Josh Hinds - Syndicated columnist - Writer - Author - New Media Publisher :o)
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| Josh Hinds' Motivational & Inspirational Journal Josh Hinds - Syndicated columnist - Writer - Author - New Media Publisher :o) |
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Monday, October 30, 2000 Things don't always follow a timeline - I've often thought what a shame it is that personal success doesn't always adhere to a stricter timeline. If it did I'm convinced that there be more folks finding personal satisfaction and success... Take heart though. By keeping careful track of our goals as we achieve them we can use our "little triumphs" to our advantage. It really doesn't so much matter how specifically you track them, whether in a fancy journal or a plain old notebook! The important thing is that you write them down! What this does is provides us with needed fuel and re- energizes us during those times when we feel we're not making ample progress... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Saturday, October 28, 2000 Not everyday comes up roses - At some point in all of our lives there are times when we find ourselves faced with things that just don't make sense. And the more we struggle to understand these hardships, the less any of it makes sense... Personally I have found that in every challenge and obstacle we're faced with there is often an equal or greater good that can come from it! The only catch is that we may have to be willing to look long and hard for exactly what it is! While it is true that it's almost never easy to identify, I feel confident in saying that it is there, often lying dormant just waiting for us to release it! When you find times where things aren't quite going your way spend just a little more time looking for those hidden positives in your life... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Wednesday, October 25, 2000 Contrary to popular belief it is not always about the money - We've all heard story after story about the high priced computer programmers, executives,etc., that are getting paid huge amounts of money for their skills. Such stories offer little comfort if you happen to be one of the unlucky souls trying to find quality people to join your organization. If you happen to fall in this category take heart... Several weeks ago I was talking to a good friend of mine that I knew had been having a bit of a time finding someone for a position she was trying to fill. We got to chatting a bit when she went on to tell me that she'd just interviewed a woman who she really felt great about. The only catch it seemed was that she was expecting to be paid more. Since the job was for a university the pay was out of my friends' hands. Well back to the drawing board it seemed... But wait! Here's where realizing that different things motivate different people. I made a few suggestions and we bounced some ideas off of each other. The ideas centered around focusing on all the non-monetary perks that are involved in the particular job (the things that money can't buy). I knew my friend, and as such I knew that any department she was running was going to be a wonderful place to work. Therefore I suggested she encourage the prospective employee to speak candidly with others in the department so that she could see first hand what a good place it was to come to work each day. I should say here that if your place of employment doesn't fit in this category you're going to see folks running out the door screaming with their resumes in hand if you try this approach :-). Now I am sure you're wondering what the result was, right? A few days ago I got a wonderful e-mail from my friend telling me she'd started thinking about what we'd discussed and called back the prospective employee. This time around she focused on the "perks" of the job. In this case the university actually allowed employees to go to school free! Needless to say the woman called back the same day and accepted the position. My friend, never underestimate the power of the things that high salary can't buy! You may be in a situation where you don't have such obvious perks as my friend at the university did. Trust me when I tell you that with a little searching (and asking fellow employees) you'll find a good list of things as well. Perhaps it is the opportunity to work with a top sales person in the industry. I can tell you from experience that many a high quality person has gone to work for less just because they saw an opportunity to work next to "top performers" in their industry. In short whatever situation you're in don't short change yourself, chances are very good that you have something wonderful to offer. You just haven't thought of it yet... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Tuesday, October 24, 2000 Take charge and learn a new skill - If there's one thing I'd recommend it would be to embark on a never ending journey of learning new skills and expanding your knowledge base! While many things change, there always seems to be a solid place for the person with multiple skills... Another important thing to remember is that where you are now doesn't have to be where you are in a month, a year or 5 years. Amazing as it seems we can set out on a whole different journey by simply adopting the attitude of constant learning! My friend, very few things in life can make us bullet proof! Yet acquiring various skills at least makes us Teflon coated (besides even if you never test your new skills in a job atmosphere at least it'll make the journey a lot more enjoyable)...Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Monday, October 23, 2000 Success doesn't come with a guaranty - While it's true that we're never guaranteed success when we try something new, we can certainly take comfort in knowing that even if we fall flat on our face we're still gaining life experiences and increasing our knowledge (thus getting us closer to our eventual achievement)! When I look at it like that it almost makes me want to fail as many times as I can knowing that each time I'll get a bit closer in my efforts.... The next time you find yourself faced with the question "what if I fail"? Try turning that question around and ask yourself, "but what if I succeed?" The simple truth is that we have very little to lose when compared to what we have to gain!...Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Friday, October 20, 2000 'Ya Gotta' Believe! - Sometimes we go through points in our lives where things just don't seem to be going right. I am sure we can all think back to one time or another where we can relate to this. I wish I knew the answer to why this happens, but I don't. Personally I chalk it up to another of life's many mysteries. There lies the fact that with enough belief, the right help, and in some cases pure persistence we can turn these feelings around for the better... My friend, you may be one of the lucky ones who can read something positive and your day totally changes for the better. Others may require the help of a therapist, a trained professional to do so. I don't really believe it's important what particular path you take, so long as we understand that we owe it to ourselves to do whatever it takes to make positive changes in our lives. When we're happy and have peace in our lives those who share them with us are naturally more better off too. If I've said it once I'll say it again! Self-improvement is very much a work in progress. What works for you may not work for me. No matter what you may be faced with in your life remember that if you search out enough answers eventually you'll find what works best. Please keep in mind that you don't have to face things alone. I had a very good friend of mine who used to have very low times in his life. After a while he finally sought medical council. It turns out he has been battling with depression. He wasn't even aware of it. Now this is GREAT news! How you ask? Because now he is on the road to learning to deal with it. The moral of the story is simple we've got to do our part to find whatever help might be out there. Ask enough questions and ultimately you'll find your answers. I do hope that today's message finds you in the middle of a happy and joyous life. If by chance you happen to be at a low point, please for the sake of yourself and those that care about you look for someone to help you through it... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Thursday, October 19, 2000 Building A Legacy…. Have you ever given thought to what it takes to create your own legacy? Here's a tip... No matter how much money we might acquire it is not going to be guaranteed. Here's an example to consider... Many people are aware of the great Kennedy fortune. Some might even agree the family has a legacy. The catch is that most folks don't know that it was Joe Kennedy who got things rolling (as a financier). Most do however know John F. Kennedy. An interesting paradox is that it was primarily things outside of money that he's most known for wouldn't you agree? So here's the point I am getting at... Each of has within us the unique ability to build something that will long outlast our time on this earth. Things that can offer us true peace, as we grow older. This is based off of the simple saying "we can't take it with us"... No matter how much wealth you have the simple fact still remains you can't take it with you! Now here's what we can take with us. The time that we spend with our friends or family, each time we take throughout the day not only to give, but also to show another how to provide for themselves. When we take the time to slow down a bit during our busy day and simply take in the moment. These are just a few of the things that can have a lasting effect. Increasing your income is important, but do yourself a favor and don't neglect the "smaller" things in life. It takes all things both big and small... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Wednesday, October 18, 2000 In each of our lives, for whatever reason, there are times that we are faced with things that just don't make sense to us. And the more we struggle to understand our hardships, the less any of it makes sense... I've personally found that in every challenge and obstacle we are faced with there can be good that comes from it! While it's almost never easy to identify, I assure you that it is there lying dormant just waiting for us to release it! I urge everyone to spend your days looking for positives in your life... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Friday, October 13, 2000 Simple steps can make a difference - Make yourself a plan detailing the things you'd like to see transform in your life. Once you've got your list together take it a step further by writing the steps you think are necessary to reaching your intended goals. Be sure you keep in mind that the journey might take you in different directions at times. Your list should help to keep you in check and moving towards the things you've identified as important for yourself... Each day take at least one active step towards making these things happen. Don't fall into the trap that so many do. Make sure your planning is met with action. I have a feeling you'll be amazed by the results. Above all else take time to enjoy life along the way... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Tuesday, October 10, 2000 If you love the journey it'll feel like it's easier - Notice I didn't say it would necessarily be easier" :-). There is in fact a difference. As I have said without fail, anything worth doing is often going to take effort... The catch here is that when we can wake up to the idea of doing something we enjoy it makes it a whole easier to do! I am saying this as someone who has been on both sides of the issue :-). While it's true that now I do the web site and two newsletters only, this wasn't always the case. One particularly unenjoyable job comes to mind. (which will remain nameless) The people I worked with were great, many of us are still friends today. However, I didn't derive any enjoyment from the actual work I was doing. I was putting in so much time and I actually found that each day it was getting harder and harder to dedicate time to it. For lack of a better word it was draining me something fierce. It was actually during this time that I began to formulate the opinion that "loving what you do" is an essential part of one's overall happiness. It's certainly not the only part, but it is a big part. With that said I hope that you're also deriving happiness in your place in life. After all life is short and you deserve to enjoy it!... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink The Following is an article that I enjoy by Michael E. Angier of SuccessNet... I hope you enjoy it as well... