Five years ago – I made a very important decision.

I declared my Independence.

I had no idea what laid ahead of me. I found that it wasn’t always a walk in the park. I’d also make my share of mistakes along the way.

But you know what? I wouldn’t trade a second of it because I’ve learned more about myself and business in the last five years than during my entire adult (working) life combined. I have a much better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I know what fires me up, and what bores me to tears. I’ve also expanded and grown farther than I’ve ever thought was possible before. My self-worth and self-confidence in what I’m truly capable of doing has awakened from its long overdue hibernation.

I dream like a little kid again.

It’s been a wild ride that’s far from being over. There’s still far more I want to be – do – and have.

When I made this declaration public, the support which opened up was incredible. Teachers, mentors, and friendships came out of nowhere to offer insight and leadership. People who actually cared – actually offered something worthwhile – actually wanted me to succeed.

That’s not to say that critics didn’t show up along the way. Those who tried to intimidate of shame me into submission – back to the old way of thinking. Fortunately, I’ve found that most critics are also cowards. The vast majority never revealed enough about themselves or provided any value to be any real significance. Always telling me what was wrong – never how to correct it or solve it.

Being independent requires being solutions oriented – not problem oriented.

This past weekend, Scott Tomer released a video on what Independence Day means to him and why we should all declare our own independence. I didn’t actually catch the video until after the July 4th holiday, but it struck a cord with me – and I agree with him one hundred percent.

I remembered the freedom that declaring my own independence meant to me five years ago. How liberating and strong it felt. How it gave me new life and renewed confidence in myself.

There’s one little caveat here that may help you put this declaration of independence into the proper perspective. Neither, Scott nor myself will tell you that making this declaration means that you walk into your bosses office tomorrow and quit. It took me a year and a half to feel comfortable and place myself in a position of telling my former employer I was out of there. What I did do however was work extra hard (much like a second full time job) to replace the income I was making during my “day job” doing what I really wanted to do.

See, your declaration is merely the beginning.

Think of it this way. Our Founding Father’s signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 – but the declaration was only the beginning of the Revolutionary War. True independence from Great Brittan wasn’t achieved until 1783. Nor did the Colonies go at this alone. They had help from the French, Spain and the Dutch Republic.

Your own declaration will also take some time and some help from others to come to fruition. You may not know how or where it will come from – but you’ll never know until you make a declaration of your intentions – your own independence.

Then the answers and the help from others will come.

Sure, you’ll experience some defeats. You’ll also question yourself at times. You may even feel like giving up. True independence takes sacrifice and determination. A new way of thinking – doing – and being. But if you really, truly want it – it’s there for you.

Deep inside, you know you really want it. What’s stopping you? The truth is – nothing other than your own “stinkin’ thinkin”. What you don’t see now will be revealed to you. What you don’t have now will be given to you. But you have to first make the decision – a declaration to yourself and others that this is the direction you want to go.

I still make this declaration almost daily, even five years later. Some day’s it’s easier and more meaningful than others. Because I know and trust that it works if you do. I’ve seen and experienced too much after all this time.

So what do you say? When are you going to get up – stand up – and never give up? It all starts with one simple step.

Declare YOUR Independence.

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I found this video the other day and had to post it.

Many have read the Declaration of Independence – and most should have studied it’s meaning in school.

Thing is – the Declaration of Independence at the time was designed to be read aloud to the people of this nation. I think you’ll agree – something changes when this document is read allowed.

Enjoy your day!

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Off on a weeks’ vacation with extended family this week. We have a nephew who is graduating High School and it was a perfect excuse to get everyone together at one of our favorite vacation spots – in Williamsburg, Virginia. He’s the youngest of my sister’s kids and as you can see below, we won’t have another High School graduation in the family for at least another decade.

I practically grew up around this area as a kid. My Grandparents lived in the surrounding area during my childhood and we loved to spend weeks at a time with them just south of here, in Newport News and Norfolk, Virginia. I have many very fond memories of Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown which we looked forward to every year. When we got older, Busch Gardens opened up at just the right time. (We were just too cool for Williamsburg and Jamestown at the time.)

Our own kids have only been to the area a handful of times since they were born. While we do spend at least one week with both sides of the family for vacation, we spend the time at different locations for the week. I have to admit however; Williamsburg is one of the more comfortable and relaxing vacation spots because I know the area so well. There’s plenty to do, and it’s fun seeing the area again through a child’s eyes. (Although some of the better attractions are still ahead of us later in the week.)

Some of the best family memories have also been here. One of the reasons is due to a video I filmed and edited more than 10 years ago. (Summer of 2000) While the week long events were edited down to just 15 minutes, the entire video was still too long to post on the internet. The clip below however, is an all-time favorite, especially for my sister’s boys who enjoyed playing golf with the adults at the time. Ten years later, they’re adults in their own right.

We’ll be back to our regular posting here on Just Picture It Now next week. This week is reserved for family time, although the computer, as always is with me during vacation time. (Wherever I go, the computer goes.)

