Month: November 2015 Page 1 of 2

Making a positive difference in the world is an important part of life to many of us. We want to feel that we have made a positive and unique contribution to help make the world a better place.

I sometimes think that we never really get to know and understand the full impact that people have on other’s lives with their positive actions and the ripple effect they create.

We never get to realise fully the impact that encouraging and supportive words have when someone is feeling nervous or their belief has been dented.

A simple act like smiling at someone when they are feeling down can have a positive influence as can carrying out random acts of kindness.

I went to see the excellent new Tom Hanks film “Bridge of Spies” last week. It is a true story based on the work of lawyer Jim Donovan who was tasked with negotiating the release/exchange of prisoners between the USA, Russia and East Germany.

The film is a great example of how the tenacity and determination of a human being can truly positively influence the future quality of other people’s lives and enable them to make a more positive contribution on society.

At the end of the film, there was some text that came up to say that later in his career, Jim Donavan was involved in the release of over 9000 prisoners in Cuba.

We create ripples constantly by our actions.

Each time we buy products it supports the economy and helps to create and sustain jobs. A carefully crafted presentation that we deliver to a colleague or team may inspire them to try a new approach or develop new skills.

If we set out with an intention to create positive outcomes and ripples then we are likely to fulfil that objective.

You may have a conversation with a relative, a colleague or friend that helps to increase their energy or motivation. It may be that you pass on a piece of knowledge or information that develops someone’s thinking and sparks some new ideas/creativity. It could be that you create the space to listen to someone outline some thoughts and ideas they have to solve a challenge.

In doing so, you may help them create some clarity about the steps they need to take.

Someone that has suffered some disappointment or a setback may have their spirits lifted by the positive words of support and encouragement that you offer them at the right moment.

In doing so you may provide them with the confidence and strength to persevere and to bounce back quickly.

We all have the ability to make a positive contribution and make a difference to our own environments and our part of the world in our own unique way. It is a choice. As Sir Winston Churchill once said “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” We can choose to create positive ripples.

This week, why not take a few moments to reflect and consider some ways that you can make a difference and create some positive ripples in your environments.

This week’s quotation:

“Everyone can do simple things to make a difference, and every little bit really does count.” Stella McCartney.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

Last week, I celebrated my 50th birthday and therefore in this week’s blog, I thought I would do something slightly different to the usual format.

I have compiled a list of the insights and lessons that I have picked up over the years and combined them with some of my favourite quotes.

I share them below and I hope that you enjoy reading them:

1. Small actions applied consistently lead to outstanding results

2. Life is short – embrace every opportunity

3. Make room for fun and laughter in your life

4. Clarity is power, the clearer you are about what you want, the quicker your brain can figure out a way to get there.

5 “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – Leonardo Da Vinci

6. Live now, procrastinate later

7. In a world where it is possible to be anything, the most important thing is to be yourself.

8. There are no pockets in a shroud.

9. You are the conductor of your life – take 100 % responsibility for your choices and results

10.“The purpose of life is simple…to be happy” –  Dalai Lama

11. Failure only happens when your heart stops. There is no failure only feedback and lessons learned.

12. It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice

13. It is sad that many people can’t list their strengths but can identify their weaknesses and limitations very easily!

14. You miss all the shots that you don’t take.

15. “To keep a lamp burning you have to put oil in it” – Mother Teresa

16. Life is a series of hills and valleys. It is important to spend time celebrating and appreciating the view from the hill.

17. Never forget that everyday is a gift

18. Learn to listen to and trust your intuition.

19. “Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen” –  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

21. When faced with a challenge, remind yourself that ”this too will pass.”

22. Attitudes like flu are contagious!

23. Life is fragile – it can change significantly in a heartbeat. Cherish it and never take it for granted.

24. Many people spend their life looking in the rear view mirror or thinking about the future, without really enjoying the present moment.

25. “If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves” –  Thomas Edison.

