This morning I’m sitting in the physical therapy clinic with a heat pack on my shoulder, writing once again from my iPhone. I’ve been coming here for about a year now. Since the original incident last January, I’ve gone through a lot of physical changes but what I notice the most is the change that happens inside a person as when they go through trials.

I have a lot of opportunity to visit with the other patients here – many of whom have had much worse injuries than mine. Most will never be the same as they were before. It’s interesting how differently people deal with such challenges. Some are very depressed but several I’ve met are quite optimistic and talk about what they’ve learned in the course of their recovery.

The second kind of people are the ones who are growing inside through their trials. They express learning to have more patience, humility, persevering and a strengthened faith. Honestly, I’ve felt & both ways, first getting down over my injured condition and later finding inspiration through this situation.

Why is it that we seem to learn and grow the most through adversity?

One man I know was injured much worse than I was. Recently getting out of his body cast and still walking with a cane, he has learned to joke about his condition. What really moved me was something else he shared as we talked. He was angry after he first got hurt. He wondered why this had happened to him and described his feelings were like it was an injustice in some way.

After a few months, he turned his focus to his faith & began to see life lessons that he felt he should be learning through his situation. Lessons like humility, acceptance and forgiveness. Since that realization, he’s started to heal faster and has been much happier.

Ever notice how personal growth seems to somehow be tied to challenges & trials?

This man’s story inspired me & I’ve thought about it a lot since we first talked in the clinic that day. After I was injured over a year ago, I dealt with a lot of frustrations & anger and at times took them out on other people. I’ve struggled in my own faith and keeping a positive mindset has often been a challenge. Yet through this, I’ve also learned more about myself and others than ever before when it comes to patience & understanding.

It all makes me wonder if God does indeed have a sense of humor, as Albert Einstein had said. Or is it more a matter of the lessons having more value to us if there is some pain or grief involved?

Through my own situation, I’m trying to learn more patience, humility and strengthen my faith. What I’ve noticed is how people seem to come to realizations about themselves and experience more personal growth through tragedies & challenges than at any other time of their lives. It’s a paradox to me but most of us share the same feeling when we wish that personal development & realization could come in an easier way.

I don’t pretend to know the details about what power or science there is behind faith & humility when it comes to healing the body and mind. What I do know is, there are countless stories of people who’ve experienced something very similar. Positive energy facilitates healing and peace within. We shouldn’t wait for an accident of some kind to begin attracting this kind of positive & strengthening our own patience & faith. Today is a great time.

There are tons of books and even movies about this same theme – personal growth & development that comes through physical challenge. One of my recently read favorites is, ”90 Minutes in Heaven“. It’s the true story of Don Piper, who is involved in a horrific car accident. His recovery leads him on a miraculous and inspiring journey of personal & spiritual growth as he overcomes the darkness that follows his own tragedy. It’s a very compelling book – one I’d recommend checking out through the link, below.

90 Minutes in Heaven

If you haven’t experienced a layoff personally, you probably know someone who has. Today’s difficult economy has had a huge effect on businesses everywhere, which translates to the job market becoming more competitive than most of us have seen in our lifetimes.

What’s the best way to guard against being the one who’s laid off or let go from a job? Be the best choice for an employee that your company has available.

That  may not guarantee that you don’t find yourself suddenly without a job or that you are part of your company’s cut-backs. But it will sure give you the best chance you can have of keeping a job, keeping your hours or pay level and even being the one who is considered for advancement.

Here I’ll share what makes a “star employee” based on my own experiences as a business manager and by what I’ve learned from associates. There are a few things that really make a difference that most people don’t even think of as having an impact on their job. While this may not be an all-inclusive guide, following these strategies will definitely increase the value your company places on you.

Your Appearance is Golden

Your personal appearance on the job should be a ‘no brainer’ but just in case, here are some tips. Always dress appropriately when you’re at work or even a job-related get together (office parties, etc.). Unless you’re part of the cast of “The Real Housewives of Wherever”, modest attire in the workplace is a must, no matter what your gender is. 

Belly buttons should never be seen at work unless you’re a lifeguard or underwear model. Another thing to keep covered is the plumbers’ crack or that cute little tattoo on your lower back. Guys, pull up your pants. Ladies, button up that blouse. Be professional.

Coordinate your shoes with your belt, iron your shirts (and pants if needed), be clean & groomed. Even if you can’t invest in a new wardrobe each season, there are a lot of things you can do to keep looking good each day at work.

Obviously, unless you work on-screen, your hair & makeup should always be done before you get to work.

