Brenda Rosaaen C.E.C. ~Personal Development Coach~

A New Year, a New You!

It’s that time of year again. Time to make your New Year’s Resolution!

If you’re like most people, you are looking to make some changes! Lose weight, Exercise more, Be more in tune to your family, Spend less time at work, Make more money, Be a better person…. Yada, Yada, Yada.

And, if you’re like most people you will start out with great positive intentions, saying “This is going to be The Year!”. You’ll get through the 1^st week, even the 2^nd. You may even make it to February….

What I’m wondering is, When are you going to start? It’s only a few more days till 2009. Why not start today?

That’s the problem with a New Year’s Resolution. It starts with procrastination!! That’s right, procrastination, and where does that get you? It’s like starting your diet on Monday… IF you do wait and start the diet on Monday, you maybe like so many others that make it a few days, have a set back, then tell themselves, it’s ok….”I’ll start on Monday.” It’s a crazy cycle, that just makes you feel worse in the end.

Don’t let your 2009 goals be like that Monday Diet. You can do a few things right now, Today, Tomorrow and the next few remaining days, to get started, get that momentum going. It makes me think of the saying, “Strike while the iron is hot.”

I came across a quote the other day, a Chinese Proverb: “Procrastinate one day, 10 days go by”.

How true is that one? I know that has happened for me more times than I would’ve liked. Life is full of so many things that need to get done, NOW. We put off the little things that only take a few extra minutes to do, like making healthy food choices, walking 20 minutes a day, taking some time for the kids and so forth. Those little things are the ones that can make a Big Difference.

Remember, in the words of Tony Robbins, “Procrastination is the thief of time”.

Here’s to a New You, Right Now! Cheers!

~Brenda

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Who are you spending your time with?

It’s been said that we become the five people we associate with the most. I first heard this about 9 months ago. Boy was that an “Ah-Ha” for me. Or actually, a great big “DUH” I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it before. Maybe it was just the wording.

Take just a few seconds and right now and name off the top 5 people you spend the most time with throughout your day.

This includes not only friends and family but co-workers as well. Are these people positive, uplifting, fun, cheerful, goal oriented people? Or do they suck the energy completely out of you, with complaints and negativity?

Now go to a time when things were really going well for you, your job, your relationships, anything, just a time in your life when you were feeling really great! Who were the top 5 people in your life at that time?

Do you see the connection yet? Now do the opposite. Go to a time when things weren’t so hot, maybe it was family issues, money, business opportunities were going south, a time when you were just having a string of “bad luck”. What people were in your circle of influence then?

Fact of the matter is we can’t always escape some of the people in our lives, like our co-workers. Even our dearest, best intentioned family members and be a drain without realizing it.

One thing you can do is, look outside your immediate five. Where else can you find positive, supportive people with similar interests as yours?

Social networking is a great place to start and it really doesn’t take up too much extra time. You can go online, Facebook, Linked-In, Myspace, and Twitter are among just a few places where you can meet like minded people with similar lifestyles and professional goals. Want to actually have face to face interaction with others? It’s as easy as checking your local newspaper’s Community Events Calendar. You’ll find a number of free events you can attend. Local service organizations are always looking for new members. Toastmasters is a great place to meet others and learn a valuable skill as well. If you’re in a larger city you can try BNI or Meet In.

The next time you feel yourself slipping into a slump it might be a good idea to take a look at the influences closest to you. Until next time…

~Brenda

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What's your footprint?

What's your Carbon Footprint? That question has been surfacing more and more. According to Wikipedia, it is "measure of the impact that human activities have on the environment ..."

What I'm wondering is, What is your Emotional/Personal Footprint? I really don't know what I want to call it. However, there is no doubt that we always leave some sort of impression behind when we interact with others.

A Facebook friend shared a great story with me,that I'd like to share with you as well. In her own words...

"Many years ago when my daughter and I were driving from Denver to Seattle, in the wee hours of the morning, I stopped for fuel in Billings. Met a very kind person behind the counter. Very brief pit stop and back on the road.
A couple weeks later I received roses with the note;"... it was a blessing ...to meet you and your daughter, I wish you well always".
That is the opinion I have of MT as a whole. I was touched by the warmth and kindness of this stranger without expecting anything in return."

This story just goes to show we never really know the impact we have on others. She apparently made a positive impression on the person behind the counter. Not thinking a thing about it, just a stranger traveling along.

What a wonderful feeling that must have been to receive the unexpected note and flowers weeks later! Do you think that clerk behind the counter has any idea of the impression he has now made on her?

The good news is, we have a choice daily how we want to show up in the world and what kind of footprint we leave behind.

And on the flip side, when was the last time you told someone about the affect they have made on your own life? Chances are they might not have any idea. Not only will it make them feel good to hear it, you'll probably feel pretty good about it as well.

;) Brenda

 

P.S. Thank you, my new Facebook friend for allowing me to share your story!

 

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Relationships

Life is all about relationships.  Think about it. Think back to some of your most memorable moments in life. It's all about the people.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the material aspect of life. The big house, cars, nice vacations, making lots of money.  But if you look back and some of the best parts of your life, you can bet it was most likely the people you were sharing your time with, that made the event so great.

Now, I want you to think about some of those people.... How did you meet them?  Sometimes some of the most amazing people we meet are by chance, or so we think.  It's been said that people come into your life for a reason. I happen to think this is true, personally. I also think sometimes we have to take some action along the way.

You never know the impact a complete stranger can have on your life, or you theirs.  Do you ever see the same people on a regular basis, at the coffee shop, the grocery store, etc.  Have you stopped in the middle of your busy day, to say hello and start a brief conversation?  

Sometimes the greatest friendships can start with a friendly smile and a simple "Hello".  Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Have a GREAT day!

~Brenda

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