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In the last 120 hours, I have received a flood of messages on Facebook from fine folks wanting to make sure that I would commit to vote in the midterm election. Their pleas went something like this:

“You have to vote…”
“Have you already voted?”
“Go here and sign this petition to vote…”
“WE NEED YOUR VOTE!!!”

No worries.

I’ll vote… just as I have in every election since 1978. But I gotta tell you that I’m not real big on being told by hired political guns and unprincipled marketers for whom to cast that vote… I kinda study this stuff, you know.

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I told you yesterday that I am a very POLITICAL person who writes a predominantly NON-POLITICAL blog. You might say that many of my PARTY days are behind me… political and otherwise :)

Life comes down to principles and values and issues of character and integrity. Unfortunately, powerful people who are willing to say anything and do anything and trample all opposition in pursuit of their power tend to make really big messes for the rest of us.

And it’s not just in the political world either… it’s in our corporate boardrooms and our non-profit causes and our schools and our churches and our marriages.

Small people with big issues, seeking big power can cause big problems… and usually do.

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Okay, so I had a Skype conversation the other day with a friend from Europe… he asked why I thought the current administration had lost so much ground.

“After all,” he said, “didn’t people want change?”

First of all, I told my friend… running on “Change” is nothing new. I think back to all the Commander’s in Chief of my lifetime: President’s Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama.

Taken together with all of their opponents, each represented change and alternative solutions… some very positive and enlightening… others very negative, even frightening.

Nice rhyme… :)

But let’s be clear… change or the desire for it, is a fairly constant, common denominator.

The question really becomes… what kind of change?

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“So, what brought on the collapse,” asked my friend.

I’m no philosopher, I said, but I think that’s what it comes down to… philosophy and wisdom and vision. Yes, the vision for our Country… our families… our businesses and our charities and our joys and our lives.

On February 5th, 2008, I remember raising my eyebrows as I heard our future President state that, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

I remember wondering what “We” meant. Did that statement mean “We the people…”, I thought, or, “We the politicians…”.

And to that point, I remember telling a friend nine months to-the-day later that while it was certainly important who was elected and leading in The Statehouse and The Whitehouse, IMHO it was far more important who was leading in OUR house… in our own homes and families and businesses and churches.

That is where leadership affects, well… our own effectiveness, as parents, spouses, mentors, teachers and friends.

So if the polls are correct, there may be a big change of political leadership tomorrow. And if those who would aspire to replace the incumbents turn around and act like power-mad idiots with indifference and arrogance, they’ll likely run into some term-limits of their own in the future.

I guess when it comes right down to it, I really am all about change. But I believe the change that’s really needed doesn’t come from outside… doesn’t come from your boss… and doesn’t come from the politicians of any party.

Join me now, please… and look in the mirror, because I believe that it’s the changes that WE make… that are the ones that really matter.

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So, what about voting? And what about the whole notion that this is not a political blog?

What can I say?

All I can tell you is that Wednesday morning, regardless of who wins what election, I will get up and work my tail off for 12-14 hours to bring positive change and results to the people and situations that I touch… just like I did today.

And you’ll likely do the same, because there are others who believe in you… who are counting on you.

In fact, I bet there are at least fifteen people who would love to hear from you tonight… and they’re in your address book or contact list right now. Why not go and connect at once?

Yes, we have the ability to change our communities… to lead with our values… to uplift the weak. We can choose now to respect our elderly… to encourage the suffering… to raise our children… and honor our warriors.

Simple.

You see, you and I are the change… the ones that others have been waiting for… the ones our families have been praying for.

I look forward to hearing from you…

Photo Credit:

Pink Sherbet Photography

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There is little doubt that I am a very political person… there are days when the entire process can be at once maddening, frustrating, energizing and exhilarating.

Oh yes… and time consuming.

At the same time, you know that this definitely IS NOT a political blog or forum, and I carry the water for NO political party.

Principles, yes… Party, forget it.

And as you can imagine, over the past two weeks I have had numerous requests to endorse particular agendas on this site. I have had countless opportunities to come out in favor of this candidate or that.

I haven’t done it.

Want to know for whom I am voting? Call me and ask.
Want to know why I am voting for whom I am voting? Call me and ask.
Want to know why I believe the current crop of incumbents is in big trouble?

Okay… I’ll tell you.

And then I’ll offer a caution to those who would take their place… and also for you and me.

Tomorrow.

Photo Credit:

AndYaDon’tStop

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Twenty-one months or so ago, I wrote an article which basically said that we make our habits… and then our habits make us.

In effect, our habits ultimately define a good deal of our identity.

Lately, I have had a number of conversations with people who have been struggling… and it would seem that a large part of that struggle is not only their habits, but also in how they see themselves when they’re all alone.

Yes, it’s a real-life big-time identity crisis… and it’s nothing new.

I am reminded of a number of stories going back to Biblical times where it was so important for people to chart a new course that they literally had to take on a complete change in identity… and as part of that identity change, they were actually given a whole new name.

So Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah… subtle changes that represented an entirely different mindset. Look it up. Likewise, Jacob became Israel… Simon became Peter… Saul became Paul… and a ton of others with names you can barely pronounce.

Don’t believe me?

Try Belteshazzar or Zaphenath-Paneah or Meshach, for example… but alas, I digress :)

The point is that what we believe about ourselves… indeed, what we see and what we say about ourselves can have a profound effect upon our outcomes. Sure, what others do and say can influence us if we allow it, but our own thoughts and our own beliefs and our own actions can make or break us quickly.

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I think it was Henry Ford who said that, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” And to a degree, he was on the money. For sure, if you believe the negative… if you believe you can’t… the chances of success are limited.

Are you persuasive? A people person? Good with money or relationships or the opposite sex? Are you full of life and energy and vitality and strength?

Are you good with math? An excellent cook? A good reader or teacher or listener? Could you be?

If your answer is no, then there is little opportunity for improvement. And the reason is simple. If we claim despair and frustration and disease and hopelessness… if we believe in a negative… then what is the use of even trying?

It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

On the other hand, many times we can change our thoughts… change our words… change our actions… and change our position in life.

Yes, we can change our identity.

And when we change how we see ourselves… we often change how the rest of the world sees us as well.

So here’s to everything you love about yourself… and to improving the rest :)

I look forward to speaking with you.

Questions:

What are three statements you are telling yourself that may be holding you back?

What are three areas that you would like to improve in 2011?

If you tried and failed in one of those endeavors today, what’s the worst that could happen?

What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t try at all?

Photo Credit:

MahPadilha

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Of all the questions I was asked this week, I suppose none was more common than those surrounding this evening’s NFL match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.

It’s always been a fairly fierce and competitive rivalry, but the interest from around the country has intensified, of course, since Brett Favre made the move to Minneapolis at the start of last season.

A few days ago while working in the Twin Cities, I was repeatedly asked what I thought would happen in tonight’s game. Yesterday, attending a seminar in Milwaukee with friends from… you guessed it, Minneapolis… the same theme echoed several times.

“Who do you think will win?” I was asked.

My answer is always the same… it depends which team shows up. Over the last many decades, the Packers have shown the ability to dominate both sides of the ball convincingly and win decisively.

They have also shown the willingness and propensity to occasionally and all-to-frequently play like my grandma.

Now, you must understand…

In no way am I offering any disrespect to my mom’s mom. Indeed, throughout her 92 years she was one of the kindest, most gentle and loving people ever to grace the face of this earth.

But let’s be honest… she WAS NOT a good football player.

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“Oh shoot…”

That was the response I received from my friend, Chris Kilber, when I told him that Clay Matthews would be activated this week.

You may remember that last month I made the prediction that Clay would be selected this season’s NFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Four days after I made the prediction, he was given that title for the month of September… then two weeks later sat out a week with an injury.

Here’s the problem…

What we found out is that the Packer’s have two defenses: there’s the defense with Clay Matthews… and the one with my grandma. It’s the one with number 52… and number 92.

Remember, it doesn’t matter which position she played… my grandma just was not very good at football. And unfortunately, it appears she has been relied on at one time or another in virtually every position on the team… including the coaching staff.

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So who’s going to win?

With kick-off just a few minutes away, we’ll soon find out. And with a Bears’ loss earlier today, a real opportunity exists as well.

Though I must admit, of the near countless terrific qualities for which my grandma was known… being an opportunist was not at the top of the list.

I love you, Grandma :)

(GO PACK!)

Photo Credit:

Jayel Aheram

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Last month, I could have gotten an iPhone.

I say, “could have”, because I really wasn’t looking for an iPhone and the truth is that the brand wasn’t a priority for me.

No big deal, it’s just that sometimes I find better solutions away from the crowd :)

Yet at the same time, after many years with my current provider, I wasn’t all that anxious to switch service to a new one either.

You see, I was generally satisfied with my previous plan and the service I received up to that point, and would have happily stayed where I was… and THAT, for all practical purposes, meant iPhone.

Now as it happened, I was making a few calls on an incredibly busy and somewhat stressed day and one of those calls went to my mobile service provider. Now you know that I’m not into starting rants or naming names and I will continue that tradition here… though since I’m talking about iPhone, and iPhone only currently runs on one network… you’re probably already way ahead of me.

Okay, what the heck… so I call AT&T, just to ask when my current contract expires so that I can upgrade. And the gentleman on the other end says, “Oh, your contract is already up… would you like to switch to another carrier?”

Huh?

“Yes,” he said. “I can help you port your current service [to another carrier] right now if you wish.”

This, I suppose from the “Benedict Arnold” school of sales and lead nurturing!

Here I was, without a contract… ready to upgrade my phone and my plan… and there was no recognition that I am about as hot as a lead will ever get!

There was no sense of help or urgency… no desire to keep an eight year customer from walking out the door. On the contrary… it was more like, “Here, let me get the door for you… goodbye.”

