Great Inspiration

Imagining Solutions

2012-01-26T13:11:00.003-05:00

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

Do you think it's time we take the Life Success's Basic seminar to Washington, D.C.? What a difference we could make with the apps we discuss at LSS!

Imagine what the trust exercise would look like if everyone had to pick a partner from the other party. And the responsibility cycle would probably have to be extended for a few hours so they could better grasp the concept!

Then we have the three houses: problem, cause and solution. Which house do you think our nation's leaders have been spending most of their time living in? Win/win... I won't even go there!

Imagine Washington applying the apps we teach in Basic. Imagine solutions!

Budgets & Ceilings

2011-12-27T16:41:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-20T15:22:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-29T16:16:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-23T14:29:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-15T14:06:00.002-05:00

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!

Too Little, Too Much

2011-11-03T14:55:00.001-04:00

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

I grew up in a house where there wasn't enough. I was told that others had "more than enough," which was the polite way of saying they had "too much."

I assumed that life wasn't equal. Either you had too little or too much.

I lived most of my life in the "too little" house. Raising five children as a frequently unemployed construction worker meant we had many lean times. Now that the kids are grown up, I sometimes feel like I have too much.

I never heard about "win/win" until I went to Life Success's Basic seminar in 1987. Intellectually, I get the concept. But I sometimes find win/win challenging on an emotional level. I think I know how to treat others fairly, but I struggle with being OK with my own success.

John Denver said it best: "Who's to say you have to lose for someone else to win?"

Win/Win

2011-10-18T16:25:00.002-04:00

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

In today's world, it seems as if "win/win" is an outdated idea. If you watch the news, there doesn't seem to be any common ground. I'm not sure who the left and right are, but they sure get a lot of attention!

Recently, a lot of people helped to make my book, From the Jungle to the Boardroom, a big success. I think that was a win/win. I think Life Success won, and I got to do what I teach in our Basic seminar. I get to be successful and go for my dreams!

I have spent the last 20 years at LSS with a lot of great people. LSS is just like everywhere else in life. There is a left and a right. And somewhere in the middle is a dream that holds on, a win/win dream.

Remember that when something is outdated, there's a good chance it's about to come back around. Pull out your bell bottoms. Win/win is on its way back!

Silly and Creative

2011-10-14T12:57:00.001-04:00

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

I love when the grandkids come over to our house. Once they arrive, it is strictly business: monkey business! They all have great imaginations, and they come up with the most creative ideas.

My oldest granddaughter, Emma, has anointed me "Grandpoo." It's funny to see that the sarcasm gene has been successfully passed down to another generation!

Emma is 12, and she's starting into the "normal" phase of life. I can see the silly and creative parts of her shutting down. Soon, she will be an enlightened teen. But I'm sure the creativity is still in her and will show up in a new and exciting way as she becomes a teenager.

But my fear is that I will lose my favorite status. I like being Emma's Grandpoo!

Too Busy

2011-09-27T08:30:00.001-04:00

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

Have you ever noticed how most people spend little or no time on what they're most passionate about? It's as if they believe that doing what they love is a luxury. I love to paint, but I just don't have time. I love writing, but I'm too busy to sit down and do it.

Are you too busy doing things that you're not passionate about? I have to clean up the house and do the dishes. I have to cut the grass and rake the leaves.

Of course, we all have things that need to be taken care of. The question is why and when did you decide to make "busy" a priority over passion and creativity?

Maybe it's time to hire a housecleaner and get out the old paintbrush!

Storytelling

2011-09-20T18:16:00.001-04:00

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

I believe every person possesses creativity. Creativity for you may be painting, singing or writing. We usually think of creativity as an art form or hobby.

But creativity can show up in other ways. Have you ever met someone who can conjure up story after story and convince others of their lies? To keep all the stories straight, they have to be creative!

Have you ever met someone who has told a dishonest story for so long that they've convinced themselves that it's true?

All of us are creative, and we get to decide how we use our creativity. You can use your creativity to manipulate the people around you. Or you can use your creativity to bring joy to your world.

Creativity

2011-09-13T14:39:00.001-04:00

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

Create: To bring into being from nothing.

Have you ever wondered at what age you no longer have a thought that hasn't been influenced by something or someone? Did you ever have an original thought? Does it matter?

