“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency this is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
Leadership at all levels means actions at all levels. You don’t win the fight from ringside seats.
Apply Dr. King’s thoughts at any time, in any place:
There is NEVER a time for apathy or complacency
It is ALWAYS time for vigorous and positive action
This means in your community, in your home and on your job.
Too many people think that leadership is the responsibility of the elite; reserved for someone with special gifts or talents.
Leadership is a talent, but it’s certainly not an innate gift. Like any talent, leadership can be learned, developed and cultivated.
“Human beings are interconnected beings. The ultimate expression of sharing is leadership; not in the sense of dominance or control, but in the sense of expanding one’s presence in the world through teaching and living as an example for others.” From THINK Like a BLACK BELT
You might agree or disagree with Dr. Kings methods, cause, or tactics. You might be on one side or the other of any of a number of contentious issues today. The point is that whoever you are, and whatever you do, it’s your obligation to share your unique talents, skills, knowledge and experience with the people around you.
And that’s really what authentic leadership is all about.
The difference between a leader and a follower is really very simple…
When a follower sees a challenge, a problem or an opportunity, he asks who’s going to do something?
When a leader sees a challenge, a problem or an opportunity he steps up and does what needs to be done.
As Dr. King says, this process is “neither automatic nor inevitable.” Not only for the lofty goal of justice, any meaningful human endeavor requires “the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
Leadership is not restricted by age, position, or even in many instances, by experience. Leadership is embodied in anyone who’s willing to apply themselves in a purposeful and meaningful way.
Leader or follower?
The choice is always yours.
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THIS WEEK! It’s not too late to register!!!
Check out the Southern Maine Community College “Launch or Grow Small Business Success Conference” on January 25th.
Jim will be presenting “The Tale of Two Brands,” how to successfully market your business and avoid the pitfalls of bad branding!
Jim will also be part of the special “Shark Tank” session…Click the banner for details and registration!
THINK Like a BLACK BELT just $1.99 on Amazon Kindle!!!
You can change a life through music TODAY! The Open Sky Fund provides musical instruments to children who otherwise could not afford them. They need $175 to produce a sustainable funding stream by publishing a children’s music book. Donations of ANY size are greatly appreciated! Follow this link for details!
Reading a book can change your life…immediately.
Dozens of books have made an impact on mine. I’ve literally read more than two thousand titles; most of them have helped me in some way.
I’m often asked for personal book recommendations. Today I’ll share 5 books that can help you develop Black Belt Mindset. These are books that (provided you’re willing to strap on your belt and get to work) can change your life immediately.
Of course I’m going to unabashedly recommend you read THINK Like a BLACK BELT. Not just because it’s my book, which would be reason enough for me to recommend it- but because in THINK I give you the process that changed my life.
But today is not about promoting my book. I want to share with you some of the books that changed my life for the better. Today I’m featuring 5 titles that have become an essential part of my personal library. I’ve picked those that are most dog-eared, highlighted and worn…because I refer to them most often.
I don’t loan books (very often) so don’t ask. I don’t loan books for two reasons: a) I need them for ready reference and b) they too often never come back!
Anyway, I’ll provide the links so you can get your own copy of any of these great titles. These are in no particular order, but there are some criteria:
You can use the information/advice immediately
There are no promises of results – YOU must do the work
They contain truth, not fluff
They’re available online (so you don’t make excuses between now and the bookstore)
I know the authors (of most of these titles) and I can personally vouch for the quality of their work
I was first introduced to the erasable personal development advice of Larry Winget when, during a particularly crappy time in my life, I spotted “Shut Up…” on the shelf at Borders. I picked up the book and thumbed through it and came across this statement:
“If your life sucks, it’s because you suck.”
Thanks Larry, like I needed to hear that! Actually- that’s exactly what I needed to hear. I don’t want to ruin the suspense, but in Larry’s explanation of that statement I knew I would never read “The Secret” again.
A couple of years after reading “Shut Up…” I had published my first book and was working on my second. I reached out to Larry and asked him to be on my podcast. Since that time, Larry has become a friend and one of my most valuable mentors. He is now helping me develop my speaking business to the next level…
…a book can introduce you to some amazing people! (You may even meet some of them!)
Life is hard work. People who are willing to work hard have a shot. Lazy people suck- stay away from them and don’t be one. If you are lazy…knock it off!
I have two titles for you here. The first is “People Buy Brands, Not Companies” by Dr. John Tantillo. You can read this book while taking a long bath. You’ll refer to this book for the rest of your career.
I know this book works because the advice Dr. Tantillo shares in “People Buy Brands…”transformed me from a struggling unknown commodity to appearances on national radio and television and recognition around the world.
How?
Because as Tantillo hammers home- your brand is your primary point of contact with the world and the people who will do business with you. The marketing universe is crowded and noisy. Unless you have a clear, concise brand presence you’re just part of the noise.
