20 Brands that Serve the Customer Right

When I’m choosing a business, one of the most important things on my list is GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!  If the customer service is above average, in most cases I’m not going to waste my time. This doesn’t just apply to stores and their branding, but it also applies to churches, hospitals, etc.  I believe we all have some unique quality to add value to our world, which I call it our weirdness.

Every successful brand has made it to the top because someone within that organization has figured out how to capitalize on their unique weirdness by providing GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Courtesy of www. blog.getsatisfaction.com

(Click to view larger image)

 

What is your idea of GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Send 'em Packing

Whenever I go out of town, one of my least favorite things to do is pack.  I love traveling and taking vacations, but packing doesn’t rank high on my fun and relaxing meter.  However, it’s something that must be done.  Since we are heading into the summer months and everyone is getting ready for summer vacations or even stay-cations, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about a topic we all have been familiar with at one time or another, EXCUSES.

Life is precious because it gives us amazing opportunities to be a blessing to others and to receive blessings from our Father.  We should cherish every moment and make every action count.  But, it is hard to do that if we are unproductive.  If we find ourselves being unproductive, then we must ask ourselves the question, WHY?  Why are we unproductive?

Many times it’s not the external, but it’s the internal.  Basically, it’s our attitude and response to the external that causes us to be unsuccessful or unproductive.  Usually we know how to make our lives more productive and successful, but we find ways to blame other things around us instead of blaming ourselves.

It all boils down to EXCUSES.

So, what do you do with your excuses?

SEND ‘EM PACKING!!!

How do you send ‘em packing?

There are three steps:

Step #1 - Pack Them Up

 

All right, if you enjoy packing raise your hand?  Okay, it may be one of two people who enjoy it, but for the most part we all try to put this part of the trip off for as long as possible.

Packing up your excuses means first realizing what needs to be packed up and shipped out because you need to know what excuses you are using.  We use many excuses to justify why we are unproductive or unsuccessful.  You probably have heard many excuses, but let me share a list of common excuses to avoid:

1. Traffic was bad
2. People are just haters
3. I was discriminated against
4. I don’t have enough money
5. I don’t have the resources
6. I don’t have enough time
7. It’s Monday
8. I’m too old
9. I’m too young
10. I didn’t know, no one told me
11. The dog ate my homework  (LOL!) - I don’t remember, but did that ever work in school?  Someone please let me know, if it did.

 

I could keep going on and on with this list.  Trust me, there are millions of excuses being used everyday.  How about taking those excuses and packing them up?

Step #2 - Zip Them Up

 

I know this part may seem easy, but it is not as easy as you may think.  Do you remember trying to pack with a bag too small?  Well if you haven’t had this experience, please let me explain.

We would go on vacations or camping as a child and could only take one bag.  I remember stuffing that one bag, but the hardest part was zipping the bag up.  I would lie on the bag, sit on the bag, and jump on the bag to get it to close.

This step of the process is more of confirmation that you have packed up all your excuses.  Make sure you didn’t leave any out that will hinder your productivity.

Step #3 - Send Them Out

 

When it comes to excuses, there are far too many that exist.  Somehow, someway we need to pack them up, zip them up, and send them out.  There’s only one thing about this bag.  Unlike the bags we take with us on various trips, we don’t want to ever see this bag again.

At the first sign of an excuse, repeat steps 1-3 and Send 'em Packing.

 

Are there any excuses you need to send packing? (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Juxtapose June

Juxtapose what?

At the beginning of this year, we discussed having A Meaningful 2014.

Although we are six months into this year, it’s never too late.  This is why June is Juxtapose June.  Juxtapose has everything to do with comparing and contrasting things.

No matter whether you have been successful with meeting your beginning of the year goals or not, this is a great time to compare and contrast the direction you are going in and develop a plan of attack to reach your goals.

Don’t wait because your dreams depend on you meeting those goals you set at the beginning of the year.  If the goals you already set aren’t working, reassess and make new ones.  Whatever you do, don’t continue to do the same thing if it isn't working for you.

After you have compared and contrasted your first half of the year, discover what you can do for the last half to make it more successful for you.