I think I come up with some really different ideas, but I'm not sure if they're mine or a version of something I've heard or seen. As I get older, it's almost impossible to sort out the details of my thought process.

What I've learned over the years is that putting a thought out there is what's most important. If it's a good idea, who cares who came up with it? Sharing good ideas with others is what life is all about. After all, it takes a lot of creativity to repackage a good story and make it a great story!

Do It/Don't Do It

2011-09-06T09:49:00.000-04:00

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

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Just do it"? Believe it or not, you are "just doing it" every moment of your life. You may say you aren't doing what you want, but you really are.

We all choose what we do with our time. You can sit back and daydream, but that is a decision. That is an action. You can procrastinate, wait and think about it, but all of those things are actions you choose.

Imagine how your life would change if you changed your language? Instead of saying, "I'm waiting," what if you were honest? "I spend 80% of my time on meaningless activities."

Try it out and see if you "just do it" differently a lot quicker!

Preparation

2011-08-31T15:46:00.002-04:00

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

Most people spend an enormous amount of time preparing for the future. I think that preparation can be a very good thing to do.

But the older I get, the less time I spend preparing. Awhile back, I figured out that what I think is going to happen never quite turns out the way I thought.

So if I can't predict the future, it doesn't make sense for me to prepare for what I don't know!

Today, I'm prepared to be surprised by life and to trust that I have the ability to make good decisions in the moment. My life is so much simpler this way!

Excuses or Choices?

2011-08-23T13:18:00.002-04:00

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

I'm jealous of people who are going through Life Success's Basic seminar for the first time. Most of us carry so much drama. We believe it's true. We all have a story that we use so we don't have to risk in life.

And why is the first time in Basic so exciting? You have an opportunity to put down the drama and move on.

When I went to Basic, I had what I thought were really good reasons. But this is what they really were: excuses. After I finished Basic, I tried to convince myself that my excuses were what kept me from moving forward.

I eventually realized that my excuses didn't make me do or not do anything. Everything in life is a choice. You can do it or not do it, regardless of your excuses.

Honk!

2011-08-16T09:59:00.001-04:00

"Close your eyes and go to your workshop" is a phrase familiar to grads of Life Success Seminars. It's a tool you can use from the workshop centering we do during our Basic seminar.

But "Close your eyes and go to your workshop" doesn't work very well when you're driving and someone cuts you off. Returning the favor by cutting them off while sending finger signals doesn't work that well, either. Honk!

Driving can be one of the most stressful parts of our day, so you can expect that things are going to happen. What options do you have besides reacting?

Try new ways to use your driving time to benefit you. You can drive slower. You can leave 10 minutes earlier and get on a different schedule than "that jerk." But here's a warning: There'll probably be a jerk in the new time slot, too!

Do what you can to stay calm while you drive, like listening to a book on CD or your favorite relaxing music. And leave the honking to the jerks!

Center vs. Middle

2011-08-02T16:48:00.001-04:00

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director

In Life Success's Basic seminar, people often talk about how they're stressed out and don't have time to slow down. They say that they don't have time to center. They don't have time to relax their minds.

The word "center" is often used in the same context as "middle." But in Life Success programs, we're talking about the opposite of "middle" when we use the word "center."

Once you realize that all of life doesn't depend on you, things change. As you remove yourself from the middle and become responsible only for what is yours, you'll see the value of taking the time to be centered.

Being in the middle is stressful. So get out of the middle and into the centered!

Easing Stress

2011-07-27T14:41:00.002-04:00

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

When I'm asked to speak, work/life balance is the most requested topic. Life is so hectic that people are looking for a tool to ease the stress.

The challenge is that most people want to continue doing what they do but change the end result. You've probably heard this, but doing the same things and expecting different results is the definition of insanity!

I believe that the best thing to do is to change your actions. But if you can't, then change your attitude. Decide that you want a busy life and stay in the moment. That alone will alleviate a ton of stress!

What Does "Centered" Mean to You?

2011-07-19T09:23:00.002-04:00

"Centering isn't just something to do. Centered is something to be," is a familiar line from Life Success's Basic seminar."

Have you ever taken the time to answer the question, "What does 'centered' mean in my life?" Is it how you treat yourself and the people in your life? Does being centered or not centered affect your attitude?

"Centered" means different things to different people. Defining what centered means to you is important. Once you decide, it's a matter of putting action behind it to make it happen.

I guarantee that your world will appreciate a centered you!

Pictures

2011-07-12T14:09:00.005-04:00

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

I believe that the mind sees information in pictures. If you do, too, doesn't it make sense to envision your goals as more than words?

I have a 4 ft. x 8 ft. whiteboard in my basement. I write my goals on the whiteboard, and I also draw pictures of what I want. For example, last year I had the goal to write my book "From the Jungle to the Boardroom." And I did! My book was published in April 2011.

This year, I had a goal for the book to be a #1 best-seller. So I drew a picture of my book with a BIG "#1" written on it. And I achieved my goal! My book debuted at #1 on Inc. magazine's best-seller list. (BTW, my book is available at Amazon.com and 800ceoread.com.)

Is it time to sit down and play with the ideas that live inside you? Get a notebook or a whiteboard and start to draw. Put your imagination on paper and create a visual map to your future!

Get To

2011-07-05T16:40:00.001-04:00

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

In our Basic seminar, I often hear people say they "need to," "have to" or "should" do something.

I immediately know that what they're saying they will do has a high probability of not happening. The failure rate is great when people set goals that feel like a punishment or an expectation of others.

If you set goals that you want and are important to you, your rate of success changes dramatically. When you're accomplishing what is important to you, you "get to" take action.

How much of your daily life are you spending in "get to" activities?

Life is tricky. If you don't pay attention, you could live a life of "have to" preparing to "get to!"

Resolutions

2011-06-28T10:50:00.001-04:00

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

Did you make any New Year's resolutions this year? If so, how well have you kept your commitments?

Did you take the time to write down your goals for 2011 or did you just think about them? Only about 10% of people have written goals. And there's a direct correlation between written goals and success.

If you've kept on-track with your 2011 goals, congratulations and keep up the good work! If you are off-track, why not act like a new year is about to begin? Take the time now to write what you want to accomplish in the next year.

We often give up completely when we miss a day or two, and we fall into the 90% who "wish" life to be different. It's time to join the top 10%!

Happy New Year again!

Plan

2011-06-21T15:36:00.002-04:00

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

Plans are important. Would you build a house without blueprints? Would you retire without a financial strategy?

But why do so few people have a life plan?

It's common knowledge that only 7 percent of people have written plans for their lives. And most of those people are in the top 10 percent when it comes to financial success. Why? They planned. And they took action.

Do you have a written legacy plan? You're a unique person, so what would you like to do with your individual greatness? How will your individual greatness inspire your family and community? What will be the impact of your life 100 years after you're gone?

Plan. Act. And soon you'll realize, "Wow! I'm important!"

Chance

2011-06-07T08:03:00.003-04:00

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

Have you ever noticed that a word's meaning can change, depending on how you use it?

The word "chance" is a good example. If you leave life to chance, you may miss out on many opportunities. If you don't take a chance, you'll never know if you could've succeeded. Take a chance or don't take a chance?

What really matters is knowing that your legacy will be determined by what you do.

Whether you take chances or leave your life to chance, both options require a set of actions. And that's the way you'll be remembered. Are you a "risk-taker" or a "procrastinator"? Both are a legacy.

Is it time to take action or will you wait?

Breaking News

2011-05-31T16:00:00.001-04:00

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

Your legacy is about the actions you take today and how that affects the future. Your legacy is how you express your individual greatness.

Your legacy is everything you leave behind, good and bad. If I had died in my late 30s, my legacy with my five children wouldn't have been the one I wanted. I've changed--and so has my legacy. Today, I'm proud to claim both my role as a father and my legacy for the future.

Is it time to look at what you're doing and how you show up in life? Would you want to be filmed and be the "breaking story" on the evening news? If your answer is "No," you probably won't like your legacy!

Now is always the perfect time to edit your legacy.

Give or Take

2011-05-24T15:40:00.001-04:00

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

Why does everyone seem to love Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny but not the IRS?

We don't like the Internal Revenue Service because it's all about taking. And we don't like withholding!

On the other hand, Santa and the EB (we're close, so I use his nickname) are about giving and hidden surprises. They deliver good things that benefit others. They send gifts, expecting nothing in return. Nothing is withheld!