In this short, powerful book, Dr. Tantillo walks you through the process of identifying, creating and promoting your brand.
Again I can recommend this book personally, because I’ve come to know Dr. Tantillo personally. He’s become a dear friend and one of the most valuable members of my marketing and branding team. I can tell you his advice works because it works for me every single day.
I did not read “Becoming a Category of One”until I met the author, Joe Calloway. I met Joe at a speaker’s workshop he hosted with Larry Winget. Before the workshop, Joe sent a copy of “Becoming a Category of One”to each of us who had registered…but I have to admit I didn’t read it until after the event.
Within minutes of meeting Joe I knew I would be reading his book. A major part of Joe’s advice to us centered on how to “transcend commodity and defy comparison.” That is how to create differentiation in an age where anyone with an idea and an internet connection can get in the game.
It’s not enough to have a good idea. It’s not enough to be good or even great at what you do. You’ve got to separate yourself from the competition and that’s what Joe teaches in “Becoming a Category of One.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to compete in the job market or if you’re running a business. Unless you’re willing to be exceptional and promote yourself in a way that defines your unique position in the market you’re not going to get anywhere.
“Becoming a Category of One” gives you a method backed by real-world examples to help you create and promote your unique market identity.
It’s a pleasure to sound like a broken record and say that I’m using Joe’s advice every single day…and it works. Like the other authors I’ve recommended here, he’s become a friend and cherished advisor.
RELATIONSHIPS & PERSONAL FINANCE:
And yes- the two go together. Or- you could look at it from another angle and say that your relationship will end up in serious trouble if you and your partner are not singing in harmony when it comes to finance.
Dr. Jackie Black is one of America’s most effective relationship experts. “Couples and Money” is her definitive guide to dealing with the most corrosive issue in any relationship- money!
Dr. Jackie’s advice is comprehensive, focused and effective. Personal finance is not rocket science- we just tend to make it so. Or, even worse, we ignore it until it becomes a real issue. Just follow the advice in this book and you’ll be OK!
Times are still tough and they’re likely to be that way for awhile. You may be experiencing tough times financially, but that shouldn’t threaten your relationship. Dr. Jackie will teach you how to handle your shared finances in a way that strengthens your relationship rather than destroying it!
Again I’m happy to share a personal recommendation. I met Dr. Jackie when she responded to an article I had written. Since then she’s become a dear friend, trusted advisor and a collaborator…
…look for “LOVE Like a BLACK BOOK” coming soon!
TIME:
Power is a product of motivation and discipline applied over time. If you want to create a more powerful and effective life, you’ve got to learn how best to utilize your most precious resource: Time.
“First Things First” is the only book I’m recommending today by an author I don’t know personally. I fully intended to meet Stephen Covey; I’ve read his books and applied his advice for years. Unfortunately, the world lost one of it’s greatest contemporary teachers and philosophers this year when Stephen Covey died from injuries he sustained in a biking accident.
One of the great power of books is that we can, in a real and profound way, still meet and share time with people who are no longer with us in person.
Whenever I hear of anyone struggling with time, I recommend “First Things First.”It is, in fact, the only book on time management I ever recommend. It changed my life forever and it can change yours.
Covey simply describes a value centered method that takes all the mystery out of prioritizing and planning how to spend the time you have every day, month and year of your life. His simple “quadrants” for organizing priorities will change the way you look at organizing, utilizing and valuing your time forever.
I could recommend dozens of other books today, but I vowed not to exceed 1,500 words and I’m at 1,469 right now! (I may go a little over!)
If you enjoy these titles, let me know and I’ll do another list soon. Meanwhile, remember the immortal words of Charlie “Tremendous” Jones:
“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
You may be able to get out and meet any of these great people today…but in 30 seconds you can order a book!
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The political season rages on…an lot’s of people are raging about it! We continue to offer Jim’s solutions to contentious political debate…
It seems like a long time since I made this short video on how to conduct respectful conversations in the office. I’ve become a bit more erasable since this was done, but you may still find this useful!
If you’d like to host our THINK Like a BLACK BELT for Respect & Civility in the Workplace program at your business, college or university call 800-786-8502 for booking information.
THINK Like a BLACK BELT just $1.99 on Amazon Kindle!!!
Transcribed from one of Jim’s THINK Like a BLACK BELT keynotes…
People ask me, and it’s a natural enough question, what was that one moment when you realized you wanted to turn your life around?
There really was one moment. But, if I had to pick one or two, this would be one of them.
I was living in a trailer on Sebago Lake in Maine. This was at the height of my last great drug binge. It’s funny now, wasn’t so funny then, but I had plenty of money for dope, no money for heating fuel. A junkie’s priorities may be different than yours.
At any rate it was a cold winters night, and she gets plenty cold out by Sebago Lake. I had just set up my ghetto furnace, because we didn’t have enough kerosene in the tank to run the heating system, and talked myself in under my blankets and sleeping bag.
