The STU-PENDOUS BLOG!

At the core of every individual is the inherent ability to decide between what is right and what is wrong. Every decision we make is brought on by a series of choices that we make based on the information that we have. We weigh the pros and cons of each decision, the impact it will have on ourselves and the people around us.

Sometimes though we ignore what we know we should do, in favour of what seems to be an easier path. The old saying “ignorance is bliss” does actually work for a while. The problem is that almost every time we eventually have to face the truth and do what’s right.

I saw the Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer this weekend. Not a great flick. After it was over I was frustrated thinking to myself I had just wasted 2 hours on a bad movie. Then I thought was there anything that I could take from the film. There is one scene when Jessica Alba (The Invisible Women) is talking to the Silver Surfer. He is about to destroy the planet earth. When asked why he was doing it, he responded, “I have no choice.” Alba replied, “You always have a choice.”

I believe that is true. Each of us has a choice. It doesn’t have to be about saving the world. It could be about how you treat another human, if you thank a friend or an employer or colleague. It could be the simple act of recycling or planting a tree. Perhaps and possibly most importantly doing what’s right even when no one is watching.

Do the right thing. In the end you feel better. Here’s a tip… if it feels wrong for even a split second it probably is.

Here is today’s question… Read it, write it, answer it and of course SHARE you answers here on the STUpendous BLOG!

What are those decisions that you have been putting off? What can you do today to start making those right choices?

For more information on YLCC Summer Camp (we still have spots available) or STU Saunders speaking go to http://www.ylcc.com/.

Sitting in a Williams Coffee Pub waiting for traffic to clear. Why such bad traffic? Simple… each person needs to understand that the world is BIG. Very BIG. Confused yet?

Today, two young people decided that the rest of the world had no importance to them. Today, two young “men” decided to race their cars on the highway. Today, a man is dead because two people didn’t stop to think about what their actions could cause. Today, people will miss their children’s baseball games, a family dinner or a quite time with a loved one. Today a child will go to sleep without their mom or dad tucking them in because they were stuck on a highway for 9 hours. Today a woman will pass out in the heat because she had no air-conditioning in her car stuck in 20 km’s of traffic with no way of moving.

Each of us has an impact on the world. How we treat others, the choices we make and the words we choose will affect someone. Perhaps a parent will wonder how they can help their child make better choices. I wonder what choices you will make today? I wonder if you realize that the world is MUCH BIGGER then the few blocks around your home or that circle of friends that we associate with every day. I know I try too every time I wake up. I try and make the best choice I can. I will make every effort to be STUpendous. It’s a BIG planet… I am but a single butterfly flapping my wings. What affect will I have?

Here is today’s question… Read it, write it, answer and SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS here on the STUpendous BLOG!

What are you doing TODAY to make yourself a little better, a little more aware of your impact on others?

YLCC is all over the world… Gillian Gibson one of our amazing YLCC Life Changers (counsellors) spent some time in Africa working in a school. Thanks for making an impact on our great BIG world.

What are you or your children doing this summer? For more information on YLCC email us at info@ylcc.com

 Getting up early is such a powerful tactic to get to your best life. I was watching a show the other day about sleep. The doctor said that everyone needs sleep, but not everyone needs the same amount of sleep.

From birth our parents encouraged us to sleep. Sleep a lot. In fact we spend at least half of our child hood sleeping all the way up to aged 7 or 8. Then we start to wake up earlier and earlier. Our moms and dads tell us to go back to sleep and get more! As we role into out teenage years we have conditioned ourselves to “sleep in”. Our parents then get angry and tell us to wake up. To sleep less.

Suddenly we get jobs and if we don’t rise earlier we will lose our jobs. It’s the roller coater of the pillow and mattress.

A couple of years ago I read a book called The Science of Success. The author challenged the reader to stay awake for 24 hours straight once or twice a month. I tried it. I did it. I didn’t become any more successful. What I did notice though was that at around 4 and 5 I was very awake, very alert. So I began getting up at an earlier time. 4:39 in fact. Since then I am much more productive. Much happier and seem to be healthier. I use the extra time to journal, meditate and get some extra work done. This is when you can have YOUR time. Before your children rise, before the office is open and before the Blackberry is ringing.

