Effort - Part 3

Check out this quote from Theodore Roosevelt.  Notice he doesn’t necessarily honor the most successful person, rather, he honors the person who has the courage to make an effort in the first place.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

I love that quote!  It speaks volumes to me and has so many different meanings or uses in my life.  In essence, he’s saying quit standing on the sidelines and get your butt in the game!!!!

My advice to you when you get in the game is to give your best effort, really leave it on the field and enjoy the good feeling you will get from knowing that you gave your best effort!

I resolve to seek progress, not perfection and progress requires effort....will you join me?


Good Luck and Keep charging!

Comments are appreciated!

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Effort - Part 2

I have caught myself saying that I would rather see a poor attempt at effort than no effort at all.  Then I read something that someone smarter than me writes that says;  

“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all”.

                                                                                - Peter Drucker

Websters Dictionary defines effort as:

1 : conscious exertion of power : hard work

2 : a serious attempt : TRY
3 : something produced by exertion or trying

4 : effective force as distinguished from the possible resistance called into action by such a force
5 : the total work done to achieve a particular end

Effort matters in everything you do or are involved with!  

Its not just the initial effort though it’s the maintaining of that effort that also has merit.  For example, think about all the things that can go wrong without you maintaining effort.  Without effort from both parties in a personal relationship, such as a marriage, that relationship is always at risk.  

Without making an effort to reach out to your clients and maintain a relationship with them, you could lose them to a competitor who does make the effort.   

In essence, you can’t do or keep anything without making an effort! 

I resolve to seek progress, not perfection and progress requires effort....will you join me?



 Comments are appreciated!

 MLO's - click here to increase your income!

 Click here to order your mortgage education.

Effort - Part 1

I wanted to take just a moment to discuss a topic that is very important.  A topic that matters greatly in your attempt to be a success in anything that you do.  In fact, its a critical function on your road to success that is ironically littered with failure.

I’m talking of course about a very important function known as Effort!

Have you ever stopped to think about how much we create for ourselves or keep ourselves from having by the amount of effort we choose to give?  When you go after something with an attitude that is focused on what you want you easily overlook the obstacles that can clutter your mind and cause you to stop in your tracks. 

One of the best ways for you to check on your level of effort is to ask!  Be honest; check your attitude toward what you are doing and ask yourself how you feel about your effort.  You may find that you need to refocus for a moment before making that next call and giving it the effort your clients deserve.

Effort is what you bring to the table when it comes to achieving your goals.  Its your ante in the big poker game of life.  Little effort, little return, big effort, Big Return. 

Too many times I see people who get to a point where they feel as if their efforts are never going to payoff, no matter how hard they work.  Most of the time, you would find that these people are not giving the effort necessary for success and ultimately quit, citing various influences outside of their control.  Blame is usually placed everywhere but where it should be, on them. 

I can tell you this, not putting forth effort is a sure fire way to get exactly what you are working towards….nothing!  

Just for today, check your effort, be honest with yourself and if you find an area that needs improvement - work on it.

Look for Part 2 and 3 of this important topic in the coming blogs.

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Attitude of Gratitude

A friend of mine sent this to me in an email forward today and in the spirit of daily progress...I choose to pass it on to you. 

Be Thankful

  - Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessing.

For me, just like anyone else, I am constantly challenged with how I react or respond to life's lessons.  Sometimes I am proud of myself for showing restraint and understanding.  Still, other times, which usually takes a day or two to get thru my thick skull, I am disappointed with how I responded towards something or someone.

Nonetheless, I resolve to seek progress, not perfection and progress starts with taking on an attitude of gratitude....will you join me?

 Mortgage Originators - Click here to increase your income.