DO YOU SETTLE FOR BEING AVERAGE? CHANGING YOUR LIVE WITH WORDS - DAY 111

Some individuals lack motivation, energy, pride, enthusiasm, and ambition so they settle for mediocre lives and are typically unhappy.  Some individuals are motivated, energetic, enthusiastic, ambitious, and take pride in themselves.  If they are lacking self-confidence and courage, however, they will settle for being average in every way.

What about you?  Do you possess all of the characteristics average people have?  Do you have the additional traits of self-confidence and courage?  If you do, then you will never settle for being mediocre or average.  Instead you will rise above the average and

BE REMARKABLE!

DO YOU TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 108

While there are definitely many serious things in life, much of the time we humans take ourselves way too seriously.  We need to accept the fact that we make mistakes.  We are not always correct in what we say, think or do.  We sometimes are too filled with pride for our own good.  This is sad enough in and of itself, but the bigger problem is that we are raising an entire generation of children with the idea that mistakes are unacceptable.

No one wants to be wrong.  No one wants to apologize.  Customer service employees rarely apologize to their customers who have genuine complaints.  Doctors and dentists rarely apologize to patients for keeping them waiting unreasonable lengths of time as if their time is more valuable than the patients' time.

We learn by making mistakes.  Fear of failure prevents many people and especially children from trying new things.  Stop taking yourself too seriously, and allow your children to not be humiliated or punished for making mistakes.

Stop supporting tabloids and other media whose reporters cannot wait to tear people down and to publicize mistakes.  They fawn over celebrities and then denigrate them in print every chance they get.  What they print or say is not always factual, but that does not stop them.

Today's message is:

LIGHTEN UP!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALISTICALLY DO? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 82

There are some of us who have never learned to be team players.  Guys who are part of sports teams tend to learn early on what being a part of a team means.  More girls are involved in team sports than in prior years, but still there are many people who have no concept of teamwork.  There are also those of us who have too much pride to ask anyone else for help when clearly it would be wise to do so.  There are many who think they have to do everything themselves in order for it to be done "correctly" or in order for them to prove their value to others.

Be smart and evaluate your to-do list.  Is it too much for one person, or is it too much to accomplish in a given day?  Do you truly have to do everything yourself, or can you delegate part of the list to others?  Even toddlers can be taught to empty wastebaskets or to pick up their toys.  Elementary school-age children can be taught to make their beds and clear the kitchen table.  Middle school and high school students can be taught to clean their rooms, clean the kitchen, do their own laundry, and help with yard work.

If your work to-do list is too long, evaluate what is necessary and what is desirable.  What needs to be done right away?  What can be postponed?  Who else might be available to help you with some of the items?  If you are able to give clear direction it is most likely that someone else in the office has time and skills to assist you.

Today's message is:
                                                       DON'T DO IT ALL!

ARE YOU PROUD OF YOURSELF? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 69

Even if you are proud of yourself, your accomplishments, your family, your career, etc. there can always be a time when something happens which is either very embarrassing or disappointing to you.  When something like that happens, what do you do?  Do you retreat into your shell?  Do you act as if it never happened?  Do you try to ignore it and hope it will go away?

We all fumble at times, and we all make mistakes even though we live in a world that tries to cover up mistakes and shame people for making any.  So do yourself a favor............apologize if need be and move on because it won't be the last mistake you ever make or the last time you drop the ball.  You are human and it comes with the territory.

Today's message is:

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP HIGH!

DOES PRIDE GET IN YOUR WAY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 66

Depending on how and when we were brought up, depending on the family dynamics and education systems we experienced, it is quite possible that sometimes personal pride will get in our way of achieving success.  As a female I did not participate in sports, but I think that somehow being part of a team as many males are can be undeniably helpful in keeping personal pride under control.

What exactly do I mean?  Well, no matter what you are doing it is essential to not be too proud to ask for help if any is needed.  Just as in sports, one team player can assist another to achieve the goal, the point, or whatever.  Many times we spin our wheels and waste time, energy and resources rather than speak up and ask for help.

Today's message is:

ASK FOR HELP!

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 34

You are not always encouraged to be proud of yourself.  Some people equate pride with arrogance or conceit as in the old saying, "Pride goes before a fall."  My opinion is that there are many ways to be proud of yourself without thinking or acting as if you are more important than others or feeling superior to them.

Your integrity, behavior, appearance, attitude, compassion, empathy, accomplishments, and generosity are facets of life in which you can and should take pride in yourself.  If everyone did,  the world would be quite a different place.

Today's message is:

Have pride in yourself.