Benchwarmers Need Not Apply – Part 1

I’ve never seen anyone make a shot from the bench or catch a touchdown from the sideline. I’ve never seen a top producer, a top performer sit around waiting for someone to call and buy his or her products or services. In order to have any chance at winning, you gotta get off the bench and get in the game!

Star athletes can’t stand to sit. It doesn’t matter if the team is 20 points ahead or 20 points behind; the all-stars want to be part of the action. That’s why they’re all-stars. An all-star athlete can’t wait for the next play, and an all-star salesperson can’t wait to give the next presentation or close the next sale. True all-stars take the initiative to get in the game; they make things happen.

You can’t sit on the bench and be an all-star. There are plenty of benchwarmers. You gotta want to be in the game! You gotta want it with an unstoppable, driving desire!

Read more about getting off the bench in my next blog.  Comment below and let me know what you think.

The bottom line is, there is no better time than the present to Get in The Game. If you are ready to get started I recommend the following:

• Step 1) Get clear about what you really want. Most people don’t have a clear target of what they are shooting for. Therefore, they wind wounded and on the bench. You get clear about what you want by making a list of everything you want to achieve personally and professionally. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The key is to start writing and pretend that anything is possible.
• Step 2) Discover your purpose and ignite your passion. Most people wander around aimlessly and hopelessly wondering why nothing seems to go their way. You find your purpose by writing down “why” you want to accomplish your goals. Knowing your “whys” will give you passion. Passion will wake you up early, keep you up late, and give you the desire it takes keep you going.
• Step 3) Get a plan. List some simple steps you can take today that will give you momentum.
• Step 4) Take massive action. The key to any plan is action. Procrastination will steal your dreams and keep you on the sidelines. Successful people are willing to take massive action each and every day until they reach their goals.

Finally, understand up front that you can’t win every game. We all have those times when we get sidetracked and lose our momentum. This is why you must read your goals regularly. As you review your goals, always make slight adjustments where necessary.

Always remember that winning takes purpose, passion, perseverance, and practice. So, be passionate about what you do, practice your game a little each day, take massive action, keep swinging, and eventually you will achieve the results you desire.

Add your comments below. Tell me what you think.

To get in The Game you must first make a clear, conscious decision that “I’m going to make it happen, no matter what. That’s it, period.” Too many people are walking on the edge of the ledge. They are not committed, therefore anything that comes along seems to knock them off track. Sometimes you gotta take a giant leap and leave yourself no outs.

So, getting in The Game starts with making a decision. But It also involves taking MASSIVE ACTION.

Most people don’t take action and they justify their lack of action with excuses and rationalizations. They’re always saying things like, “Someday when everything is perfect, then I’m going to really, really, really get in the game.” They are waiting for the next degree, until the kids get out of school, or the new marketing plan is in place. They have no purpose and therefore they have no passion and drive.

PROCRASTINATION AND RATIONALIZATION ARE THE BIGGEST SUCCESS KILLERS.

The question I have for you today is this: Are you at a turning point in your life? Are you prepared to take responsibility for your future? If so, I challenge you now to make a clear unequivocal decision that “I’m going to TAKE MASSIVE ACTION and do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get off the sidelines and into the game.”

Are you ready? Write in your answer below.

Over the years many individuals have asked me what it really takes to get in The Game. For me, the answer is pretty simple.

To get in The Game you have to take complete responsibility for your future. This means getting clear about what you want, developing a plan for your most important goals, and taking massive action each and every day. It also means consistently raising your bar and also your standards. It means you take control of your attitude, face your fears, and stay relentlessly focused on your goals and dreams.

When you’re In The Game you MAKE EVERY SECOND COUNT. You understand that there’s no timeouts and no overtimes. You only get one chance to play.

You may be wondering, “Why should I want to be in the game?” Let me ask you this. Have you ever seen anyone make a shot from the bench or catch a touchdown from the sidelines? Of course not … it can’t happen. Just as a superstar athlete can’t make a shot from the bench, you can’t be a top producer or a successful business owner by sitting around and waiting for success to just happen.

So, the question you gotta ask yourself is … at what level do I want to play? Do I want to wait on the sidelines of life or do I want to win? If You want to win you gotta Get In The Game.

Let’s hear from you! Add your comment below.

SEVEN STEPS TO BUILD HOPE

Recently, I shared with you the importance of “HOPE.” From time to time, we all need a dose of feel good from within and I don’t mean from a pill, potion, or lotion. We have got to reach-in before we can reach-out and all “HOPE” comes from what’s inside of us.

