Simple Formula for Living

Live beneath your means.

Return everything you borrow.

Stop blaming other people.

Admit it when you make a mistake.

Give clothes not worn to charity.

Do something nice and try not to get caught.

Listen more; talk less.

Every day take a 30 minute walk.

Strive for excellence, not perfection.

Be on time. Don’t make excuses.

Don’t argue. Get organized.

Be kind to unkind people.

Let someone cut ahead of you in line.

Take time to be alone.

Cultivate good manners.

Be humble.

Realize and accept that life isn’t fair.

Know when to keep your mouth shut.

Go an entire day without criticizing anyone.

Learn from the past. Plan for the future.

Live in the present.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

It’s all small stuff.

 

-        Author Unknown

Save the Date for our 2018 Golf Invitational!

20 Small Ways To Be Happier This Year

1. Go to sleep when you’re tired.

After a good night of sleep, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready-ish to face a new day. Plus, you will appreciate going to bed earlier when your alarm goes off in the morning.

2. Make someone happy.

Spreading happiness will not only cheer someone up but it will also make you feel better, too. Make your mom a cup of tea, call your best friend, or compliment someone on their outfit. Good energy is contagious.

3. Celebrate your small victories.

What if instead of wasting so much time putting ourselves down for not being good enough at something, we celebrated our small victories? It can be something like getting complimented at school or work, learning a new recipe, or making that phone call you were dreading. Be your own cheerleader!

4. Practice gratitude.

Think about something you’re grateful for every day before going to bed and write it down. When you take the time to count your blessings, you realize that your life is actually full of things to be grateful for. Your mind is simply too clouded and too busy to see it.

5. Put down your electronics for an hour every day.

The Internet is pretty amazing, we all know that. But it’s also addicting and that is why it’s important to switch off. Read a book, go for a walk outside, and spend more time with your loved ones.

6. Stop snoozing your alarm.

It will only make you feel more tired.

7. Start journaling.

Writing is a therapy, it helps you put things into perspective. But don’t try to be a creative writer – that’s not the point, just let your thoughts out on the paper. Let it be messy and honest, straight from the heart. I tend to do it when I’m feeling anxious or sad and it always makes me feel a better.

8. Learn something new.

Whether it is a new language, how to play the ukulele, or coding a website, learning something new will make you feel accomplished.

9. Spend more time with yourself.

It can be a bit scary at first but it’s important to learn to enjoy your own company. Curl up on the couch with a good book or go shopping by yourself. You can also try meditation for 10 minutes every morning, it’s a good way to start your day and listen to your own thoughts and needs.

10. Cry if you need to.

It’s okay to allow yourself to be sad sometimes, it doesn’t mean your weak. Having a cry and letting it all out will make you feel better but don’t dwell on the negative things for too long.

11. Spend more time outside.

It’s scientifically proven that vitamin D boosts your mood and the fresh air will give you an energy boost. It also helps to clear your head when you’re feeling anxious.

12. Sweat it out.

I feel like a hypocrite trying to encourage you to exercise but I can’t deny it makes you feel good. And you don’t need to run a marathon, start by taking a walk every day or the stairs instead of the elevator. Baby steps.

13. Spend more time with your loved ones.

Make more time to hang out with your closest family and friends, the people who are there for you no matter what and avoid people that put you down.

14. Make plans.

Having something to look forward to will not only make you happier but also help you overcome challenges. Well, I might have a busy week coming up at work but at least I’m going to Ikea on Saturday and can treat myself to some new bits.

15. Buy a planner and organize your life.

If you love stationery and planning as much as I do, organizing your life with the help of a pretty planner will make you feel accomplished and prepared to tackle your to-do list.

16. Stretch out your body in the morning.

Stretching improves your posture and gives you the energy to face a new day. All you need to do is put your hands above your head and stretch as far as you can for a few seconds. Super easy!

17. Step out of your comfort zone.

I’m the first to admit this isn’t easy but it’s so empowering to take a step out of your bubble and overcome a fear. Don’t let fear hold you back.

18. Learn to let go.

You are wasting your energy by worrying about things that happened in the past. Been there, done that. You can’t go back and change them so focus on the present, instead.

