It only takes one introduction to change your life. Maybe this individual will become a business partner, spouse/life partner or just a close trusted friend. No matter what that introduction ultimately becomes, you have to be prepared. Every introduction has the potential of positively changing your life.

In 2003, I was a young adult and college student at Arizona State University. I was still trying to find myself and my passion. That year I was introduced to someone who would eventually lead me to positively and profoundly change my goals, my philosophy and my life. I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today if that interaction never happened and it almost didn’t.

It takes one choice! My brother and I received a call from our mother (also whom has changed my life) to work a real estate event at the LA Convention Center. This meant we would have to drive six hours Friday night; work all day Saturday and Sunday then drive six hours back to Arizona late Sunday night. When thinking about all the travel it didn’t seem worth our time, especially for two twenty year olds. Needless to say we were sold by the high profiled speakers and making money.

So we made the choice and Saturday we were working at the convention center listening to speakers Marshall Sylver, Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump and Anthony Robbins. While my brother and I were setting up products for the next speaker, a man asked if we could change the receipt tape in the credit card machine. It was a pretty simple task, so we quickly responded: of course. He ran off and grabbed a couple credit card machines from his booth.

Out of that interaction we were given an opportunity to work as a members of the product sales team for one of the most successful coaches and speakers in the world. Little did we know the person giving us that opportunity would be one of the smartest business individuals we’ve ever met. Since then he has become a boss, mentor, coach and most importantly a lifetime friend. Not only have we had monetary success because of this person, but we have also grown as individuals in all aspects of our lives.

This is not the only reason why I have become who I am. There are other choices and introductions that have proved to be as remarkable and rewarding in my live. Such as the day I met my wife; July 26, 2006, a day I will always remember. That night I met someone I consider one of the most brilliant and level minded person I know. But would I have the life I have with Kelsey if I didn’t ask for her number that night? If I didn’t call and stop to see her the following day before I left for Nevada to work on a senate campaign? I don’t believe it would be the same!

We all have choices, we all make choices. Are the choices you make benefiting you? Are you putting yourself in the right situations for these life changing introductions?

I can’t tell you when and where you will find your next life changing introduction or opportunity. But I can tell you that you have to the power to influence and produce your next introduction and opportunity. It starts with you. You have to make a choice to surround yourself with positive and successful people, the same people you are trying to emulate. It is often said that your network equals your net worth! It is also said, that we are a reflection of our friends! The people around you define and lead you to the person you will become.

I mentioned earlier that you need to be prepared no matter the situation. If you know the people around you, then you know how to prepare. If I was going to tell you I am going to take you to meet a politician, you would study some current political events! Right? You need to study, because you need to appear knowledgeable about topics important to the people you are meeting. If you were selling a product you need to be able to sell it in 30 seconds. If you are prepared you already know what to say to every buyer and you have an answer to all their questions and concerns. This is the difference from outstanding and average. Never be anything but outstanding and you will impress everyone you meet.

It all starts with you. You have the power to choose, you can choose to forget fear and open yourself up to a new world, new environment, new introduction and new opportunity. It only takes one! One choice, one introduction and one opportunity to create a lifetime of success. What are you waiting for?

Life…it’s a complex universe set to test every fiber; nature, physics and most importantly the human mind. It is filled with joy and success, sorrow and failure.  Life is a series of challenges and rewards. But, above all Life is short!

No one can predict your life; no one knows what will happen tomorrow.  There are so many variables and events outside of your control that will ultimately shape you; your opinions, emotions and passions. The only constant is you, you’re the operator.

We all experience difficult periods, tragedy’s, hardships, heartache, sorrow, and disappoint.  Time waits for no one!  It just happens, no matter how old or how prepared.  I myself have experienced many of these events; I have been to more funerals of close family then I have weddings.  As a Ten year old I had to overcome the loss of my idol, hero, and inspiration; everything I wanted to be…my older brother! This event was only a month after losing my grandpa (Poppy). It happened without warning, without consultation.  I wasn’t prepared.  Even if I knew it was going to happen, I wouldn’t be prepared.

I don’t want to only focus on the negatives; they are only one piece of the puzzle.  There are so many other rewarding moments and events in your life; past, present and future. These moments bring indescribable joy and pride to you as well as your loved ones. Relish these moments, they can and will help you through any difficult period.

Life is short…whether you are currently young or old, experienced in the world or not, life can be taken in an instant.  We don’t know when it will be our last chance. Why wait, you can start today!

