Create Your Future Self Now
In “Gradually Then Suddenly,” Mark Batterson shares of Richard Halverson, former U.S. Senate Chaplain, telling the story called “The Old Man.” This got me thinking deeply because I recently read “Be Your Future Self Now” by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, which is a phenomenal book. In it, Hardy encourages readers to envision their future, then begin to live it today to experience a better current reality rather than waiting for a future dream to come true that seems so far away. However, every decision we make is actually creating our future selves; therefore, each one alters our future reality. It expands and enhances who we’ll become, whether positively or negatively. Before I go further, let’s take a look at “The Old Man” story: You’re going to meet an old man [or woman] someday down the road—ten, thirty, fifty years from now—waiting there for you. You’ll be catching up with him [or her]. What kind of old man are you going to meet? He may be a seasoned, soft, gracious fellow—a gentleman who has grown old gracefully, surrounded by hosts of friends, friends who call him blessed because of what his life has meant to them. Or he may be a bitter, disillusioned, dried-up old buzzard without a good word for anyone—soured, friendless, and alone. That old man will be you. He’ll be the composite of everything you do, say, and think—today and tomorrow. His mind will he see in a mold you have made by your beliefs. His heart will be turning out what you’ve been putting into it. Every little thought, every deed goes into this old man. Every day in every way you are becoming more and more like yourself. Amazing but true. You’re beginning to look more like yourself, think more like yourself, and talk more like yourself. You’re becoming yourself more and more. Live only in terms of what you’re getting out of life and the old man gets smaller drier harder crabbier more self-centered. Open your life to others, think in terms of what you can give, your contribution to life, and the old man grows larger, softer, kindlier, and greater. (source: https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2014/august/6081814.html) Each decision you make today impacts who you’ll be at the end of your life. What do you need to change? What do you need to do more of? What do you need to do less of? What do you need to start doing? What do you need to stop doing? Who do you need to connect with? Who do you need to disconnect from? Envision who you want to be at the end of your life, then work backwards to think about the steps required to become that person. I know this is a deep exercise, but it could literally alter the trajectory of your life. Crawford Loritts once said, “When you’re born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your decisions.” Choose wisely TODAY so you are happy about the outcome SOMEDAY. Our lives are the makeup of decades of daily decisions. If we’ve made poor choices, we can expect poor outcomes. If we’ve made good choices, we can expect good outcomes. The undeniable factor is that we each have the power, opportunity, and responsibility to choose which outcome we experience. It’s not just about “being” your future self now; it’s about CREATING your future self now. Take some time to reflect on who you want to be, what is required to achieve that version of yourself, and then develop a plan to accomplish it. You won’t execute this perfectly, so give yourself grace. When you make mistakes, pick yourself up and keep moving forward. When you make good choices, celebrate! Whatever you do, choose to create your ideal future self so when you arrive at the end of your life, you’re happy with the results rather than sad with regret. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. If this topic has you spinning and trying to figure out how to start and what to do next, apply for a free strategy call with me at www.mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session, and we’ll invest some time developing a roadmap for you to navigate.
New Results Require New Thinking
We’ve all heard the saying, “What got you here won’t get you there.” But too often, leaders try to chase new goals with old ways of thinking. The truth is simple: if your current mindset and habits could achieve that next-level vision, you’d already be living it. Whether you’re seeking personal transformation, professional growth, or organizational impact, new results always demand new ways of thinking. Stop Relying on Yesterday’s Wins Many leaders hit a wall when they try to solve new problems with old solutions. I often see professionals who want to grow, scale, or shift direction, but they’re stuck using the same tools and tactics that brought them past success. One client of mine wanted to step back from the daily operations of his business. He had the vision, but not the structure. Once we pinpointed that he needed a training manual to multiply himself through his team, everything shifted. He moved from being the operator to being the owner—and that’s where exponential growth began. Cultivate a Creative and Adaptive Mindset In today’s fast-paced, constantly changing environment, adaptability and creativity aren’t luxuries—they’re survival skills. The leaders who thrive are those who take time to imagine new paths forward, rather than clinging to what’s familiar. When you carve out space to dream and adapt, you’ll be amazed at the clarity and fresh direction that emerge. Build the Habits That Fuel New Thinking Breakthroughs rarely happen in the noise of daily life. That’s why I recommend carving out time to think, dream, and even pray. Keep a journal, surround yourself with people who challenge your assumptions, and take regular “vision retreats” to gain a fresh perspective. Lead today as if your organization were twice its size. That mindset alone can stretch your thinking into growth mode. Growth Demands Stretching—But It’s Worth It When I launched my business in 2015, I had no roadmap and no clear idea what I was doing. I’ve had to grow into every new phase—each book, blog, podcast, and product required me to become someone more than I was before. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it. New visions stretch us. That tension is part of the process. If you’re serious about reaching new goals, take an honest inventory of your current thinking. Is it built for the future you’re aiming for? If not, it’s time to upgrade. Until next time, make today GREAT! P.S. Ready to think differently and lead more effectively? Visit https://mcclurecoaching.com/free-strategy-session/ to apply for a complimentary call, where we’ll discuss how you can break free from stagnation and mediocrity to effectively pursue your new vision.
