Beyond 254

Refreshed and Energized

For the first time in a long time, I feel refreshed and energized. Even though these last few months have been busy, since I obtained my new job, I still feel really good. I guess when you are working in a pleasant and professional environment, you feel more alive. When I was in my previous job, the environment was so toxic that I felt drained some days. I thank God everyday that he opened the door for me to move out of that negative environment. The difference between the two companies is like night and day. After 90 days, I have no complaints. At my previous company, I remember people quitting after one week! I suffered through three years, but that past hardship makes me appreciate what I have now. This has truly been a blessing.

Tip of the Day: While you are making that transition to live out your passion, seek out a pleasant, work environment that will make you happy. Not only will you feel better, but your mind will now be clear to create new ideas that will move you toward your vision.

First 60 Days

I just completed the first two months of my new job. So far, my first impression is positive. The environment seems friendly and professional. At my previous company, I noticed all types of petty, unprofessional and abrasive behavior, which created a hostile environment. That is why, when searching for a better opportunity, focus on the environment, in addition to the other factors like salary and benefits.

I believe my positive outlook caused my situation to make a major shift. Every night, before falling asleep, I would pray and say my affirmation statements. I also wrote down the things I am grateful for in my journal. Little by little, things slowly started to improve. When my attitude shifted, I noticed external changes started to take shape. First, my social life started to improve and then this new opportunity arrived. I feel that my positive attitude shift created the force needed to cause the things I wanted to manifest. As the Bible states, "With faith, all things are possible if you believe." So when you stay positive and thank God for blessing you (showing gratitude), it will create the environment needed to manifest great things in your life.

Tip of the Day: Stay focused, stay prayerful and believe!

Still Going Strong

We are now into the third month of 2010 and I have noticed good changes already taking place. As I mentioned in my January posts, I decided to add "fun activities" to my list of resolutions and goals for this year. I have noticed that adding "fun activities" to my schedule has made a difference in my attitude and outlook. My goal was to try to add one fun activity per month, well that grew to at least one activity per week! I sometimes have more than one fun activity planned per week! It is great to get out more and meet new people. Now that I "have a life", I noticed that I feel more upbeat and energized. It seems that energy is attracting the right type of people into my life and more abundance in other areas of my life. I read a quote from Wayne Dyer that states, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. The way you perceive things is an extremely powerful tool that will allow you to fully bring the power of intention into your life." I alluded to that when I talked about Focusing on One Good Thing. So remember to add more fun in your life and it will help change your perspective on your situation. By changing your perspective you will be able to attract ideas, think more clearly and figure out ways to transform your situation and bring your dreams into reality.

 

The Dangers of Fun Times

I like this time of year at work. Co-workers tend to be in a better mood and people are out of the office due to vacation. Also, due to the holidays and time off, the amount of work decreases and the stress level lowers. Even though I enjoy this lull, this is not the time to slack off from achieving your goals. During this time, people who dream of leaving Corporate America might start to falsely believe that the corporate environment is not so bad and put their dreams on hold. This is not the time to become complacent and believe that these "fun times" will last.

During this time of less work and stress, you should load up on the duties and responsibilities for achieving your goals. As for me, I will be taking off an entire week. While I will be spending time with family, I will have plenty of extra time to work on growing my business.

Tip of the Day: Take this time to create a schedule or task list geared toward achieving your goals and dreams. Once the holidays are over, you will feel good about what you have accomplished and you will be closer to achieving your goals.

What are YOU Doing?

I was sick this past week and did not accomplish a whole lot. I felt somewhat better Thanksgiving, but I still have a few, small lingering effects remaining. Due to my illness, I have not been able to do a whole lot and I have been somewhat hard on myself for not getting much done this week. But, I did find an interesting post on another blog. The blog was called Living Your Life On Purpose and the title of the post was Do Something! This was a well written post and it helped remind me to stay on track and keep doing something each day. As I return to work today after my short vacation, I reflect on the fact that I have been "doing things" this year to help achieve my goal of self employment. I think the fact that I am doing something is what keeps me sane. I talk to some of my co-workers who feel helpless in their current job situation, but I tell them that I do not have these feelings, because I am doing something to change my situation. Even if your goal is to obtain a better job and not pursue self employment, you can start by updating your resume. Just start making that small step. How can you finish that journey if you do not start moving?  

Tip of the Day: Do at least one thing each day, no matter how small and after a while you will notice how far you have really come.

Working on Autopilot

The other day, one of my co-workers asked my opinion about the direction a project we were working on was headed. I told him, that I really do not have an opinion and I just wanted the directors to make a decision and stick with it. He kept pressing me for an opinion. I told him I do not have an opinion one way or another. To be honest, I really did not care. Ever since I have decided that Corporate America is not my path, I have been working on autopilot. I do what is needed to do my job effectively, but I am not trying to become a superstar at this company. When I first started working in Corporate America, I wanted to become a star, but the realities of the corporate world started to set in and I realized that this path was not for me. I recently read an article "Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work" and it really summed up what I am feeling as a Gen Xer. I think a lot of Gen Xers are also working on autopilot during this recession until they can get out and do something better. Our generation wants more meaning and purpose and to do work that we are passionate about, unlike the baby boomer generation. As I have been saying all along, finding your purpose is key to discovering your true talents and passions. 

