​STRESS MANAGEMENT

When I get overwhelmed,
thinking about all that
I have to do,
I now stop and smile.

You see I’ve learned,
that although it all seems
so important now,
it will be different next week.

I step back and smile.
I decide to do what I can,
go with the flow,
and just be happy in myself.

CORE VALUES
 
Stay at the core
and not at the periphery.
For all potential
lies at the core.
 
We can get ambushed
by worldliness,
by necessity,
by rights,
by fairness,
by ambition,
by vanity, and
by self-importance.
 
Stay at the core.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.  What are your core values? 

AUTOPILOT
 
My thoughts are
all over the place.
I flit from one
thing to another.
 
But I’ve learnt to go with this,
and not become too engaged
in any one thought.
But to flit onwards.
 
For me, reflection or contemplation
are not about breathing techniques
 or trying to empty
my brain of all thoughts.
 
Rather, they are about meandering,
and using the thoughts
that come long,
simply as stepping-stones.
 
For if I am patient
and sit here,
I will get to
where I should be.My thoughts are
all over the place.
I flit from one
thing to another.
 
But I’ve learnt to go with this,
and not become too engaged
in any one thought.
But to flit onwards.
 
For me, reflection or contemplation
are not about breathing techniques
or trying to empty my brain
of all thoughts.
 
Rather, they are about meandering,
and using the thoughts
that come long,
simply as stepping-stones.
 
For if I am patient
and sit here,
I will get to
where I should be.

POWERPOINT

 I will find a
moment of silence,
somewhere in this
busy day.

At some point
I will be able to stop,
rest, and give myself
some space.

Just to be who I am,
away from all the noise,
and demands
of the world.

At some point,
I will find
a moment of silence,
in this busy day.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   When  is your PowerPoint today? 
2. What  will this  moment of silence offer you? 
3.   What will be in the  Presentation? 

 
SPECIAL OFFER
 
Buy one and get one free.
Green Shield Stamps.
Nectar Card.
Air Miles.
 
Smart Rewards.
Two for the price of one.
Premier Points.
Avios.
 
Clubcard.
Loyalty rewards.
Tiger Tokens.
50% off.
 
Last minute.
Weekend Special.
Happy Hour.
Member Offer.
 
Double points.
Gift Certificates.
Cashback.
Frequent Flyer.
 
Christmas Club.
Introductory Bonus.
Buy three - cheapest one free.
Trading Stamps.
 
Free gift.
Sale price.
Buy one - get one half price.
Blue cross day.
 
Why do more
of the same?
 Make an offer
that really matters.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   What is your offer? 
2. Why  does it really matter?

LATERAL THINKING
 
The sunflower seed
does not worry about
being planted in the ground,
to wither and die.
 
For it has been told
that it will become
something unimaginable,
for such a little seed.
 
We too, have been told that
we will become something
incredible and unimaginable.
We are all sunflowers.

AFFIRMATIONS

Every day I say my affirmations.
I call them my daily reminders as they help me
to focus on all that is important to me and
all I want to see happen in my life.

My daily reminders cover every aspect of my life
and everything I could ever hope for.
Work, opportunities, health, income, family,
personality, relationships and spirituality.

They are written in the present or past tense.
I have, I am, I own, I earn, I live….
I say my daily reminders
every morning and every night.

I can see every outcome in detail.
and watch as the results unfold.
For I am fulfilling my personal purpose
in all that I do today.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   Write  out your daily statements in the present or past tense - I am,  I have, I own, I earn. I live ...
2. Include everything that matters to you.

.
​CASH FLOW
 
The birds of the air
get their food.
The money will come.
 
The fish in the water
get their food.
The money will come
 
All of my life
I’ve had food.
The money has come.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   What does your life cash flow look like? 
2. Where and how has the money come?
3. What does this say to you about your future hopes and dreams?

​ 
COFFEE TIME
 
It used to be in churches
with stained glass windows and stillness
where our grandparents found respite.
 
For quiet, peace, reflection and rest
it is now to the coffee shop, with its
soft chairs and quiet corners that  many go.
 
The carefully designed colour schemes of
Café Nero or Starbucks soothes our minds.
The lighting creates a mood to help us relax.
 
But God is just at home in a coffee shop.
For us to rest and reflect
is really what matters for body and soul.
 
God is with us wherever we are,
not just in Churches or Costas.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   When will you take some time to rest and reflect today?
2. Is it coffee time yet?

JOB DESCRIPTION
 
Our spiritual journey isn’t
necessarily a holy or religious one!
We are all called to be part of love
in our own unique and special way.
 
For some this is in business,
others in acting, others in nursing,
others in sport or teaching,
or retail or manufacturing.
 
But these are only careers or jobs
that describe what we do
and not who we are. It’s who we are
that is the real spiritual journey.
 
It’s how we interact with people.
It’s how we reach out.
It’s how we help others.
It’s the times that we are kind.
 
This is the real day-to-day spiritual journey
that we are all on.
And it doesn’t matter what
our role or job or situation is.
 
For every connection with others
touches something deep within us.
It gives meaning
to who we are in that moment.
 
Each interaction connects us
to the same love
that is working within each of us,
and that we all share.
 
We are all on the same 
spiritual journey together.
A journey that is written by each of us 
as our own job description.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   Write out your  job description.  Remember, it's  unique to you. 
2. How will your job description change  in the months and  years ahead?