Evaluate yourself/not others

I love this!

The key is to evaluate and improve oneself, not criticize and demean.

When we have a vision of who we want to become and can evaluate what it will take to grow into that person (constructive criticism not be-littling or self-depreciating) it will actually make us happier in the pursuit.

Again, there is a HUGE difference between evaluating and improving versus criticizing and condemning. The goal is to grow into our vision and that starts with acceptance of who/where we are and then finding and implementing the “tweaks” we need in order for that vision to come to fruition.

One other option, as the quote above implies, is to sit on our haunches and be so self-satisfied that we find flaws and judge others harshly.

That option helps noone and absolutely hurts our own souls.

So I choose option 1 ;).

I love who I am and where I am at in life, and I also know I (and the world) will love and benefit from who I am becoming even more!

Happy Thursday!

-Dr. Lindeman

What are you focused on?

Many times, we focus on results.

On the surface, seems like the best thing(s) to focus on. After all, results are the best and easiest things to measure.

However, when you think about it, no matter how hard we try: the results are exactly what we have only partial control over.

There are too many variables in life for us to think we can control them all and therefore can control our results.

Weather changes, tragedies, external stimuli, availability of the things we need, etc can and will throw wrenches in our path toward the results we desire.

Think if it this way: Our input x external stimuli = results

What we can control is the effort to change. We can control our side of the equation. And truth be told, usually if we focus on what we can control, the curveballs life throws at us will become more manageable and allow us to love toward the results we desire.

So today, focus on what you can control, your heart, your effort, your vision and then resize no matter the hurdles (the other factors in the equation), we will move forward.

Happy Monday!

-Dr Lindeman

Practice (visualize) the way you want to be/play

So I was looking for a practice putting mat to work on my (atrocious) putting at home.

I found this image on one of the items…

Let’s just say if this guy is practicing his “putting” this way at home, his wife/partner is not going to be very happy at the results of his play. (He’s going to put that ball right through the window and into the neighbor’s house.)

This got me thinking: When you “practice” your ideal future (a.k.a. visualize, dream, etc), make sure you are precise in your outcomes. It won’t help you too much if you visualize putting by lining up your driver and letting the big dog eat (so they say).

You need to get a clear picture in your mind of where you want to go, who you want to be and what you want to achieve.

Only then, can you take the baby steps it takes to succeed.

Happy Thursday!

-Dr. Lindeman

Small steps

How I started using baby steps to bring about positive change in my life | by Adam Kruger | Ascent Publication

“Small steps may appear unimpressive, but don’t be deceived. They are the means by which perspectives are subtly altered, mountains are gradually scaled, and lives are drastically changed.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

I think that many times, when we look at where we want to go in our lives, we can become discouraged at the GAP between here and there.

We make the HUGE mistake of focusing on the end result, way out in the distance (and many times, that “finish line” continues to move further away as our aspirations change as well) instead of realizing the only way we will get there is to put one foot in front of the other in that general direction.

I use the word general on purpose, because I also believe we make the mistake of thinking from here to there will be a straight line…

It is never a straight line…

So today, do two major (minor) things:

Take a baby step in the general direction of where you want to go, and who you want to be.
Realize you may veer a bit right or left, up or down toward the horizon

Do both of these things, and then when you lay your head down tonight, know you have succeeded this Wednesday!

-Dr. Lindeman

Passion & Work Ethic

This is a great message from Simon Sinek. (If you haven’t signed up for his daily motivation service, check it out here.

I believe having a strong work ethic and having passion for what you “do” are both vitally important.

I also believe one can lead to the other.

Even if you are not passionate about your daily job right now, if you dive in to making sure you have a strong work ethic, if you are passionate about that alone, you more than likely will find enjoyment and things you CAN be passionate about daily.

It is also possible to be passionate about something (art, music, etc) but unless coupled with a strong work ethic in those endeavors, you will not achieve nor will you grow in those avenues.

You can CHOOSE your work ethic, so put some energy into that today.

-Happy Wednesday!

Dr. Lindeman

The Power of Positive Summit

So, if you’ve read anything I’ve ever written, you probably know I’m a believer in finding the positive, and that positivity is a choice.

That’s why I LOVE what Jon Gordon and his team put together once a year.

Check it out here: https://www.powerofpositivesummit.com

There are a lot of bite-sized inspirational talks, given by people from all walks of life (coaches, speakers, charity founders, teachers) and they are wonderful.

