Brad Rhame

Motivational Thoughts on Success, Leadership and Martial Arts

Archive for the tag “goals”

20 Jul 2021

Your Last 5 Minutes

If you were told you had 5 minutes to live, what would you do?

What would you say?

Would you call someone?

Would you write your final will?

Would you write a note to your loved ones?

How about this…

Would you be ready?

Did you accomplish everything you wanted?

Did you give your best advice to those who needed it?

Did you say, “I love you” enough?

Did you say it at all?

300 seconds is all you have left to leave your last impression on this world.

Did your children learn all the lessons you had to teach them?

Does your spouse know how much you love and adore them?

Will your coworkers have great things to say about you?

Will the local stores remember you?

What will be said by others at your funeral?

Will the world be glad that you graced it with your presence and left something behind?

Will you pass from this planet with a smile on your face or a tear in your eye?

When your final chapter is written and you are flipping to the last couple of pages, what will the words say?

You get to choose the answer to all of the questions above.

You get to write your legacy.

Knowing that nothing can be taken with you, what will you leave behind?

The ending of the story is up to you.

Above all, I hope you choose happiness.

By leaving this world a piece of you, we will be better off.

Now go and finish your story.

You’ll be glad you did.

I promise.

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11 Jun 2021

The Perfect Marriage

Was your first reaction to laugh or was it curiosity?

Is there a formula for a perfect marriage?

Maybe…

Have you ever volunteered your time to help a friend, family member or organization?

What about donating blood or platelets?

Was there this feeling that made you smile from the inside out when it was all finished?

That is how marriage should feel. It should be this feeling of giving to someone else. This can come in the form of a nice compliment or note. It can also be done by helping around the home or giving a well-timed and thoughtful gift. It isn’t about how much you spend, but that you thought of them to do something special.

Maybe it is as simple as rubbing their feet or neck. Possibly just holding their hand and looking into their eyes.

So, if it is really that simple where did we go wrong?

Let’s start at the beginning…

From the time we are born to the time we graduate high school, life is pretty much about us. Some of us may take that into our 20’s or even 30’s.

From our exterior to our interior we have a lot of control as to what happens to us and at what time.

The problem with that is we get into a habit of always thinking about ourselves instead of others. This problem pops up when we get married and start realizing that our way is not always the popular way. We start getting challenged by our significant other to why we think the way we do. Maybe we get completely shut down on our opinion or idea.

This can lead to arguments, pride getting in the way, and downright obstinance on our part or our spouse.

Every day it is up to you whether the day starts off right or wrong. Can we control how someone else responds? No. However, we can keep making the right decision by giving to them.

Are there going to be those times when someone doesn’t respond in the right way? Yes. Could it be a continual thing? Yes. Is that your fault? No. That is something they will need to remedy on their side. Our job is to love them and to take care of them mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

If they never change, then it might be time to get counseling. If that doesn’t work, then you have to do what you feel is right by your own beliefs.

The majority of people will reciprocate your giving to them. And the goal is that they take turns giving it first too.

When two people are loving towards one another, then giving should come naturally. Sometimes you don’t feel the love, but by putting into action what we want to ultimately achieve, then we will feel the love afterwards.

There are moments when you won’t want to do something and that is natural. Everyone feels like that at times. The goal is to reach for something more. We are seeking the perfect marriage and each couple will have a different idea of what perfect is. The main idea is that you come up with it together.

You are in control of your destiny. You are in control of your thoughts. You are in control of your actions. When you start taking responsibility for your successes and failures, then you will start doing what is required to achieve maximum results in your marriage.

There are thousands of ideas that you can research on the internet. Take some time to make your marriage perfect. Take some time to ask your spouse what they like. Take some time to write it down.

You have to study to get good grades. You have to workout to get a fit body. You have to work hard to make more money.

Your relationship deserves hard work too. Take five minutes to think about your spouse. Think of all the generous things he/she has done for you. Think of goals you want to achieve with them. Think of places you want to go. Think about making them smile.

Your words and actions go farther than you realize.

Give it your best and you won’t be disappointed.

I promise.

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13 Mar 2015

How Great Managers Succeed – by Brad Rhame

Good mangers manage processes, while Great managers lead people.  I have a saying I like to throw around and that is, “Companies(buildings) don’t run themselves.”  It takes people working together to build a great company.  People can make or break a business…daily.

 

Have you ever arrived at where you were going, when you never had a destination in the first place?  What about getting to that same place, for the first time, without a map?  That is precisely why companies have vision and mission statements.  They also have an assortment of goals that keep them on the road(mission) to success(vision).

 

Those things are definitely needed for a company to become great.  It is also highly recommended that current and potential clients be given first class treatment.  You want them coming back and they are your biggest advertisers.

 

It is great to want to put the customers/clients first, but if your team is not happy, then you are not growing(in a healthy way).  Sure, a company can grow, but the turnover will be higher, if the employees are not put first.  Happy employees make for happier customers.

 

As a manager you need to control the processes, while tactfully leading your employees.  They need to know you have their back, or a time will come when you need them to have yours and they will not be there.  Employees are like plants that need to be nurtured.  They also need breathing room and the ability to grow.  Some need more attention than others.  There needs to be a balance of positive feedback and constructive criticism.

 

There are some employees that are like loyal dogs.  You can beat them daily and they keep coming back.  Sometimes it is because the money is too good and other times it is because they cannot get another job…right now.  The days of “old school” management are over.  People want to be treated better than fair, whether customer or employee.

