Crossing the Rubicon

September 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pompey the Great was ruler of the Roman Empire.  His most important field general was Julius Caesar. Caesar had some differences with Pompey, and was considering marching on the capital to take matters into his own hands. In 49 B.C. Caesar came to the Rubicon, a small river in Northern Italy that served as his territorial boundary line. It was the line across which no general was ever allowed to pass without special permission from the Senate. If Caesar crossed the Rubicon it would be with the idea of making the entire Roman Empire subject to his will.

That was a momentous decision. It would immediately precipitate a civil war and divide the world between Pompey and Caesar. Caesar knew what the consequences would be if he tried and failed. He knew that many lives would be lost, in any event. Surely he must have hesitated before arriving at so great a decision, for he knew there could be no hesitation after the decision was made. Caesar carefully considered every angle. He explored every possible option. He reflected on every possible alternative. Then he made up his mind. He would march on Rome.

One part of Caesars power came from his ability to analyze a situation; another part came because of his habit to always finish what he started. Caesar said, “The die is cast.” That expression marked the point where deliberation ended and action began. There would be no turning back. Then Caesar threw himself into the waters of the Rubicon at the head of his legion and the whole history of the world was changed.

Lesson Learned…

Once we make a solid decision every contrary thought should be banished. No energy should then be wasted in doubts, fears, or reconsideration’s, and nothing should then be left undone which would otherwise help to bring about the projected accomplishment. Far too many of us are guilty and affiliated with the trait of making partial decisions; doing things “half ass”.  Until a firm resolve has been reached very little progress is made.  As David Glasgow Farragut (July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) is so well remembered for saying “Damn the torpedoes; full steam ahead“.

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The Power of Responsibility

August 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

What we are today is a direct result of the extent to which we accept responsibility.

“It’s been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying “It got lost” to “I lost it.” Indeed, being accountable – and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen – are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity. That’s why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character.

Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations.

But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude – to circumstances and to other people.

Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver’s seat. The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.

Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.

If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.”

-Michael Josephson

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Warren Buffett’s 7 Secrets for Living a Happy and Simple Life

August 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Secret #1: Happiness comes from within.
“In my adult business life I have never had to make a choice of trading between professional and personal. I tap-dance to work, and when I get there it’s tremendous fun.” — Warren Buffett
If you do what you love and love what you do, you’ll naturally be productive.

Secret #2: Find happiness in simple pleasures.
“I have simple pleasures. I play bridge online for 12 hours a week.” Warren Buffett
You can also learn to be happy with the simple pleasures of playing cards with friends, playing with your children or taking a walk in the wilderness.

Secret #3: Live a simple life.
“I just naturally want to do things that make sense. In my personal life too, I don’t care what other rich people are doing. I don’t want a 405 foot boat just because someone else has a 400 foot boat.”  Warren Buffett

Secret #4: Think Simply.
“I want to be able to explain my mistakes. This means I do only the things I completely understand.”  Warren Buffett

Secret #5: Invest Simply.
“The best way to own common stocks is through an index fund.” Warren Buffett

Secret #6: Have a mentor in life.
“I was lucky to have the right heroes. Tell me who your heroes are and I’ll tell you how you’ll turn out to be. The qualities of the one you admire are the traits that you, with a little practice, can make your own, and that, if practiced, will become habit-forming.”  Warren Buffett
Having a mentor is as important as having a purpose in your life, but having a wrong mentor is as devastating as having a wrong purpose in your life. The mentor has to be someone you can trust. You’ll find that person in your inner circle if you think hard enough.

Secret #7: Making money isn’t the backbone of your guiding purpose; making money is the by-product of your guiding purpose.
“If you’re doing something you love, you’re more likely to put your all into it, and that generally equates to making money.”  Warren Buffett
Money should never become the object and end all of your motivation.

What are some beliefs or traditions you live by that promote happiness.  Please comment and share.

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If You Get Bucked Off; Get Back On

May 27, 2010 By 16 Comments

Growing up on a small farm had a lot of advantages.  Living with my grandparents through my high-school years, in Snowflake, AZ, also had its privileges.  In addition to learning the fastest way to clean stalls filled with horse manure (my grandpa always told me that you can learn a lot from the end of a shovel) and how to mend a broken fence I was privileged to learn from a generation removed and learn, to some degree, how things were done in the “old days”.

