You Can...But Will You?

Harnessing the power of "I Will" vs. "I Can" will help you crush your goals.

Have you ever found yourself filled with excitement to accept a new challenge or tackle a new challenge in life? I think we all have. Just as you are about to grab what is rightfully yours and create the life you deserve, the Don't Demon pops into your mind.

Don't try this, you may fail
Don't try this, you might succeed...then what?
Don't be the one to leave everything you've ever known. 

Negative self talk will drain your spirit quicker than anything.
How do you crush the Don't Demon?

1. Control your intake! 
Watching or reading a steady diet of news is like dumping the contents of an outhouse into your mind. Shut it off and engage with something growth-oriented. What ever that looks like for you. There are only a kabillion videos on YouTube that can help you achieve personal and professional breakthroughs.

2. Find one person who will kick your butt if you don't take positive action. 
Accountability works. I've never met someone who has become successful alone. Whether you need to hire a coach or just pick up the phone and connect with someone who will hold your feet to the fire; push forward and crush fear.

3. One step at a time. 
When you name your fear, you can challenge it. When you face your fear, you can crush it. It's okay to be scared. This is where the rubber meets the road. When it is all said and done...a lot more is said than done.

That seed of desire was planted in your heart for a reason...it needs to blossom. You have the potential to grow. Do it now!

Here is a short video I did on this subject: https://youtu.be/Aohioc5aAzw

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

Success Lessons from Tiger Wood's Masters Victory

Tiger Woods' comeback is filled with lessons for motivation and success.

Image Credit: Chase McAlpine

Tiger Woods has become one of the most successful professional golfers in the history of the game, but not one who has gone without controversy and setbacks. Even while navigating the personal issues he was dealing with several years ago and painful back surgeries; his resolve to become a champion once again never wained…even if it would be 10 years between titles.

Many people placed odds on him washing out and becoming another “has been” child prodigy.

Related: Talent Is Overrated

There are 3 key things that put Tiger Woods back on top.

1. He surrounded himself with people who believed in him.

Not that he didn’t have that before, but let’s face it, there are those people who are with you when you are doing well and there are those people who are with you no matter what. While their names may change throughout your life, it’s imperative that you surround yourself with people who believe in you as a person.

We all suffer moral setbacks. We all have things that we go through and it’s imperative that we work our way through that.

2. He took responsibility for his actions.

I would imagine he didn’t plan on enduring excruciating back surgeries and other moral challenges which threw his game off for a while. He accepted responsibility for the things he could control and he accepted responsibility for his rehab from injury.

Responsibility is the skeleton key that unlocks the doors we must pass through on our pursuit of success. While the actual weight of the key may be ounces, the mental burden we attach to it can feel like it weighs tons.

3. He kept his vision in front of him and worked like there was no end in sight.

Woods absolutely crushed it every single day, working out sometimes two, maybe even three times a day. He visualized the victory of the Masters until he realized his victory.

So what are you doing? What are some things that maybe you are thinking of giving up on but know you shouldn’t? Do you need to change the people in your solid inner circle so that you can elevate to the level of champion?

Here’s a short video I recorded about this for my Sunrise Motivation.

Looking forward to speaking at your next convention meeting or event. Until next time, Always Better Your Best!

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

3 Strategies to Stop Sabotaging Your Success

How many times have you created fantastic results toward a goal...then took your foot off the pedal and coasted toward mediocrity? (We've all done it!)

We've all engaged in self-sabotage, and here are 3 things you can do to prevent it:

1. Understand the value of hunger

"You gotta be HUNGRY!" screams motivational legend Les Brown. We can become extremely resourceful when our backs are against a wall. What if:
- You had a major health challenge...and had to change some habits?
- You are in sales and were staring down the barrel of an empty pipeline?
- You realized that you had been going through the motions of life and didn't derive any pleasure from the things you used to love?

Mediocrity and complacency love to replace the passion and excitement that come from being hungry.

2. Embrace accountability
Answering to no one sounds great...until you realize that you are solely responsible for your success or failure.
When we don't answer to anyone, we tend to dive into our heads. Your mind is awesome at conjuring up excuses and fear.

-If you are in business, join a mastermind group of people who will hold your feet to the fire for accomplishing your goals (or hire a coach)
- Schedule time with a friend to workout or hire a trainer

Accountability is an essential component of achievement.

3. Always feed your mind

Every successful person I've ever met swears by scheduling time to read, watch, and listen to things that can help them grow. You have the power to do so right in your pocket or purse right now. Use it.

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

Rise, Shine, and Claim Your Greatness!

Rise and shine! It's time for some Monday Motivation from my kayak!

How do you achieve your best life possible?

1. Condition yourself to see the best in others.

This goes against evolution because we are programmed to see danger and stay away from things that could potentially harm us.

When you seek out the greatness in other people, you begin to rewire your brain to look for more greatness in other people.

2. Demand the best of yourself

What happens when you are not consistent? You lose momentum.

I haven't been consistent with recording these videos. All you can do is get out and take some kind of action. Don't stay stuck.

I'm looking forward to speaking at your next convention, meeting, or event!

Always Better Your Best!

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

Being Easily Offended Gives Away Your Personal Power

When did we start living in a world when everything was offensive to someone?

I was listening to a podcast from Tim Ferriss (author of the 4 Hour Work Week). He said something that rang true.

"Stop focusing on how offensive the world is and start focusing on how you can be less easily offended."

That is not making excuses for reprehensible behavior, but we also have to "tough up to grow up".

By being so easily offended we can give our personal power away.

Here is the video I recorded on this topic:

Always Better Your Best!

Shef

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

Thawing a Frozen Goal

Abandoning a goal because of fear is like staying inside during the entire season of winter because you don't want to put your coat on.

You would never think of venturing into sub-zero temperatures and windy conditions without properly protecting your exposed skin. Exposed skin freezes in a matter of minutes, and life can suck for a little while.

What do you to cover up and protect your mind and your goals when venturing into the frozen tundra of life? An idea shines it's way into our heart, we get excited for a little while, only to quickly recite all the reasons why we shouldn't take action and move forward.

Most people feel like their current situation is far worse than it really is. Think of your perception of reality like a windchill effect. Windchill is how cold the temperature feels on exposed skin in the wind. Even though the thermometer may read 30 degrees, a stiff 20 mile per hour wind will make it feel much colder. Stagnation happens when we fail to grow comfortable with the growth process and spend too much time in our heads. Taking some kind of action...any type of action shatters the shackles that hold you in place.

The way we feel about something is usually worse than it actually is. When we are faced with a decision, we often reach into our library of past failures or our "what if" worry bank.

Related: When Is the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time Here's how you can protect yourself from abandoning your goals and buying into the fear:

Identify the best possible outcomes

While understanding possible risks is important, choose the words you wish to live with when talking about your goal. Identifying what life would be like when your goal becomes a reality offers you a moment to future-cast.

Prepare for others to talk you out of it.

It's not that people don't care for you or want you to succeed, they often place their reality onto your situation. How will you deal with it? Are these people qualified to assess your idea? How will you keep moving forward?
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412

Electrified Banking Convention Audience Member!

Linda Monin from Financial Supermarkets, Inc. Raves about Shef's high-energy, motivational program he delivered for their National Sales Convention in Nashville, TN. 

The program was exceptional and packed with so many take-aways! 

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412