Comments on: The road to hell is paved with self improvement http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:37:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jael http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1574 Jael Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:15:16 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1574 I Like this. Instead of being disappointed that it rained and we couldn't paint the house, I'm ecstatic that it rained after we had only one small portion done. That way we could see what color we were going to paint it- which turned out to be a sickening color of blue. I Like this. Instead of being disappointed that it rained and we couldn’t paint the house, I’m ecstatic that it rained after we had only one small portion done. That way we could see what color we were going to paint it- which turned out to be a sickening color of blue.

]]> By: Dan http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1575 Dan Thu, 08 May 2008 02:42:07 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1575 For setting and tracking your oals, you can use Gtdagenda. You can then break them up in smaller manageable units like projects and tasks. For setting and tracking your oals, you can use Gtdagenda.

You can then break them up in smaller manageable units like projects and tasks.

]]> By: Keen Hire Blog http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1595 Keen Hire Blog Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:49:32 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1595 <strong>Personal Goal Setting Starts With A Person - You</strong> It seems that most goal-setting articles start off talking about how difficult it is to lay down goals and follow through them. For a nation obsessed with diets and get rich quick schemes, goal-setting seems to be a harsh discipline Personal Goal Setting Starts With A Person – You

It seems that most goal-setting articles start off talking about how difficult it is to lay down goals and follow through them. For a nation obsessed with diets and get rich quick schemes, goal-setting seems to be a harsh discipline

]]> By: Never the Same River Twice http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1576 Never the Same River Twice Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:46:30 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1576 These are all great questions to ask when contemplating resolutions and goals, if you're into that sort of thing! I'm actually a big fan of Stephen Shapiro's concept of using a Compass, not a Map when planning your future. This allows a lot more flexibility and nimbleness in determining actions. You can read more about this concept here: http://www.blog.neverthesamerivertwice.com/2008/01/02/having-goals-will-make-you-blind/ or at http://www.stephenshapiro.com These are all great questions to ask when contemplating resolutions and goals, if you’re into that sort of thing!

I’m actually a big fan of Stephen Shapiro’s concept of using a Compass, not a Map when planning your future. This allows a lot more flexibility and nimbleness in determining actions. You can read more about this concept here:
http://www.blog.neverthesamerivertwice.com/2008/01/02/having-goals-will-make-you-blind/
or at http://www.stephenshapiro.com

]]> By: Pamela Slim http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1577 Pamela Slim Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:28:19 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1577 Thanks so much for your comments everyone!!! It is great to read them and gives me lots of encouragement to keep going through my own doubts and fears. My answers: Appreciate about failed romance: I know that I am worthy of being loved, and don't need anyone to validate my worth. A relationship is a bonus, not a reason for living. --- Appreciate about financial struggles: I do not enjoy finance. I am not naturally skilled at it. But I absolutely want to do things the right way. So I surround myself with people who are skilled, knowledgeable and will handle this part of my business. --- Appreciate about flabby body: It carried my children, and walks me through a life I love each day. It is WORTH taking care of, because I want to be here for the long haul. --- Appreciate about the job I hated: I knew this was not work I was cut out do to. It pushed me quicker towards work that is energizing, impactful and inherently fulfilling --- Appreciate about struggle with personal relationships: This is the best way to push myself to grow. As my two year old challenges me, I try to stay in my best frame of mind. If I don't do things perfectly, I laugh and move on. I learn what I stand for, and what is really important. --- Doing an exercise like this really does make me feel better. I hope it does for you too! Thanks so much for your comments everyone!!! It is great to read them and gives me lots of encouragement to keep going through my own doubts and fears.

My answers:

Appreciate about failed romance:

I know that I am worthy of being loved, and don’t need anyone to validate my worth. A relationship is a bonus, not a reason for living.

—

Appreciate about financial struggles:

I do not enjoy finance. I am not naturally skilled at it. But I absolutely want to do things the right way. So I surround myself with people who are skilled, knowledgeable and will handle this part of my business.

