Mission Two - The Write Stuff
April 29, 2008
Based on All of the responses I received to the First Mission post it seems clear to me that you are all well on your way to achieving that Ya-ttitude; and with that Positive Ya-ttitude flowing through your creative mind; both conscious and sub conscious; your success has now gotten just a little closer to being attained.
Now, since there were three items that made up the details of the First Mission’s to-do list, why would you think that Mission Two: The Write Stuff would be much different. Yuppers! There are three items on the new Mission for you to get those creative juices flowing and get even closer to being that success you know you want to be.
The first three items that you “added” to your positive Ya-ttitude were very easy to accomplish; and though these will be easy as well – they will require considerably more effort and considerably more consistency on your part. I wonder if that may have been why the previous two posts, A Weekend Cure and Maxim of Effort fell in between Mission One and Mission Two – just another one of those things that make you go hmmm. C’mon, you know that the purpose of all of this is your greater success (defined any way you feel your success should be defined) so any effort put forward to accomplish that is a positive effort and all your results will be positive as well!
Your last Mission was comprised of “reading-based” items. They were designed to and have given you a foundation for your new and exciting positive Ya-ttitude. Here we will start to build upon that foundation. Now that you are in the learning-positive-Ya-ttitude frame-of-mind and your head is chock-full of ideas, thoughts, concepts and goals it is time to get those down so they can do you the most amount of good and really create some positive-personal-power for you!
The Write State of Mind: - A Three-Part Mini Series.
Here are your missions (well the mini missions that comprise of you Mission Number two) and again, there is no turning back, no clicking away and no Procrastination. Time to pay attention and get your Ya-ttitude in gear!
Your Definite Goals:
Boys and Girls, we finally made it here. This is the root of all of your future successes. It is the starting point of where you want to go and will create the groundwork for how you are going to get there. But one of the most important parts of this is making sure you have it all written down. BY HAND! Yes! No computers. Write down your goal, your definite purpose, but make sure you are writing this by hand on a plain piece of paper. You remember how we all learned our multiplication tables, writing them over and over and reading them over and over – well – welcome back to that place, just the Adult version.
Find that “quiet place” and grab your favorite pen or pencil and a nice pad or stack of paper and open your mind so all of that positive energy can start flowing. Allow those deep buried thoughts in your sub conscious mind to float freely to the surface. You are now ready to start putting on paper what has been living and growing deep inside you, your dreams and goals that have been building and growing in your mind. Your definite chief aim/goal is what it is YOU are striving for and for each of us the term “success” is defined so differently. But if you are reading along with the rest of us (and I know you are) I know that it is Success in your life that you are striving for and here is one key to accomplishing it.
Your plan has a few components and as we go along you will learn how to create and develop your specific plan. It really is not difficult at all, you need to be true to yourself and dig deep, real deep to uncover all of the details. It is MORE than fine if this plan of yours shifts, adjusts changes or morphs into an entirely different animal. It is even great if your final plan does not resemble the initial plan in any way, shape or form. The fundamental concept you have to understand is that you need to just decide to go ahead and do it. Deciding is of paramount importance. Again, go back to the previous two exercises if you need more definition and more motivation, but at this point I know you can do it and so do you! So sit back and breathe. Allow the energy inside of you and the ink in that pen you are holding to flow and together you will write down what your goal is!
Click here for a “pop up window” example of someone’s quick-plan. It will give you an idea of what I am looking for in your first written attempt. But remember the most important parts of your plan are…
Make it strong.
Make it Personal.
Make it your own.
Make it important and
Make it happen!
Of course you realize that names, dates and places were all changed to protect the innocent and the ex-procrastinators. This is but an outline of how to get going. Write it like you mean it. Reach higher than you ever dreamt that you could achieve and then get to work.
Note: For this part of the course and Mission I only want you to “write” a plan – get it down and get it ready. We will get to the “action” portion as soon as you are ready and you will know when you are, but be sure I will hint and help you all the way through.
Blog it or Lose it!
