Use It Or Lose It!

Use It Or Lose It!

Question:  HOW STRONG IS YOUR STRENGTH?  Surely, I'll hear confident if NOT cocky reactions to that pointed question.  And I WON'T question your response because I know for a fact that you have a solid basis for such level of confidence.  NOW, the challenge to us is to Use It Or Lose It!  HOW often did we miss out leveraging on our known STRENGTHS???

There's a catch here, though. For purposes of this healthy exchange of insights, we'll limit our discussion on STRENGTHs to us adults.  Let's leave out for now the STRENGTHs of children because that's another narrative.  So, the bigger nagging question is, WHAT stops us from tapping our inner STRENGTHs?  It's true that it is important in life to recognize our mistakes BUT it's equally important to recognize our own STRENGTHs.  And here's the scary thing.  The hardest BUT most important thing to do is to recognize our STRENGTHs and WEAKNESS at the same time, indeed a tall order BUT this is an outlier😌😌😌

HOW often do we hear either a work colleague OR even a family member blurt: 'I KEEP MAKING THE SAME STUPID MISTAKE'.  YES, to me, that kind of statement seemed to me to be another one of the many ways that a person can put himself/herself down on a regular basis.  And self-esteem issues will exacerbate things.  Psychologists have been having a field day running tons and tons of researches as regards humanity's general preoccupation with faults.  Sadly, one of the ways we protect our own self from further hurt and rejection is to put ourselves down.  NO WAY, Jose because it's as if you're saying, YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING TO HURT ME.  I BEAT YOU TO IT!@#$%?

Thing is, the issue at hand is fairly straightforward and that is, we need to focus on our STRENGTH, period.  BUT if we look around [Oh Oh, I was guilty of this a couple of times in the past], we tend to pay attention to our weaknesses and our own failings BUT almost never to our STRENGTHs and successes.  YET, by focusing on our mistakes and those things we believe we're wrong, the more we're making it really damn hard for ourselves to ever enjoy WHAT we did right❎❎❎

SO HOW?  Do we just recognize that pattern?  NO sirrrrrrrs.  Just recognizing that pattern shaping up DOESN'T make it change.  From my past failings, I consciously focused on WHAT I like and admire about myself which can help BUT again, often it's NOT enough to change a lifelong pattern of self-criticism and low self-esteem.  Our takeaway:  For one thing, if we are very critical of our own self, we may miss out to recognize our very own STRENGTHs.  And this becomes especially true if we are using our self-criticism as a kind of protection from criticism we expect from others.  BUT this is unduly unfair to us.  C'mon dude.  For our STRENGTHs, either we USE IT or LOSE IT❗❗❗

Is Pursuing Balance Really Worth It?

Is Pursuing Balance Really Worth It?

WHY is finding BALANCE so hard?  That BALANCE between resting and working? That BALANCE between saving and shopping?  That BALANCE to spend time between family and your buddies.  That BALANCE taking things lightly and seriously.  That BALANCE between being understanding and considerate versus being firm and rigid.  Question is, Is Pursuing Balance Really Worth It???

YES, at the heart of today's modern discourse on success lies that elusive concept of BALANCE.  From self-help gurus to executive seminars, the call to harmonize work and personal life echoes deafening loud and clear across the chambers.  We are bombarded with advice on HOW to achieve BALANCE, yet in reality, most of us find our own selves constantly struggling to maintain it.  And that's the mother of ironies here💦💦💦

So, the perplexing question [in case you're itching to ask] is:  WHY is BALANCE so damn difficult to attain?  It may be because the very idea of BALANCE implies PERFECTION, a PERFECT equilibrium between all aspects of our lives.  And let's face it, PERFECTION is indeed an unattainable goal.  We are human and therefore, inherently IMPERFECT.  YET, we continue to strive for BALANCE because it promises a sense of control and fulfillment💥💥💥

