Today

Are you harnessing the power of TODAY?

Motivational speaker Stephen Pierce says:

“The difference between what you had yesterday and what you’ll have tomorrow is hidden in what you do today.”

I know, today is just one day, right?  But it is the day you have right now.

Yesterday has passed.  And there’s no guarantee of a tomorrow.

All we have is today.

Today can be spent on come-what-may.  Or it can be invested toward your worthwhile goals and dreams.

So…what’s one thing you can do TODAY to help you reach your preferred future tomorrow?

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Poke the Box

Poke the Box review“When was the last time you did something for the first time?  How did it feel?”  – Seth Godin

I just heard Seth Godin talk about his latest book, Poke the Box, in an interview by Mitch Joel on his Six Pixels of Separation podcast.  I loved the interview, and I can’t wait to read the book.

Godin’s message in Poke the Box is nothing new, but something we all need to be reminded of.  Here it is, in a nutshell:

Do something. Take action.  Don’t wait for permission. Take initiative.  Take risks. Do something new.  Don’t wait for people to tell you you have something worthy to say.  Start saying it and see if anyone follows.  Ship something.  Don’t be afraid to fail.  If you fail, do it again a different way.  Make a difference.

We live in a risk-averse culture.  People want to play it safe.  The problem is, when we play it “safe,” it costs us.  We’re all poorer because of it.  Why?  Because we miss out on the creative ability of millions of people who have an idea inside of them that could make the world a better place. [Read more…]

Three Words for Greater Focus & Clarity

Focus, clarity, work life balanceJust three words can bring you greater clarity, focus, and work-life balance…

The first quarter of 2011 is in the books!  January, February and March are history. Did you accomplish all you had hoped for in the first three months of 2011?

If so…Congratulations!!!

If not…What will make the difference for you over the next three quarters, or just in this next quarter for April, May and June?  What will help you stay focused in achieving your goals and dreams?

Here’s a tip I learned from Chris Brogan on how to bring clarity and focus to the next season of life and work:

Identify three words that will be the guiding pillars for what you will focus on for the next three months….three words that will guide all your actions and efforts.

[Read more…]

What Procrastination Costs You

the cost of procrastination

Have you ever calculated the cost of procrastination?

It’s something I think about from time to time.  And it’s usually when I’m paying a price because I put off doing something until the last minute or until it was too late.

I’ve discovered that we might be able to procrastinate certain things with little or no immediate consequence to our lives, like waiting to…

  • floss your teeth until the day before you’re scheduled to see the dentist.
  • exercise until the week before you need to put on that suit or dress.
  • study until the night before the exam.

But some things just can’t be put off.  By the time we start doing them, it may be too late. Damage has already been done. Like when you… [Read more…]

Small Steps Can Add Up to Big Change

Sometimes, we feel paralyzed in the face of our dreams.  We know what we want, but we can’t figure out how to get there all at once.  So, instead of taking a small step forward today, we do nothing…and wait for a “better” opportunity tomorrow.

The problem is, of course, that tomorrow might never come.  Or the opportunity may not present itself tomorrow, or be as good as it is right now.

So we feel frustrated and defeated because we haven’t achieved the goals or dreams that we thought would bring us greater success and happiness.

I’m challenged by this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour.  Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” [Read more…]

The Secret to Self-Motivation? Fake it Until You Feel it.

Last time, in Struggling with Self-Motivation:  Why Most Days I’d Rather Sit on My…,we talked about the battle that goes on in our minds between two competing desires:

1. The desire to be productive
2. The desire to be lazy

I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly easier to do things, even hard things, when I feel like it and have the self motivation to do so.

The problem is that, sometimes, I just don’t feel like doing the things I know I need to do.  There’s no emotion, passion or drive to do them, so they don’t get done.

I’ve observed that something interesting happens if I make myself do what I ought to do, even though I don’t feel like it.  I start to feel like it.

Eugene H. Peterson, in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, said, [Read more…]