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