Give yourself some time
People have no problem filling their schedules and to-do lists with a million things, but never leave time for themselves. Give yourself some time; say an hour per day. Use the time to go for a walk, read, listen to some music or whatever it is you love to do. Treat this appointment as your most important of the day.
Choose to change
Glenda Cloud says, "Change is inevitable, growth is intentional." We prefer the comfort of where we are to the perceived risk in change. However, if we are to grow, we have to choose to change.
Work harder and smarter
As an employee it can be easy to show up, do what you're told, then go home. While that is the easy approach, there is a lot of reward in being an extra-mile worker.
Don’t make excuses
Take responsibility for things that go wrong. That puts you in a position to change or correct them.
Master your time
Work smarter; get organized; manage your time and priorities; focus on what matters; plan.
Get out of your comfort zone
This goes along with choose to change. Learn new things. Develop new skills. Learn from the past and use it as a stepping stone to new experiences.
Communicate
This is good advice for any kind of relationship. Go out of your way to make sure people understand what you are saying.
Lead by example
Just because you communicate well doesn't mean the message is always accepted. It's easier to motivate and encourage by actions than by words.
Embrace risks
Don't worry about failing or making mistakes. It happens to everyone. If you're not risking anything, you're probably not accomplishing much.
Be flexible
With your time, with your attitude, with your support, with everything except your principles.
Own it!
Be confident. Make decisions and stick to them. Own up to your mistakes.
Don’t settle for average
Always work to your very best. Hold yourself to a higher standard. No one goes far by just doing the minimum.
Stick up for your passions
You will always encounter people who try to boost themselves up by pulling you down. Ignore them! Your mind will question your actions or decisions. Ignore it! Is there something that you are passionate about? Listen to that!
by Max Lucado
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I CHOOSE LOVE...
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll
invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the
wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment
to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new
assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to
the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS...
I will go without a dollar
before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked
before I will boast. I will confess before I will
accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates
will not question my word. My wife will not
question my love. And my children will never fear
that their father will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I am a spiritual being...
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest.
John Maxwell
[composed and posted with BlogJet]
From research by University of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky. Most of these may seem obvious, but you might feel better knowing they are "scientifically proven".
1. Count your blessings. One way to do this is with a "gratitude journal" in which you write down three to five things for which you are currently thankful—from the mundane (your peonies are in bloom) to the magnificent (a child’s first steps). Do this once a week, say, on Sunday night. Keep it fresh by varying your entries as much as possible.
2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both random (let that harried mom go ahead of you in the checkout line) and systematic (bring Sunday supper to an elderly neighbour). Being kind to others, whether friends or strangers, triggers a cascade of positive effects—it makes you feel generous and capable, gives you a greater sense of connection with others and wins you smiles, approval and reciprocated kindness—all happiness boosters.
3. Savour life’s joys. Pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders. Focus on the sweetness of a ripe strawberry or the warmth of the sun when you step out from the shade. Some psychologists suggest taking "mental photographs" of pleasurable moments to review in less happy times.
4. Thank a mentor. If there’s someone whom you owe a debt of gratitude for guiding you at one of life’s crossroads, don’t wait to express your appreciation—in detail and, if possible, in person.
5. Learn to forgive. Let go of anger and resentment by writing a letter of forgiveness to a person who has hurt or wronged you. Inability to forgive is associated with persistent rumination or dwelling on revenge, while forgiving allows you to move on.
6. Invest time and energy in friends and family. Where you live, how much money you make, your job title and even your health have surprisingly small effects on your satisfaction with life. The biggest factor appears to be strong personal relationships.
7. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising, stretching, smiling and laughing can all enhance your mood in the short term. Practiced regularly, they can help make your daily life more satisfying.
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships. There is no avoiding hard times. Religious faith has been shown to help people cope, but so do the secular beliefs enshrined in axioms like "This too shall pass" and "That which doesn’t kill me makes me stronger." The trick is that you have to believe them.
Tags: Personal Development, Wellbeing
| Your Five Factor Personality Profile |
 You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have low conscientiousness. Impulsive and off the wall, you don't take life too seriously. Unfortunately, you sometimes end up regretting your snap decisions. Overall, you tend to lack focus, and it's difficult for you to get important things done. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything. |
The rarest of gifts… Thank you!
Number 3 on Tom Peter’s 100 Ways to Succeed list is expressing appreciation. He gives six hints for Thank You Power:
(1) Make it “permanent”—send a note.
(2) HANDWRITTEN notes beat emails!!!!!!!
(3) This applies equally at age 18 in a “powerless” job, as well as at age 48 as Honcho.
(4) Do this especially when you “don’t have time”—at the end of a stressful day.
(5) Make it a “formal” habit—do it at the end of the day, say, every 2 or 3 days.
(6) If you can’t think of anything or anyone to say “Thank you” to—I suggest you go see a shrink.
Technorati Tags: Personal Development, Gratitude, Tom Peters
Here’s another list, this time from Renovare. “The idea for the list that follows came after reflecting on the "Christian Classics" list that John Wesley put together to help those who were pouring into the young Methodist societies. Likewise here, we want to give you a basic list in the field of Christian Spirituality that you can work with in the years to come. These are all books that we believe can help you grow in grace. They all have intrinsic merit. They all have stood the test of time. And most of them have had a substantial impact on Christians throughout the centuries.”
Those marked with asterisks and prices should be available to buy on-line from the Renovare Store. (This list was published in 2000, so availability may have changed. Many of these are in the public domain and available as free downloads from sites such as the Christian Classics Ethereal Library or Project Gutenberg.
Andews, Lancelot (16th Century) . . . Private Devotions
Anonymous (13th Century) . . . A Mirror for Simple Souls
Anonymous (14th Century) . . . The Cloud of Unknowing
Anonymous (19th Century) . . . The Way of a Pilgrim /The Pilgrim Continues His Way
Aquinas, Thomas (13th Century) . . . The Aquinas Prayer Book: The Prayers and Hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas
Athanasius (4th Century) . . . The Life of Antony
*Augustine of Hippo (4th/5th Centuries) . . . The Confessions ($13.00)
Baillie, John (20th Century) . . . A Diary of Private Prayer
Bernard of Clairvaux (12th Century) . . . On the Love of God
Bloom, Anthony (20th Century) . . . Beginning to Pray
Boehme, Jacob (17th Century) . . . The Way of Christ
*Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (20th Century) . . . The Cost of Discipleship ($12.00) /Life Together
Bounds, E. M. (19th Century) . . . Power Through Prayer
Brother Lawrence (17th Century) . . . The Practice of the Presence of God
*Brother Ugolino (13th Century) . . . The Little Flowers of St. Francis ($10.00)
Bunyan, John (17th Century) . . . The Pilgrim's Progress
Buttrick, George (20th Century) . . . Prayer
Calvin, John (16th Century) . . . Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life
Catherine of Genoa (15th Century) . . . The Spiritual Dialogue
Catherine of Siena (14th Century) . . . The Dialogue
Chesterton, G. K. (20th Century) . . . Orthodoxy
Church Councils (4th/5th Centuries) . . . The Apostles' Creed/The Nicene Creed
Dante Alighieri (13th/14th Centuries) . . . The Divine Comedy
Day, Dorothy (20th Century) . . . The Long Loneliness
*de Caussade, Jean-Pierre (18th Century) . . . The Sacrament of the Present Moment ($12.00)
de Sales, Francis (16th/17th Centuries) . . . Introduction to the Devout Life
Desert Fathers (4th Century) . . . Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Doherty, Catherine de Hueck (20th Century) . . . Poustinia
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor (19th Century) . . . The Brothers Karamazov
Eckart, Meister (13th/14th Centuries) . . . Collected Works
