Why do we celebrate July 4th?

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country. I hope as you get ready to celebrate this special holiday you will reflect back on what makes our country so great! We are free to choose in this country. Don’t let our freedoms become a thing of the past.

In July we mark the halfway point for 2012! Last week we talked about the goals that you set out to achieve in 2012. This week I want to talk about your FREEDOM to choose what you want to accomplish. Early in my life, my teachers spoke about free will. We all have free will and when we use it to create positive habits we can accomplish whatever we set out to achieve. So, what does this have to do with freedom? Well, freedom is defined as:

The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

When we have the right to act, speak or think as we want without hindrance or restraint, then what will give us the freedom to accomplish what we want in life? I think it is in our habits and the daily actions we live by every day. As you journey through this week, check to see if your actions are aligned with your habits. I believe people who discipline themselves in their FREEDOM to act, speak and think are more apt to create what they set out to achieve.

Let’s look at an example: As many of you know Dave Ramsey speaks on financial freedom. He believes a credit card destroys our freedom from being debt free. As we see in commercials if you own a credit card it gives you all kinds of pleasures you can charge on the card like a vacation, clothes, and anything to make your life better. I know that it’s not things that make us happy, but rather the people and experiences we create. If I have a goal to become debt free, I have the freedom to make this a choice in my life. I must act, speak and think to make this goal a reality. This will take a disciplined effort but, as Dave says: "Live like no one else, so that later you can live like no one else!"

I leave you with this thought. “If you want to accomplish great things, your FREEDOM, will make your daily actions your habits and you will achieve any goal you set for yourself.”

Enjoy the Journey!

Where is 2012 going?

Who made goals at the beginning of 2012? Did you write them down? Are you reviewing the progress you are making on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Goals can be achieved when we believe and take action to achieve them. I hear all the time people say I have goals but then when you ask, are you achieving them? Most people say, NO! Why do only a small percentage of people achieve their goals?

Let’s start from the beginning on goals by defining what a goal is? Goals, defined by the Webster dictionary is: object to be reached or attained. So if you want to reach or attain a goal you must first know what the goal is. All studies on goals show a direct correlation between writing your goals down, it increases your chances of achieving them. Why do you think if you write it down and make it SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound) you are more likely to succeed? One reason is because now your brain is on the same page with what you want to accomplish. I also think writing your goal down makes it real in your own mind. Most people say they have a goal but achievers take the next step and they commit themselves to making it a reality.

The next step in goal setting is breaking down your goal into Action steps. You have heard the story on how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! In goal setting most goals are accomplished by having a method on how you will achieve the goal. I am a firm believer if you break these down into doable action steps it makes achieving the goal, happen. Let’s look at an example: I will lose 25lbs by 12/31/12. Is this goal SMART? Yes, so what would be some steps to accomplish the goal? 1. Weigh yourself and track your progress every Monday on a chart. 2. Exercise 4 times a week a minimum of 30 minutes each time. 3. Track my eating everyday on paper which will allow me to eat healthy. 4. Always take stairs instead of the elevator. 5. Find an accountability partner to exercise with. See how these small steps can make the goal of losing 25lbs become a reality.

The last step is committing to yourself that you can and will achieve the goal you have set for yourself. The old saying: “Your mind can achieve what you believe.” I am a firm believer you must put your goal in a visible place so you can review it daily. I have posted mine behind my mirror so every time I brush my teeth what do I see? Committing to yourself is a commitment that your willpower is stronger than taking the easy road. A goal will be a challenge to achieve but you must know the dedication to achieving the goal is part of the journey to make it worthwhile.

I thought a review of goals may be worthwhile for everyone knowing that we are heading to the middle of 2012! Remember if you made goals for 2012 you can still make them a reality. I am not going to wish you luck in achieving your goals; instead I am going to ask you to take ACTION on achieving your goals.

My favorite quote on achieving goals:

“Goals are like having your headlights on, because you know where you are going”

I authored this quote.

Have a GREAT day!

You are Special

As I reflect back on my time this week, spent volunteering for the Missouri Special Olympic Summer games in Columbia, Missouri it brought back a special feeling in my heart. The summer games were in an expanded format this year and started on Tuesday and will finish up today. Special Olympics always bring the heart of competition to its events and this year was no exception.

You are Special is my heading for today’s blog because I want to reflect on two individuals I was fortunate to spend time with this week at the games. My two new friends are Octavio and Tevin. These athletes participated in the Pentathlon, which consists of five events in track and field. The events are Shot Put, Running Long Jump, 100 Meter run, 400 Meter run and the High Jump. Our family was the Venue Coordinators for this event so we spent the time with these athletes during the day on Wednesday taking them to each of their events. As in past years, we were not disappointed in the competitive spirit each athlete showed. Tevin and Octavio both are athletes and love the thrill of competing. At each event they challenged each other to be the best. It never ceases to amaze me that each athlete that participates just enjoys the thrill of competition. Competition seems to be a common bond in the human spirit. As we know from previous blogs God gives us our talents and gifts and when we realize these gifts are God-given it makes us more thankful for what we have. This brings me to my title, “You are Special.” We are each SPECIAL in our way. Take some time and think right now, why are you Special? List out your uniqueness? What talents do you have? What gifts have you been given? I guarantee you if you write down the answers to these questions you will feel gratitude in your life for whom and what you are. God makes each of us Special. I hope, by you reflecting on why you are special today, you realize your blessings. I feel blessed that this week when I thought I had so many other things to do, I spent time with my two new friends that are Special Olympic athletes. Thanks Octavio and Tevin for helping me realize in my life what is special to me. (See enclosed photo of Octavio and Tevin with their respective Gold medals)

I have also enclosed a picture of my son Chris with Sarah and Beth both athletes from Columbia, Missouri as we were waiting to walk in the opening ceremonies. Please check out more information on the Special Olympics Missouri website at http://www.somo.org/ I hope you decide to join us for one of events so you can experience this SPECIAL feeling. I promise you won’t regret giving your time helping these athletes fulfill their dream of competing.

Have a GREAT day!