Day 23 Break That TV Addiction! NOW! (revisited 2013)

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Les Adkins

This has always been a hard one for me. I am the type of guy who has the TV on for noise whether I am working on my laptop or reading a book. Yes I was that kid in school that had to have the radio on when I did my home work. People around me usually think I’m crazy. I also have to have the radio on when I do things in the office. I actually have the radio on right now.

The problem is that when you have the TV on sometimes you can get caught up in the show. And I’ll admit that TV is the one activity where I can rest my brain, but in the end the information below is valuable if you want to Live Outside the Comfort Zone.

Side note – since I began this journey again, there have been great break through’s and opportunities that have arisen for me personally and for my business. I hope the same is happening for you. Let me know!

Les Adkins is the CEO of Orange SMS Consulting and an International Social Business Strategist, speaker, consultant and author. Bringing strategy and whole brain thinking to creative campaigns and social media through his work. Please follow @mysylbert and connect on LinkedIn Join us on FB and Google+ as well.

(Original Post -Posted on November 2, 2011)

So was it true when your mother told you that TV will rot your brain?

I don’t know about you but I grew up with TV. I sat in a room called the TV Room. It had a couch, pillows, blocks (that is what we used for pillows back then as kids) and a big TV in the front of the room.

My parents watched the Lawrence Welk Show

Hee Haw

Oh yes the “Good Ol Days” as they say. But if you are under the age of 30 you may have never even heard of these shows. Thus the need for the videos above.

Now a days there are videos, games and reality shows. As well as the new one’s Pan Am, Once Upon A Time and Grimm. Plus when I was little there were 4 channels. ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS. Now, depending on the service you have, you can get anywhere from 500 to over 1000 when you start talking HD and now you can watch 3D Movies At Home. So if you are not careful you can spend all day and night watching TV.

Here are a couple of hints to turn off the TV:

Plan it: Pick the shows you want to watch and put that on your schedule. Make sure you only watch those shows. (Channel flipping is a killer of time)
Don’t Watch Reruns: If you’ve seen the show previously don’t sit there and watch it again. You have better things to do with your life
Don’t Put the TV in a Prominent Position in the Room: Don’t design a room around a TV. Don’t make the TV a focal point. Put it off in the corner or up on a wall away from the center of the room. (This will help make not watching TV a more comfortable activity if you have to work to watch.)
Plan other activities during your normal TV Watching Time: If you watch TV at night. Plan on getting your emails or social media posts done in the evening. If you watch in the afternoon decide to go on a walk instead or go to your local coffee-house and read a book.
Health Risk: Sitting down watching lot’s of television can cause weight gain and also stress.

In order for you to “Live Life Outside the Comfort Zone” you have to “Turn Off the TV”

Here’s a little video to help you do this.

So Get Up, Get Out, and Get Moving…

And TURN OFF THE TV ALREADY

Day 22 Don’t Give Up! (revisited 2013)

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Les Adkins

So I took a look at this original post and believe it or not, some of the same things are still true! I have not done everything I can to succeed and live outside of the comfort zone, but I am seeing a lot more momentum in my business and personal life than when I first posted and went through this 30 day journey in 2011.I have updated the links to go back to the (revisited 2013) days so you if you are reading this for the first time you will be able to go back to the most current post for 2013.

The message is still the same: We are all human but we must remember to Never Give Up! No matter what! Like the saying goes:

Go Big or Go Home

And if you ever feel like giving up and you don’t feel like reading the original post I ask that you do take 4 minutes out of your day to watch the video in the post. After watching take a look at yourself and my hope is that you will see life a little differently. I know I have.

(Original Post -Posted on October 31, 2011)

So how are you doing on this 30 day journey? If you have been taking the weekends off your still on the journey, if you haven’t the journey has ended. So on the 22nd day is a good time to look around and see if your life has changed or your business has changed because of this journey. Let’s remind ourselves at this time of what the journey was all about. It started with a simple poster that was posted from my friend Cathy Cunningham Hankinson.

It began with a simple premise. “To Live Outside The Comfort Zone!” So on this day I personally looked around and realized that I still needed to finish organizing my office (This was Day 1) and get rid of the clutter. I realized that I don’t do everything I need to, every day or every week. And I sometimes work when I should be relaxing and relax when I should be working, but through it all I keep on moving forward. You could say that I’m human, imagine that. I bet most of you are too.

