When The Ship Has Sailed...

When The Ship Has Sailed...

It is said that greater than the regret of making mistakes is the regret of NOT seizing the opportunities we missed.  And that is akin to, When The Ship Has Sailed.  So, the biggest question we need to ask is, WHY do we keep missing opportunities that could have even been life-changing for us?  And HOW many missed opportunities simply because we failed to see them as opportunities itself❓❓❓

Many a time we seem to be waiting for it to fall right into our laps NOT realizing it was right there standing right in front our very nose, waiting for us to walk up to it.  MISSED relationship.  MISSED sales opportunity.  MISSED career break.  MISSED financial breakthrough.  Just one too many other wonderful opportunities lie piled up in a cupboard of regret.  Recognizing opportunities is the very first step as they come to us in various forms and shapes.  The choices we make also define lost opportunities.  An example is to have selected a life partner WHO is NOT supportive of your choice OR dreams is an opportunity lost had you waited and found someone WHO would respect you and your journey in life.  Even within relationships, we lose so many opportunities to express ourselves📗📙📘

It could be as important as telling someone you loved them before they walked away OR died without hearing you say it.  Then, there is that opportunity to recognize that GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE and that you can still appreciate WHAT you have, even though you may have missed many opportunities to do so earlier.  Ironically, at times, problems can be opportunities too💎💎💎

As problems are inevitable, if you ever see them as possible LEARNING CURVES, an opportunity to find solutions, avenues for personal and professional growth OR conversely to perhaps address problems as an opportunity to validate WHAT you need to step away from when you've seized that opportunity.  And rather than regret WHAT you missed, it's time to ensure that you ride the opportunity wave from this moment on, and for that you must be open to new ways of thinking💧💧💧

It's quite commonly said that WHEN preparation meets opportunity, it is called LUCK.  However, if something comes your way that you're unsure of, say YES and then learn to figure out how to make it succeed.  There's an old cliche which says, 'OPPORTUNITY DANCES WITH THOSE ON THE DANCE FLOOR'.  Our takeaway?  Let us mentally put ourselves in the zone to party with opportunity and observe how every action, coincidence, happening can create it and get ready to grab opportunities.  Let's not wait WHEN THE SHIP HAS SAILED✅✅✅

Coming To Grips With LIFE

Coming To Grips With LIFE

LIFE is NOT that harsh on us, I guess.  WHY?  Because it DOESN'T give us just one opportunity to prove yourself BUT a billion opportunities to prove WHO you are.  Today, although that dreadful pandemic is behind us now, it did trigger major ramifications that there is something known as HAPPINESS.  And it has become inevitable for us to be Coming To Grips With LIFE because factually, everything happens with a necessity💵💴💷

By itself, LIFE is akin to a tree that gives birth to another from the seed the former reaps.  Focus on the things that are happening well in our LIFE for this world will never say good things about us and we need to be super POSITIVE from the inside, motivating ourselves all the time from WITHIN.  It's often WHATEVER happens in our life happens for the good.  Today in the rat race, WHERE money has been everything, people have taken success money and life as a synonymous thing.  It was NEVER the same for WHAT matters in LIFE is NOT success BUT fulfillment as celebrities WHO are even successful even go on to death for they have NO happiness in their lives and instead, they end up in depression📗📙📘

Today, WHENEVER we seem to have lost the reasons to be HAPPY, it's time that we come as a family to understand each other and be a reason for HAPPINESS for others.  Because above everything, HAPPINESS is the key to LIFE and I strongly believe that IF you're NOT living HAPPY, success has NO meaning for those people.  These days, it is NO surprise that people feel and face so much competition in LIFE.  Indeed, LIFE can never be HAPPY.  BUT the truth of the plethora is that they are in the wrong.  LIFE is easy if you see it from the point of easiness and it's difficult IF you look at it from the point of difficulty.  So, probably, your mind-boggling question is, HOW CAN YOU BE SUCCESSFUL?  It's really a summation of belief, fashion of doing the thing and passion for WHICH you can dedicate your LIFE.  WHAT matters most is to find out WHAT excites you from within❓❓❓