It’s a new world with new rules lots of new ways and your brand new Ya-ttitude at the ready. The best way to be sure you reach that success-goal is to make sure you are always working and growing that skill set. So welcome to the great new world of blogging. Yes my friends you are now going to become a blogger; a writing and blogging achiever of Ya-ttitude. I want you to start a blog, and those of you who are already writing on one or at the very least already own one, please follow along. If you do not have a blog and need some information on starting one it is one of the easiest things you can possibly do. Go to www.wordpress.com and sign up and get yourself a blog. There are many other places to use, but since WP is where I started I felt a bit of loyalty. One thing I do recommend is if you really start to love the whole blogging process and feel those juices flow immediately, it would be wise to look into a personal site to move your blog to it as soon as you can, it is a lot of work to get it all moved after you really have written tons of posts have all those links bringing you traffic. You really are going to need your own web site as we continue through the pages here and the sooner you do it the easier the transition will be. I have been working with New Ward Development -Melissa has been Great. She can get things ported over quickly and easily and made my transition simple.
Your Blog can be on anything. Pick a subject or a topic and write and write and write. Your success will come from repetition so please be sure to post up at least once every week. Many people love blogging and you just never know – perhaps this becomes that goal of yours. In either way, your blog will allow you to move your success closer and in time will be a place for you to share your results and even your Ya-ttitude with the rest of the world. When you send me your Blog’s URL I will be more than happy to create a page with all of your blogs and get the word out about how you are on your way to Ya-ttitude.
You will realize that this is a great way for you to develop much of the creativeness inside of you. I know that all of us are not poets or play writes, but this is a personal blog, so make it personal. This is your business blog, so make it about your business. This is a funny blog – so go for the jokes. Maybe this is a photo-blog and you want to share with us the great shots you have in your collection. And if you cannot think of an idea – please send me a note – I will give you some direction. I cannot stress enough how important this step is in your achievement of your goals, there IS a reason why there are millions of blogs out there. But just as in our day-to-day lives 95% of those blogs started get no love, because there is no follow through. Do it!
Journalize and Close your Eyes!
Part three and the final part is the easiest part of your Mission number two. A nightly journal is the last part. All I want you to do and all YOU want to do is write down a few sentences every night before bed, about what you did today to get closer to your goal. What you did today to make someone smile. What you did today to make a difference. Just write a few sentences about your day. Stay away from any negatives. Write about positive occurrences in the day. It really does not matter what they are, just that you list the top two or three every night before bed.
See, I told you it would be easy. What a great way to shut your eyes and sleep – filled with positive energy and your newly developing Ya-ttitude.
Now get to writing!
As always I am available for help with any and all of the work you are doing, so please feel free to email me anytime you need help or have a question.
Benny
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Maxim of Effort
April 23, 2008
Maxim of effort!
Here is a little exercise that is a perfect follow-up to the previous one - our good ole cure for abulia! This one is designed to reinforce your will power and designed to help you put out the maximum effort at all times. With the ability to keep the effort-level at its peak at all times, there is nothing you cannot achieve! The more you can exercise the will to do and follow-through to completions the better you can control the habit and the better you can control the habit - the better you will be.
So here is my little exercise for you to do everyday: (Another step to your Ya-TTITUDE!)
Every few days (a 30 day trial - takes about 30 days to get a habit formed) do something for no other reason that the simple fact that it is difficult to do. The more practice you have at doing and accomplishing the difficult tasks, when they are not necessary, the better you will be when the time comes for you to have to perform these feats of controlled will and effort. After practicing this for a while, you will no longer become unnerved at the daunting task - as it will not seem daunting at all. You will no longer procrastinate, because you will be trained to do it, not avoid it!
It does not matter what you select as the difficult task, run a mile or two, or make a gourmet meal from scratch, quit smoking, or stop drinking, go to the gym or paint a room - not important, only thing that is important is that IT IS A DIFFICULT task for you and you do it to completion.
Thoughts everyone?
I really do want to hear your comments or email me your thoughts and results as well as ideas!
Ben
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A weekend Cure
April 19, 2008
I think that it is time for a little practical application to our cure for abulia. I received many emails and some interesting thoughts and ideas, but here is my challenge to you. It is a one-to-two week challenge but the results will amaze you. For the next fourteen days (seven days for you non-believers - but you will be a believer) I want you to get out of your norm and try to break your habit of abulia - inability to decide. I want you to make quick decisions. I want you to pay close attention to what you are doing - concentrate - use your will power and work on it every minute of the day. You do not have to go crazy here, but I want you to make your decisions quicker for the next two weeks.
