We sit around and talk and laugh about it a lot, but it’s one of the greatest obstacles to our careers, and in our lives – indecisiveness.  And ladies, you have to admit it, we are worse than men.  (Of course, there are always exceptions.)

Have you ever noticed that successful people don’t seem to have much trouble making decisions?  And we say, “well, of course not, they’re successful – it’s easy to make decisions when you’re already a success.”  Truthfully, it’s easy to make decisions anyway, and doing so will make you successful. 

Why do we (especially women) have such a hard time with this?  I was recently discussing this topic with some of my gal pals and we decided that it goes back to what we observed our mothers doing when we were young.  Our mothers didn’t make many decisions - especially financial decisions.  Even if our mothers worked, big-ticket items were always controlled by “Dad.”  In our household, my mother would sit and worry over the details of the purchase, while my father made it quite simple – we would buy the cheapest thing available!  (Quality sometimes won out, but not often.)

The other issue is that we’ve all been impulsive at some point and had it “back-fire” on us.  Buyer’s remorse is never a good feeling.  We don’t want to experience it any more often than necessary and we’d like to be able to blame someone else when we do face it again.  I can remember accusing Consumer Reports of poor research a couple of times!

If you’ve ever had a life-transforming experience, then you know that every positive change in your life begins with a clear, explicit decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something. Significant change starts when you decide to either get in or get out, whether it’s life, work, or a relationship, it all starts with the decision, and ends with action.

Your assignment for today is to start making decisions quickly, and feel good about them.  Start small and work your way up to more important things.  I’ve witnessed women having trouble deciding whether or not to buy a pack of gum at the grocery, and then have trouble deciding which flavor!  But them all!  Or decide to stick to your budget and buy none.  Just make a decision and act on it.  By practicing on the smaller efforts, you’ll be prepared and rehearsed for more important conclusions.

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired! What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams. You can read their stories here. If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Get Organized! Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book. This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life. Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

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Posted under Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

UPDATE 9/1/2008:  Apparently I did not explain this latest information well:  Joseph-Beth isn’t the only place my book is available, it’s just the latest place my book is available.   Wake Up and Create the Life You Want can be purchased on this website in either printed or electronic format, (the e-book comes with a free gift), and it is also available through Amazon.  I’m truly sorry for the misunderstandings, but I appreciate all the interest! 

——-

I wanted to send an email out to all of my Lexington, Kentucky area friends yesterday to say that Joseph-Beth Booksellers, the largest book retailer in our area, has just ordered two copies of my book, Wake Up and Create the Life You Want.  They should be available for purchase by the end of this week or next week.  I am so excited!!!

However, I am having technical difficulties, so the email is not going to happen even today.  The problems are not with my new computer, but with my old one.  I suppose I replaced the poor thing just in time, but I don’t have all of my information off of it yet.  (I do have a two-month-old backup, which may have to suffice.  Not being able to get a backup was the final straw in deciding to replace it.)

If you have emailed me recently and are awaiting a response, it is entirely possible I simply can’t get to the information required to respond to you – please be patient.  My to-do list is back-logged and the more time I take to try to explain to each individual what is going on, the more behind I become.  So I’m focusing on how I want things to be and they are steadily and surely getting there.  Right now I’m about half on the old, half on the new.

It’s amazing how much we take our technology for granted.  We know we take each other for granted; friends, spouses, co-workers, employees, employers, etc, but how much do we rely on technology? 

Now, I’m not saying we should appreciate technology over humans, not at all.  I do believe, however, that we need to appreciate everything, everywhere we can.  This past week and a half has caused me to stop and reflect a lot.  I cannot do many of the things I normally do to help people because my technology is not in proper working order. 

I’m coping by taking it one step at a time, maintaining  a joyful attitude, and appreciating the dickens out of every good thing that happens, like an email order from Joseph-Beth!

I have many good and exciting things coming up to share with you, but for now, I need to get back to development so that I can not just get things back to normal, but advance to the on-going, ever-changing, future-embracing being that I was born to be!  (You were too, you know.)

