Morning Motivator - Learning WHY to be Thankful

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice."
-Meister Eckhart

As tomorrow approaches (and some of us have already ready left for the holiday), it is IMPORTANT that we understand what we are appreciative of. We should INTERNALIZE and REFLECT on the special opportunities we have to be thankful for in our lives. As is often heard, you never appreciate what you have UNTIL you are in a position of need.

In a meeting this morning, I was thinking about how great LIFE is and how FORTUNATE we are to live in a country where you are free to meet and discuss ideas to further yourself and others. How EXCITING it is to live in a community where people are ABLE to advance personally, professionally and socially. How WELCOMING it is to live a city that supports people and their desire to enhance their lives.

In lieu of TURKEY DAY, I want to make sure that we are all AWARE of our BENEFITS and BLESSINGS as Americans. I wish that everyone take time to CONSIDER what a great society we live in and how FORTUNATE we are to have our American rights, regardless of your political or religious views. Additionally, my HOPE is that you take time to show CARE and CONSIDERATION to your loved ones, as well as KINDNESS and APPRECIATION to those people that influence your life in a positive manner. These ARE the people that really bring the BEST out of you... take time to show your thanks.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
Your homework assignment for the holiday is to take a few minutes tomorrow to tell someone how much you TRULY appreciate the things they do - be specific! Take an extra moment to HUG someone you haven't seen in awhile and thank them for their SUPPORT even if sparingly.

Finally, find time to write out a short list of the things you are MOST THANKFUL for. On Monday, when you go back to work, pull the list out, read it and then post it near your desk before you start your day. It is LIKELY that the list will be of the things that "REALLY MATTER." Doing this will help you in FOCUS on what things need your attention and what is WORTHY of your stress.

Be THANKFUL... you have the CAPABILITY to define your life - successes, pleasures and direction. Be VERY thankful that others support you in that ADVENTURE!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Executive Team:
Zachary Barker, Publisher
Nancy Dubuisson, Editor

Morning Motivator - How Bad Do You Want It?

"The only thing that separates successful people from the ones who aren't is the willingness to work very, very hard."
- Helen Gurley Brown

How many SUCCESSFUL people do you know that are LAZY or had it all handed to them? When you CONSIDER who you respect for their ACHIEVEMENTS, what are some of the common behaviors you observe?

HARD WORK is a general trait of high achievers. I don't want you to have the idea that hard works means 60 hour work weeks, not seeing your family or any of the other NEGATIVE thoughts you may have. I BELIEVE "hard work" is FOCUSED, DETAILED, DRIVEN effort made to achieve your goals.

As an example... Someone asked me how I was able to find such a QUALITY job, so quickly after my recent layoff. The TRUTH behind the speed was a GREAT group of excellent connections... That have been built over YEARS with lots of time and energy invested.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:

My "hard work" was ENJOYING time at the Junior Chamber, going to coffee with INFLUENTIAL people and making time (2-5 hours/wk) to DEVELOP relationships outside work.

There is no great SECRET to getting yourself ahead. You must find your BEST way of working in a FOCUSED, DETAILED and DEDICATED fashion while BUILDING quality relationships. Choose to spend your time WISELY with people that share your VISION and are INVESTED in your success. This is YOUR "hard work."

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Executive Team:
Zachary Barker, Publisher
Nancy Dubuisson, Editor

Morning Motivator - Why Are You Punishing Yourself?

"I have come to conclusion that if you haven't made any mistakes lately, you must be doing something wrong."
- Dr. Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

I have been reading the book, "Feel the fear and do it anyway!" by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. which was recommended to me. In a portion of the book, Dr. Jeffers discusses the idea of a "NO WIN decision making process." As I reviewed it, I wondered how many people put them self in "No Win" situations...

As defined in her book, a "no win" decision is one that PARALYZES you as you try to PREDICT the future, CREATES anxiety as you process the info and keeps you WONDERING if it could have been done better if it doesn't work out. How many people face these scenarios daily? How many times have you seen (or EXPERIENCED) an inability to make a choice out of FEAR?

Let me ask you... What do you have to LOSE? What is the WORST that can come from a POOR or INCORRECT decision? Seriously. Very few of us work in life and death situations... And even then, RARELY, does YOUR decision serve as the SOLE factor in the outcome.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
I, like most others, don't want to make the WRONG decision or FAIL. I don't want to FEEL the pain, embarrassment or anxiety.

Yet, how many TOP ACHIEVERS do NOT fail daily?

Reality is... The most SUCCESSFUL people in this world have decided that "failure" is just a part of GROWTH. They look forward to the CHALLENGE and embrace a "missed chance" by knowing they are beating the "other guy" simply because they are taking ACTION...

Stop punishing yourself... "Failures" are nothing more than corrective reminders that keep you FOCUSED on the best next action!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com


The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Executive Team:
Zachary Barker, Publisher
Nancy Dubuisson, Editor