YES we believe that if we can just find the right formula, we can have it all [OH REALLY?], a successful career, loving relationships, and even a healthy lifestyle.  BUT as someone WHO constantly juggles myriad responsibilities, I did realize that BALANCE is NOT a destination BUT instead an ongoing pursuit.  It requires constant reflection and adjustment and that point of accepting IMPERFECTION itself❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  As the term 'IMBALANCE'  seems to eulogize a tranquil state of equilibrium, it is often misconceived as akin to stagnation.  BUT BALANCE in life equates to knowing WHEN to double-down on our commitments without jeopardizing our familial ties.  It's that intuition to invest in one's health WHILE fostering intellectual growth and serenity.  Quite simply, it means finding the right rhythm in one's life WHERE no aspect overshadows the other.  YES dude, that PURSUIT of BALANCE is more than a journey.  It's an expedition in fact.  So, the question WHICH we need to finally grind to a halt is:  IS PURSUING BALANCE REALLY WORTH IT???

[Repost from Channelnewsasia datelined 06.01.2025] Is There A "LEAST BAD ALCOHOL' Choice?

 

EN TOTO repost from Channelnewsasia datelined 06.01.2025:  Is there a "LEAST BAD ALCOHOL" Choice?  We all know about the health risks of drinking. But if you’re going to partake, it’s natural to want to minimise the damage.  If you’ve heard that red wine is better for you than beer or liquor, or that clear liquor like vodka or gin is less harmful than dark liquor like rum or whiskey, we have bad news.  “Alcohol is alcohol,” said Jurgen Rehm, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Drinking any type of alcohol, in any amount, is bad for health.  Still, experts say, it’s sometimes not reasonable or even practical for people to avoid alcohol entirely. So if you’re going to drink, there are some strategies you can take to reduce your risk, and to avoid some of the other unpleasant effects of drinking, like hangovers.  When you have a drink, your body turns the ethanol that’s present in the alcoholic beverage into a “really nasty substance” called acetaldehyde, which can damage your DNA, said Timothy Stockwell, an alcohol researcher at the University of Victoria in Canada

Many tissues in the body, including those in the mouth, throat, liver, colon and breasts, are susceptible to this harm. And when that DNA gets repaired, cancerous mutations may arise.  This is why drinking increases the risk for developing at least seven types of cancer, said Katherine Keyes, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University. Excessive alcohol use – which includes having eight or more drinks per week for women or 15 or more per week for men; or four or more drinks per occasion for women or five or more for men – is also linked with many other health conditions. These include heart and liver disease, depression, anxiety and memory problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The more ethanol in your drink, the more harmful it is, Dr Keyes said. One way to assess this is to look at a drink’s alcohol by volume, or ABV, which manufacturers must list on product labels. If you’re choosing between two beers of the same size, for instance, and one is 4 per cent ABV and the other is 8 per cent, the 4 per cent beer will expose you to half as much ethanol.  In general, beer has less ethanol than wine per ounce, and wine has less than liquors like vodka and tequila, Dr Keyes said. But there can be large variations within these categories, Dr Stockwell said. Some strong beers, for instance, have ABVs that are higher than those of some wines

A good rule for reducing your exposure to ethanol is to generally choose drinks with lower ABVs, the experts said. But it’s important to pay attention to how much you’re drinking as well.  A standard 12-ounce pour of a 5 per cent ABV beer typically has the same amount of ethanol as five ounces of a 12 per cent wine or 1.5 ounces (or a shot) of a 40 per cent liquor.  It can be tricky to calculate the ABV of cocktails, said Dr Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, since they are often made with sodas, juices and sometimes multiple types of alcohol. For this reason, he recommends sticking with wine or beer in situations where you want to know exactly how much ethanol you’re consuming.

