I recently came across an article in “Success Resources’ – Your Learning Resources” which included an adaptation from Les Brown’s personal collection. You might ask, “Who is Les Brown?” Brown is a motivational speaker who once was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives; and he was once married to Gladys Knight, the “Empress of Soul”; an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and author.

Now that I’ve piqued your interest in Les Brown, I’d like to share the “Success Resources’ adaptation from Les Brown’s quote:

In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact. Unfortunately, far too many people are allowing those opportunities to slip away without ever noticing them. Why? Because they either burn out, reach a plateau or find themselves stuck in a rut. Before they know it, minutes have turned into hours, hours into days, days into months, and months into years of lost chances. I call it “The Curse of the Comfort Zone.” It sounds like the title of a horror movie, but it’s a real-life epidemic that’s keeping many people from rising to greatness. Fortunately, there are solutions that will help you crown every day with that “first-day” freshness, enthusiasm, and determination. ~ Les Brown

Just for a moment, think back on some of the finest “first days” you’ve had in life; your first day on any job, at a new school, in a budding relationship. You could feel that adrenaline rush as you surveyed new opportunities and savored every magical moment. Your passion was to be the best and brightest and you made every to remember key details. You looked for opportunities to shine and be innovative. Unfortunately, as time passed, you may have lost some of your jump-start enthusiasm. Boredom re-placed energy; clutter replaced fresh ideas and humdrum routines replaced creativity. You went from having pep in your step to not wanting to get out of bed.

How do you rekindle and keep that “first-day” focus and enthusiasm? Consider these solutions:

• Remember, Every Day Is a Gift to You
  The best gifts are those we not only cherish but put to use. Each day is a gift filled with opportunities to rise above fear, self-doubt and mediocrity to fulfill our purpose. Make each day count by setting specific goals to succeed, then putting forth every effort to exceed your own expectations.
• Use the Power You Already Have
  We were all born with a certain degree of power. The key to success is discovering this innate power and using it daily to deal with whatever challenges come our way. Don’t wait for others to open doors for you. People in the most dire circumstances have found innovative ways to open doors to freedom, education, and business success by creating their own force fields. Make a conscious effort to find your power source, use it to fuel your passion, and release the greatness within you.
• Stay Alert
  When you ignore new opportunities, you open the door to boredom, resulting in complacency and lack of growth. Open your eyes and see yourself as a go-getter with the power to turn “no” into a “yes.” Be determined to blaze trails that will take you where no one has gone before.
• Determination Finds Many Ways to Succeed
  Many people become discouraged when they encounter difficulty in reaching their goals. However, most highly successful people didn’t reach their goals without obstacles. Their golden achievements came only after having doors closed in their faces, dreams derailed by mistakes and setbacks, and naysayers constantly telling them they weren’t good enough. However, the difference between those who have won and those who have thrown up their hands in defeat is often in the level of persistence. In tough times, the winners have drawn on that incredible resolve every human being possesses and stood firm against the odds. If you encounter a roadblock, think of a dozen ways to get around it and take action. Remember, there’s more than one road to success.
• Improve Yourself Constantly
  As the global marketplace changes, we must stay abreast of what’s going on, and constantly improve our knowledge and skills to meet demands. Each day, make a commitment to be better, more knowledgeable, and more in touch than you were yesterday. Periodically enroll in classes or access self-help toolkits that will help you to improve yourself.  [Source: The Time Is Now]

“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily
opportunities to make a positive impact.” ~ Les Brown

Actions for Today and Tomorrow

1. Going forward, here are three steps to take in the next 48 hours that will help you treat each day like your first day in business:
2. At the end of each day, keep a journal of your accomplishments for that day and the things you need to improve. Pat yourself on the back for your good points and make immediate plans to improve any weaknesses you note. This will help you to stay focused on your goals and what you need to do to reach them.
3. As you begin each workday, see yourself as a true champion. Visualize yourself speaking positively and confidently, walking or sitting with good posture, remembering names and details, and receiving praise and rewards for your efforts.
4. Keep a highly visible plaque, picture or inspiring quote in your workplace that reminds you of your purpose and why your work is important. It should be a visual so powerful that it will inspire you each time you see it. This reminder will help you to maintain that fresh “first day” focus as you press toward your goals.

This article was adapted from Les Brown’s personal collection. Les Brown always inspires the people he speaks to and every event we’ve had him, he’s had standing ovations and the feedback we’ve received is overwhelmingly positive.  [Source: Success Resources – Your Learning Resources]

Message From Janie

Janie Johnston Lopez, RGV LEAD contractor, spends time mentoring students at Pioneer High School.

The time spent with our youth is a great way to share life experiences and help them prepare for the future.  We all have 1,440 minutes in a day!
~ Janie