You also can watch the sunrise. A real treat. So get up before the birds. Find your optimum time to awake. You don’t need 10 hours of sleep. I promise. See you in the morning!

Here is today’s challenge. Go to bed before midnight and try getting up before 5 am. Share your experience with everyone here in the STUpendous BLOG!

For more information on YLCC or STU Saunders speaking please contact info@ylcc.com

What are those moments that you find yourself sitting back and saying wow? Those times when you are in a place or a moment that you look around you and feel the need to pinch yourself.

I had one this weekend. I spent my weekend with my mentor, Robin Sharma. This weekend he held his annual ABS weekend. ABS stands for Absolute Best Self. I had the oppotunity to be a facilitator during the program. It was fantastic. Meeting corporate executives, athletes, aspiring leaders and loving parents. All of them simply wanting to live their best life. Truly an incredible experience.

There was a moment that made me stop and think. I stood behind Robin on the first night and watched as the 140 participants from all over our planet hung on every word he said. I listened to his wisdom and the processes he used to bring out what’s most important in each person.

We where about to start an activity where they needed to get into groups. Robin turned looked at me and said…

“Stu, what do you think, groups of 20?”

I had to take a few seconds to think about my reply. I needed to say the right thing. I needed to shine. Robin Sharma was asking my advise. This was huge. I looked at the room, now all looking at me. Waiting for my response. I calculated all the possiblities, every possible outcome from the wisdom I was asked to dispence. Gathered all my courage and said the answer…

“yes”

There are moments in our life, in our days and weeks that we need to stop and embrace. This was one of mine. I had gone from a fan of his books to a partner in business and now a trusted member of his team. I know it wasn’t life changing… for Robin. For me though, it made me think, even just for a second or two, I am doing ok. I like where my life is. Way to go Stu. Life is FUN!

Here is today’s question… Read it, write it, answer and PLEASE, PLEASE share your thoughts here on the STUpendous BLOG.

What is a moment that you felt like pinching yourself? What is a time that you were at your height of happiness?

For more information on YLCC or STU Saunders speaking contact info@ylcc.com or visit www.ylcc.com

How do you want to be remembered? This is a question I ask often of our clients at the centre and of the staff that work there. It’s amazing how some people never stop and think about how they treat others. It’s is so astonishing that some people wait until their death bed to try and save themselves and create a last minute legacy. You should start today! Why not? What’s holding you back?

I recently read an article about an old football legend in the NFL and the CFL. J.I. Albrecht. J.I. was once a legendary scout, manager, general manager and coach in both leagues during his 30 plus years. He last worked for the Toronto Argo’s in the CFL as a scout and in player development in 2000. Shortly after that, he sort of fell off the face of the earth. Until recently. He was found by a newspaper reporter living in a nursing home. All alone, sharing a room with two other men, with nothing. A one time legend now living a very sad existence.

After a lengthy chat the reporter got up to leave. On the way out he turned and asks Albrecht what the J.I. stood for. No one in the sports world had ever known. This is how J.I. responded as written by Earl McRae…

He stares at me for the longest time. Then his head nods slowly. And J.I. Albrecht reveals, at last, the greatest mystery and secret in football.

“My birth certificate says Baby Albrecht. You’ll now know why I’m an only child. My mother didn’t get pregnant until 10 years into the marriage. When she was in labour, the doctor gave my father terrible news. He said ‘Who do you want to live — the baby or the mother?’ My father was stunned. He said: “BOTH.” When the doctor later came out holding me and told him my mother had survived, too, my father was overwhelmed. He looked at me and over and over said: ‘Just incredible.’”

I, too, am stunned. “So that’s your real name — Just Incredible?”

“That’s my real name, Earl. That is the truth. That’s what my parents named me. They weren’t allowed to use it on a birth certificate, and they knew a name like that would cause me too many questions and explanations throughout my life. So they shortened it to J.I. Just J.I. For my real name. Just Incredible.”

So here is today’s question… read it, write it, answer it and share it with everyone here on the STUpendous BLOG!

How do you want to be remembered and who do you want be around you when you pass on?

Bonus homework!

If you want to send a note to Mr. Albrecht as his time left in our world is limited send him a note at:

J.I. Albrecht, Room 515,
Lincoln Place Nursing Home,

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