It All Matters: Achieving the Life of Your Dreams
New Book Giveaway!!
20 free copies of It All Matters: 125 Strategies to Achieve Maximum Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity.
Leave a comment on this guest post by Paul Cummings to become eligible to win one of TWENTY complimentary copies of It All Matters: 125 Strategies to Achieve Maximum Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity. (Deadline: 10/14/2017)
*Winners outside the continental U.S. will receive electronic copies.
What dreams would you only dare to dream if you knew you couldn’t fail? And, what would you do if you believed you could only succeed? Have you ever wondered how you could live a compelling life; a life of real intention and purpose instead of one filled with duty and obligations?
You were never intended to run from conflict or to play small in the world. You have unlimited freedom and the power to choose your own path. You were intended to be bold, powerful, unique, determined and immensely successful.
The thin line between winning and losing
There is a thin line between winning and losing that is determined by the level of action you take on a consistent basis. Top achievers do everything the achiever does—plus a little bit more. The top 2% in every field do everything the high achiever does, and then some.
How do they do this? By identifying what MATTERS, and giving IT their ALL. Shift your perspective, and build confidence, clarity, certainty, and creativity into your daily routine by:
- Incorporating planning, positivity, and confidence into every day. The most positive thinkers produce the most positive results.
- Digging down and asking yourself the tough questions—every day—to attain clarity about what matters to you and how you intend to accomplish it.
- Starting each day early with affirmations and setting goals that build your sense of certainty.
- Using creativity to visualize your compelling future and desired outcomes. We all possess the ability to be creative when we ask great questions and imagine that which we intend to pursue and achieve.
You can learn how to maximize the confidence, clarity, certainty, and creativity that are the foundations of a life that truly matters—yours.
About Paul Cummings
Paul Cummings is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Paul D. Cummings World Wide Enterprises, a global training and teaching company that has motivated and inspired hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses to make real and lasting change. His new book, It All Matters, is on bookshelves across the country.
Thanks for the encouraging reminder. Too many times our own thoughts and self-narratives derail us before we’ve even gotten started. Each of us can set the best tone for each day and each task, if we’re willing to step outside our box and envision what the result could and should be.
Thanks, Dan. I think the 4 Cs are great too and I think Al Smith’s addition of “care” is an additional key factor. How about “collaborate” as another possible “C”? I’ve yet to meet anyone who was successful in life on his/her own.
Cynda
Thanks Dan. Love to get a copy of Paul’s book. Always looking to learn, improve and grow. The 4 C’s are awesome. Confidence. Clarity. Certainty. Creativity.
Combine those with CARE and you got something special.
Thanks again for all you do.
Al
This is the right way to get success and achieve at best. The effective path is always defined by many sources blended and well gatherred around a core principle like we can see in this approach by Mr. Cummings.
Definitely right on with the concept of the thin line (fear), and I think many of us tend to just stick a toe over that line every now and then to test the waters. We need to be committed to jump over the line with both feet. Failure, yeah, its going to happen, learn from it and move forward.
I especially appreciate that playing small – not expecting to win – is a mindset no one needs. Thank you for this post.
Thanks Dan. I have started a new job and it has been a tough year. This book would be perfect for this point in my life.
Thanks for posting, this looks like a roadmap to clarity. Would enjoy a copy to read.
Would love to read this book. Wow! Please consider me for receiving a “free copy”.
Interesting post. I would like to learn more and get a copy of Paul’s book.
Exactly what I need to hear this morning. Thank you for sharing!
Dear Dan,
Your blog is one of my most favorite reads everyday! You are changing and impacting my life one day a time. Would love to have a copy of Paul’s book. It looks like it would be able to push me ahead even more in making my dreams a reality.
Andria
I like the 5th “C” caring/care Al Smith, speaks to me. Probably for everyone admitting there is room for growth and improving for all of us to achieve our Dreams becoming reality!
