What's In Your Library? Jack Canfield
February 15, 2012 by Doug · Leave a Comment
Doug Grady and Jack Canfield, 2003
“There are essentially two things that will make you wise -- the books you read and the people you meet.” -Jack Canfield
What's In Your Library?
Consider some of the books and people that have helped you grow through the years. The writings of Jack Canfield, Dr. Denis Waitley, Les Brown, and the late great Jim Rohn made a significant impact on my personal and professional life, long before I met them.
Today's High Achiever faculty spotlight is on Jack Canfield. Jack is one of the most successful people I have ever met. As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre - and watched it grow to a billion dollar market.
"Most everything you want is just outside your comfort zone." -Jack Canfield
Jack spoke on the High Achievers line-up several times. He was one of our most popular speakers, sincere in his approach, and just plain fun to be around (he still is). And his wisdom is profound. In 2003 I quit smoking by applying one of the strategies he taught for High Achievers.
Jack Canfield's Successful Habits Formula (from The Power of Focus)
- Clearly identify your bad or unproductive habits.
- Define your new successful habit.
- Create a three part action plan.
Thanks Jack!
Jack, Jim, Denis, and Les (along with a host of others) are ready for you. Full length audio recordings from the best of a decade of High Achievers trainings are waiting to be delivered to your email box. Each week we unlock the High Achievers vault and giving you exclusive access to our Achievement Library, all for less than 32 cents per day.
Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.
Is it Time to Let Go? by Doug Grady
August 20, 2011 by Doug · 10 Comments
"In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it." -Michelangelo
Is it Time to Let Go? by Doug Grady
I have been actively exploring the pathways to personal potential for over 20 years. The majority of the books, teachers, and courses I have learned from seem to focus on what we need to DO to improve ourselves. What strategies, actions, characteristics, or skills do we need to adopt? How can we grow, stretch, go for it, reach, make it happen? What’s missing that we need to add to our lives? The message appears to be that if I simply learn, grow and push hard enough, long enough, and smart enough, I’ll get there. Perhaps that’s just how I tend to see the world- give up nothing, take on everything, more is better, anything is possible. Far less attention seems to be given to letting go of what’s not working. What do we need to unlearn, eliminate, release?
If Michelangelo were chipping away at you, what would he get rid of? The intricate details of The David simply could not be introduced without first eliminating the large excesses which did not work. The same goes for fine tuning the masterpiece of your life. There may be one major thing, the “big block.” You probably know what it is. Your big block prevents you from getting maximum benefit from your personal development efforts, no matter how hard, long, or innovative they may be. It’s like driving with the brake on. Eliminating your big block expands your current potential exponentially and brings new possibilities you may have never imagined.
Do you have a big block? This may include, but is not limited to:
- The past
- Relationships
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Food
- Sex
- Work
- Gambling
- Pride
- Anger
- Fear/insecurity
- Cynicism
What are you holding on to? Is it time to let go?
The Naysayer, by Doug Grady
July 25, 2011 by Doug · 9 Comments
The Naysayer, by Doug Grady
I remember several years ago calling on a prospect in California. When I introduced myself over the phone, he asked, “Are you the guy who sings and plays the banjo?” My reputation preceded me, how cool is that? I smiled and said, “Yes, that’s me!” He said, “Uh, yeah, I saw you last year, I don’t think so.” and hung up. It felt like I got punched in the stomach.
The Naysayer is everywhere, just waiting to say “NAY!” to your hopes, your dreams and your future. When other people disapprove of our best efforts we may feel deflated at best and at times downright debilitated.
Still harder for me to ignore is my internal Naysayer. He sounds a bit like Simon Cowell without the English accent.
“I don’t think you’re as good as you think you are.”
“My advice would be if you want to pursue a career in the music business, don’t.”
“That was terrible. I mean just awful.” –Simon Cowell
On the boulevard of broken dreams there are countless unrealized talents and goals crushed by the Naysayer. Don't let this happen to you. Here are some thoughts on dealing with the Naysayers in your life or in your head.
- Don’t take it personally. Easier said than done, right? But in many cases the naysaying is truly not personal. Hey- it's a banjo (or a new business, or a book you're writing, or a move to the country, or whatever). Not everybody gets it, so what? It doesn't take everybody to realize your dreams.
- Get used to it. Develop a thick skin. There will likely be many more naysayers along your journey.
- Get, be and stay around people who believe in you and lift you up. Tell these people how much you appreciate them.
- Don’t try to please everyone- you never will, particularly the Naysayer.
