MIKOLAJ'S MONTHLY MAUNDER
Insights and inspiration for your leadership journey!
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Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey! “Neither a promotion, losing weight, finding a soul mate, writing a book, nor becoming a billionaire will ensure happiness. Nothing ensures happiness. No destination is great enough. No dream come true will do. Because happiness that's not present at the start of a journey will not be present at its end." ~ The Universe (aka, Mike Dooley) ~ As I say in Chapter 4 of A Travel Guide to Leadership, “One of the indispensable qualities of great leaders is that they are inwardly happy and nurture that happiness for themselves and others.” I have been facing some challenges lately, and I started lamenting about the circumstances and the characters involved. Then I read today’s quote, revisited Chapter 4, and watched today’s inspiring, short video. If you feel the challenges of being happy are ‘out there’ somewhere or sometimes struggle with knowing in your soul or ‘heart of hearts’ just how blessed, beautiful, and happy you truly are, then I encourage you to do the same. Own your happiness! There is a reason I didn’t name Chapter 4, The Road to Happiness, but instead chose the title, The Highway of Happiness. You see, it’s two different perspectives. If you’re on a road to happiness, you may never get there. You’re always chasing after it. However, if you’re on the highway of happiness, then you already have your happiness and it is helping you enjoy your journey. Even though the title of today’s video doesn’t capture the idea behind my title of Chapter 4 in A Travel Guide to Leadership; the message does. Watch the short video, Road to Happiness, to find out why. May the affirmations and music inspire you and help you to reconnect to your own internal joy and happiness. This Week's Affirmations The Happiness Creed By BJ Gallagher I believe that happiness is my birthright, as well as my responsibility; and I commit to claiming it. I believe that happiness is here and now; and I commit to awakening to it. I believe that happiness is a choice; and I commit to choosing it. I believe that happiness is a habit; and I commit to cultivating it. I believe that happiness is free, like rainbows, sunshine, and air; and I commit to reveling in it. I believe that happiness is always available, no matter what others are doing; and I commit to creating it. I believe that happiness is an inside job, not dependent on money, fame, or possessions; and I commit to living it. I believe that happiness is an attitude of gratitude; and I commit to giving thanks. I believe that happiness is in action; and I commit to generating it. I believe that happiness is contagious; and I commit to sharing it. I believe that happiness is a prayer, uniting me with the universe; and I commit to offering it. I believe that happiness is my calling - I must be the happiness I wish to see in the world. Have an amazing journey today! Alan
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Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey! “If being happy is important to us, then gratefulness is important; because it is gratefulness that makes us happy." ~ Brother David Steindl-Rast ~ Do you want to be happy? A very influential phrase from the Declaration of Independence has become a part of our American identity. It is the belief that we are endowed by our “Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We want to be happy. There’s good reason to be happy. Besides just feeling good, it is now well-established in the literature that happy people are more successful than less happy people in every avenue of life. Happy people tend to earn more money, get promoted, have better relationships, are more empathic, are healthier, and even live longer than less happy people. The American Paradox. From the time we are born, however, we are bombarded with false messages that money brings us happiness. When we land the great job, get the corner office, drive that sexy car, have the latest and greatest ‘toys,’ can afford expensive clothes and shoes, find ‘Miss or Mister Right,’ and have lots of money – suddenly and magically we will be happy. These ‘carrots’ – and more – are held out in front of us our whole lives. We are taught from a very early age that they will bring us happiness and fulfillment. And yet, despite great affluence and abundance in the United States and other developed countries, many people feel empty and the research demonstrates that happiness levels and subjective well-being measures have decreased. This is called the “American Paradox.” As Americans’ personal income doubled from 1970s into the new millennium, the percentage of people reporting that they are very happy actually fell.  