Thanks Dan! I’d love to have a dopy….I don’t work daily in a position that I use my strengths….I’d love to be able to change my method…to include those again! Great reminder….great practice!
Great post Dan
Would love to learn and employ these new four C’s through the new book.
As always, I count you an example of encouragement!
Keep going brother!
Sounds interesting and a good book to share.
Confidence, clarity & creativity see us trough it all if we are paying attention! Sounds like a great read!
After reading this post, I’m disappointed that there was no highlight about perseverance and resiliency with overcoming obstacles – how individuals are meant to rise up to challenges AND give it their all through confidence, clarity, certainty and creativity. It sounds as if anyone can be a top achiever, when, in reality, our world can pose more barriers than opportunities. We need more discussion about how and when to “commence” as the 5th C.
This is a great post. The following line particularly resonates with me “Incorporating planning, positivity, and confidence into every day.”
As a leader of 200 people in my organization I need to remember to not just be a good planner, positive and confident but I need to intentionally incorporate those into every day in the office.
Great Tips! I definitely believe that there is a need for Paul’s book. Hopefully, it will open the door for many individuals to reach their potential.
When I read Dan’s email announcing the book giveaway, I knew I would be leaving a comment whether the content of the post really resonated with me or not. Then I read the first two sentences… and was stunned! Especially this, “What would you do if you believed you could only succeed?” That REALLY gave me some food for thought! I hope I can find the courage to stop playing it safe and make the bold move to act on my hopes and dreams.
Thought-provoking tips. Taking time to consider these ideas will benefit us in a very real way.
An interesting & thought provoking post!
We all dream to remain successful right from the chidhood per our wishful desires and try to achieve it, knowingly & unknowingly. We use the proven techniques to succeed as we grow and yet remain unsuccessful. The possible reason for our failure is high in ambition and falling short of our concentrated efforts!
I feel, we need to be practical and knowing the reality situation should set realistic goals to grow big stepwise. We have hidden talents and the needed attributes to succeed but we too need encouragement and self-motivation. So, it is always better to follow a role model or take the right inputs/guidance from those who are better knowledgeable and experienced to critically guide.
Great stuff. A wake up call to enhance my leadership skills.
Great read! The power is positive thinking is real!!!
The Power to choose your own path. That’s right it is up to us, wake up in the morning and pick a path. It is within our control.
Thank you for your posts – I find something useful in them every day.
Even as a “senior citizen” I still set goals and have dreams … mostly related to leaving a legacy. However there are times I feel tugged in multiple directions, with a deep-seated sense that I’m running out of time. How to overcome that sense of urgency (and “thought overwhelm”) seem to be the thoughts that attack my confidence although I have huge autonomy now that I’m retired.
Personne ne peut faire à ma place ce que je devrais faire ou vivre . Même si on a fait le même rêve avec un personne ,chacune a sa son unique manière de le réaliser et pour cela il me faut La. Confiance en moi.la Clarté dans ce que je veux faire ou vivre ,la certitude de le faire . . La créativité pour le réaliser .
It’s so important to set goals and milestones to keep yourself energized and inspired while navigating the sometimes overwhelming journey of life!
Thank you for the daily “morning boost.” I would love to be considered for a new book.
I would like to learn more! I need all of this positivity in my life right now.
Thank you for reminding us about setting our goals to :Achieve Maximum Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity. It is always good to stop and take some moments to reflect and develop this more for ourselves.
Paul is correct, however I also believe that failure is a success. If you don’t try and give that extra something you may never know if it would work. I’ve been striving to succeed at this throughout my career. The four steps is a reminder that to focus in on what matters every day. It takes practice, which I need to dedicate myself. Thank you for another day of inspiring and reminding.
Best,
MMK
Lessons for all of us,but I use Leadership Freak material to prepare teens for a success in a changing world. I look forward to this new material!
Dream’s are only dreams because we believe they are unattainable. Since we believe they are unattainable we do not set goals to try to reach them. I like the concept of setting daily goals, being positive and confident to help you reach towards your dreams and make them a reality. I would love to read more about this.
