Spike Humer

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” Epictetus

We generally are where we are and who we are in life as the result of circumstance. It’s usually not the circumstance themselves that are the cause of our condition—it’s the choices we’ve made and the actions we’ve taken or not taken within the context of those circumstances that have created the “reality in which we live.”

I’m not casting blame, nor am I ignoring the fact there are incredible challenges, disadvantages, hardships, and even cruelty in the world. Some of the conditions and situations people of the world have had to endure exceed my capacity to imagine or perhaps even cope. But for most of us, living in relative safety, freedom, and within the confines of civilized societies, there’s more than simply “hope”, there’s the opportunity to create the life we can imagine.

But How?

Every extremely “successful” person I have ever met, asked, or interviewed about their lives and success shares a common event or characteristic. Notice I didn’t say “most”, I said “every“—without a doubt, with no exception. Some people carried it around consciously; others uncovered it in our conversation but the event or characteristic was there.

What was it?

Every person had “their” story, their moment. There was an instant of recognition or reckoning where they simply realized or declared who they would be, what they would accept, or what they would no longer live with that put them on their path to personal or financial success. How each person I spoke with defined “success” varied pretty widely—they kept score uniquely and many played a “different game” altogether regarding their measure of achievement, accomplishment, or even happiness. Still there was a clearly conscious and articulated decision and distinction that made “all the difference” to them and their lives. Some had hit rock bottom. Some simply raised their eyes to look to the proverbial sky of what was possible but not yet a reality in their lives. Some said, “never again”, others proclaimed, “from now own I always will”. But there was that moment of recognition, reckoning, realization, or declaration.

Some referred to it as a moment of truth; others described it as an awakening or a simple recognition of possibility. Still others referred to it as a vow or a solemn commitment. I describe it simply as…

“The Grand Assertion”

It’s greater than a goal…

It is a defining moment where we consciously, purposefully, and resolutely choose who we truly are, what we will do, what we will have, give, and become.

There’s a great distance between a want, a wish, a goal, and a commitment. The “grand assertion” is different than a desire or a dream; it’s an affirmation of and to ourselves and the world. It’s unwavering and absolutely authentic to each individual. Certainly the grand assertions of others can serves as guideposts, inspiration, and even models for others. But as stated in one of my favorite quotes…

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” Basho

Seek what they have sought but find or create your own defining moment to declare who you are, what you do, what you will have, give, and become. Most of the people I spoke with or interviewed had the moment thrust upon them in that “something happened” that caused the shift. You don’t have to wait for the blinding bolt of realization to strike you; you can simple decide in this moment—right now, who and what you vow to be or become, what you will accept, change, do, or create in your life.

But there’s more…

The Grand Assertion is a formula of more than the just realization or the declaration. In every example of the people I asked or interviewed their life-altering moment was followed by an instantaneous action. Each had taken a step toward making transforming their thought into reality, transcending the present moment and beginning their new future of their conscious creation. Some wrote a proclamation and shared it with their friends and family. A few created a set of daily activities that soon became rituals of action and behaviors. Others made sweeping life and career changes on the spot. But all acted swiftly and decisively to action on, engage, and truly embrace their Grand Assertion.

I invite, encourage, implore you to…

Declare your Grand Assertion to the world and begin taking action in earnest.

I just have!

You have a voice—a voice inside of you.

Sometimes it’s a shout; sometimes it’s a whisper but it’s there.

Call it intuition; call it a gut feeling. You can call it your conscience or you can call it a nagging chatter.

It doesn’t matter but it’s a voice that you hear. Sometimes you listen and sometimes you ignore it; but it’s always there.

It’s the voice of reason—your reason, your purpose, your passion.

It’s a calling. It’s the reason “you are YOU” and the reason why you’re here—in this moment. It’s the reason of, and for your life.

The world is unfolding in silence just waiting for you to speak.

I’m not a “guru”—never hoped to be, never wanted to be—never will be.

In its “formal” sense, the term “guru” has been defined as:

• a preceptor giving personal religious instruction
  
• an intellectual or spiritual guide or leader
  
• a person who counsels or advises; a mentor
  
• a leader in a particular field
  

The “formal” or historical sense of a “guru” as a preceptor, guide, advisor, mentor, or leader I can live with; it’s the current implications and use and overuse of the term I choose to live without.

In the now “common” or prevailing sense of the word, “guru” has been used by clever marketers, slick salespeople, prodigious product-sellers, and sometimes hucksters or charlatans as a way to say “I know way more than you so you should listen to me, obey me, follow me, or want to be like me” without hesitation or reservation. It’s the old “you too can be just like me if only you do what I have done (and I’ll sell you the product, formula, or secret to show you how—buy now).”

