June 2, 2006. The date that will forever stand out in my mind, not just because it is both my Dad’s and one of my best friend’s birthday, it is the day that I started on a self development path that has changed my life. You see, on that day I had a phone call with my friend, mentor and prosperity guru, Randy Gage. That call on that date changed my life.

The purpose of the call was for my own coaching. I had asked Randy for coaching on how I could take my business to the next level. Randy gets asked all of the time what the “secret” to his success is and he will tell anyone, it’s creating a habit of doing self development every day.

So, when I asked Randy what I needed to do to elevate my business, he responded quickly and definitively, “Des, you need to commit to doing at least 15, preferably 30, minutes of self development every day. And, I want you to do it in the morning. When you have read and listened to or watched something for your personal and professional development, like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or As A Man Thinketh by James Allen before you leave your house, your day and your life will be dramatically different than if you just got up and started your day.” He went on to say, that he would hold me accountable for the next 30 days.

Guess what I did? I balked. I said, “but Randy you don’t understand. I already get up at 5:30 in the morning to run. I’d have to get up at 5 am to do this self development stuff before I begin the rest of my day.” There was silence on the phone. I am certain that if we were in the same room, Randy would have smacked me. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that I had responded with a lame excuse for being held accountable to begin a habit that would literally change my life.

This June 2nd marks my 6th year anniversary of doing some sort of self development every single day. I may read, listen to a book on MP3, watch a video or attend a self development workshop or retreat — Anything to further myself personally and professionally. That habit has led me to some of the most powerful authors and teachers in the world. Randy continues to be a friend and mentor in my life and I am grateful to him for giving me “the key” to resources that have helped me create the life of my dreams. Randy, if you are reading this, thank you, thank you, thank you.

So, how about you? Are you open, willing and committed to begin a daily practice that will change your life? If you’re ready, where will you begin?

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