Some of my favorite quotes so far:

“You don’t choose your negative thoughts but you can choose not to listen to them”-Jay Glazer

“The best way to win the day is to win the moment. Moments turn into days, days into weeks and weeks into years.”-Doshia Woods

“Unshakeable confidence isn’t about the results. It’s about self awareness.”-David Nurse

“It’s not always the path of least resistance that gets you where you want to go, it’s the path that’s worth taking”-Sam Acho

“When we focus on honoring others as our mission in life, differences fade. Prejudice becomes a foreign concept.”- Miles McPherson

There are a LOT more. You should definitely check it out.

You most likely will find something there to help fuel you daily, and I guarantee it will make your Tuesday a little happier!

-Dr Lindeman

Growth not accolades

In his book, The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek discusses the ideas of constant improvement.

Too often, businesses (and individuals) look at this constant improvement in the form of procedures, policies, accolades, awards, etc.

There is absolutely nothing wrong woth all of that.

However, the true idea of constant improvement should come in the forms of improving teamwork, mindset, skills, connection with others, compassion and leadership.

These traits are more important because they drive us to create a better now, and to leave a better legacy fo the sake of our family, friends, customers, loved ones and communities. The accolades are achieved as a result of these things.

The great (and sometimes frustrating, depending on how you choose to look at it) thing about these intrinsic improvements (as opposed to accolades and awards) is that there is no “finish line.” The goal is to constantly improve, not to “arrive.”

So today, envision your life improving for the sake of improvement and any awards, goals or et cetera are just mile markers along the infinite game of life.

Have an amazing Tuesday!

-Dr Lindeman

Don’t let fear drive

This is a great statement.

I believe that fear holds so many people back from achieving their dreams. As I wrote in my book, Purposely Positive, How to Live an Intentional and Inspired Life (I don’t really love quoting from my own book, but I’ll make an exception because it applies to this quote as well)

“The flip-side of inspiration is fear, and fear keeps you stuck right where you are. I’m not bad-mouthing fear here. Fear (like all emotions) is vitally important to your survival. If you didn’t have fear, plain and simple… you’d be fertilizer by now. A healthy fear of picking a fight with a honey badger is a good thing. Don’t lose that survival fear. The key is knowing the difference between that and the nonsense voices that fear puts into your head. Fear is about withdrawing (and with good reason), but it should never lead you.”

Fear is vitally important, but is should never drive you toward improvement.
Fear is almost always about the very-short-term. Fear does not create long-term success.

Fear should not be your chauffer on the drive to realizing your dreams.

Let fear have it’s say, but focus on your heart.

Focus on your why.

Focus on achieving your dreams that have rooted in your heart and soul.

Let your love drive you.

Have a fantastic Wednesday!

-Dr. Lindeman

Your light, not someone else’s

Too often we can find ourselves comparing our lives, our successes, our failures to the lives/successes/failures of others.

We can and should find inspiration/motivation from others, but we CANNOT and SHOULD NOT define ourselves that way.

Our lives are our own.

Your light is your own and it is very different from the light of every single other human being on this planet.

The only “people” we should compare ourselves to is who we were yesterday, and who we want to be tomorrow.

Don’t compare your light, SHARE your light!

Happy Thursday!

-Dr. Lindeman

Listen to learn, listen for success

“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” —Bernard M. Baruch

How annoying is it when you are telling someone something, and they keep interrupting?

How annoying is it when people listen to respond, rather than listening to learn?

How often are you that annoying? 🙂

I am guilty of this at times.

Sometimes it is because we are bursting with excitement, eager to contribute to the conversation. That in itself isn’t a bad thing.

The problem arises in that when we listen to respond, we aren’t actually listening at all. Instead we are formulating what we want to say, rather than learning from others. We aren’t opening our minds nor our hearts to them, instead we are solely focused on allowing our brain to flex it’s muscles.

Leading with love is always the best choice.

There is a book I read a while back: Listening is an Act of Love. It’s a great book, and the title is poignant.

When we TRULY listen to others, we open our hearts, souls, minds and our worlds to possibility.

When we TRULY listen, we gain experience and insight that can lead to success (no matter how you define it) in our lives.

So on this glorious Wednesday, take time to LISTEN to others. Or in other words:

Have a fantastic day!

-Dr. Lindeman

P.S. Check out this blog for more insight on this topic: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/shhh/