Tag: self improvement

LEARN FROM THE MOON ðŸŒ™

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?

VIDEO OF MY TALK AT THE MASTERMINDS EVENT. ðŸ‘„

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 ðŸŽ¬

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 ðŸ”µ

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.

START THIS SUNDAY!

Remember that you do not have to reach the finish line with the first step. You can start wherever you are and build from there. It is the little victories along the way the will provide us with excitement and motivation to continue.

YOUR MASTERPIECE

I would love to hear everyone’s definition of what makes their life a masterpiece. There is, of course, no right or wrong answer. Each one of us, much like works of art, are special in their own way.

How about you? What makes your life a masterpiece? Each day we can add to that masterpiece in small and unique ways.

IN MY LIFE THIS HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE ðŸ¤”

This simple phrase has unlocked an entirely different life for me. This is not an exaggeration. It is not hyperbole. Wherever you are reading this, take a look at the people around you. If you are by yourself, imagine the people in your life. Most of them do not operate on this principle.

The majority of the world spends their time focused on influencing outside circumstances. How much control do you have over other people, places and things in your life? Limited at best. Energy spent on these endeavors is not well spent. Conversely, how much control do you have over you?

The man who wrote this spent part of his life in a concentration camp. In there, he had zero control of outside circumstances. He realized what he did have control of was his mind. It is the same with you and I. Our circumstances are not anywhere near as dire.

Think of it like this. You are driving in your car and you want to go to Walmart. Would you just keep driving straight and hope someone builds a Walmart in front of your car? As asinine as that sounds, that is what we are doing when we are wishing the boss would become better, our spouse would be more loving, the economy would get better.

Here’s a thought. Grab the steering wheel and drive to a Walmart. What I mean by that is to take control of your life and direct it where you want it to go.  Your boss sucks? Maybe they are motivating you to find a better job? Your spouse not as loving as you would like? They are providing you an opportunity to brush up on your own courting skills. The economy is a little tough? Work on creative spending and savings plans.

It is about the choice from going from a victim mentality to a victory mentality. Don’t wait for the waves to change direction. Adjust your rudder and sail and get there no matter what the waves are like. Conquer the ocean of life!