How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I often find similarities between sports and business. Last night, on Monday Night Football the Bears played with heart and talent all game long, and won in overtime. They were already out of the playoffs, some said they had nothing to play for, their season was over. “Don’t exert yourself too much you might get hurt and ruin your career.” The coaching staff is all going to be fired at the end of the season.
Instead they chose to fight, they chose to work hard, they chose the fundamentals of running the ball and interjecting passes. They chose to win! I can do that too, I can choose to be positive, to work hard, to do the fundamentals, and to win. For once this season, thank you Chicago Bears!
December 29, 2009
December 28, 2009
Don't Should All Over Yourself
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I’m sure this Christmas does not have the same “Wow” factor of Christmas’s past. We may not have had as many presents, or as expensive of presents, and we begin to think that this was a “bad” Christmas. In the book Psalms it states “out of the mouth of babes”, and we now use this quote as being childlike simplicity. Oftentimes, we adults tend to complicate matters, and seeing life through the eyes of a child can put a perspective on things that we think matters.
Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my two grandchildren ages 2 ½ and 11 months tended to do this for me. They did not know it was a special day, they did not know about the presents, they were just happy being with their family. Grandparents visiting and Dad did not have to go to work meant more play time. Nap schedules got messed around with, meals were different, “I want chicken nuggets” instead of turkey.
This reminded me of the debates about commercialism of our holidays versus the true meaning of each one. It reminded me again, that I am my own worst enemy. I put thoughts into my own head of what I should do and what I should be. As my mother has said a number of times, if I keep this up I will be “shoulding” on myself. My mind, my family, my life, and my work, is all about perspective. In this case it is about my perspective about myself. I am happy because I choose to be happy. Why not join me?
I’m sure this Christmas does not have the same “Wow” factor of Christmas’s past. We may not have had as many presents, or as expensive of presents, and we begin to think that this was a “bad” Christmas. In the book Psalms it states “out of the mouth of babes”, and we now use this quote as being childlike simplicity. Oftentimes, we adults tend to complicate matters, and seeing life through the eyes of a child can put a perspective on things that we think matters.
Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my two grandchildren ages 2 ½ and 11 months tended to do this for me. They did not know it was a special day, they did not know about the presents, they were just happy being with their family. Grandparents visiting and Dad did not have to go to work meant more play time. Nap schedules got messed around with, meals were different, “I want chicken nuggets” instead of turkey.
This reminded me of the debates about commercialism of our holidays versus the true meaning of each one. It reminded me again, that I am my own worst enemy. I put thoughts into my own head of what I should do and what I should be. As my mother has said a number of times, if I keep this up I will be “shoulding” on myself. My mind, my family, my life, and my work, is all about perspective. In this case it is about my perspective about myself. I am happy because I choose to be happy. Why not join me?
December 23, 2009
Memories Are All We Have
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Surprises-I received in the mail today a photo from the charity we raised just over $5,000 for from our Wine Tasting Event in September. This caused me to remember that event, to remember why we decided to do it, to remember the people I met that night, to remember and to smile.
When we finish installing a closet system for someone, we leave behind a Gift Box of 5 hangers. I wonder if our customers are surprised?
Memories are all we have as we move through this life. I will try to only create happy and positive memories.
Surprises-I received in the mail today a photo from the charity we raised just over $5,000 for from our Wine Tasting Event in September. This caused me to remember that event, to remember why we decided to do it, to remember the people I met that night, to remember and to smile.
When we finish installing a closet system for someone, we leave behind a Gift Box of 5 hangers. I wonder if our customers are surprised?
Memories are all we have as we move through this life. I will try to only create happy and positive memories.
December 21, 2009
Perspective Changes
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
It’s been several months now since I made the time to write something positive, mostly to myself, but also to you. My company, like many others, had to lay off several people. So, I have been working much more “in” the business, rather than “on” the business. This is mostly the reason why I did not make the time to write something.
The other reason is that I was feeling bad. I felt like, by giving up the people that I worked with, I also gave up on my dream. The good news is that I did not, it just took perspective from a different source. I now feel that not only is it possible for us to climb our way out of the hole we dug for ourselves, we will actually be a better company, I will be a better leader. For this I am thankful, for this I feel positive, especially in these challenging times.
It’s been several months now since I made the time to write something positive, mostly to myself, but also to you. My company, like many others, had to lay off several people. So, I have been working much more “in” the business, rather than “on” the business. This is mostly the reason why I did not make the time to write something.
The other reason is that I was feeling bad. I felt like, by giving up the people that I worked with, I also gave up on my dream. The good news is that I did not, it just took perspective from a different source. I now feel that not only is it possible for us to climb our way out of the hole we dug for ourselves, we will actually be a better company, I will be a better leader. For this I am thankful, for this I feel positive, especially in these challenging times.
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