How Am I Going To Get Through This?

Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think “I’m not going to make it”, but you laugh inside – remembering all the times you’ve felt that way

Charles Bukowski

Wednesday. Hump Day. For many people, it’s the toughest day of the week and they question whether they have the strength to make it through it in one piece. It’s halfway through the working week, you’re tired and the weekend feels like a very long way off in the distance. All that goes through your head is..How am I going to get through this? This is the question that we are also very quick to ask when faced with a challenging meeting, busy day following a poor night’s sleep, an assignment to submit, the breakdown of a relationship or anything else which fills us with genuine dread and despair.

But… we get through it. We all do. We question whether we can do it, and then we go ahead and make it through, barring any major incidents. In fact, more often than not, the dreaded day or event comes to pass, and it is in no way as bad as what we had been imagining in our heads. Day in, day out. Week in, week out. We survive and thrive. That’s because we are incredibly resilient, and have a lot more strength, patience and powers of perseverance than we give ourselves credit for. We dig deep and find the energy, the patience, the solutions, the mental strength or anything else which we need.

This is why we need to cut-out the negative self-talk. If, asking yourself “how am I going to do this” fills you with fear, then you have some work to do. Instead of being an excuse to wallow in self-pity and give up, this question should excite you and get your creative juices flowing. Develop the ability to see this question as a challenge, and then do whatever it takes to meet the challenge. You can do this with some follow-up questions to the initial “How am I going to get through this?”

• What do I need to get through this? A deadline extension? Coffee? Someone to talk to? Advice…
• What skills, knowledge or resources do I have at my disposal which can help me get out of this sticky situation?
• How have i navigated my way through similarly tricky challenging situations in the past?
• What is the worst that can happen, and what can I do to ensure that it doesn’t happen?

It is very difficult, feels very weird and will take time and practice to master this. The good news is that when you do, life becomes infinitely more exciting. Moments that would have previously driven you to despair will now become an opportunity to learn, challenge yourself and grow. The negativity gets replaced with a hunger to see just what you are truly capable of.

So, next time, you start to feel anxious about a situation which you are facing or currently dealing with, just remind yourself that you will get through it. Remind yourself too, that these situations are often far worse in our own heads than in reality, and think back to a similar event or occurrence which challenged you and filled you with dread, only for you to come through it relatively unscathed.

We waste far too much time and energy every day second-guessing our abilities, and putting ourselves down. Left unchecked, it destroys confidence and convinces people to stop trying to improve themselves and the quality of life for those around them. They just seem to give up and accept their current circumstances, preferring mediocrity to the risk of failure and embarrassment.

However, when you become able to see the opportunity for growth and progress, the challenge becomes exciting, instead of daunting and scary. Instead of seeing the challenge as something which could break you, learn to look it as your time to shine, to push yourself and discover what you are truly capable of.

That’s not to say that this is easy. Because it isn’t. It does take a lot of practice and hard work, but the results make all the effort worthwhile. As with many other things in life, it’s getting started that’s the trickiest part. So, if you’re struggling with getting started on this shift in perception, begin by thinking back to, and reflecting on, other tricky situations which filled you with dread but ultimately worked out better than expected. This serves to remind you of the power which you posses and put you in the right frame of mind to tackle the situation.

If you have any suggestions of your won to add, please feel free to leave a comment

Be More Picasso

Others have seen what is and asked why.

I have seen what could be and asked why not

Pablo Picasso

We are all unique. We are all different, and this is completely normal. After all, no two people are the same. If we were, life would be boring. Humans wouldn’t be individuals, capable of independent thought and action, but rather robots, pre-programmed to think and behave in the same manner as everybody else.

Accepting that we are all different, with thoughts, feelings, drivers and motivating forces unique to each of us, is a powerful and liberating feeling. It’s empowering, because you come to the realisation that you control your own life, nobody else. You have the freedom to pursue your dreams, and the only one who can stop you is yourself. You don’t have to listen to others, but can instead chase after whatever it is that you want, and learn from the ensuing experiences. Once you accept that we are all unique, you realise that you don’t have to accept  the opinions or limitations of other people, but instead it’s your own judgement that matters. That’s not to say that you should disregard completely what others have to say, because everyone you meet in life has something which they can teach you. Just don’t take the word of others as final. Don’t be afraid to look at a problem from a different angle or perspective. In doing so, it might be you who makes the breakthrough, and gives the world something special. Pablo Picasso’s name is still known today, throughout the world, because he didn’t accept the limitations of those around him. He ignored the critics, and instead focused his energy on pushing boundaries and taking art in new directions. Most important of all though, he believed in what he did, deeply believed, and did not give up. Be bolder, be more daring, be more Picasso.

The reason why there aren’t more people living the lives they want for themselves and are genuinely happy, is fear. Following your instinct and your dreams is a brave decision, because it involves breaking away from the norm and the status quo. People will try and discourage you, some because they don’t want to see you fail and get hurt, and others because they don’t want to see you doing better than them.

This second group are often referred to as having a “crab mentality”. Crab mentality  is a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you”. The metaphor refers to a bucket of live crabs, some of which could easily escape and do try, but other crabs pull them back down to prevent any from getting out, ensuring the group’s collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that members of a group will attempt to reduce the self-confidence of any member who achieves, or even attempts to achieve, success beyond the others, out of envy, spite, or competitive feelings, to halt their progress.

Crab mentality achieves nothing more than mediocrity. Progress and innovation slow to a crawl. Everything stays the same. There’s no change or challenge, just more of the same. This is a very toxic, dangerous, and sorry state of affairs. Crab mentality leads people to feel comfortable and complacent. People stop trying because they don’t want to stand out and be criticised. They don’t attempt anything, because they fear being ridiculed if they fail.

People, however, don’t admire and look up to “crabs”, because they haven’t attempted anything noteworthy. Hence they have no influence, and just become one of the faceless masses who don’t stand out. Is that what you really want?

People admire, respect and are influenced by innovators. People who have dared to attempt something great, whether they have succeeded or not. They want to know what it is that led them to become successful, and what they have learned along the way.

History remembers Henry Ford, Pablo Picasso, Michael Jordan and so many other greats, because they dared to strive to become the best they could possible be in their chosen arena. Those who may have been just as talented, but chose to play it safe, are easily forgotten.

You are not here because you are happy with being average, and just sailing through life. You visited a blog about fulfilling the potential which you have within you, because you are hungry for more. You want to become the best version of yourself. The only way to do this is to be brave. You have to muster up the courage to go after what you want. Decide, plan and act. Reflect on your journey at regular intervals, and make any necessary changes to stay on track.

Don’t allow anybody else tell you how to think or how you should view the world. There are enough people already doing everything the same. Dare to be different, because the world needs more people looking at issues and problems from a fresh perspective. We need innovators, not imitators.

So, as you begin this new week, be bold. Be confident. Be willing to experiment. Be more Picasso.

Excellence

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit

Aristotle

Starting today, create new habits that will benefit your life. Set your standards high and make it your goal to achieve excellence in everything you do. You won’t always achieve it, but by striving for excellence and making it a daily habit, you will surprise yourself when you discover what you are capable of.

Magic happens when you act with integrity, and strive for excellence. You will do, and create, great things. You will achieve more than you thought yourself capable of. Your confidence will grow massively, and doors will open for you personally and professionally. Your influence will grow as people become intrigued by your fast progress and what you have achieved. People will want to do business with you, learn from you or connect with you. All of this can lead you in new and wonderful directions.

