Thought For Today - April

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April 1

Ready To Be Fooled?

To be fooled or not to be fooled, that is the question!

If you get fooled today, don't worry, it is April fool's day, after all. So, don't take things so seriously, be confident enough to laugh it off. Come on, you can take a joke and make a joke, appropriately timed, of course!

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April 2

The One Skill

Think about when you are traveling or living abroad; you're thrown into a new culture, new environment, new everything. The one skill that enables you to make the most of where you are, is your ability to adapt.

Now apply the same skill of adaptability in your everyday life. Adapt and keep adapting. Not only will you better handle the unexpected, but you'll also make things less challenging and more enjoyable.

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Your Ripple Effect

We influence each other and the world around us, creating a ripple effect; like the ripples that spread when you throw a pebble into a pond.

Some of the influence, ripples out to a few, some to many, some of it effects change, some inspires, some of it lasts a moment, some a lifetime. So, understand why and how you do, what you do, and the effect that it has on others. Then choose to influence positively.

How do you create your ripple effect?

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Morning Mind Fog

There are some mornings you wake up and your mind feels foggy.

Here's a way to clear the mind fog: Imagine all your foggy thoughts as the morning mist. Imagine that the sun is slowly rising and the mist is slowly beginning to evaporate, slowly dissolving the fog in your mind. As the mist disappears completely, your mind is clear, and as you soak up the morning sunlight, your mind begins to feel vibrant and radiant.

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Upload, Not Unload

Do you delegate to unload the tasks you don't want to do? Or do you delegate to upload, that is, elevate people’s skills? How about, delegating to upload and not unload. It may take a little extra time and effort, but when you delegate to elevate, you both benefit.

When you're delegating, prepare a clear outline of what needs to be done, how and by when. And once you delegate, let go and give people space. If you want to offer extra support, check-in periodically to see how things are going.

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Listening to Your Body

Do you listen to your body? If you listen, the body tells you when it's beginning to feel unwell, exhausted, tensed. It also tells you when it needs more or less of something, food, water, rest, sleep, exercise, movement....

Sometimes the body tells you that it wants junk food or sugary drinks or that it's too tired to exercise. And if you were to listen and follow through, it may not be what the body actually needs. So, listen to the body, evaluate what it's telling you, and then recognize what the body really needs.

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Reflectively, Not Reactively

What goes around comes around. What you give, you get back.

It's not a new concept but one we don't always understand positively. Understand the concept positively and it may help you to stay calm and make sense of life. It may also empower you to respond to life reflectively, not reactively.

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April 8

Time For Change

Sometimes we need to change ourselves, and sometimes we need to change the way we do things. And sometimes things change us.

A change can change everything! So, change what you need to change, but just be compassionate with yourself. Be realistic about what is possible. Be patient, because just like the seasons, change happens in its own time.

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April 9

Still the Restless Mind

When the mind feels restless, think of it as a lake and the movement of thoughts and emotions as the wind that stirs up the surface of the lake.

Slowly calm all the movement and take your mind from restless to restful. Now, there’s no wind, and as the surface of the lake becomes completely still, let the mind rest, even if it’s just for a moment.

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Taming the Wild Horse Mind

The mind can be like a wild horse, running freely, while we try to hold on.

To tame this wild horse, we need to a) realise that we are masters of our mind, and
b) build trust, as we would in any relationship. Build a relationship with respect and patience and you'll soon reign in the wild horse. And every now and then, let the mind run a little wild, but still hold on to the reigns.

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What's Your Formula for Success?

Do you have a tried and tested formula for success? Albert Einstein's formula was: "If A equals success, then the formula is A=X+Y+Z. X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut."

Or does your formula look something like this: Right Team + Right Timing + Right Action = Success. Or is it: Dreams + Determination = Success.

If you're not seeing the success you want, is your formula wrong? Maybe something's missing? What’s your formula for success?

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Are You 'Shoulding' On Others?

Watch your conversations with yourself and others, and see how often you say, "They shouldn't have done that.... They should be like this.... They should have known better...."

Catch your 'shoulds' and ask yourself, if you are being too demanding and disapproving of others? Drop your 'shoulds', or turn them into preferences or change 'shoulds' to 'coulds' and see what happens.

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How Far You Have Come

It's only a few months into 2017, but why not track your progress so far this year and recognize how far you have come? Think of the challenges you have overcome and recognize a) the strengths you displayed and b) the lessons you learned or relearned. Think of your achievements and recognize a) the qualities you discovered about yourself and b) the skills you developed or strengthened.

Look at how far you have come and let it propel you forward to where you want to go.

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April 14

Turn Ideas Into Reality

How many of your good ideas turn into reality? Before you turn your ideas into reality, make a good idea great. How? 1) Take an idea, expand upon it and think about how to make it happen. 2) Share the idea with others and use their feedback and recommendations to improve the idea and make it even better.

To turn the idea into a reality: 1) Commit to the idea, believe in yourself and add passion and determination. 2) Make a start and do something with it, otherwise, the idea won't go anywhere!

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April 15

What Do You Remember?

Most of us tend to remember the negative experiences and the hurtful memories more than the positive and the happy ones.

It’s important to acknowledge our memories, negative or positive. But just for today, if a memory pops up that's not healthy or vibrant, try not to give it any attention and just move on. Just for today, try and only remember the good things.