Archives for category: Values
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Imperfect Conclusions

December 31, 2015 //
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Ok so if we tally up your resolutions from last year you should:

  • Have the body of your dreams
  • Be financially independent
  • Do charity work 3 times a week
  • Have written that novel

No? Me either. But that’s ok. I’ll be honest, I’m going to add those resolutions right back on my list again this year. I’m not upset that things didn’t turn out perfectly last year. My ideal plan didn’t work out the way I thought it would. But why would I let an imperfect conclusion make me feel like a failure?

I worked at each of my resolutions. And any action is better than no action at all. I may have not come as far as other people, but I also know I have done more than others. But regardless of how other compare, I was writing my own story.  

Life is always a work in progress. Even if you do achieve your ideal body, will you maintain it? I fluctuate, because I like beer and wings, and football Sundays. I don’t beat myself up about it. I enjoy it, then I use my other time to lace up my running shoes and hit the streets. I am not a financial savant. I enjoy traveling, going to restaurants, and building on my hobbies. It’s ok!

Life happens. You are never “there.” You don’t reach any certain point and just stop. You should be always working at something, trying to improve, and be setting new goals. But it’s ok to pause momentarily (a day, a weekend, sometimes even a couple months), assess and regroup, then react. That’s not a major setback. Football teams huddle and regroup, race cars have to enter the pits and refuel, people need a day of rest.

So don’t kick yourself and tell yourself that last year was horrible. And don’t think that it was all be fixed in 2016. 2015 may have had its imperfect conclusions, but so will next year, and the year after that. Keep fighting, keep regrouping, keep using each year as one step to the next. 5, 10, maybe 20 years from now you will look back and see how far you have come.

Cheers to the next step!  

Happy New Years to all!

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Categories mindset, Values

Have yourself a merry little Christmas …

December 25, 2015 //
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The holiday season comes upon us quicker than we always expect. One minute we are trying to figure out what character we want to be for Halloween and before we know it we are scurrying to make Thanksgiving plans and we have become the last minute shoppers trying to cross everything off our lists. It comes up fast and we see story after story of charitable giving and people without homes attending civic services to make sure everyone is included in the festivities. But we often forget about the people that get lost in between the down and out and the well to do.

There are still people out there dealing with loss and pain for a whole number of reasons. Some have lost loved one, some are losing loved ones, and some are just not able to be with the ones they love over the holidays. They appear normal, they smile, and they may not show their pain.

As you’re rushing around and wrapping your presents, don’t forget to reach out to those in the middle. A phone call, a text, an invite to dinner can make a world of difference to someone.

Also don’t forget to be grateful for what you have, however little, because there is undoubtedly someone out there with less…less to eat, less to unwrap, and less to make them smile. Be thankful when you wake up and have your family around you, that they are not hundreds of miles away, that you don’t have to be away from them for the day.

I had the opportunity to move on to new adventures years ago, but the downside is that it took me a good distance away from friends and family. It was a good choice to go, but it also means that we have to pick and choose the days we get to spend together.

The friends I have made over the years have become life family to me and I’m grateful to have each and every one of them. But even with them, my line of work has often taking me away in the middle of the night, on the weekends, and over the holidays. Fortunately I finally have enough time in where that doesn’t happen too often anymore, but when it does it makes me realized what I have.

So just a quick reminded that when uncle **** and cousin who know who start to drive you crazy, it’s still nice to have family near- by, at least for the day 😉

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Categories Family, friends, Relationships, social, Values

Choices

September 7, 2015 //
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“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

We are each dealt a different set of cards for our lives. And as children we are often left without choice because we are under the thumb of our parents. But as we get older and become adults, as we become men, we do have choices. At some point we have to take responsibility for our next step. We have to drop the victim mentally and become leaders of our own lives..

If you aren’t happy with your results decide what the hell you’re going to do about it instead of who you can blame. 

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Categories Career, health, mindset, money, quotes, Relationships, Values

On the shoulders of giants …

May 6, 2015 //
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It’s been said that if you read three books on any given topic in a year, you are considered an expert in that field. Perhaps this is comprising your new found knowledge to the average joe. But 3 books are better than zero, but it certainly can’t be all encompassing. 

It takes passion to take on a new subject of knowledge, a new sport, or a new job. I think it’s more popular to stay status quo and simply remain afloat with what we already know. But where does that get us? It’s true, nobody likes being the new guy who is learning all the baby steps that everyone takes for granted. But you have to start somewhere. 

Hopefully the topic you’re pursuing is something of passion for you, which should make it easier to unleash your curiously and desire to learn. If it’s not, I’d question what you are doing dealing with this topic in the first place!

Ditch the fear of being the new guy, and ditch the fear of learning those baby steps. There will always be someone out there who knows more than you. And if, by some chance, you think you know more than everyone else, stop and listen and realize that you can always learn from others, even if it’s only a different point of views.

The phrase “I stand on the shoulders of giants”, thought to have originated with Isaac Newton (although it can be traced back much further) sums it up: use the knowledge of those that came before you to inspire you, to teach you, and to shed light on new topics.

Think of what you knew 10 years ago. Now compare it to today. There should be a drastic difference between the two. If not, you are cheating yourself out of all the great things this word offers. We hold a world of knowledge in our hands every day. If you don’t have time to take a class or earn a degree, fire up the Internet and start learning something new! 

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Categories Career, mindset, social, Values

Own your hours 

April 8, 2015 //
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I’ve said before, and I’m sure you’ve heard it many times that we all have the same 24 hours every day. From the overachievers to the underachievers, it all comes to down to what you do with YOUR 24 hours.

