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You are here: Home / Archives for Motivation

Dog Teaches Man: How Adopting a Rescue Dog Reminds us About Attitude

June 29, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

I’ve heard tell that dog owners (or “guardians” as some prefer) look like their dogs.

I did not realize with how much haste that transpires.

We have been considering adopting a dog for a few years. As with any important project, we began by identifying what we wanted. One, he must be a rescue dog. Two, she must not be bothered by our two cats (of course how they respond to the dog will be their decision). Three, we wanted a smaller dog that had some personality but was not hyper.  Those were the “must haves,” the remainder were “would likes.” We surfed websites, monitored our newspaper, and checked shelters and animal control with regularity.

Welcome “Jack.” He’s a five-year old mini-Schnauzer with a persuasive, mostly subdued personality who loves our backyard, follows me like a shadow, is housebroken (yay!), and even understands some commands, allowing me the option to train him even more; something I wanted. While I write, he has already taken to lying in his bed, apparently content to watch me type. (I guess he’s hard-pressed for entertainment.)

As for similarity — although I did not think of it when I picked him up; he already resembles me (or I do him). His hair, although dark of base, is basically “silver,” slightly disheveled, and he sports a gray goatee in need of a shave. More striking is that he is also into yoga; I’ve seen him doing “downward facing dog” repeatedly. (Insert rim shot here…)

The one attribute of which I am NOT fond is that, although he slept through night one without incident, he is evidently an early riser, quite contrary to myself. A perk of self-employment with one’s home as the office, is the ability to grab a few extra winks each morning, since my commute consists of four stairs. Alas, I fear those days have passed, as Jack is part rooster, prone to rise with the sun (especially ill-fated since this is summer and first light is unfortunately early). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Change, family, Gratitude, Happiness, Health, Inspiration, mental health, Motivation, Newspaper Column, Power of Attitude, Self Talk Tagged With: adopting a dog, animal control, animal shelter, dog owners, dog rescue, early riser, mini schnauzer, personality

Finding Positive Intent

June 27, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

There is positive intention behind every behavior.

Everything we do is driven by the desire to make our lives easier, better, or in some way enhanced. Most of the time, it’s a small thing. Periodically, it’s a large thing.

Even when you do something this is NOT helpful, the underlying goal was to make your life better. For example, if you eat too much, your goal is to find some joy, deal with stress, or feel comforted (as examples). However, the way you’re accomplishing those objectives is counterproductive long-term to what you want in the short term. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gratitude, Happiness, Inspiration, Intentions, Member Benefits, mental health, Motivation, Motivational Monday, Overcoming Perfectionsim, Relationships, Self Talk, Weight Loss Tagged With: bad habit, compassion, deal with stress, desire, guilt and shame, intention

The New Normal: Our Economy Will Never Return to How it Was, and We Better Accept It Quickly

June 22, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

I’ve had a revelation.

Since the “great recession” of 2008 (which appears to still be in process) came trampling through our economic landscape, I have been — like so many others — waiting and hoping for the rebuilding. When will things get back to how they were? Can we soon return to easier times of job security and stable wages? My ship is weary of white caps; I long to navigate calm seas. When can we be there?

While pondering such issues, it fell hard on me, like a load of gold bricks sold on many radio talk shows as a “hedge against hard times.” The economy — and our lifestyle — will NEVER return to how it was. The “good old days” (such as they were) are in the rear view mirror and we have no reverse gear. We cannot turn around and they will not come back.

That’s an upsetting — some might say “terrifying” — concept. Never again will we be able to conduct our lives and businesses like we did “back then.” What we are now experiencing is — and will continue to be — the “New Normal.” Until our last days, and those of our grandchildren, “different” will be “ordinary.” Future generations will study the heyday of the 1990s and early 2000s much the same as we picture the gay 1890s or the early 1920s; wild, excessive, booming — and only imaginable as images in history books.

I don’t mean to be a downer, but it’s time we bow to an ever-apparent reality and accept facts for what they are, not what we long for them to be. Denying the obvious delays the inevitable, which furthers great hurt and denigrates our lives. Striving to maintain an illusory status quo by rejecting reality prolongs its effects; and makes worse the pain.

Having said that, I do pride myself on being positive, while understanding that the set up of this column might appear less than optimistic. Yet, it can be. Due to this unhappy situation in which we find ourselves mired, we are becoming more resourceful, better planning our expenses, accepting gratification in that which we took for granted previously, and we are contributing more to our local communities.

These are wonderful changes.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Asking for help, Business Goals, Change, Current Events, goals, Habits, Inspiration, Motivation, Newspaper Column, planning Tagged With: 1890s, 1920s, economic landscape, fear, future, future generations, gold bricks, gratification, history books, job security, recession, rejecting reality, unhappy situation

How to Overcome Procrastination

June 20, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

You don’t need to do it ALL.

When you’re overwhelmed, pick one thing and do it RIGHT NOW.

At times, we can get overloaded by how much we have to do. The natural reaction to that emotional state is to shut down and do nothing, which of course, makes the problem worse.

When you feel that way, ask yourself, “What’s ONE thing I can do RIGHT NOW to help me move forward?”

Do that. Don’t overplan. Just keep it simple and make it so small that you’ll actually do it right now. It will help you make some headway – and the feeling of empowerment that comes from moving forward will probably inspire you to do more.

To read a full length article on the “Think 1st” system to overcome procrastination, go to http://www.scottqmarcus.com/articles/Articles/GettingUnstuck.html

Special bonus: if you’d like to hear a fun ten-minute audio of a presentation I did on this very topic, you can go to MarcusStrivingImprefection10Minutes

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.

Filed Under: Inspiration, mental health, Motivation, Motivational Monday, Overcoming Obstacles, Overcoming Perfectionsim, Procrastination, Success, Think 1st Tagged With: empowerment, how to overcome procrastination

How to Stop Putting Yourself Down

June 13, 2011 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Don’t let your “Big But” get in the way of rewarding yourself.

This one might take a little explaining…

We are great about insulting ourselves and not so good about complimenting ourselves. For example, a co-worker points out that you did a great job dealing with a difficult customer. Instead of saying, “Thank you,” we say, “Yeah, BUT, I really wanted to lay into her.”

A friend notices your parenting skills and comments, “You are a wonderful mom!” You say, “Yeah, BUT, you should have seen me last night.”

Or your spouse says, “You’re looking great. It looks like you’ve lost a lot of weight.” You reply, “Yeah, BUT, I cheated all week.”

What’s with that? Why do we have such a hard time accepting compliments?

By denying what we do well, we feel bad. When we feel bad, we engage in habits that make us feel better. Those are usually the habits that hold us back. So, each time we put ourselves down, we increase the likelihood that we will hold ourselves back.

A compliment denied is punishment self inflicted. It’s not conceited to honor what you do well, it’s necessary. Try it (and make sure to find a reason to compliment others too).

Special bonus: if you’d like to hear a fun ten-minute audio of a presentation I did on this very topic, you can go to MarcusStrivingImprefection10Minutes

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.

Filed Under: Asking for help, Conflict Management, Habits, Happiness, Inspiration, Member Benefits, mental health, Motivation, Motivational Monday, Power of Attitude, Self Talk Tagged With: bonus, co worker, coaching service, compliment, compliments, difficult customer, parenting skills, self esteem, subscribers

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