Bluntly, these days, many people are living the most foolish way because they're doing something WHICH does NOT excite them, they DON'T have any interest in doing it BUT they are interested in the product which is got by doing it, and that's MONEY.  So, are we living LIFE for MONEY?  It's NOT to say that MONEY is NOT important in one's life [because the truth is, MONEY is part and parcel of our basic needs] BUT then it's NOT everything in our LIFE.  We need to understand this because we have got one LIFE, yet so many dreams to fulfill❎❎❎

BTW, it's NOT MONEY that will drive you after a certain point of time BUT it's your passion that will drive you to live LIFE to the fullest.  Our takeaway today?  WHATEVER you're thinking is possible because you are that 'infinity' and that is the reason WHY infinity is NOT defined till date for we never know WHAT'S the highest existence of a human body.  Psychologists say that our mind is like a baby WHO believes WHAT is said like if we keep on saying that a particular task is hard then it will be hard, no matter WHAT and the chances of failure are very high in it. Getting all the comforts will NEVER let you be there WHERE you are born to be.  Let's COME TO GRIPS WITH LIFE✅✅✅

NEVER Underestimate The Power of SELF-PERCEPTION

NEVER Underestimate The Power of SELF-PERCEPTION

NEVER Underestimate The Power of SELF-PERCEPTION.  In today's life where everything is driven by social validation and external opinions [coming from many OPINIONATED people], it's easy to lose sight of the profound impact that our SELF-PERCEPTION can have on our lives.  As I heard this many times, 'WHAT YOU THINK OF YOURSELF IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU'💴💷💵

Sadly, this is the harsh truth because many of us are much more pre-occupied with HOW others think of him/her, HOW the opinions of others about him/her really matter MORE THAN his/her understanding and SELF-PERCEPTION of and about himself/herself.  You might wonder, why does SELF-PERCEPTION carry such significance, if at all?  BUT this stretched saga goes back to the human nature that often craves external validation📘📗📙

Imagine yourself readying up for a social event. After you spent hours preparing yourself at home, and after turning and facing the mirror a zillion times, nothing will satisfy you that indeed you're ready and all set to go to the social event NOT UNTIL someone tells you, YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS.  A pat on the back, a nod of approval, OR even a stream of compliments, that's most of us will be hungering for📌📌📌

And while there is nothing inherently wrong with seeking affirmation from others, placing excessive importance on external opinions can lead to a precarious SENSE of SELF-WORTH.  The danger there lies in tethering our HAPPINESS and self-esteem to the unpredictable winds of others' judgments.  People's opinions are fleeting and subject to change, often influenced by a myriad of factors beyond our control.  Our takeaway?  Leverage on the power of SELF-PERCEPTION❗❗❗

So, WHY is our SELF-PERCEPTION that critically important?  In our day-to-day life WHERE people curate their lives for public consumption, the pursuit of LIKEs, COMMENTs, and FOLLOWERs can inadvertently become a measure of SELF-WORTH.  BUT that external validation is ephemeral and that 'DOPAMINE HIT' derived from it is short-lived.  Unfortunately, relying on the fickle nature of external opinions for one's sense of self is akin to building a house on shifting sands.  So, let's leverage on SELF-PERCEPTION and dump out the window our cravings for external validations❌❌❌

How To Be More Energized?

How To Be More Energized?

ENERGY is that one single thing everyone needs.  When it weakens OR waivers, it may end up just another 'LOW BATT' stuff.  Question is How can we be more energized? There are many ways to increase your ENERGY and reduce fatigue.  Staying hydrated, prioritizing personal relationships and even limiting alcohol are just a few solutions that can help address it partially if NOT wholly📗📙📘

WHAT is often missed is the HAPPINESS at work, the benefits arising from it and this poster says it all.  HAPPIER at work.  HAPPIER with life.  MORE engaged.  MORE motivated.  MORE productive.  BUT if you're finding yourself feeling sluggish, having difficulty staying awake, OR chugging multiple cups of coffee just to make it to lunchtime, you're NOT alone dude.  Most of us are familiar with feeling worn out and weary at the end of the day.  Lucky for us, this is NOT the end-of-the-world❎❎❎

