Lou Tice

So, here we are, nearing the end of March, which was designated National Optimism Month in the U.S. Earlier this month, I challenged you to make a conscious effort to notice the negative, then another conscious effort to turn each negative around to a positive. How did you do?

If I remember my own insights when I happened upon this idea, the first thing I realized was just how negative the world around me really was. I hadn't heard it before, but once I became aware, I couldn't hang around in the teacher's lunchroom. The negativity actually soured me on… >>>

What does it really mean to commit ourselves to something? Today let's look at what commitment means and why it matters.

All of us have a deep need to be involved in the world. This need is expressed in our desire for close relationships and social encounters, our need to feel valuable and connected in a vital way to life, and our need to have our actions count.

But commitment means little without some kind of affirmative action. It is what we choose to do that determines the nature of our commitment. Commitment means making a choice and giving ourselves… >>>

There is no question about it: Commitment is a key to success whether it's in a marriage, a business, personal and professional growth, or sports.

What made Larry Bird one of the best players in basketball? He was considered slow, and many thought he could not jump. Sometimes it almost looked like he was playing in slow motion. But Larry Bird succeeded as a player because he was totally dedicated to success. He practiced more, played harder, and had more mental toughness than most of his competitors. He got more out of his talents than almost anyone did.

The same… >>>

What happens to an ongoing relationship when you decide to change? Let's try to answer this important question today.

As you move forward with your plans for personal growth and change, there is bound to be a consequent change in your closest relationships. You see, your personal changes may be threatening to a partner who is insecure with change. You may find yourself facing spoken or unspoken messages that say, in essence, "Change back! You can't grow because I don't want you to!"

If this happens, you have to decide what is best to do. You may choose to return… >>>

Today let's discuss some answers to the following question: "When is it too late for people to change?"

You know, there are a lot of people out there who believe that it's never too late to change, and in general, I'm one of them. I certainly believe that positive change can be achieved at any and every age, and in just about every human condition.

Now, I believe this because I've seen it happen over and over again. There simply is no upper limit to the age at which people can choose to grow and change. But there's a catch… >>>

Is there anything about your life that you'd like to change? If so, maybe I can help. If not, I'm concerned about you, and I'll tell you why.

What would you like to change about your life? If you'd like to do more than hope for this change, it's a good idea to write out specific goals and sub-goals detailing the steps you need to take in order to get there.

It's also a good idea to support your change efforts by using affirmations and visualizations, because all meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside first, and then moves… >>>

I'd like to give you something to think about over the weekend, but I need you to get this information so you can be aware of your surroundings tomorrow. What's the talk like where you work? Do people put each other up or do they run each other down? You know, the way we talk to ourselves and to each other has a powerful effect on what we are able to accomplish.

In organizations where the talk is negative, where people gossip about each other and take every opportunity to complain and gripe about problems, and where people take a… >>>

Did you know that you could borrow from the past to help create the future? 

There's a special technique we teach in our seminars that can help you do your best whenever you want to. It's called, "flick-back, flick-up" and it works like this:

Let's say I'm going to give a talk at someplace unfamiliar and I'm feeling a bit nervous. Mentally, I will "flick-back" to a triumphant situation in my past - a time when I did a good job and felt really in control. I visualize that situation and I see myself doing a great job. I remember… >>>

Are there significant differences between older adults and their younger counterparts? The latest research says there is. If you are in business, you need to know exactly who it is you sell to. And, if you sell to older adults, you will be especially interested in what I have to say today.

You see, according to David Wolfe, author of "Serving the Ageless Market," there is a big difference in thought patterns and values between older adults and their younger counterparts. For example, in middle age, quality begins to gain over quantity in importance. This leads many middle-aged and older… >>>

If you could peel away all the outside stuff like behavior and pretending, do you think human beings are basically good?  

I know there are some individuals in the world who think that people are essentially bad, and that goodness has to be pounded into us, more or less against our will. I don't buy it. I believe that people are basically good. Why, just look at a baby - any baby in the world - if you want to test the idea.

Babies aren't evil or resistant or fearful. Babies, given basic care and affection, are by nature happy… >>>