19. Smile to your reflection in the mirror.

Yes, do it. I do this every time I’m feeling a bit blah, is that weird? Yeah, it’s weird. But I promise it actually works. Of course, it really depends on the situation but smiling, even when it’s fake, activates a little something in your brain that makes you feel happier.

20. Remember: you’re the one in charge of your happiness.

You can’t control what happens to you, you can only control how you react to it. You can’t also rely on other people to bring you happiness, it must come from within, so focus on creating a positive mindset!

Thank You For Your Support!

25 Principles of Adult Behavior

The Five Languages Of Love In Marriage

Take Responsbility!

This week we share a powerful message from Leadership & Executive Coach, Matthew Gould. Matt cautions that this message is, Rated "R", so you have been warned.


This post is rated "R". The content is not for everybody. It is restricted to individuals and teams who want to make a massive difference this year. It is restricted to people who are willing to experience pain, discomfort, and failure in order to increase revenue, add significant value, and to grow personally and professionally. This post is restricted to people who are seeking more and wanting to contribute at a higher level yet they don't know how based on the culture and environment they find themselves in. This post is rated "R" for RESPONSIBILITY

 It is time you take 100% responsibility for everything.

If you have any level of dissatisfaction in your life, it is up to you to make a change. As you reflect on last year and forecast what you want this year to look like, consider yourself as the sole person responsible for making the changes you want to experience. To narrow it down, let's look at 4 areas where you can take more responsibility.

1) Yourself: No one is responsible for you. Your parents, your spouse, your partner, your friends are not responsible for your personal development. Your leader, your company, your co-workers are not responsible for your professional development.

You are responsible for you.

Stop looking outside of yourself. Stop blaming others. Stop waiting for management to create a plan for you. Your personal and professional development plan is up to you. Take action today by writing down why you want to change, what you want to develop, and how you will take action to make this happen. Ensure that what you write down comes from within and that it is something you can't live without. Then find the courage to share the plan and be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish it.

2) Your relationships: You are responsible for the state of each relationship you are involved in. The relationships you hold with your family, your spouse, your partner, and your friends is up to you. When you take 100% responsibility for each relationship you will experience incredible transformation.

It takes two to tango and it might be time to change the dance.

Remember, if you are wanting to make a massive difference this year, change is mandatory. In your career, consider taking 100% responsibility for the relationships you hold with your leader, your co-workers, the team you support, and your clients. You will have to show up in these relationships with a lot more intention if you want to experience a higher level of connection and mutual value. If you are struggling in a relationship, stop looking for the other person to change. Instead, with the "R" word in your heart and mind, start developing the skills and access the courage you need to influence the relationship you want to experience. It might also be a great time for you to apply a little Relationship Oil to reduce some of the unnecessary friction that exists within certain relationships.

3) Your Contribution: How are you contributing personally and professionally this year? What is your definition of success? Have you written it down? Without further delay, create some time and space to define what success means to you. There are 2 areas to consider to keep it simple. Personal success and Professional success. When you connect with your definition, you will have a much clearer vision of your personal and professional purpose and the fire within will be stoked! Don't go another second without creating and defining what success looks like this year. Armed with your definition, lean into your strengths and contribute more than you ever have before.

4) Your Community: What do others need? How can you support your team and co-workers? How can you take responsibility for the community around you? What charities and causes need your leadership and energy? Who can you serve? When you consider the world outside of yourself and you take more responsibility for what is happening around you, the fire within burns even more intensely.

You are a part of your community, stop excluding yourself from it.

Get involved. Contribute. Donate. Give. Serve. If it is not up to you, then you are not committed to taking responsibility this year. Consider showing up as a leader no matter what. Consider taking responsibility to positively impact the lives of those around you.

There is a higher level to experience this year. You are capable of so much more. You can take more responsibility for the roles you play. Blame, excuses, and distancing yourself from responsibility will not get you very far. In fact, it will hold you back and negatively impact you and those around you. Enough is enough. Live on purpose. To experience the freedom you deserve and to contribute this year beyond what you could even imagine, take 100% responsibility. Courage, vulnerability, humility, and a defined purpose may be required AND it will be worth it.

Take responsibility. It is a choice you have the power to make. Choose it.



Drago