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) OUR SELF ESTEEM A reader from the Middle East wrote to me recently asking how he could improve his low self-image. He said, "it ruins my social and professional life." He wanted to know what techniques he could employ to solve this lifelong problem. I felt somewhat inadequate in my reply to him and resolved to write about my own struggles to improve self-esteem in hopes that it will be helpful to others. The dictionary says that esteem means, "to regard with respect; to prize, to appreciate. To recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of, to admire greatly; to value." I know people who have too much confidence and self-pride, but I don't know ANYONE with too much self-esteem. Most people, in moments of profound honesty, will admit to a lack of self-esteem. They would like to feel better about themselves -- more confident and capable--in short, to love themselves more. It would probably be fair to say that most social problems are the result--directly or indirectly--of someone's low self-concept. Not too many years ago, I was going through a dark time in my life. I was broke--financially, personally, socially-- even spiritually. In describing it to someone once, I said, "I had the self-esteem of a dead rat." That might have been overstating it a bit but not much. My life--and my confidence--is much better today. MUCH better. So what changed? Was it outward circumstances? Did my environment change and with it my inner experience? No. Somehow I knew that any changes would have to be from me. It would be an inner transformation that would eventually alter the outward experience. Some of the things I did unconsciously. Others were done with deliberation. First and foremost, I removed myself from people who had been particularly critical. By distancing myself from this criticism, I was able to gain a better perspective. I was perfectly capable of taking my own inventory and didn't need someone else pointing out my errors and keeping me focused on my shortcomings. I immersed myself in good books--books of inspiration, books that increased my belief and books that gave me hope. And hope was severely lacking. A good therapist helped me to see myself in a better light. Because he wasn't emotionally involved in my problems, he was able to see things differently. He would often point out that things weren't nearly as bad as they appeared to be. I made a conscious attempt to focus on my strengths: my talents, my experience and my knowledge. I didn't allow myself to indulge in negative thoughts. When I found myself musing about something less than "uplifting", I would redirect myself to something else. I gave myself no permission to have "pity parties." I took to heart Thomas Carlyle's advice when he wrote, "Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what clearly lies at hand." I kept busy. I did what appeared to me as needing doing. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do or how I was going to do it. The future was uncertain and for the first time in my life I didn't have a plan. Like the AA program, I took one day at a time. And each day I did what I could to clean up my messes, make things better, keep my focus forward instead of backward and keep the faith. It was my faith in Universal Spirit that helped me get through this winter of discontent. I believe that everyone has a unique purpose and I was determined to discover my own. God doesn't make junk. One of the biggest awareness' I had during these dark times was that I WAS NOT my feelings. I HAD feelings, but they were not me. I also realized that I had cared too much about the opinions of others. I still care; I just don't let it run me like it used to. Some people believe that if you feel good about yourself, you'll do great things. That may be true, but I also believe that if you do great things, you'll feel good about yourself -- and then do even greater things. Taking these steps consistently over a period of years has enabled me to rebuild my finances, establish a career I'm excited about, develop a loving and committed marriage and, most importantly, restore and improve upon my self esteem. I'm grateful for the process. Self-esteem is an upward or downward spiral. What you do affects the way you feel. How you feel affects the things you do. The things you do affect what you and others think of you, which in turn, affects how you feel about yourself. You're either building yourself up or tearing yourself down. There is no status quo when it comes to your self-image. ___________ Michael E. Angier - Success Networks International http://www.SuccessNet.org posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Friday, October 06, 2000 Quick networking resource - In the past I've discussed the importance of developing strong internal networks and the role they play in achieving our personal goals. Developing strong relationships is very much an ongoing process. I'd like to share with you a resource that I've been using lately to make the process a little easier... When I first heard from Rex Hammock, and the good folks at http://www.smallbusiness.com about a new site they were doing I jumped on over to have a look. What I found was much more than just another web site. Instead there was a full- blown community of folks sharing and asking advice on topics that were of interest to me. Now this is what networking is all about! I visit on a regular basis and am planning on visiting Rex's office the next time I am Nashville (where they're located). Friends, this is one resource you're going to be able to use no matter what field you're in. I do want to say that I was not paid, nor even asked to mention this site. Truly, it's a resource that I have been enjoying and I feel that you will too. Keep in mind this simple quote that I find right on target: As one we can make a difference, as a group we can change the world! Here's hoping you're having a fantastic day!... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink Thursday, October 05, 2000 There's no rule of success that says we have to get it right the first time out - Boy am I glad this is the case. In fact I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people that "got it right" the first few times... What we undoubtedly do find as we search through the countless stories of those that have had the courage to live their dreams is that they had an over abundance of ambition and sheer persistence. They held onto the idea of what they wanted and said, "by golly I am not going to give up till I reach it!" I hope you don't mind me putting that little 'Leave it to Beaver' spin on that, but I wanted to make a point :-) You see, in more cases than not we find illustration after illustration of people that worked their basic idea. Rather than letting not reaching the goal beat them down they used it as a lesson to learn from. It is through these life lessons that they acquired the skills necessary to reach what they wanted to achieve. Follow your plan! Don't be afraid of the bumps that you might meet along the way. Rather try your best to accept that they are part of the journey. My friend you deserve no less!... Your friend in cyberspace, Josh Hinds :-) posted by Josh Hinds | Permalink |
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