Not only one of my favorite actors, but also one of my biggest inspirations, Will Smith is one of the most successful people on the planet. I found this pre-compiled set of clips and decided to share with them with you.  Will shares his is great wisdom on life and the long, yet simple path to success and happiness.

I hope you enjoy it!

Ron

I’m sure you can imagine, there are a lot of people that come to me for advice about the decisions they are making.

Recently, a friend asked me to talk with him over dinner because he was contemplating a major career change. Were not talking about a subtle one either. I won’t tell you exactly to protect my friends identity… Trust me, It was major. Let’s just say one career direction to another totally different one that would require school loans again, years of classes, certifications, internships, etc., etc.

After a long conversation over some excellent Italian food, I realized that many of the factors related to this decision were based in the current [Soon to be the past] job situation. The emotion backing the thinking behind this career move was all there. And why wouldn’t it be…Right? If there weren’t any emotions [negative ones] about the “Current” job, isn’t it possible that my friend wouldn’t have had as much motivation to make such an extreme move?

I decided that there must be a way to get him to focus on the decision without having as much of that decision process based in the past negative emotional state. But how?

Thinking on my feet, [actually, in my seat] I remembered Michael Losier’s worksheet on “Contrasting” from his book “The Law Of Attraction”

If you have the book it’s on page 67. [Ok, this is weird, I actually remembered it was on page 67! Wasn’t sure, so I looked it up and sure enough...] Also you can review my blog entries on A Simple Action Part 1,2, & 3 and other entries on contrasting Here:

A Simple Action Part 1 • A Simple Action Part 2 •  A Simple Action Part 3 • A bit more on contrasting

In Michael’s worksheet he teaches us how to make a split page. Place the things we don’t want on one side first, then using that list contrast them to create a list of what we do want on the other.

Don’t Want                  Want
_____________|_______________
.                   |
.                   |
.                   |

It occurred to me that my friend was looking at his new career in this emotional view from the past.

I explained what I had learned and used from Michael’s Law of attraction worksheet and suggested that he first do the same. But this time with a twist.

What if the very things he didn’t like were going to just re-appear in the new one? I think you’d agree that that is the case in most situations. New spouse? Same issues, New friends? Same problems, New Car? Same flat tires!

Many people will take this beyond the conscious level which I believe is the ultimate solution, but here… We’ll keep it to something you can see on paper and work-out on the conscious level first….

My next question for my friend about the worksheet was; Which things on the list that you “want” have a guarantee attached? In other words, If you are going to create a whole new career. Why not create it from the right side of the list (What you want) without the emotional attachment to the left side (What you don’t want)

THe process is to tap into the natural human nature and list the negative things that are covering up the true things you wanted in the first place. Once the “Don’t want” list is done it’s only then you can contrast and convert the don’t want to the want.

Ok, to help you follow what I’m saying here, here are a few things my friend had he didn’t like:

Don’t Want:
My boss doesn’t listen.
I primarily work inside with no windows.
I work to many hours for not enough pay.
The work load is to heavy and they are giving me more and more to do.

Want:
I want a boss that will listen to my ideas.
I want to primarily work outside with limited office time.
I want to work less hours for better pay.
I’m willing to take on any workload with the proper amount of additional staff to handle the project.

Is there a guarantee, after all the additional school loans, classes, certifications, internships, years of study, etc. that;
His new boss would listen? No.
That he’s work would primarily be outside? Possibly. But that depends on the nature of the new job.
Is there a guarantee for;
Less hours for better pay? not really.
the right amount of staff per workload on a project? again, No.

So, All said and done… The amount of items on his list that would be guaranteed by making this move was drastically less than he thought when he looked at it in the fully emotional “Don’t want” mode. And, by learning what things were possible in this new career decision. he had a bit of a guide as to what to look for as a new career and even what to request when interviewing for that job.

By going from “Don’t want” to “Want” to “What’s guaranteed?” You can see by my friends example there is less dependent on people and more dependent on the type of career itself.

Mainly, it helped him to re-design his plans to do a few things he had been dreaming of doing for years before stepping into a situation that may or may not improve his life. His decision to make this career change is still a positive goal, But now it is more focused on what he truly wants to do and under what conditions he is willing to do it.

Simply yours,
Ron

Thanks to Michael Losier and http://www.lawofattractionbook.com

What comes to your mind when you consider the word discipline? Do you envision the proverbial ruler over the knuckles, or being sent to bed without dinner, or something else?

The standard dictionary provides seven different meanings for the word discipline. We’ll focus on one.

A system of rules of conduct or method of practice:  - “for such a plan to work requires discipline”.

This definition implies that being disciplined requires a plan. For example, my plan is to get up every morning at 7:30, read some good literature for 30 minutes, then I’m out the back into the mountain trails to workout for an hour. Equally, as important as my plan is my personal action or self-discipline.

I hear ya… “Self-discipline is a Simple Action” Cool!

In my opinion, my resolve to get out of bed when the alarm sounds is critical to my plan’s success. As one comedian noted, “How many plans has the snooze button destroyed? As my first decision of the day, I will go back to sleep! Nothing like starting out the day with a little procrastination.”

Procrastination is the antithesis of planned success. For me, the first decisions of the day create a domino effect. If I start well, I end well. Why would I expect anyone to work with me in my business, unless I have the self-discipline to make the small decisions early in the day that forward my plan?

A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader can analyze aspects of their life or business actions as long as they do not get stuck in that mode. To analyze briefly is fine to gather information, track progress, assign duties to staff, etc. But it is always the “doing something” in pursuit of the vision and the inspiring of others to do the same that works.

I invite you to review your life plan or business plan. I invite you to be disciplined with your plan. I encourage you to include in your daily/weekly plan the following four action items:

1. Introduce or discuss your plan with at least two people you trust.
2. Enroll at least two people in a “Mastermind” group who will participate 100%.
3. Focus on your goals.
4. Encourage your mastermind team to keep you accountable to your commitments and be there for the other members of your team to hold them accountable as well!
Yours in Success,

Ron Maurer

I have been soooo busy! Wow! It’s been a while and I have been to Salt Lake City and then a “Workation” to Michigan. The economic situation there was unbelievable. One friend got his layoff and the next day another received their pink-slip. But even with kids to feed the attitude was still fairly good.

My friend Craig Smith sent the following message on Leadership and it hit home as a reminder of what we - “The entrepreneurs” have to offer - HOPE! Hope to families looking for a second income, or even a first and I believe that the dreams of thousands even millions are relying on our decisions to be leaders right now!

Here’s an excerpt from Craig’s email:

During times of economic scare, global turmoil, and pandemics, leaders naturally rise to the surface. Someone who grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm said, “Cream always rises to the top - and sometimes pops the lid off the can!” Now more than ever we must engage in and create leadership in our families, communities and our businesses, effectively blowing the lid off the can.

We as leaders have the obligation to help others turn their perspective or “channel” from the Doom, Gloom and Fear Network (DGFN) to the TCB - Taking Care of Business station. I’m told that The Hells Angels motorcycle gang uses as its core credo T.C.B. Now we might not interpret T.C.B. the same way as they do, but the message is clear to me - Take Care of Business, and your business will take care of you!

I believe that as we take care of business (whatever that business entails, from family, to work and even play) that we will have little, if any time for doom, gloom and fear.

John Kenneth Galbraith, U.S. economist (The Age of Uncertainty)
said,

“All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.”

Leaders do not run from “the major anxiety” of their people, but instead they embrace, confront and even challenge people to see with new eyes how their fears may be turned to hope, even opportunity.

I challenge you to confront any anxiety or fear with hope and faith. A wise man once said that doubt and faith cannot exist in the same mind at the same time.

Craig

Over the next several weeks let us each look at our key leadership qualities that will help us all Take Care of Business.

To our success,
Ron

I just read this from Dr Philip E. Humbert;  “People love to buy things, but almost no one wants to be sold.” I thought it was especially important in the current economy.