So, if you’re feeling unmotivated, uninspired or bored with your current circumstances, adopt this approach for 3 weeks. Just 21 days. Strive for excellence in everything you do for 21 days, and it will become a habit, happening automatically. Research shows that it takes 3 weeks for a new habit to be formed. So, for the next 3 weeks, strive for excellence and document your journey. If it fails miserably and you find yourself no better off than when you started, please come back and let me know how wrong I am. But that’s not going to happen, because when you begin to really apply yourself, your efforts will bring positive results. Once you see what you are capable of, your goals will become bigger, you will push yourself harder and you will reach even greater heights. But for all of this to happen, you need to take that first step.

So, starting today, start striving for excellence. At work, aim to do your job to the best of your ability. Communicate better with colleagues, friends and family. Instead of switching on the tv when you get home, read to gain knowledge, spend some quality time with your family or start working on that business which you have a burning desire, but lack the confidence, to pursue.

Instead of drifting through the day and wasting time, look at how you can fill your day with excellence. How can you use your time to take a step closer to the life you now dream of?

For 3 weeks, aim for excellence in everything you do. And in 3 weeks, come back and tell me about how your life has moved forward now that this new habit has been formed.

Good luck and get to work!!

Life Is What You Make Of It

A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with. A man is what he makes of himself

Alexander Graham Bell

The media, with its fake news and scaremongering would have us believe that we are headed for Armageddon, but the reality is very different. This is, arguably, the greatest time to be alive.

We live in exciting times. Technology is evolving at a rapid rate, and the possibilities we are being presented with are endless. Not only this, but we are also well of the way to achieving equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. We’re not quite there yet in all areas, but we’ve come an awfully long way in the last 30 years and it’s only a matter of time.

Living in an age of equality, which is full of opportunities means one thing above all. It means that every single one of us has the opportunity to forge the life we want for ourselves. Life is no longer a production line of birth, education, work, family, retirement and then death. Career paths which were restricted before are now open to anyone who is suitably qualified. Employers are offering flexible working arrangements so that women can have successful careers while also raising a family. Some firms, such as 3M,  even offer employees the opportunity to use company resources to explore their own ideas and projects, thus driving innovation.

With this in mind, it’s now more true than ever that you have the ultimate control over the direction of your life. People are no longer products or victims of their circumstances. We no longer have to stick with circumstances which we have outgrown. And it is natural to outgrow your current circumstances. As we learn and grow, we change as people, and as we change so do our needs and goals.

With a nearly-level playing field, why do some design the lives they want and others seem to be happy just muddling through? It all comes down to confidence, self-belief and how much they actually want it.

How many times have you dreamed big, only to stop short and tell yourself that you could never do it and would look stupid trying. You might fail and people will laugh. People might turn their backs on you, and so on. You will make a start when the time is right. This is self-sabotage and a matter of low confidence or a fear of failure.

We ALL have access to the same information and resources. We all desire a better quality of life than we have right now. At some point, we all go after our vision of better. The ones who make it happen are no different than the rest of us. They don’t have more hours in the day or any other physical advantages. What they do have, however, is resilience. They keep going when times get tough. They learn, adapt and get back to work. This doesn’t stop when thy achieve their goals, though. Once they achieve one goal, they simply replace it with something more challenging. This is how people become successful and end up living their dream lives. They know what they want, and they want it so deeply that they will do or endure WHATEVER IT TAKES to get it.

So, basically, determine what you want, go after it and do not give up until you get it. Learn to love the process, because these experiences are what will help you to grow and develop into the person you want to become.

Map out the life you want for yourself. Then, determine where your strengths and weaknesses lie before acting on them. Make a plan, and then go after it. When things go well, reflect on why things are working. When complications and challenges arise, reflect on what you can learn from them before picking yourself up and going after it again.

If you’re not happy with your life and want more, then decide what it is that you really want and then DO more than anyone else is prepared to do to achieve it. The perfect time and circumstances do not exist, and even if they did you don’t need them. If you want to live the life of your dreams, all you need is a healthy dose of resilience and a solid work ethic.

The Man In The Arena

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows that in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat

Theodore Roosevelt

Purpose, Goals and Happiness

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes

Andrew Carnegie

Happiness is an internal job, largely determined by what we allow to take up our time, focus and attention. It doesn’t lie in money, status or material possessions, but in determining our purpose in life and living in accordance with it.

So, it stands to reason that if you want to be happy, you need to do some work on yourself. Put your money away, and log off your computer. Instead, pick up a pen and notepad, and answer the following questions honestly;

• Self reflection. What do you really want from life? What do you value? What are your priorities? When are you at your happiest and most productive? What are your non-negotiables?
• Current status. Now that you have reminded yourself what is most important in your life, and what you feel to be your “why” for doing what you do every day, it’s time to check where you are with this right now. Are you living in accordance with your purpose, beliefs and values? Are you making progress in the right direction? Now that you can see the bigger picture, where are you right now?
• Goal setting. With the big picture of your life fresh in your mind, this is the time to revisit your goals. Do your goals reflect your purpose and what you hold dear? If not, change them. It’s no big deal. Sometimes we cling to goals, circumstances and relationships which we have grown because we fear what might happen if we let go. Life is all about change. As we grow, learn and develop, our needs, wants and priorities change too. This is why it’s important to reflect on yourself regularly, and if something’s not working for you, change it. Change is not to be feared, but a natural part of a fulfilling life.
• Planning and action. With your goals fresh in your mind, determine the timeline and what resources you have at your disposal. Where are your strengths? What areas do you need to work on? Where do you anticipate any potential problems arising? With your plan set, all that’s left now is to take determined action. Throughout the journey which you are embarking on, be constantly aware of what is or isn’t working. Be brave, and use this feedback to adapt your approach and keep you marching onward towards your goals.

When you know who you are, what’s important to you and what your purpose in life is, expect to feel happy. Genuine, lasting happiness. The kind of happiness which is contagious and will attract the right people into your life.

Expect happiness, you say? Yes. When you live in accordance with your purpose, and set goals which reflect this, deep down you know at all times what you are working towards. Every action you take, every day, no matter how small, is getting you closer to your goal, one step at a time. This is where genuine happiness comes from. You don’t need millions in the bank, houses, cars and luxury goods. You don’t need to chase other people or change who you are to be accepted by them. You will face challenges and have bad days. Other people will try and discourage you from your path. None of that will matter, though, and you will be unstoppable. Why? You have something much bigger – a purpose, goals which reflect this purpose, and a plan of how to get there. All of this depends on you, how much you want it and how hard you are prepared to work for it. The power to bring positive results into your life is in your hands alone, and what you make of the opportunities which you have. This is where true happiness comes from.

Be yourself, and live your life on your own terms, as you want. Then, you will find true happiness.

Man’s real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so

Edgar Allan Poe

What Are You Counting?

Ever since the invention of the Abacus, humans have been passionate about counting. We count everything.

If you are going to count anything, though, let it not be your calories or the inches around your waist. Nor the bad things which you’ve experienced or seen.

Instead, count your blessings, count your achievements, count the good people and positive influences which you have in your life.

Count your fondest, and happiest memories. Count all off the times you showed kindness to another person or creature, and how many times you received it unexpectedly.

Count the times you saw another human being do something beautiful, and which moved you.

Some things in life are worth counting. Others are not. Choose wisely.

