These are certainly uneasy times regardless of your career situation. As an executive coach I see a great deal of anxiety among professionals at all levels regarding their career and long term stability. Job security and satisfaction seems to be increasingly elusive to most Americans regardless of their employment status. The world of work is not following the normal pattern of change and renewal and it won’t for the foreseeable future. The new normal is business as unusual. Economic, geopolitical and terrorism concerns only adds to the stress, confusion and lack of control many Americans are feeling. All that being said, we have a lot to be thankful for and we are in control of much that can yield personal peace and prosperity if we only seize control.
As Thanksgiving leads off our holiday season it is totally appropriate to pause and simply be grateful for the many blessings we have. We still live in the greatest country in the world and have more opportunities for success than anywhere else. The American dream is still obtainable if we believe in ourselves and act aggressively on that belief. To do so we need to realize that are in control of 4 very important things that will determine our success; our Attitude, our Effort, our Thoughts and our Decisions. As a professional development coach, former college football player and high school football coach these four items are paramount to achievement in both life and sports.
1. Keep an optimistic Attitude
If your Attitude is right and you look optimistically at life you can overcome most hardships and turn them into opportunities for growth. My mother told me over and over “a setback is a setup for a comeback” and I truly believe that. She also instilled in me that if today is a bad day tomorrow will be better. She lived happily to the age of 98 so I think she had it right. Your attitude is a result of your outlook on life in general. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is you glass half full or half empty? Do you choose to be positive or negative. Maintaining an optimistic attitude is a choice and sets up the condition for positive things to happen in your life. Positive things happen to us every day. We need to take the negative blinders off to see, appreciate and expect them.
2. Make a consistent Effort
If your Effort is consistent and sufficient the only way you’ll lose is if you quit. Sustained effort no matter the circumstances will eventually lead you to the other side of your obstacle. Consistent effort no matter the pace is the key to maintaining momentum. Oftentimes slow and steady wins the race. Sometimes we need bursts of energy to bust through barriers but ongoing action versus contemplation is key, even if it is not the perfect action you are taking. Like a maze, you will eventually find the path to the other side if you consistently press forward.
3. Your Thoughts drive your outcomes
When your Thoughts affirm your desire and confidence to overcoming problems rather than being a victimized by them you will thrive. The adage “you will become what you think about” is proven over and over. The positive things we see and act on in our mind dictates future outcomes. Our thoughts are driven by our belief system and values that are rooted our upbringing and faith in something greater than ourselves. If we abandon thoughts of being disadvantaged by circumstances, if we truly believe we are individuals of destiny and that there is a “greater good” plan for our lives, we can’t help but be successful…and grateful. Affirm positive thoughts daily and you will enhance your outlook and opportunities for success.
4. Make well placed Decisions
Finally, you are in control of your Decisions. If your intentions and knowledge base are noble and sound you will ultimately make many more good decisions than bad ones and the “wins” will greatly out-number the “losses.” You must choose to make decisions and act on them even if you are not totally clear of the outcome. Paralysis through analysis or simple procrastination through fear or uncertainty can yield serious consequences. One must be a courageous decision maker.
So during this holiday seasons simply BE THANKFUL NO MATTER WHAT. Refuse to be disadvantaged and accept without reservation that you are blessed. Pass those blessings and good will on to others and you can’t help but feel happy and energized. When you gain control of your Attitude, Effort, Thoughts and Decisions you gain control of your life and contentment sets in. The holiday season is a great time to affirm and act on these truths.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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Written by
Rex Rolf
Career, Leadership and Performance Coach
Cornerstone Performance Group, LLC
