As a reader or subscriber to this blog, you’ll enjoy today’s image – I am sure there are a few people you’ll want to forward it to!
Archive for the 'Vision and Planning' Category
First of all, this is not a rant, but an exposé on how most people live their lives insanely…
Albert Einstein said it best when he uttered these pivotal words “Insanity is doing the SAME things over and over again, expecting a DIFFERENT result.”
Now before you get your back up and claim you’re happy and content – you’re missing the point.
I am not advocating that you are not happy or content with your life. What I am suggesting is that maybe, just maybe there is MORE for you out there…
More passion and energy for what fuels your dreams and desires.
More excitement, adventure and variety for the things you love doing.
More challenge, growth and contribution to the causes you feel most attached to.
More love, engagement and interaction with those most precious to you.
More vitality, health and fitness to live life full-on.
More…
More of what you already have.
More of what you don’t have, but would like to have.
More…
Not because you’re depressed or demoralised, but because you want to grow and become…
More…
More confident.
More capable.
More knowledgeable.
More…
If any of this resonates with you, consider the fact that it’s all within your reach – with a simple, easy and straightforward process called New Year’s Resolutions.
Now before you frown on something as simple as this – I have a special step-by-step process that is unique, fun and special.
Click on the hyperlink to have a look at what it’s all about – BEFORE you write it off.
Too many people write themselves off before the process even starts.
Too many people would “like their lives to be better” but can’t be bothered to make the SMALL investment necessary to get a lifetime of rewards…
If you are one of these people, you have already clicked off this page and have gone on to something else…
So if you are still reading this, there is a chance you might take the first step today.
But y’know what?
The odds are you won’t.
Most people have given up – on themselves.
They have given up on their ultimate dream and destiny.
I know it sounds pessimistic, sad and cynical. It is and it’s a statistical fact.
MOST people do not achieve their dream goals or live their dream life.
Somewhere along the path, they lose their way, they lose their motivation, they lose their belief, they lose their faith.
Rarely do they seek assistance or guidance.
For some it’s an ego thing – they want to do it on their own, even if that means they will fail or come up short.
For others, they simply have no belief it’s possible – for them.
But there is a small minority of people who have not given up. That small minority still has belief that all it takes is ONE decision – ONE step and their destiny can be altered.
ONE decision.
That’s all it takes. You know what that is – make that ONE decision that will make 2013 your best year ever and learn to do your New Year’s Resolutions in a new, fun and exciting way.
Today’s blog post is about one of those images / quotes that for me represents a much deeper meaning than the self evident message of overcoming procrastination.
Often, in life as well as your professional career, you get to a fork in the road and the two paths in front of you are perplexing, confusing and maybe even scary.
Regardless of which path you take, your life, your destiny will be altered, changed forever.
“It is in our moments of INdecision
that our destinies are destroyed.”
– Dr Marc Dussault
Take the time to re-read that.
Let it sink in and the next time you are faced with a tough or difficult decision, just fast forward 10, 20 or 30 years and ask yourself… in hindsight (from your future self), “regardless of the potential outcomes, how will I feel about NOT making this decision?”
Regardless of the potential outcomes is a key distinction. Sure we all want to make the right decisions and avoid mistakes, but he/she who decides because he must, is a courageous, brave person.
Often, we hesitate and avoid the most important decisions in our lives. A non-decision is a decision, one that may haunt you for a lifetime.
Perplexed with a tough decision, take Pablo Picasso’s advice to heart: “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” That should spur you to a more proactive decision making paradigm!
Often, decisions are avoided because of the confusion between the WHAT and the HOW of the decision. Simply put, WHAT you need to decide should be independent and separate from the HOW following the decision.
Once the WHAT has been decided, the HOW will find a way. Where there’s a will, there’s a way…
But first you must commit 1,000% to the WHAT.
Easier said than done.
First, let me say that I am not a pessimist nor a fatalist. However, I do believe in what I call having 20/20 foresight. When it comes to life, we all know we’re going to die, it’s just a question of how and when. Here’s the thing about not facing your mortality: You might not have as much time as you think OR WORSE, the people you care most about may have less than time than you would like.
After the fact, it’s too late.
After the fact, you can’t do anything about it.
Now, you can. I suggest you listen to the top 5 regrets of the dying to make the most of your life – what’s left of it, which when you think about it – it’s all of it because you CAN’T GO BACK…
I want to thank Mark Mackenzie of The Graffiti Eaters for sending this article to me. He’s an ambitious high achiever who places his family as his top priority, so I know he takes these recommendations to heart as I hope you will too.
The top five regrets of the dying
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.
As you may or may not know, my blog content is more than 50% user generated by readers and subscribers. It means that I get access to literally hundreds of submissions and contributions per year that I would never find on my own. First because I wouldn’t be searching for it and second, I don’t have the breadth and scope to find such a wide range and variety of things that are out there.
Today’s video was sent to me by a client, FinPacific who provides financial treasury management software solutions to medium and large businesses. They have a corporate culture based on authenticity, congruency and honesty that is truly remarkable. It did not surprise me that they would have come across this incredibly inspirational video of a 15 year-old girl. You simply have to start watching and you’ll find yourself mesmerised by her wisdom, maturity and eloquence. She can teach us all a few life lessons!