I am still reading “The 4-hour Work Week” and a few other books. Yes, I have trouble Focusing (Day 17-revisited 2013). So why am I telling you all of this. Because I want you to know that if you aren’t doing everything you need to do to “Live Outside The Comfort Zone”, DON’T GIVE UP!

Don’t give up. There are too many nay-sayers out there who will try to discourage you. Don’t listen to them. The only one who can make you give up is yourself. - Sidney Sheldon

Fall seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

And for all my truly Geek friends out there!

Never give up, never surrender! – Galaxy Quest

So Today: Relax, Spend Some Time With Your Family, Work If You Need To, But Whatever You Do:

DON’T GIVE UP!

Day 21 The Power of One (revisited 2013)

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Les Adkins

So lately we have been discussing your Brand, Networking, Going Against the Norm, Productive Meetings, Focus….but where does it all start? Who helps you begin your own journey? Yes you can read as many inspirational and motivational blogs your heart desires, spend 1000′s on motivating seminars and 1000′s more on programs and books that talk about ways to help you move ahead, live a more fulfilling life, make money beyond your wildest dreams, change the world, change your world, but in the end there is only ONE person that can change your life!

Les Adkins is the CEO of Orange SMS Consulting and an International Social Business Strategist, speaker, consultant and author.

(Original Post -Posted on October 28, 2011)

So we talk about Networking as a way to meet the people we need to meet in order to change our lives. You have heard it been said, that the more people you help get what they want in life then you will get what you want in life. Or as Richard Branson has said “Screw It, Let’s Do It”. But where does it all start? Who begins it? What do you need in order to make that one change that will make a difference in your life and others and allow you to “Live Outside the Comfort Zone”?

You can work with others, connect with others, help others but it all begins with One. YOU! One person can make a difference in the world, in the country, in the community, and in your life. But the only person that can make a major difference in your life is YOU!

Remember One Person Can Make A Difference…And You Can Make A Difference if you just Try!

Day 20 Go Against the Norm! (revisited 2013)

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Les Adkins

So it has been one crazy ride since I started this revisit of my 30 day journey that I first went through in 2011. All the things that are happening with my business and other pursuits are exploding. This is one of the reasons I’m behind a day. But it is all due to the work that has been done to get to this point. It is also a little scary how relevant the posts are to my current daily life and business. It just goes to show you what the Crazy one’s can do.

(Original Post – Posted on October 28, 2011)

Go Against the Norm! What does that actually mean? Well, when I was a little boy, my parents gave me a little stain glass window that I still have that says:

If A Man Does Not Keep Pace With His Companions. Perhaps It Is Because He Hears A Different Drummer. Let Him Step To The Music He Hears However Measured Or Faraway. - Thoreau

This sits in my office and is one of my prize possessions. It even has tape on it, because I apparently dropped it over the years, and had to put it back together. If you can relate to that then you know that if you Go Against the Norm, you also, at times, have to put your life, your career, and your relationships, sometimes back together because you almost always go against the norm and this can cause things to not go exactly smoothly. We always hear about the successes, but very few times do we hear about those individuals still trying to succeed. Which one are you?

Recently Steve Jobs passed away and if anyone could be the poster child for this motto it is him. If you read the poster to the left you will understand that he, above all, understood what “Go Against the Norm” meant.

Yes there have been others: Michael Dell; Dell Computers, The Google Guys; Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Bill Gates; Microsoft, let’s not forget Ted Waitt, Gateway Computers, Richard Branson; Virgin and the list could go on.

Those names are the current ones but remember the Wright Brothers; first to fly, Columbus; credited for discovering the earth is round, Albert Einstein; theory of relativity, Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb and holder of 1093 patents, Alexander Graham Bell, phone and many, many more.

Like I said in the beginning, history remembers the successful ones or those that got credit for giving the world something they needed or wanted. But if you read their histories they were thought of as individuals that “Go Against the Norm”. Life was probably not easy for them before their fame and in some cases even after.

I love this picture of the original Microsoft Team:

Anyway as you go through your 30 day journey just remember if you have your own business, are an entrepreneur or are passionate about a cause or anything you may be labeled one of the crazy people. You might hear things like why can’t you just fit in? Well stay strong and remember the names above.

Here’s to you the crazy ones. Those who live outside the Comfort Zone!

Day 17 Focus (2013 – revisited)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Les Adkins

So how did everyone spend their Memorial Day Weekend? Yes, I know it ended on Monday but I unplugged virtually for the first time in a couple of years. OK sort of unplugged, no email, and limited Social Media and no blogging. But I did cheat a little. Come on have you read my profile?

