How would you rate your life right now?
Whatever the rating, it’s in direct proportion to the choices made over an extended period.
Depending on the seeds we plant, depending on what we put into our life every single day the choices we make – we’ll produce a life we want or be forced to live a life we don’t want. And I know you want to live that life that you want, one you can be proud of, one that you can talk about.
In order to get a life you deserve, we need to make the right choices. That’s what I want you to think about every single day.
When we hit the snooze button, that’s a choice. It’s a choice which will give us an outcome. We think it’s going to give us more rest and help us to feel better. But here’s what I want you to know, you’re not getting more rest and energy. This one simple choice on how you start the day can cause you to lose more than you ever gain.
It’s 2021 and I am standing here today blessed and honored to have launched a full-time speaking and training business. That’s an outcome.
But you see, that was choices for years all along the way that provided an outcome of where I am today.
The beautiful part about my story is 10 years ago, I made choices which gave me a life that I did not want. Choices I made 10 years ago would have never set me up for my current situation because here’s the thing, every seed (choice) you put out there, you’re going to get harvest.
Now, it’s either going to be a harvest you can be proud of, one you really love, and you can enjoy.
On the other hand, your harvest can be one you don’t cherish, hate, or it brings a little shame. As mentioned, I wasn’t making the right choices 10 years ago.
I want to tell you today before we get deeper into this content, I want to tell you that depending on your choices five years ago, depending on your choices 10 years ago, if they were poor, it doesn’t mean that it’s over.
Read that again, your choices five years ago or 10 years ago, does not mean that it’s over.
I want you to step back into the ball game, because I’m here standing as living proof today that just because you made bad decisions 10 years ago, doesn’t mean that today still can’t be right.
Before we go any further, commit to making the right choices today so you can have your desired outcomes tomorrow.
Below are 3 things to direct your choices.
POINT #1 BE INDUSTRIOUS
If we’re being industrious, it means we’re a hard worker, diligent, and get after it with every single ounce of our energy.
My friend and accountability partner – Antonio Linnen – is an incredible person who doesn’t brag about his military accomplishments. He joined the military at age 19 and created a lofty goal for himself – to become 1st Sergeant of the South Carolina National Guard.
He made choices for years to give more at PT and strive to be the best in his organization. He worked diligently for 14 years until he received his desired outcome. On his 33rd birthday, Antonio received an email notifying him that he earned 1st Sergeant ranks. Not only did his choices determine his outcome because he was industrious, but his choices over time made him the youngest 1st Sergeant in the history of South Carolina.
Antonio’s results are due to his determination, diligence, and dedication to work hard and earn the rank he desired.
So here’s the thing that I want you to know coming out of this story is that in order for IT TO WORK (your goal), YOU HAVE TO WORK (your level of effort).
Earl Nightingale said it this way, “One hour per day of study in your chosen field is all it takes. One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you’ll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do.”
In order to get more, you have to give more.
Folks, it’s all up to you.
Are you willing to put in the work in order to climb the mountain to be who you truly should be? To be who you could be?
If you want “that life”, you must be intentional with your choices.
POINT #2 BE INTENTIONAL
We have to be intentional with all of our energy and with all of our time.
If we’re going to wake up in the morning, let’s wake up with a purpose. When we wake up in the morning, are we ready to go forward and really create that outcome we’re looking for? You have to be intentional about what it is that you’re trying to achieve.
If I’m driving a car and have no idea where I’m going, I’ll never arrive.
In order to reach my intended destination, I need to know where I am (point A) and where I want to go (point B).
Driving and life are no different.
Ziz Ziglar said it best, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”
We want to first determine and be intentional about our intended outcome. Then, we can start to build choices and be intentional about each choice along the way.
There are many distractions in life and each one wants to take attention away from things that matter, like family.
My intended outcome is to be a great husband and father but this doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires intentionality and making difficult choices. One strategy created was to be totally present with no phone or other distractions weeknights from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
When I worked for Charleston County School District, I loved to talk on the phone riding home. It was a 45-minute ride, and I used this opportunity to connect with friends. We’d start a conversation and would be going at it. But all my friends knew when I pulled up at home, it didn’t matter if they or I was mid-sentence, the moment I pulled up (usually around 5 p.m.), the conversation was over.
It wasn’t personal but it was a choice. Choose to keep talking and lose sight of my intended outcome – to be a great husband and father – or pause the conversation until another time.
Yes, I want to be industrious but I also have to be intentional about creating space for my family as well. The point here is that in order to produce your outcomes you must be intentional.
The harder you work (INDUSTRIOUS) and the more specific and focused (INTENTIONAL) your choices are, the more INFLUENCE you’ll have.
Point #3 BE INFLUENTIAL
We carry influence but it’s what type of influence you have that matters.
Positive influence comes when a person chooses to work hard and be intentional about planting the right seeds (choices).
Negative influence comes when a person has no direction, discipline, or desire to positively impact those around them or themselves.
Ten years ago, when I was making poor choices, I had an influence. It was negative and it harmed many people close to me.
This isn’t the influence I want you to have. My hope is to see you create influence that leaves a positive legacy and example for generations to come.
If you won’t do it for you then do it for the people around you.
Call to action (CTA:)
Over the next 30 days, I want you to think of an area where you can focus on that you will be diligent one hour per day, and be intentional about doing every single day for the next 30 days.
We need your positive influence in this world. We need it in your kitchen, your business, your community, and your family.
Go plant the right seeds (make the best choices) so you can reap a desirable harvest.
Let ‘em know, THE HARVEST IS COMING!