How Much Do You Value Your Life?

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One day a young boy asked his father, “what is the value of my life?”. Instead of answering, the father told his son, “take this rock and go sell it at the market. If anybody asks the price, raise two fingers and don’t say anything”, instructed the father. The boy then went to the market and a woman asked, “How much is this rock? I want to put it in my garden”. The boy didn’t say anything but raised up his two fingers, and the woman said “2 dollars? I will take it”. The boy went home and told his father, “a woman wants to buy this rock for 2 dollars”. The father then said, “Son, I want you to take this rock to a museum, if anybody wants to buy it, don’t say a word, just put up your two fingers”. The boy then went to the museum and a man showed up wanting to buy the rock, the boy didn’t say a word but put up 2 fingers and the man said “$200? I will take it”. The boy was shocked, went running home and told his father, “A man wants to buy this rock for $200”. His father then said, “Son, the last place I want you to take this rock is to a precious stone store, show it to the owner and don’t say a word, and if he asks the price, just raise up your two fingers”. The son then ran to a precious stone store, he shored the rock to the owner, “Where did you find this stone? it is one of the rarest stones in the world, I must have it! How much would you sell it for?”. The boy put up his two fingers and the man said “I will take it for $200,000”. The boy not knowing what to say, ran home to his father and told him that there’s a man that wants to buy the stone for $200,000, his father then asked, “Son, do you know the value of your life now?”

“It matters where you decide to place yourself”

You see it doesn’t matter where you come from, where you were born, the colour of your skin, or how much money you were born into. It matters where you decide to place yourself, the people you surround yourself with, and how you choose to carry yourself. You may have lived your whole life thinking that you were a $2 stone. You may have lived your whole life surrounded by people that saw your worth for only $2, but everybody has a diamond inside them, and we can choose to surround ourselves with people that see our value and see the diamond inside of us. We can choose to put ourselves in a market or put ourselves in a precious stone store. You can also choose to see the value in other people. You can help other people see the diamond inside of them.

Choose the people you surround yourself with wisely. That can make all the difference in your life.

Something To Think About…
Beautiful Extract from Sean Buranahiran

Life’s Interesting Interests…

People with many interests live, not only the longest but the happiest. ~George Matthew Allen

If you could pursue any new hobby, what would it be? That was the question Brian Tracey asked in a public forum. Hobby Dreamers chimed in telling all.  Here I share excerpts:

  • Ride a motorcycle
  • Reading more books
  • Learn to swim, study chinese and french
  • Skydiving
  • Playing the piano
  • Play an instrument
  • Cooking
  • Flying
  • Photography
  • Horse riding
  • Kickboxing
  • Surfing
  • Music and learning languages
  • Traveling the world
  • Drawing
  • Dance
  • Fix cars
  • Interior designing
  • Bull riding
  • Song writing
  • Martial arts
  • Pottery
  • Kite surfing
  • Implementing good habits
  • Have a dog rescue kennel
  • Writing blogs
  • Making dolls
  • Art, oil paint and travel
  • Fashion and art
  • Woodworking
  • Collecting coins
  • Golf
  • Hand-lettering
  • Hiking
  • Boxing
  • Gardening
  • Sewing
  • Cake decorating
  • Public speaking
  • Book binding
  • Stained glass
  • Making shoes
  • Acting

Does any resonate? Any missing? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What’s It Gonna Be?

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Even if you cannot change all the people around you, you can change the people you choose to be around. ~R.T. Bennett

What do you feel is important to deal with your professional and personal life? Some often focus on too many values. Others seem not to give it a second thought. But when someone crosses that line, some hurt and even become bitter, and suddenly values are exposed.

What Are Your 4 Core Values?

Damon Johns asked the question “what would you say are your four (4) core values?” Responses were similar yet varied:

  • Honesty
  • Empathy
  • Concern for the world
  • Family
  • God
  • Integrity
  • Character
  • Passion Results
  • Loyalty
  • Honor
  • Work ethic
  • Love
  • Confidence
  • Consistency
  • Quality Assurance
  • Reliability

21 Core Values from Leadership 

Here is a list of values shared from leadership studies. Select your top 4 values to focus on. As James Clear reminded, if everything is a core value then nothing gets priority.

  1. Authenticity
  2. Achievement
  3. Autonomy
  4. Balance
  5. Challenge
  6. Creativity
  7. curiosity
  8. Determination
  9. Faith
  10. Humor
  11. Leadership
  12. Learning
  13. Optimism
  14. Openness
  15. Peace
  16. Recognition
  17. Reputation
  18. Service
  19. Success
  20. Trustworthy
  21. Wisdom

Missing any? Don’t hesitate… add yours!

Cheers!

Job And Career: Is There A Difference?

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What is the difference between a job and a career? Is there a difference and if so, what is it? Are you looking for a job, career, or a calling? What is your goal? Here are a few definitions to guide your evaluation.

Work

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Work is defined as activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

Job

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A job is just about making money ….a paid position of regular employment. It is basically short term.

Career

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A career is feeling good about yourself as a sense of satisfaction …what you do… something that is your identity.  A careeer is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. Essentially, it is long-term.

Calling

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Your calling pertains to leaving your mark on the world…a strong urge toward a particular way of life.

