Day #154: The Challenge

The start of this year I set out to challenge myself to blog each day for 365 days. Why? Well for many reasons, but one of them is to challenge myself. Last year I did this successfully, however this year I wanted to challenge myself to step it up. Being able to control this obviously made it that easier however the hardest part is the daily consistency. But the consistency also is what made it easier as well. It became a routine and a part of my day – therefore it was never an inconvenience. 

The habit of embracing daily commitment is more like a quiet strength that cannot be shaken. As WH Murray said,

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.”

When you set your sights on achieving your goal, it will take some kind of sacrifice. It’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to pay the price in order to give yourself a chance to realize the best possible outcome. The persistent people, the ones who are willing to pay the price, are able to visualize the light at the end of the tunnel.

The pain is worth the effort, and this enables them to keep going.

With this all in mind just because you might not have the brainpower or talents of someone else, does not mean you won’t have what it takes. More so it gives a you chance to demonstrate your hard work. Will Smith was asked about his secret to success and this is what he said:

“I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked. You may be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. And you may be better looking than me. But if we get on a treadmill together you are going to get off first or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple. I’m not going to be outworked.”

The real question I have for you today is to really challenge yourself to step it up. Pick something you do now, that you know you do well or enjoy. How can you take this and make it greater or expand it or take it to the next level? What is the challenge for you?

Day #153: A Sunny Spectacle

You have chance to create opportunity each and every day. Now that winter has finally made its appearance, the lack of sunshine can have a dull effect. However, just because it is winter doesn’t mean the sun don’t shine, it just means the chances of seeing its beautiful sight are limited.  It is now up to you to be the sunny inspiration each day. 

The best part though is, you don’t need the sun to be beautiful nor do you need it to make it a sunny day! You create your own rhythm to the day and how you do that can be as simple as walking on sunshine! Yes I mean; spring out of bed, dance to some music, sing in the shower and be happy to know that today is a day worth living. Today is another day of celebration… Celebration that you my friend have the power and have the ability to do something bigger and greater to those around you. 

Yes really. 

All you need to do is smile. Stand tall and be ready to make fun out the worst and embrace a positive attitude. The day will surely throw some curves in the way, but your flexible enough to make your way around them. 

Things present themselves to you, and it’s how you choose to deal with them that reveals who you are. – Cate Blanchett

As you do this – you will not only create a sunshine type effect to yourself (bubbling through the day) but you will inspire others to embrace some fun and laughter and of course happiness through their busy day.

The best time to smile is when you feel like not. Why? Try it next time and just see what it can do. 

When life puts you in tough situations, don’t say “Why me” say “Try me”- Unknown

Day #152: Loyal To Myself

Oh yea! Monday is done and dusted, it’s Tuesday. But like I say for any day, today is the best kind of day. 

This week I want you to set it in motion with the intent to grow yourself. As opportunity comes your way, don’t be hasty to push it to the side, but embrace it and give it a go. The worst case is you will fail and end up the way you were at the start of the week… and if I am right, that won’t be too bad.

But the real struggle is to stay on the ball and maintain a consistent level of growth, let alone a level that will be challenging you. Like exercise, the more you push and the further you go the more your mind will start to challenge your body’s ability to deliver… but we both know; 

“Your body drives you to the line but your mind makes you cross it.” – Sebastian Kienle

So when you start to doubt your ability to deliver your end result, remember your mind is always going have the strongest power over your entirety. So when you feel you cannot go on anymore, go for a final push and see what you can do in the final moments. Being able to overcome your mind’s push to give up, will intensify your willpower to a new level. This way, the next time when your mind plays tricks on you to give up, you will be able to push through it, basically building a new tolerance each and every time.

So today why not continue into the week being loyal. What I mean by this can be summed up by Jarrod Kintz.

“To be loyal to myself is to allow myself to grow and change, and challenge who I am and what I think. The only thing I am for sure is unsure, and this means I’m growing, and not stagnant or shrinking.”
– Jarod Kintz

Day #151: No Stress, No Worries

When it comes to the end of the day, the only thing you should remember is:

Don’t stress. Do your best. Forget the rest. – Unknown

If you can feel comfortable, knowing you have done your best all in a days work, then you have nothing to stress about. If you have done your best you could not possibly do any better. So if you are confident in yourself and what you have done – you shouldn’t be stressing about it. You can move on and rest.

There is also a common saying of:

You can always do more. 

