Everyday is an Interview

Force the Future #6 – Compete

If you want to Force the Future, you must always compete—not just when things are good, not just when you are winning, not just when the weather is good, not just when you had a good night’s sleep.

You must always compete.

Competing is the process. It is the journey. It is what allows you to force the future.

# Force the Future

# Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

#ForceTheFuture
#CompeteAlways
#ContinuousImprovement
#NeverSettle
#Persistence
#Resilience
#GrowthMindset
#ChallengeYourself
#StayDetermined
#SuccessMindset

At the end of a wonderful weekend, the power went out suddenly around 8 p.m. The blackout was only the third time we had one in seven years. Unfortunately, all three occurred within the last calendar year. It was not what we wanted, and it threw a wrench into our plans to prepare for the new work and academic week. We could have easily chosen to play the victims and complained until our power was restored. We didn’t. This challenge was our time to shine. Instead of complaining about the situation we had no control over, we could take control, find backup lanterns, get a good book, and spend the evening reading or talking. It is amazing what can get done without 21^st-century technology. However, this could only happen with having already developed good habits to rely on and the mindset that a challenge is an opportunity to get better (and having the right batteries for our lanterns).

What would you do in this situation? Either way, be prepared; implementing your answer will be much easier.

#Just Be Better

#Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

What You Want

Nothing caps a good meal like a good dessert. I love dessert, especially if it is delicious. My wife and I drive to our favorite patisserie on the last Sunday of each month to have breakfast, and yes, we have dessert. It is worth the calories, and we are so full we usually skip lunch.

When I tell people this, I get strange reactions.

Reaction #1: How can you have dessert for breakfast?
- Answer #1: It has less sugar than most cereals, lattes, etc. Also, I do this once a month, not every day.
- Answer #2: Is there actually a rule for dessert?
Reaction #2: How do the macros fit with your diet plan?
- Answer: I do not care. It is a date with my wife at a fantastic restaurant. The experience with my wife and the food is more important than my diet. I am still fit and strong. My diet is on track. I base my actions on the priorities of the moment: the time with my wife and the opportunity to enjoy fantastic food. If I work hard to maintain my diet throughout my day, I can have this wonderful experience without guilt or worry. In the end, I am thriving on all fronts.
Reaction #3: Where is the patisserie? (the best question of the three)
- Answer: Sweet Melissa’s, Lebanon, NJ

Life should not be about doing things that others want or expect. Life should be about doing what you want regardless of others’ norms.

#Just Be Better

#Be Strong, Be Healthy

Force the Future #5 – Have Difficult Conversations

Sometimes, to get the future you want, you have to tell others what they do not want to hear. These discussions can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but the temporary discomfort is far less than the long-term regret that comes from not getting the future you want. Do not walk away from the difficult conversation. Prepare for them and remain clear on what you wish to communicate, even when the other person reacts emotionally to the information they receive.

# Force the Future

# Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force The Future #4 – Prepare

At this point, we are prepared. We are not letting our past overwhelm our future; our preparation allows us to worry less about the future. Now, what do I do? It is time to build the habits we need to force the future. Building habits today is the most important thing we can do to force the future. By building habits, we adopt the skills and characteristics we want to have in the future.

Take time today to map out the future you want, determine the habits you need to succeed, and start implementing the habits immediately.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force the Future #3

The best route to success is forged with your preparation. Preparing has significantly influenced my accomplishments, and not preparing is one of the biggest reasons for my failures. I believe in “Force the Future” because it encourages us to prepare for the future we want by working today to develop the habits we need to be successful. No matter what you desire for your future, the better your preparation, the better your chances for success. If you want it in the de, force it by preparing for it today.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force the Future #2

People continually tell us to learn from the past. I agree with this but to a point. So often, I see people spend so much time learning from the past that they forget to focus on the future, much less the present. Sometimes, you must put aside learning from the past to force the future.

In working with an individual who was unhappy with last quarter’s results, we mapped out strategies to help him reach his goals in the next term. At the end of the meeting, he told me how much the previous results had affected him. I informed him this was an excellent opportunity to learn from the past and develop the skills and strategies to succeed moving forward. However, we were not going to dwell on the past and address what had happened in the previous quarter until we saw the results of the following two terms. You could see the relief on his face, knowing he could put the past behind him and focus on forcing the future.

When you have negative results, learn from them, but not at the expense of forcing the future.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force the Future #1

Too often, people tell me they are scared of what the future will offer them. Maybe they will get an awful disease; they will not find the “one” to spend the rest of their lives with; they will not reach their goals; they will not be able to afford the future they want; they will not get into the school of their dreams, etc. These concerns are legitimate, but worrying about the future will not help you thrive and survive. To have a better chance of succeeding in the future, you must start those habits today that will influence your future most. I term this idea as Force the Future.

How do you force the future? The solution is easy: develop those habits and skills today that will force the future. Forcing the future does not mean you will get everything you want, but it does mean you have more say in influencing your future successes.

Case in point, if you are worried about living your future life as a fat person, spend the time now to develop healthy eating habits. If you are worried about financial security, start putting money (if you already do, add more) aside in an interest-bearing investment. If you are concerned about the effects of a bad habit you have, start doing your research on the habit to find the best strategies for stopping it before it influences your future. None of these guarantees success, but it forces your future to work harder to overcome the foundations you have laid for it.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

The point

I hate meetings that have no point. There are too many people who, by holding a meeting, are powerful. It is true that when someone calls a meeting that I am compelled to attend, the person has power over my time. However, I will only give them the power to use my time effectively.

Meetings should be on-point and concise. The leaders should encourage discussion and debate but be focused enough to keep the discussions on point. I’ve seen too many meetings devolve because the leader is either reluctant to or fails to recognize this issue. It takes a creative participant to redirect the conversation.

Do not waste other people’s time. Come to a meeting prepared and ready to work. Expect your colleagues to do the same.

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

Get Organized – Workouts

I hate working out without a plan. A good plan keeps me focused and on the path to my goals. Without a plan, my workouts falter. I need to plan when I am relaxed, not when my endurance and strength are challenged. Watch those in the gym and see if you can tell who has a plan and who doesn’t, not just for their workouts but for life.

Workouts should be challenging and invigorating, neither of which will take place if you do not have a plan.

Make a plan, practice the plan, execute the plan, and crush your goals.

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

Just Be Better