So on Day 17 I discussed Focus. Seems like that is a key factor in succeeding but you may be surprised to find out that for some that is a really hard thing to do. They are constantly chasing “Shiny New Objects” and never can complete a project or get behind one clear thought. On the opposite end we also can’t determine for others what Focus means for them. I have a nephew who can watch TV, listen to music, and play a video game while doing his homework and yes his homework get’s done and it is correct. Also sometimes in order for me to focus I need background noise. This drives others a little crazy at times. But proof that everyone focuses a little differently but below are some helpful hints to help you focus. Enjoy!

Les Adkins is the CEO of Orange SMS Consulting and an International Social Media Strategist, speaker, consultant and author. Bringing strategy and whole brain thinking to creative campaigns and social media through his work. Please follow @mysylbert and connect on LinkedIn Join us on FB as well

(Original Post -Posted on October 24, 2011)

One of the hardest things to do in today’s hectic environment is to focus. A recent article was shared on High Achievers Network by Doug Grady

The title “4 Secrets To Get Focused, Stay Focused & Increase Sales Today” by Kristoffer Thompson on Sales Leadership Coach website. (If you’ve been reading my blogs you know that I do not support or get compensation for any of the websites, people or articles that I reference as of this date, it’s just information that I feel might help or add value to my audience.) OK so much for the legal disclaimer.

So a few highlights that I am using both for sales and for running my business and life are below:

Gary Blair taught me a great way to think of focus is the following….

Follow

One

Course

Until

Successful

Now unlike most, I do believe that Gen Y and others can multitask productively. I think the science is outdated regarding the brain on this topic and we won’t know for sure till more time and more studies have been done. Having said that, for the majority of us. We need to do more regarding FOCUS!

Be Laser Focused….

One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus, we never concentrate our power. – Tony Robbins

If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing to patient attention than any other talent – Isaac Newton

….It is so much easier to STAY focused than it is to GET focused.- Kris Thompson

Focus is the tool of domination – Gary Blair

Here are 4 ways to increase focus adapted from the article to go beyond sales.

Block out time for each project. Schedule chunks of time each day where you focus on that activity. Don’t talk to anyone that’s not directly associated with the project during that period of time. It can be 10-12 or 2-4 or any other block of time. Tell your family and friends not to contact you during this time. Lock your door or put a “do not disturb” sign on your chair.
Don’t be on the internet unless it is absolutely necessary for the project or activity. It is too tempting for you to check the score of the game, news, , facebook or a number of other social media platforms. Do that after you can’t work on the project or activity.
No text messaging. Instead call them live. Now this one I am kind of torn on. Being in Social Media Consulting I find that I have had success with both. It really depends on the age of the person you are trying to reach and their digital awareness. I interact with many partners and prospects both live and with text. The key is to determine which way the person involved likes to be contacted.
Only check email a few times a day. Most of the emails you get can wait at least an hour or 2 before a response is necessary. (I recommend checking your email three times a day. 1 hour in the morning, at lunch and then again in the evening after 5 or 6pm. Unless you are waiting on an important response that is vital to your project, then let your phone be your screening guide. Quick looks, don’t get distracted) Block this time out in your calendar like you would an appointment with a client. Do not schedule over blocked time.

- (adapted from the 4 Secrets To Get Focused, Stay Focused & Increase Sales Today – Kris Thompson)

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Les Adkins

Reblogged from Bucket List Publications:

This article is from Chiara Fucarino. Enjoy!

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life.

Day 16: Rest (2013 – revisited)

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Les Adkins

So I began this journey (again) a little over 16 days ago. And has been the case as I revisit this daily journey from 2 years ago, it falls on an appropriate day. Friday and with the long Memorial Day Weekend coming up it couldn’t be more perfect than to briefly discuss “Rest”.

Millions of US Citizens either already are traveling, or getting ready to head out for the beach, lake, mountains, cookouts, parades and parents and grandparents houses to spend a long weekend of celebration and hopefully rest. I still try to follow this routine of 1 day of Rest and though it does not always happen my body and brain are very thankful when I do.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!

Looking out on the ocean from Manly, Australia

(Original Post -Posted on October 21, 2011)

So today is Friday but I am blogging about Day 16 which was on October 16.

If you are new or just discovering this blog, I embarked on a 30 day journey to continue living life outside the comfort zone. And to take myself and business to the next level.

October 1st, 2011 I began by Getting Organized. You can follow this journey by checking out Social Media Solutions on Facebook. I am logging every day’s activity, or revelation in real-time on this page.

