What Will I Accomplish Today?

What Will I Accomplish Today?

Forward-thinking individuals often ask themselves …

I wonder what it is I will accomplish today?

I do that every time I sit down to write a blog or produce a podcast.

My musician friends ask that at the beginning of every practice session.

CEOs, CFOs, and the top men and women in every company continue to ask this question – every day.

It’s one of the key growth habits, if you want to be a producer, a front-line leader.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

You Have Permission

You Have Permission

Are you one who is seeking to improve your lot in life, whether it is a musical skill, building a business, getting more knowledge, improving any skill at all?  Then I give you permission to go and seek improvement.  No one is holding you back from your best self … except maybe you.

What are your thoughts about you?  Do you have a ‘can do’ mindset, or a ‘I could never do that’ mind?

You have permission to grow and develop and improve to whatever degree you choose, and the beautiful part of this idea is you do indeed get to choose.

So, Skippy.  What do you want to do today?

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

A Few Good Words about Your Future

A Few Good Words about Your Future

This blog site is focused on helping all of us grow and improve our craft, whatever that craft might be.  I envision artists, writers, architects, company presidents, marketing gurus, sales professionals, musicians, business owners of all strips and interests, and a whole lot more growth-minded types are reading this blog. 

With that in mind, let’s talk about our futures.  Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich once wrote this: 

Your future is what you make of it.

The key word in that quote is YOU!  You are the vital ingredient in any pursuit to which you set your hand.  If you really lock onto that idea you can start seeing significant growth and improvement in your endeavors. 

I had no idea ten years ago that I would have six blog sites and could contribute to each one weekly, and yet, it is so.  I wasn’t even sure I could sustain one site.  All I knew was that I wanted to write and so I began.  I’ve made a niche for myself with these posts, for each site has a definite focus and audience in mind.  I’m doing my best to make something of my future.

The huge question is … what are you making of your goals and dreams and ambitions? 

Nobody, NOBODY can answer that for you.

I’m 71 and I’m still dreaming of writing the blog heard round the world.  You are never too old, nor too far gone to go after your dreams.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

A Few Words about Self-Control

A Few Words about Self-Control

Break it down – here’s the thing about self-control.  It means:

     Discipline

       Willpower

         Restraint

           Self-will

             Strength of mind

               Strength of will

Self-control is an exhaustible but buildable resource.  Does this mean that self-control, once it’s used, is gone forever? Not at all.  It recharges with rest. In fact, the more often self-control is used, the stronger it gets.

The key word in self-control is SELF!

It is up to you and me to develop self-control. 

Again, a key word is DEVELOP!

It does not happen automatically. 

There is a price to be paid.  The question is this … will we pay that price?

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

The Things I've Learned Along the Way

The Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

I’ve been trying to improve my life somewhat now for a bunch of years.  I just turned seventy-one.  Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way.

~When autos are repossessed, you will buy again.

~There is life after open-heart surgery.

~Recovery takes time.

~Set-backs aren’t the end.

~We recover from bankruptcies.

~A degree is only the commencement.

~Learning is a life-long journey.

~You can endure more than your think.

~You are more powerful than you think.

~You can make good choices.

~You can overcome bad choices.

~You can learn from your mistakes.

~Failure is not fatal.

~The first step toward NEW is often the hardest.

~“NO” sometimes means “Not Now”.

~God is not an abandoning God.

~There is a difference in ‘practice’ and ‘perfect practice’.

~Just because they say so doesn’t make it so.

~I need to become my own best friend.

~Breaks are restorative.

~People remember how you made them feel.

~People want validation, respect.

~People have names.  Use them.

~There is still room for one more idea.

~All the great books haven’t been written yet.

There is more to come on this idea.

  

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

Commit to the Journey

Commit to the Journey

  

Those of us who are on the way to improving our skill need to remember this important idea.  It is a journey that we are on.  And this journey will take us to amazing places.  Sometimes those places lead to the desired outcome, but usually not. 

But on the journey, look at what you’ll experience.  Yes, you’ll get better, you’ll meet interesting people sometimes, you’ll learn a ton, you’ll have frustrating periods and people will phase in and out of liking or not liking you or your contribution.  That’s all a part of the journey. 

The main thing is this … commit to the journey, not the outcome. 

See where the journey leads.

Make the commitment to the journey regardless of the outcome.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

I'm in the Second Act of Life

I’m in the Second Act of Life

I once was a pretty decent singer.  I could hit high A’s, and low D’s.  That is no longer the case.

