“Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.”
It’s funny to me that Monday is the day of the week that is supposed to be the worst day. Seems to me that it should be the best day of the week.
It’s the start of a new week. A clean slate.
Everything is in front of you. Anything is possible.
Think of this week as a trial run. Think of it as a week full of possibilities and new beginnings.
What is the one thing you would like to get done?
Get on it.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Classic Hammer.
It’s an important reminder though – we’ve got to pray just to make it today.
Thoughtful reflection and prayer can go a long way towards easing life’s burdens or at least making them more bearable.
Make some time for prayer today.
Make it a great day.
Jake
The hardest thing is to take less when you can get more. – Kin Hubbard
This reminds me of two sayings that often go through my mind –
We must actively work to curb our appetites. To work against our natural tendencies toward greed and gluttony.
Not in a “rich people and business are bad” kind of way, but in a way that allows us to minimize the distractions from the life’s more important elements.
The opportunity to have and be more is an opportunity to give and serve more, not a chance to consume everything in an endless chase of temporary pleasures.
I’ve had the good fortune to have had generous and kind parents who (despite my best efforts) instilled some of these same values into me. We’ve worked to consistently tithe as a family and the lesson I’ve learned from doing so is that we are better off for having given away those tithes.
Our lives are better when we give and serve more.
Find a way to give today. Not out of guilt or shame, but from a desire to honor our role in this world.
Make it a great day.
Jake
PS – Bonus point/reminder – it’s not about you (or me)! It’s about others. Every single time.
And oldie but a goodie…(from 2010).
Today is another “Jakeism”. This one is a fairly recent addition to my random sayings.
During several conversations with people about the hard work involved in making the changes suggested in these emails, I said to them:
You’re worth it.
Think about that. YOU. ARE. WORTH IT. Whatever hard work it will take to make you happy, you are worth it. You are worth the time it will take to make the changes necessary to meet your goals.
Want to lose weight? You are worth it.
Want to read more and learn more? You are worth it.
Want to be happy? You are worth it.
Want to become a better father/husband/wife/friend? You are worth it (and so are your loved ones).
And when you do meet your goal, embrace it. Enjoy yourself and the fruits of your labor. You’re worth it.
I have realized a couple of other things as I thought about this.
I am worth it. For some reason, these happy/attitude pills look a lot easier to swallow when I am handing them out to others. I too need to spend time and focus on the concepts mentioned in these emails and I am worth the results that will come out on the other side.
I have also learned that we are worth it. Mavidea as a collective is worth whatever hard work and effort is needed to accomplish our goals. We are worth pushing a little harder, making that extra call, going the extra mile for the customer, and encouraging each other along the way.
This next part might sound a little corny, but I suggest every one try it.
At some point today, look in the mirror and say out loud, “I am worth it”.
Because you are and there is no better time to get started on making your dreams come true than today.
Jake
Life is an adventure in forgiveness. – Norman Cousins
Every day we have the option to be offended, impatient, upset and downright flibber-flabbered.
That is, unless we choose forgiveness.
The hardest part of the whole thing – we are right.
We are right to be offended.
We are right to be impatient.
We are right to be upset.
We are right to be flibber-flabbered.
Any person in their right mind would feel exactly the same way. It’s hard to believe what he/she/they did/are doing/will do.
If we look for it we will find as many legitimate reasons to be upset as we wish.
If we choose to forgive and give grace we will find an equally endless opportunity.
I can’t tell the future, but I’m willing to guess we’d all like to live a life where we focused on the forgiveness and grace. We’ll be much happier in the end.
Make it a great day.
Jake
“I don’t think it’s healthy to take yourself too seriously.” – Payne Stewart
Professional golf is usually an individual sport. One in which I’m sure the average tour pro is very tempted to take themselves too seriously.
But for one week every few years the best players from America match up against the best player from Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Watching a bunch of world class golfers play for the team and their country instead of just for themselves brings out something great in all of them.
It almost feels like watching a college football team. The crowds are crazy. The rivalry is strong. Every match and shot a chance to become your teams hero.
The lesson for all of us as we start our week? Being part of a great team is better than anything you can do on your own. If you really want to do and become your best – embrace the team.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Thanks, Brian for reminding me to send this out before September ends.
Enjoy this trip back in time.
Make it a great day.
Jake
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. – Eleanor Roosevelt
Begin the day with hope!
Don’t let happenings of life choose your mood and attitude for you.
Make it a great day.
Jake
"Treat your body like a temple, not a woodshed. The mind and body work together. Your body needs to be a good support system for the mind and spirit. If you take good care of it, your body can take you wherever you want to go, with the power and strength and energy and vitality you will need to get there." — Jim Rohn
Like a lot of Jim Rohn’s wisdom and quotes this one falls into the category of a reminder.
We all know that we should treat our body’s well.
Maybe I don’t treat mine like the wood shed, but temple would be a stretch.
Maybe when you read this quote, some aspect of your health came to mind.
Maybe your weight.
Maybe your diet.
Maybe exercise.
Maybe a bad habit you need to kick.
Whatever it was, pick one thing and make today the day you get started making your body a temple.
Make it a great day.
Jake
When I asked Maggie what to send out about the 11th anniversary of sending daily attitude emails, she said something about it being weird that I would send something out to celebrate my own genius.
Kids are good at keeping us humble…
My first thought though was of gratitude.
Gratitude for the nice notes in response to certain emails.
Gratitude for all of you putting up with the dumb emails.
Gratitude for letting me come into your email box with my fumbled attempts to understand the world in a way that adds value to your life.
For all the times I’ve failed, I’m sorry.
For the times the emails have been helpful, that has been more about God’s grace and your unique response to the words, I am sure of it.
Thanks for being a receiver of the daily attitude emails.
Make it a great day.
Jake
Practical Steps for Friendship, Unity and Intimacy in Your Marriage