At the end of the day, it all boils down to HABITS [and it WON'T cost us any, in fact].  GET ENOUGH SLEEP.  That means 7-9 hours of QUALITY SLEEP.  Not to be debated at all.  Getting sufficient SLEEP allows our body and brain to recharge, consolidate memories, regulate metabolism, repair muscles, and even boost our mood and motivation.  Let us endeavor to have CONSISTENT bedtime routines that enable us to get adequate QUALITY SLEEP😄😄😄

Next, let us WAKE UP EARLY.  This is NEW, right?  Apparently, waking up early gives you time in the morning to prepare for the day ahead.  Use the Xtra time to stretch, eat a nourishing breakfast, OR go for a quick walk outside.  Experts say that it is proven that early risers tend to have more FOCUS and get more focus.  Oh Oh, aim to wake up about an hour before you normally do.  Ease into it by setting your alarm 15 minutes EARLIER each week until you reach your goal to wake-up on time.  The key is waking up naturally WITHOUT HITTING SNOOZE❌❌❌

NOT trying to be like a medical expert [which I'm NOT], YET, I would vouch for a balanced, protein-rich breakfast.  Consuming a nutritious breakfast sets up your metabolism and energy supplies for the rest of the day.  And dieticians encourage us to include lean protein like eggs, which help stabilize blood sugar rather than spiking it.  And medical experts advise that we pair that with fiber-rich complex carbs that includes whole grain toast, and fruits like avocado.  Experts say that this balanced mix of intake will keep you fuller for longer durations and even sustain your mental clarity, enabling you for better concentration and frankly, to curb impulsive eating.  Apparently, HOW TO BE ENERGIZED is NOT a steep mountain to climb❗❗❗

Thresholds In Our Life

Thresholds In Our Life

The past 2 to 3 years under that pandemic has forced us ALL to deal with unwanted change in many parts of our lives.  In addition to the practicalities of working [or NOT], raising kids, and maintaining our relationships under 'COVID CONDITIONS', practically all of us are feeling the deeper systemic challenges.  What do we do?  Never Ignore The Thresholds In Our Life💴💷💵

We tend to be sensing the broader context of racism, social inequality, climate disruption and even 'power plays' happening in our daily lives.  It's like our sensitivity to change has an added rawness that leads us to be feeling a bit more vulnerable to the 'seismic shifts' happening around us.  How we navigate these experiences well is a question most people seem to be asking in some form.  It's an important one because behind our immediate maneuverings through our less familiar daily lives, lie some deep uncertainties about what it means to be alive n these times.  WHICH tells us to Never Ignore The Thresholds In Our Life📗📙📘

The thing is, we can stretch our mental THRESHOLD, our psychological THRESHOLD, our pain THRESHOLD, our health THRESHOLD, our agony and sacrifice THRESHOLDS all rolled into one BUT whether your challenges involve navigating the molasses of depression, maintaining patience with a now too-familiar housemate OR figuring out just WHAT a meaningful response to CHANGE is, most of those issues call for a CHANGE.  A CHANGE in the way we handle THRESHOLDS in our life because that dictates the tempo.  Even our emotional resilience is shown when your actions follow your higher principles despite tje inner warning bells.  It's those moments when we should Never Ignore The Thresholds In Our Life📌📌📌

And whenever these calls are unheard, ignored OR unanswered, they remain as a test of our emotional resilience as it is a threat to the Thresholds In Our Life.  WHEN we're used to be awash with $$$$$ then days will come when the 'pipe has dried up', how's your THRESHOLD?  WHEN your family is confronted with overlapping challenges, how's your THRESHOLD?  WHEN you're in pain [for whatever reason], how's your THRESHOLD💎💎💎

This is how ALL-ENCOMPASSING all THRESHOLDS.  From carbs to emotions to financials to patience to physical, we just CAN'T and MUSTN'T ignore it regardless if they seem invincible OR incognito.  Emotional UPs and DOWNs are the staples of our daily life.  BUT never forget that we have EMOTIONAL THRESHOLDS.  And we CAN'T ignore those THRESHOLDS, NEVER as in NEVER❗❗❗ You got to deal with it❎❎❎

Do You ALWAYS Stand For What Is Right?

