“Each day we must strive for constant and never ending improvement.” – Anthony Robbins
Sounds really cool, right? We have to strive to get better every day. But, is it realistic?
As I sit here on Monday morning after being off for four days, struggling to keep my eyes open at my desk, I’m wondering what I can possibly do to get better today. In my current mindset, I’d like to tell Mr. Robbins to take a long walk off a short pier. I’d much rather be sleeping, or curled up on the couch watching Ghostbusters. I feel brain dead. I’m counting down the minutes until I can get out of here and get home.
Okay, so this can go one of two ways: One, I can continue to feel like crap and wish the day away. Realistically, though, I’m just going to be right back in this same spot 24 hours from now. So, option two would be to make the attempt to not let a seemingly bummer of a day overtake my mood and attitude. I’m going to give option two a shot.
On days like today, it’s quite okay to feel like you’re not in the mood to conquer the world. But, “striving for never ending improvement”, as the quote indicates, is a constant and ongoing process. So, I submit to you that you don’t need to conquer the world. You can do small things that will still contribute to the overall betterment of yourself and those around you.
For example, maybe you work with a guy who is generally rude and never says “excuse me” when he nearly knocks you down in the aisle-way 8 times a day. Instead of fuming about it and daydreaming about giving him the Diamond Cutter, you smile, say “excuse me” and move on, truly letting the “infraction” go. Maybe you feel like suplexing the next person that sends you a Candy Crush request on Facebook, but, instead, you ignore the request and the desire to blast that person in a status update. And, maybe you’re just having the kind of day that makes you want to drop The People’s Elbow on your computer. But, instead, you take a step back, clear your head, and push on through.
Small battles, small victories…but victories nonetheless. On days like today, that’s plenty.
(Try to) Have an awesome Monday,
-A.
short-hOPTIMISM 