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Shaping the Future

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:00:00 GMT

by Jim Stovall

From our own individual perspectives, there are only three categories of time. There is the past, the present, and the future.

The past has conspired to make us who we are, but it cannot affect us going forward except to the extent that we allow it to do so. The past is a great learning tool, but it is only an indicator of the future if we allow it to be.

If you have ever invested any money, you have undoubtedly received a prospectus. Since no one ever reads a prospectus, I will give you the one key point that seems to appear in every one of these legal and financial documents. At one point or another, every prospectus says, “Past performance is not an indicator of future results.” This is easy to understand as it relates to finance but harder to grasp as it relates to our lives.

The present moment is a nebulous point in time. It is the product of the past and the gateway to the future but seems to be a mere blip on the radar. If your entire past were climbing a huge mountain and your entire future was the descent down the other side, the present moment would consist of that brief point at which you stand on the summit. The future is a clean canvas where we can create our own art or allow others and circumstance to randomly direct our destiny.

John Schaar, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said it like this. “The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created—created first in mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”

Unfortunately, the more we grow and learn, the more we seem to limit our futures. As small children, everything seems possible, but as we pursue our education and our career, we seem to narrow instead of broadening the future outcomes we are willing to consider. If anything is possible, we must realize that everything is possible. Both the limitations and the pathways to success exist in our mind and imagination.

As you go through your day today, own the past, manage the present, and imagine the future.

Today's the day!

This article may be copied or reprinted by Ultimate Productivity Members, courtesy of www.ultimateproductivity.com.

28-Jul-11 1:00 PM

Dog Decisions

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:00:00 GMT

by Jim Stovall

We just finished production on a movie based on my novel The Lamp. I’m really excited about the project, and I hope you have the opportunity to read the novel and see the movie in the near future.

When you turn a book into a movie, there are a number of variables and uncertainties. Among these unpredictable elements is the fact that you never know how a real audience is going to react to an actor or the character they are playing. The Lamp has many outstanding stars including Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr.; Muse Watson, best-known for his current role as Mike Franks on NCIS; Tony Award-winner L. Scott Caldwell who recently starred on Lost; Sarah Brown, a three-time Emmy Award-winner; and I even reprise my role as the limousine driver that I have played in a number of movies.

The entire cast of The Lamp did a great job, and they’ve all been well received by the sample focus group audiences we have screened the movie for prior to its release; but there was one huge surprise in the cast of The Lamp who brought a lot of star power and audience appeal.

Cooper is an eight-year-old mixed-breed dog who was rescued from a shelter before he might have been euthanized (www.facebook.com/coopergoodboy). This is a huge problem across the country as there are more unwanted pets than shelters can deal with. Cooper was rescued by Beth Sharp who is one of my colleagues at the Narrative Television Network. Beth trained Cooper extensively, and he became a nationally-registered therapy dog. Cooper regularly visits children’s hospitals, nursing homes, and libraries. On each of these occasions, Cooper performs a number of tricks.

When we finished the script for The Lamp movie, we needed a dog in several places, and I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather have in the film than Cooper. In The Lamp movie, Cooper performed a number of intricate maneuvers, including bringing a Kleenex to Louis Gossett Jr., hiding and retrieving car keys, and befriending a young girl who had not been able to talk or interact with anyone since a horrible accident.

If you ask Beth or other dog trainers how they get their dogs to perform complicated tasks, they will tell you about a teaching technique they use called N.I.L.I.F. This stands for Nothing In Life Is Free. Cooper and other highly-trained dogs quickly learn that if they perform a task on cue, they get a treat or some other reward. If they fail to perform and choose to lie around doing nothing or pursue some outside stimulus that is immediately attracting them, they do not get a reward. I think it is amazing that dogs can learn this in a relatively short period of time, but I know many adult humans who have never grasped this simple concept.

Any time you’re not succeeding or achieving up to expectations, if you will truly examine your circumstances, you will discover you are probably violating the vital life principle known as N.I.L.I.F.

As you go through your day today, take a lesson from Cooper and enjoy the rewards.

Today's the day!

This article may be copied or reprinted by Ultimate Productivity Members, courtesy of www.ultimateproductivity.com.

29-Apr-11 10:00 AM

Jim Stovall's Winner's Wisdom Blog

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:19:33 GMT

Jim shares his thoughts weekly about timely topics to improve your performance and enhance your success. Customer Service and Survival by Jim Stovall February 2, 2012 Customers are like teeth. The only ones you need to maintain are the ones you want to keep. I hear news stories and ongoing news media coverage about how bad the economy is and how consumers are not spending money. You wouldn’t know this from going into the average retail establishment today. The majority of businesses you might enter to purchase a product or service do not provide a level of customer service that you would expect from someone that is not having enough retail revenue. There is a local establishment near my office where we purchase sandwiches for lunch. They do not deliver, so we go across the parking lot and pick them up. They have asked us to fax our orders to them. This was acceptable, except they explained that they don’t often hear their fax machine receive an incoming...