Our takeaway:  Some types of alcohol are also quite high in calories, which when consumed in excess can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. And some cocktail mixers, like juices and sodas, can contain added sugars, also raising the risk for obesity and other health conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  And while there’s no evidence that darker liquors are more harmful to health than clear ones, there is limited research suggesting that some darker liquors can cause more severe hangovers, said Damaris Rohsenow, a professor at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University. Darker alcohols (like bourbon, rum and brandy) tend to have higher levels of congeners, substances that are created during the fermentation process and contribute to a drink’s flavor, aroma and color. More congeners typically translates to worse hangovers, Dr Rohsenow said.

Why IMPERFECT Decisions Could Be The PERFECT Ones!

Why IMPERFECT Decisions Could Be The PERFECT Ones!

Life is NEVER perfect and likewise, decisions can never be PERFECT PERFECTLY.  BUT the truth is, nothing impacts our mental health quite like poor decision-making.  WHEN we regret the choices we make, it's easy to overlook things, place blame , worry, become anxious and more.  BUT the simple fact is that we all make a staggering thousands of decisions each day.  BUT do we know Why IMPERFECT Decisions Could Be The PERFECT Ones📗📙📘

This one is for the books.  Researches show that every day, we make more than 200+ decisions just about food alone.  It's NOT surprising then that every once in a while, we make bad choices .  Often times, a bad DECISION is fairly inconsequential.  Maybe you picked a new book and read and it was dull OR you decided to wash your car only to rain thereafter.  NO big deal though💧💧💧

BUT here's the catch, sometimes with poor DECISION making comes consequences.  Maybe you leave a good job for WHAT you think will be a great job and then the new company downsizes quickly and lays you off [Ooooops, this happened to me once [way back in Singapore] and it was damn painful].  OR maybe you made an investment with your hard earned savings only to lose it.  OR you yelled at someone, screaming that you DON'T want to see that face ever again [WHEN deep inside, you loved that fellow, ouch].  BUT the truth of the matter is that as much as DECISIONS look imperfect the next day or so, at that very point in time, that could have been the best PERFECT DECISION ever💥💥💥

So, it's NOT apt to be hard on our own selves on that aftermath of a DECISION made because the dynamics of every situation are so fluid.  BUT if indeed a particular DECISION is imperfect from whatever perspective you assess it, MAYBE, we can forgive ourselves even after feeling regret, OR anger OR even embarrassment OR sadness OR even manifesting a combination of any of those emotions, WHICH is perfectly fine😊😊😊

Our takeaway:  Much as we want to look back, the way to go is to move forward and take action.  The worst thing to ad after making a bad DECISION is doing NOTHING.  Can we repair a situation?  OR at least reduce the impact of its consequences?  Either way is an appropriate next move rather than sulking and beating yourself because IMPERFECT DECISIONS COULD BE THE PERFECT ONES💚💛💜

Going From HOT To NOT

Going From HOT To NOT

Here's a giveaway question:  HOW many times in your life you were achieving, succeeding, winning?  I'll bet many times, right?  Now, HOW many times did you go from HOT to NOT, from HOT to COLD?  I'm sure it's more than a handful as well, right?  YES, supposedly, Going From HOT To NOT should neither grab the headlines nor even deserve a space in our daily thread.  So, WHAT gives?  Truth of the matter, the road to success is one we aim to follow all the time.  We identify actions we need to take, create a routine and set out on our path.  BUT sometimes, along the way, we hit a wall.  We may get emotionally burned out, lose motivation OR face life's inevitable challenges.  Regardless of WHAT happens, we need to make sure we 'STAY IN THE GAME' as far and as long as we can💧💧💧

So, probably, our common question, HOW can we go back on-track once we either get waylaid OR potentially falling astray?  Most life coaches will probably sing the same tune.  Create your 'LIFE LIST', that vision for your life.  So, WHAT are the things you want to do, have, become and give?  WHEN we have a picture of WHAT we want our life to include, we can use that vision to motivate us.  So, you might ask, have I WALKED THE TALK?  Yes dude.  I have put my life on a vision board, with concretized pictures of WHAT I want to accomplish in life, and even motivational words, phrases and expressions [all because I want the fire to keep burning in my belly]😁😁😁

