Did you wake up this morning looking at the negative side of your equation? Do you feel a little bit like things aren't going your way? Does it seem like everybody else is having a better time than you are?
If so, then I'm writing this especially for you. Spend one minute -- that's right, one -- wrapped in these feelings, whatever they are. I'll pause while you do that.
OK, ready to continue? Now that you've acknowledged and owned the negative feelings, it's time to change your focus. Now, spend five minutes thinking about the good things you have going for you right now (they can be big or small). Write them down.
Then spend another few minutes thinking of all the great ideas you have for addressing one key concern or issue facing you today. For instance, if you're feeling overwhelmed because you want to lose weight but nothing seems to be working, then write down as many (healthy) weight-loss ideas as you can think of. If you're at a loss, browse a respected weight-loss or fitness Web site. If your concern is how to go after a new market in your business or boost income, brainstorm ideas to do that. Write down your ideas. The point here is to see the opportunities to address whatever is bugging you.
Judy Christie, an author friend who also is a Web site client of RootSky Creative, wrote a good book to help you with this. It's called Goodbye Murphy's Law: Whatever Can Go Wrong, God Can Make Right. This book really helps you address those tough, challenging days. Check it out if you want even more help in this area.
The key is to switch your focus to the good of your situation and the opportunities that await you. You've gotten off to a good start, if you did the exercise here. Now spend the rest of today seeking out those opportunities and acting upon them. You'll be surprised what turns up.
Expect good things to happen.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
What's standing between you and your goals? | March 9, 2009
I am a big believer in going after what you want. I did it when I up and left a good newspaper job to follow my dream of being an author and entrepreneur. I did it when I ran a Jan. 1 marathon to set the tone for the year ahead. I did it when I took to the stage to share my message of empowerment with a broader audience.
Going after what you want requires a few tools. One of those is your Zoom Power Equation. Your Zoom Power is your ability to pull sharply into focus what you want -- and make it happen.
I give the Zoom Power Equation in chapter two of my book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets. Your Zoom Power Equation is this: Focus plus Perseverance equals Zoom Power.
What are you focusing on? If you want to improve your results in life, especially these days, then you've got to focus on that which you want. Focus is what a lot of people miss. They try to do too many things, which means they end up doing an OK job in a lot of different areas, rather than an outstanding job in one area.
The key to reaching your goals is in how you think about them -- and how you approach them. Put into place your Zoom Power Equation and you're well on your way to being a success story!
Use the Zoom Power Equation to create your Zoom Power Plan.
Going after what you want requires a few tools. One of those is your Zoom Power Equation. Your Zoom Power is your ability to pull sharply into focus what you want -- and make it happen.
I give the Zoom Power Equation in chapter two of my book, Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets. Your Zoom Power Equation is this: Focus plus Perseverance equals Zoom Power.
What are you focusing on? If you want to improve your results in life, especially these days, then you've got to focus on that which you want. Focus is what a lot of people miss. They try to do too many things, which means they end up doing an OK job in a lot of different areas, rather than an outstanding job in one area.
The key to reaching your goals is in how you think about them -- and how you approach them. Put into place your Zoom Power Equation and you're well on your way to being a success story!
Use the Zoom Power Equation to create your Zoom Power Plan.
Here is the five-step Zoom Power Plan, taken from chapter two of Zoom Power: Your Key to Hitting Your Personal, Business and Financial Targets:
1. Identify the result you want. You've got to be clear about what you are
working toward. If you are hazy about what you're working toward, you'll be hazy
about figuring out if you've reached it.
2. Quantify the result. Tell yourself exactly how much you want to achieve.
Do you want to increase your revenue by 20 percent? Do you want to pay off
$5,000 worth of debt? Do you want to lose 20 pounds?
3. Set a time frame. Give yourself a deadline. A goal without a deadline is
just a flimsy wish. If you don't attach a deadline to your goal, then you're
setting yourself up for failure. You must have something to work toward, and in
a particular amount of time.
4. Write down your goal and deadline. Hold yourself accountable. Don't just
keep it "in your head." A vision is fine, but put it down on paper.
Paper takes it out of your head and brings it into the real world.
5. Create a goal plan. Now that you have a result and date, work back
from there to create a plan for making it all happen. Your plan should include
steps that lead to your ultimate goal. So if it's a big goal you're chasing,
break it down into parts. Check off each success as you go.What goal will you tackle with your Zoom Power Plan this week?
Friday, March 6, 2009
You can find answers in tough times | March 6, 2009
Times like the current recession this country is experiencing test us all. Difficult times can see us crumble or see us rise to overcome the challenge. Often, the difference in outcome can be traced back to how we see the situation.
We must see this time -- or any difficult time -- as something we can overcome and even emerge from as better. We must see the hope in a situation that otherwise would seem hopeless.
This does not mean we should naively ignore reality or refuse to see the signs of trouble. That would not be wise. But it does mean we should see things as they are, but not worse than they are, and then see how they can be better.
