Article by Tim Storey

If ever there was a model for patience and commitment, the great inventor Thomas A. Edison definitely fits the bill. Along with his history-altering inventions, he uttered volumes of memorable and inspiring phrases including a couple about staying committed. He is the one that said, “A diamond is a piece of coal that stuck to the job.” And, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

From her extensive background as a corporate trainer and management consultant, Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott shares some valuable insight on staying committed in her practical handbook for living at an optimum level, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules.

Commitment means devoting yourself to something or someone and staying with it – no matter what. If you look at anyone who is a good student, you will see a shining example of commitment. He or she is fully devoted to his or her course of study and commits to it all the time and energy that is needed to excel. As you come to embrace your role as a matriculating student, you need to make a commitment to yourself and God to learning and mastering all your lessons.

If you have this lesson in your life path, it will show up as an inability to make choices or to stick to choices already made. It might start with the difficulty in choosing ice cream flavors, grow into a dilemma about how to spend your free time, then get compounded by where to live. If you still haven’t learned the lesson by adulthood, it could manifest in ambivalence about marrying the person you’ve been dating for eight years. If you spend twenty minutes agonizing over whether to order a tuna sandwich on rye or whole wheat, then commitment is definitely a lesson you need to learn. Molly, a widow living in Florida, had been alone for six years when she decided she wanted to find a new partner. So, at the age of seventy-five, she started dating again for the first time in fifty years. But instead of taking the attitude that she didn’t need or want to learn anything new at her age, Molly enthusiastically committed to learning a whole new set of lessons that are essential to anyone who is dating. When a man who she liked never called after their first date, she needed to relearn the lesson of self-esteem. When she met a gentleman who acted rudely toward her, she needed to remember the lesson compassion. When she consistently attracted men who did not want to be in committed relationships, she needed to reexamine the lesson of causality. It was her commitment to continue learning that kept her going and eventually led her to Morty, a seventy-eight-year-old retired insurance salesman who shared her love of golf and Chinese food. I am happy to say that Molly and Morty are currently planning their wedding.

Hey just an invite to let you know that I really enjoy getting your questions, stories, and comments.   Feel free to drop me a line.  As you can imagine I can’t respond to everything…but I love hearing from you !  I will be looking for your e-mails…

Tim

 Article by Tim Storey

You might as well know it now because it’s bound to happen. As soon as the decision is made to get on board with a master plan for life - the moment you try to move into a new phase of living - you will encounter the opportunity to change your mind, turn back and pretend like you never really wanted to do anything different in the first place.

As we are accustomed to most activities moving at microwave speed, we also expect to see immediate results in our newly adopted life plans but often feel let down because things aren’t happening as fast as we’d like them to. In the pursuance of purpose, as well as in just about every other area of life, patience is more than a virtue, it’s a necessity.

Patience helps us to work out our issues as we clarify what exactly it is we are committed to in the assembling of our future. People often say life is short and while that may be true, it seems that life takes a long time, too. A key to remember while pursuing purpose is that building from the ground up is a slow painstaking process. The definition of a process is a systematical series of actions directed toward some end; it is a specific, continuous action or series of changes. We have to be patient in the process. Remaining unswervingly committed to the project known as your “dream come true” requires a belief that it actually will happen along with a dogged determination that many people just can’t seem to muster. As the saying goes, for some it’s “if,” for others it’s “when.”

So ask yourself today…am I an “if” or a “when” person? Once you are a “when” person, look out…your dreams are within reach.

 Article by Tim Storey

We have so many God-given opportunities for great things, but many times we immediately start contemplating all of our inability to actually follow through on that opportunity. In the Bible, the young man Jeremiah did exactly that when God told him that he was set up to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responded, “Oh God! I can’t even speak because I am so young!” Here was an open invitation to do great things, but as we often do, instead of accepting the invitation, he started listing his own limitations. God then comforted Jeremiah by telling him, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you. I am ready to perform my word.”

The same is true for us – God is ready to perform His word, His plan for our lives. By taking steps to renovate your mind and pursue purpose, old things will lose their luster and new growth will come to the surface while at the same time you will notice fresh opportunities. There are so many built-in benefits to finding and following your life plan, especially if it is a Master plan straight from God, that even if circumstances aren’t great, there are still so many positives to keep in view. We need only to keep our heads up, pay attention and look for them. Leadership guru John Maxwell got it right when he said, “What I perceive determines what I receive, which determines how I achieve.”