Do You ALWAYS Stand For What Is Right?

Do You ALWAYS Stand For What Is Right?  When we delve into blind spots, it becomes tricky because:

• There are things you know about yourself
• There are things others know about you

And for those things NOT known to us, those are the BLIND SPOTS, those things that are NOT known to us.  We got to figure this out if we intend to always STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT💴💷💵

Often, these BLIND SPOTS are biases we have unknowingly formed throughout our lives.  They typically originate from messages we do observe OR were taught WHEN growing up and have now internalized as adults.  BLIND SPOTS can, however, show up as 'microaggressions' based on someone's race, gender, age, education, religion, etc📗📙📘

Some samplings of 'microaggressions' are asking someone WHERE they are really from, asking brown o black people to explain if race still matters, OR gaslighting someone WHEN they share a difficult experience at work.  Becoming aware of our hidden BIASES is a critical first step towards change.  Once a NEGATIVE BIAS or BLIND SPOT surfaces and is explored, experts advise that it will be easier for us to see HOW it clashes with our self-perception OR our values📌📌📌

Indeed, SPEAKING UP is always a challenge BUT when you are doing so to point out someone else's BLIND SPOTS, it can become even more difficult.  That said, experts advise us to keep practicing this for us to get better.  And would you believe this?  According to studies, ninety percent of our decisions are either automatic OR unconscious.  This means that our BLIND SPOTS or UNCONSCIOUS BIASES show up regularly and they influence our behaviors OR even narrow our perspectives OR worse, even hamper our decision-making qualities and eventually, impact OR harm others.  This becomes challenging in the workplace where you manage people as it is imperative to develop the skills to recognize both your own and your peers' BLIND SPOTS to lead fairly [as a leader]❌❌❌

Our takeaway?  It's always challenging to kickstart things and communications experts advise that the easier way is to START A DIALOGUE.  It may be hard to speak up, especially WHEN one is inexperienced OR new to a role.  BUT the thing is, NO relationship should make you feel powerless.  We need to be conscious aware that you are entitled to share your views especially related to UNCONSCIOUS BIASES.  Then, lead the conversation with a sense of curiosity, NOT judgment and nudge them to do better.  And whenever articulating your observation, experts advise that we use the first-person ["I"] statements.  You CAN'T know whether someone will show gratitude OR resistance when you raise a red flag.  True, speaking up is tough and it takes courage, especially WHEN you're in the early stages of your career.  Bottom line is, WHEN YOU STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, make everyone feel heard and respected😄😄😄

What's Draining Your Energy?

What's Draining Your Energy?

What's DRAINING YOUR ENERGY?  Ironically, this is the shortest question ever that can be answered mile-long because there's an extremely long list of possibilities which can be DRAINING YOUR ENERGY.  And ironically, it can start with YOU yourself, way before you get up on your feet right when you wakeup.  Your mood, your mindset, your thinking, your habit formation, everything in you in fact and that saga that DRAINS YOUR ENERGY may probably end up only when you hit the sack in the evening, there you are snoring.  Even then, there are low-quality SLEEPS which, by itself, are DRAINING YOUR ENERGY even when asleep!@#$%?

So, what else is DRAINING YOUR ENERGY?  Again, it's a long long list BUT if we want to create a shortcut, it all comes down to a 5-letter word spelled H-A-B-I-T.  HABITS are the foundation of WHO we are as a person and even as a professional.  We are the product of our everyday HABITS and we choose everyday WHETHER we want to improve ourselves, maintain our excellence OR contribute to our very own discontent.  BUT first, we must be aware of our bad HABITS, so that we can take the necessary steps to change them📗📙📘