The following seven steps will help you build “HOPE” and a solid foundation for a spectacular life:

1) Goals – Many people have lost hope because they’ve lost their dream. As a result, they lose focus on the targets to shoot for in life. The lack of clarity breeds a lack of hope. On the other hand, when you have clearly written and defined goals you will gain power in the present because you will know the targets to laser in on that will brighten your future.

2) Attitude – Our attitude is our choice. We can’t always control what happens to us but we can control how we act or react. We can choose to read good positive books and listen to inspiring audio programs or we can choose to turn on the negative news and listen to those who say it can’t be done. Whatever you feed into your mind you will project into your outer world. People with a positive attitude have a positive expectancy, which means they have hope.

3) Responsibility – People with hope accept full responsibility for where they are in life and where they are going. To gain hope, you have to become a no excuses person. When you discover that you are in charge of your own success you will realize that you can change your future and increase your level of hope.

4) Words – The words you speak to yourself out loud and in your mind will determine your future outlook. What you tell yourself eventually becomes reality. People with hope stay positive by continually telling themselves “I am healthy, I’m wealthy, I feel good, I feel great, my time has come and I will not be denied.” Tell yourself, “I am born to win, today is my day, no excuses and the world is at my fingertips.” If you repeat these phrases consistently, you will develop hope in the future.

5) Action – People with hope take action daily. No one feels up all the time. However, people with hope discipline themselves to take certain actions everyday. Action creates the desire to move you in a direction that makes you feel good. Action promotes hope.

6) Faith – Faith is the belief or feeling of certainty that something good is going to happen. Hope and faith are related to each other. Faith increases your trust in a higher power and says, “God’s not finished with me yet and my best days are in front of me.” People with hope have the attitude that “It’s all good.”

7) Growth – There’s a basic rule in life that says we are either growing or we are dying. This rule applies to grass, trees, homes, marriages, life, and hope. People with hope understand that life is a journey not a destination. They also know that, “How they handle the journey will determine their destination.” People with hope are proactive and they take on the day like there’s no tomorrow.

I “HOPE” that I have lit a fire inside of you and ignited your passion so you will fulfill your dreams. I believe your best days are in front of you and your greatest accomplishments lie ahead. Here’s the bottom line: You can’t have power in the present without having hope in the future. If you have lost hope it is because you are not growing. You have to believe that the past does not determine the future.

Combing the seven steps I describe above with belief and commitment will show you the way. If you develop the belief that everything happens for a greater good, you will propel yourself toward the person you are destined to become. You have to believe that failure is only a temporary setback as long as you are learning and growing as you go.

Everyday you need to ask yourself one of two questions, “What’s right in my world?” Or, “What’s wrong in my world?” You will find an answer for both questions. However, people with hope only choose to ask the question, “What’s right in my world?” and they always find answers that give them hope.

As you move forward, I challenge you to be bold and strong. Let the past go and believe that your time has come. It’s a new decade and you can rediscover the dreams you have buried deep down in your heart only if you will start believing. Believe that you have broken the chains of the past and replace them with building blocks for a brighter future.

Decide today that your life is filled with hope and victory. Decide right now that you will accomplish every dream in your heart. Overcome life’s challenges by letting hope shine.

Finally, remember…”It is what you do every day that makes you who you will be some day.”

Billy Cox

The First Part in This SeriesA Dose of Hope Part 1

A DOSE OF HOPE

How is your hope-o-meter? When you think about your future what how do you feel? Do you wake up each and ever day feeling great. Do you have a positive expectancy for you’re future? Do you feel alive and vibrant like you’ve got the whole world in front of you like you’re on top of your Game and unstoppable?

Or, have you been feeling a little down and out? Kind of like you’re stuck in a rut. You’ve been going through the motions but feeling a little hopeless like things will never change?

Unfortunately, in today’s economic environment, the latter is seems to be the beating pulse of the general population. Politicians have promised it and hope almost comes with a negative connotation because of it.

The Truth is…most people feel stuck in a rut like they’re running down a dead-end street with no end in sight. If that’s the case you may need a Real Dose Of Hope. Not this pie in the shy stuff but something that comes from within. A hope that will drive you and motivate you to make the new Decade you best Decade ever.

Think about it… without hope we have nothing. Without hope we can’t get motivated. HOPE is the single most powerful motivating factor in the world.

Maybe you’ve put your hope in the promises of other people that have let you down, because they did not live up to their end of the bargain. We have all done this at some point in our lives we have been let down. Maybe you got a de-motion instead of a pro-motion therefore your e-motion has been no-motion.

Too many times we have let current situations turn our faith into fear. And, if we’re not careful, it can do great damage to us emotionally, This can cause us to lose our hope and feel there’s no way out. Too many times we let our disappointments (Current and past) get us down and cause us to give up on our dreams for the future.