Hope your week will be as fulfilling and enjoyable as ours.

Until next time, enjoy the video.

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I love this time of year. Of course here in Atlanta everything outside turns this lime green color from all the pollen in the air. I’ve been living here since 1992 and still not use to seeing such thick pollen you actually see it on everything.

It’s a big week this week and I’ll be taking some time off, but still wanted to write something this week.

Today happens to be my birthday, and I’m hoping that nobody catches on that I’ve been celebrating 29 for who knows how long. We’ll do our traditional Publix birthday cake (a birthday isn’t a birthday without a Publix birthday cake!) and head on over to Provino’s Italian Restaurant for dinner tonight with the family where your birthday dinner is free! (Whoo Hooo!)

The kids also have the week off for Spring Break and we have some special events planned with them. Other than storms coming in Tuesday night the weather should be absolutely perfect this week!

The kids also want to ride around this week in “the coolest car ever”. We have a new (used) convertible as part of the family. A Chrysler Sebring JXi, which is just the ticket after a rough couple of weeks with only one car. Yours truly totaled our 300M a couple weeks ago after plowing into a deer in the middle of I-85.

Ideally, we were going after a hybrid and that’s still in the cards, just at a later date. We’ll tackle a new hybrid later this year when the budget allows for it and the down payment is where we want it. The leading candidate right now is the Ford Escape Hybrid, which we owned once before. (Although a hybrid wasn’t even an option back then.)

And we can’t forget that it’s Masters Week. Won’t be going to a practice round or Tournament Round this year and I’m due. Still have the connections – but like the last couple of years, it sneaks up on me. Practice rounds to me are the way to see this course. Just more laid back and you don’t have to worry about missing “the shot” while watching in Hi-Def at home. I’ll never forget the first year I went probably 10 years ago now. Augusta National is absolutely pristine and hallowed ground. Once you’ve been there, it changes the entire view of the course on television.

All Masters shirts are pressed and ready to be worn this week. (The only time of year I really ever wear them.)

Before I close, I wanted to add a special congratulations to Melissa Boston, YTB/ZamZuu’s newest Circle of Champions Director. For those of you in YTB – you know what that means in regards to earnings. We’ve known Melissa for some time and she’s one of the most dynamic speakers and presenters we’ve seen in any company, let alone YTB. Smart business woman too. She surrounded herself with other smart business minds and worked steadily to achieve her goal. We couldn’t be happier for her.

We couldn’t be happier for the company either. By Melissa reaching the Circle of Champions at this point in time, it’s a clear sign that the the company is growing and could signal other top level Directors who will move into this level of achievement. (That should rattle some cages, huh?)

Here’s one last point before heading out to enjoy my week.

Name me one other business model where a Representative of the company can earn more than the CEO, Founders or other Top Executives? Name me one other company where someone can earn more than the people above them period. Doesn’t happen in any other business than Network Marketing folks. You can talk all you want about the theories you’ve heard, average everything out like some Socialist society all you want. The reality of it is, folks like Melissa Boston do happen. That’s real world – not some trumped up fear mongering line of BS.

But alas – much like the fact that there has never been a single example of any MLM or Networking company running out of “suckers” – this myth about all the poeple at the top making all the money will undoubtedly live on. You have a choice you know. You could follow dumb schmucks who’ve never had an ounce of experience in the industry – or take a tip or two from people who not only know the truth, but aren’t intimidated one bit by it.

Enjoy your week! (We will!)

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UPDATE: It was hard for Ronda to get any type of reading on the judges. She felt confident and sang very well – but in a cattle call of thousands, the judges appeared glazed over with her entire audition group. The most difficult part of this whole thing – it’s now a waiting game. She won’t find out if she made it until late March or early April!

I sometimes joke that when I moved to Atlanta, I found and then married a true Southern Belle and it was the best move I’ve ever made.

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been married for almost 14 years now. The time sure has flown by and we’re more in love with each other than the day we were married.

One of the best parts about our life together is how we support each other. Our vows to love, honor, and cherish mean just as much to her as they do me. That’s not to say we always agree, (we are individuals) but we do support each other no matter what that choice may be. Marriage and vows actually mean something to both of us and that’s a trait that’s hard to find in this day and age.

She said that I was the one who swept her off her feet when we first met. I gave her self-confidence back, and helped her with that “can do” attitude again. Oddly enough, I think it was just the opposite. The fact that this gorgeous, talented woman picked me to not only hang with but take care of makes me grateful to this day.

I’ve never been a big fan of reality shows, or talent shows on TV. I’d much rather watch paint dry than spend time watching American Idol. (As much as I love Steven Tyler and the music of Aerosmith – sorry.) However, there may be a change in interest this season.

See, my super model, super talented wife (at least she’s been that for me that last 14 years) is heading down to Atlanta tomorrow morning to try out for America’s Got Talent.

How cool is that?!

