One day, my wife and I went to the gym for a yoga class. There, at the front of the class, was our instructor. She was wearing a shirt that simply said:
DECIDE
COMMIT
SUCCEED
I thought, “How brilliant!” I loved it. This is how to keep life simple. Here, on a t-shirt, was the simple recipe for achievement at anything.
Reminder to self:
Decide exactly what you want in your life. Make a list of what that is. Be specific. Make it something that, when you think about working towards it and achieving it, scares you a little, and excites you a lot.
Commit to changing your daily routine to include things that will help you get what you want. The more you want it, the more you will focus on it, and the more you will do to get it. The more you focus on anything, and the more you do to acquire those things, the more likely it is you will earn those things.
Succeed. Go after what you want long enough and hard enough, until success is the only possible outcome. Keep going. Keep doing what you are doing. Through persistence and consistency, anything is possible.
Repeat. When you find something that works for you, keep doing it in order to get the same results! If the results aren’t exactly what you want, change what you are doing and the results will also change. Once you have found exactly what you need to do each day to achieve and acquire that which you want, repeat it, over and over. Failing is okay-there are lessons in failure, but don’t ever quit. Don’t ever give up on your dreams and desires. Keep going! Keep doing what you are doing!
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will make sure to decide upon and know exactly what I want, make a list of those things, commit to getting it by making ANY necessary changes in my daily routine I need to, and I will keep at it until I succeed. Once I reach the level of success I want to at whatever it is I want, I will repeat the process. I am a co-creator with the Universe. I am in control of my mind. I will do all I can, each and every day, to create the life of my dreams.
Below are the changes I have made to my beliefs and habits since 2014. These are the things which have helped and empowered me to live the life of my dreams-just click on the words to go to the page: (If I can improve my life and enhance my mindset, beliefs, and personal philosophies, anyone can. Anyone who knows who I used to be and the life I used to live will agree with that statement. See MY STORY, to understand better what I mean and to know where I was, before I committed to make real, lasting changes.)
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Sometimes, the most difficult thing we can do, is to lean into who we are, and become comfortable simply BEING who we truly are.
I remember the first time I met Erin. She was in the deep end of the dive tank at Shepard pool doing a class which was full of kids. She was the only adult taking the class. She was always trying new things and she thought it would be fun to try a Synchronized Swimming class. She realized that it was a kid’s class only AFTER the first day, but since she had never done it before, and she really had committed to herself to do new and uncomfortable things, she stuck with it.
I didn’t think anything of it, but later she admitted that she felt foolish being the only grown up in the class. She completed the course, regardless. I admired and respected her for that.
Erin is the mother of one of my son’s best friends. Every summer after that, we would sit in the stands any chance we had to go to our son’s diving practices and watch them, cheer them on, and talk. Many times, Erin and Sven would sit with us or stand by us as we all took pictures of Dravyn and Hans as they competed in their dive meets. We were always so proud of the two.
I remember one Saturday, Erin insisted that my youngest son and I accompany her and her son to a church house for a little service project. “It will be good for the kids!” She was always thinking of things that would be, “good for the kids.” It was one of the best Saturdays we ever had. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for four hours. These sandwiches were put into hundreds of sack lunches that were given to busloads of homeless folks who had come from all over the valley to eat breakfast, take showers, get free haircuts and clothes, and even get refurbished bikes. It is something this church does every other weekend. We aren’t members of the church or anything. Erin just thought it would be a good thing to do, “for the kids”. I remember getting more out of it than the kids probably did.
Over the years, Erin would ask us to meet her or do things with her and her family that took us out of our comfort zone. The things we did with her took us out of our “norm”. They weren’t things that we ever did as a part of our normal routine, and new, uncomfortable, things became easier and easier to try out with her. Erin was a gift. She was a breath of fresh air.
Once, we went with her and Hans to the family cabin.
It was a blast. That night, as we all sat on the patio, she told us stories of how she met her husband, told us about some of her college experiences, and how she used to love wolves. She started howling at the moon. We were all cracking up and howling together. She and her family adopt dogs, and provide a good home for as many as 10 dogs at a time. She was a real fan of dogs.
