Motivational Mondays "Best Week Ever" Edition

"Imagine a new stack of crisp white paper. It's just waiting for you to start writing the pages of your story. No one else will have a story like yours. So fill those pages however you wish, and sign your story with a flourish." Anonymous

It's Monday (or as I like to refer to it, Motivational Monday) and THIS WEEK IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST WEEK EVER! Yep, I said it and I meant it. Best Week Ever--funny, over the top, just like the hysterical TV show on Vh1. 

Monday signifies the time to start fresh; the time to look ahead. But old folklore often says, "you won't know where you are going if you don't know where you have come from." Want to know why? Often when we begin a new endeavor, we set out to reach new heights, we set new goals. The emphasis is on doing things that have not done been before---not on looking back at what we are leaving behind. 

As you start a new week, do you ever stop and reflect on your personal victories from the week before?  

Are you able to keep things in perspective or is there a demand to continue and become a better you without giving yourself a big, old pat on the back?

Recaps. Gotta have them. Especially if you want to maintain some momentum towards your goals. Noting the tasks you have accomplished adds fuel to your spirit. Identifying areas where you fell short helps you improve and carve out time to work on your weaknesses. Acknowledging the success of your past week allows you to express gratitude for people that have helped you along the way. 

So, tell me. How did your week go? 

What did you accomplish? Where did you fall short? What are your goals for this week?

I must admit, as excited as I am for the next few days, last week was truly the best week ever. I fulfilled my "Michael Jordan moment" by performing a 5 minute stand up comedy routine in front of 200 plus people. 90% of those people were strangers. 

 A few folks are missing...here are some of my friends from comedy class.

I was the gracious recipient of a delicious meal--Mario Batali pizza and two glasses of red wine, from a guy named Guy who happened to bring his friends and family to my comedy show a few days later! There I was, first time on stage at a huge comedy venue jam packed with people and I look straight out into the crowd and see my new friend Guy sitting there, smiling. It calmed my nerves tremendously to see him in the audience. Talk about a random act of kindness (treating me to a meal and participating in the support of my comedy show). Guy's actions meant so much to me that I will be telling my grandchildren the story someday.

To add to my week, I had over 20 people come out to see me perform Wednesday night. The attendance of the show was incredible and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support and feedback. I even received a gorgeous bouquet of good luck flowers from a friend who is afar.

Then to top it all off, this past Saturday night, I was gifted tickets to check out Lisa Loeb in concert. I sang her songs all throughout middle school, Lisa Loeb will never ever be too old school for me.

Here is my video of Lisa singing "Stay, I Missed You." Go ahead, sing along. 

And so, it is time; time to make this week the best week ever for me and for you. (A special thanks to Chuck Nice for his portrayal of R.Kelly in the video clip at the top, courtesy of BestWeekEver.TV)

This Motivational Monday, spend your time wisely. Re-read the quote at the top of this blog post. Note your success from the previous weeks, challenge yourself to meet your goals these next few days. No matter how far fetched, if you want something, you can and will make it happen. 

Trust me, I am the last person that people would initially perceive as a stand up comic and yet, I refused to let that deter me from going for it. I will continue to do stand up because I want to.

Lastly, share some motivation this Monday. Congratulate a friend on a recent milestone they've achieved. Perform a random act of kindness. Comment on this article with your tips for "making it" through Monday.

And keep on keeping on. March is almost over and in less than two weeks, quarter one of 2011 will be done. Work hard but don't forget to have fun in the process.

Signing off, 

The Jaclyn of All Trades  

How To Live A Life Filled With Inspiration and Avoid Groundhogs Day Redundancy

Today was Groundhogs Day. And just because we recognize this occasion on the second of February (while waiting for  an animal to engage his shadow) does not mean that tomorrow won't be Groundhogs Day again--in the Bill Murray sense.

How often do you just wake up and function on autopilot? How often do you break out of the same old routine?  How often do you identify with the clip above and feel that you are stuck in the same actions that don't take you anywhere different on a daily basis?

Hear me out. Structure is important. I believe structure to be a key component to success. I am not debating the need for structure in our daily lives.

But what I am saying is that we need a little spontaneity. Variation in our routine is just as important as structure for it leads to inspiration. And a life filled with a little inspiration leads to a lot of happiness.

This song inspired me today. I hope it inspires you too.

So, how do we live a life filled with inspiration? Can this be taught? I believe so. If you can learn "how to speak french" or "how to pack light" then why not learn how to live a life filled with inspiration right here on the Internet. That said, here are my recommendations for living an inspired life.

1. Take up a new hobby or interest that you are passionate about. Circumstances such as credit card debt or rent may not allow us to have our dream job (for the time being) but that doesn't mean you should completely abandon interests that you are passionate about. It's often so sad to hear of people who studied subjects such as performing arts in college that abandon their talents because they need a job that "pays their bills." Don't give up on your talents--research classes in your local area; they can be at an art studio or community college. Yelp can also serve as a great resource online. Depending upon where you live, the selection will vary but you can find inspiration in pursuing your passions, even if the pursuit is a part time endeavor.
2. Read motivational quotes and literature. It's no secret that the headlines of today are more of a "shock and awe" approach rather than "our world is a wonderful place in which we live." We are apt to hear of a robbery rather than learn of a young boy who sings songs for his peers that are stricken with cancer. Since our thoughts become our actions, in order to live a life filled with inspiration, it is imperative to read motivational literature and quotes. Not only will we gain perspective; we'll be able to see how some of the most successful individuals faced their obstacles head on and as a result, became inspiring influencers of society. 
3. Make a gratitude list. Since we've become so resourceful due to technology, it's easy to get frustrated when things don't go our way. We have access to things at the click of our finger tips and want the latest and greatest NOW. But have you ever stopped to think about what it is that you currently have which you are thankful for? What are the things you treasure that money cannot buy? Write down the top 3 things you are thankful for each morning; embrace an attitude of gratitude and surely you will feel inspired.
4. Help those in need. This is perhaps one of the most important honors we can exercise on this planet, for it reminds us that some people have more challenging circumstances. It can also inspire empathy and tolerance. To coincide with action #3, helping those in need reminds us of the wealth we have in choice. You can choose to see all the obstacles in your life, or you can compare your issues to someone else who may have more dire circumstances (which will allow you to snap out of your pity party). So long as you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in and food on your table, you can be inspired to go out there and go for it, each and everyday.

Inspiration--the very word has been responsible for some of the greatest inventions and contributors of all time.  You don't have to be a philosopher, scientist or poet to be inspired. All you need is a little shift in perspective and your life can shift into a more inspiring place. Say goodbye to Groundhogs Day--unless it's February 2, 2012.

The choice is yours. Wake up with a different set of eyes by choosing to live a life filled with inspiration. And share how you inspire yourself or others by commenting on this post.