50 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You

Great quotes can be inspirational and motivational. You can use quotes to help guide your decisions in life, work and love. Here are 50 of the best inspirational quotes to motivate you:

1. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”! —Audrey Hepburn
2. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. —Maya Angelou
3. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. —Henry Ford
4. Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. —Vince Lombardi
5. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. —Charles Swindoll
6. If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. —Oprah Winfrey
7. Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. —Eleanor Roosevelt
8. I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. —Jimmy Dean
9. Believe you can and you’re halfway there. —Theodore Roosevelt
10. To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. —Eleanor Roosevelt
11. Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. —Les Brown
12. Do or do not. There is no try. —Yoda
13. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. —Napoleon Hill
14. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. —Mark Twain
15. I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. —Michael Jordan
16. Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. —Albert Einstein
17. I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. —Stephen Covey
18. When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. —Henry Ford
19. The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. —Alice Walker
20. The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. —Amelia Earhart
21. It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. —Aristotle Onassis
22. Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. —Robert Louis Stevenson
23. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. —Steve Jobs
24. Change your thoughts and you change your world. —Norman Vincent Peale
25. The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. —Ayn Rand
26. If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. —Vincent Van Gogh
27. Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. —Farrah Gray
28. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. —Dalai Lama
29. You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. —Maya Angelou
30. I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear. —Rosa Parks
31. I would rather die of passion than of boredom. —Vincent van Gogh
32. A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. —Unknown
33. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.——Albert Einstein
34. What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. —Bob Dylan
35. I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. —Leonardo da Vinci
36. If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. —Booker T. Washington
37. Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. —Jamie Paolinetti
38. If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on. —Sheryl Sandberg
39. Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. —Ancient Indian Proverb
40. When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. —Helen Keller
41. Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see. —Confucius
42. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. —Anne Frank
43. When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. —John Lennon
44. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
45. We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. —Ronald Reagan
46. Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. —George Addair
47. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. —Plato
48. Nothing will work unless you do. —Maya Angelou
49. I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples. —Mother Teresa
50. What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality. —Plutarch

A version of this blog first appeared at TalentSmart.com.

5 QUICK Steps To Prepare For The Unexpected In 2018

1. Call family and friends and let them know you LOVE them. I tell EVERYONE in my family I love them EVERY TIME I see them. Make no mistake - if I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow no one in my family with wonder how I felt about them. As for close friends I routinely tell them how important they are to me and ALWAYS make the effort to see them and call them once a month.
2. Start Your Emergency Fund. Simply open a new savings account with your bank where it automatically moves a small amount into this savings account from your checking. My emergency fund has 6 months living expenses stashed in cash I never touch..... start with figuring out how much you spend monthly and first save that, then build up to 3 months and BOOM you’re ahead of 95% of people.
3. Get Life Insurance (I recommend these companies here.) Overall I have 3 policies with 3 separate companies to reduce risk and ensure my family is cared for).
4. See your doctor & dentist and get your yearly or 6-month checkup. I had a close friend die - at age 37 - of colon cancer. If it had been caught just a few month earlier he might still be alive. Don’t be stubborn here (aka stupid). Take care of your body - it’s the only one you have.
5. Speaking of body - take one action to better take care of yours. A simple daily walk, 30 minutes of meditation or reading in the morning, and of course actually going to the gym (not just having a membership. What’s really helped me is accountability with a trainer.

I sincerely wish you a great 2018!

Is your retirement plan ready to go?

