How Romance Is Killing Marriage

I came across an interesting article talking about how romantic comedies are hurting relationships and I thought "WOW! Somebody gets it!" Somebody gets it!  Romance isn't portrayed the way it was in the old days where you saw someone meet...

...stay involved in one another's lives over a span of time...

...marry and begin building a family...

Nowadays, what we call romance is more fixated on the "comedy" of two people simply trying to now have sex for an hour or two...

...and we call the end result (once they do it and decide they don't mind continuing to hang out together) love.  Sweet love.  We never see them put in the work of building a life together.  They never talk about vision.  They never talk about hopes and dreams.  They screw or try to avoid screwing, drink and go through a series of hilarious miscommunications.  Once they get beyond the snafu, the movie ends.

Then too many of us feel like life should be like a Matthew McConaughey movie.  I'd like mine to be more like Jimmy Stewart for sure.  Building something together is real romance!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful.

All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted! He can be reached in the following ways: Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
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For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Write drunk. Edit sober.

Before you become righteously horrified, read this article.

People ask me from time to time how I produce so much material whether blogs, articles, courses and webinars, etc. I've got two quotes I learned long ago that press me forward.

"Write drunk. Edit sober." - Ernest Hemingway

“There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.” – Louis D. Brandeis.

Am I suggesting you should go get a glass of wine, get sloshed and "Voilà!" Instant Best Seller!?  No. I'm saying one of the best ways to produce material is to stop worrying so much about structure, perfection and such things and just start typing. The more free you can make your mind, the better. The more you can allow yourself to flow, the better. Go back and edit when you're done because nobody's writing is good anyway. It's the rewrite that matters most. It's the rewrite that separates the amateur from the professional.

A six-pack is not the secret to success, but find a way to take the brakes off and go!

To your success!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY.  Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:
Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Systems = Success!

What is the one thing that takes you from making money to getting rich? Systems. The more you can automate and duplicate what you do without having to inject YOU into creating the finished product, the more money you're going to make.  Working with systems vs working without them is like the difference between apples and oranges - totally different deal.

Don't let the thought of creating systems intimidate you, however.  It can be done in any business and at any time.  What's the easiest way to create a system? Begin documenting everything you do - no matter how menial it may seem to you - because that's the first step to being able to replace your own labor with labor that costs a lot less than your time costs.  How do you search for new leads?  What's the first thing you do when the phone rings? What do you say?  What material do you send prospects?  How do you solicit referrals?

Write down your process.  Put it in a binder and BOOM!  You've got a system in place.  Now do it again... and again... and again... and you're on the way to owning a business instead of owning a job.  Congrats!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY.  Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:
Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Dissatisfied? Good!

Why do you need a coach? Why do you need to change your environment? Here's a reason: You need to be around people whose dreams for you are bigger than your dreams are for yourself. One thing a coach does is increase your dissatisfaction with status quo. And that is the only proven impetus to change - dissatisfaction.

If you aren't dissatisfied (weight, sexual fulfillment, wealth and relationships are the main concerns for most people), you will not change or it won't be a lasting change. Being around people who increase your dissatisfaction is important. If everyone in your world is only always telling you that everything is okay and you're okay, that's a problem. Those people are called Enablers. And the only thing Enablers are good for is increasing mediocrity in your life.

You don't have to get rid of every Enabler to succeed. (You might be married to them!) but you do need to add some Encouragers. In fact, beware of counselors who only tell you to get rid of people. Isolation has never solved any problem. On the other hand, Encouragers increase your motivation by instilling in your hope for a better future. Get some of those folks if you don't have them. And get them quick!

I thank God for every moment of discomfort because each one inspired me to move and He directed my path to some place greater. Instead of being uncomfortable and upset about it, look for what the moment is meant to teach you. Yes, sometimes, you are meant to sit still and other times you're meant to move but NO TIMES are you supposed to complain. Either get happy where you are or get moving to somewhere else!

Wise counselors help you figure out which it is time to do.

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

Click HERE for information on Mark as a speaker or presenter and HERE to learn about coaching programs to help you realize your potential and live more prosperously!

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Is television killing your future?

How much television are you watching?  Americans are spending an average of thirty-four hours a week watching television.  Hours and hours of television watching is costing you money.  Bet on it!  Saw this from Pamela Lawhorne and thought it was profound:

• If you watch more TV than you read books... it's costing you money...
• If you gossip more than you attend webinars or seminars.. it's costing you money...
• If you complain more than you put your hands to work doing what you claim you want to do... it's costing you money...
• If you've been praying for change, but find yourself watching TV while you're waiting for God to tell you and show you the way... you're missing His guidance...
• If you've been praying for more money, but refuse to do anything about it.. then you're losing money due to your own neglect....
• Take a 2nd look at how much you're losing watching TV, and rethink what you "can't afford" again!

