I am always striving for excellence and improvement.  As such, I look for resources and different perspectives on doing so.  I came across the video below and really liked the message that it shared, so I thought I would bring it to you.  Enjoy!

21 days.  It's not a long time.  In fact, 21 days go by in the blink of an eye.  But what can be accomplished in 21 days is incredible.  In fact, 21 days of dedication is all that is needed to change your life.  Studies have shown that is takes 21 days to create a habit.  Think about that.  If you want to make a change, whether it is your health, something in business, or in just in life, you can be on your way in just about 3 weeks.  That's exciting!  

There are some keys to ensuring success if you decide to either change or create a new habit in your life.  

First, you must commit to it.  For example, if you want to start the habit of excercising for 45 minutes every day, you must commit to it and be deliberate in your approach.  

Second, write down what you are going to do.  So, if the goal is 45 minutes per day of exercise, write it down and make a 21 day checklist to check off that you did it each day.  What gets measured, gets managed.

Third, be consistent.  It is a lot easier to practice the new habit over 21 days if you are consistent in your approach.  Staying with the example of exercising 45 minutes per day, strive to do the 45 minutes at the same time every day, so it is built into your schedule and the time is set aside.  It will make it easier to plan for it as well.  

Fourth, be accountable.  It is easier to accomplish your goal if you are accountable to it.  The best way to be accountable is to have an accountability partner - someone that will help you keep on track for your goal.  This may be someone who is building the same habit with you or someone close to you that is not afraid to call you out.  

Fifth, reward yourself.  Building a habit means change and a lot of dedicated, consistent work for a short time, 21 days.  But that doesn't mean it isn't hard.  And to help keep you motivated, you should decide on a reward that is important to you, that you will give yourself for accomplishing to goal.  Keep your reward top of mind, especially in those moments where you don't want to keep going or consider skipping the work toward the habit for a day.  It will help you in the moment.

Good habits are the cornerstone of success and the best part is we get to choose them and put them in our lives.  Just think where you will be a year from now if you took 21 days each month to build a new habit to help you in your life.  That's 12 new habits.  Would your life change?  You bet it would.  So get started and here's to your success!

Why do people succeed more than others?  It's an interesting question.  We all know someone who just seems to have "it" or maybe we describe them as "lucky."  These people seem to find a way to success over and over again.  

What is it that they have that others don't?  Besides working hard and smart, and doing the things that everyone knows that are needed to succeed, the majority of the time, these people have a specific trait that cannot be coached.  They have a burning desire and drive to see things through.  No matter what is thrown at them, they keep going.  They are like a hungry lion stalking it's prey.  The lion doesn't stop until it reaches the goal and gets its meal.  It's driven to succeed.

Consistently successful people have this same trait.  They are driven by the thrill of the hunt, to pursue to end goal relentlessly until it becomes reality.  They keep going in spite of the obstacles, the challenges, the self-doubt, the worry, and all the other things that derail most people.  They dig down deep in the hardest and bleakest of times and keep going, because they know if they keep going, the percentages of success will finally turn in their favor.  Just like the lion who hasn't eaten in days, but keeps stalking and attempting kills.  At some point, they will win and eat.  

This trait cannot be coached as it must be developed by each individual in the way that works for them, but it can be developed.  The best way to develop it is to find the strenght and conviction to keep going when you want to quit.  You have to break through over and over again.  And when you do, you will develop this trait for yourself and you will succeed at higher and higher levels.  

Unleash your inner lion.

Every once and a while, I come across a message that really has an impact and spurs inspiraton, ideas, and helps further myself as an entrepreneur.  Here are 3 videos that I've found that have made a difference for me and can do the same for you.  

Here's an interesting question:  How do you have a great day?  Is there a secret?  A special formula?  For that matter, what is a great day?

A great day is going to be defined differently by each person.  But, I think I can say one consistency of a great day for everyone is that it is satisfying.  You end the day and know that it was good.

So, what can you do to have a great day?  

First, a great day begins in your mind.  Your attitude determines how you approach the day.  It is your inner game and if your inner game is good, so is your outer game.  You get to choose your attitude and thus you get to choose to have a great day.  Every morning when you wake up, you have this choice.  Do this little exercise for one week.  Each morning, after you get up, write the following on a piece of paper, "What attitude will I choose to have today:  Great, Fair, or Poor."  Once you write it down, choose "great, fair, or poor" and circle the one you will have for the day.  I have done this for years and I can say I have never circled anything by "great."  As my day goes on, if there are problems, or challenges, and/or things don't go my way - and I start to think negatively, I just look at the attitude I chose for the day (great) and it snaps me out it.  

Second,  plan your day.  If you take the time to plan your day to know ahead of time what you are going to do, you will be much more efficient and effective.  Of course, the more you can accomplish will make the day more satisfying for you.  Planning your day will ensure you know what to do ahead of time, so you don't waste time or focus on things that are not important.  

Third, be grateful.  Take 5-10 minutes at some point during the day to practice gratitude.  Whether it is to someone or just with yourself, gratitude is a powerful thing.  Take 5-10 minutes and write down 3 things you are grateful for and you'll be amazed at how it gives your perspective and makes you feel.  Or take 5-10 minutes to give a compliment to someone or share why you are grateful for them in your life.  If you take the time to do this, it will go a long way in making your day (and theirs) a great one.

Having a great day, is not that hard.  It just requires a few key things to ensure it happens.  If you take these 3 actions each day, you will find that every day can and will be a great day!