A Good Advice Is Only As Good if....

A Good Advice Is Only As Good if....

How often do you receive advice?  I doubt it if you do receive it everyday.  But regardless, a GOOD ADVICE is only as GOOD if...... you accept it.  But then, it seems UNSOLICITED ADVICE seems quite common these days.  Whether they are financial tips from your in-laws or business suggestions from a random entrepreneur, everyone has an opinion for you to consider

Social media and online forums seem to feel the notion that it's good to share your advice regardless if whether someone is looking for suggestions [or NOT].  And while there are times when UNSOLICITED ADVICE can be helpful, quite often, it's irrelevant or impractical.  So, you DON'T just accept an advice hook, line and sinker.  

So, it's important to distinguish whose advice is actually worthwhile and whose advice you should TIME OUT.  Otherwise, you could waste a lot of time and energy considering advice that just isn't helpful at all.  So, why DON'T we narrow down the list of people we can reach out for advice.  Frist off, those people WHO [genuinely] care for you.  And people who truly care for you, whether it's your mother or your BFF, will give you heartfelt words of wisdom.  If they disagree with what you're doing, those who care the most will be willing to tell you.  Their motivation to help you will make them happy once you succeed.  Quite often, they will be able to see your work from a different angle and their suggestions may be instrumental in helping you to move forward.

Of course, there may be times when you have to SET LIMITS with an over-zealous well-meaning person who may insist on bombarding you with advice.  Too much unsolicited advice, even when it's well-meaning, can get in the way of your goals.  Again, never miss out that A Good Advice Is Only As Good if.... if you will heed it in GOOD FAITH.

And those people with expertise, they are another good source of advice.  It's easy for spectators to criticize your work but their opinions shouldn't hold much value if they aren't in the ring with you.  Look for a successful person with proven expertise.  On the flip side of things, you can waste a lot of time worrying about a harsh critic or getting defensive but do TUNE THEM OUT unless it is a GOOD ADVICE as that's all that matters❗❗❗

When You Are in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'

When You Are in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'

When was the last you were in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Probably you won't know.  And it's probable you won't know because you were NOT even aware that you were already in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'.  What this means are those times when you make or project yourself to be 'TOUGHER THAN TOUGH'.  You might have heard the U.S. Air Force planes in a 'SCRAMBLE MODE' in the South China Sea.

So, when exactly do we get inclined to go in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Some common scenarios when we tend to go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE' are instances when we are in panic more or panic attack.  Those moments when we feel we are in a 'state of siege', when we tend to feel helpless, when we think we are left with no cards to play.  Often, more as part of huiman nature, to go to 'SCRAMBLE MODE' seems part of our defense mechanism.

When we feel we have 'lost face' for whatever reason, valid or not, we would then go in 'SCRAMBLE MODE' to burnish our facade and project a 'show of force'.  But the question, is going in 'SCRAMBLE MODE' does make sense?  Yes it is if it will give you that legitimate impression.  So the bigger question is, when should we NOT go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?

Now, i'd share the instances when we, you should NOT go 'SCRAMBLE MODE' at all.  Firstly, if you re culpable and guilty of something.  Why should you go 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Secondly,  if you offended someone, especially your partner/spouse or even your bosses at work.  Thirdly, If you still need to rectify a mistake you've done.  Got to remember that a mistake done CAN'T be undone.  But you can make amends by admitting that it's your fault and most importantly, you are GENUINELY remorseful for what you have wrongly done.  But by being remorseful, it does NOT make sense for you to really go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE' at all📌📌📌

So, if at all, how can we avert and avoid being in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  First off, DON'T PANIC.  If you do, sometimes, the human reaction is more influenced by emotions rather than what is logically wrong because otherwise, you may end up by doubling things wrongly rather than 'righting the wrong'.  Bottom line, to go 'SCRAMBLE MODE' is only the very last card you can play❗❗❗

NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION

NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION

Who says that when there is MOTION, we're fine? No sirrrrrs, NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION because that MAY or MAY NOT mean anything in life.  During my early school days when there was more idle time than 'BUSY TIME', myself and my classmates would explore things by just walking and walking.  And I remember we walked stretching to six miles [that's approximately ten kilometers] out of our city going as remote as possible.  After feeling [finally] drained and exhausted but after all the time had lapsed, we failed to realize NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION.

