Month: December 2021

TIME’S UP! WHAT’S NEXT?

TIME’S UP! THAT’S IT! PUT DOWN YOUR PENCILS FOR 2021! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR. THERE MAY BE A MAD DASH TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING WE WANTED TO DO THIS YEAR, BUT TIME IS GROWING SHORT.

I SUGGEST ENDING THE YEAR ON A RIGHT NOTE. THINK OF HOW YOU WANT EVERYONE IN YOUR LIFE TO FEEL AS BOTH ONE YEAR ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS. MAKE SURE TO TELL THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT THAT… WELL.. YOU CARE ABOUT THEM. I JUST RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM MY DEAREST SOUL FRIEND AND IT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME. IT WOULD BE THE BEST IDEA TO MAKE THIS AN ONGOING PRACTICE. NOT JUST FOR THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT THE END OF THE MONTH, END OF THE WEEK MAYBE? THE SAD TRUTH IS WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE END MAY COME AND WE WOULD HATE TO HAVE THE REGRET OF NOT HAVING SAID OR DONE THE RIGHT THING.

NOW LET’S LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE! WHAT IS NEXT? FOR THIS BLOG, WE HAD A BIT OF A DOWN YEAR. ROUGHLY 15,000 VISITORS. THAT WAS DOWN FROM 32,000 LAST YEAR. WE STILL REACHED OVER 150 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING SOME WE HAD NOT REACHED BEFORE. STILL NO GREENLAND, BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

GOING FORWARD OUR FOCUS WILL BE ON ENGAGEMENT. THAT IS WHY, STARTING JANUARY 1ST, EVERY COMMENT ON EITHER THE BLOG, SOCIAL MEDIA POST OR YOUTUBE VIDEO (NEIL PANOSIAN IS THE CHANNEL) WILL GET YOU AN ENTRY FOR AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS. THAT INCLUDES A HAPPY LIFE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, LIVING THE DREAM AND SOON AN UPCOMING BOOK ON MY JOURNEY THROUGH OPEN HEART SURGERY.

SPEAKING OF VIDEOS, WE WILL HAVE ONE A WEEK IN THE COMING YEAR. THAT’S RIGHT, 52 NEW VIDEOS! THEY WILL BE SHARED IN THIS BLOG, BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET THEM EARLIER, GO TO THE CHANNEL AND SUBSCRIBE. (AGAIN, THAT IS NEIL PANOSIAN) I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH YOU ALL A LOT MORE IN 2022! STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!!😀

ARE YOU WILLING TO DO IT?

WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE QUESTION I AM MOST OFTEN ASKED IS, “HOW DO YOU DO IT?” THIS CAN BE IN REFERENCE TO MAINTAINING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK, BEING ABLE TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES, HAVING A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS AMAZING AND ALWAYS GETTING BETTER OR A HOST OF OTHER THINGS.

THE ANSWER IS NOT A SECRET OR A SIMPLE HACK. IT IS WORK. NOW, I’VE DEVELOPED PROCESSES THAT ARE BOTH ENJOYABLE AND REQUIRE VERY LITTLE EFFORT, BUT THEY STILL REQUIRE YOU TO TAKE SOME ACTION. WHY WOULDN’T YOU? IT IS YOUR LIFE WE AT TAKING ABOUT HERE! A FEW SIMPLE TWEAKS TO YOUR EVERYDAY CAN HAVE HUGE IMPACTS ON THE OUTCOME OF YOUR LIFE.

THERE ARE LOTS OF FUN SECRETS YOU CAN EMPLOY TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE INTO ONE OF YOUR DREAMS AND THEY CAN ALL BE FOUND IN MY BOOKS, A HAPPY LIFE FOR BUSY PEOPLE, AND LIVING THE DREAM. A LINK TO THEM WILL BE AT THE END OF THIS POST. I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU WHAT I THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS I PERSONALLY USE IN THIS POST. I USE IT WHILE WORKING OUT, AT WORK ON OCCASION, IN THE CAR ON THE WAY TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE FOR THAT MATTER. I USE THIS TOOL WHEREVER I CAN FIT IT IN.

HERE IT IS – I LISTEN TO SOMETHING THAT WILL EITHER TEACH, MOTIVATE OR INSPIRE ME. I DO THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY. IT HAS CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE. I HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO LEARN AND GROW THANKS TO AUDIO BOOKS. IT KEEPS MY MOOD AND VIBRATION HIGH ON DAYS WHEN I NEED A BOOST.

SOME PEOPLE TELL ME THEY DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS. LISTEN, EVERYONE HAS TIME. I HAVE 7 DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS IN INVOLVED IN. I STILL FIND TIME. IT IS USING WHAT TONY ROBBINS CALLS N.E.T. TIME MEANING “NO EXTRA TIME” YOU DO IT WHEN YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING ELSE. POP EARBUDS IN WHILE DOING DISHES. HAVE AN AUDIO BOOK IN THE CAR FOR YOUR TRIPS TO AND FROM WORK.

EVEN DOING THIS 5 DAYS A WEEK WILL CREATE A BIG CHANGE. ALL IT REQUIRES IS TO JUST PUSH PLAY. WHAT WE PUT IN OUR MIND IS WHAT MANIFESTS IN OUR LIFE. START FILLING IT WITH GREAT STUFF!

EVERY END IS A BEGINNING

WHAT A GREAT QUOTE FROM MITCH ALBOM, ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS. AS 2021 DRAWS TO A CLOSE WE ARE ALL EXCITED FOR THE NEW YEAR AND ALL THE POSSIBILITIES IT BRINGS. AS WELL WE SHOULD. NOBODY IS SAYING, “IT IS SO SAD THE OLD YEAR IS ENDING.”

I AM WONDERING, WHY DO WE NOT DO THE SAME IN OTHER AREAS OF OUR LIVES. SURE, SOME ARE FAR MORE DIFFICULT, BUT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT WE STILL HAVE THE OPTION ON WHERE WE PLACE OUR FOCUS. WE CAN MOURN THE END, OR GET EXCITED FOR WHAT IS NEXT. WE CAN FOCUS ON WHAT WE HAVE LOST, OR WHAT WE COULD POSSIBLY GAIN IN THE FUTURE.

MANY OF YOU WILL SAY THIS STILL DOES NOT CHANGE THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION. IN SOME WAYS, THIS IS CORRECT. IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT SOMETHING ENDED AND SOMETHING IS BEGINNING. WHAT IT DOES CHANGE IS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT, HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL. I WOULD ARGUE IMPROVING OUR FEELINGS ON ALL OF THOSE CATEGORIES WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO IMPROVING THE FACTS OF THE FUTURE.

THIS COMING YEAR, LET US ALL BE MORE RESOLUTE IN FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE, THAN THE NEGATIVE OR LOSS OF THE PAST AND POSSIBLY THE PRESENT.

IT’S THE LAST ONE!

WE ARE IN THE LAST WEEK OF THE LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR! CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW TIME FLIES? THIS WILL BE THE LAST TUESDAY OF 2021. WHILE SOME OF US ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR AND NEW POSSIBILITIES, THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE FACT THAT WE WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER TUESDAY IN 2021 AGAIN, IT SOUNDS RATHER FINAL. MY SUGGESTION IS TO SQUEEZE EVERY LAST DROP OF LOVE, JOY AND HAPPINESS OUT OF IT. HOW? BY BEING PRESENT.

THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING BY MYSELF TO WORK WHEN I HAD ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WE ALL HAVE. I LOOKED AROUND TO DISCOVER I WAS ALMOST HALFWAY THERE! I SERIOUSLY WONDERED WHO DROVE THE FIRST HALF! DID I MENTION I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR?

