Archive for category Positive Thinking
For Every Problem, the Solution Is Already in Place
Posted by drchrismilkie in Positive Thinking on February 5, 2011
For every problem that comes into your life, the solution already exists… the trick is in recognizing it.
I believe for most of us life is magical. Okay, actually I believe for ALL of us life is magical. But for many, we stand in the way of the magic, we block it, we resist it. I believe that there is an orchestrated dance as we go through our lives creating a perfect symphony. We just don’t have the trained ear to hear how perfectly all the other instruments are in tune and in rhythm with us.
All of this stems from our attitude about what happens. Let me give some examples. Ever notice that right when you finally get $800 saved up, your car’s transmission needs an $800 repair? So which is the reality? Is it true that whenever you finally get some money saved up, something bad happens to make you broke again? Or is it true that whenever a problem shows up, the solution is already magically in place?
Here’s another example. Ever notice that a romance breaks up in perfect timing for you to meet a spectacular new person? Ever notice that you lose a job in perfect timing for a spectacular new career? Ever notice that the “wrong turn” on a vacation sometimes brings the most spectacular experience of the trip? Personally, with me it is always an amazing panoramic view that I didn’t know existed.
Here’s the core of this idea. Each problem in our life leads us to an amazing adventure of growth and expansion. This growing is something we are all craving, at all times… to become more! Each challenge is an opportunity.
So the next time a problem or challenge arrives, embrace it, and look around, the solution and the opportunity to grow are already in place. You just have to find it. Enjoy the magic in it all.
I believe that for ALL of us life is magical. You can too. Simply choose to believe it.
Guest Article by Dr. Rick Schaefer, author of Extreme Thought Makeover™… 37 Days to Maximum Life! If you are interested in more from Dr. Rick, visit http://www.rickschaefermd.com and sign up for his daily positive morning message.
The ETM Minute: A Personal Productivity Tool
Posted by drchrismilkie in Positive Thinking on November 7, 2010
Here’s a really amazing and effective productivity tool that I learned from Earl Nightingale:
The Five Things List.
I want to help you be more productive every day. This course isn’t focused on productivity, however, being productive and accomplishing a few significant tasks each day feels really good, increases self-esteem, and brings joy … and that is what this course is about!
What stands in our way of focus and productivity each day is distraction. This productivity exercise is a simple technique to quiet the distractions for a while in order to gain clarity and focus. Here’s how it works: each evening, write down the five most important things that you want to accomplish the next day. Make sure that these tasks are meaningful and significant to you. They may have to do with personal, health, travel, family, business … whatever it is that you value. Make sure to make them significant for you. Choose things that will leave you with a good feeling when you put your head on the pillow tonight. Now prioritize them, numbering one through five with the most important first.
Okay, now here is the revolutionary productivity technique: first thing the next morning, sit down and start working on number one. Do not answer the phone. Do not check email. Do not look up or do any other small task (except refilling your coffee cup) until it is complete. Once number one is complete, immediately start on number two. Do not answer the phone. Do not check email. Do not look up or do any other small task until it is complete. There you have it … the secret to productivity!
When your head hits the pillow tonight, you will know that you accomplished the two most meaningful and important tasks you set out to do today. It will provide a great feeling of satisfaction, accomplishment, capability, and joy. Usually with this intentional focus, I find I can finish the first two tasks before 10:00 a.m. That’s amazing! It gives me that feeling of joy and accomplishment for the entire rest of the day.
It all seems so simple doesn’t it? That’s how you know it is right. The best solutions are always simple. Have a wonderful day.
Note: if you would like to read about how I was inspired to incorporate this genius idea into my life, do an internet search on “the $25,000 idea” by the great master of motivation Earl Nightingale.
Find more from Dr. Rick at www.rickschaefermd.com
I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering.
— The Beatles, “Fixing a Hole”
Physical Clutter Creates Mental Clutter: the Extreme Thought Makeover Moment
Posted by drchrismilkie in Positive Thinking on August 25, 2010
I’d really like to help you free your mind from undue burdens and feel the lightness of thought and inspiration found in de-cluttering.
In order to achieve a feeling of total security and total freedom, it is necessary to let go of our attachment to physical things. Detachment holds the wisdom of uncertainty and possibilities. When you embrace uncertainty, you will find security. This is a bit tricky to grasp at first, but when you realize that you truly can’t predict the future, then the only alternative is to embrace the idea that there are some uncertainties. In accepting those uncertainties, you will feel more secure. When you embrace possibilities, you will find freedom. Knowing that there is more than one path that can please you can help you to feel freedom and happiness. A simple first step toward detachment is letting go of small physical items. Let’s get started!
