Seeing Change Coming

Staying grounded in your daily life can provide you with the ability to change and adjust to the curves that life throws at you. It becomes easy during times when things are going so well to let ourselves believe we are above it all. The actor William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal, etc) is quoted as saying, "being an icon is overblown. Remember, an icon is moved by a mouse."

Those little things in life will tend to cause us the most grief. The cumulative effect of them will cause you to tumble from a high perch. But keeping in touch with your basic values and allowing yourself to impart this to others, you will stay in tune with what is going on around your life. It allows you to recognize when 'the mouse' is starting to shift the direction of your life.

Don't be afraid of change and change is not all bad. You simply need to recognize that it is happening. I have had shifts in my life that came at me like a baseball bat to my back. At other times I've been able to recognize them from a far. In either case I had to adjust but it was much easier to make judgements when seeing the change coming.

You too can effect the changes coming at you - if you see them before they hit. Stay aware of the moods and swings of life around you. Then when you sense a change coming, it probably is so take time to evaluate what type of movement is happening. Good or bad, you will have to make that decision. At least you will have the opportunity to effect the change that is coming.

It may be an issue in your marriage that is heading you towards worse times. If you see it, you can do things to improve the probability of a better outcome. If it comes at you like a baseball bat to the back, then its probably too late...you'll have to adjust to the change. Maybe its in your job, evaluate what is happening with the business or your work area.

If the type of job you are performing is slowly being prepared for outsourcing, chances are you will be out of a job soon enough. Start doing those things to improve your skills for another position within the company or at least in preparation for that moment if a layoff occurs. If it comes at you like a baseball bat to the back, then you're behind everyone else who did prepare themselves...you'll have to adjust to the change.

By now your back is likely battered and bruised by the unexpected changes that have come your way. Seeing change coming or at least sensing it will lessen the impact. It would be unfair of me to say that simply seeing change makes it a whole lot easier. But then again, not all change is bad and can be quite good. Just allow yourself to see it coming.

Having an upbeat and positive attitude will allow you to make change much easier, whether its a slow train rolling down the track towards you. Or if that bat comes swinging out of nowhere...you'll have a bit of protection to lessen the blow.

Attitude And Stress Management

As you go through life, there will be times of stress and times of negative attitude. Its unlikely you would be human were you never to experience these. Everyday events can bring about stress whether it be a higher then expected electric bill, a neighborhood dog barking all night or simply a rough day at work.

Each of us develop our own coping mechanisms. Some people turn to drinking and other methods of hiding the stress. Others turn to a 'mean' streak within them, being either physically abusive or just a rotten person. These are methods which do much more harm in the longterm as opposed to the shortterm relief given. All of the previously mentioned methods are used by people with negative attitudes as well, a quick release or 'pick me up' from the situation.

Now I certainly am not here to criticize drinking or to condone any type of abusive behaviour. Those tendencies are better addressed by professional people. What I do want to offer is a choice in how to deal with stress. An easy and learned method of helping you work through the current situation. As with any serious issue of stress, seek out doctors or other professional assistance.

Now, the day has ended and you are stressed from a very hectic work day. Way too much work and too little resources, customers badgering you on the phone and a boss that simply shouldn't be in a position of management. You feel as though a vein may burst at any moment and you really need to decompress.

The car awaits and you may automatically turn on the 'drive home' music on that local rock station or to the 'talk show' heads. With each loud beat or shrill pontification your stress only builds. You may not even realize it. Reach over and find something more soothing such as classical music or maybe simply turn the radio off. Reflect, think about the day and realize this to has passed and a new day awaits.

Now you are home, seek out your spouse, a relative or friends and simply connect. Don't simply unload your troubles but talk about the day, about other events and more importantly about 'their' day. As humans we are designed to encourage each other and naturally this will happen. Give encouragement to the other and you will receive it in return.

The same goes for your dreams and visions. Sharing these with others will provide an opportunity to receive encouragement. You need also to encourage others in a positive fashion in order to get the same in return. The same goes for having a positive attitude. Giving forth a great attitude, being nice to others, helping them be upbeat will be provided back to you.

You have made it this far, the day doesn't seem quite so bad. You've placed yourself among others and those others should have great attitudes in order to bolster your own. Placing yourself among others with like minded dreams and visions will help you as well. In both cases, doing so only helps you to achieve both.

Now look where we have ended up, the anxiety of the day is probably easing away by now. Our mind isn't 'laser-focused' on the negative things of the day. We've placed ourselves into a mind set that life will go on and it will be great. We've placed ourselves among others that support the idea of a great life. Together we pull each other through it with amazing ease.

Stress will always be there and you will learn to sense it and to fight it off. By being among others of like minded attitudes will naturally over time allow you to overcome stress more quickly. Maybe you will even be able to avoid it as you allow your mind to go to that 'stress-free' place as soon as you feel it coming on.

Overcome your stress with a positive attitude and allow others to enter your world. They will impact your life and you will impact theirs.

“There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.”
-George Matthew Adams

Spring Into A New Attitude

Such comfort as do lusty young men feel,
When well-apparelled April on the heel,
Of limping Winter treads, even such delight,
Among fresh female buds shall you this night,
Inherit at my house
- (Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet)

With spring upon us, the above text taken from the play of youth and budding new opportunity. Ourselves can take spring to make the old, new again. To make a fresh start with the promise of growth and renewed vitality. 'Spring' into a new attitude and your life will grow in abundance.

Quality - The Road Continues

From the good folks at www.despair.com. Note the intended humor in it but understand that for all of us, striving for quality where we work never ends.

The road ahead of us whether it is in business or in our personal lives stretches on. You should understand that achieving one level of goodness only sets us up to achieve another level.

So sure, it may seem like a 'death march', but greatness does await each of us. Success in this march to quality of work and life will be yours.