The challenge of having a productive and inspiring online experience is a big one. Especially, when your computer is connected to the internet, it seems distractions are just waiting to happen.
Disconnecting the internet, checking emails only once a day etc. are not the things some of us can accept as a good solution. In fact, to me and to many entrepreneurs with online businesses, such recommendations are counterproductive.
In a local business development association, I spoke about the importance of education, the importance of positive association, and how the habit of reading can play a vital role in our success in any endeavor.
That brought me to the idea of… “What are some of the bad habits that can simply do the opposite?” What are some of the habits that people have which stops them from their true potential, even though they may be talented?
We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, excellence is not an act. It is a habit. —Aristotle [tweet this]
We can cultivate some good habits and become better, or we can cultivate some bad ones and become bitter. I have come to the conclusion that we all have some habits, whether we have developed them consciously or subconsciously. We all act and think in certain ways based on our thinking habits.
In a recent motivational seminar I attended, one of the top coaches from one of the top private franchisee businesses said from the stage that “Life isn’t fair.” He also added that “life isn’t supposed to be fair and that is what makes it so worth living.”
He was absolutely inspirational and ignited the spirits with his authentic talk. Everybody was moved. But I can’t forget a statement he made challenging the audience which went something along these lines:
If life hasn’t hit you yet folks, get ready because it will.
Do you realize everyone has a continuous stream of internal monologue running in their heads all the time? While walking, reading, listening to a song, talking to a friend, eating food or doing almost anything – we are always talking to ourselves in our own mind.
Our internal monologue has a powerful impact on how we feel, how we behave, and how we live our lives. Unfortunately, most of us are largely unaware of it even happening, while much of what goes on within our mind is automatically negative. Too often, this internal monologue consists of extremely unhelpful thoughts that often hinder our effectiveness, productivity and attitude.
The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. ―Albert Einstein [tweet this]
Some of the dominant thoughts which occupy your mind and affect your mindset in a negative way must be controlled and be diluted intentionally.
“You will never achieve anything in your life more than your own self-esteem”, said my business coach several years ago. To help me get started on the right track, he handed me over the Magic of Thinking Big book. I had just started my first business and I was fortunate to have such a tremendous mentor in my life.
I did not doubt what he said for even a moment. But, as I read the book, the concept began to sink in. I began to realize the importance of working on my own self-esteem.
Going through the book, when I looked back on my achievements so far, I could easily see how my own self-esteem had enabled me to go for those things. At the same time, I could also see how I had missed a few opportunities simply because I never thought I was capable of achieving those.
Moving to a new location for higher studies, for a new job or for business – is not the most comfortable thing in the world. In fact, it is one of the most intimidating activities for most of us. I don’t know about you, but I definitely do not appreciate the sequence of events associated with a move.
I have been moving from city to city, state to state and country to country for studies and jobs throughout my life. During my school days, I moved to places where local residents didn't speak the same language and didn’t eat the food I was used to eating. It was remarkable!
Life is life a bicycle. To keep you balance you must keep moving. –Albert Einstein [tweet this]
I bring up this topic today based on a question from a LinkedIn friend in New Jersey, Vedavathi Puligilla. She is a Technical Recruiter by profession and would like to start her own blog. Veda has seen her little sister facing the challenges of moving to a new city (due to her job) with a completely different culture than her native place.
Veda suggested that if I could provide some guidance on this topic, it may be helpful for people in such circumstances.
I had a great time reading some of the amusing tales from a story book about the famous Akbar and Birbal last week. One of the stories that caught my attention was about a dream that emperor Akbar had one night about losing his teeth and what happened after that. Let me share the story here.
By the way, if you are new to Akbar and Birbal tales, here is a quick introduction according to Wikipedia:
Birbal was the (Wazir-e Azam) of the Mughal court in the administration of the Mughal emperor Akbar. He was one of his most trusted members along with being a part of Akbar's inner council of nine advisors, known as the Navaratna, a Sanskrit word meaning nine jewels. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly military and administrative, but he was also a very close friend of the emperor, who appreciated Birbal for his wit and wisdom, often involving humorous exchanges.
Positive Thinking is what we all aspire to develop. But technically speaking, negative is what subconsciously we are susceptible to. Here is my perspective on why it is so hard to think positive and remain that way consistently and what can we do about it.
Photo Courtesy of Bill Butler
Did you know that our mind can do 100 trillion calculations per second? What an amazing instrument under our possession!
Did you also know that, even with this infinitely powerful brain, it is impossible for you to smile and be angry at the same time? If you want to test this, give it a try… right now – I can wait. Continue Reading…
