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by Dr. Gayle Carson, CSP, CMC
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I know that you have heard gobs about balance wheels where you look at your
life and all the components in it. Normally there are six to eight different areas positioned on the wheel—financial,
career, family, education, leisure, community, spiritual and health. These areas have probably changed for you over
the years, but the important thing is to decide what they are for you right now.
I want you to sit down and really think about where you want to be a year
from now. It may not be easy, but it will get you started. Once you come up with it, divide it into quarters,
then into months, then weeks and finally days. Next you need to write down in your daily to-do’s, whatever it
takes to make this happen. You’ll be surprised that once you become focused, it all falls into place.
Spend as much time as necessary deciding what areas you want to concentrate
on. Start by listing the things you think about, wish for, envy, always wanted to do and post them wherever you go.
The more you think about things, the more vivid they will appear. Travel may seem like fun until you do it. Working
with artists may seem intriguing until it happens on a daily basis.
Only you can decide how you want those areas divided up. How much
time do you want to spend on each area? 25%, 50%, 10% in one, 35% in another? Then follow your plan. It
doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks—it’s what works for you.
If your idea makes sense to you, go ahead and do it. It may have to
be tweaked and nudged a little, but the forward momentum will produce results for you which will lead to other better “happenings.”
Never let anyone control you or your thoughts. Others can have an impact or influence, but you are in charge of your
own life. And if you’re really an S.O.B., you will find a way and not accept any excuses.
What is it you have to do every single day? There has to be a semblance
of order to your life. How much time do you really have to do the things you’ve listed? Are there only four
of the eight areas above that are important to you? Which is the absolutely most important priority?
For example, my exercise and fitness is extremely precious to me so that
takes over as priority #1 unless there is a speaking engagement, family emergency, or an airplane to catch. It sets
my mood for the day, allows me to fight off illness and accomplish even more in the day. Therefore it takes up a major
portion on my personal wheel.
When deciding how you want to do things, ask yourself if it’s going
to be important five years from now. And be sure you laugh every day by yourself or with someone else. Fun gives
you energy so be excited about who you are and what you’re doing.
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What is this spirit and attitude thing? Is the S.O.B. outlook so different
than anyone else’s? You bet!!
If you wake up with a smile on your face, joy in your heart and energy and
enthusiasm in your step—you’re one of us. If you pull yourself along with sleepiness in your body, despair
in your soul and no one to share with, then you need to become one of us.
Make up your mind here and now you will only think positive thoughts and
no matter what gets in your way, you can cope and handle it. Did you know that five minutes of negative thinking takes
24 hours to recover from? Are you around negative people? Although you can’t eliminate all negativity from
your life, S.O.B.’s have a way of letting these people take only minor time and thought processes from them. When
you surround yourself with folks who are motivating, enthusiastic and happy, you become the same way.
There’s a thin line between conceit and confidence. Conceit
is when you believe you’re the only one who can do something, and confidence is when you know that you do a very good
job at what you’re attempting. Confidence can never be replaced and conceit needs to be totally eliminated from
your vocabulary.
Your goal needs to be what I have used as a motto my entire life.
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. Don’t ever compare yourself with anyone else, and do the best job that is possible
for you at the time. If you practice that, you’ll always be at the top of your game. Never compare yourself
with someone else—that’s not a win.
It’s great to have role models and try to emulate your heroines, but
you are you, and need to accept yourself for who you are. There will always be someone who is taller, slimmer, richer
or luckier than you are. That doesn’t mean you can’t live a full, exciting, happy, stimulating and successful
life. Envy does no one any good.
Wanting to achieve, having a role model, using your influence for the good,
and giving to the less fortunate are all positives and make you feel terrific. When you look in the mirror do you see
a “neat lady?” When you are happy with you, you can really start appreciating everyone else.
Part of attitude is how you go about your day. Ask yourself, “What
did I accomplish today? For fun and for myself?” This is your time, S.O.B.’s, and if you started
with a fresh slate right now, what would you like to accomplish in terms of impact. Would you start a new career, become
a mentor or role model for someone younger than yourself, move to an entirely new area?
Enjoy the present, learn from the past and plan for the future.
©2006 Dr. Gayle Carson, CSP, CMC to read
more about Gayle, click here http://www.womenofwisdom.com/GayleCarson.htm | | |
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