Category: Mentor

Categories
Accountability blog Change Choice Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation Self-Leadership

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

Unquestionable Rule for Life #5

Negative Thinking Limits Your Success

Controlling your thoughts may seem like something easier said than done. Truth be told it is the hardest thing anyone can ever do. Controlling your thoughts is NOT as easy as saying, “I got this.” YOU GOT NOTHING.

You do not wake up one day and start consciously controlling your thoughts.

Far from it. You have to start off small and intentional.

It begins with know what you can and cannot control. Then it moves on to understanding that there is so much more you can NOT control than what you can control.

Once you have fully accepted that fact you are more than halfway there. The rest falls on you to be vigilant and ready for when what you cannot control tries to control you. Your thoughts will work against you. Your mind will go to the dark place and put you on the offense instead of hunkering down and playing defense against the darkness, the negativity.

When you allow the negative to take over you have no room for the positive. When there is a lack of the positive, there is no growth. When there is no growth there is no success. Yes, that negativity will limit your success all because you are trying to deal with the nonsense. Taking your mind off what is important to give attention to what should never be important is a surefire way to stop your growth.

That is why you must always be on guard for the negativity will pop-up at any time for almost any reason. As you grow older, experience more, and get wiser it will become easier for you to spot and stop the negative from taking a foothold in your mind. However, as you are growing and learning you will fall into the trap of others.

It’s unavoidable, you will fall down that rabbit hole. However, as time goes by your defenses will go up. You will start to recognize the “wolf at the door” along with those with cruel intentions, but stay on guard. Head on a swivel to avoid falling into a future trap or rabbit hole of negativity, especially if the trap is in your own mind.

Guard Your Mind, Fiercely

Wisdom. As anything can change, in an instant, it falls on you to protect yourself, your body, your spirit, and your mind. Guard it all as if your mind depends on it, because it does. Things can get out of hand and spiral to the ground if you let negativity take root. Also, be on guard with who you let into your inner circle.

There will be individuals that cannot help themselves and bring their negativity into your world. Don’t believe me? Give it a minute.

FAIR WARNING: Some of those that bring that negative may be close (in relation) to you. It happens.

What does not have to happen is keeping that negativity close to you. Of course, you can always express your concern and need to keep the negativity at bay. However, if those individuals refuse to respect you (and some will) then you are well within your right to cut them loose. Set them adrift because no one has time for negativity anchoring them to lack of progress, stunted growth, and a journey down a path of misery.

That is one reason why you should protect your mind at all costs. Guard yourself, head on a swivel, and do not be fooled. Many will try to break in through your defenses. Some make through (usually out of a misguided sense of obligation) but the sooner you stop that nonsense the better off you will be.

Once you got the external under control, the next is to pay attention to the internal: Your Thoughts.

You now begin to work on staying positive, all the time, you have no choice because your own thoughts will betray you. Why? Life is not easy. You can only control what you can control, the rest is life happening at its own pace and on its own agenda (otherwise, known as the UNCONTROLLABLE).

Working to control your thoughts will take time. It will be hard work. It will be worth it. Stay Vigilant to Stay Positive.

Thank you,
David Guerra
dave@daveguerra.com

Categories
About Me Accountability blog Change Choice Decisionmaking Inspiration Leadership Mentor Message Motivation Proactive Self-Leadership Walking Leader

On Building Success…

Not so long ago, I found myself at a crossroads. A crossroad where a decision had to be made. An action had to be taken. I had backed myself into a corner and in no uncertain terms the only way out was to barreling through those obstacles that did their best to keep my back to the corner.

Thinking they had the upper hand, I knew that I had to no choice but do what had to be done. The actions I took might be right for everyone but they were right for me. I was letting the wrong people have the upper hand for far too long. In doing that it was costing me more than I ever knew. However, I was astonished how quickly my sight had cleared up and the burden of trying hard to not make waves was lifted. I did what I had to do to distance myself, my wife, and my children from the insecurities of others. If I wanted to SUCCEED as a husband and father, their insecurity had long was a liability.