While her best talents have been reserved for here at home, taking care of her family the last 14 years, she’s got the voice of an angel that she wants to share with the rest of the world. Hopefully she’ll be singing for America during this upcoming season doing what she truly enjoys in her heart.

Both of us grew up and spent our early adult life entertaining. Theater and radio are on both our early resumes. Ronda also won several pageants here in Georgia and spent time singing across the state when she won contests in her teens.

Like so many of us, the days of “dreaming” were somehow replaced with “reality” and our lives took on a new direction and new meaning to conform with the rest of society. I’ve always known about her dreams because we’ve talked about her desire to sing many times over the years. Singing is what she truly wanted to do. We’ve talked about it, and she would consider it, but this is the first time she’s actually pulling the trigger to go after it.

And I couldn’t be more thrilled because it’s truly what she wants to do.

As her husband, I was the first to hear about her desire to sing for this show. When she asked, my first reaction was “you could crush this”, and while I never pushed, I always supported this direction because I know how happy she is singing. The desire grew as she researched and thought about songs to sing for the audition. Before long, other family members and neighbors began to hear about her audition and intent.

The family has always known about her voice, and when neighbors and friends heard her sing, they too became supporters.

It’s yet to be determined if the judges here in Atlanta will also become supporters, or if the judges on the show will give her an opportunity to travel to Las Vegas and Hollywood to let the rest of America decide. She’s committed to the challenge however, and no matter what happens over the course of the next few months with the show, she’s going after her dreams.

Joseph Campbell said it best in his quote “Follow your bliss.”

I couldn’t be happier nor prouder of her. She deserves it.

Congratulations Princess, I love you and you certainly have my vote!

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I love Football.

I’m also a huge fan of personal development. Since my family knows my interests and my passions – they got me “Get Coached” this year for Christmas.

Best Christmas present I think I’ve ever opened!

You might have seen this on TV. “Get Coached” is a set of 5 DVD’s, each featuring a celebrated and highly successful Football Coach. Each, share the secrets of their success both on and off the field.

The complete Get Coached 5 DVD Box set features one Coach who shares his success secrets on the following topics :

• Mike Ditka – “Total Commitment”
• Bobby Bowden – “God, Family and Football”
• Mike Singletary – “A Vision of Faith”
• Sean Payton -“Aim High”
• Rex Ryan – “Give It All You Got”

When it comes to sports – we think nothing of having a “Coach”. When it comes to the game of life however – it’s probably the furthest thing from most people’s minds – and that’s a huge mistake. Especially if you want to reach new levels and become successful in life and business. Each Coach has their own lessons on how you can empower yourself with the necessary tools to achieve great things.

What I find fascinating about this set is that many of the life lessons taught by these great men are lessons I’ve heard before. Much of what’s taught can be found in other books, seminars, and DVD’s. What this tells me (as it should you) is that success leaves clues. Doesn’t matter if it’s playing the game of football or the game of life – the principles found in this box set are universal for anyone who wants to achieve success.

Don’t take my word for it – here are several quotes from Amazon.com from others who have either purchased the DVD box set outright or gotten it as a gift:

These guys really get me PUMPED-UP to TACKLE ANY CHALLENGE! Each track is like your very own locker room pep talk (kick in the rear). Whenever I need some quick motivation, I just throw in one of these DVDs and instantly GET MY GAME ON! Also great for downloading to your iPod.

Not just for sports fans – these DVDs are for anyone who wants to advance their life through the guidance and experience of these highly successful, elite motivators, and winners.

This is one of the best motivational tools I have ever come across. The applicability of the messages are incredible, and the inclusion of some of the greatest football minds in the World enables the messages to be driven home with great effectiveness. This is a fantastic product that will make a great gift for the Holidays. A must see for anyone looking for motivation, both football fans and non-football fans alike. I only hope there are more DVDs of this type planned for the future!

The concept of highlighting Football Coach’s may be new – but the lessons found in this box set are timeless. I not only love the format (being an avid football fan) but it drives home that success is a strategy – not random luck.

Even more fascinating for me, was how I’ve gotten to know each of these men in greater detail. I gotta be honest – I never really liked Rex Ryan. He’s a bit much for my taste. But after watching his DVD, I have a new appreciation for what he stands for and what makes him tick. I actually understand why he is the way he is – and appreciate his methodology.

Sean Payton I’ve always liked for some reason and after watching his DVD – I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he’s accomplished as a coach of Saints. (Make that World Champion Saints.)

Like many of the other reviews I found and highlighted here, I also highly recommend this box set for anyone looking for tools and inspiration. It’s a set I’m using for my personal goals in 2011 and one that I’ll be watching over and over throughout the years. If there’s another series in the works – I’ll be one of the first in line to buy it.

If you’ve been thinking about this set for yourself – about all I can say (as taught to me from these fine men) is get yourself into the game. There is no thinking about it – and there is no try. You either will or you won’t.

Make the decision to commit and just do it.

You’ll be glad you did.

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