Tag: bloggers

Goals. Burn That Midnight Oil…

 

Burning the midnight oil…literally, figuratively, or virtually. It’s all the same. Staying up late studying, working, or playing the role of parent to a newborn. That’s the meaning of the phrase burning the midnight oil. It originated from the 1600s practice of literally staying up late to finish work.

Today it’s meaning extends to waiting in line to get the latest release of the iPhone or other noteworthy–or should I say wait-worthy item. You then scream to the world that you are among the forerunners to get the envied product!

Whatever your dream; whatever your goal; burn that midnight oil and achieve it! It’s those who sacrifice much that achieve much. There’s Success in store for sure.

Burn baby–burn!

Cheers!

Busy Is Good…

Busy is good. That’s my favorite response to entrepreneurs who express that they are busy.

You see, we have all been there when there is nothing to do. No job. No contract. No financial inflow. What frequently follows is sadness, apathy, boredom, inability to meet financial obligations and the list goes on. For sure that ain’t good for our mental state and wellbeing.

Among Others

An 80-year-old grandmother was busy going to the gym, church, shopping, Medical visits to the doctor. Those activities kept her busy. It made her feel alive. Then suddenly her husband also retired. Now they both sit at home watching golf, tennis, jeopardy and wheel of fortune on TV. This past weekend she spent time in the hospital. Latency had stepped in.

The Deal

That’s what happens when we are not busy. It happens to entrepreneurs, workers, student or retirees. There’s no respect of persons.

For entrepreneurs, being busy means there’s signed contract for work to be done. There’s opportunity to give work to job seekers on the hunt. There’s also productivity.

Find The Balance

So each time you find yourself complaining about being busy, I implore you to find the balance …but most of all give Thanks. Busy is a blessing because it means you’re doing something good.

So go ahead…get busy.

Cheers!

Don’t Destroy The Key That Opens The Door…

Don’t destroy the key that opens the door. ~RJ Calder

Words spoken by a 9-year old. He was watching the movie ‘King Kong‘ when renowned Actor Samuel Jackson in his role as army mission leader became vengeful to Kong for harming his men. In ignorance, Jackson didn’t realize that Kong was only defending his territory and Jackson and his troops needed to rely on him for survival from deadly creatures.

That’s when little RJ exclaimed… “don’t destroy the key that opens the door”.

The Key

So true. Too often we sabotage our Goals, dreams, aspirations and relationships by destroying the very thing that will help us progress. Today, take the time to think before you act.

Cheers!

INC’s 20 Books TED Speakers Think Everyone Should Read This Summer…

Think before you speak. Read before you think. ~ Fran Lebowitz

Here’s a list of INC’s 20 books Ted speakers think you should read this summer. From the list, below are my top 7 favs that I find intriguing.

1. Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie

2. How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan 

3. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp

4. Becoming by Michelle Obama

5. The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson 

6. The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody

7. GreenLight: When God Says Go by Dr. Shelly Cameron

Happy Reading!

How Can You Know What Your True Dreams Are?

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A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.

How can you know what your true dreams are? That was the question a 22-year-old asked. An interesting question that has troubled hearts for centuries.

How Can You Know It’s a Dream?

It never goes away. It stays with you. You go to the left…it’s there. You go to the right…. it’s there. It never leaves until you confront it. Until you come face to face with it. Sometimes our dreams are so big they scare us. But that’s when we need to take a step back.

Let’s think of Steve Jobs. Everything we do now can be done through a little device – the cellphone. Be it text, talk, scroll, have sleepless nights because we’re too connected; talk with a doctor; device-in-hand, head down… we walk around as if in a trance. It all became a reality because of Job’s resilience. Steve’s dream was big! But he couldn’t accomplish it without taking a step back. That opportunity came when he was fired from the very company that he started. Depressed at first… he didn’t let it last long. He examined his dream….closer. Then voila! Things changed!

Same too with the biblical Joseph. He had a dream but it wasn’t clear. Then years later the vision became real. He was able to connect the dots. Later he was then able to walk in his purpose.

