HOW FAST DOES ONE HAVE TO GO? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 177

Does it seem like everything is moving too fast?  Do you feel as if your life is spinning out of control at times? Do you have difficulty keeping up with everything?  The truth of the matter is that as a society we have allowed things to get out of control.  Some things happen too quickly, some things happen too slowly, and you can feel as if you are victimized by the timetables and schedules of others.  When that happens try to take a step back and really look at yourself.

There are things you have to do, things you should do, and things you want to do.  For the things you have to do (things required by law, employers, health) you most likely will have to accept the timetables of others. However, for the things you should do or want to do you can set your own schedule and time frame for accomplishing them.  That can make you feel less stress, can make you enjoy the processes followed to accomplish these things, and most likely improve your rate of completion.

Each week look at your calendar, schedule, to-do list or whatever method you use to manage your time, and say to yourself, "I can

SET MY OWN PACE."

WHEN WILL YOUR DREAM COME TRUE? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 176

2013 will come to an end in a little over 5 weeks from now.  Your  to-do list is probably very long as you prepare for any  or all of the upcoming holidays.  When you reflect on 2013 do you think you were successful in achieving your goals?  Did you even set goals for 2013?  Did you make any of your dreams come true? 

2014 is like a brand new slate on which you can write your hopes, your plans, your dreams, your goals, and most important the steps you must take to accomplish those things.  Make a vow to yourself. Repeat it each day by saying, "In 2014 I will

ATTAIN MY DREAMS."

DO YOU NURTURE IT? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 167

All of us have a spark in us that can ignite into a great passion to fulfill our goals and dreams.  Sometimes it is a tiny spark, and sometimes that spark seems to have died if childhood has been rough, if adulthood has not been easy, or if you have ignored it for too long.

What do you do to keep your spark alive and growing?  Are you even aware that you have a spark?  Even if it is tiny or has become weak over time, be still and let it make itself known to you.  If you already are aware of it, then make sure to help it grow.

Each day regardless of what is happening in your life, tell yourself to pay attention and

NURTURE YOUR SPARK!

ARE YOU EXTREMELY HARD ON YOURSELF? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 149

Do you set goals for yourself which are much too aggressive?  Do you challenge yourself harder than anyone else challenges you?  Do you expect too much of yourself?  Or are you too easy on yourself?  Somewhere there is a happy medium so find it for yourself.  Set goals for yourself which are realistic and achievable. Have high standards for yourself,  but don't expect more from yourself than is reasonable?  When you set a challenge for yourself

CHALLENGE EASY.

HOW DOES LIFE GO BY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 94

We are all given the same number of minutes and hours in a day and days in a week.  Yet somehow there are people who accomplish so much more than you do in that same amount of time.  Why do you think that is?  Is it because you don't manage your time?  Is it because you have fear of failure so you delay getting started?  Is it because you don't know what you want to do or how to do it?  Is it because you spend too much time on minutiae and avoid the big projects?  Is it because you are a perfectionist who is never finished with anything because it is never quite "perfect" or "good enough" for you?

There are people who foolishly fritter away their money and other assets, and there are people who just as foolishly fritter away their time.  They treat it as if there is an endless supply of minutes and hours which we all know is not the case.  When time is gone it cannot be retrieved so make the most of your time.  Be aware of how you are spending it.

If you know what an hourglass is or a minute timer you know that the sand falls through the glass rather rapidly so it is a good reminder of how fast the time of your life is going.  Don't delay, get started, fulfill your dreams, achieve your goals, and enjoy the process.

How does life go by?  It goes:

MINUTE BY MINUTE

ISN'T THERE ALWAYS A WAY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 88

What things stand in your way?  Do you believe there are obstacles that prevent you from doing what you want to do, from achieving your goals, from living up to your potential, from realizing success in all of your endeavors?  We all encounter obstacles (or what seem like obstacles to us) in the course of our lives.  Some of us find a way to overcome them by going around them, over them, under them or through them.  Some of us are unwilling to do what is really necessary to overcome obstacles, and when suggestions are offered we find reasons to not try them and continue to accept things as they are (and keep complaining about them).

Which kind of person are you?  When you encounter an obstacle do you genuinely try to find ways to go around it, over it, under it, or through it?  Be truthful with yourself.  Do yourself a favor and remember that every problem has a solution.  Realize that the seeds of solutions are actually in every problem.  Tell yourself that you can do it, and believe in yourself.

Today's message is:

BYPASS OBSTACLES!

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 86

Have you thought about doing something that you have always wanted to do?  Do you stop yourself from getting started because you think you have waited too long?  Do you think there won't be enough time to meet your goals or achieve your dreams?  Do you actually have any idea of how much time it might take to fulfill your heart's desire?

There are a number of famous and talented people who did not pursue their passion until they were in what some would consider their golden years in their 60's or 70's.  They started and were successful in their lifetimes.  Grandma Moses is one who comes to mind as a marvelous painter who began painting and left a wonderful legacy of folk art still enjoyed by so many today.  There are writers, poets, playwrights, sculptors, entrepreneurs, and others who believed in starting whenever you can.

