If...

If you had only a day left on earth, what would you do?

If you were to be recognized for one thing, what would it be?

If you could be granted one thing in life except money,  what would it be?

If you were to decide how to spend your last day, what would you do?

If you could only do one thing your entire life, what would you do?

If you could invent anything that currently doesn't exist, what would it be?

If you could relive a day in the past, what day would that be?

If you could say only one word, what would you say?

If you had to sacrifice your life for one thing, what would it be?

The quality of the questions we ask ourselves determine the quality of life we live. While asking the right questions is only a start, we should do something about the answers we come up with. For example,"If you were to be recognized for one thing, what would it be?". I want to be known as someone who makes a positive difference in peoples lives. I want to be known as someone who adds value - a nutrient and not a weed. I am sure many you have the same aspirations, but what are you doing about it. Before you think of changing the world, whose world are you making a difference in right now- your family, neighbors, co-workers or even strangers?  Little drops of water is what makes an ocean. Think globally but act locally. According to Thomas Edison, Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. There is never a perfect time or place to start, the best time is now. 

There are some If questions that are not worth asking because there is nothing  you can do about them. For such, you need to pray this out loud - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.. If questions can be powerful, they help bring to light what we value most. We produce results, when we focus on the things that matter most to us. The time to act is now, lets go.

Did You Know?

Step out and go for it!

Lessons from the Lorax

The Lorax said," Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not ." Jimmy Johnson said,  "The difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is the little extra". This means you can not afford to live life on neutral and coast from day to day. If you want to make a difference, you've got to find something you are crazy or mad about. What do I mean? You can be crazy enough about something that it keeps you going during the day, and keeps you up at night. Steve jobs was crazy about making computers and even sold some of his possessions to make his dream a reality. When you find your cause, sacrifice is inevitable. The other option is, you are so mad about something and you have got to change it. For example, Nelson Mandela was mad about the injustice experienced by his people during the apartheid years in South Africa. He tried to make a difference by speaking out and this landed him in jail for 27 years. The good news is - Mandela's cross was his crown. Nelson Mandela is a legend and a history maker today.

What are you passionate about? What are you mad about? Whats that childhood dream that never seems to go away? What are you going to do about it? Myles Munroe said the richest place on earth is the grave. It has within it dreams that were never fulfilled. There are too many people hoping and longing for change, and excepting someone somewhere will bring it to them. Lets wake up and listen to Ghandi who said, "Be the change you want to be in the world." Unless someone cares a whole lot about something, nothing really changes. So, show you care through your actions and not just by your intentions. 

It is never to late to make a difference. You are a gift to this generation.  You are not an accident. You matter, let it count!

How to Make an Impact in Your World

I was watching Nik Wallenda make history by working across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope. I was surprised he wore just a tee shirt and jeans and not some aerodynamic apparel. I thought Nik was crazy because he had no safety nets under him incase something happened. The weather condition could have been better but he was determined to walk the tight rope. I couldn't have taken that risk for a million dollars. I was pondering what could have made him risk everything including the ones he loved the most (family). I realized that like Nik, if anyone of us wants to make an impact in our world, we need to have the following boxes ticked.

1. Follow your passion - Nik knew he always wanted to be a tight rope professional since he was two years old. He came from a family of tight rope walkers and that gave him a head start.  
2. Invest in your passion by starting small and early -  Nik didn't start  tight rope climbing working  across the Grand Canyon, he grew into that after streams of other successes. Similarly, it is never to early to invest in your passion if you have discovered what you want to do.  Nik said he started training for his passion since he was two. Michael Jackson started practicing for show biz at Five, Tiger woods was introduced to golf before he was Two years-old, Gabby Douglas went off to a gymnastics school at eight years of age
3. Take risks - It is easier to take risks if its for something you love to do. I am sure you have heard about people who have been beaten by sharks while surfing and end up going back to surf when they have recovered. Those who achieve greatness do not have a plan B. They give it everything they have got. Steve Jobs sold what he had to start the Apple. When you love what you do, you will live your dreams. 
4. Achievement- Your passion, investment and love for what you do will give you confidence and make you achieve greater
5. Focus - Nik could not afford to be distracted while on that rope. He focused on his focus and later became the focus. If you are going to make an impact, you have to ignore the noise and distractions around you. Distractions can come in the form of chasing too many good ideas at the same time. Focus on one and the success of that will birth others.
6. Conceive - Nik had seen himself walk that rope in his mind several times. The actual day was just a dress rehearsal of what he had achieved in his mind. Your mental picture will determine your actual future
7. Believe - If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can't, you are also right. To make an impact in your world, you must believe in yourself and your abilities or else, no one will.