Don’t Go Alone

Did You Leave The Headlights On Again?

My old car and I had a love hate relationship. It usually loved me in the summer, and hated me in the wintertime. It ran smoothly in the summer, and decided when it wanted to start in the winter. When it decided not to work I got asked the same question, “Did you leave the headlights on again?”

But, on this one rare occasion my Uncle had car trouble. I was visiting my grandmother, and my uncle came in and said, “Avi do you have any jumper-cables?”

When he asked me for his help I learned something extremely valuable. You can’t give yourself a jump-start.

Whether I had jumper cables or I called AAA for their help, my uncle still wouldn’t be able to give himself a jump-start. He had to ask for help.

Honestly, each time I ever heard jump-start it sounded like something you could do for yourself. “I can jump-start my career. Even Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog could give himself a jump-start right?” No! In the hit video game Sonic The Hedgehog Sonic can travel crouched down in a ball at top speed, but he needed to push against a mechanical lever that jolted in the opposite direction first. My point…We can only jump-start something by asking for help.

Help? No way…My pride won’t allow it! Too bad…suck it up and just ask! Remember that reaching out to someone for help is asking for a hand-up not a handout.

Action Steps:

• Ask for feedback on a product or project.
• Ask someone with experience for advice.
• Ask a leader for strategy tips and help with a game plan.
• Ask your family for acceptance in having your own opinion.
• Ask someone to mentor you.

Take the tools and ideas that you have and run with them. Ask for help every chance you get! :] 

Marcelle-”Hey Rockstar what are you doing right now?” Avian- “Nothing at the moment, why?” Marcelle- “Oh no reason…just this reporter from the New York Times wants to interview you for one of his stories!”  Avian-”NO WAY.”

<— Click on the picture to enlarge

This was the conversation I had with one of my friends and brand ambassador Marcelle Allen on January 27th, 2012.  In the video below I explain the story behind how I was able to get an interview by Spencer Morgan from the New York Times.

Here’s a link to the article: Should A Life Coach Have A Life First?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click on the picture to enlarge –>

Here’s a link to that article again…let me know what you think! ;] : Should A Life Coach Have A Life First?

James wins the lottery, and Frank suffers with paralysis from the neck down. Which person is the happiest?  

     If you guessed James…you’re partially correct. However, it all depends on the time. Once Frank realizes he will never be able to use his body the same way again he might go into a “state of depression”, because no one “catches” depression, right? James jumps up in down in excitement about the possibilities that can come from the money he will obtain.

In that moment who is the happiest? James…although he may be taking the fact that he can even jump up and down for granted. But, as reality sets in James realizes how much he really gets after taxes and how much he has for bills. James forgot that part. But, then James is the type of person who doesn’t save for a rainy day. He goes on a shopping spree, buys a new car, and a new home for his family. Still think he’s the happiest? He could be, but he’s got a lot more expenses now!

What about Frank? Well after the initial “state of depression” Frank realizes this must be an opportunity for something greater in his life. He is done feeling sorry for himself, and he knows he can’t change what has happened to him.       “Hey, maybe I can turn this into an opportunity to teach others the value and importance of life. It worked for Christopher Reeve! I can’t move anything below my neck, and at times it kills me inside, but I know that I’m still alive and everything happens for a reason.”

Example: Christopher Reeve http://www.christopherreeve.org

Which person is the happiest? Still think it’s James? The same thing has happened to countless others. Take for example:

Billy Bob Harrell Jr.: $31 million in Texas Lottery

  A Pentecostal preacher working as a stock-boy at Home Depot hit the $31 million jackpot back in 1997.  At first, life was good with Billy Bob buying a ranch, six other homes, and some new cars.  Like many others who win the lottery, he was unable to simply say “NO!” when people asked him for a handout. Later in Life he divorced his wife and eventually committed suicide, the stress apparently too much to handle for this lottery winner.

Source:Business Pundit

You may win the lottery, but that will not grant you never ending happiness.