Santa and the EB are terrific examples of how you can build a great legacy.

What do you want in a legacy? IRS or EB? You choose!

It's an Amazing Life

2011-05-17T09:54:00.003-04:00

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

I'm always amazed by the way I worry about so many things on a day-to-day basis. I'm also amazed by the fact that when each year ends, I'm so grateful for all that happened and where I am in my life.

But as I get older, I find that I often don't wait until the end of the year to be grateful. The feeling of gratitude comes closer to the actual events in my life.

Life is really funny. At age 62, I realize I have way too much of what I wanted. And I'm grateful to be able to give it away! I'm not just talking about "stuff." I'm talking about love and time with people.

Life is a gift in itself. That's enough to be grateful for!

Opportunity Knocks

2011-05-11T15:04:00.002-04:00

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

I'm sure you've heard the saying "Opportunity knocks." Many believe this to be true for others but not for themselves. People say all the time, "They get all the breaks!" or "I can't believe how lucky they are."

In order to hear opportunity knock, you have to be home. And you must be listening! If you don't believe good things can happen to you, you're not at home. You're so busy running around crying foul that you miss opportunity's knock.

When listening for the knock, you must remain open because opportunity doesn't always show up as you want or expect. The knock may be at the back door or it may actually be a doorbell ringing!

Doing Things Differently

2011-05-03T12:22:00.002-04:00

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

One of my favorite movies is "Groundhog Day." Bill Murray is Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who goes to Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania to report whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow.

Phil hates the fact that he is stuck in the small town covering the story. The movie plays out as Phil finds himself in a time loop, trapped in Punxsutawney, reliving Groundhog Day over and over again.

Life is the same way. You can get stuck in the same circumstances, day after day, year after year, until your whole life has gone by. Murray's character makes a decision to do things a little differently each day until he loves his day and is able to break free of Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney.

All you need to do is change a little each day and eventually you will break free and love your life!

Hot Dog!

2011-04-19T09:13:00.002-04:00

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

In the Basic seminar, we refer to a challenging situation as an HDO--hot dog opportunity. We all have many HDOs occurring in our daily lives. If you've raised a teenager, you know what the ultimate HDO looks like!

While everyone has HDOs, how you handle them is up to you. When I was younger and raising five children, I handled tough events with anger and frustration. I would try to control the outcome by using fear.

As I get older, I don't have the energy to deal with challenging situations in the old way. I learned new applications such as listening, patience and trusting to resolve HDOs. When is the last time you retooled your apps? Maybe now is the time. Hot dog!

Take a Number

2011-04-12T16:05:00.002-04:00

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

Have you ever noticed that the more influence someone has, the harder it is to get an appointment with them? If someone is really successful, you have to take a number: Now serving #24!

There is a shortcut to the person with a long line. If you have a long line to get to you, there's a good chance you can cut in on someone else's long line--a backstage pass.

So how long is the line to get to you?

We should all stop now and then to look at who we are standing in-line to see and who is waiting in-line to see us.

Are you on-track with how you want to influence and be influenced? Don't waste your time in the hot-dog line when you really want a beer. Show up with intention!

Talking or Doing

2011-04-05T11:34:00.003-04:00

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

Have you ever stopped and looked at who in your life has had the biggest influence on you? Did those people tell you what to do or did they show you what to do? The people who have the most impact in my life are those who lead by example.

When my children were young, I told them what to do. I thought I was in control, and I liked having control. As they got older, I noticed that they were paying less attention to me. I eventually realized that the only way I was going to influence them was by being an example. I actually had to do something different.

Talk is cheap. You have to show people who you are in order for them to follow you for a lifetime.

Influence

2011-03-29T14:10:00.002-04:00

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director of Life Success Seminars Inc. All you need to do is look at the people around you, and you'll have a pretty good idea of how you affect people. We are drawn toward people we admire or who are doing what we would like to be doing. People usually follow the people who influence them. Who is following you right now and why? If you want to be popular, you look for the people in the popular crowd. If you want to party, you look for the party people. Most people gravitate toward people with common interests and try to fit in. But what do you do if you want to change? If you want to change, the best thing you can do is change your circle of influence. Find a circle of risk-takers that will challenge you to do uncomfortable things. We are influenced by the people we surround ourselves with. Who is in your circle?