Well yes you can always do more, but is more going to be your best? Is more going to be productive. Is more going to bring value to whatever it is you are doing?

These are questions you should ask yourself when you are applying your skills. Even if your intention is to always do your best, remember we can not do or be our best if we are limited or hindered. However, you can always do your best with these constraints… But it just may not be your full potential, only a subset of what it should be.

So I challenge you today to reflect on how you do, what you do and try identifying if you are doing your best work, or are you simply doing it for other reasons. There is no point stressing over something you have no control over.

Let me reiterate… Do what you can and do it at your best. Then if you have done what you are supposed to do, then you will have nothing to worry about. Let alone stress about.

Day #150: Great Lessons

If it is one thing I have learned this year, it has been to thrive in the moments of stress, drama and when things get sticky. This is where lessons are learned. Not saying that’s all I do, nor do I want to be. However, each and every one of us are to encounter moments each day, weeks, months or years, which will turn our lives upside down, or send us running around trying to pull together the pieces to ensure we still have a sense of sanity let alone the ability to control and believe in what we are doing.

Like many I can use work as an example. I personally love my work. Yes it can be on the borderline of what people would call “corporate slavery” however, we all have a choice and I choose to do what I do for the challenge, the opportunity and of course to learn.

With this is mind, every day I am put to the test, to really flesh out and identify just how good my skills are. Lessons are learned and many lessons are also taught to others. But the whole point is to ensure we are growing. Growth is about taking your current state and making it more than what it was before.

There are often great lessons to be learned at the roots of stress, drama, and heartache. Don’t let the magnitude of the circumstance blind you to the value of the lesson. – Steve Maraboli

My challenge to you is: 

Find and identify what challenges you.

Find what makes you need to grow and take it on. Use it as a bouncing board to something more.

Be a little scared, but don’t be consumed by fear. Conquer the mind and you will conquer the task at hand.

Day #149: Are You Determined?

As of recently hitting the 40% completion mark of the year, we are heading full stream ahead towards meeting the mid way point of the year. The question to ask yourself is how determined are you?

Some of us have come so far, some have come further than before and some have just been along for the ride… But with still a little time left, you can still start something new before hitting the mid way point.

Why do you want to be starting something before the middle of the year?

This will give you a perfect 6 months to really flesh out and put to test your skills, attitude and ability to grow and learn. Hey, you may even start that dream you have always had… However, you need to actually identify what it is you want to change or do for the next 6 months. While at the same time – invest in your willpower and self-control to really see it through.

Maybe you want to kick-start your childhood hobby, or maybe it is a promotion, maybe you just want to learn how to play an instrument or simply pickup a consistent exercise routine. Regardless, these things will all take time, commitment and determination. But it is only you who can make the decision and make it happen.

It is never too late to make the decision to change your life! DON’T WASTE ANOTHER DAY!

Whatever you think about grows in your life. – Brian Tracy

We are not perfect human beings, nor do we have to pretend to be, but it is necessary for us to be the best version of ourselves we can be. 

Today and for the next couple of weeks you have some time to think about what it is you will do.

Don’t make excuses saying you do not have time, as you do, you just need to prioritize your time. 

Once you have really identified what it is you want to do and once you have a taste of it – I think there should be no effort required to keep you going but rather a passion to fuel your determination.

Day #148: Fresh Start 1, 2, 3

Everyday you have the chance to start fresh, to reapply your skills, your attitude and to give it all you got! Take a moment to identify what you can do better today! Take a deep breath and solider on by starting the day better than the day before! You are the one calling the shots in your life. Make them count!

With this in mind, like any day we can become tied up with the “important” things such as work or other duties and we sometimes we forget to stop and smell the flowers. Meaning, we don’t stop to identify the details. Along those lines, we also forget to celebrate the victories our efforts have created. Be proud of where you have come from and what you’ve achieved. If not earlier, then every 90 days you should review the last three months, and soak up your achievements no matter how small they are.

Have a moment of reflection and see what has been really defining you for the past 3 months or whatever the time frame is.

But remember, two things that will always define you are your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.

So today as you do what you do remember 3 things.

One, today is a fresh start, so make it count.

Two, don’t forget to identify and realize the details of what you have done.

Three, patience and attitude will be at the core of your definition.

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Wishing is not enough; we must do.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Day #147: Success In 10

I was recently asked how do I have time do everything that I do and remain and appear successful, especially while working a full-time job and working overtime.

Firstly, I said it all comes down to priorities and choosing to sacrifice one thing for something else. While at the same time, there are key attributes and activities I focus my time on as they go hand in hand, or work to compliment other elements of my life. i.e Waking up early gives me more time to focus on my hobbies, or plan out my day. While, being active or exercising enables me to sleep better in the evening and so on…

Being able to fine tune, coordinate and emphasis areas of your life through particular activities – essentially enables you to benefit from ‘lifehacks’.

With this in mind, there are 10 things that I believe will make you successful as long as you do them daily. These will vary and alter per person, but the below I personally think will go a long way in helping have a successful day, but also be content at the same time.

Wake up early

It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom. – Aristotle

Exercise

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. – Edward Stanley

Have a plan

Failing to plan is planning to fail. – Alan Lakein

Spend time on your hobbies

A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away. – Phyllis McGinley

Be active

An active mind cannot exist in an inactive body. – General George S. Patton

Be willing to learn more

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. – Bruce Lee

Analyze

When you analyze happiness, it turns out that the way you spend your time is extremely important. – Daniel Kahneman

Pray / Meditate

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.-  Saint Francis de Sales

Spend time with loved ones

Give in to love, or live in fear. — Jonathan Larson

Sleep the right amount of time

Even were sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing. – Homer

Day #146: The Big Forty

Well there you go, by the end of today you will have made it 40% into the year. You heard it right, forty percent of the year, you have completed. I hope you have made the most of it.

That’s:

  • 3,504 hours
  • 21,0240 minutes
  • 12,614,400 seconds

Let’s put this into a bit more perspective. You have nearly made it half way through the year and my biggest challenge to you is to ask yourself:

  • Are you satisfied with what you have achieved so far this year?
  • Is there room for improvement?
  • Are there things you need to change?
  • Should you have spent more time on something better, or less on something else?

Below are a list of questions to ask yourself to really see how you are progressing so far this year. Be honest with yourself, and see what you need to spend more attention on for the rest of the year.

  • Have you given your best effort?
  • What could have you done better, or not done at all?
  • Have you enjoyed what you have been doing?
  • What was your motivation for doing what you have done?
  • Did you set your goals right, did you achieve them?
  • What were your expectations by this time in the year?
  • Is it time to change it up?
  • Are you still happy?
  • Do you see yourself doing what you do now in the next 5 years?
  • What have you learnt?
  • Have you built your character?
  • Have you made better and healthier choices?
  • Have you expressed love for family and friends?
  • Have you got any grudges?
  • Are you content?

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” – Billy Graham

Day #145: Passion Equals A Joyful Life

Oh Yea! It is Tuesday, the best kind of day.

Today I wish to remind you of chasing your passion. I think this is one of the most important elements of your life and the sooner you realize it the sooner you will be happier than ever before.

Have you ever said something like this?

“I love doing _________, but that doesn’t make a lot of money, so I am going to do _______ instead”

Guilty as charged! How many of us growing up have made decisions like this? Never mind growing up — how many of us have made decisions like this as adults going through working life? Sacrificing our creative passions on the altar of making a buck!

Now that is a question! What would I want to do every day if money was no problem, or if you didn’t need it… It’s worthwhile spending the time to not only daydream and really imagine our ideal day, but to actually write those dreams down on paper. What would my ideal day look like if time was no object? Try this, and you’ll be surprised by the passion it unleashes.

Be thankful for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. – Robert Tew

Is it possible to follow our passion and make a living? Ask writers from J.K. Rowling to Zadie Smith, filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to James Cameron, artists from Jeff Wall to Tracy Emin, musicians from Adele to Will.i.am, sportspeople from David Beckham to Usain Bolt.

No matter what the industry is there will always be someone out there living their passion. The funny thing is, following your passion can even potentially pay much more than the traditionally esteemed jobs.

A veteran care nurse recently revealed the top regrets of those on their death-bed:

“I wish I had lived my own life rather than how society taught me to live.”

“I wish I discovered my purpose earlier.”

“I wish I had taken more risks.”

“I wish I had taken better care of myself.”

“I wish I’d allowed myself to love.”

“I wish I had touched more lives and inspired more people.”

“I wish I had been a better partner or parent.”

Now if that list doesn’t prove why following your passion is a need, not a desire, then nothing will!

So today’s challenge is to ask yourself…

What do you want to be saying at the end?