                  In September of 2010 I went on a business trip to Las Vegas, Nevada with my girlfriend and a friend of mine. The view at night is gorgeous, and sitting poolside with the love of your life is priceless. That, however, wasn’t the only thing that stuck out in my mind.

On our way home, my girlfriend and I were on a very small plane so we were fortunate enough to enjoy each others company. I was reading one of my favorite books from Tony Robbins, “Awaken The Giant Within” when one of the flight attendants made it a point to stare at me to reiterate: “Make sure you secure your oxygen mask before helping the person beside you.” I smiled and continued to talk to my girlfriend who was taking pictures of us, but inside I thought to myself, “Yeah right, sure I’m going to think of myself before the safety of my girlfriend. Yeah…Okkkk!” Beside us, there was an elderly woman, and I could see myself creating a scenario helping my girlfriend with her mask, and then helping this elderly woman. Boy Oh Boy!…If I had a dollar for every time I created a scenario and another for each time my girlfriend called me Mr. Scenario I’d be retired. (it’s funny how the mind starts to wander and create scenarios).

That’s when it dawned on me! “Wait a minute…If I can’t breathe how do I help my girlfriend, let alone anyone else?” The best thing to do in that situation that would offer the most help would be securing my own oxygen mask first. I would have to help myself before I could lead anyone to safety.

But, at times most of us do the opposite of what would offer the most help. People run to the aid of others helping them with their oxygen masks (problems, requests, errands, etc.) and then run out of oxygen all together. People become tired, stressed, unmotivated, unhealthy, and worried.

Have you ever asked people what their priorities are, or what they believe are their core values? Most people’s answers are:

• God
• Loved Ones
• Education
• Business, Friends
• Personal Interests, and Well Being

But, how good are you to anyone if YOU run out of oxygen?

If you want to give more you have to literally be able to give more! You cannot possibly give what you don’t have. You have to be your first priority so that you can give more, contribute more, and serve more.

Take Action:

Mark down You as priority #1. Schedule You time. Then you can take on family, education, business, etc.

A few days ago, I compiled a few tweets from other people regarding their New Years Resolutions.

This time, I’m sharing a few tweets from famous people and motivational speakers on what they want to achieve for 2012 and some of their New Years Resolutions!

Here are my favorites:

I hope you enjoyed these tweets as much as I did.

If you already came up with your New Year’s Resolutions, share them with me on the comments below.

I hope you’ll have a fabulous 2012!!!

P.S. Come like my new fan page here:

Happy New Year!!!

I was on twitter today and I found these interesting tweets from people who are thinking of their New Year’s Resolutions. Here are my faves:

I hope you enjoyed these tweets as much as I did.

If you already came up with your New Year’s Resolutions, share them with me on the comments below.

I hope you’ll have a fabulous 2012!!!

P.S. Come like my new fan page here:

Hey Ladies and Gents! I hope you’re having an amazing time of year so far. I must admit I’ve been eating way too much these past couple of weeks. I guess you could say I’m spreading some holiday cheer…to my stomach. HAHAHA.

Anyways, I truly hope all your wishes come true for you this holiday and new year as well. I wanted to share an idea I had. The holidays aren’t for worrying about gifts, right? It’s about family, and caring about one another.

I got to thinking, and I want to help as many families in need as I can this year. Have you ever had to put an item or two on layaway to afford items during special times? If you’re unfamiliar with Layaway it is a method of purchasing retail merchandise that enables shoppers to put an item on reserve and make payments on it until it is paid in full. The term layaway was created in the 1930′s during the great depression when people had very little money to purchase items in full.

So what does a layaway have to do with my idea? Do me the honor of clicking  the link  below to see my fantastic idea. Let me know what you think, OK?

VIDEO: ——–>  The Layaway Layoff 

*FAMOUS FRIDAY#2- Muhammad Ali*

Ladies, and Gents! For the second Official Famous Fridays© post I picked none other than Mr. “Floats Like A Butterfly Stings Like A Bee“, Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942) is a former American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxer of all time. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. After turning professional, he went on to become the first boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times.

