ADJUST YOUR SAILS!

I have heard a lot of complaining lately. The majority of it is just the lack of motivation to continue when things get tough. Life is not "Smooth Sailing" all the time but there is a way to keep sailing.

 William Arthur Ward said, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” Leaders, like everyone else, are exposed to changing circumstances and obstacles. There are no exemptions. But what sets the leader apart from others is her or her ability to adapt in a way that it causes no significant disruption because he can adjust the sails. When the adversities of life blow your way, adjust the sails. In doing so you are not acknowledging defeat you are just positioning yourself for a greater opportunity because of it. Adjust your attitude; adjust your sails!

I'm A First Round Pick!

Today is Draft Day! For football fans, this is a day that is longed for year after year. Some are rooting for their favorite players to be picked early. The top question to be asked by the choosing team is, "How will player X help our team to succeed?"

Here are also some questions that we must ask ourselves."What makes me valuable to a team that is wanting to select me?" "What am I doing to make myself desired?" "What am I doing to improve my chances of selection?"

In the NFL draft, players are examined, prodded, poked, measured and analyzed in every possible way. They take a timed logic and reasoning test that is used to gauge calm and critical thinking in high pressure situations.

A test that is used and has become one of prominence is the PACE - (Performance After A Critical Error) test. It looks to see what a player does immediately after making a mistake.

It may not be as easy to quantify as how fast the player can run a certain distance or how much weight that player can lift, but it may be more critical in determining who can make the team better. PACE is a silent determiner in examining how the shadow of a past mistake affects future performance.

Players who demonstrate a high quality PACE find themselves as favorites in the front offices just like those who know how to handle difficult moments are highly valued in other businesses.

Imagine you have just made a mistake in a key situation that could be detrimental to your teammates. How will you respond immediately after when you are called upon to deliver the goods? Do you lose focus and compound the problem with additional errors or do you move on and focus on the next play?

If you want to increase your value and potential for success, increase your PACE. It is the ultimate show of that characteristic that everyone wants: mental toughness. Will you play scared, or will you play through? Don't let that mistake cost you another play! Understand that any error you make, the most important thing is your performance on the next play.

“Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.” ― L.M. Montgomery

 Blessed,
Dr. Tim

PACE is the silent determiner in examining how the shadow of a past mistake affects future performance.  - See more at: http://www.success.com/blog/the-pace-how-mentally-tough-are-you#sthash.ZWeRdv3X.dpuf

PACE is the silent determiner in examining how the shadow of a past mistake affects future performance.  - See more at: http://www.success.com/blog/the-pace-how-mentally-tough-are-you#sthash.ZWeRdv3X.dpuf

DOLLHOUSE DREAMS AND G.I. JOE ADVENTURES!

As a kid, one of my favorite toys was a G.I. Joe action figure. I didn't have any sisters, but I did have several cousins that were girls. Their favorite toys were their dolls. Sometimes when we were all together, those dolls and action figures came alive! We would play for hours telling each other what was happening and what would happen next.

A few weeks ago, I heard a lady say that she wished she could live her "Dollhouse Dreams". She seemed to be unhappy with her present state of affairs and asked me if I had any suggestions. I said, "Yes I do." I then began to share with her how she could live those Dollhouse Dreams.

There are four things that we did as kids that we should do today in order for us to have the success we want.
1. We saw ourselves as what we wanted to be! Whether it was a Hero that came to the rescue in the nick of time or a Princess that ruled in an enchanted kingdom. How do we see ourselves today? However we see ourselves determines the course of action we take for our lives.
2. We created the story! It was all based on the choices we made. Whatever we wanted to accomplish, wherever we wanted to go, whatever we wanted to see, it was all up to us! What story are we creating for our lives today? What choices are we making?
3. We acted out what we created! It did not stay as only a dream. We acted on it. We became the very person our action figures or dolls were supposed to be. Truth is, we are today acting out the story we have created. For some, it is not nearly as exciting as it was then.
4. We controlled the ending! Through the danger, excitement, and all of the suspenseful unknowns, we decided how it would end. Today, we still decide how it will end.

It is not too late nor are we too old to have the life we desired as a kid. All we have to do is apply these four principles right now. Don't wait. Decide today that we are the action figures and dolls. Make it happen!
Reflecting back on those days, I can now see that those days were really a rehearsal for our lives.

Blessed,
Dr. Tim