As I was talking with a friend of mine the other day, he said something very interesting about taking action on something he wanted to do for a long time but wasn’t sure if he could take the action.  Well finally one day he did and the results were amazing.   As he told me what he did, it was a simple act of just stopping by someone’s house to say hello after 30 years.   He said:

“I took the action before I could think about it.”

   How many times have we held ourselves back because we didn’t do the deed, we didn’t pick up the phone or take the action necessary to achieve our goal?  By taking action to achieve a goal we are denying the “what-if” syndrome that can kill any action. So many times we deny ourselves the experience we can feel by “what-ifing” the situation to death.  Why?  What are the probabilities of this “what-if” scenario actually occurring?  How likely will that actually be to happen?

   I often write a quote to myself to remind me of something:

“If the goal is worth the reward, be prepared to take the steps necessary to get there”

  I have been as guilty as anyone catching the “what-if” syndrome that limits me to achieve what I need to achieve. While I think I am being “practical” (mindful of the results, usefulness, advantages or disadvantages, etc., of action or procedure. Dictionary.com), what advantage does this give me to be aware of a self-interpreted conclusion that may not happen?  Why not try the action and see what happens?  We may find by taking that action that the results of success far outweigh the fear we had.  This may be just asking someone a question, talking to someone about an event that occurred or how you feel about a situation or other actions to improve a current situation or feeling.  Let’s make sure we live our lives for a better today and better tomorrow.

  Charles Du Bos had an interesting quote on this idea:

“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become” 

   If we are not in the right place now, change direction! Every day is a new opportunity to start a new direction. Actually every moment we have the ability to start a new direction if we don’t like where we are. Why not try it?

   If I can help you or a group you are part of to see a Positive Perspective to our everyday lives, please feel free to contact me through my website at:

www.bobbrumm.com

  I received this note from a friend of mine, Kirk Weisler. This really touched a nerve. Not in a bad way, but more in a “reality check” way.

At the ITSMF USA conference in Dallas last week a young man and I were talking about “stuff”, and the time we spend doing it, pursuing it and paying for it. Into our conversation I threw this quote from one my friends overseas… ”Day in and day out what we do is what we become.” He then responded with a quote that sounded like something I had heard Dr. Stephen Covey say and said as much. He said, no…not Stephen Covey…Stephen King!!

The quote from King was paraphrased …but essentially said…. “No one on their deathbed will wish they had spent more time instant messaging or on facebook.”

The original Covey quote is similar…”No one on their deathbed will wish they had spent more time at the office.”
Absolutely worthwhile is the entire article written by Stephen King called, “My Screen Addiction“ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20293300,00.html

Covey also taught… “Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.”

I know I would never want my children to respond to the question “Where’s your Dad?” with …. “He’s always on his computer.“ It may be time for me, and perhaps you to courageously do what Stephen King did and see if we need to make a choice and make a change.

   You see, the hardest sentence to swallow is the first sentence of the last paragraph. This is similar to what I heard this past weekend when my six year old said he never gets to spend any time with me. Feel the heartbreak? I was busy doing some maintenance tasks around the house. Now really, how important is this?

   I am tired of living for my house! I want to enjoy my family. Our children offer some great reality checks every day. We just have to LISTEN to THEM! I have started to hear the real messages, when we go through home depot and he holds my hand and he sings, just enjoying time with Daddy. Or when he wants to go to the grocery store and ride in my car with me. These are the true treasures of life, not the material items we posses. We do need certain items, food, shelter and Love. But the material items need to be placed in the proper perspective of our life as to what value they may bring. What we do with the people in our lives is much more important that what items we have. Through my experiences, my perspective of life has changed. I hope this short note can help your perspective to be a Positive Perspective.

If  I can help you or a group you are part of, build a Positive Perspective, please feel free to contact me through my web page at:
www.bobbrumm.com

I recently read this int he book OVERACHIEVEMENT by John Elliot Ph.D.

“The destination is not the point; the journey is what the greatest performers love. And they go after it with an intensity that most view as nuts, or even irresponsible.”

Are you enjoying your journey? Or are you on a treadmill  trying to get to a destination your not sure you will like?  Have you even realized what is around you? People, places, experiences. 

