Julio’s World

I just got back from a family vacation to San Antonio, Texas, where one of our visits took us to Sea World. The shows were spectacular, Shamu was great, but the icing on the cake was hanging out with the Beluga Whales. OK, I admit that when I found out I’d be going behind the scenes and hanging out with the whales (feeding them, touching them and getting in the water with them), I was a little apprehensive. However, after watching my brave little girl’s excitement, it got me excited. I really got excited when I learned that most animals either fight or flight at the hint of an unknown creature or sounds near them, and the Beluga Whale is a flight animal, which means they run and are harmless. What a great experience!  They are smart, and they listened and obeyed instructions. But my big take-away from the experience was that the trainers only use POSITIVE reinforcement to train these animals. One of the trainers told me that out of all the techniques they use to train the whales and dolphins, that POSITIVE reinforcement and affirmation is what works best with these mamals. Interesting thought to me was that I think that positive reinforcement always works better than negative reinforcement with people too! Here are a couple of pics from our experience!

Hillary and I with the Beluga Whale

Jordan, Jonathan, me and Hillary exploring a cave

The other day, my business partner and I had the privilege to pick up former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, on his way to meet with our Governor, Bobby Jindal, and his Cabinet. As a two-term Governor in Florida, he was able to challenge the status quo and make significant changes in Florida that had a positive impact on their economy and growth. Part of his mission in coming to Louisiana was to share some thoughts on leadership and making a difference in our state. As I listened to him speak, I was reminded that if you continually invest in your leadership development, the inevitable result is growth over time. Successful leaders at every level are learners. They understand that the learning process never stops and is a result of self-discipline. The goal is to improve a little bit every day and to build on yesterday’s progress. Never being satisfied and understanding that no matter how much success you’ve achieved and how far you’ve come, we can all continue to improve!

Jeb Bush and I - look at that height difference!

I recently just got back from a wonderful trip to London and Paris. As we flew over on Virgin Airlines (big time WOW factor), I kept thinking about accumulating experiences, NOT possessions. Possessions can rust, be stolen, destroyed or taken away, but experiences are something that we keep with us for a lifetime. That is what I had for seven days in Europe.  Great food and fun with awesome friends. What an experience!

One day we had breakfast in London, lunch in Paris and rode the super fast Euro-train home that night back to London. The Eiffel Tower was much bigger than I expected, the traffic around the Arc de triomphe was crazy (no lanes or lines painted in the street) and the shopping down Champ Elysees with it’s luxury shops and cafes was over the top (too bad the exchange rate was pitiful for the dollar at the moment).

In London we visited the usual tourist spots such as: Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey and The Tower Bridge.  I also saw some picketers with signs complaining and putting down America and the U.S. government. The irony was that our hotel was next to the American Embassy, and every day I would see a line at least two blocks long of people waiting to get visas to come to America! After it was all said and done the best part was experiencing this trip with great friends and relationships that I value. Those are memories for a lifetime!

“Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past and fear of the future.”
-Fulton Oursler
 
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to participate in a men’s conference at my church. I had the honor of sitting down for a spontaneous Q & A session regarding success and life. One of the questions was, “Let’s say it is forty years later, and your life is over. Some of your friends and family have gathered after the funeral. What do you want them to say about your life? What do you want to be remembered for?” Talk about a heavy duty question on the spot. Several thoughts hit me at once, and I want to share them with you today.

First, I want my wife to say, “He was a great husband,” and our children to say, “There was no other father like ours.” I want my friends, relatives, clients, vendors and competitors to say, “Julio gave it everything he had in every area of his life, and he made a positive impact in my life.” What about you? What if you’re gone? What do you want to be remembered for?

Second, I don’t want to have any regrets. I can candidly say that after forgiving my real father and a few others in my life, I live my life with NO regrets. I tell my wife, kids, brother, sister and mom that I love them every day. I give my work and relationships everything I can. Not 80% or 90% but 100% every day. What about you? Is there someone you need to forgive or is there someone that needs to hear you say, “I love you?” Have you grown in your capacity to forgive and let go? No more bitterness, envy or unforgiveness in your heart. It’s important that we live our lives NOW with no regrets. You and I can’t correct every mistake we’ve made, but we can learn from them and create a better and healthier future.

Third, we must make FOCUS one of our obsessions. We can’t allow distractions and information overload to get us off our course. We can’t let our eyes rove, our minds wander or our hearts drift away from what the most important thing in our lives is- RELATIONSHIPS. Relationships that matter the most in our lives. Relationships in our family, with friends, at work, at church and in life.
 
Today, I just want to remind you to think LONG TERM about everything in your life. I know things get tough from time to time but if you persevere you can and will make it through any situation. Make sure you make decisions now that will help you create the life you want down the line. Live your life with NO REGRETS!!

