Action Creates Change

January 20 and 21st 2017 marked two significant days in the history of the United States and greater world at large.

On January 20th a new President was sworn into office (this is not a political blog).

On January 21st millions of people from all over the world came together to march, peacefully, "to stand together for human rights and to protect, defend and advance human rights, even in the face of adversity."

The human spirit is powerful and when we find something to channel our passions into there is virtually nothing that can't be accomplished.

BUT

Passion alone will not produce results, action does.

Here's what I mean.




Think about our experiences with New Years Resolutions.  Every year people begin the year pledging to do "X,Y,Z' this year.  But after life happens the excuses start to surface and once they do we suddenly put our "X,Y,Z" on the back burner justifying that "life got in the way." (Side note - head over to my "Your Life Toolbox" program to get help accomplish your New Year's Goals)

For change to happen, to evolve, and to continually change consistent action must always be taken.

Think about what Dr. King was able to accomplish in the Civil Rights movement or Mahatma Gandhi in the India Independence movement.  Neither made just one speech, both created change because of persistent and consistent action being taken. Furthermore, and most importantly, they inspired others to adopt the same mentality: take action, take action, take action.

The "Women March on Washington" is amazing.  Nothing like it has ever happened in history.  Millions of people worldwide participated. 

When trying to create a movement, people must keep moving.  Many marchers may be tempted to make the mistake of hanging up their marching shoes now that the big day is done and over.  For some they will be satisfied with "just being there," being a part of history, and having the pictures to prove it.

Real change continues now - the day after when each person has the opportunity to take another step towards what they want. This is where momentum is created.

Whether you participated in the march, or there is something else you are passionate about, if you want to create lasting change, you got to be willing to stay the course - treat it as a marathon and not a sprint.

Sprints are quick - done and over in the blink of an eye with the finish line always in sight. 

A marathon goes on for much longer and the majority of it is run with the finish line no where near in sight for most of the race.

Imagine if today, tomorrow, and every day forward, every person who is passionate about something took action to help bring about the change's they wanted to see.

What actions could these be?

Here are just a few ideas

Volunteer at local organization that shares a similar passion.

Organize meet ups in your community where like minded people can come together and share ideas.

Boycott industries/businesses who do not share the same beliefs as you.

Set up accountability buddies - people who will help hold you accountable in your pursuit of your goals.

Organize educational events for the public.

Utilize your social media feeds to start healthy, positive, and loving conversations. (Hint - arguing over who is right and who is wrong, name calling, and putting others down on social media does little to advance your cause).

Join a Toastmaster group or take a Writing course to improve your communication skills so you can become more effective at delivering your message.

Become an "open minded listener." Learn how to listen.  If you want to understand the psychology of your opposition you need to learn to really listen to them.  The biggest mistake one can make is to tune out the opposition.  Their words (which can only be heard by listening) often contain your keys to winning.

The above short list is just a small tip of the iceberg of what you can do, continue to do, and build on to bring about positive changes for the things you are passionate about.

The potential for change is always there.  Now more than any time in history you have a voice. In hte words of Gandhi, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." 

Nothing will change with inaction.  Everything can change when you take action to create change.

Momentum is created not with the first step, but with the second, third, and fourth.

Take those next steps today - the world needs your passion.

Carpe Diem,

Jesse

http://www.jessebrisendine.com
http://www.facebook.com/1year1000challenge

Never Ever Give Up

We have all heard the phrase "never give up," thrown around so much that it almost sounds cliche.

The problem is that people with the best of intentions and ambitions say it, encourage it, like the idea of it, but fail to follow through with it.  This lack of follow through sadly robs many people from the power that resides in this simple phrase, "Never Give Up."

I often think about what all of our lives could be like if we never gave up on our dreams.

The video below is about 15 minutes long and easily one of the best talks I have heard in recent memory on this very important subject.

The speaker is an expert on "Never Giving Up," and persevering when others long doubted that she could accomplish her dreams.

Please do yourself a favor and watch the video below.  As you do, listen very carefully to her words.  Notice the obstacles she was up against, notice how hard she had to work, and notice the insight she has to share at the end.

As you watch, ask yourself, "What am I am willing to go after, what am I willing to pursue to see come to fruition?  What can my life become if I adopt and embody the mantra: "Never Give Up."

Carpe Diem,

Jesse

P.S.

The team you surround yourself with is instrumental to your success.  If you need some assistance on your journey, lets talk about how I can help.  Click here.

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Choose Your Words

Words...

They give structure to our reality and they can break it apart

They melt hearts and they can break them

They sing praises and they can inflict pain

They build you up and they can tear you down

How much thought do you put into the words you use?

Before you speak, do you consider the affect your words will have on your life, on the lives of others?

A few weeks ago, I can across the short story below - it is an excellent example of the power of words.

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. 

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said "I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you."

"Of course I can," said the father.

It's not always anger, it is your actions in general. There are no "fresh starts" in life. There is no new beginning. Forgiveness comes easy for many people but the scars of the past, they never go away. Watch what you do today, because sometimes the price isn't worth the reward.

Carpe Diem,

Jesse

http://www.jessebrisendine.com
http://www.facebook.com/1year1000challenge

The Holiday Season - Reflecting and Planning for the Future

I don't know about you, but for me the holiday season is a time of reflection and planning.

Reflecting on the year I have lived, and planning for the year to come.

I hope you don't mind, I want to share some of the questions I ask myself to help me prepare for the year ahead.

If you feel like sharing your answers, I would love to read them in the comments below.

I hope you find value in this. :)

Carpe Diem,

Jesse

http://www.jessebrisendine.com
http://www.facebook.com/1year1000challenge

In 2016...


1 - What do I want to accomplish?
2 - Why do I want to accomplish this?
3 - What can hold me back from achieving this goal?
4 - What can I do now to address #3?
5 - How will accomplishing this impact my life?
6 - Is the accomplishing of this in alignment with my higher values?

I challenge you to ask yourself the above questions and dig deep, especially when you get to question #3.  That is the one that derails most people because they will often settle for an answer like "lack of time, or lack of money."  

If it is something you really want to accomplish, I promise you that if you fully commit to doing it, you will be able to find the time, and figure out the money part along the way.

P.S.

I have a weekly segment I post on the 1 Year 1000 Challenge Facebook page where I answer questions asked by the 1000 Challenge Community members.  Would it be helpful to you if I started posting those answers, along with other videos I do here, in this blog?

Reflecting, Remembering, and Honoring

Today was a day of great forward progress coupled with deep reflection.

It is the reflection I find myself most fascinated by today.

I started to write, but my fingers did not seem able to produce the words I wanted them to, so I opted for a video today.

A V-log (that's the technical term right?)!

As you finish watching the video, please ask yourself:

"How can I live a life that will make the Heavens smile?"  "What can I do today to honor someone who I love?"

Looking forward to reading your comments.

Carpe Diem,

Jesse

http://www.jessebrisendine.com
http://www.facebook.com/1year1000challenge