If you ever feel going off-track, simply reflect on the person you want to become and the life you want to live, and the motivation comes back.  YES, one practical advice to us all is to GET ACTIVE because, to borrow this cliche, ENERGY BRINGS ENERGY.  True, we cannot impose to everyone to exercise BUT again, they say, move your body📗📙📘

I strongly agree that WHEN you move, energy gets created [and that encourages you to continue to act].  It can be as complex as a high-intensity workout OR as simple as a walk with your dog.  YES, how about that, WHEN you need motivation, take your dog for a walk and listen to a podcast all at the same time.  Enjoying the best of both worlds, enjoying the whiff of fresh air and expanding your mind as well, picking up new ideas and maybe getting that renewed excitement to buckle down💥💥💥

Oh Oh Oh, WHO's NOT a huge fan of routine?  Although you can still get bored of doing the same thing every day.  BUT dude, sometimes, we need to switch up.  You can still maintain a routine such as getting up at a designated time, doing your workout OR connecting with others.  Simply put, it is all a matter of changing your approach.  In fact, experts do advise us to change our routines because that helps reinforce our cognitive aspect.  YES dude, work to vary your routine💥💥💥

Let's take a practical example.  IF your goal is to work out for 30 minutes a day or more, choose HOW you want to accomplish that goal so that you DON'T get bored.  You can consider floating between yoga, high-intensity classes and walking.  For connecting with clients, you can incorporate different modes of communication.  You can talk on the phone, even set up video chats, meet face-to-face, write handwritten notes OR schedule get-togethers😋😋😋

Our takeaway:  That old adage 'YOU ARE EITHER GROWING OR DYING' couldn't be farther from the truth.  One of the best ways to keep momentum is to expand your mind and learn daily.  YES dude, even as we speak now, I am learning new things everyday.  With the power of the web and technologies, there is absolutely NO LIMITS except you and yourself.  Technology makes it possible to learn anything from new tools to self-guides and even DIY techniques.  YES I am subscribed to TED TALK, Harvard and Cambridge platforms.  YES dude, you can remain HOT instead of GOING FROM HOT TO NOT but the catch is, you got to go the Xtra MILE, dude❗❗❗

Calming Down The Noise

Calming Down The Noise

With tons and tons of stressors in life, it's NEVER a surprise [OR a shock] if we live in the midst of these stressful times.  Calming Down The Noise is our best way to handle things BUT to set expectations, CALMING DOWN THE NOISE does NOT mean achieving an eerie silence, as calm as the environs of the church sacristy.  The most and the farthest we can aim for is to contain and limit the NOISE, at the very least its negatively impacting implications to us, to our life.  True, life throws chaos at us on a regular basis, whether it's our finances, our relationships, OR our health.  In the work world, studies show that approximately fifty [50%] percent of people are BURNED OUT especially in industries like health care, banking and even amongst non-profit organizations📗📙📘

HOW do we handle all those chaos?  We just tend to keep pushing through, surviving but heavily dependent on our own adrenaline.  We end up overschedule ourselves in our calendars.  Browsing a personal calendar with multiple overlaps across each day. Sounds familiar?  Then, we down another cup of 'strong' coffee, then respond to another email, another escalation, another brewing headache knocking on the doors of your mail inbox.  If we stay amped all the time, we [WRONGLY] think that we'll eventually be able to get things done, get over the hump.  NO sirrrrrrrrrs❌❌❌

BUT all those things will do is burn us out, even drain our productivity and lead us to exhaustion till we hit the rock solid floor.  BUT psychologists claim, this is NO time to call it quits as there's another way, a much CALMER way.  Cultivating a more restful, relaxed state of mind DOESN'T mean we'll drown under all our responsibilities.  Instead, researches suggest that it will bring us greater attention, energy and creativity to tackle them.  And science also points to simple ways we can tap into that CALM state of mind to be more resilient in our chaotic lives💥💥💥

