Tag Archive for: thought leadership

10 Powerful Ideas to Post in Your Mind

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As many of you know, I’m always trying to expand my mind and learn from others. Over the years, I’ve encountered several key thoughts that I try to live by. I’m not always successful in living by them, and it’s definitely not always easy. But I think the following 10 Powerful Ideas to Post in Your Mind are worth pursuing.

What do you think? Are there two or three that especially resonate with you? Do you have additional strategies to help you down your path toward success? I’d love to start a conversation in the comments about the notion of self-awareness.

What are our limitations, and how can we overcome them to reach our full potential?

10 Powerful Ideas

1. There is no perfect life, perfect day, perfect performance, perfect vacation — these are myths that exist only in the mind. I will savor perfect moments as they come and realize they coexist with the messy, complex, and painful. Life is full of wonder and I will enjoy all that I can!

2. When I have a concern, I will do what is in my power and then let go of the rest, allowing myself a peaceful heart.

3. When my thoughts return again and again to upsetting events, images, conversations, or fears I can put up a stop sign in my mind. I choose where my mind goes and will replace paralyzing obsessing with ideas that comfort, inspire, and empower.

4. On a subconscious level, I expect all traffic lights to be short, grocery lines to go fast, children to be obedient and respectful all the time, holidays to go perfectly, friends to know just what to say, and the rain to always wait till after sundown….and then I am disappointed 100 times a day! Ask–What was I expecting? It’s a paradox; expect less and I’ll enjoy more.

5. The absolute truth is that there is always good along with the bad. We get tunnel vision so often and only see the failures, the frustrating, the disappointing…but reality is always brighter than that. There are weeds, yes, but there are also flowers! Don’t be fooled—see the whole picture and tell the truth.

6. I am not responsible for everything and I have limited control over things besides myself, especially others’ choices. I will bless and lift and help all that I can and realize that any influence I’m privileged to have is a gift.

7. Am I going to care about this in a year? Most things we get upset about can be categorized as inconveniences, challenges, or difficult moments. They are, literally, not the end of the world, and they will pass. Change mindset from panic to problem-solving and underreact.

8. If I make a mistake and someone discovers I am human, great—they’ll probably like me better for it! We assume everyone is thinking the worst, when people mostly aren’t thinking of us at all, they are busy worrying about their own lives. I am doing the best I can with my unique life. I will give myself the compassion and approval I need and throw away the chains of trying to please everyone else.

9. Carrying around future problems only exhausts and overwhelms me. I can trust my future self to handle things as they come. I have survived 100% of my challenges so far and I will keep doing it, one problem at a time.

10. Anxiety is simply the other side of the coin of a mind with great gifts. What if I took my ability to overthink, worry, and imagine the worst and used it instead to dream, plan, and create great things? I choose to focus my mental energies outward instead of destroying my own peace. I will use my superpowers for good.

6 Practices to Help Workers Ease Back Into an Onsite Work Pattern

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The following is adapted from a news release published on May 18, 2021. 

As nearly 70 percent of Americans feel we’re emerging from the pandemic, more workers will be expected to return to work. And that can cause anxiety.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I shared six practices to help workers ease back into an onsite work pattern.

We are social beings. The year in isolation threw off our flow of sociality. When we embark on a new normal world, many will likely be a bit wobbly as we ease back into the office socially. We need to go easy on ourselves because it will all work out.

1. Slow Down and Breathe

First, slow down and breathe to soak in the moments you’re experiencing now.

2. Practice Self Care

Apply a healthy dose of self-care by wrapping yourself up in nature and connecting with experiences that matter most to you, whether that be with friends, family, or yourself alone.

3. Believe in Yourself

Believe that you are good enough, that you can do it. If you don’t believe in yourself, lean on my grandpa’s teaching: ‘Fake it until you make it.’ That’s a great way to gain confidence and propel forward with any task you face.

4. Live in the Moment

Be Present - Ease Back Into Post-Pandemic WorkEnjoy the time you have now and plan for the future with confidence. From my experience, planning for the future is exceptionally smart, but worrying about the future yields no good thing. I even have a clock in my office to remind me of this.

5. Serve Others

Lift another person up, look outside of yourself and see who can use your help, your smile, and even your simple greeting today. When we lose ourselves in the service of others, we find strength and purpose.

6. Exude Optimism

Convince yourself that everything will work out for you just fine. I’ve quoted a poem in my book called, ‘Things Will Work Out,’ which posits that when we look back at our lives, we will realize everything has indeed worked out. To continue that success, we should focus energy on current situations to ensure positive solutions. It’s a simple and powerful concept.

Applying such practices can help today’s workers ease back into post-pandemic office work and live a life today in harmony with one’s core values.

All proceeds from All the Right Reasons are directed to feed two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, the book provides 40 meals for every single purchase.