At first this may be a bit tough, but concentrate - keep your mind focused, and use your will power to accomplish this goal. When you feel that you may be losing a bit of concentration - just start to count from 100 backwards - and you will regain your concentration quickly. You are forced to concentrate when you do things out of the norm and counting backwards is out of the norm.
I also want you to make sure you get up at exactly the same time everyday for the next two weeks as well (humor me). Anything you wish to accomplish and everything you will accomplish always make sure you do it ahead of your initially scheduled time.
I live in the real world too, so any decisions that are of greater importance and decisions that may need some research should still get due process, but again, do it quicker!
As you learn to make quick decisions on little things, you will start to understand how to make quick decisions on bigger things. This is a tremendous skill to acquire and one that is a founding-block to your success.
Never procrastinate and please make that decision one way or another - do not worry about making a mistake - just make the decision and go with it!
Note: I would love to hear from you on how this is going and your results after one and two weeks. You can email me - or keep us all informed by commenting here!
Ben
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Ya-ttitude: Curing Abulia? -you decide!
April 17, 2008
Word of the Day
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Abulia\uh-BOO-lee-uh; uh-BYOO-\, noun:
Loss or impairment of the ability to act or to make decisions.
Abulia derives from Greek a-, “without” + boule, “will.”
———————————————
I have mentioned before that sometimes when I get a bit of writers block reading others writings or others books, blogs or posts are great ways of getting creative inspiration. I am guessing that Dictionary.com is a bit backed up on their email-sends, but this arrived in my email box this morning; and the little light bulb above my head started flashing brightly!
Abulia – it doesn’t even sound like a positive word. Sounds like the technical term a Doctor would use to describe the disease you are suffering from that there is no explanation for… Wait! It is a disease – a disease that 98% of people trying to be successful suffer from – Abulia.
Did your last visit to your own conscious mind end like this? “I am sorry ma’am but you are suffering from Abulia.” There is a cure but you are going to have to make a decision, can you do that? Wait; if you suffer from abulia can you make a decision? Is making a decision the cure to abulia? Bingo! Finding the cure to the most fatal disease to your future success is easy! Decide to find the cure and you’re cured!
Make A decision, any decision and get on with your positive life. Don’t just sit there and fear the results. You have faith in yourself and in your actions and abilities and one of the beautiful things about faith is that fear cannot stand it! So as you continue to allow your faith to grow your fear will diminish until the point your faith removes all fear.
Of course there will be times that you decide and it was wrong – so what! Pick yourself up and get back to it! Errors are part of the game – there is no perfect plan and often you will be on Plan D before you make it all come together and Plan R when you are all said and done – but – keep it going and make it happen for you!
We have spoken about it before and we will speak about it again, decision is the key to your long-term goal-achievement!
———————–
Step One: Decide what it is you want to define as your goal, your plan and your definite purpose. Create a personal “buyer-persona.”
-Most successful companies create personas of the buyers they want to sell to – create a personal one to sell you!
Step Two: Write that plan down, detail it, and give it a timeline and work at it everyday!
- Write it – don’t type it out on your keyboard, or dictate it to someone else. You need to write it down and memorize it. You need to read it everyday and remind yourself of just what you’re after!
Step Three: Back that plan up with all the desire and emotion you can muster and then muster some more. The more you live your dream the more you will LIVE your dream! Shut out all the negative influences.
– treat yourself as you would a customer that you need to acquire! What would you do to make that sale, add that new volunteer, increase your web traffic, become the next Mayor of your City or lead your church choir? Back it up with all the force you can muster from within!
Step Four: Select a team of people who can and will help you attain this goal, this dream and your ultimate success. Find positive people who will help you every step of the way, but be sure to help them as much as they help you.
– All of the great business people in history have had a group of people they held near and dear. People they could fall back on when they needed to and when they did not. This is a two-way street though – they need you like you need them – or it does not work!
For those of you who have not read Emerson’s Essay on Compensation – it is time to dive in. The amazing thing about this essay is that no matter how many times you read it – you learn something new and not only will the little light bulb above your head start to blink – it will be like an 80’s Disco Strobe going off!
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Ya-ttitude: Lists Gone Amok!
