Archive for April, 2010
5 Goals Worth Setting
Posted by: | CommentsI often write about setting and establishing goals. If you’re an avid reader of my blog, by now you know the importance in setting goals.
If you’re wondering what goals are worth setting, then began by asking yourself these questions. What are you passionate about? What do you like to do? By answering these questions you create a sense of direction as to what type of goals you want to fulfill. To help out, I’ve formulated a list of 5 goals that are worth setting.
1. Start a workout regiment – The most common goal or new years resolution for most is losing weight and getting into shape. There is a huge benefit in this goal because not only are you working to achieve the body that you want, but you’re increasing your level of health. Physical exercise adds years onto your life, it’s great for the heart, and combats high blood pressure.
2.Wake up at 5 am – You may wonder what is so specific about 5 am. This is the time before the break of day. It’s also the time when we’re in our deepest sleep. Studies show that we’re in our deepest state of sleep right before we wake up. This is what makes it so hard to fight off those early morning zzz’s. It may be difficult to wake up out of your deep sleep but the morning hours are often times the most peaceful and the most productive part of the day.
3. Start a business – We all know the benefits in starting a business. You get to Read More→
9 Ways to Boost Confidence
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I was younger I didn’t have the best confidence ever in myself. I was more on the reserved, quiet side. What irked me the most is when I was conversing with others and they would say those ever so simple words, “just be confident.”
When you went to driving school, the instructor didn’t say, “just drive.” In math class the teacher didn’t say “just add and subtract.” No, there were lectures involved. There were lessons on how to drive or add and subtract. So for me coming up, if someone said, “just be confident,” that was almost like adding salt to the wound.
As I got older and grew more into myself, I learned that confidence is a frame of mind. It’s about believing in yourself. Believing that you can achieve anything you put your hands to do. When you believe in yourself then your body language will mirror the beliefs you hold about yourself.
While confidence is a frame of mind there are also physical body language attributes that you can change about yourself to project self-confidence. Below I’ve devised a list of nine ways to help boost confidence.
1. Think enough of yourself – Although Romans 12:3 declares that man should not think more highly of himself, I believe that there should be a balance between thinking too highly of yourself and not thinking enough of yourself. Self-confidence begins with the thoughts and beliefs you hold about yourself. Observe any negative thoughts that you may have and change them into positive thoughts.
I say this scripture in almost every blog and I believe it should be a scripture that you say on a daily basis but, you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Once you embed this scripture and principal into your mind, then will you begin to see a rise in your self esteem.
2. Smile – Studies show that a warm smile is an instant mood changer. When you smile genuinely, for more than thirty seconds, you start to create positive feelings within your core being. Studies also show that people who smile more often appear more friendly and more approachable. Other studies show that employers unconsciously promote employees who smile more often. A smile is one of the key factors in boosting self-confidence. You should try it more often.
3. Posture – Studies show that 60-80 percent of what you’re saying isn’t coming out of your mouth. When you walk around slouched over and looking at the ground, you’re indicating to others that you don’t care enough about yourself. By standing taller, lifting up your chin up, and putting your shoulders back, you will naturally project more confidence. Remember, you teach others how to treat you. Don’t give them a reason to Read More→
Six Phrases To Eliminate From Your Vocabulary
Posted by: | CommentsSome of the phrases that we say on nearly a daily basis are very damaging to our psyche. Would you tell your three year old child that he would never amount to nothing? Why would you say that to yourself?
You may not directly say that to yourself in those exact words but you communicate that to yourself indirectly, through other words and phrases. Remember, anything you say to yourself over and over again, whether good or bad, is something that you start to believe. You embed those thoughts and behaviors into your mind.
The same words and behaviors that you choose to use around children, should be the same care that you exercise when talking to yourself. Below, I’ve devised six phrases that should be eliminated from your vocabulary.
1. I Can’t – It’s no wonder that you never end up accomplishing the things that you want out of life, when you tell yourself that you can’t do something. When you go about life with an attitude that you can’t, then you never will. Change your mentality from an I can’t to a Can Do mentality.
2. I don’t deserve – At a young age, we’re all taught to be humble and put others before ourselves, and I agree. However, there are times when you have to consider yourself. You have to reward yourself for your own hard work. Many people sabotage themselves because they focus on what they feel they don’t deserve. Eliminate this phrase from your mentality and reward yourself for the things that you do deserve.
