Stepping into and embracing RISK is the key to achieving greatness – the life you’ve only dreamed about. Taking risks is growth. It’s being and doing something different. It’s brainstorming new and different ideas. It’s making mistakes and not always looking good.  It’s the doorway to extraordinary. It’s getting comfortable with being uncomfortable!

Risk is nothing to be cautious, worried or intimidated by. It is just part of the process like getting dressed in the morning before you head out into the world. If you re-frame that paradigm, wouldn’t you then be excited about taking risks? Wouldn’t you then be making confident choices by taking risks and being on the other side of your comfort zone where all your huge goals and dreams are?

When you’re in the realm of possibility, anything is achievable. As mentioned in Chapter 7 of my book, probability thinking will not get the job done; it’s like an old pair of sneakers in your comfort zone. They feel good when you put them on and you know what to expect from them. They’re comfortable. Possibility thinking on the other hand is where you’ll find the latest and greatest styles and technology of sneakers. Although they may be a little uncomfortable at first, over time, they will support you on the court of life!

When you commit to huge goals and dreams, you will be challenged.  You’ll be challenged many times in your life in fact, and when you are, one of three things will most certainly happen.

1. You will face risk, stop and retreat to your comfort zone.
2. You will face risk, take it on, and still not accomplish your goals.
3. You will face risk, take it on, achieve your goals and dreams, and experience the extraordinary life you deserve!

The difference between the first scenario and the other two is when you retreat, you’re not only giving up on your dreams, but you’re creating a smaller comfort zone for yourself to live in. On the other hand, in the second and third scenarios, your comfort zone will grow and expand. Is it possible though to take on risk and still miss your intended target? Of course it is. However, is there personal and professional growth even when taking on risk and coming up short? Absolutely. It’s just simply like stretching before your workout. Any trainer will tell you that stretching may not feel comfortable; however it’s the best way to keep your body from injury.

When you take risks, growth is inevitable.  Growth leads to a different result than the one you currently have. And that’s the idea! Although the result you create may be different and not necessarily be the result you want, something different is outside the comfort zone. The alternative is scenario 1, in which you become a hamster on a wheel, doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.

Which is more scary – risk, or the guarantee of never achieving anything extraordinary in your life?

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom

To learn more about taking risks and achieving personal mastery, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com/about-the-book and buy your copy of Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today. Or to find out more about Tom Haupt, his presentations, consulting services, trainings or book, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com.

Brilliant Results Magazine August 2010

Recently I was interviewed for an article in Brilliant Results Magazine. Here is one question of many that was asked of me and it is the essence of my book, Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life.

BR: In your book you talk about the value of taking risks, can you elaborate on that and how it can help in making quality decisions?

TH: Sure thing. If you look up in the dictionary, you’ll find the definition of the word risk very daunting. In Miriam-Webster’s dictionary, risk is defined as the possibility of loss or injury, a dangerous element or factor, to expose to hazard or danger. In other words, it is the opposite of safety and comfort! Please re-read the definitions again. It is “a possibility of loss or injury, a dangerous element or factor, an exposure to hazard or danger.” It’s a possibility, an element, an exposure. It is the unknown of taking risks that leaves us feeling afraid, vulnerable or hesitant.

The word risk is actually very scary and unappealing. And as many of us heard growing up when we wanted to do something different or do something never done before aka “take a risk,” we heard things like, “be careful, watch out, don’t hurt yourself,” etc. So there is a belief growing up that when taking risks you must be careful because you do not know what the outcome might be. As an adult then, taking risks many times feels uncomfortable, scary, lonely, nausea, dumb, etc. which are all feelings you experience when you are way outside your comfort zone. And it’s outside your comfort zone where all your goals and dreams exist. So the importance and value of taking risks is simply it’s the doorway to achieving everything you want. In my book, I redefine risk as an element of the unknown that establishes the possibility of achievement. It’s just part of the equation like 1+ 2 = 3. 1 being where you’re at, 2 being taking risks and 3 is achievement of what you want.

Without taking risks, you’ll always get what you’ve always had, why, because what you have in life is inside your comfort zone and everything you still want in life is outside your comfort. Taking risks that neither physically harm you or someone else, is essential to achieving all your goals and dreams. We must change our thinking around this word called risk!

My challenge to you today is, what risks will you take on a daily basis to move outside your comfort zone to achieve your goals and dreams?

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom

To learn more about risk, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com and buy your copy of Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today. Or to find out more about Tom Haupt, his presentations, consulting services or trainings, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com.

(An excerpt from Chapter 14 of Time-Out!)

Pivot – the point at which it becomes necessary to alter course to avoid an obstacle and continue forward momentum to achieve a goal.