If you don’t know what ghetto furnace is, it’s when you turn your oven up, open up that open door and on the open door you put whatever you have around for a little electric fan. Nice, huh?
Anyway, all was well until I woke up to take my morning piss. I slid open the door to the bathroom, and started to relieve myself when I noticed that the toilet was completely frozen. How the pipes didn’t freeze and burst I’ll never know.
I literally had to take a screwdriver and chip the ice out of the toilet so it could flush.
I was genuinely pissed off at myself that day; I knew I didn’t want to keep living this way.
I didn’t quit that day though, he took a few more months of stupidity before I’d really had enough.
My greatest moment of enlightenment, was probably the night I smoked a bone. That might sound funny to you since I’ve already told you that I was heavily abusing drugs. But the fact is, I just didn’t smoke a joint too often, I couldn’t get off on just a joint. At that point, to stay high I had to smoke anywhere from six to a dozen straight bong hits every day, plus whatever other drugs I did to stay awake, go to sleep, or get my ass in gear for work.
As it turns out this particular night, some friends were over and they were passing around a joint. When it came to me, I proceeded to Bogart that joint and smoke it down to a roach. Even then I didn’t think I’d get off on just the one joint.
As it further turns out on this particular night, the dealer we bought that pot from had laced that joint with angel dust. I do remember trying to jump out of a glass louvered window we had and I remember my friends tackling me to keep me from jumping. And I sort of remember trying to smash my head through the refrigerator door, apparently I was hungry and at that moment didn’t realize you should open the door before taking the food out.
All I remember clearly, is waking up the next morning in my bed, bruised and with bits of dried blood all over me, apparently my friends had restrained me and somehow got me into bed.
That was the morning I literally looked into the bathroom mirror and said, “this shit has to stop.”
And I did quit cold turkey that day. I fell off the wagon a couple times after that, but I consider those gimme’s. You got to realize when you’re trying to make a significant change in your life, like getting off drugs, quitting smoking, or even losing weight, you got to forgive yourself if you fall off the wagon from time to time.
The people who succeed in getting off drugs are not usually those who never fall off the wagon, it’s the people who get back on the wagon after they fall off.
It’s the same when you’re trying to improve your life or create success. Vince Lombardi once said, “The champion isn’t the guy who never gets knocked down; he’s the guy who keeps getting back up after he gets knocked down.”
That’s what were talking about when we talk about the black belt mindset characteristic of perseverance.
NOTE FROM JIM: You never know what a treasure your darkest moments are until you have the benefit and wisdom of hindsight. If I had not experienced these desperate times, I may not have been able to turn my life around. I could very easily have ended up dead.
Of course, you don’t want too many moments like these! What is important in hindsight is that instead of feeling guilty or regretful, you simply acknowledge where you were and appreciate the worst of times as the beginning of crafting who you want to be.
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COMING SOON…
We’re looking for sponsors and volunteers for the first ONE STEP CONFERENCE in Maine!
A day of inspiration, motivation and full-contact instigation featuring speakers, workshops and more presented by Dashboard University!
February is National Self-Esteem Month; I hate the term. You don’t need self “esteem,” what you need is genuine confidence. This may be a semantic argument, but it’s a very important one.
Self-esteem simply means a favorable impression of oneself. This favorable impression may or may not be based in reality; the fact is you can have a grandiose impression of your Self which is shared by nobody but you. Know anybody like that?
Confidence is a reasonable belief in your abilities and capabilities shaped by training, knowledge and experience. Genuine self-confidence is not surety of a particular outcome, but rather surety in dedicated preparation.
The difference is that with self-esteem you may believe in your Self; with authentic self-confidence you also know you’re prepared for what you’re about to face.
In martial arts we make a clear distinction between someone who talks the talk and someone who walks the walk. Too many techniques designed to improve self-esteem rely on affirmations and self-talk. Those are good tools, but don’t stop there!
The techniques for building self-confidence are mindful or deliberate practice and continual dedication to self-improvement.
You could say that most techniques for building self-esteem are equivalent to reading everything you can about boxing and continually telling yourself you’re a great fighter. You build self-confidence by spending hours busting your knuckles in the gym and testing yourself against worthy adversaries.
Self-esteem is important in the sense that we’d all like to feel good about ourselves. You feel a hell of a lot better when you know that feeling is based on hard work and actual experience. The best part is that the harder you work, the better you will feel about your Self and that feeling will be much more authentic and lasting.
Self-esteem is loud; confidence is quiet. That quiet, calm demeanor often associated with martial artists is an expression of genuine confidence. You can project that same confidence when you know you’ve done the work necessary to prepare for whatever challenge or opportunity you face.
Do the work. Do the training. Do the learning. Do the preparation. Accept the fact that you are a continual work in progress and embrace that work.
That’s what we call Kung Fu!
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TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TOWARD SELF-CONFIDENCE. JIM BOUCHARD SHOWS YOU HOW…
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency this is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