Which of the above depicts you? Think about it. Is it a job, career, or a calling? Do share! We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Goals: Show. Don’t Tell…

Don’t tell them your goals and dreams. Show them.

 

 

The 3 Signs Your Friends And Loved Ones Keep You Stuck…

Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong. ~N.R. Nanyana Murthy

Many of us have been there. We have dreams, goals and aspirations. But we must share such desires with those closest to us to get their buy-in…and in some cases their approvals. But while we wait, it can create tension, sadness, and disappointment that causes us to become stuck. Stuck because what we want to do seems way beyond our scope of accessibility.

But there’s hope if we recognize the signs of how our loved ones and friends can hold us back from realizing our dreams.

3 Signs They Are Holding You Back

1.Their expectations

Your loved ones and friends can’t imagine you dong anything else. A colleague of mine spoke about having to convince his parents that he wanted to change careers and become an entrepreneur. He was hindered by them because they were proud of him being in his prestigious job that took care of his family.  How could he walk away from that? How will they (his parents) introduce him to their friends? What’s this entrepreneurship endeavor… they asked.

2. Their Investment

Often our loved ones hinder us because they are invested in us and expect us to stay put. Are you the main breadwinner? Will you now be putting them at risk? Is it a co-worker whose job ties closely into your own? Who will they rely on if you walk away? How will they survive?

3. Envy

The worst case occurs when friends, family, or co-workers discourage your progress simply because they envy you. They want to step out themselves but have always been afraid. They don’t have the guts to do it, so they discourage you.

Today, may you find the courage to get up and do what you have always wanted to do. Step out. In some cases it might be necessary to ‘keep your mouth shut‘. Keep your plans to yourself. Then once you have put your plans in place and are ready to go, share your decision. You’ll be guaranteed of moving on to that exciting state where change thrills as you make the leap!

Cheers!

When Things Change…

Things Change …

When things change … when you’re thrown off life’s treadmill without notice, it knocks you off-balance. A friend was working with the same company for over 25 years and recently lost her balance when she was told that the job no longer existed. Though the writing was on the wall, when it happened it was like a sharp blow. Separation like death was strange. It was final.

I thought about how I could or should comfort her. But what could I say? What are the right words? Are there any right words? Questions, questions, questions.

As an HR practitioner working in the field for over 20 years I thought about what could I say to her. Here I share a few thoughts:

Rest

First, get some rest. It’s important to face the reality of the situation. After ‘grinding the mill’ for many, many years, it’s important to take some time out to relax.

Reflect

While relaxing, reflect on the next steps. What do you want to do? Why do you want to do it? Does the ‘why‘ provide an opportunity to make a change in career path? A change in location? A change in mindset? Begin with the end in mind. Where do you see yourself in the next chapter of your life? Picture yourself 5, 10, or more years down the road accomplishing your goal, then work backwards.

Make A Plan

Prep The Next Steps. Once you decide on where you want to go, make a plan. Prepare for the next steps. Do you have skills that you could sell to someone else as an entrepreneur? What about exploring a different area of work. Know that the novelty of a new career endeavor is exciting. Prep that plan. Write it down.

Step Out

Step out. Act. Act on the plan that you came up with. When you start acting on the plan, review it often…at regular intervals to ensure you stay on track.

So if you have been there, lost your job and remain disappointed, dejected, or even stuck, get with the plan today. Start acting. Talk with a professional coach if needed and get your life back in order. Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Painful. Staying Stuck Somewhere You Don’t Belong…

Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere that you don’t belong. ~Goalcast

How Will You Know If You Have Never Tried?

 

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Photo by Igor Costa on Pexels.com

How will you know if you’ve never tried? That’s the question asked by Psychologist Dr. C. Watson. I couldn’t agree with her more. Too often we rationalize why things won’t work. But we will never know unless we try. At times we may look at the experiences of friends, colleagues, coworkers and even family members and use their experiences to judge our own.

Often we are even stuck in our fear of failure. But good things come to those who make the attempt.

Today I implore you to be bold. Step out. Try. Attempt to do the thing that you have always been afraid to do. Who knows? You may surprise yourself and accomplish great things!

Try it today!

Cheers to your success!

Find Your Why. Here’s How…

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive, then go do that ~Margie Warrell

To find your why:

  1. Identify Your strengths
  2. Find what makes you come alive
  3. Go do it

It’s that easy and that’s why it’s only for the resilient. Sure you’re different, so go do it.

Cheers!

The Ravishing Benefits of Going To The Beach…

Live near the beach? Grab your swimsuits and go enjoy the slow swooshing sound of the waves as they crash against the shore.

Anne Gherini shared in this INC article research about the benefits of going to the beach (as if we needed another reason …smile). From the points listed, here I share my top 3.

  • Listen to the crashing waves puts your brain at ease
  • Feel the sand between your toes as it stimulates your mind
  • Remove the Blues. Stare at the ocean and get to that relaxing meditative State.

In this world of mad rush, stress and strain, plan a trip or two to the beach for a quick getaway. Then bask in the Benefits to relax, unwind, reboot. Your Brain cells are sure to recharge pushing you further along the Skewed productivity chain.

Cheers!

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