P365 – A Year's Journey

A recent term thrown my way has been “positive peer pressure”.

Now in essence, peer pressure, this is something we have or will all experience.

Usually it makes us feel uncomfortable, and pushes us into being something we are not, or doing something we wouldn’t do.

With this in mind, the concept of positive peer pressure raises the point that, what if we could turn the negative view and idea that peer pressure presents, and create something that will influence and inspire others for the better. Further to this… What if I told you we already have this new concept of creating peer pressure into something positive and it is already in motion?

The answer?

You are the answer. You are the one that is creating positive peer pressure.

Well at least you should be.

Everyday we have a chance to set an attitude and a tone for the day. How we then leverage and display this can be simple and kept ourselves. Or, we can share our new-found glory and excitement for the day with others.

Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody – Unknown

How can we share this excitement, this positive peer pressure with others? Here are 3 ways, that are quick and easy and will help you “peer pressure” others into happiness and a positive day.

1. Smile (give it a go now if you’re not already) 

2. Laughter (do it more)

3. Encouraging Others (Uplift – do you even?)

Encouraging, uplifting, affirming and helping others; whether it be through physical help, words of wisdom, or listening. When you take the time to uplift others, people react in new ways and will start to see new perspectives themselves. It is life changing!

This kind of constant action and lack of clarity can make it easy to believe that you are a failure.

But if you are too busy changing the world, you never make time for yourself. You never make the time to step back and see the success you really are. Here are some signs to validate, that maybe you are successful – more than you know. I wont go in to full detail but these will open your eyes.

1. You aren’t controlled by your income.

You might not be able to afford a Rolex, but if you aren’t living from week-to-week you are a success.

2. You don’t seek praise.

 Being able to do your part without looking for praise is a strong sign of mental security.

3. You suffer less drama.

Look back even just a year in your life: are you finding that things are quieter? 

4. You have a plan.

Success is built on structure and having a long-term plan to get to where you want to be. 

5. You crave more.

Ambition and a desire for knowledge points to a determined individual who seeks to better themselves.

6. You are an early bird.

You know the old saying. The early bird catches the worm. When you find that you are jumping out of bed, ready to attack the day, you can probably point to a successful lifestyle and personality.

7. You are socially active.

If you are able to get involved in many different situations with a variety of social circles you can point to a healthy and harmonious life.

8. You offer mutual respect.

Success tends to come from your own experiences in life, including going through stresses and difficulties.  If you understand the value of treating others with respect, you already harness one of the most important aspects of success.

9. You wish to help others.

Again, your success in this world goes far beyond the cost of your car. If you are able to provide people with a solid base to work with, and act as a pillar of strength for colleagues, success is not too far off.

10. You are driven.

Anybody without an engine and a willingness to get through the hard times and the difficulties will struggle to succeed.

11. You possess confidence without arrogance.

If you can show some genuine humility for others, whilst inspiring those who are struggling, you are already a successful individual

12. You have fought back.

Being able to battle back from a position of failure to success–any success–is a sign of an iron-willed individual with the nous to succeed in life.

13. You strive to improve.

When you always look to improve on the previous performance, even if it was spectacular, you are setting yourself up to be a long-term success.

14. You have discipline.

Learning how not to make mistakes and how to make the right call is vital to being a long-term success.

15. You preach patience.

Patience is a virtue that the most successful people emit on a large-scale basis. Without patience, it can be hard to ever make the type of impact that you originally intended in any work or personal environment.

16. You can say no.

If you are able to say no then you have already avoided the need to please everyone. This is the sign of a successful individual.

17. You manage time well.

Time management is a sign of long-term success, and being able to use the time in any given day to be productive is the sign of a successful person. If you are capable of dealing with plenty of tasks in any given day? You are already a success.

18. You have successful friends.

Success around you is the easiest way to inspire yourself. If you find yourself surrounded by those who are also doing well it can be easier to actually improve and develop yourself in the right manner.