And would you believe, of all the BAD HABITS that's DRAINING YOUR ENERGY, topping the list is when we TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY!  When you attribute every interaction a person has with you to how they feel about you, it will be exhausting and more often than NOT it's NOT correct.  Chances are, it's NOT about you and you're NOT helping the situation by taking it personally.  NOT taking things personally will save you a lot of stress and your workplace a lot of needless strain📌📌📌

Second common culprit that drains our energy is HOLDING ON TO THE PAST.  The past is WHAT it is, there isn't utility to holding grudges OR being angry.  The only person you're impacting by holding on to the past is you.  So, LET THINGS GO, if NOT for them, then for you.  Another common culprit [which BTW is happening all over the place all the time] is ALWAYS CHECKING SOCIAL MEDIA & EMAILS.  If someone has to wait a couple of hours for an email, then they wait.  The world WON'T end anyways❎❎❎

Another culprit which we could be guilty of, is to CONSTANTLY WORRY.  Worrying does NOT solve a problem.  On the other hard, more often, worrying exacerbates a problem.  If something is way out of your hands, then it's out of your hands and there is simply NO point in worrying about it.  If there's something you can do about it, then stop worrying and take action.  Worrying is simply a waste of energy, focus on WHAT you can control.  So, WHAT ELSE IS DRANING YOUR ENERGY, dude❓❓❓

Is Your PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS Tried & Tested?

Is Your PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS Tried & Tested?

PROBLEM SOLVING?  WHAT a boring topic. is it?  Is Your PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS Tried & Tested? For most, I guess so BUT for some of us, I'll speculate that some of us may need some guidance into the foundational aspect because the ability to solve problems is a basic life skill and is obviously essential to our day-to-day lives whether it's at home, at school, OR at work.  WHY?  Because we got to solve problems every day in our life, that's it💵💴💷

One thing about problem-solving is the misconception that there is only one solution to every problem.  That is TOTALLY OFFTRACK because there is NO ONE SIZE THAT FITS ALL.  Let's have the simplest example here wherein you want to go to the store but it's raining.  WHAT do you do?  You can opt for an umbrella, OR drive, OR take the bus, OR call a friend OR call for Grab Delivery OR put off the plan till the rain finally stops.  In short, there is NO right way to solve this problem and very obviously, different people will solve a problem differently📗📙📘

So, WHY don't we go back to basics here.  WHY is problem solving that important?  Good problem solving skills will empower you NOT only in your personal life BUT are critical in your professional life.  And in the current fast-changing global economy, employers may often identify everyday problem solving as crucial to the success of their organizations.  On the other hand, for employees, problem solving can be used to develop practical and creative solutions, and to show independence and initiative.  Good enough for us, as there are many skills involved in problem solving, our accumulated experience and the necessary combinations of skills would be key to solve problems😑😑😑

Setting aside problem solving skills, the ATTITUDE to problems do play a significant role in solving problems.  In the simplest terms, we need to leverage on the combination of our best qualities, depth of experience and breadth of knowledge.  If we feel either our experiences OR knowledge needs to be beefed up, that should NOT be a show-stopper.  Instead, let us develop approaches to go into UNCERTAINTY❎❎❎

Our takeaway today?  WHEN you think that you DON'T know how to proceed in solving the problem at hand, it DOESN'T mean that you DON'T know how but simply put, it means that it's time to look for answers to your questions.  In a nutshell, let us endeavor to get the most knowledge from your own and other people's experiences as well so that you are able to broaden your horizons, develop and enhance your thinking, and thereafter apply your knowledge.  So, if your problem solving has NOT been TRIED & TESTED yet, do TRY and TEST it at the earliest opportunity❗❗❗

Getting TIRED So Easily?

Getting TIRED So Easily?

