“I Want More”

My inspiration for this post is the song from the movie, “Little Mermaid”, “Part of Your World”.

The Story is about a being, a mermaid, who is torn between her two worlds. She has a beautiful voice but no legs, and it is this story, unlike Andrea Bocelli, where Ariel gets the opportunity to choose.

Ariel is speaking to her friend, Flounder, in song,

“Look at this stuff isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has everything? Look at this trove, treasures untold, how many wonders can one cavern hold? Looking around here you think, sure, she's got everything I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty, I've got whozits and whatzits galore, You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty!
But who cares? No big deal I want more.

I wanna be where the people are I wanna see, wanna see them dancin' walking around on those - what do you call 'em? Oh - feet!

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far, legs are required for jumping, dancing, strolling along down a - what's that word again? Street.

Up where they walk, up where they run, up where they stay all day in the sun wanderin' free - wish I could be, part of that world.”

See the video: http://youtu.be/2BZp2dxpwF8

There is that still small voice within Ariel, that’s saying you can be more. Not have more stuff, but actually living your life to the fullest. Being the person you’re supposed to be, according to Kermit the Frog, in “Rainbow Connection”.

In his book “PAiLS", Chris Brady makes a statement, “Twenty years from now, what will you wish you had done today?”

Ariel had the inextinguishable yearning to be more. To be, not to have more, unless you say that Ariel wanted to have more of her true self.

In the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull, author Richard Bach portrays this sentiment through the eyes of a seagull that believes there's got to be more to life than just fighting for fish heads! Jonathan taught the other gulls, “You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now - and nothing can stand in your way!”

What does a Mermaid, a Frog, an Author and a Seagull have in their hearts that you don’t have.

Can it be that just maybe, you have a chance to choose your own destiny? To become the person God intended you to be. Your true self, not the person that stairs at you, yelling, there has to be more, from the mirror.

“I, want more!”

What constitutes the most respected occupations?

While reading the book by Orrin Woodward, “And Justice for All”, I came across a line within a sentence that read, “…constitutes the most respected of occupations”. My mind began to specifically wander, to think about the meaning of those words.

“What constitutes the most respected of occupations”, the one that make the most money, the one that save the most lives, the one that offers pleasure, the one that serves the most people, the one that makes others envy you, the one that’s the most fun or the ones that’s the most secure?

I believe it’s the one that allows you to be your very best, “The something I’m supposed to be”, in the song, “Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog. That still small voice of Purpose, Satisfaction and Significance. The life that is rewarded with the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ”To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Which occupation in a thriving society is not important? Which one has more importance? Let the garbage man skip you a couple of weeks or you surgeon go on vacation, or the storeowner close her store on that holiday. What if the Missionaries or their supporters change their minds? What if the World went on strike? Who’s going to drive you home, tonight?

So which occupation should we, respect the most? We should respect the one that makes freedom possible for the people in that society; Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear.

Thomas Wolfe, American novelist said, “To every man his chance, to every man, regardless of his birth, his shinning golden opportunity. To every man the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever his manhood and his vision can contribute to make him.”

This seeker is the promise of America.

So my fellow Americans, dream your dreams, put on your overalls, your tie, or your surgical mask, and go to work, to provide the example of our original culture of hard work, dignity and the promise of ‘Freedom’. This promise is reserved for all of those who are willing to pay the price. 

“Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win”

I brutally learned this lesson in high school, Oceanside High School on Long Island.

It was a pretty spring day on the Junior Varsity baseball field out back behind the school building. Up in the corner behind home plate was the hole in the fence that I would go through for the short cut to my family house on Fourth Street. Sorry for the reminiscent aside. Back to the ball game. Coach Jan, as we called him, had given us the play from the coach’s box on the third base line. “TipTop” He placed his right hand on the top of his hat, six feet four inches off the ground. It was a commanding gesture. The play was simple, the man on first was to run towards second base and stop. The confused pitcher throws the ball to second, allowing the man who was on third base, obviously invisible to the high school newbie pitcher, to run home and score. Simple play, and back in those days on the Junior Varsity team easily performed. But, what Coach Jan forgot was that I got a hit to get on first and I was not going to give up my well earned spot on first base. That was my last day as a non team member of a team. “I” did not run and the man on third was thrown out on his way to home plate, but they didn’t get “me”! Coach Jan took off his hat and threw it on the ground and began yelling, “cautious Clara”, “cautious Clara”! He made me feel stupid, but I fixed him. At the end of the day I folded my uniform and neatly placed it on his desk with a note saying, “I quit”. Coach Jan was also my gym teacher and I had gym the next morning.

