Self Talk Radio

Our remarkable brains provide the capacity for continuous self-talk (my talk radio).  We do ourselves a disservice when we choose:
Negative 101
Doubting 201
Redo 301
B-team 401
Can't Do 501
Lacking 601
If Only 701
Not My Fault 801
Victim 901

We win big when our station is tuned to one of the following:
I Can 102
Positive 202
Best Shot 302
Winner 402
Done! 502
Enough 602
Going for It 702
It Won't Happen Again 802
Leader 902

The conversations in our heads are just that - conversations.  We owe it to ourselves to be our own best cheerleaders and change the channel when our self-talk isn't encouraging. 

119 Ways to Improve Your Life

There are countless ways to improve our lives.  I offer 119 suggestions and invite your terrific ideas.

1. Believe – In God, yourself, family, friends and colleagues
2. Embrace an attitude of gratitude
3. Do something nice for another with no expectation of reciprocity
4. Volunteer
5. Donate money or other usable resources
6. Read
7. Adopt a plant
8. Recommend a friend or colleague to others
9. Share your knowledge
10. Stay curious
11. Take one more step
12. Smile
13. Respond appropriately with yes or no
14. Anticipate
15. Make something
16. Send a card, letter or email to someone with whom you’ve lost touch
17. Share shortcuts
18. Recycle
19. Get enough sleep
20. Schedule the next appointment with a friend before you part company
21. Drink a lot of water
22. Improve listening skills
23. Be courteous
24. Graciously welcome others
25. Take a time out
26. Hold a baby
27. Pet a cat
28. Create a fresh floral arrangement with an unconventional container
29. Make your bed every day
30. Do someone else’s family chore without
31. Offer to help with a project
32. Sincerely compliment others
33. Look for positives
34. Become hyper-observant
35. Forward a helpful article
36. Subscribe to useful newsletters or blogs
37. Play
38. Dream
39. Hope
40. Plan
41. Consider alternatives
42. Be decisive
43. Set goals
44. Acknowledge accomplishments – yours and others
45. Give the coupon you can’t use to a stranger in the check-out line
46. Repurpose an item
47. Always put your wallet and keys in the same location
48. Automate payments
49. Bank online
50. Establish high expectations
51. See a play
52. Make a newcomer feel welcome
53. Recognize and reward excellence
54. Do what you say you will
55. Build a great reputation
56. Make others feel valued
57. Control your controllables and accept or work through or around the uncontrollables
58. Do what you love
59. Hug someone special
60. Be active
61. Find a place for everything
62. Distinguish between want and need
63. Be responsible
64. Schedule think time
65. Schedule preventive health appointments
66. Carpool to events
67. Make an introduction at an event
68. Compliment the host
69. Give a deserving speaker positive feedback
70. Recommend a book on LinkedIn
71. Catch a fish
72. Give a found good luck penny to someone
73. Create time-saving routines
74. Thank family members frequently
75. Mean it when you say “I Love You” and when you mean it say it frequently
76. Establish a pattern for staying connected to those you treasure
77. Use recurring appointments in your electronic calendar to remember special occasions
78. Take baby steps instead of avoiding things you have been avoiding
79. Break big projects into manageable pieces
80. Find a creative outlet
81. Alert a stranger when they are unaware that a strap or zipper or tag or tear needs attention
82. Laugh often
83. Confirm understanding
84. Streamline providers for frequently used items
85. Use paperless delivery options for statements and notices
86. Spell check
87. Reread aloud before sending important communications
88. Tell a friend or co-worker what they need to hear even if it’s not what they want to hear
89. Share good deals and sources
90. Stretch
91. Play to your strengths and partner with others whose strengths are your weaknesses
92. Be timely
93. Reduce clutter
94. Observe nature
95. Look for innovative solutions
96. Write something every day
97. Buy stamps online
98. Be an advocate
99. Ask for advice
100.  Be approachable
101.  Ask questions
102.  Bite your tongue or remove your fingers from the keyboard before responding inappropriately in anger
103.  Sincerely apologize when you are wrong
104.  Use an informative subject line in emails
105.  Speak slowly and distinctly when providing contact information
106.  Show enthusiasm
107.  Be supportive of family, friends and colleagues
108.  Help others
109.  Limit complaints
110.  Find an interesting way to do a mundane task
111.  Use a cross-hatch shredder to lessen identity theft risks
112.  Contribute to your company 401 (k) at least at a level to maximize the company match
113.  Forgive yourself and others
114.  Share a positive memory with the family of a deceased friend
115.  Nominate a deserving individual or organization for membership or recognition
116.  Establish a credible personal email address
117.  Use hyperlinks to minimize large attachments and blocked emails
118.  Don’t super-size fast food meals
119.   View riveting talks from remarkable individuals at http://www.ted.com/

Time to Seek an Expert

I am privileged to drive a wonderful automobile and have maintained it perfectly.  Recently the car stopped at a stoplight and it took several moments to restart it.  It ran perfectly, with no diagnostic message of a problem, so I assumed all was well and this was just a fluke.  Several days later, it happened again, and the "check engine" warning lit.  It was too late to call my service advisor that evening. When I started the car the next day, the diagnostics were all clear.  Whew!  I didn't really have time to deal with the problem that day.  My trip went well, but soon after I exited the airport parking garage my third incident occurred.  Yes, it was time to seek an expert.  The experts discovered that a sensor had failed and had to be replaced.

