Is success having it all, having the ability to have it all, giving it all away, or not needing it at all?
The world would answer "having it all". The ability to have it all is more the Sam Walton still drives a beat-up pick-up truck mentality. Giving it all away may mean living within your means and donating the rest.
Not needing to have it all - is that modesty, discipline, or settling?
What is having it all to you? Is it wrapped up in cars, homes, and other 'toys'? Is it family and fun? Is it good health? Clothes? Entertainment? For some, having it all is simply have the some outflow of money as inflow, without any real sacrifices.
Success can be found at many levels, and my success may not be your success. Even the more politically correct forms of success - the mushy gushy "my child looked at me and said I was the best Daddy ever" doesn't necessarily translate into success.
What is your definition of success? When you look in the mirror in the morning. When you sit alone in your car. When you lay awake at night. Are you content? Are you reaching YOUR goals? When its not about THEM - your boss, your friends, your family - are YOU satisfied with your day, your effort, your actions?
Are you a success?
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
For Today, Just be Positive
Cynicism, negativity, sarcasm are rampant in the world today. Is it any wonder depression and hopelessness seem such easy places for us to go when the chips are down?
Even when faced with the option to be positive, our brain often tells us to "face reality", take off the "rose-colored glasses", and to quit being a "Pollyanna".
These statements have been ingrained in our psyche by those who have fallen prey to meloncholy themselves. They may be trying to drag us back to "reality", but it is THEIR reality, not MINE, and not YOURS.
Anthony Robbins and others talk about the 7 day mental diet - a week of positive thinking. I suggest the One-Day-at-a-Time Mental Diet. Just try it TODAY. Write a one hundred percent positive journal page. Disallow any negative TV or news or people from your life. If a negativity appears, deal with it head on without dwelling on it, or look at it from a completely new perspective. Give yourself a choice, as I often do with my children: "I said no for now - you can either cry about it in your bed, or you can find something more fun to do".
Life is life, and negativity happens. What's YOUR choice?
Even when faced with the option to be positive, our brain often tells us to "face reality", take off the "rose-colored glasses", and to quit being a "Pollyanna".
These statements have been ingrained in our psyche by those who have fallen prey to meloncholy themselves. They may be trying to drag us back to "reality", but it is THEIR reality, not MINE, and not YOURS.
Anthony Robbins and others talk about the 7 day mental diet - a week of positive thinking. I suggest the One-Day-at-a-Time Mental Diet. Just try it TODAY. Write a one hundred percent positive journal page. Disallow any negative TV or news or people from your life. If a negativity appears, deal with it head on without dwelling on it, or look at it from a completely new perspective. Give yourself a choice, as I often do with my children: "I said no for now - you can either cry about it in your bed, or you can find something more fun to do".
Life is life, and negativity happens. What's YOUR choice?
Monday, April 9, 2007
Apprentices Learn Value of Presentation Skills
By not having any!
Kristine and Nicole discovered the downfalls of Powerpoint when their presentation wouldn't come up, leading the Donald to comment on how bad and choppy their presentation was - ultimately they had to bring in James, from an opposing team, to help. Once it was up, it still did nothing to help what were clearly two overmatched Apprentices.
Always be prepared for Powerpoint to fail - know your presentation backward and forwards. If your slides are that important, just send them the disk - who needs YOU!
They were nervous, repetitive, and downright boring. Amazingly, only Kristine was fired from the group, for using an incorrect phone number on the brochure. Details, details...
Frank and Heidi were also victims of stagefright, with Heidi offering about 15 seconds of what should have been a two-minute intro to their video. Instead, the video (which was truly awful) was immediately shown, followed by the brochure, a literary disaster. People and pictures sell, folks, not endless verbage, particularly light type on a dull, black background. Frank out argued Heidi for the blame, and Heidi was out the door.
James and Stefani however, were on top of their game. After being overly flattering to Trump, they got into the meat of their presentation, offering both a well designed video and solid picture boards with their marketing plan. They both seemed comfortable talking, and didn't take away from their concept.
Ultimately, they were the winners - but not because Trump liked their concept the most. He leaned more towards Kristine and Nicole's idea of "Gold", which was ruined only by their lousy communication skills, inability to tame Powerpoint, and inexcusable use of a wrong phone number.