—

Appreciate about flabby body:

It carried my children, and walks me through a life I love each day. It is WORTH taking care of, because I want to be here for the long haul.

—

Appreciate about the job I hated:

I knew this was not work I was cut out do to. It pushed me quicker towards work that is energizing, impactful and inherently fulfilling

—

Appreciate about struggle with personal relationships:

This is the best way to push myself to grow. As my two year old challenges me, I try to stay in my best frame of mind. If I don’t do things perfectly, I laugh and move on. I learn what I stand for, and what is really important.

—

Doing an exercise like this really does make me feel better. I hope it does for you too!

]]> By: Kelly http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1578 Kelly Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:17:09 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1578 What is perfect about my problem is that I know no one will make me happy but me. I'd call it Cinderella on acid, but I've never done acid. The greatest threat to the world is an independent woman. What is perfect about my problem is that I know no one will make me happy but me. I’d call it Cinderella on acid, but I’ve never done acid.

The greatest threat to the world is an independent woman.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1579 Aaron Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:44:52 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1579 What lesson are you thankful for from the person (or people) who broke your heart? ------------------ In July of 2007, my wife decided to end our 10 year marriage. This choice has wreaked chaos and destruction in my life as this is the only woman I have every really wanted and loved (and still do). However, the result of this I have stronger ties with my family and friends. I stopped drinking Pepsi, started working out, and dropped 30 pounds. I was forced to face all the demons that have lingered inside me, and though I have by no means destroyed them, the process has started. 2008 will be about picking up the pieces of my life and rebuilding. ------------------ What deep appreciation have you gained from your financial struggles? I appreciate the struggles with finances over the past 10 years because I have learned self-control (mostly) and the benefits of planning when to buy stuff. My car is now paid off, my credit cards are small, and I have no student loans. I appreciate how it feels to feel this free. My car should last me several more years, and even though it's not perfect, the financial freedom is more important than power windows, a better stereo or cruise control (oh, but I miss cruise control!). ------------------ What do you appreciate about your flabby body? This one is a toughy for me, because when I look in the mirror, I cringe. However, in the process of writing this, I see for the first time in my life, something I like. I see the framework for something better. Like how a carver sees a block of ugly stone. He sees past the ugliness and sees the potential. A little muscle there, a little less fat there, and I might actually be proud of my body. 10 minutes ago, I couldn't see that potential. Thank you Pamela. ------------------ What do you value most about the job you hate? I love my job and so there isn't much to resolve other than just getting better at it. However, my last job was a nightmare, and the think the thing I valued most about that job is I learned how not to be afraid of getting fired. I used to think that getting fired was the worst thing that could happen. It's not. I also learned that some environments bring out the worst in people, and that is what that environment did. When that starts to happen, you can't be afraid to jump ship. Some jobs/bosses just suck, and you can't be afraid to bail if it's affecting your life in a significant way. And mind you, you still should try to make things better first. But if you have tried your best to make it work, and you're still just sinking, jump! (And don't forget to jump for something higher). ------------------ What do you appreciate about a child, or a friend, that gives you endless challenge? At this point, there isn't any real challenging relationships outside the shattered marriage and my own shattered self image, so I'll pass on this one. :) What lesson are you thankful for from the person (or people) who broke your heart?
——————
In July of 2007, my wife decided to end our 10 year marriage. This choice has wreaked chaos and destruction in my life as this is the only woman I have every really wanted and loved (and still do). However, the result of this I have stronger ties with my family and friends. I stopped drinking Pepsi, started working out, and dropped 30 pounds. I was forced to face all the demons that have lingered inside me, and though I have by no means destroyed them, the process has started. 2008 will be about picking up the pieces of my life and rebuilding.
——————
What deep appreciation have you gained from your financial struggles?
I appreciate the struggles with finances over the past 10 years because I have learned self-control (mostly) and the benefits of planning when to buy stuff. My car is now paid off, my credit cards are small, and I have no student loans. I appreciate how it feels to feel this free. My car should last me several more years, and even though it’s not perfect, the financial freedom is more important than power windows, a better stereo or cruise control (oh, but I miss cruise control!).
——————
What do you appreciate about your flabby body?
This one is a toughy for me, because when I look in the mirror, I cringe. However, in the process of writing this, I see for the first time in my life, something I like. I see the framework for something better. Like how a carver sees a block of ugly stone. He sees past the ugliness and sees the potential. A little muscle there, a little less fat there, and I might actually be proud of my body. 10 minutes ago, I couldn’t see that potential. Thank you Pamela.
——————
What do you value most about the job you hate?
I love my job and so there isn’t much to resolve other than just getting better at it. However, my last job was a nightmare, and the think the thing I valued most about that job is I learned how not to be afraid of getting fired. I used to think that getting fired was the worst thing that could happen. It’s not. I also learned that some environments bring out the worst in people, and that is what that environment did. When that starts to happen, you can’t be afraid to jump ship. Some jobs/bosses just suck, and you can’t be afraid to bail if it’s affecting your life in a significant way. And mind you, you still should try to make things better first. But if you have tried your best to make it work, and you’re still just sinking, jump! (And don’t forget to jump for something higher).
——————
What do you appreciate about a child, or a friend, that gives you endless challenge?
At this point, there isn’t any real challenging relationships outside the shattered marriage and my own shattered self image, so I’ll pass on this one. :)

