Are you growing or declining? The thriving choice is all yours. Bill Douglas gives you 10 tips on how to do it and how to keep it going.
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The dictionary definition of thriving is:
- to prosper; be fortunate or successful.
- to grow or develop vigorously; flourish
To me, thriving is growing in a positive direction. If we are not growing, in business or in life, then we are dying.
Thriving is a choice, a direction, movement toward the pinnacle – it is not a destination.
Life is short. While nobody is immune to challenges, the quicker we focus on thriving the better our lives become.
Someone asked our Facebook group to define “thriving”. Here are a few responses:
“I’m thriving when I’m at peace knowing who I am and loving that person completely, being able to totally forgive and let go, and knowing where I want to go and creating that reality – and yes – having fun doing it because it’s not for the money – and then I may or may not attract someone else in my life – and that’s ok.”
“I default to very literal biomechanics when the going gets confusing and I begin to wilt: A little sun, a nice variety of food including veggies and fruits, water regularly (snow, wind and rain okay), I thrive best when placed next to complex music and enjoy a good thrill, add humor. When in doubt, a nice hug or a gathering of the 3 Musketeers (my teens and I). Entrepreneurial daydreams and energy usually follow if I have a healthy base.”
It took me a while to get back to thriving after my divorce. I recall wanting to “be over it” but just couldn’t get that zip back into my step right away. I needed to do the self-work, to fully understand and own my part in this whole debacle.
Through deep thinking, journaling and the rituals of self-improvement, thriving became not just a distant idea it became tangible. Then, through small wins and building confidence, came successes. With successes came confidence. And, that confidence is when my life returned to thriving.
In hindsight, here’s how I built that momentum on the path to thriving:
- Focused on positive thoughts. Avoided negative thoughts and conversations.
- Spent time with uplifting, positive friends and influencers.
- Built rituals and structures that strengthened my body and my mind.
- Used my newly found free time to pursue my passions in life again.
- Focused on helping others. When I was helping someone else I could only feel good, which voided all negative emotions.
- Got plenty of sleep. It took my mind and body a while to recover, and sleep was critical.
- Got out of my normal spaces. Found new places to go, visit, and hang out. Sought new friends and new clients.
- Stretched my circles. Increased my circle of friends and influencers and focused on those seeking to do great things.
- Looked for new things, even if they frightened me. “If you play in traffic, you’re bound to get hit”, so I played in new streets.
- Celebrated the wins. Big or small I celebrated, and I included everyone I could in the celebrations. Positivity is infectious.
Thriving. It’s a choice and it’s something you can control. Choose to thrive!
Feel free to join our group. If that’s not your thing, and even if it is, try this life reboot! I am certain you will be pleased with the results.
Life is a Gift! Make it a great one!
~ bill
30 years of strategic, entrepreneurial business growth along with two brushes with death have earned him the tag “ResilienceGuy”. Bill Douglas is an accomplished Mentor, Coach & Speaker helping entrepreneurs & executives with growth and strength.
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Photo: Flickr/Jeromy Shepard