Now, let's go back to the very basics of semantics. Let's start with MOTION.  It can be anything which causes a change in the situation, whether it's the deck of chairs on the TITANIC or the hierarchy in a political party.  Now for DIRECTION or ACTION.  It's what the movie director calls for to get a scene started when filming a movie.  It is a MOTION but with a purpose.  So what does  NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION really mean?  It's for us NOT to really get mixed up between MOTION and DIRECTION.

Why is DIRECTION that important?  We can move things around in our life BUT without DIRECTION, does anything useful actually take place?  Definitely NOT from a single motion.  To see actual change, there has to be meaning and purpose to the MOTION or MOVEMENT.  Only then does that MOTION or MOVEMENT may very likely lead to a DIRECTION.  Think about that TITANIC scenario where they are rearranging the deck chairs when in fact the boat was already sinking⌛⌛⌛

Having a DIRECTION means doing something which makes sense versus just going through the MOTION.  By just choosing MOTION, we are wasting time.  By finding direction in our MOTION, we are investing our time in the desired outcome of our action or MOTION.  In fact, MOTION is the term used for doing things which DON'T achieve results.  NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION📌📌📌

Why DON'T we take a moment and think back through the last few days or even weeks.  How much time was spent on busy-work or simply being in MOTION?  How much of that time could you cut out?  What activities tend to eat up the most time?  Consider what you might change to free up some MOTION time for taking action that has a DIRECTION.  Please DON'T get me wrong.  It happens only few of us can be in that constant direction but it pays to be constantly aware NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION📗📙📘

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?  No folks, it ain't matter, right?  Whether rain eventually falls or not, every single tiny speck in our plan has to proceed based on our plan.  Not even the gloomy clouds can stop or delay you from taking your NEXT STEP.  But you might ask, is this concern?  Yes it is, till now, because we have witnessed lots of things held up even by the CLOUDS

In fact, LIFE MUST GO ON.  The SHOW MUST GO ON.  Unfortunately, we are often vulnerable to get impacted by external factors that are akin to force majeure, to 'ACTS of GOD'.  So, where does that lead you to?  Why do you need to put things ON HOLD?  In the first place, we are NOT an aircraft awaiting GO SIGNAL from the control tower.

Care to await the next day's weather forecast?  Tell that to the marines.  Why do we wait for something that's way beyond our purview?  Why put your life in a 'holding pattern' like that aircraft awaiting the control tower's GO SIGNAL to [finally] land?  It just makes NO SENSE, period. Why stall things in your life when rightfully, you got to move on and just DO YOUR THING?  Will you still put your eggs in one basket? Will The Clouds Yield RAIN SHOWER?

This poster says it all.  ARE YOUR PLANS IN PLACE?  Then, if so, DON'T LEAVE THINGS TO CHANCE. why?  Leaving things to chance is abandoning things you rightfully have the legitimate right to make decisions.  If your work performance is in the doldrums, will you tell yourself 'WAIT TILL YOUR BOSS LEAVES the company'?  If your relationship is hitting rough patches, why won't you lift a finger and instead wait for things on the other side to turn up positive?