My grandpa, Glen Stratton, had a way of teaching things using analogies and with sayings of his that we frequently called “Glenisms”.  One of his most popular sayings was, “I wouldn’t throw stones at your outhouse like that”.  I’ll let you figure out that one.  I’m not sure if he purposely meant for his instructions in one area of life to be applied to several areas of life, but they did leave lasting impressions.

My grandpa taught me to have a love of horses and also taught me how to team rope.  In learning how to ride horses and to rope there was always a guarantee that at some point you were going to be bucked off.  With that guarantee there was also a guarantee that no matter how small you were or how big the horse was you ALWAYS got back on.  This was not negotiable.  In fact, if you didn’t get back on it taught the horse a bad lesson; that it could buck someone off and be okay with it.  Try being the next rider on the horse after it’s formed this bad habit.

Isn’t this the same with life?  At some point we are guaranteed to be bucked off and if we don’t get back on what have we taught ourselves or learned from the lesson?  In fact isn’t getting back on an empowering action that strengthens us while if we were to stay off it would be a disempowering action that would weaken us.

There is a favorite poem that I have framed, hanging in my bedroom, entitled “Don’t Quit”.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road your trudging seam all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must but do not quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about, when you might have won had you stuck it out.

Don’t give up, though the pace seams slow; you may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out; the silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are; it may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when your heart is hit; it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

I would like to hear about your greatest triumph and the feeling that came from conquering.

And as always, if you enjoyed it, please share it, digg it, stumble it and retweet it…

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Powerful Lessons Over Soup and Salad

May 26, 2010 By 2 Comments

Today I had lunch with two amazing people; Tiffany Walke Peterson and Ty Bennett.

Tiffany is a key note speaker for the self founded company The Lighthouse Principles and is also endorsed by Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  Tiffany is also a personal coach and mentor who has had remarkable success helping others to get their desired results.  She is a seasoned success trainer, speaker, coach, and facilitator helping individuals and organizations alike  in creating stellar results and lasting change in their professional, financial, and personal lives.  She is a powerful person and demands a presence.

Ty Bennett is also a speaker and author for Leadership Inc which he founded in 2009.  Ty has a life changing audio CD called The Power of Belief.  Ty is a gifted communicator who has a unique ability to make the complex simple and to teach and inspire. At age 21, Ty started a business with his brother Scott, which in a few short years they built into a multi-million dollar, international enterprise.  He is currently in the process of co-authoring a book with Kevin Hall about the two most important days of your life.   Kevin just released a New York Times best seller Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words.

At this point you are probably wondering what the point of this post is. Have you heard that your network is your net worth?  As an entrepreneur are you an introvert or extrovert.  Especially in today’s competitive world it is more important than ever to get yourself out into the public’s eye serve first.  It is easier now than it has ever been to make connections…powerful connections.  Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube have been the means of connections that would have never existed otherwise.  It is no wonder that there are more millionaires created now than in any other time in history.

One more thing…today’s lunch was the first time that I have met Tiffany, although we have communicated a few times via Facebook.  She did something that really impressed me.  She asked Ty and myself if there was any way that she could serve us.  She didn’t ask us half way or at the end of our meeting.  She asked right at the beginning.  Tiffany has mastered that if you help enough people get what they want, eventually you will get what you want.

What is the most powerful connection that you have made?

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Lessons I Learned as a Boy

May 25, 2010 By 4 Comments

I am confident that as we scan our personal corridors of memory we can all recall lessons that we learned in our youth.  Some memories may be pleasant while others might be disheartening.  Despite the circumstances that our lessons came in or the situations in which they were made we all have the power to choose if our lessons are empowering or disempowering.  Do they cause us to grow or to shrink?

Glen Stratton

My Grandpa, Glen Stratton, always told me that if you see something that needs to be done, just do it.  I don’t know if he took this from Nike or if they took it from him but it did make a lasting impression on me.

He also taught me that today is the first day of the rest of my life.

On my eighth birthday my grandpa gave me a framed quote, entitled Believers Creed, which I still have today. I suppose that he saw potential in me that was not limited to my age or circumstance.

Believers Creed: Today is the very first day of the rest of my life. This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it…or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, and not loss; good and not evil; success, and not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price that I have paid for it. I will try just for today, for you never fail until you stop trying.

I suppose that I would ask what lessons are we teaching our children, if we have any, or even those with whom we associate with?

