A stressor is what causes stress. It's something that is a threat to you. It can be a physical condition like misplacing your keys. It can be a mental condition like a thought about how irritated a co-worker makes you. Many of us like to blame stress on someone else ... you know ... "if so-and-so would just leave me alone everything would be fine!" Here's a stress wake-up call: MOST OF THE TIME WE'RE OUR WORST STRESSOR!
Before you get yourself all worked up, let me explain.
Janna was angry because her boss said she lacked assertive communication skills and should consider going to an up-coming seminar off-site. Janna refused to go, but she worried every time she had a conversation with a co-worker that her boss was in the background keeping score. She thought about learning more about being assertive, but she didn't want to give her boss the satisfaction of being right. At her annual appraisal, she received a "less than satisfactory" score in the area of communication. After the meeting she found a quiet place and began to replay what her boss said. As the tears fell, Janna felt even worse because she knew it was her own fault.
Stress is not always the other person's fault. Sometimes, rather than take responsibility for own own lives, we choose to blame an outside source for our troubles. Janna's work-related stress was mainly caused by her stubbornness. She allowed the anger she felt toward her boss to keep her from doing what she needed to do -- learn how to become more assertive and consequently create more value for her role within her organization.
So how can you avoid being your worst stressor? Easy! Take responsibility for yourself. Take responsibility for your life and what happens in your life.
Until next time,
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Purpose of Learning to Relax
Have you been challenged with learning how to relax? I have, so I decided to take a moment to ponder ... WHY is it that some people can just kick back with a coke and a smile, while others can't seem to relax even when they're sleeping?
For example, my mom had a stroke in October 2007. She's confined to a wheelchair. She can't talk like she used to; but she's all there mentally. She's as sharp as a tack! Before she had the stroke she was a neat-freak ... if she saw a little piece of lint on the floor, or if there was a speck of dust somewhere she was johnny-on-the-spot to pick it up or clean it up. Now mind you, this was a very irritating idosyncrasy for our entire family, because she never sat down -- she was always fixing something or cleaning something or moving something. We were constantly telling her to relax. Anyway, now that she's wheelchair bound and should be thinking about walking and talking, she's still trying to fix it, clean it, and move it. She literally throws a fit if I or other family members don't jump to pick up a speck of lint on the floor. Relaxing is something she refuses to do!
There is a purpose in relaxation. Relaxation releases stress. Relaxation enhances your body, mind, and spirit. So here's the deal, let's make a conscious decision to relax -- relieve yourself of nervous tension ... and while you're at it, make sure my mom reads this blog!
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
http://www.lifeonpurposellc.com/
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
For example, my mom had a stroke in October 2007. She's confined to a wheelchair. She can't talk like she used to; but she's all there mentally. She's as sharp as a tack! Before she had the stroke she was a neat-freak ... if she saw a little piece of lint on the floor, or if there was a speck of dust somewhere she was johnny-on-the-spot to pick it up or clean it up. Now mind you, this was a very irritating idosyncrasy for our entire family, because she never sat down -- she was always fixing something or cleaning something or moving something. We were constantly telling her to relax. Anyway, now that she's wheelchair bound and should be thinking about walking and talking, she's still trying to fix it, clean it, and move it. She literally throws a fit if I or other family members don't jump to pick up a speck of lint on the floor. Relaxing is something she refuses to do!
There is a purpose in relaxation. Relaxation releases stress. Relaxation enhances your body, mind, and spirit. So here's the deal, let's make a conscious decision to relax -- relieve yourself of nervous tension ... and while you're at it, make sure my mom reads this blog!
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
http://www.lifeonpurposellc.com/
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Friday, February 22, 2008
Good Health ... On Purpose!
Hello World!
It's a beautiful, snowy day in New England. I'm not a big snow fan, but this is great weather to have the fireplace lit, to snuggle up with your honeypie, and sip huge mugs of hot chocolate! I'm sitting here sipping a glass of Sutterhome Zinfandel, thinking about my health.
As I've grown older, I've noticed that weight seems to stubbornly stay in places I want it leave! I hate feeling like I look old, worn-out, tired, and disgusted. I have to admit, though, sometimes that's exactly how I feel. Anyway, I'm on this quest to take better care of myself without nipping and tucking! Bemoaning a fate doomed to paying homage to those 25 extra pounds, I talked with a friend of mine who suggested that I detox my body. De...what?
Rick explained that I feel worn-out, tired, and disgusted because I've taken better care of my care than I have my body. We change the oil in our cars, we get tune-ups; but when it comes to our bodies -- well --
So, I'm giving my body an oil change and a tune-up. I'm getting rid of the toxins I've willingly allowed to inhabit my body because of the foods I eat. For 9-days I will consciously ingest vitamins, minerals, and a special supplement designed to refuel my sluggish engine. My 9-days will start on Sunday, 2/24/08. Stay tuned to see if there's anything to this detoxification and cleansing as I plan to post my feelings and results daily.