Listen

2011-03-22T14:34:00.002-04:00

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

The person who asks the questions is the person in-charge. We often think that because we're talking, we must be in the lead. When we talk, we reveal who we are and what we think.

If you're going to work with someone or sell them something, the more you know them directly relates to your success with them. The only way you can find out more is by asking good questions and then listening.

Communication is about listening. The better you are at listening, the more you hear what's not being said. So keep your ears and heart open when listening!

Apps

2011-03-15T14:08:00.003-04:00

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

In today's world, as the commercial says, "There's an app for that."

My wife, Nancy, has a phone that can pinpoint exactly where we're driving. She can hold up her phone to the radio and, in a few seconds, it tells us what song is playing, plus the artist, CD title and the year it was recorded. At night, the phone will identify the constellations we're looking at.

After seeing her phone, I figured that you could get an app for anything. I went to Verizon to see if they had an app for resolving any conflict in our marriage. No app for that. How about an app for good advice for my kids? Surely, they have one. But no app for that, either.

I guess that while we've come a long way with communications, lack of communication remains one of the most unresolved areas of life. Do you have an app for that? Life Success Seminars does!

Our Basic seminar is filled with apps. Listening, communication, trust, responsibility, small- or large-group interaction, visualizing the mountaintop of your dreams... You name it, and we have an app for that!

I -- You -- Wii

2011-03-08T11:17:00.002-05:00

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

Let's see how you stack up with staying with the times. First, do you have an iPhone, iPod or iPad? Give yourself one point for each communication device that you have. And if you have all three, add two bonus points!

Second: Do you spend a lot of time on You Tube? Maybe you like watching videos of your favorite artist. Or you might be a fan of all the home videos that go viral every day. If you spend a few hours on You Tube, give yourself five more points for being current with today's communications.

That takes care of the "I" and "You" part. But now we come to the "Wii" part! If you passed the test so far, you need WiiFit because you're spending way too much time sitting around doing nothing!

Is it time to give up viral and virtual and get re-engaged with reality?

Communication

2011-03-01T14:30:00.002-05:00

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

The power of communication is an unbelievable factor in our economy. In today's ever-changing world, the pace is fast and furious. You have to decide what you want to sell and then convince the world that they can't live without what you're selling.

How much easier is your life because of computers and email? Think about how much simpler your life is now that you have a cell phone to carry around 24 hours a day. You can stay in-touch all the time.

Remember when you first bought those things? You didn't need them--they were going to make your life simpler. Now I bet you need them--you can't live without them!

I wonder what you won't need tomorrow but you will absolutely need next year?

Social Media

2011-02-21T16:15:00.001-05:00

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

The way we communicate continues to change at lightning speed. When you look at how fast things change, just think about America Online. AOL was the greatest thing out there one day and old news the next day. It's hard to keep up!

Communication is the key to success both professionally and personally. Knowing that, it stands to reason that we stay up with the times. The trick isn't just mastering the latest Internet fad but also focusing on the area we often leave to chance--talking with the people we love.

It's easy to get lost trying to keep up with the world while ignoring the people in our own world!

Reasons or Results

2011-02-15T19:29:00.001-05:00

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

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to come up with hundreds of reasons or excuses when you don't achieve a desired result? "I don't have time or enough money," or "The economy is bad and the winter months are slow." We often spend more time finding good reasons to fail than taking actions that guarantee success.

What is one current result in your life that you want to change? Next, write on individual pieces of paper all of the excuses you have for not being able to change the result. Put the papers in a bowl and each day take one out, read it and throw it away. When all the excuses are gone, go ahead and make the change you desire.

A friend once told me: "The only reason you can't have what you want is the reason. Get rid of the reason and you can have what you want." It's so simple!

Life Results

2011-02-07T16:42:00.001-05:00

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

Where you are in your life right now is the result of a lot of decisions that you've made. Put all of those decisions together, and you end up with areas in your life that work really well and other areas that may need improvement. If you want different results, you must do something different.

When I'm working with people, they often tell me that they don't like some of their results in life. When we explore their results at a deeper level, they frequently defend their actions. If you don't like your results and defend the actions that support those very results, you have no hope of change.

Bottom line: New actions equal new results!

Father Knows Best

2011-02-01T13:18:00.002-05:00

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

Years ago, there was a TV series called "Father Knows Best." Maybe your version of the TV show is called "Mother Knows Best." As a parent of five, I often fell into the trap of thinking that I knew what was best for my kids. Many times, I found that it was more about me being in control than really knowing what was best.

Most parents want the best for their children, but the children usually don't see it the same way. As a parent, I had to learn what was best for where my kids were in life and what was important to them--not what was important to me.

When you're 16, responsibility isn't high on the list of things you want to do. At 16, you want to be popular, look cool and fit in with other popular people. Father and Mother may know best, but teenagers don't care!

Remember: Never argue with a fool because a passer-by doesn't know who's who!

Help! I'm Drowning!

2011-01-25T10:27:00.002-05:00

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

One of the best techniques to get someone to help you is to look like you're in distress. If you're too lazy to get out of bed to turn off the lights, you need the Clapper. If you fall down a lot, you need Medic Alert. If you're drowning in life, you need a full-time Lifeguard.

Lifeguards are funny--they get in relationships with drowning people so they can keep their jobs. Imagine that you're in a relationship and every day your partner gets up, jumps in the pool and cries out, "Help! I'm drowning!" How many days would it take before you figured out the game?

Who is playing Lifeguard with pretend drowning victims?

Taking Care or Caretaking?

2011-01-18T14:16:00.002-05:00

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

There's a big difference between "taking care" and "caretaking." When you get into caretaking, it always leads to trouble.

Have you ever been in a situation at work where you started caretaking? Maybe you've covered for a co-worker who isn't doing their job? Are you the mop-up person in the office?

How about at home or with your friends? Do you confuse caring with caretaking? Taking care of you and what you're responsible for is taking care of business. Being responsible to others is about caring-but not caretaking.

Give up caretaking: It only frustrates both people in the relationship!

New Year, New Commitments

2011-01-03T16:55:00.002-05:00

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

"My life works in direct proportion to the commitments that I make and keep."

If you've attended our Basic seminar, you've probably heard that quote. Your life right now is working in direct relation to the actions that you are committed to.

What in your life would you like to improve? What new action can you take to show that you are committed to change? Do you have a commitment plan or are your actions haphazard?

New year = New commitments = New results!

OK, Breathe!

2010-12-28T11:10:00.001-05:00

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

Only a few more days and 2010 is over!

Will 2011 be a better year than 2010?

Only you can decide how your year will be. While we can't control life circumstances, we can decide how we react to them. When we leave life to chance each day, we also leave our future to chance.

When we're committed to what we want, the future moves from "chance" to "how" and "when." What in your life needs to move from "chance" to "commitment"?

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-21T14:07:00.003-05:00

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

Most of us are celebrating something we believe in during the month of December. It's a time for friends, family and good food.

While I don't like the holiday-season rushing, I do love watching my grandkids run around our house and having fun.

Nancy and I are often very busy, and we don't get to see our kids and grandkids as much as we would like. Of all the accomplishments I celebrate, none stack up to how proud I am of our five kids. They are good people and good parents. What more could a parent ask for?

I wish you and your families a very happy holiday season!

2-4-6-8

2010-12-14T10:47:00.003-05:00

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

In Life Success's Basic seminar, we discuss the concept of responsibility and the difference between "responsibility to others" and "responsibility for yourself." And we look at how responsibility affects your relationships.

Whether they admit it or not, most people are taking responsibility for 2-4-6-8 or any number of people!

It's easy to get caught up in taking responsibility for the people we love, like children, parents or friends. It seems like a great idea in the beginning, but eventually this always drives a wedge in the relationship.

If you want the best relationships, understanding this concept is critical: We are responsible for ourselves and to others.

Relax, Relax, Relax

2010-12-07T11:52:00.003-05:00

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

You've probably heard the saying, "The third time is the charm." I'm not sure where the saying came from, but I went ahead and made up what it means to me!

In my life, success hasn't always happened on the third attempt. But I do usually reach my goals with repetition.

Relaxing is no different than any other goal in life. With practice, you eventually find the way that works best for you.

