Monday Morning Motivations Tenacity Pays

Published by Robert A. & Vicki L. Prentice of Professional Development Systems
August 10, 2009 Issue 363

From the Desk of Bob

I want to make good choices with my time this week. How about you? I am really needing to ramp up on my productivity. I just feel it. Maybe it is because Summer is coming to a close and I am thinking of all the things I need to get done and wrapped.

Here's to a productive week!

Bob
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My Upcoming Speaking Agenda:
8/17-20/09- SDDC- Redfield, SD Staff Development and Leadership Training
9/11/09 - Subway- Rapid City, SD - Franchise Leadership Keynote
11/14 - District 5 SE Lions Forum- Sioux Falls - Motivational Talk
1/13/10 - SD Rural Water Board- Keys to Better Leadership Training
4/28/10 - Minnesota Sheriffs' Association - Key Note

Recent Past Speaking Engagements:
2/09/09- Enemy Swim Day School - Waubay, SD
2/26/09- Teton Coalition, Inc.- Rapid City, South Dakota
2/27/09- SDCTE Conference- Chamberlain, SD
3/5 - 3/6/09 - Opportunities, Inc.-Great Falls Head Start
3/18 - 3/19/09 SD County Commissioners Conference, Pierre, SD
3/20/09- Riley Brothers Construction- Morris MN
3/26/09- Teton Coalition- Rapid City, SD
4/7/09 - Sanford Health Conference, Winner, SD
4/23/09- Teton Coalition, Inc.- Rapid City, SD
4/24/09- SDSRT Conference,- Rapid City, SD
5/12/09 - Walmart - Huron - Leadership Training
5/19/09 - Golden Triangle, Cavour, SD - Leadership Training
5/28/09 - Teton Coalition, Inc. - Rapid City, SD - Leadership Training
6/16/09- RC Family of Companies- New Effington, SD - Special Meeting Speaker
6/18/09 - Teton Coalition, Inc. - Rapid City, SD - Leadership Training
6/19/09 - Rausch Granite Systems - Rapid City, SD - Leadership Training
7/23/09 - Dow Rummel Retirement Center - Sioux Falls, SD - Staff Meetings

Attitudes to Live By

These attitudes below, in my opinion, are some Excellent Life Principles. See if you agree. I choose to live this way. Bob Prentice

Show up on time

Take a "Ten Minute Time-Out" for Yourself

Do not hold grudges- Forgive

Trust

Live with Passion and
Enthusiasm

Have a Vision

Take Action Now

Be a Leader

Share your heart with others

Don't Ever Quit

Show and Give Respect to others

Understand that "New Information" Causes ChangeEncourage Someone Today

Seeds of Success: Life Assessment and Clogged Filters

By Robert A. Prentice

I believe it is a good idea every now and then to stop and take a look back to review the various choices and decisions I have made to determine if I am really getting the results I desire in my life. Lately, I have been doing just that-taking a basic assessment of my life's circumstances and situations that are literally the outcome of my own choice and decision-making-and attempting to be as honest with myself as possible as I process what I am seeing.

For me, this life assessment starts with asking myself a series of probing questions, such as:
   Have I been acting or behaving properly toward others?
   Are my attitudes right towards the situation?
   Am I open to changing my views and seeing things from a different perspective?
   Have I enthusiastically and actively shown interest in others or do a hang back hoping people will be interested in me and approach me first?
   Am I making the right choices regarding my personal habits? Am I hanging on to old dead habits that keep me from growing?
   Is what I have been doing working for me? Am I happy with the results?
   Have I been responding with assertiveness and confidence?
   Am I giving and serving others or am I more concerned about my own needs and wants being met?

But it's not enough to just ask these types of questions. I want to get honest and real answers. I want to filter and process this information as effectively as possible because I know this assessment will impact my future choices and decisions. (Honestly, the more I think about the "filtering" process and how it works, the more I am convinced that it is a key component to every life assessment.) I believe the human mind is like a filter that can, over time, become clogged with fear, doubt and confusion, and the regret of poor decisions past mistakes, and if I am to really see things as they are, I need to "clean out" the filter on a regular basis. In other words, if I am to properly assess situations, circumstances and relationships and see things more clearly, my mind probably needs some good old-fashioned routine maintenance right now. It needs to have the wrong thinking and negative attitudes flushed right out of it!

This flushing is very similar to the process on of the reverse osmosis equipment we have under our kitchen sink, which filters our water until it is pure for drinking. This flushing does not occur automatically. I must manually activate the process once each month or the filter becomes clogged and it will not give us clean, clear water.

In addition to regular cleaning and flushing, the water filter periodically needs to have its filter changed. Sometimes a complete change of the filter needs to take place in one's mind, as well, and developing a new mind set or paradigm is required to negotiate this challenge of effective decision making and living a fuller, richer and more productive life. This I often refer to as "re-thinking our thinking" to assure that I am thinking right and proper about things.

I will share some things I do to flush my mind and/or change my "filter". Please note, you may want to roll up your sleeves (things could get a bit messy!) before you start in. Even though this job will take a bit of time and energy, this is not the time to get lazy and put off the job for later. Just keep in mind, that once the job is done, life will operate much smoother because you'll be thinking clearer than ever before, better equipped to make sound choices and decisions as you step into the future.

   1.) Maintain positive self-talk.
   2.) Cultivate a proper mental attitude by reading Scripture or other inspirational and motivational material.
   3.) Talk things over with someone who will be tough on me.
   4.) Pray and/or meditate.
   5.) Read and research for the facts.
   6.) Learn all you can from an authority (i.e. a mentor) on the subject and apply what you learn to your situation.

I urge you, my friend, to do a check-up on your "filter" today. And remember that whatever you think about you will become.

On the Sunny Side of Life

A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later.... "Da-d...."
   "What?"
   "I'm thirsty. Can you bring a drink of water?"
   "No. You had your chance. Lights out."
   Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad....."
   "WHAT?"
   "I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??"
   "I told you NO! If you ask again, I'll have to spank you!!"
   Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....."
   "WHAT!"
   "When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"

Commentary from Bob regarding the above funny.

Sometimes we have to feel a little pain and discomfort before we get what we want.

Something to think about...

Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments Call to schedule Bob TODAY! 800.437.9715

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Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools

Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments.

Bob says,"My training sessions consist of the principles, attitudes and skills that I have discovered over the course of my life, and that I aspire to practice in my day to day living. These are the Life- Tested Tools that I have to offer..."

KEYS TO BETTER LEADERSHIP
KEYS TO BETTER SELLING
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE
AND MORE!

Call to schedule Bob today! 800-437-9715
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