Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to be a speaker at
the “Living By Design” Spring Social that
was hosted by a really
positive organization called EBG (Empowering Brilliant Generations). The
theme and title of my speech was “Spring in to Action” so this morning I
want to share that message with you…
I started off my
presentation with a brand new copy of my book, “Monday Morning
Motivation” in my hand. I then said, “This is free and it has some money
in it. Come and get it.” Only two people made a move. I gave it to the
young lady who made it to me first and I asked her to open it up and tell
us what was inside. She shared that there was a crisp $20 bill inside as
well as an inscription that read, “When you believe you most certainly
receive. ;)” I then gauged the audience to see who thought that I was
just joking, or that it was a trick, or that there really wasn’t any
money in the book. Several people raised their hands.
How often do we miss opportunities because we do not believe?
How often do we miss opportunities because we fail to spring into action?
A
year and a half ago I got into real estate investing because a friend
told me that houses were selling in Detroit for $500. He didn’t have to
tell me twice. As I saved money and prepared to make my investments
I studied real estate, attended events and talked with people about my
plan.Several people said that all of the houses would be crap. Many
people did not believe. Others believed but did not take action. A little
over a year later, I acquired eight properties with sixteen units among
them, fixed several of them up and placed six tenants. Of course there
were challenges, but I was able to realize a long term dream and goal
that I had by simply believing and then springing into action.
At
the end 2007 I sprang into action when I left my full time job. Just
recently I learned that that period of time was probably the worst time
ever to walk away from a job…
“The hemorrhaging
of American jobs accelerated at a record pace at the end of 2008,
bringing the year’s total job loses to 2.6 million or the highest level
in more than six decades.” –CNNMoney.com New York
How dare I walk away from a job at a time when so many people who wanted their jobs were losing them?
I
did that because I believe that sometimes you just have to commit and
THEN figure the rest out. The action of commitment in itself often opens
up many doors and opportunities that would not exist without first
making that decision. If we try to figure things out first, we will find a
million excuses and reasons to get out of making that decision or taking
that step toward our dreams and goals. This is why I encourage you to
make the commitment first, and then allow things to fall into place.
In
order to spring into action, I suggest a certain process.Let’s think
about the season of Spring. Rain, gardens, plants, and flowers and new
beginnings are often associated with this season. So let’s apply this
to our life when it comes to the preparation for springing into action…
Picture
a big lot or field of vacant land. It is more than likely over grown
with weeds. People have dumped trash and debris there. It is really not
the ideal space for planting initially. Therefore the first step is to…
Clear the field
What
do you need to clear out of your life before you can move forward? Is it
a habit, a belief, a person, job, or a fear? Is there someone you need
to forgive…yourself perhaps?
Next we must…
Plant the Seeds
What
type of seeds do you need to plant in the field that is your life? Do
you need to save, invest, write a book, apply for a job, or audition for
something?
Finally we must…
Tend to the Field
If
you clear the field and plant the seeds but don’t tend to it, what will
happen? Eventually people, or bugs and rodents will eat your fruit, walk
all over your flowers, throw in junk and trash…or weeds will grow and
take over.
Taking into account what you cleared out and what you planted, what will you need to do to maintain and tend to your field?
During
each of the phases of preparation for springing into action I had the
people in the audience think about it, write it down and discuss it with a
partner. After this I did something with them that I am going to do with
you right now…
I have a request that may seem a little
unreasonable, BUT in order to get something different, sometimes you
have to take away all of the reasons why you can’t, won’t or don’t do
things.
Now that you have this working plan, take
the next 5 minutes to actually “Spring into Action.” RIGHT NOW I want you
to call, email or text someone that you’ve wanted to do business with,
someone you need to forgive,someone that you need to ask forgiveness of.
If it is someone that has passed away, write them a letter. Take and
action RIGHT NOW and be BOLD with it! Ready…Set…GO!
For those of you who actually did it, I want you to post a comment below and share what you did and what happened…
When you spring into action you will find more joy,prosperity and freedom than you can imagine.
Don’t
let the action stop here. As you go throughout the rest of your day,
week, month and year let the momentum lead you. The past and the future
do not really exist because the past is gone and the future may never
come…so all that you truly have is this moment…life is right
now…and right now…and right now…
SPRING INTO ACTION!
Over the past few days I have read
post after post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram filled with anger, sadness, frustration and despair surrounding the Trayvon Martin case and
the Zimmerman verdict. The posts that resonated with me the most were
the ones that encouraged or challenged us to take action. So I gave it
some thought..."What immediate action could I take?" I realized that
there is certainly a need for motivation, inspiration and encouragement
during this sad time, so as a result, I have made both of my
motivational eBooks
"Monday Morning Motivation" and "Momentum" free. Please download them (by clicking on the titles), read them and share them with someone who you know that needs a lift.