- When you find yourself listening to your internal Naysayer, pick a different voice inside your head- one that appreciates you and believes in you. It’s in there somewhere.
“There are many voices in my head. The key is deciding which one to listen to.” –Doug Grady
Finally, appreciate the Naysayer- no matter how unwarranted, uninvited, inaccurate or negative the feedback may appear to be. The Naysayer is a very real reminder that realizing our potential and achieving our goals isn't always easy. At times we may need to be humbled. At times we may need to be challenged. At others we may need a fire lit under us to grow, to stretch, and to get better. Let this be your response to the Naysayer.
Just say "AYE!" Start your 30-day trial membership for just $1.
How did we get here? Read The Ripple Effect.
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The Cleanse, by Doug Grady
July 24, 2011 by Doug · 3 Comments
The Cleanse, by Doug Grady
Today completes a 14 day cleanse of nothing but raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and water (oh, and um, coffee- my exception). It was the first time I have ever done anything like it. Prior to this I really can't remember a day without meat. This past year has been a year of challenging myself mentally and physically, so it seemed like a good idea at the time. When propositioned with this concept, my thought was "Why not? What's the worst thing that can happen- I get too healthy?"
For much of the 2 weeks my focus was sporadic, my energy was all over the place, and my sleep was off. I lost 9 pounds. I was hungry all the time. For the first time ever I threw up after a workout with my trainer. I know- you can't wait. It was a meat and processed foods detox, you might say. The bottom line? I feel healthier, cleaner and lighter. It was even enjoyable at times. I see more fruits and vegetables and a healthier lifestyle in my future.
Please, share and leave a comment. I really want to hear from you!
Running with Don, by Doug Grady
July 19, 2011 by Doug · 4 Comments
2010 Knoxville half-marathon. Who looks faster?
Running with Don, by Doug Grady
I had a humbling experience recently. I was in Virginia Beach visiting my brother Don and he decided to join me for a run. I was scheduled for 7 miles that day and we went to a nearby park to GIT R DUN. For the last year or so I had been exercising consistently, including quite a bit of running. My brother had not. In fact I’m guestimating I had exercised at least 6x as much as him for the past year, not to mention I’m 2 years younger. How do you think our run went?
It was no contest- he dusted me. I did my best to keep up for the first two or three miles while he placated me by staying close to my (exhausted) pace. Eventually I said, “Just go.” I think he read a book, took a nap, and returned a few calls before I joined him at the end of the 7 mile trail.
My brother is what you might call a “runner.” I am not. Don ran track and cross country in high school and continued running as a young man in the Navy and into adulthood. I was a wrestler. Both of us have run a marathon. I trained consistently for over 4 months and barely broke 5 hours (4:52 to be precise). Don did not train. His time? Wait for it… 3 hours, 42 minutes. There is a high probability Don will always be a stronger runner than me, and it never really bothered me. Until this day. It just didn’t seem right that I could work so hard for so long and still be so far from someone who, by comparison, apparently put in very little effort at all.
"If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself." –Max Ehrmann
This is one of the potential traps we can fall into when we compare ourselves to others. We may become frustrated with what feels like lack of progress when we observe other people (particularly those close to us) functioning at a higher level. If we allow it to this frustration may lead to abandoning a worthwhile journey prematurely or never taking the first step. It goes something like this, “I’ll never be as (fast, strong, charismatic, talented, effective, successful, blah, blah, blah) as this person, so why bother?” When you find yourself here, consider the following:
- Look at the big picture. Is this process worthwhile for you as a person? Running and exercise is a powerful, healthy way for me to release stress, challenge myself, and be a better man. Whether or not I can keep up with my brother, you or anybody else is irrelevant.
- Change your focus. Our greatest battles are won not over circumstances or other people but over ourselves. Are you being the best “you” that you can be?
- Change the way you talk to yourself. Lose the "I'll nevers, I can'ts, I'm nots, and I won'ts." Affirm to yourself “I am 'in the ring,' I am growing, I am making progress.”
- Learn. I asked Don how I could improve my pace and he gave me a specific strategy which I implemented the following week.
- Allow yourself to be motivated. When I'm whupped by my brother I have a choice- I can be depressed or inspired. Which do you think is healthier?
Don Grady Jr, Commander, United States Navy Reserve
"The art of being yourself at your best is the art of unfolding your personality into the person you want to be. Be gentle with yourself, learn to love yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitude toward ourselves can we have the right attitude toward others." –Wilfred Peterson
How do you relate when comparing yourself to others? Strive to be grateful for the people who are put in your path. They are our teachers, our students, our leaders, our followers, our counselors, our advisors, our lessons waiting to be learned.
