Have you ever heard these words? Have you ever thought them? Have you ever said them?

Chances are, in one variation or another, you have.

Wishing and waiting for events to change and for our world to get better during cloudy moments is just human nature.

The “wishing for things to change” part?

That’s fine.

The “waiting for things to change” part?

Well, I don’t like that so much.

“Waiting for change” is passive. Waiting for a sign, for direction, for the go-ahead from a boss, friend, the government, whoever…it often leads to just more darn waiting. When we base our goals and future on someone else’s “Let’s see what happens” or “I’ll get back to you” agenda, we may end up waiting for the rest of our lives.

I really don’t like that.

The bottom line is if you don’t like what’s going on in your life today, and if you have adopted a “wait-and-see” attitude regarding tomorrow, you’ll more than likely have a future that looks very much the same as your “today.”

And I really, really don’t like that.

After 47 years of my fair share of rejection and cloudy days, I have learned to tell myself that “If change is going to be…it’s up to me!”

Want a better tomorrow?

Don’t rely on others’ answers or solutions to fix your problems. Become your own activist, and change your future by changing what you do today! That’s all tomorrow is really…an accumulation of all our thoughts and actions from today and yesterday.

Want more sales tomorrow?

Then make more calls today.

Want that “You’re Hired” call in the future?

Then do more than just submitting a simple resume and application today.

Want to be healthy in the future?

Then start exercising and watching what you eat today.

You get the idea.

Shaping a better tomorrow is all about a living a better TODAY.

Becoming a doer…and not a waiter…is the only sure-fire way we have to really push what happens to us in the future in a positive direction.

Remember: “If it’s going to be…it’s up to me!”

Now that’s a part I like.

Immediate application: To what part of your life can you apply the “If it’s going to be…it’s up to me!” approach?

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

Click Here To Listen To The Live Broadcast <—– Amazing Interview With Shawn!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

By Guest Blogger: Shawn Anderson

“I’ll do it tomorrow.”

I’ve said it in my life. A lot.

“I’m tired…it can wait.”

Yeah…I’ve liked that one a few times, too.

“Oh…what’s one more day?”

That’s a good one, too, isn’t it?

Excuses.

They make us feel better for a moment, but get too used to using them and they can wage war on our goals and success. Excuses chain us to the world of mediocrity and eliminate our chance to experience uncommon results.

Forever.

Tell me, have you ever heard that little voice in your head sound like this?

“Why should I go after a big goal? I’m not going to achieve it anyway, so why start? It’s not that important. Besides, I’m really interested right now in watching Entertainment Tonight and seeing the evolution of Kate Hudson’s hairstyles over the last seven years.”

Embarrassing to admit, huh?

Why is it our inclination to take the easy road? Why is it so easy to submit to doing the less challenging or demanding task?

Here are THREE possible reasons:

1. Taking the easy road requires less thinking.
2. Taking the easy road demands less energy.
3. Taking the easy road requires less willpower.

Often, taking the HIGH road (the more productive, positive, and valuable road) isn’t as appealing as watching Entertainment Tonight. But that’s just our brain trying to convince us that the Kate Hudson interview has more value than doing something to positively move us forward. We let ourselves become convinced that it is okay to let our goals slide.

But is it really?

What do we truly gain by taking the easy way out at any moment? The answers are ugly, but let me tell you:

1. Take the easy road once… and we make it easier every time that follows to take that same path. Follow that route too many times and our lives end up being filled talking about others’ success rather than living our own success.

2. Take the easy road again…and we begin to get comfortable setting a low bar for ourselves in life. We stay in first grade forever.

3. Take the easy road too many times…and we begin to lose faith in our own ability to take on really big life goals. And that’s a discouraging shame.

So I ask us all this final question:

“Don’t we really…truly…unhesitatingly…deserve the very best?”

Funny thing is, when I ask myself that question, I see everything more clearly. And that’s good; that’s self-awareness; that’s bringing my thinking into the moment…the “NOW.”

And when that happens…I do make better decisions about what to do with my NOW; I do understand that the NOW affects the TOMORROW. And when I get to this point in my awareness, it makes moving past current tiredness or distractions much, much easier.

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

Click Here To Listen To The Live Broadcast <—– Amazing Interview With Shawn!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

That is pretty inspiring.

But that’s ONLY a tip of the inspiration that truly exists when we look up.