26. Before you help someone with their oxygen mask, ensure that yours is fitted properly. You can’t help others without oxygen and energy

27. The value of good health should not be under estimated

28. You can use lots of energy worrying about things that never happen

29. Some of the best and richest experiences in life don’t cost any money

30. “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito” –  African proverb

31. Random acts of kindness can be very valuable and have a huge positive impact on a person’s life.

32. It takes less energy to smile than frown!

33. A ship in harbour is safe but that is not what ships were built for. Have the courage to explore, try new things, visit new places and meet new people.

34. All that glitters is not gold.

35.“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

36. It is never too late to do something new.

37. Richness and abundance are so much more than your investments and bank balance.

38. Everyone has great gifts and treasure buried inside them waiting to be discovered

39. The best lives are lived from the inside out.

40. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt

41. Always make time to tell the people that you love that you love them.

42. When you are wrong, admit it and say sorry.

44. The best influencers in life listen more than talk.

45.“Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference” –  Sir Winston Churchill

46. Everybody wants to feel valued and important

47. Thorough preparation is an essential ingredient of quality results and service.

48. Be true to yourself

49. The mind is so powerful. It has the ability to create a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.

50. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined” –  Henry David Thoreau.

Have a great week. Always Be First Class!

Stephen.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

Last week, I really enjoyed watching Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra perform in concert for BBC Radio 2.

ELO enjoyed tremendous success across the world in the 1970’s and 1980’s producing great tracks like Mr Blue Sky, Livin’ Thing and Don’t Bring Me Down.

Prior to the show, I heard Jeff Lynne (now 68) interviewed and he explained that he thought his days of delivering concerts were over in 1985. Since then he has established himself as a very successful record producer.

However, in 2014 he was persuaded to be part of the Radio 2 live concert in Hyde Park. He stated that he was extremely nervous prior to going on stage given he hadn’t played a concert for almost 30 years.

He thought that it wouldn’t be a very big audience and that not many people would be interested in watching their set because they were only interested in watching the headline acts perform later. Therefore he was amazed and thrilled to play to 50,000 people who seemed to really enjoy the show!

This positive experience inspired him to go back to his home in Los Angeles and write some new material and record a new album which was released last Friday. A concert tour is planned for 2016.

It is always wonderful to see people start a new chapter in their life and enjoy a renaissance in their later years.

It made me think of all the times that I have heard people talk about a dream they had when they were younger or talk with a touch of regret about something that they have always wanted or would like to do but have not accomplished. Only to say “but I am too old now.” If I had a pound for all the times I have heard that phrase!

A story that I love which counters this limiting belief, is the story of Cliff Young, an Australian potato farmer and athlete, best known for his unexpected win of the Sydney to Melbourne ultra-marathon (543 miles) in 1983 at 61 years of age.

What makes this feat even more incredible is the way that Cliff went about winning the race. It is normally only attempted by world class athletes, who train specially for the event and are typically less than 30 years of age. In fact it was the first race that Cliff had entered!

When he showed up at the start of the race in 1983, Cliff was wearing overalls and work boots! Everyone watching was shocked to discover Cliff was not a spectator when he picked up his race number and joined the other runners.

He was told that he was crazy and there was no way he would finish the race. To which he replied “Yes I can. See, I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or tractors, and the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d always catch them. I believe I can run this race.”

Once the race was underway, Cliff didn’t even run properly; he appeared to shuffle. Many people feared for the farmer’s safety. The professional athletes knew that it took about 5 days to finish the race. In order to compete, they ran about 18 hours a day and slept for the remaining 6 hours.

Cliff was not constrained by conventional wisdom. He was unaware of this approach to the race. Whilst the top athletes slept, he kept on running!

To everybody’s disbelief, Cliff ran the whole five days without any sleep and secured an amazing victory!

Today, the “Young-shuffle” has been adopted by ultra-marathon runners because it is considered more energy-efficient. Cliff Young passed away in 2003 aged 81.

This week, why not take a few moments to reflect and consider if there is a goal or dream that you would like to pursue.

What is the first step you can take to progress things?

This week’s quotation:

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk