Tag: Motivation

THE RICHES OF GRATITUDE

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This is a quote from Oprah Winfrey, one of the wealthiest women in the world. In a day when we stop to give thanks she certainly has a lot to be thankful for. Before you start with feelings of jealousy or envy you may want to research her story. I’ll spare you the details but tell you she didn’t always have it all.
So what does this have to do with you and I? Are we saying here of you are grateful you will be as rich as Oprah? Yes and no. I cannot promise you the money, although that may very well come, but i can promise a feeling of wealth if you develop an attitude of gratitude.  How do you do this?
Here is a very powerful exercise i share at my seminar. It will literally change your life in a major way in a short time.  I know because i owe the turn around on my own life a great deal to this very practice. It is simple but extremely powerful.
Here it goes. Get a pen and paper and write five things you are grateful for and why. Ten sentences. Then read those ten sentences before you go to bed and first thing in the morning.  Takes all of 3 minutes at the most. Not too hard so far right? Here is where the magic happens. Everyday write one more thing you are grateful for and why. Then continue to read your list before bed and first thing in the morning. This does two very interesting things. One, it keeps you focused on what is working on your life and two, it trains your brain to be on the lookout for things to be grateful for. Do this for three weeks. Even take the
weekends off if you like. I promise you after three weeks your life will never be the same! I invite you to share your results in the comments below

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

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Tonight, or more accurately this morning I told my lovely lady “you should write a book entitled my life with a motivational speaker” some of you may chuckle at that thought, but as I write this it is 3 am and I woke up with a million thoughts for my books, blogs and seminars. I began to rattle them off to her so fast she lovingly just touched my hand and said go write them down. So here I sit typing with one arm because I recently dislocated my shoulder at 3 am in our living room. Why? As my little lady knows because I love the grind. You must want success more than you want sleep. You must want to study more than you want to play on Facebook. Give today your all and watch what tomorrow gives back to you!
A special shout out to my lady for understanding my need to work when inspiration strikes even if it is at 3 am

WHEN TO PLANT A TREE

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What does this phrase mean? It is one of the most powerful mantras you can ponder,  which is your homework for the weekend.
What do I mean by all of this? Let my explain by way of a personal story.  In 2001 i took a course on copywriting from American writers and artists Institute. It was a great course and helped me learn how to write persuasive copy. I took that course because my day job at the post office had become unbearable. Well, a change in location, the job was a bit easier and the copywriting? I never did a thing with it. Why? Two reasons. One, i became more comfortable in my day job and two, I was afraid to start something new and go through the period of looking foolish and being new. Nobody likes that right? Fast forward 14 years. The post office is now claiming i am making up the fact I have asthma and the shoulder I dislocated? Yeah I should be back to work the next day or I would be written up.
So naturally I started kicking myself saying “if only I would have stuck with copywriting and even done it in the side”  then I would have been past the foolish stage and had more control over my situation. If only I would’ve planted that tree 20 years ago, or in this case 14. That is where a lot of people may stop. The may become resigned to their fate.  If you read yesterday’s post i think you will know that’s not me. No, I’m taking charge of me. The second best time to plant a tree? NOW! So I contacted the school and am going through a refresher. I am more determined than last time and will succeed!
So how about you? Is there a tree you should’ve planted 20 years ago? Go out and start digging today! You might not get to see it grow as tall, but it will never start growing until you plant it!

THE POWER OF BELIEF

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Yesterday we discussed ways to improve your inner dialog. If you missed that I highly suggest you go back and review that. The sad truth is often people look to outside sources to determine their worth. When you do that, you set yourself up for disappointment and failure. We must all find a way to believe in ourselves.
Why is this so important? In any worthwhile endeavor, any goal worth chasing there very well be moments you are left on an island. Even our well-meaning friends and family may tell you to give up on your dream. Perhaps they are looking out for what they think is your emotional wellbeing and want to prevent you from taking the hits life delivers. What sets a person apart is how many of those hits he can take and keep moving forward. My blog and history in general is full of great heros who only succeeded because they didn’t give up. People like Walt Disney whose idea for Disney land was turned down by 300 different banks because it would never work. Or Thomas Edison who tried over 10,000 different items to find which worked for an electric light bulb. Not only did these men have great belief in themselves, they brought greatness to the world by doing so. What greatness are you denying the world by not believing in the miracle that is you? Do yourself a favor and belive in yourself, even if you have to put on a white beard and red suit

TALKING TO YOURSELF

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Take a look at the above phrases. Which do you use most often? Try starting at the 0% “i won’t” and say each phrase out loud. Notice how each makes you feel. Does one make you feel like you have no control while another makes you feel strong? Notice if your posture changes as the phrases do.
Now, take this exercise one step further. Say them out loud again, but this time pick a goal you are aspiring to achieve and put it after each phrase. Note how you feel about your goal after each one.
This should show you the power of your inner dialog.
So how can we put this to use for us?  Pick the phrase that makes you feel the most positive and powerful about your goal. Write it down. Now carry it with you and repeat it to yourself as often as you can. Try to do at least some of them out loud. Say it with conviction. It is very difficult to account for the often negative inner conversation we may have, but this goes a long way to counteract it. Try this for a week and notice how much better and in control you feel

FEED YOUR MIND

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I took this picture from a site called “metalmotivation.com” it brings up a very good point. Your mind, no matter how little it may be used, craves input material. Leave what goes in to chance and you are putting yourself at great risk. What do I mean by this? Think of the programing you hear on the radio or TV, a good portion of that is not to positive. Do you have anyone in your life that may be “sunshine challenged”? A coworker or friend perhaps? How about the talk around the office?
What I’m pointing out here is there are a lot of negative influences pouring into our minds every day. What can we do about it? My mantra has always been “the best way to decrease the negative is to increase the positive” so find some motivational material to feed your brain. I listen to some motivational cds on the way to work. When I am feeling a little lazy or unproductive i go to YouTube and search “motivational video” i recommend trying that. Give your brain something positive to chew on the next time the boss is chewing you out.

IT IS WORSE THAN WASTING TIME

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I am a firm believer in the terrible effects of worry. Many things have been said about the practice of worry and I would like to share some with you now. Early on one of my favorite things I heard about worry is that it is like riding an exercise bike, you get really tired but do not go anywhere. Think of the productive aspect of worry, is there any? Another thing I have heard that I thought powerful was worry not only disturbs our present, but steals our future. It is true. If you spend your time in worry, you are taking time away from productive things you could be doing. The final two things I would like to share with you are this. According to Bob Marley, Complaining and worry are prayers to the devil. Also, worry is mentally rehearsing what we don’t want to happen. If you know anything about the law of attraction it is that thoughts become things, and if your thoughts are focused on that which you do not wish to happen you are giving that all of your energy.

Studies have proved that a full 90% of what we worry about are things we should not be. Things in the past that cannot be changed, useless petty worries and things of the like. So do yourself a favor, use worry to take all the action you can to prepare or address a situation and then let it go. You will lose that knot in your stomach. That feeling of dread and weight you carry around on your shoulders. Try to eliminate worry as much as you can this coming week and see how you feel.

BE YOUR OWN HERO

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Here is a picture I have up in my locker. In the past I have written and spoken about modeling people who have succeeded in your chosen field. I personally read and follow people like Tony Robbins, Les Brown and others that inspire me.

I stand by that idea and encourage you to do so, but there is another person you want to model, the best version of yourself. To me, “be your own hero” means to act in such a fashion that the things you do both inspire you and give you a sense of pride. When I help someone to see the beauty in themselves and the world around them, i am my own hero. When I work with someone to improve the quality of their products I am my own hero.  Even if I make a coworker or server smile, i consider myself a hero. The idea is to think of times when you were the best version of yourself and that is the goal you should aspire to. Look up to your heroes, Be someone else’s hero for sure,  but remember to be your own Jeri at the end of the day.

IS IT WORTH IT?

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Think of this quote next time you are leaving a moment with a friend. If you knew you only had that moment to tell them whatever you wanted, what would you share? If you knew that was the last time you would gaze upon there face what would you notice? If you were parting ways after a disagreement would you want that to be the last thing they remember about you?

The truth is none of us know what the future may hold. Personally I find it refreshing to have people in my life who always let me know where I stand and what is going on with them. I want to know what their thoughts of me may be and what is currently occupying their thoughts. I find keeping this thought in mind increases the depth of my friendships and reduces the stress in my life. People tend to enjoy the time we spend together more and less of it is wasted. So next time you are with someone you enjoy, remember it could be the last time you have that chance. What would you want them to know? Tell them. What would you want to do with them? Do it. Remember life is short, let us make the most of it and each other.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOLD

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With all of the “cash for your gold” signs everywhere everyone is looking for ways to get more of it. Here is the secret to being surrounded with it on a daily basis. Mine the gold in your friends and anyone else you encounter. Perhaps it is human nature, but I have noticed people seem to look for and dwell on what is wrong with a person. Maybe we tend to find it more interesting, maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves? Whatever the reason, pay attention to conversations people have about others that are not present. What seems to be the focus? How do those conversations make you feel? Here is another question to ponder. How do you feel when you hear someone praising someone who is not there to hear it? What does that make you think of the person who is doing the talking?

Next time you find yourself in a discussion about someone who might not be physically present to here you try and say as many good things as you can come up with. See how the person you are speaking to reacts. See how it makes you feel. For a more immediate impact, when you are in a discussion with anyone, be it a friend, business associate or just the lady at the local coffee shop, try mentioning one good thing about them. Do so with sincerity and you will be amazed with what happens. Do this to as many people as you can as many times as you can. After a while you will notice people have an urge to be around you. They enjoy your company. They will smile and start sharing good things about you that they notice. Who would not want to be around someone who makes them feel good? Imagine how your day would go if everyone you shared a conversation with gave you one sincere compliment? How would you feel with say three compliments a day? How would you feel knowing that you did that for others?

Try this little experiment and you will find yourself surrounded by golden friendships