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy
As I’ve been reading “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport, something jumped out to me… Most of our time-management problems are of our own making. We can blame bosses, clients, the economy, our families, and a plethora of other entities, but the reality is that we have more control over our schedules than we think. Unless you work in a job that gives you zero flexibility when you’re on the clock, you can control your schedule better than you’re probably doing.. Sure, we all have commitments, but most of us overschedule ourselves only to regret it later. Over the years, I’ve planned out annual calendars that looked good on paper but became a nightmare because I didn’t account for unexpected meetings, projects, or vital commitments being added. I’m certainly not an expert in this area. I’m still a work in progress. But my point is that too many of us look outside of ourselves to blame someone or something else for our overly busy lives when we actually have more control than we admit. It’s a fairly recent phenomenon that humans are scheduling themselves so poorly. For centuries, people worked more seasonally and at a slower pace out of necessity due to the way the world operated. This didn’t diminish their impact, but it certainly lowered stress levels. Technology was supposed to ease our schedules and give us more margin to enjoy life, but the reverse has occurred. Now, we try to cram more into our schedules in the margins that time-saving technology created. As we enter this new AI era with tasks being done at rapid speeds, we need to be careful not to cram more and more into our calendars. Use the tools available to you, but don’t just keep stuffing your schedule with “more” because you can. We’re human “beings,” not human “doings.” We’re not meant to be 24/7 productivity machines. That’s not how God designed us to operate. We need rest. We need recovery. We need time with the people we value most. But experiencing these things requires personal discipline to protect our schedules and map out our calendars wisely and strategically. This will feel countercultural because it is! But just because everyone else is operating at a breakneck pace doesn’t mean you should or that it’s healthy. Choose to maximize your time with greater wisdom and more margin rather than jamming yourself up without any breathing room. Until next time, make today GREAT! Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you: The Way to Greatness book – Discover the five continual choices that lead to The GREAT Life and how to implement them immediately. The GREAT Life Bootcamp video course – In this self-paced course, I’ll guide you to learn how to experience the life you were created to live by improving your faith, relationships, mindset, stewardship, and time management. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a subscriber-only 50% discount!)
What’s Your Legacy?
Last week I received news that my beloved babysitter from my childhood passed away at 93 years old. “Miss Pat” was a faithful subscriber to my weekly emails and would occasionally reply to me and tell me how things were going in her world. It was always great to hear from her as she played an integral part in my life during my preschool years and our family has stayed connected to her all these years later. While it’s sad to know she’s gone from this earth, I’m grateful that I got to know her throughout my life. It makes me think about my legacy. What will others say when I’m gone? What am I doing today that will leave a positive lasting impression on others? Pat loved hundreds of children and their families as they passed through her childcare center, which was actually her home. She always had a smile on her face and loved to laugh and encourage others. She was a faithful servant in her church and a matriarch for her family. She will be missed but certainly not forgotten. What about you? What legacy are you building today? What do you want people to say and remember about you when your time is up on earth? While we can’t control others’ thoughts about us, we can certainly live in a way that influences them to remember us long after we’re gone. We’re all standing on the shoulders of family, friends, and leaders who have gone before us. Everyone leaves a legacy of some kind. Few are intentional about what they want to leave behind. Let’s be part of the few who live with intentionality to love and lead those around us well so our lives count for something significant long after we’re gone. Let’s honor those like Pat who have made such a difference in our lives by living in a way that builds upon the foundation they built. Until next time, make today GREAT! Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you: The Way to Greatness book – Discover the five continual choices that lead to The GREAT Life and how to implement them immediately. The GREAT Life Bootcamp video course – In this self-paced course, I’ll guide you to learn how to experience the life you were created to live by improving your faith, relationships, mindset, stewardship, and time management. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a subscriber-only 50% discount!)
How’s Your Vision?
