Tag Archive for: focus

Back 2 Basics

Yesterday in our mission leadership council, we met together with one simple message, it was time to get “๐๐š๐œ๐ค ๐Ÿ ๐๐š๐ฌ๐ข๐œ๐ฌ”.
Sometimes it can appear to be a little overwhelming to serve as a missionary, especially as we look all at once, of all that is expected of us to do.
Perhaps it is the same in life for you too?
Is it time to give your attention to the simplest and most important matters, that you may well have ignored for a while?
As we counselled together yesterday, when we get back to the basics, we discovered within ourselves an enhanced capacity to cope with our busy, complex world.
And what are those basics?
Well, they are all found in Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon.
Why not speak with one of our missionaries today, they’ll be more than happy to share some of the basic principles that will bring you real joy in your life.

Finishers Wanted

Recently I was asked; “How do I improve my self-discipline?”

It requires time and effort on your part.

It also requires the development of daily habits by reminding yourself often why you need this ability and how it will help you achieve your goals in life.

Remember the little poem…

Finishers wanted.

Stick to your task, till it sticks to you;

Beginners are many, but enders few.

Honour, power, place and praise will come, in time, to the one who stays.

Stick to your task, till it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it, too;

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile

Will come life’s victories after a while. ย (Anonymous)

Focus and self-discipline are the foundations for producing truly amazing results and performance.

Plato said: โ€œThe first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.โ€

Consider these ideas…

  • Set clear goals.
  • Start small.
  • Learn how to say no.
  • Know where you will struggle and where you succeed.
  • Find a way to monitor your progress โ€“ create a to do list.
  • Encourage yourself to stick to your plan, a partner can help too!
  • Get rid of your distractions.
  • Forgive yourself when you fail โ€“ begin again!
  • Keep a journal.
  • Practice, repeat, practice, repeat.

The path may be tough, but the results are amazing.

The pain you feel today, will be the strength you feel tomorrow.

It starts with you – begin now!

Why do you think self-discipline is important to your progress and happiness?

Are you sleepwalking through life?

Are you sleepwalking through life?
I remember years ago, when one of our daughters came into the living room late one evening, it was clear that she was sleepwalking, and had little control over her actions. We guided her safely back to her bed and tucked her in. Although funny at the time, sleepwalking can have serious consequences.
Sleepwalking โ€“ โ€œthe act or state of walking, eating, or performing other motor acts while asleep, of which one is unaware upon awakening.โ€
Are you a little bit sleepy?
If you are truly unaware of who you are, or asleep to what you truly want, or have little purpose or direction in your daily routines, then respectively, may I suggest that you may be sleepwalking through your life.
– Are you fed up with the same daily routines, like being on autopilot?
– Or perhaps feeling constantly overwhelmed?
– You may have regular negative feelings about yourself?
– Your emotional state may have regular extreme swings from happy to sad.
– Do you have a lot of conflict or drama in your life?
In my life, I have found that oftentimes the best answers come when I start to slow down and wake myself up. A guide on the side, someone who can help you along your way, can really help.
Just like we helped our daughter safely back to bed, a coach can help you too.
Sleeping is a natural state, but eventually, awakening is a natural process. Sooner or later, anything that sleeps will awaken.
The Apostle Paul writing in the New Testament book of Ephesians 5:14 states; โ€œWherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.โ€
I believe that Christ has given me light in my life.
It is time to awaken from what is asleep in your own life?
It is easy to fall back asleep.
However, the real winners in life, are the ones who evaluate their situation, awake from their sleepwalking and deep slumber, make a decision, then act and are not acted upon.
What ways have you found to awaken yourself to what matters most in life?

Slow Down

This is my watch.
…For a while yesterday, time seemed to pass by a little slower.
…It felt a little unusual.
…By late morning, I discovered that the battery was running low.
…What I thought was 11.00, was nearly 11.45!
…We tried to find a new battery, without success.
…At first the slow passage of time was annoying.
…Now, looking at the second hand, time is going slower.
…I am enjoying the l-o-n-g-e-r passing of s-l-o-w-e-r time.
…What a joy.
…I just needed to slow down and enjoy every moment.
…My mobile will keep me on time today.
…Do you need to slow down too?

Don’t just do something, sit there!

“Don’t just do something, sit there!”- is a phrase I have stumbled across several times recently.

It’s extremely difficult NOT to do something these days. In the frenetic pace of life, whether it is a work task, an urgent assignment, homework, something needs fixing, the school run – taking time to “sit there” and think, rarely (if ever) tops the list of things to do.

We think far too seldomly. Conversely, we tell ourselves not to think, by saying “don’t just sit there, do something!” In several coaching sessions and workshops recently, this theme has been a topic of some healthy conversation. Ultimately, our discussion peaks at the realisation that we need to think, before we act. The lesson is that we need to put the thinking in before the doing.

In my own life, there have been many times that I have felt a bit harried, time poor and harassed. Then, some years ago, I decided and chose to change. I realised that I needed to simply “sit there” for a while every day and declutter my noisy mind. As an early riser, the first hour of every day is my precious contemplation time. Those 60 minutes of thought and study are a daily gift to myself.

A little time set aside daily to think about what really matters makes all the difference.

When will you “sit there?”

Daily habits

In my quest to refresh my Dutch language skills for an up and coming assignment in the Netherlands, I hit a significant milestone today on Duolingo…a ๐Ÿ’ฏ day streak!

What we do consistently can and does shape our lives.

What makes the difference in our lives is not the speed or rapidity with which we move, but the steady, deliberate progress we make. Developing the habit of consistency isn’t about obtaining quick results, rather it’s about making incremental progress and improvements over an extended period of time.

As I embark every day, to set aside a few minutes to focus on my specific Dutch language goals, it has really helped me to progress, move forward and build some momentum. I love the Duolingo app too, as it really helps me to monitor and measure my progress towards my goal.

Yard by yard, its hard, yet inch by inch, its a cinch!

Building strong consistent daily actions, creates consistent results. How can you be more #consistent?

Starting on my next ๐Ÿ’ฏ today! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Under pressure?

When under ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ž, I think I am a little strange, I seem to actually enjoy it! Is there something weird going on in my head?

Everyone has to deal with pressure, personally and professionally. Recently I have witnessed a surge in my workload. New clients bring their hopes, expectations and demands all at the same time! And yet, I actually love it! Maybe I am just downright weird?! Admittedly, as the years are passing by, I do get a little more tired and I am prone to nod off every now and again!

Over the years, I’ve learned a few lessons about dealing with pressure. I’d like to share my top tips.

– Have fun, be creative and take control.
– The imagined catastrophe in your head – never happens!
– Break tasks down and focus on one thing at a time.
– Slow down.
– Simplify, simplify, oh and yes – simplify!

Lastly, look after yourself. Spend time with family and friends, eat fresh healthy food (most of the time!), drink lots of water, sleep, take breaks, set aside time for exercise, go for walks and breathe the fresh air. Be spontaneous!

Like you, I am still learning, the key is to enjoy the journey and find happiness along the way.

Look out for the pressure rising again, just remember who you are and take control!