If there is one thing Champions at all levels are, it is motivated! They are all motivated by the intrinsic desire to be the best and are willing to do almost anything, and sacrifice just about all else to become Champions. That takes tremendous motivation and daily connection to their goals in a way that fulfills them to keep going. I’m not sure how all Champions do this but below is a great idea we should all incorporate into our daily habits.

Thanks to the new world of Twitter I’ve made a friend with someone who has impacted my life and business in a simple, yet profound way. Her name is Misha Thomas and you can follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/queenmisha

As with most of these social media connections I can’t remember how I came to meet Misha but I began following her on Twitter. One day last week she sent these three separate  and simple Tweets that I caught at just the right time at the end of my day:

Tweet #1) What was the Best Thing that happened to you today?

Tweet #2) What did you do that was most Fun today?

Tweet #3) What did you Learn today?

I’ve known about the power of questions since I immersed myself in Anthony Robbins programs 11 years ago. Tony suggests we ask five focus questions in the morning to direct our focus and mindset for the day (I’ll write about those questions in another post later this week).  I have to admit I fell out of the habit of asking those questions, and these from Misha came at the perfect time.

Misha sent the questions out at the end of today, too. Not sure if she does ‘em every day, but I know I’ve seen ‘em at least 3 times out of the last six business days. When I first saw them last Monday I responded to her on Twitter and I’ll probably do it again tonight but I’ll post my answers here first.

1) The Best Thing that happened to me today was that I met with a business prospect over lunch who told me an article I sent to him over the weekend had immediate impact for his business. He applied a strategy I suggested and it gave him a sense of control over his business and his customers that he didn’t have before. Made my day (and his, hopefully)! The article is titled “Your Quest for Outstanding Customer Service May Be Killing Your Business”

2) The thing I did that was most Fun today was attending my regular Monday, 4:30pm Yoga/Pilates Fusion class called “Centergy” with my wife. She and I have been consistently attending this class and one on Saturday morning every week since January 1st, unless we’re out of town for have other business commitments. But, I bet neither one of us has missed more than 2 of these classes since we started, I’m really proud of both of us for that!

3) What I Learned today is that no matter how close a relationship you have with a present client, when it comes to a new project, make sure you get the proposal/contract signed, and finalize specific payment terms before you leave the scene of the meeting after obtaining a verbal agreement and setting a date to start the project. I received an e-mail late today asking to postpone the project for three weeks due to unforseen issues and that may delay my expected cash flow (lesson learned).

What about you? How would you answer those three questions?

The article contrasts the openness and free feeling corporate culture of Google with the somewhat more traditional, more structured approach to corporate culture of the older, more established Microsoft.

On first thought I might have expected Microsoft to be more like its younger rival, but after reading the article and thinking about how Microsoft has come to dominate the personal computer and monopolize the operating systems for them, I could see now that the company might espouse a more structured, closed and regulated culture.

You can read more about it at Inc. Magazine

I get one of two responses when the subject of my End Procrastination NOW! program comes up when I’m speaking with individuals.

One is an uncomfortable chuckle, followed a verbal “I’ll get back to you later about that.” These I’ve become used to and have stopped getting upset about the lack of seriousness some people apply to a habit that may be sabotaging their level of personal and professional success.

The second is an even more dangerous reply. This is a reply that hides that fact that procrastination is even an issue for the individual. It is a true blind spot, an issue of denial or just plain ignorance, I’m not sure which, and it’s probably different for everyone.

This response is simple and basic, “oh, I don’t procrastinate.” I am always intrigued by that comment.

I was reminded of the seriousness of this type of thinking the other night at an event where I gave away as a door prize a copy of my “End Procrastination NOW!” home study workshop CD.

The woman who won the prize came up to thank me afterward and told me that procrastination is not a problem for her. Almost simultaneously, from over my should I heard someone (it turned out to be her job search mentor) say, “when are you going to get me your resume?”

Intrigued, I asked a question and the ensuing conversation went like this:

Me: “What’s the issue with getting your resume to Andy?”

She: “Oh, I haven’t started it yet because I really don’t even know where to begin.”

Me: “So you are procastinating on get started on it.”

She: “No, I just don’t know where and how to begin.”

Me: “Right, so you are avoiding starting it for fear of doing it wrong, which is procrastination.”

She: “Well, no I’m still just trying to figure where to start.”

Me: “Ok, then, enjoy the CD and let me know if you have any questions after you listen to it.”

This woman is not alone. One of my former consulting clients whom I helped transition from a successful Manhattan dental practice into a slower paced, suburban dental practice here in the Hudson Valley proclaimed at the beginning of our work together that he didn’t procrastinate.

His explanation was that he mustn’t procrastinate because he’s always busy, always moving and working on projects moving his practice forward. I allowed him to live in his fantasy until I learned his $600,000 dental practice had $140,000 in accounts receivable that were more than 60-days.

Turns out he was keeping himself busy to avoid dealing with the more difficult issue of collections.

These are just two examples, I could go on, but I think you get the drift.

Here’s a link to a worksheet that may be helpful if you may have a tendency for avoiding uncomfortable items, tasks, etc. and end up tolerating things that cause you even more angst and discomfort at the end of your day.

To learn more about how to End Procrastination NOW! you may want to go here.

Last night, as I was driving home early in the AM from my 61st live performance of Bruce Springsteen (with & without the E Street Band, this one happened to be with) in Hartford, Connecticutt, my mind wandered and wondered.

I wondered, for the gazalionth time, why it is I am so passionate about the music, message and showmanship of Bruce Springsteen. 

If you ask a question often enough you will usually get an answer that makes sense. The answer I got made perfect sense. I knew it was the perfect answer to the question because the answer could be applied beyond my obsession with The Boss.

My answer is I am inspired by Excellence and Mastery. When I see excellence in action and witness a master perform his craft I am usually in awe and that awe inspires me. It may not inspire me to follow the same course the subject I am witnessing is following, but to search for my own path and re-commit to pursuing excellence and mastery in the endeavors for which I am most passionate.

This was a huge and very fulfilling “AHA” moment. As I drove down Interstate 84 on the way back to my Poughkeepsie, NY home, a smile came across my face, and despite the time being 1:30 a.m. I immediately got energized and giddy for the final 30-minutes of my journey home.

Just  one more time I can chock up to being inspired to pursue my own path of excellence and mastery after seeing it in play by Bruce Springsteen and the “Heart Stompin’, Hard Rockin’, Booty Shakin’, Earth Quakin’, Love Makin’, Viagra Takin’, History Makin’, Legendary, E Street Band!”

There are opportunities to experience and enjoy excellence and mastery all around us, if ours eyes are open and our mind is flexible enough to appreciate one’s craft.  Take a look around and step back for a moment to appreciate someone else’s pursuit or excellence and mastery, as imperfect as it may be and allow their efforts to inspire you.

Thanks, Bruce, see you in Albany in a couple of weeks!

Oh, yeah and please leave a comment, and answer “What Inspires You?”