Perspective

I met a man last night who had never before flown in an airplane until he had taken the bold step to do so a few days before to attend his sister's retirement. A generally quiet man of fifty-one years, he lives a simple life with his three dogs on the Chesapeake Bay and provides for himself through an honest days work in the construction business in Virginia.

I listened as he described the experience of his first flight. His childlike account of the experience gave me pause as I considered my own life and the many things I take for granted and consider normal or routine.
 
As he spoke, it occurred to me that the perspectives we have of life are as diverse as each and every one of us. Oftentimes, we see only one perspective and begin to consider it to be absolute, at least as it applies to our own lives. But when we take the bold step into the unknown, our eyes are opened to perspectives that reveal life in new and fresh and fascinating ways.

For this man the perspective was literal. For the first time in his life he saw the Earth's landscape from varying altitudes of flight from the window seat he occupied. He told me how amazed he was at the detail of the vast landscape of the eastern seaboard and went on to describe how he pressed his face against the window in childlike astonishment when he would see cars, buildings, trees, and waterways. He watched as the pilot retracted the flaps and set the aircraft aloft as the forces of gravity acted upon his body - physiological experiences he had never before encountered. He was present in a moment of sensory euphoria that allowed him to savor that moment, to capture details most of us take for granted when we fly.

Perspective can be literal, like the first-time experience on an airplane that opens the aperture of the eye and thus the mind. Or it can be figurative, like an attitude or alternative point of view, which also opens the mind. There's a lesson for all of us either way you consider it. The lesson is rather simple actually.

Open your mind to new perspectives!

If we allow but one perspective to dominate our lives, we remain hidden within the confines of our own decisions. The unknown remains hidden, the routine becomes the norm, and we rob ourselves of the fascination of personal growth. Stretch the limits of your imagination, set aside your fears and biases, a consider the freshness and fascination of a new perspective.

Until next time!

 

- G -

You must look within for insight, but look beyond for perspective. 
Dennis Waitley -

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Where Will You be in Five Years!

Where will you be in five years?

Boy, talk about your open-ended questions. When we don’t have any idea where we’ll be next week, much less in five years, most of us feel we’re doing great just to get through today. So where do I get off posing such a thought-provoking question?

If you’re one of the fortunate few who happen to be right where you want to be in life, then this article is less about you and perhaps more about someone you can help. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that even the most content among us have desires to be someplace other than  we currently are or someone we have not yet become. So let’s assume for a moment that we all have a desire to be something more, even if it’s merely as a higher income earner. OK, point established. Now what?

Well, now we need a clearly defined objective or destination. But before we can realistically expect to establish that, we must first make an honest assessment of where we currently are. Like any good roadmap, it’s only good if you know where you are and know where you’re headed.

First thing’s first–Where am I?

Here’s the great news–wherever you are in life, whatever status or station you occupy...isn’t permanent. For the majority of us, that’s a very good thing. Equally as relevant–for the majority of us, we’ll be in a better place assuming we continue to gain skills and experience

that’ll position us for higher rewards down the line. But it is imperative that we take stock of where we are–good, bad, or indifferent, in order to establish a starting point for our journey.  

So, take a good hard look at your life and be brutally honest about where you are. Take note of all that you like about it inasmuch as what you dislike about it. Each fundamental element contains the nuances of your current stage of life. Now don’t get too comfortable with it because we’re getting ready to leave the station and begin the journey.

Where am I headed?

Now, begin to create a mental picture of what your ideal life looks like and focus on that picture as it develops over time. Use the images as a catalyst that drives you away from where you no longer wish to be, but focus instead on that place you desire to be. Use both positive and negative elements to drive you to take action to do something each day to put one foot ahead of the other.

A great deal of us continually educate ourselves either formally or informally, and in doing so, we continue to enjoy the rewards of that higher education in the form of personal growth, increased responsibility and influence, and higher income. Education is a cornerstone in our quest to get to where we desire to be. Life is a learning process. And it’s fair to mention here that street smarts as sometimes just as important as formal education…just keep looking for ways to learn and grow.

