The powerpoint I put together for the keynote for the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey (edited)
Motivational Monday Memo: Being Grateful
Take a moment each day to realize how fortunate you are – especially when it doesn’t seem like it.
Believe it or not, studies have shown that we are “hard wired” to look for the negatives. When we feel things are difficult or messed up, it affects our mood. When our mood is depressed, our attitude changes. When our attitude changes, others around us react to it, furthering the underlying thought that everything stinks.
Take a moment as you read this to remind yourself of something positive. Be grateful you have that moment. Then, pass along a positive thought to the next person with whom you interact.
This post was partially inspired by what is happening in Japan. Read the post about what you can do.
Note: Every Monday, a new motivational memo is posted. Subscribers to ThisTimeIMeanIt.com’s coaching service get this – and many more benefits – sent to them directly. If you’d like to know more, follow this link.
Three Weeks: What do you do When Motivation Fades?
They say, “Eat less and exercise more; the weight will practically fall off.” They also say, “getting started is the hardest part.” Of course, garrulous as They are, They make sure to point out you shouldn’t have waited so long before taking care of yourself. Whoever “They” are, They sure have a lot to say about how to run your life, don’t They?
They also tell you that if you keep a new habit in place for only three weeks, it will be adapted into your life. I’m not sure I agree. I’ve been dieting since before they invited sugar-free cola and non-fat yogurt — considerably more than three weeks — and I still find healthy eating a challenge, especially when stressed with organizing my taxes, calling the plumber to fix a plugged toilet, and trying to find a few seconds for my family. In those moments, a double-bacon, cheesy, chiliburger and gargantuan order of fries still shout pretty loud.
Yet, if you have ever tried to adjust habits, you have faced the dreaded (insert ominous music here…) “Three Week Barrier.”
What Really Matters is Often Right in Front of Us
Imagine what life would be like if we each lived exactly 100 years — to the day. From the moment of birth, barring accidents, you knew the exact minute of your death. One some levels it could be reassuring; however, as the calendar years passed, it might get a little freaky. There would be no doubt about how much time was left on your clock.
With that as the backdrop, pretend you are now 99 years and 364 days old, it’s your last day on the planet. You have all the knowledge you can possibly acquire. Whatever you have attempted is considered complete. Your trials, tribulations, and triumphs have left their marks. Lessons have been learned. Knowledge has been acquired. Whatever else you had planned will remain unaccomplished. There is nothing left to do but look back and analyze the story of your life.
Your time has come
Using that scenario, suppose you could “send a message” back to the real-life YOU of today, the person reading these words this very minute. You would say, “In your remaining years, always remember and stay focused on what rally matters,” and you would list those top priorities so present-day you wouldn’t reach the end of life filled with regrets for being out of alignment. [Read more…]
5 Things You Can Do to be Happier & More Successful Starting NOW
Improving oneself is not difficult. It might be uncomfortable. It might be slow; but difficult? Not so much. Figure out what you want to change; figure out a way to do it, move in that direction, correct as necessary.
So why don’t most people change?
Our problem is we make it too complicated. Some of the reasons we do that include:
- We think simplicity means lack of drive
- We are setting ourselves up for failure to get people to leave us alone (read related post)
- We think it will get us there faster
In reality, the simpler we make it, the more likely we will achieve it. We have built our lives over years with patterns and habits to fill our days. It’s as if we have built a brick fortress around us. If we try and make too many changes, we have to knock out huge sections of the fortress; we won’t do that. If we can just rearrange a few bricks, we’re more likely to fit that in (read related post here).