For the past couple of weeks I have really been thinking about what differentiates people. Why are some people extremely happy every day and why are others completely miserable. I have always tried to look at the glass half full when it comes to life and I was trying to pinpoint why I think that way when others don’t. Then it hit me, it’s that crazy intricate piece of machinery we have called our brains mixed with a little positivity.

I have talked before about how having a positive outlook can benefit you and if you surround yourself with the right people your outlook on life will improve as well. But I’m here to tell you today that you need to battle your own brain and win with positivity. Let me explain. When something goes wrong in our lives or something happens that puts us in a bad mood we make a conscious choice at that moment to allow whatever is going on externally to affect us internally. This is why bullying is so prominent and affects our youth as much as it does. When someone calls me a name, I can either allow that negative remark to affect me and I can allow it to bother me until I forget about it or I can hear it, register it, disregard it and move on while still having my positive mood intact.

Trust me when I say this, I don’t like being sad. I hate being upset and I despise being depressed. So how do I combat those characteristics? I put a smile on my face…not a fake smile, but a real one. I am truly happy every morning when I wake up because guess what?… There isn’t anything going on that I should let my outlook be affected in a negative way from the moment I open my eyes in the morning. I am alive, I have the ability to smile and I know that if I can spread happiness to others then that means I have impacted their day in a positive way and that one of my daily goals is accomplished.

Things obviously happen throughout a person’s day that is uncontrollable, granted. However we make a cognoscente decision with every event as to how we choose to let it affect us. Here is my litmus test for if something bad happens:

Did anyone die?

If the answer is no then it can’t be that bad. If no one died then I should be able to organize my thoughts and emotions in a way to try to make the situation better. Our mind is a tricky mechanism, but it’s one that we can control with positivity.

Go into everyday with a smile on your face. Spread happiness, not despair. Believe it or not, but you happiness subconsciously affects everyone around you, so be a positive resource for your fellow peers!

Can’t is Not an Excuse

When we are at our lowest moments the simplest things make the biggest difference. A phone call can feel as though someone is right by your side, a text can feel like a hug and when someone who is actually there by your side can mean the world to you. With everything that goes on in our daily lives it usually takes a sudden change or a defining moment to realize how much the little things really mean

        Ironically last week I had to read a do a book report on a book called Defining Moments. Little did I know that I would have a defining moment in my life that same week. The passing of my baby niece Brooklyn last week changed my perspective and life in ways that are unexplainable except by over used phrases. “It put everything into perspective,” or “it changed my outlook.” We say these things but it takes a truly defining moment for you to realize the magnitude of the statement that you just uttered. I can say without equivocation that my outlook really has changed and not in the ways that may be expected. I see people differently; I see the beauty in things that I would normally overlook. I see the true inner spirit of people who truly care and want to see others in nothing but good spirits. May it be family, friends or mere acquaintances, I am grateful for their kind words and selflessness that they have bestowed upon my family. People at the drop of a hat not only offered but did whatever they could to try to mend a situation of heartache.

  Why is it that it takes a tragic event for people to come together? Can’t we extend our hand at any given moment even if it is just to listen or are we to caught up in the routine. The perspective that I have gained is this; be kind to others, not for just the sake of the word but instead because kindness changes lives. It brings those who are in sorrow to have a smile on their face in a matter of moments. Let my defining moment exemplify for those who have not yet experienced this realization that your daily actions impact others in ways you could never imagine. Let that impact be a positive one. Don’t say you are going to do something and then not follow through, conduct random acts of kindness for no reason other than trying to brighten somebodies day and above all, help and lend yourself to others without being asked.

We never know what tomorrow holds, so hold those who are close to you. I have said it before, but a baby that wasn’t even old enough utter my name taught me more about life than a man who has spoken a million words.

I love you Brooklyn, always and forever

Can’t is Not an Excuse

Two years ago a friend of mine told me to go look up a Facebook page about a company that is extremely inspirational. He told me their name was “HTFU”…I pondered for a moment to try to think of what the acronym stood for and after a few minutes I had to ask my friend what it meant. He told me that it stood for “Harden The Fuck Up.” A smile became immersed on my face and I instantly loved the company just by its name. I researched their company, viewed their products and bought a wrist band that night. From that day on, I was hooked.

