Month: February 2013

BelieveDo (ch 14) – Doing, with Purpose

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

…from Believe. Do. And Follow Through!

Chapter 14 (selection)

When people do things to simply justify their own existence, they have lost sight of their reasons for being here.  Living each day is more than just checking off your TO DO list, eating, and sleeping.  There are deeper meanings to the whole series of actions that occur physically and spiritually.

“Over the years at work, I’ve sometimes lost sight of my greater purpose in teaching, mentoring, etc.  My wife, Kristine, has always encouraged me to not give up on students, colleagues, or situations.  

Sometimes, it takes more convincing than others, but in the end, she always helps me to remember that the work I do each day doesn’t really matter – what matters is the lives of the people that I come in contact with…they matter.  

That reminder helps me re-center, mentally and spiritually.  It helps to be reminded that when I do the work I do, it’s with a greater purpose.  Thanks, Kristine!”   – Marty

Physiologically, connections are made between action and purpose.  The end results are lived-out activity, emotional connection, synapse creation, and creation of memory.  If you only look at the initial action, you’re missing the bigger picture.  If you remember the bigger picture – what your end result is – then, while you’re in the middle of the mundane actions, you’ll be able to maintain energy to finish the job.  May heaven help those who lose sight of the bigger picture.

Keep the bigger picture in mind.

BelieveDo (ch13) – Just Do It

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

…from Believe. Do. And Follow Through!

Chapter 13

Everybody’s familiar with the NIKE slogan “Just Do It”!  Did NIKE get this right, or what?

First, they aimed their slogan at the shoes and clothes that people wear while they’re playing their favorite sports.  Then, NIKE surrounded itself with the world’s best athletes in order to associate their name with the greatest success.

How could they go wrong?

If you think about the NIKE slogan, “Just Do It” and how it applies to your own life, it’s the one thing that people need the most to get their lives going in the right direction.

How often do you tell yourself you’re going to make a change in your life, but you never get started because you have no earthly idea how to get started on making that change?  The best way to initiate change is to just do it!

Don’t let your mind go into excuse mode or say, “I’m going to do it…after I do [this or that].”  That’s one of the most common things you’ll hear people say about losing weight, too.  People who are planning to lose weight have long lists of things they are going to do…once they lose those 5, 10 or 20-pounds.  If you have lists of excuses, stop letting that be your crutch for not getting your life moving in the direction you want it to go.

“After I remarried, my wife and I developed a great motivational tool that we’ve used to keep our focus, on a yearly basis. We both write down five things we want to do in the coming year.  We post this on the back of our bathroom door.  You wouldn’t believe how this has motivated us.  

In the first year of trying it, we completed 8 of the 10 things on the list!  

How did we succeed? We held each other accountable for the list we made, and we served as a support system for each other.  Those two simple methods yielded fantastic results kept us focused on our goals.  

I encourage you to try this method to get your life moving in the direction you want it to go.”     – Isaiah

Do it!

BelieveDo (ch 12) – Seeds of Greatness

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

…from Believe. Do. And Follow Through!

Chapter 12  (selection)

Everyone has the ability to take what they have, who they are, and where they live – and turn it into something incredible.  We each have seeds of greatness.  It’s how we utilize them that matters.

“I truly believe that the seeds of greatness are put inside of everyone when they are created.  It wasn’t like God forgot to put them in some people – He didn’t.  Everybody got ‘em!  

So, why do some people act like they missed out?  Maybe it’s just that some people’s seeds didn’t get the right amount of nourishment when they were growing up, or maybe some people buried their seeds too deep!  Either way, the seeds of greatness are still in there.  

Growing up on a dairy farm, I shoveled a lot of manure.  I didn’t know that God was just preparing me to work in public service for a couple of decades after that…  What does that have to do with seeds of greatness?  A lot.  

Since we had lots of fresh fertilizer, my dad taught my brother, sister, and me how to grow a garden from scratch.  He showed us how covering seeds with too much manure would burn up the seeds, and they wouldn’t produce anything.  

At the same time, he took some other seeds and planted them in a pot in the basement at home – showing us how important being out in the fresh air and sunlight were to those seeds – because they didn’t grow very well in the dark.  

