• Some don't know what to be Brutally Aggressive about- To be brutally aggressive towards a goal implies that you need to be passionate about what you are pursuing. Most people are not pursuing a dream because they are just going through the motions of their daily existence. They do not even realize that they are entitled to pursue their dreams! 

• Some take the Brutally Aggressive concept literally - To achieve great things requires the assistance and cooperation of others. While it is great to be determined and passionate towards reaching your goals, it is not wise to overlook and run over others in your quest of the goal. Truly successful people enlist the help of others and recognize them along the way. They are passionate and driven, but look for assistance with humility and gratitude! 

• Being Uninhibited by Adversity is hard to do! - Why are so many people so negatively impacted by adversity? Why do so many people give up quickly, complain about stress, and find it difficult to interact with others? Here are some reasons to consider:

1. They view themselves as powerless in the face of their negative circumstances 

2. They see setbacks as failures.

3. They don't realize that stress is a product of their thoughts and that they control their own thoughts.

4. They think about problems over and over, which only serves to make them harder to solve and increases frustration.

5. They try to solve their problems in a low mood when they are the least equipped to do so.

6. They are overwhelmed by all the things they have to do and don't know how to relieve the pressure.

7. They see themselves as "right" and don't understand that others also believe they are "right." They don't understand that we all are "right" from our perspective.

We've talked about why people generally do not apply and stick with BAGUBA in their lives, so the question is how do you incorporate this difficult concept of BAGUBA? Here are some actions to consider:

• Determining what to be Brutally Aggressive About - To determine what you can be passionate about and understanding what the life of your dreams could look like ask yourself some of the following questions:

• What are the top 5 things that I would like to learn more about? Can I incorporate any of these things into my personal and/or professional goals?
  If money were not an object what would I be doing today?

• Who is living the life that I wish I could have? Could I meet or talk to this person (or someone like them) to determine how they got there?

• How can I be Brutally Aggressive but in a caring and compassionate way that encourages others to help me?

• Ask people with a positive outlook for their input on your ideas and dreams. Encouraging types of people will enjoy helping you. Remember to thank them (especially in writing if you can). A written thank you note has a lot more permanence and impact.

• If something goes poorly accept the blame, and if something goes well give out the credit as openly and vociferously as possible.

• Invest the time and effort to help others towards their goals even if there are personal sacrifices you will be making towards your goals.

• Do something nice for another person without the expectation of anything in return.

• What techniques can I employ to be Uninhibited by Adversity? 

1. Understand that although we do not control the circumstances surrounding our lives we do control our reaction to those circumstances. No one can get you mad or take away your dignity unless you let them. Try to not to react to a situation, but attempt to take the time to think and then act when you are not as emotionally charged.

2. See the setbacks in your life as lessons. We are all "under construction" and learning as we go. Remember that the most successful people have often tried the most and failed the most!

3. When you feel stressed about a problem consider some of the following techniques: Ask yourself, "Will this matter one year from now?"

4. If you are having difficulty with a problem let it go and do something else (preferable something to relax yourself). Letting go of the problem sometimes helps the solution to magically present itself.

5. Don't handle the problem immediately if you can. Wait until you are in a better mood and your thoughts have cleared.

6. If you feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do consider committing to one system to organize and prioritize. Learn that it is ok to say no and understand that the goal is just to do your best!

7. Understand that all people believe they are "right" when they are espousing their views. Ask open-ended questions to better understand them before reacting to opposing viewpoints.

Getting BAGUBA in our lives requires self-analysis, which causes us to implement a plan of constant self-improvement. Our self-improvement is fueled by our drive and determination to reach our goals. Pursuing BAGUBA will allow us to realize a high level of fulfillment and achievement while making our journey easier as we drive towards our goals! The lesson to be learned is to go get some BAGUBA; it will be good for you!

If you would like to have Mike speak to your group consider the following programs:
Constructing the Framework of Success
Motivation - Begins with Me; Grows with We
Running the Race of Life with Purpose

If you want to get Mike's insights on this topic in one on one sessions click here.

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Mike Foti is Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Glass Block (a Northcoast 99 recipient for best employers in Northeast Ohio and a Community Pillar Award winner for community service) and President of Leadership Builders. Mike is a national speaker, writer, and consultant who helps individuals and companies get results through people. To ask Mike how he might help you, or to receive his free tips and leadership articles, call 216-531-6085 or visit his web site at www.leadershipbuilders.com.