News & Updates

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:06:54 GMT

Ultimate Thanks I just wanted to say thanks for coming out with this amazing book. I'm so enthused about life and love sharing it with those around me. ~Stephen K. Ultimate Inspiration I've been telling my friends about your book and also my whole church. On a practical level, your book has been the best book I've read. I'm buying all of your books. You are such an inspiration to me. Anyway, I've got myself into a financial mess and need to get out. I'm brainstorming and your book has helped me a great deal. ~Peter A. Jim Stovall and Paula Marshall interview on Fox23 Click Here to watch the interview with Jim Stovall and Paula Marshall as they share the implementation of Ultimate Productivity training at Bama Companies. Alan Vanderburg and Willie Holt share their training experiences. Ultimate Motivation I finished your book this past weekend and found it an easy read, and enjoyable. There were several nuggets that I saved and I hope to implement in the next level of my...

Ultimate Productivity Radio Show

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:43:39 GMT

For over a decade Jim Stovall has written a weekly syndicated success column that is carried in newspapers, magazines, and online publications around the world. Every Monday morning Jim Stovall joins Pat Campbell, host of the local Fox radio affiliate, to discuss the current Winner's Wisdom column. Archives of Jim Stovall’s columns and radio features are available on the Ultimate Productivity Members Site. Living and Retiring Giving Yourself Becoming Madoff Proof Blame and Responsibility Financial Survival Radio Jay Carter interviews Jim Stovall about how economic collapse can turn into an Ultimate Gift click here to listen. Holistic Living with Tina Marie and Todd Alan Jim Stovall shares his thoughts on the purpose of a life worth living. Click here to listen

The Ultimate Journey

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:39:01 GMT

by Jim Stovall For over a dozen years, I have been writing these weekly columns that are read by countless people in newspapers, magazines, and online publications around the world. I am privileged to have each of you as regular readers of this weekly offering. Most of you became aware of me and my work through a little book I wrote entitled The Ultimate Gift. The book has sold millions of copies and became a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox starring James Garner, Abigail Breslin, and Brian Dennehy. The movie continues to be among the top-selling family movie titles everywhere. The Ultimate Gift is a story about a billionaire, Red Stevens, who is nearing the end of his life and, instead of making his heir Jason Stevens an instant millionaire, he sends him on a 12-month odyssey to experience the gifts of money, friends, work, family, love, and other gifts with the provision that if Jason can succeed at each of these tasks, he will inherit the Ultimate Gift. The...

You Are Amazing

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:18:30 GMT

If I Were Amazing by Jim Stovall Each of us are confronted with a myriad of tasks each day that require our attention. Most of us allow far too many things to get onto our calendar or day planner. There are very few things that are truly important or critical enough to require your immediate and personal attention; therefore, we go through our day confronting routine items while asking ourselves: “What do I have to do?” “What is expected of me?” or “What is the least I can do in this situation?” If we did fewer things but did them better, we would find ourselves achieving and moving ahead faster. Once we get our daily list cut down to a manageable number of things that are truly significant and need our personal attention, instead of asking, “What’s the least I can get away with?” we should ask ourselves...

Tribute to John Wooden

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:19:28 GMT

Wednesdays with Wooden Jim Stovall joins Lynn Shackelford, former UCLA basketball player, in reflecting on legendary Coach John Wooden's impact in the world. (click here) 100th Birthday Tribute As we celebrate the great life and contributions of Coach John Wooden on what would have been his 100th birthday, Jim Stovall shares his experiences in a Coach John Wooden Tribute interview for the All Access Sports Network. Click below to listen to the tribute to Coach Wooden. Jim Stovall’s friend and mentor, Coach John Wooden, passed away last week. In addition to their friendship, Coach John Wooden was instrumental in developing many of the principles and techniques surrounding the Ultimate Productivity book and training system. Jim Stovall received requests for quotes or interviews from media after Coach Wooden’s passing. Here is an interview from Monday, June 7. Legend, Mentor, and Friend by Jim Stovall This past weekend, I was out of town to...

Quotes on Productivity

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:46:56 GMT

Productivity is probably one of the most misunderstood elements of success. The word productive means to generate results. Here are some thoughts and questions to consider as you define and implement your Ultimate Productivity. excerpt from Ultimate Productivity: Is this task really something that I want to accomplish, or am I confusing activity with productivity? What is the perceived benefit if I accomplish this task, and is there a better way to derive the same benefit another way? Do I have all of the information I can get in order to make the best decisions possible, or will more information become available later? What people can help me complete this task, and can they be working at the same time I am working, therefore giving us simultaneous effort? Are there steps that must be taken now or opportunities will be lost? Has anyone else already completed this task, or is there anyone who is already in progress that we could combine with? Are there ways to invest our...