Have you ever watched an offensive basketball player dribble a ball the length of a court, only to have defenders jump in their way to stop or deter them? If so, you’ll notice the player usually pivots to move around the defenders. With each new defender approaching, the offensive player pivots in one direction or another, dribbles around the defender, drives to the basket and SCORES! Some of the games greatest players of the NBA like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jerry West and #10 Walt Frazier (my childhood idol) have all done that numerous times in their careers. THAT is an example of perseverance!

As previously mentioned in the book, there will always be a price to pay for reaching your goals and dreams. Sometimes that price is subtle and sometimes it’s more obvious. There will always be obstacles, challenges and people that will get in your way too. You’ll need to pivot from time to time, even if the obstacles appear to be insurmountable. The good news is you always have options and choices in the pursuit of your dreams. Do not be afraid to choose and move if you are not getting the results you want.

Choosing additional courses of action in challenging situations is what I refer to as the Art of Perseverance. Perseverance means that no matter what gets in your way, you will not let it stop you. To do that you truly have to be committed to your BIG WHY. Your Big Why is the reason or purpose you forge forward in life and don’t give up. It supports you when things don’t feel good or are uncomfortable. Your Big Why could be providing for your family, taking care of an ill parent, raising money for an orphanage, regaining your health, or a whole host of I’m getting out of bed today and getting after it reasons.

In 1953, a fledgling U.S. Company, Rocket Chemical Company, and its staff of three, set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. The work took place in a small lab in San Diego, California. It took the inventors 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out for WD—40® a rust protection solvent. The original secret formula for WD—40®— which stands for Water Displacement, perfected on the 40th try — is still in use today.

This is a great example of pivoting and driving to the basket. When one idea, method or strategy didn’t work, others were discovered through sheer determination and perseverance. Learning opportunities exist at times like that. It’s simply known as the perseverance process. What if after every experience you perceived as a failure, or step back, you asked yourself the following: What worked? What didn’t work? What’s next? That simple. These three questions allow you to reflect on, learn from and be conscious of what you did that actually worked, what didn’t actually work, and what’s next. Just an opportunity to pivot and keep going!

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom

To learn more about the Art of Perseverance, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com/about-the-book and buy your copy of Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today. Or to find out more about Tom Haupt, his presentations, consulting services, or trainings, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com.

Ever since March of 2006, I’ve been blessed to live my dream, not just talk about it, plan it, focus on it but actually live it! My purpose and passion in the personal development industry is at the core of why I do, what I do. I believe today that I have been placed on this earth to support people in moving forward in their lives to achieve all their goals and dreams. As a result of living on purpose, I am very grateful for the love and support I have received by the hundreds of people I’ve met and especially my compassionate colleagues in and out of the K and A office that truly care about human beings. I appreciate all of you!

Who are the people you are grateful for in your professional life? What clients have you reached out to recently out of the blue to just say thanks for the business? Who are the employees or team that work for you or with you, that deserve a simple thanks? Who can you give praise or support to right now in the form of an email, phone call or text?

Why not take a time-out right now and let a few people know in your business how much you appreciate them for who they are and the contribution they make to you and your business. So I’ll start. Thank you Brian Klemmer for taking a risk in hiring me four years ago, you’ve allowed me the vehicle to live my dream! And to you reading this blog, I appreciate you too.

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom

To learn more about Tom Haupt, his presentations, consulting services, trainings or book, Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com.

I have such friends and I value their friendship. They probably haven’t heard it enough but I appreciate, respect and love them very much. If you are wondering as you read this if Tom is talking about me, well, if you’ve supported me with any of the above, it’s safe to say I am. You have created the space for me over the years to be me, at my most vulnerable and challenging times. Whether it was as a basketball coach, a parent, father, husband, businessman or most recently a facilitator and speaker, I always felt I could be me, in your company.

If you don’t know me well, or at all, my hope is that you spend a moment at the end of this blog and ask yourself, “Who can I be a friend to that I create the space for them, to be themselves? Who can I ask, what do you need?” This world is not about us. The richness and joy of life comes from the people we’ve helped and knowing you’ve had a life of significance. Like the old adage says, “If you want a friend, be a friend.”

I got to go now, there’s a few friends I’ve got to reach out to……………..

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom

To learn more about Tom Haupt, his talks on personal development, trainings on personal mastery or his best-selling book, Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com

Trust is paramount in every relationship including the one you have with yourself. If you operate your life from I Don’t Trust as a belief, it’s almost always as a result of an emotional experience that did not feel good or have a positive outcome when you were young and forming your belief system. If trusting others is an issue today, somewhere in your past you most likely put your trust in someone, or something, and the result was far different from your expectations. For example, as an adult, you may have trusted a man or woman with your love, faith, health or money and as a result of them breaking your trust, your heart was broken, your faith was challenged, you got physically ill or a loan was not paid back. Those experiences reinforced an earlier belief and now, you get to be right that I “shouldn’t” have trusted someone or something. That thought process is an ineffective and unconscious mindset.

