Attitude: A Reflection in the Mirror

“Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different.” ~~Katherine Mansfield~~

I attended a fantastic networking event last night, and spoke with some incredible people. Some I had “known” for several years, even spoken with by phone, but had never actually met, and others I wished I’d met earlier and am grateful to have met now. I also had the opportunity to catch up with people I know quite well, and that’s always a great thing. As a connector* I really enjoy meeting people in general, but there was something in the air last night. Everybody was happy to be there! Everybody had a great, positive attitude. Everybody was asking how they could help someone else and not at all thinking about who was going to help them (at least not outwardly!) The energy in the room was nothing short of spectacular. More than one person said something about the importance of having fun. More than one person believed that anything was possible if you just put your mind to it. More than one person commented on the effects of maintaining a positive attitude. More than one person talked about how critical they felt it was to align your passion with your work. More than one person talked about feeling good about what you do so you can look yourself in the eye in the morning and know you’re going to have a great day. I was reminded how empowering it is to surround yourself with positive people. I felt invigorated; like I was on top of the world. And, I know my own positive energy and focus just added to the mix.

I pass that on to you today. Stay positive. Surround yourself with positive people and positive influences. Believe that anything is possible. Believe that you can do it.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill


*A quick note to say that this event was the same event, now held monthly, where I discovered that I was a connector, referenced here: http://hireeffect.blogspot.com/2010/12/goals_09.html

Motivation: Today is the day

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.” ~~Alan Alda~~

Be proud of who you are, and honor who you believe you will become. Trust your instincts and let them guide you down the path of discovery. Do what you do with all your heart, and know that anything is possible. Rely on your network, get input from your friends and family, build your support system, and let them help you. Believe in yourself. Today is the day.

Goals (and The Attitude Adjustment Movement)

“You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world…” from “Revolution” – The Beatles


Well, I want to change the world! And to quote another legendary musician “I’m starting with the man (or woman) in the mirror!” So to start my “attitude adjustment” movement off on the right foot, I’m setting a goal! (Well, I had to tie it in somehow to Thursday’s Theme!) My goal is this: To help at least one person feel happier every day.

My plan is to express my positive attitude by seeing the good everywhere possible and by inspiring others to help make this world a better place for all of us!

Are you with me? Let’s start a “positive posse”! It’s the beginning of a revolution!

Read yesterday’s post http://hireeffect.blogspot.com/2011/02/attitude.html for further details.

Motivation (and Congratulations!)

“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” ~~Oliver Wendell Holmes~~

This post is really about how quickly things can change. I originally wrote about a friend’s day, but due to her “big announcement” not yet being public, I removed the original post by request.

Let’s suffice to say that you should never give up! No matter how your day starts, there is a great chance that it will get better. And, if it doesn’t, there is always tomorrow! It doesn’t matter how bleak things look, I do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel… and that the tunnel simply leads to another. Keep moving in the right direction, enjoy the journey, and maintain your momentum. Life is good, and even when it feels like it’s not, getting through the day sure beats the alternative!

Congratulations again my friend. You know who you are!

Motivation

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” ~~Henry David Thoreau ~~

I was totally inspired yesterday by, yes, another networking contact. I love how true networking works. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever what the purpose of that meeting was going to be. I had no preconceived notion about how I was going to be able to help her, or how she was going to be able to help me. So we sat down and started talking… and let the magic happen! It was an amazing meeting of the minds. It turns out, not surprisingly, that we can really help each other get to the next level. We can really help one another achieve those goals that until yesterday felt only like pipe dreams. So, here’s the lesson I learned… Keep dreaming those pipe dreams, because you just never know when they’re going to become your reality! And, there’s the next quote I hope to be known for!

More about my new networking friend: For anyone who is looking to manage stress, reduce anxiety, quit smoking, lose weight, gain focus, increase motivation or for some other reason just get out of your own way, please check out www.StephanieDalfonzo.com. I really am totally inspired!

Motivation

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” ~~Malcolm S. Forbes~~

Your circumstances do not define you. Employed; in transition; executive; entrepreneur: these are all just circumstances. Titles are meaningless. It’s what you do that counts. Be proud of who you are, believe in what you can do, and make it count.

Motivation

“The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.” ~~Joan Didion~~

Two topics I love rolled into one quote; accepting responsibility and self-respect. I really like this one. I’ve never thought about self-respect as tied to being 100% responsible… but it makes perfect sense. I certainly respect myself more when I take responsibility for my self and my actions. I certainly find it easier to be 100% responsible when my ego is intact. I wanted to explore this further. I even went as far as looking up the “root word” or suffix “resp” to see if there were some deeper meaning, and I found this, the suffix for breathe is: “resp” (respiratory, respirator, respiration)… hmmm… very interesting. So here’s a leap of faith: being 100% responsible for yourself helps you build your self-respect, which in turn helps you breathe (read: live). OK, it really is a leap, but one I’m willing to take.

“They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Don’t give up that power. Be responsible for your own actions. Build your sense of self. Be proud of who you are. Live. Breathe. Enjoy!

Motivation

“We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.” ~~Frank Tibolt~~

So, what are we all waiting for? Ready! Set! GO!!

“An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” ~Arnold Glasow

Goals (plus some affirmations)

“The most important thing of all is working on living more consciously, moment to moment and day to day.” ~~Shakti Gawain~~

I was reminded, not once, but four times so far today about the significance of recognizing what is really important in life. Usually when things happen like that, there’s a reason I should write about it, so here goes.

A wise friend of mine has on her Facebook page the following quote, “Someone will always be prettier, smarter, have a bigger house or a better car. Their children will do better in school or their husband will fix more things around the house. So just let it go and love yourself, your life and your circumstances.”

An inspirational colleague of mine reminded me that every cloud really does have a silver lining and you can always find something good in every situation if you look hard enough. (And sadly, she would know!)

Too many people want to point fingers and place blame. Taking accountability for ones own actions is critical as you begin to live more consciously and be more engaged. Living more consciously and being more engaged, in turn will help you love yourself, your life and your circumstances, and find that silver lining.

My affirmations for today:

I am accountable for my actions. I do not make excuses for my behavior. I actively see the gifts in my life. I live consciously, in the present, and achieve my goals.

Friday: Motivation + Affirmations

“Lots of things that couldn't be done have been done.” ~Charles Auston Bates

Today, some affirmations:

I accomplish my goals.
I have razor-sharp focus.
I am productive now.
I am motivated and encouraged.
I am inspired by the kindness of others.
I am worthy of success.

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your motivation to accomplish something great!

Wednesday: Positive Attitude

“In response to those who say to stop dreaming and face reality, I say keep dreaming and make reality.” ~Kristian Kan

It is all in the attitude! I missed yesterday’s post on focus, ironically, because I was completely focused on a new project, and I have to tell you, it is going to be an awesome project! And, in so many conversations I had yesterday, in fact, possibly in every one of them, I was reminded that it truly is ALL in the attitude! I was with a group of people who, no matter how hard a day they’re having, no matter what kind of struggles they are facing, they keep a positive, upbeat, and encouraging attitude, because that’s their job! It’s their duty to be the face of hope to others who feel they have none. And, they do it in spite of what they have going on in their own lives. They are making a new reality for others, and they continue to dream even bigger, so they can continue to help make that reality even better. I was inspired. And today, in spite of all my challenges, and the sheer amount of work I have piled in front of me, I am choosing to make my own reality!

What does your dreamed reality look like?