Do you let your presentation skills get in the way of your product? You may have the greatest bread slicer in history, but if the knife salesman speaks better, he will win in the end.
Kristine and Nicole discovered the downfalls of Powerpoint when their presentation wouldn't come up, leading the Donald to comment on how bad and choppy their presentation was - ultimately they had to bring in James, from an opposing team, to help. Once it was up, it still did nothing to help what were clearly two overmatched Apprentices.
Always be prepared for Powerpoint to fail - know your presentation backward and forwards. If your slides are that important, just send them the disk - who needs YOU!
They were nervous, repetitive, and downright boring. Amazingly, only Kristine was fired from the group, for using an incorrect phone number on the brochure. Details, details...
Frank and Heidi were also victims of stagefright, with Heidi offering about 15 seconds of what should have been a two-minute intro to their video. Instead, the video (which was truly awful) was immediately shown, followed by the brochure, a literary disaster. People and pictures sell, folks, not endless verbage, particularly light type on a dull, black background. Frank out argued Heidi for the blame, and Heidi was out the door.
James and Stefani however, were on top of their game. After being overly flattering to Trump, they got into the meat of their presentation, offering both a well designed video and solid picture boards with their marketing plan. They both seemed comfortable talking, and didn't take away from their concept.
Ultimately, they were the winners - but not because Trump liked their concept the most. He leaned more towards Kristine and Nicole's idea of "Gold", which was ruined only by their lousy communication skills, inability to tame Powerpoint, and inexcusable use of a wrong phone number.
Do you let your presentation skills get in the way of your product? You may have the greatest bread slicer in history, but if the knife salesman speaks better, he will win in the end.
Monday, March 19, 2007
How does Quitting fit into Persistence?
Quitting and Persistence would seem to be mutually exclusive. I have found, however, that quitting can be a key component in persistence, when used strategically.
Persistence indicates a willingness to continue to pursue a goal - whether it be getting an ice cream cone, pursuing one's true love, or fulfilling a lifetime goal. We approach each with singlemindedness, which is often a strategic mistake. While there are often many paths to a destination, we as individuals are not always suited to all paths.
If I wanted to summit a mountain, I can choose to climb it, parachute down to it, take a helicopter, or even just take the road that ends at the top. Some routes are harder than others, some possess unique rewards, but all end at the same place. If I choose to drive up, and my car breaks down, do I head back to the city, fix the car and go another day? Perhaps. I can also "quit" trying to make that path work for me and start climbing up. If I break my leg, I can "quit" walking, call Helicopter R Us to rescue me and take me the rest of the way. Despite "quitting" twice, I still summit the mountain.
Regrouping, stepping back, taking a detour, and changing direction are all valid ways to "quit" while still working toward your eventual goal. The question is how far behind will it take you? Will your rewards push you to your real goal?
When you have a clear destination, don't be afraid to "quit" trying to arrive there the way you intended to. Be open-minded, and ready to see other paths. As long as you keep your true north, you will always get there eventually.
Persistence indicates a willingness to continue to pursue a goal - whether it be getting an ice cream cone, pursuing one's true love, or fulfilling a lifetime goal. We approach each with singlemindedness, which is often a strategic mistake. While there are often many paths to a destination, we as individuals are not always suited to all paths.
If I wanted to summit a mountain, I can choose to climb it, parachute down to it, take a helicopter, or even just take the road that ends at the top. Some routes are harder than others, some possess unique rewards, but all end at the same place. If I choose to drive up, and my car breaks down, do I head back to the city, fix the car and go another day? Perhaps. I can also "quit" trying to make that path work for me and start climbing up. If I break my leg, I can "quit" walking, call Helicopter R Us to rescue me and take me the rest of the way. Despite "quitting" twice, I still summit the mountain.
Regrouping, stepping back, taking a detour, and changing direction are all valid ways to "quit" while still working toward your eventual goal. The question is how far behind will it take you? Will your rewards push you to your real goal?
When you have a clear destination, don't be afraid to "quit" trying to arrive there the way you intended to. Be open-minded, and ready to see other paths. As long as you keep your true north, you will always get there eventually.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Time is a Matter of Perspective
My two oldest children are looking forward to a trip to visit their Biological Father (BF). Since they were told the tickets were booked, they talk about the trip everyday, to everyone who'll listen. They are looking forward to swimming, and the zoo, and playing video games - and of course, seeing BF.