I believe when a human be-ing lives from consciousness, they get to choose whether “I will” or “will not” trust. It’s operating from be-ing present in ones life, living in the now and choosing not to be a victim to their ineffective beliefs. When you do trust yourself, your heart, your intuition, whether the outcome is what you like or not, you get to own that result and not be a victim to it. That risk itself, is the doorway to living a life of infinite possibility where all your goals and dreams exist. Just something to think about.

“Trusting yourself is paramount for personal mastery.” – Tom Haupt

To learn more about trust and your belief system and how it currently supports you OR not, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com to purchase a copy of Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today!

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 – Tom Haupt

In chapter 1 of my best-seller, Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life, I introduce the idea that throughout your early years, you formulated your belief system as a result of other people’s beliefs and the meanings you assigned to your life experiences. Now as an adult, you may think, “Some of these beliefs do not always support me.”

The issue is not whether your current belief system is bad or wrong. It’s that it becomes your own personal truth about who you think you are. When the world works according to your beliefs, you’re comfortable with life and you’re “OK” with you. If, however, these beliefs are challenged, you’re thrown sideways because your belief system is an integral part of your ego, who you think you are – and it affects your “OK”-ness. It would be like me telling you that gravity is going to work differently tomorrow. You would probably think, “That’s crazy. It’s a law, an absolute, you can’t change that. It’s going to work the same way tomorrow as it did today.” We hold our belief system to be the same sort of truism – something that can be counted on to keep our world looking the way we believe it should.

When you live your life in accordance with your belief system, you live a life of comfort and predictability. That is not to say you are necessarily comfortable in your life. You might want something more, better or different, however that would take stepping outside of comfort, so consciously and subconsciously you maintain what’s predictable so you remain in alignment with your beliefs.

To learn more about your belief system and how it currently supports you OR not, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com to purchase a copy of Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life today!

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 -

Tom

I think for many people like myself who are always doing something and on the go, we just keep doing, doing and doing to move ourselves and our careers forward. And many times, without actually analyzing what we’re doing, it seems like we’re doing important stuff and being productive. Well, read on and take a moment this week to look at your personal and professional life to determine if you are truly putting the important things in your life first and foremost.

One day, an old professor of the School of Public Management in France, was invited to lecture on the topic of  “Efficient Time Management” in front of a group of 15 executive managers representing the largest, most successful companies in America.  The lecture was one in a series of 5 lectures conducted in one day, and the old professor was given 1 hr to lecture.

Standing in front of this group of elite managers, who were willing to write down every word that would come out of the famous professor’s mouth, the professor slowly met eyes with each manager, one by one, and finally said, “we are going to conduct an experiment.”

From under the table that stood between the professor and the listeners, the professor pulled out a big glass jar and gently placed it in front of him.  Next, he pulled out from under the table a bag of stones, each the size of a tennis ball, and placed the stones one by one in the jar.  He did so until there was no room to add another stone in the jar.  Lifting his gaze to the managers, the professor asked, “Is the jar full?” The managers replied, “Yes.”

The professor paused for a moment, and replied, “Really?”

Once again, he reached under the table and pulled out a bag full of pebbles.  Carefully, the professor poured the pebbles in and slightly rattled the jar, allowing the pebbles to slip through the larger stones, until they settled at the bottom.  Again, the professor lifted his gaze to his audience and asked, “Is the jar full?”

At this point, the managers began to understand his intentions.  One replied, “apparently not!”

“Correct,” replied the old professor, now pulling out a bag of sand from under the table. Cautiously, the professor poured the sand into the jar.  The sand filled up the spaces between the stones and the pebbles.

Yet again, the professor asked, “Is the jar full?”
 Without hesitation, the entire group of students replied in unison, “NO!”

“Correct,” replied the professor.  And as was expected by the students, the professor reached for the pitcher of water that was on the table, and poured water in the jar until it was absolutely full. The professor now lifted his gaze once again and asked, “What great truth can we surmise from this experiment?”

With his thoughts on the lecture topic, one manager quickly replied, “We learn that as full as our schedules may appear, if we only increase our effort, it is always possible to add more meetings and tasks.”

“No,” replied the professor.  The great truth that we can conclude from this experiment is: If we don’t put all the larger stones in the jar first, we will never be able to fit all of them later.

The auditorium fell silent, as every manager processed the significance of the professor’s words in their entirety.

The old professor continued, “What are the large stones in your life?  Health?  Family?  Friends? Your goals? Doing what you love?  Fighting for a Cause?  Taking time for yourself?”