April 15, 2008
I spend a great deal of my free time reading. I love books, but blogs have really become an obsession. I have all kinds of Google alerts that now tell me when key words are hit and send me all kinds of blogs to read. I have a well-defined long list of blogs I read almost everyday and at any given time you can find me giving my two cents around the blogosphere. (If you write your own blogs – please send me their locations – I’d love to read them too)
Recently – in emails, Google alerts, others blogs and all over the internet I have run into a very disturbing new trend the To-Don’t list (I do not know how new it is – but I have really started to see this in droves now – so maybe that is why I am realizing it?) Now here is the ultimate in stupid ideas, wastes of time, procrastination, negativity and ass-backward thinking. I wonder – was I clear on my opinions on the to-don’t list yet, because I do have harsher words for its uselessness but will refrain – I am a PG-13 blog.
Who comes up with these things? Do the leaders of Procrasti-NATION stay up all night with nothing better to do but think up sneaky plans to lure our hardworking people astray? Do the leaders of Procrasti-NATION have an army of mindless bots that they send out at night and infiltrate the internet with another series of useless weapons they can fire upon us? C’mon now? To-Don’t Lists? I know none of you are falling for this assault on your common sense and quick-thinking ability to weed out the crap in all situations… right?
The very use of the word don’t should have had you thinking there was an issue with this concept, but then again – these drones from Procrasti-NATION are not stupid in their sneaky ways, imagine when they come around and use their creativity for a positive use! They want to lead you away from the positive and the productive side of your lives, the side of your life where you work hard and play hard and enjoy all parts of your days, and draw you to the other side, the negative world. No reason to go there – just the mere mention of that gets the members of Procrasti-NATION all warm and fuzzy inside. We work on the positive side; the side that allows you to create and consume all that is positive – to share the wealth of your positive nature and to absorb the positive that others will bestow upon you.
So I say to you – who may have been fooled (though only temporarily, of course) tear up those to-don’t lists – because the only Item that should ever be on one is the TO-DON’T LIST itself!
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Ya-ttitude: Things that make you go Hmmm
April 10, 2008
Hey I just received this email from my daughter.
I agree - too much time on her hands - but it must be great to be just shy of your 18th Birthday and on Spring Break…
Does this mean I should move to Arizona and start that Golden Rule Corporation?
Greenberg:
The name of the family from the descendents of King David in the ancient times of Israel. Ancient Israelian prophets predicted that descendents from the Greenberg family would give birth to the Messiah in the freedomland desert. People today believe that the freedomland desert is in the United States possibly the southwest. The Greenberg Family is the Holy Family and the holders of the Davidic Covenant.
An example of Greenberg is a member of the Davidic Covenant, and a Descendent from Kind David and Solomon from ancient Israel.*
http://greenberg.urbanup.com/2896845
This has been a positive interruption from your hard work; brought to you from your friends with Ya-ttitude! All work and no fun makes - well you know what it makes - so - Take the time to have some fun. You need to understand that a great life is made up of a lot more than work. You need to find time to do things you enjoy, you need to find time to rest and to exercise - both mind and body and you need to find time to just have a grand old laugh!
*cut and pasted straight from Urban Dictionary - I know there are typo’s - but have to leave it as is!
(for those of you who are still lost - it is my Last Name)
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Ya-ttitude: The First Mission - Read All About It!
April 9, 2008
A while back I started to talk about developing a positive attitude –
Your Ya-ttitude. I think we have reached a point where we should start to set up a few anchor points that will start you on your way. I know that regardless of what our ultimate goals are finding different ways to make us shine is of paramount importance to us all, so let’s get going!
Keeping it simple:
I just want to make it clear to everyone reading that I am AS human as the rest of you and I too have days that are less than perfect (notice how I try to stay away fro saying or having “bad” days – if you can keep those REAL negative words out of your vocabulary and try to make an effort to turn those into positive statements – you are well on your way to being a positive person). I know and you know that “shit” happens. You need to realize that when these “not so positive” happenings enter your life it is a great opportunity for you to work on and test out your newly created, or “getting better everyday” Ya-ttitude. It is a great chance for you to get that shiny new you and that shiny new Ya-ttitude working for the betterment of YOU!
