Self Development
Leadership Can Be Hard
Leadership can be hard! I was reading an article in *Scientific American Mind about a student from Brown University who in 1984 was studying in Israel. He and two friends were walking while on a camping trip and he was ahead of them. Suddenly he was minus a foot! He stepped on a land mine. Leadership can be hard and in this case, it really was painful! It takes stamina and a great mindset to move forward when accidents happen. Or when one loses money on a business idea it can be difficult to bounce back.
A few thoughts came to me as I read this article. The first was that stepping out ahead of the others is a daring adventure. Leaders put themselves in a position of being risk takers. Secondly, when confronted with adversity, people are forced to be resilient and push themselves to move forward, even if they think they cannot. Thirdly, good leadership is always available to find through referrals and mentors.
If you are an active business owner, you are often we are watching high achievers in business. High achievers who risk putting their own reputation and safety out there for others to follow. And we do follow them, because we don’t want to reinvent the wheel. We see how someone has accomplished what we are striving to do and we try to duplicate the format. We look at the system that has propelled them forward and we go to them for success.
Unfortunately, we don’t see all the obstacles they’ve endured. When I watch the Olympics, one of the best parts of it for me is hearing the stories of how the athletes have come to succeed. Quite often they have endured many injuries, personal set backs, or losses. It is great to hear their interviews. Most of the time they take responsibility for the risks they take and move ahead. They do not give up. They get up over and over again.
I am watching a grandson now who is an excellent soccer player and wrestler. In a tournament game, he injured his ACL, LCL, and Meniscus. These are major injuries that needed surgery. He presented to a surgery center that works with a professional team in Chicago to have the repairs. He will be undergoing 8 months plus of therapy to get back into the sport of soccer that he loves. The injury has temporarily changed his pathway to going into college sports for the next year. It has not deterred him, but strengthened his resolve to move forward.
Injuries can turn our plans into temporary detours.
As the author of Erasing Adversity, I say that adversity can make us stronger. It isn’t the experience of success or failure that makes us; it is what we take from the experience that gives us personality and value. Experience alone can sour people, but keeping a healthy mindset and determinations to reach a goal is the secret.
It amazes me how well some people are able to overcome problems. As a counselor and educator I’ve learned not only through my own experiences, but vicariously from other people. The ability to focus on one thing at a time helps. We need to keep things simple. The next time you are feeling stuck or frustrated, take a simple task and complete it. Maybe it’s cleaning out the dishwasher or sweeping the garage floor. Do it and finish the project. A simple task completed well will help you break the cycle of inaction. Create your own healthy system made our of habits to conquer a problem head on!
Another thing that one can do to be successful is to engage with others. Social isolation is unhealthy. Although not everyone is Mr. or Mrs. Congeniality, having purposeful tasks and relationships compel us to be better. We tend to dress the part, take responsibility and smile more when things are going well, but good leadership is open, humble, and honest. We learn to trust people and socialize. In doing so we contribute to the lives of other people; we volunteer; we share and give away our talents.
*Special Collectors Edition Scientific American Mind Spring 2018
Stretch as YOU age!
Aging gives us opportunities to stretch. Aging is not all good, nor bad. Whether you are 18, 45, or 62, try something new. Participating in something new can be great fun!
Get your passion in line with changing times. Stretch with the opportunities that age provides.
Women often find that as their children grow, their opportunities do too. Opportunities to try new things open up. A spectrum of interests seem to open up. Line up meetings with local entrepreneurs and people you admire. Connect with old friends and make new ones on social media or at church.
Our children, who we spent years encouraging, come around as inspirational leaders for us. Now is the time to open the shutters to the window of adventure. Perhaps a career in nursing, journalism, real estate, or surfacing a past interest pushes one out of the homemaker role. Learn along with your kids, friends, spouse, or neighbors to try new things.
Keep involved with your own generation, but also other generations. My mother-in-law lived a long healthy life. I attributed it to her gratitude and her mingling with neighbors of all ages. She deemed herself as the official welcome wagon lady who’d show up with a homemade treat and her phone number. She’d go to lunch with others and stay connected. She was always writing people notes and sending out birthday cards or cards of congratulations.
Let the advantages of time allow you to travel, read, and pursue hobbies. Connect with you local school boards, get involved in community businesses, or play bridge. Visit the large cities near where you live. So often the highlights in our lives are not far away.
Find your passions or create new interests that allow you to connect with other people. Trying something new can put you on the escalator of success!
The Pitfalls of Faulty Thinking
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The Pitfalls of Faulty Thinking affect many of us. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. It’s the minor moments in life that allow us to make giant leaps forward. It’s the minor moments in a conversation with a friend that opens up clarity and insight for you. It’s those minor moments that bring us joy and mini miracles in our lives.