I am a positive thinker, but have never learned to harness this positivity. Thank you for this insightful post!
I would like to learn more about this
This book should be required reading for college students and all young adults entering the working world…. It is fun to ponder the “what if” game, thinking back on my career and what changes I would have made in the past. I don’t dwell too long, though, because I know I am doing exceptionally well in the career field of choice.
Looks interesting.
Would love to read this book. No matter our age, we all continue to strive!
One way or another, I’m adding this book to my “must read” list! Looking forward to gaining more insight on the 4 Cs!
“ask yourself the tough questions … to attain clarity about what matters to you and how you intend to accomplish it.” is really speaking to me today. Choosing between passion, service & creativity and more $, autonomy and perks is very difficult.
Dan, I remain grateful to you and to the writers, practitioners, and leaders in the area of leadership to which you introduce me. I have worked to achieve confidence, clarity, certainty and creativity by discerning, writing and regularly reviewing what I call my “Personal Calling Statement” which includes my primary purpose (mission), motivating vision, and core values. Regular review of those and prayerful preparation for my day and week have contributed to my own understanding and achievement of success as I have come name it.
I wanna win this book!
Yes! Very encouraging! It’s all in Me!
Intention and purposeful action…focus…effort to create what will and does matter. Not putting large amounts of effort into the other noise that really is unimportant.
Thanks.
I am excited to dig into this new book to discover how to be more on target and productive with the investment of my time and energy! I personally find that clarity breeds confidence for action.
Being reminding everyday that you do not have to settle. That you set your own goals of what you achieve by your ability and determination to strive for more. To determine in your mind that you want to… Challenge your mind and your ability to complete that challenge.
One of my “Top 5” talents/strengths is Maximizer. I have often thought I needed someone who could serve as my Maximizer! It sounds like this book would be a blessing!
Great approach to makes us realize our potential and that winning/succeeding is a choice and it is intentional.
“3.Starting each day early with affirmations and setting goals that build your sense of certainty.” I could do a much better job with this.
I love the statement — there is a thin line between winning and losing and it’s determined by the action you take on a consistent basis! The key to me in this is the word consistency…easy to say but hard to do!
In my opinion, it is just a simple method of finding what matters. One must find purpose in their life! Everything that needs to be done must be with a conviction that matters not to oneself but to others. One must enjoy going for the ride to achieve one’s dreams. Its a creation of one’s own imagination. Thus building the achievement of one’s dreams. Am living it now!!
Great insights; would love the opportunity to read the entire book!
As a new instructional coach for a school district, I exude positivity but am struggling with the 4 C’s. My position is a new one in the district, and there is not a clear vision as to how it should look. That has left me in an unsettling position of trying to create something for my own, while being new to the district, and in my first year in more of a leadership role rather than a classroom teacher. This book seems to be an excellent resource for some of the thinking I have been engaged in.
This is a great reminder to not let our fears hold us back. I’ve started a new business while continuing working my current job. Doing both is hard, and I would love to make the leap to just self employment, but that fear of the unknown has a strong a powerful hand.
Great reminders on how to start the day on a positive and confident note!
Paul, your exhortation to incorporate planning, positivity and confidence to attain clarity, build certainty, and use creativity to achieve inspired and desired outcomes is essential to making the most of our gifts, talents, and abilities. I would add the qualities of resilience and persistence to account for the many factors well outside of our control. Perhaps you accounted for those qualities as positivity. Overcoming obstacles — sometimes enduring obstacles — is a key ingredient to successfully achieving inspired and desired outcomes. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, George Washington, William Wilberforce, and Dr Martin Luther King are a few examples that immediately come to mind.
I realize this is a very short post on the topic. I intend to read more of Paul’s work, and relate topics.
