Mindset Molds Your Merriment

People often ask me how I stay so positive while job seeking, so I decided to share some of my personal tips to maintain a good perspective on life.

1. Believe in yourself and your abilities; if you don't, no one else will either.
2. Find your passion. What drives you, makes you tick, is your purpose, and brings you joy? Determine those and let them guide your journey.
3. Have a game plan. You have to prepare for the inevitable AND unforeseen. Be strategic, try to determine all the different possible scenarios, and prepare accordingly.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff; ACCEPT what is. Some things are out of your control. Think like Elsa and "LET IT GO!" 
5. Failure and rejection are part of #life; LEARN from them. Pity parties are detrimental to the soul. Grit and determination are what matter. Omit "Can't" and "Quit" from your vocabulary.
6. Lose the attitude; anger and resentment are a waste of energy and lead you one place... NOWHERE. It's not what we carry with us, but what we let go of that defines who we are (Zen).
7. Pray/meditate. Both keep you grounded, focused, and relaxed. Do it often.
8. Serve others. Volunteer at church, school, nursing home, food bank, animal shelter, etc. Serving others cultivates an attitude of gratitude and empathy; you need BOTH to be successful.
9. Make "Me time." Find something small that you enjoy doing and treat yourself to it at least once a week.
10. UNPLUG from the "Matrix." Spend time with your loved ones. Time is a gift, NOT a guarantee.
11. SMILE. Life is what you make of it. Fake it to make it if you have to. Eventually, smiling will become an immediate and natural response.
12. Be Silly. Life is short; every day we spend above ground is a reason to celebrate. Enjoy it.
13. Attitude is a choice, so choose it wisely. Do not allow negative thoughts to corrupt your internal monologue EVER.
14. You reap what you sow, so sow #kindness always.
15. Never put yourself or others down, both are unproductive, unprofessional, and leave lasting scars on the heart.
16. Dream Big and when you achieve your goals, extend your hand to lift another up.
17. Make a daily routine/schedule and FOLLOW IT. Human beings thrive on familiarity.
18. Sleep 7-8 hours a day. Trust me, you need it. Well-rested individuals consistently think better and are more efficient.
19. Eat a well-balanced diet. Some treats are fine, but they shouldn't be the norm. You are what you eat.
20. Exercise 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. We're all tired, make the effort. In the immortal words of Nike, "Just do it."
21. Be a lifelong student. Up-skilling is crucial for job seeking. Remember, knowledge is power.
22. Be organized. When you "fly by the seat of your pants," it shows. Professionals and leaders manage their time and commitments. It doesn't matter if you use paper or digital calendars; use what works for you and be consistent.
23. Set and review your weekly and monthly goals. Celebrate your Wins and learn from your Losses. Reevaluate and adjust as needed.
24. Remember, life is a precious gift. Be grateful for your blessings; things could always be worse. If life was easy, they'd call is something else; that's why it's referred to as "growing pains."
25. Spread the joy! Be a light bearer to others and your reward is a jubilant and satisfied heart.

"Life is full of teachable moments; learn, grow, adapt, and live. Anything less is unacceptable."

Be the change. It all starts with you and your commitment to yourself. Sitting on your rump assures you of one thing... stagnancy. When push comes to shove, CHOOSE a positive attitude, accept what is, determine your course of action, dig your cleats in, and persevere.

The path of least resistance is usually NOT intended to be part of your journey. You are the master of your destiny, so what will you choose? I choose optimism and perseverance.

#TFish