Reflection

My friends and I call it mirror work. It's when you take a good hard look at you. It's when you take the time to try to see yourself the way others see you. Are you as kind as you think you are? Are you as helpful as you think you are? Are you really a good person? What do you need to work on? What areas of your life need improvement? Who is the person staring back at you? Do you recognize your own reflection? Don't be scared. Do the work.

Affirm

Happy Valentine's Day! For many, this is a day to affirm the love and affection they share with a loved one. For others, this is a day to affirm their love and affection towards themselves. Whether you are single or in a relationship, take the time to affirm yourself. You are beautiful. You are handsome. You are worthy. You are loved. You are gifted. You are driven. You deserve love. You deserve the best. Celebrate you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God's unique design. Love every part of you. Affirm you. 

Habits

A habit is a behavioral pattern acquired by repetition. It is your morning routine, and your nightly rituals. We all have something we do consistently, good or bad. Some of us are gym rats, while others of us are couch potatoes. Some of us are avid Starbucks drinkers, while others can't live out their Coke. My father-in-law does a self assessment every couple of years based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey.  Even in his retirement, he wants to make sure he is being effective. I can admit that I have a lot of bad habits, and I am making a genuine effort to be more deliberate and effective with my thoughts, resources, and actions. What do you habitually do? Do these habits help or hinder you? Are your habits effective? Below are The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit which helps you transition from effectiveness to greatness:

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

The 8th Habit: Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”- Steven R. Covey