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Are You Stuck? Consider Changing Your Focus!
Gene Simmons
If you sometimes feel as though you're caught in life's quicksand,
you have a lot of company. We work, we struggle, we try to
do everything we possibly can to move on to a higher level
of well-being but it seems like the harder we work, the more
stuck we get. If you're approaching a Category 5 frustration
level, you might give this a try...
Switch your focus from that really nice - but frustrated -
person in the mirror to one or more of the other folks who
inhabit this good earth.
I realize that it's important to watch out for number one
- ourselves. We need to set goals, lay out plans and then
do those things we need to do so that we can at least make
some progress toward our goals. We need to demonstrate personal
financial responsibility, plan for retirement and frequently
just cover our backside so it doesn't get chewed off by one
or more of life's rodents.
However, what frequently happens is that we become so over-focused
on ourselves and our own personal well-being that we wind
up building huge walls. We lose the ability - or even desire
- to see the bigger picture and the possibilities that life
presents to us. We become so focused on "me" that we sometimes
begin scrutinizing even the most insignificant events to determine
their potential impact on our personal lives. We become victims
to ourselves. And to be real honest about it, we sometimes
just become so busy being busy that we lose track of where
we thought we wanted our lives to wind up in the first place.
One possible solution as I mentioned earlier is to change
our focus from "me" to "others". From being the receiver to
being the giver. And no, I'm not even implying that this requires
any major change in the things we do every day. It may eventually
lead to that but it's not a critical part of the initial process.
Here's what I mean. No matter what you do to earn a living
or keep the household moving in a logical direction, somewhere
down the line a real person will probably benefit from what
you do. Think about it. The work we do is not just to stuff
computer systems full of information or help machines work
better. It's not just to take people's money so we'll have
a paycheck at the end of the week. It's not just filling out
forms, nailing pieces of boards together, assembling electronic
devices, hauling packages, going to meetings, cutting down
trees, repairing cars, painting houses, stocking shelves,
installing drywall or flippin' hamburgers. Somewhere, sometime
(and maybe immediately) another human being will likely be
positively affected by what you do.
And yes, if you're paying attention, you've noticed that I've
used a couple of cop-out words in the preceding paragraph
- "likely" and "probably". I had to do that because in the
real world there are some individuals whose money-making efforts
are focused mainly on "non-beneficial" activities. That's
just the way the world is.
For the rest of us however, our activities and work generally
reflect a more positive endeavor. That leads us back to the
original suggestion. If you are caught in the quicksand, take
a few minutes to really think about the people - the individuals
who will be better off, healthier or happier because of what
you do. Think about how you are giving of your time and talents
so that others will profit in some way from your efforts.
Do you see what can happen here? When we change our focus
from "me" to "others", our work - the things we do every day
- starts taking on a new significance. We are now a giver.
Our life honestly is meaningful. We know that what we do is
truly important to someone else. That's pretty special, huh?
If you're having to really stretch your imagination to see
at least one other person benefiting from the things you do
and it's really not fitting together, you might consider looking
into a different occupation - or at least a different way
to spend your free time. There are a bunch of people who could
really benefit from your talents. Think about what you do
well - what you enjoy doing that could help others have a
better life. Then go do it. You'll be out of the quicksand
before you know it.
Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy
reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and
links along with affordable personal growth and self improvement
books & materials - all designed to help folks find
the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of
life's "secrets for survival" in a chaotic world &
offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple
approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene
at http://www.nupathz.com/
Article Source:
http://www.upublish.info
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