You Cold Busted!

There's something that you're not doing.  Yes, you.  I caught you.  And in the words of Oran "Juice" Jones (no, his Mama didn't name him "Juice"), "You cold busted!"  If you're wondering what that means, allow me to translate.  That means you've been caught red-handed.  I caught you in the act.  There's no denying the evidence against you.  Tell the truth and shame the Devil.  And finally it means, well, you're busted.  Straight up.  Word to Big Bird!  Now that you know how busted you are, what are you going to do about it?

You've got a choice. 

You could muster up the courage to do the thing or things you committed to doing at the beginning of this year.  Uh oh.  I just said something.  Yep.  I just called you out about your beloved New Year's Resolutions.  You know.  The ones that you were definitely going to keep and adhere to.  This time.  This year. 

The ones that meant more to you than those in the past.  Because you got that special word this year.  It set you on fiiire like the Ohio Players!  For about a week.  But now?  You're a little over three weeks into your year.  And you've already fallen off. 

What are you going to do about it?

You could also lie your way to laziness, lethargy, and loneliness.  That is, you could lie to yourself about why you haven't done what you haven't done.  Then, after settling for a settled-for existence, you could revel and wallow in your lethargy.  Boy howdy!  You'd be soooo much fun to be with!  Right?  Of course not!  That's where the loneliness comes in.  Because who wants to be around you if you've quit?  Not folk who keep moving forward.  So. 

What are you going to do about it?

Ok, full disclosure time.  You're not in this alone.  I've got to get back in the groove of a few things too.  Yep, I've slipped into the land of comfortable.  And I'm packing by bags and leaving it!  Ain't nobody got time for that!  I've got dreams to remember!  And so do you!  Together, we can do this!  I'll encourage you.  Then you've got to encourage some other folk.  Deal?  Thanks!  I appreciate you!  I've got a question though.

Are you really going to do anything about it?

You could  keep going down the dry and barren path of nothingness.  The path of the sluggard.  It's detailed throughout the book of Proverbs.  Most notably in Proverbs 6.6-11.  Verse 11 says, "...poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber."  In short, his path is wack!  But make no mistake.  It's a well-worn path, because so many have taken the easy way out.  Are you next?   

What are you going to do about it?

Aren't you glad that I asked?  Of course you are.  And here's what you're going to do. 

You're going to win. 

Because you're going to recommit.  Because you're going to refocus. 
Because you're going to re-engage.

And you're going to win.

You're going to put the work in.  You're going to believe in you again.  You're going to trust God's plans and promises for you again.

And in case you forgot...

You're going to win!

Because when you resolved to do your things three weeks ago, you were in it to win it.  And you still are.  You just have to make a few adjustments.  You may have to start from scratch.  And that's not a bad thing.  It might even be the best thing for you.  Take a look at your plan and reassess it before you do.  Because you don't want to do more than you need to.

Now ask yourself, what were you doing before you started reading this?  Just in case you have a selective memory, I'll help you.  Prior to reading this, you were probably ready to throw in the towel.  Shoot, it might be sitting on a pile of towels!  You also might have been ready to pack up your tent and go home.  Don't you do it!  Not while Coach Eric J. Watts is here!  Remember what I've told and taught you.  "As long as you're still here, you've got a shot!"  Newsflash!  If you're reading this?  You're. Still. Here.

And...

You Cold Busted! 

What are you going to do about it?

I need you to know something.  You are not alone (this is the part where you start singing Michael's song).  I'd love to help you figure it out!  As a Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, this is what I do.  It's my life's calling.  This is no mere work for me.  It's my passion and purpose.  I want you to experience transformational coaching and inspiring teaching.  I am fully committed to adding value to your life and helping you reach your full potential.  Contact me and let's talk about how I can speak life into your existence!

It's your life.  In 2015, it's your time.  You've got one life to live.  

What are you going to do about it?

4 Ways To Help You Create Your New Look For 2015

Do you look back over the year to see how far you've come?  To see the things you could have done better?  I do.  Do you also look forward to the promise of a New Year?  I do.  You should too!  Because I know you're soooo excited about 2015, let's find out what you look like.  Let's take a look at a few ways to create your new look for the New Year!