I’ve directed some very fine orchestras and choirs.  And now, others have that privilege. 

I used to play a good game of baseball and softball.  I don’t move as swiftly now as I did then. 

I guess I’m in the second act of life, and it’s a good act.  Stay tuned.

I’ve found my niche in this Second Act.  I’m an official blogger and podcaster.  It suites me very well.  I move at my own pace, I settle in and go where my thoughts take me, and I’m having a good second act.

And I’m experimenting in the kitchen and finding new foods and combinations and tasty treats to fix and eat for Carolyn and I.

I think this is pretty good way to close the curtain on my life.  I love what I’m doing.  And I can do this for another bunch of years, or so my cardiologist says.  He says he can give me another twenty years. 

Wow.  A second act that lasts twenty years.  Look out world.  I’m only getting started good.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

How Do You Think

How Do You Think

This question could be everything, you know.  This blogsight is all about growth and improvement, getting better, stronger, faster, brighter, bigger, more successful or whatever else you might be seeking in your life. 

The best ally you’ll have is in your brain.  It’s your thought patterns, your habitual tracks that you allow your brain to run in. 

I know this … positive thinking is your friend.  Perhaps you don’t do enough of it, but it matters.  I fully believe in this … as a man/woman thinks, so is he/she.

When you think of your ultimate dream, where does your mind run to?

I can do this if …

I might be able …

If only I had …

Maybe in the spring.

Maybe when I’m seventeen.

Maybe when the stock market grows to …

Your thoughts, and the intensity of your thoughts can help propel you toward your ultimate success.

What is your goal and dream?

What are your thoughts about that goal and dream?

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

A Seagull Speaks

A Seagull Speaks

I’m re-reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  It is one of my favorite books. 

Here’s what strikes me.  Jonathan was willing to separate from the flock to pursue his dreams of flight on a new dimension.  Oh my, he crashed on numerous attempts, but he kept analyzing, experimenting, thinking and trying. 

He was criticized by the flock, he was banned, he was ridiculed, he was spoken of in demeaning ways, all because he went contrary to the ‘rules of the flock’. 

And yet he persisted. 

It happens, you know.  Your ideas may run contrary to the rules of the day.  And what are you going to do about that?

Sometimes, growth and improvement, whatever that looks like, are more important than the norms and the “group habits”.

Ask Wayne Gretzky – hockey great.  He was famous for his antics on the ice in practice.  He pushed the limits of how far he could lean without falling over.  He tried the ridiculous, the unusual and the obscure. 

It worked, for he was sometimes referred to as The GREAT Wayne Gretzky.

Consider this as you pursue your dreams, and you might want to read Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  It might hold some fresh insights for you.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

What Is Your 'Why'?

What Is Your ‘Why’

I write because of an intense desire to offer Hope, Encouragement and Inspiration to mankind, one word at a time.  That is my major “Why” in life.

What is your ‘why’? What propels you to do whatever it is you do?

Figure that one out and then pursue your passions and dreams like a bee on honey.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

Doubts Kills Dreams

Doubts Kill Dreams

So, you’re in pursuit of your dream of better. 

Maybe you want to

Be a better golfer

Be a better tuba player

Be a better writer

Be a better architect

Be a better husband/wife/parent

What is your magnificent obsession in life? 

And how are you handling DOUBT?  It kicks in, you know.  It always kicks in at some point on the journey. 

Will you let doubt be a kill-joy, or will you smack it in the face, and say, “Not today.  No, I’m just having a weak moment, not a weak dream.”

And then … you get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going.

You are my hero if you do this.

And I believe you will do this.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

The Great Ones Dance with Fear

The Great Ones Dance with Fear

Are you dancing with fear?  I don’t know of any GREATS who skipped this step in their climb to the top. 

We face our fears … we conquer our fears … we do the hard work in order to become whatever it is we wish to become.

And the fears hold a party in our head:

What if I fail?

What if they don’t like me?

What if nobody shows up?

What if it doesn’t work?

What if it’s too late?

What if I die before the finish line?

What if the alligators get me?

What if somebody better comes along?

But it’s already been done before!

You know the drill.  There are a thousand reasons why you should not attempt a thing.  What you need to find is a handful of great reasons why you are the one and now is the time for you to launch, present, show up and do the thing you do best.

Fears will always be around.

Give us a good reason to hang around and see your stuff!

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration