Value What You Are

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

~Malcolm S. Forbes

For some reason we often place a lot of emphasis on what we are lacking. While some people think that should motivate them to change or to become what they are lacking, it usually doesn't work that way. It is more important to accept and value what you are. After all, you are unique in all the world, and although you may not be quite what you want to be--yet--you cannot become that desired person until you really value who and what you already are.

This week: Spend some time focusing your attention on what you are, as opposed to what you are not. Appreciate yourself. Notice those things that you value about yourself. Treasure your idiosyncracies. If you have trouble doing this, ask a close friend or loved one what they value about you. This allows you to see the value that you bring to others. Understand that you don't have to be perfect to bring value to the world.

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people find their inner resources--those resources they may have buried inside. By connecting with your inner resources, you can solve your life's challenges and live lives of meaning and authenticity. For more information go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ . Check out her self-help CD audio and workbook: Discover Your Life's Purpose: 7 Steps to a Life of Meaning & Authenticity.

Changing Your Perceptions Changes Your Outlook

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

~Dr. Wayne Dyer

How you choose to perceive things that happen in your life really determines what you think about them, and how you feel about them. For instance, when you perceive something as a problem, it takes on a certain heaviness, and may even seem insurmountable. If you perceive that same situation as a challenge, it energizes you to seek solutions.

I recently had the opportunity to relearn about this when my husband was burned in a fire at his equipment building. We didn't look at this as a catastrophe; we looked at it as a challenge to be met. His injuries have been a set-back, not something we choose to perceive as permanent. As a result, I think, he has made a much speedier recovery.

This week: If you feel stuck in some area of your life, check to see how you are looking at it. Is there a way you can change your thinking? Can you reframe it as a challenge? Or maybe even an opportunity? Or even as "life's little hiccup?" Notice how your feelings change when you change how you look at things.

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and trainer at Inner Resource Center, LLC in

Maryville, TN. She specializes in helping people overcome obstacles by changing their perceptions with her solution focused methods. For more information, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .

Sometimes It Takes More Than Our Best

"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required."

~Winston Churchill

All of us have the challenge of working together to repair what is not working in our global communities. We must all stretch ourselves--perhaps beyond our best--to achieve all that is required of us. This quote by Churchill should remind us that we've done it before and can do it again. Let us have the common purpose and drive to do what is required.

This week: Think about what you can do personally to help your country and the world solve its big challenges. Are there ways you can join with others to make things happen? Begin to talk to others about it. The commitment and energy to do what is required comes from the groundswell of common purpose.

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and trainer at Inner Resource Center, LLC. She is committed to helping people meet their personal and professional challenges and find the resources to thrive. For more information and free resources for your personal growth, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .

Facing Your Challenges

"The best way out is through."

~Robert Frost

When you are stuck or are faced with challenges, the best way out of your dilemma is to face the challenge and move on through it. Even if you are afraid, if you can face your fear, you can conquer it.

This Week: Think about what is challenging you. Is there something you've been trying to avoid? Hoping it will just go away or resolve itself without your doing something? Sorry, it usually doesn't work that way. This week, see if you can face that thing you've been avoiding. Take it on. Do some small thing to address it. If you keep putting the small steps one in front of the other, before you know it, you'll have passed through the challenge to the other side.

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and trainer at Inner Resource Center, LLC in Maryville, TN. She has spent the past 30 years helping people face their challenges and move through them toward their dreams. If you would like some tips in reaching your dreams, sign up for Inner Resources, her f'ree report at http://www.InnerResourceCenter.com .