Maintain Your Health

Your own health is a major key to your success at work. When you’re run down, overly tired, not eating right or getting enough exercise, it will show and have a marked impact on your performance. You’re boss is probably going to notice that you haven’t been getting enough sleep long before they actually pull you aside and say something.

Eating & sleeping right will help you focus & think better. In addition to proper diet & rest, exercising & staying in good shape minimizes work related injuries. If your boss sees you as a liability, that doesn’t translate into job security & advancement for you.

Planning is Key

Anything you do in life, if worth doing, should have a plan behind it. Planning out your personal schedule is important when it comes to your job, too. It minimizes catastrophes & drama from little things which could interfere with your job performance. Coordinating things in your personal life with family, etc., can minimize distracting personal phone calls while at work and can help a lot when it comes to cutting down on stress from outside sources as you’re focused on the job.

Planning for your job should go as far as long term career goals but also includes making sure you’re in good health & that you’re well rested from day to day. 

Stay Organized

Very similar to planning, organizing will make things in your personal life and on the job go so much smoother. This can mean something as simple as knowing where your keys are as you’re headed to work in the morning. Keeping your workplace clean and organized will help you be productive & efficient, as well as making a great impression on the boss.

Check Your Attitude

You might be amazed how many people are laid off or fired due mainly to their poor attitudes. Even if there are things about your job that you can’t stand, your attitude & character will determine where you wind up more than most other factors put together.

Smile, be agreeable and work as a team player even if you generally aren’t. If you have something from outside work that’s frustrating you, leave it outside of work – and then deal with it as soon as possible afterward.

Avoid Office Politics & Gossip

There’s going to be ‘politics’ in any workplace. Make it a personal rule not to play that game. There’s no reason to kiss your boss’s backside in hopes of getting ahead. Your personal integrity and hard work will go much further and will actually be genuine.

If a coworker is gossiping about someone, you don’t have to participate. You can politely say something like, “It’s not fair to talk about Amy if she’s not present”, or come up with something just as effective. Your integrity is at stake if you gain a reputation as a bad mouth, rumor-monger or gossip. If people know that you aren’t going to take part in covert conversations about other people, they will also trust you not to do it in regards to them.

A few more quick tips:

• Volunteer from time to time if you can.
• Keep personal calls at work to a minimum. Never text or take personal calls around clients/customers.
• Increase your knowledge & skills. Take a class. Get that degree. Read some books. Invest in yourself.
• Always follow up & follow through.
• Be honest at all times. Not that ‘brutal honesty’ that says “you look like hell today” – but the kind that shows people you’re trustworthy.
• Work to strengthen your customer service skills. It will pay off no matter what industry you’re in.

Image via Victor1558 under license.

You can have the most amazing, revolutionary, creative idea and no matter how good it is, there is a guarantee almost as if by some unwritten law of the universe, that someone (and likely someone you know well) is going to poo on it.

Criticism is a sad aspect of human nature but some people are most comfortable putting others down & trying to keep them there. It can be absolutely crushing to the one on the receiving end, as well as their dreams. A lot of people never get far enough to see their ambitions take off because they succumb to the stress & pressure of what others might think of them. And for what? For striving to be better, to have more, to become something other than mediocre?

The most successful people in history have a very small set of things in common. One of those things is that they didn’t let the nay-sayers stop them from going forward and following their vision. They went forward. They made history.

Grab Opportunity…Or Create It

I’ve had some great successes in my life & have experienced more than many my age. Still, I’ve passed up more opportunities in my lifetime than I’ve ever followed through on – and the biggest reason is fear. A lot of times, it’s been fear of what someone else who’s close to me would think if I were to follow such a “dream”.

You may not make history by following a particular dream of yours but you should always follow through on it. Take what opportunities come to you. Make opportunities when they are scarce – instead of creating excuses.

Frozen from Fear of Criticism?

A while back, I realized that I had allowed myself to be a victim of fear. There were times when I froze instead of blazing ahead. That sounds pretty silly but it was true! It hurts when you have a vision, desire, idea or ambition but don’t have the faith & belief – or at least emotional support – of those who matter most to you. They might be jealous, envious or just plain calloused.

I’m not going to analyze the various reasons ‘why’ some people like to criticize & belittle those with vision, dreams & goals. It doesn’t matter. What is important is that you don’t fear such a reaction or let that stand in your way for one moment.

Just Do It!

You probably have a “bucket list” of things you hope for or want to do or accomplish in your life. Don’t wait until you’re terminally ill or only have a few short, golden years left to do them. Chances are, if you’re waiting for exactly the right time & situation, it will never magically appear. Whatever it is you have on your list, get serious about it. Plan it out. Turn the vision into a goal with a time frame. Then do it.

Don’t let anyone steal your dream.

Photo credit: Kathryn McCallum, some rights reserved.