Success Strategies

Get A Great Team

You are who you hang around, are you not?  If you want to be successful you can’t hang out all day in the streets wondering why you aren’t where you want to be.  You need to take action, and stay with like minded individuals who want to keep progressing.

Be More Outrageous Than Anyone Around You

If you are in a room with 100 people, and you are all fighting for what you truly believe in and what you are passionate about do you think you have a chance?  Maybe?  Do you think you have a chance if you do the opposite of what everyone else is doing?  Many times people fail, because they run with the crowd instead of being “more outrageous” than anyone else.  People will ask, “What makes you special, what makes you different, why you and no one else?” Tell them there is no one else like you, nor will there ever be!  You believe in yourself, and you ask for forgiveness but never for permission.

Create A Loyal Following

“I’d rather have one percent of the efforts of 100 people than 100 percent of my own efforts.”-J Paul Getty   (Enough Said)

Set Realistic Goals

I want a million dollars, yet I’m negative $500.00 in the bank?  Does that make sense?  Every year millions of people make resolutions that never make it past March 1, because they are goals that sound great at the time but are completely unrealistic.  Simply state your desire, set a plan, see if it fits your philosophy, and strategically improve.  You want to start small, and actually WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS.  What’s up with the capital letters?….sheeshhhhh! Not many people write down their goals, and then they have nothing to hold themselves toward.  Also, it helps if you have a journal to show yourself how you are improving, and that way you will continue to do so.

Walk Away From Bad Deals

What is a Bad Deal? Bad deals are the deals which cost too much. No matter who is at fault, bad revenue costs everyone dearly.  NEVER allow a deal to jeopardize your values of who you are on the inside.  If you do not believe in it, don’t go for it.  It is that simple.  Do not think from a place of, “How much money can I get, and how well off will I be?” That is the EGO talking.  Let live, and trust yourself.

Straight From Muhammad Ali

P.S.- What is your favorite success strategy, and why?

*FAMOUS FRIDAY#1- George Washington*

Ladies, and Gents!  I’ve decided to come up with concepts for each day of the week, and for Fridays I came up with Famous Fridays©.  I’m so happy to be sharing with you some of thee BEST Success Strategies from leaders of the past and present who became famous because of their drive and passion to change the world.  For the first Official Famous Fridays© post I picked none other than the first president of the United States of America George Washington.

Ask most people around and they’ll tell you, “He’s that guy on our quarters, and on the $1.00 bill.”  Although correct, George Washington is much more than a face on the money we carry in our wallets. George Washington was a Lieutenant Colonel under the British Colonial Army, Husband, Father, Manager for his families plantation, and upon ratification of the new constitution was unanimously elected president of the United States Of America.

Success Strategies

Study Greatness

You aren’t born with a gift, or a natural born talent.  You can’t snap your fingers and wish to be great at something and believe that your snap alone will make you great. You will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years.  What is your choice?  Pick what you are passionate about and then study who is great at it.  If you wanted to be a tremendous golf player would you study Kobe Bryant or Tiger Woods? :]  Start studying.

Persevere

What does it mean to persevere?  Perseverance is the steady continuance in a course of action, purpose, or state.  We’ve all heard, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”  How about…,”If you don’t succeed you’ve failed.”  Does that put it into perspective?  Tell yourself, “Outward conditions won’t change my inward convictions!”  You can’t always predict how things will turn out, but you can always control your response and reaction to it.

Practice Servant Leadership

Servant leadership is a philosophy and practice of leadership coined and defined by Robert Greenleaf.  Servant-leaders are often seen as humble stewards of their organization’s resources. Huh?  Be a mentor with a servant’s heart!  Leaders lead and ask how they can be of assistance.

Remain Impartial

You are the only person who can commit to taking note of your personal views.  The ONLY one.  You are the only one who can assess whether subjects or others views are affecting your judgement and have to be able to take action to rectify it in order to maintain your impartiality.

Straight From George Washington