We often try to self-diagnose health, relationship or work issues. A significant dose of self diagnostics is laudable, instructive and productive.  But, when we keep getting warning signs that we can't eliminate, it's time to seek an expert.

One More

Which one is meaningful to you?

One more:

Sunrise
Sunset
Hello
Goodbye
Hug
Kiss
Dance
Song
Right Answer
Promotion
Life Saved
Passion Ignited
Friend Made
Game Won
Skill Improved
Meal Created
Meal Enjoyed
Outcome Embraced
Lap Completed
Experiment Ended
Lesson Learned
Message Received
Life Touched
Memory Made
Picture Taken
Masterpiece Created
Colleague Inspired
Neighbor Helped
Child Loved
Stranger Encouraged
Associate Helped
Treatment Administered
Treatment Completed
Story Told
Fish Caught
Book Written
Book Read
Sale Made
Presentation Delivered
Call Made
Flower Planted
Bloom Emerged
Bouquet Delivered
Vitamin Ingested
Muscle Strengthened
Lesson Learned
Compliment Created
Self Shared

Let' seize each additional meaningful opportunity!

Reinventing Ourselves

How often I have remarked that I really did learn everything I needed to know at home and in kindergarten:
1. Love your brother and neighbor
2. Treat others as you want to be treated
3. Cut and paste is as relevant to business as it is to arts and crafts

As we think about reinventing ourselves I’m going to focus on seven aspects of our lives, seven H’s: Head, Heart, Hands, Health, Humor, History and Home.

Head – What else do you need to know in order to do what you want to do? What stimulates you intellectually? When I wanted a new intellectual challenge I tackled law school. Though I’ve never practiced, I’ve learned invaluably from this educational pursuit. How are you challenging yourself? Understand how you see yourself and how others see you. You can use an instrument as formal as 360 feedback document. You can use a method as simple as asking valued friends.

Learn to accept the things about you that you can’t change. I have finally accepted the fact that I will never be tall. Learn to accept the things around you that you can’t change. Accept that you can only change yourself and the way you respond to others. You can’t change anyone else.

Learn from everyone you meet. Cab drivers and CEOs both have fascinating stories and lessons to share.

Think of three things you know how to do well.

Heart – What are your passions? How are you pursuing them? What did you enjoy doing as a child? Family, friends, faith and my community have my heart. There will never be enough time or money to successfully address the many needs in our community. Prioritizing those areas that touch your heart will allow you to have the biggest impact. Think of three things you love.

Hands – What are you going to do to make a difference in the lives of others? How are you reaching out to others? Who can help you? Who can you help? You cannot do it all! I’ve realized that children’s issues, education and Houston are causes that I relate best to so I’ve committed time, money and energy for them. Think of three people in whose lives you’ve made a difference.

Health – An ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. Mental, physical and spiritual health is important to well-being. Make time for yourself every day. I, too, am and working wife, mother and community volunteer.. Light a candle. Pray or meditate on your way to work. Read a book on the exercise bike (multi-tasking at its best!) I like to make each moment count at least twice.

Set realistic objectives rather than impossible dreams. I will never be an opera singer, but it is realistic that I could join a chorus of Happy Birthday with others. Simple goals – I set mine to read 12 books the first year and was able to read 25.

Think of three things you’d like to change or do better.

Humor – Can you laugh at yourself? Do you laugh often? I have gotten laryngitis several times and my laugh is what my co-workers ay they miss most. Laugh at least three times per day!

History – What have you done? How do you wish to be remembered? I want most to be remembered as a loving person of impeccable character who gave it her best and made a difference. Think of three things you are proud of.

Home – Is your home your haven? Are you enjoying your possessions? I always have my cocktails in a Baccarat glass with a pressed linen napkin, whether or not we have guests. Think of three things you love most about your home.

What would you like to change? In 3 weeks, you can form a new habit.

I’ll leave you with these final three thoughts:
Appreciate the little things – the many colors of green in the foliage on the way to work

Adopt an Attitude of gratitude – appreciation for a job well done or simple acts of kindness.

Expect good things – and they will happen