Bullshit! (please forgive my bluntness)

People speak of “gurus” in business, relationships, life, and in spirituality as if they alone are “the lone keeper of the secrets” and are the unquestionable authorities on how to live, love, be, and do in every area of life, love, bliss, or business. To me, a guru is a teacher and a conveyor and purveyor of knowledge, a true guru understands the gift is in the message and not the messenger.

I’ve been a “student” as far back as I can remember; I’ve been in business for a long time (30 years plus), and been alive a lot longer (well, not that much longer). While I’ve had a significant number of mentors, a wide-array of personal and professional advisors, and learned from and have been associated with tons of people I respect, love, and admire, I’ve yet to find the one person who knows it all, has-it-all, and “is-it-all”—no matter the field of expertise or experience.

Yep, I’ve met plenty of experts, dozens and dozens of people with more knowledge, experience, and expertise than me. I have a high regard for many, if not most of them. I appreciate their information, I respect their accomplishments, and love to learn from their experience and expertise but at the end-of-the-day, it comes down to this: knowledge is valuable, but wisdom is priceless.

Knowledge and information may come from “with-out”; wisdom comes from “within”.

My aim here isn’t to attack any “sage on the stage” or any “prophet in a package”. My message is intended for you to realize, remember, and reclaim your personal power and your ability to recognize your own unique gifts, treasures, and talents to do, be, and have what it is you want through your own innate greatness and unique abilities. Any message is meaningless unless you and you alone do what needs to be done, the best way you know or learn how to do regardless of the messenger. To expect, demand of or blindly defer to a “guru” is a surrender of your own power and the abandonment of the potential alchemy of your unique skill and spirit.

Truth be told, I make my living as a ‘teacher”, advisor, speaker, and consultant; but as anyone knows who has been to one of my programs I make a critical distinction—it’s never about how great I am (or not) as a presenter or mentor, it’s about how great they (the participants) can be and will be in-part because of what I share but most importantly what they can and will do as a result of their experience in our collaborative relationship and our time invested together.

I’ve been blessed by my opportunities to have worked with and learned from some of the greatest minds and experts on the planet—for that, I’m forever grateful. But my success (or limitations thereof) is not a reflection of the “gurus” or guides or as a sole result of what they shared—it comes down to what I do, did, or didn’t with that experience and the wisdom I’ve gained from what I apply.

Your success is a direct result of not just what you learn, and certainly not about who you learn it from; it’s about what you do. But before you can truly learn you must question—is what I say, or whatever anyone else professes, confesses, or conveys “true for you”—that is the beginning of wisdom in my humble opinion as a “non-guru”. Take what is useful, apply it the best way you see fit, and leave the rest.

Best, Spike

We need vision today as much, and perhaps more, than ever. Not an everyday–”things will get better, be better someday” sort of vision—but an extraordinary vision of what can and will be.

In order to be great, a vision has to be both compelling and propelling, meaning it both pulls and pushes people toward something greater than themselves.

It’s the basis of all effective leadership. A leader leads because they have the ability to see beyond “what is” to “what can be”. They lead because their vision is not only inspiring, but it’s encompassing for themselves and others around them.

The proverb “Where there is no vision, the people perish” has an inherent meaning that people are affected by the vision or lack thereof. But it also implies that an effective vision extends beyond the visionary to the people who are inspired and compelled to do more, to be more.

Every great leader throughout history has had the ability not only to “see” a better future but to convey a sense of greater possibility and guide others along the way.

The global economy stinks. A lot of people are losing jobs, homes, patience, and maybe even hope. Times are tough for millions of people.

What “is” at this moment, isn’t what has to be, but “now” is simply a step on the path to something different, something greater, something we can all aspire to create and be part of. But in order to create it, we need to know what “it” looks like; if we can’t see it for ourselves, perhaps someone else can share the image of a brighter future.

Vision is not only the vehicle that propels a leader but carries the people who see, embrace, and helps bring possibility into reality.

In times of turmoil or uncertainty, it’s the leaders with a vision of possibility and certainty that change the world because they help us change our perception of today but also the potential we see in ourselves.

Leadership isn’t the same as authority; doesn’t come from position, and it’s not “forced” upon us—it’s embraced by us because we hold a higher sense of potential than where we are, and perhaps we who we are at this moment. It compels us to think of ourselves as people of possibility and propels us to reach our potential and create a new reality.

The world doesn’t need more politicians, gurus, experts, managers, speakers, teachers, or preachers who only talk about the past or the turmoil we face today. We need more people with vision, and the ability to share that vision with and for others so that we may see the world of potential and possibility before us. You, me—all of us can be those leaders, the visionaries of a greatness that begins today.

There’s great value in the light of the leadership of others but it is “we” who must walk into a brighter future for ourselves and to lead the way for those a step behind us and help those alongside of us.

Michael J. Fox once said, "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business."

Excellence is a process or pursuit; perfection is a "state" (and a static state at that). If and once one were to reach a state of perfection in anything the quest would be over, no improvement possible, and the passion that drove the pursuit of perfection would die.

Don't misunderstand. Aspiration for perfection is a noble quest, but there's a danger and a downside. If the expectation of "perfection" is present, surely you'll be disappointed if you don't reach it.

If the charge of being perfect is the standard of success, it's often easier not to get started than to risk almost certain failure in falling short. Laurence Olivier said it best, "Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything. Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best."

It's better to be prolific in your striving than starving in stagnation, self-fed with an alluring excuse not to try because you could never be perfect (or at least not right away).

The gift in seeking perfection is that you could never approach that without becoming at first proficient and ultimately excellent; that can be a magnificent obsession.

Intent on seeking perfection (or at least proficiency) in any endeavor or area of your life?

Here's a formula you can use on your path to mastery or excellence in any undertaking:

Ask yourself:

• In your mind, what does "perfection" look like, feel like, sound like? Write a detailed description of the ideal state (perfection), situation, accomplishment, or objective?

• Imagine what "it" looks like just before perfection—your life, your surroundings, your state of achievement so far? Write that description as well?

• What's your present "reality", what does it look like—the here and now? Write a detailed description here too.

Now create a plan with key steps, achievements, benchmarks etc. to get started moving from "here" to "just before perfection". What do you need to do to get started? What do you need to do right now? Who's help can you enlist? What do you need to learn or know? What will you need to do, get, create, or learn along the way? Create a detailed action plan with activities, times, dates, and performance measurements.

Record your growth, and remember to recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Focus on a commitment to progress and consistently move in the right direction on the road toward perfection—that's the best a person can do.

Another warning–you probably won't hit "perfection" regardless of how hard, how smart, or how long you work—blunt, but a reality. There's an invisible, unpredictable barrier in front of you. Your sense and measure of "perfection" will probably change before you get to perfection, which would make it impossible for you to ever achieve.

But excellence is within your reach!

I’m being interviewed tomorrow by Kim Castle of Brand University at the Conscious Entrepreneur Experience Event (www.BrandU.com/cee). The topic is “Personal Responsibility”.

It’s given me the opportunity to reflect and consider my own meaning of responsibility—what it is–what it isn’t. Personal responsibility isn’t hard, it isn’t heavy, and it’s not to be confused with blame. I believe personal responsibility is one of the most definitive acts of power an individual can take and make. It’s liberating.

On some level, I’m responsible. I’m responsible for my successes, my failures. I’m responsible for the decisions I’ve made, the choices I’ve exercised, and the actions I undertook or not. I’m not a victim of circumstance, I’m a victor of the opportunities I’ve created and the challenges I’ve faced.

Sometimes I find myself thinking I wouldn’t mind giving up some of that responsibility but then I remember—giving up the “responsibility” for something in my life means surrendering my choice and my power to act. If I’m choosing, if I’m acting—I am responsible for the results.

Does this mean I’m to “blame” if something goes not according to plan or even horribly wrong? No it means I’m responsible for the choice I made, the actions I took, but more importantly for the different decisions I can make now and in the future.

When and where does responsibility begin? William Butler Yeats said “In dreams begins responsibility”. I agree.

It’s in my dreams that a new reality exists, where unlimited possibility resides, and the seed of responsibility rests for me to make it so.

“What do I want for the rest of my life?”

I’ve asked myself this question dozens, perhaps hundreds of times for the last 49 years and 364 days. Today started at 3:30 AM Pacific Time with that very question.

But this day was my birthday—another year older (actually, just a day older but who’s counting?).

Most people see aging as a diminishment of “who they were” rather than an unfolding of who they are yet to become. Candidly, I’ve been one of these “most people” at times (I think it started at about forty-nine and a half).

