Tag Archives: goals

“Finding the Silver Lining: Overcoming Pessimism and Embracing Hope”

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“Pessimism: because why settle for just being unhappy when you can be consistently disappointed by everything? #Sarcasm #Pessimism”


Someone recently asked me if I thought I was more optimistic or pessimistic. Of course, I proudly said, “I’m optimistic!” This got me thinking about the truth of pessimism.


IT’S FREAKING EASY TO BE PESSIMISTIC! Yes, I was yelling… at the HALF-EMPTY cup! The entire culture sets us up to look for the negative. It may just be me, but a negative outlook is a default. Oh wait, that isn’t very optimistic!


So how do we see the silver lining to the DARK CLOUD THAT STAYS OVER MY HEAD? Why Am I yelling? Oh boy!

Heres a few thoughts to overcome pessimism and embrace hope!

  1. Practice gratitude: Make a habit of focusing on the people and things you are thankful for and expressing gratitude for them.
  2. Reframe negative thoughts: When you have a negative thought, challenge it by looking for evidence that supports a more positive perspective.
  3. Surround yourself with positivity: Seek out people, activities, and environments that uplift you and bring you joy.
  4. Focus on solutions, not problems: Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, concentrate on finding solutions to problems.
  5. Engage in self-care: Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being through activities like exercise, meditation, and hobbies.

“You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control your attitude towards it.” – Unknown

Are you more optimistic or pessimistic? Thoughts?

Goals and Habits

General, , , ,

Growth Plan Part 2

I recently read an article that was encouraging goal setting. Which is a good idea that I practice. However, as I read the goals, I quickly thought these are not goals but rather habits.

For example, one goal was to complain less. We are all guilty of complaining too much. Complaining less would make our lives better. As I see it complaining less is a habit that needs to be developed.

Goals help develop healthy habits which lead to healthier lives.

If I want to complain less, I need to set a few goals to help develop this habit.

Complaining less Goals:
• Track how often you complain and about what.
• Write down three things a day you are grateful for.
• Every time you complain commit to doing something positive.

Goals are a specific task that have a fixed endpoint.
Goals help develop and maintain healthy habits.

Healthy Habits are actions that are engrained in us, that have become natural because of continued repetition. Healthy habits are the things we do without thinking.

I had a bad habit of listening to the news multiple times a day. Too much bad news (most news is bad news) will affect your life. I needed to change my habit. So, I set a goal to listen to a new podcast every time I was in the car. I also set a goal to read more books and to exercise more which took more time. So, I didn’t have the time to watch and listen to the news. My goals changed my habit.

Here are a few more examples:
Habit: Read Scripture
Goal: Read the Bible in a year
Habit: Exercise
Goal: run a 5k
Habit: Be more loving
Goal: Acts of kindness

Part of a good growth plan will include good goals that will develop healthy habits.

What goals are you going after? What habits are you trying to develop?

Readers are Learners

Faith, Uncategorized,

Leaders are readers, this has been quoted over and over by strong, prominent leaders that obviously read. So, If you or I ever want to lead a massive revolution, a Fortune 500 company, or PTA we have to read books and books.41475_Reading_List

Heck, all this may be true.
However, the simple truth is we need to read.

Because when we read we learn and learning is what makes us better.

We learn to be better people. And that my friend is what the world needs.
So, I’m good with leaders being readers we just need more normal everyday people to be readers as well. Give it a shot!

You can Create a reading habit by setting a simple reading goal. This is how I started my reading. First I set a goal to read one book a month. Just 12 books for the year. I stayed at that level for several years. Then I tried to double it, which I didn’t achieve. But eventually, I was able to create a habit of reading.
This year (2018) I completed 35 books.
Here is a list of my 2018 books. Maybe some of them could be your 2019 reads.

*The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy 

Gaining by Losing – Jd Greear 

God Enters Stage Left – Tim Day

Unreasonable Churches -Rich Birch 

The HD Leader -Derwin Gray

A Mind Set Free -Jimmy Evans. 

Mindset – Carol Dweck 

Giving it all away – David Green 

Church Growth Flywheel – Rich Brich 

Easter From the Backside – J Ellsworth Kalas 

The Root of Riches – Chuck Bentley 

The power of your words – Robert Morris 

Share the Dream – Jama Hedgecoth 

Grit – Angela Duckworth 

This is our time -Trevin Wax 

Hero Maker – Dave Ferguson & Warren Bird 

How to break growth barriers – Carl George & Warren Bird. 

A Meal with Jesus – Tim Chester 

Becoming a welcoming Church- Rainer 

*Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish_H_Warren 

*Everything happens for a reason (and other lies I have loved) Kate Bowler 

Brothers, we are not professionals- John Piper 

Inspired – Rachel Held Evans 

Kingdom Prayer – Tony Evans 

Leading Change without Losing it – Carey Niewuwhof 

Everyday Church – Gospel Communities on Mission. – Tim Chester 

Rising Tides – Neil Cole 

*Soonish – Kelly &Zach Weinersmith

*The Imperfect Pastor – Zack Eswine 

How to be Here – Rob Bell 

Warfare -Tony Evans 

*Making Peace – Jim Van Yperen 

*Finish – Jon Acuff 

Happy Money – Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton 

 

 

What have you read? I’m always looking for a good book.