Ricardo Miller's Blog, page 8

Become an Effective Self-Studier

Taking the time to read this week’s blog tells me you are interested in creating a life you don’t need a vacation.

Your life doesn’t automatically change because you said you want it to change, but it will change because of the choice to do some things differently to create the life you desire.

Learning how to learn is one of the greatest skills you can acquire. It’s amazing how most of us have not taken the time to study ourselves and figure out how we are going to become the person we desire to be.

To learn how to learn, you have to love learning—or you have to at least enjoy it—because so much learning is about being motivated to teach yourself.

Here are four ways I’ve discovered that can enhance your ability to learn:

1. FIND RESOURCES ON THE TOPIC.

Help yourself by seeking out resources that provide more information on the topic you’re learning about. Books, articles, and educational videos are all highly effective ways to increase your understanding of new concepts.

2. TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE LEARNING.

Have a conversation about what you’re learning, and which topics you’re most excited about. Talking about what you’re learning is a great way for you to boost comprehension and motivation to learn (and share!) more.

3. USE DIFFERENT STUDY METHODS.

Every person has his or her preferred study method, and that’s no different when self-studying. The great thing about self-study is that you can choose what works best for you.

I would like to encourage you to try different study techniques, like reading books, watching YouTube videos, creating mind maps, or some other activity that helps you best process information.

4. HAVE THE REQUIRED TOOLS.

Being prepared is the number one secret to becoming a great self-studier. Ensure you have all the study tools you need to make the most of each self-study session.

Tools you will need for the most effective self study session include:

A study area—such as a desk or table, free from distractions and clutter.
A computer—so you can read, watch, and listen to online resources.
Study tools—including pens, highlighters, and paper so you can create organized study notes.

Make a commitment to do the work to become extremely informed in every area of your life.

You’ve got to decide you’re not going to lose, at all! You are going to become a lifelong learner.

Learning how to learn is the ULTIMATE SKILL one can possess on their journey to living life effectively.

You're invited to join us for our Effective Living 5k Prayer Walk. If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth, start your year off on the right foot with us. We'll be at Great Trinity Forest Park in Dallas on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. This will be a time of prayer and walking. Learn more and register to let us know you're coming here: ricardomiller.com/5kprayerwalk.

Doing What's Right

“Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15 MEV

We should be in constant pursuit of discovering what is right for us moving forward on our journey to creating a life we don’t need a vacation from.

What is the right thing to do?
How do we know this?

In life, each one of us have come to a point where we have questions similar to this.

Sometimes we know what the right thing to do is and sometimes we don’t. It is so important we study to show ourselves that we know exactly what we’re doing to the best of our abilities.

Sometimes we know what the right thing to do is but we still don’t do it. Doing right is following our own understanding without considering our personal preferences.

For example, a person generally knows overeating, not exercising and having regular late night snacks, leads one to be unhealthy.

If a person chooses to continue with these habits then he/she has not yet developed the capacity to do what’s right.

“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” ― Albert Einstein

Whereas, if a person decides to be healthy, and makes changes regarding the right thing, he/she gains an improved self.

Doing what’s right leads one to being completely free. It frees one from old habits and patterns that were once keeping him bound. It is the way to living life effectively. You’ve got to discover what’s right to do in order to get the benefit from it.

After you’ve discovered what’s right to do, you’ve got to decide every day you’re going to fight to apply the principles necessary for the type of results you’re wanting out of life.

As you read this week’s blog ask yourself, do I know what’s right to do?

Have I taken the time to study to know if what I’m doing is what I need to do?

How am I doing with the truth that I’ve discovered so far?
Our Effective Living Build Your Best Year Virtual Masterclass is happening this Saturday, December 11, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This masterclass is designed to help propel you to maximize 2022 for your best year yet! Learn more and register at www.ricardomiller.com/masterclass.

Give Yourself Permission

One of the most common excuses for not being able to let go of what’s holding you back, is the belief that you just can’t do it. But is that true? Of course it isn’t!

