============================================ THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER Time is a scarce thing. We never have enough of it and are always looking for ways to get more. Because of this, it is extremely important that we spend our time focusing on things that will help us to improve. Today, we will cover a time-wasting activity that may be holding you back from greater success and happiness. You've heard the expression about the grass being greener on the other side too many times to keep count. And it seems like that sometimes. It's hard not to feel that we would be better off if only we had been born into different circumstances, or were lucky like some of our friends or family. But it's simply not true. Those who have been able to get to that elusive grass on the other side realize all too quickly that things are much the same as before. It is not the environment as much as it is the person that causes success or failure. TWO WORLDS COLLIDE I recently had the unique experience of speaking with one of my managers and one of her subordinates in the same afternoon. The conversations made it clear that people need to focus their time on fixing and not on wishing. Jenny, a veteran manager, came into my office wanting to discuss some problems she was having with her employees. She explained to me that they weren't working with enough dedication to make the project succeed. Jenny didn't feel they were paying her enough respect, and thought they would act very different had they walked in her shoes. 'Things would be so much easier if I was in their shoes. They don't know how nice they have it.' Soon after, Steve, one of the employees mentioned in the previous conversation, entered my office. He wanted to let me know that Jenny wasn't respecting any of the employees. They were working as hard as they could, but she just demanded more and more. If she knew how it was on their end, she would whistle a very different tune. 'If I was in management, I wouldn't have these problems. Things would be much easier if I was in her position.' In the same afternoon both parties thought the other had it better. Instead of focusing their time and attention on doing what they could to correct a problem, they spoke only of the advantages the other side possessed, and how much better things would be if they could change their position. The problem with this line of thinking is that nothing is done to improve the situation. With every moment spent talking about how 'they' have it better, the current circumstances continue to decline. You have to realize where your attention is. If you are constantly telling yourself and others that things in your life would be so much better if you were born in a different place, had different parents, or grew up with different experiences you will never be able to change where you are now. All of your time and energy will be spent on thinking about what if's, and not on taking steps to improve your life. WHERE ARE YOU FOCUSING? A close friend of mine, Robert, has been dealing with an addiction to smoking for the past ten years. Unfortunately, I believe it will continue for many more because of the very issue we are discussing today. When the subject comes up, he will tell you every reason why he can't quit smoking. Every time someone mentioned that others have succeeded he would explain how they had it easier and he would quit if only he had...(fill in the blank). Robert spends all of his time thinking others have it better and that his situation is hopeless. If he could see that the ones who have quit smoking did so under the same circumstances as he had, he may change his outlook. But until that happens he will continue to focus on how others are better off, paying little attention to an actual solution to his problem. The place you find yourself in at this very moment is where you need to focus your time and energy. It doesn't matter if you think you would be better off if you were in different circumstances. You are where you are, and that is where you must work from in order to achieve better results. When you decide to accept your circumstances and begin making changes, you'll need all the tools you can acquire to help you along the way. That is why I have written a guidebook for those in need of instant motivation. Motivated in Minutes contains over 1,000 ideas to help you take what you have now and make it into what you truly desire. The three activities you can do to discover what you desire most in life, the one mental trick to help you overcome the fear of failure every time, and the one handheld tool that will instantly motivate you regardless of the goal are just a few of the things you will learn in Motivated in Minutes. To learn more about how Motivated in Minutes can help you get what you want, simply click the link below: http://www.motivation123.com/book.html ---------------------------------------------------- AOL USERS LINK ---------------------------------------------------- Wishing you the very best, Jason M. Gracia Motivation123 http://www.motivation123.com/book.html ============================================