Awaken Your Day - 60 to 50

"What is done, is done. Most of what is not done, can still be. What I am ultimately capable of, patiently still waits for me to clear my vision. No dreams have been lost. Only my vantage point has changed. And now, the journey continues."
- Pierre Couturier

Milestones.
Starting Lines.
Goals, dreams, measuring sticks.
What does it all mean?
I could have done a lot of things differently.
I should have done a few distinct things differently.
I did a few things far better than I dreamed I could.
I have only a few wishes for more focused do overs.
But ... those are not my focus now.
60 to 50.

I have 60 days, starting now, to coordinate how excited I am going to feel the morning I wake up and realize, I turn 50.

60 days, to gather my life work in memory, gather my achievements like investment victories, and check each of their dividend statements - gathering wisdom riches for the next stage. 60 days to call upon my mentors and role models, and ask for their energy to enrich my shot at a new title.

60 days, to build momentum so that when I wake up, on the day, I am one excited S.O.B. for what that means; for where I am going; for who is coming with me. Picking up speed.

I am not scared of this number. No time for regret over anything.
What is done is done. Most of what was not done, that which matters, can still be. Strangely I am excited. 60 to 50. Hard to believe, but enriching to Achieve.

Creating. Here we go.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You ... for every adventure along your way.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - July 31, 2018 - I Believe

AYD - Practice what we speech.

"Yes, I believe you can."
- Pierre
( pssst.... the trick is to let that sink in for awhile, get hyped up, let your mind settle on something that you were not sure of and voila, push away from the desk with determination and self belief and then go out an conquer the day. Just saying. In case you needed some help. )

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - because you chose to be.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - You Decide

“To move forward and progress, we need motivation. It's the thing that gets us started and the thing that keeps us going. What's yours?” ~ Stefan Wissenbach

Identifying our motivation is like putting your car into "drive". And then we begin to move .... forward.

Good Monday. Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - Knowing why you are reaching for a better you.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

July 30, 2018

AYD - July 29, 2018 from 2013

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."
- Steve Jobs

Sometimes you just need to come across some simple truths ... some words that take what you may already know or feel, and poke you into putting some thought and energy toward the insight.

Sometimes we need to hear that it is okay to feel like a round peg in a square hole... because it is accepting that feeling that allows us to wiggle around until we find out ... this is actually a comfortable place to be.

Listen, consider and absorb. Often times people share great insight, not for us to over analyze ... but so that we can leap forward in proven footsteps and become more, just like they did.

Good morning, Great day.
Greater you, is a foot print for many others to follow.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author to my continuing Exploration mission.

Join me at www.awakenyourday.com

Awaken Your Day - July 28, 2018 - Luck, no. Just great energy.

“Some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants won’t help.”
- Calvin and Hobbes

Original Post 2017

Yes, yes they will ! If you remember first how they got the power to BE your LUCKY rocket ship underpants. Remember the times they saved the day…remember how you discovered they were lucky, and the faith and belief you applied to them every time after when you called upon that LUCK to get you through a tough spot.

Any adversity you may face today – you choose right now before the day has begun that you will be ready for it. Adversity, big or small – not so fun challenges, big or small – to your FLOW ( oh how I love that word and will be exploring it so much more in the days to come) big or small.

Our positive energy stalls or lets “distractions” take the lead role because we often do not maintain the level of feel good that gets us through. We let our great energy pulse slow down. Not intentionally, but because we do not LEAD with it. Hence, AYD. Lead with our best … Rise to that level of awareness and desire and then.. only then… turn the knob and leave the house.

Like anything we do. Here is an extreme example -
A gambler hits a losing streak and says, “Well, my luck just ran out.” Nope. Nope. Hell Nope. He lost focus. Lost the energy when one or two hands didn’t go his way and then desperation started to creep in, he wanted to turn it around, started to rush some decisions, made some careless bets, began to bobble, lost some more, quicksand rising, focus become more desperate, hail mary and then… and only then… his lucky rocketship underpants didn’t help.

One negative thought breeds like weeds in the garden. Like ants at a pic nic. And then… where does our thoughts go? Where do we apply our energy and emotion. What do we ALLOW to happen?

We must train ourselves, through consistency, and our chosen environments ( physical, emotional, mental etc) and like minded people… to maintain the best in our line of vision. To challenge any adversity because Yes damnit, my lucky rocketship underwear will help … like all the other times before.

Good morning, Greater Day.
Greater You – powerful in wearing every lucky thing you have.
AYD – Pierre Couturier – Husband, Daddy Skins, and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - July 27, 2018 - Simple Start to a Powerful Engine

AYD - replay day. Setting new plans in motion.
Original Post 2017

“The power you discover from believing in yourself and your dream, is strong enough to bring light to every corner of your life.”
- Pierre Couturier

Just going to leave it at that. Explore your thoughts - see what you can light up.