This past Saturday our family and company participated in the Corporate Cup Race which is a 5k (3.1 mile run) in downtown Baton Rouge. And while these races take place all the time in different cities, what made this race special was running for the first time with my twin boys who are five. I gave them a chance to stay behind but they wanted to run. I gave them a chance to just walk but they wanted to run. So run we did. I was amazed at their stamina and relentlessness. Jonathan didn’t start slowing down until after two miles into the race and Jordan never stopped running the whole time. He ran 3.1 miles straight! Talk about a proud dad. Even though the wind blew against us hard at times they didn’t stop. When we got to the finish line they asked, “Did we win?” I said, “You sure did. You won because you finished what you started.”  That morning I was reminded that running a 5K race is just like running in life. Think about it:

1. Running with others always makes the race better and many times easier than if you ran by yourself.

2. Run with purpose. Don’t look back but keep your eyes focused on the goal.

3. Run light. Don’t carry excess weight or baggage you don’t need. Don’t let anything hinder you.

4. Run to finish. It doesn’t matter if you start fast or slow. What matters most is that you finish!

The other day I had the privilege of speaking to students at a high school that are labeled “high at-risk” kids. Yes, many of them come from single-parent homes and from a  lineage of poverty. However, as I began to talk to them about dreaming and possibilities for their lives, it was evident they were NOT lacking talent or potential, but they were lacking inspiration, role models and encouragement.

It bothers me that current research shows that 40% of teens doubt they can achieve their goals, fewer than 60% feel a sense of purpose, 70% wish they had more opportunities to help them fulfill their dreams and 75% of those incarcerated did not graduate from high school. That is why each of us should make sure we are investing our time in at least ONE child to help him/her achieve their full potential. I’m talking about providing tools and guidance to help them become the next generation of achievers who make positive contributions to their community and country. I’ve seen the power of words and relationships in my own life. If one message can change a life, there are unlimited possibilities to change the lives of thousands of kids who just need a mentor, parent, teacher or coach. I discovered a long time ago that just as some people deposited their time and wisdom into my life, it is now my turn to give back and help this next generation of kids graduate from high school, start a business, reverse negative trends and become productive citizens.

It is amazing how much time people spend on things that don’t really matter or don’t really profit them. The other day I was listening to a friend who was commenting on the the gloom and doom the daily news media bombards society with. He was commenting that after reading, listening and watch the television news he started to feel discouraged about work, the future and life in general. That’s when I told him it was time to go on a news fast. I promised him that if he just stopped watching and being consumed with daily news for three weeks and begin to feed his mind with good books and listening to CD’s on any subject that could help him grow and develop that he would begin to get excited about the future again.  How do I know? Because that is exactly what I did.

Here is a key in life. If you don’t program your mind daily, the world will program it for you. Did you know that there is scientific research that links positive thoughts and belief to health and prosperity? What you believe the most impacts your decisions and vision for the future. What your mind hears the most it believes. This is why it is so important to discipline your mind. Remember, your personal philosophy and how you think are the greatest determining factors in how your life works out so make sure you make it one that is POSITIVE and includes FAITH AND BELIEF! Be intentional about how you spend your time and money so it gives you the return on investment you desire.

Just got back from an amazing time with friends on the slopes of Colorado. The Domingues, Rizzos, Caines, Stermers, Hanleys and Melaras all cuddled up in 15 degree weather (10 below at night time) up in the mountains where tons of snow fell on a daily basis. 

All the kids had a blast, and it was amazing watching 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds master the slopes. We drank lots of hot chocolate, skied every day, ate too much, went snowmobile riding and most importantly just enjoyed our time together. For several days I was reminded that it doesn’t get any better when you hang out with people you love and value!

Wow! just got back from the inauguration of Louisiana’s new Governor Bobby Jindal. I brought my little girl Hillary to be part of history today, and we had a blast. My great assistant Shannon came along for the adventure and to help. We had to pick up CBS Commentator Tim Brando who was the Master of Ceremonies and bring him to the Capitol and hang out with him. All the new state wide elected officials took their Oath and then special prayers were prayed over our new Governor and his family. The music played and sung was outstanding. The weather was fabulous and the governor Jindal’s speech was lifting. There was even Cooking for Christ ministry out there serving over 2,000 plates of the best Jambalaya I have ever tasted. The kick off theme for the new governor’s admisnistration was “Believe in Louisiana.” I can tell you that not in my lifetime in this state has there been so much hope, belief and expectation. I believe the BEST IS YET TO COME! When we got home my eight year old daughter thanked me for taking her and hanging out. I reminded her that today she was part of history!

Here are a few pics from today!

I love the beginning of a New Year. It is an opportunity to begin again with NEW VISION, NEW PERSPECTIVE and NEW FOCUS!!

Like many of you I accomplished many goals by the grace of God this past year, but had some that I did not achieve. So this morning as I remind my self to forget last year and look ahead, I want to remind you to look to the future. You build your future by Vision not by looking backwards.

In 2008 commit:

To Make better decisions. To LIVE BY FAITH. To strengthen relationships you cherish. To STAY FOCUSED.  To Pray more. Worry less. Think Bigger. Exercise more and eat less. Pursue Wisdom and avoid cynics. Save more and spend less. Be coachable not a know-it-all. Enlarge your Capacity to LEAD, LEARN, LOVE and LAUGH. 

Enjoy the journey!

I believe if we all make a decision NOW that 2008 is going to be a great year it will be! Cheers to the New Year and new beginning!