The reminders for all of us to keep things at 100% living each day giving life our best effort, are all around us.  We are only closing week 2 of 2012 and already close friends, celebrities, and icons saying goodbye as they are no longer with us.  Seeing how easy it is for any of us to get caught up in pity parties, victimization, and even just plain old fashioned depression, I can’t help be see how fragile and short this life we live is.    In fact I just flew north to Pennsylvania to attend the funeral and life celebration for Henry Brown.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Henry J. Brown

Henry Brown was a loving man, husband, father and an all American athlete in his youth.  As a basketball player Henry was the 1st 1,000 point scorer in Middletown high school history, h broke state records as a high hurdle competitor,  was the 1966 McDonald’s All American player, and was voted the Big 33 classic MVP of 1966 as a wide receiver.  To top it all off Henry was drafted to the Patriots in 1970 and later went to the Green Bay Packers before retiring.

I have told you all about Henry because as great as those things are that he accomplished, they are not the highlights of his life.  The real highlights of his life didn’t begin until after sports.    Henry Brown has done what many talk about now a days and that is he “kept it 100”.  Gave all out over the last 30 + years finding out how he could help others (widows, influence young athletes, and mentor many).  After reviewing the quality of life this man lived, I would love to see entrepreneurs live there life by keeping it 100.  However instead many turn around and give up when things don’t work right away, blame others for the lack of results and expect very little from themselves.

I want to encourage all business owners to step up in 2012 and own the responsibility for your success or the lack of it.   I believe we were all create for a purpose and that we all have gifts, and strengths that can enable us not to fulfill that purpose.  However many of us will never see that day because we focus more on the gifts and strengths that we don’t have and blame others or the lack of support for our failures.   Join me in making sure that 2012 is better than any year yet for your business.  Maybe you think that God loves those who are more successful than you, more than you, but not true.  They too were given 24 hours a day, air to breath, etc.

More About Henry Brown: Click Here!

Reminders for you here in the end  of week 2 of 2012:  Already Etta James has passed away, as well as Penn State football coach legend Joe Paterno died and perhaps one of your loved ones and friends too.  Let this be a reminder that we have no time to sit and whine about things, but in stead we should look for ways to over come those challenges by using the principles that God has placed in the universe.

An ending that din’t stop his legacy, or lives that were touched!

More on Joe Paterno: Click Here!

Singer left her mark in music history with “At Last”.

More on Etta James: Click Here!

The big question for you is do you really have a lot of time to get things done?  If you recognize with me that not only that life is short, and also that there is no better time than now to get it done, then let’s join hands commit to a no excuse year and not take for granted that we will always be here.

(Source: DwayneGolden.com)

Following an exciting month long trip to Asia, and amazing prospects for my return a few more times before the end of the year, I am faced with a decision.

It’s been such an exciting year that not until I am diagnosed with a rare parasite in my digestive system do I reach my 2011 point of “mental sobriety”.  With inconsistent digestion, loss of weight, and stomach pain and just not feeling right, I make an appointment to get out to my Dr. as soon as possible.

My first attempt to see the Dr. didn’t work because she was backed up for at least 45 days, and was told based on the symptoms that I gave that I was certainly not dealing with any type of parasite, etc.  So in frustration, I just started to pay more attention to my body and had to limit my diet to minimize the stomach pain and discomfort. 

By this time it is time for my trip to Mexico where I would enjoy the wedding of Ty and Tammy in Cancun.  Sadly enough I spent much of the time in bed, however I did attend the wedding activities and dinners.  In fact the only way you would know I was sick is if I told you, or if my wife Patty told you that I was in bed the entire day sleeping and just not myself.  

See for yourself, I was not looking sick, just feeling that way, LOL

I returned from Mexico on Monday and maneuvered by way in my Dr.’s office by Tuesday demanding a complete physical.  The day after the physical I woke up to a morning of what looks like a storm coming from the east.  I shut my eyes for about 30 seconds more and then the phone rings quite loud and sure enough the caller id, says “VA Medical Center”.  At this time I am not sure if I should be relaxed, or a bit scared of what they could have possibly found so quickly.

