Criticize This!: Use Criticism To Be A Success!

“Don't mind criticism.  If it is untrue, disregard it; if unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified it is not criticism, learn from it.”

~Anonymous

We have all been there!  You work hard on something, pour your heart and soul into it, review and revise it, stare at it from various angles and dip it in bronze!  From your view, it is utter perfection!  Basking in the warm glow from surprising yourself, you set out to share your work.  Many people will share your enthusiasm and see most, if not all, of the pride and effort you put into your product.  Then there will be those who criticize the very thing YOU would consider your best.  For many of us, criticism can create hostility down to our very core.  Before determining its origin and purpose, we can mistakenly dismiss this opportunity to better ourselves.  Today’s challenge is to recognize the positive side of criticism to strengthen our talents and learn to dismiss what does not apply.

It does not matter whom you are or what gifts you have to offer, people will always have something to say.  We have to accept that not every comment will be positive.  In these cases, we must always remember that God wastes nothing.  Every aspect of your life, including the criticism of others, serves a unique purpose in helping you become better.  Although you can never control the intentions of criticism, you can control how you choose to utilize it.  When you find yourself under the critical eye, thoughts and words of another, think of the above quote.  Despite all the key points, my favorite is the very end because it is what we must always remember.  If someone recommends an alteration that can affect the influence and power of your abilities, it is worth learning from.  If they came from a place of hate, so what?!  You can still use them to become a better you!  

        

It will always be easier to accept and appreciate positive feedback, but you will never grow from it.  When the criticism starts to fly your way, receive it graciously and humbly.  Never take EVERYTHING that someone suggests and alter whom you are altogether.  Instead, be receptive to how criticism of ANY kind can serve as a tool to make you a better person.  A critical part in being successful in life is recognizing that you are not perfect.  After you know something, you can open yourself up to improvement.  Besides isn’t that what life is all about; self-improvement!  So before you pat yourself of the back for a fabulously perfect job well done, make some space for a better you to evolve!  Until next time my loves!       

*If you loved this post, you will probably love this one too! Dimiss The Haters In The Midst!*

You Have All The Courage You Need!

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." 

~e.e. cummings

Many years ago when I gave one of my first presentations, I remember feeling terrified of how my audience would receive me.  Standing in front of a room of fifteen people, my hands were sweating and all of my hard work and preparation seemed to disappear from my memory.  When I opened my mouth to speak my once familiar voice seemed foreign and unsure.  I stumbled through my material and at the end felt like a complete failure.  That day, in my third grade class, I vowed I would never speak for a crowd again!  Guess I lied to myself because I am now living my destiny of being a motivational speaker.  Today’s challenge is to tap into your inner courage and become who you are destined to be.

Although I did not see it or believe it back then, I had the courage to overcome my fear and be a success.  The aforementioned quote is one of my personal favorites because of its two-fold meaning.  Not only does it take courage to grow up, it also takes courage to become who we really are.  When we are young, the world can seem scary and overwhelming.  For many, this feeling does not subside with age.  Often our fears play a pivotal role in holding us back from accepting responsibility for our lives and obtaining success.  Despite how you may feel, you DO have what it takes.  Believing in yourself, utilizing all your resources and never giving up are the key steps in being your best YOU! 

So, are you ready to overcome your fears, accept responsibility for your life and become who you really are?  I know you are!  All you have to do is believe in your abilities!  Know that you have the courage within you to shake off any doubts or fears to accept your unique destiny.  Starting today, exercise your courage by trying something you have always wanted to do.  Use every day after that to keep surprising yourself.  We only have one life and you deserve to spend it being your best!  Until tomorrow my loves!  

Sitting Still Won’t Get You Through It! Keep Moving!



“If you are going through hell, keep going.”

~ Winston Churchill

Ever had one of those days when EVERYTHING was going wrong?  Of course, you have!  Now the better question would be how did you handle it?  It is easy to sit down in the midst of a storm and wallow in thoughts of “I can’t” and feelings of “why me”.  We must live the type of life in which we keep moving forward despite the seemingly indestructible forces we face!  Besides, no matter what storms come your way, there is always a calm preceding it for you to prepare and a reprieve after for you to recuperate!  Today’s challenge is to slip on your armor of protection and continue to walk boldly through the storms in your life.