How do I get there?

Once you have a clear picture of where you desire to be, you should continue to develop the images that support it. Place images on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator that personifies the lifestyle you know you can achieve! Look for ways to invigorate your journey and savor the milestones you achieve along the way. Break your timeline into achievable segments and celebrate short-term victories along the way. There are few things sweeter than knowing you’ve taken a significant step closer to your goals and aspirations. The peace of mind and confidence that accompanies it is indescribable.

Break five years down to five months, five weeks, or even five days…or five minutes. The value of your life is worth even the five minutes you take to consider the intent of this article. Look, if you can decide in five minutes do something positive for five days that takes you closer to realizing your dream in five months and then five years out, then I suggest you operate in manageable "bite-sized" increments until you can handle a timeline that works for you. Every incremental effort of progress takes you that much closer to realizing your potential to become that which you desire.

In order to make a significant change in your life down the road it only takes a small effort today. But that effort needs to have consistency and commitment behind it. A one-degree course change in your life today will put you on a different, life-changing path for the future. Make the commitment today to take control of your life and get it done! You have ONE life…no one will magically come along and change it for you!

Five years…five months…five weeks…five days…five minutes…what’ll it be? Don’t be stranded by your own misconceptions. You have what it takes to control the very destiny of your life.

 

Until next time!

 

- G -

"Time has a way of reminding us of its perishable nature in the retrospect of our reflections."

Gary Westfal -

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Time Value of Money

If you’re younger than thirty years old, you possess the single most desirable component of the investing universe–time. Time is the one factor that is the most powerful when it comes to your money growth.  If you haven’t yet hit the big 3-0, you have a lot more going for you than you may realize. A little sacrifice now can produce huge rewards for you over the next several years if you follow a few basic rules. So, in essence, you have an investing advantage that a lot of “older” people don’t–time.

 

To make the most of the advantage of time and money during this phase of your life, you should consider these 5 basic truths. Apply them and watch the essence of your financial outlook take shape before your very eyes.

 

1.      Start Now.

There’s no time like the present to radically affect the future, especially when we’re talking about your financial future. When I was twenty-four years old I was fortunate enough to have a friend, a mentor, who stressed the importance of starting early when it came to investing for my financial future. After I had exhausted just about every excuse I could muster on reasons not to invest, he introduced me to the magic of compound interest. It was all I could do to contain my excitement.

I began by reconstructing my finances and my way of thinking. Doing so put my financial future on a very different path than it was on. I started by putting aside $25 per payday. At first, it was one of the toughest things to do. Not so much because I needed the money, but more because I was used to consuming the entirety of my paycheck on things my family and I “needed.” Since then, I’ve learned quite a bit about recognizing a true need from a fleeting desire. What a difference it has made.

I gradually increased the contributions to my savings. My first goal was to be able to save 10% of my income. I managed to hit that goal rather quickly, not because of pay raises (although with every raise since then I have put aside a portion for savings) but because the desire for financial freedom was stronger than the desire for immediate gratification.

As the amount of my savings grew I became even more motivated. I increased to 15% and then to 20% and to a figure that you would likely find difficult to believe today, all while increasing my standard of living.

If you simply cannot see a way to set something aside, keep reading. Perhaps some of the remaining concepts will help you to discover areas that’ll free up money within your personal budget so you too can start now. Remember, nothing begets nothing; while something compounded increases itself. In other words, if you do (or save) nothing, nothing is exactly what you’ll have. Absolutely no one cares about your money like you do. Take control now!

 

2.  Live within your means.

One of the toughest financial concepts to control is the ability to live within our means. Oftentimes, it takes more of a psychologically disciplined approach because of the inevitable competing demands for our money, not to mention our appetite for a quality lifestyle.

