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April 28, 2010

Consequences

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Awareness, Choices, Clarity, Consequence, Decision, Illusion, Results, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , |
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We have control over our choices, but we don’ t have any control over the consequences of our choices.

What this means is that we don’t always know how things will turn out.

What it means is that we can’t always predict how people will respond to our decisions.

That is why we should be aware of our choices as much as possible if we want to improve our quality of life.

Sometimes our decisions can result in big mistakes that will be costly in time.

From the moment that we know clearly what we want, it becomes easier to make the best possible choices for ourselves. These decisions are unique for each one of us.

Do you ever think of the big difference between your choices and the consequences of your choices?

 

April 27, 2010

What Is Life?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Choices, Important question, Life leadership, Procrastination, Results, Success, Time, Time magagement, Wisdom | Tags: , , , |
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“Life is just one damned thing after another”

Frank Ward O’Malley (1875-1932)
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It’s true for most of us, at least until we choose to do OUR own damned thing.
I suppose that we feel like this when we lose the balance between how much time and effort we invest for others compared to the time we invest for ourselves.

When we spend a lot of time doing OUR own thing, others may think or say that we are selfish, however, when we invest a lot of time for others, ( I’m thinking of mothers with young children or when we are taking care of family member in need) it can lead us to becoming frustrated or irritable.

Our challenge is to find the right amount of time between what we do for ourselves and what we do for others.

Why is it so important to think of ourselves before we think of others?

The answer is; How can we give to others what we don’t have?

How can you give money if you don’t have enough for your own needs?

How can you give time when you don’t even have time for yourself?

How can you share your knowledge when you are ignorant?

It seems to me that the most generous people of today who are able to give back used to be the people who were thinking of themselves not long ago.

An example? Bill Gates with his philantropy and his Foundation. One of the richest man in the world is becoming one of the most generous in his lifetime.

Do you feel that you invest enough time for others?

Do you feel that you invest enough time for yourself?

Do you ever struggle with these questions?

 

April 26, 2010

The road to Hell

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Consequence, Courage, Decision, Procrastination, Results, Success, Time, Wisdom
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“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”

Proverb

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This is one of my favorite proverbs because it summarizes so well all the excuses
that we create to justify our inadequacies in so many areas of our lives.

The time and the energy that we often spend to make up these excuses could be invested in doing what must be done.

Life seems to tell us ” Whatever responsability that you try to avoid, I’ll figure out a way for you not to escape it”

Yes, but it’s not my fault…

I meant to do it, but then…

I was very ill, so I couldn’t …

If I had more money…

If I were younger…

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Do I really have to keep on writing?

Are you on the road to hell with YOUR “good intentions”?

 

April 22, 2010

Is there a life after death ?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Awareness, Choices, Courage, Death, Life, Life leadership, Now, Procrastination, Time, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , |
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The real question for me is : Is there a life BEFORE death ?

When they asked  Henry David Thoreau his opinion on the afterlife, he answered to them: One Life at the time.

Sometimes , it seems to me that some of the people who worry the most about the afterlife are often the ones who don’t know what to do with this one.

Why should we worry about the unknown, why should we worry about something over which we seem to have very little control?

I hear many people talking about faith and yet, at the same time worrying constantly, how can they worry and have faith at the same time? Isn’t worrying the opposite of faith?

Do you spend too much of your time worrying about things over which you have no control?

Does this make any sense to you?

 

 

April 19, 2010

Procrastination

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Failure, Fear, Life leadership, Procrastination, Success, Time, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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“Procrastination,the presence of mere intention, is the bane of humane existence.”

Unknown author

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How many times in our lives did we say; we should be doing this or we should be doing that, and then nothing happens.

Why?

Is it a lack of determination?

Is it a lack of desire?

Is it a lack of persistence?

It could be, but what if it was something else?

What if it was because we think that we have all the time in the world? Do we really have so much time?

I’ll let you answer these questions for yourself. Have a great week.

 

April 17, 2010

Serenity

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Complaining, Courage, Serenity, Wisdom | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
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Through my efforts, I gain the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

To live one day at a time;
Enjoy one moment at a time;
Accept the hardships as natural balance;
Taking this beautiful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting in the balance;
That I may be able to see myself as happy in this life.

(Many authors have worked on this one, I don’t know who to give the credit to)

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This is so much easier said than done, but I’ll keep on trying until…

I could try to comment this text over and over again, but the real challenge is to live by it when we are confronted with daily frustrations.

 

April 16, 2010

A life of quiet desperation

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Awareness, Choices, Clarity, Complaining, Control, Courage, Failure, Fear, Illusion, Important question, Serenity, Time, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
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“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”

Henry David Thoreau

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If this is how you feel, there is still a chance to change it. It’s up to you.

Will you?