Supposedly, stress was NEVER meant to be a harrowing 24/7 experience.  Even psychologists claim that supposedly, we are expected to feel stressed in the five minutes right before we die.  And WHEN you are being chased in the savanna by a wild animal, your stress response is supposed to save your life as it mobilizes your attention, your muscles and immune system to get you quickly out of danger.  WHEN animals escape, they come right out of FIGHT or FLIGHT mode and into the REST and DIGEST' mode WHERE our own nervous system is working to replenish our own finite resources😊😊😊

Our takeaway:  I've been through stress a zillion times and I learnt that WHEN we're tightly wound up, we are more likely to react to situations than to respond with reason.  We even tend to perceive the world differently as stress makes us narrowly focused, preventing us from seeing the bigger picture.  BUT WHEN we're calmer, our attention becomes broader.  In fact, I did realize that during those times, I literally see more things [instead of getting blinded].  And WHEN we're CALM, we also tend to manage our energy with a better handle because we're NOT burning ourself constantly, spending days with our [sympathetic[ nervous system in overdrive mode.  And CALM helps us to focus on WHAT we need to do and get it done much more quickly.  HOW many times in the past did you go through a state of panic and ended up with a better handle of the situation?  At best we would barely survive such a situation.  Dude, CALMING DOWN THE NOISE is NO patsy.  You got to roll up your sleeves, deep your hands in the cookie jar and even jump into the fire❗❗❗

Either You Run The Day OR The Day Runs You!

Either You Run The Day OR The Day Runs You!

NO sirrrrs, I am NOT into any hyperbole OR exaggeration here.  This is TIME MANAGEMENT 101.  And the clock starts to tick NOT WHEN you wake up come next morning.  Instead, things start to click right before you hit the sack, WHEN you're setting and tweaking the alarm clock's trigger time, stretching the next morning's alarm as late as possible because you're wanting to stretch your sleep as long as possible.  BUT hey dude, that's the brewing problem.  HOW can you look forward to a productive next day if you're having that kind of mindset?  Either You Run The Day OR The Day Runs You!  NOT to scare you BUT that's the stark truth you're staring at because you CAN'T run away when next day kicks in📗📙📘

Supposedly, running and managing our day should be a no-brainer, right?  BUT what's that puzzling reality WHEN people feel like they're CONSTANTLY running out time?  YES, ironically, even for the time-conscious person, constantly checking the clock can be that distracting and it makes things harder to meet expectations.  And more often, we feel too overwhelmed.  People WHO feel inferior OR even unworthy may even over-engage and strive to please others.  They may even struggle to say NO to additional requests, WHICH then pushes them to be overworked💥💥💥

OR ironically, being in the flow may trap you.  WHY?  WHEN you're in flow, you get to be more productive and too focused BUT here's the catch.  You may also lose track of time.  I've been in that rabbit hole many times in the past, getting so immersed and engrossed with my task and before I knew it, I've gone kaput, running out of time.  From an analogy perspective, as they say, WHEN you're too close to the trees, you miss out seeing the forest, WHICH is the clock time itself.  NOW, there's a mile-long list of common causes WHY we run out of time BUT can you guess what is the perennial #1 mother of all root causes???

YES, you did hit the nail on it's head.  The #1 culprit is WHEN we DON'T wake up early.  True, the world runs on a 9-to-5 schedule.  As a result, morning people tend to get more done and wind up more productive by the end of the workday.  That ISN'T to say night people are inherently inferior because [BEFORE I get bashed by contact centers], studies show that 'night people ' can be just as productive as morning people [or even more so] BUT because the typical office and our cross cultures start at nine sharp, they simply AREN'T able to match morning people in terms of workday productivity.  And even if you consider yourself as a 'night person', try waking up a little earlier each day, working iteratively if necessary❗❗❗

Our takeaway:  Besides that wild debate being a morning versus night person, let's revisit MULTITASKING because studies show that only a very small percentage of our working population is proven to be good and effective in MULTITASKING.  And the rest of us [and that includes moi] have been pointed as damn awful WHEN MULTITASKING.  WHY?  WHEN we MULTITASK. we instantly diminish our productivity for each task, thereby increasing the total amount of time it takes for us to complete all those tasks.  WHAT makes matter worse is that many of us believe that we're skilled MULTITASKERS!@#$?