After a recent visit to the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, I learned some amazing facts. Of course, we know that our sun is the ONLY star in our solar system (which is also composed of the moon, the earth, and seven other planets). But did you know that in our galaxy there are over 400,000,000,000 (400 billion!) stars just like our sun? AND according to recent super computer calculations, our galaxy is only ONE of over 500,000,000,000 (500 billion!) galaxies in the universe!

Let’s do the math: 1 (our sun/star) x 400,000,000,000 (the number of other stars similar to our sun in our “little” Milky Way Galaxy neighborhood) x 500,000,000,000 (the number of OTHER galaxies in the universe) = 200,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!

That is an estimate of the total number of stars in the universe!

200,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!

Now, that’s mind boggling! And to think that we are a part of that!

What does this all mean for you?

It clearly means that you are part of a universe that is endless in size and possibility. And that brings up an interesting question: If we live in a universe so B-I-G, why do we spend so much of our time thinking so small?

Whenever you feel strangled by either the minutiae or dissatisfaction of your own life, step outside and look up. Challenge yourself to think on a universe-sized scale in regard to your own goals and what you want to accomplish while you have this temporary gift of life.

We live in a “no limits” universe where possibility is greater than we could ever imagine.

So why not consider expanding our own possibility thinking to match the universe in which we live?

Immediate application: Tonight, take a walk outside…and look up. Using the amazing possibility of the unlimited universe that surrounds you as a model, add a bit of fresh possibility thinking to the following three B-I-G picture questions:

1. What unlimited, possibility-thinking idea can you consider that helps your business grow?
2. What organization can you join…or start…to create positive change in your world?
3. What mission can you dedicate your life to that has the potential to live on after you?

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

Click Here To Listen To The Live Broadcast <—– Amazing Interview With Shawn!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

There’s a lot we can learn from those around us. Especially those age 95. And those age 6.

Let’s take a look at the 95 year old first.

There’s a survey that was done years ago that I choose to keep forever cemented in my thoughts. In this survey, Dr. Anthony Campolo asked fifty people over the age of 95: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?”

The top three answers he received:

1. “I would reflect more.”

2. “I would risk more.”

3. “I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.”

Living to the age of 95? Hopefully, we’ll all get there. And until we do, let’s vow to learn from the voices of the past and confidently answer that same question…someday… “I  lived my life just as I wanted!”

How do we assure that answer?

By taking time for reflection. Now.

By taking risks. Now.

By thinking about what footprints we might leave. Now.

These are the lessons that the 95 year-olds teach. And these are the lessons that can change our lives. Now.

And how about lessons of 6 year old? Well, this one has a little story with it, so use your imagination and join me.

The other day I splashed through rain puddles. And it was fun. Forget the fact that my shoes got soaked all the way through to my socks. Forget the fact that I am 47. Do remember that it was completely amazing.

It was pouring rain in Sacramento…and I mean buckets. The wind was blowing exceptionally hard which added to the rain’s sting. At first, I thought I was crazy to be out there choosing to go for a run. My brain shouted out the fact that it was okay to miss a day of exercise, and if I only turned around I could find warmth and dryness again. I didn’t listen to that inner voice and instead turned off my internal hearing aid.

What I did choose to do, however, was smile. And then I convinced myself to experience something new. Like being six again.

There must be a reason why little kids love to splash in the rain. There must be a reason why little kids love to do a lot of things actually. As we get older, however, we seem to have forgotten all of those reasons.

On this one particular day of running and splashing, I went back to “Kid School” and discovered a moment that was chalk full of creative thinking and personal confidence. I found a moment where it felt great to step outside of the status quo and look at opportunities and challenges through fresh eyes. It felt great to simply celebrate being alive.

Because that’s what kids do effortlessly. They celebrate being alive.

So what do you think?

Maybe it is a good idea to occasionally step back into “Kid School.” Maybe it is smart to rekindle our passion for enjoying life to the fullest. Maybe we should take seriously those free weekends and do something fun. Maybe it is okay to run in the rain every once in awhile.

Yes, life can be hard sometimes…sure. It can be even harder when we magnify all the bad “things” and make them seem even bigger in our minds.

When we get stuck in life…it’s good to take a step back…and a step forward. Let’s think about the reflections of a 95 year-old. Let’s contemplate the actions of a 6 year-old.

And then…let’s consider joining both in thought and action.

Life just might get a whole lot better if we do.