I figured I'm trying to do everything else on purpose, why not focus on my health?
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
It's a beautiful, snowy day in New England. I'm not a big snow fan, but this is great weather to have the fireplace lit, to snuggle up with your honeypie, and sip huge mugs of hot chocolate! I'm sitting here sipping a glass of Sutterhome Zinfandel, thinking about my health.
As I've grown older, I've noticed that weight seems to stubbornly stay in places I want it leave! I hate feeling like I look old, worn-out, tired, and disgusted. I have to admit, though, sometimes that's exactly how I feel. Anyway, I'm on this quest to take better care of myself without nipping and tucking! Bemoaning a fate doomed to paying homage to those 25 extra pounds, I talked with a friend of mine who suggested that I detox my body. De...what?
Rick explained that I feel worn-out, tired, and disgusted because I've taken better care of my care than I have my body. We change the oil in our cars, we get tune-ups; but when it comes to our bodies -- well --
So, I'm giving my body an oil change and a tune-up. I'm getting rid of the toxins I've willingly allowed to inhabit my body because of the foods I eat. For 9-days I will consciously ingest vitamins, minerals, and a special supplement designed to refuel my sluggish engine. My 9-days will start on Sunday, 2/24/08. Stay tuned to see if there's anything to this detoxification and cleansing as I plan to post my feelings and results daily.
I figured I'm trying to do everything else on purpose, why not focus on my health?
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Doing What I Want to Do
2007 is winding down and coming to an end. Did you live this year with purpose, on purpose, and for purpose? Ashamedly, I must admit that I did not. I wasted too much time doing things I wanted to do while neglecting the things I needed to do.
What about you? What do you need to do in 2008 so that you can do what you want to do? I need to listen to my James Malinchak's CDs. James is one of my mentors, and because one of my goals is to make a high six-figure income as a professional speaker I have to take the time and make the time to do what he tells me to do. The challenge is that I don't always want to listen to CDs or read a book or write. Nope, most of the time I want to surf the web and play Party Poker. However, after watching the movie, The Great Debaters (a must see, by the way), I realize afresh that if I keep doing what I want to do, dismissing what I have to do until ... well, I will have lived and died never really having done what I really wanted to do.
You figure it out.
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
What about you? What do you need to do in 2008 so that you can do what you want to do? I need to listen to my James Malinchak's CDs. James is one of my mentors, and because one of my goals is to make a high six-figure income as a professional speaker I have to take the time and make the time to do what he tells me to do. The challenge is that I don't always want to listen to CDs or read a book or write. Nope, most of the time I want to surf the web and play Party Poker. However, after watching the movie, The Great Debaters (a must see, by the way), I realize afresh that if I keep doing what I want to do, dismissing what I have to do until ... well, I will have lived and died never really having done what I really wanted to do.
You figure it out.
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Purpose of Your Gift
I love this time of the year! Generally speaking, people are little nicer. For instance, they let you get in front of them in traffic, smile, and the CVS cashier who hardly spoke all year wishes you a "Happy Holiday!" I also love the gifts ... giving and receiving.
Now, as a devout Christian, I am focused more on the gift I have received in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, Christmas Day, is John 3:16 manifested: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son..." And really, that's the real purpose of a gift! We give to show our love, or at least we should. With love as the premise of gift-giving that ugly tie or sweater doesn't look as bad because the person who gave it did so to show their love.
I believe the purpose of your gift, like the gift God gave us, is to demonstrate your love. That's it! So the question becomes: are we giving out of "it's-that-time-of-the-year" obligation OR are we giving because we have so much love for the one we're giving to we just want them to know it?
Without shame, I say to you all MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Now, as a devout Christian, I am focused more on the gift I have received in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, Christmas Day, is John 3:16 manifested: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son..." And really, that's the real purpose of a gift! We give to show our love, or at least we should. With love as the premise of gift-giving that ugly tie or sweater doesn't look as bad because the person who gave it did so to show their love.
I believe the purpose of your gift, like the gift God gave us, is to demonstrate your love. That's it! So the question becomes: are we giving out of "it's-that-time-of-the-year" obligation OR are we giving because we have so much love for the one we're giving to we just want them to know it?
Without shame, I say to you all MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Purpose - Check Your Brakes!
Trying to be successful without purpose is like driving a car without brakes. You may go along just fine using the gas pedal, but when the time comes for you to navigate a turn or stop you'll end up wrecked.