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired! What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams. You can read their stories here. If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Get Organized! Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book. This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life. Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note: All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Motivation, Success

I happened across an interesting leadership analogy yesterday from WalktheTalk.com. They are currently featuring a book written by Linda Galindo titled, “Way to Grow.” I have ordered the book because I believe it will provide some very useful information – I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, here is an excerpt from the introduction, and my take on this unique leadership perspective thus far.

“Think of your employees as orchids, daisies, and weeds.

Think of yourself as the gardener whose job it is to nurture them to full bloom.

If you could choose the employees you’d most like to work with every day, would you select:

Orchid employees, who need you to stick close enough to ensure they get just the right amount of – but not too much – sunlight, water, and humidity (read that: directions, feedback, and praise), or else they’ll wither and die?

Daisy employees, who can yield voluminous blooms (excellent work) in a wide range of temperatures (situations), but still need you to check in every now and then to make sure they are getting adequate water, sunlight, and circulation (coaching, feedback, and opportunity)?

Or weed employees, who can fend for themselves in almost any situation, leaving you plenty of time to tend to the needier plants in the garden?

When it’s put to them that way, most managers say they would welcome a garden full of weeds.”

Personally, I’ll take an office full of daisies. I know the author is going to try to convince me that I want weeds, but here’s how I feel about it. Weeds are invasive, unwanted annoyances that can be very difficult to get rid of, but it’s not just that.

I like daisies because even though they require a little maintenance every once in a while, they do offer a lot of beauty in the meantime. They perform well, require very little, and are dependable.

While weeds might be able to withstand anything, they also ignore your desires and have no problem over-stepping their bounds.

We’ve had a few weeds – I always pull them!

We’ve had a few orchids, too – they usually quit!

Right now we have an office full of daisies and are looking for a couple more. I have faith that we’ll find them. If only there was a place one could go to find employees as easily as one can find daisies . . .

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired! What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams. You can read their stories here. If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.” Get Organized! Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book. This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life. Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note: All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Leadership, Motivation, Success

I spend a lot of time on this site talking about cleaning and de-cluttering; two things I firmly believe in.  But a couple of things happened this week that brought to light an important life lesson and that’s what I want to share with you today.

Earlier this week I drove to a local farmer’s produce stand.  This family has a beautiful garden with fresh corn, tomatoes, carrots, onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.  I was actually able to give up my vegetable garden this year because their produce is so wonderful and very dependable.

Not wanting to use their plastic bags, I took my own regular shopping bags that I’ve been using since going paperless.  (I’m also trying to reduce my use of plastic, as well as just overall what I put into landfills – but that’s another post.)

When I told the woman to just start putting what I was picking out into my bag, she exclaimed, “Oh, don’t get that bag dirty – it’s so pretty and clean!”

I tried to explain that I bought it to be used, that I always take it to the grocery store, and that it can be washed if necessary, but nothing was going to stop her – I came home with 5 plastic bags!  She just could not stand the thought of getting that beautiful bag dirty.

Earlier today, I had to fire someone.  He just wasn’t working out and in the exit interview we discussed how we both went into this knowing it might not work out, but we wanted to give it a try.  We tried.  Things didn’t click.  We bailed.  The employee was really good about it.  It’s the only time I’ve ever gotten to the end of a termination and received a hug!  (Yeah – he was that glad to be let go!)

Both of these experiences have reminded me of a paradigm I’ve held for a long time:  You learn by doing.  You live by getting the bag dirty and enjoying every minute of it.  Children get it – they have the most fun when they’re getting really good and dirty!   We adults need to re-learn that lesson.  Don’t buy something new just to save it for special occasions.  The dust mites don’t deserve it – you do!  Don’t be afraid to try a job you’d like to go after for whatever reason.  Even if things don’t work out you’ll learn some valuable lessons that will propel your life forward.

Sure, you might have some cleaning up to do, in fact, you probably will have a lot of cleaning up to do, but isn’t that what this journey is all about?

So, go ahead – get that bag dirty!

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired! What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here. If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized! Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Dental Practice Management, Education, Motivation, Success

Have you ever wondered if you were adopted?  I have!   I am so unlike either of my parents it makes me wonder to this day – was I (adopted)?  I also have very little in common with my brother.

I can sometimes see evidence of a congenital relationship to my grandmothers:  I am sometimes dictatorial like my paternal grandmother and a cleaning fanatic like my maternal grandmother.  Other than that, zip – zilch - nada. 

