Category — Life

and drafting and redrafting in the pursuit to have everything just perfect and thus this has led to halted growth both with this website and with me (the founder) personally.
I had gotten stuck in the “planning phase” and have been quite comfortable putting off writing copy and doing the marketing and implementation by thinking it was for the best to wait for the perfect results in each respective area. I mean how can I write for a website about personal and professional growth if I am having struggles with each of these things. Well after revisiting some great books (think Napoleon hill and Stephen covey) I have realized that I must push out of my comfort zone and ACT.
To many to often fail to grow because they get stuck in a phase of waiting and justifying putting things off until “the right time” Well in my case I think my waiting had to possibly do with a sort of fear. A fear that not doing things perfectly could see me have some setbacks, but isn’t the biggest setback to make be not making ANY progress at all.
There are many different kinds of fear and fear of failure is a most predominant one. The thing that cures this type of fear is ACTION. Action cures fear and produces results. Setbacks are a great result in that they are a solid and valuable learning experience. By learning first hand what does not produce desirable results to an action or actions we can correct and become one step closer to our dreams and goals. So here is my update. I was holding out for the perfect j-o-b and my only source of revenue was my internet ventures. By delaying some marketing and internet actions I have had no extra money to invest in LifeStartUp or myself.
So while hoping for a certain job I was only maintaining and not growing. My action, I have accepted a position that has limited career growth but that has produced a much needed additional revenue source. If my perfect job opens up then great, but until then I will be able to reinvest some additional funds from my new salary. I have also decided to just do the work without worrying about perfection and watch LifeStartUp grow through my mistakes as well as my success.
SO- I am implementing some great things around here besides regular content and updates. I have been very fortunate to have been approved to interview several successful individuals. These people have defied the odds and are living proof that you can grow in amazing ways through action and setbacks. One of the individuals has a product in several retail chains and is fast becoming a player in cold and flu prevention. Another is a personal friend who has went from penniless to owning a franchise in less than 4 years and is only in his mid 20’s. All of the interviews/Talks will be housed in a new section here I will call the success lab. Plenty more in the works also. So please, wish me well as I grow this site and learn from my mistakes. As always I look forward to all Questions, comments suggestions and any and everything else.

Thank you for your continued support.

L Chamblin

Show More >
< Show Less

And there were tears in her eyes, and my heart reached out to her.

She’s not alone, either: many people feel that there is something missing from their lives, that despite having everything they need they aren’t happy, aren’t content, cannot find satisfaction.
I’ve been through stages in my life like this, and I’ve also climbed out of such ruts more than once. I know it isn’t easy, but I also know that it’s possible. Looking back on these times in my life, when I overcame discontentment, I’ve realized there are three things you can do:

1. Change your attitude and perspective.

2. Take some kind of positive action.

3. Do something that gives you meaning.

And you can do one of these things or all three, all at once, one at a time, or in whatever combination works for you. They can work alone, or together.

Let’s look at each one of these solutions.

Change Your Attitude and Perspective
This is huge. I can’t overstate the importance of how you look at things. And I know, the power of positive thinking is a cliche in the self-help world, but that’s because it works. It’s worked for me in everything I’ve done, and without it I would have accomplished nothing — no popular blog, no best-selling book, no running three marathons, nothing.

But it’s more than accomplishing things — by changing your attitude, you can become happy, almost immediately. It’s a choice.

Here are just a few but important ways:

1. Appreciate what you have. You already have some amazing things in your life, whether you realize it or not. Most of us have incredible family members, friends, other loved ones who love us back. Learn to appreciate what a miracle that is. Most of us have good health, which is another miracle. Most of us have eyes, with which to enjoy the amazing miracles of sunsets and nature and beauty all around us. Most of us have ears, with which to enjoy music, one of the greatest miracles ever. Be grateful for each of these things, and more! Take time every day, throughout the day, to thank life for all that it has given you, to thank others for what they give you, to be grateful.

