We are all survivors.
We wouldn’t be here if you have not.
You work hard. You manage stressful jobs. Some of you have businesses and don’t know where the next income stream is going to come from and some of you don’t know if you will pay the rent this month yet, you find a way. Many of us have relationship problems that distract us from what we are trying to achieve. Some of us have physical disabilities that challenge or prohibit us from the basic activities the rest of us enjoy.
Surviving is not easy! We give too little credit to survivors. It requires physical and mental readiness. It also requires the ability to change and adapt. We have all achieved some level of success in life, if only to graduate from high school or secure a job. Surviving also counts as things we overcame or avoided like drugs, smoking or bad people. Surviving means if nothing else you showed up. You know the saying, “80% of success in life is just showing up."
This morning when I went for my morning run, I saw three people at the corner bus stop. One was listening to music. I assume this because he was humming and bobbing his head. The woman next to him was anxiously waiting for the bus, switching between looking up the road with head stretched out and looking at the watch on her arm hoping to somehow will the bus to arrive quicker. Then there was the third person. A young lady reading the book, “Purpose Driven Life”. I know this book well. About 3 years ago, I received four hardback copies as Christmas gifts. Ironically, I had already downloaded the audiobook for myself as part of my winter reading. I guess someone was trying to tell me something. As I looked at these people at the bus stop, this thought came to me. Two of these three people are surviving and the other is a survivalist. Can you guess who is the survivalist?
Survivalists are built differently than survivors. It's like the ability to tread water versus knowing how to swim. Some of us wake up with no plan. Some of us wake up thinking how they are going to make it to the end of the day. Survivalists wake up on a mission. You know them. You see them. They usually wake up before the alarm, they are not late to events because they know why they are going to that place. They look good and are charming. They are patient, but direct. If you want to change your life for the better, consider transforming yourself from being a survivor to becoming a survivalist. What is the difference between a survivor and a survivalist? Here are 5 things survivalists do:
Learn, Learn, Learn
“Fortune favors the prepared mind”. - Louis Pasteur
I cannot stress the importance of a good education. Receiving a college or university education is the foundation that can put you on a course to make you above average. I know some people who are not the “sharpest tool in the toolbox”, but because they have college degrees, they have positions of leadership. Now, no matter if you have a college degree or not, make an annual goal to receive some sort of certification. Challenge yourself to receive not just vocational certifications, but take introductory courses in law or marketing as well. I also stress that before you decide what courses to take, map out your life plan and then choose courses that will enrich that plan. Maybe even ask someone to suggest a course you may have never considered. Remember a survivalist prepares for all contingencies.
Map out your life plan
Image yourself two, three or five years from now. Where do you want to be? Who do you want to be? Now, what could you do right now to begin preparing for that? Take a minute and think what you want for your life. Is it the new business? Is it the promotion at your job? Is it getting accepted into that exclusive club? How prepared are you? What do you need to do? This is your road map and from here you can begin filling in the daily and weekly tasks to achieve such goals. A good rock climber will map out his/her course, ask people who’ve travelled the course before and study the course before they start up the mountain.
Get physically in shape
Your brain is a muscle connect to your other muscles. Improve your body and you will improve your mind. Improve your mind and you will improve your body.
Weight loss and physical fitness are two very different things. Exercise does more than make you look good, it makes you feel better and think better. Taking care of your body leads to a stronger spirit and a stronger self-esteem. When you have a stronger spirit and stronger self-esteem, you will feel like you can accomplish more. You will be more attentive, more alive, more engaged. You will accomplish more and most importantly, you will become more attractive to others long before you actually lose the physical pounds.
One more thing, go to the doctor, get a check-up and make sure your body is in good working order. Also use your doctor as a low cost consultant to suggest how you can improve your health and physical fitness.
Improve the people around you
“Friendships take time, money and energy.” - Anonymous
Take stock with whom you spend your time with on a regular basis.
Are these people supportive?
Are these people fulfilling you with new ideas?
Are these people challenging themselves in life?
You should consider joining a club. There are clubs for self-improvement like Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is a group that helps people learn how to improve their public speaking skills. There are also online clubs to support all kinds of interests. I would encourage joining clubs that are both virtual and physical. It's good for your mind, body and soul to actually mingle with real people from time to time. Finally, surround yourself with people you want to become but make sure they can help nurture your growth. Survivalists are rarely alone.
Improve your overall standards
“Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.” - Groucho Marx
At the first barbeque for the summer, I was sitting among my friends. They began talking about the books they were reading. Now I read! I read a lot. For example, I read blog posts, magazine articles and I’m writing as well, but I was left out a discussion. These people are equally busy and quite frankly, I love them as my friends because they are all people I aspire to become in one way or another. When I sit among them, I feel like the person who bought the least expensive property in the best neighborhood. Anyway, I realized as busy as these people are in their walks of life, they make time to read. They don’t just read, they go to the New York best Seller’s list and pick books from there. With that said, I decided to begin listening to the audio books of those New York Times’ list. I still don’t have time to read, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the audio version. I listen while I’m jogging. I listen while, I’m on the train or on the bus. I listen to them while I'm in bed with the lights off.
When you sit among your friends, do they lift you to become a better you? Are the discussions such that you almost need to study up before the party? I’m not suggesting to dump your old friends, but old friends only know you who you were not necessarily who you are. Expand your relationships and make sure you are in a learning environment even among friends.
Consider getting a coach, a life coach, business coach or both. I feel fortunate enough to have had this experience and am now in a position to return the favor to others that are just starting out. If you are interested in a coach, please send me your email so I may contact you directly within the next 24 hours or go to my website: https://21kgroup.com/coaching.