Here’s a copy for you:

Thousands of people are eager to buy what you sell. They want the benefits, the convenience, the comfort or prestige that you can provide. Human beings are an “acquisitive” bunch. We want stuff!

Of course, consumerism can be abused, but buying and selling is the process that creates the life (and the lifestyle) we all want. The “desire to acquire” goes deep, and it’s a good thing.

So, if you aren’t making as many sales as you would like, let me suggest that the problem is not with your customers, but with you. The problem is likely one of the following:

1. Not enough potential customers know about you or that your product could enrich their lives. This is a marketing problem, and as a business leader it is your job to solve it. Let people know! Get out there and get in the game!

2. Or, the other possibility, is that you’re trying too hard to “sell.”

Personally, I have a deep-seated aversion to being “sold” anything. I see websites that seem manipulative or dishonest. I see sales techniques that fail to build trust or credibility, and definitely do not attract me. That’s one reason I’ve turned down the repeated suggestions to use high-pressure conference calls to sell my World Class Life Conference. Calls can be good, but I’ve never liked the sense that they are used to “drive” sales. People don’t like being sold.

But people are eager to buy benefits! They buy solutions to their problems. They buy things that make their lives better, easier, simpler, healthier or more comfortable. They buy stuff that makes them happy. And they buy from people they know and like and trust.

If enough people “know and like and trust” you, they will listen when you offer a product or service that will make their lives better. If they “know and like and trust” you, they will flock to your door and you’ll make all the sales you need.

***Copyright (c) 2009, all rights reserved.
U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1529-059X
You may copy, forward or distribute TIP’s if this
copyright notice and full information for contacting
Dr Philip E. Humbert are included. Contact him at:
www.philiphumbert.com  or email to  Coach@philiphumbert.com

What I would like to point out specifically is what he said about “The ‘desire to acquire’ goes deep”

Those of us applying the simple actions concept to business might recall an earlier message about desire. “People will spend money they don’t even have if they desire the item enough and the state of the current economy proves it!”

We, and a society have over-spent, over financed, and maxed-out our future due to a desire to have more than our means. So, If you are marketing a product or service like I am… doesn’t it make sense to educate your prospects and create desire? I think so.

I’ve always heard; “The bigger the problem, the bigger the solution… The bigger the solution, the bigger the profit” The key is that the profit only comes by helping the people that are looking for the solution in the first place!

A lot of what Dr. Humbert is saying about over selling is due to the fact that you might be presenting to someone that isn’t looking for what you have to offer. This is why I look for people who what what I have… They are looking for it because they have experienced something in life that obviously created a huge desire.

The trick, if tricks exist… is to ask questions, listen to what people need… and offer anything you have that will help them. Even if it means you need to send them to a competitor to help them. They will remember that for sure!

To your success,

Ron Maurer

I’m not sure why… But even during my many recent distractions over the past weeks… there have been a number of new subscribers. Welcome to all of you!

It’s amazing, the SimpleActions concept continues to attract people looking to improve one area or another to the site. And even more amazing is how great that makes me feel. Thank You!

Over the last few weeks I have been in a state of overwhelm. Yesterday, with the help of a very dear friend… I went to my own site and reviewed the “Overcoming Overwhelm” post from January 18th, 2009.

Yes, I actually re-read and re-applied my own advice! It was cool. [and it helped]

Another friend suggested that the list created in this process of brainstorming be called your “Success List” rather than calling it a “task” or “to-do” list. And I truly felt Successful yesterday and today as I checked off some of the success items in my new success notebook. [Might as well call it that, right?]

So, if you are feeling a bit of overwhelm in these strange economic times… I suggest you go back to the post and give it a try.

Please feel free to share the site with friends, buddy up and hold each other accountable to the SimpleActions it takes to achieve your goals together.

As always…
Yours,
Ron Maurer

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” - Abraham Lincoln

Failure can either break us or make us. Those broken by failure are haunted by unpleasant memories. These memories are like shadows that lurk in front, behind, beside, beneath and above. It is also a cage that traps the mind, preventing it to entertain possibilities of freedom and success. They are convinced that they cannot do it; therefore, they will not try.

