Bliss Blog

Decision Time

blissblog — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:21:00 GMT

Decision Time
by Mike Scogna

How do you approach decisions? I used to dread decisions, laboring over the outcomes and flopping back and forth: should I...or shouldn't I? Sometimes I would feel frozen by fear: what if I make a mistake? What if I fail? I would make decisions looking at the current circumstances and resources allowing that to dictate whether or not I would do something. The bank balance, education, calendar, experience...the circumstances drove the decision. What I really wanted and why I wanted it was not in the picture.

What was I doing wrong? I had flabby decision making muscles. So I studied and emulated successful decision makers.

Napoleon Hill interviewed 500 highly effective and successful people in all fields and found that they had a common trait: successful people make decisions quickly and seldom, if ever, change them. They develop a clear image of what they want then take action toward that goal image.

The word "decision" comes from the Latin "de" (from) and "caedere" (to cut).

We must commit ourselves to a result and then cut ourselves off from other outcomes.

Does the decision and outcome scare us? Are we afraid we might fail?

Who was a strike out king in baseball? Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times.
Who holds a record for missed shots in the NBA? Michael Jordan.
Who said "...you miss 100% of the shots you do not take." Wayne Gretzky.

We all make mistakes and fail. That doesn't make us a failure. That is how we learn and gather what we need to achieve goals.

Mind and universe require order before action. Decision brings order to our mind and allows it to focus on the actions that move us toward our goal.

Achieving is a decision.

What is your decision?

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries realize great results. Through his writing, speaking and documentaries, Mike helps people unlock effective leadership to achieve their goals and lead meaningful lives.

Learn more about creating a life worthy of you @ www.BuildYourBliss.com.

Born to Learn

blissblog — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:08:00 GMT

Born to Learn
by Mike Scogna

We are born to learn. From the time we emerge from the womb and learn how to breathe on our own until we are six our focus is learning as our neurological systems develop. We wake each day passionate and excited about tackling the new, learning and growing.

What are little kids like as they learn? Before they can talk they are watching every move we make and trying to copy and understand what we do. When they begin to talk they ask questions about everything. What is this? How does it work? They want to try it and do it themselves. And when they do it themselves what happens? They beam and glow like the sun rising. They say, "I did it! Look I did it!" They are so happy to be learning. They take great joy in the process and progression of achievement. They will try and try and wrestle with something new until they "get it".

I remember as a kid of six trying to make a paper airplane. I tried and tried and tried until I got it right. As soon as I "did it myself" I spent the afternoon making 100 paper airplanes, turning our basement into an aerodrome so I wouldn't forget how to build a paper airplane. For over a week I told and showed everyone how to make a paper airplane.

Remember learning to tie your shoes, write your name, read and countless other complicated feats that we now don't consciously think about? Well, think about it--you had to learn to chew and swallow and how to keep your diaper dry--you had to learn to do EVERYTHING. You were excited about trying and learning everything new.

Do you continue to learn and challenge yourself? To mentally jump higher and run faster? A basic law of the universe states that everything is moving: toward integration, creation and progression or disintegration destruction, and decay.

What are you creating?

What are you spending your time on? How is it helping you?

What do you want to change and what do you need to learn?

Keep alive the spirit of your natural born learner. Commit to living a life of continual learning and joy in discovery and doing.