The research clearly shows that, unless you are in extreme poverty, money does not buy happiness. So, if happiness leads to success in every life domain and money doesn’t buy happiness; what does generate happiness? Gratefulness makes us happy. Brother Steindl-Rast gives us the answer in the opening quote. Research has consistently demonstrated that nurturing gratitude increases individual happiness – and what better time to be grateful than during the Thanksgiving season? How can you nurture gratitude? The most powerful and long-lasting technique that researchers have discovered is keeping a Gratitude Journal. Here’s what you do: At the end of each day, before you’re too sleepy, make a list of 3-5 things that you are grateful for that day and the reason why. So that it looks something like this: I am grateful for [fill in the blank] because [reason why]. Keep a gratitude journal for twenty-one days and you can transform your life! There are more techniques about how to generate gratitude and happiness in my new book, A Travel Guide to Leadership. What are you grateful for? We all have so much to be thankful for! Over 1.4 billion people have no access to electricity worldwide. About 3 billion people have to use solid fuels—wood, charcoal, coal and dung—for cooking and heating. About 2.6 billion people – half the developing world – lack even a simple ‘improved’ latrine and 1.1 billion people have no access to any type of improved drinking source of water. Let’s make every day a day of thanksgiving – not just the holidays. By nurturing gratitude every day, not only will you be happier, you’ll be more successful, too! Today's Affirmations (Repeat these quietly to yourself multiple times throughout the day.) I look for something to be thankful for every chance I get. Being grateful brings me and others joy. I am loved and appreciated! I am grateful for [fill in the blank] because [fill in the blank]. Happy Thanksgiving and… Have an amazing journey today! Alan Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey! “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." ~ Booker T. Washington ~ We all have had obstacles in our life that we have overcome. What are some of your big ones? Booker T. Washington (my Junior High School alma mater) is telling us to measure our success by those obstacles, not necessarily by how much we have or where we stand on the corporate ladder. It is through life’s twists and turns, so-called failures, problems, and obstacles that we learn, grow, and become a better person. As M. Scott Peck, MD says in one of my most favorite quotes of all time, “Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning.” You can find the full quote and more about problems and conflict on page 189 of A Travel Guide to Leadership. You might even be facing an obstacle in your life, right now. Remember, you have overcome so much already. Make a list of the five to ten biggest obstacles you have overcome in your life thus far. Then, reflect on the lessons learned and how you are now a different person because of them. Then tell yourself that there is reason to have faith in yourself and the universe to keep trying. Today's Affirmations (Repeat these quietly to yourself multiple times throughout the day.) I have overcome many obstacles in my life! My success is more about who I am rather than what I have. I am successful! Have an amazing journey today! Alan Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey! This week's post is dedicated to my daughter, Jessica, who celebrated her 25th birthday this past weekend and, my lovely wife, Leah.“I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish." ~ Rascal Flatts ~ This song and video spoke to me this past week. The sentiment and thoughts behind the music and lyrics are why I wrote A Travel Guide to Leadership. Like the song says, “My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to…” Remember, leadership is not only about presidential elections and corporate success, but about the kind of life we want for ourselves and each other. My wish is for one full of gratitude, happiness, goodness, abundance, forgiveness, learning, choice, opportunity; but mostly, one full of love. Yeah, this is my wish. And maybe, like me, you find it nice to be reminded of that now and again. Watch the short video, My Wish. I’ve included the lyrics underneath. If you like it, I encourage you to share it with the world and join me on my journey to empower and inspire millions of people around the globe. At the end of the video, you’ll see simple instructions on how you can help. Together we can spread words of Encouragement, Inspiration, Empowerment, and Loving Leadership... and wouldn't you agree our world could use a little more "Positivity" these days! Together we can make a difference...
Today's Affirmations (Repeat these quietly to yourself multiple times throughout the day.) I live in each moment, not forgetting, but letting go of the past. I forgive. I help someone every chance I get. I love my life! I am a loving leader! Have an amazing journey today! Alan |
Alan Mikolaj
Alan Mikolaj is a a professional, experienced, positive, and passionate speaker, leadership and organizational development consultant, change agent, author, and coach. He holds his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University. He is a certified graduate coach from Coaching Out of the Box and holds his ACC and membership with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Impactful change starts with a conversation! Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan
Or call or email: Contact Page 
In his third book, A Travel Guide to Leadership, Alan offers you simple, fundamental, and powerful lessons that have the power to transform you, your relationships, and your career.
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