 

How does your first half of the year compare to what you will do in the second half?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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3 Ways to Start Your Day the Right Way

Getting a good start to your day is very important.  A good start will help you in many ways.  Here are the 3 ways to start your day off the right way.

1. Prayer

 

Before I get my day started, I like start my day by talking to the Creator and Sustainer of all things.  I’ve found Him to be the greatest Advisor.  He accepts me as I am and He has never given me bad advice.  I don’t believe there’s a better way to start your day.

2. Purpose

 

What’s your reason for waking up every morning?

Along with prayer, you will need purpose to start your day off the right way.  It will be much easier to discover your purpose if you start your day off with prayer.  Everyone should have a reason for waking in the morning.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

~Romans 8:28

 

Purpose has everything to do with determination and resoluteness, which you will need to conquer every day.  Start everyday with purpose.

3. Positive Energy

 

You will need positive energy to start your day.  If you start you day with positive energy, then you will find it quite easy to have the right attitude.

 

How do you start your days?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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Killing Bad Habits

Everyday we all routinely do things unconsciously.  Whether it’s the way we get ready for work or what we do when get to work, we have a routine.  It may be the route we take to work.  Developing a routine can be great thing and I strongly encourage establishing a pattern that will help with productivity.  However, do you know if any of your routine behaviors are harmful to your life?  These harmful routine behaviors are also called bad habits.  Bad habits hinder progress and productivity.  Anything hindering us from moving forward must be killed.

Discover the Bad Habit

 

First, you just need to figure out if you are unproductive because of a bad habit.  You can decide this by looking at what daily, weekly, monthly, or annual goals you may not be accomplishing.  Once you specifically can find an aspect of your life in which you aren’t moving forward, then you will need to find out what the bad habit is and how it is affecting your life.  Discovering the bad habit is the first step to killing any bad habit.

It may be a challenge to find the bad habit because if it is truly a habit that means you have been practicing this behavior for a while.  Long enough that it probably has become an unconscious action in which you believe is helpful, but really isn’t working for your life.  It may be negative talk or a negative action being performed on a consistent basis.

Discover a Better Habit

 

If you figure out the problem, then you must stop practicing the bad habit.  The way you stop the bad habit is by replacing the bad habit with a better habit.  Don’t replace it with another bad habit.  Make sure the habit is better by determining if it will help you with productivity of your life’s goals.

For example, if the problem is you consistently tearing down you loved ones with poor choice of words.  You must find a way to build your loved ones up by using loving words.  If you are consistently being unproductive at work because you are taking too long of a lunch break with friends.  It may mean taking a shorter lunch with your friends or avoiding lunch with friends, so you can get back to work on time.  Instead of having lunch, you may need to have breakfast or dinner with your friends.  These are just a few examples.

Consistently Practice the Better Habit

 

Now you know what the problem is and you know how to fix it, but the hardest part of the equation of killing a bad habit is consistently practicing the better habit.  There are many ways to assist you with consistently practicing the better habit.  Here is a short list of things that may help you with your consistent practice of your better habit:

• Planning
• Preparation
• Goal Writing
• Calendar Reminders
• Supportive Friends or Family Members

 

How do you feel about killing bad habits?  (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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Honoring the REAL HEROES

Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Flag_Backlit.jpg

 

In my “You Just Never Know” blog, I dealt with my fascination with superheroes.  Matter fact, I just saw the new X-Men and Spiderman movies, in which I thoroughly enjoyed both.  Although I am fascinated with superhero stories, the real superheroes of our world don’t wear a cape.  They don’t possess lightning speed.  In fact, they look quite ordinary from the outside looking in. The greatest hero in my mind is Jesus Christ followed by the greatest parents God gave me.  Those are just a few people on my short list, but another one I did not mention would by the soldiers that fought and those who are still fighting for our country.

Many men and women have died for the thought and idea of a better America.  An idea of a place where all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds can live in peace and harmony.  We live in a country where we are able to worship the one true God freely, without fear of losing your life.  A country truly known for being the UNITED STATES of America!

It’s easy to take for granted what these courageous men and women have been fighting for since the United States was founded in 1776.  Looking back at our history, we have been at war 217 years out of the 238 years of our existence.  During this time, there have been many brave men and women fighting for the one word that we all enjoy the most — FREEDOM!