Zoltan's Socks

blissblog — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:19:00 GMT

Zoltan's Socks

by Mike Scogna

I was a college student in Taiwan for a year and winter was chilly and rainy. My dorm didn't have heat so everything got cold and damp. Imagine rolling out of a warm bed and pulling on cold, wet jeans. But I found a nearby shop that would wash and dry my clothes at a commercial laundry. When I shared this secret with my friend Zoltan, he asked me to drop off his clothes too.
When Zoltan and I arrived to pick up our laundry we found a worried-looking man waiting for us with the shop owner.
The proprietor introduced him. "This is Mr. Lee, the owner of the laundry that washed your clothes."
We smiled and said hello.
Mr. Lee began apologizing and sweating profusely.
"I'm so sorry that this happened," Mr. Lee said. "My family has been in the laundry business for generations and this has never happened before. As the owner I take full responsibility and will do whatever is necessary to make up for our error."
"What happened," I asked.
Mr. Lee solemnly opened Zoltan's laundry bag and removed 6 differently colored socks.
"I'm so sorry," he said. "We looked everywhere for the missing socks and cannot find them. I hope you will except my apology and allow me to buy you six new pair of socks and give you free laundry service for a month."
Zoltan started laughing uncontrollably: "hahahahahaha".
Mr. Lee jumped back, concerned that Zoltan might become violent over his lost socks.
"Zoltan", I said, "what is so funny?"
"None of the socks matched," Zoltan laughed hysterically, his face turning bright red.
Mr. Lee backed further away from Zoltan.
"Zoltan, I don't see anything funny about it," I said.
Zoltan was doubled over laughing, one hand on his belly, the other hand waving us off.
"Wait, wait," Zoltan said, wiping tears from his eyes as his laughter subsided.
"Mike, When I sent the socks for cleaning they didn't match," Zoltan said and started laughing wildly again.
I said: "What!?"
"Mike, I keep a box of socks in my room under my bed," Zoltan reported. "When I go out I grab two socks, put them on and go. I don't care if they match. I sent six unmatched socks to the laundry."
Mr. Lee was confused until Zoltan explained it several times.
Then Mr. Lee started laughing violently and Zoltan backed away from him.
"So we didn't lose your socks!" Mr. Lee said laughing breathlessly. "Hahahahah."
"Mr. Lee," Zoltan said, "my socks don't match--see?" And Zoltan lifted his pant legs to reveal one brown sock and one blue sock. A small crowd gathered in the shop watching Mr. Lee and Zoltan hugging and laughing manically. Mr. Lee smiled and shook Zoltan's hand saying, "today I am grateful to meet a man whose socks don't match."

It's amazing what a different perspective does for your understanding and outlook.

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries, from start ups to Fortune 500 firms, realize revolutionary results. Through his keynote speaking, writing, consulting and videos, Mike helps you understand your mind and transform your thinking so you can achieve your goals and live your passion: creating a life worthy of you.

Learn how to create a life worthy of you at BuildYourBliss.com.

© 2008 Mike Scogna. All rights reserved. You may use or forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish. Please include the byline, bio, website link, and copy right info.

Dreams on Ice

blissblog — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:05:00 GMT

Dreams on Ice
by Mike Scogna

I'm at the ice rink watching my four and five year old girls in their skating class. They love it. They fly around the rink saying: "Daddy watch me go backwards! Watch me turn!" I enjoy seeing them progress and gain confidence. It's great for them to watch the older skaters too. The girls imagine themselves doing jumps and spins like the older kids.

After class the rink opens to anyone who wants to skate and the kids always want to stay and test out new moves or just have fun. Tonight the kids say hello to an older women entering the rink. She is sixty something with gray hair, old-fashioned glasses and a tutu outfit similar to what pro ice dancers wear. But she is not a pro. Her name is Bertha and she is frumpy and akward on the ice. Her body is far from athletic. Many spectators giggle and point at her. Most of the skaters are kids. The few adults on the ice are very good skaters getting some exercise. They wear sweats or track suits--not tutus. The oldest are in their forties.

Bertha glides around the rink gaining speed then leaps, spins and falls with a loud thud onto the ice. Several observers gasp and wince. That had to hurt. She stands up, grey hair askew, and with a determined face skates around the rink picking up speed...faster and faster. Bertha leaps, spins and misses the landing again, falling hard on her rear end. She laughs, tries again and falls. And again. After witnessing four hard falls I can't watch anymore.

But Bertha carries on: focused, determined and smiling. Every Friday evening you can find her at the rink smiling her secret smile amid falls and spectacular wipeouts. She loves skating, wants to do it and is willing to work at it. Bertha does not care what anyone thinks about her or her skating. She focuses on her own thinking about what she wants. Bertha is having fun.

Bertha could allow doubts and excuses to stop her: "I'm too old", "I'm too busy", "I don't have the money", or "I don't know how". She ignores the habitual excuses and focuses her faith on her dream. And the dream robbers disappear.