For those that failure could not break are those who became made “men.” Failure to them is not a ghost, but a friend who taught them well. It is also a stepping stone to wisdom. These men and women are convinced that true failure only happens when one gives up.

History has been kind to President Abraham Lincoln. He has been painted as probably the greatest president of the United States of America. It is the good thing that history also recorded his failures. It reflected his frail humanity but also showed his attitude of never giving up.

These failures could not stop him, he kept moving forward. The following is a short list of his ups and downs and ups.

*1831 – Failed in business
1832 – Defeated for legislature
1833 – Again failed in business
1834 – Elected to legislature
1835 – Sweetheart died
1836 – Had a nervous breakdown
1838 – Defeated for speaker
1840 – Defeated for elector
1843 – Defeated for Congress
1846 – Elected for Congress
1848 – Defeated for Congress
1855 – Defeated for Senate
1856 – Defeated for Vice-President
1858 – Defeated for Senate
1860 – ELECTED PRESIDENT

He was defeated more times than he won, but that did not mean he was a failure. Remember, that failures are only permanent if we stop trying. I believe the only real failure is the failure not to move on.

———————————————————————————————-

the only way
to deal with failure
is to learn from it
and move on

———————————————————————————————-

Brix, a friend of mine, narrated his adventure in climbing Pico de Loro, a mountain that spans parts of Cavite and Batangas, Philippines. He said that he was exhausted and was about to give up. He told the guide that he wanted to go down. But the guide said that he was only a few more steps from the peak.

What a waste of effort if he gave up. But his efforts were rewarded by the view and by the lesson. Now he can’t stop talking about the experience.

A breakthrough may just be a few steps away. What a pity for those of us who would stop moving on. As far as I am concerned, the only way to deal with failure is to learn from it and move on.

The end result for Mr. Lincoln was that he became president and through his influence, was able to defend the constitution by winning the civil war, and was able to free slaves in certain states through the Emancipation Proclamation.

He even tried to give voting rights to the colored people for which he was assassinated. He has been long gone yet he is remembered dearly by all who read about his story. His very name is a legacy of success!

What would be your end result? You may not know everything but you can determine your attitude to failure. You can either allow it to break you or allow it to make you. Your call!

By how many times we fail and keep going. This is very fitting to the simple action philosophy. If we keep trying no matter how many times we fail, eventually we will succeed.

Here is a video about Michael Jordon. He failed more than he ever succeeded!!

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
I’ve lost almost 300 games.
Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot, and missed.
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life,
and that is why I succeed.

Michael Jordan, arguably the world’s greatest basketball player.

Welcome to the SimpleActions to Success Blog!

This blog is intended to provide the tools you need to improve, and even transform virtually any part of your life through the discovery and practice of a concept I have applied successfully in many areas of my life.

“A Simple Action, Consistently done, Compounded over time, Creates a Predictable and Controllable Result” ~Ron Maurer

Join me in the discussion, not only to learn how I use SimpleActions in my life… But how YOU can apply it to yours! Learn to pinpoint the times in your life you’ve already applied SimpleActions, even when you weren’t aware you were doing it. Learn how to bust through your false beliefs you have about those areas you want to improve.

How would you experience a life free of guilt associated with perceived failure? Or a life full of unharnessed will-power?

In fact, what if you didn’t even have to rely on will-power at all to accomplish more that you ever imagined?

What if you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, what the simple choices you make every day would look like 10, 20 or 30 years from right now?

Do you want to create Financial Success? Improve your Health? Stick to that Exercise Program? Remove ‘Failure’ from you’re life’s vocabulary?

Others applying SimpleActions will be making successful choices, working on the very areas in their lives you may want to improve for yourself. My question to you is; Will you join them? and where will you be in comparison if you don’t?

Remember; “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result”

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Thanks, I hope you enjoy the blog and put SimpleActions to work in your life today!