Have a tremendous day.
Good Morning, Greater Day.
Greater You - acting as your own flashlight.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

Awaken Your Day - July 26, 2018 - Count Successes

AYD - I like to practice what I speech. So please accept this AYD revisit this morning as a practice that should be repeatedly used. Like a new tool in the tool box. The more we use it- the more tough situations are handled with ease because our personal skill has grown. Good Morning.
Original Post July 26, 2016

"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?'
Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'"
- Charles M. Schultz

Sound familiar? When we find ourselves in a rough time, we do not realize it but out of nowhere, this magic shovel has appears, and in our regretful or worrisom thoughts we do not realize that on our worry hill, we are digging a hole. I dare say we could be called professional diggers. And the hole gets deeper. The point of view gets darker. The tool we have is wrong, the direction we are going is incorrect. We need to turn the blueprint around.

Often what starts as just a rut we are walking along in the path, becomes deeper as we trudge along with our head down and our focus on the trench evolving in our heart and mind. At these times we need to reset, refresh and refocus. Never lose touch with a little list of successes you have climbed to in this life. This list will be the rope to help you climb up.

Find three or five or ten times and events where you Have Gone Right in your life. These times are the fuel we need to keep exploring and to keep on top of the edge that tough times pull us so close to. Three, Five, and Ten. Why not Three times you Got it Right, Five feelings you have when you are successful and Ten... Ten minutes whenever you need it to reflect on the Power Within you just found in your 3 and 5.
Just a thought, for a good morning.
Good morning, Greater Day. Greater You - throwing away the shovel.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

Awaken Your Day - The Best of the Best

"Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Imagine if you will...
You are the subject of a roast. A positive roast. People who know you have all come and are taking turns, recalling moments with you and about you that they value.
What are they saying?

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

July 25, 2018

Awaken Your Day - Reaching Out

"Dance while you can...

I will call my friends...
just to talk...
just to let them know I care
and that I'm thankful
for the joy they've brought me."
- Lance Wubbels, from Dance while you can - Gentle Reminders

Alot of people cross the paths of our lives.
Alot of cute phrases and quotes about everyone of them being there for some reason.
Alot of time goes by so very quickly.
Alot of 'reasons' become lost ... not intentionally ... but more so like that magical smile that fills our heart, from a romantic distance ... on a crowded floor in Grand Central Station (life) - there it was, there I felt it and then it somehow was whisked away in the people clutter.

For some, I am sorry. I let it happen. As did some others with me. We can all say that. We should all admit it.

We can also do something about it.
Dance while you can.
Reach out in some way to some whose smile you lost in the crowd - do it for the smile you still carry, for the joy they have brought to You.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - dancing into moments that you can.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

July 24, 2018

AYD - Moments Alive in a day -Personal Growth tracking.

Books I have read in the last 7 days.

One Minute Manager - Ken Blanchard
Leadership and the One Minute Manager- Ken Blanchard
The One Minute Father - Spencer Johnson M.D.
Peaks and Valleys - Spencer Johnson
Dealing With Difficult People - Brinkman and Kirschner
Turning Goals into Results - Jim Collins

Books currently open and reading -

Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss
The Power of Focus - Jack Canfield
15 Secrets (Time Management) - Kevin Kruse
Man 2.0 Engineering the Alpha - John Romaniello and Adam Bornstein

And for shutting off the mind from learning and my Connect-The-Dots and AYD building, some good political intrigue with Vince Flynn and the great Mitch Rapp character.

Awaken Your Day – Because you can

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.”

- Thomas Edison

Really, this quote just speaks for itself.
No need for me to over explain it.
Monday is a good day, to Awaken.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You ... trying again.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

July 23, 2018

Awaken Your Day - July 21, 2018

AYD - sadly the plans we had had to be changed because Mother Nature is expressing herself. So instead of thinking of It as a loss - you turn it around. Sandra is getting some work done she wanted to and Jaxon helped me change the seals in the garage bay door. A job I was not looking forward to but with his great help and interest in doing the hard parts - we made it look easy.

Achievements list is growing on an unplanned Saturday. Time for a little Xbox R&R.

Awaken Your Day - July 21, 2018 - Simplicity Is Required

"Action is the foundational Key to all Success."
- Pablo Picasso

No complaint, no desire, no dream, no task, no daddy do list, no job, no worry, no mountain, no goal, no "I wish I may I wish I might", no intention ... none of it gets anywhere or surpassed or achieved or in motion or progress or any better ... without you getting up and doing something about it.

Time to go to work - or Play - or Success, or D. All of the Above.
Good morning, greater Day. Greater you - because you are doing it.

AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy, and Author to my Day

Original Post 2016

Awaken Your Day - July 20, 2018 - Gratitude

What are you grateful for today?

Spend some time with that thought. Be in the moment through your day with that thought.