Yesirrrrs  MAKE THINGS HAPPEN no less.  And NOT for things NOT TO HAPPEN.  In fact, the harshest thing in life is for you NOT to FAIL because you didn't even step forward and pick up the gauntlet Bluntly, not lifting your finger is WORST THAN FAILURE.  At the very least, if ever you fail on something, it's because you did give it a try [and failed] whereas NOT LIFTING A FINGER?  Where does that bring you?  To the long list of defaulters who might be even afraid of their own shadows📗📘📙

There Are NO 'Free Lunches'

There Are NO 'Free Lunches'

Want a FREE LUNCH?  I'm really so sorry folks.  There Are NO 'Free Lunches'. not even if your BFF invites you for FREE LUNCH, not even when your boss treats you for FREE LUNCH, not even if your credit card rewards you with FREE LUNCH? Not even if you receive vouchers left and right for FREE LUNCH.  Why?  Because that so called FREE LUNCH was is not being given to you on a silver platter🔔🔔🔔

Back in school when you were receiving high academic  grades, those were not FREE LUNCHES.  You worked for it.  You earned it. You got it because you deserved it.  Even when you got those INVITES from your boss.  Likely it is because of your VERY good work [not just average work] that led you to that FREE LUNCH.

So, what exactly should we do when we receive that FREE LUNCH?  Obviously, graciously accept it but more than that, 'SAVOR THOSE MOMENTS' because those are your 'shining moments.  It says that all your hard work did pay.  And you are now about to reap all the fruits of your labor.  Even in your relationship with your partner/spouse, once you receive that FREE LUNCH, it means your relationship is going strong and robust and your partner/spouse is appreciating all your efforts to date via that FREE LUNCH📌📌📌

This picture says it all.  It means you have to really partake and enjoy that FREE LUNCH.  Obviously, your office desk and laptop is grinning ear-to-ear with that WELCOME BACK greetings but do enjoy that FREE LUNCH while you have it.  Appreciate every moment because you get what you worked for. There Are NO 'Free Lunches'💹💹💹

Now, this poster screams for FREE HUGS.  And that's true, in a strong relationship, those FREE HUGS are indeed FREE HUGS. But hey, here it is.  You are being offered those FREE HUGS by your immediate family, your loved ones, your BFF, all because everything in your relationships with them are all going nice and dandy.  No hiccups.  No snags.  No gaps.  No disconnects.  So, you REAP WHAT YOU SOW.  Otherwise, never miss out the fact that There Are NO 'Free Lunches'❗❗❗

What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS

What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS

Let's go by the "VEGAS RULES" which says: What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS.  BUT you might ask, what does this got to do with our personal life?  A lot folks, this is so relevant in our daily lives.  Remember that not everything in life is for 'public consumption'.  Your personal plans alongside your partner/spouse is between the two of you.  Your arguments and family squabbles, all those must remain within the four walls of your home.  Your business plans, that's for you to execute till your business initiative flourishes

Many things in life need to be kept within wraps until it's time to 'spill the beans'.  I have witnessed zillion incidents which were caused by simply an innocent breach with no ill intentions up front.  I've witnessed conflicts that aggravated and exacerbated because things went beyond bounds.  Have you heard of a couple's argument where later on, the in-laws and other family members got embroiled too?  Sadly, a lot of these have happened.

 Let me share something personal.  When I planned to leave the countryside and explore life in the metropolis, NO ONE as in NO ONE was aware except my aunt [who eventually supported me financially until I finally got employed].  Why did i keep things UNDER WRAPS.  My reasons were PERSONAL and it's as follows:

• I was UNSURE of things [if my plans FAIL].
• Premature sharing won't help in my plans at all.
• I might hear more naysayers than supportive ones.
• I want to SURPRISE everyone [if my plan succeeds]

When topics swing to our health, the more things become tricky.  Obviously, if we're in the pink of health, you can scream and shout it across your community.  But WHAT IF something is ailing you or you're manifesting symptoms that may lead to a specific illness, you DON'T want everyone.  At that point, in fact, the only person privy about those facts, besides your family, will be your doctor.  So, What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS

In fact, if we are preaching What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS, we're referring to the PRIVACY-SECURITY-CONFIDENTIALITY triage.  And these three legs are sometimes separated by very thin invincible lines.  So, while we keep preaching TRANSPARENCY as one of the best attributes in life, lets not miss PRIVACY-SECURITY-CONFIDENTIALITY because after all, What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS📌📌📌

Are You 'ONE SHOT AWAY'

Are You 'ONE SHOT AWAY'

How often in our life did we exclaim that we Are JUST 'ONE SHOT AWAY'?  I'd guess a couple of times, you were in that precipice to achieve your goal but in the end, things still went awry.  Did we look back and ask WHY?  Did we do a post-mortem to find out what caused our shortfall?  Or did we just give things a shrug because you just would NOT care less?