Welcome to Podcast #85 on the Pitfalls of Faulty Thinking and how these thoughts affect all of us. This is your Host Linda Gullo and my Co Host, Kate Halma. “Good morning Kate!”
“Good morning Linda.
Today we are going to open the can of worms called Faulty Thinking. It is a large one so let’s jump in. Kate starts in with sharing a story about a friend from her wellness business. It was all about a misperception and how not having all the facts created faulty thinking. Listen and enjoy this ongoing conversation as Kate and Linda discuss faulty thinking. Listen to their ongoing stories and enjoy them.
Here are the two quotes the ladies mentioned:
“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” (William Shakespeare)
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” (Henry Ford)
Check out the book, The Itchy Soul by El Edwards that Linda was reading. It is available through our Affiliate link here at Amazon.
Note the Signs, While Reaching Success
There are signs all around us, but they don’t have to stop us from growing and trying new things. In some cases, once you are on the path to a goal, you cannot stop the roller coaster effect. In fact, the faster you go and the closer you get to the finish line are encouraging.
An illustration of this is pregnancy. Once you have discovered you are pregnant, there is a natural progression to having a baby. You’ll see the signs that come with the development of the baby. The body takes on different feelings, movements, and the mother’s body changes to conform to the baby’s growth. The child will with proper care of the mother, grow and develop. Eventually at full term, the baby will emerge. Voila, the miracle of birth has blessed the world with another child.
Cones may provide a warning sign, but don’t get fearful and run unnecessarily. Use the warning as a opportunity to proceed with caution.
It is the same thing if you are on a sled going down a steep hill on an icy day. Once in the process, you will be exhilarated as the sled makes it way down to the bottom. On the way, you may hit a bump or slow down, but you will no doubt reach the base of the hill. Along the way, you may even see warning signs or find cones like the one shown here to suggest caution. Let it be a guidepost for a safe trip.
Those of us who are planners and achievers are comfortable with putting ourselves on the track of completing new goals. We think through the potential obstacles and decide to go ahead anyway. When we do hit a glitch, we may already be alerted to the remedy. We consider the risks before we start and often do research ahead of time.
During the month of February, the articles and Podcasts here at www.lindagullo.com will help us all to grow and reach our full potential. We may along the way hesitate to make progress or even think twice about attempting new endeavors, but I encourage you to put aside concerns, and try new things. It is in trying that we grow and make accomplishments blossom. We can even grow through making mistakes and find joy in successes. Each step along the journey helps us develop into more resilient and educated people.
Remember that one step may be the one to put you on the escalator of success. Do just one thing today to reach your goal! Have a bright and beautiful Monday.
The Secret of Accomplishing Goals
What works is really very simple in accomplishing goals. The secret of making worthwhile goals is not a secret at all. It took me by surprise that just a few moments of repeating habits is all it takes to accomplish a big task. The answer comes from scripture! It is the simplicity that comes through the many AA programs. We must focus on small steps and do them everyday. One day at a time has been my mantra since 1980 when my parents were both very ill. I learned to plan each day as it arrived and with the circumstances that were presented to me. It helps us get through tough times when we don’t think in “long stretches.”
Many coaches will tell us to use the word SMART to help us in accomplishing what we set out to do. S is to be specific with our resolutions and intentions. M stands for something measurable. For example if you want to lose weight and watch your sugar levels, you might decide to lose 10 pounds by walking 2 miles a day, and stay off sugar. You can measure your success in terms of energy, inches lost, and seeing your sugar levels drop. M stands for a goal that holds meaning. What meaning is behind your goal. Is it for confidence, for health or to learn? A stands for something to achieve. What do you want to achieve? Is is to learn to drive a car? Do you want to earn more money? R is for realistic. If you work a night job, it may not be realistic to pay for a health club membership. Or it may mean finding one that is open 24 hours to accommodate your needs? All programs tell us to write things down. Make them visible for yourself. We are told not to hide the goals, but to review them daily. Write down the why’s behind each one. T is for time. Make what you do timely. Put your written goals near the computer you use each day. Make a screen shot of them for your phone. Post them in your daily appointment book. Make them visible to yourself!
Just this week I listened to Brendon Burchard and he says to divide our goals into themes. Productivity, Physiology, Psychology and Persuasive were the 4 themes. He had us focus on the specific areas were we wanted to be productive. Maybe it is to find a new job. Maybe we want to meet more people. He discussed setting health goals and ways to attain them in physiology. What do I want my body to look like or feel like in the next 3 months. Do I want to improve my diet or eat on a better schedule? In psychology, he addressed doing things with intention. Perhaps you want to continue learning. If that is the case, will you take a class? Or are you committing to reading a new book every week? Is that possible? Maybe you have little time to read and decide to find 15 minutes every evening to begin a new reading habit? In the area of Persuasiveness, he reminded us to ask others for what they need and to learn what we need.