As we begin to make money, most of us tend to begin building a lifestyle just beyond what we can afford, effectively living outside our means, because after all, we expect to get raises and grow into a lifestyle. Why not push it a bit to “get ahead?” We begin to rationalize our desires by re-labeling them as needs. What occurred to me over the years as I was saving a significant portion of my income was the fact that I never felt as though I had sacrificed my standard of living. My family and I simply became accustomed to living well within our means while validating the relevancy of desires versus needs. Buying a car, getting married, and purchasing a house are just a few of those needs. Here’s a tip: no one really cares what kind of car you drive. Sure, the BMW hard-top convertible is nice, but is it worth sacrificing your financial future for? Keep in mind that a car is among the biggest obstacles between you and the success of a secure financial. Apply the car example to just about any aspect of the concept of living within your means and you’ll quickly realize the essence of the magic behind this truth. By the way, some people never realize this foundational truth. So master it and watch how you soar past your peers as they wonder just how you’re doing it.

 

3.     Pay down debt.

Every dollar that’s tied up in paying down debt is one less we can use to save for the future. Create a plan to reduce debt by devising a plan and sticking to it, which will, in turn, allow you to allocate more money toward your savings. This concept could not be truer than for credit card liabilities. Find a way to reduce or eliminate your credit card purchases. Few will disagree on the amount of stress credit cards can bring into our lives. Take control as soon as humanly possible. Transfer balances from high-interest cards to those with lower rates. Ideally, find a card with a 0% introductory APR, and pay the balance off in full before the zero-percent interest clock stops. And seriously consider how your next credit card purchase will affect your savings plan the next time you feel compelled to use it.

 

4.     Fund retirement accounts.

Building a solid foundation for retirement right now is critically important. With compound interest rates accumulating over time, until retirement, the principle amount you have to save today to meet your goals pales in comparison to amounts you’ll need if you wait. By starting now, versus the less desirable alternative of waiting, you effectively “automatically” increase your gradual standard of living simply because of the power of time. Should you decide that waiting is your only alternative, it is still a better choice than not investing at all. Realize however, that the time value of money is extremely difficult to recoup and is a rather expensive missed opportunity. The amount of money one must invest in order to compensate for a “late start” increases exponentially over time. Why not act today while you have time on your side along with the advantage of tax-deferred (and in some cases, even tax-free) growth opportunities that comes with retirement accounts?

Put aside as much as possible into your retirement plan at work and at least enough to receive the maximum match your employer offers. Not doing so effectively results in a net loss to your bottom line because you miss out on “reward” money your employer is offering for your commitment to save money for yourself. If you can squeeze out even more money from your budget, contribute to a Roth IRA as long as you qualify for doing so.

Make a promise to yourself and enlist the commitment of your partner to ensure the money you’re saving for retirement won’t be used until then. Sure, you can take money out of a 401(k) or IRA before you retire if you absolutely must, but there’s generally a penalty–and taxes, too–for doing so.

 

5.     Change your financial mindset.

For some of you, retirement may seem like such a distant concept. And, for those fortunate to say that, good for you! Allow it to be a green flag that gives you permission to begin your journey toward a secure financial future. The sooner you get started, the better off you’ll be…the further ahead of your peers you’ll be, the sooner you can claim financial independence, quit your job, spend time with family, play golf, drive what you want to drive, live where you want to live…how you want to live. By adopting sensible money habits, conquering your debts, and saving for retirement early in life, you’ll reap the reward of a secure retirement.

Until next time!

- G -

"Time has a way of reminding us of its perishable nature in the retrospect of our reflections."

Gary Westfal -

 

If you enjoyed this article, you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...

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Day Dreamers

           As a youngster I used to sit in some of my classes and doodle when I was actually supposed to be listening. Let’s face it; some subjects (and a great many teachers) are just not interesting enough to hold our attention.

