“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” – Vince Lombardi
Vince was right when he stated the above; you can have/be/do anything you heart desires. The only requirements are, simply, that you have appropriate goals and make the right choices.
TBC
Filed under: Human Behaviour
“We choose our stress.” – Ben Cordony
This is a very nice aphorism.
I sometimes forget that in life, I am always presented with a choice. Each and every day I make choices. Sometimes by not choosing, I am making a choice.
I have debated this in depth with Riad. He feels that some choices are, in fact, not choices at all. He opines, for example, that purchasing a house is not a choice.
I, however, believe that each and every single event in your life presents multiple choices. Even if one option is not at all desirable, it is nevertheless, a choice.
You do not have to work, you choose to do so. Primarily owing to the fact that you desire the monetary compensation you are awarded for your time and effort. That desire makes your choice much easier, but it remains, however, a choice.
You do not have to purchase a house, you choose to do so. Everyone has their own reasons for doing so, but all instances are choices.
In fact, you do not have to do anything in life. Every single deed is a choice. Some choices easier to make than others, but all choices nonetheless.
Looking at your life through the lens of observant choice making may complicate things for you. I hope it instead grants you more power over your day to day choices and by extension, your life.
Remembering that you are constantly making choices is a great way to make better choices.
“With all this extra stressin
The question I wonder is after death, after my last breath
When will I finaly get to rest? Through this supression
they punish the people that’s askin questions
And those that possess, steal from the ones without possesions
The message I stress: to make it stop study your lessons
Don’t settle for less – even the genius asks his questions
Be grateful for blessings
Don’t ever change, keep your essence
The power is in the people and politics we address
Always do your best, don’t let the pressure make you panic
And when you get stranded and things don’t go the way you planned it
Dreamin of riches, in a position of makin a difference
Politicians are hypocrites, they don’t wanna listen
If I’m insane, it’s the fame made a brother change
It wasn’t nuttin like the game
It’s just me against the world” – Tupac Shakur
Speech is something almost all of us have in common. However, if you think about it, speech is somewhat amazing.
Human beings have learnt to make sounds, many thousands of them in fact, to convey their thoughts and feelings to one another. In addition, a simple change in tone can totally alter the message. Consider also that each language is a different set of sounds and that some people, like myself, speak (associate, memorise and recite) more than one of these “sound sets”.
I think this is absolutely incredible. It demonstrates that even the most unintelligent human is, in fact, not without an amazing mind. Without a doubt, our ability to communicate is what sets the human race apart from all others. Our ability to share information, discuss thoughts and express our feelings is the fundemental component of our community.
It is also important to note that although humans use different “sound sets” across the globe, they are mostly conveying the same joys, fears, hopes and dreams.
Filed under: General
My blog has received 100 hits since its inception on the 26th of July 2007, an awesome result considering I have not advised anyone of its existence. The next milestone is to reach 500 hits.
I’d like to thank…ME, THATS WHO!
Spring has just started, bringing with it an opportunity to make certain changes.
A part of the human mind causes us to want to kick off initiatives on the first day of the week/month/year. In my case, it’s the first day of spring.
I have several targets that I am currently working towards, three to be exact. Without going into specific details, they are:
- A financial goal
- A physical goal
- A mental goal
My financial goal is by far the easiest for me to accomplish, a “no brainer” really.
My physical goal has been somewhat of a challenge for me in the past, but I have come very close to my target. This time around, experience and renewed enthusiasm will assist me.
My mental goal is more complicated than the other two, however, the rewards are infinitely greater. The right state of mind is priceless.
What are your goals?
If you don’t currently have any, I suggest you start with a simple list of no more than three items. It is crucial these goals be of great importance to you and not primarily a reflection of the expectations of your family or peers. Working towards something that is important to you is a challenge. However, when that goal is based on the desire of others, it becomes highly improbable, if not impossible. Therefore, ensure your goals are precisely what you desire.
Once you have three goals, follow these steps.
Step One – Set a measurable target
If your goal is to lose weight, then set a target weight. If your goal is to start saving money, set a specific amount of money you wish to amass.
Be very specific with your goal, steering clear of emotional targets. “I want to be happy” is not a measurable, achievable target. However, “I want to lose 8 kg” or “I want to save $5000″ are examples of quantifiable targets that can be systematically achieved.
Step Two – Set an end date
This step adds life to a goal. It transforms a vision into reality, making your goal a part of your daily existence. It is important to set a feasible time frame. I suggest setting time frames that are somewhat generous. If, for example, you are able to save $100 a week, then set your end date based on weekly savings of $75. Set your end date in such a way that guarantees success.
Step Three – Create a plan
Once you know what it is you desire and by when you wish to have it, create a plan of action. If you don’t know which steps to take, speak to someone who does. If your goal is financial, speak to an accountant or financial planner. If it is weight loss, have a personal trainer create a nutritional plan for you. Whatever your wish to achieve, seek out experts in that field and ask for advice. You may have to pay for the consultation, but this should not discourage you, your goals are worth paying for.
Step Four – Take Action
Now that you are prepared and ready, take action towards your goal. Spend a short moment each day thinking about your goal. Keeping your goal on your mind is a great way to ensure you stay focused and determined through hard times. Learn to enjoy the journey and not solely the end result. Watching your money grow is as gratifying as reaching the final amount. Similarly, witnessing your weight drop weekly is as satisfying as reaching your desired weight. Whatever your goal, learn to enjoy the gradual progression en route to completion.
Step Five – Adjust when necessary
As you progress, you may need to make adjustments to your plan. Monitor your progress and amend accordingly. I suggest you not make any changes to your initial plan for a minimum of four weeks. It takes time, sometimes many months, for new actions to eventuate and produce results. If, however, you are not progressing after a month or so, revisit the expert and redesign your plan as required.
Using these simple steps, you can achieve any goal you desire. Ensure you enjoy the process and remain honest with yourself at all times. If you have any questions, or wish to share your results, post a comment below.
Finally, I wish you the very best of luck, though with this plan, you will not need it.
