Action Precedes Motivation!

I recently talked to a friend about a project she started after years of procrastinating.  She was extremely happy because she overcame her struggle with lack of motivation.  I celebrated with her as I understood first-hand how difficult it can be to move away from procrastination and toward action.

During our conversation, we identified the steps she took to  turn her dread into excitement.  In sum, “action precedes motivation” — a quote by Robert McKain that has helped me quite a bit! Rather than waiting to get excited before you take action, you have to first take action and then you’ll get excited.   See, when you begin to move toward your goals,  you gain momentum and when you gain momentum you ignite motivation!

If you have something you’ve been putting off, don’t procrastinate any longer.  Just get moving!  Take a action and watch your motivation grow!

If you’d like to learn more about what motivates you, take Tamara Lowe’s free Motivation DNA self-assessment.

Thank God It’s Monday: 7 Steps to Get Over the Monday Blues!

Question: “What is the technical meteorological term for a sunny, warm day which follows two rainy days?  Answer: “Monday!’” (Author Unknown)

Millions of Americans are overwhelmed by stress each and every Monday. “The Monday Blues” is a sense of dread that begins its descent every Sunday night and into Monday morning. Researchers assert that many people feel horrible on Mondays because they enter the work week with a one hour sleep deficit from staying up late over the course of the weekend.

Monday is known for its’ dreadful statistics. Twenty six percent of American workers call in sick on Mondays (a significant increase from the 14% who call in on Friday).   There are also 20% more heart attacks on Monday compared to the other six days and Monday distinguishes itself as the leading day for suicide!  Sadly, millions of people wake up on Mondays and just don’t feel good about the start of their week.

In contrast, the book of Genesis recounts creation and brings significant attention to the fact that God made seven—not six—beautiful, wonderful, and glorious days. He assessed His work and gave Himself an A+, remarking that it was “very good.” Also in Genesis and before the fall, God put man to work.  He gave him a job and intended for him to be productive.  So it is today—God continues to assign jobs and just as He did not intend for Adam to approach his work week in a “blue funk,” He does not intend for us to live 1/7th of our lives in a state of dread. Work, in and of itself, is a blessing and was never meant to be a curse. (Paul Edwards) God expects us to enter Monday, the start of our work week, with a sense of awe, anticipation and gratitude.

So here are 7 simple steps to get over the “Monday Blues” and begin to make Monday an awesome start to your week.

1)  Go to bed an hour early on Sunday and Monday evenings to ensure that you are well rested.

2) Prepare for your week on Sunday night.  This will reduce your anxiety and increase your sense of control.

3) Plan a series of treats to reward yourself throughout your Monday.  For example, treat yourself to a special flavored cup of coffee immediately when you get to work or  allot extra time, at the end of your day, to read your favorite book.

4) Start a personalized “TGIM” list — jot down all the things you are thankful for on Mondays.  Post your list in a conspicuous spot so that you can review it throughout the day.

5) Wear your favorite outfit to work and pay special attention to personal details (e.g., comb your hair in a new style or wear a special accessory).  Make yourself feel extra special at the start of your week.

6)  Start your day with laughter.  Read a good joke and share it with your co-workers.

7)  Focus on completing your most difficult tasks so that you end your day with a sense of accomplishment and know that the rest of your week will be a little bit easier.

Determine to make Mondays great and “if you don’t think every day is a great day, just try going without one.”  (Jim Evans)

What do you do to make Monday’s special?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Don’t Give Up–Get Encouraged!

Has God given you a dream or a vision so exciting and meaningful that you stepped out in faith and launched it, only to find it never became the success you thought it would be?  What did you do?  Did you abandon ship, question your sanity, and chalk the whole experience up as a “loss?”  

Don’t give up!  Hold on to your dreams.  God has a track record of fulfilling His promises in the midst of the most unlikely situations.  Do you remember Joseph? Joseph had a dream that he would one day be in a position of power.  Yet, shortly after announcing his vision, his status fell from favored son to foreign slave.  His life was riddled with highs and lows that not only tested his dreams, but challenged his belief that they come true.  In the end, his faith won out and his story became a part of history.