My impression is that it goes back to “execution is key”, and combining this with “Grit”, “Ownership”, positive psychology and basic leadership concepts of a leader providing the vision/direction/clarity needed to have people move in the right direction (along with all of the support that helps people choose to work for you and give that discretionary effort we call “engagement”).
I work in training new salespeople. I’m finding that yes, training matters, but even more than that is the drive that each person brings. The 4 C’s mentioned by Paul also play a part. I hadn’t thought of it that way.
I could definitely benefit from this book. In the past 11 months, I turned 64, lost my job and had to put down my two beloved dogs. It’s been rough and I need a kick-start to refocus.
I appreciate the reminder of promoting ourselves “unintentionally” while promoting and supporting others. I coach and support math teachers daily. However, often I fill teachers’ cup without refilling my own cup. Teachers would benefit more if I can model / live what I am encouraging them to do in class and in their lives to balance their mindset. I would love to share this book with colleagues.
Great topic! Couldn’t agree more!
thanks Dan – love the topic! Digging down every day – that’s the tough part for me. would love a copy of the book!
I fall short of giving myself positive affirmations everyday. I would love the opportunity to receive a copy of this book, so I can learn more on the 4C’s on how to enhance and achieve the life of my dreams.
I love the question what would you do if you believed you could only succeed. I know I limit myself by playing it safe sometimes and want to challenge myself to think bigger. I like the 4 C’s, confidence, clarity, certainty and creativity and agree with others that caring should be added to the list. The book sounds like an interesting read.
Maximizer is my top theme on the Clifton strengthsfinder. Have often thought it would be great to have a Maximizer in my own life. Sounds like this book would be a blessing, helping me maximize who I am so I can make my best contribution!
I struggle with moving to action in my personal life, not so much at work. The 4 Cs seem like a good strategy to help me act. I like the short “4C’s” – easy to remember.
Shift your perspective for three weeks …only three weeks, and evaluate … you’ll never go back. Thank you for the great reminder.
I agree that it all matters; the challenge for me is to try and instill this in an office culture where this philosophy is the exception rather than the rule. I’d love to read more!
Thank you so much for the opportunity. I share your articles with my new managers and would love to have the book maximize my position within my company and to lead new employees in the same direction.
Always good information. A daily read!
Always looking for inspiration on going the extra 2%! I love it when I can really dig in but get discouraged when others feel threatened by and resist or are just apathetic to options and ideas.
Greetings from Krakow, Poland (Europe). Thank you for this post. Automatically there’s a quote that comes to mind around that topic – i.e. If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live. – Martin Luther King, Jr. We should all be constantly reminded of our potential and living our individual dreams to bless those around us with our gifts and fruit that come out of them. Otherwise not only we live miserable lives, we also rob others of the potential and stuff that’s inside of us.
It is like the 4 Cs in the gem (Diamond) of your career as a LEADER! It does all matter.
This book sounds like it has advice that I need. As a school principal, focusing on what matters is challenging with the daily onslaughts of “crises” that take my time and attention away from our goals. I’d love a copy.
“Have you ever wondered how you could live a compelling life; a life of real intention and purpose instead of one filled with duty and obligations?” I have wondered what it would be like to live a life without duty and obligation as a young dad. I still consider myself a young dad, my duty, and my obligation as a dad to raise 3 boys to be respectful, mindful, confident young man is what my intention and purpose are. What I have learned from being a dad has helped me to be a better leader for my team. By way of teaching, encouraging, challenging and letting my team explore and learn from OUR mistakes.
Thanks for the intro to Mr. Cummings’ work and ideas. I look forward to learning more about him!
Looks like a great read! Would love a copy! Thank you.
Perhaps the choices are not quite binary: winning, losing, and not losing. For instance, I could certainly do much better with my writing and consulting activities if I dropped other pursuits, such as the day job that does pay the bills, and pursued them with the relentlessness (and skill and a dose of good luck) that “winning” success would require. If it turned out that I wasn’t the best or didn’t get that one piece of luck before the cash reserves ran out, then I would lose. Accepting less than full success in those areas allows me to “not lose” by satisficing other benefits, such as family security, although it does also seem to preclude the big win.