It’s almost Christmas and Hanukkah is underway. As the snow falls in Colorado, I’d like to share some warm holiday wishes & a few thoughts on the time of year.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the season in the comments, below.

If you have trouble seeing the video here, you can view it on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Yl65oZ4I4

Getting involved in time-wasters is a common way to distract from things that really matter. Before you know it, you can lose hours of precious time which could have been better spent crossing something off of your “to do” list. Television, web browsing, email and now, social media, tend to be huge time wasters. I recently read an article that stated some employers feel they are losing about 25% productivity of their employees due to time spent (or wasted) on email, browsing & social media.

Procrastination has a compounding power to rob us of motivation and positive mental energy. The longer we procrastinate, the harder it is to get back on track. We tend to minimize the importance of paperwork, phone calls, etc., the longer it has been since we first needed to get them taken care of. We can be pretty creative when it comes to making up excuses for not doing something now. It’s all a matter of habit – and what procrastination teaches the mind, is – simply put – to be lazy. The more we procrastinate, the less motivated we become. It’s a vicious cycle.

A sense of self-control & accomplishment comes from getting things done but when we put those things off, the opposite happens. We feel a loss of control & empowerment which can actually lead to lethargy & depression. The longer we put something off, the harder it is to get it done. I’ve struggled with this for a long time, in fact, I have a few books on the subject. What I discovered is that if I procrastinate reading the books, they don’t help either. Imagine that! Martin Luther once said, “How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never’“, and oh, how true that is.

Here are a few ideas to help get back on track and out of the procrastinator’s rut.

• Start by limiting the time you allow yourself to spend on certain time-draining activities each day. Don’t let yourself go over that limit unless you’ve completed everything you need to get done for the day. If you need to, write down the limits you set for yourself so you can refer back to it later.
• Make sure that you’re keeping a running schedule & task list. Whether it’s on your computer, smartphone, planner or on a paper pad – keep it handy & keep things organized on it.
• If you’re completely bogged down with a huge task list, rebuild it from the ground up. Start completely over by taking a new inventory of everything that needs to be done, reprioritize it all and set new due dates.
• Give yourself the credit you deserve! Whenever you get something done that was actually on your list, make sure to cross it off & take a mental note. This helps by empowering you mentally. You’re now back in control!

You’ll have more time than you thought by staying more organized & sticking to the limits you set for yourself. Believe it or not, you will have more emotional energy to deal with things as you accomplish more. Your mind will feed from the accomplishments you make & be charged up for more. Practice a positive habit of “doing” to increase the sense of worth & power of control you have over your life. You’ll feel more motivated and find you have more energy emotionally and physically, as well.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorites by Mark Victor Hansen, which does away with the excuses & procrastination attitude: “Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

Stores make their employees leave home & family in the middle of the night to come man the battlements, so to speak, in preparation for the enormous crowds of shoppers. Polices are on hand to maintain control at “door buster” sales, yet each year, we see news stories of people who’ve been trampled & killed by fellow deal seekers!

Black Friday is the iconoclasm of Thanksgiving.

Are we really supposed to humbly reflect on & express our deep gratitude one day and then switch to the opposite extreme the next day in order to save a few dollars? Sure, I know there are great deals out there on Black Friday and people can be “thankful” for saving money. But it seems that Black Friday is has almost become the anti-Thanksgiving with all the commercialism and the general mindset or attitude that surrounds frenzied shopping.

Thankfulness is a mindset essential to abundance and a key part of positive thinking. Giving thanks in our heart & minds, as well as expressing it to those around us, should happen every day – not just one day each year.

Going beyond expressing thanks to others as a matter of courtesy or kindness, we should constantly have in our minds what we are thankful for. So, as a friendly reminder; make an extra effort to keep that feeling and mindset of giving & gratitude as you’re out doing holiday shopping & planning for festivities.

Stress & commercialism this time of year can take away from the real meaning of what we’re commemorating during these magical, special holidays. Embrace the bounty that life has to offer you …which can only come after having gratitude. Being the day with thanks every day. Express it to those around you. And good luck if you’re out shopping this weekend.

If you’re anything like me and most other people, you’ve probably had the feeling of running out of motivation. That’s pretty normal.

Imagine getting up in the morning, not eating and going about your day. You come home after a long day and you’re really hungry. Yet, you don’t bother to eat that evening. The next day comes and goes without you taking the time to eat again. How long far do you imagine you could go like that – without eating? Your body gets weak, it breaks down & gets sick unless you feed it regularly.

Our mental & emotional self needs to be fed regularly, just like the physical body. If not, it gets weak and breaks down, too. We’ve all been there & seen the warning signs. We become negative, hopeless & slothful without feeding our motivation (and attitudes).

