'If you change your mindset, you change your direction'

In my wrap-up of The VGM Group's Heartland Conference, I couldn't really do justice to Bryan Dodge, the keynote speaker.

First of all, I didn't have the space (there were other things that happened at the conference that I also had to write about). Second of all, it's hard to describe someone in writing who has so much spirit and so much energy that you can't help but notice the whites in his eyes.

I mean, his eyes are that alert and that wide-open…all…the…time.

If you were at Heartland, you know what I mean. Know what I mean? Say yes!

(Sorry, that was kind of an inside joke, but I couldn't resist. Let me explain: Whenever Dodge asked a question during his presentation, he'd command audience members to “Say yes!” or “Ask me how?” and the audience would have to yell “Yes!” and “How?”)

If you weren't at Heartland, it's your lucky day, because I'm going to pass along some of Dodge's advice on to you, my battle-weary HME providers. (I'm going to assume you've already read the advice in my wrap-up about living your life using a golf scorecard, leaving little room for excuses).

Get up when you wake up. Dodge says just because you set your alarm for 6 a.m. doesn't mean you can't get up at 5 a.m. If you get up at 5 a.m. and the alarm is set for 6 a.m., it means you're excited to start the day. Also, if you try to go back to sleep until your alarm goes off, you're going to be more tired, anyway.

Read for 15 minutes or read 15 pages each morning. Dodge says the average person reads zero books per year. A CEO? He or she reads four books a week. He says if you start your day by reading, you'll always have something to talk about with people later in the day. “Leaders know, go and show,” he says.

Write down a list of goals on a piece of paper, laminate it and keep it on you. “Goals are a responsibility, not a choice,” he says.

Some other words of wisdom:

“When put in charge, take charge. Entrepreneurs don't wait. Find a different way. Find a better way.”

“If you change your mindset, you change your direction.”

“Consistent upward growth is the name of the game.”

Of course, this sounded great sitting in a conference room at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, but when I tried to apply the first two pieces of advice above, I lasted one day. Read in the morning? What about my run? What about getting out the door on time?

I know, I know. See mention above about excuses.

Even though Dodge says people have to act on change within 48 hours or they'll lose their motivation, I'm going to take another crack at this tomorrow, a whopping four days after I saw him speak.

You with me? Say yes!