Motivational Monday: If plan A fails...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past.  Proceed at your own risk...

Goal setting is an important part of finding success.  Many times we are determined to make something happen and only look at one way of accomplishing that goal.  When we fail, we throw our hands up and quit.  But all successful people will tell you failure is many times a reason for their success.

Col. Sanders

Henry Ford went broke five times before creating the Ford Motor Company.   Harland David Sanders, the man we know as Col. Sanders, was reportedly rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted his secret chicken recipe.  The rest is finger-licking good history.  And one of my favorite stories involves Walt Disney. He was fired from a newspaper job because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas."  We all know what happened after that. Next week's Motivational Monday will be dedicated to Mr. Disney.

There are plenty more success stories who started off as failures.  Abraham Lincoln, the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison and even modern day successes like Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hit obstacles along the way.  They kept moving forward and wouldn't accept failure.  You shouldn't either. 

If plan A doesn't work, remember, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.  Heck, if you go through to Z, restart with AA.  You can reach your goals.  Just remove the words "I can't" from your vocabulary.

Motivational Monday: Your vibe attracts your tribe

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past.  Proceed at your own risk...

I saw that quote on Facebook earlier today and it gave me inspiration for this post.  I truly believe that surrounding yourself with positive people who are on the same mission as you is the best way to get through the obstacles and roadblocks you encounter when attempting to achieve your goals.  Whether you want to be a better person or quit smoking or exercise more.  Find people on similar missions and work together.  Look for those who are doing well for motivation and inspiration.

Courtesy: Harness Digital Marketing

I've met a lot of positive people in my 42 years on this planet.  But I'm tying in one of my friends, Tom Harness, with this post today.  This morning he presented a check for more than $3,400 to the veterans group Team RWB (Marion chapter).  He raised the money in December by wearing an ugly (fugly) Christmas sweater.  

The fugly suit on News 3 This Morning

He visited businesses in our region of southern Illinois for a photo opp and a donation.  His original goal was a thousand bucks, but he quickly surpassed that.  Tom's passion to help others isn't limited to veterans.  I know he's reached out and helped countless other groups and individuals.  He and his team at Harness Digital Marketing are making  a difference in the lives of people not just here, but around the country and I'd venture to say even the world.

Courtesy: Harness Digital Marketing & Team RWB

I aspire to be more like Tom not just as an influential person in our community, but also as a person in general.  His friendship (and love of craft beer) is something I truly value.  Find those people in your community who stand out and do good things.   Step out of your comfort zone and make new friends.  I think that's sometimes harder for adults, but it's definitely rewarding in the long run.  

Motivational Monday: Pay yourself to succeed

One of my favorites from the Rock

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, but the advice dispensed here has been researched or is something that has worked for me in the past.  Proceed at your own risk...

I'm starting something new here on the blog.  It's called Motivational Monday.   Most of us probably made a New Year's resolution last week.  We're four days into 2016 and you may have already fallen off the wagon.  If you have, don't fret.  Here's an idea from the team at Cleveland Clinic:  Pay yourself to succeed.  

Here's how it works.  Set your goal.  For example if you want to work out more, come up with a schedule to go to the gym or to just work out.  When you work toward that goal, put some money into a jar with the intent on spending it on an expensive item you wouldn't normally buy yourself.  Maybe you have your eye on a new iPhone or a GoPro or a vacation. 

Here's the important part, don't spend the money until you've reached the cost of the "prize."  Determine how much you can afford to throw into the jar according to your budget.  The idea is for this to take more than a few weeks to achieve.  If you miss a day of working out, it's no big deal.  Get back on track and continue to drop that money in the jar.

You can come up with a similar plan if your intention is to quit smoking.  When you make it through a day without lighting up, put in the amount equivalent to what you spend on cigarettes each day.  Or if you want to stop eating fast food, put the cash in when you don't go through a drive thru.  Your money is still being spent, but you're rewarding yourself and changing a habit at the same time.

Day 2 of working out
Gold's Gym, Marion

Experts say it takes about 63 days to change a behavior, so don't expect rock hard abs on January 30 or to have lost 30 pounds by the end of the month.  Remember, you can do it. Share your tips here.  Good luck and Happy New Year.