We built the atomic bomb, put a man on the moon, and a rover on Mars. Do you really think you can’t learn to let go and move forward? Perhaps you think you can’t. But it’s time to recognize and replace that limiting belief.

It’s time to admit to yourself that you are capable. It’s time to give yourself the permission you need to release this burden.

Whether you chant it out loud, say it in your head or write it down on paper—repeat these statements until they really sink in:

I give myself permission to let go of what’s holding me back.
I give myself permission to let go of what’s holding me back.
I give myself permission to let go of what’s holding me back.

Don’t be afraid to keep declaring it until you believe it. Life and death is in the power of your tongue. The words you speak on a daily basis has the capability of helping you to create a life you don’t need a vacation from.

Shout this out loud…

I have everything I need to move forward.
I have everything I need to move forward.
I have everything I need to move forward.

I resolve to release this burden.
I resolve to release this burden.
I resolve to release this burden.

It’s time to bounce back. It’s time to soar! Celebrate your wins and give yourself permission to be proud of your hard work.

Anyone who has anything negative to say about your success is not someone you should have in your corner.

When you bet on yourself, you’re choosing yourself. You’re believing in your potential. You’re believing in your dreams.

When you bet on yourself, you give yourself the chance to WIN BIG.

Join us at our upcoming VIRTUAL Masterclass: Build Your Best Year. It's happening December 11, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In this Masterclass, we will be preparing for 2022 to be our best year yet. Learn more and register, here on our site, under Masterclass. 

Be Grateful

Be grateful for life. Not everyone has made it this far. If you think you have nothing to be grateful for, CHECK YOUR PULSE!

At 46 years old, I am grateful and blessed everyday when I can open my eyes and see something then get up and walk, thank you Jesus! There are so many who cannot.

As a life management coach, I teach my clients, “There will be good days and bad days, and we should be grateful for them all.”

As we develop a more grateful heart we should assess our mentality.

A setback mentality: “I didn’t deserve to go through that.”

A comeback mentality: “I’m glad I went through that because it taught me an important lesson.”

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal because it can turn any situation into a blessing.

When you learn to say “thank you” in the ups and downs of your life, you’ll begin to recognize that the short-term emotional and physical challenges are not as bad as they appear.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions. When we feel it, we change outlooks, broaden perspectives, and improve attitudes.

It can provide an instant boost of energy or turn the tide of any moment for the better, on your journey to living life effectively.

Let gratitude, along with love, be one of your guiding principles. You’ll be happier and your world improves itself for the better.

On your journey to creating a life you don’t need a vacation from, remember that gratitude is an excellent way to cultivate respect for what you’ve been given in this life of no guarantees.

There is more good in your life than bad. Be grateful for the little things.
I invite you to join our upcoming Effective Living Virtual Masterclass: Build Your Best Year. This is a class you do not want to miss! Register now and let's work together to make 2022 your best year yet! 

