For most of us, our families come first, before all the other important things in life or so we say.
Although most people say that nothing is more important than their families, day-to-day behavior can tell another story. Unfortunately in today’s modern world we are moving so fast and have so much on our plates that the relationships we care most about get short changed. We think those we love will forgive us if we spend most of our time on other things as we convince ourselves that we are making the sacrifices now for our families future. But a child may grow up before we notice that hours of being too busy have extended into days, weeks, months and years.
There are ways to give time and interest to children, family and friends even when finding a spare moment seems impossible. For example, you can turn off the TV or put down your iPhone when a loved one is talking to you. The simple gesture of looking directly at someone and stopping what you’re doing for a few moments while they’re talking shows to them that they’re important to you.
With school back in session, our children are being pulled in many directions with after-school activities, homework and friends. Many families don’t gather around the table for meals anymore. We need to find alternative, everyday ways to really be with each other, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.
What do you think? How do you let your family know on a daily basis that they’re important to you?
Aug 11
11
What Does It Take To Make You Happy?
Now, I know some of you think that if you only had this or that material thing or a specific amount of money, you’d be happy! Other people believe that if you were only in love with someone wonderful who loved you the same, then you would be happy.
But I want to tell you something. Happiness is a choice you and I make, not something that does or doesn’t happen to you. You can choose to be happy right now, no matter what you have or don’t have. It’s your choice.
The initial step toward discovering your own happiness is to be truly grateful for what you have. If you develop your powers of appreciation by focusing on the beauty in your life instead of what’s not going right or what you don’t have, you will be halfway there.
I guarantee that you will see an abundance of beauty in your life, regardless of your surroundings or circumstances, if you would only look for it. Once you can see it, appreciate it! Because it could all be gone in one split second.
You see, the time to be happy is now – not yesterday but right now. The place to be happy is here. And the reasons to be happy are all around you. So what are you waiting for?
Jul 11
27
Service in one word.
If you’d like to add new depth of meaning to your life, and give your energy level a boost at the same time, then read on. There’s a great idea that seems to have gone out of fashion for a while, and that’s really too bad, because it’s an idea that helps give meaning and purpose to life and one that I’m passionate about. It can also do wonders for your energy level, relationships, and self-esteem. That idea, in a word, is “service.” Now most of you know my thoughts on service and how highly I rate it in life, but to be more specific by “service,” I mean the act of doing something to assist or benefit someone else without any expectation of reward or even acknowledgement. All of us can think of great examples of people who selflessly serve others, and by doing so, make the world a better place.
But it’s important to realise that you don’t have to be special to do good work in the world. Whenever you have a personal or business contact with someone, and you take a moment to put yourself in their shoes and behave accordingly, you change the balance of power in the world – from fear and hate to caring and consideration.
You may be a motor mechanic, a receptionist, an accountant or an IT consultant – it doesn’t matter what you do. What matters is how you do it – the creative, personal touches you add to make someone’s day a little better or a little smoother.
Some people will notice what you’ve done, and some won’t. But I guarantee you, if you start to approach your job with the goal of giving truly caring service, you will be transforming your work into something magnificent.
Jul 11
20
Stop and smell the roses!
You’ve probably heard something along the lines of, “Live each day to the maximum because you never know what tomorrow may bring.” Like all sayings, there is an element of truth here.
For a lot of us, we take the days of our lives for granted. Here’s a thought…How many days do you think we live for (on average)? Quickly think of a number of days. Well the average is about 30,000 days. Doesn’t seem too many does it? The years go swirling past in a rush of things to do, places to see, and dreams to fulfill. We work diligently, raise our families, and try to measure up to our own – or someone else’s – definition of success. For some of us, we put our heads down, bums up (so to speak) and forget to look up.
Not “looking up” is unfortunate. We need to take the time to enjoy the experiences of each day, good or not so good, because these experiences inform who and what we are. If we don’t look up, we miss the simple joy of a quiet summer evening. We miss that look of wonder on a child’s face, the first time they discover rainbows in a puddle. Our hearts forget the thrill of watching a jumbo jet take off – well not me anyway!
In short, we miss the opportunity to be grateful. So why do people take the experiences of their lives for granted? What other than near-death experience will help each of us to live every day with gratitude? What is alarming to me is that the motivators for appreciating life and having gratitude are missing from many people’s lives. How is this happening? We should not have to experience ‘misery’ to boost our insights into the value of life.”
Do me, and yourself, a favor this weekend. I would like you to begin a new habit. Before the end of each day, stop and soak in the experiences of the day. Let the smile come to your face as you remember the happy and the funny. Plan out what you will do “the next time” for those moments that didn’t come out so well. And be grateful for the time you’ve had, to make a difference in the lives of others. Celebrate today, and face tomorrow with the expectation that something great will happen!
Jun 11
8
24 Hour Challenge
What would it be like if there was no negativity in the world? It’s hard to imagine such a place – especially in these current economic times for some.
Now, I’m not talking about a world without legitimate sadness or anger. But I’m talking about a world in which there were no put-downs, no belittling of self or others, no smart remarks, no power-tripping, no insults, no bigotry or intolerance.
Now that’s a pretty tall ask isn’t it – even to imagine such a place? So let’s try another question. Can you imagine your own life without any negativity? Maybe that’s a pretty big ask too. So how about this: What would it be like, do you think, to go through a whole day and night without any negativity?
That’s right – I’m talking about a 24-hour period during which you stop yourself from doing any negative thinking or actions. No put-downs, no sarcasm, no teasing or belittling of others or yourself. But rather complimenting people on their actions and appearance perhaps.
This is an exercise I ask people who attend my personal development programs to try. The results are usually pretty powerful. First of all, most become aware of the amount of negative thinking they habitually do. Then, they realize that negative thinking really is something they can bring under control, with a little practice. And finally, they experience how good it feels when they stop.
So try it yourself? No negative thinking for 24 hours. Why not start right now? There is no time like right now . . .
Apr 11
12
Do You Walk The Talk?
Today’s Managers who want quality from their employees need to hold themselves to the same high standards. To borrow an old saying, “What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander” – or perhaps it should be!
Understand that in the search for total quality and continuous improvement, many managers forget about the role that they play in bringing these things about. They ignore the baggage they bring to work every day, but expect their employees to be totally focused on their roles. Or they announce a new corporate standard, but continue to act as they always have because they don’t really think the new standard applies to them. Over the years I have seen this happen many times.
There is no doubt about it. The companies showing the others how it’s done are characterised by management that is more receptive and proactive to change and more able to adapt to new ideas. And the companies that will lead us into the future and beyond are the ones ith leaders who can do what is currently considered unusual, and do it competently.
Change usually starts at the top, but it can also be stopped there unless management makes a sincere effort to take its own standards of excellence to heart. What can you do as a manager, as an executive, as an employee, or as an owner to encourage continuous improvement?
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