Edwards, Jonathan (18th Century) . . . A Treatise on Religious Affections
Faber, Frederick William (19th Century) . . . Growth in Holiness
Fénelon, François (17th Century) . . . Christian Perfection
Fox, George (17th Century) . . . The Journal of George Fox
Gregory of Nyssa (4th Century ) . . . The Life of Moses
Grou, Jean-Nicholas (18th Century) . . . How to Pray
*Guyon, Madame (17th Century) . . . Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ ($9.00)
Hadewijch of Antwerp (13th Century) . . . The Complete Works (Letters, Visions, Poems)
Hallesby, Ole (20th Century) . . . Prayer
Hammerskjöld, Dag (20th Century) . . . Markings
Hildegard of Bingen (12th Century) . . . The Book of Divine Works
Hopkins, Gerard Manley (19th Century) . . . Poems
Ignatius of Loyola (16th Century) . . . The Spiritual Exercises
John Climacus (7th Century) . . . The Ladder of Paradise
John of the Cross (16th Century) . . . The Dark Night of the Soul
Johnson, Samuel (18th Century) . . . Prayers and Meditations/Ascent of Mount Carmel
Jones, E. Stanley (20th Century) . . . The Christ of Every Road
*Julian of Norwich (14th Century) . . . Showings ($20.00)
Kagawa, Toyohiko (20th Century) . . . Meditations on the Cross
*Kelly, Thomas (20th Century) . . . A Testament of Devotion ($12.00)
*Kempis, Thomas à (15th Century) . . . The Imitation of Christ ($10.00)
Kierkegaard, Søren (19th Century) . . . Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing
King, Martin Luther Jr.(20th Century) . . . Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Kuyper, Abraham (19th Century) . . . Near Unto God
Laubach, Frank (20th Century) . . . Letters by a Modern Mystic
*Law, William (18th Century) . . . A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life ($7.00)
*Lewis, C.S. (20th Century) . . . Mere Christianity ($8.00) /The Screwtape Letters
Luther, Martin (16th Century) . . . The Bondage of the Will
MacDonald, George (19th Century) . . . Creation in Christ
Marshall, Catherine (20th Century) . . . Something More
Merton, Thomas (20th Century) . . . The Seven Storey Mountain
Milton, John (17th Century) . . . Paradise Lost/Paradise Regained
*Murray, Andrew (19th/20th Centuries) . . . With Christ in the School of Prayer ($6.00)
Nee, Watchman (20th Century) . . . The Normal Christian Life
Newman, John Henry (19th Century) . . . Apologia Pro Vita Sua
Nicodemus the Hagiorite (18th/19th Centuries) . . . Philokalia
*Nouwen, Henri J. M. (20th Century) . . . The Return of the Prodigal Son ($16.00)
Palmer, Pheobe (19th Century) . . . Pheobe Palmer: Selected Writings
Pascal, Blaise (17th Century) . . . Pensées
Paton, Alan (20th Century) . . . Cry the Beloved Country
Penington, Isaac (17th Century) . . . Letters on Spiritual Virtue
Penn, William (17th/18th Centuries) . . . No Cross, No Crown
Phillips, J. B. (20th Century) . . . Your God is Too Small
Rolle, Richard (14th Century) . . . The Fire of Love
Ruusbroec, John (14th Century) . . . The Spiritual Espousals
Sanford, Agnes (20th Century) . . . The Healing Light
Schaeffer, Francis A. (20th Century) . . . True Spirituality
Smith, Hannah Whitall (19th Century) . . . The Christians Secret of a Happy Life
Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr (20th Century) . . . One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Steere, Douglas V. (20th Century) . . . On Beginning from Within
Sundar Singh (20th Century) . . . At the Feet of the Master
Taylor, Jeremy (17th Century) . . . Holy Living and Holy Dying
Temple, William (20th Century) . . . Christianity and Social Order
Teresa of Ávila (16th Century) . . . The Interior Castle
Thérèsa of Lisieux (16th Century) . . . The Story of a Soul
Thompson, Francis (19th/20th Centuries) . . . The Hound of Heaven
Tolstoy, Leo (19th Century) . . . The Confession
*Tozer, A.W. (20th Century) . . . The Pursuit of God ($10.00)
Trueblood, D. Elton (20th Century) . . . Company of the Committed
Underhill, Evelyn (20th Century) . . . The Spiritual Life
Vanauken, Sheldon (20th Century) . . . A Severe Mercy
Vanier, Jean (20th Century) . . . Community and Change
