Life’s Too Short for Annoying People

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

This morning I shared a cup of coffee and some great conversation with a dear friend of mine.

She told me that she just celebrated her 19 year anniversary with the love of her life. As a gift, she decided to write 19 reasons why she still loved him – one reason for each year they were together.  It was truly a precious gift.

That gave me an idea. What if I flip the switch and think about the people in my life who actually annoy me? You know what I’m talking about – it could be that co-worker who won’t stop chatting, or that boss who doesn’t give you credit for all your hard work, or that friend who only talks about herself and never asks how you are doing?

What if I take a closer look at all those people who tend to aggravate me and list just 5 things that are good about them? It could be something as simple as “they have a sweet smile” or something more obvious like “they bring brownies to work for everyone to enjoy.” I could even work on substituting words for their annoying behavior, like:

  • Cheap could be replaced by Thrifty and Budget Minded
  • Gossipy could be replaced by Informative
  • Unfocused could be replaced by Unpredictable and Fun

It just may help you see them in a different light. If nothing else, it can turn your annoyance into tolerance.  I’m not sure if it will work, but I’m willing to give it a try. What do you think? Are you willing to join me by looking at the annoying people in your life a little differently? The photo I’ve included can work as a wordsmith to help get you started. Let me know how it goes.

 

Categories: Personal Development Positive Attitude Professional Development Professional Speaker
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Calm the “No’s” You Tell Yourself

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

How many times have you heard the word “no”:

  • No, you don’t qualify for that loan
  • No, you didn’t get that promotion
  • No, I don’t have time to meet with you

Even worse, how many times have you told yourself “no”:

  • No, I don’t have enough experience so I won’t even bother to try
  • No, I’m not smart enough to get that position
  • No, I’m just not good enough

Those are the most damaging of all – the “no’s” we tell ourselves. They can limit our possibilities and squash our dreams. So how can we overcome them? How can we control them?

Well, here’s one trick that helps me:

Every time I tell myself “no,” I stop and replace that statement with something positive. For instance, if I tell myself “No, I’m not qualified for that job,” I will stop and turn that statement into something like “I know I am qualified and will do all I can to prepare for that position.” Then I’ll make a list of all the qualities I possess that will make me a success.

One of the most challenging times for me was when I first started my speaking business. I can’t begin to tell you how many people told me I was “too old” to start my own business. Many people, even some dear friends, told me that no one pays for speakers anymore and that I would fail. It was really hard to push through, but I overcame these “no’s” by replacing them with statements like:

I believe I have a powerful message that will help others who are facing challenges in their life. I believe in myself and I am NOT going to give up.

Replacing “no’s” with a positive statement will not eliminate them completely, but I guarantee that it will quiet them. Every time you see one coming your way, stop, face it, and say something good to replace it. With time, you will have all those negative thoughts, and all those “no’s,” under control.

Categories: Personal Development Positive Attitude Professional Development Professional Speaker
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Your Life Can Change in an Instant

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

One phone call, one email, one word can change your life forever – in an instant!

So, this morning, as I sit in the waiting room of the hospital, barely breathing as my husband is in surgery, I wonder what one word or phrase or sentence the surgeon will utter when he walks up to me.  What will be the expression on his face?  The look in his eyes?

Bottom line is – I’m scared.  I’m trying to stay positive.  After all, isn’t that what I share in my presentations?  Just like I’ve told so many people in my audiences: I’m writing my gratitude list, using the word curious and envisioning every positive picture I can think of.  But it’s so hard.  This experience is too fresh; too new.  I’m right in the middle of it.  So, for now I’m going to embrace the uncertainty and believe that everything will be ok.  After all, what other choice do I have?

One thing is for certain: life will change.  The quote I share here brings me some peace.  Maybe it will help you when you face some challenging times of your life.  Here’s to being strong and believing in yourself.

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You’re Just Like Your Mother???

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

There was a time when I felt insulted when someone said: “You’re just like your mother.”  It usually came from an old boyfriend – or husband – who was trying to ruffle my feathers. And they were usually quite successful at annoying me with that one sentence.  But with time, I have come to realize and appreciate and be humbled by all that she did for me; by all that she gave up for me.

As long as I can remember, my mother worked the midnight shift in a factory.  She often told me stories of her co-workers losing a finger because they reached too far into the machine she called a punch press.  It happened so often that the company had to figure out a way to solve this problem.  And you know what they did?  They chained everyone’s hands to the table so they couldn’t reach so far into the machine.  Can you imagine being physically chained to your desk for eight hours each day, every day?  Obviously, this was before the days of OSHA.