Over the years I have followed many strategies for attaining Goals. Some worked well and others not so well. So here is what I came up with after studying Michael Hyatt, Success Magazine, Brendon Burchard, Mel Robbins, and trying them all. I found my own system. You can find yours too. Pick and choose what works well for you.
Linda’s own mix and match system includes:
#1. Create your own guidelines by writing them down. Decide on time slots in your regular schedule to add in or replace habits. Try things, change them for success, and don’t be afraid to rework what you do.
#2. Decide 3-4 areas to focus to work on for the year and decide to break down the year into quarters. Each quarter naturally creates a space and time frame to work on each. Just 2 or 3 goals may make it possible to really attain them. Fewer things accomplished well is excellent.
#3. Create a support system that will make each goal doable and fun. ei. I plan to walk to work this Spring in order to get exercise. It’s easy and doable. The weather will be on my side. It will be fun! Once I begin I can carry it through the rest of the year with ease.
#4. Write down the why for each goal. ei. I want to put aside “x” number of dollars every week to buy a bike by June 1st. I want to be more efficient so that I have more time to walk. KNOW YOUR WHY!
#5. Dump all your doubts and talk with someone about how to do this. If people used counselors for nothing more than being successful in accomplishment their goals, they would be so happy!
#6. Make it simple and doable by preparing. Plan each day and review your plans the night before. Gather what you will need ahead of time. ei. Packing you gym clothes into the car. Preparing your lunch. Making a list of the people you need to call the next day. Prepare.
This takes me to the summary of making goals work. Whatever you decide to do or whatever habits you are trying to break and replace, take one step each day. If you are quitting the habit of drinking wine, then decide each day to avoid wine. If you are convinced you need exercise, get up and select what you will do that day. ei. I will walk around the mall 6 times, or I will go to the YMCA for a swim today. Make it simple and doable. Make yourself accountable to a friend. Be competitive with yourself.
Good luck. Take the one step that will put you on the escalator of success! (Linda’s Own)
Are You Present and Focusing?
Are you present and focusing on an agenda? Your child is calling you to come play with them. Are you able to shut down and focus on the short playtime? I always found it hard to stop doing one thing and focus on another, but I am learning that it is not only healthy, but also so fulfilling to do one thing at a time.
I literally just shut down a CD I was listening to and decided to write this blog. I had been writing one every day for over 18 months, but in the past 6 months, my time and attention has gone to establishing care for people over the phone and online. I do well when I can concentrate on one task. I don’t misplace files or forget details. I used to do a dozen things at the same time. This was particularly true at home as a mom, but I also had to do that with children and chores. Multitasking seemed natural.
As the year winds down, I am staying present and focusing on one thing at a time. I have a better retention of what has transpired and feel more accomplished as well. I am going to carry this effort forth into 2018.
Welcome! Rosy is present and focusing that I am not leaving!
How are you focusing these days? Are you feeling scattered? Perhaps you are lonely and not connected? Many of my friends are retired and free to glide through a schedule of their own, and even though I have my own business and can schedule in special events, I am being careful about not committing to too much outside of this office. For many years I used my extra energy in that way, but now it is more intentionally directed.
I watch Rosy and notice that she will run to her kitchen pillow when I walk in with groceries. Our dog Lord used to do that too. He’d perch himself at the top of the staircase and have a view of the whole family room and french doors. I think dogs know when to separate themselves when things get too crazy. They aren’t in the way and still they have control.
When we are with other people, we want them to be focused on what we are saying. We have all had the experience where we are talking and the other person either blanks out or answers inappropriately. It is all too obvious that they are not present nor focusing on our interaction.
As we flow into the Advent Season and all the merriment around us, do take the time to be cordial and present. Worry less about the gifts and the peripheral decorations. Focus on the people you are talking with and listen. You’ll feel contentment and pride.
Look forward to our Podcast later this week when Kate Halma joins me on using “Domestic Arts”. It should be a down-to-earth look at some wholesome, old-fashioned, and needed skills. We don’t want to lose them!
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The Value of Losses
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The Value of Losses can become a cornerstone for you. Although this Podcast is short and simple, it is powerful and necessary to hear. Please take the 5 minutes out of your day and listen. Ask others to subscribe to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments where the minor moments lend great insight into living a full and complete life.
Continual Learning is YOURS FOREVER
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Enjoy the topic of Continual Learning and how to embrace it with Kate Halma and Linda Gullo. Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments Episode # 73 on Continued Education. Kate starts the episode by quoting her father about education being yours forever. The ladies discuss opportunities to learn and how we share our knowledge. Learning is ongoing and there for everyone.