I think we are going to start this day with a few easy-to-do but OH so life changing skills for you to acquire, or embellish. They are so easy that you can get 2 of the first 3 sent to you every day in your email, and all you have to do is read them; nope I have no intention of spamming you or even asking you to sign up for a newsletter (not yet anyway – I have not gotten that far – Where is Melissa when you need her J ) For now I want you to do a few things for yourself and by yourself – build up that “go-getter” in you and really start a foundation for that Ya-ttitude that will ultimately bring you to your success!
Something I read:
This reminds me of a story related to those of us who spend some of our free time reading in an area of personal interest. It has been stated that if you read in an area of your interest for thirty minutes a day, within three years you will be known in your community. Add another two years to make five years all the while reading thirty minutes per day in the same area of interest, and you will be know nationally. Finally, add just two more years to total seven, and by reading just thirty minutes a day in this same area, you will be known internationally in this specialized field.
Why is this so?First of all, 98% of individuals do not have the self-discipline to read just thirty minutes a day and even more so, 98% of the people cannot stick with or determine a definite area of interest that they want to hitch their star to for peak performance.
I want you all to start your first mission(s) (there is no turning back now – so don’t even think about clicking off or going somewhere else) with these three simple things.
Word of the Day:
Dictionary.com: I want to you join dictionary.com’sword of the day email. If you click that link here it will take you straight to the sign up page.
Your brand-new word-of-the-day is one of the easiest ways to get a positive jolt every morning. I know what you’re thinking.
Corny, cheesy, this is stupid and way too simple; try me on this one, soon you will be in the habit of looking for these in your mail box every morning and the one day that you miss one – just watch how you react to it and watch as you go to the site and check your mail to see why it was missed. This is a great way to develop your learning skills – while getting a pure boost of vocabulary! Two great positive actions that will set you on the way to that Ya-ttitudeyou desire.
Remember: If you want to be successful – you need to look and SOUND successful!
Motivational Quotes:
Here are two addresses you can use to get yourself a motivational quote of the day sent to you. The first one is from a pretty cool blog I found on wordpress. You will get a motivational quote a day from one of the Neato’s and sometimes a little “quipish” humor or insight to go with it. The second is just a generic site that will email you similar quotes. I like the blog – so I have been using it most recently but there are many places to get this sent to you. Pick one of these two and make your life quick and easy – no “Procrastinational” web searches please!
http://theneatos.wordpress.com/
http://www.daily-inspirational-quotes.com/indexb.html
I figured while you were busy thinking cheesy and corny, I wanted to add this to your list.
Get ‘em, Read ‘em and Repeat ‘em!
Even better cut and paste them into a word document, make them all pretty-like and pass them around to your friends, family and coworkers. Ya! They may think you’re a bit crazy* at first – but similar to the missing dictionary.com email just watch how they come looking for you when you miss a day of giving them the quote! This is quite addictive – once the cheese-factor your feeling wears off.
*This reaction from friends and family or even coworkers is something we need to delve deeper into. People will always have reactions to you – look for the positives – ignore the negative ones!
Reading is Fundamental:
Read, read, read, read and did I mention that you should read? If you start your day with fifteen minutes of reading – spend another 30-45mins during the day reading just do some quick math and think of all the knowledge you will acquire.
Try this:
- Fifteen minutes in the morning, something positive, inspirational, and/or motivational.
- Fifteen to Thirty minutes at lunch. You sit down with that coffee and sandwich; bring a great book to read with you as well.
- Bedtime deserves a great positive reading as well. Give it fifteen minutes of your time.
I know all of you remember the “Reading is Fundamental” commercials on ABC Saturday Morning Television – and if you don’t click here for a refresher course – or some new original learning. Man were they right! But it is not just reading – it is very important for you to understand that the material you are reading plays a huge role in your attitude.
STOP READING THE NEWSPAPER!
And Watching the News
I cannot say this loud enough! There is no positive gain (‘cept the Sports section and the crossword – but that’s me / or if there is a benefit to your job/work). We all know that everything the news writers and the T.V. News Reporter does is put in a negative light, all the news that’s fit to print is rarely positive and almost always pushes the negative-envelope. Same goes for watching the news on T.V. STOP!
Fill that half hour with some reading – positive reading!
