Mar 282013
 

Optimism is necessary for success. Unfortunately, sometimes we find ourselves less than optimistic when facing a challenge.

There is a simple step that we often forget. We are not alone. Say a prayer and you will find new peace, new confidence, new strength, and new optimism to persevere. Belief is incredibly important.

This comes more naturally to some folks than others. If you wonder what prayer to say, you don’t need to complicate things, for Jesus gave us some pretty explicit directions:

Matthew 6

5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[b]

7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “Pray then in this way:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.[c]
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,[d]
but rescue us from the evil one.[e]
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It is easier than you think. Give it a shot.

I.M. Optimism Man

Mar 212013
 

The rut. We all fall into it. It seems inevitable. We go to meeting after meeting, drive back and forth to school, and work, and practice. We fill out the required forms and pay the required bills. Off to bed, up at the crack of dawn, our incessant alarm clock beckoning  Lift those weights, then put them back where we found them. Our life seems to become one big rut. Novocain for our minds.

The truth is that life is not designed to stay the same. Life makes no decisions; rather, life accommodates whatever you decide for yourself. Life is like a fresh white canvas, waiting to be painted by your daily decisions and daily experiences. We make the daily decisions to create our own ruts. All too often, we go out of our way to make things highly repetitive.

Don’t live this way. Don’t let others drive your life.

It is much more interesting and fulfilling to steer.

What if you decided to take one new class at the local community college each semester? What if you decided to go to lunch with one new person at work each fortnight? What if you decided to write one page of your great novel every Wednesday? What if you decided to read a classic book, or watch a classic movie monthly, instead of Sportscenter, or the news, or the View? What if you decided to create a perfect little garden in the ugly corner of your backyard that you have never liked?

Variety is a choice, just as the rut is too.

I.M. Optimism Man

Mar 032013
 

Do you know how to start a new movement, a social uprising that engages and drives people to take action? Do you know the formula that will help sell a big new idea? It takes a bold and fearless leader, right? Well, not so fast. Don’t underestimate the power of having a few key disciples.

These three minutes that will absolutely teach you a powerful lesson in leadership:

Did you learn the lesson? Perhaps selling your big idea in advance to your key supporters is a good idea. If you imploring them to speak up in support — before you pitch the big idea at the next board meeting, critical sales presentation, or even your idea for the family’s next vacation over dinner — your chances of success can be greatly improved.

I wish you great success.

I.M. Optimism Man