Well, because of my mom’s feistiness, her co-workers voted her to be the shop steward so she could fight for their rights.  And because of her, definite changes were made to make it a better workplace for everyone.

To say that she had a strong personality is putting it lightly, and because of that I have become the strong and independent woman I am today.  So now on those days when I feel a bit of a setback, and it sometimes feels like the walls are falling in around me, I draw from her feistiness.  I can honestly say that I am proud to be her daughter – to stand up and say:

“Yes, I’m just like my mother!”

 

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Have You Heard of the Gratitude Walk?

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

Have you heard of this:

 The Gratitude Walk

I’m sure just about everyone has heard of the Gratitude List, but A Gratitude Walk???  When my good friend, Paul, mentioned this to me, I really became curious so I did what any open minded person would do…I googled it.

And I liked what I read.  Here is one article that I found very interesting: http://bit.ly/2g9Lv9u.

The idea is to walk every day and with each step, think about what you are grateful for. The thought of walking and being grateful at the same time sounded like a powerful combination to me.   And as I thought about it further, I realized it didn’t have to stop at a single word or a single thought.  It could be an entire story of something or someone I am grateful for.  It could be a total experience of something that happened in my life.

I really like this idea and want to try it immediately.  BUT…  (there’s that ugly word again).  Where do I begin my Gratitude Walk?  With snow on the ground and the sub zero weather, do I really want to take a walk outside?  If you are as driven as my friend, Paul, you do it anyway.  You zip up your warmest coat, wrap that scarf tightly around your neck, put on your best gloves and go out to face the weather.

However, I’m being honest here.  That’s not for  me.  So I’m left to figure out how I can do a daily Gratitude Walk when the weather is crummy.  Any ideas?  I’d love to hear them.  I’d really love to start a Gratitude Walk and I need your help.

Categories: Personal Development Positive Attitude Professional Development Professional Speaker
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Your Holiday Obsession

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Attitude

The holiday season brings out a part of me that surfaces only once a year.  The creative side!  I find this hysterical because… I don’t have a creative bone in my body!  I don’t knit or paint or cook or anything even close to that!   But for some reason, I LOVE to wrap gifts.  I have no idea why, but I actually look forward to it.

Several years ago, I took a gift wrapping class at one of those adult education sessions.  I learned all about wired ribbons, how to twist and turn them into the perfect bow, and especially how to add the finishing touches by putting a bell or Santa or something holidayish in the middle of the package, making it all come together.  In a recent trip to downtown Chicago, I even found myself taking photos of Macy’s window display so I could get new and improved ideas for wrapping this year’s gifts.  At home, during my gift wrapping sessions, I emerge covered with glitter from head to toe – it’s everywhere – and I love it.

Do you have a holiday obsession?  Something that brings you great joy, and something that happens only this time of year?  Decorating cookies?  Putting lights up outside in the freezing cold?  Or something totally out-of-the-box.  I’d love to hear it.  Please share with us your own uniqueness and individuality that brings a smile to your face during the holidays.

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Red Carpet Dreams

Professional Speaker-Personal Development-Positive Thinking

As I watched the Academy Awards the other night, I heard several celebrities tell a similar story. It went something like this…

“As a kid, I watched the Academy Awards on TV. I never dreamed I would be walking down that red carpet myself someday.”

And it made me wonder. What is my red carpet?  What did I dream of as a kid?

Me? I wanted to be a professional ice skater!  For some reason, I knew about a famous figure skater named Sonja Henie.  She actually competed in the 1920s and 1930s, so I have no idea how I heard about her.  Maybe from my parents.  I’m not really sure.

All I remember is that I would lace up my ice skates, glide out onto the rink, and announce to the world: Here she is, Nancy Depcik, debuting as an Olympic figure skater. I could picture it, outfit and all, and I could hear the roar of the crowd.  That was my red carpet dream.

But my life took me down another path – one that did not include ice skates. However, it did include the excitement of a crowd and the energy of an audience.  So, as a professional speaker, I guess my ice rink became my stage, and I traded in my ice skates for a microphone.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I absolutely love what I do, sharing my message of positive thinking with all who will listen, helping people to see their life challenges a little differently, and to find happiness in the process.

Red carpet dreams really do come true, sometimes they just look a little differently than the one we imagined. What’s your story?  Do you have a red carpet dream?

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