“How we deal with adversity shapes our lives more than almost anything else.Achievers usually see problems as transitory, while those who fail usually see even the smallest problem as everlasting.”
Anthony Robbins, Speaker and Author
Everyone has their problems - I truly believe that we are never given any challenge that we can’t handle. I also believe that it is how we handle these challenges that defines who we are.
Next time you are faced with some sort of problem, try to see it as an opportunity to improve… a chance to see what you’re really made of.
Someone once told me that winners actually fail more often than losers… because winners pick themselves up and try again, then keep trying. Losers just give up.
Here’s another quote that I love… and a philosophy I try to live by.
“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances - but to everyone all the time.”
Thomas J. Watson, 1874-1956, Founder of IBM
I love to hear stories of how average, ordinary people do the most amazing things. You know… the rags to riches stories or the singer who becomes an overnight success (after 10 years of struggling to be heard!). To me, they are inspiration that any of us can achieve our dreams.
Here’s a really encouraging video I’d like to share with you… a video that shows how the efforts of just one small person can make a huge difference.
“In celebration of India’s 60th year of independence, the Times of India launched an initiative to inspire the search for hidden talents in everyday people. Among the results is this two-minute video, “Tree,” which has become an anthem for India–and is a must-see for all of us.”
I encourage you to visit this post and watch the video.
“Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.”
W. Clement Stone, 1902-2002, Author and Businessman
Keeping these words in mind, what sort of business environment will you associate with? What business associates will you ‘hang out’ with? I’ve chosen to associate myself with other inspired, motivated, happy business people (and friends) who are not afraid to dream big, put in some hard work, take risks and make things happen!
Throughout life, and particularly when you’re starting out in business, there will be numerous people who try to steal your dreams. I call these people Dreamtakers. Sometimes they are cleverly disguised as people who love you and care about you. Well, maybe they’re not disguised… they really do care about you and are often only acting out of concern.
These are the people who try to tell you why you can’t do something, or they only see all the problems you may encounter.
When I was writing my first book, Ready, Set, Go For It! (the complete women’s guide to operating a small business in Australia), there was one day that I remember so clearly. I was visiting one of my relatives and one of her friends was visiting too. My relative was telling her about the book I was writing and this friend then went on to tell me how hard it is to get a book published… how everybody has that dream and most people never succeed… and how there was no way I would get mine published. She carried on for nearly an hour, asking me questions then telling me why that wouldn’t work.
I went home quite disappointed and had almost given up. My son, then aged 11, came home from school and wondered why I wasn’t tapping away on the keyboard writing the next chapter, like every other day! When I explained why, his reply was: “So how many books has this woman written?” (None). “And how long has she worked in the publishing industry?” (She doesn’t). “So why on Earth would you listen to her?” He then pointed to my desk and demanded that I get back to work. (Yeah, I sometimes wonder who the parent is too).
The Dreamtakers tried to tell me I couldn’t run a successful small business… my business is almost 10 years old and has supported us this whole time.
The Dreamtakers tried to tell me I couldn’t publish a book… my first book came out in 2004 and that was just the beginning!
Now the Dreamtakers are telling me another project I’m working on won’t work… and I thank them for their words - that’s just the incentive I need to prove them wrong, yet again.
So, next time the Dreamtakers try to steal your dreams, hold on tight. If you’re truly passionate about something, by all means listen to their advice as there may be something useful in it… but do what you believe is right for you. And if your idea doesn’t work, at least you know you tried.
Here’s an inspirational video that I thought you might like, all about dreams.
So dream on… and here’s to your success in business…
“Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.” A. Lou Vickery, Writer
I like that advice. When you think you’ve finished your work for today, or your training or learning or whatever… what is that little bit more that you can do to help you to rise above the crowd?
“Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.”
William Feather 1889-1981, Writer
Sometimes our lives get so busy, often working more to earn more money to spend on things to make us happy. Yet we are so busy, we don’t actually stop and enjoy being happy.
Remember… happiness is a state of mind, not a place of being.
I’m very grateful that I love my work. I enjoy (almost!) every moment of it, so it doesn’t feel like work or like a chore. While this is good, it’s also very easy to get caught up working long hours, including working through my weekends. Now and then I stop myself and ask why I’m doing this in the first place. I think it’s okay to work long hours if I’m happy doing that, so long as other areas of my life aren’t missing out.
Today, make sure you take some time to stop and smell the flowers, so to speak… stop and enjoy your happiness.
When it comes to getting motivated, particularly when you have a business to run, some people recommend starting your day by doing a few quick and easy jobs from your ‘to do’ list. This helps to get you started and hopefully the momentum will keep you motivated to continue working through your list.
Meanwhile others, such as Dale Carnegie, suggest that you “Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.”
So who’s right?
The easy answer is… whichever works for you!