 

 

April 13, 2010

What teachers make?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Clarity, Consequence, Courage, Criticism, Important question, Socrates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Apparently, Socrates never wrote anything , the knowledge of the man, his life, and his philosophy are based on writings by his students, one of which was Plato who was amongst the most popular. Plato himself was the teacher of Aristotle, and  Aristotle later on became the teacher of Alexander the Great.

We can see how an original thinker (Socrates) had influence on the poet & dreamer (Plato) who in turn had influence on the man of Logic (Aristotle) who finally influenced the man of action (Alexander the Great). The teachings of Socrates still resonate with us directly and indirectly 24 centuries later.

We can see with the previous succession of great people the importance of teaching.

Some of the greatest teachers often work in relative obscurity, it is their own personal passion that helps to shape some of the greatest individuals of the future.

Could you be one of them?

Could Taylor Mali be one of them?

 

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I  really like this guy ( Taylor Mali). Check it out.

 

April 10, 2010

Unimportant Things

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Consequence, Control, Courage, Decision, Important question, Life, Life leadership, Results, Serenity, Time, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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“No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may become the step that will lead us to better things.”

Channing Pollock

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This is encouraging and inspiring ! Why ? Because there is always room for improvement

Don’t you think so?

 

April 9, 2010

Are you busy like the ants?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Awareness, Choices, Clarity, Life leadership, Now, Results, Serenity, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?

Henry David Thoreau

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Some people are so busy.Really? Busy doing what exactly ? Do you really want to do what you do everyday ?

If you had 10 million dollars, would you keep doing what you are doing now?

Do you enjoy what you do so much that you would gladly to do it for free?

What is YOUR answer ?

 

 

 

April 8, 2010

Preparation is essential

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Awareness, Choices, Clarity, Important question, Results, Time, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Preparation is essential, but even more essential is the willingness to let go of a plan in a flash and off in a revised direction.

Tom Peters  ( perhaps influenced by John Boyd United States Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist)

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If you want to use your time in the most productive way, it is important to plan and prepare, then start and finish.But you have to keep your eyes and your options open to new opportunities when they arise. Your biggest opportunity could turn out to be life changing and life enhancing.

How do you make sure to keep your eyes open so that opportunities don’t pass you by?

 

April 6, 2010

Life is what happens to you… Was inspired by John Lennon.

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Courage, Decision, Here, Life leadership, Now, Results, Time, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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“Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans”

John Lennon (1940-80) British rock musician

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We often say things like, “when I’m older, I’ll do this; if I had more time, I would start this project; when my children are grown up, I’ ll have more time to take  care of myself.” If, If, If, when, when, when…are just excuses to test our determination.

When we really care about someone, we do what we must do.

When we really care about something, we become very creative in order to get what we want.

What we can be, we must become, ultimately, it is one of the best ways to be at peace with ourselves.

Stop waiting and Start acting NOW.

 

What are you waiting for?

 

April 4, 2010

Are you aware or not ?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Aware, Awareness, Choices, Here, Now | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware,

 joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.”

Henry Miller (1891-1980) US novelist

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When I am completely aware and living in the NOW, it is easier for me to accept the things as they really are and not as I want them to be. It’s when I’m preoccupied with the potential problems of the future that I lose most of my awareness. This is why it is so important for us to put things in perspective, especially a long-term perspective. If I ask myself questions like the following ones;

What will I think of this particular problem in 1, 5 or 10 years?

How will I feel about this frustration a week from now?

Why am I so annoyed with this person?

How can I keep my calm when I’m stuck in a traffic jam?

Who cares if this stranger is insulting me?

… you can continue with your own questions here.

When we think of it, it is often these petty annoyances that disturb us the most.

After we take the time to answer these questions with a long term perspective in mind, we can start to live in the NOW again, and that improves our quality of life. Awaress is in the NOW .

 

Why does it take so much time to so many of us to understand this simple reality?

Or if we understand it, why is it so difficult to practice in our own lives?

 

 

March 30, 2010

Excerpt from “The Law of Clarity” from Brian Tracy

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Clarity, Consequence, Life leadership, Results, Time magagement | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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I’m sharing with you some passages from the text “The Law of clarity” from Brian Tracy.

Here it is,

The Law of Clarity
By: Brian Tracy
Clarity accounts for probably 80% of success and happiness. Lack of clarity is probably more responsible for frustration and underachievement than any other single factor. People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.  Your success in life will be largely determined by how clear you are about what it is you really, really want.

The more you write and rewrite your goals and the more you think about them, the clearer you will become about them. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to do more and more of the things that are consistent with achieving them. Meanwhile, you will do fewer and fewer of the things that don’t help to get the things you really want.

I have nothing more to add.

 

March 29, 2010

Why are they kvetching all the time?

