The BOWA Blog

Bert Oliva

The Ride Of Your Life

by Bert Oliva

In today’s world, we’re never satisfied. We want what we want and we want it yesterday. Immediate gratification seems to be the motto of the modern world. Why wait when you can have it now?

However, anything truly worth having is worth waiting for. It takes six months to create a Rolls Royce, while it only takes 13 hours to create a Toyota. Both are vehicles that will get you form point A to point B, but which will give you the quality of travel you want?

If you want the “Rolls Royce” experience in all aspects of your life, you have to work towards it daily. And you have to be patient. Good things take time and this time is necessary to prepare your mindset for what is coming to you so that you can have long-term results. If you get things before you are mentally prepared, you are much more likely to lose or damage those things. For instance, if you get a Rolls Royce before you have learned how to take care of it, you may damage it even before you get to truly enjoy it.

So, take this time to prepare yourself. Study what you know is coming to you. Prepare yourself for the lifestyle you are building towards. Realize that you are on your path for the long run and know that good things are on their way.

PowerTools™
1) Create a clear vision of what it is that you are pushing towards; write it down or create a collage of pictures, whatever works best for you.

2) Write a contract with yourself, telling yourself what it is you are working towards and committing to yourself that you will be patient and keep pushing towards your goal, no matter what happens.

3) Whenever you are doubting, review your vision and contract and remind yourself that you will not quit until you have achieved what you are working towards.



Live Life,
Bert Oliva

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Bert Oliva

Almost

by Bert Oliva

If a surgeon came out after performing a surgery on your loved one and told you, “I almost did the procedure correctly,” how would you feel? Almost does not cut it. Yet, how often do we settle for almost in our own lives?

So many of us spend so much of our time “almost” getting things right. We don’t push that extra half hour, that one extra call, that one extra sit up. We let ourselves off the hook. Instead of paying attention to details, we just write off our mistakes or “almost’s” with “next times.” But what happens when there isn’t a next time?

We only get one shot in this life, and that one shot is NOW. Now is the time to focus on the details and now is the time to push with everything you’ve got. Awareness is necessary for success. It is time for each of us to focus our attention on the details so we can get to the next level. I will see you there.

PowerTools™
1) What is one thing you need to put your attention to right now to get to the next level?

2) Make a list of the details that need to be addressed for that one thing.

3) Meticulously go down that list of details and address each one until you have accomplished your task.



Live Life,
Bert Oliva

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Bert Oliva

ALWAYS A DAY AWAY

by Bert Oliva

I’ll do better tomorrow. I’ll do better tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow…

The days flip by like a page-a-day calendar. At the end of each day, we tell ourselves “I’ll do better tomorrow,” rip off the page, and toss it. But what happens the day when there isn’t a new fresh page? When there isn’t a tomorrow?

As cliché as it may sound, tomorrow truly is not promised. This evening is not promised. Your next breath isn’t promised.

It’s time to start making the most of every moment you have on this earth, because, believe me, it will be shorter than you think it will be. We all waste so much time worrying and putting off and wishing and complaining that we forget to live. We forget to enjoy every moment and make the most of every moment.

The time to do better is now. That’s NOW. Not tomorrow, or next week, but right this very moment.

PowerTools™
1) Make a list of three things you can do this week to change your quality of life.

2) Choose one of these things, set a deadline for yourself, and do it.

3) Tackle the second item on your list. And then the third.



Live Life,
Bert Oliva

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31
MAR
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Bert Oliva

YOUR MOVE

by Bert Oliva

Where are you right now? Where are you in your life? In achieving your goals and dreams? If each day you do not feel you are moving one step closer to your goals and if each night you do not go to bed feeling satisfied with what you have achieved, then it is time to move. It is time for you to reevaluate.

We all get comfortable at times. And comfort is not a bad thing. Everyone needs comfort from those closest to them, but when we allow ourselves to grow so comfortable in our lives that our lives begin to stagnate, then it is time to move.

The only way to achieve the things that you want to achieve—those things that keep you up at night, those things that you find yourself daydreaming about, those things you keep saying “If only” to—is to make a move. In this world, things do not just come to you, unless you do something to attract them, unless you make the first move.

Stop thinking about what you want to do and go out and do it.

PowerTools™
1) Take some time and write down what your dreams are. Create a clear vision of what you want to achieve and do in your life.

2) Take an honest look at where you are in your life right now. Is it where you want to be? Are you on track with the ultimate vision for yourself?

3) Take the parts of your life that are not on track with your vision and reevaluate them. What can you do to shift them? What small steps can you take each day to work closer to your ultimate dreams?



