Author: CLFurlong

Day #087: Stay Positive

We all have our tough moments and difficulties in which sometimes it is easier to give up or surrender. But, I find the best way to build and create your mindset for optimism and opportunity is to stay positive. Being positive can be overwhelming for others, but it can also inspire and challenge others – let alone yourself.

Sometimes the difficulties we face in life come from situations out of our control, and other times our difficulties are a direct consequence of the decisions we make.
In life, we cannot change events or their outcome.  We can, however, choose the emotion and meaning we attach to them.

Especially when you are fighting for a goal or working towards a target. You may be stuck to move forward, so find another way but remain positive.

If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal. – Unknown

If you still find it hard to stay positive or maybe you are looking for new ways too, the below 10 questions will help.

10 Questions To Ask Yourself To Stay Positive When Times Get Tough:

  1. Am I Still Breathing?
    Yes you are. But take 10 minutes and just breathe deeply. Keep your breathing right to stay relaxed.
  2. What Is My Part In This?
    Acknowledge and accept if you have a responsibility in the current situation. 
    Don’t take or cast the blame, but focus on fixing your mistake.
  3. What Is In My Control?
    Identify what you can control and focus on that.
  4. What Is Out Of My Control?
    Identify what is out of your control, note it and move on. Let it go.
  5. What Is My Emotional State?
    Before you go making quick on the fly decisions, make sure your head is in the game. If you need to take a breather do it.
    I like to go for a run or hit the GYM to refresh the mind.
  6. What Is The Most Important Thing I Can Do Right Now?
    This may be nothing, but identify what it is the most important thing and do it.
  7. What Can I Learn From This?
    With every challenge and set back comes a lesson learned. This is to grow you and build you.
    Don’t ask yourself ‘Why me’ but ask your self ‘What can I learn from this’.
  8. Am I Taking Care Of Myself?
    When challenges arise, the most common things we do are eat less, sleep less, and get less physical activity. 
    Maintain a normal sleep schedule.  Eat healthy.  Stay hydrated.  Get some physical activity.  
    Maintaining your physical state is a key to maintaining your mental and emotional states.
  9. What Are My Choices?
    Make a list. Write them down. Pros vs. Cons. This will create a fresh perspective and bring all the options together clearly.
  10. Will This Matter 5 Years From Now?
    Don’t sweat the small stuff… and really, 95% of our difficulties are all small stuff.
    Asking yourself if this will matter in 5 years times, will bring you back down to earth and remind you that this is a small challenge and it isn’t the ‘end of the world’.

These 10 Questions should help increase your confidence that yes, we can weather this storm.  

Remember: Progress is progress, no matter how small, and progress towards resolving a difficult situation will boost your self-esteem.

Day #086: Think Outside The Box

When it comes to thinking outside the box, we get so worked up in trying to be unique, out there and so focused on creating something which has never been thought of before. What if thinking outside the box, wasn’t actually thinking outside the borders of the box but was actually thinking inside.

Let me explain.

In this day in age there isn’t a lot of things that haven’t been thought of.

Usually the new innovative things are through the evolution of technology and what it can enable.

In 2015 Uber, the world’s largest taxi company owns no vehicles, Facebook the world’s most popular media owner creates no content, Alibaba, the most valuable retailer has no inventory and Airbnb the world’s largest accommodation provider owns no real estate.

But let’s take a step back. What if the new was actually the old?

What if we take what is inside the box and put all options on the table.

This isn’t about trying to add new things to the box but more so, taking a look and applying these things inside the box in a whole new way.

It’s all about perspective.

The problem really is locking down exactly what is in the box and then having the patience to really have a look at what the box contains from the many possible perspectives.

How we then apply it with what we have, will always come in shapes and sizes. Like combinations, one person could apply what’s in the box this way, compared to another doing it that way.

So if we view this with our own abilities, skills, passions and talents. Ask yourself:

What do you have in your box? What are you good at? What can do you do that others can’t?

But more so what can you do differently that others are doing normally?