When we first attempt to do something new, it often feels like an effort and might be frustrating. Learning to center and relax may be a struggle when you first start but, with practice, you will improve.

In other words, just relax as you learn to relax!

Peace of Mind

2010-11-30T16:43:00.003-05:00

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

Isn't it funny that we become a slave to our own minds? I guess it makes sense. After years of training in school, we think our minds are in-charge. That's where all the knowledge is!

But what would happen if you decided that you wanted something different, like calm and relaxation? You'd have to take a different approach and quiet your mind--peace of mind.

There's a difference between knowledge and wisdom, doing and being, elsewhere and present. When the mind is in-charge, you'll probably be elsewhere doing what you think you should do.

Or you can choose to relax and be. That sounds too simple, doesn't it?!

2010-11-23T16:38:00.002-05:00

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

It's time to celebrate unless, of course, you're a turkey!

Thanksgiving is the time of year that we stop and take a look at all the blessings we have and appreciate the people we love. For me, it's a little bigger than that. As a matter of fact, I'm usually a little bigger the next day!

And talking about celebrating... Are you celebrating the extra time you have in your car? With the holiday season upon us, it's pretty easy to figure out how centered--or uncentered--you are! Everyone is in a rush, traffic is heavy, and peace and goodwill often are just concepts.

So why not prepare by putting a few of your favorite CDs in your car to listen to while you're sitting in traffic? Or you could mount a small camera on your dashboard to record everything you say and do and post it on your Facebook page.

Why not relax and have fun with it? The holiday craziness will all be over in a few weeks!

What Are You Hunting?

2010-11-16T10:07:00.003-05:00

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

My wife, Nancy, and I have an English Setter named Belle. If you ever see Belle, there's a good chance she'll be running around our yard with her tail wagging.

Belle looks like the happiest dog in the world, but I'm not sure she really is that happy. She is from a long line of champion bird dogs; hunting birds is in her DNA. The reality is that Belle is obsessed with hunting birds, 24 hours a day.

I meet a lot of people who tell me that they're happy. But just like Belle, they seem to be obsessed with hunting something that causes stress. What have you been hunting? Approval, money, power? Are you even sure of what you really want in your life?

What Do You Do to Relax?

2010-11-10T12:33:00.001-05:00

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

Why is it so difficult for us to relax? We are a society of "rush around" and "stay busy." We put our children on the fast track as soon as possible: sports, preschool, you name it. Right away, we're off to the races, preparing our children for the future.

When I was growing up, everyone was off on Sunday. It was a day to rest and relax. Somewhere along the way, we became confused and we now believe that progress and relaxation can't be partners. We replaced Sunday with activity and money.

What do you do to relax and take care of yourself? What can you do differently this week to expand your relaxation time?

Stress or Rest: Your Choice

2010-11-02T14:01:00.001-04:00

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

Have you ever noticed that the word "stress" has the answer scrambled in its letters? Take out two s's, rearrange the letters and you'll see the word "rest."

It's amazing what a little rest and relaxation can do for a bout of stress. When I'm stressed, I love to take a drive and listen to my favorite music. In no time, I feel better. I also like to sit in the hot tub and read a good book.

What are some ways that you reduce your stress and relax? Do you have a daily relaxation plan? If you answered "no," why not?

People Follow People

2010-10-25T15:38:00.002-04:00

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

When it comes to leadership, it's important to remember that people follow people. Leaders have the ability to influence followers, and followers usually follow leaders who make them feel special in some way.

Keep in mind that many factors influence people. And many types of people are influenced very differently. Good leaders are aware of who they're surrounded by and what their needs are. A good leader helps the people around them develop their skills while feeling that they are part of something greater.

Leadership has been written about in millions of books and talked about throughout history. But at the end of the day, leadership is about people: People following people!

Being a Resource

2010-10-20T09:37:00.002-04:00

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

One of the many roles of a leader is to be a resource to others. But I think that leaders often confuse the difference between being a resource and telling others what to do. Leaders frequently learn from mistakes they've made and want to give advice on how to avoid these pitfalls.

Raising children seems to be where this advice trap shows up the most. Most parents want to teach their teenager how to act like a 40-year-old. I hate to tell you this, but if you're giving advice to your kids--rather than being a resource--you're doing the same thing at work and with your friends.

