How to Thrive in Business & In Life
Just recorded this on the back deck earlier today (my daughter Gigi was the “cameraman”)…a simple but powerful practice I’ve been enjoying and wanted to share with you for the New Year – Enjoy!
Let me know your own experience with celebrating “highlights” in your day in the comments below!
Just recorded this in town this morning while out with my son…some key thoughts on creating an experience–after seeing thought leader & brand consultant Matthew Sapaula last night–applicable to both business and personal relationships. A bit dim because I’m next to a fireplace, but you’ll get the gist…Enjoy! And let me know your own stories in life and business of “creating an experience” in the comments below!
Today I want to ask a very practical question:
What thoughts do you have in front of you?
You’re probably very familiar with affirmations–speaking out, or
affirming, something that you want to be true, or something
you’re choosing to identify with.
Today I want to give you a key perspective and practical step
you can take.
As a result of a coaching call with a good friend and mentor, I
recently wrote out a few phrases I wanted to focus on each day–
not as something I was trying to “make happen” or “force” into being
by “trying really hard”, but rather simply as key thoughts I
wanted to have in front of me every day–to create a new track
for my brain to run on, particularly in some key areas I’m
wanting to shift and expand in right now.
As I look at these specifically chosen thoughts written out in front
of me throughout my day, I’m finding that they rapidly “retune” and
“refocus” my thinking…
…and how I feel…
on the spot.
And at the same time, I’m laying new “grooves” and creating new,
consiously and purposefully chosen “tracks” for my thoughts to run
on in these specific areas.
What thoughts are you choosing today?
Do you have them out in front of you where you can “retune” and
“refocus” throughout your day?
Let me know your own experience purposefully shifting your
thinking in the comments below.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben
Is there something you’re wanting to change, something you’re wanting to address, something new you’re wanting to bring into your life?
Maybe it’s more movement, more exercise, maybe it’s a spiritual practice or learning something new, maybe it’s journaling or reading a book that you’ve been wanting to read. Maybe it’s straightening something in your home or your desk, spending time with your wife or kids, or learning a new skill.
Many of us despise the little things, the little times. We feel that if we want to make a major change we need a major overhaul and we get so overwhelmed that we never take that first step.
So today I want you to realize the power of setting aside 10 minutes a day.
Ten minutes a day to start opening up a new space, a new channel in your life for change.
Ten minutes may not seem like a lot, but it’s not just that 10 minutes and what you get done in that 10 minutes; it’s also the fact that you’re opening up and setting aside this new space, that your attention is now going to this new arena.
The compounding of that over time is amazingly powerful.
Don’t despise the power of this—if there’s something you’re feeling the desire to add or to bring into your life, rather than feel frustrated that you haven’t done a major overhaul or don’t have more time to do it, recognize the power of 10 minutes and set aside that time.
You can grab 10 minutes a day on a break and start reading or learning something new.
You could set aside 10 minutes at the end of your day to journal, and you might not even do a whole lot, but you’ve now set that time aside–that “space” aside–to see what will come out of it, and what will come to you.
I know for me, working at home, sometimes I feel there’s always more to do, and there were times, especially in the beginning, when I kept pushing aside my family who wanted my attention.
Yes, you do want to block off focused time for work, especially if you’re working at home, which is a whole new dynamic becoming more and more common these days; but during an afternoon or on a break you can grab 10 minutes to focus on one of your kids or on your spouse—10 minutes to read a story or step outside—it may not seem like a lot, but it is—you give that undivided focused attention to somebody or to something that’s important to you, and you start to create that space that, compounded over time, creates powerful results.
Ten minutes won’t really take that much out of your day, your work, or anything you need to do, but 10 minutes given to your child on a consistent basis will make a difference to them…a big difference over time.
Ten minutes given to a new habit, 10 minutes for some quiet time, a quick walk, or journaling — will make a difference.
Plus you’re creating that new space that eventually may grow into more than 10 minutes. But even if it doesn’t, that 10 minutes itself will compound over time…and will actually have an effect on you and your day beyond the 10 minutes itself!
So now I have a question.
Take a moment…and then decide…
What’s one area you could devote 10 minutes per day to that would make a difference in your life?
How about taking action and anchoring this decision by sharing it in the comments below? And feel free to share your own experience with the power of 10 minutes a day.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Ben
P.S. If you’re currently in transition or looking to expand your income or your skills into a new arena, I invite you to explore a powerful possibility at Work with Ben
Here’s a quick one minute video showing excellence as a result of years of loving dedication and practice:
Now…
What do you want to be great in?