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The Greatest Gift Of All – The Gift Of Empowerment
by: Joy Fisher-Sykes
During the year, a variety of celebrations – birthdays,
holidays, and other special occasions – call for a gift of some
kind. We sometimes work ourselves into a frenzy trying to come
up with the "perfect gift." The "perfect gift" is one that
doesn't wind up in the bottom of a drawer or a gift receipt
because no one in his/her right mind would return it (after all
it's perfect.) Or have you ever received a gift and couldn't
wait for the return counter to open?
Why not invest in a gift that has staying power – the gift of
empowerment. The gift of empowerment is a gift that keeps on
giving, enabling one to enhance and further his or her personal
development and achievement. An empowering gift is one that
keeps on giving the whole year through and, if we're lucky,
beyond.
Here are three empowering gift ideas:
The Gift of Change * Enjoy cuisine of a culture other than your
own. Learn about a culture other than your own. Learn the
customs and the cuisine, or purchase a piece of clothing which
can provide insight and an appreciation of others.
* Realize no one is perfect. Don't beat yourself up about the
past - remember the past doesn't define your future – only you
can do that. See and accept only positive people and thoughts
in your life.
* Change someone's life for the better; do a good deed. A good
deed has multiple payoffs for everyone. You can make life a
little easier or enable others to accomplish something they may
not have been able to on their own. The size of a good deed is
not of importance – only that you did something for someone
else. The payoff for you – as the commercial says, "priceless."
The Gift of Knowledge * Expand your knowledge with books.
Seeking new information expands our mind and can develop our
spirit. No time to read you say, books on tape (especially
motivational tapes) are a great way to squeeze in learning
during the vast amount of time we spend commuting, walking on
the treadmill, or waiting at a doctor's office.
* Take a class at an adult learning center or community
college. This inexpensive option allows you to further your
knowledge and increase your potential.
* Join Toastmasters! It's not just for public speakers. This
dynamic international organization empowers you to increase
your communication and leadership skills in a supportive
environment. This is a must for anyone who interacts with
people – ever!
* Subscribe to a newspaper or magazine subscription such as a
health, finance, or major newspaper. Why not better your
well-being, develop your financial portfolio or learn more
about current events that affect your life.
The Gift of Goal Setting * Set your first goal – you will make
time for self. Even fifteen minutes alone, in the bathtub or
shower, can provide you with the time you need to just think
and find yourself. Finding yourself means determining what do
you want and what you need. Who else knows you better and who
else can give you what you need. Help someone else find time -
barter or give the gift of time via babysitting or cooking a
meal for another family (now they will have more time for
themselves, too).
* Commit to a healthful lifestyle. Diets are great for short
term gain but often fail because they are so difficult to stick
with. Improve your health with a subscription to a health
magazine, buy or rent a video/DVD, join a gym or recreation
center, or purchase a piece of gym equipment. Remember it can
only work if you take action!
* Set financial goals – financial freedom is a worthwhile goal
that can be achieved with knowledge, planning and commitment.
Whenever you find yourself in a buying situation, ask yourself
"Do I want this item or do I need this item?" I find this a big
help when deciding to make a purchase and not be a slave to
credit card payments. Also, pay by cash and not by credit card.
Start now!
* De-clutter and organize. That mess can make you feel
overwhelmed, confused, and stressed. Less truly is more. Commit
to keeping only what brings you pleasure, love, or need.
Organize your home and office to enable you to find what's
there. This in turn will save you time and money because you
won't be going out all the time to buy what you already have.
I encourage you to start today - share any or all of these
gifts with yourself, family, friends, or colleagues. Remember,
the greatest gift of all is the gift that keeps on giving – the
gift is empowerment!
About the Author: Joy Fisher-Sykes is a professional speaker,
author, and success coach in the areas of leadership,
motivation, stress management, customer service, and team
building. You can e-mail her at mailto:jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com,
or call her at (757) 427-7032. Go to her web site,
http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for her newsletter,
OnPoint.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
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