Tag: mindset

Gratitude, Happiness, Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: May 18, 2020

Amanda

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” – Napoleon Hill

I feel that many of us expect great things of ourselves in order to have a sense of fulfillment. For some, it may be getting a degree from an ivy league school, a big promotion, or becoming a celebrity, for others it could be finding a cure for cancer, ending poverty, or winning a Nobel Prize. Each of these things means a something different to everyone, and it’s in no way wrong to want or strive for these things. It’s good to have goals, and if these are yours, I give you major kudos for working hard and following your dreams.

I’ve always felt that greatness doesn’t need to be a reflection of the money, titles, or popularity one has. Being great and doing great is so much more than that and I refuse to believe otherwise.

I’m confident that I will not find a cure for cancer or win a Nobel Prize, and that’s okay. To me, as long as I do my best in whatever it is I’m doing, big or small, I can be proud. And if I can make someone else’s life better or easier by going above and beyond what is expected of me, that’s when I know doing a small thing in a great way for another. That makes me feel great, too.

Work toward your goals and set out to accomplish what makes your life feel good and fulfilling, but don’t feel that doing great has to be big. Like Hill says, small things can be done in a great way, which can be just as powerful and meaningful to someone as the “big” stuff.

This week’s practice

This week, find one small thing and commit to doing it in a great way. Take a little extra time to review that report or add something extra your client isn’t expecting. Be exceptionally courteous to the cashier at the supermarket and thank them for their dedication to their work and commitment to helping others during the pandemic. Do the small things in a great way, and own it.

Gratitude, Mindfulness, Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: May 11, 2020

Amanda

One of my favorite units in grade school was the Monarch Butterfly unit. My classmates and I learned about metamorphosis and the life cycles of insects. We watched our temporary class caterpillar pets chomp on milkweed and climb up the side of their butterfly habitat to form their chrysalis. Days later, we would watch in awe as each emerged as a beautiful, delicate butterfly, and we’d released them in the school flower garden when they were strong enough to fly.

A couple years ago, I recreated this project after I found a caterpillar near my apartment. Looking back on it now though, I was so excited to see a brand new butterfly that I completely ignored the profound changes it was going through; they make it all look so easy. It reminded me of a quote by Maya Angelou,

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.“

So often we get caught up in the glamor and glory of the “endgame,” and we forget the importance of the process. Why don’t we naturally love it just as much as the outcome? Change takes time; it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes work, determination, and the right mindset. It takes patience, acceptance, and the ultimate understanding that the process is often times more astounding than the beauty of the outcome. Change is inevitable, but it’s not as easy as the caterpillar makes it seem. Enjoy the ride; look forward to the beauty of the endgame, but don’t forget to acknowledge and appreciate the challenges of the transformation.

This week’s practice

This week, I hope you take some time to acknowledge the importance of whatever changes you are working through. Not only that, but appreciate the importance and beauty of the process of making those changes. With every change comes growth and opportunity. Don’t waste it!

Happiness, Motivation Monday, Self Love

Motivation Monday: May 4, 2020

Amanda

Happy first Monday of May!

I don’t know about you, but April was stressful. Constant uncertainty, negativity, and anxiety feasts on your happiness and your soul; it has tremendous effect on your overall well-being. But this week will be different, because…

This is your week. Own it.

Even if you don’t believe it, your thoughts can make or break you and your outlook. It may not feel like it, but you are in control of your mindset and how you choose to accept things going on around you. Embrace your inner power and believe in your purpose. Show this week, this month, who’s boss 💪May the Fourth be with you!

(Confession: I’ve never seen any of the Star Wars movies, but I’m hoping to change that this month 😅)

This week’s practice

This week, I hope you take some time to experiment with power poses. Although the benefits of this exercise are still considered scientifically controversial, what harm would it do to pose confidently for a couple minutes a day? For me, power posing helps me channel my inner super-heroine. If you feel silly, maybe this exercise isn’t meant for you, and that’s okay! Not everything is a good fit for everyone.

If you do practice any power poses this week, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes!

Mindfulness, Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday: April 13, 2020

Amanda

Happy (day after) Easter! 🐰

It can be easy to get caught up in things we can’t control, especially nowadays as events are cancelled, non-essential businesses are closed, and social distancing is commonplace. It’s easy for the negativity monster to sneak in, manipulate you, and drain your energy without you knowing until it’s too late.

This week’s motivation is taken from Roy T. Bennet’s book, The Light in the Heart:

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”

Don’t let uncontrollable circumstances consume you. Instead, intentionally shift your mindset away from what you can’t control and redirect your energy into something productive. For example, instead of fixating on your inability to order your favorite dish from a local restaurant that’s closed due to quarantine (something beyond your control), try recreating it in your own kitchen (or support local business and get takeout if it’s available). Just like that, you’ve repurposed your energy into a creative and productive response! Just think of all we could accomplish if we didn’t dwell on the things we couldn’t control!

This week’s practice

This week, I hope you begin to learn that we will never be able to control everything. I hope you learn to recognize any negative energy that is brought into your space as a result of this, acknowledge and accept the subsequent feelings, breathe deeply, and redirect your energy toward something positive and productive, even if it is only temporarily.

What is the biggest challenge you faced last week? How did it affect your energy?