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Challenge the Familiar

Brent BaldwinMaybe it only feels right because it’s a habit, a familiar routine, one that offers comfort in its repetition, but the reality is, for some of us the routine, habit or familiar pattern is no longer serving us.

It may be time to look at what we are doing, to explore the why of it, and see if there is a better how in the mix.

Not only does this happen in our personal lives it seems to thrive in corporations, both small and large. Processes and people become so ingrained in daily routines that they fail to realize the effectiveness of what they are doing has long lost its value to the bottom–line or to their quality of life on a personal basis.

Maybe it did add value at one time, but things change, and people are typically resistant to anything that may be the least bit disruptive, we are, for the most part, creatures of habit.

The process of letting go seems harder than hanging on to a routine that is not quite as useful as it once was. After all, change of any kind can be a bit scary at times. The predictability of a pattern, regardless of its effectiveness is, if nothing else predictable, it feels safe.

World Class Thinking, is being comfortable with the uncomfortable; prepared for the risk, stepping into the unknown and the familiar Challenging the status quo is where the possibility of big returns and significant advancements lie.

When life gets interesting ~ Think World Class

Coming April 5th, our eight week Think World Class program. Register today at ThinkWorldClass.com.

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What Would You Do If Offered a Second Chance?

Brent BaldwinThe answer: Take it!

The thing is we aren’t often offered a second chance, or at least not often enough. What we have to do is to make our second chances, to create an opportunity for ourselves to redo or start over if we aren’t satisfied with the result or the direction things are going.

Four ways to author a second chance.

1) First step is to commit to an attitude of fortitude. Be robust and bold. Embrace the reason you deserve this second chance. Be specific as to how you want it to look.

2) Gamble like there is nothing to lose. Put it all on the table and bet the house. Having this kind of commitment provides focus and motivation to achieve the result you know that you want.

3) Reframe the objections you are facing. Both in your mind and your arguments. Work from an empowering position and think it through with critical thinking. Create a shift in your mind and communicate that change convincingly.

4) Choose new partners with which to work. Find like-minded people and re-create. Be honorable and honest and operate with the expectation of receiving.

Why wait to be offered a second chance? You think you deserve it orchestrate a way to initiate it don’t wait for permission or an invitation.

Make your own second chance ~ Think World Class

Coming April 5th, our eight week Think World Class program. Register today at ThinkWorldClass.com.

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It Seems Like a Good Day to Talk About Gratitude

Brent Baldwin

As a matter of fact, every day is a good day to practice gratitude. I use the word “practice” quite purposefully here. Gratitude, as an ongoing mindful activity needs to be practiced over and over with purpose, embraced consistently, and acknowledged often.

It doesn’t have to take hours it can take just seconds. Taking time from your busy day and sitting in a state of gratitude has important advantages. It is essential to our health; physically, mentally and socially. There is no downside to gratitude yet we are often out of sync with it, concentrating on challenges and things that cause consternation in our lives. We prioritize problems and devote endless energy to things we have little or no control over. Acceptance of stuff we can’t change gives us an absolute freedom. Changing perspectives and choosing to live, accepting the things we can’t change frees up vast amounts of time that could be used being grateful.

Being grateful is seeing beauty in the little things.

Seeing small blessings as gifts and not as inconsequential moments. Be thankful for the things that challenge you or cause discomfort. Be grateful for the opportunity to exercise compassion or to accept the possibility to challenge our beliefs, or to choose to see an annoyance differently. Remember thinking outside the box is an inside job.

Being grateful is not being naive

Nor is it irresponsible, it is not an excuse to be in denial or a state of avoidance. Things happen, and sometimes they are unpleasant and indeed have to be dealt with immediately; so what do you do ~ you deal with them, let’s not be foolish here.

Life will still put you in situations of discomfort and even pain and suffering,

Robert Emmons in his book Gratitude Works says;

“Science suggests we can cultivate or maintain an attitude of gratitude through hard times, and that we’ll be better for it.’

Worth a try ~ Think World Class

Coming April 5th, our eight week Think World Class program. Register today at ThinkWorldClass.com.