Are you Image Building or Integrity Building?

As you look around our world, integrity is a quality that is becoming more rare. So many people are  worried about the image they portray, rather than doing what is right. The positive is that integrity is a quality that you can develop, though it may take time.  I am thankful to LIFE leadership because their products are helping to develop this quality in people.

I'm reading the book,  Developing the Leader Within You, by John Maxwell (a book from LIFE Leadership's product portfolio).  I came across these questions that determine if you are image building or integrity building. Image is what people think you are and Integrity is what we really are:

Consistency: Are you the same person no matter who you are with?

Choices: Do you make decisions that are best for others when another choice would benefit you? 

Credit:  Are you quick to recognize others for their efforts and contributions to your success?


My mentor, Orrin Woodward, recently ranked #20 on Inc. Magazine's top 50 Leadership and Management experts, has always taught me that your integrity is a huge part of your leadership ability.

How do you answer these questions?  I know I found something to work on.  What about you?

Remember, Reflect, Honor

"Every now and then there comes a day where someplace, sometime, you simply have to plant your feet, stand firm and make a point about who you are and what you believe in." -Pat Riley

In reading Riley's book, Winner Within, part of the LIFE Leadership program; this quote struck me.  We live in a give-up culture. Standing firm is not high on the list of the average American.

We are going into a weekend that celebrates our soldiers-Americans who stood firm and made a point to protect the freedoms we have.  I saw an ad recently that asked each one of us to remember, reflect, and honor on Memorial Day.  I challenge each one of us to do that this weekend.

Remember that this Monday is not just a day off work or a time to relax, but a responsibility to remember what has been done by our fallen soldiers to allow this country to be free.

Reflect on what has been sacrificed for us that allows us to chase our dreams. Reflect upon what you stand firm on, what you believe in, and who you are.  Decide to stand firm in your convictions and be an agent of truth.

Honor those amazing people who have died for this country. They gave their lives and planted their feet and stood firm to protect our freedoms and they deserve our respect and honor.

Remember, Reflect, and Honor- I think it's a great way to spend this weekend.  What about you?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: I AM HUNGRY!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be thankful for, and the LIFE community is high on my list of blessings.  As I reflect on how many things I am thankful for and the amazing blessings in my life, I am also hungry!  I know you are thinking, "It is Thanksgiving Marc, and you are only thinking of turkey!?"
That is not what I mean. I am hungry for change and improvement for me, my family and my community. As many blessings as I know we all have, I also know we live in trying times. And right next to the list of what I am thankful for is my to-do list for our country. So much to do-but then I am reminded of an inscription:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –
So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country,

And who knows, I might have even changed the world.

- inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey

 I have a challenge for all of you.  As you are enjoying the smells and tastes of this great holiday and you are thanking God for all of your blessings, also be thinking of the things in yourself that you hunger to change and make better.  Not a list of things you wish to change, a list of personal mission. As Orrin Woodward says lets RESOLVE to change.

Create a list of gratitudes and a list of missions.  This world can and will be a better place.  Take the time to start with you, and who knows maybe we will all CHANGE THE WORLD!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR LIST

Marc

Earthworms For Sale!

