Even if you don't follow sports, it would have been nearly impossible to avoid hearing about LeBron James, last week, and which NBA team he decided to go to. Was he going to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that represented the state he grew up in, a team that he's played for for the entire 7 years he's been in the NBA, or would he take advantage of free agency and go to another pro team where he would likely have a much better chance of winning a world championship title.
Well, LeBron decided to go to the Miami Heat, a team that already has a superstar and in the same week of James' decision, managed to recruit another amazing player.
The decision LeBron James made has created quite an uproar. A number of cities, especially Cleveland, are very upset with James. The owner of the Cavaliers went so far as to publicly call LeBron a cowardly traitor. Some other cities like New York made sacrifices, over the last few years, with the hopes that LeBron James would be a part of their roster for the upcoming season. And while this angst takes place in some cities and among many people, most of the city of Miami and their fans rejoice in what looks to be the makings for a dynasty.
No matter how you feel about LeBron's move to Miami, the bottom line is he made that choice based on what he feels is best for him and his family. I always talk about how vitally important loyalty is to me. It is a necessary quality in all of my closest friends. That said, James is a grown man. He is not a machine or owned property. If he weren't the phenomenal basketball player he is, all this fuss wouldn't be made over him. If he suffered a catastrophic injury, even if he stayed in Cleveland, they wouldn't want to keep him. LeBron is taking full advantage of a great opportunity.
That is the lesson in all of this. If you haven't already, you will come upon a major crossroads, and those roads will lead to two totally different destinations. When you choose a road, make sure it is the right road for you ... because you are the one that will have to live with that choice.
Nothing good ever comes easy and nothing great ever comes without a significant sacrifice. This applies to life-changing decisions that all of us must make, either now or later in our lives.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Get Rid of the Clutter
No matter how organized you think you are and no matter how much you get done each day, you will be much more organized and you will get things done much more efficiently if you get rid of any clutter that surrounds you.
Clutter is so easy to accumulate, but it can be so hard to get rid of. You can always find a reason to keep things that pile up, like old magazines, bills from previous months, shopping bags, old clothes, boxes, and so much more. Here's a basic rule you can work into a routine to keep things filed, clean, and neat. If you haven't used something in three months, you can probably throw it away without a worry. In the case of clothes, whenever you buy something new, give the same amount of clothing away to a worthy charity. They have receptacles all over the place, including some shopping centers.
Take a look around your work area, in your car, and around your room, house or apartment. Do you see a lot of crap strewn about? As an experiment, completely clear the items away from a specific are, say, your computer desk. Now, work or do something in that area. You should immediately feel the difference. You should feel the freedom of movement, which can also heighten your energy, creativity, and desire to get important tasks done. After at least two to three hours of keeping the experimental area clear, put the piled up items back where they were. Now, try to work or do whatever you were doing in the same way you were when it was clear. You're not able to are you? Of course not. You got used to functioning in the clean and clear area.
The biggest challenge you will face won't be getting rid of junk and clutter in an area. The biggest challenge will be not replacing it with new junk and clutter. However, if you make the decision to be clutter-free and stay clutter-free, your life will never be the same.
Clutter is so easy to accumulate, but it can be so hard to get rid of. You can always find a reason to keep things that pile up, like old magazines, bills from previous months, shopping bags, old clothes, boxes, and so much more. Here's a basic rule you can work into a routine to keep things filed, clean, and neat. If you haven't used something in three months, you can probably throw it away without a worry. In the case of clothes, whenever you buy something new, give the same amount of clothing away to a worthy charity. They have receptacles all over the place, including some shopping centers.
Take a look around your work area, in your car, and around your room, house or apartment. Do you see a lot of crap strewn about? As an experiment, completely clear the items away from a specific are, say, your computer desk. Now, work or do something in that area. You should immediately feel the difference. You should feel the freedom of movement, which can also heighten your energy, creativity, and desire to get important tasks done. After at least two to three hours of keeping the experimental area clear, put the piled up items back where they were. Now, try to work or do whatever you were doing in the same way you were when it was clear. You're not able to are you? Of course not. You got used to functioning in the clean and clear area.
The biggest challenge you will face won't be getting rid of junk and clutter in an area. The biggest challenge will be not replacing it with new junk and clutter. However, if you make the decision to be clutter-free and stay clutter-free, your life will never be the same.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
What a Summer!