3. I’m not good enough – I’ve been playing drums for about 18 years now. One of the phrases that I’ve heard way too often coming up, while conversing with others, is “I’m not good enough.” Many people would ask me, “how are you so coordinated? How do you do this with your right hand, while doing that with your left foot, while keeping your right foot going?” And the next thing I hear them utter to themselves is, “wow, I’m not that coordinated, I don’t see how you do it. I could never learn to play drums like that.”
Many of the challenges that we’re well capable of, we end up Read More→
Two Powerful Words, Thank You
Posted by: | Comments“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward
There is a natural tendency for us humans to constantly want more, it’s in our nature. It’s always about the next best thing. What are the trends now-a-days? What is everybody getting? These are two questions that you may often ask yourself.
Companies are making a fortune because they know that in spite of the recession, or regardless of the drop in the economy that there is always a demand for new technology. When the iphone came out, people waited in long lines to get one. They did the same with the ipad and a host of other new gadgets on the scene.
With technology constantly changing and progressing, it’s very easy to lose focus on what we already have. We tend to forget about the things that we are thankful for.
Do you find yourself getting caught up in the hype and wanting the newest thing that’s come out on the market? Remember, God honors those who show gratitude for the good in their life. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the day that we forget to say thank you.
Just like today’s saying states, there are 86,400 seconds in a day. I don’t know about you my friend but that sounds like too big of a number to not take 1 second to simply say thank you.
Gratitude is so powerful that they devoted a whole day to show thanks for the discovery of America. Every third Thursday in November businesses shut down and family comes in town to celebrate Thanksgiving. We take out time to focus on how much we have to be thankful for.
Why wait until Thanksgiving day to say thank you. I believe you will have more peace of mind when you show gratitude everyday. There is power in those 2 words, thank you. Read More→
Edison’s Persistence, Can You Use It?
Posted by: | Comments“Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.” – Louis D. Brandeis
One of my all time favorite inventors of all time is Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb. We can’t help but marvel at Edison’s drive, persistence, and determination because it was reported that he had about nine-thousand (9,000) failed attempts at inventing the light bulb.
What really moves me about Edison is that in spite of the way it seemed, he was determined to achieve what he sought after. I could imagine that during the attempt to create the light bulb, he had naysayers around him urging him to give up, urging him that it’s impossible and pointless. But Edison’s persistence is an example that motivates us today.
Edison changed the world because had he given up, we probably wouldn’t have the luxury of light in the world we live in today. Most people have a hard time trying 9 times, much less nine-thousand times at something. Most would give up after the first sign of failure. Some will give up at the first word of discouragement from their peers. Are you among this number?
What really inspires us about Edison’s persistence is that after asked how it felt to have had nine-thousand failed attempts at creating the light bulb, he said, “it felt great, for every time, I learned a way NOT to create the light bulb.”
Do you find yourself doing the same thing over and over, only to achieve the same results?
Edison didn’t fall into stagnation, he thought outside of the box. We can learn from Edison’s magnificence, for he’s living proof that it is possible to do what the world said is impossible.
You can achieve the impossible. The bible affirms that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. Nothing is impossible through Christ. Find what Read More→
Go Out With A Bang
Posted by: | CommentsA wise man once said, “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.”
Are you living your life with passion, zest, or zeal? I’m sure you’ve heard all the cliches… live life in the moment- or seize every given opportunity. At some point in time it becomes easier to dish out the saying than it is to live by these words of inspiration.
I guess the real question should be, what are you doing to make the best out of every moment? Do you create opportunities for yourself? Do you have a plan in place to make the best out of life? Just as the saying above goes, “…live in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.”
Give to others
Make an impact on someone’s life today. Extend a helping hand. Remember, as the scripture says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Every time you extend a helping hand, every time you give a generous tip to the pizza man, or hold a door open for someone else, or even simply smile at a stranger in public, God sees that and He honors that. He looks at the sincerity of your heart when you Read More→
Eighteen Wheeler or Porsche, Which is Better?
Posted by: | CommentsThe eighteen wheeler is unique in many ways. Once the light signal turns green, the eighteen wheeler has the hardest time out of all of the vehicles on the road to get up to speed. It has so much cargo that even the design and mechanics built into it is different than that of the typical car.