Today's message is:

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!

HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS? - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 78

Some people are very hard on themselves.  They think they have made no progress unless they move toward their goals by leaps and bounds.  Hopefully, you are kinder to yourself and realize that forward motion is progress even if you are not running, leaping, or bounding toward your ultimate goal.  If you are moving step by step toward your goal, you are making progress.  The old cliche is true..........slow and steady wins the race.

Today's message is:

STEP BY STEP!

HOW GREAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 73

Are you a person who shoots for the moon when you set goals?  Are you a person who sets your sights much lower so you won't be disappointed?  Are you a person who sets no goals at all for fear of failure or of being ridiculed by others?  Well, it is time to tell yourself that you have the ability to be what you want, do what you want, achieve what you want if you are willing to do the work needed.  You may not have all of the resources at the moment that you need to accomplish everything, but put your mind to things and do everything you can.  Somehow the rest will come to you so things fall into place.

Don't settle for doing nothing.  Don't settle for being mediocre or just getting by.  Don't be afraid of failing. Choose to ignore what others may say to discourage you (we all have naysayers in our lives whether they are family members, co-workers, neighbors, or even people whom we call friends).  The most important person to believe in you is you!

Today's message is:

BE AMAZING!

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU ARE PUTTING OFF DOING? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 64

Time flies, and it is already August 2013.  Where has the year gone?  What have you done thus far to accomplish any goals or resolutions you set back in January?  It is so incredibly easy to make excuses for why we have not started something or finished something, and it is just as incredibly easy to take the first step to begin something or to finish something that is languishing unfinished.  

Today's message is:

THE TIME IS NOW!

DO YOU MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 42

In order to live in peace and harmony with our fellowmen there are some consistent behaviors and attitudes which will make life go more smoothly.  In pursuing personal goals and chosen career paths, however, sometimes it is essential to differentiate yourself from others attempting to achieve the same goals and jobs.

You may be an actor or actress auditioning for a coveted role in live theater or in a film.  You may be a health care professional applying for a position or vying for a residency assignment.  You may be a teacher hoping to teach at a particular school or a professor applying for a position at a college or university.  You may be an office worker hoping for a promotion to a management position.  You may work for a non-profit and wanting more responsibility.  You might be looking for a job in a factory or plant or as a car salesman, a mechanic, a bus driver, or a musician hoping to be selected for the first chair.

Whatever you want to do, somehow you must distinguish yourself from your competition.  Don't be too flamboyant or too aggressive or obnoxious.  Instead think of what you could bring to the position that the other candidates might not.  In other words, what is unique about you (and I promise you there is something unique about every individual)?  Allow yourself to move to your own music.

Today's message is to be brave and dare to:

BE DIFFERENT

ARE YOU ON TARGET? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 41

There is still one-half of 2013 left.  Time to reflect on where you are with any goals you may have set for yourself or any New Year's resolutions you may have made.  It is easy to write a list of goals or resolutions, but review your list to be certain you have not made any of these common mistakes in goal setting:  Are there too many?  Are they too big?  Are they specific?  Are they not planned?  Are there no deadlines?

There is still time to revise your list and take action to accomplish what you said you would in 2013.  You can do it so believe you can do it!

Today's message is

ACHIEVE GOALS

IF NOT YOU, WHO? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 36

What is your hope?  What is your dream?  What is your goal?  What is your passion?  What is your need?

Don't sit around waiting for someone else to fulfill your hopes and dreams, to achieve your goals, to fuel your passion or meet your needs.  Even if you just take the first step that is progress, and then a second step, and then a third, etc.  Have confidence in yourself, and believe you can do it.

Today's message is:

Make it happen!

Does Time Get Away From You?

As the weeks fly by I ask myself where the time went and what did I accomplish. I recently listened to a series of webinars which provided me with some great ideas. Jack Canfield (well-known author, motivational speaker, and business coach) talked about how significant "the power of five" can be. He said that on our to-do lists we should list five things that move us toward our goals, and we should start each day working on those five things until they are completed. Then if time remains we can work on other tasks. While he was speaking about business goals I know that his advice also applies to taking care of children, running a household, and juggling work and family life. Most of us put too many things on our to-do lists with no real grasp of how long it would actually take us to complete the entire list. If we focus on what is most important to be completed and form our to-do lists with five tasks leading to the accomplishment of those things, we will get them done! If I am not pro-active I can easily get caught up in minutia, and probably a little of my own OCD also slips in there. I have been trying to follow "the power of five" advice daily, and I am amazed at how much more I am accomplishing. Whether I am concentrating on my business, household tasks and projects, or volunteer work I really am able to get the most important things done first. Try it. I'm sure you will be pleased with the results. I know that children can at times prevent adherence to schedules and plans, but more often than not I am confident you will get all or most of your five things done on a daily basis and still have time left to do other things. I am also thinking that as children enter school and take on responsibilities this might be a good practice to share with them. Let me know what you think. I hope you will sign up to follow my blog and give me your feedback on anything I write. Thanks in advance for helping me!