Preparing for retirement is a cornerstone of any financial plan, but a lot can change as you approach your golden years. That's why trying a "retirement dress rehearsal" well before you stop working can reveal items to be addressed or give you reasons to adjust your expectations. Double-check your financial details. Most people's anxiety about retirement comes down to finances, so feeling comfortable and confident in the numbers can go a long way toward alleviating doubts or worry. Use the 4 percent rule to quickly estimate a suitable nest egg amount, or explore free online retirement calculators to compare and contrast target goals based on your current age. Don't just consider the big number, either. Make sure to review your budget and cash flow because every penny counts. Consider your current and anticipated standard of living. Anticipating financial readiness requires making a few guesses in addition to your straightforward calculations. Take time to consider how closely your retirement lifestyle will mirror your current lifestyle. If you anticipate relocating or caring for dependents during retirement (especially if children or grandchildren will live with you), make sure to factor those additional costs into your financial projections. Prepare for a major mental and emotional shift. Don't neglect the psychological impact of retirement, especially when it comes to your social habits and sense of identity. Without built-in, on-the-job interactions with colleagues, clients or customers, it's even more important to strengthen human connections. Research suggests that loneliness and social isolation are a growing threat to public health, so be sure to invest time and resources to keep up with family, friends and activities to ensure continued well-being as you age.

(Inspiration) A lie exposed… and shredded

If you’re “middle-aged” ‒ say, somewhere in your 40’s or 50’s (or these days, maybe even your 60’s!) ‒ then this one’s for you...

And even if you’re not, pay attention anyway, because this is important.   

Fact is, it’s so very easy to get caught up in stuff ‒ parenting, working, staying in shape, working even more, worrying about crap. It never really ends. Then there’s that oh-so-precious commodity...   

Time.   

That’s right, time. You had so much of it when you were younger… and so little left after you’ve added a few decades to your “School of Reality” resume. Where did it go? And how can you possibly make the major lifestyle changes you need and want to make… when you’re already “over the hill”?   

Seems like it’s pretty much hopeless to think you can keep up with… let alone adapt to… all the new trends and challenges coming at you every single day.   

At least, that’s how a lot of folks think about it. That’s how they feel about it…   

I get it. Sure, as we get a bit older, a bit more experienced, it can be tempting to feel and think that way. But that doesn’t mean we should give in to the temptation. Not at all…   

There’s a much better way to handle this ‒ here’s what it is:   

Short video: Insanely successful “old guy” rips the over-the-hill LIE to shreds.   

To your success!

Small Businesses - Increasing Productivity

Another beautiful summer has gone by, and with the temperatures slowly dropping, it's time to start thinking about what is next. The fall season is known for family hayrides, pumpkin carving, apple picking and doughnut eating, but what does fall mean for your business? These wonderful distractions can take away from productivity and may lead to a lower return rate within your company. Keep the temperatures hot with these five tips for increasing fall productivity in your business.

1. Encourage your employees to get a full night of sleep — at least seven hours. Recharging between busy days will increase awareness in the workplace and lead to fewer sick days.
2. Incorporate healthy eating habits. If you have the means, provide fruits and veggies for your employees to enjoy during the workday. Turning to a healthy snack rather than that bag of chips in your briefcase will yield faster response rates and higher energy levels. Check out a list of healthy eats here.
3. Control the temperature of your office space as much as possible. It will already be chilly outside — your space doesn't have to be the same way. Ask your employees what temperature levels they are most comfortable with and try to stick to it. According to About.com, productivity is at its best when the temperature lies between 70–73 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Create a joyful environment with the décor of your workplace. Whether you have cubicles, open desk spaces, or separate offices, creating a cheerful area for your employees to work will allow creativity to flow and minds to relax. Integrate a pleasant and calming color scheme to commemorate the brighter days of the year. You might also consider adding bright art pieces, colored printer paper, and decorative plants.
5. Urge your employees to attend social events outside of the 9–5 hours to cultivate fun and meaningful relationships with their co-workers. Employees who enjoy their co-workers positively affect office ambiance and overall productivity. They may enjoy coming into work more; making the shock from warm bed to cold floor a bit less frustrating. Just make sure those relationships stay professional and do not hinder their ability to get work done.

Who me?