I saw an ad yesterday for a website that helps you trace your genealogy.  At first I was intrigued, falling for the “find out who you really are,” scheme.  Thankfully I quickly remembered that we determine who we are and what we become through our choices and our decisions.  While we might share traits with our ancestors like red hair and blue eyes, we are always in control of our actions.  (As difficult as that might be sometimes to accept.)

Alexander Graham Bell had it figured out a long time ago:

“A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with – a man is what he makes of himself.”

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired!  What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized!  Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success

There is a magnet on my refrigerator that reads, “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.”  I look at it frequently and laugh.  My mother-in-law was just commenting the other day about how she wishes more people would do like she does and diet “when they need to,” and before it gets out of hand.  When she notices that she’s added a few pounds or her clothing feels tight, she cuts back on her food portions for a few days until she’s back down to the weight she wants.

My husband and I do the same thing.  In fact, this seems to be a common strategy among every thin person I know.  (There you have it; the diet secret over half of America is looking for – here’s another one.)

This morning I looked at that magnet and realized that the same concept could really be applied to nearly any aspect of self-discipline.  Whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish, you’ll probably have to “give up” something else in order to get it.  The longer you’ve been struggling with trying to achieve something, the more likely this is to be true.

For example, if you’ve been trying to become an early riser, but nearly every morning the feel of your bed is just too comfortable to overcome, you might need a phrase such as, “Nothing feels as good as getting an early start to my day.”  Think of all the reasons you want to become an early riser and develop a phrase for each of them.  When you go to bed at night, program your mind to think of one of them as soon as you awaken.  You might find that one of them works better than the others, or perhaps a rotation of all of them provide the jump-start you need to get going.  Before long, likely by 21 days, you’ll be an early riser.

You can do this with any goal.  List all of the reasons that you want something.  List all of the perceived obstacles that are keeping you from it.  Then create a phrase that puts the emphasis on doing the thing you really want to do.  Here’s another one.  I want a spotless, clean, sparkling home.  The only thing that keeps me from it is that I like to have time to sit, relax and read.  I use the excuse that I need that time and that it helps with my writing.  (Which is true, but there’s a balance in there somewhere.)  So a phrase such as, “Nothing is more relaxing than sitting down to read in a clean, spotless, sparkling home.”

The great part about this process is that it’s not just an affirmation – which are great, don’t get me wrong – but a phrase like this, especially if you’ve written it yourself, gets right to your motivation, and your true desire.

I have a client who used the “Nothing tastes as good . . .” phrase to lose weight.  I told her she could use that same concept to achieve all of her goals.  Not believing me, but wanting it to be true, we worked together on one of her other goals, which was to save more money.  She knew she was constantly spending money she didn’t need to, making impulse purchases.  When I asked her why she did that, she responded, “Because it makes me feel rich, I guess – I really don’t know.”

Ah, but that was it.  So I had her try this:  “Nothing feels as rich as having money in the bank.”  She loved it!  Every time she was tempted to spend frivolously, she remembered that phrase.  (We printed a card for her to carry in her wallet, but she never needed it. It is, however, a good idea to put the phrase where you’ll see it at the opportune time.)  The result was a large bank account which she eventually invested and is now on her way to financial independence.

Now it’s your turn.  What’s keeping you from creating the life of your dreams?  Only a phrase, really – just one little motivational phrase.  If you need help, just post a comment below or e-mail me.

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired! What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here. If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized! Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Dental Practice Management, Education, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

Probably the most commonly overlooked problem in the workplace is nutrition.  In fact, if our public schools were to serve children what many of us eat every day, we’d be screaming, “cruel and unusual punishment!” 

If your child showed symptoms of poor concentration, making mistakes out-of-the-ordinary for his/her intellect, and/or moodiness, s/he would surely be examined for some type of disorder.  (And probably put on some kind of medication.)

But how often do you make mistakes and then ask yourself, “What was I thinking,” or, “How did that happen; I know better than that?”  If you have difficulty concentrating on the task at hand, make frequent mistakes, or feel, (or have been accused of), being moody, it’s time to take a look at your diet.