Make a Plan for Your Money

“He who fails to plan is planning to fail” is a quote many of us have heard with over the years and agreed.
It is so unfortunate that even though we know we should be planning in the areas that will take us towards living life effectively, most of us are not appropriately planning. 
Here is something I want you to remember: No one is going to care more about your financial well-being than you. It's important to have a financial plan for yourself. Having a solid financial plan will allow you to save money, afford the things you really want, and achieve your long-term goals.
You are responsible for creating the plan that will place you in a financial position where life is best working in your favor in comparison to working against you. 
In my opinion, financial planning is especially critical for women, due to the gender wage gap. Don’t get me wrong, men need to equally embrace the importance of financial planning.
EVERYONE’S FINANCIAL PLAN LOOKS DIFFERENT! Yes, we all should still have a financial plan. 
We all want to be financially independent and build wealth. Deciding to embark on the journey toward financial independence is a big deal! As a life management coach, I’ve discovered people who don’t take care of their money, have a tendency of living a more stressful life than others I deal with as a coach. 
Here’s what I had to tell one of my clients a few weeks ago, “YOU DON’T NEED MORE MONEY. YOU NEED A BETTER PLAN.”
Here are (7) seven steps you can use to build a healthy financial framework moving forward: 
 1. Set financial goals. 2. Create a budget. 3. Plan for taxes. 4. Build your emergency fund. 5. Manage debt. 6. Protect with insurance.  7. Plan for retirement. 
THE ACT OF ASSIGNING A JOB FOR EVERY DOLLAR CAN BE EMPOWERING! Structure your financial practices in a way to ensure that your money is working for you, not against you. 
Living below your means isn’t just about cutting costs and saving money. It’s about taking control of your money, so it doesn’t control you.
Decide now that, for the rest of your life, you’re going to make sure you have a plan for your money, on your journey to creating a life you don’t need a vacation from.
If you want to set yourself up for success in every area and need help planning, I encourage you to join our Effective Living Group Coaching. Held within a private Facebook group, every morning, Monday to Friday, I teach on various topics to help you manage your life well. Living life effectively is really about managing your life. Every week, we are chipping away at mindsets that are not effective. When you are part of the group, you have the opportunity to network with others from across the world. The journey is better with friends. Learn more about our group coaching here: ricardomiller.com/groupcoaching.

What is Your Vision in Life?

Do you know what the difference maker is for those who do incredible things in their lifetime in comparison to those simply waiting, hoping and wishing something will happen with their life? Vision.
A man or woman without a clear vision, lives a very loose life. I’d like to challenge you to give some major focus on ensuring you are living your life from a vision standpoint, rather than merely existing. Let’s look at the definition of vision. 
Vision : Something seen in a dream; a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination; mode of seeing or conceiving; unusual discernment or foresight; the act or power of seeing.With that said as a very basic definition, vision is the ability to see in front of you. 
Can you see a tomorrow? 
Can you see next month? 
Can you see next year? 
I would go as far to ask, can you see your life 5 to 10 years from now? 
Does your life reflect what you really want? 
Are you heading in the direction you see? 
What is your vision for your life?
Every decision that you make is creating the life you are currently experiencing. You can actually be living a vision you may have not accepted. Our lives already reflect our vision for our lives. If you don’t do anything with your life, something is still being created. However, if you are living life effectively, you are going to be intentional with what you do with constructing a vision that’s going to take you on a journey of your choosing. 
Not having a vision means your vision for your life is not to have a vision. It’s impossible to live life effectively without a vision. 
What most people don’t understand is that the purpose of having vision statements for all areas of your life is not just about getting what you want. It’s also about living a fully engaged and exciting life! Individuals with no vision have much less energy and passion for life. Why? As human beings, we need direction to feel fulfilled. The Bible reminds us, where there is no vision, the people perish. 
Reading this blog today, I want to remind you of the words shared by the late Dr. Myles Munroe, “Your future is not ahead of you—it lies within you. See beyond your eyes and live for the unseen. Your vision determines your destiny.”
Never give up on your vision. Decide now to reflect on where you have come from and write down where you are going.
While 2021 is not over, now is a great time to start thinking about 2022. Make plans to join us for our Virtual Masterclass, happening Saturday, December 11. This Masterclass, Build Your Best Year, will help you prepare to maximize 2022 and make the vision for your life a reality. You can be anywhere in the world and join us. Register today!