The good news is that new chapters of God’s faithfulness are still being written! Just ask Lisa Ojesina, Founder of The King’s Treasure.  She’ll tell you about miracles that still happen TODAY! Her AMAZING testimony about an AMAZING God will leave you breathless and standing awe! 

If you have a vision and a dream, but need encouragement, then click here and  tune in to a special episode of Getting Good at Life.  Lisa will share her personal story that is sure to light the fire of your faith. Learn how God came through for Lisa and how He will surely come through for you!

So Long Status Quo!

Have you been spending too much time sitting on your old comfy-couch? Consider this a gentle nudge! It’s time to get up and change the world! Click to listen to Getting Good at Life-Radio! and hear my interview with Susy Flory, author of SO LONG STATUS QUO: What I Learned From Women Who Changed the World.

“SO LONG STATUS QUO is the powerful story of how nine amazing historical women inspired a suburban mom, to get up off her couch and embark on a quest for something more. Venturing into unusual and even dangerous places, she followed their example and found herself serving needy children on a secret humanitarian mission to Cuba, feeding the homeless, sharing her faith in pagan communities, and selling her jewelry to fund freshwater wells in Sudan.”

Click here to listen to the interview and be inspired, convicted, and transformed. Find out how you can change the world!

Getting Good at Life Radio!

Have you ever used google to search your own name? What did you find? If you didn’t find yourself, your ministry, your business, your CD or your book, then you aren’t playing in the major league.   

The Pew Internet Statistics reveal that 1.5 billion people are using the internet and 91% of internet users log on to search for services and products.  What this means is that if you can not be found on the internet, then you diminish your opportunities to meet the needs of those that desire and are looking for your service.  But don’t worry, we have a solution!

Gerald Weber, CEO of Search Engine Optimization and Marketing Solutions will be my guest Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 11 am on my Blog Talk Radio Show.  Gerald will be sharing insider secrets on how to generate traffic and land yourself on the front page of Google.  

Can’t tune in live?  Don’t worry,  you can always go to Blog Talk Radio to listen to the recording or go to Itunes, search for Carolyn Miller and subscribe for free.  You’ll never miss an episode.   

So, grab a pen,  paper, and cup of coffee and tune in to Getting Good at Life!    
Click Here to Listen to the Show!

Take Your Shot!

Driven By Love

There are few things more beautiful than a father’s love.

Click the link below to listen to a heart-warming story about a father–driven by love!

Driven-By-Love.mp3

 

Turn up the Quiet!

One of my most favorite past times is spending the weekend at the lake with my husband. It’s a restorative experience–like java to my soul!  Our days there are relatively uneventful–just filled with fishing, boating, or sitting around talking to family and friends.

Sometimes I take a book or my laptop with me with the intention of getting some work done, but most of the time I just sit around doing nothing at all. These visits are a welcome change from my daily routine, which leave me strengthened and refreshed–full of insight and inspiration.

When we return from the quietness of the lake, I always become hypersensitive to the noise back at home. We live close to a highway and the freeway noise is magnified by the contrast of the still mornings on the lake when the only thing that disturbs the quiet is a splash from a fish jumping in the water. The difference between the restorative nature of “quiet” versus the depleting tendency of “noise,” becomes apparent.

“Noise” comes from the latin word for “nausea” or “seasickness.” It reflects a type of disturbance that is caused by too much movement or too many loud and confusing sounds. When we apply this definition to our present day, noise is reflected by too much work, time on the internet, television, or too much time talking on the cell phone.  The result of this imbalance is “seasickness” in the form of irritability, fatigue, overwhelm and depletion. Like the non-stop echo of traffic on a busy freeway, a noisy life is cluttered with busyness and too much activity.