Disability insurance is one of the most overlooked forms of coverage despite it being one of the most necessary types of coverage. The odds of becoming disabled because of an accident, injury or illness can be up to 1 in 4 people according to the Social Security Administration. The average duration of a disability insurance claim is 34.6 months. With open enrollment approaching, consider opting in for group disability insurance. And if you are self-employed or otherwise do not have access to a group disability insurance, you should consider an individual disability insurance policy. Keep in mind, that even if you have group (employer) disability insurance, that you may not full coverage as some group disability insurance will only cover 50% of your salary (excludes bonus & commissions) along with the benefit being subject to income tax. Individual long term disability insurance benefits are not subject to income since premiums are payable on an after-tax basis. To find out your chances, you can use the Personal Disability Quotient Calculator from the Council on Disability Awareness.

It’s important to note that while the U.S. Government has the Social Security Disability Insurance program, it can be difficult to qualify for and may provide insufficient benefits. Here’s Why you shouldn’t rely on Social Security disability insurance.

What is a salt pool and why we got one

When you hear someone say, "I have a salt pool," you think of the ocean, right? In fact, it's nothing like the ocean. A salt pool is also known as a chlorine-generated pool. The ocean's salt content is around 35,000 parts per million, where a salt pool is around 3,200 ppm.

The main reason for a chlorine generator is to produce its own chlorine so that consumers do not have to buy, store or handle liquid chlorine. Chlorine generators constantly produce a residual of chlorine, as long as the pump is running. This type of residual chlorine is softer, purer chlorine without the effects of liquid chlorine (dry skin, irritated eyes and bleached swimwear).

When your pool water passes through the chorine generator cell, it produces chlorine through the process of electrolysis. do not assume a salt pool is a "maintenance-free" pool. The generator only replaces the need to add chlorine; it does not maintain your other balances (pH, total hardness, total alkalinity and cyanuric acid). These balances, as well chlorine and salt levels, should be tested at least once a week. Free water testing analysis is provided by most local pool stores.

The average consumer will spend about $1,170 per year on liquid chlorine and chlorine stabilizer tabs. With a salt pool, you can expect to cut that number down by almost $1,000 per year. Having a salt pool also gives you the convenience of not having to pick up any more chlorine jugs and tote them around each week.

To convert your pool, you will need to have your water tested to be sure all your chemicals are in balance. This can be done by bringing a water sample into your local pool store. Then arrange for a professional technician to come out and install your chlorine generator. You will have a power supply box attached to your wall and your chlorine cell piped into your existing pump equipment. Based on your current salt reading, they will then add your start-up salt to get your level up to the necessary 3,200 ppm.

In less than 24 hours, our pool was up and running as a salt pool.
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Hurricane Irma and The Eye of The Storm

In 10 years of living in Florida, last week was first time I had to deal with the impact of a hurricane directly. Kathy was assigned to Fawcett Hospital's (Port Charlotte, Florida) team 'A' and reported in for work on Saturday afternoon. We lost power at our home on Sunday. I watched the hurricane coverage from the hospital and was amazed watching Irma hit Naples, Florida. The winds and rain were intense then suddenly it was calm, the eye of the hurricane had hit. It reminded me how many people, when in crisis or perceived crisis situations, become consumed with drama and panic. Yet in those situations we need to be more like the eye of the storm - calm, confident and under control. Drama, panic and freaking out all diminish your performance. It prevents you from logical thinking. High performers stay calm during crisis and many times even thrive. Staying calm not only improves your personal performance but the performance of those around you. If you or your team needs that calm, eye of the storm confidence when things get tough, contact me at dougmyrick@gmail.com

Insurance can be complicated…but getting your claim paid doesn’t have to be.

Most people give very little thought to insurance until it comes time to submit a claim. More specifically, not until a claim is delayed, under paid or denied. While there are numerous factors that determine why a claim is denied or underpaid, the insurance company is obligated to disburse the funds in accordance with the terms of the policy unless the language of the policy indicates that a policy condition has not been met. Sounds complicated, right? It can be…but there are a number of things that can be done to help ensure a claim is paid in full.