19. You don’t blame others.

You have reached a point in your life where you fully understand what it means to take ownership of your actions and not target others for your frustrations and failures. 

20. You don’t waste your time.

Your greater sense of direction empowers you to know what you want without needing other´s approval.

21. You are assertive.

Explaining your reasons in a clear manner is essential for others to understand that you are an individual with your own thoughts and needs. 

22. You stay positive.

By being positive and honest at pursuing your goals you will unleash the true achiever within you.

23. You take care of your health.

Quitting harmful activities that stop you from working towards the brighter future you have always dreamed is a powerful step. It will turn you into a stronger individual with greater drive and willpower.

24. You don’t seek a relationship to solve your personal issues.

It is not a good idea to avoid helping the other towards becoming a better person just because it is easier not doing it or because “things are just fine as they are”.

25. You are mature.

It’s always important to remind yourself that success isn’t something that can be judged so materially. If you are able to look at your lifestyle and understand that you do things in a mature, social and effective manner then you are already far more successful than any slap on the back will ever make you feel.

Success comes from acceptance of your own skills and abilities, not what somebody you might never have met before tells you. – Carlos Sabarich

I ask myself this everyday. I ask myself, what can I be doing to be a better me and so should you. 

We all have dreams to be ‘that better person’ and we probably spend more time thinking about it, then actually putting in the time to make it happen.

I am realizing more and more each day that we are more capable than we realize.

• We are able to do more, if we just simply do.
• We can reach further, if we stretch out.
• We can grow quicker if we are willing to stand up.

With all this in mind, I think my biggest realization has been the importance of following passions, genuinely following your heart and being you for you.

We go through school with our end goals changing each year based on the results we achieve or the guidance of teachers. This is great and can open us up to some amazing opportunities, however… If you were tell them you were not going to go to Uni, and you were going to follow your dreams (whatever it may be), the reaction is usually to have a backup plan, to go to Uni or a have degree in place to get you into that classy job or where society wants you.

Please do not take this the wrong way. 

1. There is nothing wrong with Uni and following a directed and guided recommendation of where you can kick-start your journey into the world.
I went to Uni, I also have a degree and I also work at the worlds largest professional services firm in the world (in terms of revenue) and I love every ounce of it.

2. Following your dreams, your passions and your heart is and should purely be done at your own risk. As, if you literally only do these 3 things, then you may need to sacrifice, or rebel from the usual way society suggests to us. BUT – you can still follow your dreams, your passions and your heart without sacrificing everything. I do it.

I want you to take a moment and identify to yourself what are 3 Hobbies You Love?

Of these 3 which can do the following?

1. Make you money

2. Keep you in shape

3. Be creative

I will share mine – but I would love to hear yours!

1. Entrepreneur – this makes me money
Maybe not as much as I have dreamed, but it is a starting point. I have taken chances on a number of opportunities over the years:
– Small Business’s
– Innovative Ideas’s
– Side Hustles

2. Healthy Lifestyle (Sugar Free Diet and a Home Gym Junkie) – this keeps me in shape
In late 2013 I took a stand and decided to make a lifestyle change (the best ever) and I went Sugar Free (natural sugars accepted).
Since then I have lost 22.5 kg and dropped from a size XL to a S. I also now hit my home gym (body vs. gravity) 5 to 6 times a week. 
This also includes running, which I have recently hit over 560 km (2014), 600 km (2015) , 102 km (2016 so far) and reaching over 1200 km in total.

3. Blogging (Inspired to Motivate) – this keeps me creative
2014, I posted an encouraging & motivational picture with some inspiring words each day for the full 365 days. 
2015, i did it again. but this time it was hosted over at www.clfurlong.com and shared accordingly.
2016 has been the launch of www.365.christopherfurlong.com which a revised and upgraded version of the Project 365 series ran in 2015.

I originally started blogging back in 2009, which was composed of rants, vents, everyday wonders and random encounters of the big wide world.

