To Do or not To Do

Recently I have tapped into the power of the "To Do" list. In the past I have been unsuccessful at keeping up with my to do lists, but I want to share with you some tips that have helped me stay consistent.

What I did differently was simple. I got a to do list widget for my computer at work. It stayed on my desktop and I always had it right in front of me. I believe this helped for two reasons. First, it was fun to use. I'll admit I find joy in the simple things, such as clicking little boxes and watching those items vanish and that feeling of satisfaction as I shorten my list. It's great.

Second, because it was on my desktop and open all the time I was reminded constantly of the things I needed to do.

This widget I started using had some design flaws that slowly made it annoying to use so I switched to just keeping multiple notepad windows open on my desktop. This worked for a couple of months. I had plenty of space and each window had a different topic of to dos. Gradually, I realized the flaws of this method. My computer restarted and I lost my work because I didn't save it, and it made my desktop really cluttered. So after a time of using this method I discovered Evernote. With Evernote I had an app on my computer, laptop, and smartphone which would all sync automatically. This really improved things a lot. I use Evernote to take lecture notes as well. It's designed beautifully and it is fairly intuitive and extremely useful. While Evernote has many useful features, I find that it's sort of like an Android device. There are a TON of features. All useful, but it makes using the application somewhat of a chore at times.

Currently I have started using the apple app "Reminders" for my to do lists. It is incredibly simple and uncluttered. The app shows me I have items to complete on the icon in my phone and on my mac. And I use Evernote for...notes. It makes sense seeing as how each of these applications are targeted for a specific use.

I have one more tip that I read in an article. Make sure that your to do lists include fun things that you want to do. That way when you look at your list it won't be so much of a chore. This will help you stay consistent. I have noticed realized the truth of this in my own life. Now go get to making those to dos!

Aiming your Focus

I heard once that our brain receives so much data every day that it can only process around 40 percent of all it receives. It chooses what to focus on based on what it deems relevant or what is current in your life. What I mean by that is that if you look at a picture of something you wish to have every day your brain will focus throughout the day on that item and pieces of information relating to that item. In regards to vision boards, which are a popular way to visualize your goals every day, this is the reason you are able to accomplish your goals more effectively.

Recently I started my own vision board after hearing about the success of others with vision boards. I learned from a man who mentors others on how to create and utilize this project effectively. He told a story about how it took him weeks before he got the inspiration to start a vision board before he actually took action. My experience was about the same. Things kept getting in the way or distracting me from the simple task of getting that vision board completed. Finally I willed myself to get the items I needed for that board and I got it up as quickly as I could. Then when it was up, my life changed completely. I feel the influence of it daily. I have a total of nine items on my board and I stare at them morning and night. The simple act of looking at those pieces of scrap paper and those images keeps those goals relevant and current in my mind. So a greater chance of the 40 percent that my brain processes is focused on finding a way to create those items on my vision board.

I don't like to use the word 'goal' anymore. Instead, I like to say that I am 'creating'. When I look at that vision board on my wall I am creating those items in my life RIGHT NOW. While a few of my items have dates associated with them I am at work in my life making that item a reality right now. I ponder what the next step is and I do it.

Another part that is key in visualizing is the passion and emotion you evoke into your mind as you look at your board. Connecting your thoughts with powerful emotions will lead to powerful actions. When you do this daily you maintain that emotion to carry you through to completion. I invite you to visit http://3keyelements.com/new/
Kirk Duncan, the founder of 3 Key Elements. I have enjoyed "Building a Mind of Steel" and "Vision Board Success" audio programs that he has created.

So get these programs and get a vision board up so you can aim your brain to focus on the items you wish to create in your life and it will happen!

Why your losing the game...

Analogies are powerful. They can explain thoughts and ideas through symbolism in a potent and enlightening way. One such analogy I will share with you today. I never had much love for sports, I enjoy watching them once in a while with friends or family, but if you asked me the name of the quarter back for any NFL team, chances are I don't know it. That being said, I still use this analogy in my own life because it fits so well. Imagine for a moment that you are on the field, the green grass below you and the lights illuminating the field. The crowd is cheering and you feel the excitement of the game in the air all around you. You look over at the coach who you know has great confidence in you, for you are the team captain. The coach is your Father in Heaven. As captain of the team it is your duty to see the team succeeds at and operates to the best of its ability. The coach trusts you to cut people from the team who you feel are not causing the team to win the games. In your life you have many people who rally around you to support you and help you succeed. Family, close friends, employers, co-workers, etc. Anyone in your "inner-circle" will play a large role on your team. Who you allow to continue playing on your team is an important decision that only YOU can make. The coach will help you to know who might be holding the team back, but ultimately it is your choice to make. There might be that close friend who has started making choices that are hurting you or bringing you down. Perhaps you have a family member who you know always has your back and encourages you to be your best no matter what. Knowing that in order to succeed in life you have to cut that friend from the team and rely on that family member to help your team succeed are some of the most important decisions you will make in life. If you allow friends like that to stick around, you will lose games. As you recruit new players for your team however, you will notice that you have a greater capacity for enthusiasm and a more positive outlook on life. You will accomplish more and you will see more success in your life.

As a man thinketh

Who am I? Is that a question you've ever asked yourself? What is usually the response? It is a simple question, which often provokes deep thoughts about our existence and who we really are and the role we play in this world. It is infinitely more difficult to answer. 

Growing up I would usually hear my mother say, "You can be anything you want!" or "You have the power to do whatever you put your mind to!" While I was grateful for her positive words of encouragement, I heard countless more negative words of discouragement throughout my day from my peers or from the thoughts in my own head.

 

Do the words of others determine who you are? It depends on if you let it. The real determination of who we are and who we will become all comes down to the thoughts in our head and how well we work at controlling them. Proverbs 23:7 states, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." 

I think a lot of us try to think positive thoughts about ourselves and others, but often we default to faithless, negativity unless we are vigilant in our efforts to train ourselves and our brains to fight back. With little effort, little results. With great efforts, great results. 

Just like the phrase, you are what you eat, I suggest to you that you are what you think you are. If you think you are a worthless person, your brain will accept that as fact. However, if you believe your value is great and you are capable of anything, that is exactly what your brain will believe and if you believe it and connect enough emotion to that idea that is what you will become and that is how others will view you. 

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7