While scrolling through Facebook, I came across this little blurb about wolves. Erin loved wolves, so of course I thought of her, immediately.
Erin reminds me of the lone wolf in the rear of the pack, always ready to run in any direction to protect and serve as the bodyguard to the entire group.
Erin and Sven were always nice enough to let us kidnap Hans and take him places for little adventures. We’ve been shooting, knife-throwing, and hiking in places Erin never would have approved of.
One Halloween, to thank us for taking Hans with us to Vegas for a weekend trip, she and her husband, Sven, invited us to a fund raiser. They paid for our tickets which provided us with dinner and a drink. We didn’t know what to expect. They gave us an address and a time to meet them and we showed up, a little nervous. We were welcomed into a beautiful home, where there were lots of youngsters stretching and getting ready for a dance performance in the backyard. T-shirts were on display and for sale and we bought one we loved. In the back yard there were items to bid on in order to raise money for the kids to be able to travel and compete. It was a beautiful evening. We always had fun with Erin and Sven.
Sometimes we don’t know the actual value of someone in our lives until they are gone. Erin was taken from her husband and two sons far too early, being the victim of a hit and run. Erin was an amazing mother and wife. She was different and wacky and crazy and funny and quirky and fun. She had a super big soul. She wasn’t afraid of being different or looking stupid or foolish, or even feeling that way. She taught us that conformity kills the soul and to be different and unique is a beautiful thing. She had an adventurous spirit and loved to do and try new things, and she loved to drag us all along with her. That’s why we loved her. She had a way about her that put people at ease. She was friendly towards everyone, and made new friends out of total strangers wherever she went. She always did her best to enjoy her life and do as much as possible for her husband and her boys. Her energy was incredible to be in the presence of. She added value to the lives of everyone around her. She was loved dearly by many, and will be missed by all who knew her.
I believe that what we think about and focus upon is what we attract more of into our lives. The life energy, soul, essence, spirit, or whatever you want to call it, of those we love who have passed on, is but a thought away. I like to believe that if we desire to be close to those we think we have lost, we can be. They are present whenever we think of them. Remembering the beautiful memories we created with them and doing things we know would make them proud are ways we can be close to our loved ones who have passed on. I believe that they are, in some way, always watching over us. I believe that they are always with us.
We are all ONE. As ENERGY, VIBRATIONAL FREQUENCIES, SOUND WAVES, and MAGNETICALLY POLARIZED BEINGS, we are all interconnected. If we were to shed these physical bodies for a few moments, we would detect our oneness, interconnectedness, and unity, much more easily, but with these beautiful, limiting 5 senses we have while in these bio physiological machines, we sometimes forget WHAT we actually ARE, and can only see things in the limited perspective THESE 5 senses provide to the WHO we identify as in these human bodies..
Everything, on some level, is the same, one thing. We are all connected in this way.
Pain is pain. Loss is loss. Joy is joy. Love is love. We have all experienced pain, loss, joy, and love, all of us on different levels, and to varying degrees. Because of this, we can all relate to one another when it comes to these things. We all know the difference between darkness and light. May we always choose light, being brought closer, ever, to those we have loved and lost. May we always choose light, being brought closer, ever, to one another.
A quote that says, “I think hell is something you carry around with you, not somewhere you go.” The interesting thing about this quote, is that the opposite is also true.
I THINK HEAVEN IS SOMETHING WE CARRY AROUND WITH US, NOT JUST SOMEWHERE WE GO.
Today I will do something that is entirely out of my comfort zone. I will remember that to be different and unique is a beautiful thing. Today I will celebrate someone who has passed on from this physical realm, and celebrate their existence in my life and all the good they shared with me, and still share through me.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. The goodinthehead Podcast can be found on YouTube. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Doing things for others is important in so many ways. It gets us out of our head and away from our OWN problems and concerns, and can serve as a mutually beneficial distraction, offering limitless opportunities for connections. At the root level, it grows our soul. It helps others, and it makes them feel special, important and worthwhile. It inspires others to do the same and connects us all in more enjoyable ways.
