You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To

Way to often we think, "I can't do that" or "I'm not like them". I'd like to ask YOU the question, why do you think that? What makes the next person so different from you? You have a head, two arms, two legs, etc. I'll tell you a few of the differences. It's will, drive, will, determination and most importantly, attitude.

So, you don't have as much money. There are things called student loans, grants. Who says you have to go to a 4 year university? There are plenty of accredited community colleges. There is the excuse, "I work and have a family" or "I'm a single parent". Well, there are evening classes, weekend classes, online classes. Think of how much more you will be able to do for your family once you have that degree. The one that you hear now is, "I'm too old". Well, I got news for ya. My own mother (a grandmother) earned her degree well over the age of 50.

There is no reason you can't do what you want to do in order to succeed in life. You want a better job? Read, study, go to school. Request a meeting to speak with the HR person at that company to learn more about what you need to do to obtain a job. If you want to get ahead at your current job, talk to your boss. Let them know you want to achieve more, do more, be more.

First thing you need to do is get your mind right and say, "I can do it", because you can. There is nothing and no one that can prevent you from achieving your goal. You are somebody. You can achieve your goals. I'm not saying it's going to be easy. In most cases it isn't. The only person that can hold you back is you. So, start telling yourself you can do it...and then do it.

Take Time To Be A Dad Today

Gentlemen, I'm sure you've seen the commercials on ESPN where they show a scene of a little kid doing something, and then the dad comes over to help. Then they go off into the music and say, "take time to be a dad today". I believe they have the right concept behind those commercials, however, being a good father has to come from inside of you.

I can admit, I haven't always been the best father. I know there were times where I could have done a better job at being apart of my kids lives. Now, this has nothing to do with me and my father and our relationship. I can honestly say, I'm the father I am today because of my dad.

True enough, you may have grown up in a home where your father was barely around or not around at all. Some of you even had your father there the entire time. As we do in most family settings, we take what we know as "normal" from our childhood and try to incorporate that into our lives. We do this knowingly and unknowingly. The think that they are still doing studies on this: Will a boy grow to become a good father, because they had a great father growing up? Will the young man grow up to be an absent father because his own father was not around much? Will a young man know how to treat his kids by not having a father figure in their lives at all? I don't care how much research they do, there is no way of knowing. There are plenty of troubled young men that didn't have their father growing up that turned out to be great fathers with a successful marriage. There are young men that had their father around and gave them everything. They grow up to resent them for being there.

Being a dad isn't an exact science. There are plenty of books and people that think they know. I suggest talking to men you trust. Read a book or two on parenting. In the end, your kids are your kids. Spend time with them. Get to know them and who they are. As much as we'd like to think they are mirror images of us, they aren't.

Take the time to be there for you kids. That hour you spend with them can be life changing compared to that hour in front of the TV, at the bar, playing games. I'm not saying forget who you are and just kids, kids, kids. What I am saying is understand the importance of spending time with your kids. They really do listen and believe it or not, they really do want to spend time with you. Take time to be a dad today...

The Grass Isn't Always Greener...

You ever hear the term, "The grass is greener on the other side"? Meaning, what's over there is better than what you have. Sometimes this is true, sometimes it isn't. Each situation is different. It could be related to a job, moving to the other side of town, it's even used in relationships.

Work - You have to carefully review your situation and circumstances before making a decision to do something different (or what you perceive as better). Make sure you are making the change for the right reasons and not just for "right now". Sometimes work gets complacent and you get the need to do more, to be more. In some cases, it's monetary reasons that inspire you to make a change. Evaluate all of your work conditions and options. Make the best decision that encompasses all you want to do and where you want to go. Have a plan and then execute that plan to get to where you want to be.

Moving - This (in my opinion) is the easiest decision to make. Perhaps you took a new job and received a promotion. The area you are looking to move to has better schools or more activities for the kids. It may even be closer to work. Again, weigh out the pros and cons. New neighbors, new friends for the kids. New commute to work, etc. Make sure it's the best for you (if you don't have a family) and make sure it's the best decision for your family.

Relationships - Oh boy...now here's a big one. There are so many reasons that you need to weigh out ALL of your options. First things first. Always work on your relationship. Talk it out. Share with each other your thoughts and feelings and try to come to a compromise. Don't sweat the little things and put 100% effort into everything you do ---- Now, if you have put all you can into the relationship and it's not working again, talk it out and decide to split ways on good terms. Don't go cheat or stay round and grow to resent each other. Be adults about the situation. Just make sure it's what you want and again...for the right reasons. As I said, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side".

"Do or do not. There is no try"

"Do or do not. There is no try" is a quote from one of my favorite movie series. That saying in itself, could not be more accurate to daily life. So often we say, "Well, I'll try". I've learned over the years that "I'll try" is an excuse not to do your best. It's a precursor for failure. If you say "I'll try" no one will hold you accountable if you fail. You will not hold yourself accountable if you fail.

We have to get into the mindset of actually doing what we say we are going to do. If you tell a co-worker, a family member, a friend, "I'll do that for you", then do it. Your word is your bond (bond = promise). Take accountability for your actions, your decision making and ultimately your success and failures. If you make the effort and fail, be proud in the fact that you gave your all. If you make the effort and succeed, enjoy knowing you have accomplished the task at hand and continue to move forward.

Believe it or not, success starts with having the right mindset. If you tell yourself, you are not going to do well, chances are you are not going to do well. If you say, I'm going to past this test or I'm going to get this job, then you will. I'm not saying there aren't going to obstacles, because there will be. I'd like to reference Michael Jordan. The man many of us consider to be the greatest basketball player ever. This man was cut from his high school basketball team. If his mindset would have been, "well, I tried", there is no telling if we would even have an NBA today.

Condition your mind that you can do it. That you can make it. The road isn't always easy. There will be struggles, but make up your mind that you will make it. That you will succeed..."Just do it"!