Happiness, And How To Find It

Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to “be happy”. One the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically…

…Once an individual’s search for meaning is successful, it not only renders him happy but also gives him the capability to cope with suffering

Viktor Frankl

Everybody wants to spend the majority, if not all, of their time in a state of happiness. Which stands to reason. Releasing those pent-up endorphins and experiencing genuine happiness is one of the most powerful feelings available to all of us. In that time during which we are happy, our mood and mindset is positive, the world is a wonderful place and nothing can bring us down. But how do we find genuine, lasting happiness?

Social media and marketers constantly bombard us with messages about the products or holidays which we need in order to be happy. So we fall into the trap, buy their stuff, become happy for a while, but then we see something better which we want. So the happiness wears off and we need to spend more money buying more stuff. All this leads to is a situation where we have lots of stuff, but a lack of money, and feeling anything but happy.

We also seek happiness with other people, which is a dangerous game to play. At its worst we find ourselves compromising our beliefs and values just to be accepted by others.

Increasingly, though, people are turning to self-help books. These books claim to offer us the blueprint to happiness, the shortcuts to success and the guide we need so that we can start living the life of our dreams right now. Well marketed but lacking any real substance, most of these are best avoided. There are some exceptions to the rule, though, and I would highly recommend the work of Tony Robbins among others.

The above, however, is all a lie. Permanent happiness and an easy life is a myth. Life is often referred to as a rollercoaster ride, and I couldn’t agree more. Life is not straightforward, and it doesn’t follow a formula, but it has ups and downs, twists and turns. That’s what makes it so exciting. The experiences. The good times give us pleasure, joy, happiness and good memories. The bad times teach us valuable lessons. It’s important to embrace both equally.

Happiness, then, is not about material goods or fitting in with people who are not right for you. It certainly won’t be found in a “how to” book. After all, we are all different, with different hopes, dreams, strengths, weaknesses and drives. Happiness is internal. Only you can make yourself happy, and you do this through your own perspective; how you view the world and your place in it.

This is why it’s important that you become clear on your life’s purpose and the reason why you are here today. We are not put on this Earth just to waft aimlessly through life before fading away, like a fart. Each of us has their own contribution to make and their mark to leave on the world. It could be that you make your impact as a spouse and parent, raising, supporting and providing for a family of your own. Or, you may be destined to make your mark in the art world, the music industry or in business. Or perhaps philanthropy, conservation, politics…

Reflect on who you are, what you want from life, what you hope to achieve, what your strengths are, where your weaknesses lie, what you value and where your priorities lie. This will help you to identify your purpose. This will give meaning to your life, and once your life has meaning, it all makes sense. A life with meaning is more focused, as your thoughts and actions become geared towards living in accordance with your purpose and working towards it. Most of all, though, when you have a purpose and your life has a meaning, you experience true happiness which lasts. And it doesn’t cost a a thing.

Happiness need not involve spending a penny. It’s not about having nice things and lots of money. In fact, some of the happiest people you will ever meet are those that have the least. They are happy, however, because their life has a meaning. They know what they want and are striving towards it. They also know that when things go wrong and they suffer, they are going through hell for a reason. For instance, parents will gladly endure whatever hardships life can throw at them, for the sake of their children. And a husband will endure a job which he hates but pays well, so that his wife can work part-time while raising their children. They are happy because their life has a reason. In the same way, a struggling actor or actress will juggle several jobs and live hand-to-mouth while performing in small productions. They will struggle in this manner and remain happy, because they know that this is all helping to get them closer to where they really want to be in life – Hollywood. Essentially, when your life has a meaning, even the most challenging of times can be a source of happiness.

If you want to be really happy, genuinely and deeply happy, figure out what your life’s meaning or purpose is. Once you have determined this, live according to it. That’s the formula which works. It takes hard, introspective, soul searching and reflection but in the end it’s all worthwhile as your perspective shifts and your quality of life improves for the better.

Purpose Or Pleasure, Which Do You Choose?

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him

Viktor Frankl ~ Man’s Search For Meaning

If I had to pick one book to take with me on a desert island, there is a clear winner. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Many books claim to be life-changing but they rarely are. They fire us up and fill us with energy and enthusiasm, but as they can sometimes lack anything of real value to take away, they are soon forgotten after we’ve finished reading. This book, however, is the exception. Frankl actually had the manuscript prepared before the outbreak of World War 2, only to lose it on arrival at Auschwitz. Written in the aftermath of World War 2 and drawing on his personal experiences and observations, it’s powerful, moving and gives you plenty to reflect on.

This, however, is not a book review. I do believe, though, that this book should be read by everybody at some point in their lives. Viktor Frankl’s work is a timely reminder that we don’t have to continue living in this Freudian manner which can be so damaging, but that there is a better way.

According to Sigmund Freud, we live our lives according to the pleasure principle (German: Lustprinzip). What this means is that our natural tendency is to seek pleasure and avoid pain. This is the purpose that we attach to our lives. We want as much pleasure as possible, and as little pain, in order to satisfy all of our biological and psychological needs.

If you want to see Freud’s pleasure principle in action, just look around you. You can’t miss it. It’s in the quick-fix diet and exercise plans which are yours for 3 easy installments of £100. It’s in the seminars, books and training programmes which promise to make millionaires of us without any formal training or experience.

These quick fixes and shortcuts only gain any attention or popularity because people are desperate to believe in them. People would rather pay whatever it takes to skip the blood, sweat and tears and skip straight to the positive results. They want the good stuff (the pleasure) while avoiding the pain (hard work and consistent effort) as much as possible. So, with a horde of lazy, impatient, gullible pleasure seekers desperately hunting for a quick fix or a shortcut to success, there will always be a receptive audience for the well marketed but baseless diet, exercise or financial success plan.

Social media has only worsened the situation. Seeing pictures of people’s perfect lives fills us with envy. We want what they have and now. And when we do get it, we are never satisfied because we want more. We want it now and don’t want to wait. So, we turn to credit cards and loans in order to buy things which we don’t want or need, just so that we can experience some momentary pleasure. Life just becomes a vicious cycle of seeking pleasure, getting what we want and then seeking more. And when we don’t get what we want, we become downbeat and disheartened.

Living according to the Freudian pleasure principle is dangerous. It robs you of so much of life’s richness and beauty. First of all, pleasure is a short-lived sensation. We lose sight of what is important in our lives and chase things, experiences and people. We get what we want, we experience a high, and then this wears off and we need something new to chase. If we fall short of what we want, this can be very damaging to our confidence. So, life becomes an emotional rollercoaster.

Secondly, we miss out on all that life has to teach us. When we strive for something, work tirelessly for it and fight our way through all of the challenges, we learn an awful lot about who we are and what we are capable of. We learn what works and what doesn’t. We learn what we are good at, and what areas we need to work on. We learn about what we hold important. Plus, when we do achieve positive results after working hard and struggling through difficult times, the positive boost we receive is long lasting. We grow in confidence as well as experience and gain the courage to strive for more challenging goals. Life is all about experiences and personal and professional growth, but this is soon lost sight of when we choose to live according to the pleasure principle.

This is why Frankl’s work is more important now than ever. Instead of living as hedonistic pleasure seekers, we should instead focus on the determining the meaning of our lives.

• What is your purpose?
• What is your “why”?
• Why do you do what you do?
• What is the endpoint which you striving towards? What do you hope to chieve or become by the end of the process?

Theses are all variations of the same question, and it is a question which is being increasingly asked in business and personal development literature. That is not enough, though, as it is something that we should all consider. When you determine what you hold dear in life, and what it is that you are striving for, life becomes clearer. You have something to aim for, and you are prepared to endure any hardship in order to achieve it.

