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Change We Can Believe IN

James Nellis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:50:52 +0000

This was the theme of a recent election. Many of you probably remember the posters, commercials and campaign. The slogan was brilliant. There is a romance in what is new. An appeal to embrace a new path. However, how often do we take that new path? At what point do we not only fall in love with the idea but allow it to drive us to making true change?

Change We Can Believe IN

How does Change occur? What is the impetus for it to happen?

1. Change occurs when the pain to remain the same is too great.

Only you can control the change that can take place. Part of the disenchantment by many is the realization that a slogan and one person’s idea is not enough to change a nation, system or club. You can however, change yourself. You can change the way you act, speak, work and live.
Every year millions of people make new years resolutions and every year by February 1st- one month later they have been cast aside. Why is that? Many times these resolutions are “ifs” and “hope to” not a MUST do. Only when the pain or pending outcome will result in disaster do people truly change.
It seems as though a diet or working out is on everyone’s list each year. Most stop within 60 days. Yet, those with dietary needs or cancer that MUST change their diet DO in order to survive- in order to continue living.

2. You can not change someone else

We see this over and over again in failed relationships and marriages. You genuinely like the person but hope to be able to “change” the way they act, behave or even converse with others.
Let’s make it SIMPLE. You can NOT change them. They must earnestly want to change themselves. People will not change to conform to an ideal that you possess or want.

3. Change happens from within

So how does change occur with someone that wants to change? A lot of it depends on what they are changing but here are some simple steps:
1. Start with the reason you want to change. Understand not just what you are changing but WHY.
2. Uncover the barriers: What has prevented you from changing this before?
3. Eliminate the barriers. Are they physical, emotional, relational barriers? Many times people have surrounded themselves with people that enable them to remain the same and those that will not support a change. You must find a Changer.
4. Find Changers – Find those that are succeeding in the arena you want to change. Contact the Changer and ask them for a plan. Engage them to help you with your new change. It is always amazing to me how many people want to help but never get asked to help. Enlist the help of a Changer today.
5. 1 Change at a Time. Do not start with 10 things you want to change tomorrow. Understand it is a process and to focus on one thing at a time.

4. What will you change today?

So, what will it be? What will you change today that will make a better YOU tomorrow? The only person limiting your potential is yourself. Start with the change within today. 3 months from now you will see a change not only you can BELIEVE in but a change that did occur!!

Happy Changing!

James Nellis Goes LIVE with P90X

James Nellis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:31:32 +0000

I began a challenge 2 months ago with a good friend and National Speaker Michael Maher from Kansas City, Missouri. We both knew that we needed a change in our lives and knew the first place to start was with our physical appearance. The Life of Real Estate and speaking around the country is hard on the body and mind. I needed a program that was “plug and play”- no options just “do your best and forget the rest” to quote the author/trainer of P90x- Tony Horton.

Over the last 2 months Michael Maher and myself have been encouraging each other to the next level with Video Journaling. We have noticed a couple of things:

1. Accountability is Key

2. By posting videos on Facebook we have now committed to this program not only to each other but a larger audience

3. One reward has been seeing others catch a glimpse of what their life and bodies can become. Perhaps this is what drove Tony Horton to first create this program.

Below is a sample video from my video Journaling found on the home page for James Nellis in Facebook- you can view more at www.facebook.com/jamesnellis

We encourage you to look within and see if there are any changes you want to make either inside or out and begin today!

Take out the Trash

James Nellis — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:24:38 +0000

I could not resist the visual of what I saw last night.. Putting aside the styrofoam and plastic that is horrible for the environment… I started thinking about the TRASH that accumulates in my own life…

Trash in our lives can be a broad term. It can encompass negative attitudes, negative thoughts and things that impact our lives. Some is self-inflicted and other times trash can be dumped on us by others, co-workers, friends and even family.

There is a living land fill that we ourselves are responsible for everyday. Our Attitudes and Actions will ultimately shape who we become in our lifetimes. So how does this involve business? How do we begin to take out the Trash. Let’s start with 3 simple principles:

1. TRASH must be SEEN: We have the tendency to sweep issues “under the rug”… We avoid the trash that impacted us in a negative way. Harsh criticism of our job performance, negative comments about the way we dress or act. How many hurtful things can you think of right now?? Most of us could think of at least 3 things within the last month that occurred in either life or business. Start today by identifying what TRASH is weighing you down and accummulating under the rug or in a closet.

2. TRASH must be EMPTIED: Let’s use the 3 items you just thought of… Write them down on a piece of paper… Go ahead, I will wait…

Now that you have written them down… Do any involve comments from another person? FORGIVE them now… Email or call them and let them know what they said was hurtful to you and you wanted to forgive them for it.

Was it a negative event in your life or a task at work? Take that and get rid of it except for the lesson learned. In the sports arena it is said that the best quarterback never remembers… The quarterback ONLY lives in the present…

Take your 3 items that were written down and now put them in the trash can outside of the house. You have now emptied them from your mind, your body and your life. Today we will start living in the present.

3. TRASH must be REPLACED: Our lives must be lived in balance. Now you have just freed yourself. You now have more time to think of things that can positively impact you and others. You can now focus on the task at hand forgetting the last mistake on a business deal or with your boss. You are the quarterback of all your situations. Write down 3 things you will spend time on this week:

1. Spend 2 hours with my children. 2. Spend an hour each day working out. 3. 15 minutes of meditation before beginning each day.

It does not matter what your new items are… the BEST part is that you have SEEN the trash, EMPTIED the trash and now REPLACED it with things that will make a better you, a better day and a better life.

