∞ Rob McBride ∞

A task we fail to do this moment may be left undone forever. There is no time like now to complete projects vital to our progress and development.

Task lists can be powerful to enhance effectiveness. When used incorrectly, however, they become a convenient excuse to leave what should be done now for a future date, which may never come.

Common ideas are prolific, while truly outstanding ideas may come only once in a lifetime. We can utilize specific techniques to empower the energy of the moment to give each idea an opportunity to flower into a spectacular proposal. Daily activities generate never-ending routines which hinder magical moments of profound inspiration.

One idea brilliantly developed can make us tremendously successful. To obtain one brilliant idea it is desirable to generate many ideas, one of which can make a positive impact on our lives.

An excellent way to concentrate on the most important task is to utilize the method Ivy Lee proposed to Charles Schwab, the owner of Bethlehem Steel at the beginning of the 20th Century. Schwab attributed this single idea to their outstanding success. Schwab’s desire to increase productivity led him to work with Ivy Lee, who gave him the following technique. Lee asked Schwab to write down the most important tasks he needed to accomplish the following day. After composing the list, Lee instructed Schwab to prioritize the list by placing the #1 beside the most important task, the #2 beside the second task and so forth.

Lee instructed Schwab to put the paper in his pocket until the following day. He told him to commence the following morning with #1 and to work only on that task until it was finished, unless something completely hindered its completion. Schwab expressed concern about the consequences of leaving all other tasks undone for sake of working on one single objective. Lee emphasized the importance of concentrating first on the single most important task of the day. This, he explained, was the way to be more effective. Achieving a substantial number of activities which are not crucial is not nearly as important as accomplishing a critical few objectives.

After experiencing the profound effects of enhanced productivity the idea created, purportedly Schwab paid Lee $25,000 for the idea, which at the beginning of the 20th Century was an extraordinary amount of money!

It is not the number of tasks we achieve in a day which is most important, rather the importance of the tasks we achieve. Utilizing Ivy Lee’s method daily assures we accomplish the most critical objectives which lead us to the destiny we desire. no time like now.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL I 40

Tantalizing temptations tease and toy with our emotions every day on this incredible journey we call life. Our capacity to manage and control our reaction to temptations defines our success.

We should enjoy this one-time ride as much as possible. It is common to imagine satisfying our every whim and desire in the moment will bring true happiness and fulfillment. On the contrary, too much of a good thing can be toxic.

Let’s take the example of food. We are fortunate to live in a land of abundant delicacies which are the ingredients of so many spectacular meals. Eating the right things moderately, such as fruit and vegetables, is the life source for a healthy mind and body. Eating too much of even a good thing is a sure recipe to extreme discomfort.

Let’s look at several examples:

Drinking a glass of wine vs. drinking an entire bottle

Eating a scoop of ice cream vs. eating the whole carton

Working a productive 8 hour day vs. working 24 consecutive hours

Taking a weekend rest vs. two years of an unpaid “mental sabbatical”

Exercising a half hour several times a week vs. infrequent extreme physical activity resulting in a lot of pain

What can we do?

There is much more to a certain stimulus than just the immediate pleasure caused. By focusing on the events leading up to and following a particular event, we can extend the pleasure and maximize enjoyment. For example, curiously we frequently enjoy planning and looking forward to a trip almost as much, and sometimes even more, than the event itself. When we return from a trip our mood is typically much more pensive and serene.

When we enjoy the time thinking and planning for something in addition to the event itself, we can stretch each and every ounce of gratification from even the simplest pleasures in life.

The secret of achieving success does not depend on the number of hours we work, rather our effectiveness while we work. It’s not the amount, rather the quality which counts. Unfortunately, many relate instead only the number of hours worked as a measure of productivity.

Understanding this principle leads to temperance in all phases of our lives. When we work, let’s work intensely for a predetermined amount of time. When we rest, let’s relax fully and completely to regenerate. When we eat, let’s savor each and every bite and do so moderately.

Generally, it’s not the “things” which are dangerous, rather our abuse of them which creates unfortunate consequences. We can intensify pleasure and satisfaction by moderating our whims and desires with wit and wisdom.

Being temperate and moderate leads us to continued fulfillment with life’s simplest pleasures. A life overloaded with work or dominated with leisure frequently leads to imbalances causing pain and agony. When we live each instant as if it were our last and plan as if we were to live an eternity; we establish a base and foundation to bounce back in even the most difficult circumstance.

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL I 39

Imagine a space designed to:

Grow and improve personally
Create and establish goals and objectives
Review and consider direction and destiny
Go with the ebb and flow of life’s ever changing way
Hold and cherish magical moments with friends and family

Individually, we have the power to create this space. At defined intervals we can meet with people with whom we are in harmony and who share similar goals and objectives. We can take time for ourselves to share and dream with others.