What we must remember is that it is most important to include the larger stones in our lives, because if we don’t do so, we are likely to miss out on life altogether.  If we give priority to the smaller things in life (pebbles & sand), our lives will be filled up with less important things, leaving little or no time for the things in our lives that are most important to us.  Because of this, never forget to ask yourself, What are the Large Stones in your Life?
 And once you identify them, be sure to put them first in your “Jar of Life.” With a warm wave of his hand, the professor bid farewell to the managers, and slowly walked out of the room.

So what ARE the large stones in your life – the things that REALLY matter? What are your priorities?  Would your Faith, Family, Friends, Volunteering or YOU be in the top five? The rest are just pebbles and sand. Personally, I’ve noticed from time to time when I spend all my time and energy on the pebbles and sand, aka the small stuff, I never have room or time for the big stones in my life, what REALLY matters to me.

What are you focusing your attention on? Personally I enjoy taking hikes and riding bikes with my girlfriend. It gives us alone time away from cell phones, computers, TV and other pebbles and sand. Enjoying time with my children and playing with my grandchildren are also stones for me. And being with friends and offering my time to mentor others are additional stones. There will always be time to be at the office, return emails and get the yard work done, the pebbles and sand in life.

This week I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself, is your “jar of life” full of sand & pebbles or is it filled with large stones? You be the judge.

Here’s to your success and doing what’s REALLY important in your life, filling your jar with STONES!

Tom

If you haven’t checked out my book Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life, go to http://www.TomHaupt.com/about-the-book and order a few copies today. The reviews are in and it’s a hit! It will help change your life in the direction of your goals and dreams!

What if you challenged your thinking with the following: Everything you think you know to be true about yourself; everything you think can’t be changed, can. What if you believed you live in a world of infinite possibilities and you can surpass any goal you desire – the relationship you’ve always dreamed of, the money you’ve always wanted, the physical body you’ve always aspired to have, deeper faith in your higher power, making a difference on this planet like you’ve always wanted to make? What if you have everything you need right now to make your dreams come true?

Would you believe it?

Know this, you are the person playing this game called LIFE and you are responsible for your results. Others can support you, others may inspire you, others may encourage you, mentor you or coach you, but ultimately, reaching your dreams, finding true happiness, finding the love of your life, having the career or business you’ve always dreamed of, whatever it is you’re searching for, it’s all up to you! I liken it to the person, who pays a personal fitness trainer to train him, but wants the trainer to do all the lifting and exercising, and then, expects he’ll be healthier, slimmer and in better shape. Nope, it doesn’t work like that. YOU actually have to do the work. It’s like a saying I heard once, “Everyone wants to get to heaven but nobody wants to die.” Same principle.

I’m not saying you have to die in this process of personal growth, however you have to be willing to look at the beliefs you’ve held to be truths and question whether they are effective or not. Be open and willing to develop and practice a new thought process that will support you. From this point forward, experience life from the perspective of responsible. If you throw your hands up in the air and say, “This is just the way I am,” or “This is just my lot in life,” you are operating from a victim mentality. If you are ready to step into your greatness, operating from responsible, you will live every moment, in a realm of I choose. Now is the time to start choosing beliefs that will support you and it starts with your core values, the heart of who you are.

I challenge you today to take a time-out and declare what your core values are and what you believe in. Then carry them with you on a piece of paper reading them to yourself as a reminder of what you stand for on a daily basis. This new habit will serve to support you in operating from the perspective of responsible.

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 -
Tom

TODAY is my birthday and I have much to be grateful for. This past year has been awesome. I am blessed in so many ways and for so many different reasons. Every year on my birthday I reflect back on the previous year and count my blessings. This year is no different.

I’ve been blessed this past year because:

- I met a beautiful woman named Melissa who I love and adore.
- My first book, Time-Out! Winning Strategies for Playing a Bigger Game in Life, was published after writing it for 2 1/2 years. (I’m a slow writer.) And, I have some of the most respected people in the industry of personal development and self-improvement endorse my work.
- I started my keynote speaking business and have had multiple opportunities to speak to various groups and organizations.
- I’ve been interviewed internationally on multiple radio shows and for business magazines. I’ve been on TV in Australia and have had my book used as a teaching guide at a Christian college in Tulsa.
- I’ve traveled internationally as a facilitator for Klemmer and Associates and have met some of the most extraordinary people on my journey.
- I have amazing children and grandchildren who I love very much.
- And last but not least, I have extraordinary friends and relationships that I have the utmost respect for. I am humbled by their friendship.

My hope is that you take a time-out in your life from time to time and reflect on the blessings you have in your life. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog today and please leave a comment, I’d love to hear how you’ve been blessed this past year.

Embrace Risk, Embrace Success in 2010 -
Tom Haupt