Shawn Anderson, Our newest guest blogger here at StopStressingNow.Com is a writer and national speaker on the topic of “possibility thinking and creating opportunity.” Referred to by media outlets across the country as the “Extra Mile Man,” Shawn has a life mission of empowering 1,000,000 people to lead a more positive and purposeful existence. Shawn’s first three books have sold 65,000 copies.

In 2009, Shawn finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great. Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit. Shawn will also be a regular featured guest blogger.

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

Click Here To Listen To The Live Broadcast <—– Amazing Interview With Shawn!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

Guest Blogger: Shawn Anderson

“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

This short, little sentence actually contains every one of the 26 letters of the alphabet. Go ahead…look! The “q”…the “x”…the “z”…yep!

All the tough letters are there!

And if you think that is pretty cool, consider this: every single book you have ever read
(written in English) has also been limited to using those same 26 characters of the alphabet. From “Hamlet” by Shakespeare to Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling…from the headline news of today’s LA Times to this blog by me…all have used those same mighty symbols to communicate messages vastly different.

And that’s something to really think about.

How we choose to use those simple 26 letters…in the written or the verbal
form…can make a dramatic difference in what happens to us in life. They affect our jobs, our relationships, and how we feel about ourselves. Those simple letters of the alphabet can open doors. They can shut doors. They can make people laugh. They can make people cry. They can win hearts. And they can break hearts.

How we use those 26 letters affects the quality of our lives in every possible way.

So let me ask you…

What does the way you use your gift of the “26″ say about you?

What does your use of the “26″ communicate to the world?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Want to positively change your life? Want to take the next career step? Want to make more money? Want a better relationship? Want less arguing and more harmony? Want less stress and more smiles?

Each depends on the words…and letters…that we speak and write.

So…how are you using your “26″?

Maybe it’s time to master those letters all over again.

Shawn Anderson, Our newest guest blogger here at StopStressingNow.Com is a writer and national speaker on the topic of “possibility thinking and creating opportunity.” Referred to by media outlets across the country as the “Extra Mile Man,” Shawn has a life mission of empowering 1,000,000 people to lead a more positive and purposeful existence. Shawn’s first three books have sold 65,000 copies.

In 2009, Shawn finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great. Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit. Shawn will also be a regular featured guest blogger.

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

Shawn Anderson

In 2009, Shawn finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great. Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit. Shawn will also be a regular featured guest blogger.

You can read all of Shawn’s Blog Posts by Clicking Here!

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.
For more info about his Extra Mile America Tour, visit: wwwExtraMileAmerica.com

Here’s another extraordinary post from an extraordinary man… Mr. Shawn Anderson.

I call setbacks “Ouches!”

As kids, we all fell and experienced our share of individual ouches. Scraped knees…a little league strike-out…a forgotten valentine from the girl you liked…a bad grade on a test.

Ouch.

Ouch.

Ouch.

Ouch.

As kids we learned to deal with bruised egos and skinned shins. Ouches happened all the time and were a part of learning to “walk” in life. We learned to naturally follow the four main principles in the “Kid’s Guide to Survival and Success” and were able to move forward consistently to the next opportunity.

1.       Fall down.
2.       Cry.
3.       Tell someone about the hurt.
4.       Run out and play again.

That was it. That was our four-part plan to success. Simple, huh?

As adults, we get plenty of ouches, too.

We lose jobs, experience failing businesses, deal with relationship break-ups, struggle through money issues…there is an endless list of mental, physical and emotional ouches that sting us regularly.

Very much like when we were kids.

But the problem with ouches now…as adults…is that we seem to have forgotten all the steps that got us through the falls in our early years. Sure, we have the “fall down” thing mastered (often a little too well for our own liking). Most of us have even developed professional status in “crying” (it’s called “whining” as an adult). And when it comes to “telling someone about the hurt,” it seems we have become quite adept at sharing with anybody who will listen.

However, it seems, that we have totally forgotten step four in the success guide:

Run out and play again.

The key to eventually succeeding…as a kid or as an adult… is not in lying on the ground and rubbing our ouches for too long. If we stay down on the ground whining, opportunities can quickly come and go. The next opportunity…the next chance…the next moment…none of them wait for those whose bottoms are stuck on the ground in permanent whining position.

Sure, life is not fair at times. So? Get over your ouches…or forever risk getting stuck on “nowhere.”

Have you ever caught yourself saying: “I could have done that!”?

Uh, huh. You could have…no doubt…if you had made the choice to get up more quickly from your last fall!

