December 06, 2009
The Challenge:
There are only 24-hours in the day to take action towards our dreams. In life, we have to balance the other important things including time with family, friends, careers with our personal goals and dreams. Of course, we have to eat and sleep as well. A question that often comes up is how do I find the time to achieve my dreams? For this challenge, list the important things in your life and then prioritize them according to their importance to you.
This task is worth 50-points on your scorecards.
Thought Provoking Questions:
How many things did you list? Do you feel this is a realistic number for you to balance?
What were the top three priorities? Can the others be eliminated or reduced?
The Lesson:
At some point we look at our lives and realize that we have a time capacity, and that capacity is 24-hours of everyday. Everyone is playing by this same limitation, so why are some able to achieve more than others? The answer lies in how some are able to focus on what they want and then make certain sacrifices to achieve their dreams. It’s a tough choice, but you will have to identify things you are willing to give up to achieve your dreams. This challenge is meant to help you begin the process of identifying your priorities, but the decision to cut things out of your life will be a deep and personal one.
Once you identify your priorities, you will need to decide how much time you want to devote to each priority. Don’t forget about necessities like sleeping and eating. Also, there will always be the unforeseen circumstances that pull you away from your dreams but that are important for you to be a part of. Make sure you can accommodate these situations by creating a plan to catch-up on your top priorities when these situations arise.
“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become” - Charles Dubois
November 15, 2009
The Challenge:
Now more than ever people are reevaluating what they want to achieve in their lives. In many cases, we are heading in new directions that will bring new challenges. It is during these times that we must be conscience of what we are telling ourselves internally. We have to be sure not to sabotage ourselves with internal conversations that keep us from taking risks. During this week, take notes on any internal thought or conversation you may have with yourself.
This task is worth 40-points on your scorecards.
Thought Provoking Questions:
How often are you having internal conversations with yourself? Is it often enough?
Are you giving yourself encouraging or discouraging thoughts?
The Lesson:
If you are about to embark on a new journey the last thing you need is your own mind telling you that you “cannot do it” or that you “won’t be successful.” These self-sabotaging thoughts lead to self-doubt which has the power to demoralize you and keep you from attaining your dreams. It takes time and commitment to discontinue these thoughts but consider this one of the most important traits to keep under control as it will directly effect your ability to be successful.
Secondly, we all need to understand that none of us are born with expertise in any given area. There is only one way to become knowledgeable about a subject and that is to start learning today. If your thoughts are saying, “you don’t know enough about that topic to be successful” remember that you merely have to start with one piece of information and just build from there. Buy books, use the internet, and network with established experts. Do what it takes so you feel confident in your new endeavor and surely your self-defeating thoughts will slowly fade into the background.
“Don’t let your mind sabotage your success” - Napoleon Hill
November 01, 2009
The Challenge:
Since 2007, negative energy has been slowly percolated into our mindset one drip at time like Chinese water torture. Many of us have been exposed to such small increments of negativity that we didn’t even realize how much it was building up inside of us. This week, ask several people that you are truly comfortable with to help you stop negativity by pointing out when you are being negative and not moving towards a resolution.
This task is worth 100-points on your scorecards.
Thought Provoking Questions:
Was it a shock to hear how many times you were being negative?
What do you think is the largest source of negativity in your life?
The Lesson:
Let’s be clear that a certain amount of negativity is good for you when you are voicing frustration or venting some pent up aggression. Ask those around you to listen to your venting and then guide you to the point of brainstorming or taking action on potential solutions. It is important that the people you ask to assist you in this challenge fully understand that merely stating you are being a “negative Nancy” is not going to make you feel better so choose the people that have a cunning ability to guide you beyond the venting without you even knowing it.
It’s not your fault! As mentioned above, negativity is being percolated slowly and over a long period of time from our current environment. Even the most positive of people can fall victim to continuous amounts of bad news. Let’s all accept the fact that these are tough economic times that will not likely change in the near future. So try not to get obsessed with the day-to-day stock market changes or nightly news channel which only fuels our addiction to negative news. We all know times are tough; therefore, we really don’t need anything reiterating/re-confirming that fact to us on a regular basis. That percolation of negativity only stands to stifle the very enthusiasm and self-belief that will change this environment.
“Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.” - Shirley MacLaine
October 18, 2009
The Challenge:
As we grow older we sometimes lose the ability to think outside the boundaries that have been somehow implanted into our minds. Often times, the part of our minds that becomes the most limited is our ability to think creatively. This week, purchase or download a coloring book picture. Get creative and color the pages from the coloring book.
This task is worth 25-points on your scorecards.
Thought Provoking Questions:
Did you color the pages according to their colors in real-life (the sky is blue, etc.)?
If so, why did you feel compelled to keep the colors standard?
The Lesson:
It is human nature that as we grow older we begin to see things the way society tells us how to see things. We look outside and see the sky is blue and we never question or experiment with any other color again. Don’t feel bad about misplacing your ability to think outside the norm, it has been engrained in you since early elementary school when someone told you your color choice was “wrong.” Today, as you look to bring your creative mind back, take a chance and use your imagination to go against that which society has told you to be the correct answer.
The next time you have a problem that needs a solution; remember to question the perceived setbacks and rules that hinder you from finding a creative solution. Do NOT assume boundaries that don’t exist. In corporate culture this has been labeled “thinking outside the box” but whenever a boss says this phrase they probably don’t get what it really means to be open to any and all ideas. In doing so, they end up limiting what could have been a limitless resource.
“Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” - Albert Einstein