• "Yes… I Have Been Drugged" - by Scott V. Black, CEO
• Sacramento Graduate Recharge... How Will It Help You?
• Are You Ready To Complete the Leadership Experience?
• Making a Difference - Timothy Ligon, Team 532
• "My Empower U Experience" - James Abbey, Team 521
• My Word Coach - Food and Fat...

“Yes… I Have Been Drugged”

By Scott V. Black

Hello Empower U Leadership Team.

Those that know me know that I discover new learnings in the strangest of places. And even though I like to learn, sometimes I am amazed at some of the things that come up. I am not just talking about what I learn, or who I learn it from, from, but also what I learn about myself.

One of the things I recently realized was that I have been drugged. By the way, so have you, and you are better for it.

Here's what I mean: about a week ago Justin Bennett, a friend and fellow graduate sent me this email:

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied that I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher of preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad’s fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Get a downloadable copy of this story by clicking here.

What a great message. If you think about it, when people leave our Leadership Trainings they are on a natural high for their life. When they go home and interact with people who were used to them before they were “Awakened,” there are some strange reactions. Most people are excited for the person's newfound passion, excitement, and vigor for their life. Some want to drug test the person, or ‘flippintantly’ remark about being “brainwashed.” There is such a change that to some people observing the process only an “unnatural” cause can explain it.

If you think about it we “drugged” you in the same way the man in the story above was drugged. And if you think about it, like him, you are better for the experience.

We drug you through a process that was confusing, confounding and incredible. We drug you through long hours, big walls and old fears. It wasn’t always fun, and it wasn’t always what you would have preferred to do. But it was always done with passion and purpose. We drug you through a fancy hotel, through a mental meadow and into a new possibility. Make no doubt about it, you were "drugged" and you are better for it.

It comes down to this; we should be more interested in our character and not our comfort. There are many people who just want to coast to be comfortable. There are too many people living a comfortable life. We have a tendency to want to be comfortable, to be cozy and snug in our wonderful life. The only problem is this; we can do, and be, so much more outside of our comfort zones. That is why so much growth takes place in our training, because we are playing ‘big’ outside of our comfort zones for the entire 2 days.

Down To The Core

By focusing on your character, on who you are, on what is important, you get down to your core. That is where real change and motivation come from. When you know who you are, then knowing what to do is much easier.

However it does take a lot of work to get beyond our self limiting belief systems. So sometimes some people have to be drugged. Some of you saw the trainer having to drag some people across the finish line… or at least get them pretty close. And look at the incredible change that took place.

Today let me pose the question are you living an uncomfortable life? Not because things are not going well, but because you are challenging yourself to live a significant life?

I just talked with Beth Gaither, who staffed in Sacramento in this last Awakening. She was blown away by how much she got out of going on staff. She was so pumped! Yet, she was up early, up late, working her butt off… and what a huge payoff.

Comfort Zone = No Growth

Too many people are running around wanting to be comfortable, to do the easy thing.

One thing I learned a long time ago is that when dealing with people, not too many things are easy. However, ease was never a criteria for living a life of purpose. It is not easy to go through Leadership Awakening, it is not easy to make a marriage work, it is not easy to raise kids in today’s world, and it is not easy to live a life of purpose. I believe these words come from God, “I am not interested in your comfort, I am interested in your character.”

It is not always easy being in the people business!

I remember when Coca Cola was using us heavily a few years back a conversation I had with one of their CFO’s. He said, “You know Black, Coca Cola is not in the sugar watered business, we are in the people business. We just sell Coca Cola to make a profit.”

That was a powerful statement to me. I believe we were put on this planet to be in the people business. That belief was drugged into me, too. When you care enough to drag people to do things that benefit them, that help them build their character, you are working in the people business.

What Business Are You In?

So today as you read this article ask yourself this question, “What business am I in?” Have I been willing to ‘drug’ anybody today, this week… lately?

It goes back to this question, “Who are you?” When you know who you are, then why you are here becomes a clearer vision. When you know who you are, then what to do is easier.

One of the big ‘internal” lies that I have to fight is I tend to think that things should be easier, more comfortable. I do not live a comfortable life, some of it is self induced, part of it is because of my choices, and the rest is ‘part of the territory.’

One of the big lies in my head is that when things are going well, I am doing well and when things are tough or tight, then I am doing something wrong. I know that is not accurate, nor biblical, yet it doesn’t stop me from feeling that way. I keep wanting to be comfortable but that is not who I am. Circumstances change, but who I am is… who I am. That doesn’t change.

One of my favorite sayings is, “You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it.” John Maxwell says, “What happens to you is a small matter compared with what happens in you.”

Here's an example:

In 1923, at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago, eight of the world’s wealthiest financiers met. These eight men controlled more money than the United States’ government at that time.

They included: The president of the largest independent steel company; The president of the largest gas company; The greatest wheat speculator; The president of the New York Stock Exchange; A member of the President’s cabinet; The greatest “bear” on Wall Street; The head of the world’s greatest monopoly; The president of the Bank of International Settlement.

