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Happiness
or Misery -- You Choose
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In This
Issue:
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Issue 390 -- January 08,
2008
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1.
Happiness or Misery -- You Choose
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Wow it’s cold in
Colorado. I’m not sure why anyone would choose to live here
although my son and his family seem to love it. Yes, I know, the
Rockies are beautiful and Colorado Springs is supposedly an amazing
place. It just goes to prove that we are all unique people – and
thank goodness, we can make individualized decisions that fit us
best. We can choose the life we live! Did you know you were
choosing the life you are now living?
*********************************************
"Every day carries the potential to bring the experience
fo heaven; have the courage to expect good from it." --
John McQuiston II in Always We Begin Again
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*To view this newsletter on our website in full html, please go to http://www.48days.com/newsletter.php
Need to kick-start your New Year?
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There is a story of a
ninety-two-year-old lady who was moving into a nursing home. As she
was being wheeled down the corridor, the attendant began to
describe the room. “I love it,” the old women gushed. “But
you haven’t even seen the room yet,” the attendant reminded
her. “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,”she replied.
“Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I
like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is
arranged. It’s how I arrange my mind.”
There’s an important principle in that little story. Much of your
success is decided in advance—or “arranged in your mind.”
Circumstances will never determine your amount of happiness.
Circumstances only highlight who you already are. Many times a
career path starts because of circumstances, rather than priorities.
Family expectations, chance occurrences, a friendly teacher, or the
desire for money can lead us down a career path that’s ultimately
unfulfilling. It’s tough to make choices at eighteen that will be
meaningful at forty-five. Just recently, I saw a forty-four-year-old
client who opened with the comment “Dan, I’m tired of living my
life based on the decisions made by an eighteen-year-old.”
If your work life is not providing a sense of meaning, purpose, and
fulfillment, draw that line in the sand. Decide what your ideal day
would look like: How would you spend your time? What skills you
would use? Money is ultimately never enough compensation for
investing one’s time and energy. There must be a sense of meaning
and accomplishment. And yet a surprising thing frequently happens
on the way to fulfillment and worthy contribution: rather than
learning to live on “beans and rice” there is often the release of
a financial flood. It’s a myth that if you do what you love, then
you’ll have to be content to never make any money.
I have had the pleasure over the years of working with many people
in this process of refocused and authentic direction, where
ultimately the flow of money surprised them.
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I am frequently alarmed
when I hear someone describe how effectively they avoid work and
are still able to receive a paycheck. Do these people really enjoy
“not working?” Now I’m not talking about relaxing with friends and
family, or taking a cruise, or even taking a break to just walk
around the neighborhood. No, I’m talking about expending energy to
try to figure out how to avoid any real productive work while in
their place of employment.
Computers seem to have added to this malady. As long as someone is
sitting in front of a screen I guess it looks like work. People
check personal email, browse on eBay, and do their Christmas
shopping. Recently I was walking through a corporate office and
watched a woman playing solitaire. I commented to the person
showing me in and he dismissed it as that’s just what people do.
It appears that looking at a computer covers a world of
self-absorbed inefficiency. It the boss walks up you can always say
you’re teaching yourself some new software and thus saving the
company training dollars. You’re not a slacker – you’re a
self-starter.
I’ve encountered people who have purposely jammed the production
line so they could get in at least a 30-minute nap. Others who pay
co-workers to clock in for them. And then they complain about loss
of benefits or being laid off.
Don’t people realize that in avoiding work they are numbing
themselves to the process of innovation, creativity, profitability
and ultimately personal fulfillment? A meaningful life cannot
include deception and seeking payment for work not performed. Is it
any wonder companies are looking for ways to pay for “results”
rather than “time?”
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I’m continuing to browse
through the hundreds of questions that come in each week. I trust
that answering these each week provides some clarification both for
the person submitting the question and for thousands more of you
who are likely challenged by the same issue.
Just click on this 48
Days Online Radio link and you can ask about resumes,
interviewing, at-home business or finding your purpose in life.
That’s the same place you can listen to this week’s broadcast
immediately – no downloading – no wait. 48 Days Online Radio
Here are a few of the questions I addressed this week:
- I am a graphic
designer with 43 years experience. I have operated my business
for 15 years servicing local printing companies’ needs.
Because of the availability of computers and programs to
non-professionals, there has been a downturn in the need for
my services. What avenues would you suggest to build my
business back up, that would utilize my extensive skills?
