How to Stay Focused in a World of Bright Shiny Objects (BSOs)

How to Stay Focused in a World of Bright Shiny Objects (BSOs)

New opportunities are constantly being presented to us.I know you must have seen them. A flicker here.A flicker there. Some days I may think you have had whiplash due to turning your head and checking out all the new things you can try or learn. The world has some pretty exciting things going on and some people seem to be cruising to the top yet you might be wondering why you are not moving at the speed others people are. Perhaps you are focused on the wrong things.

You want to focus on what you want to happen versus what you do not want to happen. When you create a plan you plan with your best intentions but if you come from a place of scarcity and lack you lose focus on what your end goal may be. You may want to grab onto every opportunity that comes your way instead of looking at what is aligned with your values and plans.

 Create a daily plan that is focused on the tasks you need to complete to get closer to your end result. Imagine if you did 5 action steps Monday to Friday, 5 days a week, you would have completed 25 steps to getting closer to your goal. Without focus maybe you would complete 1-2 things in a week, your dedication and commitment may also waver as you wait for the “next big” thing to come along. The next big thing may be the one project you need to complete. Take some time to complete your incomplete projects or messes so you can focus on your brilliance! That’s where you shine!

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

Have You Checked Your Rearview Mirror Lately?

Have You Checked Your Rearview Mirror Lately?

You have probably heard the saying that “Hindsight is 20/20”. You always learn from where you have been if you take the time to consciously look at how your day went and where you may have improved. Foresight is worth its weight in gold. If you plan with intention to learn from your mistakes you can improve your relationships, career, family dynamics and even your health. 

 

Where you are right now is all a matter of the daily choices you have made to bring you to where you are right now. In order to change, you need to examine your daily habits and track what you wish to improve. Tracking helps you to identify areas that are working well and even those that are not working so well. You may even notice there are some choices you need to stop making because of the results you are getting. You will continue to get the results you’re getting if your actions do not change. 

Lasting change often occurs with small shifts in behaviors, actions, and even habits. Every choice you make should be followed with, “Is this choice supporting my goal?” If the answer is no, replace the behaviour with something that will support your goal – purposeful actions. When you continue to do this, you will always have actions that support your goals.

Take time to reflect on each day to see identify if there was an area that you may have improved or taken action. Do not spend too much time focusing on the past as you cannot move forward while looking back. Why not learn and more forward so you can celebrate your journey?

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

 

Are you a Front Seat or Back Seat Driver?

GPS Your Best Life- Are you a Front Seat or Back Seat Driver?

Are you a front or back seat driver?

You have probably heard phrases like “you are judged by the people you associate with” or “your results I life are a result of the people you choose to have in your life”.  Our lives mirror the people we choose to associate with the most. Who do you associate with…. Front or back seat drivers?

Front seat drivers are people who support others; help them find their way, show patience when there is a detour or a wrong turn, and who offer to share the driving on a long or tiring journey. 

Back seat drivers have the potential to drain your passion and deplete your positive energy. Backseat drivers often find fault with or complain about others, tell you what to do, or nitpick at issues. The great news is that you have the power to choose a) which type of driver you will be, and b) who you let in your vehicle on the journey of life.

How can you ensure that you bring more front seat drivers into your life?

1.    Be conscious of how much time you devote or spend with backseat drivers. Set boundaries, and provide respectful feedback if need be. The truth is that sometimes people simply don’t realize how they are coming across, or how their behavior is impacting others.

2.    Demonstrate self awareness and ensure your actions, and attitudes are closely aligned to front seat drivers.

3.    Notice the warning signs. Your body sends signals (such as knots in your gut, a drifting mind to escape the dialogue, discomfort, or a urge to be defensive), this is an opportunity for you to a) notice, and b) choose a response.

4.    Define, honor and protect your personal space. Make sure that you are open to receiving as well as giving. Allow others to support and assist you, as you are doing for people in your life.

5.    Practice ways to respectfully end the conversations that you are uncomfortable with.

6.    Model front seat driver behaviors, you will likely find that front seat drivers stick together.

7.    Forgive yourself and move on. Often when people make mistakes, they turn into their own worst backseat driver… self blame, put downs and making the situation worse. Instead, breathe. And breathe again. And Forgive. This allows you to get back into the front seat with ease, grace, dignity, and new learning.

You will likely notice that being a front seat driver is a much easier way to live life, and reach your goals faster.

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

Getting Motivated…Staying Motivated!

GPS Your Best Life-

By  Charmaine Hammond & Debra Kasowski

Sometimes getting motivated is not the challenge.  Staying motivated is the work.  If you have experienced this, you are not alone.  Motivation is often hindered by self-limiting behaviors or habits.  Staying motivated is one of the most defining factors that separates high achievers from those who are less productive, and is an important step to Get Positioned for Success.  

A few consistent steps go a long way in the journey to living your best life. Begin by creating daily goals and move into action by taking steps that will help you achieve these goals. One way to practice mini goals and tiny action steps is to change up your some of your daily routines by trying the following:

• Take a different route to work or your fitness class. 
• Read a book that is outside of your typical reading genre. 
• Change up your weekend schedule.  

While these changes may not seem overly significant, a small adjustment in your routines and behaviors can result in surprisingly big results. 

Need some more tips on staying motivated?

1.       Keep an IMA- inspired mental attitude.  Your mindset and attitude are essential ingredients in motivation.  When you associate with likeminded and positive people, your IMA increases. You will feel energized and want to work toward your goals.

2.       Seek ways to make a difference- at home, at work, in your community!  When you strive to help, support, and give to others, you set the ball in motion to receive.  Look for opportunities to pay it forward. Give of yourself first!

3.       Health - Eat a healthy breakfast.  Be more conscientious of the foods you choose. Exercise for strength and tone.  Ensure that you get enough sleep every night.  When you physically take care of your body, your mind works more effectively and you will feel more physical energy to take the steps to maintain motivation. 

4.       Focus on gratitude. Celebrate successes. Keep track of your strengths, talents, and accomplishments. Write down what you are grateful for each day. Creating your journey along life’s highway involves gratitude, gifting and giving.

5.       Schedule some “Me” Time. Listen to your favorite music. Clear your mind by spending some time gardening. Visit a friend. Go for a picnic in the park. Value you the time you take for yourself.

6.       Know what revs your engine.  When you are aware of your internal motivators and what revs your engine, you can seek out situations and people to support you!  As well, know what exhausts your energy and motivation and either complete those tasks/responsibilities first, or better yet, avoid them if you can. 

7.       Release the brakes and Get Unstuck! When you are feeling stuck, or like you are spinning the wheels, it is difficult to get and stay motivated.  Simply choose one task to do, or one step to take.  No matter how small the step, you are moving forward and that is what counts! 

8.       Celebrate your wins.  Take time to notice and validate your wins, improvements, growth and success. Share your success with others. Your wins may motivate someone else in shifting to drive to create their best life.

What will you do today to be motivated?

Charmaine Hammond and Debra Kasowski are the authors of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style.  Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and Chicken Soup for the Soul says that “Charmaine and Debra show you how to navigate through life’s inevitable roadblocks and obstacles with ease and grace, so you can reach your desired destination”. To find out how to GPS Your Best Life, visit www.gpsyourbestlife.com

Today GPS Your Best Life was a #1 Mover and Shaker on Amazon.ca :)

You can purchase your copy here.