Wednesday, September 26, 2012

X=IMACT, INSPIRE, IMPROVE





This week I have an Xavier Smith aka, Mr. XL Smith, president of Xcellent Solutions LLC.  His mission is to IMPACT - INSPIRE - & IMPROVE the lives of others!  He provides solutions in the area of personal safety consultation (self-defense for real estate agents), fitness (personal training/coaching & group boot camps) and professional speaking services!  We just want to help others empower themselves to a better life through better choices.   





He definitely wants to help move you from the bench to the starting line-up of life.


Xavier, How much research did you do before you made your move? 

I suppose I started my research back when started dreaming of the lifestyle I wished to live.  Well before 2007.

What did your friends say when you told them about your dream?

 I was careful and selective when it came to who I chose to share my vision/mission with!  I started with my inner circle of family (Brother/Wife) and then later shared with others!  For the most part, everyone was supportive although I did feel my feet step into a current of non-belief at times, but they did smile in my face though!

Did you have any people who did not believe in you?

  I suppose there were and still are those who don’t belief (hate).   However, no one has come and told me to my face how they feel.  My gut tells me however, through body language there are always a pocket of those who wish to see me/the business fail!

Describe a life-defining moment of change? 

Well I think of three defining moments!  One is when I realized the people who were supposed to be my biggest and strongest support network (My Parents) were just not there!
2) Being hit by a drunk driver in high school narrowly surviving the incident!
3) Surviving a heart attack at 29 and living to tell about it!


Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you overcome it?

Yes the doubts do creep in much like the waves of the ocean come in to the shore and back out again.  What I do is observe the doubt or thought (because that is all that it is - thoughts) be thankful for the process and continue marching towards my bigger purpose!  The focus MUST be on what you want and not the problems at hand!

What did you do to stay motivated through the process?

A solution for me is meditation and being aware/connected to higher calling for the ONE who created us, was a creator and we are made in his image!  Therefore, we are supposed to create and then show others how it’s done!  I believe we can be all that we imagine because He said we could... it’s just that simple!

Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress?

Yes, I do get down on myself at times as being a military man, I operate by deadlines. Now that I am a civilian, it does not always happen the way I imagine, but I now realize that all things will happen as they are supposed to!

What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed? 

I want everyone to know that you can you can live the life you see in your head.  You can live your dreams, if you just believe in yourself, your higher calling, and be willing to put in the work needed to get the job done!

Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream? 

Five years from now - A philanthropist doing whatever I want to do!  Five years ago, I just started putting Xcellent Solutions LLC into motion!  The dream is an evolution and a work in progress as humans change on a moment by moment basis.  As such, my dreams will always being changing accordingly.

What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

Being successful is simple.  Notice I said simple, not easy!  There has to be something that drives you and it has to be more than superficial things like money.  One must know what to do with said money.
Just remember to enjoy each moment of life, because it is a gift!  Don’t take it for granted and put in the work to make life what you want!

Thank you Xavier for you for answering my questions, I hope my readers  be inspired to give themselves the permission they need to succeed.

Remember permission is key…

Be sure to check out all his links listed below.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Pundits are Cool. But what is a Pundit?

Wikipedia describes at Pundit as this:

A pundit is someone who offers to mass media his or her opinion or commentary on a particular subject area on which they are usually knowledgeable  The term has been increasingly applied to popular media personalities



Meet  Candace Reese. Candace is the founder & CEO, Envision Global Corporation and is a
Inspirational Speaker/Executive Coach.  She is also known as  The CEO Pundit™.  I follow her on Twitter and love her work. So, I wanted to know more about her, she agreed to be interview for my Permission to Succeed blog.  Read below and see how she gave herself the permission to succeed!


        How much research did you do before you made your move

I had been working in my fields of interest since college, but didn’t come to the realization of my true gifts until the burning desire to become an entrepreneur wouldn’t stop. Of course, I intensely studied and continue to study my crafts, because that is the only source of growth and operating in excellence.

  What did your friends say when you told them about your dream 

Until recently, I had very few individuals that I considered friends, so those who were in my circle were very supportive and some mentored me through the process.


       Did you have any people who did not believe in you

Of course—doesn’t everyone? However, that has always been even more motivation for me to succeed.
 
    Describe a life-defining moment of change.
My dear mother has always provided life-defining insight for me, but I had to evolve into a place of receiving it.  However, when I was coming out of a physically and emotionally abusive marriage, my current husband (who was my close friend since I was a teenager, and I never realized I would marry in the future) said to me, “I never saw you for everything you have gone through.  I always saw you for the person you’re going to be.”

That’s an amazing moment of having life spoken into your spirit—when someone sees all of your layers and still believes in you, more than you believe in yourself.
  
       Did you have moments of doubts about what you wanted to do, and how did you overcome it.

Absolutely.  I still question certain days whether I made the right decision, but each time I’ve tried to run away, I was immediately pulled back, because nothing else would work.  Therefore, even through my challenges, I must be operating in my purpose.


    What did you do to stay motivated through the process

I choose JOY.  With that genuine and authentic choice, I can accomplish anything, and I can inspire others, which is deeply intertwined into my purpose.
  
        Did you ever get down on yourself because you felt like you were not making progress

Yes.  But I know the plans my Source has for me.
  
       What advice would you give the person who is reading this blog and has been hesitant about granting themselves the permission to succeed?

Identify your purpose clearly. Step into a place of faith, not sight.  Prepare yourself—don’t get the light bulb above your head and go full speed ahead; add strategy to your plan. 

    Five years from now what’s your dream? Five years ago where did you want to be and are you closer or have you achieved your dream?

Five years ago—I can hardly remember, but I know that it was consistent with where I am now.  I wished for a loving marriage, happy sons and a thriving career.
Five years from now—My hope is to move out of the day to day operations and more into a mentoring role as chairman with my company, focus more on family, serving those in need, writing books, traveling the world, and enJOYing my peaceful space completely. 
  
.    What advice or motivation would you like to leave the readers about giving yourself permission to succeed?

Be bold.  Be confident.  Be unique.  Be grateful.  Choose JOY.

For further look at Candace and her business check out her links below and be sure to follow. She does follow back.. 

WAR EAGLE!!!     (that was for you Candace lol )