My journey for personal growth and development begins with these 6 steps
This blog (soupornuts.com) is written to inspire, motivate, educate and help you become the person you can be. I believe in goals and the power of goal setting. The first step in the journey to becoming a “new” you is to have in your mind a clear picture of the person you want to become. Without a clear picture of what you want in your mind it is like traveling down a road that divides into a number of different options. How do you choose which option to take? If you don’t have a goal, It really doesn’t matter which road you take. Does it? If we don’t know where we are going it really doesn’t make any difference which road we take to get there because they all lead to the same place – the land of lost dreams, lost hope, missed opportunity, and regret.
Today’s decisions create tomorrow’s reality
I also believe that we are the sum total of the past decisions we’ve made. All those little and not so little decisions have resulted in placing us right where we are today. The point? Change your perspective from one of passivity to activity. Make up your mind that today you have a purpose and a goal. And your goals are whatever YOU determine the goals to be. Realize that starting today you can actively determine your future by making decisions today that are in line with achieving your goals. If you can make only a small step in the direction of your goals, you have something to build on tomorrow and you begin to gain momentum.
Be easy with yourself. Here are some of my goals for today.
1. Today, I will make it a point to smile at everyone I meet.
Not a sly or seductive smile, but a “happy, How’re you doing” smile. Researchers say that one of the first things people notice when they meet another person is the presence or absence of a smile. If you smile, 99 percent of the time people will smile back. They can’t help it. Someone has to actively force themselves not to smile, when they see someone smiling at them.
A smile puts people at ease. It comforts them and is welcoming. The vast majority of the time, your smile causes the recipient to smile in response to you. The simple act of smiling causes the release of endorphins in the brain resulting in a pleasurable feeling of happiness. Smiling at someone can cause them to physically feel happy. What power.
2. Today, I will engage someone in conversation.
I’ll ask, how they are doing. An then I’ll actually take the time to pay attention and listen to their answer.
- People like to talk.
- This is my opportunity to give someone what they want.
- People need to talk.
- People want to talk to a willing and attentive listener.
Ironically, if you listen to people, you will become known as a “great conversationalist”.This will provide me with the chance to allow someone to vent their needs and emotions. Or maybe just communicate. Maybe they want my opinion, maybe they don’t. If they do ask for my thoughts, I can spread a little good news, offer a suggestion or provide them with a source of information they might find helpful.
3. Today, I am going to assist someone.
I’ll help a little old lady with her groceries or my daughter with her homework. By offering assistance, we show others that they have value to us – that we care about them. Because we value them, we want to help them.
Who can you help today? Does someone you know need a ride? Can you pick up something for your spouse on the way home from work? Do your kids need some special one-on-one time with you? Take them to the park or play in the yard. Get involved in their lives. Give them you most precious commodity – your time.
4. Today, I will embrace the opportunities that a new day presents.
Today, I have the opportunity to start fresh and handle every situation independently of every previous interaction. Today is a “do-over”. I can attempt to correct or modify my previous mistakes or learn from them what “not” to do again.
I will embrace the changes that a new day brings because all progress and growth involves change. I want change. If I am going to progress on a personal level then it stands to reason that I must change and I will start the changing process today.
5. Today, I will be thankful for all the joy and blessings that are mine.
I choose to see the good in everyone and everything. I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I will be appreciative of what I do have and not be upset, saddened or discontent about what I don’t have, because I realize that my happiness is determined by what is inside of me and not what I possess.
I will tell those close to me that I love them because I am not promised anymore than the present moment. I don’t want to ever regret a missed opportunity. I will hold my wife and hug my children and be eternally thankful.
6. Today, I will grow.
I will dedicate a portion of today for the purpose of expanding my mind. I will read or research a topic that interests me because I understand that “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”.
I choose not to watch television because I prefer to be in a meditative state of mind and not a vegetative one. I understand that what I allow to go into my my mind will be revealed in my thoughts, words and actions. I will experience life personally and not through the filter of broadcast media.
These are the things I will accomplish today. Each of these steps, though small and insignificant at first look, will propel me toward the person I want to become.
These are conscious decisions that I make and renew each day. For me, these simple decisions and declarations are the first steps in becoming an enlightened person, a happy person and a productive person with a great life.
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5 Responses to “My journey for personal growth and development begins with these 6 steps”
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It is really important for us to set our goals for the future.You really inspires me.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive
Thank you for your post.
You have provided a great map to live every day by.
Tim Byrd
Wow, you are getting really good! Your best post, of the many great ones, so far. I just wanted to let you know how much your blog inspires me. Also, thank you for all the help you provided to get mine off the ground and keeping me motivated. Keep up the great post and by the way the first thing I noticed on my wife over ten years ago was her smile!!
http://www.JuiceofChampions.com
Very inspiring. Now if only we could get the others to do the same what an amazing world it would be.
Hi Steve,
Yes we can change the world, by working on ourselves. Thanks for your comments, I’ll be dropping by soon to see your site. I have always been fascinated by hypnosis and I try to use it on myself from time to time.