Archive for Personal Development
Break Down The Walls
Posted by: | CommentsDo you walk around with a chip on your shoulders? Do you feel the need to guard your heart in an effort to protect yourself from being hurt?
Maybe you’ve been hurt in the past. You might have had your heart broken. Maybe you’ve been terribly offended. If you find yourself answering yes to the above questions, no doubt you may have built up a wall to protect the wounds. You’ve probably put up a protective barrier to prevent the hurt from resurfacing.
This is perfectly normal. Just like a scab protects a wound, we all put up walls for protection.
The unfortunate thing is that these barriers are only masking the hurt. We’re not bringing healing to ourselves, we’re only sealing the pain. At some point in time, the past hurts will resurface and we’ll have to face them again.
Just like fear, you will have to face those past hurts. You have to forgive those who have done you wrong. You see, when you put up walls you’re not only blocking others from seeing who you are but you’re blocking yourself from gaining the full benefit of those around you.
Understand today that the world is not out to get you. Sometimes you have to break down those barriers and allow someone to see the light that’s in you. You have to go outside of yourself and seek ways to bless others.
Why not be so kind as to smile at a stranger? Let them see into your Read More→
Don’t Dress For Less, Dress For Success
Posted by: | CommentsPeople have a keen sense of ability to sum you up within a second of meeting you. They can make a quick determination on what type of person you are, where you’re headed in life, and your sense of self-worth.
I don’t think that you should stress over what others think of you, but I think that it’s worth your while to use these factors to your advantage. In other words, take control over the way others perceive you.
One of the best impressions that you can make is in the way you dress. Oftentimes, we forget the importance of dressing for success. We can get so used to dressing down or getting away with the least impressive outfit.
But I want to encourage you today, don’t be afraid to stand out. Don’t be afraid to make an impression.
I believe that not only is your dress connected to the way others perceive you but it’s greatly connected to your sense of self-worth. Every time you choose to put on that new blouse other than that ten year old torn T-Shirt, you’re communicating to yourself and others that you have a sense of high self-worth. Every time you choose to iron that wrinkled polo or button down dress shirt, you’re communicating that you took the time to care for yourself.
It’s also important to understand that the way you dress goes far beyond the shirt that you put on your back. There is a supernatural wardrobe that is oftentimes Read More→
ShareBenefits of Smiling
Posted by: | Comments“A smile confuses an approaching frown.” – Author Unknown
As we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the day, we tend to let our smile fade away. We forget the true benefit that a warm smile has on us and others around us.
I encourage you to start your day off with a smile. It will instantly curve your mood for the better and it will uplift another person’s mood in return.
Well you may say, “Jarrod, people won’t take me seriously if I walk around smiling for no reason.” I dare you to shake this mentality and open your range of thinking. You’re only focusing on the negative aspect of the spectrum, when thinking such a thought.
Too often we focus on the reason why everyone says we shouldn’t smile, but what about those reasons that we should smile? Here are a few reasons why you should smile:
- Smiling is contagious.
- Smiling has been proven to be an instant mood changer.
- When you smile you communicate to yourself that everything is okay.
- Studies have shown that employers promote employees who tend to smile more.
- People who smile are seen by most to be more confident.
- Smiling is universal body language.
- When you smile, the whole world smiles with you. When you frown you frown alone.
- It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown.
- You look better when you smile. After all, why do they always say Read More→
Live an Extraordinary Life
Posted by: | CommentsWhatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with they might…. Ecclesiastes 9:10
There are times when we find ourselves half stepping through the daily tasks that we pursue. It may be due to stagnation and complacency, pure habit, or lack of energy. There may be times when, although we’re due in at 8 am, that is the exact moment we set foot through the door.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s better to be there at 8 am than to arrive later. But you should strive go that extra mile. Why not be the exception and show up ten minutes early?
If someone asks you for a helping hand, lend them two. If your goal is to say a kind word to one random stranger a day, why not up that to two random strangers a day?
You see, God doesn’t want us to live an ordinary life. He doesn’t want you to go around with the attitude that, “Well, I’m doing somebody a favor by giving them my time. I really don’t have to be here, I’ve got a million and one other things I could be doing…” No, God wants you to lead an extraordinary life. You should aspire to go that extra distance.