HTFU is a company that sells apparel targeted at people who never give up, who push themselves to their boundaries and then push a little further. It is a company, but more importantly it is a brand that people embody. It is not just a slogan; it is a lifestyle that anyone living it will tell you, that it is in the back of their mind every time things get a little tough in life.

“I’ve been working all day and am too tired to go to the gym, I’ll go tomorrow,”….2 minutes later that little voice in the back of your mind says “HTFU”…1 minute later that person is in their car headed to the gym!

They are still regarded as a small company but their brand and their message is enormous beyond words. They use sex appeal and a very direct marketing approach, but it is done in a tasteful manner. They show women that are in shape and obviously work on being fit; not just a bunch of skinny models. One thing they do very well is create slogans and phrases that they put on their t-shirts, shorts, photos, etc. that truly inspire the customer. The people who buy their product are proud of every purchase they make because they know that it’s not just another t-shirt that they are going to throw in the back of their closet; it’s a shirt that will become their favorite shirt and make them connect with the brand in a way that other more well-known companies can’t.

Not only is their message great, they are charitable as well. They sell their wristbands on their website for $6.00 and at  the end of the year when all of their production and manufacturing are costs are paid, they give the residual to charity. Here is a quote direct from their site, “HTFU has always believed giving to be just as important as growing…and therefore the reason we carve out proceeds from the sales of the wristband at the end of the year and give back to a charitable foundation we select.”

I was given the opportunity a few weeks ago to talk on the phone with the CEO of the company, Mark Gringrich. Through just a 20 minute conversation about understanding the company better from a business sense, I can now understand why this company is growing so quickly and becoming so successful. It is because the man behind the operation is one of the most humble individuals I have ever had a conversation with. I could hear the passion in his voice as he talked about the roots of the company and how much hard work he had to put in to make it what it is today.

Every time I feel discouraged or like I can’t push myself any further…I look down at my wristband and push myself until I have accomplished my goal!

All my readers need to go check out the website and see what a great motivational brand it really is for yourselves. Here is the link to my favorite product they have on their website…What’s yours? Let me know in the comment section below!

Can’t is not an Excuse

A wise man once said, “everything happens for a reason.”

I personally believe whole heartily in this saying.  Now there are two ways to look at this saying. One, from the “end result” perspective. As in, “I studied day in and day out in high school so that that I could be accepted to college.” All my hard work led to me to be accepted to college therefor the reason for me going to college was the end result of my hard work. The other perspective that is taken on this saying is the more common one, which I call the “yet to be determined.” This is where something happens in your life that is usually beyond your control and the reason for that has yet to be seen or learned. I look at myself as an example for the “yet to be determined” version. I was born with a physical deformity that at birth I had no control over. I have since learned that the reason for this is to help inspire and motivate others to overcome their obstacles.

This leads me to my second point. I had a choice in determining what that reason for my deformity was. I had two choices, I could have grown up looking at what I was given with positivity or I could have looked at it with cynicism. I chose to see myself as unique and to use this gift as a tool to teach others. I could have chosen the easier choice and been angry at my situation. I could have expected the world to just hand me everything because I was “disabled” and lived in a world where I felt like an outcast and a reject. But I chose not be that person. Had I gone done that route, the so called “reason” for my hands would have been so that I was just another statistic. Another person with a deformity seeking pity from others in order to make themselves feel better.

I thankfully stand before you as a person that chose to defy the odds and not accept people’s pity as justification for my circumstance. Yes, everything happens for a reason, but we have a choice in determining what that reason is. Whether you are religious or not; whether you pray to God, Jesus, Allah or a rock in your backyard, there is a reason bigger than you for why something has happened. Some people call it fate, other call it good/bad luck. I like to think that when more good things happen to you than bad, that means that you have earned those good things in one way or another. And the so called bad things are tests; Tests to see whether or not you can turn a negative into a positive.