WE SO OFTEN GET LOST IN OUR THOUGHTS OR OTHER DISTRACTIONS THAT WE MISS THE JOY OF LIFE AROUND US. WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT DAY, SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE TROUBLING US, OR EVEN WHAT WE ARE HAVING FOR DINNER. IN MY CASE, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT IN 2 WEEKS I’LL BE UNDERGOING OPEN-HEART SURGERY. THE CRAZY PART IS THAT ALL OF THIS OVER-THINKING AND WORRY GETS US NOWHERE.

BEFORE WE KNOW IT, OUR LIFE, MUCH LIKE THE FIRST HALF OF MY COMMUTE, WILL HAVE PASSED US BY UNNOTICED AND UNAPPRECIATED. STARTING TODAY, LET US ENJOY THE LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR TO THE FULLEST. LET US BE TOTALLY PRESENT IN OUR LIVES. WHETHER THAT BE ENJOYING A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE WITH ALL OF OUR SENSES, LISTENING INTENSELY TO OUR PARTNER AND FRIENDS OR SIMPLY NOTICING THE BEAUTY ON OUR MORNING COMMUTE. DO NOT LET THIS WEEK, OR ANY OF YOUR LIFE, PASS BY WITHOUT BEING PRESENT IN IT.

USE THIS WEEK!

THE WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS IS ONE GENERALY FILLED WITH LOTS OF EXHALING AND RELAXATION. DESERVEDLY SO. THE SHOPPING IS DONE. THE CRAZINESS OF THE HOLIDAYS IS WINDING DOWN. TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK, SOME PEOPLE BEGIN TO CONTEMPLATE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS. YOU KNOW, THOSE LOFTY GOALS WE ASPIRE TO IN THE COMING YEAR.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ARE VERY GOOD IN AND OF THEMSELVES. IT IS ALWAYS ADMIRABLE TO THINK OF WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN IMPROVE OURSELVES AND OUR LIVES. THE PROBLEM IS MOST OF US JUST WAIT UNTIL A FEW DAYS BEFORE AND CHOOSE SOME RANDOM OR MAYBE EVEN INTENSE GOAL. WE DON’T SPEND MUCH TIME AND THE PLANNING AND THEN ARE SURPRISED WHEN WE HAVE FAILED ALL OF OUR RESOLUTIONS BY FEBRUARY 1ST, IF NOT BEFORE.

THIS YEAR, LET’S DO IT DIFFERENT. SPEND THIS WEEK THINKING OF THE AREAS WE WISH TO IMPROVE IN THE COMING YEAR. DEVELOP NOT ONLY A PLAN FOR HOW TO DO IT, BUT WHAT TO DO IF WE FEEL OURSELVES AND OUR MOTIVATION SLIPPING. ONE OF THE BEST WAYS IS TO COME UP WITH A STRONG ‘WHY’. THE REASON BEHIND WHAT WE WISH TO ACCOMPLISH. LET US WRITE DOWN BOTH WHAT WE STAND TO GAIN BY ACCOMPLISHING IT AS WELL AS WHAT WE STAND TO LOSE IF WE DON’T.

YOU HAVE MORE GIFTS THAN YOU REALIZE

As we had into a weekend that contains holidays for many of us, let us do so with a heart filled with gratitude. Not only for the gifts so thoughtfully given, but to have those in our lives to celebrate with. It is unfortunately true that many of us may be facing our first holiday without a loved one. Still, let us be so grateful we had them in our lives to create such beautiful holiday memories with. Let us savor those memories and allow their spirits to live on.

There are so many things in our lives to be thankful and grateful for that it amounts to a pile of presents under a tree. Here is a great suggestion to help you feel the holiday spirit. This can be done in your head or even out loud. It can be a great new holiday tradition to start with the family.

