Gratitude

Life is a game of mirrors. You get the reflection of the life you create. You walk around kicking the ground and complaining about the short end of the stick, and you'll experience a disappointing day with low energy.

Much of your outlook, if not all, is up to you. What type of life do you want to have? You get to decide. Is it a rainy, gloomy afternoon, or are we finally getting the water we need? I'm not perfect either. When it's negative 20 and the wind is blowing, I find it difficult to smile. I do tell myself this makes 10 degrees feel warm.

Our mindset determines our thinking. You don't get a chance to adjust on the court. What I mean is that's it is difficult to re-frame a situation in the middle of the event, in the heat of the battle. You need to decide early and brace yourself. Get ready to find the bright side, the silver lining. It does get easier with practice.

I believe in No Excuses lifestyle. This approach changes my option set. It's why I do my own laundry. No ones fault but my own if I don't have a clean shirt for work, so I have to get off my butt and throw in a load of laundry. Often my wife as beat me to it, but I never look to her for clean clothes.

Start small. Before you switch into work mode, make a note. Write down a sentence or two for something you are grateful for today. Maybe you are grateful to have a job that pays the bills? Maybe you appreciate a co-worker? The possibilities are endless, and the gratitude will re-frame your thinking.