Certainly, one would have to admit, that a group of the world’s most successful men was gathered in that place; at least, men who had found the secret of “earning money.”

Now let’s see where these men were twenty-five years later:

The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, lived on borrowed money for five years before he died bankrupt. The president of North America’s largest gas company, Howard Hopson, went insane. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cutton, died abroad, insolvent. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, was sent to Sing Sing Penitentiary. A member of the President’s cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home. The greatest “bear” on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, died a suicide. The head of the greatest monopoly, Ivar Krueger, killed himself. The president of the Bank of International Settlement, Leon Fraser, also died a suicide.

From the book, "You Were Born Rich" by Bob Proctor
Get a downloadable copy of this excerpt by clicking here.

One thing I love about that story is that it shows that circumstances change. We can’t control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we respond to it. Things change and we can fight it and resist it or we can accept it as part of life and embrace it.

Change is uncomfortable and it’s ok to be uncomfortable. There is an old Chinese proverb that says, “You can tell a mans religion in times of despair.” How uncomfortable are you? Are you standing for people, for your beliefs, for your values?

When you live your life like it matters it does. Who you are matters, what you do about it matters. Today let me encourage you to be in the people business. Drag some people across the finish line. Anybody can succeed, can accomplish… that’s easy. The true measure of success is how many people are you taking with you? A party of one is not much of a party.

Getting Drugged... The Right Way

I have to admit what success I have had in life, I have been “drugged” to get it. I have made more mistakes in business and life then should legally be allowed. Yet, by the grace of God, He allows me to continue to do what I do. I believe God is drugging me… He picks me up, dusts me off and encourages me to hit it again, and again, and again. I have my mom, my team members, my graduates, my best friend, Brett, my kids… I have many people to whom I could say, “You drugged me.”

How about you? Are you living your life in such a way that people are moved to be better, to do more, to reach out? There are so many learnings that take place in our training that have nothing to do with the activity that we are doing.

It is more about practice, practice, practice. Practice living an uncomfortable life… more comfortably! Practice playing big, living large, making a difference, leading by example, not worrying about what other people think, or say, or do. As the wonderful Dr. Seuss put it, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Our Leadership classes are a great place to practice, practice, practice living a better life then the one you had before. But if that is not applied to our lives, then it is just a weekend getaway.

Today is a great day to begin anew, to get back to being uncomfortable. Today is a great day to make the commitment to be in the people business. Today is a great day to be alive! What business are you in… how many people are you bringing with you… what are you doing today that makes it matter that you are on this planet taking up space… what do you want?

Remember…  When you live your life like it matters-It Does!

With Passion-HBS

Scott V. Black

Sacramento Graduate Recharge...
How Will It Help You?

If you are an Empower U Graduate in the Sacramento area, you have an additional powerful tool to pump up your passion, sharpen your focus and help you stay accountable for your commitments.

The name of this tool is The 3% Club.

The 3% Club is open to graduates of all Empower U classes and meets every other month.

The next meeting is Wednesday, September 24th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Clarion Hotel Cal Expo.

As a graduate, you are invited to come and connect with other like-minded Empower U graduates. It will be a social, re-energizing opportunity to help support you in LIVING your Leadership Awakening commitments.

You'll mingle with other members of the EU Leadership Team, and have a chance to make a difference in the community as part of an group of committed leaders.

We have limited opportunities for you to share your actions steps at this meeting. If would like to do so, or if you have any questions please feel free to contact:

Jessica Schanrock at 916.416.3392 / jschanrock@airsystems1.com
or
Beth Gaither at 408.313.3648 / bethgaither@yahoo.com.

We'll be announcing future meetings in the Empower U Newsletter, so keep an eye out!

Are You Ready To Complete
The Leadership Experience?

The Time is Now...

Leadership Adventure ramps up the leadership skills you uncovered in Awakening by taking them from 25 to 100 in the course of 2½ action-packed days.

But don't take our word for it...

“The feeling I have today after completing Adventure is difficult for me verbalize because words seem to be so much less extraordinary than the feeling itself.

“I feel as though I am ‘stretched’ with my feet firmly planted in the most extremely rooted, power stance I have ever stood, my soul is soaring the universe, all the while my mind is fixated, focused on myself, my family, coworkers, community and my world at large. And even more than Awakening this feeling has the possibility of lasting a lifetime.

“My desire for building a future NOW has a plan, materials & a crew of skilled builders with a powerful and fearless leader.”

Brandy Holmes
Air Systems of Sacramento
Leadership Adventure Team 193

All Leadership Adventure classes take place on a beautiful ranch in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. The next scheduled dates are:

October 23-25, 2008

January 22-24, 2009

Call today to reserve your spot and get ready for the adventure of your lifetime! Complete the process you started in Awakening. Contact the Dallas office to enroll - (817) 478-1858.

Making a Difference -
Timothy Ligon, Team 532

Dear Scott:

I want you to know that I woke up this morning really pumped up.

I have to say it... I'm excited about where I'm going with my life! I recently shared with one of my team mates (Jason) that I feel like God has grabbed a hold of me and said "lets go for a walk... I have some things for you to do."

