Sometimes we give up too quickly when we get to the end of our first wind before realising that we have a second wind within us that could have taken us a lot further.

Second Wind

Athletes would know this.  They realise that for the body to improve and be able to achieve more – that you have to push through your known limits and test the unknown.

By doing this, you will grow.  Improve.  Achieve more.

But, how about non athletes ?  Do we give up at the first obstacle and claim the task too difficult ?

How do we learn to ignore a little pain and push on to test our limits ?

As long as you are not doing any damage, I believe that it is healthy to push yourself beyond your accepted limits.  Beyond your first wind.

And I guarantee you – that you will be surprised by what you are really capable of.

***

Have you learned to go past your first wind ?  Please share your thoughts and stories.

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/

Thought of the day # 2

Sometimes we are so engrossed in our own worlds – in our own lives – that we don’t know what is really going on in the world around us.  The lives that we lead, the habits that we have created, the issues that we face, have become the new ‘normal’ and we have forgotten what life was like or could be before we got to where we are today.



We have forgotten that we are masters of our own destiny.  We feel so ‘stuck’ that we are paralised into inaction.  Perhaps we are not even aware that we are stuck.

Stepping out of  own shoes… This is not  an easy thing to do.  Perhaps we need help.  Some support and advice from a friend.  Else, a stranger may inspire us to reach out to somthing bigger, more important.  More meaningful.

Perhaps we need to hear the truth.  Let the truth in, instead of blocking it.

Perhaps that is why they say : A change is like a holiday.  Give ourselves permission to do something totally different.  Embrace the feelings that we experience when we are going through something new.  The excitement.  The apprehension.  The anticipation.  Some people get hooked on these feelings.

And we should ask ourselves : can I do better / more with my life ?

***

What do you think ?  Do you have any personal experience in this topic ?  Any suggestions for fellow readers ?

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/

Thought of the day # 1

In life, we often don’t know what we are capable of.  And the issue, is that we often end up under performing.  Leading average lives.  Getting to retirement age left wondering, what could have we achieved ?

Hence, in our life journeys, it often pays to climb the smaller mountains – just to see what other mountains are out there.  Of course, the mountains are analogies for the challenges we face in our day to day lives.  It is important that we do some things that we are not comfortable with – out of our comfort zones.  The more we do this – the more we push ourselves, the more we will see and believe that we can achieve.



An example of this is how sports people push themselves to their limits.  As painful as this may be for them – it is the only way to know what one’s limits are.  They keep on pushing themselves, to the point where they can’t go further.  Then they know they have achieved their best.

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/

Thought of the day # 21

What have you done  to build your character today ?

 

We go through life, from day to day, until one day we realise that we are near the end.  And then we look back and feel like we have missed our opportunity to do something special, to build something special.

Your character is made up of all of your experiences, both good and bad.  The more experiences you have, the more you ‘put yourself’ out there, the more you will build your character.

So, what have you done to build your characted today ?  Will get to the end of your life and regret not doing more to build your characted ?

***

What do you think ?  Any suggestions to build one’s character ?

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/

Thought of the day # 28

Maximise your good habits.  Minimise your bad habits.



We often focus on things that need fixing.  Fine .  Admirable.

Lose weight, stop smoking, less drinking.

The problem with this is : that we focus on the negative.

Another approach is to focus on the positive.  Instead of focusing on getting rid of bad habits . . . why not focus on creating new, good habits ?  I found out a while ago that to get rid of bad habits, I just had to focus on the good things in my life, and not to stress out about the bad things.

I realise that this approach is simplistic – but it works.  Find good things in your life and you will find that the bad ones sort of disappear.  They may not go away – but they will not bother you as much anymore.  And after a while, they become a distant memory.

ps – this approach works equally well for bad habits as well as good habits.  Make sure you don’t fall in the trap of developing bad habits . . . at the expense of your good habits.

***

What do you think ?  Do you have any examples of good habits triumphing over bad habits ?

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/

Thought of the day # 43

Sometimes, you have to dig yourself out of that hole.



The words for this thought, although seemingly random and perhaps innocuous, are very precise.  Let’s go through these :

• Sometimes – simply means that this does not have to be the ‘norm’
• You – yes, this means that it is ‘your’ job to extricate yourself from this mess
• Need – not optional, there is now a ‘need’ to do something, a point of no return
• To dig yourself – meaning hard work, done by you
• Out of – giving you direction, from somewhere ‘negative’ to something ‘ positive’
• That hole – the ‘hole’, represents any bad situation, bad moods, bad relationship

None of us are perfect.  At times, we all will face ourselves in a hole (so to speak).  A place that we don’t like.  We may feel bad, unhealthy, sad , depressed,  unhappy, lonely.  If it just for a short period, then no problem.

However, sometimes, these ‘low’ situations can extend for longer periods.  And then, without realising it, we are ‘stuck’.  This is what I call the ‘hole’.

In some cases, stuff happens around us to get us out of that hole.  We have friends, family, an external factor.  Great. Fantastic !

However, in other cases, there is nothing, no one, nada, rien that can get you out.  And, that is when you come in.

You have to take responsibility – especially considering that your ‘situation’ was most likely caused by yourself.  Yes, you.  You may have neglected friendships, neglected your health.  Neglected taking care of yourself.

Now, there is only one way out – you have to dig yourself out of that hole.

And let me warn you – digging is hard work.  Sometimes difficult.  You will feel alone, not confident that you are doing the right thing.  You will need motivation, encouragement, support.  But
eventually, you will get yourself out.  And then you will look back and say : ‘Wow, did I do that !

A lot of people will be proud of your achievements.

A lot of people will be motivated by your achievements.

And you will feel very proud of your achievements.

***

What do you think.  Have you dug yourself out of that hole before ?

http://www.successfulthinkingonline.org/