Generosity begets generosity. That which we put out into the Universe always comes back to us.
Any act of service is better than no act of service. Any contribution we can make is better than no contribution at all. Smiling at someone, opening the door for another, helping someone pick up something they dropped, sticking up for someone being bullied, offering someone a ride home from work or school, telling someone, “Good job,” taking food and talking to a neighbor who may be sick or going through a rough time, volunteering at a church to make food for the homeless, or offering to help the elderly in any way, are all acts of service. Any act of kindness is an act of service.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will look for opportunities to commit random acts of kindness and service. Today, I will contribute.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
We have all heard the phrase, “By their fruits you shall know them.” Basically, it talks about the fact that you can tell what kind of tree a tree is simply by eating the fruit from the tree. If you eat a banana, it came from a banana tree. If you eat an orange, the fruit came from an orange tree. It is the same with people. You can pretty much know a person’s character by the consistent words and actions their thoughts are producing. What fruits are YOUR consistent words and actions producing?
RESULTS DON’T LIE.
It has been said that if you want to change the world all you have to do is change yourself. It is much faster and easier to focus only on changing ourselves, than it is to rush around trying to control and change everyone else and all THEY think and do. We really are the only person we can truly practice controlling.
I have many role models in life. Their characteristics and personality traits that I admire and try to emulate make me strive to be a better version of myself every single day. They are traits like kindness, patience, good health, a healthy mind, spirituality, strength, endurance, enlightenment, mindfulness, wealth, punctuality, emotional strength, dependability, etc. As I do my best and try my hardest every day, I make consistent gains. When we consistently do our best, our best consistently gets better. When I am doing my best, people around me benefit as well. I feel like my life has purpose when I feel I am adding value to others.
Reminder to self: Find something that works for you and do it daily. If you try something and it doesn’t improve your life in any way, replace it with something that does. Improve a little every day, and you will never regret it.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will search and find someone I admire and figure out the daily routine, personal philosophies and beliefs, and perspectives they have that makes them successful in a way that I admire.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Sooner or later, we all fail at something. I have grown to learn that failure is an important part of life. It is actually necessary for personal growth through experiential learning. To never try doing new things and having new experiences is true and LASTING failure. The stupid never learn from their failures. The smart do eventually learn from their failures. The wise strive for awareness through observation and to learn from the failures of others.
As a child, failure meant I did something wrong and I lost. Giving up was easy, and when I didn’t repeat something that was hard because I feared being defined by failing, that is when the true failure occurred, because I was quitting. FAILURE IS TEMPORARY. QUITTING IS FOREVER.
My old belief was that failing made me a failure. It certainly hurt my ego and made me feel stupid, especially when others around me made me feel even worse by ridiculing me or simply by NOT failing where I had. I would get jealous of their perceived successes, rather than being inspired by their journey.
Growing up and realizing that everyone fails, that we are all in the same boat called life, and that I wasn’t alone in failure, was enlightening. It helped me change my beliefs and try harder at learning more and doing the hard things, knowing that failure was a normal, expected part of the true success process, and that failing didn’t make me a failure at all, but more of a bad ass for being willing to do something difficult, over and over, until I finally got it right!
Thomas Edison failed at making the light bulb over 10,000 times before he succeeded. When he was asked about how he felt about all those, “failures,” he responded with, I DIDN’T FAIL EVEN ONCE! I SIMPLY FOUND 10,000 WAYS THAT DIDN’T WORK.
When we change the way we look at things, altering our beliefs and perspectives, we can upgrade our personal identities in empowering ways.
Failure can be and will be the most important teacher we have in our entire life. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING is a gift of the human experience. Even when others fail, we have the opportunity to learn through and from their lessons.
Some of my most valuable lessons come from learning from others what NOT to do.
Quitting need not be an option. We fail effectively by learning from our failures and keep doing things in different ways until we finally succeed. By never quitting, simply because we failed, we learn and improve and progress all along the way. This enables us to share our experiences and things we have learned, which makes us more valuable.
