Budgets & Ceilings

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director, Life Success Seminars Inc.

Are you tired of hearing about budgets and ceilings? I am!

I raised five children. I totally understand the concept of spending more than I earned. I also understand that this creates a lot of arguments. And it definitely lowered my AAA credit rating!

Eventually, I did something different. I cleaned up my mess, and I moved on.

The best advice I have is to not watch others as they struggle though their tough times. You just get hooked in their drama. Turn off your TV and let the couple (and I think you know I'm talking about the Democrats and Republicans!), get their house in order. They'll eventually figure it out and deal with their problems.

It's simple. Keep your focus on the solutions that you're responsible for. Don't get lost in the distractions of life.

Santa Claus is Coming

By Mike Monahan, CEO and Executive Director of Life Success Seminars Inc.

What I miss most about Christmas is what used to aggravate me the most: "What time are we allowed to get up, Dad?" It just isn't the same now that our house is empty and the clamor of excitement from five children is replaced with silence.

Life is funny that way. We miss the best parts of life because we're so busy with living life! It's easy to miss your kids growing up because you're making a living. It's easy to miss loving your career because you have a lot of responsibilities.

My Christmas wish for you is that you will slow down as you get older. Why? So you don't miss being grateful for all you have and all you've learned!

Customer Service

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director of Life Success Seminars Inc.

When it comes to win/win, have you ever thought about what that means as the customer?

When you eat out, have you ever considered that your role is to make the server's night? Or do you think that you are the customer and have no responsibility in the relationship?

This serve-me attitude can show up in our marriages, with our children and at work. Good relationships have equality. They are win/win.

If you really want great service, take the time to make your server feel like a million bucks. And make sure to tip accordingly at the end of the meal.

Now imagine that concept in your relationships at home and at work. That's the definition of win/win!

Don't ever think that someone's job is to serve you, even if it's in their job description! Our job is to serve each other.

Giving vs. Manipulation

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director of Life Success Seminars Inc.

Doing good for others can be one of the most rewarding selfish acts you can perform. Yes, selfish.

When you do good for others, you've missed the point if you aren't feeling good about it!

The only way you can go wrong is if you have hidden motives for giving. That's manipulation, not giving.

When you're trying to manipulate, you're the one who is going to be disappointed by the outcome. You might even feel like they have taken advantage of you.

The gift of giving is that you get to feel good while helping someone else. Win/win!

Giving Thanks

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director of Life Success Seminars Inc.

This is the time of year when we have the opportunity to stop and appreciate our life and the people in it. On Thanksgiving, I sometimes find a place in my heart to accept a circumstance that has been a burden in the past. I can see the opportunity in the event more than I see the pain and fear.

I wonder how life would change if we celebrated Thanksgiving once every week. I bet we would learn to handle circumstances in the moment more often. I believe our relationships would be more honest. How about you? How would your life change?

Doing Good

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director of Life Success Seminars Inc.

Do you feel good when you do something really nice for someone else? Have you ever watched "Secret Millionaire" on TV and wished you could do something like that?

In the book "The Richest Man in Babylon," author George S. Clason says to teach your children to give away 10 cents for every dollar they receive. The theory is that when they earn a million dollars, it'll be much easier for them to give away $100,000.

We hold on to money because we think it will run out. And it usually does! Money comes and goes. The key to being the secret millionaire is to give your fair share today.

You can't take it with you, so trade it in for good feelings!