As a people, we mistakenly believe that our problems are so much bigger than our abilities.  The ironic twist to it all is that we do not know our abilities until we have to battle a storm.  Know that you have the KSA’s – knowledge, skills and abilities – to get through anything that comes your way.  When you start to doubt yourself, think of your past.  There is sure to be a situation that you didn't believe you could overcome.  Life didn't allow you to avoid it, so you had to endure it.  Whether you fought through it or got beat down…you got through it!  Never forget your success in your past storms.  They hold valuable lessons that can assist you later.  Another part of your challenge for today is to remove the doubt and figure it out!  If God brought you to it, He will get you through it!  Believe that!  

  

Despite how different our individual struggles in life may be, we will all face tumultuous times.  Whether you are in the calm before the storm, facing the storm itself or catching a breather from going through a storm, guess what?  You always have two choices: Stop or Keep Going.  For those who choose to stop, you will find that your storms seem endless.  You will continue to be beat down by life’s treacherous times until you make a conscious effort to be stronger than your situation.  For those who chose to keep going, you will continue to find, and appreciate, the peace after.  Oh and how can I forget your bonus!  You will discover a reward of an enhanced resilience to assist in your journey.  So remember…

“Everything is temporary.  Everything is bound to end.”

~Keren Ann

…EVERYTHING including your struggles.  No matter what comes your way…no matter how hard it seems…all you have to do is KEEP MOVING!  Until tomorrow my loves!



Allow Others To Be An Instrument In Your Success!

*This little gem came from my other blog: http://mochafoxx.blogspot.com/. Check it out!*

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor; 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls and does not have another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 And while a man may prevail against the one, the two will withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12






No man is an island!

There are many people who believe they are an island.  Everything they accomplish is because THEY did it and anywhere they go in life is because THEY made it possible.  These same people won't offer their support to others in the pursuit of life.  Not only is this a selfish and damaging thought process, it limits success.  When you give others the respect and honor that they deserve for giving their support, God will bless you with more than you ever expected.  The thing is, you have to be willing to accept advice, take criticism and challenge yourself to be better with the help of others.  The power of a team is a beautiful thing!  For some the thought of teamwork means the division of success among more people than necessary.  Once again, this is a selfish way to think.  Your "team" should be a group of people that you trust and know have your best interest at heart.  They aren't there to take away, but to enhance your chances of being a great success! 

We often make the tragic mistake of staying to ourselves or either surrounding ourselves with people who are poisonous, jealous and hateful.  When I watch award shows and see an artist win, I always wondered why their whole entourage of people had to come up to accept it with them!  You don't need a whole army as your team!  Trust me when I tell you that once the war starts, most of them will probably turn on you!  Even in the scripture above, they are condoning three people as a bond that can't be broken.  Ask yourself how many people make up your support system?! 

 

Just in case you wanted to know, this is my thought process:



If you put God first, then you have your MVP.  After Him should be the permanent supports who only you can appoint.  With everyone else, your duty is to decipher and filter out the people who are really there and the people who really don't care.  Don't go the road alone, but don't weigh down your means of transport to success with a bunch of baggage and crap!  Keep people around that will lift you up if you fall.  Keep people who will hold you accountable for what you say you will do.  Keep people around that can support you even if their life isn't perfect.  It's not an easy task, but when you are playing to win, you don't want to question your team.

So whether you are the lone ranger brimming with endless superhuman power or the insecure talent with an army all around you and no support, it is never too late to find the balance.  Don't be afraid to accept help or to cut loose the nonsupporting.  Every goal needs a plan and every success story needs a few key players that will play their role and allow you to shine!  Determine who these people will be and embrace them as a critical and glorious part of your success!

Be Your Absolute Best and Don't Worry About The Rest!

Your Glass Is ALWAYS Half-Full!

“You may wake up and dread the day, but embrace your blessing anyway.  So many people do not have what you have, make what you make, live how you live, or experience love like you do.  Be grateful for it all because it could ALWAYS be worse.”

