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ADVANCEMENT, Success, THROUGH SACRIFICE
During a discussion recently, the topic regarding our need to follow our dreams came up. A woman had to decide if the challenge of working seven days a week for a twelve month period of time was worth the potential end result of creating the life and work she's always desired. Within one hour, the result from our caller survey was unanimous . . . 9 out of 10 people said it would be worth the risk. What about you? Would you be willing to commit to one year of this type of schedule to be doing what you've always wanted? Could you look at this situation creatively enough and devise a mental plan of attack where you could survive the demands of this type of a schedule? Realistically, what is 12 months of your life, if on average we live for 924 months?
I believe a lot of times we take the easier, "conforming" path in a life we forget just may be able to be filled with more excitement and joy if we are willing to make a few different sacrifices along the way. We fall victim to the belief that by doing what the "average" person would do is really the only way to play it. And I admit following your own journey and going after your dreams, which almost always means creating a nonconformist path, will ruffle a few feathers of those who want you to play it safe . . . be more normal. But the rewards in many cases are too great to pass up.
As an example, when we make the decision to go to school full-time and work full-time, we are able to create the confidence in ourselves that too few people seem to have, a confidence and exploration of our greatness that many never get a chance to experience. Search . Grow . Love . Express yourself.
If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.
http://www.davidessel.com
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
The following letter is a powerful testament to the need for each of us to believe in our own worth, abilities, and dreams, regardless of what others may say. So often, we let go of our deepest desires to succeed in life because an authority figure told us to wake up, grow up, and to quit dreaming because "you'll never . . . . succeed in business, lose weight, find someone to truly love, finish school." The list could go on and on, but don't let it in your life. Today is the day to let go of people who do not support your growth, and to surround yourself with those who do. I really appreciate all of the visitors to this site who continually share your stories of success. Keep them coming — you are having an extremely positive impact on the thousands of people who read this column weekly.
Dear David,
I was listening to a radio program recently and a young college girl stated that she was striving to increase her self esteem; trying to increase her confidence in talking in front of folks; and overall seeking confidence in whether she could "make it" in college and "make it" in life.
I was told early on in my college career by a college counselor that I would fail college and not make it. That young girl needs to believe in herself.
NOW, I work for a wonderful company, Hewlett-Packard Company. I am a college graduate (the only one in my family), I am successful and very much love and enjoy my job. I believed in myself in college and I DID NOT believe that college counselor. As a matter of fact, little did she know, she posed a challenge to me that very day, as I know within me from that day that I would prove her wrong, as who was she to dictate my success or failure.
I had another challenge when I started working for Hewlett-Packard at an entry level position. My goal, my vision has always been to work for Hewlett-Packard, I took a substantial cut in pay when I took the entry level position at HP
My first day on the job, I was told by an HP colleague if I planned to move up in our HP office to forget it as there were no opportunities in our local office. Since it was my first day and to be polite, I didn't say a word. I do remember thinking just watch me, as I knew within me I'd move up. Within a year, I left my entry level position to everyone's surprise, as I was the newest HP member to join the local office with not a lot of HP experience per se. I now have a wonderful, enjoyable and challenging (thought provoking) position with HP. I have been blessed and I am very grateful to God and my spirit guides.
Set your goals, have your dreams and make them happen. Believe in yourself!
An HP Employee
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If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.
http://www.davidessel.com
ARE YOU A THERMOSTAT OR A THERMOMETER? © David Essel
One of my favorite motivational teachers over the years has been the late Earl Nightingale, one of the founders of the educational resource company, Nightingale-Conant. Earl had a wonderful way with analogies in life. One of his most memorable analogies was the thermostat/thermometer question.
So let me ask you, "Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?" The importance of this question may astound you!
A thermostat type person sets their own "temperature" so to speak. They are in control of their reactions to life and realize the importance of being able to regulate the amount of energy that they put out at any one time. If they are about to get involved in a "heated" argument, they understand the importance of "cooling down" their reaction to the situation. They have a wonderful understanding that no one can make them react, that it is their choice to respond in a way they choose. While no one is perfect, the "thermostat" type person is in control of their own "temperature" most of the time. Have you figured out what type of a person you are yet? Without even explaining what type of person a "thermometer" is yet, you can probably imagine where you fit in.
The "thermometer" type reacts almost entirely to outside influences. Their quality of life, their ability to have a good or a bad day depends on the events going on around them. They react instantly to these influences. A rainy day can easily bring them down. Constructive criticism can ruin a week for them. They fluctuate like the weather in Syracuse, NY (if you don't like it, wait 30 minutes because it will change!) up, down, cold, hot. They are known as "reactors". They have very little sense of control over how they act or so they would like you to believe!
However, anyone can change! It may be an effort consisting of small steps, but it can be done. Our goal should be to react more like the thermostat, able to enjoy life more because we deal with life using a small sense of control. Follow these steps to become a thermostat vs. a thermometer in your life:
If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.
Love, peace, david http://www.davidessel.com