Regardless of what you religious or spiritual convictions are, the video below reminds us that we are all part of something that is greater than ourselves.

As always, after watching the video share the lessons that have been the greatest worth in your life and the lesson they taught.

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The Opportunity of Adversity

May 24, 2010 By 5 Comments

Born with no shin bones, it would be easy to think that Aimee Mullins would be content with leading a “disabled” life or at best a “normal” life.  Instead of buying in to her reasonable excuse to live a life of mediocrity Aimee decided at a young age that she wanted and was worth much more.  Instead she became an Olympic Athlete, a model, an actress, and an inspiration to many around the world.  She knows firsthand what it means and what it takes to overcome adversity and to harness it into opportunity.

It is mind boggling to watch her and know that she was at one time looked at as being “disabled”.  On the contrary she is a living testimony that the human spirit can triumph over all hardships and come off a conqueror.

Watch part of her story below and as always, drop me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Is Involvement the Key? A Life Lesson from 4 Year Old Ethan.

May 18, 2010 By 5 Comments

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in Layton, Utah, four year old Ethan Jonathan David Stacy was killed after being severely tortured and beaten by his step-father and mother, Nathan and Stephanie Sloop.  I have to step back and take a broader look at this picture and wonder if this needless death could have been prevented.

As an entrepreneur I am always eager to share what my latest venture is or to be involved with the next entrepreneurial seminar but how enthusiastic am I in getting involved in my own community, let alone with those who live right next door to me.  I wonder if in the 5 days of torture ensuing in the death of little Ethan if signs or clues were not given to where an observant neighbor might have been able to interject and save Ethan’s life.

I am not talking about being nosy, gossipy or meddlesome.  I am simply saying that we need to be more involved with our neighbors and community.  Ask yourself these questions and if you are not able to answer them, then you have some homework to do:

1.      What are the names of my neighbors?

2.      What are the names of my neighbor’s children?

3.      What are the occupations of my neighbors?

4.      What are the religious or ethical beliefs of my neighbors?

I believe that we are our brother’s keepers.  Steven R Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, states that we are interdependent beings; meaning that we thrive when we work together harmoniously.  You and I can accomplish 3 times more than I can alone.  With instant messaging, texting, Facebook and Twitter we are losing the personal touch that caused us to flourish in the first place.

Ethan Jonathan David Stacy has not been the first child to lose their life to domestic violence but I want you to ask yourself if his death has to be needless.  I believe the time has never been greater than now to step outside of our digital world and really get to know who is around us and what caliber of people they are.

Below is the obituary for Ethan that I took from www.ObitsUtah.com.

Ethan Jonathan David Stacy

September 22, 2005 ~  May 11, 2010

Hometown: Richlands, VA

ETHAN JONATHAN DAVID STACY, 4 years old of Richlands, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in Layton, Utah. Born at Fort Stewart Army Base in Savannah, Georgia on September 22, 2005, he was the son of Joe Gary Stacy of Richlands, Virginia. Ethan was a fun loving boy who enjoyed life and loved playing with his Transformers.

Ethan is survived by his loving father – Joe Gary Stacy and his fiancé Becky Leigh Elswick of Richlands, Virginia, One sister – Alisa Destiny Stacy, Mt. Carmel, IL, One Brother – Destrian Jonathan David Stacy, Mt. Carmel, IL, Paternal Grandmother – Peggy Jo and her husband David Akers, Grundy, VA, Paternal Grandfather – Gary Steven and his wife Freda Stacy, Hurley, VA, Maternal grandparents – John and Katrina Busby, Apopka, FL

He is also survived by several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Funeral services for ETHAN JONATHAN DAVID STACY will be conducted Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Mike Rife officiating with burial to follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands, Virginia.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home chapel after 5:00 P.M. Tuesday with evening services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Marshall Osborne, Brett Sword, Aaron Keene and Jacob Keene.

A memorial fund has been set up for Ethan Stacy at Tru Point Bank – P. O. Box 1010 – Grundy, Virginia 24614 – Ethan Stacy Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.

What are your thoughts or feelings about getting out in your neighborhood and community and being involved?

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Is Entrepreneurialism Free?

March 3, 2010 By 6 Comments

It’s shocking how many entrepreneurs also support bigger government. It’s an oxymoron and the two cannot coexist. Mixing big government and entrepreneurialism are like trying to mix oil with water; the two cannot and will not go together.  What happened to the entrepreneurial spirit where ‘I will provide’, ‘I will be creative’, ‘I will be resourceful’?  In order for Americans to be truly be free they need to maintain their rights of free enterprise and capitalism.