With each person that is in your life, be they family, friends or coworkers, think of each person and all they bring to your life. Each positive thing is a gift to your sprit. If you list each thing as you think of them, you will realize how truly blessed and abundant you are. If you wish to take it to the next level, write them down and share with that person. Can you imagine the joy they would feel getting a card/email or other message that begins “this holiday, I want to thank you for bringing into my life the gifts of…”

The gifts will be different for everyone. Some will be the gift of laughter. Some people may give you the gift of encouragement. There are people who help with the gift of faith. The lists could be endless. Do this for as many people as you can and you will feel not only like you received a lot of presents this year, but you will feel very grateful and very blessed.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT SECRET2ANAMAZINGLIFE.COM TO ALL OF YOU!😀

DON’T FORGET TO DO THIS ONE IMPORTANT THING

We are almost to the end of the week. There are probably goals that you are working hard to achieve. Maybe your efforts are focused on just making it through the week. Although we should focus on thriving instead of surviving, some weeks can be tougher than others. With the holidays, you have not only your regular responsibilities, but additional stress as well. This is why this one activity must be included in every day, no matter how busy you are!

What is this activity that is all so important? Taking time to do at least one thing that makes you happy. Before you start arguing that you’re too busy, or simply don’t have the time, let me explain why this is so important. Taking time to do something that simply brings us joy can go a long way to reduce stress.  By doing so, we help bolster our immune system. Which in today’s world is very crucial. We also take care of our heart. By exposure to prolonged bouts of stress, there are numerous cardiac events that cloud occur, none of them good. We also increase dopamine levels, or the feel good chemical in our brain.

All of these allow us to be there for those we love, increase our productivity, and enjoy life more. This doesn’t have to be anything grandiose. It can be simply enjoying a peaceful cup of quality coffee or a nice hot bath and really savoring the moment. What activities are you going to do to bring yourself some joy?

CHECK ON YOURSELF

Today is Wednesday. Some people view this as “hump day”. They view it as just something to get past to make it to the weekend. I like to view as a time to check in with myself. Make sure that I am making the best use of the week. If I discover that I’m not, then I make adjustments.

A quick example is the post we had on Monday. We were to write 3 words on an index card – enjoy, appreciate and cherish. Am I asking myself what I am enjoying, appreciating and cherishing? If not, time to refocus and recommit. If we are, can we up our game? Can we ask ourselves one more time during the day? Can we add another word such as grateful?

Use Wednesday to check our progress for the week and make adjustments. Let us set ourselves up to finish the week strong!

HAPPY? FIRST DAY OF WINTER?

In my corner of the world, today marks the first day of winter. Temperatures are below freezing, there is the least amount of sunlight. Things that are really not conducive to a smiley, happy type outlook. I am not the biggest fan of winter. Things at dying all around me. I go to work when it is dark and when I leave work it is dark.

This year, however, I am working to change my outlook. Winter presents one of the biggest challenges for me. I suffer from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is where the lack of sunshine messes up your hormones and brain chemicals. This leads to things like fatigue, irritability and depression. These are not good qualities if you are a motivational author, speaker and blog writer.

Today not only marks the first day of winter, but three weeks to the day until I have open heart surgery. To be technical, for a small amount of time, I will be deceased during this procedure. That is to say, my heart will stop beating. God willing, after said time I will wake up again and begin to heal to be better than ever. It reminds me of winter turning into spring. Things die and then they are reborn.

So, I have decided, and I encourage you to do the same, to ‘put to death’ certain things in your life. Are there any negative habits you would like to rid yourself of? Toxic relationships you know you should really distance yourself from? Use this day, the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year, to kill off what doesn’t serve you in your own life. It will be a struggle, much like winter can be for me, but by spring we can be reborn with a healthy, more positive and rewarding life!

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO A GREAT WEEK

Living a positive and rewarding life does not need to be overly complicated. These three steps can do a lot to transform our week. I suggest writing down the the words, enjoy, appreciate and cherish on an index card and carry them with you this week. Pull it out and look at it as often as you can. All yourself, “What am I enjoying? What am I appreciating? And What am I cherishing?” If the answer is no, that’s OK. Just begin to look for something to fill in the answer and have a great day!