When tempted to put my dreams on hold, I think of Bertha in her tutu racing around the ice rink smiling. The dreams win every time.

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries, from start ups to Fortune 500 firms, realize revolutionary results. Through his keynote speaking, writing, consulting and videos, Mike helps you understand your mind and transform your thinking so you can achieve your goals and live your passion: creating a life worthy of you.

Learn how to create a life worthy of you at BuildYourBliss.com.

© 2008 Mike Scogna. All rights reserved. You may use or forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish. Please include the byline, bio, website link, and copy right info.

Seeing is Not Believing

blissblog — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:04:00 GMT

Seeing is Not Believing
by Mike Scogna

I'm on a cruise in Mexico with 1800 people who came to hear Bob Proctor. As I leave the main theatre where Bob is presenting, I notice a man standing in the back with a white cane. He asks me if there is a restroom nearby. I say: "Let's go find one."

I take his right arm and introduce myself. He says: "My name is Denis Harting."

When we return to the theatre we bump into Bob Proctor as he is being ushered to another speaking venue on the ship.
I say: "Bob, I'd like to introduce Denis Harting."

Bob is clearly in a hurry but he stops, chats with Denis for a moment and says: "Mike, Denis wants to sing for everyone. Please take care of it for me."

This confuses me; I'm not involved with the arrangements for the program.

As Bob leaves, the final speaker for the morning, Paul Martinelli, approaches us. I say: "Hi Paul, this is Denis and he is going to sing. Do you want him to go on before or after you?"

"Mike, let's close the session with Denis."

"Alright Paul, I'll bring him to the stage as you are wrapping up."

I turn to Denis and say: "Do you need to prepare?"

"I need to sing," Denis laughs. "I haven't sung all day!"

Denis and I leave so he can warm up.

The ship is rolling in a heavy sea as we return and I must keep one hand free to steady myself. Denis asks me to guide him onto the stage and explain its dimensions. I ask if he will be ok. He says he'll be fine as I leave him alone on stage.

The audience grows quiet at it gazes at Denis. He is thin, five feet tall, balding with very pale white skin. Blind since birth, his eyes are closed his head is bobbing and his right hand jiggles and shakes. Denis asks everyone to clap their hands to keep rhythm and he begins singing, his voice slowly filling the packed theatre.

"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone...I can see all obstacles in my way...gone are the dark clouds that had me blind...it's gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshiny day."

People are stunned. Denis' voice is huge, warm and powerful like the Mexico sun: a bluesy, soulful mixture of Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey.

Everyone is now standing, smiling, clapping and crying as Denis' glorious voice unfolds and the hall rings with the voices of 1000 people singing with him, "I can see clearly now..."

I am in awe of this "blind" man standing alone on a pitching stage sharing his message of love and joy. Denis taught me to never allow the physical circumstances or appearance of any situation influence what I believe can be done. Denis can't see but he has amazing vision.

Hear Denis Sing

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries, from start ups to Fortune 500 firms, realize revolutionary results. Through his keynote speaking, writing, consulting and videos, Mike helps you understand your mind and transform your thinking so you can achieve your goals and live your passion: creating a life worthy of you.

Learn how to create a life worthy of you at BuildYourBliss.com.

© 2008 Mike Scogna. All rights reserved. You may use or forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish. Please include the byline, bio, website link, and copy right info.

Building a Bigger Picture

blissblog — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Building a Bigger Picture
by Mike Scogna

Imagine spending a couple of hours with one of the most accomplished entertainers, business people and philanthropists of the past 100 years. Art Linkletter, at 95, shared his life lessons with me as we discussed his failures and successes on a flight from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. After we had been chatting two hours Art said:
"Mike, do you work in television?"
I laughed. "No Art I don't work in television."
"Well Mike you should work in television."
"Art I don't understand."
"Mike, I've been in national television since 1941. You are a great interviewer and you can reach and help a lot of people with television. You should do television."
As we land in Portland, my mind is racing. I am stunned and confused.
I didn't sleep for two nights thinking about my discussion with Art. So I call him and say:
"Art, I want to interview you for a TV program that shares how people like you live rich, meaningful, active lives beyond their 70s, 80s, and 90s."
"Mike, that's a great idea. Let's tape it in my Beverly Hills office."

