Are you living a GREAT day?

Some of you may remember my last blog was about having a forgiving spirit. Well, I have to ask my wife to forgive me because I ended my last blog with this statement: “Excuse me for cutting this blog short but I need to go forgive my spouse, AGAIN!” I was trying to be funny but in my haste of my comments I meant to say I needed to cut this blog short to ask for my forgiveness from my wife NOT that I needed to forgive her again! Of course, my wife was a true person of forgiveness because she laughed about it and knew what I was trying to say. Thank you Dana for always being so kind and understanding in every type of situation, it is one of the reasons why I wanted to spend our lives together.

The ninth action to live by is: “My best preparation to live a good tomorrow is to live a GREAT today.” As you can see each action builds on the other actions. As you create MOMENTUM it propels you to GREAT days. As we all know it is not easy to build momentum, but once you do, look out! Do you remember playing on merry-go-rounds when you were a kid? A bunch of your friends would pile on, weighing the body of the thing down and then chanted as you worked to get the platform moving. Getting started was very slow going. The first step was always the hardest—getting it to move from the standstill. You had to push and pull, grimace and groan and throw your whole body into the effort. One step, two steps, three steps—it seemed like you were getting nowhere. After a long hard effort, finally you were able to get up a little bit of speed and run alongside it. Even though you were moving and your friends were cheering louder to get the speed you really wanted, you had to keep running faster and faster, pulling behind it as you ran with all your might. Finally, you found success when you jumped on with your friends and found the joy in feeling the wind in your face and watching the world turn into a smear of colors. After a while, when the merry-go-round started to slow down, you’d hop off and run alongside for a minute to get the speed back up or you could simply give it a couple of good pushes then hop back on. Once the merry-go-round was spinning at a good clip, momentum took over, making it easy to keep going.

This is the same process we go through when we adopt change. We start with one small step or one action that creates a new habit. The process is slow but it is vital we take that action every day because that action will create a new habit, which will create the MOMENTUM we need to accomplish our goals. The secret lies in the daily actions we take every day. This is different than anything our society shows. Our society shows the glamour and glitz of all these superstars but they leave out what it takes to become a superstar. Well, I have just given you the secret. It takes daily actions that will help you create a new habit. As you create new habits the MOMENTUM will propel you forward. Once you get the momentum, nothing can stop you but yourself. What are you willing to start today to get your momentum moving forward? Remember your best preparation to live a good tomorrow is to live a GREAT today!

I encourage you to find your success and results that you are looking for and it will allow you to have the GREAT day! Live each day to the fullest! Make each day the best of your life! Remember it starts with that first step!

Gary Wilbers

Are you a forgiving person?

Can you believe the first quarter of 2012 is over? Well, this would be a great time to review the goals you set for yourself in 2012. I just did a quick review and realized I needed to change a few things if I plan on accomplishing them by the end of 2012. The eighth action that I want to talk to you about today is one of those actions that is very challenging to do every day because our pride and ego gets in the way. The action is: I will greet every day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself and others.

I call this action the attitude of GRATITUDE. Over the years I have struggled with this action. I am a very strong willed individual so forgiving is not one of my strengths. Anyone that knows me well would agree with that statement especially my wife! Through the years I have been more proactive in having a forgiving spirit. I realized during my reflection and prayer time my greatest weakness in this area is that I am not willing to forgive myself and it is the culprit that stands in my way of forgiving others. This bible verse speaks to forgiveness:

Matthew 18: 21-22

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

I think this answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for any of us. It’s not a one-time choice and then we will automatically live in a state of forgiveness. It is a daily choice that we are willing to forgive ourselves and others. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is what makes us the person God meant us to be. Being able to forgive makes us a man or woman. Too many people see this as weakness; instead it is a sign of strength if we are able to forgive ourselves and others. The most important forgiveness comes when it is settled in our heart

So how will you go forward in this second quarter of 2012 and use this action to change who you want to be? Remember the eighth action is: I will greet each day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself and others.

Holding on to grudges can allow us to ruin days, weeks, months and years. As I take action on having a forgiving spirit it makes me become the person I want to become. Excuse me for cutting this blog short but I need to go forgive my spouse, AGAIN!

How do we find our direction in life?

Today, we are going to talk about our 7th action to live by: “I know where I want my life to go. I have chosen my path to follow daily.” I have found two principles that work for me. I am sure there are others that work but this will give you a foundation to start so you can follow the path you want for your life. As you will see in the next several actions, I will be sharing some of my beliefs in faith with you. By sharing my faith, I am telling you this is a commitment for me that helps’ me keep my direction in life. Yes, I fail at times but just like Jesus did I get back up and try again.