Once the eighteen wheeler builds up speed and momentum you better watch out because there can be no sudden stops. In fact it takes just as much effort to stop an eighteen wheeler as it does to get it up to speed.
One benefit about an eighteen wheeler is that it has the strongest momentum on the road. If we shifted all cars into neutral during the drive in an effort to see which could last longer before stopping on its own, we can be certain that the eighteen wheeler will go the furthest before coming to a stop.
Another benefit of the eighteen wheeler is that it can carry the most cargo on the road. They’re responsible for our oil, groceries, and outlet store merchandise. They most certainly have their place on the roadways.
The Porsche Philosophy
The Porsche is known for it’s ability to reach high speeds in the shortest amount of time. They are also easier to come to a stop because of their compact build and the fact that they sit lower to the ground. Although they have lots of power, the Porsche isn’t made for a lot of merchandise. In fact the average Porsche can’t sit any more than 2 people with little to no Read More→
Avoid the Naysayers, Tune Into the Voices of Life
Posted by: | CommentsI was watching the movie Dr. Dolittle today and it reminded me of the way we talk to ourselves and the people we hang around. You see, Eddie Murphy’s character in the movie could hear the animals talking to him. And there was this one particular scene in the movie where the hamster was calling him names like, crazy man, weirdo, dummy, you name it- every dirty name in the book, the hamster called him that name.
I got to thinking, it may not be so bad if I heard animals talking to me because I’m the type of person that would simply ignore them. I would tune the animals out to the point to where people around me would never know that I could hear them.
Then I thought that although I may be able to tune out the animals, I can’t control what comes out of their mouths. It’s like being a parent and not being able control what channel is playing on TV while your kids are watching. Good luck.
The thing about having this problem is that seemingly, everywhere you go there are animals. You go outside there are birds talking to you. People are walking their dogs. There are Read More→
5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Accepting a Yes
Posted by: | Comments“Don’t settle for a yes, rise above to find a yes.” – Jarrod Clark
We have a natural ability to want to go where we’re accepted. When were told no so many times, we go to settle for any yes that we get.
Sometimes the yes that you accept isn’t always the yes that God has for you. I always say that when one door closes another opens. Yes, but every door that’s open unto you isn’t necessarily the door that’s best for you. It’s the sad truth.
How do you know when a door is meant for you?
Sometimes it can be a rather difficult task to be able to discern what pathways to take. Here’s a list of 5 questions that will help you come to that conclusion:
1) Does the opportunity benefit you? Some opportunities are like poison in disguise. They look like the perfect opportunity from an entering standpoint but ultimately there’s nothing in it for you. In fact some opportunities have the ability to kill your dreams and goals.
2) Is it in line with God’s will for your life? Some pathways lead to the pot at the end of the rainbow but the receiver ends up sacrificing his integrity, morals, values and neglects God’s will for his life.
3) Are the people involved supportive? I’m a strong believer that the people you surround yourself around have a huge benefit on where you’re headed in life. If you allow the wrong people to get into your mind and deter your Read More→
Open Door Policy, Your Challenge For Me
Posted by: Jarrod Clark | Comments (0)In the corporate world, employees are told that they have an Open Door Policy. To sum up, an Open Door Policy is simply an assurance clause that employers will provide to employees that simply states that you have open access to talk to any employer at anytime about anything.
If you feel uncomfortable or feel that there is room for improvement in the work force, you can go to an employer and state your concerns.
Here at Optimistic Journey my mission statement and utmost importance is providing motivational and encouraging blogs to my readers. Often times, when brainstorming for topics for blogs, I often try to put myself in the mind frame of you, the readers. Before I sit down to write, I ask myself: How can I help my subscribers? What do they need to hear?
Your challenge for me
I really appreciate your support here at optimistic journey so I want to hear from you. If there are any areas of personal development that you would like to see me attack, whether it be giving, receiving, gratitude, depression, anger, joy, the Word of God… anything, please leave me a message at Jarrod@optimisticJourney.com and state your topic and challenge for me. If you simply have a question, please email askJarrod@optimisticjourney.com as it will help me to distinguish between the two.
I’m up for the challenge. Anything that concerns you, anything that you Read More→