Americas Founding Fathers were all entrepreneurs who fought and died for a better way of life far removed from the idea of Socialism and a large Government.

Most likely the two most impactful events in Americas history where big government was challenged were the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.  The first was the people against government and the latter was the government and people against the government and people.  In both scenarios the integrity of the American people propelled them to success.  The question that many are asking is are we entering the 3ed stage in American history where the people will once again have to stand up to a government who is encroaching on our liberties?

Mitt Romney addresses the importance of supporting the entrepreneur, free enterprise and capitalism. Entrepreneurship and Freedom are one in the same. When Americans rights and freedoms are jeopardized so is our right to entrepreneurship.

What are your thoughts on Government and Entrepreneurship?  Does the size of the government threaten the effectiveness of an entrepreneur?

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Relationship Week With Ty Bennett

February 10, 2010 By 1 Comment

Relationship Week will give you access to some of the brightest minds, bestselling authors and relationship experts to learn how to increase your ability to create healthy and lasting relationships and ultimately the bottom line of your business.

A good friend and mentor of mine, Ty Bennett, has had great success as an entrepreneur, a speaker, and an author.  In all of Ty’s experience he has found that business is all about relationships.

With that in mind – Ty has titled the week of Valentines Day – Relationship Week and I am inviting you to listen in as he interviews a leading expert every day on an area of relationship building. These experts include bestselling authors Stephen M. R. Covey, Bob Burg, Mike Robbins, and Kevin Hall.  Ty will also interview social media gurus David Riklan and Gilbert Mellott, radio talk show host Laura Kennedy and CEO Dave Blanchard.

To access all of these live calls for free go to www.RelationshipWeek.KyleClouse.com.

Let me introduce you to who you will be hearing from.

Bob Burg

Bob Burg, coauthor (with John David Mann) of the Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek Bestseller, The Go-Giver and the just-about-to-be-released “Go-Givers Sell More” will discuss how the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success can accelerate your sales success.” Best-known for his business classic, Endless Referrals, Bob will show you how five seemingly counterproductive Laws are actually the keys to becoming the success you desire to be.

Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall is the author of the newly released book Aspire! Discovering Your Purpose Through The Power of Words. Kevin is a highly sought after business consultant, speaker and coach. He has been recognized for his groundbreaking approach to uncovering the hidden, and often secret, meanings of words. Kevin will share unique insights into the language of relationships.

Stephen M.R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey is co-founder and CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide. He is the author of The SPEED of Trust, a groundbreaking and paradigm-shifting book that challenges our age-old assumption that trust is merely a soft, social virtue and instead demonstrates that trust is a hard-edged, economic driver—a learnable and measurable skill that makes organizations more profitable, people more promotable, and relationships more energizing.

Dave Blanchard

Dave Blanchard is the Chairman and CEO of The Og Group. In the last three years alone, Dave has debriefed well over one thousand, five hundred 6 Advisor Assessment Reports (3,000+ hours), coached over five hundred clients (7,000+ hours) and delivered well over 200 speeches. He has acquired through vast experience a wealth of information regarding how people think and the impact this can have on an organization. Dave’s seven principles to connect with people are life changing.

Dave Riklan

David Riklan is the founder of the largest website of it’s kind www.selfgrowth.com. As a recognized authority on social media and internet marketing David has successfully built an email distribution list of more than 1 Million people. He is also the founder of www.selfgrowthmarketing.com where David teaches social media and internet marketing.

Gilbert Melott

Gilbert Melott is the Founder and CEO of NextVoice 247. NextVoice 247 integrates social media to build business, create product and events, and develop the talent of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins is an expert in teamwork, communication, and the power of appreciation and authenticity. Mike is the bestselling author of Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken and Focus on The Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation. Mike’s lessons on authenticity are refreshing and impact both business and personal relationships.

Laura Kennedy

Laura Kennedy has lived a life of adventure and trailblazing. She uses those experiences to motivate others to reach for and obtain the gold ring. As a highly sought after business coach and radio talk show host, Laura impacts individuals and organizations with her wit and wisdom. Laura’s networking tips will have you networking like a pro.

Get access to these powerful calls for free go to www.RelationshipWeek.KyleClouse.com.

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