Finally, he showed us how – with the right balance and amounts of all the different aspects of the environment – some of the seeds grew into healthy plants…meaning that when we treated the seeds the right way, they did what they knew to do – what they were meant to do.    

There’ve been a number of times that I’ve looked at people at work and in my neighborhood and thought, “They’re getting too much ‘manure’ put on them.  They’re gonna burn out!”  or… “They’re living in the dark.  They either need to get brighter or get out more often!”  

BUT, I keep telling myself that they still have seeds of greatness in them that need nourishment or that need to be re-discovered.”   – Marty

You, too, have seeds of greatness in you!  Help them grow!  Help them flourish!  And you’ll be amazed at how awesome your life will become.

Today, before another minute of life passes, think about the seeds of greatness inside you.  Are you using them to their fullest potential?  Are they growing the way you want?

Help them grow, and you’ll see the difference in your life.

Truth Isn’t Just the Essence

Posted on by martyjreep in Thoughts

Truth isn’t just the essence of words passed on from one person to another, it’s the passing of justice, love, and meaning in life.  That passage of knowledge from one generation to the next is what preserves us as humanity and carries us glowingly forward, into the darkest of nights.

When people step aside from the fears that they carry into the dream world of sleep, they live beyond measure in the eyes of those around them, when actually, they have simply done what it is that they were called to do.

The beauty of it all is that when we live out the dreams that we have in our hearts, angels can be heard rejoicing in the rafters of heaven and solidly pounding in our hearts, here on earth.

May they break the beams and careen cedars from their resting places into the firmament by night, so that all may hear and know.

Beauty rests and waits for those who are ready to hear, see, and believe.  Without those bold, blessed few, masses will drive themselves directly off of cliffs and into the chasms that lie beneath.  By pursuing life away from death, we participate in one of the most fascinating things in existence.

BelieveDo (ch 11) – Break Big Things into Smaller Pieces

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 11

Hopefully by now, you’ve figured out what it is that you want to accomplish.  Is it little?  Is it big?  Is it gigantic?  No matter how big your dream may seem, it can be achieved, one step at a time:

  1. First, list out all the steps involved in order of importance: most to least.
  2. Then, start working on the most important thing.
  3. Chip away at it, bit by bit, and eventually it will get done.
  4. Repeat this process, over and over, until you work through all of the steps.
  5. When you have a step that seems too big to handle, break it into smaller pieces.

Doing that will make the things doable. Making things into doable formats not only helps you succeed at doing whatever you’re working on, it helps you have a better attitude about other things in your life.

It’s like the proverbial question and answer, “How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.”  Some tasks really are big, while some just seem like it.  Either way, if you break things into manageable chunks, the work is doable.

And… success breeds success.  So, once you check one thing off your list, you’ll feel better about getting the rest done.

As you work through each of the steps that you list out and become successful at them, you’ll develop a system of accomplishment that works for you.  That’s when the rest of it will make sense – with each piece falling in line with the next.

If you try to do everything at once, you’ll get overwhelmed and quit.  But, if you do things bit-by-bit, then it’s manageable – you’ll be able to make it all the way through.

Remember, greatness doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen all at once.

Greatness happens bit by bit.

BelieveDo (ch 10) – Focus on Your End Goal

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 10

Sometimes, you have to start something by looking at the end of it in order to wind up where you want to go – because if you know where you want to go, you’ll head in the right direction.  Then, by keeping that route in focus, year after year, the way to get there will become clearer and easier.

When you are dropped into the moment,
you are placed where you are meant to be.

When things don’t go the way you planned, ask yourself, “How in the world did I wind up in this spot?  Did I come down this road on purpose, or did I just wind up here by default?”

“In general, how are you living…by design or by default?  Purposed-living is the only way to go.  All the rest is just bunk.  Are you ready to move ahead, to leave your comfort zone, and to become the amazing creation you are destined to be?  I hope so, because I’m ready for you to overcome and live out loud, too.  As you succeed in life, you remind others that living the status quo is not worth it.  

To the right of my desk, on the wall in my office at home, I have a quote hanging.  It’s there as a constant reminder that there is a time to act, be decisive, and do something about the current situation – whatever that situation may be.  Here’s the quote that kicks me in the rear when I need it:

There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.
‘Julius Caesar’ (Act IV, Scene iii)

If that doesn’t speak “DO SOMETHING!” then I don’t know what will.  That quote has spurred me on to accomplish things and to keep going when I have wanted to quit, not finish writing a book, or do something else besides what I knew I needed to be doing.  