Well, chances are, dozens of goals cross your mind each day.  There are things you want to accomplish today, next week, and even next year on your MENTAL TO-DO LIST.  By turning that TO-DO LIST into actionable goals, you can get more done and feel a greater sense of accomplishment.  But it's all about understanding goals.  Achieving goals is NOT as simple as thinking on something you want to do and voila, you would be then completing the task.  No Senor📌📌📌

If it was, many people would end up to be VERY ACCOMPLISHED.  Instead, we think of things we want to complete, take a few steps towards the goal and then....get DISTRACTED [or worse, discouraged]. Smaller short-term goals are easier to reach than long-term goals that require more of a commitment and a very focused and consistent approach.  Its natural to want to see the results right away and when you DON'T, you may stop putting effort again.

It likely stays on your mind though, and you put it off or make less effort than you could toward meeting it.  For example, if you want to run a 10k Race, you have to commit to weeks of practice.  You have to build up your endurance, starting slowly by alternating intervals of running and walking until you reach your goal.  It's easy to feel motivated the first week, and even the second week.  But as the days pass, you may find yourself putting off practice until the next day, every day thereafter💊💊💊

 You then start to lose progress you made and feel more discouraged, so you let go of your goal, maybe even pushing something different.  Over time, you may have many half-finished ideas and projects that you never quite complete.  By setting more meaningful goals, you can accomplish more goals.  One thing for sure, if were 'ONE SHOT AWAY', give it a shot AGAIN❗❗❗

 

Have You Stepped Up to the BATTER's BOX?

Have You Stepped Up to the BATTER's BOX?

We DON'T need to play baseball to really understand how the BATTER's BOX is the most coveted spot in the baseball field.  WHY?  It's because that is the sweetest spot in the baseball field where you can hit the ball to trigger a homerun.  That's how and why everyone in the baseball team will move mountains to step up to the BATTER's BOX.  You can be the most outstanding athlete in the baseball field but if you are along the fringes, WHAT HAVE YOU GOT? 

In life, let us not miss out coveting to step up to that BATTER'S BOX. It just does NOT give you the vantage point to see the whole field but that's the sweetest position where you can score for you, for your team.  In life, we should always covet for the BATTER's BOX.  It is NOT sufficient that you are in the game.  It's NOT enough that you are part of the play.

Much as there is a 'PERFECT STANCE' in baseball, we can draw parallelism in life where it behooves that we endeavor to find the 'PERFECT STANCE' because that is the #1 pre-requisite for you to do things right the first time.  If you miss out right on that 'PERFECT STANCE'.  you may likely on the way out and end up with a flop because you can't get any farther. 

To quote Pete Rose, the famous American former baseball player famous for being the MLB all-time hitter said"  EVERY TIME I STEP UP TO THE PLATE, I EXPECT TO GET A HIT  IF I DON'T EXPECT TO GET A HIT, I HAVE NO RIGHT TO STEP INTO THE BATTER'S BOX IN THE FIRST PLACE. 