von Hügel, Friedrich (19th/20th Centuries) . . . Selected Letters
Wallis, Arthur (20th Century) . . . God's Chosen Fast
Weil, Simone (20th Century) . . . Waiting for God
Wesley, Charles (18th Century) . . . A Song for the Poor: Hymns by Charles Wesley
*Wesley, John (18th Century) . . . The Journal of John Wesley ($23.00)
*Woolman, John (18th Century) . . . The Journal of John Woolman ($15.00)
If you're looking for an example of resolutions to keep, you need not look any further than Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century preacher and theologian. Edwards had a list of 70 resolutions that he reviewed weekly.
THE RESOLUTIONS OF Jonathan Edwards
"Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake."
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
Technorati Tags: Formation, New+Year's+Resolutions, Spiritual+Development, Jonathan+Edwards
Because you never know when you’re going to have to deal with a runaway camel.
bmindful is an alpha-release Web 2.0 service where you can find hundreds of personal affirmations, either by searching or selecting tags. Registered users can add affirmations and create custom lists they can print. Registration is free.
For example, some of the affirmations tagged with “character”:
I wonder how long it will take for Stuart Smalley-style affirmations to appear? 
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me." (There is a icon that allows users to remove spam.)
Choose from hundreds of existing tagged and searchable affirmations or sign up to add your own for easy web and print access. Keep up to date with your current intentions. bmindful - helping you bpositive.
bmindful - helping you bpositive.
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude in life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or having skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We can not change the past, we can not change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are all in charge of our attitudes. —Chuck Swindoll
Technorati Tags: Attitude, Motivation, Charles+Swindoll
Originally posted: June 14, 2002
"If I die tonight in my sleep:
Let me have hugged and told my children that I love them,
Let me have told my mother how much she is loved and appreciated,
Let me have helped a friend or better, a stranger,
Let me have worked very hard these past hours in the name of my personal progress, and, Let me have gone to sleep with the knowledge that I did the very best I could do today." --Rick Beneteau
I don't know about you, but I have no end of problems remembering people's names. There's nothing worse than being greeted by "hi, Ian" and responding with a deer-in-the-headlights kind of look.
Kate Lorenz of CareerBuilder.com gives seven techniques to help keep new names in your memory.
Being able to remember names is a valuable asset in both the business and social arenas. It helps you build instant rapport with new contacts, and, as many companies place a premium on interpersonal and relationship-building skills, it makes a decidedly good impression on employers, too.
- Be interested
- Verify it
- Picture it written on their forehead
- Imagine writing the name
- Use word association
- Use it frequently
- Record the name in a "new contacts" file
Categories: Tricks to remembering names Lifehacks
Last week I posted Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues. Franklin carried a collection of charts --one for each virture-- where he would add a mark for each fault committed against the virtue of that day. The image below is the chart for temperance.
Doug has recreated the charts in a couple of formats and made them available for download from D*I*Y Planner.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Footwork is hugely important in climbing. You can feel like there’s no way you’re going to make it past where you are, and just a little bit of progress with your foot often opens up new possibilities you didn’t think were within reach. It can be surprising what a difference it makes.Reposted Technorati Tags: GTD, Getting Things Done