It has also reminded me that success is possible, real, and ever-present in every endeavor we so choose to put our hands to.  These are not light words that I am sharing.  I know that they are true, because I have experienced them.  They’re real – that’s for sure.  Just as Shakespeare knew something profound about the human psyche and spirit hundreds of years ago, I know that those same principles and ideas hold true, today.  I encourage you to go out and live them yourself, too!  You can, if you will.”    – Marty

Focus on your end goal.

BelieveDo (ch 9) – Miracles, Luck, and Strokes of Genius

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 9

Sometimes to achieve a dream, we need a break – some sort of miracle, luck, or stroke of genius.  Thank goodness it appears when we need it the most.  We may be in a really dark spot or just stuck in the same place for a while.  Either way, we need something to break the friction that is keeping us from moving forward.

Miracles, luck, and strokes of genius are still alive and well in the world.  People of all ages and of all walks of life continuously testify to the validity and reality of those three things.  Tomorrow, while you’re out and about during the day, pay attention to what people are saying, and see if you hear how many times people mention something that sounds like a miracle, luck, or stroke of genius.  Then acknowledge it, and smile to yourself – you will have just witnessed greatness in the universe.

Right now, think of some time that one of those three things happened in your own life.  When did some miraculous thing, bit of luck, or mind-bending answer show up and resolve an issue that you were facing?  Did it happen today?  Yesterday?  A few years ago?  When it did occur, did you give thanks for it?  I hope so.  If not, then it’s not too late.  You still can, right now.

Next, think about something that you’re presently going through that makes you think you’ll need another of the three to show up.  Is it a big issue?  Is it small?  Does it involve other people?  Whatever the situation is, the right sized answer will show up, just at the right time.

Greatness will still happen in your life, every day.

Expect it!

BelieveDo (ch 8) – From Hoping to Knowing

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 8

Part of being successful is believing in yourself.   If you believe in yourself, then you’ll be able to believe in other people.  Most people truly believe that they’ll finish what they start, otherwise they wouldn’t start it.  So then, why don’t they finish it?  Something happens; life happens; something doesn’t come through on time; somebody forgets to do an important step; or they just get sidetracked by other things.  Whatever the reason is, it’s apparently enough to keep them from finishing what they started.

But, if they stop allowing themselves to be sabotaged by other people, other things, or themselves, then they’ll see a way to push through that obstacle and finish well.  That success will cause them to believe more strongly that they can accomplish something.  Then, they will start something, work through issues that arise, and finish that task.  Success leads to success and builds up the level of belief.  The process repeats itself, but with a higher level of confidence.

With increased belief comes an improved vision.  When you go from hoping that you’ll finish something, to knowing that you’ll finish it, your whole attitude changes!  You no longer dread starting a new task…you actually look forward to it.   Why?  Because you now have the perspective and knowledge of how to work through bumps in the road that may have stopped you before.

With every new success comes an increase in experience, tenacity, and self-assuredness.  All of those ingredients combine to improve your vision in life.  You can almost anticipate how something is going to turn out, because you take control of your part, instead of letting it idly cruise along.

Move from hoping to knowing.

BelieveDo (ch 7) – Are You Where You Want to Be?

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 7

Are you where you want to be?

Wow! What a topic to think about!  This one topic can cause so much inner turmoil inside of the average person.  To truly answer the above question, you have to be really honest with yourself.

Have you reached a state of self-fulfillment, or are you just getting by from week-to-week, telling yourself, “things are going to get better”?

For example –
“Most people I know are living in the things-will-get-better state.  I found myself there, once in my life, until I took a painful journey of dealing with reality.

The first thing I had to do was identify my current state.  I was not happy with myself or my marriage.  As much as I wanted to fix my marriage and keep it together, my spouse did not…

I had finally woken up from a 13-year fantasy to face reality.  In addition to my marriage situation, I was not getting things in life accomplished the way I expected them to be accomplished.  I was floundering in acceptance of my situations.

What happened next was a true miracle, in my eyes.  My counselor, Julie Ramsey at the time, asked me a question that unlocked everything that was holding me back.  It was like someone had lifted a 100-pound weight off my chest!

