Progress Archives - Page 52 of 63

Looking Back

Posted on January 23, 2021

Did you spend your day well? What about your week? How well did you spend your time in 2020? Or 2019 for that matter? Looking back is a useful exercise, especially if you do it well before the final curtain.

There are days that seem to slip through my fingers. Like yesterday. I had planned out the whole day before going to bed the night before. From my alarm ringing in the morning, until my head hit the pillow in the evening, I was scheduled.

But some random events threw me off course in the morning. Then the afternoon was all playing catch up. But then a couple of other unexpected situations arose. Some of these I could have averted with slightly better communication and time management. However, the others were just a little dose of, “That’s life”.

I really only got back on track at 7pm. Yet, I had missed so much in the day. Even with decent planning, you can be blown off course occasionally. But try to resist. Set your environment up in a better way. Then you can stick to the plan and make great progress.

This is a good analogy for life. You don’t want to get to the end of a time period and wish you had been more efficient with your time and more focused with your intent.

Looking back helps us look forward.

Health & Fitness Progress Reframe your thoughts

The Minister Of Fun

Posted on January 21, 2021

We should have more fun. You might be having enough fun with whatever you are doing. But more could be good. The Minister of Fun was a position my friend created and held at University to ensure students had a great experience.

Perhaps countries should have a cabinet role with this title. We hear all about this happiness index and how much wealth one needs to improve their happiness. We also know that some people are struggling a little more now due to events of the past year (i.e. covid).

So if we are going to take our mental health more seriously, perhaps we need someone focused on good times. Obviously there would be some funding for fun activities. And we would need to ensure the activities were environmentally friendly.

Just in writing this, I feel that we could be on to something. Imagine what progress that would indicate. The potential for that government portfolio is enormous. People love fun so it is a definite vote getter.

Perhaps we need to get this note under the nose of our leaders and ask that something be done immediately. It wouldn’t matter what the story involved, if the journalist had to quote The Minister of Fun, we would all be in a great mood.

Action Gratitude Progress

Talkin’ About A Resolution

Posted on January 20, 2021

We are three weeks into the new year. How are things going? How are you feeling about nearing the end of the first month? I’m talkin’ about a resolution.

Several weeks ago, billions of people made commitments to themselves about what they would do better this year. You were one of those people.

Were you serious about it? Or was it simply wishful thinking? A serious goal requires a serious plan. Something written out with a strategy and a plan to execute.

If you didn’t have it on 1 January, you can create it now. Write out what you will do this year. Then write out what components of those goals will be done in each month. By writing out each month and the milestones you will reach, you are preparing your mind to achieve the goals.

Get this information in your planner. You will do amazing things with some planning. It will make the work easier and increase the probability of success. Each milestone is critical along your road to success. You need to be a little obsessive, not laissez-faire.

You will need some emotion, passion and energy. Get sparked and drive hard toward your goal. Achieve something in January.

I’m talkin’ about a resolution.

Health & Fitness Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Getting Stuck

Posted on January 16, 2021

Sometimes I can’t think of anything to write. Other times, I write 15 topics down in two minutes. I prefer the flow rather than getting stuck.

Flow is great. It feels energetic and exciting. So many possibilities and so much promise. Having your mind go blank or trying to force a topic is a lot less fun. It just feels wrong, uncomfortable and even frustrating. When that happens, I do a few different things to shake it up.

One easy tip is to simply move. Get up and walk into another room. I will wave my arms around, run on the spot or do some press ups. This gets the blood flowing and may spark some inspiration. Secondly, I will flip through a magazine or favourite book. If this doesn’t do it, I may also head to Instagram or YouTube and see what headlines are showing up there. Looking through different media often sparks some ideas.

If I am still getting challenged and nothing is coming through I do some other task for a set period. It may be something to do in the house or some admin, but usually away from screens. Sometimes you just need a break from working completely.

Getting stuck is temporary. And you can influence the outcome.

Action Gratitude Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Lift People Up

Posted on January 15, 2021

It is so easy to be dismissive of people with a different viewpoint or life circumstance. Initial reactions can be harsh. But lift people up and you can help to make the world a better place

If you are a level 10 person in your field, you may find it frustrating that a level 2 person is giving inferior advice. This could be especially true if they were giving the advice to a level 1 person. We might even think there is an injustice that the level 1 person is getting inferior information.

However, from the level 1 person’s perspective, they may be delighted that they are getting any useful information at all. It may not be precise, perfect, expert level information, but at least it will help move them forward. As they get wiser, they will be able to seek out level 5, 7 and eventually level 10 advice.

Level 10 people might be frustrated with this natural evolution. Though, they could help the level 2 person improve their offer. Presumably all level 10 people were once level 2 people. So there should be some natural empathy there.

The world is imperfect. We can rail at its imperfections, or we can work together and bring others to the top of the mountain. The more we reach back and help those still coming up, the better society will be as a whole.

Lift people up.

Action Financial Observe Progress Time Uncategorized

Clubhouse Changes Things

Posted on January 14, 2021

Are you looking for the next big thing? You need to checkout this new app. It has the potential to really shake things up. Clubhouse changes things.

