Happy 4th Message to my Friends...

Hi Max!

A message I wrote to my Friends on Facebook today and I want you to hear it. Here's to you always be changing, improving, and freeing yourself from the current normal!

"NOW is the time to declare YOUR independence from the bad habits & thoughts that prison you. NOW, you declare YOUR independence from distractions, inactivity, toxic people, & unstructured time. Quit taxing your soul by doing these things you hate or these things that make you play small! Rise Up! Sign YOUR Declaration of Independence! FREE yourself from the chains of self-limiting beliefs and behaviors! Be FREE! +m2"

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Note I Wrote... Happy 4th and It's Half-time...

Hi Max!

As you know, I love my Fanpage at www.Facebook.com/SevenLevels. It's not that I love my Fanpage as such, but love the people I get to "hang out" with there. The conversations inspire me daily. So when I wrote this note for the 4th of July weekend, I got a great response. Better than anticipated. It was off-the-cuff, from-the-heart, and unedited. But passion and conviction will always overcome editing and grammatically-correct sentences. Thought I'd share what you're old dad wrote. :)

Here it is:

Hi!

Just wanted to wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday weekend! Hope the 4th of July Weekend is filled with festivites, fun, and family for you. Safe travels as well.

Blessings,

Michael

P.S. This time of year reminds me of my coaching days. "What is the least important score in sports?" I would say in the locker room. "Half-time," my team would respond. So true, nobody checks the half-time score in the paper the next morning. No, they look at the final score. They look to see who won or lost. They don't give awards, recognition, or trophies for half-time scores. There's never been a champion crowned at half-time.

We've been down 21-13 and we've been up 37-7 at half-time and my first words are the same. I've seen big leads lost and setbacks become comebacks. No matter how the first half of your year has gone - good, average, or bad... it is half-time. Now is the time to FINISH STRONG! Which is fine and well... finish strong is a great campaign slogan, rallying cry, and short movie at Simple Truths (http://www.finishstrongmovie.com/), but what does it mean to "finish strong?" The way to finish strong is execution.

Do you know why sports teams have plays and a playbook? Someone somewhere along the way figured out that with plays and a playbook a less-talented team could beat a more-talented team. That if you had a game plan and executed it well, you could beat those who didn't. Same is true in business as you know. You know what to do. Say it to yourself, "I know what to do." Because you do. You know what you need to do on a daily business to be healthier, to be more productive, and to earn more income. You do. The only difference between sitting in the seat you are now and sitting in the seat you want is one word - EXECUTION.

Execute the game plan. Instead of knowing you need to pick up the phone, pick up the phone. Instead of knowing you need to meet with people, go out and do it. Face-to-face, belly-to-belly, and in-person is how business gets done. Perhaps electronic communication has taken you off course the first half. That's okay. It happens. Now, get back on course, do what you know you know to do.

Execute to Finish Strong. It's Half-time and you've got a second half to win.

Lou Holtz said, "How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game... whether you are a winner or loser."

Here's to wishing you the best second half of the year you've ever had. +m2"

Max, hope you enjoyed that. Don't know if I'll ever coach you - hope I get to one day - but this is a look back to those days. :)

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. While I was writing this, you came downstairs and gave me a hug. Awesome. Love you. :)

Laugh of the Day... Squirrel!

Hi Max!

Had to share this strand of postings from a friend of mine's FB page... he broke a mug and here are his friends' thoughts on how to "cover it up" (Look at Carole and Debbie's):

Chris Brown
the unforgivable - i broke a co-workers coffee cup. what should I do?
about an hour ago · Like ·
Cari Knapp likes this.

Nancy Rein Larson If you need to ask FB this question you got serious issues.
about an hour ago · Like

Chris Brown LOL - issues aside [i concede that point] it is not FB i am asking, it is the people and friends that I connect with here, Nancy. but... you knew that, didn't you. =0) I am looking for 1. creative, 2. sarcastic, or 3. heart warming ideas...
about an hour ago · Like

Carole Sanek male or female?
about an hour ago · Like

Chris Brown uh- my assistant's, Val
about an hour ago · Like

Nancy Rein Larson You be a man. Walk up to her tell her I'm sorry I broke your coffee mug. I'll buy you a new one by lunch time. Any particular color? Geez what was so difficult with that????
about an hour ago · Like

Viki Hettinger It could be a long day!
about an hour ago · Like

Carole Sanek Sarcastic? and she is your assistant NOT!!!! Get creative quickly - open a window, draw little squirrel footprints where the coffee cup was, cut a few strands of hair (cut them short) say you grabbed the little b*st*rd by the tail after you found the evidence
about an hour ago · Like · 5 people

Jen Machalicek A new mug with a few Starbuck's cards tucked inside.
about an hour ago · Like · 2 people

Connie Simon She knows you're sorry from the look on your face. Now just tell. Don't get just any cup. Find a special one for her.
about an hour ago · Like

Nancy Rein Larson Unless it's from the Ming dynasty then you are screwed. Take a second mortgage on your house for that replacement!
about an hour ago · Like

Chris Brown OMG- you guys are awesome. keep 'em coming...
about an hour ago · Like

Val Gonzalez Mendoza Simple... Crate & barrel by millennia mall....lol just kidding !
about an hour ago · Like

Val Gonzalez Mendoza My favorite ???? Jen's !!!!!!! :))))))))
about an hour ago · Like

Chris Brown I like Carole's idea.... seeking squirrel fur as we speak...
about an hour ago · Like · 1 person

Carole Sanek thank you Chris Brown I can get very creative when I need to be
about an hour ago · Like

Kathi Adkins Super Glue back together and sheepishly hand it back to her
about an hour ago · Like · 1 person

Rob Arnold I like Jen's answer. Going to have to kiss up to her today.
55 minutes ago · Like · 1 person

Kathryn Llamas Cardinal punishment!....Nothing but a year's worth of Starbucks coffee would suffice....
54 minutes ago · Like · 2 people

Dawn Marie Sypniewski Rodriguez Give her the day off to grieve......=)
you can also go to a craft store like Michaels or Jo Ann's, they have coffee mugs you can buy and design them yourself... you can personalize it however you want just for her!!!!
49 minutes ago · Like · 1 person

Chris Brown ‎Kathryn Llamas - i dont know if i could afford that!
48 minutes ago · Like

Chris Brown ‎Dawn - that is a cool idea. i am afraid that it would result in a blank white mug. i am not that creative when it comes to that stuff... =0(
47 minutes ago · Like

Dawn Marie Sypniewski Rodriguez Time to get creative!!!!! Lol....=)
42 minutes ago · Like

Mike Jones Put it in the garbage and they'll think it's missing! C'mon all of you know that's what you were thinking... you just didn't have the guts to say it :)
32 minutes ago · Like · 1 person

Debbie Smith Seiber I like the squirrel idea however, you need a video to accompany the story. Have a coworker video it from their phone... Buy a toy squirrel, show you wrestling with the squirrel for the mug (explains the left squirrel fur), as the mug is falling; you are falling to the ground to catch the mug (reenact this in slow motion.. Sound as well), the squirrel pushes you just as you are catching it, mug falls to the ground.. crashes & breaks, squirrel jumps up on window sill turns back to give you that " squirrelly little look", then takes off for another office building to never be found. That should do it!
22 minutes ago · Like

And of course, here is Val's next coffee mug... wait for it...

Haha! Love it!

Have a great day at "school" today! Love you.

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

We're about ready for affirmations with you, Max...

Hi Max!

Wanted to share this video with you because I am such a believer in affirmations and I can't wait to share this with you when you can put them into play.

Here's the video: "Click here!"

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Just had to upload this photo from Festival of the Trails! This is YOU!...

Hi Max!

If I had to pick a pic for your demeanor, this would be it. You are ALWAYS so dang happy! :) This picture instantly brings a smile to my face, just like thinking about you does. Great photo and you are really in your element going down the "bouncy house slide".

Blessings,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Happy Fathers Day!

Hi Max!

Thank you for surprising me with breakfast in bed and the awesome picture book today for Fathers Day! You're first book! The day is only halfway done and I'm looking forward to the second half! :). Love you.

Blessings!

Max's Dad (Michael)

06-18-11: Serving Leads to Deserving...

Hi Max!

Was just thinking about you today and was compelled to share this message with you:

Servlng leads to deserving. I've been credited with that quote and if I'd love to have one preceding my name, this would be one. There are so many strengths to leading with serving.

1) Serving leads to deserving. As you increasingly help others, your capacity and ability to help grows - like a muscle - the more you work it, the stronger it gets. You meet people who can help more people better and faster and solve their problems and challenges faster and at a higher level. Your network of helpers (I call this your Team) gets larger, stronger, better, and more precise. Rather than having a few tools in your tool chest, you have an arsenal of tools that work in many places.

2) Serving leads to deserving. Serving people and "serving the time" leads to a feeling of deserving the rewards. When Vijay Singh knocked Tiger Woods off the perch of the #1 Ranking of PGA Tour golfers, he had hit 1000 balls per day every day. He practiced daily and pursued the endeavor with full focus and intensity. The result: he knocked what many consider the greatest golfer of our time off the #1 spot*. When asked how he did it, Singh responded, "I hit 1000 balls per day every day... I worked harder than anybody else. I deserve #1." When you serve, you deserve. Many people don't get referrals in business because they don't feel like they deserve the referrals. "I'm not good enough. I don't work hard enough. I don't have the experience/I am new. I am part-time. I don't have a team. I don't deserve this." are all comments that equate to excuses. When you work hard, you feel you deserve the rewards. When you serve many people, you feel you deserve the business and the referrals. (*By the way, read this article and look at the quotes about Vijay Singh on his way to #1. Do you see some correlations to the Generosity Generation here? Click here)

3) Serving leads to deserving. As you serve more people, your self-esteem rises. Dr. Karl Menninger was asked, "What should a person do if he felt a 'nervous breakdown' coming on?" He said: "Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone in need, and do something for them." Not just those at the desperate end of the spectrum can benefit from helping others. We find our own value in helping others. We help a person and it feels good. We find that we are useful. We help another and we feel even better and we find that we are even more useful. Continue to give and help, and you find your usefulness to the world almost immeasurable. Our value to the world is determined by our value to the people of the world. The Law of Compensation says the greater our value to the world, the higher our compensation (the more the world will pay us for our help). Dave Ramsey, in his study of billionaires, found two common characteristics of these highest of the high earners - they were consistent (the tortoise always wins) and they were givers. Do you think they were givers first or billionaires?

There are many more reasons "Serving Leads to Deserving", but these are three of the most important. Many of the people I speak to are sales people and they need to take this to heart - after all, the root word for "to sell" is "sellan" which means "to give" or "to serve" (read that in The Go-Giver).

Max, you are a natural-born server. I have seen you help your classmates, your mother, me, and others without even knowing that what you were doing is out of the ordinary. You get it and I love that about you. As you get older, I hope this talent takes you far and my bits of what I've learned over time helps you hone that talent.

Blessings!

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. Dr. Karl Meninger has some of my favorite quotes:

On love
"Love cures people - both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it."

On love II
"Love is a medicine for the sickness of the world; a prescription often given, too rarely taken."

On love III
"One does not fall into love; one grows into love, and love grows in him."