Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Do You Have Reasons or Results?

“People who take responsibility for all they create are able to quickly sort truth from fiction in their lives, and in the communication they're receiving from those around them, by using the simple litmus test of “based on results.” Wishing and hoping, reasons and excuses will never tell you the truth. If you say you intend to have a happy marriage, have you got one? If you say you want to earn a degree from a good university, have you done it? If you say you want ten million dollars, do you have it? If you don't have what you say you want, then how come?

You've either got the results you say you want, or you have reasons to explain why not. Developing a rigorous and honest relationship with results moves you powerfully toward creating your extraordinary life.”

from “Living an Extraordinary Life”
by Robert White


Wow! That guy can really communicate! You can bust my ego and bring me back to humility by commenting below.

With love and respect,

Robert

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Who Believes in You?


“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.”


Ralph Waldo Emerson


Let’s get some acknowledgements out there immediately: Alan, Bob and Judith, John and Mike, Julia, Kathy, Dan, another Mike, Jim (2 of them!), Tami, David, Chris (2 more!), Kevin, Lance, Karen, Ron, Bill, Rick, Kate, Herb, Wilson and Joyce … THANK YOU! For believing in me and for being true friends.

So who do you need to thank? And who needs to thank you because of the belief in them that you often express?

Gratitude and celebration welcome by commenting below!

With love and respect,

Robert

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Have You Put a Dollar in the Change Machine?

“I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed.”

George Carlin

I’ve been pretty serious in recent Extraordinary Minutes so these words from the dearly missed George Carlin seem appropriate. Of course, like so much of his humor, he always made us think about the human condition.

True and meaningful, useful, even transformational change is easily talked about yet one of the most difficult challenges in our lives. We hold on to old identities, structures and attitudes ferociously. We vigorously defend what has never worked for us. Even more insidiously, we defend what has worked for us in the past and is no longer adequate to current circumstances and future possibilities.

All right—I know I’ve taken this light-hearted quote and become very serious about it. You can complain or comment below! And please share with your friends!

With love and respect,

Robert

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

How Do You Grow Old?


"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."


Samuel Ullman


Examples abound of “mature” folks who inspire and delight us; who add to our lives in countless ways.

The differentiator is often simple enthusiasm—for the opportunities, challenges, people, places, everything in their lives.

It’s a choice we all face many times daily and choosing to be enthusiastic and to look for circumstances that create enthusiasm is key to living an extraordinary life.

And let me know how you express your enthusiasm by commenting below!

With love and respect,

Robert

P. S. Congratulations to those who "got through" and ordered my home study program "Eight Principles" with the special $100 reduction in price (normal retail $195) and apologies to those who attempted to order it and couldn't "get through." We haven't figured out why the e mail link worked for some and not others -- so we've extended the offer one week and ask that you e mail me direct, tell me you want the program and I'll personally take care of everything: robert@extraordinarypeople.com