Thursday, May 31, 2012

ATtitude

I know that attitude seems like a word that is over used.  So many people speak about it being 'the difference maker' and its used in so many motivational posters I think it has lost its luster.  Sometimes you need to step back and take a look at things from the outside to appreciate them.  This I feel is the same with some great words  that can teach and guide you through life.  Do not let them get stagnant let them sink in keep them fresh. 

Attitude is all about perspective.  You control it the second you get out of bed in the morning till the second you fall asleep at night.  Every choice you make starts you on a path toward an outcome.  Whether that outcome will be positive or negative is totally up to you.  But attitude is  one of those wonderful things that you can correct on the spot and turn around 180 degrees if you are heading in the wrong direction.  Thank God for that.

So make conscious decisions and always adjust your course to maintain positive mindset, and let that make your life easier, rather than hating everything and making your life miserable.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

RIGHT NOW

The basic thing that we need to figure out is that our life is comprised of experiences, situations, and the decisions we make.  I personally believe that the people you meet and the places you go will shape your view of the world.  For example, if you meet someone inspirational you will probably try to emulate them in some fashion.  Whether you plan to or not, subconsciously you are drawn to be more like people who are successful, or accomplished in their lives, so naturally you try to be like them.  Second, If you visit a 3rd world country or the 106th floor on the Willis Tower, you will be left with an impression that you will not forget any time soon, this also will have bearing on your life.

What you need to realize is that although we plan for certain things, there are other circumstances that may come up in your life that you were not ready for.  The best thing to do is smile at those situations, take them in stride and persevere.  There is a treasure lying in the unexpected, you may learn a lesson, or realize that you are capable of alot more than you thought.  We always tend to undercut our abilities and have somewhat negative views about ourselves.  We our are worst critics.  So to grow through these situations, I suggest to never give up an opportunity to go out on a limb,  I am NOT saying do whatever you want without thinking of the consequences.  What I am suggesting is to analyze the decisions you are making or not making and take a few more risks, enjoy your ride through life.  Why waste it now and sit back saying, Well when I'm retired I'll do this, or go here, or learn this because I'll have more time.  The best thing you can do is start it now.

"Someday is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you".

The other day my friends and I were supposed to go kayaking. They ended up not being able to go, so I went anyway on a three and a half hour run.  I said to myself ," Why should I miss out on an opportunity just because no one else will go with me."  I went ended up having a wonderful time, taking in views of wildlife, and four hundred foot cliffs around every corner.  Plus I learned a lesson, I lost my paddle while maneuvering around a more difficult rapids that had lots of fallen trees obstructing passage, so I went around and my paddle ended up in the rapids never to be seen of again.  Instead of quitting or freaking out, I looked for about twenty minutes for it, then wrote it off, found a four foot tree branch that was about 4 inches thick and L shaped and used that as my paddle for the remainder of the trip, about forty five minutes.  I taught myself how to properly handle adversity alone, plus keep my wits and make tough decisions in critical situations.  When I got picked up at the end of my run, I had a smile from ear to ear, plus I had a cool story to tell.  Instead of my friends who spent the day 'relaxing'.  I lived.

Many of lives things happen only for a moment,  the view of a sunset,  making love, a hike in the woods, a wedding, a dance, a ballgame, even natural disasters.  Enjoy the present, make the right decisions, try not to pass up experiences that can improve your life.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

How to change

To make a positive change you must change the way you think.  It seems pretty simple to wrap your head around.  Yet the reality is that too many in our society are way too 'busy' to slow themselves down and observe then act.  Often people just react to duties, situations and circumstances.  Instead of assessing the situation and parlaying their thoughts into a action plan that they can decide upon at that moment, they either react prematurely or they make no decision at all, creating either a explosive situation or a stagnant one.

If you understand what I am trying to say, to positively change you must train your brain to think differently.  So your 'auto-pilot' doesn't kick in when something happens.  You need to become real, slow down, and become the reality you want to be.  There are no limitations, anything you believe you can achieve.  I know these are all well used motivational poster quotes, but people are usually too busy to even think about them, let alone let them sink in and actually change their lives.

