A very bad week... enter the four horsemen.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Just for the sake of argument, let's say I've had a very bad week; current projects are completely overwhelming, what's supposed to be working just isn't, wonderful opportunities continue to stay at arms length, and the specter of Doubt starts to insidiously creep in... followed by the other three Horsemen of the Apocalypse* - Fear, Despair and Unworthiness.

Doubt - the feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

Fear - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Despair - the complete loss or absence of hope.

Unworthiness - the belief of not being good enough to deserve something or someone: not worthy.

Why do I call them the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

They will surely bring great catastrophe on anything and everything you want to accomplish; they are the destroyers of action and effective execution - They will leave nothing but unrealized ideas, lost opportunities, and regret in their wake. Doubt, Fear, Despair are each more dangerous than the other and will lead to the most destructive horsemen of all - Unworthiness; it will stop you from ever making anything happen.

How do you deal with them?

• Confront the horsemen head on: The four horsemen of the apocalypse are only as strong as you let them be. - Give them no quarter; they are truly liars and cowards.
• Deal in reality and not in what is imagined: Work with the facts of the situation and develop a plan to deal with your situation - Reality leads to fact based solutions, action and success.
• Use your network to offer a perspective on the situation - They do not fear your horsemen.
• Look to those who motivate you!
• Remember: "You are worthy. For no other reason than you are alive. You're worthy of love, success, support, heath and happiness. You're worthy of exactly what you desire in life. Stop holding back or limiting yourself because you believe you're unworthy. Ask for what you want and take action towards creating it for yourself."**

This is what I have come up with so far to handle my horsemen; next week will be a great week!

gpe

* The actual four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are Conquest, War, Famine and Death.

** From Awesomelifetips.com 

Everything new starts with an introduction...

The following is the rewrite and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Everything new has a first; a beginning... an introduction. The other day, I was reminded of how fast and important it can be. 

Among the other things I have on the go, I am helping my father re-organize his home; a fun and wild adventure I might add.  As a carpet installer arrived to give an estimate, we were outside enjoying the day... he walked up to us, introduced himself and shook our hands; he then mentioned he had to run back to his truck and get his carpet samples. When he was out of earshot my father looked at me and said, "I like him. What do you think?"

In an article by Eric Wargo entitled How Many Seconds to a First Impression , he offers some very interesting research that my father seemed to validate. 

"A series of experiments by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov reveal that all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face, and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those impressions (although they might boost your confidence in your judgments). Their research is presented in their article “First Impressions,” in the July issue of Psychological Science."

My father was right - Woody was an expert in flooring, honest with his appraisal and his assessment; it turned out there was no need for a new carpet. He said the existing carpet was very high quality, just needed to be re-installed, cleaned, and would be as good as new. My father liked him so much after that, he is now having Woody put new carpet in the basement. We all wholeheartedly agree. 

Anything new will involve an introduction to someone, and most likely, many "someones" - In this age of the avatar, we are becoming masters of image control, branding ourselves and managing the degrees of separation between ourselves and others. The inescapable fact though is that anything new, important, worthwhile and significant needs to be done face to face. Don't shy away from it.

You might as well just be yourself - As per the research of Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, and validated by my father, impressions will be made very quickly so just be yourself up front. And don't assume people are so easily fooled, it's a survival trait we've picked up over the millennia. 

"You can be the ripest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches" - Sometimes a person's impression of you will not be a good one. Like it or not, it is just the way it is - Move on. 

Networking - If you want to practice your introductions, just introduce yourself to everyone you meet... start networking formally and informally. I can guarantee you will meet new and interesting people; that will lead to new and interesting opportunities.

It seems I have been remiss with introducing myself, "Hello, my name is Graham Paul Edwards"

gpe

... we shall never surrender...

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I am currently reading a biography on Winston Churchill by Roy Jenkins; up front I will say it's a "meaty read" and well worth it! Inside the book cover it reads in part...

Winston Churchill is an icon of modern history, but even though he was at the forefront of the political scene for almost sixty years, he might be remembered only as a minor player in the drama of British government had it not been for World War II...

 As Churchill's story unfolds in front of me, I am wonderstruck...

Winston Churchill was 65 years old when he became Prime Minister of Great Britain - A goal he never gave up on; when he achieved it, he was just getting started - Never let the illusion of time stop you from doing what you want to do... you are never too young, and you are never too old! 

The icon that is Winston Churchill was forged in one of the most challenging times in modern history; 60 Million people died in World War II, and the geo-political landscape that we know today echoes of Churchill's meetings with Roosevelt and Stalin - Never back down from the challenge or the fight; your steel, your conviction, your character... who you are, will be found there. This is where your greatness is forged!

My grandmother (god bless her soul), gave me a book of Churchill's speeches when I was seven; to this day I remember the words, "we shall never surrender". These words come from Churchill's famous June 4th, 1940 call to arms speech entitled, "We shall fight on the beaches".* 

The promotion you wanted but didn't get... "never surrender"

The relationship that is supposed to be, but didn't happen... "never surrender"

That voice that should be heard, but isn't ... "never surrender"

That spirit that should be free, but isn't ... "never surrender"

That passion that has not yet been found ... "never surrender"

Choosing to do "what is right"... "never surrender"

The freedoms that so many fought and died for ... "NEVER SURRENDER"

Off to read some more. Thank you Gramma!

gpe

*Winston Churchill's full speech: I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.