2. Find good in everything. Everything can be seen in a negative way, or a positive way. I’ve said this before, but even the death of my grandfather was an opportunity for me to appreciate life more, to appreciate his amazing life, to appreciate the time I have with my loved ones, to be thankful I’m even alive. When I get sick, it’s a chance for me to rest. When I was jobless once, I had more time with my family, more chances to create, a fresh start on life. When your child is throwing a tantrum, he’s expressing himself, asserting his individuality, being human. Find the good in anything that normally irks you, in anyone who you have issues with.

3. Start believing that you can change things. A general feeling that things are too difficult to change, that they’ll never get better, can in itself be the cause of our problems. Instead, start believing that you can make things better, and you will open the doors for change. And you can change things — I’ve done it, and many, many others have too. It’s possible.

4. Enjoy the moment. Whatever you’re doing right now, or at any time during the day, take the time to enjoy it. Anything: reading, writing, talking with a co-worker, taking a shower, walking up stairs, eating, washing dishes, sweeping. Anything can be fully appreciated if you pay attention. It makes life better.

Take Some Kind of Positive Action
It doesn’t matter what the action is, as long as you’re doing something positive. Start small — just take a tiny little baby step. But start.

And you know what? Taking that little baby step will feel like a victory. Then take that feeling of success and use it to take another little tiny baby step. And another. And then, yet another. And so on, until you look back and you’ve actually taken a series of baby steps that add up to a whole great amount of traveling. It’s amazing how the power of little positive steps can add up over time.

Two good places to start:

1. Exercise. Just do 10 minutes of exercise a day. Walk, jog, swim, do yoga, pilates, pushups, it don’t matter. The act of exercising regularly will make you feel amazing. It can turn your life around. Use this great feeling to do something else good. Read more: start the exercise habit, simple beginner programs.

2. Decluttering. Just declutter one shelf, one tabletop or countertop, one little corner of a room. That’s it. Just start, and then bit by bit (or a whole bunch at a time), continue to declutter. You’ll feel great. It’ll help you create the surrounding you need to change your life. Read more: how to declutter, 5-minute ways to start decluttering, great decluttering tips, fighting and beating clutter entropy.

These are just two suggestions that have worked for me and many others. But there are many other good ways to start: wake earlier, meditate, do some yardwork or housework, start paying off debt, or one of the actions in the next section, for example.

Do Something That Gives You Meaning
Often we feel dissatisfied with life because while we might have a good life — at least, all the comfort and leisure we need — we might not be doing anything that feels worthwhile. It might feel meaningless.

The cure: find meaning, do something meaningful. Just a few ways:

1. Spend time with loved ones. I love spending time with my wife and kids, with my sisters and parents, and other loved ones. It gives me joy. It feels more meaningful than most other things I do (besides writing). I recommend you take the time to do something with a loved one — just go for a walk, play a game together, have a conversation, it doesn’t matter what. Really be there — don’t be thinking of other things you need to do. Really listen. Really try to help the person if possible. It will make a difference in both your lives.

2. Volunteer. This is a common suggestion, but that’s because it’s so awesome. There is nothing like giving yourself — your time, you love — to something you feel is worthwhile. Make a call today to find out how to volunteer for an organization you like, and make an appointment on your calendar.

3. Create something meaningful. As I said above, writing is something that is very meaningful to me. Any kind of creating — whether it be writing, drawing, playing music, designing, building something — can bring meaning to your life. You’re creating something new, expressing yourself, sharing it with others so that it may enrich their lives and the world in general.

4. Make the lives of others better. Volunteering is just one way to accomplish this. But you could also think about your loved ones, your neighbors, others in the world around you, and think about how you can help them, make their lives better, even in a small way. That might mean baking them cookies, listening to them, cleaning for them, writing a kind letter, buying a nice gift, anything.

These are just a few ways, of course — there are lots of ways to do something meaningful. These have worked for me, but I’m sure you’ve found your own ways.

What are some ways you’ve found meaning in your life, and ways you’ve beaten discontentment? Share in the comments!

—

Show More >
< Show Less