Is your glass half empty or half full?

Both are correct, but which makes you feel better? When you wake up Sunday morning do you rejoice to have a full free day in front of you or do you feel depressed that the weekend is almost over?

When we look at what is in the glass we are doing what is called Asset Based Thinking, as in feeling good about what we have. When we look at what is missing we are indulging in Deficit Based Thinking, something is missing which leads to us feeling that we are hard done by, we are victim of circumstances, we are helpless.

Some people are born with a natural tendency to look on the bright side, others may more rapidly see the downside but we can all train our brains to look for the assets. Now that doesnt mean that we then rest on our laurels and have no drive to fill the glass even more. On the contrary: when we are grateful for what we have, we feel in control, we feel strong, confident and are then more able to think of strategies to get more. The looking at what is lacking approach makes us feel bad, feel burdened, hard done by which leads to low satisfaction, low motivation, low self belief.

I was lucky to be asked to give a presentation to some middle schoolers and used the allegory of our brain as a television which only diffuses 2 channels: a positive asset based one, and the negative deficit based. The only person in charge of the remote control is you: so which channel do you choose? There is always a silver lining to any problem.... You need to look for it.
More next week on tips to train our brain to see through the rain!

Here's to making it happen! 

How would you live differently if you had been trapped down a mine shaft?

Watching the moving images of the rescued Chillean miners I was thinking how different their view of life will be. Probably along the lines of making the most of it, not letting the little things get in the way, telling those they love how much they mean to them and acting that way too!
Most of us are spared such traumatic experiences but what will it take for us to really value our lives now? To really make the most of it and live a life of no regrets, no holding back, just letting our natural ability to be happy flow.
Keeping an eye on what is in the glass and not on what is missing yet seeking to continuously add to the content. Now I dont mean living recklessly, as if there is no tomorow with material things but maybe spending more generously of oursleves! Spending oursleves each day in what we give others as if we may also suddenly end up trapped under ground. What would you regret?? Probably not all the fights and moans and hours of unproductive time...
What would you do differently?

That is why I am so happy and fulfilled when someone comes to me for coaching and actively wants to remove the obstacles to feeling fully happy. Sometimes the little things just get in the way and need a good look at, a new perspective and a change in interpretation for us to move on, secure that we, and not external circumstances are in the driving seat.
Sometimes all we need is a safe space, with someone listening 100% without judging yet maybe holding the mirror up at a new angle to see what needs to be done to feel a happy, purposeful, generous person, making the most of their life. Take action and live fully now!
Let's make it happen!

Putting first things first....

Well I had first hand experince of that these last 2 weeks...and all things considered didnt come out of it too bad!

So what does it mean? It sounds pretty straightforward but isnt always as obvious as it sounds.The concept introduced in Stephen Covey's excellent book: "The 7 habits of Highly Efficient People" covers the time management matrix between urgent, non-urgent; important and non-important activities and is of essential importance to a balanced and purposeful life.
However, as I found out over the last 2 weeks, it is a fine line to tread because you may have your time all properly planned out around your important goals and people but how to cope with the feeling of being inefficient and "failing" when other equally important and more urgent issues keep cropping up?
For example this blog. My goal was to write it every week yet it has now been over two and being a drastically organised and determined person, the postponing wasn't sitting so well with me...
As I learnt, it is all about flexibility. Knowing how to re-evaluate what the first things are at the time without feeling you are failing at that goal and with the conviction you are doing the right thing.
In my case we had the wonderful experience of a 13 year old exchange student from Shanghai living with us and many wonderful experiences to reach out to others through the school.
These issues were as important to me as my blog, yet more urgent and yes, I do believe people should come before things.
So I learnt. I learnt I could live with not fullfiling the deadline on one goal for the better of a newer priority.
I grew.
How about you? When did you last examine how you manage your days, weeks and months?