The following is an expression of my experiences with everyday normal occurrences and how I see them as they relate to management, marketing and leadership.  Being a real estate investor and owner of several businesses including Western Slope Real Estate Investors, GJ Property, and MVM Mortgage Group, I will likely intertwine my experience with these businesses, as well.

I had one of the most amazing experiences yesterday.  I was out on a run in the high country near Leadville, Colorado.  I was on a beautiful trail, among trees and wild flowers.  It began to rain.  I heard the rain first, hitting the high tree branches, and then I began to feel it as it tricked down to the forest floor.  The music on my I-pod changed with the weather and a monk’s chant filled my ears.  I smelled the evergreens and wet dirt.   My feet were light, my breathing steady, my body strong and my mind clear.  I ran with a feeling of gratitude and I felt full as I tried to soak it all in.  My I-pod continued to chose songs that matched the environment and as I came to a clearing the music changed again and I knew it was time to turn back. The experience left me so thankful and honored that the forest shared its day with me. 

I began to think back through the events of the day.  I had 314 reasons not to go on this run today.  I was tired, I was hungry, I wanted to get home, I had a pain in my hip, I didn’t want my husband to wait for me, I wasn’t sure I could run in the altitude, and I just plain didn’t feel like running!  I decided to do my run anyway because I NEEDED to.  I am signed up for a 10k race in four weeks at 8,000 feet.  I NEEDED to get a good run in at altitude.   My NEED to run is what ultimately got me out on that trail.  I took one step and then another and soon I began to run.  And because I did it ANYWAY, I was rewarded beyond my expectations! 

How many times do we NEED to do something and we make 314 excuses NOT to do it?  What would happen if we just did ANYWAY?  Would we be rewarded beyond our expectations?  What project, item on your to-do list or phone call do you NEED to make, but just haven’t?  What would happen if you began with just one step…and took that one step today? 

My husband and I had known for some time that we NEEDED to get a will and a trust in place in case something happened to us.  Having a will is one the first steps in our Wealth Creation plan and we encourage all of our clients to have a will in place.  A few years ago we met a man named Steve Gammill.  (www.stevegammill.com) Steve focuses his practice on Estate and Wealth Strategies Planning including Legacy Planning, business exit and asset protection planning, and Family and Business Strategic Vision Planning. With our NEED to get a will, we met with Steve and he not only helped us with our will and trust, but he helped us in many areas of our wealth and business planning.  We’ve also become fast friends with Steve and his wife, Jan.  Since meeting with Steve and taking that first step, we’ve been rewarded beyond our expectations!   

I encourage you to stop making 314 excuses today for those things you NEED to take care of and instead do it ANYWAY or take just one step forward.  Expect to be rewarded beyond your expectations!

Why is it that some people strive to be better people, learn more and do more, while others do not?  What makes some people want to do, act and be their best in every moment? 

Why do you climb that mountain – because you CAN! 

Some of you may know the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt from Massachusetts.  Together this father and son team has competed in just under 1000 different races including 66 Marathons, 84 Half-Marathons, riding and running across the United States and 229 Triathlons, six being the Ironman distance! 

For any person or team this is a major accomplishment, but for this team it is even more amazing.  Rick Hoyt was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.  He cannot speak, he does not have the use of his limbs, and he certainly cannot swim, bike or run.  But his father, Dick can.  Dick Hoyt swims with his son in a raft behind him, carries his son from the water onto a specially made bike, rides with his son, and then pushes him the entire run.  Why do they do it?  Because they CAN!

For so many it is easier for us to just allow the world to go by.  “It’s too hard, it’s too much work, I am too lazy, and I’m too busy”.  We are complacent.  We do not know we CAN. But, what you focus on, you bring into your life.  What would happen if all of us focused on excellence?  What would happen if each of us did our very best today in our businesses, with our clients, in our marriages, and with our children?

You don’t have to go out and do an Ironman Triathlon.  Start small.  Focus on doing your best in each moment.  Consciously decide to do your best this week in your business.  Do what you say you are going to do.  Do your absolute best on that next project.  Give your full attention to those that need it.  Say thank you and please.  Look everyone in the eye.  Push yourself a little harder to be a little bit better.  Make a choice each minute of your day to make that minute count. 

Ask yourself: “Am I doing my best this moment?”  If not, what are you going to do about it?  What would the Hoyt’s do? 

Why strive to do your best in each moment?  Because you CAN!

To learn more about Dick and Rick Hoyt visit: http://www.teamhoyt.com/

The following is an expression of my experiences with everyday normal occurrences and how I see them as they relate to management, marketing and leadership.  Being a real estate investor and owner of several businesses including Western Slope Real Estate Investors, GJ Property, and MVM Mortgage Group, I will likely intertwine my experience with these businesses, as well.