Set aside one weekend a month to empower creative thought

We can utilize the weekend closest to each full moon for a retreat which is replete with energy and enthusiasm to achieve what others only dream about. We can find a place full of magic and wonder – a park, a mountain, a beach or, simply someplace convenient to invest time in ourselves and in our future. With this simple action, we become masters of our fate, never leaving our lives to wander aimlessly with the wind of time.

In his book Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill tells us, “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind.” He explains the importance of combining forces with others through the power of the “Master Mind” to achieve our goals and objectives. Dr. Bob Smith defines the importance of relating with others to achieve better solutions in his book Discover your Blind Spots. Our capacity to create and innovate is limited by our own experience. When we leverage our knowledge with that of others, we find “new” solutions which were always there and just beyond our reach.

Knowledge is in reality universal. Our creativity and power to innovate as well as our ideas, are the direct result of seeds which have been planted at different moments in our lives. It’s impossible for the experience and knowledge of any two people to be the same. Each person regardless of education, social status or position can add value to our base of knowledge.

The Master Mind Moon Meeting can be of any duration and held at any place or time. I suggest the weekend around the full moon because it is easy to remember. All we need do is look to the sky to see when the time is coming. Establishing the time and place for a Master Mind Moon Meeting once per month helps create focus and continuity and does not impose on the “hustle and bustle” of our lives.

Participants in the Master Mind Moon Meeting can be friends, family or acquaintances, though it’s preferable they be people we trust and respect. We can learn from all, though we may not necessarily open up and share with everyone. It’s important to establish specific times during the meeting when the participants can communicate and share with each other.

We take time to improve the profitability and productivity of the companies where we work. Investing time in ourselves and in our own “company” through a Master Mind Moon Meeting allows us to firmly grasp the rudder of life and thus determine our direction and destiny.

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL I 38

Life can be compared to many different competitive games including soccer, football, boxing, basketball and baseball. While there are many similarities, the main difference is that instead of playing against another team or individual, we are in a constant battle with ourselves and with our emotions. In competition, as well as in life, our ability to control our thoughts and our actions determines our success.

Some of us live a life replete with joy and others with anguish. Life presents different challenges to all and there are no two lives which are exactly the same. Similarly, no two games in a season are exactly alike. During this incredible journey we call life, as in competitive sport, it’s not the circumstances which arise, rather our response to them which makes the difference.

Let’s take, for example, the World Cup of soccer which currently grips the world with fervor. Let’s imagine the four year road to the World Cup is our life, each year a game and each day a play. Each day we wake up, we have a new beginning, a new play. What happened yesterday influences and, yet, does not equal our future. The game doesn’t finish until referee blows his whistle for the last time.

It’s possible to be in a slump for several games. Even so, each morning we receive the ball and we have a new beginning. Achieving small successes today through successful passes and plays establishes a base for continued success tomorrow. While simple in theory, it is certainly not easy. As much as we want to forget yesterday’s trials and tribulations, they can play in our minds like a movie playing a bad dream which continually haunt us.

Coaches and motivational speakers promote positive thinking as the Holy Grail to success and happiness. While being a fundamental element, it’s not enough to reach our objectives. In addition to positive thinking, we must be in shape, and be prepared.

Even with an excellent attitude, excellent physical condition, and preparation, there will be times when we fail. Even superstars playing on the most renowned teams in the world fail. In fact, they fail more often than not. Those who are most successful achieve many small successes, one play at a time. For each successful goal they score, they have countless missed hits and shots off goal. In the end, it’s the small things which make a tremendous difference in soccer and in life.

The most famous soccer players are frequently those who score the most goals. The emotion of watching a player score a goal from outside the box is, without a doubt, one of the most sensational events in a game. Under most circumstances, coaches prefer to have a series of good plays which take them deep into their opponent’s territory than many low percentage shots taken from far away. A series of small successful plays rather than thrilling long shots tend to be the difference in winning or losing.

Soccer and life are better played by doing little things correctly on a consistent basis. For example, we can eat right, exercise, read, build and grow. These are all habits which, when done consistently, lead to long term success.

Hitting a long shot, in life as in soccer, is an incredible feeling. Attempting to score from far way every time we get the ball will likely lead to frequent “failures” causing us to give up when the going gets tough and when positive energy is critical to success.

Winning each and every play in life is not essential. The road to become champion of the world in the World Cup is made up of many games and many opportunities. Understanding this dynamic provides us with the patience and perseverance necessary to improve every day in every way. When we learn from our failures, errors and mistakes we can take the ball each day with renewed vigor facing the world with confidence to reach our goals and objectives one play at a time.

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL I 37