2. Listen completely without interrupting and genuinely seek to understand the other person’s point of view.

3. Don’t yell. If you feel like yelling, allow yourself time to walk or cool down.

4. Express yourself and talk calmly looking them in the eyes and by slowing down your speech.

5. Avoid gossip. Nothing is more toxic then talking bad about other people. Set the example and don’t do it. If others are gossiping, say something nice about the person and walk away.

6. Serve other people. There is no better way to develop deeper love, respect, and foster peace like serving someone else.

7. Provide a balanced and compromised solution. If you have two parties that are not seeing eye to eye, step in and mediate the situation by offering each member to get a little bit of what they both want, or to be flexible. Explain the benefits of this to them both.

8. Listen to music that fosters peace. Avoid stuff that is violent, talks about hurting other people, sadness, or anything depressing. The proper music will elevate your mood and allow you to feel and be more peaceful.

9. Pray for peace and send thoughts of peace first to yourself, to your family, your friends and loved ones, to your community, your state, country, and ultimately the world.

10. Smile. Nothing sends a message of peace like a genuine smile to a complete stranger.

11. Be cheerful. Are you the type that thanks merchants for their services even before they say thanks to you? Get in the habit of this. Ask people how their day is going, take interest in others, laugh, and walk faster. All these increase cheerfulness…a very dying quality in people.

1. Do More With Less
How often do we think we are spending time with the people that we love but when we get honest with ourselves we realize that it isn’t quality time? This past Tuesday night I had about 4 hours to do a birthday celebration with my two daughters. I can tell you that we didn’t waste anytime!

We had cake, exchanged gifts, had an fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant, and still had time to play at the park and have our own version of an American Idol dance competition! It was living full out. Are you living full out with the amount of time that you have in a day? No doubt time management and planning come into play here, but I want to add one more point in the next bullet…

2. Unplug
In this age of technology, it is so easy to forgo social skills and just play on our smart phones. Do I play on my smart phone and enjoy all of the cool things you can do from Facebook to reading books on my phone? Of course! But there is a time for all of these things.
I’ll give you an example of what in my opinion is a NO-NO. This event actually happened to me last year. I was out to dinner in Texas with my events team and we had just gotten to our table. We told the server what we wanted to drink and he brought out bread. A few minutes into the experience, I noticed that literally everyone at the whole table was sitting and looking at their phones! Everyone! I decided to call the team out. I didn’t want to be rude, but I was embarrassed at how socially inept our team must have looked. Those devices were owning us! Do you ever see this same scenario?

Second example. Like I said, I am not perfect at this but I try to have times where I just shove that phone in my pocket and seek to be present. This morning I was in the airport shuttle and about to be dropped off at the terminal. There were three of us in the shuttle. One girl was on her phone, and the other lady was just putting her phone away. I turned to the lady and said, “Where are you heading today?” It was as if she was shocked that someone was actually not addicted to their phone and was really talking to her! We had a nice little conversation about Washington D.C (where she was heading) and I felt like I made her day a little brighter. We really can uplift people in a way that Facebook can’t uplift people if we just open our mouths and speak kindness.

3. We Don’t Have Years Left to do it All
The late Jim Rohn once gave a lecture where he was talking about a man who was procrastinating his life. The man wanted to go fishing with his grandson, but the summer was busy and he had a lot of stuff going on in his life. The old man says to his wife, ” I have 20 more years to go fishing.” Jim Rohn explains how this isn’t true! If the man only goes fishing on average once per year, then does he really have 20 years to go fishing? NO! He has 20 more times! When you look at it like that, it isn’t that much.

We all do this. We think that we have all the time in the world and we don’t. If you’ve ever lost a loved one suddenly you know how precious and how short life really is. Don’t wait. I sometimes ask myself the grim question, “If I died today would I be happy with the results of my life?” I like you would probably say that I am not and that there is so much more that I want to do. We really don’t have the luxury of waiting.
Another great question to ask when deciding whether or not to pursue a new venture, dream, or hobby is this; “Will I look back on my life when I am old and regret NOT doing this?”

If you can say that you honestly would regret not doing something, then NOW is the time to start doing this. We may not get everything done, but we can get started. It’s better to be in the pursuit and to fail than to ever have pursued at all.

Today I am grateful for 3 unusual things. I want to share them with all of you simply to illustrate how we CAN find great things happening to us all the time. As I share these, I am thinking of all the other amazing things that happened to me such as getting upgraded to first class on my flight, having two daughters who love and adore me, and so much more. But the things I want to share were unusual and brought out a deeper sense of gratitude in me today.

1. As I arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan today, it was cold and snowy. 29 degrees today as the high. Nonetheless, to continue to commit to my short outdoor power walks, I brought warm clothes and headed out today. Hence the first unusual thing that I am grateful for today:

The cold wind blowing on me and into my face.

Why on earth would I be grateful for this? Because I can feel! I was reminded that I have an amazing body that feels and tells me whether I am hot or cold regardless of me thinking or not.

2. Further into my walk, I looked above me and saw a perfect formation or Canadian Geese flying overhead. If you must ask, NO, I didn’t get pooped on. I took a moment to admire the beauty that is always around us if we just look. Around the corner as I proceeded, I saw several more Canadian Geese just sitting on the snow hanging out. Can you imagine living on Mars where we wouldn’t get to see amazing life on a daily basis?

3. Finally, back in my hotel room. Without even thinking, I simply turn the nozzle on the shower faucet and hot water comes out to warm me up as I shower! Do you ever find yourself thankful for this simple luxury? I remember being in Seoul Korea during the winter over ten years ago during a storm where our pipes froze. We had no hot shower and had to heat up stores of water on the stove. How grateful I am for a hot shower with no work required!

So that concludes my summary of the 3 unusual things that I am grateful for today. Just talking about these things makes me overflow with even more gratitude for other things in my life.

What are 3 simple or unusual things that you can be grateful for today?

“Because it’s fun.”

“So I can keep in shape.”
“I’m doing it to help raise awareness for breast cancer.”

“Because I love the terrain.”

etc, etc, etc.

In my case, it’s usually after the race that I actually think about why I keep doing these races. I’m certainly not the fastest guy in the bunch. I’ve always been an above average racer, but not a top pro by any means. But I had some clarity on why I do these long races these past couple days.

I do it because it’s the ultimate metaphor for life.

If you can do some thing as challenging as racing your mountain bike for 8+ hours, you begin to prove to yourself that you can do other super challenging things in your life.

Whether you are starting a new business, working through a difficult relationship, dealing with troubled kids, or experiencing sickness, you realize that if you can anchor back to super challenging experiences that you have successfully done in the past, that you can do anything.

An ultra endurance race is just like life.

You feel good, you feel happy, you feel hungry, you feel thirsty, you feel immense pain, you feel emotion, you feel fast, you feel slow, you feel defeated, and you feel like a champion-all in the same race.

That’s a lot of different feelings and experiences to have. But life is no different. We should expect crazy things to happen. No matter what happens though, the best racers always keep going. They finish the race no matter what.

There is a saying in 24 hour solo mountain bike racing (which is insane if you aren’t familiar with the concept) that a SLOW lap is better than NO lap. They realize that the point is to continue to keep on going. The same holds true with life. We are going to hit hard times, but the champions are the ones who keep on taking small steps forward, even if they are small steps.

What have you done in your life that is something incredibly hard that you can remember right now and anchor back to?

What is something that you can do this week, this month, or this year to challenge yourself and push yourself beyond what you think you can do?

Remember: We can do hard things.

In the distance, backing up to a sunset of orange sky, were the three peaks of the Grand Tetons. I couldn’t believe it!   It was most remarkable to me that I was writing about this particular scene in the book while directly flying over them, not even knowing.
What I learned from this experience is that there are no accidents. To me, this was a  sign that I was supposed to write this book. I have been working on this book now for nearly 6 months, off and on. It has been discouraging at times and I haven’t always had the desire to write. Seeing what I saw  was a sign that I was on the right track. It was as if God was speaking to me and saying, “Keep writing Brock, this book is going to impact a lot of people.”
I can’t say for sure that the book will be a best seller, but I know that I am committed to finishing it  and I can already visualize super clearly the finished cover and product.

What has appeared on your path lately that has told you that you are on track or off track?

There are always things that happen that are warning signs and moments that are thrown our way to teach us.
Sometimes the challenge is that we are so distracted, and so rushed, that we can’t see the signals and signs that we are supposed to see. I say this all the time, but there is a reason we get our best ideas in the shower and also on vacation. These are the moments when our mind is quiet and when we can actually listen to the things that are being spoken to us.

Keep listening. Stay alert for signals that are there purposely just for you.
And remember, there are no accidents.

These deer no doubt had come down from the higher, more densely snow packed areas, and come down to find what resources they could. They were doing the best they could with what they had available. I thought about how resilient these deer were and how difficult the long winter has been for them. Yet, they have made it! They have stretched themselves to find what they could and do the very best with what was around.

Are we using all the resources that are available to us? I want to remind us all of 3 ways in which we may be better able to use what is available to us.

