“I like people that define their own values. I am much more interested in somebody who has their own definition of what they value, their own definition of what success is, their own definition of what love is.” — Spike Jonze

Looking back, I have always been interested in business. Owning a business or multiple, would allow me to gain the financial freedom I have always wanted. My main inspiration for owning a business comes from my family. There are many people in my family that own their own businesses. This allowed me a unique opportunity to learn more about the challenges they face and surpassed in their journey to success.

We all have a one day, looked at yourselves and thought we aren't good enough for society. Instead we bottle ourselves up. Most of us know that feeling. It isn't our fault, it's the society we all live in.

I’m going to go out on a limb here. I'm going to suggest that if you have found yourself repeating patterns that end in failure, then there is a reason for it. You may also have something in your past that is causing this pattern.

Do I have what it takes? Will they read what I say? Did I leave the oven on? How many questions fly through your mind every time you take a chance? If you are lucky, one, maybe two, and they are something powerful and meaningful like "Who the hell can stop me?" or "Why wait another second?" Yeah... those are good questions... they are getting you somewhere. Not gonna hold you down. Good for you. Me, oh I get more than one or two.. I get dozens. "Why would anyone read my stuff?" "Who do you think you are?" "I mean really, did I leave the oven on.... I baked pizza... burned my finger... said some pretty words... um... did I... ?"

Josh Nielsen Thankful Thoughts As Thanksgiving of 2020 winds down, I reflect on all that I am thankful for. I am sure everybody else does this on this day. Maybe people are thankful for new work promotions, newfound love, their health, or simply all the little things that help life seem not so bad and brings joy to their world. Is one day a year really enough to show gratitude though?

When we reach a certain point in life, certain achievements, many of us stop dreaming, stop planning, we give into the never changing routine and even though it might appear we have everything alright in our lives, we are feeling miserable and unhappy in some ways.

For many of us, much of our behavior, decisions, actions, views, thoughts, mannerism, and style, is based around trying to impress others. We seem to be hell-bent on trying to fit in with others, desperate to be liked, accepted, admired, and respected. In fact, many of us cannot stand the thought of not being liked by others, and then, in turn, we try our hardest to please them. We often set the expectations on ourselves to please everyone all the time, when the reality is, such a feat is not even a possibility. This sort of behavior all starts from as far back as our schooling days, as we try so hard to make friends, fit in with the "cool kids", and be popular. It's sad that this sort of mentality leads us to destruction, not satisfaction, or success. We end up becoming a person not true to ourselves, as our decisions, actions, behavior, attitude, thoughts, views, and mannerism, aren't truly reflective of who we really are. So what happens? We end up leading a life of trying to please others, rather than pleasing ourselves, because our decisions and actions are based purely on what we believe will impress others. What we don't realize is, it's not impressing others that leads to success, satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment, it's influencing others that creates the greatest impact.

I got my first stress headache since college last week. I've been promoted into management recently and it is resoundingly kicking every part of my ass. This is not my first time being a manager but it is my first time being a manager for a place that isn't a mom and pop shop. It has been a doozy to say the least.

THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON TO SMILE COPYRIGHT DISCLOSURE “All rights reserved. No part of this Mental Toughness Power Action blog publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded, scanning, displaying, modifying, republication, republishing, posting on any website, platform, social media, RSS feeds or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher or author. Requests to the author should be addressed to [email protected]” — Copyright 2007, CIPO, USCO Mental Toughness For Life, Coach Franco Cianflone

Before we start, let's take a moment to clear your mind, relax, and refresh your thoughts. How many of us desire wealth and success? How many of us seek for a better lifestyle for our body, mind and soul? How many of us are willing to do whatever it takes to live a better lifestyle for our body, mind and soul in order to achieve wealth and success? These are all relative questions you should be asking yourself everyday if you're serious about your quest to success.

Who else rewatched The Last Dance when it dropped on Netflix? As a basketball or Bulls’ fan in the 90’s, it’s hard not to be overcome by nostalgia when you see Jordan hit any of his legendary game-winning shots. But when examined closely, the docuseries is much more than just an ode to the best basketball player of all time (yes, we believe this to be undisputed). It’s a story about organizational greatness, and the teamwork, resilience, and passion required to achieve it. How does it apply to our lives today, personally and professionally?