Newsletter for July 2005:
Celebrating Your Independence Day

America's Independence Day is typically celebrated with picnics and fireworks, and that is wonderful! But I think it is BEST celebrated as a call to ACTION in our own personal lives. Freedom is a precious thing, but too often we take it for granted and fail to USE it! Use your freedom to build the life you want! You have the liberty to make something magnificent of your life. Don't waste the precious freedom that so many died to give us.

 

As all of you know next Monday is July 4th, when the United States celebrates our Independence Day. Obviously it's a day of great national pride for Americans, but I think it should also be day of introspection and celebration for each of us as individuals.

It's a day for taking stock, for reviewing our progress and affirming the life we truly want to live.

Over 200 years ago, American revolutionaries declared that all people are, and by rights OUGHT to be free to pursue their PERSONAL goals, based on their PERSONAL definition of happiness. Most of us vigorously agree with that statement, and yet too few of us ever reflect on exactly what kind of life we truly want and (more importantly) the steps we will take to create the life of our dreams.

So here is the challenge: This week end, in preparation for the picnics and barbeques and fireworks of Independence Day, take time to define the life you truly want, and the steps you will take to make it a reality.

Here are four simple steps that may help:

 

There is nothing like the power of gratitude. We don't pause often enough to note how well we are doing, how far we've come; how much we have. Before talking about what you want to change, pause to notice what's already working in your life. Who do you need to thank? Who do you need to hug? What talents, skills, freedoms and resources do you celebrate in your life? We are the richest, most educated, most blessed people in history. Let's begin the revolution by giving thanks for that!

 

Before we can add more, we probably have to dump some of the "stuff" that clutters our busy lives. Be honest! Most of us are already doing about as much as we can. We have stuff cluttering our closets, our garages, our attics, and we have "stuff" cluttering our calendars, too. Before we can make room for "more" we may have to do some house-cleaning.

 

This is often where we begin and most of us have a laundry list of things we want, from more money to more time, to a new car or another vacation. So let's dig a bit deeper. What do you REALLY want in your life?

What brings you joy? What will fulfill you, use your potential and make you happy? What, exactly, would you like to change or add or do differently? We live in a time when you can have just about anything you truly want (and are willing to work for), but until and unless you define it, it will be hard to get it. What do you truly WANT?

 

In 1776, a group of Americans wrote a Declaration and staked their fortunes, their reputations and their very lives on the outcome. Most of us will not do anything that risky or dramatic, but you will have to do SOMETHING. What will you do to declare and demonstrate your independence?

Who will you call? How much will you budget? Will you change your schedule or your habits? Will you enlist friends and partners to help you? What step, big or small, will you take to make things better this week?

Our national Independence Day is typically celebrated with picnics and fireworks, and that is wonderful! But I think it is BEST celebrated as a call to ACTION in our own personal lives. Freedom is a precious thing, but too often we take it for granted and fail to USE it! Use your freedom to build the life you want! You have the liberty to make something magnificent of your life. Don't waste the precious freedom that so many died to give us. 

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." -- Mother Teresa

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy." -- Albert Clarke

"Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly." – Lauren Bacall

"Opportunities are usually disguised by hard work, so most people don't recognize them." -- Ann Landers

Today marks the half-way point in the year and it's a great time to take stock and see how you're doing. At the beginning of the year, almost every business establishes goals -- goals in terms of sales, profits, new customers, and so forth. Most of us also set personal goals, often in terms of time with loved ones, in terms of our health, personal finances, travel or other areas.

Unfortunately, far too many people are discouraged about setting goals. They remember goals that were written down and then ignored, and now they say, "goals don't work."

Hogwash! Goals are what make life worth living! Goals to finish school, learn to drive, goals to meet someone and fall in love, goals to get a job, build a career – these things are the building blocks of a great life!

The problem is not with goal-setting, but that we fail in two related areas:

1. We don't focus on our REASONS for wanting the goal. When you have enough REASONS, achieving any goal becomes much easier!

2. We fail to MEASURE. Peter Drucker observed that "what gets measured, gets done."

This week, review the REASONS you set your goals in the first place. What would more income or more time off do for you? When you know WHY something is important, getting it done is much, much easier.

And secondly, review your numbers. See how you're doing. Be honest, have the courage to take measurements and note your progress. You'll be glad you did!

If you would like help in reaching your goals and creating the life you truly want, get a coach! You can contact me at: rodger@rodgerblaker.com

I love this kind of humor because it’s weird and wonderful – I hope you enjoy as well.

Spotted in a toilet of a London office: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T NOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

Notice in a field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES

Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

Rodger Blaker works with small business owners and professionals who want to grow their business and create an extraordinary life! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com

GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND! Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!