RESPECT Is A Two-way Street

RESPECT Is A Two-way Street

Rightfully, RESPECT does NOT need an extra space in our thread BUT given the rampant [and widespread] disrespect WHICH we bear witness from time to time.  BTW, NOT to turn a molehill into a mountain BUT in the social media world, the manifestations of DISRESPECT comes in many forms and shapes:

• DON'T reply to emails selectively, e.g. Follow First-IN First-OUT
• DON'T ignite frictions or conflicts by lurking around social media
• DON'T stretch social media if communications must be made F2F
• DON'T resort to  'ghosting' if you're ill-intentioned with your actions
• DON'T leverage on social media except for everything in good faith
• DON'T sow intrigues in social media in disguise with your message

Thing is, MUTUAL RESPECT should be constant and NOT a variable in every human interaction BUT WHEN one party senses DISRESPECT, that conversation can turn its ugly head.  It's like air.  You DON'T think about it and it ISN'T a problem UNTIL you DON'T have it.  And WHEN DISRESPECT enters a conversation, even if it's perceived, that conversation is NO longer about the content BUT about the defending dignity💚💛💜

Let's face it.  Without MUTUAL RESPECT, there will be NO healthy dialogue.  Much of the time, we have NO idea that DISRESPECT has even entered a conversation.  Let's say you think your supervisor is overpaid and unqualified.  Your opinion of him may be that he's NOT able to stand up to the executives and just ends up creating more work for you.  Because you're carrying around this DISRESPECT in your thoughts, even if it seems unconscious, it will creep out in intention and even unintentional ways😌😌😌

LIKE if ever your boss asks you to do something that you think he should do, and you roll your eyes, OR let out an inadvertent exacerbated sigh.  OR maybe you talk behind his back, and he hears about it.  Pretty soon, your boss is adding jabs and veiled insults to the perceived insolence.  The next thing you know, your relationship is about 'SCORING POINTS'?  Remaining in dialogue WHEN mutual RESPECT is at risk, starts with you and only yourself as you CAN'T control others❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  Let's face it, many of us [and I was guilty of this in the past] would SOMETIMES walk around in an unconscious daze, unaware of their own feelings and needs, blaming one's problems on other people OR even society OR situations beyond their control, WHEN in all reality, their frustration would disappear if they were better able to speak openly and in ways that help them get their needs met.  YES dude, RESPECT IS A TWO-WAY STREET❗❗❗

In Pursuit Of Something

In Pursuit Of Something

Everyone has his various pursuits in life [for whatever reason OR motivation].  In truth and in fact, WHAT and WHEN you wake up and gravitate towards can influence the trajectory of your life.  Some people strive for SUCCESS.  And that SUCCESS may be in the form of status for their family and friends to marvel over, which by human nature is pretty normal.  That stuff about us In Pursuit Of Something📘📙📗

YES, some may pursue something that makes them HAPPY while others may merely seek out a career and existence that they consider meaningful.  YES, these three pursuits can intertwine and even work together as driving forces.  From a personal perspective, though, I always believed, with both my feet firmly on the ground, that WHATEVER your core pursuit is has a major impact on your life and HOW it plays out.  At times, our pursuits may be seemingly mundane, like, should we live within the big city, OR at the suburbs OR at the countryside?  BTW, when it boils down to these choices, generally, people hardly choose suburbia.  Instead, they mostly just fall into it.  As some sort of checklist agenda, they might draw a fence and a 45-minute commute to the city💎💎💎

Perhaps, that desire is still 'baked' in that idea down deep.  And WHEN we call our lives as generally HAPPY, ironically some of us end up spending most waking moments of it dealing with struggles, pain, annoyances, name it, and that includes a general sense that things are NOT quite as good as we'd like them for them to be.  Problem is, some of us end up taking that butcher-knife approach to the definition of life💦💦💦