Now I have a plan to do one thing only:

I want to innovate, be innovative and promote success through all that I do and to the people around me. I wish to spread happiness and express life through my actions. I plan to create opportunity through my visions, dreams and inspire those around me to aspire further in their own lives.

With this all in mind – these are the high levels of what I call my hobbies. I also have plenty of others and I also have other passions which are major parts of my life.

The point is…

• You all have a chance at life once.
• A chance to be you.
• A chance to make a difference.
• A chance to follow your dreams and your passions.
• You have a chance to live a life full of wonder, a life full of joy and creativity.
• You have a chance to know God and you have chance to wanderlust. 
• Whatever it is you do and choose to do. Do it well. Do it with your heart and do it with love. 
• Make each day, a day to remember.
• Make each day a day worth living not for yourself – but for the people around you.
• You are a representation of what you believe and what stand for.

What you show will determine what people think about you. So show yourself and show your heart. – Chris Furlong

If you enjoyed this blog – please share this. I would love to hear what you have to say, so feel free to leave a comment too.

Success isn’t going to pop out of no where. It is created. It is slow. It is composed of focus and ones ability to keep at it.

You will start small, with the biggest intentions, but soon enough you will have a biggest start with the biggest intentions.

Success moves in many shapes and sizes. Regardless, the journey to the pinnacle is no walk in the park. It will take time and lots of it.

Remember that choosing a growth mindset – that you can grow and develop yourself – makes a huge impact – Bruce Harpham

Think about the last time you attempted to learn a new skill. Did you see it as an opportunity to grow? If so, your growth mindset will help you to keep working longer and reach success. Recommended Read: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Here is a short video to remind us that – success will come as we pursue the happiness behind it. We cannot force something that isn’t there yet.

I choose dreams.

When it comes to seeking out our dreams and actually reaching our end game and actuating them, doubt has a tendency to overwhelm our minds and belittle our chances at creating our dreams into a reality. Doubt itself supersedes failure, as doubt limits your ability to even try in the first place… essentially failing to even start. At least with failure, you can bounce back with your lessons learned. 

Let me remind you that if we can bounce back from the many failures we have and will encounter, then we shouldn’t have a problem defeating doubt. 

But why does it always seem harder to defeat doubt then failure? 

The reason why is because there is a psychological component in which when we doubt, we actually believe it and that’s the reaction our brain takes… In other words, thinking becomes a substitute for doing. Meaning – when we actually go to do it, the brain has already made the decision that we cannot or we wont – so we lose any drive, motivation or focus on that particular action. So the doubt literally overwhelms our ability to step out and create or be something more than before. Funnily enough, doubt kills any belief in ourselves, but it is the doubt that make’s us believe we can’t achieve. 

Stop doubting your potential. Just start your dream and if you fail, you can always bounce back harder.

As you proceed to tread your path and kick your goals, obstacles will appear. The best thing about obstacles are they are designed to be conquered and to be overcome. As you learn to defeat more and more obstacles you will increase your:

• Confidence
• Skills
• Maturity in wisdom.

You just need to make sure you don’t doubt your ability to actually do it, let alone attempt. 

Accept yourself for who you are

 Until you accept yourself you will never cultivate genuine happiness. 

Believe in yourself

Believe in yourself. You are capable of accomplishing amazing things. 

Compassion is a gift you should give

Think of it this way – if you were in the need of something, or even desperate for a need. How would you feel if someone gave compassion and support to you?

Dedicate yourself to something noble and worthy

Dedicate yourself to something noble and worthy. Integrity is a good one!

Elation should not be hidden

Don’t hold back in the joy you feel when you are surrounded by people you love. Demonstrate and enjoy the happiness as much as possible!

Forgive yourself and others

We all make mistakes. Forgive others & forgive yourself.

Gratitude should be expressed

Show gratitude to strangers or to anyone you feel is deserving of it. Most importantly, be grateful for you.

Hope should never be lost

When you feel like you are at the end of the tunnel – what hope are you looking at?