Understand Yourself

Stay HUMBLE! Stay HUNGRY! Stay TEACHABLE! PRAY without ceasing! Go DEEPER in the things of God! Study yourself to death and pray yourself back to life!
This is the advice I give people regularly. It’s amazing what we can do when we take the time to apply information we are taught.
It should be your goal to understand yourself to the fullest on your journey to maximizing your potential. Gaining a better understanding of how you became who you are today can be a wondrous journey of self-discovery. I truly believe it’s the difference maker to those who create a life they don’t need to take a vacation from. 
If you want to live life effectively…- Dive into your different personalities.- Study like a philosopher.- Train like an athlete.- Conduct yourself like a businessman or businesswoman.
You need to figure out what motivates you.  So many people are wasting time not realizing who they are at the very core and that is unfortunate.
Here are 10 questions to get you started on your “core” search.  Each answer will shed light on your individuality and unlock your potential:
1. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?2. What are the top five words that describe your personality?3. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable in a disorganized environment?4. Are you comfortable with taking risks?5. Do you work better alone or in a busy environment?6. What are your strengths?7. What are your weaknesses?8. What sets you apart from everyone else?9. Are you motivated by competition?
10. What are your favorite movies/shows/books?
Were you able to answer all of the questions or are there some you need to give some thought to?   If you were unsure about any of these questions, consider getting alone and take some time to understand yourself.  It’s the only way you’ll be able to take full control of your life. Focus on you, study you, know you better than anyone else!
This week, I want you to observe what makes you happy, what excites you, what makes you want to get out of bed in the morning and what makes you feel fulfilled.
Focus on doing the things in life that you’re seriously excited about. Don’t just read these questions. Meditate on them and search out the answers. Take time to really know yourself as you embark on getting the most out of this month and ending the year strong. 
If you are to understand something, you must not compare it with something else. You must study it by itself.  When you understand it, you must not judge or condemn or identify yourself with it.  Be content to know you understand yourself.
If you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or can get to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I invite you to join us for our Effective Living Fitness Bootcamp Meetup. We'll be at Great Trinity Forest Gateway Park in Dallas on Saturday, November 13, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Find out more information and register today, here on our website. We hope to see you there!

Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart
Blog: Monday October 25th, 2021

If you live long enough, you will experience life throwing you a curve ball. Situations can make you angry and wonder if you will ever forgive someone or allow the circumstances or situation to be forgotten.

The Bible teaches us a lot about the importance of guarding our hearts. As a matter fact, it says in Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it, flow the issues of life.”

There are so many people who want to live life effectively but unfortunately, they are not guarding their hearts on their journey to creating the life they don’t need a vacation from. When your heart is affected, regrettably it limits you from living life to the fullest.

This has been one of the scriptures that has really helped me to become the person I am today. I’m a positive person. I don’t have the time or energy to be angry.

One of our main responsibilities on our effective living journey is to keep our hearts pure. Life is too short to live offended, not forgiving, bitter over what didn’t work out.

Once the heart is hardened, it cannot seek God and cannot be used of Him. You become so limited!

Here are some heart conditions to guard against.

1. A broken heart
2. A harden heart
3. An evil heart
4. A faint heart
5. A deceived heart
6. A deceitful heart
7. A foolish heart
8. A desperate heart

It is so important you look at your path and fight any of the above that may have caused you to have a damaged heart. Your heart issue is an internal issue, and most people won’t know. But, you will know!

Years ago I’ve had to tell myself, “Ricardo, don’t let your HEART be POISONED by PEOPLE who are going NOWHERE.”

It takes some work to position yourself to have a healthy heart but it is possible. I’m telling you as you’re reading this blog repeatedly…

Above all else, guard your heart!
Above all else, guard your heart!

On one’s journey to experience tremendous accomplishments with a damaged heart is such a sad position to be in. Unfortunately, so many people are in that position because they’ve chosen not to do the work and guarding their hearts on their journey to living life effectively.

To guard our heart we’re going to need God’s help. Go ahead and repeat this prayer…

Father, thank You for Your peace and joy that rule and guard my heart as I put my trust in You. Show me where I need to put up boundaries from anyone or anything that is stealing my peace. I will stay at rest and not allow others to control me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
While we are guarding our heart, let's also make sure we are heart healthy physically. Those of you in the Dallas Fort Worth area, be sure to make plans to attend our Effective Living Fitness Bootcamp. Our Fitness Bootcamp will include fitness activities and health workshops. Your body is the only place you have to live. Join us on Saturday, November 13 at 8:00 a.m. at the Great Trinity Forest Park in Dallas. Learn more and register HERE. 

