Volume 25

August 27, 2009

Welcome to "Karen's Korner!"

• And the Choice is . . .

How are your excuses interfering with your thinking and your success? Are you even aware of the excuses you make? Of course we can usually pinpoint everyone else’s excuses. Or are you aware and yet content?

You may think you don’t make excuses. Or maybe you recognize the excuses you make and determine them less detrimental than excuses from others. Hmmm, sounds like an excuse to me.

Kudos if you recognize you make excuses though you may refute being content. Well, if you aren’t doing anything about the excuses you make, you’re content!

Here’s the bottom line. Wherever we are making excuses in our life we are interfering with our thinking and therefore our success. It’s usually how we handle the simple routine aspects of our life. Yet these are the ones most overlooked or negated as non-contributing factors. The reality is our daily thought patterns create our behaviors which in turn create our habits. And our habits create our outcomes. Just because something isn’t tangible or we aren’t aware of it doesn’t negate its existence and operation. Gravity is not a tangible object and most of us never give regular thought to it, yet the proof of its existence and operation is everywhere!

How does this apply to our life? For example, a routine part of my day is working on a variety of computer tasks. Have you ever had a large task at hand that required completion of several smaller and incremental steps to implement? My large task is a website makeover (still in the works, but watch for the new look in the upcoming months and feel free to share your feedback!). Some of my smaller, incremental tasks include reworking each page.

Last week as I worked on one piece I continually saved my work to ensure minimal loss in the event of something unforeseen. That lesson came from the school of hard knocks, can you relate? Anyway, the next day after extensive work on the home page verbiage and layout ideas, I struggled to locate the file.

Thoughts immediately impacted by gremlins occurred. First thought, oh no, what happened? Second thought, did I imagine saving that file? Third thought, temptation to get irate and reactionary. Notice I called it a temptation. In the past, that would have been automatic behavior. Never recognizing much less admitting there was a choice involved.

How did I recognize at the moment I was about to make a choice? And in a brief instant identify whether the choice would add value to my life or make it worse. And in the same split second and most importantly, choose what was beneficial even though contrary to what the circumstance seemed to dictate. Awareness. But how did I manage to be aware? The same way any of us are ever function from awareness, it only comes as a result of continual self-improvement.

How would you have responded? Reactionary and used the excuse, “anyone in that situation would!” Or, would you have been aware and consciously chose a better outcome for your life? What do you suppose would develop next in your day as a result of the choice you made? How would that choice affect your life? Doubt the unfolding of events in your day, are connected? Think again! Daily choices, even in the most routine and briefest encounters contribute to the life you continually create for yourself. Think and choose as if you’re life depends on it – because in some aspect, it does!

Wondering about the file? Sigh. I’m pleased to report it is safe and sound. Because of awareness I chose to pause, breathe, and step away. How often do we create unpleasant outcomes because we are adamant, indignant, force something or hang on for dear life? What if instead we let go of our fierce grip of emotion and allowed insight to flow? As a result, I questioned what else I worked on the day before and checked that folder. Sure enough, I accidentally saved it in a folder other than I intended – darn, I proved I’m human again! Imagine if I chose to react – I’d probably still be looking for the file.

How much more effective could you be without your excuses? What clarity could you gain by taking a step back? How would that contribute to your success?
 

• Inspiring Quotes

He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.

- Benjamin Franklin

Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.

- Don Wilder

The problem is the excuse habit only brings us a false sense of security.

- Wayne Dyer

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• Want to be more effective and achieve greater success?

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Karen has definitely helped me to change my life!!!

She describes herself as a ‘recovering excuse maker’—that pretty much describes many of us. It’s so easy to blame where we are, on what someone else has done, rather than accepting responsibility for our own choices. Being aware of myself, my surroundings and outcomes has certainly helped me to become a more content, joyful person. I think the most dramatic change I’ve made is to focus on how I want to feel by choosing better thoughts and rephrasing thoughts to be more appreciative and affirmative.

Karen always ‘suggests’ rather than instructs so I feel comfortable reviewing her ideas/suggestions and putting them into practice; never a feeling of being judged — just awakened!!

Pat Budge
Medical Practice Administrator
Salt Lake City, UT

• Bonus Offer

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• A Gift for You

Book Karen to speak for your organization or association and receive a free gift! Call 602-870-3652 or email Karen@karengridley.com for more details.

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Email: Karen@KarenGridley.com

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