You never know who you will meet and what they may bring to your life.  Always be respectful and genuine, outstanding people and things will follow.

Think and care about others; if you don’t, you have to ask yourself: what is my purpose and goal in life?  If your only focus in life is me, me, me; how is it rewarding? How is it fulfilling? What are you passing on or leaving to others when your time is up?  Life will pass you or even worst consume you in an instant.

Be passionate about yourself, to those around you, and (most importantly) to your family (the closest individuals in your life).  They are responsible for getting you to this point and they will get you to the next. You are shaped by what you have learned from others and you are shaping the lives of those around you.  Be in command of your emotions and actions; you never know who you will be inspiring (make it positive).

There is no magical formula for the future.  Would it make a difference if you could see your future in advance? I believe we all benefit by not knowing the future (I know its uncertainty is scary); not knowing will allow you to live for today.  You have to look at life as of today, whether you are 10 or 94 live right now. Let today inspire you, why wait for some future moment or event to start living your life! Live the life you want, right now!

A country where 1 out of every 40 people has a television; a country where the majority of its citizens are living below the poverty level;  a country where they are proud and grateful for the little they have.

Just a couple of days ago the world saw a country, one already set in its limitations, battle through some of the most traumatic and violent minutes the earth had to offer. The horror and panic must have been so intense, it scares me just thinking.  Yet no one other than those who experienced it and were fortunate to live through it understand its true magnitude.  Over the past few days I have followed the stories, news and updates on the situation in Haiti.

Even with all of the different media outlets, from radio, to internet, to the evening news, we still find ourselves amazed by the numbers/statistics and petrified by the few images we are willing ourselves to view.  It is unbelievable to see how violent the earth itself can be, although it is the overall controlling force of the world.

The disasters it can create, the disasters it does create, changes the completion of cities, countries, but most of all (and most importantly) the lives of the whole world. But, there is a wonderful, heartwarming and inspiring event that comes out of a disaster such as the Haiti Tragedy.  As a nation, as a world, as people, we see, believe, want, and feel the need/desire to help, to give, to comfort,  and to care.  That is the most important piece of the puzzle. If we as humans,  can care and come together to provide aid in whatever way possible, then there is comfort and healing.  The numerous donations (time, money, supplies, medical attention) are healing, however so much more is needed.

Nothing is replaced, nothing is re-built  in a day, so let’s not expect or think all this can be repaired in a short period of time.  This is why you like many, many others, must continue to provide healing for everyone involved in Haiti.  I know there have already been millions of dollars raised and numerous supplies prepared and shipped.  However, this is something that will need to continue…please show your support. We all can show the goodness of the people of the world and help heal a piece of it.

This is the opportunity for us to contribute to a country that is at its best when most of us are at our worst. Mother nature, and her fierce earthquake is not the challenge here. The challenge is that this is a country that is over 70 percent below the poverty level. As I watch the news and the various stories that appear on television, I am in awe of the tenacity and bravery people who never ask for much and who are grateful for the little they have.

There are many places where you can contribute to this cause- but please be careful as there are many scams from people who are trying to take advantage. Please visit the site of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/ .

The two of us have been greatly impacted by this devastation and our hopes and prayers is that the people of Haiti rebuild in the quickest time possible. Please help us, help them.  The tears, the pain, and the hardship is something that they are used to. This has been a major blow to what was already a difficult life. The over 50,000 deaths including numerous children, with very little medical attention- is heart-breaking . We will end it there…….

VISIT :  http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/

There are two sections to this blog- the first written by Reggie Batts and the second part which was written by his good friend, Christopher Yonan.  They both collaborate almost daily on the importance of people getting involved in the things that matter to them and taking responsibility for them. Responsibility doesn’t need a fancy title, but rather a commitment to contribute to the efforts of your goals and the goals of those who share your ideas. Enjoy!

Message from Reggie Batts:

With so much going on in the world today, more than ever we must take responsibility for the life we live. I often hear so many people voicing their opinions on various topics from politics, the economy, taxes, and social issues that we are all a part of. However, I rarely hear from individuals who are actually taking action to do anything about it. No matter what our views are on any topic, we can take the responsibility to change it- in some form.

 One of my management styles when one of my representatives would ask for my help on something, the first thing I would ask them is what they would recommend as far as a solution. Almost every time, they would have the solution, probably better than the one I would have offered. That’s a sign of great leadership on my part and great responsibility on their part. It has also conditioned them and empowered them to make wise decisions on behalf of the company without getting me involved. That’s responsibility and that’s why I have had the most outstanding teams.

