We don't seem to have the time to do a lot of things. Things like exercise, cooking healthily, calling our parents, brothers, sisters and friends, reading great books or magazines, driving without distraction (as we text some ridiculously unimportant message). We do seem to have time to do a lot of other things, though. Things like Facebook, Twitter, reality TV, e-mail, long showers, visiting newyorkjets.com, miamihurricanes.com, tmz.com or working long hours with no specific … [Read more...]
One question to get the most use from your stress
February 15, 2012 by
Studies show that bad stress causes harmful reactions in us. It literally kills us slowly. A key distinction between good stress (Eustress) and bad stress (distress) is whether we see ourselves as capable of exerting ourselves on our situation to affect it. When we focus on what can't do, we create bad stress and get stuck. When we focus on what we can do, we create new options through or around our challenges. We look at what we can control. We cultivate good stress. … [Read more...]
Two Simple Steps to Move Closer to your goals
February 12, 2012 by
An object that's a rest tends to stay at rest. An object in motion will continue along the same course unless another force redirects it. It's a law of physics. It's also a law of life. Change your words, change your mind I've been at rest for several months. I've talked about how I need to exercise. And I need to write. I haven't done either. I realized last night that I was speaking in 'Need to'. I immediately changed my language. I moved to 'want to'. We put the … [Read more...]
Could you use a cold shower?
January 31, 2012 by
The bookthrew down a challenge. Imagine turning on the shower. Only the cold water. No hot at all. Now, imagine you jump into the shower. Did you cringe at the thought? Good. Now do it. For 5 days in a row. That was the challenge Julien Smith tossed my way. I threw the water on. I waited. And waited. I stood there avoiding. I sheepishly crept in. I lasted 30 seconds. I put the hot water on. I fought the "the flinch" to get in the shower. I didn't fight through it to … [Read more...]
How do you do better?
January 25, 2012 by
Robby said, "I used to have those reference documents taped all over my work space. It helped me a lot." I looked that the document I needed. It was open in MS Word. I looked at Robby and said, "Yeah, I really need to print this." And then I sat there. Without printing it. Anytime I say "I need to" do something I can be assured of one thing. I'm not going to do it. I looked at Robby, catching what I just did. I laughed about it. I had everything I needed to meet my need. … [Read more...]
All I want for Christmas is…
December 25, 2011 by
Jen's whispered, "C'mon. It's time to feed the babies." All I want for Christmas is for my babies to sleep through the night. I've told so many people that my Christmas present would be the twins sleeping through the night. These were typical responses: "Keep dreaming...." "My babies are a year old. They still don't sleep through the night." "That's not going to happen." "Good luck with that..." Not encouraging words. They're actually the complete opposite. The people … [Read more...]
When do you strike?
December 23, 2011 by
The thought struck me. It came out of nowhere. "This guy had a huge impact on my life, I should write him a note." I had a decision to make at that point ... Click "Compose New" and shoot the thought and sentiment his way. Find some stationary and write it out then and there. Or put it on a to do list. I clicked "Compose New" I wrote a two line email. I told him that I appreciated his encouragement, support and inspiration. He really played a key role in a wide range of my life. … [Read more...]
Are you choking on an elephant?
December 23, 2011 by
I want to change the world. That's a problem. "Change the world" is one big elephant. It doesn't give many good places to start. In fact, it's haltingly paralyzing. As a goal it is insurmountably overwhelming. Have you ever looked up to a role model and said to yourself, "I want to be like him (or her)."? Maybe you want to be the next Seth Godin, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, John Lennon, Martin Luther King, Sarah Palin, etc. There's just one problem. You can't. They already … [Read more...]
I got away with murder.
December 21, 2011 by
I got away with murder when I was younger. I didn't have set chores to get an allowance. I didn't have to study to do well in school. I didn't do my homework on time. And often times didn't do it all. I turned assignments in late. I cut school. I was late regularly. I still graduated in the top 10 percent of my class. I wish I could say I wrote my own rules. That would be a lie. It would imply structure that didn't exist. I just didn't follow the existing rules. I'm 40 now. … [Read more...]