After 13 years of my current situation, I could finally see all aspects of my relationship.  It was like I was totally naked to the truth.  The sad part of this was I realized that I was living a lie, and I was nowhere near where I wanted to be, in life.

The question she posed to me was, “You do realize you can’t make somebody happy if they’re not happy with themselves, right?”  

I was stunned! How could this be true?  That was too easy of a revelation of the simple truth.  How could I have not realized this before now?   My mind and heart were racing as I tried to make peace with this bit of reality.  What this meant to me was that I needed to face my situation without any excuses.  

For the first time in my life, I was about to greet reality face-to-face.  On that very day, I made up my mind that my life needed to change.  I needed to take the steps toward making this change.  

…talk about a sobering reality to deal with…  I had to face someone who had been a major part of my life and tell her that my life was about to change – that she was a part of this change.  At this point, I had to ignore everything but the facts and deal with the situation, or this change could never take place.

I sat down and defined my goals.  I had to do some research and figure out what it was going to take to make them happen.  A painful piece of the change meant getting a divorce and starting over.  It meant maybe living apart from my sons.  It meant going back to school for more education.  It meant sacrificing my weekends in the name of making me a better person.  Was I really up for this challenge?  Could I really pull this off?  I must be crazy to think I could actually get where I wanted to be in life.

The more I thought about the situation, the more it made sense to me.  I had to do this to be a better person, to be a better father, and to achieve the rest of my goals.  I can tell that you the road was tough, and it was an emotional journey I do not wish upon anyone – but it needed to happen.  Your situation might not be as drastic as mine, but it will still take being honest with yourself and answering the question in this chapter’s title (question) – without any reserve.”
-Isaiah

Are you where you want to be?

BelieveDo (ch 6) – Mental Magnetism

Posted on by martyjreep in Motivational

[The following is an excerpt from the motivational book, Believe. Do. And Follow Through!, that I co-wrote with Isaiah Whittaker]

Chapter 6

How do you utilize the universal principle of attraction in your life?  By thinking about and focusing on the best aspects of life and continuously dwelling on them.  When you do that, a smile will appear on your face.  Then, others will see it in your eyes, your smile, your attitude, and your overall demeanor.

Whether you realize it or not, every day, you promote and live out what you focus on.  What you occupy and preoccupy your mind with is what you wind up seeing and being drawn towards.

If you focus on trouble and problems, you’ll see and experience more trouble and problems.  If you focus on successes and great things, you’ll see and experience more successes and more great things.  So, if what you’re currently drawn to is what you really want in life, then good – way to go!

If not, then you can do something about it – change your thoughts!  Change your focus!  Adjust your position to something so that your perspective is different.  When you get in the right position, all sorts of things become clear and in focus.

It’s like using binoculars.  When they’re out of focus, you don’t see things clearly.  But, when you adjust the position or the focal point, everything becomes crystal clear!  …Amazing how that works.  …just like in life!

Dwell on the things, ideas, emotions, and parts of life that you want and are interested in.

Thinking about things is an automatic part of your daily existence – it’s part of your overall build as a human being.  But, you have control over the content that you think about.  You attract or magnetize things to you, automatically – both good and bad.

Then, how do you attract only the good things?  …by focusing more of your thoughts, actions, reactions, and energy on them.  As you do, the bad things will fall away, since less energy is being utilized towards them.

To better understand these concepts, think about magnets.  Magnets work on the principles of attraction: North attracts South, South attracts North, over and over again, in a linear and circular series.  It may seem that North and South are opposite, but in fact they are simply two different parts of energy that are intertwined throughout all aspects of life.  One cannot exist without the other.   They balance each other and hold each other up.

If you take those intertwined forces of energy and utilize them on emotional, physical, and psychological levels, amazing things will happen.  When you deliberately and purposefully act and react with good intentions in all the different aspects of your life, you’ll be amazed at the wonderful things that will happen – you’ll start attracting the kind of people you want to you; things will start to seem “easy”; and “doors” will open that were closed before.

If you focus internally on the positive aspects of life, then outwardly conducting your life in the same way will be simple to do.  In time, your life will change for the better.

Remember, you’re not going for short term, overnight changes… you’re working on things that will carry you through the rest of your life.

What you focus on is what you experience.