I believe we should give people their due honors while they are alive.  This is why I am so proud to support and honor not only the past, but also the present men and women who have served our country.

TODAY JOIN ME IN THANKING THE REAL HEROES WHO HAVE HELPED TO PRESERVE OUR FREEDOM!

 

Do you enjoy your freedom?  If so, let the real heroes know how you feel about them. (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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How to Select Your Friends

People come and go in and out of our lives, but it’s our decision whether we want to call them a friend or not.  We always have choice.  Take advantage of every opportunity to choose, especially when it comes to choosing friends.  If you aren’t taking advantage of your opportunity to choose your friends, you’ll find yourself befriending a stranger.

What is a friend?

 

Friends are those individuals who are always there for you.  Friends are those people you feel like you have known forever because they know you in and out.  They know what you are thinking and know what you are getting ready to say before you say it.

Friends know more than just your name.  It can be a girlfriend, boyfriend, a past school mate, cousin, wife, husband, etc.  It can be anyone who deeply cares for you.

If you think about it, friends are usually have been around you for a long time because they truly love and care for you.  Although they sometimes can get under your skin, you know they always have your best interest in mind.

How to choose a friend

 

You will never find a perfect individual in our world, but a friend comes close.  So, how do you find your perfect friend?  There are many things you should look for in a friend, but here is a short list.

1. Integrity
2. Honesty
3. Transparency
4. Straightforwardness
5. Open-mindedness
6. Positive Support

What things do you look for in a friend?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

Bryant

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Knowing the Boundaries in Your Life

I had a conversation with two of my sons this past weekend about rules.  I asked both of them, “Why do we have rules?”  They had similar responses, “For us.”  In an attempt to make this moment a teaching moment, I went to on to explain how everyone has to play by the rules.  As they stared at me, I started to explain how every sport has rules to help make the game fun.

Life is no different; there are rules in life to make our lives better.  You can accept it or fight it, but at the end of the day it’s just part of life.

What are boundaries?

 

Boundaries are borders, limits, restrictions, or rules.  Everything in life has boundaries, but it is up to us to learn the boundaries of life.  Let’s look at a few examples of boundaries:

• Unless you live in Germany and are driving on the Autobahn, you have a speed limit.
• If you are starting a new job, there’s usually a probationary period to receiving benefits.
• Unless you are on a plane, in space, or you are a bird; you are limited by Earth’s gravitational forces.
• If you are playing any sport, there are rules to improve the play of the sport.

Know Your Boundaries

 

Everything in life has boundaries, but do you know your boundaries?

What boundaries exist with you individually?

What boundaries exist with your family?

What boundaries exist with your job?

As I told my sons, boundaries exist to protect and enhance our lives.

If we are not aware of our boundaries, then we will end up hurting ourselves.  If you are starting a business, there are boundaries of how you set up your business and the paperwork needed for your success.  In a marriage, there are boundaries to help keep the marriage fresh and dynamic.  If you are a child, there are boundaries you have to be careful about crossing when it comes to giving adults respect.

Everyone and everything in life has boundaries.  And they only exist to help us.  So, I challenge you to discover your boundaries and let them push you closer to reaching your goals.

What boundaries exist in your life?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

Bryant

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Are You Wasting Your Time?

I have always heard my entire life from various people, “Time is money and money is time.”  I agree to a certain extent, but if I had to come up with a quote regarding time and money.  It would go something like this, “Time is priceless and money cannot buy time.”

The Truth About Time

 

We waste a lot of time in a day, which leads to weeks, months, and sometimes years of wasted time.

According to Key Organization Systems (http://www.keyorganization.com/time-management-statistics.php#multitasking) here are some facts:

• Office workers spend an average of 4 hours per week in meetings.  They feel more than half of that time is wasted.  (Opinion Matters, for Epson and the Centre for Economics & Business Research, May 2012.) 
• The #1 time-waster at the office is “too many meeting, up from No. 3 in 2008,” according to 47% of the surveyed.  (Salary.com, 2012) 
• The average American, age 15 and older, spents 3 hours and 11 minutes a day working in 2009, 17 minutes less than in 2007. With that extra time they watched more TV (+12 minutes, to 2 hours and 49 minutes a day) and slept more (+6 minutes, to 8 hours and 40 minutes a day). There was no change in time devoted to volunteering, exercise, and learning.  (American Time Use Survey, 2009)
• The number of hours annually that the average traveler found himself or herself in rush-hour traffice jams grew to 36 hours in 2007, as compared with 14 in 1982. In most big cities, prime-time congestion takes up 3 hours in the morning and evening.  (Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute, 2009)
• Using time-diary studies, it is found that people claiming to work 60 to 69 hours per week clocked an average of 52.6 hours, while those who believed they worked 70-, 80-hour or greater weeks totaled 58.8 hours.  (Prof. Robinson, 2006-2007 comparisons, American Time Use Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Open screens on desktops, files on the desk, and coworkers all distracted workers so that only 55% of work was resumed immediately. Productivity in the business sector has been increasing by only 3% since 2000.  (Herman Miller Inc., "The Siren Song of Multitasking," 2007)
• 43% of Americans categorize themselves as disorganized, and 21% have missed vital work deadlines. Nearly half say disorganization causes them to work late at least 2 or times each week.  (Jane Von Bergen, "So many reasons to neaten up...", Boston Globe 3/12/2006, Esselte survey, David Lewis)
• Most people actually use 60% or less of available work time. When more than 38,000 people in 200 countries were queried about individual productivity, it showed that even though they were physically at work five days a week, they were only productively using three days.  (Microsoft Survey, March 15, 2005)
• Unnecessary meetings cost U.S. businesses approximately $37 billion each year.  (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005)
• Employees spend an average of 36 minutes per day at work on personal tasks. By gender, men take 44 minutes and women 29 minutes, with the 18-34 year old group using the most time.  (Office Team surveys, February 2007)
• On a typical day, office workers are interrupted about seven times an hour, which adds up to 56 interruptions a day, 80% of which are considered trivial, according to time-management experts.  (Wendy Cole, TIME Magazine, 10/11/2004)
• For 10 years researchers studied the behavior of busy managers in nearly a dozen large companies. Their findings on managerial behavior showed that fully 90% of managers squander their time in all sorts of ineffective activities. In other words, a mere 10% of managers spend their time in a committed, purposeful, and reflective manner.  (Dr. Helke Bruch and Dr. Sumantra Ghoshal, Harvard Business Review, 2/2002)

 

Save Your Time

 

There are many other ways in which we waste our time, but focus on ways of saving your time.  There’s no specific way to save your time.  However, discover ways to take back some of the wasted time you been losing for years.  Here are a few tips:

• Listen to something educational, if you are stuck in traffic, 
• Turn off any distracting notifications, if you are supposed to be working, and 
• There are many more ways.

 

What are other way on which you can save your time?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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How to Avoid the Trap of Entitlement

There are many traps in life, but one trap you want to avoid at all cost is the trap of entitlement.  Entitlement is claiming or demanding a specific right, rank, name, honor, title, etc.  It’s expecting to get something out, even when nothing has been put in.  From children to adults, many people are getting caught in the trap of entitlement.  There are 3 simple ways of avoiding the trap of entitlement.

1. Enjoy Life

 

Life is serious enough; so don’t take yourself too serious.  Sometimes we just need to laugh a little and enjoy life.  We can take ourselves so serious that we feel we are God’s only gift to the world.  Those who take themselves too serious usually think higher of themselves, which can lead to an attitude of entitlement.

2. Develop Great Work Ethic

 

We have heard this phrase many times, “Work smart, not hard.”  The key to the phrase is WORK.  No matter what may be going on in your life, always work.  Entitlement is waiting for something to happen, but those who work will make something happen.  We should work for everything.

3. Be Responsible

 

When you are responsible, you avoid the trap of entitlement.  Responsible individuals are more concerned about making the right decisions with the resources available.  These same individuals are highly accountable and take great initiative to move their life forward.

 

What are some other ways in which you can avoid the trap of entitlement? (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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In This Skin

 

Are you comfortable in your own skin?

Many people would say, “YES.”  But let’s face it; being comfortable in your own skin isn’t always the easiest thing to do when so many people and things are attempting to influence us.  Sometimes you just have to stand up and say what’s going to happen in your own skin.

Try speaking positive affirmations to yourself to remind you of why you should be comfortable in your own skin.

