This is something I don’t usually post but a while back I was asked this question by someone at a Leadership event. I really didn’t know how to answer the question. It wasn’t something I personally experienced. The more I started thinking about this question, I thought I would ask all of you for your experiences, opinions and thoughts. What do you think?
Three weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year. The second key action step was acknowledging and thanking others in our daily life.
Why is this important in our life? I feel there is not enough kindness, thankfulness and acknowledging each other in this world today. A lot of people are so focused on climbing the corporate ladder or only into their own wants and needs they tend to forget about what is really important in life. Their relationships with others.
Who is going to remember how you climbed up that corporate ladder other than the people you abused and manipulated along the way? Is that how you want to be remembered? Are you going to have anyone who truly cares about you when you are no longer at the top and forced to retire?
What lives did you wreck to get there? Where you really happy alone at the top? Did you make people’s lives miserable. Do you really trust anyone? Are you always watching your back because you are afraid someone will betray you or even worse take your job? What did you truly gain? Did you really have anyone who truly loved you or did they just use you for your status? Where are they now?
Something to think about:
When I was a new Supervisor my Manager and I were talking about leadership. She was telling me about her career path and how important it is to treat your employees respectfully because someday they could be your boss. I really appreciated her sharing this with me because you never know who will be your leader and relationships are the key to success.
The song “Lying Eyes” by the legendary band the “Eagles” is a good reflection of having it all but still it was not enough.
Maybe it is time to do some self-reflection before it is too late.
How do you treat others as a leader, co-worker, friend, parent, partner or spouse?
Are you really paying attention on what is happening around you?
Are you too busy dealing with work and clawing your way to the top?
What really truly matters in life? Example: Your job or your family?
How do you speak to others? Example: Is it demanding or polite?
When was the last time you really had a good laugh with someone?
Or truly had a good conversation with someone and really listened to them?
When was the last time you gave your full attention to someone instead of on your iPad or iPhone?
When was the last time you actually said something nice about a colleague or your boss?
If these questions hit a nerve. It may be time to do some more self-reflecting. I know it hit a nerve with me.
When did you lose the interpersonal skills?
What made you become hard and cold?
Where is the old you? The fun, loving, caring, and adventurous person?
What do you truly want in life?
Are you where you want to be?
This week I would like all the readers of this blog post to truly self-reflect on these questions. Which questions were hard for you to look at within yourself?
My challenge for you this week is to compliment, acknowledge, recognize or praise someone in your life at work and at home. Then really reflect on it.
Did it change the environment around you? Was it more enjoyable?
What was the reaction you saw? Did you see a smile? Did you smile?
Did it make a difference to that person?
Did it make a difference in you?
My wish is this blog post will inspire more joy, peace and better working relationships in your daily life. ~ Patti
Feel free to share your thoughts or your answers to the questions below in the “Leave a Reply” box.
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential discovery coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.
Two weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year. One of the key action steps was putting gratitude into our life and actions.
The other day I read a post from actor Keanu Reeves. It was absolutely beautiful about seeing life around you. Here is what he said about a photo of him and the background of a busy city and everyone rushing around:
“You see these people behind me? They are rushing to work and not paying attention to anything. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It’s like we’re zombies. Look up and take your head phones out. Say Hi to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they’re hurting. Help out someone. You have to live every day like it’s your last. What people don’t know about me is that I had depression a couple of years back. I never told anyone about it. I had to fight my way out of depression. The person who was holding me back from my happiness was ME. Every day is precious so let’s treat it like that. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so live today! I hope you share this post to spread love this holiday.” ~ Keanu Reeves
So many people are lonely and/or depressed. Reaching out with a hello, a smile or hug could really change their day for the better. We make ourselves so busy we lose sight of what is really important in life. Look up, enjoy life and others.
I also read this wonderful story a few days ago and I don’t know who wrote it but I thought I would share:
“One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. They spent a few days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. “It was great, Dad,” the son replied. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh Yeah,” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “It showed me just how poor we really are.”
What a great perspective. Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don’t have. What is one person’s worthless object is another’s prize possession. It is all based on one’s perspective. Sometimes it takes the perspective of a child to remind us what’s important.” ~ Unknown
Some people are not thankful for what they have and are wanting what others have. They are not grateful for the love ones they have in their life and are too busy wanting more instead of enjoying what they have.
The moral of these two stories is to be grateful, enjoy what you have and what is around you. Be kind and love others. Quit comparing yourself to others and appreciate what you have because what someone else has may not be right for you. Enjoy life to the fullest. ~ Patti 🙂
Self-reflection questions:
What are you grateful for in your life?
How are you going to show kindness towards others?
How are you going to stop comparing yourself to others?
What steps are you going to take to enjoy life?
Feel free to share your answers to the questions or your thoughts about the blog post in the leave a reply box below .
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.
I really want to know the reasons why people leave their jobs. Take the poll and feel free to share your thoughts. My plan is to write a future blog post from the poll results. 🙂 ~ Patti
Take Our PollCoaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
Welcome to another new year. How is this year going to be different from last year and the year’s before? What changes, challenges, struggles and acknowledgments are you going to face? Well, we can’t see into the future however we can strive to make things better in our lives.
Here are some life changing subjects to consider incorporating this year:
Putting gratitude into our life and actions
Acknowledging and thanking others
Using daily affirmations
Developing an achievable budget and change spending habits to relieve stress and overwhelm
Work on daily forgiveness practices – Forgiving yourself and others
Practice journaling
Connect with others and build friendships
Remove gossip, negative thoughts and self-doubt from daily life
Enhance personal development: update resume, take a class, join an association in your field, develop a retirement plan, and take up a hobby
Self-Care to improve health and wellness
Questions for self-reflection and action:
Which of these topics above would change your life for the better?
Are you willing to incorporate it?
Are you willing to stick with it and stay focused? Even if it is hard and you have to make sacrifices?
How would your life change for the better by incorporating this into your life?
How are you going to make this happen?
When are you going to start?
What obstacles may you face and how will you succeed to overcome them?
What would your life look like when you have incorporated this action into your daily life?
Life is full of challenges, obstacles and unknowns however if we have something to strive for daily it gives us purpose. With purpose we have something to look forward to even when those challenges can be overwhelming. Feel free to share what you will be incorporating in your life to make this year memorable. ~ Patti 🙂
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential discovery coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.