Having a purpose in life, and working towards it, is healthy not just for us as individuals but also for our friends and families and society too. We become more focused and less insecure. We stop becoming so materialistic. The sense of competition with, and judgement of, others stops. Instead of judging what others have and trying to outdo them, we realise that everyone is on their own individual journey and that we should help each other rather than putting each other down.

Having a meaning or purpose in life is also a celebration of our individuality. My meaning will be different to yours, because we are different people with different drives, wants, needs, priorities and values. You won’t find your meaning in a book, but through honest reflection instead. It’s a reminder to be yourself, focus on what is important in your life and stop compromising your values in order to fit in with certain groups.

A happy, successful and fulfilled life is one with meaning and a purpose. What is yours?

He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.
~Friedrich Nietzsche

The Meaning Of Life

One should not search for an abstract meaning of life. Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it

Viktor Frankl ~ Man’s Search For meaning

Control Your Anger, Or It Will Control You

Anybody can become angry, that is easy, but to be angry with the right nperson and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everyone’s power and is not easy

Aristotle

Of all of the emotional states, anger is the most harmful. It causes people to lose perspective and act irrationally. Worse still, it lingers. You can’t get angry at someone or something, take a few deep breaths and then be back to normal. Giving in to anger  could put you in a foul mood for the rest of the day or week. When this happens, you risk hurting more than just yourself. Unintentionally, you find yourself snapping at loved ones, finding fault or shutting yourself away from them through no fault of your own. All because someone pissed you off at work or on your commute.

Anger, when managed well, can be a force to bring about positive change. Contain it, bottle it up and unleash it in your work or in the gym, and you will find that fire in your belly driving you to hit all of your work targets or power through your workout. This is an incredibly difficult balancing act, as you have to be careful not to turn that anger towards anything or anyone else other than what you are focusing it on.

In order to control you anger, instead of letting it control you, there is a lot of work to be done first;

• Self Awareness. First things first, you need some kind of idea regarding what you want from life, who you are, what you value and what makes you happy. After all, this is the baseline against which you measure your daily life. Living in accordance with your beliefs and values makes you happy. Being forced to go against what you value and hold dear, on the other hand, leads to frustration and disillusionment.
• Triggers. As you self-reflect, try to identify the triggers for certain emotions. When do you feel happy? What makes you angry? What brings on certain emotional states and why?
• Responses and consequences. Let’s look at anger. What happens when you get angry? How does it affect your work? How does it impact your interactions with others? Do you have any control over it? Do you deal with it quickly or does it linger? Does it cause unintended problems in your personal or professional life?

Once you’ve reminded yourself who you are, what you value, what you believe in and what makes you angry and why, it’s time to work out some strategies for dealing with this dangerous emotion. This is why it’s important to be self-aware, because the best way to change your mood is by doing something positive that brings you peace, enjoyment or relaxation.

This will inevitably vary from person top person as we are all different, so you have to find what works for you. Here are some of my favourite ways to stop anger in its tracks, as an example;

• Take the dog (or just myself) for a walk. Simply taking yourself out of that situation, changing scenery and getting active can work wonders. I love being outdoors, so a walk in the park or the woods is an instant mood changer.
• Look for an outlet. It’s not always possible to drop everything and go for a walk to clear your head, so you need a back-up
  • Write it out. I always carry a notebook, and will often write out everything that is pissing me off. This helps to clear my mind and I feel like a weight has been lifted. More importantly, I am able to read back what I have written and see what caused my anger, why and what I could do to stop it from happening again.
  • Gym. Get it out of you system by getting sweaty and releasing some endorphins.
  • Throw yourself into a project. Turn all of your nervous energy towards something productive, be it a DIY project at home or a work project.
  • Reach out to a friend or loved one for a chat. Sometimes, just having someone to listen can do the world of good.

Left unchecked, anger can cause untold harm in your personal and professional lives. That’s why it’s important to be proactive. Learn to recognise the warning signs, and always have a few strategies up your sleeve ready to stop it in its tracks. After all, if you don’t learn to control your anger, it will end up controlling, and ruining, your life

 

The Best Revenge…

Revenge. A powerful word. Its origins are Latin, coming from the words “re” (an intensifier), and “vindicare” (to claim, to avenge or to punish). It’s a big theme in popular culture, be that in movies, music or literature. Avenge those who have wronged you. Re-claim your family’s honour. Sounds great, but it’s easy to forget that this isn’t real life. It’s art, entertainment or make-believe. For most of us, though, we not only adopt this approach, but we allow it to even become a natural reaction. Somebody does something to hurt or offend you, and almost instinctively you start looking for ways to make them suffer and teach them a lesson. The problem is that revenge doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t give satisfaction, patch up wounded pride or make you feel good about yourself. At best, you find yourself feeling surprisingly numb instead of happy. At worst, you start to feel ashamed at having been provoked into doing something to harm someone else, going against everything you believe in and stand for.

Picture this for a moment. Somebody hurts you. So, you get your revenge by going one better. This is not the end of the matter, though, as they now seek to get their revenge.  To which you have to react. And it escalates, slowly becoming more serious until someone gets very badly hurt. All because of wounded pride and an ego which tells you that you must have the last say in the matter.

The best revenge is actually no revenge at all. Reflect on the situation and draw any lessons that you can from a negative experience. Then, get on with your life wiser for the experience. When you focus on revenge, you allow the offender and their actions to live on in your head, wreaking havoc on your emotions and sabotaging your personal and professional success. They do this without having to do anything. The other person just gets on with their life. You, however, keep letting your thoughts wander back to them and their actions. An inability to let go of the past will put a halt on any future progress.

As hard as it may be, doing nothing is the best way to send a message to the offender. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you hurt. People having a habit of judging others by their own standards, so when someone wrongs you, they will expect a reaction. By doing nothing and moving on, their mind will play tricks on them. They will be on edge for a while and wary of any reaction. While you are focusing on yourself, they are watching, waiting, anticipating and worrying. Let their mind do the dirty work for you. Not only that, but in this digitally-connected age, very little goes unnoticed. So, ask yourself, is it really worth risking your personal and professional reputation and straining your relationships, just to have some revenge and a temporary mood boost? I thought not.

So, when somebody hurts you do the smart thing. Deal with it sensibly. This isn’t Scarface, and you’re not Tony Montana, so dealing with it sensibly doesn’t mean seeking revenge. Depending on the situation, perhaps try to understand and maybe even forgive. We are all fighting our own demons, after all, and sometimes we inadvertently hurt others as we try to deal with our own pain. If, however, you can’t forgive them, cut them off and switch your focus back to your goals.

It is inevitable that people will say and do things which will hurt you. The reaction, however, is up to you. Instead of revenge or self-pity, aim for self improvement and put all of that pent-up energy to good use.

Antoine Says..Do It Now!

The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

It’s Sunday evening here in London, and the calm before the Monday morning storm. Thoughts turn to the week ahead right about now for us all. Some dread the return to work, and giving up their freedom for a job they don’t particularly enjoy. Others, however, will be getting excited right about now. Even if they hate their job, they are looking ahead at a week full of possibilities and potential. This second group understand that, if they work hard for what they want, a week is a very long time in which anyone can make good things happen. We all need to be more like this second group.

