Category: Observe

CategoriesActionObserveThink About It

Define Words First

Posted on June 26, 2022

If you’re planning something or having a chat, debate or discussion, it’s useful to define the key words first.

Pants in the UK are underwear in Canada. This is a minor but funny one.

When someone says they’ll call you first thing tomorrow, if it’s important, it’s a good idea to confirm an actual time.

One word getting a lot of air time at the moment is the word ban.

In a car context, if I drove on a road with a speed limit, you would not say cars were banned on this road. Yes, there is some regulation of the cars, but most people would not say cars are banned on that road.

If there were construction crews on the road ahead, and traffic was being regulated differently than some other nearby roads, most people would not say cars were banned on this road. They would recognise the different driving conditions, but they would not usually claim that they’ve been banned from that road.

Bear this in mind while consuming news and social media over the days and weeks ahead. Understand what the differences are, especially the limits, as differing limits are not the same as a ban.


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CategoriesActionObserveProgressReframe your thoughtsTime

Gathering Momentum

Posted on June 22, 2022

In life, when you plant enough seeds, you are bound to gather some momentum come harvest time.

Think of times in your life where you networked, wrote letters, made calls and passed leaflets through letterboxes. You were trying to get the attention of someone, anyone.

Then someone returned your call. You were pleasant and effective. Word started to spread. More people were attracted to your message, product or service. And your good manners.

This is how every little business started and how all smaller businesses grew into larger ones. Some call it the Law of Attraction. Others say it is the result of sowing then reaping. Still others might conclude it is the hand of god.

Whatever you attribute it to, remember to prepare for, and take benefit from, gathering momentum when you do find it in your life.

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CategoriesActionObserveProgressReframe your thoughtsTime

You Don’t Really Want It.

Posted on June 22, 2022

If you won’t sacrifice or put in the full effort required to get the results you want, then you have a wish, not a goal. You hope someone will come do it for you. You’re not intent on success. You want someone to give you what you want with no effort required on your part.

I can always tell who is fully committed to their desired results. They create a plan, put in the work, review their progress daily and get the results they were after.

Everyone else? They delude themselves with excuses, reasons and stories. Results don’t lie.

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveThink About ItTime

Sunrise or Sunset?

Posted on June 20, 2022

Which do you prefer? Is it the energy, optimism and excitement of a dawning new day? Or would you rather the calming, closing curtain as the sun sets and you appreciate the day you had?

Leave your vote in the comments below.

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CategoriesObserveReframe your thoughts

The Stories You Tell Yourself

Posted on June 19, 2022

Your stories and opinions don’t matter much to most other people. But they are made up of your biases, experiences and desired outcomes. Listen carefully to the words you choose and what they really mean.

The stories you tell are easily dismissed by others and rarely impact them. The real impact is on you and how you get on in the world. Make sure the stories are empowering not complaining.

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CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughtsTime

Where You Shine Your Light

Posted on June 14, 2022

Be aware of what you highlight and focus on. Just because you shine your light on one spot, doesn’t mean the other million spots you could have highlighted don’t exist. They do.

When people distract you with their preferred stories, you don’t get to work on your life story. Turned down the noise or even turn it off. You don’t need the media, your friends, colleagues, social media and entertainment to distract you.

Shine your light on your work. Stay focused. Get it done. Then take a well deserved break. Before long, get back at it. Everything else is noise distracting you from your dream life.

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveThink About It

The Friendship Litmus Test

Posted on June 11, 2022

Do we have to agree on all topics to be friends? Can we only be friends with people of a similar political persuasion? Or maybe friends must be of the same religious beliefs? What about climate differences, gender, guns, homeschooling, pro life or pro choice, covid policies, SCOTUS assassination attempts, or special military operations in other countries?

Can you be friends with people who hold a different view? Or is friendly as good as it gets? Or is friendly just a step too far? Are they the enemy? Does diversity of thought scare, anger, frustrate or disgust you?

Can other people have diverse thoughts but only those you approve of or could warm to?

Are we being naive to think we can be friends with people who hold different thoughts to ours? Or should we simply revert to micro tribalism and only be friends with those people who think exactly like us on every topic? If not, how should we treat our friends who have different or opposing thoughts to us?

Do you actually do this?

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CategoriesActionFinancialGratitudeHealth & FitnessObserveReframe your thoughtsThink About It

Decision-Makers Not Covid

Posted on June 8, 2022

I keep hearing or reading that Covid did this to us in relation to finance, mental health and the economy. It’s easy to say and rolls off the tongue without having to think much about it.

But was it really Covid? Is it really Covid still? Covid is a virus that can get into your body and might impact it. Many people may never experience it while others may have no symptoms, mild symptoms or severe symptoms. In a very small percentage of cases, it can even be the primary cause of death.

As a virus, it does its thing. But Covid doesn’t print money, adjust interest rates or make rules about lockdowns, essential businesses, social distancing, or travel policy. Nor does Covid determine the economic situation in any country. It is not a producer or a consumer.

Just like fire, Covid just is. It is individual people’s reaction to it that impacts other things in life.

If you like, or don’t like, where you or your country is at right now, then let the decision-makers know. It was, and is, them that are making decisions about your city, region or country. Don’t let them say it’s Covid. It’s not. It’s their reaction to it, so it is them.

Decision-makers around the world made different decisions and still the covid outcomes we’re similar. Some people were infected and a range of health outcomes occurred. The virus is still here but now there are a host of other unintended consequences to deal with because of decisions made and still being made.

We could all be a little more accurate with our words. The decision-makers have led us to this spot, good or bad, not Covid.

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