Healthy Break(fast) for the Mind

I'm sure you've heard someone tell you about the importance of starting your day with a good breakfast.  It's vital to giving your body the kick start that it needs.  Well, I'd like to suggest that your mind requires a daily kick start as well.

Too often little things occur in our mornings that set the tone for the day and they all seem to happen TO us...

• Kids refuse to get dressed - bad day
• Significant other leaves you a loving note - good day
• You spill coffee on your shirt 5 minutes before you have to leave - bad day
• You hit every green light on the way to work - good day

Letting the world happen to us can be a depressing thing.   Take control of the day when it starts with a little mental breakfast.  Set aside time to immerse yourself in the motivational.  Whether this is a book with your first cup of coffee or a podcast on your ride to work (my personal preference).  The time you set aside will awaken your mind and prepare you for the day ahead.

I'd suggest starting with one of the following podcasts (I despise wasted driving time):

Entreleadership

TED Radio Hour

Believe me, it will be worth it.

mmmmmm...coffee

Coffee is a morning hug from a loving friend or a great massage after a long, hard day.  That aside, I've been doing everything I can to cut down.  Now I'm thinking I should wait for the research.  :)

Coffee Linked to Lower Risk of Death

Slaying Dragons

My husband said something the other day that was pretty insightful...

"It's amazing the dragons you can slay with the right person whispering in your ear."

I've been consumed with this thought and the conclusion that I've come to is that true leaders do the whispering.

Business Advice from a Toddler - Lesson #3

Turn fear into enthusiasm.

Imagine a parent sneaking up on their child from a distance (goal: to administer a round of tickles) .  About halfway to their goal they announce their intent with a wide-eyed yowl and a rapid gate.  Many children scream, cover their body, fall back and brace themselves, or maybe run away...oh, but not my son.  In a matter of milliseconds he stands straight up, opens his arms, widens his eyes, screams at the top of his lungs (in the toddler intimidation sort of way), and runs full speed ahead TOWARD his attacker.  What does the parent do? First, protect any "goods" now vulnerable to toddler onslaught.  Second, brace themselves for the fast furry of a 35 lb toddler.  Third, scoop the child up.

What happened in the scenario above?  My son TOOK power.  Without knowing any different he saw change coming and met it head on with excitement and as a result the game was transformed.

Fear and excitement are first cousins.  Think about it, are there fearful things that you find thrilling?  Roller coasters, scary films, fast driving, attempting to find lemonheads in Kirtland at night (that one is for all my NE Ohio peeps)...all of these things invoke intense fear and/or excitement.  What is the difference between these two feelings?  With excitement we make a choice to acknowledge the fear and then embrace it.

We all have the power to choose.

The Importance of Scent

There are many studies about our sense of smell and how a scent is linked with memory.  I'm not going to be scientific.  What I want to share is that I've underestimated how important scent can be in our lives.  (This is why we are hearing more and more about "scented" grocery markets.)

Recently a perfume I've been wearing for at least 10 years was discontinued.  I'm on my last bottle and realized that this is a very emotional change for my family.  This is the scent that prompted my young niece to describe me as someone who "smells good"...the scent I left on my pillow for my husband when I left for work early....the scent that my son identifies as "mommy." 

I don't know how often people notice the scents that move in and out of their lives, but I know that I wish they were as simple to retain as pictures.  Could you imagine saying to your grandchildren, "This is the way my grandmother smelled."  (and I'm not thinking mothballs and denture cream)

How Smart Are You Today?

Every day you make decisions.  These decisions impact your life into the future.  They are made based on how smart you are TODAY.  You may look back and feel foolish about a choice you've made, but you will be looking back with more intelligence.

When making a decision accept that you are as smart as you will be at that moment.  Understand that you will be smarter later and you may change your mind or change course (and that's okay) but DO NOT remain stagnant because you feel you need to be smarter.  Guess what....you'll never be as smart as you want to be.

Trash vs. Treasure

We're all familiar with the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure."  It is easy for any of us to apply this to objects, but apply it to people and things get a little uncomfortable. Okay, so the words are harsh but the idea is correct.

A person may seem difficult to you, but to another they are a genius. You may work for someone that does not understand your value, but change jobs and suddenly you bring nothing but value.

These examples are situational.  Often your success is directly correlated with the people that surround you.  Finding something you love to do is not enough.  Doing the thing you love with people that compliment your talents and see your value is the holy grail.

Be responsible for your destiny (in other words, pointing fingers doesn't get you anywhere) but if things just aren't feeling "right" there could be more to the situation than what you bring to the table.