A sociological study was conducted with people over the age of 95 in which the openended question was asked of each one of them, “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” As you can imagine, there were quite a variety of responses. However, one answer emerged frequently and pervaded the results of the study. The response was, “If I had to do it over again, I would reflect more.”  With all the planning that can sometimes tend to consume us, maintaining a proper perspective appears to be one of the most important aspects of a fulfilling life.

So what is your perspective now?  Do you see only failures and limitations, only future goals…what about God’s plan for you today?  Take a few minutes and reflect…maybe you will find more peace and contentment with where you are than originally thought.

 Article by Tim Storey

Hello worldshakers!  Currently I am on the road promoting my new book Utmost Living, and I’ve decided to take a moment to check my e-mails…as you can imagine my inbox is full of friendly hello’s, business proposals, scheduled appointments…and lots of questions!  I often don’t get a chance to answer every question that comes my way, but today I received one whose answer I thought would benefit everyone…so here you go!!

“What if you know something’s coming, but you’re not sure which way to go…?”

If I could only express to you how often I hear this question.  First of all I’ll refer you back to the previous blog enteries on making choices which I think will give you some great insight as well.  But to keep this sweet and simple I will give you 3 key words that I live my life by; stop, look, and listen.

Stop - Don’t get too busy…slow down your pace.  Direction usually comes during the quiet times, not the hectic ones.

Look - Look to God.  Relying on friends, family, books, TV shows, or whatever isn’t always a “sure” source.

Listen - Take the time to listen to what He says.  Get quiet…look for that still small voice in your heart.

It’s important to remember Luke 12:22 during times like these.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…”  Don’t be so anxious…learn to be content with where you are.  Trust God that He’s got your best interest at heart, and at just the right time, He will intervene.

 Article by Tim Storey

To build a successful life, one of the most important aspects is determining where to start. With the understanding that a blueprint is basically the plan for all that will be built, deciding on what will be the foundation is crucial to its success and longevity. 

John C. Maxwell, author of more than 25 books and founder of the INJOY Group, is an expert on leadership.  In his book, Your Roadmap for Success, he dispenses timeless advice on some fundamental elements of a plan you can build on.

“I’ve discovered that people often find it hard to define success. But if you don’t know what it is, how will you ever achieve it?  Success is a journey.  Most people have a vague picture of what it means to be a successful person that looks something like this: wealthy, good physique, intelligent, athletic ability, good business mind, great imagination, big heart, etc.  But does all of that really make you a success? 

The picture of success isn’t the same for any 2 people because we’re all created differently as unique individuals. But the process is the same for everyone.  My definition of success is; knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.

You can see by this definition why success is a journey rather than a destination. No matter how long you live or what you decide to do in life, you will never exhaust your capacity to grow toward your potential or run out of opportunities to help others. When you see success as a journey, you’ll never have the problem of trying to “arrive” at an elusive final destination.  And you’ll never find yourself in a position where you have accomplished some final goal, only to discover that you’re still unfulfilled and searching for something else to do.

Another benefit of focusing on the journey of success is that you have the potential to become a success today. The very moment that you make the shift to finding your purpose, growing to your potential, and helping others, successful is something you are right now, not something you vaguely hope one day to be.”

Whether you know it or not, your life has been preparing you for your purpose.   And fulfilling your purpose is what ultimately makes you successful.  So don’t stay frustrated with where you are…because remember, as Maxwell said, success is a journey. 

 Article by Tim Storey 

Life began with a surge of activity that made each day of childhood seem better than the one before. But eventually, we learned that happiness can be interrupted with unexpected setbacks. Challenges, such as divorce, financial troubles or health problems, create setbacks that are difficult to recover from on our own.

As a life coach, I’ve talked with famous actors who struggle, talented businesspeople who are anxious…I know athletes who suddenly couldn’t hit the baseball and depressed housewives who feel trapped. Regardless of our successes, occasionally we all need a safe place from harm’s way and strength to get us through a test.

If you feel the sting of a setback, don’t cement yourself to the problem. Instead, set yourself for a comeback! Lock, fix and anchor yourself to a new course. Here’s three ways to rejuvenate your tired soul for a comeback;

First, look for new inspiration everyday. Look at energetic children laughing on the playground. Look for people in the supermarket who seem to have a bounce in their step. Allow these inspired mentors to refresh your point of view.

Secondly, feel your setback. Don’t mask your true feelings to pretend that nothing is wrong. And don’t self-medicate with excessive food or alcohol just to avoid feeling your disappointment. Sometimes you just need to feel your pain in order to heal.