I used to be one of those people who couldn’t stand the thought of breakfast.  Nowadays, I can’t live without it.  Why?  Because the earlier I eat, the sooner I feel good.  Not only does eating wake me up physically, but it gets me going emotionally and spiritually as well.  You know how hard it is to maintain the proper attitude when you’re physically hurting?  It’s really the same thing.

The biggest grievance I see in employee break rooms both in small businesses and corporations alike is the overabundance of products containing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).  In addition to being blamed for the growing obesity problem in America, HFCS has been linked to diabetes, heart and liver problems, among other physical abnormalities, not so much because of the product itself, (that’s still up in the air), but because sugar, in all forms, robs the body of necessary nutrients that can be difficult to replace, especially if you’re unaware that there’s a problem.  (Until it’s too late.)  But I’m not going to debate the “side effects” of HFCS today – that’s another post!  Let’s just look at the effects of sugar on the body and brain.

When you eat something containing a high amount of sugar, your body’s digestive system goes to work, producing glucose that gets deposited into your bloodstream.  When your blood glucose level is increased rapidly, it stimulates your pancreas to secrete insulin in order to counteract and drop your blood sugar levels.  When that happens, you start to feel lethargic, lose ability to concentrate, feel like you’re in a fog, and start craving something sweet again to “keep you going.”  If you’re too busy to eat at that time, you’ll end up feeling depressed or be in a bad mood of some kind.  It’s a vicious cycle, because not concentrating well causes poor performance which leads to mistakes which causes your boss to yell at you making your mood worse, craving more sugar, causing another spike – you get the drift.

Various studies over the past 30 years have shown that sugar overloading can even lead to job dissatisfaction, even in offices that are relatively stress-free.  Think about that for a moment!

So what do you need to avoid?  Just about everything processed and sweet – your moon pies, jams and jellies, soft drinks, and most of those “health bars” you believe are so good for you.  Especially, don’t make a complete meal on them!!!  My point is this:  Anything can be okay in moderation; it’s overindulgence and addiction that interferes with your concentration, performance, and mood.  A processed oat bar is fine for a snack (although not my first choice) if you know you’re going to be eating in an hour, but it’s not lunch.  You need protein, carbs, and good fat at every meal.  Personally, I still follow the Zone diet as much as possible – not exactly – just closely.  I don’t believe in going overboard on anything.  I just stay balanced, paying attention to how I feel after I eat, and adjust if necessary.  I eat as many whole and raw foods as possible, (very possible during the summer months here in Kentucky), and keep my sugar intake to the old fashioned granulated kind – for my tea – thank you very much!  (If I gain a couple of pounds – it’s the first to go.  I just drink more water until I’m back down to my ideal weight – this trick works so quickly.)

I’ve also noticed that a light lunch works best also – perhaps because I’ve had a rather substantial breakfast – but I’m lighter and have more energy when I eat a salad with some leftover grilled chicken on it.  Half a sandwich with some fruit works well also.

One of my favorite snacks for the afternoon “pick me up,” is fruit.  It satisfies my craving for sugar if I have one, but it also quenches my thirst.  If I have a strong sugar craving, I realize that that means I had too many carbs for lunch, so I’ll add a handful of nuts to my snack and within a half hour, I’m ready to go again.

Be Good to Yourself
Since your diet has such an impact on your level of physical energy, and through it your levels of mental and emotional energy, the more fastidious you are about what you put into your mouth, the better you will feel, the more productive you will be, and the more joyously you can live – and that is so worth the effort!

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired!  What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized!  Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

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Posted under Education, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

I have been so busy lately – physically busy.  In addition to my writing, speaking, coaching, and website maintaining, I’ve added for the summer, gardening, landscaping and plant maintenance for both here at home and at the office.   My housekeeper quit on me again, so I’ve been cleaning a 3-story home in addition to additional tasks asked of me from my husband for the new dental office.  This is the most physically exhausting summer I’ve ever had in my life.

Our vacation in Montana this year really made me step back and realize that regular relaxation is essential for personal effectiveness.  After returning home, I felt like I got so much more accomplished, and am finally starting to feel back on track.  Even though I was taking mental breaks, I’m not sure – I just honestly can’t remember – if I was getting the proper amount of physical rest given my additional physical workload.  Don’t get me wrong – I truly enjoy everything that I’m doing.  Even cleaning the house is rewarding.  I love organizing it and knowing that it’s clean.  But like anyone with a new job, you have to find your balance, and I’ve had to find my physical balance this summer.