A few simple steps can go a long way to getting your insurance claim paid: 

• There are time sensitive requirements for the notification, filing and documenting of any claim or loss. Notify your insurer promptly of any loss and understand the requirements and time limits for filing a claim.
• Pay your premiums on time. Delayed or missed payments could results in a denied or under paid claim.
• Complete all original applications with detailed factual information. If the adjuster assigned to investigate your claim finds anything questionable with the original application for coverage or with the claim itself, it is possible that your claim may be denied because of conflicting information.
• Know what your policy covers and excludes to ensure you’re getting the coverage you need. Every insurance policy has exclusions. If the cause of your claim is excluded from coverage in your policy, then you can expect your claim to be denied.
• Following a loss, take all reasonable steps to protect property and to mitigate the damage. The policyholder is required to protect insured property from further damage and to mitigate the extent of loss. Not taking reasonable steps to reduce the extent of the loss could be grounds for a denial.
• Document all damage and file a detailed itemized claim to your insurer. One of your responsibilities as a policyholder is to prove your claim to the insurance company. It is very important to document the damage done to your property accurately and with as much detail as possible.

Insurance claims can be a time consuming and challenging experience for most policyholders and the delay or denial of your insurance claim can have severe implications. Hiring a professional advocate, such as an experienced insurance broker, to walk you through the complexities of an insurance policy, provide advice, help file your claim, and negotiate with your insurance company, can be essential to prompt and favorable settlement of your claim.

I am Doug Myrick, Principal Agent for Insurance Policy Centres, LLC. You can follow me on LinkedIn and on Twitter to see more posts and insights on all topics related to loss prevention, risk management, and insurance.

NOTE: None of the information in this article is intended to offer legal advice. Regulated individuals/entities should ensure that they comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Homeowners Insurance - What's Covered and What's Not

Do you know which perils are covered by your Homeowners Insurance and which are not?  In their 2016 Consumer Insurance Survey the Insurance Information Institute (III) discovered that many homeowners are not aware of what their policy covers and does not.  We thought we would create a list of questions based on the III Survey so you can test your own knowledge.

The Survey Questions

My homeowners insurance policy covers the following damages.  Answer the following questions “True” or “False.”

1. Damage from heavy rain flooding.
2. Possessions stolen from your car.
3. Hurricane storm surge flood damage.
4. Theft of your camera while you are on vacation.
5. A meteorite striking your home or falling airplane debris.
6. Medical payment for a visitor who is bitten by your dog.
7. Your child’s laptop is stolen while he/she is at school.
8. Lightning power surge damage to electronics.
9. Defense costs if you are sued by someone who is injured on your property.
10. Additional living expenses when your home is destroyed by fire.

And the Answers

1. A standard homeowners policy does not cover damage caused by flooding from heavy rain or a hurricane-driven storm surge. More than 20 percent of claims paid under National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies each year go to homeowners living in low- to moderate-risk flood zones.
2. 79% of policyholders recognize that their homeowners insurance provides coverage for possessions that are stolen during a home burglary. But policyholders often don’t recognize that their possessions are also usually covered when the theft takes place away from home.
3. This is another case for purchasing a National Flood Insurance Program supplemental policy.
4. See the answer to question 2. 
5. While the chances of your home being struck by a meteorite are pretty slim, standard homeowners insurance coverage will in fact be there for you in the case of this rare event.
6. A standard homeowners policy will pay medical costs if your dog bites or injures someone.
7. Your possessions are also usually covered when the theft takes place away from home.
8. Some homeowners insurance may pay for this event under certain circumstances. 
9. If you’re sued in response to the injury, your policy will likely help you cover legal costs as well.
10. Standard homeowners policies generally cover special living costs incurred when you cannot live in your home because of an insured loss. Covered costs include additional expenses for temporary housing, hotel bills, restaurant meals and other expenses.

