Patience Really Is A Virtue

As I am waiting for my software to download on my pc, I realize how impatient I've become. I'm used to going at a fast pace, whether its with work or "leisure". Afterall, even leisure has a limit of time. I imagine I'm like most people running around, trying to accomplish all that I can. Always keeping a watchful eye on the clock since time is always moving.

As I sit here staring at my pc screen wondering why this software is taking so long to download, I realize I need to just take it easy. We are accustomed to getting immediate results these days. Think about it. We have fast food drive-thru's, bank drive-thru's, drycleaning and grocery drive -thru's. We have speed dating, express car washes and express toll lanes. We are spoiled with faster speeds on the computer and internet that continue to improve at lightning pace every year.

So, it is only fitting that we should expect everything to move just as quickly. Our goals in becoming famous, rich, happy, healthy, fit, and in love are expected to happen quickly - since we all have limited time here. It's no wonder we, in our society, have become more and more frustrated and irritable waiting for all of these great things to come to fruition.

People become depressed because they can't seem to make it. They work hard for a short amount of time expecting to "hit the jackpot" and then quickly fade out when they see it isn't "working".

How many of you out there have given up too quickly on something simply because you grew too impatient? Perhaps we can all take a deep breath and realize there is something to be said about "the journey" in getting to our destination. Often, we learn valuable things and meet interesting and beneficial people along the way - important steps to achieving our goal that will not happen if we give up too soon.

Remember to give yourself some time to achieve your goals. It will eventually happen if we just stay on the course and not get so discouraged along the way that we give up too soon. There will be bumps along the way - that's inevitable. The point is to move passed the bumps and stay persistent and above all, patient.

After writing this blog, I can tell you my download still isn't done yet, but that's okay. It gives me more time to think, relax and enjoy the present time.

The Obstacle Course of Life

Have you ever participated in a real obstacle course where you are faced with challenges that just seem impossible to conquer? I haven't had the pleasure of actually being involved in one but I've seen the courses on TV and it always amazes me how the contestants stay persistent and refuse to give up - even if they screw up a ton of times.

It's a lot like Life where Life is the obstacle course and you are the player. Yet, all too often, the player tends to become their own obstacle by allowing negative self-talk to get in the way of their success.

Our minds are so powerful, we can literally make or break an opportunity simply in how we approach it in our heads. Think of how you approach Life these days. Do you have negative thoughts and messages in that head of yours?

Every time you think or say something negative like, "I hate this" or "I can't do it" or "Why does it have to be so hard?", you are becoming an obstacle in your own path. This negative energy that you produce stays with you and essentially surrounds you like a gray cloud. It hovers over you and causes everything else in your path to be viewed as negative.

Let's face it. We have enough negative things around us. The last thing we need is to produce more of it. Life is challenging enough without us adding to it with our negative perceptions and attitude.

The Take-Away: Listen to what is going on in your own mind. Catch the negative thoughts and re-frame them into positive ones like, "I can do this" or "I can make a difference", etc. By changing this one factor, you will start seeing and feeling a difference in your attitude and most importantly, in your Life.

Positive thoughts to all of you!

Renee Kennedy-Edwards, MS
Personal & Executive Coach
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com
Coaching 4 Success, Inc.

Growing Pains

Anyone who has ever planted something and waited for it to grow understands that growth is a slow, methodical process. While water and sunlight are necessary, too much or too little can be deadly. It takes just the right amount at the right time for growth to occur.

Our lives are the same way. In order for us to grow, we need just the right amount of factors at a certain time and under appropriate conditions. The person who is open to change and open to trying new things will create the best condition for growth to occur. Those that remain closed-minded to opportunities will stunt their own growth and progress.

The factors necessary for individual growth include the appropriate balance of time. Too often, people believe if they work 24/7 they will be more successful. This is similar to thinking if you give sunlight to a plant 24/7, it will grow faster. The opposite holds true in either case. Too much of anything is detrimental to your health. It's all about the balance, my friends.

Taking time out to just relax and vegetate increases growth potential IF it is balanced among the other main goals, such as work. We are challenged with this type of thinking whether we are in a "good" economy or a "bad" one. Even if there isn't a lot of work right now, it still is important to balance the goals.

Mental well-being takes priority because it is essential to growing and stabilizing. In these times more than ever, it's important to take time to nurture yourself so that you are 100% focused on your goals. In doing so, you will be more productive in your work and home life.

Keep it positive!

Renee Kennedy-Edwards
Personal & Business Coach
COACHING 4 SUCCESS, INC.
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com

The Good Inside The Bad

Times like these are certainly challenging but if you look really close, you will see the good that is coming out of today's economy. It's a good dose of reality for all of us to see that there is more to life than money.

We're spending more time with family & friends. We are also getting creative in how we spend that time. Going out to dinner was the common way to socialize - but that costs money and money is tight. Now, people are getting together for pot lucks in which everyone brings a dish and the meal is shared. Having Game Night to entertain friends is also making a comeback.

People are tending to their own home, attempting to clean and fix things themselves rather than hire outside help that stresses the pocketbook. People are facing the challenges in taking care of their homes while gaining the satisfaction of doing it themselves.

Sure, money may add to the happiness factor in bringing you stability - but it won't buy you true happiness. True fulfillment comes from within by way of spending quality time with friends and family and making time for you. Allowing time to relax, exercise and develop your mind are all necessary for your mental well-being and fulfillment.

So, the next time you see the market end on a low note, remind yourself that this is temporary. Take advantage of this time to re-focus what is most important to you. Now is the time to change old habits and re-invent your life and how you live!

Renee Kennedy-Edwards, MS
Executive & Personal Coach
Coaching 4 Success, Inc.
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com

Pay it Forward

I don't know about you but I'm getting really tired of hearing all the doom and gloom about the economy. I see how it affects everyone around me in their negative attitudes and pessimism about the future. How can it not? It's plastered all over the media and it seem to be the topic of choice when socializing and networking.

Heck, I even see the effects in how people treat one another. Road rage & overall crime rates are on the rise due to the increased frustrations of people. I say, "Enough Already!"

Let's change these effects of our economy by changing our attitudes with one another. Allow that car to get in front of you instead of blocking him out. Let the person who has less items at the check-out line go ahead of you simply because it's a nice thing to do. We have enough negativity going on right now, we don't need to add to it. Instead, if we start spreading nice gestures and helping our fellow neighbors out, we begin changing our world.

Studies have shown that when someone is nice to you - you tend to return the favor with someone else. This is a chain reaction to positive gestures. Imagine what our world would be like if we all just focused on being nice to one another? Studies also show that when someone is nice to you, you tend to have a better outlook on life and those around you.

This is definitely needed right now and we are the ones who can make that difference. I realize we aren't changing the economy necessarily but we are changing attitudes which can go a long way in these tough economic times.

Positive thoughts,

Renee Kennedy-Edwards, MS
President / Executive & Personal Coach

COACHING 4 SUCCESS, INC.
www.LeadMeToSucceed.com
rke@LeadMeToSucceed.com