Do your daily thoughts, interactions and activities move you forward or hold you back?
Each and every day we make choices as to what we think about, who we hang around with and what we do. But did you know that even these little choices can really change the direction your life is headed.
Look at any teenager, because I think that this shows up exponentially in their lives. The friends they hang out with, the activities they do, and the music they listen to impacts their thoughts and ideas. They develop a sense of what is right and wrong by what influences them on a daily basis. How they choose to spend their time and what they fill that with is what shows up. The funny part is that it is easy to see this in a teenager, but not in ourselves.
As adults, we become what we think about, and mirror the actions of those around us. Sometimes this is a good thing, and other times it can be detrimental to all that we are trying to create.
Action:
The next time you are frustrated with your life, or not enjoying what is happening take some time to reflect. Search around and take an honest look at what is happening on a daily basis. Ask yourself if what you are doing is working. Are the people you are surrounded by supporting you or leading you away from your dreams? Do the habits that you have align with what you want to create in your life? Are you feeding your mind with the "good stuff"? It is from the answers to these questions that you can create change!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
What do you think about being interviewed?
As you are moving through each day, do you ever find yourself feeling "off"? Maybe you're doing what you always planned to do, or you're following your dream, but things just aren't feeling right. Well you are not alone!
Over the years, we have given you a variety of tools to help you start digging and make sure that you were on track to create the change you want in your life. This week found another simple technique that we had to share with you! Chris Guillebeau has a great suggestion in his Non-Conformity Blog.
that recommends periodically hosting an interview with yourself in order to make sure things are moving along according to plan.
That's right, you will actually set up a time to sit down alone and answer questions just as you would if you were interviewing someone else about their life. The question may vary depending on your specific situation, but they are designed to help you dig deep and figure out what's going on in your life, and how to make adjustments if you need to. Have fun using Chris' techniques and be sure to let us know how it goes!
Action:
Conduct An Interview With Yourself. Write out interview questions and schedule a time to interview yourself. Then honor that time commitment, go through with the interview and see how your life stands in your eyes.
The following exerpt comes directly from Chris' Blog:
First, sit yourself down wherever you like to sit. Get coffee or your drink of choice. Turn off the distractions and take it seriously. (Wouldn’t you take another interview seriously?)
Then you open the conversation like this:
"Dear self, you are x years old. What do you have to show for it? Are you living the dream?
As you look back on your life, what are you most proud of, what do you regret, and how do you feel about each of those things? Here are a few follow-ups:
* What’s next, self?
* Why do you do the things you do every day?
* What do you really believe in? (What do you know to be true?)
* Where do you find your security?
* What bothers you, and what are you doing about it?
* What worries you?
* If you had one year left to live, how would you spend it?"
Of course, when you interview yourself, you can customize the interview however you see fit. The point is to make sure you know why you’re doing what you do, and if you should make any changes.
Read Chris' entire blog post here.
Over the years, we have given you a variety of tools to help you start digging and make sure that you were on track to create the change you want in your life. This week found another simple technique that we had to share with you! Chris Guillebeau has a great suggestion in his Non-Conformity Blog.
that recommends periodically hosting an interview with yourself in order to make sure things are moving along according to plan.
That's right, you will actually set up a time to sit down alone and answer questions just as you would if you were interviewing someone else about their life. The question may vary depending on your specific situation, but they are designed to help you dig deep and figure out what's going on in your life, and how to make adjustments if you need to. Have fun using Chris' techniques and be sure to let us know how it goes!
Action:
Conduct An Interview With Yourself. Write out interview questions and schedule a time to interview yourself. Then honor that time commitment, go through with the interview and see how your life stands in your eyes.
The following exerpt comes directly from Chris' Blog:
First, sit yourself down wherever you like to sit. Get coffee or your drink of choice. Turn off the distractions and take it seriously. (Wouldn’t you take another interview seriously?)
Then you open the conversation like this:
"Dear self, you are x years old. What do you have to show for it? Are you living the dream?
As you look back on your life, what are you most proud of, what do you regret, and how do you feel about each of those things? Here are a few follow-ups:
* What’s next, self?
* Why do you do the things you do every day?
* What do you really believe in? (What do you know to be true?)
* Where do you find your security?
* What bothers you, and what are you doing about it?
* What worries you?
* If you had one year left to live, how would you spend it?"
Of course, when you interview yourself, you can customize the interview however you see fit. The point is to make sure you know why you’re doing what you do, and if you should make any changes.
Read Chris' entire blog post here.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Are you in bud or bloom?
"And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin
Change can be scary, and it is rarely easy. By its very nature change is uncomfortable. But, one day we look around and see that change is on our doorstep. We see new possibilities or we are unhappy with the status quo. We realize that we've grown, or circumstances have changed, and what we have been doing isn't working for us anymore. And we realize it's time to change.
But sometimes we get stuck, it's like standing on the end of the diving board, and realizing that you just can't jump. So we stand there, and we stand there. And, like the bud, we will stay just as we are until it is too painful to stay there anymore. And only when the pain becomes unbearable will we be able to make the necessary adjustments that allow us to jump.
But an interesting thing happens when we understand that it is more painful to stay "tight in a bud" than to "burst into bloom". By looking at change differently, we find that we will actually “get there” faster if we allow ourselves to bloom and see the possibilities and feel the excitement. So we invite you to embrace the bloom of change knowing that it is less painful than staying trapped in the bud where we are now.