 
So there I’d sit, my thoughts drifting, day dreaming of some faraway place in a much different role than a mere mortal student stuck in a boring math class. Oftentimes I’d sketch out a scene of motorcycle racers battling for the finish line, or custom cars I’d adorn with personalized paint schemes and tricked out engines, futuristic airplanes, and some of the wildest boats you'd never see...or would you? Those machines could take me anywhere. And they often did just that, as I’d allow my imagination to play out the exciting scenes that cast me in the starring role or brought me notoriety, fame, wealth and happiness. Money was no object because, after all, this was pretend. I guess you could say that I had a pretty active imagination, as I suspect most of us do. I could create anything, live without regard to limits, and was always in control. Maybe it’s no wonder I grew up to be an air traffic controller.  

Today, we teach our kids to focus, stop day dreaming, stay within the well-defined lanes of reality and to be “realistic,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. Oh sure, we may tell them they can be anything they set their minds to, but have we taught them just how to use their minds?

We demand a lot of our children, and we demand a lot of ourselves. What if “realistic” just isn’t what we’re meant to be? What then? Well, maybe you should…use your imagination…

Step into a day dream with me and suppose, just for a few moments, that there are no limits or no obstacles to achieving something you truly desire. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Whatever it is, grab it! It’s the first clue to something your innermost self desires for you to achieve. That’s real, I promise you. Savor the vision, smell the fragrances, remember the sounds, capture the nuances and don’t let it go.

Is your desire to become a better athlete, to write a book, play the piano, land that dream job, become financially independent? Do you have an idea or invention that no one else has?
 

Is your vision so crystal clear that you can literally imagine it in the outstretched palm of your hand? If so, lock onto the vision and claim it, and don’t neglect to feed it. By visualizing your true desire, you effectively create your own future that’s designed to bring you exactly what it is you think about. Visualize how your achievement will change your life. Watch the scene play out in detail as the lives of those around you change because of your changes. Remember, you are looking at the end state–the achievement of your goal or desire.

Focus on your desires ten minutes a day for ten days and watch your life begin to change. Notice how subtleties become increasingly evident as you “feel” your life begin to gravitate toward that which you desire. Watch how your mind will begin to bring you ways in which to find solutions, discover opportunities, gravitate to the right people, and achieve. The mechanics of the process will begin to reveal themselves in some pretty amazing ways. You may begin to “see” broad ideas or concepts at first, but soon you’ll begin to see the details of the necessary actions required to fulfill your dream, desire, or objective. Obstacles will appear as temporary annoyances whereas before, they’d seem to be insurmountable circumstances.

When’s the last time you allowed yourself to daydream, to truly visualize something just out of reach and thought about what it would be like to achieve it, possess it, obtain it? Very often, before a speech or an important presentation, I’d spend time visualizing myself in front of an audience delivering a well-practiced presentation. No details are spared. I “see” the venue, the audience, and watch my delivery several times over. I even see what I’m wearing.

The more I visualize the future I desire, the clearer it becomes. The clearer it becomes, the more insight and confidence I have that the scene I’m looking at is a very close resemblance of the reality that I’ll experience.

I recently published my first novel. It took me over three years to accomplish. But I always knew that I would indeed publish it because I had such a crystal clear vision of doing just that. I even knew what I wanted the cover to look like. At first, I could only see my name on the cover, the title, and the predominant colors. The more I visualized Dream Operative, the better I could see the layout of the cover design I desired. I also visualized myself holding the book, signing it at book signings, interacting with readers, and talking about the process…all of which I have not only visualized (several times over), I’ve physically experienced it all as well.

Literally everything we’re exposed to began in someone’s mind. Thomas Edison visualized the electric light bulb; Tiger Woods is known to use visualization before every round of golf; Bill Gates and Steve Jobs both set the framework for the profound achievements of our time, which eventually became the reality that transformed the world. Each of these people watched the reality of their very futures unfold every time they projected the images of their desires into their minds. In doing so, they programmed themselves to receive that which they desired.

If reading this article has piqued your interest and you’d like to know more about how powerful this process can be for you personally, drop me a line and let me know how I can help.

Until next time!

 

- G -

"I can't help but stare into your eyes and daydream about all we should be."

 

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How Do You Define Success?

How do you define success? Ask ten different people and you’re likely to get ten different answers. Although most equate success to money or income, some would agree that money is not the ultimate determinant in defining or measuring true success. If you really think about the question, you’ll soon realize that money has little to do with success. In fact, money is but one of many results of success, but it doesn’t actually define it. The reason money receives so much attention is because of its perceived power as a reliable indicator.

It’s true that far too many of us place too high an emphasis on money as a reliable indicator of success. Those who wish to been seen as successful focus on the achievement of income rather than on a specific result, outcome, or goal. Think about it – how many times have you scoffed at someone who seems to have “more” and wonder whether or not they can really afford the lifestyle they project. More often than not, it’s a ruse. True success lies in the achievement of the result, despite, and in spite of, the correlating monetary results. For what good is money if you’re unhappy with the manner in which you earn it? And for that matter, what good is money if you misuse it to misrepresent who you really are?

It may be difficult to comprehend, but if you were given an opportunity to pursue your life’s dream without fear of failure, you’d begin to realize the true definition of success. For success is relative to its true reward–accomplishment.

Ask the artist who paints a perfect portrait, barely making ends meet, but touched by the recipient or admirer of her work. Or the writer who completes and publishes their first book without having yet sold one copy…or the graduate who just completed a program of study without having yet been hired anywhere. These examples are but a few of the many that project success, absent of money as an indicator. It’s my bet that you pictured each one as happy, if not elated with the initial achievement of their success.

So, how do you define success? If you’re a leader, do you define success in terms of helping the team reach pre-determined goals and objectives? Is success defined by the number of people you teach that learn a new skill or mentor that achieve their true potential? The great Zig Ziglar once said, “You can have anything you want in life as long as you’re willing to help enough other people get what they want.” One of the best true measures of success is found in the way you influence or help others in achieving what they desire.

Maybe it’s time you reevaluate your definition of success. If so, do it today and watch the changes occur as you discover a new way of looking at things through the lens of true success.

Until next time!
 

 

- G -

"Take the time to understand what's behind your success. It's the best way to ensure it will continue."

-Stuart Levine
 

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Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.  Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and order your copy today!

Receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

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Happiness is the Key!

One of the most common traits I see among successful people is a foundation of genuine joy. Oh sure, they’re happy because they’re successful, right? Wrong! They’re successful because they’re happy.

Most people find success by doing something they enjoy. They operate in the lane of their purpose. We all have a purpose in life. Some of us have discovered it while others have yet to do so. Fulfillment of one’s purpose brings true joy to those fortunate enough to have enjoyed the price of success. Notice I didn’t say “paid” the price, because success is a journey that should be enjoyed.  

Life was meant to be enjoyed, savored, and cherished. Laughter itself is contagious and is known to have inherent healing power and mood altering effects. Try it yourself. Next time you’re not feeling so well or find yourself in a less than desirable mood, find a private restroom with a mirror, lock the door behind you and make silly faces in the mirror. I guarantee you’ll laugh. At the very least, you’ll smile at just how ridiculous you look as you attempt to make yourself laugh. You may in fact be thinking at this very moment how ridiculous (and funny) that could actually be. Hopefully the thought of it made you smile. And test me on this – see if you don’t experience a noticeable change in your overall well-being because of it.

 Laughter begets laughter. When you’re around someone who is a joy to be around, you cannot help but smile and feel better. When you’re around laughter, you tend to be drawn to the energy perpetuated by that joy. I know that all too well because I’m married to one of the most genuinely joyous persons I have ever met.

Wanna be successful and make more money? Sounds kind of like a cliché, but if you find joy, you’ll find success. If you haven’t already discovered it, look for your purpose and begin to find things that support that purpose and you’ll begin to discover a newfound joy. Who knows, you may even discover a new career or lifestyle that makes you happier than you ever thought possible.  

True joy produces an attraction energy that brings with it the seeds of opportunity, clarity, peace, and more joy. People resonate with those who are truly happy. They tend to want to be around those who are joyous.

So smile…better yet, smile big enough to make someone else smile!

 

Until next time!