Comfort Is The Enemy

A while back I heard Farrah Gray author of "Reallionaire" state that "Comfort is the enemy of achievement." As I pondered that statement, I said to myself that is so true and reflected on my first job out of college.

I worked for a Fortune 500 company out of college as an IT Consultant. The company treated us well, we received bonuses and the salaries were great. We also went on yearly company retreats at lakeside resorts. I thought to myself, I never want to leave this company and I settled in and got COMFORTABLE. Since everything was going so well, I thought to myself why give up a good thing. But sometimes when God has better plans for you, a trial or test will come your way that will jolt you out of that comfort zone. My trial came in the form of a layoff. Sometimes experiences can push or force you into your true destiny. Being pushed out of a company that I enjoyed was devastating, but now that I look back, if I stayed, I never would have realized my passion to start my own company. Being an entrepreneur never entered my mind when I first started out in the workforce. The company I worked for had great pay and benefits, so why would I leave. I am now thankful for that experience, because if I was not laid off, I would not have realized my dreams and passions.

Tip of the Day: Do not curse your trials. Thank God for your setbacks and learn from them, because it could be his way of moving you to your destiny.

Back in Business!

My computer is finally back up and running smoothly, but I am still waiting to hear about my missing files. Before my hard drive crashed, I was getting ready to start setting up my online store. Due to this crash, I have lost a lot of valuable time. I have lost an entire month of set up time, now I am one month behind. Even though I suffered a major setback, I am still pushing forward toward my goals and dreams. Trials are a test of your true commitment to your dreams. If you decide to give up during your first setback, then you will never succeed. These "tests" are learning tools. The big thing that I have learned is the importance of frequent backups. I plan on purchasing a portable hard drive this week and will create a schedule for backing up my files. This experience also showed me how important this dream is to me. I am excited about my plans. I am not sure what happened to my files, but I still have my vision implanted in my mind and heart and that cannot be erased.

Tip of the day: Do not let setbacks derail your dreams. Turn your trials into learning experiences. The lessons you learn will make you a much stronger and wiser person. 

It will NOT be different

I was talking to a fellow co-worker the other day and she expressed her desire to leave and find a job at another company. She was asking about my contacts at my previous company and asked me why I left. I told her that the environment at the previous company I worked for was extremely political. She asked me, "more political than here?" I told her it was political, but in a different way. Then she said, I guess no matter where you go you will run into office politics. I told her, yes, every company I have worked for has some level of politics. You will not be able to escape it. It will not be different. Just to get one item approved at my current company, I need to get buy-in from at least five different people. People need to realize that politics will be prevalent at large corporations. No one will escape corporate politics by changing companies. So it does not matter where you work, it will never be different.  

Tip of the Day: People need to realize their own dreams and passions and pursue them instead of looking for greener pastures at other companies in Corporate America.

The Celebration of an Amazing Life

Last Thursday, we lost an amazing icon in the history of entertainment. Michael Jackson's death was a total shock to everyone around the world. Over the past few days, I have been listening to the tributes on radio stations and TV shows that celebrated the life and music of this highly gifted and talented man. This reminded me of the sudden death last year of Tim Russert and I wrote about "Where Will Your Gifts Take You." Like Tim Russert, Michael Jackson was living out his passions. He had an amazing gift for creating music unlike any other. Also, he was an extraordinary dancer and invented dance moves that shocked and amazed everyone. Since Michael Jackson was doing what he was born to do, the creativity flowed easily and freely. No song was too hard to compose and no dance was too hard to invent. When you are "where you are supposed to be," ideas, creativity and visions come easily and naturally. Being creative is not a struggle when you are living out your passions. Michael Jackson's gifts brought him before heads of state and royalty. He was known not just in the U.S., but around the world. Also, he influenced so many artists and entertainers today. You can see his influences in everyone from Justin Timberlake to Usher. In the end, Michael Jackson just wanted to make everyone happy whether it was through his music or his humanitarian efforts.

I hope the media will pay homage to the tremendous contributions that he brought to the entertainment industry, instead of focusing on the negative aspects. Michael Jackson will be truly missed by family, friends and fans around the world. But his music and legacy will live on forever.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

Tip of the day: I have many favorite Michael Jackson songs, but one of my all time favorites is "Off the Wall." The main chorus in the song offers great advice to anyone out there that dreads their job and not living out their passions. So, I will leave you with this one line that needs no explaining you just need to listen and take heed:

"So tonight gotta leave that 9 to 5 upon the shelf and just enjoy yourself"

Well Said!

Link: Michael Jackson - Off the Wall