You'll know when you're on your way to great leadership when you're helping your teenager (or your friend or your co-worker) with what's important to them--not with what's important to you.

They say it costs $250,000 to raise a child, so if you have four kids, that's a million-dollar leadership program. I sure hope that you're learning your part!

Leader Ship

2010-10-12T11:19:00.000-04:00

By Mike Monahan, CEO and executive director

Imagine for a moment that leadership was about developing, not following. Imagine the role of a leader was to develop as many other people as possible to become leaders themselves.

If you're leading people, they will follow you. Then what you'll be doing is signing them up for a cruise! Everyone will board your ship, and you will be the captain. You'll also end up being the activity director. They will love you as long as you entertain them with new ports. You're responsible for them.

If you decide that you want to develop people, then you will need a "leader ship." Your job will be different on this ship. You will be signing on crew members--not passengers. Each crew member will develop their skills as they contribute to the journey. You will be responsible to them, not for them.

No passengers... Just true leadership!

Who's Leading?

2010-10-04T11:47:00.003-04:00

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

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of questions about leadership. And the more I learn about leadership, the more questions I have! I am surrounded by some unbelievable leaders, and they all seem to have one thing in common.

Every leader I meet is looking for some other leader to teach them something new. The really smart leaders are surrounded by a good circle of influence or circle of leaders.

Nothing will wear out a leader more than trying to stay in the lead everywhere, all the time. In order to become better leaders, great leaders learn to follow. They have a terrific circle of influence.

So who's leading? Everyone is in some way--and that includes the wrong way! Make good leadership your influence and you will live an amazing legacy!

Forgive

2010-09-28T12:16:00.002-04:00

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

What is the best way to live a great life? Most people are willing to help others while hoping to get their own needs met.

One thought on the best course of action is to always give first. In business, you will hear about giving added value to your customers. When it comes to wealth, you hear about tithing. If you want energy, you must exercise--give energy to get energy.

So it makes sense that the word "for-give" is a recommendation that you must give first and know what you want in return. "For-get" never seems to work! "Get over it" never seems to work, either!

What is the real outcome you want when you forgive?

Heart or Ego?

2010-09-21T14:47:00.002-04:00

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

When someone hurts us in some way like divorce or violating our trust, we often refer to the event as a heart matter: "They broke my heart."

If that's true, when someone has heart-replacement surgery, do their hurts go away? Or, better yet, do they pick up the hurts of the donor?

I'm not saying that I'm a heart expert, but in my experience, the ego is what seems to hold onto the resentment. The heart pays the price for the ego more than for the actual event. People often say that they have the "right" to be angry--that's about ego.

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, a gift that keeps giving. Your ego may not appreciate it, but your heart will.

Who Do You Admire?

2010-09-14T09:10:00.000-04:00

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

Who are the people you admire? Do you have friends or family members whom you look up to? Maybe you admire someone from history or a person who has made a difference in the world.

What is the reason that you admire this special someone? We frequently respect qualities in others that we wish we had or that we could better express. We often admire people who have the courage to do what we fear.

Have you ever stopped and wondered who you really are and who admires you for your qualities? Why not start today to be the best version of you?!

Teamwork

2010-09-07T16:27:00.001-04:00

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

Working on a team takes a lot of relationship skills. To be on a team, you must trust those you work with while doing your part to accomplish the mission.

Communication is essential to team success, and honest communication is the only way the team will succeed. Teamwork is about helping other members look good and supporting their growth.

How you act as a member of a team will tell you how you are in all of your relationships. Have you ever taken the time to examine how you work as a team member and what that says about you and your relationships?

Anger Management

2010-08-31T15:18:00.002-04:00

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

In Life Success's Basic seminar, participants often tell me that they want to learn how to manage their anger. At this point, I usually ask, "So you want to be angry?"

Of course, people say that they don't want to be angry--they just want to be less angry. It sounds like a play on words, but the goals are very different.

If you want to manage anger, then your bottom-line belief is that you aren't capable of letting go of your anger. Anger is a feeling everyone experiences, but when people speak of "anger management," I think they are living angry.

Each of us has a choice to experience and stay angry, or we can experience anger followed by forgiveness.

Hint: Be ready, because the steps of forgiveness often contain a lot of anger!