There are 2080 work hours in a year for most US workers.  You can figure that you're costing yourself anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per week while feeding your TV habit depending upon your income or potential income.  Here's the punchline: Read instead!!  Wondering what to read or where to start?  Try this list!

I am a fan of audio books and programs.  I like to listen as I work, travel and even exercise.  Maybe try it for yourself.  One thing is probable... television could be killing your vision and your future.  Can you turn it off if it means the fulfillment of your purpose?  Sure you can!

My friend, Troy Nalls, says you shouldn't watch television until you can buy a station.  I probably won't go there, but I can do better, too!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

Click HERE for information on Mark as a speaker or presenter and HERE to learn about coaching programs to help you realize your potential and live more prosperously!

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Why is dating so hard?

Well. This is a trick question. For me, it really isn't. However, I know a lot of people (men and women) who say they NEVER date. This is completely beyond me. Women are saying (claiming?) they aren't asked out and men are saying (claiming?) they are not asking. I really don't get it. This is a mystery to me.

A friend of mine, Betty-Anne Marie White of Woman, Reveal Yourself, offered some thoughts as to why is so... Here are her thoughts regarding mature adults (over 29) and why they are reluctant to date:

1. The hormones are not trumping their fear or logic any more. Thus they are more reserved. 
2. The herd has been thinned, and what is left is a bit concerning.
3. We are more set in our routines. We are more steady in our jobs, sit on the same side of church year after year, never mind visiting another church's events, simply put, we are not meeting new people. 
4. We have been hurt and we are seriously gun shy. 
5. Social Norms are blurred even in the church, so the question of "How do we proceed?" stalls most of us from engaging.  

Those are her Top 5.  (I happen to think #4 is the leading reason that I see out there.  I'm not saying it's without cause.  )Let me ask a question.  Are you dating?  Why?  Why not?  If you say it's a waste of time, I would disagree, but I'm open to learning new perspectives.  Most important...

HOW CAN PEOPLE BEGIN TO DATE MORE???  

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful.

All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted! He can be reached in the following ways: Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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4 Ways to Make Real Changes in Your Behavior

Lose weight?  Have better sex?  Sleep better?  Live longer?  Enjoy life more?  Wait!  You had me at better sex!

I'm reading Timothy Ferriss' The 4-Hour Body right now and it's blowing my mind!  I truly think (along with The 4-Hour Workweek) I've stumbled upon something good here.  I like the way this guy thinks.  I think you will, too, because he gets results and shows other people how to do the same.  My hero!

In the section talking about rapid weight-loss (which I am going to read and re-read, if needed) he gets into a discussion I thought I'd share with you, my friends:

4 Steps to Changing Your Behavior

1. Make it conscious. Become aware of all of your actions.  Make them public if you need to.  When it comes to losing weight, for example, his first nugget is to start taking pictures of everything you eat before you put it into your mouth and post it.  Research shows this to be even more effective than using food diaries.

2. Make it a game. Don't take it so seriously.  Make it play for you and you're more likely to keep it up.  Also, by making it a game, he suggests that you measure your activity.  Measure what?  Get the book.  The most important thing is you begin to measure something.  Measuring something is the key.   In a sales context, do you measure your prospecting activities or do you just get up and get going?  What gets measured gets done.

3. Make it competitive. Incorporate a fear of loss.  This is more powerful than a promise to gain.  It really is.  You need a tangible risk of public failure in competition with your peers.  This is the social comparison theory.  You will be spurred on by both positive examples as models and inspiration and you'll also feel better about yourself because you're not as bad as the worst person in the competition.  What if you are the worst in the bunch?  LOL  I can't help you there.

4. Make the change small and temporary.  Don't try to change everything about your life, money, business, health or relationships all at once.  Set a small, achievable goal that will get you going with a bang and build your confidence.  By "temporary" it means that you don't need to try and project the rest of your life at this time.  Just change something (anything) now.  That's all.

If you've got areas in which you're feeling a little bit (or a lot) stuck, I believe these tips can help you.  Try them.  TRY SOMETHING!  Decide on the smallest minimal change you can make an do it immediately!And then let me know the area you need change in and how it goes for you.  I want to know!

You're on your way!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

Click HERE for information on Mark as a speaker or presenter and HERE to learn about coaching programs to help you realize your potential and live more prosperously!

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