The second group are the ones that tend to be more accomplished, fulfilled and happy. They don’t just possess an optimistic, positive mindset and a strong work ethic, though. What sets them apart is their understanding of a very important truth about life in general. They understand that;

• There is no such thing as perfection. Your work is never finished. The most successful and accomplished people are those who reflect frequently and as themselves, “what can I do better, or more of?”
• There is no ideal pairing of time and circumstances to take action. The time to take action is as soon as you know what you want to do, how you plan to do it and what resources you have available to you. Once you know this, go for it. It’s that simple. Think it through, make a plan and then act.
• Don’t stop reflecting, experimenting and trying new things. When you set out on a course of action, you will notice two things in particular. There will be good times and fast progress, especially at the start. You will also face challenges. Lots of them. and they will test your resolve. This is why it’s important to stop at regular intervals and reflect on your progress;
  • What has worked well so far, and you could do more of?
  • What hasn’t worked, and what challenges have you faced? What have you learned that can help you to move forward?

The biggest killer of hopes and dreams is perfection, and the fear that we will fall short of it. Perfection is a myth. The only way to get anywhere and achieve anything in life is through baby steps, the accumulative effect of small actions over time which get you closer to your goal, slowly but surely.

Slow and steady is the only way. It may be frustrating, but along the way you gain new knowledge, skills and experiences, but you also grow as a person. This is the thing to remember; the journey which we embark on is about more than what we can achieve and obtain, it’s also about the person we become as we learn and grow.

So what if somebody else achieves more than you, and quicker?! Be happy for them, look for anything in their experiences which you can learn from, and get back to work on yourself. What others do is none of your business. Your business is the journey which you are on.

So, if you are stuck, waiting for inspiration to tap you on the shoulder or suffering from perfection paralysis, stop it. And yes, it is that simple. Stop it.

No matter your circumstances or resources, for the next week set yourself the goal of taking at least one action EVERY DAY which will get you a step towards your endpoint. Not only will this all add up and start to build some noticeable momentum, but it will give you the confidence that you may be lacking right now.

All the waiting around that you are doing right now, is just a waste of time. Start now. Start small and then build on it. The “perfect time” to start is always right now. Take that first step and watch the magic happen.

Why “Me-Time” Is So Important

The funny thing is when you start feeling happy alone, that’s when everyone decides to be with you

Jim Carrey

It’s great to be around people whose company we enjoy. We are social creatures after all. It’s also good, however, to spend time alone. This is the time in which we get to really reflect on our lives and whether we are happy, and look after our own needs.

It feels strange to put your needs first, and more than just a little bit selfish. It is, however, an essential part of helping others. Ask yourself, if you’re not happy and stable, how can you really help others? Work on your own life first, and once you are on the right track, then you can give your time and attention to whoever may need it.

Think about it this way. When somebody else offers advice, do you just stop and do what they suggest immediately, or do you weigh up their words against how they are living their lives? The fact is that we can’t influence or support others with words alone. We become a source of influence or inspiration to others when they see that we are living in accordance with our beliefs and values.

In order to live in accordance with our beliefs and values, we have to know what they are. That comes through honest, uninterrupted self reflection. Getting feedback from others is helpful, but it’s your own personal feedback which really matters. This is why time alone is important. It’s the time in which you get to figure out what you want from life, what makes you happy, what aspects of your life you are dissatisfied with and what you can do about them. Time alone is the time in which you can also just be yourself.

In our daily lives, many of us are expected to behave in a certain manner in certain situations. For instance, you might be conducting yourself in one way at work and then another in a social setting later that evening. As much as we try to live in congruence with our beliefs and values, sometimes we have to compromise depending on the circumstances. All of this compromising or playing a role is exhausting, though. That’s why some “me-time” is essential. It’s a period of time which you carve out of your day and give yourself permission to really relax, be yourself and recharge your batteries.

Too much time spent alone can lead you to feel withdrawn or lonely. On the other hand, too much time spent with others can lead to feelings of anxiety and pressure to behave in a certain way, to the point where you begin to forget about your own beliefs and values. That is why, like riding a bicycle, balance is essential. Spend time with others, but also carve out some private time in your day for yourself, and protect it. Schedule some “me-time” in your diary if you have to, but make sure to do it. This is one of the keys to self-awareness and genuine happiness.

As counter-intuitive as it may sound, spending time alone leads to better, stronger relationships. As you become more self-aware and start living accordingly, you become happier. As you become happier, people find themselves drawn to you. Not just any people, but those with similar beliefs and values. In effect, spending time alone in order to work on yourself leads to genuine relationships being formed with others. This brings further happiness, because you are not fighting for the acceptance of others, but rather just being yourself while being surrounded by people who appreciate and respect you as you are. It’s a win-win.

So, start spending a little time alone every day. Clear your mind and free yourself of the pressures of the outside world, while taking an honest look at yourself and your life. Use this as an opportunity to weed out all of the toxic influences in your life and relationships which you might have outgrown. Then, prepare to invite into your life positive influences and the people who respect you as you are.

Your Job Title Is Not A Reflection Of Who You Are

If you are broke because you put food on the table to feed your family, you are not broke to me. Only a strong person would swallow his pride and take any job he can to provide for his family

Muhammad Ali

Right now, this very minute, there are people all over the world who are not working in their ideal roles. It happens. We don’t always get the job which we have studied or trained for. Even when we do, we can find our progression opportunities very limited despite years of experience.

It’s tough, it’s demoralising and really knocks your confidence. We all have an idea what our ideal career looks like, and put our hopes, dreams, blood, sweat, time and tears into making it happen. But the doors just won’t open for us, and we end up working in McDonald’s instead of Microsoft. Of course, you will be told that you need to increase your knowledge and skills, which will in turn help you to get the job you want. While I completely agree with this, it’s also true that some doors will not open, no matter how well you prepare and how hard you knock.

Job titles really become a problem when you have to introduce yourself to new people. After the initial introductions, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will be asked “what do you do?” If you’re in a job which you love and are passionate about, this is the perfect opportunity to share that with someone new. If, however, your job is something which you have settled on to pay the bills, it can be terrifying.

If you’re not in your ideal job, social situations terrify you because you will have to tell people what you do, and they will judge. It’s sad but true. People judge one another based on where they work and what they have. This, in turn, causes you to lose confidence and lose perspective. Instead of worrying what others will think when you tell them that you work as a cleaner in a hotel, ask yourself;

• Who are these people and am I likely to see them again?
• Why am I attaching any importance to their opinions?
• Do they really care to find out why I am a cleaner and not a lawyer?
• Why do I need to justify my life decisions to somebody that i’ve just met?
• Is my job helping me to meet my life’s priorities, regardless of the job title?

The only person you have to justify your job to, is yourself. It is your life after all. If you have had to take any role just to pay the bills and keep a roof over your head, is that really a bad thing? Be grateful that you have a job. Everybody has to start somewhere, and just because you find yourself flipping burgers at McDonald’s today, that doesn’t mean that this is where you have to stay. Turn up on time and work hard, so that you can progress to a supervisory or managerial role. Then, take that experience, and see if you can’t apply it to a new career. Or, start a course of study in your free time that you will give you the knowledge and skills to change careers. It’s largely up to you what you make of yourself.

I know people who were teachers and diplomats in their home countries, only to be forced to abandon everything and flee because of war. They lose friends, family, possessions and social standing, and have to start again in a foreign country as cleaners, porters, sales assistants or anything else they can find. Yet, they don’t beat themselves up and curse their luck. Instead, they approach their job with pride and passion. They understand that they are lucky to have a job at all, and with it they can support themselves and their families. They also understand that their job does not define them as people. We need more of this mentality.

To the university graduates preparing their assault on the job market, you won’t get your ideal job straight away. You will have to start at the bottom, learn your chosen industry inside-out, and work your way up to the job. It’s all part of the process. Nobody will give you a managerial role straight out of college or university. You have to earn it.