The only communication I had from him was in the form of a note on the bulletin board outside the gym, “Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win”. I still get emotional just thinking about this, after all these years. I have never, ever quit anything since that day.

No matter how hard, no matter what the circumstances I will not quit! One of the greatest lessons I have ever learned.

In my senior year I wanted to play ball again. I figured because I had success in gymnastics, captain of the TEAM and I was the senior class president, that I would have no problem getting back on the team. Not so fast quitter! They told me no. I had to go to the Superintendent of Athletics. Our school had produced pro baseball players; Olympic wrestlers and National track and field Champions. A rich history of greatness, with no room for quitters. With a sincere remorse and a new proven track record, they allowed me to try out for the Varsity Baseball team. I made the team, but I did not play a single inning. I paid a big price but I was glad to pay it. I was on the team and “we” won many games. Some of the hardest lessons in life have a great price, pay it and be Free!

Learn the lesson sooner than later.

“Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win”

Exploring the Directions of Leadership

Directions can and do mean different things. First we have guidance or supervision of action or conduct. I give my children direction. The next is assistance in pointing out the proper route. I told Joe to take Route 5 to the thruway. The third of this triple entendre is the art and technique of directing an orchestra, band, or a show. Balance and beauty came from the orchestra through the direction of the conductor.

In Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady’s number one beat selling book, “Launching a Leadership Revolution” the chapters of the book are:
   1. Learn: a leader must be able to learn from anyone
   2. Perform: persevere through failure to find success
   3. Lead: extend your abilities by expanding your team
   4. Develop Leaders: learn to trust your people
   5. Develop Leaders Who Develop Leaders: create a legacy

In this book, as there is in Leadership, are all three of the meanings of direction.

I will be writing, from time to time, about one of these meanings of direction, as it is applied to Leadership and becoming a leader to the level of your desire and ability.

What do you want? When do you want it? What are you willing to learn and do to get it.

These are the questions you must ask yourself.

In the story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire cat, `Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? `That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat. `I don't much care where--' said Alice. `Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat. 


There is no sure author of this statement, (some attribute it to Yogi Berra) "If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else."

” Where you wind up will be based on the “Directions” you take.

Books and words that “inspire”.

On page 47 of Kevin Hall’s book “Aspire”, Mr. Hall discusses the word “Character”.

Merriam-Webster
1.one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. She (he) has character.
2. the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation (the character of the American people)

From the book “Aspire”
“ The discussion turned to the word “character” the meaning of which, Arthur explained, has changed significantly over the years. Originally, it meant something that was engraved –on wood, on metal, on stone, on one’s soul. Character is who you are; it is you in totality-the composite of everything that has ever happened to you, all the good and all the bad experiences.
In Shakespeare’s time, character acquired an alternate meaning –quit the opposite. It became the word that described a part that an actor played. Characters acted out roles, wearing masks to hide their true identity. Instead of defining who you are, character defined who you are not.”

Does the word character stimulate in you, to think about who you really are or becoming, or does it bring to your mind the role you are playing. The alternate you, the one the world is saying you are. Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward, are influencing, hungry to learn, people how to develop their character. To change their behavior to become a person of character (the original meaning).

Orrin Woodward Character - Producers vs. Exploiters
“Character demands strength of mind, heart, and will. Choosing to do right, regardless of what others are doing, isn’t easy or natural, but leaders refuse to surrender their character, considering it more valuable than any earthly possession. Many talk glibly of character, boasting loudly of its importance, who, when circumstances press against them, quickly run to the easier wrong than the harder right. Character is less about head knowledge, nearly everyone knows when they are doing wrong, but more a matter of heart knowledge, doing right when it hurts.”

Play “your” part; the real you. The you who has purpose and direction in life. Your world is not a stage to act out a part in someone else’s play. It’s your live, live it to the fullest.

In a business discussion with Dave and Mazie Girvan the topic of “feast or famine” came up. (Either too much or too little of something)The fact is simple; there are cycles in life and also in business. What we do during these times will determine our level of business growth. Momentum is the key. Getting momentum started and keeping it going is the process.
So what should we do in feast and also in famine?

