Staying Confident Through Troubled Times

Staying in a good frame of mind when things start going bad can be very difficult. It is very easy to slip into a depressing or negative mood. But in order to pull through when things are going bad, you need to maintain a good spirited attitude.

What keeps your confidence to overcome intact has a lot to do with resilience to the circumstance you are under. Resilience is the ability to bounce or spring back into shape - to recover strengths, spirits and good humor when confronted with obstacles.

When you are hit with difficulties, you have to let some of the negatives roll off your back and gain knowledge of what doesn't work so that you can be better prepared for the next step.

Here are three things I've learned to help you maintain confidence and deal with difficult times:

1. Implementation vs Procrastination - So many times people will say, "you can't do that" or "that will never work". There are many people out there whom will offer discouragement instead of encouragement. Try everything, never say never and take encouragement where you can, leave discouragement behind you.

2. Master Mentors - Developing friendships and getting to know people in varied ways gives you a wealth of experience to draw from. These people can teach you valuable lessons without 'sugar coating' the information. Mentors do not necessarily need to be a person; it can be a book or a special quote. Use and reuse those resources as age and experience change over time.

3. Control You Environment - What you think about and who you surround yourself with determine your attitude and confidence more than any other factor. If you constantly hang around negative people, you will inherit those traits. If you hang around positive and successful people, you will inherit those traits as well. I have heard it said, "you don't just pick up on other people's knowledge and experience; you pick up on their energy, too."

Flanders Field

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Today we say thank you to those that have sacrificed their lives and to think of those that have and do serve.

In Flanders Fields -John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

LaPonda - Life's Light

Today we memorialized a wonderful woman by the name of LaPonda Stephens. Cut short from our natural lives at age 46 by cancer, the memory of her wonders will go on forever in our hearts. The goodness and love she shared will flow through her children as they carry on her legacy.

Her message to all given as a gift to us is, "I love you all and I hope the love I had for you was felt... No day is promised to you... If there is someone you don't love, you need to change your ways." A wonderful flower from heaven is what she is and will forever be.

In ending, her husband Bruce wrote a beautiful poem for his wife. If I am able, I will ask him for permission to share it with you. For now, know that the wonders of life come in the form of people like LaPonda. Be like her and shine a light upon others.

Staying Focused In Vegas

Just a quick note at mid-week. I am in Las Vegas at our company's annual technology conference called EMC World. An awful lot of people from around the world in attendance. So I have had a very good opportunity to meet this varied collection of folks.

Staying focused on keeping your spirits alive and positive should be your goal each day. The rest then will come naturally over time. Have a great week everyone.