As I write this these words my big brother Don is in Iraq serving our country. Godspeed my brother.
Still not a member? Start your 30-day trial membership for just $1.
How did we get here? Read The Ripple Effect.
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The First Step, by Doug Grady
July 14, 2011 by Doug · 5 Comments
The First Step, by Doug Grady
T Collie, Eddie V, and me
“There never was a winner who was not first a beginner.” –Dr. Denis Waitley
My friend Eddie Varsalona has been singing and playing guitar and harmonica for over a decade now. He is one of my favorite people to watch perform or do a little “pickin and grinnin” with. His passion for music however was almost never realized. Eddie became interested in playing the guitar in his late 20s. He figured conservatively it would take at least 5 to 6 years to become decent at it and because of this he almost never took the first step. It was his mother who encouraged him. She said, “Eddie, Lord willing, you’ll be here 5-6 years from now anyway, you might as well learn guitar.” Eddie V is still here, and has plans to continue to perform well into his retirement.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” –Lao Tzu
Are you finding it difficult to take that first step toward a new venture, an unrealized passion, an exercise program or the elimination of a bad habit? What’s holding you back? What stops you from taking the first step? Here are a few that have affected me at one time or another:
- Overwhelm. Read the Lao Tzu quote again and focus on the “thousand miles.” How does that make you feel? Now focus on the “single step.” Do you notice a difference? You don’t have to have it all figured out. Simply take the first step.
- Fear of ________. Fill in the blank. What is it for you? Failure? Looking bad? Loss? It may not work out? Isolate your fear(s). Instead of resisting them, try embracing them. In my mind it goes something like this, “I may fail, I may look bad, I may lose, it may not work out. So what? I’m going to go for it!” Take the first step.
- Comparing ourselves to others. Hey, if I listen to Earl Scruggs play the banjo I have a choice. I can be depressed or inspired. Which do you think is more empowering? Take the first step.
- Comfort zone. This is simply another way of saying you’re just too lazy to do anything about your aspirations. Reaching your potential in any endeavor will take hard work. Put down the remote, log out of facebook, get off the couch and take the first step.
“Let’s get it started in here.” –The Black Eyed Peas
There is tremendous power in taking that first step. Without it you will never fully realize your potential in the area of your life you are contemplating right now. Yes, that one. With it, your journey has begun. This is where all great journeys begin. I look forward to hearing where yours takes you.
“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Please, share and leave a comment. I really want to hear from you!
Take the first step:
Inspiration, by Doug Grady
July 8, 2011 by Doug · 9 Comments
Inspiration, by Doug Grady
Not too long ago I was at a seminar. The speaker, leadership guru John Maxwell, had a simple yet profound point: Take personal responsibility for your own happiness. He told a beautiful story of how his wife had come to the realization that external factors could never make her truly happy. She could not count on her family, her work, or her environment to make her happy. But if she was personally responsible for her own happiness, these factors had the ability to enhance her happiness significantly. Her whole life changed when she chose to take personal responsibility for her own happiness.
"Take personal responsibility for your own happiness." –Margaret Maxwell
Simple? Yes. Inspiring? Absolutely! Powerful? Oh yeah! Profound? So profound! I thought, "Wow- this can change my life forever! All I need to do is take personal responsibility for my own happiness! Personal responsibility for my own happiness. Personal responsibility for my own happiness. Personal responsibility for my own happiness...” I kept saying to myself in my best Rainman impression. I was truly inspired! I left the seminar with absolute certainty this was the key to my happiness and that this would change the course of my life. And it did- for about an hour. Until someone cut me off in traffic on the way home.
Why is it that the simple, profound, inspiring moments that we truly believe will change our lives sometimes end up forgotten? How do we make the flashes of enlightenment last? Is the road to hell really paved with good intentions?
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
Inspiration can be fleeting. Here are some thoughts on living an inspired life:
- Allow yourself to be inspired. Give yourself permission to “stop and smell the roses.” In the stresses and struggles of everyday life it is easy to filter out the many potentially inspiring moments which come and pass. A song on the radio, a conversation with a friend, a seemingly random article in a waiting room magazine- these are all experiences which have changed the course of my life.
- Pay attention to who and what inspires you. How and when do you tend to be inspired? Ask yourself: Who inspires me? When have I been inspired in the past? What am I most inspired about right now? What could I allow myself to be inspired about? When do I feel most inspired?
