“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion." [The Minotaur]” ― Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays

Introspection is another one of those tricky double edged swords in life.

I think of it like looking in a mirror.

If you don’t take a few moments to look in the mirror before leaving for work in the morning, you might just show up disheveled.

But if you spend an hour in the morning staring into the mirror getting every piece of clothing on just right, you just missed an hour of your day.

We all need to take time to look honestly at the mirrors in our lives (our relationships, our bank accounts, the mirror, the scale) and make the necessary course corrections to get where we want to go. We need to deeply understand ourselves in order to make the most of our strengths in service to others.

But we need to spend more of our time focused outwardly. Looking for others in need of service, in need of the love and warmth that only we can bring.

We weren’t created for ourselves. We were created for service to others. We need to look inward to find out what kind of service, but we need to look out to serve.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Today is Administrative Professionals Day.

At Mavidea, that means we get to honor and be thankful for Susie.

Susie is a great example of the many things I try to talk about in these daily attitude emails, but today I will pick on just one of them.

Administrative Professionals Day is a great reminder of the power of service to others.

Susie is a great example of this ideal of service.

She consistently finds ways to help and be of service, both large and small.

She also is of service whether there is credit or kudos to be had or not.

Watching Susie be of service inspires me to follow her example and find ways to serve.

And that is power behind all of these little acts of service – that they inspire others to do more of the same.

Today we are reminded of the special gift of service Susie provides. Let us also be inspired to follow her lead.

Make it a great day.

Jake

This is the most joyful day that ever I saw in my pilgrimage on earth. Donald Cargill

This quote reminded me of two important lessons.

The first is that we choose each day whether it is a joyful one or not.

We get to pick our attitude towards the day, it has no attitude towards us.

The second lesson comes the idea of a pilgrimage.

We are all on our pilgrimage throughout our lives.

We are all going somewhere.

We don’t get to pick whether or not to go on a pilgrimage, we only get to choose the destination.

The days and journey come and go.

We get to pick whether or not is a joyful one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/2AB9zPfXqQQ

“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

https://youtu.be/2AB9zPfXqQQ

“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

https://youtu.be/gte3BoXKwP0

Imagine if you actually had a pocketful of sunshine.

Something that you could access at any time to brighten your mood.

Maybe it isn’t possible to put sunshine in your pocket, but you could probably find something to carry with you to brighten your day.

Some pictures of loved ones.

A piece of jewelry from a loved one.

A bible verse written on a piece of paper.

Make life a little easier on yourself by carrying around a pocketful of sunshine.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you have a bad minute, that’s ok. If you have a bad day, it’s because of your attitude. – Jeffrey Gitomer

I was listening to a Jeffrey Gitomer video on attitude yesterday and this little quote stood out.

For some reason we tend to hold on to negative feelings and attitudes for too long.

Many Mavideans have heard me say some version “It’s ok to be angry about this for tonight, but tomorrow we need to shake it off and move forward.”

Maybe my suggestion lasts longer that Mr. Gitomer’s, but the idea is the same.

Feel the emotion. Let yourself be upset when something is upsetting. Let yourself be frustrated when things are frustrating.

But hold on to it too long and you become an upset person. A frustrated person.

Our attitude is the place we bounce back to after something good or bad happens.

Hold on to a bad thing too long, maybe you bounce back a little lower.

Let go of that negative experience real quick and the bouncing back becomes much easier.

As you might have expected, I suspect the opposite is true for the positive side.

Something good happens, hold on to it.

Keep moving forward, but don’t let it go. Add the next one right on top of it. Keep them in your mind, piling them up so that the bad stuff seems small in comparison.

Imagine a giant pile of positives next to a single negative that you pick up and put in the trash.

Seems small and easy to do now. But that also makes it easy not to do.

The choice is yours and it is important. Don’t let yourself be lazy with it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/r3kb9dkddX0

This is one my favorite short little excerpts from Jim Rohn.

4 simple questions to get you moving in a positive direction.

1. Why? What is your why? What gets you going?

2. Why not? Jim says “You going to be here until you die, might as well.” Are there any legitimate reasons for you to not move forward and take action?

3. Why not you? This one gets to the heart of it. You are capable of greatness. Never forget that. YOU can do it.

4. Why not now? No time like the present. Sure, the excuses can pile up pretty quick. But so can the results. Just get started.

Whether you are 5 or 85, I think these questions apply to you.

And I’m confident that a little bit of thoughtful introspection in answering these questions can drive you to do and be better.

Let’s go do it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/3177006565679845/

Will Smith has a unique gift at explaining life.

This video of him talking about facing our fears is great.

In order to get to the good stuff in life we must face our fears.

At some point, growth requires courage.

One thing he forgot to say is that you are worth it.

You are worth the risk.

You are worth going through all the hard work.

You are worth facing down any fear.

You are worth it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Saint Augustine

Great simple reminder of what Easter is all about.

It is also a great reminder of how to treat others around us.

Love each of our neighbors as if they were the only one.

Make it a great day.

Jake