As with most things in life, your job is what you make of it. Be grateful that you have a job which pays the bills and allows you to keep a roof over your head right now. If it’s not what you want or where you want to be, stop whining and look at it as a stepping stone. It’s easier to land a new job while you already have a job, than it is to get a job while unemployed.  You are not tied to a particular job forever.

Apply yourself, no matter what the role involves, and seek out any opportunities for personal and professional development. Then, use this to move onwards and upwards, with glowing references. Most of all, though, try to focus on the positives that your current job offers;

• What does it allow you to do with the wage which you earn?
• What opportunities or benefits does it offer?
• How can it be used as a stepping stone to bigger and better?

Stop Trying To Buy Happiness.

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for abundance

Eckhart Tolle

Everybody seems to be in a race to get more of everything, be it money, cars, clothes opr whatever else they believe that will make them happy. We hope that, as we get more of whatever we want, the quality of our lives will improve. It doesn’t. You get a temporary high after bringing home your next fancy purchase, but the novelty soon wears off and you’re brought crashing back down to earth. So, you need to buy something bigger and better, slowly emptying your bank account while you fill your house with things you neither want nor need. If, on the other hand, your drug of choice is money, then you will find yourself devoting all of your time to working, and neglect your personal relationships in the process.

This is not a healthy way to live. Happiness is an inside job. What this means is that you don’t need to have a huge bank balance or lots of fancy things to be happy. All you need to experience true happiness is self awareness.

Self awareness is having a good idea of who you are, what you want from life, what you value and what direction you want your life to take. Once you know this, and are on the path to self awareness, you will begin to act accordingly. Living in accordance with your beliefs and values, achieving what you want for yourself and realising the power you have to create your own destiny are what bring real, lasting happiness.

Becoming self aware is very difficult. It’s a long and difficult process when reflecting on who you are, where you are right now, where you want to be and what you can do to get there. There is, however, something quick and easy which, if done daily, will also have a massive impact on your happiness. This is the practice of gratitude.

By thinking about all the good which you have in your life, you experience a crucial mental shift. You move away from thinking about your life in terms of what you lack, and instead focus on what you already have. Your attention is drawn towards the positive aspects of your life, which you could potentially build upon.

It feels weird and unnatural when you first practice gratitude, because marketers bombard us constantly with messages about what we should have in our lives and how happy it would make us. Fair play to them, they have to earn a living I guess, but it’s up to you whether you pay any attention to their bullshit.

So, how do you practice gratitude? There are countless ways, and you just need to find the right fit for you through trial and error.

Personally, I prefer to add this to my daily journal. I always carry my journal and write in it throughout the day, but there are 2 set times in the day when I must journal. This is my gratitude journal time, and the process is quick and easy;

• As soon as I wake up, I reach for my journal and pen, and write 3 things which I am grateful for. It could be something as simple as a good night’s sleep or sunshine streaming in through the window.
• These are in bullet point format, and only go into detail if I think that it will help at a later date when I revisit my journal.
• Now, my mood and mindset is positive before I have even got out of bed, because I am feeling grateful and happy.
• Before bed, I write another 2 things for which I am grateful. This helps calm my mind, especially after a challenging day, and contributes to a good night’s sleep.

So, every day, I write down 5 things which I am grateful for. It takes no longer than 10 minutes in total, but the mental boost is fantastic. It motivates, but also offers perspective. You realise that your quality of life is better than you thought.

Sometimes, however, I need to be more creative than just writing a list. On these days, I grab a sheet of paper and make a mind map.

• In the centre of the page, I write the sentence, “I am grateful for…” and draw a fancy border around it.
• I then draw a number of lines leading away from the centre, with each one leading to something which I am grateful for
• Then, for added visual effect, I add pictures and colour to the mind map
• Finally, the mind map goes up on the wall, and I add more lines and points for gratitude as the week or month goes on.

I use the mind map approach too, as having a visual reminder can be even more powerful than a list in a journal. Combining the two keeps me grounded, keeps me positive and ensures that I don’t lose focus.

Alternatively, there are note-taking apps such as Evernote which could be used to log your gratitude. Whatever shape it takes, log what you are grateful for, because it takes a mere 5 – 10 minutes of your day and the positive impact on your day, and life, is priceless. This is what will bring real, lasting happiness and it doesn’t cost anything apart from time.

Let It Go..

When someone is rude to you, don’t let your ego jump into the fight. You don’t need to have the last word or a storybook ending. Walk away, stay centred, love yourself and don’t judge humanity by a few bad apples

Brendan Burchard

It is an unfortunate truth that, no matter how kind we are to others and how well we conduct ourselves, some people will still seek to hurt us. The inclination is usually to respond in a like manner. You hurt me, so I will hurt you more in order to save face in front of my friends. Take a step back and think this through carefully before reacting.  This “eye for an eye” mentality leads to a situation in which there are no winners. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself drawn into a tit-for-tat exchange that started over nothing but could end in somebody getting hurt. As hard as it may be to actually do this, the best thing to do in such a situation is just to walk away. Let the other party have their meaningless victory if that’s what they need to feel better about themselves.

You are not powerless in such a scenario, and are not duty bound to react. As with everything else in life, it’s a choice. Your choice. So choose to walk away and not engage with rude, ignorant people. Choose not to let that cruel remark ruin your day and rob you of happiness. Choose your peace of mind over the need to have the last word. Choose not to compromise your values and beliefs by stooping to their level. Most of all, though, choose to avoid a needless confrontation by choosing not to react. We cannot control what anybody else says or does, but we most certainly can choose how we respond.

The power to deal appropriately with all people, even rude ones, is in your hands. So use it wisely.

Your Job Is Never Done

Maybe that’s enlightenment enough; to know that there is no final resting place of the mind, no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realising how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go

Anthony Bourdain

Life is a journey of never-ending learning, growth and self discovery. There is always more that you can learn, another skill you can pick up or something new to strive for. This is the perfect antidote to complacency and boredom, as it keeps life more interesting and exciting. Never lose your inquisitive nature, and never stop seeking to become and learn more. This is the key to a happy, fulfilled life

Life, And Its Infinite Doors

What approach do you take to life? Do you reflect on what you want from life, and go after it every day? Do you take small steps every day towards becoming the person you want to be? Or, do you just go with the flow, reacting to whatever life throws at you with no real goals or plans?

One of these groups achieves great things and leads a fulfilled life in which they are constantly learning and growing. The other group tends to end up frustrated and cursing their bad luck. I’ll let you decide which group is which.

The key difference between the above groups is that one understands how much power they have with which to write their life’s story. The other group, though, believe that life is a matter of luck and circumstances which just happen to them. This focus on outside circumstances leads to feelings of powerlessness and helplessness, with people asking themselves “why should I bother to work for what I want, when I probably won’t get it anyway?”. What they don’t realise is that going after what you want, even if you fall short, is hugely important in itself. It teaches you about yourself, and what areas you might still have to work on. You might discover that your priorities have changed, or you might discover a new area of interest to explore.

The fact is that every single one of us has the power to determine what type of life we will lead, as soon as we start to take responsibility and ownership of our own lives. We don’t have to wait for outside influences to guide our way. We don’t need to wait for others to tell us what to do and how to do it. Other people offer advice which is based on their own beliefs and values. They are not, however, you. Only you, after a period of self reflection, can truly know what’s right for you and what you want from life. Understanding this brings real power, the power to make conscious choices which will propel your life forward.

