Forward Thinking Reminders

We are moving into that time of year that we call cold and flu season. We speak of it with such certainty. And that

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In the workshops I do, whether we are discussing a life well-lived, a job well-done, a great relationship, a corporate culture, or a well-executed strategy, when we ask what is the essence of what we truly want, the answer is always happiness. Corporate leaders, blue collar workers, moms and dads, sixth graders, teens, seniors, spiritual advisors all want to be happy. "The pursuit of happiness," is listed in the United States Declaration of Independence among the unalienable and sovereign rights of man. The Dalai Lama teaches that the purpose of life is happiness. This Forward Thinking (TM) Reminder offers some guidance on how to choose and experience happiness -- every day -- at work and in life.

With holiday plays and parties to attend, cards to mail, gifts to buy, baking to do, guests to prepare for, and a slashed budget to boot, you may find yourself tied up in ribbons. This Forward Thinking Reminder offers guidance on how to focus on the essence of what you want-one of the most powerful ways of thinking to reduce stress and bring about peace and happiness during the holidays.

I often hear, I try thinking happy, positive thoughts, and it's just not working. Many folks say, Positive affirmations don't work. Remember the Stuart Smalley character on Saturday Night Live who made positive affirmations in the mirror? I do NOT want to be THAT guy! Then there are those who say that positive thinking does work and swear by the use of positive affirmations. Guess what - everyone's right! A positive thought may or may not work. Powerful thoughts, on the other hand, do work. This Forward Thinking Gentle Reminder discusses the difference between a positive thought and a powerful thought, how to know if a thought is powerful, and some powerful thoughts we can choose to think.

You may have heard it said, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." The results we achieve - bad, good, or significant - depend on what we focus on in each moment. Focusing our time, energy or money on the wrong things in these challenging times is something we can't afford to do. Do you know what you are focused on in each moment? Are you focused on what you want? Or on what you don't want? Do you even know what you want? This Forward Thinking Reminder offers guidance on how to transform negative thinking and focus on what you want to achieve significant results.

The economic slowdown has many CEOs worrying about the fate of product launches, growth plans, even the survival of their companies. CEOs ask me, "If I worry, or focus too much on what could go wrong, is that the reality I create?"

With record unemployment, soaring prices, home foreclosures, and a financial market meltdown, it may feel like a tough time to be thankful. Yet practicing thankfulness is one of the most powerful ways of thinking to bring about a change in our circumstances. This Gentle Reminder offers guidance on how to turn thoughts of fear, worry and hopelessness to thoughts of thankfulness.

I have received a number of questions on how to resolve a conflict between positive thinking and thinking about what could go wrong. As one president of a company put it, “On the one hand, I want to be a visionary leader and talk about abundance and accomplishment. On the other hand, during difficult economic times, I feel it is my responsibility to worry about what can go wrong and make sure we take protective measures. So, I see this part of what I do as a necessary evil, and it concerns me for two reasons. First, if I focus on what could go wrong, is that the reality I create? Second, does it dilute my role as visionary leader?” This gentle reminder offers some practical guidance on how to resolve the conflict and act powerfully, particularly in difficult times.

It's about that time when we begin to break the resolutions we made at the beginning of the year. For many of us, this happens year after year and some of us have gotten to the point where we don't even bother to make resolutions. This gentle reminder offers some guidance to help you reformulate your resolutions in order to keep them and achieve long-lasting success.

Have you noticed that as you move into the holiday season, old, familiar patterns emerge? For example, when you get together with family and friends, do you revert to a certain dynamic? Perhaps you feel sad and alone at the holidays, or maybe you often get sick or worry about money. There’s a reason that we have the same experiences over and over again, and with a little self-awareness, a little self-mastery and a little being-on-purpose, we can break those patterns.

As many of you may know, my husband died suddenly on January 5th of this year. This gentle reminder is dedicated to Gregg Simmons, the man of my infinite dreams.