Don't Label Me

Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me. I remember reciting that as a child whenever a playmate would call me names. Growing up and being labeled negatively is hurtful. No one likes to be the recipient of negative comments.

Throughout our lives we are "labeled" by well meaning individuals. The labels given to us by parents, siblings, friends, teachers, bosses, etc., contribute to the inner dialog we have with ourself. You're too skinny, overweight, too short, too tall, not smart enough, you don't have what it takes, etc.

What happens when you begin to believe and internalize these labels? When you start supporting the labels, you make them your "truths". You carry these truths with you until you decide differently.

Walt Disney was told as a teen that he wasn't creative and had no imagination. He ignored the comments. When he got older, he created Disneyworld and Disneyland. Lucille Ball was told that she had no acting skills. She ignored the comments and ended up becoming a successful comedienne and star of the hit TV show, I love Lucy.

Don't buy into the "baloney" that others will sling your way. You are not how others may perceive you. Know your own value by discovering what's in you. Get rid of negative chatter by keeping your inner chatter positive. That is the only way to peel off the labels that have stuck to you.  

5 Signs That You're Bored With Your Job

Do you hate your job? Are you always in TGIF mode? You're not alone.

You may be feeling unhappy or stagnant @ your job, yet are unsure as to what is causing you to feel as you do. 5 signs that you're bored with your job are:
1.  It's become too routine.
2.  There's no challenge or growth opportunities.
3.  You're in it for or need the paycheck.
4.  You hate Monday's and can't wait for Friday's.
5.  You're not receiving the recognition you feel you deserve.

As a child, we're not afraid to try different things until we find what makes us happy. We are willing to do whatever it takes to continue to gain satisfaction. As we move into high school, we should have a better understanding of what to pursue in college. This understanding should be based on what you're passionate about.    

When you decide to pursue a job or career it's important that you know your talents, what your interests are, what your passions are and what your goals are. If you don't understand your own makeup, how will you determine the criteria required that will make and keep you happy?

One thing that is clear:  the salary should NEVER be the only deciding factor in pursuing a job/career. Do you identify with one of the 5 signs above? If you're fed up going to a job you don't like and you want to consider whether changing jobs is right for you contact me for a free consultation @ www.LivingAPassionateLife.com.

Knock, Knock. Who's there?

Is opportunity knocking at your door?

Opportunities are defined as a chance for progress or advancement; a favorable or suitable occasion.

Throughout our lives we are presented with many opportunities. At times we don't recognize the signs. Sometimes, we slam the door in its face.

There are different reasons as to why opportunities present themselves to us. Maybe it's a job opportunity, a new relationship, an answer to our prayers, or maybe there is a lesson that we need to learn. You my be the opportunity that someone else needs.

Like gifts with pretty bows & ribbons, many opportunities are being given to us. Unwrap each gift with appreciation. Savor the moment.

How we handle what is being presented to us will determine the impact on our lives. If you don't answer when opportunity knocks, you could miss out on just what you need. It may be the answer to what you've been praying or hoping for. If you are fearful of what the opportunity presents, you will remain "stuck" where you are. This will result in self-imposed roadblocks that prevent you from moving forward.

You have the ability of shaping your life into what you want. When you hear the knocking, get up!! All you have to do is answer the door. See and experience what is waiting for you as you open the door to opportunity.

Who's Judging Me Now?

We have all experienced being judged by someone else. I'm not talking about judging contests. I'm talking about someone having an incorrect perception of you and holding on to that judgement. People will form an opinion of you based on what they see or hear. If you're tall, short, skinny, overweight, disabled, tattooed, from another country, etc., judgements are made.

How often do you judge people? Do you make judgements out of habit? Have you ever wondered whether you've judged someone incorrectly or unfairly?

We see this happen in schools all the time. The "cool" kids judge kids they consider "nerds". Kids are judged on how they dress, talk and act. They are judged based on their grades. Kids are also judged unfairly by their parents, siblings, friends and teachers.

Judging carries over into adulthood. You're told not to compare yourself to others. When you become employed, judgements and comparisons are made as to how you "stack up" against your peers.

Have you ever considered the impact your judgements can make on other individuals? Our words can lift someone up or tear someone down. Our words can create chaos in our lives as well as the lives of others. We sometimes take these judgements even further by "sharing" our judgements with others without making any attempts to determine whether our judgements are valid. We spread rumors or gossip oftentimes not concerning ourselves with any damage we may inflict. Imagine being the recipient of and hearing untrue comments that were made about you.