Great giveaway! Paul’s book sounds fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
I would love the read more about the four Cs and add Paul’s book to my library to share with others. Who doesn’t want to live the impossible dream! Thanks for the possibilities, Dan and Paul.
I love the visualization and positive thinking that is brought about by thinking “I can’t fail, I can only succeed”. To many times I’ve caught myself thinking, “well what if this happens”. On the one hand you have to have a contingency plan in place, but you can’t have all of the ‘what if’s’ freeze you from taking any action at all. Prepare, Execute, Review, Repeat. No mater how big or small of a step. I will think about all of the possible outcomes that could happen if I were to succeed in everything I want to accomplish.
Thanks
This book is most intriguing! Being an achiever is no small task, and it can become ingrained in one’s lifestyle. Sometimes we confuse our (necessary) daily duties and obligations with our “dream” plans. Clarity will certainly help us realize which is which. Like Melissa, I can move forward with my work goals and plans, but tend to sacrifice some of the personal ones for the business/work goals and plans. I started graduate school two years ago and finished the degree(at “retirement” age!) but now am not clear on how to implement those valuable learnings into my current job.
I’ve enjoyed your postings and would enjoy reading this book
This is a great post – an I hope I win a book! I love the opening question: What dreams would you only dare to dream if you knew you couldn’t fail? This has me thinking…… Thank you for starting my day right!
Great post and sounds like a fantastic book!
This is sure to be a gem in the personal and professional development worlds. Thanks for taking on the challenge to deal with this difficult topic.
I have been more than grateful for voices that have helped to guide me down a path where that guidance was lacking in those who were assigned as my parental role models. Thank you for answering the Call.
Awesome post and certainly what I needed to hear. Clarity is an important piece of the puzzle and one that many people (certainly myself!) struggle with in implementing a dream, I’d love to learn more from Paul’s book!
Upon reading this post a second time I realize that I need to add another “C” – Control.
Regardless of planning and intentions it seems that we often relinquish control of our time and efforts to others. Many times these adjustments are noble and well-deserving, and others are simply the result of giving in to priorities of others.
In the end I guess it is regaining Clarity of what truly matters to retain control to fully execute.
Thanks for sharing this thought provoking post.
Be safe.
This post was timely. I would love to read the book, “It All Matters: 125 Strategies to Achieve Maximum Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity.” As I’m stepping into a new season this week, getting ordained as a minister, I’m going through the typical self-guessing, insecurities and wondering if I’m really “called” to step out in what has been on my heart for 30 years. It is challenging to take big life turns at any age but as a 53-year-old, it seems like a crazy thing to do…and yet I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t. It is due time to clarify the course and put the 4 – C’s to action – ONWARD!
Thanks Dan! Positive affirmations and setting a note of positivity have really been helping me every morning. It’s really all about getting into the right mindset. I believe that being willing to take chances plays a huge part in how much we achieve. You’ll never get anywhere if you stay where you are!
Thanks for the post!
Glad I didn’t close this out before reading ~ opened it first thing this morning and got sidetracked…nothing new! I’ve always had a hard time with dreams…not knowing what mine were. Still searching…. thanks Dan!
Thanks Dan! This is right on the spot! I’d love a copy of Paul’s book!
I’d like an electronic copy
Sydney, Australia
Dan, #3 hit home to me…3. Starting each day early with affirmations and setting goals that build your sense of certainty. Great post and sounds like a good book to read.
Many people plan to die – for instance they prepare a will which details what happens to them after they die. But what about living? Many fail to plan to live. Confidence, Clarity, Certainty, and Creativity certainly is a great plan to live an intentional life where you dare to dream and believe you won’t fail. Love the concept of the four C’s – thanks for sharing.
When I first started setting goals as a middle school student as far out as college, I always strived to be very specific in the steps I needed to take to reach the goal. In doing so, I always wanted to know “why” I did a thing and not so much as “how to.” For example, I once asked myself in young adulthood, “Why do I want to make a difference?” There is a big contrast in that question and “how do I make a difference?” It allowed me to look at the big picture first before breaking it down into small steps and it also helped me keep my ultimate goal in the forefront! And to follow Paul’s 4 C’s, with full confidence and certainty in my gifts and talents, I am able to achieve goals I set by maintaining clarity as I operate and flow in creativity! DREAM BIG!!!! AND AIM HIGH!!!!
My only thought is careful considering the “winning or losing” concept. I think top achievers love the process more than they love the “winning” part. Reality is, the process is what drives us. Constantly engaging in more, we do it because we love to do, not because we love to win.
“Top achievers do everything the achiever does—plus a little bit more.” A great reminder and a good starting point. In order to build confidence, clarity, certainty, and creativity a shift in perspective is essential especially when faced with a setback. Thanks for the push to intentionally shift my perspective.
A great reminder of the importance of asking ourselves great questions and imagining that which we intend to pursue and achieve.
Thank you
Reminds me of the quote; “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” Thanks, Dan.
Mind catcher. Hope you can send me the ebook.
Confidence … one of the things I struggle the most with. In a fortnight I start a new job managing a team of 12 in an organisation that is new to me and where I will be easily the youngest in the team. How to be confident within yourself but not look arrogant, that is the question. When I do ‘fake it till you make it’ apparently I come across as arrogant. Hopefully I will get better at this with age and experience.
I have found that starting each day with positive affirmations that I say out loud allows me to hear them throughout the day as I tackle day-to-day challenges as well as manage the curve balls that are thrown my way. These affirmations are the foundation upon which I build creative ways to confidently navigate both the smooth and choppy waters in my personal and professional life and they help to provide clarity of my stated mission for each day.
Excellent post and I appreciate the insightful comments.
The 4C’s are definitely applicable to all “walks of life.” It would be beneficial to instill these concepts, on an age appropriate level, throughout a lifetime. Confidence provides the basic
foundation for all interactions. This book will be on my ” must read” list.
Having failed I understand the learning curve that comes when that happens. It is not always the most comfortable teacher. It becomes part of the reservoir in our human experience to draw upon. The only thing I would add to the four “C”s, is Created. I believe we are created to make a difference in the world as well. It helps give clarity to the other 4.
Love the 4 Cs! I would also include “Courage” as an indispensable C. In today’s cultural climate, many leaders today are afraid to speak up.
Great reminder to dream and not stay “stuck”.
Another C: Choice. We each makes choices for our life every day. Too many people do not recognize when their choices are getting in the way of them achieving the life they want.
Starting a new job with a firm. This sounds like it would be right up my alley.
I would love to read more.
I coach a NCAA II Women’s Swimming Team and this post from Leadership Freak is so vey applicable to athletics. Often times, college-aged female athletes are hesitant to dream big so we work really hard to discuss why they are doing certain technique drills, the power of each of us being positive with both ourselves and teammates. Thanks, this one is getting passed on to the team.
It’s insightful thst you can use creativity to reach your goals, not just check off items from your action list but achieve deeper, richer goals through innovation and creativity.
Wow – very inspiring thought! What would I attempt if I knew I wouldn’t fail?!?!
This book should be required reading in High School!
I would love to get a copy and read it now. It’s never too late.
I am looking forward to reading this book. There is too much negativity in this world.
Doesn’t (having) confidence mean that there would be no questioning about what I dared to dream?
Thank you for the best team building experience. I came to Wildwood and returned a changed person. Love the daily Woople sessions.
I hereby promise…..
Thanks, Dan, for your wisdom and inspiration. As I continue to develop as a leader and working toward my ultimate goal, the principalship, your insight about “What Matters” is inspiring and promotes reflection as well as forward thinking. Thank you for sharing your work, wisdom, and experiences with so many to inspire greatness.