It is a fascinating platform. For those that don’t know, imagine a virtual radio talk show format. Anyone can create a room and speak on their favourite subject. Then, anyone can enter that room and either listen to the host or speak with them. Meanwhile more people enter the room and listen. Some may also join in the chat, or leave to go to another room they just heard was starting.

So, like talk radio or a conference, someone is the host. On this platform, they are called moderators. You can have one or many. And when people join the room, you can tap their photo and read their bio. This way you know more about the person who is there, whether they speak or not. Then you can follow them if they are in a space you are interested in.

It is a fascinating mix of speed dating, conferences, talk radio and social media connections. It looks like it has the opportunity to change everything. If you have something to say, that others are interested in listening too, you can gather a large audience and build your brand. It totally levels the playing field for everybody everywhere.

There is no investment in technical kit like a podcast or YouTube. You can have exposure to 100’s or 1,000’s of people in just a couple of hours. What is exciting, is it is with voice only. No distracting text messaging or over-sensory video. Just listen and speak. It may be much more effective as a communication tool.

Clubhouse changes things.

Action Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Be More Positive

Posted on January 11, 2021

There are a lot of opinions flying around about everything. Oftentimes I hear, see or read argumentative positions. Be more positive from now on.

Loads of people say they want calm. So many people supposedly want peaceful days ahead. Yet, when they communicate, they create a division and fire up hostility.

Being online the last few days, I really looked at the way people interacted. There are a lot of people on there that just want to drop bombs into conversations. They don’t think about their actions, or if they do, their intent is not coming from a good place.

There are the clever quips, flippant retorts and angry comments. Lots of name calling and frustration. Does this ever help? If a child saw the world a little differently than you did, would you berate them? Would that help?

Treat your conversations like you’re speaking to a 10 year old. Not in a condescending way, but in a helpful, curious and empathetic way. Perhaps they have a different religion, had a tumultuous childhood or are feeling unheard, uncertain, or alone. Why add to their distress?

This isn’t some war of attrition. If you take the time to comment, make it positive and build the other person up. Yes it can be hard when you have spite on the tip of your tongue. But if you can’t make a helpful comment, just keep scrolling.

Be more positive.

Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

That Is The problem!

Posted on January 10, 2021

Or is it? I am sure it could be a problem but maybe not the one. It may just be the one you perceive. From your perspective. That is the problem!

You know many, though not all problems. And many, though not all solutions. However, you have selected one to focus on and declare that that is the key to it all. But maybe it isn’t.

Notice when you use generalisations and definite, or all-encompassing, statements or words. It is too easy to make broad, general statements. So be careful when you are speaking, to not do that.

Even specialists will have a limit on their expertise. They may know a lot more, and in greater detail, than most other people. However, they probably don’t know all the exhaustive problems and options or solutions.

Be curious when you are looking at the options you think you have. You may find options you didn’t even know you had. Consult friends and family to see what they can shed some light on. This is important. If you get this assessment wrong, you hurt your chances of success.

The worst point is, that if you diagnose the situation wrong, you could be solving for the wrong problem. Then the solution will be resolving a problem that may not exist.

That is the problem!

Action Health & Fitness Progress Reframe your thoughts

Push Yourself Further

Posted on January 8, 2021

You may be doing quite a bit. But could you do more? Life is quick and you need to squeeze it all in. Push yourself further than you think you can.

Get down on the floor and do as many press ups as you can. Maybe you did 5, 15 or 63. Is that all you can do? Have another go. Perhaps you did three, eight or 20 this time. Add that to your previous count. Now try one more time. Did you complete two, six or nine?

Sometimes you need a moment’s rest before you can continue onwards. You should exert yourself as much as you can and then you will be able to do more. You can do this with studies, sport and thinking, to name a few categories.

You know you can do more. You don’t fall into bed exhausted at the end of every day. You have a greater capacity to perform. Though you may just be nicely comfortable. You have a routine. Two hours of relax time each day.

I’m all for relax time. Though 90 minutes could be plenty. Use the other 30 minutes to really push harder on something that matters to you. Learn, apply, start, complete, aim and achieve.

Decide this is your year and push yourself further.

Action Observe Progress

Live Where You Want

Posted on January 7, 2021

For most people, living close to their work has been essential. That started to shift in the 20th century. Now, live where you want, is becoming an ideal that is open to more people.

Many people still find a house based on the proximity to their workplace. And the work is required so you can pay for it. It is almost a catch 22.

Famously, one of the world’s greatest investors, Warren Buffett, chose Omaha, rather than Manhattan, to live and work. Then, people that could work from a computer, or laptop, began to drift away from expensive metropolitan centres.

More people could work from home a few days a week. People would call it, “working from home” with those finger air quotes and that tilted head expression. Those that could do it, loved it. But it wasn’t widespread.

Now, however, wfh has become a bit of a phenomenon. No more air quotes. It’s a serious shift. Some people are even moving and changing their lifestyle to make it easier. A little more space and privacy is important if you have frequent video calls and children schooling from home or even coming home after school.

People are even leaving historically attractive locations like New York and California for open spaces, sunshine, lower taxes and a better quality of life. For those who can, it can make a lot of sense.

Now is the time to live where you want.