Michael G. Stults

Changing the world one pixel at a time

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Always Finishing First

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Is finishing first always your mantra? If you think there is always an outside reward for doing so, life will sure tell you other wise. Sometimes those rewards are only self gratifying but other times you gain publicity for certain accomplishments. We all have participated in some type of sporting event or general event that classifies you as a winner, 2nd place, 3rd place and etc. My point in writing this article is to share a few things that I have learned about this statement. I feel people give up at times temporarily and need a pick up. I am no different than you. Sorry to break your heart. 🙂

Insert Brief Childhood Story Here

Finishing First Hard Work

Finishing First Hard Work

Growing up I was very timid and a shy individual. Today people would be astonished that was the case. My home life was a bit rattled with domestic violence and alcohol through what seemed every weekend. I am slightly embarrassed to now publicly say that was our childhood for a period of time. That in itself doesn't determine you as a person nor does that say your parents can not be changed progressing their life forward. Starting in 3rd or 4th grade my dad wanted me to start Boxing down at the community center. Unfortunately that was not in the plans due to some issue that night but we made our way over to a smaller group in the next building doing Kenpo Karate. For the next 4 years or so until my parents officially divorced and we moved, I cherished every Tuesday and Thursday evening.  [Read more…]

LifeSkills

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We recently moved and as in normal fashion you tend to find those “hidden” boxes from your childhood or other things you meant to throw away years ago… Some of you may just throw everything out like that (childhood things) but for me, I keep a few items because it reminds me of who I am and who I was meant to be in some ways. As you get older those core principles stick with you and they are either magnified or exposed. Low and behold, I came across this “LifeSkills” document.

The LifeSkills Document

I had this document on my wall either late elementary or early middle school years. I don't exactly recall why I had this or why I kept it but I did have it hanging up in my room like a proud accomplishment. Elementary school years I was extremely shy and didn't say much of anything and continued to slowly break out of my shell as I continued to get older. It wasn't until after high school years that I realized that I had to “push” the envelope and develop into a different mindset.

Today, most people who know me on all levels would agree and certainly say that there was no way I was a very timid, shy kid growing up. Even my high school classmates would agree that there is a complete difference in my attitude of being more outgoing. One that recently stands out to me on the list is “SENSE OF HUMOR” because it was a recent conversation about an observation of me. Life is so serious; no one gets out alive. That's not to say everything is a joke because that is far from the truth. [Read more…]

Don’t Listen To Negative People

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There is this story about these frogs. Naturally curious frogs…. There was a pale of milk they were playing around the edge. The two frogs fell into the pale. The other frogs came up and started laughing at them and making fun that they fell into the pale. Saying things like “you're not going to get out, ha ha ha…” laughing instead of helping them.

So both frogs start hopping, hopping trying to get out. But one frog couldn't hear that good. He was hard of hearing and the other frog could hear the other frogs. So they keep trying to get out of the pale because they knew they were going to drown. All of sudden the frog that could hear started listening to all the negative people at the top. The other frogs continued to laugh at them… ha ha ha ha and because he could hear them so dog gone well, he drowned.

The other frog couldn't hear that good so he kept on hoppin, just hoppin. He hopped so much that the milk turned into butter and it got hard and then he jumped out. When he hopped out the other frogs came up to him like “Man, listen man”. The frog says “huh”? Other frogs respond by saying “man, we were talking about you. Why didn't you drown”? Frog says “huh”? We were putting you down, talking about you. Frog responds and says “you were”? Yeah man! Frog: “Oh, I thought you were cheering me on! I didn't know. I thought I heard you say you can do it baby, come on you can make it man”.

See, that is what negative people are. You have to be a hard hearing frog because negative people are just cheering your butt on!

Be a selective listener like people who have valuable information to share. Listen to voices of value. Something of value. ~Jim Rohn

17 Things Successful People Do

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I came across this infograph and found it pretty darn interesting to say the least. The original article that this infograph is tied to is titled: “17 Counterintuitive Things the Most Successful People Do” by  CEO of Docstoc, Jason Nazar.

As you continue reading the information below, you'll find things that you may not agree with and then maybe some things that you will. I would say, print this off and hang it up somewhere. I feel some of these points are valid but it also takes a disciplined person to achieve a few of these items below. Depending on your demeanor and how you communicate with people, you could go in the wrong direction with the approach. As with anything, opinions are a dime a dozen. You need to find what method works best for you because when you feel one way is the only way to go about a task, someone will come along and prove  you wrong.  [Read more…]

Time Management: What Have I Changed

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Time is all we have. We may find one day that you will have less than you once did. Time management all around is important. Family is also very important but to be successful most of us don't fall out of our mother's womb with a top hat and a cain while we laugh it all the way to the bank. There truly is a level of hard work dedicated to making that happen. Is it true that others have more of a “Midas Touch” than you? Sure.. I'll give you that one. I recall earlier in my working life at HSBC and there were guys that could make minimal calls but always were able to pull out big numbers for their sales that month. On the other hand… I was pounding the phone like the world was ending tomorrow but only to see not the same results. What I quickly figured out was that I had to work smarter and “cherry pick” the customers I knew we could convert. It was only when I FULLY knew the in's & outs of our products that I quickly adapted to consistently hitting higher sales. So the moral hear… you can be a copy cat… just copy the right KAT! [VIDEO Below] [Read more…]

3 Most Important Areas of Your Life

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Doesn’t it seem that everyone has a specific view on what should be most important in your life? My title of “3 Most Important Areas of Your Life” really should have an additional “dot dot dot” because for me my faith should be the most important followed by family then work. I am human just like you. Ironic, don’t your think? Mike, Mike, Mike… but wait, you’re telling me the 3 most important things in life aren’t “Love, Sex, and Rock-n-roll”? I guess you could make a persuasive argument. JK

Over the weekend I attended the high school graduation for the seniors of Smithville High School. Jenn’s brother finally completed his 13 years of the public education system and will be off to boot camp before we know it. We are certainly proud that he accomplished this milestone that is the beginning of a new era of his legacy and name. [Read more…]

2012 Polar Bear Plunge Kansas City

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If you're crazy and you know it, please clap your hands! (clap, clap). On January 28, 2012 around noonish, I participated in the 2012 Polar Bear Plunge out at Shawnee Mission Park/Lake in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. This was my first time ever doing it. I owe a big thanks to my friend Steve Hugunin who has done this the last 6 years. He is a great guy who loves to help others and especially these special causes such as the Special Olympics. The event raised money for that organization.  [Read more…]