Blog

Linking Paycheck to Purpose

03.04.10

On Friday and Saturday, the world seems a truly wonderful place. But by Monday morning, a harsher reality starts to set in. Back to work. Again.

If you find yourself dreading Monday mornings (or any weekday morning for that matter), you may be surprised to discover a few relatively simple adjustments in your approach to work can bring about some major attitude as well as life changes.

Find work that excites you
We spend most of our lives at work. So we might as well find an occupation that fires us up and engages us. Most people stay in jobs they don’t like because they need the security, or because "it could be worse." But when you find work you love and have the courage to pursue it, success is certain to follow. Discover your calling and have the self-discipline to follow it.

Link paycheck to purpose
One of the deepest needs of every human being is the need to make a difference in the lives of others. Take the time to connect with all the people who count on you and whose lives you affect through your work. Often, we forget the men, women and families who rely on our work and dedication to live high-quality lives of their own.

Set weekly goals
Goals offer hope to the hopeless and inspiration to the uninspired. Big, exciting goals give you a reason to get up in the morning, and fuel your thoughts as you move through your day. Write them down. Start small in number. Start today.

Get up earlier
Rather than beginning your week in the eye of the tornado, why not get up one hour earlier and take the time to enjoy some of life’s simpler pleasures -- pleasures that you may have neglected in your fast-paced lifestyle? Go for a walk in natural surroundings, watch the sun rise or read a good book. Contemplate how you will spend the week ahead and create a plan for success. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail.

Stop blaming others
Successful people accept complete responsibility for every aspect of their lives. They realize that if the way they are living is not ideal, they have the power to make changes and improve their life’s quality. They understand that for their life to improve, they must improve. And so they read more, learn more and do more than the average person.

Focus on the positive
Our thoughts form our world. Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Through the thoughts you run through your mind every minute of every day, you can create a rich, rewarding life or a living nightmare.
Remember, there is no objective reality. We see the world through our own set of unique lenses, and we all have the power to interpret the world in a positive way, if we so choose. As one wise thinker said, "We see the world not as it is, but as we are."

Grow wiser
Rather than wishing for fewer problems, wish for greater wisdom. Rather than hoping that life will get easier, why not focus on working smarter? In these change-crazed times, he who learns most wins. Become a lifelong student. Learn more about your industry and field than anyone else around you. Read more than others. Go to more seminars and get serious about the work you do. This is how you become a person of great value, whose success is assured.

Your quote for the day:

"Success isn’t permanent, and failure isn’t fatal."
- Mike Ditka


posted by Rachel Meador on 03.04.10 • comments (0) • Executive Coaching