When it Rains......

    

   Ever heard the phrase “When it rains it pours?” If you are over the age of ten you probably have. The phrase is usually used with a negative connotation meaning that when things go bad they just get worse. However, when people use this term they don’t think about what rain does. It makes things grow. Sure the flood can come, but it eventually recedes and goes away. When the rain of problems come your way don’t think of it negatively. Work on finding out how these problems will make you grow. What can you learn from it? How can you become more as a result of this?

   No matter what happens to you it gets better when you become better no matter what it is. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, loss of a job, or health problems. It’s what you become that matters. Ever had a problem that seemed like “the worst thing ever.” Of course you have. How is that problem now? Many times it gets fixed because of the effort YOU put into fixing it. It’s all up to you to take 100% responsibility for it whether it was your fault or not. That’s how you become more. That’s how it gets fixed.

   Take a look at your problems and figure out how to fix them instead of just thinking how bad everything is. Dwelling on the negative aspects of it don’t fix a thing and you will never grow. As the great Jim Rohn said “To have more you have to become more.” Think about that. 

Take 100% Responsibility

   

When most people think of taking responsibility they confuse it with taking blame. These are not the same things. Problems in life happen to everybody. However, what happens is that you think you’re the only one these problems happen to. This is incorrect. Problems happen to us all. No matter how well you’re doing you will always deal with various problems. They just happen.

   The thing is that whether or not the problem was your fault it is still your responsibility to take care of it regardless of what it is. It is up to you. You have to take responsibility to take care of whatever the problems are. The reason many people don’t take responsibility is because they don’t want to take the blame. They don’t want it to be their fault.

   Blame can be very discouraging. You feel like something that went wrong in your life was something you did. So as a result you end up doing nothing. You don’t think you should have to take care of it because you didn’t do it. If you lose your job regardless of why it happened it is up to you to find a way to fix it. You have to be responsible for anything that comes your way.

   When you get caught up in taking blame and whether or not it was your fault it keeps you from doing what you need to do. If you lose your job you have to find a new one. Maybe losing the job was the best thing that happened to you. This could be your chance to do something better. You don’t know that if you fail to take responsibility.

   The people who make the most of their lives are the ones who are responsible and make something happen for themselves. They decide to make it happen, and they don’t allow problems to keep them down. It becomes a matter of having goals and knowing what you want. When you have a mission and purpose then you will have no problem taking responsibility. The reason is because you know where you want to go. Nothing will stop you.

   Make the decision today to take responsibility for your life. That no matter what happened to you then you will deal with it. You won’t wait for it to go away. Grab the bull by the horns and go for it. You can do anything you want if you take responsibility for what you want to do. This will change everything you do because you have accepted the responsibility.

   When you have decided to be responsible it is a sign of real maturity. You don’t really become an adult until you do this. The person who blames everyone else but themselves for what happens will continue to go the same direction. They will continue to go nowhere because of it. The same thing will always happen to them because they have chosen to play the blame game. Don’t let this be you. Be the person who is responsible for what happens in their own lives. This will promote life change and you will help and inspire those around you.

Keys to Productivity

   How many times have you decided to procrastinate work that needs to be done around the house to sit on the couch to watch television? If you said “not me” then you are not telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Everybody has done this. I have been especially guilty during July and August here in Las Vegas when it gets extremely hot in the summer. Anyone that says they haven’t procrastinated at least once doesn’t know the definition.

The opposite of procrastination is productivity.

   I was at a party recently when my cousin mentioned to her friend that she never watched movies, and the friend said she felt unproductive when she did that. Amen sister! I couldn’t agree more because I need to feel productive each day or I am unfulfilled. My day starts by opening my journal and seeing what I have in store for me that day. Then I begin attacking it.

   When you aren’t productive during the day you fail to reach your potential. Each day that goes by where you don’t meet your potential is one day wasted. Add those days up and they become months and years WASTED! Whenever you don’t do what needs to be done each day you hold yourself back because now the stuff that didn’t get done today is added to tomorrows stuff. If you have to play catch up it keeps you from moving forward.

   One of the keys to productivity is to finish your to do list. One reason people get down on themselves is because they take thirty minutes to create a ten item list and do just four things. That is discouraging. When you make a to do list make sure each item can be done that day. Then make it your mission to complete it no matter what. Develop the habit of doing this each day and you will be more productive than ever.

   Another key is if television or video games are your problem then do something valuable instead. Read a book, take a walk, call family, or something else that will inspire you. Most people get bored and turn the TV on instead of opening a book. Don’t let this be you anymore. Instead of grabbing the remote and plopping on the couch start doing something that is going to help you make life changes.