I have lot of diminishments—I sure can’t run as fast as I used to. I can’t do a powerlifting squat worth a damn anymore. I jump about as high as I did in my early teens and it sucks when it comes to sports. To make it worse, as an athlete “the older I get, the better I was” memories make it harder to accept I won’t be turning “pro” anytime soon at anything in sports. Most nights, I have to “try” to sleep, and I take longer to wake-up, warm-up, and put-up than I used to. I have to “think” to remember facts I could recall in nanoseconds in my thirties. The “remind myself” lists now fill a page almost daily.

And a host of other creaks and quirks have crept into my physical and mental being that I don’t remember having fifteen years ago (I could make a list but a catalogue of complaints would serve no useful purpose).

Today, it started with that question…

“What do I want for the rest of my life?”

… and ended with a declaration.

“What I want for the rest of my life is…”

Perhaps turning 50 today has steered and steadied my focus from the question to the answer.

The unfolding of who I am about to become.

At first, this morning I thought about what I didn’t want for the next 50 years of my life; useful in creating a contrast between “what is” and what I would like to change–useful yes, but inefficient AND ineffective. Then I moved into making a list of things I “could” do. The list was almost overwhelming since I believe we live in a universe of infinite potential and I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities. Next came the list of “should” do’s—WAY too daunting and it felt more like a necessity than an inspiration of passion and purpose. Finally, I came down to was… THE LIST…

“What I Want for the Rest of My Life…”

No, it wasn’t a goal list. It wasn’t a list of dreams filled with “like-to-have’s” or “want-to-be’s”—or “would-like-to-do’s”. It was a list of what I want, who I will be and what I will do for the next fifty years of my life. A personal promise, a solemn vow…

…A Declaration!

I worked and I wrote. I got choked-up a few times (I’m not much of a crier), I giggled to myself. I reflected and I wrote some more. I scribbled and I mind-mapped. I added to the list and I scratched stuff out. But, at the end, I had it. What I ended up with was a list of things I will strive for, live for, and maybe even die for. These things will be the overarching guideposts of the next fifty years of my life. It wasn’t simply about receiving; much of it was about giving–giving to others, giving to myself, and giving to a purpose and a cause higher than myself.

You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot about what’s on the list as my list comes to life. I invite you to the unfolding of who I am about to become, but in the meantime, I have a question for you…

What do you want for the rest of your life?

I like to keep things simple. In fact, I pride myself in having an ability to take something abstract and make it specific.

I like to create lists, formulas, flow charts, blueprints, and step-by-step instructions for making things happen, and then make those same “things” happen all over again. I like to take the esoteric and mysterious and make it obvious and mundane. I like to take something that could be called a fluke or dumb-luck and transform it into a predictable pattern of performance that anyone can follow.

Some people “earn” a lot of money making a “simple” thing appear hard, unapproachable, or overly-complex—makes them seem “deep” perhaps. I get paid to make things simple and to get things done—perhaps not pretty, but effective for certain.

Ask me a question, I’ll give you an answer—simple and to the point. I don’t do the “linguistic boogaloo” to bedazzle you with my brilliance of how to turn the “matter-of-fact” into some mystical mumbo-jumbo. I like straight-talk and I don’t like B.S.—getting it or giving it.

I like concepts and ideas but I like positive results better. I enjoy dialogue and discourse but I respect action and accomplishment. I admire deep-thinkers but I love people who make their dreams come true.

I’ve been called a logical, linear-thinker, at times almost as an intended insult. Hummm…, something about a straight-line being the quickest path… comes to mind. Granted, sometimes life, logic, and the pull of circumstance call for a smooth curve to be created to get from point “A” to point “B” but all things being equal, let me get from where I am now to where I want to go on a straight path and I’ll figure the next best steps from there.

To that end, you want to get significant things done? There are a few things you’ll need…

It’s usually good to have a plan, a system, or a formula to get you where you want to go and get done what you want. You need to know what resources you need and what resources you have. You need to allocate time, energy, people, and capital towards the highest and best use. You need to have a system to monitor, measure, and manage your activities and results. You need to have contingency plans and actions poised at the ready if things don’t go as planned. These are the ingredients of success and this is how things get done.