We can go to the doctor, we can take every kind of pill in the world to make us feel good, but the greatest Dose of feel-good is having hope for the future.

(Now Posted : Part 2 “A Dose of Hope…Dream and Believe”)

MAKE THIS OUR “SUPER DECADE”

It seems just yesterday it was the year 2000 and we were entering a new century. Now its 10 years later and we are entering a new decade. The media likes to promote fear. Ten years ago it was “Y2K” and now it’s the “Economic Crisis.” The reality is that the past decade was either good or bad depending on how we made it. The bottom line is that the next decade will be either good or bad depending on how we make it. Today, I want to challenge you to make the new decade your “SUPER DECADE.”

As we enter this brand new decade full of hope and opportunity, it is important to know that opportunity does not mean automatic success. There will be ups and downs along with setbacks and comebacks. You can increase your chances of success by getting back to the basics such as starting with your Dream Book. This tool will creatively challenge you to “Dream” exactly what you want to accomplish during the next 10 years. Then use the tool to clearly “Define” your goals and craft an action plan for your life.

Many studies have proven the importance of well defined goals. Those who had clear, written, and well defined goals enjoyed a tremendous success rate. The studies showed that the most important thing required for success is a well prepared “Blueprint.” In other words, the better your detailed plan the more likely you will succeed.

So, here is your blueprint:

First, establish clear, well defined goals and put them in writing.

Second, divide your goals into yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily goals to keep you on course and allow you to monitor your progress.

Third, set priorities for your time and manage it well. Too many people confuse busyness with business. You must focus and prioritize your commitments so you can stay on course.

Fourth, establish an “Action Plan.” Achievers are action oriented. Make “Do It Now” your mantra. Be known as a person who gets things done.

The keys to success are simple but they won’t be easy. You will have to work as hard on yourself and your attitude as you do on your goals. “Discipline” is a key all winners practice. Some days you won’t feel like it but you must make yourself do it anyway.

Fuel your plan with a strong “Desire.” Fill your Dream Book with the rewards of your victory and always know why you are working. Reasons will drive you to action. Remember…the key to success is when you win many others win as well.

Yes, you can have a “Super Decade” if you follow this simple formula. But, as author, salesperson, and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar says, “You have to plan to win and prepare to win … then and only then can you expect to win.”

Finally “Determination” is the vital key to keep you on course. There maybe setbacks and delays, but well defined goals and a plan of action will help you make it through the challenges so you can join the top achievers who “Plan to Win and Work To Win in 2010!”

Let’s make the next decade our “Super Decade”.

Together we can,

Billy Cox

P.S. A good friend of mine Dave Carpenter created a FREE process to help you create a 2010 plan that will create lasting change . Check it out at http://bit.ly/7La7a9 …You can also get a Free Dream Book and audio at http://www.DreamIt.tv you’ll be glad you did.

Ready…Set… GROW. That’s right GROW! Do you have a personal Growth plan for 2011? As we begin the New Year, it’s imperative that you know where you want to go in life and that you have a plan to achieve it. College Football Hall of Fame Coach, Lou Holtz, says, “To succeed, you’ve got to have a vision and a plan.”

Did you know that most people spend more time planning their family vacation than planning their life? How about you? Have you ever outlined all the goals and achievements you would like to accomplish in the next year or five years? Are you crystal clear on the one target you would like to hit in your lifetime? Have you ever taken the time to set your goals and create a plan to make them a reality?

Look, I don’t know what you’re dreaming or where you’re headed. What I do know is if you’re not learning, growing, reaching, stretching, and sharing, your life will have no purpose or meaning. However, if you’re on ”FIRE” and you’re working on accomplishing your goals with a clear purpose and true passion, life takes on an entirely new dimension.

The reason so many people have no power in the present is because they have lost their hope in the future. Hope is a powerful motivating factor. The general culture and news media will tell you, “NO, don’t get your hopes up. Your best days are behind you.”

I’m here to tell you that “Your greatest days are ahead, and your biggest accomplishments are in the future.” This is why you must take the time to set clear goals for every area of your life. You should set professional, personal, financial, mental, spiritual and physical goals.

Setting clear goals and developing a plan of action will keep you focused on the future and help you live a more vibrant life.

In challenging times, it’s hard to see better days ahead. You, like many others, may have experienced setbacks. If you’re honest with yourself, you know that you have not accomplished some of your dreams. However, you do need to realize that “You can renew your dreams at any time. The reality is that events, positive or negative, happen in a person’s life for a reason. The key is to know and understand that after every down turn comes an up time.”