In this skin…

 

• I will ACCEPT ALL CHALLENGES,
   
• I will make NO EXCUSES,
   
• I will FEAR NOT,
   
• I will EMBRACE my WEIRDNESS,
   
• I will understand the DIFFERENCE I add to this world,
   
• I will BE the CHANGE,
   
• I will think POSITIVE,
   
• I will ENCOURAGE others,
   
• I will LOVE without conditions,
   
• I will ENJOY every moment of my life,
   
• I will BE a LEADER,
   
• I will LIVE with SUPREME CONFIDENCE, and
   
• I will GIVE ALL PRAISE TO MY FATHER, GOD!

 

What will you say and do in your skin?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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10 Successful Interviewing Tips

Interviews are daunting for many people.  I love talking about any facts regarding career enhancements.  Whether you are the interviewer or the interview candidate this information will benefit you greatly.

If you are the interviewer, it is a great way to figure out if the interviewee is a good prospect or not.  If you are the candidate, it is a wonderful way of figuring out if you would like to work for the company.  It is a great time for both the interviewer and the in candidate to gain valuable information.  Here are __ tips to equip and empower your job interviewing strategies.

1. Be yourself

 

There’s nothing like being you.  Many candidates make the mistake of trying to be someone they are not.  When you are yourself, you give the interviewer a great preview of who you are and what they can expect of you.  Both parties will benefit from the candidate’s “authentic self” showing up at the interview.  Being you eliminates any surprises.  In addition, the interviewer will see the genuine and sincere you, which plays in the candidate’s favor.

2. Study the company or the interview candidate

 

In the world of high-speed Internet, we can just about research anything with a few clicks on our computers.  As an interviewer, I would check out the candidate’s social history profiles including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, etc.  With that said, the candidate must be aware of your presence appropriateness on any of the social media mediums mentioned above.

3. Study the job description you are applying for and / or what you will be supervising

 

It would be a great way to show how past experience suits you well for the job in which you are applying and / or supervising.  This lets the interviewer know, you have done your homework and that you will apply yourself to the specific position in which you’re applying or supervising.

4. Look the part

 

Your first impression is sometimes your only impression.  So, why not look the part?  As the candidate, your dress should appropriate to the job you are applying for because it may the slightest determining factor that qualifies or disqualifies you for the job.  I would avoid any bright colors and make sure you keep it professional, but classy.  Rule of thumb, choose solids of any patterns.  The best colors of solid navy, dark gray, or black suits.

5. Make eye contact

 

This is one of the most important tips to interviewing, if not the most important.  Eye contact demonstrates your confidence, focus, and trust in what you are saying and what the interviewer is saying.  Your eye contact or lack thereof tells the interviewer so much about who you are.  Eye contact needs to be made when you are talking and when you are listening.  All interviewers should want someone who has great eye contact because it demonstrates the ability to communicate and a certain level of self-esteem.

6. Be aware of your body language

 

As a candidate, your body language can indicate your self-esteem and energy level.  Sitting with proper posture conveys confidence.

7. Connect with the interviewer

 

I know we have already discussed making eye contact and having proper body language.  There are three things that will help you connect with your interviewer: 1) smiling, 2) eye contact, and 3) shaking the interviewer’s hand.  These three things will set a positive tone for your interview and will leave an unforgettable impression on your interviewer.

8. Know your resume

 

Anything on your resume is fair game for an interviewer to explore.  It would be worth your while to know every aspect of your resume and be able to explain any portion of your past history.

9. Ask questions

 

Any candidate that does not ask a question in his or her interview may be setting themselves up for rejection due to the interviewer thinking he or she is disinterested, detached, or a “know-it-all.”

10. Follow up quickly

 

Many hiring decisions are made quickly, so follow up as soon as possible.  Preferably, responding within a day is good timing.  These strategies will definitely separates you from the rest of the field.  After your interview, you should send a thank you card, email, note, or letter.  Something needs to be sent to show your appreciation of their time and consideration for the job positions.

 

What are some other interviewing tips that would help others with the interviewing process?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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You Just Never Know

I have always been fascinated with superhero stories such as Superman, Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, etc.  Part of my fascination stemmed from each superhero’s special power.