Involve yourself in your community

Be involved. Don’t isolate yourself. Share life and joy with those around you.

Joy is worth investing

Live with joy because you are alive. What a gift!

Kindness is always appreciated

Being kind to others is much more beneficial to you overall happiness than being unkind.

Love is powerful

There is no greater emotion than love. 

You can either be in a loving state or a non-loving state. Think about how each one feels. Which one would you prefer to experience?

Mindfulness is important

Be conscious and aware of who you are and what you are doing. Be conscious and aware of the people around you and the world you are living in.

Nurture the things you desire

 If you wish to handle negative situations in your life with more balance and dignity, than cultivate genuine happiness.

Optimism greatly helps

If you want to live a positive and happy life than you have to live optimistically. There is more to it than simply saying you are going to be optimistic.

Passion motivates the most

Be passionate in your life. Don’t wait for someone else or something else to ignite the flame of passion into your life. Go find it for yourself!

Quiet your mind from time to time

Spend time in quiet. Just like your physical body needs breaks from time to time, the mind needs breaks as well. Quiet the mind and just be.

Resilience will help you survive

How resilient are you? When the going gets tough do you falter or persevere? Life is wonderful but there are going to be plenty of instances where you experience adversity.

Selflessness is not only good for others but also good for yourself

Many people are so focused on themselves that they forget what life is about. Instead of being selfish, be selfless.

Tolerate instead of hate people who are different with you

Intolerance only leads to more intolerance. It doesn’t solve anything.

Unconditional love is the most precious thing

When you love, love unconditionally. When you serve others, serve unconditionally. Unconditionally means without any strings attached.

Values should be sought in lives

Live a purposeful life. Seek meaning in what you are doing. Look for the good in people, even those people who you believe lack value.

Well-being is your top priority

You desire to live a life full of well-being. Well-being is a constant state of happiness and contentment.

Xenial people would be happier

Xenial means to be hospitable and giving especially to strangers and people whom you don’t know. Hold the door for strangers.
Let other drivers in front of you during high traffic times. Give someone hand carrying their groceries.

These are all examples of being xenial. Carrying out acts of kindness to people you don’t know will strengthen your positive outlook on life. Is there a greater feeling than helping someone who is need?

Yes for opportunities and possibilities

Do you consistently say decline invitations even when you are free and have no prior engagements? Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. 
If possible, say yes the next time you are invited out with friends or coworkers. It might change your life.

Zeal will make your life an unforgettable one

Live your life full of zeal. Be excited and energetic. Be genuinely happy!

Being happy can be as easy as learning the alphabet if you practice, practice, practice.

Once you are comfortable, your mind will begin to back off and it will seem that there is less and less willpower to learn or aspire to learn.

In parallel we get so focused on being the ‘next thing’ that we begin to set goals and dreams, with unrealistic expectations.

We aspire for greatness, yet we can find nothing to get us there and this usually because we stick with what we know and within the realms and comfort of a box. 

• If you want to have that willpower, that urge and that excitement to grow further and deeper, then you need to learn how to stretch yourself.
• If you want to have your goals come together into a masterpiece, you need to be willing to work for it.
• If you’re not willing to work for it… then something needs to budge.

If something needs to budge, then you really need to work out what it is you want.

Staying comfortable is like an un-watered seed. Nothing sprouts. – Chris Furlong 

With this all in mind, once you branch out of your normal and your comfortable ways, you will learn to challenge yourself for something more and something new.

Start by working hard, but not too hard, being quick with a helping hand and nice to people — without being a pushover. Hard work, people skills and a willingness to learn new things can take a person far in work — and in life. I’d say, these traits make up for a lack of smarts in most cases. – D. Keith Robinson

As you begin to feel relaxed or comfortable, you need to review your life and identify what opportunities there are available. Identify what is currently making you comfortable and identify what is going to help grow and stretch you once again. 

