Get Ready-- We’re going to the next level.
I sincerely hope you have benefitted from this e-newsletter and perhaps you are a little closer to Living Life at Performance Level™.
In just seven days, I will give you access to a new way to start Living the Dream™.
Stay tuned for details because the countdown begins today!
Be Excellent.
On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I was invited to speak at the Retail and Marketing Association’s annual RAC conference. While in town, I had the distinct honor and privilege of seeing a good friend of mine living his dream. I have known Nate Cooper for going on 15 years. We worked together as performers in Dayton, Ohio years ago. We taught each other skills and shared our goals and dreams. He was a dancer and a juggler, a Vaudevillian comic with great timing and real passion. He dreamed of one-day being a featured performer in Cirque du Soleil. Nate always had something about him, some indescribable trait I see in successful people. I shared with him the value of goal-setting in my life. Nate decided to create his own 3, 5, 10 plan – goals for three years, five years and 10 years – and, you know something amazing? He did it.
Nate invited me backstage following his performance in Cirque’s show “Love” (which is based on the Beatles, so you know I’m a fan) and shared with me how he never let go of those goals, he never let his dream die. There were hard times, rejections and a whole lot of time practicing while no one was looking, when there was no audience to applaud him. But he made it and seeing him on that stage brought tears to my eyes. I was happy that Nate had not forgotten where he came from. He was still the kind, affable person I knew so many years ago. Too often talented people find success and let it go to their head, as if excellence was some sort of birthright. But not Nate. He’s kept his head out of the clouds and realized that excellence is something no one deserves, it is something they earn. Excellence is the reward for sacrifice, dedication and devotion to our dreams.
Congratulations Nate. You are amazing!
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Reaching Excellence
Nate Cooper never stopped believing. He knew that hard work and commitment would allow him to reach his goals. He also knew that he needed to be excellent in whatever he was doing. As a performing artist, he had and still has to keep his body, his voice and focus in top shape in order to maintain his success in this highly competitive industry.
How does he maintain excellence? He chooses a healthy lifestyle, continues to hone his skills and seeks balance in all he does. In this changing economy you may be challenged to brush up on your own skills or, perhaps, master some new ones. No matter what, strive for excellence.
Today: Evaluate
What does excellence mean to you?
What are you working toward?
What are you willing to give to pursue excellence?
This week: Start Small
Be excellent in little things.
1. Clean your car inside and out
2. Surprise someone with an unexpected call or visit
3. Give blood or make a charitable donation
4. Watch 1 less TV show and spend an extra hour with your family
5. Start a workout routine
This month: Don't settle
Striving for excellence takes a lot of hard work. It means never settling for less and always going the extra step to expect greatness from yourself and others. Choose a tangible reminder that you have committed to excellence.
1. Pick three new skills to learn and master
2. Have a theme song you play on your way to work that gets you excited and focused
3. Start and end the day with 5 push-ups and 25 jumping jacks
4. Choose an inspirational quote to read with your morning coffee
5. Read the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins
The Guinness World Record for juggling three balls without dropping was set in 2009 by David Slick, who managed to keep the balls going for an amazing 12 hours and 5 minutes.
Other Juggling Guinness World Records
7 balls for 10 minutes 12 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2005
8 balls for 1 minute 13 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2006
9 balls for 54 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2006
10 beanbags for 23 catches by Bruce Sarafian in 2001
Other Juggling Guinness World Records
7 balls for 10 minutes 12 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2005
8 balls for 1 minute 13 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2006
9 balls for 54 seconds by Anthony Gatto in 2006
10 beanbags for 23 catches by Bruce Sarafian in 2001
If you would like to share a story that demonstrates how Curtis has had an impact on you or someone you know click here. If we publish your story, we also need permission to use your name and the state you are from.
"Since hearing you speak for the first time last year, I began keeping a journal in which I document everything that goes on in my life. Every few months I look back at what I have written and really take time to see what is helping me reach my goals and who or what is standing in my way."
- Kaila, Florida
"Since being home we have reiterated your messages with our sons. Needless to say we keep each other in check by asking repeatedly “How are you doing?” and often the response is 'Living the Dream'."
- Veronica, Florida
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"If you're bored with life -- you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things -- you don't have enough goals."
- Lou Holtz