Our Network

There are people in your sphere of influence right now who would be willing to help you out, but you are not asking for their help. Think about it-people love to make recommendations and help better people’s lives. Have you ever helped someone get their dream job? It’s an incredible experience to know that you have helped someone out. If you enjoy helping people, don’t you think that for the most part they would enjoy helping you? Get specific with what it is you need, then start to reach out to people strategically. You can use your social media sites such as LinkedIn  and Facebook to expedite the process, but never underestimate just calling people for help directly.

Your Notebooks and Journals

Do you keep a journal? Have  you ever taken notes from either a workshop or a seminar or even a past college class? One of my most valuable places to find inspiration is to go BACK to these notebooks and journals. I have dozens of them and try to go back at least once or twice a month to see what gems I have found. The reason we need to do this is because most of us don’t implement all these ideas. We usually can’t. So go back and have some fun with this. I would bet you’ll find some incredible bits of inspiration that can benefit you in your life NOW.

Get Quiet

Why do I consider getting quiet a valuable resource? Think about it. Why is it we get great ideas or clarity in the shower? It’s because we are relaxed and still and can finally allow our mind to catch up with the speed of our body! We are human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. Taking time to sit and think, or ponder can become one of your greatest assets. Do you know that some of the top CEO’s in the world literally schedule out time to just sit and think? It’s those times that they get the clarity they need and the ideas to move their companies forward. As you begin to meditate, pray, and think in silence more often, you’ll open your mind to a whole new frequency of inspiration.

Until next time-keep switchbacking.

As I sit and write this, I’m  overlooking the ocean and sitting on the edge of one of the greenest, most beautiful grassy knolls I’ve ever been to. It’s truly remarkable. Above me, sore several birds of prey. I have learned something just from watching them soar overhead in their majesty-they don’t try to be like any other bird. Right across from where I sit, there is a steep cliff with outlying rock. Swallows are flying next to it and creating their nests in a way that only a swallow can do.  It would be outrageous for the large California Condors and hawks to try to build their nests the same way! They each allow each other to be themselves.

Let us really ask ourselves this question and honestly ponder it: When was the last time we truly tied to change someone and it worked 100% ,AND lasted? We are creatures of habit and creatures of preference! I have tried for many years to change people, or HOPE that they would change in a way that suited me, and it never lasts.

We Can Only Change Ourselves

The big take away and big idea from this is that the only person we can truly change is ourselves. It is our God-given responsibility to become the very best versions or ourselves.

What does that look like for you? Believe me, I ponder that question a lot myself. If we want to attract the right kind of people into our lives in any fashion, people of success (whatever that looks like for us) then we need to become, well, a picture of success ourselves.

We Settle

So often we settle and hang around people who are just not taking us where we really want to go but yet we remain there because its comfortable. Look, it’s not comfortable to get out there and find people that push you. It hurts!

I got a text  this morning from a long time friend. He said that he was frustrated because he felt like the only people he hangs around in life are dragging him down. He was asking me how to find people that are bigger thinkers and bigger supporters of his dreams.

There is no easy answer for this, but I’d like to tell it how it is: We have to cut ourselves off from all people who negatively impact our greatest goals and aspirations. There is just no way around it. Is it easy? Totally NOT! It’s actually pretty painful. Sometimes these people come in the form of spouses, family members, co-workers, church leaders, and even teachers.

Listen, it’s not easy. But life is too short. Are we willing to waste our lives by being mediocre versions of ourselves? Wouldn’t we do better to cut ourselves off to a degree and seek out the appropriate people who can assist us on the path to our dreams?

I don’t know about you, but I hate people who tell me that I can’t do something. “Brock, that’s not realistic right now.” Or, “Brock, that’s a nice dream but I don’t know how feasible that is.”

Let’s be clear. The greatest successes EVER were not reasonable with their lives. If we accept this, our lives will soar. There is never a best time. There is never a feasible time. There is never the “perfect” way to make the changes that we need to make in life.
Let’s figure out what we want, and go get it.

I had to almost laugh at the statement because it sounded like I was addicted to a drug. The fact is that music can completely change our state-for better or worse depending on what we choose.

Now, let me just mention that I used to live in a world where my personal development CD’s were on 24-7. Every second I was in the car was spent in personal development CD’s. While I still get a very healthy dose of personal development in my head, music has built its way back into my life, and when I need it the most.

I’d like to give you my favorite reviews for this week. I am going to mention the state it takes me to, give a brief description, and give the artist and or track. If you don’t like mine, then that’s fine-but I encourage you to find your own!

Flying and Completely Escaping

“Flying? Really,  Brock? I liked your articles until now.” I can hear you saying this. Yes, I really can take myself into a mental state to where I am flying. My good friend and coach Kevin Hall for years has asked people what one super power they would have in their life if they could have one, and

99% of all people reply by telling him that they’d like to FLY.