Identify what is making you comfortable, and list out 3 ways you can challenge yourself to grow (5 if you’re so keen). Be sure to write these out on paper. 

Really think about how you can take it to the next level!

But make sure you do it!

Change is not about fighting or trying to fix the old – but it is about creating the new. – Socrates

We are nearly a month into the year and I’m sure you have all had some ups and downs, some highs and lows with your goals and life in general.

A fixed mindset is what stops many of us from trying to improve in certain areas where we think we’ve hit our ceiling. In truth, of course, we’re all capable of reaching new heights. It’s just a matter of shifting from a fixed mindset to what Dweck (Stanford University psychology professor Carol Dweck) calls a “growth mindset,” a belief that we actually are in control of what we achieve. Yes, we all have inherent limitations; no matter how hard you try, you may never play tennis like Serena Williams. But, there’s a giant territory between being better than you are now and being the best in the world.

If you have a growth mindset, you think: If I stretch 10 minutes every day, I will become more flexible or If I take a class and practice every day, I will become a better writer. You’ll take on self-improvement projects and you’ll persevere through challenges because, deep down, you know you can succeed. If you think you’ve been holding yourself back with a fixed mindset, how do you go about shifting to a growth mindset? ***

To help you figure things out and ensure you remain on track. Here are some key points & challenges to encourage you, push you and hopefully motivate you to keep doing your best and to soldiering on!

• Time to get real! If you want change in your life, you need to make the time, the effort and the priority for it to be in your life.
• You need to apply yourself, even if it does require hard work. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
• I dare you to make time, prioritize and be the change, or start making the change you have always wanted.
• Everyday is new progress. Whether it be a little bit, more than before or simply the same amount, it is still better than nothing.
• Whatever your goal/resolution is… keep working towards it.
• Today, put in some time. Tomorrow, put in some more time.
• If you don’t put in the time, then don’t expect to see the results you want. 
• If it is one thing we are all destined to experience, it is growth. 
• All those good times, those bad times, those hard times and those easy times, these are all things that will grow you.
• Everything that is thrown at you, is a chance to bounce back bigger, stronger and better! A chance to stand up again!
• Just because things are tough now, doesn’t mean they will be forever.
• Perception and attitude will make the difference in your day. You just need to decide to have the attitude and perception to see it through!
• Have you progressed this week? Today is a day to remind yourself of where you are going!
• Have you swerved off track?
• Remind yourself of why you set your goal, why you decided to work for whatever it is you’re doing.
• If you have failed already, get back up and start again!
• Discipline requires self-control just as much as it deserves rewards! Reward yourself as you progress!

The longer you wait, the more gnawingly painful and paralyzingly complex it will feel. – @BenjaminPHardy

Have any of these points encouraged you?  Inspired You? Then please share these with your friends and family!

***SHAREN ROSS of Lifehack Org

Taking the effort to commit to something new can only be done if you want it to be and if you are willing to work for it. If you believe you can do it, you are already half way there.

I’ve been sugar-free for almost 3 years now, I have a strong and consistent exercise resume, I am running almost daily and pushing my limits wherever I can. The best part is, I have never felt this great ever. Being able to do new things I could never do, proves to me that my body is more capable than I had originally thought. 

Was it hard? It still is. But it is a lifestyle, so it is now a second nature to me. I have adapted and trained my mind to have no concern for when it comes to staying disciplined and motivated. 

The point is –  we all have what it takes and we also have the willpower inside of us to get up and do what it is required. #justdoit

Will it hurt? YES.

Is it worth it?  EVERY LIVING MOMENT!

Knowing that you are more capable than you had ever imagined, confirms with me that there is even better things to come. I would have never thought I could do what I do today, yet I am. 

If you want to see results and change – get out there and start kicking some goals.

Get out there and be consistent! Set your goal and don’t stoop until it is done!

Nobody said it would be easy – but if you keep at it, consistently and strictly, you will see the changes. Not just with weight, but just everyday willpower and performance.