Shutdown Time

Hello all,

"Shutdown Time"

I send this coffee out twice a year, now and in the middle of December. We never stop working in this business but we need to make sure we take some time now and then to charge the batteries. The lazy days of summer and the winter holidays are a good time to do it. One of my shutdown modes is to take a little time off from my weekly email so this will be the last one for a bit. I am around if anyone needs me but I will be spending a little more time with family and a little less time in the office the next couple of weeks. Good for the soul and I suggest you do the same.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet."  

 

~ Isaac Bashevis Singer 

 

PREDICTION VS. PRODUCTION! 

 

If you’re familiar with many “motivational” speakers and writers, you’ve probably heard or read a hundred times that you must make a “declaration.” It seems that without uttering your deepest desires, they will not come to fruition. Want a better job? Then you must declare that it will be so. Want a fitter body? First you must affirm you will have one. 

 

But be aware of the definition of motivation, “the reason one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” Just stating that something will happen is not enough – you must “act” or “behave” in a very specific fashion to make that dream come true. 

 

Declarations comfort us, enthuse us, and even energize us, but only for a short period of time. After the initial emotional rush of acknowledging our desire to pursue something, our energy wanes, other issues become more pressing, and we lose sight of our goals. Unfortunately, when the outcome we visualized doesn’t happen, we feel disappointed and our self-esteem takes one on the chin. 

 

The vicious circle completes itself when we make our next declaration, recalling previous shortfalls, and losing our enthusiasm even more quickly. We say, “Ah, these affirmations don’t work. Just saying it doesn’t make it true.” EUREKA! 

 

Now you realize that success doesn’t come from motivational “tricks,” but from a profound effort to produce the desired outcome. Of course you must acknowledge (if only to yourself) what you want in this world, or you’ll just drift aimlessly. But be sure to follow through with a solid plan that anticipates plenty of detours. 

 

Want a better job? Declare it will be so, and then start taking courses in that field, find a mentor, polish your resume, and apply for the positions for which you have qualified yourself. Want a fitter body? First affirm that you will have one, and then sign up for a fitness club membership, actually go to the club regularly, stock your shelves with healthy food, and eat less of it. 

 

So, become a prophet of positivity! Go ahead, predict your future success! But make sure your prophecy is self-fulfilled!