Knowing our heritage

Do you know your heritage?

Heritage is what is passed from one generation to the next. Heritage is the background we come from. Our heritage explains who we are. Knowing our heritage helps us to understand where we come from and helps us determine where we are going.

A great place to start is to ask questions to parents and grandparents. Explore the following areas:

1.      Traditions. What and why were the customs and traditions?

2.      Beliefs. What and why were the core beliefs?

3.      Cultures. What and why were the main cultural traits?

4.      Professions. What and why were the main professions?

5.      Languages. What and why were the main languages and/or dialects?

6.      Foods. What and why were the main culinary abilities?

7.      Lifestyles. What and why were the main lifestyles?

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

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We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Friendship business

The Power of Friendships

We are all in the friendship business.

Despite all means of communication available today, the average person has only two true friends. How many true friendships do you have?

A true friend is there for you when a friend is needed most.

Be a friend first and you will have many friends.

True friendships are built eye to eye, tear to tear, and hug to hug.

1.      Fight for your friends. A friend protects the relationship with a friend.

2.      Respect your friends. A friend finds the greatness in a friend and helps to bring it out.

3.      Include your friends. A friend is with a friend in laughter and cry, in fun and in difficult times.

4.      Encourage your friends. A friend uplifts a friend during the ongoing rituals in a friendship.

5.      Need your friends. A friend is accessible in times of great need.

6.      Deserve your friends. A friend connects and serves a friend.

7.      Stand by your friends. A friend is with you in good and in bad times.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

How confident are you?

Where does confidence come from?

Confidence is directly related to competence. Confidence has to be earned. No one is born with confidence. We all have to work hard at attaining it. Do the inner and outer work necessary to be confident and you will surprise yourself of the things you can accomplish.

1.      Confidence comes from belief. Belief comes from knowledge and faith. Faith is the chief determinant of confidence.

2.      Confidence comes from purpose. Purpose comes from the internal tension to satisfy a burning desire to accomplish something that matters.

3.      Confidence comes from results. Results come from the application of the correct knowledge.

4.      Confidence comes from competence. Competence comes from practicing the right practices compounded over time.

5.      Confidence comes from character. Character comes from integrity and courage.

6.      Confidence comes from positivity. Positivity comes from the ability to see the positive in every situation.

7.      Confidence comes from possibility thinking. Possibility thinking comes from a spirit that says “I can do anything because anything is possible.”

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Thanksgiving

The Power of Thanksgiving

This is the time of the year we stop and take the time to count our blessings, time to be thankful for all that we have been given. Today I want to express my gratitude to all readers and writers around the world. Thank you for taking the time from your busy lives to read and share the 7DailyNuggets. May your lives be full of blessings from now to eternity.

1.      Thanksgiving gives us strength

2.      Thanksgiving leads us to action

3.      Thanksgiving gives us inspiration

4.      Thanksgiving transform our souls

5.      Thanksgiving feeds our imagination

6.      Thanksgiving multiplies our blessings

7.      Thanksgiving is the shortest path to happiness

Gratitude is a virtue all of us can express.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Hidden Treasures

How to Read Books

There are many ways to read a book, probably as many as there are readers. Thought to share with you one effective approach to reading and getting the most out of a great book. Great books are like a gold mine, full of ideas to help you live a better life. Remember that knowledge by itself has little value; the application of knowledge has the power to transform lives.

1.      Quick read. The goal is to capture what the book is all about. Find the main message of the book and the key concept throughout the book.

2.      Read. Read the book cover to cover. Highlight the main points. Write notes on the edges of the pages for future reference. This will help with the next step. Hunt for useful information to be applied. Write your name on the first blank page, date started and date finished.

3.      Read again and study. Look for key ideas to be applied immediately. Highlight and write the main points of view of the author and yours.

4.      Study and apply. This is the second quick read. Focus on the ideas from each chapter. Choose the ideas to apply immediately.

5.      Apply and reflect. Document the results from the application of the knowledge gained.

6.      Reflect and learn. Document on back of the book the value contained in the book.

7.      Learn and share. Share the book title with others. Share how the book has helped you. When we share we learn.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Want to be wise?

Ways to Wisdom

1.      Start today. Simplify your life. Commit to be a voracious learner. Don’t wait until you are older. There is going to be a time when it is too late.

2.      Acquire knowledge. Get the right information from the right sources. Ask the right questions. Become a sponge for knowledge.

3.      Apply the knowledge. Applied knowledge leads to experiences. Learn from your experiences and the experiences of wise people.

4.      Reflect on experiences. Take time to think. Document the valuable lessons. Be humble and learn to recognize your faults and areas of weaknesses.

5.      Focus on purpose over pleasure. Focusing on a worthy purpose will give you real pleasure. This is not a popular route. Ignore the critics and persist.

6.      Build a support network to learn and share. Help others get what they want. Be tolerant and compassionate.

7.      Never waste a crisis. Learn from crisis. It is in crisis that we grow in wisdom. Find the lesson hidden in every crisis. Go from one crisis to another without losing your enthusiasm.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Way to prosperity

Who will prosper in this community economy?

Information comes and goes as do the gimmicks, in any economic age. The fundamental principles of prosperity never change. So who will prosper in this new economy? Those who are willing to apply the time tested principles.