What To Do When You’re Not Sure About Your Dream

  1. Meditate.
  2. Pray.
  3. Seek clarity in your quiet time.
  4. Talk to a mentor, coach or friend who’s got your best interest at heart.
  5. Be aware…track it

Some dreams are clear and concrete as in a career as a physician. There’s nothing to do but enroll on a course of studies. Follow the path; invest the time, study, graduate and start your practice. It’s the dreams like what Dr. Martin Luther King envisioned that baffles. It creates sleepless nights and can prove harmful. But still…it is a dream. A divine intent that only you can accomplish.

The Lesson

We all have dreams. But dreams take time. They should never be rushed. They need to be examined, nurtured, watered, then they will grow. Just like a new born. Growth takes time. Listen carefully. Go; follow your dream by taking it a-step-at-a-time.

Dreams will come through if we let them.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

The Stops…

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The Stops

Stop worrying about what was.

Stop wishing

Stop living in a wish list ….

Wish I was this, wish I was that

Wish I could do this

Wish I could that

Stop wishing and just do it

People Travel To Wonder At The Height Of The Mountain And Yet…

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People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.  ~St. Augustine

You’ll Never Reach A Point In Your Life Where Everything is Solved…

“You learn to love the mess of your life, its constantly changing nature, its unpredictability. And you stand as the immutable silence in the midst of the storm, the wide open space in which joy and pain, ecstasy and agony, boredom and bliss, can arise and subside like waves in the ocean. There are no problems when you know yourself as the space for it all. ~Ariana Huffington

Living In The Past. Looking Through The Rear View Mirror…

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Living in the past. Just looking in the Rear view mirror. What good does that do? It seems 5, 10, 15 years after leaving one of the best careers ever you end up just existing. Just stuck. Thinking about the big job that you had in the past. The relationship ended 5, 10, 15 years ago, yet you’re still holding on. Face it darling…it’s over. Stop reflecting. Stop pining way. It’s unhealthy.

It’s Time To Move On

It’s time to move on. It’s time to make a change. It’s time to forge full speed ahead. Start living. Start being who you would like to be. How do you do that? If you want a new career, then apply to jobs in that field. Something will rise up for you.

If you want to be an entrepreneur then do what you need to do. Do what it takes to get your business out there to let others know what product or service you are selling. If you don’t like what you’re doing now, make plans to stop. Set a date and stick to it. Stick to it no matter what.

Sometimes You Will Fail

Know that sometimes you will fail. Yes that happens. Life is a risk. You win some, you lose some. But it means you are trying. Just being stuck in the past is not going to help you to forge ahead so you must start doing something different. Start today. Just start doing something different today. Make a move. Stop resisting. Stop living in the past. Stop worrying about what was.

The Stops

Stop worrying about what was.

Stop wishing

Stop living in a wish list ….

Wish I was this, wish I was that

Wish I could do this

Wish I could that

Stop wishing and just do it

Omgeee…

This Time Next Year

This time next year where do you hope to be? This time next year what would you like to see? To experience? This time next year what do you want to be doing? Take the steps so that this time next year you will be doing what you want to do … and you would be where you want to be. Seek the help of others if needed. Ask a friend who has your best interest at heart to hold you accountable. You could also enlist the services of a mentor or coach to be your guide. Now go out and do it. Get it done.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

11 Top Habits Of High Achievers…

 

Small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results. ~Robin Sharma

Inc shared Christina DesMarais 25 Simple Daily Habits That Separate High Achievers From Everyone Else Here I Share my top 11 favs from her list.

Top Habits of High Achievers

  1. Every morning, delegate, defer, and delete.
  2. Start every day very early
  3. Get outdoors for physical activity.
  4. Focus on quality, not quantity.
  5. Set aside 30 minutes to focus on long-term improvements
  6. Make time for joy.
  7. Start the day with meditation.
  8. Listen, read, and create something new.
  9. Never book more than half your day.
  10. Put creativity back on your to-do list.
  11. Visualize success

Personal Favs

Of the traits the two that stand out are delegate, defer and delete. Too often we try to do everything ourselves without delegating or deferring to those aptly capable. Often too we hold onto stuff that we have been doing for years not realizing the process is no longer applicable and should be …yup…deleted.

My other fav is Never booking more than half our day with meetings. I have have known colleagues who book their entire day without thinking about when they will find time to check emails or communicate with issues awaiting their approval. What then happens is the rush to work late nights, weekends and holidays. Years ago I was as guilty as charged. Then I learnt. Balance is important.

How about you? Any that stands out for you? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!