Oooops, gents, this is NOT  a medical bulletin.  Instead, we'd like to tackle that FATIGUE syndrome purely from a layman's perspective.  So, are you Getting TIRED So Easily?  To quote medical experts, there are multiple causes [we'll get into that shortly] and ALWAYS topping that list is INSUFFICIENT SLEEP [which we all know I guess].  And while the recommended nightly sleeping hours for adults range from seven to nine, if I will seriously take care of my health, I'll go for the minimum 9 hours [instead of compromising by getting pegged to 7 hours📘📗📙

Of course, one's situation gets challenging if one is experiencing insomnia because that has to be treated, including the need to address underlying medical conditions.  The next common culprit are nutrient deficiencies.  So, even if you're getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep, that does NOT shield you from getting tired so easily if you have nutrients deficiencies💴💷💵

Now, for the low-hanging fruit.  S-T-R-E-S-S gets into the picture.  Oh Oh, before I get wacked, medical experts advise that some level of STRESS is normal.  WHO doesn't get stressed anyways.  BUT chronic STRESS is the thing because that will lead to fatigue.  In fact, experts say that chronic STRESS may lead to STRESS-related exhaustion disorder [ED], a medical condition characterized by psychological and physical symptoms of exhaustion.  Worse, chronic stress may cause changes in your brain, leading to chronic inflammation, that leads to FATIGUE❎❎❎

A third factor points to underlying medical conditions [e.g. sleep apnea, etc].  Getting proper treatment for an underlying medical condition can help you feel better and even improve other areas of health as well.  Now, this is a real low-hanging fruit where we DON'T need medical experts.  POOR DIET.  This significantly affects the way you feel❌❌❌

And I have to quote medical experts here.  To maintain energy and get the NUTRIENTS your body needs to perform critical processes, it is important to consume a balanced diet high in nutrient-dense foods.  WHEN you DON'T obtain enough calories and NUTRIENTS like protein, your body breaks down fat and muscle to meet your ENERGY DEMANDS.  Then, this leads to losing body fat and muscle mass  which may then trigger FATIGUE.  Our takeaway?  DON'T get surprised WHY you're getting TIRED SO EASILY😌😌😌

Can You Prime Yourself For OPTIMISM?

Can You Prime Yourself For OPTIMISM?

Some of us find it easier to adopt to a POSITIVE attitude than others, which then influences how they respond to life's setbacks.  So, Can You Prime Yourself For OPTIMISM?  While an OPTIMIST with a POSITIVE mindset can face a problem as a minor inconvenience [as that allows him to remain calm and take appropriate action in a firm manner, a pessimist can simply feel HELPLESS💴💷💵

That HUGE difference in how an OPTIMIST versus a PESSIMIST will respond to events and challenges in our lives matters directly for our happiness and health.  WHEN we have more optimistic mindsets, we are better able to buffer the effects of common daily life stressors and still remain feeling happy.  One study showed that OPTIMISM is healthy for us as people ages 40 to 90 tended to live longer if they were more OPTIMISTIC, even if we take into account other factors like their diet, smoking, and alcohol use, depression and health📗📙📘

Now, for those struggling to find the silver lining, studies are giving us bright horizons ahead.  HOW?  Experts advise that we need to REFRAME STRESSORS.  While stress is unavoidable when we all experience all those daily hassles, we CAN'T eliminate all the stress because we can choose HOW we think about the challenges we face and adopt a new, more positive mindset around them.  True, some of us can be optimistic in the most natural way.  WHY?  Because they go through life seeing the positive even in challenging situations✅✅✅

In case POSITIVE REFRAMING doesn't come naturally to you, endeavor to start by trying to focus on WHAT's good about your daily life STRESSORS instead of WHAT's bad about them.  Like when getting stuck in traffic gridlock, take that time to look out the window, appreciate nature and the environment.  That's akin to the half glass seen by the OPTIMIST as half-full while the PESSIMIST sees it as half-empty😃😃😃

Segundo, this is quite easier said than done.  Try to practice SELF-COMPASSION.  While some people have the tendency to beat themselves up WHEN things DON'T go their way, which, NOT surprisingly DOESN'T make them feel better, let's try to shift our mindset in a more POSITIVE direction.  Our takeaway today?  Give ourselves a break.  If the skies and clouds are gloomy, be thankful because the weather is less hot.  WHEN you missed to achieved a sales target, LEARN LESSONS and polish your sales pitch skills.  It's NOT the end of the world after all.  So, CAN YOU PRIME YOURSELF FOR OPTIMISM?  Absolutely dude❗❗❗