Choice is the most powerful tool which you have in your arsenal. Everything boils down to choice, whether made consciously or not. We exist in a field of infinite possibilities. Every choice you make is like opening a door in a maze. Opening a particular door will automatically close many others, but at the same time it will also open many others. At any point, you can change the direction of your life by making a simple choice. If you choose wrongly, you  can always go back and try again. Mistakes or bad choices are not final, but rather just an opportunity for learning.

It is all in your hands, your heart and your mind. Choose wisely, choose with your head or choose with your heart. Whatever you do, though, make your own choices or someone else will make them for you and lead you in a direction you don’t want to go.

All Experiences Are Good Experiences

In life, we say and do things all the time. Some of these we regret, and wish that we could undo or erase them. Others, we wish we could relive a million times. But, all of our experiences, both good and bad, make us who we are. In the end, they shape every detail of our lives. Good experiences bring pleasure, but they also show us what we like and what we are good at. Bad experiences, missed opportunities, failure and mistakes, on the other  hand, tell us just as much about ourselves. They force us to question what we are doing, why we are doing it, who we are and what we want from life. These negative experiences are even more important than the good times, because it’s in challenging times that we learn, develop and bounce back back wiser and more resilient. If you were to undo or erase anything from your past, you wouldn’t be the person you have become today.

You are the person who you see in the mirror today, as a result of your past experiences, decisions and actions. Understand this truth, and embrace it. Everything that you have been through so far has led you to this point. You have discovered who you are, what you enjoy and what you are good at. You’ve even determined what your values and priorities in life are.

However, you life is not set in stone and you are not the finished article. You never will be, because life is a process of constant and never-ending learning, growth and development. So, if you are unhappy with your current circumstances, good. You have the power in your own hands to do something about it. Always seek to become more, and do more. Let comfort and complacency be your enemy.

So, just live your life as best you can. Make mistakes, have wonderful experiences and make incredible memories. Most of all, though, never second-guess who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve experienced or where you are going

Legacy

Everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart, and all that will be left of you is what was in your heart

Jim Carrey

All day, every day, we are bombarded with messages about what we lack in our lives. Some are more subtle than others, but the message is the same; buy this and feel happier, look younger, become irresistible to the opposite sex… Simply put, buy stuff to feel better and be better liked by others. Too many people buy into this idea, and end up short of money but also feeling unhappy and unfulfilled.

It’s time for a reality check. A materialistic mentality will negatively affect your quality of life, because you will never be happy. Technology is constantly being updated, new car models are released every year, and there will always be someone with a bigger house, nicer watch or more expensive suits than you. So, when you tie your happiness and self-worth to things, you will never be happy.

Say, for example, I buy a Maserati GT today. This is my dream car, and I would be over the moon. Driving it will leave me grinning every time, because I finally have what I always wanted. But..2 years later, there’s a redesign and the newer model is released. Suddenly, my car is an older version and not as sleek as the latest release. So, now I need to find another £100,000 to change my car. And then I become happy. Until they release another update. And so it continues. You get the idea.

Material goods do not last, because newer versions will be released or someone else will come along who has more than you. So, any happiness will be short lived. Before long, you will again find yourself unhappy and wanting more.

It is far better to learn to be happy with what you have, and what you have gained through your own hard work. You will stop comparing yourself to others, and live with less. Manage this and you will find yourself happier than ever.

The best way to cure yourself of the curse of materialism? Gratitude. Every day, for a month, take 10 minutes to list 3 things, just 3, for which you are grateful. After a few days, your outlook changes. Instead of looking to outside objects to bring you happiness, you understand that you already have plenty to be happy about in your life. So, you gradually begin to see objects as just that. Objects. Then you slowly stop making pointless purchases. You understand that a car is not going to make you happy or define you. It will just transport you from one place to another. Once you separate emotions from objects, you will find yourself feeling unburdened and happier than ever.

So, when making plans or setting goals, don’t focus on what you need to buy to feel happier about yourself. Do you really want, at the end of your days, to just be remembered as someone with an expensive car? Or would you rather be remembered and respected for your positive influence on others, and your artistic, philanthropic or business endeavors? For me, at least, the choice is clear.

Please do take a moment to reflect on this. Ask yourself;

• How would you like to be remembered by your family and friends?
• What kind of legacy would you like to leave?

Contemplating these questions, and expressing gratitude for all the positives which we have in our lives, is a great way to re–calibrate your inner compass. It offers a little perspective, and suddenly that new watch or handbag no longer seems more important than earning the right to be called a good parent, spouse and friend.

So, when your race is run and your eulogy is being prepared, what would you like it to say? Answer this honestly, and adjust your life so that you can live the rest of your days accordingly.

Never Stop Being Yourself

“That was what made traveling appeal to him – he always made new friends, and he didn’t need to spend all of his time with them. When someone sees the same people every day, as happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming a part of that person’s life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own”

Paulo Coelho ~ The Alchemist

You are the only person who gets to decide whether you need to change anything in your life, and if so, what and how. It is your life, after all. Some people are genuinely happy as they are, and for these people we should accept them as they are and be happy for them that they are at peace with themselves.

Change, after all, comes from within. No matter what external driving forces or potential rewards for change, if you don’t want it for yourself, you won’t commit to it and your efforts will eventually come to nothing.

Our friends and family are the greatest external drivers of change. Social groups are slightly different – they put pressure on us to conform and change but this is a decision we make with our eyes wide open. We are well aware that we need to fall in line to remain part of this group, so any decision to change which we make is a conscious one. We make the changes, and stay part of the group. OR…we do nothing and find a new group to join.

With friends and family, it’s not so easy because we believe that they are pushing us to change because they care and that it’s in our best interests. Maybe they can see something that we can’t?! Maybe they’ve been in a similar situation and have benefited form the changes which they want for us?! Or…maybe…and this is the part which we are reluctant to consider…maybe they are pushing us to make changes which are in their best interests, not ours.

The only way to know whether a change is in our best interests is to take some time to reflect on where we are right now, whether we are getting any closer to our goals and whether we are happy with our lives. Then reflect on the changes we are being asked to make. They may very well be for the best. Or not, but this is our decision to make.

In life, we learn and grow through the lessons we learn from others as much as what we learn through our own experiences. So, you should never dismiss another’s advice. Whether you apply any of it or not, though, is up to you. They may be advising a positive change which could really make a difference in your life. Or, they may be providing a warning that it’s time to change your surroundings and who you surround yourself with. So, hear people out and judge for yourself. Any change made should be one you want to make, and not just something you’re doing to please others.

One Door Closes..Now What Do You Do?!

When one door closes, another opens. This is more than just a popular saying, it is a universal truth and part of life for all of us. We’ve all experienced some part of our lives come to an end, whether it be a relationship, job, hobby or anything else. This is usually followed by a period of hurt, confusion, soul searching and reflection until we are struck by something else to focus our attention and efforts on. So, with one door having closed, another one has opened in its place. We don’t know where it will lead or how long this new adventure will last, and that is part of the thrill.

The time between one door closing and the next opening varies massively. It depends on the type of door which has closed, because a broken heart will take longer to heal than a broken ankle which forces you to give up competitive sports. It also varies depending on the individual. Some people have a hard time letting go of the past, and instead of trying to heal and move on, would rather keep replaying their glory days or the good times in their heads.  Instead of looking for what they can learn from the experience, they punish themselves and curse their luck that it ended. This refusal to accept situations as they are is incredibly damaging to any potential progress.

