Positive affirmations are simple yet powerful statements that you can repeat to yourself daily to shift your perspective and focus on the good.
When we are constantly bombarded with negativity - whether it be from our own inner critic or external sources - it can be easy to get caught in a spiral of self-doubt and negative self-talk. But by intentionally choosing to focus on positive affirmations, we can rewire our brains to think more positively and build our confidence.
It's 5 AM, and you hear your alarm going off -- what do you do?
Do you hit the snooze button a few times or begin your morning routine?
I know what you're thinking…" Bill, 5 AM is really early!"
Yes, it is, especially on a Friday! But hear this - the time you wake up isn't necessarily important -- but waking up early enough to have a few quiet, intentional moments to start your day before being interrupted is.
Why is this important?
Well, having a solid morning routine can set you up for a wildly productive day -- and not having one can set you back.
When the alarm went off this morning, did you want to pull the covers back over your head and not face the day?
Is there a challenge you are facing that you feel STUCK in?
Feeling stuck stinks. We say this all the time in coaching.
Yet, because of the unique challenges of leadership, it’s easy to get stuck.
Is there someone in your workplace who isn’t pulling their weight?
Or how about at home?
Do you know a couch surfer – or someone who’d rather operate the remote than the dishwasher?
Let’s face it – we’ve all known an unmotivated person at one time or another – and if we’re honest, we’ve all probably felt unmotivated at one point in our life.
So whether you are feeling unmotivated at this moment – or are looking to motivate someone who seems unmotivated, the question becomes – how do you motivate an unmotivated person?
Everyone wants to be happier. I believe this to my core, yet sometimes we are unsure how to become happier.
Becoming happier doesn't have to be complicated.
The science behind happiness shows us that you're happier when you make choices that promote the release of the brain's "happy chemicals."
These chemicals are endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
Here's a summary of what we've learned about the brain's "happy chemicals" and a dozen science-based and actionable steps you can take to become happier TODAY.
We all want to become happier.
Don't believe me?
A record 352 billion dollars is forecasted to be spent this year alone on advertising. Knowing this, consider all of the advertisements you see daily for products, vacations, relationships, careers, investments, and other means of pleasure, contentment, and happiness.
If your feed looks like my feed, you'll find a lot of paths to happiness through the marketing coming at you!
But what if the true path to happiness was much more straightforward – more scientific and biological even?
What causes happiness?
Do you need to go somewhere to find it?
Is it a dollar amount at the end of a bank statement?
Is happiness an achievement?
Is it found in a new (or restored) relationship?
Is happiness found in time away, time alone, or time with a loved one?
Any of these experiences or places can lead to a happy feeling – which we often crave. But happiness isn't any of those things – but rather a response to what is happening in your biologically when you experience examples like the ones above.
When was the last time you were genuinely joyful at work?
I'm not talking about simply being content, happy, or even satisfied with your job – but truly joyful at work.
It seems from many coaching conversations lately that joy is much needed in today's workspaces.
The lack of joy is everywhere.
I don't need to explain to you what joylessness turns into. I'm sure you understand (and may have even experienced) the effects of joylessness at one point or another.
But let's focus on joy today and how to develop it at work.
Do you know your WHY? What is the unique purpose of your life?
John Maxwell once said, "When you find your why, you find your way."
It's true – and you've heard me quote this before.
Yet, finding your why can be challenging. And when things get complicated, sometimes people quit trying to figure them out.
What happens when you need to be motivated but can't find the power to get up and get going?
What happens when it's just a struggle to find the want to be motivated?
Some of us find this especially true when it comes to personal growth.
We all have seasons where we are more or less motivated to take the action we need to take.
How do you answer the question, "So, what do you do for a living?"
I can't tell you how many times I've felt like a deer caught in the headlights with that question. But, I always knew that simply telling people what I "did" wasn't enough.
I used to tell people, "I'm a coach." because that's what I do. That's my title. But more often than not, I'd be asked, "What sport? Or "What team do you coach?" as a follow-up. And then, after seeing their confused head tilt, I'd explain that I'm a leadership coach and describe what I do.
Winter is fading, and spring is fast approaching. It’s almost time to swap the snow blowers for lawn mowers – and snow shovels for garden shovels. I love this time of year.
Observing the change in seasons reminds me of how growth happens – through the function of seasons.
In winter, you plan.
In spring, you plant.
In summer, you cultivate.
And in fall, you harvest.
You can’t reap a harvest without properly leveraging the seasons that come before.
Often, a good quote will arrive at the perfect moment.
Just when you need them, they tend to come to mind!
Let me explain...
I've lived long enough to hear my fair share of difficult stories. Colleagues, friends, and family members I'm close with have all walked through challenging situations that attack the positive perspective they desire to keep.
Have you ever felt stuck? Have you ever been locked in a dull rhythm or circumstance where you couldn’t find your way out?
I know I have.
I remember going through a season where I knew I needed a change but didn’t know what that change was. I remember feeling like I was going through the motions daily while slowly dying on the inside. That season was painful – and one that I won’t ever forget.
I’ve said it before – stuck stinks. So if you’re feeling stuck today, I empathize with you.
At this time of the year, it's natural to step back and reflect. As you recount the old year and begin counting down to the new year, questions like this naturally arise:
How are things different than they were a year ago?
Am I becoming more of who I want to be?
Is there an area of my life that I am still struggling with?
You may be thinking through some of these questions today.
And it's so easy when your self-reflecting to go negative – especially when the year hasn't gone as planned.
Do you work in an environment of grace?
Are your co-workers for you? Are you for them?
Do they have your best interest in mind? Do you have theirs?
Do you show them grace? Do they offer you grace?
There is no environment quite like an environment of grace. In grace, you're free to try new things, to try again, fail, explore, learn, and grow. You can just be you. The freedom you feel in a grace-based environment is unparalleled – but like all freedoms, they aren't free.
An environment of grace comes at the cost of vulnerability. And for many leaders, that price is too steep to pay.
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