Wow!!!! I have a rare parasite and have to get to the hospital right away for more blood work, anti-biotics and metal therapy to begin ridding the horrible festy boogers.  WAKE UP CALL!!!!!

This began a long 5 weeks of fatigue, sleeping all the time, stomach discomfort and side affects from medicine.  

I knew it was time to step in and stop the spiraling downward and figured I would share it with those who rarely, or ever get to have that renewing.  

So although we were well with in the 3rd quarter of the year, it was time for me to begin my annual year ending plunge into rebuilding and preparation for the year ahead.  What better way to do it than to dive into a record breaking ending to this year, and lay the proper foundation for 2012.

So here is my recipe that I was forced to get started with this year before October 1st.  

90 Days of spiritual renewing

90 Days of mental renewing

90 Days of physical renewing

I found that one of the greatest gifts in life is the opportunity to begin again, and finish goals with a bang.  So over the last few years I have discovered tools that make it easier to renew, and also more efficient for tracking.  For example for each of the areas in which I renew, I use an application so that I can accomplish more this year in less time.

Spiritual renewing I use a bible application called “YouVersion”.  Using this app I am able to complete the entire bible in just 90 Days visually and/or using audio.  It may be that you are not a christian and wouldn’t read the bible. I realize that and decided to include my recipe any way because this is what works for me.  

The renewing spiritually can be done in many ways, however for me this year it is important to finish the bible before the new year in this time period.  But the application is one that you can use for almost any category such as marriage, youth, leadership, etc. and you can create an appropriate plan for you.

Mental renewing I use books that I have purchased from iTunes. Some books that I am reading are re-reads, and others new reads but the object is to spend at least 1 hour each day in these readings aiming to complete the list prior to the end of the year.  Mental renewing should always be readings that will grow you and not entertain you.  I have included my reading list below that I will complete prior to December 23rd

Today Matters - John Maxwell

The Road Ahead -Bill Gates

What The Dog’s Saw - Malcom Gladwell

The tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell

The Success Principles - Jack Canfield

One Minute Millionaire - Mark Victor Hanson & Robert Allen

Multiple Streams of Internet Income - Robert Allen 

Please notice that I have chosen books in which it is required that I continue to grow as a president of an international company, however you can choose areas in which you must grow as well, but certainly not the same areas necessarily.

I have found that listening to these books while riding, working, and even reading when siting in traffic, etc. make it easy to complete and stay true to the task of learning from the experiences of others.

Physical Renewing is a little bit of a challenge because I have had more than 40 surgeries and 17 of them were on my lower extremities.  So, I cannot run as when I was younger, and have limitations to doing cardiovascular exercises.  Therefore the fastest way for me to get going physically is biking exercises.  I begun using the Map My Ride application and it is just amazing.  You can use it for jogging, riding, etc., and see your progress daily.  My goal is to get up to 25 miles each day before January 1.  I currently ride a minimum of 10 miles each day and you can see using the application one of my routes.  

Click here to see example: http://t.co/ujwNvTI9 

To see the actual app in action, look to the right of the map and click on “3D” and there you will have to opportunity to download google earth and then see me actually on the route doing the 10 miles.  

The bottom line for me is that I will take the 46 years of life’s experiences, relationships, and accomplishments and use them to leverage 2012 for great success.  I am claiming excellent health, relationships, and abundant success that I will be able to share with the world. 

Too many people expect the year to change but do nothing to change themselves only to be frustrated that things are the same every single year.  Utilize your own methods for renewal and rebirth to ensure a better year because you will be better.

I believe that all blessings come from God, and that no matter what age you are, or how bad your past, that you too can have a successful year and new beginnings.  

Please check in here to see my blog post as we move closer to the end of the year and I will certainly share any best practices that I am using to assist you.  Please share yours with me as well.  

I just completed a 5.13 mi bike ride in 24:23 using @MapMyRide. http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=544131273172847388 #bike #cycling

3 week company tour of India stay tuned for photos, videos, and updates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0acTa4s8nU&feature=youtube_gdata_player