Live Life,
Bert Oliva

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24
MAR
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Bert Oliva

OVERCOOKED

by Bert Oliva

I’m a really focused person. Once I’ve set my eyes on something or said I’m going to do something, I will not quit until I’ve accomplished it. This personality quality is something that has enabled me to be incredibly successful over the years. And it’s something that I pride myself on and have honed to help me be even more successful.

However, this tenacious drive, which so many of us have, can also be very detrimental. It can lead to lack of sleep, extra physical and mental stress on the body, and even loss of focus. Thus, as with everything in life, balance is key. Being tenacious and driven is vital to succeeding in anything we set our minds to, but we also must know when to take a break and allow ourselves to rest and recoup.

If we keep pushing without resting, we will eventually burn out and not achieve our goals to the best of our abilities, if at all. On the other hand, when we allow ourselves a mental and physical break from the task at hand, we usually come back with new ideas, more excitement, and outperform ourselves.

Learn when to call it quits for a few hours, or even a day, and rest. You will be pleasantly surprised when you come back to your work.

PowerTools™
1) Set a time deadline for when you will be ending your work day today.

2) Set an alarm on your phone, and when it goes off, call it quits. Put your phone on vibrate, close your computer, etc. Put your feet up and relax. Spend some quality time with a family member. Enjoy the moment you are in fully.

3) Get yourself ready for bed early and be in bed in time to get at least 6 hours of rest tonight. You will thank yourself in the morning.



Live Life,
Bert Oliva

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17
MAR
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Bert Oliva

Patience Is Success

by Bert Oliva

Patience means waiting and waiting is not something most people can do, yet it is one of the best ways to cure illnesses of many kinds. Patience or waiting is synonymous with complete relaxation. Patience implies acceptance and surrender to the forces around us.

For some, patience means we have to sit back and wait for an expected or unexpected outcome which causes anxiety. Human nature urges us to want instant gratification.

The development of patience requires a solid, peaceful center. We must be free from anxiety and tension, from the worries of life and to be stable in the mind and body. Very few people can actually wait for the right time and place, for just the right moment to act.

People who tend to be impatient seem to always have a big grudge on their shoulders. Or are the ones that tend to lose their cool with everyone for the smallest of things. Being upset does take a whole lot of energy from you. In doing so you also forget to count your blessings and lose the ability to attain the more important things in life.

How do you feel when you are impatient?

Learn to increase your patience, here are some techniques to help you further develop your patience:

  • Take life one day at a time. Remember, the world was not created in a day.
  • Do not dwell on your past mistakes and failings. Do not worry about what you will become or how you will act in the future. Begin to live each new day as a fresh start.
  • Break larger goals down into components that are short term goals and objectives.
  • Accept, understand, and forgive yourself for being fragile, imperfect, and weak. Love yourself. Let go of the anxieties, concern or self doubt.
  • Wake up to the realities of life around you. Everyone with whom you come in contact is busy working through their own struggles, weaknesses, setbacks, relapses, crisis, and obstacles to their personal growth and recovery. All of us are on the path to personal growth. There is no one exempt from this journey. It takes a lifetime to complete.

When we have patience, we act with precision and skill. We listen and talk at the right moment, say what we want and have a higher degree of freedom within our thoughts. Learning patience will turn every situation into a positive, growth enhancing moment.

Until next time.

 

QUOTE THIS:
 “Success can be summed up into three of my favorite words: passion, persistence and patience.” – Bert Oliva
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Bert Oliva

Risk

by Bert Oliva

What is risk? The dictionary defines it as the possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger. Yes that is correct but isn’t it also the possibility of reaping major benefits? Risk is a tricky subject because when you take a risk it is never certain what the outcome will be. It can be good or bad, but risk is necessary. You must take risks to become prosperous. If you only play it cautiously most likely you will not ever have that considerable deal of great success. You will have your good and bad days and you will have your good and bad months but never an outrageous day or month.

Many times in my life I have had to put it on the line and go for it. Leaving Xerox was risky however years later I have established my life in leadership coaching and motivational speaking. A big risk that paid off because I followed my dream.

Bill Gates himself took a risk by dropping out of Harvard to chase a dream. But look what happened, he became one of the richest men in the United States and has made himself a household name. Risk is good as long as you don’t let it fly out of proportion. Remember too much of a good thing is always bad. So go out today and take a risk whether it’s big or small and see where it takes you, and you will have learned another lesson in life.

Until next time.

QUOTE THIS:
  

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.” – Unknown
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