Additional notes on the video:
http://www.INKtalks.com Like Voltaire, she believes a shipwreck gives us an opportunity to sing in the life boats. Little Aisha Chaudhary, the first INK Youth Fellow, teaches us a big lesson even as she is battling a life-threatening medical condition. All of 15, Aisha has taught herself to paint, take pictures, run with her dog and dance at her cousin’s wedding, not just once but twice. Aisha learned art at the American Embassy School. “You live every moment twice, once in your mind and once when you actually live it,” she said to a standing ovation.
Note: This talk is available with English subtitles. Click the CC button on player to view the talk with subtitles.
ABOUT INK: INKtalks are personal narratives that get straight to the heart of issues in 18 minutes or less. We are committed to capturing and sharing breakthrough ideas, inspiring stories and surprising perspectives–for free!
Watch an INKtalk and meet the people who are designing the future–now.
ABOUT AISHA CHAUDHARY: Fifteen year-old Aisha Chaudhary was born with an immune deficiency disorder and overcame a predicted life expectancy of only one year to have become an accomplished artist today. Despite a serious lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis, her persistent optimism, extraordinary maturity in the face of impossible odds, and calm perspective on life’s challenges have been an inspiration to many.
Subtitling credits : Aishwarya S.
Before you read what’s next, you need to know I have been fortunate not to have had any significant family tragedies and dramas. You also should know I live halfway around the world from family and friends when I left North America to live in Sydney, Australia over a decade ago.
Over the years, I have traveled around-the-world dropping by my home town of Montreal (and Toronto) to see friends and family. I don’t know about you, but time sure seems to have a way of passing quickly as we get older…
Anyway, in recent years, I’ve lost some dear friends to breast cancer and other ailments and they’ve all shared the same realisations, understanding, philosophy that the metaphoric parable below illustrates so well.
Do with it what you may, but rest assured of one thing:
Something left unsaid is something left undone.
My rule of thumb is simple. If you can live with taking it to your grave with it unsaid, that’s OK, otherwise get in touch and tell those closest and dearest to you how you feel. I promise you it will be life changing.
If you need a little motivation to have the guts to open your heart (and mouth), go out and rent or buy the movie City Of Angels starring Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage. I am sure it will convince you of the risk of counting on a second chance to make things right.
A Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, When 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two beers story. It goes like this.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full?
The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed!
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else – the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take your spouse/partner out to dinner.
Play another 18 holes of golf.
There will always be time to clean the house, fix the disposal or deal with things from your job.
Take care of the golf balls first. The things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’
The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.
Please share this with someone you care about, send them the link to this blog post,
it might just change their lives, it sure has mine.
30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself
When you stop chasing the wrong things you give
the right things a chance to catch you.
As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
- Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
- Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Read The Road Less Traveled
.
- Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now. Continue reading ’30 Things To Stop Doing To Yourself’
We’re on the eve of the 2012 London Olympics when the very best athletes converge on London to put it all on the line.
For many, it’s the make-or-break moment of their (athletic) careers yet it’s been easier for them to train than the average person.
Confused?
Let me explain.
Olympians have a 4-year timeline to work towards. It’s a FIXED DATE with FIXED RULES. That’s what makes it “easy”.
Everyday people don’t have that level of focus and accountability. They just live their lives, one day at a time not recognising that each day is either SPENT or INVESTED.
Olympic athletes know all too well that not only are the Olympics only once every 4 years, their biological clocks are ticking down every single day.
So what can YOU learn from Olympic athletes?
- Lesson #1: Start to plan to achieve something in the future with a FIXED DATE.
- Lesson #2: Don’t change the date or the rules of the achievement – that’s cheating.
- Lesson #3: Treat each day as mission critical to “THE DAY” when you stand on the podium.
- Lesson #4: Get yourself a coach and/or mentor who can get you “there” – wherever there is for you.
- Lesson #5: Commit like an Olympian. Hold yourself to a higher standard. Don’t let yourself down.
- Lesson #6: Follow through. You’ll have some good and bad days, just don’t lose faith in yourself.
- Lesson #7: Learn the lessons along the way because unlike most Olympians who only get 1 shot, you can repeat this success EVERY 4 years, for the rest of your life!
Imagine holding yourself to an Olympic ideal from this day forward – WOW!
Psst!
Does all this sound a little daunting?
It is. And it’s why there are so few “Olympic” level successes in the world – most people just don’t want “it” bad enough.
There are many times when you do stuff that needs to be done, for all the right reasons and no one is there to applaud you. No one celebrates a non-failure.
That’s why politicians are so reluctant to err on the side or PREVENTION – they would rather deal with a CLEANUP effort than a costly avoidance of a catastrophe.
For example,the Brisbane CBD flood that could have been avoided/substantially reduced with advance minor flooding instead of the disaster it was.
In personal development (and sports mental toughness) it’s a hard concept for MOST people to understand.
MOST people are NOT champions. MOST people are CARIBOU, happy to be in the herd and not have to deal with extreme emotions and THANKLESS efforts.
That’s where maturity and self-knowledge comes in. Doing what’s right and necessary rather than what’s “quick and easy”.
I see it often with parents and their kids. The kid pulls a tantrum and they give in to the “easy” solution.
In one case, a friend gave in to his single daughter’s pleas to sleep in their bed on a REGULAR basis until she was more than 8 years old – all because he didn’t want to deal with ONE WEEK OF WEANING HER OFF THE HABIT (and deal with the nightly tantrums…)
An ounce of perspiration is worth a gallon of blood.
Continue reading ‘Don’t Wait For The Applause’