~Eboni N. Faulkner

We live in a world that is unpredictably terrifying for many.  Recently, Japan has been on everyone’s radar with the earthquake, tsunami, aftershocks and nuclear concerns.  It is hard not to have sympathy and concern for the innocent victims of such a traumatizing and unreal disaster.  Watching this catastrophe continue to unfold on television and online should not only shock and sadden you; it should also make you grateful for your own blessings.  Life will take different paths for us all, but we will all face adversity.  Today’s challenge is to view our life’s glass as half-full because guess what?!  IT IS HALF-FULL! 

Often times we look at our lives and find fault, issues and endless reasons to complain.  Many of these “problems” are changeable and temporary.  Think of all the people who don't have a choice in their circumstances.  Our focus and attitude is what makes the difference.  Instead of focusing on the “half-empty” portion of your glass, stay fixed on what is right about your life.  What we choose to do with our time is our choice.  Taking more time to focus on the positive, plan for the negative and deal with the rest can help you re-shift your focus.  Regardless of the circumstances, situations or problems we all have something to be grateful for in this life! 

What we consider disasters often pale in comparison to what others have to endure.  So today and every day, find positivity in every aspect of your life!  If you woke up this morning, that is the first positive thing that happened to you today.  Every minute that we have is a privilege and should be treated as such.  If you have one person that loves you for who you are, count that as two positive things.  Before you think you do not have someone that loves you, keep in mind the people you often overlook.  If you have another day to make things right, make things better or make a change period, count that as three positive things!  Look at you!  See how full your glass is!  Until tomorrow my loves!    

What Are You Reflecting?!



 “We attract to ourselves what we hold inside.  Every circumstance, every person, and every situation that we attract and experience is based on what is inside of us…Your life is a reflection of what you hold inside you, and what you hold inside you is always under your control.”

~ Daily Teaching from “the Secret”*



In the past two days, I have discussed the importance of being yourself and releasing the baggage in your life’s journey.  Today we are going in!  Going into ourselves and taking a long hard look at what we reflect and attract.  Think about your circumstances, personal relationships and situations you face.  Are you living a proactive life or a reactive one?  Do you attract the type of people that match your inner convictions and outlook on life?  Is every situation you face a lesson or a setback?  If you met someone that reflected what you have inside you, would you like that person?  The answer to these questions may vary depending on what you are carrying within yourself.  Since our lives are an inner reflection, we could all benefit from some interior design!

  

Do you know someone that lives a negative life full of issues, enemies and drama?  Chances are high that this person generates every bad thing that happens to them through their poor attitude/outlook.  Their lives reflect what they attract and they attract what they reflect.  You may not be the person I am referring to, but we can all relate.  Often times when bad things happen, relationships fail or we are caught in a difficult situation, we tend to blame the world.  Next time you find yourself pointing a finger, put it down and look at yourself.  If you do not like what you see, gain control over what you attract and reflect.  Take responsibility for the vibes you are sending out.  After all, you are the best person to exercise control over your life!

Today’s challenge is to alter what is inside of you to enhance your life’s reflection.  Once you have completed this step, sit back and see what you attract!  Although we cannot predict what will come, we can create a life that draws in positive circumstances, people and situations.  So what are you waiting for?!  Purify your thoughts, eliminate the negative and shine so bright that people will want to bottle it!  Continue to be inspired my loves!  Come back next week for more, I MOTIVATES and bring a friend! 

*For more info on the daily teachings from “the Secret”, visit http://thesecret.tv/index.html



Travel Light! Have A “Carry-On” Life!

“Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.”

~Charles Dudley Warner

Have you ever over packed for a trip?  The effects of this choice can follow you from your house all the way to your destination!  When you pack, it seems like EVERYTHING you own has a purpose and you simply cannot leave it.  Burdened down with your precious belongings, you suffer aches and pains lugging it to the airport.  To add insult to injury, you are hit with baggage fees that cost as much as the trip!  Then the absolute worst observation is at the end of it all.  The part where you realize you only needed a third of the crap you brought with you!  Had you only taken what you needed, you could have saved stress, pain and money.  Life is the same way!