Do you have an “OUCH!” that you have experienced recently that is still holding you back? Well, why not choose to quit whining about it. You can either do something positive to heal the ouch, or you can forget about it altogether.

Those are really your only two choices if you want to succeed.

After that?

Get on with step four.

Run out and throw yourself into life again.

______________________________

In 2009, Shawn Anderson finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great.

Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit.

Shawn will be a featured “Guest Blogger” in 2010 for StopStressingNow.Com.

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.

I’m sure you’ve seen him on TV or maybe you’ve already heard his amazing story.

In 2009, Shawn Anderson finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great.

Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit.
Shawn will be a featured “Guest Blogger” in 2010 for StopStressingNow.Com.

So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce to you an extraordinary man… Mr. Shawn Anderson.

Avoiding Kryptonite in Your Life

By: Shawn Anderson

It is extraordinarily clear that a lot of people are stinging. And it’s not only because of the economy.

Certainly, there are those who have communicated their anguish in not being able to find work. They need a job. They need a paycheck. They need insurance. They have to move because they can’t keep their house. These people are the faces that represent the numbers that evening newscasters rattle off nightly.

And then there are the other people who are hurting.

This group is stinging because of the grind of everyday life. Sometimes, day-to-day living can take its toll and wear us down. Broken relationships, no relationships, cars that need repair, a sick kid, an irritating co-worker, a lost client…our world can fill up fast with days that just plain out “sting.”

Even Superman gets worn out occasionally when one of his “friends” throws a bag of Kryptonite his direction. No one is immune from feeling a bit weakened by the day-to-day challenges that can build up.

Bad days happen.

What can really rock our world, though, is when we live too many bad days in a row. When one bad day turns into a second…and then snowballs into a third…and then a fourth…and then a…well, you get the idea.

That’s what we need to avoid. We need to immediately stop negative momentum when it begins to take claim of what we think and feel.

I have an answer to stopping the negative spiral.

I believe in keeping life simple. I understand it better that way, and I am able to successfully deal with it more effectively. And when I keep solutions simple, I am able to go back to them again and again for answers.

So…here are FOUR simple “can do” principles to remember when your world is stinging and you’re feeling a bit upside down:

1. Keep Going. Don’t quit! No matter what is happening in your world…no matter how much it hurts…keep showing up every single day. Play every day. Hard. No moping. No “whoa is me!” No bench sitting.

2. Keep Knowing. Keep believing in yourself! Believe in your purpose…and your mission. Have confidence that eventually the sun will follow the storm. Because it always does.

3. Keep Growing. When you are down and feeling defeated, that’s the time to really “work” on yourself. Pour yourself into edifying activities that build you. Read positive books. Hang with empowering people. Exercise your body. Work on you.

4. Keep Sowing. If the seeds you are currently planting don’t seem to be baring any fruit…keep planting. In fact, plant more…plant deeper. Throw more applications out there. Make more calls. Keep reaching further. Keep sowing seeds.

Going. Knowing. Growing. Sowing.

Four simple concepts to remember. Four powerful concepts to get us out of a funk and downturn.

Sure, skies get dark, and life can get a bit rugged at times. But remember, you always have the choice to take command of your life and set a new attitude course. You can choose to do it at anytime…and at any instant.

I have always found “now” to be the best time.

Commit this “Going, Knowing, Growing, Sowing” formula to memory and bring positive momentum…happiness, harmony, peace, and success…back into your world.

Immediate application: Ask yourself, “Is my life (job/career/financial situation) going how I would like it to go?”

If your answer is “no”…then what exactly are you doing to change that? If your answer is “yes”…then write an encouraging email or pick up the phone today and call someone who needs a boost of positive energy.

Shawn Anderson – Appearing Live On My Radio Show 2/14/10

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.

Shawn Anderson – Listen To Shawn’s Amazing Interview. Click Here.

In 2009, Shawn finished the Extra Mile America Tour…a solo 4,000 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Boston. On the 90 day trip, he visited 21 cities and interviewed 200+ people who had overcome significant challenges in order to do something great.

Endorsed by leaders across the country, Shawn established “November 1″ as “Extra Mile Day” in 22 cities and states across the country.

Through all of this, he also gave away $10,000 (10 x $1,000) to the individuals whose stories he found most inspiring to the human spirit.
Shawn will also be a featured “Guest Blogger” in 2010 for StopStressingNow.Com.

Shawn Anderson – Listen To Shawn’s Amazing Interview. Click Here.

For more info about Shawn, visit www.ShawnAnderson.com.