New Years Resolutions & Goal Setting

James Nellis — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:01:13 +0000

Well, soon if not already people all over the world will begin planning to change. What form will it take? Many goals will come in the form of the physical dimension: weight loss, working out, running etc. Others may wrap around business goals- to perform at a higher level, sell more units, get the raise that you have always wanted.

I recently reviewed my goals from 2008. Some were accomplished and others will be moved to this next year in 2009. I wanted to share 5 Principles of Goal Setting and resolutions with you as you get ready to embark upon the adventure of a New Year!

Goal Setting:

1. Be Realistic. So many of my clients want to go from adding/subtracting to calculus in under one month – be mindful of what is realistic for you to undertake within the next 12 months for 2009.

2. Be Creative. Many times before we even set a goal we limit ourselves. STOP doing that… We no longer dream because we have snuffed out our own creativity. Open your mind- what are you passionate about? What is something you have always wanted to do… ADD that to the list.

3. Baby Steps. Small and measurable goals are much better than starting with a 5 year goal. For instance, if you want to accomplish a goal in the physical realm start with a lower weight goal rather than the total amount. If you want to lose 20 lbs in 2009 start by having a goal of 5 lbs before February 10th, 2009.

4. Power of YET. I heard of this concept from a clinical Psychologist. He stated that people negate their ability to accomplish great things by accepting the negative rather than embracing the positive… He made everyone write down what they would accompish using the YET phrase. Let’s say that one of your goals is to make a six figure salary in 2009. You would write “I have not YET made 6 figures but I will in 2009.”

5. Focus on People. Early in my career I was focused on money and success. They were my idols and I put all of my energy into both. I now realize that they do not last. One of my favorite quotes is “All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flowers fall*…” This earth is temporary, my success is temporary, life is temporary… So what lasts? People and the memories of them. When people are taken from this world their friends and loved ones keep them alive through cherished stories and lasting memories. Spend time with your family and loved ones for no one knows what tomorrow holds.

As you set your goals and New Years Resolutions I wish you all the best and success in life and love.

I leave you with a photo of my 2 godchildren this Christmas- one of my Goals in 2009 is to spend MORE time with them!!

Blessings on you in 2009

Andy Zipf’s Take on Social Media

James Nellis — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:12:54 +0000

Today our Free Form segment focuses on a Musical Artist with a unique sound and a different approach to media and his career. Andy Zipf has been touring and bringing a new form of music and free enterprise to his industry.

Zipf’s focus has been devoted to growing a grass roots push for his music. He has opted out of the big label companies in order to have more control over his career. Below are some excerpts from our Interview:

Nellis: Tell me what forms of Social Media are you using today to promote yourself?

Zipf: I started out on MySpace, which I still use. I have really begun spending more time on Facebook and using Twitter when driving/going to shows that I will play at that night or later that week.

Nellis: Can you compare MySpace & Facebook for your business?

Zipf: In MySpace I have over 10,000 friends but only about 10% of them are truly following my career or music. However, Facebook has really streamlined the process and I have approximately 1,000 friends but they are all known quantities. What I mean is that I have met them at a show or they are friends of friends that enjoy my music. I have found it to be the “online word of mouth”.

Nellis: How many people approach you to be their “friend” a week?

Zipf: It is hard to say but on average 10 a week. Normally there is a huge spike just before or after I play a show in a new town or area.

Nellis: You mentioned Twitter earlier, are there any other sites or widgets that you use?

Zipf: I take widgets from REVERB NATION I love using their Tour Map so that my fans can see where and when I play and have played in the past. It really helps to keep people informed.

Nellis: There are thousands of places business owners can spend their time… If only one venue which would you tell them to use?

Zipf: I would choose Facebook… you can even create separate pages and do advertising within Facebook.

Andy Zipf, thank you for your time below is Zipf’s Facebook Profile Page- become his friend today:

Andy Zipf’s Personal Page: Andy Zipf

Artist Facebook Page: Andy Zipf

If you are a business looking to expand in a new era and a new social arena- keep looking for new interviews under FREE FORM with Spoken Word Seminars…

Insanity

James Nellis — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:38:54 +0000

INSANITY

I call for goodness yet dine with evil

I plead for mercy yet delight in sin

I pray for patience yet embrace anger

I listen to heresy yet speak of truth

I sleep in thought yet remark on action

I sing of redemption yet imprison with laws

I speak of righteousness yet revel in darkness

There was a glimmer I once called hope.

It has passed with time and I am now a shadow of that man.

Nellis

Quiet Desperation

James Nellis — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:36:56 +0000

QUIET DESPERATION

No one can know;

I brought on this sorrow

Maybe if I was prettier

Maybe if I was stronger

Maybe if I loved him a little more.

He had a long day

Why do I feel so wrong?

Every week its the same song

“Baby I don’t know why,

I promise, I promise I’ll try.”

My friends would never look at us the same

I can no longer breathe from the pain.

It’s my fault

I brought on this latest assault.

Maybe if I loved him a little more.

Breakfast should have been hot

Lunch ready on the spot

And dinner stewing in the pot.

He has a right to act this way

Maybe I just need to pray

Ask for a change, a new day

But tomorrow brings more of the same

An unending and numbing pain

Maybe if I just loved him a little more

I am trapped in this perfect marriage

I pray my children don’t find this heritage

If only I could love more

Then I wouldn’t be so sore

Sore from the pain

And locked away by the same

It’s my fault

I brought on this assault.

Maybe one day I will love myself a little more.

Nellis