Change Starts With You

If you want to get from where you are to where you want to be, it's going to involve change. You must be the one to make changes. The world will appear to change around you, but really, it's about the changes you are willing to make.


Most of the time, these are some of the things that need changed –

Your thoughts – this is a critical area.

Your core beliefs about yourself. These are the things you've made up in your mind (I'm not good enough; not smart enough; etc.)

The people you listen to – if they aren't encouraging you and moving you forward. Why listen?
Your habits – these are not hard to change.

What you watch; read and listen to – TV; books, radio, etc.


The news can be a great source of negativity. It's extremely de-motivating. And, believe it or not, you can live without it. I gave it up in 1997, after reading Mach II With Your Hair on Fire. Some of my friends and family didn't think it was a wise move.


"How will you stay informed and know what's going on" was their major question. My response was – "If there is anything I really need to know, someone will clue me in."


That proved true on September 11, 2001.

My husband, who's an airline pilot, was in the air, headed home from a three day trip.

I was in the shower getting ready to get the kids to school and start the day when the phone started ringing. As you can imagine, it never stopped for 3 days. But, it did prove my point. Since I gave up the news, I have always been alerted to those things I REALLY need to know.


It's not easy, in the beginning, but it is worth it. It takes 21 days to develop a new habit. Decide today on some new habits you want to create and get excited about the positive effect those changes will have in your life.


For me, giving up TV freed up plenty of extra time to work my business. Most people can find the 10 – 15 hours weekly it requires to successfully build a home business just in that time alone.


Switching from negative input to positive input freed up my mind to focus on what I wanted to achieve and not what was lacking. It gave me the push I needed to spring into action.


Richard Brookeswrites in Mach II With Your Hair on Fire – "Change is not only possible; it is inevitable. The only question is - who is going to design it? What has changed you?"

You can achieve anything you set out to achieve. It is possible. And, it requires you to make the decision, chart the course and then set out on that course. You may veer from course at times, but hold steady to your decision to achieve your goal and get yourself back on track as quickly as possible each time you stray.

Start today to map out the changes you are committed to making in your life. It's okay to start with small, baby steps, but don't be afraid to stretch yourself outside of your bubble. Stop getting "ready" and start taking action.


Life is not a dress rehearsal. Every hour and day that passes is time that cannot be reclaimed. You are in charge of every hour in your day, so make it count.


Mahatma Gandhi said it best – "You must be the change you want to see in the world."


Change starts with you, make it start today.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

How Strong is Your WHY? How Motivated Are You?

Take a deep breath and take a deep look within. Ask yourself a simple question - What motivates you and pushes you to move forward? Then ask, is your motivation strong enough to see the job through?

Tonight, after finishing a high energy conference call, my son invited me to dinner at our favorite restaurant. (He knew I would pay!) It was just the two of us and I jumped on the chance to have some one on one time with the 15 year old!

One of his cross country team mates was our server. It was a very quiet evening, so we spent some time chatting with this kid. I started thinking about the work schedule associated with waiting tables in the evening and I know that high school classes start at 7:20am, and it was after 8pm when we were there so I wondered how he gets enough sleep.

I asked him what time he gets off work and he ran through his schedule with me.

He gets up at 6:30 and starts class at 7:20. Because he is a Senior, he gets out at 1:20 and goes for a run with the track team, for two HOURS! He goes home, showers and goes into the restaurant, arriving by 4pm. He gets home by 10pm, DOES HIS HOMEWORK, goes to bed and does it again the next day.

He does this schedule 5 days a week and works one extra day on the weekend. And, don't forget about those track meets - he is a long distance runner. Seems that endurance skill is paying off for him in other areas of his life.

"Wow" I said "You are very inspiring, why so much work?"

Did I mention that he is a straight A student with a full load of honors classes, carrying about a 4.3 GPA? He beamed when he told me he was just accepted into Notre Dame AND Perdue, and he will be paying his own way through college. He shared with me that Notre Dame is $50,000 a year, and his heart is set on being there this fall.

He knows the value in stamping "Notre Dame Graduate" on his resume after college and he is highly motivated (his words) to work hard, earn money and be there as a 2008 fall freshman. (Yes, sharing network marketing with him crossed my mind, and I know where to find him!)

I don't know his whole story; don't know his parents; whether they are in the picture or what. Seems these days, sadly, there are a lot of kids raising themselves. 18 years old and he already understands that motivation comes from within. He has his eye on a prize, he knows what he wants and he is willing to work hard to make it happen. His parents certainly did one thing right! He could surely get into a fine school here in California, pay MUCH less and still get a good education. But, he knows what he wants and he is pursuing it with passion.

All of this while delivering top notch service to the 3 other tables he was serving. He shared his story in the most upbeat, matter of fact way you can imagine. I left him a nice tip and note that it was a contribution to his college fund and I sure wanted to read about him in our local paper.

What an amazing kid, and an amazing story. I am inspired and have not stopped thinking about him and his quest for success. I believe he will get there. I'm motivated to help him.

So, again, I ask the question - What motivates you and pushes you to move forward? What is your reason for getting up and taking action in your business? What prize do you have your eye on? What will it mean to you when you achieve it? What will it mean if you don't?

I hope you are as inspired by G's story as I am. The wisdom of an 18 year old. I'm sure glad my son was there to hear it.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer