Tag: the rock

YOU ARE NOT TIRED, YOU’RE UNINSPIRED!😴

This past Monday was a bit crazy for me. Margie and I ran our DJ show Sunday night until early Monday morning. My alarm for work went off at 4am. When that happened, I had only had a little over 2 hours of sleep. I put in a 9 hour day at my day job. It was an unusually nice day out, weather wise. On the way home, I spoke with my mother who inquired if I would like to go for a little hike. Deciding to take advantage of the sunshine and good weather while it was here, I agreed. We hiked for 2.3 miles. After that, I knew I had to create some content for this site. (Hearing this may help you understand some of my typos that can be found.) I stopped at the local coffee shop with barely enough strength to open my laptop.

How on earth was I going to be able to create anything worthwhile? That was the million-dollar question. There was an idea I had been looking forward to writing about. Several in this case. As I began to write, the strangest thing began to happen. As I related personal examples of the tools and strategies I was conveying, things began to click. Not just for the post itself, but my writing and my life in general. The more I wrote, the more clarity seemed to come. While it is true I drank a medium coffee, my energy began to climb through the roof! I had promised Margie I would be home in time to joy the amazing Jerk Chicken she had prepared for us, so I closed my laptop and called it a night.

On the way to the car, I think I actually floated. As I drove home, the Michael Franti songs I were listening to also seemed to make more sense. Everything had a sense of clarity I had not had in a great deal of time. I sang along to the music at the top of my lungs. Thankfully for the other motorists, the weather had cooled off by this point and my car windows were closed. I arrived home and felt sorry for the love of my life. I was keyed up! Bouncing around at the prospect of finally knowing how my fourth book was going to come together. I had a lot more confidence on the message I would deliver at my next speaking engagement. Life seemed to all make sense.

I am not advocating sleeping 2 hours, working 9 and then hiking 2.3 miles. When it comes to my life, I would not recommend following my sleeping habits at all. What I cannot recommend strongly enough is to make sure you devote a portion of your life to your goals and dreams. Do not only do it when you find yourself with ‘extra time’. Do not wait until you are well rested. Do not wait until you have a day off, or finally take your vacation. Like the picture above says, do not work 8 hours for a company and then go home and not work on your goals. You will be amazed at the energy working on something that feeds your passion will give you. Plus, who would want to argue with The Rock?

IT IS MONDAY… HERE WE GO AGAIN!😜

Another start to another week. Only 2 more left in the year. We talk a lot on this site about changing our perception about Monday. I think we should face it like a big event. Like an athlete preparing for a big game. Can you imagine going into that with your head hung low, Energy low, and dreading the day? Your opponent would love to see that! How about a musician before a big concert? Imagine watching your favorite band walking on stage the same way you walk into work on Monday? Would not get you very pumped for the show, would it?

Weather you wake up looking like our rockhopper penguin in the first picture, like I occasionally do, or you are fighting off the bug that is going around, like Margie and I are, you need to show up with your A game. When i trained people as bartenders, or even to work with the public with the post office, I always reminded them to come in with a smile on their face and energy in their spirit. Nobody, with the exception of your therapist, wants to see and hear your problems. Les Brown said it best – “80% of them don’t care and 20% are glad it is you.”

That is not to say you can’t confide in a trusted coworker about a situation that is troubling you, when given the opportunity. As you walk into work, everyone has the Monday blues. The last thing that is needed is to add one more sad soul to the mix. Come in with energy. That way, if Monday tries to knock you down, it will have to reach a lot higher

The million dollar question, how do you walk into the place that often sucks your soul with energy? Take a cue from professional wrestling. Yes, I did just say to take self-improvement advice from wrestling. Whenever a wrestler walks into the ring they have a song cranking throughout the stadium. Think of what song you would use if you were a wrestler. Crank it up in your car before your walk into work. As Dwayne “the rock” Johnson says, “just bring it!” Maybe watch a motivating clip on your phone before you walk in.

Here is one last Monday thought to keep in mind. I heard a millionaire CEO asked how he went from an entry level position to the top. His answer? “Walk in like you own the place long enough and soon you will.”

Share what you do that gets you pumped up on Monday morning.

SOMETIMES IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU – AND THAT’S OK

Have you ever had a day where you felt a little down on yourself? Maybe you looked in the mirror and didn’t like what you saw? Too many wrinkles? Too much…umm…You? Maybe you said something you regret and are now kicking yourself for it? Maybe you didn’t get a promotion or achieve a goal in the time you had set for yourself? Whatever the reason may be, you are just not feeling the best about yourself. It happens to the best of us. I once had a book signing and only 4 people showed up. Never mind months earlier I had one where 50+ people showed up, I left feeling like a failure. There are all times where we could use a boost in the self-esteem category.

One group of people who gave the perception they never suffered this problem were old-school hip-hop artists. Before the music involved drugs, violence or demeaning women, it was mostly a “Look how cool I am” lyrical affair. There is actually something to be gained by this type of thinking. You do not have to put out an image that you are better than anyone else, but that you are an awesome person just the way you are. This is true. In every one of us, there is an amazing person. There are certain skills and things we do amazingly. I suggest we start to make a list of them. I do not advocate resting on your laurels and past victories, but visiting them to remind yourself the great stuff you are capable of is not a bad idea at all.

In reference to the music mentioned earlier as well as the picture of ‘The Rock’ that started this post, it would be beneficial to have such reminders placed around for you to see. The music can just be a playlist of songs that make you feel empowered. It can be rock, country, hip-hop or any other genre you enjoy. When you are feeling a little down on yourself or you act in a way that doesn’t exactly make you feel proud to be you, then look at these reminders, push play on your playlist and get out there to kick some butt!

The reason you want to keep your self-esteem high should be obvious. Are you more productive when you feel good about yourself or when you feel defeated? Are you better able to handle challenges when you feel empowered or disempowered? Guess when your health and immune system are more powerful? Any idea which time you are more likely to act in a kind and forgiving manner? Again, I must stress this should not be an attempt to be arrogant or ‘better than’. To be honest, those folks are usually covering up for a poor self-esteem. No, the idea is to get in touch with your inner bad ass, as the author Jen Sincero would say. You are awesome and you have a lot to bring to the world. It is important to have reminders of that. If you wait until you are feeling down to try to think of such things, you will find it near impossible. If you find gathering this list difficult, ask some friends and family why you are amazing. If it makes it easier, share why you think they are amazing in return.