Keep Your Head on a Swivel!

When I was on the high school football team (hard to believe, I know) I remember a coach yelling "Keep your head on a Swivel!"  The idea was to be aware of your surroundings at all times, so you didn't get clobbered.  If you were looking too closely at a running back, you might not see the pulling guard coming to drill you. 

You never wanted to hear, "Hasseman, you need to keep your head on a swivel!"  It probably meant you were on your back.

I hear that voice in my head now, but in a different way.  Whenever I go to a public place, I "keep my head on a swivel."  But now it's not because I am concerned with a pulling guard.  As an adult, it's because I want to be aware of others around me. 

I want to make sure I am not stepping in front of another person. 

I try to look and make sure I am not bumping someone else out of the way.

Mainly, I am trying to "keep my head on a swivel" so that I am not making MY priority the only important task in the universe. 

We all get busy (especially during the holidays).  But I think the world might be a bit of a better place if we all kept "our head on a swivel" to look out for the needs of others...not just our own.

After it Stops Being Fun

Each new project or workout plan or business or job starts with a great deal of excitement.  This time will be different!  It's called "uninformed optimism."  We start with the vision of all of the great changes that are coming our way...but we don't really know what it will take to get there.  It's an exciting time, actually.

But then, both the "uninformed" and the "optimism" fade away.  After showing up at the gym or early mornings at the office long enough, we start to get tired.  We are sore.  We are putting in the effort, but not seeing the results. 

It gets easier then, to quit than to keep going.  That moment has happened to all of us.  And, if you are like me, at some point in your life you chose to quit.  No judgements here.

But just know this:  the difference between change and status quo happens in that moment. 

If you want to create change in your life, keep going after it stops being fun.  The fun will come back.

Looking for a Reason

If you wake up every day and spend any time on social media (or media in general), you may have noticed an epidemic.  It's an epidemic of controversies.  Nearly every day, it seems, a group in the United States is totally up in arms about some new offense.

Someone (or something) has wronged them and they will be heard!

These urgent issues are lapped up by a 24 hour media starving for stories and become "the" trending topic.  Then, as is the case with this attention, it goes through the cycle and goes away.

But it's not the media's fault.  We have a choice.  Stop looking for a reason to be offended.

We all know that person that seems to have a political agenda, a personal vendetta or simply want to complain each day.  They have a weekly (or sometimes daily) issue that they find offensive.  They share posts and information and support their anger (whether it is factual or not).  They light gas to the fire of negativity.

They are the kind of person that is annoyed if they can't find something to be pissed about.

Turn those people off.  Hide them.  Cut them out of your life.  Stop looking for a reason to be mad all the time.

Start looking for a reason to be grateful.  You will be pleased with what you discover.

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A Second Coat

My youngest daughter has had a bright pink room for several years now.  And when I say "bright pink," I mean the room is glowing.  Super bright.  For me, it's been a lot to take.  But she liked it.  So I went along.

Recently, however, she decided she wanted to lose the neon pink and go back to white.  That's the good news.  The bad news, of course, is that we needed to paint.  That's never something I look forward to!

In laying on the first coat of white, you will likely not be surprised, that no matter how heavy we put it on, the pink kept showing through.  That bright pink paint was just not going to go away easy!  We brushed and rolled and sweated...and at the end we knew we still needed to add another coat.  In a way it was frustrating to have done so much, but still have so much to do.  But we needed to add a second coat.

That's how it is, sometimes, when starting a new project or goal.  We lay on a heavy dose of sweat.  We push and pull and struggle.  And at the end of a huge amount of effort, we see there is SO much left to do!  It can be overwhelming.

But remember, in that moment, that you have only laid the foundation.  That part of the journey is not supposed to look finished...yet.  It is that base level of effort and progress that will create a bright and shiny future.

You just need to add a second coat.

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Creating Your Christmas List

 My wife recently asked me to make a "Christmas list" for the family.  As you probably know, this is simply the act of putting your wishes for gifts on paper, so that family has some idea of what to get you...that you might actually like.

Seems simple enough...but it's not always. 

I think that's because we are often not that great at articulating what we want in our life.  In addition, when creating these lists, we want to "be reasonable" so that our relatives can afford the items we desire.  I mean, I would love a boat.  But I don't think I will put that on my list. 

But what about our "Christmas list" (or we can call it "Wish List" if you want) for ourselves?  Do you spend the same amount of time thinking about what you want to provide for yourself in the coming year?  What do you want to create? 

You should.  And here are some Do's and Don'ts when creating your own "Christmas List."

1.  Do give it some thought.  You should spend more time on this than you do telling the relatives you want "running socks."

2.  Do write it down.  Most people don't write their goals and desires down.  You should.

3.  Do share them with those that you love.  Those who love you most in life will probably want you to reach your goals...and they might help.  In addition, you never know the person who might hold the key to helping you.

4.  Do revisit it regularly.   If you are actively chasing your dreams...they will change.  You might attain them.  You might realize they don't matter.  Keep the list updated.

5.  Don't be reasonable.  When you set up your life "wish list," stop playing small.  This is where you want to be put the Boat.  Then create a plan to go get it.

This is a great time of year to be introspective.  But remember to do so while looking forward.  Don't spend a ton of time lamenting what you have not accomplished.  Stay focused on where you want to go.

Happy Holidays.  May this season be a great one for you and yours!

The Right Reason

When I was in high school (oh those many years ago), my Senior English Teacher, Fran Nelson, said something that stuck with me.  She told me (and everyone in her class) that whatever the reason that got you to go (and stay) in college, was the right reason. 

She said, "People get hung up on the 'right' reason to go to a school, but that's never what keeps you there!  If you need to go to a school that is close to a mall, then that's the right reason.  Whatever gets you to go to college is the right reason."

It's one of the wisest things I have heard about human behavior in all these years.

When you are setting goals, starting projects, beginning exercise routines, quitting smoking, starting a business or picking a college, there is no wrong reason.  There is only your reason.  Stop worrying about why you SHOULD be doing something.  Instead, start focusing on why you REALLY want to do it.  What's the real reason?

Whatever the real reason is that gets you to do the right thing...is the right reason.

11 Things To Lift Your Spirits

This time of year can be tough on people.  The days are getting shorter.  The holidays are nearly upon us.   The weather, at least where I live, is getting colder.  And the news continues to show you the very worst the world has to offer.  If you pay attention, you can literally see people getting grumpier. 

So what to do? 

Well I am no psychologist, but here are some activities to get more "positive."  This is a short list, really.  But maybe it will get your juices flowing so you can figure out what gets you excited.

1.  Find a new book to read.  Pick one that either lifts you up or makes you laugh.

2.  Send out 3 Thank You Cards a Day.  Gratitude will make you feel better...it's biology.

3.  Get more involved in church.  (Join a church).

4.  Join a Non-Profit.  Helping others is a great mood-lifter.

5.  Read inspirational articles.  Good in means good out.  Do this at the beginning and end of the day.

6.  Exercise. 

7.  Start a new hobby.

8.  Start a new business.

9.  Start writing a blog.

10.  Call one person in your life and tell them how much they mean to you.  Do this once a day and you will be amazed.

11.  Create a Positivity Buddy.  Set up someone you call once a week.  Share wins and losses.  Hold each other accountable...but lift each other up.

So that's a short list.  Maybe one of these will work for you...or someone you know.  Maybe it will just get you thinking.  But don't wait for something to happen. 

Go.  Do.