A beautiful little Blue Jay flew high in the sky, proud of its plumage and beauty, knowing that as it flew, all eyes were turned on it.  The little Blue Jay was without a doubt the most admired bird in its community.
One day the little bird flew low, close to the tree tops. As he flew in and out among the trees, he spied a man dressed in black strolling down a little country lane. 
"Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale," the old man sang.
The little Blue Jay thought, "Oh, how I love earthworms! I wonder how much they are." 
Landing on the old man's shoulder, the little bird asked, "How much do you want for your earth worms?" 
"Oh, they're cheap," the old man answered. "Just one feather for one worm."
"Oh, how I love earthworms," the little bird thought. "No one would notice one little feather missing."
He plucked out one of his beautiful blue feathers and handed it to the old man in return for a delicious earthworm. Then he soared into the clouds, happy and content.
The following day the Blue Jay heard the old man again singing his song, 
"Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale."
"Oh, how I love earthworms," the little bird thought.  "That worm tasted so good yesterday, and no one even noticed that I had a feather missing. Maybe I'll have just one more."
So again he plucked a feather and traded it for another earthworm.
The same scene was repeated the next day, and the next, and the next--until he plucked one feather too many. After he'd purchased a final earthworm, he could no longer soar into the sky.  No matter how hard he flapped his wings, no matter how high he jumped, he couldn't catch the wind in his remaining feathers.  He was so dejected over what he had done, he crawled into the tall grass beside the road and died.
    Another Blue Jay flying overheard found his little friend, buried him under a giant oak tree, and placed the following on his headstone:  

Here lies a poor lost Blue Jay, 

Hush your note each bird that sings.  

Here lies a poor foolish Blue Jay, 

Who for earthworms sold his wings.

There are only two choices in life.  You can either soar with the birds that go after their goals and dreams or sell your feathers for second best and live in mediocrity.  The interesting part of this story is when you "sell your feathers" you don't even know you are until you can't fly anymore.  There is only one way to excellence, and that is to make a decision to never sell another feather. I mean never.

There will always be chances here or there to sell a feather,  but know, every time you do, you are farther from where your success lies. The only way I know to avoid selling feathers is to avoid having a plan B because no one has the feathers I have, and I was born to use those feathers to follow my God-given dreams.  I don't care what other featherless birds say, and I don't want to taste the earthworms of mediocrity.  My family has one plan, and we will keep our feathers to ourselves!

What about you?  Have you sold out to an earthworm-at-a-time philosophy or is it time for you to soar? My only advice if you choose to fly is to surround yourself with the right birds, and never look back to the ground-just soar to new heights! There is no plan B!!!

If you choose not to fly, I hope the earthworms were worth it...

IT IS ABOUT INFO + EXCITEMENT!!!!

I love the LIFE LEADERSHIP material!  I just finished listening to, The Margaritaville Concept by Chris Brady for the 3rd time. What a phenomenal cd; I love how Chris teaches the concept of developing your personal greatness.  After finishing the cd, I immediately called a local business leader and said, "I have a cd I think you will love that fits in with your philosophy, when can I drop it off?"

His response, "Can't wait to listen to it!"

Our Life Leadership material is fantastic!  More people need to listen to it and read it.  The way to make that happen is through one key:  EXCITEMENT!

What is the last fantastic cd you've listen to?  Or which book have you read lately that made a huge impact on you?  Why not take your excitement about the books and cds your are listening to and pick up the phone and share it with others?

 I would love to hear from you too.  Tell me about your favorite cds and books!  Can't wait to read your responses.

God Bless
Marc

RELENTLESS DREAMCHASERS

It is not the critic who counts, not the man that points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat!  -Theodore Roosevelt

I came across this while reading yesterday and it really struck me.  I realize that the people I respect most in life are the ones who stick their neck out, so I just wanted to take the time to thank all the men and women out there who go out of their comfort zones, who swim upstream, who attack the status quo and who stare mediocrity in the face and scream, "Get out of my life!"  It is not the easy way but it is the right way, and I appreciate every one of you.

I want to thank Orrin Woodward and his example of chasing excellence.  His example of doing the hard things and standing in the face of critics is the epitome of, People of integrity expect to be believed and when they are not they let time prove them right.

I choose to run with a pack of winners that choose everyday to leave the world of average and step into the arena of greatness and even when they lose a fight they know as long as they keep getting into the arena they will eventually get their victory.

This world needs more examples of solution oriented people, problem solving buttkickers, and relentless dreamchasers.  Those examples are the ones who will inspire the next generation, and I thank you for your example!  My children don't have to look far to see heroes in their lives.