- What do you do when
you've taken work because you needed an income, but have added
no new skills to your resume in years? I moved to a new city-
couldn't find a job in my field (television) and have been
trapped in administrative/ retail hell for 4.5 years. Work 2
jobs to make ends meet, but am getting nowhere.
- I make 140k per
year. I will be eligible to retire in 7yrs (@age 46). I am
completely bored and unchallenged. I have no debt except my
500K house. Should I just bite the bullet and wait until I retire
to find something else or lose my retirement and pursue my
interest in the construction real estate industry?
- I have been a
licensed Real Estate Agent for over 3 years, and this is the
worst year. Our local market is nothing near the panic that is
advertised locally, but I still have a hard time getting
leads, and then getting them to list or buy with me once they
come in. Any suggestions? (I can't afford a personal coach
right now.)
- My husband works
for his brother. He doesn't mind the work, but doesn't agree
with the way the company is run and worries about the future
of the company. My husband is well paid for our area and we
can't afford a pay cut at this time. We fear causing family
problems if he leaves. What would you suggest?
- I have lost touch
with what is really interesting. In childhood through
adulthood I developed a bad habit of suppressing my interests
to do what I thought was right, because I thought my interests
were "lusts of the flesh" or "loving this
world." How do I start over to learn what my real
God-given passions are?
You can submit your question right now – I’ll work as many in as
possible for this week's broadcast. 48 Days Online Radio
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Camping by the Colorado
River, a woman was surprised to see a man rowing down the river
screaming, "No! No! No!" Spotting another woman down the
shore, she ran over.
"Say," she said quickly, "shouldn't we do something
to help that man? He seems to be in distress."
The other woman looked up, her expression placid. "Oh, he's my
husband, and he's just fine."
"If he's fine, then why is he rowing down the river screaming
'no'?"
The other woman smiled. "During the week he's a corporate
'yes' man."
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Promote
Your Business Here
I receive many, many requests from people who would like me to
promote their book, product or service to our readers. For seven
years I have resisted doing that. However, many of them in fact are
products that would benefit our 48 Days readers. So beginning now,
for 2008, I am going to open the door, just a crack, to allow 4
businesses each week to be promoted here and on the 48 Days Online
Radio broadcast. The business has to be related to what we are
already doing – no lingerie or shampoos please. You can submit your
request here: 48 Days
Promotion
48 Days Seminars
For many years Dan has received requests from Coaches, Schools and
Churches to provide a curriculum to teach the 48 Days Principles.
The demand for "Career" coaching and guidance is as
rampant in our popular culture as the desire for weight loss and
financial help. Dan has created a turnkey workshop series complete
with Dan on DVD to “coach” your church, business, or organization
through the 48 Days Curriculum. All you need is a time, a place and
a DVD player and you can bring Dan in front of your group to help
them find the ‘Work They Love.’ Would you become one of our
champions and introduce us to your church, university, business, or
organization and together we will partner to bring this life
changing information to your community. Just send an email with
your name, your contact information, the church or organization
name and decision maker’s information to our National Seminar
Director Alan Thomas at seminars@48days.com.
As our thank you for helping us, you will instantly receive a link
for your e-copy of Dan's popular book, The Rudder of the Day.
Chuck Bowen Personal Financial Coaching
Chuck is a longtime friend and one of the most successful coaches I
know. He is President of our 48 Days Coaching Connection advisory
board, and is one of Dave Ramsey's coaches to all the other
financial coaches! Chuck has a thriving radio show in his home town
of San Antonio, TX. Chuck is offering his financial coaching
services to all 48 Days subscribers. Here’s a special bonus – if
you contact Chuck within the next 48 hours and mention 48 Days, you
will get a 30-minute planning/mentoring session...completely free.
You may call Chuck at his offices at 866-99-CHUCK (866-992-4825) –
also, even if you don’t need a personal coaching session, visit his
site now at www.chuckbowen.net
and sign up for his newsletter.
360 Identity
If you are a regular reader you know I love to create new products.
And an important part of having those products do well in the
marketplace is having a professional look – graphics that get your
attention. Bryce Davis at 360
Identity is the man behind the stunning look of our brand new
48 Days seminar package. If you’ve got a business and would like an
attention-getting look -- Check out360 Identity. Just to go 360 Identity 360 Identity to see exactly
what I’m talking about.
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48 Days
P.O. Box 681381
Franklin, TN 37068-1381
(615) 373-7771
www.48days.com
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