Like so many people, I struggle with getting things done, especially if it makes me feel like work to me. It’s a real struggle especially when I retired from the military years ago. I battle with laziness. I know if I can admit it, I am recognizing it, and ultimately I can change it. Like a cost analysis, I assess my productivity by conducting a goal analysis. Its simple. Let me explain.
On many occasions for instance, I love to run to my favorite book buying spot to browse the books. I use browsing loosely because I can always find something to buy. I have many books at home, not to mention a library reading list that will definitely take time to read through. What I have to do for myself is redirect my impulse to run to the store towards something that will actually get me closer to creating a legacy for my family. I know that just buying more books will not get me there.
Awareness is the first key to conducting my analysis. I ask myself this: “is what I want to do going to get me closer or father away from my goal?” If the answer is no, the next question is: “what action can I do right now, that will?” I realize it just a simple matter of redirecting my energy and focus into more productive activities that will get me closer to what I want to achieve in life rather than what I want to buy throughout life.
I watch my granddaughter four days out of the week. On days I don’t have her, I try and make them my “Relaxation Days” but on most occasions, I get a feeling of restlessness.
With every action there is an equal or opposite reaction. In many instances, so many of us can find fault in the behavior of others but rarely take a moment to ask ourselves “how did my behavior contribute to this?” It was a hard reality for me to face and I didn’t always like the reflection that I got back but I was able to see things in me that I could work on. Change begins from within and we all have the same opportunity to be the change we wish to see.
We can be our own worst critics or we can be our own biggest supporter. It comes down to your self-talk. When I started writing, I would find myself saying “I don’t write like any other blogger” so for the longest time, I was afraid to share my writings. I was comparing myself to others. What I come to realize is that it’s not what others think that can make or break us but what we say about yourself to ourselves. Only you can be you!
On Instagram the other day, someone asked me if I love money. My answer was “No, I don’t love money, I love the freedom that money brings.”
A few years ago I used to manage social media accounts for a few Hollywood clients. I had an amazing time traveling back and forth to California to work the red carpet events. It wasn’t until one evening at an event that I had a thought : Why am I so focused on following behind people who are busy following their dreams? That’s when I decided to stop working for other people and start focusing on me. I closed down my social media business and took time out to work on and discover the true me. I must admit, it has been by far one of the best yet hardest jobs I ever done. Working on yourself may not make you rich but it does have the greatest return on investment.
I recently read an article about overcoming obstacles. The author gave four tips with embracing self-awareness as the first tip. “If you don’t see the obstacle or believe it’s a hindrance, you’ll never reach your goals, blaming everything and everyone but the person responsible.” In other words, you can’t change what you are not willing to confront. Change begins with you. As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently stated, “We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.”
When you do what you love and love what you are doing with a sense of style and confidence, you are creating a legacy that separates your from the rest. No one can do things the way you do so don’t be afraid the let your style shine through. To be authentic is to be yourself.
I worked with a civilian contractor early in my military career. Whenever I would say “life sucks”, Mrs. Brown would reply back with, “life is what you make it.” Now more than 25 years later, I finally understand what she was trying to say. What we choose to focus on, is what we attract, whether “good” or “bad”. In other words, like Facebook, once you begin a search, it will continue to feed your timeline with similar posts.
I used to argue, fuss and fight to voice my opinion. Those days are long gone. People are quick to offer up opinions based on what “they” believe. For example, if someone says that something you want to do is “impossible” it is based on the opinion that it is impossible for “them”. Realizing this, instead of arguing, I allow folks to “keep” their opinion and I go about with my own. I just say “watch me!”
Sweet N Social 