Did you know the an MBA is also the abbreviation for Mind, Body Adventure? Well here at Mini Miracles we direct so much attention to developmental opportunities for growth and change.
Kate talks about Leadership Greater Mc Henry and how it helped her continue her education. Linda refers to the Incubator Programs that our local schools are engaging in and how people are able to be involved in teaching. In the process of sharing and teaching what we know, we continue to learn.
We are learning even when we play. Maybe it is in being with others as we learn social skills, or when we get triggers to learn about something specific. It is never to late and it’s something no one can take away from you!
Are you a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? How did you get your education? The ladies discuss how and why it is important to know how you learn. Engaging with others, listening, and storytelling help us bring to a fullness in life.
Over the last decade Kate talks about careers and how they have changed. In the process people have had to go back and learn new topics or career opportunities. Business, community, and needs change for us and open up doors for advancement.
Remember that “A single step may put you on the escalator of success.”
Check our the book Kate talks about called Optional Optimism by Deirdre A. McClarin
and also Erasing Adversity by Linda Gullo. Both books are available at www.Amazon.com
Join the ladies in 2 weeks! Next week is our 10 minute Podcast with Linda.
A Podcast on How to Live Fully
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Welcome to a short, but “jam-packed” episode on How to Live Life Fully. To bring anything into your life, Richard Bach says that we need to imagine that’s it is already there! Every step of our lives is a journey and keeps on changing. In this episode of Mini Miracles from Minor Moments, Linda discusses a few ideas that you might want to journal on this week. Maybe these are things that you want to imagine are already there.
“If you’re like me, you have a pretty busy schedule. It is a schedule that has a time frame revolving around work, appointments, deliveries, and sleeping.” Linda shares about how sleep is the first thing to be sacrificed when she has a lot on her plate for the day! Sleep is that important commodity to be removed and replaced by other priorities.
Our daily obligations and commitments to others can be a great source of enjoyment. Today’s short story is tucked into a 3 hour window. Linda spends time with an older Granddaughter that she realizes couldn’t have been spent in any better way. It is the unexpected visit in this daily moment that one feels so invigorating. She was thankful to encounter this brief time in her day. This spontaneous visit was indeed one of those remarkable times. It was nothing special, but yet it was so important in being close to those we love.
Hope you enjoy the Podcast. These photographic sites are from Oregon and taken by Debbie Smakal Davidson who shares her photography with us. 
Keeping Us Connected Yields Solutions
It has passed my mind several times in the last month that solutions come together when many people are affected. As a child, I watched my mom suffer from Lupus. She was vigilant about keeping connected with the skin doctor, monitoring herself, and taking time to rest each afternoon. She would say she was a guinea pig during the war to find solutions. Unfortunately some of the trials used on her actually did harm. I used to say that when someone famous had the disease, more research would be done to help find solutions. In the last 35 years since she died, I have seen more attention brought to this disease, although I am not sure there has been enough to temper the disease.
Text, write, or message to keep connected. You’ll help create solutions to daily problems. Remember to use the greatest wireless connection there is, namely to pray along the way!
Well with the many weather related problems like hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires, people rally around. People come together from other parts of the country to find remedies. Yesterday trucks from Com Ed were lined up from Illinois to go to the Florida area to help restore downed lines and help in restoring power. Many homes were effected by the horrific winds and damage due to Irma so the help will be good. The solution to many problems is in keeping connected.
On a humanitarian level, people are still helping send relief to the Houston, Texas area. Financial and material items certainly help to replace and rebuild homes & businesses, but the post traumatic stress on individuals will be significant. People deserve and will need attention long after the environment improves. These natural disasters have long term impacts on the pocketbook and patience, but natural disasters can also affect people for longer periods of time. We need to keep building relationships and contributing whatever we can to help one another. The smallest kindness can do so much. Listening to others share their stories is essential.
On the West Coast we are hearing of fires. I have a cousin in Oregon who told me last week they are still using masks, because of the air quality. With so many parts of the United States having problems, it is hard to know where to place your attention. The Power of Prayer helps us connect with others. It may seem like nothing is being done, when in fact we are sharing our passion and love for one another.
I have been involved in the online program called the Power of You with Mel Robbins. The group joins together on Facebook and supports one another as they proceed forward using Mel’s 5 Second Rule. (https://melrobbins.com/5-second-rule/) Staying connected with people who understand the principle she teaches has been empowering. I much rather be using a group like this rather than one created due to catastrophe. That is another reason that books and book studies are so good. They connect us and help us sort through our thinking.
The idea of being connected and unified is key to resolution. Scientists share their findings, teachers share their methods of teaching, and circumstances bind us together. Let us all use the greatest wireless connection there is, namely prayer to support and love one another. Have a great day and don’t forget to reach out to others. Begin with a smile!