Here are six techniques that I’ve found for relaxing physically.

1. Take Time Off Every Week.  First of all, work only five or six days per week, and rest completely on the seventh day.  Sounds quite religious doesn’t it?  But every single study in this area shows that you will be far more productive in the five or six days that you work if you take one or two days off completely than you ever would be if you worked straight through for seven days.  I have changed my schedule to work physically hard only every other day – kind of like working out, since, for me at least, that’s what it is.  I used to write, speak and coach 5 days per week and then go physically hard on the weekends.  That just doesn’t work anymore.  Three and three with one day off is working so far and I’ve even added 2 clients.
2. Get Your Mind Busy Elsewhere.  During your time off, do not catch up on reports, organize your desk, prepare proposals, or do anything else that requires mental effort. Don’t clean the house or do laundry.  Simply let your mind and body relax completely.  Sit in the sun for a few minutes, rock on the back porch, lie in a hammock, or pet your cat, but just relax.   Don’t let your mind wander to everything that needs to be done – it’ll just lead your body there, or make you feel guilty.  Try to chill and let your spirit soar.
3. Take Big Chunks of Down Time.  My regular readers already know that I am a big believer in time-chunking.  While a 15-minute break is great when you’re in the middle of a physical chore and need to re-charge, you also need to chunk your physical/mental breaks.  For example, I’ve found that doing my gardening chores in the morning while writing and working on websites in the afternoon provides a nice balance to the whole mental-physical equation.  Try it – and let me know how it works for you.
4. Give Your Emotions a Break.  If you are involved in a difficult relationship, or situation at work that is emotionally draining, discipline yourself to take a complete break from it at least one day per week.  (Yes, my coaching clients – I’m talking to you!)  Put the concern out of your mind. Refuse to think about it. Don’t continually discuss it, make telephone calls about it or mull it over in your mind. You cannot perform at your best mentally if you are emotionally preoccupied with a person or situation. You have to give yourself a break.  Even if you just go to a movie that will grab your complete attention for a while, you’ll get some relief, and so will your mind and body.  (Just be sure the movie isn’t going to remind you of your situation.)
5. Go For a Walk in Nature.  Since a change is as good as a rest, going for a nice long leisurely walk is a wonderful way to relax emotionally and mentally. Making your body “wind down” after going hard is similar to stretching after exercising.  Being amid trees, grass, water, etc. will rejuvenate your spirit as well, and help ground you.
6. Eat Lighter Foods.  The process of digestion consumes an enormous amount of physical energy. Therefore, if you eat lighter foods, you will feel better and more refreshed afterward. If you eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products, your digestive system will require far less energy to process them.  I’ve been eating lighter and lighter lunches and feeling better and better.  The more I avoid sugar, the better I feel.  Oh, I could write a series of posts on that one – so stay tuned . . .

Until next time,
Live Joyfully!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired!  What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized!  Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

Technorati Tags: Time Management, Personal Development, Conscious Creation, Coach, Success, Quit Smoking, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Leader, Motivation, Organize, Law of Attraction, Dental Practice Management, Consultant, Motivational Book, Self Help

Posted under Education, Leadership, Motivation, Success, Weight Loss

My uncle copied the following “diaries” out of book that someone had loaned to him.  He got such a kick out of the passages, having a love for both dogs and cats.  I would love to find the original author in order to give proper credit.  There are several versions of this floating around on the internet and none of them give credit, but I would like to, so if you know who the original author is, please leave a comment below.

The reason I felt the passages are blog-worthy, is because they highlight a very important tenet: To change your life, change your perspective.  Enjoy!

