It wasn’t until last month that I really got a grasp on how powerful the influence of thoughts is; i.e. the things we think on and to what degree they actually influence our day. But an Ah-ha moment came to me when I looked back over my life and could actually see how I had changed, and more importantly, how circumstances around me changed, when I had taken the time to get my thoughts working for me.

So, I thought I’d share how I start my morning, and you and I can compare notes.

First, let me tell you that morning is the best time to do this because negative, or unproductive thoughts have not had a chance to influence you. You probably already guessed that.

And I had even heard the fact that it takes 10 positives to outweigh a negative, or something like that. So I stayed busy keeping myself with a positive outlook. But what I didn’t realize was that there was an easy method to get positive every day and in this way to combat any negative influence.

The exciting thing is that I’ve tried this and it really works. In fact, it works so well that others teach this, too. Here’s how easy it is:

The night before, write down your to-do list for the next day. Direction equals energy. Make your to-do list your boss. I’ve been working out of my home since 1997. And I have a high level of discipline. But even so, it is a challenge to stick to my plan. However, I’ve learned that if you’re hard on yourself, life will be easy.

Check the weather the night before as well. You want to make sure you are dressed appropriately.

When you do get up – and I have to schedule this because it takes a good hour – get into what I call my power hour. This is the crux of my message today. What I do is usually watch an hour of self improvement – you can find these in Success Magazine. They have a DVD that comes bound in the center. I also have a good library of seminars I can watch or listen to.

And if you want to mix it up a bit, as I do, grab Success Magazine and read how others have achieved greatness. SO many lessons – the hour will be gone before you know it.

So what does this do? Well, it sets the mind in a can do attitude which is vital when life comes at ya. You will be set to go about your day in a way that empowers you. I challenge you to try this for three days and tell me your results. Your day will be different.

Now here’s the bad news.

You need to make this a habit, because it is one of those things that is easy to do, and easy not to do. You have total control here and must see the value and be disciplined enough to do it every single day.

Make it fun.

I rip my DVD’s and put them on my iPod and then walk down to the beach and watch them there. Or get up before the sun comes up and put on a pot of your favorite coffee and get in your favorite place in the house and watch or read. You will soon see you are empowered just by that area of the house.

Take care and let me know how it goes for you.

When my first brood of kids got out on their own, and even before, I must confess, I heard more than once, that I was an excellent selective listener.

Naturally, I defended my position exclaiming that I was probably the best multi-tasker they would ever meet.  And I still cling to that to a degree – but I do know I can improve my listening skills.

What I shudder to think is how many opportunities I’ve missed because I just didn’t listen well enough.  There are tons of books, even websites on improving your listening skills.  These are all helpful, but I have for you the key skill you need to become an excellent listener and will teach you now.  So, listen up. 

The best advice I can give you about listening is to listen attentively.  Lean towards your prospect or friend and face them squarely.  Your attention should be focused on the persons face – look right at his or her mouth and eyes.

Make sure you listen without interruption.  Remember those movie scenes where you see the actor hanging on to every word?  This is how you must be – listening to every word like you were going to be given a test on it.  Better still, think as if this person was on the verge of giving you a million dollar order.  I challenge you to listen as if there were no one else in the world to whom you would rather listen to – and to what they are saying.

OK, you’re really captivated by the person now.  But let me give you the gem that will tie this altogether.  Practice paying close, uninterrupted attention to a person when they are speaking.  This is the greatest listening skill.  And one you’ll have to work at – because it is the hardest facility to develop – but this one, my friend, is the most important of all.

It requires a lot of practice and great discipline and it’s hard to do.  Especially in this information overload day and age – we have to do all we can to keep our mind from wandering.

Let me tell you, though – the payoff is tremendous.  You will be rewarded for practicing this and you’ll get better at it.  Note that great people are good at this and you want to become a great listener.  The neat thing is that you can.  It’s a skill you’re never too old to develop.

Practice this skill and let me know if you, too, had challenges with the kids and your “selective listening”.

Talk soon,
Dave