Our society needs to realize our journey is much more valuable than just reaching a destination. I forget this many times running from work to practice to cooking dinner to getting the kids homework done, to getting them ready for bed. My wife does this as well.  I’m tired just writing this. 

However, every now and then, I get the 2 X  4 to the head and see the real value of spending time with the kids and my wife.  As I get older, I remind myself of the value of the journey everyday, so I don’t get stressed by daily activities and tasks that may need to be done.

Let’s remember to have a positive perspective in our lives. Enjoy the journey to the destination.

If I can be of asssistance to you or a group/organization you are part of, please contact me at :

www.bobbrumm.com

 

 

    Have you had an eye opening moment lately?  This past weekend I had one that really made me think about what I do. 

    While I was at one of my son’s tournament baseball games, the local league official came by with the can for donations. Now at this moment many people find a convenient way to avoid giving a little.  Since I know that running a baseball league or hosting a tournament takes a lot of effort and money I decided to put something in for the league hosting the tournament.  What I didn’t realize was who was watching.

   I had my 6 year old son with me in the stands who had put many nickels, dimes and quarters into a small wallet before the game and told me he wanted to buy his own snack later that day.

   Well, apparently he saw me put my money into the can for a donation and he came up to me and asked, “Daddy, how much do I need for my snack later?”  I said “probably a dollar”. Well he had five quarters in his little wallet and he decided that he wanted to donate some of his money to the league. So he asked where the man with the can was, so he could put his money in just like I did.

   Now as I write this I have to hold back the tears of pride that I have for my son. For it wasn’t the amount that mattered but the act that mattered. I took him very proudly by the hand and we went and found the man with the “donation can” so he could put his money into the can as a donation to the hosting league. 

   How often are we put in a situation where we can make a choice and effect the actions of others by our own actions?  This was a great parent moment for me.  I learned the value of my actions as others see them. This event makes me more aware that my actions are seen by others and that I can have a very positive outcome for not only me but others.  

   With this story, I ask that we all think about our actions so we realize that they will impact not only our lives but other peoples lives.

 Let’s perform great actions for everyones great results.

   If I can assist you or a group you are part of, to see a positive perspective, please feel free to contact me at:

www.bobbrumm.com

I received these quotes this morning from YourSuccessStore.com and I wanted to enlighten others with the encouraging words.

DISCIPLINE  

“The only competition you will ever have is the competition between your disciplined and undisciplined mind.” — James A. Ray

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” — General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” — Stephen King

“When the morning’s freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday, when the leg muscles give under the strain, the climb seems endless, and suddenly nothing will go quite as you wish-it is then that you must not hesitate.” — Dag Hammarskjold

DO IT NOW!

“Now is the only time there is. Make your now wow, your minutes miracles, and your days pay. Your life will have been magnificently lived and invested, and when you die you will have made a difference.” — Mark Victor Hansen

“Stop rationalizing, stop stewing. Get up out of your chair and start doing.” — Denis Waitley

“It’s a strange thing, you have said it thousands of times I am sure… you will never know what you can do until you try. However the sad truth is, that most people never try anything until they know they can do it.” — Bob Proctor

“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been’.” — John Greenleaf Whittier

DREAM BIG DREAMS

“Get excited and enthusiastic about your own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire – you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.” — Denis Waitley

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by obvious realities. We need men and women who can dream of things that never were…” — John F. Kennedy

We all need information and ideas that will help us accomplish Discipline, Do It Now and  Dreaming Big. The real message is we need to TAKE ACTION to get results.  I must confess at times I struggle with this concept. However, I do get “encouragement” from family and friends.

Let’s keep encouraging each other to make the world a better place.

If I can help you or a group/organization you are part of please feel free to contact me.

www.bobbrumm.com

This is a quote I created and write in my daily planner every morning.

Belief is the catalyst that sets action in motion

Emerson takes this concept a few steps further:

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

This concepts really gives some insight as to how we can achieve our goals.

1. We need to believe in what we do
2. We need to TAKE ACTION on our beliefs.  Nothing will happen just talking about something.
3. We need to repeat the action if we don’t get the expected results.
4. Repetitive action turns into habit and habit of GOOD actions can get us the results we want.

These results are the events of our lives. SO do we want to make the events have great effects on our lives and the lives or others? Or do we just want to do our own thing? 

We are not alone in this world. The last time I checked, there were over 6.7 Billion people in this world. How many of those people can you help?