Believe me, every single one of you is able to turn something unfortunate into something that can be learned from or that can help others. We all possess the cognitive power to do this, however it is your choice whether or not you are going to make that “reason” something positive.

Can’t is not an Excuse

Since the super bowl passed a few weeks ago and the ravens won I have a new found respect for one person in particular. Ray Lewis who was the middle Linebacker for the Baltimore ravens plays with the most passion I have ever seen.  His work ethic and desire is second to none. People may or may not like him for one reason or another, but the one thing you can’t deny is his leadership. As many know, he is now retiring from football after 17 seasons in the NFL and he is walking away a champion.

When I need to find a little motivation in my life, I often head for YouTube as that pick-me-up. After watching a few bios on Ray Lewis and some other motivational videos I wanted to share with you some of the best motivation that I have heard thus far. You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate what athletes have to say because their words transcend into anything that you are passionate for in your life:

-When it comes to success you have to be willing to give up sleep. When the rapper 50 cent was working on his movie he was asked “what do you do when you aren’t filming?” he replied “I’m working on the soundtrack for the film.” The interviewer asked when he has time for sleep and 50 replied “sleep is for those who are broke.” In order to accomplish something you have to be willing to sacrifice other things including giving up sleep to be successful.

-Will Smith the actor said it very well in an interview when he talked about success. I’m paraphrasing but he said that he doesn’t consider himself the most talented person, but he is willing to work harder than anyone else. He said, “I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, but if we get on a treadmill…you are getting off first or I’m going to die… it’s really that simple.”

-When People get out of bed in the morning, whatever time that may be, they usually go eat breakfast. Some people will go to the gym or run, others will prepare for their day. Once you are done with all of that in the morning then you need to spend the rest of your day in action. What people like to do is just talk. They talk about how they are going to work on this or that. They get excited just from talking. If instead you spend that time in action and actually doing something then you will find yourself levels above the rest. I guarantee you that.

Most of these motivation pieces came from a single video that I found and that I linked to this blog. They are all so true for anyone and everyone who has ever been passionate for something. For anyone who has ever wanted to do something that they didn’t think they could do. It is so true that we get all excited about talking doing something yet that dissipates over the course of the day. Then the second somebody brings it up again we get all excited and then we continue to do nothing. I’m telling you to stop talking and start doing. As he said in the video, “Get out of neutral, get into drive. Don’t let your words guide you, let your actions guide you.”

Can’t Is Not An Excuse

Ever wake up in the morning thinking “wow, I don’t even want this day to start.” You wish the day away before it’s even had an opportunity to begin. Maybe it’s because we are tired from the day before. Maybe it’s because we have to work today and we don’t feel like going. It could just be because we honestly have nothing planned and lying in bed sounds like a pretty good alternative to anything else. If you wake up with a case of the Mondays then my friend I am here to tell you that you are not alone. We all have those days, but what I am learning is that many people are having a case of the Mondays on every day of the week. We need to change that.

It is scientifically proven that when we do something that satisfies us or brings us joy our brain gets this automatic shot of  dopamine. Dopamine is  neurotransmitter in our brain that sends chemicals to the parts of our brain that makes us feel rewarded and happy. Studies have shown that we are more likely to repeat an action that makes us feel good because we want to get that surge of dopamine to brain again. So why do we let ourselves get in the way of our own happiness. Obviously there are times when we just aren’t producing up to snuff, but rather than dwell in our sorrows of unproductiveness, why don’t we work the system in our favor. If someone has the passion for running then whenever they start to feel unmotivated that person should make time to go run to make themselves feel better. It seems logical to me. However that isn’t what people do.

Most people when they get to that point start making excuses or start to slowly but surely quit on themselves. When asked why didn’t they go running to make themselves feel better, they automatically start using time or family or work as an excuse as to why they couldn’t get out there on the pavement. Then those same people question why they feel so “down in the dumps” and feel like “they hit a wall” or “they are in a rut.” I hate to break it to you, but it is our own decisions that make us feel this way. It’s the equation to happiness. If we continuously do the things that bring us joy we will intrinsically be rewarded  see ourselves as successful individuals. Not only that, you will exude your new found joy to others, which will in turn make you a much more likeable and confident human being.