I know I previously said I would do a much better job of keeping my blog updated and posting more frequently. I believe I also wrote a post called "No Excuses." I make no excuses, now, for not posting in almost a month, yet I do feel my readers will understand why no new articles have appeared in the last few weeks.
At the end of May, I reconnected with someone who meant the world to me and the last time I talked to her, heard from her, or saw her -- get ready for this -- was 30 years ago! Yes, three decades passed with no communication, no pictures, no messages or anything between us. I won't go into the details of how we reconnected or the circumstances that caused the communication to end, but I will tell you it has been the most mind blowing experience I have ever had. I'll also let you know that my friend is just as happy that she reconnected with me. God has thoroughly blessed me with this event.
Along with my fabulous and stunning news, I'm hearing about so many great things happening to my closest friends, this summer. Good news is always so much more enjoyable to hear when you have good news of your own to share.
I do hope all of you have some sensational news to share with those that mean the most to you.
At the end of May, I reconnected with someone who meant the world to me and the last time I talked to her, heard from her, or saw her -- get ready for this -- was 30 years ago! Yes, three decades passed with no communication, no pictures, no messages or anything between us. I won't go into the details of how we reconnected or the circumstances that caused the communication to end, but I will tell you it has been the most mind blowing experience I have ever had. I'll also let you know that my friend is just as happy that she reconnected with me. God has thoroughly blessed me with this event.
Along with my fabulous and stunning news, I'm hearing about so many great things happening to my closest friends, this summer. Good news is always so much more enjoyable to hear when you have good news of your own to share.
I do hope all of you have some sensational news to share with those that mean the most to you.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
ACCEPTING CHANGE
One of my closest friends recently sent an email to some of her closest friends about the difficulty she had dealing with a temporary change of work stations at her job. The change came suddenly and unexpectedly due to some IT issues. My friend was open and honest about how the necessity to uproot was very disruptive to her and nearly caused a panic attack, though everything worked out well.
I replied to the email and later on my dear friend and I talked about how change can impact our lives in a phone conversation. We shared some thoughts and she gave me a very high compliment when she told me how she admired how I handled big changes in my life. She brought up how, during one span of five years or so, I had several different jobs while she still worked at the same place. I appreciated the compliment and let her know that those changes in job or career didn't always come about by choice. I was never asked to leave any of those jobs I had, but something was going on that told me I needed to move on, and I did.
The key to handle major changes in your life, be they professional, financial, or social, is to accept the fact that the change happened. After that, it is a simple matter of figuring out the best way to move on and move forward. All change isn't good, yet all change brings with it some type of opportunity to make yourself better.
I replied to the email and later on my dear friend and I talked about how change can impact our lives in a phone conversation. We shared some thoughts and she gave me a very high compliment when she told me how she admired how I handled big changes in my life. She brought up how, during one span of five years or so, I had several different jobs while she still worked at the same place. I appreciated the compliment and let her know that those changes in job or career didn't always come about by choice. I was never asked to leave any of those jobs I had, but something was going on that told me I needed to move on, and I did.
The key to handle major changes in your life, be they professional, financial, or social, is to accept the fact that the change happened. After that, it is a simple matter of figuring out the best way to move on and move forward. All change isn't good, yet all change brings with it some type of opportunity to make yourself better.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
KEEP AN EYE ON THE CLOCK
I enjoy playing video games. I play them for fun, to relax, as well as to get my strategic and productive juices flowing. My favorite games to play are the sports games, primarily football and basketball because though the rule of the game stay the same, you control the dynamics of the team, including who is on your team and how your team meets challenges they face.
While playing these video games, there are times when I allow my mind to drift and I only pay attention to the plays on the field or on the court. By doing this, I may end up missing out on a great opportunity to score because I run out of time. I'm not talking about time running out for the game, I'm talking about time running out in a quarter or in a half. When this happens, I only find out after the fact and there's no going back.
If I stay focused on the game and also constantly keep myself aware of the time I have left on the clock, I can adjust my strategy properly to make the best use of the time available to me.
Apply this lesson to real-life issues. Whether working from home or in an office, whether playing on a team or playing a video game, we all have clock we have to keep track of because we all have deadlines and due dates for important matters in our lives. Keeping an eye on the clock will help you be a more aware and more responsible person.