How can you take all your skills, apply it to the norm and make the difference?

I think this is what will make you to really be ‘outside the box’. It is just a matter of identifying what you can do and applying it.

I challenge you to answer these questions above, to have a read of the below recommended books.

See what you can do to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

Some great books that can help you lock down your strengths, your passions and skills are below:

Day #085: Motivate & Drive

What motivates and drives you?

Today I want to prompt your thinking, challenge your motives and encourage your motivation. I want you to really get know who you are and what you are doing.

Let’s start with your morning:

  • What makes you get out of bed?
  • Why do you have / do not have breakfast? Is there reason for either?
  • Are you a morning person? What one word would define why you are?
  • What one word would define you if you’re a night owl?
  • How long does it take you to smile?
  • What’s the first thoughts on your mind?

Your daily do:

  • Why do you do the job you do?
  • Would you do it for free?
  • If you don’t have a job, then what would you want to do?
  • Are you ever stressed?
  • Does stress motivate or hinder you?
  • Challenges or no challenges?
  • Are you stretching your comfort zone?
  • How often?

Spare time: 

  • How do you spend it?
  • How much spare time do you have?
  • Week days compared to weekends?
  • Do you exercise?
  • At home or gym?

The above are just some prompt questions to get you thinking about your drive and or motivation.

Motivation comes from looking at the things you want and realizing what it takes to get it – Unknown

What I would suggest is you take the same idea and ask yourself about all areas of your life.

The more direct yet open questions you ask the more you will need to think about it.

Try writing these down with a pen and paper as a better way to work that brain of yours.

DO IT!

Day #084: Just Keep Swimming

I’m no swimmer but I am persistent. I’m constantly fighting myself about the idea of being where I want to be. I can see the end, I can see what I want and I know what I want. However, I also see the present and I don’t entirely see how I am going to get to where I want to go or I don’t always see the results coming through. But what I do know, is if I continue to push, continue to step it up, to bounce back, to fight harder, I will get there. I will get there.

No matter what comes my way, I need to adjust, I need to embrace and I need to conquer any hindrance. If I fail, I shall try again.

Regardless – I will learn and pivot and go after my goals with a new perspective!

SO CAN YOU!

Everyday I am trying to improve and challenge myself to be better at what I do and who I am while at the same time grow into the success I want to be.

In order to do this, it requires me to step it up, and step out of comfort zones and sometimes take a leap.

Being willing to stretch that little more and to take someones confidence in you will inspire you and remind you of just how capable you are.

 I’m doing this in small doses in order to conquer fear; but I must say, it is working.

Rather than making the excuse, why not give it a try – to see what you can do… you may even surprise yourself.

My challenge to you today is to challenge your fears, be willing to grow and just see what you are really capable of!

 “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou

And whenever something gets in the way, hinders you and creates a set back. No matter what…

JUST KEEP SWIMMING

Day #083: React To Life

Life is broken down depending on how you react. We all make mistakes in life and there is no point giving yourself the guilt trip about it. All the guilt in the world cannot change it, however what you can do is reclaim your confidence moving forward by applying yourself into forgiveness, work to rebuild, and work to make a difference! 

Today is a new day and so is tomorrow.

Don’t go into either of these stressed!

 “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou

Worrying won’t make it easier or better, it won’t change a thing. All it will do is scare you, bring fear and lower your confidence.

Utilize this into a fuel towards making yourself better, prepping yourself, working harder, growing and to be willing to step out of comfort zone!

Embrace these opportunities of creating negatives into positive outcomes. It ain’t easy, but the hard effort will reap the rewards of self growth and returns for the future!

Rethink your thoughts today!

Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. – Charles Swindoll

How will you react to your life?

Day #082: Knock Knock It’s Opportunity

Today – the day in which if opportunity doesn’t knock, you should build a door. This week, actually any week for the mater is a week controlled and is set by you and your attitude each and every Monday. I love Monday’s and so should you. It is the day in which I believe will make you or break you for the 6 days to follow.