]]> By: Ariane Benefit, Neat & Simple Living http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1580 Ariane Benefit, Neat & Simple Living Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:41:54 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1580 You are so right!!!! I find it much more pleasant and motivating to work on positive goals from a place of gratitude and appreciation of what you have now. You don't have to hate where you are now or hit rock bottom. You just have to know what you want...and REALLY want it! I appreciate my body more at 48 than I did when I was twenty!Thanks for the great post!: ) You are so right!!!! I find it much more pleasant and motivating to work on positive goals from a place of gratitude and appreciation of what you have now. You don’t have to hate where you are now or hit rock bottom. You just have to know what you want…and REALLY want it!
I appreciate my body more at 48 than I did when I was twenty!Thanks for the great post!: )

]]> By: Jon Bianco http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1581 Jon Bianco Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:01:41 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1581 Pam, Always thankful for your timely insight and perspective. Your posts always motivate me to never giving up on my dream to escape from "Cubicle Nation". Happy new Year. Pam,

Always thankful for your timely insight and perspective. Your posts always motivate me to never giving up on my dream to escape from “Cubicle Nation”.

Happy new Year.

]]> By: Scott Ellis http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/2007/12/31/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-self-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-1582 Scott Ellis Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:20:43 +0000 http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/?p=161#comment-1582 Pam, Very insightful post for the new year (and a happy one to you all). I couldn't agree more that we need to be happy with ourselves if we are to be truly successful at whatever we do. Keeping things in perspective is also an important step to that happiness. I still think of it as "leveraging our strengths" rather than focusing so hard on the chinks in our armor; as cliche' as that might sound. Another thought for happiness in the new year: Be decisive. Weigh your options, take the lessons you have learned into consideration then make a decision and go with it. From there adjust as you need to. Having choices is wonderful but if we don't make a decision when with faced with options those decisions will often get made for us and will typically end up opposite of the option we most would have preferred. Pam,

Very insightful post for the new year (and a happy one to you all). I couldn’t agree more that we need to be happy with ourselves if we are to be truly successful at whatever we do. Keeping things in perspective is also an important step to that happiness. I still think of it as “leveraging our strengths” rather than focusing so hard on the chinks in our armor; as cliche’ as that might sound.

Another thought for happiness in the new year: Be decisive. Weigh your options, take the lessons you have learned into consideration then make a decision and go with it. From there adjust as you need to. Having choices is wonderful but if we don’t make a decision when with faced with options those decisions will often get made for us and will typically end up opposite of the option we most would have preferred.

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