It Is Almost Over…

Bang! 2016 is almost over!

I bet that the memories of December 31st 2015 is still vivid in the minds of many. The written dreams, the prophesized ambitions, the unsaid hope, the countless resolutions and the plethora of goals. Without a doubt, as we look at the list where we have our 2016 goals (assuming we all keep such list), the feelings will vary. For some, it is a review with relish while for others it will be a flashback of regrets, broken dreams, missed chances and near misses. The good news however, is that everyone has an equal and new opportunity to begin on a clean slate again.

Whatever your story of 2016 is, be thankful. I tell you what; it could have been worse. It might be cliché to say that somewhere in some place, someone has it worse and will die to be in your current position, but that is an indisputable truth. Perception is everything. See the experiences of 2016 as a learning experience and a stumbling place to push you forward. Don’t try to find the answers to everything. If you didn’t get the job, learn from the disappointment and stay positive. If you were not given that admission, remain happy and try again. If it didn’t happen for you in your relationship, don’t give up on love. If you weren’t given that business deal or anticipated promotion, don’t lose your gusto. If you lost a loved one and you thought your life will never see sunshine again, pick yourself up and understand that nothing just happens. I assure you that everyone had a tale of disappointment in 2016, but some just keep going. Be thankful for all that have happened and remember that some things will only make sense in retrospect that is why hindsight is such a wonderful thing.

In 2017, vow to go again, to try again, to love again, to dream again. It will be sacrosanct to start early, to get out of your so called comfort zone, to do things differently and to tell yourself some home truth. In the new year, it will also be fundamental to drop the baggage. It might be friends, habits, indiscipline, sleep, short-sightedness and a myriad of other little foxes. Whatever it is, you must make a choice to play by a different set of rules to get better results. And remember, the difference between success and failure in the new year will be your ability to do things beyond just planning for them. The coast will never be entirely clear, you will never have all the details, all the money you need will not come to you at once and life will happen again. Irrespective of the factors, take a decision to do what you have to do!

Happy Celebration And Have A Smashing New Year Ahead!

2 Quick Exercises to Quiet the Negative Self-Talk in Your Head

1. Record and Review Your Negativity in Real Time

To change your thinking, you first need to have a clear understanding of what you’re thinking. When a troubling (negative) thought arises in your mind, instead of ignoring it, pay closer attention and then record it. For example, if you’re sitting at your desk and you catch yourself ruminating about something negative, pause and write it down immediately. Get that raw thought out of your head and down on paper – just a short sentence or two that honestly depicts the specific thought that’s presently troubling you: “I’m not good enough for the job I’m applying for because I don’t have enough experience.”

Then quickly identify what triggered the thought. Again, be brief and specific: “I’m new to the industry, and therefore I’m feeling out of my comfort zone.”

At the very least, the process of recording your troubling thoughts helps bring a healthy, objective awareness to the negativity that exists within them, which ultimately helps you shift your mindset.


2. Challenge Your Negative Thoughts by Turning Them into Questions

Many of the things you tell yourself when you ruminate about your troubles are completely and utterly false. You really have to catch yourself in the act and bring yourself back to reality.

How?

The key is to challenge your negative thoughts. And one of the simplest ways of doing this is turning them into questions. So, let’s revisit the example mentioned in #1 – “I’m not good enough for the job I’m applying for because I don’t have enough experience.” Simply change this thought into a question:

“I’m not good enough for the job I’m applying for because I don’t have enough experience???”

Then, once you’ve mulled over the question for a moment, ask yourself:

Can I be absolutely certain that the answer is yes?

Think about it, and then find evidence to the contrary. What successes have you had in your career that may be applicable to this new job? Where and when have your relevant efforts made a positive impact? Write down a short, specific list of some times when you absolutely have been good enough, and then examine it.

Do you fall short sometimes? Sure you do – everyone does. But you also succeed in incredible ways sometimes too. That’s the whole truth, and it’s worth reflecting on.

The ultimate goal is to see yourself, and the entirety of your reality, more accurately.

There’s a quote I’ve always appreciated that’s often credited to Ignatius: “Pray as if God will take care of all; act as if all is up to you.”

(MARCANDANGEL).

The Path Less Travelled by Samuel Okonkwo

To God be the Glory!

Go to Amazon using the link below to read the preview and purchase a copy.

https://www.amazon.com/Path-Less-Travelled-Reflections-Learning/dp/1540663507/ref=la_B01NAFINA0_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481610645&sr=1-1

Thank you!

Poetry: To An Athlete Dying Young by A.E Housman

I have always loved poetry. In my mind, it is my first love as far as writing goes.

Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite poem of all time. Recent events have necessitated a reflection of this poem. Not only does the poem tick all the literary boxes, it helps to ask the vital questions.

Enjoy:

To an Athlete Dying Young by A. E. Housman

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

Today, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears.

Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl’s.