In one of the books I read, it stated that we can not connect the dots unless we look back. Looking back is good once in a while, but your future is in front of you. Learn to reconcile and appreciate all of the events in your past because they have made you the person you are today. That means the choices you make today, will lead you to the person you wish to become tomorrow. How cool is that? You can become the master of your fate and the captain of your soul!
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I have learned to enjoy myself at networking events once I focused on making connections rather than making sales. Most of the time, people are not there to buy because each of us have our own agendas in mind. Make the most of the connections and wherever you are, act like you belong there. Make your presence be known. Your energy alone will cause people to take notice.
I try to plan my week out so that I have a sense of direction and plan activities accordingly. I utilize both my smartphone for most events and a daily calendar for daily tasks. By having a projected forecast of activities, I can accommodate for unforeseen changes in my schedule without feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Most days I can easily reschedule things and still accomplish my important tasks.
One of my top priorities is to always take care of the people or things that take care of me. Whether it is making sure the family is taken care of, the park passes are current or the car needs maintenance, whatever allows me to keep moving forward in doing what I do best is what I take care first. Take care of those things that take care of you. Focus on what makes you happy and brings you peace and fulfillment.
I am watching my love bird climb his cage to check out a lamp I placed above his cage. He is always investigating things around his cage. I have to stay mindful about what I place near his cage. What I love the most is that after 13 years, he is still curious about things and he is willing to check things out.
There is construction on a bridge in the area that is causing residents to find alternate routes to get around a heavily traveled road. At first, it seemed like a huge inconvenience but now feels pretty routine. We just have to plan ahead to get around the construction.
When you know that you are on the right path many new opportunities seem to be “pop up”. Not all distractions are “bad”. In times of temptation, keep clarity. Make sure that you have your goal or vision handy and that it is written down. Review it often. Don’t get caught off guard by distractions.
I learned a few great adages from my time in the military in which I still use to navigate life’s challenges. One that I still find myself saying and sharing with is others is “adapt and overcome”. It is a reminder to me to be flexible in dealing with situations, circumstances and people. Great time to us this is when you feel frustration setting in, stop, breathe and re-evaluate.
Sometimes you just have to say yes to an opportunity and then figure out the details later. Often our first response is to say no. Opportunities come to move you and to help you grow. The key factor is to remember that all prayers are answered. The answers just may not come in the form of our expectations.
At some point in time, we all have to take inventory of the baggage we have picked up and have been carrying throughout this journey called life. I found if we learn to identify ours and put down the ones that belong to others, the journey gets easier. I encourage you to sort through the bags you’ve been carrying, find your baggage and let others carry their own.