If you will hold on to your faith, set some new goals, craft a plan of action, and take steps to implement your plan, you will emerge stronger and you will be on course to achieve your dreams. One of the keys to your success is for you to establish short and long-term goals and write them down. You can develop goals for a day, week, month, year, and lifetime.

It is vital that you review your goals regularly to make sure you stay on track. You need to be flexible on the process and allow yourself to add new goals and shift priorities. Moreover, you need to know and understand that focus and discipline are the driving forces behind every significant and successful life. Making your dreams a reality takes hard work! The truth of the matter is that we only have control of Two things…our attitude and our effort. At the end of the day and in the final analysis, you have to hold yourself accountable..

“Despite the challenges you may have faced, especially in today’s turbulent times, it’s time to prepare for a bigger comeback.” Life’s greatest difficulties always happen right before life’s greatest breakthroughs. Remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn. “Life’s biggest challenges are there to refine you, mold you, and prepare you for your greatest victories.” Clarifying your goals for the New Year will give you hope. It will enhance your desire and start moving you in a new direction.

“It’s Your Time to rise above today’s bumps in the road. You are closer to success than you think.” Take time to write down your lifetime goals, in essence, your bucket list. What would you be, do, or have if money were no object? What would you accomplish if there were nothing to hold you back. The future is coming whether you are prepared or not. As we embark on a new year, my hope is that you will embrace change and seize the opportunities that constantly present themselves.

Have faith in your future, be bold, and face your fears . Philosopher Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you imagine.” Start now and make a plan for 2011 and beyond. Go forward, take massive action, and live your dreams. What are you waiting for?

Always remember, “if you waste your time you waste your life … Make every moment count”!

To your success,

You can get a FREE Dream Book and Best Year Ever audio ( a $29.95 value) at http://bit.ly/2ST3Z you’ll be glad you did.

Champions Creed

Inside of me is a CHAMPION.
I am a force for good, never bad.
I lead, never follow.
What has limited me before is now in the past.
I have the power to Dream… I Dream it.
I have the power to Build… I Build it.
I have the power to Live… I Live it.
I have the power to Give… I Give it.
TODAY IS A NEW DAY!
I work harder and play smarter.
Temporary setbacks only make me better.
Every setback prepares me for a bigger comeback.
I am a force in motion and with emotion.
I am bold and confident, positive and persistent.
I cannot be distracted.
I never give up, I never give in.
I love my team and together we win.
I am a CHAMPION!

Champions Creed by Billy Cox © 2009

Expect Victory

Do you wake up some mornings thinking, “This is going to be a lousy day” or “Nothing good ever happens to me”? If you have an important presentation to make, do you tell yourself, “I don’t have a chance at closing this sale”? If you have this type of thinking, how does your day turn out? Do you make the sale? I’d be willing to bet you get exactly the results you expected.

Winners wake up every morning with excitement, enthusiasm, and confidence, knowing that success is in store for them. Top performers set their minds for victory; they set their minds for success.

Setting your mind for success doesn’t happen automatically. You have to constantly tell yourself “today is a great day, good things are happening, and new and exciting doors are opening.” Go out each and every day believing success will come your way.

Now, you may think, “My business isn’t doing well, nobody will buy from me, and I can’t pay my bills. How can I live with enthusiasm? How can I be positive when I have so many problems?”

You gotta make a decision that you’re going to have confident expectancy about everything you do. You have to continually expect that things are going to get better. Positive expectation is a conscious choice and a habit of faith. It is a conscious choice to see a positive outcome instead of a negative one. As you think, so it is created. As you believe, so it is done.

Expectancy is about seeing beyond where you are. Look out into the future and see yourself as successful, happy, and enthusiastic. See sales coming your way, see yourself having all the contacts you want and watch your income soar. See things better than they are . . . see them as you want them to be. Develop a habit of focusing on what’s right in your world instead of what’s wrong, on what you have instead of what you don’t have, on your talents instead of on your weaknesses. You’re probably asking, “What if I do that and it doesn’t work?”

My question to you is, “What if you do it and it does work?”

If you will consistently think about and focus on what you want, you will ultimately get it. By focusing on positive thoughts, you open up your mind to start attracting success. This is why top salespeople seem to effortlessly sell so much more than average negative-thinking salespeople. People want to do business with positive, upbeat, successful individuals.

When things look impossible or you’re tempted to go through the day negative and self-destructive, that is when you have to step up and change your belief level. Expect good things to happen. Expect to rise above your challenges. Expect victory!

When those around you predict doom and gloom for everything from the economy to your dreams and goals, remember that success in life, business and sales is mostly a mental game. Your thoughts will drive your results, your success, even your destiny. So proactively focus on the positive, defend your mind against the negative, and expect victory. You have the power to choose your thoughts and your attitude and, therefore, your success.

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