First, I meditate and ask God where he wants me to go? What direction do I need to follow? How can I fulfill what he has set out for me to accomplish on earth. I spend time in prayer and meditation to understand where I should be headed. I have to admit it is hard to follow God’s will and not my own will. Dedicate your work to be used for God’s purposes. Whatever you want God to bless, you give to him first. In a recent Rick Warren (Author, A Purpose Driven Life) devotional he defined how to dedicate your works with the word SUCCEED!

Start working enthusiastically.

Understand who you really work for.

Concentrate on building your character.

Care about the people you work with.

Exceed what is expected of you.

Expand your skills to SUCCEED at work.

Dedicate your work to be used for God’s purposes.

God wants you to succeed in life. He wants you to succeed spiritually, but he also wants you to succeed in your work. God wants each of us to be a witness at work. He wants us to use our platform for the glory of God.

The second method I use: I set GOALS! I coined a quote on goals that I think some up what goals are all about:

“Goals: Are like having your headlights on because you know where you are going.”

If you don’t create the roadmap to your success how will you reach the destination? Each year I take time to set goals for myself in areas like: Health, Spiritual, Relationships, Career, Education, Self and Family. This becomes my written plan to achieve the goals I set. It is vital that you write your goals down on paper. It is the commitment that will help you make it a reality. I also post my goals in a very visible place, so I see them every day. I have a ritual when I brush my teeth in the morning I review my goals to myself. It gives me a daily reminder on what my highest priorities are each and every day.

Have you decided where your life will be next week, next month, or next year? It’s your life, what are you waiting for? Take time to find your direction with God and then set some goals you still want to achieve in 2012? Do you realize we still have 9 plus months to make them a REALITY!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary Wilbers

What is your attitude like today?

If you noticed we are on number 6 of my ten keys of how you can be the “BEST of the BEST”. Each key builds off the previous one. To make them work for your life you have to make changes in your habits. The sixth action to live by: “I CHOOSE TO HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE. I AM A HAPPY PERSON AND I WILL HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS.”

Have you ever heard the saying? “Attitude will determine your altitude in life”.

Take a daily reading of your attitude level and it will determine your value of the day. We hear every day what a difference attitude can make in our lives but only one person can determine our attitude and that’s YOU! So get up every day and look yourself in the mirror and make the choice to set your attitude on POSITIVE! Remember you have to choose to have a positive attitude.

I could talk all day on this subject but I picked up this story about attitude and I think it says it best:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures and successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break an organization…a company…a church…a school…a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.

We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have. And that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes!”

- This was written by Charles Swindoll

Remember we have a choice each day, each hour, each minute, each second what my ATTITUDE will be. The question I ask you today is what do you choose?

I tell you what I choose: “I choose to have a great attitude. I am a happy person and I will have a positive attitude towards others.

Have a GREAT day!

Gary Wilbers

What do you do with your time?

Get this….I heard this morning on the radio that scientist have discovered they actually believe that the world has 25 hours in each day not 24? What would you do if you had an extra hour every day?

Answer this question before you continue…..

Take sleep off your list…how about exercise, work, study, read, spend time with family, learn a new skill, and spend time with friends?

NO we don’t have 25 hours in a day, but do we spend the time we do have on truly the most important things in life? So the question we have to ask ourselves is how will we define our life?

The best method is for us to create a personal mission statement on how I want to live my life. A personal mission statement is a written proclamation of who you are and what you’re about. It should express the contributions you want to make during your lifetime, the things you want to do and the kind of person you want to be.

I find it interesting that most people buy life insurance to protect their life but very few create their own personal mission statement on how they want to live their lives! Your personal mission statement is an affirmation of your highest priorities, which you have determined by your roles and values in life. It is your “Dash”, if you will. That little mark between the dates you were born and the date that indicates when you leave this earth, an extremely important icon.

I would like to share with you my personal mission statement to give you a better understanding and give you encouragement for you to write your own mission statement if you do not currently have one.

“My God is the path I will follow. My family is my number one priority to care for and love. The person I am is made by my integrity as a person. I am a creative individual always looking for ways to be innovative in my life and career. My health and fitness gives me the strength to prepare for the daily challenges of life. I will always share my talents and knowledge with others who are important to me.”

I wrote this on July 17, 2006 and I can tell you since I have determined my highest priorities I have been spending more time in the areas that I mention in my personal mission statement. Now, I don’t profess to be perfect but when you have a roadmap to where you are going it is amazing because you normally follow the right path. You see it wasn’t always like this for me. I was always growing the business and I almost missed out on some of the most important things in life like my children growing up.

I think I have succeeded today in sharing with you some knowledge that I have gained over the years. I will admit I feel great today because I have followed my mission statement.

Action #5: I make people and things flourish by the amount of time and care I give to them.

Spend time with people important in your life. Show those people you love and care for them. Time is a gift from God, use it wisely.