But Monday has passed. Today is Tuesday.

So why not make the best of each day. Yesterday, (Monday) I like to call it Massive Monday.  What I mean by massive is; make them loud, make them fun and make them the way they should be. Be productive, be happy, be joyful, have a positive attitude and determination to push forward.

BUT, every other day should be like this too. Just as important as Monday. As yes Monday may set the tone for the week, but you can then make a difference each day of the week remaining. Each day is an opportunity once again.

“Even when opportunity knocks, a man still has to get up off his seat and open the door.” Anonymous

Monday resembles a new leaf we can turn. Especially on the topic of chasing dreams and goals – Monday is like a reset button.

But in the same essence, so is Tuesday and everyday to follow. We get a chance to do it all again, wiping away whatever was said or done yesterday or last week. This time we can do it again but this time bigger, stronger and more ready than ever.

Unfortunately society likes to make out Monday to be the worst day of the week.. this is usually due to what happened the prior week or the weekend. We tend to stereotype Monday as the reason why we don’t want to work. But maybe Monday isn’t the issue at all.

Maybe the problem is ourselves, I mean yes we have ALL have different experiences, and perspectives but…

If you’re really struggling with Monday, to wake up, get up and head off to what you do.. then Monday isn’t the problem. You are probably feeling this same drain throughout the week…

It is what you are doing that is the problem.

I don’t know how many times I have reminded you… that you should be doing what you love.

Find that passion, that drive and follow it as long as you can.

If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. – Marc Anthony

I think once you have your daily do’s in order, Monday, Tuesday or whatever day… will be a new day and this time – it will be a day you will love.

Day #081: No Zero Day’s

For too long I see and hear people wanting ‘this’ and aspiring for ‘that’ and expecting it to ‘all’ just happen one day.

I have news for you! 

These things are not going to fall into your lap. They wont just happen – even if an opportunity comes your way which could ignite these things to happen…

YOU STILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

For too long I hear people complaining, listing out and making excuses of why they cannot do something or be something.

YOU DO SOMETHING EVERYDAY AND ARE SOMEONE EVERYDAY!

What’s that? You want to do something out of the box, something you are passionate about? You want to make a difference?

Have you ever tried listing out the things you can do, your strengths, your hobbies, your skills?

For too long… people’s bad attitude have been the reason for a bad result…

I mean if you are going to have a BAD ATTITUDE, how can you expect anything good to come out of what you do?

Am I being blunt? Well if you want something to happen – reality requires you to actually do something about it.

I want you to challenge yourself. 

Whatever it is that you want to do, or be or change – here is what to do…

Welcome to NO ZERO DAYS:

“A zero day is the day when you don’t do a single thing towards your goal.” – Be Limitless

Regardless of what your goal is this is how it works. Each day you do 1 thing (at least) which is related to your goal. One thing closer. 

Example:

  • Maybe you missed your GYM routine due to a long night at work? = Do 1 push up. / Do 1 something – before going to bed.
  • Didn’t get to read my book today = Read one page / Read one sentence
  • Didn’t write in my journal today = Write one sentence / Write one word to define the day

You get the idea.

If you want to change it up you can go ULTIMATE and do a 365 Challenge picking one thing and do it everyday. 100% commitment.

Are you up for it?

Day #080: A Glimpse. Look and Find

Take a moment today to envision yourself at the end of your goal. Take a glimpse at what you are working towards.

How did your glimpse look? Describe it:

  • What is it you are doing?
  • What can you do?
  • What is new?
  • How do you feel?

Think about the achievements you potentially received.

Visualize these and then apply them as bouncing boards to inspire you to greater things.

A small task you can do to facilitate with your journey to your goal, is to write down the goals or the dream you have then work backwards.

List all the things that would have needed to happen in order for you to get there.

Of course your wont know everything, but an outlined or high level guide will go a long way. But where you can add detail, do so.

See what you can check off in that list, or see what you can actually take action on already, and plan to do so!

