“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

                                                                                  - Aristole Onasis

Each year, I am blessed to share my message of Black Belt Leadership and its Mind of a Champion principles with several groups across the country.

During many of these sessions, I discuss how the negative stories we create in our minds about our lives can dis-empower us and keep us from experiencing the happiness and success we desire. 

In contrast, I also share how Forward Focused thinking, can be used to overcome our perceived obstacles, and also re-frame our challenges as blessings in our lives when we really look at them with an open mind and heart.

...

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

                                                                                   - Hamlet

It is easy for all of us to label experiences in our lives as "good" or "bad" based on how they compare to our expectations.  It can be easy to reflect on our experiences as “bad” when things don’t go the way we planned. 

However, if the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to be flexible in how we view situations and nimble in our approach to dealing with challenges that arrive us safely and triumphantly on the other side

It is often not until much time has passed that the situations we have judged as the most negative can be seen as...

“Success isn’t always about greatness.  It’s about consistency.  Consistent hard work leads to success.  Greatness will come.”

                                                                                             -  Dwyane Johnson

As I was hesitating to begin my daily mini-exercise routine this morning because I felt tired and sorry for myself, I was reminded of a story I heard many years ago.   

An elderly man who seemed to defy aging walked into a gym. 

In his early nineties, he still possessed a strong and lean frame with a powerful chest and biceps and triceps a teenager would be jealous of. 

His legs and his back were as solid as tree trucks,...

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is wisdom.  Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power."

                                                                                                   - Lao Tzu

This power is already within you.

Several times each year I have the honor to co-facilitate, with my business partner, Theresa Byrne, our life-changing personal empowerment workshops we call, Higher Self-Defense. 

Higher Self-Defense (HSD) is an adrenal self-defense training where adults/teens from various backgrounds, life experiences and skill levels come together to experience what they tell us is a truly life changing...

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment.  When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit.  When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”

                                                                                                - Art Turock

Several years ago, I was in a conference and heard a speaker make a cute little statement regarding the concept of commitment.  It went like this...

“I had bacon and eggs this morning for the breakfast, the chicken was involved, but the pig was COMMITTED."  

That statement, as trite as it might be, has always stuck with me.  How committed am I...

“We’ve got to remember that we get whatever we focus on in life. If we keep focusing on what we don’t want, we’ll have more of it. The first step to creating any change is deciding what you do want so that you have something to move toward.”

                                                                                    - Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within

Champions, whether it be in sports, business or in life, understand one very simple concept - what we focus on expands.  

Think about a vision you have for your life and/or your business. 

When you focus on the things that empower you on your journey to achieving your dream, the things that excite you and feed your soul on your quest, you...

“Accept, then act.  Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.  Always work with it, not against it…….This will miraculously change your whole life.”

                                                                                             - Eckhart Tolle

A couple of years ago, I treated myself to an amazing meditation retreat. 

After four days in the serenity of centeredness, I re-entered the "real world" and was struck by how easy it is to me to revert back to old patterns and habits of getting caught up in my head and the stressors of life. 

One of the most difficult lessons for me, in my life, is to know when to accept what is, let go of...

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.”

                                                                                            -  Anthony J. D’Angelo

Today, I was sitting and reflecting on the many people who have crossed my path who have made a positive impact on my life. 

Some of these people have been with me my entire life and other times for a relatively brief period of time. 

Interestingly enough, there is no correlation between time and the impact made.  Even those who are in our lives for brief periods can have lasting impact.

One such person for me was Frank Jeffrey. 

Immediately after graduating from college, I began my career...

“Today is a new day. Don't let your history interfere with your destiny! Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want. You have the power and the time to shape your life. Break free from the poisonous victim mentality and embrace the truth of your greatness. You were not meant for a mundane or mediocre life!”

                                                                                       - Steve Maraboli

 Are you being a victim or are you an owner?  

I first heard this question posed several years ago by super coach, Steve Chandler when I was attending one of his great seminars.  

The concept is really quite...

“If people are good only because they fear punishment, or hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.”

                                                                                             - Albert Einstein

There is a classic story of Beatles legend, John Lennon as a young school-boy.  His teacher had assigned the class an assignment to answer the simple question,

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

As expected, as his classmates shared their answers, typical careers emerged from the imaginations of young primary schoolers of that time, policeman, nurse, teacher, fireman, etc.

It then came time for young John to share, and the teacher asked, “John, what do you want to be...