I would encorage you to read a GREAT E-book by Tom Hanson Phd. entitled:

“Who Will Do What By When“

This book  gives great insight to Integrity and accomplishing tasks in all aspects of our life.

 

Go to http://www.mcssl.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=978722 to get your copy.

I encourage you to build your value by reading great information and continue the process to create a great destiny.

If I can help you or a group/organization you are part of please feel free to contact me at:

www.bobbrumm.com

 

I recently received a Google alert that included some great words from UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro that really got me thinking today.

The world is confronted by a host of crises: a global food crisis; profound climate change; and extreme poverty. Add volatile energy prices and the challenges we face begin to look insurmountable. But together we can succeed in addressing them.

But I would argue that real power comes from building support, forging consensus and constructing partnerships. Real power comes from empowering people. Empowering them to change. Empowering them to reach out to others. Empowering them to improve their lives.

I have seen the incredible capacity of people to make change happen in even the most difficult circumstances. Often, change takes only a small amount of support from a trusted partner.

The task of achieving the Goals is too great for any one of us to achieve alone. We must forge partnerships to empower each other. We must succeed together. Each of us has a personal responsibility to address the grinding poverty that exists alongside abundant plenty. And you, the next generation of leaders, you have a particularly critical role to play. Each one of us comes from a privileged generation ‑‑ each more privileged in many ways than the last. The personal commitments you make today to the global causes you passionately embrace will help define today’s priorities and tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

There are so many ways you can contribute. In fact, there is little excuse for inaction. From efforts to set the world on a new path to food security, to fighting global warming, which so badly endangers our common future, you can make a difference. Your commitment and insight will be welcome.

Then I read this great quote from Theodore Roosevelt in my planner:

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

You see, both these have to do with taking action. Taking action on what you believe in and sharing that belief with others. So I am taking action and sharing what I believe in; Encouragement.

No matter what these days hand us, we can overcome these conditions.  This is not easy, sometimes not fun and can drain a lot if not all of our energy. But, we must realize that we still get the opportunity to rise everyday and try try again. What if we try to think just a bit differently for ourselves and others? How can we help our co-workers, business partners and family members?  It may be lending an ear, stating a compliment or just taking time to be with people and this doesn’t cost any money! Yet it has unmeasurable value.

We can build support for others and for ourselves by talking with our families and business partners to achieve the goals we want. You alone cannot think of everything. This is a reality check for me a lot of times. Reaching out to others can empower us and others to achieve great results.

The other day when I got home from work, my six year old was sooo excited to tell me what went on in his day that he was jumping up and down as soon as I walked in the door. Most days that could test my nerves, but the good Lord told me to slow down and listen. I did, and the excitement in his eyes and tone of voice and the smile on my face as he told me about his adventure where priceless. Have you heard a voice tell you to slow down and listen? Have you listened to that voice?  I learn everyday to try and slow down to hear what really matters. Encouraging and helping others. That is my decision.

 

How can I help You?

 

If I can help you or a group/organization you are part of, please let me know.

 

www.bobbrumm.com

 

 Escalating Knowledge, Opportunity Awareness and Encouragement that empowers others to rise to any challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

  I have had some  “life realization” moments lately. These include:

• A co-worker passed away after a massive heart attack on Easter Sunday. 
• Realizing I am not 18 anymore.
• A good life is about understanding what you can be the best at.
• Take every moment in as a blessing, because time doesn’t have reverse.

   Not to start with a negative tone about someone dying, but this reality, gives us a moment to realize additional, valuable information about ourselves and our lives.  Are we living our life the “Way We Want” or, are we just living, taking in food and air? Who’s life is it anyway?  The economy doesn’t need to direct our life! We direct our Life. Our financial situation doesn’t direct our happiness. We direct our happiness. Comments from others don’t direct our lives. We choose our direction in life.

   Is your life in order or chaos? A harsh reality is that I think mine is more of the second. Not ”a total lack of  organization or order” as the definition states, but some items need “tuning”.  I WILL be correcting this! This is my life and I want it to be the best for my family and I. After hearing of my co-worker passing, and reading the kind words others have said about him, I thought to myself, what will people say about me? What will people say about you?  As everday passes I realize that I am not “invincable” like I thought I was when I was younger.  