When your focus rests on the past and what was once great, you give all the power and control to an ex partner, an old boss, a former friend or anyone or anything else which no longer is relevant to your life. The past takes control of you and prevents you from learning, growing and seizing the next opportunity. Too often we beat so long on the closed door that we can’t see the one which has opened up for us instead.

Is there anything that we can do to avoid getting stuck in the No Man’s Land of despair and regret when a good thing comes to an end? While this depends on the individual and how they perceive that which has ended, I would argue that there are a few things which we can all do to speed up the healing and learning process, and get us into a position to identify the next opportunity which comes along.

The temptation, when a good thing ends, is to lock yourself up and wallow in self pity. This time is spent between replaying a highlight reel in your head of all the good times, and chasing after something which is clearly over, trying to reopen that closed door. The hardest thing to do when one door closes, is also the best thing to do..

That “thing” involves changing your surroundings and perspective. Get outside and go for a jog in the park. Visit a museum. Meet a friend for a drink and a chat. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you get outside and do something to take your mind off of that which has ended. Change your surroundings and gain some perspective. Take yourself away from whatever it is that has ended and is troubling you, and any reminders of it. Do something interesting or fun for a while, and when you return to contemplate it, you will be able to look at it objectively with a fresh pair of eyes.

The power is in your hands, and the decision is yours. Understand that when something ends, you are not helpless, and do not have to wallow in self pity. It’s within your power to take yourself away and do something different for a while, which could in turn help to clear your mind and offer a fresh perspective. With fresh eyes, you will then be better able to identify new doors which are opening, and the opportunities which they could offer.

True freedom is understanding that we have a choice in who and what we allow to have power over us

Meryl Streep

 

 

Happiness Is Your Choice.

If you find yourself unhappy with your life right now, rest assured that you are not as helpless as you may feel. The power to change your circumstances is in your own hands. It just takes a little courage, and some difficult decisions, that’s all.

Too often, we stay in jobs, relationships, places and friendships long after we have outgrown them. They are familiar, and familiarity makes us feel comfortable. Letting go of them would launch us into the unknown, and this is a very scary place. So, even though we are no longer happy, we keep our mouths shut and carry on, hoping that the people in our lives or our surroundings will change for the better. Sometimes they do, but often they don’t. Take personal relationships of all kinds, for example. If someone is making you feel unappreciated or unloved, but they are doing it unintentionally and are unaware of how they are making you feel, waiting for them to change is never going to end well. How are they supposed to know that they need to address their behavior if you don’t address this with them? They may very well be laboring under the assumption that all is well. In the meantime, you become increasingly unhappy, possibly even resentful, until it all gets to a head, a massive fight ensues  and you go your separate ways. This is not good, and it is avoidable.

Unhappiness, restlessness and frustration are all warning signs. They don’t mean, however, that you should just drop everything and run away. They are warning signs that you are not living in accordance to your values and priorities. You are living in a town which you don’t like, because your friends and family live there too. You stay in a relationship because being single terrifies you. You keep friends around who you no longer share much in common with, because you don’t want to become a loner. You are unable to live your life as you would like to, because you are too busy accommodating others. Feelings of unhappiness are a wake-up call, reminding you that you have stopped putting yourself first and need to take back control of your life.

I am not, for one moment, saying that all of life and everyone in it should conform to your wants and needs. Life is about learning and growing, and as we do this we change. We outgrow some people and environments, while others need adjustment. Therefore, it is essential that you know what you need to walk away from, and what areas you need to compromise on. After all, you will never have everything your way. Even if you did get your way all of the time, that too would eventually become boring and make you feel miserable.

The only way to truly know why you are unhappy and unfulfilled is through reflection. There are plenty of great ways to do this, but this works best for me;

• Determine you ideal method for reflection. This can be done on a note-taking app on your phone, but I prefer good old pen and paper. The process of putting pen to paper is a much more powerful process than tapping letters into a phone or computer. My journal of choice is a Moleskine notebook.
• Clear your schedule and surroundings. Try and find somewhere quiet where you won’t be interrupted. Turn your phone on silent and put it away. Now, you can think and reflect, without being disturbed. On a good day, i’ll do this in the park or in the garden.
• Write freely. This is the most important part of the whole process. Just put pen to paper, or stylus to screen, and write without taking a break for 10 minutes. Don’t think about it, just let the words flow.
• Read and reflect on what you have written. Having written everything down quickly, you weren’t able to overthink anything or censor it. So, now you have in front of you everything which was troubling you. Read through it carefully and see what lessons you can draw from it. Is it that you no longer enjoy your job? Is it a friend or partner who no longer makes you feel valued? Whatever it is that is troubling you, you will discover it here.
• Ask yourself why. Now that you have identified the source of your misery, ask yourself honestly why this is a problem and what can be done about it. Is this a situation that requires walking away from, or can it be salvaged with a bit of work? Is it that your values or priorities have changed?

You can’t change everyone or everything around you, but you can change the environment you choose to spend time in. Life is too short to waste your time on people who do not respect, appreciate and value you. Spend your time, and life, with people who make you smile, love, feel valued and feel loved. Only you can decide what happiness looks like to you, and only you can do something about it. So, will you choose to be happy, or just accept things as they are and remain miserable?

Live Your Life Inside – Out

Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life…Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it

Viktor Frankl

Everybody is unique.  Everybody has different drive, purpose, passion, wants, needs and desires. That is what makes life so beautiful. Most of the time. Different people coming together and living happily. Think about how boring life would be if we were all the same and lived the same way? Boring, to say the least. We would cease to be human, and become living, breathing robots.

So, now that we agree that we are all different and this is a good thing, that raises another question…Why do we try to copy others and live their lives? Or, why do we let others dictate our lives (parents, friends, partners…)? It makes no sense. You can study Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or anybody else as much as you like, but no matter how hard you try you will never be able to copy their lives and achieve what they have. What worked for them will not work for you, because you are different people and your circumstances are different. While it’s great to study successful people and look for lessons which you can apply to your own life, blindly copying them will only lead to frustration and failure. The same is true when it comes to letting loved ones influence or dictate our lives. Live your life as they want you to, and the only person who you make happy is them. Instead, learn from their experiences, and see whether you could apply any of it to your own life. Rather than waste your time and talents trying to become somebody else, why not look inside yourself, figure out who you really are, what drives you, where your passion lies and what your purpose in life is?!

Live your own life, and live it as best you can. Compete against yourself only, aiming to become better today than you were yesterday. That is the key to happiness. Living somebody else’s life will only lead to disappointment.

It’s easy to read these things and nod, but what does this mean? In order to live your own life, you need to really know who you are. This starts with some honest self-reflection. Ask yourself;

• What do you value?
  • Family and Friendships
  • Integrity and Honesty?
  • Health and Fitness?
  • Accomplishment and Success?
  • Influence?
• What are 3 non-negotiable things which you need to do every day in order to feel happy and a sense of achievement?
• What does a perfect day look like to you?

This is just a start on the road to self-awareness, but an important first step to discovering who you really are and what you have to offer the world. Once you know who you are, you can start living accordingly. Most of all, self awareness allows you to take control of your life by taking responsibility for your decisions and actions.

Taking responsibility for your own life, or being proactive, is how you discover more about yourself. It’s also how people become successful, because they don’t wait for good things to come to them, they get out there and work for them. Every day. When you take responsibility for your life, and become proactive rather than reacting to situations and circumstances, you gain a clear idea of what you want to become and do in life. Moreover, you better understand that the power to make this happens really is in your hands.

Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognise that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life, and he can only answering to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible

Viktor Frankl