Personally, I find a mixture of the two methods helps me. I usually begin the day by getting stuck into a few quick, simple tasks, then hit the biggest, most challenging job for the day. The quick tasks get me into the flow of the day, then by getting the most difficult task on my list for that day completed it’s such a huge relief, leaving me feeling like I’ve really achieved something. Then it’s easy for me to keep going through the rest of the list.
What works best for you? I’d love to hear your ideas, or any other methods and suggestions you can offer.
“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important’. Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.” Mary Kay Ash
That reminded me of something my father told me when I was about 10 years old. We were at a restaurant having dinner when this man, a client of my Dad’s, walked over and began talking. My older sister and I thought the conversation was so boring and hoped he would soon leave so we could continue chatting about our day. This man stayed for about 15 minutes (although when you’re 10 years old, that seems like hours!)
Once he had left and was out of ear-shot, Dad apologised to us for having spent so long talking with this very boring person. My father went on to explain that the man was a bit of a loner, and just liked to talk for the company. He then said that no matter who we are speaking with, we must remember that every person we meet knows something that we don’t. EVERY BODY is worth listening to.
Throughout life, I’ve met several people who haven’t appeared very interesting on the surface but whom, with time and ‘listening’, I have learnt a lot and sometimes have become good friends with them.
Here’s to making everyone feel important, and to your business success…
Here’s a great article I thought you might like - Being Grateful. This was written by Sharon Clark for her Dreaming Miracles website. When you read this, keep in mind that Sharon’s husband was recently diagnosed with Cancer so they’re facing a pretty rough time. Yet Sharon & Colin, most days, still share a positive energy, love and optimism with everyone around them.
I know sometimes, when my day doesn’t seem to be going that well, I can turn it around just by changing my attitude. This often begins by being grateful for the little things… the good things. This helps take the focus off the not-so-good things.
Next time you’re having a bad day at work, think about the good things related to your work - perhaps the flexibility, the pay, the benefits or the fact that you get to go home soon! If you’re having trouble balancing work and family responsibilities, start by being grateful that you have a family and that you have work. If you’re really stuck for ideas, be thankful that you’re breathing - that’s always a good start!
Right now, I am grateful to you for reading this post
Thank you Sharon, for reminding us to appreciate the little things; the things we often overlook.
Here are some ’short and sweet’ words of wisdom for today:
“It is a very funny thing about life - if you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.” W. Somerset Maugham
1874-1965, Novelist and Playwright
Can I share some exciting news with you? It’s got absolutely nothing to do with running a business but I’m just busting to tell someone…
One of my sister’s had a baby this afternoon - her 4th girl. Zara Belle arrived 4 days late just so she could share her birthday with her Grandma (my Mum), so Mum’s birthday dinner has been postponed until tomorrow night.
It’s days like today, when I get a 3.30pm phone call asking me to pick up my other nieces from daycare and school, that I truly appreciate working for myself and having flexible working conditions.
So, after a week full of surprises, challenges and where absolutely nothing went to plan, here’s a short quote that seems to fit just right:
“When you’re happy for no reason, you’re unconditionally happy. It’s not that your life always looks perfect - it’s just that however it looks, you’ll still be happy.”
Marci Shimoff, Author of Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out
Reading Jenni’s blog at Papercraft Designs I came across this great quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson - US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882):
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.”
I really love that quote. It is perfectly in line with one of my theories in life, that if you want to be the best at something - or at least up there with the best - you should practise it or learn about it daily.
One of my mentors many years ago told me that if I wanted to be good at something I should learn or practise it for at least 15 minutes every day. Even just 15 minutes a day, over time, will greatly build your knowledge or abilities.
In my last post I mentioned that “small deeds done are better than big deeds planned.” Sometimes we think of big deeds, or goals, but just can’t find the time to take action - often because it’s going to take a lot of time. However, if you commit to focusing just 15 minutes each day on your ‘big hairy audacious goal’, you’ll be amazed at how soon that time, and those small achievements, will add up.
Sometimes we make great plans for these huge, wonderful things we are going to do. Then, for one reason or another, we never quite ‘do’ them. Or we may start, but never actually complete them.
Here’s a great quote from Peter Marshall, Clergyman (1902-1949)
“Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”
Now, don’t get me wrong - I’m all for setting those ‘big hairy audacious goals’, but don’t forget the little things you can do too.
Who knows, over time those little things - the small deeds - may well grow into ‘great deeds’.
“I’ve noticed that folks are generally about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, Sixteenth President of the United States.
Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be constantly happy and smiling? Perhaps they just made up their mind to be happy.
“Where the heart is willing it will find a thousand ways, but where it is unwilling it will find a thousand excuses,” Anonymous.
Next time you have an excuse for not doing something (or doing something perhaps), stop and think about why you’re really making excuses. Is it because you don’t want to do something and you’re trying to get out of it? If you really want something, you’ll find a way.
