Posts Tagged ‘accountability’

I Choose…

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Choice. We are very fortunate in our country to have the ability of saying “I choose…” Not only can we say I choose, but we can complete the phrase and identify specifically what we choose. But here is the requirement: you must work to make your phrase true.

Here is what I mean. Let’s say my phrase is: I choose to be happy.

I must commit to making this statement come true. Since happiness is a choice – I can choose to approach each day with a positive, optimistic and upbeat attitude – or I can choose to let life push me around. So, I wake up each day and make the statement, “Today, I choose to be happy.” I may still encounter difficult situations during the day but I now remind myself that my attitude and outlook is to be optimistic, upbeat and happy. I choose how I respond. I choose my outlook. I choose how I react. And, my results have been astounding. Situations that would normally take me down, now rarely upset me. And when I am upbeat and happy, I see the world in a new and more positive way. I see the good side of people and they respond more favorably. I now see many more opportunities; I am open to new connections and ideas. My business has significantly improved – all from a personal choice to choose happiness. Seems like a no-brainer…

So, now it is your turn. What do you choose? What do you need to be in place?

Say it often each day, “I choose _________.” See not only that you have a choice, but more importantly, you can determine what that choice is.

Choose health, happiness, prosperity, honesty, integrity, creativity, responsibility, relationships, ownership, or whatever else is needed in your life. Choose the things that will improve your life and help you live a more significant life. Choose the right things for you. Stay focused. Stay committed. Step up and choose what you want for your life.

Own It

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Own your life. Be in charge of your life.

You were born with great talents and strengths; part of the role of life is to learn about yourself to determine and develop your natural gifts. Most people use so little of what they have been given.

Your life is as little or as big as you choose to make it. Do you want a life that gets you Fired Up! each morning, excited to start another day, grateful, excited and passionate? Do you want a life that makes a difference by using what you are great at to influence the world, other people and other perspectives? Do you want a life that is so great that you never think about dying because you are so busy living? Me too. That is what I want for life. And I know that if that is what I want then it is up to me to make it happen.

Most people are quick to point a finger at or blame others for the things they do not like about their lives. But here’s the fact. The buck stops with you about you. You want a different, exciting, passionate and more fired up life? Then what are you going to do to get it? How will you own your life?

Start now – what do you want your life to be? How will this use your talents and strengths? How will you start and progress on this journey? Own your life. You have the ability to make it EXTRAordinary.

The Ten-Minute Reconnect – Get Fired Up!

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Fired Up! is the only way to live and work. As many have said, life is not a dress rehearsal. If we have just one great ride on this planet, then I want mine to be extraordinary. I want to be fired up, excited and passionate about what I do in life and in work. I want to be optimistic, enthusiastic and energetic. Because I realize it is my choice.

But I am also a realist; sometimes life can be very challenging. Sometimes it is difficult to be upbeat and positive when we are constantly bombarded with negativity, dire predictions, social challenges and decreasing resources. So that means each of us needs a plan to deal with these times head on; we need to create a plan that builds our confidence, activates our courage and enables us to be optimistic and focused.

For this, I share my morning “Ten-minute Reconnect.” Using this approach, I find that however challenging things are, I land on my feet. I feel confident and focused, and direct my attitude and day in a productive and upbeat way. Though I start my day this way, consider using this “Ten-Minute Reconnect” whenever you need to regain your energy, focus and optimism.

The “Ten-Minute Reconnect”:
1. Read from someone who you find inspirational (my favorites are Steve Farber, Sherwin Nuland, Tom Peters and Ogden Nash). Get inspired.
2. Recommit to your statement of purpose or happiness (what do you want from work and life). Get focused.
3. Identify three things you are grateful for (see abundance instead of scarcity). Be thankful.
4. Identify two people who need to hear something positive from you today (see that there is more to the world than just you and your challenges). Be available.
5. Identify how you will play to your strengths today (create a plan just for today – a day at a time). Be confident.

Ten minutes is all it takes. A ten-minute investment in yourself to stay focused, optimistic, upbeat and thankful. When we move from a place of gratitude and optimism, we can more easily handle whatever comes our way. Wise people have stated that our challenges are nothing more than lessons to help us see how capable we are. Starting from a point of strength each day encourages a more powerful day and greater success with life’s lessons. Invest ten minutes. You are worth it.