Insurance Policy Centres

Another interesting note in this III report is that more than 69% of us shop our auto policies at each renewal point.  Only 44% of us will shop our homeowners insurance.  When you’re in the mood to check out your homeowners insurance coverage and pricing, give us a call.

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How I Stay Pumped up and Inspired

One of the best ways to have an amazing life is to stay inspired. For me, staying inspired is all about combining the following three items… Be energized, keep growing, and never stop learning.

So how do you do that? The easiest way is to keep “filling up your tank” with new material. Material that takes your thinking and your mindset to a whole new level every day. This material is all around us – most easily accessible in the form of books. Even if you’re not a reader you can have immediate access to this material through audible books.

Let me share with you my list of “must-have” books that I have accumulated over the years. These are the books that have done the most for me and continue to do so– they always will.

It’s a long list – 9 separate categories. Suggestion…pick a category and focus on that one to get you started:

Presenting & Speaking 

• The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs – Carmine Gallo
• Slideology – Nancy Duarte
• The Exceptional Presenter – Timothy Koegel
• Practice Perfect – Doug Lemov
• Resonate – Nancy Duarte

  Being a Leader

• The 10X Rule – Grant Cardone
• The No Complaining Rule – Jon Gordon
• The Magic of Thinking Big – David Schwartz
• Wooden – a Lifetime of Observations – Coach John Wooden
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell
• The Power of Intention – Dr. Wayne Dyer
• Wooden on Leadership – Coach John Wooden

Powerful Story Telling

• Tell to Win – Peter Guber
• Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins  – Annette Simmons
• The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling – Stephen Denning

Mindset & Mental Toughness

• The Present – Spencer Johnson
• The Rules to Break – Richard Templar
• The Essence of Success – Earl Nightingale
• Stop Saying You’re Fine – Mel Robbins
• What Made Me Who I Am – Bernie Swain
• The Right Words at the Right Time – Marlo Thomas
• Get Motivated – Tamara Lowe
• Life Strategies – Dr. Phil McGraw

 Consistency & Your Routine

• The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
• The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy
• Execution – Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan
• The 4 Disciplines of Execution – McChesney and Covey
• Grit – Angela Duckworth
• Relentless – Tim S. Grover

 Business Insights

• The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster – Darren Hardy
• The Next Level – Scott Eblin
• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There – Marshall Goldsmith
• The 4 Hour Work Week – Timothy Ferriss
• The Success Principles – Jack Canfield

Lead Generation

• The Power of Focus – Canfield and Hansen
• Book Yourself Solid – Michael Port
• The Seven Levels of Communication – Michael Maher
• How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck – Steve Stockman
• The Game of Numbers – Nick Murray
• 10 Things I Learned from Bill Porter – Shelley Brady

 Money Management & Wealth

• Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Ecker
• The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey
• The Richest Man in Babylon – George S Classen

Miscellaneous

• What to Say When You Talk to Yourself – Shad Helmstetter
• Anything You Want – Derek Sivers
• The Strangest Secret – Earl Nightingale
• The Platinum Rule – Tony Alessandra

Enjoy and be inspired. NO Excuses.

~ Uncle 'D"

Will the DOW ever DOUBLE again?

Well it happened. The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped 20,000 for the first time in history.

That's double the remarkable 10,000 number from 1999. Remember that 10,000 was going to be "impossible?"  

No doubt there is a lot of enthusiasm in the market these days. And that's great for "the market" and for Wall Street.  

But what about you?  

How long will it take to double an investment in today's 20000 DJIA?

The Wall Street Journal had some commentary about that today.

Read here 

The answer is in the rule of 72. The Rule of 72 is a simple math formula that shows you how many years it takes to double your money in any investment.

Here is a short video explaining the Rule of 72:

Watch here

 

~ Uncle 'D'