Pretty Cool
May 31, 2010
Unfortunately, too often I get caught up in life’s daily aggravations and irritations. Whether it is the other people that are out driving like maniacs, the dishwasher that breaks too soon, the flat tire, or other people that are just rude, life provides plenty of opportunities for irritation.
When I stop and think about it, life is pretty cool. There are a lot of great things for us to enjoy. Whether it is traveling on a jet airplane, using new computer technology, watching an amazing fireworks display, or just enjoying being around people that we care about, life is pretty cool.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Being Better
May 27, 2010
One quality that I value in people is the ability to make others around them better. Too often I see others that try to succeed or to make themselves feel more important by putting down or bringing others down around them.
How about you? When you have the opportunity, do you help others feel better about themselves. Do you build them up rather than bring them down. Do you try to win by helping others win also? This is one way that we can all go about “being better” ourselves.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Second Best
May 24, 2010
Are you satisfied with second best? Second best may be pretty good. It may be really good if that is the best you can do in a race with 1,000 other people. In the Olympics, it would get you a silver medal.
But when it comes to getting what we want out of life, I believe that we need to be careful not settle for second best.
Do you have a plan to live the life that you want to live? Do you know what you want out of life? If not, are you willing to do something different going forward to make this happen?
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Self Realization
May 20, 2010
How many people in life ever get to the point that they actually achieve self-realization? Much of the history of man is the story of his quest for survival. From the days of the hunter gatherers and throughout history, mankind fought to survive.
Self-realization is about fulfilling our potential. How fortunate are we that we live in the United States of America today? Most of us still have the opportunity to choose to pursue our potential.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Hotel Check-in
May 17, 2010
On a business trip I once received a note from the hotel general manager included with my room key. The note welcomed me to the hotel and thanked me for staying with them. It also expressed the desire for me to let them know if there was anything they could do to make my stay more enjoyable.
This was a simple thing but a good marketing idea to hopefully land me as a repeat customer. Little things can go a long way in making a good first impression. They also included the following quote as their special thought of the week.
“Change can either challenge us or threaten us….Your beliefs pave your way to success or block you.” – Marsha Sinetar
This is a nice quote on change. As humans we sometimes resist change. However, we live in interesting and rapidly changing times. Life is ever changing. Embracing change gives us the opportunity to challenge ourselves to grow to be our best.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Setbacks
May 13, 2010
I’ve encountered a lot of setbacks over the years. I’ve often heard it said that these make us stronger. Or as Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” There are a lot of old sayings along these lines and variations of these from over the years.
Setbacks happen. Often when we have a setback, we have a greater opportunity that comes our way later and we get the chance to do even more because of it. It is about timing and living life and keeping at it when life throws obstacles in our path.
Setbacks are part of life. They may not be a lot of fun. But we need to recognize them for what they are and keep moving forward.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Clarity
May 10, 2010
As I talk with others I realize that many people don’t have clarity on what they want to do with their life or what they want to accomplish. There is plenty of self help information available on how to set goals and achieve them.
I wonder how many people don’t reach their goals because they aren’t sure what they want to do. This is where clarity comes in. It comes down to having a mission and a purpose.
Perhaps you will stumble across your mission and accept it and go out and accomplish it. Perhaps life and circumstances will thrust it upon you. Or maybe you will have to go out and figure it out on your own.
Regardless of your personal situation, clarity is important. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of getting started, being decisive, and taking action!
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Paint The Picture
May 6, 2010
Recently I posted a blog regarding “where did the money go?” I noted how many people just don’t know what happened to their money. Money went through their hands and went to something but they really don’t know what it was. When this is the case I encourage them to “paint the picture” of where they are now.
This has nothing to do with art. Rather it is about making sure that you have a clear and accurate picture of where you are financially right now? Following are a few thoughts on painting this picture.
What assets do you own? What is your monthly income? What are your monthly expenses? Remember to make sure that you account for expenses that don’t occur every month such as insurance, property taxes, and gifts.
If you spend $600/year on Christmas gifts, do you budget that as $50/month for 12 months? Do you have more income coming in than your expenses? If so, what are you doing with the extra money? Are you putting it to good use? Are you using it to help you reach your financial and life goals or is it disappearing on miscellaneous expenses?
If your expenses are greater than you monthly income, what steps can you take to correct this? Can you cut your expenses? Can you increase your income?
For more tips in this area please feel free to check out the free reports section of my website.
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC
Where Did The Money Go
May 3, 2010
How is your financial situation currently? Is your income greater than your expenses? Do you actually know where your money goes and what you are spending it on? Do you have a plan or do you just let things happen? Do you have some money set aside for an emergency? Do you know how long this would last you if your income disappeared tomorrow?
When talking with people about their personal financial situation, I find that many people can’t answer the above questions very well. One of the most common themes that I hear is when people tell me that they don’t know where their money went. Maybe they made plenty of money but they spent it on various discretionary items. This is a choice that many people make. Even if you don’t plan for things to happen this way you are making a choice to let it happen if you don’t take charge and take control yourself.
What decision will you make? Will you take control or just wonder where the money went?
Copyright Kevin Drum 2010
Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is reprinted in its entirety including this copyright information and it is attributed to
Kevin Drum
Titan Solutions, LLC