In a conversation with a guy from San Diego earlier this week, we discussed some life-changing concepts. He mostly discussed things that I can focus on in my life to narrow down my goals and remove clutter from my path. More or less a session on how to re-focus my life. Remove what’s not helping me move in a positive direction with my life. Then create a massive plan of action to work them.
He solicited several ideas on areas that I needed to focus on. And I supplied the reasons why I needed to focus on them.
Your Marriage – This is one area that I can say I am completely happy with. I just hope I am returning the favor! Candi, you deserve way better than me. But I’m glad you chose me instead of being smart… 😉
Your Family – This one can be a challenge at times. Due to career choices, distance is placed between me and my kids. Also with my extended family. I lived in one area for 20+ years. That distance can be challenging. But the move also created some real growth in my life.
Your Career – I ended up in the Auto industry on chance. Someone who said “Hey, you’d be good at this” and me saying “Hey, I’d love a 9-5 gig”. Fifteen years later, I’m still in it. And apparently I’m half-way decent at it.
Your Finances – That one has been a challenge over the years for sure. Defunct business ideas to just plain bad money management have really made some “divots” in the golf course of my financial life. But, I am resilient and press on. With marked improvement year after year.
Your Health – Most of you know my successes in the last couple of years in this category. Giving up smoking after 20+ years. Losing over 130 lbs in the last 2 1/2 years. Starting to run. Starting to cycle. It still blows my mind.
Brian brought up another topic. Things That I Hate.
That was a deep subject.
I won’t go into detail on the things in life that I “have issues with”. Let me just say there were a few things that I would like to improve.
I’ll use “angry customers” as an example. Nobody really likes dealing with them, right?
His reply?
Have you tried being grateful for “angry customers”?
There was an eye opener!
Turns out that if I focus so much on what I dislike, it becomes all that I can focus on. If I don’t like dealing with angry customers, I am simply reinforcing the idea in my mind.
If I don’t like getting up early? You got it… Thinking on it and being irritated with the concept only drives that dislike deeper.
So the shift began. I started being grateful for the things I hate.
I changed my speech. Which in turn changed my thinking.
That single thought of gratefulness changed a lot of perceptions and attitudes I had. I started to see the benefits of embracing “angry customers”. I had to employ new tools and ideas to satisfy their concerns. And if handled correctly, I regained the trust of someone who’d lost it in the past.
New relationships were formed. New ideas blossomed.
I improved because of their “being unhappy”.
On the flip side, are there lots of things to NOT be thankful for in this world? Absolutely.
Here’s the money question: “Are YOU the reason you aren’t thankful for them?”
More next week…
~Uppie
Recent Comments