The choices we make every day determine whether or not we wake up the next morning with a positive attitude or still stuck in a rut. It is no one else’s fault but ours if we are feeling down because subconsciously we know exactly what will make us happy again.

I want all my readers to think about which activities they partake in or which people they surround themselves with that makes them happy; that gives them that surge of dopamine. Then as we find ourselves going through our daily grind, we will know how to fix the moments of sluggishness. Don’t make excuses, be the best and happiest person you can be because when you are operating at your full potential, everyone around you benefits!

Can’t is not an Excuse

Growing up we tend to pick a few individuals that we idolize. For me, I looked up to sports stars, unparticular Michael Jordan and Mark McGwire. Even though I didn’t know them personally and they had never done anything specifically for me, I considered them my heroes. They added intrinsic value to my life just by merely watching them perform. As I have gotten older, my heroes have begun to change due to the fact that I have not only learned more about the idols I had, but also because I have found new people to look up to.

A few days ago, I was having a conversation at work with a coworker of mine. The topic was sports of course as it normally is, but more specifically we were talking about the Lance Armstrong story. Now I looked up to Armstrong as much as anyone did a few years ago, however once the news about steroid allegations surfaced, I began to lose faith in him. This was exactly the argument that my co-worker brought up; we shouldn’t advocate our children to idolize sports stars because more times than not they end up being not the person we thought they were. They are unstable role models because they, like everyone else, can get into trouble and by constantly being in the spot light, every move and every mistake is publicized. Which then in turn, gives our kids a false reality of the types of people that they should be looking up to.

Many might say that contrary to my argument, “we should just tell our kids to pick the right people to look up to or guide them into that decision.” In my opinion that isn’t realistic, because there is no telling which sports or celebrity icon is going to tarnish their reputation next. Who in a million years would have guessed 8 years ago that the name Lance Armstrong would come with a negative connotation? Nobody… Look at one of my idols for instance, Mark McGwire. He lied to the public about steroid use and is now considered a cheater. Is that the best person to look up to?

The moral of the story is that I believe that we should idolize those who are close to us or people that we have somewhat of a relationship with. More often than not, you will be looking up to them because of their outstanding character, morals and leadership rather than how many touchdowns they threw. Trust me; I still look up to sports stars but for different reasons than from my childhood. Most importantly I idolize my family members, my friends, leaders in my community and coaches I have had throughout the years. When it comes down to it, they have influenced my life in a positive manner more than Michael Jordan could ever do. we should persuade our kids to look up to people who have made an impact or who have overcome adversity to motivate them to do their best. A hero should only be considered one if he or she has impacted your point of view or perspective on life in a positive way.

Think about who you idolize and why. Think about the people that you advocate for your children to look up to as well. Let me know what you think about this perspective in the comment section below!

Can’t is not an Excuse

With the new year steadily approaching, many of us start to consider our New Years resolutions. Whether its dropping 20 pounds in weight, traveling more or changing your career path; this next year always seems to be the year. However many of us find ourselves saying these things but not following through. Why is this?

In my opinion it is because these resolutions are esilly forgotten by valentines day and our goals aren’t goals at all, they are simply hopes. We hope that we can accomplish them without putting any thought into how the hell you are going to do it. Trust me, I have plenty of goals I want to accomplish in 2013, but I know that if I don’t take baby steps to accomplish them then I will never be successful.

If your goal is to travel more this year, then allocate your finances properly so that you are putting a little bit of money away each paycheck and make your reservations months in advance so that you are forcing yourself to be responsible. If you want to lose 50 pounds this year, then create a schedule for yourself and decide how much weight you want to lose each month so that by the end of the year or hopefully sooner you have reached your goal.

Make this the year you accomplish your New Years resolution, not because everyone else has one so you should too. No, do it because there is something that you want to change and it will change your life for the better. It seems like every year January is the month of optimism and December is the month of excuses.
“I have kids so I couldn’t go to the gym”-I work three jobs, go to school full time and still make time to go to the gym…it can be done!
“Money was tight this year so I couldn’t take that vacation”-if you want something bad enough, you will figure out ways to make sacrifices in order to accomplish your goal.
“Well I’m comfortable in my current position and am scared to pursue anything else”-If you never take a risk then you find yourself in a world of complacency and mediocrity that will never reap any further rewards.

This year, don’t make excuses, make your goals a reality. Make realistic resolutions that will lead to success, not unfulfilled hopes. It is on you to accomplish that resolution, now go make it happen.

Can’t is not an Excuse

Judgment is a tricky thing. I have always tried to stay distant from judgmental people because I felt that that was a character flaw that I didn’t care for. However as a walk through the day I am reminded of the judgment of others every day; and not for the reasons that you might think. We pre judge people every day of our lives. As we walk past someone in the supermarket or in the mall, we automatically begin to make assumptions about somebodies character based on what they look like, how they dress and the way they carry themselves. This assumption is sometimes right but usually wrong. I always loved the saying that “When you assume, you make an ASS out of U and ME” (A-S-S-U-M-E).  This is so true because when you assume something about someone without having any factual evidence, you usually make a fool out of yourself.

Martin Luther King said it best during the Civil Rights movement; he said “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I couldn’t have said it better myself! It is far easier to judge someone by categorizing them with other people that you have previously met, rather than taking the time to really get to know the person. This is what happens all too often with students that are put in a downtrodden school. If a student that has immense potential gets brought up in a community or school that isn’t as highly regarded as others, then that student gets automatically overlooked based on the people around them and the people that have come before him or her.

The main reason why this topic came to mind to me was because this happens to me on a daily basis. There are some days where I wear a suit and tie and a pea-coat and mere strangers will say hello and smile and treat me with the utmost respect. Then there are other days when I wear a hat backwards a hoodie and some basketball shorts and I am automatically ostracized from certain communities because I resemble a “Thug.” However, at the end of the day I am the same person. Whether I am wearing a suit or baggy clothes, I am still Mike Alt the 23 year old college student that is trying to inspire the world. The sad thing is that based on how I dress will determine how well my previous statement is taken seriously.

I want all of my readers to realize that pre-judging others is something that everyone does, but it is something that we can consciously do less of. Don’t base your perception of someone only on the way they look because you could honestly be missing out on meeting an incredible individual. Look for the best in people and share a smile with someone rather than a scowl…You never know, it just might make their day!

Can’t Is Not An Excuse

We often don’t view  life in the perspective we should. Too many times we get caught up with what we believe is the important things in life when really they aren’t. It takes something dramatic to happen in our lives for us to put things back into perspective. Why is this so? How is that when we see or hear of something dramatic we stop ourselves, take a step back and rethink how we view the world. Yet that mindset soon fades as we get back into our normal routine.

My sister just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on December 3^rd. She is a blessing and I am so proud to be an uncle for a second time. As of right now she is hooked up to every monitor and machine known to pediatric medicine because she has a rare heart condition. While we go through our daily lives and complain about things that seem so inconsequential, she is fighting for every  breath of air she takes. She has yet to utter her first word, yet I know that this 4 day old miracle baby is stronger than half of the people I see walk past me on a daily basis. She has been tested more in four days than most of us will be in our entire lives and like Kanye West says “That that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger.”

I share this story not in the hopes to receive sympathy, but in the hopes that my readers understand perspective. We are all capable of extraordinary things, some of us are put at more of a disadvantage than others. However it is not how we start, but how we finish that counts. I hope that a story like this does make you take a step back and rethink how you look at the world, not just for the moment, this day or this week, but for the rest of your life. Remember, that every one of us has a purpose. Take advantage of every moment you have because no one know what tomorrow brings. Today, a breath might seem second nature, but tomorrow could seem like the only thing that matters in the world.

Make today the day you begin your quest. Make today the day when that “moment” you have been waiting for comes to fruition.  If there is one thing that my newborn niece has taught me is that life is precious and tomorrow is not a guarantee, so take advantage of every opportunity you get. Believe in yourself and trust your abilities because the sky is the limit for your potential.

Can’t is not an Excuse