Very strange behavior on their part, but I must say… I really do love my new Droid :)

 
Photo Credit:

M3R

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My opinion… Clay Matthews, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, will be the National Football League’s 2010-11 Defensive Player Of The Year.

Also my opinion… 48 hours from now, on Monday evening, Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears will be the next NFL Quarterback to get to know him just a little more personally.

Yeah… Clay Matthews is good. Really good. But good players in the NFL are a dime a dozen. Well, make that 200,000,000 dimes… but alas, I digress.

The point is, often times good players in the NFL are just like good players in the Corporate World… they get comfortable.

Sometimes even lazy.
Most often, satisfied.

And satisfaction with being pretty good keeps them… and us… from being our best.

Yes, it keeps us from reaching our true and God-given potential.

Am I saying that God has a plan for you that you might miss out on if you don’t work harder and smarter… if you don’t strive to learn more and become even better?

Well, yeah… I guess I am… but that’s just my opinion too :)

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Clay Matthews is not satisfied, and that is why he will go from good… to great.

For example, in the off-season he learned that by studying Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), he could use his talents and his body much more effectively against his opponent. So he sought out the best trainer he could find and got busy.

I love the video below because of the lesson it imparts. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be his best… period.

The question for me is… am I willing to do whatever it takes to be MY best?
The question for you is… well, you know what the question is :)

And the truth is that, more than likely, you and I don’t even need to get our noses broken into eight pieces to accomplish our best. And that’s a good thing ’cause I am perfectly happy with the nose I’ve got :)

However, also more than likely, is the fact that we probably CANNOT just stay comfortable and become everything that we have the potential to become… to influence and impact and help all the people that we have the ability to influence and impact and help.

It may be as simple as learning some new technology or burying our fear of rejection or the unknown. It might require us to network more or read more or search out a mentor… a trainer… or a coach. It could mean turning off the television one or two nights a week… it could mean focusing intently on improving our health or our finances or our personal or spiritual relationships… or letting go of disappointments or guilt or unproductive thoughts and habits and activities in our past.

It will certainly mean commitment and growth and change and sacrifice.

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Tonight, there are people whose most urgent hope and prayer can only be answered by meeting you… by meeting me. It is MY hope and prayer that neither you nor I will be satisfied… until we fulfill THEIR hope and prayer.

You see, becoming our best isn’t about personal glory and achievement. It’s not about position or power or wealth or prosperity. It isn’t about temporary gain or toys or pleasure.

No, the reason we need to BECOME OUR BEST… is so that we can GIVE OUR BEST.

To that end, along with several friends, we are putting together a team that will work harder than we’ve ever worked on anything before… to achieve results and help others at a level we may never have previously thought possible.

And who knows, maybe you’ll even want to come along. Here’s to each of us becoming… and giving… our best.

Enjoy the video :)

 
Photo Credit:

CaptainGoliath

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This week I began working with friends on a terrific project that will be absolutely transformational to the lives of a select group of individuals who have had about enough.

Enough waiting… enough stress… enough procrastination. Enough average and mediocre and ordinary.

Enough settling for second best.

Enough of others expectations… enough conformity and limitations. Enough unfulfilled potential and putting off dreams. Enough living in the future… enough living in history.

Enough of the same work with the same results and the same rewards.

Enough despair and frustration… enough judgment and ridicule. Enough fronts and faking and one-ups and game playing.

Enough fear and guilt and shame and pain and silence and loneliness… enough hopelessness and blame. Enough.

And so I’m wondering… is it possible, that you too, have had enough?

 
Photo Credit:

Alyssa Miller

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“Never write an advertisement which you wouldn’t want your family to read.”

- David Ogilvy

A few hours ago, I glanced at my computer screen and saw the above quote tweeted from a friend of mine named Dave who lives just down the road about twenty-five minutes.

Now, that was interesting for several reasons.

First, I do read every @stevebuelow that is sent on Twitter. However, with tens of thousands of followers and hundreds of messages per minute hitting the home page, the chance of seeing any particular post that refreshes on the timeline (especially from a friend) is remote at best.

So I thought that was pretty cool… but it was more than that.

You see, over time, I’ve read a fair amount of Ogilvy, but my friend, Dave, is not in the advertising business. On the contrary, he happens to be an engineer with a firm that makes… well, I think I’ll let him tell you himself some time. Let’s just say that his current position definitely DOES NOT appear to be his life’s calling, and probably doesn’t lend itself to reading much from the historical advertising icons.

But I do love the quote… and I love the fact that it was important to my friend, Dave.

For well over twenty years, I have used a similar thought process as a foundational principle in deciding what to do, where to go, what to watch, what to read, and how to speak.

When my life revolved around the corporate boardroom, I maintained an open door policy. Being home-schoolers at the time, my wife and daughter were around more than not. When I had my radio show, my audience ALWAYS included members of my family, friends and closest business and church associates.

And as I write this blog and engage in social media, we sometimes necessarily hit on some tough subjects, but my hope and prayer is that it is always done with respect for you and your family and friends… and for mine.

Thank you for your friendship… I look forward to speaking with you.

 
Photo Credit:

Michael Hodge

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