It has been an interesting 3 months since that early June weekend in Dallas... tons of emotions, soul searching, prayer, refocusing, etc... all things I needed to go through.

That said, I realized a few weeks ago that I needed to simply start "LIVING IT" and just start making a difference in everything I touch... family, church, friends, work, etc.

I recently volunteered at a transition home (Samaritan House) for the homeless discharged from the hospital. I was so inspired by this ministry that I served it up as a potential service project to the "Life Group" I attend at my church.

Anyway, the long story short is that our group provided a meal combined with fellowship for this home a couple weeks ago - it was a huge success. It looks like our Life Group is going to commit 1 of our 2 monthly meetings to providing a dinner for these folks. Evidently there are several Life Groups at our church who are providing a similar service to the Samaritan House.

Coincidently, I was asked yesterday if I would be interested in taking on the role as "Impact Champion" to coordinate these groups service to this ministry. Remember my comment above "let's go for a walk... I have some things for you to do"?... I think someone just passed me the ball for an easy layup...

Timothy Ligon, Team 532
Regional Director Customer Logistics
Kraft Foods

"My Empower U Experience"

James Abbey, Team 521

WOW... Is all I can say. What a powerful life changing weekend. My life is changed forever.

As I left graduation, part of me did not want to leave my new friends. I felt a little sad, but I realized this is just the beginning of something special with each of you. I look forward to what are relationships can become.

Let me tell you all what has happened since graduation. On my long 14 hr ride home, I just got lost in the moment and pondered the entire weekend. I started fellow shipping with God and furthered My commitment to Him. ( I am so on FIRE right now with my new dedicated relationship with God)

I got to Russellville, Arkansas around 7am on Sunday morning and it was loud and clear to me that the Lord told me that we would have a testimony service at church today, and I told him Lord if we do, I will be the first one to give mine.

I then get home I see my kids they come running to me I hug them like never before. ( I felt the energy Scott) I then Hugged my wife like the first time I hugged her and then some and told her I loved her. I told them all that I wanted to talk to each of them sometime today one on one.

We then got around went to Church (I was Not even tired, just running on energy from the weekend) we get to Church for Sunday school assembly and our Sunday school director read a couple of verse's and then said I feel led to do something different this morning as soon as he said that I knew right then we were having a testimony service so I got up and I felt like I ran to the front of the room (TO BE FIRST).

I was up there with the mic in my hand and I just let go from the heart and shared with them about the weekend. I am telling you all right now I had no voice it was like a loud roaring whisper, but I gave them my 100% and it ended up being about a 20 min message. I just let go and let God take over. After I got done I just fell on the alter and told the Lord thank you for using me and giving me the opportunity to be used.

Folks about 3 more got up and gave there testimony and then let me tell you people started flooding the altars getting things right, oh my the spirt of God was so powerful the rest of the day. I had several people come up to me after Church and tell me they needed to here those words that I spoke and how it encouraged them to do better, even a lady in her 80's. (SOME THOUGHT I WAS ON THE COOL AID) but you know what they thought Peter was drunk with wine on the day of Pentecost and look what happen their. I am telling you when we abide in God with are 100% best effort, He will abide in us and use us like never before. (WOW...)

I then that evening had the one on one with my family and told them I was sorry for not being a better daddy and husband, (UP UNTIL NOW). Wow what a time with them. They each dedicated to do better and give there 100% as well. Even my 5 year old understood.

After the kid's went to bed I made my wife a nice candle lit bath and we talked and held each other like never before. (Just call Me MR. Romantic)

I started the things with the tools Scott gave us yesterday morning.

Yesterday I talked with some friends and told them about what happen, they were so tuned in with what I was saying and they wanted what I got.

I talked with my brother last night for over 2 hr's on the phone and shared with him some things. We had the best talk and bragged on the Lord...WOW....

I am so excited about life.

When I was looking back on the weekend it was amazing watching each one of us over come the obstacles that had been holding us back.

I am so proud to have gone through this life changing event with each of you.

LIVE LIVE LIKE IT MATTERS TODAY, BECAUSE IT DOES

Do something on purpose this week for your spouse, kids and other's around you.

GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!

My Word Coach

Can you figure it out?

We commonly use words and phrases that have old meanings. Often we aren't even aware of where those words came from.

Twice a month we'll be giving you a hint about word and a phrase and ask you to guess what the word or phrase is. Of course we'll be giving you the answers, but do yourself a favor and see if you can get the answer before clicking on the link.

Have fun!

Question #1: Originating in southern Italy, the name of this food means "food made from barley." In the 1700's the name became slang to refer to certain young English men who adopted French and Italian fashions and accents. At the time this food was considered exotic although today we think of it as very common. What is the name of this food?

Question #2: These days this phrase is used to describe money set aside, often for underhanded or illegal purposes. It originally referred to the fatty remains from salted beef rations sailors carried on long journeys. When they arrived at their destinations, they sold the grease to soap and candle makers to make extra money. What is the phrase?

See the answers by clicking here.