While playing these video games, there are times when I allow my mind to drift and I only pay attention to the plays on the field or on the court. By doing this, I may end up missing out on a great opportunity to score because I run out of time. I'm not talking about time running out for the game, I'm talking about time running out in a quarter or in a half. When this happens, I only find out after the fact and there's no going back.
If I stay focused on the game and also constantly keep myself aware of the time I have left on the clock, I can adjust my strategy properly to make the best use of the time available to me.
Apply this lesson to real-life issues. Whether working from home or in an office, whether playing on a team or playing a video game, we all have clock we have to keep track of because we all have deadlines and due dates for important matters in our lives. Keeping an eye on the clock will help you be a more aware and more responsible person.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
DON'T GET MAD, GET GLAD!
As a kid, I can remember commercials for Glad plastic bags. "The Man from Glad" character was super-cool. I also remember a catchy slogan from some other Glad commercials that said, "Don't get mad, get Glad." The story behind the slogan was that instead of getting upset that your cheap plastic bags didn't hold your food properly, you could use Glad plastic bags, and your items would stay securely in place.
This lesson hit me hard, this week, as I canceled two services I subscribed to. With one, I had been a loyal customer for over two years. The reason I canceled the subscriptions is because I didn't think I was getting what I felt was my money's worth from them. I also discovered that I could subscribe to another service, where I wouldn't get the exact same thing, but I would get a much better value for a much smaller monthly charge.
At first, I was really upset with myself, thinking of all the money I wasted on the other services and how I could have used that money for other things, or better yet, how I could have just saved that money. But then it came to me that I got what I perceived to be a great value from those services for the time I had them. I used both services to help me with my personal development and I received great customer service while I had them. Now, I have a new subscription to something that serves my immediate and future needs much better for a much lower price.
The most important lesson learned: Instead of continuously kicking yourself for a mistake you made or lapse in judgment you had, praise yourself for taking control, ridding yourself of what's not working for you, and putting yourself in a more promising situation so that you don't make those same mistakes, again.
This lesson hit me hard, this week, as I canceled two services I subscribed to. With one, I had been a loyal customer for over two years. The reason I canceled the subscriptions is because I didn't think I was getting what I felt was my money's worth from them. I also discovered that I could subscribe to another service, where I wouldn't get the exact same thing, but I would get a much better value for a much smaller monthly charge.
At first, I was really upset with myself, thinking of all the money I wasted on the other services and how I could have used that money for other things, or better yet, how I could have just saved that money. But then it came to me that I got what I perceived to be a great value from those services for the time I had them. I used both services to help me with my personal development and I received great customer service while I had them. Now, I have a new subscription to something that serves my immediate and future needs much better for a much lower price.
The most important lesson learned: Instead of continuously kicking yourself for a mistake you made or lapse in judgment you had, praise yourself for taking control, ridding yourself of what's not working for you, and putting yourself in a more promising situation so that you don't make those same mistakes, again.
Monday, May 10, 2010
THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE
I'm sure you've heard the expression, "You get what you pay for," many, many times. Well, it is true.
If you reverse that thought, it is also very true. You pay for what you get. Even if you don't do something that would bring about a desired result, say you don't study properly for an exam; you are paying a price for that. The price could be earning a high grade. The price could be just passing the test. But those are the types of "fees" you will by charged by electing to do something else with your time and not doing what you know you needed to do.
I was very proud of myself for getting all of my online students' mid-term grades posted 12 hours before the deadline professors were given. What is most important to remember with that accomplishment is that in order to do that, I had to sacrifice and miss out on doing some other things and while I was grading, commenting and posting, I couldn't allow myself to get distracted.
It's not enough to know what you want. You have to also decide what you're willing to do, as well as give up, to accomplish it.
If you reverse that thought, it is also very true. You pay for what you get. Even if you don't do something that would bring about a desired result, say you don't study properly for an exam; you are paying a price for that. The price could be earning a high grade. The price could be just passing the test. But those are the types of "fees" you will by charged by electing to do something else with your time and not doing what you know you needed to do.
I was very proud of myself for getting all of my online students' mid-term grades posted 12 hours before the deadline professors were given. What is most important to remember with that accomplishment is that in order to do that, I had to sacrifice and miss out on doing some other things and while I was grading, commenting and posting, I couldn't allow myself to get distracted.
It's not enough to know what you want. You have to also decide what you're willing to do, as well as give up, to accomplish it.
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