Two weeks later we did the interview and I began an amazing adventure that is still unfolding. I also interviewed Bob Proctor (from "The Secret"), and Mark Victor Hansen (of Chicken Soup for the Soul). John Wooden at 97 has agreed to interview but is very, very busy right now! We are contacting Mel Brooks, Neil Armstrong, Les Paul and many others. I've been interviewed on radio and am lining up sponsorship and production partners for a TV pilot based on the interviews.

What did Art do?

He saw something inside me that I didn't consciously recognize. He challenged me to build a bigger picture of what is possible and believed in my ability to do it--even when I didn't believe it yet. I then believed in his belief in me.

Would I have started this project without Art's prodding and belief that I could do it? No.

Leaders have learned to see things in us that we hide from ourselves. Things we may be afraid to express. Powers that scare us. Although we must decide and move toward what it is we want to do, be or have, leaders often see that flower emerging from deep within the soil...before we believe in that beautiful picture of ourselves. They can help us unlock those powerful ideas that are larger than our current self.

Think about your life. Who has helped you build a bigger picture of yourself and helped you move beyond what you thought you could do? We all have this ability. It's like a muscle; we must use it daily and it grows stronger.

You can be a leader and a light to those in your life by looking for what is great in them. Help them build a bigger picture of themselves and believe in their ability to do it.

You can check out the interview with Art at http://www.buildyourbliss.com/shopcontent.asp?type=2nd_Prime_TV

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries, from start ups to Fortune 500 firms, realize revolutionary results. Through his keynote speaking, writing, consulting and videos, Mike helps you understand your mind and transform your thinking so you can achieve your goals and live your passion: creating a life worthy of you.

Learn how to create a life worthy of you at www.BuildYourBliss.com.

© 2008 Mike Scogna. All rights reserved. You may use or forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish. Please include the byline, bio, website link, and copy right info.

Bliss Blog is Born

blissblog — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:07:00 GMT

Thanks for visiting the Bliss Blog and joining our community. We appreciate and value your comments!

Crazy and Impractical

by Mike Scogna

I ran into a 95-year-old Art Linkletter in the Los Angeles airport and that chance meeting is changing my life. After a great discussion on our flight to Portland, Oregon, an idea was born...one that is very exciting...and easy to write off as a crazy, impractical fantasy. The idea is a TV show where I interview people over 70 who are living active, rich, meaningful lives. We share their success secrets and wisdom to help us all improve our lives today and in our later years.

That impractical idea has quickly turned into an entertaining and enlightening interview series called 2ndPrime. I'm talking with broadcasters and sponsors about the first 26-episode series. The first interviews are with Art Linkletter and Bob Proctor (from the film The Secret) and demonstrate why age and circumstances are irrelevant to our results. You can check out the DVDs and MP3s at my updated website: http://www.buildyourbliss.com/shopcontent.asp?type=2nd_Prime_TV

During the interviews, Art and Bob reveal how we are all capable of extraordinary things. We all have or create ideas that get us really jazzed. You know the ideas I'm talking about. Those ideas or dreams that make you gasp, giggle, and shout, "I have to do this!" Those ideas that fill you with energy and power. What do we do when we get those ideas? My first reaction is often wide-eyed terror and a sprint away from the idea. Why is that? Most of us have been trained to react this way since we were little kids. You share your idea and the questions start: How are you going to do that? Where is the money going to come from? Aren't you being impractical?

May I introduce you to some impractical people? Madame Curie, Rosa Parks, Thomas Edison, and the Wright Brothers. They were impractical. How about Amelia Earhart, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela? Where did their impractical thinking get them? And all of us?

You have a dream or idea that only you can bring into this world. That is why we are here. Listen to that voice inside you.

Your eyes do not see.
Your ears do not hear.
But your heart knows.
Listen. Go. Grow.

Listen to your heart. What do you really want to do, be or have? What are you going to do with your idea to create a life worthy of you?

For 15 years, Mike Scogna has been helping people and organizations in over 40 countries realize revolutionary results. Through his writing, speaking and documentaries, Mike helps people discover their purpose, achieve their goals and live their passion.