I am only blogging Monday thru Friday and resting on the weekends. If you know me you know that sometimes I rest and sometimes I work. It all depends on my mood but I do carve out time on the weekend to; Rest, Have Quiet Time, Contemplate and Worship.

No matter what you believe, you need to believe in something bigger than yourself. Remember the words of Steve Jobs:

Live each day like it was your last….Stay Hungry and be Foolish! - Steve Jobs

And remember to take one day and rest, I pick weekends and most of the time, Sunday!

Have a great weekend!

Day 15: Volunteer (revisited – 2013)

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Les Adkins

So with the recent Tornadoes in Oklahoma and Hurricane season on the horizon this is a very appropriate post about helping others. My parents both went to Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK which was one of the cities that was hit by a tornado and sustained heavy damage. My brother and I went there briefly as well. It was interesting and fulfilling to hear about all the organizations that were heading to Oklahoma to help out from Georgia. (where I am based now).

The point is that the people helping out from Georgia were volunteers. You could also volunteer by donating pet food, non-perishable items, clothing and money to this ravaged area. As we get into the summer there will probably be other opportunities to volunteer in response to a natural disaster, but you can also volunteer right where you live. The point is that volunteering has some benefits beyond the obvious. Take a look at my original post. It amazes me as I walk through this journey how relevant this 30 day journey is today 2 years later.

(Original Post -Posted on October 21, 2011)

To Volunteer meaning:

To choose to act in recognition of a need, with an attitude of social responsibility and without concern for monetary profit, going beyond one’s basic obligations. – By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers by

…from the perspective of the doer: Someone who gives time, effort and talent to a need or cause without profiting monetarily.

…from the perspective of the recipient of service: Someone who contributes time, effort and talent to meet a need or further a mission, without going on the payroll.

- Susan J. Ellis and Katherine H. Campbell

This is for the message: Not promoting the Bay Area Volunteer Center

There are many ways for you to volunteer. You can provide help to a Soup Kitchen.

You can be a volunteer to help clean up at a beach.

No matter what you decide to do you just need to get out there and volunteer!

This past Saturday, October 15th, I volunteered with a large group to help the community. There were over 2200 volunteers that did everything from cleaning up a few schools, repair houses for the elderly, Red Cross Blood Drive, Food drives and the list goes on to helping Single mom’s to having a Block party for a struggling community, and many more. The organization is 12Stone

So why should you volunteer? 20 Great Reasons to Volunteer from Volunteer Match:

Help others
Make a difference
Find purpose
Enjoy a meaningful conversation
Connect with your community
Feel involved
Contribute to a cause that you care about
Use your skills in a productive way
Develop new skills
Meet new people *
Explore new areas of interest
Meet good people
Impress your mom
Impress yourself
Expand your horizons
Get out of the house
Make new friend
Strengthen your resume
Feel better about yourself
Meet influential people *

*So number 10 can help you make 10 to 20 new contacts per day

*Number 20 I added, there’s was “Your favorite reason here”.

Meeting influential people can help you with your business by gaining new prospects or being connected to someone else who may need your services. (but make sure you are volunteering and not looking for new business – remember the definitions at the beginning of this blog).

Volunteering is a selfless act. This should always be your first thought when volunteering. If you are just looking for new business then you won’t be asked to volunteer again and your business will suffer.

So one last reason to Volunteer!

So Happy Volunteering!

Day 13 Get Out There (revisited – 2013)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Les Adkins

So in re-reading this post I found it interesting some of the things that have changed. “Candy Crush” has taken the place of “Farmville” and even Angry Birds has lost some of its appeal as other games rise up to take its place. In 2011 it was also a big push to get likes and followers on the multiple social media platforms. Today it is more about engagement of your followers or likes as they are real people and can become great referrals or qualified leads.

The point is still valid that you should not only connect online but “Get Out There” and meet people face to face. If you don’t believe me then check out MeetUp or the different digital summits around the world. Maybe at some future event we will meet face 2 face!

(Original Post – Posted on October 19, 2011)

So in today’s world we wake up, go to our computer, put out fires, answer emails, engage with our social networks, play “Farmville” (or the game of your choice), write blogs, write content, make a few calls and then it’s time to go to bed and start all over again tomorrow.

On October 13th I received an email from Don Crowther which stated that he “…realized I originally met virtually EVERY person who has had a major impact on my business at a live event of some kind!”

