Tip #9 "You do not have to be perfect to be perfect."

Tip #9 "You do not have to be perfect to be perfect."


The New England Patriots(an NFL football team) are going for something that has never been accomplished in the history of the NFL tonight...A perfect 16-0 season. The Miami Dolphins went 14-0 in the 1970's. But, nobody has been able to achieve the nearly impossible feat of 16-0 since the season was lengthened over 25 years ago. Yet, the only team standing in the way of a "perfect" season is the NY Giants. The Giants are a good team. But, they really have nothing to play for since they have already made the playoffs. This game is virtually meaningless to them. The press interviews with the players and the coach imply something different. But, let's be real about this.

Who do you think will be more motivated to win tonight's game? The New York Giants whom have nothing to play for other than trying to be the team that stops the Patriots while risking injury to their starters one week before the playoffs or the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS playing for history and arguably the greatest record of all in the NFL...PERFECTION! Hmmmm, I predict the Patriots will win.

Let's assume that the Patriots win tonight. They have achieved a PERFECT season. But, were they perfect? Did they play perfectly? They should have lost at least one game that their opponent gave them multiple chances at the very end of the game with penalties and poor defensive play. There was also another game that they should have lost. But, once again they pulled it out in the end. So, did they go the entire season without making a mistake? Not even close. In fact, I am quite certain that they had a penalty or a turnover in the first half of the first game of the season they played...Hence, "perfection" ended before they won their first game. But, they still went 16-0(assuming they win tonight).

So, what can we learn from the Patriots? They had a perfect season without being perfect. Isn't that wonderful to know. The difference between success and failure is that those that succeed get up one more time than they fall. That's it! Eventually, they succeed.

Proverbs tells us "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. So, for those of us that are Christians we know that we are only made perfect in Christ even though we fail over and over again we are still perfect because He is perfect and His blood covers our sins.

Since week 9 I have been cheering against the Patriots because I love the underdog. But, tonight I will cheer for the Patriots because they deserve it. WOW! What a team. Quite possibly the greatest team in the history of the NFL. If they WIN the Super Bowl on Feb. 3rd there is no doubt they will be crowned "The Greatest Team Ever."

GO PATRIOTS!!!

Tip #9 "You do not have to be perfect to be perfect."

Tip #8 "Success comes in cans. Failure comes in cant's."

Tip #8 "Success comes in cans. Failure comes in cant's."

My youngest daughter is four years old. When our family travels she sits in a car seat. She is very good at buckling herself. But, unbuckling herself is another story. She says "Can you help me? I can't do it. It's too hard." So, my wife or oldest daughter are always willing to help her. But, I think she has a case of "stinkin thinkin". So, I decided to test my theory a few months ago. She and I had gone on a daddy/daughter date time. When we got back home she said "Daddy, can you help me get out of my seat? I can't do it." I said "I think you can do it. If you do it all by yourself then I will give you a piece of candy." Guess what? She unbuckled herself within 10 seconds. AMAZING! What changed? Was she suddenly stronger? Nope. Did God give her super human/child strength? Nah......She was motivated!

We are all the same way aren't we? If we believe we can do something it is amazing how things change. As a man believes so is he. That is so very very true. The next time you are tempted to say "I can't!" I encourage you to say "I can!" and then find a way to do it.

Tip# 8 "Success comes in cans. Failure comes in cant's."

Tip #7 "Most people do not plan to fail. They just fail to plan"

Tip #7 "Most people do not plan to fail...they just fail to plan."

I travel to the New York City area on business every 2-3 weeks. My last trip I flew into Laguardia airport, rented a car and drove to Connecticut to spend the night. I woke up the next morning and travelled to the client about 20 miles away. Then, I travelled to back to the airport to stay in a hotel. The next morning I drove into Manhattan for another meeting. Then, I went back to the rental car facility and on a plane to O'hare airport in Chicago. My trip was a success.

How successful would my trip had been if I had not planned the meetings with the clients, booked the flight, the hotel, and a planned on needing a GPS? Would I have made it to Laguardia or back to O'hare if the pilots didn't have a flight plan? How about if I went into my meetings without a plan?

Almost every time I have failed at something I can trace it back to failing to plan to succeed. Since the end of the year is quickly approaching I encourage you to write down some goals. My wife and I are going to write down some simple goals for 2008. It shouldn't take us more than 10 minutes to write them down. I would encourage you to do the same. Once you have goals written, then form a daily plan to achieve these goals in 2008. I suggest that you print out your goals and post them in 5 different places that you will see everyday(in the car, on the mirror, on the fridge, on the wall, in your bedroom).

For example, I want to lose 15 pounds and reduce my total fat content to 15% by March 31st, 2008.

Daily plan- Starting on Dec. 29th I will workout with weights and/or do cardio in the morning for 30 minutes 5 days per week while increasing my protein intake, decrease my carbs, and eating less the later in the day it gets. I will not eat anything within 3 hours of going to sleep.

That took 2 minutes to type.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan? Do you think my success will be greater with a realistic goal and a plan to achieve the goal?

I hope so. I really need to lose this weight. :-)

Tip #7 "Most people do not plan to fail...they just fail to plan."

TIP #6: "The most wonderful time of the year all year..."

TIP #6: "The most wonderful time of the year all year..."


It's the most wonderful time of the yeaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Come on sing along with me...Hearts will be glowing with cheeeeeeeeeeeeer....It's the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeeeeeeeear.

Why is it that for so many folks Christmas time is their favorite time of year? For me, this holds true because I get to spend time with my family and friends, share stories, eat too much, and just enjoy spending time with those that I love. What is better than that? Well, for me I also celebrate that I became a Christian on Christmas day 1995 also. Thus, securing my place in Heaven. :-) That's the most wonderful present of all.

Why is it that when January and February roll around that our attitudes tend to take a dip? I believe that it's because we are no longer focusing on what is excellent and worthy of our joyful views. By this time, we have broken many if not all of our New Year's resolutions and have been moving along for a few weeks without the Christmas focus and the excitement that leads up to it.

So, how do we keep a wonderful attitude all the year through? It starts with how we see things. Are we focusing on what keeps us laughing and loving? Or are we focused on what makes us depressed and sad? What are we doing to keep ourselves joyful?

I read the bible, pray, watch clips of things that make me laugh, talk to old and new friends, spend time with my wife and children laughing and loving each other. This keeps my attitude high most of the time. Please see my previous posts on the 4 L's for Living and the 5 ?'s to ask ourselves each day to bring your attitude back up.

If you have enjoyed this post or the others please post some feedback.

TIP #6: "The most wonderful time of the year all year..."