- G -

"Find your purpose and you'll discover true joy."
-G Westfal

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HOT off the presses! I have just released my first novel! Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and get your copy of Dream Operative today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

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Action...Time...Accomplishment

Action...Time...Accomplishment

 

People sometimes ask me how I get so much done in my life. They wonder how I’m able to accomplish so many things in seemingly so little time. It’s a thought-provoking question actually, because, after all, every one of us has the same 24 hours allotted to us to use as we please. The answer, therefore, is found not in what an awesome person I am, but in a relatively simple principle I discovered a few years ago that I remind myself of almost daily. And, as I apply the principle, it produces results. What people don't seem to grasp is that the principle is universal in that it’ll work for anyone!

 

This principle, when it is applied, is perhaps one of the most powerful principles there is in regard to long-term achievement and accomplishment. Yet, it’s not complex or overly insurmountable. In fact, it’s rather simple. So what is it?

Your short-term actions, multiplied by time, equal your long-term accomplishments.

Now, I wish I could take credit for having come up with the phrase, but I didn’t. It’s rather brilliant in and of itself, don’t you think? Think about it. If you want to see change take place in your life - see big results - the first thing you must do is change your current actions. Otherwise the old saying becomes a reality: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got!" But, if we change our actions, we will see different results.

Most of us want to accomplish something significant in our lives. Yet very few actually do. Why is this? It’s because what we often believe will equal our long-term accomplishments are simply wrong. Here are some of the things that people believe will create significant accomplishments for them:

Knowledge

Beliefs
Desire
Vision
Dreams
Ideals
Values

Truth is that while all of these things are very important, they’re not enough in and of themselves. Every one of these elements should underlie all we do, but without action, without doing something, they remain static elements of an imperfect formula of success! And this is where most people miss the point. Action is the quintessential key that unlocks opportunity, creativity, and circumstance. We must take action every day in order to realize progress and have any real hope of obtaining our desired outcome. And the kind of action we take is vital to how the results materialize. Because sometimes, there can be a whole lot of action going on that is distracting, counter-productive and downright  destructive to our desired outcome.

Consider the following…

• Who is the person who reaches their fitness goals - the one who knows all about the benefits of exercise or the one who walks three miles a day? (Knowledge vs. Action)
• Who is the person who reaches their retirement goals - the one who drives a car they can hardly afford, or the one who invests tirelessly on a consistent basis? (Ideals vs. Action)
• Who is the person who publishes a book - the one who dreams of becoming a best-selling author or the one who makes time every day to write for an hour? (Dreams vs. Action)
• Who are the people with the best relationships - those who know how much spending time with their each other can improve a relationship or those who actually take the time to sit down and talk with their mate every night? (Knowledge vs. Action)
• Who are the most successful sales people - those who believe they can become a great salesperson or those who actually make sales calls? (Belief vs. Action)

When it all comes down to it, we have to take action to perpetuate the essential elements of success or we simply won't see them come to fruition. Far too many people know what’s right but don't ever do anything about it. Imagine what a difference we could make if we would simply begin to act on our beliefs!

Not sure about you, but when I get to the end of my life, I want to know with certainty that I took every opportunity to realize the fulfillment of my desires and that I actually left the world a little better than I found it. I want to have made a difference. And, if you’re like me, you feel the same.  

Some questions as you consider the changes required in your own life:

• What long-term accomplishments do you want to realize?
• What short-term actions will you need to take (over time) to see them materialize
• What action will you take today to begin realizing your dreams?
• What will you do consistently, every day, regardless who knows or who doesn’t, to ensure the construct of your overall accomplishment is realized?

You can have an awesome future, filled with great achievements and results if you begin today to take action and turn your dreams reality!

Remember…

Your short-term actions multiplied by time equals your long-term accomplishment.

Live it, breathe it, and make it a part of you and you will not only realize your desires…you will exceed them!

Until next time!

- G -

"You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile."
- Brian Tracy
 

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HOT off the presses! I have just released my first novel! Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and get your copy of Dream Operative today!

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