Is it Really a Sacrifice – or it is Actually a Gift?

February 2, 2015 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Giving up a habit can feel like a major sacrifice.

Therefore, our inner cranky child emerges and we grumble and complain, dragging our feet, resisting what we know has to be done. Like a small child, we wail and moan, crossing our arms in a huff, stamping our feet, and resisting vehemently.

“I don’t wanna eat less!”

“I hate exercise! Do I hafta?”

“Do I really have to organize my house?”

What would it be like if – instead of focusing on what we have give up – we looked at it as how excited we’re going to feel once we do it?

Instead of looking at it as a sacrifice, we focus on how good we’re going to feel when we drop those few pounds, or when the house is organized, or when we can enjoy a walk on a sunny day.

The amount of work won’t change, but our attitude sure will.

And that’s definitely worth a lot.

Start Small and Go Big

November 17, 2014 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Start small. Do more or add more if you want to.

It’s always easier to add more and it’s much more empowering than it is to feel bad about taking on too much.

This applies on many levels.

For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, take less than you want. (You can always go back from more but can’t give back what you eat.)

If you’re starting an exercise program, commit to a smaller realistic amount rather than an unwieldy longer time. (You can always add more.)

If you’re cleaning your house, promise yourself you’ll do one room really well instead of the whole house and get overwhelmed. (You can always do more if you want.)

We Are Given the Tools We Need When We Need Them

November 10, 2014 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Question: Could the 20-year “you” of so long ago run the complexities of the life you live today?

Answer: Definitely not.

Even if you had your act “together” at that young age, younger “you” did not have the knowledge nor the skills to manage all the details of the life you now have.

As they say, “You didn’t even know what you didn’t know.”

Yet, as you’ve aged and faced a myriad of experiences, you have grown and become wise, learning how to handle what is presented to you, eventually making it part of your routine.

[Read more…]

Choose Your Identity

November 5, 2014 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

We have multiple identities.

Lest you get concerned and think I’m talking about hearing voices instructing to do evil unto others, let me expand.

I’ll use me as an example; the identities I cannot change include:

Son
Father
Born of Jewish background in Detroit, Michigan in 1954 to Ruth and Symore (sic) Marcus

No matter what happens, nor how long I live, those will always be correct. But, they alone don’t make me who I am.

Therefore, my “core” must be found by other manners in which I identify.

60-year old
Man
Husband
Resident of Eureka, California
American Citizen
Writer/Speaker/Consultant

These descriptions, while accurate, are more fluid than the first set.

I mean, we know for a fact that I can only identify as a “60-year-old” for this year; but do I change who I am if I change my marital status, residence, or even my gender? I think we’d all agree, that I would still be me. [Read more…]

Are You Change Resistant?

April 22, 2013 by Scott "Q" Marcus Leave a Comment

Simply because “That’s the way it always was” is not a reason for “That’s the way it needs to continue to be.”

Change can be frightening and uncomfortable. There’s no arguing that. However, it’s also necessary as change is the only thing that’s actually constant.

We can’t escape it. We cannot avoid it.

The sooner we accept it, the better we will be.

Embrace the new.