We humans must actually practice motivating ourselves and make a daily habit of it. It’s no different than nourishing your body through a healthy diet.

A Few Motivating, Inspirational Ideas

Pay attention to what you listen to. Everything you see & hear is feeding your mind. So, ask yourself, “is it positive or crap?”

Put something positive on your music player in your car. Listen at home, as you commute, etc. Music is fun and I really enjoy it. But what you can pick up from a good audio book or podcast can go a long way to recharging your emotional batteries.

Something I do daily is listen to an audio book or podcast as I’m shaving & brushing my teeth in the morning. I listen to a couple of YouTube videos by one of my favorite inspirational authors or an audio program by someone like Jim Rohn on my iPhone as I’m commuting. If I’m waiting for an appointment, I read something inspirational. I also keep a few great books by my bedside so I can easily read something positive right before turning out the light to go to sleep.

Those things all help to nourish my mental & emotional being and strengthen my motivation. My resolve stays stronger. I really notice when I don’t do these things for a day. It’s easy to feel the difference – almost like skipping an important meal. I’ve made a habit of doing things like these by practicing them over & over.

Make A System That Works For YOU…Then Practice!

The best thing about doing this is – it really doesn’t take any extra time! Get just a little creative and most of your motivational practice can be done while you’re doing something else or have “down” time. If you have a smartphone, use it smartly. Make it your tool. If you don’t have something like that, get a cheap MP3 player or carry a pocket-sized book of motivating stories with you. You can find a lot of ways to work this into your daily routine without upsetting or neglecting anything you already have to do.

The only extra time you’ll really need to take, is getting your own system together. Once you have that in place, practice, practice, practice.

Author and success guru, Jack Canfield, has a wonderful analogy of faith. He describes the way we can drive a car at night, even at highway speeds, seeing only by the headlights of the car which shine for a couple hundred feet ahead of us. We can drive from Los Angeles to New York – a distance of almost 2,800 miles – only seeing a couple of hundred feet head of us at a time.

Since I went through flight school several years ago, I’ve often imagined the journey through life being somewhat like an airplane flight. Before each flight, I had to have a flight plan, specifying where I’m starting from, my final destination and the “planned” route – knowing that the route may likely change as I’m enroute due to various circumstances.

So often, we’ll get caught up in the details and minutia of planning how everything is needs to happen to make our own successes happen – to reach a certain “destination”. That’s a waste of time. It’s like trying to find a way to see the entire highway to New York City while still standing firmly in Los Angeles. Or a pilot trying to think of and calculate every possible variable before leaving… he’d never take off!

My point here is, we can’t let not knowing every possible  scenario or having all of the answers keep us from moving forward.

Where Are You Headed?

In order to actually get somewhere, you have to have a clear destination in mind – a goal. It’s best to have some fairly clear directions, or at least know which route you’re going to set out on. Most people are most comfortable setting out on a trip with as much information as possible, ahead of time. That makes good sense.

Planning & forethought are important! But moderation in planning is key. You aren’t always going to have every detail known before leaving on your trip. You don’t have to possess all of the answers or see each and every step at the moment you set out toward your goal, as long as you clearly know the destination we’re heading toward – just like the trip from Los Angeles to New York.

The Flight Plan in a Nutshell

Like any of us when we set out on a trip, the pilot gets enough information to complete his flight plan prior to departure but that doesn’t mean he has all the answers. He’s trained in contingencies and how to adapt in order to reach his destination. He has a reasonable belief that he will make that destination because he knows where he’s starting from, where he’s heading and some of the variables in between.

The most important part in planning is knowing where you’re going. That’s having a clearly defined goal to travel toward.

Just like a flight plan, write your goals down. Keep them handy an review it often. Some short-term plans need to be reviewed several times a day – making sure we get done what needs done through that day. Other, more long term flight plans should be reviewed daily or at the very least, once a week.

When you run into unseen variables along the way, adjustments in your plan need to be made. If your destination changes, you will need to change your routing. If you have to make any changes, write them down on your own “flight plan”.

By knowing which way you’re headed, making frequent reviews of your progress and small adjustments as needed, there is no journey too long or destination too far.

Life is just that way. No goal is too high for you to reach if have a plan – and then DO IT. Actually set out on your journey and GO!

A video post discussing Rule 1: You Have to Really Want It.

From: 5 Essential Rules for Personal Change.

What excites you to the point that you are actually driven to make it happen? When it comes to making personal changes, you must find the reasons for the change that actually motivate you to the point of passion!

What are you own thoughts & experiences on this? Let’s talk! Share what you have in the comments below.