Advice for Parisians and Other Targets of Terror

Have experience with Centennial Park Bombing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Was a spectator and was enjoying the park after midnight. There was a band across the street talked my friends into going over to see. They weren’t very good/interesting, and I was feeling restless. Felt like it was time to go. Really wanted to go and didn’t know why. We left to get food.

Took a half hour to go through traffic to a bar/restaurant to get food/drink, but they were shutting down. Why? Someone had blown up a bomb in Centennial Park. 2 deaths and 111 injured that night. Walked within 50 feet of where the bomb exploded.

How did we handle it? The Olympics Committee decided the games should continue. The park was closed for one day and reopened the second day. Went out of my way to be sure to walk through the park again the morning it opened. Not going to let someone keep me from living.

Terrorist want two things: Fear and government overreaction. They believe fear gives them power over you. Your government wants to protect you, but extreme invasive procedures can lead to government being overthrown. Power and no authority to stop them is the dream of terrorist/radicals.

The odds of being in a terror attack or violent events are very small in Western Civilization. Actually most countries are reasonably safe. War has actually been decreasing during the last 50 years. 

The best way to honor the victims and flaunt the terrorist is to simply live life without fear. Then terrorist have no power.

Jim Rohm Passed Away December 5th

Jim Rohm was one of the great teachers in the self improvement networks. He was successful because he wanted his listeners, his readers and his guests to succeed like he had. Actually he would have rejoiced if you became more successful than himself. He wanted everyone to develop all their gifts. Here is the tribute at Jim Rohm's website.

http://tribute.jimrohn.com/

God bless,
Steve Amos

Miserable at Work

You spend massive time at work, work gives you status, your income comes from your work, the income supports your family, and most of your problems come from work.

You work with demanding customers, coworkers of all cultures, political persuasions, religions, strange foods, irritating manners, and all types bosses that range from smooth salesmen to irrational dictators.

Most people do not get fired from jobs for incompetence. They wear out their welcome. Poor attendance, regularly coming in late, leaving early or at the minute, maintaining the welcoming attitude of an ogre or at least the neighborhood grouch, and eventually being left out of the daily give and take. Job performance of course follows this attitude with missed deadlines, sloppy work, and others beginning to take over your workload.

How We Get Miserable

First of all, remember when you got the job? You wanted it, begged for it and said “Pick me, Pick me! I will do a good job.” Think how thrilled you were to get your job? Were you ecstatic? Proud? You told everyone about your new job and company.

Gradually thing are not as new and fresh. There are problems. Grumpy coworkers, complaining customers, poor suppliers, and a ton of attitude. After a while, you’re now complaining about the alarm, the commute, the grind, the workload, his mess, her perfume, the weather (even though you work inside), the politics, the decisions, the demanding customers and the boss. What don’t you complain about?

Now you are in the rut that leads to getting passed over for new assignments, raises and promotions. The downward spiral gets worse when others are getting ahead and you stay right where you are. Be honest, are you thrilled with your performance.

You can be Happy at Work

Look for where you can make a difference. How are the customers happier? How are sales increasing? What you accomplished?

Fall in love with your profession again. Read business journals, magazines, and websites. Compare your products and services with competitors and see where you can improve. The difference between top performers and the average is top performers often give 1% more. Brian Tracy points out the difference is less than you would think. Persistence, service and a little extra often make all the difference.

Mentor coworkers, especially newer employees. They will appreciate the help and you will not believe how much you learn teaching.

Create business relationships. Let other people be right. Respect their contribution and ignore their unimportant shortcomings. Who is perfect? Learn about your coworkers and find out what you can respect about them. The biggest donor to charities at a small plant I worked with was a third shift machine operator who had adopted four kids. Would have never know him if I did not volunteer to help a charity drive. Take pride in where you work, and who you work with.

Have a little humor when things don’t go right. Humor often makes the daily trials livable. Laugh at yourself. In this politically correct world, you can always make fun of you, and others will love you for it.

You will be surprised in a few months how much more fun and productive work is with the right attitude. So go and enjoy work, and start looking forward to Mondays.

Wolfgang Christoph, Brian Tracy and Dr. Roberta Shaler deserve credit for the ideas presented in this article.

Ways to Have a Better Life

It is hard to separate work and life, and you are better off with an integrated life. The suggestions here will help you live and work at a higher level. The benefits of these ideas may be immediate from trying them. Others will have long term rewards.

Talk about what is good – Focus on the great to the nice parts of life to have better perspective when difficult times come.

Look for the good in people – Yes we all have flaws, but you will enjoy people more when you see their strengths and heart.

Talk with friends and family – Be with people who love you regardless of the stupid mistakes you will make. And love them unconditionally.

Hang around with positive people – Why not find people who enjoy life if you want to live life fully?

Work hard and work smart – Action is the tool that makes things happen. But we all have the same 24 hours a day. The people who get things done, do things in common. They think, visualize what they want, plan what to do in small steps, and then take action by priority. They do not do it all themselves, but build a team and delegate to be productive. They continually learn, and improve by reading, listening to seminars and making mistakes.

Volunteer and serve others – Our purpose in life is to help others, not to take from the world selfishly. “It is not about you!” [Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life]

Work with your gifts – We are all naturally good at some things. There are things you care about more than other people. Why not use what is easy for you (and not the rest of us) to make your living? A passionate employee or leader will accomplish much more in their life.

Let little things go – There are plenty of little things that you will not care about in about 2 seconds, 2 minutes, 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months nor 2 years. If you will laugh at this later, why not laugh now?

Stop thinking depressing thoughts – Do a “Brain Interrupt”! After 10 to 15 minutes, I catch myself, and say time to stop. Whatever it is, it will not be the end of the world. Tomorrow will come in spite of everything. Most events resolve themselves in a few days or weeks. This is easier if you are religious and can give it to God.

Laugh daily – Especially if you can laugh at yourself. You will always be entertained.

Journal your life –Write down the good and the less than perfect. See what you learn from the day, and really enjoy the successes. Lessons from mistakes are better learned without beating yourself up. Write a little down, let it go, and get on with your life.

Limit the news – Too much negativity and sensationalism will affect your attitude. In the 24 hour cable news world, “everything” is a crisis Now! To be honest, most events are not the end of the world. Keep your perspective.

Limit your vices / Moderation in everything – Too many people mess up there life with drink, drugs or sex. You want to be the person who can have fun sober, and the dependable person worth someone spending their life with you. Be moderate in moderation. A rare excess of exercise, food, drink or fun is wonderful.

Choose to Enjoy life – Life still has hard days, but then you can find joy everyday if you choose. Try it.