Browsing Category Personal Development
Thinking Outside The Box
It’s probably an understatement to say that we are living in, well, let’s say “strange” economic times. Certainly we would all agree that things are different now then, say, 5 years ago. I currently live in Las Vegas, and 5 years ago in Vegas things were booming like crazy. Housing prices were through the roof, there were plenty of jobs to be had, whether you were in construction, entertainment, the service industry, whatever. Things were good. Life was good. Hmmm….a bit different story today.
I am not going to rehash the unemployment numbers, or the percentages that housing prices have gone down. My purpose here is not to depress anyone, or state the obvious. So let’s get to my point for writing this:
When everything was all hunky-dory and we were all just grooving along on auto-pilot like life will be just like this forever, what were you doing? And the bigger question is this: What are you doing NOW? Are you doing the same thing? And what are your results? If you are one of the lucky ones that has a career that is still flourishing since the downturn, and all is well with your life, then I say awesome and congratulations. But if, like the world, things have changed for you and things are not so great, think about what you are doing to change with the times. Are you changing at all?
Remember Einstein’s definition on insanity: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Folks, now is the time to think “outside the box.” In fact, I say this is just about a necessity. The old days are over. One job for life, one career, retirement provided by your employer that will be there when you retire. These are things that for most will not be a reality. It’s a new day, it’s a whole new world. But it’s also a time for renewal, for reinvigorating ourselves, rethinking our lives in general. It’s a time when our creativity and zest for life will be brought to its fullest potential. It’s a time to really focus on what we truly are passionate about, what our talents are (are you using your given talents?), what our strengths are.
Speaking of strengths, check out www.strengthsfinder.com for an analysis of what you truly excel at. It can be a real eye opener. But I digress….
The only thing that will hold you back from achieving everything you want, all of your goals, your hopes, dreams (yes, even now in this economy) is…..YOU. Figure out what you want, which for most is the hardest part. Focus on that like there is nothing else, pinpoint, laser attention to that vision. Finally, take the action required, think outside the box, there is NO obstacle that you cannot overcome. Go and get it.
Let’s shred those boxes,
Jamie
What Do You REALLY Want?
I know I write quite a bit here about things like focusing on what you want, personal development, proper nutrition, among other things. I do truly believe that we are capable of bringing into our lives whatever it is that is truly in line with our passions, our strengths, our desires.
But, here is the thing. What is it that we REALLY want? And I don’t mean something like a new TV, as nice as all of these amazing looking flat panels are these days! What I mean is, how do you want to FEEL? Or course, all of us want to be happy, healthy, fulfilled, right? And what is at the center of all of that? What, at the end of the day, will keep us happy, healthy, fulfilled? It is inner peace. Think about that for a second. What if, you actually had complete, inner peace in your life right now. An inner peace so strong that there wasn’t anything that could upset you. There wasn’t any circumstance to break that perfect sense of bliss within. Nice.
Is it a pipe dream? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing I do know is this. If we have inner peace, then that means that nothing “out there” is going to be a problem for us. There is nothing “outside” of ourselves to disrupt the inner balance and calm state of being. Hmmm….so maybe if we focus on creating inner peace, then the outer world will take care of itself. The world “out there” has a tendency to “fold in” around what we think, feel, and focus on. So if what we think, feel and focus on is inner peace, then the outer has no choice but to conform to that.
So don’t give it a choice. Focus on the inner, focus on inner peace, and see what happens. Hey, maybe someone will bring you a new TV! (just watch a peaceful station 
)
To your inner peace,
Jamie
Do We Have To Choose Peace OR Prosperity?
I have a great saying in my home office that reads: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart”
I love this saying, but the big question is how do we get to that place where we are still in our hearts? I mean, most of us are running around like crazy, trying to do this and that, pay the bills, feed the dogs, work out, make dinner, get to work on time, maybe even just hold down a job. Does that sound familiar? Where does the peace come into play?
In all of this striving to do more, get more, and be more, is there something that we forgot to do? Did we forget to focus on US? And by US, I don’t mean the money, the car, the house, the job, the goals. Nothing wrong with any of that, but we are so easily distracted these days from what we really want and need. And what do we really want? We want peace. We want a sense of tranquility with ourselves and our surroundings. ….I sense you may be saying “well, duh, of course that’s what I want”… but hear me out.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to want these things, how many of us actually focus on creating that in our lives. We may think we are, we may think that by continually striving for more things, for a bigger promotion, for more money, etc. that this will somehow create peace in our lives. But somehow this doesn’t happen. You see, peace can only come from within. Everything else that is external can be taken away from us at any time. Peace is lasting, In fact, peace is EVER-lasting. And it’s a funny thing about inner peace; when you feel it, things just sort of seem to happen. You may actually GET that promotion, or you may get a raise, you may find yourself in nicer surroundings. The trick is not to get caught up in these things, not to get too attached to them. Be attached to your sense of peace.
The world has a way of folding in around a peaceful purpose. And you will find that prosperity loves to find and latch onto someone who has found a lasting sense of peace. So all these things we talk about today, like abundance and prosperity, it all can be yours, but first and foremost let’s focus on the inner, let’s create inner peace for ourselves. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors anyways.
To your own inner peace,
Jamie
The “Impossible” Dream
Have you ever really looked at the lyrics to the song “The Impossible Dream”? I was thinking about this recently, thinking about what the vision for my life is, and I remembered seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger in an interview. In this interview he was asked how he had achieved the things that he has in his life. His story is pretty amazing actually. But he ALWAYS has had big dreams.
He says that he has set goals for himself that are so lofty, that they are almost unimaginable that he could even reach them. But this kept him striving, always pushing or that next rung. Now I am not saying that we should all be always on the edge of our seats, always pushing, never stopping to smell the roses, or enjoy the beauty in life. No.
Life is meant to be fun, enjoyable, blissful. And we should follow our path, we should go in the direction that is meant for us. And yes, sometimes that means pushing ourselves, growing, learning, reaching. And if you are in one of those places, as I am right now, then maybe these lyrics will mean something to you. I know they spoke to me loud enough that I wanted to share them with you.
And so with that, I say go and get your “Impossible Dream”!
-Jamie
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star