One Sheet

Scrap Paper

Photo courtesy of Sebastian.

What could one sheet of paper mean to you?

I was thinking about how many ideas, dreams, goals, and fortunes have begun on a single sheet of paper.  To some it is an inconvenience in our digital world and to others it is a one cent item that just really doesn’t get much thought.  But, what if you used just the one sheet to start a personal movement?

The movement might be personal change, the start of a financial goal, or the next big idea that shapes a culture.  Next time you see a piece of paper right something down.  You never know what it could be the start of.

What was an accomplishment that you achieved that began with a single idea on a piece of paper?

The World’s Greatest – Music May

My final selection for Music May is “The World’s Greatest” by R. Kelley.  The message is clear to me – think of yourself as the greatest.  A lot of people put themselves down or don’t think of themselves at all.  Take the time to think about how you impact those around you in a good way.  Everyone does this for at least one person; most people impact many daily.

Thanks for joining me for Music May 2014!

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgcovIu3k9o&w=480&h=360]

The Climb – Music May

This is a song that can get you re-motivated when it feels like an obstacle is standing in your way. The opening lyrics speak for themselves. I hope this song can give you some inspiration and insight that we all have to deal with mountains but just think of what you can see when you climb and reach the peak!

I can almost see it.
That dream I’m dreaming, but
There’s a voice inside my head saying
You’ll never reach it
Every step I’m takin’
Every move I make
Feels lost with no direction,
My faith is shakin’
But I, I gotta keep tryin’
Gotta keep my head held high

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waitin’ on the other side
It’s the climb

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs&w=480&h=360]

Brave – Music May

Selection two for Music May is “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.  It is a song about what we are all capable of doing with our words. Sometimes we just need to say something to be understood.

What would happen if you say what you want to say and let the words fall out?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4&w=480&h=360]

Firework – Music May

The music we listen to is the soundtrack of our lives.  The music on our devices can tell how we are feeling at any given moment.  I have a playlist called “Motivational and Upbeat” that gives me easy access to the music that helps to get me going.  For the month of May I am going to do “Music May” and I will share with you a few songs that generally stay on this playlist.

The first selection:

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw&w=480&h=360]

Put Me In Coach

I love when this song comes on.  It reminds me of going to see the Charleston Wheelers play at Watt Powell Park years ago.  I still remember Wheeler Bob hollering as you walked in the front of the stadium selling the programs.

As I have listened to it through the years I wonder how many people sit on the sidelines waiting for a “coach” to let them start something.  You can be your own coach.  All you need to do is get up and begin.  It doesn’t matter what it is.

“Put me in coach!  I’m ready to play today.”  If you are ready to play go do it!  Develop your action plan and figure out how you are going to put yourself into whatever game you want to play.  A new job, a certification, a workout, whatever. Go get it.

What is a song that gets you moving and motivated?

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc&w=480&h=360]

Celebrate You

This is the song I end my workouts with and I wanted to share it with all of you.  No matter what, remember, celebrate you!

What song is your “theme” song?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GU3TLn6q0Y&w=560&h=315]

 

*Article image courtesy of Alison H.

Sometimes You Have to Think of the Box

The Candle ProblemOften times when we are trying to problem solve we are working so hard we don’t see the solution in front of our face. We are told to think outside the box but sometimes you need to look at the box itself. The container may just have the solution you are seeking.

In 1945 “The Candle Problem” was published.  It was created some time before that by psychologist Karl Duncker.  The premise of the problem you can see in the picture to the left.  Participants were given a book of matches, a small candle, and a box of tacks.  They had to find a way with these materials to put the candle on the wall and light it but the candle could not get wax on the surface below it.

Sometimes you just have to think of the box.

The video below is from Dan Pink where he discusses motivation and the candle problem in detail.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrkrvAUbU9Y&w=560&h=315]

Document A Legacy

Document a LegacyI have talked about journaling in the past and I think it is an excellent thing to do for many reasons.  It gets your ideas and opinions out in the open for you to mess with and it also gives a chance for your family to have a recorded history from you well into the future.

But, have you ever thought about really documenting your life to leave a legacy?  Not just putting down a few words about your day but really have a full “scrapbook” of what went on in your life from day to day.  While this can be time consuming while you are starting it I think this would be a great gift to your future self and family as well as being just as therapeutic as journaling alone.

You can get apps and software to help you do this.  I personally use Evernote but there are several other out there such as Google Keep that you can use.

All you need to do is create a notebook within the program such as “A Day In My Life.”  You can create one note for each day with the date as the title.  Post pictures taken throughout the day (or as you take them), thoughts, maps of where you have been, and audio recordings of your surroundings.  All of this can be stored, searchable, and exported allowing you to have a detailed document of your day.  What a great way to share decades down the road what was going on in your life at that time.

By documenting your life you can see where you were and where you are now.  The road that was traveled.  What worked and didn’t work.

Doing this project should be in addition to your journaling with pen and paper.  I believe there still isn’t an adequate replacement for the connection you get while writing your own words.  But, what a great thing to have for later in life.

If you want a bit more information and to join the 30 Day Challenge check out http://www.DocumentALegacy.com

Start a Movement

The brief video below is one of my favorites.  Don’t be afraid to be first regardless of how you might be judged.  The person who goes first becomes the leader and a leader can start a movement.

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