Well Christmas is right around the corner. Are you ready?

I’ll be ordering some sweat pants just so I can enjoy the feasts that will be served.

You may or may not know, but i’ve been off work on FMLA since the birth of my son in October.

I just got off the phone with one of the guys on my crew and I let him know I was coming back on Dec 30th.

I told him I was excited to come back and work on some better training for us, he was pumped too and said he was looking forward to me coming back.

I’ll tell you what, thats what its all about.

You wanting to be at work with your crew and them wanting you there.

Anyways, here is this weeks highlights:
Monday

I’ve talked in the past about stories that we tell ourselves.
These stories help us make sense of what is going on in our lives.
These stories aren’t always 100% true though, even though we believe them to be.
These stories can makes excuses why we can’t do something or enable us to hold anger for someone.
What stories do you consistently tell yourself that you think may be holding you back?
Tuesday
Making life happen

How many of you have a morning routine?

This would be specific actions you take to better yourself every morning before you begin your day at work or being home.

As I’ve gotten older and busier, a morning routine has been key for me to continue learning and staying healthy.

Taking care of yourself is easy when it’s just you. Throw in a spouse and children and you’re in a whole different playing field.

Wednesday
There are things that get me pissed

At times these thoughts pop in my head:
They shoulda….
Why should I have to….

What do those thoughts make happen though?

Nothing but discontent and no action

The more we dwell on an issue
Or
Who should be the one to do something

The more we make ourselves miserable and the issue is still not addressed

So you can continue down this spiral

Or

You can choose to take action despite your negative thoughts and reach your goal.

Thursday
You’ve changed.

Think back to how you saw things 10, 15, 20 years ago.

Do you see things the same way now?

Probably not.

You have changed by growing.
You grew from experiences you had and knowledge you learned.

The fastest way to grow ourselves is through continually learning.

When we continually learn, we update the software in our brains so we can operate as our best selves.

Think about some of the trouble makers or naysayers you work with.

Do they continually learn to better themselves or are they stuck on the same problem for the past 10 years?

Complaining about something that you know they could fix themselves, but they just don’t see it that way.

So they wallow in their own self pity and continually stay miserable.

Being happy and being miserable is a choice we make from the way we look at things.

Update your software.
Continue to learn.

Friday
Who’s up for a challenge today?

Here’s the deal….

It’s very easy to get caught up and frustrated over trivial issues.

Guess what though?

You’re not really that bothered by the small issue, you’re bothered by the triggered emotion that the small issue released.

Now that you’re aware of this.

Spend today observing yourself and others.

See what makes you or others get upset

Is it really that big of a deal?

Is it something you can even control?

Don’t let your emotions get worked up, just observe.

John Lovato, Jr.

Author, Fix Your Firehouse
Creator, Company Officer Logbook
Founder, Brotherhood Coaching