   I also realized that we need to take every moment as a blessing, because time doesn’t have reverse.  Once a moment is gone, it is just that, gone. We cannot change what happened, we can change how we will react and we can learn from the previous moment. But the moment doesn’t come back..

  I recently saw the movie “Yes Man” with Jim Carey and it gives an interesting perspective of life. We need to take hold of every opportunity we have because you never know what it will do for your life. Everything in our day is an opportunity to learn, grow, make someone smile and realize the sun is out lighting up all the possibilities in our day.  As we realize opportunities for ourselves, we help others to see opportunities and that is where the real value lies, helping others.

 I escalate Knowledge, convey Opportunity Awareness and Encouragement that empowers others to rise to any challenge.

 HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

   If I can be of asssistance to you or a group/organization you are part of, please feel free to contact me.

www.bobbrumm.com

Why Do We Do What We Do?

    I need to build from a previous posting because I have expanded my knowledge and I thought I would share what I learned with all of you.

   How many times have we heard ourselves saying “Justice” statements? “If I could just get enough time to get this done”, “If I could just make enough money to cover this bill or that bill”. Or saying limiting statements about our abilities, “I can never remember names”, “I’m not good at math”. 

    What are we really doing and why?  Aren’t we limiting our potential? Limiting the possibilities before we see if the opportunity can even occur.  I call some of these limiting statements (i.e. “If I can Just get …”) “JustIce” statements because these type of statements freeze our potential, freeze our possibilities and freeze our dreams of what could occur. And when you freeze something, that something tends to die. Why do we kill our potential or our opportunities?

    I recently read an article by L. Barnett Powell that covers this scenario. Here is some valuable information from the article.

    The truth is this: You can do anything, have anything, be anything you put your mind to set about achieving. The fuel you need to make it work is EMOTION. Not only that, it needs to be a high level emotion – gratitude, happiness, joy, hope, love. Depression, worry, fear and anxiety will not bring you a positive achievement. You will get what you don’t want – because you focused mentally on it and put the emotions of fear, worry, anxiety and depression behind it.

    When you do not achieve a goal, take a look at the structure of your life and what you are holding in your mind and the emotions behind it. Typically you find you have been mired in worry, depression, and fear. The result is not achieving a goal. It is then time to kick yourself into high gear and get back on track with what is true – and that is the Law of Attraction. Remind yourself that you will attract whatever you focus on and invest with emotion, whatever that may be. I have embraced the lie that says you cannot have, do or be what you desire. As soon as this is realized it is time to release it and get back on track.

    So the process is straight-forward. Be clear about what you want. Focus on it with not only your mind, but your emotions. Direct your emotions. As musician Joan Armatrading says, “light up”. Be grateful. Be joyful. Be excited. Be motivated. Be insistent. See yourself achieving your goal/having what you want and get happy about it. That vision is important. Focus is powerful. Stay focused on that outcome – because where you place your focus is where you will find yourself in the end. Seize every opportunity and be willing to take risks to create opportunity – all with your goal clearly in mind. Expect to receive what your desire.

   The Universe listens to what goes through your head and is powered by your emotions. Your emotions make your thought “scream” out what you want and in response the Universe. Without judgment, gives you what you are so strongly focusing on with your thoughts and emotions. That means your best move, if you want to achieve your vision, is to plug into positive, high-level emotions and put them behind your vision.

You will manifest what you desire.

    I know I have been down this road of worry and fear and it got me just what I didn’t want; fear, worry, anxiety, lack of sleep and not eating. None of which are fun. We all need “reminders” to keep us on the good road of happiness, joy, love and achievement with a positive perspective. Let’s stay off the ice in life and help ourselves and others to be happy and achieve a joyous life.  We need to realize WHAT A JOYOUS life really consists of. Be thankful/appreciative for being on the green side of the grass.

   Sometimes all it takes is a kind word, a note or a smile. Be willing to take risks to create opportunity. As the good book says, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you” Luke 11:9.

    If I can assist you or a group/organization/association you are part of, I encourage you to review my web page were my contact information is included at:

www.bobbrumm.com

I received this today and I just loved the message this quote provides. This would be a great commencement address quote.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

– Dr. Seuss

If  I can help you or a group/association or organization you are part of, I encourage you to review my web site at:

www.bobbrumm.com