Sixty quality minutes added to you day. Wow, so easy! Now think about this: 1 hour a day – 7 hours a week – That translates into over 15 days of quality learning and positive power added to your life – amazing how that stuff adds up.
So that is all easy enough isn’t it? C’mon You know it is! Creating your new Ya-ttitude is all about being easy – things that should come natural and WILL come natural!
If you want some direction as to what you should be reading please drop me a note. I will be more than happy to give you some pointers. I hope to have up a section here shortly on the books I recommend and the books I am reading and the books we should all read!
Benny!
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Ya-ttitude: Give and Take
April 2, 2008
D0 you have those days when you just read something and it makes you go – Ohhhhhh!
Well today was definitely one of those days. I was reading some of the blogs that are on my “feedburner” and ran across a blog called In Worship and on it was a Post called “Are you a Consumer.” I want to make sure that credit is given where credit is due, so I believe this blog pointed back to this web page. This being fair and nice to each other thing can be time consuming and tedious and a real bit of work, but it’s what we are supposed to be all about – isn’t it? Well with all of the official business out of the way – and a special thanks to Brett and Joshua for being my inspiration today.
Let’s talk about Production vs. Consumption –
Ya-ttitude Style!
The “thought-inducing” quote was simple – by Albert Hsu.
“The opposite of consumption is production. It takes far more time and energy to create something than to consume something. It takes a novelist a year to write a book that someone can read in a few days… [Often] our only recreational activities are actions of consumption.”
Now that statement taken at face value might just be a “pat on the back” for Mr. Hsu and the amount of time it takes to write is book(s) and the amount of time he believes it takes to read them. Or maybe he was trying to create that new Buzz word that is all the rage – Prosumer – the combination of Producer and Consumer – but then again – depending on the person using it and the article you read – sometimes it means Professional and Consumer and that would just throw that whole idea out the window – so damn him – what was he trying to tell us?
Prosumer – the combination of a producer and consumer – shouldn’t that be what we are all about? Well we all have to consume to live – and we all have to produce to live – so be we all prosumers? The real big question here is what are we consuming and what are we producing. I have read the phrase “crap in – crap out” a few times over the last day and a half, as I thought about how to write this and what I wanted this to be written about. And I have decided that in all its simplicity – it is quite the statement.
The Golden Rule notwithstanding – there is some definite thought-inducing magic in that simple quote (both perhaps).
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”– A definite Prosumerish statement.
Think about it - if you consume all good things - shouldn’t you be more than able to produce “good things.”
Production: In the simplest of terms we were “produced” and given life.
How we consume our lives and how we allow our lives to be consumed is much deeper a statement.
What we consume during our lives and what we allow ourselves to consume is a much more important statement.
Are our lives consumed with positive thoughts, creating positive results making a positive world?
Are we consumed by negative thoughts, always dwelling on the negative, spewing negative ideas and being the downer who needs the over-abundance of cheap hooch to temporarily delay the inevitable?
Remember – Negative begets negative – do not be negative – stay away from the negative words, thoughts and people. Give those negative vibes a positive spin, make sure you surround yourself with positives, as much as you possibly can. (Hey – I live in the real world too – I know that it is possible – give it a try and see for yourself)
That may be the difference between the products that are the result of our consumption.
Is what is left over after our lives are consumed pure waste material – or is there something special there – something that will live on.
Have you allowed you life to be consumed by a plan, an aim or a goal to leave a mark on society; a bright, cheery and positive mark?
Have you gone out of your way to make a difference, lend a helping hand, volunteer or spread a positive outlook.
Have you consumed positive energy and given back positive energy. Do you surround yourself with all the good things that life has to offer and in turn produce within yourself the greatest gift you can give back – a fantastic relative, friend, associate and human being.
Remember if you are consuming more from society then you are giving back – there will be a shortage, so be sure to spread the wealth! Give back as much – Give back more than you consume – It is the one thing that opens the door (no KEY needed) to your success – to your future – to your BRIGHT and SUCCESFUL Future!
BTW: This can be as simple as saying “Bless You” when someone sneezes or “Thank You” when someone holds the door for you. It does not have to be grandiose – it has to be genuine. It starts with the right Ya-ttitude – a Positive Ya-ttitude.
And then grows and develops into a YA-TTITUDE!
Interesting concept… Indeed
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