When folk ask us what someone looks like, what do we say?  When they ask us what do we look like, what do we say?  Tall.  Short.  Brown eyes.  Long hair.  Bald.  You get the picture.  But what do you really look like?  Do you look like the way you describe yourself or do you look like what you've been through?   Uh oh.  I just said something.  Do you look like the hurt, pain, hard times, and the failures you've endured?  When folk look at you, what do they see?   Better question.  What do you see?  Do you look like that stuff, those things, them folk?  Are you carrying the residue from it?  "Well, now that you mention, Eric, I am.  How do I get rid of it?"  I'll share with you a few ways to do this. But first, I want to congratulate you on your courage and language.  You said, "How do I get RID of it?" Shout out to you for taking charge and tossing that junk out for good!  Yay you!  Now, let's hit a few ways to get rid of that mess!

1. You've got to have a short memory.  For my football fans, you know that defensive backs say this a lot.  They have to.  When they're guarding the speedy wide receiver who burns them for a touchdown, they've got to use that short memory to get their minds right back in the game.  They can't focus on what happened on that play.  If they do, the receiver will likely beat them for the rest of the night.  The same is true for you.  When negative and untrue things are said or done to you, you've got a choice to make.  You can dwell on it and buy into the negativity or you can utilize your short memory to forget about that mess and press on like Lee Nails.

2. You've got to have the mentality of a sifter.  You know, the little metal devices that you use to sift flour and similar ingredients.  Sifters break up the clumps of those ingredients.  Because you're not a Bad Landlord, you sift the things that attempt to come into your space.  You break down the clumps and determine what can stay and what must go.  You evict the junk that doesn't belong.  You tell it, "You don't have to go home, but you have to get out of here!"  You've got to realize that you're sifting for gold.  Have the mentality of a gold miner.  They're determined to find and only keep the gold they find.  That other stuff?  They toss it out.  But they've got to know the difference between the good stuff that needs to be kept and the pyrite or "fool's gold".  You've got to do the same thing.  Determine if what they said matters, should be sifted and kept, or if it's worthless fool's gold that you should throw out.  I'll give you a hint: You're looking for GOLD!

Evict the junk!

3. Put your makeup on.  Fellas, calm down.  I know half of you just passed out.  I'll give you a few seconds to come to...  Back?  No.  Ok.  A few more...  Alright, breathe.  Stay with me.  I'm going somewhere.  A few years ago, I remember reading about a new type of plastic surgery called permanent makeup.  You heard me right.  Permanent makeup.  Plastic surgeons will outline your eyes and color your cheeks with a permanent pigment.  "So, Eric.  This is what you want me to do?"  No, that's not what I'm saying.  Peep.  I want you to put your permanent makeup on.  That is, the make up that shows us what you really look like.  Make up your mind that you look like...Joy.  Peace.  Love.  Contentment.  Grace.  Faithful.  Kindness.  Warmth.  That's who you really are.  That's what you really look like.  If the previously mentioned types of make up don't go well with your "skin", guess what?  There are shades for ALL skin tones!  And with your permanent make up on, you're sure to shine and glow!  Yes, fellas.  Sometimes, even we glow.  Deal with it.  Uh oh.  I think they're down again.   

Your "make up" can look as flawless as Lupita's

4. Mind your mouth.  That is, instead of spewing fool's gold or buying it from someone else, what if you said...I AM a great teacher.  I AM a good business owner.  I AM smart.  I AM a good student.  I WILL succeed.  I WILL graduate.  I WILL finish on time.  I WILL publish my book.  I WILL start my business.  Don't just say these things.  Write.  Them.  Down.  There's something very powerful about seeing them in black and white or whatever colors you choose.  Yes, I want you to speak those things, because there's much power in the spoken word, but remember, I'm a sign guy.  I double up!  I speak those things and write them down.  Double coverage!  

So, the next time someone asks you, "What do you look like?"  A BIG, broad smile is going to break out all across your face.  Because you'll know exactly what you look like.  A champion who's ready to fly into and throughout the New Year and beyond!!!