Good morning, greater day. Greater you, more often in the right moment.
AYD- Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Grateful Day

Original Post July 20, 2016

Awaken Your Day - July 19, 2018 - Abra Cadabra

AYD - just a past post that magically appears where it fits in my week. Have a most wonderful day
Original Post July 19, 2016

"In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes."
- Andy Warhol

So in an effort to keep it light and simple this fine Tuesday, what would you be famous for in your fifteen minutes?

Try not to limit your imagination, unless of course you have a passion that is already jumping up and down with excitement and it is very clear.

Not every motivating moment has to be deep. Sometimes, our inspiration comes from a little game we used to play as kids - Pretend.

Good morning, greater day. Greater you - in 15 minute segments, all day long.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - Find something Right.

"How come I don't have a special place to sit when I do something NICE?" - Dennis the Menace
- Reference from "The One Minute Father" - Spencer Johnson

All too often we focus on what is "wrong" in our surroundings... and more so with what people around us are / are not doing. It's tiring. Exhausting actually.

So today, your mission, is to catch someone doing something right. This is part of the triple crown of the One Minute Manager system and while oh so simple, it is Oh So rewarding... for the person you compliment and you.

Give someone a moment of praise for doing something right. Your child, or someone at work... yes, even if they are simply doing that thing they are supposed to do right in the first place because uh, yeah... it's their job. People respond to positive feedback. They respond well.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - seeing the greater good and making note.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.

July 18, 2018

Awaken Your Day – Walk it off.

Walk it off.
Isn’t that what we say?
Take a hit in sports.
Get the wind knocked out of us.
Our child skins a knee.
Walk it off.
Someone makes us angry.
Get overwhelmed and frustrated.
Under pressure.
Heartbroken.
Walk it off.
Kind of sounds rude if you are looking for more sympathy and understanding.
Sounds like weak and ineffective advice when you are mad.
“But, but , but … “
Unless … you understand the destination .. and that is key.
Peace and clarity – anywhere away from that first undesirable feeling.

Walk it off. Get out of the immediate painful focus bubble. It’s a trap.
Stay exactly where you are, and you are smothered by that impact emotion and occurrence.
Walk it off. Give yourself a step back. Begin the mind reboot by adding additional influence to the energy you feel.

Yes, it still hurts, but you are changing the follow up so you understand the impact moment is the worst of it. Your energy is altering focus to the correction and regaining of the next step.
Walk it off. Sounds obvious. It can be.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You – with a reboot walk.
AYD – Pierre Couturier – Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

July 17, 2018

Awaken Your Day - Balance Your Focus

A friend had introduced this to me recently and it got me thinking.

"Sorrows are our best educator. A man can see further through a tear than a telescope." - Bruce Lee

Ponder it, consider it and I think you can agree. Part of the reason this is true, is because in time of sorrow or hardship, those situations have our complete focus. Simply because it is not how we wish to feel and it has our full attention. More attention = more lessons that become visible.

No different than asking a person what they want - it is far easier for us to identify what we don't want as we try to better describe and define what we do want. The uncomfortable or unwanted we can see from a long way off.

So, knowing this, we can try to retrain our emotional learning, and maybe balance it some in our favor.

Be purposeful in the next event you attend, or activity that you partake in. Get wrapped up in the Happy that surrounds you and see what can be learned from it. Investigate the joy much like we do in a moment of sorrow.

Today I will attend a wedding. I will witness a moment designed to be joyful. And I will ask myself what can I learn about happiness, as I focus on how far I can see through a tear - of joy.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You, balancing the focus of learning opportunities.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

July 14, 2018

Awaken Your Day - July 12, 2018 - predictions.

Awaken Your Day - You Have So Much to Work With

Inspiration does not have an expiry date. Often it has a very brief shelf life because we pile a lot of distractions in front of it - but it doesn’t expire. And it does not need a new and improved coat of paint each and every morning.

We practice with what we know and the tools we have found or are taught, until slowly it becomes a part of who we are. Practice includes calling on what we have shared, and reviewing its value from the first time it was “ah ha” to how it influences our today.

You have so much inspiration to call upon. Don’t hesitate to review your knowledge treasure at times when you need to.
Like this memory attached I very much needed this week.

Good Morning, Greater Day. Greater You - surrounded by the accumulated parts you collected along the way.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - July 12, 2016 - predictions.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
- Abraham Lincoln

Just sayin.

Good afternoon, greater day.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day

Awaken Your Day - July 11, 2018 - Add A Motivator

AYD - somedays, we need to follow our own advice.

Original Post July 11, 2016

"Life's too short to have tiny dreams."
- Robin Sharma

Add a motivator.
Add an adjective.
Like you do with a noun in a sentence to add effect and description, so should you do with a goal, a dream, a moment, a meeting, a day.

The day is too short to "see how it turns out".
So add a motivator now.
"I'm going to have a GREAT day - and this is how..."

Good morning, greater day. Great morning - remarkable day. Greater you ... With a challenge to motivate.
AYD - Pierre Couturier - Husband, Daddy and Author to my Day.