You can sail through life miserable at your present situation, your job, your health, or whatever.  Or you can focus on the right things, positive things. Be grateful for everything, at least you have a job, a home, are alive to enjoy things, look towards the future and envision your goals laid out there.  Ready to be achieved, able to be reached with just a little more focus, a little more work.  Positive people are always planning for something in the future with great expectations, negative thinkers only concentrate on how miserable their present circumstances are. 

Reassess your thinking and do not be afraid to reach, and set far off goals,  you will make a change.

http://www.attitudedriveslife.com/the-happiest-guy-in-the-world/

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Why you are not Patient

Look at your self for a second.  Make that a minute.  When was the last time you just sat down and had a good time of introspection.  Patience is probably one of the hardest things to learn yet once you realize that it is mandatory to have, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.   Here are three things you can do to help improve your patience, with out the headaches or other bodily harm.

1. You must realize that we live in a world that is controlled by rules: these include laws of physics such as gravity and thermodynamics.  These laws do not care if you believe in them.  The live in reality, do you?  You must acknowledge the fact that we are responsible for our own actions in this reality.  Strive to disconnect yourself from the distractions all around- excess of music, new , television, i phones etc. 
- Distractions hide you from your true self and your true meaning, find your self, find your meaning- limit distractions.

2. To add patience to your life have a family: Those who are closest to you can be the ones who try you the most.  It is in these life learning lessons that you must; 1. Think clear 2. act accordingly 3. implement the correct action using wisdom .  It isn't easy or fun.  Especially when your mad and you just want to stomp your feet and throw something ( someone) against the wall.

3. After you have clear depiction of who you are, and the wisdom to deal with situations on a case by case basis, you have one more hurdle to hop over.  That is those two words that mean a great deal: ego and attitude.
Exercising patience cannot be done by someone who never admits fault or is never wrong (ego) or by someone who thinks negatively about every facet of their existence. So smile, gauge yourself  and think before you act, it is easier than you think.


http://www.attitudedriveslife.com/the-happiest-guy-in-the-world/

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Areas of Purpose

          What do you do in your job?  I hope anyone who is employed can answer this question.  This society in which we live is doing less and less to train others to be gainfully employed.  So many come out of college with bachelors or masters degrees and cannot be hired, due to lack of common sense.  I believe this to be a major issue today's business owners face.  They see a flood of  'candidates' who have the paperwork that says they are qualified but inhibit no work ethic, some have very little basic morals, or they come to an potential employer with an entitlement mindset.  Instead of thinking how they can attribute wealth and prosperity to the company, they only desire for how much the company can do for them.

       Let me get this straight there is nothing wrong with a degree, it shows dedication and focus.  But over they last 35 - 40 years alot of colleges have been more interested in teaching their beliefs instead of the actual academia in which they pledge to give.  I respect those who attend college and work very hard to achieve their goals in this life but I just think there is too much effort put forth on ' good grades' rather than learning common sense and other life benefiting attributes.  

      Although it is frowned upon by some business leaders, empowering employees to gain knowledge in every aspect of the company can, by far, be one of the most beneficial things an employer can do.  By inspiring every employee to manage themselves or co-manage their team on a rotating basis, you break down that pesky labor vs. management mentality, and really open up the dialogue between teams and people. Giving your employees creative control over their assigned tasks turns them from a stagnant worker only good at one thing, into an motivated, empowered worker who has greater control of his 'job', creative control over his duties and increased control over his wages.

      Slowly try to integrate the team concept into your business, by integrating management into your teams, allowing rotation of management duties on a weekly or biweekly basis.  Then open up your employees to gain greater responsibility by increasing the control that they have over how they perform their tasks.  When they show greater motivation and increased productivity show them gratitude in return by increasing their pay.  Integrate each employee into your business to help them gain knowledge in their area of purpose.  Show them how to gain more responsibility, slowly give them the ability to do more.  Most cases they will succeed and feel that they have purpose in the company instead of just a job they go to everyday.