“The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and have the faith that it is possible.” – Richard M. DeVos

Must I remind you that the comfort zone is a place to learn. Based on what you know and can do.

However the bubble will soon enough become normal.

In order to grow and challenge yourself, you need to look past the bubble. Don’t just think of goals within this bubble think of something greater.

Think deeper and harder of what and where you want your comfort zone to be. 

Don’t be limited by your comfort zone. – Chris Furlong

If you continue to restrict your goals and dreams to what you are comfortable with, you will always be limited.

Your comfort zone has taken you this long to develop and create – why would you want to stay there, when you can expand this even more.

The bigger the bubble the bigger the splash.

I guess what you want to ask yourself is: 

How big of a splash do you want to make?

If you are struggling to:

  • envision your dreams and goals
  • create a list working backwards from your dreams and goals
  • having trouble locking down a passion, dream or goal

We would love to help and work with you and support you in working closer to achieve these goals, identifying the dreams or even expanding that comfort zone.

Don’t waste another day – take action today with or without us. 

Day #079: Extraordinary Lessons

We’ve all been there: you’ve gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, or you’d have preferred not to get up at all. The day just seems to drag on and making it through a difficult day is often a matter of willpower. What is willpower, though, and how can you improve it?

Willpower is, for our purposes, a combination of forward-thinking, positivity and a mindfulness of the future.It’s an understanding that problems are transitory, and maintaining the right attitude is essential. – Ali Lawrence

Willpower also requires a strong yet determined attitude. If you have already given up by thinking you cannot do it. How will you ever expect to stretch yourself, if you can’t even stretch your mind, or believe it without seeing it.

Have a little faith in yourself!

Having a purpose within your life will bring you happiness, motivation, and direction!.

Not 100% what is your passion to pursue?

Think about these 6 Prompts:

  1. Think About What You Loved To Do As A Child
  2. Take Notice Of How You Spend Your Free Time
  3. Don’t Think There Is Only One Life Purpose For You
  4. Ask Your Friends For Advice
  5. Start A List And Get Busy
  6. Know That You Are Already Living A Form Of Your Life Purpose

3 Willpower Wonders:

  1. Take Actions Towards Your Dreams And Never Give Up
  2. Dare To Dream Big And Be Extraordinary
  3. Taking Action Regardless – Plot Your Progress Toward Your Goals

Willpower is essential to the accomplishment of anything worthwhile. – Brian Tracy

Day #078: The Best Is Yet To Come

You are in control of your life, your ambitions, your goals and most of all your attitude. Every morning as a I commute to work, I am constantly reminded that regardless if the day is looking half-empty or half full…I need to take action and make sure I am pouring the water. I need to make sure I am being the best I can be. But less about me and more about you!

YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION.

YES YOU!

You can wait around for things to happen, you can wait around expecting the cup to one day overflow.

BUT, if you decide to start pouring for yourself and filling the cup yourself, things will start to flow.

You as you grow, you as you develop and you as you impact the world around you will soon enough be a cup overflowing.

But if you don’t start from a cup half empty, how will you ever get to a cup half full?

As you keep pouring THE BEST WILL COME!

Doesn’t matter if the glass is half-empty or half-full. All that matters is that you are the one pouring the water – Mark Cuban

Here are 4 Steps to take to kick-start your next journey:

  1. Attitude Check: Get this right from the start and you will have a head start.
    Having your head in the game and your mind in the right place will enable you to be on the ball.
    This will also give you enough fuel to keep yourself motivated.
  2. Just Start – Just Do It: Once you have that dream/goal/plan or journey locked in – now it is time to start. Take action!
  3. Challenge Yourself: Starting is one thing, but really getting your hands dirty is what is important.
    Start with a public statement or a self declaration to commit and deliver something on a regular basis.
    Challenge yourself to do something daily for the next 365 days. This will GROW you!
  4. Be Confident: If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to? Stand tall and believe in you and what you can do.

So what you going to do?

Don’t wait another day. Take action today and see tomorrow rise to a new level. Be the best you can be.