Finally, find life partners who can help you make a comeback. You may not need the Jaws of Life, but you will need to accept help from someone who understands your setback and knows the way out. Listen to people who are filled with the inspiration you crave.

Everyone loves a great comeback story, from Rocky Balboa to the Olympic gymnast who lands a perfect “10” on a sprained foot to capture the gold medal. If you find yourself in a setback, don’t take a step back. Just take a deep breath and inhale hope because God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

You are designed for a comeback. You will move again, first from a sitting to a standing position, then from walking to running. When you can’t run any faster, let Divine Inspiration pick you up and help you to soar! Ignite your faith and turn your mess into your message. Remember, people are waiting to celebrate your comeback story too.

Hey!  Just a reminder…you can sign-up to receive a free chapter of Tim’s top selling book It’s Time for Your Comeback every month!  Just go the “Motivation” page and click where it says to sign up, then enter your info and…voila!  If you’d like a little pick-me-up, some encouragement, or just some good old inspiration each month, then sign-up today…your comeback could be closer than you think!

Article by Tim Storey

“If only I knew then what I know now…” Ah yes, the old “woulda-coulda-shoulda” syndrome. We have all made dumb decisions. We’ve made choices we wish we could change.  For most of us, the remnants of our choices repeat every day in our heads.

Our challenge is living life as it has evolved.  However, when we begin to grasp the reality of life as cause-and-effect,  it’s possible to develop a fierce determination to make better decisions.  I came across a book simply titled, “Choices” by best selling author/journalist Melody Beattie.  Her anecdote, “Horse Sense,” offers some good advice on the choices we make in navigating relationships.  I hope you enjoy her thoughts and that they really give you something to think about…

“If you want a horse to follow you around for life, approach it.  Pet it,” Jeanie’s horseback-riding instructor said. “Tell the horse how wonderful it is….then just turn around and walk away. Leave. Forget it…that horse will be yours for life.”  Something about what her instructor said haunted her all week.  I need people in my life so much – too much at times…but instead of bringing people closer, my neediness drives them away.  That’s it, Jeanie thought. My riding instructor just taught me the key to unlocking this whole enmeshment/abandonment thing.

This particular circle of life can be an ugly…confusing ordeal. We want more love and intimacy in our lives….to be closer to people. But the minute they or we step up to the plate, someone feels suffocated, disinterested….many of us have done this dance in our relationships. He (or she) was interested…in the beginning. You were reluctant…he won you over. The minute you got in, he was out.  Then you began obsessing and chasing him. Or maybe it plays out a different way. We really want to be closer to people. We need to be in a relationship…because we feel so abandoned inside.  But when we’re around people, our neediness drives them away.  Not all relationships are meant to work out.  But we can still start practicing the Chinese handcuffs trick in our encounters. It’s a good – maybe great – relationship skill. Resist that urge to smother and cling. Relax. Let go. Be genuinely interested in other people – not for what they can give you. Then, before you think it’s time to hang up that phone or walk away, excuse yourself and leave.  Get on with your life….let them want more of you. Letting go with love is a choice.

  Article by Tim Storey

No matter where I go, people are looking for help with their choices…mostly on the issues of spirituality, relationships, career, and finances. The questions aren’t really, “What’s next,” but, “What NOW?”

Definition of choice = the act of selecting/making a decision when faced with 2 or more possibilities.  When it comes down to it, choices are often made in a moment’s time.

Read what Malcolm Gladwell, the author of the international bestselling book, The Tipping Point, describes as “The power of thinking without thinking” as he is interviewed about his latest bestseller, Blink.

Blink is a book about rapid cognition, about the kind of thinking that happens in the blink of an eye. When you meet someone for the first time, or walk into a house you are thinking of buying, your mind takes about 2 seconds to jump to a series of conclusions.  Blink is a book about those 2 seconds, because I think those instant conclusions we reach are really powerful, important and, occasionally, really good.  It’s thinking – just thinking that moves a little faster and operates a little more mysteriously than the kind of deliberate, conscious decision making we usually associate with “thinking.”  As children we are taught to take time to carefully evaluate all available/relevant info.  This lesson is drummed into us again and again: haste makes waste, look before you leap, stop and think. But I don’t think it’s true. There are lots of situations – particularly at times of high pressure and stress – in which haste doesn’t make waste, when our snap judgments and first impressions offer a much better means of making sense of the world.

Take into consideration what Gladwell is suggesting…most times your “instincts” are correct…I’m not saying his philosophy is without flaws, but he has a good point.  Allow the Lord to work through the natural intuition He’s placed within you…He will never lead you astray.