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Category Archives: Career
The Story of a Woodcutter
“Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”
Very motivated by the boss’ words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.
“I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”
-Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Sometimes, our lives can look like that if we’re too busy to take the time to replenish our bodies and nourish our souls. Working harder doesn’t always necessarily mean we’re working better – it’s about working smarter without sacrificing our health and happiness. If we neglect ourselves, overtime, we’ll become less effective to those around us and wear ourselves out. Right now, we may not see the importance of slowing down but our state of mind, heart, and body will eventually catch up to us.
I encourage you to dedicate at least 1 day during the week to replenish yourself by doing something you love to do. This can be anything that gives you joy, happiness, and a sense of freedom. It’s something that gives you a mental break from your work or connects you with others (and nature). Overtime, you’ll learn to keep this 1 day sacred as it’ll be your life line to your overall well-being. By resting and playing, you’ll find you have more energy, focus, strength, and emotional stamina for the rest of the week. And who doesn’t need more of that?
©2013 Susie Lee
It’s NEVER too late
It’s never too late. It’s never to late to start the career you’ve always dreamed of. It’s never too late to confess your love to the one who got away. It’s never too late to make changes in your current relationship(s). It’s never to late to try something new. It’s never to late to pursue, dream, or imagine. For life is full of surprises everyday. And, I believe, miracles still happen today. But we have to be willing to go out of a limb and take hold of the unknown. We need to be proactive rather than passive. We need to be bold, courageous, and take the chance. Sure, there’s no guarantee how life will turn out but at least you were willing to embrace all life had to offer without regrets. Here’s to beautiful beginnings and surprise endings. Fulfill the destiny you were meant to live.
©2013 Susie Lee
Promise Yourself. Everyday.
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Key to Lifelong Success
“I’m utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: gratitude,” writes Geoffrey James in his Inc. Magazine article, “True Secret of Success (It’s Not What You Think).”
“People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what’s wonderful in their life. Because they enjoy the fruits of their successes, they seek out more success. And when things don’t go as planned, people who are grateful can put failure into perspective.
“By contrast, people who lack gratitude are never truly happy. If they succeed at a task, they don’t enjoy it. For them, a string of successes is like trying to fill a bucket with a huge leak in the bottom. And failure invariably makes them bitter, angry, and discouraged.
“Therefore, if you want to be successful, you need to feel more gratitude. Fortunately, gratitude, like most emotions, is like a muscle: The more you use it, the stronger and more resilient it becomes. The best time to exercise gratitude is just before bed. Take out your tablet (electronic or otherwise) and record the events of the day that created positive emotions, either in you or in those around you.
“Did you help somebody solve a problem? Write it down. Did you connect with a colleague or friend? Write it down. Did you make somebody smile? Write it down.
“What you’re doing is “programming your brain” to view your day more positively. You’re throwing mental focus on what worked well, and shrugging off what didn’t. As a result, you’ll sleep better, and you’ll wake up more refreshed.”
Article from Exchange Everyday
© 2012 Susie Lee
Poste of the Week | Happiness is a choice. Choose happy.
If I Don’t Start, I Don’t Have a Problem
I love reading books especially the ones that are filled with pockets of wisdom for everyday living. Today, I’d like to give you a simple and practical tool from Magic Words – 101 Ways to Talk Your Way Through Life’s Challenges. Thank you to my good friend, Nisha, who recommended this book to me!
(Magic Words #31)
IF I DON’T START, I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM
Betcha can’t eat just one: that old potato chip commercial definitely hits a very deep nerve. Think Ben & Jerry’s, M&M’s, whipped cream, French fries, triple chocolate-chip cookies…even pickles.
Jeri, a newspaper reporter, was working on an important investigative piece on a labor racketeering project. Since she was on a tight deadline, she found herself getting takeout lunches from the gourmet shop next door to her office. For the first week she stuck to her usual turkey sandwich or tuna-from-a can with Diet Dr Pepper, but then she spied a row of large round glass self-service containers of nuts and dried fruits behind the deli area. Knowing she had a weakness for unsalted cashews, she stayed away. But one day, just as a special treat, she scooped a handful of jumbo nuts into a plastic bag. The next day she was back, snapping up some more.
A week later, she was eating cashews for afternoon snacks and popping a few on the subway ride home. Two months passed, and she’d gain seven pounds plus a couple more from overdosing on morning Danish and wolfing down chunks of Taleggio cheese with an evening glass of wine.
We told her about Dr. Stephen Gullo, a well-known weight control expert who would be able to help her quit the cashew habit. She made an appointment with him for the following week.
Jeri’s problem is a common one. Many of us, according to Dr. Gullo, have “trigger foods” that activate a “can’t resist” process. Potato chips are a great example. Ice cream, bread, cake, and cookies are all culprits, as is almost anything that contains chocolate. How do you stop the process? Dr. Gullo prescribes these magic words: If I don’t start, I don’t have a problem.
Jeri wrote them on a piece of paper, which she Scotch-taped to her change purse. If she surrendered to her urges and loaded up on cashews, when she reached the checkout counter she’d give them back to the cashier. If she was at a party and a bowl of nuts came into view, Dr. Gullo advised that she move out of range immediately and repeat the magic words to herself. At the end of three weeks, Jeri had shed half a dozen pounds and was well on her way to zipping up her Levi’s again.
Dr. Gullo’s magic words also work for problems that don’t involve food. For instance, it’s easy to start complaining in today’s stressful employment climate – the boss is inaccessible, the hours are excruciating, the pay is unfair, blah, blah, blah. Complaining begets more complaining and inevitably the boss finds out who started the griping, so it’s bad for the complainer – and for general morale. A lot of people have a tendency to air grievances around the water cooler. If you’re one of those who sets up a negative situation, do yourself a favor and say “If I don’t start…” and you and your co-workers will steer clear of a common problem.
Nagging is another prime area where “If you don’t start” has a positive effect. Unfortunately, women have been stereotyped as naggers, though in many cases they nag for a good reason. Men nag too. We think it can easily be stopped by changing the magic words slightly, to “If I don’t start, WE don’t have a problem.”
From nachos to nagging, cashews to complaining, the best approach to stopping something you shouldn’t be doing is not starting in the first place.
-Magic Words – 101 Ways to Talk Your Way Through Life’s Challenges
by Howard Kaminsky & Alexandra Penney (pg. 87-89)
Disappointments | Re-evaluate & Re-create
At some point in our lives, it’s inevitable we’ll face disappointments. It might be with our career, relationships (or a lack of), health or the world at large. The good news is that disappointments come whenever we attempt to do anything great in our lives or for the world. The not so good news is that it’s closely followed by resistance, doubt, cynicism, or setbacks in the pursuit of that greatness.
Why this gloomy topic? Because I know some of us are in this journey right now. Disappointments will often crush determination with hopelessness, despair and “what’s the use?” Our minds and bodies will begin to shut down with weariness. I find when I’m in this place; it helps to step away from my efforts and rest. In the meantime, I connect with my family and friends for encouragement – drawing strength and wisdom from them. I, also, read books, get out in nature, watch movies and listen to songs that will inspire me, as it fills me up with love, light and life. After a period of time, I have the newfound energy to help me move forward with clarity, courage and creativity.
But I understand this overwhelming feeling of despair might be a heavy burden for some people to carry that they may decide to throw in the towel. For others, this feeling of despair may become a catalyst to grow stronger and wiser – fueling their passion, energy, and creativity. They can choose to remain in despair or see the undercurrent of hope. For many people, this is where the rubber meets the road.
My message to you is don’t give up on your convictions. Disappointments are a part of the journey; it’s a sign that you’re closer to success than when you first started. You’re an amazing being who is highly adaptable and strong-willed. When the weight of the world is crushing you – there’s still more inside of you. You can never be completely crushed unless you allow it. Continue to explore, discover, create and dream of a better world… and a better you.
© 2012 Susie Lee
*This article is dedicated to my aquaterra tv co-host Peter Ormesher
Quotes ::
Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment,
put your head down and plow ahead.
– Les Brown
Enthusiasm is followed by disappointment and even depression,
and then by renewed enthusiasm.
– Murray Gell-Mann
Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal;
it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.
– Eliza Tabor
One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.
– Henry Ward Beecher
The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire;
the size of your dream;and how you handle disappointment along the way.
– Robert Kiyosaki
Giving Something Up in Exchange for Something Greater
Around this time of year, many Christians and Catholics from around the world observe Lent. They choose to abstain from certain foods or pleasurable activities for 40 days leading up to the single most important event of their faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Easter. Some popular choices include, giving up desserts, taking time out from social media, refraining from deep fried foods, being caffeine-free or simply unplugging the TV… I know it sounds absurd, why would anyone want to give these up? It’s an annual spiritual pilgrimage believers go on to grow closer to God and grow stronger in their faith. So instead of surfing on their iPhone they might use that time to read their Bible or write in their journal. Or when tempted to reach for the sprinkle colored donut, they might see it as a reminder to pray for family, friends or the world around them. This may be a foreign, even strange, concept to those who aren’t familiar with Lent.
I believe this practice of ‘giving something up in exchange’ can benefit anyone. Your exchange may not be for spiritual reasons but you can make it deeply personal and meaningful. It can be giving up something tangible like your late night snacks to the intangible like a negative attitude? Or instead of giving up, why not take something on? Encourage a person everyday, ‘ungrudge’ those grudges, look on the brighter side of things, read to the elderly, become a Big Brother or Sister, write that book or take that class?
Over time, this practice will de-clutter the mind and create more space within the soul to grow. It will help you to focus by letting go of things that slowly steal your time or letting go of attitudes that unconsciously hold you back. I’m not advocating that vices are bad but I believe, sometimes, they have an invisible hold on us. How strong – only you would know. I’m confident that you will feel and see a difference within 40 days. If you’ve decided to take up this challenge, I would love to hear how your journey’s going – where it’s taking you and where you are.
I’ve heard it takes 21 days to break a habit and 30 days to retrain a new one. Hmm… This sounds vaguely like the New Year’s resolutions doesn’t it? And while we’re on that topic, how’s that going for you these days?
© 2012 Susie Lee
Quotes of the Week: Do It Now!
“What you are planning to do tomorrow, do today;
what you are going to do today, do right now.”
-Indian Proverb
“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers.
But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.”
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
This week I encourage you:
Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait. Don’t fear. Don’t doubt.
Take the risk. Do it now. Seize the moment. Dream BIG.
And take positive steps towards it.
-susie lee
Have a great surprised filled week!
living your best 