Isn't it time that we make a conscious effort to overcome being judgmental? Decide to only speak words that have a positive impact. Refuse to believe any of the negative baloney that we hear. Stop engaging in rumors and/or gossip. Remember, those individuals bringing you gossip and rumors about others are also sharing rumors and gossip about you to others.

When you decide to not engage in destructive judgements, you begin to see changes in how you treat people. People's judgements of you change. What others think of you no longer carries any weight. Negative comments "roll off" your back. You have less stress in your life. So, go ahead and fire your internal judge. Become a happier person. These steps will move you in the direction of having a better life.

You're Such a Dreamer....

I love to dream. Dreams serve a purpose. I believe that you receive revelations from your dreams.

I remember being told as a child that it was silly to dream. As I grew older I needed to "get my head out of the clouds" and deal with reality. Dreaming has contributed to who I am today. Dreaming provides you with opportunities of what you can accomplish.

Have you ever considered where we would be without dreams? People like Steve Jobs, Mother Theresa, Benjamin Franklin, Michel Jordan, Alexander Graham Bell, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer (just to name a few) each had dreams. They knew what they were called to do. They turned a deaf ear to the naysayers. Giving up was not an option.

Electricity, telephones/cell phones, Professional Sports Leagues/Teams, air flight, all began with someone's dreams.  Children, as well as adults, dream of getting college degrees.  My 10 year old grandson has a dream of playing professional basketball. One of my dreams is to become an author (& I am currently writing an eBook).

Dreaming opens up opportunities and can reveal to you what path you were meant to travel. The question is what are you going to do with your dreams? Are you okay with just dreaming or are you willing to take the steps that can turn your dream into reality? Not having a game plan will make your efforts more difficult. There will be times that you may get frustrated and want to give up. However, if you stay focused and keep your "eye on the prize" your efforts won't be in vain.

Your dreams are the starting point.  Go ahead. Take the first step. Determine what your dreams are revealing to you. Map out a strategy that will move you forward. Live your dream!

Living a Passionate Life

Living a Passionate Life. When you think of being passionate about what you do, what comes to mind? My grandson is passionate about playing sports (basketball, baseball & football). He wants to have fun. He wants to do his best. At 10-yrs old, he has decided that his future happiness will consist of playing sports professionally.

Did you know that 80% of American's are NOT passionate about what they do? That means that 4 out of 5 people you meet or work with aren't being fulfilled. We can go through our entire life trying to "find" the right fit.

How do you determine what your purpose is in life? Do you recall what you enjoyed doing as a child? Your childhood can be a starting point in providing clues as to what brings you joy.

Write down things that excite you. Prioritize your list in order to obtain your top 5 interests/passions. Whatever decisions you make towards your career/job or retirement should be based on these top 5 passions. Implement a game plan that puts you on a path of living your passions. When you take responsibility and are willing to make the commitment to fulfill your destiny, you will find that you already know how to proceed.

At times you may feel discouraged or dissatisfied. Don't give up. You may be on the right track. These feelings can assist you in 'weeding out' any limitations or self-sabotage that you may be creating. Don't waste time focusing and/or doing things that won't lead you to your ultimate goal of being happy.

Do you have a Ph. D. in excuses? Is it always some thing or someone else's fault as to why you are stuck where you are? Let go of any excuses or blame as to why you're not living a passionate life.

Be clear on what you want. Become the change you want to see. Develop your plan and action steps for accomplishing your dreams. Following these steps will put you in the category with the 20% of Americans that are passionate about what they do.

If you need assistance in mapping out your course, consider engaging in a free 30-minute discovery session @ www.LivingAPassionateLife.com.
 

Afraid of Change?

Change is inevitable. There's no way to avoid change. We change hairstyles, jobs, careers, homes; we change our minds, our cars, we change direction, etc. Life is full of changes.

Change can be negative and/or positive. We can welcome change or we can fear change. What matters is how we handle or accept the changes. Do you stay in a job you don't like because your afraid to start over? Or maybe you don't want to learn anything new? Do you stay in a relationship because you don't want to be alone?

We all have choices. You can decide to fight the changes, which can lead to stress, unhappiness, etc., or you can decide to face the changes head-on. You can appreciate that eventually all changes are for the good (long term). We may not understand the relevancy or the need for the change, however, in the long run, the changes could have a direct impact on our happiness.

At times, there's no denying the difficulty some changes can bring. We fret over school tuitions, making our mortgage payments, the cost of food and gas. We hope that whatever changes come our way won't negatively affect our lifestyles.

Stepping into the changes positively is the correct approach. With a little bit of "tweaking" we can adjust our perception of changes. Change is inevitable. Grab hold of the steering wheel and set your course for happiness.