Great quote to think about:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”
- Leo Tolstoy

Have a GREAT day!

Gary Wilbers

What is YOUR Unique Ability?

As we continue our path of creating our fourth action to live by, this week we will discuss, “My life is about loving and helping people. I have a caring and decided heart.” As we progress in life we sometimes forget the people that are the closest to us and how much they mean to us. As we progress through life we all want to find our purpose in life. I was asked in a training class this question? “What is your Unique Ability in life?” First, let’s define Unique Ability? Unique ability is the essence of what you love to do and do best. There are four characteristics of unique ability:

1. It’s a superior ability that other people notice and value; you are passionate about using it and want to use it as much as possible.
2. It’s energizing both for you and others around you.
3. There’s a sense of never ending improvement---you keep getting better and never run out of possibilities for growth.
4. Because your Unique Ability is fueled by tremendous passion, it can be a very powerful force in the world and create enormous value for you and others.

Now, when you combine talent and passion, you have a recipe for never-ending improvement, energy and excitement and higher and higher levels of achievement.

I will tell you when you answer for yourself what your Unique Ability is; it is very powerful for your continued growth as an individual. My Unique ability is motivating others to find their true passion in life and helping them find what matters in their lives. Over the last several years I have had the pleasure of working more in my unique ability within my life. I have helped others find their unique ability by giving them the opportunity to start a business that they have the passion, skill and drive to make it successful. I feel my unique ability is motivating others to find their direction to reach a higher level for themselves.

So, how do I discover my Unique Ability?
Unique ability shapes your whole way of being—it’s the “YOU” that makes you who you are. Your unique ability shows up in…

Your skills
Your talents
Your characteristics
Your activities
Your creativity and
Your habits

These are some of the means by which it comes out, yet it’s more than any of these: It’s also an expression of your values. If you’ve ever felt the excitement of doing something you excel at and others praise you for, something you’d happily keep doing all day long, you’ve probably experienced your unique ability in action.

Because you use it so naturally and willingly, it’s constantly evolving and improving as you move through life. When you give it room and focus your attention on it that evolution speeds up the value you create for others and yourself.

So as we look at our fourth action: MY LIFE IS ABOUT LOVING AND HELPING PEOPLE. I HAVE A CARING AND DECIDED HEART. My passion is that you will find your Unique Ability that will drive your life!

Have a Great Day!

Gary Wilbers

WHAT MORE CAN I DO?

As I start on writing my blog post, I am going to interrupt the “Ten Daily Actions to Live By” message. As many of you were fortunate to hear Mr. John O’Leary at our Tri-Annual training it makes me reflect back on his message. My hope is that each of you found something that you are using every day in your life from his presentation. They say if a speaker makes you stop and think and you take action to make changes you want to correct, then his message hit a home run. I have been pondering John’s message over the last week and asking myself: “What More Can I do?”

John talked to us about three areas that he framed for our discussion:

1. The Power of One
2. The Power of Why
3. The Power of More

The Power of One message was really the power of love. Love is not always exactly the way we think. In the work place, love can mean do we show others we care? Are we a good team member? Do we give each other support and guidance? This really brings us to our actions. He mentioned we normally respond in two actions: Either in fear or faith (love). Fear comes in many forms but my definition is False Evidence Appearing Real. Faith is the love we show to each other.

This brings us to the Power of Why? Remember him saying if we know our why? We can endure any How? Why do I show up for work every day? Just to get a paycheck? Do we want to make a difference in the people’s lives we serve? When we make a difference it gives us the fuel to overcome our adversities. He talked about knowing your why in each of these areas: Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, Professionally, Financially, Relationships. When you know you’re WHY you can endure any HOW!

The last area he talked about was the Power of More! What more can I do? This question can be related in every area of your life. I want better relationships with my spouse? What more can I do to show her/him my love. I will be a better team member for my company? What more can I do to show my leader I am passionate about getting better? I want to get in better shape physically? What more can I do to exercise and eat a healthy diet? I want to improve my financial condition? What more can I do to budget and learn new ways in handling money? (This is plug: check out Dave Ramsey 13 week financial peace class coming up soon by Matt Cowell) I want to improve my Spirituality? What more can I do to take time daily for prayers and meditation? I could go on and on and on but you get the point. Ask yourself: What more can I do? This will work for any area of your life. To make changes make a commitment to discipline yourself on your new routine and over time it becomes a habit.

As I close this blog my prayer for each of you will be that you make the changes you want in your life. We are already half way into January; don’t allow yourself to go back to your old ways. Create new habits and keep asking yourself: What more can I do? A great quote I coined speaks to this action:

“It’s your life, why not live the life you want to live”

Have a GREAT day!

Gary Wilbers