- Have multiple sources you can draw from for inspiration. My friend Steve Cesari calls this an “inspirational arsenal.”
- Do something. Inspiration without action is like being all dressed up with nowhere to go. That little voice is telling you something. What is it? Create a clear future for yourself, fueled by your inspiration. Do something immediately to move toward this future. Take the first step.
Steve Cesari’s Inspirational Arsenal
- Quotes
- Inspirational Scrapbook
- Movies
- Biographies
- The Bible
- Exercise
- Prayer
- PMN (positive mental Nutrition and self-talk)
- Inspiring People
- Music
- 12. 13… (What would you add to this list?)
Final thought: While these suggestions may help, you will not always be inspired. Many people romanticize achievement and growth into a “Rocky-esque” montage of inspired moments. The fact is that we may feel quite uninspired from time to time. It is in the often tedious, mundane, monotonous acts of consistent discipline that significant breakthroughs occur (read Do it Anyway). And those breakthroughs, my friend, tend to be truly inspiring for you and the world around you.
“Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed.” –Cavett Roberts
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Level Four Integrity: Throw Your Hat in the Ring, by Doug Grady
June 14, 2011 by Doug · 6 Comments
Level Four Integrity: Throw Your Hat in the Ring, by Doug Grady
In the early 19th century, when boxing was quite popular, one who wished to challenge a boxer would throw his hat into the ring. This was probably necessitated by the crowds and noise at such events; you'd be missed if you simply tried to shout out a challenge or push your way through the crowd and into the ring.
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt used it in 1912: "My hat's in the ring", he said, meaning that he had entered the presidential race. -www.phrases.org.uk
Throw your hat in the ring: the act of making a definite, time-bounded, external declaration of what you intend to take on or accomplish.
While talking with my friend Jerry Bishop she asked,
“What's your next accomplishment you are going after?” –Jerry Bishop
I had recently completed my first Tough Mudder, a series of breakthrough speaking engagements, and written The (unofficial) Tough Mudder Song. But I had not thrown my hat into another ring for something new, specific, and time lined. I had been thinking about writing a song for my mother. Thinking about it for almost 3 years- first for her 70th birthday, then on subsequent Mother’s Days and birthdays, and then on my parents 50th wedding anniversary...
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now". -J. W. von Goethe
Here is my response to Jerry:
“I am taking on writing and recording a song for my mother and posting it on her facebook page on Sunday.”
Mother’s Day was less than 3 days away. I literally created and completed more in 3 days than the previous 3 years combined. The completed video of Ode to my Mother was on her facebook page on Mother’s Day and she loved it. Without Jerry asking me this question and my subsequent willingness to throw my hat in the ring it is likely this song would still be rolling around in my head next Mother’s Day.
This is the power of Level Four (L4) Integrity. L4 combines the best of L3 with powerful external motivation. It is when you have an empowering future which gives meaning, purpose, passion and intensity to your DC’s (daily commitments) NOW. I first wrote about this in The High Achievers Goal-setting Formula. The following is an excerpt:
Champion athletes visualize winning in advance. Self-help books tell us to write our own eulogy. The late great comedian George Burns actually booked himself to play the London Palladium as a 100th Birthday celebration. Perhaps you’ve had the experience of being extraordinarily effective the week before a vacation. These are all ways of creating our future in advance. Our future affects our present.
Consider today creating an inspiring, definite future for yourself- one that will give you meaning, purpose and passion right now. Do you want to:
• Play the guitar? Sing? Do stand-up comedy? Book an open mic night.
• Lose weight? Register for a run, hire a trainer, buy the clothes you will fit into.
• Take a vacation? Call the hotel and give them a non-refundable deposit for a specific date.
• Start a business? Get the business card printed.
• Increase your sales? Register for a sales seminar, hire a coach, book a celebration date now for 3 months out.
• Write a book? Design the cover and look at it daily.
I leave you with the question Jerry asked me: “What's your next accomplishment you are going after?” And of course a challenge, Throw your hat in the ring!
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Level Two Integrity: GIT-R-DUN, by Doug Grady
April 21, 2011 by Doug · 13 Comments
- He GOT-R-DUN
Level Two Integrity: GIT-R-DUN, by Doug Grady
One of the most valuable aspects of taking on a new habit or daily discipline is becoming aware of your tendencies- realizing where and how you tend to get stopped. Understanding and consciously evaluating your personal tendencies can be a major step in becoming unstoppable.