Today, get rid of one thing. It could be a pair of shoes, a knick-knack, or an old souvenir glass. Just pick one thing and give it away, recycle it, throw it away, or put it in the garage for a future “Give-Away Day” (see below for more on this idea). This physical action is a representation of clearing mental space for clear and creative thinking, and when made habit, can transform the way you interact with your physical and emotional environment profoundly. Think about the stuff you have that clutters your living space. Where to begin? Well, you could start a “five year rule” for clothing, for example. That’s an easy one: if you haven’t worn it for five years, you will definitely not miss it! Perhaps even a two-year rule? One year? Just because you haven’t exercised your throwing-away muscles in a while, doesn’t mean you can’t start somewhere … like with a coffee mug from the back of the cupboard. Don’t worry that it is in great condition or that you paid good money for it, it is the getting-rid-of energy that will be far more valuable to you, and the value will come back to you many fold.
As your physical space becomes more and more clear, you will find that previously cluttered areas give way to empty space, allowing for a mental shift from the focus of “what is” to the focus of endless possibilities. Your living space will become a blank canvas upon which anything can be created, in any moment.
De-cluttering feels like clearing your stuff, but it is actually clearing your mind. Jumbled, crowded thoughts will give way to clarity and focus. Creative energy will emerge in the space vacuum you have created for it. Your new thinking will have the room it needs to be powerful and inspiring!
A continuation of this exercise for the future is to have a “Give-Away Day.” Fill the garage bit by bit with all the stuff you have uncluttered through your new daily attitude of detaching. When it really starts to pile up, call your friends and invite them to come and get all your stuff. They will go crazy and really create a great memory for themselves and for you. Plus, the objects themselves will have a much more useful and vibrant life in their new home.
In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty, and in uncertainty lies freedom from our past: from the known. It is also where limitless possibilities are found. Stay open to the possibilities by manifesting an attitude of detachment in your physical environment today.
Excerpt from Extreme Thought Makeover by Rick Schaefer, M.D. See www.rickschaefermd.com for more inspiring articles.
A Technique to Elevate Your Mood in a Moment
Posted by rickschaefermd in General, Positive Thinking on June 9, 2010
Letter of Introduction from Dr. Milkie: I would like to introduce to you a friend of mine Dr. Rick Schaefer. He considers himself a “reformed anesthesiologist.” He now focuses on life coaching, and has published a wonderful program on Positive Thinking called Extreme Thought Makeover, which I have been through. I have invited him to contribute to my eNewsletter. I am proud to share his inspirations with you, and hope you will benefit in some way… I certainly have! – Chris
A Technique to Elevate Your Mood in a Moment Simply by Focusing Your Thoughts
Your mood correlates completely to your focus of thought in every moment. You know this because you can feel it change moment to moment as you go through the day. You win a contest, a date is canceled, your boss shows appreciation, your doctor tells you he found a lump, you leave work at the end of the day, your favorite sports team wins, your favorite player is traded away, etc. All of these examples are simply thoughts that are changing for you, and thus bouncing your feelings, emotions, and mood. I offer you here a simple exercise to elevate your emotional state in a moment. And it is so, so simple
The idea is to focus is on bringing up the feeling and energy of appreciation as strongly as possible. Simply put your attention upon all the things you really appreciate: your favorite daily moments, things, and people. Think about them, write them down, and appreciate all of the stuff that you appreciate.
For me, I love that first taste of my favorite iced coffee drink first thing in the morning. I love seeing the sun rising, blindingly bright as I drive downtown. I love the people I care about. I love that people love me. I love discovering something new that I am drawn to. I love slipping in under a puffy warm and cozy comforter on a cool evening. I love crawling into bed on nights I don’t have to set the alarm, because it really allows me to fall into the present moment, and melt into the bed. I love seeing deer walking through the yard. I love the luxury of taking a ten minute nap. I love my iPhone (oh my gosh, don’t get me started on that!) I love that I am a risk-taker. I love that I am always willing to say “YES!” I love the luxury of having an automobile, and being able to jump in and drive anywhere I want, any time I want, to be with any one I want. I love making a fresh salad from a grocer’s salad bar. Wait, I love the grocer for supplying it for me. Whoa, I love the farmer who grew the lettuce for me. I love the person who invented the hot shower. I love that there is truly an endless supply of things to appreciate in this world.
You get the idea… once you get going it is really hard to stop. This is called a Rampage of Appreciation. Practicing this way of thinking squeezes out any space in your thoughts to be annoyed or irritated with anything in your life. Go ahead, grab a pen and paper and start writing. Keep going and going, and see what you come up with. Most importantly, recognize the feeling that comes with it. The feeling of love and appreciation for your world will become overpowering.
Is the glass half empty or half full? The answer is what you want it to be. It is totally up to you, to your imagination, and to your thoughts. And thoughts become things. So choose wisely, and practice choosing appreciation!
Dr. Rick Schaefer
excerpt from Extreme Thought Makeover
www.rickschaefermd.com