Let’s start with famine, or “getting started” or “starting again”.
During times of famine we need to set a goal, a time capped and sense of urgency goal, and take action now! Chris Brady cofounder of The TEAM and coauthor of “Launching a Leadership Revolution” says that we must take “massive action”. The massive action in Community building is adding people to your business. Start this action by seeing yourself already having accomplished what you are going after. In our case that is TEAM Approach Vision. That is 10 new distributors in your tap root with 4 of those distributors on the TEAM “System”(EBC and Direct Fulfillment) in 30 days, starting with the last major TEAM Conference.

Excerpt from the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

“Keep in mind these facts:--
First.
You are engaged in an undertaking of major importance to you. To be sure of success, you must have plans which are faultless.

Second.
You must have the advantage of the experience, education, native ability and imagination of other minds. This is in harmony with the methods followed by every person who has accumulated a great fortune. No individual has sufficient experience, education, native ability, and knowledge to insure the accumulation of a great fortune, without the cooperation of other people. Every plan you adopt, in your endeavor to accumulate wealth, should be the joint creation of yourself and every other member of your "Master Mind" group. You may originate your own plans, either in whole or in part, but SEE THAT THOSE PLANS ARE CHECKED, AND APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF YOUR "MASTER MIND" ALLIANCE.

If the first plan which you adopt does not work successfully, replace it with a new plan, if this new plan fails to work, replace it, in turn with still another, and so on, until you find a plan which DOES WORK. Right here is the point at which the majority of men meet with failure, because of their lack of PERSISTENCE in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.


The most intelligent man living cannot succeed in accumulating money--nor in any other undertaking--without plans which are practical and workable. Just keep this fact in mind, and remember when your plans fail, that temporary defeat is not permanent failure. It may only mean that your plans have not been sound. Build other plans. Start all over again. Thomas A. Edison "failed" 10,000 times before he perfected the incandescent electric light bulb. That is--he met with temporary defeat ten thousand times, before his efforts were crowned with success.”

Look, we have all of this in TEAM and more! Call your upline, call me.
1. PDCA Plan Do Check and Adjust
2. Plan on 10 and 4 in 30 days
3. Work with the team that is already in process of doing 10 and 4.
4. CD Team 600 Marc Militello “Captain Obvious”, Tripping Points
5. Get on “System”
6. Master the Pattern
7. Start weather you are ready or not. Napoleon Hill says,
“Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you ready or not, to put this plan into action.”

“There was never any fear for me, no fear of failure. If I miss a shot, so what.”
Michael Jordan

At the end of this message there will be two links. One for a Check List for the process of 10 and 4. Another for what to do in the midst of Momentum.



Now let’s look at feast. “Keeping Momentum going”

One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.
Michael Korda, Simon & Schuster Publisher

Orrin Woodward, “Get momentum on your side – each day you conquer creates a momentum that gets carried over into the next day. Doing anything new will seem weird at first. However, overtime the awkwardness will fade and conquering the next day will prove to get easier and easier because you have momentum on your side.”

Massive Action will create Momentum, setting new goals in the midst of Momentum will continue the process, and working on the process daily is what you should do.

What I do in times of Momentum is work on keeping the Momentum going. I know that time without activity cools everything. Turn the burner off the boiling pot, it will cool off.
The Ferris wheel with no more power will come to a complete stop.

Mike Murdock: 'The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.

My daily routine is set up in 4 hour segments of accomplishment.

10 to 2PM Planning – Drawing out the Team working with
2 to 6 Phone calls – Prospecting – Errands – Reading – CD listening
6 to 10 STP – Follow Up’s – Counseling
10 to 2AM R&R – Counseling – Reading – CD listening

Your Momentum Routine may be different then mine.

6 to 8AM Up and Breakfast - Daily Planning
9 to 12 Work
12 to 1PM Lunch STP Trailer – Prospecting - Counseling
1 to 5PM Work
6 to 7:30 Dinner and Family
8 to 10 Meeting Time
10 to 12PM Reading - CD listening - Counseling
(work with an upline and your Team to multiply your time)


Continue to see yourself in the accomplishment of your Goal.
Set additional goals as you reach the current Goal.
Stay involved with all that is going around you and the Team you are working with.
Protect your daily routine. Stay involved till the Goal is reached.