You Have to Ask Yourself, Are You Serious?

I would ask this question of anyone who’s taking on their own personal or professional development to improve their well-being, relationships, and performance.

Are you serious?

Now, this question should wield a lot of weight and meaning. But often it doesn’t. Quite frankly, we forget that every decision we make is a choice. Our choice, because we’re in charge; the person deciding whether you have bacon and eggs for breakfast or oatmeal in the morning is YOU. So, if you truly want to improve something, anything, you have to make that choice consistently. It's up to you, you're in control.

Unfortunately, in today's world, it's pretty easy to forget that we have this control over living. Particularly, when the heat is on, when we’re feeling the stress, when the walls are closing in, or when the water suddenly goes freezing cold in the shower. Right?

But we still have choices. Right? Right?

In those moments—like when the water suddenly turns to ice as we stand naked in the shower—we tend to go into survival and forget. Primitive brain kicks in “do or die” . . . or “die or die” or “kill it if it moves.” All the other options fade into the recesses of darkness, chaos and oblivion. You’re thinking, I’m standing here in a shower of ice. The lower part of my body has turned glacier. Life sucks right now.

We've all been there, right? Some of us recently.

But that doesn’t mean we still don’t have choices. We just may not be seeing those choices or believe that they're available to us at that moment.

It’s very tricky, isn’t it?

Believe it or not, it’s pretty easy to see when others are in distress. When they’re stuck and fighting options and opportunities. We can see it as clear as a pimple on someone else’s nose. And if you’re in the right mood (or maybe it’s the wrong mood), it can even be kind of funny. But when it’s us in the belly of the beast, it’s a whole other story!

What makes the difference?

You know the answer: CONSISTENCY.

Negative consistency creates descending dynamics.

Positive consistency creates ascending dynamics.

It’s the things we do consistently that make the difference in our health, mental clarity and alacrity, our emotional well-being and happiness, our spiritual peace, and our aptitude and performance. Whether it’s consistently neglectful or consistently attentive.

At this point, with American's overall happiness a bit on the downer:

*Source: The Harris Poll

. . . I’d like to invite you to take an inventory.

But this isn't an inventory of your finances, the belongings in your home, or what’s hidden in the glove compartment of your car. (Is anybody asking, how did he know?)

No, this is an inventory of what you’re consistently doing, day in and day out, that keeps you healthy, happy, productive, and successful.

Such as:

• Affirmations.
• Journal.
• Planning your day in writing.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Exercise.
• Meditation.
• Prayer.
• Eating right.
• Being grateful.
• Forgiving.
• Healthy contacts with others.
• Learning something each day.
• Career goals and development.
• Serving others.

Going forward, as we consistently feed a positive mindset along with action, things happen. If things aren't happening, maybe you’ve been in the cold shower too long. Maybe it’s time to stop plotting your revenge against the cruel, cruel world and just move on.

It’s time to get on with positive, consistent actions and habits.

About The Author

Maikel Bailey is an executive coach and corporate trainer, specializing in leadership, employee development, and team building. For coaching, training or more information, contact Maikel Bailey at 801.910.5704.

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