The Ultimate Source For Enhancing Your Nightlife!
From the category archives:
Hey!
I know it’s been a bit since new content has been up. Been out sick, then out of town for the awesomeness that is SXSW in Austin. Will be finishing the editing on a couple of videos this week, and shooting a few new ones over the weekend. Just wanted to pop in and let ya’ll know it’s been a break, not a retirement.
JC
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“As a man thinks in his heart; so is he”-Proverbs 23:7
“What we think, we become.” -Buddha
“You are what you think you are: what you think YOU ARE!”-unknown
Sources throughout the ages have pointed to one’s thought life as a huge key to our attitude, beliefs, and overall success in life. That wisdom is no less relevant today. In fact, it may be more important than ever. Now this isn’t some voodoo “The Secret” type of B.S. Don’t expect to be able to “manifest parking spaces,” or other things as some yahoos I’ve heard have claimed.
However, thoughts are things. Every great invention, innovation, or concept, was an idea or vision long before it came to fruition. You achieve that for which you aim. If your thoughts center on your personal inadequacies, your lack of opportunity, or resources, those thoughts will come to pass. If instead you focus your thoughts on opportunities, and what can be done, the doors of possibility will be opened to you.
***A short aside: I encountered mental resistance while writing this. The thoughts of “you’ve not ready to write something this important, or possibly impacting. You still struggle with this issue. Who are YOU to try to help people focus their thoughts on such things? Your not qualified to write this.“ Yet I press on, that I may put what I’ve learned here for those who will read this.***
1. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen, and go to a place of solitude. You’re about to to do some mental heavy lifting, and a place where you can be alone with your thoughts, and truly honest with yourself, is the best way. Tune out all distractions, and turn up some music if this helps you. (I personally do my best work with some Led Zeppelin, Metallica, or Godsmack blasting through my Koss headphones.)
2. On the sheet of paper, write out the negative things people have said about you over your lifetime, and the negative things you say about yourself. Give yourself at LEAST 30 minutes for this. Don’t be afraid to put anything down, especially the most hurtful ones.
3. Look over the list, and rank the negative beliefs from the most hurtful and damaging to being who you want to be, to the least. Then take the top ten most influencing thoughts or beliefs, and rewrite them as a positive on a 3×5 card. For example, instead of the limiting belief of “I don’t have the money or experience to be successful,” write “I have all the resources needed to be successful. I am sufficent.”
4. Take the 3×5 card, and put it in your wallet, purse, dashboard, cubicle, or bathroom mirror. It may behoove you to have several copies, so you can repeat them to yourself, wherever, and whenever negative thoughts strike.
5. On a daily basis, for at least 30 days straight, look yourself in the mirror, and repeat these awesome statements to yourself. In the morning, and before bed are the best times. Yes, it may seem a bit silly at first. That’s ok. Shut the bathroom door, and crank up some music if need be, if your spouse or whomever may not understand. Feel free to get loud, and passionate.
6. After the 30 days, evaluate your thought patterns, and your progress. You WILL see changes in the first 30 days, so write them down, and compare them to what you thought before. You started, and enjoy the progress you have made.
7. Repeat the process of steps 1-6 with any specific issues that seem to crop up, or you feel like you’ve plateaued, or have hit a wall. This will help to keep your sights set ever higher, and you moving forward as a person.
Originator says about the process:
“Over time, you will start to notice your core beliefs change, it is a subtle shift in the subconscious response, but may be an overnight shift in conscious thinking, as you are made aware of plenty of negative loops you are running. It will be amazing to see your autopilot responses shifting towards the suggestions contained within. You will be like, “where did that come from, I just really asserted my self in that situation.”
Honestly, 30 days is not enough, but also too, a constant guarding of your mind from external influences is mandatory. You use the affirmations as often as possible to force your thoughts and dreams to a place YOU want to move towards. This is a life long process, not a one time fix. “
How do you conquer your doubts, and negative thoughts?
What do you focus on in tough times, or say to yourself to keep your self positive?
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Your personal level of leadership affects everything you do in life. Your job, your friends, your ability to get things done. It has been said that “everything rises and falls on leadership,” including nations, and institutions. I have found this to be true. Here a few ideas on how improving your personal leadership level can positively influence your nightlife experience.
Put simply: what IS leadership? There are a ton of definitons of the term, including “getting people to do something you want them to do, and getting them it like it.” John Maxwell defines it as “Influence” plain and simple. I personally couldn’t agree more. Your ability to influence those you come in contact around you, makes things a lot easier, and can help with putting together birthday parties, charity events, and even getting that certain someone on a second date.
There are 5 levels of leadership according to leadership guru John Maxwell. These levels are:
1.Position. (govt and corps start here)
2.Permission (social influence starts here)
3.Production
4.People Development
5.Personhood
For most nightlife related activities, levels 1-3 apply. Level 1 comes into play where your the “official” chair, or head of some charity or organization. At level 1, people follow you basically because they have to, and will not follow you beyond what official authority you have been given. This is the “because I say so” level.
Level 2, is where you lead others with their permission. People follow you because they want to. This is much easier than level one. Most of all the nightlife leadership related activities fall under this status. This is where you can put together meet ups, invite people to a venue, and plan events, that people you know or invite will actually attend. These people know you, and choose to attend because you personally invited them, or several of their friends. This is the “I’m going because I want to, and the planner is a friend” level.
Level 3 comes into play when word of your events of parties has spread to people who have not personally met you, but have heard of what you have done. They know you put together, or have a finger on the pulse of what’s going on, and invite people into an awesome time.
Qualities of leaders and nightlife takeaway
1. Leaders go first.
Leaders are always trying new things, and new places. They are the true early adopters. They always seem to know of that cool new place, or hotspot before everyone else. In fact, they often have already visited, and know many of the staff and promoters before you’ve even heard of it. So, don’t be afraid to try a new spot that’s just opened and trying to build a following, or a quirky out of the way bar. Letting all your social circle know about “this cool place I just found, that you just have to join me at next week,” is a great spot to be in.
2. Leaders are focused.
Leaders focus their efforts. This goes in a bit of the “try a ton of places, and see what works” advice in the above point. Leaders follow the Pareto principle that states that 80% of all results come from 20% of activities. So, find the venues, and events to provide the most punch, and fun for most events and stick with them. There’s a need to do new things, and no need to reinvent the wheel. A friend of mine throws a HUGE Mardi Gras party at her house every year. There’s always stories, and a great time from each party. She doesn’t try to completely reinvent the party every year. It’s well attended because everyone knows it will be a great time, great food, and a big group of fun people. Dloing something similar in your social circle will be a great move.
3. Leaders are change agents.
By being early adopters, leaders go first. This stance is not easy..as many resist change. The refrain of “why should we do X when Y works already?” is one any leader is familiar with. The requires dedication, on the part of any leader. The leaders best bet, to allow for change, it do draw people to themselves. People buy in to a leader, before they buy into the vision. If people know you, and associate you with knowing where to go and what to do, and you actually are their friend, they will buy into new ideas much easier. This personal touch can not be substituted.
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