If at all, your hands will be literally full, facing all the challenges when you are on that uphill climb and moreso when you are on a skid.  As much as we admire the famous baseball players, we got to replicate that acumen of the baseball players because that will determine the trajectory you will have in life.  As long as You Stepped Up to the BATTER's BOX, at the very least, you will have one foot in, towards achieving your goal📗📘📙

How Far Should You PUSH Yourself

How Far Should You PUSH Yourself

No sirrrrrs, I am NOT taking back my previous insights and sharings with regard PUSHING ourselves because we really need to do all the PUSHING as far as we can and we could.  But  How Far Should You PUSH Yourself?  Good question and this time around, let me qualify as to how How Far Should You PUSH Yourself.  One piece of advice.  DON'T push yourself if what you are pursuing or attempting is simply INSANELY IMPOSSIBLE.  Just stop it📌📌📌

Even athletes, indeed they push themselves as far as they can but everything is regimented and executed in a controlled phase.  It's an extreme rarity to hear that an athlete succumbed to a fatal heart attack while on training.  In brief, KNOW YOUR LIMITS.  And in case you do not have the know-how as to how your activities need to be phased, reach out to experts so you know How Far Should You PUSH Yourself💊💊💊

BTW, even freeways and inter-state highways have SPEED LIMITS.  Why? Because such is life.  Nothing is unlimited.  In truth, nothing in life is an exception.  NOT even praying.  Yes you can be pious but not at the expense of your health, welfare and well-being.  There was this tale about a man named John Henry who worked as a manual rock crusher.  In a contest against a machine, a steam drill., John Henry would drill more rock manually with his hammer and chisel to win it all but only to succumb to a heart failure.  

Even airplanes are NO exception.  They will NEVER force their landing not until they get the GO SIGNAL from the control tower.  Meanwhile, they will go on a HOLDING PATTERN wherein they will do a roundabout until they finally get the GO SIGNAL.  So, even pilots are trained  as to How Far Should they PUSH their aircraft.

Our insight for the day:  Never taper off.  Keep going.  Aim high and higher.  Never pull the brakes simply because of our piece today.  But nothing is unqualified.  BTW, sadly, my high school classmate who was a Navy Captain succumbed to death after he went through a heart-stomping rigid exercise which he missed to realize that in life, regardless of our fitness, we need to be aware How Far Should You PUSH Yourself❗❗❗

Stress KILLS, period

Stress KILLS, period.

No sirrrs, this is NOT to raise an alarming warning [although indeed today's piece is intended to raise the alarms for a potential RED FLAG📌  Point is, Stress KILLS, period.  BTW, if there is a #1 top priority in our life, it is our HEALTH.  And if we're getting STRESSED, it is our HEALTH that is at the receiving end.  GOOD NEWS to us all, STRESS can be pre-empted and avoided, where possible.  It's NOT something that is inevitable to happen beyond our control📙📘

OVERTHINKING is not in itself a medical term but research shows the habit can have real impacts on our well-being.  Oftentimes, overthinking involves focusing on the NEGATIVE, rehashing the past, dwelling on BAD experiences or even worrying about the future.  Psychologists state that in their studies, when we ruminate on certain thoughts, it can snowball into bigger and more extensive negative thinking.  

 When that OVERTHINKING becomes destructive to our life or really impairs our daily functioning, that becomes IMPACTFUL  it could be as simple as talking about APPETITE and once things affect your appetite, if you're lost in your thoughts, you're starting to isolate from other people.  Ruminating on the worst possible scenarios and outcomes can be a misguided form of SELF-PROTECTION. For some people, it can be some form of defense mechanism.  Worst of the worst, OVERTHINKING can affect your physical health.  Once OVERTHINKING creeps in, headaches and body aches are not far out to happen next. OVERTHINKING is also associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and borderlinie personality disorder.  Indeed, Stress KILLS, period📒📒📒

To break that habit, psychologists state that a good first step is to take note of what TRIGGERS your OVERTHINKING.  It might stem from a past trauma, or something in your life that's currently a source of STRESS.  Once you identify those TRIGGERS, you can start finding ways to overcome them🏮🏮🏮

A common advice by psychologists is for us to take CONTROLLED BREATHING exercises.  According to them, it will help us shift our focus to our breathing and calming down their central nervous system.  And then, activities [like blogging and journaling] really helps us express and process the thoughts that are in our head.  So, any type of mindfulness activities where you're focused on present moment can keep you out of your thoughts that will lead to Stress because that KILLS❗❗❗