FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Everybody,
I don’t even know where to begin. I don’t even have the words to describe the week I’ve had. All I can say is that ANYONE that takes issue with what I teach about the Law of Attraction and it’s role in our Lives has an argument on their hands with me. Wow, I mean everything from my Businesses growth to my Personal and Spiritual Life to the safe return of Harley, thanks to the Law of Attraction and the fine people at the Bowling Green City Police Dept. YOU GO GUYS AND GALS !!! As always, a hearty welcome back to my loyal readers and a huge welcome aboard to all my new readers. If you have missed an edition or maybe you are new and want to read previous editions, just go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of the page)
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OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
********************* Success University *********************
Have you ever noticed that when most people promote their business it’s always just MONEY, MONEY, MONEY !!!??? Well, I’m proud to say that I’m a part of a Very Special organization that is about SO MUCH MORE than money !!! I am a part of a wonderful company that has become not only an excellent source of income for me but has allowed me to grow in ways that a few years ago I would not have believed was possible. But, more than that, the awesome people that make up Success University have become like family to me and many of them I have come to know as my FRIEND. People, you can’t put a price on that. You really can’t. Money is great but there are SO many things in Life that make it pale in comparison. Are you WORKING WITH a company or are you A PART OF a company ??? Think about that and then go see what wonderful things I have discovered for my Life….
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
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I was listening to a CD by Success University’s VP of Sales and Marketing yesterday on the Distinctions of Leadership. I am constantly working toward being the best leader that I can be but none of us will ever reach the point that there is no room for improvement. For that reason, we must always envision ourselves at a point that is COMPLETELY outside our grasp !!! I know what you’re thinking so let me explain.
I have learned through the teachings of all the greats that I study that many people confuse Goals with Visions. A goal is something that has particular details, an expected result and a pre-determined time of completion. A vision is HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF or how you see a particular set of circumstances in the future. Do you see the difference? Therefore, if you are constantly setting and achieving goals as to your leadership abilities you are going to be constantly Starting and Stopping. You don’t want that. You want a constant, even flow toward that Ultimate level of Leadership.
The other thing is that you want to make sure that a Leader is really what you are becoming. What I mean is that you need to make sure that you are becoming a Leader and NOT a Dictator !!! Let’s look at the difference by seeing what Webster has to say about the two…
LEADERSHIP:
Lead- :to guide on a way especially by going in advance :to direct on a course or in a direction :to serve as a channel for
DICTATOR:
Dictator- :one holding complete or autocratic control :one ruling absolutely and often oppressively
Dictate- :a command by one in authority
Now, sit back and think about the way you run your business. Hey, we’re all human and susceptible to veering off course without even realizing it. Sometimes your own enthusiasm can overtake you. You get this “I know what’s best for them and they need to go do it” mentality. When, in fact, you need to be out in front doing it too or at least be willing to. LEAD BY EXAMPLE !!!!!
When I was in basic training in the Army there was one rule that the Drill Sergeants had about training us. They would NEVER, EVER ask any of us to do ANYTHING that they Couldn’t or Wouldn’t do themselves. Most of the time they would demo what they expected out of us and other times you were just told to but you had the option of saying, “Hey, if it’s so easy let me see YOU do it!!!“ Now, you had to be careful if you called them on it because if you did and they followed through then you had to do it TWICE !!! But, the point is that while they seemed harsh in their ways they were, in fact, TRUE LEADERS and I’ve always had the utmost respect for them for that very reason.
People, Great Leaders CREATE Great Leaders !!! If you want to have a successful business and be a business owner and not a babysitter then you have to get in there and show them what to do. You can’t just sit back and bark orders. If they see you that way they will never respect you and will usually prefer to do things their way. BUT if you show them that, not only do you know what to do, but you are also willing AND able to do it YOURSELF then, in all likelihood, they will look at you and say, “If he/she can do it SO CAN I !!!
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“Leadership is a word and a concept that has been more argued than almost any other I know. I am not one of the desk-pounding types that likes to stick out his jaw and look like he is bossing the show. I would far rather get behind and, recognizing the frailties and the requirements of human nature, would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
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I have to tell you something everyone. Sometimes Life brings about changes in you that you didn’t ask for but rather that you needed. Sometimes, in all your INFINITE WISDOM, you think you are on track and really you are blinded by your own self confidence. But, the Universe is a loving and caring parent. It will ALWAYS pick you up, turn you in the right direction and gently set you down again. It will always make sure that whatever gift you’ve been given to help others is used properly and efficiently. It plays this role in my Life everyday to help me along. Be open to those changes. They are all a part of a Greater Good that your Life is headed toward.
I love helping people and try to be the best that I can at what I do but the things that I teach and the wisdom that I try to pass along to whomever I can doesn’t come from me. I am but a conduit by which that teaching and wisdom flows. Have you ever heard that old saying, “Who motivates the motivator?” The motivator is simply passing along what he or she has been given. And so when the Universe puts something in front of me and gives me that intuitive nudge it is my responsibility to pass that along to you.
Well, it put something in front of me today and I don’t think it will require ANY explanation from me. It tells it’s own story. The first time I read it I was in tears the whole time. I hope that it touches each and every one of you as much as it touched me. Open your heart and take in this most valuable story that the Universe gave me today and led me to give to all of you…….
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The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you can!", and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk non-stop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."
As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began, " We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, all I can say is that if this story doesn’t inspire you to take Life by the tail and swing it around the room a few times then, in my eyes anyway, YOU ARE BEYOND HELP !!!
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“The mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is in love, laughter, and work.”
- Elbert Hubbard
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As I close out this weeks edition, I want to share a quote with you that I think, while it may hold a little different meaning for each of us, will touch us all just as deeply…
“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”
- Vincent van Gogh
As always, it has been and honor and a privilege to be able to spend this time with all of you. Until we are joined together again, may God Bless and Keep you, each and every one. And just remember to…..
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jhodges1.successuniversity.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
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Skype ID : jeffhodges1
