We choose...

Every day we make choices, we choose to:

• be patient or impatient
• be kind or unkind
• actively listen or passively wait to voice our view
• be selfless or selfish
• be forgiving or resentful
• act with humility or behave arrogantly
• be honest or deceitful
• be loving or not to love
• smile or frown

Notice that I said “we choose”.  I did not say we “can” choose.  We do make these choices every day, whether consciously or subconsciously.  How do you choose?

Action

I have written before about the importance of taking action and simply getting started.  Nothing good happens unless an initial step of action occurs.  Action, initiation, implementation, these are the starters of all things good.  They are also the foundation for success.  Never getting started has an obvious negative impact on success!  Good ideas can be talked about, debated, planned and theorized at great length.  It takes action and forward movement for 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

Be sure not to 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.  Don’t let the fear of mistakes keep you from taking action!

Gratitude

I have read and thought a lot about being grateful lately.  Making time to be thankful seems to be a current self-improvement theme.  One such article asked a journalist about the common thing they hear from all successful people, specifically entrepreneurs.  The reply was that they each make daily time to be thankful.  For many this is during quiet time in the morning, for others it is a gratitude journal, for some it is being conscious of outwardly showing thanks daily.  It is a humbling thing to look at life from the viewpoint of what we have to be grateful for.  The list grows quickly and just as quickly outnumbers our challenges.  What are you thankful for?  When was the last time you thought about it?  Wrote them down?  Spoke of them out loud?  I certainly have a lot to be grateful for. Gratitude is powerful.  It adds a great perspective to days that we think are filled with challenges and obstacles. 

Be Grateful…

Goals & Resolutions (continued)

Our goals and resolutions are hard to accomplish alone.  We need the accountability of others.  We need the peer pressure to show up and stick to the plan.  Don’t go it alone.

•  Is getting in shape your goal?  Join a gym; hire a trainer; find a local running group; consult a nutritionist.
• Want to grow and improve your business?  Hire a business coach or join a mastermind group.  Seek help outside your comfort zone.  Maybe even consider a CFO consultant. (I know one I can recommend!)
•  Need to improve your Faith life?  Ask a fellow believer to hold you accountable to your prayer/quiet time or a Bible reading plan.  Join a Bible study or small group.
• Seeking to better deal with family issues or personal problems?  Seek professional counseling or a support group.  Others are dealing with the same things you are.

 What do all of the above have in common?  First, they require you to take some action.  Secondly, they involve other people knowing your goals and supporting you.  Don’t go it alone.  Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Goals & Resolutions

Have you set goals for 2017? Are you a New Year's resolution person? Is change on your horizon? So here is the thing about goals and resolutions… Nothing changes if nothing changes. That sounds simple and obvious right? Well it is, but it is not so simple to put into action.

• You will not improve your relationships if you do not change your behavior and/or expectations.
• The weight will not simply fall off of you without you modifying your diet and/or exercise.
• Do you want to quit smoking? You better have a very specific plan of exactly how to do that and be ready for the pain.
• Is a higher income your goal? What are your plans to sell more, increase margins, start a new business or change jobs?
• Maybe there is a personal life or faith resolution you have in mind. Those can be really tough. They take real discipline to achieve.
• You won't save more money without spending less!
• You can't run, cycle or swim in the morning without getting up earlier.

Change and personal growth is hard. It takes work, dedication and discipline. Most importantly it requires a change in behavior. Nothing changes if nothing changes…

Happy New Year and good luck with your 2017 goals!