Action: Think about your goals, what life will be like when you’ve created the change you want in your life. Think about the possibilities. Then get them on paper. Make a list, write the story of your new life, or create a story board showing all the good things. Then spend a little time each day with your new life, thinking about it, feeling it and enjoying all the possibilities. Now do one thing each day that moves you toward this life.
Change can be scary, and it is rarely easy. By its very nature change is uncomfortable. But, one day we look around and see that change is on our doorstep. We see new possibilities or we are unhappy with the status quo. We realize that we've grown, or circumstances have changed, and what we have been doing isn't working for us anymore. And we realize it's time to change.
But sometimes we get stuck, it's like standing on the end of the diving board, and realizing that you just can't jump. So we stand there, and we stand there. And, like the bud, we will stay just as we are until it is too painful to stay there anymore. And only when the pain becomes unbearable will we be able to make the necessary adjustments that allow us to jump.
But an interesting thing happens when we understand that it is more painful to stay "tight in a bud" than to "burst into bloom". By looking at change differently, we find that we will actually “get there” faster if we allow ourselves to bloom and see the possibilities and feel the excitement. So we invite you to embrace the bloom of change knowing that it is less painful than staying trapped in the bud where we are now.
Action: Think about your goals, what life will be like when you’ve created the change you want in your life. Think about the possibilities. Then get them on paper. Make a list, write the story of your new life, or create a story board showing all the good things. Then spend a little time each day with your new life, thinking about it, feeling it and enjoying all the possibilities. Now do one thing each day that moves you toward this life.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Are You the Right Person for the “Job” ?
So often we long for something in our life to be different. Sometimes we look at someone else’s life and we wonder why they can have something that we don’t; better finances, a successful business, a great marriage or a joy in living.
But do you ever look at the person to see not only what they do but who they are? In order to have something different sometimes we need to be someone different.
Look at it this way. If you like to sleep in and your idea of great exercise is a walk around the block does it really make sense to long to be an Olympic athlete? If you can’t make a decision on your own does it seem likely you can own a successful business?
Often times we must BE someone else before we can have what we want. Someone with different habits. Someone with more skills. Someone with a different outlook.
And once we choose to take action, to enhance ourselves, we can not only reach our dreams, but we can also be the person who can enjoy them.
Action: Take an honest assessment of what habits, skills or beliefs you have, or lack, that are holding you back from reaching your goals and dreams. Set up a simple plan for rectifying the situation and implement your plan.
But do you ever look at the person to see not only what they do but who they are? In order to have something different sometimes we need to be someone different.
Look at it this way. If you like to sleep in and your idea of great exercise is a walk around the block does it really make sense to long to be an Olympic athlete? If you can’t make a decision on your own does it seem likely you can own a successful business?
Often times we must BE someone else before we can have what we want. Someone with different habits. Someone with more skills. Someone with a different outlook.
And once we choose to take action, to enhance ourselves, we can not only reach our dreams, but we can also be the person who can enjoy them.
Action: Take an honest assessment of what habits, skills or beliefs you have, or lack, that are holding you back from reaching your goals and dreams. Set up a simple plan for rectifying the situation and implement your plan.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Is it time to turn down the volume?
Ever walk into a room where the music is blaring so loud it just vibrates your whole body? While you are in this situation you can’t focus, you can’t talk to anyone, you can’t even think clearly.
This is precisely what happens to people when they create change. Doing something new means you need more information. You need to expose yourself to new ideas. You need to learn about new options and new strategies. So you open yourself up, seek out advice, and search for ideas. And before you know it you are completely over-run. You have so much information coming in that it just sends you into a twirl.
When you hit the twirl you end up confused or trying so many different things that nothing can take hold. Let’s face it, we live in the information age and that means we can easily become buried under an avalanche of ideas.
So as you are looking for ideas remember these 3 things:
1. It’s okay to ignore the experts.
2. There is more than 1 “right way” to get where you want to go.
3. The only useful system is one that works for you.
It’s your life. It’s your goal. It’s up to you to determine what works for you.
Action: Turn down the volume! Choose one plan of action, or one expert, or one system to follow. Then follow it! Yes, you may choose to tweak bits and pieces of it based on other information, your skills or your strengths, but essentially choose one to stick with.
This is precisely what happens to people when they create change. Doing something new means you need more information. You need to expose yourself to new ideas. You need to learn about new options and new strategies. So you open yourself up, seek out advice, and search for ideas. And before you know it you are completely over-run. You have so much information coming in that it just sends you into a twirl.
When you hit the twirl you end up confused or trying so many different things that nothing can take hold. Let’s face it, we live in the information age and that means we can easily become buried under an avalanche of ideas.
So as you are looking for ideas remember these 3 things:
1. It’s okay to ignore the experts.
2. There is more than 1 “right way” to get where you want to go.
3. The only useful system is one that works for you.
It’s your life. It’s your goal. It’s up to you to determine what works for you.
Action: Turn down the volume! Choose one plan of action, or one expert, or one system to follow. Then follow it! Yes, you may choose to tweak bits and pieces of it based on other information, your skills or your strengths, but essentially choose one to stick with.
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