"Becoming aware of where you get stopped is the starting point of becoming unstoppable." -Doug Grady
Let me share with you one of mine. I tend to have an “all or nothing” mentality. If I can’t do something full on, why bother? In March of 2010 I experienced a hip injury while training for a half marathon. I allowed this to become an excuse for not exercising altogether. Not to mention I did nothing to get my injury treated. This led to 4 months of a sedentary lifestyle and a downward spiral in other areas of my life.
Now think about, are there ways to exercise even if you have a hip injury? Of course there are. Recognizing this tendency has enabled me to adopt a new belief:
When it comes to exercise and other daily commitments- something is better than nothing.
All of us have been stopped at one time or another. Level two integrity helps make you unstoppable.
"GIT-R-DUN!" -Larry the Cable Guy
Level two integrity, the “GIT-R-DUN” level, succeeds where level one fails. I also refer to this as the “DO IT ANYWAY” level (read Do It Anyway). While level one is primarily driven by the desire to gain external pleasure and avoid external pain, level two is internally driven. If you are taking on creating a new habit, breaking a bad habit, or developing a daily discipline you will likely experience days when you simply don’t want to honor your daily commitment. On days like these you must find a way to GIT-R-DUN. You honor your word because you said you would. Whether you want to or not, feel like it or not, whether you think it will do any good or not, all these questions are really irrelevant here. You GIT-R-DUN. The only question is:
Are you going to honor your word? Are you going to do what you said you would do?
During a 60-day commitment to write 20 minutes a day there were times I literally sat at the computer running late for a dinner engagement typing while the seconds ticked away approaching 20 minutes. I would type, look at the clock, type, look at the clock… During a 30-day commitment to make 20 prospecting calls per day there were days when I simply went through the motions of making the dials just to check it off the list. Inevitably these would be days when I would reach someone previously unreachable or book an elusive meeting. I actually had a couple of personal bests in the gym on days I did not feel like exercising.
"I hate working out. I do it because this is my job. I hate working out so much that when I get in the ring I take it out on my opponent." -Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Never underestimate the power of getting it done when you don’t feel like it. It is here in the often tedious, mundane, monotonous act of completion that significant momentum is gained. There may be days like this when you simply put in the time- you complete the tired, lethargic, irritating work. Feel the frustration, feel the pain, hear the excuse and do it anyway. The win here is that YOU GOT-R-DUN! You fulfilled your commitment. No one said it had to be pretty or pleasant. There is HUGE power in completion versus the lack thereof. Be sure to notice and track how you feel after you do it anyway- even when you did not feel like it, did not want to, and thought about not doing it. Some of these daily commitments may even turn into breakthrough days for you.
So find a way to GIT-R-DUN.
It is extremely difficult to maintain L2 integrity over an extended period of time. There is a constant struggle here between feelings (“I don’t feel like it”) and commitment (“I’ll do it anyway”). Relying purely on will power (“I have to because I said I would”) can be exhausting and unhealthy in the long run. This is where L3 comes in. This will be the topic of my next post.
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One Tough Mudder, by Doug Grady
March 14, 2011 by Doug · 7 Comments
One Tough Mudder, by Doug Grady
On Saturday, March 12th I completed my first Tough Mudder in Cedartown, GA. Modeled after British Special Forces training, it was a grueling course with 18 obstacles in the North Georgia mountains. When I first wrote about Tough Mudder I was convinced that the hardest part about completing this run would be the training (read Tough Mudder Goal Setting). I was wrong. My first marathon was tough (small "t"). This run was TOUGH- way tougher than my training. I guess there's a reason they don't call it the somewhat difficult mudder. I can only imagine how tough it would have been if I did not train.
My 18 week regimen prior to Mudder included strength, core, speed, endurance and flexibility training. It did not include mudpits, ice cold lakes, rocks in my shoes, crawling under barbed wire or electroshock therapy (not kidding- that was one of the obstacles). The 14+ mile obstacle course with the crawling, slipping, falling, climbing and swimming took me over three and a half hours to complete. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't pleasant, and I am thrilled I did it.
Several people, particularly those who saw me limping on Sunday asked me why I did it. Here's why- when I am at my best as a man I am consistently challenging myself with intense physical exercise. Training for and completing the Tough Mudder has created breakthroughs in my life mentally, physically, emotionally, professionally and spiritually. This is the essence of The Ripple Effect, the title of my forthcoming book.
No matter where you are there is always another level. Training gets you there. Training for something tough and completing it gets you there quicker. I am currently in the process of choosing my next physical challenge, considering training adjustments and anticipating the ripples that will follow.
Life can be tough. Train tough. Get tough. Complete tough. Repeat.
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