As a child, Superman was one of my favorites for two reasons.  First, I was captivated by his ability to fly while that bright red cape waved.  Secondly, I was always impressed by his X-Ray vision.

Spiderman was another one of my favorites because of his “Spidey Sense.”  This describes Spiderman’s ability to determine the severity of danger.

If we had special superhero powers, which would you like to possess?

X-Ray Thinking

 

If I had a special superhero power, it would be X-Ray Thinking.

Why?

I was talking to a middle age woman about a week ago.  She was smiling, but there was something different about her smile.  It wasn’t until later that I found out that her teenager son had died several weeks ago.

This is why I would love to have the special superhero power of X-Ray Thinking.

Many people hide behind smiles and laughter, but on the inside they are hurt.  You just never know what people are going through.  No one knows the heart of another man.

Although I may not have special superhero power of X-Ray Thinking, there are two special powers we all possess.

The Power of Communication

 

Believe or not, we have the ability to communicate.  In technological driven age, some people have lost the art of communicating face to face.  There is certain information, which will only be shared face to face.

I can’t imagine the middle aged woman I mentioned earlier sharing her son’s death by text, email, etc.  The only chance of this conversation happening was through a personable and sincere face-to-face exchange.

Sometimes, it’s just taking the time to speak to the heart of people.

How many times do people ask, “How are you doing?”  However, most people don’t want a true response of how a person is doing.  Matter fact; in most cases people ask that question without expecting an answer from the party they are speaking to.  We must take time to talk and listen to the fellow men or women of our world, which leads me to the super power we all possess.

The Power of Encouragement

 

When we actually stop and communicate, we will find many opportunities to be an encouragement to others.

All it takes is listening to the heart of people and discovering your chance to support and inspire them.

Discover your special powers of being able to communicate and encourage others because you just never know when you will need someone to be there for you!

 

What special powers do you possess to positively change on world?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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How to Break Away from Negative People

Life is all about relationships!  However, you have to be careful of the relationships you develop.  We reflect those who we hang around.  Today’s blog will discuss how to break away from negative people.

#1 Internal Assessment

 

One of the most important things when it comes to removing negative people in your life starts with you.

Why?

You must ask yourself, “Am I the reason for the negative people in my life?”

We give permission for anything, positive or negative, to enter our life.  Many times, we attract what we are.  So, if we change who we are, we may end up changing the people that are around us.

#2 External Assessment

 

If you discover negativity still surrounding you after you have assessed yourself, look at the people and things around you.

It may be that the negative people in your life are posing as loved ones.  So, it will hard to discover these negative people in your life, unless you take time to assess the people around you.

#3 Remove the Source of Negativity

 

Once you have internally and externally assessed the source of your negativity, then the hardest part is removing the negativity from your life.

Removing the negativity may mean distancing yourself from some “so-called” friends or “draining” family members.

And sometimes, removing negativity means removing these people permanently from your life.

#4 Think about Your Success

 

It may be hard to break away from the negative people in your life, but it will make it easier if you think about how successful your life will be without them.

Without negative people draining your positive energy, you will be left with more time to accomplish your dreams, goals, and aspirations.

So what are you waiting on, go ahead and break away from the negative people in your life.

 

Are their negative people draining your life?  Do you have the strength to remove them from your life?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

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The Thin Line between Supreme Confidence and Arrogance

We all know someone who has either supreme confidence or supreme arrogance.

So, what’s the difference between confidence and arrogance?  Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.  And if you are not careful, you may call someone with confidence arrogant or someone who is arrogant confident.

Supreme Confidence

 

Supreme confidence is having full trust and belief in one’s powers or abilities.  It’s belief in God’s creating power within you when no one else believes in you.  It’s your belief of being able to make the impossible possible.

The odds may not be in your favor and the cards may be stacked against you, but confidence is having the knowledge that God has blessed you with the necessary skills and resources to do what it takes to get the job done.

You should be supremely confident in the gifts God has blessed you with because God created you to be who you are.  Whatever you do, don’t hide the gift or gifts God has blessed you with.

Arrogance

 

Where can the line be drawn when it comes to supreme confidence and arrogance?  Arrogance is described as an overbearing pride.