I’m fortunate enough to live in an area where there is always something going on or where there is always something to do. From community events, to sporting events, to weather that allows me to pursue my hobbies on any given day. Not to mention, I have great friends that are always up to doing things I enjoy.

I actually make lists of things going on when I see them and when the day comes, I have my choice of things to do depending on how I feel. (I’m not big on plans so this method works well for me). But honestly there is so much going on around me that there often isn’t enough time to do all the things that interest. It leads to me staying busy and having a blast most of the time. But it also leads to me having to say no to some invitations or choosing between one event or the other. (Rough life I know!) 

When I was younger this used to stress me out. I wanted to be part of everything and not miss anything. I think that’s pretty normal for people. But as I have become more comfortable with my own hobbies and interests, I simply do the things I choose. 

There are still only 24 hours in each day; I still don’t have time to do everything I want to do. But I don’t stress about it. I simply fill more of my days doing the exact things I choose to do.

Sometimes I choose to do absolutely nothing. I’ll stay at home, cook, have drinks, maybe commit to catching up on shows I have DVR’d, but that’s ok, because they are my hours to spend.

You have to live your life doing what makes you happy. Don’t chase someone else dreams, because you will miss out on your own. Their adventure means something completely different to them. You can bask in your happiness but you will still need to create your own.  Surround yourself with people that understand what your passions are and that allow you to enjoy them. 

Make sure you are alive and not just breathing.


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Categories health, mindset, social, Values

Don’t be afraid to be flexible

February 11, 2015 //
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Today is average day. I woke up knowing I had a training class at 9am. There are multiple times a year to go but I picked today.

I woke up, got ready, and hit the road just like any other day. Normally it’s about 35 minute drive to where I needed to but with traffic it’s about 45 minutes to an hour. Plenty of time…

But after I get on the road, it’s a gauntlet of accidents. Left lane blocked, right lane blocked, on and on and on. I can see everyone around me being frustrated in their cars. Vehicles jolting as they hit the brakes, a myriad of travel cups filled with coffee spilling all over the place. I started to see the traffic restrictions and realized it was going to take me well over an hour to make my destination. I started to stress. I hate being late. Then I zoned out or something because some kind of zen came over me.

I got in the slow lane and put my seat back. I decided why rush and still be late when I can just go another day and get more out of it? Then I remembered how hungry I was when I woke up. Next zen moment: I’m taking my lunch break early. A little pleasure of mine is breakfast with coffee in some small diner…

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Here I am. Enjoying this no name diner as I write. I’ll work through my would be lunch but I’ll already be full and much more relaxed. I’ll stay later if I need to so I can get done what I need to. And I’ll get to that class before the year is up – it’s only February !

Don’t mistake this day of detours as irresponsible. Sometimes there is no flexing and you have to stay rigid. But know when you can flex. Don’t be afraid to walk off your normal path. You’ll be ok. You might even be better !

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Categories Career, health, mindset, Values

A delicate balance

February 2, 2015 //
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“Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures.”

~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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Categories mindset, quotes, Values

You are the artist of your life

October 6, 2014 //
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

~Mark Twain

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Categories mindset, quotes, Values

Avoid tipping the scales

September 25, 2014 //
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I think it’s everyone’s ideal plan to find meaningful and satisfying work. Not everyone is driving to their dream job every morning, but I think most people mostly enjoy what they do. (If not I hope those people seek change fast!) but what about your non-working hours? You should enjoy your job and it will somewhat define you, but you have to have a personal life too.

More and more people I talk to do not know what they enjoy doing in their free time. I’m both baffled by this and yet not surprised. Once you update your status, put the kids to sleep, and get to your “me time”, what fills your head?

The possibilities are endless. And you have to have something to go to when you need to clear your mind or just simply seek pleasure.

Some of mine include cooking, motorcycles, trying new restaurants, watching football, running, being outdoors, and traveling. And that really is only the tip of the iceberg for me. So it seems hard to believe that someone wouldn’t know what they enjoy doing. Yet, so many people have not taken time to discover themselves or simply don’t pursue their interests.

It’s these interests that will define you outside of work. It’s these interests that will keep you sane when work gets rough (and it will). And it’s these interests that can be the foundation of a job that is truly one of your dream jobs.

Don’t be the person seeking every hour of overtime the boss offers. Spend time with your kids. Make plans with your significant other. And if you are without either of those – go make some friends and enjoy everything this world has to offer. Otherwise, you might need to ask yourself what you are working for in the first place …

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Categories Career, health, mindset, money, Relationships, social, Values

The jones distraction

September 17, 2014 //
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Some people need direction. Some people seem to make every wrong decision possible. But lets assume you are a pretty logical person. Even if you have some different goals and different interests. Maybe your parents wanted you to be a lawyer and still question your decisions. That’s ok. They are parents and they are people. And everyone has an opinion. But make sure you have your own also.

You’ll see your friends buy new shiny and expensive things. It will move you. Maybe it will even make you angry. (Admit it – you’ve gotten angry.) But don’t. Be your own person. Create your own kingdom.

If the things you want happen to match your neighbors – so be it. Just make sure your decisions – decisions to buy, decisions to act – are your own. If you can manage that then you are golden.

People will always question your decisions. But you are not there to make sure everyone else is happy. They live their life and you live yours. If it works for you and the people that depend on you then go ahead with your bad self. Once someone else is cutting the check or walking in your shoes, then they can make decisions for you.

Everyone has one life to live, so make sure you are getting what you want out of it.

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Categories Career, mindset, money, Relationships, social, Values
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