I have a favorite quote that I often think about, and it says, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” When going about our daily lives, we should look for ways to be extraordinary.
Instead of throwing that aluminum can out with the trash, try recycling it that would make all the difference. Maybe you want to hold that door open for that person entering in after you today. Or maybe you’re waiting in a long line at the bank, why not Read More→
Have You Had Your Priority Check Lately? (3 Easy Steps To Get Back On Track)
Posted by: | CommentsHave you found that your priorities have gotten out of order and have become extremely mis-aligned?
We may find that overtime, we allow our priorities to take a dive for the worse, as we focus on things that are not so important in life.
Just like we vow to devote to spring cleaning in the spring, we have to devote to our priorities just the same, only much more often.
When was the last time you had a priority check?
From the hustle and bustle of our busy schedules, what is most important for us can easily fall into last place. Here are 3 crucial steps to help bring order back to life:
1. Write down what’s most important to you – Make a list of what’s important in your life, with the most important being on top and the least important being on the bottom. It doesn’t matter how long the list but keep in mind, the shorter the list the more defining it will be.
2. Decipher what it will take to bring order back to your life – After you have made your list, brainstorm on ways to make it become a reality. It may not be as easy as one-two-three. It may end up being something that you have to sleep on or seek counsel about. But this is something worth doing for yourself.
3. Take action – Taking action is one of the more, if not the most, important steps out of the three. It’s easy to talk the talk but you have to walk the walk. Just like the scripture says, faith without works it dead. Sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves, dip into some elbow grease, and break a little sweat.
You may find that life is much easier, once you set your priorities in line. You Read More→
ShareTry Plus ‘Umph’ Equals Victory
Posted by: | CommentsWhatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might… – Ecclesiastes 9:10
Today I came across a quote that says, ‘Triumph is just “Umph” added to try.’ When I read this, it pierced my heart. It struck a chord with me because it further confirmed that we should attack everything we do with all our might.
If you read my blog regularly, you know that another favorite quote of mine exclaims, “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work in Excellence.”
Every task that you put your hands to do, do it with excellence. You’ve got to put forward that extra “umph” because giving it all you got is what’s going to cause you to triumph.
Too often we find ourselves with a zest and zeal for something in the beginning stages. If you want to learn a new instrument, you’ll find that at first you delight in sitting down to practice. The moment a challenge comes along, it becomes an excuse for not picking the instrument up again.
You see, at first the instrument is fresh and exciting to us. And anything that’s new, we have an appreciation for. We go after it because the vision is within reach.
The second we lose that umph is the second we stop trying. But it’s important that you keep that motivation sparked up inside of you. You must remain consistent from day to day in order to come out on top.
It’s one thing to go after your passions with effort. But what really matters, is Read More→
ShareEmpowerment Begins On The Inside
Posted by: | CommentsAre you empowered? What are your expectations for the day? Are you expecting something good to happen today or do you just go with the flow and barely get by?
Empowerment begins on the inside. Sometimes we have to be our own catalyst for change. We have to recognize our own strengths and play on that.
Some people go around looking for praises and are looking to others to encourage them. But the truth is we have to encourage ourselves. It all starts with that small flame that we have on the inside.
We have to be the fuel that makes that flame grow bigger. That flame should be to the point that it grows at an overwhelming rate into a great flame of courage, passion, and motivation.
You should be such a positive spark of influence that others around you benefit indirectly just from being in your presence. You have to know that you are a winner. You are equipped with everything that you need to become who God wants you to be. But it all starts inside, you have to believe that you can fulfill your destiny. The truth is that most people won’t believe in you until you first believe in yourself. So hold your head up, put your shoulders back and stick your chest out, stand tall and know that you can conquer anything that you put your hands to do.
I have a favorite saying that states: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.” It’s those thoughts that you hold about yourself that will determine your outcome in life. You have to make the choice to wipe out all negative thoughts that speak death into your life.
You are destined for greatness and you can excel and be the best in everything that you can do. Make a choice to empower yourself and to be a light for someone else today as you charge forth on your journey of life
Share9 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→
ShareGo 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→
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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→