My friend Cathy Cunningham Hankinson and I decided to meet at a Networking Event called LIQUID here in Atlanta. She made the statement “People would get a lot more business if they just got out there”

So “Get Out There” and meet people. Now granted since I help others with social media I believe you can connect through social media, but you also need to “Get Out There” and rub elbows.

Last year I probably attended over 30 networking and live events. This year it has been closer to 6 or 7. I have noticed a sharp decline in my business opportunities as opposed to last year.

I made a conscious decision to be more focused and strategic with the events I attended this year (and I still believe in this strategic focus concerning the events you attend) but there has to be a happy medium between 7 and 30!

If you look at the platforms like Google+ and LinkedIn they are discussing and promoting live events all around the world that have specific goals of people in technology or photography or other like interests meeting face to face.

With everything new we learn and adapt to make it the most productive it can be. Social Media is learning that it needs both the online community interaction and the face to face interaction to truly bring people together and create great ideas. Just look at TED.

So be strategic, be focused, and GET OFF THE CHAIR AND GET OUT THERE! It will make you feel more positive and help your business grow!

Day 11: Visualization (2013-revisited)

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Les Adkins

So for the last several years I have been fascinated with the power of the brain and the ever-changing knowledge associated with the brain. We found out that we can change the pathways of our brain by using specific exercises, this was learned through disabled patients in essence re-wiring their brains to allow additional functionality. We also use to believe that once brain cells died they were gone, but now we know that they do grow back just at a much slower rate. You always hear about the power of positive thinking and self talk and my original post discusses Visualization. Something I sometimes forget to do. We know that your brain will work very hard to not make a liar out of you. Meaning that if you say you can’t, your brain will make that happen. The opposite is also true so join me in visualizing your success. Whatever success that may be.

(Original Post – Posted on October 14, 2011)

So on Day 11, October 11, I wasn’t feeling that great. I literally did not feel like doing anything, but I realized that I was still on the 30 day journey so I was wondering what I could possibly do to move me forward in continuing to live a life outside the “Comfort Zone”. I also realized that this journey needs to continue even when I am not feeling well. So what I ended up doing was “Visualization”

Wikipedia states that Creative Visualization is the technique of using one’s imagination to visualize specific behaviors or events occurring in one’s life. Advocates suggest creating a detailed schema of what one desires and then visualizing it over and over again with all of the senses (i.e., what do you see? what do you feel? what do you hear? what does it smell like?). For example, in sports a golfer may visualize the ‘perfect’ stroke over and over again to mentally train muscle memory.

There is now scientific proof that brain wave training is a valid tool for mental and physical re-programming. Dr. Jill Ammon-Wexler was a pioneer brain/mind researcher who was among the first to prove this under hard science.

…we actually create our reality with our thoughts — and not the other way around. Researchers around the world agree that our thoughts have a very real physical reality — and actually causes things to happen in the physical world. We now know from quantum physics, for example, that subatomic particles will physically manifest IF there is someone there to observe them.

Remember being taught as a child that ‘seeing is believing?’ In other words — that you need to physically see something with your own eyes in order to believe it is real?

Well that old belief is today being replaced with a new, science-based belief that: ‘Before you can see it, you have to believe it.’ This viewpoint sees the act of achieving success as the result of FIRST creating a vivid, clear future vision of your desired reality. The belief is now: ‘what you see, is what you’ll be.’ - Dr. Jill Ammon-Wexler

So all this scientific information is saying is that “if you can see it then you can be it” (Yes I know that is a song). The problem is most of us don’t do this on a regular basis.

Thoughts if powerful enough, are accepted by our subconscious mind, which then changes our mindset accordingly, as well as our habits and actions, and this brings us into contact with new people, situations and circumstances. -Remez Sasson

Concise Guidelines for Creative Visualization:

Define your goal.
Think, meditate and listen to your intuition to ascertain that you really desire to attain this goal.
Ascertain that only good will result from your visualization, for you and for others.
Sit alone in a quiet place, where you will not be disturbed.
Relax your body.
Breathe rhythmically and deeply several times.
Visualize a clear and detailed image of what you desire to accomplish.
Use in your imagination all the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
Add desire and feelings into your mental image.
Visualize at least twice a day, about 10 minutes each time.
Persevere with your visualization, day after day, with, patience, hope and faith.
Stay positive, thinking positive thoughts, feeling positive feelings and using positive words.
During the day, when negative thoughts and doubts arise, replace them with positive thoughts. As each negative thought enters your mind, immediately substitute it with a positive thought.
Keep an open mind, so that you recognize opportunities and take advantage of them.

- Remez Sasson

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Category Archives: Motivational