The reason this is important is because seeing how a situation can be better -- seeing the hope of the possibility -- helps us to push forward.
The alternative could be tragic. A recent BusinessWeek story listed the nation's unhappiest cities, with Portland, Oregon as number one. The ranking took into consideration things like crime, divorce, economy, even days of sunshine. Unhappy cities have a higher occurrence of drastic actions taken by people who have been buried under dire circumstances -- foreclosures, divorces, and the ultimate, suicide.
Suicidal thoughts are to be taken seriously. When a person feels so overwhelmed or helpless in a situation that he or she sees that as the only option, drastic actions must be taken. Often, people who are in this position give out signs -- maybe they show signs of depression including changes in eating or sleeping habits and loss of interest in activities; maybe they even express suicidal thoughts. Sometimes they express a general sentiment that life just won't get better.
Suicide is the ultimate act of losing control of one's life. Whether you live in a city that appeared on BusinessWeek's list or not, take stock of those around you. Could they be feeling that their lives are spinning out of control? Or maybe you're the one who feels that way. Get help. Call the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-TALK. No matter how this economy is treating you, you can get through it.
If you're not feeling suicidal but are feeling a bit low because of pressing economic, health, career, social or other concerns, one way to improve your disposition and change your outlook is to take an honest look at the situation. Often, we imagine a situation that is worse than the reality. Once you assess the situation, then look at all the possible outcomes if you do not act. Then look at the possible outcomes if you do take action. Once you realize that you can change the situation by doing something, you will gain some sense of control.
You can find answers, even in tough times. Sometimes this means looking around you for insight -- talking to people who have been through it so you get their perspective and learn what worked for them that may work for you, reading books or reputable Web sites that provide solutions. Sometimes it means looking within for insight -- going back to a memory of overcoming a similar challenge, mustering up your strength and will to succeed, looking to your spiritual belief system.
We can't control all the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them. For instance, the company you've worked for the last ten years may have just announced it is laying off you and everyone else in your department. While that may have been an unexpected and unwelcome turn of events that you had no control over, you can control how you will move forward. Maybe you'll begin a search for another job. But will you search within your industry or look for something totally different? Maybe you'll use this opportunity to launch a new business. Maybe you will take some time off to regroup. You control your response.
So if you're going through a rough patch right now, don't hide from what's going on. Face it. Then figure out how you're going to fix it. You're your own solution.
We must see this time -- or any difficult time -- as something we can overcome and even emerge from as better. We must see the hope in a situation that otherwise would seem hopeless.
This does not mean we should naively ignore reality or refuse to see the signs of trouble. That would not be wise. But it does mean we should see things as they are, but not worse than they are, and then see how they can be better.
The reason this is important is because seeing how a situation can be better -- seeing the hope of the possibility -- helps us to push forward.
The alternative could be tragic. A recent BusinessWeek story listed the nation's unhappiest cities, with Portland, Oregon as number one. The ranking took into consideration things like crime, divorce, economy, even days of sunshine. Unhappy cities have a higher occurrence of drastic actions taken by people who have been buried under dire circumstances -- foreclosures, divorces, and the ultimate, suicide.
Suicidal thoughts are to be taken seriously. When a person feels so overwhelmed or helpless in a situation that he or she sees that as the only option, drastic actions must be taken. Often, people who are in this position give out signs -- maybe they show signs of depression including changes in eating or sleeping habits and loss of interest in activities; maybe they even express suicidal thoughts. Sometimes they express a general sentiment that life just won't get better.
Suicide is the ultimate act of losing control of one's life. Whether you live in a city that appeared on BusinessWeek's list or not, take stock of those around you. Could they be feeling that their lives are spinning out of control? Or maybe you're the one who feels that way. Get help. Call the national suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-TALK. No matter how this economy is treating you, you can get through it.
If you're not feeling suicidal but are feeling a bit low because of pressing economic, health, career, social or other concerns, one way to improve your disposition and change your outlook is to take an honest look at the situation. Often, we imagine a situation that is worse than the reality. Once you assess the situation, then look at all the possible outcomes if you do not act. Then look at the possible outcomes if you do take action. Once you realize that you can change the situation by doing something, you will gain some sense of control.
You can find answers, even in tough times. Sometimes this means looking around you for insight -- talking to people who have been through it so you get their perspective and learn what worked for them that may work for you, reading books or reputable Web sites that provide solutions. Sometimes it means looking within for insight -- going back to a memory of overcoming a similar challenge, mustering up your strength and will to succeed, looking to your spiritual belief system.
We can't control all the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them. For instance, the company you've worked for the last ten years may have just announced it is laying off you and everyone else in your department. While that may have been an unexpected and unwelcome turn of events that you had no control over, you can control how you will move forward. Maybe you'll begin a search for another job. But will you search within your industry or look for something totally different? Maybe you'll use this opportunity to launch a new business. Maybe you will take some time off to regroup. You control your response.
So if you're going through a rough patch right now, don't hide from what's going on. Face it. Then figure out how you're going to fix it. You're your own solution.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
