Expert in the Rough, Brian Monahan

I have always heard it is not what you know but more importantly the questions you ask yourself.

Back in the day people looked to prophets and philosophers for answers but today we have TV commercials.

“What would you do for a chocolate covered ice cream bar?”, is the question for the 21st century.   That chocolate covered ice cream being….The Klondike Bar.

I personally would do just about anything.

Fun Image Links for WWYDFAKB?

Wikipedia Klondike Bar Info.

I suspect most of us have been trained well to determine what we want or don’t want in life but we aren’t very good at the next step.

• I want a new car.
• I don’t want bad credit.
• I want to be happily married.
• I don’t like salmon.
• I want a job that fulfills me.
• I don’t want to step in dog poop.
• I want to vacation in Hawaii.
• I don’t like being yelled at.
• I want be healthy and fit.

And the beat goes on…..and the beat goes on…..and the list goes on.

It is very easy to come up with a list of what we want or don’t want/like but we often forget to ask ourselves an important question.  The question about what we are willing to do to make this list a reality or an action step.  Cause and Effect.  Action and Reaction.  Instant Karma.

This concept even applies to my fans of “The Secret” and “The Laws of Attraction.” Many mistake The Laws of Attraction for the laws of inaction.  Even the Laws of Attraction require us to get clear about our intention which is a form of action.  Intention is the will (action) of our spirit.

So, what would you do for a Klondike Bar?…..meaning what would you do to fulfill the list above.  (Exercise Opportunity – Write Your List of Wants 5-10)

For me I have been willing to go to marriage counseling with my wife and work less hours to make our marriage more vibrant and exciting.  I have taken ten years to pay down my 20’s debts and boost my credit score to top tier.  I actually tried some salmon at a tasting recently and realized it is not all that bad.  I don’t have a dog which mostly satisfies the dog poop scenario.  I really haven’t had a big dream about vacationing in Hawaii but I love San Francisco and have been there numerous times in the last 3 years.

Alright, I admit my job and fitness I am still working out some details.

Long term I would love to be a keynote speaker and author.  I am currently willing to work at my flexible job in audio visual and I have been speaking to industry groups and training with Toastmasters a public speaking organization.  My blog here at EITR and Meeting Point Cincinnati have allowed me to hone my writing style and serves me well for speech writing and eventually a book.

Fitness I have been at least willing to get health check ups and I plan to have surgery on my foot later this year so I can run (and walk) enjoyably again.  Until then I am willing to start running 3 days a week even if I fail.

Enough about me.  What is so powerful about the concept of “What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” is a second step.  So many of us walk around miserable believing we must accept what life has given us.  It is my belief that knowing what you want or don’t want without a plan to make it reality is cruel and unusual punishment.  It is a carrot you cannot consume.  It is a sore that will not heal.

Step 1 – Identify what you want.

Step 2 – What would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Step 3 – Do it, live it and love it!

Before it melts

30 pounds over my ideal weight most of my life focus has been on what is inside the refrigerator, over the weekend I took a step back and realized my refrigerator has more to offer than food.

Here is a collection of quotes or inspirations right from the doors of my fridge.

All of the inspirational nutrition I need right in front of my face and now available to be printed off for your refrigerator.

• A marriage relationship is a dynamic living organism undergoing various stages, cycles, rhythms and moods.  - Father Lou Guntzelman
• A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. -Douglas Pagels
• Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.  -Thoreau
• Live life as if it were created just for you. - Maya Angelou
• Always do what you are afraid to do.  -Emerson
• Trust your crazy ideas.  -Dan Zadra
• When your heart is in your dream, then no wish is too extreme.  - Jiminy Cricket
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Take flight.
• Good Morning, I am God, Today I will be handling all of your problems.
• You can begin to make your dreams come true by taking at least one or two concrete steps each day that lead you precisely in the direction of your heartfelt inner visions.  – Caroline Joy Adams
• Happiness is never stopping to think if you are.
• We love because it’s the only true adventure. – Nikki Giovanni
• Reach for The Sky.

I hope you enjoy.

You can add your fridge quotes in the comments area.

Over the weekend I attended a seminar (Life Success Seminars).  One of the insights I took from the seminar is it is real easy to brag about our faults and forget about our successes.

The word “brag” generally carries a negative connotation which leads many us to avoid sharing our successes.  I believe this social norm has contributed to us focusing on our negative qualities and forgetting our strengths and successes.   Almost all success strategies revolve around the idea our reality is directly related to our thoughts and feelings.  Since society does not accept bragging we need to find new ways to acknowledge our successes.

Many of you have probably heard the term “Bragging Rights” which is interesting in its own right.  “Bragging Rights” connotes deserving or righteousness which is probably what rubs people wrong about bragging in the first place.

With all this negative spin regarding bragging I still think people need to share their light, share their successes.

I suggest “Bragging Right” versus “Bragging Rights.”

So how can you brag right?

• Actions speak louder than words you can start by getting engaged in your work and your relationships.  Engagement lends itself to “showing off” your gifts and accomplishments.

• Another technique is showing interest in others.  By asking others about their successes it naturally leads to reciprocal interest.  The most interesting person is the interested person.

• Sharing your knowledge is another way to show off your skills.  You don’t even need to point out your expertise it becomes evident while you are sharing your wisdom.
• Being bold and tooting your own horn occasionally is always an option as well as long as it is balanced with  a sincere interest in others.

So tell me about 5 Things that you are proud of in your life in the comments area of this post?  Don’t pass up this opportunity to Brag Right.  It’s not bragging since I asked.  It is just sharing.

Image Credit: Sebnem Imece