1.      The ones living a moral and ethical life.

2.      The voracious learners, doers, and adapters.

3.      The entrepreneurs with a business attached to a purpose.

4.      The servant leaders with a relevant cause and a clear vision.

5.      The value creators to those willing to embrace the new economy.

6.      The ones leveraging a proven system globally to run their businesses.

7.      The ones building loyal communities of friends committed to changing the status quo.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Are you happy?

How to be HAPPY

Happiness is an inside job. Happiness is a choice we make.

Happiness is a byproduct of our state of mind, heart, spirit, and soul.

Happiness is not out of reach; it is available to anyone who wants it.

1.      Choose to be happy. Happiness is a simple choice everyone can make.

2.      Find meaning in life. Discover your purpose in life and live it.

3.      Count your blessings and express them. No matter how dare our circumstances are someone else has worse than we do.

4.      Develop healthy long term friendships. Be a friend first by having a graceful heart.

5.      Spread kindness. Choose to be an encourager and uplifter instead of complainer and downer.

6.      Be a forgiver. Get rid of all bitterness and resentment.

7.      Control emotions. Choose to smile, to appreciate beauty, and to love.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Reason or Excuse?

Excuses are not reasons

Reasons and excuses are easy to tell apart; at least for those with the ability to think. Yet, most people think they are synonymous. Reasons are few, excuses are many. Excuses are attempts to free ourselves from blame. Rationalizing gives birth to excuses, rational lies. Excusitis is a common disease, like the common cold. Let’s turn our excuses into reasons for acting.

“I am not good in sales.”  Is it a reason or an excuse? If you think it is a reason, you definitely need to continue reading.

1.      Reasons improve morale. Excuses destroy morale.

2.      Reasons grow from virtues. Excuses grow from vices.

3.      Reasons create clarity. Excuses lead up to confusion.

4.      Reasons deal with truth. Excuses are dishonest and lie.

5.      Reasons give us posture. Excuses sabotage our success.

6.      Reasons are courageous. Excuses are lame and cowardly.

7.      Reasons change the world. Excuses never change anything.

8.      Reasons put us on action mode. Excuses put us on paralysis mode.

9.      Reasons are about solving problems. Excuses keep us from the real problems.

10.  Reasons lead us to say no to lesser things so we can say yes to great things. Excuses lead us to say no to great things because we don’t want to give up the comforts of life.

Reasons are for winners, excuses are for quitters! We can have excuses or results, not both!

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Powerful Stories

The most powerful stories ever told

He lived 2,000 years ago and He was the most powerful teacher that ever lived. He told 60 stories, called parables, to teach powerful lessons in living. The stories are written in the four gospels of Luke, John, Matthew, and Mark.  The stories had meaning then and have even more meaning today. Here are some of my favorites with some nuggets to go along with them.

1.      The parable of The Talents. Our talents and abilities are blessings; we have the responsibility to make them grow. Let’s use our talents to improve our communities.

2.      The parable of The Sower and the Seeds. Always keep an open mind for learning and applying truth and you will be set free. Let’s plant sound seeds in others and nurture them so they produce bountiful harvests.

3.      The parable of The Prodigal Son. Have a merciful and graceful love for everyone by having our actions speak loud and clear. Let’s give grace to others for we don’t know the struggles they have been through.

4.      The parable of The Hidden Treasure. When we surrender our lives to Him we will have the greatest treasure of all. Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Let’s partner with the all-powerful One.

5.      The parable of The Laborers in the Vineyard. Never envy or begrudge the generosity of others. Let’s be generous to those that show up.

6.      The parable of The Rich Fool. Our blessings are not for our pleasures but for our God-given purpose. Let’s use our resources to lighten the burden of others.

7.      The parable of The Lost Sheep. There are miracles in commitment and persistence. Let’s search for those that are lost and help them come back to life.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

Rubber on the road

Where the rubber meets the road

Are you willing to stay the course until you earn your victory? Here are 7 nuggets that may help you.

1.      Keep yourself hungry all the time. Never live another day without a dream.

2.      Attach a business to your purpose in life.  Your life will have a whole new meaning and you will work with a zest like never before.

3.      Work on building a community of friends. Your community is your biggest asset.

4.      Take breaks around the campfires to share stories. Stories have the power to move us.

5.      Choose the right life coach and act on your coach’s advice. We all need the right perspective now and then.

6.      Get serious about your dreams and keep on moving towards them. Keep your dreams right in front of you. It is a lot easier to steer your vehicle while moving.

7.      Keep the eye on your dream and put in the miles necessary to reach them. Your dreams will become reality only when you earned them.

Remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy

How to answer to an opportunity

Questions to ask when opportunity knocks

Great opportunities don’t come very often. What does one do when opportunity shows up and knocks? The key is to ask the right questions. Answer the following questions and reflect upon the answers. Be honest!

1.      What if?

2.      Why not?

3.      What else?

4.      Why not me?

5.      What if this is for real?

6.      When would I if not now?

7.      How else could I get my goals and dreams?

Will you join my cause to fight mediocrity in the world?

Pass these nuggets on to others.    

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Be a giver in a world of takers.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Carlos Fontana, President of Phalanx

Co-author of the book Follow to Lead (The 7 Principles to Being a Great Follower)

Author of the book PRICELESS (Sixty-Six Simple Stories of Reflection, Love, and Legacy