Excerpts from the Diary of a Dog

 

8:00 AM	Oh, boy, dog food – my favorite!
9:30 AM	Oh, boy, a car ride – my favorite!
9:40 AM	Oh, boy, a walk – my favorite!
10:30 AM	Oh, boy, another car ride – my favorite!
11:30 AM	Oh, boy, more dog food – my favorite!
12:00 PM	Oh, boy, the kids – my favorite!
1:00 PM	Oh, boy, the yard – my favorite!
4:00 PM	Oh, boy, the kids again – my favorite!
5:00 PM	Oh, boy, dog food again – my favorite!
5:30 PM	Oh, boy, Mom – my favorite!
6:00 PM	Oh, boy, playing ball – my favorite!
8:30 PM	Oh, boy, sleeping in my master’s bed – my favorite!

 

 

Excerpts from the Diary of a Cat

 

Day 283 of my captivity:  My captors continue to taunt me with the bizarre little dangling objects.  They dine lavishly on fresh meat while I’m forced to eat dry cereal.  I’m sustained by the hope of escape and the mild satisfaction I derive from ruining a few pieces of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant. 

 

Day 284 of my captivity:  I attempted to kill my captors this morning by weaving through their walking feet.  Nearly succeeded; must try this strategy at the top of the stairs.  Seeking to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair; must try this on their bed.

 

Day 285 of my captivity: To display my diabolical disposition and make sure they know exactly what I am capable of, I decapitated a mouse and deposited the headless body on the kitchen floor.  They only cooed and condescended, patting my head and calling me a “good hunter.”  Hmmm – not working according to plan.

 

Day 286 of my captivity: During a gathering of their accomplices, they placed me in solitary confinement.  I overheard that my confinement was due to my power of allergies.  Must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

 

Day 287 of my captivity: I am convinced the other household captives are flunkies, perhaps even snitches.  The dog is routinely released and seems naively happy to return.  He is, no doubt, a half-wit.  The bird speaks with the humans regularly; must be an informant.  I am certain he reports my every move.  Due to his current placement in the metal cage, his safety is assured.  I can wait.  It is only a matter of time . . .

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!  

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Every once in a while, especially after a major project is completed, I like to take some time to reflect on my successes and opportunities for improvement. Here is what I’ve learned lately.

1. Your life only gets better when you get better.  Your outer world will always reflect your inner world.  If you want to improve the quality of your outer world, you must work on your inner self.  And because there is no limit to how much better you can get, there is no limit to how much better you can make your life.

2. It doesn’t matter where you are; all that matters is where you’re going.  Don’t allow yourself to focus on what is currently happening in your experience, nor get bogged down by events that have happened in your past.  Learn from them and let them go.  Resolve to keep yourself future focused.  Your future is limited only by your ability to imagine – so there really are no limits to what you can achieve.

3. Within every problem or difficulty, there is the seed of an equal or greater benefit.  There is always contrast – things that come up to let us know what we don’t want.  Accept this and look for the good in every problem.  Train yourself to quickly recognize the valuable lesson in every adversity or setback. If you look for it, you will find it – trust me!

4. You can learn anything you need to learn to achieve any goal you can set for yourself.  Your imagination shows you what is possible because if you can imagine it, you can accomplish it.  That’s how God created us.  Furthermore, you are a learning organism – no matter how old or intelligent you are or are not!  If you have the ability to dream it, you can learn what you need to know to make it happen.  The only question is, are you willing to put forth the effort?

5. Anything you truly want you will get.  How long it takes depends on how long you resist doing the things necessary to accomplish it.

Until next time,

Live Joyfully!

P.S. Please remember to send tips on where to go, things to do, and places to eat in Glacier!

You can subscribe to this blog here.

Get Inspired!  What do you want to create? Wake Up and Create the Life You Want: A Guide to Self-Empowerment has helped hundreds of people create the life of their dreams.  You can read their stories here.  If you choose the downloadable version, it comes with my free report on “The Science of Getting Rich.”

Get Organized!  Learn the secrets of getting and staying motivated and organized with the Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Life E-book.  This inspiring book gives you step-by-step instructions for getting control of every area of your life.  Click here for the table of contents and to purchase.

***Please Note:  All transactions are processed through PayPal, but you can use Visa, MC, AMEX, or Discover.

Technorati Tags: Time Management, Personal Development, Conscious Creation, Coach, Success, Quit Smoking, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Leader, Motivation, Organize, Law of Attraction, Dental Practice Management, Consultant, Motivational Book, Self Help

Posted under Leadership, Motivation