And everything starts with that BIG LIFE definition, comprised of our hopes, dreams, the things we'll be doing once we finish our current task and the people we think we'll be once be finally rich, beautiful, famous OR otherwise able to escape from our current situation.  WHEREAS that definition of SMALL LIFE, comprised of the nearly infinite number of day-to-day moments that are often either filled with endless discomforts OR completely missed through our absorption in thoughts about the past, future, WHAT we'd rather be doing, and literally anything else besides the experience that's sitting in front of us💧💧💧

Our takeaway:  Almost all of us to strive to get from life to life.  BUT here comes those multifarious DISTRACTIONS.  Food, YouTube, TikTok, Netflix, name it.  And it's true, sure enough, they work, making us laugh, cry, feel less, feel more and in general, allow us to escape from the hum-drum and discomfort of our day-to-day lives.  BUT let us NOT miss the opportunities to be IN PURSUIT of things that are meaningful enough in our life, dude💥💥💥

Where Your Journey Takes You, It's [REALLY] Up To You!

Where Your Journey Takes You, It's [REALLY] Up To You!

Here's a giveaway bonus question to everyone.  Can you guess HOW FAR CAN YOU GO [in your life journey]?  C'mon dude, you can be a low-risk guy BUT I enjoin you to grab that chance and answer that question [only to yourself though].  To entice you to do so, I'll share you my own answer.  I can go as far as I want on one condition.  As long as that destination is feasible and realistic.   Where Your Journey Takes You, It's [REALLY] Up To You!!!

SO HOW?  Two simple words.  SET GOALS!  And it has to start NOW, as in NOW!  Obviously, before you SET GOALS, decide as to WHAT you want to achieve in life.  Separating WHAT's important from WHAT's irrelevant OR even a distraction.  NOW, let's get both our feet back on the ground.  Many people feel AS IF they're adrift in the world.  They work hard, BUT they DON'T seem to get anywhere worthwhile.  Heard this several times:  I'VE BEEN GRINDING [and kicking my ass] BUT nothing seems to progress!@#$%?

NOW, let me dig deep from my distant past.  A key reason that they feel that way is that they HAVEN'T spent enough time thinking about WHAT they want from life and HAVEN'T set themselves formal goals either.  After all, WOULD you set out on a major journey with NO real idea of your destination?  Likely NOT, dude.  SO HOW?  First, consider WHAT you want to achieve and then commit to it.  Set SMART [Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound] goals that motivate you and write them down to make them feel that concrete and tangible.  A common recurring lapse by so many?  They have ambitious and overflowing goals BUT it's all stuck deep inside their minds, whew.  Goal-setting is a powerful process for thinking about ideal future and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of your future into reality.  That process of setting goals helps you choose WHERE you want to go in life💥💥💥

By knowing precisely WHAT you want to achieve, you know WHERE you have to concentrate your efforts.  You'll also quickly spot the distractions that can, so easily, lead you to go astray.  Few times in the past, I asked people [WHOM I knew up close] as they seemed idle almost everyday.  Their common retort:  'I'M WAITING FOR AN OPENING IN DUBAI, HONG KONG OR WHEREVER', whew!@#$%?  If that's one's mindset, you're a living dead waiting to go kaput any day now❌❌❌

Our takeaway:  Setting goals seem so casual that's NOT worth discussing BUT frankly, setting goals may seem that simple and easy if you take this structure approach:

• First, create that 'BIG PICTURE' of WHAT you want to be
• Second, break it up into smaller and milestone targets
• Third, craft your overall plan that is detailed enough, very specific [using ACTION WORDs, ACTIVE VERBs] and comprehensives from end-to-end.  

YES dude, you can be your own project manager because WHERE YOUR JOURNEY TAKES YOU, IT'S [REALLY] UP TO YOU❗❗❗