Does that tell you something about all of us? We want to be free! As Bob Proctor says, “If I’m to be free, I’ve got to be -me.”

Try taking yourself into a mental daydream where you are flying. It’s incredible. Certain music will help you get into this state.

My pick: “Joy” by Ryan Farish.

Classic Pick Me Up

We all need a pick -me- up song when we feel down. I love Reggae music. You may not, but for me it’s a great lifter when I just need to put a smile on my face and feel better.

My pick for the week: “3 Little Birds” by Bob Marley. Classic.

Focus and Pushing Yourself To Be More

As we seek to push ourselves to do more, music can yet again be a huge boost. There is a reason that the Ironman triathlon does not allow it’s participants to listen to ipods during racing. They realize that it will give them a real, physiological boost!

My pick for the week: “Transcendence” by Lindsey Stirling. An incredible song that puts me in a state of wanting to transcend the person I currently am. It makes me want to be better.

Have some fun with this. I’d love to hear your comments on this article and also hear what your top picks are for this week! If you feel like this article has been valuable to you or could be to someone else, please share it! Now, take yourself to some amazing places this week!

LINAS

I recently wrote down in my journal this acronym. LINAS stands for : Learning IN All Situations. This means the good, the weird, and yes, the challenging to extremely challenging. I have found that the greatest people learn in everything they undertake. They are curious, not victims.

Building Muscle

As a competitive mountain bike racer and cyclist, I’ve learned over the years that to gain fitness and strength you have to build to the point of exhaustion and muscle failure, then allow recovery again in order to gain strength over time. You simply can’t be super strong every ride. You have to be weak in order to get strong.

Life is no different. If we are to live fully, we have to pass through times of sorrow, hurt, disappointment, and other less than desirable emotional states. IF we seek to live in LINAS, we come out better.

Look To Serve

As challenging as it is, when we pass through less than desirable times, one of the main things that pulls me out of a funk is to forget myself and focus on how I can help someone else. This may seem contradictory to what I often talk about because I also believe in self love first before looking outward. However, when we look around and see the need of another, we often see that our problem isn’t so bad. If you have legs that can walk, there are people who don’t. If you have health, be grateful, there are people that are sick. We can look around and feel grateful for what we have (gratitude alone can pull us out) and then seek to lift up someone who may even feel lower than us.

Reach Out

We have friends that bless us and friends that mess us. If we don’t have a couple of friends on our speed dial who we know we can call and get emotional strength from, then we need to be manifesting those people to come in to our lives. Can you think of a couple of people right now who you know you could call if you were down? Like my friend Jon Steingraber says, “Hurt people hurt people, and healed people heal people.”

After night comes morning. After winter comes spring. And after tears comes a smile-at least at some point:) Get into a state of LINAS and see how it can start to change your life.

The words that my friend Kevin Hall says so often come to mind, “Nature gives all and loses nothing.” With this beauty I see clearly that everything has a place and a part of this beautiful world that God created. I gratefully take a deep breath in. I’m reminded that I have a place too.

I have a mission to fulfill on this Earth. We all do.

Most fascinating to me is the hanging moss that drapes it’s soft strings towards the ground. It hangs off the largest trees creating a scene that looks like it’s painted in silk. The moss hangs down from even the tallest of the trees and seems to reach down toward me. I feel the impression as I look at it that God wants the same for me. He calmly reaches His hands down from Heaven in the same way, ever seeking to help to lift us up.

These trees with hanging moss teach me an important lesson this morning, that we should do the same-reach down and help those who are willing to be elevated to a higher level.

People helping each other. Strong helping the weak.

It’s an incredible lesson that nature teaches me as I stare at it’s branches.

Just then, amidst this peaceful scene and when I think that it can’t get any better, a massive bald eagle soars over the lake. He come almost out of no where. He comes in fast and gracefully, swoops down in the water no more than 400 feet in front of where I sit, and pulls a fish out of the water with his talons. The King of Birds then retreats and directly flies back out over the lake  to enjoy his newly caught meal. I gasp and literally say “wow” under my breathe as I sit in stillness and awe.

I learn a second lesson- this time from the eagle. While the other birds around the lake seem to just kind of lounge around the edges  and casually pick at their potential food, the Eagle had zero hesitation.

He picked out exactly what he wanted. He sensed it. He saw it and he immediately took action and dove as hard and as straight as he could to attain his goal!

If he  would have delayed, he would have missed it. It appears that  the other birds have to spend hours at a time to get the same amount of food because they simply seem to dabble and move much slower. It’s a remarkable lesson and I decide that as for me, I’d rather be an Eagle than a Pelican.