When I was 13 (many years ago!) my mom and I were headed home from the family's restaurant, which was about 10 miles start to finish. We had a 63' red Buick Riviera that my dad kept so shiny you could see your reflection in the paint job. This car was in pristine condition, inside and out ... the black vinyl seats were lovingly maintained with saddle soap, and the chrome polished with Mother's Chrome Polish. Riding in that car in Newark, New Jersey in the summer time was the coolest feeling any 13-year-old could ever have because everybody admired it and Dad got countless offers to buy it. The car was just that cool!
It was a scorching hot August day and we were driving down Bergen Street coming to the intersection of Avon Avenue. Aretha Franklin was belting out Respect from the car's 8-track while Mom and I engaged in our favorite sing along (she was Aretha and I was "re-re-re-re-re-re-re." ) I don't know how fast Mom was driving, but as we approached the intersection she started to pump the brakes only to discover we had none! "Ann, sit back!" she barked while trying to maneuver the red Buick. Being a kid, I sat up just in time to see that we were about to be broadsided by an on-coming car on the passenger's side. Instinctively I slid over to the driver's side behind my mom, screaming as I heard screeching wheels and the loud thud of metal hitting metal. Amazingly, mom and I escaped unharmed, but our beloved red Buick was totalled.
So, I'll say it again ... Trying to be successful without purpose is like driving a car without brakes. Take away the brakes, and your life, just like our red Buick, will eventually become an unguided missile -- headed for a wreck.
Until next post,
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
http://www.lifeonpurposellc.com/
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
When I was 13 (many years ago!) my mom and I were headed home from the family's restaurant, which was about 10 miles start to finish. We had a 63' red Buick Riviera that my dad kept so shiny you could see your reflection in the paint job. This car was in pristine condition, inside and out ... the black vinyl seats were lovingly maintained with saddle soap, and the chrome polished with Mother's Chrome Polish. Riding in that car in Newark, New Jersey in the summer time was the coolest feeling any 13-year-old could ever have because everybody admired it and Dad got countless offers to buy it. The car was just that cool!
It was a scorching hot August day and we were driving down Bergen Street coming to the intersection of Avon Avenue. Aretha Franklin was belting out Respect from the car's 8-track while Mom and I engaged in our favorite sing along (she was Aretha and I was "re-re-re-re-re-re-re." ) I don't know how fast Mom was driving, but as we approached the intersection she started to pump the brakes only to discover we had none! "Ann, sit back!" she barked while trying to maneuver the red Buick. Being a kid, I sat up just in time to see that we were about to be broadsided by an on-coming car on the passenger's side. Instinctively I slid over to the driver's side behind my mom, screaming as I heard screeching wheels and the loud thud of metal hitting metal. Amazingly, mom and I escaped unharmed, but our beloved red Buick was totalled.
So, I'll say it again ... Trying to be successful without purpose is like driving a car without brakes. Take away the brakes, and your life, just like our red Buick, will eventually become an unguided missile -- headed for a wreck.
Until next post,
The Purpose Professor
"Teaching people how to succeed on purpose."
Life On Purpose LLC
http://www.lifeonpurposellc.com/
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Practicing What You Teach
It's been a long time since I blogged and primarily it's because LIFE just keeps on happening! Since my last entry I've gained a new daughter-in-law, purchased a new home, made $10K in one month for the first time in my life, cleaned up my credit, had to deal with my mom who had a severe stroke and heart attack, and ... had MAJOR birthday!
Birthdays are significant for me because I always start my "New Year" the day after my birthday which happens to be 12/13. I gave up making resolutions a while ago, but I have made a few purposeful decisions. Yippeee!
The problem with decisions is that most of us just make them haphazardly based on a crisis instead of thinking about the decision from every angle. I teach people to make decisions on paper. Look at the pros and cons, engage the left brain so that you can analyze and go through a process. Well, I'm practicing what I teach. Going through this process helped me decide what I need to do to make $10K every month, not just once in a while.
So, what kinds of decisions are you facing? Why not get out a piece of paper or better yet use Mindmapper (great thinking software) and make smarter decisions on purpose!
Happy Holidays!
The Purpose Professor
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
Birthdays are significant for me because I always start my "New Year" the day after my birthday which happens to be 12/13. I gave up making resolutions a while ago, but I have made a few purposeful decisions. Yippeee!
The problem with decisions is that most of us just make them haphazardly based on a crisis instead of thinking about the decision from every angle. I teach people to make decisions on paper. Look at the pros and cons, engage the left brain so that you can analyze and go through a process. Well, I'm practicing what I teach. Going through this process helped me decide what I need to do to make $10K every month, not just once in a while.
So, what kinds of decisions are you facing? Why not get out a piece of paper or better yet use Mindmapper (great thinking software) and make smarter decisions on purpose!
Happy Holidays!
The Purpose Professor
Life On Purpose LLC
www.lifeonpurposellc.com
"Life with no purpose is no life at all!"
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