They are so excited one of their teachers asked us when the trip was - sounded soon. In actuality, it is July! To kids, Christmas or their birthday is always tomorrow, and Halloween must happen once a month. As adults, our understanding of time is a burden unto itself - getting through the harsh, cold winter, surviving the long, hot summer. Hoping the Christmas season doesn't start before the last Christmas ends.
How do you use YOUR time? Is it your ally, or enemy? Can you stay in the moment during something joyful, and speed time up when life is bad? We often do just the opposite. Start being aware of your perspective of time - we all have the same amount, but how you look at it will determine how you spend it!
They are so excited one of their teachers asked us when the trip was - sounded soon. In actuality, it is July! To kids, Christmas or their birthday is always tomorrow, and Halloween must happen once a month. As adults, our understanding of time is a burden unto itself - getting through the harsh, cold winter, surviving the long, hot summer. Hoping the Christmas season doesn't start before the last Christmas ends.
How do you use YOUR time? Is it your ally, or enemy? Can you stay in the moment during something joyful, and speed time up when life is bad? We often do just the opposite. Start being aware of your perspective of time - we all have the same amount, but how you look at it will determine how you spend it!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Hard Choices
I had a high-paying job come my way this week. A sales position with the promise of a six-figure income in 12 months - more than I've made to date. It wasn't commission based, and was a straight-forward, good situation.
The only catch was that they wanted 100% commitment. They knew of my speaking and coaching - a quick Google search was enough for them. All I had to do was give up my dream.
I turned it down. I may be financially strapped, but I will not give up my dream that easily. 100K would solve a lot of problems right now, but stepping out of my dream would destroy me inside, and I'd end up without the 100K or my dream.
I will continue to pursue my passion. I will not let the enemy steal my future!
The only catch was that they wanted 100% commitment. They knew of my speaking and coaching - a quick Google search was enough for them. All I had to do was give up my dream.
I turned it down. I may be financially strapped, but I will not give up my dream that easily. 100K would solve a lot of problems right now, but stepping out of my dream would destroy me inside, and I'd end up without the 100K or my dream.
I will continue to pursue my passion. I will not let the enemy steal my future!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Why am I back?
To be perfectly honest, I've resurrected this blog because it came up fairly high in the search engine if you look for "Rich Hopkins", and since I'm competing with both a musician and a stunt double for name recognition, I thought I better take advantage!
Isn't it amazing how often we overlook resources that we've gathered or created? At Toastmasters last week, a speech was given using a box full of old photos and journals from a University class over 100 years ago. The speech was about how eventually our lives are just dust, and what matters is the 'dash', and that we better enjoy it while we can.
As the evaluator, I couldn't resist pointing out the potential for an all out keynote speech from this material, a website, a book - so many things that the riches in that box could lead to.
Is it time for you to reassess your resources? What do you have in your possession right now that could change your life? When was the last time you cleaned out your attic, closet, or garage?
The people around us often become 'lost resources'. Who do you know that could make a connection to help you change direction in a job, or even just a casual dream? Do you walk into local stores and meet the people close to you?
We can sit and wish we had something or knew someone, or we can go out and find it for ourselves. And sometimes, its in our own backyard.
Isn't it amazing how often we overlook resources that we've gathered or created? At Toastmasters last week, a speech was given using a box full of old photos and journals from a University class over 100 years ago. The speech was about how eventually our lives are just dust, and what matters is the 'dash', and that we better enjoy it while we can.
As the evaluator, I couldn't resist pointing out the potential for an all out keynote speech from this material, a website, a book - so many things that the riches in that box could lead to.
Is it time for you to reassess your resources? What do you have in your possession right now that could change your life? When was the last time you cleaned out your attic, closet, or garage?
The people around us often become 'lost resources'. Who do you know that could make a connection to help you change direction in a job, or even just a casual dream? Do you walk into local stores and meet the people close to you?
We can sit and wish we had something or knew someone, or we can go out and find it for ourselves. And sometimes, its in our own backyard.
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