 

If you want to have a chance at becoming great, then you have to be great to those that work under you.  Remember their birthdays.  Throw them “thank you” lunches or parties.  Have an “employee of the week” award.  Walk by and shake their hand for a job well done.  Thank them for a great idea.  Admit when you are wrong.  Laugh, or at the very least, smile more.  BUT…more than anything, show them you care.  And before you know it, you will have a company on its way to becoming great!

 

Best of luck!!

And like Zig Ziglar used to say, “I’ll see you at the top!”

 

 

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18 Dec 2014

The Same But Different – by Brad Rhame

We are all the same, but different.

The beginning of this year I decided to be different from everyone else and not make any yearly goals. The problem with that is I was really being like all those that decided to do the same thing.

So…I wasn’t being different, but the same.

So…I decided that this new year I would be different from last year, but the same as so many others. I am going to make some solid goals…just like so many others.

After changing careers at the beginning of this year I made a decision to relax more with my family, while at the same time spend more on eating out. I have had a great time with my loved ones, but also miss what I am very passionate about. Without sacrificing my family time, like I have done in the past, I am going to make time for getting in shape…again!

Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I am a martial artist. Everything I do in life has martial arts incorporated into it. Does this make me different? Yes and no. Many people do martial arts and many don’t. So, I am different, but also the same.

We all have dreams, but they are not the same.
We all eat food, but not the same kinds.
We all live in a country, but not the same one.
We all breathe air, but not at the same time.
We are all the same, but different.

I challenge you to be different, while realizing you are the same

Brad Rhame

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27 Feb 2014
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Persistence – by Brad Rhame

How many times can you remember when success came from sticking with something for just a little longer.  Each of us can remember at least one, or at least I hope so.  Persistence is a proven part of the formula for success.  By not giving up on a job, client, sales pitch, friend, or hobby we have seen where loyalty and persistence has paid big dividends.

The one thing to keep in mind is that after persistence has paid off, consistent action must take over.  This failure happens most often in weight loss and sales.  We work so hard to get to a certain goal and then reward ourselves by taking an “extended” break.  This break leads to old habits creeping back into our lives.  These old habits then return us back to where we began…or at least close to it.  This can then lead to a negative outlook on being able to get back to a successful lifestyle again.

That is why persistence is so important.  Even after reaching our goals, we must keep a persistent mindset everyday.  Success will come, when day after day we take continual disciplined action…also known as Persistence

Brad Rhame

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05 Jan 2014

What Makes Great Actors Great? – by Brad Rhame

How many actors/actresses would you consider great?  What is it that they do that makes them amazing?  There is a saying that goes, “Proper Preparation Produces Perfect Performance.”  I couldn’t agree more. BUT… What is  it that makes them exceptional?  Could it be that every time they do a scene they can go back behind the camera and watch how they did?  If you saw yourself everyday on video, would you change the way you walk, talk, stand, smile or even sit?  What about how you dress, approach someone or shake hands?  If you could see yourself as they see you, would you change yourself to be better?

What the camera, director and other co-stars do for those in acting; our friends, family, bosses, coworkers and yes even the camera can tell us how we are doing.  THE word I am thinking of is Accountability.  Whenever we are held accountable for our actions, we strive to meet and achieve those standards.  That is what makes writing down our goals so important and so hard. People don’t like to fail and we know that by not telling others about our goals, it leaves us a way out to quit, slack off or cheat.

If you want to have your best life going forward, then you need to realize that things need to change.  There needs to be accountability in your life.  The goal in accountability is to find those that will push you and not make fun of you.  Too many others, who are permanent failures, want company and will gladly pull you down to their level. Accountability is not about guilt, but rather motivation!  Seek out those leaders, friends and family members who are going to motivate and inspire you to achieve greatness.  Everyone has greatness inside of them, we just have to find a way of pulling, pushing and catapulting it out of us.

So, the next time you see a great movie think about all the accountability it took to make those actors/actresses that way.  And now you know what makes great actors great.  Go and do the same!

Brad Rhame

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24 Dec 2013
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Success through Persistence – by Brad Rhame

Success through Persistence is the key to any endeavor.  Many people will tell you to have passion, desire, knowledge, charisma, and many more in order to be successful.  I cannot disagree with any of those attributes, but none of those matter if you are not persistent.  Success requires persistence.

There is no doubt in my mind that being passionate plays a role in staying persistent.  The same goes for desire, knowledge, charisma and all the others.  They all play a part in driving you to be more persistent.  Sure, they will get you started and give you some lift throughout your journey…BUT they do not keep you going.

I love martial arts.  I am extremely passionate about martial arts, but I have days that I wake up and don’t want to workout or practice my techniques.  That is where passion, desire, knowledge, charisma and all the others fall short.  You have to persist even when you don’t feel like it.  Ask any author, athlete or some other professional how they have achieved success and they will tell you persistence.  Some call it self-discipline and that works too.

 

The only problem is that you may wake up one day and say, “I don’t feel disciplined.”  Here is the thing though…each day you choose not to do something, you are actually being persistent about not doing it.  You can be persistent about doing something or not doing it.  So, now that you know that you are a persistent person, choose to focus your energy where you want it.

 

That is why I call it persistence and not self-discipline.  Take yourself or feelings out of the equation.  Realize that being persistent is a philosophy and that you have to do it to be successful.  That is why best selling authors keep writing books with millions of copies.  That is why great baseball players have a .300+ batting average.  That is why successful real estate agents make awesome livings for themselves.

If you haven’t noticed by now, that is why I have been so persistent about using the word persistent.  Everyday we have to wake up and do what needs to be done in order to achieve our goals and dreams.  Persistence brings us that much closer.  Success is achievable through Persistence.  Now go out and  just do it.  You know you can!

Brad Rhame

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