When kids are growing up, it’s common to ask them what they want to be someday? Their answers are often amazing. They don’t put a limit on their dreams and worry about what’s “realistic.” Instead, they think of what they’d love to do without limitation. Unfortunately, we grow out of this childlike wonder as we age. Whether it’s our environment, the people who influence us, or any other causes, we lose our vision for life as we get older. When was the last time you dreamed? When was the last time you had a clear vision for your life or business? Vision is what motivates us. It gets us out of bed with enthusiasm and is the fuel that helps us persevere when things aren’t going our way. Vision propels us forward to become better and smarter. It stretches us and shapes us into better versions of ourselves. Beware of settling for less than you’re capable of living because you think your best days are behind you. Even in old age humans can accomplish great things! Our dreams may look different the older we get but the impact can still be massive. Proverbs 29:18 in the Bible states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision is critical for life and progress. It’s vision that builds nations. It was vision that led the Wright brothers to figure out flight. It was vision that led to all the products and services we take for granted. If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, lost or confused, it’s most likely because you’ve lost your vision. It’s been said that if you lose your “why” you’ll lose your way. Your “why” is your vision. It’s your purpose. To regain motivation and get back on track to accomplishing great things, block out time to think, pray, and dream. What do you want to accomplish in the next year, five years, or decade? What do you feel called to do? Who do you feel called to serve? What would excite you to get out of bed every morning and energize you to tackle each day’s challenges? Once you have answers to these questions, the “how” will come into perspective. The people and resources will become evident. But it starts with checking your vision and permitting yourself to dream again regardless of your age or life situation. Until next time, make today GREAT! Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you: The Way to Greatness book – Discover the five continual choices that lead to The GREAT Life and how to implement them immediately. The GREAT Life Bootcamp video course – In this self-paced course, I’ll guide you to learn how to experience the life you were created to live by improving your faith, relationships, mindset, stewardship, and time management. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a subscriber-only 50% discount!)
The Difficult Lesson of Being Patient
I’ve been sick for the last week and it’s reminded me that I’m not a very good patient! 🙂 It started with a little scratchiness in my chest, then it turned into full-blown congestion and achiness. I know I’m just one person among many who have dealt with this (or worse) this winter, but it’s been a good reminder that when something happens to you, it’s easy to think you’re the only one dealing with it. I’ve had to be patient with the healing process. I’ve had to let go of my best-laid plans and simply rest. And it’s been HARD! Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever have plans that you’re ready to tackle and then they’re disrupted and it feels very frustrating? I’m sure you’ve been there. We all have. In these moments, it’s a good reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned and disruptions happen. It’s how we handle those disruptions that reveal our character. Patience truly is a virtue and it’s easily tested. We’re all in the process of becoming better versions of who God created us to be but we must be patient. Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. Most of us want instant results, but things rarely work out that way. Instead, the slow process develops our character and prepares us for long-term success more than we expect. If you’re feeling rushed and anxious, take a step back and a deep breath. Focus on regaining perspective and realize that things will work out as you patiently keep moving forward one step at a time. Until next time, make today GREAT! Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you: The Way to Greatness book – Discover the five continual choices that lead to The GREAT Life and how to implement them immediately. The GREAT Life Bootcamp video course – In this self-paced course, I’ll guide you to learn how to experience the life you were created to live by improving your faith, relationships, mindset, stewardship, and time management. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a subscriber-only 50% discount!)
When You’re Struggling, Try a New Approach
It’s commonly said that the definition of “insanity” is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. If you’re like me, by this definition you’ve been insane quite a few times in life! It’s easy to feel stuck and frustrated when you’re trying to achieve new goals and dreams. The plans we thought would work often don’t. The problem comes when we choose to work harder on something rather than stepping back and reworking our plan. Sometimes we need to find new sources of ideas and inspiration. This could be books, mentors, coaches, or simply taking a walk to get some fresh air and a change of perspective. The bottom line is that you don’t have to stay stuck. You don’t have to live in a state of frustration. Simply take a step back, get a fresh perspective, ask for help from a trusted advisor, and then try again. If that approach doesn’t work, repeat the process until it does. Remember, Thomas Edison didn’t beat himself for failing thousands of times in his attempt to create the light bulb. Instead, he saw each “failure” as one more way of not accomplishing his goal. I think we’d all be wise to approach life, leadership, and business this way as well. Until next time, make today GREAT! Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you: The Way to Greatness book – Discover the five continual choices that lead to The GREAT Life and how to implement them immediately. The GREAT Life Bootcamp video course – In this self-paced course, I’ll guide you to learn how to experience the life you were created to live by improving your faith, relationships, mindset, stewardship, and time management. (Enter coupon code “MM50” at checkout to receive a subscriber-only 50% discount!)