Are You Contagious?

Oh, fall; it’s a glorious time of cooler weather, changing leaves, and warm wholesome meals. Most would argue that this is the best season of the year in the Upper Midwest. But every year as we enter fall, we are also entering the cold and flu season. From what we’re hearing from the media, this season will be a bad one. You can’t get too far these days before hearing someone bring up H1N1, the seasonal flu, strep throat, or the hundreds of other communicable viruses.

As contagious as all these illnesses are, I think I have stumbled across something that is way more contagious than any virus; attitude! It’s a common practice of the season to focus on all the ways to stop the spread of sickness. But when exactly do we focus on how to stop the spread of negativity? This is something just as serious as physical illness and deserves just as much attention as the Swine Flu. How often do we wake up in a pretty good mood, coast through our morning routine, and arrive to work only to look a crabby co-worker in the eye? Probably quite often if you’re part of the average population and it sure doesn’t take long for our good day to start on a downward spiral.

We all know the responsibility of stopping the spread of physical illness is everyone’s; by washing hands, covering a cough, and staying home when you’re sick. The same also applies to stop a bad attitude! Keep your demeanor in check, speak only kind words, and be conscious of how you’re affecting others.

Now, as contagious as a bad attitude is, a good attitude is just as infectious! It’s amazing how a kind word or genuine smile can lift someone’s spirits. I experienced this first hand while on my way home from a hurried errand run this week. During the drive home the events of the day were running through my head; sick kids, a doctor’s appointment, pharmacy run, all the stuff that I should have gotten done but didn’t, and all the things I needed to do once I got home. Just then I noticed an old gentleman selling produce on the side of the road and as I drove by he offered a friendly wave. I recognized the man to have been there before. A retired farmer who spends most his days in late summer parked alongside the highway selling his vegetables. It’s still a welcome surprise though when you come across him as he waves at every car that passes on this busy highway. That simple wave was all I needed that day to step outside my crazy day and take the time to just smile.

I say we all need to get a little more contagious this season! Make a point to spread a positive attitude and see how much of difference such a simple act can make.

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. As you think, so shall you be.” ~William James

Life's Fortunes

While at work this week a co-worker of mine went through the office sprinkling a fortune cookie on everyone’s desk. Around mid-day I was getting a bit hungry and busted mine open. Before I even took my first bite I pulled out the fortune inside to see what lucky thing will be coming my way. My fortune told me this, “someone will acknowledge you for your positive attitude.” I thought to myself, “that’s a good fortune” and I stuck it on my computer monitor. I’d glance at it here and there throughout the week and would think to myself, “Yes! I want someone to notice my positive attitude!”

A couple days later my boss switched her “boss” hat for her “mom” hat to take a little timeout from her busy office for her daughter. It was a quick conversation and her daughter left within a few short moments with a chunk of advice from mom that will benefit her in all areas of her life. I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s good stuff; I could use that advice in my own life!” My boss switched gears just as quickly as before and returned to her desk without missing a beat. I thought about that brief two minute exchange several times that afternoon and decided to acknowledge what I thought to be a beautiful mother daughter moment. As I completed my end of the day ritual of shutting down my office I walked past my boss’s door and stuck my head in to compliment her for being such a great mom. She then turned to me and said, “Thank you, I really needed to hear that, you always know what to say, and you are always so positive, I love that about you!” I couldn’t believe it! My fortune came true!

On the way home that day I was recalling the week’s event. At first, I was thinking the fortune cookie must have had special powers in order to be so accurate. But then I realized that it came true in response to my actions.

It’s easy to float through life expecting that things should just happen for us. But it’s important to remember that we need to make the effort to get what we want. And strangely enough it’s usually the tiniest of efforts that reap the most benefits. Whether it’s a stronger marriage, more praise at work, loving children, or supportive friends – maybe you can take the first tiny step towards change.

Jenny
Sister of Soul


Soulspiration of the Week:

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. ~Clement Stone

It's Time for a Goal Check-Up

At Soulspring January is all about goal-setting; getting your dreams prioritized and your action plan set for the year. Why am I talking about January in September? With just over three months of the year left, it’s time to evaluate your progress towards your goals.

We begin the New Year with such optimism, don’t we? It all seems so attainable in January. Plus we have 11 more months to work our plan. But sometimes in spite of our best efforts and planning, we don’t consistently take the action that is necessary, and with time running out we chalk up another failed attempt at reaching our dreams. “There’s always next year,” we say.