I’m not talking about getting simple things done, like going to the fridge to get a beer—that’s pretty binary, either you get up off your bum or you don’t. I’m talking about the best way to get significant things done. To that end, the curtain has been parted…

The Seven Secrets of Getting Significant Things Done

1. Know where you are and where you want to go
   
   1. Where are you now, and what would you like to be different?
      

    

2. Have a clearly defined vision of the future
   
   1. When you accomplish your goal or objective, satisfy your desire or need, what does it look like, feel like, etc.?
      

    

3. Develop an observable, measurable strategy to get from here to there
   
   1. Does your plan contain specific descriptions of “Who, what, why, how, when, and what if…”
      

    

4. Identify, obtain, and align your resources
   
   1. What/who do you have, what/who do you need? What’s in it for them right now, and again when you’re successful?
      

    

5. Measure, monitor, and manage your assets, actions, resources, and results
   
   1. What are you/they going to do and how will you/they know if they’re on or off track?
      

    

6. Plan contingencies—for worse or for better
   
   1. What will you do if things don’t go according to plan–worse than hoped, better than you thought, or simply different than you expected?
      

    

7. What’s next
   
   1. After you have accomplished your objective, what do you want next? Do you want to duplicate it, replicate it, replace it, scale it, sell it, tell it, teach it, or something else altogether?
      

    

While not really secret, the “formula” I developed is powerful in its simplicity and in its effect. This process can be magical when applied to a concept, an idea, an unfulfilled desire, an unmet need, unrealized opportunity, or looming problem. I’ve seen this method change lives at my seminars and I’ve used this system for over twenty years to transform businesses around the world.

Now you know the “seven secrets” but one mystery remains…when are you going to get started?

I’m afraid.

We’re all afraid.

But what we fear is not what we are, it’s what we could and can be if only we dare.

Nelson Mandela said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

A powerful thought to contemplate…

But…

If we try, will it be good enough? If we dare, will we succeed? If we succeed, can we continually live up to the new standard and sustain our newfound success? If we can’t, will we be left laying naked in the isolation of a short-term success and a long-lasting failure?

Ah…wait, we don’t have to change, we can stay the same!

There’s a reassurance in only being as good, as powerful, as successful, as accomplished as we are now. There’s a certain contentment in remaining the same, bathing in the common glow of just what we have done and become until today. The comfort of the familiar; the certainty of staying the same—warm and fuzzy.

And it gets even better because we know we can be even better when the time is right.

There’s a definite ease and satisfaction in only thinking of, talking about, and fantasizing in what we might do, become, or accomplish if one-day, someday when the "time is right". There’s a snuggly security in waiting until we have all the stars aligned and the favor of a foretold-fortune to lead us from stagnation. "If only I had more of this, less of that, or absolutely everything just perfect, I’d be ready to be all I can be, but surely not before then—I just couldn’t possibly consider it."

Ah, the seductive ease of thinking about the "if only".

Then comes a destiny-shaping decision point—to forget about the "if only" and move to the "what if" mindset.

Hummmm…

What if…?

What if we were to allow ourselves to become our boldest dreams? What if we were to pursue with passion fulfilling the deepest-held desires and the needs that stir our soul? What if we were to live up to all of our potential and fulfill the entire scope of our possibility?

By most measures and my own previous standards, I’m pretty successful. But, what if…?

What if I unleashed my sense of possibility and pursued achievement beyond any limiting belief? What if I opened the gates of prospect and opportunity to smash any fear of failure? What might I become, what might I be, do, have, or give?

Admittedly, it’s a bit scary. But fear is an internal belief that’s cured by an external commitment–action.

I’ve always been a person of action and it’s time to crank it up a bunch of notches…

Care to join me?

In the business of life or in the life of a business we don’t always get a positive Return-on-Investment from our expenditures of capital or resources. In spite of the best thought-out and well-executed plans, we can’t always control the process or the result.

What is totally within our control is the R.O.E. or the “return on our experience” that we can deposit in the “bank of understanding”.

Value is inherent in every event, all interactions, and each experience if only we look to take advantage of it. The lessons we learn and the wisdom we earn are totally up to us and at our disposal.

When I look back at my career and reflect on my life, sometimes the most valuable gifts I have received have come from the most difficult of times. Trials, tribulations, and even painful knocks-up-side-the-head have often led to my greatest progress. If I learn from a challenge, I can profit from a problem and get a positive return on my experience. Man, at times I wished it were easier and that I could have gotten the same level of growth without having had faced the dilemma that brought about the progress–but it is what it is and was what it was.

I take heart in knowing that I have the opportunity to make a different choice next time around, gained resources I didn’t have before, and built strength in the knowledge that I can do better, be more, and make wiser decisions when faced with a similar circumstance. That, my friend is what life is about and in the business-of-life, a positive R.O.E is a guaranteed investment that always pays a positive dividend.

Since I’m not in the business of breaking-even—I think I’ll make mine a ten-to-one return.

How about you?