Posted by stephenlafond under Choices, Complaining, Important question, Kvetching, Life leadership, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , |
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It seems to me that some people are complaining and complaining and do nothing else.

If only they would realize how short life really is, they would come to the conclusion that their complaining is a waste of precious time, time that will never come back.

Since our time is so limited, doesn’t it make sense to figure out what we really enjoy and try to spend as much time as possible doing it? Again, I know, it is so obvious, so why are there so few people doing it?We all have responsibilities, but we also have spare time, and it is in that spare time that we can improve our quality of life.  

 Shouldn’t we all try to find a way to make a living while having fun?

Do you find yourself complaining too much?

Do you think it’s a waste of time and energy?

 

March 28, 2010

Happy or unhappy?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Consequence, Decision, Important question, Results | Tags: , , , , , |
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Why do a lot of people keep doing the same things over and over even when it makes them unhappy? They complain but change nothing.

They focus on the externals and neglect what is going on inside their minds.

They invest money on their houses, on their cars, on their swimming pools, on their boats and don’t invest money in their minds, on their skills and on their personal development.

They sit on their couch in the living room watching other people on television live their lives  and make money doing it when they could be living their own lives fully.

They talk about diets and health  endlessly without realizing they are sitting on the couch with a bag of chips and soda. All talk and no action.

This is just a personal observation.

And then again, without being aware of time going by…

What is YOUR relation between happiness and how you invest your free time?

 

March 26, 2010

Sweet illusion, disappointing results

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Illusion, Life leadership, Results, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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One of the great illusions in our life is to be addicted to busyness, it gives us the feeling of being productive, but are we really?There are so many demands in our life that it becomes very easy to lose focus.Our attention is requested by family members, people who depend on us and friends who want to spend time with us.Then there is the information overload or all kinds of other activities. It’s not always easy to SAY NO to less important activities when we should  SAY YES to our most important projects. It requires constant vigilance.

The time that we waste will never come back. I repeat; the time that we waste will never come back.

It is a sad reality but it is also a great wake-up call.

How do you make sure that you don’t waste too much precious time?

 

March 25, 2010

We are so busy…Oh yes? Busy doing what?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Life leadership, Time magagement | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
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From the moment that I know what I want, I should increase the amount of time that I invest on what I really care about and reduce or eliminate the time that I spend on non-important things. I should try to be aware as often as possible. I mean COMPLETELY AWARE.

The intensity of my desire on the project will influence how long it will take me to accomplish it.

Most people are busy, some are very busy, the question is ; Are they busy doing what they really care about?

 

March 23, 2010

Why do so many people waste so much time?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Life leadership, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , |
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I’m astonished how so many people in so many fields of activity and from different backgrounds are wasting so much time. Think of all the kids who are wasting too much time on video games instead of learning practical and useful skills. Think of all the adults who are wasting too much time watching television or surfing aimlessly on the Web. Think of all the people of all ages wasting time on the phone or chatting on the net. What a waste of resources. Of course, we need to relax once in a while and it is good sometimes to do some mindless activities. But how much is too much?

 

What do you think ?

 

 

March 22, 2010

Do I Always Make The Right Choice?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Consequence, Life leadership | Tags: , , , , , |
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Do I always choose correctly, obviously NO.

Do I always practice what I preach, unfortunately NO.

Ask my wife, she’ll be happy to confirm ….

And by becoming aware of this, I keep improving every day.

I control what I eat, drink or don’t drink. I decide to exercise or not to exercise. I can waste time surfing the web aimlessly OR I can read good books with a clear objective in mind. I can stay by myself or meet with interesting people. I can take some classes or stay ignorant. I can be generous or greedy. I can be patient or impatient. I can be angry or peaceful. I can be dissatisfied or thankful.  I can be optimistic or negative. I control with who I want to spend time with and who I don’t want to spend time with. I decide who can influence me and who can’t . These choices are mine and mine alone most of the time.

How often do you consider the consequences of your own choices?

 

March 15, 2010

What Control Do You Have Over Your Daily Choices?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Control, Decision, Life leadership, Time magagement | Tags: , , , , |
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I must figure out what I have control over and what I don’t have control over.

So what do I have control over?

I have some control on the choices that I make here and now.

In every 24 hour period, I try to make the best choices possible with the knowledge, the resources and the opportunities that I have.

Every minute, well not every minute but as often as possible, I try to become aware of my thoughts and my decisions. When I try to choose correctly at every moment, I should have a good and productive hour, when I try to choose correctly every hour, I should have a good and productive day, when I try to choose correctly every day, I should end up with a good and productive week, and month, and year and decade ….

What control do you have over your daily choices?

 

February 16, 2010

No More Time To Waste!

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Life leadership, Time magagement | Tags: , , , , |
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This is when I decided to calculate the approximate number of days that I had left to live. I took the life expectancy of the average male in Canada in 2005 and it gave me approximately 15600 days left to live.