The Bible says in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride comes before destruction…”

An arrogant person would say, “No one can tell me anything.”  And, this statement would include God.

Although, we will never come out and say that God cannot tell me anything.  It’s the way we live.  To be honest, at some point in our lives we all have been arrogant, but there is a thin line we have to cross to remove the arrogance to be supremely confident in God.

The Thin Line

 

When it comes to supreme confidence and/or arrogance, the line is drawn with an individual’s attitude.  If our attitude is to make someone feel lesser, it falls under arrogance.  If our attitude is to please God because He created us with an extreme gift, it then would fall under supreme confidence.  At the end of the day, the thin line between supreme confidence and arrogance is totally dependent on a person’s attitude to please self or God!

 

Are you supremely confident in God or are you arrogant only concerned about pleasing self?  (Please share your thoughts and leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

 

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2 Strategies To Help You Master Your May

 

At the beginning of this year, our goal was to make this year a Meaningful 2014.  We are moving through this year quickly.  January through April is over and done.  June through December hasn’t happened.  So, all we have is the here and now.

Are you making the most of your 2014?  To make the most of your year, you will need to make the most out of your May.

Well, it’s MAY!

How will you Master Your May?

There are two strategies to help you Master Your May, which will serve you well with meeting your yearly goals.

Live with Humility

 

The May birth flower is the Lily of the Valley, which is a representation of humility.  If you are going to master your May, it starts with humility.

We know what humility is, but more importantly we need to know what humility is not.  Humility is not being…

• Arrogant,
• Condescending, or
• Conceited.

 

These types of behaviors limit learning because it will make it seem that you don’t need to learn anything.

Let Love Measure Your Success

 

May’s birthstone is the emerald, which represents love and success.  Any form of success starts with love because without love, which is God, we wouldn’t be where we are.  There are three reasons why you want to let love measure your success, because you want to…

1. Do what you love,

2. Focus on relationships, and

3. Let the rest take care of itself.

Before long, it will be the end of the year.  Don’t wait any longer, start incorporating these 2 strategies in your daily life and you will MASTER YOUR MAY!

 

What’s will stop you from Mastering Your May?  What other strategies will you use to help Master Your May?  (Please leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

 

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Why Give It Away For Free?

 

NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE!

 

So, why would you give away your time for free?

 

 

Click on picture to view larger image. 

 

Many of us have been guilty of working many hours of unpaid overtime.  I will be the first to admit it.  At times, working paid or unpaid overtime is necessary to get your job done, but I would not make a habit of it.

Why?

At some point, we must realize any form of overtime takes away from family-time, God-time, me-time, and any other time.

For me, being married a little over a decade to the most beautiful woman in the world and having 3 beautiful boys by her gives me more than enough of a reason to cut back on my overtime.

What relationships, dreams, hobbies, books, exercise goals, travel, and other desires are you missing out on because of excessive work hours?  No longer should you put these things on the shelf.

Work hard, but leave work at work.  Live life fulfilling all of your desires.

RECLAIM YOUR TIME!

LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS.

 

What desires are waiting for your time? (Please leave a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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7 Ways To Prosper in Every Aspect of Your Life

In our world today, everyone claims to be a PRO.

But, what does it really mean to be a PRO?  Are you a PRO?

In today’s blog, I want to discuss 7 Ways To Prosper in Every Aspect of Your Life.

You don’t have to have a bachelor’s, masters, or doctor’s degree to be a PRO.  Matter fact, some of the best PRO’s are those who don’t have a degree at all or those who are working in areas in which a degree wasn’t earned.

So, let’s jump right in and talk about 7 PRO’s that will help prosper your life personally and professionally.

 #1 Be Professional

As a child my mother would always say, “Act with dignity.”  Basically, she was asking for us to be a PRO with our behavior.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that our first PRO is being a professional.  Believe it or not, being a professional has nothing to do with your level of education.  It has everything to do with your skill level and experience.  A professional demonstrates competence and intelligence with is or her actions.

#2 Be Proactive

Don’t wait for things to happen to you.  Prepare and plan.  Prepare for the predictable and have a plan for the unpredictable.

Your life will experience tremendous success when you are proactive.

Why?

Success comes to those who prepare and plan for it.  If you don’t prepare or plan to be successful, it won’t come to you.