The truth is that we are entering what I believe to be one of the most productive times of the entire year. Even if you haven’t thought about your goals since January you still have time to make some real progress and make them a reality. Here’s are 4 steps to get you back on track:

THE WHAT: First, you need to remember what it was that you wanted to achieve. Was your goal specific? For example, instead of saying you want to lose weight, you must state the exact number of pounds. You also want to consider your progress year to date. If you haven’t done any work toward your goal, why? Was your plan too aggressive? Were you lacking belief that your goal was actually possible? Use this new insight to revise your plan as you work through the steps below.

THE WHY: Don’t underestimate the importance of why you wanted to achieve your goal in the first place. Chances are if it was important to you then, it’s even more important now! Really visualize what achieving your goal would mean to your life and the lives of those around you. And, although it can be uncomfortable, it’s also important to visualize what it would mean to not achieve your goal. What would you be depriving yourself, your loved ones, the world? Make it real by feeling the emotions behind these revelations and putting it into writing in a journal or incorporate it into your actual plan so it’s fresh in your mind. You can achieve anything if it’s important enough. Make it important.

THE HOW: Now you are ready to dust off your earlier plan. Re-evaluate the steps you identified to make your dream a reality. Check off any that you have accomplished and adjust any remaining actions and tasks by determining if they are still crucial and then make any necessary shifts. This is also the time to ensure that your plan is achievable. If you plan too aggressively, it’s impossible to keep up and you’re likely to fail before you begin. We understand the plight of the busy woman and for that reason you will often hear the Soul Sisters say, “Don’t underestimate the power of baby steps.” You would be surprised at how much a woman can achieve by just taking two or three small (sometimes even tiny) steps each day. These small actions add up over the course of a week, month and year. The development of Soulspring Groups is just one example of this theory put into action!

THE WHEN: Chances are that back in January you set target dates and deadlines for your action steps. Most likely these will need to be adjusted to reflect a new timeline, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up for being behind, instead celebrate your new dedication and promise yourself some added incentive or a reward once you achieve your goal. It’s surprising what a treat or reward can do to drive you toward achievement. Make your reward something that really motivates you to put in the hard work!

Don’t let another year, and another goal, go by. There are still 109 full days left in 2009 and that means over 218 baby steps can be taken toward your goal. Get started now and New Year’s Eve is going to take on a whole new meaning!

Kim
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal.” ~Benjamin Mays

Women of Achievement

Just in case you didn’t know, September is Women of Achievement Month, a time to honor and acknowledge the accomplishments of women. At Soulspring Groups we believe that achievement and empowerment go hand in hand and so we’re very excited to dedicate our work this month to all you amazing women!

So, who qualifies as a “woman of achievement”? We might think that it requires a fearless act of bravery, an action that changes the course of history, or being the “first” at something. Women like Anne Frank, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Florence Nightingale come to mind. But what about the women behind these women, like their mothers, their teachers, and their friends? And of course there are a million women who are living and working among us whose names you probably won’t recognize; like Jenna Hines, small town, Midwest American girl, making a difference to families in Kenya.

If you think that to make a difference and a real contribution to the world that you have to make history, get on the news, or see your name in print, think again. The Rosa Parks of history didn’t realize the power of their “simple” acts at the time. They simply lived their truth, followed their heart, and pursued their passion! And the same goes for us; it is quite possible that we will never know the true impact of our deeds.

So then, how do we know when we’ve reached achievement; if we’ve really made a difference? Well, that’s an easy one. We all have that urge deep inside us that tells us why we were put on this Earth. When you listen to that inner guidance and act on it, that’s achievement! The action you take might seem small and the results insignificant now, but you never know what ripple effect you could start that will change the course of history.

So, join us in celebrating Women of Achievement Month by giving time to your passionate pursuits and encouraging and inspiring other women to do the same! If you’re not already a subscriber to our Soulspiration e-newsletter, get your Free Subscription Here. We’ll be sharing the story of Jenna Hines and how this small-town Wisconsin woman is changing the world. Also, watch our latest movie, What will you throw back? and share it with your women friends to inspire them to take action too. It’s our month ladies, believe and achieve!

Becky
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week

“Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people.” ~Nido Qubein