This Moment Matters

Simple Reminders for a Better Life and Better Business - by Shawn Ellis

[shawnellis-blog]

Today was leg day at the gym.

As I was looking in the mirror at my legs, all sorts of judgment and negative thoughts started coming into my mind: “Look at those scrawny legs. Ew!” (your voice is in my head @fallontonight) 

Then, this thought came to my mind: 

“Wait a minute, you’re AT the gym. THAT is the measure of success. It’s not what your legs look like compared to what you’d LIKE them to look like. It’s that your legs are better today than they were yesterday.”

(Speaking of “ew!” I feel like I just talked way too much about my legs.)

Anyway... that’s what inspired me to write this on my whiteboard today.

Maybe you need to hear it, too.

Celebrate your progress.

Don’t judge yourself against perfection.

You are not a failure...

You ARE a success.

[purplebuddhaproject]

[sketchesinstillness]

Yogi Turtle-

[shawnellis-blog]

20 Tips to Live and Work Like This Moment Matters in 2016

Get the full list at http://www.shawnellis.com/20tips

[shawnellis-blog]

The Checklist of Life

Imagine there's a checklist with all the possible experiences in life - different kinds of love, different kinds of joy, different kinds of pain... every possible experience is on the list.

Everything we experience is a chance to check something off that list. Sometimes what we experience is awesome, and sometimes what we experience SUCKS, plain and simple... but no matter what, the more we experience, the richer our life experience.

I haven't experienced the worst pain in life, but I've experienced more than I would have ever asked for. Still, I wouldn't trade any of it away, because it's the pain that has made me who I am, and given me the perspective that I have on life.

Believe me, I still get frustrated. I still feel sadness. I still get angry. All those things. But once I get past those temporary feelings, I come back to a place where I can say, I am GRATEFUL.

Each moment of life is a gift, if you choose to see it that way.

I hope you're able to see it that way. If not now, one day.

Peace to you, my friend and fellow traveler.

[forbes]

Six Ways To Earn Respect At Work

So here’s the deal…respect is something you have to earn – it’s not something handed out free on a silver platter. If you want to earn respect, here are some suggestions:

1) Pay Attention To Your Title.  It’s how people in and outside your organization judge your value to it.

2) Know Your Responsibilities.  You need to be clear on what your current role is, so that you can make a case for a promotion once you’ve mastered it.

3) Know What You Want Next.  In order to advance, you have to know what you want next in your career.

4) Watch Your Image.  You have to look the part to earn respect.

5) Don’t Break Confidences.  You’ll gain trust and respect by practicing discretion.

6) Have Patience.  Any decision made out of impatience, usually turns out to be the wrong one.

Read more.

[fastcompany]

… it’s better to work highly focused for short periods of time, with breaks in between, than to be partially focused for long periods of time. Think of it as a sprint, rather than a marathon. You can push yourself to your limits for short periods of time, so long as you have a clear stopping point. And after a rest, you can sprint again.

Engagement pro Tony Schwartz’s productivity tip: Dedicate 50-90 minute bursts to focusing on just one task. (via fastcompany)

[melissa-mia]

motivational quotes

[illness-to-wellness]

It is over; do not try to rewrite it differently.

Ten word story, 131/365 (e.f.a.)

[abiding-in-peace]

The whole path of mindfulness is this: Whatever you are doing, be aware of it.

Dipa Ma (via abiding-in-peace)

[shawnellis-blog]

Today’s word is... FASCINATING!

Fascinating, according to Merriam-Webster, means “extremely interesting.” Synonyms include appealing, captivating, charming, luring, and magnetic.

Even the word, fascinating, sounds fascinating, doesn’t it?

But I wonder... when is the last time you said, “That’s fascinating!”?

Listen to today’s episode of “This Moment Matters” and I’ll share a couple of things that have fascinated me recently. More importantly, I want to encourage you to be fascinated today.

You mean, “stop and smell the roses”?

Yeah, that... but not only that. There’s more. (There’s always more! This is LIFE we’re talking about here.)

Give yourself a few minutes to listen, and then, if you’d like, leave a comment and let us know something that you find fascinating right now.

(via https://soundcloud.com/shawnspeaks/be-fascinated?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=tumblr)

[shawnellis-blog]

The word of the day is FASCINATING. Look around and be fascinated today! (HINT: Look in the mirror. YOU are fascinating!) 

Here’s something that fascinated me this morning:

var playerhost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://shawnellis.s3.amazonaws.com/ezs3js/secure/" : "http://shawnellis.s3.amazonaws.com/ezs3js/player/"); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + playerhost + "mp3/D6496702-D4AE-52BC-EDCD68F5A57313FC.js?t="+(Math.random() * 99999999)+"' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));

(Heard on my morning walk. Turn up your audio if needed.)

[shawnellis-blog]

I got a sticker today!! Wanna here how I got it?! I’d love to tell you about it. I think you’ll enjoy the story. More than that, though, if you listen, I promise you’ll learn something that you’ll have a chance to practice before the day is done. And your -- and someone else’s -- life will be better because of it.

(via https://soundcloud.com/shawnspeaks/i-got-a-sticker?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=tumblr)

[shawnellis-blog]

Create Yourself Anew

In this moment, you can create yourself anew. You need not consult your past. You need not ask for permission. The choice is yours.  Choose to align your thoughts, words, and actions with what you know to be the best version of yourself. 

[shawnellis-blog]

As long as we want to be interesting, distinct, special, and worthy of special praise, we are pulled away from the deep realization that we are like other people, that we are part of the human race, and, in the final analysis, that we are not different but the same.

Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Direction

[shawnellis-blog]

Steve Byrnes Reminds Us to Live Like This Moment Matters

Damn. So I just saw this (news that Steve Byrnes lost his bout with cancer).

I didn’t know Steve, but I am a fan of NASCAR, so I regularly saw his reports from pit road during race broadcasts on FOX. I remember that he had a great smile, seemed to be full of joy, and I’ll miss seeing him.

Of course, Steve’s family and friends are the ones who are really grieving right now -- they’re missing a husband, father, brother, friend. My heart goes out to them. 

Even without knowing Steve, I’m just sad to see another life lost to this disease. It seems like almost every day I hear of a new diagnosis or death related to cancer... and I think that’s why I was compelled to write this.

Hearing of cancer so frequently, it could lead us to live in fear -- I know I certainly have that tendency -- but that doesn’t serve anyone. Instead, hearing of Steve’s passing just reminded me once again that this moment matters.

It’s so easy to get in a rush. It’s so easy to get lost in our thoughts. It’s so easy to look at your phone instead of the person you’re talking to. It’s so easy to get lost chasing things that don’t matter. But today, as we celebrate the life of someone who’s passed, we’re also invited once again to “wake up” to what matters most.

Steve modeled it for us (as recorded in the Byrnes family’s statement):

He was always smiling, supportive, selfless and loving. Upon his original diagnosis, Steve quickly found the positive in the situation and put his entire focus into his treatments, simultaneously vowing not to miss a single moment with his son.  His motto and daily inspiration became "Be present" in every moment of his family's lives.

Rest in peace, Steve. I hope this post honors him -- and all of those who have fought the brave fight with cancer -- in some small way. And I think we can also honor them by setting (or renewing) our intention to be more engaged for more of the moments in life. I’m sure Steve and all of those whose lives have ended far too soon would plead with us: Don’t wait until tragedy strikes to "wake up.” 

This moment matters. What will you do with it?

[shawnellis-blog]

“Notice the little things and you’ll find that EVERY day has the ingredients to be a GOOD day.” - Shawn Ellis