Perception is reality

 

Good Monday morning, or is it Tuesday?  Or maybe a Tuesday that seems like Monday? 

 

Often perception is reality and for that reason today may feel like Monday all day.  In reality it is not. It is the Monday of this work week for us, and I hope your Memorial Day holiday was fabulous.

 

Perceptions becoming reality can be hard to understand especially if you are a black and white factual personality. It is important to remember that how people perceive situations and perceive other people often forms the realities of how they think.  If you deal with people, and we all do, you will always be dealing with their individual perceptions. Oftentimes, it does not matter what you think or what the facts may be.  People have their own perspective, that does not make them wrong, just unique in their viewpoint.

 

Have a great day...(Monday or Tuesday or whatever day you perceive it to be)

Take a Breath Before You Speak

The strategy itself is remarkably simple.  It involves nothing more than pausing and taking a breath or two before you respond to someone who has just spoken to you.  At first, the silent gap may seem like an eternity, but in reality, it amounts to only a fraction of a second of time.

Observe the conversations around you, you will notice that many of us are simply waiting for our chance to speak.  We are not listening to others, but simply waiting for an opening and the opportunity to express our own viewpoint. Truly listening requires patience and discipline.  Don’t miss the opportunity to hear what is being said because you are planning what to say next.

This harried form of communication encourages us to criticize points of view, overreact, misinterpret meaning, and form opinions, all before our fellow communicator is even finished speaking.  No wonder we are so often annoyed, bothered, and irritated with one another.  With our poor listening skills, it is a miracle that we have any friends at all!  Are you listening?  Does this ring a bell?

No need to worry that you won’t get your turn to speak, you will.  In fact, it will be more rewarding to speak because the person you are speaking to will pick up on your respect and patience and will begin to do the same.  

Portions taken from Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, By Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

Power of the Mind

The power of the human mind is incredible.  It is truly amazing what we can accomplish with brain power.  Too many times however, it works against us.  We let our minds create the narrative.  We listen to the stories created by our own thoughts.  We can actually fabricate stories that become reality.  Even worse, we allow self-doubt and negative thoughts to creep in and occupy too much real estate in our heads. 

Our challenge is to use the power of our thoughts for good.  The phrase “Mind over matter”, was created for a reason, just ask any endurance athlete.  Wise is the man who channels his thinking for good.  Strong is the person who creates positive self-images in their mind.  Successful is the individual who harnesses brain power to overcome obstacles.  God granted us a very powerful tool.  We just have to have to learn how to use it in a positive way.

Action

I have written before about the importance of taking action.  Nothing good happens unless an initial step of action occurs.  Action, initiation, implementation, these are the starters of all things good.  They lay the foundation for success.  Good things can be talked about and theorized on at great length.  We can plan and prepare forever.  It takes action and movement for good concepts to be turned into reality, and reality into success.  Consider this quote from the very successful Conrad Hilton.

Success seems to be connected with action.
Successful people keep moving. They make
mistakes but they never quit.
--Conrad Hilton

Don’t overlook the part of the quote referring to mistakes.  Successful people make mistakes.  They cannot be avoided and are in fact part of the process of success.  Do not let the fear of mistakes keep you from taking action!

Go take some action!  Have a blessed week.