#3 Be Productive

To prosper in every aspect of your life, you will have to be productive.  Productive is being able to create or get things done.

Our lives should be fruitful.  We should be doing, but along with our actions we should be automatically seeing results.  We should be achieving our goals.

#4 Be Proficient

A proficient individual is an expert at what he or she is doing.  If you are going to prosper, you need to become an expert.

#5 Be Profound

If you were looking for ways to prosper your life, it wouldn’t hurt to be a deep thinker.  A deep thinker sees past yesterday, lives for today, and prepares for the future.

Being profound is having the ability to see the BIG picture and gaining insight from your thought process.

#6 Be A Proclaimer

Once you have these first five PRO’s, then it’s time to start proclaiming.  When you are happy about anything in life, it is quite natural to tell others about the source of your happiness.

#7 Be Progressive

The last and final PRO is being progressive, which has everything to do with moving forward.  If you want prosperity in your life, you must find a way to move forward continuously.

Even during the hard times, PRO’s find a way to move forward.  Nothing stops a PRO!

If these 7 ways are a part of your everyday life, there is no reason why your life will not prosper in every way.

 

Do you notice any of these PRO’s in your life? If so, how are they helping your life to prosper? (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

 

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One Reason Why You Should Avoid Arguments

If you know anything about me, you know I love golf.  What does that have to do with today’s blog?  After we play golf, my father and I usually will grab a bite to eat.

Recently, we played a round of golf and grabbed a bite to eat from a small reputable restaurant.  We had been to this restaurant in the past, but it was something different about this experience.  I won’t mention the restaurant’s name, but I would like to share our experience.

My father began to order, but while the young man was taking my father’s order we noticed he was upset for whatever reason.  My father paused for a second and young man rudely said, “WHAT?”  This made me think about One Reason Why You Should Avoid Arguments.

#1 Reason - It’s A Waste of Time

I’m not suggesting for you to walk away from disagreements that need to be addressed, but I am recommending for you to analyze the situation and to avoid situations when you will lose no matter what.

For whatever reason, the young man who took our order was ready for a good argument.  But to his dismay, he wasn’t going to get the pleasure of arguing with us.

After analyzing the situation, my father and I could see why the young man was clearly upset.  The restaurant was busy, he looked tired, it was the end of the day, he was the supervisor, etc.  It was evident to my father and I that the young man was overwhelmed with work.

In these cases, it’s a waste of time to argue.

First, everyone could see the young man’s tension was high because he was obviously upset.  Arguing with anyone in a situation like this will make you look like a fool.

In addition, why waste your energy arguing and building up negative vibes when you can be positive and teach him a valuable lesson through your positivity.  Don’t waste your time because their will be greater battles to fight.

Trust me, you have better ways you can spend your time.  So, rather than spending your precious time arguing and fighting instead analyze the situation and discover ways of dealing with these individuals in a positive way.

 

What are other reasons why we should avoid arguments?  (Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

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What's Going On?

Children are a blessing!

 

I just had a conversation with a friend about the predicament of our youth and the various challenges they have to face daily.   Our conversation had no cultural biased, what we were and are discussing today touches all ethnicities.

It seems we have an act of school violence every other week, if not every other week.  Each time I hear of a new report, my heart drops.

I’m left with the question, What’s Going On?

More and more of our children are being kidnapped or abandoned.

I’m left with the question, What’s Going On?

As adults, sometimes we can be accused of removing children from their childhood too soon.  Children are expected to grow up a lot quicker these days.

I’m left with the question, What’s Going On?

In some cases, we have children having children and children raising children.

We all should be asking the question, What’s Going On?

Every situation above is a real issue our young people are facing these days.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know there’s a problem if you aren’t asking yourself the question, What’s Going On?

Once you ask yourself this question, I believe you will discover that many contributing factors are causing these unfortunate events to occur in the lives of our beautiful children around the world.

By asking this question, we will find ways to preserve the current and future generations to come.

We all have a role to play in our children lives, especially if you are a parent!  Our world has whole has become numb to some these situations.  Let’s put the feeling back into hearts and ask the question, What’s Going On?

 

What’s Going On? (Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.)

 

Bryant

MTN Universal

Be the wEiRd this world needs!

 

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