In contrast, “quiet” comes from the Latin word “repose” which, according to The New Oxford American Dictionary, means “a temporary rest from activity, excitement or exertion; a state of peace, composure, and harmony.” Quiet is reflected by time to think, pray, rest, play, love, and be refreshed. The Bible says, that it is in quietness and confidence that you will find strength (Isaiah 30:15) and it is a “quiet and peaceable” life that we are encouraged to live. (1 Timothy 2:2)

See, when you work, you pour out as you give to your family, friends, customers, or clients.  This activity draws from and takes away your strength. But when you balance your work with times of rest and quiet, you position yourself to receive by allowing the world to give back to you. Quiet times and restful places are like God’s fueling stations designed to strengthen and restore you.

If you are weary or depleted and need to be recharged, turn down the noise in your environment–find a place of peace and quiet. You don’t have to go on an elaborate vacation to experience restoration.  You can find your “quiet place” right at home. Just choose a “quiet time” and turn off your computer, television or blackberry. Leave an auto response letting your friends and family know that you are away –busy working on all the things that you are “NOT” going to do at the moment!  Go get your ipod, a good book or nothing at all.  Kick your feet up or snuggle in your favorite  chair and then…turn up the quiet!

Listen to Your Life!

I had an interesting conversation with one of my friends who recently enjoyed a week-long Spring Break.  When I asked about how she was doing, she described experiencing a sense of dread just before she went back to work. 

She said she fought through her emotions by telling herself that in this economy, she should be grateful to even have a job.  Furthermore, she told me that she was behind on grading her exams, but told herself that by putting them off to the last minute, she was able to quickly “jump back into the swing of things.”  

After she finished, I belted out, ”That’s bull!”   

“Huh?”

“Yes!  That’s bull.”  You know—the stuff we try to avoid when we attend the Texas Livestock Show and Rodeo!

See, I have known my friend for nearly thirty years.  True to her early days as our High School Cheerleading Captain, she remains one of the most positive, fun-loving, and energetic educators I know!  She loves learning, teaching, and sharing with others—she loves her work!

“I just think your sense of dread was an unconscious message that you put off grading.”

“I don’t know.” 

“Think about it.  If you were all caught up and didn’t procrastinate, you would have been energized and happy to return to class—as you usually are.”

“Well, maybe you’re right.   Now that I think about it, I didn’t feel this way before Spring Break and my negative feelings began to leave once I started grading the exams.”

I could certainly relate to my friend.  After all, I recently woke up with a similar sense of dread.   But before attempting to bridle my feelings and force the negative ones to be subdued by the positive, I asked, “What is this feeling trying to say to me?” 

I had a number of things to do and realized that my sense of overwhelm was an indication that something on my agenda was misaligned.   I quickly listed my responsibilities.  Then, I shifted, focused on my chief priorities and sketched a plan of attack.  Like my friend, my disturbing emotions subsided as I began to work on the things that were most important.  In place of dread was a sense of peace—an internal signal that I was back on track.  The next day, I woke up feeling rested and excited about beginning a new day!

Take a moment to assess your feelings.  Do you feel confused, sad, anxious, or angry or do you feel energized, peaceful, and full of life?  Before you overlook, dismiss or even try to control your emotions ask yourself,  “What are my feelings trying to tell me today?”

Where are you–and are you dancing?

I had a great conversation with Wendy Y Bailey. We were discussing the importance of appreciating and celebrating “the moment.” The discussion reminded WendyY of a website about a guy named Matt.  Matt figured out a way to travel to 39 countries and 7 continents…just to dance. From the deserts-to the jungles-to the ocean-to the city, Matt danced and got others to dance with him.  I normally do not post anything that I believe would be offensive, but despite the title, Matt’s video is a beautiful reminder of the importance of finding joy right where you are and celebrating now– in your very own way.  So, I ask for forgiveness if the title has offended you.  My purpose in sharing Matt’s journey is to remind you of your own.  So turn up the volume! It’s your time to dance!