   The third key is that once you have your goals written down you work towards them each day. It can be baby steps, but there should be progress. Your work during the day needs to point you towards your goals. When you add this discipline you will start to see your goals on the horizon and you will gain so much from becoming the person who could accomplish them.

   When you are productive it eliminates unwanted stress. How do you feel when you lack productivity? Usually not very good because you just put it off to whenever you decide to get around to it. Lack of productivity at work can get you fired, and lack of productivity in your personal life can lead to frustration, anxiety, and sadness.

   Today make a to do list and complete each item on it. Start small. Wait until you see what that small accomplishment does for your confidence. Daily productivity is a big step in making life changes. If you have the philosophy of procrastination then change it. You can do it! Make the decision to make each day as productive as you can. Nothing should stop you!

  

Your Personal Philosophy

                                                 

   Your philosophy is the wisdom you have gained throughout your life from various sources. Usually when you think of philosophy you think of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, or William James. Even philosophy is in books like Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. That book is dripping with her philosophy. Your personal philosophy comes in many different ways throughout your life. Your personal philosophy is a major factor in shaping your destiny.

   Your personal philosophy comes in two ways. It comes from your experience and other people’s experience. Your philosophy starts when you grow up. When you’re a child your philosophy is shaped by your parents. What they think and believe is instilled in you at an early age. There are many ways that can go. On the good side if you are taught the philosophy of hard work and doing your best that will shape you as you get older. However, if the philosophy is just trying to get by and blaming other people for your problems then you could go in another direction based on that philosophy.

  Your philosophy is as simple as walking around the block instead of watching television, or reading a book instead of going to happy hour. Each one of those is a different philosophy. To find out why you are where you are just look at your philosophy. What were the decisions you made based on it? Take a long look back and see. You may not like what you find.

   The first way to develop your own personal philosophy is by your habits. Good habits bring good things and of course bad habits bring bad things. Yes it’s that simple. If you develop the habit of working hard and putting in a good days work every day then you can expect your income to increase and promotions to follow. If your habit is to do just enough and complain about pay then you will struggle to make ends meet.

    Any person that doesn't do something because they don’t get paid enough will always make that amount of money because of their philosophy. Your philosophy leads you. If you are struggling right now and don’t feel your life is going anywhere then you need to examine your philosophy. What do you need to change? What do you need to read? Who can you talk to? These are just a few ways that can help you in changing your philosophy if the one you have is leading you down the wrong road.

   Many people play the blame game. Don’t let this be you. Instead of refining their philosophy to initiate life change they blame taxes, the government, their friends, their boss, and their family. It’s always someone else’s fault except theirs. These people do not take responsibility for their lives. They go nowhere because they refuse to change their philosophy and do it on their own. The people who blame others also want to wait on someone to come by and push them. What happens if they don’t show up?

   You can’t wait for someone else. You have to do it on your own. If you take the time to improve your philosophy you will see life change begin immediately. As you continue to change your philosophy it will give you a new level of confidence and get you going in the right direction.

   

Take Action First - Do it Now!

      

For years I thought that I needed to feel good, or have the right frame of mind to get anything done. I had heard and read that you take action first and then your feelings and thoughts will change. I never believed it. Then I decided to try it. I didn’t feel like writing one day. Instead of just shutting down the laptop I decided to just start writing even though I wasn’t in the right “frame of mind.” What happened blew me away. When I took action I ended up writing for four hours and low and behold I felt like it.

   I had acted myself into feeling. I was amazed. That decision changed my whole perspective. Since that day I have taken action when I needed to get something done, and even though I may not be in the mood I was so glad it was done. When you take action you will almost automatically feel good about it. It will put a smile on your face.

   Taking action does many things like eliminate stress, improve self-confidence, stop laziness, and it will give you a feeling of accomplishment. When you take action on what is important in your life it will take you to another level. It will help you change your philosophy on getting things done. No longer will you rely on your thoughts and feelings first.

   W. Clement Stone coined a simple three word phrase that has had an impact on personal development since it was first coined. That phrase is “Do it Now.” Stone said by just uttering that phrase will get you to start moving. It sounds hokie and over simplistic. At least that’s what I thought. What I found was that it really does move you. It’s almost like you hear another voice pushing you to improve.

   Taking action on what is important will have a tremendous impact on your life. The feeling of success will overwhelm you. How good does it feel when you have a “to do list” and you are able to cross everything off? It feels great. You become energized to do even more. Once you take action once it leads to more action. That’s just the way life is.

   Look at yourself. What have you delayed doing that is important? Think about this. Then take action on it immediately. Do it now. Don’t wait. Become a person who takes action and gets things done. It will change your life.