Dan Mucci is Founder and Owner of NEXT STEP Professional Coaching & Consulting, LLC and former Lead Pastor & President of Abundant Life Church, Inc.; a role he held for 29 years. His driving passion is to inspire people to be more successful in life and business by being a servant leader. He has created, served and lead his organization's vision board, along with various community boards during his career. He has an extensive background in collaborative leadership and community partnership with state and local government, educational institutions, corporations, and nonprofits.
SIX POSITIVE “NEGATIVES” TO LIVE BY
Most of us understand that for any of us to move forward, to grow and succeed in our lives, work and families, we need to have a positive attitude and self talk. While many of us wrestle internally in our heads sometimes to keep coaching ourselves in the right direction, there are clearly some basic principles that can help us overcome any negative thoughts that could hinder our progress and development
Here are six positive principles that ironically are stated with the first word, “don’t.” My hope is to remind you, as I remind myself, that allowing ourselves to dwell on negative thinking only hinders us from moving forward, and slows us down in the growth that matures our outlook on our lives and others.
As you review these thoughts, see if they don’t renew your mind in areas you perhaps may be wrestling with as we all do at times.
- DON’T WORRY WHEN YOU’RE DOING YOUR BEST. We all know that eighty-five percent of what we worry about never happens yet we still at times find worry dominating our thoughts. When we are doing our best to live our life, lead our families and accomplish the work of our jobs or careers, it’s important that we learn to find contentment in that. In truth, we can’t do better than our best, if we are giving our best. So, let’s try to relax more and be thankful that we have the current capacity to give our lives and goals the best that we have to offer. Learning to be content with where we are at the moment is a key to preparing us to grow and achieve more in the new opportunities that will come our way if we simply do our best as much as possible, in everything we do.
- DON’T HURRY WHEN SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ACCURACY. Hurry is another enemy of our contentment and mental health. Hurry creates undue stress in our lives because we are trying to beat the clock rather than do our best. When we are not focused on doing our best, we lose our capacity to focus on doing things well. If we take ownership and satisfaction of our work being done with accuracy, that attitude can counterbalance the need for speed. There is nothing more embarrassing to try to meet someone’s expectations or timelines, than for them to find mistakes, and for us to have to take more time to fix the mistakes than it would have taken to do it accurately the first time. Let’s keep reminding ourselves, hurry is the surest way to failure of accuracy. Giving our best requires doing it right the first time.
- DON’T FORM CONCLUSIONS UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE FACTS. This is surely one of the worst things we can do that will mar our character quicker than most other actions. Jumping to conclusions is not only harmful to us, more than that it is very damaging to other people and any hope of having a trusting relationship with them. While jumping to conclusions is not only damaging to relationships, it is also can be destructive in our work. If we make hasty decisions without all the information, it contributes to a reputation for being unreliable. Instead, conduct all the research we have available and invest the time necessary to review all the data, this always brings about a more informed and dependable outcome to our conclusions.
- DON’T BELIEVE A THING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT TRYING IT. The only things that are truly impossible are those things that we fail to try. Passion goes a long way in generating enthusiasm and even resources to accomplish ideas, dreams or tasks we may deem impossible. Running our mouths is a little like running the engine of a vehicle parked at a curb without ever shifting it into drive if we aren’t taking steps to engage our creative ideas, pursue our dreams to accomplish something worthwhile or finish the tasks we would love to complete for our own satisfaction. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “there is no such thing as try, only do.” If we are determined and willing to set our eyes on a goal until we reach the finish line, more often than not we can do things we once thought impossible.
- DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME ON TRIVIAL MATTERS. One of the biggest hindrances to us accomplishing our goals, improving our relationships and getting our work done in a timely manner can simply be we spend too much time on the trivial parts of what we hope to accomplish. “The definition of trivial: of little value or importance. – “huge fines were imposed for trivial offenses” synonyms; unimportant, banal, trite, commonplace, insignificant, inconsequential, minor, or no account, of no consequence, or of no importance.” Seriously now, do we want trivial matters to interfere with our progress? If not, then we should ask ourselves regularly, especially if we find ourselves spending an inordinate amount of time on things, “am I focusing on things that are trivial?” So, let’s remember to stay focused on the things that really matter like accomplishing our goals, improving our relationships, and getting our work done accurately and in a timely manner.
- DON’T THINK THAT GOOD INTENTIONS ARE A GOOD EXCUSE FOR DOING NOTHING. The business manager of the college I attended used to say to students who made excuses for not following through on their work, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Wow! That is a little blunt, and not such a kind thought to share. However, I believe his point is well taken. You’re not going to get where you want to go with just good intentions. So “do” what you agreed to do, are expected to do, and will be remembered for doing. If you “don’t”, then don’t expect to see results, rewards or recognition for the words of your good intentions, they are simply words that are trivial. And we both know now, what trivial means.
In summary, if you are trying to coach yourself toward growth and achievement and are struggling to stay with it to see measurable progress, you might want to consider hiring a life coach to help assist you in co-creating next steps to ensure your success. If you’re leading a company or organization hiring a consultant to help get you going may be exactly the kick start you need. If you want to increase the speed and effectiveness of the things you are aiming for in life or in your company, contact me for a free sample coaching session by phone, video chat or in person.