Products & Services

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:55:12 GMT

Ultimate Productivity by bestselling author, Jim Stovall, with a compelling foreword and great insight from Steve Forbes, ushers in the latest, cutting edge tool that will be a must for every organization wanting to keep pace, grow profits and experience Ultimate Productivity. Endorsed by Ken Blanchard, Dr. Denis Waitley, Steve Forbes and legendary coach John Wooden. Ultimate Productivity is now available in bookstores! Click here to read a preview of Ultimate Productivity For bulk orders or to order directly call 800.801.8184. Or click here to email us. You may also want to view other titles available by Jim Stovall. Ultimate Productivity Preview Video (RealPlayer is needed to play this video. Click here to get the free RealPlayer ) The Financial Crossroads: The Intersection of MONEY and LIFE (www.thefinancialcrossroads.com) There are an endless number of books that tell you what to do with your money. There are even more books that tell you how to, and...

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:39:35 GMT

Whether you run the largest corporation in the world, are a sole proprietor, or are launching an entrepreneurial venture, your #1 cost will always be personnel. Organizations that succeed, grow and profit, are those that understand the unique traits, talents and strengths of each of their people and how to blend all of these individuals into a winning team. Benefits of Membership Take the Ultimate Productivity Profile (The Profile Access Code (Password) may be found in the Ultimate Productivity book on pages 42, 72, 98 or 159) Listen to Jim Stovall Leadership Instinct Webinar discussing being your B.E.S.T Balance Enthusiasm Single-Mindedness Tenacity Jim Stovall's Tribute To John Wooden Watch Jim Stovall speaking at the Express the Employment Professionals Simulcast broadcast across North America In this book, you will learn how to maximize your own productivity by discovering and releasing your core strengths in the critical areas of...

Financial Success Tools

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:56:14 GMT

The Financial Crossroads by Jim Stovall We make decisions every day that greatly affect how we live now and into the future. We are at a unique time and place in the economy in which there will be decisions made, individually and collectively, that will have an impact for generations to come. The Financial Crossroads is the title of my latest book that I coauthored with Tim Maurer (www.TheFinancialCrossroads.com). Tim Maurer is a financial planner with all the credentials and expertise you would expect from such an individual, but that is not why I agreed to write a book with Tim. I agreed to coauthor a book with Tim Maurer because he understands the relationship between money and life. He hosts a talk show in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area and makes guest appearances on many national media outlets. I believe Tim’s expertise is in viewing money as a tool necessary to live your life instead of viewing your life as a resource to make money. The subtitle of the...

Share Your Parrot Head Club Story

noemail@ultimateproductivity.com — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 9-Jun-10 3:00 PM
Expiration Date: 31-Dec-10 3:00 PM

Tell your candid story of your own Parrot Head Club experience or how you or a community organization have benefitted from the efforts and generosity of Parrot Heads. Share as many of the details and your feelings as possible.

Feel free to write as much as you want, up to 500 words, understanding that it may be edited for length, content or style.

If your story is used in the Parrot Head Club book, you will receive a free, autographed, pre-release copy of the book.

Click “Take this Survey anonymously” below to share your Parrot Head Story and to give permission for it to be used in the new Parrot Head Club Book.

100 Worst Employees

noemail@ultimateproductivity.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 15-Feb-10 7:00 PM
Expiration Date: 31-Dec-10 7:00 PM

Tell your candid story of the worst employee or co-worker you ever experienced. Share as many of the details and your feelings as possible.

Please remember that your identity, along with everyone in your story and the organizations involved will be altered to protect your confidentiality.

Feel free to write as much as you want, up to 500 words, understanding that it may be edited for length, content or style.

If your story is used in 100 Worst Employees you will receive a free, autographed, pre-release copy of the book.

100 Worst Bosses

noemail@ultimateproductivity.com — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 11-May-09 3:00 PM
Expiration Date: 8-Sep-09 2:00 PM

Tell your candid story of the worst boss you ever experienced. Share as many of the details and your feelings as possible.

Please remember that your identity, along with everyone in your story and the organizations involved will be altered to protect your confidentiality.

Feel free to write as much as you want, up to 500 words, understanding that it may be edited for length, content or style.

If your story is used in 100 Worst Bosses you will receive a free, autographed, pre-release copy of the book.

100 Worst Bosses Submission

noemail@ultimateproductivity.com — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Objectives: To collect your stories of your Worst Bosses experiences. We will then compile these stories into a book entitled, 100 Worst Bosses.

Release Date: 4-May-09 12:00 PM
Expiration Date: 2-Aug-09 12:00 PM
To be determined:

Lorem ipsum survey

noemail@ultimateproductivity.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:43:58 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 7-Jul-08 4:43 PM
Expiration Date: 7-Oct-08 4:43 PM

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2008-07-07T21:43:57Z

Instructor: Instructor

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