Monday, December 13, 2010

Quote for the week

The most successful people consistently ask themselves, "Is this the best use of my attention at this moment?" - David Cottrell

Thursday, December 9, 2010

One Degree Makes All The Difference

One degree is the difference between hot water and boiling water. One degree of effort is often the difference between achieving success and missing the mark. The link at the end of this short post takes you to a short movie from SimpleTruths.com (a wonderful source for motivational/inspirational products) which does a great job illustrating how important one degree can be. Click the link below watch the movie. Think about the message. It is simple, powerful and effective. Forward this post to friends, co-workers or anyone else you think could benefit from this information (and really, who couldn’t benefit).

212: The Extra Degree

Monday, December 6, 2010

A Positive Mental Diet Yields a Positive Mental Attitude

I am sure you have heard the phrase “you are what you eat”. You cannot fill your body with “junk” food and then expect it to perform at a high level. In order to maintain a strong and healthy body you must keep it fueled by following a nutritious high quality food plan. Your mind is no different.

In order to operate at peak levels you need to “feed” you mind inspiring high quality information. Left on its own your mind operates in a “safety” mode. It is wired to make sure you are safe; your brain does not come pre-wired to keep you inspired or engaged with the world around you. It is your responsibility to get and keep your mind focused where you want it to go. To start making improvements to your mental diet keep the following three points in mind.

1. Turn off the talking heads on the radio and the TV. Yes you need to be informed about what is happening in the world but you do not need to be continually bombarded with negative messages. Listening to someone berate other people over and over does absolutely nothing to lift or keep your mind on a positive track. You really can get all the need from a 3o minute national news program – either on the radio or the TV. For those of you with satellite radio try listening to the news on the BBC. It can be very interesting to get information without a strictly U.S. political slant.

2. Read something inspirational every day. You’ll be surprised at how much more positive your overall attitude will become when you consistently expose yourself to some uplifting information. What inspires you is a personal choice – it may be the bible or similar, it may be biographies of successful entrepreneurs, it may be a host of blogs or a magazine like success. Try different sources and keep it up for at least 30 days. You will feel the difference.

3. Surround yourself with positive energy. Do not get involved in the petty politics and gossip in your office. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and realize that they are trying their best. Offer to help those who you see are struggling. It’s a karma thing – you never know when someone will return the favor. If you are involved in a toxic relationship you need to end it. This could be either a family relationship or what you think of as a friendship. How can you build up our self-esteem and personal energy level if those around you are tearing you down? True friends and loving family members should be there to listen to and encourage you to reach for the stars. Additionally, look in the mirror and make sure you are not simply reaping what you sow. If you criticize or in some other way do not support your family or friends how can you possibly expect them to be a source of support for you.

The better your diet, the better the results. This holds true whether we are talking about food and your body, or information and your mind. Help put yourself on a faster track to overall success by taking control of the information you are feeding your mind. It will work wonders in improving the happiness and satisfaction you can enjoy on a daily basis.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Quote for the week

"What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter." Peter F. Drucker

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Forget Bucket List - Think Life List


The other night I noticed that “The Bucket List” was on cable. Although I have never seen the movie I do know the story line and it got me thinking. How sad is it to think that anyone would wait until the end of their life to really consider what they want to do and accomplish – their personal “bucket list” if you will.

How much more fun would it be to put together a life list early in life and then work to cross things off. Instead of worrying about fitting it all in you could take your time to really savor each moment, each milestone and each victory. Crossing something off the list would be a momentous occasion and another reason to celebrate life.

Have you ever really spent time thinking about your life list? Have you committed your list to paper? What should be included you ask. That is really up to you. What will give you the most satisfaction and sense of accomplishment? What is important enough in your life to keep you pushing forward through good times and not so good times? These are the things that should be on your list; as well as some “just for the heck of it” items.

Just for the heck of it items may include taking a hot air balloon ride, going white water rafting, or attending Clown College. These items should just make you smile. More serious items could include a healthy marriage and a close knit family; helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house or some sort of similar charity work. This is your list and only you can determine what to write down.

The point is this: take the time to make your list now and then enjoy the adventure as you work to cross everything you can off the list. The goal is to cross everything off and then start a new list. The list is life – spend some time simply enjoying it.