This is when I started to count mine 15600,15599,15598,15597.

It made me realize that I had already lived 14326  days. I had lived about half my life already …….behind me , bye bye …..I will never see those days ever again.

I WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS EARLIER…

This was a  shock to me because there was so much more I wanted to accomplish.

Who wants to have regrets on their deathbed?

My first reflex was to see how I could influence the number of days I have left. So I decided to invest more time in exercising and eating better. I made a list of things and places that I wanted to see, visit and do before my life is over. I checked how I could incorporate my list of dreams and projects into my  personal dashboard.

These are the kind of things I could change quickly without much thinking.

What do you intend to do with your time left?

 

February 5, 2010

What’s Next?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Life leadership, Time magagement | Tags: , , , |
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I started to identify my most important goals that I really cared about. The kind of things that if I were on my deathbed, I would  regret not doing.

So I made a list of all the activities and projects that I really cared about.

My original list had 114 projects and goals to accomplish.

Now with a wife, young children and a business to run, where would I find the time to accomplish all these goals?

This is when I started to count how many potential days that I had left to live. When I fully realized that my time is limited, that is was impossible to do it all, that’s when I fully grasped the concept of priorities. Before I would prioritize some minor tasks and would fail to prioritize some significant goals.

So I decided to set some goals that I have been procrastinating about for too long and set a deadline with a clear and measurable objective. That was the easy part.

Then I had to find a way to measure the results and the progress.

So I created a spreadsheet and built myself a personal dashboard. I was already using a dashboard in my business and I was measuring the desired results. So I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it in my personal life.

That was another easy part.

But how was I to be certain to accomplish my goals? I had to create a sense of urgency. To remind myself constantly of the brevity of life. The fear of not being able to accomplish my most important goals is a strong motivator. I also tried to set a deadline to get myself to move it.

When was the last time that YOU asked YOURSELF ;

“WHAT DO I REALLY WANT?”

                       and

“HOW BADLY DO I WANT IT?”

 

February 1, 2010

Mid-life Crisis Or Valuable Question?

Posted by stephenlafond under Choices, Life leadership, Time magagement | Tags: , |
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I started to really think about this subject in the summer of 2005, I was doing fairly good in each area of my life. (a happy and balanced life)

I was on my holiday and I started to think about what I have accomplished so far.

I had a good quality of life in every way, but it dawned on me that something was missing.

At first, it wasn’t clear what it was.

I realized that I could accomplish much more, not to impress others anymore, but for my own personal satisfaction.

Some of the first questions that I asked myself were:

What more can I do?   Or     What else can I do?

What would I have fun doing?

The answer was …..a lot more.

Then came another question …

How much time do I have left?

At 39 years of age , it was a bit too late to want to become an NHL player or a baseball superstar . Even at 18, the odds are extremely low.

Nor was it realistic to become a rock star even if I love music.

I mean, it’s not impossible but the odds are extremely low.

What are my strengths, my natural abilities and my favourite interests?

What can I start at this point in my life and with the time that is available to me?

What can YOU start in YOUR life?

 

January 27, 2010

How Long Do You Expect To Live?

Posted by stephenlafond under 36525 days, Choices, Consequence, Important question, Life expectancy, Life leadership, Results, Time magagement, Wasting time | Tags: , , , , , |
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How many days do you or I have left to live on this planet?

Life goes quickly and the clock is ticking.

Time is life’s most precious asset.

A human life has a potential of approximately 36525 days to live. (100 years)

Did you ever stop your daily activities to think about that?

Every night when I go to bed, when I fall asleep , I have one less  day to live.

Yes I know, It sounds obvious, but when was the last time  you really considered that? Were you ever aware of this?

This is what it looks like.

36525,36524,36523,36522 if I am a newborn.

27395,27394,27393,27393 if I am 25 years old

18263,18262,18261,18260 if I am 50 years old

9131,9130,9129,9128 if I am 75 years old

1826,1825,1824,1823 if I am 95 years old

365,364,363,362 if I am 99 years old

This scenario is based on a perfect life potential, in a perfect world.

Now, in reality, my life expectancy will be influenced by which part of the world I am born in. It also depends on whether I am born a male or a female.

Life expectancy may vary between 35 and 85 years old depending on which country I am born in.

For example if the life expectancy in my country of origin is 35 years old , I should expect to live 12780 days as a potential.

If the life expectancy in my country is 85 years old , I should expect to live approximatively 31046 days.

Next comes the hereditary factors on which I have very little control over, like an unexpected and unforgiving cancer and other uncontrollable circumstances such as car accidents, sport accidents, plane crashes …….I’ll let you meditate on this matter until next time.

How long do you expect to live?                         

 

 

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