The time came to cast off their chains that weighed me down, I had to break from the ties that anchored me to their world. I had to step out from the darkness they felt I deserved. I did just that and success is within reach, now more than ever.

Building success without dimming your light for insecure people involves embracing your achievements and potential unapologetically, while remaining empathetic and supportive to those around you.

It’s important to recognize that your success can inspire others, rather than intimidate them.

Start by setting clear boundaries that protect your self-worth and goals. Focus on personal growth by celebrating your milestones and learning from challenges. Practice humility by acknowledging the contributions of others, yet remain confident in your abilities. Engage in open, positive communication and offer encouragement to help others find their own path to success. By doing so, you create an environment where everyone feels empowered to shine, fostering a culture of mutual respect and inspiration.

Thank you,
David

— Follow me on Social Media —
X: daveguerra
Instagram: dave_guerra
Facebook: thedavidguerra

Categories
blog Change Choice communication Daily Challenge Decisionmaking Ethical Behavior Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles MBWA Mentor Motivation positive Tips Training Walking Leader Writing

2024: CHAINS…ROPES…OH MY!

As we venture in our journey of life, there are somethings that happen that are meant to set us free, while others are there to anchor us to the world we live in.

Like a ship that is docked, it has ropes that keep it tied to the pier. That way it does not drift away in the night. When the ship is ready to set sail the lines are cast off and soon, it is on a path to places over the horizon on a course set by the ship’s captain.

The anchor is attached to a chain and when the ship is ready to temporarily stop, it drops anchor. When it is time to move on, hoist the anchor, and soon back on course to places over the horizon.
Do you see a pattern there? If not, that’s ok. I am going to explain it anyway.

Ships are built to head to the high seas. Ships are built to withstand rough seas. Ships are built to not only move from point A to point B but are also built to stay afloat, to stay above water.
As a Self-Leader you are also built to keep moving. You are NOT built to stay docked at any port for too long. You are also not built to stay anchored anywhere for too long. What does that mean?
It means that you are built to continue to grow, to develop, to become better than you are now.

While all this might sound like something I have said over and over before, it is because I have said it over and over. I believe in what I say. I stand by what I say. I have this passion for people to step up and be the leaders they know they can be and are. I stick to my passion because the message I share is that important.

Over the decades I have been on this planet, I have witnessed good and bad. Good things, Bad Things. Good People and Bad People. Though it would be easy to say that I have seen just about all there is to see when it comes to Good and Bad. I promise you I have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Of what I have witnessed, rest assured it still surprises me to the levels of Good and Bad people can and do go to.

That’s ok, I know that as a human being I am capable of going to those extremes. I opt out of that. No one is, no matter how much they try to kid themselves, no one is perfect. I am not perfect.
Sure, people can claim they live a pious life but are they really? A pious person would never verbally proclaim their piety for a truly pious person lets their actions and behaviors do all the talking for them.

On the other hand, there are individuals that revel in their unabashed devious behavior. The boasting and bragging of their deceit are certainly not something to be proud of or to be used as a tool to make others fear them. The pious and the deceitful have one thing in common.

They have their chains and ropes tying them down. Tying them down to live the braggadocios life they have chosen to use as a facade to mask their inability to cast off their lines and hoist their anchor to live a life they can freely choose to live. While some may argue that the pious or the deceitful are living the life they choose but at what cost? This argument can quickly become a circular argument thus, I offer this advice or words of warning:

As we venture in our journey of life, while there is no set time to cast off the ropes and hoist your anchor. You will know when the time comes. Only you will know when the time comes to set yourself free, especially when there are others trying to anchor you down or keep you tied to the dock in the name of keeping you safe. The world is not a safe harbor. The world we live in has rough seas as well as smooth swells all of which you are more than capable of handling.
Get to work!

Thank you,
David Guerra, MA, MBA

I invite you to follow me on social media:
Instagram: Dave_Guerra
X/Twitter: @DaveGuerra
Facebook: fb.com/thedavidguerra