 Responsibility also comes in other forms of our lives such as going to the polls to vote on what we feel is right. We can also write letters to our congressional leaders if we oppose a decision; whatever the case may be, we can contribute somehow. What we don’t want to do is stand on the sideline and watch things happen that are important to us without getting involved in the process.

 This same rule applies to business as much as it applies to life. Those who succeed in business are those who get involved and make things happen. They give 10 times more than what is expected of them. They do an outstanding job, and they associate with those who are doing even better. They reach out to mentor those who have fallen short, and they take on additional responsibilities as an investment towards their future.

The responsibility is ours to take the action needed to make a difference in our lives. If we don’t do anything, we can almost always expect a poor result. Remember, we will miss 100% of the shots we do not take. The shots we do not take could mean a promotion, a book deal, a job offer, a politician you oppose, and the list goes on.

 In closing, I leave you with a quote from Michael Korda, Editor in Chief for Simon and Schuster. “Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility . . . . In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.”

 Continue to ride the wave of life and have a higher awareness of the responsibilities we all have in the different areas of our lives.

Here is my good friend Chris Yonan, who likes to tie a balanced political tone to responsibility………

 Message from Christopher Yonan

As we move through life, we learn to grow; grow in many ways.  We grow physically, mentally, socially and personally.  As we grow, we start to hear the word responsibility.   Responsibility can be both rewarding and daunting.  With responsibility (especially when it is expected) comes pressure!  However, without responsibility we would not be who we are, we would not have the thoughts, aspirations, morals, ethics and all around views on the world.  The question is, are you going to own your responsibility?

 Believe me, I know how scary it is! I am a twenty-five year old generation Y’er, I know and see the pressures put on everyone.  With the financial crisis (Wall Street, Main Street, government-federal and state, and the world), the pressure is all around us! It consumes the day!  With this uncertainty, comes the question: what about the future?  What is the country going to look like? What are we going to leave future generations (our children)? Will there be social security?  In the end, it comes down to the saying: you will be the thinkers and leaders of the future (every generation succeeding the current).  What will you do with it?

 Talk about pressure! Now, I am not saying I don’t have faith; that I don’t believe in individuals to answer the challenge, but it’s still pressure.  I feel we are proving we have the answers and are willing to take on the pressures and challenges. 

 As a nation we have fought for freedom (The Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, Civil War, Civil Rights Movement; not to mention voting rights, woman’s rights (Roe vs. Wade), anti-war protests-Vietnam and same sex rights) and we continue to strengthen our freedom.  Imagine the pressures facing those individuals, groups, organizations and associations to stand up against the odds/popular opinion; it’s impressive.

 We are doing it ourselves everyday.  Whether you feel or think it, it’s true.  We came together as a nation to say we want change; we want a new young face and mind.  We elected the 44^thPresident of the United States Barack Obama (and let me add, in dramatic fashion).

 The 2008 Presidential Election was the highest voting turnout (by percentage) since the 1968 Presidential Election.  Forty years.  56.8% voter turnout in the 2008 election.  Thank you, all who voted!

 In addition to the increase in over all turn out, there was also a jump in young voters.  With an estimated 23 million young Americans under the age of thirty, an increase of an estimated 3.4 million and four to five percentage points when compared to 2004 (talk about rising to the challenge).  Young Americans have been inspired or are inspiring each other.

 We have seen the people of Iran do this for the past couple of weeks.  I think Obama had a great line in a speech the other day when talking about the troubling violence in Iran, ‘Iranian protesters are inspiring the world’ (something like that).  You have a great power to vote, a given power, it is a responsibility.  We have the responsibility to vote and to vote wisely.  Take pride in it!

 Rise to the challenge, no matter your ideologies: red, blue, green, young, single, young, religious or not.  Because it doesn’t matter, we can all rise to the challenge.  We can no matter who was elected, whether you voted for him or not, you can hold them accountable (accountable for what’s best for the country, state, city, and as groups and individuals).  We need keep our politicians honest. 

Please make sure the representatives we elected are held accountable.  Reach out and voice your opinion by contacting your representative, create a group, non-profit or blog.  Please share your voice.

 Please vote!  All the best, Chris

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FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:

Reggie Batts– Website: www.reggiebatts.com and Twitter: http://twitter.com/ReggieBatts

Christopher Yonan– Website:  https://chrisyonan.wordpress.com/  and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/topherjames