Tag: Motivation

SET YOUR OWN THERMOSTAT 🌡

One invention that has always amazed me is the thermostat. A device that takes the temperature of your house, compares that to a desired temperature and makes adjustments as needed. This could mean turning on the heat if it is too cold, or if you have central air, turning that on to make it cooler. How amazing is that? When you think in the 19th century that would involve hearing aunt Margaret complain she is cold and throwing another log on the fire. Now, you can even make adjustments to your thermostat via your cell phone! Even if you are nowhere near your home. This is crazy cool when you stop to think about it.

Here is a question. Would you allow your neighbor to control your thermostat? Unless you are close to your neighbor and have the same hot and cold tolerance, your answer is probably a resounding ‘no’. It seems insane to let someone else determine how hot or cold your house would be. How much energy you would need to expend and pay for.

As foolish as it would be to let our neighbor determine the temperature in our house, we do this very thing with our personal thermostat. What on earth is a personal thermostat? It is the level of joy and peace in our lives. Far too many of us let outside circumstances determine this. If good things happen to us, we have a good day. If things do not go so well, we are grumpy or depressed. As the wise Mr. Aurelius points out, we should not let outside circumstances to distress us. We must realize our power to revoke whatever reaction that has us feeling negative.

Take control of your own personal thermostat. Set it for “An enjoyable day filled with peace”. This is not to say you may not have to make adjustments, just like the thermostat in your house. Hear some bad news? You may have to ‘turn on the furnace of happiness’. This could mean listening to some music that makes you smile. It could be spending time with someone you love. The boss treat you harshly or unfairly? You might need to ‘turn on the air conditioning’ and cool yourself down. This could be hitting the gym or going for a walk in nature.

It is time to control your own internal thermostat. Just as it would be foolish to let your neighbor control the temperature inside your house, it would be equally foolish to the outside circumstances to control your inner well-being. Take back your power and take back your own thermostat.

CELEBRATE YOUR LABOR 💪

In the United States, we celebrate Labor Day today. It is a celebration of all the sacrifices made and rights won by workers. Certainly worth taking a moment to reflect and appreciate all of the ways in which working conditions have improved. No more working in mines 14 hours a day in hazardous conditions.

Here is something you should celebrate as well. The labor you put towards bettering yourself. It can take a lot of hard work to improve both ourselves and in turn, our lot in life. That labor is worth its weight in gold. When you work to improve yourself, that is something that cannot be taken away. When you improve your life circumstances, it benefits you and everyone you car about in life. Labor well spent.

Today, as we take a moment to reflect on how much the conditions of ‘working for the man’ have improved, let us not forget about the work we put in for ourselves. This labor should be celebrated as well. It often does not come with an immediate monetary reward, but in the long-run, the payout is much greater.

LEARN FROM THE MOON 🌙

Here is a picture of the moon I took at work this morning. Yes, I start before the sun comes up. As you can see, only a small portion of it can be seen. It is slowly getting bigger, that is more can be seen, every day.

The moon goes through two distinct phases. The waxing phase. This is the phase it is in now going from a dark new moon, getting brighter until it becomes a full moon. Then there is the wanning phase. Where the moon goes from a bright full moon, getting smaller until it returns to a dark full moon.

What do these lunar phases have to do with us? Personally, I use them as reminders. When the moon is getting bigger, I focus on things I want to put in my life. This could be a new healthy habit, or a something I want to get better at. When the moon is getting smaller, I focus on things I want to eliminate from my life. These can range from unhealthy things I eat, to toxic people I give too much time to.

Just an example of using nature as a gentle reminder to improve ourselves.

START WORKING TODAY!

Too many of us are concerned with being perfect. This could be in any field. Perfect parent, perfect car sales person or perfect best-selling author. What we would be better off focusing on is continually improving.

How about you? In what area are you striving for perfection? Are there ways in which you could simply improve and get better?

3 WORD VIBE FOR MONDAY 3️⃣

“I got this!” Let that be our mantra today. Just three words to remind us that things are not as serious as they may seem. That despite how dire the circumstances may seem, we can overcome them with determination mixed with a little faith.

Whatever the challenge may be, look it straight in the eye and say, “I got this!” Notice the exclamation point at the end of the mantra. This is not one you are going to want to say meekly. Whether it is in your head, under your breath, or at the top of your lungs, say it with some passion and belief!

How many times have you doubted yourself on the ability to make it through a situation? How many times have you actually made it through? Here’s a hint, you’re reading this so you are still here. That means you have made it through 100% of the situations you have faced in life up to this point.

Today, and throughout the week, when facing a tough situation declare these three words, “I got this!” Notice I said declare. Not mention, whisper or say questioningly. Nope. Declare and know that you have made it through 100% of the things life has thrown at you. Whatever you are facing is just one more thing, that despite how tough it may look, will not bring you down!

VIDEO OF MY TALK AT THE MASTERMINDS EVENT. 👄

Recently I had the honor of speaking at an event for the West Allis Masterminds. In this video I will explain how I got started in the self-improvement industry and where I would like to go from here.

Check out the video on my YouTube channel at the link below. While you are there, feel free to subscribe so you will be the first to be notified when I post a new video. Special thanks to my lovely Margie who filmed the talk.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

WHAT COMMITMENT IS

There have been many versions of this quote throughout history. I’m using this one because I am both a fan of Inky Johnson, and I like the way this is worded. “Commitment is doing what you said you would do long after the mood you said it in has left. “

How many of us have made a commitment and then lost the spirit to maintain it. Say around January 1st? It is easy to say you will go to the gym after a good night’s sleep and everything is going well in life. What happens if we only work out when we feel like it? Not much, if anything at all, would be the answer.

This holds true in every area of our lives. It is easy to be a caring and romantic partner when everything is going great in life and the relationship, but what about when you have challenges in life or the two of you are not getting along. Can you still be committed then? That is the ultimate test.

ONE SIMPLE ACTION 🎬

The week is starting to wind down and we might be already looking forward to the weekend. There is one thing we can do to finish the week off right and start the weekend in a positive note. What is that one thing? Following the recommendation of the loveable bear above, we should love ourselves first.

When we develop a positive self-image, not only are we able to conduct our lives better, but we can help others do the same. Loving ourselves first can be one of the healthiest actions we take. I’m asking you, the reader, what ways do you love yourself first? Let us share with each other and develop a healthy action plan.

FOCUS IN THE CIRCLE 🔵

How many of us spend way too much time on things we cannot control? Lol at everything outside the circle in the photo above. Are there any that you spend too much time worried about? It does us little if any good. They are by definition, things beyond our control.

How about the things inside the circle? The things within our control. Far too many of us focus on these slightly, if at all. How about you? Are there any of the things in the circle you could spend more time focusing on?

Here is the crazy thing. If we spend a concerted effort improving the things within the circle, or more to the point within our control, the things on the outside of the circle will improve as well.

START IT OFF RIGHT!

Monday is tough for many of us. I usually average about 2.5 hours of sleep before a 9 hour work day. I would not recommend this. My point is, I understand the Monday blues. If you do start your week filled with dread and foreboding it will not set you up for victory.

We need to take a fresh look at Monday and what it provides. Would we rather stay at home in bed than go to work? Sure but instead of focusing on this, why not think of what our job does give us. Monday is the start of earning our rent or mortgage. Monday is the start of earning our ability to keep the lights on. There are so many things we earn. Don’t forget to include saving for vacation and gifts for those we love. How about a delicious meal out? Take a fresh look at Monday and all it gives us.