Invest in Lifelong Learning

Everything is changing in our world today. It is critically important you become a lifelong learner.
You’re getting older. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be getting better. If you want to live life effectively, you have to focus on improving yourself every day. The 24-hours provided within a day gives you opportunity to pick up things that can change your life, the opportunity to evolve and the overall opportunity to become better than you currently are. At the end of the year, you should understand and know something you didn’t know at the beginning of the year.

“We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.” - Peter Drucker

Formal education is something everyone has to go through to a certain extent. The knowledge formal education offers isn’t always that practical for real life. Lifelong learning is how you improve as a person, bit by bit and day by day.  That’s what I teach all of my coaching clients.

Lifelong learners recognize the importance and joy of growth and personal development, so they never settle for what they currently know and always seek to improve and build upon their current knowledge.

LIFELONG LEARNING IS FUNDAMENTAL AS WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF LONGEVITY! On your journey to living life effectively you’ve got to make the decision to challenge your brain with mastering something that you didn’t know before.

Here are my four pillars of lifelong learning:

1. Learning to know
2. Learning to do
3. Learning to live together
4. Learning to be

Join my one-on-one coaching program, where I can I help you incorporate a lifestyle where these four pillars are a part of your journey. As a life management coach, I truly believe that people who want to pursue lifelong learning need to be self-motivated, curious, capable of self-study, and proactive.

Lifelong learning is about building a positive attitude toward the benefits gained when you increase your store of knowledge.

Even if you never enjoyed school, you can find ways to enjoy your own personal learning, professional development and learn about things that genuinely interest you. Once you start, you’ll find it difficult to stop.

Remember it’s impossible to live life effectively without committing to being a lifelong learner.
I invite you to join us for our November meetup - Effective Living Fitness Bootcamp. We'll be at Great Trinity Forest Gateway Park, located at 2161 Dowdy Ferry Road, Dallas, TX 75217 on Saturday, November 13, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Register today!

Have High Expectations

As I reflect on having high expectations....today is MY 46th BIRTHDAY!

Growing up in the Bahamas, I discovered I was born in a country where there were no limits to wealth and prosperity. Some of the wealthiest people in the world are living in the Bahamas as their second or third property home.

These are people who weren’t afraid to push their potential to the limits on achieving great success. While I was growing up as a little boy, my mother worked as a maid in one of the most financially prosperous areas in our country.

It was while visiting one of those properties where she worked, that I realized there was a whole other level of living being done by some people in the world. Later on, I had to ask myself some really difficult questions, like why do some people achieve so much and others so little?

Life at it’s best is all about expectations. Yep, you heard me correctly. It’s all about expectations.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to not be a small thinker and decide to dream big.

DREAM BIG!
DREAM BIG!
DREAM BIG!

LET YOURSELF GET EXCITED ABOUT A BIG GOAL OR A BIG IDEA. Learn to live life with the mindset of “Go big or Go home.”

Stay inspired to move forward and continue growing. A big dream can help you do that! Your dreams should be directly related to your daily expectation from what you are going to achieve with the time God‘s given you.

OUR EXPECTATIONS BECOME A SELF-FULFILLING OR DEFEATING PROPHESY.

You’ll hardly rise above your level of expectation and belief. Even your talent will eventually succumb to the plateau limited by your thoughts.

The opposite of cultivating high expectations is the temptation to settle for the victory at the other end of the expectation spectrum. Low expectations can stem from sustained failures in certain areas of life that color the perception of our true abilities.

For every dream that seems impossible, there are a countless number of people who have defied the odds and gone on to achieve those same dreams.

CULTIVATING HIGH EXPECTATIONS IS NOT AN ENTERPRISE FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. You’ve got what it takes to accomplish your big dream. Keep your expectations high, understanding what you expect, you will attract.

Mark your calendar and plan to join us on Saturday, November 13 for our Effective Living Fitness Bootcamp. This will be a great time when we come together and focus on our fitness. In order to live life effectively, you need to take care of your body. Register today to get your shirt early.