EVERYTHING is feedback. This life experience provides a real-time data stream that CONSTANTLY feeds us information, giving us the useful feedback needed to know when we must DO something different in order to experience different outcomes and results.
With this human body, and all 5 senses, scientists have projected the conclusion that there are around 40 BILLION BITS of information available to us PER SECOND. Thankfully, the Reticular Activating System (RAS) doesn’t allow us to be COMPLETELY overwhelmed by this enormous data stream, and only lets in that which is in alignment with WHAT WE THINK ABOUT AND ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
We see life through the distortion of the filters WE choose, until we decide to let go of the programming we have received since birth and choose different meanings, beliefs, filters, and programs.
To upgrade the filters through which we see all things, a consistent, daily practice of upgrading our perspectives really is a useful practice…
EVERYTHING is figureoutable. EVERYTHING is fixable.
When we consistently practice doing our best, our best consistently gets better.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will remember that failing is a part of life that was meant for my benefit. I will remember that if and when I fail at anything, that it is an opportunity to try again and again, and that makes me resilient, stronger, wiser, and more successful, than if I were to quit.
One of the most incredible, empowering, enlightening books I have ever read is called, MINDSET, by Carol Dweck. The interview on YouTube, on the show Impact Theory, is what introduced me to her. I love what she has learned and teaches others. It is a MASSIVELY impactful empowerment tool.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Growing up I was a part of a scouting group. In the scouts we were able to go on one camping trip every month. It was, for many of us, the most enjoyable part of scouting, where we made friendships and bonds that would last a lifetime. We also learned lessons that would last us a lifetime.
Every camping trip I remember going on, one of the leaders would ask us to look around before we threw our gear on the ground and started setting up camp. We did as we were told. Then, they would always say, “We need to remember to leave this place looking better than when we came here to it.”
Life is the same way. Every single day we have the opportunity to leave our personal lives looking just a little bit better than the day before. Every single day we have the opportunity to leave others better off for having been around us. We strive for constant improvement, working towards the goal of being and doing a little better than the day before. We strive daily to be the best version of ourselves we can possibly be. The end result of doing this each day adds up to become a life that is a happy, fulfilling, and enjoyable, with constant improvement for us and of those around us who love us. We build our confidence, credibility, and pride each day by consistently leaving our life better than it was the day before, every time we go to bed. By doing so we add value to our lives and to the lives of those we love.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will remember to go to bed knowing that I left my life a little better than it was yesterday.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Sometimes we need to just let loose and have some fun! It’s better to do this with others around us, whether it’s at home, at work, or with friends. It creates bonds, deep connections, and friendships with others that can last a lifetime.
The amount of time we smile and laugh directly correlates with the quality and quantity of chemicals and hormones that are released into our bloodstream throughout the day. This directly effects the rate at which we heal on a cellular level and the quality of the cellular regeneration which takes place in our bodies. The more we smile and laugh, the better we heal, and the stronger our immune systems are.
The internal environment we choose to live within and the people we surround ourselves with are usually 100% our choice. Each moment of each day, the level of enjoyment, fulfillment, and happiness we feel, and the feelings of acceptance and love we experience, all contribute to how much we smile and laugh. We may not be able to control everything, but there are certainly things within our control which we can improve that directly effects the level of enjoyment of our lives.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will do something fun and entertaining with those around me. I will smile and laugh as much as I can, and enjoy my life to the fullest.
I invite you to learn more about improving the quality of your life through improving the quality of your health. Please check out and share:
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
As humans we tend to overthink things. I was heard Tony Robbins say, “GET OUT IF YOUR HEAD OR YOU’RE DEAD!” I thought, I need to get GOOD in the head, or I’m dead-and that is where Goodinthehead came from.
Our lives are as simple or as complicated as we decide for them to be. I love this quote by C. S. Lewis: WE ARE WHAT WE BELIEVE WE ARE.
Shakespeare once stated, “There is nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.”
The RAS, or Reticular Activating System, makes sure that we are who and what we think we are. It only allows us to think, see, feel, hear, smell, taste, and perceive of all things that confirm our biases, preferences, beliefs, opinions, and perspectives. The short, 8-minute video from YouTube, featuring Mark Dawes, explains why beautifully. Simply go to the YouTube search engine and type: YOUR RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM MARK DAWES.
Reminder to self: Remember that we live in a world of distractions. Remember your goals, your purpose, and your “why.” Remember to focus and RE-focus ONLY on that which is most important to you every single day. Do something daily and consistently that will bring you closer each day to achieving what you want to in your life.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will KISS: Keep It Super Simple. I will remember to focus on my goals, my purpose, and my why.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
This life is full of things that make us feel uncomfortable. There are things that cause us stress and anxiety. The more we practice doing things that may make us feel uncomfortable the easier they become. Public speaking, reading out loud in class, doing things that make us feel vulnerable, and even leaving the house while having a difficult day are all things that may cause us discomfort.
What makes you feel uncomfortable?
In the movie, “The Accountant.” the main character is noise and sound sensitive, so as a part of his daily ritual he locks himself in a room, plays uncomfortably loud music, turns on a strobe light, and works at desensitizing himself to that which makes him uncomfortable. He searches himself to find his weaknesses, and makes them into strengths.
We can do the same.
Seek out discomfort. It’s a difficult thing to do, but overcoming the difficult things will help us, strengthen us and empower us to add more value to our lives and the lives of everyone around us.
It is WHAT WE BECOME, and what skills we acquire throughout the navigation of difficulties that empowers us to be more effective creators of our personal realities within this human experience.
Remember: A life of ease breeds weakness. Discomfort, difficulties, and challenges make us stronger and more adaptable. To experience anything is to understand and appreciate it’s opposite more fully. Experiencing the contrasts of life is the gift of life! It allows us to learn and do better, always expanding and upgrading every aspect of the human experience.
Experiencing contrasting experiences and experiential learning are one of the greatest gifts of this human life. This life is the ULTIMATE Virtual Reality experience.
Do the difficult things first. All the other things on your to do list that you do throughout the day will keep getting easier to do. Doing the difficult things first motivates us and ensures we get more done by the end of the day. It builds credibility with our self and elevates our level of self-confidence and skill set.
One of the most important upgrades we can perpetuate is the upgrade of our SELF IDENTITY.
The book, PSYCHO-CYBERNETICS, by Maxwell Maltz, is an EXCELLENT guide in upgrading the Self Identity and a wonderful place to start. I sincerely wish I had discovered this book much earlier in life.
Just because we experience opposition, difficulties, discomforts, and hardships, IT DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO SUFFER. We can STILL remain satisfied and appreciative, knowing the Universe was designed from the beginning to conspire on our behalf, having faith and an inner knowing that ALL things are unfolding for OUR benefit, while simultaneously unfolding perfectly for the greater good of the collective whole.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today I will do something, no matter how big or small, that is uncomfortable for me.
goodinthehead is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
Reminder to self: Remember your goals. As part of your daily routine, read them at least once to remind yourself exactly what they are and where you are headed. If you keep aiming at your target, sooner or later you will hit it. Reading them daily will remind you what your priorities for the day need to be.
Remember the importance and value of REPETITION. Repetition begets MASTERY.
In Earl Nightingale’s recording, THE STRANGEST SECRET, he explains why it is so incredibly important to REVIEW GOALS.
Today’s challenge for myself: Today, I will review my goals and make it a daily habit to do so. I will add this to my daily routine.
Another great person who explains the importance of, and ease with which we can set goals, is Brooke Castillo. I highly recommend listening to her incredible content on her podcast #3 show.
goodinthehead is also on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Follow me there, as well, for daily messages, inspiration, motivation, and reminders. Please pay it forward, and share this, and ANY message, which may empower someone you love or may care about. It is through adding value to others by sharing and spreading wisdom, that we become more valuable as individuals, and collectively, as a whole, we all become wiser.
Remember: Mindset matters. Character counts. That which we choose to consistently focus on is what EXPANDS in our lives. WE CREATE our personal realities.
